The Commonwealth Times; September 12, 2016

September 12, 2016 • Vol. 58, No. 3

The independent press of Virginia Commonwealth University

NEWS Remembering 9-11 • 5

SPORTS Soccer recaps • 7

SPECTRUM Safer spaces • 9

OPINION Overcoming rape • 13

"THERE’S A BROCK TURNER IN ALL

OUR LIVES"

T o U

You don’t have to read far into Cecelia “CC” Carreras’ essay before she discloses that a University of Richmond administrator told her it was reasonable for her to be penetrated without her consent “for a few more minutes if he was going to finish.”

The claim is just one of many similar allegations made by the U of R senior in two essays published by the Huffington Post last week.

Shortly after Carreras’ essays went viral online, the Huffington Post posted junior Whitney Ralston’s separate account of the administration mishandling her own sexual assault.

“The climate on campus is very tense,” said U of R junior Rennie Harrison, who is a member of the school’s Sexual Misconduct Student Advisory Board and one of 28 members on the national student committee for the Obama administration’s It’s On Us campaign.

“Many students and faculty remain disgusted and angry at the university's mishandling of sexual assault cases.”

In Carreras’ first HuffPo essay, published Sept. 6, she describes U of R’s mishandling of her own sexual assault complaint against a student-athlete she refers to as “Spider Athletics’ own Brock Turner.”

The reference is to the Stanford University swimmer who was unanimously convicted of rape by a jury, but was sentenced to just three months in jail earlier this year.

Carreras also states her alleged assailant still attends U of R despite a 10 hour-long hearing, 93-page appeal and documented violations of a no-contact order. Carreras also cited a survey published by The Collegian, the college’s student newspaper, in April 2015 stating 12.6 percent of the 649 female respondents said they had been sexually assaulted. Half said they had experienced some form of —continued on page 3

Freshmen dominate in Spider Alumni Open

INFOGRAPHIC BY DESIREE CHOE

FADEL ALLASSAN AND SARAH KING News Editor and Executive Editor

TITLE

IX

cases opened at Virginia Universities A College of William and Mary CASE OPENED: April 18, 2014 B James Madison University CASE OPENED: June 4, 2014 C University of Richmond CASE OPENED: June 12, 2014 D University of Virginia CASE 2 OPENED: July 22, 2016 CASE 1 OPENED: June 30. 2011 - Sep. 21. 2015

E Virginia Commonwealth University CASE 3 OPENED: Dec. 8. 2015 CASE 2 OPENED: July 14. 2015 CASE 1 OPENED: Feb. 9. 2011 - Sep. 30, 2011 F Virginia Military Institute CASE 2 OPENED: Sep. 15, 2014 - April 6, 2015 CASE 1 OPENED: Aug. 5, 2008-May 9, 2014 G Washington and Lee University CASE OPENED: Feb. 18, 2015

PHOTO BY JULIE TRIPP

JESSICA WETZLER Contributing Writer

Richmond native Ashley Brown placed 40th in her first meet wearing the Black and Gold.

ALL EYEZ ON ME ILLUSTRATION BY CARSON MCNAMARA

The VCU men and women’s cross-country teams placed fifth overall at the Spiders Alumni Open in Mechanicsville, Virginia on Sept. 3.

The competition was presented by the Collegiate Running Association and races included the men’s 5,000 meter and women’s 2-mile run.

During the men’s 5,000 meter, freshmen Bryce Catlett and Lucas Sidle made impressive debuts for VCU. Catlett clocked in at 15:48.5 to place 19th in his first collegiate race.

The Manassas, Virginia native Catlett won seven conference titles during his career at Osburn Park High School.

Sidle followed shortly behind Catlett to the line, placing 32nd with a time of 16:09.8.

VCU's third-throughsixth finishers, senior Calvin Wood, junior Bismillah Alidost, freshman Brandon Wells and sophomore Michael Villagomaz placed 39th, 41st, 42nd and 43rd, respectively. They were all separated by just seven seconds.

The Ram’s top five men posted an average time of 16:15.98 and a combined time of 1:21:19.90.

In her her sixth year coaching the men and women’s teams, assistant coach Nicole Cook was more than pleased with the outcome of the meet last weekend.

—continued on page 8

Why 2Pac Is The Most Influential HipHop Artist 20 Years After His Death MUKTARU JALLOH Staff Writer Every decade, an artist defines a generation and embodies the myriad of qualities that made the era unique. For the 1990’s, that was Tupac Shakur. The tattoos and the provocative lyrics, his love-hate relationship with the media and, most importantly, his music totalling four definitive solo albums over the course of his life that charted the course of Hip-Hop for decades.

This Tuesday will mark 20 years since the legend’s drive-by shooting murder on the Las Vegas strip.

Though Hip-Hop and pop culture still feel the effects of his absence, Tupac’s legacy and spirit certainly still live on.

While the JAY Z, Nas and Dr. Dre's of the world are still hitting their stride, none of them have been able to surpass Pac in terms of influence. In the two decades since his murder, Tupac has become one of the biggest selling artists of all time with more than 75 million records sold internationally and nearly 30 million in the U.S. alone.

He's also the second highestselling rap artist in the U.S. and the world, just behind Eminem.

In a 2015 Rolling Stone interview, Eminem praised the luminary for his dynamic abilities beyond the vocal booth.

"He covered such a broad perspective and there were so many different sides to him, but the best part about him overall was that he was a human being," Eminem said.

"I used to be fascinated with his interviews like, 'Yo, what he's saying is so true.' He would also be able to trump people who were interviewing him when they would hit him with hard questions — it was incredible. He was a superstar in every aspect of the word."

This quality is still present today when Kendrick Lamar dropped his critically acclaimed album “To Pimp A Butterfly” last year, which featured a never released interview from 1994. The Grammy-winning album ends with a powerfully crafted conversation between Lamar and Pac which tackles themes and topics relevant to today. In fact, when Lamar asks Pac what he thinks will be the future of today's generation, his answer proves puzzling.

"I think that n---as is tired of

grabbing sh-t out the stores, and next time it’s a riot, it's gonna be bloodshed. For real. I don’t think America can know that. I think America think we was just playing, it’s gonna be some more playing.

But it ain’t gonna be no playing. It’s gonna be murder," Tupac said.

In the age of heightened police violence, the Black Lives Matter Movement and the Baltimore and Ferguson riots, it seems as though his vision proved true. Born to parents that were both active members of The Black Panther movement of the 1970s, Pac’s revolutionary spirit began years before he laid his first verse. His mother, Afeni, who just recently passed away, named him after the Peruvian revolutionary who was executed after an uprising.

—continued on page 9

news

The Commonwealth Times

CRIME LOG

In this section:

VCUPD stickers. Wanda Mitchell.

RCDC forum. Mayoral poll. Remembering 9-11.

VCU police "stick it" to bike thieves

(All data obtained from the VCU PD daily incident log) 9/5/2016 Theft of Moped/Other Vehicle 1311 W. Cary St. A male subject advised that an unknown subject removed his moped from this secured location.

Drug Violation 1021 W. Clay St. Two male subjects were arrested for Possession of Marijuana.

Destruction of Property Private 401 W. Grace St. A male subject advised that an unknown subject damaged his vehicle at this location.

9/6/2016 Shoplifting Kroger 901 N. Lombardy St. An unknown female and male subjects removed items from this location without paying for them.

Hit and Run 300 W. Canal St. A male subject advised that an unknown subject struck his vehicle and fled the scene.

Theft of Moped/Other Vehicle

1425 W. Leigh St. A female subject advised that an unknown subject removed her moped from this secured location.

9/7/2016 Simple Assault 728 W. Marshall St. Two female subjects were assaulted by a known female subject at this location.

PHOTO BY BECCA SHWARTZ

Hit and Run 400 N. Belvidere St. A female subject advised that an unknown subject struck her vehicle and fled the scene.

Burglary/B&E - Residential 1224 Moore St. & 703 Catherine St. A female subject advised that an unknown subject broke into her residence at this location.

The VCU PD debuted the new anti-theft stickers at an event on the Compass last week. VCU Assistant Police Chief Chris Preuss said he hopes it can help officers spend less time filing paperwork.

MARY LEE CLARK Staff Writer Students can now apply anti-theft stickers to their bikes and register their property with a national recovery database to help the VCU Police Department recover stolen property more efficiently.

The VCU PD debuted the new anti-theft stickers at an event on the Compass last week. Each sticker costs the VCU PD $1 and students are allowed two free stickers.

VCU Assistant Chief of Police Chris Preuss said he hopes this will help officers spend less time filing paperwork on stolen items and more time finding the stolen property and returning it to its rightful owners.

"On any college campus, or anywhere,

Drug Violation 907 Bowe St. A male subject was arrested for Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Motor Vehicle Theft 311 W. Franklin St. A male subject advised that an unknown subject removed a motor vehicle from this location.

9/8/2016 Indecent Exposure 835 W. Grace St. A male subject was arrested for Simulating Masturbation in Public View.

the number one crime, statistically speaking, is larceny,” Preuss said. “It's no different here."

One of the many students to participate was sophomore Joe Gindhart who said his past experiences caused him to take the extra protection measure.

“I had a friend who had his (bike) stolen and the police found (it) but it didn't have the sticker on it and he didn't have the serial number registered, so he couldn't get it back,” Gindhart said. “But this pretty much makes that impossible."

Gindhart, like many other students, placed the sticker on the rail of his bike, took a picture and submitted his information to the Law Enforcement National Recovery Database.

Indecent Exposure 1000 West Ave. Two female students advised that an unknown subject had exposed himself at this location.

MARY LEE CLARK Staff Writer

Hit and Run 1200 W. Marshall St. A female subject advised that an unknown subject struck her vehicle and fled the scene..

9/9/2016 Simple Assault 1 S. Belvidere St. Two unknown male subjects assaulted a male subject at this location.

Reporting suspicious or emergency situations to the VCU Police Department can help solve crimes, provide emergency assistance that may save a life and help deter criminal activity.

Download the VCU LiveSafe mobile phone app to report crimes anonymously.

To contact the VCU PD call (804) 828-1196.

For an on-campus emergency call (804) 828-1234.

For an off-campus emergency call 911.

Preuss said the VCU PD recover hundreds of lost items each year, but this can be frustrating because it’s too difficult to distinguish the rightful owner of generic items like bikes.

Preuss said a key part of recovering stolen property is the serial number, and the VCU PD’s new anti-theft technology uniquely registers each individual’s property using this system.

Each anti-theft sticker has a unique code the police can scan using their mobile phones. Each code is logged in a national database which identifies the proper owner.

"It's almost like having a drop of blood on your bike," Preuss said.

Even if the sticker is peeled off, a trail of microscopic golden dots are left behind on

the surface of an item. Each dot has a letter and number code which is also stored on the database and affiliated with the rightful owner.

While the golden dots are hardly visible to the naked eye, police can easily find where they are located with a blacklight. Using a small microscope that clips to their mobile phone cameras, the police can then read the identifier-number.

Students who are interested in getting stickers can contact the VCU PD non-emergency number or stop by their office located on W. Grace Street.

The end of an era: Mitchell says goodbye to VCU after four years

Drug Violation 315 N. Harrison A male subject was arrested for Possession of Marijuana.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WANDA MITCHELL

2

Mitchell was the founding Vice President for Inclusive Excellence.

As VCU continues its ongoing mission to increase diversity and inclusion on campus, it’s important to note the faculty members that have gotten the university to where is it now. Wanda Mitchell, the founding Vice President for Inclusive Excellence has been important to that progress.

Acting as a cornerstone in students’ conversation on diversity, Mitchell was the founding officer for Inclusive Excellence. In June, she stepped down from the post and is currently the Special Assistant to President Michael Rao for University Strategic Initiatives and Collaborations.

On November 11, 2015, VCU students assembled on the Compass to stand in solidarity for the students at the University of Missouri. Mitchell and other faculty joined the students to hear their concerns.

“People can tell when you’re genuine and authentic, and when you’re fair and you're honest,” Mitchell said. “Sometimes just listen, and don't get all caught up into it and go into defensive mode. Just listen."

Kevin Allison, a professor in

the department of psychology and the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, took over Mitchell's position as VP for Inclusive Excellence. He focuses his work on understanding positive developmental outcomes for African American children and youth.

"His one advantage is he knows VCU. He's been here 20 something years,” Mitchell said.

“He brings that to the role."

Mitchell said while the numbers show great diversity at VCU, the university still has a long way to go.

“Just because we have diverse students doesn't mean we're inclusive," Mitchell said.

Because of that, a main focus of her career as been not only on increasing diversity but the inclusiveness of all races, genders and cultures, as well.

"That's why after my first year I wanted the office to change to Inclusive Excellence,” Mitchell said. “We are advancing diversity and inclusion, looking at excellence as an academic institution and a public urban institution."

Mitchell is familiar with racism in schools; it wasn’t until fifth grade that she attended a desegregated school in her small

hometown of Allendale, S.C. Once in college, Mitchell earned her B.S. in psychology from Georgia Southern University, M.A. in community agency counseling from Hampton University and her Ed.D. in counseling from Tech College of William and Mary. She has spent decades in different administrative and teaching positions at multiple universities.

She said she believes that her beginnings as a young girl doing during the civil rights movement has helped her teach diversity and inclusion throughout her career.

"I think it gives me a point of reference and I know how it feels to be the voiceless, the invisible,” Mitchell said. “I know in the struggle, and in the fight, that you have to pull together with all persons to build a coalition.”

Mitchell hopes to continue acting as a mentor both in and out of the VCU community. She said looking back at her beginnings in small town in South Carolina she was able to rise to leadership roles because of the people in her own life.

"I am where I am because people who have mentored me,” Mitchell said.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, September 12, 2016

"THERE’S A BROCK TURNER IN ALL OUR LIVES" JUNE 12

2014

U of R is listed as one of 76 universities under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, for non-compliance with Title IX.

SEPT 19 The White House announces the “It’s On Us” campaign aimed at “preventing sexual assault at colleges and universities, changing the culture on campuses and better engaging men in this new effort.” The Atlantic 10 Athletic Conference -- which both U of R and VCU compete in -- is an official campaign partner.

JAN 22

2015

IMAGE BY JULIE TRIPP

The U of R student newspaper, the Collegian, publishes an article stating U of R expanded the sexual misconduct policy from three pages to 31 pages, and now includes details on the definition of consent, clauses on domestic violence and overhaul to the policies on stalking, among other changes.

The University of Richmond joins 270 institutions under investigation for mishandling cases of sexual assault.

—continued from page 1 unwanted sexual behavior.

Carreras’ first HuffPo submission quickly went viral online. U of R responded with a mass email to students the next day stating many of Carreras’ assertions are inaccurate and “do not reflect the manner in which reports of sexual misconduct have been investigated and adjudicated at the university.”

“To be clear: we stand against sexual misconduct,” the university said in the email. “Sexual misconduct is an issue that affects all campuses across the nation, and we are working to care for those affected and to reduce instances here at the University of Richmond, with the goal of eliminating sexual misconduct altogether.”

The email did not specify which parts of Carreras’ account the administration considered inaccurate, citing privacy laws, but it did encourage students to continue reporting cases of sexual assault and the institution is “deeply saddened” to read Carreras’ essay.

From fall 2014 through Feb. 25, 2015, the U of R Title IX office received 62 reports of Title IX offenses ranging from non-consensual sexual intercourse to relationship violence, according to The Collegian.

“We want to see change,” said Harrison, the U of R junior who is a member of the school’s Sexual Misconduct Student Advisory Board. “We want increased transparency from our administration.

We want to feel confident that rapists will not be allowed on our campus.”

Harrison said many students and alumni have expressed disgust with the leniency surrounding sexual assault on campus and the “victim-blaming email sent out by administration, which insinuated CC lied.”

Carreras responded to U of R’s email with a second essay published by the Huffington Post on Sept. 8 titled “Richmond, y’all just had to say sorry. But instead you called me a liar. So, here are the receipts”.

The second essay included screenshots of emails exchanged with administration members and a text message from the athlete, all of which supported her claims of misconduct on behalf of the administration — particularly in regard to protecting the alleged rapist due to his status as a student-athlete.

“Whether school administrators were telling me the athletics department was breathing down their neck to wrap up the sexual assault case or whether his coach didn’t take him out of game day scenarios at practice, it seemed clear that Richmond would do whatever it took to keep him on the roster,” Carreras wrote.

THE TITLE IX PROBLEM Carreras’ essays point to clear violations of Title IX policy, one of the U.S. Education Amendments of 1972 that forbidding discrimination on the basis of sex at any educational institution which receives federal funding.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights first disclosed the 55 colleges under review for their handling of sexual assault cases in May 2014 after the Obama administration established the White House task force on campus rape. A month later, 64 colleges and universities, including University of Richmond, James Madison University, University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary, were under federal investigation.

Title IX law also specifies students may withdraw consent to sexual intercourse at any time.

Carreras claimed in her HuffPo essays that her alleged rapist confirmed to Daniel Fabian, the U of R Associate Dean and Deputy Title IX Coordinator, on three separate occasions that he remembered Carreras saying “stop” while he continued to assault her.

According to Carreras, Fabian told her the university would not be moving forward with her case because he believed it was reasonable for her alleged rapist to continue penetrating her so he could “finish.”

Carreras also alleges the U of R Title IX Coordinator and Director of Compliance, Maura Smith, inferred multiple times that her alleged rapist was confused when he said he heard Carreras say “stop,” although the administration does not deny Carreras was sexually assaulted.

Harrison, who sits on the Sexual Misconduct Student Advisory Board, said the initiative is intended for students and administrators to work together to help survivors and improve the reporting process. Harrison said the effort It is run by Title IX coordinator Maura Smith, but the Board has not yet met this year.

Carreras further alleges in her HuffPo articles that her attacker violated a no-contact order, implemented Aug. 25, 2015, on nine occasions. A no-contact order means neither party can contact

the other or go somewhere they know the other person will be. If the two happen to be in the same place, at least one must leave.

Carreras said the first violation occurred when she received two text messages from her alleged rapist which read “Wow” and “You’re unbelievable.”

Carreras included screenshots of these messages in her second essay, but the violations allegedly went unpunished because they were not investigated. In a screen-shotted email between Carreras and Fabian, the deputy Title IX coordinator, Fabian said her assailant texted her unknowingly.

Two more violations in December 2015 also went unpunished because, according to another screen-shotted email, Associate Dean for Residence Life Patrick Benner found no evidence the order had been in place at the time of the incidents.

Carreras’ assailant filed one violation against her, but his version of events directly contradicts hers.

According to a screenshotted email from Smith, the deputy Title IX director of compliance, the violation was dismissed due to conflicting testimonies.

Carreras reported four other subsequent violations of the no-contact order. In a screenshotted email, Smith said she and Benner found enough evidence Carreras’ assailant had in fact violated the order. This was then designated to the dean, but it is unclear if any penalty was implemented.

THE OTHER GIRL Following Carreras’ two essays on Sept. 6 and 8, the Huffington Post published a second U of R student’s essay alleging she had been violently stalked, raped, robbed and manipulated — with lack of appropriate response from administration — on Sept. 9.

This has probably been one of the most difficult weeks in my presidency here, and certainly in my career.

Ronald Crutcher University of Richmond President “(The administration) told me that he was going to stay and if I couldn’t deal with it, I could look into transferring,” said junior Whitney Ralston.

Ralston said she was told the possible charges against her attacker ranged from kidnapping, assault and battery, identity theft, sexual assault, dating violence, theft and both emotional and physical abuse. Ralston said because her assailant plead guilty for one charge of violence, her right to appeal was waved and she was not granted a hearing.

“I’m not going to tell you the graphic details of my rape. I’m not going to tell you every instance that led to this man stealing my passport, stealing my money, hitting me, dragging me across the floor and isolating me from my friends and family,” Ralston wrote in the HuffPo article.

Ralston stated her experience included the man also sending falsified college admission emails to her younger sister and threatening to kill a close friend.

“You especially don’t need to know how he coerced me to do what he said by threatening to call the police to have me arrested for being ‘suicidal’: a threat he validated with my medical history of major depression,” Ralston wrote.

Like Carreras’ account, Ralston claims her attacker also violated his no-contact order. According to Ralston, the no-contact order has been “openly violated” three times since her attacker’s sanction.

“I reported an episode of him following me for three hours to the appropriate conduct officer and they never called in my witness,” Ralston wrote.

“The responsible dean yelled at me for ‘not letting (him) do (his) job.’”

Ralston said when she told administrators she was “terrified and couldn’t walk around campus without breaking down in fear,” their response was to make the story into an attempt to ruin her alleged assailant’s life.

Harrison, the U of R junior and member of the Sexual Misconduct Student Advisory Board, said Carreras and Ralston’s allegations caused a noticeable stir on campus in the aftermath of their published testimonies.

“Some professors have even facilitated classroom conversation about the recent events,” Har-

rison said. “It is reassuring to know many faculty members are in support of the students, and denounce the mishandling of sexual assault and subsequent university response to CC's articles.”

Harrison said she was very vocal at the school’s previously-scheduled "It Ends Now" event, held Sept. 8 on the same day Carreras’ second essay published, which Harrison said was marketed as a dialogue between students and administration.

“It Ends Now” is an annual project at U of R where the campus community makes a prominent stand against sexual violence for a week.

“This has been probably one of the most difficult weeks in my presidency here, and certainly in my career,” the Collegian reported U of R president Ronald Crutcher saying at an It Ends Now event following the HuffPo articles.

At the Sept. 8 “It Ends Now” forum, Harrison said administration attempted to dismiss questions, and some attendees walked out in protest. The next day, Harrison said she attended a student-led meeting, “It Ends Now Pt. 2,” where more than 75 students discussed the events of the past week and planned a response for U of R’s first home football game the next day.

“I think the accounts of CC and Whitney have shown that the administrative mishandling and covering up of sexual assault cases is also a major issue,” Harrison said. “And that's heartbreaking.

For students to feel that we will not be protected by our administration — in fact, that the decisions of administration will make students more unsafe — is shockingly unacceptable.”

On Saturday, students protested the first home football game, and the Collegian reported sophomore football player Jacob Roberson tucked a blue “It Ends Now” shirt into his uniform pants during warm-ups.

According to the Collegian, Roberson promised students who attended the “It Ends Now Pt. 2” event he would display solidarity with the cause.

NOT ALONE U of R is joined by 270 colleges and universities currently being investigated by the Department of Education for their handling of a sexual assault case after a former student filed a Title IX complaint with the department’s Office of Civil Rights. Fifty-two cases have been closed.

In Virginia, six schools are currently under investigation, including VCU which has two pending investigations and one which was resolved in 2011. U of R, the College of William and Mary, James Madison University, the University of Virginia and Washington and Lee University each have one pending.

In April 2014, VCU President Michael Rao signed a settlement agreement with Office of Civil Rights regarding two federal complaints against the university. The resolution agreement took effect one week before the U.S. Department of Education publicly released the first list of colleges and universities under investigation on May 1, 2014.

Of the two complainants responsible for the federal investigation, one case involved a VCU employee stating a tenured faculty member raped her on her penultimate day of work for the university before she left the state for graduate school.

Upon the VCU employee’s return to campus in a full-time capacity after completing her Master’s, she stated her attacker exhibited retaliatory behaviors that eventually warranted the services of VCU’s threat assessment team, a specific safety plan, and the Richmond and VCU police departments.

Among numerous other grievances cited by the employee in her complaint to the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights in 2013, the employee stated the VCU administration subjected her to a process she was unclear about and not comfortable engaging in because she was fearful of retribution or compromising her safety.

The employee stated the administration’s response caused her physical and emotional consequences due to “lack of timeliness, structure, and transparency in conducting this investigation.”

“The university seems to have almost a conflict of interest. For them, caring means being at risk for bad publicity, being at risk for higher numbers about campus crime (…) I definitely encountered the attitude of ‘this is complicated and we don’t like complicated things,’ (…) kind of pushing back the burden of the situation on the person who comes forward,” the employee stated in an interview with the CT in September 2014.

In an effort to affirm its commitment to betting handling Title IX related cases, VCU has since aggregated resources online, updated its procedures, held forums, promoted awareness and formed the Office of Equity and Access, which resides directly under VCU president Michael Rao, to oversee Title IX and civil rights compliance.

FEB 25 The U of R student newspaper, the Collegian, publishes an article stating U of R expanded the sexual misconduct policy from three pages to 31 pages, and now includes details on the definition of consent, clauses on domestic violence and overhaul to the policies on stalking, among other changes.

MARCH 31 Four representatives from the U.S. Department of Education visited U of R as part of the on-going federal investigation into the school’s Title IX compliance practices. Representatives held two hour-long sessions to meet with students-only focus groups. No students attended either of the two open forums, and only three attended one of two office hour sessions, according to the Collegian.

APRIL 15 The Collegian releases survey data stating 12.6 percent of the 649 female respondents said they been sexually assaulted. One half said they had experienced unwelcome sexual advances.

JULY 19 CC Carreras’ attacker admits to having heard her say “stop” three times while he penetrated her.

AUG 25 A no-contact order is implemented between Carreras and her attacker. The no-contact order mandates no written, electronic, or in-person communication between the two. Carreras alleges her attacker violated it nine times. The administration only acknowledged a violation once; it is unclear whether there was any consequence.

SEPT 6

2016

The Huffington Post publishes Carreras’ piece, “There’s a Brock Turner in All O(UR) Lives” where she details her experience with the administration’s lack of response to her sexual misconduct allegations.

SEPT 7 U of R sends students a mass email stating many of Carreras’ assertions of fact are inaccurate and “do not reflect the manner in which reports of sexual misconduct have been investigated and adjudicated at the university.” The email does not specify which claims are allegedly fallacious.

SEPT 8 The Huffington Post publishes Carreras’ response to U of R administration’s email. The piece is entitled “Richmond, y’all just had to say sorry. But instead you called me a liar. So, here are the receipts.”

Carreras’ second essay includes screenshots of emails exchanged with administration members and a text message from the athlete, all of which supported her claims of misconduct on behalf of the administration.

U of R hosts a previously-scheduled event, “It Ends Now,” to discuss sexual misconduct on campus. The Collegian reported many attendees walked-out in protest.

SEPT 9 The Huffington Post publishes a piece by a second U of R student, Whitney Ralston, who recounts similar experiences with university administration mishandling her sexual assault case, too.

U of R hosted a second discussion forum regarding sexual assault on campus. The Collegian reported “rows of empty chairs set the scene.”

Students host their own forum, entitled “It Ends Now Part 2,” because many students, faculty, staff and alumni felt the college’s forum was inadequate.

The Collegian reports President Ronald Crutcher turned to students and staff for suggestions on how to address and end sexual violence in addition to promising updates of the issue by Fall Break, in a university-wide email sent today.

The email marks the first time Crutcher has addressed the university community since two students came forward with accusations of the university's mishandling of Title IX proceedings.

SEPT 10 U of R students protest the first home football game in response to Carreras and Ralston’s writing.

The Collegian reported sophomore Jacob Roberson, a University of Richmond football player, tucked a blue "It ends now" shirt into the back of his pants as he warmed up for the first home football game at Robins Stadium on Saturday. Roberson promised students at the “It Ends Now Part 2” forum he would wear the shirt in solidarity with the cause.

SEPT 11 The Collegian published an opinion piece from the U of R Board Members for the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies program, which expressed unequivocal support for Carreras and Ralston.

“Our work, like our support for you, will be relentless.”

3

news

The Commonwealth Times

In case you missed it

ELECTION 2016

Candidates trade jabs at RCDC forum

Mayoral debate gets gritty

PHOTO BY ALI JONES

4

Mayoral candidate, Joe Morrissey, defends himself at Thursday's town hall forum.

SARAROSE MARTIN Contributing Writer Richmond City mayoral candidates discussed important issues facing the city last Thursday in a forum that quickly turned personal.

Levar Stoney, former secretary of the commonwealth under the McAuliffe administration, called for good judgement and character in a mayoral hopeful — a statement former state delegate Joe Morrissey seemed to perceive as a personal jab.

“At the end of the day, when you end up on the front page of the newspaper, or on the news for something controversial, something uncomplimentary or something that can embarrass the city, it takes us 10, 20 steps back,” Stoney said. “We can’t afford that.”

Morrissey spent time in jail and was subsequently elected to the House of Delegates while serving his sentence in 2014. Morrissey took an Alford Plea to contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a then 17-yearold intern at his law office who Morrissey married this summer.

Morrissey quickly fired back at Stoney by mentioning a 2004 incident in Wisconsin in which Stoney gave a false account to police about Democratic political interns slashing tires of a Republican party van.

According to the Richmond TimesDispatch, Stoney testified in the trial of five defendants.

“In regard to this, ‘not ending up on the front page,’ Levar, I don’t know if you’re talking about me or if you’re talking about the front page being in Michigan and slashing tires with a knife,” Morrissey said.

At this point, moderator and former City Councilwoman Willie Dell

reminded the candidates and audience that the debate was not a forum for personal problems.

“Let me remind you that all of us adults, and some of us are not acting like responsible adults, and if we’ve got somebody on stage who’s being crazy — there’s no need for the audience to multiply it,” Dell said. “Let me remind the candidates that this is not a place to work on your own personal agenda.”

The forum was also missing two of the eight candidates — City Council President Michelle Mosby (9th District, South Central) and Councilman Jon Baliles (1st District, West End) — due to a City Council meeting that conflicted with the event.

For the remainder of the debate, Stoney, Morrissey, former Venture Richmond executive Jack Berry, architect Lawrence Williams, former City Councilman Bruce Tyler and retired real estate consultant Bobby Junes covered issues such as city finances, improving public education, reducing poverty and overcoming racial tension in the city.

“We immediately need to get a handle on where the money is going, then we have to assess the leadership,” Berry said. “Thirdly we’ve got to change the culture in City Hall so people want to come to work each day.”

Attendee and Stoney supporter Charles Moore said he desires a candidate who values transparency and focuses on kids.

“The future lies with the children, so if they don’t see a positive outcome in terms of their expectations for the future then we aren’t doing our job,” Moore said. “I think the mayor should be a highly visible mayor in all communities and then I think morality. Faith is also very important.”

Morrissey leads opponents in 2016 Mayoral race DISTRICT 1

DISTRICT 2

DISTRICT 3

DISTRICT 4

DISTRICT 5

Morrissey Berry Mosby Baliles Stoney

DISTRICT 6

DISTRICT 7

DISTRICT 8

DISTRICT 9

TOTAL

Tyler Williams Junes Other Undecided

HIBA AHMAD Staff Writer Former state delegate and mayoral hopeful Joe Morrissey claimed a definitive lead over the other seven candidates, according to a poll published last week by Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center for Public Policy.

Morrissey cinched 28 percent of voters and is leading the poll in five of nine districts — the necessary number of districts to win the election — and is among the top three candidates in two others.

24 percent of the 600 voters interviewed by phone from Aug. 18-24 were undecided.

Morrissey made headlines in 2015 when he was elected to the

Go to elections. virginia.gov for registration and polling information

Virginia House of Delegates while serving jail time for his sexual involvement with a minor who was working at his law office at the time.

Jack Berry, the former executive director of Venture Richmond,a public-private organization which promotes economic growth in Richmond, is second with 16 percent support, according to the poll.

Trailing Berry is City Council President Michelle Mosby (9th District, South Central) with 10 percent of the vote. Morrissey trumped Mosby in her own district in the south side.

City Councilman Jon Baliles (1st District, West End) polled at 9 percent. Former Secretary of the Commonwealth for the McAuliffe Administration Levar Stoney polled at 7 percent.

56

Stoney received an endorsement from the Richmond City Democratic Committee last week, which could serve as a boost to his campaign.

Former City Councilman Bruce Tyler polled at 4 percent. Architect Lawrence Williams and former real-estate consultant Bobby Junes each carried less than 1 percent of the poll.

35 percent of poll participants said a top priority this election is improving public education in the city. Finances, spending and city budgeting was a priority for 19 percent of participants.

Polls open Nov. 8 for the Presidential, Mayoral and City Council elections.

AT THE POLLS

VIRGINIA GENERAL ELECTION

Days Until Election Day

The CT will invite all eight candidates for the position of Mayor of Richmond for interviews for get-to-know-you features as part of a mayoral election series.

Clinton

Democrat

Trump

Republican

Johnson Libertarian

Stein Green

44% 43% 11% 3%

EMERSON POLL, AUGUST 30 - September 1, 2016

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, September 12, 2016

15 years later #UnitedWeStand

On Sept. 11, 2001 the United States experienced the worst terrorist attack on American soil, to date. The CT published on Sept. 13, 2001.

ADVERTISEMENT

5

sports

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, September 12, 2016

Stat of the Week

Soccer defender Megan Dell leads the team in shots with 18 on the season.

Athletes

and

Stand

SOPHIA BELLETTI & ZACH JOACHIM Sports Editors Remove all of the politics and unsolicited, agendapushing rhetoric. Remove the mixed messages of symbology as they relate to American patriotism. Remove the massive contract, the backup status, and the white adoptive parents. Those things are inconsequential.

Acknowledge this: Colin Kaepernick is a wellknown NFL quarterback who has been quietly and peacefully protesting the oppression of minorities in this country by sitting, and then kneeling, during the National Anthem. Kaepernick did this because he wanted to make cultural waves that he hopes will spark a conversation and ultimately induce change.

Perspectives surrounding the message Kaepernick aims to impart are, for the most part, unified. The systematic oppression of Black people and people of color is ingrained in our society, and this reality appears to have been accepted by the masses outside narrow minded conservative America. The vast majority of Kaepernick’s supporters and proponents alike do not disagree with his point; they disagree with his methods.

Kaepernick has said his controversial stance is not directed toward people in the U.S. military, yet he has been railed on as insensitive to those who have made sacrifices for our country. A Gold Star mom who lost her son in an IED attack in Afghanistan told CNN that her heart stopped and she lost her breath when Kaepernick said he couldn’t stand for the flag.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, a bracket of veterans have come forward to express their support for Kaepernick via the social media hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick. Many social media posts praise him for bringing awareness to the issue.

“It’s a misconception that every military member is furious at his protest when there are those that are proud. #veteransforkaepernick” wrote Instagram user TreyFade.

One tweet read: “I don’t agree with all of his points, but I’ll fight to the death for his right to say it. #VeteransForKaepernick” Similarly, other athletes’ reactions have varied

significantly.

US Soccer’s Megan Rapinoe chose to kneel alongside Kaepernick in a National Women’s Soccer League match in Chicago on Sept. 4.

“Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties,” Rapinoe said.

“It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it. It’s important to have white people stand in support of people of color on this. We don’t need to be the leading voice, of course, but standing in support of them is something that’s really powerful.”

In contrast, many prominent Black athletes have presented seemingly dissenting perspectives.

“I would never do that,” said NBA hall of famer Shaquille O’Neal.

“My father was a military man, and you know, he protected this country. (My) uncles are in law enforcement, they go out and work hard every day. Just, (there are) other ways to get your point across.”

There are innumerable methods of engaging in social activism that have been exercised by prominent athletes.

For example, in the wake of growing exposure to instances of police brutality and targeting of Americans of color this past summer, USA basketball’s Carmelo Anthony worked with the Los Angeles Police Department to hold a town-hall style discussion on the subject.

The event, titled Leadership Together: A Conversation With Our Sons And Daughters, brought the

PHOTO BY ERIN EDGARTON

Men’s Soccer remains winless after four games Francesco Amorosino scored his first goal of the season within the first two minutes of Friday night’s game against Radford.

No. 18 ranked Radford University scored four unanswered goals, ultimately beating the Rams 4-2 on Friday night at Sportsbackers Stadium.

VCU redshirt-junior midfielder Francesco Amorosino scored his first goal of the season early in the match. Radford had a quick response and tied the game less than a minute later when Fraser Colmer found the back of the net on a header off a corner kick.

Neil Martorana scored in the 23rd minute, handing Radford the 2-1 lead. Evan Szklennik quickly echoed Martorana and scored his first goal of the season for RU, rebounding a shot that bounced off VCU junior goalkeeper Pierre Gardan.

The Black and Gold convened in the locker room at halftime, down 3-1.

Martorana scored his second goal of the game early in the second half, giving Radford the 4-1 edge. Amorosino scored his second goal of the night during the 83rd minute, cutting Highlander’s lead to 4-2.

“Right now we just aren’t doing the little things that you have to do to win,” said VCU coach Dave Giffard. “We aren’t fighting and

battling for the right to play. To give up 11 goals in four games is totally unacceptable. I take full responsibility for our performance so far and I can promise our fans and our alums that it will change. One way or another, I guarantee it.”

On Sept. 5 the Rams traveled down I-95 where they lost in a nail-biter to no. 3 ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, dropping their third game of the season 3-2.

“Right now, we are in a race against time to see how good we can be, but the ceiling for this team is quite high,” Giffard said. “The team and I believe we can get there, but we have to stay the course and keep following the process.”

The Tar Heels got on the board early on when UNC’s Walker Hume scored a header off a corner kick five minutes into the match. The Rams responded with two quick goals of their own.

Redshirt-senior midfielder Dakota Barnathan and sophomore midfielder Lyndsey Moreland scored back-to-back goals in a span of a minute to give the Rams their first and only lead of the game.

Barnathan answered by putting a penalty kick in the back of the net after redshirt-junior midfielder Luc Fatton was taken out by UNC

Together

LAPD together with a number of famous athletes and 80 local teenagers of color. The dominant topic of discussion was the relationship between police and minorities in the community. Anthony also donated an undisclosed amount to the local Boys and Girls club.

Shortly before Anthony’s meeting, Michael Jordan, perhaps the most recognizable athlete in the world, released a statement on his perception of the issues.

Jordan said he was “troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers.”

Consequentialy, Jordan donated a million dollars both to the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s new Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Athletes, namely those of color, have the unique opportunity to speak on a platform pertinent to their opposition.

As in the case of Kaepernick, and ILLUSTRATION BY SKYE ALI earlier this year Panther’s quarterback Cam Newton, conservative America seems prone to unleashing a firestorm of hatred upon any athlete of color who does something “controversial.”

The paradoxical truth inherent in this reality is how easily black athletes can influence the thinking of white America: few mediums exist through which this influence is so readily accessible.

This wide range of viewership allots professional athletes a unique voice. Jordan and Anthony chose to exercise that voice in the most influential manner they saw fit, as did Kaepernick. They just arrived at drastically different conclusions. As did the Seattle Seahawks and their outspoken wide-receiver Doug Baldwin, who all stood and locked arms as the national anthem played Sunday on the 15th anniversary of 9/11.

“We are a team comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds,” Baldwin said in a video he posted on Twitter before Sunday’s game. “As a team we have chosen to stand and interlock arms in unity. We honor those who have fought for the freedom we cherish. And we stand to ensure the riches of freedom and security of justice for all people. Progress can and will be made only if we stand together.”

As a caption to his own personal statement, Baldwin cited Martin Luther King Jr. in his appeal for unity.

“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,” Baldwin wrote.

This sentiment, along with O’Neals’ and many other prominent figures’ in the sports world, appears, on surface level, to be a contradiction to Kaepernick’s opinion.

This is a misconception. Very few people have dissented from what the now infamous 49ers backupquarterback is trying to say. Many have dissented from how he said it. And that is OK. The very fact that this conversation has dominated American media sense Kaepernick chose to kneel is a success. His actions may insult you because of what the flag means to you personally, or they may inspire and motivate you to influence change in your community.

And that, similarly, is OK. The point is that Kaepernick made his voice heard in a peaceful manner and that voice has inspired a conversation. There will never be much semblance of unity in response to socially inflammatory statements. This, however, cannot impede the proliferation of those statements.

Athletes have a responsibility to use their pedestal in society to influence progress. Kaepernick, Anthony and Jordan among many others have laid the groundwork for change. It’s up to us to stand with them.

Flying high

On their Heels

GABE HUARI Staff Writer

activism:

goalkeeper James Pyle in the box.

The penalty kick evened the score at 1-1. Moreland’s goal came on a free kick when he knocked the ball into the net after a cross.

The Tar Heels tied the game at the 30 minute mark when VCU failed to clear the ball, giving Tucker Hume a golden scoring opportunity from four yards out.

The score remained 2-2 as the game went into halftime.

Both teams got off to a slow start in the second half as they exchanged shots for the first few minutes, but UNC was able to score the gamewinning goal in the 82nd minute.

The Rams lost possession in their half and Hume fired a shot past Gardan into the bottom left corner, past a diving keeper.

“If this group will continue to stay on the path that we are on, I like our chances of advancing game after game when it becomes knock out time,” Giffard said.

The Rams (0-4) next host the Vermont Catamounts (5-0) Sunday Sept. 11, at SportsBacker at 3 p.m.

Results were not available at the time of production.

Women’s Soccer defeats American Eagles 5-1 Coach Letts and the Rams posted their biggest win of the season, winning 5-1 over American University on Sunday.

RODNEY ROBINSON Contributing Writer Women’s soccer’s offense put on a clinic against American University Sunday, Sept. 11 in their 5-1 victory. After a tough, defensive battle against William & Mary on Thursday, the Rams’ offense came alive against American.

Within the first two minutes of the first period, senior midfielder Tori Burress scored on a masterful assist by sophomore Julia Suarez.

Sophomore midfielder Maddi Santo had a breakout game for the Rams on Sunday. Santo notched two goals in the contest, leading the Rams to victory offensively. Suarez and sophomore forward Kelly Graves contributed to the scoring effort by each netting a goal, respectively.

The Rams’ defense carried over momentum from their last matchup against William & Mary, only allowing one goal in the second half. Redshirtsophomore goalkeeper Audrey Sanderson had a solid game with three saves.

However, the story of the game was the offensive dominance by the Rams. The Black and Gold had 14 shots in the

matchup, whereas American only had five total shots. In addition to the shots on goal, the Rams had six corner opportunities, compared to only two corner opportunities by American. Graves led the Rams with three shots on goal in the matchup. Suarez added to the offensive effort with three total shots as well.

On Thursday Sept. 8, the Rams fell short against in-state rival William & Mary, 1-0.

The Tribe struck early in the 16th minute of the matchup as Sarah Segan scored on a tight pass to give William & Mary the one point edge. However, the matchup became a game of two, stingy defenses.

After the early goal by the Tribe, neither defenses allowed a single goal for the remainder of the contest. William & Mary’s goalkeeper Grace Smith recorded 13 saves while VCU’s defense was able to contain four corner kicks. Sanderson recorded two saves of the three shots on-goal.

The Rams’ offense missed many opportunities to score throughout the match. Rams junior defender Megan Dell had an early opportunity to score in the eighth minute of the first

half, but an athletic save by the Tribe goalkeeper kept the Rams scoreless.

This foreshadowed the Black and Gold’s offense throughout the course of the game, as they complied 22 shots during the game, with 13 of those shots being on goal.

Suarez led her Rams on the night with five total shots, while Dell led the team with four shots on goal.

The Rams look to carry on this momentum in their upcoming matchup away against James Madison University Friday, Sept. 16.

Women’s American University

W 5-1 Men’s

University of North Carolina

L 3-2

PHOTO BY GIO MIRADOR

THE PRESS BOX

7

sports

The Commonwealth Times

Q&A with Sahbria McLetchie

KEYRIS MANZANARES Contributing Writer Sophomore Sahbria McLetchie led the team in kills during her inaugural season with VCU last year with 383 kills. At the FGCU Hilton Garden Inn Invitational earlier this month, the 5-foot-10-inch outside hitter was one of the top players in the tournament with 47 kills.

Originally from San Antonio, many volleyball fans now describe McLetchie as one of Richmond’s favorite student athletes.

As the Rams enter their 2016 season, McLetchie sat down with the CT to give fans a glimpse into the 2016 season.

What has been the most important lesson you have learned when it comes to volleyball?

Honestly, that it is just a game; at the end of the day that

is what it is. If you lose a point you just have to keep going, just like in life — bad things happen, you just have to get through it and keep going.

The team suffered three losses in the tournament in August. What are you doing to overcome those losses and keep moving forward?

Early on in our season we had a lot of teammates out but now we are all getting back and coming together. So being able to play with everyone now I think is affecting our chemistry on the court because the more we play together, the better we become.

What are your personal goals for the season?

I want to work to be a better teammate. I really want to focus on trying to find ways to encour-

age my teammates individually because I know that we don’t always handle things the same way.

So I just want to focus on that and also work with the younger girls. We are a very young team and I just want all of us to get better with our volleyball IQ because in the end that is what will make us better.

Did you ever envision yourself playing at a college level let alone becoming a leader in kills for VCU? No I never did. I don’t know I just never really thought of myself as good enough, so I didn’t play in middle school. But when I got to high school I started to get it, it all began to click, and then I guess I was a late bloomer. Everything sort of just happened, not really overnight, but I got good.

Would you describe yourself as a late bloomer?

Yeah because growing up I was never really good at volleyball. It was not until sophomore or junior year of high school that it started to click and I began to think I could do it.

You are one of the top players and have received many titles like Virginia Lottery Student Athlete and A-10 Rookie Squad, what can we expect from you this season?

There are a lot of matters I am dealing with at the time, but my top goal right now is to just get through the season healthy. We will see how it goes.

The Rams are back in action Tuesday at Kaplan Arena against the College of William and Mary.

First serve is set for 7 p.m.

PHOTO BY ERIN EDGARTON

RAM IN ACTION

After VCU’s 3-0 win over Charleston Southern University, Sahbria McLetchie has recrorded 89 kills this season.

Freshmen dominate in Spider Alumni Open

PHOTO COURTESY OF VCU ATHLETICS

—continued from page 1

Last season, Emily Dyke clocked an 18:02.2 at the A-10 Championship to finish 21st overall.

“Today was a great day, we were able to see where we are right now and we know what we need to work on moving forward to our conference meet,” Cook said. “We have a long season ahead and today was a good beginning.”

Junior Nichelle Scott also had a solid breakout performance, finishing the two mile run with a time of 11:22.3. Like Catlett in the 5,000 meter, Scott also placed 19th overall and was the top finisher for VCU in the women’s season opener.

Scott, originally from Chesterfield, knocked 50 seconds off her personal record two-mile time. Last spring, Scott broke a school record in the 800-meter run and claimed an Atlantic 10 Outdoor Track & Field title in

the event.

Freshman Delaney Savedge also shined during her VCU debut and placed 25th overall finishing with a time of 11:32.5. Senior Emily Dyke posted a time of 11:34.3, securing 26th place. Dyke has been VCU’s top finisher at the A-10 Championship Meet the last two seasons.

VCU placed five runners inside the top 40, including freshman Judith White, who clocked in at 11:49.3 and freshman Ashley Brown who crossed the finish line with a time of 11:51.3.

The women’s team averaged a time of 11:37.94 and finished with a combined time of 58:09.70.

Both teams started the season at the CNU Exhibition in Richmond on Sept. 1. The Spiders Alumni opener was the first official meet of the season. The teams will have three more

meets before the A-10 championships begin in October.

“The athletes are a young, hardworking, talented team that are all working for a common goal,” Cook said. “In previous seasons that has not been there before.”

Cook, as well as the athletes, is determined to do better each meet and improve upon previous seasons.

“It’s a good way to see who we are as a team,” Cook said. “Do well and improve for the next meet. The athletes are doing better this season and that is all I can ask for.”

Next up, the Rams will head to New Market, Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 10 to compete in the JMU Open Invitational.

ADVERTISEMENT

Save the Dates:

A-10 releases basketball conference schedule SOPHIA BELLETTI Sports Editor The Atlantic 10 released its 2016-17 men’s basketball conference schedule Tuesday, Sept. 6.

VCU’s fifth year in the league will feature 16 of their 18 conference contests in front of a national television audience.

The Rams are currently scheduled to make, at a minimum, six appearances on ESPN’s family of networks during the regular season and could appear as many as eight times.

CBS Sports Network will televise eight VCU A-10 contests, while NBC Sports Network and American Sports Network will carry two games

apiece. Additional regional and local television coverage will be announced at a later date.

In all, A-10 schools are set to appear in a leaguerecord of 108 televised contests. In addition, all 13 games of the A-10 Men’s Basketball Championship at Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center will be on national television.

The Black and Gold kick off A-10 play on Friday, Dec. 30 at George Mason University. CBS Sports Network will carry that telecast.

The Rams’ A-10 home opener against University of Massachusetts Amherst on Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. will air on NBC Sports Network.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VCU ATHLETICS

8

www.commonwealthtimes.org

spectrum

Monday, September 12, 2016

9

On this day

In 1940, four teenagers in Monignac, France, discovered the earliest examples of cave art in the Lascaux grotto.

It’s something we all want but something that not many work towards.”

Shaheed Chamber

PHOTO BY BRYON KORANTENG

In pursuit of safer spaces

Shaheed Chambers performs as Sha Shakusky at 3 Moons, a DIY venue focused on providing a safe and comfortable creative space for people of color and those with marginalized identities.

When Ohio University College Republican students painted ‘Trigger warning: There are no safe spaces in real life! You can’t wall off the 1st amendment,’ on their campus, or when the University of Chicago issued a letter to incoming freshmen stating the university does not support safe spaces or trigger warnings, it begged the question why people endeavor to create safe spaces and why they’re necessary.

“A safer space is a space people can express themselves especially if they’re a marginalized identity,” said Lucky Liu, an owner and operator of 3 Moons, a Richmond DIY venue, which has been throwing house shows and events since June. “It’s a place people can come to feel safe. ‘A safer space’ because safe spaces don’t exist.”

You make a safer space by setting up expectations for behavior beforehand, Liu said. She said this helps enforce accountability.

To emphasize this, one or more of the owners of 3 Moons reads their venue’s statement two to three times a night, Liu said.

“3M is a sober creative space that centers people of color, especially queer POC (people of color) and POC femmes,” reads a statement on the 3 Moons Facebook Page. “Here, the presence, agency, and comfort of POC take priority over those of white people.

As a bare minimum, whites and in many ways, non-black POC, should listen more than they speak and carefully consider how much space they’re taking up. White people, you are bystanders here.”

Arguments against safer spaces accuse people of being too sensitive or wanting special treatment, said Mitchie Shue, a Richmond artist and organizer for Great Dismal, a group that sets up DIY and venue shows across the city. This fails to recognize the realities of being a part of any marginalized group, he said.

“We live in a rape culture. We live under white supremacy in a male dominated society,” Shue said. “The very fact that this exists is more than enough to make safer spaces necessary.”

Shue said operating and attending a safer space involves unlearning a lot of things we’ve been socialized to believe and that it’s important to recognize that there are certain things one knows that are just wrong.

“Safer” is important because not everyone experiences spaces in the same way as others, states the New York Coalition for Safer Spaces’ website. Any one set of guidelines established to create safety may not meet the requirements of everyone, and there may be complications or lapses in fulfilling those guidelines in practice, the website states.

“I like to paint my nails or cross dress or wear eyeliner, and these cis straight rap n(...)as will look me up and down and try to undermine my work,” said Richmond artist Shaheed Chambers. “People look at you like you’re queer, you’re trans, you’re different.”

According to Chambers, “white fragility” goes a long way in undermining safer spaces. He says people who don’t want to admit that they’ve been programmed with toxic and discriminating ideologies won’t conduct themselves

appropriately and cause problems in these spaces.

Richmond artist and Great Dismal organizer Drew Necci said challenging the default assumptions of people in safer spaces is key and without standards of behavior set in advance, people will revert to behaviors they assume are acceptable in the space.

“It creates a self-selecting environment, where only the people who feel most comfortable in the environment, usually cis white males, will populate it,” Necci said.

Necci said another key element of building a safer space is being willing to have conversations about who can and cannot be in a space.

He believes this starts with always beginning from a place of belief with victims of abuse and harassment, but also having conversations with everyone involved.

“People don’t want to do the work, they just want to throw accusations and be done with it,” Necci said. “Otherwise I’m ostracizing someone based on a rumor, or ignoring it and letting someone stay and risking that rumor being true.”

Necci herself was temporarily banned from 3 Moons for escalating a disagreement into an argument with another attendee.

“What I should have said was ‘I don’t know if I agree with that.

Are you willing to have a conversation about it?’ But the guy felt so uncomfortable (because of the argument) he left,” Necci said. “You’re going to fuck up. It’s important to be accountable.”

You can’t always ask someone to be less emotional about an issue, said VCU student Jafar Cooper, one half of The Ice Cream Sup-

A safer space is a space people can express themselves especially if they’re a marginalized identity.

PHOTO BY JULIE TRIPP

JESSE ADCOCK Spectrum Editor

Lucky Lui, 3 Moons owner 3 Moons displays their mission statement prominently around the venue as a reminder of the standards of behavior and accountability that are expected in the space. port Group, which organizes social events and collaborative spaces for people of color and those with marginalized identities in Richmond.

“It can be hard to ask someone to slow down. We can’t always expect the person to take a step back and be less emotional,” Cooper said. “Always have people designated in the space to diffuse those situations.”

Cooper said if someone is part of a group that has the privilege of not experiencing discrimination and marginalization, then they should be invested in making safer spaces so that everyone can experience those luxuries.

“It’s a constant learning process for everyone,” Cooper said.

Christian Something, the other half The Ice Cream Support Group, said if you get an invite to a party and just go and have a good time, understand the luxury you have. Something said there are people who have to check over the entire invite list to see if their abuser is going.

“The people that need a safer space can’t go to most events because of who they are,” Something said. “They won’t have a good time.

They won’t be comfortable.”

Ultimately, making safer spaces is a necessary conversation; things constantly change. Talking to peo-

ple and finding out what they need and want in a space and balancing that out is important, according to Something.

A large part of the problem in Richmond is that there’s a lack of social education and accountability, said Richmond artist Robalu Gibsun.

“The reality of a safe space is to know there’s been so much violence that you need an asylum.

And music is a healing tool,” Gibsun said.

Models for creating your own safe spaces at events and in homes can be found on the New York Coalition for Safer Spaces’ website.

All Eyez On Me: ILLUSTRATION BY CARSON MCNAMARA

how 2Pac became the most influential hip-hop artist ever continued from page 1— In his debut album, “2Pacalypse Now,” Pac displayed depth through socially conscious lyrics and storytelling. With songs like “Brenda’s Got A Baby,” he discussed prostitution and teen pregnancy. In “Trapped,” he divulged on his personal encounter with crooked cops and police brutality. Twenty-five years later, these songs have become inspirations for J Cole’s “Be Free” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright.”

After his debut, Pac proved his talents on the big screen with films like “Juice” and “Poetic Justice”, both of which have become cult classics. Much like Will Smith and Queen Latifah, Pac helped open the door for rappers to be taken seriously as actors. As a result, rap and film are often intertwined in 2016.

While he would release more albums, it was 1995’s “Me Against The World” and his last album in 1996, the diamond-selling “All Eyez On Me”, that would define his legacy. In 1995, Pac became the first artist to have a No. 1 album on the Billboard charts while being incarcerated.

In his 1996, Pac became the first rap artist have two No. 1 albums in the same calendar year with the posthumously released, “The 7 Day Theory.” Tupac’s vibrant and sometimes toxic personality makes him

such a mythical figure — fanning the flames of the East Coast beef that resulted in the murders of both he and the late Notorious B.I.G. 20 years later, both murders remain unresolved.

Currently on Sprite cans across the country, his lyrics from his song “Keep Ya Head Up” are printed. The Rose That Grew From Concrete, a book collection of his written poetry, is seen in many schools around the world and used to teach by teachers daily. In Broadway theatre, his life and contributions to hip-hop culture have been celebrated in Lin Manuel’s “Hamilton” and Kenny Leon’s “Holler If Ya Hear Me.” With artists like Drake, who’ve made a career off displaying their vulnerability, it was Pac who was the first to do so. Delivering lyrics that always left you feeling something visceral, Pac’s music was as much soul music as it was hip-hop.

It’s safe to say there will never be another Tupac Shakur. In a remarkable fashion, his legacy has grown larger and larger much to his credit. His relentless work ethic left us with a bevy of songs to hold us for a lifetime. Thus, his musical reach, ability and cultural impact all but certainly make him hip-hop’s most influential rapper.

spectrum

10 The Commonwealth Times

Artist’s Spotlight

Ryan Daley readies ‘Winter’ with new song

On Jan. 15, 2009, New York City witnessed the impossible: a miraculous plane landing in the Hudson River where all 155 passengers survived.

The pilot of this aircraft was Chesley Sullenberger, and he was quickly hailed a national hero.

But, behind the scenes of this incredible event was an ongoing investigation that could have ruined the man’s 40-year career and reputation.

“Sully,” a new film directed by Clint Eastwood, aims to recount not only the investigation but the effect this had on the passengers, New Yorkers and Sully himself.

Tom Hanks portrays Sully in a subtlety distant performance, but expresses just enough emotion to sympathize with the character during the film’s first slow minutes. He is joined by Aaron Eckhart as his co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, and the two play off each other beautifully. The duo’s chemistry is electric and allows the audience to ease into the film before the landing.

After that point in the film, the Hudson landing scene is revisited from different perspectives, an effective depiction of how significant the event was.

The audience is shown how everyone involved differently experienced this near-disaster.

Commercial flights attempting water landings rarely yield many survivors, and almost never does every passenger emerge alive from of one of these catastrophes.

This fact is certainly not lost on the filmmakers; yet they chose some painfully cheesy ways to express the sentiment. They decide to focus on a few passengers, giving them short backstories that feel forced and manipulative.

Despite these flaws, I would be lying if I said Eastwood and company don’t make it work. While I was initially rolling my eyes, I was nearly brought to tears when the plane went down. The scene is filmed without any music or dramatic techniques, which puts you right in the heart of the situation, which only amplifies just how horrifying those 240 seconds in the air must have been.

Sadly, these emotionally-manipulative techniques are applied to the investigators as well, who are portrayed more as cartoonish villains than human beings. This was especially jarring, given how realistically Sully and Skiles are portrayed.

The first and final minutes of the film are also sore spots, as the former is slow enough to make you turn the movie off, while the latter employs such a sharp tonal shift that it almost changed my entire opinion of the last hour and a half.

The more I think about “Sully,” the more I realize not only the importance of the man’s good deed, but also the skill with which Eastwood was able to make this film work.

Cheesy techniques be damned.

Rating: For anyone in need of some inspiration and heart warming in their life, or those fascinated by piloting techniques.

MUKTARU JALLOH Staff Writer Richmond rapper and VCU student Ryan Daley released his first single “Stuff Happens” on Sept. 1 from his new album “Winter,” slated for release in December.

The song, which he describes as “autobiographical,” touches on personal experiences that helped shape the sound and content of the forthcoming album.

“This summer has been tough for me,” Daley said.

“I went out to LA and got robbed. I lost my MacBook, all of my clothes. I’ve just been dealing with a lot in my life right now and because of it, that phrase (Stuff Happens) means a lot to me.”

Much like the song, the album is centered around Daley’s personal encounters with school, his parent’s divorce, and relationship issues with friends and girlfriend.

“Do you know what it feels like to always be in pain?/ Shedding tears for so many years emotionally drained,” Daley raps. “I’m better of floating on and holding onto nothing/ Sometimes I wish my life just had an on and off button.”

Since the start of the year, Daley said he’s been in full recording mode and promises the album will be out before year’s end. The album, which has been crafted in Daley’s home studio, contains 12 songs. Among the confirmed features is Richmond-based

artist, MNIW. “Sonically, it sounds better. I’ve reached out to several engineers. Content-wise, it’s autobiographical,” Daley said.

“In past projects, I would share other people’s stories but with this one, it’s me 100 percent.

This is my best work.”

In addition to the album’s release, Daley said he plans to tour the country and realize creative ideas he’s been working on with his team, UNIT 4 Creative Agency. Curated events and pop-up shops will all be a part of the album’s rollout.

“Stuff Happens” is available for purchase at Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud and on his personal website, ryanxdaley.com

KISS’ “Freedom to Rock” will stop in 36+ cities nationwide between July 7 and September 10.

MUKTARU JALLOH Staff Writer

Ryan Daley’s upcoming album “Winter” features songs inspired by Daley’s personal life, with single “Stuff Happens” informed by a tumultuous mix of misfortune, academic stress, and relationship issues.

Legendary rock band KISS performed at the Richmond Coliseum last Friday as part of their “Freedom To Rock Tour,” the icons have dedicated each show to Army military veterans. In addition to assigning a local military vet in each city to be their “roadie for the day”, the band has also donated tickets to all veterans who would like to attend.

Opening the show with their hits “Detroit Rock City” and “Deuce,” the group appeared on stage surrounded by a platform of flames, sparks and colorful lighting. Throughout the night, KISS performed ‘70s and ‘80s classics like “Cold Gin,” “Black Diamond” and “Rock Bottom.”

Despite their age and only two surviving members, the show proved that the spirit of the group was still alive and well.

“Tonight there is no one playing under the stage. No lip-syncing.

We are a rock and roll band!” original KISS member Paul Stanley said.

The crowd, filled with dedicated fans old and new, featured many with KISS’ signature face paint. Ranging from college students to veterans with their families, the show’s audience reflected the depth of KISS’ fan base over the years.

During the show, members of the group also received the key to the city from Richmond mayor Dwight Jones. Following a performance of the Star Spangled Banner, the group then played their 1975 hit, “Rock and Roll All Nite.”

Stanley stopped the show to reject recent protests from Colin Kaepernick.

“Patriotism is always cool. Loving your country is always cool.

Standing up, respecting and honoring our military is always cool,” Stanley said.

Meek Mill excites the crowd at first annual Break The Internet Fest in D.C. MUKTARU JALLOH Staff Writer More than 3,000 fans turned out for the first annual Break The Internet music festival. The event, which took place at the Gateway D.C. pavilion in southeast D.C., featured many of hip-hop’s hottest artists and provided a platform for up-and-coming unsigned acts as well.

Despite the fact the night was cut short due to D.C.’s curfew rule, the show was a success.

Among the many proud of the event was BTI Fest co-founder, Mia Fields-Hall.

“Break The Internet Fest was created to give college kids a chance to continue their education without financial stress and to encourage them to go above and beyond their dreams,” Fields-Hall said.

The event dealt with firsttime issues throughout the night and started later than expected.

Originally scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., doors opened a little after 4 p.m. with lines of anxious fans stretched around the block.

The show openers featured a showcase of hometown artists, young and old, celebrating D.C.’s rich culture. Most notable were legendary go-go group Backyard Band and singer/songwriter Reesa Renee.

Renee, hailing from nearby Prince George’s County, Maryland, was excited to carry the torch as a local artist from Backyard Band, who were a focal point to D.C.’s go-go music movement in 1990’s.

“It feels good to represent for the females and for my city,” Renee said. “I’m just grateful. It’s a certain level that you have to work

towards in order for people to respect your talent so when they do, I’m always grateful every time.”

Around 7:30 p.m., the show’s headliners took to the stage, first of which was Kent Jones. Jones, signed to DJ Khaled’s We The Best label, performed mixtape cuts and his summer hit “I Don’t Mind.” Chicago rapper and singer Dreezy followed, performing a short set including her album’s lead single “Body.”

The community coming together is great.

Having a good non-violent, cool night is something that needs to happen more.

PHOTO BY MUKTARU JALLOH

SAMUEL GOODRICH Staff Writer

PHOTO COURTESY OF RYAN DALEY

Sully

PHOTO BY MUKTARU JALLOH

Sam’s Take:

KISS rocks and rolls in Richmond

Reesa Renee Between sets, local 93.9 WKYS radio host DJ Shorty Da Prince and cultural artigé Karen Civil handled hosting duties and introduced acts. Civil also awarded one deserving college student with the $2,500 Break The Internet Scholarship.

Soon after, rapper O.T. Genasis rushed to the stage and performed his hits “Coco” and “Cut It,” both of which have been certified Platinum. R&B singer Jacquees followed, providing a balance and serenading the crowd with his

BTI Fest featured performances from Meek Mill, Yo Gotti, OT Genasis, Kent Jones, Jacquees, Dreezy, DJ Quicksilva, Reesa Renee, Back Yard Band, Clyde Guevara, D.O.D. and Willtharapper.

smooth vocals.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m., coheadline rapper Yo Gotti appeared on stage and performed cuts from his music catalogue, including “5 Star,” “Act Right,” “I Know,” “Law” and this year’s hit “Down In The DM.” Much to the crowd’s surprise, Gotti brought rapper Meek Mill onstage. Between the fans rushing the stage and the

crowd’s roar, it was clear who everybody came to see.

The Philadelphia-born rapper has been a mainstay in today’s generation of hip-hop and holds a unique place within the culture.

Meek Mill’s catalogue of hits has continued to shine through rap beef, court cases and his high profile relationship with superstar Nicki Minaj.

Due to technical issues with the sound system, Meek Mill decided to perform in the crowd, alongside his fans. In addition to performing hits such as “Ima Boss,” “House Party” and “Intro,” he also decided to bring out special guest D.C. native Shy Glizzy.

“We appreciate everyone who attended and we will see you next year!” Fields-Hall said.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, September 12, 2016 11

Virginia Opera kicks off 2016-17 season at Dogwood Dell JIM THOMMA Contributing Writer The personal drone circling overhead Dogwood Dell was sighted a third and final time before the conductor finally took the stage without a word or glance at the crowd.

Suddenly, the entire amphitheater was filled with sound.

People toting funnel cakes and gyros from food trucks stationed around the perimeter of the park made their way hurriedly back to seats they had secured an hour ago. Latecomers laid beach towels on the lawn overlooking the Dell.

Others set up camping chairs beneath a nearby tree grove to shield themselves from the late summer sun.

Upwards of 5,000 people attended the fifth-annual Opera in the Park concert, a free event held at the Dell in Byrd Park on Aug. 27. According to the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities. That’s more than twice the capacity of the 2,400-seat amphitheater.

“This is our best-attended event, behind the 4th of July,” said Philip Milone, Techni-

cal Director at Dogwood Dell.

Opera in the Park concluded the Dell’s 60th annual Festival of Arts, which featured performances by local artists Kings of Swing and Plunky & Oneness, as well as the 7th Annual Gospel Music Fest and an in-house production of Monty Python’s “Spamalot.”

Opera in the Park is also the informal kickoff to the Virginia Opera 2016-17 season, which runs from mid-October through early April of next year and will feature Kurt Weill’s “The Seven Deadly Sins,” Ruggero Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” Gioachino Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” Maria von Weber’s “Der Freischutz” (The Magic Marksman) and Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot”.

Howard Bender, vice president of Central/Northern Virginia operations for VA Opera, said Opera in the Park is a good entry-level show for anyone interested in the art form, “because it’s lighter operatic selections plus Broadway selections that people are familiar with.”

Bender said the Dell also draws crowds who wouldn’t otherwise feel comfortable at the opera house. Newcomers are often

intimidated by venues such as the Carpenter Theater, which houses VA Opera.

“It’s like a temple of holy, ossified art and you have to act a certain way and it’s in a language that maybe you don’t speak,” Bender said.

Bender prides himself on his company’s ability to make opera more accessible. “Seven Deadly Sins” and “Der Freischutz” feature lyrics in English, rather than Italian and the remaining season’s productions are augmented by English supertitles displayed above the stage.

VA Opera is also hosting a free live concert and DJ set with local hard-rock station 102.1 after the season premiere double-bill “Seven Deadly Sins,” and “Pagliacci” called Opera After Hours.

But while Bender said you don’t have to come to the Carpenter Theatre in a white tie and tails anymore, the Dell is still the more approachable option for beginners. Bender said that’s important, because as much as Opera in the Park is a “thankyou” to the Richmond community, it’s also a great opportunity to fill seats.

ILLUSTRATION BY GARETH BENTALL

ADVERTISEMENT

find your motion September 2016 @ what’s going on?

9/29 indoor soccer & floor hockey intramural registration ends (league runs 10/2 - 11/3) 9/17 day sea kayak (register by 9/13) 9/24 New River Gorge climbing weekend 9/30 American Red Cross Lifeguard Recertification Course registration ends (class runs 10/1 - 10/2)

and more!

to check out all our activities, and find full schedules, visit recsports.vcu.edu or call 804-827-1100.

find us online!

opinion

12 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week “Choosing to ignore unacceptable actions by celebrities does only perpetuates and normalizes this behavior.” —Emily Himes

Will you still be a fan when shit hits the fan?

EMILY HIMES Staff Columnist

ILLUSTRATION BY CARSON MCNAMARA

Idolizing actors, models and musicians is a common aspect of American lifestyle. Many individuals put on blinders and religiously follow celebrities based on talent and characteristics we find attractive.

Some loyal fans are committed to their idol through sexual assault charges, larceny and lawsuit. You can’t help but to ask, why?

Fans often become passive to the racism, sexism and occasional physical abuse that their idols engage in, creating a social atmosphere of tolerance for intolerable actions.

Few people are interested in the fact that Kanye West cheats fans out of thousands of dollars when he doesn’t show up to multiple concerts. Few people pay attention when Tina Fey writes blackface into a “30 Rock” skit.

Many tabloids present such incidents to fans as if they were not only normal occurrences, but celebrated decisions from said artists.

No celebrity is too big to fail.

Whether it be an incredibly talented lyricist, actor or comedian that is held in high regard, mistakes are still mistakes. In more extreme situations, it’s questionable to even consider some of these “mistakes” as slip-ups rather than intentional behavior.

When Chris Brown was charged with two separate felonies including charges of assault and making criminal threats, fans rallied behind him.

Brown allegedly punched Rihanna in the temple and choked her until she was nearly unconscious, leaving Rihanna with a mouth full of blood.

Brown was placed on probation for five years. Despite his inadmissible actions, his fans’ main concern was the potential delay in Brown’s music production.

How do you confront the truth when someone you admire does something so awful? Celebrity worship is often

a means of escape from daily life, but what happens when your idol acts against your moral code?

In an interview with USA TODAY, professor of communications and pop culture expert at Syracuse University Robert Thompson said celebrity worship is more about an artist’s natural talent than their behavior.

“Ultimately it depends on the audience member,” Thompson said. “From a rational standpoint, there have been a lot of people in the entertainment business who have had bad lifestyles but they were really good at what they did.”

Do we let celebrities act in this manner slide because we don’t want to see talent go to waste? Do we prefer to turn a blind eye? We already have trouble grappling with our own mistakes, how are we to hold celebrities accountable for theirs if we cannot do the same for ourselves?

Choosing to ignore unacceptable actions by celebrities does only perpetuates and normalizes this behavior.

If their choices and words have little to no effect on their fan base, why wouldn’t they continue to act without consequences?

The severe lack of punishment following bad behavior paints those in the limelight as untouchable and above the law.

Fans and casual supporters need to make celebrity behavior a more substantial part of why they support them. Talent should not be the sole reason behind their idolization.

Michael Jackson was accused of molesting children. Woody Allen groomed and married his adopted daughter. Jenny McCarthy blamed vaccines for autism and started a widespread anti-vaccine craze.

The reality is hard to swallow.

There must be a correlation between fan support and good behavior in order to create a very clear social standard for acceptable and distasteful behavior.

Shock in Steubenville: Why we can’t accept more of the same SARAH KING Executive Editor This week, Ma’Lik Richmond, now 17, was released after serving nine months in a juvenile detention center for raping an inebriated 16-year-old girl with one of his teammates in August 2012. Video footage and photos were posted on Twitter of the girl who was described as a “dead body” because she was intoxicated to the point of barely breathing. For a long time no action was taken against the star football players by parents, peers, or police.

As I sat in classrooms my senior year and listened to students and teachers discuss the grotesque nature of what had occurred a mere few states away in Steubenville, Ohio, I couldn’t help but to think about how what was truly grotesque was that this is not uncommon. “This could have been any of us!” I finally blurted out one day, and the stunned faces of my classmates greeted my assertion. “No, not everyone drinks,” somebody replied. “Not everyone’s crazy,” they added snidely. But the fact of the matter is that a lot of us do drink. More importantly, however, is that in conjunction with the latter is the fact that for this generation, high school is constituted by a whirlwind of infatuation with social media, blurred lines and boundaries, and a lot of he-said-she-said. It’s a lot of wrongdoing that does not face consequence, and I’d venture to say that that’s because kids don’t even recognize that their wrongdoing is necessarily wrong. It’s convenient, and surely a lot easier to sleep at night, to think that we are good people who would never submit to doing something like what happened in Steubenville.

It’s easy to dismiss those boys as crazy or the girl as being drunk, or a slut, or irresponsible. But it’s not easy to step back and think that

maybe it isn’t so difficult to perpetrate this behavior. People don’t speak up, and therefore nothing happens. Hence, because nothing happens, it isn’t perceived as wrong.

The story of what happened to some “drunk bitch” over the weekend will likely circulate hallways and Twitter timelines. Some people will sigh and think about how it’s fucked up, while others will joke about how “she’s just a dumb slut who had it coming anyway”. But there will be no consequence. And therefore, the behavior becomes normalized which translates into it being acceptable.

It has become so ingrained in kids to not swim against the current for fear of being victimized more by the opinions of their peers and community than by whoever took advantage of them in the first place.

At the time of the Steubenville rape case coming to light I could think of four girls at my high school that had been in a nearly identical situation. The only difference was that there was no video footage or photos posted to Twitter, and no hashtags in circulation reading #rapecrew4life. I suppose you could say that the only difference was that my high school was a tad more tactful.

“I mean you get it, you’re a bro,” I’ve had friends tell me as they prod me with their elbows jokingly. “It’s fucked up,” they say. But they don’t mean it’s fucked up for the girl, they mean it’s fucked up that some guy got in trouble for getting it in. And no, as a matter of fact, I don’t get it.

The only thing I get is tired. I used to get angry, but I’ve learned that rarely are you taken seriously when you’re angry. Rarely are vehement remarks granted validity, and far more commonly, they’re pigeonholed as being part of a (way out in left field) feminist agenda. Not to mention, in a generation where “what are you doing out of the kitchen” jokes are still considered funny, being labeled a

feminist is almost more profane than screaming “fuck you!” in a family establishment. Now, a year later, as one of the boys from the Steubenville case is released after only nine months, I can rattle off at least a half dozen more names to add to last year’s index. That makes at least ten girls that I can think of (just off the top of my head!) who have been sexually taken advantage of and/or raped by an acquaintance (and not always under the influence of alcohol!)

I am tired of hearing stories from friends, colleagues, and acquaintances about their experiences with soured sexual encounters. (And by soured I mean the explicit detailing of having a penis shoved inside of you, or the explicit detailing of the aftermath of the latter, or the explicit detailing of having to face the jeering faces of these people and their friends every day in cafeterias and classrooms, or the explicit detailing of mustering up enough courage to say something to someone who throws it in your face and labels it your fault, or the explicit detailing of what it’s like to not be able to remember the explicit details, but to be tormented by that fact). I am tired of being face to face with people I care about as they recount and slowly come to terms with events that are strikingly similar to the Steubenville case that ripped through headlines and was the topic of discussion at dinner tables this time last year.

I am tired of these situations and scenarios only being paid attention to when something that is seemingly so shocking, so grotesque, so lurid, unfortunate, and out of the ordinary, makes national headlines. Wake up people; this is in no way out of the ordinary. What is so shocking, so grotesque, so lurid and unfortunate, is how extraordinarily commonplace this behavior is. By extension, is the fact that there is seemingly no consequence for this behavior. A

rape sentence is diluted down to nine months. The sex videos created and distributed by three boys at a high school in my county last year made headlines, and while two of the boys made a plea deal, the one that went to court spent a whopping three days in a juvenile detention center. One of the girls featured on the tapes broke down on the witness stand, sobbing about not knowing she was being taped while having consensual sex…and the boy who filmed and distributed those tapes spent a grand total of 72 hours in jail. Why wouldn’t this behavior persist? Our brains aren’t fully developed until our mid-twenties and the system is proving time and time again that if you take advantage of it you’ll get a slap on the wrist and maybe a less than ideal reputation.

I am tired of hearing these stories and no longer wincing. Instead, I offer insight, I listen, and I internalize. I think about how people need to start holding themselves accountable. The two boys convicted in Steubenville were not the only perpetrators of the rape in August 2012. The silence of parents, peers, coaches, administrators, and the Steubenville superintendent all justified their behavior. This is going to continue so long as silence permeates communities. This is going to continue so long as both boys and girls continue to slut-shame. This is going to continue so long as making fun of “the drunk bitch” is more entertaining for both sexes than it is upsetting when she can’t consent. This is going to continue so long as when, on the off chance, she does speak up she is greeted by sideways glances, smirks, and subtweets by both friends and people she doesn’t even know, by both guys and girls. This is going to continue so long as it is not shocking, so long as it is not perceived as wrong, so long as it isn’t made extremely uncomfortable and very

personal for the people who have not experienced the emotional trauma, the humiliation, the confusion, the anxiety, and the distress that a situation like this encompasses.

Furthermore, the irony of living in a culture that sensationalizes sex is that it is equally stigmatized. It is normal to watch porn but taboo to openly discuss what happens in real-time. I was not shocked when I started to learn the nature of other girls’ stories, but I was shocked at how many girls had stories to share once offered the opportunity to express them. Once the floodgate had lifted, a web of intersecting experiences started to come together, no longer dammed by silence. The same way it’s easy to label guys “pussies” for saying something “soft”, it’s a lot easier to label girls “drunk”, “slut”, or “lying bitch” than it is to acknowledge that maybe something is wrong.

We are too afraid of being branded by people we consider friends.

This is going to continue so long as silence permeates communities.

This is going to continue so long as both boys and girls continue to slut-shame.

Sarah King

I’m not naive. I don’t suspect that my musings will catalyze a change in behavior, the same way that they did not catalyze a change in behavior

the countless other times when they took place on a personal, local, or national level. I also don’t have some save-the-day-type answer to any of this. What I do have, however, is a suggestion that I strongly urge everyone to take into serious consideration (even if just to humor me!). I urge you, every single one of you, to be a little more conscious. That does not mean just men, that does not mean just college students, that does not mean just high schoolers. That means every single one of you who took the time to read this. Consciously take a second to step back and think and consider, even for just a split second, how your actions (or lack there of) could potentially affect people in ways that you might not even be able to fathom.

Think about how your words, actions, slur, text, retweet, or post on social media could have lasting damage on someone, their family, reputation, dignity, or self-esteem.

This is not me being cliché; I don’t do cliché. This is me being real with you. This is me speaking from experience. This is me politely asking you to put your ideologies and partisan ideals away for a second, to move past your slut shaming and he-said/she-said bullshit, to stop thinking in binary terms, and to look at the bigger picture. I’d like for you to deliberately consider the implications of what you, your friends, and people you know’s actions might have on somebody else.

I’ve found that there are not always answers in this. These matters are not black and white, and it would be ignorant to slough off blame onto only one person. It’s never just one person; there are always variables. Do not let yourself become a variable in a gray-scale equation that results in the baggage that another person might carry with them for a very long time.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Law and Order: VCU

Call-Outs Vs. Accountability SHAUN JACKSON Staff Columnist

IL LU ST RA

TI ON BY

SA RA H

BU TL ER

You are at a local event that is phenomenal in many ways but vastly problematic in others, what are you to do? Do you shut down the event and point out the issues? Do you wait until you’re home to write a lengthy social media post?

While each method has its pros and cons, both are forms of participating in what is referred to as “call-out culture.”

Call-out culture is the practice of publicly naming instances or patterns of oppressive behavior and language.

Individuals can be called out for actions or statements that are sexist, racist, ableist and so on.

Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus is relatively progressive in terms of activism, consciousness, and contemporary social issues; therefore, these call-outs occur rather frequently.

Despite the typically positive nature of call-out culture, the excessive usage of the call-out technique can lead to redundancy and a lack of effectivity. What is a community to do when call

outs themselves become reductive and cease to serve their purpose?

“Call-out culture is a really messy topic,” said Zaira Qureshi, a recent VCU graduate and social activist in Richmond. “The politics are rooted is disposability, meaning once someone is called out they are to be socially banished.”

Disposability politics are sometimes practiced in call-out culture, but many individuals agree with Qureshi on the subject. Call-out culture cannot be effective if those being targeted are not properly reigned in.

“Call-outs only work if you believe the person being called-out can change,” states Maheen Shahid, president of VCU’s Feminist Student Organization. “You have to ask yourself why you are calling the individual in question out: Are they dangerous?”

Shahid said what individuals consider to be threatening is subjective, stating that

Monday, September 12, 2016 13

How Olivia Benson helped me overcome my rape

“people have different definitions of dangers.” The subjectivity and varying degrees of danger create issues when identifying the intentions behind call-outs.

Delving deeper into the nature and functions of call-out culture, it becomes apparent that it is a welllayered issue with a myriad of grey areas. What happens when the focus of call-outs shifts from accountability to petulance? Many of the issues surrounding call-out culture stem from this shift in focus and the fine line between the two.

A large majority of the call-outs which happen on social media have becomes less about protecting communities and more about a competition of who can get the most “likes.”

“If the call-outs are ones about ego, then communally it should be easy to assess and figure out; when that happens, however, it almost always takes away from the actual function of a call-out,” Qureshi said.

Call-outs aren’t going anywhere soon, especially given the nature of social networks, but that is not to say that at times they don’t serve their purpose.

It is important to remind ourselves that call-outs are intended to cease oppressive behavior and language. Refocusing on the purpose of call-outs will serve as a catalyst for the changes in behavior and in community dynamics needed to restore call-outs to their original intent.

Activists like Shahid and Qureshi propose that call-outs and accountability don’t necessarily have to be separate, but rather intertwine and work together to build healthier communities.

“There are times and places for both and the community needs to and is in the process of coming together and figuring out what that looks like,” Qureshi added.

Unity between accountability and call-outs is imperative for callout culture to remain an effective tool for social progression. Call-outs that banish individuals do not offer the targeted individual an opportunity to improve.

Call-out culture should aim to make communities better, not smaller.

ANONYMOUS Contributing Columnist It is the fall of 2013 and I am a freshman in college with newfound independence and freedom.

The weekend arrives and I attend a local house party as so many freshmen do. I expect the night to be fun and light-hearted like most others are.

This is not the case.

That night, I leave the party with my friends — two girls and one guy. I live across campus from the three of them.

My friend offers to walk me home, assuring me that it is no trouble at all, and says he’ll grab something to eat on the walk back.

This does not strike me as out of the ordinary and I accept his kind gesture without hesitation.

We begin the walk across the mile-long stretch of campus toward my dorm. The trek normally takes about 15 to 20 minutes. I can only recall the first few.

I have been taught since I was a little girl to fear the dark. To fear strangers who lurk at night; to never walk alone. I was taught that this fear is an innate part of being a woman.

I never expected the nightmare to involve someone I knew and trusted.

I wake up in my bed to him on top of me, inside of me.

It feels like a dream; fuzzy around the edges and foggy everywhere else.

I frantically glance around, confused.

This is what it feels like to be raped. I am being raped. This is the last I can remember before I black out again.

When I awake the second time, my eyes jerk open and lucidity hits me. I know what is happening.

But why do I feel so fuzzy? Why does it feel like I can’t move? My bones feel weary. Like they’re made of glass and might splinter, shatter inside of me.

I cry. Tears rolling down my face and onto my neck as he continues to violate me.

“No … No please, stop,” I mutter.

It feels like my words are too soft for anyone to hear. I black out again.

I wake up the next morning confused and alone in my own bed. I don’t cry. I don’t tell anyone what happened. Instead, I sit. I attempt to digest it, make sense of it. I can barely move my body.

This vessel of betrayal.

For two years after my rape I refused to acknowledge what happened to me. I swallowed it, compartmentalized it, filed it away to hurt me another time when I thought it would be easier.

I’ve had flashbacks of that night in the years since, triggered by consensual sex or even seemingly random things like seeing a man with similar facial hair as my attacker.

Now I’ve started therapy sessions and my counselor has pushed me towards a technique in which I “confront my attacker” by way of imagining an office chair as my rapist. The first time he mentioned the technique, my chest instantly tightened and I was sure I’d be sick. It wasn’t until this moment that I realized I perceived “the perp” as a monster.

As the months passed, I felt ashamed and embarrassed that I was still unable to confront the chair in my counselor’s office as my attacker. I let this man instill a permanent state of fear in me, even after I’d transferred schools and hadn’t seen him in years.

My counseling progressed and my counselor and I joked about a recent episode of one of our mutual favorite shows, “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.” My counselor then had an epiphany mid-session about how the show could potentially help me.

“If confronting your attacker is still too painful or scary for you, let’s try to imagine Olivia from SVU confronting him. How do you visualize that going down?” he asked.

It hit me like a ton of bricks. I suddenly felt empowered, protected. I almost cried of joy.

I visualized Olivia slamming her fists down on the metal interrogation

table and yelling at my rapist, showing him no mercy.

“You raped her. You drugged her and you raped her. She trusted you, you son of a bitch,” she’d scream.

He’d cower in fear of her rage.

I continued to visualize these encounters throughout the following weeks. Olivia would sit me down and assure me I did everything right.

She’d remind me that many women are attacked by someone they know and trust and that many of those same women are too afraid to come forward and report.

She’d put her hand on my back and comfort me as we acquired some form of justice for the heinous crimes he’d committed.

She’d take a special interest in me and hand me her card, telling me to call her anytime. She’d protect me, my identity, my past and my choices that night to no end. She’d advocate for me, listen to me, believe me, and reassure me.

In the months since my revelation, I’ve carried the imagery of Olivia Benson around with me like emotional armor. Admittedly, the road to acceptance and moving past my assault is long and often intimidating.

There’s no specific program or map in progressing past emotional, physical and sexual violence.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the multitude of emotions that night holds over me — but with the help of my counselor and my strange, albeit seemingly healthy, attachment to Olivia Benson’s character, I’m finally making progress.

There is no manual that works for everyone, but I encourage anyone who’s been through similar situations to become the person you need during painful tribulations — whether that’s a fictional television cop protecting you or even just a best friend comforting you.

Sometimes you have to pretend to be someone else in order to become the person you need to be. Thank you, Olivia, for showing me how to be the person I always needed in my own life.

ADVERTISEMENT

Show tomorrow who’s boss.

Learn SAS® Analytics – MONEY’s No. 1 job skill – for free.

Did you know that analytics skills are in high demand? That’s 1.5 million data science jobs available by 2018.

So why not learn SAS Analytics – the No. 1 job skill for kicking off your career with a higher starting salary – for free?

1. Download SAS® University Edition for free.

3. Land the job of your dreams.

2. Access free resources and an online community of experts.

4. Go from your parents’ basement to a sweet place of your own.

sas.com/freeanalytics

SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. ® indicates USA registration.

Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. © 2016 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved. G32771US.0816

comics

14 The Commonwealth Times

Three Types of Dogs by Carson McNamara

THE CT STAFF Executive Editor Sarah King

kingsa@commonwealthtimes.org

Creative Director Ashley Moody

moody@commonwealthtimes.org

News Editor Fadel Allassan

allassanfg@commonwealthtimes.org

Online Editor Maura Mazurowski

mazurom@commonwealthtimes.org

Sports Editors Sophia Belletti bellettisr@commonwealthtimes.org

Zachary Joachim

joachimz@commonwealthtimes.org

Spectrum Editor Jesse Adcock

adcockj@commonwealthtimes.org

Opinion Editor Eleanor Fialk

fialke@commonwealthtimes.org

Illustrations Editor Gareth Bentall

bentallgr@commonwealthtimes.org

Photography Editor Julie Tripp

trippjm@commonwealthtimes.org

Webmaster & Social Media Josh Akan-Etuk akanetj@commonwealthtimes.org

Staff Writers Gabe Hauari

hauarig@commonwealthtimes.org

Hiba Ahmad

ahmadh@commonwealthtimes.org

Joe Johnson

johnsonj@commonwealthtimes.org

Mary Lee Clark

clarkml@commonwealthtimes.org

Rambunctious by Ian Crovella

Muktaru Jalloh

jallohmm@commonwealthtimes.org

Staff Photographers Ali Jones

jonesa@commonwealthtimes.org

Becca Schwartz

schwartzb@commonwealthtimes.org

Erin Edgerton

edgertone@commonwealthtimes.org

Staff Columnist Shaun Jackson

???????@commonwealthtimes.org

Staff Illustrators Carson McNamara

mcnamarac@commonwealthtimes.org

Skye Ali

alis@commonwealthtimes.org

Graphic Designers Ashley Moody Sarah Butler Rachel Lee Desiree Choe

designers@vcustudentmedia.com

Advertising Representatives Abigail Keatinge advertising@vcustudentmedia.com

804-828-6629 Outreach Coordinator Felix Mallaby-Kay

smc_outreach@vcustudentmedia.com

Student Media Director Allison Dyche abdyche@vcu.edu

804-827-1975

Production Manager Mark Jeffries

P.U. Yang by Gareth Bentall

mjeffries@vcu.edu

Business Manager Jacob McFadden mcfaddenjc@vcu.edu

Assistant Business Manager Mikaela Reinard smc_assistant@vcu.edu

The Commonwealth Times strives to be accurate in gathering news. If you think we have made an error, please call Sarah King, executive editor, at 804-828-5317 or email her at kingsa@commonwealthtimes.org.

Corrections will appear on the Opinion page or online at www.commonwealthtimes.org.

Opinions expressed are those of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Commonwealth Times or Virginia Commonwealth University. Unsigned editorials represent the institutional opinion of The CT. One CT per person. Additional copies can be purchased at the Student Media Center for $1 each.

ADD YOUR VOICE The opinion pages of The Commonwealth Times are a forum open to the public.

Clear, concise and compelling contributions are welcome by email at fialke@ commonwealthtimes.org, by mail or in person at 817 W. Broad St.,