63 minute read
taineers on both ends of the court. Villanova shot 55
Isabella Irwin Staff Writer
Erin Costa Staff Writer
The Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest has been holding scholarly lectures and discussions addressing the theme of turning points in history. On Wednesday, Nov. 3, the topic was Central American human displacement and migration. This webinar detailed the history of Central American migration, focusing on the roles that racialization and U.S military intervention played in emigration from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Raul Diego Rivera Hernandez moderated three scholars, Leisy Abrego, Ph.D., Amelia Frank Vitale, Ph.D. and Jason De León, Ph.D., in their discussion of the history and impact of migration from Central America. The first question discussed how both the political and social turbulence that plagued the Northern triangle of Central America and American intervention affected Central American migration. Abrego responded with regard to El Salvador, explaining the “long history of military repression that has marked the people and country.” She described the 1932 massacre of 30,000 mostly indigneous Salvadorians at the hands of Salvadoran soldiers for protesting oppressive government policies. She asserted that such violence, coupled with extreme government impunity, effectively silenced people. Vitale asserted that large-scale migration out of Honduras did not happen until after Hurricane Mitch, which destroyed the physical and social networks of the country. She also discussed how U.S. intervention impacted immigration. Vitale emphasized that the relationship between the U.S. and Honduras is “militaristic and imperial.”
In 2009, there was a coup that removed President Manuel Zelaya from power, instating Roberto Micheletti. In 2017, Micheletti ran again knowing the U.S. would back him, further solidifying this “facade of democracy”. In 2018, an “exodus” of Honduras exploded following these fraudulent elections. De León further discussed how U.S. intervention played a role in migration from Honduras and Mexico. He explained that the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) was “supposed to be a bilateral trade agreement,” but instead, has restricted and limited citizens to “making Levi jeans for no money.” Thus, U.S. intervention has made life unlivable for Central Americans, forcing them to migrate. The Reagan administration poured money into the Honduran military with the onset of the Contras in Nicaragua. Honduras was then “primed for an American style militarization” (De León). This led to widespread kidnappings, which ramped up violence, making life even more unlivable for citizens. In 2014, Honduras was branded a humanitarian crisis as Hondurans “poured out.” Hernandez’s second question asked the speakers to reflect on the impact and consequences of U.S. immigration policies on migrants. De León explained that most immigrants from Central America attempt to apply for asylum but are strategically deterred by long waiting periods at border camps. He said that these deterrents are a “primary brutalization tactic” of the U.S. government. Among the many consequences of these deterrent tactics is an increase in unsafe and illegal immigration, which often leads to death and endangerment of Central American migrants. Vitale attributed the origin of Central American migrant caravans to safe passage through Central America. Human rights activists started these caravans in 2011, but the Guadio Nationale (Mexican National Guard) and the U.S. government have since employed militaristic tactics at caravans to effectively decrease migration. This creates an even greater increase in unsafe migration through remote areas. Abrego highlighted the prevalence of family separation at the border due to U.S. immigration policies beginning in the 1980s. She explained how family separation was prevalent long before the Trump administration, despite the attention it garnered under him. Families were kept and detained in different places, which further victimized migrants. She affirmed that such problems with U.S. immigration policy have culminated throughout past administrations. Lastly, Hernandez asked the scholars to explain their thoughts regarding the racialization and legality of immigrant communities. Abrego began by explaining the racialization of Central Americans in the U.S., which she witnessed first-hand growing up in the Southwest. Abrego talked about how Central Americans are portrayed as inherently “violent people who threaten the capitalist system of the U.S.” She argued that this rhetoric developed further under the Trump administration, as he viewed Central American migrants as gang members and drug dealers. Furthermore, she highlighted that the “illegal” status that U.S. immigration policy perpetuates makes it even harder for migrants to “thrive.” De León explained that “migration is a highly racialized space.” He spoke about how social scientists only write about Mexican males as migrants, but “the diversity of those groups are much deeper.” De León further discussed how “indigeneity and skin tone” are often looked at with regard to migrants. He referenced the recent photo that emerged of a Haitian border patrol agent whipping a man, asserting that this was only “unique” because there was a photo, and that such acts are extremely prevalent. Vitale built off De León’s argument, explaining that the “illegalization of people contributes to the violence of racialization.” She described how in Mexico, Central Americans are considered “illegal and it is their lack of legal status that puts them in danger.” Vitale recounted a story from her research in Central America, in which a Honduran man was told to change his name to sound more Mexican so he would not be targeted by organized crime groups. Additionally, she argued that the intersection of an illegal status with race is not unique to the U.S., as the marginalization and criminalization of migrants, more specifically men, happens as “they move through border and immigrant systems who continue to view them as illegal.” This webinar served as an insightful discussion of turning points in history with regard to Central American migration. Abrego, Vitale and De León shared their extensive knowledge and research into this topic. To attend future webinars, The Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest has a website dedicated to the Turning Point Event Series.
Alexandra Spath Staff Writer
On Friday, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which President Joe Biden will sign into law this week as a major part of his economic agenda. The bill includes $550 billion in new federal investments in U.S. infrastructure over a period of five years. In a press conference Saturday, President Biden called the bill “a once-in-a-generation investment that’s going to create millions of jobs modernizing our infrastructure — our roads, our bridges, our broadband, a whole range of things — to turn the climate crisis into an opportunity.” According to projections from the Congressional Budget Office, the bill will add approximately $256 billion to the federal deficit over the next decade. To finance this new spending package, the federal government will repurpose unspent COVID-19 emergency relief funds and strengthen tax enforcement for cryptocurrencies. The bill will allocate $110 billion for roads, bridges and major infrastructure projects, along with an additional $40 billion for bridge repair, rehabilitation and replacement.
Twenty percent of the highways and major roads in the U.S. are in poor condition, as are 45,000 bridges. These measures are intended to ensure safe travel and efficient transportation of goods. The bill also includes provisions to upgrade airports, ports and waterways.
The bill allocates $39 billion to modernize and expand public transportation to meet environmental goals and rider demand. These measures would update railways and bus fleets, make transit more accessible and introduce public transportation to communities that lack it.
The package also includes $1 billion to reconnect communities that have been divided by highways and other infrastructure projects. This issue primarily affects disproportionately Black neighborhoods. The funding will be used to plan, demolish and reconstruct street grids, parks and other infrastructure. The improvements proposed in the infrastructure bill are in line with the Biden Administration’s climate agenda. The package includes provisions to implement zero- and low-emission buses and ferries, build a nationwide network of plug-in electric vehicle chargers and expand renewable energy. These efforts reflect the commitment that President Biden, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have made to addressing the climate crisis through infrastructure. On Nov. 11, these three world leaders endorsed five key principles for infrastructure development, the first of which states that “infrastructure should be climate resilient and developed through a climate lens.” The bill is intended not only to improve infrastructure and address climate change, but also to create new job opportunities for Americans. According to the White House, these investments, along with Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda, are projected to add around two million jobs per year over the course of the decade. These jobs will become available in all different parts of the country, including areas deeply impacted by the recent decline in manufacturing jobs, and most of them will not require a college degree. According to President Biden, “this is a blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America. And it’s long overdue.” While the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a major victory for Biden’s agenda, he has yet to secure the passage of the Build Back Better Act, a major spending bill aimed at reducing the costs of childcare and eldercare, making healthcare and prescriptions more affordable and reducing taxes for the working class. During the press conference on the bipartisan infrastructure package, Biden looked forward to this next piece of legislation, saying “I’m also proud that the House took a big step toward — forward to pass my Build Better — my Build Back Better Act, which for the week of Nov. 15, they’re going to be taking up.”
Class of 2025 SGA Senator Resigns After Slur Allegation
Cate McCusker Co-Editor-in-Chief
Continued from p. 1
“We will be working to have a replacement senator,” said Levine, as now the Class of 2025 only has five of the six senate positions filled in SGA.
“This is a situation we have not run into in recent memory, so we aren’t necessarily sure of what the precedent is, but we’re working on figuring that out.” In response to the allegation, both Levine and Olvera expressed their disappointment. “I wouldn’t think that a member of SGA would act in such a way and conduct themselves in such a manner,” Olvera said. “As a person of color, it honestly hurts. It’s not cool. It’s 2021, and there are still instances of racial discrimination and prejudice towards students of color by the white majority here. “Overall, SGA, we are not going to stand for these types of incidents or issues. We’re not here to stand for any actions that harm marginalized identities on campus (sic). We’re here to stand up for the whole student body. We will do so impartially, but we will do so in the right way and in a just way, to make sure that everyone is included. We are not going to allow people within the organization to produce and reproduce exactly what we’re trying to move from.” Moving forward, SGA will be focusing on supporting students within the organization and the greater student body. “Our immediate focus is supporting both our members and members of color in SGA,” Levine said. “We’ve talked a lot, and we will be having space for us to get together as an organization and talk through what happened. “In a larger response, it’s really important that SGA, like any other organization and student on this campus, is really cognizant of the fact that Villanova still has a lot of room to grow in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We need to make sure we’re not just talking about these issues, but we’re also taking action.”
Special Olympics Returns with Fall Fest
Nicole Celis Staff Writer
Continued from p. 1 walking, powerlifting and roller skating. This event was made possible by the student volunteers that organized the weekend: the Committee made up of 102 students that work tirelessly for months planning the weekend, Volunteer Coordinators (VCs), LPHs and Inclusion Crew. Planning took place amid the pandemic, which created the need for a mask and vaccination requirement. A diverse team of students were tasked with planning every aspect of the weekend, from the competition, housing accommodations for athletes and coaches, to the ceremonies and everything in between. They did this at a time like no other. “Despite working through a unique planning year with additional tasks to ensure the safety of everyone, all expectations for this weekend were completely exceeded as the spirit of Special Olympics at Villanova returned,” Brewer said. The sense of community that Fall Fest provided continued into Saturday night at the Victory Dance, a special event for the athletes and those that planned the weekend. Athletes were able to celebrate all of their accomplishments and dance the night away. Justin Pritikin, the Head of Human Resources Committee, explains the feeling that the weekend brought. “This year, the hugs felt more powerful, the dancing was more free and celebration was louder than ever,” Pritikin said. The last of the weekend’s competition wrapped up on Sunday, followed by awards ceremonies and the Closing Ceremony to end a jam-packed weekend. Athletes hugged their friends at Villanova goodbye as they looked toward another year of training before the next Fall Festival. For now, they are left with memories of competing, dancing at O-Town and the cheering of the crowd.
Refectory Hosts First Private Event Since Re-Opening
Sarah Wisniewski Co-News Editor
On Oct. 18, Realtor Michelle Leonard hosted another “Dine and Dish” dinner, this time at The Refectory of Villanova University. The series was introduced by Leonard as an opportunity for keynote speakers to share their stories among a variety of guests including Main Line business owners, local celebrities, friends and so on.
The event this past October featured Chris Therien, a former Philadelphia Flyer and broadcaster. Therien shared his personal story of battling alcoholism and the journey of opening a recovery center known as Limitless. More than 50 guests attended the event, which is the first dinner Leonard has hosted since the pandemic began over a year ago. Each ticket was $50, and a portion of the proceeds went to Limitless Recovery Center in Fishtown.
The event began at 6 p.m. withcocktails and mingling. Leonard and Therien kept the event intimate and friendly as the pair took photos with all their guests upon arrival. Following the photo-ops, Chef Biff Gottehrer and his team provided guests with appetizers, entrees and dessert. Appetizers included a fall harvest salad, brisket flatbread, wild mushroom flatbread and beef sliders. The main courses included whole wheat campanelle, roasted prime rib and pan seared salmon. The three-course meal ended with a cosmic deep dish brownie, ricotta donuts and peach custard. Guests could be overheard praising the meal. “It’s all fabulous,” a female guest told General Manager Steve Khuu. “We will definitely be back.”
At the completion of the meal, Leonard took to the mic to thank her guests. She was generous in providing individual acknowledgements for close friends and repeat guests of “Dine and Dish.”
Among the Leonard’s shoutouts were a few well known individuals of the area. Eddie Ross, Co-founder and Chief Content Creator of Maximalist Studies was among the crowd. NBC 10’s Tracy Davidson and PHL17 news anchor Nick Foley were also at the event. Brian O’Neill, the CEO of Recovery Centers of America was also an important guest in attendance. Nick Foley, the morning anchor for PHL17, spoke after Leonard. Foley provided brief details of Therien’s career in the National Hockey League and as a broadcaster with the Flyers. He also touched upon Therien’s character.
“A lot of people gravitate towards Chris,” Foley said. “He is no stranger to struggles and personal tragedies.” Therien then began to share the story of his struggles with alcohol as a young athlete. He explained that playing alongside legends caused stress to stockpile in his life. In addition to the pressure of being in the NHL, the sudden death of his sibling caused Therien to spiral further into alcohol. A few beers after a tough game soon became addiction for the hockey star. “Alcohol was now controlling me,” Therien said. “You may have another run in you but not another recovery.” The hockey star praised his wife and children for not only assisting him in recovery but being the reason to seek help. Therien had his last drink on Feb. 11, 2011, and has been sober since. Following his time as a broadcaster, Therien decided he could use his personal journey as a way to help others. Therien described being let go from his broadcasting job as the first “slap on the wrist” of sobriety. “I had to ask myself, ‘What am I good at?’” Therien shared. “I thought drinking but also understanding the pain of it.” Thus, Therien and a friend opened Limitless, and now assist individuals battling alcoholism through outpatient programs, education, support and therapy. The special guest finished his speech with a reminder to the guests.
“Every day is a blessing,” Therien said. Leonard will be hosting another dinner of this series on Nov. 15 at The Refectory. The speaker is yet to be announced but the event is sure to be nothing short of excellence yet again.
OPINION
Vasey Hall Should be Repurposed into a DEI Center
Lindsay Gallagher Staff Writer
On Aug. 4, 2020, the Black Student Union wrote a letter to Father Peter and the greater Villanova community with six action items for the University to improve life for Black and other marginalized students on campus. One of these action items is yet to be mentioned or addressed by the administration over a year later is the development of a diversity center –– a physical space on campus “that celebrates the minoritized identities of our student body, and that serves as a resource center to house the offices and programs which provide guidance for Black students, students of color and LGBTQIA+ students.” I think the perfect place for this diversity center would be Vasey Hall on Main Campus. Vasey, in my opinion, is currently an underutilized space at Villanova. It’s right across from the Connelly Center and steps away from Dougherty Hall and the Quad residence halls, which are all highly trafficked by undergraduate students. However, most undergrads don’t spend a lot of time in Vasey at all. “I have never been in Vasey in the four years I’ve been here, and I wouldn’t know what its purpose was if I wasn’t signed up for an art class next semester,” senior Daryl Jucar said. So if the undergrads aren’t using Vasey, then who is? Officially, it’s the home of the College of Professional Studies, Villanova Institute for Teaching and Learning, VUnited, the Studio Art department and the new Prince Family Veterans Resource Center. The ground floor was recently renovated, but the first and second floor offices and classrooms are relatively old and worn-down. Vasey is also home to a blackbox stage that was previously used by the graduate program in Theatre, but it has become more of a multipurpose space since the construction of the Mullen Center last year. It would also make more sense for the College of Professional Studies’ headquarters to be in a place on campus that’s more accessible by cars and public transportation (instead of the pedestrian-focused Quad) like Garey or St. Mary’s. The University has several different offices dedicated to DEI, including the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Center for Access, Success and Achievement and the Office of Intercultural Affairs. Although each office has a unique mandate (institutional, academic/professional and social DEI efforts, respectively), if all of these teams of faculty were located in the same physical space, it could promote more cooperation among them.
A dedicated building would also make it easier for people to figure out where to go in the event that they’re looking for support. Many students, especially those who are new to Villanova or new to DEI work, may not be familiar with the specific jurisdiction of each office. If we want members of our community to engage in inclusion efforts, we should remove as many roadblocks as possible and make the path to accessing ideas and support seem welcoming. Some of our peer institutions have outstanding examples of diversity centers that we could draw inspiration from. When I walked around Northeastern’s campus, I was struck by the brownstones and sophisticated glass buildings that housed the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute, Asian American Center and Latinx Student Cultural Center, among others, if they can find space for standalone DEI buildings in downtown Boston, so can we. Williams College is in the process of combining three adjoining DEI offices to create one unified Davis Center containing a library, study and meeting space, offices, an outdoor classroom and “celebration lawn.” Williams’ website describes the goal of this renovation to be “[going] beyond inclusion by providing every student the opportunity to experience a fundamental sense of belonging on campus and ownership of the college.”
It’s important to have externally visible reminders of DEI, especially at a PWI such as Villanova, to both symbolically demonstrate its importance to us and pragmatically facilitate an enriching environment for marginalized students. Walking through the building, one could stumble upon a club meeting that you were previously unaware of and decide to learn more about it. In an LGBTQ+ study space/lounge, one could strike up a conversation with someone that isn’t ready to be ‘out’ yet to the rest of campus and offer them advice or friendship. Most importantly, establishing a physical presence dedicated to marginalized communities is a way to show them that we want them to take up space on campus. ODEI is tucked somewhere inside Tolentine. OIA has a tiny office upstairs in Dougherty. I think the University’s diverse students deserve more than this and deserve for their administration to proudly display their commitment to creating a more inclusive campus and world.
Increase Unique Fundraising Opportunities on Campus
Joe Adams Staff Writer
This past weekend, I had the unique opportunity to do something special: I was able to run in the 50th New York City Marathon. This race was remarkable for a number of reasons. First, it was my first marathon ever (and, luckily, I finished). Next, it was the first in-person New York City Marathon in 735 days. But most importantly to me, I was running the race for a great cause. In June, I received an email from the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. The subject line read, “Run The New York City Marathon with B+!” Intrigued, I called my mom and asked her what she thought of the idea. I would get guaranteed free entry into the largest marathon in the United States at a time when there were no spots left for new runners to sign up. I had to raise a minimum of $3,250, but it was for a foundation that I believe in and care about so much. Here at Villanova, we fundraise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year through NOVAdance, all helping to fight against childhood cancer and supporting families who need help with financial assistance during their difficult times. I was honored that I received that email in June, I’m so glad I took the chance to run in this unforgettable race for the B+ Foundation. After completing the marathon, I strongly believe that the University should implement unique opportunities, like the one I had this past weekend, for its students. Being able to complete life bucket list goals, while also raising money for a great cause, is the perfect combination for students looking to make the most of their time at Villanova, while also being adventurous. So, what would this look like? How could we create a program that encourages students to go outside of their comfort zone, while also doing good for the larger community? I think the answer lies in creating a new club or program on campus that allows for more events like the marathon to be offered. There would be two components to this. First is the unique bucket list event. It could be a marathon, bungee jumping, skydiving, a tough mudder, a service trip, climbing up the side of a mountain or scuba diving in Hawaii, each of these events would surely pique the interest of so many students looking to go out and get a boost of adrenaline. The second component, of equal importance, would be the fundraising aspect. Sure, it would be cool to cross an item off of your bucket list, cover the cost with your own expenses and call it a day. But, we have the unique opportunity at Villanova to do good for our community and the larger world.
I think that raising money to help those who need it would leave much more of an impact. We could become a University that fundraises record amounts of money for so many charities and foundations across the country, all while having fun along the way. I have no doubt that this would be a great way to not only get more students involved in fundraising and raising awareness for important causes, but also help create a sense of adventure and unique fun at the University. After my team of 14 combined to raise more than $60,000 for the B+ Foundation, I am confident that countless students could do the same (and more) to make a difference in the world. I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given to run for the B+ Foundation, and with each challenge during the 26.2 mile journey, I thought about the kids and families that I fundraised for. They motivated me to the finish line, and I think this would be the best part about implementing a permanent program like this at the University. Life’s challenges can help remind us of those less fortunate, and can help ground us and remember the importance of these unique opportunities. So, let’s create a program for students looking to get more involved, cross some items off of their bucket list and most importantly, do good for the global community.
Joe Adams ran in the NYC Marathon in support of NOVADance and the B+ Foundation. Courtesy of Joe Adams
CATE McCUSKER
Editor-in-Chief
JACK ROBERGE
Editor-in-Chief
MADISON BURKE
Associate Editor-in-Chief
TINA ARON
Opinion Editor
VIVI MELKONIAN
Opinion Editor The Villanovan encourages all members of the Villanova community to voice their opinions. Letters to the editors may be submitted via e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com. Letters must not exceed 500 words and must be signed. No anonymous letters will be published. All submissions become property of The Villanovan and are subject to editing for clarity and space. The unsigned editorial that appears is the opinion of The Villanovan as determined by the majority of the Editorial Board. Other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Villanovan.
Masking Should Stay After the Pandemic
Carter Smith Staff Writer
Whenever I step inside the Villanova Starbucks, I am reminded of one of the big differences between here and my home city of Tacoma, Washington: masking culture. We are still in the midst of a global pandemic, and until public health officials have declared that the spread and severity of COVID-19 is low enough to be considered with the likes of the flu, I will continue to advocate for public masking, even where not required. This is because one can still carry the disease post-vaccination and show no symptoms, and while 95% of Villanovans are vaccinated, not everybody we meet will be fully protected, hence why some groups must get boosters. Even post-pandemic, I think wearing masks during cold and flu season should become the norm. Some of my fellow students have made the argument that exposure to cold and flu viruses can actually be a good thing because it keeps our immune system “strong and active.” I’m sorry, but what are they talking about? For most diseases we do this with a vaccine, but the cold and flu mutate incredibly often, resulting in immunity not lasting very long, hence the need for a new flu shot every year. From March 2020 through the first few weeks of this semester, I did not get sick once, which can certainly be attributed to the masks. And you know what? I don’t think anybody likes getting sick. If wearing a mask in places where there are a lot of sick people prevents me from getting sick, sign me up.
Sickness was certainly sweeping through campus during the first few weeks of this semester (I can certainly recall that there were more people coughing in my classes as the days went by), and it seemed that a lot less people got sick after the mask mandate was implemented. Many of us usually catch some form of cold during the winter months. However, we still have scholastic and academic obligations where if we take a day or two to stay home and rest it off, we fall tremendously behind. Wearing a mask can solve that problem, as you can still get on with your normal routine and not spread your cold to everybody else. With the obvious benefits to public health in mind, I feel that masking when one is sick should become commonplace in the US. However, as much as I can hope that this will happen, the realist in me does not believe my fellow Americans will be interested in keeping these things around. Anti-mask culture in the states has become a huge problem since the beginning of the pandemic, with the issue becoming highly politicized. The topic is no longer one of public health, but one of political alignment. The vitriol with which members of the far-right side of American politics renounce masking spells doom for a universal mask culture sticking around. People are also fatigued with having to wear masks nearly everywhere, every day for a year and a half, myself included. During the summer of 2020, I can recall that many people were incredibly diligent about wearing their masks correctly, but I am now seeing more and more masks being worn below the nose. Laziness has crept in, and these people are side-stepping the whole reason to wear the masks. I wear pretty thick masks, and you’ll never catch my nose hanging out. If I can breathe and speak well in my mask, you’ll be fine in your thin surgical one. Wearing your mask correctly is really not that difficult. From what I’ve come to understand, the mask culture in my home state of Washington is unlike many other places in the country, and judging by what I have seen in eastern Pennsylvania, most people have abandoned masking in places where they aren’t required. If this is the case in a politically neutral (relatively) place while COVID-19 still rages, and during cold and flu season, I have little hope that masks will become commonplace in the future.
Regardless of public perception, my collection of masks will certainly not be tucked in the back of a drawer and gather dust for the foreseeable future once COVID-19 is no longer the boogeyman of the world. Will I maybe get some strange looks pulling up to a class or gathering in a mask? Maybe. But I think it is worth it to remain fully functioning when my comrades are down and out, and I hope other people will think so too.
Reconciliation Bill Makes the Case for Federalism
Brendan Donoghue Staff Writer
Looking to cement his legacy as a transformational president, President Joe Biden has poured most of his legislative priorities into one omnibus spending bill known as the “Build Back Better” plan. Initially proposed with a whopping $3.5 trillion price tag, progressive Democrats have had to compromise with the more moderate faction of their caucus, whittling the bill down to a “meager” $1.75 trillion framework. Democrats hold a three seat majority in the House, and with Independent Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine caucusing with the Democrats, the Senate is essentially split 50/50 between Democrats and Republicans with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking a tie. Since it is eligible to be passed in the Senate under reconciliation, Republicans cannot block a vote with the filibuster, enabling Senate Democrats to pass the measure with a simple majority and no Republican support.While Democrats work to craft a passable bill, considerable negotiating effort has been spent attempting to bridge the gap between progressive and moderate members of the Democratic Caucus. Such negotiations highlight the virtue of an overlooked yet fundamental principle of American government: federalism. In a country of more than 330 million people, it is nearly impossible to arrive at policy considerations that are acceptable to a broad swath of Americans, and it often feels impossible to create consensus between the national representatives of the American people. Such struggles are a feature of the American system, not a bug. House Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) summed up House progressives’ attitudes towards the Build Back Better plan when asked about the state of negotiations: “there is too much at stake for working families and our communities to settle for something that can be later misunderstood, amended or abandoned altogether.” I do not doubt that communities in Representative Jayapal’s district care deeply about the elements of Build Back Better. After all, they ostensibly elected her to represent their interests. Fortunately, the American system already consists of governing bodies that legislate issues of concern to particular communities, namely the states. Members of communities elect legislators who are intimately aware of their concerns and who rule not in Washington, but in their own backyards. Negotiations do not take place between legislators representing vastly different economies nearly unrecognizable to one another but between those representing neighboring counties. This is not to suggest that all states are homogenous, but there is certainly more homogeneity within states than between them. State legislators are empowered to institute programs desired by the citizens within their jurisdictions. If citizens do not like the laws and programs of their state, they can move to another state that has not instituted such laws or programs. The Constitution of the United States is a remarkable document that requires major decisions to take place at the most local level possible. It grants specific powers and jurisdictions to the federal government, leaving other powers to states and municipalities. Under the American system, if the community members from Representative Jayapal’s district want 12 weeks of paid family leave, they can elect state legislators and a governor who would institute such a plan, drawing taxes from and bestowing benefits upon those who support the proposal. If citizens living in Senator Manchin’s state of West Virginia do not want the same plans that Representative Jayapal’s constituents do, they are under no obligation to institute such plans. During the 2012 presidential election, Republican nominee Mitt Romney was criticized for opposing health care regulation at the federal level that he supported at the state level while governor of Massachusetts. Far from contradictory, Romney’s position demonstrated an understanding of the beauty of the American federalist system. States do what the federal government cannot and should not do. Rather than ram life-altering legislation through a 50/50 senate, Democrat senators should return to their states and encourage their constituents to contact their city counselors, state legislators and governors. If citizens of Vermont want government subsidies for hearing, dental and vision care, there is no reason that they should demand Alabama citizens follow in their footsteps. Vermont’s government is perfectly competent enough to institute such subsidies at the state level. Federalism allows for the needs of individuals and communities to be met by the legislators beholden to those individuals and communities. Instead of trying to negotiate a broad spending package acceptable to both New York and Nebraska, the federal government should allow each respective state to legislate themselves as it sees fit. Everyday life experience demonstrates that consensus is more easily arrived at among small groups than among large conglomerates. States and localities are better equipped to meet the needs of their citizens than 538 egotistic politicians in Washington, D.C. who represent economically and culturally diverse constituencies. If Biden wants to leave a positive legacy, he should praise the constitutional system rather than spend four years trying to hammer a square peg into a round hole.
Jacob Artz Staff Writer
If a student received a 34.2% on an exam, would he or she be considered successful? Absolutely not. A professor surely would fail Ben Simmons’s for this free throw percentage in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. The Simmons saga is angering the city of Philadelphia, since he has barely taken responsibility for his role in the Sixers loss in the playoffs. Despite basketball being a team game, when the team’s star player does not play well, he is responsible for shouldering some of the blame. Before the origin of the saga, the Sixers clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference and dispatched the Washington Wizards in five games in the first round Eastern Conference playoff series. However, the Eastern Conference Semifinals playoff series against Atlanta was the beginning of the end for Simmons. Simmons struggled mightily in the series. The most popular moment was when Simmons infamously passed up a wide-open layup with 3:30 to go in a win-or-go-home Game 7 in the Atlanta series. It continued to get worse, as Simmons only converted 15 out of 45 free throws, which amounts to 33%. This free throw percentage was the worst in history for an NBA player with at least 70 attempts, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Yet Simmons continues to distract a Sixers team that is aspiring for an NBA championship. He refuses treatment from the Sixers physicians over his mental health, per NBC Sports Philadelphia, and continues to harm the team in his path. This has forced the Sixers to once again fine Simmons $360,000 last Friday for every game he has missed until he “cooperates with team physicians on his mental health issues and fulfills other basketball-related obligations,” per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. I completely agree with the Sixers here because Simmons is failing to provide any details about his mental health progress to the team. The administration should hit him where it hurts with his game checks and overall salary. The team is doing just that. The Sixers placed Simmons’s overall salary in escrow, meaning that a third party distributes the money for the transacting parties, depending on if the conditions are met. The Sixers already withheld $8.25 million that Simmons was owed on Oct. 1. Simmons is failing to work with the NBA mental health professionals. This prompted the Sixers to fine him because of his “refusal to provide basic details of the course of mental health meetings, evaluation or treatments or to accept consultation with any specialists arranged by the team,” according to ESPN. Simmons’ refusal to grow as a player and support his team is immature and wrong. He is part of the team and until or if he gets traded, he needs to act like a professional. He needs to keep the team updated on his mental health issues and come back to play as soon as possible. The Sixers stopped fining Simmons on Oct. 22 after a team meeting when Simmons told the team he was mentally unable to play. On Oct. 19, Simmons was thrown out of practice for being a “distraction” and the Sixers suspended him a game for “conduct detrimental to the team,” according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. Simmons has not shown any indication that he will return to the team, and head coach Doc Rivers said he has “no idea” when Simmons will return, via NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Where do the Sixers go from here? The Sixers seem just fine without Simmons, as they have earned a 7-2 record and lead the Eastern Conference standings, as of last Saturday. The Sixers won five straight games before Saturday’s games were played. Simmons is a three-time all-star, two-time all-defensive player and rookie of the year. Let him sit on the bench and be fined $360,000 per game. He must learn how to act as a professional and deal with the criticism of not playing well in the playoffs.
The Astroworld Festival Tragedy: Who’s to Blame?
AJ Fezza Co-Culture Editor
After a year and a half of COVID-19 restrictions, perhaps the most sorely-missed experience was concerts: a communal gathering centered around the love of music. This fact made it all the more sour when a crowd crush occurred at a concert on Friday, Nov. 5, leaving eight people dead, 25 people hospitalized and more than 300 people injured. The tragedy happened at the Astroworld Festival, an annual music festival held by rapper Travis Scott at NRG Park in Houston, Texas. The concert was sold out, with about 50,000 people in attendance.
The concert quickly erupted into chaos. People were so tightly-packed together in the audience that many began to pass out or even suffer cardiac arrest. The issue became fatal when people began to fall over and vertically pile on top of each other. The eight people that died ranged from ages 14 to 27. The victims’ causes of death are still under investigation. On Nov. 6, the day after the concert, Scott released a statement on Twitter. “I’m absolutely devastated by what took place last night,” Scott tweeted. “My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at the Astroworld Festival. Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into the tragic loss of life. I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need. Thank you to Houston PD, Fire Department and NRG Park for their immediate response and support.” Since the concert, many rumors have been circulating regarding what caused the mayhem in the first place. Some cite a generally rowdy crowd, pointing to the fact that many concertgoers were trampling others since the start of the event, as they rushed past ticket checkpoints. Others have speculated that some in the crowd were injecting others with drugs. One security officer was reaching over to restrain a concertoger when he felt a prick in his neck. The officer, who soon became unconscious, was found to have been injected with the drug Narcan. One of the most unfortunate things about this entire situation is that it was preventable. The Astroworld Festival used the notorious method of festival seating. Instead of having reserved seats, the festival had a first-come, first-serve ticketing policy which gave concertgoers the opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a large area. Festival seating may be ideal at many outdoor events. However, at indoor events like the Astroworld Festival, it is unnecessary and a recipe for disaster. It allows the crowd to contract into itself and crush those in the middle, giving them no means to sit or to escape the madness. The lack of barriers at the Astroworld Festival were no help either. Barriers may have kept crowd waves from expanding beyond their immediate area. Yet, beyond even these aforementioned logistical concerns, the biggest culprit of all is the man everyone was there for in the first place: Travis Scott. The crowd shouted numerous times throughout the Astroworld Festival, “stop the show.” Fans on the side of the main stage repeatedly screamed for a medic and waved their hands for attention. However, Scott simply kept the concert going. Scott can’t assert a lack of knowledge about the danger below the stage because he continued to perform for more than 36 minutes after he first noticed a person collapsing. When Scott later noticed another group of audience members toppling over and getting hurt, he told security, “help, jump in real quick, keep going,” before continuing his show yet again. Scott easily could have made the decision at any of these points to stop the show, at least for a few minutes, to let security regain control. However, the show only ended when the promoter stepped in and shut it down. Scott is an icon to America’s youth. He has numerous chart-topping albums and singles. His influence even extends to children, as Scott has famously collaborated with brands like McDonald’s, PlayStation and Fortnite, and his concerts regularly attract preteens. Rap music, while being the source of most current musical innovation, has long had more violent lyrical content and a more intense concert experience. However, Scott is mainstream. Just as his presence within the rap community doesn’t limit his income, it shouldn’t limit his responsibility before the court of public opinion. In an era that pushes for the accountability of public figures, to a degree that many even consider excessive, the public should hold Scott accountable. Blood is on his hands.
Scott is no stranger to chaos at his concerts. In April 2017, Scott encouraged concertgoer Kyle Green to jump off an upper-deck balcony at a show in New York City, telling Green, “I see you, but are you gonna do it? They gonna catch you. Don’t be scared. Don’t be scared.” The jump left Green partially paralyzed.
One month later, at a show in Rogers, Arkansas, Scott invited fans to overpower security and rush the stage. After this incident resulted in numerous injuries, Scott faced three misdemeanor charges of inciting a riot, disorderly conduct and endangering the welfare of a minor. These incidents are just two of many. Scott’s stance toward crowd chaos is best put by his own lyrics in his song “Stargazing.” “... it ain’t a mosh pit if ain’t no injuries, I got ‘em stage divin’ out the nosebleeds.” Going forward, performers should use the 2021 Astroworld Festivals as an example of how not to run a concert. Also, as concerts return, University students should be wary of the risks that come with them. It can be easy to forget that large events pose dangers that extend far beyond infection.
Travis Scott’s concert on Nov. 5 ended in eight deaths. Courtesy of The Houston Chronicle
CULTURE
Noel B Answering: Interview with TikTok’s Noel Doherty
Sara Hecht Staff Writer
Villanovans are no strangers to viral TikTok content creators, like Jordan McMeans and Ally Jones. Freshman Noel Doherty has recently taken the app by storm with a total of more than 112,000 followers across his three popular accounts. On his most followed page @ NoelBDoherty, Doherty posts chaotic board game bits, house tours, and sketches inspired by Joe Sabia’s “73 Questions” for Vogue for his nearly 66,000 fans. Created just three weeks ago, Doherty’s third account, @ NoelBAskin, features interviews of fellow Villanova students inspired by both “Billy on the Streets” with Billy Eichner and “What’s Poppin?” with Davis Burleson. In its first sixteen days, Doherty’s account has already gained 50,000 followers, becoming his second most popular account. Obvious in every video is Doherty’s witty and perfect comedic timing, two attributes which make his content natural and off the cuff, only adding to the hilarity of these sidewalk interactions. However, it was not one of these spontaneously humorous interviews or perfectly scripted skits which initially garnered fame for the comedian. Rather, Doherty shared how, during his sophomore year of high school, he experienced his first bursts of popularity on TikTok. “The first thing I went viral for was quoting the Bee Movie,” Doherty said. It is no wonder Doherty has achieved this level of success, as he has been training for this moment for many years now. Just like John Mulaney, his favorite comedian, who tests his new standup material in small venues before filming his popular comedy specials, Doherty has been practicing and shaping his own comedic style for years through his three different Twitter accounts, a YouTube channel and an Instagram meme page. However, Doherty has found TikTok to be the best place for his style of humor and self-expression. “When I was a child, I thought I’d be a YouTuber in college,” Doherty said. “But now, I am a TikToker in college. I’ve always been on my way here. I’m living my dream now.”
Even so, the extent of Doherty’s TikTok fame was somewhat of a surprise, as he joined the app before any of his friends and did so solely for his own entertainment. “It was just for me,” Doherty said. “It was really just for me. And I met a few people on the app and now we are fun little internet friends.” That being said, Doherty has also incorporated his real life friends and family into his video content. For example, his best friends Maeve Bonass and Maggie Elder are often featured in his videos. Elder was Doherty’s first interviewer and camera woman for his “73 Questions” series, while Bonass co-stars in Doherty’s “Guess Who?” games which later developed into one of his most popular skits. “From there, we started throwing in other stuff: using board games, decorations and sunglasses as props for videos,” Doherty said. “The theme of those is chaos and random core. The randomness is funny in that way.”
Other moments of fame for Doherty include the iconic microwave debate with his sister, Fiona Doherty, who is a junior at Villanova. Over this past summer, the two siblings garnered the attention of more than five million viewers, including the official accounts of Charlie Puth, Whirlpool, Tinder, Colleen Ballinger (aka. Miranda Sings) and even the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite the popularity this provided for Doherty, his talent specifically shines through in the videos for which he puts in hard work, brainstorming ideas and writing his own material, a sign of a true standup comedian. In terms of timing, Doherty shares that total production of his videos can take several hours. In addition to meeting new friends online and having fun with his family, filming interviews on campus has also allowed Doherty to meet new people and make many friends. For example, his most viral TikTok is his first interview on the account @ noelbaskin featuring sophomore Rosa Marfia. In the video, the then strangers converse about their Halloween costume plans, learning that ironically, as gingers, they are both dressing as red heads for the holiday. Despite the quick interaction, the two are now friends. Coincidentally walking by at the time of the interview, Marfia was able to discuss what it has been like being the star of such a viral TikTok. “People from my high school and family have sent it to me and a Snapchat tabloid posted it on the discover page with the title ‘Ginger on Ginger Crime,’” Marfia said. “My ASL professor played it in class for us and was really appreciative of the captions.” Doherty seems to know everyone who passes by as he walks through campus, usually wearing a stylish outfit, but he always offers a warm hello. It is no surprise that Doherty is a kind individual who greatly values inclusivity, as his videos often display these attributes, Doherty even wrote his college admission essay on the subject. “I always put the captions on for my videos so I am really glad that people appreciate that,” Doherty said. Currently, he is working as a content creator for the new app, “Whatifi,” which is an interactive storytelling platform, making passive viewers into active participants in the storylines of the videos they watch. Active in his own TikTok content creation, Doherty expressed his gratitude for his support system of friends and family as they help him film, offer feedback, listen to his ideas and star alongside him in many of his videos.
“I am really appreciative of my friends and family because I turn to them for advice every day, and they are so willing to help out,” Doherty said.
Noel Doherty has reached TikTok fame. Courtesy of Noel Doherty
A Look at Special Olympics Freshman Local Program Host
Mariel Persico Staff Writer This past weekend, the University hosted the 33rd annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival. Sporting events took place all weekend starting Friday afternoon, which comprised the largest student-run Special Olympics in the world. This year’s events included roller skating, volleyball, soccer, bocce, long-distance running and walking and power-lifting. The theme for the Olympics was “Let Your Colors Shine Through, Be Vibrantly You.”
One of the program groups, Local Program Hosts, is a position only available to freshmen and allows them to get involved in leadership positions for Special Olympics as early as September. Each individual Local Program Host has to apply and be interviewed to earn a spot. Their responsibility is to be assigned to a county in Pennsylvania and serve as a cheerleader to athletes. They also facilitate the set-up, cleanup and actual competition of the event.
Some freshmen Local Program Hosts, more commonly known as LPHs, shared their thoughts about the events and gave some insight into the preparation and time that went into the weekend. “We have had weekly meetings for a few months, a retreat and daily meetings the week leading up to Fall Fest,” Emily Amirata said. “My favorite part was definitely the flash mob dancing because of how amazing it was to see everyone come together and cheer us on.” “I spent a lot of time hyping up my athletes while they competed,” Sadie Callahan said. “I got to meet some of the greatest people this weekend, it was amazing.”
Keegan Bradley shared her thoughts on this weekend as well. “This weekend, I got to bond with so many athletes and build lifelong connections,” Bradley said. “It was fun to be surrounded by so many excited and positive people.” The atmosphere on campus during Fall Fest is unlike any other. If one took a walk from the Oreo to the Quad, thet were bound to run into games, service dogs, music and so much more. “Everyone was dancing and exploding with energy,” Julia Barclay explained. “It was colorful with bubbles and smiles everywhere. The atmosphere was overall amazing and filled with joy.” While the long hours of preparation, cold weather and early morning wake-ups were not easy tasks, all of the LPHs interviewed agreed that the hard work was definitely worth it. “The most rewarding part of the weekend was seeing the smiles on the athletes’ faces even if they did not win,” Maddie Koenig said. “It was so clear that they were just happy to be there, no matter the outcome of the competition.”
The hours of preparation and long weekend concluded Sunday afternoon with smiles all around campus. Everyone involved can agree that the weekend was yet another success. Anna Wright spoke for most volunteers when she said that “the time flew by and I was so lucky to be a part of this amazing event. I cannot wait until next year.”
Kaelin Trombly Staff Writer It seems as if just yesterday, the sun was shining and every male on Villanova’s campus was wearing flip flops. With a blink of an eye, the leaves have fallen and the perfectly mild Bryn Mawr temperature we know and love dropped to a cool 30 degrees. With these rapid changes of seasons come the rapid changes in fashion as the runway trades the bright hues and linens of summer for the neutral tones and wool of winter. You heard that right. It’s time for another seasonal trend report. Hang tight.
Optimism seems to be the overarching theme of the winter 2021-22 season as designers grace the runways with splashes of color, eye-catching prints and vintage inspired comebacks. Geometry Class: The first up and-coming trend this winter is crowned by standout geometric prints. These statement colors and shapes are meant to add dramatic flair to any ensemble. The focal point of this joyous trend is the mixing and matching of differing intrepid patterns no matter how much they may clash. So by all means, let your freak flag fly. Ski Season: Forget après-ski, we’re wearing ski gear before, during and after we hit the slopes. Whether you’re taking black diamonds by storm or have never skied a day in your life, oversized puffer coats, matching snow pants and patterned knits are the fad of the season. Leather on Leather: Name a better way to look both sophisticated and comfortable. Head-to-toe leather outfits. Enough said. Improved Handshakes: No matter the weather this winter, elbow length leather gloves are making headway. I recommend utilizing this trend by pairing long gloves with a short sleeve shirt or blouse. Not to mention how much cooler handshakes will be. Glitter Sequins: Although sparkling ensembles are usually reserved for special events, recent runways have convinced us otherwise. Want to dress down shiny fabric? Just pair it with casual jeans for the perfect daytime outfit. Not to mention, layering glitter sequined clothes with trench coats and blazers create the ultimate elevated look. Fur x10: When major fashion houses such as Fendi, Dion Lee and Burberry tell the world to add volume to our fur coats, we easily oblige. Floor length and cropped at the waist fur coats are the move this winter, no in between. Picture yourself as Margot Tenenbaum on steroids. Incognito: This probably takes the crown as my all-time favorite trend this winter. This look can be accomplished in many forms, such as an oversized hoodie, a skin-tight overhead ski mask, fabric draped over head or even the classic babushka. Want to look even more mysterious? Add a pair of oversized sunglasses, and you’re golden. There you have it folks, Villa-Vogue’s official winter 2021-22 trend report. You better believe I’ll be sporting babushkas and après ski wear in the middle of Pennsylvania, as should you. As the days grow shorter and colder, the fashion industry flips a 180 to comply. That being said, it’s time to put the flip flops away boys. Your dogs are barking.
This winter is all things leather to make for a sleek and sophisticated look. Courtesy of Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Villanova Students Visit The Kelly Writers House
Molly Carriero Staff Writer
Take a stroll to 3805 Locust Walk at the University of Pennsylvania. There, you will find an old, Victorian-style home with a green wrap-around porch. In front of the charming structure, a sign reads in yellow lettering, “The Kelly Writers House.” The Kelly Writers House was founded in 1995 by a group of students, faculty, staff and alumni of the University of Pennsylvania. It serves as a mixed-use community space, and today, it hosts more than 300 events and projects per year. Such events include readings, art exhibits, lectures, film screenings, seminars and literary celebrations.
Funded and supported by UPenn alumni, Philadelphians and other literary minded people interested in creative undertakings, The Kelly Writers House is open to all college students, local artists or hobbyist writers. Most Writers House events are open to the public, and all events are free. During the fall and spring semesters, The Writers House hosts a Speakeasy Open Mic Night On the first Wednesday of each month. The open mic night is student-run and led by Equilibria, an arts magazine at UPenn that explores the relationship between writing and art. According to the publication’s website, “Equilibria’s primary aim is to provide a creative space for Penn undergraduate artists and writers. We encourage students to engage in a creative exchange, where they create a piece inspired by the one they receive.” Rachel Dennis is a senior at UPenn and currently runs the open mic night. Dennis graduates in the spring and is looking for a younger student to take over after graduation. “The Speakeasy is an old writers house tradition institution,” Dennis said. “I went as a freshman for my new student orientation and the girl who was running it said they needed someone. I love it. It is so fun to hear people read. I remember most people who read, especially if they do something crazy. We get Penn Students, but we also get a lot of non-students. It is cool to be a part of something like this. People started recognizing me on Locust Walk or even on campus.” Villanova English student Jackie Carroll attended the Speakeasy after hearing about the event from a friend. Carroll wanted fellow English majors and literary minded students at Villanova to share in this positive experience. On Wednesday, Nov. 3, Carroll and three fellow English majors attended the Speakeasy. They took the Norristown High Speed Line from Villanova’s campus, transferred trains in Philly and walked to 3805 Locust after arriving on UPenn’s campus. The event was outside, and attendees huddled around space heaters to watch the artists step up to the mic. Artists shared poetry, short stories, spoken word pieces and unfinished work in a creative and safe space. All work was welcome, and artists were encouraged to express their authentic individuality. An artist known as the “Puppet Master” expressed her unique and creative imagination as she held up a hand puppet to the speaker and moved the doll in accordance with her music. Villanova senior Chloe Cherry attended the event on Wednesday. Carroll and Cherry both shared their literary work with the crowd. “Because it was such an intimate and kind of a quirky session, I felt comfortable enough to share my piece with the crowd,” Cherry said. “I felt like the rating of my work didn’t matter, but just the fact that I shared a part of myself with a group felt important. And that’s how I felt about everyone else’s piece. In that space I was just excited to hear people perform their voice. I wasn’t as overly critical and analytical as some spaces kind of provoke you to be.” Wednesday, Nov. 3 marked the final open mic night of the fall 2021 semester, but Equilibria plans to start the speakeasy again at the start of the spring semester. You can register to attend at the Writers House Garden, but if you cannot make it in-person, you can stream the event on YouTube as well.
Jackie Carroll reads poetry at the Kelly Writers House. Courtesy of Molly Carriero
Chloe Miller
Co-Culture Editor
The Vincent Van Gogh Immersive Experience Comes to Philadelphia We have all seen a painting that we wished to step into. Picture walking the streets in Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” or being in his bedroom in Arles. Now you can. The Immersive Vincent Van Gogh Exhibition has traveled the world and has finally landed in the Philadelphia area. Located in Upper Darby, the exhibit is a short 25 minute drive from campus. The exhibit was built in The Tower Theater, a popular music and concert venue that was named one of the top 10 live music venues in America by The Rolling Stone Magazine. Running through the end of February, the Van Gogh exhibit is the perfect weekend activity with friends or family. Weekend tickets are $44.90 for adults and $34.90 on weekdays. VIP tickets are also available, which gets one online access to the exhibit, a VR experience, ability to skip the line and a complimentary poster. The run time of the experience is around an hour. Ticket information is available on https:// vangoghexpo.com/. The experience begins with an in depth background on Van Gogh’s life. Within the theater, there are multiple boards depicting Van Gogh’s painting and life progression. Along the way, there are sculptures, visuals of Van Gogh’s paintings and multiple prints of his most famous works. This part of the exhibition is the prep-work. The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is currently showing in Upper Darby Only after learning the intricacies Courtesy of Exhibition Hub
of Van Gogh can one go into the following section with open-eyes. Now comes the important part and probably the part everyone has viewed on Instagram: the 360 degree digital show. Walking in, there are comfortable chairs, carpets and pillows scattered around the floor creating an intimate and relaxing atmosphere. The show then moves through Van Gogh’s paintings, highlighting his series on sunflowers, “Starry Night” and his iconic wheatfield pieces. Flowing from one image to the next, the exhibit brings the paintings to life with moving people and images. The movie-like experience lasts about 25 minutes. Leaving the digital showroom, one is led into a room where they can do their own coloring page of Van Gogh’s paintings. In the same room, for a five-dollar fee, one can choose to participate in a Virtual Reality viewing of Van Gogh’s works. This viewing takes people through the streets of Arles and the “Starry Night” painting and through the country wheatfields. It opens in Van Gogh’s bedroom, known from his famous piece “Bedroom in Arles.” The VR glasses lead patrongs down the stairs and along the roads, exactly where Van Gogh himself would have walked. Many students have experienced the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in different cities, as it has already been to New York City, Buffalo, Chicago and Pittsburgh. “I didn’t know much about Van Gogh before I went, and the history of his life and brother was super interesting,” sophomore Georgia Mowers said. “It was actually a really magical experience.” The Van Gogh Exhibition is changing the way the world is able to view art. Despite one’s knowledge of Van Gogh’s pieces or life, the Immersive Experience is well worth the money and afternoon trip to Upper Darby.
ABBA Returns With New Album Voyage
Ryan Batkay
Staff Writer
After a 40-year musical hiatus, the international smash hit band ABBA released its album, “Voyage,” on Nov. 5, 2021. The Swedish band, made up of two married, then divorced couples well into their seventies, has maintained its influence over each generation with its timeless musical hits. The new album continues the band’s legacy and disco-pop style that have kept fans invested for decades. Those who listened to ABBA in its prime could never have predicted that ABBA would be one of the groups that persisted into the next millennium, but it surely did. Being the best-selling Swedish band of all time and one of the best-selling bands from Europe of all time are not easy feats to achieve, but ABBA did both seamlessly. In the United Kingdom, ABBA even surpassed The Beatles back in 2013, having the second biggest-selling album of all time in the country. Part of the band’s everlasting success is due to the cultural influence of the movie franchise and Broadway musical, “Mamma Mia!” This jukebox musical had younger audiences falling in love with music previous partiers were dancing to. Hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” are frequently played at modern venues and even now flood TikTok explore pages.
With the release of “Voyage,” ABBA once again recharges its influence. The album features 10 brand new tracks, all continuing the classical style and keeping the disco style alive in the 2020s. Highlights on the album include single, “Don’t Shut Me Down,” which brings another high energy hit to the band’s discography, and “I Can Be That Woman,” a track that shows off a more mellow side of the band and reiterates the groups versatility. This album utilizes a Taylor Swift re-release concept to finally deliver old songs that never made it onto albums to fans. One song, “Just A Notion,” was recorded back in 1978 but was never released. This is extremely important, as fans who heard about this song back in the 70s can finally hear this much anticipated track. The harmonies, background vocals and instrumental sequences are so intrinsically ABBA that audiences immediately connect these new tracks with the band’s signature style. Revitalizing the disco-pop that once dominated the radio and music industry as a whole may naturally inspire some modern artists to adopt styles from that genre. It can be seen already with successful artists like Doja Cat and Conan Gray who integrate aspects of disco into their pop hits. The success and acclaim of both ABBA and modern artists by fans reveals this idea that audiences yearn for more of this music style. Fortunately for them, their wishes may be met if more artists recognize the ability of this market. Not only is this album bringing ABBA back into the forefront of music, but the group is even providing its fans with an incredibly unique concert experience. While four, 70-yearold Swedes are not totally physically able to perform, avatars will take their place with a 10-piece live band. This event will take place in spring 2022 in a custom-built arena in London, which will surely attract fans from all over the world. Depending on the success of the concert, American fans can hope that the concert will be brought across the Atlantic soon enough. This is also not where ABBA’s influence ends in terms of longevity. The director of the “Mamma Mia!” films has teased fans recently about the possibility of another sequel coming out in the near future. This will allow the band’s popularity and the fan’s love to grow even more.
Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab takes the world on an unforgettable journey. The novel is a USA TODAY Bestseller, National Indie Bestseller, The Washington Post Bestseller and has been recommended by Entertainment Weekly and Oprah Magazine, among others. Spending weeks on the New York Times’ best-sellers list and popping up all over media platforms and captivating its vast audience, Schwab’s 20th published novel is one for the ages. The story starts off in France in 1714 with Addie LaRue, a woman in a desperate situation. Feeling trapped, she finds herself with an opportunity to make a deal with a god of darkness as a means to escape her life. When the deal is done, Addie has immortality, but like all dark magic deals, it comes with a price. Though she can live forever, with each new day Addie is forgotten by the people she meets. Her name can’t be written, or said, relinquishing Addie’s identity to the confines of her own mind and a life of solitude. For Addie, leaving a mark upon the world is quite literally impossible. For hundreds of years, Addie is on a lone adventure across time and place with no one but herself and an occasional god to remember her. That is, until she walks into a bookstore one day, and the man working there remembers her name. Suddenly, Addie’s immortal world is turned upside down and the meaning of a life remembered is at the tip of her fingers—if only she can figure out how to break her curse. The novel is a sweeping, lush tale of adventure, love, loss and deep yearning. Schwab’s writing gives the novel a deeply poetic tone. The book is split up into sections based on pieces of artwork which Addie has been a muse for or influenced in some way. The connection to art, to Addie’s love of art and her inability to draw and leave a mark, plays into the poeticism of the piece. The novel also has LGBTQ+ representation. Two of the main characters, Addie included, are bisexual, and other characters of various sexualities are written in as well. It is a refreshing read due to the intricate and real depictions of LGBTQ+ individuals, not falling prey to stereotypical roles or tropes these characters are often written for. What popularized this book, beyond anything, was how it makes readers think. Diving into philosophical pondering and ripping at the core of the very questions each of us think about while in the shower or lying in bed at night, “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue ‘’ brings to the forefront thoughts that we often think make us all alone. There is a deep relatability and perspective gained from reading a story about someone trying to find the meaning of her story when it cannot be remembered. V.E. Schwab is popular for multiple books and series, most notably her “Vicious” series. Currently, multiple works are being adapted for the big screen.
Villanova Haveners at Radio City Music Hall
Skylar Musick Staff Writer The Haveners, one of Villanova’s all-female a cappella groups, performed at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday, Nov. 6. The group opened for the morning show of New York City’s beloved Rockettes. The Haveners were the University’s first all-female a cappella group and are one of the eight groups on campus. The group was established in 1963 and is the sister organization of Villanova’s all-female choir, The Villanova Voices. The Haveners are performance professionals when it comes to singing on campus, having performed at countless events like A Cappella Palooza and Special Olympics, as well as at events like Family Weekend and Homecoming Weekend. This weekend was not the group’s first time opening for the Radio City Rockettes, but due to the pandemic, the opportunity to do so this year was special, and for some newer members, was a first time experience. The group arrived in New York City early Saturday morning. Dressed in red and black to invoke the holiday spirit, the Haveners spent the morning warming up their voices and taking photos together. When it was finally time to go to the venue, the 15 members were ready. For their performance, the Haveners sang a version of “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney, which was arranged by junior Katherine Moffa. “It was extremely rewarding to share the product of all our hard work in such a respected venue,” Moffa said. All of Villanova’s a cappella groups sing arrangements written by their own members, and the performance this weekend was no different. Arranging music is not an easy task, which is a tribute to how much work these students put into these performances. Overall, singing at Radio City was a special and unforgettable experience for the Haveners. “It was exciting to sing on a stage, especially after COVID,” sophomore Stephanie Gentile said. “I loved dressing up and performing with my friends.” The Haveners unfortunately did not get to meet the Rockettes. However, when the Haveners walked on stage, they heard an audience member say, “Oh my gosh, it’s the Rockettes.” One member of the group shared a chuckle at that moment. “We thought it was so funny,” sophomore Katie Schulz said. According to sophomore Caroline Jakubik, and the president of The Haveners, going into New York City with the group was a blast, with the group members enjoying some sights and each other’s company once the performance was over. “After the show, some of us hung out in New York and visited Bryant Park, the library and the Strand bookstore,” Schulz shared. If you want to hear this amazing and talented group of women sing before the semester ends, get your tickets to hear The Haveners and Vocal Minority, one of Villanova’s all-male A cappella groups, sing at A Cappella Showcase on Friday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. The rest of the University’s a cappella groups will also be performing at the Showcase throughout that weekend (November 19-21). Tickets can be purchased online, and they sell quickly.
The Villanova Haveners performed at Radio City Music Hall. Courtesy of Faith Robinson and Stephanie Gentile
