University of Wisconsin-Madison
Since 1892 dailycardinal.com
Thursday, April 22, 2021
l
Aztec Sky or Dusky Lilac?
Textile from Home +Arts, page 5
+Almanac, page 6
UW unveils COVID-19 summer response By Sophia Vento STAFF WRITER
As UW-Madison gears up for an in-person fall semester, the university has modified its coronavirus response and protocol for the summer. Beginning May 10, several aspects of the current COVID-19 response will be adjusted for the summer months. The university still expects that the campus community maintains green badges as they encourage individuals to get tested once a week and seek out the COVID-19 vaccination; however, campus buildings and facilities will no longer be supervised by Badger Wellness Ambassadors. Furthermore, a green Badger Badge will only be required for certain spaces and events. Although guests and visitors will be allowed to attend university events — unless stated otherwise by event organizers — third-party events are not permitted on-campus for the summer. Increased vaccination rates and warmer temperatures informed the UW’s decision, according to an email sent out to students Monday. Additionally, on-campus testing will exclusively use PCR-based nasal swab testing on a drop-in basis at several testing sites, similar to how the protocol was for the Fall 2020 semester. This is a deviation from the spring 2021 semester, where off-campus students were required to do a spit test twice a week unless they had COVID19 within the last three months or were
fully vaccinated. ASM Chair Matthew Mitnick is “surprised” that the university is eliminating the green Badger Badge requirement to enter campus spaces. “I believe that less stringent testing is okay,” Mitnick said, underscoring that he is happy to see that the university will continue to offer COVID-19 tests. But Mitnick believes that having either a recent negative test on file or a record of vaccination remains critical to ensure campus safety. University Health Services will continue to offer free vaccination appointments throughout the summer to UW-Madison students and employees. Students who were enrolled during the spring but not during summer — such as graduating students this semester — will still qualify for the university’s allotted vaccinations. Fully vaccinated individuals who provide proof of vaccination are exempt from required COVID-19 testing two weeks after their final dose. Campus community members vaccinated on campus will be automatically exempt, but those who receive their shots off-campus must report their records to UHS. Vaccine appointments will open to incoming students “as soon as feasible in advance of the 2021 fall semester,” according to the university. As of Wednesday, 26,116 students and employees received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, accord-
ing to the university’s COVID-19 dashboard. And, as more students leave campus for the summer, the university will begin allowing visitors on campus. In-person campus tours will begin after Commencement, and visitors and members of the public will be allowed in campus buildings and facilities, such as the Memorial Union Terrace and RecWell facilities. Throughout the pandemic, the Wisconsin Union was one of the many on-campus organizations affected by public health guidelines and university policies intended to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Union had to alter all aspects of their businesses and organizations in order to adhere to public health guidelines, said Communications Director Shauna Breneman. “We modified how we provide events by providing them mostly virtually, but our student leaders and staff members’ dedication to providing events and activities never wavered,” Breneman said, underscoring that the organization will continue to prioritize health and safety as the Union begins to open up their facilities and spaces to the public. “As always, we will go above and beyond in ensuring we can provide enjoyable, safe experiences for a lifetime at Union South, Memorial Union and the Memorial Union Terrace,” continued Breneman. “We are grateful to be able to safely and thoughtfully
welcome our members and guests back to our buildings.” Registered student organizations, as well as school, college and division gatherings will begin to follow the most current Public Health Madison & Dane County Emergency Order instead of university-specific policies regarding in-person gatherings that have been used throughout the academic year, UW-Madison said. Face masks will be required for all indoor gatherings, but are not required for outdoor gatherings if physical distancing is possible. Food and beverages will be allowed at events and must be
pre-packaged or served by university catering staff. Sponsored activities and gatherings will not require prior approval from the university unless they fall outside of campus, PHMDC or CDC policies and guidelines. As the end of the spring semester fast approaches, the university maintains that it is critical that the campus community continues to adhere to public health guidelines. This is crucial to complete the semester safely and to ensure that graduating students can gather in Camp Randall for in-person graduation ceremonies on May 8.
TAYLOR WOLFRAM/THE DAILY CARDINAL
The university has modified its coronavirus response and protocol for the semester.
Council separates parking enforcement from Madison Police By Kate Van Dyke STAFF WRITER
The Madison Common Council voted 11-8 Tuesday to make the parking enforcement division of the Madison Police Department into its own independent agency. The measure — which barely obtained the minimum of 11 votes necessary to be adopted — is expected to be completed before
the end of 2023, according to a study of Madison’s 2021 budget. The decision falls in line with recent calls for divestment from traditional police agencies and was made just several hours after eight recently elected alders were sworn into office. Traditionally, the parking enforcement division — which is made up of 31 full time officers — has been a branch of the
COURTESY OF KAITLYN VETO
The Madison Common Council voted to make parking enforcement independent.
MPD. Officers in this division are able to act as law enforcement in certain situations and access the same criminal databases available to police. Following the separation, parking enforcement will maintain their ability to issue citations and impound vehicles. However, officers will no longer be able to intervene in cases involving stolen or wanted vehicals or missings persons and will no longer have access to the same criminal databases available to local police. Separating the two agencies is expected to be more costly than keeping parking enforcement as part of the MPD, a report by the City’s Department of Transportation found. The exact extent of the additional cost is currently unknown. Ald. Keith Furman, Dis. 19, who voted in favor of the transfer, stated that he feels this motion is a positive development for public safety in the Madison area, and voiced his opinion that parking enforcement officers should not
be ingrained in law enforcement. “I believe strongly that the parking enforcement officers don’t belong as part of our police department,” Furman said. “I truly believe we need to continue to reimagine public safety and this is certainly a step along that way.” Furman’s sentiments were echoed by other alders — including Arvina Martin, Dis. 11, who expressed her general support for removing funding from programs associated directly with the MPD that she feels are unnecessary. “I believe that we should be taking things out of the police department’s purview that don’t have to be there,” said Martin. Charles Myadze, who recently replaced incumbent Rebecca Kemble as the Dis. 18 alder, voiced his opinion that he feels the decision to separate the two agencies is largely a symbolic gesture that fails to fix any meaningful problem. “I was just sitting here thinking about two things, a lot of people covered a lot, but two ques-
tions came to my mind: is this a political, symbolic move or is there a problem that we’re trying to fix here,” Myadze said. Ald. Brian Benford, Dis. 6, voiced a similar opinion, stating that he feels the Common Council’s decision fails to actually account for improvements to public safety and will be an unnecessary financial burden in the future. “I didn’t hear that this was going to make our community safer,” Benford said. “I didn’t hear that we were going to save lots of money down the road. I just heard lots of questions.” Aileen Seymour, a parking enforcement officer of 10 years, additionally voiced her concerns about feeling less safe without the protection and access to information from police databases. “We are parking enforcement officers,” Seymour said. “We are here for the community, and we would appreciate your support in not just making a move to shake things up.”
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”
news l
2
Thursday, April 22, 2021
An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 130, Issue 25
2142 Vilas Communication Hall 821 University Avenue Madison, Wis., 53706-1497 (608) 262-8000
News and Editorial edit@dailycardinal.com Editors-in-Chief Kalli Anderson Will Cioci
Managing Editor Gaby Vinick
dailycardinal.com
Being an activist when it is not about you By Addison Lathers FEATURE NEWS EDITOR
Since last summer, the city of Madison has seen many fresh new faces emerge in local politics and activism. From alder candidates to community leaders, residents have expressed being called to
Madison action. I also knew that there was a pandemic, and I’m not the healthiest in the world and I also have limited access to transportation. The point being, I wanted to do something virtual. I knew that there would be very few people live-tweeting the scanner. So I
munity, and by sharing his perspective and experiences, he would be establishing trust within that same community. Esther expressed the need to prioritize Madison’s Black voices instead over his own, and to put names to these voices too.
News Team Campus Editor Jessica Sonkin College Editor Gina Musso City Editor Jackson Mozena State Editor Hope Karnopp Associate News Editor Nathan Denzin Features Editor Addison Lathers
Opinion Editors Ian-Michael Griffin • Riley Sumner Arts Editors Emily Knepple Sports Editors Simon Farber • Joe Rickles Almanac Editors Gillian Rawling • Nick Rawling Photo Editors Clayton Jannusch • Taylor Wolfram Graphics Editors Lyra Evans • Zoe Bendoff Science Editor Gavin Schopf Life & Style Editor Allie Sprink Copy Chiefs Grace Hodgman • Kayla Bell Copy Editors Olivia Everett • Eliza Lindley • Emily Rohloff Social Media Manager Hunter Ellis • Muriel Goldfarb
Business and Advertising business@dailycardinal.com Business Manager Brandon Sanger Advertising Managers Nick Dotson
The Daily Cardinal is a nonprofit organization run by its staff members and elected editors. It receives no funds from the university. Operating revenue is generated from advertising and subscription sales. The Daily Cardinal is published weekdays and distributed at the University of WisconsinMadison and its surrounding community with a circulation of 10,000. Capital Newspapers, Inc. is the Cardinal’s printer. The Daily Cardinal is printed on recycled paper. The Cardinal is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The Daily Cardinal are the sole property of the Cardinal and may not be reproduced without written permission of the editor in chief. The Daily Cardinal accepts advertising representing a wide range of views. This acceptance does not imply agreement with the views expressed. The Cardinal reserves the right to reject advertisements judged offensive based on imagery, wording or both. Complaints: News and editorial complaints should be presented to the editor in chief. Business and advertising complaints should be presented to the business manager. Letters Policy: Letters must be word processed and must include contact information. No anonymous letters will be printed. All letters to the editor will be printed at the discretion of The Daily Cardinal. Letters may be sent to opinion@ dailycardinal.com.
Editorial Board Kavitha Babu, Chair • Kalli Anderson • Will Cioci • Ian-Michael Griffin • Anupras Mohapatra • Riley Sumner • Gaby Vinick
Board of Directors Herman Baumann, President • Barry Adams • Barbara Arnold • Scott Girard • Phil Hands • Josh Klemons • Don Miner • Nancy Sandy • Jennifer Sereno
© 2021, The Daily Cardinal Media Corporation ISSN 0011-5398
For the record Corrections or clarifications? Call The Daily Cardinal office at 608-262-8000 or send an email to edit@dailycardinal.com.
GRAPHIC BY ZOE BENDOFF
action after the May protests downtown — but not all of them have been so quick to step in the spotlight. Alec Esther, a founding member of Reshaping Madison Together, has lived in Madison for nearly two decades. Esther remembers being aware of his own queerness at an early age; he grew up “nurtured” by feminists and reading radical Black feminism. By the time he was 16, Esther had become engaged in burgeoning movements for Black liberation. “Purely in support, purely as an advocate for this. Not by any means as the centerpiece,” Esther said. Esther points to the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, and the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by police in 2014, as what sparked his interest in creating “communal power.” “One thing that I learned from that time was to tweet everything,” he reflected. “To create accessible community meetings [and] allow people who might not consider themselves in the community to be a part of that blossoming base of power, and allow them to step into those meetings, those gatherings, those spaces.” And so, Esther began to tweet. Esther responded to the activity in Madison following the murder of George Floyd by applying the same model he saw in Ferguson. He set to work, transcribing police scanner activity live on Twitter. At the time, he had 300 followers, and most of them weren’t in Madison. But in just 48 hours, Esther had received 700 new followers. “The day after the Minneapolis uprising, I knew that there was going to be
decided that this is something that I need to do,” he explained. Esther has continued to operate on Twitter under the handle “Highest Winds,” and he has since transcribed over 100 hours of Common Council meetings and community dialogues in Madison. Esther has carefully, and anonymously, documented public testimony, discussions on Madison Police Department standard operating procedure and the council’s vote on the city budget. He’s even collaborated with WORT News to transcribe and live-tweet alder debates. For Esther, the step from police scanners to public meetings was natural. “I just took it to the logical conclusion, which was, okay, I transcribed a police scanner. Now let’s transcribe everything for accountability’s sake.” Esther also voiced that while his transcription of the police scanners was vital, it further contributed to a sense of victimization. “How do I reframe Madison as a source of specifically Black agency, of, specifically, revolutionary change? How do I reframe Madison, not just as a place of extreme white supremacist terror, but more importantly, of emergent, and lasting and continuous and frankly, beautiful forces for change? That was a very important shift for me, that ultimately recaptured the spirit of civic engagement,” he said. Despite his long-standing commitment to activism, Esther remains reluctant to center himself. His reasoning for agreeing to be interviewed was that his own activism was designed to build up the com-
Esther referenced community leaders such as Larissa Joanna and Shadayra Kilfoy-Flores — women of color whose words he has worked to transcribe. “I think a lot of times, my fellow white people will regurgitate and reiterate these hopes of ‘amplifying Black voices’ and elevating Black presence on the timeline or whatever it might be. And then they don’t do that!” he said. “Transcription is so important because it’s vital to have archives that allow people to explicitly pinpoint the names and presences of community leaders, especially community leaders of color in our neighborhoods, so we can understand who to look up to.” For those looking to get involved in activism, Esther has specific advice: Firstly, do internal work and ask yourself why you want to get involved. Then, look for ways that you can change the material circumstances around you. “Can you do something that feeds people? Can you do something that houses people, that clothes people? Can you create community connections that provide for your neighbors?” he asked. By transcribing meetings and dialogues, Esther isn’t only recording the words of community members and leaders. He is creating a written record of Common Council meetings. Not to mention, his efforts provide a service to residents that the city does not, making those dialogues even more accessible. Esther referenced the efforts of other disability advocates and activists to implement basic accom-
modations for constituents over Zoom, including Jeremy Ryan’s requests for allowing people to have cameras on them when they’re speaking so that people can read lips. While this may not be considered “feel good” engagement, Esther sees it as a responsibility. “In this way, it’s kind of important to ask why you want to get involved. If it’s to create this kind of liberal sense of ‘doing things that feel good’ because you think that attending roundtables and task forces is something that’s good for the community, without ever actually implementing lasting material changes, don’t get involved,” he said. “Don’t get involved if you’re not looking to fundamentally transform and reshape how your community lives, works, plays and fundamentally survives.” According to Esther, his decision to sit at his computer, for hours on end, to watch council and committee meetings was not a conscious one. The real choice he made was to help transform the scope of civic engagement and justice in Madison while bringing it to the local level and providing an archive and record. His goal was to shine a light on those that were already there. “The main reason we’re seeing this surge in advocacy is because people are actually paying attention now, but these leaders have been out here for decades,” Esther concluded. “And so, my 100 hours or so of meetings is fundamentally a drop in the bucket compared to the tireless labor of Black people in Madison.” Shorewood High School alumna Sophie Scherwenka posted a short video to her private Instagram account last week, but she didn’t do it to update her friends or show off an outfit or meal. Scherwenka’s goal was to expose the prevalence of sexual assault and intimate partner violence in Shorewood, Wis. Howell Raines of the New York Times said in 1979 that
“Can you do something that feeds people? Can you do something that houses people? Can you create community connections that provide for your neighbors?” Alec Esther Reshaping Madison Together
Shorewood was a “maple-studded town on Lake Michigan [that] dotes on its reputation as Milwaukee’s most liberal suburb.” Despite still being labeled a “liberal haven,” with its board of trustees investing millions in affordable housing, Shorewood has now seen dozens of women follow Scherwenka’s lead by sharing their own stories of abuse. Many of them have come out with stories involving former high school athletes and the children of influential families within the small community.
news
Thursday, April 22, 2021
dailycardinal.com
l
3
ASM passes three pieces of legislation in last meeting By Anthony Trombi STAFF WRITER
The Associated Students of Madison passed three new pieces of legislation at their final meeting of the 2020-21 school year Tuesday. In this legislation, the Student Council officially committed to promoting selfdetermination, justice and liberation for Indigenous people at the UW-Madison and across Wisconsin. They further demanded that UW-Madison students should be able to apply to receive financial assistance from the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund as a one-time use of allocable fee reserves and demanded that UW-Madison eliminate a surcharge on students who take over 165 credits. The first piece of legislation, which passed unanimously, rec-
ognized that the UW-Madison occupies the Indigenous land of the Ohéthi Šakówi, Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Sauk and Meskwaki, Peoria and Kiikaapoi. “It is really important to note the need for communication with Native American and Native Indian students on campus and discussing proper acknowledgment and honor towards the land that we are on and the space that we take up,” said UW-Madison student Lourdes Puig. “Recently more organizations do make acknowledgments, but it is really interesting seeing the lack of proper acknowledgment.” After the recognition, the 27th session of ASM recommended that the future sessions collaborate with Indigenous student organizations and scholars to agree upon a land recognition
statement that will be potentially read before each Student Council meeting. This legislation is a part of a series of legislation focused on continuing cooperation between ASM and Indigenous student organizations and scholars. “It seems like organizations are trying to get it out of the way and in some cases seems so scripted that it becomes unmeaningful and uncomfortable,” said Puig. “Acknowledgement is also just one step and will not solve the larger problems.” ASM’s next piece of legislation involved a policy created at the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents in 2002 which established a surcharge on students if they accumulate 165 credits or 30 credits more than required to graduate. According to ASM, Provost
Karl Scholz publicly shared that the surcharge would not be eliminated since it would encourage students not to graduate on time. “I am here to speak in support of the surcharge legislation,” said Jack Bybel, an Electrical Engineering Student at UW-Madison. “I’m an outof-state engineering student where I give $37,000 a year to attend this university. I have taken no less than 15 credits every single semester I have been here and yet I still might have to take a fifth year due to requirements involved in being an engineer and how scheduling has worked.” ASM, through this legislation, demanded that UW-Madison eliminate the surcharge, like the majority of other campuses have done. The student council also
suggested that the Traditional Student Regent take a stand on behalf of all UW System schools. “Advisors telling me that since classes are full and I have to take a fifth year due to scheduling, that is unacceptable to me,” said Bybel. “Then for the university to not get rid of some of the surcharges is a slap in the face to me and other students who have spent over $100,000 at this university and work hard every day to work on their degrees.” The student council requested an immediate meeting with Provost Scholz to discuss the legislation. In the last piece of legislation, ASM stated that the Reserve Board should dispose of allocable fee reserves, which would result in students receiving a refund of the allocable segregated university fees for the fiscal year of 2020-21. The ASM Reserve Board also adopted previous iterations of the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund — the student government’s effort to support housing insecure and homeless students amid the pandemic. University administrators this semester repeatedly refused to enact the fund as designed by ASM, claiming that it violates UW System policy against direct gifts to individual students. The new legislation asked that refunds from the Reserve Board be given to students as soon as possible with a timeline goal for students to receive aid by June at the latest. Any student can apply for financial assistance from the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund. The Office of Financial Aid will disperse funds in the same manner they have for students in the past who make emergency requests. The first meeting of the 28th Session of ASM Student Council will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 12 p.m. on Zoom.
IMAGE COURTESY OF ASM
Bill requiring Holocaust education advances as UW Jewish community says antisemitism is ‘more prevalent than ever’ By Elena Price STAFF WRITER
Last week, the state Assembly unanimously passed a bill mandating education about the Holocaust and other genocides in most Wisconsin schools, a month after the Senate approved it. While Gov. Tony Evers has not yet signed the bill into law, the bill had wide bipartisan support and was introduced by Republicans and Democrats alike. The Holocaust education bill outlines that at least once from fifth to eighth grade and at least once from ninth to 12th grade, the Holocaust and other genocides must be included in the curriculum for all Wisconsin public schools, independent charter schools and private schools participating in a parental choice program. Bill co-author Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, said that the bipartisan support “illustrates the widespread understanding that the best way to counter misinformation is with a solid educational foundation.”
According to Subeck, at least 16 other states require Holocaust education and legislation is moving forward in other states. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchins recently signed a similar measure. The bill comes at an important moment, as antisemitic incedents in Wisconsin increased by 36 percent from 2019 to 2020, according to the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. A 2019 report from the AntiDefamation League found that antisemitic incidents hit a national all-time high in 2019. Greg Steinberger, the CEO of UW-Madison Hillel, explained that “antisemitism is more prevalent than ever, and we are at risk of going down a very dangerous path if it remains unchecked.” The Wisconsin Jewish Conference, Holocaust Education Resource Center (HERC) and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation released a statement applauding the passage of the bill. HERC will provide free educational
materials and support to schools. “We teach about the Holocaust not only to recognize the past but to safeguard the future from the horrors of unchecked hatred,” the statement said. “The lessons of the Holocaust need to be passed on to our youth.” What can be learned by the Holocaust will not only increase awareness around Jewish issues, but for other groups who experience discrimination as well. “[The bill] also ensures that Wisconsin students will learn about the dangers of not just antisemitism, but uncurbed bigotry of any kind,” Steinberger stated. By the end of the Holocaust, six million Jewish people, an estimated 200,000 to 800,000 Roma and an unknown amount of gay men were murdered. Recent surveys have shown that the Holocaust is slipping from collective memories, and misinformation is filling the gap. “Recent studies show that a lot of people hold damaging misconceptions about the Holocaust, such as that the
Jews caused it, which doesn’t make sense,” said Mikaela Steckelis, an active member of the UW-Madison Jewish community. She hopes that teaching about Jewish people will make Jewish students feel more seen and cared for in their schools. Steckelis also mentioned the lack of consideration for Jewish students
from the UW administration. Next year, classes start on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and one of the holiest holidays for Jewish people. “We have breaks for Easter and breaks for Christmas, but what about breaks for Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur? It feels like it’s a very one-way street,” Steckelis said.
COURTESY OF KATIE SCHEDIER
The state Assembly unanimously passed a bill mandating edication on genocides.
sports ‘Zero Fear:’ UW golfer Sam Anderson looks towards PGA Tour, pro golf life l
4
Thursday, April 22, 2021
By Michael Parsky STAFF WRITER
After a “less than successful” sophomore season, University of Wisconsin-Madison golfer Sam Anderson found himself at a crossroad. Anderson — who as a freshman held the lead at the Big Ten Championships for 27 holes — was stretched out between athletics, academics and maintaining an active social life. On top of this plight loomed an important question: would he pursue a professional career in golf or, like most college athletes, find a job after graduation? “I needed to figure some stuff out in my life,” Anderson said. “I was trying to have a really good social life, do well in school and play high quality golf. And in college athletics, you can only be good at two of those [things].” Following extensive talks with head coach Michael Burcin and his father, Anderson “committed” to golf as his number one priority. And with that came a change in perspective. After years of working with a swing coach, short-game coach and sports psychiatrist, Anderson has reaped the benefits of his hard work by posting stronger performances, including three top-10 finishes in NCAA-certified tournaments over the past two years. Now a senior, Anderson will wrap up his college career in the coming months and look to continue his momentum and progress in the professional ranks. While the PGA Tour is the ultimate goal, Anderson, like most aspiring golfers, must prove himself on smaller qualifying tours in order to make it to the big show. Evolution and growth Fellow UW golfer Nick Robinson first met Anderson at a high school tournament five years ago and immediately noticed the potential in his future teammate. He took particular notice of the long ball flight of Anderson’s drives, a coveted skill at any level of golf. “You could see the raw talent was there,” Robinson, a redshirt senior, said. “He could do things with the golf ball that you knew he definitely had a future in the game. But like most athletes, he wasn’t anything close to a finished product.” Robinson’s scouting report suits Anderson, a self-described “late bloomer” who has experienced most of his success in the
dailycardinal.com
latter stages of his career. Burcin agreed, noting that Anderson, originally from nearby Stoughton, was on UW’s radar early on in high school, but did not garner much interest until his junior and senior year of high school. “I told him that ‘we’re not bringing you on for what you could do now, but I’m confident in what you can do in the future,” Burcin said. Inconsistency defined the beginning of Anderson’s career at UW. He would follow up good weeks with bad and mediocre performances. It warranted enough attention for Burcin to sit Anderson down and advise him to make significant changes to how he approached golf and life if he wished to turn professional. “He came to that meeting with a journal, and he was taking notes and I [thought] that was different,” Burcin said. “I thought, ‘you know, we may have something here.’” From that point on, Anderson hunkered down and became honest with himself about his game and “immersed himself” in the process of improving, according to Robinson. Burcin added that the changes to Anderson’s life directly correlated to his production on the golf course, making him a more reliable and dependable player. But Anderson’s improvements in his skills, mindset and body did not come alone. Rather, Anderson for the past four years has enlisted the help of a cadre of coaches dedicated to helping him reach the next level. Swing coach Justin Parsons and putting coach Ramon Bescansa work with Anderson on basic set-up and ball position techniques, among other technical skills. Dr. Morris Pickens, a sports psychiatrist, helps Anderson develop mindsets on how to prepare for tournaments and how to cope with sliding back and forth on the leaderboard. And strength coach Alex Bennett teaches mobility exercises so that changes to Anderson’s golf swing can be made with ease. The group uses the Coach Now application to collaborate by posting videos on the forum after each lesson so coaches and Anderson can analyze what improvements must be made. “He’s incredibly detail-oriented now,” Robinson said. “Sam does a really good job of setting a purpose for whatever he’s going to do, and he’s done a good job of
COURTESY OF UW ATHLETICS
Anderson works with countless coaches and pros to perfect his swing.
COURTESY OF UW ATHLETICS
Senior golfer Sam Anderson's detail-oriented approach to his game has his coaches and teammates raving. breaking down every aspect of his life and figured out how to put himself in a position to play golf after school.” While Robinson pointed to the fluidity of Anderson’s swing as his most notable improvement, Anderson believes it’s his overall confidence and how he mentally approaches the game — which has been reinforced by the work he’s put in. “Knowing I was doing the right things, knowing my swing was in a good spot as well as my putting stroke. I never had any doubts,” Anderson said. “It’s more just like ‘go out and play golf without worrying.’” As Anderson enjoyed a successful junior season that featured a ninth-place finish at the Badger Invitational and a second place showing at the Musketeer Classic, COVID-19 disrupted the NCAA golf season in the spring. However, Anderson still kept busy. He participated in some nonNCAA sponsored tournaments last fall and won a couple events. Anderson spent the winter in Florida — where he plans on moving full-time after graduating — training with his support team and frequented TPC Sawgrass, a course teeming with professional golfers, where he competed and picked the brains of golf’s best. Moving forward, Burcin predicted a bright future for Anderson, calling him one of the most athletically gifted players he’s ever coached. His “zero fear” and workhorse attitude toward golf will propel him to new heights. “He’s nowhere close to maxing out. His best golf is yet to come,” Burcin said. “He’s got a lot of good things going for him.” “Minor Leagues” of golf Most sports fanatics accustom themselves to Minor League Baseball and the NBA G League as the primary farm systems in professional sports. But golf also maintains a similar hierarchical structure. The PGA Tour offers three international sanctioned circuits — PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour China and PGA Tour Latinoamérica — that serve as the “Double-A Baseball”
equivalent in golf. Holding various tournaments across the world, established professionals and amateurs like Anderson can participate in tour events. Golfers who earn the most money on the smaller tours advance to the Korn Ferry Tour, or the “Triple-A Baseball” parallel in the sport. Since 1990, the tour acts as an intermediary for golfers seeking to move up to the PGA Tour and for those who failed to accrue enough Fed-Ex Cup points to stay on the PGA Tour. At the end of the year, the top 25 highest earners on the Korn Ferry Tour receive their PGA Tour membership cards for the next season. For some golfers, the path to the PGA Tour takes little time. But most players spend years climbing the ladder all the way to the top. Some professional golfers make their PGA Tour debut in their forties, according to Anderson. But in March, Anderson took his first step toward realizing his dreams by participating in a tournament on the PGA Tour Canada’s Mackenzie Tour. Competing against other amateurs and professional golfers, Anderson held his own and finished tied for sixth place, shooting seven-under par. Preparation and staying true to fundamentals played key roles to Anderson’s performance. But his unwavering confidence and competitive mentality pushed him over the top. While not every hole and not every round went according to plan, his preparation and work ethic enabled him to keep focus in order to play at a high level. “I like being in big moments, so I brought a different gear [to the tournament],” Anderson said. “I told my caddy ‘if you have butterflies, you know you should be there, [but] if you’re nervous, you’re not prepared enough.’” Anderson remains unsure of when his final collegiate season will end. He hopes the Badgers will advance to regionals and ultimately the NCAA tournament. But once he turns professional, his schedule and life will change. Starting this summer, Anderson plans on competing on smaller tours to gain recognition, and he also said he
wanted to participate in some PGA Tour Canada tournaments. In addition, Anderson will sign up for “Monday Qualifiers” — mini-tournaments held at the beginning of the week of a Korn Ferry Tour or PGA Tour event. The top finishers receive entry to participate in the actual tournament later in the week. With many appearances in professional tour events on the horizon, Anderson’s drive to prove he belongs stems from his “late bloomer” persona and he continues to grow and learn from tournament to tournament. “I never really had much success in golf until recent years, so that has always kept me hungry,” Anderson said. “I’ve seen bits and pieces of success here and there and for me personally, that brings me back and makes me want more because when I see success, I believe I can do this full-time and be more successful than once every two months or once every three or four tournaments.” A huge UW fan growing up, Anderson and his family always attended Badger football and men’s basketball games. But after playing golf for his hometown team, a “dream” of his, the opportunity to represent his school at the highest levels honors him the most. “If I were able to represent the University of Wisconsin on the PGA Tour, I would say that would be one of my greatest accomplishments,” Anderson said. “I’m not really sure how much more you could ask for.” Burcin said Anderson would hit his stride around 25 or 26-yearsold, an optimal time for any professional golfer to piece it all together. While his path to the big leagues will take time and the route may not be clear at the moment, his support team at UW believes the sky’s the limit. “I think [Anderson] can be a PGA Tour winner without a shadow of a doubt in my mind, and I think he would tell you the same thing,” Robinson said. “Sam has a belief that he truly feels like he was meant to play professional golf. It’s going to be impossible to stop him.”
arts CDMC puts on ‘Textiles from Home’ dailycardinal.com
Thursday, April 21, 2021
By Erin Whitman STAFF WRITER
The University of WisconsinMadison School of Human Ecology (SoHE) strives to cultivate a deeper understanding of human relationships in communities and environment. One exploration of these connections is through material history. The Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection in SoHE houses over 13,000 textiles, each with distinct origins and histories. The University of WisconsinMadison Center for Design and Material Culture (CDMC) manages the collection, organizes tours and hosts events like the Textiles from Home exhibition. Little prior knowledge about textiles or material culture is necessary to appreciate the history behind these artifacts or to enjoy the beauty they hold. From March 14 through March 20, the CDMC held their Textiles from Home exhibition virtually this year. This celebration of historical and present-day textiles bridges the connection between past and present by exploring textile creation, domestic space and the environment. As a student currently in a class focusing on material culture, this exhibition really attracted me. However, the topics of this exhibition are so abstract and yet so familiar that it truly is an event that anyone could enjoy. Attending this event was free, and it provided valuable opportunities to hear from artists and scholars on their experiences working with textiles in unique ways. One topic of conversation during this year’s Textiles from Home Exhibition was textiles related to children. “Children at Home in the Archive”, presented by UW-Madison’s Professor Sarah Carter, and her teaching assistant Sam Comerford, took place on Wednesday, March 17th. Professor Carter teaches in
TEXTILES FROM HOME EXHBITION
The Center for Design and Material Culture held a virtual exhbition, showcasing a wide variety of artifacts. the Design Studies department at UW-Madison, and runs the CDMC. Her focus in research and teaching is histories of object based learning and children’s material culture. Sam Comerford is a graduate student at the university, and she facilitates visits to the textile collection on campus. Professor Carter and Sam Comerford led a discussion of children in the archives first through conversation about the material culture of childhood. Professor Carter discussed her course centralized around the material culture of childhood, and how she studies material artifacts with an interdisciplinary approach. This approach allows her to imagine all of the possibilities one material object may have and understand its overall cultural significance. Professor Carter also facilitated an engagement activity to help attendees understand her unique perspective. Each attendee chose a word from a list of about
20, including some like “home,” “craft” and “play.” We were informed we would return to that world selection, but the event transitioned to Sam Comerford’s virtual visit to the textile collection. Attendees viewed various textiles relating to children, such as apparel, fabrics for children’s spaces and darning samplers. One interesting textile was a woven table cover from the 18th century which was made by a young girl. It showed distinct marks of wear which help illustrate its history. The virtual tour experience helped attendees understand material artifacts by viewing them, hearing a bit about their history, and having the opportunity to ask questions. Following the tour, Professor Carter brought the discussion back to our word selections, and attendees discussed in small groups how some of the artifacts from the collection could be viewed in a lens which focuses on their chosen word.
HYUNSOO LÉO KIM / UW-MADISON
Students in SOHE get the chance to tell stories in classes like Structural Enrichment, as seen above.
My group discussed themes of education and home while considering darning samplers and artistic textiles made by a group of children.
l
5
After studying technique and history from the 1700s and 1800s in southern and eastern European countries, Pedlow has created unique pieces of artwork incorporating embroidery. She shared a series of pincushions inspired by 18th and 19th century layette pincushions, handkerchiefs exploring ideas of spread versus containment using embroidery and stenciled spray paint, and photographs with embroidery laid over them. Viewing Pedlow’s work and hearing her thoughts on the photographs and designs she investigates was a unique and engaging experience! After Sarah Pedlow’s presentation, Lisa Javbratt and Helén Svensson shared their project, “The Color of a Weed.” Javbratt and Svensson draw inspiration from the environment in a much different way than Pedlow. They have been working together on a project to map Santa Cruz Island off the coast of California through color. They use wool from sheep on the island, which were brought in by Spaniards, who destroyed
JEFF MILLER / UW-MADISON
The CMDC is housed in the UW-Madison School of Human Ecology. Sorting these objects in new ways can make visible patterns about what is valued in society and illuminate deeper cultural meanings hidden in textiles. Illuminating these connections is easier when we look at an object from a new perspective, and both Professor Carter and Sam Comerford did a wonderful job pushing attendees to engage in the workshop and discover some of these ideas. Understanding textiles in the home and how they pertain to children and childhood is one way in which the CDMC promotes a deeper understanding of human relationships. Another presentation given as part of the Textiles from Home exhibition was “Inspirations from Landscapes”, hosted on Friday, March 19th. Sarah Pedlow’s “Making the Global Local Through Embroidered Art Practice” was the first portion of the discussion. Pedlow has a background in photography and mixed media. Through her travels in Romania, Hungary and other European countries, she fell in love with textiles and decided to embroider them.
native flora of the island, and dye the wool using colors created from invasive plant species on the island. Javbratt and Svensson take an eccentric approach to both textiles and the environment. Learning from them through their stories as well as examples of their work was an experience which anyone interested in textiles, the environment, nature or color would truly enjoy. As someone not studying textiles or environmental studies, though, their scholarly and artistic perspectives on both textiles and nature were still engaging to learn about! Attendees of the Textiles from Home virtual exhibition had many options for presentations to attend, and the CDMC organized a truly successful virtual event. The artists and scholars who presented during the week-long event had unique and important stories to tell which embody the values that SoHE strives to instill in its students. Textiles can sometimes be neglected from the definition of art, but this virtual community arts event brought them to the center of attention.
almanac l
6
dailycardinal.com
Thursday, April 22, 2021
UW-Madison students projected to fail in-person classes next fall By Owen Shao ALMANAC CONTRIBUTER
GRAPHIC BY ZOE BENDOFF
The unprecedented shift towards remote leaning during the past year has called many academic practices into question. When considering the rigor of collegiate level education during previous years, the fact that a student is now able to take a shit while in discussion should serve as an indicator that educational standards have somewhat devolved. Now that the reality of in person classes is quickly approaching, experts are greatly concerned for the future academic output of the UW-Madison student body. In response to these rising concerns, the university has proposed a handful of policy changes to help ease students back into a classroom setting; the primary suggestion pertaining to the use of Google during quizzes and exams. This recommended policy would allow for the unrestricted use of search engines
during class, including important assessments. Given the current state of examinations from home, this policy seems less absurd than ever. One student commented on the proposal, stating, “If opening a Google tab during a quiz counts as academic dishonesty, then I’m definitely dishonest.” During the pandemic, the internet and it’s subsequent search databases have proved to be inalienable tools when it comes to education. Students simply use the same resources they would have in a typical workforce environment, and apply them to education. Orwellian systems such as honorlock impede on a students ability to apply valuable research skills to education and are just kind of creepy in general. However, this justifiable line of reasoning has been hijacked by students who are too lazy to watch pre-recorded lectures or attend online discussion anytime before 10 a.m. An additional reason for this
proposed change cited the considerable drop in class curves if the policy was not implemented. Strong support on behalf of the administration is based in the fear of reduced academic prestige; and the implications it has on the school’s general appeal towards aspiring applicants. A member of the UW-Madison administration — who chose to remain anonymous — stated, “Academic dishonesty holds no value over the out of state recruitment money that pays for our shiny new buildings. Roll Badge!” Additional proposals have also made their way into the spotlight. Classroom features such as designated vape zones, in person mute buttons and adderall feeding troughs are all being considered for the fall semester. The overall state of in-person classes remains unclear at this time, but the main takeaway for students attending in-person classes next semester is that the bar is on the goddamned floor.
Derek Chauvin picking out paint swatches for prison cell By Mackenzie Moore ALMANAC CONTRIBUTOR
It was a chilling scene on Tuesday as former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts. While much of the country either takes a sigh of relief or starts sending their family members conspiracy theories via Facebook Messenger, Chauvin appears to be taking it in stride as he prepares for his new prison cell. After the verdict was read and Chauvin was escorted out of the courtroom, the pigeon-eyed murderer was seen looking at paint swatches that had been handed to him through his cell door. “I know we aren’t sure where he’s going yet or for how long, but I’m sure he’ll find some buddies among the correctional officers wherever he goes,” Chauvin’s
friend, Officer Brooks, said. “From what I’ve heard, there’s a pretty good chance that he’ll end up in his own cell, which means they’re really giving him a lot of creative freedom as far as decorating goes.” It’s quite uncommon for prisoners to be able to alter their cells, but a special exception is being made for the ex-cop to make sure he is able to “settle in and get comfortable.” While Chauvin cannot be reached for comment at this time, he is reportedly leaning towards a shade of blue to remind him of “the good old days” before he could get in trouble for using excessive force. There’s still some time to decide, but the convict is said to be torn between the shades “Aztec Sky” and “Dusky Lilac.”
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Distressed student found hiding in Hamm’s fort By Mackenzie Moore ALMANAC CONTRIBUTOR
Finals are coming up at UW-Madison, which means that students are looking for ways to cope. For some, this means hitting the books early to prevent the need to pull all-nighters. For others, this means trying out meditation and going for walks on the Lakeshore Path to unwind. For at least one student, the solution is clear: hide. Will Spackley, 21, had not been seen or heard from by his own roommates for over a week. If not for the overwhelming smell of stockpiled Crunchwrap Supremes, it likely would have only been a matter of time before he was presumed to be dead. Spackley’s roommates were initially unphased when they saw their buddy carry rack after rack of Hamm’s — the “okay enough” beer — to his room. But after putting
up with Enya emanating from his room for hours on end, the trio collectively entered the room to figure out what the hell was going on. “I was both concerned for the well-being of Will and enamored by the beauty of the structure,” one roommate, Leo, said. The architectural wonder was, indeed, a sight to behold. Made primarily out of 30 packs, it was tall enough to allow its 6’1” creator to stand with a significant hunch and wide enough to allow a full on “lay on stomach and repeatedly punch and kick the floor” toddler tantrum. Spackley was first spotted through his castle’s window, which had been covered by a piece of loose leaf paper stating that there were “No TAs allowed.” He was said to have been slowly rocking in a fetal position while wearing a torn, sweat-stained white t-shirt
that appeared to have actually been intentionally cut by safety scissors. In addition, he donned what he adamantly stated was his “crown,” which was actually just an empty case of beer that once held the cans that, as evidenced by the smell, now act as makeshift urinals. The sight of familiar faces did nothing to ease the mind of poor Will Spackley. In fact, later reports indicate that his roommates joined him in the fort and have been singing “Varsity” while sitting criss-cross applesauce and slowly swaying with their arms around each other. There is no specific date for when the roommates will emerge. However, it is expected that most will begrudgingly exit to take their finals, while the other will remain with the hope that he can join his father’s roofing business if he flunks all of his classes.
GRAPHIC BY JESSICA LEVY
We’re always looking for more funny and insightful writers with fresh takes on topics ranging from the UW campus to international news. We accept and encourage creative submissions as well! Any and all submissions are more than welcome. You can send your submissions and any comments or questions to almanac@dailycardinal.com. All articles featured in Almanac are creative, satirical and/or entirely fictional pieces. They are fully intended as such and should not be taken seriously as news.
opinion Boycott the 2022 Beijing Olympics dailycardinal.com
By TRIPP GREBE STAFF WRITER
What is the point of taking history class? This is a question that my middle school history teacher would often ask his students on the first day of school. The answer was always “so that we can learn from the past, therefore, not to make the same mistakes in the future.” “It’s amazing how frequently history repeats itself,” he would say. In 1931, the International Olympic Committee chose Germany to host the 1936 Summer Olympics. Two years later, Adolph Hitler and his villainous Aryan supremacy theory came to power. In 1935, the Nazi regime announced the “Nuremberg Race Laws.” These laws prohibited Jewish people from attaining German citizenship and forbade them from marrying or having sexual relations with people of “German related blood.” The laws extended the definition of a Jewish person from an individual who held specific religious beliefs to someone who had multiple Jewish grandparents. Jewish athletes were also prohibited from competing on the 1936 German Olympic team. The Nazi regime’s vitriolic acts of anti-Semitism troubled enough Americans to spark a movement in favor of boycotting the 1936 Olympics in Germany. Among the most fervent supporters for a boycott was the Amateur Athletic Union — which was composed of Olympic athletes. In response, the American Olympic Committee dispatched
Thursday, April 22, 2021
some of their members to visit Germany and assess the status of German Jewish athletes. On their visit, members of the American Olympic Committee asked Jewish athletes if they were being provided a fair chance to compete. The Jewish athletes, who were asked these questions while in the presence of the Gestapo, assured the American Olympic Committee that they were being treated fairly. In December of 1935, the American Olympic Committee and the Amateur Athletic Union met in New York City to vote on whether to boycott the 1936 Summer Olympics. The final vote was 58 to 55 ½ in favor of attending the 1936 Summer Olympics. Hitler would use the Olympics as a propaganda tool to reaffirm his power domestically and distract from his nefariously oppressive regime. Hitler’s subsequent actions would result in the deaths of 75 million people. It’s unlikely that the United States’ decision to attend the 1936 Olympics would have changed the course of history, but it was a mistake to give international validation to a regime that had clear oppressive practices. There is a disturbing contemporary analogous comparison to the decision to attend the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany. In 2015, the International Olympic Committee chose China to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. Two years later, the Chinese Communist Party would begin sending ethnic
minorities to concentration camps where they would be tortured, sterilized and sometimes killed. The ethnic minorities targeted by the Chinese Communist Party are called the Uyghurs. Go ahead and Google what’s happening to the Uyghurs in China. Because people in China can’t. The Uyghurs are a primarily Muslim ethnic population in Northwest China. There are roughly 12 million Uyghurs in the Chinese region of Xinjiang. Previously making up a majority of the people in the Xinjiang region, the recent migration of Han Chinese to the Xinjiang region has caused the Uyghur population to dip below 50% of the population. The Han Chinese constitute 92% of China’s mainland population. In the late 20th century, the Chinese Communist Party began sponsoring mass migration of Han Chinese to the Xinjiang region — where a majority of the population was made up of Uyghurs. This was allegedly a coordinated attempt to eradicate Uyghur influence in the province. In 1997, the Chinese Communist Party began taking violent action against the Uyghur people. During Ramadan, Chinese officials executed 30 Uyghurs in the street for alleged disloyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. These executions lead to demonstrations by the Uyghur people, which ultimately led to more executions. In 2017, the Chinese Communist Party began abducting Uyghur people from their homes and sending them to concentration camps. Three
million Uyghurs have been abducted and detained within these camps. Inside them, the Uyghur people are tortured, women are sterilized and people are murdered. In the Uyghur jurisdictions of Xinjiang, the population has decreased by 84% in the last six years. Much as the Nazi Regime practiced Aryan supremacy, the Chinese Communist Party is currently practicing Han supremacy. In January, the U.S. State Department declared that China’s actions against Uyghurs constitute crimes against humanity and are to be labeled genocide. Yet, even after determining that China is committing genocide against ethnic minorities, the United States seems intent on competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics. Much like Nazi Germany, the Chinese Communist Party will use the opportunity of hosting the Olympics to reaffirm their domestic power and burnish their image internationally. The United States must not give the Chinese Communist Party the same opportunity they gave the Nazi Regime in 1936. Instead, the U.S. must amend that mistake and stand firm against the same ethnic cleansing that took the lives of over 6 million Jews during Hitler’s reign in Nazi Germany. The United States and its allies should band together and refuse to compete in the 2022 Olympic games if they’re played in China. A global rebuke of China’s grotesque human rights violations may not be the silver bullet solution, but it would be a tangible step in the right direction.
l
7
The Chinese Communist Party is only able to commit crimes against humanity within their own borders because of the strong monopolist control they have on their domestic power. Because of the oppressive practices of the Chinese Communist Party, domestic critics are unable to destabilize the Party’s power. Change and condemnation must come from external voices. If the United States and its allies were to boycott the Olympics, that would offer a monumental admonishment of the Chinese Communist Party. The global denouement of the Chinese Communist Party could have the potential to destabilize their monopolistic control of China and their related human rights abuses. The Chinese Communist Party is a villainous and oppressive regime. The United States can solidify its position as global advocates for freedom and liberty by taking a strong stance against the worst human rights abuse in the world today. If the United States decides to attend the 2022 Olympics in China, they will be complicit in giving the Chinese Communist Party the same validation they gave the Nazi Regime in 1936. It’s amazing how frequently history repeats itself.
TrippGrebeisaSophomorestudying Political Science with Certificates in Political Economy, Philosophy, and Economics. Do you think the United States should boycott the 2022 olympics? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com
How profits and capitalism are destroying American media By EM-J KRIGSMAN OPINION DESK EDITOR
The American media has long been thought of as an independent arbiter of the verifiable truth, monitoring society and reporting back to the populace. Today this could not be farther from reality. Economist James Hamilton put it best when he stated “news emerges not from individuals seeking to improve the functioning of democracy but from readers seeking diversion, reporters forging careers, and owners searching profits.” The media, with no exception to any other industry, is shaped by financial forces. In accordance with the foundations of capitalism, American media functions on the fundamental notions of profit maximization. The forces of capitalism have led the making and maintaining of profits to dominate news distribution. Concurrently, polls are indicating an increased polarization of the American public along party lines. A recent Pew Research study found a growing shift toward the extremes as “92% of Republicans are to the right of the medium Democrat, and 94% of Democrats are to the left of the median Republican.” Similarly, the study accounted for an elevated animosity between the two parties, as negative perceptions for the other side have heightened across the same time period. Countless answers have been proposed in efforts to explain America’s growing partisanship, but, ultimately, the root answer is clear: Capitalism’s control over the media is expanding political polarization. Americans know information from what the
media provides yet, due to the need for profits, modern media provides information under the incentive of selling not informing. Capitalism has always reigned supreme in the United States, but it was not until the 1980s that news consolidation became the pattern. News outlets were placed into the hands of a few and ever narrowing number of corporations, often with little interest in the news. Currently, six corporations own 90% of the United States media, creating a media oligopoly. These corporations have immense control over what and how news is covered, and with so few companies in the market, there is consistent pressure to cut costs and outperform competitors. Subsequently, the 1980s saw the digital revolution. An increase in channels on broadcast TV and the explosion of the internet granted a variety of media options. While seemingly beneficial, the expansion created competition for attention between news and entertainment. News at large was forced to shift from informational to engaging, as the success of news outlets was dependent on the audience’s attention. The chairman of CBS, Leslie Moonves, put it best when he stated Donald Trump “may not be good for America, but it’s damn good for CBS.” Radical ideas gain more attention, making it no surprise that a recent evaluation of national broadcast and cable news found a bias towards fanatical candidates. This subsequently resulted in an inaccurately extreme representation of the House of Representatives and Senate
legislative bodies. The desire for profits skews attention towards policy makers who praise new and radical perspectives. Inevitably, the portrayal of political extremism results in an elevated political animosity. Disappointedly, the strive for attention has also caused news outlets to liken political elections to horse races between political candidates, with constantly updated bar graphs showing who is winning and who is losing in the polls. The horse race has been pushed into the norm due to its economic and consumer advantages. Covering elections in this manner is cheaper — easier to consume for the average American — than analyzing policy platforms. Consecutively, policy based coverage accounted for a mere 10% of the 2016 election. Covering the horse race does not provide voters with a balanced comparison of electees that will help them make an educated decision at the polls. Horse race coverage frames politics as a constant battle between the two dominant political parties, thus creating an in-group and an out-group. Horse race coverage, which floods modern journalism, divides our nation. The other major shift has been the rise in ideologically based coverage. Fox News originally discovered they could bring in a reliable audience without an extensive number of reporters by spouting the take on the news Republicans and conservatives wanted to hear. This commercially driven outline of American journalism has similarly been adopted on the left by MSNBC and CNN.
While these news outlets differ in their reliability rankings, each has taken an emphasis on surface level coverage — which tends to antagonize the other side — over deep investigative journalism. This strategy is cheap yet intriguing to audiences. These affirmational sources, driven by the business model, are creating a duopoly
now reside in so-called news deserts, with thousands more having their local papers bought off by corporations exclusively interested in profits. Everyday, more Americans are left to fill their gap in independent local news with the more national and partisan sources. Ultimately, modern media has a glaring conflict of interest. News
GRAPHIC BY JENNIFER SCHALLER
Heavy profit motivations continue to hinder access to journalism. between Republicans and Democrats. It can be argued that not all journalism is manipulated in search of profits. Local news sources are ranked as among the most objective and trusted news outlets, providing a relatively balanced analysis of current events. Nevertheless, objective news is simply not profitable, and, with that, more than a fourth of the country’s local newspapers have disappeared. Thousands of Americans
outlets are dependent on profits, and thus the media is manipulated to draw in readers — which goes on to increase ideological divisions. Americans rely on the media for information, but a media entangled in ulterior motives to churn profits is breeding a divided country. We may have been born a united nation, but so long as the media remains under capitalism’s grasp, we are in for a dangerous and disunified future.
Life & Style l
8
Thursday, April 22, 2020
dailycardinal.com
Getting back to ‘normal’ after COVID-19 By Sophie Friedberg STAFF WRITER
So, here we are. We’re finally starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. I know that’s some cliche you’ve heard every couple of weeks for the past year and a half, but I mean it this time. I can start to see the finish line. Vaccine rollout in Madison is starting to make some headway with UW students. Granted, even if you are eligible, making a vaccine appointment is harder than getting into Brats on a Thursday, but hey, the vaccines are here. Come fall, we’ll be sweating and spitting all over each other while “Jump Around” plays through the speakers of Camp Randall … Knock on wood. So, while we all sit by our computers refreshing UHS and Walgreens for vaccine appointments, I thought I’d take a moment to make some enemies. So, here it goes; my hot take: There are some things about this past year that I’m going to miss. I know, I know, don’t write angry Letters to the Editor all at once — just hear me out. I think we shouldn’t be too hasty to rush back to our lives pre-pandemic and discard every adjustment we’ve had to make this past year. There are a couple things I think we should take with us. Spending more time unplugged: How many loaves of
banana bread did you make last summer? How many preschool-level water color paintings? Did you get back into friendship bracelet making? What about reading for pleasure? Taking an online workout class? Going on hikes? Last year, on a given afternoon you could find me at home, sitting in bed, watching some crappy TV show and trying to wind down from my busy day full of human interaction. But now, when I want to stay in bed all day, I’m going to try and remind myself that there was once a time where all I dreamt of was leaving my house and partaking in weird and simple activities. Being kinder to yourself: There hasn’t been something more globally devastating than this pandemic in our lifetime. Not one single person hasn’t been affected in some way by COVID-19. With so much going on and everyone feeling so hopeless, I think we all let ourselves take a deep breath, compare our problems to the bigger picture, and let go of the little things. You got a C on your math test? You were teaching Calculus to yourself over the screen of your iPad from your bed at home, in a city 3 hours behind Madison. Missed an assignment? You watched as an innocent man was murdered on video, sparking worldwide civil unrest and deep, soul-crushing sorrow. It’s hard at times to see the bigger picture, to focus on what isn’t right in front of you. But when we’re faced with unimaginable circumstances, it’s good to give yourself a break.
That shouldn’t be something we forget once life goes back to normal. Care about strangers: There’s nothing more unifying than shared trauma. I know that’s not something you want to bond over, but it’s the truth. Never have we been able to sympathize so deeply with so many people worldwide, who we never knew existed. Never have we signed as many petitions, walked in so many marches, sat in on so many demonstrations in support of a family hundreds of miles away, who we will likely never meet but who we will now forever carry in our hearts. Never have we sacrificed so many personal freedoms on behalf of the greater good; to save a life we’ll never meet. I’m guilty of being too self-centered at times; I think we all are. The “you shouldn’t complain about X because somebody else is dealing with Y” mentality has never made someone’s problems actually feel smaller. But when something so devastating happens in front of the entire world, it’s different; it just is. I think it’s important that we keep caring about people we’ll never meet. Of course, the list of things I want to forever leave behind is 500 times the size of things I want to take with me — I’m not a sadist. All I’m saying is there’s room in your mental suitcase to bring a couple things with you when you’re able to walk maskless into a crowded lecture hall and sweat on the stranger next to you at Camp Randall.
Ways to enjoy a Madison Spring By Emily Rohloff STAFF WRITER
JEFF MILLER/UW-MADISON
As more COVID-19 vaccines are distributed, life gets back to a new normal.
A ‘before-the-pandemic’ semester By Samantha Benish STAFF WRITER
As the pandemic begins to wind down, campus will hopefully start to look a little more familiar. Between the Zoom lectures and empty streets, we started to forget what campus was like. Here’s a Post-Pandemic Bucket List to get you excited for the upcoming months. 1. Lectures that are NOT on Zoom The convenience of not getting ready for class was a nice benefit to having online classes, yet the empty seats of Mosse Humanities have been lying dormant for too long. One can only look at a computer screen for so long. The first day of classes will look a little more normal when confused freshmen are stumbling around campus, the scratched-up desks in Bascom Hall are filled, and professors are flying through PowerPoints just a little bit too fast. 2. Working Out Without a Mask Don’t get me wrong — masks keep everyone safe, and they act as a wind
barrier on especially cold days. Yet, the gym is one place that makes them difficult to like. Whether you are sprinting your way around the tract or deadlifting 300 pounds, masks collect all the sweat from your face. It’ll be a nice change of pace to be able to breathe a little bit easier and see everyone’s red face. 3. Full Capacity Bars & Buildings The Unions look a little empty without the general public walking around in them. You know exactly who I am talking about: the proud alumnus who can’t seem to leave college, the nervous highschoolers and the families with young kids looking at the lake. Campus will feel more like a Madison community when communal buildings are allowed to safely reopen. The bar scene will be memorable as well, with the dance floor packed and lines of eager students waiting to get a drink. 4. Crowded Streets One of the most notice-
able differences with COVID-19 is just how empty campus has felt. University Avenue is no longer filled with hundreds of students speedwalking to their next class at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday. Bikers no longer have to risk hitting a late student as they dodge their way through oncoming traffic, and you don’t have to worry about stepping on the person’s heels in front of you. As stressful as walking to class was, it was a rite of passage for UW-Madison students. 5. Jumping Around in Camp Randall Both Camp Randall an the Kohl Center have loomed above us for over a year, taunting us with their bright red signs. The minute those gates open and students are allowed back in the bleachers, everything in the world will be solved. The first post-pandemic tailgate will be one for the history books, that’s for sure. And lastly… 6. A Spring Break Need I say more?
The month of April is halfway through, and the feelings of spring are fresh in the air. The city of Madison is slowly waking up from its hibernation as restaurants, shops and city activities slowly return to a normal state. So as the weather warms up, get out and go explore! Grab a bite to eat someplace new. Yola’s Cafe: Throughout the month of April, Yola’s Cafe is supporting the Dane County Humane Society so that for every Waffle of the Month purchased, a portion of the proceeds will go toward DCHS! The current Waffle of the Month is a blueberry lemon waffle, and you can also find coffee, tea and smoothies to purchase as well. Go support a great cause! https://www.giveshelter. org/events/waffle-of-themonth-at-yolas-cafe Settle Down Tavern: This restaurant came new to Madison during 2020 and already has established a great reputation for itself. While it is
known for its signature burgers, the menu also contains great vegetarian options and has an extensive drink menu that does Wisconsin proud. With reasonable prices and a fun atmosphere, Settle Down makes a great place to check out with friends and family. https://www.settledownmadison.com/home Reacquaint yourself with the beauty of Madison. Blue Mounds State Park: Only about 30 minutes outside of Madison, this Wisconsin state park offers views from the highest hills in Southern Wisconsin. It is a great place to hike, bike, and camp this spring and summer! https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/ topic/parks/bluemound Olbrich Botanical Gardens: Located right in Madison, Olbrich contains 16 acres of outdoor gardens for you to stroll through, as well as an indoor, tropical conservatory containing a rushing waterfall, exotic flowers, and free-flying birds.
Fun Fact: There is a Thai pavilion found within the outdoor garden that is only one of four found outside of Asia. http://www.olbrich.org/ visit/hours.cfm Visit Madison’s returning staple attraction. Dane County Farmers’ Market: The time has finally come where the DCFM is back in person and outdoors! The traditional market is now being located in the parking lot of the Alliant Energy Center. While customers can still pre-order, you are welcome to spontaneously shop around the various stands, and go reconnect with the local farmers and vendors as they offer fresh eggs, cheese, vegetables, herbs, meat, honey, etc.! https://dcfm.org/markets/ saturday-market-at-alliantenergy-center So as spring is finally here in Madison, venture outside, grab a bite to eat, embrace the warm weather and support your local Madison businesses!
JENNIFER SCHALLER/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Springtime is the perfect opportunity to get out and explore the fun activities Madison has to offer.
comics dailycardinal.com
Thursday, April 22, 2021 • 9
SUDOKU
DIRECTIONS: Fill in each row, column and square with the numbers 1-9
I WONDER...
BY LYRA EVANS
CROSSWORD
DIRECTIONS: Fill in words via the prompts across or down via their respective numbers.
FROG PRINCE LOOKING FOR DATE Hot banana prince looking for hot potato lady for nice kissing and hugging. Is strong and jumps high. Very good at kissing. plz talk to me. I very charming and nice. I have mega powerful muscles. I stand here and
Across 1. October’s stone 5. Trims (off) 9. Recorded 14. Richard ____ of “Pretty Woman” 15. Unwritten 16. Wash away 17. Four-sided
figure 19. Window sill 20. City railways 21. Rent contract 22. Soothed 23. Coastal bird 24. Wooden fasteners 26. Shade of purple 29. Asparagus
unit 31. High card 34. Ripens 35. Put in order 37. Greek philosopher 39. Pack animal 40. ____ Gras (Shrove Tuesday) 41. Pain 43. Track compe-
tition 44. Long period 45. Some curves 47. Future flowers 48. ____ market 49. Balmy 51. Hot pepper 54. Backbone 56. Depot (abbr.) 59. Baseball great Hank ____
60. Brine (2 wds.) 62. Trumpet’s sound 63. Bakery worker 64. Judge 65. Sub finder 66. Roman fiddler 67. TV award Down 1. Mythical giant 2. Fruit skin 3. Circle parts 4. Rent 5. Hermit 6. Kidney, liver, etc.
BY LYRA EVANS
wait. ok yes i wait, plz talk to me. I wait here. I like ladies who kiss.
7. Buddies 8. Dozing ones 9. Wired message 10. Zones 11. Pea shells 12. Rim 13. Act 18. Actor ____ Baldwin 23. Savor 25. Corn spike 26. Expire 27. Arctic shelter 28. Acquire knowledge 30. Old-fashioned 31. See eye to eye 32. Surrendered 33. Prepares copy 36. Designated
38. Brief joke (hyph.) 39. James Earl Ray, e.g. 42. Wind direction (abbr.) 46. Happy one 47. Large quantity 48. Plant life 50. Beginning part 51. City vehicles 52. Angel’s headwear 53. Tehran’s country 55. Step 56. Goblet part 57. Swarm 58. Military branch 61. Fruit punch