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Monday, November 17, 2014
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Artists take stand against racism Teach-in held to discuss UM administration Event meant to give students voice By Anthony Rentsch Collegian Staff
SHANNON BRODERICK/COLLEGIAN
A student adds to a collaborative art piece in the “Stand Against Racism Exhibit: Representations of Oppression and Liberation.”
Exhibit extended though this Friday By Elizabeth Kane Collegian Correspondent Since the on-campus vandalisms, many members of the University of Massachusetts community have spoken out on the issues of racism and oppression and the negative impact it had on the community. To continue to raise awareness of these issues, the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success has sponsored the “Stand Against Racism Exhibit: Representations of Oppression and Liberation.” “(The purpose of the exhibit) is to shift paradigms by creating a space where individuals can express their libera-
tion freely and positively,” said Wilma Crespo, associate director of student development for the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success. “Conscious or unconscious, oppression is running rampant. Agents of social change are constantly challenging, advocating, educating and empowering others. This output of energy depletes their emotional, physical and spiritual state.” Located in the Student Union Art Gallery, the exhibit consists of loaned items from the community that represent forms of racism and oppression, as well as forms of healing from oppression. According to Crespo, the items reflect the overall purpose of the exhibit. “Through this exhibit, we wanted to create an outlet to
replenish much needed energy and envision liberation,” Crespo added. The exhibit opened on Nov. 3 and was organized by the CMASS-led Stand Against Racism Planning Committee.
The committee meets during the spring semester to plan for Stand Against Racism Day in addition to planning exhibits for the fall. The current see
EXHIBIT on page 3
SHANNON BRODERICK/COLLEGIAN
Due to the popularity of the gallery, the exhibit will remain open until Friday.
On a picturesque Massachusetts Friday, sunny, crisp and clear, right in the heart of the University of Massachusetts campus, students gathered to share a different, less scenic view of UMass – the relations between administration and its students. “Let Our Voices Be Heard: A Teach-In on Student Empowerment,” held in the Cape Cod Lounge from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. gave student groups from every walk of campus life a space to share their experience, advocate for their rights, and listen and discuss issues with other groups. The event was marketed as a “teach-in to educate and involve students in how to have a say in their college career,” according to the event’s Facebook page. This is a view Filipe De Carvalho, a member of the Center for Educational Policy Advocacy’s Access and Affordability core team and a facilitator for the teach-in, shares. “It’s a place where the general student body can come out and say ‘I understand things better now and I know how to get involved, or at least I have knowledge of different issues on this campus,’” De Carvalho said. “It is spurring the student body to get involved.”
Anais Surkin, cochair of the Graduate Employment Organization and a presenter at the teach-in, also saw the value in an event like this. “It is a space to build critical awareness and consciousness,” Surkin said. “It gives us a chance to unite and build coalitions against typical power structures to benefit all of us (students).” While De Carvalho said that CEPA, the event’s sponsor, has been involved in planning teach-ins with other organizations in the past, the idea for this one came internally. Talk of a teach-in focused on educating students began at the start of the semester, and with some financial assistance from the Graduate Student Senate and GEO, the plan was able to become a reality. As such, the teach-in was a bit smaller in size than some of the ones in the past that CEPA has been involved with – about three or four dozen people were present in the Cape Cod Lounge throughout the day to listen to presentations by groups including the Center for Student Businesses, GEO, Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success, Women of Color Leadership Network, GSS, Stonewall Center, UMass Alliance for Community Transformation, What the FAC campaign and CEPA’s Access and Affordability and Multicultural Organizing Bureau core teams. see
TEACH-IN on page 3
Journalist speaks on US Cannabis Reform Coalition military forces and ISIS hosts speakers and rappers Erlich was part of the Oakland Seven By Brendan Deady Collegian Staff
Reese Erlich, an awardwinning freelance journalist and bestselling author, discussed the incentives behind the U.S. led airstrike campaign against ISIS and the negative consequences of escalating military involvement in Iraq and Syria at the Integrative Learning Center Thursday. According to Erlich, the reasoning behind U.S. intervention in northern Iraq, assisting the Yazidi and other minority populations to combat ISIS, are justifications to re-establish presence in a region vital to the government’s political and economic interests. Erlich is known for being a member of the “Oakland Seven,” a group of students who were arrested after organizing anti-Vietnam protests in California. He was hosted by the communications and
journalism department at the Communication Department Hub where he discussed his new book, “Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their War and what the World Can Expect,” and provided clarity to a situation that he believes is wrongfully portrayed to the American public. He spent months in Syria and along its shared border with Iraq in the highly contentious Kurdish region of the Middle East to report on many of the conflicts that have dominated media attention for the past six months. In an introduction preceding the lecture, Professor Sut Jhally of the communications department described Erlich’s reporting within the region as “truly indispensable to a functioning democracy, even more so during a time where investigative reports are under siege in this country.” Erlich sought to debunk some of the misconceptions that are circulated in popular media about the purpose of U.S. actions and the dangers posed by ISIS’s attempt to establish an Islamic
state in the Middle East. “I’d just like to begin by stating that ISIS has nothing to do with Islam, they are using religious rhetoric as a way to rally forces and justify committing humanitarian crises,” Erlich said. “ISIS’s end goal is power, Military and economic power. It is control they are after and the branch of Islam they are championing is by no means representative of the religious beliefs held by a vast majority of those who practice Islam.” The U.S. government has justified the reescalation of military involvement by depicting ISIS as a serious threat to regional stability. According to Erlich, the State Department exaggerates ISIS’s capability to legitimately establish itself in the region and the reasons cited for the airstrike campaign that began in September are mostly just for public justification. Government officials have stated their goals are to protect Yazidi and minority populations, protect Kurdistan and see
ISIS on page 2
Students meet to discuss legalization
discussed. way drug,” something every For the rest of the event, one enjoys and something speakers alternated perfor- that can send a message in a mance time with musical acts way few other mediums can. ranging from the hip hop of Edwards expressed that he By Patrick Johnston The Verbal Surgeon to the felt good about performing Collegian Correspondent beatbox of the HONEYCOMB. for what he believes is a good (Lamont cause. The Cannabis Reform LePurpose Edwards), a rap/hip hop art- “I couldn’t do something Coalition hosted a teach-in ist who performed said “I felt more positive,” he said. “I and fundraiser on Friday, mean, what’s more relatable which featured music and it was right, that it was the than ganja.” right thing to do,” when asked speakers on the subject of Once the music started, why he decided to perform at marijuana and its medical this event. Edwards described and recreational legalization music as everybody’s “gate- see CANNABIS on page 2 . According to the CRC web page, their goal is “to dispel the myths, lies and stigmas surrounding marijuana and to reform the unrighteous laws that surround it.” The event was held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Cape Cod Lounge. The first talk was about hemp, and many made the argument its uses were too numerous to pass up. They added that using it freely would be beneficial to the United States, saying that industrial hemp can be used to make paper, insulating CHRISTINA YACONO/COLLEGIAN material and plastics. Hemp as a nutritional aid was also HONEYCOMB beatboxes while Sean Byrne rapped during the teach-in.
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THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Monday, November 17, 2014
THE RUNDOWN
CANNABIS
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ON THIS DAY... In 1973, U.S. President Richard Nixon told 400 Associated Press managing editors, “I am not a crook,” following the Watergate scandal.
UM Food Challenge town hall promotes sustainability Supported by Real According to the Real Food Challenge Food Challenge website, this is a nationwide campaign to By Kathleen Kirk
Collegian Correspondent
AROUND THE WORLD CHRISTINA YACONO/COLLEGIAN
BAGHDAD — Ghazia Ahmed al-Jabouri, who’s seen three sons die as a result of Iraq’s wars, almost lost a fourth during the Islamic State’s race across Iraq this summer. His survival underscores the random role that luck – good and bad – plays in the lives of Iraqis. Nimr had joined the army in 2004. When the Islamic State captured Mosul June 10, Nimr, a sniper, was based at Camp Speicher, a former U.S. military base near Saddam Hussein’s birthplace of Tikrit. As the Islamic State approached Tikrit on June 12, Nimr’s senior officers told soldiers and cadets that they should change into civilian clothing and go home. Nimr and members of his unit joined hundreds of others heading for the gates to cadge rides on the highway outside. But at the last moment, members of the Golden Brigade, an elite army commando unit, intercepted them. As Nimr’s brother Ali tells it, the Golden Brigade warned the soldiers not to leave the base. “The Golden Brigade told them, ‘Don’t leave. Daash is waiting for you,’ “ said Ali, using an Arabic term for the Islamic State. It was lifesaving advice. Hundreds of those who walked out of Camp Speicher were swept up by the Islamic State and its allies, beaten and slaughtered in mass executions that the extremists recorded and posted to YouTube. It was perhaps the greatest massacre of the war. Nimr is now deployed at the university in Tikrit, where the army and the Islamic State are battling for control. Last month, while he was visiting Baghdad, Nimr wrote insulting Facebook posts about the fanatics’ shadowy leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The comments might have jeopardized five of alJabouri’s sons who still live in Mosul, under the Islamic State’s despotic rule. “They got angry at the comment, so there are tensions within the family. They live in hell,” she said of her sons in Mosul.
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HONEYCOMB’s beatboxing was the first musical performance of the night. the crowd began to dance at the encouragement of the performers. Not one person in the crowd didn’t dance, and they only stopped to listen to the speakers. Many speakers praised the legalization of medical marijuana in Massachusetts and explained the medicinal benefits of marijuana for those with terminal illnesses, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s Disease, PTSD, Autism and many cancers. By 8 p.m. CRC vice president Cameron McCrae began his speech. He spoke about people’s rights when confronted by law enforcement with regards to marijuana. He discussed Miranda Rights and what to do if confronted by a police officer. He stated the phrases “I do not consent to a search” and “am I free to go?” were important to anyone confused by what rights people have. McCrae advised the crowd not to leave anything potentially incriminating out in the open, and to avoid any questions by police. He also advocated closing the door behind you if you are talking to a police officer who comes to your house, so as to hide any incriminating evidence.
ISIS
The crowd was also advised about how to spot fake search and arrest warrants. The final speaker was CRC president Sebastian Vivas, who talked about the private prison industry and the inequality faced by minorities in the United States when it comes to drug laws. “Slavery is alive and well in America,” he said pointing out that prisoners, often convicted under drug laws and sentenced to labor, are often paid 25 cents per hour and mistreated. He stated the goal of the private prison industry is to make money and for that, they will do anything they can to keep people coming back to prison. Vivas then pointed out that despite most drug users in the United States are Caucasian, most of those in prison belong to minorities. “They’re going to do it to the minority, because that’s what they’ve done for two hundred years,” Vivas said. “The system is not working for you, it’s working against you.” Patrick Johnston can be reached at pejohnston@umass.edu.
continued from page 1
to protect U.S. military personnel in the area. Instead Erlich argues that the true goal is to regain a presence in Iraq lost at the end of the war and to protect oil reserves in Northern Iraq that are vital to foreign policy interests. “In reality there is zero chance of Kurdistan region being overrun. ISIS knows they cannot convince religious minorities into submission so they use violence to drive opposition out. There is a unanimous opposition to ISIS in the region and the Kurds would never support such a radical group,” Erlich said. “The United States had the opportunity to evacuate its personnel, I passed through the very airport that they claimed was inaccessible. In reality, the fact that Iraq has the third largest oil reserves in the world can explain the attention.” According to Erlich the failure of the Iraq war largely influences the United States’ current goals. “We lost the war in Iraq. Now you may be saying but the U.S. never loses wars. Well, we lost in Iraq. Bush signed an agreement in 2008 to withdraw troops and cede military bases. And by the end of the war, Baghdad was more friendly to Iran than Washington. I’d say that’s losing a war,” Erlich said. Erlich also believes the failure to resolve much of the conflict in the Middle East isn’t a lack of understanding of its culture, but a flaw in policy. The State Department only considers solutions that involve military intervention and are structured by an entitlement that assumes a right to open access in the Middle East according to Erlich. “Our currents efforts are to regain some of that presence lost at the end of the Iraq war. And this is clear – there are already U.S. troops in Iraq. They’re just referred to as advisors,” Erlich added. He supports a non-interventionist approach that focuses on political and diplomatic pressure. Resolution of the threat posed by ISIS
and resolving the Syrian Civil War will require a restructuring of general policy in the Middle East, according to Erlich. However he believes resolution is not the end goal of our government. “There are all these players, the U.S., the Russians and the Kurds and they all have separate interests and none of them include consideration of the actual citizens of Iraq or Syria,” he said. “None of these situations reflect much consideration for citizens of any country. When I discuss United States desires during conflict I do not mean its people. I am referring to the policies made by the corporate and business elite. They are the voices that are heard when determining policies of the United States.” Erlich also questioned the government’s rationale in arming rebel groups in Syria and Iraq to combat ISIS and the Assad regime. He said it has little to do with letting citizens determine the outcome of the conflict, but is rather an attempt to support groups that will be pro-U.S. once the situation is resolved. “You’ll come find that when a rebel group is described as moderate, it means they are pro-United States. Some of the groups receiving military aid were at one point recognized by the United States as terrorist organizations,” Erlich added. The involvement of outside powers and the choice to provide military assistance to many conflicting groups is only escalating the violence, according to Erlich. It is also generating further anti-American sentiments among Iraqis and Syrians. “The more the U.S. escalates its military involvement, the more it will reaffirm opinions of the country as an imperialist occupying power,” he said. “The U.S. is hurting its own interest by alienating local populations and has actually contributed to the radicalization that it is trying to fight.” Brendan Deady can be reached at bdeady@umass.edu.
Around 70 University of Massachusetts students, faculty and members of the community gathered in Amherst town hall on Thursday to share their ideas and visions for the role of UMass in supporting a more sustainable and fair food system. Members of the UMass Real Food Challenge hosted the Real Food Town Hall. Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and Ken Toong, the executive director of Auxiliary Enterprises, signed the Real Food Campus Commitment in October 2013. This commitment promises to shift 20 percent of the University’s food purchasing to real food – food that truly nourishes producers, consumers, communities and the Earth – by the year 2020. According to the Real Food Challenge website, this is a nationwide campaign to shift one billion dollars of existing food budgets in universities across America away from the industrial farming towards local and humane food sources. UMass is currently the largest university in America to take the Real Food Challenge. Members are in the process of creating an official food policy as part of the Real Food Campus Commitment, and the Real Food Town Hall meeting was the first step in the creation of the policy.
shift one billion dollars of existing food budgets in universities across America away from the industrial farming towards local and humane food sources. The meeting began around a large painted wheel on the floor of the conference room. The wheel featured the phrase “What is Real Food?” The center of the wheel read “food that truly nourishes.” There were four sections outlined in this wheel – producers, the earth, communities and consumers. Individuals around the wheel read off different parts of each section. There was a discussion of the wheel, and people made suggestions about adding new topics to the wheel. The meeting was then broken up into small group sessions where individuals were asked to move towards the section of the wheel where they felt they belonged. Members of the Real Food Challenge facilitated conversations in these smaller groups. Each group gave ideas and opinions about what they would like to see come from the new food policy. The meeting was mainly attended by UMass students. Members of the Real Food Challenge as well as food service workers, student activists and volunteers were present. Many of them had majors like sustainable farming, food science, nutrition and biology. Rachel Fahey, a biology major, got involved with the
Real Food Challenge because she felt it was a “good thing to put time and energy into.” There were also those like Mary Mackie, a graduate student and volunteer at the All Things Local co-op, who attended the meeting to learn more about the Real Food Challenge. Members of the community, local farmers, small business owners, teachers, parents and UMass faculty were also present. Meg Little works as a sustainability coordinator for UMass Auxiliary, and said the commitment to real food is a huge priority for the school and believes the Real Food Challenge goal is entirely possible. Chris Felton, who works in civic engagement and service learning, came to the meeting to support her students who are involved with the Real Food Challenge. She said that she is, “Lucky to be able to learn through students and see real change as a result of it on campus.” Members of UMass Real Food Challenge will take the ideas and visions presented at the meeting and use them to draft their food policy. They plan on holding a meeting in the future to gather input on this draft. Kathleen Kirk can be reached at klkirk@umass.edu.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
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EXHIBIT
TEACH-IN
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exhibit, Crespo said, is the third exhibit the committee has organized for the fall semester, although it is not the exhibit that was originally intended to be on display. “The original exhibit was still in developmental stages so we postponed it until the spring semester and quickly started working on the current exhibit,” Crespo said. “The time and length of the exhibit is determined by the director of the gallery. It was timely (due to recent events).” The exhibit is open from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and admis-
sion is free. The run of the Stand Against Racism exhibit will be extended until Friday because of the continued positive response from the UMass community. “It has received great response,” Crespo said. “On day three (of the exhibit’s run) we had 90 visitors come by the gallery. The graduate students meeting with the Diversity S t r at e g i c Planning Committee relocated their meeting to the gallery, and a communications class on convergent media and activism will be having their class there this week.
Monday, November 17, 2014
The mural is getting filled with contributions from visitors. The message is getting exposure through cohorts across field and
interests, and that is more that we can expect.” Elizabeth Kane can be reached at erkane@umass.edu.
SHANNON BRODERICK/COLLEGIAN
A piece in the gallery’s exhibit, meant to raise awareness of racism.
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The smaller size of the teach-in was also conducive to the theme of educating students. Frequently throughout the day, presenters shifted the focus from them to the attendees, where they encouraged group conversation and reflection on issues of student empowerment. Groups presented a survey of current issues on the UMass campus to illustrate what is being done and what needs to be done by student activists, as well as to highlight the interrelation of student groups’ struggles. While their specific cir-
cumstances may have been different, all of the groups focused on the same motto – that this is not the administration’s university. “There needs to be a change in mindset,” said Santiago Vidales, a member of GEO’s bargaining committee and a presenter at the teachin. “Decisions should be made in forums like that of the Diversity Town Hall Meeting. It should not be a top down approach.” Anthony Rentsch can be reached at arentsch@umass.edu.
Opinion Editorial THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
“Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.” - Vince Lombardi
Monday, November 17, 2014
Editorial@DailyCollegiancom
Morality must counteract corruption and inequality Involvement in the political arena can seem overwhelming these days. Even casting a vote never feels as simple as it should. When we walk into the
Benjamin Clabault booth, we are presented with a list of potential representatives to choose from. But their views and intentions are rarely clear, and we are left with a nagging feeling that, despite the sticker and pats on the back for doing our “civic duty,” we really didn’t contribute much of anything at all. This alienation from the political system is hardly surprising. It seems the U.S. operates on the basis of two overarching institutions, capitalism and democracy, and we spend much more time involved with the former because of its clearer effect on our material realities. Our lives center on our own economic well being, so when it comes time to vote it feels
sad reality, however, that in the present political culture casting a vote will do little to help. So how are we to respond? Our constitutional republic has mutated into a self-sufficient political machine incapable of truly serving the interests of the people, with little hope of redemption by the ballot. What I propose is a political agenda that removes itself entirely from the present system, which rests soundly on human principles of morality to circumnavigate the toxicity of the current political arena. What I propose is “end-game anarchism.” This political agenda has nothing to do with voting, or campaigning or indeed with interacting with the current system at all. All it involves is the continued promulgation of empathy, compassion and decent moral values to promote the progress of humanity capable of governing itself. Leftist thinkers and intel-
collective society. Argentine Marxist Che Guevara described, after the Cuban Revolution, the need for the development of a “new man and woman” sharing in a “unified march forward.” But, in that case as in the others, this moral unification had yet to develop when the country turned to communism, and the ensuing socialization of production by the state did not come with the same feelings of choice and liberty that would accompany a collective anarchist society. Such a society, as utopian and unrealistic as it may seem, could come into existence only after years of moral transformation and ideological change. People would need to turn to the virtue of compassion as the driving force and the ultimate source of happiness in their lives. The idea of “treating others the way you would like to be treated,” that golden rule
“The constant competition, the acceptance of the idea that individuals of “higher faculties” deserve material reward, has brought about a society in which a banker can step over a homeless beggar on the streets without a tinge of moral apprehension.” like we’re being asked questions that we’re not really equipped to answer. Furthermore, the entire political “game” feels foreign. The candidates seem like they come from another world, a realm of corporate donations, political scheming and people pleasing with a concerning lack of emphasis on actual policy or political thought. But as citizens we are acutely aware that there are real problems, real issues that exist beyond the petty politics. Climate change, for all the recent attention it has received, is still an incredibly pressing concern, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change forecasting significant temperature rise over the next century Meanwhile, the economic inequality in this country remains morally abhorrent and ever-increasing, having now reached its highest point since before the Great Depression It seems like the
lectuals have long understood the deficiencies in our capitalist system. The constant competition, the acceptance of the idea that individuals of “higher faculties” deserve material reward, has brought about a society in which a banker can step over a homeless beggar on the streets without a tinge of moral apprehension. Since Karl Marx, countless individuals have recognized the essential injustice of a capitalist society and devoted their lives to changing it. But their efforts have too often emphasized the need for a “revolution.” Leftists from Lenin to Mao have fomented violence to gain power and seize the modes of production from the capitalists’ hands. They felt that an abrupt transformation was necessary; they viewed “reformism” with mistrust But with such a quick transition, individuals have no time to develop the moral consciousness necessary for a thriving
so often cited and so less often practiced, has served as a spiritual linchpin. But by making it a genuine factor in everyday life, by insisting that it is more important than the capitalistic materialism at the heart of our current society, people would naturally begin to acquire communistic tendencies. As moral actors we should all work towards this ultimate goal. Sure, we can participate in the present politics as we choose. Despite our feelings of alienation from the system, important decisions are still there to be democratically made. Beyond anything written on a contemporary ballot, we should put our fullest energies in the simple promotion of morality and decency, for human progress lies in the potential for politically-engaged compassion in the hearts of the people. Benjamin Clabault is a Collegian columnist and can be reached at bclabaul@umass.edu.
Feminism: A man’s perspective Over the summer, I attended a party that several of my friends from high school organized. It was a casual affair overall, replete with light chatter, swimming and laugh-
Anthony Maddaleni ter. I remember it was a hazy July night, with the soft crooning of Drake intermingling with the fluctuating dialogue taking place. Toward the end of the evening, I started up a conversation with a gentleman at this party. I didn’t know him that well. He attended the same college as one of my friends. He was fairly intoxicated and our discussion quickly turned to women. He began to complain to me about the women at his school, and claimed there were too many “stuck up” girls at his college. “So, girls are just supposed to have sex with you?” I asked “Well, if they’re drunk at a party and all over a bunch of guys, then yeah, they obviously want it.” It was this statement that stuck with me. The cavalier tone and the entitled, spoiled, boorish nature of his response angered me. I pressed him further: “So, what if you’re dancing with
ble relationship with this attitude? What would his children be taught? What if he had a daughter? Would he be comfortable with men talking about her in the same way he referred to women? Sexism affects the ways in which men act each and every day. Growing up, I was consistently taught real men do not cry. Real men do not express their emotions. Real men played sports, fought people and defended their inherent manhood. It was this concept of masculinity that was so damaging to me. Throughout my school years, I observed my friends making comments about a girls “ass” or “tits.” To them, women were nothing more than commodities to satisfy their desires. Not only was I, as a male, expected to lose my virginity in high school, I was also expected to be the pursuer. I was supposed to be the dominant one. A relationship, as I viewed it, was entirely one sided. Even back then, I did not believe this was a healthy mindset. The young men in our society grow up with incredibly unrealistic notions about what constitutes sex and intimacy. My friends and I did not understand the concept of consent. To us, if a
“Real men do not express their emotions. Real men played sports, fought people and defended their inherent manhood.” a girl and she doesn’t want to make out with you?” “Then, like I said, she’s stuck up.” Realizing that he would merely keep repeating that sentiment, I changed my strategy slightly. “What if she does have sex with you?” “Then she’s a slut,” he said. “So women can’t hook up with guys?” “Well, it depends how many guys she’s been with.” “What do you mean?” I inquired. “Well, if she’s been with more than three guys, she’s a whore.” At this point, owing to his use of the word “whore,” I became upset. “But why the double standard? No matter what a woman does, you’re still shaming her in some way.” Before I could finish he stopped me. “Look, man, that’s just the way things are.” The way things are? The ways things are. Over the next few days, his demeaning tone preoccupied my thoughts. I was upset that this man, this well off, white man, honestly believed that a woman, by virtue of her gender, owed him sex or anything at all for that matter. How would he enter into a healthy, sta-
girl was wearing revealing clothing, she was asking to be ridiculed. This sexism also spills over into sports. As someone who had a brief stint with high school football, I can comfortably say that homophobia and misogyny are rampant within this culture. On my team, anyone who underperformed was either a “faggot” or a “pussy.” If men embraced feminism, if we truly viewed women as our equals, the cruelty and ridicule that exists between young boys would hopefully diminish. The primary reason as to why certain boys are ostracized is because they display certain stereotypically “feminine” characteristics. Young males are often forced into a hypermasculine, sexist role. Anyone that does not adopt this viewpoint is immediately thought of as a pariah. It is this feeling of male superiority that leads to issues such as domestic violence or rape. Only if we alter this belief, only when we teach our sons that they are the equals to our daughters, will we truly create a safe and prosperous society for all. Anthony Maddaleni is a Collegian contributor. He can be reached at amaddale@umass.edu. Anthony Maddaleni is a Collegian contributor and can be reached at amaddale@umass.edu.
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Arts Living THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Monday, November 17, 2014
“Grapefruit is a hybrid of lemon and orange. Snow is a hybrid of wish and lament.” - Yoko Ono
T R AV E L
VIDEO GAMES
Cape Town, South Africa
Ubiquest’s newest game disappoints
Study abroad:
Leaving your country and comfort zone By Beth Cormack Collegian Correspondent
There are so many ways I could preface this article. I could tell you I pet a full-grown lion, rode an elephant or even saw some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I could tell you I learned that a “braai” is so much better than a traditional cookout, and how the word “lekker” has taken on a totally different meaning to me. However, I’m going to answer a question that everyone seemed to be asking me prior to my departure – “Why on Earth are you going to Cape Town?” We all have things in life that make us feel whole. Things that make us realize that life is so much more than simply waking up every morning and doing the same routine. We want to be in control life and seize every opportunity that will give us some type of satisfaction. Unfortunately, we do not always do that. If controlling life was so easy, I think we would have it all figured out at this point. I was in search of giving my life more meaning. I craved adventure and I craved the unknown. As Oscar Wilde once said, “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. So, live. Do not just exist. On my third day in Cape Town, my realtor took a few of my roommates and I on a personal tour. I was still in the “euphoria” stage of a study abroad student, fascinated by every little thing that surrounded me. The realtor showed us different areas of the city and drove on the cliffs that overlooked the oceans. We got lunch at a local seafood place and sat on a patch of grass on a cliff next to the water. I had never been in such awe. I thought to myself, “This is my home.” He began to ask us why we chose South Africa to study, and I answered the same way that I always have: I wanted to do something different, something that was out of my comfort zone. He looked at me and said, “That’s what life is all about. You guys are so young and you have your whole life ahead of you. Do something while you can.” I find myself always replaying that quote over and over in my head. “Do something while you can.” Too often we let opportunities slip through our fingers because we think we have the rest of our lives to do it. That type of thinking gets you nowhere. Any opportunity that comes your way you have to grab it, because you never know when it will come again, or if it will ever come again. I could go on and on about how much I learned living in Cape Town for five months, but I think the biggest thing is realizing how powerful exploring the world is. I would not change my life in Boston or Amherst for anything, but I realized it’s so small. Look on a map and see what a small part of the world you occupy. I am quickly approaching the final days of my college career, so I would like to think I have learned the ropes by now. If I was asked to give a single piece of college advice to someone it would be to study abroad. There is so much out there to see, and if you hold back from doing things and justify it by saying you have the rest of your life to do it, you are wrong. Your life is now. This is the time in our lives we get to be selfish. Take advantage of that and do things that make you feel like you do more than just exist. Get out there and see what the world has to offer. Remember: the only limits on life are ones that you put there yourself. Challenge your limits and you may be surprised how much it can leave a lasting mark on you. Cape Town has shown me how much life has to offer and how important it is to challenge yourself. Life is short, so make your story one worth reading. So, why did I choose Cape Town? If you do not know the answer to that by this point, maybe you should travel to Cape Town and see for yourself. Beth Cormack can be reached at bcomack@ umass.edu.
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‘Assassin’s Creed Unity’ flawed but fun By Alessandro Arena-DeRosa Collegian Staff
Ubisoft released “Assassin’s Creed Unity” as the latest entry in the franchise Tuesday for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. While the jump to next generation consoles shows in the game’s gorgeous aesthetics and complex co-op gameplay, it also sacrificed many of the improvements made in past games. However, “Unity” is still far from a bad game – it feels like a grand experiment that Ubisoft will improve on in later titles. In many ways it is a lot like the first “Assassin’s Creed,” in that its new ideas and gorgeous setting manage to overshadow its simple nature and gaping flaws. The game takes place in late 18th century Paris during the French Revolution and is played from the perspective of Arno, the game’s charming, if stereotypical, protagonist. While the time period isn’t used to its full potential, Paris has a unique and memorable flavor that looks stunning and alive despite the muted color palette. Every visual aspect of the game is clean and beautiful, be it the lighting effects, the updated user interface or the buildings lining the Paris skyline. Arno is a walking cliché of the French hero. Falsely imprisoned then rising to power to take revenge, his quick-witted dialogue and light attitude are the only attributes that differentiate him from the standard brooding white male protagonist. The supporting cast of characters are memorable, if short lived, with most of the focus being on Arnos’ love interest Elise. The romance between the two is one of the more honest and believable ones in gaming and plays nicely into the greater story that unfolds. Considering “Unity” began development before “Assassin’s Creed III” and “Assassin’s Creed IV” were released, it’s no surprise to see many of the tweaks and additions of those games gone. Many elements are absent from naval combat, as are grandiose
UBIQUEST MEDIA
The latest entry in the Assassin’s Creed series sacrifices much of what fans loved about the last entry to make room for new ideas. open worlds and simple additions like whistling around corners to attract guards or being able to hold your breath under water. The parkour also has not improved, and actually feels worse, with fewer haystacks, and scaling buildings being more frustrating than ever. Additionally, some of the classic mechanics of the franchise, such as double assassinations or the use of pistols must be unlocked by gaining experience in missions, instead of being available in the first few hours of play. The game is also riddled with bugs and crashed several times while I was playing. Ubisoft has been frantically trying to patch over this problem in the past week. That is not to say “Unity” is without merit. The ability to crouch is a long-awaited addition to the series and works quite well. The Phantom Blade, which is essentially a quick and dirty version of the dart, also works well and is fun to use. New mission types, like the Murder Mysteries, add an interesting flavor, and the Rift missions allow the player to explore other eras of France, in an albeit simple and not terribly
engaging way. The main assassination missions are always memorable with many layers of challenge and skill used. The progression system is also rewarding, if a bit restrictive at times. The player gains points toward upgrades for every campaign or co-op mission they complete for disguises, healing, and ammo replenishment, which are all very satisfying to unlock and use. There is also a plethora of armor and weapon options that allow the player to pick what they would like to upgrade most, although it lacks a system for aesthetic customization. These options can either be unlocked through actually playing the game, or bought through the game’s rudimentary, but thankfully unnecessary, micro transaction system. Above all else, the co-op is “Unity’s” greatest addition. The complex club system that allows players to form guilds and the addition of a central network to keep track of your progress allowed for some hefty multiplayer improvements. The co-op missions themselves are quite fun too. Playing with friends, or seeing what builds random players
from matchmaking have made, teaming up with fellow assassins simply feels cool. The structure can be a bit frustrating if you are trying to beat any of the missions on single player, but co-op has brilliant flow and pacing. This unfortunately comes at the cost of the franchise’s competitive multiplayer mode, which was fun, if a bit simple, and is nowhere to be found in “Unity.” Much of the rest of “Assassins Creed Unity” remains unchanged from the rest of the series, with combat feeling heavy but satisfying, and stealth feeling tense but not frustrating. Fans of the series should pick up a copy, even if they’ll be a bit disappointed when they compare it to “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag,” or even “Assassin’s Creed: Rogue,” which was released on the same day. Those who are not diehard fans of the series are better off going with the two previously mentioned games, which have better stories, livelier settings and more epic combat than the experimental “Unity” does. Alessandro Arena-DeRosa can be reached at aarenaderosa@umass.edu.
LIFESTYLE
Real hair, don’t care: The Natural Hair Movement
‘Beautiful’ hair follows racist societal standards By Sarah Gamard Collegian Correspondent
Maybe you’ve heard of the “Natural Hair Movement,” maybe you haven’t. If you’ve seen the movie “Mean Girls,” you may remember the scene when the fire alarm goes off, raining water onto the female students. A soaking black girl yells, “Oh, crap, my hair!” Tina Fey, when writing the screenplay, made sure to tastefully examine many millennial high school demographics, including the girl whose world ended when her hair got wet. For those who do not understand: when you chemically relax your hair, which the character did, it cannot be touched or get wet. This even includes exercising strenuously at certain times in the cycle of your salon schedule. Otherwise, the relaxed hair will be ruined. So why are women putting themselves through such inconvenience? Chris Rock’s 2009 documentary, “Good Hair,” revealed the culture that is apparent and altogether normal in the black community: black women are pressured to disguise their natural hair to conform to white ideals of beauty. Many black female sex icons in the media attend to this image, straightening their hair. They also typically have lighter skin, which is another story under the same non-post-racial America umbrella. Pop artists Beyoncé and Rihanna are examples: Whether or not their hair is naturally straight or light-colored, their image perpetuates oppression against black women that supports the growing argument of organized racism. While Oprah Winfrey supports the Natural Hair Movement, some of the most power-
ful women in the United States, including Michelle Obama and Condoleezza Rice, do not wear their hair naturally but rather relaxed, smoother, and more akin to a white woman’s. Even Blue Ivy, Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughter, was ridiculed for her kinks. It seems like a lose-lose situation. If you wear your hair natural, you are ridiculed. But if you do not wear it natural and relax it, it means no swimming, no routine cardio workout, no having your friends or significant other run their fingers through your hair. So is it worth it? According to Tyra Banks on a segment of her popular talk show, 80 percent of all the revenue of hair products is from black women consumers, who make up only around 6 percent of the total United States population. Some spend tens of thousands of dollars on their hair over their lifetime. This does not account for the countless hours spent using the products. Let this be clear: The movement does not ridicule those who choose to change their hair, coloring it an unnatural color or wearing a hairpiece like a wig, a weave or extensions. There is a difference between a woman who wants to chemically alter their hair and dye it an unnatural color because she wants to and a woman who feels the need to dye their hair unnaturally blonde because they are taught through a series of life experiences that one race or ethnicity is more beautiful than another. The Natural Hair Movement has been a response to this “need.” Participants believe shaving their head from the straight, unnaturally altered hair to make room for a new head of natural afro-textured curls does not only free a woman of hours wasted conforming to societal stigmas, but sends a strong message to all other women who are still doing it. The movement fights against greater societal issues surrounding the black community. The
unspoken rules of black hair being considered “less” because black people are “less,” fuels the $9 billion hair industry that teaches black girls to hate their appearance. The idea that a black woman is more attractive and more respected if she chemically alters, and potentially damages her hair should not be putting money in the pockets of hair product companies. The Natural Hair Movement is also a movement against chemical damage to a woman’s hair. The active ingredient in relaxer is sodium hydroxide, which is so potent that it can burn a woman’s hair off and forever damage her scalp. Many women who have had their scalps damaged by chemicals are forced to wear a wig for the rest of their lives. The chemical damage, however, is less important than ending oppression against black women. This became apparent when white women began participating and advocating the movement for themselves to end the use of damaging products. The Natural Hair Movement became a movement for women to learn alternate, natural ways to style their hair that would not lead to long-term damage. While some argued this was acceptable and that the movement could benefit everyone, many were passionately opposed. The point, they said, was not to benefit one’s hair, it was to benefit the livelihoods and social standings of black women. And it’s true: something as simple as these women shaving their heads, throwing out their hair products and starting over again has sent a powerful message. The Natural Hair Movement’s focus is to end the societal pressure on black women to repress their natural beauty and suffer through the process of changing themselves. Sarah Gamard can be reached at sgamard@umass.edu.
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THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Monday, November 17, 2014
Comics I
need my protein so badly that
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bring my milk to the gym.
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HOROSCOPES Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Saving your essay as a .gif is not what your professor meant when she said you need to use more animation in your writing.
pisces
Waterbottle Milk
Feb. 19 - Mar. 20
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Jul. 23 - Aug. 22
Being a sponge rather than a filter helps for late night-before-the-exam cramming and subsequent regurgitation.
virgo
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A pack of Kraft cheese slices fused together can also be referred to as a “singles bar.”
If you’re tying anything together with bacon, you either didn’t cook it long enough or it’s not bacon.
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Remember, your child is a sponge. It’s important to wring him out every night so he doesn’t get moldy.
There are many acceptable forms of vessel to transport milk in, and I’m pretty sure a Ziploc bag it at the top of the list.
Toothpicks should never ever be considered “baby chopsticks.” They are far too dangerous for infant hands.
It’s amazing and very telling that “sushi” is one phoneme off from being “slushy.”
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Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
People may judge you for having an electric blanket in class, but only for a short time.
Blending milk and ice makes a surprisingly aesthetically similar copy of a milkshake, but looks are often deceiving.
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Although it’s delicious and seasonally relevant, An electric blanket is just a hipper, funner hot cocoa is not the best drink for the gym. regular blanket.
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COMEBACK minutes of play. Boston College had opportunities to bury UMass – the Minutemen went nearly eight minutes of play without making a single field goal – but struggled to extend the lead. Eagles’ guard Olivier Hanlan carried Boston College, scoring 15 points in the first 20 minutes. He scored just three points in the second half. “That was about as bad as you can play,” Kellogg said of the first half. “I thought we were pretty bad out there. Any time we got some momentum, we did something that was a bad basketball play.” The Minutemen made a habit of using late-game surges to escape with victories a season ago, and Sunday’s matchup was no different.
continued from page 8
UMass benefited from strong performances from reserves Donte Clark (five points, four assists in the second half) and Jabarie Hinds (eight point, three assists in 30 minutes of play) to supplement Gordon and Esho’s strong performances. It was the second time in as many years the Minutemen knocked off Boston College at the TD Garden, winning 86-73 a season ago. According to Esho, the in-state game carried extra significance. “I kind of take it a little personal,” he said. “We’re playing for the state. That’s how I took it, it was a little personal. We’re trying to win, we think we’re the best team in Massachusetts.” Mark Chiarelli can be reached at mchiarel@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @Mark_Chiarelli.
Monday, November 17, 2014
7
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
UMass falls to CMU despite late rally
Timbilla shows defensive success By Tom Mulherin Collegian Staff
Looking for its first win of the 2014-2015 season Sunday, the Massachusetts women’s basketball team came up with a last-minute rally against Central Michigan, highlighted by great defensive play, before falling one possession short in a 72-70 loss. The Minutewomen (0-2) trailed by 13 points with 42 seconds left in the game before embarking on a 9-0 run over the next 33 seconds, cutting the deficit to four points. But nine seconds wasn’t enough time for UMass to pull through in a two-pos-
session situation, as a Leah McDerment three-pointer was all the team had time for. Coach Sharon Dawley said the Minutewomen’s defensive effort in the final minute played a factor in the attempted comeback. “(The defense) put on a full-on press and we trapped,” Dawley said, describing the rally. “We got back-to-back steals doing that.” With seven minutes remaining, UMass could have avoided the comeback situation, when it trailed by three points before CMU went on a 13-0 run. Dawley said a big factor in the run was the absence of defensive stalwart Rashida Timbilla, who was on the bench at the time. Timbilla had a big game for the Minutewomen on
both ends of the court Sunday, recording a doubledouble with 14 points and 12 rebounds on 5-of-11 shooting from the field. Despite her seven turnovers of her own, the junior was able to generate seven steals and a block in a strong defensive performance covering Chippewas’ guard Crystal Bradford. Bradford, normally a consistent shooter, finished 6-for-14 Sunday. “She did a great job keeping (Bradford) in front. Bradford had to work a little bit harder getting into the paint, and I thought (Timbilla played) solid defense.” Even with the defensive effort from Timbilla to help the Minutewomen force 20 turnovers against CMU, the Minutewomen also struggled
with ball possession, turning the ball over 19 times. Guarding Timbilla, Bradford had a strong defensive performance, tallying seven steals. Free throws were also a problem for UMass, who finished 18-of-29 from the line. “The kids take a lot of them, so now it’s just mental and we need to step up to the line and be confident,” Dawley said. “But free throws are something that the more you talk about it, the worse it could get.” The Minutewomen will look to get their first win of the season at home on Wednesday, when they take on Maine at 7 p.m. Tom Mulherin can be reached at tmulheri@umass.edu.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Monday, November 17, 2014
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MEN’S BASKETBALL
STATE OF DEFENSE
Patience proves key in UM’s victory
B
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Derrick Gordon finished with 15 points and three steals Sunday to help UMass surge past in-state rival Boston College.
Defense sparks second half comeback for Minutemen against Boston College Gordon, Esho lead UMass’ comeback By Mark Chiarelli Collegian Staff
BOSTON — It took roughly four minutes for the UMass Massachusetts men’s basketball BC team to undo 20 minutes of subpar basketball Sunday. The Minutemen stormed back in the second half over Boston College, erasing an eight-point halftime deficit to win 71-62 at the TD Garden and improve to 2-0. A strong defensive performance to open the second half ignited UMass, which went on a 21-5 run to open the final frame. “I think there’s value in every situation,” Minutemen coach Derek Kellogg said following the game. “Probably more so that you can withstand not playing your best basketball and have the moxie to come out and play well in the second half and pick up the win. It’s been
two games in a row where we’ve had to claw and fight for wins.” UMass guard Derrick Gordon set the tone on the opening play of the second half. Trailing 32-24, Gordon intercepted an Eagles’ pass and 71 scored on a fastbreak layup. On the 62 ensuing inbounds pass, Boston College turned the ball over again, this time firing an errant pass to Minutemen guard Trey Davis who converted on a layup. Eagles’ coach Jim Christian quickly called a timeout but it did little in stopping the UMass onslaught. “I think we let the two early turnovers deflate us,” Christian said. “I just think when they made that run, we didn’t respond the way we wanted to.” Led by Gordon, the Minutemen quickly erased Boston College’s lead. Gordon scored 15 points in the second half on an array of slashes and drives to the rim, but it was his defensive intensity which UMass
“That was our focus coming into the game, that it has to start on the defensive end.” Derrick Gordon, UMass guard credited as turning the game around. The redshirt junior turned another steal into a layup shortly after to make it 36-34 and then began to make his mark offensively. The Eagles went over eight minutes in the second half without making a shot from the field during a span where the Minutemen’s lead ballooned to 60-48. “That was our focus coming into the game, that it has to start on the defensive end,” Gordon said. “In the first half we didn’t bring it and we didn’t really have the energy that we needed. We talked before the second half started saying we all needed to be defensive-minded and the offense is going to come.” “My defensive intensity, I just wanted to bring that spark,” Gordon said. From there, other teammates worked their way into the offense.
UMass forward Maxie Esho scored 23 points Sunday and disrupted the Eagles in the full-court press defensively. He turned his own steal into an easy dunk to give the Minutemen a 43-37 lead and established himself as a presence in the paint, adding nine rebounds. “We knew that wasn’t our best basketball,” Esho said of the first half. “We knew in the second half, we had to pick it up on the defensive end of the floor and offense would come and the game would change and go in our favor.” UMass wasn’t overselling its first half woes, either. The Minutemen made just 4-of-15 (26.7 percent) shots from the field, did little more at the free throw line in a 16-of-24 shooting performance and committed 10 turnovers through the first 20 see
COMEBACK on page 7
y the time the season is over I’m sure Massachusetts’s men’s basketball coach Derek Kellogg will have a few more gray hairs than he would like to admit. There was no hiding that for the first 20 minutes, the Minutemen played bad – no, terrible – basketball. UMass shot just 4-for15 from the field, with one assist to 10 turnovers. Andrew After one half, it looked Cyr like the only hope for the Minutemen’s offense was if Chaz Williams could come out of a time machine to take control. But if there is one thing that UMass will have to grasp and appreciate more than ever, it will be patience, as the Minutemen prevailed in a 71-62 win over Boston College in the second game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at the TD Garden. As poorly as it played in the first half, UMass miraculously only trailed by eight heading into the locker room. “They all spoke along the lines of staying positive. That was about as bad as you can play (in the half),” Kellogg said. “Any time we got some momentum we did something that was a bad basketball play, as well as we were not as energetic as I would have liked.” All it took was a steal from Derrick Gordon that led to a fast break layup to spark the Minutemen, as they started the second half on a 13-4 run in the first four minutes, 28 seconds to give it the lead for good. UMass outscored the Eagles 47-30 in the second half, as it was able to create easy baskets the old fashioned way – with defense. The Minutemen began ramping up the defensive pressure with a full-court press that prevented Boston College from preventing a field goal in the first seven minutes, 11 seconds in the second half. Maxie Esho once again proved that he was more than just an energy guy,
finishing with a career-high 23 points to go with nine rebounds. Although it’s been a very small sample size, Esho has not only made the biggest jump from last season, but has been the Minutemen’s leading scorer and has logged the most minutes. As noted in the press conference, Kellogg can’t keep relying on Esho’s production throughout the entire season. Bergantino played the most minutes of any forward off the bench (seven) while Zach Coleman only played three. Seth Berger – UMass’ only other player above 6-foot-5 – started once again at small forward, but was held to just seven minutes because of foul trouble. Cady Lalanne finished with another double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) to go along with his five blocks. Eagle’s head coach Jim Christian credited Lalanne’s presence on the back end of the press that made the Minutemen’s press so efficient. Jabarie Hinds and Donte Clarke each solidified their roles as key reserves for Kellogg and will have an increased role as the season progresses. Clarke finished with five points while Hinds finished with eight. The two connected on the biggest play of the night on an alley-oop that erupted the Minutemen faithful that made the trip to Boston. It’s going to take Kellogg a while to get his team to string together a complete 40-minute performance, if it happens at all. But for the time being, he’s just going to have to sit back and watch his young team grow up. There are plenty of building blocks, but it’s discovering which ones go in the right places that will lead this team to the promised land. “This one was personal,” Esho said. “We wanted to prove that we were the best team in Massachusetts. It looks like Nov. 29 game against Harvard will be the deciding factor on that one. Andrew Cyr can be reached at arcyr@ umass.edu, and followed on Twitter @Andrew_Cyr.
HOCKEY
UMass hockey participates in ‘Movember’ movement By Ross Gienieczko Collegian Staff
A recent bye week provided the Massachusetts hockey team a chance to rest, recover and work on developing its game. It was also an opportunity for the Minutemen to grow something else – their mustaches. For the third consecutive year, UMass is participating in a grassroots movement that has turned mainstream. Its goal is to raise awareness and money for prostate cancer and it goes by a simple name: “Movember.” Every November since its creation in Australia in the late 1990s, males across the globe have grown mustaches to raise awareness for men’s health issues such as prostate cancer. Since 2004, the movement has been supported by The Movember Foundation,
run by CEO Adam Garone. Minutemen coach John Micheletto first joined the cause eight years ago when he was coaching at Vermont. “I’ve been doing it for eight years since I was made aware of it,” Micheletto said. “It’s to prompt conversation and questions from people … mostly to bring notoriety to men’s health issues.” Ever since he became involved with the movement, Micheletto has encouraged his players and staff to get involved. This year, several UMass players are sporting mustaches to support the cause, varying in lengths and styles. For goaltender Steve Mastalerz though, the cause holds a special meaning. His father Jim is a prostate cancer survivor. “It’s pretty special to me
on a personal level. He had it over 10 years ago, and they found it early which was good,” Mastalerz said. “He’s been cancer-free for a while now and it’s pretty cool that he’s a survivor and to grow a mustache in his honor.” Mastalerz, a senior, has participated in the program for all four years he has attended UMass. For most Movember participants, growing a mustache to visually raise awareness is enough. But Micheletto and the Minutemen have joined the thousands of donors worldwide that are raising money for research and other men’s health causes. A team started by Micheletto, dubbed “Mick’s Militia,” raised over $500 already and is still receiving donations. Micheletto said he wants to encourage fans to get involved
in the cause. To donate to his team, followers can log on to Movember.com and search “Mick’s Militia.” “You can go to that website and look and search for anybody, donate to their cause and follow along with the pictures people post as their mustaches start to come in,” Micheletto said. “It’s something that I’ve done since I was 16 when I moved away to play junior hockey,” junior defenseman Ben Gallacher said. “Our junior team (the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League) always did it to try and raise money and awareness for men’s health. I came here and I knew that (Micheletto) was doing it, and figured I’d hop on board for it.” Since its creation, over four million men and women have registered as Movember
donors. Combined, the men and women donating to the cause have raised $559 million across 21 countries since 2003. Donations aside, having a mustache in November has become synonymous with prostate cancer awareness. UMass players are certainly active participants, and the Minutemen sporting mustaches are walking advertisements for men’s health awareness. In an informal poll of participating Minutemen, senior defenseman Mike Busillo was the popular choice for best mustache on the team. As part of the effort to raise awareness for men’s health, UMass has dubbed Friday night’s game against Boston College as “Movember night.” There will be a contest for the best mustache (real or fake) among fans and prizes will be given out to the winners.
Throughout the game, the best mustaches among the Minutemen will be shown on the big screen. Protect Our Breasts has also teamed up and will be running promotions on the concourse. For Micheletto, there couldn’t be a better cause for the team and school to band together. “I’ve had family members that have had prostate cancer and after I started doing it, a number of colleagues in the hockey world have come up to me and said that they’re battling it or unfortunately have lost someone to it,” Micheletto said. “(Prostate cancer) is the number one killer of men but it also has the best cure rate if detected early.” Ross Gienieczko can be reached at rgieniec@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @RossGien.