The Spectrum Vol. 68 No.34 by The Spectrum Student Periodical

THE SPECTRUM VOL. 68 NO. 34 | FEBRUARY 28, 2019

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950

University continues effort to clean debris across campus following windstorm TANVEEN VOHRA, THOMAS ZAFONTE EDITORIAL STAFF

The University Bookstore partially reopened on Wednesday after Sunday’s windstorm blew the roof off the building and the university is still cleaning up roof debris. Students can only enter a small portion of the store as a safety precaution during construction, according to Follett Corp.

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representive Bill Adamczyk. Adamczyk said the company that owns the bookstore, Follett Corp., plans to finish repairs in the coming days. Adamczyk declined to provide the exact date the company will finish the repairs. UB spokesperson John DellaContrada said UB is not financially responsible for bookstore repairs since the bookstore is independently owned. University Bookstore Manager Greg Neumann could not provide the total cost of damages to the bookstore. UB Facilities is also cleaning post-storm debris across campus, according to UB spokesperson John DellaContrada. He said the total cost of the damages will be “less than $10,000,” but University Bookstore repairs are not included in the number. The wind carried the roof debris to the Millersport Highway and the Oozefest mud pit. DellaContrada said the roof was “fairly new,” but he wasn’t sure what

GORDON MYERS | THE SPECTRUM workers on top of the university Bookstore after sunDay’s winDstorm. the Bookstore partially reopeneD after winD Blew the roof off.

> SEE BOOKSTORE

HUMANS

REOPENS | PAGE 2

Community members hold demonstration against solitary conﬁnement during Angela Davis speech Exhibit featured an imitation solitary conﬁnement cell in Alumni Arena TANVEEN VOHRA, JACKLYN WALTERS CO-SENIOR NEWS EDITORS

HUMANS OF UB, A NEW SPECTRUM INTERVIEW SERIES, SHARES IMPACTFUL STORIES FROM THE LIVES OF YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS.

No Combine Necessary: Khalil Hodge not deterred from NFL dream after snub

Naan-Tastic: a revolution in fast food: UB alum opens local Indian restaurant

FEB, 28, 1990 - Two UB students personally interviewed Nelson Mandela. Mandela was the ﬁrst president of South Africa and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Alexis De Veaux and Loyce Stewart, UB Ph.D. students, interviewed Mandela for Essence magazine. Mandela was the leader of the African National Congress at the time. Mandela advocated for apartheid and restructuring South Africa’s government. Mandela died on Dec. 5, 2013 and is remembered as one of the premier political and social leaders of his > SEE PAGE time.

Bookstore reopens after roof blows off

UBSPECTRUM

Members of the UB community set up a 9-foot-by-6-foot replica cell before and during Angela Davis’ speech Wednesday to protest against solitary confinement. The imitation cell, which was placed in the lobby of Alumni Arena, had a toilet, a sink and a window sill with an attached bed. There was also audio from an actual prison cell to complete the intended environment. Organizers of the event said the demonstration is intended to give people a deeper understanding of the realities of solitary confinement. The protesters said prisoners can be forcefully kept alone anywhere from 22 to 24 hours a day and have limited access to books and music. The imitation prison cell gave people the opportunity to get a glimpse of what those kept in solitary con-

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The legacy of resistance: Angela Davis speaks at UB Political activist talks about Palestine, black history for Distinguished Speakers Series TANVEEN VOHRA, JACKLYN WALTERS CO-SENIOR NEWS EDITORS

Nearly 50 years after speaking at UB for the first time, political activist Angela Davis visited UB again on Wednesday to relay her message of justice. Nearly 50 years after speaking at UB for the first time, political activist Angela Davis visited UB again on Wednesday to relay her message of freedom. Davis was UB’s 43rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration keynote speaker and spoke to roughly 1,500 students, faculty and community members who braved the snowy weather to attend. Davis, as part of the 32nd Annual Distinguished Speakers Series, touched topics ranging from black history, Native American rights, gender equality and the Palestinian people. Davis began her speech with an acknowledgement of the Native American roots of UB’s North Campus, which lies on “colonized” Haudenosaunee land. “I think every event should begin by acknowledging the fact that we are on colonized land,” Davis said. “We have not adequately addressed the consequences of the original genocidal violence inflicted on the first people of this continent.”

SHUBH JAIN | THE SPECTRUM angela Davis, the keynote speaker for the 43rD annual martin luther king Jr. commemoration. Davis spoke in alumni arena to 1,500 stuDents weDnesDay night.

Jill Clause, Tuscarora Nation Territory of the Turtle Clan, said, as a member of the Haudenosaunee, she found Davis’ mention of indigenous people “respectful.” “For her to shed a light on the Doctrine of Discovery is so empowering,” Clause said. “It’s nice to have such a legend come to the community and to talk to everybody and to talk to them about the world.” Davis recounted her childhood and described games she would play with her friends where they would “dare” each other to do things that were illegal during the Jim Crow era. “We used to run up to white people’s houses, ring their doorbells and run,” Davis said. “We learned very early on that resistance can be fun.” She said the games were a way for black children to resist the segregation laws of the time, which eventually evolved into institutional resistance efforts. Davis discussed how black women who worked domestically –– “in white > SEE ANGELA

DAVIS | PAGE 2

SHUBH JAIN | THE SPECTRUM memBers of campaign for alternatives to isolateD confinement at the Door of the imitation solitary confinement cell.

finement experience. UB graduate student Chelsea Gonzalez helped organize the demonstration. She said she joined the Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement last November, and originally planned for the exhibit to take place Tuesday in the Student Union. CAIC decided to move the exhibit to the Alumni Arena on the night of Davis’ speech once “word got out” to other UB community members. Gonzalez said she felt this was appropriate, as Davis faced charges of homicide and kidnapping and was kept in solitary confinement from Oct. 23 to Nov. 5 1970. CAIC partnered with UB’s Pre-Law chapter of Black Law Students Association, which is sponsored by SA, to set up the exhibit. Gonzalez said the exhibit had a lot of support from UB administration and UPD. “UB police were very, very collaborative, cooperative and have offered nothing but assistance with the project,” Gonzalez said. Steve Hart from CAIC organized the

exhibit and spoke about the importance of improving the conditions for prisoners in New York. “Every human being has a right to certain basic rights and dignity, regardless of your bad deeds,” Hart said. “It’s one thing to imprison somebody’s body, it’s another thing to destroy their mind and soul.” The demonstration largely aimed to raise support for the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Bill. The bill, if it passes, will “immediately” limit the time of solitary confinement to 15-20 consecutive days out of 60, and “protect” those who are especially vulnerable to harm in solitary, such as LGBTQ people and those with physical or cognitive disabilities, according to demonstrators. Organizers said this bill is currently competing with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal on solitary confinement, which limits time spent in solitary to 90 days starting in April 2021. Email: news@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @TanveenUBSpec @JacklynUBSpec

NEWS

2 | Thursday, February 28, 2019 FROM PAGE 1

BOOKSTORE REOPENS

year the roof was installed. UB Facilities cleaned some of the debris around campus, according to DellaContrada, but some pieces of roof still remain in the Lake LaSalle area. Neumann said in an email on Tuesday that employees of Follet Corp. were onsite to “further assess damage.” Neumann said a structural engineer is going to examine the roof. Neumann is currently out of the country and left on Tuesday, according to Adamczyk. DellaContrada said metal decking remained on the bookstore roof, but some parts of the bookstore’s interior were exposed. Bookstore employees moved the store’s inventory for protection and five

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skylights need to be replaced, DellaContrada said. The bookstore’s post office is still closed but is expected to open on Monday, according to a bookstore notice. Rose Thomas, a junior public health major, said a trash bin lid “attacked” her and pieces of the bookstore roof flew in the air while walking to the Center for the Arts on Sunday. “All I saw were these light-brown boards that were flying into Lake LaSalle,” Thomas said. “At first I thought those were just broken up cardboard boxes from The Commons by how easily they were flying around. But as I looked closer, they actually looked like wooden planks.” The storm also broke windows in Richmond Quadrangle, Clemens Hall and a door in Jacobs Management Center. Della-

Contrada said UB Facilities put temporary plywood over the windows, with permanent repairs expected within the week. DellaContrada said UB’s carpentry supervisor does not remember seeing such an intense windstorm or doors breaking before. UB Facilities “proactively” put signs on doors last week, to remind people to fully close them, according to DellaContrada. The storm shattered three glass doors at UB. Multiple trees around campus snapped or uprooted during the storm. UB Facilities will continue removing the tree parts during its debris cleaning process across campus, according to DellaContrada. Other campus areas affected include the

University Tennis Center that had fencing and protective tarp damaged in the storm. The tarp was ripped, with the damaged pieces still remaining on the courts. Parts of the surrounding fence were damaged, with one area leaning heavily toward the courts. The wind damaged bleachers in the center, too. Athletics spokesperson Brian Wolff said the department does not plan to use the courts this season. “All in all, there was minimal damage to UB infrastructure,” DellaContrada said. “The university responded very well to the storm.”

were happening in America, before citing that there was a 57 percent jump in antiSemitism in America in 2017. Davis contrasted institutional issues of racial discrimination with “everyday racism” and said she thinks racism is worse now than it was right before the civil rights movement. “We have the tools to acknowledge the structural character of racism,” Davis said. “It’s worse now because it’s so deeply embedded and entrenched in all of our institutions.” She discussed the community involved in black history and racial issues. She said it is “the contributions of masses of people” that allow progression to occur. During the Q&A session that followed her speech, Davis learned about UB’s African American Studies program, which was merged into the Transnational Studies department. She offered advice and said students should be vocal about their concerns. “We need these programs that manifest a sense of what it means to do interdisciplinary work now more than ever before,” Davis said. “Start a petition and get as many people on campus to sign the petition about the need for more resources for

the [program].” Davis also addressed the recent controversy surrounding the rescission of her Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The award was rescinded because of her “consistent support for human rights for the Palestinian people,” Davis said. She said because of the controversy and subsequent uproar following this decision, the “rescission was rescinded.” Q&A moderator Raechele L. Pope, associate professor for education, leadership and policy, asked Davis about her response to those who feel her stance on Palestine is anti-Semitic. She said Israel was not “immune” to criticism and had a right to criticize the government of Israel, just as she had to criticize any other government. She recounted all of the Jewish influences in her life, including her mentor Herbert Marcuse. She said her stance wasn’t anti-Semitic, and people didn’t have a right to pick and choose who deserved justice. Yoke Mun, a senior sociology and communication major from Singapore, said that although she wasn’t from “this part of the world,” the topics Davis spoke about

were “applicable in every country.” Mariama Fall, a junior legal studies and sociology major, said she enjoyed Davis’ sincerity. “Not only did she speak so openly and uncensored about the social issues that plague our society today. She did not hold back, nor did she sugarcoat or pander,” Fall said. “She was eloquently blunt about accountability and how we should recognize those that came before us.” Davis’ speech reflected her hopes for intercultural and international respect. She said it is “the contributions of masses of people” that allow progression to occur. “Anyone who lives on this planet cannot be considered an outsider.”

Email Tanveen.vohra@ubspectrum.com Twitter @TanveenUBSpec.

FROM PAGE 1

ANGELA DAVIS people’s homes” –– were integral to movements, such as the Montgomery bus boycott. “Many of those organizers were women,” Davis said. “In fact that’s generally the case. Women are the ones who do the work that really matters, that makes it possible for movements to emerge.” Davis criticized the current American government, including the Michael Cohen testimony that took place Wednesday morning. She also said she was happy with the recent midterm election, which brought “more women into the Senate than ever,” and praised the efforts of Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar. “Despite some seriously depressing aspects of our political life at this moment, there are exciting aspects,” Davis said. “This is an exciting moment.” Davis said those who believed Omar was anti-Semitic for her views on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee were being “quick to judge” and that AIPAC was “not a Jewish organization.” Davis said the criticism was a symptom of the “lack of ” national debate about more serious forms of anti-Semitism that

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Email: news@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @TanveenUBSpec and @JacklynUBSpec.

SHUBH JAIN | THE SPECTRUM Davis speaks at the podium in Alumni Arena. This was Davis’ third visit to UB.

OPINION

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THE SPECTRUM Thursday, February 28, 2019 Volume 68 Number 34 Circulation: 4,000

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hannah Stein MANAGING EDITOR Brenton J. Blanchet

U.S. should offer humanitarian aid to Venezuela without political agenda EDITORIAL BOARD

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Caitlyn Di Vita Grace Klak COPY EDITORS Savanna Caldwell Cassi Enderle Lauryn King Cherie Jacobs, Asst. NEWS EDITORS Tanveen Vohra, Co-Senior Jacklyn Walters, Co-senior FEATURES EDITORS Thomas Zafonte, Senior Isabella Nurt, Asst.

ARTS EDITORS Brian Evans, Senior Samantha Vargas, Asst. Julianna Tracey, Asst. SPORTS EDITOR Nathaniel Mendelson, Senior

EDITORIAL EDITOR Benjamin Blanchet MULTIMEDIA EDITORS Shubh Jain, Senior Davila Tarakinikini, Asst. CARTOONISTS Ardi Digap

PROFESSIONAL STAFF OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helene Polley

Thursday, February 28, 2019 | 3

Venezuela is in a state of crisis. Children are dying of hunger. The country’s inflation rate is expected to increase by 10 million percent this year. Food is nearly impossible to afford. Education is an afterthought. And Venezuelan military forces killed at least four people at the border over the weekend. We know the U.S. is right to condemn the actions of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his administration. Under his dictatorship, murder rates are up 15 times the global average and roughly three million people have sought refuge in Colombia and Peru. Venezuela may seem “far away” for some UB students. For others, like the hundreds of South American students on campus, it’s closer to home. And for the 32 million people who live there, it’s a tragedy that requires international action. On Jan. 23, the leader of the Venezuelan legislature, Juan Guaidó, declared himself acting president. He challenged the current President Maduro, who just

began his second term this year, after being elected it what were internationally condemned as rigged elections. But Maduro said Guaidó’s declaration was a ploy by the U.S. to oust him and that Venezuela’s constitution can keep him in office through the rest of his term. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans turned out for protests because of Maduro’s incompetence toward the crisis. The crisis is mainly the cause of fumbled economic policies, which have surged prices on simple groceries and supplies. Maduro has tried to stifle the issue by raising the minimum wage by 300 percent last month. He tried devaluing the Venezuelan Bolívar currency last year. But economists have repeatedly criticized the president and said his actions are not enough. So far, it hasn’t worked. Maduro made his way toward a second term due to political censorship and repression, as well. Maduro has repeatedly stripped his people of basic human rights. He must go. The U.S. is among the dozens of countries, including Canada,

Great Britain and South American countries, that recognize Guaidó as interim president. After the White House released its stance on Guaidó, Maduro asked American diplomats to leave the country. Now, the U.S. government is attempting to help Venezuelans with aid. But we think the U.S. government’s efforts should not be tied to political operations and motivations. History has repeatedly shown us that American intervention has not brought democracy into these countries. These countries have rebooted old dictatorship practices, time in and time out. We think U.S. intervention here is not worth it, especially in terms of economics. The U.S. government is against the Maduro administration and is showing this through economic sanctions, which officials say is “cynical” given the country’s millions of dollars in aid. Ricardo Menéndez, Venezuela’s vice president for planning, said the country lost roughly $38 billion over the last three years due to U.S. sanctions. These

sanctions only add to the deaths, illnesses and poverty that Venezuelans face every day, despite any forms of aid that pale in comparison. We also think the Trump administration should avoid playing around with the idea of using armed forces in Venezuela. President Donald Trump said “all options are open” in terms of military involvement for the crisis. We’ve seen Trump weigh his options before such as his “national emergency” threats. We think it’s a strong possibility he can wave the green flag and call the military to Venezuela. Vice President Mike Pence, on Monday, announced more economic sanctions against Maduro’s supporters in Venezuela, too. This could add to the damage Maduro already caused. The people of Venezuela come first. Human rights abuses need to end. Intervention, simply put, hasn’t worked in the past. We hope U.S. politicians can screw this into their heads before they make a call on what’s “right” for the millions without food, education and resources. Email: opinion@ubspectrum.com

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ABOUT THE SPECTRUM The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Opinion section of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or news@ ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address.

A hostless award show still perseveres Best moments of the 2019 Oscars

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JOIN OUR STAFF Do you have an interest in journalism, graphic design, photography, social media, advertising, cartoons or copy editing? The Spectrum is always looking for enthusiastic students who want to be part of our team. Join our 45-time award winning independent student newspaper for hands-on, real-world experience in your field. Anyone interested in joining The Spectrum’s editorial staff can email Hannah Stein at: eic@ubspectrum.com. Anyone interested in joining The Spectrum’s professional staff or advertising team can email Helene Polley at: hapolley@buffalo.edu.

People expected little of the Oscars this year. The 2019 award ceremony, although hostless, still found moments of surprise and intrigue, ranging from Spike Lee’s longawaited statue to one of the more heartwarming –– yet awkward –– moments between “A Star is Born” leads Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper where the two stars nearly kissed. But that wasn’t all.

The Oscars have come under scrutiny in recent years for a lack of diversity, stemming from both award recipients and even presenters. The solution? Award “Green Book” best picture. The Academy still took a step both to appease the public and to broaden its recipient horizons. Of the four awards given to individual performances, three were men and women of color. Rami Malek became the first actor of Egyptian descent to win Best Actor at the Academy Awards, while Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor and Regina King won Best Supporting Actress. But Best Picture brought questions with little answers. mong the nominees for the esteemed prize were “Vice” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” films which were criticized upon release. Christian Bale delivers a staunch yet intriguing performance as former Vice President Dick Cheney in “Vice,” but brought a backstory toward Cheney and his rise to power that remains questionable. Cheney’s

aspirations seem passed over for the sake of film narrative, seemingly categorizing Cheney’s lust for power as power for power’s sake. “Vice,” as The Washington Post’s James Mann said, essentially “suggests that Cheney’s legacy is a soulless quest for power, rather than the advancement of fallacious beliefs that seriously damaged our nation.” In essence, the theatrical Cheney yearns for a subliminal seal of approval from Lynne Cheney, essentially seeking unimaginable executive power and privilege as his wife pushes him. “Bohemian Rhapsody” plays even looser with the facts. Rami Malek delivered a stellar, Oscar-worthy performance as famed Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, but the same cannot be said of the film. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is flatout bad. The film is more concerned with providing a satisfying narrative to surviving Queen members without straining toward any real cohesive truth that is accurate to Mercury’s legacy as a frontman. “Live Aid 1985” was

THE THE SPECTRUM SPECTRUM WILL WILL BE BE MEETING MEETING UB UB PRESIDENT PRESIDENT SATISH SATISH TRIPATHI TRIPATHI ON ON MAR. MAR. 77 WHAT WHAT QUESTIONS QUESTIONS WOULD WOULD YOU YOU LIKE LIKE FOR FOR US US TO TO ASK ASK HIM? HIM? EMAIL EMAIL US US AT AT EIC@UBSPECTRUM.COM EIC@UBSPECTRUM.COM

memorable for Queen’s performance, but for the wrong reasons in “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The film centers the success of Queen’s “Live Aid” performance around the revelation of Mercury’s diagnosis of Aids. In actuality, Mercury was diagnosed in 1987 and denied swirling rumors for years. But for its shortcomings, the Oscars found promise with several bittersweet moments. For Spike Lee, bittersweet comes short. Lee was infamously snubbed for “Do the Right Thing” in 1989. Lee took a moment, while accepting Best Adapted Screenplay for “BlacKkKlansman,” to discuss President Donald Trump and the importance of the impending 2020 election. It was a moment of bliss and triumph for Lee, who had paid his dues and then some for the opportunity to earn a statue. Until Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga stole the show – literally. Email: brian.evans@ubspectrum.com Twitter @BrianEvansSpec.

FEATURES

4 | Thursday, February 28, 2019

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DifCon panel discusses how UB names its landscapes Community members talk about campus spaces named after people with difﬁcult pasts TANVEEN VOHRA CO-SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

UB community members discussed the legacy of namesakes on campus on Wednesday’s DifCon panel. Four UB community members participated in the panel discussion, which came before a question-and-answer session. The panelists included Benjamin Blanchet, editorial editor for The Spectrum, Beth Del Genio, chief of staff for UB President Satish Tripathi, Carole Emberton, an associate history professor and Danielle Johnson, a senior adviser for the Daniel Acker Scholars Program. The panel discussed UB’s building and space names and the ways the university commemorates people with difficult legacies. Panelists said issues “come and go” with the students who care and the topics discussed are not merely problems of the past, but reflect current social conflicts as well. Emberton, who wrote an article for The Washington Post about Millard Fillmore’s involvement in the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, talked about similar conversations at Georgetown University and the University of North Carolina. She talked about the different ways in which university faculties at the two universities responded to the situations. Emberton said she asked her students to submit ideas for how UB could respond to Fillmore commemoration. She said her students talked about how UB should cre-

ate spaces that memorialize the victims of historical figures’ difficult pasts, which she said was a similar response to those at Georgetown University. Del Genio said the response of the university should include “contextualizing” certain names and memorials, removing them entirely or finding a “more appropriate” setting for them. Del Genio also said it was important to “keep in mind” the political and social landscape of the time that the controversial figures were living in. “Remember, the response needs to be proportionate,” Del Genio said. “Proportionality is going to be important in the conversation because the response must be proportionate to the underlying laws that were connected.” Blanchet talked about his experience investigating and writing about the naming process on campus, as well as the lack of representation for women and minorities in campus namesakes. “At least 21 spaces are named after people of color, three to my knowledge have Native American ties, 26 are for women and 185 are for men,” Blanchet said. Blanchet also noted how many community members are unaware of the history of the people these buildings are named after. Johnson talked about the importance of preserving black history in Western New York and detailed the efforts of people like Mary Talbert — who Talbert Hall is named after. She gave an anecdote about her “powerful” experience visiting the tombstones of Mary Talbert and Daniel Ackers, which made her realize the legacy of these figures was not limited to names on a building.

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VINDHYA BURUGUPALLI | THE SPECTRUM uB community memBers BenJamin Blanchet, Beth Del genio, carole emBerton anD Danielle Johnson, speak at a panel for Difficult conversations aBout uB’s “legacies on the lanDscape.”

“To see where they were laid to rest made them real,” Johnson said. “They weren’t just namesakes, they were real people.” A member of the audience raised similar concerns about the legacy of the people buildings are named after during the Q&A session, and talked about how current faculty members may have “happy memories” of UB’s 13th president William R. Greiner — who Greiner Hall is named after –– but most students living in that building don’t know who Greiner was. Members of the panel including Emberton and Despina Stratigakos, vice provost for inclusive excellence, proposed implementing a class which would teach students the history of UB. Another member of the audience talked about Kapoor Hall on South Campus, which is named after UB alum John Kapoor. Kapoor is currently on trial in Boston for his alleged involvement in the U.S. opioid crisis. The audience member said students may be unaware of the controversial past of figures, such as Millard Fillmore, who died in 1874, but are definitely aware of the al-

legations against Kapoor. The audience member said it was “detrimental” to have Kapoor’s name on university property. Many people have questioned whether the university would rename Kapoor Hall given his alleged involvement in the crisis, but Del Genio said university administration decided to “allow the judicial process to determine” his involvement as they believed that was “the right thing to do.” Stratigakos pointed to the success of the Revolution exhibition in the Silverman Library and said students were more likely to pay attention and remember the exhibition since it is in such a prominent position at the school. Stratigakos said she hoped to make funds available through her office, which would allow resources to make “exhibitions or art installations” that would commemorate the history of UB community members. Email: Tanveen.vohra@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @TanveenUBSpec.

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Naan-Tastic: a revolution in fast food UB alum opens local Indian restaurant ISABELLA NURT ASST. FEATURES EDITOR

UB alum Aman Singh and his brother Ajay Singh opened the doors to Naan-Tastic this past weekend, they were hoping to start a revolution in Buffalo. A food revolution. Naan-Tastic has all the spices and flavors of traditional Indian cuisine that the Singh brothers grew up with in their parents’ restaurant in Rochester. But they gave it a new generational twist. “All the other Indian restaurants out there are buffet style, so you don’t have any choice,” Ajay Singh said. “So we decided to serve it counter style.” The Singh brothers present Indian cuisine in an accessible way for the mainstream desire for fast-but-healthy dining. They decided to put all the ingredients on display at the counter, where patrons can pick what they want in their bowl, roll or “Indian taco.” Customers can also choose a base, protein and a variety of toppings and sauces. Aman Singh said it is “pretty similar to Chipotle.” The new location on Niagara Falls Bou-

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT levard is the Singh’s second restaurant, with the first one being in Rochester. Ajay Singh said they would like to see more locations open in the future with the goal being a chain. Animesh Soni, a junior computer science major and international student, attended Naan-Tastic’s grand-opening last weekend. “Although they Americanized the way they serve the food, the taste is still authentic,” Soni said. “They also have fresh herbs and spices and a lot of different items to choose from.” The Singh family immigrated to the United States in 1997 when the brothers were in grammar school. They first lived in Staten Island before relocating to Rochester, where the parents opened their restaurant, Taste of Thai. “When we first were living in Staten Island, we were the only two Indian [kids] there,” Ajay Singh said. “That’s why we picked up English pretty quickly.” Aman and Ajay said they were the only kids at school eating Indian food. Cooking their parents’ recipes taught the brothers how to make the food they sell today. “We ended up working a lot of hours at the restaurant,” Ajay Singh said. “If a chef called in sick, we had to step in and know how to cook.” The brothers said they would make Indian dishes for their friends in college. Aman Singh, after graduating with a business degree from UB, went on to work for Dell and Apple, while Ajay Singh pursued a career in occupational therapy. They have since left their respective careers to Bank Broadway Series. The show is riddled with humorous dialogue and visual gags, but the plot delves deep into the tragedies surrounding the Vietnam War. “Miss Saigon” tells the story of the character Kim throughout the Vietnam War and her turn to prostitution in order to survive. She falls in love with an American G.I. prior to the fall of Saigon. The two are separated as the Americans flee Vietnam, which leaves both to deal with the ramifications of their relationship on different sides of the world. The show features familiar musical numbers like “Last Night of the World” and “I’d Give My Life For You.” But the production takes its own artistic liberties. It altered and removed multiple numbers to accommodate the cultural shifts around feminism. The number “Now that I’ve Seen Her,” which aggressively pits the two love interests against each other, was subsequently replaced. The replacement comes off as significantly less resentful, but still misplaced. The characters, despite the update in musical numbers, are still ingrained with internalized misogyny. The attitudes

COURTESY OF MATTHEW MURPHY the upDateD revival tour of “miss saigon” openeD at shea’s. the musical tells the tragic love story Between kim, a vietnamese seX worker, anD chris, an american g.i. During the enD of the vietnam war

‘Miss Saigon’ presents love and heartbreak in the face of war Newly upgraded Broadway musical brings new perspectives to Shea’s SAMANTHA VARGAS, JULIANNA TRACEY ARTS EDITORS

The classic Broadway musical “Miss Saigon” brought its renewed production to Shea’s Performing Arts Center. The story takes a critical look at the Vietnam War and the impact of Western interference. The performance offers vibrant set designs and elaborate choreography in the tragedy. The production began on Tuesday and runs until Sunday and is a part of the M&T

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NEWS DESK

2/18 9:05 a.m. A caller reported a vehicle slid off the road and into the guardrail at the Flint entrance from Millersport Highway. Patrol arrived on the scene. There were no injuries reported. 1:31 p.m. A student reported someone stole his laptop and bag outside of Knox 20. UPD arrived and filed a report. The student later called back stating someone returned his items to him. 2/19 6:06 p.m. A student reported someone stole her hoodie out of a dryer in Greiner Hall. UPD filed a report. 2/20 2:39 a.m. Patrol reported a suspicious vehicle in the middle of Sutton Lane. The subject refused to roll down their window. UPD issued a DWI, filed a report and escorted the subject.

Thursday, February 28, 2019 | 5

HAO WANG | THE SPECTRUM interior of naan-tastic restaurant locateD at 1595 niagara falls BoulevarD. the owners saiD they want to make inDian fooD more mainstream anD the presentation style is “similar to chipotle.”

start their dream business together. They hope their new restaurant will make Indian food “less intimidating” to those unfamiliar with it. “There are a lot of misconceptions about Indian food,” Aman Singh said. “Everybody thinks it spicy, like it’s all curry spice, but it’s not.” There are plenty of spices involved and the sauces range from sweet to mild to medium, he said. Ajay Singh said being a vegetarian was another motivation to open Naan-Tastic. “I was always struggling to find something vegetarian that was fast,” Ajay said. The restaurant has options for specific diet, including vegetarian, vegan and ketogenic. They want the restaurant to appeal to

customers from any background, but Aman Singh said the food is quite popular with those from India. “I think they also feel proud in a way that we are bringing Indian food and culture and representing India in a fast and casual way,” Aman Singh said. The Singh brothers said they think Indian students at UB will feel at home in their restaurant. They said the presentation is their own, but the spices and flavors come from their parents authentic recipes. “We get it all the time from [Indian students] at RIT in Rochester and now at UB, that the food tastes just like home,” Aman Singh said. “It’s just the environment is a little different.”

throughout the production are historically and culturally accurate, but still come across as uncomfortable. The love interest, Chris, is still framed as a noble man, despite gaslighting his wife and never confronting his past trauma. Vietnamese sex workers are physically and sexually abused. Chris’s American wife blames herself for his emotional absence and deception. This all contributes to the tragic nature of the show. Lisa Daily, a Buffalo resident, admired how the story acknowledged a cruel history. “I think the show has aged well. Especially with the changes they made,” Daily said. “I don’t think it could’ve ended any differently. It was a sad, tragic war and it needed a sad ending.”

corporated props, lighting and sound which gave the impression of a helicopter soaring overhead. The show featured an incredibly talented cast. Emily Bautista, who played Kim, stood out with her vocal ability. She exhibited remarkable breath control and never appeared fatigued. But Red Concepcion stole the show as the engineer. He was able to contrive charisma yet come off as immoral and unpleasant. The engineer provided comic relief, but was also the first character willing to physically harm a sex worker. Despite the narrative surrounding Kim and Chris, it seems that the engineer was the most significant character within the production. The character embodies the patriarchal values within the story’s historical context. It also showcases one of the negative effects of western influence. The engineer was willing to manipulate and capitalize on anyone weaker than him, all in order to eventually move to America.

The production was able to offset the somber plot with stunning visuals and practical effects. The layered set designs were able to create an ideal war-torn, yet sleazy atmosphere. It was often like looking at a post-apocalypse Las Vegas. Different set pieces and props often appeared out of nowhere, but none impressed the audience more than the “helicopter.” The practical effect in-

Email: isabella.nurt@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @Nurt_Spectrum

Email: Samantha.Vargas@ubspectrum.com and Julianna.Tracey@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @SamVargasArts and @JTraceySpec

NEWS

1:42 p.m. A person reported a hit and run earlier in the morning on Millersport Highway and Coventry Road. UPD reported no damage to the vehicle and no injuries. 8:26 p.m. A caller reported four students smoking marijuana in the Richmond courtyard. UPD arrived and issued three Student Conduct Advocacy reports. 10:16 p.m. A caller requested to file a report of unauthorized charges on his bank account. UPD filed a report and advised them to cancel their card. 2/21 11:35 a.m. A caller reported someone hit her car while parked in the Flickinger Court parking lot. The perpetrator left a note on her windshield. UPD filed a report. 1:40 p.m. A caller reported someone hit her vehicle between 11:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. while parked in the Ketter lot. UPD filed a report. 4:47 p.m. A caller reported someone struck his vehicle while parked in the Sherman lot and a witness left a note on his windshield. UPD filed a report.

2/22 2:02 p.m. A UB Libraries employee reported graffiti referencing Hitler in Lockwood Memorial Library. UPD was unable to locate and filed a maintenance referral. 11:54 p.m. A caller requested help with a marijuana complaint in the Millard Fillmore Academic Center. The subject ran towards Greiner Hall. UPD arrived and issued four Student Conduct Advocacy reports. 2/23 1:37 a.m. Patrol found an empty car that struck a pole outside of Hayes Hall. The airbag deployed, but no one was in the area and the keys were missing. UPD issued a traffic summons and had the ve-

hicle towed. 6:02 p.m. A caller reported someone hit his car while parked outside of South Lake Village sometime after 3 p.m. UPD filed a report. 2/24 2:17 a.m. A caller reported an alcohol overdose in Goodyear Hall. Medical transport arrived and UPD filed a report. 3:14 a.m. A caller reported disorderly conduct in Wilkeson Quadrangle. UPD determined the issue was alcohol-related and filed a report. 2:19 p.m. A person reported someone hit his car while parked on campus on Jan. 27th. UPD filed a report. Email: news@ubspectrum.com

6 | Thursday, February 28, 2019

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Animation company makes its way in the universe Rebel One Studios brings animation to Buffalo SAMANTHA VARGAS ASST. ARTS EDITOR

Animation is typically associated with big Hollywood studios, but the art form has grown far beyond film and television. Rebel One Studios is reclaiming animation and breaking traditional stereotypes from healthcare to architecture and advertising. The five-person animation team is based out of downtown Buffalo and has worked on everything from big-budget commercials to visualizing government projects. Rebel One Studios has produced the marketing animation for StarKist Tuna, Tops Friendly Markets Monopoly, Nickelodeon’s Kid’s Choice Awards, The Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team and more. Samantha Haney, the owner and creative director, said she never imagined herself as a business owner. “It’s really daunting when you’re in col-

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COURTESY OF REBEL ONE STUDIOS reBel one stuDios has proDuceD the marketing animation for tops frienDly markets’ monopoly contests.

lege and you’re like ‘All I do is draw. I don’t know anything,’” Haney said. “It’s surprising how much you are capable of when you’re put in the position.” Haney graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a degree in time-based media. She established a career with various animation companies after interning at UB’s computational research facility. She decided to lead her own studio shortly after. The company opened its doors in 2015 in Williamsville. The studio relocated to Allentown as business picked up to accommodate the expanding team. The Williamsville native chose to establish a team of handpicked, local animators for her company. “Everybody that works with me right now lives in Buffalo,” Haney said. “I really like keeping that close-knit group. Moreso for the flow of the team. If you bring in somebody who is working on different hours, say from the west coast, it just doesn’t work well.” But the company’s Buffalo loyalty doesn’t stop at its staff.

Ash Wednesday March 6 @ Noon

North Campus South Campus Mass Prayer Service

Student Union Harriman Hall Flag Room Ballroom

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Rebel One Studios has partnered with UB under the Start-Up NY Program. The program provides companies with access to experts and research facilities, while students and faculty have access to direct job opportunities. Adrian Levesque, UB’s urban visualization and multimedia specialist, said he appreciates the economic contributions Rebel One provides. “Buffalo isn’t a hotbed for animation, but there are a lot of talented individuals working here. The Start-Up NY Program helps these small businesses avoid unnecessary costs, and then they contribute to our economy,” Levesque said. “It’s much easier for businesses to grow when they’re able to leverage, say [UB’s] super-computer, compared to paying to facilitate somewhere like Amazon.” The studio’s partnership with UB prioritizes community members for employment and internship opportunities. “[UB] is the first place we’re reaching out to when looking for interns. There’s a lot of promise in our local schools,” Haney said. “I know there’s been an inter-

est in animation and visual effects locally, so we’re definitely trying to bring people in and get them that real-world experience.” Western New York provides exceptional resources for an up-and-coming animation studio, Haney said. “The technology really lends itself to our company. I can point to [UB] especially since I know the guys over at the center for computational research and the super-computing power over there is just amazing,” Haney said. “I’m surprised more people aren’t taking advantage of all the things that we have here.” The team also contributes to the city’s infrastructure, providing local developers and architects with 3D models. “When there are buildings in development downtown, like the Women and Children’s Hospital redevelopment project, we got to be involved with visualizing what that space could look like before it was built,” Haney said. “It’s really cool to be able to see how Buffalo will be changing before it does.” Email: samantha.vargas@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @SamVargasArts

CLASSIFIEDS

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Thursday, April 19, 2018 | 7

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SPORTS

8 | Thursday, February 28, 2019

Bulls on fire Buffalo wins sixth straight against Akron NATHANIEL MENDELSON SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

The Buffalo Bulls continue to be the hottest team in town with another win against the Akron Zips on Tuesday night. Buffalo kept a rowdy crowd on the edge of their seats until the final four minutes where it finally took control. The Bulls (25-3, 13-2 Mid-American Conference) defeated Akron (15-13, 7-8 MAC) 77-64. The Zips have accounted for two of Buffalo’s six wins on its current win streak and UB stretched its home winning streak to 25 games. The last time UB men’s basketball lost at home was Dec. 2, 2017 against St. Bonaventure. The Bulls expect to keep the streak going with only one home game left this season. “We want to protect home court,” senior guard CJ Massinburg said. “We don’t want anybody to just walk in and try to punk us. We definitely take pride in defending the home court.” “It’s become really important,” said senior forward Nick Perkins. “We want to leave a legacy here.” Massinburg and Perkins have already left their legacies at UB. Both players are in the top five scorers all time and have been a part of the winning team in program history. Massinburg entered the of all time top 20 scorers in the MAC with

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BULLS

his 23-point performance, passing former NBA player Wally Szczerbiak. Head coach Nate Oats was included in the record-breaking performances. He surpassed former coach Bobby Hurley to have the highest winning percentage in school history. Oats is at .681, Hurley finished at .677. “I must have been pretty bad my first couple of years here,” Oats said. “I mean we’re 25-3 and I just now finally passed him. Bobby came in here and got this thing turned around and got to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. I appreciate everything he has done for my career. … To be in the same conversations with him right now, it’s nice to know that.” Akron came into the game allowing only 62.6 points per game, 15th best in the nation. The Bulls have finished with 76 and 77 points in regulation against them in each of their games. Both were the most points scored against them in regulation this season. Still, it wasn’t easy for Buffalo to get to 77. The Bulls were down at halftime for just the eighth time this season after Akron’s Tyler Cheese hit a three-point shot with two seconds left in the half to give them a 36-35 lead. Buffalo was 5-2 when down at half while Akron was 12-4 when leading. UB and Akron went back and forth throughout the half as they continually traded baskets. The Zips continued to lead

THOMAS ATEHORTUA | THE SPECTRUM Sophomore guard Jayvon Graves rises up for the slam dunk. His block on one end and slam on the other shifted the momentum over the final five minutes.

59-57 with 7:54 remaining in the first. Akron scored just five more points over the remaining time, compared to Buffalo’s 20. Perkins scored four-straight points to take the lead. Sophomore guard Jayvon Graves blocked a three on one end and sprinted down to the other side of the court to finish a dunk as the Alumni Arena crowd rose to their feet for the first time all night. “More similar to a boxing match than a basketball game,” said Akron head coach John Groce. “I mean that in a positive way for both teams and I thought they battled and fought like they would.” Buffalo outscored Akron 14-2 over the final four minutes. Massinburg finished with 23 points, 10

rebounds and six assists with no turnovers and Perkins had a game-high 25 points along with five rebounds and two blocks. Graves, who went to Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Graves has averaged over 15 points per game in his last three contests. The Bulls now head on the road for the final time this season with games against Miami (OH) and Ohio. Buffalo will play Miami (OH) this Friday at 8 p.m. The RedHawks most recently defeated Bowling Green 82-69. The game will be broadcasted on CBS Sports Network.

Email: nathaniel.mendelson@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @NateMendelson

no combine necessary

JACK LI| THE SPECTRUM Hodge walks off Ford Field at the MAC Championship game. Written on the wrap around his wrist is “10/29” and “12/3,” his brother’s birthday and death day.

Khalil Hodge not deterred from NFL dream after snub NATHANIEL MENDELSON SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

No player has more tackles over the last three seasons than Khalil Hodge. At 419 total tackles, he has 73 more than the nexthighest player in college football. This week marks the annual NFL combine where the top prospects across all of college football will perform drills in front of coaches, scouts and general managers from all 32 NFL teams. In total, over 300 athletes were invited to compete, 37 of which are linebackers, eight of which are from mid-major conferences and not one was named Khalil Hodge. Hodge didn’t receive an invite to the NFL combine this year. The star linebacker that led UB’s defense to its first bowl game since 2013 found out he wouldn’t be joining teammates Tyree Jackson and Anthony Johnson in Indianapolis. Their days may have been filled with joy and almost the guarantee of being an NFL draft pick,

while Hodge had to put his head down and get back to work. “God’s plan,” Hodge said. “It is what it is and that’s what God planned out for me already.” Hodge was raised in the church, a place he’s always looked to for guidance and somewhere he spent a lot of time. He recorded 262 tackles in his senior season at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, California. But while he has found success on the gridiron, he’s faced numerous adversities off. Hodge and teammates were furious when Buffalo wasn’t selected for a bowl game following the 2017 season. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only heart-breaking news Hodge dealt with that day. Hodge’s brother Kadeem was killed the previous night. He found out the next afternoon, only hours after his bowl dreams were crushed. Today, Hodge can be spotted wearing a sleeve with his brothers’ birthday and death date during games. “It’s definitely motivation, you know, but it’s still hard to get over, I’m never go-

ing to,” Hodge said. “It’s still hard to deal with sometimes but just little stuff like that I just do it to keep him in my mind and understand everything I’m doing.” Hodge grew up with football. He remembers being 5 years old and his dad placing a ball in his hands. He picked it up and ran with it. His father instilled in him that football was his way out. Football is what got Hodge through high school and into college and now it serves as not only a way to improve his situation but his family as well. Hodge is unlike most seniors fresh out of college. Instead of having a job immediately after graduating or frantically trying to find one, he’s training at the EXOS combine training facility in San Diego, California. Hodge still has his degree and will put it to use only if necessary. His only focus for now is achieving his childhood dream of playing in the NFL. To hear his name called on draft day would mean “the world” to him. “If that phone calls on draft day, it will be the opportunity of a lifetime,” Hodge said. “Something I won’t take for granted and just another opportunity to make my parents and entire family proud.” Even if Hodge doesn’t receive the call, he could still end up like former Bull Demone Harris who went undrafted and

found playing time for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers toward the end of last season. “It just means you’re going to have to work harder and get ready,” Hodge said. “I know that I’m planning to stick in the NFL no matter how I get in.” Hodge compares himself to Eric Kendricks of the Minnesota Vikings, Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks and Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers. He knows he can be a three-down linebacker and sideline-to-sideline tackler in the NFL. Hodge, unlike at the combine, will only have one chance to prove to limited NFL teams that he can do that. UB’s pro-day is scheduled for March 13 at the Buffalo Bills AdPro Sports Training Center. It is the last opportunity Hodge has to show off in front of scouts before the NFL draft. It could be the last time the California native steps onto a field or the beginning of a long career. “I put a lot of pressure on myself,” Hodge said. “I feel like it’s definitely not going to get to me because I apply so much to myself but it’s one of the hardest job interviews in the world and I’m going to treat it like such. I’ve been working for these past three months, and it’s my opportunity to show that I’m ready.” Email:nathaniel.mendelson@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @NateMendelson.

JACK LI| THE SPECTRUM Khalil Hodge makes a tackle at the MAC Championship game. Hodge has recorded more tackles than anyone else in the NCAA over the past three seasons.