October 20, 2022 | The Pace Press

the pace press

“Honesty and Objectivity”

University Chair of the Political Science Department sheds light on the Ukraine and Russia prisoner swap

LUKE POMFRET Contributor

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has world leaders on edge. Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, tensions between the countries have continued to increase and do not show signs of slowing down anytime soon. One form of cooperation between the two war-torn countries has been the introduction of exchanging prisoners.

Dr. Amy Freedman, Chair of the Political Science department at the University, defines the purpose and practice of prisoner swaps. “Prisoner swaps are common during times of war, although they may not happen as regularly and as humanely as many would like. The purpose is to protect human dignity, well-being and rights as much as possible during times of war.”

Dr. Freedman analyzes the reasoning behind these prisoner swaps, explaining that “[The prisoner swap] is being done both in following conventional rules of war and for practical purposes when those being exchanged are injured and can no longer participate in the war. It is also being done for political reasons when the prisoners are not Ukrainian citizens. In this case, American and British citizens, a Moroccan and a Swede fighting for Ukraine are being released.”

“The exchange seems to mostly benefit Ukraine, but Russia may have wanted to do this to keep on good terms with Turkey and Saudi Arabia,” Dr. Freedman speculated.

Dr. Freedman also noted the important events that happened over the last week and could affect the war. She says the Russian Referendum in Russian-occupied territories was “bogus” and “not free to all people.” The Russian Referendum went from city to city asking people to vote on becoming part of the Russian Territory, and participants were forced to vote yes.

As for the future of the two countries, Dr. Freedman says, “it is hard to see how this will end. Putin seems unlikely to accept defeat without attempting a nasty escalation of how he wages war, and Ukraine is going to want to continue to overturn Russian gains.”

Kat Reed, a junior Political Science major, gave her perspective on the prisoner swap as well, expressing that she worries “about the safety of these prisoners, but [she] hope[s] the exchange will ease some tensions.”

Reed said that she is most nervous about introducing nuclear weapons in the war, “So far, it appears that Russia keeps bombing pipelines and is looking into the possibility of using nuclear weapons. I find this to be the biggest worry right now.” At this time, the Russia-Ukraine war is ongoing, and The Pace Press will follow the unfolding events closely.

Incarcerated trans artist makes debut in solo exhibition, ‘Even Flowers Bleed’

ANNA MURPHY Contributor

Tucked away in a ninth-floor art gallery in Chelsea, Jamie Diaz’s debut solo exhibition “Even Flowers Bleed” is a stunning collection of watercolor paintings made between 2013 and 2022 exploring the complexities of queerness and the strength of the human spirit. Anyone entering the exhibition at Daniel Cooney Fine Art without knowing who Diaz is will be shocked to find out that everything was created within a prison cell. However, incarceration is nowhere near the entire story of Jamie Diaz, a Mexican-American transgender woman who creates art to celebrate queer joy Diaz was born in Illinois in 1958, grew up in Houston and has been creating art since she was a teenager. Her biography within the exhibition references a broad range of artistic inspiration, ranging from tattoo artist Ed Hardy to the Dutch Masters. While this exhibition is entirely watercolors, Diaz has worked in many mediums throughout her life, including tattoo work. Her preferred medium is oil paint, but, due to being incarcerated, she is limited to watercolors.

The exhibition gets its name from her series of still lifes featuring vases of thorned roses and claws dripping blood. In her statement on the exhibition, Diaz explains, “everything bleeds, everything feels pain. We’re not the only ones… even flowers can hurt. That’s just part of nature.”

The pieces all bear common motifs: thorns, claws, little angels and devils. Some feature white doves, a symbol Diaz uses throughout her work to represent the queer spirit. In addition to the still lifes, there are portraits of the artist and her friends as well as more surrealist figures that explore the balance of opposites. Good versus bad, light versus dark; these dichotomies are the theme of pieces like “Raising the dead,” which depicts a violin player who stands on a black ground of thorns against a bright blue sky filled with doves. This contrast shows the balance of joy and struggle that comes from experiencing life as a queer person.

Diaz also shares with viewers her raunchy humor through her comics, focusing on the queer angel and devil characters that are in many of her pieces. In the comics, they serve as protectors and friends, watching over her and re- minding her how great she looks. They can get very explicit, and Diaz shared that censorship is some- thing she’s had to deal with when mailing her art out. Diaz’s comics have been in multiple publications and her first full-length comic book, “Queer Angels and Devils,” is being published through A.B.O. Comix, which aims to “amplify the voices of LGBTQ prisoners through art.”

University junior Pat Steinger shared that the comics were their favorite part of the exhibition. “I love how real they were and the contrast between the colorful cartoon style and somewhat serious topics they discussed created a really interesting dynamic that tells you a lot about the artist,” they said. “I also really enjoyed that you get to see Jamie’s self-image evolve over time through her art.”

The self-portraits of Diaz display the unique and powerful talent that she is. The piece “Queer Spirit” shows her strutting confidently down the street in pink leggings and a signature tight black shirt, carrying a pride flag below a rainbow and a dove with the words “Our flaming queer hearts will not be denied” on the piece.

NEWS

University’s reproductive justice panel addresses abortion advocacy amid overturn of Roe v. Wade

KAI JONES Contributor

49 years ago, Roe v. Wade was enacted, establishing the right to control one’s own sexual and reproductive decisions.

On June 24, 2022, that decision was overturned by a majority ruling within the Supreme Court where now 36 states hold restrictions against legal abortions.

On Sept. 29, the University hosted a panel in the Student Center to discuss the movement for reproductive justice. Panelists Dr. Meghana Nayak, the Chair of Women & Gender Studies, Dr. Emily Welty, the Director of Peace & Justice Studies and The Pace Press’ Assistant Social Media Manager, Mikayla Meachem, expressed their knowledge and provided resources on how to be involved in advocating for this freedom.

The panel began with Dr. Denise Belen Santiago, Director of Multicultural Affairs, sharing an anecdote related to the experience of those who have gone through an abortion, specifically during a time when the lack of safe accessibility was prohibited.

Dr. Nayak took the stand, or rather the screen through Zoom, to introduce the framework of the panelist discussion explaining the genesis of a group of black feminists known as SisterSong in 1994 Chicago, as well as calling attention to the forced pregnancies and forced deliveries that happened in war and conflict zones.

Centering on the problem, Dr. Nayak explains how anti-choice lawmakers hold great power in the reproductive justice discussion outside of the U.S., and despite it being mentioned in passing in the United Nations (UN), there is no “stand-alone human rights convention about reproductive and sexual health and reproductive justice.” Another hindrance is the Helms & Hyde amendments that were put into effect after the approval of Roe v. Wade, restricting federal funds from any organization that provides abortion care and/or speech.

Dr. Welty discussed the list of intersectional issues including sovereignty, race, class, migration, colonization, incarceration and even environmental justice, and how they all play a role in reproductive justice. In addition, Meachem mentions the purpose of intersectionality as a way to establish a long-lasting community of people with shared experiences who can provide support and access to resource centers. continued on PAGE 8

I miss the old Kanye

JAEDEN PINDER Executive Editor

What defines something as art? Art has become so subjective at this point, but a working definition that has stuck is this: true art is meant to elicit reaction. As bloated as it sounds, art should make you feel something, even if that reaction is immediate disgust and shock. However, a white supremacist motto screen-printed across a long sleeve sweatshirt is definitely not considered art, as much as someone might attempt to convince you. Even if it’s Kanye West. Especially if it’s Kanye West.

In the past, West’s actions have been excused as minor quips; even I have fallen victim to chalking his jests up as part of the grander Ye archetype as memeable bits. The excuse of his antics as part of an artistic scheme cannot continue much longer, especially if it falls into the realm of hate speech and hang- ing out with a charlatan like Candace Owens, who has openly decried Black Lives Matter, is doubtful of the impact of climate change and maintains that Ukraine didn’t exist until 1989.

Only one day before chaos ensued, West was praised for opening the latest Balenciaga show at Paris Fashion Week, albeit looking like a brutalist Roblox character.

ARTSFEATURES

‘Saturday

OPINION

Netflix

seriously ques-

: Photo from daisydeadair.blogspot.com

Credit: “Raising the Dead” by Jamie Diaz

Gov. Abbott sends over 9,000 migrants to NYC amid homelessness crisis

ETHAN CARTER Contributor

The use of human lives as political ammo was seen firsthand on Aug. 5 as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began sending buses of over 9,000 unwilling legal migrants to New York City. This event was part of a larger political statement by Abbott—buses were also received outside Vice President Kamala Harris’s residence in Washington D.C. and military barracks in Massachusetts. The targets being only blue states, it doesn’t take much to make a political connection behind legal migrants being used as political pawns.

Gov. Greg Abbott maintains that he is holding the Biden administration responsible for the influx of migrants, rather than understanding that asylum seekers are fleeing unsafe conditions. On Sep. 10, the Texas Governor condemned Democrats in a tweet, stating, “Texas is bringing the border to their backyard to relieve our overwhelmed communities. It’s past time to fix this crisis they created.”

This choice has generated criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, as the Texas Emergency Officials are in charge of funding these buses using tax-paying dollars. The rebuttal of the Texas State Department against claims of human trafficking of the asylum seekers is that all the recent arrivals signed a voluntary consent waiver agreeing to board a bus to NYC and that it was a choice of free will to be sent to blue states to join their families. Many of these refugees maintain that they have no family in NYC, no future plan and no idea how to gain housing.

The buses of migrants arrive in New York without any prior notice, leaving the city to scramble to provide support. Fortunately, they have been met with a large welcome by NYC’s diverse community. Large crowds gather as buses arrive, waving flags of support and providing gifts, with locals able to translate helping the migrants find their way.

There is also a continuous line of taxis at Port Authority to help them reach their destination. With the New York City taxi service made up of 95 percent immigrants, as well as a large number of first-generation Americans in New York, it comes as no surprise that such a welcoming community was ready to express compassion and humanity. The New York City public school system has opened its doors to these refugees as well, welcoming 14,000 new migrant students into their education system.

On Aug. 7, Mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference that he had an opportunity to speak with these migrants firsthand. He said

that many of the people claimed to have been packed into a bus without any direction and that most of them had to be reticketed to return home with their families. Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director of the New York Immigrant Coalition, emphasized that the NYC community must maintain humanity throughout this disaster. He claims that there is a continual issue of confusion, as people are being misled to the idea that they must come to NYC. He also says that people are being provided fake addresses to live here, often without having any families in the city, contradicting Gov. Abbott’s claims.

Those migrants that stay in the city, however, unknowingly fall victim to the ever-growing shelter issue in the city. New York being a rightto-shelter city has the responsibility to fulfill the needs of the homeless. Advocates for the homeless in New York are claiming that Adams is exaggerating the crisis of migrants coming into the shelter system in order to deflect the legal violations made by his shelters. Despite the lawsuit, McCain v. Koch, settled in 2008, which now makes it legally required to provide suitable housing for all homeless families with children, some migrant families are forced to sleep in shelter intake lobbies and are provided only two sandwiches a day.

On a federal level, the government is obligated to provide these necessities to make shelter housing possible and dignified. Adams says that this issue is one the city is still juggling to handle; “We have to continuously find new locations for emergency housing.” As shelters begin to reach capacity, with well over 50,000 in population since the start of September, the public began making safe-havens. Compared to New York City’s shelters, these havens have fewer restrictions but smaller spaces.

“We’re going to reach out to all of our electors who are advocating on behalf of our brothers and sisters who are homeless and we’re going to ask them to assist us in finding locations within their districts,” Adams said.

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, has attempted to ask for help from the National Guard to assist in coordination with the southern states to further prevent these issues. Despite the constant support of the city and the population, over 8,000 Texas migrants remain in New York City shelters, as the world waits to see if Gov. Abbott will be held responsible for this political ploy, and what is to come for the lives of these new migrants in America.

Yeshiva University and its efforts to prevent LGBTQ+ groups from forming

PRIYA PERSAUD Opinion & Editorial Editor

Yeshiva University, a private orthodox Jewish college located in Manhattan, recently refused to recognize its LGBTQ+ student-led organization as they alleged it did not align with their religious values. The club, YU Pride Alliance, ultimately decided to take matters into its own hands and filed a lawsuit in a New York trial court. The lawsuit between Yeshiva University and the YU Pride Alliance climbed its way up to the Supreme Court, where the court maintained that Yeshiva was responsible for both recognizing the organization and allocating funds for it, just as it would any other student-led group.

Though the current circumstance is very prevalent, it is not the first time that Yeshiva University has found itself in controversy with its LGBTQ+ students. In 1993, students from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, a Yeshiva graduate school, initiated a gathering of LGBTQ+ students creating altercations between the organization and fellow students who deemed it unsavory for the meeting to occur. Yeshiva, in an official statement, upheld that they would allow the meeting to commence.

That same month, religious leaders of the university and students opposed the student production of “Lips Together, Teeth Apart,” a play by Terrance McNally, because it was allegedly too approving of the LGBTQ+ way of living. In this same circumstance, the posters promoting the production were vandalized with homophobic remarks.

This year, YU Pride Alliance initially claimed that Yeshiva’s noncompliance to officially recognize their organization was a violation of a New York human rights law that specifically states there is to be no LGBTQ+ discrimination in public areas, including universities.

The court agreed and promptly instructed Yeshiva University to recognize the club. Although the New York appeals court rejected Yeshiva University’s notion to pause the trial indefinitely, Yeshiva was not content with the matter and brought the case to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court maintained the lower court’s ruling in a 5-4 decision, deny-

ing Yeshiva’s request to block the judge’s ruling at the highest level court in the nation.

In the days following the Supreme Court’s decision, Yeshiva made the surprising choice to pause all of their student-led organizations entirely, likely as a way to prevent the LGBTQ+ organization from continuing. The university sent out an email, stating that they “will hold off on all undergraduate club activities while it immediately takes steps to follow the roadmap provided by the US Supreme Court to protect YU’s religious freedom.”

Yeshiva University also included a section of its website dedicated to the ordeal, with a range of frequently asked questions in relation to the subject matter. The institution maintains its position that they are “accepting of all” and that the reason they are choosing to go to severe lengths is primarily due to its right to religious freedom. However, the implications of this seem to connote that Yeshiva University is, in fact, not accepting of its LGBTQ+ students.

Members of Pace University’s LGBTQA+ Center spoke about the ongoing situation, declaring that, “Any student should feel like they are welcomed, especially in a city like New York, no one should feel left out.”

However, when asked if they believed universities owe it to their students to create pride organizations regardless of the universities’ religious affiliation, they stated that “I would never advocate for prejudice and discrimination to occur, however, religious affiliation certainly creates complexities.”

New York is most notably known for ideas of progressivism, especially in regard to gender and sexual orientation. The success of the Stonewall Riots in the efforts for LGBTQ+ rights ultimately solidified this idea, and New York eventually became the sixth state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

As Yeshiva University’s story continues to unfold, the nation will be watching to see if a line has now been drawn.

Biden to pardon all federal charges of simple possession of cannabis

EMILY SHAFER News Editor

The Biden Administration announced that they would be pardoning all federal charges of simple cannabis possession on Oct. 6. Now fulfilling one of President Biden’s campaign promises, this clemency will pardon 6,500 people who were federally convicted of simple marijuana possession, beginning in the 1970s, though records only date back to 1992.

The Administration also announced they would be tasking the Department of Health and Human Services and Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General, with assessing whether cannabis should be a Schedule I controlled substance, the same category it shares with illicit substances such as heroin and cocaine, and a category higher than fentanyl.

Simple cannabis possession is when someone possesses a small amount of cannabis but doesn’t have any intent to sell or distribute it. The possession must also not be linked to any convicted crimes. People who have been convicted of larger amounts of cannabis, had the intent to sell or sold cannabis will not be pardoned.

“There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing or educational opportunities as a result,” Biden stated in a post on his Twitter.

He continued, “Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives… That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction.”

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Black people are 3.4 times more likely than white people to be charged with possessing or selling cannabis, though both groups use cannabis comparably. In a video posted by The White House on Twitter, Biden further explained that “while white and Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people are arrested, prosecuted and convicted at dispropor tionately higher rates.”

This decision is a step in the right direction toward decriminalizing cannabis use, but it dismisses the majority of people convicted of drug charges in the United States. In 2017, there were only 92 federal cannabis possession convictions out of 20,000 total drug convictions that year. Though there are no people currently incarcerated solely on cannabis charges, this move will help those convicted to be able to apply for jobs, housing, federal benefits and education, and is a precedent for cannabis reform at a time when people’s minds seem to be shifting toward legalization.

Biden also encouraged state leaders to follow in his footsteps and pardon people convicted on the state level of simple cannabis possession, which accounts for a much higher number than federal charges.

Many were surprised by President Biden’s decision, as he has been relatively quiet on this issue since he took office in 2020. People were further surprised because of his extensive history of contributing to mass incarceration in the U.S. during his Senatorial run. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, he fought for legislation to deal with the increased amounts of violent crime in America, such as mandatory minimum sentences for offenses like cannabis possession. Most consequentially, Biden signed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 under the advisement of Pres-

ident Bill Clinton, which significantly and disproportionately increased mass incarceration in Black communities across the country.

“The truth is, every major crime bill since 1976 that’s come out of this Congress, every minor crime bill, has had the name of the Democratic senator from the State of Delaware: Joe Biden,” Clinton stated in a speech in 1993.

Advocates for the legalization of cannabis were pleased with the decision, though some wished the administration had been even more liberal with their plan.

Former Illinois Sen. and current president and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project, Toi Hutchinson, praised the decision but criticized it for not being liberating enough. “This pardon… is just a drop in the bucket and can’t get in the way of banking reform and full legalization,” she said.

Adam Eidinger, a cannabis rights activist who is most known for leading Initiative 71, which legalized the recreational use of cannabis in Washington D.C. in 2015, was pleased with the decision but criticized it as well. “There’s all these crimes above simple possession. Almost no one gets charged with it. They usually get charged with more serious crimes like intent to distribute,” he said. He had hoped people who manufacture and distribute cannabis would also be pardoned.

Eidinger continued, “We should reward the President and the Democrats if they end the drug war and they bring the cannabis prisoners home, but they aren’t doing that with this. This is going to affect a very small group of people.”

The reactions from Republican leaders to this announcement were surprisingly mixed. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton called this “a desperate attempt to distract from failed leadership,” while David Yost, the Ohio Attorney General, said it was “the most political, cynical abuse of the pardon power in history.”

California Rep. Tom McClintock criticized Biden’s use of the legislative system, stating that though he supports the decriminalization of simple possession, he does not agree with Biden’s decision to “choose which laws to enforce and which to ignore.”

Other Republicans were pleased with the decision, including South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace who said that she “applaud[s] the Administration for their necessary big step forward in bringing justice to so many.”

“I don’t always agree with the Biden administration, I’ve been very vocal about that. But this is a step in the right direction… I applaud the President,” she continued in an interview with Fox.

Cannabis is currently legal in 19 states and the District of Columbia, and is legal for medicinal purposes in 37 states, four U.S. territories and Washington D.C.

This announcement comes just 34 days before the midterm elections, which will determine which party controls Congress. Pardoning simple cannabis possession at the federal level may help Democrats currently running for Senate gain the support of the younger generation, liberals and people of color, as this issue sits central to their campaigns. Decriminalizing cannabis use is becoming higher on the agenda of leaders from both political parties, however this is the most significant move by any U.S. President to date.

Credit: @annaruppercht_studio on Instagram

Syrian and Lebanese migrants die in boat sinkage amidst political and economic upheaval

A small wooden boat carrying 120 to 150 Syrian and Leb anese migrants took off from Lebanon on its way to Cyprus on Sept. 23, killing at least 76 people and marking the deadliest Leb anese voyage to date. The boat made it to the Syrian city of Tartus, around 70 nautical miles from its starting point before sinking.

There is no official cause for the sinking, however, considering the boat’s size and poor structure, it’s likely that it was unable to accommodate such a large capacity.

At least 86 people have died from the attempted trip, many of whom are children and the elderly. Trips like this are not feasible for most families, costing about $1,000 USD per person.

The migrants aboard were originally refugees in Lebanon, escaping the ongoing war occurring in their home country. They intended to migrate once again with their Lebanese counterparts to escape the economic crisis that unfolded in 2019. The declin ing condition in Lebanon quickly became more apparent with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Beirut Port explosion.

In Syria in 2011, protests demanding democratic reform began resulting in violent crackdowns by the government. The conflict between the people and the government caused a ma jor civil war within the nation. The war in Syria was instigated by major foreign powers, “sponsoring” the decisions of the war rather than getting physically involved. Russia, eager to maintain their influence in the Middle East, sided with the Syrian govern ment; the United States deploying its own forces into the conflict, supported Syrian pro-democracy groups.

Due to government opposition to democracy as well as

foreign interference, over 80 percent of Syrian civilians are living beneath the poverty line with staggeringly low amounts of food and medicine. Many die tragically; their homes being destroyed, schools being bombed and historical Syrian landmarks destructed. More than 13,000 children have died since the start of the war and almost seven million Syrian refugees have fled to neighboring countries Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon. Moving to Leba non was a sigh of relief for many and a time to rebuild their lives knowing their real home was a war zone.

The relief they felt moving to Lebanon soon erupted into panic once again, as they currently face a major economic col lapse. According to University Economics professor Dr. Anna Shostya, this is “…a collapse of the financial and banking system, [the] governments inability to finance its debt and… inability to borrow money, a tsunami of… bankruptcies and foreclosures, [a] decline in trade and a strong possibility of political upheaval.”

The country is currently $100 billion in debt, causing tight withdrawal restrictions primarily affecting lower and middle-class account holders in the country. During this, the Lebanese currency lost 95 percent of its value. People have become so desperate that some have resorted to “robbing” their own banks hoping to get a hold of their money.

When asked how Lebanon’s current economic state could affect the international world, Dr. Shostya said, “According to the World Bank, Lebanon exports gold, diamonds, jewelry and scrap metal to mainly Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the United States. It also imports petroleum oils, medicaments and other products from the United States, Greece, Turkey and China.”

“The decline in trade associated with Lebanon’s economic crisis will affect the world’s prices of these products and will make the stuff that Lebanon produces more expensive,” she con tinued. “Lack of imports, in return, will incapacitate the Lebanese economy even further as these imports are inputs for other goods that Lebanon needs to produce. Particularly devastating to the Lebanese economy will be its inability to borrow money from international sponsors, such as the IMF (International Monetary Fund).”

“We live in a very interconnected world,” said Dr. Shostya, giving advice to American students. “A crisis in one economy would have a ripple effect on others. A modern American student should be aware not only of how our own economy works but also of major international events and dynamics that affect the rest of the world. Being a responsible, cognizant and broad-minded citizen involves the knowledge of global cataclysmic events and the way they may affect our lives,” she advised.

The crisis is creating more Lebanese refugees in combination with the already existing Syrian refugees, which almost never existed prior to the upheaval in political and economic strife. Even middle-class individuals in Lebanon, who previously had no dif ficulty with money, are unable to see a future in Lebanon and are organizing ways to migrate to other countries. The two devasta tions in both Syria and Lebanon are entirely different but result in the same outcome: one must flee to survive.

A new age of planetary defense: NASA’s DART mission succeeds

NASA successfully completed its Double Asteroid Redirec tion Test (DART) mission on Sept. 26, in what the agency’s chief Bill Nelson is calling a “watershed moment for planetary defense and a watershed moment for humanity.”

DART was launched on Nov. 24, 2021, and was designed by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and SpaceX technology. Its main target was a non-threatening, binary asteroid system called “Didymos.” The Didymos system is comprised of two main asteroids: Didymos, the larger asteroid located in the center of the binary system, and Dimorphos, the smaller “moon” which orbits around Didymos. Didymos orbits around the Sun while Dimorphos, orbits around the main asteroid simultaneously. The binary system was first discovered in 1996 and was labeled as a “potentially hazardous asteroid,” but it posed no immediate threat to Earth even at its closest.

The DART mission lasted 10 months and one day and con cluded with a direct impact of the DART rocket into Dimorphos at roughly 14,000 miles per hour, all captured on a live stream with photos taken from both DART and the LICIACUBE, which was launched from the rocket before impact. The hope of the mission was simple: to make an impact and slightly change the orbit of Dimorphos around Didymos. The DART investigation has found some change in Dimporphos’ orbit, which marks the first time humanity has ever intentionally changed the motion of a celestial object in space.

The Pace Press had the opportunity to speak with Dawn Graninger, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Physicist and member of the DART investigation team.

NASA has successfully completed its historic DART mis sion, marking a huge turning point for planetary defense. One of the first questions that come to mind is why now? Was there an event or conversation that really sparked the heightened interest in planetary defense?

So the DART mission has been in the works for about eight years. It takes a while to build a spacecraft and planetary defense and has sort of always been around and on the radar–so over eight years we’ve been building this. What’s really special, though, about the timing of DART, was it was the right time for the right objects. DART went to a binary asteroid system. And so when people were thinking about designing the mission and saying, ”What do we do and what asteroid do we want to target?” the Did ymos system came up in conversations and they said, ”Oh, this might work out pretty well.” And what was really special was that the Didymos system was sort of very close to Earth in a way that was very easily observable, so when we impacted on Dimorphos, the Moon of Didymos, we would be able to get those observations

BLAISE PUSCAVAGE Contributor

we need to constrain the orbit or the change in the moon’s orbit around the larger asteroid.

What was most fascinating when researching the DART mission was the attention to detail that went into this mission. Everything was seemingly calculated down to the millisecond to make an impact with Dimorphos. What were some of the logistical challenges that came with such attention to detail?

I think one of the first challenges is that you’re taking this spacecraft and you’re trying to hit [Dimorphos], a 160-meter ob ject that is very far away [while] your spacecraft is going 13,000 miles an hour. So, one of the developments that were made for DART was something called Smart NAV. Smart NAV is actually the guidance system that drove DART into Dimorphos. It had all of this autonomous correction, it did all the autonomous tracking. Four hours before impact, we basically handed the keys over to the spacecraft and said, all right, DART, you’re on your own now, it’s time to hit the asteroid. There were opportunities to tweak pa rameters and we see now that we can see the asteroid because we had no idea what it really looked like before. You know, now that we see, oh, maybe we need to update this parameter so that we get the perfect hit. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t somebody driving in the spacecraft, it was really this autonomous algorithm.

NASA has stated that Didymos was the “perfect candi date” for this mission. Although the binary asteroid system posed no threat to Earth, what made this system so special for the DART mission?

So, what was really special about it was the fact that it was two. And so you have this larger [asteroid] Didymos and Di morphos going around it. And because there were two asteroids, through different observational techniques before impact, people had been studying the system and they knew exactly how long it took for that moon to go around Didymos. So what that meant was that when we impacted Dimorphos and we changed its orbit, we had all that pre-data. We knew how long it took before, so we can very accurately say, well, this is how much we were able to change it. And it was just a very unique opportunity. Other than that, I mean, it was just the right target at the right time.

We have long seen the threat of a massive life-threatening asteroid hitting Earth through media with movies like “Ar mageddon” or even more recently, “Don’t Look Up.” Though those movies are fun to watch, the actuality of a Texas-sized asteroid hitting earth seems unfathomable at the current point in time. What may some of the very real implications of this mission look like in terms of planetary defense in the near or distant future?

Didymos and Dimorphos were never a threat to Earth. The

impacts could never have made them a threat to Earth. And we really, and for the next hundred years, don’t know of any threats that are going to be impacting Earth from a detection standpoint. You know, it’s always funny, you mention those movies and they talk about these huge asteroids coming out of nowhere. We know where the asteroids that are in the kilometer size are. We know where all of those are. They’re very big. They’re very easy to see. So that’s what the T in DART stands for, to really test this miti gation method. So within planetary defense, if we were to see an asteroid coming, previously we sort of only thought about these methods. I run simulations and say, this is how much I think I would deflect it until you actually do that test. It’s really hard to get that sort of ground truth data. So the implications really are that it just helps provide that crucial test data that we need for full scale. We can run experiments in a lab, but you know, that’s probably the size of like a ping pong ball impacting into like some rubble on the ground, but not really the same thing as a 20 meters size spacecraft impacting into an asteroid. Just the fact that it is full-scale provides critical data that we can use if we did see something coming and needed to use a kinetic impact.

We have seen several advancements made by NASA in terms of space exploration as a whole over recent years. Now that DART has been completed and was a success, what is next in terms of planetary defense? Do you think we will see another mission similar to DART on a larger scale?

In terms of what’s next for planetary defense-type missions, there is a mission called the NEO Surveyor and that is a telescope that will hopefully be launched in this decade. And it’s going to go out and try to detect all the asteroids that are 140 meters and larger. That’s really what’s next, it’s actually very important be cause you can test a DART and you can say, oh, I can just deflect an asteroid, but it doesn’t really help to know that you can deflect an asteroid if you don’t know that there are asteroids coming. So having the ability to do that and say, I know that there are all these asteroids out there now that we didn’t know were there and that we might maybe or threats maybe they’re not threats. It’s very important in terms of other mitigation missions.

DART is just the beginning of NASA’s new age of planetary defense research. Though there aren’t any new DART–style mis sions on the horizon, the history of planetary defense is changing before our eyes. The advances made by NASA and labs like the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory give both, humanity a greater chance of survival from interstellar objects. and a better understanding of the universe we find ourselves in.

The Mets exit early as the Yankees begin their playoff run

ZOE POULIS Features Editor

For the first time since 2015, both of New York’s baseball teams, the Yankees, who play in the American League (AL) Division, and the Mets, who play in the National League (NL) Division, made the postseason. For the Mets, however, it was short-lived.

The Mets finished the season second in their division, earning one of three spots in the Wild Card Series for the NL. Kicking off the series run on Friday, Oct. 7, the Mets lost 7-1 against their first and only match-up of the playoffs, the San Diego Padres.

Max Scherzer, starting pitcher for the Mets and one of the top five pitchers in the league, got booed off the mound in just the fifth inning, giving up four home runs and seven runs. After this per formance, he is now the second player in Major League Baseball (MLB) with a history of doing this in a playoff game, after Gene Thompson in 1939, nearly a century ago. Though Scherzer is currently with the team under a $43 million three-year contract, fans can’t help but question whether or not the future Hall-of-Famer will be in a Mets uniform next year.

While the Mets bounced back with a 7-3 win in the second game against the Padres, this was not enough to keep their season alive, with their best-of-three series coming to a close on Oct. 9 after a 6-0 shutout loss, ultimately concluding that the Mets would not move on to the next round.

With the Yankees finishing first in the AL East Division, fans are anticipating an exciting post season. Their first series of the playoffs is set to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 11, against the Cleveland Guardians, who are just coming off their 2-0 Wild Card Series win against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Entering the postseason, baseball analysts suggest that Aaron Judge is the player to watch. Just before the playoffs, Judge broke the AL single-season home run record, with his 62nd of the season demolishing a record that had remained untouched for 61 years. While this was a major milestone in his personal career and the AL, the all-time MLB and NL record sits at 73 home runs. Baseball fans will have to wait patiently to see if this record-breaking season for Judge is just a fluke, or if he will one day surpass the all-time record of 73 home runs in a single regular season.

Though both teams were in the playoffs, it was unlikely both NYS teams would come headto-head. The Mets would have had to go through the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers, both strong contenders for the World Series. The Yankees may have a difficult road ahead of them if they get the chance to face the Houston Astros, who hold the number one spot in the entire AL. If the Mets and Yankees did end up playing each other, it would not have been until the final round of the World Series.

Not everyone gets the chance to witness a playoff game, and if anything can be learned from the Mets series, it goes by fast. The Yankees, however, are still in it, with plenty of baseball left to be played. Their first two games against the Guardians will be right here in the Bronx on Wednesday, Oct. 11 and Thursday, Oct. 13. Be sure to head over to Yankee Stadium or watch from your home television to catch the rest of their postseason run.

Paranormal frights to autumnal nostalgia: your October Press-Playlist

The breeze is getting cooler and the leaves are turning brown, which only means one thing: Halloween is coming. This time of year brings around a sense of nostalgia as the holiday’s approach and the seasons change. There are many feelings and events to associate with this month, so let’s explore the variety that the month of October has to offer.

While trying to decide which trope you would be in a slasher film or which apple to pick, sit back, relax and listen to this month’s Press-Playlist.

“Dance of the Clairvoyants” - Pearl Jam

What’s more encompassing of Halloween than the idea of clairvoyants? In this single from “Gigaton,” Pearl Jam explored post-punk and playful musicianship while leaning into paranormal aspects. Even though their work in this song was experimental, they are well-versed in the heavy synth and bass used throughout the track. Pearl Jam’s background in rock and grunge is not lost, though; if anything, it forces listeners to reexamine their previous albums and long for the 90s. This starting track on the Press-Playlist will definitely put you in the mood for October.

“bury a friend” - Billie Eilish

The haunting tone of “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?” by Billie Eilish remains consistent throughout the whole album, but “bury a friend” is particularly daunting. Its constant questioning and hard-hitting instrumentals stir up familiar emotions of fear and panic. With almost 500 million views at the time of writing this, the music video is a fantastic accompaniment to the song itself. Give “bury a friend” a listen, even if it’s to revisit it. Right when the track starts, it’ll make you feel ready for Halloween.

“Hell’s Itch” - King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s recent release “Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava” traverses listeners through the major scale, with each song representing a different mode. “Hell’s Itch,” a 13-minute track, is an immersive jam session with individuality shown through each member of the band. With its nauseating yet comedic lyrics, “Hell’s Itch” is indicative of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s essence. This track has both the dynamics of fright and amusement, which is perfectly associated with this month. There’s always plenty of content coming from this Australian band, with three albums being released throughout October 2022.

“Halloween” - Phoebe Bridgers

Halloween is a time for get-togethers and dressing up, but it can also bring feelings of sorrow “Halloween” by Phoebe Bridgers shows how far people go when they’re in love, for better or for worse. Bridger’s album, “Punisher,” explored these topics in a desolate and harrowing manner. This song, off of her second album, is no exception as it piloted the saddening story forward and even consisted of forbidding chords, which gave it a spot on this month’s Press-Playlist.

“Ghost of You” - 5 Seconds of Summer

Speaking of nostalgia, track 13 off of 5 Seconds of Summer’s album “Youngblood” is sure to put you back in your childhood bedroom. “Ghost of You” is one of the slower songs on the album with themes of broken relationships and longing for the past. If you’re feeling particularly emotional,

turn on the live version for a captivating experience with their audience singing along. Grab your hairbrush and belt your heart out with this ballad from 5 Seconds of Summer’s third album.

“Scorpio” - Hippo Campus

The end of October calls for pumpkin spice lattes, sweater vests and Scorpio season. “Scorpio,” from Hippo Campus’ album “LP3,” has a chill vibe that emits sincere lyrics. Hippo Campus has been a band for almost 10 years, but they still stay true to their musical identity. While they happen to be frequent attendees at music festivals, their indie background and alternative sound shines through. This song shows all of this and more through the catchy rhythm that listeners can’t get out of their head. Whether or not you’re a Scorpio, you’re sure to love this track.

“Witches” - Alice Phoebe Lou

While Alice Phoebe Lou’s “Witches” follows the Halloween theme, it also adds to the autumnal feelings that “Scorpio” brings to this playlist. Her four albums contribute to indie pop in a way that evokes raw emotion. Her work received immense praise, as she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story,” a 2017 documentary that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Lou is honest with herself, and that comes through when listening to her music. The folk-based synth throughout her music is representative of October in every way.

“I Put A Spell On You” - Nina Simone

Nina Simone’s work in jazz and R&B continues to stun listeners to this day, even though her music career was mostly during the mid-to-late 1900s. “I Put A Spell On You,” one of her more popular tracks, is repeatedly played throughout October and has become a classic since its release. Because of this, “I Put A Spell On You” even ended up being the title of her autobiography. She inspired many musicians and continues to do so in contemporary art. The instrumentals in this track along with her powerful voice created an irresistible song that fits perfectly into this month’s playlist.

“Black Cat” - Gentle Giant

Gentle Giant, a progressive rock band that originated in London, had an intriguing approach to musicianship that’s difficult to put a finger on. “Black Cat,” off of their second album, “Acquiring The Taste,” incorporates discordant sounds from a vibraphone, maracas and even a donkey’s jawbone. Black cats are associated with this time of year due to the superstitions behind their lore in witchcraft. Even then, nothing is as scary as utilizing a donkey’s jawbone in a song–give it a listen to find out.

“Frankenstein” - Rina Sawayama

Rina Sawayama’s highly anticipated album “Hold The Girl” brings “Frankenstein,” a danceable pop hit that’s destined for the charts. In an interview with Apple Music, Sawayama said, “I was writing about realizing that it’s not okay to give one person in your life all this baggage to deal with— whether it’s a lover or a best friend or someone else close to you—and asking them to put you back together when that’s not their job.” While alluding to a popular fictional character, “Frankenstein” gave us an inside look into the artist’s mind. This is the closing track on the album’s playlist due to its upbeat nature and inescapable melody–also to calm you down from your frights.

Sacheen Littlefeather passes away at 75

Sacheen Littlefeather, an activist for Native American rights, passed away at the age of 75 on Oct. 2. She is famously remembered for declining Marlon Brando’s Oscar for his work on “The Godfather” at the Academy Awards in 1973. She took 60 seconds to read her planned speech, was booed off stage by the audience and criticized by many famous Hollywood actors for her supposed disruption of the ceremony.

Littlefeather was given an official apology by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is said to be one of the last events she attended personally before losing her battle with breast cancer.

LYDIA LUTCHMAN Staff Wrtier

Littlefeather, previously Marie Louise Cruz, was born in Salinas, California in 1946. During her college education, she became very interested in advocacy related to Native Americans, as she dealt with personal struggles as a Native American herself. During her participation in the Occupation of Alcatraz protests, she took upon the name Sacheen Littlefeather to be paired with all of her civil rights and activist work.

Shortly after her departure from college, Littlefeather became an actor and joined the Screen Actors Guild. During this time, she met Brando through close friend Francis Ford Coppola. Coppola, the director of “The Godfather” trilogy, connected these two figures. Both Littlefeather and Coppola lived in San Francisco and witnessed the issues Native Americans had to endure in the area. Brando and Littlefeather eventually became friends, as Brando began to form an interest in the struggles and disparities Native Americans went through, especially in the film industry.

At 26 years old, Littlefeather was the first Native American woman to go on stage at the Oscars wearing traditional clothes. Brando wrote a lengthy speech for Littlefeather to give, but the show’s producer at that time, Howard W. Koch, threatened Littlefeather with imprisonment if she spoke for more than a minute. Instead of accepting Brando’s Oscar, Littlefeather began her speech: “He very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry… and on television in

movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee.” Wounded Knee was a standoff between government authorities and natives over corruption at an Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Littlefeather’s stance caused her to be blacklisted in Hollywood and affected her ability to obtain major roles in the industry. She eventually moved back to San Francisco, where she focused on being a voice for others in theatre and healthcare. Many years later, she was finally allowed to read her full speech at a press conference. Following this, it was printed for the public to read what they believed about the issues that Native Americans were facing.

For many decades, the Oscars maintained a non-partisan viewpoint, avoiding political and social issues that faced the United States. It was supposed to be seen as a night to admire Hollywood’s greatest movies and the actors, actresses and directors who made them. The short speech Littlefeather gave helped change the trajectory of entertainment and led filmmakers and actors to speak on the unfairness in Hollywood through a public acceptance speech. Furthermore, it urged the industry to change and become more diverse in representing women and people of color better.

Incarcerated trans artist makes debut in solo exhibition, ‘Even Flowers Bleed’

ANNA MURPHY Contributor

On a letter with information regarding her parole date, Diaz drew another self-portrait labeled “The Naked Truth” where she strides naked outside below the same rainbow and dove, pulling open her chest cavity, declaring, “it’s time to get out of here and start doing some good for the LGBTQ community.”

Diaz has been incarcerated in a men’s prison in Texas, serving a life sentence for aggravated robbery since 1996. In 2025, she will be eligible for parole after serving nearly 30 years of her sentence.

Along with the art, the exhibition had a binder containing “Coming Out of Concrete Closets: A Report on Black & Pink’s National LGBTQ Prisoner Survey,” the most extensive collection of information from LGBTQ+ prisoners ever collected. Diaz shares her own stories as an incarcerated transwoman through pieces like “Me and My Jellyroll,” a comic where she discusses how she

received a disciplinary report for styling her hair and argues for the right to self-expression regardless of where someone is.

On the first page, she explains why she does her work, writing, “to educate and to support each other and create a positive influence for our trans and queer communities. To try and make things better for people like us.”

On a table in the gallery, there is a piece Diaz made titled “In Honor of Being Queer,” which bears the same rainbow and dove appearing in so many of the paintings along with a heart and bleeding thorns. In the middle of the page, Diaz writes, “In a world of trans and queer people there is much love and understanding.” Visitors are invited to add their names and a note to the once empty space on the paper, which now is full of notes of gratitude and encouragement to the artist displaying the love and understanding of the queer community that Diaz celebrates in every piece.

SARAH

‘Blonde’ focuses on a wildly incoherent portrait of Marilyn Monroe

JESSE ORELLANA Contributor

The idolization of Marilyn Monroe has long been utilized in many different mediums. More exclusively through famed Andy Warhol paintings, crass uncle T-shirts and pretentious yet separated from reality Oscar-bait films, no amount of which can prepare viewers for the 166 minutes of unrelenting tragedy and abuse that is “Blonde,” where even a shining performance from Ana de Armas isn’t enough to make the film worthwhile.

“Blonde” is an adaptation of the novel by the same name by acclaimed writer Joyce Carol Oates. Andrew Dominik’s film is as close to faithful as a film can get, but the same cannot be said for the life of Monroe. Oates and Dominik have reinforced that the story of “Blonde” is a work of fiction derived from the life and times of the famed Hollywood actress. However, it’s hard to sit through the nearly three-hour-long film and ignore the damage it does to Monroe’s legacy. Likenesses are utilized to serve offensive rumors, the rating yields needlessly graphic sequences and the defiance towards traditional biopic conventions only serves to shock and disorient.

The film made headlines when Dominik wouldn’t back down on the rating: an elusive NC-17. In the world of “Euphoria” and “Game Of Thrones,” it’s hard to harp on excessive sex, drugs and rock n’ roll. So when “Blonde” was granted the unrestricted ability to depict and shoot whatever they wanted, everybody immediately wondered what it must have been like for Hollywood’s most recognizable sex symbol.

Dominik answers with a highly provocative yet nightmarish attempt at placing viewers into a world of exploitation and abuse. Dominik is not a rookie to storytelling with masterful visual language. What he is new to, however, is alluring visuals translating to coherent storytelling. At its core, “Blonde” is a very impressively directed mess that refuses to hold your hand through its narrative trauma. In other words, the film consists of disconnected events to spur up disoriented feelings of sympathy instead of a brutally honest portrait of Monroe.

“Blonde” begins with Norma Jean, the only daughter of a single mother and an absent, supposed film tycoon father and what follows sets a nightmare into motion; a traumatic childhood event that places Monroe on the doomed path of tragedy. “Blonde” has the inconvenient tendency to skip over what feels like important details in her life.

Dominik has placed a sharp focus on the most uneasy and provocative moments of Monroe’s life and career.

Following her traumatic childhood, she is quickly launched into the hands of predatory Hollywood producers, complete with realistically graphic se-

quences of sexual assault. The film doesn’t make it very far before it becomes difficult to watch. It’s almost as if the film is against focusing on the uplifting moments of her life to increase the constant tragedy.

At the center of what increasingly feels like a comically unrelenting tragedy, is de Armas, a shining light in this dark, bleak portrait. There’s a complex delicacy to her performance that makes the film manageable to get through. Her talents are paired with striking closeups and beautifully crafted sequences that feel intricately painted by an artist. It’s Dominik’s collaboration with de Armas that adds depth to Monroe. The way she navigates raw and unfiltered misery feels like a poetic combination of old Douglas Sirk films and modern abstract horrors.

It’s safe to say that de Armas might be the only outstanding actor in the film as well-known male faces come and go as they leave their traumatic mark and then disappear. Adrien Brody makes a brief appearance as Arthur Miller, the only figure in Monroe’s life that’s genuine love.

‘Triangle of Sadness’ immerses viewers in a nauseating ride

JULES KELLY Contributor

Content warning: “Triangle of Sadness” may not be suitable for students with emetophobia.

The 2022 Palme d’Or winner, “Triangle of Sadness,” premiered at the New York Film Festival in all its disgusting glory, with the film’s colorful cast and surrealistic plot leading to an enthralling tale of the fall of the rich–even if it was a bit on the nose.

“Triangle of Sadness” follows Carl, a handsome yet insecure male model, and his girlfriend Yaya as they become passengers aboard a luxury yacht. The yacht is filled with social elitists, some passengers including a Russian CEO of a large fertilizer business, a lonely app coder and a gentle elderly couple known for designing the modern-day grenade. The ship is pushed along by a drunken Woody Harrelson, the Captain, who is also a self-identifying Marxist. “A Russian capitalist and an American communist!” Dimitry, the aforementioned CEO, observed on the boat. The Captain responded, “On a $250 million dollar luxury yacht!”

First and foremost, “Triangle of Sadness” is a satire. Director Ruben Östlund set up overarching themes from the very beginning, parodying wealth, social status and gender equality. Although these are topics that have been explored thoroughly in film before, Östlund’s witty writing and dry comedic moments bring these themes to light through the use of stupidly-rich characters to showcase the worst of these motifs. The Captain is used to portray the audience in the situation, as he was on the “outside looking in” while dealing with the requests that seem ridiculous to aware viewers, but necessary to the rich passengers. Harrelson’s performance as the Captain is a great one; however, his character felt forced at times. Östlund used the Captain to polarize other characters like Dimitry and spoke about his communist beliefs in a way that’s less than subtle. While it’s an interesting character trait, it would’ve been more impactful had it been subtle and then picked up by the climax of the film.

ending for “Blonde” couldn’t any slower. When the its do finally roll, it feels a release more than an ending, literally and figuratively, in the sense that you can finally close the laptop and go about your ruined day and in the way that Monroe’s

tragic story warranted an ending that never shut the book on her eternal exploitation. To this day, her likeness is instantly recognizable and utilized for its provocative nature.

This film is about the fall of the wealthy, and Östlund didn’t hold back from witnessing the fall. This moment came during the Captain’s dinner that was taking place on a very stormy night. Serving nothing but chic and expensive seafood, the audience watched passengers gorge on their meals until each passenger experienced seasickness. The scene seemed to last forever as each passenger fell victim to their own body, vomiting on luxurious furniture and clothing. It’s a graphic and disgusting scene, yet so absurdly hilarious due to how uptight the guests were. Because of this scene, movie-goers were kindly given a gift at each theater before the film started: an official “Triangle of Sadness” vomit bag.

“Blonde” isn’t for the faint of heart, as the imagery is hard to digest and its messaging is difficult to dissect in the face of overt shock.

Östlund knows his way around the camera. He takes advantage of his environment and finds ways to convey a feeling that’s both claustrophobic and atmospheric. In this film, he utilized a night vision camera, which created a scary and paranoid aura. The camera is almost never steady on the boat, which nauseated and disoriented viewers. During scenes at the Captain’s dinner, the drunk Captain is shown at an angle almost the entire time. The long shots of the rocking boat along with disembodied voices of people screaming and vomiting are disturbing despite its elegance.

Although the themes are theatricalized in the film, Östlund’s political message is powerful. It’s rare to see a film let itself go and fall in a direction so humorous while keeping its serious message intact. “Triangle of Sadness” challenged important issues in a way that’s visually appealing as well as enticing with its intriguing cast of characters.

‘Smile’ is just another predictable horror film

SOPHIA WEISS-GOLDNER Contributor

Content Warning: “Smile” may not be suitable for students who are sensitive to depictions of self-harm and blood. This article contains plot spoilers.

After Paramount Pictures promoted their latest film by hiring actors to show up at MLB games with their creepiest smiles directed at the camera, alongside terrifying trailers, “Smile” went viral. Despite the clever marketing strategies in their campaign, the film was excruciatingly underwhelming and predictable from start to finish.

“Smile” has an unoriginal storyline, similar to a multitude of classic horror films that many cinephiles have already seen. This film is centered around Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon), a psychiatrist at a mental hospital in New Jersey. One day at work, Dr. Cotter witnessed a traumatic incident with a patient, which triggers her to have flashbacks of her horrific childhood. As the film progressed, a ghastly entity entered her psyche and threatened her life and those around her. Dr. Cotter then discovered that the only solution to free herself is to kill her- self or kill someone else. The entity feeds off of people’s trauma and spreads from one brutal death to another. The story is eerily similar to other horror movies like “The Ring” and “Insidious.”

It is import- ant to note that director and writer Parker Finn based “Smile” on his short film “Laura Hasn’t Slept.” Even though the “Smile” storyline could cause viewers to doze off, Charlie Sarroff did an exceptional job with the cinematography, as each scene’s shots are aesthetically pleasing in many ways. Sarroff has a unique eye for zooming in on the fine details of the scene, like a close-up of Dr. Cotter’s irises and the focused image of her cat’s collar. Though the storyline was a bit of a disappointment, the film is worth watching just for the hauntingly beautiful cinematography.

University sophomore Sierra Karam shared her honest unabridged opinion on the film, stating, “It is a cookie cutter predictable movie that relies too heavily on cheap jump scares. However, it was an enjoyable watch and if you enjoy scary movies, it is worth seeing.” So, even though “Smile” does not scream Oscar-worthy, Karam suggests it’s an enjoyable film to watch for scary movie lovers.

University sophomore Sydnee Pasala said that “The film was pretty formulaic and predictable.

The jump scares were quite constant making them lose their effectiveness, and at times they even logically made sense,” she admitted. “The fiancé’s acting was not great, but the rest of the cast did pretty well. I was entertained, but it definitely is not a standout horror film to me.”

The concept of a menacing smile haunting people was inspired by the 1928 drama “The Man Who Laughs,” directed by Paul Leni. Finn seemed to combine different horror movie tropes together to come up with the storyline for “Smile.” It stands out as a grade-B movie that is predictable and gruesome from beginning to end. The film does little to bring awareness to the stigma surrounding mental health and wellness. Though the movie may be entertaining for horror film enthusiasts, it is abundant in unnecessary jump scares and lacks real horrific substance.

Credit: @smilemovie

Twitter

THE PACE PRESS

BOARD

Mandi Karpo Editor-in-Chief

Jaeden Pinder Executive Editor

Gia Sparacino Events & Social Media Manager

Lyndsey Brown Treasurer

Emily Shafer News Editor Sarah Bergin Arts Editor

Zoe Poulis Features Editor

Priya Persaud Opinion & Editorial Editor

Chloe Fuller Photo Editor

Mikayla Meachem

Assistant Social Media Manager

Bella Micale

Assistant Photo Editor

Adam Klein & Lanie Presswood Faculty Consultants

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

Dear fellow readers,

The beginning of a new academic year starts to feel like the turning over of a new leaf found dangling on the branch of a crisp pin oak tree. And then right around October and November, the fall temperature chills its stem, causing the leaf to change its color, die and fall from its branch, crumbling underneath the feet of a million New York City patrons. Quite honestly, this is the epitome of what it feels to be a college student and ironically appears to be the same even after college graduates leave these University walls. In seven months, the Class of 2023 will walk across the stage at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY, and be left to fend for themselves in a professional world that knows no better than to stomp on the dreams of ambitious wannabes; but if they’re lucky, can be mentored to grow into a pin oak themselves.

I for one dream for the latter, and I know for a fact that this month’s contributors will be planting trees across the City in years to come. It has been sensory overload, in the best way possible, to witness the amount of excitement, dedication and talent fostered within The Pace Press. In just one month, our Editorial Board has increased regular engagement with the newspaper six-fold and growing, while regular attendance to our weekly pitch meetings has increased three-fold and growing, in comparison to previous years.

This particular in-print houses articles from students’ experiences based on what they see, hear, taste and smell, starting right here in Manhattan and reaching internationally to Brazil and beyond. The Pace Press has made it our mission to provide a platform for all student voices who wish to publish what they have bottled up inside, so people like you can resonate and understand that you are not alone. Receiving an education in one of the most politically, religiously, ethnically and economically diverse cities in the world, The Pace Press has due diligence to dignify the student body by unifying our backgrounds into the one entity you hold before you; it is the finite product of the blood, sweat and tears of 31 contributors, five editors, five graphic designers and four editorial board members–a culmination of you and your peers.

From Oct. 24 to Nov. 21, The Pace Press will be hosting a donation drive for the Veteran-In-Command, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and homeless shelter in Jamaica, NY. Their mission is to help our nation’s veterans transition back into society with a home and opportunities by providing them with an alternate community with housing that every American citizen is entitled to. Please consider making a donation to one of the several donation bins to be located at:

1. Cafe 101 in One Pace Plaza: All non-perishable foods (grains, canned fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, nuts, canned fish and poultry, granola and protein bars, canned soup, chips, etc.).

2. Maria’s Tower, Once Pace Plaza on the 6th Floor by the Residential Life Office: Clothes for men and women (jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarfs, umbrellas, shirts, tops, interview clothes, pants, skirts, etc.)

3. 33 Beekman, left of the main lobby: Clothes for men and women (jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarfs, umbrellas, shirts, tops, interview clothes, pants, skirts, etc.)

4. 182 Broadway, in front of the turnstiles: Clothes for men and women (jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarfs, umbrellas, shirts, tops, interview clothes, pants, skirts, etc.)

5. 55 John St., in front of the turnstiles: Clothes for men and women (jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarfs, umbrellas, shirts, tops, interview clothes, pants, skirts, etc.)

If you would like to make a direct donation, please visit www.veteranincommand.org.

As always, I would like to iterate that The Pace Press is a rolling admission organization and it is never too late to join as a contributor. We meet every Wednesday 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

(students, faculty, administration and

of the individual writers and do not re ect the

of The Pace Press sta or Pace University. The Pace Press is not

for damages of any kind of arising out of use or relevance

Keeping up with ‘Gilmore Girls’ 22 years later

MALAK KASSEM Staff Writer

It’s been 22 years since the hit dramatic comedy “Gilmore Girls” premiered. Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel take on the roles of mother and daughter—Lorelai and Rory—and though they’re 16 years apart, they’re best friends.

The show takes place in a fictional small town in Connecticut where everyone knows each other by name and town meetings are conducted on a weekly basis. Throughout the seven seasons, fans and viewers tagged along on Lorelai’s complicated relationship with her parents, Rory’s pres tigious schooling and both of their romantic lives. Together, they venture through difficult decisions and the responsibilities of friendship all while maintaining their adventurous personalities.

“Gilmore Girls” touches on many real-world topics, such as teen pregnancy, navigating both family and romantic relationships and the importance of communication. Hidden within all the comedy and drama, there are quite a number of important and sensitive situations that arise. For example, Rory’s existence is a constant source of reflection from Lorelai’s parents, who want to be the best grandparents they can while still having a hard time accepting that their daughter left their haven of opportunities because of her young pregnancy.

Sookie St. James, top-notch chef and Lorelai’s best friend, was Melissa McCarthy’s break through role. Joining the “Gilmore Girls” cast gave her major recognition in Hollywood. She was a humorous, supportive and warm character. According to Entertainment Weekly, McCarthy has always positively reflected on her time on the hit show. She captioned an Instagram photo of her and Graham with “How was this 22 years ago?!”.

On the other hand, Scott Paterson, who played the role of Luke Danes, recently spoke out about how he felt “objectified” while filming a scene on set. Paterson played a local diner owner, and his character had a big role in Lorelai’s life. There’s a scene that included Lorelai and Sookie talking about Luke’s butt, to which he expressed that it made him “uncomfortable” and “pissed off,” according to CNN.

Paterson went on to discuss that objectification coming from women directed at men is just as harmful as it is the other way around. However, Paterson’s character connects with fans on many levels, including University student Sarah Lepis, who considers Luke one of her favorite characters.

Lepis stated, “Luke resonates with me because, though he appears tough, he would do anything to protect and care for the people he loves and that are closest to him. I would describe him as stub born but also sweet.”

Despite Paterson’s reported discomfort from that scene, the “Gilmore Girls” cast is overwhelm ingly positive about their experience. During a Good Morning America interview in 2020, the cast discussed how much they enjoyed playing their roles, saying that they felt connected to their charac ter’s personalities and felt like a tight-knit family on set.

Lepis continued, “‘Gilmore Girls’ is a comforting show with its witty writing. It feels like a

“Gilmore Girls” is over two de cades old; however, it is known as a timeless show. The humorous dialogue, heartwarming characters and relatable scenarios that the show displays continue to joy and affection viewers. Its diverse set of lifestyles represented throughout the seven seasons made it easy for everyday people to connect with the characters. Each character appeared with a different ideology, which allowed different types of audiences to resonate with those portrayed on screen. There is something in “Gilmore Girls” for everyone, which makes it a must-watch.

‘Saturday Night Live’ is back with fresh faces for Season 48

MANDI KARPO Editor-in-Chief

New and acquainted fans of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) slept–or rather didn’t–under tarps, wet blankets, umbrellas or nothing at all on Oct. 1 in the Standby Reservation Line, waiting nearly 12 hours in remnants of the torrential downpour from Hurricane Ian. The reward for such bravery was an unguaranteed, nosebleed seat to the Season 48 premiere dress rehearsal or live screening, hosted by “Top Gun: Ma verick” star Miles Teller and accompanied by critically acclaimed musical guest Kendrick Lamar.

After a year-long hiatus and the mass exodus of eight of its cast members, viewers finally saw four of their newest comedic talents in action, featuring Marcello Hernandez, Molly Kearney, Mi chael Longfellow and Devon Walker. The four fresh faces shared the stage alongside veteran cast members like Michael Che, Mikey Day, Colin Jost, Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang.

Teller, transitioning from cinema to television, hosted his first “SNL” episode and participated in a cold open with the familiar political banter “SNL” fans know all too well. In another episode of “ManningCast,” a televised analysis of Monday Night Football, Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning (Teller) and his younger brother Eli Manning (Andrew Dismukes) provided a play-by-play for the audience on the skit being performed.

As the two made a mockery of the acting unfolding before them, James Austin Johnson played his recurring role as former President Donald Trump. Like most “SNL” skits, it framed the former President as nothing more than a political laughing stock and pariah, making sly remarks on the ongoing investigation into confidential documents seized by the FBI that were taken from his Mar-aLago residence.

Emmy Award-winner Jon Hamm, best known for his portrayal of Don Draper in “Mad Men,” had a featured guest appearance and joined the Manning brothers in the commentary, ironically no ting that what he witnessed “was not comedy.”

Following the run-of-the-mill introductory skit, Teller opened his monologue by reminiscing on his early childhood, playing a heartfelt video that his mother drove 15 hours to deliver. The recording shows an eight-year-old Teller and his sister reenacting “The Spartan Cheerleaders,” a sketch that featured Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri from Season 23 in 1997.

“But seriously, how crazy is that? My parents used to watch me doing skits in my living room, and now they’re here watching me host Saturday Night Live!” Teller enthusiastically shared.

As for Kendrick Lamar, also referred to as “K.Dot,” it was not his first time around the “SNL” block, with the premiere of Season 48 being his third time as the featured musical performer. The backdrop for his performance was an utter white box, with shadows and lighting to complement his mysterious ora, partnered with a set list that included songs from his most recent album, “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” He performed a chilling rendition of “Rich Spirit” and “N95” and brought out Sampha for “Father Time.”

Out of the nine skits showcased during the dress rehearsal, only five made it to the live broad cast, some of which surprised University fans.

There for the dress rehearsal, University senior Zoe Cecil-Kempski was #46 in the queue and later received ticket #18. “In dress, we saw a Sarah Sherman-led sketch called ‘Jewish Elvis’ that didn’t make it to the live show,” Cecil-Kempski remarked. “I think ‘Jewish Elvis’ was a strong sket ch, so hopefully, it makes it to YouTube.”

The live show started with the “ManningCast Cold Open,” which was followed by the sket ch “Send Something Normal,” where Teller played game show host Halen Hardy. The four male

The pre-filmed BeReal ad that followed, which Yang ironically mentions is “the only honest social media,” took place in a failed robbery attempt. Teller, one of the robbers, is a social media cynic-turned-believer and is convinced to download the app by a customer to partake in “being real” before the two-minute window disappeared.

Other notable skits that made the live broadcast include “Rooftop Bar” and a parody of Nicole Kidman’s AMC ad, where she turns into a Thor-like hero while her followers chant, “Heartbreak feels good in a place like this.” Then, Jost and Che took the second to last slot with “Weekend Up date” before the broadcast ended. There is no “SNL” without this classic segment, as it has appeared ever since their first broadcast on Oct. 11, 1975. There were a few special characters unveiled during this segment of “Weekend Update” with Longfellow being a standout.

“I was pleasantly surprised by Michael Longfellow during ‘Weekend Update,’” Cecil-Kempski shared. “He had a stellar comedic flow and took on the challenge of being the first new cast member to do ‘Weekend Update’ since Pete Davidson in 2014.”

The last skit of the evening ended with “Grimace,” where Teller, as the McDonald’s mascot, loses 300 pounds, has shredded abs and comes out as bisexual to his fellow mascots, including Day as Ronald McDonald, Yang as the Hamburgler and Thompson as Mayor Cheese.

“I’m a big fan of ‘SNL,’” University sophomore Will Schmid said. Schmid was #216 on the queue for the Live performance and happened “to see the online queue on [‘SNL’s’] Instagram ten minutes before they opened it.”

Besides the lottery, NBC has introduced a new means of getting a last-minute ticket. To attend any of the “SNL” dress rehearsals or live broadcasts via Standby Reservation, a virtual queue opens at 10 a.m. the Thursday before a show and closes after the 300 available slots are filled. Individuals can reserve up to four tickets, and those fast enough to input their name and email are sent a queue number and instructed to arrive at the NBC Studios Marquee at 7 p.m. on the Friday before the show From there, guests are required to stay in their designated queue spot until 7 a.m. the following morning and are only allowed to leave for ten minutes at a time for food and bathroom breaks. Then, at exactly 7 a.m. on Saturday, guests receive a ticket with their new entry number and are asked to return later that evening for the 8 p.m. dress rehearsal or 11:30 p.m. live broadcast.

For those who question spending a day’s worth of hours in the Standby Reservation line, Ce cil-Kempski said this was her “eighth time doing the Standby line and seventh time making it in,” having experienced the worst rain yet this time around. However, she would “absolutely recommend doing the Standby line, despite the not-so-great weather. It’s a great experience to have and truly some of [her] favorite memories from [her] time so far in New York.”

Be sure to check out the “Saturday Night Live (SNL) Standby Line” podcast for tips on how to prepare for a night of sleeping on the streets of New York City, as well as “The SNL (Saturday Night Live) Network” podcast to hear media coverage on the latest episodes.

contestants, Day as Adam Levine, Johnson as Armie Hammer, Thompson as Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Yang as himself, were tasked to reply to a woman’s direct message on Instagram “in a way that is normal” to win $100 million. The overall premise of the skit was to poke fun at memes of Adam Levine’s cheating scandal which went viral in September after his direct messages with Instagram model Sumner Stroh were leaked.

breath of fresh air in terms of comedic relief while also telling different characters’ stories and the hardships that some of them face.”

Scary good reads: October’s Literature Lineup

To get into the spirit of the season, dive into the world of Halloween with one of The Pace Press’ October recommendations. Whether you’re looking for a slightly spooky read or you want to kick it up a notch and explore the horror genre, broaden your horizons with literary classics to childhood favorites. Halloween only comes once a year, so if you want to fill up your book checklist for the holiday, pick up one of these scary good reads.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling Zoe Poulis, Features Editor

On Oct. 14, it was announced that Robbie Coltrane, who played the beloved Hagrid in the “Harry Potter” series, had passed away at the age of 72. If you’re feeling nostalgic this Halloween and want to honor his memory in light of his passing, cuddle up with a classic like “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Any “Harry Potter” book would do, but the last book of the series has that extra bit of spice you might be looking for this spooky season. Follow Harry and his friends as they hunt down the Horcruxes that keep Lord Voldemort alive. Everything has been leading up to the Battle of Hogwarts, where all of your favorite characters will fight to stay alive and defend not only the school that they love but the entire Wizarding World. Fall back in love with the series through all the details that the movies don’t reveal, and believe me, there are many.

“The Dead Zone” by Stephen King Mandi Karpo, Editor-in-Chief

Stephen King has published 64 novels, and as a novice reader in the horror genre, I wanted to make sure I was signing up for what I asked for.

In “The Dead Zone,” readers follow former school teacher Johnny Smith, who awakens from a five-year coma and discovers he possesses the ability to see people’s pasts and futures at the touch. Eventually, Smith shakes the hand of an utterly unethical politician, getting visions of the man’s future, and has to choose whether or not to take drastic measures to change the future he envisions. King is relentless in horrifying descriptions, and the visions that Smith has are no exception. For a Political Science major, the novel touches on the realities of corrupt politics and what the average person would do if they held power to change the trajectory of such corruption. I would definitely recommend this for someone who is breaking into the horror scene and wants to dip their toes in the shallow end before diving deep into the abyss.

“Ohio” by Stephen Markley Jaeden Pinder, Executive Editor

I’ve always found that some of the most terrifying works I’ve read depict realistic situations of human morality

ZOE POULIS Features Editor

and how sinister and evil we can truly be, and “Ohio” definitely fits that bill. Stephen Markley’s debut follows four classmates returning to their Midwestern hometown and shows how our past actions in our formative years can come back to haunt us. While it does have a slower pace, it really picks up as Markley has a very cinematic way of writing, like how the reader gets to see both perspectives of a short interaction at different points of the novel. These characters are hardly lovable, some I absolutely despised, but that didn’t stop me from putting it down and it now holds the place as my favorite novel for its effortless yet meticulous character design. It’s not inherently a Halloween story, but I think it has enough of that general dread of America in the aughts (and a pretty horrifying ending) that it suffices for an eerie read.

“Payback’s a Witch” by Lana Harper Gia Sparacino, Secretary

The only thing better than a witchy rom-com taking place in a cozy small town is a witchy rom-com taking place in a cozy small town with a sapphic revenge plot. Compared to “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and “The L Word,” “Payback’s a Witch” follows the story of Emmy Harlow, a young witch returning to her enchanting small town to proctor a witches tournament after nine years of self-exile. Planning to lay low and spend time with her childhood best friend and serial monogamist, Linden, Emmy’s world is flipped upside down when she finds that during her absence Linden was swooned and subsequently scrapped by Gareth Blackmore, the same heartbreaker that drove Emmy from Thistlegrove nine years earlier. Talia, a sexy sorceress who had also been roped in by Gareth’s charm concurrently with Linden, convinces Emmy to join the two of them to help get revenge on him during the tournament. On top of being offered the payback Emmy’s been fantasizing about for nearly a decade, she can’t help but also be drawn in by Talia’s hypnotizing looks and wicked charm (pun intended). First in a series of three, “Payback’s a Witch’’ offers all the best parts of June in the chilly month of October. Supplying a cauldron full of giggles and goosebumps, this is the perfect recommendation for anyone looking for an easy read this spooky season.

“The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne Lyndsey Brown, Treasurer Beginning in one of the most notoriously spooky towns, Salem, MA, this classic novel covers the life of a young woman and her secret affair. She is faced with the humiliation and shame of wearing a scarlet “A” on her clothing, all while trying to maintain the secret of who fathered her child. The novel explores the taboos surrounding infidelity and women’s innocence as Hester navigates life with her child and suspicious husband. Read this classic novel to expose Hester’s secret and explore life in the Massachusetts

How to put your safety first in NYC

OLIVER SCHOFIELD Contributor

With seven martial arts studios in Lower Manhattan alone, New York City has no shortage of options for learning self-defense. Living in the city, it’s essential for students to know where to start.

Ryan Evans, the University’s self-defense instructor, offers a jumping-off point for students who want to learn more. On Sept. 28, Evans hosted a self-defense class in the Student Center to teach students how to stay safe in the city. Through this class, he promoted awareness of the reality of crime in NYC and taught students how to respond to threatening situations, making sure to emphasize a key point: running is self-defense.

Evans began the class by debunking the common myth that NYC is dangerous when it is much safer than most people think. According to Neighborhood Scout, a site that gathers data from local law enforcement, NYC is one of the safest cities in the country, with an average of 25.80 crimes reported per 1,000 residents every year. Chicago, by comparison, has 35.19 annual reported crimes per 1,000 residents, while DC has 46.45.

Evans claimed that cities are often safer than the suburbs because crime is less likely to happen in crowded areas. In rural areas, there are often fewer witnesses to scare off potential criminals.

Students still need to be smart, however. Evans emphasized that awareness is your first line of defense. He recommends keeping headphones off while walking in the city or riding the subway; criminals are more likely to target people who are unaware of their surroundings.

Even when students keep an eye out,

they still might become the victim of a crime. When one feels threatened, Evans said running is the safest form of self-defense. This may not be intuitive; some students thought it would be safest to stay and fight. “I was expecting him to say … defend your life and just like … go hardcore for [your safety],” a student in the class reflected.

Unfortunately, running is not always an option. If an aggressor grabs their victim or brandishes a weapon, it can be more difficult to escape. In these instances, Evans suggests responding with physical force, but only for as long as necessary. When using force against an aggressor, physical strength is not as important as your technique.

“The best self-defense doesn’t actually come from… bigger people, it comes from the people that use certain techniques, like moving your body and your hips,” one student said.

According to Evans, twisting your hips in the direction of your strike helps increase the force behind the blow. To increase the effectiveness of the attack, he also encourages targeting weak spots: striking the throat, groin or shins shuns the aggressor, giving the victim time to get away.

Evans closed the class by once again stressing the importance of awareness. Watching out for potential threats and responding as soon as one arises is the best way to stay safe. One student expressed gratitude for this approach by saying, “It just shows that anybody can be really good at defending themselves.”

Through this Weeks of Welcome (WoW) sponsored class, students learned that self-defense is not about being stronger than your opponent; it’s about reacting quickly and knowing how to put your safety first.

Bay Colony, witch trials and all. “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley Emily Shafer, News Editor

You might be familiar with the story of Dr. Frankenstein and his creature through the lens of Hollywood and mass marketing, but if you’re up for learning the whole story behind the famous man-made monster, Mary Shelley’s novel is the one for you. Victor Frankenstein, who is actually the doctor and not the monster, creates the Creature in his laboratory, intending to make him beautiful. Once the Creature is alive, though, he realizes the scientist has made him repulsive and abandons him. What was intended to be a harmless science experiment ends up costing lives and causes turmoil for the Creature, as he seeks to be accepted by humans. This is a fascinating novel with elements of sci-fi, horror and immaculate writing by Shelley. It is a perfectly spooky read for the fall season.

“Coraline” by Neil Gaiman Sarah Bergin, Arts Editor

Many have seen “Coraline” directed by Henry Selick, but fewer have read the novel by Neil Gaiman. For those who don’t know, “Coraline” revolves around the titular character and her family as they move into a new home. Their neighbors are quirky and the house comes alive, leaving more to be discovered throughout this fantastical adventure. This novel explores the themes of neglect and belonging in a beautiful and imaginative way. Everyone who is a fan of the film should read the novel, and vice-versa. If you’re new to the horror genre, this would be a good introduction for you. I recommend this to anyone who wants to revisit the childhood classic in a different medium.

“Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn Priya Persaud, Opinion & Editorial Editor

What some may describe as the catalyst for the “girl boss” era in media, others simply boil down “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn as one of the best murder-mystery thrillers in the modern age. This novel follows Nick Dunne, your run-of-the-mill guy from the Midwest who marries literary-renowned and “cool girl” wife, Amy. Nick and Amy’s marriage is tumultuous with tension caused by the pair naturally growing apart, until their fifth anniversary when Amy suddenly goes missing. Amy’s closest confidantes and the scene of the crime point towards Nick as the main suspect, even though he consistently maintains his innocence. This page-turning novel will have you inquire about the darkest parts of marriage while also begging to know what exactly happened to Amy Dunne.

KAI JONES Contributor

With the upcoming midterm elections on Nov. 8, Dr. Nayak encouraged students to vote, highlighting the Abortion is Healthcare Everywhere Act, which was introduced to the House of Rep. in March 2021, and authorizes assistance from select foreign funds to provide access to reproductive health services in developing countries. Dr. Welty recommended that students work to educate themselves on the people who hold power to change the current situation. She also acknowledged transformative justice and how it reconfigures our thoughts to identify the root cause of these issues and how they affect us as a whole, rather than independently.

Furthermore, the panel discussed ways students can be involved and display advocacy.

“If you see that the policies are not going to be what we rely on, then you need to be focusing in on the community, because if we are not educating our community on what’s really happening in policies, then we won’t be able to translate

these policies to understand what they are actually saying,” Meachem advised.

SisterReach, Spark and Black Women for Wellness are organizations that promote advocacy in health education and community outreach and work to incorporate the arts in culture and media to build resources for POC, non-binary, LGBTQ+ and low-income communities. Dr. Welty drew from the climate justice movement, saying, “Everybody doesn’t have to do everything, but everyone really needs to do something.”

Dr. Welty encourages students to exercise their curiosity, especially in conversations with others who have opposing standpoints to understand the information they’ve received that has shaped their opinion, as well as partaking in local activism like donations, signing petitions and volunteering with reproductive justice organizations available at aafront.org.

University’s reproductive justice panel addresses abortion advocacy amid overturn of Roe v. Wade

Credit: Illustration by Gabi Camacho

The brains behind your favorite Seaport restaurants and Pier 17 rooftop venue

MANDI KARPO Editor-in-Chief

A playground for University students and what is considered Lower Manhattan’s finest gem, The Seaport and Pier 17 offer staggering views of the Brooklyn Bridge, paired with an array of foods and beverages to satisfy the diverse taste buds living in New York City. Seaport would not be a paragon without the accreditation of Creative Culinary Management Company (CCMC), the only hospitality group to launch during the pandemic, which is responsible for staffing and providing the food and beverages served at your favorite Seaport restaurants and Pier 17 amenities.

“As a company that started in the middle of a pandemic, we have always wanted to connect with the community surrounding the Seaport New York City and ensure that people who work and live in the neighborhood have an amenity in the form of restaurants and bars,” said Pawel Brzezinski, Executive Vice President of Operations and Strategy for CCMC.

Launched in July 2020, CCMC partnered with The Howard Hughes Corporation to manage a food-lovers paradise of seven establishments and growing. Amidst the onslaught of COVID-19, Brzezinski and his team at CCMC had an obstacle to tackle: with no indoor dining allowed at the time of their debut, The Greens, a rooftop restaurant, bar and concert venue on Pier 17, was the solution to providing a community and safe haven for local New Yorkers who yearned to escape the confines of isolation.

“The Greens…was nothing more and nothing less, but simply our answer to the pandemic,” Brzezinski shared. “We knew that people were stuck in their apartments in Manhattan. We wanted to make sure they had a place to go, where they can be with their closest friends and family, and be in the safest environment possible. So we devised those 28 mini lawns [for the Summer] that were socially distanced, and we didn’t take reservations for more than four people or parallel.”

CCMC is the epitome of creativity, which is not only obvious given its name, but showcased in its ability to make winter dining outside in 20-degree weather bearable, even enjoyable. The Greens mini lawns scattered across the rooftop were replaced with cabin structures for guests to dine in the comfort of their own party, sheltered from others and the bitter cold, and ultimately carried the hospitality group through the winter months.

“I remember every single day we were getting feedback from our guests stating how grateful they were for doing what we did. Because that was the only time where they could go and see their friends and family during the holiday season,” Brzezinski noted.

After the success of The Greens, CCMC opened Malibu Farms, a farm-to-table concept owned by Chef Helene Henderson, with its original location in Malibu, Calif. Enjoy Taco and Tequila Tuesday, watch the sunset across the Brooklyn skyline during Sunset Happy Hour or even indulge in some “live entertainment within the venue, which is really highly appreciated by people who live and work in the neighborhood,” Brzezinski commented.

Neighboring Malibu Farms is where guests will find freshly-caught seafood, seasonal cocktails and that paint-worthy view overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge at The Fulton by Jean-Georges, his only seafood restaurant. Prior to CCMC, Brzezinski was the Director of Restaurant Operations for Jean-Georges Management for three years. It was during this time when Jean-George taught Brzezinski “how to taste, how to pay attention to details [and] how to really look at the restaurant from an operators perspective, but also from the guests perspective,” which was pivotal in evolving Brzezinski’s management style.

Every restaurant that CCMC oversees provides something different, with Dante and Dante’s Negroni Bar, found within The Seaport, the ultimate hot spot for guests’ mid-day or evening drinks. In 2017 and 2019, Dante was named the #1 bar in the world at the World’s 50 Best Bars Award cere-

Behind the scenes of PaceDocs’ ‘Tide to Table: The Remarkable Journey of Oysters’

GISELLE BERENTS Contributor

On Sep. 18, PaceDocs brought home a win from the Williamsburg International Film & Music Competition for their student documentary “Tide to Table: The Remarkable Journey of Oysters.” The short film is about the making of oysters, and how they’re sold and shelved in restaurants. The team went off to New York, Connecticut and Cape Cod, Massachusetts to inquire about different oyster companies and those involved in the oyster industry. The documentary serves as a connection between the oyster world and others who don’t necessarily understand what goes on behind the scenes of one of their favorite delicacies.

PaceDocs is made up of a group of students who are enrolled in the documentary film course, led by Professors Maria Luskay and Professor Lou Guarneri. These professors and students had a specific job to do in order to bring this film to life.

Adam Ng, a senior at the University’s Pleasantville campus majoring in Digital Cinema and Filmmaking, shared what it was like working on set and playing a major role in editing, filming and more.

This documentary came about from an idea that a previous professor Ng had who is based in Cape Cod. “She’s friends with an oyster farmer. He invited her out to the flats–so she went and that’s what inspired her.” Ng said. “It’s about the lives of the farmers, we just don’t see that; we only see the end product of the oysters.”

The documentary premiered at different movie theaters in Cape Cod and went on to win prestigious awards as well, including Best Student Documentary Short Film. With the beautiful execution of the film, it makes sense that people would be captivated by something that isn’t usually spoken about.

Screening this documentary was extremely important to this class and all of the filmmaking majors as it highlighted their work and put

the time and effort that went into producing it out into the world. Upon winning awards at the Williamsburg competition, Ng describes the experience as an online film festival that he and the other students entered. Once their professors, Luskay and Guarneri, told them the news, the entire crew was able to celebrate this major accomplishment toward all their efforts.

With “Tide to Table” in particular, the team split up in different places on the East Coast to get plenty of shots with the time that they had.

“To edit a whole documentary in a month and a half is kind of insane,” Ng said, expressing how this contributed to the challenge of producing and making the film.

What goes on behind the scenes of a film can make or break the entire work. Sometimes when shooting, it was difficult to work out all the details, like finding the right time to interview people and getting the lighting right. “In production, they say it doesn’t always go the way we want it to go,” Ng noted on the process.

The documentary itself is particularly intriguing as its eye-opening nature adds to the vigor of the film. When asked about what Ng was most proud of, he said it was getting to see himself tangibly recognized in the end credits.

“Tide to Table” having this kind of success and uncovering so many accomplishments has been a surreal experience for the entire crew who worked on it, and it will be remembered throughout the University’s history. “Tide to Table: The Remarkable Journey of Oysters” is more than a documentary about oysters, but is about the people in and behind this project to create something unique.

For students looking to support the film, “Tide to Table” is available to watch on YouTube. For more information on the process and where to watch it, please see the University’s press release.

mony, and now, the location offers river views to glamor customers’ evenings with world-class light bites, negronis, martinis or wines.

CCMC encapsulates its food, beverages and aura around seasonality, which is at the core of its business decisions. Conceptually speaking, Malibu Farm, The Fulton and Dante bring the outside in, with large windows towering from floor to sky. Most notably, Dante’s interior was designed by Roman and Williams to create a rustic, elegant nuance to match the taste of their liquor. Tying in the aesthetic is the gigantic window spanning from wall to wall that, in just 45 seconds, can enclose the space entirely or bring the East River’s breeze right to the bar and dining table, making it the perfect venue for corporate gatherings, birthday celebrations and social events.

“Moving a little bit outside of Pier 17, we have Sunday in Brooklyn and MakiTiki, which is a bar located on the cobblestones,” Brzezinski transitioned. Sunday in Brooklyn, a pop-up restaurant taking Cobble & Co.’s previous location, is most known for its breakfast, brunch and drinks. Across the way is MakiTiki, formerly known as the Garden Bar, is their latest edition, combining Japanese maki, hand rolls and snacks with tiki, tropical-style cocktails.

And while all of their restaurants’ beauty, unique concepts and ambiance are all the rage, Brzezinski knows that “none of that would be possible if [CCMC] didn’t have great people working with [them].”

“When I say people, it’s absolutely everyone,” he expressed. “It starts with a dishwasher to the general manager of the restaurants, and everyone is a part of the environment we have created. That’s how we look at our people. That’s how we look at our employment.”

The Tin Building is the newest and grandest developmental expansion, providing guests with a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, including several bars and restaurants. Before the Building opened, none of the Seaport restaurants CCMC manages provided all three. Although Brzezinski is not overseeing this business, it is still a part of CCMC’s purview.

But expanding the company to a larger scale is not their top priority; rather, it’s wanting “to make good and smart business decisions. It’s really all about how we can make sure we are efficient, productive, and maintaining a culture that will attract talent and people so they can work with us to create a great experience for our guests.”

Born and bred in Poland, Brzezinski graduated from the University of Warsaw with a Master’s Degree in Finance and Business Administration when he came to the U.S. and discovered a love for the hospitality industry. Between 2017 and 2020, Brzezinski held a variety of positions, including Area Vice President of Hospitality Strategy for Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets; facilitated food and beverages for Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, working with The New York Islanders in Hockey and Arena Operations; for three years provided hospitality for the U.S. Open in Queens; and hosted the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Calif.

For any students interested in pursuing a career in hospitality, CCMC is hiring an entry-level Event Coordinator position, looking for someone with an administrative background with a fire in their belly for food and beverage. To learn more, contact Rose Mercado, Senior Human Resources Manager at rmercado@creativeculinarymgmt.com; let her know The Pace Press sent you. To find more job openings at The Seaport and Pier 17, apply online at www.harri.com/creative-culinary-management or submit a resume for general consideration by emailing careers@creativeculinarymgmt.com. With a business culture that empowers and immerses its employees to become one with the community, CCMC could be your next career-building opportunity into multifarious cuisine.

Unique and obscure ways to explore NYC

KATHERINE PAPPAS Contributor

The leaves begin to turn, the temperature starts to fall and the days slowly become shorter. As autumn arrives in New York, take some time to explore everything the city has to offer! New York City is home to some of the most popular, historical and aesthetically pleasing sights, so whether you’re looking for a cheap day trip or you have some extra cash to spend, below are some of The Pace Press’ unique ways to see the sights in NYC.

The High Line (Free)

The elevated rail line that once connected trains to warehouses and factories is now a 1.5-mile-long park open for the public to enjoy. From Gansevoort St. to 34th St. on Manhattan’s West Side, take a stroll alone or with some friends before it gets too cold while overlooking the city, the water and the greenery planted along the track.

Staten Island Ferry (Free)

If you want to explore a different borough, the Staten Island Ferry might be your answer! Leaving from Whitehall Street every thirty minutes (at least, most of the time), enjoy a free 25-minute boat ride to Staten Island, with a perfect view of the Statue of Liberty on the way. With the ferry running 24/7, you have plenty of time to explore the local Italian restaurants and coffee shops in this borough, or just go for the ride and head back to the city.

Roosevelt Island Tramway ($2.75)

Running from 59th Street and Second Avenue, this aerial tramway takes you to Roosevelt Island for $2.75. Spanning over the East River between Manhattan and Queens, be sure to take advantage of the charming parks and elegant gardens with NYC skyscrapers in the distance! The trams run every fifteen minutes and only accept MetroCard payments.

NYC Circle Line ($22+)

The New York City Circle Line has been in business for 77 years, hosting over 80 million passengers. Starting at $22, you can select from a wide variety of cruises ranging from a 2.5-hour Best of NYC Tour to a 2-hour Sunset Harbor Lights Tour. Setting sail from Pier 83, see some of NYC’s most popular attractions: Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, Yankee Stadium, the George Washington Bridge and more!

Water Taxi ($31)

While this one may be a little on the pricey side, for $31 the NYC Water Taxi is a quick and scenic route to get to some well-known tourist sights. Running from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m., the Water Taxi has three Manhattan terminals to choose from: Midtown 42nd St., Downtown Battery Park and South Street Seaport. From there, head over to the Dumbo terminal in Brooklyn, or ride all the way to Coney Island, as the possibilities are endless.

NYC Big Bus Tours ($35+)

NYC Big Bus Tours are a very effective way to get to see as much of NYC as possible. Top View Sightseeing offers a wide range of bus tours starting at $35. Go during the day or experience a Night Tour and ride through Times Square after the sun sets. Buy a ticket for a “Hop-On, Hop-Off” tour so you can get off when you want–like at Central Park or The Metropolitan Museum of Art–then get back on when the next one comes.

There are countless exciting ways to see the city, especially for first-year students. Whichever one you choose, remember to be safe and have fun!

Pawel Brzezinski Executive Vice President of Operations and Strategy for Creative Culinary Management Company

Bar crawl your way through NYC on Halloween

ALEJANDRO TEODORO Staff Writer

For 21+ readers only

Halloween is right around the corner, and so are the bars in New York City. To give the holiday more spirit and attention, The Pace Press has you covered with a few Halloween-themed bars. Please use this list responsibly, be safe and have fun!

The Cauldron

The Cauldron is a creative bar located on 47 Stone St. Until Nov. 1 comes around, experiment with the Potion Making package, complete with holiday-themed drinks, a magic wand, a robe and two brew-your-own-drinks for an hour and 45 minutes. Adult tickets are $59.99, but be sure to take advantage of the student discount for $50.99. Reservation hours are between 2:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., depending on the selected date you choose.

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer

If you’re looking for some pumpkin-infused eats, Black Tap

is a solid choice. Though they have a couple of different locations, The Pace Press recommends stopping by the one in SoHo. Their specials contain pumpkin spice burgers, bourbon maple pumpkin classic shakes and red velvet cookie shakes! They also have a variety of drinks and foods to choose from on their regular menu.

Loreley NYC

If you’re tired of using a regular keg, check out Loreley NYC for a pumpkin full of beer! Their pumpkin kegs will be there until Nov. 6, though they are a bit pricey. Along with their original menu, they provide many Halloween-themed drinks. Enjoy a night in their heated (and haunted) outdoor beer garden with some pumpkin-spiced cocktails, hot bourbon cider or just some old-fashioned pumpkin beer. Loreley is located at 7 Rivington St.

Beetle House NYC

Located at 308 E 6th St., Beetle House is a one-of-akind bar and dining room that celebrates Halloween every day of the year. Reservations are necessary for the dining room

only, but are not required for bar service. All orders like food and cocktails have a 20 percent service charge; keep note of that when making reservations. They are open from Thursday to Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sundays from 4 p.m. to midnight. Again, please drink safely on your day of celebratory treats.

The Garret Cocteleria

If you aren’t ready to let go of Halloween once it’s over, The Garret Cocteleria is celebrating Día de Los Muertos until Nov. 19 at 349 Broome St. They have Day of the Dead cocktails and non-alcoholic options if you just want to celebrate over some good food with friends or family. If you have a rebellious friend who doesn’t celebrate Halloween, tell them about this bar, it might just work.

Manhattan guide to thrifting your fall fashion

MICHAEL HUERTAS Staff Writer

To many, thrifting in Manhattan sounds like a dream scenario. However, for the past few years it’s felt more like a myth as Brooklyn continues to reigns supreme, forcing interested second-hand shoppers out of Manhattan for their thrifting needs.

As the weather starts getting colder and the seasons begin changing, now is a great time to add new pieces to your wardrobe. Thrifting is a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly and enjoyable activity you can partake in with your friends. Whether you’re looking for clothing, home furnishing, collectibles or art, The Pace Press’ catalog of Manhattan’s best thrift stores (grouped by neighborhood) should help in a successful outing.

Chelsea Cluster

Starting this list is one of Goodwill’s many locations, found at 103 W. 25th St. This store is open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m and you’ll find yourself searching through a wide array of cheap and well-kept clothing to entertain you for a long time. The most expensive item you’ll find is the occasional $20 item and the most affordable items are priced at $5.

About a 4-minute walk to 142 W 26th St. is 2nd STREET, a Chelsea store that offers a large variety of styles from streetwear to vintage clothing and accessories. The store has an array of exclusive items of premium quality, with prices at 2nd STREET varying from $10 tees to $150+ luxury designer items.

Crossing over Sixth Ave you’ll find Crossroads at 24 W 26th St., a low-priced buy, sell and trade store that promotes customers to sell their current and trending fashion for cash or trade credit. On the way there, stop in Buffalo Exchange, a few stores down from 2nd STREET, where you’ll see a warehouse-sized store full of inexpensive secondhand clothing and accessories. This Chelsea cluster will have you shopping for hours on end.

All stores accept credit/debit cards and contactless payments and are wheelchair accessible. 2nd STREET welcomes pets.

Getting into the spirit: NYC Halloween Activities

ALEJANDRO TEODORO Staff Writer

Halloween is almost here, and if you’re looking to get in the spirit, The Pace Press has some recommendations for you! Let this be your guide to some Halloween events going on throughout the city, and be sure to explore them safely.

New York City’s 49th Annual Village Halloween Parade

Your first stop is at NYC’s Village Halloween Parade on Sixth Ave and Canal St. The event is free and the only requirement to participate is that you’re in costume, however, if dressing up isn’t your thing, you can also just be a spectator of the parade. If you want to be in the special theme section or skip the line, it costs $25 a ticket. The event starts on Monday, Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., but it’s recommended you come around 6:30 p.m. if you plan to participate. Spectrum News NY1 will present this parade live at 8 p.m. on the day of Halloween as well. This is great if you want more of a celebratory experience on Halloween.

The Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla in Central Park

Another way to celebrate is The Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla, located at the Harlem Meer in Central Park. The activity requires you to bring in your own homemade jack-o’-lantern so you can display it on the water with 99 other jack-o’-lanterns. On Oct. 26 they will provide free decorations and lights

to assure your pumpkin sails, so be sure to read up about the Flotilla before Oct. 26 to understand their guidelines. This free event is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 27. Everyone is welcome to watch pumpkins sail and bob on the water, even if you don’t donate one.

Blood Manor

Now if you’re feeling like taking a risk and scaring yourself, The Pace Press recommends the Blood Manor. This attraction is located at 359 Broadway and to not spoil the fun, the details on it are purposely left out–just know that the actors make it their mission to terrify you. It would be best to find the humor in this experience, so you don’t get paralyzed walking through the passage. This would be a great activity for you if you’re looking to try something new and thrilling. Reservations cost $45.64 per person and are available until Nov. 5.

Boo at the Zoo

Our final stop is located at 2300 Southern Blvd, where The Bronx Zoo will be hosting several seasonal activities for people of all ages. On Halloween, they will have a parade, candy trails, crafts, pumpkin carving demos and more. One reservation for an adult costs $41.95, children’s tickets are $31.95 and senior tickets are $36.95. If you plan to have family in town, this would be the most ideal event to attend. Most Boo at the Zoo activities are included once you purchase tickets for the zoo.

Credit: Photo from pexels.com

Noho/East Village Bundle

The Noho/East Village bundle consists of four stores spanning a 15-minute walk. Starting at 204 First Ave is a personal favorite, L Train East Village - No Relations, a thrift store that is filled with any article of clothing you can imagine. Though the basement is currently closed, this location has two large floors filled with affordable apparel. Head toward 186 Second Ave and you’ll find East Village Thrift, a vintage, thrift and antique store that offers an all-around experience with inexpensive clothes, vintage accessories like cameras, books and cute houseware. The final stretch of this trip is a seven-minute walk to another 2nd STREET at 712 Broadway, which is beside another Buffalo Exchange. Oftentimes these stores have lines to get inside, but don’t let that stop you from searching through their inventory as the lines tend to move fast.

All stores accept credit/debit cards and contactless payments. 2nd STREET welcomes pets.

Greenwich Village Strip

For any students who frequent Greenwich Village, you might be surprised by the quality of thrift provided. Though there are only three stores in this bundle, $30 and a dream will get you far! Located at 44 W 8th St. is an underestimated Goodwill. Their inventory varies but oftentimes, you’ll find underrated gems.

From 8th St., walk to 10 W 13th St. and you’ll land at Beacon’s Closet, one of the best vintage shops in NYC according to Complex. Beacon’s Closet is another buy, sell and trade shop with vintage and modern clothing, open seven days on a walk-in basis. They offer the highest percentages for selling and trading and are also reasonably priced. In addition to this, they have an online shop and blog section. Finally, another Goodwill at 7 W 14th St. is just a one-minute walk away, where you’ll find anything from small household appliances to art and other collectibles.

All the stores accept credit/debit cards and contactless payments. Goodwill is wheelchair accessible.

Get ready with Spotify: Spotify pop-up thrift store

Spotify had a pop-up thrift store in Brooklyn this weekend promoting the tagline GetReadyWithMusic. The event was held from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2 at Other People’s Clothes in Bushwick, providing a thrifting experience with clothing organized by “vibe.”

Spotify didn’t advertise the event to the general public, only extending “VIP” invitations to select Spotify users so unless you received the email, got word from a friend or happened to walk past that particular weekend, it’s likely you didn’t hear about it.

Walking in, you’re greeted by a large display encouraging guests to “Get Ready With Music” using a featured QR code, and a small description of the pop-up explaining that “each section in Other People’s Clothes is inspired by different music. Follow the frequencies that resonate with the styles you’re looking for. And don’t just try on clothes, listen to them.”

The posted QR code takes scanners to the Spotify app, prompting users to get a playlist based on their style using GetReadyWithMusic. When asked what GetReadyWithMusic is, Spotify advises listeners to “think of it as a playlist generator with the songs that match your style. Or as an accessory that complements the looks you love putting together. You give us the activity you’re getting ready for, the color mix that you’re wearing, and the texture of your outfit. We then blend all of that together and create a mix of tracks that go with your look.”

The store was divided into seven

GIA SPARACINO Secretary

sections, each section organized by vibe: fuzzy, crispy, wavy, smooth, shiny, bubbly or cozy. The vibes were separated by walls put up by Spotify featuring different textures and colors to match its respective vibe. Small speakers were installed above each section playing music corresponding to the vibe. Visitors were also given the opportunity to choose the music playing throughout the whole of the store using iPads stationed throughout the space.

The pricing was reasonable for NYC thrift, ranging anywhere between $16 for a vintage leather jacket to $50 for a used but new pair of Doc Martens lace-up combat boots. There was a large variety of colors, textures and styles, and it was somewhat size-inclusive. There were some plus-size pieces littered throughout the store but, like most vintage stores, wouldn’t recommend the shopping spot for plus-size friends with confidence. If anyone has visited L Train Vintage’s Manhattan location, Other People’s Clothes is comparable in price and style.

There were both Other People’s Clothes employees as well as specially hired workers for the pop-up. Employees brought in by Spotify were gifted matching pants custom-made for the wearier featuring vibrant waves or blocks of color patterned down the legs.

Diana Byrd, a P10 employee brought in to ensure the event would move smoothly applauded Spotify, sharing “I love how a private company is gearing towards more sustainable and eco-friendly stores featuring

small brands. A lot of people don’t know about Other People’s Clothes, so this event has been a great highlight for them.”

Before it opened to the public, influencers were invited to kick-off the event with host Tan France, Pakistani-British-American fashion designer and television personality on Netflix original “Queer Eye,” who styled guests using pieces from the store and walked listeners through using Spotify’s GetReadyWithMe platform.

Lexi Krakowski, a freshman Marketing major at the University attended the pop-up and felt “the vibes and atmosphere of the event were super chill. The way they set up their store made it even better to match each of the themes to the clothes and it made my first time thrifting an experience I won’t forget.” Even if you missed Spotify, Other People’s Clothes is still open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day on Troutman Street, and neighbors L Train Vintage and Urban Jungle are just a six-minute walk if you feel like adding a thrift hop to your trip. Spotify hasn’t released any statements regarding joining the fashion world, but listeners are kept wondering if this event held deeper meaning for the company’s future.

Credit: Photo from istockphoto.com

Credit: Illustration by Gabi Camacho

Gossip accounts are storming the student body

Connecting with people, confessing feelings, and sharing secrets that will inevitably spread all over the University seems to be the main purpose of the gossip accounts surrounding the University. There are two main Instagram accounts that enable the aforementioned to happen–@Pace.confessionss and @Pacecrushesandconnections. These accounts are, presumably, run by the University’s students. Despite any possible speculation, the identity behind these accounts remain anonymous to the public. Their main actions are collecting gossip, opinions and thoughts of students and then posting the information to their respective Instagram accounts, exposing the submissions to the public which consequently creates discussion amongst students.

After conducting a survey with students, statistically, every third person has heard about the University’s gossip accounts, and every seventh person has once submitted something to be shared on one of the Instagram pages. Most of the students actively monitoring such accounts are sophomores and juniors.

Surprisingly, not everyone who monitors those Instagram accounts is its follower. The explanation lies in the nature of anonymity: students simply want to reduce the chance of being discovered if they submit something for publication. Undoubtedly, a declaration of love anonymously is much easier than doing so directly in real life, and even more easy if there is no way for the details to tie back to the student.

Some of the recent posts on Pacecrushesandconnections included:

“I have a boyfriend but the tall guy with a side cut, you are so hot and I hope that girl hanging around you wasn’t your girlfriend,” one of the students shared.

“My class crush is in two of my classes. They make it so hard to pay attention,” another student shared through a post.

While reading this, the notion comes to mind that such University’s gossip accounts help people to express themselves, but, in reality, are they helpful or harmful?

Gossiping has an inherent tendency to drive social bonding. Posts on the accounts about overcrowded elevators, food in the

MILANA POGRETSKAIA Contributor

dining hall, and individuals who constantly get posted are becoming inside-jokes; jokes that allow the campus community to bond. Students are sharing and learning something from one another via submissions to these Instagram accounts. There are posts about classes and professors, which helps students get a firsthand idea of whether they are interested in taking the specific class.

There are even more benefits of these accounts when it comes to connecting. Students initiate dialogues in the comments section under the posts, whether debating or merely thinking about an idea that was mentioned in the post, which assists in meeting like-minded people and forming new friendships that may have not occurred otherwise.

“Sharing information in those accounts is like writing in a diary,” one student shared. “I confessed my feelings to a girl, and I was so happy to see that she liked the post about her. Even though she didn’t know it was me, it felt good to finally let it out.”

As much help as these gossip accounts intend to bring, there is always a darker side. During college life, some students find the reach of this widespread gossip irresistible and don’t understand what trouble it can create.

People usually gossip because of their own personal interests and in the process can unintentionally hurt the feelings of others. Consequently, misinformation is easy to both create and grow through these accounts.

Publishing a simple piece of gossip, heard by a friend, may not even be the truth. A lot of these are purely rumors intended to be negative. Even if the information itself seems innocuous, it can adversely affect the individual who is the victim of gossiping.

Imagine a situation where someone simply stated that a guy, who is in a relationship, was seen flirting with another girl. There is no evidence of that, no pictures, literally nothing, but solely a post on an Instagram account that may ruin this relationship.

Another interesting aspect of the way that gossip harms, is that they may be intentional. Someone may be trying to sabotage, do revenge, or simply make fun of the other person. This brings a lot of negativity.

In these kinds of situations, gossip can make people feel anxious, angry and helpless.

“My friend was afraid that someone would start stalking her,” one student mentioned. “She has noticed a lot of mentions of her throughout the posts.” University gossip accounts and their posts can bring unwanted attention to people. Some may perceive such attention well, someone may even enjoy and want it, while others may feel uncomfortable. So the next time you consider posting, be intentional with what you are sending into the world.

**All students who have been interviewed have chosen to remain anonymous.

Brazilian right-wing politicians are manipulating Christianity

On Sept. 9, former president of Brazil and current candidate for the chair, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (known as Lula) spoke for more than 28,000 evangelicals in Rio de Janeiro. At the rally, one of the pastors claimed that the “enemies of God had assumed control of the nation, but in the name of the Lord, that soon would end” mentioning an imminent victory of his. A few days later, Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right president seeking reelection, was received with a standing ovation as he rose to the stage in an Assembly of God in Sao Paulo. There, he conferred that in the second round of the elections, the battle would be over with his victory “in the name of Jesus.”

Intrinsically, Christianity has become a tool of power since the Roman Empire. That said, politicians have always flirted with faith to gain votes and candidates usually participate in religious ceremonies during elections. But what is observable in Brazil and resonates around the world, is how in recent years the abuse of the faith’s followers has become saturated. Moreover, the discourse about candidates in churches has been refined in a more “messianic” way despite the political side, dividing the nation on an “us versus them” mindset.

After 14 years of a leftist government headed by former president Lula, Brazilians were met with high inflation, two corruption scandals and dissatisfaction with the government. The opposition made mostly of right-wing parties saw an opportunity to overcome the Workers Party administration. But they had to choose a good representative for it, someone who could reflect Brazilian

FLAVIO MOREIRA Contributor

beliefs and support its demands against the left.

Parallel to that, in ten years, evangelicals grew five times more than the Brazilian population: 61.4 percent against 12.3 percent. Public representatives quickly understood the importance of the evangelical elector as a new Brazil began to take shape - conservative, against many leftist ideologies. It is at this defining moment, where Bolsonaro appears. Famous for polemic opinions about minorities and opposing gun control, he was the one who could get a shot of defying the “communist threat” which apparently surrounded Brazil. Likewise, religious leaders sought sympathy of the candidate who called himself somewhat Christian, as he defended religious guidelines, such as a “traditional family,” pro-life policies and tax-free temples. Considered an outsider for such opinions, Bolsonaro rose to power in 2018, primarily because of the evangelical electorate. Some among them were against this endorsement from the movement, but both sides were intertwined during that year.

Opposition grew during his administration, marked by a disastrous response to the pandemic. From this, Lula saw an opportunity to get back to power. One strategy of his was to replicate Bolsonaro’s religious approach to Christians. Always emphasizing his Catholic background and being photographed praying alongside religious leaders, Lula implemented this very unethical course of action just like his adversary. The consequence of this is a very subtle division among churches. The great majority still supports Bolsonaro, but Christians standing next to Lula have in-

creasingly shown up as well. These two poles are in a never-ending battle to claim whose side is right with the Word of God.

In the middle are believers who couldn’t care less about both candidates, finding both of them to be terrible representatives. For them, church is a place for expression of faith and spirituality and always has been. Political figures are welcomed at the temples but are challenged to come outside during their election period. This new stance seems to defend the obvious, but that simply shows how unhealthy the relationship between “Church & State” can be. It is damaging for all of those outside the belief system, but also makes the religion something grotesque and full of hatred for others, losing the sense of empathy and mercy.

Christianity in Brazil has given so much for society as a social cause and a spiritual refuge. It has shaped the nation for centuries firstly by Catholics and now with the evangelicals. But the latter is eccentric: it is plural with many branches among itself. Those who think the new Brazil looks like an old white man as Bolsonaro and Lula are wrong. This new face is made by the majorities in Brazil, who since the beginning have been used as a totem to gain every electorate while being marginalized and oppressed. This new face is a black woman from the favelas, devoted to a real Christianity She is committed to social equality among all people and against every type of discrimination and injustice. The heart of the issue seems to be that religion is being utilized as a device in politics rather than an entity of hope. If political parties want to reign over, they must understand what they are dealing with first.

Seniors have mixed feelings about graduating at USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center

With last year’s return of an in-person graduation ceremony, the hope that students would get to walk across the stage at Radio City Music Hall was reignited. However, it was quickly extinguished when the University announced that the class of 2023’s commencement will be held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens for the second year in a row.

This announcement has created quite a stir within the senior class, and though seniors have all undoubtedly been looking forward to this moment since grade school, there is a slight chance it has put a damper on things. After all, Radio City has a rich history, stunning interior and of course, is the home to the Rockettes. Not to mention a venue that the University has been advertising as its graduation site for several years.

Though the plans appear to be set in stone, students are expressing their frustration.

“I was livid because they essentially sold Pace to my freshman class as ‘Pace is so cool because you get to graduate at Radio City Music Hall.’ I understand [because of] the pandemic it was a lot of people graduating at once from previous years, but this year only the class of 2023 is graduating. It seems like a cop-out,” said University senior Esha Tottempudi, an Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications major.

On the other hand, the majority of students that were asked for their thoughts had no idea this announcement was even made. I was met with a lot of “wait, where is it?” and “oh, I didn’t even know” responses. “I think it goes to show the lack of communication between Pace and its students,” noted senior English major Emma Sylvia. “It seems like a general apathy to a moment for hundreds of people that is genuinely special that gets reduced to something trivial.”

Communication has been a major complaint against the University since the start of COVID-19, but graduation announcements fanned this flame, especially with the class of 2022’s guest speaker being none other than New York City Mayor, Eric Adams. In fact, a small group of graduates protested during his speech by standing and turning their backs to his podium. This year, to avoid this type of controversy, the commencement announcement email came with a form for students to nominate their choice of keynote speaker. Though this might be a means to make amends for last year’s spectacle, at least the class of 2023 will get to have a say.

Luckily, some students are finding the silver lining in all of this.

“I believe that having our graduation at the tennis courts only enhances the students’ graduation experience. Getting the chance to have our whole families watch us receive our degrees after such hard work is extremely important,” Emma Brown, senior Behavioral Neuroscience major, said. “As someone with a nontraditional family (i.e. divorced parents, siblings, step-parents, step-siblings) Rockefeller is not an ideal location that allows this celebration to involve the people who helped us get to where we are. Having a support system with you every step of the way is part of our Pace Path, isn’t it?”

While many students are understandably disappointed, or simply just confused, having the ceremony at the Tennis Center definitely comes with its own set of positive attributes. For example, the US Open Tennis Championships have been held there since 1978. Not only that, but Flushing is home to the borough’s botanical gardens, a wide variety of multicultural shops and eats and the city’s largest Chinatown. If nothing else, think of it as a good opportunity to explore the neighborhood and enjoy the exceptional cuisine with your family after the ceremony.

ZOE POULIS Features Editor

Credit: Graphic by Olivia Athan

Credit: Photo by Allison Joseph

College rankings do(n’t) matter

OLIVIA ELENI ATHAN Contributor

Following accusations from Michael Thaddeus, a Columbia University math professor, the school’s U.S. News & World Report college ranking has dropped from No. 2 to No. 18 after years of hover ing within the top spots.

Thaddeus accused the university of overstating data related to the number of small classes offered and how many professors hold a doctorate or the highest possible degree in their respective fields. Both of these categories have been major contribu tors to the university’s No. 2 spot and consequent ly factor into why prospective students choose Columbia over other institutions. Amid the public relations nightmare, this scandal has reignited nationwide debates about the validity and weight of college rankings in general.

The news of Columbia’s dishonesty comes as a shock to many who see the school as one of the tops in the nation, continuously producing highly educated and motivated graduates with connections others could only dream of. This notion of import ant professional connections is one of the reasons college elitism is alive and well. The saying “it’s about who you know, not what you know” echoes through student bodies for a reason: to a degree, it rings true; And these ‘top’ universities pride them selves upon, not only their excellent education but their excellent connections due to their alumni and historic reputations. However, whispers about the legitimacy of college rankings, like those from U.S. News & World Report, have been growing louder and louder, and the news of Columbia’s scandal has been the latest amplifier.

The main motivation for many prospective students to choose one school over the other lies in the school’s ranking. There is a certain gravity with being able to say one attends or attended a nation’s top university, but why? As stated previously, the level of education and insider connections is a huge draw, but another interesting way to look at rank ings relates to name recognition. Think about brand recognition: it’s the same concept. Consumers buy from certain brands due to their name, the authority

it creates and the assurance of quality.

Many decide upon schooling in the same manner. Furthermore, many businesses and poten tial employers think about who to hire in that same regard; a resume from Harvard, Yale or Columbia may get more consideration than a resume from a smaller state or public university. The extra con sideration is rooted in the trust employers have that these institutions only take the best of the best students and produce the leaders, creators and inno vators of tomorrow. These broad ideas are part of the reason that college elitism remains a large and dominant beast within America.

However, nepotism and elitism are pillars of society and professionalism that are crumbling, and for good reason. Just because the above-men tioned proverb “who you know, not what you know” is culturally accepted, doesn’t constitute it as a self-evident truth. So, from that perspective, how much do college rankings actually matter, especially considering the possible reality that these colleges are inflating relevant factors in order to place higher? At the end of the day, rankings will always matter, students want to attend the best of the best schools, however, rankings must drop in importance. College rankings offer insight and relevant information to prospective students and their parents, but merely because a school is highly ranked generally does not mean that ranking will translate personally.

The point is this: a school must be right for the individual for it to be great, it must be able to serve the needs of a student and propel them into the future they envision for themselves. So yes, college rankings can help organize these elements, but at the end of the day, they cannot truly determine them. Beyond that, institutions are more than their rankings in the same way students are more than their GPAs. Rankings may always hold weight, but they should not be the sole determining factor.

Netflix has seriously quentionanable morals after releasing Dahmer series

ZOE POULIS Features Editor

Netflix’s new series Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story has stirred up quite a bit of controversy, and rightfully so. If you’ve somehow managed to avoid watching the show, take that as a win, but allow me to explain a little bit about the infamous Jeffrey Dahmer and why this series is a problem.

The following contains sensitive topics, so please read with caution.

In 1978, when Dahmer was just 18, he committed his first murder. After this, he ended up murdering, dismembering and often eating 17 men and boys until he was arrested on July 22, 1991 when one of his potential victims escaped. Dahmer confessed to all of his crimes and was meant to serve 15 life sentences, before his own life was taken by another inmate in prison.

It’s likely that many of us had some knowledge of the Milwaukee Cannibal be fore, but with the release of Netflix’s series, his story has become inescapable. In fact, within the first four weeks of the release, it has already become the platform’s second biggest English television show of all time, just behind Stranger Things 4.

The reality of it is that there’s a huge difference in consuming this sort of content in the form of a documentary versus a television series. Whether or not either is necessary is up for debate, but a documentary serves an educational purpose, while a television series feels like entertainment. And, quite frankly, I don’t think we should find some of the most gruesome murders in history entertaining.

The title role is played by American Horror Story star, Evan Peters, and although he has done an exceptional job portraying Dahmer, his large following allows for an idolization that blurs the line between him and the role. A similar ordeal occurred with the casting of Zac Efron as Ted Bundy in an

I miss the old Kanye

JAEDEN PINDER Executive Editor

The effect of the shirt, posted by Owens on Twitter, rippled out into West calling Black Lives Matter a “scam,” instigating a cyber assault on Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa Johnson and, in his at tempt to villainize the public for not siding with him in the affair, bringing his children into the story by claiming the public was responsible for the reasons he doesn’t see them often.

West tries to deindividuate himself from controversy without masking himself; he clearly shows, even wants us to know, that it is him making these statements and not a publicist or the media. He has burned nearly every bridge possible now, with Tremaine Emory claiming on Instagram that West was not invited to Virgil Abloh’s funeral, the late designer who appeared to be a confidant and broth er to him. His once-fortified castle is now a house of cards, on the brink of collapse.

West constantly teeters on the edge of tarnishing a trailblazing legacy with this alignment and adoption of hate speech as contrarian art. He is verging into the kind of territory that will maintain his position in the cultural and musical canon regardless, but his name will have a heavy asterisk next to it. West had already cemented himself as a 21st-century icon, but he seems willing to do anything to stay relevant, no matter what it does to his image, family or psyche.

But what happened to the West that condemned George W. Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina with a simple seven-word utterance? Somehow, one feels nostalgic for when the worst thing he had ever done was interrupt Taylor Swift on stage. So much of West in the last few years has been characterized by gratuitous, extemporaneous and confused anger that it has risked manipulating how we perceive his early discography and career. Cheap gags about his near-death experience on “Eazy”

Aries: Aries, Scorpio season is calling for you to make some much-needed changes to your productivity and daily routine. You may have accidentally abandoned your healthy habits, and you will need to reinstate them so you can take care of yourself efficiently. Luckily, this creates an opportunity for you to try new forms of self-care. As a fire sign, you could most successfully channel your natural fierceness by trying a kickboxing class or journaling once a day to relieve tension.

Taurus: As Scorpio and Taurus are sister signs, you will likely feel some of that thrilling ambiance this season as well. However, this season for you is about being proactive. Where you may have recently been creating new habits and routines to fit your schedule best, now is the time for you to level up once again and put your ideas into action. It may seem convenient to wait un til the “perfect time” to act on your thoughts, but you have to put yourself out there in order to manifest the results you desire.

Gemini: A new chapter is beginning for you, Geminis. Whether this was catalyzed by a new partner, job or simply a new mindset, you are in a transitioning period. This may feel strenuous as you try to handle the learning curves of it all, but know that it is for the greater good as you gain more wisdom and insight through your exploring. Try to pace yourself by taking on new situations day by day, rather than immediately jumping into the next scenar io.

Cancer: Cancers, you have been working relent lessly towards your goals, and this is not going unno ticed. If they haven’t already, your efforts will finally come to fruition this month and you’re going to bask in the opportunities you have cre ated with your own self-sufficiency.

Make sure you are listening to your body, however, and take breaks as needed. Your dedication and persistence are admirable, but your well-being always comes first, so

other Netflix film, Extremely Wicked, Shock ingly Evil and Vile. When beloved actors are cast in this way, it makes it easy for audience members to ignore the subject matter, leading to the glamorization of some of America’s most atrocious killers.

Of course, I don’t believe the goal of the actor is to make the audience sympathize with the monster, but when the glasses Dahmer wore sell for $100,000 post-release, it makes a person wonder where society’s values truly lie.

If all of this was not bad enough, Netflix did not take the time to inform the families of the victims about the series, as apparently they didn’t have to since the case is public record. Many have spoken out about this, including Rita Isbell, a sister to one of the victims.

“I could even understand it if they gave some of the money to the victims’ children…. If the show benefited them in some way, it wouldn’t feel so harsh and careless. It’s sad that they’re just making money off of this tragedy. That’s just greed.”

Her cousin, Eric Perry, took to Twitter to rant about the subject, writing, “It’s retrau matizing over and over again, and for what? How many movies/shows/documentaries do we need?”

That’s the exact question we should be asking. Why do we feel the need to shine a spotlight on one of the most horrifying serial killers in history, yet again. No one knows the answer, but audiences should realize that it sends the wrong message.

If you haven’t watched the series already, I would recommend keeping it that way. Giv ing monsters like Dahmer this kind of atten tion, feels like a glamorization of the heinous things he has done more than anything else.

1

from

border on a disappointing and despairing listen of “Through the Wire.” Fondness is substituted by bitterness for his and JAY-Z’s “Watch the Throne” or any of his collaborations with Kid Cudi. Ye’s first lyrics on “So Appalled” is angering, to say the least, for what he became an accessory to in 2016 and onward.

And sure, this latest marketing scheme will be forgotten in a week, as did his naming Harriet Tubman as a con-abolitionist or his declaration that “slavery was a choice,” but it brings into ques tion how responsible we as the public is for condoning and humoring him. There is no way that a Kanye West headline will ever go out of style, but I can’t help feeling that I am contributing to this mess by writing about him, though a complete negation of conversation doesn’t solve this problem either. Extinguishing his fiery ignorance and our loyal obedience is unattainable, so there is no solu tion.

Kanye West’s hamartia has always been his deep craving for attention at all costs. Our hamartia as his audience, though, is that we empathize with him because he is just as human as the rest of us. He has experienced loss and grief in his mother’s death and recent divorce. He has been open about his struggles with mental health. He isn’t some transcendental unemotional being; he is just like everyone else. But if West was a political figure (a legitimate one with substantial power, at least), these moments wouldn’t be treated so carelessly. The point in which his behavior should be tolerated, since it’s no longer enjoyed, must be determined before he makes another outlandish and inexcusable statement disguised as art.

Scorpio Horoscopes

PRIYA PERSAUD Opinion & Editorial Editor

take time to prioritize it.

Leo: Scorpio season puts the sun in your tenth house, Leos! This means that you may have greater success with work in regard to school and your career, with ease coming to any and all projects you decide to take on. Take this time period to challenge yourself in your classes; otherwise, you may even surprise yourself at how much you are able to take on. This endeavor will be able to boost your confidence and may even lead to you finding more pursuits of interest.

Virgo: Virgos, you may be in a place where you are currently at odds between logic and emotions. Being a mutable sign, this can create inner conflict as to what you are supposed to be doing. However, there is no correct answer, and you are the only per son who can make decisions about what is best for you. Scorpio season is calling for you to be unapologetically decisive and grounded, which will inevitably help you be more assertive going forward.

Libra: Libras, your season may be over now, but this mere ly means that you are able to realign your goals and take a deep breath. You may have a feeling that some part of your life does not feel quite right yet. This is the time to take steps to work towards getting there if you are interested in doing so. Take time during this season to distinguish between your true desires and the things you no longer have energy for, because you will need to make room in your life for upcoming windows of opportunity. Do not settle for anything less than your standards, Libra.

Scorpio: Welcome to your season, Scorpios! Your innate mystique is attracting more opportunities in your personal and professional life this season, and you should be taking advantage of the offers presented. Furthermore, it would be beneficial for you to start letting go of problems in the past. It may feel easy to linger on those situations, but it is no longer serving you and is only holding you in the same place you were before. All’s well that ends well–you don’t need to carry that burden anymore.

Sagittarius: Have you been feeling the urge to put yourself

out there and be more of a social butterfly, Sagittarius? If you’ve been neglecting your friendships recently, now is the time to reach out to your social circle and plan something. Whether it is a lowkey movie night or finally going to that bar you’ve been want ing to try, your friends will be happy to have you there. Channel your Sagittarian spontaneity and have a little fun; you deserve it!

Capricorn: Capricorn, Scorpio season is spotlighting your third house of communication. This means that your words may hold more weight than they usually do, so be intentional with what you say to those around you as it may get easily miscon strued. Inversely, if there is a conversation or even a special three words you would like to say to someone right now, now is the time to declare that statement. You may have a better chance of success during this time.

Aquarius: Aquarius, Scorpio season is calling for you to look at your home right now. Your family is likely missing hearing from you, so be sure to check in with them every now and then. You may have been feeling the desire to change things in your liv ing space that perhaps don’t align with you anymore. Find a day to do a deep clean of your space so you can put your own Aquari an spin on your environment!

Pisces: Pisceans, you may find yourself more emotional ly vulnerable this Scorpio season, and that is completely okay. Take the time to process these feelings and lean on your support system as needed. Perhaps you are gaining more clarity about situations and people, and this is important for you to do. Gut feelings are guardian angels, and you need to trust yourself in order to do what is necessary. Find comfort in the small acts of kindness presented to you this season, and find it in yourself to return them.