The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

PRESS

January 31, 2019

VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 14 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

UMW senior launches social media marketing firm Laura Taylor Senior Writer

An idea sparked in a casual conversation in a coffee shop is becoming a marketing firm centered around social media. Anna Talcott, a senior marketing major at UMW, created Aesthetic Eye Social Media LLC on Jan. 2, 2019.

Aesthetic Eye Social Media is a social media marketing firm based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, that assists small businesses to represent the best possible versions of their brand through digital presence.

While sitting in Starbucks with her friend studying for finals a year ago, a barista asked Talcott and her friend what they were studying. Both students are marketing majors. The barista then asked if they were creative in any way and Talcott mentioned that they had an aesthetic eye and she then realized she had a name for her business.

Entering her freshman year, Talcott had a plan to double major in political science and psychology and then go straight into a government agency after graduation.

Students are in the process of getting the new NAACP chapter chartered with the national organization.

Emily Martin / The Blue & Gray Press

New chapter of the NAACP forms on campus

Anna Talcott started her own marketing firm on Jan. 2.

Chelsie Natalia / The Blue & Gray Press

When freshman year ended and she spent the summer delving into marketing at her summer job, Talcott started to discover a new passion.

Talcott’s sophomore year offered her the opportunity to apply to the College of Business and major in marketing.

Once Talcott started taking marketing classes during her junior year, she •AESTHETIC EYE | 10

“I could talk about the underworld of social media and the strategy behind the scenes of it all day and when you can do that for anything I believe that is your calling.”

-Anna Talcott

to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race based discrimination and our club Students have started a new campus mission aligns exactly,” says the club’s chapter of president, the National junior “The mission of the NAACP is to Association geography ensure the political, educational, for the major Kelsey Advancement social, and economic equality of Chavers. “The of Colored rights of all persons and to eliminate purpose of our People organization race based discrimination and our (NAACP) at is to get club mission aligns exactly.”

UMW. The involved in the club is still in community, the chartering -Kelsey Chavers educate stage with individuals, the national and host branch but events that align with our mission.” plans to become official after the The process to start the club began national branch’s meeting in March. in the fall of this year, and according Club goals include getting involved in to Chavers, “The local Fredericksburg the community and ultimately helping chapter has wanted Mary Washington to encourage a culture of equality at to form a college chapter for a number UMW. of years now.”

“The mission of the NAACP is “I have been a •NAACP | 11

Sierra Horton Staff Writer

Historic number of women announce candidacy for president Mackenzie Hard Staff Writer

Talcott’s social media marketing firm, Aesthetic Eye, is based in Fredericksburg.

Aesthetic Eye LLC / Facebook

IN THIS

ISSUE

“Glass” REVIEW

Four women have announced their run for the 2020 presidential election so far, marking the greatest number in the last three election cycles. These women are Democrat Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Kamala Harris, and Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand launched her campaign on Jan. 15 on CBS’ Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “I’m going to run for president of the United States because as a young mom, I’m going to fight for other people’s kids as hard as I fight for my own,” she said. In a clip released by CBS, she said that she would run a campaign that emphasizes health care as a human right while improving schools and job-

TOXIC MEDIA

Shyamalan’s “Glass” stuns in theaters.

Self-compassion leads to overall well-being.

LIFE | 6

VIEWPOINTS | 5

training programs.

“I think that the changing ways candidates are announcing their campaigns is reflective of a larger shift in the way we view politicians and the process of running for office,” said English major and president of the Young Democrats, Shawnya Peterson. “In 2019, we are feeling more connected to our elected officials than ever - for example, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is documenting her experiences as a freshman senator and dropping her skincare routine, all on her Instagram stories. In the lead up to 2020, I’m looking forward to seeing this gap narrow even further as we are reminded that not only are politicians people, but ordinary people can be politicians.”

Representative • CANDIDATES | 2 Tulsi Gabbard

JOHNNY CRONIN

CAC athlete of the week keeps competitive edge.

SPORTS | 12

NEWS THE

BLUE & GRAY PRESS

MISSION The Blue & Gray Press is published every Thursday in the University Apartments Clubhouse for our university community. The goal of The Blue & Gray Press is to produce high quality and accurate news in a manner compliant with the Society of Professional Journalists ethics code. In its coverage, The Blue & Gray Press strives to highlight the community of the University of Mary Washington, as well as deliver fair and accurate coverage on the issues important to our students.

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lauren Closs

Associate Editor Ginny Bixby

Managing Editor Ryan Brauch

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Meaghan McIntyre Kate Seltzer

VIEWPOINTS Grace Winfield

LIFE Lucas Burkholder

SPORTS Jack Hagn

ONLINE Ronic Ngambwe Harry Fisher

PHOTO Cayley McGuire

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

Editors: Meaghan McIntyre & Kate Seltzer | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

Students reflect on 2020 election candidates •CANDIDATES | 1

broke down barriers when she became the first Samoan-American and first Hindu elected to Congress.

Before her election in 2012, she served in the Hawaiian Army National Guard. In the time since announcing her run, Gabbard has traveled to states including Iowa and New Hampshire, which have the earliest primaries.

Gabbard faces some controversy as a 37-year-old with limited congressional experience. Time Magazine reported that she has also faced criticism for helping her father’s “anti-gay organization, the Alliance for Traditional Marriage, around the early 2000s.”

The two-term Massachusetts senator, Elizabeth Warren, announced back in December that she was forming an exploratory committee to consider a presidential run. In this same announcement, she said that her experience growing up in a working class family will aid her in working to rebuild the middle class. She has advocated for progressive policies such as “Medicare for all.”

Warren has also faced controversy since she released the results of a DNA test. The test confirmed that she has Native American ancestry, but that those relations could be as far back as ten generations. NBC26 reported that Warren first faced scrutiny for her Native American heritage during her 2012 Senate race. President Trump has frequently mocked her with the nickname “Pocahontas.”

California Senator Kamala Harris announced she was running for president on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. During an appearance on Good Morning America, she said, “This is a moment in time that I feel a sense of responsibility to stand up and fight for the best of who we are.” If elected, Harris would be the first female African-American and first IndianAmerican president, as well as the first woman to hold the highest title in the country.

Senator Harris was a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which held hearings during Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation. During these hearings, Time Magazine reported on her tough questioning which aligned with her history as a deputy district attorney and then California’s attorney general.

For the most part, students are not yet sure who they will be voting for.

“I don’t really know much about any of the candidates,” said sophomore political science major Dillon Schweers. “I do know who Elizabeth Warren is since I recognize her name.”

“I personally right now know more about Kamala Harris and Elizabeth

Candidates have started to take to different media platforms to declare their intent to run for president in the 2020 election.

Creative Commons

Warren, but that’s more based on name recognition rather than making any decisions on who I’d vote for,” said alumna Christina Amaral, class of 2018. “I definitely feel like a lot of things will shift as the election gets closer.”

“I don’t really know much about the female candidates,” said junior communications major, Faith Hogue.

“So far I am really impressed with Beto O’Rourke and am very excited to see where he goes. I would love to see him as the Democratic candidate. He is very level headed and because of that I think Republicans who are anti-Trump could be convinced to vote for him. He might be what America needs to get rid

“I think that social media will play a continually larger role in each election because its prevalence in popular culture keeps growing.”

-Grace Rhil of Trump.”

Beto O’Rourke has not announced a presidential run as of yet.

The only Republican currently on the ballot is President Trump. As president, he has passed a tax bill which lowered tax bills for about 80 percent of Americans, according to the Tax Policy Center. This presidency has also seen the unemployment rate remain low.

Forbes Magazine Online reported that in December of 2017, Congress cut government revenues by passing a $1.5 trillion tax cut. As of September of this past year, the cuts have not been linked to an increase in labor share or other investments.

“As a general rule, aspiring

presidential candidates from the same party do not generally challenge a sitting president for the party’s nomination,” said political science professor Rosalyn Cooperman. “So while there are many Republicans, including a few women, such as former South Carolina governor and US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and US Senator Joni Ernst [Iowa], who may be interested in running, they are calculating whether it’s worth the grief to mount a primary challenge to Trump or just wait it out and run in 2024.”

Students here at UMW have wondered if a female president is possible in our nation’s future. Students also question what party these women would be a part of and what kinds of platforms they will base their candidacy on.

“I believe that Republicans will one day nominate a woman to be their president,” said political science major and chair of College Republicans, Stephen Lamm. “The Democrats have many prominent women within their party, while the Republican party, although headed

by Ronna Romney McDaniel, still struggles with visible female leadership.”

Senior geology major Grace Rhil reflected on the growing importance of social media.

“I think that social media will play a continually larger role in each election because its prevalence in popular culture keeps growing,” she said. “It is also many people’s platform for getting news, so candidates will likely use that to their advantage.”

ABC News has also predicted that the electorate in 2020 is likely to be similar to that of the 2016 electorate.

“It is too early to determine what voter turnout in 2020 will look like.

What we do know is that compared to men, women are more reliable voters. They turn out to vote in higher numbers than men, which has been the case for several decades now,” said Cooperman.

CORRECTIONS for THE Week PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Lauren Closs, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu

2

SPORTS

Close competition in Super Bowl LIII

RYAN BRAUCH Managing Editor

On February 3, the New England Patriots will take on the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Georgia. Both teams have been extremely dominant throughout the course of the 2018 season and have been favorites to find their way to the championship game.

Although both of these teams were expected to make it to the Super Bowl, both the AFC and NFC championship games sparked a lot of controversy.

The NFC championship game saw the New Orleans Saints host the Rams on Sunday, Jan. 20. The Saints jumped out to a hot start early, scoring 13 unanswered points. The Rams looked slow on the offensive side of

Quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints still felt confident at halftime, as the score stood at 13-10.

To start the second half, the Saints were rolling on all cylinders as they drove down the field on a seven minute drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Taysom Hill. The espn.com Rams answered with The Patriots and the Rams will be competing Feb. 3 @ 6:30pm a long drive of their own importantly, the ball was not their way down field for a that ended with tight end in the vicinity of the receiver, touchdown, with a final score Tyler Higbee bringing in yet there were no flags on of 37-31. a touchdown pass to make the field. This crucial no-call As Tom Brady prepares the score 20-17. The fourth ended up costing the Saints to compete in his ninth quarter was slow, as both a Super Bowl berth, as the Super Bowl in his Hall of teams held each other in Rams took the game 26-23 in Fame career, he intends to check defensively, until a overtime. win his sixth championship. controversial no-call changed With chaos ensuing in Meanwhile, a young Rams the rest of the game. With New Orleans with an army of team led by second year the score standing at 20-20, rightfully angry Saints fans, head coach Sean McVay are

Tom Brady is the Patriots quarterback with five Super Bowl wins. espn.com

the ball and looked sloppy on defense as the fans roared with every misstep. Towards the end of the first half, the Rams started to kick things into gear as they got their first points on the board with a made field goal from kicker Greg Zuerlein. As the Saints cooled off on offense, the Rams took charge as quarterback Jared Goff completed a deep bomb to wide receiver Brandin Cooks.

The catch by Cooks enabled the Rams to run the ball into the endzone for a touchdown with star running back Todd Gurley, who surprising did not get much playing time in the championship game.

the Saints had the ball on the Rams 13 yard line with two minutes remaining in the game. Although they had great field position, the Saints quickly found themselves staring at a third-and-long, desperately needing a first down. Brees then targeted one of his receivers but before the ball could arrive, Rams’ cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman demolished the receiver, going in for a huge hit and leading with his helmet. To almost everyone watching the game, it was a clear pass interference penalty. The receiver was defenseless, the defender led with his head, and most

Jared Goff is making his first Super Bowl appearence.

the Patriots were gearing up to play the Kansas City Chiefs, in Kansas City. The weather was cold and the fans were loud, yet quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and carried that lead into halftime. The Chiefs ended up climbing their way back into the game and forcing a shootout with the Patriots and eventually sent the game to overtime. The Patriots won the coin toss to start overtime and since the NFL overtime rules stand that the first team to score a touchdown wins, the game was over in an instant, as the Patriots effortlessly pounded

University of Mary Washington Sports Schedule

Men’s Basketball (14-6)

Nov. 13 W vs. East Mennonite (89-73) Nov. 17 W vs. Guilford (79-77) Nov. 18 W vs. Ferrum (76-60) Nov. 26 L @ Washington and Lee (94-78) Dec. 1 L @ Lynchburg (69-64) Dec. 2 W @ Randolph (75-66) Dec. 5 W @ Va. Wesleyan (99-88) OT Dec. 8 W vs Marymount (Va.) (65-54) Dec. 17 W @ Shenandoah (80-74) Dec. 29 W @ John Carroll (76-64) Dec. 30 L @ Roanoke (83-67) Jan. 2 L @ Frostburg St. (87-77) Jan. 5 W vs. Christopher Newport (69-61) Jan. 9 W vs. Salisbury (84-70) Jan. 12 W @ Penn St.-Harrisburg (69-61) Jan. 16 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (79-67) Jan. 19 W vs. York (Pa.) (74-62) Jan. 23 W vs. Southern Virgina (75-73) Jan. 26 L vs. Frostburg St. (90-70) Jan. 30 L @ Salisburg (79-66) Feb. 2 @ Christopher Newport Feb. 6 vs. St. Mary’s (Md.) Feb. 9 vs. Penn St.-Harrisburg Feb. 13 @ Southern Virgina Feb. 16 @ York (Pa.)

espn.com

looking to bring the Rams their first Super Bowl title since 2000. Running backs have been a focal points for both of these teams all throughout the playoffs.

The Patriots will have to exploit the Rams defense with the help of running back committee James White and Sony Michel. The Rams will also have to pound the Patriots’ defense with the run game using their dual threat running backs in Todd Gurley and CJ Anderson.

In the end, the Patriots will likely capitalize on the Rams’ inexperience and take their sixth Super Bowl in the Brady-era.

Women’s Basketball (10-10)

Nov. 9 L @ Elizabethtown (56-54) Nov. 16 W vs. William Peace (73-43) Nov. 17 L vs. Johns Hopkins (50-47) Nov. 20 W vs. Lynchburg (64-49) Nov. 27 W @ N.C.Wesleyan (83-75) Dec. 1 W @ Meredith (57-50) Dec. 4 L vs. Randolph-Macon (65-60) Dec. 8 L vs. Marymount (Va.) (59-43) Dec. 15 L @ Washington and Lee (67-64) Dec. 18 W vs. Edgewood (55-27) -In San Juan, Puerto Rico Dec. 19 W vs. Va. Wesleyan (63-41) -In San Juan, Puerto Rico Jan. 2 L @ Frostburg St. (54-40) Jan. 5 W vs. Christopher Newport (66-53) Jan. 9 L vs. Salisbury (57-48) Jan. 12 W @ Penn St.-Harrisburg (77-56) Jan. 16 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (65-60) Jan. 19 L vs. York (Pa.) (69-64) Jan. 23 L vs. Southern Virgina (66-58) OT Jan. 26 W vs. Frostburg St. (59-45) Jan. 30 L @ Salisbury (49-41) Feb. 2 @ Christopher Newport Feb. 6 vs. St. Mary’s (Md.) Feb. 9 vs. Penn St.-Harrisburg Feb. 13 @ Southern Virgina Feb. 16 @ York (Pa.)

Full Schedule not listed above.

Post season not included.

Bold indicates home game.

The play that resulted in a controversial no-call.

tucson.com

Todd Gurley is one of the Ram’s star running backs.

espn.com

3

VIEWPOINTS

Foreign language requirement is valuable to all students

MOLLY AVERY

said culture. French professor Brooke Di Lauro, who is also a representative on the general education committee stated The Mary Washington language that, “On the whole, the study of foreign requirement is arguably the hardest languages helps our students to be better general education course requirement prepared to deal with the challenges that students must fulfill. However, it is presented by an increasingly diverse and also the most crucial. interconnected world.”

For students to successfully complete Currently the school offers Spanish, the language requirement, they must gain French, German, Arabic, Chinese, “intermediate competency in a second Italian, and Latin. There are so many language.” Typically this means that unknown joys of learning a language at students are required to pass a 202 or 205 Mary Washington that barely get taken in their respective language, although advantage of because of intimidation. some students must pass a 300 level “Even though I’m a language person course, depending on the results in the I understand why it’s the most hated language placement exam. If a student requirement. The process of learning places high enough, he or she could even a language, or just trying to pass a be exempt from the requirement. language class is so stressful, but in Learning a new language requires this day and age languages are more students to immerse themselves in a necessary than ever,” said Grace Brecht, new culture, and ultimately leads to the a German and French double major. fostering of a greater appreciation for Some students argue that the reason the language requirement is so hard to complete, is because the school doesn’t offer us enough resources in helping complete it--though they are wrong.

For each language taught at Mary Washington, the school gets a visiting language coordinator (VLC). Visiting

Grace Winfield / The Blue & Gray Press language coordinators

Staff Writer

are people who came from their respective countries that are native to the language they are here to spread on campus. Most of them can speak more languages than English and their native tongue.

Along with teaching the occasional class, the language coordinators also offer tutoring, free movie screenings of foreign films, conversation hours to help practice speaking the language, and free cooking hours of food typically found in their culture. The last one is especially fun and delicious to go to.

The school even has South Hall, a residence hall where students interested in further developing their language skills can live. The VLCs live in this building, for the sole purpose of interacting with students in their various languages.

Considering how much help the school offers students in passing their foreign language classes, one would be think that students would be taking these classes with no complaint- but they’re not.

Even with all these resources, students continue to argue and complain, saying that it’s too time-consuming and strenuous to learn a language.

This is due to how our brains work.

The older we get the harder it is to learn a language. Languages are best retained when taught at a young age, and only get more complicated and confusing as we age.

Most foreign language classes aren’t

introduced into the public school system until high school. At this point not only are students well past the prime age to learn languages, but we are also at the point in which we are told there is only one way to learn: memorization.

Brecht commented on this problem, saying that “Adults are better at comprehending grammatical structures, and when they try to learn languages they often try to learn by memorization, and that doesn’t work, which leads to their failure.”

Learning a foreign language goes beyond just satisfying a requirement, it helps us beyond our years. Knowing foreign languages helps people succeed in their careers and understand the world better.

“Learning a new language leads us out of ourselves and our immediate environments. It teaches us to see and understand our world from new perspectives and in richer, more sophisticated ways,” said German professor Jennifer Hansen-Glucklich.

“Isn’t now — as we see xenophobia, racism, and provincialism increasing in our country — the perfect time to open our minds and think in new ways?”

As difficult as it may be, the language requirement should remain. Not only does it enhance the mind, but it leads to a deeper understanding of life outside the Western perspective. UMW offers the resources for students to succeed, it’s just a matter of whether people take advantage of them or not.

Residence Life fails to notfiy residents of brown water issue MAGGIE MCCOTTER Staff Writer

UMW students are very familiar with residence hall problems- mold, bursting pipes, bugs and AC issues. Three residence halls have been shutdown or under construction within a year, so it’s no surprise when something goes wrong.

That being said, it is disappointingespecially when Residence Life doesn’t communicate issues.

Two weeks ago I came back from winter break to my residence hall, Mason, and expected everything to be normal and for nothing to be out of place. Imagine my surprise when I tried to take a shower, only to be drenched in freezing cold water. I figured this would only last a couple days, but the issue persisted up until Thursday, Jan. 24. The water in both Mason and Randolph Halls was shut off twice in the week of Jan. 21, inconveniencing around 350 students.

I was first officially made aware of the issue on Jan. 18, when I received an email that Mason would have hot water shut off on Monday, Jan. 21. The email sent from Residence Life the Friday before stated, “hot water will be turned off in the building between 10:00am-4:00pm on Monday, January 21 to address facilities issues and improve efficiency in our water heaters.

If possible, attempt to stagger shower times in your suites as to minimize hot water demand in the residence hall.”

Showering in cold water is something that might be enjoyable in the summer, but it is not when it is 24 degrees outside, and could lead to some students becoming ill.

But the lack of hot water was a problem beyond just losing the luxury

of a relaxing bath or shower. It also impacted the washing machines.

“I couldn’t do my laundry which was full to the brim, including clothes I needed for my upcoming track meet,” said Noel Jackowicz, a freshman living in Randolph.

Immediately residents could tell it was not fixed once the water was turned back on. I tried to take a shower that evening, but the water never got hot, even when I turned the dial as far as it could go. The issue obviously was not fixed during the shutdown, so Residence Life sent out another email on Wednesday, Jan. 23, stating, “please be aware that hot water will be turned off in the building between 10:00am-5:00pm on Thursday, January 24 to continue maintenance in improving efficiency in our water heaters.”

Hoping that this would fix the inconvenient situation, Randolph and Mason residents patiently waited out the water shutdown. After 5 p.m., a few students turned on their water in hopes of having their first warm shower in a week. To their dismay, the water came out brown.

Melanie Stone, a freshman living in Randolph, said, “I decided to put a hair mask in, right before I realized that the water was disgustingly brown. I did not want to take a cold shower because I wasn’t even sure if the cold water was clean and I didn’t want my whole body dirty.” Her solution to this problem was messy. “I had to help her rinse out her hair,” Jackowicz said. “This consisted of [Stone] bent over in the shower with the cold water on while I tried to rinse her hair out. We were both so cold from the water and it took forever to get the mask out.”

Mason Hall.

No email was sent from Residence Life addressing the brown water situation even though it affected and more so, concerned, all of the residents in Randolph/Mason halls. Jackowicz expressed strong feelings about this incident, saying, “It makes me a little angry because if I hadn’t seen the sink water first then I might have washed my clothes in brown water or gotten into the shower with the dirty water. I feel like that is something important that they should have informed us of.”

“My roommate and I had to call student services because we had no idea what was happening. I think we were the first people to tell someone because they seemed really appalled with what we were telling them [about the brown water],” Stone said.

“The tubing for the hot water heater had built up sediment and needed to be replaced. We got word at 4:45pm today [January 24, 2018] that the contractor had completed repairs and hot water had been fully restored to Randolph/Mason,” said David Fleming, Assistant Dean for Residence Life and Housing.

“It was shut off so the hot water

Emilia Michalkiewicz / The Blue & Gray Press

heater can be worked on,” Nolan Akau, Director of Maintenance Services, confirmed.

The water eventually cleared up and there have been no issues in the two buildings since.

“The water is fine now but we had to run it through the sink and shower for over an hour to get the water to clear up… [it was] very annoying,” said Jackowicz.

Stone agreed, saying, “I am still too afraid to shower because I don’t want to take a shower in dirty water and I don’t want to get sick.”

The hot water issue needed to be taken care of in one fix. The most concerning aspect of this, though, was the lack of communication from Residence Life about the brown water coming out of the faucets and shower heads. Residents, including myself, were left stunned and shocked at this incident that persisted for the rest of the day. This was yet another inconvenience that Residence Life neglected to inform residents the cause of and when it would end.

Thursday, January 2019 Thursday, January 21,31, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Grace Winfield | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Stop focusing on self-esteem and start working on self-compassion

GRACE WINFIELD Viewpoints Editor

There are hundreds of studies proving that highvolume social media use has a negative effect on mental health and increases depression, low self-esteem and isolation.

With that, the dangerous effects social media use has on overall well-being need to be incorporated and expanded upon in today’s curriculum for teens.

Social media performs a large role in everyday life. People use it for communication, as a form of expression and when used positively, to maintain a social identity. However, as users continue to update, like and share on platforms, they don’t always recognize the effects that social media has on their perceptions of life, their relationships with others, and most importantly, their relationships with themselves.

A lot of people continue to use social media simply because they are addicted.

Most researchers explain that the experience a user has when he or she receives a like or comment is the same as taking a drug. The brain releases dopamine, and the user is instantly put in a euphoric state. Users eventually become greedy for likes and comments, and when 50 likes were once enough to do the trick, it then takes 100 to reach that feeling of fulfillment.

For many, scrolling through

timelines and social feeds are a mindless action, a habit. People often check their social media in their spare time or to catch up with the latest news in the world around them. As ironic as it may seem, the more people engage in social media, the likelier it is that they will isolate themselves.

A national survey by the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health found that use of multiple social media platforms is more strongly associated with depression and anxiety among young adults than the total amount of time they spend on social media.The study found that the most active users of social media had three times the incidence of depression of those who use it the least.

While social media leads people to believe they are supported and acknowledged, it is only increasing their loneliness.

Brian Primack, director of the Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health at the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues surveyed 1,787 U.S. adults ages 19 to 32 and asked them about their usage of 11 social media platforms outside of work, as well as daily or recurring feelings of isolation.

“It turns out that the people who reported spending the most time on social media — more than two hours a day — had twice the odds of perceived social isolation than those who said they spent a half hour per

day or less on those sites. And people who visited social media platforms most frequently, 58 visits per week or more, had more than three times the odds of perceived social isolation than those who visited fewer than nine times per week.”

Primack does not suggest going away with all social media, but rather to limit usage, and to increase real-world interaction.

Perhaps the most detrimental result of media-reliance is its negative effects on self-esteem and self-perception.

“There is a lot of data that suggests when we go on social media, especially on sites where we’re looking at pictures of others, it can lead to feeling bad about our bodies,” said Dr. Miriam Liss, professor of psychological sciences. “Often these pictures are heavily edited, using Photoshop or other tools, and they’ll post their absolute best selves. Then other people on social media will look at these pictures and compare their own bodies to what they see and tend to feel worse about themselves.”

What Liss explained is social comparison. Social comparison theory states that people determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others.

Essentially, this is how Instagram continues to thrive.

Instagram draws in young women to compare themselves against unrealistic, largely curated, filtered versions of reality, altering their

perceptions of their own lives and what their lives should be completely. They begin to edit their photos as well, though Liss said this is only leads to lower self-esteem. “When you do all of these things to make yourself a perfect looking person online, you still don’t feel good about yourself, because you don’t feel like the comments you are getting are based on your genuine self.”

The obvious answer to avoid this seems to simply just maintain a healthy level of selfesteem, though Liss says that psychologists are straying away from the focus on defining a standard of self-esteem and are beginning to focus more on promoting self-compassion.

“Self-esteem is usually contingent on doing well

or getting praise, but selfcompassion is love and appreciation for yourself, even for all of your flaws,” said Liss.

Exposure to the carefully curated images from others’ lives lead to negative selfcomparison, and the sheer quantity of social media interaction may detract from more meaningful real-life experiences. These social media platforms are manipulating their users to develop media addiction, luring them into a constant state of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Educators and parents alike must begin teaching teens the effect social media usage has on humanconnection, self-esteem and overall well-being, and most importantly, teach them to practice self-compassion.

BBC

Staff Ed: Citizens fear government will not remain open for long

By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

Investor’s Business Daily

Over the past month, the United States has undergone the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history. The shutdown began when friction between parties arose regarding the funding of President Trump’s border wall. During the shutdown, many federal employees and other government contractors have gone without work and pay for nearly a month. Trash has gone uncollected, food has gone uninspected and national parks have gone unkempt for weeks as government employees waited for the signal to continue working. After weeks without work or pay, many employees were asked to return to their jobs without compensation . Through the course of the shutdown, employees have had to apply for unemployment benefits or take out loans to keep their families afloat. Although the President has agreed

to a three-week spending package to temporarily end the shutdown, many fear the shutdown may continue, as there is no long-term deal in place. As some employees are able to pick up their paychecks at the end of this week, the fear of the shutdown continuing is far greater than the relief of the paycheck.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported that over the course of the shutdown, the U.S. lost $11 billion dollars, including $3 billion that is unrecoverable. The federal government has failed its most vulnerable citizens and hardworking officials. The staff of the Blue & Gray hopes President Trump will do the right thing and not sacrifice the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Americans in the name of a wall that will not work.

5

LIFE

Editor: Lucas Burkholder blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Shyamalan’s “Glass” brings reality to superhero movies

HARRY FISHER Online Editor

If you’re a moviegoer, chances are you’ve seen a superhero movie sometime in the last several years. Most of us have probably seen the likes of “Avengers: Infinity War” and “SpiderMan: Into the Spider-verse,” and if you haven’t seen them, you’re at least aware of how popular movies like these are. These movies bring the colorful fantasies of classic comic books to life and charm audiences with their whimsy and sheer spectacle. But fans of director M. Night Shyamalan will remember that he once tried his hand at a superhero film, long before the days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or even the likes of the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man films.

And he’s done it once again with his latest film, “Glass.”

“Glass” is essentially a crossover featuring characters from two of Shyamalan’s most popular films, 2000’s “Unbreakable” and 2016’s “Split.”

“Unbreakable” was the story of David Dunn, played by Bruce Willis, who learns throughout the course of the film that he is the real-life equivalent of a superhero. With help from Samuel Jackson’s character Elijah Price, a man with a disease that makes his bones extremely fragile but who also has unrivaled intelligence, David learns that comic books are exaggerated portrayals of real-life events and people. He learns

“Glass” stars Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, and James McAvoy.

So, what does all of this have to do with “Glass?” Well, this film is pretty much the conclusion to the story that began with “Unbreakable” way back in 2000 and was continued with “Split.” It brings together all the major characters of the previous two films and brings all of their character arcs to a close. And although I’ve described these films as superhero films, they are vastly different than the epic, action-packed comic book films we’re used to.

The first act of “Glass” focuses on David Dunn and shows us what he’s been doing in the twenty years since he discovered he was a superhero. Cloaked in an old security guard poncho, he goes around stalking criminals and making them pay for hurting innocent people as “the Overseer.” He gets help from his son Joseph, who helped him discover his powers as a child in “Unbreakable.”

However, after David gets into a battle with the Beast, both of them are captured by police and taken to the same mental institution where Elijah is being held, after David had him arrested at the end of “Unbreakable.” Here, we are introduced to Dr. Ellie Staple, a psychiatrist who believes that the main characters have only convinced themselves that they have super powers when they really don’t. From here, the film takes an interesting shift in tone.

It becomes more about Dr. Stapler trying to convince David, Elijah and Kevin’s many personalities that they are not comic book characters, and in turn becomes a deconstructive character piece like “Unbreakable.” During this time, the film focuses more on Kevin and his personalities, as well as his unique relationship with Casey. The final third of the movie then shifts once again, focusing on Elijah and his adoption of the persona “Mr. Glass.” He teams up with the Beast to fulfill their roles as the villains of the story, with David being the hero who has to stop them. I won’t spoil what happens during the finale, but I will say that things get pretty intense.

Some may be wondering how “Glass” fares given Shyamalan’s rather awkward career as a filmmaker.

Afterall, he’s famous for fantastic films

““Glass” is essentially a crossover featuring characters from two of Shyamalan’s most popular films...”

- Harry Fisher that he has a nearly indestructible body but is weakened by water, and that he has the ability to sense when people have committed horrible crimes so that he can stop them. However- spoiler warning for those who haven’t seen the movie- he learns at the end that Elijah is a real-life villain character and his evil counterpart, and that he’s killed hundreds of innocent people just to find David so that their story could be complete.

As for “Split,” for most of its runtime it followed the story of Kevin Crumb, a man with dissociative identity disorder, previously and more popularly known as multiple personality disorder.

Three of his twenty-three personalities, Dennis, Patricia and Hedwig, sought to awaken his secret twenty-fourth personality, “The Beast,” who could change the physical properties of Kevin’s body to give himself super strength, immunity to bullets and the ability to climb walls. The Horde, the collection of Kevin’s identities who wished to awaken the Beast, kidnapped three teenage girls for the Beast to feed on, including Casey Cooke, the only one who managed to survive due to the Beast letting her go, believing she was like him. However, the very end of the film revealed that it took place in the same universe as “Unbreakable,” meaning that Kevin, and more specifically the Beast, was another real-life villain just like Elijah.

IMDB

like “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs,” fans of “Unbreakable” probably won’t be but equally infamous for disasters fond of the way it ends for the characters like “The Happening” and “After of that movie.

Earth,” just to name a few. However, Still, one thing that can’t be denied “Unbreakable” and “Split” were two of is Shyamalan’s interesting take on his more critically acclaimed films, so the superhero genre. Rather than the the sequel to those movies should be fantastical, action-packed blockbusters great, right? Well, I personally found that we’re used to, Shyamalan has given it to be a satisfying conclusion to the us a series of super power films that character arcs of David Dunn and Elijah are very much based in reality, giving Price that were set up in “Unbreakable,” us a realistic representation of what as well as the story of Kevin and superpowers could look like and what Casey from “Split.” The movie has a effect they would have on the lives of ton of great character building scenes the people who received them. The slow like “Unbreakable,” and plenty of pace of the film may be a detriment suspenseful scenes in the style of “Split,” to some people, especially fans of big but it still manages to feel unique and budget superhero-action movies, but I have its own tone as well. And of course, think it worked perfectly for this movie the acting was great, which should be that focuses more on characters than on expected when the likes of Bruce Willis plot or spectacle. and Samuel Jackson are part of the This interesting deconstruction of equation. But James McAvoy is, in my classic comic book tropes is what made opinion, the real star of the show, as he “Unbreakable” a masterpiece almost does a fantastic job of portraying Kevin twenty years ago, and it makes “Glass,” Crumb’s many different personalities, in my opinion, a worthy sequel that’s each with their own accents, postures at least worth checking out if you’re and mannerisms, and switching between as fascinated with this concept as I them on the fly. am. In a world where we are obsessed Unfortunately, “Glass” isn’t with bringing comic books to life, perfect, and I mean that in the sense “Unbreakable” and “Glass” try instead to that it’s not going to satisfy everybody. bring reality to comic books.

As the conclusion to the story of these characters that we’ve seen played out across this trilogy, I thought it was great. However, hardcore fans of “Split” probably won’t be completely satisfied with this movie about super powers, since “Split” was more of a psychological thriller.

And even die-hard fans of “Unbreakable” may not enjoy the ending of this film and what it does with these beloved characters.

By now, it’s no secret that critics aren’t particularly fond of this movie, and I feel that a lot of the film’s hate is directed at the ending. Again, I won’t spoil what happens, but I will warn those who haven’t seen the “Glass” was released Jan 18, 2019. movie that die-hard Wikipedia

Thursday, January 31, 2019

LIFE

Fans bash formerly successful bands following harsh critiques

ALICEN HACKNEY Staff Writer

There are certain bands that we all love to hate. Nickelback, Twenty One Pilots, Smash Mouth, Train, Phish, and most recently Greta Van Fleet, have all landed themselves on the wrong side of their genres’ fan base. Yet, despite this, they manage to make incredible sales on records, concerts, and other publicity.

It’s a widespread phenomena with clear social and psychological answers.

Greta Van Fleet released their album “Anthem of the Peaceful Army” in October of 2018 following two earlier EP releases. The album not only reached number 3 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums and EPs list, but it outsold other long-standing band’s works such as Disturbed’s album “Evolution” which debuted the same day. “Highway Tune” and “Safari Song,” two singles off the album, became chart-topping hits for Billboard as well for a number of weeks.

Despite all of this success, critics took to bashing them quickly. Pitchfork released an album review rating their album a 1.6 out of 10, calling them “more of an algorithmic fever dream than an actual rock band.” Even Robert Plant himself called them out for being nothing more than a Led Zeppelin cover band in an interview with Loudwire.

“They are Led Zeppelin I. Beautiful little singer, I hate him! He borrowed [his voice] from somebody I know very well, but what are you going to do?”

While record sales pointed to their fans originally not thinking the same way, they soon followed suit putting Greta Van Fleet down for their supposedly plagiarized Led Zeppelin sound.

What happened here is the work of exactly what the influencer marketing industry sets out to do. Rock Feed, a music focused digital news organization, explained this issue in a YouTube video in November, “is there something about

a band that rapidly attracts the attention of millions, that makes it easy to be the smartest guy in the room and tell those millions of people why their tastes are incorrect?”

Rock Feed went on to explain that historically, rock music fans have done this about every five years or so. Some new band hits the scene, and almost immediately, usually following the shutdown from elite music critics, fans turn on the band and they are seldom heard “Greta Van Fleet” reached the top charts with their new album “Anthem of the Peaceful Army.”

NPR from again.

“I don’t think jambalaya of the Dead, Pink Floyd, Boy along with the occasional nasally it’s fair to the bands unless someone in and the Sesame Street theme song.” rap of Eminem as an emo seventh grader the band has done something horrible, However, Phish’s fan base had been so who thinks the world is against him then cancel culture is warranted. in love with them their songs landed in because Degrassi was canceled.”

Otherwise it’s sad to see bands lose the two guitar player video games and there “For whatever reason, society is so power to are two Ben opposed to the change of a certain music reach out & Jerry’s group, even if it correlates with music to people flavors trends. Like Fall Out Boy, in their recent with their named after album, they incorporated rap and I’m not message, them. Now going to stop listening just cause [sic] a message most people they incorporated something that isn’t people know them my personal taste. Bands like Twenty might need and their fan One Pilots, who were always their own but once base for what style, have their own genre that’s hard to they’re Ben Shapiro define and no one wants to claim them. out of would call Even if it’s not what you like, someone circulation they can’t get to them,” said “fumbling, intolerable d---weeds.” will, so it’s worth listening to,” said UMW junior Mary Foster.

Twenty One Pilots originally junior Justine Purdy.

According to Benjamin Shapiro, seemed like they were here to stay; they The influence of these writers, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Noisey, had their target demographic on lock and editors, and owners of publications Vice’s online music channel, Phish is had the support of bands like Fall Out molds the ways in which their audiences “low hanging fruit” as to what bands Boy and Panic at the Disco, who have listen to music, and have caused a deserve a bashing, and although he seen their fair share of bashing and made volatile scene for rock music. As Rock admits they “absolutely f---ing shred,” it anyway, both of which they opened Feed put it, “[it is] that thing we seem to the music they play is still just “a mushy tours for. “Blurryface,” the band’s fourth do every five years when a band in rock album, was the first album music becomes explosively popular and in the digital age to have then we relentlessly put them down and every song earn the status then a few years later we wonder why of either gold, platinum, there’s nothing happening in the scene.” or multi-platinum from “With the social media culture, I the Recording Industry don’t see this ending since it stretches Association of America. beyond music to all entertainment. As Despite their success, bands and other entertainment icons sources like Bearded are their personal brands, showing Gentlemen Music, whose the positives when it’s deserved is goal is to “capture the important,” said Foster. wonder of the burly rebel When it comes to music there is no poet,” said that, “their right or wrong. Just because new bands sound is to imagine if you like Greta Van Fleet pop up sounding combine Nate Ruess’s too much like something you used to gosh-shucks swagger with hear doesn’t mean they should have the superficial dance rock reinvented their scene, it means it’s not antics of recent Fall Out for you.

“When it comes to music there is no right or wrong.”

- Alicen Hackney

“Pitchfork” received a 1.6 out of 10 on their recent album.

“Fall Out Boy” took backlash after adding rap to their songs.

Pitchfork

Billboard

“Nickelback” has often faced hatred from many music fans.

Maxim

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Weekend Events Thursday • Madness and the Emperors of Rome @ Trinkle Hall, Room 201, 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

• The very painting of your fear: envirioning Macbeth and the witches @ HCC Digital Auditorium, 5 p.m.

Friday

Saturday

• Senior Countdown @ UC Chandler Ballroom , 9 - 11:45 p.m.

• First Friday “Sketchy History” @James Monroe Museum, 6 7:30 p.m.

• Gospelfest @ Dodd Auditorium, 3 p.m.

CONNECT WITH US NOW ON SNAPCHAT AS WELL The Blue & Gray Press

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LIFE

UMW students appreciate cozy refuge at Riverby Books

ABIGAIL BUCHHOLZ Staff Writer

Riverby Books, located at 805 Caroline Street, has become a popular destination for University of Mary Washington students. Only a short walk from the south end of campus, Riverby has garnered a reputation in the campus community as being a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In targeting its broad audience, Riverby has gone above and beyond filling its store with interesting finds for everyone. It’s shelves are overflowing with books ranging from cupcake cookbooks to a $400 signed addition of Ron Chernow’s “Alexander Hamilton.”

Reilly Cundiff, a 2015 Mary Washington graduate, has been working

at the store for five years, ever since she first started attending the University.

Cundiff enjoys the warm and inviting community that the bookstore has created.

“We had someone in here the other day who went to Mary Washington and she said Riverby was her refuge the entire time she was there,” said Cundiff, “So even though she doesn’t live there anymore she comes back into town to visit the store.”

Working at Riverby Books also provided Cundiff with many fond memories, specifically a tradition centered around the annual Christmas parade.

“It’s a nice bonding experience for the people who work here and it’s a good reminder about our place in the

Riverby Books has become a second home to many students.

Stephanie Sy / The Blue & Gray Press.

community,” said Cundiff, “We always have a party here for employees and friends of the store. We all get together and enjoy eating together and we share this really warm space for a few hours.”

For some Mary Washington students, Riverby Books acts as an introduction to the Fredericksburg community.

Freshman Bernadette D’Auria was introduced to the bookstore when she first visited the campus.

“I fell in love with it because it reminded me of this really small owned bookstore in my hometown,” she said, “and it was kind of a comfort place for me when I didn’t know the different areas on campus.”

Riverby Books has also proven itself unique because of its diverse offerings and inviting layout, which focuses on generating a distinctive atmosphere.

Freshman Rebecca Kellam enjoys visiting the inviting store.

“The colors, the decorations, and the books make you feel like this is a place where you can just wander, whether that be in a good book or just exploring all the nooks and crannies of the store itself,” Kellam said.

D’Auria especially enjoyed the magical feelings the store induced.

“It felt more like a fantastical library of sorts because of the way the books were displayed and everything,” she said, “There isn’t really any specific one title that’s currently being promoted. It’s kind of just like every time you go in there you get to explore what’s there and what’s come in. It’s really fun, it’s like an adventure.”

Another aspect of Riverby Books that sets it apart from others in the area is its open and comfortable layout with an abundance of seating. Sophomore English and creative writing major Emma Snyder enjoys the atmosphere that she feels is conducive to being able to sit and read or write.

“It is very comfortable and feels like a bookstore should,” she said.

Freshman Christine Wehner visits Riverby Books for the ambiance brought on by the comfy chairs, old posters, and creaky wooden floors.

“It’s the opposite of commercial,” she said, “It feels almost rustic, like stepping into the past. There’s this one window seat especially that I could sit and read in forever. It’s like taking a break from the rest of the world.”

Among the classical literature in the upstairs section D’Auria found the most joy.

“I don’t know but the way that the books smell in that specific section is really comforting for some reason,” said D’Auria, “It reminds me of why I want to be an English major because I’m looking at all these books that I’m going to have to read.”

Riverby Books also offers several benefits to UMW students, including a student discount and the ability to sell back their textbooks. In addition to benefiting students, Riverby Books is also working to assist workers furloughed by the government shutdown.

Any furloughed worker can visit the store and take a book and pay the store back when they can.

Plugged in Playlist: Our top songs from movies 1. “What’s Up Danger”

6. “Tokyo Drift”

2. “A Million Dreams”

7. “Shallow”

by Black Caviar and Blackway, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse submitted by Jack Hagn, Sports Editor

by Cast of The Greatest Showman submitted by Ryan Brauch, Managing Editor

3. “The Touch”

by Stan Bush, Transformers (1986) submitted by Harry Fisher, Online Editor

4. “Black Sheep”

by Brie Larson, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World submitted by Cayley, Photo Editor

5. “Sunflower”

by Post Malone and Swae Lee, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse submitted by Kate Seltzer, News Editor

by Teriyaki Boyz, The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift submitted by Jack Hagn, Sports Editor

by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born submitted by Lauren Closs, Editor-in-Chief

8. “Young & Beautiful”

by Lana Del Ray, The Great Gatsby submitted by Ginny Bixby, Associate Editor

9. “Where Is My Mind”

by Pixies, Fight Club submitted by Cayley McGuire, Photo Editor

10. “Duel of the Fates”

by John Williams, Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace submitted by Lucas Burkholder, Life Editor

9

NEWS POLICE BEAT MEAGHAN MCINTYRE & KATE SELTZER News Editors

Vandalism On Thursday, January 17 at 4:12 p.m., Woodard Hall was graffitied. This case is currently pending.

On Saturday, January 19 between 12:01 a.m. and 10 a.m., a golf cart and water fountain were vandalized at the University Center. This case is currently pending.

On Sunday, January 20 at 4:02 p.m., it was reported that a wall clock had been vandalized in Combs Hall. This case is currently pending.

Possession On Friday, January 18 at 11:52 p.m., an incident of underage alcohol possession occurred at Mason Hall.

One administrative referral was given.

Hit and Run Between Friday, January 25 at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 26 at 12:03 p.m., there was a hit and run that caused vehicle damage in the William St. lot. This case is currently pending.

Student start-up aims to build relationships with Fredericksburg community •AESTHETIC EYE | 2

began seeking marketing internships specifically with a focus on social media. These internships sparked greater interest in social media marketing and Talcott has since had continuous interest to learn more about the field.

“I realized that not only did I enjoy the use of social media but the ‘why’ of it,” said Talcott. “I could talk about the underworld of social media and the strategy behind the scenes of it all day and when you can do that for anything I believe that is your calling.”

Leading up to Talcott’s senior year, she began to further entertain the business idea of pairing her passion for social media marketing with the name Aesthetic Eye. “This thought scared me as I have always thought that after earning my degree I would go work for a company, not own my own company,” said Talcott. “I did not know the first steps to owning a business and wondered if I was even qualified.”

Talcott was given the opportunity to be a part of the Start-Up UMW entrepreneurial program during the 2018 fall semester. During her time in the program, Talcott dedicated the majority of her time to formulating Aesthetic Eye Social Media on a more serious level while she was surrounded by other students doing similar

projects. The program allowed Talcott access to professionals and other students from which she could draw inspiration and knowledge.

At the end of the Start-Up program,

“I see Aesthetic Eye in continuous growth, with our obvious learning curves and setbacks it truly gets me excited knowing learning is a part of this job.”

-Anna Talcott individuals pitch business ideas to a group of professionals and other business owners.

“From that night, I met another student who has owned her own business for a little over a year now,” said Talcott.

“There are so many elements revolving around to getting your startup going that I am thankful to have her guidance and knowledge through a process that is so foreign to me.”

The process to getting a business

started includes gathering legal documents, getting a business license, and obtaining permits for creating a digital presence.

From building the business’s social media presence, maintaining it, and strategizing, Aesthetic Eye would essentially build a plan and strategy with the business and handle the media for them. The goal is to make sure that Aesthetic Eye Social Media is representing business clients in a manner the client wishes to be represented.

“Being that Aesthetic Eye’s services revolve around social media, I see the business always learning, discovering and experimenting with new platforms, strategies and tactics,” said Talcott.

“With this, I see Aesthetic Eye in continuous growth, with our obvious learning curves and setbacks it truly gets me excited knowing learning is a part of this job.”

This year, the plan is to establish a foundation and build relationships with local businesses, so a launch party in the future will allow Aesthetic Eye to introduce itself to many local businesses and professionals.

Talcott hopes that after she graduates in May 2019 the business will expand internally and externally in the next five to 10 years.

“Being that Aesthetic Eye’s services revolve around social media, I see the business always learning, discovering and experimenting with new platforms, strategies and tactics.”

-Anna Talcott

2019 proclaimed to be the Year of the Student Journalist Happy Student Press Freedom Day! On January 30, the Student Press Law Center (SPLC) declared 2019 to be the Year of the Student Journalist. Goals of the initiative include raising awarenewss about the important work student journalists are doing for the campuses and communities, highlighting challenges student papers face with censorship and emphasizing the role of journalism education in furthering civic engagement. On that note, the staff of the Blue & Gray would like to invite you (yes, you!) to come write for us. If you like the work we’re doing, or even if you don’t, we hope that you’ll consider hopping on board and helping us to improve. Now more than ever, a free and fair press is absolutely critical. In the Year of the Student Journalist, make your voice heard.

Contact blueandgray.eic@gmail. com for more information.

10

Thursday, January 31, 2019

NEWS

New NAACP club works to encourage student activism

•NAACP | 1

member of the NAACP branch in Charlottesville for years so, to me, it felt like the next step in my personal civil rights journey,” says Chavers.

The members of the NAACP at UMW are looking forward to becoming an official group and hosting events in order to achieve their goals.

The group plans to host events on campus and throughout Fredericksburg and volunteer with local organizations.

“I hope to see the UMW Chapter of the NAACP uphold the mission statement to the highest standard by connecting and getting involved with the community of Fredericksburg and educating the campus community of UMW in any way possible,” said freshman sociology major, and vice president Brianna Reaves. “While I ponder about the many events that the chapter can host, I know that with strong members, the accomplishments are limitless and beyond my wildest expectations.”

“I feel that our goals can be achieved by, first, taking a small step of learning about the history of each other’s backgrounds,” said freshman and biology major, Amber Brown. “I would also love to see this chapter prosper throughout the next three years that I am here, and even more after that. And, on the fun side of things, I would also love for our members to go on field trips like meeting other chapter members at other universities.”

Current club members say they are proud to be a part of the organization and hope other students will get involved. They believe their role is essential for the betterment of both UMW and the broader Fredericksburg community.

“When getting involved in the nation’s leading civil rights organization you have the chance to become an activist, become informed about our community, develop networking skills through campus and local events, build your resume and enhance leadership skills,” said Chavers. “It’s an opportunity to be on a committee of a national organization.

You can give back to your community.”

“Now that there’s a NAACP college The NAACP club intends to host events on campus and in Fredericksburg.

Emily Martin / The Blue & Gray Press chapter being established, UMW students now have the opportunity to to have the same when joining this specific decisions on future community become an activist, learn about current organization, because the willingness involvement and events until they events, to learn is are able to gather input and shared and always the ideas from these new members. This “In a country that is swarmed with hate, voice first step.” way, each member’s voice is heard their misunderstanding, and a vicious lack of The and, collectively, they can make a ideas empathy, it takes people as committed as current difference. for the members the other members and I, along with the “In a country that is swarmed with chapter look hate, misunderstanding, and a vicious rest of the students and faculty at Mary in a safe forward lack of empathy, it takes people as space,” Washington, to defeat and overcome it.” to other committed as the other members and I, said students along with the rest of the students and Brown. on campus faculty at Mary Washington, to defeat -Brianna Reaves “I will joining and overcome it,” says Reaves. “The admit alongside NAACP calls all people everywhere to that I them in this journey of justice and join in the fight to protect all people in am not a ‘history guru,’ but I do have equality.

They are waiting to make every form.” an open mind and encourage others

Join us for Black History Month dining events co-sponsored by Campus Dining and the James Farmer Multicultural Center.

Tuesday, Feb. 5, Caribbean Cuisines Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 12, Southern Soul Food Dinner* 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Dining room closed from 4 to 5 p.m. for set up *Early Admission (4:45 p.m.) available for those who pre-purchase dinner tickets.

Contact Dining@UMW.edu for more information.

Tuesday, February 19, African Cuisines Dinner 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, February 26, Cajun/Creole/Mardi Gras Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Costs: Lunches and Dinners both cost 1 meal swipe Flex Prices: Lunch: $7.80 Dinner: $10.75 EagleOne, Cash or Credit Lunch: $9.45 plus tax Dinner: $12.25 plus tax

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Erin Wysong, UMW References and Sciences Librarian, joined our new UMWFoodies group during our prize promotion and was the winner of the Amazon Fire 7 i-pad!

UMWFoodies get notices about free food samplings, dining discounts, special events, and dining changes due to bad weather.

UMWFoodies do NOT get spam texts! We only send information valuable to you, and only once or twice a week (unless bad weather

Above: Erin Wysong with Campus Dining General Manager Roy Platt

requires more frequent notices!)

TO JOIN:

Text “UMWFoodies” to 82257 reply “yes” to the confirmation.

11

SPORTS

Editor: Jack Hagn | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Cronin earns recognition after five game winning streak

GEMMA SPICKA-PROFFIT Senior Writer

Senior Johnny Cronin was awarded Capital Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week last week, following a five game winning streak for the UMW men’s basketball team.

“That doesn’t happen without our team getting two wins that week against two good teams in our conference,” said Cronin, referring to the team’s wins against St. Mary’s and York. “Just doing my job and finishing plays that my teammates set me up for is what led me to get recognized for the award. I credit my teammates for it.”

Cronin currently leads the conference in rebounds per game and field goal percentage, with 9.8 and 69.0% respectively.

“Rebounding is one of my strengths,” said Cronin. “I try and give 100% on every play, and rebounding has a lot to do with effort. I was just able to play my strengths to make things happen and get my team extra chances with offensive rebounds.”

In his four years on the team, Cronin has been able to see how the team as changed. He believes that the culture

Johnny Cronin goes up for a layup against EMU.

of focusing on winning and putting the team first has improved in his time at UMW. “If we all focus on winning and focus on bringing positive energy to the team, then the wins and the success will follow, and I think that’s happening right now,” said Cronin.

Cronin has also been able to see positive changes he has made in himself since he has been on the team, including maturing, being more organized, and being able to prioritize well.

“I think the biggest way that I’ve found success is by going to my professors, talking to others about my problems, and using the resources that are there,” said Cronin. “Reaching out for help makes everything easier, and it builds your connections for the future.”

Cronin also thanks past teammates such as Matt Forest, Eric Shaw, and

T.J. Jones for being great examples of effective leaders and showing how to reach guys on the team.

Cronin is able to use the skills he has learned in order to lead the team as one of the three captains, along with Jacob Williams and A.J. Robinson.

Being a captain involves “organizing the guys to make sure everyone is on the same page, organizing open gyms, and making sure everyone is on time,” said Cronin. His favorite part “is being able to rally everyone around the team, and to talk to guys when they’re struggling with Cronin has been volunteering by himself and with his team during much of his time at UMW. UMW Athletics stuff, or just talk about basketball.” excited about that.”

Fredericksburg area. This past fall The team is currently ranked third in One of Cronin’s biggest role models, semester, he worked on registering the conference, trailing only CNU and his grandfather, passed away last year. voters on campus.

York.

Although his passing was hard for “It was a little weird to go up and ask “I think the team has done a really Cronin, he has been playing “a little people to register to vote,” said Cronin. good job of staying together and extra hard in his memory.” He feels that “At the same time, I really took pride in competing at a high level,” said Cronin. the team is playing well this year, and the fact that people registered and ended “We’ve got a long way to go, but the fact honoring his grandfather’s legacy. up going to vote, directly because of our that we’re winning games and still have “He was really joyful, and [he taught efforts. We registered around 700 on me] how to not be too serious all the campus to vote.” time, to enjoy the little things, and enjoy He has also volunteered with every day that you get a chance to play The Holiday Project, a nonprofit and live,” said Cronin. that organizes visits to people living Being a senior, Cronin realizes that in assisted living communities. He this will be his last season with the team. primarily ran their Facebook page, but he “I approach every practice every day also did some visits himself. with the same attitude: work hard,” said “It was amazing because you get to Cronin. “I don’t have too many left as a talk to them, hear their stories, and put senior, so I have to really give it my all.” a smile on their face because they don’t After college, Cronin wants to work get a lot of visitors,” said Cronin. “The somewhere where he is able to help best part is they love listening to you people and make a difference. and just hearing you. Some talk about “I really like helping people that are themselves, and you get to learn about less fortunate and using my privilege their life experiences in 70+ years of that I have been given to give back to life.” people,” said Cronin.

Cronin has also volunteered with Cronin was able to fulfill this goal the basketball team. The team annually on a study abroad trip to Cuba in the hosts a Special Olympics Day and summer before his junior year. volunteers with Fear 2 Freedom “That was such an amazing alongside other Varsity student athletes. experience because you got to see how They also participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s last fall.

UMW Athletics people elsewhere lived and what they needed, and we were able to help them,” Aside from helping others, Cronin is stuff to improve on is definitely exciting. said Cronin. “I painted a blind woman’s also very passionate about sports. He is Beating CNU at home was a pretty house, built a brick wall for a house, and a huge Boston sports fan, supporting the good victory because we kind of got helped out in the garden.”

Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins. the monkey off our back for not beating Cronin has also been involved with “My dad and mom are both from that them for a while, and the guys were many service projects in the local area, and it’s where literally everyone in my family is from,” said Cronin.

“Those are the teams that I rooted for growing up.”

A lesser known fact about Cronin is that he knows how to solve a Rubik’s Cube.

“I’ve been doing Rubik’s cube since fifth grade, I love it,” said Cronin. “My friend sent me videos via email, and I kinda taught myself algorithms. I used to be able to solve it in under a minute, now I’m at like 1:30.”

Cronin’s tip for anyone trying to learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube is “you gotta memorize the algorithms.”

Cronin, #33, has 12.7 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game.

UMW Athletics

Club Sports Scoreboard Club SWIM Jan. 26 @ Christopher Newport University 4th Thursday, January 31, 2018

Club Women's Soccer Feb. 8 vs. Christopher Newport University TBA

Club Softball Feb. 23 @ George Washington University TBA 12