Vol. 10 (Feb. 8, 2018) by University News

Vol. XCVII No. 10

A student voice of Saint Louis University since 1921

February 8, 2018

News

February 8, 2018

INSIDE SCOOP:

Photo courtesey of Wikimedia Commons

ARTS JT’s Electric Halftime Bogaloo Page 6 Tannock Blair / The University News

TITLE IX: Title IX has been sparking conversations at SLU after allegations of sexual assault were reported on campus.

SPORTS Women’s Basketball: Crashing Boards Page 15

OPINION Valentine’s Day: The Run Down Page 20

False Start for Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey won’t end campus conversation By SAVANAH SEYER Staff Writer

Discussion about Title IX and sexual misconduct and assault has become more prevalent throughout the SLU community after an incident last fall in which four student athletes were accused of sexual assault. On Feb. 6, conversation on the topic was rekindled on campus and social media by the voluntary withdrawal from SLU by Ty Graves, one of several basketball players who have not been permitted to play or wear the team uniform this season. The University has not confirmed any connection between the initial incident and the benched players. After the reported assault last September, the Saint Louis University Title IX office sent out an email asking students to complete a Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey. The survey, which was optional and anonymous, was to be used to help the Title IX oﬃce gain a better understanding of the experiences SLU students were having on campus pertaining to sexual assault. Kim Sahr, equity oﬃcer at the Title IX office, said “Most schools do surveying in or-

der to gain feedback about what students swers from the survey and promptly took are experiencing. The survey asks ques- the survey down, rendering it useless. While this particular try didn’t work, tions about perceptions about sexual assault, confusion and personal experience the Title IX office says that they plan to put and is completely anonymous and volun- out another survey in the future. This is an important piece of news, especially in the tary.” wake of recent situations Unfortunately, a group of SLU stuof alleged sexual assault on dents posted inforSLU’s campus. mation about the This survey was the We get informasurvey onto a public tion when people Saint Louis University Title forum where others IX office’s first attempt at report things who were not ensomething of this nature. Sahr says that this kind of rolled at SLU could here, but we realtactic to gain information share their own in- ly have anecdotal is a widely used but still formation. The Title information. This new practice on college IX office considered campuses. She says that this a violation of survey could the survey will help gain a security and that it possibly touch more accurate picture of would now be imsomeone who what is going on in the SLU possible to tell what answers were actu- has never reportcommunity. “We get information ally from SLU stued anything. when people report things dents. Because of here, but we really have anthis, the office felt Kim Sahr, equity officer ecdotal information,” said that they were unSahr. “This survey could able to use the an-

“

News could possibly touch someone who has never reported anything.” The overall plan for the survey was to help the Title IX office decide how to best educate SLU students about sexual assault and its prevention. Sahr said the results of survey would be used to shape programming and to tailor outreach and training to the community in ways that were specific to SLU. “For example, if we got the results back from the survey that said stalking was a major issue on campus, we would then ramp up programming around that particular topic,” Sahr said. The office plans on putting out a similar survey when they feel the time is right. Sahr says that it is important that the survey is posted during a time of the school year when every student is able to complete the survey honestly. For example, finals week would not be a good time, nor would the first two weeks of campus when first-year students do not have a clear image of what life on campus is like, according to Sahr. Sahr said that the current challenge facing the office in regards to the survey is now figuring out how to protect the information and the survey so that only SLU students are able to access it. A survey such as this one would be able to provide very important and relevant information to the Title IX office, especially in light of recent events here at SLU. Local news outlets continue to follow the investigation into a number of Saint Louis University athletes, and quickly make assumptions when players suddenly choose to leave SLU. With a situation like this one being widely discussed and covered by the media, many students might be frustrated or confused at the process of a Title IX investigation. Surveys like this one could help gauge the public knowledge and feeling around situations like this. Even without the survey, however, Sahr says that students are always encouraged to come to the Title IX office and ask questions if they are confused or concerned. “We have a thorough policy, but it is long and can be a lot to sift through,” said Sahr. “We are here if somebody wants to talk through that process.” Sahr says that the Title IX office continues to work for the best interests of students and believes that this survey is just one more way they can do that more accurately. “We are always looking for ways to make sure we are serving the community right and make sure our services are right for the SLU Community,” Sahr said. “Information is power. We want to get knowledge to students. If something happens, we want people to know where to get help.”

February 8, 2018

Tannock Blair / The University News

TAMIFLU: A common medication for influenza, Tamiflu is often prescribed to help lessen the eﬀects of influenza.

What to do about the flu

Influenza sweeps across St. Louis By CELINE REINOSO Staff Writer

There have been a total of 66,373 confirmed influenza cases in Missouri as of last week, according to a report by the St. Louis Department of Health and Senior Services. The illness has spread throughout the city, including the Saint Louis University campus. The Missouri Influenza Weekly Surveillance Report summarized the severity of influenza during week four of the 2018 flu season. The report said the age group most affected by the illness is 5 to 24 years old, with 21,146 influenza cases this season. The most affected region of Missouri is eastern Missouri, with 22,978 reported cases to date. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, said that the severity of influenza is determined by the circulating virus, the effectiveness of the vaccine, the timing of the flu season and the number of people who receive the vaccination. CDC tracks the severity of influenza based on laboratory-confirmed cases and overall hospitalization rate. This year’s overall hospitalization rate is higher than the overall hospitalization rate reported during the same week of the 2014-2015 season, which was the most severe flu season in recent years. According to the U.S. Outpatient Influ-

enza-like Illness Surveillance Network, or ILINET, as of week four of 2018, 7.1 percent of patient visits were due to influenza-like illness, which is above the national baseline of 2.2 percent. Missouri is classified as one of the states with widespread influenza activity, the highest category for geographic spread of influenza. Dr. Ken Haller, SLUCare pediatrician, said that this strain of influenza A, called H3N2, is particularly bad this year. “Unfortunately, the vaccine that was created for the United States does not hit that one directly,” he said. Haller still recommends people get the vaccine because it can make the illness less severe. CDC said that the flu vaccine is expected to be 32 percent effective this flu season, if the H3N2 virus continues to circulate. The vaccine is less effective against the H3N2 virus because this strain of influenza genetically changes more frequently compared to other strains such as H1N1 and influenza B viruses. The H3N2 virus may change between the time the vaccination is composed and when it is delivered, impacting how well the vaccine works against the virus. CDC recommends vaccinations in the form of shots, not the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), or the nasal spray vaccine, because of concerns about its effectiveness during this flu season. Saint Louis University’s office of student

development sent out an email to the students of SLU regarding the several cases of influenza in St. Louis and on campus. The email said that if the students have flu symptoms such as fever, severe body aches and cough, they should not go to class unless they have been without a fever for 24 hours. The office of student development also recommends that the students receive their flu shot as soon as possible. Junior Amanda Harmston was one of the SLU students affected by the illness. Despite receiving the vaccination last fall, she started feeling the symptoms of influenza on the first Wednesday she got back to campus. “I’m assuming I worked with people who were sick because there was a big outbreak back home,” she said. Harmston is from Hobbs, New Mexico, and works at a physical therapy clinic. That Wednesday night, she had a fever of 102 degrees, a headache and chills. On Friday, she went to Total Access Urgent Care on Hampton Avenue and received medication to help her illness and her asthma. She said after getting help, she felt better by Monday. SLU Student Health urges students to drink plenty of fluids, get at least eight hours of rest a night and practice proper hand hygiene to prevent getting themselves sick during this flu season.

February 8, 2018

News

Tweets

of the week @ACLU BREAKING: We’re suing the state of Alabama for refusing to give transgender people driver’s licenses that reflect their gender identity. Trans people have the right to live safely in public spaces.

@KamalaHarris Rejected from American aviation schools due to her race and gender, Bessie Coleman taught herself French and headed to Europe, where she received her international pilot’s license in 1921. “The air is the only place free from prejudices,” she said. #BlackHistoryMonth

@CNN WH chief of staff John Kelly says he expects law enforcement and intel authorities to give their recommendations on the Democratic memo by Thursday, after which the President will make his final decision on whether to release it and whether to redact it http://cnn. it/2E7LHm1

@BetoORourke Kyle Duncan has been nominated by Trump to the US Court of Appeals for a region including Texas. He has a long record of undermining LGBTQ rights and has been a lawyer for anti-gay and anti-trans positions in case after case.

Photo courtesy of Evie Cora

STUDENTS FOR LIFE: Saint Louis University students gather in solidarity outside of St. Aloysius Church after a mass.

The Annual March for Life

SLU Students take to the streets in DC and St. Louis By BETSY DALY Staff Writer

Hundreds of thousands of people from across the United States gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Jan. 19 for the 45th Annual March for Life. Among them were 36 SLU students. In St. Louis on Saturday, Jan. 27, nearly 300 people from both the St. Louis region and the Chicago region participated in the March to the Arch. Both the March for Life and the March to the Arch are held annually around the Jan. 22 anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in all fifty states up to the point of fetal viability, or the point in which the baby can survive outside of the womb on its own. The D.C. march began with a rally on the National Mall in front of the Capitol. Numerous individuals addressed the crowd, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Pam Tebow. Additionally, both President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence addressed the crowds via live stream from a satellite rally occurring simultaneously in the Rose Garden. This year’s theme of the March for Life, Love Saves Lives, was frequently and enthusiastically referred to throughout the rally. The path the march took was from the Capitol, down Constitution Avenue, to the front of the Supreme Court building. In front of the Supreme Court, members

of the group Silent No More, a national organization of post-abortive women and men, shared stories of how abortion had directly aﬀected their lives. Some attendees of the St. Louis march began at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and then joined with others who began their march at the Planned Parenthood on Forest Park Avenue. Upon reaching Vandeventer Avenue, the March to the Arch turned and proceeded up Laclede Avenue along and within SLU’s campus. It continued on the four-mile walk to the base of the Arch where there was a brief rally. The St. Louis march attracted much attention for the hundreds of large yellow balloons that said “LIFE” that the attendees carried, as well as for the loud drums being played and cheers being sung throughout the march. SLU’s Students for Life club promoted and arranged attendance of both marches. The trip to the March for Life in D.C. was three and a half days. SLU students joined with 13 students from Fontbonne University on the Wednesday before the march for a 15-hour bus ride through the night. On Thursday evening, the students joined thousands of others at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in D.C. for Mass. Before the march on Friday morning, SLU attendees joined hundreds of students of Jesuit institutions across the country at a Mass at St. Aloysius Church

on Gonzaga College High School’s campus. The day after the march, SLU attended the 19th Annual Cardinal O’Connor Conference On Life at Georgetown University. At the conference, students heard from keynote speaker Lila Rose, the founder of Live Action, as well as from various other speakers and organizations whose presentations surrounded the conference theme of “(Ir)religiously Pro-life: The Future of

“

Our philosophy is that no woman should ever have to choose between having a child and receiving an education.

“

Megan Stro bel, Sophomore

the Movement in a Secular World.” The SLU and Fontbonne students returned to See “The March” on page 5

News

February 8, 2018

Let Us Introduce You:

Fíona Clair By EM MILLER News Editor

Fíona Marie Clair is a junior from Chicago, on the south side of the city. With eight siblings — two of which followed her to Saint Louis University — she’s never far from her family, despite “wishing that St. Louis and Chicago were closer, because it’s hard for me to get home for a weekend.” Majoring in both communication and international studies, along with pursuing a minor in French, Clair is an academic powerhouse. Clair prefers communication over her international studies major, saying that international studies is her secondary major and that it was “to push me to study abroad and include globalized thinking in my education.” During the fall of 2017, Clair studied abroad in Ireland as part of Saint Louis University’s Study Abroad program, where she spent the semester at the National University of IrelandGalway. “It was amazing,” Clair said, “I had never been there before. My fam-

ily is very Irish, and it was an amazing experience. I also visited eight other countries while I was there, and it was more than I could have asked for.” When asked if she would take a hypothetical job in Ireland after she graduated, she immediately agreed before commenting that she would only end up really thinking about it after she committed. Clair is not the only member of her family to have studied abroad — currently, her younger brother is attending SLU Madrid. In addition to Clair’s busy course load, she is a part of the Honors program and involved throughout the SLU community. Clair is currently the Opinions Editor for The University News, and is an active member in both Relay for Life and Alpha Phi Omega. Clair first became involved in Relay for Life in high school in her sophomore year. In the past, Clair has been a participant and team captain on the Hope Squad, and is working on the event leadership team this year. “Re-

The March for Life Continued from Page 4

St. Louis the next Sunday morning. Megan Strobel, SLU sophomore, attended the march in D.C. She currently presides as the chairperson for SLU’s Pregnant and Parenting Student Assistance committee, a group that she describes as one that “raises money to allot scholarships for pregnant and parenting students on our campus. Our philosophy is that no woman should ever have to choose between having a child and receiving an education.” When asked why she attended the March for Life, she said, “I believe women deserve more than the empty promises abortion has to oﬀers.” Strobel added, “Choosing life is a heroic and beautiful choice and that’s why I strive to support women in that decision.” Freshman Jacob Acousta is a member of SLU Students for Life

and attended the D.C. march. He discussed the impact the march has on him, as he said, “The march itself is so powerful that…the aspect that aﬀects me most is the sheer number of people that attend. Standing on the top of Capitol Hill, turning around to look at the masses of people just gives me chills.” Evie Cora, sophomore and president of Students for Life, attended both the march in D.C. and the St. Louis march. She commented on the fact that the St. Louis march passed through SLU’s campus. Cora said, “I was thrilled that we got to march right next to our campus. We are first and foremost a Catholic school and the Catholic faith teaches that we are expected to uphold and respect the dignity of all human life, from natural conception to natural death, and that’s something that will never change.”

lay for Life brings together a really amazing community of people to kick cancer’s ass,” Clair said, “and I enjoy being in it.” Alpha Phi Omega holds a special place to Clair. Along with being extremely involved with the service community through working in committees and the leadership office, it is where Clair found people with a shared love of service that she genuinely enjoys being with. “I’ve met the majority of my friends at SLU through Alpha Phi Omega,” Clair said. “It’s where I met my people.” When asked about her favorite thing about SLU, Clair said, “The people. It’s true, though! My freshman experience was amazing because of the people on my floor and the people I became friends with. I have met so many amazing faculty members and diﬀerent students and organizations — everyone at SLU cares about what they do, and it’s amazing.”

Photo courtesy of Fíona Clair

Fíona Clair poses near the Cliﬀs of Moher, Ireland.

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

Wednesday, Feb. 7 5:01 p.m. TRESPASSING A DPS officer observed two individuals dumpster diving in the south alley near the driveway to the YWCA. The woman stated that she was looking in the dumpster for property that she had left unattended near it, and currently sleeps at the YWCA. The man stated that he walks with the woman to and from the YWCA. Both were issued a trespassing warning, and the warnings were entered into ARMS, along with photographs. Wednesday, Feb. 7 3:00 a.m. TRESPASSING (WARNING) A non-SLU affiliated man was found inside the breezeway of the DuBourg entrance that faces Grand. A REJIS check was conducted on the individual, which found nothing. The individual was given a trespassing warning, and refused to sign the form. The man ended up leaving the property without incident. Be a Responsible Billiken STOP. CALL. REPORT. 314-977-3000 witness.slu.edu dps.slu.edu

Arts&Entertainment UNews

February 8, 2018 arts@unewsonline.com Natalie Riopelle, Arts Editor Chandana Kamaraj, Assoc. Arts Editor

Eat those sweets By MADISYN SIEBERT Staff Writer

vorites are included in the list that are well known Looking for something throughout St. Louis to fill your desire of an such as Strange Donuts, endless sugar rush? Look Schlafly Bottleworks no further; Maplewood’s and Kakao Chocolate. annual Sweet Tooth Tour Others are hidden gems is the place to be. waiting to be discovered This event is held once like Living Room, Larder a year in late January to and Cupboard and Great help local shops pick up Harvest Bread Co. business in My favorite the slower stop in the months. perThere is always tour One buys a sonally was ticket from an amazing Foundation the city Grounds. turnout for the of MapleThis year wood for event; Manchester they offered $21 and Boulevard becomes a peanut butthen can ter square goes to 15 crawling with people. with half of different it dipped in locations in chocolate downtown that was also Maplewood to receive a vegan. It was perfectly sugary treat at each stop. fulfilling for my love of This year the ticket price the two key ingredients, did increase, but it also but I could see it causincluded a new stop on ing issues for people who the tour — Boardwalk have a nut allergy. They Waffles — which equaled did not seem to be offerout for the cost differing any other options for ence. There is also althose who do have these ways an amazing turnout restrictions. for the event; ManchesThe underdog this year ter Boulevard becomes had to be Pie Oh My. crawling with people in They offered five differthe local shops, even the ones that are not on the tour destination. Some Maplewood faSee “Sweets” on Page 7

Courtesy of Boardwalk Waﬄes

Halftime with Timberlake

Courtesy of Lorie Shaull

PERFORMANCE: Justin Timberlake’s halftime show was a spectactle garnering mixed reviews. By TODD JOHNSON Staff Writer

The Super Bowl LII halftime show began with Justin Timberlake singing on a small stage off-field with an extravagant laser show. He showed off his signature dance moves and sang “Filthy” from his new album, Man of the Woods. Afterwards, he slowly made his way to the field while passing by and dancing with several women who looked like they were in a club. To the enjoyment of which demographic? I don’t know. For the rest of the show, Timberlake mostly performed classics, or at least his more popular songs like “SexyBack,” “Mirrors,” and “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” on a variety of different sets. When he sang “Mirrors,” he stood atop a stage of mirrors. During “Suit & Tie,” he engaged in some intimate behavior with a mic stand. During the entire show, he was on the move and by the end seemed somewhat out of

breath, although not as out of breath as in his previous Super Bowl. After Timberlake’s last Super Bowl in 2004 with Janet Jackson, which derailed her entire career and brought up a lot of issues regarding cen-

Although Timberlake managed to escape all forms of controversy,... the audience ended up somewhat dissatisfied. sorship, a lot of people were wondering if this halftime show would be even half as controversial. Would Janet Jackson return to the stage? Would any other surprise stars show up? Unfortunately, neither occurred. Rumors did, however, circulate about a possible Prince hologram showing up since the pop superstar came from

Minneapolis, and most people figured and hoped he would be recognized in some way. That rumor was put to rest since Prince himself is wellknown to have disliked the idea of living singers performing alongside the holograms of deceased artists. By the end of the show JT had managed to avoid any controversy at all, probably to the disappointment of many viewers. He did include a somewhat tasteful projection of Prince to duet with. Whether Prince would have found a problem with that, we will never know, but his fans certainly did. Many Prince enthusiasts felt as though he had been used to make a mediocre performance more interesting, and in doing so, disrespected the late pop icon. Although Timberlake managed to escape all forms of controversy, which may have been good for him, the audience ended up somewhat dissatisfied. Maybe it came with See “Superbowl” on Page 8

Arts

February 8, 2018

JT’s back...but diﬀerent

Sweets: Eat up

Walking Dead’.” He also compares his love to necessary survival equipment such as light and emergency generators. The album has two features, including Alicia Keys and Chris Stapleton, a big figure in the country music community. For the first half of his album, Timberlake is very creative and has a lot of inventive and funky

to satisfy the crowds, and they got a full-sized donut compared to previous years where they only gave out the ent slices of pie to choose gooey butter cake cookie at from for their sample and half the size of their normal it is some of the best tastdonuts. ing pie you can get in town. This event is the perfect They offer more selections supporter of local businessand choices on the tour es and helps generate reveand appeal to the consumer nue toward the while keeping city for them to in mind allergies, unlike This event is the complete more projects to help many of the other stops on perfect supporter better Maplethe route that of local businesses wood. Maplewood holds have no selections. and helps generate more events like this for the The flop of revenue...to help upcoming year the tour this including a cofyear was Traveling Tea. I better Maplewood. fee crawl and a beer crawl love a good across the city tea, even over of Maplewood coffee. This if you are interested in joinyear, though, instead of ing in on the festivities. just offering different tea What is great about this selections they tried to be one is how it is a more creative and recreate Butfamily-friendly event that terbeer from Harry Poteveryone of all ages can ter. The idea was smart but enjoy, whereas a lot of Mamixing tea, cream soda, plewood’s other events are and milk was not the best not as family friendly or as idea. It was the most unwalkable as the Sweet Tooth derwhelming treat that was Tour. While on this tour, you offered and the only one I see everyone from toddlers could not bring myself to to grandparents walking up finish. and down Manchester to The overall fan favorite enjoy cupcakes, brownies of the tour seemed to be and more. Strange Donuts, with their Overall, this event was a offer of either the Rainbow success and generates a fun Pony, which is a regular doatmosphere for everyone to nut with rainbow sprinkles, enjoy on a Saturday in Januor their Chocolate Delight ary, with that extra sweet to donut which offered a keep you going through the nutella and chocolate icing. cold months. The two options seemed

By EMMA MARCIAK Contributor

Justin Timberlake has been the man of conversation lately. From his controversial Super Bowl halftime show to his new album, “Man of the Woods,” it is hard not to talk about him. Depending on whether you love or hate Timberlake, you might be hearing about him for a while because of everything he is up to. In case you did not know, Timberlake dropped a new album recently. “Man of the Woods” is his fifth and newest album, and it noticeably sounds less like Timberlake than the rest of them. “Man of the Woods” contains a lot of blues, jazz and country backdrops, which you normally would not expect from a singer like Timberlake. His songs in his newest album tend to have more of an apocalyptic feel to them, with lyrics such as, “The world could end now, baby, we’ll be living in ‘The

“Man of the Woods” is [JT’s] fifth and newest album, and it noticeably sounds less like Timerberlake than the rest of them. beats. The album opens up with “Filthy,” a mixture of funk and electronic music dominating the track, with Timberlake’s voice floating in and out. “Mid-

night Summer Jam” is the second song on the album, which includes more of Timberlake’s smooth and familiar vocals. The song contains a folky guitar in the backdrop, which sets the tone and pace for the rest of the album. If you are looking for a song that has that familiar “Justin Timberlake” sound, listen to the songs “Higher Higher” and “Wave.” With the high expectations that people have of Timberlake based on his previous albums, “Man of the Woods” is a bit of a letdown if you are looking for that familiar early 2000s sound. While there are undertones of Timberlake’s old style, his newer one shines through, which is not what we were expecting and certainly not what we are used to. The ‘90s babies are shaking. We have grown up crying to “Mirror” and “Cry Me a River,” kissing our giant Justin Timberlake posters, or hardcore

See “JT” on Page 8

Courtesy of “Man o f the Woods”

Continued from Page 6

Courtesy of Sweet Tooth

8 February 8, 2018

Arts

To do in STL Parm Pasta & Sandwich Co. Opening The Wizard of Oz

Sun. Jan. 18 2619 Cherokee St.

Fri. Feb. 23 - Sun. Feb. 25 Fabulous Fox

JT: New sound Continued from Page 7

breakdancing to “Sexyback” in front of our mirrors. Well, at least some of us have. This album is nothing like the people’s favorite Timberlake songs. However, if you enjoy when an artist experiments outside of his or her comfort zone, you might like “Man of the Woods!” Personally, I enjoyed the album. Timberlake’s smooth vocals with that grainy country and upbeat guitar was a surprisingly enjoyable combina-

tion. Personally, I was never the biggest Justin Timberlake fan, especially after finding out all of the dirt between he and Britney Spears. However, I will give him major props for reaching out of his comfort zone and trying out new genres, especially country. This was not his best album, but it definitely was not a flop. I look forward to hearing one of these songs on loop with ten other songs on my local radio station.

“Black Panther”

Release: Fri. Feb. 16

Bud Light Grand Parade: Soulard Mardi Gras Fri. Feb. 10 Soulard

Brockhampton Tues. Jan. 20 The Pageant

Courtesy of “Man of the Woods”

Superbowl halftime: Better luck next year? Continued from Page 6

age, but his moves didn’t seem as crisp as they used to. A vast majority of his songs seemed to simply be playing while he danced, and he would occasionally interject with actual singing. It is hard to sing into the mic when it’s bouncing around your body. Something about the show simply felt rushed. Well planned and organized, but rushed. Maybe because it is such a short period of time to fit ten diﬀerent songs into, but a large portion of time was spent walking from stage to stage. Despite a significant lack of actual singing, Timberlake has kept his stage presence. You might not know why, but you probably wanted to stay and

watch the whole halftime show, and the crowd at the show seemed pretty hyped. So, credit where credit is due. Overall the show did not seem like anything special or memorable. The audience needs a wow factor, and nothing popped. Maybe it was stuck in the shadow of Timberlake’s previous Super Bowl performance, but most people expected a few, or at least one moment of amazement. At the very least something more interesting than a goofy kid catching a selfie with Timberlake. Most likely, this Super Bowl halftime show will not be looked back on in a very negative or positive light. It probably will not be looked back on very much at all, unless in the context of unusual halftime show fashion choices.

Courtesy of Lorie Shaull

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February 8, 2018

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February 8, 2018

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February 8, 2018

Photography

Remembering leaders during Black History Month By MEREDYTH STAUNCH Managing Editor

Elisha Weeden Carlock, sophomore

Ismahan Mohamed, junior

Trey Watterson, junior

Glenda Nelson, junior

Mya Petty, freshman

Deja Miller, senior

February marks Black History Month and designates a time when achievements made by African Americans are recognized. Originally coined “Negro History Week” by Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African American figures, the event has since expanded to a month-long celebration. According to the History Channel, every president since 1976 has officially designated February as Black History Month, and Canada and the United Kingdom also devote a month to honor black history. The Black History Month 2018 theme is “African Americans in Times of War” as it applauds the roles black Americans have played in warfare from the American Revolution to today. In recognition of Black History Month, fellow students and workers were asked who inspires them. From Dr. Martin Luther King to James Baldwin and Harriet Tubman, each person has played a vital role in shaping who these students and workers strive to be.

Photography

Februay 8, 2018

A timeline steeped in African history By MEREDYTH STAUNCH Managing Editor

1847

From containing the oldest sub-Saharan terracotta head dating from 500 BC-200 AD to masks, figural sculptures and vessels from the 19th and 20th centuries, the Saint Louis Art Musuem is one of the few art museums which collects African art. It began collecting in 1936 and showcases West African, Yoruban, and Nigerian pieces.

500 BC

Saint Louis Art Museum

Dred Scott, who was a slave, had been taken to a free state where the Missouri Compromise 0f 1820 prohibited slavery. After his master died and he returned to slave state Missouri, Scott sued his masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s widow for his freedom on the grounds that he had lived as a resident of a free state. While the Old Courthouse ruled in his favor in 1847, Scott lost his case in an appeal that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. Scott appealed, and his new master, J.F.A. Sanford, was a resident of New York. In Dred Scott v. Sanford, the Missouri Compromise was ruled as unconstitutional, stating that Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in territories. Scott had no legal rights to request his freedom.

The Old Courthouse

Photography

February 8, 2018

1928

Famous ragtime composer Scott Joplin lived on the second floor of 2658 Delmar Blvd. from 1901-1903. Commonly known as the “King of Ragtime,” Joplin became most popular for his theme music used in the movie, “The Sting.” Decades after his death, his opera, “Treemonisha,” was staged.

Scott Joplin State Historic Site

1901 Maya Angelou Childhood Home Born in 1928, American poet, memoirist and civil rights activist Maya Angelou lived in St. Louis’ Gate District until 1930 when she was sent to live with her grandparents in Arkansas. She returned to St. Louis at age 8. Angelou is most renowned for her work “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which made literary history as the first nonfiction best-seller by an African-American woman. She received two NAACP Image Awards for her pieces.

Courtesy of The Riverfront Times

Photography

February 8, 2018

I am inspired by...

Kianna Hill, junior

Cierra Ball, cashier

LaQuita Howard, daughter of worker

Brian Barlay, junior

Tamara Clinton, worker

Sports

February 8, 2018 sports@unewsonline.com Bobby Stilwell, Sports Editor Monica Ryan, Assoc. Sports Editor

Saint Louis University Athletics BATTLE: Senior Maddison Gits evades a Davidson defender. Gits scored 34 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the double-overtime win against Fordham.

Women win three, beat Fordham in double OT By Erin McClelland Staff Writer

The Women’s Basketball team returned to Chaifetz Arena on Jan. 31 for an A-10 rematch against Fordham after a buzzerbeating overtime win over George Washington in the nation’s capital. For the second time in two games, the Billikens went into overtime and came out victorious. Following the double-overtime win over Fordham, the Billikens improved their inconference record to 7-3 and their overall record to 13-10 with a win over Davidson. Earlier in January at Fordham, SLU lost to the Rams in a close 3-point game. Senior Maddison Gits said, “our team’s mindset was to get payback” going into the game. “All of us had a ‘go get ‘em’ attitude for that game,” she added. The game was a matinee in front of a few thousand elementary and middle-schoolaged children from the St. Louis area for the annual Education Day. Gits said, “playing for a crowd of young kids is awesome! The best part is when the lights go oﬀ before the game and they all scream at the

top of their lungs. They think that is the coolest thing ever! It’s also very cool to see the different communities coming together to support us.” The Billikens started off the game with a three-point bucket from Paige Rakers and continued strong to a 10-4 lead, but the Rams were able to replicate the run and take the lead. They continued their strong offense and held the Bills scoreless for the rest of the first quarter. In the second quarter, SLU was able to cut the lead minimally and went into halftime with a 14-point deficit. Gits said, “Coach Stone came in the locker room with a fierce look on her face. She was upset with how we executed offensively and how easy people were getting baskets on the defensive end. She told us it was going to be a fight to come back in the game but believed in us that we could do it if we did the “little” things right. By “little” things [she meant], rebounding, hustling after loose balls, and having heart.” SLU came out of the locker room fast and were able to tie the game in the third quarter with three 3-point baskets and

Jackie Kemph gave the Bills the lead with two minutes left in the quarter. They were able to hold onto a 55-53 lead as the quarter ended. The Billikens kept the lead throughout the fourth quarter, while the Rams struggled to get shots to drop. Fordham guard Bre Cavanaugh, tied the game with two free throws with just 10 seconds left in regulation, sending the game to overtime. “[The goal] in the first overtime was to jump out and get an early lead,” said Gits. No one was able to gain an upper hand and Jordyn Frantz’s buzzer-beating threepoint-attempt fell short, taking the game into a second overtime. “Our mindset in the second overtime was to stop Cavanaugh from scoring and attack the basket to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line,” said Gits. The Bills got out to a fast start in the second overtime period and were able to put Fordham away for good. Gits lead the Billikens with a career-high 34 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks for her fourth consecutive double-double. Kemph and Rakers also reached double-

digit points with 21 and 16 respectively. The Billikens returned to Chaifetz three days later for a matchup with Davidson. SLU won the tip that opened the game and it was all Billikens from that point. Jenny Vliet opened up scoring with a three-point bucket and a layup making the score Vliet 5 and Davidson 0. At the end of the first quarter the Billikens led 18-16 and Vliet was already at the 10-point mark. The shooting slowed down in the second quarter for the Bills, but they connected free throws and oﬀensive rebounds to keep the Wildcats at bay. They went into the locker room at the half with a 38-35 lead. The Billikens started to pull away in the third quarter with Jordyn Frantz connecting both of her three-point shots. The strong oﬀense gave SLU a 10-point lead to take a 64-51 score into the final stanza. The Wildcats struggled in the fourth quarter to cut the 13-point lead and the Bills were able to stretch it to 16 points for See “Women” on Page 18

Sports

February 8, 2018

Saint Louis University Athletics

JAMTIME: Redshirt junior Javon Bess dunks on VCU. Bess scored in double digits at both home games, posting a double-double against Fordham.

Men continue rally, win three of last four games By Bobby Stilwell Sports Editor

The Billikens continue to prove themselves in the A-10, posting wins over Dayton and Fordham and a road win at St. Joseph’s before falling to St. Bonaventure. A-10 rival Dayton came to Chaifetz Arena on Saturday, Jan. 27. The 75-65 win was the first for SLU since January of 2014. Dayton took an early lead and held it for the bulk of the first half, but the Billikens posted a 10-0 run to take a 28-22 lead with 4:34 left in the first half. SLU held this six-point margin at the half, heading to the

CHEER

locker room with a 36-30 lead. Dayton tied it up twice in the second half, but SLU took advantage of some Dayton mistakes late in the second half, using an 11-0 run to jump out to a 65-53 lead at the 4:50 mark. Dayton cut the margin back to single digits, but SLU answered back with some free throws and cruised to victory over the Flyers. Post-game, head coach Travis Ford took the microphone and thanked the seasonhigh 8,500 fans for their continued support of the team. With a lot of emotion, Ford proclaimed, “These are good young men…we’re

WHO TO CHEER PHILADELPHIA EAGLES The Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 on Sunday to become Super Bowl LII champions. Eagles Quarterback, Nick Foles threw for 373 yards and completed 65 percent of passes.

doing it for the city of St. Louis.” Ford wanted to address the crowd for no other reason but to thank them. “At 3 o’clock on a Saturday afternoon you could be lots of places… you chose to support this team, it means a lot. We want to do well for the city [of St. Louis].” Redshirt junior guard Javon Bess, who scored a team-high 20 points, emphasized the team effort on and off the court. “Every day we do it for each other…we came together, we knew we had to get this win.” Senior guard Davell Roby said the loss to VCU was fatigue, and that the team has

JEER

to “push through the fatigue and win the game.” SLU committed just five turnovers, a season low. In addition to his 20 points, Bess shot 3-4 from the charity stripe. Sophomore forward Jalen Johnson came off the bench, chipping in 16 points and shooting 3-5 from the arc. Roby chipped in 14 points, shooting 8-11 from the charity stripe. SLU hit the road, heading to Philadelphia for a battle with A-10 foe St. Joseph’s. It was a nail-biter, but the Billikens prevailed 60-59 See “Improvement” on Page 18

FEAR WHO TO JEER

WHO TO FEAR

JACOB COPELAND’S MOM No. 5 recruiting pick, wide receiver Jacob Copeland chose to sign with Florida. Copeland’s mom got up from the table upon this decision. After a few minutes she came back into view of the camera, sharing hugs and congratulations.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS The Predators are seeking their ninth-straight win. They are two points behind the Winnipeg Jets in the Central Division.

Sports

This week in Sports

Thursday, Feb. 8

Friday, Feb. 9

Saturday, Feb. 31

Friday, Feb. 2

Women’s Tennis 2 p.m. @ Murray State Softball 6 p.m. vs. Bradley @ Peterson Hotels Invitational, Peoria, Ill.

Softball 9 a.m. vs. Miami (Ohio) 11:30 a.m. vs. Washington @ Peterson Hotels Invitational, Peoria, Ill Men’s Tennis 1 p.m. vs. EIU

Women’s Basketball 1 p.m. @ Rhode Island Men’s Basketball 7 p.m. vs. La Salle Men’s/Women’s Tennis 8 p.m. vs. Quincy

Softball 11:30 a.m. vs. Western Illinois 2 p.m. vs. Miami (Ohio) @ Peterson Hotels Invitational, Peoria, Ill

Wednesday, Feb. 14 @

February 8, 2018

Thursday, Feb. 15

Swim/Dive A-10 Conference @ Championships Geneva, Ohio Women’s Basketball 7 p.m. v. Duquesne

Friday, Feb. 16

Swim/Dive Men’s Tennis A-10 Conference 3:15 p.m. vs. IllinoisChampionships Springfield Baseball Geneva, Ohio 3:15 p.m. vs. Old Dominion @ Sunshine State Classic, Kissimmee, Florida

Saint Louis University Athletics

HAMMING IT UP: Swimming/Diving seniors pose for the camera outside Chaifetz Arena. Swimming and Diving posted wins over EIU and UMSL on senior day.

Swimming & Diving seniors say goodbye with a splash By Monica Ryan Associate Sports Editor

Swimming and Diving has had a strong showing this season. Both men and women have won their past five meets. At the Butler Invitational on Jan. 21, the Billikens made history when both the men’s and women’s teams placed first. This is the first time that both teams have won at Butler in the same season. The men earned nine first-place finishes to end up first of five participating

teams. Of those nine first-place finishes, Senior Ryan McCoy earned three of them. He raced in the 100 free (46.34), 200 free (1:41.39) and 100 fly (49.37). Sophomore Collin O’Brien also captured three wins for the Billikens. He earned first in the 200 IM (1:56.14), 100 breast (58.04) and 200 breast (2:10.28) to propel the Billikens ahead of the competition. The women finished first of six teams. Their five second-place finishes were enough to outscore second-place finisher, Xavier.

Saturday, Jan. 27 was senior day for the Billikens. The team hosted a double dual meet against EIU and UMSL at the Simon Rec Center. Of the men’s team, the seniors were Stephen Cole, Ryan McCoy, Ben Pearthree and Karl Schaenzer. The women’s team seniors are Nora Gartland, Megan Harper, Mina Glenesk, Riley Kirby, Elaine Mahon, Morgan Parkinson, Hillary Rancap, Kalley Schwab and Maggie Sheean. “I’m proud of my swimming career, but I understand it’s time to end,” said senior

Ben Pearthree. “I’ve been in the water so long, I think it’s time to explore new opportunities and look back on my successes.” To conclude the regular season, both teams bested their opponents to go 2-0 on the day. The men outscored UMSL 171.5093.5 and beat Eastern Illinois 204.5059.50. The women crushed UMSL 234-42 and Eastern Illinois 227-44. The Billikens now look forward to the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships in Geneva, Ohio on Feb. 14-17.

18 February 8, 2018 Improvement: Bess scores in double digits at home Continued from Page 16

over the Hawks. SLU built a lead as large as 13 points in the first half, but the Hawks rallied to tie the game in the final minute of the half. It was a back-and-forth battle in the second half. With the score tied 59-59 and 13 seconds left, Roby was fouled and went to the charity stripe for two shots. Roby missed the first, swooshed the second, and the Hawks were unable to get a shot off after the inbound. SLU’s success continued on Saturday, Feb. 3, with Fordham coming to town. While the odds were in SLU’s favor, the Rams took an early lead. However, the Billikens rallied in the first half and buckled down at the backboard in the second half, easily cruising to the 73-50 win.

It was a back-and-forth; trading buckets display for the first 15 minutes of the first half. But at the 4:40 mark, SLU held Fordham scoreless for the remainder of the half, embarking on a 15-0 run at the same time, eventually heading to the half with a seasonhigh 37-18 lead. The second half saw the Billikens outrebound the Rams 29-11 on the way to the win, with a 7-0 spurt stopping a Rams rally midway through the half. The team has worked more closely together over the last few games, and Bess credited this to everybody “play[ing] together and rely[ing] on each other.” With the win over Fordham, SLU sat half a game out of third place in the A-10 heading into a road battle at St. Bonaventure. The

Sports

Women win two Continued from Page 15

Billikens traveled to Olean, New York on Wednesday, Feb. 7. for a 6 p.m. tip. It was a slow start for SLU, who committed nine turnovers in the first half. However, a cold first half for St. Bonaventure kept SLU in the game, with the Billikens trailing 36-28 at the half. A Johnson trey and dunk from redshirt junior D.J. Foreman brought SLU back within four points at the 15:57 mark of the second half. This wouldn’t last, as the Bonnies hit three treys to jump ahead by 15 at the 8:40 mark. SLU couldn’t mount a rally to overcome this deficit, falling 79-56. La Salle comes to town on Saturday, Feb. 10. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Chaifetz Arena.

the 88-72 win. Following the wins over Fordham and Davidson, the Bills traveled to Philadelphia for a matchup with the La Salle Explorers. SLU fell in a tough game 87-76. Kemph lead the team with 22 points followed closely by Gits’ 21, narrowly missing a sixth consecutive double-double by one rebound. The Bills were perfect at the line going 12-12 but it wasn’t enough to shut down the Explorers who out-rebounded SLU, 46-33. The Bills are back in action with a trip to Rhode Island on Feb. 10. They are back at Chaifetz on Valentine’s Day for a matchup with Duquesne at 7 p.m.

Track breaks individual records

Tennis loses in home opener

Saint Louis University Athletics POWER: Sophomore Amanda Baker powers over a hurdle. Baker broke the pentathalon record at the Thundering Herd Invitational. Saint Louis University Athletics FOCUS: Sophomore Justin Nogalski backhands the ball over the net. Nogalski posted a win at Arkansas. nick 7-5, 7-5. By Sam Glass The Billikens will play their home opener Staff Writer on Friday, Feb. 9 against Eastern Illinois at SLU Men’s Tennis kicked off their sea- 1 p.m. son Friday, Jan. 26 against Northern IlliSLU Women’s Tennis continued nonnois University. The Billikens had a rough conference play against Purdue Univertime in Illinois, falling 7-0. Some hard- sity on Friday, Jan. 26. The women lost to fought matches came from the road trip Indiana 7-0. Ally and Cassie McKenzie with senior Juan Calero narrowly falling performed well, but lost 7-5, 6-2 and 6-4, to NIU’s Georg Lundkvist 7-6, 5-7, 10-2. 6-4 respectively. The Bills played their first The men faced off against Omaha the next home match against Eastern Illinois on day. SLU dropped 0-2 for the season after Feb. 4. SLU lost 5-2 with two individual a close 4-3 loss. wins from Mariluz Rojo against Grace The Billikens set out on the road again Summers 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 and Alba Salinas last weekend, playing Saturday, Feb. 3. The against Karla Contreras 6-2, 6-4. SLU Bills played against Arkansas and lost 6-1, moves their overall record to 0-4. making their overall record 0-3. SophoSLU Women’s Tennis travels to Murray more Justin Nogalski defeated Josh Bort- State on Thursday Feb. 8.

By Michael Treviño Contributor

Over the past two weeks, the Billikens have seen an upswing in performances by members of the track and field team with both personal and school records being bested. Jan. 26-27, the SLU track team competed at the Marshall University Thundering Herd Invitational. The biggest highlight came from sophomore Amanda Baker who smashed the school record in the pentathlon with a score of 3,238 points, beating the old record set by Mallory Dugger in 2012 by over 150 points. Baker accomplished this feat by placing second in both the 800-meter dash and the 60-meter hurdles along with three other solid finishes in the other events. Manuel De Backer (8:20.38) and Courtney Link (9:59.92) placed second in their

respective 3000-meter races. Ethan Erusha leaped on to the podium twice tying for third in the high jump (6’-3.25”) and finishing sixth in the triple jump (44’-1.25”). This past weekend members of the team competed at the Don DeNoon Invitational in Illinois and others at the Meyo Invitational hosted by Notre Dame. At the DeNoon Invitational, Ryan Noonan placed second in the 800 meters (1:55.80), Kevin Ganahl placed fourth in the 800 meters (1:56.93) and the one-mile run (4:19.30), and Megan Kress placed fourth in the 800 meters (2:20.71). At Notre Dame, Manuel De Backer broke the school record in the 5000 meters. De Backer clocked in at 14:32.52, shaving half a second oﬀ of the previous school record. The Atlantic 10 Conference Indoor Championships are held at The University of Rhode Island on Feb. 17.

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February 8, 2018

Opinions&Editorials

February 8, 2018

opinion@unewsonline.com

Fiona Clair, Opinion Editor

Confronting the dread of Valentine’s Day

Em Miller News Editor

As a holiday, Valentine’s Day can basically be summed up by those weird candy hearts: Disgusting, something that you have to spend money on, and ultimately disappointing. If you can’t tell, Valentine’s Day does not hold a special place in my heart. Instead, it and Columbus Day are at the very bottom of the “enjoyable holiday” list, but for very different reasons. The most common complaint comes first: Valentine’s Day is a corporate wet dream, a holiday that’s been commercialized so much that it almost lacks any real meaning. It’s a way for businesses to make a profit, whether those profits

be through generic Hallmark cards with a short message scrawled inside or a bouquet of flowers that rot within a week and can cost more than an eight-hour shift at minimum wage. Modern Valentine’s Day seems to be focused around expensive gift giving at one point in the year instead of showing your partner that you value them all the time. Speaking of gifts on Valentine’s Day, the standard gifts seem to be chocolate, roses, those uncomfortably big teddy bears holding hearts, heart-shaped objects that will never be used outside of this one specific date, and picture frames. If you’re a woman, a few more things are marketed at you—diamonds, spa dates and heart shaped jewelry. If you’re a man, you’re a bit luckier, because the things that are marketed at you are actually useful in the long run—shaving kits, pocket knives — and according to one website — a knife making kit.

In addition to gifts, Val- project out of your body, not entine’s Day places a weird handle the shame and guilt fixation on penalizing people that society forces you to feel whether they’re in a relation- from not being in a commitship or not. If you’re single— ted relationship. In addition whether that be from not find- to this, if you’re single and uning that special someone yet, happy, it means I’m forced to or content and not wanting a listen to you complain about romantic reyour lack of lationship— a love life society has “Valentine’s Day puts for 24 hours s e e m i n g l y so much pressure on more than I condemned ever wanted. you for being being in a committed There’s not alone. Val- relationship that it much of a entine’s Day bright side puts so much can be upsetting and if you’re curpressure on dating jarring for people rently being in a or married. committed who aren’t in one.” If you’re in relationship a relationthat it can be ship, you’re upsetting and jarring for peo- expected to go all out and plan ple who aren’t in one. When a romantic date. This responthere’s an actual WikiHow en- sibility is usually projected try entitled “How to Be Happy onto whoever fulfills the steBeing Single on Valentine’s reotypical “male” role in the Day,” you know something’s relationship, and for a college up. The purpose of WikiHow student, those costs can add is to tell you how to do things up quick. In addition to the like chop onions and astral romantic date, you’re expect-

ed to get presents for “your special someone,” which forces people to materialize their relationships. When a holiday pressures someone to get their partner a big, romantic gift before both parties in the relationship are okay with that level of commitment, it can cause issues. There are reasons people get dumped leading into Valentine’s Day and after the holiday, and a commitment issue is one of them. But alas, how could I have failed to mention the one thing I love more than anything else about Valentine’s Day? I’m talking about the hyper-specific commercials that every company seems to put out in a desperate attempt to tie their product to this commercialized day of love. From car companies using wide shots of roads with the word love prominently displayed in the middle of the screen (usually in some cursive lettering) to commercials that have unSee ‘Valentine’s Day’ on Page 21

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OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

February 8, 2018

Shutdown for what?

Jakob Benedetti Staff Writer

A few weeks ago, the federal government was shut down for two days as Senators and Congressmen struggled to reach an agreement on the government’s budget. It was the first shutdown since 2013, when Republicans shut down the government for 16 days to protest Obamacare. This time, it was the Democrats’ turn to vote to trigger the shutdown, but how does something like the U.S. Government “shut down?” Who’s really to blame—Democrats or Trump/ Republicans? And why did the shutdown end so quickly compared to previous impasses? The seed of the January shutdown was planted in September 2017, when President Trump announced that he would end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to gain legal status. Although they aren’t technically citizens, the nearly 700,000 “Dreamers” are able to live and work in the U.S. without threat of deportation. Trump gave Congress until March 2018 to come up with a solution, or else he would scrap the program entirely. Since this announcement, Democrats have been demanding that Congress discuss possible solutions, including the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers. Despite the hard deadline, Republican leaders were unwilling to seriously address the issue. Trump and Congressional leaders did not agree to formal bipartisan talks on immigration until January, and only did so after it became clear that Democrats and some Republicans would not support a budget deal until they did. This is how government funding works: the government’s “fiscal year” begins in October. Typically in the

fall, Congress will pass a budget for the following fiscal year to determine what exactly the government will be spending its (or rather, our) money on. This year, however, the Republicans failed to do so, instead opting to push through tax reform. Instead of a long-term budget, the government has instead been operating on what are referred to as “continuing resolutions,” which essentially fund the government for a few weeks or a month at a time at current levels. The problem for Republican leaders came when supporters of DACA realized that if they didn’t vote for these continuing resolutions, they would have ample leverage to demand a solution. After a large and growing number of Democrats voted against the December continuing resolution, Republican leaders were forced to enter into negotiations.

“Although it’s easy to blame Democrats for the shutdown, as you can see, the details complicate things.” Once bipartisan talks finally got underway in January, things started to get interesting. In a meeting with leaders of both parties to discuss immigration, Trump made his famous “shitholes” remark, sparking backlash from nearly everyone in Washington—and the world for that matter. Despite the gaﬀe, the talks were not fruitless. Underreported was the fact that Trump actually did reach a bipartisan deal with Senate Democrats that would have easily passed both houses of Congress. The deal called for $10 billion in funding for a border wall, limited so-called “chain migration,” and provided a path to citizenship for Dreamers, among other things. Trump also signified he may be willing to attempt a more comprehensive immigration reform package in the future. This deal was embraced by a bipartisan group of Senators. But by the time the bipartisan group was ready to put the deal on the floor of the Senate, Republican lead-

ers including Trump rejected it out of hand, and refused to allow any formal debate on the matter. They then demanded that the bipartisan group fall in line and vote for yet another continuing resolution that did not include a DACA fix. The vote failed, and the government shut down. Although it’s easy to blame Democrats for the shutdown, as you can see, the details complicate things. Yes, most of the people who voted to shut down the government were Democrats, but not all were, and if Trump and Republican leaders in Congress had simply accepted the deal Trump had already agreed to, then the shutdown would have never occurred. Instead, Republican leaders chose to continue their Obamayears strategy: Obstruct, and hope the Democrats blink first. The Democrats did eventually cave, despite most of the public recognizing that Republicans were mostly to blame, and a supermajority of Americans supporting a path to citizenship for Dreamers. In some ways, the shutdown exposed the flaws of both parties’ leadership—the Republicans’ inability to govern responsibly, and the Democrats’ inability to play hardball without rolling over when things get tough. If the Republicans want to have any chance at all in the midterms, they need to fundamentally rethink their priorities: governing responsibly as opposed to scoring partisan points and appeasing their donors. Likewise, the Democrats need to pull themselves together, unite around a popular, progressive agenda that benefits working Americans, and refuse to back down from their positions unless Republicans are willing to do the same. Neither of these things will happen anytime soon, meaning that another shutdown is likely, while a DACA fix is not.

Valentine’s Day Continued from page 20

comfortable, lingering camera shots of women in tight dresses eating their product, Valentine’s Day commercials have it all. Who can forget the most iconic memo that Valentine’s Day is approaching—a dramatic increase in the number of Kay Jewelers’ ads you’re forced to bear witness to. Here are some ways we could improve Valentine’s Day. First, stop asking me if I’m doing anything special that day and then, when I inevitably say no, stop asking me why not. Second, don’t tell people that they need to get their partner a huge gift, especially if both of the partners in the relationship aren’t sure they are that into each other. Third, ditch the weird sensual commercials that sexualize people and try to sell cookies at the same time. And lastly, either get rid of the conversation candy hearts or start bringing back the good sayings on them. Nobody wants a dry piece of candy that says ASK ME, but for the phrase COOL DUDE or SAUCY BOY? I’d willingly choke down those chalky disappointment hearts and smile.

Opinions & Editorials

February 8, 2018

Why I’m still single

Nish Gorczyca Design Editor The fifth time I deleted Tinder oﬀ of my phone, probably in Sept. 2017, I remember feeling so free. While it was a nice distraction to pass the time in between classes, I decided that it was a definite waste of my time. My main problem? I’d swiped left on around 95 percent of the available men in a 10-mile radius. If you’re still waiting to match with me, don’t take it personally; it’s not you, it’s me. I know I’m too picky. Everyone, from that one Uber driver to my mother has told me so at some point. It’s probably holding me back — true — but when I stop and think about it, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m at a point in my life where I’ve been single for long enough that I’ve had a lot of time for self-reflection and self-improvement. I’ve decided that I know what I want out of my life and what’s important to me; if I’m going to date someone, then you bet they’d better line up with that. It seems like we always say that we don’t want to settle, but we also tout quantity when it comes to dating. It’s a bit of a contradiction, even if mathematically, it makes sense; the more people you date, the more chances you have to find the right person for you. But is that really true? Maybe it’s true to some people, but to me, it seems like a huge waste of my own time. I’m busy; I don’t have time to waste on making things work with subpar people. I don’t find dating fun. I don’t know about anyone else, but I hate the formalities and the B.S. that come along with the first date or two. It’s not fun, it’s exhaust-

ing, and again, it just feels like a huge waste of time to figure out that I don’t actually like the guy sitting across the table. If that means I’ll be single for the rest of my life, so be it. I’d much rather be alone than stuck in a dead-end relationship forever. I really enjoy my single life, and if someone wants to change that, than they better be pretty amazing. Now we’re coming to an interesting point: who am I to be so picky? They always say that beggars can’t be choosers, but I’m not exactly begging. I’m a whole person on my own so I don’t buy into that “other half ” stuﬀ that people go on about. I think I’m pretty swell, but that shouldn’t matter. I expect a lot of myself, and I hold myself to pretty high standards. Why shouldn’t I expect the same of someone with whom I may spend the rest of my life? That’s right: The rest of my life; I’m either all in or all out. And if you’re on the other side of the high standards? I’ve been there, but realizing that you’re not for everyone makes taking rejection so much easier. Some people have priorities and plans that don’t involve me, which I understand because I’m the same way; besides, if that’s the case, then they probably weren’t my person to begin with. In the end, it’s really not a bad thing at all to be picky when dating, as long as you’re reasonable about it. And even if you know that you definitely want to marry a wealthy, six-foot-four doctor who also loves Coldplay and wants three kids and a golden retriever, power to you. You know what you’re looking for and that combination of traits probably exists; you might just spend a little longer looking for him or her, so be prepared to spend a lot of time alone. Yes, it means that you have to make snap judgements, to decide what is important to you, to wait around for “your person” while improving on yourself. Maybe I am too picky, but I have faith that it’ll be worth it. Having high standards is generally a good thing — I’ve found — and I’m not about to lower mine for anything less

“That’s right: The rest of my life; I’m either all in or all out.”

Guest Essays #BlackGirlMagic Ameena Challenger Guest Writer

#BlackGirlMagic. Depending on who you follow on Twitter, this phrase may be familiar to you. While it hasn’t been added to Merriam Webster quite yet (but “bootylicious” has, so there is hope), it can be defined as a social media movement dedicated to highlighting the extraordinary talents and grace of black women. More and more Black women like Grammynominated artists SZA and Cardi B, fictional characters like Dr. Miranda Bailey and Olivia Pope, and everyday women like Chika Stacy Oriuwa — the only Black medical student in her University of Toronto class — are being acknowledged for their gifts, talent, drive, dedication and finesse. But how does a movement that seeks to simultaneously acknowledge the ingenuity and perseverance of women like Katherine Johnson with the indomitable spirit and charisma of Amara La Negra have any meaning? To many, both in and outside the culture, #BlackGirlMagic has become a catch-all phrase. Historically, Black femininity has been associated with two extremes — endless stoicism in the face of unthinkable devastation or hypersexual vulgarity and loudness. There has been no room for nuance for Black women in American culture. From the exploitation of the Black female body (see Saartjie Baartman) to the media’s erasure of the Black women victims of police brutality, Black women are constantly caricatured and vilified. Women like Cardi B, a personal hero of mine, are asked to be less “ghetto”or “trashy” by mainstream culture and even by

other Black women. These expectations imply that her authentic, Bronx-born-and-raised self is an aﬀront to what Black women should be or represent. Even famed showrunner, Shonda Rhimes, is critiqued by those who view her trio of Black leads as too polite. Dr. Miranda Bailey in “Grey’s Anatomy,” Olivia Pope in “Scandal” and Annalise Keating in “How To Get Away with Murder” are sometimes seen as feeding into respectability politics that stifle Black women’s range of emotion. Therein lies the critique of the hashtag. There is frustration that #BlackGirlMagic tries to encompass too much at once, inadvertently belittling the movement rendering it meaningless. It’s just another empty platitude. If every Black girl has “magic,” from where can any value be derived? I think that’s where everyone gets it wrong. #BlackGirlMagic should be the movement that encompasses the entire Black feminine experience. From preteens in the Rust Belt to 50-somethings in the Pacific Northwest, every Black girl and woman should be able to find something in this hashtag that resonates with them. What is missing from the conversation is the plurality of the Black female experience. For every black woman that identifies with Gabrielle Union or Anika Noni Rose, there are others who see themselves in Blac Chyna or Ursula Burns. Maybe even Mae Jemison or JorSee #BlackGirlMagic on page 23

Opinions & Editorials

February 8, 2018

Guest Essay: Drumbeats Dimond Marsh Guest Writer

#Black GirlMagic Continued from page 22

As a new hire at my job, it is part of my training to shadow at least two tours given by my peers. As I step into a golf cart to shadow my first tour, I am dumbfounded at the enthusiasm with which the tour guide sells Saint Louis University to a prospective student. I hear things like “My residence hall was one of the best experiences I have had on campus,” and “You really feel so welcome as you walk down West Pine, everyone here is so kind!” The most thought-provoking part about this whole situation was the realization that this tour guide was not lying. This was their lived experience of this university. As a Black student on campus, our experiences could not exist in realities further apart. When thinking about my experience in my own residence hall, I recall how, despite having forty different students on my floor, I could never fully relate to the ways in which my floor socialized. I was under the everpresent gaze of whiteness, which made sure to always present itself in the back of my head, reminding me that my margin of error was nearly non-existent. Having two roommates insured that I never had a single moment free. My “I’s” must always be dotted, my “T’s” must always be crossed. The lights were always on, and the camera was always ready. As a Black student, there are many unspoken pressures that we face on a predominantly white campus. Despite this commonality in a lot of our lives, there are few places for us to go to deal with the constant bombardment of otherness we face

on a white campus and in a white world. Specifically on SLU’s campus, there is a lack of university-run initiatives aimed at supporting the Black and Brown students that dawn their billboards, their brochures, and their elevators. In fact, if a Black student were to look for a university initiative specifically tailored to them, they would find one—African American Male Scholars. If they happened to identify as a Black woman, they would find nothing. Their only mode of support would then be to turn to Black faculty and staff. If they bought a magnifying glass big enough, they might be able to find a person of color that works on this campus. What they would also find is that this same employee has 250 other students that depend on them as their means of survival at this university; not to mention that these faculty and staff members also have lives, children, and are most likely already being overworked by the university. When SLU is not busy forcing ten staff members to be the support system for an entire population of Black students, they are forcing student organizations to do that work for them. Chartered student organizations are a great way for students on campus to interact with those that have similar interests to them. However, the sole burden of retaining, supporting, and providing opportunities for Black students, while also creating a Black experience within this campus, should not be left to student-run organizations. Student leaders in many different organizations must now

try to manage supporting an entire community while still navigating the intricacies of college life. These programs should be supplements to the work the university is already doing. How is it that until this year, the only source for Black History Month activities was a student-run organization? The way in which SLU flaunts its complete disregard for the Black experience on campus is astonishing. However, forcing Black students to create and enact solutions to problems SLU has created or contributed to is nothing new at Saint Louis University. A school like SLU that sports a $1.02 billion endowment, surely has the room in its budget not only to dedicate money to creating programs aimed at Black students, but also to hire more Black faculty and more Black counselors. A school that claims it is in search of “higher purpose, greater good” ought to take out time to consider the myriad of ways it has continuously failed Black students and the surrounding Black community in that mission. A university that built its legacy upon the backs of literal Black slaves, Black communities (Mill Creek Valley), prison labor (Aramark), and the work of Black athletes can surely figure out how to amend these gross transgressions. How long will a school that claims diversity as one of its chief goals, continue to allow this systematic silencing and indifference toward Black bodies? The truth is, it will continue as long as you let it. Happy Black History Month, y’all.

dyn Woods; Maxine Waters or Dr. Alexa Canady. And that’s okay. We are now entering an era where every type of black woman should be celebrated for her diﬀerences and nuances in an unprecedented way. And that might be the most magical thing of all. If you don’t know, now you know: *Dr. Miranda Bailey - Grey’s Anatomy’s Chief of Surgery *Olivia Pope - Washington D.C.’s premier crisis manager, better yet, the scandal fixer *Annalise Keating – High profile Defense Attorney **Katherine Johnson – NASA Mathematician **Amara La Negra – Afro-Latina singer **Gabrielle Union - Actress **Anika Noni Rose – Tony Awardwinning singer/actress (or performer) **Blac Chyna - Model **Jordyn Woods – Model **Ursula Burns – former Xerox CEO **Mae Jemison – Astronaut **Maxine Waters – U.S. Representative **Dr. Alexa Canady – Neurosurgeon *Fictional characters **Real magical black women

February 8, 2018