The Commonwealth Times; Feb. 26, 2020 by VCU Student Media Center

COMMONWEALTHTIMES.ORG @theCT

THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY 2019 Newspaper Pacemaker Winner

VOL. 61, NO. 21 FEBRUARY 26, 2020

‘Toxic’

SGA leaders frustrated by organization’s conflict SGA President Breanna Harmon, left, was one of six candidates disqualfied in this year’s SGA elections, which have been extended. Photo by Jon Mirador HANNAH EASON News Editor

best intentions to do this, and then in some way, get bullied out.” Elections for SGA president, as well as When thinking about the environment graduate and undergraduate vice president of the Student Government Association, and senators, were scheduled to open on words like “toxic” and “hostile” come to Wednesday but were postponed to allow mind for many members. At one point, af- “greater student participation,” according ter an interaction with an SGA leader, one to Jordan James, SGA election chair. student described wiping away tears before Six people were disqualified from runleading an orientation to encourage stu- ning because they did not fill out a required dents to join the organization. campaign finance disclosure statement. This Some SGA leaders are seeking account- includes current SGA President Breanna abilty for discrimination and harassment Harmon, who is seeking reelection; Raethey say is happening within the organi- lyn Davis, running for vice president; and zation. They say they’re at a loss for how to Lila Gemechu, Kelsey Russell, Ana Zaresolve conflicts between members. hore and Samara Shabon, all running for Alexia Guzman, SGA vice president, undergraduate senate. and other leaders said the organization lacks James said disqualified candidates are alaccountability and has too much power. lowed to run again “as if they were running “SGA does a great job at getting activ- for the first time.” Dates for the rescheduled ists, getting people who want to be that election have not been released. change on campus or help that group of Guzman said after leaving an abusive students. But then they get the activists, and relationship, a Title IX report concerning it’s like they get killed,” Guzman said. “I’ve the relationship was made by a fellow SGA seen so many people just come in with the leader. Guzman provided documentation to The Commonwealth Times proving the existence of a Title IX report. At the time, she had already filed her own report with the Title IX office and VCU Police but said when she talked to SGA members about it previously, “nobody gave a crap.” The biology and psychology double major said she learned of the report before conducting a student oriSGA Vice President Alexia Guzman. Photo by Jon Mirador entation at the conclusion

of a FaceTime call with Harmon, who she said told her to expect an email from Title IX. Guzman felt that the Title IX report was meant to prove she was unfit to lead, and that it was discriminatory toward her mental health.

I think it’s a pattern of people not understanding how our government is structured to begin with, and they just think of it as a straight line, like a hierarchy, like a job. So president equals boss, and everyone has to do what they say because they make all the decisions.” Taylor Maloney, SGA chief of staff Guzman, who is a senior and has been in the SGA since her freshman year, says that the situation made her feel uncomfortable and vulnerable. Harmon did not respond to several inquiries requesting comment and declined an in-person interview. “At that point, I was crying, I was in

tears,” Guzman said. “And I have to wipe it all off and go upstairs and tell people to join this org. I know it sounds really traumatic but to me, it was a lack of being humane.” Guzman said that if she was asked about the relationship, she would have been open to talking about leaving the relationship, and explaining she was in a place of healing. The report was to be forwarded to the Division of Student Affairs, but Guzman expressed to administrators that she was uncomfortable talking about it and wanted to stop the progression of the report. “I sometimes wish I didn’t cut it short. But at that moment, I did not want any other man, but also anyone in the school, to know what I was going through,” Guzman said. “It was very humiliating.” Guzman described SGA as a negative and hostile environment. She said one of her advisors told her they couldn’t discuss her trauma because it affected the advisor’s mental health. Another student said an advisor told her “accountability is not in my job description.” “We are aware of conflicts and continue to work with the student leaders to address their concerns,” said Division of Student Affairs spokesperson Matthew Lovisa in response to a request to speak with SGA advisors. “The role of SGA Advisors is to listen and support the SGA as they continue their work of supporting students. When issues arise, the SGA Advisors listen and take action when and where appropriate.”

See SGA on page 3

R&B ARTIST SHY LENNOX IS ON THE RISE CT file photo

See BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROFILE on page 7

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: Walt Disney Company’s Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger stepped down Tuesday after 15 years in the role. international: Saudi Arabia is launching a female football team, two years after allowing women to drive and enter stadiums in the Gulf Kingdom, according to BBC News.

Humanities and Sciences faces cuts, VCU looks at new branding KATIE HOLLOWELL Contributing Writer

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Karol Gray discusses proposals for next year’s budget. Photo by Enza Marcy

House proposal would grant VCU $17.3M for tuition, salaries KATIE HOLLOWELL Contributing Writer A budget proposal from the Virginia House of Delegates would grant VCU $17.3 million in new funding for tuition assistance and salaries — the most of any public institution — with the condition that the university freeze tuition again. The next-highest allocation would be to James Madison University for $8 million, followed by the University of Virginia with $7 million. “The House has really driven the conversations for higher education funding over the past couple of cycles,” said VCU executive director of government and board relations Matt Conrad. Last year, the board of visitors voted to freeze tuition for the 2019-20 academic school year for the first time in 20 years, after the General Assembly allocated

money in the budget for a tuition freeze across all Virginia colleges. This appropriation comes from general funding for public universities that don’t increase tuition and mandatory fees from one year to the next. In this case, in order to receive the funds, the institutions would not be able to increase tuition or mandatory fees for in-state students during the 202021 academic year. The House proposal also includes a salary increase of 1% with a 1% bonus mandated by the state at VCU’s cost. “We are receiving the highest proportion of state support among our peer institutions,” said Karol Gray, VCU senior vice president and chief financial officer. Due to having more than 80% in-state enrollment and being one of the largest universities in Virginia, VCU depends on general funding from the state. That’s why House Appropriations Committee fiscal

analyst Tony Maggio said the university could receive the largest amount of additional state funding. Maggio’s calculation is based on a sixyear plan that came out of the Top Jobs Act of 2011, which aimed to increase college attainment and address enrollment funding as well as need-based financial aid.

• Growing enrollment • Attracting out-of-state applicants • Putting a freeze on hiring • Adjusting course sizes • Eliminating classes Each unit had to submit a plan for how it would cover their cuts and submit it for review. Hackett said her office is following up continuously with leaders from each on issues like student retention. Hackett says VCU is using disaggregated data to zero in on schools with the highest retention issues. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

This is a great thing, it kind of resolves the issues of the lack of state support that higher education took before the recession, this kind of recovery of funds that we lost because of the declining state revenues.” Karol Gray, VCU senior vice president and chief financial officer

Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs Gail Hackett, right, speaks at a board of visitors meeting on Friday. Photo by Enza Marcy

A number of colleges and schools will face cuts next year as a result of not achieving their enrollment goals for the 2019-20 academic year. The affected units are the College of Humanities and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Engineering, the School of Pharmacy, the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Affairs, VCUarts and the School of Social Work, said Gail Hackett, provost and vice president for academic affairs. Hackett said during a board of visitors meeting on Friday that the schools and colleges need to focus on the following:

“This is a great thing,” Gray said. “It kind of resolves the issues of the lack of state support that higher education took before the recession, this kind of recovery of funds that we lost because of the declining state revenues.” Maggio said if any school doesn’t meet the condition, their state funding will go back into a central pool and get reallocated. The last time this central pool reallocation was presented was in the 2008 House proposal. Gov. Ralph Northam’s proposal does not

University spokesperson Pam Lepley spoke at the board meeting about the future of VCU’s brand. She outlined four “brand messaging pillars” for the university’s new recruitment ads: authentically diverse, intimately urban, academically rigorous and health-centric. VCU is focusing on the intimately urban pillar to show the university’s connection to the city and the local community. Lepley said VCU students contribute about 1.3 million hours of volunteer work every year. Through digital advertising, the university will aim to recruit students during the period from when they start thinking about college to when they begin applying. include new state funding or salary increases for the university. “The governor’s proposal is really not one that makes anyone happy,” Gray said. The state Senate proposal would grant $5.7 million in new state funds annually in 2021 and 2022, a 3% salary increase in 2022 and no renewed freeze on tuition.

Wed. February 26, 2020 3

VCU’s online programs score top-50 rank SAGAL AHMED Contributing Writer After graduating from VCU’s School of Business, Bradley Brookens moved to Tennessee and was unable to continue working toward his master’s degree from the university in person. Brookens is now enrolled in one of the best online programs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report, and he says that in some ways it’s a better experience. “One of the most distinctive things about online programs is that you actually see your classmates, since you are seeing things through a screen and you can really see them and the changes they are going through,” Brookens said, “compared to a traditionally taught class, where you are sitting side by side facing forward at the professor.” Every year, U.S News & World Report ranks online college bachelor and master’s programs based on engagement, service and technologies, faculty credentials and training. High-ranking academic officials give their opinions by survey. Qualifications for master’s programs are the same but also consider student excellence, while bachelor programs do not. Of the 50 best online programs in the U.S, VCU’s School of Education master’s program tied at No. 8. VCU’s School of

Business MBA program was ranked at No. 35, and VCU’s School of Nursing’s master’s program tied at No. 45. The School of Nursing master’s program and the School of Business MBA program invite their students to visit the campus over the summer before the online program begins, but this isn’t the only time students get to interact in person. Students that are in the MBA program have the same access to VCU facilities and events that on-campus students do. The MBA program manager, Robert Clarkson, said students have plenty of opportunities to “network and form with your fellow students” aside from virtual sessions and residencies. “Because of the cohort feature, which is where students start and finish the program together as well as take classes with each other,” Clarkson said, “students get to know each other very well and coordinate with each other to attend some of these on-campus events and facilities such as professional development events.” This is aimed to help some students in the 2020 cohort, of which 66% are from the Richmond area but cannot make it to class on a regular basis because of work, taking care of family members or having a family of their own. Additionally, students are required to attend three weekend residencies during

Professor Ed Milner conducts an economics session at the School of Business Class of 2021’s first residency. Photo courtesy of the VCU School of Business SGA

their two-year program. Clarkson says the weekend residencies can be difficult to schedule because students have to be available on three Fridays. Matthew Bare, assistant director at the VCU School of Medicine and a student in the MBA program, 50% FEMALE 30% NONWHITE says there are “co-mingles” throughout the semester where students can interact with professors and each other. “Since starting this past 20% EMPLOYED BY VCU 36% VCU ALUMNI fall 2019, I’ve found that my professors, classmates and program management are always accessible and ready to assist,” 33% OF MBA STUDENTS AVERAGE WORK Bare said. “This has helped IN HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE to make this experience extremely rewarding.” The School of Nursing master’s program, which went online in 2016, is more LEADING EMPLOYERS geared for specific concentrations such as nursing adInformation compiled by Sagal Ahmed. Infographic by Rey Carlson ministration and leadership. The students complete most of their practical experience in hospitals and other staff members when they come during their undergraduate semesters. to campus before the program begins and VCU School of Nursing’s Associate during the following summer. Dean of Academic Affairs Debra BarksThis is the second time the School of dale said most of the program allows pro- Education has made the list, the second fessors to design all of the learning activities time the School of Nursing program has to be done online. Discussion boards and been ranked in general and the first ranking group projects are also used. Part of the for the School of Business MBA program, program is not done online, in which stu- which was recently developed. dents gain hands-on experience with other The School of Education tied for No. 8 nurse administrators. with Creighton University, San Diego State Barksdale said there are potential chang- University, Texas A&M University College es pending approval from the State Council Station, University at Albany SUNY, Unifor Higher Education in Virginia. versity of Houston and University of Illinois “We want to shorten or decrease the Urbana-Champaign. number of credits to make the program The School of Nursing tied for No. 45 more efficient and increase learning and with Duquesne University, Eastern Kenhave students reach the student learn- tucky University, Northwestern State ing outcomes we have set up,” Barksdale University of Louisiana, Southern Illinois said. “We also have a new curriculum that University Edwardsville and University of would be four semesters instead of the Louisiana Lafayette. five we have now.” Similarly to the MBA program, students interact together and with professors

School of Business MBA 2020 Cohort Demographics

12 years

VCU Health and CoStar Group

SGA student leaders see few options for resolving conflict

Continued from front page Junior Salma Abdelkader is a close friend of Guzman’s and said while Guzman is a nurturing and supportive leader, SGA tore her down. “It’s really heartbreaking,” Abdelkader said. “Even when I was in California, when we did touch base, she would tell me about it and I could feel the stress from the other side of the country. I could tell she was so alienated, by herself.” SGA Chief of Staff Taylor Maloney said she was excited at the beginning of Harmon and Guzman’s leadership term. “I was hoping that we would finally be able to have leadership, and they’ll be on the same page and listen so we could get something done,” Maloney said, “because I just kept feeling that we weren’t doing enough as an organization, especially one with all this money and influence. I felt like it was wasted.” In October, Maloney stated in a brief that she and SGA Senate Secretary Erica Ware had an argument over personal matters that escalated. “She repeatedly told me to come outside so that she could assault me and continued harassing me over text even though I wasn’t

even home,” Maloney wrote in the brief. Maloney then filed a traditional appeal in the SGA senate stating that Ware was elected unconstitutionally and that harassment from Ware broke the VCU Student Code of Conduct. A response from the judicial branch found that Ware was constitutionally elected and therefore her appointment was valid. Ware did not respond to a request for comment. The report stated that although the SGA’s judicial branch does not oversee violence and harassment claims, it can guide members to resources like VCU Police or counseling. SGA Chief Justice Kriss Castillo did not respond to a request for an interview. Maloney, a political science major, said she considered resigning after the situation, and she described the environment at SGA as toxic. “I think it’s a pattern of people not understanding how our government is structured to begin with,” Maloney said. “And they just think of it as a straight line, like a hierarchy, like a job. So president equals boss, and everyone has to do what they say because they make all the decisions.” Maloney is a candidate for SGA president and hopes to bring more

accountability to the role. She said she’s not too concerned about the election results. “I’m hoping that someone, it doesn’t have to be me, but someone comes in and changes the direction of this org and holds not only administration accountable, but us accountable,” Maloney said. Udhanth Mallasani, speaker of the SGA senate, said the options are limited for members to resolve issues within the organization. “We’ve tried to hold, time and time and again, the advisors and our administration accountable,” Mallasani said. “Our only way of holding them accountable is by taking it to the judiciary, taking it to the senate, or taking it to the advisors.” SGA Senate Speaker Udhanth Mallasani conducts a senate meeting on Monday. Photo by Jon Mirador

4 The Commonwealth Times

VCU will not move forward with Wi-Fi tracking attendance program KATIE HOLLOWELL Contributing Writer VCU will no longer track selected students’ Wi-Fi locations for class attendance after the conclusion of a controversial pilot program that began in November. Results from the program, Ram Attend, showed 15% of students who participated were not frequently connected to the VCU SafeNet Wi-Fi network. Due to high optout rates, small class sizes and some classes being held outside their classrooms, the Wi-Fi data wasn’t clear enough. Sophomore Maryam Islam thinks it’s smart that VCU didn’t move forward with Ram Attend. “It’s heartbreaking to think that a college would want to confine us even more and want to track our movements and where we’re going,” the biology major said. “If our college doesn’t trust us, why did we choose this college?” The $96,000 pilot program only tracked class attendance in focused inquiry classes — UNIV 111, 112, and 200 — for the students who did not opt out through a link sent out via email. Professors took attendance manually, and it was compared to the Ram Attend results. Students who participated in the program had their Wi-Fi logins recorded by Degree Analytics, the vendor VCU contracted to gather the data, at their specific class time, and the rest of their data was filtered out. Each student’s

identity was stripped before the vendor received their login data. VCU spokesperson Mike Porter said in an email in November that the one-year contract with Degree Analytics would not affect students’ tuition. The pilot’s webpage states that 4,047 students were enrolled in the focused inquiry courses in the pilot, 2,414 students opted out and 1,633 students remained. Data collected during the Ram Attend pilot was not clear enough to continue with the program. Photo by Alessandro Latour

I understand they’re trying to better your attendance rate, but that’s just another level of extremism that I don’t think we need. It’s a waste of money, too.” Sarah Kouadio, public relations student Public relations major Sarah Kouadio disliked the program — she said everyone at VCU is an adult, and it’s up to students to attend class. “I understand they’re trying to better your attendance rate, but that’s just another level of extremism that I don’t think we need,” the senior said. “It’s a waste of money, too.”

Student data is protected under the Family Educational Records Protection Act, or FERPA, which allows students access to their educational records. According to its webpage, Ram Attend did not give university officials access to the data unless their job duty required it. Senior associate vice provost for student success Maggie Tolan said in an email Friday to the students enrolled in focused inquiry courses last semester that VCU is committed to student success. “We are committed to exploring and engaging in new opportunities to support our students,” Tolan said. “So that every student can find success in their academic and career goals.” Senior Bryan Youmbi said professors should use manual in-class attendance so students don’t feel they’re being watched. “VCU is for students and should listen

to the students,” the psychology major said. When the pilot program launched in November, many students expressed discomfort at the thought of the university tracking their locations for attendance. Environmental studies major Sarah Pritchard opted-out of the program and didn’t understand why VCU began the pilot program so late in the semester. “I feel like we are really already micromanaged, and I really don’t want that,” Pritchard said. “What’s the problem with normal attendance or doing Top Hat attendance?” Tolan said in her email to students that listening sessions are being planned later this spring “to discuss lessons learned from the RAM Attend pilot and to further engage in a dialogue about improving our student success initiatives.”

Influencers dive into public relations, advise students to do ‘due diligence’ when promoting products SANJANA RAVULAPALLI Contributing Writer Three social media influencers discussed working with public relations, the future of social media and advice for current mass communications students at a panel discussion for the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture’s Speaker Series on Tuesday. The discussion was moderated by VCU professor Hailey Spencer. Kait Curnow is a Robertson School alumna and a beauty and fashion influencer. Her content is mostly on Instagram, where she has more than 34,200 followers. ON RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARD THE AUDIENCE: “At the end of the day, if you’re just telling somebody to buy a product or an outfit or anything of the sort, that’s their money. There would be nothing more embarrassing to me than saying that, and having somebody buy it, and it’s horrible. I think just doing your due diligence to companies that you are working for. Always do a little bit of research and actually test out products before you’re just throwing them up on your page, and sharing your actual thoughts on it. I don’t like something, then I probably won’t post it on my page.” Nickelus F is a Robertson School alumnus, musician and music influencer with more than 12,700 followers on Instagram. Nickelus also works as a copywriter at the King Agency in Richmond.

ON BEING AN INFLUENCER MUSICIAN: “I never really set out with the goal of being an influencer musician. So my goal was always to get as many people to know about my music as possible. Every follower is earned because in order for me to get followers, I gotta do shows. I have to put out music. With me, it’s always just been about this being my authentic self and hoping that people can rock with that. And over time, I amassed a decent following that other brands and other people took notice of and realized that there’s a lot of From left: Nickelus F, Joey Zauzig and Kait Curnow at “Influencer Movement.” Photo by Enza Marcy engagement under this post. It might be only like 1,000 likes but it’d be “I came from a PR background, and I a couple hundred comments underneath it, worked in traditional PR. And now I’m “Talking to people about educating so there was a lot of engagement there. I working with all these PR people on the about what we all do, it’s important befelt like that’s where people saw the value.” back end, and you have to be fair to every- cause I think that as we go on, it’s going one. No one wants to be taken advantage of. to get smaller and smaller in a good way. Joey Zauzig is a Robertson School It’s a business, it’s my full-time job. I see a And I feel like people are going to start to alumnus who formerly worked in public lot of people don’t know the realm, and so really understand what it is, and brands are relations but is now a full-time luxury life- that’s why I think it’s so great that there’s going to start to understand how to work style influencer with more than 132,000 an influencer class here because it’s so im- with influencers better. And there’s going followers on Instagram. portant if you’re going into the field of PR. to be different platforms that pop up like That’s what you’re going to be doing now.” TikTok and Instagram. And I mean, there’s going to be another one after that, I’m sure. ON ADVICE FOR PUBLIC RELATION It’s ever-changing.” STUDENTS: ON THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND INFLUENCERS:

Wed. February 26, 2020 5

Stat of the week

Senior Keriann McTavish was named lacrosse A-10 Player of the Week on Feb. 24 after scoring nine goals in two games.

‘Heart over height’: Williams doesn’t back down from challenges on the court

NOAH FLEISCHMAN Sports Editor Even though she is the smallest player on the court every night, senior guard Nyra Williams isn’t intimidated. Standing at 5 feet, 5 inches tall, she’s the shortest player in the Atlantic 10. “It’s heart over height,” Williams said. “I know I’m the smallest person on the court but I’m always going to try. Even if I get beat once, I’m going to keep coming back.” In the Rams’ 53-50 win over Richmond on Jan. 17, Williams raced down the floor with less than 40 seconds on the clock, throwing her body in front of the ball and taking a charge to seal the win for the black and gold. That play personified Williams’ style of play on the court: quick and aggressive. “She’s willing to sacrifice her body to make a great play, and that’s what you hope to get out of your senior point guard,” coach Beth O’Boyle said of Williams. Throughout Williams’ career, teams have tried to exploit her height but the Hampton, Virginia, native’s work ethic has blocked that. “It’s always funny, teams try to post her up because of her size,” O’Boyle said. “She’s getting more steals in the post because she’s working so hard. I very rarely see teams take advantage of the size because of how hard Nyra works.” Williams has been a consistent face in the black and gold’s lineup throughout her career in Richmond, appearing in 100 games and starting 85 of them.

Williams has logged 93 assists this season, pushing her career total to 300. She has also recorded 38 steals and 127 for her career. “Point guard’s just always been in my blood,” Williams said. “I like having the ball in my hands and being a leader on the court.” O’Boyle described Williams as a “true point guard,” since she can facilitate the ball and get the Rams going into their offense. “She wants to get her teammates good shots,” O’Boyle said. “She’s trying to run our transition, and she’s trying to do everything defensively to make good plays.”

It’s heart over height. I know I’m the smallest person on the court but I’m always going to try. Even if I get beat once, I’m going to keep coming back.” Nyra Williams, senior guard As one of three seniors on the roster, Williams is a leader the team can look up to. “She is someone that’s going to go out there, work hard and be intense,” O’Boyle said. “I think that’s really contagious to her teammates.”

Senior guard Nyra Williams has recorded 90 assists in her career. Photo by Megan Lee During drills at practice, Williams goes first and wants her teammates to learn from her mistakes. “I wouldn’t have my teammates do something I wouldn’t do,” Williams said. “Just kind of be first in everything so they can follow me. If I mess up, just make sure they don’t do the same mistakes.” Off the court, Williams has provided laughter throughout her career. At a team dinner last season, she taught her teammates how to eat shellfish.

“We did an all favorites dinner last season, and Nyra ordered shellfish as her favorite meal,” O’Boyle said. “I have never seen someone so little eat so many shellfish. It was hilarious, and she was teaching quite a few of our new players how to eat them properly.” Williams and her work ethic’s time on the floor are limited and will be noticed when she graduates. “I imagine it’ll take a little bit of adjustment,” O’Boyle said about filling Williams’ role. “I’m sure there are a lot of A-10 teams that are happy she’s graduating.”

PRESS BOX

Men’s basketball lacks a true, proven center to lead rebounding battle RYAN GRUBE Staff Writer Opposing teams have outrebounded men’s basketball in 15 of the team’s 26 games this season, leaving the Rams with a meager 6-9 record in those contests. The black and gold finished last season with 14 outrebounded games and an 8-6 record in those outings. The high number of rebound shortages in recent history begs the question: How can a team coached by Mike Rhoades, a coach who preaches effort and consistency, lose the rebound battle so often? What is the missing piece? If VCU were to add a legit, dominant center to their roster, it would make rebounding much easier for Rhoades and company. The Rams have one scholarship spot left for the 2020-21 season, and a stretch big could be a perfect answer. We saw the success VCU alumni Jamie Skeen and Juvonte Reddic enjoyed in their time with the black and gold. Both players could knock down extended jumpers, and each displayed an innate

weight off junior forwards Marcus Santos-Silva and Corey Douglas. Rhoades’ half-court, havoc-style trap defense commands numerous rotations and switches, which often force players out of position to grab defensive boards. The Rams coach likes the idea of having lengthy guards who can rebound, and he has reIllustration by Karly Andersen cently echoed the need for rebounds in response ability to crash the glass on both ends of to the recent woes on the offensive and the floor. defensive glass. Freshman forward Hason Ward has “Hit somebody and go get it,” Rhoadthe height and potential to become a force es said after his squad’s loss at Richat the forward position, but he is currently mond on Feb. 15. “Don’t stand there listed at just 200 pounds and has strug- and think Marcus Santos-Silva is gogled with post defense in previous games ing to get every one. … We have some for the Rams. Skeen and Reddic weighed long athletic guys, but we stand there in at 240 and 250 pounds, respectively, in and watch.” their final years at VCU. Rhoades’ solution worked in the secMore size on the inside would ond half against the Spiders, and his create matchup problems for oppo- message translated into a huge response nents, and it would take some of the in VCU’s test with No. 5 Dayton on Feb.

18 — a game the Rams ultimately lost, but a performance in which the team out-rebounded the Flyers 41-31. A proven center would take the stress off the other guys on the floor in the battle for rebounds. Instead of having five players out of position, scrapping for boards, VCU could utilize more size and elevate its transition game. By having a bigger presence in the paint, the Rams wouldn’t need as many bodies around the basket for a rebound, and more players could get out running on the break. An uptick in transition points would be a huge boost to an offense that has appeared stagnant at times throughout the 2019-20 campaign and has struggled to score at half-court against tougher defenses. Rhoades has shown his preference for recruiting athletic scorers at the guard and forward positions since returning to VCU. But if the coach can target the same athleticism at the center position in the upcoming classes, the black and gold will be set up for untapped success in the near future.

6 The Commonwealth Times

A-10 players of week lead men’s tennis on hot start NILE MCNAIR Contributing Writer

Men’s tennis is off to a fast start this season with a record of 7-2, including a sixmatch win streak. Individual performances on the court have fueled the team’s wins and yielded a handful of Atlantic 10 player of the week awards. Three rams have received the honor this season: juniors Inigo Torre Martin and Timo Zgraggen, and sophomore Charles Bertimon. “It is always nice to get a reward for what you do on a daily basis,” Torre Martin said. “Three players on our team have already got it, so it shows that we’re doing the right thing as a team and not just individually.” Despite the hot start, things will not get easier for the Rams in their upcoming matches. What is expected to be their toughest match of the season will be this Saturday against the No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes. The match will give the Rams an early-season opportunity to accomplish a team goal: get into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s top 50 rankings. “Our coach this morning told us we were [No.] 51,” Zgraggen said. “So if we play a couple more good matches, I think we can get there.” The Rams have gotten off to a much better start than a year ago. The black and gold were inconsistent last year — they started off with a 5-4 record, in which they had both a four-game winning and losing streak in those first nine matches. The preparation the team put in during the fall semester helped the Rams get ready

for the season. “I think we’ve been putting in a lot of work in the preseason,” coach Anthony Rossi said. “We changed a few things from that last season, spending most of the fall semester working on conditioning and stuff like that.” The Rams returned four players from last year and added four freshmen, who are already making an impact. Freshman Lleyton Cronje has teamed up with Bertimon in doubles, winning their last two matches in a row. Cronje has been a consistent face in the Rams’ lineup on the court. This year’s group is looking to uphold previous years’ standards; they could do so by bringing home a fourth-straight A-10 conference championship. However, another goal is to expand the team’s brand and get those in the community involved with what’s going on. “One of the goals for VCU is to get a new facility, so we are trying to bring out a lot of people and get them involved,” Rossi said. “Once the people come and see what the matches look like and the passion and energy we have during the matches I think they will have fun.”

RAM STAT Men’s tennis is on a six-match winning streak after starting the season 1-1 Junior Inigo Torre Martin has earned A-10 Player of the Week honors once this season. CT file photo

Doubles pair finds success on tennis court JOE DODSON Contributing Writer

“Normally your partners push you too much and you don’t wanna be there,” DiW hen junior tennis az-Delgado said. “With her, player Paola Diaz-Delgait never happened like that.” do arrived in Richmond, The two players have she had little experience plenty of trust for each othplaying doubles. That er. Both have had matches quickly changed when in which they’ve relied on she was paired with senior the other to carry them to Noumea Witmus. the win. Diaz-Delgado strugWitmus recalled the gled at first with doubles; duo’s loss in the fall reshe didn’t like the idea of gionals to Marshall as an letting down someone else instance when Diaz-Delon the court, and was used gado stepped up during the to playing the game her match. Witmus thought way. But playing alongside they were over their heads Witmus has changed Diuntil Diaz-Delgado took az-Delgado’s perspective a more dominant role in and taught her a lot about returning balls that she playing doubles. thought were unreachable. “She knew a lot, and “If I am not playing when she was playing, she my game and I’m missing was confident,” Diaz-Delballs, then I know she will gado said. “Her play- Senior Noumea Witmus and junior Paola Diaz-Delgado have been paired together since Diaz-Delgado arrived at VCU. stay play her own game ing confidence made me Photo by Tzeggai Issac and I can count on that,” more confident.” Witmus said. Witmus has had the opportunity to Since they were paired in fall 2017, they Diaz-Delgado did not know very much mentor Diaz-Delgado during their time have gone 18-10. English when she came to VCU, which together. The pair first connected beDiaz-Delgado and Witmus have the made it harder for her to connect with her cause of Diaz-Delgado’s humble attitude same approach to tennis both tactically and teammates. Now in her third year, she is In the beginning, it was when she arrived at VCU. Since then, mentally. According to Witmus, coach Paul much more comfortable with the group, harder because I wasn’t Witmus has seen a transformation in Kostin described them as a “wall” because and Witmus has been someone she can talking a lot. Through this her partner. of their consistency on the defensive end. count on. “She would probably be the nicest per“We have similar games in doubles,” “In the beginning, it was harder beyear our relationship has son you’ll find at VCU,” Witmus said. “This Witmus said. “We’re not really aggressive cause I wasn’t talking a lot,” Diaz-Delgado improved a lot. Honestly, year, I really noticed how she matured in players, we’re more defensive and wait said. “Through this year our relationship I think she’s one of my her game, in the way she is here and with our turn.” has improved a lot. Honestly, I think she’s other teammates. It’s really nice how you The pair prefers to play their matches one of my best friends here.” best friends here.” can see people grow here.” with composure rather than on edge. They Paola Diaz-Delgado, The duo has gone 7-2 as a doubles support and encourage each other while junior tennis player partnership to start the spring season. knowing each other’s limits.

Wed. February 26, 2020 7

On this day

In 1983, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album goes No. 1 and remains at the spot for 37 weeks.

Black History Month Profile:

IMAN MEKONEN Spectrum Editor

SHY LENNOX

Richmond is a good transition place. Like making books. So that should be applied I want to be here until I find my next big in the field of music as well. I don’t have a place to go. I have no intentions of moving Benz but I can sing about taking a ride, you ITH A TOY SUNFLOWER WRAPPED back with my parents or going up to NoVa. know what I’m saying? It’s a story. around his microphone stand, Until I go off into my next journey — my Richmond alternative R&B artist next part of my life. I feel like this is a good If you don’t mind me asking, is your name Shy Lennox performed a mix of covers and place to kinda just cook and kind of grow actually Shy Lennox? songs from his 2018 EP “Audition” on the and get better, you know? Poor Boys stage Friday night. My name is Shyheim Hinnant. When His unpredictable range, flavorful voice I was in high school, I took AP lit. And and calm demeanor bring him to call himwe read Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” and you self “a professional sad boy giving you solace, know how they assign characters to people giving you soul and giving you sadness.” to read aloud? And then when it came to I feel like as an artist, Lennox, a recent alum of VCUarts’ mume, he was like “Shy — Lennox.” And you got to be a sic program, has navigated the local music then my homeboy was like “Yo, that’s scene through his connection with the comtough.” So then I like looked into the storyteller. And you are munity and his playful baritone voice. character, and I was just like always telling your story, Here are the highlights from an inter“that’s my new name.” your own story.” view with Lennox for The Commonwealth Times. Responses have been edited for Shy Lennox, length and clarity. alternative R&B artist

How did you first get into music?

Do you have any upcoming projects?

So, I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer. And I’ve always, you know, considered myself a singer. I did choir elementary through high school, but when I moved to Richmond is when I feel like the birth of Shy Lennox happened. And I felt like it was because I was finally in a city where I could really create, and I was around like-minded individuals, you know, coming from NoVa to Richmond. It’s just like a big shot. But I’m just really excited to be doing this, you know? So, when did I get started in the music? My whole life. But when did I lock in? I would say around 2015 when I came to VCU.

So, my EP is already out. It’s called “Audition.” Really put me on the map, I feel like. Lyrical Lemonade and Afropunk shouted that out, so that gave me a lot of external support from outside of Richmond. I haven’t dropped a single in months. (That changed a day after Lennox’s interview with The CT — on Saturday, he dropped “Friends,” which he described as showing a more “sophisticated and polished sound.”)

How would you say your music career has changed after graduating from VCU?

What’s the song about?

I’m only a couple months out. But I would say that it’s given me a lot more time to focus. I’m able to do shows on the stage. This Sunday, I’m going to Philly. And then next week, I’m going to New York City. And then the week after that, I’m going to Baltimore. So now, I can tour, and now I can not be worried about deadlines and assignments and shit like that. That’s always a blessing. What is it like being an artist in Richmond, being in this Richmond scene, playing at local venues like this? It’s really cute. Like, I like it a lot. For a while, I was like “I need to get out of Richmond, I need to leave like as soon as possible.” But like there’s good support here. I feel like 10 to 20 years from now, this is going to be like a major city. You know what I’m saying? A lot of big businesses are moving their startups here, and there’s just a lot going on in the Richmond community. So I’m just really glad to be putting it on the map. I think there’s a lot of love out here and just a lot of good energy, and I think that

“Friends” by Shy Lennox is available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music.

It ’s about kinda like, understanding that not all relationships are conducive to a healthy lifestyle, and some things are toxic, and sometimes it’s OK to just say “I think we should just be friends.” You know what I’m saying? Despite how much you want to keep things together for the sake of just being with someone. It just shows, you know, throughout everything we’ve been through, it’s best for you and for me that we’re just friends. Do you derive a lot of your inspiration from your real life? Absolutely, absolutely. But not all of my shit. I feel like as an artist, you got to be a storyteller. And you are always telling your story, your own story. Like Billie Eilish just said “hip-hop is all a lie” and “people lie.” Think about authors — we have a whole category of fiction Richmond R&B artist Shy Lennox released a new song, “Friends,” on Saturday and said it marks the but we appreciate people for beginning of a new, sophisticated sound. CT file photo

8 The Commonwealth Times

BHM

Illustration by Karly Andersen

The unsung female heroes of black literature AERIN FORTES Contributing Writer While black culture should be celebrated year-round, Black History Month is a great opportunity to honor influential black figures in literature. Chronically overlooked, here are works by three female writers to remind you of the power of words. I chose them as my top picks with the intent of showcasing the range of stories that black women are capable of telling across genres.

‘HOW TO LOVE A JAMAICAN’ BY ALEXIA ARTHURS

This series of short stories is set in Jamaica and the U.S., demonstrating what life is like as an immigrant. An immigrant herself, this novel reflects aspects of Arthurs’ own life. Arthurs was born in Jamaica before growing up in both New York and Iowa, mirroring the 11 stories that transport readers from the East Coast to the Midwest. Each narrative has a little theme of its own. “Island” tells the story of a woman exploring her sexuality while “LightSkinned Girls and Kelly Rowlands” tack‘GOD HELP THE CHILD’ les generational wealth. All are united BY TONI MORRISON by the themes of identity and making a Morrison has been called a lead- home in America as a black immigrant. ing figure in American literature, and she is praised for her exploration ‘PARABLE OF THE SOWER’ of the complexities of black womBY OCTAVIA BUTLER en. This text, perfect for the new decade, illuminates the effects of Octavia Butler stands apart from colorism and childhood trauma through the others in this list as the only scia girl named Bride. ence fiction author. Twenty-seven years It begins with her mother describ- ago, Butler wrote about what California ing herself as “light-skinned with would be like in 2024; a land broken by good hair,” subsequently giving birth climate change and class conflict. Water to Bride, who is much darker. Bride is a luxury, the poor cannot leave their experiences a childhood of abuse gated communities and the protagonist, and rejection from her family. Later Lauren, has hyper empathy, or the abilin life, however, she rejects internal- ity to feel others’ pain and pleasure, as ized racism by reclaiming her trauma a result of her mother’s drug addiction through her makeup line for women of while pregnant. all complexions. Known as the mother of AfrofuturWhile it may not be as utterly cap- ism, Butler was one of the first authors tivating as her 1970 debut novel, “The to write black women into sci-fi while Bluest Eye,” ignoring this story would combining their culture and aesthetic mean missing out on 200 pages of with ideas of the future. therapy and education. I relate to the The story is told through Lauren’s internalized oppression in this story journal as she narrates her journey to as a nonblack person of color. Look- refuge. On her way, she is joined by other ing through Bride’s lens told me black allies, all of whom band together that I am not alone, and also taught to share stories of incarceration, gun vime how black women deal with this olence and how racism pervades through similar hardship. it all. She aims to find safety in NorthI was lucky to be introduced to Mor- ern California and establish the religion rison in an English class, where many of she has created to save humanity, called my peers — including myself — chose Earthseed. to do their final projects on how she I was horrified at the similarities beinfluenced their worldviews. Toni Mor- tween this envisioned dystopia and our rison prevails as one of the most en- modern reality. In a speech delivered at chanting writers; a woman who became the Massachusetts Institute of Technolthe backbone of the black American ogy, Butler said, “This was a cautionary literary canon in a time of predominant- tale, although people have told me it was ly white male novelists. prophecy. All I have to say to that is: I certainly hope not.”

Illustration by Karly Andersen

Timeless albums to celebrate by black women IMAN MEKONEN Spectrum Editor One of the best things about music is its ability to bring you back to a moment in time or a specific period of your life. It could be the album you listened to during freshman move-in, songs you overheard while riding in the car with your parents as a child or a study playlist that got you through a tough finals week. I’ve compiled a list of four albums that have had that effect on me, all made by extremely talented black women. All of these albums have different meanings and interpretations, depending on who you ask. They perfectly explain the duality of what it means to be a black woman through themes of love, heartbreak and growing up. ‘THE DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS’ BY ALICIA KEYS (2003) Written when she was 22, Keys was well ahead of her time with her mature writing perspective, shown in the monumental soulful vocals of “If I Ain’t Got You” and “Diary.” Longtime listeners such as myself most likely have the phone dialogue from “You Don’t Know My Name” memorized. The song gives the listener butterflies in their stomach as Keys navigates love at first sight. This album doesn’t structurally sound like any other. “The Diary of Alicia Keys” has defined how layered the R&B genre can be by using sharp horns and drum beats in “Karma” contrasted with the soft guitar strums in “Samsonite Man.” ‘ANTI’ BY RIHANNA (2016) Since its release in 2016, “Anti” is still one of Rihanna’s best albums. Rihanna pours her heart out while experimenting with sounds throughout the album. This playful and fun record diverges from Rihanna’s previous dance-heavy material with a collection of different genres ranging from soul, folk and Carribean-inspired dance beats. Her stripped-down vocals in “Love on the Brain” and “Higher” flood the listener with emotion to the point where one might feel compelled to sing with the same level of passion — or at least make a valiant attempt. These songs completely contrast with the familiar dance energy in “Work” and “Needed Me.”

Rihanna's successful music career along with her business endeavors almost makes me forgive the drought that has proceeded the release of this album. Until then, I’ll continue listening to “Anti” in hopes of an upcoming album. ‘LEMONADE’ BY BEYONCE KNOWLES (2016) “Lemonade,” and its accompanying short film, is an honest portrayal of the waves of emotion that come with heartbreak. Beyonce Knowles finds a way to emotionally connect to her audience from a vulnerable state by showing different emotions. She shows self-empowerment on “Hold Up” and “Sorry,” resentment on “Don’t Hurt Yourself ” and heartbreak on “Love Drought.” When Adele won over Knowles for album of the year at the 59th Grammy Awards, Adele said in her acceptance speech “The Lemonade album is just … so monumental to me. And so well thought-out and so beautiful and soul bearing, and we got to see another side to you that you don’t let us see, and we appreciate that. … The way you make me and my friends feel and the way you make my black friends feel is empowering, and you make them stand up for themselves.” Adele’s words perfectly encapsulate what it’s like to listen to this album. ‘CTRL’ BY SZA (2017) The storytelling aspect highlighted in a lot of these albums is especially strong in “Ctrl.” Each song literally connects with the next, seamlessly flowing together throughout the record. “Ctrl” focuses thematically on the concept of control in different parts of life. Some of the songs include phone conversations at the beginning or end of them with words of advice from her mom and grandmother. In the opening track, “Supermodel,” the mom says “That is my greatest fear / That if, if I lost control / Or did not have control, things would just, you know / I would be … fatal.” Overall, the album feels like a book, with more of the character’s story unfolding. Each song is a different life experience following a girl growing up in her mid20s and making mistakes in an overall well-crafted piece of work.

Wed. February 26, 2020 9

BHM

Filmmakers bring vitality to Black History Month VAILA DEYOUNG Contributing Writer Black filmmakers are one of the most underrepresented groups in the film industry, according to the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, a yearly report that documents diversity in Hollywood. Out of 1,300 top-grossing films from 2007-2019, only 12.6% of those films were directed by men of color, and women of color directed less than 1% of films. White women made up 3.9%, while white men directed 82.5%. Although progress is being made to give credit where it is due, there is still a long way to go before we can begin to speak about equal representation. In celebration of Black History Month, here’s a list of films by black directors to check out and support (this month, or any time of the year). ‘MOONLIGHT,’ BARRY JENKINS (2016)

UPCOMING EVENTS See something

FRI. 2/28

‘BLACK PANTHER,’ RYAN COOGLER (2018) “Black Panther” is a culturally monumental film, and features an almost entirely black cast. It is currently the highest grossing solo-superhero movie of all time, and highest grossing film directed by a black man, clocking in at $1.3 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. It is absolutely stunning, and effectively creates the entire hidden world of Wakanda, seamlessly utilizing CGI technology. Chadwick Boseman, who plays T’Challa, and the rest of the cast do an outstanding job portraying their roles, as each character is recognizably unique and important to the story. This is one of my favorite superhero films, and I am not one to usually love superhero movies in general. On top of its record-breaking financial achievements, “Black Panther” is also the highest-rated comic book movie of all time, topping “The Dark Knight” and “Iron Man,” according to Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Harriet’ Screening

Illustration by Karly Andersen

and based on Stallworth’s experience of infiltrating and exposing members of the Ku Klux Klan while working as a Colorado Springs police officer in the late ’70s. The editing is fast-paced and flows well; not a single moment felt slow or out of place. I loved how funny this movie was, but it was also serious when it needed to be. I really appreciate when a film feels tonally mature, and it’s something this movie happens to do exceptionally well. UNDERREPRESENTATION AMONG FEMALE DIRECTORS

More specifically, black female directors “Moonlight” follows the main characare severely underrepresented, especially in ter, Chiron, through three periods in his terms of the Academy Award nominees for ‘BLACKKKLANSMAN,’ life. It examines beautifully what it means best director. Only five women, all white, SPIKE LEE (2018) to explore love and sexuality, especially as have been nominated for the best direca young black boy. “Moonlight” is such an One of my top favorite film releases tor category. Out of the five, one wominfluential film and very appropriate for the from 2018 was “BlacKkKlansman,” and I an has won. This shows the neglect The political climate of the decade. was completely surprised by how this mov- Academy exhibits in terms of recognizing Jenkins famously made history when the ie emotionally impacted me. It felt like a directors of color. film won an Oscar for Best Picture over the breath of fresh air, as it was the first Spike I have personally only seen a handful of mistakenly announced nominee, “La La Lee movie I had ever seen, and I was in films directed by black women in my lifeLand” (2016). Jenkins is the second black complete awe of his directorial style. time because I have not been exposed to person to direct a best picture winner, and Lee often uses a technique in his films many yet, and the representation of black the fourth black person to be nominated using a camera dolly, to make characters female directors in the industry is dangerfor best director. appear as if they are floating in space. He ously scarce. It deserved every nomination it received, used this technique in the film, and I hadn’t In the future, I plan on checking out the and was a monumental win for black and seen anything like it before. However, it films of Ava DuVernay and Dee Rees. They LGBTQ communities. felt so effortless within its visual storytell- are two directors with extremely impresIf you haven’t seen this film yet, it is ing, it definitely shows itself as a signature sive filmographies, and I can’t wait to watch currently streaming on Netflix, and I can’t Lee technique. some of their films and gain more perspecrecommend it enough. The story was adapted from Ron Stall- tive on the collective voice of filmmaking. worth’s 2014 memoir “Black Klansman,”

Race, history and technology unite for ‘Xenogenesis’ at ICA AARON ROYCE Contributing Writer Electronic music poured through overhead speakers in the Institute for Contemporary Art on Friday as Richmond art fans and students filled the lobby for the opening of “The Otolith Group: Xenogenesis.” The Otolith Group’s first large-scale North American exhibit, coined after Octavia Butler’s novel series of the same name, includes vintage African postage stamps, pixelated video clips, ghost-like statue animations and music. It presents films and installations from 2011 to 2018 that are focused on global topics of colonial inheritance, identity and technology. The group says the exhibit intends to ignite conversation and show viewers new perspectives. “We want our art to confront you with terms which you recognize, but which at the same time are unfamiliar,” Otolith co-founder Kodwo Eshun said. “Estrangement, alienation, intimacy, monstrosity, familiarity, peculiarity … all of these things are somehow brought together in these terms.” The Otolith Group was formed in London in 2002 by Anjalika Sagar and Eshun. Their work explores film, audio, curations and installations that address themes of the complexities of human life, as well as non-human, inhuman and environmental subjects.

The ICA hosted an opening reception of “The Otolith Group: Xenogenesis.” Photo courtesy of The Otolith Group

by these terms and what they mean, to categorize us in some sort of definitive sphere,” Sagar said. “We were thinking it’s more of a look at ‘cross-section’ as a term.” The largest portion of the exhibit is “Statecraft,” which features backlit groupings of vintage postage stamps from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and other African countries, depicting the progression of African independence. Shown directly across from “Statecraft” is the abstract film “Anathema,” which Eshun says explores the abstraction of human relationships with technology. Instead of denouncing technology, the group decided to inhabit it to show the connection between different networks in the world. “We wanted to make this film of the dream life of a mobile phone as an acid trip, so the idea of the network and the possibility of the network is colonized as such,” Sagar said. “Xenogenesis” highlights the importance of heritage, as well as a personal and racial identity. “I would say the department of ‘Xenogenesis’ is about thinking with existing networks of knowledge,” Sagar said. “This sense that a practice created by minorities, be it black writing or black filmmaking, black practice is kept alive by other black people.”

“Xenogenesis” is along the same lines as previous ICA exhibits that explored similar themes of history and identity, such as Paul Rucker’s “Storm in the Time of Shelter” from 2018 and “Great Force.” “An exhibition like this, the Otolith Group, expands that same conversation into a lot of new directions,” said ICA Director Dominic Willsdon. “It is about history, but it’s about world history — it’s also about the future and geology and education and film.” The Otolith Group chose to show “Xenogenesis” in a cross-section format, merging their different projects in the same galleries and between floors. This was decided prior to the exhibit’s debut in the Netherlands to contrast traditional shows. “Since we’re so concerned and thinking “The Otolith Group: Xenogenesis” will be on all the time about intergenerational forms display at the ICA until May 10. of relation, we really resisted this urge,

The Activities Programming Board will host a screening of “Harriet” (2019) directed by Kasi Lemmons. The film, starring Cynthia Erivo, tells the story of Harriet Tubman and her escape from slavery. 7:30 p.m., Commons Theater, University Student Commons (907 Floyd Ave.) Free.

SAT. 2/29 ‘Interstellar’ Movie Night

The Astronomy Club will show the 2014 film “Interstellar” followed by a discussion. Snacks will be provided. For more information, contact the Astronomy Club at zeineddinejy@vcu.edu. 6 - 9 p.m., West Grace South Student Housing, Room 1004A (835 W. Grace St.) Free.

Do something

THURS. 2/27 Richmond Bernie Sanders rally

Democratic candidate for president Bernie Sanders will speak in a rally held at the Arthur Ashe Junior Athletic Center ahead of the Virginia primary election on March 3. This event is free to the public and attendees may enter on a first-come, first-serve basis. To RSVP, visit the campaign website for the event. 2 p.m., Arthur Ashe Junior Athletic Center (3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.) Free.

FRI. 2/28 VCU Baseball vs. West Virginia

The VCU Baseball team will play against the West Virginia Mountaineers at The Diamond. For more information, contact Rebecca Piner at pinerre@vcu.edu. Tickets are free for students. 3 p.m., The Diamond (3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.) Free.

Learn something

THURS. 2/27 VMFA Read-In

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, along with other notable members of the Richmond community, will speak at the annual “Read-In” hosted by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Speakers will read literature paired with pieces of art in various locations throughout the galleries. The event will start at the visitor services desk and continue throughout the museum. For more information about the specific speakers, visit the VMFA website. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.) Free.

THURS. 2/27 Open Book: A Human Library Experience

The Changemakers and the Diversity Ambassadors will host a “Human Library” event, which will allow participants to check out different stories as books. The stories highlighted are centered around heritage in that they promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Food will be provided. To attend the event, register with the RamsConnect link. For more information, contact the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement at slce1@vcu.edu. 7 - 9 p.m., University Student Commons, Ram’s Lounge (907 Floyd Ave.) Free.

Have suggestions for the events calendar? Email spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org

10 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week

“With people of limited ability modesty is merely honesty. But with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy.” — Arthur Schopenhauer

Minority students deserve more than what UVa’s Multicultural Student Center provided

TAGWA SHAMMET Opinions Editor

Minority students attending predominantly white universities and institutions have constantly found themselves feeling othered and left out of the norm. Even at VCU, I am sometimes hyper-aware of my blackness or my religious background. According to university data, the school’s student population is made up of nearly 30% underrepresented minorities such as American Indian or Alaska Native, black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or two or more races. At a university that’s far more diverse than most, the feeling of otherness still exists. Now, imagine how minority students feel at institutions such as Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia. A video that highlighted the frustrations and dejection of minority students taken at UVa’s recently opened Multicultural Student Center went viral just a few days ago. The center was meant to be inclusive to all students but particularly to serve as a safe haven for minority students. In the video, which as of Tuesday has 5.4 million views, an unnamed black female student calls for the attention of all students in the room for a “public service announcement.” She says: “Frankly, there’s just too many white people in here, and this is a space for people of color, so, just be really cognizant of the space that you’re taking up.” It’s clear that the student has been frustrated with the situation for quite a while, as have others; many were clapping and cheering at the end of the video. The video was posted on Twitter by an organization known as Young America’s

Illustration by Catherine Lee

Foundation, which said the student was being racist and intolerant. While I may not agree with how the student went about speaking her mind, I wholeheartedly respect and understand what she’s saying. Students of color have to deal with the reality of being one of few in a room of many. People are looking at the wrong portion of what she was saying. Perhaps she shouldn’t have said there were too many white people in the center but she had a more important point: White folks should be more mindful of the space they’re taking up. As she said, there aren’t many spaces for students of color,

and sometimes we enjoy congregating with those who deal with the same struggles and realities. I’m not saying white folks cannot be in the multicultural center, and neither is she. This is a matter of being sympathetic to something some of you cannot comprehend. Of course, Fox News, Young America’s Foundation and other conservative sources accuse the student of being racist. Why are we still accusing black people of racism? Racism stemmed from a sense of superiority and years of oppressing others. Black people have not oppressed nor assaulted the entire white community, so the voicing of

their concerns does not make them racist. It makes them vocal. White folks just cannot seem to fathom the reality that they are historically the most repressive and cruel race in this country. Some of you will never understand the aggravation that comes with constantly being part of the minority in the room. All students of color want to feel a part of the majority sometimes. That is the purpose of offices and centers such as the one at UVa. The student’s frustration is completely understandable to minority students at predominantly white institutions. Her actions don’t make her racist, they show how fed up she is.

Monroe Park’s ‘makeover’ cost it its beauty and therapeutic charm BRYCE RANDALL Contributing Writer Spring is right around the corner. Soon, the leaves will be back on the trees and we’ll all be suffocating in a thick haze of pollen. But not even the warm weather can motivate me to go to Monroe Park. Recently, I stumbled upon a picture of an incredibly green park filled with trees and plants to the point where — from an aerial view — the spectator couldn’t even see some of the park’s pathways. Upon further inspection, I saw a few buildings I recognized: the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, the Altria Theater and Johnson Hall. Then, it hit me: The picture I was looking at was outdated, and the flourishing unfamiliar landscape was none other than Monroe Park. As a result of its renovation that concluded in September 2018, the park’s aesthetic changed completely. What once appeared to be a woodland escape has been turned into another ordinary metropolitan park. Although there is nothing severely wrong with the change, it is clear that Monroe Park lost some of its natural grandeur and uniqueness. In addition to stripping Monroe Park of some of its natural beauty, the renovation also may have damaged the mental wellness of VCU students.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “research in a growing scientific field called ecotherapy has shown a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.” It’s not clear why outdoor activities have such a positive effect on one’s mental health. In a 2015 study, researchers compared the brain activity of healthy people after they walked for 90 minutes in

either a natural setting or an urban one. The results concluded that the people who walked in nature generally had lower activity in their prefrontal cortex, a brain region that is active during rumination — defined as repetitive thoughts that focus on negative emotions. As college students, we are no strangers to stress. Many of us find ourselves constantly entangled in a web of homework,

Illustration by Claire Deely

exam study sessions and group projects. Moreover, a significant number of college students have part-time jobs or internships, or are in the process of competing with a dozen of their peers for one of those positions. I think it’s safe to conclude that if anyone needs a break and a natural setting to reduce their stress, it’s college students. Although there are other parks in Richmond with more greenery, none of them are as close to campus as Monroe Park. Both Bryan Park and Brown’s Island, two other pleasant parks, are a long walk away. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for exercise, but up to an hour of walking is a bit excessive to obtain a temporary escape that just as easily could have been right on campus. It would have been nice to look out of my dorm room window and see a small forest across the street from me where I could take a quick break from the city. With Monroe Park’s current landscape — given how scarce the greenery is — there is little to no opportunity to lose yourself in the beauty of nature. By removing so many trees, Monroe Park has become just another part of the city. It no longer offers the potential relief from the hustle and bustle of a college student’s hectic life. Monroe Park has lost a part of its charm that most current VCU students never had the pleasure of knowing.

Wed. February 26, 2020â&#x20AC;&#x192;11

THE CT STAFF EXECUTIVE EDITOR Georgia Geen geengr@commonwealthtimes.org

Glass Animals On Loop by Erin Joo

MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Ringle ringlea@commonwealthtimes.org NEWS EDITOR Hannah Eason news@commonwealthtimes.org SPORTS EDITOR Noah Fleischman sports@commonwealthtimes.org SPECTRUM EDITOR Iman Mekonen spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org OPINIONS EDITOR Tagwa Shammet opinions@commonwealthtimes.org PHOTO EDITOR Jon Mirador photography@commonwealthtimes.org AUDIENCE EDITOR Alexandra Zernik zernikal@commonwealthtimes.org ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Karly Andersen illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org STAFF WRITERS Adam Cheek, Sports Ryan Grube, Sports STAFF ILLUSTRATORS Erin Joo

Choices by Ellie Erhart

VCU STUDENT MEDIA CENTER DESIGN EDITOR Jeffrey Pohanka designers@vcustudentmedia.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Andy Caress Rey Carlson Kamryn Gillham designers@vcustudentmedia.com AD SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Harrison Powers advertising@vcustudentmedia.com (804) 828-6629 WEB MANAGER Chranjitpandian Murugapandi web@vcustudentmedia.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Evan McGrady distribution@vcustudentmedia.com DIRECTOR Allison Bennett Dyche abdyche@vcu.edu (804) 827-1975 CREATIVE MEDIA MANAGER Mark Jeffries mjeffries@vcu.edu SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dominique Lee leeds3@vcu.edu (804) 827-1642

New Love by Jeffrey Black

OFFICE MANAGER Owen Martin martinso@vcu.edu

ABOUT THE CT The Commonwealth Times is the award-winning independent student newspaper at VCU, since 1969. The CT staff maintains all editorial and operations discretion. There is absolutely no prior review by the public, university or VCU Student Media Center administration or staff. The Executive Editor writes and manages the Operations Budget.

ADD YOUR VOICE The opinions pages of the CT are a forum open to the public. Contributions are welcome by email to Tagwa Shammet, by mail or in-person at 817 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220. Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Commonwealth Times. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The CT staff. The Commonwealth Times strives for accuracy in gathering news. If you think we have made an error, please email the appropriate section editor. Corrections will appear on the news pages and/or online. One CT per person. Additional copies can be purchased at the Student Media Center for $1 each.

12 The Commonwealth Times

For answers to this week’s puzzles, check commonwealthtimes.org/puzzles every Friday at noon.

Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle