No. 2 (Sept. 21, 2017)

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University News

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#200yearslater

As Saint Louis University approaches its 200th year, students supporting revisions to the Clocktower Accords have started using #200yearslater to represent the University’s continued need for improvement since it was founded in 1818.


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News

INSIDE SCOOP:

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ARTS “IT” Review Page 6

Emma Carmody / The University News

PROTEST: Protesters take to the streets after Jason Stockley was acquitted in fatal shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith.

SPORTS Women’s soccer rockets through nonconference play Page 16

OPINION Guest Essay: Students React to the Stockley Verdict Page 23

“Show me what a family looks like” By Grant Mayfield Staff Writer

On Sunday, protesters marched down Grand Blvd. after Jason Stockley was found not guilty in the killing of Anthony Lamar Smith. As they marched towards Saint Louis University’s campus, police blocked the entrance to West Pine, only allowing university students to pass, and the larger protest moved on. Student demonstrators marched on towards the clock tower and through the Busch Student Center, eventually stopping at the plaza between the BSC and the Science Quad. It was here that SLU’s President, Dr. Fred Pestello, met with students about the racial climate on campus. The verdict was announced on the morning of Friday, Sept. 15. Since then, many students have participated in demonstrations promoting justice. Last year, Stockley was charged with first degree murder after the killing of Anthony Lamar Smith in December of 2011. Following a high-speed chase through the north part of St. Louis City, Stockley killed Smith with five shots at point-blank

range. Stockley has been criticized for many actions that occurred that day. Criticisms include the fact that he was armed with a personal AK-47 rifle, which is against St. Louis Police Department policy. During the chase, Stockley yelled, “I’m gonna kill this mother f-----, don’t you know it.” Forty-five seconds later, Smith was dead. Several video recordings from building surveillance, the in-car police camera, and bystander cellphone footage captured the event as it unfolded and are posted at the end of this article. Police allege that Smith was armed, though forensic tests found only Stockley’s DNA on the weapon. The prosecution argued that Stockley may have planted the gun in the car, following the incident. Video evidence shows Stockley return to the police SUV moments after the shooting, rummage through a duffle bag and return to Smith’s car to sit in the driver’s seat where the gun was later discovered. Judge Timothy J. Wilson, a SLU undergrad and law alum, began the text of his findings and verdict by stating that he

“shall not be swayed by partisan interests, public clamor or fear of criticism.” He later went on to write, “This court, in conscience, cannot say that the state has proven every element of murder beyond a reasonable doubt or that the defendant did not act in self-defense.” Since the verdict was announced several days ago, it has prompted hundreds, perhaps thousands, to take to the streets over the weekend and into this week. Locations across the city from downtown to the Central West End and The Loop also saw demonstrations characterized by marching, organized chants and speeches by activists and community leaders. One such speech by Rev. Clinton Stancil, Senior Pastor of the Wayman AME Church, explained part of the strategy of the weekend’s protests. On the steps of City Hall, Rev. Stancil explained how protestors could grab the public’s attention by disrupting the regional economy. “You kill our children; we will kill your economy. We will kill See “Protests” on page 3


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News

September 21, 2017

Protests continue across St. Louis Continued from Page 3

Emma Carmody / The University News

CLOCKTOWER: Students in Grand Dining Hall push for the revisitation and revision of the Clocktower Accords.

Revised, Not Forgotten By Grant Mayfield Staff Writer

On Aug. 9, 2014, an unarmed 18-yearold, Mike Brown, was shot and killed by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Mo. Over the days and weeks that followed, Ferguson and the whole St. Louis region became the epicenter of a national movement that would later become known as Black Lives Matter. On Oct. 8, 2014, another 18-year-old, VonDerrit Myers, was shot and killed by Officer Jason Flanery in the Shaw neighborhood just south of Saint Louis University. The combined outrage of the two killings separated by a few months and less than 20 miles led to further protests involving hundreds. Over the next 10 days, protests occurred on campus with a combination of students and community members. This included the Occupy SLU movement in which demonstrators camped out at the clocktower from Oct. 13-18. The occupation ended when the University, along with two community organizations, signed onto The Clocktower Accords. These 13 statements represented steps the University agreed to implement in order to improve the experience of black students on campus and invest in the St. Louis community. The University received praise for the way they responded to the occupation including a personal letter from then Attorney General, Eric Holder. Now almost three years later, few of the accords have been realized. Among the accords that have been enacted, the 11th accord “to create a Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and

Community Engagement,” was accomplished with Dr. Jonathan Smith filling the role. His position was renamed to Chief Diversity Officer and then a second time to his current title, Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement. While Dr. Smith may have a position in the administration, many say his office lacks the resources to effectively improve campus life and accomplish the remaining accords. During a teach-in at the Busch Student Center on Tuesday, a student activist described the apparent disconnect. “Any time something involving black or brown students comes up, Dr. Pestello puts it on Dr. Smith.” Following protests this weekend, a group of student activists to propose revisions to the Clocktower Accords. The students, with connections to the Student Government Association, Black Student Alliance, and the Diversity Leadership Cabinet, laid out more specific goals to include Black students as well as students of other marginalized identities such as, immigrants and LGBTQ+ students. Speaking to SLU’s mission to be for and with others students,“The Clocktower accords must be recognized as an amendable and non-static set of agreements to represent the changing needs of POC and Black people on this campus and in the surrounding community. This will be achieved through a good-natured collaboration between a committee of marginalized students, SGA and administration.” Students involved in writing the updated See “Clocktower” on page 5

through a megaphone on Friday. Tensions with police have been high throughout the last several days. Kevin Nevels, a 45-year-old black man, tried to get through to a black police officer in full riot gear outside the police academy on Friday. “I know you’ve been racially profiled; I have too,” Nevels told him. Nevels later told The University News that, by participating in protests, he is trying to appeal to good officers. He said that people think “if you speak out against injustice, then you’re anti-police, anti-law.” On Monday evening, another protester, Caitlynn Vann, who runs a nonprofit for low-income girls in St. Louis, said she “just hopes people keep listening. There’s clearly a problem and this many people don’t get upset if

there isn’t one.” Some property damage was reported following the protests. SLU senior, Connor Williams, who has participated in protests every day since the verdict was announced, described what happened toward the end of each night. “I’d say there’s a marked transition from when the organizers that plan everything leave. Saturday and Sunday night, they made a clear point that they were leaving, and that’s when things got incited--45 minutes to an hour after they left.” When asked about property damage, Noelle Janak, a SLU senior and activist called it “righteous anger.” They went on to say that “if you value broken windows over black lives, then you are on the side of white supremacy.” “We’re fighting for justice,” SLU sophomore Devonn Thomas said. “If the courts are unjust, that’s what we have to do.”

Emma Carmody / The University News

PROTESTS: Protesters quickly take a stand against police brutality after the ruling was announced.

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Victoria Segovia / The University News

MAVERICK MARGARET: Margaret Atwood answers audience questions after receiving her award.

Margaret Atwood becomes the 50th recipient of St. Louis Literary Award

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, author and poet Margaret Atwood joined the ranks of many literary giants who have received the St. Louis Literary Award. The ceremony was opened by the President of the Saint Louis Library Associates, Lana Pepper, and also included a speech by the Chairman of the Selection Committee, Ted Ibur. As a writer, Atwood has never shied away from heavy-hitting topics within her works. In her MaddAddam trilogy, she tackled issues such as genetic engineering, ethics in science, climate change and corporate greed. In “The Edible Woman,” the main character struggles with alienation and a loss of her identity. And most famously, in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Atwood addresses power dynamics and women who have been subjugated by the

society they live in. are supposed to serve, protect, arrest In her acceptance speech, Atwood potential but not proven criminals, and specifically spoke about the recent pro- turn them over to the justice system tests in the St. for trial. That’s a Louis area and hard job with a lot the current of pressure,” Atwood issues with the said. “But a country police. While in which the police some visiting act as judge, jury performand executioner is a ers such as police state.” U2 and Ed In her speech, Sheeran canAtwood cautioned celed shows that the change due to the from democracy protest, Atto a police state is wood altered not a swift change, Margaret Atwood her acceptance but something that speech in orhappens in steps der to directly due to the actions of address the the police and the issues many are having with the police. society accepting those actions. “Every country has police. They “Countries do not become police

Please honor your own pledge to the flag – liberty and justice for all. All means all.

By Emily Miller News Editor

states overnight. They get there by steps.” Atwood noted. “One step after another is tolerated and accepted, so then that the bridge between democracy and the police state will be crossed, and then that bridge will be burned.” Atwood also urged listeners to pay attention to issues involving police brutality and discrimination, saying “Please honor your own pledge to the flag – liberty and justice for all. All means all. Justice means not merely the administration of laws – the Nuremberg Laws were laws, the Fugitive Slave Act was a set of laws, but just and fair laws upheld and administered without discrimination. Please don’t settle for less.” Atwood frequently covers the issues of police militarization and civil disobedience within her works, especially within “The Handmaid’s Tale.” In her speech, Atwood also stressed that she does not write dystopian novels, and that her novels should be looked at as potential futures and many have plausible explanations. In her acceptance speech, Atwood also defined what art meant to her. “Who is art for? What is art for?” Atwood said. “Learning, teaching, expressing ourselves, entertaining, enacting truth, celebrating, or even denouncing and cursing. There’s no general answer.” Atwood also discussed the roles of art in society and the role that people like to give her in art, saying “There are acceptable gender roles in the arts as in other facets of life, and there are some fairly strange ones available to women. By available, I mean that people feel free to project them onto you without feeling they are doing violence to the limits of your gender.” The presentation of the St. Louis Literary Award finished with a brief question and answer segment moderated by Jennifer Buehler, a professor in the School of Education at SLU. Questions came from the audience and Buehler and covered a variety of different topics such as “The Handmaid’s Tale” at the Emmy’s, works that Atwood has been unable to complete, and how being raised by scientists has affected Atwood’s way of looking at the world and writing. Atwood has several more upcoming adaptations of her works. “Hag-Seed,” a retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” is currently being discussed for adaptation into a play at the Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green before appearing in theaters in St. Louis. Another, “Alias Grace,” will be premiering on Netflix on Nov. 3. Atwood herself will be featured in a 30minute show that will be released on Oct. 9, at 9 p.m. on Channel 9.


News

September 21, 2017

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Let Us Introduce You: Nick Dolan

By Tannock Blair Associate News Editor

Nick Dolan is an unsung hero of Saint Louis University. His college career hasn’t begot him a plethora of awards or accolades, but his meritorious character speaks louder than any empty symbol or lip service. Dolan is majoring in meteorology at SLU and is hoping to pursue a career in weather-prediction after college. From a very young age, Dolan was always fascinated and excited by weather, leading him to seek out more and more knowledge on the subject. Throughout his youth, Dolan could often be found scanning the internet or the weather channel for incoming weather anomalies. Despite his love of weather, Dolan never really planned on formally studying it. Going into college, Dolan hadn’t picked a major; it was his freshman year roommate who finally convinced him to do meteorology. “I was thinking about doing mechanical engineering but then, I was like, ‘[Forget] that, I’m going to do something that I like.’” Dolan explained that his reason for loving

Tannock Blair / The University News

weather is its unpredictability. Dolan feels drawn to a profession that attempts to predict that which is unpredictable. Even today, experts are nowhere near total accuracy. Dolan’s approach to weather-prediction is informed by one of the mottos he lives by: “Expect the unexpected.”

Dolan is also a student-athlete on SLU’s Cross Country and Track and Field team. As a kid, he had tried many different sports from baseball to basketball, but it wasn’t until 4th grade, after running well at a local track meet, that he realized he wanted to start focusing on running. Dolan’s philosophy

Clocktower Accords Revised Continued from Page 3

accords spoke to their motivations. “We saw this as an opportunity to push for the mission of this school, to push for what the original accords were.” Even as SLU has been handed the basic needs of Black students, it’s seems that the school continues to fall short. One of the writers told the University News “this happened really naturally and organically.” Another student added, “The reason we updated the accords is because racial issues aren’t stagnant and the thing that’s supposed to address them should not be stagnant as well.” The revisions were designed with three larger

frames in mind: the St. Louis city and region, SLUspecific academic goals, and opening the SLU administration to more people of marginalized backgrounds. As to the urgency of the revisions, one student commented, “Often times, after four years, the administration can kind of wait us out. With the original Clocktower Accords it kind of felt like the administration was just waiting us out. Just waiting until that last class left.” Students of various identities have taken part in demonstrations over the last six days. One of the writers of the Clocktower Accords revisions spoke to this saying, “It’s not just black students pushing it. It’s the campus. And the

administration sees that. I do believe that when Dr. Pestello came out and sat with us that day (Sunday), he did see not just black students, not just people of color, not just LGBT students, [but] he saw the white students — the students that make up the majority of this campus — supporting the accords.” Students supporting the revision process passed out copies of the accords at the crosswalk on Grand Boulevard on Wednesday and are using the hashtag #200YearsLater. The hashtag is a nod to the upcoming bicentennial and was created to represent the ongoing improvements our University must undergo, even 200 years after its founding.

of running is simple: “I value dedication,” he said, admitting that while talent can play a role, success always comes down to hard work. While some athletes have routines and superstitions, Dolan claims he doesn’t need this to feel comfortable before a race. As he puts it: “I have pairs of

socks that I will race in, but I don’t think of them as lucky socks.” For him, it is more important to make healthy decisions on and off the track. Training doesn’t just happen in the allocated time from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day; you must live and breathe it, according to Dolan. In his first two years of college athletics, Dolan was injured. He ran only a handful of races in those two years and was forced to cheer his teammates on from the sidelines. Despite this immense setback, Dolan stuck with it, standing by his team and never giving up where most would have. In fact, many athletes did quit the team in those two years with much less-affecting injuries. No one currently on the Cross Country or Track and Field teams with injury has stayed on as long as Dolan has. He explained, “I didn’t want to be a quitter. Once I start something, I continue to do it. I’m not going to let anything stop me from doing something.” Although Dolan is finally healthy enough to race this season, he still has a long way to go before he is satisfied.

THE SLU SCOOP All Information Provided by Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Monday, Sept. 18 7:01 a.m. THEFT Both wheels were stolen off of a student’s bicycle outside of Marchetti Towers East in the time between 4 p.m. on Sept. 17 and 6:50 a.m. on Sept. 18. Monday, September 18 8:57 p.m. ACCIDENTIAL INJURY A student reported falling off of an office-styled chair, knocking her head on either the floor or the chair. EMS was called, and the student declined any further medical attention. Be a Responsible Billiken STOP. CALL. REPORT. 314-977-3000 witness.slu.edu dps.slu.edu


Arts &

Entertainment

September 21, 2017 arts@unewsonline.com Natalie Riopelle, Arts Editor Chandana Kamaraj, Assoc. Arts Editor

LOUFEST Recap ‘IT’s’ here By ALEXIS STOGNER Contributor

Emma Carmody / The University News

ENERGY: Britt Daniel (above) lead singer of the Indie Rock band, Spoon, at Lousfest. By MADISYN SIEBERT Staff Writer

LouFest is the traditional twoday music festival that brings local and established bands to Forest Park for St. Louisans to rock-out to while also having access to great local eateries. This tradition has been occurring annually since it was founded in 2010, having many well-known bands, such as the 1975, Hozier and the Killers. This year, though, LouFest was not prepared for the turnout it received on Saturday. Volunteering behind the scenes for LouFest really showed how drastically unprepared its coordinators were for the first sold-out day. Another new challenge for LouFest was that where they usually hold the festival at in Forest Park was being renovated, forcing LouFest to relocate to the Muny grounds. This location, being a smaller, more compact area, made it more difficult to deal with the crowds. It did not help that LouFest was dealing with its first sellout occasion on

such tight grounds, causing more people to be squished into a concrete parking lot. The high-tech scanning system wasn’t working either, due to internet outages in forest park, which created a crazy jungle of people trying to get into an already crowded music festival. Since I was able to work behind the scenes, I was also able to experience just how unorganized the event was. The coordinators did not let volunteers know anything or give them any training. We were barely any help to the general public because we were not properly informed about what was happening. LouFest offered kid-scanning bracelets to help keep track of children at the festival, however they were not offered anywhere. They had random people using an information tent just to get out of the sun, and they ran out of pamphlets for the first day within two hours since opening their doors. All of this to-

gether, along with other little factors, piled up to make LouFest a disaster. The only thing that was working for LouFest was their line-up for the day, featuring bands such as Hippo Campus, Spoon, Huey Lewis and the News, Cage the Elephant and Snoop Dog. The three stages, all positioned at a different corner, were all put in odd locations, two being on a hill—with one even having a giant concession stand in the middle of the hill that blocked the stage at many angles—and the other stage located on the concrete parking lot. Moshing at the musical festival in a parking lot for Cage the Elephant was not fun. even though Cage the Elephant put on a great show, they could not lift my spirits from the disappoint of how LouFest was going. I was beginning to wish I were home instead of at the festiSee “Loufest Cont.” on Page 8

Based on Stephen King’s best selling 1986 novel of the same name, “IT” is centered around a group of seven children who call themselves “The Losers Club,” and the horrific events that shape their lives one summer in their hometown of Derry, Maine. Every twentyseven years, “bad things” begin happening in Derry, often involving the disappearances or deaths of the town’s children. When Bill’s (Jaeden Lieberher) little brother Georgie (Jackson Robert Scott) goes missing, Bill devotes all of his time to finding answers regarding his strange disappearance. Meanwhile, each individual member of The Losers Club has their own encounter with Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard), an evil clown, although no one else sees these encounters or believes them to be real. “IT” introduces the audience to each member of The Losers Club, showing sequences of their individual terrifying encounters with Pennywise. Once the children form a

friendship and put the pieces together, they discover that IT is an evil entity that takes on the form of whatever they are most afraid of (ranging from abusive parents to — you guessed it — clowns). The Losers decide to work together to defeat Pennywise and save the town’s children once and for all. With a running time of over two hours, the movie paces itself and distributes its scares pretty well before its emotional ending, although it does rely heavily on jump scares, and the movie’s trailers did give away some of its best moments. The characters’ wardrobes along with the film’s soundtrack add a layer of 80s nostalgia (which make sense, given that “IT” is set in 1989). For me, the highlight of the film was the children themselves. The Losers Club was made up of an incredible team of young actors and actresses who were brilliantly cast, and carried the film from start to See “Still Here” on Page 7

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Arts

September 21, 2017

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Zayn's New Ride Still here By MADISYN SIEBERT Staff Writer

Zayn Malik, also known as the first member of One Direction to go solo, released his new single “Dusk Till Dawn” featuring Sia on Sept. 7 for his impending sophomore album. The music video dropping the same day acquired 9.77 million views in one day, not a record breaker by far, but a good place to start for both artists to generate hype for upcoming albums. The song itself has a very Sia vibe that is focused on pop and long rifts. Zayn in his premiere album “Mind of Mine” made the conscious effort to stay away from “generated pop,” wanting to distance himself from the music he was making in One Direction. He was mostly using R&B influences, with also a mixture of Pakistani influences. Zayn has started to embrace his pop vibe once again, as seen with his featuring on the Taylor Swift song “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.” The music video directed by Marc Webb sets up a coherent story from start to finish, which can be rare to find today. That might be because Webb and his history in the movie and television industry, known for movies such as “(500) Days of Summer,” “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “Gifted.” He also worked with many musicians directing music videos, such as Green Day, Maroon 5, My Chemical Romance, Miley Cyrus and much more. Webb did take a seven-year break from directing mu-

sic videos, with “Dusk Till Dawn” being his first music video since 2010. The story highlights Zayn as the star, getting into some mysterious business that the police and other groups want a piece of whatever he has to offer in his briefcase. The story pans out to Zayn trying to go to a drop location to leave a briefcase for his female co-star, Jemima Kirke, but Zayn gets intercepted by the police. In the middle of the music video

‘Dusk Till Dawn’ may not be a no. 1, but it is definitely a song that showcases the strong vocal abilites of both Zayn and Sia. they cut to an acting scene, which sadly Zayn acts terribly in, where the police are questioning him and ultimately have to let him go, as not having any evidence to hold him. Zayn drives off in his fancy Jaguar, speeding through the streets of Los Angeles, police on his heels still suspecting him. Zayn ultimately leads them to a house that is setup to make the police arrive and inspect it, but it’s not that simple. Zayn calls the police to the house and sets up a trap to make firecrackers go off in the bathroom, so when the other police officers arrive, they are not aware that more police are in there, and after hearing the firing of firecrackers,

they begin to shoot at the house. Zayn is then seen driving off into the distance with his female accomplice, having gotten away once again. The filming in the video is surprisingly captivating, keeping the viewer interested in the story. Was the middle necessary though when they cut the music and made Zayn act? I do not think so. It was a cringe-worthy performance on Zayn’s part, and he should really stick to singing. The music video also did not seem to align with the point of the song, but the beat and vibe of the song did align with the story. I also just think it was a chance for Zayn to drive fancy cars throughout LA and act like a wannabe bad boy and he took the opportunity. Sia was also not featured in the music video, and it would have been to their benefit to have included her in the music video, especially since the sound of the song is more her style than Zayn’s, but maybe her schedule just so happened to conflict with shooting which is a high possibility. “Dusk Till Dawn” may not be a no. 1, but it is definitely a song that showcases the strong vocal abilities of both Zayn and Sia. If this is a taste of what to expect for Zayn in the future, I can say I’m excited to see what his impending album will bring, especially if he is going back to his pop roots.

Zayn Malik / Instagram

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Continued from Page 6

finish, delivering emotional performances as well as hilarious one-liners that had the audience laughing even during some of the film’s most intense scenes. Each of the Losers has a unique personality and brings something new to the table; however, one thing they all have in common is a lack of responsible or caring parental figures. The Losers are left to fight for themselves, allowing us as viewers to connect with them and root for them from the very start. The kids also tackle problems more relatable to an audience’s real life, such as bullying, abuse, romance and more, making “IT” feel reminiscent of other classic coming of age films, like “Stand By Me” and “The Goonies.” Bill Skarsgard’s performance as Pennywise the Dancing Clown was terrifying, and greatly differed from Tim Curry’s classic Pennywise in the 1994 “IT” TV miniseries. Curry’s Pennywise is considered by many to be a quintessential horror icon, meaning Skarsgard had some big shoes to fill when taking on this role. While Curry portrays Pennywise as a normal, almost funny, yet secretly terrifying clown, Skarsgard made him a downright demonic, evil presence whose appearance alone will give you nightmares. Where Curry played a traditionally made-up circus clown with razor-sharp teeth, Skarsgard’s appearance is aided by CGI to create the most terrifying appearance possible. “IT” broke box office records with its premiere on Sept. 8, becoming the biggest opening weekend ever during the September-October period. With a perfect mix of laughs, scares and heartfelt moments, “IT” was an extremely scary and entertaining film. I watched a good portion of the movie with my ears plugged and my eyes half closed, constantly afraid of being caught off guard by whatever jump scare came next, but I enjoyed every minute of it. I would highly recommend the film to anyone who might still be on the fence about seeing it, and can’t wait for the sequel, which is currently expected for release in fall 2019.


8 September 21, 2017

Reigning Men By MARYCAIT DOLAN Contributor

This past weekend marked the closing of the Saint Louis Art Museum’s summer exhibition, Reigning Men: Fashion in Menswear. As fun as its punny title would suggest, Reigning Men encompassed the main goal of refocusing the frequently feminine lens of fashion to instead showcase the lesser-celebrated history of men’s fashion from the eighteenth century to the present. Housed in the museum’s main exhibition gallery, the exhibit featured 150 mannequins dressed to the nines—from the late eighteenth-century pantaloons of French Incroyables to American zoot suits of the 1940s—and did a wonderful job of subtly interlacing the old with the new. One could never quite know for sure if that mannequin was wearing something very old or just something very new and very avant-garde. Outfits included fashion from all over the world—France, England, India and Japan, to name a few—and included iconic looks such as the typical high school jock’s varsity jacket and canvas sneakers. One criticism for the exhibit is perhaps the fact that it focused mostly on the fashion choices of white men. There were several outfits from non-western countries, but the vast majority were extremely eurocentric. Perhaps this only serves as a reflection of the society we already know to be true; however, despite the arguing points of its eurocentric nature, the exhibit was extremely fascinating and it was amazing to witness how well-preserved the 200-yearold articles of clothing were. Though the exhibit is now on its way back to its original home in Los Angeles, its artfulness is bound to be well-remembered here in St. Louis.

Arts

To do in STL Oktoberfest

Fri. Sept. 22 - Sun. Sept. 24 Midtown Brewery & Biergarten (3229 Washington Ave.)

The Bodyguard: The Musical Mon. Oct. 3 - Sun. Oct. 15 The Fabulous Fox

Kingsman: The Golden Circle Release: Fri. Sept. 22

STL Hispanic Festival

Fri. Sept. 22 - Sun. Sept. 24 Soulard Park

Two Door Cinema Club Tues. Sept. 26 The Pageant

Loufest Cont. Continued from Page 6

val that day just because of how underwhelmed I was by the the effort put in by LouFest management. The only thing that made the day better was Snoop Dogg. The crowd was huge, the hill was steep, and the concession stand was slightly blocking my view, but once Snoop came on, the festival finally took a turn for the better. Snoop was able to energize the crowd in ways that no other performers were able to do that day. He commanded the stage with hits like “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, “California Gurls”, “Gin and Juice” and “Young, Wild, and

Free”. Snoop turned what had been a pretty disappointing day into something that made everything else worth it. I have attended LouFest before and had great experiences with it, but this year just did not seem to go as planned. Whether it was the new location, or if there were new supervisors who took it over, something needs to be changed for next year. I want to see LouFest build upon its mistakes from this year and make LouFest 2018 something that the people of St. Louis will love. It would be fantastic to see LouFest grow into a nationwide event, but to do that, LouFest must learn how to fix internal issues for next year.

The only thing that made the day better was Snoop Dogg.

Emma Carmody / The University News


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September 21, 2017

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Games

September 21, 2017

Games University News 9/8/16 Sudoku University News 10/6/16 Crossword Across 1 5 9 14 15 16 17 18 20 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 33 34 35 37 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 48 49 52 53 57 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

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1 Owl’s hangout 2 Fortuneteller’s opening 3 Have supper 4 Horseback riding result, maybe 5 Good point 6 Asian language 7 Eskimo knife 8 Teacher 9 Printing process 10 ___’easter 11 Streetcar 12 Food grain 13 Acorn producers

19 21 25 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 38

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39 41 44 45 47 48 49 50 51 54 55 56 58 59 60

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Photography

September 21, 2017

11

PHOTO GALLERY: SLU Protest By EMMA CARMODY Photo Editor

On Sunday, Sept. 17, as protesters marched north on Grand Boulevard, SLU student demonstrators separated from the group to organize their own protest on campus. Student demonstrators gathered around the clock tower while the student leaders organized others in a circle and talked to them about their experiences and beliefs as people of color on SLU’s campus. These leaders then assembled down West Pine to the Busch Student Center where they walked through the building, chanting and holding their signs high before settling on the lawn on the east side of the BSC. As student leaders prepared to address the crowd again, SLU President Dr. Fred Pestello came outside and sat down as part of the crowd. A few leaders, Mya Petty, Trey Watterson and Noelle

Janak sat down with him and asked him questions regarding the Jason Stockley verdict, and explained their own experiences as minority students at SLU. After a discussion including a list of demands from them, these demonstrators marched back across Grand Boulevard to the new Grand Dining Hall where each student had to swipe in. There, students occupied the dining hall, some sitting down and some walking around holding signs with the Clocktower Accords high above their heads. Student leaders also held a teach-in while in Grand Hall where they answered any questions that others had about their cause, their plans for improvement, and their experiences.


12 September 21, 2017

ABOVE: SLU President Dr. Fred Pestello sat down with freshman Mya Petty, junior Trey Watterson, and other students to talk about thier concerns about the Jason Stockley verdict and the issues that they face as students of color at SLU. RIGHT: SLU Student Government Association VP of Diversity and Inclusion, Tre Watterson passionately speaks to student protesters at the clock tower.

Photography


Photography

September 21, 2017

13

Students gathered in a circle around the clock tower, Student leaders Mya Petty and Jaryn Blackshear-Bryant read their demands to holding signs and listening to student protest leaders. Dr. Pestello in front of the crowd while behind the Busch Student Center.

Are DPS officers trained in racial profiling? Because I can’t tell you how many DPS officers stop me and ask me for my ID because I don’t look like I go to SLU.

Mya Petty, Freshman, Student protest leader

After gathering at the clock tower, students marched through the Busch Student Center.


14 September 21, 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO GALLERY: City Protests By EMMA CARMODY Photo Editor

After the Jason Stockley verdict was released Friday morning, many community members took to the streets of downtown St. Louis in protests that lasted throughout the weekend. Only hours after the verdict was released, a mass of people marched down Washington Avenue. Groups formed in different parts of the downtown area, such as in front of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the America’s Convention Center, and in front of the courthouse downtown. Protests also occured in the Loop and in Central West End neighborhoods. The demonstrators rallied behind each other as they stood up for what they believed was right, by chanting “This is what community looks like” and “No justice, no peace.”


September 21, 2017

The Clocktower Accords

15

As many students participated in the downtown demonstrations, the SLU community reacted to the Stockley verdict by assessing SLU’s own standards, especially in relation to the equity and inclusivity of the University. The evaluation involved the revision of the Clocktower Accords.

I. Increased budget for the African American Studies Program A. A sustained increase in the budget for the African Americans Studies relative to its enrollment without taking the money from any other minority organizations. II. Increased financial aid resources for retention of African American students at SLU A. Projects and initiatives toward books, housing scholarships and grants B. Make Sista Circle a program within the Diversity and Community Office III. Evaluation of SLU’s current scholarship programs to better serve African American populations A. At least 70% of scholarship recipients of MLK will be POC B. The academic requirements for the MLK scholarship lowered C. Students must have demonstrated a commitment to racial, queer, and/or economic justice. D. Push the already constructed framework for DACA scholarship, that SLU has created. IV. Additional college prep workshops for students in the area’s most disadvantaged school districts. A. Office of Admissions’ job, which must include the hiring of more POC V. Establishments of a K-12 bridge program, including summer programs, in the Normandy and Shaw neighborhoods to help increase the numbers of college-bound students from neighborhoods in those areas. A. In memoriam of the life of Anthony Lamar Smith, Saint Louis University will extend the program to the Riverview School District, where his daughter attends school. B. SLU will gift Smith’s daughter a full ride scholarship to our institution VI. Establishment of a community center A. We want a secure and safe Black housing option for Black students on campus. B. We want gender-neutral bathroom integrated in all buildings on SLU campuses C. Discount Simon Recreation Center for community members in the area. D. Libraries should be public based on a 10 mile radius VII. Mutually agreed upon commissioned artwork A. We want better communication with the progress on this accord. VIII. Development of an academic center for community and economic development to be integrated with the community center A. Create the community center with future expansion plans B. Ensure that community businesses will be included in future plans. IX. Creation of Race, Poverty, and Inequality Steering Committee A. There must be a concerted effort to hire Latinx staff B. People of the steering committee must be selected by students X. SLU sponsorship of a national conference on racial equality A. Annually B. Change to national conference on equity in academics XI. Appointment of a Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Community Engagement A. Increase and sustain support for Dr. Smith and his department B. Hire 7 more staff members for Diversity and Community Engagement Office XII. Establishment of a diversity speakers series A. Work with SGA B. Ensure students have a voice on current issues XIII. Bi-weekly meetings with an inclusive group, including the president, to continue to advance SLU’s efforts to address inequality and poverty in the community A. Monthly XIV. The Clocktower accords must be recognized as an amendable and non-static set of agreements to represent the changing needs of POC and Black people on this campus and in the surrounding community. This will be achieved through a good-natured collabo ration between a committee of marginalized students, SGA, and administration.


Sports

September 21, 2017 sports@unewsonline.com Bobby Stilwell, Sports Editor Monica Ryan, Assoc. Sports Editor

Women’s Soccer goes undefeated in nonconference By Bobby Stilwell Sports Editor

SLU Women’s Soccer continues to set the pace this season, posting a tie with No. 19 Kansas, along with wins at Evansville and Murray State. The first half of the Friday, Sept. 8 game vs. Kansas was an intense defensive battle with neither team able to score. The Jayhawks opened scoring early in the second half, finding the net in the 51st minute. Senior goalkeeper Mary Niehaus went perfect after allowing this one goal, stopping four in the second half. Offensively in the second half, SLU found the net when freshman forward Annabelle Copeland scored her first career goal, assisted by sophomore forward Alyssa Seitzer. Neither team could score again in the half, so the record crowd of 5,205 got

to see some overtime from the two teams. Niehaus saved two in the first overtime, keeping the score knotted 1-1. Fans were then treated to a second overtime period where SLU almost scored the game-winning goal. However, Kansas pulled off the save, which led to a 1-1 tie. Drawing against a ranked team was huge for head coach Katie Shields. “We proved we can play with anybody. This is a great test…to remain unbeaten is a great way to go into the final two nonconference games.” Shields went on to say, “It was cool. Early on in the game, we couldn’t get going on the counterattack, and in the second half, we started to get it rolling. That was a senior finish by a freshman.” “To be a championship team, you have to

Player to watch: Senior goalkeeper Mary Niehaus Niehaus currently sits at third on the all-time win list. With a large part of the season still to play, she could move into first place.

Saint Louis Athletics FOCUS: Freshman Annabelle Copeland dribbles around a defender. have a goalkeeper that can keep you in games,” said Shields. “Mary’s ability to always keep us in games is something that we be will help us be in a championship game come November.” When scoring her goal, Copeland was super focused. “I think I was so caught up in the moment, I couldn’t hear a thing.” SLU next traveled to Evansville, Ind. on Sept. 15 for a Friday night nonconference matchup. Freshman midfielder Olivia Petit opened scoring in the 21st minute before Evans-

ville tied it up just two minutes before the half. SLU got back on top with a Seitzer goal in the 61st minute, with junior forward Maddie Pokorny scoring an insurance goal 10 minutes later. Sophomore forward Evie Lavelle notched assists on the goals by Petit and Seitzer. The winning streak continued at Murray State on Sept. 17. This Sunday afternoon matchup was the final nonconference matchup of the season for the Billikens. Like the Kansas game,

neither team scored in the first half. Unlike the Kansas game, SLU won. Copeland scored her second career goal in the 66th minute to seal the victory. With the victory at Murray State, SLU Women’s Soccer went undefeated in nonconference play—a first for the women’s soccer program. SLU is ranked No. 24 heading into Thursday night’s conference opener vs. St. Bonaventure. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Hermann Stadium.


Sports

September 21, 2017

17

Saint Louis Athletics PLOTTING: Field Hockey comes up with a game plan after giving up a goal.

Field Hockey fights in Philly By Erin McClelland Staff Writer SLU’s field hockey team traveled to Philadelphia, Pa. last weekend to open their conference play on the road at St. Joseph’s followed by La Salle. Going into the weekend, the Billikens held a 3-2 record, but fell to both teams to start conference play 0-2 and falling to 3-4 overall. At St. Joseph’s, the Bills held the No. 19 Hawks to a 0-0 game at the half but couldn’t hold off

CHEER

the strong attack in the second half. Junior Carly Kissinger took four shots and had SLU’s only two shots on cage in the match. Seniors Katie Moss and Carli Wolfe both also recorded a shot in the game. Freshman Lillian Cossetto played all 70 minutes in the net and recorded seven saves in the contest. Two days later, the Bills were back in action at La Salle University where they also fell 2-0. The

JEER

team held a consistent offensive attack, outshooting the Explorers 15-8, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Freshman Julia Bakker lead the offense with four shots that were all on cage. Kissinger and Moss both had three shots and again Cossetto played all 70 minutes. The Billikens are back in action this Friday at home against conference foe Richmond, and again on Sunday against Kent State.

Junior Carli Kissinger leads the team with three goals this season.

FEAR

WHO TO CHEER

WHO TO JEER

WHO TO FEAR

CHARLES TILLMAN The former Bears cornerback is reportedly training to join the FBI. The FBI Chicago Bureau has declined to confirm this report, which makes this report plausable.

STAN KROENKE Kroenke took ownership of Arsenal FC in 2011, but the team has not performed well under his ownership. Fans are planning a protest against him.

WOMEN’S SOCCER The Women’s Soccer team is heading home with a program-first 8-0-1 record in nonconference play. Lots of momentum and anticipation for conference play.


18 September 21, 2017

This week in Sports

Friday, Sept. 15

Friday, Sept. 22

Saturday, Sept. 23

Sunday, Sept. 10

Women’s Soccer 7 p.m. v. St. Bonaventure

Field Hockey @ Sportport 5 p.m. v. Richmond

Softball 12 p.m. v. Jefferson College 4 p.m. v. Rockhurst Men’s Soccer 2 p.m. v. Stanford

Women’s Soccer 12 p.m @ Duquesne Field Hockey @ Sportport 2:30 p.m. v. Kent State

Sports

Tuesday, Sept. 26 Thursday, Sept. 28 Men’s Soccer 7 p.m. v. Denver

Women’s Soccer 6 p.m. @ Davidson

Friday, Sept. 29 Field Hockey 11 a.m. @ St. Francis (PA) Cross Country 1 p.m. @ Joe Piane Invitational Swim/Dive 1 p.m. @ Show-Me Showdown

Underclassmen swimmers open season with a splash By Megan Hammond Contributor This past Saturday, the SLU swim team competed in the CSCAA Open Water Nationals. The meet was in Lawrence, Kan. at Lone Star Lake. The competition takes places annually and the top collegiate men’s and women’s distance swimmers with qualifying times from the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA competition are invited. The race is a 5k; the women finished in fifth place out of twelve teams and the men in sixth out of seven teams. The women placed ahead of conference rivals George Washington and Richmond. Fifty-three women competed; freshman Lindsey Turner finished in 18th place with a time of 1hour, 8 minutes, 35.34 seconds. Sophomore Scott Street landed in 19th place (out of 41) for the men, timed at 1:05:06.45. This year, 24 recruits were brought into SLU Swimming & Diving. 23 are freshman, one a transfer student from the University of Cincinnati. Two cuts were made from

the team, but Coach Halliburton is confident for a successful season. He said the biggest challenge is training the athletes in practice to perform their best at meets. So far, Halliburton said the team is in better shape than they were at this point last year. The expectations for swimming are higher than most collegiate sports; the team has 11 practices a week, amounting to several hours in the pool a day and additional time spent in the workout room. The new recruits are expected to add considerable talent to the team. Last year, the team had only one diver, now there are four (three women and one man). Halliburton also pointed out a few freshmen to watch this season. For the women, Natalie Daniel, Erica Morris and Katie Schmude. For the men, T. J. Halliburton, Christian L’Italien, Sean O’Connor and Luke Van Gorp. Some standouts are also returning this season. Senior Mina Glenesk was the top Billiken swimmer last year. She posted

Saint Louis Athletics PERFORMANCE: Senior Mina Glenesk takes a quick breath while swimming during a meet.

SLU records in the 500yard (4:52.88), 1000-yard (10:19.41), and 1650-yard (16:46.21) freestyle events. Glenesk also set a personal best and the second-fastest time in SLU history in the 200-yard (1:51.44) freestyle. Senior Ryan McCoy is one of the swim captains. He has consistently been one of the strongest swimmers on the team, securing

himself as one of the top swimmers in SLU history. His junior year, he qualified for the Olympic Trials and was named Atlantic 10 Performer of the Week four times throughout the season. He set a SLU record with the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 46.97. Junior Isaiah Williams is another swimmer to watch: last season, he

had SLU’s best time of the year in the 200yard butterfly. Williams placed second in the 400-yard IM and third on the season list in the 200 IM. The numbers point to a triumphant season for the Billikens. Their next meet is the Show-Me Showdown in Columbia, Mo. on Sept. 29.


19 September 21, 2017

Sports

Men’s Soccer finding its way in time for homecoming By Bobby Stilwell Sports Editor

sion I goalkeepers in this stat.

post.

SLU Men’s Soccer posted a win and a tie over the past two weekends, beating Marquette on the road and drawing with Akron.

SLU returned home to host Akron on Saturday, Sept. 16. The two teams played to a 0-0 draw.

SLU traveled to Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 9, to face Marquette. The sole goal for the Billikens (and in the match) came in the 72nd minute when junior midfielder Lennart Hein took advantage of a penalty kick to propel the Billikens forward to the win.

Most of the highlights in this game were in the goal and on defense, but SLU consistently outshot Akron 15-11 in the match, including 5-2 in both overtimes. Otte saved three shots, with a wall of Billiken defenders stopping a shot in the closing seconds of the second overtime.

This game was more aggressive than most, with four yellow cards issued to Akron, two from a brief on-field skirmish in the 74th minute. Two yellow cards were issued to SLU, one also from that skirmish. SLU had an advantage in the second overtime, as Akron was issued a red card and was forced to play with one fewer player.

This was Hein’s second goal of the season, and senior goalkeeper Sascha Otte tallied seven saves in his first shutout of the season. With 21 career shutouts, Otte is ranked near the top among active NCAA Divi-

SLU had a number of great chances to score in the first overtime, including a corner kick from junior forward Jacob Krupp that bounced off the far

Softball in a rut early By Erin McClelland Staff Writer SLU softball began its fall ball schedule on the road at SIU Carbondale against the hosting Salukis and a neutral-state game against Murray State. Overall, the Billikens played good defense but lacked hitting in important situations. Against SIU Carbondale, the Billikens started with a 2-0 lead going into the 5th inning off RBIs from junior Allie Macfarlane and freshman Kat Lane. In the game, freshman Sadie Wise hit a single, Kaylyn Breitbach walked twice and scored, and Mackenzie Lawson hit a single and scored. Junior

Kallen Loveless pitched a nohitter up until the 4th inning in her first game back from injury, and Kaylea Chappelle closed the game on the mound. The Bills suffered their second consecutive loss against Murray State in a 4-0 game at SIU Carbondale. Senior Maddie Baalman pitched the entire game with only one earned run against, the other three coming on defensive errors. Junior Krystina Kernich had a base hit and freshman Alyssa Chavez walked twice. SLU softball is back this Saturday at home in a doubleheader, first against Rockhurst at noon followed by Jefferson College at 4 p.m.

come from behind. If that’s a lesson we learned in the first game of our season, I’m excited.” SLU hosts Stanford on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Hermann Stadium for Homecoming and Family Weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. for this homecoming tradition.

Despite the tie, head coach Mike McGinty was positive about the defense throughout the game, especially in both overtimes. “Both teams played really hard. When we went to OT against Syracuse, that was a hard lesson to learn-- Junior Lennart Hein leads the you’re not going to get a chance to team with two goals this season.

Softball is returning a number of standout players. Below are three of the returning stat leaders from last year. Allie Macfarlane Senior infielder

Mackenzie Lawson Junior infielder

Alyssa Tarquinio Senior infielder

.354 batting average 8 HR, 50 RBI

.340 OBP .948 fielding percentage

37 hits .985 fielding percentage


&

Opinions Editorials

September 21, 2017 opinion@unewsonline.com Phoebe O’Meara, Opinion

Guest essays are opinion pieces written by a guest editorial panel. The essays printed in this space represent the opinions of the signed panelists. Commentaries and Letters to the Editor represent the opinions of the signed authors, but do not necessarily represent the opinions of The University News.

Health care: Single payer, many benefits

Jakob Benedetti

Last week, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced landmark legislation which he has dubbed the “Medicare for All Act of 2017”. The bill would transition the United States’ healthcare system into a single-payer public system, where all necessary healthcare services would be financed by the government. Individuals could choose their doctor, and pay private companies for elective services such as plastic surgery. Although extremely unlikely to become law anytime soon, it already has 16 Democrat cosponsors in the Senate, and is gain-

ing popularity nationwide. Introducing such a system in the United States—which has already been adopted by most modernized nations—was a hallmark of Sanders’ longshot presidential run in 2016. Despite gaining unexpected momentum since then, singlepayer still has a long way to go before it becomes law. Opponents of single-payer often emphasize the difficulty of successfully implementing such a system, and the enormous costs of it. Indeed, Sanders’ office estimates that his plan would cost around $1.38 trillion annually, but some economists put the price tag at more like $2.4 to $2.8 trillion annually, according to Politifact. In either case, a national health service would massively increase the size of the government and explode the federal deficit without tax increases of some kind, all of which are deal breakers for

conservative politicians and pundits. Instead, they’ll say we should focus more on “choice” in healthcare. After all, the free market knows best, and if companies are allowed to freely compete for customers, then prices will fall and the people’s needs will be met. Liberty, a fundamental principle to American democracy, necessarily means the freedom to choose from where one’s healthcare should come. As compelling as the arguments against single-payer may be, the arguments for it are more compelling. In terms of cost, let’s assume that a single payer plan would cost $2.5 trillion annually. According to the CBO and the VA, the federal government already spends about $1.38 trillion on healthcare annually for programs like Medicare and Medicaid, as well as tax breaks and subsidies under Obamacare. Most, if not all,

of this spending would be obsolete if a single-payer system were introduced. So, that means there’s about $1.1 trillion in annual revenue missing. Sanders proposes raising this by increasing employer payroll taxes by 6.2%, increasing income taxes primarily on families that earn more than $250,000 a year and taxing capital gains and dividends the same as income for that same group. All of this would fully pay for a single-payer system that covers every American. Single-payer would mean a few things. Firstly, employers would save money as they would no longer have to pay for private health insurance for their employees. They would also have less paperwork and wouldn’t have to worry about making deals with private insurers. Secondly, individuals and families would actually save thousands of dollars a year. Just think of it: No more

premiums, no more deductibles, no co-pays or out of pocket costs of any kind. You arrive at the hospital, show your insurance card and that’s it. People would no longer have to wrangle with companies to get the services they deserve—companies whose sole motive in a free market is to make a profit, which they do oftentimes now by raising prices to exorbitant levels and using legalese nonsense to deny people coverage. Instead, according to the proposed legislation, a family making $50,000 would pay only a few hundred dollars more in taxes each year, amounting to a savings of nearly $6,000 annually. Thirdly, Jonathan Oberlander, a health policy and management professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, states: “[Broadly speaking], singlepayer programs abroad are far See “Single Payer” on Page 22

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OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

September 21, 2017

21

Sports curses are def- Save sole female professor initely not magic

Karl O’Brien

The idea of curses explaining the unfortunate lots of sports teams across a myriad of fields (pun completely intended) is something that has seeped deeply into popular discourse. They speak to the natural human need to place blame for our faults onto all-powerful forces beyond our control and ability to comprehend. Or, maybe they’re invented just for laughs; who knows. I sure hope the latter is the case, because the idea that innocuous events of everyday life can bring divine punishment upon any sports team is an illogical idea that should be enjoyed for the absurd humor it can bring to a conversation and nothing more. The most popular sports curse by far that is said to have been broken on Nov. 2, 2016, was the long-standing “goat” curse on the Chicago Cubs. A tavern owner in Chicago named Billy Sianis, who kept his pet goat with him at the bar and to whom patrons gave drinks as good luck, was denied admittance to the fourth game of the 1945 World Series against the Detroit Tigers, because the goat’s odor offended several fans. Sianis then cursed the Cubs to never win a World Series again. While many Cubs fans celebrated the goat’s curse being broken, the fact remains that the Cubs had several years of poor performance that eclipsed many resurgences and effectively ended their chances of reaching the

World Series. Arguably the most cited curse for poor performance in the NFL lies in legendary quarterback “Broadway” Joe Namath’s making a deal with the devil to win Super Bowl III over the Baltimore Colts. Namath allegedly said that as long as he could win the championship over the favored Colts, the Jets would not have to win a championship for as long as he lived. To this day, Jets fans still point to this supposed bargain as the source of their defeats, but many seem reluctant to point out that they have been on the short end of the stick in player trades for many seasons since and also share a division with the gargantuan Patriots. The most absurd football curses by far, though, base their premises on events in cities that lead to sports disasters. A common citation by fans for the Buffalo Bills’ losing seasons is that President McKinley’s being assassinated in the city during the 1901 Pan-American Exhibition doomed any future ventures in the city—ignoring the fact that, aside from a few notable runs, the team suffers the same misfortunes as the Jets. Many Philadelphia sports fans postulate that the reason none of their teams had won a championship from 1983 until 2008 was that a skyscraper was built taller than the statue of William Penn atop City Hall. This changed with the Phillies’ 2008 World Series victory after some iron workers put a small statue of William Penn on the highest point of the Comcast Center. Some Philadelphia Eagles fans also believe the team has never won a Super Bowl because of the team’s victory over legendary Packers coach, and the

trophy’s namesake, Vince Lombardi, in the 1960 NFL Championship, a loss which he says drove him to push Green Bay to win as many championships as possible. Could it be that the Eagles instead have dug their own grave with poor coaching decisions, tough losses of promising players to free agency and other realistic factors that can doom any franchise? Of course, there are as many supposed sports curses as there are excuses for poor team performance, which should say something about what they are at their core, as well as uncontrollable outside factors. From the Madden and Sports Illustrated cover Curses, prophesying a terrible injury for a player who appears on the covers of either the latest video game or magazine, to the voodoo-influenced curses on the New Orleans Superdome and the Australian national soccer team, to the plainly absurd Curse of Ramsey, which states that every time Welsh soccer star Aaron Ramsey scores a goal for Arsenal FC, a major world figure dies soon thereafter. While sports curses are nice fantasies to hide behind as a cover for a team’s ineptitude, at the end of the day, they are just fantasies. But all this talk has opened another question: What is it about years ending in eight that prompts championship droughts in the MLB, with the Cubs last having won before last year in 1908, to the Indians having last won in 1948, and the Dodgers having last won in 1988? It’s probably not another curse by supernatural forces; just a string of bizarre coincidences that is entirely possible to occur on its own.

Esther Chinwuko

If you are an electrical, computer, biomedical, or mechanical engineering major at Saint Louis University, you have had or will be having Professor Armineh Khalili at some point in your time at SLU. For those who do not know her, she has been working at SLU for 26 years, teaching and guiding her students to sucessful engineering careers. As part of continued budget cuts and layoffs, Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology has decided to eliminate Khalili, the only female professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, from the college’s faculty starting next year. I am studying electrical engineering here at Saint Louis University and am one of many students whom Professor Khalili has impacted and guided toward a successful future. I am here to voice that we wholly disagree with SLU’s decision to cut Khalili as a faculty member. Those who know Khalili understand that she is not only a professor but a role model— someone we aspire to emulate not only in academia, but in the face of adversity as part of the gender minority in STEM fields, in attitude, in character, and in attention to those seeking help and advice. As the only female

professor in electrical engineering, she has made a huge impact on the students she teaches across multiple disciplines. She has impacted so many young female engineers and has been a source of motivation by showing us that women can be equally as great in engineering fields as men. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, females accounted for only 9.6% of fulltime workers in electrical and electronic engineering careers in 2016. With that number already being so small, laying off Khalili would only make it harder for female SLU students to imagine and believe that they will be successful in this male-dominated career path. I have created a change.org petition enttitled “Promote Employment of Female Parks College Professor” to show the administrators behind the decision just how important Khalili is to the students of Park’s College. Since it launched on Sept. 14, more than 675 supporters have signed in solidarity, expressing their views about the kindness, character and deep academic abilities of Khalili. Professors cannot teach without schools to impact, schools do not exist without a student voice, and students are successful because of the amazing professors who taught them—and more than that, who inspired them. Letting go of Khalili would be detremental to SLU. Hear this student’s voice: Do not remove Professor Khalili from the faculty of Parks College.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistice, females accounted for only 9.6% of full-time works in electrical and electronic engineering careers in 2016


22 September 21, 2017

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

Michael Bennett: Out for the quarterback, out for change

Skyler Milton Copy Editor

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett has been making headlines not for his sacks, but for his recent experience that has solidified his activism for racial equality even more. By opening up about his experience, he reminds everyone that even profootball player status does not exempt one from the threats of racial profiling that plague black men. Bennett claimed that on Aug. 27, Las Vegas police used racial profiling and excessive force to detain him after he and several others fled the scene upon hearing gunshots. Bennett was released later that day, but is now planning to file a civil rights lawsuit against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The LVMPD is currently undergoing an internal affairs investigation regarding the event. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police undersheriff Kevin McMahill said, “I see no evidence that race played any role in this incident,” and said that the police detained Bennett because of suspicious behavior. For police, racial profiling has to be as clear as saying out loud one’s intent to detain or hurt someone because of their race, but their reasoning for actually detaining someone is as vague as that catch-all word: suspicious. It’s the same word officers used to defend

their reasons for shooting and killing other black individuals such as Michael Brown and Tamir Rice. So, while police cannot prove that the officer on duty (whose body cam was turned off and whose words of incrimination would not have been recorded) used racial profiling in determining Bennett a suspect, police can prove that their detention of Bennett was not unfounded on the grounds that he was acting suspiciously by fleeing the scene in a group of several other innocent people doing the same thing. In the wake of this event, Bennett and the NFL are raising awareness of racial inequality and tensions and showing support for victims of racial profiling. After Bennett reported the event to the media, the LVMPD urged the NFL to investigate Bennett under the charges of false accusations. The NFL supported Bennett, responding that there was no basis for an investigation. Additionally, other NFL players have come to his support, including Colin Kaepernick, leader of the movement for players to kneel down during the national anthem in protest of racial inequality in the U.S. Bennett had joined the movement before this event, but has since engaged in another symbol of protest for racial inequality. Now that the NFL has finally allowed dancing back in the game, Bennett has stopped dancing and chosen a feet-together, fist-raised salute for his celebration—what he explained represents “unity or solidarity with oppressed peoples.” The display resembles the Black Power salute of the Civil Rights era and will hopefully prolong the conversation he has raised in the sports universe of equal rights—a conversation that seemed destined to fade

into the background of tackles and tailgates. Bennett’s protest and the support of it in the sports universe is important, despite the feelings of some that it is hard to sympathize with someone who faces injustice in day-to-day life but still earns seven or eight figures and comes home to a multi-million dollar house. But it’s time to face facts: equality isn’t always about money. And while one argument can be made that Bennett and other sports figures use their money for charities, Bennett in particular for charities that empower and educate black women and children, money is not the most important factor of Bennett’s status as a black sports figure and activist. The most important factor is influence, of which Bennett and the entire NFL has a lot. Four of the top ten mostwatched television events of 2016 were NFL events, the Super Bowl and Super Bowl Postgame taking the top two spots, and, respectively outnumbering the third place event by nearly 65 and 25 million viewers. More people watch football than anything else on TV, so, the fastest way to reach out to the most people in America is broadcasting it during an NFL game. Bennett, along with the NFL, has the power to do just that. If they continue to protest racial inequality, to support the oppressed, to discuss Bennett’s experience with and the system of racial profiling and police brutality, they ignite discussions in the homes of millions and hundreds of millions of Americans, and eventually, they ignite change.

Now that the NFL has allowed dancing back in the game, Bennet has stopped dancing and chosen a feet-together, fistraised salute for his celebration

Single payer Continued from page 20

more cost-effective than American medical care and cost much less”. This is because single-payer systems significantly cut down on overhead and bureaucratic costs and simplify the process of providing care. In addition, there is no need to spend money on advertising or large corporate bonuses. So, the overall cost of healthcare would actually go down. Finally, the costs of prescription drugs would also go down as the government would be able to negotiate for lower

prices. So, single-payer would lower the cost of prescription drugs and healthcare in general, save middle-class families thousands of dollars a year, save businesses money and make things easier for them, and make going to the hospital significantly easier. Win, win, win, win. On the issue of “choice,” I will say this: Liberty is useless if it means the freedom to choose between bankruptcy or not getting the care you need, which

is the reality for millions of Americans. Choice is useless if each healthcare provider you have to choose between have the same motive: not to provide care, but to deny it if it means boosting their profits. Clearly Obamacare is not working; however, the reason we have it in the first place is because the free market system we had before did not work either. It is time to move away from viewing healthcare as just another is-

sue, just another piece of the economy to pontificate and haggle over. This is quite literally life or death for the millions of Americans who cannot afford coverage in the current system. I believe now is the time for the U.S. to join the rest of the industrialized world in providing healthcare as a right to its people, all of its people, and truly make American healthcare great again.


September 21, 2017

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

23

Guest Essay Your first job after college can look like this. Do the unexpected. Apply by October 1: peacecorps.gov/apply

Students reflect on Jason Stockley verdict Adora Nnam

Chioma Okuagu

Teyah Wheat

Three SLU students who have been active with protests in response to the acquittal of Jason Stockley sat down with The University News to discuss their experiences and opinions. This essay shares their thoughts as recorded by opinion editor Phoebe O’Meara. It is such a sad idea to think that we are no longer surprised when an individual is killed and the person responsible gets off punishment-free. But the reality is that when the verdict was announced on Sept. 15 that Jason Stockley was acquitted in the death of Anthony Lamar Smith, we were not surprised. The precedent has now been set in the United States’ legal system that when a black individual dies at the hands of police brutality, the officer will likely go free. Although the surprise has gone away, our stomachs never cease to drop whenever these tragedies occur. From a young age, black parents are having conversations with their children that white families would never need to have. People of color are faced with the difficult realities that racial profiling will too often lead to negative experiences with police officers in the United States. We are taught as black individuals that we can never reach for anything when pulled over by cops. As history has shown, searching for our license and registra-

tion could result in a threat to our own well being. As part of the St. Louis community, Saint Louis University has a long way to go and must do a better job of addressing issues of racism, supporting students of color, and educating white students on these realities. With the Clocktower Accords newly updated by a group of student activists, administrators and students must step up, own their mistakes, and enact changes to ensure the well-being of all members of the SLU community. The moment we stop talking about issues of injustice is the moment people stop caring. There are so many layers to the systemic racism and oppression that is present on our campus and in our city that will take time and dedication to address. Right now there is a lot of attention on the response in St. Louis from the verdict, but when a new story hits next week, the news cameras will go away. We must keep pushing President Pestello to meet our demands. We must keep talking and fighting for what we believe in.


24 September 21, 2017

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