No. 7 (March 31, 2022)

VOL. C No. 7 / March 31st, 2022

FEATURED ON PAGE 12 & 13

baby goat yoga on the quad

Photo By Paige Fann

COver design by Grace Dunlavy

NEWS

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Astha with soloist Laasya Sarva

Bare Naked Statues with soloist Noah Scott

TWO SLU ACAPELLA GROUPS COMPETE AT ICCA MIDWEST SEMI-FINALS

By GABBY CHIODO News Editor

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n Sat., March 26, two SLU teams competed at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Midwest Semifinals (ICCA) at Washington University.

The two groups, Astha and the Bare Naked Statues, perform in the same debut but have different elements incorporated into their shows.

Astha is a co-ed fusion group and their music features mashups from South Asian artists and English music, while Bare Naked Statues is an all-male group.

The teams perform mashups of songs written by their music directors. Combining two different cultural elements in one set, Astha’s music director and Saint Louis University junior, Aakash Nagarapu, faces a unique assignment.

“It’s my job [as a music director] to facilitate teaching aspects so newcomers can be at the same level while also writing music so that what we compete with is original and so we’re fusing songs,” Nagarapu said.

Merging songs is difficult but

when it comes to different cultures, Astha faces a particular hurdle.

“For me, it wasn’t so hard combin-ing the two cultures because I have a South Asian music background. What was hard though, was realizing the impact that culture has on rhythm. It’s so deep and not something I rec-ognized until I went in and started trying to compose.”

According to Joseph Case, Bare Naked Statues’ music director and SLU junior, his job focuses heavily on the leadership aspect as well as music.

“Knowing when to push the guys to do our best and grow is a big thing.

Whether that’s with a challenging piece of music or just in general, it’s part of being a music director,” Case said.

Both teams began this journey in early November when they submitted three-minute audition tapes to Varsity Vocals, the tournament coordinator for ICCA, and only a select number of teams were allowed to compete in the quarterfinals. The top two teams at each quarterfinal competition then advance to the semifinals.

Quarterfinals occurred on Feb. 19 at Washington University and both Bare Naked Statues and Astha advanced, with Astha winning first

place and Bare Naked Statues winning second. Coming into the semi-finals on Saturday, both teams were brimming with excitement and anticipation.

“Honestly, I’m just excited to per-form. I don’t really care if we win or lose. I just love performing with this group of people so much,” said Kate Embry, a freshman member of Astha.

The order is determined randomly prior to the competition with representatives from each team pulling from a hat. Competing against a total of nine other teams, the Bare Naked Statues performed second and Astha fifth.

Bare Naked Statues performed three mashups including songs like “Neu Roses,” “G-Train” and “The Over-pass.”

Their high-energy performance along with two soloists, Noah Scott and Gerard Peña, kept the audience engaged.

This group of guys combined intensity and passion to create a show worth watching.

Astha’s setlist included a variety of songs in South Asian languages and English such as “Bleeding Out,” “Shubu-haaram” and “You Move I Move.” Their vibrant traditional South Asian dress and entrancing choreography set them apart from other groups and thrilled the audience.

Showcasing their vocal talents with

six different soloists, Madhura Puntambekar, Laasya Sarva, Rithika Somasundaram, Shweta Subrama-nian, Vrisha Jagdish and Karun Puri, Astha won third place, and the Outstanding Choreography award.

While neither group advanced to the next round of competition, the two teams made it clear they’ve won when it comes to companionship and community.

President of the Bare Naked Statues, junior Blake Peftoulidis, explained that this group is more to him than just a team. “Being able to sing with a group of people that you genuinely enjoy is great. We hang out all the time,” Peftoulidis said. They also have an annual retreat where members discuss topics they normally wouldn’t during their scheduled rehearsals.

“We go to the lake center and have deep conversations that we don’t really feel like we can have with other people,” Case explained.

“I feel so comfortable around these guys. It’s the same way I feel about my family.”

Nagarapu recalls the day he was recruited for Astha. He had no idea about the community he was about to join and help create. “I was actually thinking of joining a frat,” he laughed. Contemplating his time with Astha since then he said, “We really are a family and we love each other no matter what.”

Both teams extend invitations to audition for those interested in becoming a part of their musical families.

“This is the nicest group of people I’ve ever met and one of the most talented as well. I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t want to join,” Embry said.

Peftoulidis echoed this sentiment for his team. “Just take that chance. Just audition and if you don’t like then you don’t have to go any further, but taking that first step and auditioning will really change your college experience. I’ve met so many great guys through this group.”

While the team’s competitive seasons have come to a close they will continue to host events throughout the rest of the year. Both teams give live performances on special occasions. Astha is holding a concert at the end of April and Bare Naked Statues continues to practice for future events.

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News

SLU PROFESSORS OPPOSE ANTICRITICAL RACE THEORY BILL

By ULAA KUZIEZ Associate News Editor harles Parker, Ph.D., had been vaguely aware of bills circulating in the Missouri legislature that aim to increase parental involvement in curriculum setting in public schools.

But in early February, his colleague Stephen Casmier, Ph.D, posed a question to him: “Why are people in the history department not showing a stronger interest in this?”

That was when Parker was moved to take a stand. He drafted a letter and sent it his friend, a former public school teacher and a current adjunct professor at the University of Missouri - St. Louis for edits.

He then emailed it to his fellow history department colleagues asking them to sign on. The letter was forwarded to professors from different disciplines including theology, science and philosophy and ended up with nearly 70 signatories.

The letter, which was sent to the Missouri Legislature, reads, “We are writing to express our opposition to the bills currently moving through the Missouri House of Representatives (for example, HB 1474, HB 1995), which seek to limit the teaching of history around issues of racial (also gender, class, and sexual) oppression.”

House Bill 1474 would allow parents “to know what their minor child is being taught in school” and “to make copies of curriculum documents.” This bill would also prohibit school districts from “Teach[ing], use[ing], or provid[ing] for use by any pupil any curriculum implementing critical race theory,” namely information from the 1619 Project, We Stories or Teaching Tolerance.

HB 1995, known as The Parents’ Bill of Rights for Student Well-Being, also outlines other oversight powers for parents and requires schools to develop procedures to disclose teaching material and allow for parental objections.

School districts may be fined or legally challenged for violations. Parker explains that the bills are problematic on multiple levels.

The lack of academic freedom and fear of retaliation would make recruiting teachers significantly more difficult The bill’s numerous provisions would also create practical implementation issues for districts.

Most importantly, as noted in the letter, the restrictions would make “reflective practices” in classrooms

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impossible.

“It is problematic to say that just because something in our nation’s history is not positive or glorious it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t examine it. In fact, I think that looking at the horrid things— racial oppression, gender oppression, oppression of religious minorities— is something that can make our society stronger as we educate our children and ourselves,” Parker said.

Women’s and Gender Studies professor Amanda Izzo, Ph.D., says that she signed on because “[these bills] incite— and are the product of-—a dangerous ignorance of the lessons that should be imparted by this country’s history of violence and exclusion.”

She adds that such rhetoric “make[s] a caricature of the work being done in my fields [as they] suppress the skills that teachers across the disciplines ought to be instilling in their students: critical appraisal of knowledge claims, evaluation of cause-and-effect relationships, the creation of civil communities that can address difference,” Cathleen Fleck, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Fine & Performing Arts, also signed, citing the importance of learning from varying narratives within both a higher education setting and discipline like art, as well as public school classrooms.

“I teach about medieval art and Islamic art, and even within my own discipline, there have been great changes where people are saying we need to hear more voices in scholarship. I feel very strongly about it in my own teaching and research,” Fleck said, Outside of her professional role, Fleck has taken a deep interest in advocating against such bills. As a parent of two young adults in a St. Louis county public school, she has been involved in various anti-racist initiatives.

When she found out that the two bills were on the docket in January, she and others from her coalition met to strategize. On Jan. 11, approximately 50 people including Fleck attended the Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee’s first hearing on the bills where they testified in opposition.

“We definitely made an impact in showing that there were a lot of people from various backgrounds who were against this for very legitimate reasons,” Fleck said.

The bills have since been combined but remain in committee with no new activity or nearby vote in sight. Regardless, similar efforts are being pushed, or have already been made law, across many other states. As this continues to unfload Fleck hopes more students will get involved.

SLU EXPERTS DISCUSS RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE

By ALEX ROZAR Staff Writer

analyzed the region since the height of the Cold War, said the “unprovoked aggression by an autocrat” caught him he world has been on off-guard.

“I’m very surprised,” Schlafly said, high alert since Russian President Vladi- though he noted that Putin “has been mir Putin announced poking around on the eastern territoa “military operation” ries for a long time.”

Much of Putin’s defense of the war in Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The University News has hinged on denying that Ukraine is, talked to three experts on Russia and or should be, separate from Russia. As a Ukraine to get their insight on the war. historical argument, Putin’s claims fall Monica Eppinger, Ph.D., J.D., is a short, Schlafly said. “[Putin] basically is professor at the Saint Louis Univer- weaving together a tissue of historical sity School of Law, where she teaches lies to justify his crap,” Schlafly said While the modern state of Ukraine, courses on international law and national security. From 1995 to 1997, she was only formed after the fall of the Soserved in the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine viet Union, the idea of an independent under Ambassador William Green Ukraine is far from new, Schlafly said.

Miller. She is currently still in contact The two countries share a lot of history, but have fundamental differences with with many people in Ukraine today.

“This far exceeds my worst-case sce- regard to language, culture and relinario,” Eppinger said. “And my only gion, Carnaghan said.

“There’s a historical basis for that arcomfort is that every other expert that I’ve heard from had the same expecta- gument. Both Russia and Ukraine claim tions that we did, whether Russians or their history from the same civilization Ukrainians or Western Europeans or from around 1000 AD,” Carnaghan said.

Americans. I only know one Ukrainian “But since that time, there’s been a fair who openly expected there to be an amount of consistent distinguishing between the Ukrainians and the Rusinvasion.”

Ellen Carnaghan, Ph.D., is a profes- sians.”

Another claim Putin made which sor of political science at SLU and a scholar of post-Soviet conflicts She raised eyebrows was his stated goal to said that she finds Putin’s actions dif- “demilitarize and denazify” Ukraine.

Eppinger, who hosted a “teach-in” ficult to understand “I was surprised by the full-scale event on Ukraine at the law school on invasion, insofar that I find it hard to March 2, said she was worried by the make sense of,” Carnaghan said. “I statement’s implications. find it hard to see what this invasion actually can accomplish.” Though the war may seem far away to some, To read more of Eppinger said it will affect the U.S. in this article, please a way that will be “impossible to ignore.” scan the QR code “Your gas prices are going to go up,” below: Eppinger said. “Ukrainians grow a lot of sunflowers Sunflower seed oil is already up. Ukrainians grow a lot of wheat; they’re always in the top 10 of world wheat producers. Chances are your bread prices are going to go up. So, until the war is settled, we’re going to miss the things that Ukraine produces.”

Daniel L. Schlafl , Ph.D., is an expert in Russian history. He served as a professor at SLU from 1998 until his retirement last spring. Schlafl , who has

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NEWS

SLU’S SARAH ADAM: THE NEXT PARALYMPIC ATHLETE?

Photo courtesy of Sarah Adam

“My wheelchair is my freedom.

It helps me get around easily. It’s not a constraint for me”

PROFESSOR VIES FOR PARIS 2024 rofessor Sarah Adam, O.T.D. hopes on taking a trip to Paris in summer 2024, but she’s not planning a vacation. She’s competing for a spot with Team USA’s wheelchair rugby team.

“It’s certainly an honor. It’s a fun reason to travel around the world,” she said.

This season, she’s been named to the 16-person training squad; of those on the squad, Adam and teammate Liz Dunn are the only women. The two could be the first women to represent Team USA in the unisex sport as 12 individuals are selected to compete at the Paralympic Games.

Adam said SLU has been “hugely supportive” of her Paralympic journey, which includes taking time off for training camps in Birmingham, Ala., and competitions, sometimes internationally. Before her tryouts, members

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to access those machines,” Adam said.

Her schedule is “pretty darn busy,” she said, as Adam’s days consist of her arriving to campus in the morning to teach until 5 or 6 p.m., going to the rec center and exercising for about two hours (one spent on the track or basketball court, another in the weight room), and getting home by 9 p.m. to make dinner and go to sleep. Some-

By ALEX ROZAR Staff Writer of the Occupational Therapy program decorated her office and gave her a banner signed by all students, and upon her return, the staff greeted her by chanting “U-S-A”.

“I lucked out. SLU has been absolutely phenomenal,” Adam said. “And it’s great to have that support, because I’m not sure that I necessarily would get that from many other jobs.”

She trains at SLU’s Simon Recreation Center, and said that it has a lot of wheelchair-accessible equipment, which ensures she can comfortably exercise for competition at a high level.

“They met with me early on to see if there’s anything that they could do to help facilitate my workouts, or any other pieces of equipment, not just for me, but for if there’s other people on campus that have a disability that want

times, she’ll work out twice in one day.

“And then, I live alone, so you still have to add in having to do all the household chores and grocery shopping and cooking and laundry and all that,” Adam said. “It keeps me pretty busy, but I don’t mind.”

The wheelchair rugby team most recently won the 2022 Americas Championship in Medellín, Colombia, held from March 9-12. Adam said the team’s biggest tournament will be the World Championships, held in Vejle, Denmark from Oct. 10-16 and which will count as a Paralympic qualifying match.

On campus, Adam has been invited to talk with classes about her “lived experience as a person with a disability,” which she appreciates doing in order to dispel “inaccurate stereotypes and misconceptions and whatnot.”

“I think [a misconception is] that we’re fragile. And that’s part of why I like murderball or wheelchair rugby, because it shows we’re not fragile.

We’re going in and we’re hitting each other as hard as we possibly can and trying to flip them over, and working our butts off day in and day out to get better,” she said.

Adam mentioned that students have recognized her at the gym, highlighting that she tries to use such experiences as a teachable moment.

“I’m certainly not a celebrity or anything like that, but it is a fun way to engage students and teach them about areas that they maybe had never thought about with adaptive sports and spreading our message around on the campus,” Adam said. “I see people that are watching me working out. Their eyes get really big to see how fast we can go in those chairs and training hard just like any other able-bodied athletes, which is really what I’m hoping to show.”

While she was a graduate student at Washington University in St. Louis, Adam, then able-bodied, volunteered as a coach for wheelchair rugby players.

Soon afterward, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and over the next few years lost most function in her legs.

Already acquainted with members of what she called a tight community, Adam re-entered the world of wheelchair rugby as a competitor. The sport, and the friendships she has made through it, have helped her immensely, she emphasized.

“My wheelchair is my freedom. It helps me get around easily. It’s not a constraint for me,” Adam said. “Same thing for adaptive sports: that’s been my freedom. It’s helped me now to go travel the world, and stay healthy and helps my MS.” Adam hopes that by being visible on campus, she raises awareness of adaptive sports and tolerance of disabled athletes.

“I’m hoping to show people the power of adaptive sports, whether physical health, the camaraderie or the peer support, but also that we’re not really all that different from any of the able-bodied athletes. We play sports in a different way—that’s it,” she said.

NEWS

LAW PROFESSOR PARTICIPATES IN INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES CONFERENCE (Photo Courtesy of Saint Louis University)

By BRIAN GUERIN Staff Writer n March 4th, the prestigious London-based policy institute Chatham House held a virtual conference attended by many leading academic and diplomatic figures The goal of the conference was to explore the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute war crimes committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. SLU Law professor Afonso Seixas-Nunes, S.J. was a part of the international initiative, along with the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba and the former Prime Minister of the U.K. Gordon Brown.

“The former Prime Minister of the U.K. and two very famous professors of international law, professor Philippe Sands and professor Dapo Akande, had this idea of creating a special tribunal as we did for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda,” said Seixas-Nunes. “It was in that context that we spoke with Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba.”

Seixas-Nunes said parts of the conference felt like a “James Bond film ” due to the security measures taken by Foriegn Minister Kuleba.

“The foreign minister was in a car, and he would talk for 10 minutes and

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then change his location to avoid any possibility of being located by Russian forces.

“The impression I got is that I was in [a Bond] film watching this going on.

And the quality of the call sometimes of the video conference wasn’t great with him because he was using his mobile and he had to hang up like two or three times.”

Seixas-Nunes said he began the conference “very much in favor” of the creation of a special tribunal, but as the talk progressed, numerous legal and structural difficulties became apparent.

“At the beginning, I was very enthusiastic and excited, and now I have more doubts and questions than certainties,” said Seixas-Nunes.

Most war crimes tribunals are conducted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). In order to prosecute Putin and the Russian government, Russia has to be a state party to the ICC. “Even if everybody is keen to prosecute Mr. Putin and his establishment, you couldn’t because the Russian Federation is not a state party of the ICC standard,” said Seixas-Nunes.

The second possibility would be for the United Nations Security Council to refer the situation to the ICC. The ICC could then prosecute Putin. However, the Russian Federation is part of the

U.N. Security Council and is one of five permanent members, and permanent members have the power to veto any resolutions.

Seixas-Nunes said a special tribunal could be created by states interested in prosecuting Mr. Putin outside of the ICC and United Nations in order to bypass these difficulties and prosecute Russian war crimes. However, Seixas-Nunes said that moving outside established international organizations presents a different set of challenges.

“To gather a group of enough states able to create the special tribunal is a big question mark,” said Seixas-Nunes.

“Secondly, the money that this Court would require would run into the millions, and we don’t know how far the states would like to go to join this enterprise because the ICC already struggles with financial problems. Then, the third problem is evidence. How will this Court gather evidence when most of the evidence that we need is in Russia?”

Seixas-Nunes said the only way Russia could become collaborative and help with the evidence problem is if Putin is removed or deposed. However, the chance of regime change involving a new Russian leader willing to hold Putin accountable is slim.

“In that situation, if Russia wanted to prosecute, they could prosecute

05 themselves. Russia could initiate a criminal case against Mr. Putin and his collaborators, or refer the situation to the ICC.” Barring that extremely unlikely circumstance, the focus of the conference was creating a new court to prosecute Russian war crimes. The U.S. could potentially benefit from leading this effort, considering it is also not a state party to the ICC. However, the new tribunal structure would have to work around numerous other obstacles, namely Putin’s immunity as a head of state and the limited ability to combat Russian misinformation.

The conference also discussed the difficulty of bringing concrete charges against Russia in Ukraine in cases where the line between civilians and combatants has become blurred. For example, the Ukrainian government has posted instructional videos teaching civilians how to build Molotov cocktails and issued calls to join the Volunteer Corps; when these same civilians are caught or attacked by Russian forces, they lose their protection. In addition, Russia has claimed that various civilian structures they have attacked were used to house weaponry and soldiers, including hospitals and psychiatric wards. While these claims are unconfirmed Seixas-Nunes said they make questioning the legitimacy of the attacks more difficult However, Seixas-Nunes said that there are some areas where war crimes appear to be clearly visible. When captured, numerous Russian soldiers have professed that they didn’t know why they were deployed nor their true objective, a violation of international law.

Multiple signs of indiscriminate attacks have also emerged. An example is the recent bombing of the Maripol Drama Theater, where hundreds of refugees are feared dead.

“The reason to target a theater is very difficult from two angles,” said Seixas-Nunes. “First, it is a monument, and cultural properties are protected by the laws of war. Secondly, it was being used as a refuge for civilians. So it shouldn’t and it couldn’t be targeted.”

Seixas-Nunes says another conference is planned for Monday, March 28, where he hopes more progress will be made in discussions of creating a tribunal and prosecuting Russian war crimes.

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Arts and life

10 College Crises You Didn’t Know the St. Louis Public Libraries Could Solve

By LEXI KAYSER Copy Editor f college students had a dollar for every time they didn’t know what to do next, chances are, they still wouldn’t be able to afford their tuition. Thank goodness for public libraries, which provide answers to virtually anything—at absolutely no cost to cardholders.

Though libraries have served as community hubs for centuries, many still view them as mere book archives or exchange systems. In reality, these public perceptions of libraries are long outdated. The St. Louis Public Library system provides far more than just reading material, and young people can reap limitless benefits from their vast collection of resources “The purpose of the modern day public library is to connect people to the resources that they need or want,” said Samantha Dozier, manager of Central Youth Services for St. Louis Public Libraries. “We offer free food programs, no fines access to historical documents. The scope of what we can provide is so vast, I always say if you’re having trouble finding what you need, the public library is probably going to be the place you can find it And if you can’t find it there, we can probably help you find it ” Accessing these resources can feel daunting, especially for those unaccustomed to library systems.

However, according to Becky Smith, Teen Services Coordinator for the St. Louis Public Libraries, the library staff is always more than willing to help.

“We are one of the true community spaces. We are there to help you in whatever way that might be. We are knowledge seekers ourselves, so if you come in and have a question, we also want to find the a swer to that question,” said Smith, whose passion for library services ignited while working with teens after school in the Carpenter location (South Grand Boulevard).

According to Smith, more specialized teen and young adult services have appeared over the course of her career. Once a social worker, she and her colleagues—like Dozier—work hard to institute community change, using libraries as a vessel.

Behold 10 of those programs, specialities and services, carefully curated to help you find solutions (no Dewey Decimal system necessary).

1. Beat tech trouble by checking out a hotspot or Chromebook.

SLU wifi got you down? ry checking out a hotspot from the St. Louis Public Library system. Anyone over the age of 18 can keep a hotspot for 21 days—longer, if there is not a hold—and each hotspot can connect to 15 devices. They also offer unlimited data. Just be sure to reserve yours online by going to slpl.org, then choosing “Services” followed by “Hotspots” on the menu bar.

2. Get abroad with ease by utilizing passport and notary services.

Going abroad is a rite of passage for many SLU students, but the journey to just get to the journey can be overwhelming. If you miss a crucial deadline and

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SLU’s Study Abroad office can’t help chances are, the St. Louis Public Libraries can.

3. Enhance your U.S. citizenship by registering to vote. (Not a citizen? SLPL can help you become one.)

The federal voting age in the U.S. is 18 years old, meaning political engagement is just beginning when a typical college education is. Couple the right time with the right ingredients—more reading, more discussion and more independence—and it’s no surprise that young people are flocking to the polls in higher numbers than ever. According to The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, “young people turned out at a higher rate in 2020 than in 2016, and their impact—especially youth of color’s overwhelming support for Biden— was decisive in key races across the country.”

International students who can not vote can still make use of library services. In the Social Sciences Room on the second floor of Central Library (Olive Street), non-citizens can find the Citizenship Corner: a place specially designed to connect immigrants, refugees and multilingual communities to find r sources relating to U.S. immigration or citizenship.

If you’re looking to extend your time in the States post-graduation, the Citizenship Corner is a great place to start.

4. Save time and Billiken Bucks by printing from your phone, for free.

St. Louis Public Libraries allow you to send print jobs directly from your personal laptop, tablet or cell phone. Just go to mobileprint.slpl.org, enter your library card information and head to your chosen location to pick it up. It should be hot off the presses and ready at the desk when you arrive: no hassle, no mess.

5. Enhance your Student Organization and School Projects in the Creative Experience Labs.

Canva not cutting it? The Creative Experience Labs offer full access to Adobe softwares like Photoshop, Lightroom, Audition and Premiere Pro. You can bring your projects and promotions to a professional grade using these resources, at no cost to you. And for the less tech-savvy among us, the libraries offer free courses to help you master them, with levels ranging from “beginner” to “experienced.”

6. Spice up your museum roster by checking out an exhibit.

SLU is situated in the prime art-perusing location, with the St. Louis Art Museum, Contemporary Art Museum, Pulitzer Arts Foundation and MOCRA all within a few miles—but you can only frequent Art Hill so many times before it’s time for something new. Once you’ve exhausted your museum options, check out an art exhibit at a St. Louis Public Library.

It isn’t uncommon for exhibits to rotate in and out of different library branches, oftentimes featuring local artists who you may never hear about otherwise. You can view St. Louisian Maxine Thirteen’s “Old Fashioned Figures,” a collection of vintage and Holly-

wood-era oil paintings, now through March 31 at the Buder location (Hampton Avenue).

7. Stop worrying about getting a job, and actually go get one.

St. Louis Public Library cardholders get full access to Brainfuse Job Now, an online service which their website says “provides support for every step of the job search process.” From 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily, cardholders can receive interview coaching from live experts, have their resumes and cover letters reviewed and even receive specialized help searching for jobs. Resume resources and templates are also available. Trying to figure out your next step can be overwhelming, but fortunately the St. Louis Public Libraries have ensured it never has to be lonely.

8. Be less boring: learn a new skill.

Between school, work and extra-curriculars, it can feel like young adulthood is slowly sucking away your personality. Don’t let learning become a leech; register for a course at the library, and do something just for the sake of doing it.

9. Study with a snack, a view and significantl less distractions.

Studying on campus is great, until you get stopped by half of your friends on the stroll to Pius, someone decided to get rowdy on floor three Einstein’s has been out of cold brew for the past two weeks and the temperature in the library is sitting at below zero.

Lucky for you, the St. Louis Public Libraries can offer solitude, mature audiences, reliable snacks and, above all, temperature control.

10. Grow into a more competent adult.

If you still don’t know how to change a tire, create a budget or find your way around the city on public transportation, the library is a great place to grow without fear of judgment. Your St. Louis Public Library card grants you access to a myriad of digital resources that can be accessed any time, any place, from any device. Just visit slpl.org, click the “Digital Content” tab on the top menu and select “See all…” under “BY SUBJECT.” And voila! The world is at your fingertips: vetted just for you Sounds good, but how do I get my card?

If you’re interested in any of the services detailed above, go get a library card! You do not have to be a permanent resident of St. Louis, so long as you study here. All you need is a valid form of photo ID (your student ID works just fine) and proof of address like a piece of mail sent to the mailroom or a housing bill.

According to Dozier, “If you just make contact with the person at the front desk, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask them. We just want you to connect to the things we have to offer you. We’re so passionate about the services we provide, we’re more than willing to help you.”

For more information on how the St. Louis Public Library can help, scan the QR code to the right.

Arts and life

BookTok recommendations Overrated or Worth the Read?

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The rise of BookTok, which is the corner of TikTok reserved for avid readers, has encouraged new generations of readers. By sharing favorite books and connecting with other readers, BookTok is full of recommendations for both well-read watchers and those just falling in love with the hobby. However, with the wide circulation of many popular novels seen on BookTok, it’s worth asking which books are actually worth the read. Students of a book club I am part of as well as friends chimed in on six of the most popular BookTok novels to help out.

By MORGAN HAUSBACK Arts & Life Editor

“It Ends With Us”

by Colleen Hoover

“Make a Scene”

by Mimi Grace

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

If you’ve ever glanced through BookTok, you are bound to find a Colleen Hoover novel. One of the most popular recommendations of hers is “It Ends With Us,” which follows Lily and Ryle, whose seemingly perfect relationship cracks throughout the novel as Lily recalls a significant person of her past. Many readers admire how Hoover tells a story of destruction with care, but others wonder if the novel takes it too far. Sophomore Olivia Cherry comments, “At times, Hoover unintentionally glamorizes domestic violence, and although it’s important to talk about the realities of this issue, I think the way she writes could be triggering to many people.” This is a common concern over Hoover’s books, which often put very emotional themes in contrast with heated romance.

“Make a Scene” by Mimi Grace is a fun and endearing book perfect for any romance fan.

Retta Majors’s ex is getting married, and she now needs a fake boyfriend for the wedding. One weekend of pretend dating should be easy, right?

But what happens when the fake flirting starts to become more real than they anticipated? If you are looking for a fun, refreshing story that reads like a cheesy Hallmark movie, give this one a read!

Taylor Jenkins Reid has a trifecta of trending novels, with “Daisy Jones and the Six,” “Malibu Rising,” and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” being featured on most BookTok trending videos. Most people who pick up one of Reid’s books will likely enjoy at least one of them as they all tell wildly different stories, but one which seems to commonly reign as a must-read is “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” which follows Old Hollywood starlet Evelyn Hugo’s beautiful and tragic life story. Junior Emily O’Gorman praises the novel, calling it a “striking novel of a woman finally claiming her life of her own,” and claiming Reid brilliantly succeeds in “revealing the complexities of womanhood, the power of relationships and of course to rewrite the pages of a societal narrative.”

“A Court of Thorns and Roses”

by Sarah J. Maas Yet another rare fantasy book that highly circulates on BookTok, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” is a fantastical retelling of “Beauty and the Beast.” Many people are obsessed with Maas’s other series, “Throne of Glass,” as well, but as more people reread these books and adequately examine them, they appear better on a surface level. Sophomore Brigid Smith comments, “It was difficult to get over the lacking writing skill.”

What Maas’s book reveals is a common theme found in the most popular recommendations.

Smith, who herself is a part of the BookTok community, expresses that oftentimes BookTok “does not always meet certain standards, such as proper grammar or intelligent prose. I love a terrible book every now and then, but BookTok seems to fall short more often than not.”

“The Hating Game”

by Sally Thorne When it comes to this book, the reviews are mixed.

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are the main characters in this workplace-centered romance about ambition and arch nemesis. On one hand, people have called the book addictive, but others consider it to be overrated. Sophomore Caroline Klos agrees that it is overrated, saying, “It had the potential to be a cute rom-com, but in my opinion it just ended up being cringey and bland.”

“The Song of Achilles”

by Madeline Miller While most of the trending BookTok recommendations tend to be romance or comingof-age stories,“The Song of Achilles” is a commonly praised fantasy book. This tells the story and friendship of Greek mythology heroes Achilles and Patroclus. Praise for this novel most commonly stems from its deeply emotional themes and the tragic romance that occurs. Freshman Grace Mueller says, “I felt every emotion while reading ‘The Song of Achilles.’ It made me laugh, smile, ripped me apart and put me back together again.”

“People We Meet on Vacation”

by Emily Henry Once again, if you’re on BookTok, you’ve no doubtedly stumbled across an Emily Henry novel, as “Beach Read’’ and “People We Meet on Vacation” are widely adored, and there is great anticipation for the release of her next novel, “Book Lovers.”

Henry’s novels read like romantic-comedies in novel form, and some people love it! “People We Meet on Vacation” follows the friends-tolovers-to-strangers trope of Alex and Poppy, as readers slowly learn just what happened two years ago. These books receive far more praise than dislike, including sophomore Lila Singley who says, “Both characters are genuine and easy to fall in love with without being overly cheesy,” and cites her love of a story that is “innocent and light with a beautiful love story at the center.”

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Arts and life Glass Animals Brings “Dreamland” to St. Louis Photo by Matthew Chambers

After their breakout year in 2020, British band Glass Animals gave a stunning sold-out show at The Factory. fter their 2020 album “Dreamland” came out in the midst of the pandemic, many fans of Glass Animals were eager to hear the songs on tour. While many found the album to be likable at best, there was a consensus that these songs were going to come to life and the band’s vision for this album would become clearer once touring returned. Little did the fans and the band know that “Dreamland” would become bigger than they could have ever imagined.

As the band’s profile grew, anticipation for the tour also grew and soon each stop would begin to sell out–including here, in St. Louis.

When it came time for the concert on March 23, it became very clear that the event was sold-out.

Upon arrival, there was a line stretching deep into the parking lot that led towards The Factory’s only entrance into the venue. While it was difficult to get into the venue for the opener, The Factory is a brand new venue that has not dealt with a sold-out event like this before. With another sold-out event at The Factory coming up–Olivia Rodrigo on April 20–this can easily be fixed by the time their next event comes, making this a one-time issue.

Inside the venue, fans were immediately greeted by a giant 90s-esque computer screen with a file titled “Glass Animals Showtime.exe” being saved on screen. While the “save time” was nondescript for most of the waiting period, a timer finally showed up once it came closer to showtime with the band coming out after the file had been properly saved.

After coming onstage, neon decorations lit up the performance and lead singer Dave Bayley greeted

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the crowd, welcoming them to “Dreamland” and performing the song with the same title. The set oozed the modern-retro aesthetic of their third album, luminating the stage with fluorescent blues and pinks that offered a vaporwave-esque visual vibe.

Once the first song had finished a common theme for the night began to emerge: an unthinkably high energy from the crowd after every performance. The crowd in attendance was possibly the most energetic crowd I had ever seen, especially since concerts have returned from the pandemic hiatus, and this

The crowd in attendance was possibly the most energetic crowd I had ever seen, especially since concerts have returned from the pandemic hiatus. crowd was loving every second of the setlist. The songs performed were a healthy mix of everything from their three studio albums thus far— including live versions of past tracks such as their mashup of fan-favorite “Black Mambo” with the newer “Hot Sugar,”—all of which were met with excitement and love from the crowd. The setlist was incredibly wellpaced, mixing the crowd-pleasing dance tunes in with fan-favorites and more laid-back tracks.

The concert felt like an invitation to dance with the band and enjoy the time spent together again.

As the setlist continued, the band became more noticeably shocked at how excited the St. Louis crowd was for their performance. Shortly after “Dreamland,” the band performed “Tangerine” and took a

By MATTHEW CHAMBERS Arts & Life Editor full minute before the final chorus to let the crowd cheer and build up excitement for the final moments of the song. Similar levels of excitement were built up and exceeded in songs later in the set: “Take a Slice” found the die-hard fans screaming every word and the string of “Gooey,” “Youth,” “Pork Soda” and encore-track “Tokyo Drifting” were all met with standing ovations as the night began to close out for the set.

As the night wound down and the band thanked the crowd for the show, the instrumental for the record-breaking “Heat Waves” came on to close out the performance. The song’s laid-back instrumental still had the crowd feeling incredibly energetic, screaming every word of the band’s biggest hit to date. As the song ended, the band thanked the crowd once more and closed out the show.

I thought back to the initial reception of “Dreamland” with fans saying these songs will come to life in a live music setting–and they were right. Everything this band performed was truly stunning, from start to finish putting on one of the most entertaining and energetic live shows I have seen in years.

Glass Animals truly took the crowd to the “Dreamland” they envisioned.

Arts and life

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The Women of Missouri Nine Women and their Accomplishments

By JULIETTE CALLAHAN Staff Writer ith Women’s History Month coming to an end, learning about the women of Missouri’s past and present is important. From local communities to state and national service and recognition, many women born and raised in Missouri have been influential in politics science, arts and athletics. Here are nine of the most influential women in the state of Missouri.

Susan Blow of St. Louis was the founder of the first public kindergarten in St Louis in 1873. She and her husband, a member of the state senate, advocated for youth education.

After witnessing influential youth educator Friedrich Froebel’s classrooms in Germany, she was inspired to study the teaching practices and philosophies of kindergarteners.

Upon founding the first public kindergarten she continued teaching and advocating for the establishment of youth kindergartens around the country.

Luella St. Clair Moss of Virden, Illinois was the first president of the Missouri s League of Women Voters in 1919. Following her election as the President of Christian College, during which she increased enrollment and faculty, St. Clair Moss established the Missouri’s League of Women Voters. The organization advocated for women’s suffrage and educated women on voting and citizenship. In 1922, she was elected as the first woman on the Columbia Board of Education and was the first woman to be appointed to the Missouri Library Commission.

Josephine Baker of St. Louis was a singer, actor and dancer who became a symbol of Black American culture. During World War II, she volunteered with the Red Cross and the Resistance as a member of the Free French, where she entertained troops in Africa and the Middle East. In America, she performed for segregated audiences and continued to advocate for human rights and equality.

At her French estate she adopted children of all nationalities while advocating for infant and child care and equanimity among people of all nationalities.

Doris Hart of Saint Louis was an influential figure in women s tennis, winning the Wimbledon Championships in 1947 and 1951. She was the first woman to win a Grand Slam in all events

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Even with a bone infection in her right leg, she represented women in athletics as an advocate for equality in male oriented athletics. She would inspire players like Billie Jean King.

Virginia Johnson of Springfield was instrumental in the studies of sex and sexual phsycology. After identifying the human sexual response cycle, she and her research assistant, William Masters, established the Reproductive Biology Research Foundation in

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1964 in St. Louis. The foundation educates people on reproduction and reproductive healthcare.

With Masters, Johnson also founded the Masters & Johnson Institute in St. Louis in 1973, where she received recognition for her research on all forms of sex and sexual dysfunction treatments.

She advocated for sex education regarding age, gender and sexual orientation.

Faye Wattleton of St. Louis was the first Black woman and youngest president of Planned

Parenthood Federation of America in 1978. She advocated for the organization to be both a health care provider as well as an education organization on reproductive health, gender, equality and abortion rights. After her presidency, she co-founded the Center for the Advancement of Women, which implemented advocacy for the equality of women.

Today, she continues to serve as the president of this organization.

Dr. Linda Godwin of Jackson, former NASA astronaut, educator and researcher, participated in four flights and received many awards during her time at NASA, from 1980 to 1999, such as the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. She taught at the University of Missouri and conducted research that has since been published in renowned science journals. During her flights she continued to conduct research while in space. She is a symbol for women in space and STEM areas of study.

Joani Akers founded Oasis International in St. Louis in 1989, an organization that advocates for refugees who have endured war in their native countries. After traveling the world with her husband and assisting and counseling thousands of people in war torn countries, they founded the organization.

Today their location in St. Louis aids refugees through partnerships with businesses, churches and the community.

Toni Jordan of St. Louis, a former addict, founded the Queen of Peace Center Consumer Advisory Board, which has influenced the programs procedures and policies of the Queen of Peace Center. The center provides behavioral healthcare for women, children and families as they offer treatment, education, preventative measures and housing. Jordan and her board advocate for addiction awareness through compassion and empathy with incarcerated women. She also volunteers with service programs for people enduring homelessness, trauma, mental illness and substance abuse.

These women and many others have been and continue to be influential figures in Miss ri, the nation and the world. Their talents and accomplishments inspire others to advocate for equality and service in issues regarding politics, science, arts and athletics.

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Find the solutions to this issue’s puzzles on UnewsOnline.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Women’s Softball defeats Umass 2-3 in weekend series

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By Ian Hall Staff Photographer

aint Louis Softball hosted UMass for a three-game series over the weekend (March 26 and 27). Entering the game, the Billikens had a 9-11 overall record and 1-1 A-10 record compared to Massachusetts’ 7-15 overall record and 2-0 A-10 record.

Chloe Wendling would pitch the entirety of the first game facing 32 batters while earning three strikeouts, one walk and nine hits, so UMass only scored three runs for the first game Offensively, the Billikens would hold a .385 batting average for the game with four combined home runs coming from Allie Herron and Sadie Wise, and

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two from Cami Newbanks. Gabbie Kowalik, Natalie Sullivan, Jocelyn Abbott and Jane Kaniecki would also achieve on-base hits, helping the women score a 9-3 victory.

The start of game two would begin with UMass getting a head start, with a 6-2 lead by the bottom of the fourth inning. Pitching for the Bills would be Taylor Hochman, who earned three strikeouts. By the bottom of the sixth inning, Wise, Newbanks and Kowalik scored a combined three home runs. SLU was down 11-10 with one inning left. The Minute Women had a successful inning, scoring five runs and ending the game with a 16-10 win against the Billikens.

(Ian Hall / The University News) The third game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when Kowalik rocketed the ball out of left field scoring a home run to lead 1-0. Wendling then took the mound, which kept the minute women scoreless until the top of the fifth inning when they got a base hit and got a runner in. The score tied 1-1 at the bottom of the fourth. At the bottom of the fifth inning, the Billikens took the win with the help of Sullivan, again scoring a home run. The Billikens won the series 2-1, increasing their record to 11-14 overall and 3-2 in the A-10 conference.

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Baby goat yoga on the quad - wellness day

By Paige Fann Staff Photographer

(Paige Fann / The University News)

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Students enjoying a session of relaxation and meditation while being surrounded by adorable baby goats on Wellness Day!

(Paige Fann / The University News)

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Sports

15

BUSTED BRACKETS HISOTORIC UPSETS OF 2022 COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON

By SYDNEY ALTEMOSE Sports Editor

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t feels as though every year, the ESPN bracket challenge gets shorter and shorter. Teams pinned to win it all choke in the first round. Teams that people have never heard of prior to the tournament find nation-wide fans. Others, crushed from their team’s loss, turn off the TV and likely will not watch again until the championship held in early April.

When the women’s March Madness bracket was announced, there was a similar thread connecting all the number one seeds. All had red and white as their primary colors. South Carolina, North Carolina, Stanford and Louisville all took the top spots for the bracket, which, for the first time ever, was comprised of 68 teams. Louisville and South Carolina both belong to the Altlantic Coast Conference. It is rare for two top seeds to come from the same conference, but the teams these two programs boast are clear contenders to top their respective tracks.

The greatest story of the tournament, however, has not come from any of these top seeds. Instead, two teams have made headlines.

One is seeking to make a place for their program. The other is seeking to remind others that they have not left their prowess behind.

UConn is a second seed this year. For head coach Geno Auriemma, the tournament is nothing new. Auriemma has won 11 championships during his coaching tenure. He has managed to create a program that, to recruits, means a high probability of leaving with at least one ring by the time they graduate. In order to best North Carolina in the Elite Eight, the Huskies turned to now-sophomore

Paige Bueckers to lead the team to an upset win. Auriemma credited their win to Bueckers’ ability to remain calm in the big moments.

The Huskies’ success is not a shock to basketball fans. As they look to Stanford in the Final Four, the game will certainly be a battle.

However, a lesser known team burst onto the scene this year and took out some of the highest seeds in their division. Creighton women’s basketball was a ten seed at the beginning of the tournament. Before falling to South Carolina in the Elite Eight, they would best seven seed UC Boulder, two seed Iowa and three seed Iowa State. Their closest game came from Iowa, who they bested by just two points to meet Iowa State who they would beat by eight. Ultimately, their fall to South Carolina by 30 points put a stop to their postseason run. While their dreams of cutting down the nets have been dashed, it is not likely that many will forget the Bluejay’s deep postseason run.

Their upset over Iowa shocked many and will hopefully give the team the confidence they need for the next season, which might allow a higher seed and thus prevent upsets.

Just last season, there were nine upsets in the first round of the men’s tournament alone. Who could forget Oral Roberts’ upset that busted brackets and made history, with the team being just the second 15 seed to ever make it to the Sweet Sixteen? Previously, no 15 seed team had ever made their way into the Elite Eight. This year, that changed.

St. Peter’s out of New Jersey captured the nation’s attention with a firs -round win over two seed Kentucky. Headed by Doug Edert’s shooting, the team next

faced seven seed Murray State, whom they bested by 10. Against three seed Purdue, the Peacocks saw their tightest win margin of the tournament, ultimately winning against the Boilermakers 67-64.

The run of St. Peter’s into the Elite Eight is not only historic—it is life changing for the players of the team and hopefully, for the history of the program. According to Sportico.com, St. Peter’s has a basketball budget of $1.6 million.

By contrast, Kentucky’s budget is a humbling $18.3 million. Coach Calipari of Kentucky basketball is the highest paid college basketball coach, making $86 million a year.

Shaheen Holloway makes just under $300,000. Unfortunately, given current NCAA standards, St. Peter’s will not see all of the money that they have garnered throughout the tournament. It will be dispersed throughout the MAAC conference.

Even with their loss to 8 seed UNC in the Elite Eight, projections say the Peacocks will be back. This time, it is likely people will bet on rather than against them, and their wins will mean success for their new supporters rather than busted brackets.

(Grace Dunlavy / The University News)

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IT’S LONELY AT THE TOP

By SYDNEY ALTEMOSE Sports Editor

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rior to Lia Thomas’ arrival in Atlanta for the NCAA championship, controversy around her name abounded.

Thomas attends the University of Pennsylvania and took a fifth year to compete in swimming She had made it to the championship for two races as the first seed in the 500 and 200 meter freestyle races. Her times posted at the championship were nearly record breaking. However, before all this began, there was debate over whether the fifth-year senior would get her fifth yea .

Lia Thomas came to the University of Pennsylvania as a member of the men’s team. Thomas, now on the women’s team, had completed the necessary year-long hormone treatments needed in order to swim for UPenn’s women’s swim team. Her transition happened in accordance with all NCAA rules, careful not to break any for the extra controversy it might impose on any success she saw this season. On the men’s team, Thomas posted times that earned her runner-up status in 2019 at the Ivy League championships.

Though Thomas had qualified for two championship races, she stood atop the podium for only the 500 meter championship held on March 17. A career defining swim, she bested Virginia’s Emma Weyant who had claimed a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics this past summer. The opportunity to swim against Weyant at an Olympic scale will likely never happen for Thomas.

Due to the NCAA’s rules on transgender athletes competing, Thomas was able to follow protocol and remain a member of the team she holds in high regard. The Olympic rulings on transgender athletes make it nearly impossible for a transgender athlete

to compete with the current standards. It is why there has never been an openly transgender Olympic champion.

Thomas’ name has been surrounded in controversy. However, she is not the first tran gender athlete to win a national championship.

While Thomas is the first to win a championship in swimming, Franklin Pierce’s CeCe Telfer won a national title in track in 2019, the same year Thomas began her transition. Thomas is the first to win a Division I championship, given that Telfer’s championship came out of the Division II circuit.

Earlier this year, Thomas’ presence on the women’s team caused a stir. A letter from her teammates and alumni went public, citing the fact that in the men’s category she had been ranked number 462. As a woman, she was ranked first Despite their objections, the Ivy League and NCAA confirmed that Thomas had followed protocol and therefore, there was not any action they could impose that would inhibit her from competition.

Thomas’ opinion on it all has remained relatively unknown. To ESPN she explained that her interest was in swimming, not in other’s opinion on her participation. Thomas did not participate in media questioning after the championship, however, which is required per NCAA bylaws. Her failure to do such could result in punishment from the NCAA in some fashion.

On Friday, March 18, Thomas raced again in the 200 meter swim. She finished fift tying Florida’s Riley Gaines. Swimming powerhouse Stanford boasts the winner Taylor Ruck, who finished the race just under two seconds prior to Thomas and Gaines. Ironically, it is the same margin by which Thomas bested Weyant for her 500 meter title.

The conversation surrounding Thomas is one of deep emotions on both sides. From fear to excitement, disgust to praise, different words

Courtesy of Penn Athletics have been used to describe Thomas’ season. Both sides have made their points and discussion is surely not over. However, the NCAA’s rulings stand firm There will be a place for trans women who successfully complete protocol in collegiate sports competition. Undoubtedly, others will follow in Thomas’ place. The NCAA will adopt USA Swimming’s standards in the next year, which will require trans athletes to have undergone at least three years of hormone treatment. That ruling would have disqualified Thomas who would be only six months shy of that standard.

Some of Thomas’ competitors have been vocal regarding her ability to participate. Virginia Tech’s Reka Gyorgy penned a letter to the NCAA in opposition to Thomas’ participation.

Gyorgy finished the season 1 th overall, one slot shy of making the championship meet. However, not all of Thomas’ competitors have been fixated on her transition. Erica Sullivan of Texas placed third in the 500 meter race and has assured readers of her Newsweek essay that the most pressing issues in women’s sports do not involve transgender athletes.

Thomas made history on March 17. It could be years before another trans athlete has the same opportunity to do so. However, it seems clear through it all that Thomas’ concern has never been her gender or how others perceive her participation. She showed up to swim. And, on March 17, that was exactly what she did. Her five yea -long collegiate career has now ended, and she returned to Philadelphia with a gold medal around her neck to show for it.

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C K O L O

he fall o f 1994 was a sad year for baseball, with a player’s strike in August that would not resolve until right before 1995.

Consequently, there was no World Series for the first time since 1904. Baseball had been played through multiple wars, but it could not be played because of greed from both sides: players and owners. Because of this, the Montreal Expos moved out of Montreal and became the Washington Nationals. The owners could not afford players due to the pay increase, which meant their fanbases also decreased by around 20 percent.

Some people say baseball came back in 1998 with the home run race of the St. Louis Cardinals’ Mark McGwire and The Cubs’ Sammy Sosa. The two battled, racing to overtake Roger Maris’ home run record.

Everyone was watching the Cubs and Cardinals game, with games selling out and fans claiming, “Baseball is back!”

Twenty-eight years have passed, and in that time, fans have learned that the home run race was basically fake, with steroids on both sides and MLB doing nothing about it. In 2022, baseball finds itself in a similar situation, without a collective bargaining agreement (CBA): a contract to explain the luxury tax and players’ minimum and maximum salary.

This means that the players cannot get paid, given that the contract expired at the beginning of December. This lockout is different from prior lockouts because it has been made clear to fans that there are serious issues that needed to be addressed.

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MLB

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By JONAH TOLBERT Staff Writer For example. there needs to be a raised MLB minimum as well as expanded playoffs and a final decision on whether the extra man on base and seven inning doubleheaders, which were experimental in the two COVID-19 seasons, should become permanent rules.

The problem is that this CBA did not get signed before the end of 2021, or Feb. 14, which is when players were supposed to report for spring training. Then, the media reported that discussions were picking up, and a week after February, MLB said that their scheduled 162 games would be affected. When the deadline passed, I thought there would not be baseball until mid-June, with the potential for MLB officials and players not agreeing on a CBA until May. Then on March 9, out of nowhere, they reached an agreement. During the whole lockout we thought that both sides, players and owners, were far apart. Once again, though, we can say baseball is back!

Right after the CBA got signed, it went to a free agency freeze, with Kris Bryant going to the Rockies and Freddie Freeman going to the Dodgers. The Dodgers also re-signed Clayton Kershaw. Trevor Story is going to Boston, while Anthony Rizzo signs another two years with the Yankees. Noah Syndergaard was sent to the Angels.

But the biggest move that we learned Sunday night (if you are a Cardinals fan like me), is that Albert Pujols, who left the Cardinals for the Angels after winning a world series, is

returning to St. Louis after 10 years. I thought after he signed that big Angels deal, he would retire with his career, but he’s coming back to St. Louis with the Cardinals’ offer.

The Cardinals didn’t do that well in free agency, though, only getting Pujols and a starting pitcher, Stephen Matz, after losing two of their starting pitchers from last year. Then, it was revealed that Jack Flattery—the Cardinals’ ace from the past two years—will probably not play in April. From the pitching standpoint, the Cardinals are not doing that well, as they lack a fifth pitcher. The Dodgers are absolutely stacked with four amazing pitchers: Bauer, Buller, Kershaw, and Urias. Now, they also have Freman on first and Chris Taylor on second, with Justin Turner and Trea Turner on the shortstop.

Bellinger is in the center, with Betts on right, and their weakest link in left field with A.J ollock.

The Cardinals did struggle with the Dodgers last season after losing in the one-game wild card by pitching. Hopefully, the Cardinals can snag a playoff spot, as there are six playoff spots instead of five No matter if you are a Cardinal fan or A’s fan or even a Cubs fan, Baseball is Back!

For students of SLU, Ballpark Village is a short drive or even a walkable distance away.

If you are interested in attending a game, the tickets are reasonably priced, with $20 being the going rate for games against harder opponents.

An easier opponent can allow you to snag a ticket for $10. If you are a fan of baseball, the Cardinals’ ballpark is a staple of the MLB and the Cardinals hold one of the most storied and historic programs in baseball’s history.

Opinion

20

The Subtle Misogyny Behind the Belittling of Women’s Interests

By AMAN RAHMAN Staff Writer

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the game. This brings up the hypocrisy that when women are expressive in the same manner as men are, they are accused of being irrational and too emotionally invested.

More often than not, women are often placed in situations in which there is pressure to justify their interests in order for it to be deemed authentic.

Women who are interested in stereotypically masculine subjects may be questioned on obscure facts to prove knowledge on the topic, or in other cases, if a woman is a fan of a male musician or boyband, her authenticity is brought into question as well. One Direction, arguably one of the most influential boybands of this generation is a good example. This fandom is notorious for being composed of mostly dedicated young girls and women. Many individuals portray the enjoyment of One Direction’s music as people’s obsession with the members and their looks, rather than the talent the group brings. As a result, it was ridiculed and deemed as a childish interest.

Those who remain “tormented” by the events of March 25, 2015 understand that enjoying One Direction’s music was not simply a childish phase. This is a largely gendered phenomenon that occurs throughout many different fanbases. Not only are the fangirls ridiculed, but artists with a primarily women fanbase are also written off as illegitimate artists.

Fangirls do not only face criticism from men, but in fact other women have also been perpetuators of this shaming.

Internalized misogyny and the attitude of desiring to be different from the girls who enjoy stereotypically feminine interests are large contributors.

Women’s interests have been and continue to be deemed as less serious than those of men due to the prioritization of men’s interests in society. In order to reframe the narrative behind being a fangirl, it is important to recognize the multifaceted underlying factors that contribute to the continued stigmatization of this group.

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actors, that they use reason and deliberation to move through the world,” Dr. Izzo said. “The corresponding stereotype is that women are emotional, subject to irrational and unreasonable feelings that make them behave in ways that show a lack of control and intellectual capacity. After all, the root of that word hysteria refers to the uterus.” Dr. Izzo expands by explaining that these stereotypes proceed to place emphasis on male interests within society.

This

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omen’s History Month celebrates the many contributions of women throughout history. Despite the fact that countless women of various identities have been the backbone in shaping our society, starting at a young age, they have been subjected to immense hostility and belittling in almost every aspect of life. As a result, it is almost impossible to identify one interest of women that is not scrutinized by others. In particular, being a “fangirl” of any subject whether that be sports, a musician, actor or entertainer comes with the cost of being criticized by society.

The phrase “fangirl” is used to berate and ridicule women fans of various subjects. The directness of the word holds a more significant negative connotation that extends beyond the simplicity it would suggest. When asked to describe the characteristics of a fangirl, it is likely that many would use words such as obsessive, hysterical and crazy. Hearing this language that is often used to depict women holds the potential to be damaging to the self-image of young girls, often resulting in feelings of invalidation and shame. Being a dedicated fan is not exclusive to women, as it also applies to men and those who do not identify within the confines of “femininity.” This, however, creates a double standard because male behavior is not deemed “crazy” as it is with women.

For men who are interested in sports, the hypermasculinity displayed by some male fans when their favorite team loses is often justified as passion and devotion, rather than the neuroticism and obsession associated with women.

An article written by Vogue highlighted that the widespread negative views of fangirls stem from long-existing systems of misogyny and patriarchy.

This created a system in which the interests of men have historically been placed at the forefront of society, while women’s were diminished. SLU Professor of Women and Gender Studies, Amanda Izzo, Ph.D., provides some insight as to the reasons behind the stigma of women’s interests.

“Some part of this may come out of widely shared stereotypes and expectations that men are rational

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(D argument particularly resonates within the sports realm.

In 2018, professional tennis player Serena Williams slammed her racquet following a loss in an important game. Her action garnered an immense amount of criticism over her character, despite Novak Dijokic, a professional male tennis player, doing the same on several occasions. In his case, many news outlets and viewers explained his behavior as being a byproduct of the pressure of

Opinion

21

Racism within Refugee Crises

By KATERINA SUPER Staff Writer n Feb. 24, over a month ago, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine.

Throughout the past month, Ukrainian cities have been bombed by the Russian army as it attempts to take control of the country. The United Nations (UN) has reported 1,035 civilian deaths and 1,650 injuries since Russian troops initiated airstrikes and began armed exchanges with Ukrainian soldiers, as well as attacks on unarmed civilians. More than 3.7 million Ukrainian refugees have fled the country, with the UN estimating that as many as 4 million will leave.

James Elder, a spokesperson for UNICEF called it a “dark historical first in a tweet. While being interviewed by CNN, he said, “We’ve never faced a refugee crisis of this speed and scale.” Though the amount of time it has taken 3 million people and counting to leave their country as refugees may be unprecedented, I would disagree that the world has not seen a refugee crisis to this degree or beyond.

For 11 years, there has been an ongoing Syrian refugee crisis. Over the course of a decade, more than half of Syria’s population has been displaced, with 6.8 million people seeking asylum and 6.7 million internally displaced throughout Syria.

Many of those who have stayed are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. I am not disregarding the plight of Ukrainian refugees.

In no uncertain terms do I condemn Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. I abhor the violence against the Ukrainian people, and their sudden displacement and separation from their families is a terrible and unnecessary pain.

However, I find fault with the media’s portrayal of the Ukrainian refugee crisis as somehow historically distinct or worse in comparison to refugee crises in other parts of the world.

Over the past month, the world media has followed Ukraine’s invasion. The flight of Ukrainian civilians has been widely covered.

Throughout that coverage, remarks have been made that suggest the media does not believe white Europeans should be refugees. Charlie D’Agata of CBS is quoted as saying, “This isn’t Iraq or Afghanistan […] This is a relatively civilised, relatively European city.” Al Jazeera news anchor, Peter Dobbie, echoed similar sentiments: “What’s compelling is looking at them, the way they are dressed. These are prosperous, middle-class people. These are not obviously refugees trying to

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get away from the Middle East […] or North Africa.

They look like any European family that you’d live next door to.” Comments from media hosts such as these denote an expectation of violence and subsequent displacement in the Middle East, while the notion that white people could suffer a similar fate is seemingly “off-limits.” News reports that so readily sympathize with Ukrainian refugees while disregarding refugees from other countries as “commonplace” reveal a racist bias within the media and fail to recognize the many underlying causes of displacement. There appears to be an idea that white people are more “civilized” than Black and Brown refugees and therefore more worthy of sympathy and aid. No mention has been made that many refugees have fled countries in the Middle East, Africa, South and Central America and Asia due to the effects of civil conflict spurred by eastern and western European nations. There has been a historical destabilization of countries with Black and Brown populations by European nations through the institution of slavery, forced military occupation, under-the-table arms deals with terrorists and an overall regard for countries with Black and Brown people as disposable. For example, the United States occupied Iraq and Afghanistan for over two decades, fighting a “War on Terror” that killed hundreds of thousands of civilians, many of them children. When the U.S. abruptly withdrew its last troops from Afghanistan in 2021, it left destabilized and vulnerable populations. It is hard to say America succeeded completely in anything b u t causing mass

(Diana Jakovcevic / The University News)

casualty to innocent civilians.

To me this begs the question, who is really uncivilized? Countries struggling with political and social disarray, in part due to the historical effects of European colonization and extraction and recent foreign military occupation? Or countries who have pillaged and plundered and then abruptly left behind the nations they targeted for new conquests? To insinuate that countries

“To insinuate that countries with Black and Brown citizens are ‘uncivilized’ and therefore that refugee crises should be expected is a grace and racist error made by those who believe that European whiteness indicates a closer proximity to civilization.” with Black and Brown citizens are “uncivilized” and therefore that refugee crises should be expected is a grave and racist error made by those who believe that European whiteness indicates a closer proximity to civilization.

It also disregards the historical implications of invasion and destabilization in countries violently occupied by European nations. It is not only a dehumanizing remark, but it justifies violence and does nothing to improve any refugee crisis. The media must learn to check their bias before they speak to the world.

Currently, the Ukrainian people are facing the invasion of their homes, the separation of their families and the uncertainty that follows war and displacement. Ukraine is a nation in need. As we extend ourselves in service and prayer to Ukraine, let us not forget all of the world’s refugees, each a person deserving of their humanity.

Opinion

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ERASE FEAR: Bring BAck The Equal Rights Amendment

(Grace Dunlavy / The University News)

By PENELOPE GARDNER Opinion Editor am perpetually in awe of the women who paved the way for me and for all American women. Whether it be Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, who fought for my right to vote, or Mary Bruemmer who was the first woman on the University News staff, I am forever indebted to these women and their legacies. However, it is Alice Paul’s work, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), that we must finish for her now. The ratification period for states from its original passing in the House and Senate has long elapsed, and as a result, the amendment should be reintroduced so we can ratify it correctly.

The ERA was originally introduced to Congress in December 1923 by Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman. The feminist movement garnered support throughout the 60s and Rep. Martha Griffiths brought it back before the House in 1971.

It was twice approved in Congress by March of 1972. Within the following seven years, 38 states needed to ratify it. By 1977, 35 states had ratified the amendment. However, during that time, Phyllis Schlafly took matters into her own hands, stoking the fears of conservative women that they might be drafted or lose alimony. This influence caused five states to revoke their ratification Following this period, President Carter extended the deadline for ratification but no states moved to ratify during that time. In the 2010s, three states showed enough interest in the amendment to ratify it far past any deadline.

Now, lawsuits are occurring regarding the revocation of ratification and late ratification proceedings. The next step would be to reintroduce the ERA in a new era of feminism and political action.

When I first saw the ERA, I thought of the Fourteenth Amendment, which I had thought meant people of any gender had equal rights. However, that is not the case; in Bradwell v. The State, the Fourteenth Amendment did not protect a woman’s right to practice law. The origin of the Fourteenth Amendment was for former Black male slaves to have equal rights and protections, but not women. We have various acts protecting us still like Title IX, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Equal Pay Act, but additional laws can erase those protections. If there was a definitive statement put into our constitution that

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directly targets equal rights for all, it would protect the lives of countless individuals.

Some concerns surrounding the ERA are that it would lead to problems with Title IX and other legal protections for women, but the ERA would arguably make Title IX stronger. Some worry that the ERA may erase a judge’s predisposition to grant mothers primary custody, which I see as a good thing because each parent would have to prove themselves as competent caretakers in the eyes of the law. While the ERA will likely lead to women being drafted, women have been successfully serving in all branches of the military for decades now and I don’t see this as a problem. In regards to the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, it would help ensure parental leave for all. A nuance that people associate with the ERA is that it might create a legal basis for genderless bathrooms, locker rooms and dorms, but if everyone implements boundaries, this would not pose a problem. The most valid complaint I have seen is that the ERA might serve as a way for pro-choice organizations to ensure equal, safe access to abortions.

However, if you’re afraid that equal rights would ensure people have access to abortions, then you agree that the issue you have is not with the unborn fetus but with the person carrying it.

People who don’t understand the breadth of discrimination that women experience might think this is a symbolic amendment or that it won’t do anything. But, even as a symbol, it would be a powerful statement for Americans and for the rest of the world. I, for one, would have been less terrified during Trump’s election and Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination if I had known that I wouldn’t be stripped of my rights and protections. To know that, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex” would be a constant comfort.

I know that the historical women who inspired me suffered because they didn’t have their rights protected, but we can do this for future Americans; for the Eleanor Roosevelts and Betty Friedans who could’ve done so much more if they had the rights and privileges that their male counterparts did.

Opinion

a fan’s perspective very Swiftie knows Taylor Swift has spent the past few years re-recording her original six masters. These records include her debut album “Taylor Swift,” and the albums “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “Red,” “1989” and “Reputation.” Swift’s re-recording process began in 2018 after the sale of her first six albums occurred without her knowledge or consent.

Since then, she has been releasing the new “Taylor’s Version” of her old songs in order to regain ownership of her work.

In April 2021, Swift released her first re-recording, “Fearless (Taylor’s Version).” The re-recorded album quickly became favored over the original release.

Since then, Swift has released “Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version)” and “Red (Taylor’s Version).” The re-recorded albums include better accompaniment, as well as stronger and more mature vocals from Swift, They also include previously unreleased vault tracks that follow the original songs. Swift’s 2021 release of her album “Red (Taylor’s Version)” was No. 1 on Billboard’s 200 albums chart, leaving all listeners eager for the next re-recording.

The next albums to be re-recorded are “Taylor Swift,” “Speak Now,” “1989” and “Reputation.” As eager for the next album as fans are, there are a few setbacks.

The issue is, each album has its own reasons as to why it cannot be released any time soon. The process of re-recording is time-consuming, and Swift needs to make tough decisions about which vault songs to add. Unfortunately, legal reasons are also causing this process to take even longer.

Take “Speak Now,” an already underrated album; fans of Swift’s third studio album are dying to hear the lesser-known songs with Swift’s powerful adult vocals. Sadly, in an attempt to gain copyrights for the name “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version),” there were several bumps in the road, as the name “Speak Now” is trademarked by a tech company for a television system. Due to this, Swift is having trouble coining the name of the album, which is a necessary component

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of her re-recording process. Until the legal issues are resolved, “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” will not be able to be re-released.

The next potential re-recording could be “1989,” however, there are also issues with this album. The release of Swift’s fifth hit album “1989” left fans excited for her new music in the pop genre. Fans are also excited to hear her new sound for the rerecordings. The only issue is the lawsuit. Sean Hall and Nathan Butler’s 2001 song “Playas Gonna Play,” was found to have similarities to Swift’s lyrics “players gonna play, play, play.” Hall and Butler sued Taylor Swift for copyright infringement. In 2018, the judge presiding over the case tossed the lawsuit, stating the lyrics were not creative enough to warrant a suit.

However, in 2021, the original songwriters appealed the case, allowing the lawsuit to continue. The current judge is refusing to toss the case, stating the lyrics are, in fact, too similar to not cause copyright issues. It is certain that Swift will handle the case with grace, however, as “Shake it Off” is the biggest hit off of this album, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” will not be re-released until the lawsuit is settled.

The next potential re-recording is Swift’s sixth album “Reputation.” A bold statement from Swift after months of hiding from the media, “Reputation” topped the charts and left the statement that Swift was not going to be ashamed or made out to be a fool.

It is almost certain that the re-recording of this album will be a massive hit, however, that will not be able to happen until at least late 2023. Many recording contracts state that songs cannot be re-released until five years after the commercial release. Because the album was released in November 2018, it is not until November 2022 that “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” can even begin production. Swift is not able to begin the re-recording process, even filing for copyrighting until five years after the commercial release of “Reputation.” Because of this, it is likely “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” will not be released until at least late 2023.

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(Grace Dunlavy / The University News)

By SOPHIE GLORIOD Staff Writer The last album Swift could then re-record is her debut album. While Swift has not said anything about a release date, many fans have a theory she will release it last in order to have her last re-recording be for owning her name, “Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version).” Again, Swift has yet to comment on this theory, however, it would make sense and would fit with the theme of Swift regaining the rights to her work.

Swift’s decision to re-record her stolen masters is a bold move to show those who underestimate her that she will not be ignored. It is also a strong move as a businesswoman, as it puts her back on the top charts for nearly every favorite song, as well as unreleased vault tracks that she, and only she, owns. The “Taylor’s Version” albums give older fans the ability to hear how her vocals have changed and give newer fans the ability to grow up with new Taylor Swift materials.

As a Swiftie since 2008, watching her reclaiming her music as well as witnessing the evolution of her voice has been truly inspiring. Women throughout history have been unable to own their own work from being silenced and ignored to having their talent stolen.

These women poured their hearts and souls into their work but could not receive credit. For example, Charlotte Bronte was unable to publish “Jane Eyre” without using a male name in order to secure success for her work. Seeing Taylor Swift fight back and refuse to let the patriarchy dictate her work shows how far women have come, as well as prove how much there is left to do. But most importantly, she shows us that women should no longer take abuse from men in the workplace.

All of the setbacks with the recordings leave fans wondering, will Swift’s tenth album be the next thing she releases? Whether the next album is a rerecording or new work, I can guarantee that it will be a hit.

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