‘A MOVEMENT, NOT A MOMENT’
Rally held in Monroe Park on Inauguration Day
EMILY GRINSTEAD
Contributing Writer
Donald Trump was inaugurated Jan. 20 as the 47th president of the United States. The inauguration took place in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C. due to inclement weather, according to Washington.org. Historically, inaugurations are held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
The inauguration was expected to be attended by about 220,000 ticketed attendees. Only select attendees were seated inside the Capitol Rotunda for the ceremony.
Around 20,000 attendees were seated in Capital One Arena in northwest D.C. for the inaugural parade, which takes place following the ceremony. Others gathered on the National Mall outside the U.S. Capitol.
Thousands of people gathered in D.C. and across the country to protest President Trump on inauguration day, including a protest led by The Party for Socialism and Liberation in Monroe Park.
The rally to “Defeat Trump’s Far-Right Billionaire Agenda” started in Monroe Park,
followed by a march to the Virginia State Capitol.
Speakers from the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Sunrise Movement Richmond, VCU Young Democratic Socialists, College Socialists at William & Mary and William & Mary Students for Justice in Palestine were featured during the event.
Jason Brown II, a member of the Dinwiddie County School Board and an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation for two years, said he defined the “far-right billionaire agenda” as “anti-human” and “antiworking class.” Brown said the policies Trump champions benefit the “ruling class.”
Brown said that housing, education and healthcare for all are achievable for everyone under a “working class agenda,” and a “billionaire agenda” would not prioritize these programs that benefit the working class.
“It isn’t until we have revolution, it isn’t until we have a reconstruction of society that we’ll be able to achieve all those things for the working class,” Brown said.
The rally’s speakers led several chants, including “Money for jobs and education, not for war and deportation.”
Brown said the movement will continue throughout Trump’s presidency through rallies, protests and “organized struggle.”
“This is not a moment,” Brown said. “This is a movement, and we’re expecting to not only be out here today, but they keep coming out because there is an agenda to defeat, and Trump is the spearhead for that.”
Caroline May, a fourth-year communication arts student, is part of the student environmental advocacy group at the university, Green Action. May described the rally as advocacy for “basic human rights” as well as environmental justice.
“I think it’s just people coming together to find community and solidarity,” May said.
Chloe Kent, a third-year environmental studies student, said this is her first experience protesting, and described her experience as “overwhelming.” Kent said there were many different groups and ideas being represented at the rally.
“We’re seeing climate activists, we’re seeing pro-Palestine, we’re seeing socialist movements,” Kent said. “I feel like everyone is generally dissatisfied and it’s showing in a lot of ways.”
Maya Jones, a fourth-year interdisciplinary
studies student, described their experience during Trump’s first presidential term. Jones said they attended the rally for the “liberation of queer people.”
“I lived through the first Trump administration in North Carolina,” Jones said. “I know what it’s like to be a young trans queer person, be a young Black trans queer person, in a red state. We can’t have that.”
A number of attendees carried signs reading, “The People Will Defeat Trump’s Extreme-Right Agenda!” and “Workers Should Have Power Not The Billionaires!,” among others.
Joseph Friedman, a third-year sociology student, said he is concerned for the next four years of Trump’s presidency, yet expressed optimism for the movement.
“I think the people will only get stronger in the face of all the bad things that come,” Friedman said.
“But I also think it’s going to be a dark four years and I’m worried about immigrants and trans people in particular.”
Qing Imzadi and his wife witnessed the march as it passed. Although neither were aware of the context of the rally, Qing said the political climate in Richmond is “passionate.”
“It’s really exciting, especially on a day like today where a lot of people have restless energy,” Imzadi said. “It’s exciting to see people using their voice.”
The Party for Socialism and Liberation organized a rally on Inauguration Day to protest Donald Trump’s presidential agenda. Photo by Kieran Stevens.
Photo by Lili Watkins.
Stories of the week
national: President Donald Trump issued an executive order pausing all federal funding until various departments can be examined for partisan disagreements.
international: Rebel forces allegedly backed by Rwanda captured the city of Goma in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo on Jan. 27.
Trans Sports Ban
House passes bill barring trans women from school sports
MAX WALPOLE
Contributing Writer
The House of Representatives passed a bill, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025, on Jan. 14. It would prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s sports at schools receiving federal funding. The bill would also change federal law to define sex as what reproductive organs a person is born with.
A second round of voting in the Senate, and the discretion of the president, will determine if the bill becomes law.
Maya Jones, a transgender LGBT studies and social welfare student, said they think the bill is not only discriminatory against transgender women, but that many cisgender women would not meet the narrow parameters for how a woman should look and behave based on the language and criteria of the bill.
“There are a lot of situations where people try to stick a specific type of biological presentation onto female athletes and oftentimes when it’s directed at transgender women, it’s also directed at just women of color,” Jones said.
Jones said if the bill became a law they have faith that the VCU community would rally behind the transgender female athletes barred from taking part in clubs and sporting events, but they do not expect VCU’s administration to do the same.
“I would love VCU to respond with every opportunity that they have to stand with their transgender athletes,” Jones said. “I don’t expect VCU to respond like that necessarily, especially the actual
I think there’s this rhetoric that trans women, because they were born male, that they have ‘male tendencies’ in the sense that they are ‘predators,’ so the rhetoric that transgender women shouldn’t be in sports for the safety of the, quoteunquote, ‘real women’ in sports, I believe that to be a falsehood.”
Maya Jones, fourth-year LGBT studies and social welfare student
administration. I’m not confident in them standing with most of us if any of us are marginalized.”
Jones said they believe the core assumptions made by the authors of the bill about the behavior of transgender women do not reflect reality.
“I think there’s this rhetoric that trans women, because they were born male, that they have ‘male tendencies’ in the sense that they are ‘predators,’” Jones said. “So the rhetoric that transgender women shouldn’t be in sports for the safety of the, quoteunquote, ‘real women’ in sports, I believe that to be a falsehood.”
AC Swartz, a fourth-year biology student and the president of the VCU women’s basketball club, said she thought the bill was unneeded when it was first discussed, and was dismayed to see it pass the House. She said the bill is offensive to both transgender and female athletes.
“It kind of invalidates our experience as athletes by saying that it puts us at disadvantage playing against trans women because everyone puts in time, everyone puts in work,” Swartz said.
Ashlyn Jones, a rehabilitation engineering student and a member of the VCU women’s basketball club, said she doubted the bill was actually written for the benefit of cisgender female athletes.
“I don’t see how this is really an issue that there needs to be a law in place for it,” Jones said. “I feel like this is personal.”
K Cromartie, also a member of the VCU women’s basketball club, said they felt the bill is indicative of a wider trend of societal moral decay.
“I think a lot of people are taking things personal, and their personal morals, they want to put that into play against everybody else’s word, and that’s where we lose empathy,” Cromartie said.
It kind of invalidates our experience as athletes by saying that it puts us at disadvantage playing against trans women because everyone puts in time, everyone puts in work.”
AC Swartz, fourth-year biology student and the president of the VCU women’s basketball club
Cromartie, who is nonbinary and has a higher testosterone level than most women, said their biology has no influence on their ability or skill either way.
“I don’t see an advantage in how I play compared to the other people that have a lower testosterone level,” Cromartie said.
A representative of the VCU Athletics Communications Department declined to comment on the bill, citing that it was too early to make any definitive statements.
Illustration by Anika Hammel.
Goodbye, Tiktok?
Ban, unban raises public suspicion
JACK GLAGOLA News Editor
The social media app TikTok went offline on Jan. 19 ahead of a ban the Supreme Court upheld on Jan. 17. The app came back online 14 hours later after President Donald Trump promised to give their parent company 90 days to sell the app to an American company or face the ban, according to CNN.
The app, which is used by over one third of American adults, according to Pew Research, is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance. This has caused scrutiny about TikTok’s alleged ability to collect Americans’ data and give it to the Chinese government, according to Reuters.
VCU students had mixed feelings about the ban. Some acknowledged the government had legitimate reasons for it, but disliked the prospect of losing a platform for organization and news.
It also didn’t make sense because it’s something we’ve had around for so long — why is it an issue now, and why wasn’t it an issue when the app was first getting popular?”
Nav Yeroian, first-year prenursing student
Sophia Mercado,
a first-year psychology student, has used TikTok since sixth grade
when it was known as Musical.ly. She said she was initially skeptical about the ban because she heard it would be banned for several years.
“I didn’t really think much of it until this year, I got a little scared because it was going to the Supreme Court, so I started to download all of my videos,” Mercado said.
Mercado said she thought it was strange that TikTok thanked President Trump in a post on X.
“I thought it was a little weird that they were crediting him,” Mercado said. “It was almost like, ‘We have to depend on him to bring back this beloved social media app.’”
Mercado said she gets a lot of information from TikTok and knows many people depend on it for income.
“I know not to depend on it all the way, but there’s some stuff that I would have never known, or little hacks or just little easy quick things,” Mercado said.
Nav Yeroian, a first-year pre-nursing student, said she felt “very angry” about the ban at first.
“I knew that it wasn’t necessarily because of the data that was being leaked, but more so because we were getting too loud on there and they couldn’t censor us as much,” Yeroian said.
Yeroian said TikTok is a very “advocative” platform where people can speak up about political issues without fear of censorship from the government. When the app went down, she said she felt like it was an attempt at censorship.
“It also didn’t make sense because it’s something we’ve had around for so long — why is it an issue now, and why wasn’t it an issue when the app was first getting popular?” Yeroian said.
MacKenzie Hunt, a first-year interior
design student, said she was suspicious of President Trump’s promise to bring the app back so soon after the ban.
“You didn’t feel like it was thought out and it was very sudden,” Hunt said. “They said, ‘We’re going to ban it earlier,’ and it never happened, and this time we’re like, ‘Is it actually going to happen?’ and then it did, but only for 14 hours.”
Hunt — like many other TikTok users after the ban — downloaded Xiaohongshu, known by its English name RedNote, a similar video-sharing app. She said she will keep it because TikTok may still be banned after 90 days.
“I don’t go on it a lot, but I started to talk on there and the people were so nice,” Hunt said. “I use it every now and then.”
Hunt said they were skeptical of claims that TikTok is a national security risk.
“I think it’s because they don’t like what’s being put out there, because even on the less conservative side of Instagram, it’s way different and you’re not getting as much information,” Hunt said. “It’s still censored.”
Tre Holley, a first-year art foundations student, said he did not think TikTok would actually be banned.
“I knew there was a chance it was going to be banned, but I did know that it would come back someday,” Holley said.
Holley said after the app went down, he “brushed it off” and went on Instagram.
“When I woke up, it was all back to normal,” Holley said.
Holley said the claims about security risks were “mostly solid.”
“They do have the right to be concerned about it, I just don’t think it’s right to target TikTok when there’s other sites that take our information as well,” Holley said.
President Donald Trump promised ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, 90 additional days to sell the app after it briefly went offline on Jan. 19.
Photo by Arrick Wilson.
The Rams beat the Bonnies for the first time since 2022. see next page
VCU graduate student guard Joe Bamisile finishes off a dunk against St. Bonaventure University.
Photo by Anthony Duong.
VCU breaks the Bonnies’ curse, 75-61
ALEXIS WASHINGTON Staff Writer
VCU had a monumental 75-61 win, ending their four-game losing streak against Atlantic-10 opponent St. Bonaventure University on Friday, Jan. 25.
VCU won the tip-off but had a slow start. SBU went on a 7-2 run in the first three minutes of the game.
They quickly established dominance on the court, capitalizing on the Rams’ offensive struggles.
Bonnies’ fourth-year guard Chance Moore made a jumper increasing the lead to 13-8 at the 12-minute mark.
Moore was a key player for the Bonnies in the first half with 9 points.
VCU had a 8-0 run at the 10-minute mark trying to put points on the board. The Bonnies quickly responded scoring seven consecutive points, according to StatBroadcast.
In the last five minutes of the half, the Rams were still pressing through. VCU graduate student guard Zeb Jackson made an alley-oop dunk making the game a one point difference.
The Bonnies went on a 6-0 run to follow at the two-minute mark.
VCU was trailing 33-25 at the half. They were struggling offensively, shooting 31% while the Bonnies were shooting 44%, according to StatBroadcast.
“We were taking questionable shots, not stopping and playing together, we were not passing enough,” VCU head coach Ryan Odom said.
VCU came out with intensity and took control over the game in the second half.
The Rams immediately went on a 8-0 run at the 18-minute mark. VCU graduate student guard Max Shulga secured a driving layup and VCU graduate student guard Philip Russell responded with a three-point jumper.
Russell’s confidence showed throughout the match. He had 16 points, making this his third straight game with double digits, according to VCU Athletics.
Jackson commended Russell for the impact his energy brings to the team.
“It’s just who Phil is and it’s huge,” Jackson said. “It’s to the point where I don’t think he knows how big it is to his team, it’s just him being him.”
The game was tied 35-35 at the 16-minute mark.
For three straight minutes both teams had defensive stops.
VCU first-year forward Luke Bamgboye was dominant on the rim. He finished the game with four blocks and four rebounds. He is ranked top 20 in the country for blocks per game, according to the NCAA.
VCU went on yet another run of 10 points uncontested at the 13-minute mark.
Russell kicked off the run with a threepoint jumper followed by free throws from VCU graduate guard Joe Bamisile.
Bamisile had a slow start to the game with zero points in the first half, yet he finished the game with 18 points as the lead scorer for the Rams.
“I take shots when I am open, and when I shoot them and they go in, I thank God,” Bamisile said. “And when they don’t go in I thank God, and in the second half I was thanking God.”
Bonnies’ red-shirt second-year guard Jonah Hinton ended the three-minute scoring drought at the 10-minute mark.
In the last five minutes of the game, the Bonnies were trying to take the lead back but had no control of the ball.
VCU graduate forward Jack Clark hit back-to-back three-pointers advancing their lead to 72-57 at the two-minute mark, according to StatBroadcast.
“We’ve actually got to give our fans something to cheer about,” Odom said.
The VCU men’s basketball team did just that.
Seconds were boiling down, and at the buzzer fans were on their feet cheering on the No.1 team in the Atlantic-10 Conference: VCU.
VCU men’s basketball will return to the Siegel Center and face the Richmond Spiders on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 4 p.m.
VCU graduate student guards Max Shulga and Zeb Jackson drive past St. Bonaventure defenders. Photos by Anthony Duong.
PICK OF THE WEEK:
The Lakers primed to take over Madison Square Garden
Scouting Report: VCU vs. Duquesne
The VCU Rams will face off against Duquesne University in a conference matchup at home in the Siegel Center on Thursday, Jan. 30. Here are some of the key players to watch out for in this matchup.
MALACHI KEYS
Contributing Writer
This week’s pick of the week is the Los Angeles Lakers over the New York Knicks on Saturday, Feb. 1 in the ABC Primetime slot.
With it being potentially one of, if not the last game Lakers forward LeBron James will play at the Mecca, expect him to show out for a raucous crowd at Madison Square Garden.
James, who has been averaging 23.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and nine assists per game, according to ESPN, will play a pivotal role in the Lakers success in this matchup.
While the Knicks may have a slight edge in Wing versatility and defense, the Lakers should be able to pound the ball in the paint.
Look for Lakers power forward Anthony Davis to have a big day defensively against Knicks center-forward Karl-Anthony Towns, including grabbing significant rebounds especially with the continued injury absence of Knicks center Mitchell Robinson.
Although the game in New York will be the last of a four-game East Coast road trip, the Lakers have a significantly easier schedule going into the game, including the Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards prior, according to the NBA.
On the other hand, the Knicks have a tougher schedule than the Lakers, having to face tough matchups including the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets, according to the NBA. Fatigue of tougher competition could play a role in the outcome of the game.
VCU Duquesne
ANDREW
MCGHAN Staff Writer
Mykel Parham – The 6-foot-1-inch graduate student forward is a defensive anchor for VCU. Mykel Parham is currently leading the team in rebounds with 208 total rebounds and is averaging 10.4 rebounds per game, according to VCU Athletics. The forward leads the team in blocks with 24 total blocks, the closest player to her has 6 total blocks. Parham was selected to the All-Atlantic 10 Defensive team for her play in the 2023-2024 season, according to VCU Athletics. In that season, she led the team again in rebounds by averaging 8.4 rebounds a game. Parham’s defensive capabilities pose a huge match-up problem for opposing offensives and will play a key factor in Thursday’s match-up.
RENATA BELHAJ MENDEZ
Contributing Writer
Mary-Anna Asare – As the Lady Rams prepare to head up north to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to face off against Duquesne, VCU third-year guard Mary-Anna Asare will most certainly be a player the Dukes will have to keep an eye on. Earlier this month, Duquesne lost 63-65 against the VCU Rams at the Siegel Center because of Asare. The 5-foot-8-inch guard dropped a whopping 37 points, a career-high, and the second-most points in school history, according to VCU Athletics. Asare had an incredible performance in this closeknit game. She already has 324 points averaging 15.4 points per game halfway into the regular season, according to VCU Athletics. Asare’s quickness and ability to find openings in the opponent’s defense will keep the Dukes on high alert in this upcoming match-up.
JENNY ALLEN Contributing Writer
Megan McConnell – The 5-foot-7-inch fourth-year guard, Megan McConnell is a key player for the Dukes. In the 2023-2024 season, McConnell was named Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team, Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team and Atlantic 10 AllAcademic Team, according to Duquesne University Athletics. Most recently, after the Duquesne game against La Salle University, McConnell is now nine points away from surpassing guard Darcie Vincent for sixth place on the all-time scoring list, according to Pittsburgh Sports Now. In the last game against VCU at the Siegel Center, McConnell had 24 points, five assists and two steals, making her a key player to watch out for, according to Duquesne University Athletics. McConnell’s ability to score off the attack makes her a dangerous player for the VCU team. In order for VCU to walk away with a win, they will need to keep her off the board and lock in on their defense.
KYLER GILLIAM Staff Writer
Jerni Kaiku – As an offensive weapon for the Dukes, Jerni Kaiku is helping lead Duquesne to the top-scoring offense in the conference. The 5-foot-7 third-year guard is the second leading scorer on her team and is top-15 in points per game in the Atlantic 10, according to the Atlantic 10. Averaging 14.1 points per game and shooting 50.3% from the field, Kaiku establishes a consistent shot inside the arc. Kaiku pairs her scoring ability with being opportunistic on the defensive side of the ball; she is second on the team in steals, according to Duquesne University Athletics. VCU will have to rely on their defense to slow down the scoring of the Dukes, especially Kaiku.
Illustration by Liv Weatherford.
CT file
photo by Jason Gallardo Gonzalez.
Stat of the week
VCU second-year guard Zoli Khalil scored a career-high 21 points in the 65-56 win over George Washington University, according to VCU Athletics.
Streaming, Piracy and Engagement: The Future of Sports Social Media
HAYDEN BRAUN
Contributing Writer
Social media is more chaotic and uncontrollable than ever. While podcasting, tweeting, YouTubers, TikTokers, debate shows and short-form content seems to control the masses right now. These platforms are also faced with many issues such as bots, illegal streams, content theft and lack of effective monitoring.
One of the most significant issues plaguing the current state of sports social media is content theft. As the demand for sports content is so high, the redistribution of that content skyrockets.
This is unfortunately why so many people steal content from articles. Shortform content and articles posted by smaller accounts will often be reposted by bigger accounts with no credit being given, or the bigger account will brand it as its own content. It has been happening forever, but is now worsening.
An investigation held by The Daily Beast accuses the president of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy, of using over 40 sock-puppet accounts to steal copyrighted content and avoid licensing fees while expanding its audience, according to a 2023 report from Business Insider.
Most fans don’t want to pay 10 different subscriptions to watch the sports events they want to see and often turn to illegal stream sites like “StreamEast.” These sites are often available across platforms like YouTube, Twitter and TikTok.
This piracy problem is estimated to cost
the sports industry up to $28 billion in lost revenue each year, according to Harvard Business Review.
Content theft not only diminishes the potential income for sports leagues and broadcasters, but it also affects the visibility of official content, as pirated versions often spread faster than legitimate broadcasts.
The lack of monitoring exacerbates this issue. Social media platforms, which thrive on user-generated content, struggle to keep up with the volume of posts, making it easy for illegal streams and stolen content to spread.
The lack of consistency in enforcement allows pirated content to remain online for extended periods, reducing its value, particularly in live sports, according to the Harvard Business Review.
Despite these challenges, there is a transition that’s been happening within sports media. Traditional cable TV has seen a steady decline in recent years as more people move toward streaming services and short-form content.
Sports journalist Stephen A. Smith recently pointed out that about “8-9% of cable audiences are dropping each year,” according to an interview on The Chris Gunther Show. The way people are consuming content is changing.
“There’s a change happening and you better adapt or you’ll be left behind,” Smith said.
Streaming allows sports organizations to
deliver exclusive digital experiences, behindthe-scenes footage and flexible viewing options, bypassing traditional cable media and appealing to younger audiences.
Podcasting has surpassed traditional radio in popularity and influence, offering different perspectives and insights and enabling sports influencers to build brands and huge communities.
Sports media will need to focus on solutions for content protection and adapting to this new era of media. One solution lies in utilizing technologies that can quickly identify and take down pirated content.
“Digital watermarking and AI-based content protection could provide a safeguard for sports media, making it more difficult for illegal streams to circulate without being detected,” according to Ranktracker.
Sports and streaming organizations need to find solutions for the average fan to consume content legally by offering affordable and accessible options for fans to watch games and interact with content; they can reduce the appeal of illegal streams. This can be made possible by changing pricing models, offering flexible subscription options and ensuring platform availability.
“Sports media needs to provide more localized and fan-centric experiences that encourage loyal viewership, making it easier for fans to engage with teams on their terms,” according to Forbes.
Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
Spectrum
On This Day
Jan. 29, 1595,
VCU DJs shape Richmond’s underground rave scene Behind the booth;
BELLA LOBUE
Contributing Writer
The rave scene is a notable aspect of VCU culture. From house shows by local bands in basements to a DJ in a crowded backyard, Richmond offers various opportunities for students to engage with music and practice DJing while interacting with the community.
Nevaeh Hill, a third-year public relations student, or Slenderwoman, said she found a void in the party scene and wanted to fill it.
“I was kinda disappointed with the music at events I had gone to and always wanted to become a girl DJ,” Hill said.
Though DJing may seem like a huge, expensive project, Hill said she started small.
“I decided to just jump on it and bought the cheapest board on Amazon and watched so many TikTok tutorials until I got down the basics,” Hill said. “Then I taught myself the rest while also figuring out what type of music I like to play.”
DJing is not without its stresses for Hill, but her enthusiasm overpowers the challenges, she said.
“My favorite part about the process is after days of prepping for an event and stressing myself out, watching other people enjoy what I created and compliment me
during or after my set,” Hill said.
Maeve Hickey, a fourth-year public relations student, or Shartchan, has also found a new passion in DJing. For her, the people are the most invigorating part.
“I love dancing, I love DJing and looking up and seeing people dance,” Hickey said. “I just love interacting with all the collaborators and when the music just takes over and there’s nothing else on your mind, just the music.”
Hickey said the rave scene is more than just partying, as it can provide alternative spaces for people to connect. Within VCU, small shows and raves are inclusive, lowstakes community events. Anyone can show up for a low cost and hear new music and meet other young adults.
“It’s so much more than fun, it’s a representation of a community,” Hickey said.
The rave scene is not an exclusive fashion show or a place to front, according to Hickey.
“Man, we’re all freaks. We’re all freaks and weirdos, and there’s no shame in that,” Hickey said. “That is what rave scenes are so accepting of.”
Hannah Wheeler, a third-year communication arts student and frequenter of raves, said she noticed the difference in environment from clubs or bars.
“I feel like it’s less formal. Like if I was
going to a club I’d want to dress up and look nice, but I just walk into house shows. I feel like it’s less weird to just be standing there, just chilling,” Wheeler said.
Miriam Yopp, a third-year graphic design student, said the house show scene is an important social web.
I love dancing, I love DJing and looking up and seeing people dance. I just love interacting with all the collaborators and when the music just takes over and there’s nothing else on your mind, just the music.”
Maeve Hickey, fourth-year public relations student and
DJ
“It’s very community-driven. Even though it’s supposed to be about the music, people are just talking the whole time,” Yopp said.
As much as the DJs seek to create a safe,
fun environment for their partiers, both Hickey and Hill noted the significance of being a “girl DJ.”
“Obviously it’s very male-dominated. I always felt like I wasn’t valid, or I didn’t have enough experience,” Hickey said.
Oftentimes, female DJs have to make their own space and find communities of their own, when they are not accepted into the larger DJ community. At VCU, they have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals to create the energy they want to experience, Hickey and Hill said.
“But what I’ve always appreciated is working with women and queer DJs, because they have a different ear, and it’s typically a vibe I can line up on,” Hickey said. “I just love working with creatives and especially ones that I’m comfortable with.”
For those looking to get involved in the scene, Hickey, Yopp and Wheeler recommended The Rabbit Hole, Lurchfest, hosted yearly by numerous venues and The Shakedown on Cary. EDM at VCU highlighted Ember Music Hall and RVA BoomBox as local venues.
Whether someone is new to the scene or a seasoned mosher, Hickey and Hill the rave scene is full of VCU students who seek not to judge but to create a space for high vibrations, both in the air and the floorboards, according to Hickey and Hill.
William Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet” was performed for the first time.
VCU student Maeve Hickey, also known as Shartchan, posing before a set at a Richmond rave. Photo courtesy of Maeve Hickey.
Sam Morril’s ‘The Errors Tour’ bringing stand-up comedy to Richmond
DYLAN HOSTETTER Executive Editor
The historic National Theater will host stand-up comedian Sam Morril on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The show is part of his state-spanning “Errors Tour,” a name meant to evoke — and possibly be confused with — Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour,” according to Morril.
This new tour comes on the heels of his last comedy special on Amazon Prime, “Sam Morril: You’ve Changed,” which released on July 9, 2024. “You’ve changed” served as Morril’s sixth stand up special in a career that has spanned the last 20 years. Morril began comedy at the age of 18.
“I think I was too dumb to be scared,” Morril said. “It’s like learning a language super young, you just kind of get used to being on a stage and you’re not really that scared.”
Morril said he initially found ways to connect with a range of audiences. Older crowds were curious of his youthful opinion, and young people liked him because they were the same age.
As with many New York comics of his generation, he found a range of influences. The brevity of Rodney Dangerfield and Dave Attell’s jokes and especially the social commentary of Greg Giraldo were major influences on his work, according to Morril.
“I felt like he always led with the joke first as opposed to the message of anything. He made sure it was funny first before every pandering with social commentary, which I don’t see a lot of comics being able to do,” Morril said. “And he played down his intelligence in a way that I thought was really smart.”
Morril was at the forefront of a movement in comedy that saw comedians posting their content for free to online platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. After shopping around a new special to networks and finding no buyers, Morril decided to post it for free on YouTube.
“I think there was a period of people who just said, ‘Well, if HBO doesn’t buy this hour, then I’m gonna either keep doing the hour and drink and get bitter or start a new hour and have a back log of all this material,’ Morril said. “I had the luxury of posting it for free.”
Though older stand-ups were initially skeptical, Morril said he saw the online audience as a “new generation.”
“A lot of comics from an older generation called me crazy when I said I was going to do it, especially because I had TV specials before,” Morril said. “And I talked to some guys who were like, ‘You don’t get nothing for a special,’ and I said, ‘Incorrect, I’m actually getting less than nothing because I’m paying for it.’”
Morril’s new model proved successful though, his self-produced COVID-19 pandemic specials garnered over 3 million views. His previous Comedy Central specials have even found success on the platform, with a combined 15 million views.
“I’m very lucky because the YouTube thing worked,” Morril said.
Like many other comedians, Morril leverages his online success into tours such as the one touching down at The National. Fans that are used to seeing him through their screens at home can now see the comedian
live, with a brand new hour of material — material that all started with an initial idea, according to Morril.
“You kind of have an idea, and if you’re like me, I’m pretty nervous. I’m like, ‘Shit, I gotta get cooking on this,’” Morril said.
“You build it. You hopefully have a decent seven or eight minutes, and that turns into 10, then you’ve got 15. I know some comics who don’t tour until they have a new 45. I can’t really write that way. I need a trial and error approach.”
Morril said he spends time in clubs like New York’s famous Comedy Cellar developing these new ideas through a series of “workout shows.”
“Usually crowds now are pretty sophisticated to what the process is and how comedians have to turn over. I think if they’re a real fan, they’re kind of appreciative that you’re trying to keep turning over new,” Morril said.
With “The Errors Tour,” Morril said he intends to include many of his tried and true topics, including social commentary, his dating life and even a story about visiting the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam.
“A lot of stuff that’s just kind of current. And there’s always going to be some stories and personal stuff,” Morril said.
His upcoming appearance at The National is not the first time Morril has performed stand-up in Richmond. His past performances in Richmond have been positive, according to Morril.
“They’ve been good crowds,” Morril said. “They laugh about their Confederate statues. You’ve got to. They’ve been good to me there, so I’m grateful for that.”
Information on ticketing and tour dates is available at sammorril.com and at thenationalva.com.
Comedian Sam Morril backstage at a show. Photo courtesy of Matt Salacuse.
Fueled by food carts; VCU’s on-campus street food scene
BRAXTON HARE
Spectrum Editor
Food carts stationed around Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park Campus bring a range of dining options to the university community.
The carts offer convenient and diverse meals for students, faculty and visitors throughout the day in high-traffic areas such as Shafer Street and near James Branch Cabell Library.
While menus vary from cart to cart, each features a wide selection of cuisines such as Mediterranean wraps, noodle dishes, empanadas and plant-based meals. Some vendors offer specialty items catering to dietary preferences, including vegan and gluten-free options as well.
Many vendors are Richmond-based and bring their specific culinary offerings to campus, showcasing flavors from different cultures and traditions.
Claudia Urrea, owner of My Empanada, said she has been operating a food cart on VCU’s campus for three years now.
“Everything we make is from scratch, and we use the best products for our customers,” Urrea said. “Especially for young people, we wanted to introduce our culture and show them that there’s more food from around the world than just hamburgers and hotdogs.”
As a vendor, they operate during the academic year and are busiest during peak
hours which often align with class breaks. Vendors set up near main campus walkways to serve those passing between classes or heading to study areas.
“My husband usually goes and sells the empanadas,” Urrea said. “It’s really nice to talk with young people and to sell the empanadas to customers who are grateful and really enjoy the food. We love it — it’s been a very good experience for us.”
Their most popular menu item is the RVA Empanada, which includes shredded chicken combined with fresh mozzarella cheese and simmered in guajillo chili sauce, according to Urrea.
Urrea said she encouraged students to visit their food cart while on campus, even though the weather has been extremely cold.
“Every dish offered is prepared with love and attention to detail. My Empanada is a top-quality brand, run by its owners and is committed to providing you with a culinary experience that will make you feel at home,” according to their website.
Emma Coffey, a second-year political science student, said she frequents the food carts on campus and enjoys grabbing a bite to eat in between classes.
“My favorite spots are 100% My Empanada and the Dumpling and Noodle Cart in front of MCALC. Cheap and so delicious,” Coffey said.
Prices typically range between $5 to $10, providing students with an accessible
quick lunch or snack alternative, according to Coffey.
“Affordability is so important since I’m only working part-time, and since I’m a commuter and need to think about gas and other expenses. I think the prices are fair for college students, just not realistic if you plan on eating at a cart every day and are trying to save money,” Coffey said.
Everything we make is from scratch, and we use the best products for our customers. Especially for young people, we wanted to introduce our culture and show them that there’s more food from around the world than just hamburgers and hotdogs.”
Claudia Urrea, owner of My Empanada
Coffey also said that quality is “off the chain” when it comes to the food carts in RVA and that people hate street meat too much.
“Richmond always stands out to me as a cultural hub, the street cuisine on campus is not any different. Plenty of diversity and freshness,” Coffey said.
Coffey said she is always met with a friendly smile or a familiar face when she is ordering at a food cart on campus.
“I’ve struck up great conversations with total strangers, exchanged Instagrams and business cards and even ran into old friends from high school,” Coffey said.
Enzo Catanzaro, a first-year anthropology student, said the food carts are a prominent part of campus, offering meals and snacks in a central, accessible location.
“It’s right here, I think that’s the thing it’s right here. I don’t have to go out of my way, I just came out of class so as I am coming I can just stop here and get something to eat,” Catanzaro said.
The food carts’ presence provides students with dining options that accommodate diverse tastes and schedules, according to Catanzaro.
“The quality is pretty fabulous, overall, when you think about food carts,” Catanzaro said.
Catanzaro also said that affordability is important to them, so they try to be mindful of how much money they spend eating out.
“I basically eat at one of the food carts every other week,” Catanzaro said. “They are for sure a convenient and accessible option for students.”
Brekkie food cart set up to serve fresh breakfast favorites to hungry students on campus. Photo by Jerry Pleasant III.
Opinions
Check your ‘echo-system’
ANDREW MILHORN Contributing Writer
As long as the self serves as a commodity to be sold back to us, our culture will continue to stagnate.
Every day we wake up, scroll, brush our teeth, scroll, defecate, scroll, walk to class, scroll and wait for class to start. Maybe you scroll TikTok, maybe Instagram Reels — I have a friend who primarily uses YouTube Shorts.
Quote of the week
“While England endeavors to cure the potato-rot, will not any endeavor to cure the brain-rot, which prevails so much more widely and fatally?”
— Henry DaviD THoreau
The social media giants of today profit off of the shining, smart object that perpetually beams one’s own politics, prejudices, humor, sexual fascinations, addictions and so on — infinitely. Nobody is currently doing this better than TikTok, the briefly banned company Americans watch in between whatever was just happening.
It is not peculiar to try to escape the reality we are all doomed to partake in. This is more or less a base impulse of humanity, and I am sure once whales figure it out, they will also love getting hammered. Whales pending — all mammals with consciousness have tried to find ways around the difficulties of life. The Learning Channel even made a show about this called “My Strange Addiction.”
In the information age, the most profitable addiction is screen addiction, because in addition to farming your data, it allows for more effectively targeted advertisements for the other addictions.
Many, including myself, trade their data in exchange for a stellar timeline. The other day, I saw a video of one of the Island Boys reading “Society of the Spectacle.” I have seen NBA edits with soundtracks unimaginable to even myself. I keep up with a guy who sprays dog medicine on his hands in order to break cinder blocks.
Nowhere has this profit incentive been laid more bare than in the timelines of sports fans after the legalization of sports betting in the United States — or
fashion timelines in the face of the payola microtrend final boss.
It is more than likely that your algorithm knows your worst secrets. It has been proven in a court of law that your incognito tab searches were harvested by Alphabet, the parent company of Google and YouTube. Essentially, your data is constantly recycled so advertisers can manufacture consent for brands.
TikTok was not unique in its participation in this data economy — X, YouTube and Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram — all are, or soon will be, embroiled in some sort of user data lawsuit. They take a while to start because nobody reads the terms of service.
In our day and age the consumer often accepts their data being passed about, as the customization of one’s own timeline benefits both user and corporation. The cost of custom entertainment ecosystems and limitless information gives social media giants “an unaccountable trove of information so detailed and expansive that George Orwell never could have dreamed it,” according to lawyer Mark Mao.
These hyper-personal entertainment feeds lead to an “echo-system” effect, where a user’s opinions are constantly reflected back at them, causing them to become more and more extreme. It is called the information age for a reason — and it looks like it’s all downhill from here.
Adulting 101: The dance with your credit score
Contributing Writer
For many college students, the road to financial independence is filled with firsts: first job, first paycheck and for some, the first credit card. Navigating this new responsibility can seem daunting, but having a credit card as a college student isn’t just about convenience — it is a powerful tool to learn how to manage finances early.
Credit cards provide students with a chance to build their credit history while offering a safety net for unexpected expenses. Learning how to handle a credit card responsibly is a crucial step in the journey toward adulthood.
Mistakes are bound to happen — overspending, missing a payment or misjudging a budget — but these lessons,
learned in the relatively low-stakes college environment, can help prepare students for larger financial commitments later in life.
While credit cards offer valuable opportunities for college students to build financial independence, it’s crucial to acknowledge the potential risks they carry when not used responsibly.
A poor decision, like taking on more debt than you can afford, can lead to serious consequences such as missed payments, plummeting credit scores or even repossession of items purchased on credit, like a car.
Our early adult years are the times when we should embrace these mistakes despite the repercussions that come with them. A repossession or collection stays on your record for seven years, meaning that negative experience at 18 years old is
something you can fix by the time you are 25. We always have time to learn and grow.
But for those who want to grow from the errors of others now, here are some friendly practical tips to stay on track with your credit score:
When you carve out your budget, only spend what you can afford to pay off in full each month. This ensures you avoid accumulating unnecessary debt. To help monitor your expenses and stay within your budget, consider using apps or tools like Credit Karma. These resources make it easier to track your spending and avoid exceeding your means.
Additionally, open a savings account and regularly contribute a portion of your paycheck. With inflation and other economic factors impacting the cost of living, building an emergency fund is essential. This fund acts
as a safety net, helping you cover unexpected expenses without having to rely on credit cards or loans.
I learned these lessons the hard way when I got my first credit card at 19 with a $500 limit. It felt like free money — until the bill arrived.
By focusing on small, consistent payments and setting realistic budgets, I turned my mistakes into learning experiences. Today, I approach credit responsibly, knowing that setbacks are part of the journey.
Credit cards don’t have to be a source of fear. By understanding how it works, addressing issues head-on and maintaining healthy habits, you can build a solid foundation for your financial future. Mistakes happen, but with patience and determination, you can bounce back stronger. After all, adulting is a dance — and with practice, you will find your rhythm.
Graphic by Victor Romanko.
NATI FELICIANO-SOTO
Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
The lost art of moving on
HENRY JOBE
Contributing Writer
Humans have always been drawn to sequels, a second opportunity. It is part of our human curiosity to want to know what happens next. Most of William Shakespeare’s plays directly precede or follow each other narratively and there are more film trilogies than I could ever count.
Despite that, these stories were eventually resolved and audiences naturally moved on. They still owned box sets and hardcovers, but there was an understanding that the story was over.
In recent years, I began to notice an unhealthy shift in the way people engage with stories. This isn’t specific to Gen Z, I believe it is true for previous generations as well. There is a rising animosity toward the idea of a truly conclusive ending — one that I find concerning.
Truthfully, I’m not immune to it either. I still happily immerse myself in the spinoffs and reboots of stories I have a deep emotional connection with. I believe the problem stems from this emotional attachment. The experiences we had with these works have attached us to these franchises and it is incredibly challenging to let go.
The growth of the internet corresponded with the growth of fan culture, nearly
every series or franchise has a presence on websites like Tumblr, Reddit or Discord. If you interface with a story and want to learn more about it, chances are you’ll quickly find people who know every single thing about it — recounting behind-the-scenes, stories, their interpretations of the themes and even writing fanfiction.
These aren’t too revolutionary, but one more recent change has affected this severely — studios and publishers have begun to appeal to this audience.
Now there is a glut of officially released tie-in media for nearly every intellectual property, guidebooks for television shows which concluded over a decade ago and direct sequels or reboots of films that were released in the 1980s. Popular characters, fictional or otherwise, are revived for commercials, comic books and website write-ups.
We have reached the point where companies are working on remakes of films they have already made, as opposed to original content. When original content is released, it is buried beneath the sea of recognizable iconography.
Companies banking on this isn’t unexpected, but what has surprised me is how audiences receive these shallow
resurrections. Remade films gross billions and paltry mentions trend on social media. We have happily gobbled up every fresh drop of our favorite worlds. We would rather rewatch our favorite movies, replay our favorite games and reread our favorite books than try something new. We happily sacrifice the meaning of these stories in exchange for one more adventure within them.
Moving on is frightening. There is nothing scarier than loving something and realizing there are only two episodes, one level or 25 pages left before it ends. That’s why mods, fanfiction and fan films exist. They are an excellent way for people to find new ways to interact with these finished stories. Their most valuable aspect however, is that they often serve as a creator’s inciting incident, directing them to go on to write their own original stories and create new worlds.
I don’t feel ashamed for loving something that deeply affected me. It is human nature to feel linked to the stories that changed us.
I have just one suggestion: Next time you’re about to rewatch your comfort movie, or open up your favorite book, consider trying something new.
Watch that movie at the bottom of the menu or that book that’s still sitting on
Humor
Joke of the week
“You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?”
— S Teven WrigHT
Night at the internet: The TikTok ban
NATALIE MCEWAN
Opinions and Humor Editor
Being a brain rot connoisseur is not an easy job. It’s not as simple as passively scrolling on the toilet or before bed. It is a way of life — one I take very seriously. I even devised the perfect system for my homework, a system that helps me actually remember my readings.
First, I ran my reading comprehension textbook through ChatGPT to make it easier to understand. Then, I converted the summary into a Minecraft parkour video. For the unfamiliar, it is where the text shows up one word at a time in front of a Minecraft video where someone jumps around the virtual environment.
In my hand, a Celsius. On my laptop, the Minecraft textbook video. From my speakers, lofi beats to study and relax to. And, most importantly, on my television, a constant Chromecast stream of TikTok videos.
It all went beautifully until the clock struck midnight on Jan. 19. I made it through the first third of the summary when my television showed an alarming message, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.”
Not available? How was I supposed to do my homework? Eat food? Go to the bathroom? Get to class?
I immediately opened the next best thing: Instagram Reels. I tried to scroll, but all I saw were videos I had already seen three weeks ago on TikTok. The brain rot was outdated, uninspiring. I couldn’t possibly complete my reading in these conditions.
Next, I went over to YouTube Shorts — only to be greeted with a terrible algorithm that showed me the same standup comedian clips and finance podcasters over and over. I tried scrolling, but it was so awful I actually turned off my phone.
I was getting desperate. What was I supposed to do? I drank another Celsius and rested it on my reading comprehension textbook.
What if my brain rot connoisseur days were over? What if I needed to get a new job? I knew where I could find one.
I opened LinkedIn and went right past
the job search feature to the short-form video section. I was desperate to scroll, but instead, I kept getting advice for b2b sales. LinkedIn members even called my Yapdollar profile picture “unprofessional” in the comments section. I just wanted to show them that I like money too.
At this point, the sunlight began to creep through my window. I realized it was now Sunday morning. I had made it through the night with no TikTok, but now I faced an even more terrifying fate: work. I spent all this time trying to find something to replace TikTok; I had forgotten to sleep! How could I do my job as a brain rot connoisseur with no decent brain rot?
I drank another Celsius and began the long, agonizing journey to work. Without videos to scroll, each foot felt like a bag full of bricks, each step like I was climbing a treacherous mountain. I had nothing to listen to except for birds. As I crossed the street I actually had to look at the cars who drove by.
After making it across the street, I made one last effort with Instagram Reels. There I saw the Rizzler. I was so elated that I, no longer aware of my surroundings, tripped over the bottom of a Spin scooter and tumbled head-first into a patch of grass.
I laid there for a moment and felt the sunlight beam onto my face, the soft yet itchy touch of the grass, the fresh outdoor scent. It felt nice?
That was when I saw another person walking by the sidewalk, avoiding eye contact and scrolling. Their eyes seemed so entranced by their screen. It wasn’t possible, not with any of these algorithms — unless.
I opened TikTok and saw that service had been restored! I leapt out of the grass and onto the sidewalk in one swift motion, where I began speed walking the rest of the way to work, headphones in, videos on.
Editor’s note: The characters and events depicted in this article are fictitious. Any similarity to real-life persons or events is coincidental. This is a work of satire; The Commonwealth Times does not endorse using AI to make sense of your textbooks or homework. Just do your readings.
Illustration by Nathan Varney.
Ad by Victor Romanko.
By Amy Johnson & Katie Hale
By Amy Johnson & Katie Hale
Edited by Amy Johnson & Katie Hale
Edited by Patti Varol
By The Mepham Group
Edited by Patti Varol