WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 111 | ISSUE 7
COVID-19 Tracker p. 2 Local Universities Approach Fall Semester Differently p. 2
STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916
Justice for Black Lives Virtual Vigil Calls on University Community to Take Action
The Changing Landscape of Intramural Sports p. 3 The Impact of Hong Kong’s National Security Law p. 5 Letter from the Editors: Stay Home p. 5 Club Spotlight: CAT p. 6 Short Shorts are Back p. 7 Villanovans Turn to TikTok p. 7 New Music Corner: The Beths and “Jump Rope Gazers” p. 8 Enjoying Philly Amid COVID-19 p. 9 In Memoriam: Chadwick Boseman p. 9 Meet Sanaä Barnes and The 13% p. 10 Loss of John Thompson Jr. Rocks Big East Basketball p. 10 Interview with “Super-Super Senior” Casey Comber p. 11 Bigger than Sports p. 11
Natalie Nwanekwu offers an expression of thanls on behalf of the Vigil Planning Committee. Courtesy of Michelle Charles
Cate McCusker Co-News Editor On Friday evening, members of the University community joined in to watch the live streamed event, Justice for Black Lives: A Vigil. The virtual vigil consisted of prayers, a moment of silence and remarks by several members of the community, including students, members of Villanova Black Alumni and University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph. D. Hosted by Campus Ministry and Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. Sorority Tau Xi Chapter, the vigil was an effort to “stand in solidarity for justice for Black lives, lament over those killed unjustly, amplify Black voices and activate a path toward transformation and justice on campus and in our communities.” Shortly after 6 p.m., the vigil began with a single candle illuminating the stage as pianist Caleb Lucky filled the room with music. At the end of Lucky’s piece, a pre-recorded video of Dr. Terry Nance, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, welcomed the audience to the event. Dr. Nance acknowledged the University’s communal debt to Native Americans, as the University is on Native American land. She stated Villanova’s commitment to learning about and dismantling all legacies of oppression. Referencing James Baldwin, Dr. Nance pushed students to work to end rac-
ism. “There can be no justice until we are all conscious and passionately and purposefully enraged at the racism that has come to define our normal lives,” Dr. Nance said. Following Dr. Nance’s welcome, Natalie Nwanekwu, a junior at the University and a member of the vigil’s planning committee, introduced the event and thanked all for joining. Nwanekwu expressed gratitude towards those who made the event possible, especially the Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. Sorority Tau Xi Chapter and the Center for Peace and Justice Education. She welcomed the first speaker of the night, Fr. Kevin DePrinzio, OSA, Vice President for Mission and Ministry. Fr. DePrinzio reminded viewers that this vigil was being held on the feast day of St. Augustine and that Villanovans, as Augustinian Catholics, are the “beneficiaries and stewards” of St. Augustine’s work. DePrinzio called on viewers to acknowledge not only the suffering in the community but also the cause of this suffering, as this is an essential part of the healing process. He explained that there are ways to practice vigilance, action and accountability on the mission website, such as an anti-racism sign project, that will allow the community to deeper explore the meaning of The CARITAS Commitment.
Asheq Fazullah, a Muslim Prayer Leader, also mentioned the University’s CARITAS Commitment. Fazullah explained that some Villanovans have experienced the opposite of caritas and that this inequity “cheapens our commitment and dilutes our values.” Fazullah then quoted the prophet Muhammad’s statement of equality in his final sermon before offering the opening prayer. Dr. Crystal Lucky, Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Pastor of the Sword of the Spirit Church, then took the stage to lead viewers in eight minutes and 46 seconds of silence — the amount of time that George Floyd laid dying. Dr. Lucky asked viewers to use the strength of the late Congressman John Lewis and the hope of St. Paul’s words to reflect. “Determine how you’re going to do the work that God, in his mercy, has given you to do,” Dr. Lucky said. During the moment of silence, the names of Black men and women who were killed by police brutality and racial violence from the beginning of 2009 to August 2020 in the United States were displayed on the screen. Sierra Thompson, senior and Vice President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. Sorority Tau Xi Chapter, then introduced student and alumni speakers. Thompson explained that after each speaker, a bell would be rung
to recognize the sacredness of their stories and to allow the audience to let these stories resonate within themselves. “May these sacred pauses bear witness to the dignity of every human person and the experiences they carry,” Thompson said. After Thompson, Idjatou Barry, sophomore and Real Chat Chair of the Black Student Union, approached the podium. Barry expressed the disconnection she feels with the University community and that there are not enough spaces where she feels comfortable. She explained that people need to be held accountable, reiterating that empty promises do not work. Barry expressed her hope that people actually care about Black lives and understand that this is not solely a trending hashtag. “Black people deserve better,” Barry said. Louis Manon, cochair of Villanova’s Black Alumni, shared how he felt after watching the killing of George Floyd. He expressed how he was compelled to join others in marches in Philadelphia but broke down at the thought of having to risk his own and his family’s health and safety by marching during a pandemic so that people who look like him would stop being killed. “For those who see these trying times as something that is temporary and something that needs to be put to rest so we can get back to enjoying life as normal, I ask you to recogContinued on p. 2
