Volume 38, Issue 32 - May 4, 2016 by Met Media

mymetmedia.com

The Student Voice of MSU Denver

Volume 38, Issue 32

May 4, 2016

Ivory Ana Wafield, 4, is lifted out of a hole by her neighbor Shia Brooks, 14, in Elyria-Swansea which is located right next to I-70. The neighborhood kids play in the abandoned house’s yard on April 7. Photo by Alyson McClaran • amcclara@msudenver.edu

Meet Denver’s stepchildren Globeville and Elyria-Swansea:

PAGE 3 >>

the highway that bisects Elyria-Swansea and Globeville to 10 lanes. Community members have banded together and in March announced a lawsuit against The Environmental Protection Agency over parameters of the project. Dominique Diaz, a resident of Globeville, said she calls Globeville and Elyria-Swansea the easily ignored and problematic stepchildren of Denver. Diaz said people will call Globeville River North out of ignorance of the neighborhood’s identity. Globeville and Elyria-Swansea are neighborhoods known for high crime and poverty rates. According to a 2014 Denvergov report, the household income in Elyria-Swansea is $44,700, and in Globeville it is $39,200, both

Entertainment

PAGE 6 >>

significantly lower than Denver’s average of $73,100. Globeville has one of the highest crime rates in Denver, with about 288 incidents per 1,000 people — more incidents per person than Five Points. Resident Elias Alfaro has lived in Swansea on Race Street for 20 years, and in this time he has witnessed changes in the neighborhood for the better, and noticed the crime rates decreasing. Alfaro, a bus driver for RTD, moved to Swansea in ’96 with his two children and wife. The Alfaro family has expanded and they all live together, three generations. Alfaro now gets along well with his neighbors, but recalled less than pleasant times living in Swansea. In ’97, their neighbor’s 18-year-old son

Sports

Met

On a typical weekend, kids and dogs rule the streets of Elyria-Swansea. Swansea Park comes alive with laughter, a rubber basketball slapping blacktop, bicycle tires scratching gravel and the occasional yelling and uproar over an elementary-age fist fight. In the 23-mile stretch across this neighborhood of northeast Denver, yards are a patchwork of varying maintenance. One yard has neatly manicured grass, unseasonably green. Its neighbor is a fenced in dirt trench, and another neighbor is a Little Tikes graveyard, covered in tricycles and colorful plastic toys. Many yards sport white signs, “Mi barrio no está en venta,” “My neighborhood is not for sale.” The signs refer to Denver’s I-70 expansion plan, which would enlarge

News

Part one of an ongoing series

mnewton5@msudenver.edu

Met

By Mary-Kate Newton

was murdered at Swansea Park. The police never found the person responsible. Three houses down from the Alfaros, one of the neighbors was busted for dealing cocaine. Property damage and theft have been big concerns since the Alfaros moved to Swansea. “People would come in and cross the yards,” Alfaro said. “They would steal tires, rims. They go to the cars and steal things.” Alfaro and community members of Swansea held a meeting with the Denver Police, asking for regular patrolling of the neighborhood, and Alfaro said it improved the safety of the neighborhood. “It’s much better now,” he said. “You can walk in alleys now and no one will bother you.”

Photos PAGE 8 >>

Softball wins RMAC title

PAGE 11 >>

2XX

Mile Spective Break High Events May 4, 2016 Met Sports Review Insight

mymetmedia.com f: themetropolitan @themetonline

Student Housing Designed for You! All inclusive Studio Rates starting at $750/month!

RegencyStudentHousing.com

@themetonline f: themetropolitan mymetmedia.com

News

Met

Budget committee meeting April 5, has important implications for MSU Denver students. Visit our website for more coverage.

May 04, 2016

Harsh reality: Paying loans or owning a home

Students face uncertain futures in Colorado’s expensive housing market By Robert Kemp and Gabriela Rodriguez grodriq4@msudenver.edu rkemp9@msudenver.edu

“It’s kind of soul crushing actually,” said MSU Denver sophomore Zach Martinez when confronted with projected mortgage repayment terms. “I would be 57 years old when I paid that off. I can’t even fathom what my life would be like in 30 years.” Students participating in a focus group discovered how much it would cost to own a home in Colorado’s housing market Denver’s median home price according to Zillow.com is $343,000. Multiple mortgage lengths exist, such as 50, 40, and 30 year fixed rates. Using MortgageCalculator.com, a 30 year rate, a homeowner must pay nearly $1,800 per month at the median price. Students also entered into the calculator funds they might have at their disposal as a down payment to further decrease the monthly payments. The resulting payments were predictably high. “$1,200 a month just isn’t practical for a college student that’s in mountains of debt already,” Martinez said. “Two people can manage that, so if you have a spouse or something $600 a month [each] isn’t bad at all. If you’re on your own you’re screwed.”

“I could never buy a house. According to Zillow, Denver home with their parents a little longer and finishing It’s unrealistic,” Allison Nicolosivalues increased 12.8 percent last year, school,” said recent transfer student Cameron Risinger said. “This affects a person while the national increase over the same Glasser. “It kind of sucks.” psychologically, having to give up so much time period was only 4.2 percent. Senior Sabrina Bandy majors just to live is stressful.” Freshman Faith Stein said that owning in Sustainable Bar and Restaurant Unlike previous generations, many a home was definitely a priority and that Operations and lives in Five Points. students still live with their parents while she was willing to move to the suburbs in Despite the difficulty of owning a home it working and attending school. order to do so. was still vital to her. “It was a normal expectation to move out “I guess it kind of puts into perspective “I’ve lived in apartments my entire when you’re 18 or whatever, to have your own life and so I want a house,” Bandy said. “I the planning and thought that you have to place, but now everyone is kind of staying put in just to get a house in Denver,” Stein want a garden. I want a house with a yard.” said. “Honestly I just thought, ‘Oh when I’m more of an adult, I’ll get to this stuff, like I won’t worry about it,’ but I realize, looking at these terrifying numbers, that I’m going to have to start considering these things while I’m still pretty young.” Moving to the suburbs seemed to be the group’s most popular solution to the housing problem in Denver. “You’re putting all that money into a place that’s right in the city or you can have a much larger space and more luxury out in the suburbs and you can have more money for gas,” said freshman Bergen Reese. “You have to weigh the pros and cons. What’s more important to you?” Denver’s current median home value is nearly double that of the national median and the research done by Zillow says that the Denver housing market will grow twice as fast as the rest of the nation After calculating the cost of a mortgage in Denver’s overheated housing market on March 3, MSU Denver freshman Faith Stein now considers a future home in the suburbs. this year. Photo by Robert Kemp • rkemp9@msudenver.edu

Alumna scales new heights in higher education By Daisy Rocha Vasquez drocha3@msudenver.edu

When MSU Denver graduate Chantal Baca hears the words higher education, she thinks about pushing limits. Baca has surpassed challenges and obstacles in her life as a woman of color and first generation college student. At the 29th Annual Outstanding Women’s Awards, Baca was recognized for her accomplishments in the higher education community and encompassing the goals of MSU Denver’s Institute for Women’s Studies and Services. The OWAs are a longstanding tradition celebrating women at the university who have enhanced the campus community through leadership roles, academic Chantal Baca won The Institute for Women’s Studies and excellence, volunteer work, Services Outstanding Woman Award on April 26. activism or a prominence in a Photo courtesy of Chantal Baca

particular field. “It means I have reached a new success and a new opportunity to explore and engage in myself, community and growing professional identity,” Baca said. “As I grow into the field of higher education, my mind and work is continuously opened to new opportunities, advancements and lessons which is an embodiment of strength and womanhood.” Her mission to serve underrepresented communities began during her undergraduate career, where Baca co-developed and implemented a retention program at the university known as Excel at MSU Denver. The program is an addition to the other Excel programs at MSU Denver. The program is designed to support students who are

alumni of the Excel PreCollegiate Program complete their bachelor’s degrees and get involved in college activities. Thanks to her work for Excel at MSU Denver, the fall-to-fall retention rate for the Excel Scholar participants ended with a 94 percent. At 23-years-old, Baca has reached new heights and as an academic advisor for TRiO Student Support Services at the Community College of Aurora, Baca hopes to continue her work through The Start Here, Finish There Program. A home-grown transfer initiative to help students start their education at the CCA and transfer to a four-year university. “What motivates me to continue in higher education personally and professionally, is the new opportunities and networks it provides,” Baca

said. She enjoys learning, problem solving, communicating and thriving in a community where education is a priority and challenge she said. In 10 years, Baca still plans to be working in higher education and working on a doctorate degree, but her ultimate career goal is to become a university president. “I stand in my truth, assert myself as a woman of strength, and nurture my passions to be the best person and working professional I can be,” Baca said. “I am always conscious of my mind, body and spirit and how I communicate with the world around me.”

Met

Opinion

@themetonline May 4, 2016

f: themetropolitan

MetStaff

mymetmedia.

mymetmedia.com

are you going to do after you graduate?” I think a lot of students graduating are being asked this question from their fellow students and faculty.

Managing Editor

Joella Baumann • jbauma17@msudenver.edu

Assistant to the Editor

Michel Hansen • mevans41@msudenver.edu

News Editor

Sterling Stowe • slenways@msudenver.edu

Features Editor

Keenan McCall • kmccall3@msudenver.edu Assistant Features Editor Chris Bjork • cbjork1@msudenver.edu

Entertainment Editor

Paciﬁc Obadiah •pobadiah@msudenver.edu

Sports Editor

Mike Tolbert • mtolber3@msudenver.edu

Assistant Sports Editor Nick Reilly • nreilly1@msudenver.edu Web Editor

Kelsey Nelson • knelso60@msudenver.edu

Photo Editor

Alyson McClaran • amcclara@msudenver.edu

Assistant Photo Editor

Michael Ortiz • mortiz26@msudenver.edu

Page Design

Logan O’Brien • lobrien8@msudenver.edu

Copy Editors

Kelsey Nelson • knelso60@msudenver.edu Alexandra Gorski •agorski1@msudenver.edu

Director of Met Media

Steve Haigh • shaigh@msudenver.edu

Assistant Director of Met Media

Ronan O’Shea • roshea3@msudenver.edu

By Sean Rhodes srhodes8@msudenver.edu I originally started at MSU Denver in 2005 when it was still Metropolitan State College of Denver. I left in early 2009 and was unsure if I’d ever finish. After partying with friends and working at a thankless job I returned to finish what I started in 2014. When I came back I felt overwhelmed and my heart sank. It would be learning a new routine. I would be adjusting to a life I’d forgotten. When I returned even two years seemed like a long time. When I received my cap and gown this week, however, the reality set in. I’ve reached the finish line. Graduation is right around the corner. I, like several MSU Denver students, will be moving onto the future. As graduation approaches I have constantly been asked, “What

Oﬃce Manager

Production Manager of Met Media

Kathleen Jewby • kjewby@msudenver.edu

Sales and Marketing

sales@mymetmedia.com marketing@mymetmedia.com Victoria Jessar • vjessar@msudenver.edu Cassidy Van Riper • cvanriper@msudenver.edu Harriet Doyle • hdoyle4@msudenver.edu Jessica Sandoval • jsando42@msudenver.edu

By Conor Shreve cshreve@msudenver.edu

The Metropolitan accepts submissions in the form of topic-driven columns and letters to the editor. Column article concepts must be submitted by 1 p.m. Thursdays and the deadline for columns is 9 p.m. Sundays. Columns range from 500 to 600 words. Letters to the editor must be submitted by 5 p.m. Mondays to be printed in that week’s edition. There is a 500-word limit for letters to the editor. The Metropolitan reserves the right to edit letters for formatting and style. All submissions should be sent by email to themetonline@gmail.com. The Metropolitan is produced by and for the students of Metropolitan State University of Denver and serves the Auraria Campus. The Metropolitan is supported by advertising revenue and student fees and is published every Thursday during the academic year and monthly during the summer semester. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of MSU Denver or its advertisers.

“When I and others are asked though, a reality sets in about graduation that we don’t often talk about. Graduation is a great achievement but it’s also a scary prospect.” When I and others are asked though, a reality sets in about graduation that we don’t often talk about. Graduation is a great achievement but it’s also a scary prospect. Think about it. For the past few years school has been a routine.Yes we have jobs or other obligations, but how many of us actually know what we’re going to do after graduation? We can all talk about our future plans, but nothing is set in stone. Going to college asks a lot of us. It asks us to learn and grow and be dedicated to our studies. This becomes routine for years. It becomes a life we know. It becomes something we depend on. The scary prospect of graduating is a change

to that routine. For the past few years being a student is what I’ve known and what I’ve done. MSU Denver has been my home away from home. I’ve met great people, been influenced by great professors and have worked with some wonderful people in student media that I’ve called colleagues. Now I have to move on and say goodbye, and saying goodbye is hard. So when I’m asked, “What are you going to do after you graduate?” The truth is I’m asking myself the same question. I think some of us fall into this thought process because when you consider how long you’ll be in college, the end always seems far away. It isn’t something you think about when you start, but something you’re forced to think about as the end approaches. It seems unreal because after all that work and all those experiences it’s hard to imagine you got to the end in the first place. You enter college as one person and leave as someone completely different, and you’re not always sure if you’re ready for what is often referred to as “the real world.” The truth is we are ready. We’d just like to spend a little more time in a place that makes sense to us.

Craft brew in jepoardy due to deceptive bill

Elizabeth Norberg • enorbert@msudenver.edu

What we do

@themetonline

The overwhelming expectations of graduation

Editor-in-Chief Mary-Kate Newton mnewton5@msudenver.edu

Assistant News Editor Esteban Fernandez • eferna14@msudenver.edu

f: themetropolitan

The season of nebulous, confusing and disingenuous political catch phrases is here. Colorado voters are likely to be asked to vote regarding a beer battle in November’s upcoming election. A fight is underway, led by two opposed groups: “Your Choice Colorado” and “Keep Colorado Local.” The issue centers on whether grocery stores would be allowed to sell full strength beer and wine in as many locations as they desire. For those who care about Colorado’s thriving craft beer scene, the answer should be to oppose this proposal. Right now, businesses are allowed one full strength liquor

license throughout the state. But monster supermarket chains such as Wal-Mart and Kroger, wanting a competitive advantage over independent liquor stores, formed “Your Choice Colorado” to try to put the issue on the ballot in November. Marketing it as a “convenience issue,” the group claims that more Colorado craft beer would be sold.

That’s simply not true. As it currently stands, any brewer can walk into an independent liquor store and do business face-to-face. That consumer luxury would evaporate in a system where large supermarkets buy in bulk in order to maximize profitability. Every liquor license holder is allowed the same number of

“If we vote to allow supermarket chains as many liquor licenses as they please, we will be taking money out of our local economy to put it in the coffers of nonnative business behemoths.” While that might become true in terms of volume, only highproduction craft brands like New Belgium Brewery and Boston Beer Company would see more beer sold. Additionally, already limited shelf space would be taken from our independent craft brewers. Many argue that current law qualifies as some sort of protectionism, giving small brewers a competitive advantage.

licenses: one. That’s not giving the small guy an advantage; it’s making sure everybody plays by the same rules like every other competitive enterprise in this country. If we vote to allow supermarket chains as many liquor licenses as they please, we will be taking money out of our local economy to put it in the coffers of non-native business behemoths. For every

dollar spent in a local, independent liquor store, about 52 cents stays in the local economy, whereas about 17 cents of a dollar spent in a grocery chain does. Some other states have allowed grocery store sales while nurturing commendable craft beer scenes. But, those states still don’t hold a candle to Colorado. Statistics released by the Brewers Association show Colorado as receiving the greatest economic benefit (per capita) from the craft beer industry. Perhaps rare bi-partisan political agreement tells the story. Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper has recently said he’s not sure a change needs to be made at all. Colorado Republican Senator Chris Holbert says his focus is on local business. He believes setting a moving target would hurt those businesses. When you’re at the booth in November, a vote against the change will probably put you in the camp of the underdog. But it would be a vote that local business owners, brewers and beer drinkers across the state will thank you for.

Met

Entertainment

@themetonline f: themetropolitan mymetmedia. com

May 4, 2016

Captain America By Kavann Tok ktok@msudenver.edu Anticipation is boiling for “Captain America: Civil War.” With high expectations for the blockboster film, audiences are daring to ask the question. Who would win the battle between Captain America and Iron Man? Captain America is the spirit and will of the American people, a symbol of everything that makes America great and a bastion of freedom for the world. Iron Man symbolizes the wealthy minorities in American culture, sometimes too proud to acknowledge their imperfections. Hands down, this battle will go to Captain America who is the underdog representing the everyday working class. The proud Tony Stark is an ex-weapon designer with a somewhat hypocritical

viewpoint of himself. volunteered to fight the Nazis in WWII. He has His effect on the world always represented freedom and democracy, hasn’t always been great, fighting fascism, dictatorship and tyranny considered as a mere arms from a time when it was simply the right thing dealer by many. Stark to do. Rogers was a sickly underdeveloped technology has proven to be both beneficial boy, deemed unfit for the military, until Dr. as well as lethal when Erskine “Captain America is not here Abraham it ends up in the wrong used a Superhands. According to to lead the country. I'm here Soldier Serum the original “Iron Man” and Vita-Rays to to serve it. If I'm a captain, (2008), the only reason transform him. he became a hero is then I'm a soldier. Not of any Captain America is out of guilt. People selfless, choosing to military branch, but of the have died at the hands put himself directly of the weapons he in harm’s way American people.” created, where he saved protect his Captain America to himself by producing country, serving the the arc reactor and electromagnetic chestpiece nation and keeping U.S. citizens safe. Stark, to prevent shrapnel from killing him. He on the other hand, announced his Iron Man is considered a hero by most, yet not to the technology at the first opportunity, probably to many victims who were left in the wake of his obtain a military defense contract. Profit seems destructive weapons. to be his main agenda. On the other hand, Steve Captain America serves his Rogers is a hero who courageously country out of principles, morality

By Khaleel Herbert

VS.

kherbert1@msudenver.edu The greatest Marvel superhero battle of all time – Iron Man and Captain America – will take place in “Captain America: Civil War” May 6. This fight is going to Iron Man. Period. Iron Man, a.k.a. Tony Stark, is a rich technological wiz. He made his first Iron Man suit while being captive in an Iraqi cave in “Iron Man.” In “Iron Man 3” Stark made an Iron Man suit that could fly from miles away and attach itself to him. He also went to the hardware store and purchased supplies to make weapons, so he could infiltrate the Mandarin’s

mansion. Stark even made a powerful suit to stand up against the Incredible Hulk in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Robert Downey Jr. has done a superb job as Iron Man in all of the “Iron Man” and “Avengers” movies. He defeated the Iron Monger, Whiplash and Aldrich Killian with all his might and some help from War Machine (Don Cheadle) and Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). Let’s not forget that in “The Avengers,” Iron Man saved the earth from Loki’s deadly missile by sending it to a portal in space, almost dying in the process. Captain America is cool but without his shield, what else does he have to offer? He’s not

“You know, it’s times like these when I realize what a superhero I am.”

Image from Ironman.wikia.com

Iron Man

Reviews: What to watch after finals “Huntsman: Winter’s War ”

vedstedt@msudenver.edu

Movie

By Vicki Edstedt

The rating of The Huntsman: Winter’s War averaged out to 17 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the worst choices for a movie night. Critics and movie fans with one voice warn not to waste your time and money on a dreadful interpretation of a beloved Grimm’s fairy tale. The film has compelling visuals, decent actors, but remains joyless and the incomplete storytelling ruins everything. Members of the Queen Freya’s (Emily Blunt) Huntsmen army – Eric (Chris Hemsworth) and Sara (Jessica

Chastain) forbiddingly fall in love. As they fight against the law for the right to be together, Ravenna (Charlize Theron) gains her powers back and Snow White’s kingdom is in danger once again. All of that is followed by the several storylines: Freya’s tragic maternity experience, Ravenna’s desire to take revenge and conquer forever and somewhat complicated relationships between two sorceress sisters. Quite a bit is going on in order to tell each story, none of them succeed. The movie is cluttered with underdeveloped themes, and chemistry among actors does not occur, because it’s simply too much material to work with. It feels like the movie crew was so obsessed with making “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” entertaining that they forgot about the beauty of simple things. Tom Glasson, from the Concrete Playground said “A film so confused it honestly doesn’t even know if it’s a prequel or a sequel.” Critiques like this are never

Image from Marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com

and just doing the right thing. Meanwhile, Iron Man is more of a glorified arms dealer, motivated through capitalism. The American people are merely consumers serving his self-fulfillment goals of profit.

Iron Man

hip with the times since he was frozen for 70 years. He’s agile and has boyish good looks, but that’s all. It’s true that Stark can be perceived as a narcissist and immature. He’s always cracking jokes and getting on people’s nerves, especially Captain America’s. But at the end of the day, he gets the job done and cares about the safety of others. He swore to use his technology for the greater good and is someone people can depend on. “Captain America: Civil War” will be worth the price of admission, especially when Iron Man knocks out Captain America and is declared the winner.

ending, criticizing poor script and Hollywood’s hunger for franchising sequels. There is no magical narrative whatsoever, instead, plenty of expected twists and dull jokes. “Its badness is not extreme, but exemplary: It’s everything wrong with Hollywood today stuffed into a little less than two hours,” A.O. Scott from The New York Times continued. Even the creation of a wonderful, mysterious world by visualeffect master Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, did not save the movie from boring, repetitive scenes of combat and love affairs. To go or not to go shouldn’t even be a question. There are plenty of other movies that have much more appealing visuals and a strong plot at the same time. Forget “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” and go watch the “Jungle Book” running everywhere in the movie theaters right now or even turn on the good old “Avatar.” Save yourself Image from www.comingsoon.net the disappointment and find something truly joyful to watch.

mymetmedia.com f: themetropolitan @themetonline

Mile Spective Break High Events May 4, 2016 Met Sports Review Insight

KARAOKE from open til close 7 days a week!

FULL MENU

$50 house cash to the winning team Tuesday nights upstairs

Ra d ow?

FREE TRIVIA

e K M ET

upstairs every Sunday

orit v a rf

OPEN MIC COMEDY NIGHT

yo u

served until midnight

M i ss

6XX

NEVER A COVER CHARGE HAPPY HOUR 4–6 p.m. Daily $2.50 $3 $4 $5

Well Drinks • Coors Light Drafts House Wine Craft/Import Drafts • Fireball Shots Select Appetizers

8–10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday $4 Coors Light Draft • Craft Beer of the Month • House Wine • Jim Beam Fireball Shots $5 Select Appetizers

Open 4 p.m.–1:30 a.m. DAILY! 840 N. Lincoln Street Denver, CO 80203 303.837.8921 www.armidas-karaoke.com Voted Denver’s Best Karaoke 2013-2014-2015-2016

SPJ Auraria Presents Ed Otte: Diversity in the Media

Don’t worry! We have you covered.

Every show is podcasted.

www.mymetmedia.com/kmetradio

May 5 3:30-5:00 p.m. West Classroom 155 Guest Speakers: Linda Shapely, Gabrielle Bryant and Nic Garcia Hospitality will be provided

@ SPJ Auraria Student Chapter

@themetonline f: themetropolitan mymetmedia.com

“Game of Thrones”

The wait is finally over one of 2016’s most anticipated television shows is back. HBO’s “Game of Thrones” season six premiere aired Sunday, April 24. The first episode jumps right into the midst of where we left off last season, promising more shocks, surprises and plot twists than ever before. Last season, we recall Daenerys Targaryen(Emilia Clarke) captured by the Dothraki, enduring that hardship anew. The innocent but strong Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) quickly comes to grips with her blindness, learning she must fight to survive without her sight. While Melisandre “The Red Woman” (Carice van Houten) lurks suspiciously in the background at Castle Black. In the meantime, Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) manage to escape the clutches of the tyrant, Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon). Who can forget Cersei Lannister’s (Lena Headey) humiliating walk of shame? Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) makes an appearance in Meereen, as always, with his charming intellect. Past premieres of “Game of Thrones”

“Lemonade” cescamil@msudenver.edu

Album

By Carlos Escamilla

Image from genius.com

Beyoncé has stopped the world once again. On April 23, she debuted her visual album Lemonade and proved that her creativity knows no bounds. The hourlong special aired on HBO, which was appropriate for the subject matter and language depicted. The combination of stunning visuals, heartbreaking poetry, and the rawest and most personal album from Bey is what makes Lemonade so intensely beautiful. While “4” celebrated Bey’s musical influences and “Beyoncé” celebrated her sexuality, Lemonade is a combination of the aforementioned albums as well as an honoring of Black womanhood and the experiences of southern black women. The beginning song “Pray You Catch Me” takes place on a plantation and

usually start off at a snail’s pace, slowly building up to the climax. This season, however, begins with a bang and the suspense mounts immediately. With so many horrific situations at hand, it adds to the heightened anticipation of the ricochet effect. For every action, there is a reaction, and many wrongs must be set right. “Game of Thrones” is built from the ground up with a very well-written continuous storyline, brought to life with great characters, each very unique in their own way. The story takes its audience on an emotional experience and although the story will break your heart time and time again, fans keep coming back for more. Filmed in locations all over the world, the cinematography is simply breathtaking, every shot is a perfectly painted picture, every camera pan a work-of-art. “Game of Thrones” mirrors real life, reminding us that good guys don’t always win and sometimes evil prevails. The show is not for everyone, it’s laced with adult themes including incest, rape and murder. It’s only when you see the darkest side of life that you come to appreciate who the true heroes are. Many of the characters on “Game of Thrones” can’t always be classified as purely good or evil, as not everything is simply black or white. For example, Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) started off as a character people loathed, he was an arrogant monster whose heart seemed to be filled with the darkest intentions. Eventually we discover his

roots, meet his tyrannical father and watch his character slowly develop into something resembling more of a human being. We witness him showing kindness, committing good deeds and true acts of valor. Fans have many burning questions this season: which characters will fall? Who will triumph? Will someone finally claim the iron throne? Is Jon Snow (Kit Harington) alive or dead? One thing we know for certain is that winter is coming.

establishes the emotional rollercoaster that is Lemonade. While fighting back tears after the track/prayer, Bey jumps off a building and then plunges into water, giving the viewer a sense of anxiety. We feel as if we are suffocating alongside her. This is also when she fully introduces the poetry of one of the most incredible poets of our times, the Somali-British Warsan Shire, which Beyoncé delivers with the cadence of a seasoned spoken-word poet. The reggae-influenced “Hold Up” slightly eases the anxiety as she casually walks through the street smashing windows with a bat, proving she’d rather be crazy than be walked all over. She then growls “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” a blues-rock anthem for the slighted woman who won’t deal with her husband’s cheating any longer. The growl becomes indifferent in the black and white “Sorry” as female badassery is embodied by Serena Williams and a troupe of young dancers with faces painted in reference to Yoruba culture. The black and white switches to red for the sexy homage to strippers, “6 Inch.” The fire burning at the end of this song creates a meditative silence, leading us to the second part of the album. Part two begins with “Daddy Issues,” a country-jazz delight that explores the effect fathers have in shaping the lives of their daughters. The downtempo “Love Drought” gives us a moment to reflect on earlier scenes and appreciate the cinematography. “Sandcastles” is also slower, but Bey’s vocals and the reflective lyrics make this one of the strongest tracks of the album. Jay Z’s appearance also makes it feel like the most personal. We then hear “Forward,” featuring James Blake, which lyrically leads to “Freedom,” arguably the most powerful

track of the album. It starts with Bey singing acapella to a seated group of women before the intense and heavy gospel beats kicks in, slowing down as we pan away from the group of women now standing. The final track, “All Night,” plays while we watch footage of a diverse range of couples embracing. The final shot is of Bey playing with Jay Z and Blue Ivy. While the music is compelling and can be listened to over and over again, the visual album as a whole is like nothing we’ve seen before. The variety of cinematic references and choices combined with the vigor of the poetry create an emotionally complex experience. The album is about more than just emotion. When, in the middle of “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” we hear Malcolm X explaining the plight of the black woman, we know we’re also experiencing something political as well as personal. That’s what Lemonade is about: the diasporic suffering of black women. Which is why the most heartbreaking scene is when we see the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner holding pictures of their sons. It’s difficult to not get emotional while Brown’s mother, Lesley McSpadden, shakes her head and starts to cry. Even as we gather comfort in the familiar faces of Zendaya, Winnie Harlow, Quvenzhané Wallis and Michaela DePrince, the songs are reminders of the difficulty of remaining strong in the face of cheating spouses, patriarchy, racism, classism and sexism. The album’s message is best communicated in Jay’s grandmother Hattie White’s speech, “I was served lemons, but I made lemonade.”

Image from collider.com

A+

“Silicon Valley” By Pacific Obadiah pobadiah@msudenver.edu

Show

ktok@msudenver.edu

Show

By Kavann Tok

May 4, 2016

Picking up exactly where it left off, “Silicon Valley” continues the never ending struggles of Pied Piper. Like the beginning of any season, “Founder Friendly” spends a lot of time establishing what we should expect to see in the next nine episodes. The episode begins with Richard (Thomas Middleditch) receiving the phone call informing him that he is no longer the CEO of his own company. As the episode progresses we see Richard self destruct as he retaliates against the news. Along the way the episode ties up loose ends, introduces new characters. Jack Barker (Stephen Tobolowsky), who likely will play a large role in the upcoming season. As always, “Silicon Valley” remains a well polished show. Each joke hits its mark, and the actors are consistent and true to their characters. Erlich (T.J. Miller) remains cringe worthy, and Dinesh (Kumail Nanjiani) and Gilfoyle (Martin Starr) engage in their never ending bickering. While the characters continue to struggle, they find some success. The episode is exceptional. More of Mike Judge’s signature humor is found throughout the show, keeping viewers laughing amidst the flaming wreckage that is Richard’s life. While the jokes are strong, this episode’s biggest downside was the plot. Although several unresolved plots from season two find resolution, I was underwhelmed. Alongside this, there were scenes that seem tacked onto the episode. “Founder Friendly” is a good start to a new season, and any fan will find it enjoyable. While I appreciate learning about each and every different plot line, the episode tries to cover too much ground in too little time.

Image from collider.com

Met 8

Features

May 4, 2016

mymetmedia.com

f: themetropolitan

@themetonline

Not for sale: long time residents resist urban development Check mymetmedia. com for multimedia coverage of Globeville and ElyriaSwansea this summer

Photos by Alyson McClaran amcclara@ msudenver.edu

Shia B

Gilbert Alire, 55, has lived in Globeville for 38 years and says the neighborhood has improved for the better.

(From left to right) Elias Alfaro Jr., 2, plays with toys while his older sisters Alejandra Alfaro, 10, and Olivia Alfaro, 7, work on their homework on April 14.

Globeville has been heavily impacted by the development of major highway homes to the highwaysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; construction.

@themetonlineâ&#x20AC;&#x192;f: themetropolitanâ&#x20AC;&#x192;mymetmedia.com

mymetmedia.com f:themetropolitan @themetonline

2016 AugustMay 21, 4,2014

Brooks, 14, picks up Ivory Ana Warfield, 4, to take her home after playing at an abandoned house April 7 in Elyria-Swansea.

ys like I-70 and I-25, with some residents even losing their

Elias Alfaro is a bus driver for RTD and lives with his family of seven in Elyria-Swansea of Denver. Alfaro has lived in his house for 20 years and says the neighborhood has changed drastically over the years.

XX 10

mymetmedia.com f: themetropolitan @themetonline

Mile Spective Break High Events May 4, 2016 Met Sports Review Insight

Banking for Everyone.

76303

A FULFILLING CAREER SHOULDNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T LEAVE YOU EMPTY HANDED. Rediscover what makes us a different kind of financial partner at the new TIAA.org

INVESTING

ADVICE

BANKING

RETIREMENT

BUILT TO PERFORM. CREATED TO SERVE.

5021A0113 Campus News_FULFILLING CAREER_REDISCOVER_C28791_10x5.9_Various_2.indd Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

C28791

Met

Sports

@themetonline f: themetropolitan mymetmedia.com

Sport Shorts » Track and field event canceled due to weather

The track and field team’s scheduled event at the Colorado School of Mines Pre-Conference Invitational in Golden has been cancelled due to weather. The Roadrunners will prepare for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships in Spearfish, South Dakota May 6-8.

» Rowdy awards honor student-athletes

The Inaugural Rowdy Awards took place April 25 at the Tivoli Turnhalle. MSU Denver StudentAthlete Advisory Committee recognized Roadrunner athletes by giving out thirteen awards including individual academic awards, team awards and awards voted on by fans and students of MSU Denver.

» Men’s basketball signs

three student-athletes

Men’s basketball announced the signings of three studentathletes for the 2016-17 season. Cameron Williams from Nebraska, Allec Williams from Georgia, and Alvaro Reyes Abad from Spain will all join the Roadrunners next season.

» Tennis earns RMAC academic awards

Sophomore Callum Hayes was named First Team AllAcademic. Junior Ana-Jelena Vujosevic and junior Josh Graetz were named to the RMAC honor roll for their success in the classroom.

» Women’s golf competes in regionals Junior Allie Johnston posts a career-best 70 and junior Cha Cha Willhoite places 19th in the second round of the NCAA Division II Super Regional May 3 at Brookside Country Club. Competition will conclude May 4 as both Roadrunners look to qualify for the NCAA Championship at CommonGround Golf Course in Denver, Colo. May 16-21.

May 4, 2016

Roadrunners split with Mavericks By Joseph Rios jrios11@msudenver.edu The MSU Denver Roadrunners split a doubleheader in the final home series against No. 4 Colorado Mesa Mavericks on senior day May 2 honoring all seniors and their families. The day started with the Roadrunners dropping the first game against the Mavericks in a 7-2 loss. Sophomore pitcher Julian Garcia took the mound for the Roadrunners and allowed five runs throughout six innings. The Mavericks never looked back and led the Roadrunners 7-0 at one point before Nick Comito finally got the Roadrunners on the board in the eighth inning. Comito singled to center field and brought home Alex Walker. Senior Jeff Levett would eventually drive in Comito before the inning was over. “It just happens,” Garcia said. “We were struggling a little bit with the bats, but that’s baseball.” The team bounced back in the second game and grabbed a 5-1 win. The second game of

The team cheers on junior catcher Nick McCasky as he crosses home plate during their final home game May 2. The Roadrunners went on to win 5-1 against No. 4 Colorado Mesa. Photo by Michel Hansen • mevans41@msudenver.edu

the doubleheader against the Mavericks was significant for two reasons. The game marked the last regular season home game and it also snapped the Roadrunners five-game losing streak. Junior Ryan Baca pitched the entire game. He allowed only one run, despite allowing ten hits throughout the game. MSU Denver’s offense came to life in the second game after the home

run. Junior Nick McCaskey was the first to get on the board with a two-run homer. Sophomore Cale O’Donnell gave the Roadrunners extra breathing room when he hit a three-run homer to give the Roadrunners a 5-0 lead in the sixth inning. The Mavericks scored their only run in the seventh inning. The Roadrunners hung on for the win while the Maverick’s notched

their eighth loss of the season. “The seniors have worked their butt off,” Garcia said. “We’ve tried to do something special every year. I’m going to remember all of those guys and remember this season. It is just tough to not have the expectations add up to what we wanted this season.” There were seven seniors who played their final home games as Roadrunners. “It’s been a great group,” coach Jerrid Oates said. “They were all apart of my first recruiting class. It’s awesome to send them off this field with a win against Mesa.” MSU Denver is currently 15-22 overall and 11-16 in RMAC. The Roadrunners will conclude their regular season this weekend when they travel to face the Colorado Christian Cougars May 6-12. The teams will meet three times throughout the weekend in Lakewood, Colo. The last time the two teams played each other, MSU Denver won three out of the four games and outscored the Cougars 35-19 throughout the series.

Softball wins Rocky Mtn. Conference title

Roadrunners sweep RMAC tourney to advance By Earl Grant egrant7@msudenver.edu The MSU Denver softball team earned a four-game sweep in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament April 28- 30 punching their ticket to the NCAA Division II tournament May 5 in Texas. The Roadrunners defeated CSU-Pueblo 4-1 to capture the RMAC title in the Championship game. MSU Denver turned to their ace of staff, junior pitcher Cassidy Smith who took the mound to start against CSU-Pueblo. She pitched a complete game and surrendered five hits and only one run. Smith was awarded the RMAC Tournament MVP. Each team paced themselves well and the score remained tied 0-0 heading into the bottom of the

third inning. Sophomore catcher Sarena Espinoza showcased her swing when she drilled a double into left center field. Senior center fielder Colissa Bakovich scored as MSU Denver took a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Kristyn Peters increased the lead to 3-0 with a single to right centerfield. The Roadrunners extended the lead to 4-0 as junior Brooke Lovas singled allowing sophomore Annika Anderson to score in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Thunderwolves finally got on the board in the sixth when senior Madison Wolfe singled up the middle scoring teammate Moriah Turney for their only run of the game. MSU Denver finished the regular season 35-17 overall and 25-9 in RMAC play. Including the four playoff games, the Roadrunners are on an eight-game

winning streak heading into the NCAA tournament. The Roadrunners begin regional play May 5 as they travel to Texas to play West Texas A&M. MSU Denver is seeded No. 8 in the region. West Texas A&M is the No. 1 seed with a record of 52-2.

This marks the third consecutive National Tournament for the Roadrunners under head coach Annie Van Wetzinga. The softball program will look to make a deep run and compete for a national title.

2016 NCAA DII South Central Region #4 Tex. A&M-Commerce (36-17) Game 1 May 5, 5 p.m.

Winner Game 1

#5 Colorado Mesa (38-11) #1 West Tex. A&M (52-2) Game 2 May 5, 7:30 p.m. #8 MSU Denver (35-17)

Game 3 May 6, 2:30 p.m. Winner Game 2

Winner Game 3

XX 12

May 4, 2016

mymetmedia.com

Mile Sports Break High Events Met

f: themetropolitan

@themetonline

Broncos add much needed depth in draft By Earl Grant egrant7@msudenver.edu The Denver Broncos seized the opportunity to stockpile their roster with fresh talent in key positions. The Broncos added eight new faces that will have the opportunity to compete for precious playing time come August. Vice president of player personnel John Elway and head coach Gary Kubiak have been the primary shot callers in Denver bringing in the new talent. The Super Bowl Champion reward for finishing in first place is to pick last in all seven rounds of the draft. The Broncos aggressive play on the field spilled over into the front office. In round one, Denver was positioned to pick 31. The Denver brain trust gambled and moved up to 25 in the first round as they completed a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.

Denver gave Seattle their 2016 third round pick to move up in the round. Broncos faithfuls all across Colorado froze in suspense for the result of Denver’s wheeling and dealing. Denver drafted quarterback Paxton Lynch out of Memphis. At six-foot-seven and 244 lbs., Lynch emulates former Broncos QB Brock Osweiler because of his size and mobility. Lynch has massive arm strength and experience as a three-year starter. He understands the importance of taking care of the ball. Lynch threw just four interceptions in his final season at Memphis verses the 16 he threw the previous year. His ability to drastically improve at Memphis indicates that Lynch has room to continue to fortify his skills. In 2015, Lynch etched his name in school history setting new marks for single season passing yards and touchdowns. He will have time to develop as a backup and possibly push for the starting role toward the end of the year. We should look forward to watching this young man sling the pigskin. After the first round, Denver continued the dubious task of searching for diamonds in the rough. Denver’s dedication to be a dominant defense did not disappear in rounds two and three of the draft. The Broncos selected Georgia Tech defensive lineman Adam Gotsis with the number

63 overall pick in round two. His physical strength (22 bench press reps of 225lbs at NFL combine) matches his giant build at sixfoot-four and 287 lbs. Gotsis started three full seasons in his four-year college career. He adds depth to a defensive line that already has a great cast of veterans to play big brother to. I compare Gotsis to Derek Wolfe of the Broncos. “Justin Simmons is a good football player. To get an idea of his talent, put the Notre Dame tape on,” said NFL.com analyst Mike Moyock on Justin Simmons profi le. Denver made Simmons the 98 overall pick in the third round. He played both safety and cornerback at Boston College. His versatility should earn him reps in the rotation. Simmons playing centerfield on the Orange Crush secondary is a freighting thought to adding to the league’s most dominant defense. The Broncos also added Devonte Booker to their herd of running backs. Booker is a downhill runner that galloped his way to the Pac-12 All- Conference as a senior at Utah. He had 11 rushing touchdowns in 10 games. Bookers fresh legs will be welcomed to Kubiaks zone-run-blocking scheme on offense. The new additions should help defend the Super Bowl ring in the Mile High.

» Denver Broncos 2016 top draft picks

QB Paxton Lynch, first-round, 26th overall • Memphis • 2015 - 28 touchdown passes

DT Adam Gotsis, second-round, 63rd overall • Georgia Tech • 2015 - 31 tackles and three sacks

RB Devontae Booker, fourth-round 136th overall • Utah • 2014 - 1,512 rushing yards

YOU AND A GUEST ARE INVITED TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING!

INVITE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF

VISIT VISIT SONYSCREENINGS.COM AND ENTER THE CODE: ANGRYmet TO DOWNLOAD YOUR COMPLIMENTARY ADMIT-FOUR PASS.

IN TIVOLI 313 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PASS! One pass per person. Each pass admits two. While supplies last.

THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE HAS BEEN RATED PG FOR RUDE HUMOR AND ACTION.

SPONSORS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A PRIZE. SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED. ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL REGULATIONS APPLY. A RECIPIENT OF PRIZES ASSUMES ANY AND ALL RISKS RELATED TO USE OF PRIZE, AND ACCEPTS ANY RESTRICTIONS REQUIRED BY PRIZE PROVIDER. COLUMBIA PICTURES, ALLIED INTEGRATED MARKETING, THE METROPOLITAN AND THEIR AFFILIATES ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY LOSS OR ACCIDENT INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH USE OF PRIZES. PRIZES CANNOT BE EXCHANGED, TRANSFERRED OR REDEEMED FOR CASH, IN WHOLE OR IN PART. NOT RESPONSIBLE IF, FOR ANY REASON, WINNER IS UNABLE TO USE HIS/HER PRIZE IN WHOLE OR IN PART. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST, DELAYED OR MISDIRECTED ENTRIES. ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. NO PHONE CALLS!

IN THEATERS MAY 20 AngryBirds-Movie.com

/AngryBirdsMovie |

@AngryBirds | #AngryBirdsMovie

THE METROPOLITAN

NEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY RISING has been rated R for crude sexual content including brief graphic nudity, language throughout, drug use and teen partying Sponsors and their dependents are not eligible to receive a prize. Supplies are limited. Passes received through this promotion do not guarantee a seat at the theater. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, except for members of the reviewing press. Theater is overbooked to ensure a full house. No admittance once screening has begun. All federal, state and local regulations apply. A recipient of prizes assumes any and all risks related to use of prize, and accepts any restrictions required by prize provider. Universal Pictures, Allied Integrated Marketing, The Metropolitan and their affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred in connection with use of prizes. Prizes cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. Not responsible if, for any reason, winner is unable to use his/her prize in whole or in part. Not responsible for lost, delayed or misdirected entries. All federal, state and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. NO PHONE CALLS!

IN THEATERS MAY 20 Neighbors - Movie.com

Mile High @themetonline

f: themetropolitan

mymetmedia. com

May 4, 2016

Wednesday Sunny

Events

✷

Sunday

Friday 76/46

National Star Wars Day Spring Shower Hygiene Drive Location: Tivoli 305 Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Cloudy

82/47

Spring Shower Hygiene Drive Location: Tivoli 305 Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m

Met Sports Baseball vs. Colorado Christian Location: The Regency Athletic Complex Time: 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Mariachi Los Correcaminos Location: King Center Concert Hall Time: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Rockies @ Giants 2:05 p.m.

Monday

Rockies @ Giants 8:15 p.m.

Transfer Student Success Finals Fling Location: Student Success Building Lawn Time: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.