DU Clarion Volume 123 Issue 21

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

VOLUME 123, ISSUE 21

NO. 10 DENVER DROPS TWO GAMES AT HOME

6 pa g e

The Pioneers might not have been victorious during the recent Ice Breaker Tournament, but the team’s future is still bright

3 pa g e

WALL SPARKS CONTROVERSY

HOW TO BE MINDFUL THIS HALLOWEEN

10 pa g e

19 pa g e

INDIAN LAKES CAPTURES MARQUIS

WHY DENVER IS OFFCIALLY BOOMING

14 pa g e

DU CLARION

2

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

| NEWS

DU RANKED NO. 90 IN THE NATION BY THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

T

he Wall Street Journal recently ranked DU the number one university in Colorado. DU ranked superior to

other Colorado institutions, including Colorado College, Colorado School of Mines and the University of Colorado-Boulder.

Gusto Kubiak | Clarion

ABOUT US

DU took the overall Wall Street Journal ranking of No. 90 in the nation.

The Wall Street Journal created its ranking based on the results of scores in the following categories: outcomes, resources, engagement and environment.

Three separate survey questions were used to gage these results.

Based on a scale of one to ten, the survey accounted for alumni perspectives regarding the university. The questions entailed whether alumni thought they made the right choice, whether the university was worth the cost and how well the university prepared its students to pursue individual careers following graduation.

Each university was analyzed by the amount of money spent on individual students, the faculty-student ratio and the research papers produced per number of faculty. DU’s liberal arts-based curriculum means a smaller student-faculty ratio, only 11 to 1, and DU prides itself on a well-researched team of faculty members. These aspects helped DU rank so highly.

On the subject of engagement, one of the factors the

Wall Street Journal considered is the number of accredited programs at the university.

One of the most accredited at DU is the Cherrington Global Scholars study abroad program, which consistently ranks as one of the best in the nation.

Additionally, the Daniels College of Business was ranked

by Businessweek as No. 4 for ethics in the nation and No. 56 overall for business schools.

The proportion of international students was one of the factors regarded for the environment of the school, and in DU’s environment, international students make up an average of 11 percent of the student population. Student inclusion was also a component of the “environment.”

DU prides itself on its inclusive campus, implementing the Inclusive Excellence Program to use as a framework for its actions and policies as a university.

Over the years, DU has continued to show its prowess as a leading university in the nation and as a resource in the state of Colorado.

Eva Oakes | Contributing Writer

DU Clarion EDITORIAL STAFF

JILLIAN QUERI, Editor-in-Chief KELLSIE BRANNEN, Executive Editor JOHN POE, Business Manager The Clarion is the official student newspaper of the University of Denver, serving as the “Voice of the Pioneers.”

Founded in 1899, it covers campus and local stories with the highest level of journalistic integrity possible. 1000 copies are distributed each Wednesday afternoon (throughout the academic year) across the DU campus, and every article is also published at duclarion.com. The Clarion does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff and/or administration of DU, and the opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of the Clarion.

Reproduction of The Clarion in whole or part in any form written, broadcast or electronic without written permission of The Clarion is prohibited. The opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of The Clarion. Weather forecasts are of courtesy of the National Weather Service. The Clarion reserves the right to reject advertising, stories, columns or letters to the editor that it deems graphic, obscene or that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender or sexual orientation.

The Clarion welcomes letters to the editor. Those who submit letters must limit them to 500 words. Some letters may not be published because of space limitations, overly-libelous content or similarity to past submissions. Please submit letters to duclarioneditor@gmail.com.

HOW TO JOIN

The Clarion is open to contributors of all years and majors at DU, including both undergraduate and graduate students. There’s no application necessary; all you have to do is show up to one of our weekly meetings, which are held every Monday at 6 p.m. (during the academic year) in the Driscoll Underground. Can’t make it to a meeting? Send an email to duclarioneditor@gmail.com and we’ll do everything we can to get you published.

SASHA KANDRACH, News Editor BRAIDEN ALBRECHT-REED, Sports Editor GRACE CARSON, Opinions Editor SYDNEY KAPP, Lifestyles Editor RYAN NINESLING, Entertainment Editor DUSTIN AMICK, Photo/Video Editor TARYN ALLEN, Copy Editor MADISON HELLER, Copy Editor OLIVIA HYDE, Social Media Director ANDREW MATRANGA, Faculty Adviser

CONTRIBUTING STAFF JUSTIN CYGAN EVA OAKES GEORGA FEEK CHRISTIAN PRENZLER ANNMARIE MARLOW PHALAN KLEIN SARA LOUGHRAN LARS BRADY GRACE HOUSER

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DU CLARION

NEWS | 3

YOUNG AMERICANS FOR FREEDOM IGNITE HEATED DEBATE

O

utrage concerning messages on the Free Speech Wall located outside of Driscoll Bridge continued last week. On Oct. 6, an anonymous student painted over the wall with quotes from a Minor Threat song entitled “Guilty of Being White” as well as from famous author Ayn Rand. The message read: “The worst guilt is to accept unearned guilt. I’m convicted of a racist crime; I’ve only served 19 years of guilty of being white. I’m sorry for something I didn’t do, lynched somebody but I didn’t know who. Guilty of being white.” The first sentence is a quote from Rand, the remainder comes from Minor Threat.

The quotes, written on Oct. 6, ignited existing tensions stemming from a similar incident that occurred on Sep. 28 in which the words “White” and “Black” were crossed out on a Black Lives Matter message stating “White People: Do Something. #BlackLivesMatter.” (See photo) Undergraduate Student Government (USG) President Tess Greenwald and Vice President Chandler Carlson sent an email to the student body on Sept. 30 regarding the original incident at the Free Speech Wall, which was entitled “Message to the DU community from Undergraduate Student Government.” In the email USG addressed the current racial climate at DU following the first incident, stating that “...it is not hard to see that there was an inherent disrespect when one

Photo courtesy of Makia Jones, BSA President

of our own decided to cross out ‘#BlackLivesMatter’ and ‘White People. Do Something.’”

DU Young Americans for Freedom (YFA) President Matthew Rhodes’ attention to racial unrest on campus originated from the USG email. After reading the email and observing the response from students regarding the second incident, Rhodes decided to invite the campus community via a message sent through OrgSync “to engage in a discussion/debate about these issues” in Sturm Hall at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 7.

Not all DU students received this message, only those who were previously registered through the OrgSync server.

According to Rhodes’ remarks at the debate, he wanted to have an “intelligent discussion and a free discussion without having to to admit to the realities that USG, for example, is pushing.”

The meeting, which went on for over two hours, saw a crowd of over 100 students and faculty.

The crowd was encouraged to ask Rhodes questions in a Q&A-style forum, which ended up being a complex and heated debate.

Rhodes explained to the audience, prompted by a question from a student in the crowd, that the club/foundation supports “... basically a free market, limited government and strong national defense.” Rhodes also stated that the club focuses on “...libertarianist conservative views.”

This is the first year of the club’s existence on campus, but

YFA is a national organization that was founded in 1960 and has chapters located at various universities across the country.

From the outset, Rhodes attempted to distance himself and YAF from the anonymous individual who painted the wall, even though he claimed in his email that the undisclosed painter was “one of our [YAF’s] members”.

Rhodes also stated during the discussion that YAF “does not endorse the individual’s actions”, yet when asked to clarify, Rhodes said that “some of us [YAF members]” endorsed the actions of the painter, whom he called “brave” for painting on the wall, especially following the backlash that came from the first incident on Sep. 28.

The concept of free speech was frequently debated, leading Rhodes to repeatedly defend the individual by saying that what occurred on the wall was simply a display of free speech.

Rhodes and YAF’s protection of the identity of the painter was a frequent source of criticism from the audience. His word choice in stating that “safety concerns” were a primary reason for the protection of the person’s identity were a focal point of the critiques, and when asked if he felt if students of color on campus could become violent towards the individual, Rhodes stated that he felt the person could be “physically harmed.”

Several Campus Safety officers were, in fact, present at the event.

Community Resource Officer

Morgan Sellers, who was on duty with Campus Safety at the discussion later said, “Campus Safety was not concerned that there was going to be an incident that threatens student safety” and that officers were present simply to “create a space in which students could feel comfortable to express their views.”

Black Lives Matter and the status of students of color at DU was also a large source of contention during the discussion.

“I am not in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The whole national movement [Black Lives Matter] started from a lie,” said Rhodes. “I think it’s an ineffective way to address the problems that people are talking about. I also believe that a lot of the issues we are talking about— white privilege, institutional racism—are pretty much phantom issues.”

These statements were the final straw for many audience members, prompting some to leave in tears and others to leave in obvious frustration. This walkout was later heavily criticized by Rhodes, who stated, “Every single person who left this meeting after getting upset should not be attending a university. Every one who left should be expelled.”

The event ended around 5:30 p.m. A video of the entire forum can be found on the Clarion’s YouTube page.

Jillian Queri and Ryan Ninesling Clarion Staff

DU CLARION

4

| NEWS

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DIVEST DU GATHERS TO VOICE OPINION

O

ver 30 DU students gathered on Wednesday Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. to voice their opinions to the board of trustees task force on the university’s divestment from fossil fuels.

The Divest DU movement on campus is committed to convincing the university to divest from fossil fuel investments in DU’s $620+ million endowment, which is roughly 5 percent.

DU’s board of trustees first met in April of this year to discuss

the growing demand for divestment. After the meeting, the board of trustees decided to create a three-member task force dedicated to exploring the idea. Since then, the task force has met with members of the fossil fuel industry and a representative of 350.org, a nonprofit that is focused on the global climate movement.

Lori Scott, a senior and a member of the Divest DU core team, was content with the event, but she noted that the time of the meeting

hindered the number of students who were able to participate.

“We’ve created a conversation on climate change, economic stability, what sustainability means and these hot button issues,” said Scott.

Divest DU’s April event had upwards of 100 students in attendance and their movement was then endorsed by the student body president and vice president,

The task force will present its findings and make a recommendation to the board of trustees in early January. Regardless of their decision, Divest DU’s mission will continue to focus on encouraging either a re-investment into renewable energy investments or continuing to push for divestment.

Divest DU meets weekly from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesdays in the JMAC classroom.

seniors Tess Greenwald and ChanChristian Prenzler | Contributing Writer dler Carlson.

Photo courtesy of Divest DU

Photo courtesy of Divest DU

Photo courtesy of Divest DU

Photo courtesy of Divest DU

DU ALUMNI WINS CREATIVE WRITING AWARD D

U alumna Amanda Rea received the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer’s award in 2015. The $30,000 award is presented to exceptional young female writers as recognition for their special contributions to society. The award focuses on works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry and is meant to provide assistance for child care, research and/or travel related costs.

Rea graduated from DU in 2000, earning a BA in English with a focus on creative writing.

Later, she received her MFA in

creative writing from the University of California, Irvine.

Rea currently teaches for Lighthouse Writers Workshop and has been a freelance writer with pieces in the Kenyon Review, the Missouri Review, the Sun, and more. Rea also wrote a memoir piece, “A Dead Man in Nashville,” that won a Pushcart Prize in 2011.

In an interview with the University of Denver Magazine, Amanda said she’s using the award money to focus on her writing as a full time job. She also mentioned mentors that helped her, like Brian Kiteley, a DU English professor

and past head of the DU creative writing PhD program, who recommended fellowships and accepted her into the PhD workshop.

Rea is currently married with a daughter and working on a book under the Jaffe Award about the Four Corners region of the United States during World War I. The novel focuses on what the Rona Jaffe Foundation’s press releases called, “the underbelly of the west—the poor and disenfranchised.” Rea grew up around this region in Marvel, Colorado, which sparked her interest in the story.

In an interview with DU Magazine she commented, “People seem interested in the other side of Colorado. Not the Aspen ski-bunny kind of thing, but the Colorado that exists for the people working in a basement laundry, washing sheets for the tourists or the people building the vacation homes.”

Some of Rea’s short stories like “Following Slowly” and “A Dead Man in Nashville” can be accessed on Electriclieterature.com and The Sun Magazine’s website.

Phalan Klein | Contributing Writer

DU CLARION

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

NEWS | 5

76948

GET TWICE AS MANY EGGS IN YOUR BASKET. 1

Low fees can mean higher returns for you.

Start now at TIAA.org/results

INVESTING

ADVICE

BANKING

RETIREMENT

BUILT TO PERFORM. CREATED TO SERVE. 1

Our assumption of: $100K, with a 6% rate of return, over a 30-year time period, with fees at a constant (.52%), saves an investor $92,523.91 — versus paying fees at the mutual fund industry average (1.25%). This is a hypothetical illustration. These returns are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect actual (product) performance, which will fluctuate.

TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC. TIAA-CREF products are subject to market and other risk factors. C32769

A TIAA__FALL PRINT_GET TWICE AS MANY EGGS_C__V_. C M Y B

DU CLARION

6

| SPORTS

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DU opens season 0-2 after Ice Breaker Tournament

T

he No. 10 DU hockey team dropped both of its opening games for the 2016-17 season, losing at home to both Ohio State and Boston College in the 2016 College Hockey, Inc. Ice Breaker Tournament on Oct. 7 and 8.

The unranked Buckeyes overwhelmed the Pioneers 3-2 in the first game of the year. Junior Tanner Jaillet (Red Deer, Alberta) started in goal for DU, but he was only able to save 30 of 33 shots on goal. He allowed a goal on the first shift of the game, as Ohio State’s Matthew Weis scored on a backdoor pass only 29 seconds in.

DU got on the board at 14:06 of the first period, with sophomore Logan O’Connor (Calgary, Alberta) forcing a turnover and freshman

Caitlan Gannam | Clarion

Tyson McLellan (San Jose, California) firing a spinning, wicked wrister from the bottom of the left circle. It marked McLellan’s first goal as a Pioneer.

Ohio State took the lead back in the second period, tallying two goals. Sophomore forward Jarid Lukosevicius (Squamish, British Columbia) cut the lead to one at 3:32 of the third period by rocketing a wrist shot glove-side after skating into the zone on the powerplay, but it wasn’t enough for the Pioneers, who fell 3-2.

“They out-competed us, they won more one-on-one battles.

Early in the year, it’s the teams that win one-on-one battles and play together that are [going to] find a way to win, and we just didn’t,” said head coach Jim

Montgomery. “That’s what I’m disappointed in most, that our emotion and our energy wasn’t there tonight [Oct. 7].”

With the Air Force Academy defeating Boston College (BC) earlier in the evening, DU was slotted to face the No. 6 ranked Boston College Terriers on Saturday night, Oct. 8.

Denver failed again to capture the game’s first goal, as senior goaltender Evan Cowley (Evergreen, Colorado) allowed a tally at 11:23 in the first period. Only allowing two goals on the night, Cowley made 19 saves, including a desperate, sliding glove save to keep BC’s lead at one.

Senior defenseman and captain Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wisconsin) knotted the game 1-1

when he crept in from the point and lasered home a shot top shelf in the second period. Forward Dylan Gambrell (Bonney Lake, Washington) picked up an assist on the goal. Before the period was over, BC took the lead back at the 14:05 mark, 2-1.

Denver outshot BC 23-5 in the final frame but ran into a red-hot goalie. Freshman Pioneer Henrik Borgstrom (Helsinki, Finland) had two great chances to equalize the contest, but he was unable to capitalize. BC grabbed an empty net goal and the game concluded with a 3-1 score in favor of the Terriers.

The team’s next live-action will see them host Boston University on Oct. 14-15 at Magness Arena.

Braiden Albrecht-Reed | Sports Editor

Braiden Albrecht- Reed | Clarion

Caitlan Gannam | Clarion

Caitlan Gannam | Clarion

DU CLARION

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

SPORTS | 7

Pio golf starts season with impressive results

D

U’s men’s and women’s golf programs both competed in invitationals boasting strong performances over the weekend.

The men’s team placed ninth at the Tucker Invitational on Sept.

23 and Sept. 24. The team finished with an overall team score of 895 (298-292-305). Eric Hagen (Aberdeen, Washington), Jake Kelley (Littleton, Colorado), Chris Korte (Littleton, Colorado), Petter Mikalsen (Stavanger, Norway) and Isaac Petersilie (Colorado Springs, Colorado) represented the Pioneers.

Kelley recorded Denver’s best performance, tying for 22nd place overall with a total of 222 (73-

73-76) after putting 4-over-par, 76. Korte tied for 28th place after finishing 3-over 75, resulting in a score of 223 (77-71-75). Hagen concluded his final round tying for 31st place after playing a 4-over 76. Mikalsen finished his 18 holes with a three-round total of 229 (80-71-78). Petersilie ended the day placing 72nd with a final score of 233.

The women’s program tied for second place during the Golfweek Conference Challenge on Sept. 26-28, recording a team score of 874 (298-286-290) over 54 holes. Mariell Bruun (Larvik, Norway), Jessica Carty (Holywood, Northern Ireland), Jessica Dreesbeimdike (Wind-

Photo courtesy of DU men’s golf Facebook

hoek, Namibia), Camille Enright (Plano, Texas) and Lauren Whyte (St. Andrews, Scotland) competed for DU. Enright posted the highest score in her debut collegiate tournament, tying for 10th place with a score of 217 (73-72-72). Entering her final year, Bruun tied for 14th place after finishing 2-over-par 74 for a final score of 219 (74-71-74).

Carty concluded the tournament going 1-over 73 to tie for 19th place and posting a score of 220 (77-70-73). Whyte secured 26th place with a 3-over 75. Dreesbeimdike totalled a 271 after playing a 1-under 71.

Denver hosted the Annual Ron Moore Women’s Intercol-

legiate at the Highlands Ranch Golf Course on Oct. 7. The Pioneers finished 4-under-par 284, earning second place. Sophomore Sophie Newlove (Nottingham, England) won the individual title and her first career win. Newlove boasted a 6-under par and a total of 70 giving her a final total of 210 (69-71-70). Carty earned her first top-5 result of the season with a score of 214 and a final-round of 2-under 70.

The men’s program is scheduled to host the Paintbrush Invitational at the Colorado Golf Club on Oct. 10.

NCAA reigning champion Oregon will compete at the Invitational.

Sasha Kandrach | News Editor

Photo courtesy of DU men’s golf Facebook

Former Pio Danton Heinen aims to make Bruins roster

F

resh out of his sophomore year at DU, former winger Danton Heinen (Langley, British Columbia) is exceeding expectations with the Boston Bruins. Entering the NHL after forgoing two years of collegiate eligibility is a major leap, yet Heinen is producing similar results against professional skaters as he did in Magness Arena.

Heinen’s performances secured him a spot with the Bruins following the first round of roster cuts on Oct. 2. With the absence of Bruins’ forward Frank Vatrano, who is suffering a foot injury, Heinen is a viable candidate for a roster spot.

Heinen has scored three goals in five exhibition games for the Bruins. Just 21 years old, the Langley, B.C. native has proven that he can light the lamp at the next level of play. Two of Heinen’s three goals were game-tying goals against the Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers.

After finishing in fourth place in the Atlantic Division last season, the Bruins sought after young talent, namely Hobey Baker Award winner and Harvard University graduate Jimmy Vesey.

Vesey ended up signing with the New York Rangers after opting out of signing with the Nashville Predators in the spring of 2016.

Heinen was the leading scorer in both his freshman and sophomore seasons at DU. He amassed 45 points (16 G, 29 A) as a sophomore and was a component of the dynamic Pacific Rim Line with linemates Trevor Moore (Thousand Oakes, California) and Dylan Gambrell (Bonney Lake, Washington). Heinen helped the Pioneers reach the Frozen Four for the first time since their last national title in 2005.

If Heinen doesn’t receive a spot on the Bruins’ roster, he will play with the Bruins AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, to further develop his skills.

After a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, a 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets and a 1-0 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, regular season play for the Bruins commences on Thursday, Oct. 13. The Bruins travel to Columbus, Ohio to face the Blue Jackets.

Sasha Kandrach | News Editor

Dazong Chen | Clarion

DU CLARION

8

| SPORTS

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

Women’s soccer defeats South Dakota 1-0

D

U’s Division I women’s soccer team faced the University of South Dakota Coyotes on Oct. 9 at CIBER Field in pink jerseys in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The game began with a kickoff from South Dakota, and in the last ten minutes of the half, junior forward Angelina Pacheco (Taos, New Mexico) crossed the ball in front of South Dakota’s goal with freshman midfielder Hannah Adler (Oak Park, California) tapping it in the left bottom corner.

The first half ended 1-0 in favor of DU, with six shots, two saves and one corner-kick for Denver, and three shots, one save and three corner-kicks for South Dakota. South Dakota continued

to play aggressively in the second half while Denver kept possession and made good use of their defenders for passing and space.

The game ended in a 1-0 Pioneer victory, with a total of 10 shots, five saves and five corner-kicks for Denver.

The shutout was split between two goalkeepers, as the Pioneers played both senior Cassidy Rey (Arcadia, California) and freshman Brittany Wilson (Littleton, Colorado) in the match.

The team remains unbeaten in Summit League play with a record of 3-0 and also boasts an overall record of 5-7.

The team’s next game will be Oct. 14 on the road against North Dakota State.

Phalan Klein | Contributing Writer

Olivia Hyde | Clarion

Olivia Hyde | Clarion

Olivia Hyde | Clarion

Olivia Hyde | Clarion

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DU CLARION

SPORTS | 9

Avalanche sign ex-Pios Wiercioch, Colborne T

wo former Pioneers, defenseman Patrick Wiercioch and forward Joe Colborne, were signed by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2016 offseason. The two skaters played at DU for two seasons, from 2008-2010. Both 26 years old, they arrive in Denver with careers trending in opposite directions.

Wiercioch was drafted in the second round (No. 42 overall) in 2008 by the Ottawa Senators.

In his two seasons at Denver, he posted 35 and 27 point seasons en route to being named to the All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) team in both years.

A lanky, 6 foot 5 defenseman, Wiercioch made his rookie debut with the Senators in 2010, but he

played the majority of the next two seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL). Wiercioch broke through in 2012, notching 19 points in 42 games for the Senators. He battled injuries for the next three seasons, playing in 53, 56 and 52 games, respectively, before being released to free agency this past offseason.

Likely battling for a bottom pairing role with Colorado, Wiercioch will need to impress the organization to earn another contract. Currently, he has signed a modest, one year, $800,000 contract.

Colborne returns to the Mile High City on a much higher note, having tallied a career-high 19 goals last season with the Calgary Flames. He was signed to a two year, $5 million contract.

Photo courtesy of NHL.com

Selected by the Boston Bruins in the first round (No. 16) in 2008, Colborne owned 31 and 41 point seasons during his time at DU. Also forgoing his final two years of college eligibility, he signed with the Bruins in 2010 and began playing with their affiliate in the AHL. After only one year in the organization, Colborne was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization in 2011. Unable to secure a regular NHL spot, he spent the majority of the next two seasons in the AHL before being traded to the Calgary Flames in 2013.

A versatile forward capable of playing both center and wing, Colborne slotted into the Flames’ starting lineup nicely and posted seasons of 28, 28 and 44 points, respectively. Unable to agree to

terms with Calgary, he entered free agency and signed with Colorado.

“You certainly don’t have to sell me on the city. I know how great Denver is as a city. The big thing for me was where I would fit in with the team,” Colborne told the Denver Post. “Just talking to Joe [Sakic] and hearing his passion and where he saw my role on the team is what really sold me on it.”

Already boasting two productive years of Denver hockey under their belts, Wiercioch and Colborne will look to make their mark with a different logo on their chest in the same familiar city. The Colorado Avalanche will kick-off their regular season on Oct. 15 against the Dallas Stars.

Braiden Albrecht-Reed | Sports Editor

Photo courtesy of NHL.com

Photo courtesy of Denver Post

DU CLARION

10

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

| OPINIONS

Tips to avoid cultural appropriation this Halloween

W

ith Halloween just around the corner, now is a good time to discuss the issue of culturally inappropriate costumes. It should go without saying that costumes that make fun of or distastefully represent a specific culture or race is never okay, so when you prepare your costume for this Halloween, make sure to take all perspectives into account. The following is simple guide of what to look for when buying (or making) a costume to avoid cultural ignorance this Halloween.

Caitlan Gannam | Contributing Writer

Don’t buy a costume that is based on a specific culture/cultural stereotype This means no “Indian Princess,” “Native American Warrior,” “Arab Sheik,” “Day of the Dead Senorita” or “Adult Tequila Bandito.” If you go to buy a costume and it’s located in the “international” section, that should be a huge red flag. These costumes aren’t funny. They reinforce the racially insensitive stereotypes that perpetuate and normalize racism.

It is okay though to buy a costume based on a specific character from a culture. For example, if you want to be Jasmine from “Aladdin,”

that’s fine, but mind the next rule before doing so.

Don’t wear Black Face If you are considering painting your face, don’t. Don’t do black face, brown face or yellow face. Don’t do it. Don’t paint your face to look like someone from another race. It’s not funny or cute, it is blatantly racist.

There is no excuse for this behavior.

Don’t wear a costume based on cultural tragedies This means not wearing costumes based on the Holocaust or slavery. This also includes not dressing up like victims of police violence. It is very common for people to use major events as a basis for a Halloween costume, but that doesn’t mean you have to make this mistake yourself. Dressing like a slave is not cutting edge or witty, it isn’t politically savvy, it’s sensationalizing tragedy.

a sexualized joke. This is extremely disrespectful and should be avoided at all costs.

Don’t call a racially based costume a homage This once again sensationalizes aspects of a culture while still treating those within the culture as props. It’s not a nice thing to do. A very common costume is traditional Indian garb, often called Bollywood beauty. In this case, people who wear this costume are wearing culturally significant clothing and calling it a homage to all Indians. Rather than being an homage, the costume removes all significance from the clothing and appropriates it for the wearer. This action actually further stereotypes people within a culture and rips away tradition. You may be trying to be nice but this is not the way to support people within a specific culture.

Halloween is a fun day. People are meant to dress up as their idols or favorite characters. But, your fun should not include the appropriation of someone else and their culture. If you follow the rules listed above you will likely avoid cultural insensitivity and still have a great night. Good luck finding a costume and happy Halloween.

Don’t wear sexy racial costumes Being a sexy Geisha or sugar skull (referring to the Mexican holiday, the Day of the Dead) is a big no.

This sexualizes a group or culture in a very demeaning and uncomfortable way. Being a sexy Sugar Skull takes the tradition associated with The Day of the Dead and turns it into Caitlan Gannam | Contributing Writer

Question of the week:

PIONEER VOICES

What’s your favorite thing about fall?

“My favorite thing about fall is the weather, because I’m a runner and I’m training for a marathon. I love that it’s not hot outside right now or snowing while I’m training.”

Maci Slavin, Junior

“My favorite thing about fall is seeing the transition of the seasons.”

Ontario Duley, Sophomore

“My favorite thing about fall is just the weather changing, the pumpkin spice lattes. That’s my favorite thing.”

Carina Garfio, Junior

“My favorite thing about fall is the start of hockey season.”

Lauren Agee, Sophomore

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DU CLARION

OPINIONS | 1 1

DU’s campus climate faces conflict

D

U’s graduate Black Student Alliance (BSA) created art on the free speech wall on campus at the beginning of the quarter to show solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement and to mourn the lives lost to police brutality this year. Twice, within two weeks, that message has been defaced.

There’s a lot of conversation and disagreement around the issue of the defacing of the wall.

Some claim it’s simply a form of free speech, while others say that vandalizing and silencing someone else’s speech should be punished.

The fact of the matter is that the messages that covered up the art on the wall, particularly the message and song lyrics from “Guilty of Being White” by Minor Threat, “Guilty of being white. Guilty of being right,” is directly harmful to students of color at DU. Therefore, their voices are the ones that need to be heard.

BSA president, sophomore Makia Jones, and vice president, sophomore Tashan Montgomery, explained how many black students on campus feel about the current racial climate at DU. They said that it goes beyond the defacing of the wall and that this tension has been evident to them since they first began classes their freshman year.

Jones stated that she is “consistently conscious that she is of

the non-white minority” while on DU’s campus.

“It’s not to say that the white majority of students here on campus are attacking us on a daily basis, but they’re not doing anything to protect us either and I think that is almost equal to being a part of the struggle that we’re facing,” said Jones.

“Definitely [in reference to Jones’ statement]. There are individual cases I could talk about, but as an institution [DU], I do not feel supported at all and I’m disappointed that the university allows this type of behavior to continue to happen.

This is the fourth time in 2016 that a wall showing solidarity for Black Lives Matter has been defaced. The fact that the university hasn’t done anything shows me that they want to stay neutral on it,” said Montgomery.

Jones also spoke of the lack of resources that DU provides for students of color.

“They [DU] have provided some resources here and there for students of color to have outlets to talk about their experiences at DU, but we have to find it ourselves. We need someone dedicated to listening to the problems of students of color, helping them process and helping them get to a better mental state. This climate truly does take a toll on us—or at least myself—on a daily basis,” said Jones.

“It’s a constant battle,” Montgomery said. “Being a black stu-

dent at a predominately white institution, you have to deal with racist students, you have to deal with racist comments on social media, particularly Yik Yak. You have to deal with all of this while you’re trying to keep good grades, while you’re trying to keep a stable mental health and stay happy, while you’re trying to balance finances and stay at a university so you can use your education and do something better for your community. It all falls back on us.

We’re paying to go to a school and we have to fix these racist issues too? It’s a struggle.”

Students and faculty members have come up with a few solutions to the problems they face at DU, some of which include having a mentor or advisor for students of color, education on power and privilege in the classroom and increasing diversity among faculty and students.

Diversity is a huge problem within DU. Data gathered from Center for Multicultural Excellence states that there are only 135 black students out of the 5,758 students in the undergraduate program. There were 22 in the class of 2019, but six to seven students from the class have already transferred.

“You know it’s bad when I’m not stressed because of midterms, but I’m stressed because I’m going to school with these racist students who are running around dismissing people trying to

honor dead bodies. That’s what’s stressing me out. As long as this culture exists at this school, then of course your students of color numbers are going to be low.

Because this is not an inviting campus,” said Montgomery.

Jones agreed to Montgomery’s statement regarding tension on campus.

“I knew DU was a predominately white institution, as a majority of universities in the United States are, but if I had known that this was the racial climate at DU, there’s not a chance I would be here. There’s no way I would choose to put myself through this stress,” said Jones.

The DU student body can argue over whether or not the defacing of the wall was simply an act of “free speech” all they want, but it is DU’s students of color who are hurting the most from this event.

As a Native American student, and as someone who is allying herself to the black students here on campus, I am asking for people to listen to the voices of those affected. We need unity and we need action, but we also need a space in which we simply listen to the hurt, the fear and the anger of those who are suffering. Listen to understand, not to speak. Only then can we move forward as a community to come together and make the differences our campus so desperately needs.

Grace Carson | Opinions Editor

Photo courtesy of DU student

DU CLARION

12

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

| OPINIONS

Decision 2016: Weekly Column

VP debate disappoints E arlier this week, the country tuned in to watch the vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Tim Kaine. The two debated on many different topics including Russia, women’s health, police shootings and other issues pertinent to the American public. The vice presidents, in many people’s minds, are seen as more important in this year’s election than they have been in past elections. America has, in large part, been split in two: Trump or Clinton, with both sides seeming increasingly radical. With passion running high on both sides, risk of danger is extreme and the elected vice president might have to step up to the plate.

The debate was filled with interruptions and negligence to answer questions, making Pence look in many ways like Trump’s guard dog. Throughout the discourse, Kaine threw many of Trump’s past controversial remarks at Pence demanding an explanation. Although many Americans, including myself, are hoping for answers on some of those comments, 48 percent of people who watched reported Pence as the best of the night,

compared to 42 percent who felt that Kaine did better.

Russia was one of the biggest topics of discussion between the two candidates. While Kaine reminded Pence throughout the night of Trump’s continued praise of Putin, Pence denied all reverence, calling the Russian leader “small and bullying.”

The discussion of women’s issues finally came about when the religion of both candidates was brought up. The controversial topic of abortion was the subject in question. Though abortion is fundamentally a women’s health issue, both candidates mentioned their religion in how they viewed the topic.

Unfortunately, it seems that despite the strides America has taken in women’s healthcare, a woman’s right to choose will still continue to be seen as a moral issue rather than a health issue in the coming years, no matter which candidate is elected.

Kaine, despite his strong Catholic beliefs, was the main defender for women’s choice on the matter.

“Governor, why don’t you trust women to make this choice for themselves? We encourage people to support life… But why

don’t you trust women? Why doesn’t Trump trust women to make this choice for themselves?” said Pence. However, in the end, his views on abortion were still seen as a moral issue rather than a health dilemma.

Police shootings were another hot topic of discussion.

Pence chose this moment in the debate to attack Clinton for politicizing police shootings stating that “what we ought to do is stop seizing on these moments of tragedy.”

For me, this was an interesting observation on Pence’s part. While I think this issue is important and should be discussed in the debate, is it being brought up the way it should be?

Or are the candidates, namely Clinton in this case, using it in an advantageous, but possibly not problem solving, way?

Along with this, Pence sought to make Clinton’s campaign out as disrespecting law enforcement and causing more racial issues.

However, Kaine refuted this argument by bringing Philando Castile, a black man that was shot and killed earlier this year in Minnesota by a police officer, into the discussion. He cited this as an example of racial bias in

law enforcement. Another disagreement between the two candidates was the use of “stop and frisk.” While Pence advocated for the expansion of this, Kaine condemned it as a controversial policing tactic.

Though the debate discussed important issues to the American public, it wasn’t particularly informative of either candidate or their roles in this campaign.

If anything, it made a mockery of the renowned debate by displaying two men as children trying to discuss policy.

My overall feeling after watching this debate was disappointment. I’m sure the debate didn’t tip the scales for anyone in this election. It certainly didn’t for me.

Sydney Kapp | Lifestyles Editor

PIONEER FUNNIES

DU CLARION

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

OPINIONS | 1 3

West Coast Consortium of Private Law Schools

&

Denver Law Fair Admission Panel Saturday, October 22, 2016

| University of Denver (Driscoll Student Center)

PANEL: 10:30 A.M. -11:30 A.M.

Join us for an informational panel and discussion with admission representatives about the application process and the components of an application.

Topics include: Personal Statement, Resume, LSAT/GPA, Letters of Recommendation, Addenda/Disclosures, Financial Aid, and Scholarships.

LAW FAIR: 11:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.

Meet one-on-one with representatives from 37 different law schools! Ask questions about admissions & financial aid. Gather brochures or application fee waivers.

University of Denver Driscoll Student Center 2055 E. Evans Avenue Denver, CO 80210 Support for this event provided by an LSAC Outreach Grant.

Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law California Western School of Law Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law Creighton University School of Law Golden Gate University School of Law Gonzaga University School of Law Lewis & Clark Law School Loyola Law School, Los Angeles McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific Notre Dame Law School Pepperdine University School of Law

8" SUB SANDWICHES

GIANT club sandwiches

All of my sandwiches are 8 inches of homemade French bread, fresh veggies and the finest meats & cheese I can buy! We slice everything fresh daily in this store! It tastes better that way!

#1 PEPE®

SLIMS™ Any Sub minus the veggies and sauce

Real wood smoked ham and provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato & mayo. (The original)

#3 TOTALLY TUNA®

slim slim slim slim slim slim

#4 TURKEY TOM®

Low Carb Lettuce Wrap ®

#5 VITO®

Same ingredients and price of the sub or club without the bread.

#2 BIG JOHN®

Medium rare choice roast beef, mayo, lettuce & tomato.

Fresh housemade tuna, mixed with celery, onions, and our tasty sauce, sliced cucumber, lettuce & tomato.

(My tuna rocks! Sprouts* optional) Fresh sliced turkey breast, lettuce, tomato & mayo.

The original (Sprouts* optional)

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ham & cheese Roast beef Tuna salad Turkey breast Salami, capicola, cheese Double provolone

JJ UNWICH

The original Italian sub with genoa salami, provolone, capicola, onion, lettuce, tomato, & a real tasty Italian vinaigrette. (Hot peppers by request)

#6 THE VEGGIE

Layers of provolone cheese separated by real avocado spread, sliced cucumber, lettuce, tomato & mayo. (Truly a gourmet sub not for vegetarians only, Sprouts* optional) Bacon, lettuce, tomato & mayo!

(My B.L.T. rocks)

or th ig e JJ ina ’S l

J.J.B.L.T.®

★ sides ★

WE PREFU CALL , WE’LLHAPPEN! BUT IF YON TO MAKE IT WE CA DELIVERY ORDERS may include a delivery charge.

★ Soda Pop ★ Chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookie ★ Real potato chips or jumbo kosher dill pickle ★ Extra load of meat ★ Extra cheese or extra avocado spread

ORDER ONLINE @ JIMMYJOHNS.COM

freebies (subs & clubs only) Onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo, sliced cucumber, hot peppers, dijon, Jimmy Mustard, yellow mustard, oil & vinegar, oregano, sprouts*

My club sandwiches have twice the meat or cheese, try it on my fresh baked thick sliced 7-grain bread or my famous homemade French bread! Tell us when you order!

#7 SMOKED HAM CLUB 1/4 pound of real wood smoked ham, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato & mayo!

#8 BILLY CLUB®

Choice roast beef, smoked ham, provolone cheese, Dijon mustard, lettuce, tomato & mayo.

#9 ITALIAN NIGHT CLUB®

Genoa salami, Italian capicola, smoked ham, and provolone cheese all topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo & our homemade Italian vinaigrette.

(Order it with hot peppers)

#10 HUNTER’S CLUB®

A full 1/4 pound of medium rare roast beef, provolone, lettuce, tomato & mayo.

#11 COUNTRY CLUB®

Sliced turkey breast, real wood smoked ham, provolone, and tons of lettuce, tomato & mayo!

(A very traditional, yet always exceptional classic!)

IM MYS ★ ★ M(BOXESINOFI HAJLF SANDWICHESES) ★ U N CH ★ BOX LPLATTERS ★ Y T R , A P ★ UR NOTICE ER 24 HO DO WHAT

Sprouts* optional Fresh baked turkey breast, provolone cheese, avocado spread, sliced cucumber, lettuce, tomato and mayo!

#12 BEACH CLUB®

#13 GOURMET VEGGIE CLUB® Double provolone, real avocado spread, sliced cucumber, lettuce, tomato & mayo. (Try it on my 7-grain whole wheat bread. This veggie sandwich is really yummy! Sprouts* optional)

#14 BOOTLEGGER CLUB®

Roast beef, turkey breast, lettuce, tomato & mayo.

An American classic!

#15 CLUB TUNA®

THE J.J. GARGANTUAN® The original gutbuhstuh! Genoa salami, sliced smoked ham, capicola, roast beef, turkey & provolone, jammed into one of our homemade French buns, then smothered with onions, mayo, lettuce, tomato & our homemade Italian vinaigrette.

Online: http://chapma.nu/2bHFkXF Email: lawadmission@chapman.edu For more information please contact alcantar@chapman.edu.

Coffee and pastries will be provided.

EVENT ADMISSION IS FREE

Roger Williams University School of Law Saint Louis University School of Law Santa Clara University Law School Seattle University School of Law Southwestern Law School The University of Tulsa College of Law Thomas Jefferson School of Law Tulane University Law School University of Colorado Law School University of Denver Sturm College of Law University of Idaho College of Law University of La Verne School of Law University of Nebraska College of Law

ok, so my subs really aren't gourmet and we're not french either. my subs just taste a little better, that's all! I wanted to call it jimmy john's tasty sandwiches, but my mom told me to stick with gourmet.

Regardless of what she thinks, freaky fast is where it's at. I hope you love 'em as much as i do! peace!

Established in Charleston, IL in 1983 to add to students GPA and general dating ability.

RSVP by Wednesday, October 19th

The same as our #3 Totally Tuna except this one has a lot more. Housemade tuna salad, provolone, sliced cucumber, lettuce & tomato. (Sprouts* optional)

#16 CLUB LULU®

Sliced turkey breast, bacon, lettuce, tomato & mayo. (JJ's original turkey & bacon club)

#17 ULTIMATE PORKER™ Real wood smoked ham and bacon with lettuce, tomato & mayo! (This one rocks!)

WE DELIVER! 7 DAYS A WEEK TO FIND THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM

"YOUR MOM WANTS YOU TO EAT AT JIMMY JOHN'S!" ® *WARNING: THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ADVISES THAT EATING RAW OR UNDER-COOKED SPROUTS POSES A HEALTH RISK TO EVERYONE, BUT ESPECIALLY TO THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMEN, AND PERSONS WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. THE CONSUMPTION OF RAW SPROUTS MAY RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. ©1985, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 JIMMY JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. We Reserve The Right To Make Any Menu Changes.

University of Oregon School of Law University of San Diego School of Law University of San Francisco School of Law USC Gould School of Law University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law University of Washington School of Law University of Wyoming College of Law UNLV Boyd School of Law Vermont Law School Washburn University School of Law Western State College of Law Whittier Law School Willamette University College of Law

DU CLARION

14

| LIFESTYLES

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

WHY DENVER IS BOOMING I

f you’re reading this, you probably live in Denver, and that decision to move here was a very smart one. Denver, where the streets were once used for cattle drives, has boomed and modernized. Long gone are the rundown saloons and feed stores; now you can’t walk a block without running into a new tech start-up or gastropub.

Over recent years, Denver has completely reinvented itself and become one of the premier cities in the United States. The city’s secret—a contemporary urban experience surrounded by unparalleled natural terrain—has become a rallying call for Millennials. The reasons for Denver’s success are varied, but here are six summaries of why young people are moving to the Mile High City

1. Health

Colorado regularly tops various “fittest state in the nation” lists, and for good reason. Coloradans and Denverites alike love to workout. According to the American Fitness Index, Denver is the number one city in the nation for personal health. The countless outdoor options for exercise probably help, with a myriad of mountain trails

Connor W Davis | Clarion Connor W. Davis | Clarion

Connor W. Davis Clarion Paur Photo courtesy of | Phoebe

and parks available for public use.

2. The weather

The 300 days of sunshine statistic that everybody from the Colorado tourists to the board of admissions at DU like to tout isn’t exactly truthful; on average, Denver gets 300 days of at least one hour of sunshine per day. It’s a little more complex, but the point still stands: Denver has beautiful weather. Low humidity, moderate temperatures and a tasteful amount of snowfall make Denver a perfect location for the outdoor-loving, rain-hating individual.

3. Nature

It’s hard to ignore the beautiful purple peaks on the horizon that overlook the city. In reality, the mountains are maybe the biggest draw to the state. The front range attracts all types of individuals, including those who prefer the less straining activities of camping and hiking and those who fall deeply in love with the winter snows and the multitude of mountains to choose from for skiing and snowboarding. Of course the mountain towns have a tantalizing charm, but Denver’s position at about an hour to the heart of the mountains is definitely a pro on the lists of

prospective newcomers to the city.

4. The job market According to the Denver Post, Colorado has held a top-five spot for job growth nationally since 2012. Many flock here to join the fast growing tech and startup industries which have quickly progressed to match those of other tech hotspots, such as Austin and Seattle. Denver might not be the Silicon Valley, but the metro area, as well as Boulder, have enjoyed the flood of tech money coming into the state.

Other industries are also thriving in Denver. For example, the craft beer industry is one of the biggest and best in the nation, and of course the “green rush” calls Denver and Colorado home, too.

5. The weed

Don’t laugh, it’s true. Denver’s legalization of marijuana has been incredibly important to the enticement of newcomers. While there are no distinct numbers on how many people have come here because of legalization, it is easy to see in the economics of the industry that the legalization of marijuana has played a role in our growing population. Beyond just access to the

Connor W. Davis | Clarion

drug, the industry surrounding weed has exploded with opportunities for employment and profit.

Much like how the gold rush first attracted prospectors to the streets of Denver, the “green rush” has brought people across the nation to swim in the respective profits of this industry.

6. The culture Being the most populous city within a 500 mile radius means that Denver is a beacon of culture. Not only does the city have a thriving art scene with two world-class museums, the Denver Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver also features a cornucopia of galleries and installations. Add national championship sports teams, the amazing center for performing arts and a culinary scene that combines flavors from the coasts and everywhere in between, a unique and desirable Colorado taste is created.

Denver’s cultural city pairs perfectly with its love for the outdoors, creating a picturesque place to call home.

Justin Cygan | Staff Writer

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DU CLARION

LIFESTYLES | 1 5

Tips for staying active and healthy P

ut down the Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ben and Jerry’s because we’re getting active this year. Trust me, I totally get how easy it is to get pizza and fries for every meal, especially when meal swipes are at your disposal. So, although taking full advantage of late night hours is tempting, I’m going to help you explore the exercise opportunities on campus so you can stay healthy and happy this school year. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a D1 athlete to get the endorphins pumping; all you need is some time, some tennis shoes and the willingness to try something new.

For all of the Pioneers who are outdoor enthusiasts, I’ll start with some super cool outdoor activities.

Whether you like climbing, hiking, skiing or simply exploring Colorado, DU’s Alpine Club has it all.

Almost every student on campus will say they are a member, whether or not they actually go on trips. Although space on trips is

limited and demand is high, these trips are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for students to take part in.

To check out their meeting times and get involved, visit their Facebook page.

DU also boasts numerous other clubs, including unique and adventurous programs like Club Kayaking and Club Climbing. Both Club Kayaking and Club Climbing invite all skill levels to participate, which makes them a great place to try something new, to meet different people and to be adventurous all at once.

Club Kayaking teaches their members the skills they need to know how to control the kayak, practicing in the El Pomar Natatorium on campus on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 10 p.m. and venturing on weekend river trips. Some club members have the opportunity to participate in local competitions, as well.

Club Climbing is also a great option if you want to practice each week on the climbing wall on campus

on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and then venture out on exciting fall and spring day trips.

These two club sports are not all that DU has to offer, as there are countless other club teams that you can join if you prefer more competitive, classic sports. If clubs are intimidating, fear not, you can also join an intramural team (some even say competitive or noncompetitive) in soccer, volleyball, basketball, flag football, tennis and broomball. Intramurals are a great way to be active, while also trying something new.

If organized group sports aren’t your thing, there are still plenty of other options on campus. The Ritchie Center has a gym that you can take advantage of at any time.

Whether you’re lifting weights or getting in some cardio, there are tons of machines for the use of all students. However, my personal favorite way to stay active on campus is the group fitness classes.

Every day, there are several

classes offered at different times, which makes it easy to find one that fits you and your schedule. So, if you are working exercise into your busy class schedule, there is bound to be at least one class that works for you.

Whether you like cycling, yoga, barre, pilates or dance classes, the Ritchie Center has you covered.

I challenge you to try a class this week, but keep in mind that there are limited classes on Saturdays and Sundays.

Last but not least, take advantage of that Denver sunshine and get outside. It’s never a bad idea to incorporate the outdoors into your daily exercise routine, so if you can get out and walk, jog or bike, then definitely do so.

No matter which method of exercise works best for you, make sure you’re staying active, as it’s extremely important for college students to maintain health and happiness during such a busy time in life.

world, and they’re the perfect option for the transition period between scorching summer heat and chilly fall winds. Paired with a simple shirt underneath, this combination makes it easy to look cute but also still be comfortable when you have to sit through a two hour lecture.

When it comes to accessorizing, a colorful flannel gets the job done and serves as the extra layer you might need walking to and from classes in the crisp air. A simple pair of earrings and Converse-clad feet tie the whole look together, allowing you to effortlessly rock the early fall fashion scene.

Once we’re in the full swing of fall, other accessories like hats, scarves and cute socks will

begin to make an appearance on campus. When wearing Uggs or other boots, having a stylish pair of socks can really tie a whole look together while keeping toes warm in the snow.

Staying within the traditional fall aesthetic, burnt orange and similar colors are a must in your fall wardrob. Think russet scarves or hats.

To get more insight on some adorable fall trends, I asked College Fashionista writer and style guru, Sami Helgeson—a freshman from La Crosse, Wisconsin majoring in environmental science and international relations —for her fall faves.

Helgeson has been writing for the College Fashionista website since May of 2016. Her favorite

trends include boyfriend jeans, oversized flannels, messy buns and t-shirt dresses.

“I think that fall is a time of transition and so it’s very easy to pair any of these pieces with another to help balance the outfit,” she said.

Helgeson gave a super easy and cute example for her fellow Pios: pair boyfriend jeans with a crop top on warmer days, but if it’s chillier, just wear a flannel and you’re good to go.

Whatever stylish ensembles you choose to wear this fall, just remember that you are beautiful for being you, and your fashion should make you feel confident and gorgeous. Because you are.

Grace Houser | Contributing Writer

Fall fashion spices up campus

T

hough the official first day of autumn is behind us, the weather has only just started to feel colder. When thinking of fall fashion, you might picture warm sweaters, scarves, boots or cute outfits to wear by a bonfire or during a brisk walk through the park. While it might not feel like we have reached that point right now, eventually, Denver will succumb to the fall temperatures, bringing with it the changing of the leaves and little flurries of snow. However, in this strange swing period of in-between weather, many DU students are finding new ways to wear “fall” fashion—and successfully at that.

Overalls have definitely made a comeback in the fashion

Georga Feek | Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of Sami Helgeson

Photo courtesy of Sami Helgeson

Photo courtesy of Sami Helgeson

Photo courtesy of Sami Helgeson

DU CLARION

16

| LIFESTYLES

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

Must-visit haunted houses in Denver

I

t’s that time of year again; being scared is a fun weekend activity. Luckily, Denver is full of dreadfully delightful stops for your pleasure. Two haunted houses in particular seem to stand out to consumers in Denver year after year: the 13th Floor and The Asylum Haunted House. Are you brave enough for these two destinations?

Ranked No. 1 nationwide and previously featured on ABC News, USA Today, The Huffington Post and the Discovery Channel for its multiple locations across the U.S., the 13th Floor is a terrifying take on its mysterious and infamous namesake.

Located near the Denver Coliseum, the area surrounding the 13th Floor is perfect for a haunted house—the attraction is surrounded by creepy, old and

seemingly empty industrial buildings. As you arrive and wait in line, actors in scary costumes are available for pictures. Admission, depending on the day, is around $30 and can be bought at the door or online, with a skip the line ticket available for $10 more.

Inside, the 13th Floor is divided up into three sections.

The attractions for 2016 include Slasher Remix—a new take on classic scares as you escape from a cabin—Undead Abominations—in which the participant finds themself placed in a laboratory as the undead start to take over, forced to escape and prove their survival skills or be taken with the undead— and Cursed the Ritual—in which the undead are revived by necromancy in an evil place of voodoo rituals. A terrifying experience, the 13th floor is the first must-see

haunted house in Denver. The haunted house is located on 4120 Brighton Blvd. in Denver.

About three miles down the road at 6100 E. 39th Ave. in Denver and talked about in the Denver Post, the Huffington Post and the Discovery Channel, is the Asylum Haunted House.

On a weekend, admission will cost around $30 at the door or online and skip the line tickets are also available online.

This year, its three attractions begin with Post Mortem: the Escape. The tour starts in a morgue with a body on the table, and, with a group of friends and strangers, you must figure out the clues to escape or you’ll be the next one on the autopsy table.

Once you escape the first trial, prepare to enter Primitive Fear: Anarchy, where vindictive resi-

dents have taken over the town and are trying to take you, as well.

The end is so close, yet so far, as the last section approaches— Ridgegate: the Deranged, in which a mental hospital has been taken over by the disturbed staff and patients, pulling you into their terrifying insanity.

Customers should know that both haunted houses are confirmed to have clowns this year despite recent disturbing events. Security staff at both locations have taken extra precautions to differentiate staff from unwanted visitors.

Get that adrenaline rush going before midterms and visit Denver’s own 13th Floor and Asylum haunted houses this October.

Phalan Klein | Contributing Writer

WEEKEND EXCURSION: MT. SHERMAN

W

hen I first came to Colorado to attend DU, I heard a lot of talk about “fourteeners.” There are 58 mountain peaks in Colorado that rise above 14,000 feet and people make it their goal to climb them. Some climb one peak, some strive to conquer them all.

Coming from New York, I had never heard of these mountains that seem to be a staple for true Coloradans. At the start of my first year, I knew I wanted to climb one someday, but I was an out-of-shape 17-year-old who was unaccustomed to Colorado’s altitude and I scoffed at the thought of myself being able to hike to 14,000 feet.

However, a lot has changed since last year. I am now a second year, an avid gym-goer and an adventure-seeker who is fully adjusted to the high altitude.

So, when I heard that DU’s Alpine Club was planning a beginner trip to hike a fourteener, I

Taryn Allen | Clarion

decided to seize the opportunity; I would summit a fourteener.

At 3 a.m on Oct. 1, my friends and I met a group of Alpine Club members and officers and piled into vans. We drove over two hours to the indistinct trailhead of Mount Sherman, which is apparently the easiest fourteener in the United States. The word “easy” is relative, though—climbing to the peak of this massive mountain was one of the hardest things I have ever done.

Since it was rather late in the season to climb a fourteener, the weather was cold. I wore layers upon layers, carried three water bottles and brought a ton of food.

I felt prepared, but I still had no idea what to expect as we began to hike. We crossed a low valley with swampy mud and brush and then we started up the ridge. It got steep quickly, and the trail was visible but not always clear.

Sometimes we walked on dirt,

sometimes gravel and sometimes large, heavy rocks. I soon realized that the most important thing when climbing a fourteener is self-discipline—knowing your own limits and keeping ahead of the mountain’s conditions.

Hiking on a steep trail means that a rise in altitude happens quickly. Where we parked, the vans were already above the tree line (the elevation at which trees stop growing) so the air was thin. In order to stay hydrated, energized and free of altitude sickness, I hiked 10 to 100 feet at a time, constantly taking breaks to refuel and catch my breath. It was slow-going up the mountain, but I knew that if I went any faster, I would not feel well. Even a few of the more experienced hikers on the trip got sick on Mount Sherman, so I made sure to take my time.

It took hours to get to the peak, with countless uphill twists and turns and false summits.

Taryn Allen | Clarion

Finally, around mid-morning, I reached the summit. My body ached and the air was thinner than ever, but the view made it all worth it. Sitting there with my new friends in Alpine Club, eating PB&Js and taking pictures of the breathtaking view, life was truly spectacular.

Our descent was difficult with so many loose rocks, but we hurried right along to avoid any afternoon storms that the mountain might bring. At the bottom, my friends and I forgot our shaky limbs and heavy-lidded eyes, happy and exhilarated at the thought that we had just climbed an entire mountain. Driving back toward Denver through the colorful aspens, I stared up at Mount Sherman, impressed with myself.

It may have been one of the easiest fourteeners in the state, but I still climbed it. One out of 58, now complete.

Taryn Allen | Copy Editor

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

I

t’s undeniable that Marvel is pretty much the main juggernaut in the superhero film market. Naturally, there are high expectations each time a new installation to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is announced and “Luke Cage” is no different.

“Luke Cage,” the newest collaboration between Marvel and Netflix, is no exception. Both Daredevil and Jessica Jones bring a unique flavor to the table and, largely, so did season one of the tale of the bulletproof Harlemite.

In classic Marvel fashion, “Luke Cage” is a show driven by layered characters and the stellar acting behind them.

Luke Cage, portrayed by Mike Colter (“Jessica Jones”), is a soft-spoken giant of a man, seeking to lead a quiet, honest life in the heart of Harlem, a city feeling the pressure of racial tension and gang violence. Cage also has bulletproof skin and ridiculous strength.

Now, one might be inclined to think a show about an invulnerable hero would be straight-forward and unexciting, full of non-stop action.

If Cage can’t really die, why doesn’t he stomp out the competition in the first episode? Instead, “Luke Cage” wisely parcels out the explosive fight scenes, using them very deliberately so that it feels well-earned and satisfying when the typically peaceful Cage does actually kick ass. Colter also nails the role, speaking softly while carrying a big stick, if you will. Yet, Cage is both a powerhouse and a very fragile, human character.

Though he may be bulletproof, the people he loves certainly are not.

Consequently, Cage struggles with an identity that harms those he’s closest with. Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes, depicted by Mahershala Ali (“House of Cards”), is Harlem’s suave, vicious gang lord whose influence can be felt all over the city.

When Cage’s compatriots become entangled in the underworld, Cage bears the burden of

DU CLARION

ENTERTAINMENT | 1 7

“LUKE CAGE” BRINGS THE POWER TO NETFLIX

facing the mobster. Cottonmouth is keen, cruel and smooth, with a twisted origin story. As his backstory unfolds, viewers come to understand the logic behind the gangster’s passionate ruthlessness.

Mariah Dillard, portrayed by Alfre Woodard (“Captain America: Civil War”), is Harlem’s fiery councilwoman who earnestly champions her city while also conspiring with Cottonmouth in the shadows. As the pair do business, Woodard draws out the councilwoman’s confident, sly, political manner, which serves as an interesting contrast to Ali’s traditional smooth criminal.

Lastly, Misty Knight, played by newcomer Simone Cook, is a frazzled cop in a world of heroes and intrigue, simply trying to figure out where all bodies are coming from.

Cook plays an initially headstrong, confident policewoman but as the story unfolds, she struggles to come to terms with her own redundancy as an officer without powers. With the likes of Cage and Daredevil cleaning up the streets, Knight and her career seem irrelevant.

It’s worth noting there are times when the storytelling noticeably slows down. Specifically, midway through the season when certain episodes often feel like fluff material, padding the length before returning to the main story. Interestingly enough, this also occurred in both Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Despite this, the suspense picks back up closer to the end.

As the show unfolds, storylines become entangled and gradually the audience splices together an understanding of what’s going occuring in Harlem. The show’s tension is palpable and watching just one episode isn’t really doable, especially with the amount of cliffhanger endings.

If you enjoyed the shows “Daredevil” or “Jessica Jones,” you’ll most certainly enjoy this addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“Luke Cage” is a fantastically gritty drama with an all-star cast and really detailed, developed characters. Clearly, Marvel knows what they’re doing.

However, more can be derived from “Luke Cage” than simple enter-

Photo courtesy of Netflix

tainment. Through their hero, Marvel is clearly urging viewers to do some thinking about today’s society. “Luke Cage” is a story about human fragility, community and black identity in the United States. It’s likely not a coincidence young black men getting shot by police forces is a repeated motif in the show, something that undeniably rings a very somber and very real bell in the minds of many Americans. Because of his abilities, a trait Cage did not ask for, our hero endangers both himself and his community just by being himself. It’s a story not told often enough—one of an African American man living in an environment that retaliates against displaying one’s distinct identity.

Despite the superheroes, the United States in “Luke Cage” is rife with political tension and racial inequality which is hardly different from our contemporary United States. Through “Luke Cage,” Marvel is asking viewers to come together in fellowship, revel in our differences, extend a hand to the mistreated and enter into genuine conversation.

Lars Brady | Contrubuting Writer

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Photo courtesy of Netflix

DU CLARION

18

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

| ENTERTAINMENT

“WESTWORLD”: A STUNNING WORLD OF VIOLENT DELIGHTS

Photo courtesy of HBO

L

ooking to create something to fill the immeasurable void that “Game of Thrones” will leave behind when it concludes, HBO is pouring an almost unheard of amount of money into its newest drama “Westworld,” the story of a futuristic Western theme park where the highly advanced robots who cater to every sadistic whim of its rich guests are starting to become aware of the unreality of their world. While it may be too early to say the show has completely hit the jackpot for the network, it’s safe to say that “Westworld” is one of the most captivating and imaginative shows put to the screen this year.

Created by Jonathan Nolan (“Interstellar”), the brother and frequent collaborator of famous director Christopher Nolan, along with his wife Lisa Joy, “Westworld” is an adaptation of a 1970s cult film of the same name written and directed by the late, great author Michael Crichton (“Jurassic Park”). The show, like the film that inspired it, is a dark and violent look at the possible outcomes of the creation of artificial intelligence, except here it takes a unique perspective: its main characters are the robots themselves.

Herein lies the brilliance of the show, which takes the already disarming theme of machine thinking gone wrong and turns it into something that sometimes feels more like a complex horror story than a simple drama.

Sure, there are some primary human characters with great depth and relatability: the always wonderful Jeffrey Wright (“Casino Royale”) plays the intelligent and charming second fiddle to the weird genius of the superb Anthony Hopkins’ (“The Silence of the Lambs”) man in charge

who created the androids and the world they inhabit and Jimmi Sampson (“House of Cards”), usually known for playing slimier characters, relishes the role of playing a soft-spoken man who seems to reject the lawlessness of his vacation. However, the majority of the human characters are utterly and gleefully despicable, gluttons in the freedom to do what they please. No one is more symbolic of that than the mysterious Man in Black, played to perfection by the marvelous Ed Harris (“The Truman Show”), who kills and pillages at his pleasure and leaves terror in his wake.

The ugliness of these human characters is what makes the robot perspective so fascinating to watch. Despite the world they live in dictating almost every word they say, the actors in these roles often make us forget these characters are not flesh and bone. Evan Rachel Wood (“True Blood”) brings both startling emotional grace as well as dark uneasiness to her role as the park’s original machine, while James Marsden (“Enchanted”) and Thandie Newton (“Crash”) bring

charm as well as convincing fear and doubt to their automated characters. By showing us the world through the eyes of the very robots we’ve come to admire, we see the true nightmare of their situation, which makes it all the more unsettling when they start to wake up from that nightmare.

“Westworld” is a masterfully acted, beautifully filmed and sharply written drama that boldly stakes its claim as the new shining jewel of HBO. Like “Game of Thrones” before it, it is an often shocking, hard-hitting show that seeks not only to grip its viewers with its dark splendor, but shake them into learning something about humanity while making a foreboding warning about its indulgences: these violent delights will have violent ends. We get the unique pleasure of watching it all fall apart.

“Westworld” airs on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Each episode is available for streaming on HBO Now as well as HBO Go from the time of airing onward.

Photo courtesy of HBO

Ryan Ninesling | Entertainment Editor

Photo courtesy of HBO

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DU CLARION

ENTERTAINMENT | 1 9

FROM INDIAN LAKES MESMERIZES THE MARQUIS Photo courtesy of NPR

F

Photo courtesy of NPR

rom the delicate rhythms and hollow tones, to the swaying of Joey Vannucchi’s long hair, From Indian Lakes put the Marquis Theatre into a trance. On the night of Sept. 4, the indie-rock band came to Denver and delivered a somber, autumnal set. A modest, primarily young crowd who smelled of cigarette smoke and malaise trickled into the dim theatre and waited for the show to start. The first opening act was Wild Wild Horses, an alternative band from London. The lead singer, Jack Edwards, began their lively set by captivating the audience with the depth and resonance of his voice through an acapella verse of their song “Youth”. They were followed

by Made Violent, a nostalgic punk band from Buffalo, New York, whose sound is fully encapsulated by their name. Each band member had rampant shoulder length hair

which whorled around their heads uncontrollably as they made a lovely ruckus.

From Indian Lakes was started

by California native, Joey Vannucchi. Growing up on a forty acre farm in Yosemite, Vanucchi’s home was without electricity for several years, during which he acquired his adoration for language and music. He began with the drums, but was soon proficient in many instruments. The band was originally an independent project through which Vannucchi displayed his wide range of instrumental brilliance, his cherubic voice and his poetic lyrics.

In 2009, after recruiting musicians to join his project so that he could begin playing for audiences, From Indian Lakes released their first album, “The Man with Wooden Legs”, which has a strong post-rock essence as opposed to the following albums

AnnMarie Marlow | Clarion

which fit more easily into the would best be described as alternative niche, reminiscent of soothing. The lead’s reserve is Bombay Bicycle Club. palpable and provoking. It furAt the Marquis, the band ther emphasizes the obscurity of opened with “Sleeping Limbs,” the band’s manner. from their 2014 album “Absent Vannucchi rarely engages Sounds.” The stage was flooded with his audience, and yet he in green light as they fell into hypnotizes his listeners with their performance. The small his soporific tunes until he’s crowd sang along earnestly, staring out at a congregation crowding tightly around Vanuc- of softened faces, and closed chi’s feet. The band’s music eyes, tilting from side to side. blends fragile harmonies with an By often touring with groups authentic indie-rock sound. Each such as “Made Violent” whose song pulled the room further approach to indie-rock is more into this languid and weightless abrasive, the band exaggerates world. The set featured a few and embraces their velvety aesnew songs from “Everything thetic. They lead their audience Feels Better Now,” which comes to a restful place where they can out this month. “The Monster,” better appreciate the intricacies a dizzying song from the new and the essence of a song. From album, elicited a delighted cheer the opening, the crowd revels in from the tranquil mass. the opportunity for unhindered, Vannucchi’s voice is breathy symphonic pleasure. and often described as “warm”.

Thus, the performance he gives AnnMarie Marlow | Contributing Writer

Daniel Lorenzo | Clarion

AnnMarie Marlow | Clarion

DU CLARION

20

| ENTERTAINMENT

O C T. 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN: A POOR VERSION OF BETTER THRILLERS

I

magine yourself eating a steak.

Now, if that steak is juicy, rich and cooked just right, that steak is “Gone Girl.” It’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” It’s every great thriller with strong female roles that you can think of in the past decade. Now, if that steak you’re imagining is a dry, frozen cutlet that at first sort of fulfills your craving for the finer things but makes you realize it’s trash by the time your plate is empty, it is “The Girl on the Train.”

The newest adaptation in a long line of best selling potboilers put to the screen, the film follows battered alcoholic Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt, “Sicario”), who gets drunk and rides the train past her old house every day, where her ex-husband (Justin Theroux, “The Leftovers”) and his new wife (Rebecca Ferguson, “Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation”) live

with their newborn child. However, her ex’s new life isn’t the only obsession of Rachel’s, as she also spies on the couple two doors down and sees them as the perfect duo, everything she once had, until she spots the wife (Haley Bennett, “The Equalizer”) in this fairy tale with another man. Drunk and enraged, Rachel confronts the woman before blacking out. When she wakes up, the woman is missing and it’s up to Rachel to try and remember what happened that night.

This all sounds fine and good, like a perfectly serviceable set-up for an interesting mystery and character study. Except the execution is where the film misfires. The kind of plot being used is one that lives and dies by its writing and acting, and neither are particularly exciting here. Blunt can be excellent at times, as expected, but struggles to elevate the ridiculous writing behind her

Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight

“THE BIRTH OF A NATION”: QUALITY OVER CONTROVERSY

S

eparating the artist from the art has always been a struggle that people get over easily. Pablo Picasso beat his wife. Ernest Hemingway was a racist and anti-semite. And in Hollywood we have examples like Mel Gibson as well as Woody Allen and Roman Polanski, filmmakers who have won Academy Awards even after allegations of sexual assault forced them out of public spotlight.

And so now we have Nate Parker and his directorial debut, “Birth of a Nation”. Parker was accused and acquitted of rape during his time at Penn State in 1999. However, his accuser from said case committed suicide in 2012, creating suspicion and leading many to boycott the film altogether. This revelation came up in the midst of Fox Searchlight ramping up its awards campaign for the film, one that now seems to be a wasteful investment. Parker has lately been a part of a publicity push as the release of “Birth of a Nation” loomed closer, but his arrogance and lack of sympathy

will likely cause studios to avoid any future projects with his name attached. Which is unfortunate, as “Birth of a Nation” is a rousing and powerful film for a first-time filmmaker, despite sometimes falling prey to narrative shortcuts and familiar plot devices.

The film opens in 1809 Virginia with a young Nat Turner beginning to learn how to read. He’s taught the Bible by his master’s wife, but he’s ultimately sent back to work in the cotton fields. Once an adult, Nat Turner (Nate Parker) still preaches to his fellow slaves, something his current owner and childhood friend Sam Turner (Armie Hammer) sees as a financial opportunity. He begins loaning Nat and his preaching skills to other slave owners who hope to alleviate unrest within their property. By traveling around to different plantations, Nat begins to witness more and more violence and injustice to his people, including his wife Cherry (Aja Naomi King). While Nat used scripture to encourage subservience, he soons

drunken rants and paranoia, which are clearly written by someone who has never really been around an intoxicated person before. Meanwhile, the usually fiery Ferguson is given a role as exciting as a piece of white bread and Bennett is simply instructed to act sexy and mysterious save for a few emotional scenes.

In these blandly written roles, “The Girl on the Train’s” main problem comes through: it is a film entirely defined by its use of stereotypes, and even worse, cliché. The script is chock-full of so many of the pathetic typecasts often used to define female characters: the messy and obsessive ex. The stuck-up, boring wife. And of course, the aloof but erotic girl with a dark past. These are all the makings of garbage, not the artful highs with messages of empowerment that this film is trying to be. However, garbage can be good. Trash can say something, but begins to use the word of God as a weapon to inspire rebellion.

The use of religion throughout the film is fascinating because it enlightens how powerful faith can be. Religion can enforce the idea of service to a master while also pushing retaliation towards your enemy and the line that Parker walks is a fine one. The topic is covered thoroughly and the parallels between the danger and power of religion is quite apparent. However, Parker’s approach doesn’t lend itself to much subtlety, with Turner even explaining the strategy to fellow slaves later in the film.

Pulling triple duty with writing, directing and starring, Parker wonderfully crafts Nat Turner’s story.

Parker’s performance is intense, genuine and commanding (if it weren’t for his current publicity controversy, he’d be a front-runner in the Best Actor race.)The only downside into pouring so much detail and attention to Turner is that the rest of the cast isn’t left with much character development. Hammer plays slave owner and friend Sam Turner very well despite being given a very little arc to work with. King plays Cherry with an endearing sweetness, but the character doesn’t have much to offer past being a plot device or an example of the negative effects of slavery. The same goes for Gabrielle Union’s very small role as a slave who’s raped one night. The film unfortunately continues the device of “woman is attacked which spurs man to the rescue.”

The horrors of slavery are unflinchingly portrayed, adding to

it has to subvert your expectations in order to do so. It has to build a world with the trash and then send it somewhere unexpected. “The Girl on the Train” takes this locomotive full of waste and chooses to follow the tracks of the generic, where everything is predictable and nothing of value is learned. For a film marketing itself as an adaptation based on “the thriller that shocked the world,” this seems at best misguided, and at worst insulting to the intelligence of its audience.

It all adds up to a film where simply nothing clicks, where the emotional suspense and drama of the script never rise above a murmur. Everything just happens, and then it’s over. “The Girl on the Train” appears to bring the expensive steak to the table, but beware: it might be the most disappointing dinner you’ve had in awhile.

Ryan Ninesling | Entertainment Editor

the impact of the overall film. The pacing of the plot is also extremely effective, with Parker taking his time and spreading out the harsh realities before getting to the rebellion. Unfortunately, the final act seems a little rushed and therefore a bit too narratively convenient. As an independent film that was made on a budget, there sadly wasn’t large enough funds to capture the necessary scale and development of Turner’s movement. Even the final showdown between Turner’s slave rebellion and slave hunters came off as staged in a place where it was obvious that this was all the production could afford.

While it was great to see the mutation of religion throughout the film, we don’t see enough balance between how it was utilized.

Most of the film shows slavery at its worst with slaves being terribly treated, but not enough of the film offers the needed payoff and triumph of Turner’s uprising. In basic terms, I wanted to see more slaveowners die.

“Birth of a Nation” is incredibly important for today. It not only reminds us of the shameful history we have with the treatment of African Americans, but also challenges us to think how far (or, more appropriately, how little) race relations have come in this country. Despite minor flaws, the emotional gutpunch that the film offers and the conversation it creates is a lasting one that more people should see and experience.

Dustin Amick | Photo & Video Editor