February 23, 2023 | The Pace Press

February 23, 2023

Volume 79 | Issue 5

Est. 1948

www.thepacepress.org

“Honesty and Objectivity”

Students champion amended financial aid policies on Student Aid Advocacy Day FEB. 16, 2023

In the company of other collegiate institutions, Pace University award of $500 is simply not enough, so I fought for an increase in that.” students lobbied at Student Aid Advocacy Day in Albany, New York, on University students advocated increasing the minimum award to $1,000, increasing the taxable Feb. 14 for policy changes regarding New York State’s Tuition Assisincome limit to $110,000 and restoring graduate education financial assistance relative to TAP. Islam, tance Program (TAP), Direct Institutional (“Bundy”) Aid and increased funding for several opportuMangus, Saskowski and Williams also championed increasing funding in additional opportunity nity programs. programs such as the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), which ensures students are Under the purview of University Public Affairs, Aman Islam (‘24), Taylor Mangus (‘23), Noah provided with adequate academic support through tuition and supplemental financial assistance; the Saskowski (‘24) and Jeremiah Williams (‘23) spoke with Assembly representatives for New York Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), which represents an increasing number City and Westchester to capitalize on the need to invest in student success through more inclusive of marginalized students pursuing professional licensures and careers within the mathematic, scienpolicies surrounding financial aid services for higher education. tific, technological or health-related industries; and Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP), a collaboUniversity Public Affairs, a department not traditionally involved in student-facing expenditures, rative organization of 46 higher education institutions across NYS aimed “to support at-risk middle made a concerted effort to expose University students to elected officials, specifically those who and high school students in their academic, social and emotional development” through mentoring, oversee the creation and revision of higher education financial aid policies and requirements. socio-emotional counseling and career and college exploration activities, according to their website.

“At Pace University, we prepare our students for real-life experiences by prioritizing experien“I’ve encountered so many students during my time at Pace who have benefited from TAP, as tial learning,” said Chantel Cabrera, Director of New York City Public Affairs. “On more than one well as many students who have not had access to that funding,” said Mangus. “Expanding upon the occasion, staff from other institutions described Pace students as program gives so many New Yorkers more opportunities.” impressive and legislative staffers commented on how impactful Among the opportunity programs listed above, the Commistheir stories were. They embodied the go-getter spirit, and the sion on Independent Colleges & Universities (CICU) in New York, Majority Leader said as much. I was proud and grateful for their a statewide representative for “the public policy interests of chief participation.” executives for more than 100 independent colleges and universiOne of the most memorable moments for students was meetties” in NYS, asked Assembly members to increase all opportunity ing and contributing to conversations with University Alumni program funding by 10 percent. and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, Andrea StewThe Association of Program Administrators for C-STEP and art-Cousins. Mangus, Pace Debates Vice President, commented STEP (APACS), who support the advancement in equity, access on Stewart-Cousins’ investment and devotion to students who are and excellence in education by fostering “the development of poloptimistic for the future of increased, comprehensive funding in icies and practices that enhance and increase” the aforementioned higher education. educational qualities, asked for all STEP/C-STEP programs to “Having the opportunity to sit in the gallery of the state assemincrease funding by 20 percent. LPP asked for a 20 percent increase bly hall inside the Capitol building was an incredible experience,” in funding for its programs. said Williams, the President of Pace Debates. “It was surreal to The “Bundy” Aid, which provides direct funding to witness lawmakers speaking on the floor, but it was also a glaring independent colleges, has a current $35.13 million fund used as a reminder that we need more young, informed and engaged perspecfinancial aid service to enhance and support students’ educational tives in government roles.” experiences on campuses in NYS. Representatives of the Bundy From left to right: Aman Islam (‘24), Jeremiah Williams (‘23), Taylor Mangus TAP financially assists eligible New York residents with Aid asked to increase their funding by 10 percent, or $38.6 mil(‘23), Noah Saskowski (‘24) / Chantel Cabrera, Director of New York City tuition for approved NYS public and private higher education lion.

Public Affairs institutions, with a minimum reward of $500 and a maximum of Williams urged students to continue the fight for financial $5,665. Eligibility requires the student to be a legal NYS resident relief in higher education and to partake in advocacy to make for 12 continuous months with a taxable income limit of $80,000, specifically for dependent or inde- real changes whenever the opportunity arises. “If you’re still breathing, then it’s not over,” he said. pendent undergraduate students who are married or unmarried with tax dependents, orphans, foster “Whatever your cause, fight or passion is. If you live by that code you will feel impassioned to stand children or wards of the court and be charged a minimum of $200 in tuition per year, among other up and advocate for a better future. I wanted those assembly persons to know, ‘we will not comprostipulations. mise on financing our futures. We deserve an equal shot at changing our lives.’”

Islam, Executive President of the Student Government Association (SGA), expressed that the While financial aid was the topic of discussion, the larger message on Student Aid Advocacy University is “very expensive, and without financial aid, many talented people would not have the Day is to hear from those impacted most by the policies in place, to reflect on the effective practice opportunity to be on our campus.” Islam noted that he does not qualify for TAP “due to the current of such legislation and acknowledge University students who are in the thick of leading the charge to income limits that TAP provides. If NYS increased the TAP, I would qualify. The current minimum a different future.

MANDI KARPO Editor-in-Chief

Ashvin Live: an interview with the creator of ‘The Ashvin Show’ FEB. 19, 2023 continued on PAGE 8 I call it a sketch variety show, it’s just so many different things.

It’s what I imagine a Late Night show should be; we do sketches, we play games–I’m really proud of the games I come up with, we have one where I say a name and the person has to guess if it’s a senator or a superhero, which is one of my favorite ones–I do stand-up comedy, of course. Interviews are my favorite part of it, though, I like to have random people on. It’s been mainly the Pace community so far, and getting to know everyone through the things we do on the show is really nice. it ed Cr :A

I’m so curious to know, what do you like to talk about in your stand-up?

I love to talk about myself, of course. Just like my surroundings, especially since coming to college because these people are weird out here, it’s crazy! I have never met this many crazy people! I also grew up in a very Indian town, so I didn’t have like a typical “Riverdale”-type high school experience.

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It’s safe to say that New York City is a hub for all things comedy, especially considering the comedic powerhouses native to the city like “Saturday Night Live” or “30 Rock.” Occupying a space in the comedy world is not an easy thing to do, and breaking into the scene is even harder.

But Ashvin Kapoor, 21, creator of “The Ashvin Show Live” and a junior at the University majoring in Arts and Entertainment Management, is not afraid of the challenge.

As described by the creator himself, “The Ashvin Show Live” is a comedy, musical extravaganza. What started as a YouTube channel, Kapoor has been working on the show since the second semester of his freshman year. Most recently, it has evolved into a web show that releases new episodes every Wednesday at 8 p.m. and once a semester “The Ashvin Show Live Live” a live special (the third installment will be held on April 14 in the Bianco Room).

The Pace Press sat down with Kapoor to talk about the past, present and future of “The Ashvin Show,” as well as who the young creator is when the cameras aren’t rolling.

ZOE POULIS Features Editor

Are there specific topics you hold close to your heart that you like to communicate through comedy?

I just like to talk about my perspective, like Indians, we’re here, we’re there. But I feel like now we’re starting to get more representation and respect, and creating our own culture [within the comedy world]. Representation is key, especially new representation. It’s weird being a POC in America because, depending on your culture or race, there’s no “American” version of that.

I’ve decided that I’m going to create that culture for future Brown boys, so they don’t have to appropriate Black culture.

That’s my new creative slogan.

What got you into comedy in the first place and who are some of your biggest inspirations in the comedy world?

I was super into stand-up comedy at a very young age. I also talked a lot and people listened, so that was nice. I gotta shout out my Indian comedians, Hasan Minhaj and Aziz Ansari. They’re just the GOATS, blueprint. They actually made Indian American culture for us, so [I’ve] gotta respect the OGs because they came when there were no Indian American comedians ever. So at least I have a couple I could look up to. Also, Donald Glover because of the versatility that he has.

He’s a rapper and a comedian. So those are definitely my inspirations.

Tell me about “The Ashvin Show Live.” What exactly is it that you do?

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Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl Page 3 LVII

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Black History is more than just a month

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Tyre Nichols murdered by police officers in Memphis

7.8 earthquake devastates Turkey and Syria and what University students can do to help

FEB. 4, 2023

Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black male was stopped

by Memphis police on his way home the evening of Jan. 7 and was seen beaten by police for roughly three minutes in video footage released on Jan. 27. Nichols died in the hospital three days later on Jan. 10.

Nichols was a father to a 4-year-old son and worked the second shift at a FedEx facility in the city, a major corporate entity and employer in Memphis. According to his family, Nichols returned home where he lived with his mother and step-father around 7 p.m. every night for his lunch break. He had worked at the shipping giant’s facility for nine months.

Five officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr. were fired on Jan. 20 and charged with second-degree murder among other felonies on Jan 26. Preston Hemphill, another officer involved on the scene, was fired on Feb. 3. The charge of second-degree murder alone is punishable by up to 60 years in prison and fines up to $50,000.

Officers were seen restraining Nichols at the initial stop, forcing him to the ground and commanding him to “lay down” as Nichols lay on his side. Nichols was heard saying, “Okay, you guys are really doing a lot right now” before officers pepper sprayed him. Nichols then broke free from officers and ran in the direction of his home. Eight minutes later the police caught up with him.

Officers proceed to tackle Nichols to the ground where they pepper sprayed him again.

Nichols was heard repeatedly calling for his mom. The officers kicked, punched and beat Nichols with a baton. Nichols did not appear to offer any resistance in the footage compiled from body and traffic cameras, even during the initial stop when he was dragged from his car. He was seen moving his arms to cover his head as officers kicked him. One officer stumbled back because of the force of his kick.

A New York Times analysis of the footage found the officers continually chose to escalate their use of force throughout the roughly 13-minute encounter. According to the same analysis, 71 commands were issued to Nichols during the time, some of which were contradictory. Some of these included officers asking Nichols to show his hands even though officers restrained and commanded the already prone Nichols to get on the ground. Additional JOEY GOTTLIEB Contributor

officers and two EMTs arrived at the scene.

Despite this, Nichols was not seen receiving medical attention for 19 minutes. Both EMT licenses have been suspended.

The five officers were part of a special unit within the Memphis Police Department titled the Scorpion unit, which was created in 2021 shortly after Cerelyn Davis, the Memphis Police Chief, took over the department and tasked them with tackling the surge in violence.

Officers in the unit drove unmarked cars, making traffic stops in the hopes of writing fewer tickets and seizing cars from reckless drivers.

Officers of the unit repeatedly harassed and used force against residents, an overwhelming majority of which were Black men.

Davis has ordered a review of the department’s special units. Mayor Jim Strickland of Memphis announced that the U.S. Department of Justice and the International Association of Chiefs of Police would conduct their own independent investigation of the same special units.

“That these five officers are being held criminally accountable for their deadly and brutal actions gives us hope as we continue to push for justice for Tyre,” said Ben Crump, a lawyer for Nichols’ family. “This tragedy meets the absolute definition of a needless and unnecessary death.”

In a video statement published on Jan. 25, before the footage was released to the public, Chief Davis said, “This incident was heinous, reckless and inhumane… I expect you to feel outrage in the disregard of basic human rights, as our police officers have taken an oath to do the opposite of what transpired on the video.”

President Biden said in a statement that the encounter was “yet another painful reminder of the profound fear and trauma, the pain and the exhaustion that Black and Brown Americans experience every single day.”

February 23, 2023

FEB. 9, 2023

A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Southern Turkey and Northern Syria on Feb. 6 at 4:17 a.m.

TRT. Entire buildings were flattened, leaving tens of thousands of Syrians and Turks crushed under buildings and on streets. Emergency workers from all over the world continue to comb through the rubble to identify possible survivors and provide medical attention.

This is one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent Turkish history, as President Tayyip Erdoğan called it “the disaster of the century” and put a three-month national emergency into effect. The current death toll tops 40,000 and is still rising, with the majority being in the Turkish city of Gaziantep. However, Gaziantep is a city that is home to many Syrian refugees who have fled war and already experienced substantial loss, both while in Syria and throughout their journey to Gaziantep itself.

What made this earthquake significantly deadly were the aftershocks that persisted. Just nine hours after the initial earthquake, a 7.7 magnitude aftershock hit. Aftershocks tend to hit in the 48 hours following an earthquake, however, some come months after. Turkey and Syria have experienced thousands of aftershocks since the initial event.

According to the United Nations, more than four million people are currently reliant on aid to survive. Although aid has been reaching Turkey in relatively healthy doses, aid reaching Syria is nowhere near what is necessary and substantial. The European Council on Foreign Relations reported that the majority of aid that’s entering Northern Syria is coming from NGOs and Arabian countries who have stabilized relations with the Syrian government. The Britain-based Middle East Eye published an article, “What Else Should Happen Before the World Takes Syrian’s Suffering Seriously?” discussing Syrians’ long-term suffering from a decade-long civil war to this year’s earthquake.

Atop the damage from the earthquakes, extremely cold weather and snow followed the catastrophe, resulting in an even higher death toll.

Thousands of people were stuck under buildings and putting them at risk for developing hypothermia amidst the other dangers of being crushed under collapsed buildings for weeks.

The earthquake destroyed several historical and monumental structures, including multiple MALAK KASSEM Staff Writer

hundred-year-old mosques. Many publications and figures have criticized the world’s lack of action on fundraising for these historical mosques compared to immediate action that was taken to fundraise for the Notre Dame Cathedral in in Paris following a 2019 fire.

Though the earthquake resulted in devastating and irreplaceable loss of life and history, there are stories of hope. In Syria, a woman gave birth to a baby girl while underneath the rubble. The baby girl, who was named Aya, meaning “miracle” in Arabic, miraculously survived but was found attached to her mother through her umbilical cord.

Unfortunately, the mother did not survive.

The University’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) held a bake sale on Feb. 16 at the One Pace Plaza Student Center. The University’s MSA is partnered with Islamic Relief USA, a non-profit based in Virginia that “provides relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world.” They have a vision for “working together for a world free of poverty.” Islamic Relief has been featured on NBC and Buzzfeed and is one of the largest nonprofits addressing poverty in the world.

“The bake sale we led today is essential to humanitarian efforts because it is an effortless and quick way to raise money… having a bake sale allowed my team and I to raise awareness of the event’s cause,” said Fatima Basit, President of the University’s MSA. Though the bake sale was the only fundraising event held at the University, the MSA will continue accepting monetary donations from the University community for as long as Islamic Relief continues accepting donations. You can contact the MSA through Instagram @msa.pacenyc. MSA Vice President, Thanushka Bachan added, “The Pace community can help the Turkish and Syrian people by having more fundraisers and events as there are many well-distinguished clubs on campus whose participation can lead to a tremendous impact. There should also be more food and clothing donation areas on campus. It would be nice to see the issues addressed on campus and spoken about within other clubs as well.”

To get involved off-campus, the Consulate of the Republic of Turkey in New York is accepting donations in-person or through mail. They are located near the United Nations Headquarters at 821 1st Ave., New York, NY 10017.

Ilhan Omar’s removal spikes controversy in the House FEB. 6, 2023

In a sweeping vote of 218-211, Congress removed Minnesota’s fifth Congressional District Representative, Ilhan Omar, from the Foreign Affairs Committee on Feb. 2 for making anti-Semitic remarks. Omar, a Somali-American Democrat and one of the only Muslim members of Congress, felt that this removal was a targeted attack on her as a Black Muslim woman. While many believe that her past comments played into anti-Semitic tropes, others believe that her removal was extreme and unnecessary.

In 2019, Omar was under a great deal of scrutiny from Republicans and Democrats for her anti-Israel tweets, specifically where she referred to certain pro-Israel organizations as being “all about the Benjamin’s, baby,” alluding to an anti-Semitic trope about Jewish people and money. She has also been criticized for referring to Israel as an apartheid State.

Omar apologized for her past comments and claimed to be unaware of this anti-Semitic stereotype. “I certainly did not or was not aware of the fact that there are tropes about Jews and money.

That has been a very enlightening part of this journey,” Omar told CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union.”

The Foreign Affairs Committee is an important committee in the U.S. House of Representatives with jurisdiction over much of the nation’s foreign policy. Many believe that a committee of such high caliber has no place for members harboring prejudice against any group of people, such as New York Representative Mike Lawler, who stated that “Individuals who hold such hateful views should rightly be barred from that type of committee.”

Republican Congressman Max Miller, one of two Jewish members of the GOP and the one who initially submitted a resolution to remove Omar, expressed his feelings further. “Foreign Affairs Committee Members are regarded as credible emissaries of American foreign policy,” Miller said.

“Their words have significant weight in guiding our relations with other countries and are relied upon by foreign leaders, most importantly, our allies such as Israel.”

Despite the outrage Omar has received from the public about her comments, she wrote on Twitter later that Thursday, “My critique of our foreign policy, Israeli’s policy towards Palestinians or that of any foreign nation will not change.” Some find this tweet contradicting due to her recognizing Israel as a Democratic state and a legitimate American ally that same day due to the comment’s inconsistencies. In fact, Omar has made it very public that she will continue to be the voice of those suffering from “unjust wars, atrocities, ethnic cleansing, occupation or displacement.”

Talia Cohen, a freshman at the University, defended Omar’s criticism of Israel. “I feel like we as SHEILA RAFIZADEH Contributor

a society need to realize that there’s a fine line between criticizing Israel for their treatment of Palestinians and being anti-Semitic,” she said. “I definitely, as a Jewish person myself, don’t believe that her calling out Israel for apartheid was anti-Semitic at all.”

Cohen is not the only person who feels this way. In fact, several Jewish Democrats defended Omar. Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips called the Republican-led removal of Omar a “weaponization of antisemitism,” which he calls “repulsive” as a Jewish person. Many House Democrats find it unnecessary to remove Omar from the committee when multiple prominent human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have also criticized Israel for enforcing an apartheid regime on Palestinians.

Ayah Ziyadeh, the Advocacy Director for the non-profit American Muslims for Palestine, claimed that “It’s vital for freedom of speech that pro-Palestinian voices can openly express themselves in Congress without fear of retribution.” Back in December 2022, eight high-profile Jewish organizations said in a joint statement, “We may not agree with some of Congresswoman Omar’s opinions, but we categorically reject the suggestion that any of her policy positions or statements merit disqualification from her role on the committee.”

Zoe Justin, a sophomore at the University elaborated that “Her anti-Semitic comments do spike a point in conversation that antisemitism is not only a thing on the right, it’s equally a thing on the left.” With the recent rise of antisemitism, this incident has sparked serious debates on both sides.

Democratic Congressman Jim McGovern discussed the hypocrisy of the Republican Party and said, “She even voted to condemn antisemitism,” referring to Omar. He continued, “Every Democrat did as well. Do you know who voted no? Twenty-three Republicans. Twenty-three Republicans voted against condemning antisemitism. Maybe the gentlemen can explain whether or not they should be removed from their committee.”

McGovern is not the only Democrat to call out the GOP’s hypocrisy, as Omar has been a target of Republican attacks for years. Omar herself concluded, “I am Muslim. I am an immigrant. Is anyone surprised that I am somehow deemed unworthy to speak about American foreign policy?”

New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez relayed her message and stated, “This is about targeting women of color in the United States of America.” Whether there were racist or Islamophobic motives involved in the ousting of Omar, many concluded that this incident had harmful impacts on the Jewish community.

Student Government Association Announcement on behalf of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ambassadors

The Center for Community Action and Research (CCAR) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Ambassadors from Student Government Association (SGA) are having a collaborative panel series titled “Social Justice 101.”

The first workshop, “Mutual Aid 101,” will be held on Feb. 21, 2023 in the Zannino Conference Room from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. We’ll be looking at what mutual aid is, how to get started and examples of it in our community. Local organizations and action items will be discussed in addition to having a Q&A session and free food.

The second workshop is titled “Organizing for Social Change 101.” We’ll be looking at what different forms of organizing look like, how to get started and examples of organization in our community.

Local organizations and action items will be discussed in addition to having a Q&A session and free food here as well. Students who attend both workshops will get entered into a raffle to win a prize.

Co-sponsors of this event series are Fare Trade, the Women and Gender Studies Department, the Political Science Department, the Peace and Justice Studies Program and the SGA DEI Ambassadors.

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February 23, 2023

FDA-approved abortion pill in jeopardy Kansas City Chiefs after conservative lawsuit defeat the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LVII FEB. 21, 2023

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at the University stated that she thought that abortions would go from being banned after six weeks of pregnancy to being banned entirely. Smitherman’s feelings were largely negative: “Imagine a girl at 15 getting impregnated for the wrong reasons and not being able to save her own life if there were health risks involved or the means to provide or the trauma that went along

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Raised in Texas, Smitherman’s argument revealed that the FDA-approved abortion pill should not be banned as there are not any other ways to get an abortion in her home state. “I understand there are health risks, but I’ve researched them myself and they are rare.

As a teenage girl at a Texas high school, I was concerned if something like this was going to happen to me, let alone anyone else.”

Cliona Pasek, a second-year student at the University, also shared her insight on the matter. Pasek alluded to feeling strongly about this issue and said, “after [the reversal of] Roe v. Wade…the country is beginning to see this domino effect of women’s reproductive rights being taken away so quickly, including birth control access, the availability of Planned Parenthood and all of these abortion rights that women should have.”

She continued to emphasize that the overall ban on abortion and the FDA-approved abortion pill should not be justified because of religious beliefs, and that “banning the abortion pill is plainly banning another method for women to plan their reproductive futures.”

George Santos faces new scandal with sexual harassment allegations FEB. 1, 2023

In a new chapter of uncovered scandals of George Santos, the Republican Congressman is being accused of sexual assault

by Derek Myers, a journalist who briefly worked at Santos’ office earlier this year. He filed the complaint at the House Ethics Committee on Jan. 25 and Santos has denied the allegations.

According to Myers, Santos called him “buddy” and asked him if he was a user on Grindr, a dating app popular within the gay community. Allegedly, Santos invited Myers to sit on a sofa and proceeded to put his leg on top of him as well as invited him to go over to his house and stated his husband was out of town.

Myers said that Santos “proceeded to take his hand and move it down my leg into my inner thigh and proceeded to touch my groin.” Myers then pushed the Congressman’s hand away and began talking about constituent correspondence.

This is not the first scandal that Santos, the first Brazilian to occupy a seat in Congress, has been accused of. He has lied about his mother being a 9/11 survivor and stated that she worked in the stock market, though a former roommate says she was a cleaner.

Even before moving to America, Santos has a legacy of scamming. In 2008 he lived in Niterói, a city near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he used to give bad checks in stores. Recently, the case was reopened by the Brazilian police after the news that Santos was elected to Congress. In the city, the Congressman m t.co used to live eas b y ail a hed FLAVIO MOREIRA Staff Writer

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FEB. 13, 2023 Super Bowl LVII’s face-off between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles is now behind us, bringing the NFL season to a close and giving the Chiefs their second ring in just four years, ending with the Chiefs winning 38-35. This was a highly anticipated matchup, highlighting 24-year-old Philadelphia quarterback (QB) Jalen Hurts’ Super Bowl debut versus Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes, making his third Super Bowl appearance in four years at 27-years-old.

Although the teams were identical in record and points scored, the Eagles were favored across several sources like Fox Sports and BetMGM sportsbook, to take home the Lombardi Trophy.

Just like much of what was seen throughout the regular season, the Eagles struck first with an opening drive touchdown–a sneak by Hurts–just over four minutes into the first quarter. Though this was the exact start they were hoping for, tight end (TE) Travis Kelce and the Chiefs quickly answered back with a touchdown of their own just three minutes after. The first quarter ended at 7-7.

Early on in the second quarter, the Eagles broke the tie with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Hurts to wide receiver (WR) A.J. Brown. While this was a great play from the young QB, its success was short-lived. On the Eagles’ next offensive possession, Hurts fumbled while scrambling out of the pocket and the Chiefs recovered the ball for another game-tying touchdown.

This mistake lit a spark under Kansas City’s offense, who had been scoreless since their first drive of the game. Despite this, Philadelphia still went into halftime with a ten-point lead, at 24-14.

Although the Eagles dominated in the first half, the Chiefs came alive after the break, scoring on every offensive possession they had. Aside from this, the third quarter consisted of the same back-and-forth plays that were made in the previous half.

The fourth quarter of the game proved to be the most intense, with both teams tied, 35-35, until the final two minutes of the game. A questionable holding call on Eagle’s cornerback James Bradberry resulted in a late penalty with nearly two minutes left in the game, which would give Kansas City the opportunity to run the clock down and kick the game-winning field goal with only 11 seconds left.

Because of this, the Eagles wouldn’t have enough time to make a comeback, with the Chiefs taking home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

The game’s MVP, QB Mahomes, gave quite a performance, securing his second Super Bowl MVP Credit:www.yahoonews.com award with three passing touchdowns. This honor came in spite of Mahomes spraining his high right ankle in the divisional round of the playoffs in late January. Though it was clear he was struggling to get through the game with this injury, having appeared to re-injure his right ankle in the second quarter, he pulled through, leading Kansas City to victory.

Next season could look slightly different for these teams, as it is projected that the Eagles will likely lose many players to free agency, while the Chiefs are already listed as favorites for Super Bowl LVIII. ZOE POULIS Features Editor

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A case presiding over mifepristone, the FDA-approved abortion pill, was recently presented to a federal judge in Texas, with conservative hopes of a ruling that will ban the drug.

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, “mifepristone, (RU-486), is a drug that blocks a hormone called progesterone that is needed for a pregnancy to continue.” A conservative legal advocacy organization began the legal proceedings and claimed that mifepristone comes with long-term medical risks and should be banned.

The battle over abortion rights in the United States has been ongoing for decades, and it remains one of the most divisive and contentious issues in American politics. The debate over reproductive rights is typically centered around differing views on when life begins.

This debate has placed the rights of the fetus and the rights of the mother in somewhat conflicting positions.

A decision on the matter is expected by Feb. 24, with both sides of the abortion battle eagerly awaiting the ruling. If an FDA-approved pregnancy prevention pill were to be banned nationwide, it could lead to individuals having no recourse to a pill that would ensure that pregnancy does not occur.

In terms of abortion rights in the U.S., a ban on an FDA-approved pregnancy prevention pill would not directly impact the legality of abortion.

However, it could contribute to a larger effort to restrict access to reproductive healthcare and limit the range of to women who wish options available to prevent or terminate a pregnancy.

Access to reproductive healthcare, including both contraception and abortion, is a highly politicized issue.

A ban on the abortion pill would be yet another setback for reproductive rights. The landmark Supreme Court Case, Roe v. Wade decided in 1973, established abortion as a constitutional right; this decision has since been overturned. Conservative lawmakers at the state and federal levels have sought to restrict access to abortion through measures including mandatory waiting periods, parental consent laws and prohibitions on certain methods of abortion like mifepristone.

Elizabeth Smitherman, a freshman ANAIS DENUCCIO Contributor

luxurious life, which varied greatly from his life with his mom and sister.

In Niterói, Santos was a very prominent figure within the gay community. In recent weeks, photos of Santos dressed as a drag queen reemerged online. He went to gay bars and events and used the drag name Kitara Ravache. This past is odd for the Republican, given that he was against sexual education being discussed in schools and stated that children should not be exposed to drag queens.

Santos, who was known as the “first openly-gay Republican,” married a Brazilian woman in 2012.

Within two years of their marriage, Santos began living with another man named Pedro Vilarva. Santos invited a few friends to his engagement dinner, though Pedro never accepted any of his proposals. Santos wrote in a Facebook post in 2014, “As you all may know Pedro and I have decided to join our toothbrushes! …Very few friends have been selected to share this special moment with us!” Santos and his wife later divorced in 2019.

The Congressman has also lied about his education, stating that he attended the Horace Mann School in the Bronx, though the institution does not have any records of his attendance. On his resume, he claims to have graduated from Baruch College and that he was a member of the Baruch Volleyball team. He also claims he spent time at New York University, and both universities deny him being a student.

While the recent sexual harassment allegations against Santos are just a new chapter of his already disastrous career path in Congress, the Committee could potentially recommend that Santos be expelled from Congress for wrongdoing and breaking ethical violations.

However, expulsions are a rare and serious measure, and it would require a two-thirds vote of the full House of Representatives to be enacted.

Chinese spy balloon shot down

by U.S. military FEB. 10, 2023

A Chinese spy balloon was shot down by the United States military in international airspace over the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 4. The incident sparked a diplomatic dispute between the two nations and raised concerns over increasing tensions in the region.

According to the United States Department of Defense, the spy balloon was detected gathering sensitive information about American military assets and was deemed a threat to national security. The decision to shoot down the balloon was made after repeated attempts to contact the Chinese government and after diverting the balloon failed. China, however, stated that the balloon was on a routine scientific mission and was shot down without any justification.

The incident has garnered international attention and sparked debates on the use of surveillance technologies and military responses in international airspace. While the U.S. maintains its stance that the balloon was a threat to national security, many experts argue that the situation could have been deescalated through diplomatic means.

The controversy has also shed light on the broader issue of increasing tensions between the U.S. and China, with many concerned that the incident could lead to further escalation and possibly military conflict. The situation has prompted calls for both nations to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful resolution. The evidence presented by both sides remains limited JUDIE RAKOV Contributor

and the true nature of the balloon remains unclear.

A University student who wishes to remain anonymous said, “Everyone is so paranoid and quick to assume the worst.”

Another student agreed and stated, “There hasn’t been any substantial evidence supporting this bizarre claim.” However, the use of spy balloons and other surveillance technologies has been a growing concern among many nations, with many expressing worries over the potential misuse of these technologies and the threat they pose to national security.

In related news, the incident has also raised questions over the use of emerging technologies in military operations and the ethical considerations that come with it. As nations continue to invest in advanced technologies, it is crucial for them to establish clear guidelines and regulations to ensure their responsible use and prevent unintended consequences. The shooting down of the Chinese spy balloon by the U.S. has sparked a diplomatic dispute and raised concerns over increasing tensions between the two nations. While the true nature of the balloon remains unclear, the incident highlights the need for nations to engage in dialogue and find peaceful resolutions to conflicts arising from the use of emerging technologies.

Since the initial news surrounding the first balloon came out, three other balloons from China have been shot down by the U.S. military over U.S. territory.

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ARTS

February 23, 2023

Black tri-state natives to add to your playlist: your February Press-Playlist FEB. 19, 2023

SARAH BERGIN Arts Editor

Asoh Black! - “Summer Playlists” feat. Swell Asoh Black!, a rapper from Brooklyn and a performer in 2022’s Rolling Loud in NYC, has been gaining traction after the release of their album “Black Ocean: Season One.” By putting “Summer Playlists” featuring Swell in this month’s lineup, we are bringing you to the beginning of Asoh’s discography, as this single came out approximately six years ago. Even though we’re still in the midst of winter, you can still enjoy this warm weather anthem as we approach the season.

Around 50 years ago, Black History Month gained nationwide and political acceptance, becoming an annual occurrence. Every February, we observe and celebrate Black artistry, businesses and achievements, among others.

New York City is known as a “melting pot”; a culturally diverse city with people from different backgrounds on every block. This is no exception when it comes to music, as artists make music that’s true to their identity. Even though this month is significant, it is also necessary to note that we should be celebrating Black accomplishments every month. In this month’s Press-Playlist, we wanted to showcase some–out of many– Black musicians from the New York City area to listen to year-round.

Ice Spice - “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” Ice Spice has been well-received in the music industry coming into 2023, entering the Billboard Hot 100 alongside artist PinkPantheress. The Bronx native has quickly made a name for herself through wordof-mouth, but also through her infectious style. Her singles and EPs are having fans beg for a full-length album, which is bound to appear soon. It’s unlikely that you haven’t heard “Boys a liar Pt. 2” yet, but if you’re one of those people, consider adding this Ice Spice feature to your list of artists that will be on repeat.

duendita - “One of One” Sydney Renae - “Did You Mean It” From Queens, the band duendita is a heartfelt, Born and raised in New York, Sydney Renae is immersive project led by Afro-Latinx artist Candace another artist to keep an eye on as her career proCamacho. Their Puerto Rican heritage shines through gresses. With two albums, Renae isn’t new music, providing commentary on colonization and to the scene, but her sound is a fresh take on Coi Leray - “Players” the impact of religion in a Pitchfork interview with R&B and Soul. Her song “Did You Mean It” You might recognize this song recently as it Vrinda Jagota. duendita’s passion can be heard in has a catchy rhythm, but the lyrics are raw and vulnerable as emerges alongside TikTok trends, but Coi Leray has “One of One,” their earliest single. When Jagota asked about she recounts a negative experience with a former relationship. been in the music scene for a while now, working with artists like duendita’s view on whether they are a creator, they respondHer unique sound on this track is reminiscent of recent popularized H.E.R. and Nicki Minaj. “Players” has a contagious beat and memoed, “Not as a god, but I am a creator of something. But I am takes on R&B, making her ahead of the game with this release from a rable lyricism, making it an instant hit. There’s no wondering why the also a creation, and that’s my favorite part; it’s not all on me,” few years ago. More recently, she released her newest single “Leave U internet gravitated to this song–it is impossible to sit still while listening somehow summarizing the emotion of their discography in Alone” in 2022. to “Players.” This Hackensack, New Jersey native is the reason why thistwo sentences. list is inclusive of the tri-state area, and there is no surprise as to why.

Leon Thomas - “Love Jones” Samara Joy - “Can’t Get Out of This Mood” While you may know him from NickDreamDoll - “Team Dream” This year’s “Best New Artist” Grammy winner is elodeon’s “Victorious” or Nick Jr.’s “The DreamDoll is another name on this list that’s none other than Bronx’s Samara Joy. “Can’t Get Out Backyardigans,” Leon Thomas has been no stranger to Billboard’s charts. This Bronx-raised of This Mood,” the first track on Joy’s second album, pursuing his solo career in R&B. He has released a few projects, and reality TV sensation has released three albums so far, a series displays her stunningly rich voice with an accompaniment with his new album “Electric Dusk” being released in late 2023, there focusing on “Life In Plastic.” She’s worked with multiple artists as that reminds listeners of classic jazz. Joy knows her strengths, is plenty to look forward to with Thomas’ music. “Love Jones” is a well, including French Montana. “Team Dream,” from her first album, allowing her voice to be front and center throughout the single from this upcoming album, featuring Ty Dolla $ign. This track showcases her witty writing and stylistic choices. This song sets up the song. Even though this song transports the listener to another shows that Thomas is not only creating a new sound for his music but rest of her catalog, as her persona brings character and personality to time period, it still seems modern enough to be well-liked by also discovering his own style and growing into a new era of musieach track. It is evident that DreamDoll has fun with her music, making many. If jazz is dead, Joy is definitely doing a fantastic job of cianship. this an entertaining addition to the playlist. reviving it.

Beyoncé makes history and Lizzo captivates audience at 65th Annual Grammy Awards FEB. 6, 2023

Once again, the Grammys have come and gone with a handful of victorious scenes and head-scratching moments, only to be forgotten until next February when discourse surrounding the ceremony's legitimacy will naturally arise. Trevor Noah returned for a third time to host the 65th Grammy Awards at the Crypto. com Arena in Los Angeles which brought together some of the industry’s most influential artists in an inclusive and monumental ceremony.

In a standout performance with choir accompaniment, Lizzo sang “About Damn Time” and “Special.” The singer was nominated for five Grammys and, later in the ceremony, took home the reputable “Record of the Year” for “About Damn Time.” Once onstage, she dedicated her award to Prince: “When we lost Prince, I decided to dedicate my life to making positive music.”

She continued, “I’d like to believe that not only can people do good, but we just are good.” Lizzo ended her speech in a humorous testimony to Beyoncé, naming her “the artist of our lives.”

The highly anticipated award of “Album of the Year” went to Harry Styles for his third album, “Harry’s House.” During his acceptance speech, he shared, “This doesn’t happen to people like me very often,” a statement that followed his Best Pop Vocal Album win and his performance of lead single “As It Was.” Legendary blues singer Bonnie Raitt won “Song of the Year” for “Just Like That,” an inspiring story of an organ recipient coming in contact with their donor’s mother. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the passing of musician John Prine, she felt moved to make this the titular song of her 18th album.

Samara Joy, a Bronx native who specializes in jazz, joined the guard of coveted artists as she took home the Grammy for Best New Artist. She began her career in 2019, quickly gaining attention from jazz enthusiasts, Academy members and the general public.

Best Dance/Electronic Music Album was undoubtedly given to Beyoncé for “RENAISSANCE,” which cemented her as the most awarded artist in Grammy’s history, with 32 awards to date. “I'd like to thank my uncle Johnny who's not here, but he's here in spirit,” she said during her speech.

She further extended her gratitude to the queer community “for inventing the [house] genre.” Beyoncé also won for Best R&B Song (“CUFF IT”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA”) and Best Dance/Electronic Recording (“BREAK MY SOUL”).

Bad Bunny opened the event performing a mashup of "Después de la Playa" and "El Apagón," JAEDEN PINDER AND SARAH BERGIN Executive Editor and Arts Editor

the former seeing a two-fold increase in Spotify streams after the event. Later, SZA presented the Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album to Bad Bunny for “Un Verano Sin Ti,” making this the third time he has received the award.

Viola Davis reached EGOT status following her win for Best Audiobook, Narration and Storytelling Recording. This was awarded for Davis’ audiobook recording of her memoir “Finding Me.” She joined household names Jennifer Hudson and Whoopi Goldberg in holding this coveted honor.

Sam Smith and Kim Petras won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for the viral “Unholy,” making Petras the first openly transgender woman to win a Grammy. In an emotional speech, Kim Petras said, “I just want to thank all of the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open before me so I could be here tonight…Thank you so much for your inspiration, SOPHIE. I adore you, and your inspiration will forever be in my music.” SOPHIE pioneered the hyperpop genre and collaborated with Charli XCX, Madonna and other pop artists before tragically passing away in February 2021 at 34.

Kendrick Lamar returned to the Grammys winning three of his eight nominations, including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance, the latter two for “The Heart Part 5.”

During the “In Memoriam,” multiple artists tributed both icons and friends. Kacey Musgraves, gripping Loretta Lynn’s signature guitar, performed “Coal Miner’s Daughter” in a heart wrenching and inspiring manner. Quavo was joined by Maverick City Music in a moving performance of his original song “Without You” and the familiar “See You Again” in Takeoff’s honor. Closing out the segment, “Song of the Year” winner Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow and former band member Mick Fleetwood sang a longing rendition of “Songbird” in memory of Christine McVie. Other artists that were remembered included Olivia Newton John, Television’s Tom Verlaine, guitarist Jeff Beck, tWitch, Lisa Marie Presley and David Crosby.

The most exciting performance of the evening was the 50 Years of Hip-Hop tribute, which traced the genre from 1973 to the present, from coast to coast and from old school to trap. Led out by LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash, Busta Rhymes, Run DMC, De La Soul and Queen Latifah, among many others, represented NYC and East-Coast hip-hop. Questlove, who produced the segment, revealed that the unabridged version was 20 minutes long and included even more artists than on the televised roster. Despite the tensions between the Grammy's and their recognition of hip-hop and Black artists, the production was one of the few victories in the award show’s history, even in its tight runtime.

For a full list of winners, please visit the official Grammy’s website.

The tip of the iceberg: Titanic Exhibition is brought to New York City FEB. 21, 2023

Have you ever wondered what the infamous iceberg that sank SOPHIA WEISS-GOLDNER Staff Writer the Titanic would feel like against your hand? Well, now you can

life aboard the Titanic.

As the audio tour continues, visitors come face to face with an enormous ice glacier, and stand find out! “Titanic: The Exhibition” offers a hands-on, real-life repliat a freezing twenty-eight degrees, so they can feel just how frigid it was on that fateful night in 1912. Past the ice glacier, the audio tour leads visitors to a dark room ca of the iceberg that sank the unsinkable ship on April 14, 1912. Come aboard and immerse yourself in the halls of the majestic ship and observe with screens playing real video footage of the wrecked Titanic’s found artifacts from the sea that have been preserved for over 110 years. Locatremains. This part of the exhibit is particularly eerie because decaying pieces of what is left of the ship, as well as photographs of frozen bodies ed in Chelsea, “Titanic: The Exhibition,” takes visitors on a dive into the history of the Titanic, starting from the early days of its construction by at sea, are on view. This aspect of the exhibit accurately depicts the immense terror passengers felt when the Titanic began to sink.

Harland & Wolff in 1909, all the way to the miraculous stories from those who survived the wreckage.

A University student said their experience at the “Titanic: The ExhibWhen first entering, visitors walk aboard a replica of the Titanic and it” was underwhelming because it was not as immersive as the exhibition was promoted to be. Aside from wanting it to be more of a hands-on are given a complimentary audio tour guide. The auditory tour transports you to Belfast, Ireland in 1909 where there are large-scale black experience, they said, “Overall, the museum was interesting, and I really liked how they paid tribute to the passengers, crew members and lives and white photographs of Bruce Ismay and Thomas Andrews, who were Chief Executive shipbuilders of the Titanic, with real correspondence lost. Getting to touch the ice glacier was really cool, [but] I would have letters written by the men who built the “unsinkable” ship. As the journey liked to have more hands-on aspects of the exhibit.”

Towards the end of the tour, there is a reconstruction of the ship with continues, stroll through the royal blue hallway to see recreations of firstclass rooms, and second-class and third-class bunkers. intricate details of the interior and exterior. Past the model ship, four large screens are illuminated with a list of names of Titanic crew members and There is a plethora of eclectic artifacts to marvel at in each room. passengers. “Titanic: The Exhibition” takes attendees on an emotional Some of the most intriguing artifacts on display at the exhibit include a Credit: Owen Cooper, Photographer life vest worn by a survivor, a silver ice cream dish found at the bottom journey through time to experience the magnificence and sorrow through of the ocean, a sapphire necklace (which partially inspired the film “Tiphotographs and artifacts pertaining to the “unsinkable” Titanic. tanic”), a pair of children’s shoes, silk pajamas worn by a second class passenger, an original chair from the first class lounge and a fragment of the first class mahogany staircase. In total, there are over 200 historic artifacts on display at the exhibit. Each object tells a miraculous true story about

ARTS

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February 23, 2023

Baby bumps and Fenty Beauty: a recap of Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show FEB. 14, 2023

Fans of the 34-year-old Barbadian-Guyanese singer and entrepreneur were ecstatic when it was announced on Sept. 22 that she would be performing at the Super Bowl LVII halftime show in Arizona’s State Farm Stadium. This would be Rihanna’s first performance since 2018 after she performed “Wild Thoughts” at the Grammys in collaboration with DJ Khaled. She released a single, “Lift Me Up,” for the 2022 movie, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and it was her first release of music in six years since her last studio album “ANTI” in 2016.

The music Rihanna makes primarily consists of pop, hip hop and R&B with some reggae peppered into the mix, and though it has been quite some time since the singer graced the music industry with new music, she has not been completely out of the spotlight. In 2017, Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty, a cosmetics brand that prides itself on diversity and inclusiveness.

A year later, she launched her lingerie brand, Savage x Fenty which features models of varying body types.

The billionaire businesswoman welcomed her first child with boyfriend and rapper, A$AP Rocky, in May 2022. This has pushed Rihanna’s drive, and she mentioned that her son is a big reason why she took the offer to perform at one of the biggest stages in the world.

The day finally came on Feb. 12, when 119 million people sat down to watch the performer on stage. University sophomore Cordie Zito shared her enthusiasm. “If I had to [choose between] being run over by a truck or missing Riri’s halftime show, I would rather be run over by a truck! She slayed and I expected nothing less from the queen herself.”

The show opened with a black silhouette of Rihanna before moving to her classic smug face Cre dit:

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staring into the camera. The camera then panned out, revealing her in a multi-layered red outfit surrounded by a multitude of backup dancers dressed head to toe in white puffer coats and parachute pants, some staggered in a pyramid shape on floating stages while the rest were on the ground. More dancers appeared on the field throughout the performance.

The setlist consisted of twelve songs, starting with “B*tch Better Have My Money,” “Where Have You Been?,” “Only Girl in the World,” “We Found Love,” “Rude Boy,” “Work,” “Wild Thoughts,” “Pour It Up,” “All of the Lights,” “Run This Town,” “Umbrella” and closed with “Diamonds.” Rihanna’s chosen songs are described as spanning her entire career as a musical artist and targeted towards a wide range of audience members, representing what she was most proud of as an artist.

Rihanna commented on how difficult it was to narrow down her songs to fit into just 13 minutes.

Some fans have pointed out that they missed hearing some of her favorite songs that day but were nonetheless satisfied with her spectacular performance.

University sophomore Chris D’Amora commented on this and said, “She’s just perfect.

She could do no wrong in my eyes, but ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ is one of my favorite albums ever, and I wish there were more songs from that.”

Rihanna was not the only performer there, as the ASL interpreter for her medley of songs, Justina Miles, also put on a show, providing both energy and empowerment for Black deaf people everywhere and making history by becoming the first deaf woman to perform at a halftime show.

TikTok trends spark popularity of new television releases FEB. 17, 2023

The trend cycle lifespan has ranged from a few months to a couple of years as seen with the slick-back ponytail, skinny jeans, dances and style aesthetics. Following these trends comes from a resurgence in their popularity and trying to remember a nostalgic time from the past.

As TikTok’s popularity increased during the height of the pandemic, so did users’ accessibility to various topics, in the media or opinion-based, creating an algorithm specific for each person based on interests.

The ability for people to obtain information at such an immediate rate has diminished the longevity trends once carried out and has reduced their spans to merely a few days up to a couple of weeks.

At the beginning of 2022, HBO Max released the second season of its original series, “Euphoria.” The premiere of season two brought in a total of around 19 million viewers compared to its previous season which received around 6 million viewers, taking the spot as the “second-most watched show” on the platform since “Game of Thrones.” The latest season averaged around 16.3 million viewers per episode from January 9 to February 27, also referred to as “Euphoria Sundays.” The series created a new wave of attention on TikTok that involved theories and opinions relating to the most recent episodes, makeup replications and re-enactment of scenes. Aside from the discussion entered a new trend relating to the series’ theme of fashion as people created outfits inspired by the show titled “What I Would Wear at Euphoria High.”

Sharing the spotlight with the HBO hit series was the second part of the Japanese anime “Attack on Titan: Final Season” where the anticipated manga adaptation returned on the same day. The manga written by Hajime Isayama in 2009 was converted into a anime series in 2013 with a four-year break before the second season was released. The anime broke the record for being the most popular show in the US back in 2021 and continued to hold that title as the top-rated anime by the end of 2022. The manga itself has sold over 100 million copies, becoming the 15th best-selling manga and also reached upwards of 10 million views on YouTube for the opening credit sequence from the show’s latest season. Watchers of “Attack on Titan” created skits or drawings after every episode and formed theories based on clues trying to connect newly aired scenes to events from prior seasons all under the hashtag “aots4,” which has gained around 529.9 million views on the app.

After years of trying, director Hwang Dong-hyuk received the “go ahead” from Netflix to produce “Squid Game” where the show acquired approximately 1.65 billion viewing hours after 28 days on the streaming platform. Later, the Korean hit-drama reached a total of 2.29 billion hours, thereby earning the title as the first series to hit the mark of receiving 1 billion viewing hours.

The doll from “Red Light, Green Light,” Younghee, became the background to many users’ TikTok videos as they reenacted the game from episode two.

Ppopgi, or the Dalgona challenge, led many to make the Korean sugar candy, placing either a star, umbrella, circle or triangle mold on the surface and attempting to carve out the shape without breaking it.

KAI JONES Staff Writer

Apart from recreating scenes, a collective wave of sadness washed over viewers after a game of marbles in the sixth episode: the betrayal of Ali Abdul by his partner and former ally Cho Sang-woo. Model HoYeon Jung played a part in this, whose character, Kang Sae-byeok, felt unwilling to accept her win against her partner, Ji-yeong, who turned the match in favor of Sae-byeok. The popularity of “Squid Game” influenced well-known YouTuber, MrBeast, to create his own replica of the show, costing around $3.5 million to put together. He brought in 456 people, much like the plot of the show, to compete for $456,000.

Once released, this video received around 158.2 million views.

The Netflix phenomenon “Stranger Things” released its fourth season by splitting the episode releases, compared to the full drop that the streaming service usually does. The science-fiction show reached 930 million viewing hours within the first four weeks of its release with an additional 301 million hours after Part Two dropped, propelling the series into the 1 billion hours hall of fame. They reached a total of 1.7 billion at the time of writing, second to the platform’s Korean survival drama “Squid Game.”

The first part of “Stranger Things” season four circulated across TikTok, leading with a scene out of the first episode where series newcomer Eddie Munson is attempting to disrupt a trance placed on Chrissy, a cheerleader at Hawkins High. The lines, “Chrissy, wake up! I don’t like this,” were remixed and used by those on the app over scenarios that corresponded with the sound. Later in the fourth episode, Sadie Sink’s character Max was placed under the same curse as Chrissy by the season’s antagonist Vecna, escaping his lair by hearing her favorite song “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” by Kate Bush. Those on TikTok became invested, sampling their favorite song or another song that evoked a happy memory as if they too were in the same position.

In late November 2022, “Wednesday” starring Jenna Ortega, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzman, Gwendoline Christie and the original Wednesday herself, Christina Ricci, was released on Netflix.

The show accumulated over 341.23 million viewing hours after its premiere, surpassing the fourth season of “Stranger Things” in terms of total hours viewed within a week. This spin-off of a classic held the title of the #1 show for five weeks after its debut. In addition to the show’s attention, a Russian figure skater, Kamila Valieva, performed Ortega’s “Wednesday Dance” as a feature piece in her routine. She included the original music from the show “Goo Goo Muck”

by The Cramps that later transitioned to “Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga, a song used for the dance in many TikTok videos.

The power of social media has played a longtime role in the influence of trends, determining what content is notable to go viral. As shows like “Attack on Titan” and “Stranger Things” are nearing the end, Netflix originals “Wednesday” and “Squid Game” along with the HBO Max drama “Euphoria” have all been renewed for another season. Aside from the critical perspective, it’s important to consider how the reviews and engagement from the audience play a role in the success of a show.

Speculations emerged that the Alaia sleeping bag coat she donned for “Diamonds” was a tribute to the late fashion director of Vogue André Leon Talley, who passed away in January 2022.

This was confirmed by a post on Talley’s Instagram account with a side-by-side photo of the two public figures in their respective garments with a lyric from “Umbrella,” further displaying the close bond they shared.

One of the most iconic moments to ever grace a Super Bowl Halftime show was when Fenty Beauty made a cameo when Rihanna grabbed an Invisimatte Blotting Powder compact to touchup her makeup halfway through before grabbing her microphone continuing the performance. Rihanna managed to promote Fenty Beauty as searches for the brand increased by 883 percent since then.

Superbowl Halftime Shows typically bring out some special guests to perform alongside the headliner, and while a special guest did not explicitly show up, Rihanna brought her own version of a “surprise” guest. By wearing a skintight Loewe body suit and periodically rubbing it her stomach, she emphasized a baby bump.

Soon after the show ended and rumors began to spread on the internet, a representative confirmed that she was indeed expecting a second baby.

University sophomore, George Davis, shares his overall thoughts on the immaculate vibes of the show, “Rihanna’s halftime performance was an amazing comeback from a 6-year hiatus.

The reveal of her upcoming pregnancy, 7 floating stages, hundreds of dancers and Rihanna herself made the performance like none other.”

The pop icon admitted to being nervous upon going on stage as it would be her first time singing and dancing to such a large crowd in almost seven years, but Rihanna pulled through and gave an incredible halftime show that had more views than the actual Super Bowl.

Major takeaways from 2023 New York Fashion Week FEB. 21, 2023

New York Fashion Week (NYFW) 2023 was hosted from Feb. 9 to Feb. 15, featuring fashion houses Rodarte, Christian Siriano, Heron Preston, Jason Wu and Thom Browne. Celebrities like Ice Spice, Quinta Brunson, Julia Fox and Lindsay Lohan were front row for many of the collections.

The week-long event began with collections from Christian Siriano and Victor de Souza. Siriano’s collection was inspired by the old Hollywood icon Aubrey Hepburn, and the runway was decked out with roses, described by the brand to be “Aubrey Hepburn’s rose garden at midnight.” Instead of taking a minimalist approach, the brand created elegant and timeless silhouettes, with models of all body types walking down the runway.

Victor de Souza’s ready-to-wear collection was shown hours after, following the inspiration of the past. A myriad of eras, such as old Hollywood in the ‘50s, 1900s Paris and the Victorian Era, inspired the collection. Despite looking toward the past for inspiration, the pieces still hold interest in the future of fashion.

The two standouts of the Feb. 10 lineup were Rodarte and Dion Lee. The day started off with Rodarte’s gothic and grandeur collection. Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the sister duo who founded the label, were inspired by their previous work creating the costumes for the film “Black Swan” and the “balletcore” trend that has taken over TikTok. Some of Rodarte’s signatures, such as ruffles, ribbons and lace, were used throughout the collection but with a dark twist. The standout piece from the collection were tinsel mid-length dresses with trains about 20 feet in length. Sitting in the front row were Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Brie Larson, Quinta Brunson, Lana Condor and Maddie Ziegler.

Dion Lee took the luxury party-esque brand and made it mature. The brand is known to be a staple in the wardrobes of the New York party elite and celebrities. The head designer and brand’s namesake, Dion Lee, made his pieces to be balanced between sexiness and maturity. All the outfits had a reptile skin motif, representing “the shedding of skin” and evolution.

Feb. 11 saw the debut of Heron Preston, a New York streetwear favorite. Preston, who was originally a DJ, used his background to create clubwear with a New York streetwear twist. Preston made all of the pieces upcycled for this collection, which he named “Less Environmentally Destructive” (L.E.D), keeping to streetwear’s roots as upcycled clothing.

Many of the pieces have garbage from around the city that has been repurposed to become clothing.

On Feb. 12, Jason Wu revealed his collection at the Guggenheim Museum. The music's slow pace, composed by Sebastian Perrin, and the iconic venue made it seem like the models glided down the runway. Wu chose to tap into his talent for dressmaking and make elegant gowns that will surely be seen on red carpets for the rest of the year. One of the most prominent motifs throughout the collection was black flower print. The standout piece was an elegant black ball gown.

Thom Browne was the standout out of Tuesday’s lineup. Despite not being part of the official CFDA lineup, Browne’s collection stood out due to its whimsical nature. The collection, inspired by the story “The Little Prince,” is the designer’s creativity at its finest. Browne made the models seem larger than life by mixing in staples of the brand, such as suits and pinstripes, with fantastical concepts straight out of a fairytale. Browne made a name for himself early in his career for his tightly tailored look. Now, the designer has wholly abandoned that in favor of an oversized look in all aspects of the look. All of the models wore oversized shoes, and a few male models had long Flo-Jo nails that curled inwards. When speaking about his creative direction, Browne said, “I always challenge myself to push it[.].”

Alexander Wang returned to the NYFW stage with a three-part collection following several sexual assault allegations. In 2020, Wang was accused of sexually assaulting up to 11 victims, ranging from influencers to models. His brand was not part of the official lineup for fashion week, but the biggest known name to walk the runway was internet personality and actress Julia Fox, who received backlash for walking in the show. Fox has since defended her decision to be part of the show and stated, “I love cancel culture, but we do need to leave room for rehabilitation and for those who put in the work and heal and learn from their mistakes,” in a TikTok comment. Anna Wintour also attended, sitting front row during the show.

One of the most significant issues throughout many collections was the lack of inclusive clothing. Some noted Jason Wu’s collection was noted for not having a range of body types modeling his clothing. Despite the demand for inclusive clothing ranges, many brands still do not want to change their ways. Though there have been steps taken this fashion week by brands, such as Christian Siriano, to include plus-sized models and pieces, there is still a long way to go.

CARLA PAZ Staff Writer

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THE PACE PRESS EXECUTIVE BOARD

February 23, 2023

OPINION AND EDITORIAL

Mandi Karpo Editor-in-Chief

Jaeden Pinder Executive Editor

Gia Sparacino Secretary

Lyndsey Brown

Business Manager

Adam Klein & Lanie Presswood Faculty Consultants

EDITORIAL BOARD Emily Shafer News Editor Sarah Bergin Arts Editor

Zoe Poulis

Dear fellow readers,

Priya Persaud

Change is a right of passage. No matter your gender, age, religion, economic or social standing, change has no bias, does not discriminate and targets us when we may least expect it–while other times, our deliberate decisions in life become the catalyst for change to ensue.

Features Editor

Opinion & Editorial Editor

Chloe Fuller Photo Editor

Mikayla Meachem

Social Media Manager

ADOBE INDESIGN PRODUCTION TEAM Lexi Krakowski Adobe InDesign Production Manager

Olivia Eleni Athan Adobe Illustrator and Graphics Manager

Josh Ilano Adobe Photoshop Designer

Michael Heurtas Adobe InDesign Intern The Pace Press is the student newspaper of Pace University’s New York City Campus. It is managed and operated entirely by members of the student body as it appears above.

The Pace Press reserves the right to not publish any submitted material, both solicited and unsolicited.

All submissions must include the author’s full name and contact information.

The Pace Press 41 Park Row, Rm. 906 New York, NY 10038 www.thepacepress.org editorthepacepress@gmail.com Copyright 2022

The countdown to graduation creeps closer and closer. Now less than three months around the corner, change will become the Class of 2023’s best friend and worst enemy. Academia and the four walls of a classroom are what we have become accustomed to for the better part of our adolescent and young adult life, soon being exchanged for the four walls of an office cubicle. However, some of us will persist in our academic journey, landing us back into the classroom to continue the role of the student, and in some instances, the student will become the teacher. It is unsettling yet wildly exhilarating to embark on this next chapter of our lives, not knowing how the change will make or break us. I encourage you, dear reader, to live in the moment, to embrace the inevitable change and the impact you can make from it. Buddha said it better than anyone: “One moment can change a day, one day can change a life and one life can change the world.”

You will notice that The Pace Press has undergone some changes as well. As our organization continues to evolve, so does our branding. I want to give a special thank you to University sophomore and BFA Fine Arts major Cate Dexter for her talent and time bringing The Pace Press to life with a fresh face. She is credited for the artwork of our newspaper flag, website banner, social media logo and, soon, our apparel logo. The Pace Press is also in the process of introducing advertisements into our monthly in-print and weekly online publication, provided by the local businesses you know and love, spearheaded by the University’s Integrated Digital Marketing Team and The Pace Press’ Advertising Team. The Pace Press has grown accustomed to change with the creation of several new roles, building a strong editorial staff and will soon welcome a new Executive Board to trailblaze the organization’s future legacy. As your main source of campus news, The Pace Press prides itself on documenting the changes on our campus, our city, our country and the world.

Additionally, The Pace Press would like to recognize and celebrate Black History Month with our readers and the vast University community. The Pace Press is dedicated to uplifting the voices of the University’s Black community and encourages our readers to join us in celebrating Black History Month by supporting local Black-owned businesses, artists, novelists, musicians, professionals and communities.

As always, I would like to reiterate that The Pace Press is a rolling admission organization and it is never too late to join as a contributor. We meet every Monday at 12:30 p.m. in Room W509 in One Pace Plaza. Please join us in continuing to provide a voice for the student body to be heard, recognized and appreciated; leave your legacy at the University with us, embossed in black ink on newsprint forever–or digitally within cyberspace.

Sincerely yours, Mandi Karpo President, Editor-in-Chief

DISCLAIMER: These opinions are expressed by contributors (students, faculty, administration and staff) to The Pace Press. These opinions are solely those of the individual writers and do not reflect the opinions of The Pace Press, the members of The Pace Press staff or Pace University. The Pace Press is not responsible and expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind of arising out of use or relevance to any information contained in this section.

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February 23, 2023

Cheesy Rom-Coms to pair with a plate of grapes and a tall glass of wine: February’s Literature Lineup FEB. 19, 2023

ZOE POULIS Features Editor

Valentine’s Day was so much better when we were kids; we got to make little valentines and give them to our classmates and truly lean into all of the cheesiness of the holiday. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time to bring that energy back, starting with February’s Literature Lineup. This month, allow yourself to fully indulge in the season of love by picking up the perfect rom-com, as cringe-worthy as it may be. If you’re feeling alone, you can always live vicariously through the characters in whatever book you choose. Whether you spent this Valentine’s Day single, with your besties or in a relationship, I hope you were feeling all the love.

Zoe Poulis, Features Editor – “The Wedding Date” by Jasmine Guillory “The Wedding Date” is everything you could possibly want in a cheesy, steamy and somewhat wholesome rom-com.

When Alexa and Drew get stuck in an elevator together (classic), she randomly agrees to go to his ex-girlfriend’s wedding with him as his date (even more classic). But when this fun and flirty arrangement begins to evolve into something more, they are forced to figure out if what they have is real or not. This recommendation comes at the perfect time, providing the chance to highlight a Black author during Black History Month. In all of her work, Guillory makes it a point to bring representation into the romance genre by putting Black characters in the spotlight–something we don’t seem to see enough of, unfortunately. If you’re looking for an easy, endearing read, with spicy scenes galore, “The Wedding Date” will meet all of your expectations.

Mandi Karpo, Editor-in-Chief – “Why Men Love B*tches” by Sherry Argov Advertised as the path from “Doormat to Dreamgirl,” Argov’s “Why Men Love B*tches” is not only classified as advice on how to attract a man but also reminds readers to embrace the power they have in a relationship and to value oneself above any romantic prospect. The “nice girl” archetype that is often drilled into little girls’ heads in which a woman’s destiny is to serve the needs of their man, is put under the microscope. Through several male interviews, Argov discovers that a confident woman, who isn’t afraid to put her partner in their place, is more desirable. While much of the dating advice should be viewed as satirical, like letting a man think he’s in control of the show while a woman pulls all the strings, the value of independence and self-love, above all, is something that we can all apply not just to dating, but to every aspect of life. If you are deep in thought about your latest relationship quarrel, or lack thereof, I recommend picking this up for some relatable comedic relief.

Jaeden Pinder, Executive Editor – “The Flatshare” by Beth O’Leary I’m strictly dedicated to only reading novels involving romance that mentally destroy me (looking at you, “Giovanni’s Room”), but “The Flatshare” is such an endearing novel that it gained admission into my heart. “The Flatshare” follows Tiffy, a DIY crafts editor, and Leon, a hospice nurse working the night shift, who end up sharing an apartment without ever meeting each other (at least for a quarter of the novel, obviously!). Beth O’Leary uses a quirky set-up for the eventual romance between Tiffy and Leon but recognizes how unrealistic and ridiculous it is, which made me so willing to keep following the story. While it is a lighthearted read, the characters are grounded in reality as they grapple with their past relationships and attempt to provide for themselves and their families. “The Flatshare” is saccharinely sweet slow-burn and I recommend it to anyone looking for a novel that delivers a classic yet realistic love story.

Gia Sparacino, Secretary - “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer While some media can be defined as “cheesy in a good way”–the type of cheese that’s kind of smelly but great in small doses–“Twilight” by Stephanie Meyer is better categorized as a car crash you can’t look away from. For anyone unfamiliar with the literary and cinematic saga, “Twilight” follows the story of Bella Swan, a reclusive teen who has just moved in with her dad in Forks, Washington and her boiling romance with mysterious bad boy, Edward Cullen, who turns out to be a vampire that, for whatever reason, really wants to eat her specifically. I had to read the novel while taking Young Adult Fiction with Professor Blackwood last Spring, giving me the opportunity to learn more about the book and its author. Stephanie Meyer is a Mormon and Brigham Young University (BYU) graduate who wrote Twilight as a metaphor for sexual abstinence, which is why there are no sexually explicit scenes throughout the whole series. Meyers’ conservative take on a romance series often reads satirically despite its complete seriousness and is best enjoyed if consumed like an episode of SNL. If there are no grapes or wine in the pantry, no worries, a cheap bag of microwavable popcorn pairs just as well.

Lyndsey Brown, Treasurer - “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman This story follows the adorably quirky and awkward Eleanor Oliphant and her attempts at love. After attending a concert, Eleanor is convinced she’s met the man she’s destined to be with, the band’s musician Johnnie Lomond. She commits herself to making him fall in love with her despite never even speaking to him. Through this imagined fairytale romance, Eleanor opens up about her struggles, revealing the true love story that lies between Eleanor and herself. Like many of us, Eleanor loses herself in an “imaginationship” but teaches us that, while men do suck, we can come out stronger and maybe even find love in places we’d least expect.

Emily Shafer, News Editor - “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid Romance novels are my least favorite genre, so if you want to read one that is significantly less cheesy than average, and someone hasn’t already recommended it to you, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is the book for you. This novel follows famous actor Evelyn Hugo and the history of her romantic relationships as she tells them to the journalist she enlists to write her memoir. There are several surprises and romantic scenes throughout this novel, as we learn the real history of her love life, one that is different from what she tells the general public. I’m sure you’ve already heard the fuss over this one, but if you haven’t had a chance to read it yet and you don’t usually gravitate toward the romance genre, this book might be your best bet.

Sarah Bergin, Arts Editor - “How to Love Your Neighbor” by Sophie Sullivan Last November, I was taking a casual stroll through one of the most famous bookstores in New York City, The Strand. As I entered, I told myself that I wouldn’t spend any more money on books that I’m not going to read (a bad habit of mine). Right inside the door, there was a table filled with books covered in white printing paper. Avid readers might recognize this common practice as a “Blind Date With a Book.” One immediately caught my attention with the description “Enemies to Lovers meets HGTV fix-up.” I don’t have to say anything else for you, reader, to know that I was immediately sold. After buying the novel and unwrapping it, I saw the cover for “How to Love Your Neighbor” and began reading that night. This quick and easy read is nothing that we haven’t seen before, but it’s still charming in its own way, keeping you on your toes as the story unravels. If you are interested in a familiar trope with a twist, I suggest that you pick up Sophie Sullivan’s fun novel.

Priya Persaud, Opinoin & Editorial Editor - “Better Than the Movies” by Lynn Painter Taylor Swift references, mentionings of “Gone Girl” and “How To Lose a Guy In Ten Days,” rom-com film galore and Spotify curated heaven—what more could you want in a book?

With each chapter beginning with a classic rom-com quote, “Better Than the Movies” follows Liz Buxbaum and her next-door neighbor turned high school enemy, Wes Bennett. When Liz’s childhood crush, Michael, moves back to town at the height of her senior year, Liz finds herself needing Wes to help with a scheme to get Michael to be her prom date. This novel may follow classic tropes, leading you to quickly guess the ending, but this witty and emotion-filled journey is still just as satisfying. If you want a cheesy feel-good romance, “Better Than the Movies” is one you will always think fondly of.

Five places to celebrate Black History Month in NYC FEB. 2, 2023

SHEILA RAFIZADEH Contributor

Celebrating Black History during the month of February has been an American tradition for nearly a century. February was a purposeful choice for Black History Month, as the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass occur in the second week. This tradition began in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodsen announced this second week as a celebration for Black Americans. During Black History Month exhibits, showcases and galleries across America highlight Black voices

and art.

Over the course of a century, the way we celebrate Black history has gradually changed. The purpose of the month, however, has not. Whether you’re looking for something informative or entertaining, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here are some Black History Month events in the city you can attend this month.

Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) Located on the first floor in Gallery 508, this exhibit incorporates the past with visions of the future, creating a hypnotic walkthrough experience. The entire exhibit highlights art from Seneca Village, a vibrant Black neighborhood that was eventually uprooted during the construction of Central Park. The piece fabricates a residential setting and arranges furnishings to give the impression that it is real. This installation replicates what Seneca Village could have been if it was still intact today, tying in closely to the mission of Afrofuturism.

The Schomburg Shop (Harlem, Manhattan) Founded in 1925, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is an old and important cultural institution. Located in the Research Center is a shop that contains various books and merchandise pertaining to Black culture, including those written by notable Black authors like Michelle Obama and even researchers and staff at the Schomburg. The shop also carries a series of merchandise ranging from Malcolm X mugs to tote bags that say “Where every month is Black History Month.”

Give Us Our Flowers: Guy Stanley (Midtown, Manhattan) The Cavalier Galleries are a series of contemporary art galleries with locations across the East Coast. The New York City location’s current exhibit, “The Inaugural Group Show,” holds a series of artwork by local artists. The exhibit showcases a number of paintings by artist Guy Stanley that are part of his collection “Give Us Our Flowers,” which depicts major Black figures surrounded by colorful flowers, paying homage to his mother. Another painting by Stanley highlights reproductive rights and bodily autonomy on a shirt with the words “My Body, My Choice, My Rights.” Stanley’s work is on display until Feb. 25.

Cafe Con Libros (Crown Heights, Brooklyn) “Cafe Con Libros” is an Afro-Latina-owned bookstore in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a neighborhood that has become heavily gentrified over the years. This bookstore carries a wide selection of books written by Black and Latinx authors and strives to preserve the Caribbean culture of the neighborhood. While they do carry popular “BookTok” works, they also have a wide array of literature by marginalized authors that makes the store, along with the shopping experience, unique. While browsing and reading, you can order a drink from the café. For introverted students, this might be the perfect place to support and visit.

Heritage: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future in Black Art (Upper East Side, Manhattan) Opening on Feb. 2 at the Arsenal Gallery, “Heritage” consists of artwork created by New York City park employees. It portrays Black heritage by covering diverse aspects of Black culture, including not just history, but hip-hop culture and Black idols too. Admission is free and the exhibit is available until March 9.

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FEATURES

February 23, 2023

Matt Schneider is electric in the East Village FEB. 23, 2023

The crowd had no choice but to spoon their neighbors as they crammed into the back room of the Bowery Electric, a live music venue in the East Village. Loose rows of people impatiently swayed from foot to foot resembling waves. A typical calm before the storm. And then the storm came.

University senior Matt Schneider, an indie rock singer-songwriter, weaved through the crowd with his band trailing behind, lugging their instruments onto the stage that raises no more than eight inches from the ground. Everyone around campus calls him Schneider, which is what every encouraging hoot and holler from the crowd was followed by. Schneider pulled the excitement from audience members like a riptide, building up the energy in the room until finally, it broke.

Schneider slung the crowd into gear by opening with a cover of “Times Like These’’ by The Foo Fighters. He followed with another cover before introducing his newest single “Short Living.” The audience showed their familiarity by standing in as backup, humming the words along with him. Schneider and Co ended their set with 20 minutes of leeway time on stage and a crowd barking for an encore.

Schneider and his band boomerang back with the beginning of “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus. The crowd jumps in a cohesive bounce, sardined too tightly to be off rhythm from one another. They finished with an impromptu cover of “Come As You Are” by Nirvana before denying the crowd of their requested third encore.

This was Schneider’s first time performing at the Bowery Electric, breaking his history of frequenting Club Groove on MacDougal St. and in Berlin Under A predominantly during the Summer of 2021. Schneider explained that although he loves the vibe and opportunities both venues have given him, he’s now trying to jump around new venues to make new impressions and make more connections throughout the city.

Schneider fronts his shows on vocals and lead guitar, with backup musicians that he rotates depending on the gig, to support him on bass, drums and rhythm guitar. While he has musicians he routinely invites back to play, he typically tries to bring in at least one new person each gig.

Schneider was born and raised in Long Island, New York and began playing guitar at four years old and takes musical inspiration from Brian Wilson, Sam Fender, Flipturn, John Mayer, Pearl Jam and Paul Simon. Brian Wilson became a role model to Schneider because of his ability to know music by ear rather than by theory.

When asked why he only has one song out despite the length of his music career, Schneider explained that he only wanted to put out music he was really proud of, and while he had no shame for his original music, he confessed to being picky about the production quality. “If I’m putting something out there with my name on it, I don’t want it to feel anything less than perfect.”

Schneider is in the second half of his senior year, pursuing a degree in Marketing at the University, and when asked what his plans were after graduation, he told me I was looking at it.

“I want this life. Music isn’t just some hobby I’m pursuing on the side until I get some nine-to-five. Music is my future and I’m certain. Because all of this? This isn’t worth your time if you have even a shred of doubt.”

While he may plan for another show in late April, at the moment his main focus is finishing up his last semester at the University and putting out more music. Even if Schneider doesn’t gig again this spring, readers will still have the opportunity to support him live as he plans to remain in the city after graduation.

GIA SPARACINO Secretary

Credit: Chloe Fuller, Photo Editor

Ashvin Live: an interview with the creator of ‘The Ashvin Show’ FEB. 19, 2023

What inspired you to put this out into the world? Was there a point in time when it all just clicked for you?

It was during COVID, so I wasn’t creating for like a full year, which is probably the longest I’ve ever gone without doing anything creative. And I remember [thinking] I just needed to do something, I needed to put something out. So I did a radio show, and at first, it wasn’t the silly, goofy, variety sketch show it is now. But slowly I realized I wanted to do more funny stuff. I always thought I had to wait for when I could start doing real sketch comedy, like SNL-type, but I was like, “Let me just do it now, why am I trying to wait and be something I’m not?” Also, my friend made me a t-shirt for my show for Christmas in 2021, that had a logo and everything–once I had a logo for the show, it was over. I started treating it like it was the fanciest thing ever, I slapped that logo everywhere.

I love that you still use that same logo today. Do you have a team of writers?

I have a bunch of people that I work with–my best friend, Georgios Kalogeropoulos (‘26) is the co-host. Then two of my roommates, Brian Steinberg (‘23) and Daniel Graf (‘25), are amazing, they write so much. Daniel is directing the “Live Three,” which is a new thing–adding directors. It’s nice to work in a community with other people because I think my ideas are great, but they help me realize that there are more ways to make them better.

ZOE POULIS Features Editor

When asked about what it’s like to work on The Ashvin Show Live, his collaborators responded, of course, with humor. Musical Theater (MT) major Graf explained, “Ashvin brings lots of great ideas to the table. He’s always creative, he’s always respectful and not only that but he’s a great overseer of other people’s creativity, which is especially useful in a free-form environment like ours.”

“On the Ashvin Show, I’ve been myself, a naked Batman and a Muppet with a drug problem.

I am terrified for what Ashvin asks me to do next,” Steinberg, another MT major at the University, reflected.

Tell me about some of your most exciting/rewarding career moments so far.

“The Ashvin Show Live Live Two” was a full house, we were expecting 20 people; we had 80 chairs and we had to add more. I just couldn’t believe that so many people cared about this little show that came out of my brain, and then when I went on stage, people started cheering and I was like, “Wait I haven’t even done anything, yet save it!” But also, I am in Hasan Minhaj’s DMs all the time, and he’s reposted me before…one day I’ll meet him and I’ll show him this article.

What’s been the most challenging part of the show?

Honestly, probably marketing and writing. Those two go hand in hand because I can market the crap out of something, but if it’s bad at the end of the day, what’s the point? So constantly making sure that the show is worth the amount of marketing that I’m putting into it is a lot…because I have to wear both hats.

What are some of your goals for the future of the show?

We just entered our fifth season, which is amazing and crazy, and it finally rhymes–it’s “The Ashvin Show Live Season Five,” so I thought I had to change everything. It’s no longer on the radio, it’s no longer a podcast, it’s now a web show. I literally feel like “iCarly.” I love it, I’m really excited about that. And also “Live Live Three,” we’re just constantly renovating, reinventing the wheel,

trying to do something different. I’m so surprised by the commucontinued from PAGE 1 nity we’ve been able to build because it’s just constantly expanding. The first live show that we did was like a regular sketch show, but the second one actually had a storyline that really featured my co-host. We always just want to get people to laugh at the end of the day and have some fun. The world sucks right now.

I’m sure you have a lot of personal goals outside of the show. Tell me what those look like–would you still want to be on SNL? Oh, anytime. If SNL is reading this, which I know they’re avid readers of The Pace Press, I will accept any job. I just want to constantly expand the brand, grow the fanbase and laugh with more people. I wanna be the first Gen Z late-night show host. Take over Jimmy Kimmel, since we don’t like him.

What’s something you really want people to take away from this interview?

If people haven’t listened or watched yet, they should watch now–check it out! Not even the whole show, there are clips on TikTok and Instagram. I understand our attention spans nowadays are bad, which is one of the reasons I wanted to shift platforms again. The one-hour radio show is a lot to ask of people, but now we’re moving to a 30-minute show and clips on social media. If I can’t pay attention to it, why should I ask other people to?

Do you have a favorite episode of yours that you’d recommended for first-time viewers and listeners?

Oh, Season 4 Episode 8! Everything just worked, the sketch was really good, the game was really good and my guests were amazing. We all had great chemistry, so when the energy in the room is unmatched it just elevates everything. Even listening to it, you feel like you’re in the room.

As a writer myself, I know how difficult it can be to come up with content. How do you keep the idea tank full?

I’m gonna be real, I’m struggling with that a lot right now. You just gotta throw something and see what’ll stick, start writing, talk to people and watch other things. Knowing that it’s alright, it’s the beginning–I’m not going to create my Picasso piece right now, just some gems. And anything can be an idea. One time, I was outside of Beekman and saw a rat, and now “Ratvin the NYC Rat” is a character on my show. He has a thick New York accent, it’s one of my favorite bits I’ve ever done.

Finding inspiration wherever you can. We try not to take ourselves too seriously.

I feel like if you’re constantly taking yourself too seriously when creating, you’re always going to be stuck.

Exactly, like, I’m not the next Shakespeare, I’m just Ashvin.

Do you have any advice for young creatives who are trying to put themselves on the map?

Create. This is when you’re supposed to make your worst work! When you’re 30 and you’re making pretty bad work, let’s talk. But right now, you are so young, we are so young–let’s see what works. Someone will listen to it, someone will support you and you will have people in your corner.

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The best bites of NYC Restaurant Week FEB. 6, 2023 If you’re in search of some new places to eat this MILANA POGRETSKAIA Contributor winter season, New York City Restaurant Week, running

from Jan. 17 through Feb. 12, is the perfect opportunity for you! This food holiday only comes twice a year, offering special deals at hundreds of restaurants in the city and luring thousands of locals and tourists to new places and old-time favorites. Every day, except Saturdays, certain restaurants will offer menus with fixed prices and selections for brunch, lunch or dinner. Reserve a table, grab some friends and check out which NYC restaurants are worth the visit.

Tribeca Grill ($$$) Owned by Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, Tribeca Grill offers a wide variety of classic dishes, from Caesar salads to king salmon. The restaurant welcomes guests into a cozy atmosphere of an antique wooden bar set in a warehouse in Lower Manhattan and features paintings by De Niro’s father. While Tribeca Grill is pricey, visiting during NYC Restaurant Week would give you the best bang for your buck, as it offers a three-course dinner for just $45, Monday through Friday.

Fish Cheeks ($$) Credit: @fishcheeksnyc on IG Since its opening in 2016, Fish Cheeks has been a fan-favorite Thai seafood restaurant. It offers non-traditional and extraordinary dishes like coconut king crab in a hand-crushed red-curry paste or baked shrimp with pork belly. The authenticity of the restaurant has been recognized by the Government of Thailand and awarded with a Thai Select Designation. The space is designed with colorful tones reminiscent of fish scales and is located in the former Le Philosophe space in NoHo. As NYC Restaurant Week continues, Fish Cheeks will serve $45 lunch and $60 dinner deals.

Victor ($$) As a newcomer to NYC Restaurant Week, Victor is owned by two veteran Brooklyn chefs, Ian Alvarez and Ryan Angulo, and has become famous for its Mediterranean dishes that are mainly prepared in the restaurant’s wood-burning oven. The variety of the menu, quality of the dishes and affordable prices have enticed foodies since its opening in 2021–shishito peppers with squid ink romesco, smoked paprika prawns with almond aioli, spiced half chicken with braised greens and charred lemon are just a few dishes that can be found on their menu. The restaurant offers dinner for $45, and an optional wine pairing is also available for $20 per person, for students over 21.

Ilili ($$$) Good Lebanese food can be hard to find in the city, but Ilili provides everything you could possibly want with fish, grilled meat and several classic appetizers. Not only are their dishes delicious, but the restaurant also creates an atmosphere as if you are in a giant kaleidoscope through high ceilings and wood-paneled walls with windows and mirrors. Located in the Flatiron District, Ilili’s restaurant week regular is a three-item lunch prix fixe for $45.

FEATURES

Five unique Valentine's Day dates for you and yours

FEB. 12, 2023 The most romantic hol- visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere. The MILANA POGRETSKAIA Contributor iday of the year is coming 10,000-square-foot outdoor bar and restaurant have pri-

up and everyone is in search of the perfect place to celebrate. New York City, with its magnificent views of the lights, rivers and skyscrapers, creates the most magical atmosphere to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re going on a romantic date with your significant other or having a night out with friends, the city offers a variety of options depending on how you want to spend the holiday. For those celebrating late, you can still enjoy these events as most run beyond Valentine’s Day! Love’s h|Edge This art installation titled “Love’s h|Edge” is a free public exhibit on display in the middle of Times Square. The sculpture was created by Almost Studio, a Brooklyn-based design practice, to express “a pause, a momentary illusion, in your day, in your week and in your life.” The floral maze consists of four heart-shaped shrubs covered in greenery. The installation is open through Feb. 28 as a place for those who may be on a tighter budget and looking to feel the love in the air.

ARTECHOUSE ARTECHOUSE is the nation’s first innovative art organization that mixes art, technology and science, and connects the audience to the art through innovative exhibitions that fully immerse people into the atmosphere.

Their main goal is to inspire, educate and empower others, and each exhibition is its own digital world that comes to life and creates a story. Ticket prices vary, but it is an amazing option for any art lovers out there.

Pier 15 From now until the end of March, Pier 15 will be covered in a glow of pink and decorated with flowers and twinkly lights. This Valentine’s wonderland is complete with a tunnel of faux florals awaiting its

FEB. 5, 2023 With the spring semester back in full swing, discounted tickets to the best live theater performances in New York City have also become available! Occurring biannually, Broadway Week offers half-priced tickets to some of Broadway’s best shows. Contrary to its name, Broadway “Week” lasts for almost a month, from Jan. 17 to Feb. 12. You can buy two tickets for the price of one and even upgrade each of your seats by entering designated codes at checkout! If you’re looking for guidance on which shows to take advantage of during this deal, here are The Pace Press’ recommendations.

LYDIA LUTCHMAN Staff Writer

Kimberly Akimbo Dubbed the best new musical of 2021, “Kimberly Akimbo” tells the story of a teenage girl suffering from a condition that makes her age faster than others. Her bittersweet feelings on the matter come to a halt as her rambunctious, on-the-run aunt comes to town and a friendship between her and an anagram-loving classmate develops. Starring Broadway favorites Victoria Clark and Alli Mauzey, this charming show follows Kim as she attempts to navigate her own mortality while also living her life to the fullest.

KATHERINE PAPPAS Staff Writer

Moulin Rouge!

Based on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 award-winning film, this musical tells the story of a talented composer who falls in love with an entertainer. Bohemian Paris in the early 1900s is brought to life Credit: @raindaiwoman on in this masterpiece that makes the audience feel Instagram like they are a part of the story and experiencing it for themselves. Appealing to younger audiences too, the musical incorporates popular modern songs that flow nicely with the original soundtrack and succeeds in portraying the celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and love.

Credit: @theaudreypeters on Instagram

Wicked If you’re looking to see a classic Broadway hit, “Wicked,” which has enjoyed its spot in the Gershwin Theater since 2003, is a must-see. This “Wizard of Oz” prequel is a delightful and thrilling tale of an unlikely friendship between two witches, Elphaba and Glinda. Aside from its award-winning music, the show addresses intriCredit: @castinggurlwonder cate issues such as government corruption, beauty on Instagram standards and morality and succeeds in maintaining a suspenseful plot until the very end.

MJ the Musical One of the greatest entertainers of all time Credit: @dsyauch on Instagram finally has his own biography musical in the Big Apple, and it has quickly become a fan-favorite.

Primarily focused on the rehearsals of Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous Tour, 30 of his most popular songs are included. The King of Pop’s legacy in music has not been forgotten and has spread to different forms of art with approval from his children, ensuring that his singing and dancing would be remembered in the future. & Juliet This jukebox-style musical is a feminist retelling of “Romeo and Juliet” in which the wife of William Shakespeare, Anne Hathaway, tells her husband that his new play is too depressing. Instead, she presses for Juliet to live after Romeo dies and make her own life for herself, and in this version, she does. The characters involved in her story are of diverse backgrounds and different walks of life. The comedy aspect, as well as the interesting storyline, has attracted theatergoers from all over.

Credit: @lastmidnight on Instagram

Credit: @partiqueevents on Instagram

vate and semi-private seating in the glasshouses. There are different types of ticket options, but no matter which one you select, there is a welcome pink tea and a heartshaped macaroon for everyone.

The Hideout at Gallow Green Candles, blankets, good food and music–what screams Valentine’s Day more than that? One of the city’s most romantic rooftops is hosting a special Valentine’s Day dinner on Feb 14. Decorated with wooden elements, green plants, lights and candles, Gallow Green brings people to a fairytale while offering a stunning view of Manhattan. For those looking to splurge, they are offering a one-day special three-course French meal with drinks, along with live violin accompaniment for $145 a person.

A Dining Cruise If you plan on celebrating with a group, taking a dining cruise down the Hudson or East River might be a great option for you. City Cruises New York offers sightseeing cruises that will take you out on the river with dinner, onboard entertainment and a cash bar, for students over 21. The cruise may be organized for just two people so that you can spend quality time with your significant other alone, but it would definitely be less expensive and just as enjoyable to go with a group!

Five must-see shows for Broadway Week

Everything you need to plan the best Super Bowl party FEB. 10, 2023 Super Bowl Sunday is almost upon us meaning it’s time to gear up for your party! Whether you’re partaking for the million dollar commercials, Rhianna half-time show, or the game itself, here are The Pace Press’ Super Bowl party essentials.

Food & Drinks It would be impossible to have a Super Bowl party without food. Chicken wings, nachos, chips and salsa, pigs in a blanket, pizza, sliders, potato skins, mac & cheese, celery sticks and peanut butter are eight of the most popular dishes for such a party as this, and are relatively cheap and easy to make! Aside from that, grab some soda, juice, fruit punch or seltzer. Hurry and pick up your favorites at Jubilee Marketplace on John Street, which offers a 10% discount for students.

Games Before the actual game begins, add a little extra oomph to your party and play some of your own! Place your bets on which team you think will be declared the champions of Super Bowl LVII. Commercial bingo urges participants to guess which popular brands will promote their products and services during the expensive airtime (Amazon being a promising play given that they spent over 7 million dollars on advertising at the last Super Bowl. Staying on theme, indulge in a commercial judge game.

DIY your own scoring cards and rate each commercial you see on a scale from one to ten and compare your favorites at the end of the night.

A Place to Watch Whether it be a living room, dorm room or sky lounge, find a place that can accommodate your needs and will most enhance your viewing experience. Is there enough room for all your guests? Is there a TV set to watch? If you answered yes to these two questions, you’ve set yourself up for a great time! On the other hand, if you would rather spend the night out, comb through options on Eventbrite—attend a watch party at Buttonwood Cafe, Bella Union Rooftop Bar, Monarch Rooftop Lounge or Olly Olly Market. Keep in mind that some events require attendees to be 21 years or older.

A Great Outfit The biggest decision here will be deciding if you are wearing midnight green in support of the Philadelphia Eagles or red and white for the Kansas City Chiefs. Once you have made the decision on which team you’re rooting for, show your support by wearing their team colors. Rock a jersey repping your favorite player, paint your face or style a festive hat.

Family, Friends and Good Vibes Perhaps the most crucial part of a successful Super Bowl party is the people to watch with. Grab your family, close friends, significant other, roommates, neighbors and whoever else makes you happy! Cheering for your favorite team, singing along during the halftime show and laughing at the clever commercials are much more enjoyable when you have good people to do it with.

February 23, 2023

OPINION AND EDITORIAL

10 www.thepacepress.org

February 23, 2023

The future of technology is now at our fingertips FEB. 9, 2023 Almost one hundred years ago, “Metropolis” was released. In a For example, Art Basel, one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs, showcased numerous digitally memorable scene, a woman is strapped to an electrical machine that created artworks. The main art auction houses have also supported AI-created artworks. In 2018, an clones her into a robot. Once she becomes an android in her likeness, AI-generated portrait produced by a collective of artists set a record by selling in under ten minutes she performs her duties effectively without any feelings, regrets or free will. The movie presented a for forty times the price that was initially estimated. dystopian world where humanoid figures (robots) could replace human workers, and where artifiFrom 2018 to 2023, the growth of AI has exponentially increased. AI is now used in finance, cial technology replaces human emotions, making it the first cinematic attempt to discuss artificial healthcare, commerce, transportation, agriculture and education, to name just a few industries. No intelligence. part of society appears to be untouched by the impact of AI. These days, it is not just AI that is a According to The Balance, artificial intelligence (AI), has been defined as “machines that rehousehold term, but also the metaverse and specific names of AI bots that perform human functions spond to stimulation consistent with traditional responses from humans, given the human capacity in seconds. In November 2022, Chat GPT, a new AI-bot, was released publicly and quickly became for contemplation, judgment and intention.” “Metropolis” and other sci-fi films depicted various sce- all the rage. Chat GPT engages in conversations with the user and produces answers to complex narios of the impact of technology and robots on humans. Only in the ‘50s, however, did AI become questions in seconds. Chat GPT can deliver precise code, write essays and poems and pass exams. It a field of study for scientists, mathematicians and philosophers. Alan Turing, a computer scientist can do so because it stores the information it receives and has access to an enormous amount of data. and decoder most famously depicted in “The Imitation Game,” asked why machines would not be It was trained to be able to engage in conversation by human AI trainers who provided conversations able to use information and make decisions just as humans do, and since then, the application and in which they played both sides (also known as Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback development of AI in society have quite literally increased by leaps and bounds. Today, self-driving [RLHF]). cars and smart computer assistants like Siri and Amazon Alexa are part of reality, not science fiction.

In an interview with Mihaela Pintea, chair of the economics department at Florida International These technological tools are possible because of the incredible advancement in AI and its integraUniversity (FIU), she emphasized that “whether Chat GPT is going to be a beneficial development, tion into machines, objects and activities that are critical to or not, it’s a technology that is publicly offered and we need today’s world. to know how to use it properly.” Professor Pintea discussed AI is not only impacting our daily activities, but it several benefits of Chat GPT, such as assisting students with is also reaching into the artistic and creative world. The dyslexia to write cohesively. She also pointed out that reliconcept of “artistic creativity” implies an inherent human ance on the AI bot can result in students who will stop learncapability. AI has changed this notion by exponentially ing how to write and express themselves initially or will use expanding the idea of creativity and changing what is that information for their assignments. AI bots can result in considered art, as well as how art is created. Many artand even increase unethical and dishonest behavior. Students ists have embraced this change and are producing work will use Chat GPT for their assignments because it is easy that simply was not possible before AI. From large-scale and available. As these AI bots infiltrate our world more visidigital renderings of images and concepts to NFTs, artists bly, the academic world will have to address learning through use algorithms to set specific and complex rules that are AI. Universities and schools will have to create a consistent processed by computers. The resulting AI-generated forms approach to academic integrity that is also supported by the can take on shapes, patterns, colors and movements that students. have never been seen before, and which cannot be achieved by paint, crayons or other mediums. Artists have always experimented with technology, and now, the creative and artistic outputs seem endless due to the computing machine’s capabilities of processing enormous amounts of data and generating visuals that are incredibly complex.

The art industry has also benefited from AI development.

Credit: www.newyorker.com ANAIS DENUCCIO Contributor

The historical problem with policing in the United States

Black History is more than just a month FEB. 23, 2023

FEB. 10, 2023

The country hip-hop groups in the genre’s history, N.W.A. On watched yet anothwhat may be considered their most popular aler Black man get bum, “Straight Outta Compton,” one of the songs brutally beaten to death by police on Jan. 27. details a similar opinion to Baldwin. Ice Cube Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old man from Memphis, raps, “But don’t let it be a Black and a white was pulled over for a routine traffic stop that one/’Cause they’ll slam ya down to the street top/ soon turned violent and ultimately resulted in his Black police showing out for the white cop,” on untimely death. For many, Nichols’ death, while “F*ck tha Police.” These systemic critiques have extremely horrifying to watch, was, unfortubeen echoed by an entire community for decades nately, not surprising. After all, the sixth leading and have been continuously ignored. cause of death among men is police, and Black And so thirty years after Ice cube’s verse, men are much more likely to be targeted. we are left with Tyre Nichols’ death. In light of Perhaps the most tormenting fact of Nichols’ this tragedy, Mayor Eric Adams’ reiterated his death, which deviates from recent forms of police pro-police stance. He stated, “We should have brutality, is that the six officers charged in his every sorority, fraternity, every church, every civmurder were the same skin color as him. While il civic group, NAACP—let’s find our best and it is easy for those who don’t fear the police to our brightest and say public protection is crucial be able to chalk this up as “a few bad apples,” or to our communities, and it must be done right.” even go so far as to say the killing wasn’t racially Calls to diversify the police force have been motivated, Nichols’ death illustrates a system that amplified due to past instances of police brutality, does exactly what it was designed to do. but Nichols’ death paints a grim reality that many This may seem like an overreaching, outradon’t want to face. Black people make up 65% of geous assumption, however, to fully understand Memphis’ population and 58% of its police force. this, all one needs is a history lesson. Before the Diversifying an institution built on anti-Black Civil War, slave patrols were created to ensure principles will not solve systemic oppression. the economic status quo would return runaway Baldwin has another quote that accurately slaves and quell any riots or insurdescribes our reality, stating, “History Credit: www.wjla.com gencies. After the is not the past. It Civil War and the is the present. We ratification of the carry our history 13th Amendment, with us. We are freed slaves left our history. If we their plantations pretend otherwise, in search of a new we are literally life. This search criminals.” There was cut short is no possible justiwhen plantation fication as to Tyre owners, in need of Nichol’s death, nor profitable labor, is there any explaused the law to nation as to why their benefit by Baldwin’s words outlawing homeresonate so deeply lessness. Branded in the twenty-first as lazy vagrants, century. However, freed slaves were arrested indiscriminately, and we can look at our history and see that the system as punishment for their so-called crimes, they is doing precisely what it was designed to do. The were returned to the same plantation they fought 13th Amendment still allows involuntary serviso desperately to leave. In fact, the Freedmen’s tude as punishment, and the prison system is still Bureau, tasked with helping assimilate former made up of disproportionately Black and Brown slaves into freedom, would authorize some of men. Systemic so-called solutions will do nothing these patrols. but continue the cycle of oppression and encourThis historic example not only shows how age us to forget our history. the United States has profited off of the criminalization of people of color, but also how solutions provided by the oppressive system were never designed to work. In James Baldwin’s “Notes of a Native Son,” he describes his experiences growing up in Harlem with the police. “In Harlem, Negro policemen are feared more than whites, for they have more to prove and fewer ways to prove it,” Baldwin writes. Some 30 years after the publication of Baldwin’s essays, his sentiments are echoed again by one of the most influential JULIANNA LAMOURT Staff Writer

February is the designated month to celebrate Black History; the time set aside to recognize accomplishments made by Black people, while also understanding the struggles and hardships they’ve needed to overcome. “The elephant in the room” is the fact that we celebrate these accomplishments in the shortest month of the calendar year.

These two factors are purely coincidental since the real reason Black History Month is celebrated in February is to acknowledge Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation and Frederick Douglass, a leader of the abolitionist movement. Both individuals were born in February, and so this month was chosen due to their contributions to Black folks.

There is no doubt that this month is also very capitalized. The bulk of social media posts flooding your Instagram and Twitter timelines are published during this time to gain traction on social media with brands hoping to appear on your explore page. And it works! This is not to discourage you from shopping at your favorite local outlet, but rather help you to understand that these companies are still around, even when a post is not going viral about them. The internet has this tendency to show us bits of viral information and then proceed to leave the viewer without any actual conclusion, causing them to make their own judgment or assumption.

Activism has happened and is still happening around us even if no one is talking about it. Every day, the work for racial justice and advocacy continues to improve in our community, in our University and in our neighborhoods.

Honoring the work and effort put forth by Black communities does not dissipate once February ends and March begins. It is continuous and has always been that way, whether the media highlights it or not.

Dr. Denise Santiago, the Director at the Office of Multicultural Affairs, believes that the office helps the Black community at the University through services ranging from women’s collectives and drumming circles to social justice. The department also facilitates anti-bias and anti-racist workshops for students, faculty and staff.

Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education Specialist, Ashleigh Andersen, spoke for the Office of Sexual and Interpersonal Wellness at the University on how the importance of intersectionality is understood within the community she advocates for. “Black History Month is a great opportunity to have a conversation about how the identities we hold impact how we experience the world. There is a long history of violence against Black bodies. Black cisgender and trans women are disproportionately affected by sexual and intimate partner violence.”

Andersen continued, “It is imperative that we commit to centering the experiences of those LYDIA LUTCHMAN Staff Writer

who are most marginalized by white supremacy, anti-Black racism and gender-based violence and celebrating and amplifying Black voices in the movement to end sexual violence and racism.”

Felicity Flores, a student assistant at the LGBTQA+ Center and a Peer Advocate Against Sexual Assault said, “All oppression is connected; Black liberation is in tandem with Queer liberation. There are numerous unsung narratives of Black Queer activists, recently the LGBTQA+ Center highlighted the accomplishments of Bayard Rustin as a Black gay civil rights activist.” Flores added, “I would like to honor the legacies of resilience in current activism and community. The LGBTQA+ Center is hosting weekly discussion groups including QPOC Talk, a discussion group for Queer folks of color. Community for Black folks is vital. I look forward to welcoming more BIPOC students into a shared safe space!”

The University has many resources that The Pace Press urges students of color and other marginalized communities to take part in.

“We’re half-way through ‘Black History Month’ and the media will go on to celebrate Women’s History Month in March. Although February will fade, Black folk will continue to advance and create histories in the U.S. and the Diaspora,” Dr. Santiago said.

Understanding one’s culture and where one comes from is imperative, especially today, where attempts to alter history books and refuse to teach Black history in schools grow. There are many reasons why this is the case: fear, ignorance, racism and white supremacy standards, none of which are ultimately inexcusable. Even though our country still has ways to go, there are people who will rise in solidarity and fight for justice through resistance and strategic planning.

OPINION AND EDITORIAL

11 www.thepacepress.org

Harry Styles deserved Album of the Year FEB. 9, 2023

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards, held on Feb. 5 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, had a wide range of celebrities who gathered to cheer for one another on their success and reminisce on the talent that the past year had to offer. The 2023 Grammys drew in supporters not only from all parts of the United States but from a multitude of countries internationally as well. While gathering celebrative remarks, there was yet again controversy leading to discussions over the legitimacy of the awards. Talks of nepotism and racial discrimination unfolded on various social media platforms, namely Twitter, causing vast outbursts of mixed emotions from the general public.

When looking into the vast backgrounds of some celebrities attending the ceremony, there have been talks of how nepotism, privilege or simply “knowing the right people” can get an artist time in the spotlight, allowing them to potentially win a prestigious award.

Nepotism, as defined by The Cambridge Dictionary, is the “distinct practice of having a family/friend with high power, authority or importance that helps put you at an unfair advantage to obtain jobs, awards or publicity.” At the Grammys, there was outrage over the winner of Album of The Year, considered by some the most prestigious awards of the night, which was given to Harry Styles for “Harry’s House.”

While Beyoncé made history by becoming the most-awarded artist at the Grammys with 33 total awards since 1998, many believe that those who vote for the Grammys are not promoting inclusivity. Styles’ speech left the masses confused when he stated, “Things like this don’t happen to people like me very often.” For people like Styles, a conventionally attractive, cisgender, white man, history has proven time and time again that things like this, do in-fact happen to people like him every day.

While it can be acknowledged that Styles’ outward appearance and identity can make it easier for him to attain publicity in the way he does, some argue the sentiment in his speech was not intended to cause harm. Having auditioned for “The X Factor” in 2010, Styles came from a working-class household with a single mother and grew up in a small town in England where opportunities such as these rarely happen. It is also a widely known fact that this is the quote he often says at the end of every concert as a way to show gratitude to all his supporters who had helped him make it thus far.

Twitter users who found the feud between fanbases overdone mocked the situation and attempted to draw the masses’ attention to the “Song of The Year” winner, Bonnie Raitt, which they felt was more peculiar than the Styles situation. Gwen Welfeld, a freshman majoring in Communications, stated that “Harry [Styles] winning was so deserved, especially with the year he has had touring and ‘As It Was’ held number one for 15 plus weeks on the Billboard charts,” acknowledging Style’s tour, where he hosted 15 residencies in New York and Los Angeles respectively. Welfeld, having been to quite a few shows herself said, “every listen feels like I am listening again for the first time!” which is a sentiment that is felt among the fanbase.

Welfeld admitted that “It felt like people had put a lot of the blame on him instead of the Grammys themselves.” It is important to address that the public does not decide Grammy winners, as they are voted for by a committee of industry experts. In this way, it can be fair to acknowledge that the backlash of the Album of The Year award was not in Styles’ control. It should also be noted that among the necessary requirements needed to become an “industry expert,” you must have won a Grammy.

Perhaps, in the future, it would be fairer for the public to have a say in who wins which award or to let those in the room vote instead of just a select few. This could help even out the playing field, allowing more voices to be heard and potentially greater contentment among viewers.

ASHLEY NICOLE ROSADO Contributor

February 23, 2023

Playlists are the sixth love language FEB. 17, 2023

If I go into my Spotify library, past the pristinely curated monthly compilations, Midwest emo’s greatest hits and various high school time capsules; there is one folder that is sacrosanct, labeled “For Her.” It’s the holy folder (yes, you can make folders of playlists on Spotify), containing all of the playlists I’ve made for my partner.

A playlist of thoughtfully sequenced and curated music is one of the most elegant things a person can make for a loved one. To find a song holding an emblematic title that describes a moment you shared. To find a song with the title of their name precisely how they spell it. To mention a song you enjoy in passing, and find it as the first song billed on their playlist. I’ve always found making these playlists as a pure way to express how I feel, talking to her through people far more talented and well-written than I ever will be. Sharing music is an intimacy like no other. Perhaps closely propped against your iPhone’s speaker or sharing a pair of headphones; holding each other tighter at the mutual recognition of a lyric that rings true.

We have always been creatures who’ve found music to be one of the most intimate forms of flattery, like the art of the serenade — the romantic, baroque, public proclamation of love below the windowsill. In Filipino culture, this is called Harana, wherein serenading is seen as a courtship courtesy and standard. In the contemporary world, it informally evolved into the cassette and CD mixtape. Serenading could be imitated out of a boombox, “Say Anything”-style at your lover’s doorstep. Yet, with the modern playlist, gone is the need to learn an instrument, or to record over a tape or burn a CD. Rather, it’s been democratized into a streaming login. This era of serenading is the perfect cocktail of the replayability of a mixtape and the personalization of a sung song.

We’ve been bestowed a boundless library of music across time and the world.

What’s beautiful about the accumulation of these playlists is how they present themselves as little letters.

Just as you could read back old letters, you can look at these playlists as an unfolding story of your relationship.

When you don’t want to come off too strong, the first one is the shortest of them all with not much to read into.

Then, when comfort and infatuation have grown, you begin to tiptoe into songs of the sweeter Faye Webster-adjacent variety. But, when you know it, but are too afraid to say it, you exclusively skirt around songs that explicitly say, “I love you,” a task that is actually much more difficult than one would expect. There are the special times when you find yourselves apart, wherein sending a playlist is like shooting up a flare of “I love you, I miss you.”

With each playlist, your tastes develop and homogenize; the abundance begs for at least a few songs to be repeated. Just like a letter, you can open up the first ones and have your brain hug the words of whoever your tastes were at the time. Have Jeff Buckley, Alex Turner or Frankie Vallie serenade you through a lustful time machine.

It’s the indirect puzzles that are made, for future versions of you to see—presented by the lovely puzzle of remembering what prompted you to put the songs that you did. When these playlists are made, it’s seeing you and your partner more than just when they’re beside you, but instead, seeing them in all that is life. In their ears when they walk to class or at the gym.

They disrupt their rotation to fit yours in as well. These songs carry your wishes and whisper across the city.

As the relationship grows and becomes ever more defined, so will the beauty of it all.

Your first mixes will evolve from throwbacks, to retro, to vintage. These playlists are reminders of the spark that inspired you to keep replying to their texts and obsess over your hair in the mirror.

They’re more than just songs, they’re proclamations of love.

JOSH ILANO Staff Writer

Credit: @one.perfect.frame on Instagram

Credit: @harrystyless.dailyy on Instagram

The 95th Oscars nominees are out, and horror films are notably missing FEB. 1, 2023

Screaming, crying and entrails being ripped out. Horror movies have been around since the Silent Era. From “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” to the “Scream” franchise, films that show the scarier side of humanity have become a staple of mainstream cinema. Despite their enduring popularity, many Oscar enthusiasts question why the Academy often excludes horror films from its nominees. With Mia Goth’s recently perceived Oscar “snub,” people have been openly asking what the Academy is so afraid of.

Horror movies show us the things that are harder to look at. Whether that’s a decapitated head with spider legs attacking you or a girl being relentlessly bullied by her peers, these are the films that don’t shy away from difficult subject matters. The Academy has not completely ignored horror movies, though; “The Silence of the Lambs” is still the only horror film to win Best Picture and “Get Out” won Jordan Peele an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in his directorial debut. But, other than that, horror is a genre that is noticeably left out of the awards show.

IMDb shows that there are only 16 horror films that have won Oscars, with the last horror film win being “The Wolfman” in 2010. In her interview with Jake Hamilton, Mia Goth said, “I think it’s very political…A change is necessary. A shift should take place if they want to engage with the wider public. I think it would be of benefit, really.” Goth also acknowledged that there is more to nominations than just enjoying a good performance. A.V. Club reported that “In 2019, studios spent as much as $30 million per film on Oscar campaigns.” Oscar campaigns are as much an investment as anything else, so it does make sense that studios would want to play it safe with films that are more agreeable to audiences. Horror does have a reputation for garnering controversy with its depictions of graphic, sometimes gratuitous, violence.

After watching clips of Goth’s performance, it’s hard not to go full “Pearl” on the Academy for overlooking her performance. Goth manages to portray loneliness, delusion and absolute homicidal rage in a way that makes you feel for her character and fear that you may be her next victim.

The visuals of the film aid in a feeling of eeriness. The bright colors and postcard-like scenes make the farm look homey, that is, until viewers are greeted by the sight of Pearl spearing a duck with a pitchfork, destroying any feelings of safety that the audience may have had. In the film’s foreground is the story of a young woman trapped by the confines of familial obligation who wishes for a better life than the one she has. This is a story that has been retold countless times, the only difference being that the young woman in question expresses her anger. She openly wishes that her whole family “would just die” and throws an impressive temper tantrum when she is rejected at an audition.

The beauty of horror lies in the way that it is so messy, bloody and unfiltered about the human condition. Most mainstream movies, no matter how hard they try, are always a little too polished, too dignified. Sure, it’s always impressive to see an actor melodramatically yell and cry as their character delivers that climactic monologue about wanting to be loved or following their dreams, but horror movies show us fear and anger in its purest, most up-front and ugliest form.

J.D. VALDEPENAS Contributor

Credit: @drahulrajjsd on Instagram

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Sagi tta riu s, m re- st uc h lik e Leos ve a during Pisces season all , your ou’ u le cr e ea tiv ity o an d e sy innate ar typ viati Sco tis tic ab m y d th ili em tie s wi ll reach new n r t se e who h, an . heights during this to icall g so pios t y n, i tim i n l e. y Yo b , u’ m ve lik ely cor meo ut w ming is recently been carry Th e a l put e o Pisc o o pri ing a feeling f o o i e t of Ca ith s ork swim g if th igt s n u t y imbalance in your lif w ou gh e le le you he n sea w n e, and Pi sc s a es rily ski t be to ted s to t se as on rus to be vent ss se rself tura on is is he re to restore that uni ing g ee lf a nno you r s tly d th oin ourse it ca king ould sh t, th gu in iou and l str equilibriu c m t . a e y W s s t ha cen cte is g i tev o u er h r s a h a we s e g ig b ht c n str uld b tim ded e pa cons skin s yo you have been carry exp atio ndin itch, on is whi r i a u e t s in g g, yo u situ u’re fi a gl seas ation to you erall a n ct wi e cho peri nd s t ma antly you can finally let go t of y t . o it.

Yo u Yo s been isces is situ ilar t is ov is ew fe h yo osing d is ingy pus no longer need to gi no ur sim ut i here ha ed. P n th h w w ve any e t o b l S m ind to the bothersom nor ect o ch to nces uit w lly co t any ing o self. o be hen y ith e r F l o refl l mu erie purs equa is minuscule details of pe pio, thing f lig indi ess ou h n a n fee n exp while s are n if it n life; this time period ew you nd c to ga tness g ve ed. ow rth ng f i is e a r t o f l o , o un self n ev wk a allowing you to rea w h fee ated ly sta alks d u e t, s bot iproc plicit een t ent tat p to n lease them and find es. rec y im ave b mitm ce, onl ere h r com mstan iod a sense of freedom again.

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Welcome to your season! You are the star of the show during this time d oun on int Pis f perio d, som ething you may already be o c ely icati ling k i i l us, your es se used to. During this season, you’ll find n r ru , e u v r of mos indi ason ou’ comm e you weve that your y intui tive v natu re s is t seve i , rely s o ing ith au ex elf-e nota idua s ask ies heightened, so listen to any gut plo xp bl lity in Ar ds w s bec ini. H look me e g i r , wa re instincts you have as they’re probt od this n Gem ations ve so eals yo essio for y Aqu you a y s f d a i l and is W yo ur i n, n ou aria to ably correct. Furthermore, you situ y h nd i rse , he the u’ve denti ow r uni ns! A lean you cently Mars n has ou ma wfou s on i n i shou ld be g takin e , o g this time to re net eas nd y d n Arie ens, in r it b been ty in s the que s qua y a s n n a l r e e p o w proc a o m ess s the e p ce feelings from this ur thr w ap ean hic time nse ial ou ve int t a o e h h c Pis for y ith lo ll go this h nefic t n u i past o year. Your natural abilev o n ti t g u up ck w s wi ntil be be elf ou expe ghts vitie h pa g to. er ity to be vuln u s U s erab r t le need l r s r u t t n , l il ou ly Ve 12.

Pis with ience hrou jour icipa to be expressed, so it as arch r, it w low y obab easily g n c t n s h e e e s s w or to dif aling M wev to s ve pr ore d coul d be h bene e f fi fi cial f r a a n ’ n e u m o i a n s h yo d a on end gin rou elf l, yo y. to make a playlist urs ll n wa s, g for wn. Y ours usua y oka elf ew nts l y n o e a com pose t me d d of every d . h e t n f y l au fou ined omp lf so a cet ou song that strikes so dra at is c ourse take f home for you th ve y y to in a i c n and listen to it G ien nce ca len ak o o you r feas needed. bre ile s l you efh e e w ann mor er ch city y lat ro ientl son. fic s sea thi

AQ UA RI US

ES I AR

PISCES

BY PRIYA PERSAUD, Opinion and Editorial Editor FEB. 23, 2023

Pisces Horoscopes OPINION

12 www.thepacepress.org

February 23, 2023