31 January 2022

January 31, 2022 - Issue 13 - Volume 107

cover by: Amy Polovich

a student newspaper of the University of Tulsa

Tensions build between Russia and Ukraine, page 5 Kansas City Chiefs win the quarterfinal game with 13 seconds left, page 4 Governor Stitt prohibits nonbinary birth certificates, page 2 Dr. Mosher reveals his variety favorites, page 7 Satire: Starfish lets professors reward students with little kisses, page 8

The Collegian: 2

News

January 31, 2022

Governor Stitt prohibits nonbinary birth certificates

Stitt believes his executive order is necessary to protect Oklahoma values.

Jihan Aldada Copy Editor

Last November, Governor Kevin Stitt directed the Oklahoma State Department of Health to stop issuing birth certificates that listed the recipient’s gender as nonbinary.

Stitt, a member of the Republican Party and still in his first term, stated that his administration never approved the settlement agreement, the result of a civil case in which nonbinary birth certificates were agreed to be offered in the state of Oklahoma.

of Oklahoma deprives them of equality, or equal treatment. The settlement agreed that Oklahomans may request an amended birth certificate from the Office of Vital Records, after first obtaining a court order from an Oklahoma court.

Following the settlement, Oklahoma’s health department agreed to amend birth certificates of nonbinary people on request.

However, as Stitt ordered, the settlement is being tried for “correction.” Stitt argues that his actions to cease the issuing of birth certificates with nonbinary gender markers is necessary to protect the state’s values.

Since the beginning of his term, Governor Stitt has faced criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates over legislation and what he deems as traditional values. Since signing the ex-

“The original lawsuit argued that ... the state of Oklahoma deprives [nonbinary individuals] of equality ...”

As of Jan. 2022, 103 Oklahomans have changed their gender marker on birth certificates since 2018. Two years after 2018, Oklahoma joined 14 other states and the District of Columbia in establishing a nonbinary birth certificate process after an Oregon resident and Oklahoma native, Kit Lorelied, filed a federal lawsuit against the OSDH. In August of 2020, Lorelied filed a lawsuit after requesting a change in their birth certificate to reflect their nonbinary identity, meaning they don’t identify as either male or female. Lorelied’s attorneys advocated that denying the change violates the United States Constitution, adding that there was no real reason the government should deny such a change. The original lawsuit argued that by refusing to allow individuals to choose how they identify, the state

ecutive order in Nov. 2021, Stitt has faced backlash from the LGBTQ political aid organization Freedom Oklahoma—a statewide advocacy group that works to support and provide protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. As state leaders plan to get involved in undoing the current settlement, many others are following Freedom Oklahoma’s stance against them as they attempt to uphold the nonbinary birth certificates’ availibility.

As a result of the executive order, Oklahoma health departments are no longer able to accept court orders for gender changes.

The law will only allow for gender marker changes if an error was made initially. Governor Stitt’s executive order directs the state health department to cease amending birth certificates that are unauthorized by the state

courtesy oklahoma.gov Governor Kevin Stitt has faced criticism from the LGBTQ+ community over legislation in the past.

law, despite the fact that people who are nonbinary do not identify with a traditional male or female assignment. Furthermore, the executive order also demands that the OSDH remove the reference of amending

birth certificates from their website as well as inform Stitt and his administration of any pending litigation regarding birth certificate amendments or other pertinent information.

Amazon, UPS and FedEx packages stolen off freights Railroad crimes in Los Angeles have increased during the pandemic; Union Pacific blames District Attorney George Gascón.

Shelby Hiens News Editor In January, packages from Amazon, UPS and FedEx were found on the side of railroad tracks in Los Angeles, California.

Thousands of packages were rifled through, looted and abandoned. Shipments were in transit to recipients across the country.

Similar incidents have been reported since November 2021.

Items found in the remaining boxes included family photos and belongings, clothes, shoes, COVID-19 rapid tests, swabs and personal protective equipment.

Pricier goods found among the debris were medications costing up to $6,000.

lic safety,” Gascón said when the directive was issued.

Union Pacific said it made over 100 arrests of “active criminals vandalizing our trains” in the last three months. “Union Pacific is very concerned about the increased cargo thefts in California, and we have taken several steps to address this criminal activity,” Union Pacific said in a statement.

In addition to their partnership with the county’s police department and sheriff department, Union Pacific has its own police department to protect the 32,000 miles of railroad tracks it owns. Despite expanding security and close partnership with Los Angeles law enforcement, the railroad crimes persist. Individuals suspected and involved in lifting packages off the cargo trains are sometimes released from custody within 24 hours of arrest.

“Our office is committed to working with law enforcement to ensure collective safety across Los Angeles County’s sprawling

“Individuals ... involved in lifting packages off the cargo trains are sometimes released from custody within 24 hours of arrest.”

Union Pacific, one of the largest railroad companies in the country, is considering avoiding operations in Los Angeles altogether with the recent spike in railroad thefts. In a letter to the Los Angeles District Attorney, Union Pacific said that it saw a 160% year-over-year increase in theft in the county. Union Pacific also claims that a special directive issued in December 2020 by District Attorney George Gascón has contributed to the increase in railroad crimes.

The directive changed how low-level offenses are prosecuted.

The uptick in crime in Los Angeles is associated with poverty, which has increased due to the pandemic. Gascón’s directive was intended to curb misdemeanor convictions which can cause difficulties with employment, education, government benefits, housing and immigration. “Studies show that prosecution of the offenses driving the bulk of misdemeanor cases have minimal, or even negative, long-term impacts on pub-

infrastructure, whether it’s at our ports or on railroad tracks,” Alex Bastian, Special Advisor to District Attorney Gascón said when reached for comment. “Some cases presented to our office by Union Pacific have been filed, such as burglary and grand theft, while others have been declined due to insufficient evidence. We make charging decisions based on the evidence. Our office takes Union Pacific’s concerns seriously and hopes to discuss this issue more in the coming weeks,” he added.

However, Union Pacific said it has not been contacted for any court proceedings.

The railroad company said in the letter that it understands the social justice goals of Gascón’s policy, but it wants to hold looters accountable and protect its employees.

“These rail crimes pose a serious safety threat to the public, our employees and local law enforcement officers,” Union Pacific said in a statement.

Union Pacific has made over 100 arrests in the last three months.

tucollegian@tucollegian.com editor in chief

Justin Klopfer managing editor

Adam Walsh news editor

Shelby Hiens sports editor

Callie Hummel variety editor

Julianne Tran commentary editor

Logan Guthrie satire editor

Anna Johns photo & graphics editor

Amy Polovich

business & advertising manager

Madeleine Goodman social media & web manager

Maddie Walters copy editor

Jihan Aldada

courtesy Wikimedia Commons

@TUCOLLEGIAN

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January 31, 2022

Sports

The Collegian: 3

Novak Djokovic gets deported during Australian Open

The #1 men’s player in the world’s refusal to get vaccinated causes problems, says sports writer Zach Sabel.

The Australian Open is in full swing, and has provided some amazing drama both on and off the court. Perhaps the biggest story comes from a player not even in the tournament. The world-renowned player Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia following a dramatic series of events that at one point almost seemed like it would work out for the Serbian World Tennis number one.

It must be an odd sight for fans who had become accustomed to seeing Djokovic dominate the courts down under, having won the past three editions of the tournament. Djokovic’s deportation stems from

tested positive for COVID-19, but later tested negative before receiving his exemption from Tennis Australia. Prior to arrival in Australia, Djokovic had traveled to Spain, then ticked “no” on his travel documents stating he had not traveled anywhere in the past 14 days. When he arrived in Australia, he was promptly arrested and taken to a temporary detention facility at a hotel. A judge would later order his release only for the Chief of Immigration in Australia, Alex Hawke, to revoke his visa and have him deported.

This whole saga is a sad sight for any tennis fan, especially when one considers

“Djokovic’s deportation stems from his—in my opinion—thick-skulled decision to not get vaccinated ...” his—in my opinion—thick-skulled decision to not get vaccinated and the assumption that he’s afforded special privileges because he’s a rich athlete. At a point, it did seem like he would get these special privileges, as the governing body of tennis in Australia and the State Government of Victoria declared that he was one of the few players granted a medical exemption. He was then detained on arrival by border police for not meeting the Australian standards for unvaccinated travelers.

As it turns out, Djokovic had been attending events in Serbia, unmasked and crowded around by people. He eventually

Djokovic has helped lesser-known pros earn more money by helping found a players’ union of sorts. What saddens me even more is the number of supporters he had in Australia and abroad clamoring for his release.

This ordeal speaks to larger issues of upperclass people thinking “Rules for thee not for me,” and the widespread misinformation campaign by often right-wing organizations and individuals.

No one is arguing that a person’s free will and rights should be trampled on, but people like Djokovic’s unwillingness to mask up to follow the rules puts the freedoms of those who follow safety precautions, particularly

courtesy @djokernole on Twitter

those who are immunocompromised, at risk. For now, his little incident doesn’t just ban him from Australia for three years, this jeopardizes his legacy in the eyes of many fans across the world.

People like Djokovic with such a massive platform need to realize the power they have, and that they genuinely influence large swathes of children and adults in the decisions they will go on to make in an effort to emulate their heroes. Luckily for us, there

are many tennis stars with common sense continuing to put on a spectacular show for us down under, with Australian Ashleigh Barty set to take on American Danielle Collins in the women’s singles final, and the legendary Rafael Nadal set to take on Daniil Medvedev on Jan. 30th. Hopefully, Djokovic can have some lightbulb moment that will allow him to be the mentor that he has the power to be.

Keira D’Amato breaks the American women’s marathon record

After taking years off of running, D’Amato comes back to break a marathon record, discusses sports editor Callie Hummel.

On Jan. 16 at the Houston Marathon, Keira D’Amato came back from her sevenyear break from running to break the US women’s marathon record with a two hour, 19 minute and 12 second time. Her time beat the previous record, set in place in 2006, by 24 seconds.

seven years off of running after graduation.

An injury that she didn’t have the money to get surgery for, wanting to get married and having kids won out over running for those seven years.

D’Amato’s husband, who she met at a running camp in high school, continued

“... she became one of the only two American women to have broken the 2:20:00 marathon barrier ...”

The record came as a shock to most of the running community, as D’Amato wasn’t in the public eye like many other runners gunning for the record since the last one was beaten. She also only picked up running again five years ago, and although she was an All-American runner at the Division I American University, D’Amato took

to run over the years, eventually leading D’Amato back into the sport. At this point in her life, D’Amato had found success in her real estate career and had the funds to get the surgery she previously couldn’t. So when she bought her husband a marathon entry ticket, she agreed to go on his training runs with him for the company. Unfortu-

nately, he was deployed before he was able to compete, however D’Amato continued to run by herself, adding more and more distance.

Five years later, she became one of the only two American women to have broken the 2:20:00 marathon barrier at 37 years old. Breaking this time barrier meant that D’Amato ran 26.2 miles with a 5:18 pace per mile. However, after the race, she promptly told a reporter, “I finished that race thinking that I could run faster since I never really hit a wall. It felt really smooth. And marathons never really feel smooth.”

There aren’t many times that people cross the finish line of a marathon, especially keeping the pace that D’Amato did, and reveal that they believe they could have run faster. Even though she took those seven years off from running, it’s obvious that the time off didn’t affect her endurance or talent in the long run.

When D’Amato had to quit post-college due to an injury, she always felt like she had unfinished business. Her new record is definitely helping to finally complete that business, but she says that just being able to run happily every again day is enough for her.

However, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have big goals for her future running career.

After her success during the Houston Marathon, D’Amato is continuing her training for the love of running, but also has her eyes set on the 2024 Olympics in Paris. She’ll spend the next two years training to qualify for the marathon event and hopefully compete against other women around the world in the Summer Games. While she is actively and vocally chasing the Olympics, D’Amato reveals that whether she qualifies or not, she’s happy with where she is in running.

courtesy @keiradamato on Twitter

courtesy @keiradamato on Twitter

courtesy @keiradamato on Twitter

Sports

The Collegian: 4

January 31, 2022

Kansas City Chiefs’ last-second comeback against the Bills The Chiefs recovered with only 13 seconds left, entering the semifinals, discusses Sports editor Callie Hummel.

With the brackets narrowing down and the NFL closing in on the Super Bowl, all eight teams proved their worthiness to be in the quarterfinals with close scores and multiple touchdown comebacks.

One of the most unbelievable comebacks happened during the Chiefs vs Bills game that took place in Kansas City on Jan. 23.

The two teams went head to head the entire game. When one team scored a touchdown and took the lead, the other team would retaliate and score their own. Both sets of fans were kept on the edge of their seats the entire game, neither side knowing which team was going to take home the ticket to the semifinals.

minute warning or when a timeout is called, the Chiefs still having their full allotment means they could take their time calling a play and getting set to hike the ball. While having so many timeouts to make their way down the field appears to be luck, it seems that the team knew the risk they ran having such a close game, and allotted correctly to put them in a successful position for a quick comeback if necessary.

From the 25 yard line, Patrick Mahomes threw an easy but effective 10-yard pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill who then ran another nine yards before calling a timeout to get set for the next play. With eight seconds left on the clock, Mahomes found tight

“... Travis Kelce caught the winning ball in the end zone to send the Chiefs to the semifinals.”

With 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the fans thought they had their answer after a Bills’ touchdown pulled the team ahead by three points. The Chiefs offense would have to move the ball at least 40 yards to give their kicker a fair shot at making the field goal, which would bring the score to a tie.

The Chiefs received the kickoff and lined up on the 25-yard line with 13 seconds left in the game. Even though it was so close to the end of the game, they still had three timeouts to work with, which came in handy with the dwindling time.

Since the clock only stops in football when a player runs out of bounds, the two-

end Travis Kelce streaking up the middle, who then ran between two Bills players and ended up at the 32-yard line. The team immediately called another timeout to get their kicker on the field for the 49-yard field goal attempt.

Harrison Butker, the Chiefs’ reliable kicker, was lined up with three seconds left on the clock. If he missed the field goal, the Chiefs’ season would be over. With the weight of his teammates on his shoulders, Butker kicked the ball with ease, sending the two teams into overtime.

In football overtime, whoever scores a touchdown first wins. This means a huge

courtesy @chiefs on Twitter

advantage is given to the team that wins the coin toss, therefore getting the ball first.

While this might seem like a small upper hand during the regular season, it’s another story in the Superbowl playoffs. Having the overtime be determined this way makes it feel like teams are being given access to the Superbowl if they correctly guess if a coin will land on heads or tails, a game of luck when it should be determined by ability in football. Since the Chiefs won and therefore started off with the ball, it’s almost inevitable that they’re the ones to get the first touchdown, therefore winning the game.

That’s exactly what happened as Mahomes

continuously found short passes to dependable receivers, slowly gaining first downs and making their way up the field until Travis Kelce caught the winning ball in the end zone to send the Chiefs to the semifinals.

To determine if the Chiefs will make it all the way to the Superbowl to take back the title they lost last year to the Buccaneers, they first must face the Cincinnati Bengals who defeated the Tennessee Titans 19-16 in the quarterfinals. The winner of the game will compete in the Superbowl, which will be more than just a game of heads or tails.

courtesy @chiefs on Twitter

courtesy @chiefs on Twitter

Jan. 31 - Feb. 6 Monday

Tuesday 31

none

Wednesday 1

M Basketball @ Wichita State 8:00 p.m.

Thursday

none

Saturday 4

3

2

W Basketball vs. Houston 6:30 p.m.

Friday

none

Sunday 6

5

W Tennis vs. Purdue 11:00 a.m.

M Tennis Pepperdine 12:00 p.m.

W Tennis @ Temple 1:00 p.m.

W Basketball @ Wichita State 2:00 p.m.

January 31, 2022

Commentary

The Collegian: 5

Banning books also bans acceptance and equality

Oklahoma regresses by proposing a new bill to ban books related to sexuality, race and gender.

Myranda New Student Writer Across the nation, numerous states are banning large numbers of books that deal with sexuality, gender and race. Especially in Oklahoma, a number of books will be banned at the discretion of parents with children in school.

diverse place, and I am appalled that this bill was even created in the first place. Every year, we as a society have the chance to make positive change, to make everyone feel welcome, safe and supported, yet every year I feel like we revert further away from where we need to be.

Not only does this bill apply to K-12 classrooms, but public Oklahoma universities as well through Senate Bill 1141. The bill states that students cannot be required to take any courses “addressing any form of gender, sexual or racial diversity, equality or inclusion curriculum.” The bill says that it will not allow a unanimous education of equality and inclusivity, encouraging alienation and isolation. Imagine creating a bill so harmful to society that you refuse to let public universities educate their students on treating other human beings as your equal.

Not only will this bill be harmful to society, but it will be harmful on an individual level. Students in the LGBTQ+ community are already so rarely recognized in the media, and when they are, it can be very stereotypical. For students who may not be in a safe situation to come out to their fam-

“Not only will this bill be harmful to society, but it will be harmful on an individual level.”

Oklahoma State Senator Rob Standridge proposed Senate Bill 1142, claiming that if a parent thinks a book is not okay to have in the classroom, a $10,000 fine will be charged per day that the book is still on the shelf. If the book is not removed in 30 days, the teacher of the classroom will be terminated and not allowed to teach at any school for two years.

This is a massive step backwards in our efforts to make society a more welcoming,

ily or who have no one to turn to, media is an escape for them, to see characters and themes that represent them. Representation helps people feel accepted, and by controlling the books on the shelf, specifically to ban LGBTQ+ related topics, you are essentially telling those students that they are not acceptable. This will further isolate these children that are already isolated from their family and friends. McAlester News of Southeast Oklahoma reported that one in four Oklahoma LGBTQ+ youth attempt

courtesy Pixabay It is not unheard of for books to be banned in the U.S., but placing the final decision so heavily in the parents’ hands is particularly problematic.

suicide. Telling children that their natural, non-chosen orientation is not okay will do nothing to decrease that statistic.

This idea applies to all groups silenced due to this bill. Many Black authors have been removed from shelves, citing violence in novels about slavery and other intense topics. Why are you removing books about the truth? History is plagued with violence, and to be a more understanding society, we must learn these events from all perspectives. When local news stations were reaching out to Oklahoma towns on this new bill, many discussed classroom shelves full of old novels written by white men. In many schools, books on the Afghanistan Civil War, such as “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini, are banned due to violence, yet reading those books was the only way I learned what was occurring on the other side of the world through their perspective.

We must diversify our shelves to strive for understanding.

Teachers should not be banned for furthering equality through an understanding of all perspectives. The voice of a white male author will not match the voice of an African American woman over the same event, and it is important to recognize and understand the differences. The United States is a melting pot with people culminating from all over the world. Our country is the epitome of diversity, yet we are so separated from one another.

One parent should not have the authority to dictate what happens to everyone in a classroom. If you are concerned about your child reading a book, then sit them down and explain why you think they should wait until they are older to read it. Take the time to educate your child as opposed to outright banning books. Open the floor for communication. Just because a parent educates their child outside of the classroom does not mean you get the privilege to prevent those curious from a deeper understanding.

Russian invasion of Ukraine seems inevitable

The U.S.’s proposed diplomatic solution has not been accepted.

Logan Guthrie Commentary Editor In the midst of the growing crisis between Russia and Ukraine and recent reports from Britain of President Vladimir Putin’s plans for a supposed puppet-regime, citizens of the United States are beginning to wonder what sort of American involvement may be on the horizon. Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley has gone on the record saying that “it would be horrific” if Russia does decide to attack Ukraine, and “a significant amount of casualties” would result from these actions, specifically in the urban areas of Ukraine, the nation’s most-dense regions.

Among these comments during a recent Pentagon press conference, Gen. Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin claimed that military conflict “is not inevitable,” be-

tween the two countries, as the attack would lead to too much potential damage on Russia’s part. According to Milley, “If war were to break out on the scale and scope that is possible, the civilian population will suffer immensely.”

Milley continued to elaborate upon the devastation if President Putin were to command an attack on Ukraine, saying “[While] we don’t think any final decisions have been made [by Putin], given the type of forces that are readied - the ground maneuver forces, the artillery, the ballistic missiles, the air forces, all of it packaged together - if that was unleashed on Ukraine, it would be significant, very significant. And it would result in a significant amount of casualties.”

While Milley is indeed correct that, “It would be horrific, it would be terrible, and it’s not necessary” for Ukraine to be attacked by Russia, it seems a little too hopeful to believe that at the current time “a diplomatic outcome” will occur.

Though any decent human would hope that a diplomatic solution would arise from the tension, the United States, alongside allies of NATO, have not succeeded in the past few weeks in diplomatically de-escalating the tense relationship between Russia and Ukraine. In the meantime, President Putin continues to move more of his own troops toward the border of Ukraine. These are not the actions of someone seeking a diplomatic solution, but the actions of someone looking for a fight.

In fact, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, has stated on the record that there are “few reasons for optimism” since the United States and allies refused Russia’s basic demands to avert invasion of Ukraine,

courtesy @ZelenskyyUa on Twitter President Zelensky is the 6th president of Ukraine, elected May 20, 2019. Originally an actor and comedian, Zelensky has proven himself to stand in opposition to Vladimir Putin’s regime.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons The Russo-Ukrainian War began February 2014, with the central division lying between Ukrainian pro-Russian protesters and those advocating for separation.

those being withdrawal of NATO troops from eastern Europe and guarantees that Soviet-bloc countries would not be allowed to ally themselves with the United States, including Ukraine itself. While a diplomatic solution to the situation has been proposed, there is no reason to believe that the proposal will be accepted, indicating diplomacy seems like a naive solution at this point, given that there is no chance at this time that President Biden and NATO will comply.

The United States should feel the same way. We should not assume that the rest of the world should love us because we’re Americans, and to assume that we are the greatest country in the world is a mistake coming from our own narcissism. Again, while we may have attempted a diplomatic solution, there is no reason at this time to believe that it will be accepted, and we should be ready to respond in aide of our foreign allies to the best of our ability when

“Careful measures must be considered as diplomatic actions evolve into something different.”

On a recent call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Biden supposedly warned that it is a “distinct possibility” that invasion is imminent. Zelensky has been openly critical of President Biden’s administration’s approach to the issue stating that the view of imminent further invasion is a “mistake” and Russia’s threat to Ukraine is still “dangerous but ambiguous”. In response to the State Department’s evacuation of the families of diplomats and nonessential staff from Kyiv’s U.S. Embassy, President Zelensky’s said “These are redundant and wrong steps that don’t help us,” expressing his gratitude for American military and financial support. “I can’t be like other politicians who are grateful for the United States just for being the United States,” he said. “I’m saying the truth. We want to be partners and true friends. I don’t want to lie to you.”

they are wronged, and it is in the best interest for both Ukraine and the U.S. that Biden and Zelensky have decided to work as a joint effort in future decisions on the matter.

That being said, to jump into the conflict when it inevitably breaks between Russia and Ukraine would be unwise, given our recent pulling of troops from Afghanistan and the strains that conflict has put on so many people around the world. Careful measures must be considered as diplomatic actions evolve into something different. Instead of sending the U.S. military again into a fight that may not necessarily be our own so soon after bringing our soldiers home will have profound effects for the United States on the homefront, and it would be best to first consider “additional macroeconomic support” to Ukraine’s economy in response to Russia’s buildup, since the White House is already exploring this as an option.

The Collegian: 6

The “Zach Sang Show” offers insight into the music and lives of the biggest names in the industry.

Hana Saad Student Writer “Hello wonderful humans.”

This is how Zach Sang starts off almost every episode of the podcast on the “Zach Sang Show.” Sang utters this phrase with absolute sincerity and enthusiasm. This podcast features conversations between Sang and various musical guests.

Most of the guests are popular contemporary artists, but the conversations are usually illuminating, inspiring and heartwarming. The last word in particular describes the show perfectly. Sang, although incredibly self-deprecating at times, is a force of positivity and he brings that to every episode.

His sincere and positive nature draws out the best from the people he interviews. In “Ariana Grande ‘thank u, next’ Interview” which aired on Feb. 9, 2019, Grande tosses a question back at Sang when he asks which

Variety

of her songs is her favorite off her album “thank u, next.” Grande is audibly surprised whenever Sang immediately lists several songs and goes in-depth on how those songs affected him.

That is emblematic of the level of respect he brings to the table when interviewing guests. The episodes where Sang is clearly a fan of the artists are the most satisfying to listen to, as the mutual appreciation fosters a rich space as they discuss their music, art and life.

Another notable example of Sang’s respect is visible in the interviews that he has done with BTS. Even when they were less popular in America a few years ago, Sang still approached their interviews with professionalism, asking them about their music, mission and projects they were involved with at the time. It has made him a favorite interviewer among many BTS fans, myself included.

Sang’s lack of fear to show his fanhood is another quality that makes this podcast enjoyable to listen to. This puts the listener in a more comfortable position, making it feel like we are almost there in the room with the

January 31, 2022

The “Zach Sang Show” started in 2012 as “Zach Sang and the Gang.”

artist, able to obsess over their discography with the same level of passion Sang brings to the show.

The episodes are also filmed and available on the show’s YouTube channel. Although not necessary to enjoy listening to an episode, the live reactions of both Sang and his guests bring another fun element to the show. It really does feel like you’re sitting with a few friends, chatting about all the emotions and experiences that music prompts in us.

courtesy Cumulus Media

With consistent episodes coming out, the show has featured a plethora of other popular artists, meaning you are sure to find your favorite in one of the past episodes. Notable episodes include the most recent interviews with Lady Gaga, BTS, Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez.

This podcast is available on all streaming platforms.

An ode to art: oil painting and collage

Laprarie recounts her artistic journey from collage to oil painting along with some current projects.

Margaret Laprarie Student Writer

I’ve painted my whole life, but for the first time, I feel like I’m really painting. As a kid I always had some acrylic paints lying around—a few of those Crayola watercolor sets—and sometimes I would make art that I liked, but I felt like something was missing.

In high school I had a very intense galaxy painting phase, but where was that getting me? What connection to space or the galaxy did I actually have? Honestly, it was nothing more than the pretty colors, and I knew that. Eventually I moved on from painting entirely and found a much more fulfilling medium: collage!

When I returned from my short stint as an exchange student in Berlin in the summer of 2018, I had no idea what to do with myself.

collage. They line the walls of my apartment, giving every visitor a glimpse into the things that fascinate me.

Last fall, I took my first painting class. I had no idea what to expect, and my first couple of paintings were incredibly ugly. I had to use oil paint for the first time, and I wasn’t sure how to master its temperamental qualities; don’t add too much oil but make sure you add some, use one jar for cleaning and one for mixing, wait an entire week for one little section to dry, make sure you put all your oily rags in the red fire-proof trash can so they don’t spontaneously combust!

As much as the oil paint puzzled me and permanently stained a few of my favorite articles of clothing (yes, I had an apron; yes, I’m still so unexplainably messy), eventually I grew to love it, and I think it grew to love me. I loved swirling around the gloopy paint with my palette knife to make a new color. I loved the smoothness of the paint, the way it would seamlessly blend with the paper and the other colors. The more I used it, I started to feel more and more in control.

I really felt at home once our assignments

Pictured above is Laprarie’s second large collage, finished in 2019.

Sure enough, that’s exactly what I did. With my roommate away for the semester, I took over our dining table in pursuit of a couple new projects I hope to submit to a local art show. One of them in particular I am finding very fulfilling, because I’m painting one of my collages! In the summer of 2019, before I moved to Tulsa and started college, I taped four pieces of posterboard together and covered them head to toe in pictures, patterns and words of every color. I kept this collage on the wall of my dorm for two years, and

photo by Margaret Laprarie

a very modernist fashion I wanted to break it down to its most basic forms and color, and focus on those relationships rather than the content within the words or the people that I had chosen. It’s still a work in progress, but one that I hope to complete soon. I have greatly enjoyed this project, watching something so familiar to me become something different. I think that oil paint is the perfect medium for this, as its fluidity and ability to blend so well really captures the cohesive nature of a collage.

“I decided to paint this collage because it is so inherently me ...”

Laprarie reimagined her collage as an oil painting.

I had all these new experiences and feelings, and coming back home I felt so restless, so bored. I also had a lot of paper souvenirs, postcards, brochures, newspapers and stickers that I didn’t know what to do with. I’d been exploring collage throughout that year but on a much smaller scale, using only a sheet of paper or so for one project. I decided to try something bigger. Using scraps from magazines, the things I had picked up in Berlin and a few homemade pieces of watercolored paper with song lyrics and book quotes, I created my first large collage, the theme being nothing other than myself.

This was the first of what would become a yearly practice, where I collect as many pieces as I can find and spend a portion of my summer covering my bedroom in little bits of paper, paint and glue as I create a new

photo by Margaret Laprarie

became more abstract, and I could worry more about capturing a feeling than copying an object.

I came out of painting class with a B— my first B in college and something I joked about for a while. Honestly, I wasn’t upset at all. I did think it was funny, but I had learned so much that my grade didn’t matter to me.

By the time I completed my final project, I realized I really did love to oil paint. It calmed me down, helped me clear my head and gave me a chance to catch up on some podcasts or just zone out to my favorite album. I thought about art in a way that my previous work with collage didn’t really have room for.

Oil paint and all its various supplies made up a large chunk of my Christmas list this year, and I acquired enough to set up my own little studio when I returned back to campus.

now it hangs in the living room of my apartment. I love when people go up close to it, reading the quotes I picked out and studying the various figures I’ve included.

I decided to paint this collage because it is so inherently me, and I wanted to reexplore it in a different medium and see if that would change my experience with it. In

As a final project, Laprarie completed the above painting.

Although I could have picked a less messy medium as my latest hobby, I’m really grateful for something that keeps me off my phone, keeps me calm and helps me express myself and the things around me.

photo by Margaret Laprarie

January 31, 2022

Variety

The Collegian: 7

“Drive My Car” a film worthy of its length

In Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car,” actors speaking different languages navigate communication, grief and human connection.

Justin Klopfer Editor-in-Chief

“Drive My Car,” a 2021 film directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, is a long contemplation on grief and communication. Hamaguchi adapted the screenplay from various stories in Haruki Murakami’s collection “Men Without Women,” primarily the story with the same name as the film.

The film follows actor and stage director Yūsuke Kafuku as he leads an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya.” Kafuku had previously played the lead in “Uncle Vanya,” but finds himself unable to after a traumatic event. Kafuku’s actors deliver their lines in a variety of languages, including Japanese, Chinese and even Korean Sign Language.

slowly bond throughout the movie over their shared experiences of grief and guilt.

Despite being nothing alike in age, gender or wealth, the two form an intense understanding of each other.

Both Kafuku and Watari’s experiences are complex and require lengthy dialogue sequences to fully express. These extended conversations always feel natural and never outstay their welcome. Kōji Takatsuki, one of Kafuku’s actors, also has an extended conversation with Kafuku, though his eyes gaze directly at the camera, as if he is instead talking to the audience. His monologue reveals personal connections to Kafuku’s wife that throw the aging actor into a reconsideration of his relations.

Kaufuku’s titular car that Watari drives, a bright red Saab 900, becomes the setting for these intimate conversations. The driving sequences in the film, particularly the long journey to Watari’s hometown, are a perfect addition to the slow, contemplative atmosphere of the film. The cherry Saab provides a blast of color in otherwise desolate environments.

“... the monologue is still able to give life-affirming optimism.”

The varying languages spoken by the actors creates barriers between them, such as when a conversation at a dinner table has to be translated from Japanese to Korean and then to Korean Sign Language. However, once these barriers are surpassed, the characters find deep connections despite only recently meeting each other.

The theater company producing Kafuku’s play doesn’t allow him to drive his own car, assigning him a driver instead. Initially, Kafuku is cold to his driver, Misaki Watari, seeing her as invading his meditative place of solitude. However, Watari and Kafuku

The penultimate scene of the film, the performance of “Uncle Vanya,” has its final lines delivered through Korean Sign Language in complete silence. Despite direct communication coming only from subtitles, the monologue is still able to give life-affirming optimism. Kafuku’s grief is overcome on the stage in a flurry of expressive motions and facial expressions.

The length of this film might put off some potential viewers–the opening credits don’t roll until about 40 minutes in, and there’s still more than two hours left at this point.

However, I would implore anyone skeptical

courtesy C&I Entertainment

“Drive My Car” was released November 2021.

to take the plunge on the movie. Few films are able to capture human connection on such a deep level as this one.

“Drive My Car” has already received widespread acclaim from critics and has been shortlisted for the Best International Film, with some critics arguing for a Best

Picture nomination. However, despite “Parasite” winning Best Picture two years ago, the Oscars are still certainly slanted to favor American, English-Language films. Hopefully, “Drive My Car” will be an exception.

“Drive My Car” is currently showing in Tulsa’s Circle Cinema.

(History) and Teresa Valero (Art)—the last surviving members, besides me, of the once secret Bow Tie Club—conjure up memories of little hole in the wall restaurant lunches around town. More recently I occasionally join physics prof Scott Holmstrom and his cross college band of jolly revelers to munch and drink wherever we can meet safely out of doors.

See Me After Class is a weekly column where a different professor reveals their variety favorites.

Julianne Tran Variety Editor Dr. Michael Mosher is a professor of political science with a PhD from Harvard, coming to teach at TU after spending several years lecturing in France, among other countries. He once gave my class an article to read from an “anonymous author” later to reveal that the author was himself. He can be seen around campus attending guest lectures, often offering challenging questions.

What’s your favorite book? What book would you say all undergrads need to read before they graduate?

Not sure I have a favorite but I’m mighty happy to have made it through—with the help of Jeff Drouin (English)—all seven volumes of Marcel Proust’s truly great novel of early 20th century France, “In Search of Lost Time.” (What’s it about? Hint: temps perdu translates as either lost time or wasted time, which we all know about.)

Instead of recommending a single book to undergraduates, I’ll express my frustration as a teacher of the political philosophy canon—from Thucydides and Plato to Arendt and Rawls: no one hereabouts grasps the whole tradition since no one studies both ancient and modern political theory, which would be a yearlong course.

OK, here’s a single volume anyway, Hannah Arendt, “Origins of Totalitarianism,” 1951, Part II only, on the connections between empire, race and bureaucracy. Rawls, “Theory of Justice,” 1971, is an obvious rival.

What’s reading like for you? Is there a specific setting, mood, drink set-up?

Anywhere, any time. Put a cereal box in front of me and I will read it.

Is there a movie/show that you always return to?

Not really, but for let’s say pedagogical purposes, I am fond of Anthony Minghella’s “The English Patient” (1996) based on the

equally fine novel by Michael Ondaatje.

Riffing on the opening pages of Herodotus “Histories”—the rise of ancient Persia and the betrayal of “Candaules’ wife”—the movie plunges us into a tale of espionage and revenge in the 1930s North African desert on the eve of World War II. Another such “teaching” movie, “Queen Margot” (1994) is about the arranged marriage of Protestant and Catholic royalty during the violent 16th century French wars of religion. The novel on which it was based was written by the Haitian French author Alexandre Dumas (“Three Musketeers”) whose father was the renowned Black general Thomas-Alexandre Dumas in Napoleon’s army.

Is there a media/pop culture/entertainment side to you that students wouldn’t expect?

Yes, Maybe. Three things. Number one, on my first teaching post at the University of Washington, I moonlighted as the film reviewer for a weekly ironically named The Seattle Sun. So intense was my interest that I soon enough found myself in Tokyo on my first Fulbright. To put it delicately, my contract was not renewed.

Number two, when eventually I got back across the Pacific to TU, for a while I taught a course called “Women and Democracy on Film,” which focused on—if you can imagine it—comedies of divorce like The Philadelphia Story (1940) or the latest version of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (2005).

Number three and most spectacularly unexpected, I enjoyed both seasons of “Emily in Paris” (2019-2020). Perhaps, you

courtesy Univerity of Tulsa Mosher taught himself French to read Montesquieu.

say, it’s forgivable because of the gorgeous backdrop of Paris where over the years I have wasted too much time (“temps perdu” again). My friend Peggy who also lived in Paris writes: Emily in Paris is “nothing but stereotypes.” It is “dull, predictable and not very funny.” But really it’s a fascinating and silly comedy of manners, and perhaps more to the point, a hilarious satire on Americans and French. Stereotypes, anyway, are also the stuff of legends and myths.

What was the last book/movie/show that you actually found funny?

The Korean TV series, “Crash Landing on You” (2019-2020). Rich South Korean business woman “crash lands” (literally) on a highly displeased North Korean soldier who turns out to be the son of he who advises the Great Leader in Pyongyang—a surprise the series got made at all. Romantic comedy, adventure, satire all in one.

What’s your favorite Tulsa restaurant?

Do you have any food/restaurant routines?

Because of the pandemic, these are mostly memories. Also, it’s the people as much as the food. For instance, I am fond of Kai downtown perhaps because some of [sic] staff remember me and I remember them from the old Viet Huong. Friend Jorge Gonzalez conjures up memories of East Tulsa’s culinary delights, little bodegas that have a few chairs or a lunch counter.

If (my partner) Mieko Ogawa joined us, we went Asian, for instance to China Garden.

Perhaps my most frequented Tulsa restaurant, however, has been the Summit Club on top of the Bank of America Building where once a month the Tulsa Committee on Foreign Relations usually meets. The food is good, the wine flows. Students are sometimes free guests. (Alas, no wine.) The next evening might find us at the Chalkboard Restaurant where former TU president Bob Donaldson and Russ Hanks (U.S. Foreign Service ret.) would lead a foreign politics discussion, which quickly broke down into gossip and domestic politics. Tom Buoye

courtesy Netflix For an apparently serious fellow, Mosher nevertheless enjoyed watching this show.

The State-Run Media

January 31, 2022

the

State-Run media [Insert Kate Bush wailing]

Hurricane Spotlight: the guy who loudly plays his music on the way to class Who is this unknowable figure? Why does he inflict outdated Eminem upon the innocent?

Anna Johns Regularly sexualizes Reddit mods The ripples of the pandemic still affect everything on campus. Besides the obvious mask policies and the randomly selected testing, COVID-19’s reach manipulates the subtle aspects of TU culture. Club traditions pre-COVID have now been lost, these memories living in the minds of graduates and seniors left behind. The desolate RAW writing club sits untouched, gathering dust and losing its sheen. Those yellow bikes, once spotted daily, now remain locked away for our safety. The Collegian’s doors, covered with scraps and usually encroached in darkness, once had packed rooms for Monday in-person pitch meetings and now lives in the shadow of what it once was. Discouragement and nostalgia loom over current clubs’ affairs, what has been lost has gone away to time and what remains is a tangible sense of pessimism.

With in-person classes still chugging along, students can find a sense of normalcy and hope once again: he has returned. Rumors sparked from the first day of the semester; whispers circulated in the hallways.

Sightings of him kindled new life in the students with winter depression. He is back, the silent guardian, the man who holds this university upon his shoulders without breaking a sweat. Him. You’re familiar with him. Maybe you’ve never made eye contact or looked upon his indistinguishable, usually leather trenchcoated figure, but you know him. We all are equally aware of him: the man with the speaker who walks around between classes, playing his bad music and not giving a shit who hears it. For minutes, he shines on the stage of your irritable thoughts, and once you lose each other, slipping away into separate paths or classrooms, you forget him completely. The sounds of “Sicko Mode” may continue to echo in the back of your mind, an omnipresent reminder of your en-

Pisces — Congratulations, Pisces! You were finally selected to enter your cocoon for the winter and become a chrysalis. Love wins!

Aries — Alack! The local warlock has hexed you. For this week, Aries, you are cursed to only consume one type of media—and it’s “Glee.” You can only listen to covers from “Glee.” You can only watch episodes of “Glee.” “Glee” is all you know.

graphic by Anna Johns Look at him go. Watch the strut of someone who is fully aware of his brief, inconsequential mayhem.

counter, but you will never organically remember the man with the speaker—not until you see him again the next time you are walking to class.

The organization for this guild of Speaker Men is ungraspable; it is hard to say how many are positioned on campus at any given moment. One will extinguish at the end of their college run, and another chosen one’s flame will alight. They are unknowable, and they are a constant. To see a man with a speaker and shitty music again cements a balance on a pandemic-struck campus because they are comfortingly familiar—normal, maybe.

A Collegian writer (one of the three) attempted to corner a Speaker Man for an interview earlier this week during his third play of “Mo Bamba.” Surely, the writer alleged, they saw his face, spoke to him even,

but they cannot remember a single feature nor what he said. His melodious form ebbed away like the tide, leaving the interviewer with the faint smell of musk, fucking “Mo Bamba” stuck in their head and empty resolution.

However, word has it that students have spotted a Speaker Man to-and-fro Collins Hall. The search for a new provost lured several underqualified, disappointing applicants, and some point to his presence in the administrative building as evidence of his entrance into collegiate politics. Whatever his newfound purpose may be, he serves as essential to the day-to-day workings of any campus, and he is the bestower of the college experience. He is the foundation for an effective return to in-person classes. He is the ordinary, the lost normalcy. He is the man with the speaker.

TU’s Starfish system authorizes professors to reward student success with sweet little kisses The Starfish interface hopes to facilitate student success with the sweetest, warmest, kindest brush of the lips.

Anna Johns Expert of wet, sloppy smackers TU’s recently established Starfish interface seeks to bolster student success and cultivate productive interactions between students, faculty and staff. This facultydriven system acts as an intermediary between student and professor, allowing the professor to send academic feedback for their students. This feedback ranges from professors flagging concerns regarding a student’s classroom conduct to delivering gentle kisses as a reward for students who are doing well.

The system works like this: the professor goes through their list of students and clicks on the individual they wish to offer feedback. From there, they can choose to raise a flag, place a referral or bestow an itty-bitty

Aquarius — This week, you will be struck with acute wanderlust—you’re traveling, Aquarius!

Your journeys will take you to the corner of a dark, decrepit park: there, the dead grass crunches under your step as the shadows grow longer. You’ll find her in the corner of the park under bare trees.

She looks to you, and you see all of her: the full lips, the sultry gaze and the tease of bare legs that lead to a heeled boot. She is the sexy green M&M, the Jezebel exiled from society. And she is here to sell you Herbalife products.

kissie wissie. If the professor selects the last option, the student receives an email with the subject, “Message from TU’s Starfish system Kudos!” The body of the email says something generically complimentary about the professor officially recognizing the student’s efforts, and then the final sentences declare: “Keep up the good work. An envoy will intercept you between classes to give you a congratulatory little smoochie woochie!”

As the prophecy foretells, the student later receives a small, tender whisper of a kiss from a TU administrator. Student feedback for this system has been overwhelmingly positive; for some, this sweet little academic peck is the only piece of affection that they will receive all semester, and that’s enough to keep the engine rolling, baby. Other students report that these teenytiny kisses really validate their work.

A representative for Student Access comments on the system’s positive reviews. “Of course, we know you love the Starfish system,” the representative says.

“That’s because you’re the bestest, cutest student—yes you are, yes you are—and

you’re such a smol bean, a cinnamon roll, too good and pure for this world!”

The representative continues, “And you pay the bestest, sweetest little tuition, don’t you, my light, fluffy angel food cake?

You really nailed that obligatory discussion post last week—yes you did, yes you did!”

These platitudes from Starfish may feel empty, but it’s the thought that counts, right? “If our lip-based rewards aren’t inspiring you to keep at those books, champ, then we don’t know what to tell you,” TU’s Counseling and Psychological Services reports in an official statement. “Get prescribed Zoloft or something? Maybe you’re just, like, really toxic or something, and your roommate is probably right about you.”

As of publishing, the writer and editors of this article also request an itsy-bitsy juicy little kiss from anyone who read this and liked it. Meet us in the Collegian Office; we will be wearing the yellow rose on our lapel.

Taurus — Do NOT pick up spectral hitchhikers this week, even if they look innocent and helpless in their flowy, white gowns. They WILL goad you into smoking weed, and they WILL call you a pussy when you cough.

Gemini — The new moon highlights the intellectual section of your birth chart, meaning your mind will be heavy with philosophical and theoretical ponderings. Did you know Fleet Type submarines composed the major portion of U.S. submarine fleets used during WWII? Sharing is caring! Make sure to interrupt your professor with this fun fact.

Cancer — A pandemic? Mask mandates? Vaccinations? Wake up, dude, you’re dreaming again.

Come on, get up and drop the PlayStation 2 controller. My mom made us some dinosaur chicken nuggets for dinner. Score!

Leo — *glomps you* xP Virgo — Oh, Jesus Christ. The 5”9 guys who weigh 120 pounds and have permed hair are all sentenced to do wall pushups outside of QuikTrip. Again, guys? Seriously?

Libra — Hey, remember when in “Night at the Museum” The Thinker statue said, “Boom boom, fire power!” Yeah, that was pretty epic, huh? Anyway, this week will introduce new trauma for your future therapists to analyze.

Scorpio — The World Was On Fire And Nothing Could Save Me But You. Sagittarius — A gritty, hearthwarming friendship awaits you.

You both avoid eye contact as you tie your horse’s reins. Your hands brush when they hand you a drink, that brief, gloved contact warming you much more than any heavy liquor. Companion.

You test that word, softly saying it to yourself. Friend.

Capricorn — Please write for the Collegian. I am pissing and dripping and throwing up and whimpering right now.

horoscopes by Anna Johns