Print Edition for The Observer for Monday, November 8, 2021

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Fennessy Continued from page 4

in the summer.

“We planned like we were going to have a tournament, but we were still kind of on that edge of, we might get told that it can’t happen,” Fennessy said. “Because I didn’t help put together last year’s tournament because I didn’t have one. It’s been a lot of just making it up as we go. Honestly, the past couple of president and v ice president teams have been ver y helpful and available to help troubleshoot and see what they can remember from our sophomore year.”

Fennessy is excited to be back in the ring for the first time in two years because she knows she has improved significantly since her sophomore year.

“Coming out of my sophomore year, I knew I was good and I was a really strong boxer,” Fennessy said. “I knew I had a year to improve and then come out on top the next time, so now I have had two years of waiting for that. I can’t let myself get past the excitement of getting back in there.

I am not even going to think about the outcome,” Fennessy said.

The main purpose of the tournament is to support the mission of the club, which raises money for t wo Holy Cross secondar y schools in Uganda.

Each year the mission supports a specific need for the schools, and this year’s initiative is to build on-campus housing for facult y and staff.

Fennessy explained why this is really important for the Holy Cross Lake View Secondar y School.

“They often hire teachers and staff but they often don’t stay on ver y long because they don’t have a place to house them on campus,” Fennessy said.

Fennessy has stressed to herself and her fellow boxers that the outcome of the tournament itself doesn’t matter in comparison to the mission statement.

“It doesn’t matter if you w in or if you lose,” Fennessy said. “It does matter to some people, but on the whole, the work that we’ve been doing and the money we’ve been fundraising is more important.

You’re not training for the Baraka Bouts to say that I won a bout or I won my bracket. It’s about

putting on a great tournament w ith qualit y boxing that people want to come to, and they want to buy tickets for all for the sake of fundraising for the missions.”

Fennessy has emphasized that w inning isn’t ever y thing to the younger boxers in the club.

“We’re not here to tell you that you have the most value to the club if you are the best boxer and you come out and w in your bout,” Fennessy said. “It’s about the fact that you put in the time and effort and you are a qualit y boxer who is going to put on a heck of a show. That’s what it is all about.”

Fennessy is excited to see how the sophomore boxers in the club w ill perform in their first tournament after training w ith the team all of last season.

“We have a prett y significant number of girls who came back after COV ID that had trained before but never gotten in the ring before, and their qualit y of box ing is ver y high. I’m really excited those girls have a chance to get in the ring and finally see what it’s all about since they’ve been hearing us talk about it for a year,” Fennessy said.

Fennessy shared that one of her favorite memories from her time in Baraka Bouts was when she was a freshman and had her second cousin, who was a senior at the time, in her corner during her first-ever bout.

“That was one example of many in our club of that mentorship from upperclassmen to underclassmen and passing that dow n,” Fennessy said. “This happened to be w ith someone who I am blood-related to but now [am] ver y good friends w ith.”

Fennessy’s favorite part of being president this year has been the connection that she has w ith the other members of the club.

“I just love engaging w ith members of the club,” Fennessy said. “I just love that this communit y, even though it is a ver y large communit y of people, has shrunk to the point that there are for sure boxers who act like parents to younger boxers.”

Fennessy has made it her goal to make sure that all boxers feel they are a big part of Baraka Bouts.

“The job is making sure that all boxers feel that they have a place and can empathize w ith others,” Fennessy said.

Contact Nate Moller at nmoller2@nd.edu

Wilborn Continued from page 4

making sure that we achieve those goals and are still getting as many people invested in the club as possible.”

Keeping people involved builds a teamwork mentality. According to Wilborn, this makes both fundraising goals and boxing goals that much easier to achieve. When she’s in the ring, Wilborn said, she just wants to display her skill level after four years. Especially since the tournament spent one of those years on hiatus due to COVID-19.

“I just want to go out and show that I’m a four-year boxer. I’ve put in the time and I’ve been working towards this since freshman year. Hopefully, when the time comes into the ring, I can deliver on that,” she said. “But at the end of the day, you hug your opponent. We’re teammates first and foremost, and then we’re competitors.

And that, more than anything, means a lot to me.”

Seniors Continued from page 3

times where there is a little bit of self-doubt and that’s where the community aspect really comes in. It’s just a rewarding thing to look back and see how far you’ve come not only physically, but also mentally.”

Outside of the ring, Leone studies computer science in Notre Dame’s College of Engineering.

Margaret (Mags) Roccato Born in Moorestow n, New Jersey, Roccato has been a member of Baraka Bouts since her sophomore year.

Roccato previously lived in Walsh Hall but is now offcampus. Throughout her time in the club, she has valued the friendships she has made and found comfort in the tremendous support that exists amongst her teammates. She often thinks about what impact this support would have had on her younger self.

“I wish I could go back and coach my sophomore year self and tell her what I tell my girls. Think of all the work, all the hours, all the exercises and everything you’ve done this season. It’s all led you up to that point. This is what I tell all the girls that are in my corner.”

These women are certainly nothing short of hardworking.

Roccato continually feels empowered when she sees young girls find their place in the ring and carry this confidence out into other aspects of their life.

“There are some badass women in that ring — they could take most of the guys, I’m sure. You have a little community of your people who maybe you have a

Wilborn said the relationships she has made and maintained through the four years reassure her the club will be in good hands when she, club president Erin Fennessy and the rest of the seniors leave the team.

But Wilborn wasn’t always comfortable with the task of leading this team, she said. At the start of their tenure, she and fellow captain Abby Leone felt daunted by the lofty fundraising goal. Wilborn recalled leaving a meeting with the head of Holy Cross Missions on campus and feeling slightly overwhelmed. It was in those moments, she said, having the entire team helped.

“There’s that moment where I just stopped and we had to be like, ‘Okay, we’re not doing this alone,’” Wilborn said.

“You know, within captains when there’s all this stuff that we have to organize, we always remind each other, ‘Hey, you’re not doing this alone. If there’s too much on your plate between training, doing your job and being a student, tell us.

Somebody else will take this off your plate and help you.’

And it’s that same mentality. I think it’s so easy as 10 captains to feel like it’s just 10 of us fundraising, but it’s really 200 of us in the club. And I think we need that reminder sometimes to not get overwhelmed and remember that we’re not doing this alone.”

Not only are there 190 more women — the men’s captains help out and the alumnae are very reliable, Wilborn said.

Because this is her fourth of five years on campus as a mechanical engineering and industrial design student, Wilborn will not have a lead role next year. Still, she knows she won’t be done with Baraka Bouts.

“We have years of previous members of the club supporting us and who still believe in our mission,” she said. “That doesn’t stop when you graduate. You keep believing in that mission even afterwards.”

special connection with. It makes me feel empowered to see a younger version of themselves growing in this, finding themselves and getting stronger.”

Though some may think of boxing as an individual sport, Roccato emphasizes that women’s boxing, specifically Baraka Bouts, is a team sport through and through.

“We always talk about how we are a team sport for a reason because we are this community. Yes, we compete against one another, but it’s always for the betterment of the other person. Baraka means “blessing” in Swahili, and it’s a gift to be able to do this. We don’t HAVE to do this, we GET to do this.”

Outside of the ring, Roccato studies biochemistry in the Notre Dame College of Science. She has a second major in anthropolog y in the College of Arts and Letters.

Voigt said. “Whether that’s the physical challenge of getting ready for a tough workout or the emotional battle of getting in the ring, these are all situations that you get through. You go home after practice each day just amazed by what you accomplished in two hours.”

These accomplishments are also accompanied by the feeling of familial support that many of the other captains emphasized. Though members fight one another in the ring at the season-culminating tournament, this spirit of generosity is present winor-lose. Voigt had a moment where this particularly rang true her first year of boxing.

“My sophomore year, a [woman] who I went against at one point ended up subbing in and being my corner in the next round,” Voigt said. “She didn’t have to do that, but she talked me through the next round which shows how supportive of a communit y it really is.”

As a captain, Voigt has been impressed by her fellow captain’s leadership abilities. Especially, their w illingness to collaborate and problem-solve in order to nav igate uncertain circumstances.

“Watching all of us step up in different ways and be leaders has been ver y special.

We’ve been ver y adaptable and at no point has anyone pointed fingers at one another. I think it’s made for a ver y successful season so far, and we are looking forward to the tournament.”

Outside of the ring, Voigt is an economics and psycholog y major in Notre Dame’s College of A rts and Letters.

Megan Voigt Formerly in Howard Hall and originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Voigt joined Baraka Bouts her sophomore year and has stuck with it ever since.

“I was also part of that sophomore group of Howard [women] with Abby,” Voigt said. “I decided to give it a try and just couldn’t stay away after seeing the environment.

Watching the passion and motivation of everyone involved in the club is such an inspiring thing to be around.”

Something that has been most impactful to Voigt is the lesson she’s learned about her character and all that she can handle as a woman. These small, personal victories are what have kept her invested in Baraka Bouts for over half of her collegiate career.

“You do things you never thought you could do,”

Contact Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu

Contact Madeline Ladd at mladd2@nd.edu

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Volume 56, Issue 28 | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Ruby Bridges speaks on role in history Civil rights activist discusses school integration, anti-racist initiatives in Klau Center lecture

By NELISHA SILVA Assistant Managing Editor

The Klau Center for Civil and Human Rights hosted American civil rights icon Ruby Bridges as part of its online lecture series “Building an Anti-Racist Vocabular y” on Friday.

The series is led by Dor y Mitros Durham, associate director of the Klau Center and leader of the Keough School of Global Affairs’ Racial Justice Initiative, as a response to the acts of police brutality against George Floyd, A hmaud Arber y and Breonna Taylor in 2020.

Friday’s lecture was hosted in Leighton Concert Hall in DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, with local South Bend middle school students and members of the tri-campus community in attendance.

This event was part of the Klau Center’s celebration of its official dedication Nov. 5. and was also available on Zoom.

Prior to the event, Bridges sat down with The Obser ver to discuss her life and what it means to her to be immortalized as a six-year-old child in the collective consciousness of America.

Bridges began both the inter view and her lecture by sharing her perspective on the first day she integrated a previously all-white school in New Orleans.

“I was six years old and did not have a clue as to what was going on,” Bridges said.

“I knew I was going to a new school because I had taken the [entrance] test … only six kids passed. I happened to be one of them.”

Bridges discussed the fact

Sexual battery reported On Saturday morning, members of the Saint Mary’s community received an email about a reported off-campus sexual assault from director of Saint Mary’s Campus Safety Phil Bambenek.

Three Saint Mary’s community members reported separate acts of sexual battery, all perpetrated by the same individual, at an off-campus party on West Corby Blvd.

Friday night, according to a Saturday morning email from Phil Bambenek.

Bambenek said the students all described the same college-aged male, who they did not know. The man “forcefully groped them, attempted to kiss them without consent and tried to remove or reach into their clothing without permission.” The attacker was physically removed from a woman he had assaulted by

other people at the party at least once, he added.

The South Bend Police Department has been notified and is investigating the crime, Bambenek said.

Anyone with further information about the crime is asked to contact either the South Bend Police or Campus Safety.

This news comes after Friday night’s email notifying students of an off-campus sexual assault, also from Bambenek.

Information for sexual assault prevention and resources for survivors can be found through the Belles Against Violence Office (BAVO) at 574-284-4081 or the Campus Safety Department.

Information about sexual assault prevention and resources for survivors of sexual assault are available online from NDSP and from the Title IX office.

News PAGE 3

Viewpoint PAGE 7

Observer Staff Report

that the entrance test for Black students to attend integrated schools essentially ser ved to keep students in their segregated schools.

Over 150 Black students took the entrance exam the same year as Bridges, yet only six passed and were accepted to all-white schools.

However, as the school year grew closer, the families of the two students who were to attend school with Bridges changed their minds, leaving her alone at William Frantz Elementar y School.

Federal marshals escorted Bridges to and from school each day, guiding her through the angr y crowds of protestors who didn’t want her attending an all-white school. Bridges remembers those crowds from attending see BRIDGES PAGE 4

Courtesy of Tom Dumont

Ruby Bridges delivered a lecture as part of the Klau Center’s “Building an Anti-Racist Vocabulary” lecture series over Zoom on Friday night.

College reflects on impact of LGBTQ+ Center

By EVAN McKENNA Managing Editor

On Oct. 8, members of the Saint Mary’s community gathered for a “Celebration of Belonging,” commemorating the opening of the College’s new LGBTQ+ Center — a ribbon-cutting that was decades in the making.

Located on the second floor of the Student Center, the LGBTQ+ Center acts as a welcoming, inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ students and allies to congregate and create community. Student organizations such as the Sexuality and Gender Equity (SAGE) Club utilize the space for club meetings and social events, planning to host guest speakers and discussion groups in the future.

Although events such as these have occurred on the College’s campus for many years, these are some of the

scene PAGE 5

first that will not have to take place inside a multipurpose room. Upon its unveiling last month, the Center became the campus’s first officially designated safe space for LGBTQ+ students since the College’s inception in 1844.

Just two years ago, the Center was nothing more than an aspiration. In the fall of 2019, members of the Saint Mary’s community drafted a proposal for a safe space and presented it to the College administration.

In lieu of adequate funds and in the midst of an interim between presidents, the College did not have the resources or capacity to support the project.

But one year later, Sophia Sanchez helped the movement regain momentum. A current senior studying sociology and gender and women’s studies, Sanchez authored a new proposal — including examples of similar spaces on other Catholic campuses — and with

Football PAGE 12

the help of associate professor gender and women’s studies Jamie Wagman, she presented her work to College President Katie Conboy. But in light of budgeting issues and obstacles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanchez said, the proposal was dismissed.

Despite initial complications, the campaign finally saw success in the latter half of the fall 2020 semester. In collaboration with vice president for inclusion and equity Redgina Hill and former vice president for mission Judy Fean, Sanchez proposed the idea to Conboy once more — and got a yes.

“This has been decades in the making,” Hill told The Observer. “I think it was just the right time, the right leadership and the right administration for it to come to pass.”

But the push for the Center began long before 2019, Hill see LGBTQ+ PAGE 4

hockey PAGE 12

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TODAY

The observer | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

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senior O’Neill Family Hall

“Margherita.”

“Sausage and pepperoni with basil.”

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sophomore Dunne Hall

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“BBQ chicken.”

“Sausage.”

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

Notre Dame News Editor: Alysa Guffey Saint Mary’s News Editor: Genevieve Coleman

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GABRIELLE PENNA | The Observer

Students and fans watch the home game against Navy on Saturday. Notre Dame won against the Midshipmen with a score of 34-6.

Saturday’s matchup marked the 94th game between the two teams and the 78th win for the Fighting Irish in the storied series.

The next Five days:

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Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

“Communicating with the World Around You” Remick Commons noon - 1:15 p.m.

Free refreshments.

Book Festival and Dirty Book Sale Hesburgh Library Concourse 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Prices as low as $3.00.

Black and Catholic at Notre Dame Coleman-Morse Center Lounge 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Reception to follow.

Pizza, Pop and Politics Geddes Coffee House 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Discussion about 1975 Voting Rights Act.

Caramel Craze Outside of O’Shaughnessy Hall 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Enjoy caramel apples with FLIP!

Need to Talk?

113 Coleman-Morse 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Drop-in counseling office hours with Campus Ministry.

Catholic Mass in Italian Geddes Hall Chapel 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Guidance provided in Italian and English.

“This is Modern Art” DeBartolo Performing Arts Center 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Play tickets available online.

ROTC Veteran’s Day Ceremony Clarke Memorial Fountain 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Open to the public.

“American Horror Story” Trivia Legends 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Test your knowledge and win themed prizes.

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DIANE PARK | The Observer

The ups and downs of student journalism

By UYEN LE, LILYANN GARDNER and CHRIS RUSSO From the Archives Researchers

Editor’s Note: This is the second story in a two-part From the Archives series celebrating The Observer’s 55th anniversary. The first story was published on Wednesday. Nov. 9. A full version of this story is available online.

Previously, we examined the origins of The Observer, which arose from the remnants of The Voice.

In this second segment, we will look at The Observer’s first and 20th anniversary editions to see the progression of Notre Dame’s first independent student newspaper from an underdog publication to a mighty journalistic force on campus.

A year of trial and error Nov. 2, 1967 | Observer Staff | Researched by Lilyann Gardner “With a Purpose and a Promise.”

This phrase was coined at the inception of Notre Dame’s influential journalistic endeavor and was the drive behind bringing authentic and meaningful news to the community.

One year later, the 1967 staff of The Observer reflected on the highs and lows of the paper’s first year, sharing their thoughts on what it takes to create a paper for the people.

The Observer operated under editor Robert Sam Anson (‘67), but one man alone was not enough to keep a newspaper fully functioning, as The Observer would not

have survived a year without the many individuals who contributed to its success.

But the publication’s first year did not go entirely smoothly.

“The Observer was dealt a serious threat to its existence when it reprinted a story from the Berkeley Barb which contained a five letter word, thought by many to be vulgar and in bad taste,” the staff wrote.

The aforementioned incident resulted in the temporary suspension of the paper’s publication and nearly caused the loss of student government subsidy and support. The editors and staff knew a change needed to occur when proceeding into the second volume of the paper.

Moving forward, The Observer distanced itself from student government by relying primarily on a subscription fee. The paper also switched publication companies, ending its work with the Mishawaka-based Countryman’s Press and beginning to print with the Niles Daily Star.

“Close to 70 percent of the cost of The Observer is funneled back into the hands of students who have been trained in printing skills such that they can handle the composition work,” the staff of 1967 wrote on the benefits of the new business decisions.

With a year under their belt and greater knowledge on the intricacies of producing a paper, The Observer planned to expand the twice-weekly publication schedule into a triweekly schedule of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The triweekly publication permitted greater variation in genre that persists to this day.

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The Observer published a special edition for its 20th anniversary, highlighting the reflections of The Observer’s founding fathers, who look back fondly at their contributions to student journalism at Notre Dame

Times were different 20 years ago Nov 3. 1986 | Robert Sam Anson | Researched by Christopher Russo One of The Observer’s editorsin-chief, Robert Sam Anson (‘67), provided a reflection on the early years of the paper 20 years after its inception. Anson presided over the campus transition from The Voice to The Observer. Although bankruptcy contributed to The Voice’s demise, Anson pointed out that the paper lacked sections that would later drive readership, such as opinion and sports.

The first edition of The Observer was printed less than a week after the debut staff was pulled together. According to Anson, on Nov. 3, 1966, “the general reaction was shock. Here was a newspaper that was fact-filled, slick-looking, and rarest of all for Notre Dame, positively bristling with opinion.”

From the “lunacy” of the Vietnam War to the “deplorable lack drugs, booze, and sex on campus,” Anson reminisced on the news landscape that existed during the 1960s and the blunt commentary that he published in The Observer.

Much of the content of the Anson administration was controversial, to say the least. Unimaginable in a modern issue, early editions had the weekly “Observed” feature, which usually featured a Saint Mary’s girl in a pin-up costume.

Despite admitting the “gross sexism” he allowed on the pages of The Observer, Anson claimed that “the tactic worked.”

Their biggest controversy came when they filled a hole in the page with a reprint from the Berkeley Barb, which included a five-letter

word for fornication that did not sit well with the University administration. The paper was required to issue an apology to the entire Notre Dame community. If they refused, the paper would be shut down and those responsible, including Anson, would be expelled. They ultimately wrote a letter of apology — “a most snottily artful one it was” — and the crisis was averted.

Anson noted the variety of career pathways that have siphoned off Observer journalists, including law, business and the IRA. He hoped that the paper would continue to exude the same passion that he infused into it. After all, when he was at the helm, “week after week,” The Observer “demanded that you read it.” Though he yearned for the “hot-blooded journalism” of the 1960s, Anson also provided a salute to The Observer in its evolved form.

“To my astonishment, and that of my ragtag collection of friends who were there those 20 years ago, it has continued, and, in continuing, become a far better and more professional paper than anything we could have ever dreamed of.”

The necessity of student newspapers: A reflection Nov. 7, 1986 | Bill Dwyre | Researched by Uyen Le For the Observer’s 20th anniversary, Bill Dwyre (‘66), the founder of The Voice, reflected on the importance of student journalism in contributing to a campus culture.

“To be a university is to have a student newspaper,” Dwyre started the article. “It is that simple.”

At the time that Dwyre wrote this reflection, he was a sports editor for the Los Angeles Times. Writing for newspapers was one of his greatest passions, and that passion was cultivated for him at Notre Dame.

During Dwyre’s college years, he noted, Notre Dame lacked a timely news service.

“Notre Dame was a great vacuum for local news, campus doings,”

Dwyre noted. “It wasn’t news until it was printed in the Scholastic, so sometimes, it wasn’t news until weeks later.”

Admittedly motivated by the potential of campus fame and job prospects, Dwyre and some friends decided to start their own student newspaper, The Voice. Though they recognized that their first batch of papers needed plenty of improvement, they were proud to call it theirs. Dwyre commended The Observer for carrying on the legacy of The Voice, recognizing how far student journalism had come since his time at Notre Dame and how essential it is to a college campus.

“What a university can’t flourish without is a pulse, a monitor, a voice or observer of itself,” Dwyre asserted.

Introspection, for Dwyre, was the key for success.

Student newspapers offer that inward look that is necessary for self-reflection and subsequently positive change.

To have a place where students could express their views about campus happenings was what kept colleges alive, Dwyre argued. Student publications shape how the Notre Dame community understands and grapples with pressing issues.

A strong student newspaper can be seen as a badge of pride for those who read it. “The students who put out the paper want it to be good so that the students who read it will be proud of it and cite it as a positive of their daily student life,” Dwyre reflected.

In these last 45 years, The Observer has grown so much.

Today, we publish daily, both in print and online. We hope that we have made the founders proud by fulfilling their vision of a publication that is for the students of Notre Dame, by the students of Notre Dame.

Contact Uyen Le at hle2@nd.edu, Lilyann Gardner at lgardne2@nd.edu and Chris Russo at crusso2@nd.edu

Off-campus sexual assault reported Observer Staff Report

A member of the Saint Mary’s community reported an incident of sexual assault that took place off-campus during the early morning hours Friday, according to a Friday evening email from director of Saint Mary’s Campus Safety Phil Bambenek.

Bambenek said the female victim, a student, met the assailant through the online dating

application BLK. After sharing food and drinks with him, the student reportedly felt ill and was assaulted in his apartment in an “unknown location.”

The email described the assailant as a young Black male with wavy hair, driving a small white sedan.

Bambenek reminded students to seek consent when initiating sexual contact and emphasized a survivor is never to blame for

sexual assault.

“The perpetrator, not the survivor, is responsible for any instance of sexual assault,” he said.

“Nothing a survivor does or does not do is an excuse for sexual assault.”

Information for sexual assault prevention and resources for survivors can be found through the Belles Against Violence Office (BAVO) at 574-284-4081 or the Campus Safety Department.

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NEWS

The observer | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Bridges Continued from page 1

school and recalls the consequences of her attendance.

“It felt just like I had stumbled into a into a Mardi Gras parade,” she said. “Once I got inside the building, all of those parents that were outside rushed in and removed their kids. Over 500 kids walked out of school that day because I was there. They did not want their children going to school with a Black child.

It left me in an empty classroom in an empty school building for the entire year.”

Despite being in a class of one for the year, Bridges never missed a day of school that year and credits her teacher Barbara Henr y with her perfect attendance. She also remembers Henr y as being the first white person with whom she had substantial contact.

“The first thing that stuck out to me was that she’s white … she looked exactly like all the people that seemed really angr y outside,” Bridges said. “Once I got inside of the classroom, she was just an incredible teacher and she was so nice to me. It felt like it was just her and I and we

LGBTQ+ Continued from page 1

said. Students and faculty have organized several campaigns for an on-campus safe space over the years — the oldest known proposal dating back to 1999.

Diving into these decades of activism and advocacy at the College will inevitably reveal the pain and struggles of its LGBTQ+ alumni, many of whom were forced to grapple with a lack of resources and a less welcoming campus. But events like the Celebration of Belonging and other markers of progress, Hill noted, can help to heal the scars of history.

“I have talked to several alums who have shared their experiences of being hurt,” Hill said. “Because they couldn’t fully be themselves on campus; they didn’t feel seen on campus.

At the opening [of the LGBTQ+ Center], you felt the energy in the room. And to have our alum come to me crying afterward, saying ‘This was such a healing moment for me; I had to show up to be here to see if this was actually happening at Saint Mary’s’ … To me, that shows progress.”

And this troubled history is one that the College’s current administration is more than willing to acknowledge, Hill said.

“I think that’s one of the key ways of moving forward — to humbly say that we didn’t always get it right,” she said.

“And we hope that this is a step in the right direction for reconciliation.”

Emma Bacon, a sophomore studying religious studies,

were in our own little world ... She may have looked like [the people outside], but she’s nothing like them … she showed me her heart, and she really shaped who I am today.”

The stor y of Bridges’ first day of school has been documented in picture books, histor y books, movies and even in a Norman Rockwell painting. Recently, she published a book titled “This Is Your Time,” written as a letter to the reader. The book is aimed at students and young adults. She recalled that a friend had encouraged her to start writing the letter after the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

“I was really tr ying to figure out what to do and what to say … I couldn’t believe my eyes that this was happening right now because it looked exactly like it did in the 1960s,” she said. “I wanted to talk about what I saw and how it reminded me of what I was going through … I felt like I was happy that [young people] were involved and had taken to the streets, because I honestly feel like if we’re going to ever get past racial differences, it’s

going to come from [young people].”

Bridges delivered a message directly to this young generation of activists.

“You all need to understand that you too have a sense of responsibility to make this countr y better,” she said. “So many times, young people, kids rely on adults, but I was a kid and I knew the thoughts in my head, and I want them to understand that. You do not have to settle for this. This is your countr y too … I’ve always felt like you all needed something to sink your teeth into to move for ward, and this is it. This is your time.”

Her foundation, The Ruby Bridges Foundation, was created to promote respect and equal treatment to people of all races and differences.

One of their newest initiatives is the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, which is being held Nov. 17 this year in schools across the countr y. This day is meant to commemorate Bridges’ first day of school on Nov. 14, 1960, and aims to promote youth activism. She hopes that it will become a day of dialogue for students

to share their passions and make real change.

W hen speaking about her desire to work primarily with children, Bridges stressed the importance of recognizing and maintaining the pure heart that all people are born with and ref lected on the consequences of teaching racism to children.

“We come into the world with a ver y unique gift and that is a clean heart, a fresh start in life,” Bridges said.

“And when someone tries to take racism and pass it on to you, they’re taking away your innocence.”

The first time she realized the people protesting in front of the school were doing it because of the way she looked, Bridges said, was when a child she wanted to play with called her a racial slur.

“In hindsight, my innocence was gone,” she said.

Additionally, she addressed her hopes for young people to affect change in this countr y.

“I have faith in young people that you are going to be the ones to change the world … Change is coming,” she said. “But once people see

that change is coming, then the fight gets harder. So don’t expect it to be easy. A lot of people before you lost their lives to bring us to where we are now, so I want young people to be hopeful and to know that this really is your world.”

Bridges thinks of her involvement in the civil rights movement as a calling and even though she didn’t choose to integrate an allwhite school, as she grew older, she chose to continue fighting to make a difference. Even though she’s grown up since that famous first day of school, she still continues to do the work to eradicate racism in America.

“We have a much bigger enemy than the color of our skin, and that enemy is evil.

Evil comes in all shapes and sizes, and while we’re fighting over what we look like, evil is winning,” Bridges said. “I want my life to have meaning. I don’t want my life to have been in vain, I want my life to have a purpose and I’m still working towards that.”

echoed the importance of reconnection and reconciliation with LGBTQ+ alumni, also admitting the difficulty of said processes. “[The speakers at the Celebration for Belonging] talked about this being a step towards reconciliation, but [reconciliation] is very difficult to measure,” she said. “While we can’t give a person four years of their life back, I think … flipping our narrative is so important — making room for listening, encounter, accompaniment and dialogue.”

As a Saint Mary’s ministry assistant, Bacon works with resident assistants to bridge the gap between residential life and campus ministry in McCandless Hall. At the beginning of their tenure, each ministry assistant adopts one of the five core values of the College, a word meant to guide each students’ service throughout the year. Bacon chose “justice” — a virtue that has driven her work in LGBTQ+ advocacy across the tri-campus.

Bacon’s passion lies in creating spaces for safe and nonjudgmental dialogue across campus.

She encourages non-LGBTQ+ students to learn how to ask questions about sexuality and gender identity, even the difficult ones. She urges educated allies to answer these questions when appropriate, helping to take the burden of education off of LGBTQ+ people. For LGBTQ+ Christians, she promotes the College’s LGBTQ+ faith-sharing groups, open to the entire tricampus community.

Although Bacon’s advocacy centers around the Saint Mary’s community, she advocates for a

larger network of solidarity and support spanning across the entire tri-campus community.

“Extending LGBTQ+ advocacy looks like first breaking the overall stigma which the schools in the tri-campus tend to hold against each other,” Bacon said. “We saw a lot of that last year, and again this year.

We saw a dismantling of a culture of shame with Saint Mary’s students taking back the word ‘smick’ this April … If we as a tri-campus community could come together to break a culture of shame around a word, why can’t we come together to break an inherited culture of shame and stigmatization against LGBTQ+ students?”

For Bacon, this tri-campus unification can be modeled in a mantra: “Community over competition.”

“Basically what it means is that we should build communities and lean into one another before we try to compete with other campuses on who can create ‘more’ change,” she said.

And the Center might offer a glimpse into this potential tricampus unity. Although the space primarily serves the Saint Mary’s community, all tri-campus students are welcome to visit and attend events, Sanchez said.

“It’s going to be a space for people to feel welcome, but also a space where we can invite people outside of the tri-campus community,” she said. “It’s definitely here for everybody.”

But this watershed moment in LGBTQ+ representation is not exclusive to Saint Mary’s — Catholic colleges and universities across the country are finally seeing the conclusions of

decades of activism and advocacy from their LGBTQ+ alumni.

Xavier University of Louisiana, the country’s only historically Black Catholic college, celebrated its first Pride Week last month with a “gayla,” featuring musical performances from local drag queens. At Boston College, a petition calling for the creation of an LGBTQ+ resource center gathered mass support on campus and beyond, even earning a signature from current Secretary of Labor and former Boston mayor Marty Walsh.

As some of the first major milestones for LGBTQ+ representation on these Catholic campuses, many of these movements ignited backlash from alumni and members of the Church. Following the Center’s opening, Hill says she has faced similar resistance — and in formulating responses, she always returns to the College’s central mission of diversity and inclusion.

“I think my answer always points back to the mission — not just our mission, but our core values of the institution, which speak to community, and also speak to justice,” she said. “I will always point to that and just say ‘You know, hopefully you can get on board with doing good work with us as we continue to walk with our students who are having these experiences on our campus, real human experiences.’”

But the College’s fight for LGBTQ+ liberation should not end with the opening of the Center, Bacon argued. For her, the future of LGBTQ+ representation at Saint Mary’s involves learning from mistakes of the past — discovering which voices

have been historically silenced.

In the wake of the Center’s opening, she said she hopes the College and the tri-campus at large can do more to listen to the voices of transgender, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming students.

“An often-forgotten population on all of our campuses are our transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming students,” she said. “While respecting a person’s human dignity by calling them by their proper name and pronouns is one thing, we also need to listen to their needs and find out what we can do as students to help create change for our peers. We need to pass on the mic and give them a chance to speak for their needs and tell us what we can be doing to create change.”

Sanchez played a large role in transforming the Center from a simple idea into a fully fledged reality — and even after a year of advocacy and organization, she still looks toward the future. She said she believes the space will serve as a tool for conservation and reconnection.

“I feel like [the Center] is going to do really good things,” she said. “Just having all these stories out there is going to do really great things. For Saint Mary’s, I know a lot of alums that previously said they would never donate to Saint Mary’s [who] now will, because we have an LGBTQ center on campus. …

I definitely think that it’s pushed Saint Mary’s as a whole to start talking about things like this.

It’s opening the conversation more.”

Contact Nelisha Silva at nsilva@nd.edu

Contact Evan McKenna at emckenn2@nd.edu

5

The observer | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | ndsmcobserver.com

By JOHN CLARK Scene Writer

This week, Crunchyroll, the most prominent anime streaming service, added “Revolutionary Girl Utena” to their library. Produced during the 90s era that produced “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” “Sailor Moon” and “Cowboy Bebop,” “Revolutionary Girl Utena” was a collaborative multimedia project simultaneously released as a manga and as an anime in 1997. The two media platforms deviated greatly from each other in terms of content: the anime was directed by Kunihiko Ikuhara, while the manga was written and illustrated by Chiho Saito, though the latter also lent her gorgeous character designs to the anime.

“Revolutionary Girl Utena” is a story about two women, Utena and Anthy, and their quest to revolutionize the world.

Utena Tenjou is a young woman who, as a child, was saved by a prince. The prince gave her a ring with a rose crest and promised her it would lead her back to him someday.

Following this incident, Utena, inspired by the prince, vows to become a prince herself and dons a men’s uniform.

Utena’s search for the prince eventually leads her to becomes a student at Ohtori Academy, the boarding school at which the entirety of the story plays out. While at the school, she gets caught up in a bizarre ritual in which she and other students must duel for possession of the power to revolutionize the world. This power is embodied in the Rose Bride, Utena’s reserved classmate, whose name is Anthy Himemiya. Although uninterested in gaining the power for herself, Utena participates in the duel in order to live up to her ideals as a prince and to protect Anthy from the other duelists, who view her as a tool for gaining power.

“Revolutionary Girl Utena” uses its premise as the launching point for an intersectional critical examination of modern

By KATE CASPER Scene Writer

In late October, British electropop duo Andy Clutterbuck (singer, producer) and James Hatcher (producer) of HONNE, released their latest album, “LET’S JUST SAY THE WORLD ENDED A WEEK FROM NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?” Following the mid-pandemic release of “no song without you,” this album feels like a lighter, more optimistic companion piece. In an interview with Gadhouse, Hatcher shared that “the album has a bit more of a brightness to it and an upbeat feel.”

Starting off the album with a track called “IDGAF ABOUT PAIN,” listeners enter into a chipper “dream space” complete with a whistling beat. The song explores the idea that in relationships, pain will always play its part, but the pain does not take away from the experience of love.

The album’s third track, “WHAT WOULD YOU DO” feat. Pink Sweat$ (David Bowden), which was released as a single over the summer, is a great foray into the album. Bowden’s soulful, smooth voice paired with the song’s darker vocals and mood strike an interesting contrast. In the chorus, Clutterbuck sings: “With nothing left to lose, nothing left to prove / Are you gonna tell the truth? Ooh / What would you do?” Reminiscent of HONNE’s “smile more smile more” from the previously-released “no song without you,” this song can be considered a call to action.

The songs “DANCING ON A CLOUD” and “BACK ON

society. The setting of Ohtori Academy, which constitutes the entire world of Revolutionary Girl Utena, is used to examine the social function of schools in society. Schools, after all, are institutions dedicated to the ideological formation of children. “Utena” demonstrates how schools condition students to apply the competitive logic of capitalism to their behavior and to submit and conform to cis-heteronormative patriarchy. Ikuhara uses the character drama contained within Ohtori Academy to illustrate the mechanisms of cultural hegemony in society at large.

“Revolutionary Girl Utena” is one of the most beautiful animes ever made, despite its low budget. Its gorgeous art, demonstrated in the stunning opening sequence, is matched by an immersive score, provided by Shinkichi Mitsumune and J. A. Seazer, a veteran composer of Japanese arthouse films.

Budgetary restrictions resulted in a lot of expedient strategies in animation, such as recycled animation in duel scenes and sequences that repeat in most episodes. This strengthens the thematic and stylistic cohesion. The repeated sequences in “Utena” are both thematically important and also, as to be expected of anime, very cool.

The cyclical nature of the systemic violence that “Utena” depicts makes these repetitions thematically vital. Ikuhara’s style is theatrical, and he channels this most clearly through the shadow girls, who serve as the chorus for “Revolutionary Girl Utena.” They deliver the opening narration and have a humorous skit in each episode. The skits provide insightful parodies of the episode’s central conflict.

Shadows and illusion are integral to the story that Ikuhara is telling. “Utena” is a retelling of the allegory of the cave, a classic Platonic allegory in which the objects casting shadows upon the wall are the mechanisms of cultural hegemony. Ikuhara employs a diverse lexicon of symbols, like coffins, castles and cars, to facilitate his storytelling, all while training the

audience to recognize and interpret them.

In addition, Ikuhara ensures that all of the thematic concepts, like eternity and miracles, are explicitly explained.

The show’s recap episodes are similarly expository, as they present the narrative arc up until that point within a broader framework.

Ultimately, Ikuhara provides all the ideas, but the audience must actively engage with the show to make the connections that reveal the themes. In this regard, “Revolutionary Girl Utena” differentiates itself from most anime, which rarely compel their audience to think for themselves. This is most vital with regards to Anthy, around whom the entire narrative quite literally revolves.

“Revolutionary Girl Utena” remains one of the greatest animes ever made. Fans of American cartoons like the ‘Owl House” and “Steven Universe,” which pays homage to “Utena,” will find a lot to love in Utena’s largely queer cast and emphasis on intersectional justice. Beware, though: while it is extremely goofy at times, “Utena” is a viscerally disturbing show at heart, so here is a link to a list of trigger warnings for the show.

TOP” (feat. Griff) have a bright feel. Both discuss being in love; apparently, this can mean feeling “high” or on “Cloud 9” or can even manifest itself “in sunshine when you’re next to me.” Despite their similar subject matter, the songs don’t feel repetitive. “DANCING ON A CLOUD” has a lo-fi feel, while “BACK ON TOP” is more anthemic.

“NOW I’M ALONE” (feat. Sofía Valdés) is by far the shining star of this album. Not only is it the album’s best song lyrically, but it has an interesting narrative that explores infidelity and guilt. Valdés opens the track by describing her reaction to encountering a lover with another woman.

“Your Mercedes smells like salt and weed,” she sings, “so I taste the ocean when you leave,” adding that she “broke down and raided half the fridge/When [she] found her stuck between your lips.” The song has a reflective tone that contrasts the aforementioned love songs about contentment in a relationship.

The second-to-last song, “I’M THE LUCKY ONE,” is a sentimental piece that is especially personal to lead singer Clutterbuck, as it includes audio from his wedding speech.

Simultaneously romantic and funky, the song captures the joys of finding a soulmate, as expressed in the chorus: “I get to kiss you every night and day / I’m the lucky one.”

The final track, “HEARTSONG,” is a feel-good, heartfelt pop song. In the verses, the speaker compares himself to a “butterfly in the wind,” to a “gymnast on a rope” and to a

“raindrop on a leaf” — all of this is to say that he is beautiful, but he is delicate and fragile. The bridge is a desperate plea for his partner to not let him go.

Although the album is romantic, this song, along with “IDGAF ABOUT PAIN,” is a perfect example of how even in healthy relationships, there will still be hardships and anxiety. It is clear, however, that the members of HONNE are not taking their loved ones for granted. They want us listeners to do the same.

While some songs on the album are more forgettable than others— “THREE STRIKES” feat. Khalid or “EASY ON ME,” to name a couple— the overall project was excellently crafted and impactful. It will leave “single” listeners bopping and crying.

Contact John Clark at jclark20@nd.edu

“Revolutionary Girl Utena” Starring: Tomoko Kawakami and Yuriko Fuchizaki Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara Genre: Shoujo Anime If you like: “Owl House,” “Squid Game,” “Steven Universe,” “Avatar: Legend of Korra,” “Twilight”

Contact Kate Casper at kcasper@nd.edu

“LET’S JUST SAY THE WORLD ENDED A WEEK FROM NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?” Artist: HONNE Label: Atlantic Records If you like: BEKA, Griff, JONES

CLAIRE REID | The Observer

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The observer | Monday, November 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Inside Column

Why are there so many roommate horror stories?

Rose Androwich Saint Mary’s News Writer

Dorm life is a big aspect of college especially at schools like Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross, with both Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s having a residency requirement on campus, to ensure the full college experience for the students. But yet the roommate experience has a great deal of power to make or break your college experience.

Think of it like this your room has different purposes depending on yours and your roommates view. Roommate one could view the room as a place to sleep after a long day of studying, and roommate two could easily alter that view by doing things such as interrupting sleep intentional or not.

The thing about having a roommate is that it’s essentially a lottery, in my opinion.You can think that you are both very compatible but, yet you don’t truly know what it will be like. Reflecting with my best friend here at Saint Mary’s, I found myself curious about how she found her roommates. She simply responded saying that she found them on Facebook similar to how I found my roommate through the Saint Mary’s College Class of 2025 Facebook group.

Some people were fortunate enough to find roommates that were truly a good fit for them but, others weren’t quite so lucky. At a school where you have a choice in rooming, the results still don’t yield accordingly.

What happens at a school like Notre Dame where the rooming is completely random? This greatly depends on the criteria used for making roommate pairs, the results of which I can’t help but think are warped by the transition to college. I almost found it laughable to look back at what I said on my roommate survey about my sleeping habits. I said I was usually in bed by 10 p.m. which was the norm for me in high school, not knowing that this would largely change. Cue me getting home at midnight or 1 a.m. because, I was participating in all the first-year events like Domerfest. The worst part for me personally was the guilt I would feel over the prospect of waking up my roommate.

Being honest, when I’m getting ready to fall asleep I’ve often said that “I wouldn’t wake up even if it was my crush texting me” which, is actually true from when my crush texted me at 12:24 a.m. and I didn’t respond because I was sleeping.

In fact as my neighbor pointed out, there was one night a loud banging on my door and, despite the continuous noise, I refused to answer it. What I couldn’t help but wonder was who that was? The mysterious part was that a few nights after that I got an email about new keys. Can’t help but make me wonder if perhaps it was my roommate. Because the logic flowing was that none of my friends would randomly knock on my door, and if it was them I assumed there would be a text. I guess this might perhaps indicate a slight problem, oh well,, what better place to hash this out than the newspaper. Despite what you might be thinking: I didn’t write this column just to complain, I simply want to make a suggestion. If things don’t work out with you and your roommate, they just don’t work out. Things such as mediation, in my opinion, will usually end with a small change being implemented temporarily. If your roommate lacks basic respect for you then, no amount of talking will fix that. And, yes I do have some knowledge on the subject. My closing thoughts are: Good luck to next-year’s freshmen on figuring out Residence Life.

Rose can be contacted at randrowich01@saintmarys.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

The right side of history Andrew Sveda Church and State

Politicians love to talk about the “right” and “wrong side of history.” It is quite powerful imagery, after all, and is a strong invocation of moral authority. But boiled down to its simplest form, the phrase effectively says, “The future is on my side. In 50 or even 20 years, all will utterly reject your position. Mine shall live on. Yours shall die.”

On its face, then, this phrase is quite absurd and silly, namely because people don’t know the future. Those in the 1800s who thought utopia was soon at hand were proved to be wrong by the unspeakable atrocities and wars of the next century. Those who thought the collapse of the Soviet Union would bring about the “End of History” and the eternal triumph of democracy would be laughed out of the room in two to three decades. Those who thought about the future in 2019 could never have imagined where we are in 2021. How can we say with such certainty we’re on the right side of history when we don’t even know what’s going to happen tomorrow? I assure you every great power the world has ever seen — Egypt, Greece, Rome, France, Britain — all thought their government, their military, their ideology would win the future.

Only a few buildings, painting, and sepulchers remain. The sands of time have swept it all away, like in Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias.”

Any earthly kingdom or nation (or person) that declares itself to be the determiner or driving force of history makes the same foolish claim as Ozymandias. We get the benefit of time to see the arrogance of those before us and its result.

We fail to see in ourselves that same pride, that same desire to put ourselves on the throne, that same desire to deify ourselves in our own minds and before those around us.

But we must ask ourselves another question: why should we care if we are on the right or wrong side of history, even if we could know what things would look like decades and centuries down the road? Say the taunt is true: your cause will not win the day. It may even be seen as backward and repugnant in not too long. This frightens us. We imagine walking a road alone, maybe with one or two steadfast friends, but left in obscurity and ridiculed. That’s the opposite of what we want. We want people to say how great and smart and kind we are. As I said before, the natural man craves worship of himself (our thoughts when we hear our boots clicking along a stone floor as we walk is enough to condemn us here). Every now and then we realize that we would rather be liked than truthful. So the thought of future historians writing us off and rejecting us is the most unacceptable of all things.

This is again where we so often get into trouble. We see the historians of the future as the decisive judges of our lives, those who have the final say about us and our legacy. But they don’t.

Nor does any man of the future. For they will be men just like ourselves, different with regards to technology and culture, yes, but having the

same human nature. We hold up the future of civilization as a measuring stick only because, as C.S. Lewis points out, “[w]e have been taught to think of the world as something that grows slowly towards perfection, something that ‘progresses’ or ‘evolves.’” It’s true that there have been great advances in things like freedom and democracy, but we should understand that these things do nothing to combat the real issue: the human heart. It has not changed, and therefore we are no closer to achieving utopia than at any point in history. Since the heart from which our actions flow has not changed, man continues to deal with the same exact problems that have been around since the Fall.

Violence, anger, bitterness, pride, rivalries, hatred, lust, envy, greed, foul language, apathy.

Read the Sermon on the Mount and ask yourself, “Am I not just like the audience hearing Jesus’ message two thousand years ago? Was it not, then, also addressed to me — and indeed all men everywhere and at every time?” If we don’t understand that the problem lies within human hearts — ours most certainly included — we will drive ourselves into a mad perplexity trying to understand why we can’t just “move past all this.” We cannot climb the mountain. We cannot even make the first step.

It is simply foolish, then, to imagine that the worth and value of our lives is decided by future men. Historians should make judgments, of course, as they do today when discussing the past, but their judgments are valid only in so much as they conform to those of the true Writer of history. It is with His opinion we should be concerned. His is the only one that matters. Up until this point, our focus has been concentrated on man: what will men say about other men. But it is not man who is sovereign over history but God. He will make the definitive and perfect judgment on all of us personally. He alone decides who is on the right and wrong side of history, not simply because He is all-powerful but because He is also the Source of goodness itself and it cannot be understood apart from Him. God reigns forever and over all. His enemies, all of them, will be placed under His feet. And He will dwell with His people forever in the New Jerusalem. We can be sure, then, that His will shall be done, and it is always right and will never be frustrated. And we can be sure that “[e]veryone who believes in Him will not be brought to shame” (Romans 10:11; cf. Isaiah 28:16). But those who oppose Him will be. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life” (John 3:36). These are the true right and wrong sides of history, and the only with which we should be concerned.

Andrew Sveda is a junior at Notre Dame from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, majoring in political science with a supplementary major in theology. In his free time, he enjoys writing (obviously), reading and playing the piano. He can be reached at asveda@nd.edu or @SvedaAndrew on Twitter.

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

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

The observer | Monday, November 8, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

7

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

This is how it feels to survive Editor’s note: This Letter includes discussions of sexual abuse and violence. A list of sexual assault reporting options and on-campus resources can be found on the Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross websites.

Additionally, per our Viewpoint policy, The Observer does not typically accept anonymous submissions. An exception was made in this case, owing to recent events and the importance of the Letter’s content to the campus conversation surrounding sexual assault.

I remember the exact moment when I lost a part of myself.

I was laying in the hospital bed, in a hastily fastened hospital gown, my clothes in a clear evidence bag. The lights were swimming above me, popping in and out of my vision. There was a nurse in the room, and I remember her pushing me on my side. A camera f lash went off next to my eyes, momentarily stunning me, and I could only stare at the wall in front of me, an awfully drear y beige. I was so ex hausted, and yet I knew right then and there that this day would stand as one of the worst in my memor y. I didn’t know, however, how lost in the world I would feel after ward.

In the past two months at Notre Dame, we have had seven reports of sex-related crimes, three occurring on one night. I remember reading the NDPD emails with a knife in my stomach, remembering what it felt like to lay in the hospital alone as they likely did, being probed and poked like a lab specimen, or to sit in front of a detective, tr ying their best to create a picture of their assaulter. To feel completely worthless. To know I’d hit rock bottom.

I was brand-spanking-new to the ND community; I’d only just gotten my matriculation medallion that week. Ever ything was so new and beautiful and sparkling bright. I was so excited for college; I was convinced it would be my happiest time. I’d read ever ything about ND I could get my hands on; I’d spent hours watching collegethemed YouTube videos and picking my dorm decor. Earlier in the week, I’d attended the firstyears’ Welcome Mass. I had never been to campus before, let alone the stadium, and I looked out at it with wonder from me and my family’s assigned seats, in a new dress I’d bought just for it. I was so happy and so proud of myself.

W hat no one tells you about sexual assault is the pure hatred you feel inside after ward. I hated the way I looked. I wanted nothing more than to scrape ever y layer of my skin off, to surgically alter my whole body, to rip my soul out with pliers and gut myself clean. I hated her. I hated the her that wouldn’t let go, that let men use her to feel in control again. I hated myself most on Valentines’ Day. I wanted the men in my life to

kiss me because they meant it, not because they thought it would lead to more. I hid it all, because I never wanted anyone to know exactly how much I hurt inside.

I hated men, too, because they all looked just like him. I hated the way they looked at me, like I was prime rib at Christmas dinner. I hated the way they always tried to touch me, make passes at me. If I let them touch me, it was to remind myself that I could reinvent what it meant to own my own body, to live within my body. I hated my body and soul with ever y inch of myself, and yet I so desperately wanted to control it. I cried afterward, when they fell asleep. I sobbed for the grief I felt for myself, for the me that was now me that I never wanted.

I listened to them talk about other women. I heard them rip apart them too, tell each other who they thought was hot, who had the biggest ass, who was the most f *ckable. I heard them call women sl*ts and b*tches and wh*res, anything they could think of to degrade them. I watched them spread photos of desired women around their little groups, so they too could look at the meat the others had so gracefully offered up for consumption. I was disgusted at them all. I saw them as predators, waiting at any minute to snatch me up and devour me. I was truly afraid of them.

It took me so long to go to therapy. I was scared to tell someone else how much it had hurt, how deep my pain ran through me. It took so much emotional labor to sit and explore the way my assault had affected me. It took me so long to begin to trust anyone else again, to trust men again or to look in the mirror and really see myself whole again. Despite the growth I have experienced, I know that the experience will stay with me forever. My view of myself and others is permanently changed, and I have a bitterness buried deep inside me that bubbles up ever y time I read a new stor y of sexual assault.

26.4% of all female undergraduates and 9.7% of graduate female students will experience sexual assault or rape. One in three women will experience it at some point in their life. All of those women, not just me, will feel the same pain and horror. They will wonder why it was them. W hy anyone allowed it to happen. W hy they reported it, or why they didn’t. They will have questions without answers and suffer in silence. And when they report it, the system will fail them. Only two rapists out of ever y 100 will ever see the inside of a cell.

It is time we as a community united behind the survivors. We will never change the reports if we do not change the culture. I know stories like

mine are painful to read, but that pain is necessar y. Nothing will ever be done about sexual assault unless those with the power to stop it feel a personal drive to, and nothing will ever be done to encourage reporting unless we create an environment that empowers survivors rather than predators. Among college-age female students, only about 20% report their assault to police or their university, and 20% of non-reporters did not take action because they feared retaliation. It is time for us to speak up about sexual assault.

Notre Dame’s mission statement says, “The aim [of Notre Dame] is to create a sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good that will bear fruit as learning becomes service to justice.” The key word here is “human solidarity.” To end rape culture here and ever y where, the Notre Dame community must come together in solidarity.

To Notre Dame’s survivors of rape and sexual assault: I love you. I believe in you. Please know that you are so brave. You are working so hard, and I know how much it hurts. I know how hard it is to keep going, and I know that some days it feels impossible. But you can’t give up. You can’t let them win. You will be better than them, and you will emerge greater and brighter than before.

It was never your fault; it is theirs. You are so beautiful. You are worthy of ever ything good the world could give you. You are so incredibly loved, and you are worth time, effort, love and care. I am proud of you.

To the other Notre Dame students, faculty, alumni and staff: I will admit something greater to you than anything else I have said: I am scared. I am scared of the publication of this piece. I am afraid of the way people will look at me; I am afraid of what they will say. I know some of them will say I wrote this for attention.

The thing is, they’re right, but the attention is not supposed to be solely on me. It is supposed to be about others just like me, and the stories we all could tell. I hope that by sharing my stor y with you all, it will inspire others to care about the others who can’t or are scared to tell theirs.

My stor y isn’t any more special than theirs, and that’s the point of telling you my stor y. W hat is special about my stor y is that you know who wrote it. You know exactly who in your life has been hurt, who experienced it all. You know it is real. If you know someone else with a stor y like mine, please ask them if they are okay. Remind them that you love and care for them, so they too do not lose themselves.

Follow us on Twitter: @ObserverViewpnt

Anonymous Nov. 7

8

Sports

The observer | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | ndsmcobserver.com

Sports Authority

Sports Authority

Sell alcohol in ND Stadium David Kramer Sports Writer

The arguably unrivaled Notre Dame tailgating experience is a tale as old as our beloved Stadium itself: zealous students and deep-pocketed fans flood the tailgating lots for an episode of not-soaimless wandering through the troves of free appetizers, meals and alcohol.

Half-forgotten drunk conversations with parents of friends’ half-cousins intersperse in the steady pace of Irish tailgating at its finest. As kickoff grows near, impatience for Irish football and for an acceptable level of drunkenness come game time, only grows. Two more shots to keep us buzzed throughout the game. One more popped cork to make the endless quarterback carousel of the 2021 season bearable. One more heavy sip before we reach the Frank Leahy Gate.

Especially during the emergence from pandemic restrictions that largely rendered college football tailgating impossible last year, fans in this cultural phenomenon have found themselves engaging in down-to-the-wire binge drinking. In an attempt to preserve their insobriety throughout the game, fans exceed their normal pace just minutes before their departure from the nearly surreal whirlwind of Notre Dame’s historic pregame playground.

I don’t find anything wrong with this behavior. Notre Dame’s refusal to sell alcohol in any of its general seating areas translates into eager fans getting creative. Plain and simple. But within this reality lies a substantial missed opportunity for Notre Dame Stadium and, I would argue, Notre Dame Athletics as a whole. Post-pandemic effort to expand revenue in college stadiums has brought a massive wave of new universities selling alcohol in their concession stands. This influx is far from a gimmick or fad for small-market organizations to improve on otherwise thin sales margins; the embrace of controlled in-stadium alcohol sales has reached numerous Power Five programs with massive fanbases — spanning public universities like UCLA, Ohio State and Texas as well as private religious institutions like TCU and the dreaded Boston College.

From a revenue perspective, alcohol sales in large college football stadiums have been proven to boost concessions revenue by as much as 50 percent. While Notre Dame

surely reaps the rewards of Stadium Lot parking pass revenue, the propensity for fans, facing insufficient supply, to guzzle copious amounts of hard alcohol immediately before entering Notre Dame Stadium points to the magnitude of local demand.

At the surface level, the incremental revenue from concessions feels fairly negligible for Notre Dame, a football-first University that swims in the pool of alumniendowed and corporate partnership-enabled cash on an annual basis. But given the dependency on Notre Dame Stadium revenue for the yearly operations of smaller Irish programs like baseball, track and field, swimming and fencing such small gains would directly boost the budgeting power of these programs that send athletes to the Olympics.

Recruiting, transportation, housing and food expenses across non-revenue programs expand and contract in tandem with the revenue of Notre Dame football, shifts that bear strong implications on the long-term success and health of Irish teams.

Maybe the moral implications of in-stadium alcohol sales prohibit its acceptance at the university level. In an era of increasing concerns over the effects of binge drinking on American students, surely Notre Dame ought not to cultivate its pockets at the expense of the heart, right?

If alcohol sales at Legends and Rohr’s did not exist and prohibitions against gameday binge drinking were even remotely enforced at Notre Dame, that argument could hold some weight. Neither Notre Dame Athletics nor the University at large holds little, if any, control over the amount of hard liquor a fan drinks before scanning their ticket. But it can regulate sales and legal administration of alcohol through its concession stands. Considering the astronomically high prices charged on non-alcoholic concessions throughout the stadium, most fans would shell out the cash for only a couple of beers across a three-hour span. All of these concerns assume that pourers would have the wits to serve in moderation, a principle that simply does not exist in the short spans of binge drinking before kickoff.

Call it beer for thought.

Contact David Kramer at dkramer2@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Predicting this week’s CFP rankings Tom Zwiller Sports Writer

When I read the first College Football Playoff (CFP) Rankings, I had a feeling I was not the only person slightly annoyed. The Playoff Committee has always been relatively high on Alabama in the past; the year they did not make it (2019-2020), I honestly thought the Committee would find a way to sneak a two-loss Alabama in. So when I read that the Committee had decided to make Alabama second ahead of a few more deserving teams, I was pretty surprised. So I thought I would try and do a predictionary column this week instead of a reactionary one so as to prepare everyone for Alabama inevitably and unreasonably being moved to first over Georiga. All jokes aside, let’s get into this one.

#1 Georgia Rank last week: #1 (-) Reason: Georgia allowed six points against but made up for it by scoring a safety. This defense is otherworldly, and barring an unforeseen loss down the stretch, Georiga will make the CFP. Path to the Playoff: Keep being Georgia and win the SEC. The Bulldogs certainly can afford a loss to Alabama, but only Alabama.

#2 Alabama Rank Last Week: #2 (-) Reason: The CFP Committee hates America. I kid—sort of. I think the committee respects playing in the SEC, which is fair.

It just should not override the resumes of other teams.

Path to the Playoff: Avoid another scare early, like in the LSU game, and then upset Georgia to win the SEC.

#3 Oregon Rank Last Week: #4 (+1) Reason: While Oregon had a bit of a slow start against Washington, but was able to seal the deal. With only one loss this season, and a win against Ohio State, it feels impossible for the Ducks not to be in the top-3.

Path to the Playoffs: Win the Pac-12, which might be harder than it seems, based on their game against Washington.

#4 Ohio State Rank Last Week: #5 (+1) Reason: If Ohio State had avoided that loss to Oregon, they could have had a case strong enough to make them second in the rankings. However, since losing to Oregon, the Buckeyes have improved tremendously, and I would put the Buckeyes above the

Ducks. However, I do not think the Committee will put them above Oregon because head-to-head games have been shown to matter in the past. (The AP Poll had Ohio State above Oregon, the CFP did not.)

Path to the Playoffs: Avoid being upset by the Purdue Spoilermakers, and then beat Michigan and Michigan State.

#5 Cincinnati Rank Last Week: #6 (+1) Reason: Has an undefeated team ever played itself out of the CFP? Cincinnati may be the first to do so. In their last three games, their average MOV is 11, down from nearly 36 points per game in their first six. Cincinnati needs to win and to win with style to get in the CFP. That’s why the Committee put them in the sixth spot, to say that they need either chaos or style points to advance.

Cincinnati survived this week and should continue to do so, but they may not be easy games for Bearcats fans.

Path to the Playoffs: Win out, win the AAC and see Oregon and Oklahoma fall.

#6 Michigan State (MSU) Rank Last Week: 3 (-3) Reason: The undefeated Sparty Party may be over, but Sparty could party his way back into the CFP. It is not great, as MSU will play at Ohio State and then be home to PSU and still have to win the Big 10 Championship (my pick would be they play against Wisconsin). A tall order, but there is undoubtedly a chance.

Path to the Playoffs: Beat out Ohio State, Penn State and possibly Wisconsin.

#7 Michigan Rank Last Week: #7 (-) Reason: Michigan played it a closer than I thought they might play against Indiana, but they are 8-1, with a path to the playoffs much like MSU. Path to the Playoffs: Beat PSU, OSU (while MSU loses) and win the Big 10 Championship.

#8 Oklahoma Rank Last Week: #8 (-) Reason: Oklahoma did not play this weekend, and so they could not benefit from MSU falling. The Committee is unimpressed by Oklahoma for the same reason I am; they have not looked great for a large portion of the season. Once the Sooners benched Spencer Rattler for Caleb Williams, they began to look a lot better. However, their real tests in Baylor and Oklahoma State still lie ahead.

Path to the Playoffs: Win out, and hope the Big 10 implodes.

#9 Notre Dame Rank Last Week: #9 (+1) Reason: Last week, I said that they would simply need utter chaos for ND to have a shot at the CFP. MSU did their part, and the NCAAF delivered with Purdue’s upset of MSU. According to 538, should Notre Dame finish the season by winning out, their odds of making it to the CFP would increase to 33%. Add on Oregon and Cincinnati losses and the assumption that Georgia beats Alabama and, Notre Dame would jump to a 60% chance of making the CFP. So, Irish fans, root for chaos!

Path to the Playoffs: Win out AND slightly less utter chaos.

#10 Oklahoma State Rank Last Week: #11 (+1) Reason: Oklahoma State got a solid win over what I think is a good West Virginia team and, of course, is going to get a boost from Wake Forest falling out of the Top10. The Cowboys will undoubtedly have a way to get into CFP contention: they still have a game against Oklahoma and a shot at the Big 12 championship (538 gives them a 31% chance of doing so.)

Path to the Playoffs: Beat Oklahoma in the regular season and do it again in the Big 12 Championship game.

#11 Texas A&M Rank Last Week: #14 (+3) Reason: I did not understand why the Committee had A&M so low, but with a win over Auburn, as well as Wake and Baylor losing, I think it is likely that the Aggies get quite a nice jump. However, because they are a two-loss team, Texas A&M can’t make it into the CFP (even with the best win in college football over Alabama). The best they can do is make it into an NY6 Bowl game.

Path to the Playoffs: A two-loss team is eliminated.

#12 Wake Forest Rank Last Week: #9 (-3) Reason: I think Wake, like Oklahoma, was only ranked as high as last weekend because they were undefeated. With their close loss to UNC on the road, 55-58, Wake is still the best team in the ACC and arguably the most likely to win the ACC championship. However, their odds of making the playoffs got a lot lower.

Path to the Playoffs: Win out, win the ACC, and, well, utter chaos.

Contact Tom Zwiller at tzwiller@hcc-nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

The Observer accepts classifieds every business day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Notre Dame office, 024 South Dining Hall. Deadline for next-day classifieds is 3 p.m. All classifieds must be prepaid. The charge is 5 cents per character per day, including all spaces. The Observer reserves the right to edit all classifieds for content without issuing refunds.

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ndsmcobserver.com | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | The Observer

Crossword | Will Shortz

9

Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: A change of pace will improve your attitude and lower your stress, but first, take care of unfinished business. What you cannot do yourself, summon someone else to take over. Procrastinating and living in the past will lead to resentment and regret. Take a stance, get rid of baggage and head in a direction that will manifest the life you desire. Your numbers are 5, 12, 18, 21, 23, 33, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Listen, and make decisions that comply with your dreams. Avoid a situation that poses a health problem. Being an observer can have its benefits. Someone will reveal one of your secrets. Keep your ears and eyes open.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Ask questions, but don’t participate in someone else’s plan. Consider what you like to do, then invest your time and money in projects that will help you get ahead. Learn from mistakes, and do your own thing.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll attract questionable individuals. Don’t let your emotions lead you astray or let someone take advantage of your vulnerability.

Protect your reputation, possessions and cash. Refuse to let someone push you in a dubious direction.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Emphasize things that interest you. Use your knowledge, experience and skills to attract attention and interest in what you want to pursue. Reach out to someone who shares your concerns, and together you’ll find a solution. Romance is favored.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Tension will mount if things don’t go according to plan.

Take the high road and do your own thing if someone chooses to make lastminute changes. Arguing is a waste of time and will ruin your day. Do something you enjoy.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take care of business before you move on to social activities. An idea you share with a friend or relative will draw interest. Lay out your plan of attack, and a worthwhile proposal or suggestion will come your way.

Home improvement is favored.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Stepping up and assisting others will come with perks, but before you take on something, make sure it’s worth your while. Someone you love will be disappointed or jealous, causing problems. Consider the consequences before you make promises.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Declutter your space, lighten the load and focus on what makes you happy. Peace of mind comes from doing the best thing for you.

Take responsibility and bring about the changes that will lead to your personal growth and success.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Emotional family issues will crop up if you or someone close to you is withholding information. Try to keep loved ones updated regarding your plans. Being open will result in suggestions that can help.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep your eye on what’s important to you.

Someone you least expect will play emotional games that leave you feeling confused. Avoid situations that involve shared expenses, joint ventures or medical repercussions. Make decisions based on your intellect, not your intuition.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Do your best, and you’ll have no regrets. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you legally or financially. Set the standard, and do what makes you happy. A positive attitude will help you overcome a situation that is dragging you down.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Make changes under the radar. If you share too much information regarding what you are up to, someone will stifle your plans.

Avoid situations that lead to an emotional difficulty that affects your mental, physical and financial well-being.

Birthday Baby: You are energetic, responsive and original. You are reflective and perplexing.

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

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Sports

The observer | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | ndsmcobserver.com

Hockey

JUNIOR CAPTAINS

Juniors ready for first ring showing

By JAMISON COOK Sports Writer

CeCe Giarman and Rachel Salamone might be some of the first junior Baraka Bouts captains to have never actually fought in the Baraka Bouts.

Both have been a part of the club since their freshman year and have trained extensively w ith the other boxers, but circumstances have gotten in the way of the competition for the past two years. With indiv idual injuries and illnesses keeping them out of the competition in 2019 and COVID restrictions preventing the Bouts from happening last year, both Giarman and Salamone have not yet had the opportunit y to make an appearance in the ring.

As this year’s competition approaches, however, this lack of experience has not discouraged either from entering the ring or taking on a leadership role w ithin the club, which is the largest women’s club on campus and the largest women’s box ing club in the world. In fact, the anticipation of the last two years has made both Giarman and Salamone even more excited about the upcoming Bouts and the way the club has responded to the adversit y of the last t wo years.

“For both of us, we both medically couldn’t [fight] our freshman year, so I think I could see both of us say ing to just do it,” Giarman says when asked about her goals

for the upcoming Bouts.

“As a club, one thing that was an uncertaint y for us was how people would return after COVID. We did have training last year, but there was no contact, I don’t think they even put on gloves.

It was really different. They never got to go in the pit and see the bags, so we were ner vous about how many people would come back.

But quite a few people did come back and quite a few people are competing.

A lso, we do have a good chunk of freshmen too, so I think it was reassuring to see that despite almost two years of chaos and continued unsettlement, there’s still a passion and it felt good for us to be able to continue to transfer those skills and the passion for the Bouts.”

Salamone echoed Giarman, stressing the importance that the actual competition holds for the club.

“Hav ing the Bouts and personally us participating in the Bouts has been a really big goal. We didn’t really know until we got back this year, for sure that Bouts were going to happen,” Salamone says. “Preparing for that properly and making sure that we have ever ything in order for that has been a big goal for us. Again, creating the hy pe and the desire to participate, and especially giv ing the seniors and people that have been here and have been loyal to the program the Bouts that they deser ve and that they env isioned and always

wanted.”

The club has been able to do just that, assembling a competition that starts w ith 29 fights in the quarterfinals on Nov 8th. Punches w ill be throw n starting at 6 pm in the Dahnke Ballroom, located on the seventh f loor of Notre Dame’s Duncan Student Center. Bouts consist of three rounds lasting one minute and 15 seconds each. Five judges determine the w inner in each fight.

And while the Bouts themselves are the highlight of the Baraka experience, it makes up just a small part of what the club is all about. Both CeCe and Rachel were adamant that their box ing is just one piece of their job as both participant and captain, saying that their physical exertion is undertaken to make a difference in the lives of students and facult y at St. Joseph Hill School and Lakeside Secondar y School in Uganda.

“This year we are fundraising for on-campus places of residence for the facult y and teachers at these schools because a lot of the time they have to come from really far away and it means that [the schools] can’t really hire that many teachers to be able to actually sustain the school just because the long commute means they can’t get that commitment from [teachers],” Salamone explains.

“So hav ing places nearby or on-campus would help a lot.”

“They’ve had an issue w ith retention, too,” Giarman adds. “Even if they do hire

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someone who is a really great teacher — and they are doing really well rankingsw ise in terms of secondar y schools in [Uganda] — they just have a problem where teachers w ill only stay a couple years because either they decide ‘oh my gosh, the commute is too long’ or ‘I want to have a family, it doesn’t make sense for me to be working this far away.’ The other top schools in the countr y have those places of residence for the teachers, and it also helps w ith creating a better communit y for the students w ith extracurriculars because the teachers are often the ones running those. So when [the teachers] go home at the end of the day, it ends the possibilities of what [the students] could do academically or socially.”

And that seems to be the driv ing force behind the Baraka Bouts and what fuels the fight in each boxer. Despite the competition bet ween members and the desire to put their training into action in the ring, club members have a ver y good sense of what is actually important. For Baraka, this is both the teamwork of the boxers pushing each other to be better and fundraising for the schools in Uganda, something that the club takes ver y seriously.

At the time of w riting, the club has raised just under $48,000 of their $75,000 goal for 2021. Each year, however, the Wolohan Family see JUNIORS PAGE 11

Continued from page 12

of the game. That marked Slaggert’s first career multi-goal game.

Junior for ward Jesse Lansdell then scored his first goal of the season on an open netter at the 17:23 mark to secure a 5-2 v ictor y for the Irish on Thursday night.

A lthough the Irish were not able to get out to as fast of a start on Friday night, they were able to find the back of the net multiple times at the end of the second period to secure a series sweep against the Crusaders.

In the first period, both teams had some solid looks on goal putting eight shots on goal, each.

Both goaltenders saved all eight shots to keep the game scoreless.

Both teams failed to score at the beginning of a physical second period, which involved multiple fights on the ice.

The Irish were finally able to break through at the 16:20 mark of the second period w ith junior for ward Solag Bakich finding the back of the net.

It was senior defenseman Adam Karashik that found Bakich in the high slot. Bakich was able to w rist in his third goal of the season to give the Irish a 1-0 lead.

The Irish doubled their lead only minutes later at the 18:27 mark of the period. Graduate student for ward Jack Adams scored his first career goal w ith the Irish off of a rebound in front of the net.

The scoring would continue for the Irish in the second period. Ma x Ellis sent a slapshot into the upper corner of the net w ith 42 seconds remaining in the second period.

Ellis scored immediately after a faceoff w in by Bakich. With those three goals in a span of just under three minutes, the Irish took a commanding 3-0 lead into the third period.

The Irish were able to add on another goal at the 13:27 mark of the third period w ith Ryder Rolston finding the back of the net to give the Irish a 4-0 lead.

Holy Cross was able to get on the scoreboard w ith less than five minutes left.

Still though, the Irish held on to w in by a comfortable 4-1 margin.

The Irish w ill tr y to record their first Big Ten w ins of the season next weekend at home against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Sports

Navy Continued from page 12

Logan Diggs.

A late hit by the Midshipmen against Diggs brought the Irish to a first and ten at the 15. Then, Austin Jr. caught a pass pulling the Irish to first and goal at the one.

Williams ran it in for the touchdow n and after a good PAT from Doerer, the Irish were up 10-3.

After another three-andout, Nav y punter Riley Riethman pinned the Irish at the 5-yard line. Williams grabbed back-to-back first dow ns to bring the Irish to the 27. On third dow n, Jack Coan, back in the game, hit Austin Jr. for a 70-yard touchdow n.

“I thought we managed the back half of the second quarter prett y good,” Kelly said. “We wanted to see how we were play ing there defensively to decide how to use a timeout. First dow n was the key. We kept them under, four yards on first dow n, and then I was able to use the timeout strategically. Any time we have one timeout w ith one 1:10, 1:15 we feel like we’re in prett y good shape to be aggressive. We ran four vertical. Jack used eyes to inf luence the safet y, hold the safet y and came all the way back across the field was able to find Kev in in a hold shot and it’s something that we had a game planned all week.”

The offense had run the same play moments before, Jack Coan said in the postgame press conference, and Austin had been open then too.

“Coach Kelly was screaming at me because it was open the play before and [he] basically told me to throw it there, so that’s exactly what I did. I just followed his plan,” Jack Coan said. “If you can get the ball to Kev in Austin, you know, he could take it the distance ever y time. So, just great by coach Kelly, great by Kev in.”

Finding success w ith this play ended up being the turning point for the Irish offense to open up the game.

After running out the clock to end the first, the Midshipmen received the kick-off to start the second half. Nav y running back Chase Warren ran for an 18 yard first dow n. Lavatai suffered an injur y in the second quarter, so second-string Nav y quarterback Xav ier Arline stepped in. He tried to hit Warren for a deep pass.

It fell incomplete but not w ithout a pass-interference from graduate student safet y Houston Griffith.

ndsmcobserver.com | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | The Observer

The penalt y brought the Midshipmen to the Irish 33yard line.

A few plays later, Arline would take the ball for the first dow n himself followed by one from running back Isaac Ruoss to bring the Midshipmen inside the 10 yard line.

Hinish came up w ith two stops inside the 5 over Ruoss and Arline. These were two of his 10 tackles on the day. Hinish also had one sack in his 57th start for the Irish. After one more attempt, Notre Dame held the Midshipmen to another field goal bringing the score to 17-6.

On the kickoff, Irish senior returner Matt Salerno ran for 26 yards to make it an Irish first dow n at the 30. Williams broke a tack le at the line of scrimmage on third dow n to get 5 yards but ultimately the Irish punted it away.

After another Nav y punt, and a three-and-out from the Irish, Notre Dame punter Jay Bramblett pinned the Midshipmen at the one w ith help from Jack Kiser.

Hinish then led the defense to a safet y as Nav y’s Arline f licked it to running back Mike Mauai.

The lateral pass fell short resulting in a fumble in the end zone and Irish lead 196. This was Notre Dame’s first safet y since Oct. 7, 2017, when they took on UNC in North Carolina.

A 29-yard kick-off return from Williams led the next Irish drive. Williams had 17 carries for 95 yards on the game.

Aver y Dav is barrelrolled over a Nav y defender after catching a first dow n pass to bring the Irish to the 20-yard line. A few plays later, Dav is would go dow n w ith a knee injur y as Williams ran it into the end zone.

Nav y’s Michael McMorris forced a fumble from Williams at the goal line but he recovered it in the end zone to bring the score 25-6 Notre Dame. Coan hit Braden Lenzy on the t wopoint conversion to make it 27-6.

On a last-ditch fourthdow n attempt from Nav y, broken up by Irish defender Isaiah Pr yor, Notre Dame took the ball at their ow n 47.

This ultimately resulted in the final touchdow n of the game from Diggs after a 3:45 drive. The final score was Notre Dame 34, Nav y 6.

“It was a really good v ictor y,” Kelly said. “Proud of our group and [this] gets us another step closer to where we want to be.”

Contact Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu

11

FOOTBALL

Finding consistency: Irish defense looks to hit stride

By COLIN CAPECE Assistant Managing Editor

W hen Marcus Freeman took over as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator at the start of this year, it was inev itable that his unit would endure some growing pains adjusting to new concepts and schemes. Year one under Freeman has seen the squad struggling at times to find consistency week-to-week. There was an electrif y ing, five-turnover performance against Wisconsin at Soldier Field.

On the other hand, the UNC Tar Heels gashed the Irish for 554 total yards this past Saturday. The Irish responded this weekend w ith a suffocating performance against the always dangerous triple-option attack of the Nav y Midshipmen.

W hile it may just be another peak in a season that has also included some valleys, this defense seemed to find the right chemistr y on Saturday in the ultimate test of communication and teamwork.

“Guys had a sense of urgency to communicate across the board,” junior linebacker Jack Kiser said after the game. “From presnap communication to during the play we did an unbelievable job. I’m really proud of ever yone for hav ing that emphasis during practice and coming out and executing.”

Matching up w ith a unique offense like Nav y’s

Juniors Continued from page 10

Foundation matches the number raised by the club up to $100,000, allowing them to go well over this goal most years. For example, Baraka Bouts raised a whopping $220,000 in 2018.

But as the Bouts themselves get underway this week, focus w ill shift from fundraising to box ing, especially as Giarman and Salamone step into the ring for the first time.

“I just want to know that I did the best that I could,” Salamone says. “It’s something that I love so much and care about so much that it doesn’t really matter in a way, I’m just excited to do it this year especially after not being able to do it last year or freshman year.”

does require some extra preparation. But, the Irish defense certainly didn’t want to overcomplicate the game according to head coach Brian Kelly.

Remaining disciplined and keeping the game in front of them were the primar y focuses of Notre Dame’s preparation this week.

“Defensively, we were detailed. We were focused and got back to the foundations of play ing really good defense that is assignment, communication and tackling,” Kelly said in his postgame press conference.

“The discipline is the big thing we’ll take w ith us as we move for ward. That was a big concern of ours heading into this week of practice,” Kiser added. “A lso hav ing the grit and the toughness to compete ever y single snap. This week in practice was uncomfortable at times, and if we do that heading into next week we’ll only get better.”

The veteran defensive coordinator, Freeman, knows how to put his players in a position for success. He proves that through his scheme. His defensive philosophy allows his players to identif y what their best at and fuse it w ith their ingame assignment. Kiser has only ever played linebacker in his Notre Dame career, but his closing speed and physicalit y made him the perfect back-end centerfielder against the tripleoption. This was especially

true w ith junior safet y Kyle Hamilton still on the mend.

“I played this role in high school and when you play triple-option teams the safet y is in on a lot of plays, so I was excited about it and felt comfortable, Kiser said.

“The keys are definitely eye discipline, know ing your role and know ing where you’re supposed to be at all times. If one guy’s out of position [Nav y] can be ver y explosive.”

“We felt like Kiser can run as well as any of our safeties, but we wanted some physicalit y in there as well,” Kelly added. “We wanted to keep them behind the chains and not get caught in a lot of third and short situations.”

W hile the Irish haven’t strung together a series of dominant defensive performances, these players have displayed toughness week in and week out, especially during a midseason stretch w ith a seemingly endless gauntlet of qualit y opponents. Senior linebacker and captain Drew W hite is one player who has exemplified this determination. He battled through injur y this past week to be available for his teammates against the Midshipmen.

“Drew tore his PCL during the week and played today.

He’s a warrior and had the mental toughness to play through it.”

“On a personal level, I don’t really care how [the fight] ends up,” agrees Giarman. “But as long as I feel like I put in what I’ve been training for and … as long as I come out of the ring feeling like I didn’t just forget ever y thing and just defend myself for a minute-and-ahalf and I put my best foot for ward.”

And while the t wo junior captains have limited experience in the ring, they find themselves in a position to lead a club as the senior members follow ing this year’s Bouts.

This might seem like a cause for concern to some, but senior v ice president Emily Wilborn is confident that the club is in good shape w ith Giarman and Salamone at the helm and the underclassmen that have joined the Bouts this

year.

“I think in my last year I’ve really taken to heart how important it is for me to know that I’m leav ing the club in good hands,” says Wilborn.

“And I would say w ith our junior captains CeCe and Rachel we’re absolutely in good hands w ith them.

But also, this year, I know myself, the other captains, and the coaches, we’ve all been so impressed by the freshman and sophomores we have this year. The last few months have really given me hope that I know we are leav ing the club w ith some outstanding people who are really going to carr y the missions and carr y, you know, the club for ward.

And I think for me, that means a lot.”

Contact Colin Capece at ccapece@nd.edu

Contact Jamison Cook at jcook@nd.edu

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The observer | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | ndsmcobserver.com

HOCKEY | 5-2, 4-1

Squad snags weekend series sweep against Holy Cross to bring record to 6-3 Observer Sports Staff

GRACIE LEE | The Observer

Irish junior forward Trevor Janicke sends the puck to senior teammate Graham Slaggert in Notre Dame’s series sweep over the College of the Holy Cross. Notre Dame won 5-2, 4-1 on Thursday and Friday.

The Irish hockey team improved to 6-3 on the season this past weekend w ith a sweep of Holy Cross at the Compton Family Ice Arena.

On Thursday and Friday, the Irish won by scores of 5-2 and 4-1 in their t wo games.

In Thursday’s v ictor y, the Irish started out quick ly, scoring just 31 seconds into the first period.

It was junior for ward Ma x Ellis who scored for the Irish, scoring off of a rebound gathered at the far post. The assists went to freshman defenseman Jake Boltmann and junior forward Jesse Lansdell.

The Irish tacked on another goal midway through the first period w ith Jake Boltmann scoring his first career goal for the Irish, getting the puck past Holy Cross goaltender Matt Radomsk y.

The Irish would take a 3-0 lead in the third period several minutes later at the 17:16 mark of the period. This time it was senior Graham Slaggert redirecting a Chase Blackmun shot into an open net for his third goal of the year. Senior defenseman Nick Leivermann was credited w ith the assist on the play.

Holy Cross got on the board at the 6: 07 mark of the second period w ith Mike Higgins slipping a shot past Irish graduate student goaltender Matthew Galajda to bring the score to 3-1. That goal was the first goal that the Irish gave up on a power play this season. It ended their penalt y kill streak at 30.

The Irish were able to tack on another goal at the beginning of the third period to take a commanding 4-1 lead w ith Graham Slaggert tipping in his second goal see HOCKEY PAGE 10

Football | 34-6

Notre Dame busts out of slow start to dominate Navy in return to on-field rivalry

By MANNION McGINLEY Sports Editor

Despite Saturday’s final score of 34-6, the game got off to a rock y start.

Nav y kicked off out of bounds right out of the gate causing a penalt y.

The Irish immediately followed suit w ith a false start.

Subsequently, both teams ran a three-and-out.

On their second possession, Nav y’s Jayden Umbarger ran for 32 yards to bring the midshipmen into field goal range.

A lthough Nav y pushed further into the red zone, graduate student nose guard Kurt Hinish and defensive end Jordan Botelho both had sacks that ultimately pushed Nav y out.

Instead, Nav y settled for a 49-yard field goal, the first to break into scoring, and led the Irish 3-0.

After a few plays, a first-dow n off a connection

between graduate student quarterback Jack Coan and w ide receiver Deion Colzie broke into the red zone on the next Irish drive. But ultimately, the Irish were held up on fourth and four.

Nav y quarterback Tai Lavatai fell on his ow n fumble, cornering the Midshipmen into a fourth and six and ultimately a three-and-out to start the second quarter. After the punt, Williams had a 10-yard rushing first dow n. Then, Irish sophomore tight end Michael Mayer and senior w ide receiver Kev in Austin Jr. caught back-to-back first dow ns for 15 and 38 yards respectively.

Again, the Irish could not find the end zone. They settled instead for a field goal from graduate student Jonathan Doerer, t y ing the score at 3-3.

Head coach Brian Kelly acknowledged the slow start,

particularly how the Nav y defense played into that.

“Offensively, [we] didn’t get off to a great start, but you know, we kept at it,” Kelly said. “It’s a bit of a unique defense in the way they play a lot of Tampa 2, a lot of drop 8, and they mix in some pressures and so I thought we stayed at it. It’s a defense that — you just got to be patient, keep prodding. I thought we did a nice job there and broke the game open.”

Freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner ended up being the leader of the first touchdow n drive to break that open.

In for his first snap w ith 6 minutes left in the half, Buchner pump-faked and ran for a first dow n.

The next couple of first dow ns came in combination from Buchner and fellow freshman, running back see NAVY PAGE 11

ALLISON THORNTON | The Observer

Irish junior running back Kyren Willams dodges a Navy defender during Notre Dame’s 34-6 home win over the Midshipmen.

insider

ndsmcobserver.com | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | The Observer

3

SENIOR CAPTAINS

Fighting for a cause: Baraka Bouts senior captains reminisce on time in the ring

By MADELINE LADD Sports Writer

Founded in 1997, Baraka Bouts is an all-female box ing club started by a group of motivated women looking to combine values of ser v ice w ith athletic abilit y. Now the largest all-female club at Notre Dame, the Bouts’ season runs from September to November and culminates in an annual boxing tournament in which members compete against one another. A ll proceeds from the tournament and subsequent fundraising go toward helping schools in Uganda.

“Our charit y stems from the Holy Cross missions in Uganda. There are two coed private schools, Lakev iew and Saint Joseph’s Hill, that we benefit through raising money for our missions,” senior captain Margaret Roccato said. “We first established this connection through Holy Cross priests who work there and have connections w ith Notre Dame.”

With over 250 women signed up on IMLeagues and 65 women competing in the tournament, there has been a tremendous effort to fundraise for the Holy Cross Missions in East Africa.

Baraka Bouts team members have utilized Mobile Cause, a fundraising page in which each competing boxer has her ow n page linked to the main screen.

Ticket proceeds and all other money spent at the tournament go directly to the missions.

“The tournament is a huge fundraising opportunit y for us and we are looking for that last push to hit our goal this year,” senior captain Megan Voigt said. “We put our club funds into running it so that ever y thing goes toward the missions.”

With a goal of raising $75,000 this year, this charit y is at the core of Baraka Bouts’ mission. A ll 2021 proceeds w ill be donated directly toward building facult y and staff housing for those employed at the Ugandan schools. Eight practices a week and early morning spars are all for the goal of benefitting this mission, and it is truly why these women fight.

“The money that is raised by all the boxers is ver y real,” senior captain Cameron Dowd said.

“Sometimes when people

think of fundraising, they feel like they don’t know where the money goes. This isn’t the case w ith us at all.

We get to see buildings being built and get sent pictures of the progress, so it’s really tangible for us to see what’s going on.”

Coming off of a tournament-less year due to COV ID-19, the Baraka Bouts team is ready to step back into the ring as they begin their 8-9 bracket tournament series on November 8th. In addition to Roccato, Voigt and Dowd, the senior captains this year include Karen A lvarez, Mia Lecinski and Abby Leone. They have been working hard to lead practices and teach both the technical and mental skills associated w ith box ing.

Read about each of the captains and their experiences over the years below, and watch them out in action on November 8, 11 and 15 at 7 p.m. in Dahnke Ballroom in Duncan Student Center.

According to Mia Lecinski, “Technically we are the biggest amateur female box ing league in the world. That’s just a little fun fact about us.”

“There was one [woman] specifically that just cried since she was over whelmed,” A lvarez said. “I did the same thing my corner had done for me and worked w ith her for a while. I could tell that I made a difference, and it really meant a lot for me since someone did that for me and I was able to pay it for ward.

This is a big part of the club.

We are doing things not for ourselves but for the kids in Uganda.”

Overall, A lvarez has enjoyed her time as captain.

The support from the other nine women in the role has allowed her to be an effective leader while also preser v ing her mental and physical well being.

“It’s so much fun being a captain and being surrounded by nine other super badass, empowering women,” A lvarez said. “There’s ten of us for a reason. It’s okay to take time for yourself and realize that you can take care of yourself despite being a captain. If any thing is w rong w ith someone else, we can help pick it up for them and make it even.”

Outside of the ring, A lvarez studies chemical engineering in Notre Dame’s College of Engineering.

Karen Alvarez A senior from Florida and formerly in Cavanaugh Hall, A lvarez has been a part of Baraka Bouts for three years. Though she initially joined as a way to stay active, the club ended up instilling her w ith a sense of empowerment beyond what she ever would have expected.

“I tried out a spar after getting conv inced,” A lvarez said. “My first spar I actually ended up cr y ing because I was stressed and over whelmed and not ready to get hit in the face. This pushed me to work really hard, and I got ver y close to my corner who was w ith me during the entire bouts and I was able to w in w ith her.”

A lvarez found this relationship w ith her corner to be an integral part of her time in Baraka Bouts. Now that she is a captain, she has found ways to pay this support forward to the nov ice boxers she helps to train. After getting mildly concussed at the beginning of the season and unable to do many of the workouts, A lvarez frequently took on the role as a corner. One specific incident this year reminded her a lot of herself during her first spar.

Cameron (Cam) Dowd Coming from just outside of Boston, Massachusetts and formerly in Badin Hall, Dowd got involved w ith Baraka after her roommate’s older sister had a positive experience w ith the club.

Upon joining sophomore year, Dowd was unable to do a pushup w ithout using her knees and remarks that she had little physical strength. However, midway through the season on the team’s annual 200 burpee day, she was pleasantly surprised w ith herself and her abilities.

“W hen it was 200-burpee day that season I could do the majorit y of it,” Dowd said. “I ended up hav ing to use my knees at the end but that didn’t matter to me.

The fact I felt so mentally and physically strong made me proud. That moment is one I have carried w ith me throughout.”

Flash for ward to her senior year, and Dowd is one of ten captains leading the team.

She cites the bonds she has made w ith her teammates and her role as a mentor as her favorite parts about leading the team.

“Being a captain this year has been incredibly rewarding,” Dowd said. “It’s a

different kind of friendship when you are box ing together: it’s super empowering.

I just really loved being in a mentor role to the nov ice boxers this year and talking dow n ner ves.”

Dowd has also been touched by the passion present among each of the boxers at each practice. W hether early in the morning or after a long day of classes, this drive and respect for the art of box ing has inspired Dowd to have the same level of intensit y. A specific moment sticks out in her mind where she realized this.

“We do a callout where ever yone is lined up in the g y m and calls out punches,” Dowd said. “W hen I first joined I almost felt silly, but this changed so quick ly. I looked around and ever yone was so focused and so into it.

I had never seen that many women so strong, so committed to something and so motivated to do something such as box, which is such a badass thing to do as a woman.”

Outside the ring, Dowd studies anthropolog y and psycholog y in the College of Arts and Letters.

Mia Lecinski Going on her third year of box ing, Lecinski hails from just outside of Chicago, Illinois. She lived in Lyons Hall while on campus.

Despite joining sophomore year, some of her favorite memories are from moments that occurred this year as captain.

“My favorite memor y has honestly been cornering from this season,” Lecinski said. “Me and Mags were both tag-teaming cornering and hy ped people up the whole hour. Just in general, that experience has been really fulfilling.”

She also enjoys the mentoring aspect that comes w ith being a captain.

Lecinski thrives in helping to instill confidence in women, that she has struggled w ith herself.

“I had all these moments throughout the season where I wondered why I never said these empowering things to myself when I’m box ing,” Lecinski said. “We get just as much out of it as the [other women] do.”

A fan of morning practice, Lecinski values the tightknight group of women she spends t wo or more hours a day w ith.

“Personally I’m a big fan of morning practice. I like a small little crew. You woke

up at 6:30 am for a club.

No one is making you do this, and you wanted to get a little better before ever yone else woke up.”

To Lecinski, Baraka Bouts is about more than just boxing. In addition to the serv ice component of the club, Lecinski values the personal grow th being a member can create.

“It sounds so strange but I feel like box ing is one of the purest forms of self-love out there. You have to be able to be in a ring w ith someone who is punching you. You have to stand there and believe you can w in, which is not easy to do at all. If you can tell yourself you’re going to be fine as long as you believe, that’s all you need. That’s a component of female empowerment, and the club helps w ith that a lot.”

Abby Leone Originally from W hite Plans, New York and liv ing in Howard while she was on-campus, Leone joined Baraka Bouts sophomore year. She stumbled upon it w ith a group of women from her dorm one day.

The club quick ly became an important part of her life. She looks back fondly on the times where she was able to internalize the club’s mission and truly tell people what Baraka is all about.

“One of my favorite memories was one of my first fun runs my sophomore year,” Leone said. “We were running around campus all dressed in patriotic gear and yelling about our missions.

There are so many elements of what we do that people found so interesting, and being able to share these things w ith people around campus was super cool. I felt like I was more part of the club since I could explain our missions and knew what we were about.”

Leone also appreciates the structure of Baraka Bouts. She likes how the nature of the club allows for both physical and mental improvement.

“The club itself and the way it’s structured is centered on female empowerment and supporting our great charit y cause is such a cool dy namic,” Leone said. “Over the season, you feel your body and your mind get so much stronger. There are obv iously see SENIORS PAGE 2

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The observer | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | ndsmcobserver.com

CLUB PRESIDENT ERIN FENNESSY

Baraka Bouts president Erin Fennessy ready for first tournament in two years

By NATE MOLLER Sports Writer

Courtesy of Maria Margarita Antonio

Irish senior boxer Erin Fennessy is club president for this year’s Baraka Bouts squad. Fennessy has been involved with the club since her first year on campus. This will be her third ring appearance.

Editor’s Note: Erin Fennessy is a senior photographer for The Observer.

As the president of the Baraka Bouts club, senior Erin Fennessy has been working relentlessly to put on the first Baraka Bouts tournament in t wo years.

Fennessy is a biochemistr y and French major w ith a minor in journalism, ethics and democracy. W hile she lives off-campus now, she used to reside in Walsh Hall. This is Fennessy’s fourth year as a part of the Baraka Bouts.Fennessy w ill box w ith the nickname “Water works” this year, and she explained how she came up w ith that nickname.

“I am notorious for cr ying in any emotional situation: happy, sad, angr y, etc,” Fennessy said.

A lthough Fennessy is president of Baraka Bouts this year, she gained leadership experience last year

through her role as a junior captain.

Fennessy described some of the important roles that she had last year w ithout being able to plan a tournament due to the COV ID-19 pandemic.

“W hen I was a junior, my technical roles were I helped on t wo different aspects of planning, which was our apparel design and on our social media,” Fennessy said.

“W hile also just all the captains help facilitate practice, the big amount of work comes from setting up a tournament, and running the tournament and organizing ever y thing for that. And we obv iously did not have that main event last year.”

Fennessy is ecstatic for the tournament to resume this year, but she admitted that it has been challenging from the moment they started planning the tournament see FENNESSY PAGE 2

VICE PRESIDENT EMLY WILBORN

Baraka VP Emily Wilborn celebrates power of community for club goals

By NATE MOLLER Sports Writer

Emily “Book Hook” Wilborn, the current vice president of the Baraka Bouts club, is not the first of the Wilborn family to box at Notre Dame.

Four years ago, her brother roped her into it as a first-year and she has been involved ever since.

“My older brother was a captain,” Wilborn said. “He was a fifth-year student my freshman year. And he had said that he thought it might be something that I’d be interested in doing. My mom was really big on us spending time together during our one year both at Notre Dame, so that was kind of a good compromise, a way for us to hang out.”

But that’s not the only reason Wilborn stayed, though. The first reason she stayed was the relationships she made upon joining the club, she said.

“I was incredibly lucky to meet so many amazing people

that were both leaders in the club and other first-years like me,” Wilborn said. “I sort of built this little group — now some of my best friends are from boxing. Those relationships have just made all the difference in my life at Notre Dame and are really why I stick around.”

Wilborn also cited great respect for the mission she became a part of as the other factor that kept her involved.

And it quickly became her main reason to continue participating in the club: Wilborn said she wanted to do it all for the students in Holy Cross schools in Uganda.

“I understand how it’s so easy to feel disconnected from it because we are thousands of miles away, or maybe because you’re so focused on training and learning how to box [that] you forget why we’re doing it,” Wilborn said. “But for me, I really try to push myself and remind myself we’re here for the students and they’re why we

do this, they’re why we spend so many hours not just training — but also organizing the season as captains and encouraging people to fundraise and sending emails and asking everyone we know to donate.

Those students are why we do everything.”

In order to fight for this mission, Wilborn has taken it upon herself to push boundaries when it comes to fundraising, without discouraging supportive boxers along the way.

“We’ve seen some insane growth over the last few years of the club. So, you want to continue that and to keep pushing,” Wilborn said. “In the last years, we’ve had this goal of $75,000. Sometimes it looks so easy when we reach it, but you want to push that and still make it an achievable goal. So, continuing to push the club and say ‘No, I know we can do better. I know we can raise more money’ — but also see WILBORN PAGE 2

Courtesy of Maria Margarita Antonio

Irish senior boxer Emily Wilborn is vice president of Baraka Bouts.

She joined as a first-year to box with her brother and stuck around.