March 29 2019

The

PROMETHEAN Vol. 32 Issue IX

The Student Voice of Siena College Since 1938

March 29, 2019 newspaper@siena.edu

Biz Markie Headlines HipHop Week

By Emily Rhoades, Academic & Social News Editor

“You, you got what I need,” Biz Markie crooned the hook of “Just a Friend” characteristically off-key as the audience sang along on March 18, 2019, in the Sarazen Student Union. Markie’s visit to Siena College kicked off the 6th annual Hip-Hop Week, a week-long celebration of the genre’s social and cultural impacts. Past keynote speakers have included Wu Tang Clan’s Masta Killa, emcee Sha-Rock, Grandmaster Flash and Public Enemy’s Chuck D.

Born Marcel Theo Hall, but best known by his stage alias, Biz Markie rocketed to hiphop fame in the late 1980s with his single, “Just a Friend.” Considered Markie’s biggest hit, the hip-hop hymn of unrequited love topped the charts upon its release in 1989, reaching spot #9 on the Billboard charts. Its accompanying album, "The Biz Never Sleeps," achieved gold status. Markie was also part of the famous Juice Crew, a hip-hop group composed of various artists. Throughout his career, he has released five studio albums between 1988 and 2003 and worked with a number of big names in the music industry, including the Beastie Boys, the Rolling Stones and the Flaming Lips.

Beyond his music career, Markie has appeared in films and television including "Men in Black II," "Yo Gabba Gabba!," "Spongebob Squarepants" and "Sharknado II," according to his website. This year marks the thirty-year anniversary of “Just a Friend,” and Markie remains active in the music industry today, booking DJ gigs and touring nationally.

Before Markie took the stage, Christa Grant, director of the Damietta Cross-Cultural Center, introduced Dr. Todd Snyder, associate professor in English and - in Grant’s words the “hip-hop professor.” Dr. Snyder teaches “Rhetoric(s) of Hip-Hop Culture,” an upperlevel writing class that explores the elements of hip-hop music, movies, fashion and identity.

The class, offered annually in the spring, is immensely popular among students not only for its unique topic but for the creative ways in which Dr. Snyder handles discussions of verbal and visual rhetoric in the hip-hop genre.

Following Markie’s performance of “Just a Friend,” Dr. Snyder facilitated a Q&A with the rapper. Dr. Snyder asked about Markie’s experience in the hip-hop industry, his initial interest in the genre, and the transition of turning a hobby into a career. “When I started getting good and people started coming to see me perform, do the beatbox, do the rapping, that made me go, ‘Yo, I think I could do this. It was a tough road, but I think I could do this.’” said Markie. He then shared an anecdote about what he considers one of

Photo courtesy of Siena College Flickr the highlights of his pre-records career: “I’m in a house party; they got turntables. One turntable broke, right?” He continued, “So I By Sean Buff, Staff Writer was doing the beatbox. Nobody knew it was We have all heard the term "civil the beatbox” - Markie then began expertly discourse." Many of us know its meaning, beatboxing - “And then they finally came which is having a discussion in a respectful back and hooked in [another] turntable, and manner, even if you disagree with the person nobody knew the difference.” you are speaking with. On paper, practicing

The first round of audience questions civil discourse seems easy. However, it came from Dr. Snyder’s “Rhetoric(s) of is not as easy as it may seem. In today’s Hip-Hop” class. Students asked about his polarized society, civil discourse seems to be professional career, inspirations, struggles disappearing. Even conversations that start with lawsuits and his vast toy collection. out civilly could turn into chaos. Unfortunately, Markie then took a number of questions this is the reality of many discussions that turn from audience members, which ranged from political. At times, people can lose friends Siena students to aspiring hip-hop artists to simply due to a difference in political opinions. community members from the Capital Region. This is another unfortunate reality of He even encouraged an up-and-coming discussions that turn political. There are even rapper to perform one of his samples on the multiple instances of people being silenced in stage to the audience’s surprise, as well as the workplace, classroom, or anywhere, solely provided feedback for any aspiring musicians because they have different political opinions attempting to break into the music industry. than somebody else.

When a student asked about his variety Last Saturday, a workshop was of talents in the music genre - as his abilities held to discuss the growing issue of civil span from rapping to beatboxing to DJing - discourse disappearing. The one way to and prompted Markie to share which of these bring civil discourse back to life is to practice he considers himself best at, Markie jokingly it. This workshop was put together by the deadpanned, “I’m great at everything.” He Siena College Class of 1968 and a nonprofit continued, “My thing is...whatever I’m into organization called Better Angels. The mission at the time. You know what I mean?” Markie of Better Angels is to promote civil discourse noted his successes in beatboxing and rapping and to discuss political and controversial topics with regards to his unique style: “I had my rather than debate them. A key component thinking cap on backwards when I was making to civil discourse is understanding the other my records.” He then added more seriously, “I side and learning how the other side came to want to make sure that when I leave this have the opinion they hold. earth, everybody know that I at least tried to I was fortunate enough last Saturday do something good.” to be able to attend this workshop. As a

Markie’s visit as the keynote speaker person who enjoys discussing politics, I found of Hip-Hop Week was sponsored by the this workshop both interesting and helpful.

Damietta Cross-Cultural Center, the Black & This workshop taught four main skills, which Latino Student Union, the Diversity Action include speaking, listening, tone setting, and Committee, the English Department, the handling difficult moments. Upon learning Greyfriar Living Literature Series, Community each skill, the attendees were split up into a Living and Student Activities & Leadership red group and a blue group, based on where Development. each person falls on the political spectrum.

Civil Discourse 101

March 29, 2019

Editorial Board Emily Radigan Editor-in-Chief Samantha Deragon General Assistant Editor Annamaria Walden General Assistant Editor Emily Rhoades Academic & Social News Editor Jaymie Hoelldobler Arts & Entertainment Editor Megan Kelly Opinion Editor Hugo Castro Politics Editor Julianna Sebastian Sports Editor

Editorial Policy The opinions and views expressed in editorial and opinion columns are solely those of their author and do not represent the views of The Promethean staff or of Siena College. Any response to an editorial without intent to publish should be submitted directly to the author of the article. If you wish to send your reaction to The Promethean or its Editor-in-Chief, it falls under the guidelines of Letters to the Editor. Letters must be no longer than 700 words. Submission to the paper does not guarantee publication.

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Next Issue: April 12, 2019 Article/Advertisement Deadline: April 7, 2019

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Academic & Social News | 2

Academic & Social News

After the attendees were split into groups, they were split into partners to practice each skill. Using these skills, we discussed the topics of gun control and immigration, which are two very controversial topics in society today.

I thought it was interesting that people from the red group were not partnered with people from the blue group for these exercises. However, this was a crucial part of learning about the other side. For the exercise, one partner had to act as somebody from the other side. For these exercises, I was in the red group, since I lean more right on the political spectrum. Before attending this workshop, I found it difficult many times to consider the other side and even difficult to listen to it. After practicing the listening and speaking skills, in particular, I found it easier to hear the other side out. Not only was the conversation I had with my partner more civil, it was also more thought-provoking and enjoyable because I and other attendees not only heard the other side’s stance on these issues, but also learned how the other side formed the stances that they hold on these issues today.

It is because of workshops like the one I attended and the cooperation of those who want more civil discourse within our conversations that civil discourse is starting to return in society. With our current polarized society, bringing civil discourse is an uphill battle, since many people are defensive about their opinions. That does not mean that civil discourse cannot return to our conversations.

Chaplain’s Office Hosts First CampusWide Retreat

By Maria Gigliello, Staff Writer

On Saturday, March 23, 2019, for the first time in Siena’s history, the Chaplain’s Office hosted a campus-wide retreat.

In the past, the Chaplain’s Office has put on retreats for freshmen and seniors only but never for the entire student body. The retreat’s theme was “Resurrection: Emerging from Suffering Through Faith,” which touched on topics that occur throughout the Lenten season. The workshops at the retreat were offered by Fr. Larry, Nick Ascioti and other guest alumni.

Hannah Morley ’21, Retreat Board Representative, provided some insight into why a campus-wide retreat is now being offered for students. “When I interviewed and was offered the position as the Retreats Board Representative, I had a number of students approach me and tell me that they wanted a retreat for Siena students,” she said. The Retreats Board Representative is usually responsible for organizing and leading retreats for local high schools and parishes as well as sending out emails to retreat leaders, but Morley wanted to do more. After bringing up the idea of a campus-wide retreat to Fr. Larry in the fall, they began development on the retreat. “We hope to develop a fullcampus retreat every semester from this point forward with new themes and material,” she added.

About 30 students attended the retreat

on Saturday and the Chaplain’s Office hopes to continue them in the coming years. This theme was chosen due to the alignment it has with the season of Lent, which inspires selfreflection and preparing for Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. “No matter the severity, everyone is dealing with something, and we want to help students emerge from this suffering through their faith,” Morley said on the retreat’s theme.

The day’s activities included listening to talks surrounding the theme, journaling, attending confession and a mass at the end of the day. “I hope that the students had the opportunity to step away from the stress of life for one day and reflect on themselves. I truly hope that this retreat can offer emotional and spiritual healing and a feeling of unity with others who are doing their best to maneuver through life’s obstacles as well,” Morley said.

If you attended the retreat on Saturday, look for an evaluation that is being sent out to attendees in order to receive feedback on this retreat. The Chaplain’s Office also plans to offer another campus-wide retreat in the fall.

First Generation in College at Siena

By Alexis Oldfield, Staff Writer

As the first person from a family to venture off into the ever-daunting realm of higher education, first-generation students face unique, and often greater, challenges than their peers. On Thursday, March 7, 2019, Rosetti Hall was home to the 4th installment of a lecture series centered on the the experiences of first-generation college students. “First Generation in College at Siena” welcomed the campus community to the life stories of two of our very own professors: Dr. Lucas Tucker and Dr. Jodi O’Donnell of the Chemistry and Biochemistry departments.

The event was hosted by Siena’s Diversity Action Committee and sought to share stories about critical moments and factors that shape our paths to and through college.

Dr. Todd Snyder, a professor of English on campus, opened the discussion by explaining that he feels it is important that Siena’s own population of first-gen students know that there are people on campus that have been through what they are experiencing. He noted that these stories are beneficial to non-firstgen students as well: “I think it’s so important to tell these stories even for folks that aren’t first gen, so that they can understand that not everyone experiences college the same way.”

Dr. Snyder then gave the floor to Dr. Tucker to tell of his college and life experiences as a firstgen student.

“The first year I went to college, tuition was more money than my parents' income the year before I went to college,” Dr. Tucker told the audience in describing his undergraduate years. Growing up, his family lived comfortably off of trade work in a rural community until his father was injured and could no longer work.

He started working at 12 years old and, in order for his family to pool together enough funds for his older brother’s education, he was paying for his own school supplies as a sophomore in high school. He had a number of jobs during his undergraduate career, working more than

3 | Po l i t i c s

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March 29, 2019

20 hours a week along with trying to keep up with classes. After failing an exam, Dr. Tucker realized just how much he was going to have to sacrifice to pass his classes. He elaborated in saying, “I was spending about 75 hours a week studying, 20 hours in class, and 20 hours working and then I slept and ate. That was it.”

Dr. O’Donnell had much overlap in her story, although she does not consider herself technically a first-generation student. She received a full-tuition scholarship to Drew University but still had to work multiple jobs while going to school to pay for room and board and other expenses. “Fitting in means something. I did not fit in in ritzy suburban New Jersey,” Dr. O’Donnell explained about the feeling of being outcasted in college.

Eventually, she did find a social group that made her feel as though she belonged. While trying to cope with the social stressors of college, she was also working a number of jobs. At one point she was denied an additional on-campus position: “They told me I already had too many jobs to add being a tour guide and I was like ‘But I need another job!’” She provided some advice for the audience members struggling to find a balance between meeting both financial and academic demands: “Find work that supports your learning.” Dr. O’Donnell stressed the point that students in similar situations to hers and Dr. Tucker’s still need to carve out time every week to take care of themselves socially and emotionally and to find a support system.

This event emphasized that for firstgeneration college students on campus, there are supportive faculty members here that can emphasize with your struggles in navigating higher education. While the lecture portrayed the experience as a more challenging one, both Dr. Tucker and Dr. O’Donnell acted as examples for Siena first-gen students that success in higher education is possible with the proper support.

Students perform at Expoze | Photo courtesy of Siena College Flickr Patrick’s day a cause for campus-wide students by celebrating everyone’s culture, celebration. With shamrocks and festive all proceeds were donated to the Coalition dining options around campus, the holiday for Homeless Youth in New York. Tickets cost spirit was alive and well among the student $3 for Siena students and faculty and $5 for body and various offices. As someone that outside guests. The organization has created is partially Irish, having the opportunity to 11 programs to aid those in New York City who celebrate the beauty and strength of the have been struggling with this problem.

Irish-American culture is empowering in many The performances by students piqued ways. Personally, being away from my Irish- the interest of many, drawing a large crowd to American relatives during St. Patrick’s day the event. One of the many performances was is not ideal, but witnessing the strength and by the hip-hop club, Chaotick. The students support within the Siena community has made danced to throwbacks like “I Want It That the transition from St. Patrick’s day at home Way” by the Backstreet Boys and “Wannabe” to St. Patrick’s day in Albany one filled with joy by the Spice Girls. Following their routine, and pride in my heritage. a poet took the stage and captivated the

“I love being Irish, and I love being a audience with his wise words. He asked the part of the Siena community so an opportunity question that many can resonate with. A line to combine the two is definitely a cause for from the poem, “Sick and Tired” wondered, celebration,” Megan O’Neill '21 remarks. “I’m tired about hearing boys will be boys.

O’Neill and friends commemorated the When will they be men?” holiday by enjoying Irish soda bread, singing During intermission, refreshments “Moonshiner,” a popular Irish tune, and of fruit, crackers and cheese were served to enjoying the parade in downtown Albany. hungry students. Following the fifteen minute

Across campus, those of Irish and non- break, the S.O.L.I.D. Step Team took the stage Irish descent gathered to partake in the holiday Other clubs that participated in the event were spirit, displaying that for many, Siena College the Irish Dance Team and the Bhangra Dance remains home and a place for celebration big Team. Another performance that amazed

By Kiera Mitru, Staff Writer the audience was one that included Brother

At the top of the morning on Saturday, or small.

George dancing to traditional Colombian March 16, 2019, Siena students and citizens of music with a fellow student. the Capital Region alike gathered in the heart of the city of Albany to celebrate Irish heritage, and many were eager to participate in the holiday spirit. Despite warmer temperatures By Madison Lemke, Staff Writer The Black and Latino Student Union, earlier in the week, snow fell along the parade Diversity Action Committee, Damietta route, but the cold and gray weather did not dampen the spirits of parade-goers bathed in Cross Cultural Center, English Department, green as they watched various bagpipe bands, Greyfriar Living Literature Series, Community By Samuel Shulman, Staff Writer On Tuesday, March 19, Siena hosted waved to some of the city’s first responders Living and Student Activities and Leadership and cheered for local marching bands and Development all teamed up to sponsor Hip- the event, "Moving New York State Toward Hop Week. The week of March 18-22 was a Solutions: Business and Hospital Leaders Irish dance schools.

Speak." Opening remarks were given by

Outside of the 69th Annual Albany St. week full of all things hip-hop.

To kick off the 6th annual Hip-Hop Dr. Leonard Cutler, the director of the prePatrick’s Day parade, other opportunities for the Capital Region to commemorate those Week, Biz Markie spoke to students in the law program and a professor of the Political that hail from the Emerald Isle included the SSU. The Black and Latino Student Union also Science Department at Siena College. Rachel North Albany Limerick Parade, a St. Patrick’s hosted a hip-hop karaoke on March 20. At the Clark '20, a political science major, was the Day dinner at the Capital District Irish American end of the week, the BLSU hosted an expose moderator of the event. The two guest Association, and several local Irish American to celebrate hip-hop on March 22 in the SSU. speakers of this event were Heather Briccetti, pubs and breweries had specials with which The event, “Expoze: The Evolution of Hip the president and CEO of the Business Council they showcased various traditional and Hop,” brought various cultures together to of New York State and Bea Grause, the contemporary brews for customers to enjoy. showcase the diversity at Siena College. Talent president of the Healthcare Association of

Siena’s campus is home to many ranged from Irish dancing to poetry readings New York State (HANYS). Each guest had the individuals with Irish heritage, making St. to singing. Not only did the event benefit opportunity to make some opening remarks,

A Wee Glimpse into the Capital Region’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Hip-Hop Week: Expoze

Siena College Hosts Business and Healthcare Seminar

March 29, 2019

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Politics

Bea Grause, president of HANYS, speaks | Photo courtesy of Zachary Coderre and then the event proceeded with Q&A from development, repealing the unique New York the audience. barriers that inhibit growth, and a more broad Grause spoke first at the event. HANYS based modernization of labor laws. is an organization that works to ensure that The Business Council of New York and New Yorkers have access to affordable, high- the Healthcare Association of New York State quality care. HANYS also provides leadership, both focus on the development of better representation and service to not-for-profit policies and the growth of businesses, with and public hospitals, and advocates for these HANYS more on the healthcare aspect, while hospitals and organizations at the state and the Business Council of New York on the labor federal levels of government. During the and economic development of the business. discussion, Grause laid out the differences Although both these organizations focus between the public and private sectors of on different issues, there is still an overlap healthcare; the public sector consists of between their interests and even the potential Medicare and Medicaid and is taxpayer- for cooperation between the two. financed, whereas the private sector is not run by the government, but rather, by organizations, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield or MVP Healthcare. I, myself, never really understood the difference between Medicare By Hugo Castro, Politics Editor and Medicaid. Grause explained the difference On Sunday, March 24, the Young between Medicare and Medicaid: Medicare Americans for Liberty, Turning Point USA and is health insurance provided to people ages College Republicans chapters of Siena College 65 years and older while Medicaid is health hosted the second annual Let Freedom Ring insurance provided for people with low conference. The conference featured two incomes. Grause also mentioned that the guest speakers: Lauren Cooley and Kyle private sector’s growth is increasing more Kashuv. rapidly than the growth of the public sector.

Lauren Cooley is the Red Alert Politics Grause explained that because the private editor for the Washington Examiner and sector has more money from this growth, she discussed college campus activism for investing in technological advancements will increased free speech rights. Cooley initiated help reach the “triple aim” of better health, her talk by briefly discussing President better care and lower cost.

Trump's recent executive order, which directly

After Grause’s opening remarks, addresses the issue of free speech suppression Heather Briccetti gave her opening remarks. on college campuses. According to Cooley, the The Business Council of New York is an executive order will place pressure on colleges, organization that represents the interests both public and private, to allow more ideas of large and small businesses in New York to be properly represented on campuses, with State and advocates for these businesses' limited censorship. Cooley, then, discussed interests in state government policy-making the "abuse" of liberal institutions in their and legislation. In her opening statement, censorship of conservative thoughts and Briccetti listed off some of the key issues for ideas. Pointing to an "unbalance of speech," businesses in 2019, particularly on budget Cooley discussed college favoritism toward and legislative matters. Some of these issues liberal ideals, and how this bias, along with included prevailing wage mandates, tax the prominence of "safe spaces" on college mischief, labor mandates and pro-union anti- campuses, hinders emotional and intellectual corruption. Briccetti also mentioned the intelligence. overall goals of the Business Council of New Cooley's talk further detailed the York, including employee-driven workforce advantages of increased free speech rights

Let Freedom Ring Part II

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on college campuses. Cooley discussed how removing safe spaces on campus and allowing more conservative speakers to speak at higher learning institutions allows for a more diverse, intellectual environment and allows for students to be more secure in their political persuasions when presented by political ideas not commonly presented to them. Cooley also mentioned how allowing more free speech on campuses will make schools more representative of the areas they are based in. She mentioned how free speech suppression leads to liberal bias, and this silences conservative rhetoric, despite the placement of colleges in the United States.

In other words, college campuses that would not otherwise be intellectually liberal are led to be, because of the silencing of conservative ideas.

After Cooley delivered her remarks and partook in a Q&A session, Kyle Kashuv led the rest of the conference. Kashuv is a survivor of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. He began his panel by recounting the events of the horrific day and recalling the subsequent coverage of the shooting just days after. Kashuv discussed his frustrations with news media turning the shooting into a "gun control" issue, rather than a security one, citing the fact that 46 reports were submitted, which warned of the occurrence, along with two tips to the FBI. Kashuv further described how, when instances like the Stoneman Douglas shooting occur, turning it into a gun control issue removes accountability of those who were able to prevent the occurrence from happening. Kashuv called for higher security for institutions to prevent other similar situations from occurring. He claimed that the mere presence of armed security at institutions is enough to deter shooters from committing to their lethal plans. Kashuv called for less gun control, as giving the government more power over the matter places the public in greater danger, since they would not be able to properly defend themselves using firearms. Kashuv begged the question: "If the left truly believes the government and law enforcement are tyrannical, racist, etc., then why do they give them more power?" Kashuv ended his panel with a Q&A.

"Us": A Review

By Jaymie Hoelldobler, Arts & Entertainment Editor

*Spoilers Ahead*

Jordan Peele has done it again. After the huge success of his movie "Get Out" that released in February of 2017, expectations were high when looking towards what his next release might be.

"Get Out" is a satirical horror film dealing with racial discrimination and divides. The movie was a hit and led to Peele winning an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, becoming the first AfricanAmerican director/writer to be victorious in that category. Earlier this year, he announced that his next horror film, "Us," would be another “social” horror film and would feature stars like Lupita Nyong’o and Elisabeth Moss. Fans were worried that nothing could begin to compare to how welldone "Get Out" had been, but so far audiences have come forward with praise. I decided to go with a few friends to see for myself.

The scariest part of this movie is the overall concept of it. If you’re looking for a movie with a ton of jump scares, gore and typical horror movie cliches, you’re not going to find it here. The basic idea of the film is that while we are busy living our lives among other people, things, events and so on, there’s a kind of parallel universe in which our

5| Arts & Entertainment doppelgangers live our exact same lives, except without feeling, events, or anything else required to live a decent and fulfilling life. The movie starts out with a little girl at a carnival with her parents, playing games and riding the rides. She ends up wandering off into a funhouse ironically called “Find Yourself," and runs into a little girl who looks identical to her. The doppelganger greets her with an off-putting smile which becomes a familiar sight to the audience throughout the rest of the movie.

The film then moves forward to the present day, in which the little girl is all grown up and has her own family. It’s hinted, through the use of flashbacks, that she still feels consequences from the run-in with herself when she was a child.

The movie continues until one night, her son runs into her room and tells her that there is a family standing in the driveway. Immediately upon the camera panning to the family, you can tell they are identical to the actual family - the husband, the son and the daughter. Thus ensues the battle between the two families, immediately followed by them escaping to their friends' house to find that the case seems to be that everyone has an identical copy of themselves set to kill, as they walk in to find a murderfest, their friends being the victims.

It soon comes to the light, after they turn on the news, that everyone’s “other self” has been attacking and stabbing people all night. The family makes their escape.

Toward the end, Jordan Peele pulled off a plot twist that I truly did not see coming. After the two mom figures face off in a final battle, and what we think is the real mom kills off the doppelganger, there’s a flashback. When the little girl ran into herself at the carnival, the doppelganger who was sick of living the tortured lives that the doppelgangers seem to live, attacked the real girl, tied her up in the doppelgangers world, and then seemingly took her place. The movie ends with the mom smiling that same offputting smile that we saw in the beginning and her son catches the smile, clearly remembering the doppelgangers smile, gets the first clue that something is wrong.

I’m a big fan of movies that leave me thinking for a while, and "Us" definitely accomplished that. The idea of having someone who looks identical to me, living my life, without everything needed to actually live life in a fulfilling way makes me shudder a little bit. The movie was cast perfectly and ended up making $70 million on opening weekend, with a score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. With two iconic movies under his belt so far, Jordan Peele is killing the game, and I hope to see more from him in the near future.

"No Place Called Home" Visits Siena College

By Kaitlyn Winkler, Staff Writer

Kim Schultz wowed audience members in her one-woman show on March 11, 2019 in the Sarazen Student Union. The actor, writer, artist and advocate came to Siena to perform “No Place Called Home,” a narrative about her experiences in Syria while visiting Iraqi refugees in 2009. It is a story of love, pain, laughter and tears that has been performed at a number of institutions, including the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., as well as off-Broadway in New York City.

The play begins on a minimal stage with only a few props including a chair, a television and a tea kettle. The scene opens up to Schultz at an event for displaced Iraqi artists a few days before the end of her trip where she meets the man she will fall in love with. His name was Omar and she describes the short time they have together navigating the city, the culture and their language barrier.

Eventually, in a moment of great emotion and

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Arts & Entertainment

some confusion, Schultz kisses Omar only to retract and exclaim that this was not supposed to be a love story.

Instead of acknowledging the kiss, Schultz suddenly was overcome by loud music and singing until she assumed the role of a woman from Baghdad. To embody the new character, the scarf that she originally had tied around her waist was now situated about her head, her movement was more reserved and she adopted a thick accent, occasionally adding in Arabic words as well.

The character was explaining that her family was attempting to enter the United States because her husband was being threatened for his work. Even after leaving Iraq, she was still afraid to go outside, describing it was “moving from one prison to another.”

Then, just as quickly as Schultz became the woman character, she transformed again into a loud, enthusiastic older man raving about television and lamenting about the differences between Saddam Hussein’s rule and the Bush Democracy. He explained that even though Saddam was a terrible dictator, the people of Iraq knew how to live under him and now they have no freedom.

Every few transitions, Schultz would break character to explain some context in the scenes or teach some Arabic. She explained the importance of knowing the word “shukraan” which means thank you. In every house you entered, the occupants would offer you tea or coffee and it was rude to refuse so she was saying “Shukraan!” more often than not.

She described the Iraqi refugees as some of the most kind and hospitable people she had ever met and yet most countries turned them away when they were seeking asylum. She also explained that all the refugees brought their televisions along with them when they were evacuating the city; while that may not seem like a necessity, the people thought they would eventually be able to return home instead of being trapped in another country for years.

Schultz continued to act as a number of characters including a mother, a child, a young man with a bad ankle, a boxer and a poet. Each transformation emitted an entirely new energy as she changed her hair, the props she used, the way she moved her body and her voice. At some points, she would be calm and collected like when she was a mother boasting

about her children, while at other times her shouts filled the room and tears could be seen in her eyes like when the poet exclaimed, “No place in Iraq for us. No place called home.”

Each story she told became darker and heavier than the one before. The characters spoke of death, destruction and torture until it was as if it was too much for Schultz herself to handle.

Once again, the music picked up and the singing grew louder and louder until Schultz, overcome by emotion, transitioned back to where her story began, with the kiss. As the play drew to a close, Schultz finally admits that her experience with the Iraqi refugees was also a love story with Omar and he was the only one she could actually save.

"Peter and the Starcatcher": The Origin of Peter Pan and Neverland

By Tianny Ocasio, Staff Writer

Most people are familiar with the story of Peter Pan. The eponymous character takes a young girl, Wendy, out of the mundane world of London, England and shows her the beauty and mystery that is Neverland. In Neverland, no one has to grow up, and can be free to be themselves. What is less known to the general public is exactly where Peter came from. That is the intention of the show "Peter and the Starcatcher" that Stage III put on this spring.

"Peter and the Starcatcher" is an origin story and introduces the audience to Peter when he was an unnamed 13-year-old orphan.

It is mostly full of humor and action, with drama and suspense coming in from time to time. The story begins when Peter, along with two of the other boys from the orphanage, Prentiss and Ted, who are sent to work on the ship of the sinister Bill Slank. His ship is named The Neverland, and when we meet Slank, he is undergoing a scheme to steal a chest that is due to be on board the British naval ship The Wasp, being commandeered by Lord Astor.

The chest contains the Queen’s precious cargo and is set to be delivered to her. Astor sends his daughter to Slank’s ship, as they are going toward the same destination. He does not know how villainous the man is, and believes it would be more convenient and less

March 29, 2019 dangerous for Molly to stay with her nanny on The Neverland and for them to meet when they arrive at their destination.

Along the way, Molly meets the orphans and despite some reluctance and competition, the four develop a close friendship. She tells them about her father’s mission and tells the boy who will become Peter that she is in training to become a Starcatcher - a person whose mission on earth is to collect “starstuff," a powerful substance that can easily corrupt people and gives them powers. The group meets Black Stache, a pirate infamous for his black "stache," capricious attitude, sarcasm, and tendency to fumble words. He is after the starstuff that is in the chest Slank took, and Molly and the orphans have to leave the ship. Before they do, Black Stache attempts to persuade The Boy to become a pirate alongside him, and gives him his name by calling him Peter. When they abandon the ship, Peter is able to float on the chest containing the starstuff, and ends up on a deserted island inhabited by the Mollusks. Prentiss, Ted and Molly soon join him but they are being chased

by Black Stache, his crew and Lord Astor. Peter is able to defeat Black Stache with the help of a fish turned mermaid thanks to the starstuff and Black Stache has his right hand cut off by the chest and leaves with his crew. At the end of the play, Peter is told by Lord Astor that he ingested some of the starstuff when he floated on the chest, so he has to stay on the island. He shares a sad goodbye with Molly, and is left with Prentiss, Ted, and a bird Lord Astor enchanted to become a fairy, Tinkerbell, to have fun and stay young.

Of course, in typical Stage III fashion, the play was extremely well-rehearsed, and the actors and technical team did an amazing job. It was great to see familiar faces from the production of "Frankenstein" grace the stage, including senior Claudia Celluci, junior William Curtley, sophomores Connor Rock, Max Adelina, Dominic DiCaprio, and freshmen Liam Antonopoulos and Fiona Hoye. The returners killed it yet again, but newcomers John Ruquet, Sarah Wilson and Nora Collins performed in their first show at Siena and were on par with those who returned. The show was wonderful, funny, and the chemistry between the actors was evident. I never fail to be amazed by the amount of care and commitment that goes into the shows at Siena, and this was no exception: even the lighting and sound production was stupendous!

A Proper Pizza Night

By Megan Kelly, Opinion Editor

Yes, we all experience scrolling through Facebook and getting distracted by the Dominos’ ad for 50 percent off pizzas, today only! Even if we hadn’t thought of having pizza for dinner that night, now it is on our mind.

The first question is, are you going to go for it? Are you ordering appetizers and desserts to add some variety to the meal? But the real question is, how are you going to order your meal? Delivery? Carryout? I believe there is a proper way to go about a pizza night, in order to get the most satisfaction for all consumers involved.

In my experience, the best kind of pizza nights are the spontaneous ones. Sometimes, when you plan on eating a specific food, you have all of the expectations set for how the food will taste that day. By the end of the day, you may not even be feeling like you want to

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Opinion

eat that anymore. I say, do not plan when your pizza night will take place, but just let the time come when it comes.

I suggest ordering online rather than calling the pizza place, for there are usually many deals and rewards that you can redeem online. When ordering online, set up an account because, hey, you never know when the next spontaneous pizza night will occur.

When adding items to your cart, start with the items that you instantly craved when you decided tonight would be a pizza night. If it is pizza itself, go right to the pizza options, choose your cheese and toppings, and add to cart. Do you need extra small bites to add to the meal? Personally, when I eat pizza, I like to have a few bites of pizza, and then switch to, let’s say, chicken wings. I like to add some variety, without spending a whole heck of a lot. Online, there are typically deals that include a pizza and an appetizer. Depending on how many people are in your party, this deal could be perfect. You should always take the party size into consideration, however, and you should always look for the best price. In addition, you have to think: will there be leftovers? In reality, as long as you are spending wisely and saving at the same time, you are doing it right.

Should you choose delivery? Should you choose to carry it out? In all honesty, I know you have the strength to get in that car and go get that food you ordered. Without delivering, you are saving yourself the tip for the pizza driver, and you can take a break from your productive day and go listen to your favorite song in the car. It doesn’t hurt to get those extra steps in! Especially since you are already planning on consuming pizza, which, unfortunately, is not low-cal. No worries; a spontaneous treat day is allowed!

NY Judge Denies Unvaccinated Kids From Attending School During Measles Outbreak and It’s About Time

By Alyssa Guzman, Staff Writer

A New York judge denied 44 unvaccinated kids from attending school during the measles outbreak in Rockland County. The children were not allowed to return to school for three weeks. As can be expected, the parents sued. Surprisingly, they lost their case: and honestly, it’s about time they’re put in their place.

Unvaccinated children have threatened the health of children too young to receive vaccinations, those who are unvaccinated, and even those who are vaccinated for decades now. Despite the fact that some are religiously exempted students, there are

other unvaccinated children that threaten the United States, and they are everywhere in the 21st Century. These children are bringing back eradicated diseases that haven’t been in the United States for years and years, such as the measles that were considered “eliminated” in the United States since 2000.

A lot of parents are under the misconception that vaccinated children protect those who are unvaccinated. According to the New York Times, herd immunity is only effective if more than 94 percent of people are vaccinated. With more and more children not being vaccinated, the 94 percent doesn’t exist anymore, which eliminates herd immunity.

The percent is still in the 90s for the measles vaccine for most states, although some are dipping below 90.

That’s a problem.

The percentage should be in the high 90s, so herd immunity does work for those who medically cannot receive the vaccine, not for those whose parents opt them out because of false beliefs.

The fact that we, as a country, have knowingly allowed parents to endanger their children and other children around them is a bit concerning. Most insurance will cover those vaccines, as they’re required for school.

The bigger problem than letting parents make the decision to not vaccinate their children is the fact that the United States is fully capable of vaccinating everyone inexpensively and chooses not to enforce that.

How have non-Orthodox Jews gotten away with religious exemptions for so long?

Their religion doesn’t require them to skip vaccinations. So why is the United States allowing parents who don’t really have an exemption to not vaccinate their children?

The disease was eliminated in 2000, there’s no reason it shouldn’t still be eliminated.

This is why the New York judge was right to not let those children return to school for three weeks. Unvaccinated children, who can easily contract the measles disease during the outbreak, should not ever be able to potentially harm another child or even an adult. The outbreak is spreading so quickly because these children cannot protect themselves from the disease.

The whole “personal beliefs” system put into place right now is wrong. Just because a parent personally believes something, doesn’t make it right. And if it affects and risks others’ lives around them, it definitely doesn’t make it right. The parents who sued the school for denying their children access to the school are wrongly assuming their personal beliefs or religious exemptions outweigh the good and betterment of society. It doesn’t.

Lives are at risk here. Parents' personal beliefs can go to Hell.

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March 29, 2019

March 29, 2019

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Despite Major Improvements, Coach Jamion Christian Leaves Siena as Saints Fall Short of MAAC Title

By David Le Blang, Staff Writer

In his inaugural season, Saints coach Jamion Christian was presented with a tall task – turn around a team coming off a season tied with their worst record in school history, and emerge in a tough conference as a real contender. Christian did just that, turning around an 8-24 squad into a real title contender, posting tough wins over good schools and entering the MAAC tournament with high hopes to come out on top. Despite some heavy losses, Siena still finished with a positive record of 17-16 (11-7 MAAC), although leaving the MAAC Championship with a second round bounce to Iona, after a commanding victory over Ryder.

In the first round of the tournament, the Siena Saints faced the Ryder Broncs at the Times Union Center, and looked more prepared than ever. Three Saints poured in more than 15 points in assisting their win; Evan Fisher scored 22 points, Jalen Pickett had 20 points and Sloan Seymour added 18 points in the 87-81 victory. In addition to this, Siena’s halftime score was 30-29, leading them to score 57 points in the second half, which was a season-best for Siena. In addition to this, Siena shot 65.1% from the field, and 57.1% from beyond the arc.

In the semifinals, Siena met the Iona Gaels for the third time this season, splitting the first two meetings among the teams.

Despite riding fresh off a win, the Saints had no answer for Iona players Asante Gist, who tied his season high of 22 points, Rickey McGill who poured in 18, and E.J. Crawford who scored 16 points, all in the effort to lift the Gaels to a 73-57 win over the Saints. For the Saints, two key players in the loss were Evan Fisher, who scored 15 points, and Jalen Pickett, who had 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. In addition, Kevin Degnan added right rebounds.

After finishing in a five-way tie for second place in the MAAC this season, the George Washington Colonials announced that after firing their current head coach, Siena head coach Jamion Christian would be his immediate replacement, leaving Siena to now be their third head coach within three seasons.

In an interview, Christian said, “I am honored to be able to return home to take a job I have dreamed of having since I was a child… It was a difficult decision to leave Siena because I absolutely loved the people, but there were only a few jobs that could take me away, and I can’t wait to get to work in Foggy Bottom.”

Christian was originally signed with Siena for the next four years.

Study Abroad: South Africa & Namibia

count, and ate amazing food. Finally, we flew to Windhoek, Namibia, where I currently am, and will be spending the remaining three months. I’ve been taking classes and interning at the Hope Initiatives of Southern Africa Primary School. In just a little over a month, my perspective has been broadened, and my

By Diamond Moorehead

This study abroad experience has been heart expanded for the people and cultures profound in every way possible. On Feb. 8, I’ve encountered here in Southern Africa.

2019, I flew to Johannesburg, South Africa. I spent a week there learning about the pains of colonization, Apartheid, and the Liberation.

I then flew to Port Elizabeth and spent a few days in Eastern Cape. This is where many of the leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko and Thambo Mbeki were born and raised before moving to Johannesburg. I even managed to carry sticks for firewood on my head for about a mile! Following that, I took a twelve-hour bus ride to Cape Town, South Africa. Cape Town is undeniably beautiful, yet the trauma and pain of the locals show clearly as they continue to serve the Whites and tourists of the city. It was extremely hard to see. I also had the opportunity to tour Robben Island, where the South African President Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and spoke to other political prisoners. Throughout my three weeks exploring South Africa, I stood in the presence of remarkable and courageous speakers, visited too many museums to