Understand the effect of political polarization in today’s society
Inside the struggles of opening up Page 2
Page 6
October 14th, 2021 — Vol. 100, Issue 2
Patrick J. Lillis - a legacy continued To thank him for his incredibly generous donations and contributions to Loras throughout the years, Loras College has introduced the newly renamed Patrick J. Lillis Athletic & Wellness Center by ROBERT WATERBURY loras.daily.edu
Loras College honored alumnus Pat Lillis (’71) as they unveiled the newly renamed Patrick J. Lillis Athletic & Wellness Center on Saturday, October 2. Lillis has been incredibly generous to Loras having committed over $6 million to Loras over the years. In addition to providing his support for the building that now bears his name, Pat has funded several student scholarships via the Patrick J. Lillis Endowed Scholarship. “One would be hard pressed to find a more loyal, supportive and generous alumnus than Pat,” President Jim Collins (’84) said. “He has been unfailing in advocacy for our alma mater and has always found a way to support Loras’ most desired needs. He is a humble person even as he acknowledges his extraordinary success as mostly being a result of his Loras education. We are blessed.” Lillis played on the basketball team during his four years at Loras and was
Divided Dubuque school board sets threshold for masks by ALLIE HINGA telegraph herald writer
Dubuque Community School Board members on Monday night reached a compromise to require masks in any school building when the COVID-19 positivity rate there reaches 3% or higher. The 5-2 vote came at the board’s regular monthly meeting. Kate Parks, Jim Prochaska, Anderson Sainci, Tom Barton and Nancy Bradley voted in favor of the motion, while Tami Ryan and Lisa Wittman voted against it. “I’m glad we came to a reasonable conclusion tonight,” Barton said at the close of the meeting, noting that the board members discussed masking policies and took public input over multiple meetings, giving them time to come to a decision. Effective Monday, Oct. 18, the district will use its COVID-19 dashboard data to institute a temporary mandate for students, staff, parents and visitors in buildings when the positivity rate among total students and staff in that building is 3% or higher. The mask mandate would be dropped when the building’s positivity rate falls below 3%. As of Monday, no district building had a positivity rate of more than 1.18%. Districtwide, there were 43 confirmed, active cases among the about 10,300 students and 10 active cases among the about 2,000 staff.
continued on Page 2
inducted into the Loras Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002. Today, he remains the 13th all-time scorer, eighth all-time rebounder and is one of only 14 players in Loras history with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. Lillis received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Loras before he attended the University of Iowa to receive his medical degree in 1975. He opened his own general and surgical dermatology practice in Loveland, Colo., in 1979 and practiced for 37 years before retiring in 2016. He also ser ved as president of the Colorado Dermatology Society in 1989 and on the American Dermatological Surgery Society National Board of Directors from 1996 to 1999. Lillis was inducted into the Loras Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002, earned an alumni excellence award in 2011 and was honored as a distinguished alumnus in 2018. Pat and his wife, Tracy, currently reside in Loveland. They return to Loras on a regular basis in support of student and alumni events.
photo by DAILY.LORAS.EDU
Patrick Lillis (‘71) stands with his family outside of the newly renames Patrick J. Lillis Athletic & Wellness Center on October 2. Lillis graduated from Loras in 1971 and has contributed over $6 million in his years since leaving.
Loras library receives federal grant by ROBERT WATERBURY loras.daily.edu
Loras College announced that it has been awarded a grant for $120,800 through the American Rescue Plan Act, a financial rescue measure passed by Congress in March. Funded through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the grant will support both the College library and the Loras College Center for Dubuque History (CDH). “We are delighted to receive NEH funding to support the important work we are doing to support education and research in the humanities for the Loras community, as well as the broader Dubuque region,”
‘‘
We are delighted to receive NEH funding to support education an dresearch in the humanities for the Loras community
Donna Heald
,,
Proverst and Academic Dean
photo by DAILY.LORAS.EDU
Donna Heald, provost, said. The grant addresses the need for more online access to materials in special collections and the CDH while restarting projects set aside during the pandemic. “Funding made available from this grant will allow us to advance our efforts to digitize portions of the collection which will make it more accessible to researchers who cannot travel to campus and will help to advance research and study in the humanities,” Heald said. Heidi Pettitt, access services and special collections librarian, explained, “At the conclusion of the grant, the library will be fully staffed, archival materials will be more accessible, rare book holdings will be more visible, and a book will be published, all of which will contribute to strengthening the
support for the humanities and increasing student exposure to humanities-related research.” T h e A m e r i c a n R e s c u e P l a n Ac t appropriated supplemental funding to NEH to provide emergency relief to institutions and organizations working in the humanities that have been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. NEH is awarding grants to museums, libraries and archives, historic sites, independent research institutions, academic presses, professional organizations, colleges and universities, and other humanities organizations across the country to help these entities continue to advance their mission during the interruption of their operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Attention all majors! Want to get paid?? Are you looking for work opportunities? The Lorian is looking for staff writers who are interested in exploring their writing talents! The Lorian is a great way to expand your resume and improve your writing skills, all while getting PAID! Email the Lorian directly at lorian@loras.edu for more information!
2
N ews
October 14, 2021 The Lorian
School board The ‘closet’ can be a lonely, dark place debate cont. This is the first part in a series on gender and sexuality “I often think about the closet that queer kids grow up in. How it’s not just passive hiding, it’s traumatizing. To suppress parts of who you are, to experience your own life as an outsider, to hear the people you love hate people like you is a trauma you carry your whole life.” The artist, @aristhought
photo by STEPHEN GASSMAN continued from Page 1
Outdoor activities and indoor activities during which people can maintain social distancing would be exempt from the mask requirement. Families also can request exemptions for medical, religious, or brain health reasons or at the discretion of Superintendent Stan Rheingans or his designee. School board members previously discussed whether to enact a masking requirement both at a special board meeting in September and at a Facilities/ Support Services Committee meeting earlier this month. A federal judge last month temporarily ordered the state to stop enforcing a law that banned school districts from requiring masks. On Friday, the order was extended until a lawsuit challenging the law can be decided. Gov. Kim Reynolds has appealed the preliminary injunction. Prochaska proposed an initial version of the motion, basing the policy on those of the Waterloo and Cedar Falls, Iowa, school districts. Board members discussed the motion and amended it into the form that passed. Barton insisted that the motion allow exceptions for students with brain health needs, noting that it is a major concern he has heard from parents. He said he thinks if a building sees a rise in cases, many parents would be amenable to having their children wear masks.
Dubuque Mayoral Election Updates: Primary Results Brad Cavanagh (51.5%) David Resnick (35.2%) April White (10.1%) Nino Erba (1.7%) John Miller (1.3%)
We celebrated National Coming Out Day on Monday. The first coming out day was in 1988 and was intended to emphasize the simplest form of activism for LGBTQ+ citizens – living their lives openly. Many people who identify as LGBTQ+ choose their time as a college student to take their first step out of the proverbial closet. “Coming out is a process – it can be a lifelong process,” said Michelle Bechen, Associate Professor of Social Work. “When somebody finally says the words out loud to someone who is accepting and supportive, it’s like lifting a huge weight off their shoulders.” B e c h e n , w h o i s a l s o t h e f a c u lt y moderator of the Loras Gay Straight Alliance, said that, for the most part, Loras students are very accepting of those who identify as LGBTQ+. She says there has been lots of improvement over the last 20 years, when it comes to acceptance of LGBTQ+ issues, but, she says, we certainly have room for growth. For example, an openly gay member of an athletic team on campus found out
that their teammates, who were partying together, tore up a rainbow flag, Bechen said. Bechen says that a lot of students also struggle with the idea of intersectionality. That is, how certain elements of their lives as a student, athlete or Catholic, may complicate their situation as well. “… some students struggle with their sexual orientation or gender identity and their faith,” Bechen said. “[They] try to really suppress or compartmentalize their gender identity or sexual orientation because they don’t feel really accepted walking in the faith world.” Perhaps this is why Loras student Jordan Doe (a pseudonym) has decided to keep their transgender identity a secret. “From what my friend told me, someone came out as gay and was getting bullied … I don’t what that to happen to me,” Doe said. “I can definitely tell some people’s beliefs are really strong and they’ll crack jokes about being trans.” Doe has come out to his mom (but not his stepdad) and a select few friends. But, Doe says, their efforts to be more public have been met with resistance at times. On the first day of one of his classes, Doe asked the peer advisor for the class if the students could announce their pronouns and was told. While the PA was excited to offer this option, many students in the class were not. Doe says many of the other students in the class are now ignoring him. “I’m kind of just sitting like – sitting in kind of like a bubble of just myself, and I just don’t know how I can get out of it,” Doe said
Cam’s Billboard Review Cam Arvidson looks at the Billboard Hot 100 to see what is hot... and what is not by CAMERON ARVIDSON editor
Billboard updated its weekly lists of top trending music on Oct. 9, 2021. Topping the Hot100 is a new collaborative single from Coldplay and BTS. The single is the kickoff to Coldplay’s forthcoming album, “Music of the Spheres.” In its first week on the charts, it went number one while the previous week’s top five only moved back one spot respectively. It’s Coldplay’s first number-one single since their well-known “Viva la Vida” in 2008 and their fifth top ten song. Oct. 9 marked a milestone accomplishment for the song with the current longest-running streak on the
Hot100. Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” spent its 52nd consecutive week on the Hot100 after its Oct. 1, 2020 release. It’s the longestrunning single on the chart since The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” hit its recordbreaking 88th week on the chart. On the Billboard200, YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s newest album, “Sincerely Kentrell”, debuted at number one, marking it the rapper’s fourth number one album since 2019, only a three-year span. The accomplishment is rather impressive because YoungBoy has been in jail since March of this year after being charged with possession of a firearm as a felon. In the album’s first week out, it sold 137,000 copies. Youngboy also sits atop the Artist100
Cavanagh and Resnick advance to general election in Dubuque primary. General election will take on November 2
as they began to cry. Doe wiped tears as they said, “I feel like that’s where a lot of my problems come from, like with wanting to come out, because I’m just stuck and thinking that I’m the wrong person and I don’t feel normal.” “My first instinct is that what people are going to do to me is violent because that’s all I see on the news,” Doe said through tears. “I just stopped watching the news because I don’t like violence and I don’t like seeing people discriminated against because they want to be who they want to be.” One of the issues with coming out at Loras can be that the news will reach beyond campus. Bechen recalls a student a few years ago who came out on campus. She said that the student’s friend went back to their home community and told family and friends. “It turned out to be a real shit show,” Bechen said. Bechen says that if a student does want to come out they need to find a safe person, someone who they feel comfortable talking to. She says there are plenty of resources on campus, and in the Dubuque community, where students can find help. Students can make an appointment with a counselor or visit Sergio Perez, the Loras College Diversity Officer. Bechen says, students should seek help because “trying to lead a double life can be exhausting.” For Doe, he feels that other students should be better about being accepting of his identity. “It’s not their life, they’re going to have to get over me being trans at some point,” Doe said. “They can’t do anything to stop my decision. If that’s who I want to be,
photo by VOX.COM
Hip hop and rap legend Kanye West at one of his ‘Donda’ listening events this past summer. West’s ‘Donda’ was one of the most anticipated albums of the year.
leaderboard after spending the previous week at the number forty position. He’s followed by Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, BTS, and Doja Cat, respectively. In the rest of the Billboard200 top five, the longest-charting album in the top five, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Sour” at 19 weeks, maintains its position in the fifth spot. Kanye West’s “Donda” spent a second straight week at number four in its fifth week on the chart. Getting pushed down a spot each was Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy” at number two and Lil Nas X’s “Montero” at three. Each of the albums rounding out the top five has now spent multiple weeks in the range. Interestingly enough, there isn’t a cap on when music can and can’t be on the Billboard charts, as long as it is selling copies or getting a high volume of streams. On the Billboard 200, “Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers” spent its 698th week on the Billboard 200. That’s good enough for almost thirteen and a half years of charting after its 1984 release. The album peaked at number five on the charts shortly after its release and spent the past week at number 86. Among others with current long-term Billboard success, albums from Eminem, Metallica, and Nirvana each charted in the top fifty this past week. Eminem’s “Curtain Call: The Hits” is the longest-charting rap album ever at 548 weeks, but some may consider Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid M.A.A.D. City” to own the title because Eminem’s album is a greatest hit, whereas Lamar’s is a studio album that’s spent 466 consecutive weeks on the chart since its release in 2012.
M ind
and
S oul
The Lorian October. 14, 2021
3
Be like Bob Ross by MARK MEDERSON faculty advisor
Even if you don’t recognize the name, you likely know who Bob Ross is. All I need to say to connect the artist with his name is, “Happy little trees.” Yep. The guy with the bushy hair who painted landscapes of mountains and trees. A documentary, “Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed,” was released last month on Netflix, but more on that later. According to an article on the website Artnet, Ross may be the most recognizable 20th-century artist in America. Amid a pandemic, many of us found comfort in watching television. I jumped on the bandwagon and binge-watched “Tiger King” on Netflix in March of 2020 when we all were locked in our homes, only venturing out occasionally to restock the pantry. At first, being shuttered at home was novel, even enjoyable. Anyone with slightly introverted tendencies was feeling pretty good about staying home. But as the infection and death rates grew, that good feeling gave way to despair. We needed comfort and I (and according to Artnet, many others) found it in Bob Ross. If you have a Samsung smart TV (I bought a 55-incher on sale at Costco right before things got bad), then you have free access to TV Plus. This is basically a low-budget line-up of cable channels. You can find more than a dozen news channels and two dozen sports channels on TV Plus. But the cool part of Plus is the channels with content that you can’t get on most cable and satellite systems. Are you a fan of “Baywatch”? There’s a channel that shows only old episodes of “Baywatch.” Do you like surfing, or fishing, or cooking? There are channels for those too. And, Bob Ross? TV Plus has a Bob Ross channel that only shows episodes of his PBS series, “The Joy of Painting.” And when things got really bad last year, this is what I wrapped myself in for comfort. In his calming voice, the artist tells us about those happy little trees, and mountains, and clouds. But, Bob doesn’t just teach us about painting. He sprinkles in life lessons as well. One of his more famous lessons is, “We don’t make mistakes. We just have happy little accidents.” What I discovered in watching Ross is the dichotomy that existed in his painting show. He painted an entire landscape – from a blank canvas to a completed painting – in about 26 minutes. The dichotomy is, he seemed so calm and relaxed but he was actually rushing to accomplish this Herculean task. It was magical. Last spring, I discovered that the original studio where the first episodes of Ross’s series were created is now open to visitors. From 1983 to 1988, “The Joy of Painting” was shot at WIPB, a house that had been converted into the local PBS station in Muncie, Indiana. The living room of the house had been outfitted to work as a television studio. I immediately began making plans to visit the site. I was already planning a road trip to my hometown of Louisville in July. I decided that I would take a slight
detour and visit Muncie on the way. I had purchased a ticket online before I left. I arrived early for my appointed time. The Ball State University student who was working at the entrance to the house/ station directed me to Oakhurst, another Ball family mansion (of the Ball Jar fortune) where about 40 of Ross’s paintings are on display. I walked over to Oakhurst where the paintings hung on the walls upstairs. As I walked through the rooms to view the paintings, I found that nearly everyone had a story about the painting mounted next to it. I spent so much time looking at the paintings and reading the stories, I was almost late for my studio tour. When I stepped back into the old house/station, I was directed to the living room/studio. It had been re-equipped with two large television studio
cameras that were similar to the ones used at the time. There was a re-creation of the easel with one of Bob’s paintings on the stand. I discovered that Bob’s TV easel was actually a metal step ladder that he had converted into the stand that held his paintings on the show. There were paint splatters on the easel, recreating the times during most episodes when Bob would dry his brush by “beating the Devil out of it” on one of the legs. In plastic display cases, I viewed some of Bob’s actual brushes and one of the giant plexiglass palettes that he held in his left hand during each episode. I sat down and looked through a photo album with pictures of Bob and the studio crew which gave a peek behind the scenes of episodes. There was a photo of Bob and the crew
eating pizza and another where they appeared to be joking around between shoots. After I left the studio I went to the gift shop on the grounds of Minnestria. Minnestria is a collection of museums on the grounds of what was once the sprawling estate of the Ball family. The store had a whole section of shirts, socks, and other items emblazoned with Bob’s name or likeness. These are licensed and sold through BRI – Bob Ross Incorporated. The words – greed and betrayal – in the documentary film title mentioned above are referencing BRI, the company that is now making millions of dollars off Bob’s name and image. According to the documentary, husband and wife Walt and Annette Kowalski played a role in getting Bob’s PBS series off the ground in 1983. Today, the Kowalskis own BRI and exclusive rights to the “Bob Ross” name and images. About a dozen people who worked with or were friends with Bob canceled appointments to be interviewed for the film over concerns of litigation from the Kowalskis. They would be sued if they said anything bad about Walt and Annette. You may not even know that Ross was only 52 when he died of complications from lymphoma in 1995. That could be because the Kowalskis, according to the film, made a concerted effort to downplay the fact that Ross died. They thought it would be bad for business. You see, Walt and Annette had made some dubious legal moves to gain full rights to Bob’s name and likeness before his death. BRI now has complete control over everything “Bob Ross”, and they keep a very firm grip on that control. If you buy the Bob Ross mints or chia pet, the profit goes to Walt and Annette. The film begins with Bob’s son, Steve, who is interviewed from his very modest home. If you watch a lot of Bob’s painting shows, then you’ve seen Steve. He occasionally filled in for his dad, giving similar painting lessons. Unfortunately, Steve gets nothing from the millions of dollars that BRI is now taking on the legacy of his dad. Steve’s only income appears to come from the painting lessons that he still occasionally gives to groups of wannabe painters. For those of us who have watched Bob calmly rush to create magic on his “Joy of Painting” series, the thought that his legacy is under the control of the greedy and litigious Kowalskis is disappointing, to say the least. I am not watching Bob paint his happy little trees as much this year as I did last. Although the pandemic has reared up and splashed a new wave of infection and death, the fact that I, and about half of the people in the country, have been fully vaccinated is a source of hope. In the summer of 2020, that vaccine and hope were non-existent. At a hopeless time, in 26-minute spurts, watching and listening to Bob Ross gave me comfort. While his financial legacy is tarnished by BRI, his philosophical legacy remains strong. “We don’t make mistakes. We just have happy little accidents.”
Benefits of coloring by EMMA HENNESSY staff writer
Let’s be honest: “adulting” can be hard. There are too many deadlines and not enough time to relax. Stress can really wear a person down, making it difficult to be productive. Sometimes, one needs to take time for themself to handle the stress of college. One way to reduce stress is by coloring. In recent years, adult coloring books have gained popularity among millennials and Gen Z. While this pastime may appear childish for some, it has a lot of benefits for mental health. Beaumont Health says that coloring relaxes the amygdala. This area of the brain is responsible for sensing threats. It is vital to relax this part of the brain in order to reduce anxiety. According to Healthline.com, the amygdala “activates [a person’s] fight or flight response.” While this area of the brain is meant to protect us from possible dangers, an overactive amygdala can wreak havoc on mental health. Coloring can help by relaxing the amygdala, making one less anxious. Coloring can also improve your motor skills and vision. Coloring requires the two hemispheres of your brain to communicate (Beaumont Health). This is because one has to stay focused in order to color inside the lines, but not focused to the point of stress. Additionally, one gets to be creative with colors. This mixture of activities works on the left side of the brain as well as the right.
Another benefit of coloring is that it can help concentration. At work, stress can damage the quality of work due to a lack of concentration. Clay Behavioral Health Center says that coloring breaks allow the brain to regain focus and increase activity. Coloring before bedtime can even help improve sleep. Most people scroll through their phones before bed; however, the Cleveland Clinic cites research that suggests this habit can suppress melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep cycle. The Cleveland Clinic says that phone light “mimics daylight” and tricks your body into thinking that it is daytime. This influences both sleep quality and energy levels. Try swapping the nightly phone scrolling for a coloring page. Coloring can also help one connect with others, such as younger siblings and cousins at home. Coloring is a great way to interact with them in a way that both parties can enjoy. Perhaps join an art club and meet other people who like to spend their time coloring. It’s easy to see all of the benefits of coloring--try picking up a box of colored pencils and a piece of paper and put that brain to use!
4
Oct. 14, 2021
Movie Review: “The Night House” by JAKE HEELEIN staff writer
As we enter into the spookiest month of the year, it is likely you’re looking for films that will help you celebrate the season of scariness. And what better way to do that than with horror! “The Night House” is a recent horror film, opening on Aug. 20, 2021. While it went mostly unnoticed by moviegoers, it was critically wellreceived, earning an 87 percent on the popular film review website, Rotten Tomatoes. With that said, should we let the film be forgotten amongst the onslaught of horror released every year, or is it worth audiences revisiting and remembering? Let’s talk about it! The plot of this film is standard; a widow mourns the loss of her recently deceased husband. But
F eatures
The Lorian
what the film does with this overused plot is, quite frankly, remarkable. There are original ideas that play with genre and our audience’s expectations of what horror is supposed to be. As a result, we are exposed to a film that shocks, disturbs, and makes the viewer think about mortality. This is a career-defining performance by the star, Rebecca Hall. Throughout her career, she has regularly been featured in major blockbuster hits (this year’s “Godzilla vs. Kong” and 2013’s “Iron Man 3”), but if you’re like me, you may not have ever noticed her roles specifically. With “The Night House,” that instantly changes. This is not only one of the best performances of her career, but one of the best all year. The entirety of this movie rests on her shoulders, and there is not a moment that she lets it falter. If you haven’t recognized her name before now, you will after seeing this film. This film is a slow burn, but it is with great intentionality that it moves at its pace. The most impressive thing that a horror film can accomplish is making you dread the moments in which you know you’ll experience fear. “The Night House” not only does this but actively makes you want to stay in the safety of the light. With that in mind, if you love jump scares and
base your horror satisfaction entirely on how frequently they’re included, this film will not be for you. But if your horror satisfaction comes from feeling unsettled throughout your viewing experience, give “The Night House” a watch. Despite a lack of jump scares, you shouldn’t get the impression that this film will not have moments that stick with you. Even two months after my first viewing of this film, there are moments that have stuck distinctly in my mind. And that’s not even mentioning the ending that will have you analyzing the movie for weeks afterward. This is without a doubt one of the strongest films released this year. With that said, it is worth noting that not everyone is going to love this film. The slowness that made me adore “The Night House” will be the exact reason why another viewer hates it. =But what everyone should at least be able to understand and appreciate is that the film is taking swings that rarely (if ever) get taken. If you’re tired of seeing the same 10 films every year, congratulations, “The Night House,” is a rare 11th. Final Score- 4.75/5
F eatures
Dagger: part II by SARWAN MOGHAMIS staff writer
The Demon Realm is dark, not metaphorically, literally. The grey fog blocks everything. I constantly step on rust-covered bones of all sorts of living organisms ranging from the spine of a human to the skull of a tiger. No light, no food, and filthy water to drink and bathe in. We are unaware of how deep underground we are or of the year. I am the only human here; the rest are…demons. We all have one thing in common: banishment from those who believe they are superior to us. It’s a fitting prison for us “monsters.” I’ve grown used to my new accommodations. This realm is designed to keep us alive and suffering. I am not the victim of suffering, I’m the cause of it. So, I endure the atmosphere and make it
my home. Things were finally feeling… right. Then he returned. “Dimitri.” “Why so formal, daughter?” He says with a disgusting grin. “I am not your daughter,” I remind him. “Aren’t you even curious how I’m still standing?”
“Ah, you’ve changed. I’m proud. You’ve become the fearless warrior I always hoped for. Which is precisely why I made you believe you had killed me.” I walk away. I have no further interest in listening to this beast. “How soon you forget that I can hear everything you think my dear.”
mind & soul editor
Continuing with the “Voices of Dubuque” mural exploration, this week we’ll be taking a look at artist Corban D. Lundborg. Lundborg grew up in the Twin Cities and won two Minnesota state art awards before he graduated from high school. Even with this early success, he was unsure whether or not he wanted to pursue an art career and chose to enlist in the army in search of adventure.
Huh, I can breathe again. “That is because our journey has not yet concluded. When I let you go before, I had hoped you’d become the perfect killer. It seems I did my job too well. You’ve built quite a name for yourself, Demon Sorcerer.” “All I ever did was remind humanity that darkness will consume us the longer we pretend to live in fantasy.” “You are your father’s daughter,” he says again with conviction. “I think it’s a handsome grin, in my opinion.” Oh yeah, he can hear me. “What do you want? I became your soldier, I became a new symbol of darkness, and where did that lead? I’m here, trapped for eternity.”
by CALASANDRA SPRAY
Oct. 14, 2021
“Oh, my Dagger, where do you think I was all this time?” “Hell.” “Hell is nothing more than a dream realm that humans crafted to scare people into doing good. No, I was in another world very different than this.” Now I’m interested. “You expect me to believe that?” “The universe is built up of many realms, realities, and timelines. I found one world that truly spoke to me… Earth.” What an ugly name. “Prove it, take me to this world.” With one wave of his arm, I wake up in an odd place. I look out a glass mirror and see tall towers, castles I presume. There are large glowing letters that read “C H I C A G O.” To be continued…
the times that Death visits her because he is the only person who remembers her. That is, until Henry enters the picture. A cruel joke from Death where his deal with the devil negates her own. In this way, it is not simply Addie and her vitality for life, her stubbornness, or her outright refusal to believe anything other than that more can be done and seen, that makes this book wonderful. Without Henry, I would have become discouraged and felt drawn into the void of self-deprecation because Addie is right and I would never be able to see it all.
mind & soul editor photo by CALASANDRA SPRAY
photo by CALASANDRA SPRAY
Lundborg’s tribute to jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane (pictured above) is located on Central Avenue in downtown Dubuque.
Pictured above is Corban Lundborg’s mural entitled “Persistence,” which can be found at 698 White Street here in Dubuque.
capturing images of combat, ariril, and humanitarian environments for the Air Force Reserve as a photojournalist with the 4th Combat Camera Squadron based in South Carolina.
COLD Studios is now based in Atlanta, Georgia where Lundborg continues to create a variety of artworks in a multitude of mediums. That is, when he is not
“My poor diluted daughter, I am pure darkness. You really think you can speak to me that way without any consequences?”
Book Review: “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue”
by CALASANDRA SPRAY
After four years in the Air Force, he entered the reserves and moved home to Minnesota. To earn an art degree, he taught art to youth and mentored at a drug rehab program. He has striven to inspire people through his art with a focus on value and vision.
Then hear me say this… go fu… I… I… can’t… breathe…
“Not necessarily.”
Voices of Dubuque: Featuring Corban Lundborg
Lundborg was enlisted as a logistician for the United States Airforce in 2009. His first assignment placed him as a Chemical Warfare Supply Specialist in South Korea. While in Seoul, he took an apprenticeship with a tattoo artist that allowed him to continue exploring his love of art. His next assignment was a three-year tour in Italy where Lundborg began canvas painting and developed the brand “COLD studio.”
The Lorian
Dubuque is home to four of his breathtaking murals. “Persistence”, a mural of thirty feet by eighteen feet, is located at 698 White Street. A Native American woman is seen hiding within the bricks of the wall; in her hand are images of an arrowhead, an owl, and half a butterfly. To Native Americans, a butterfly symbolizes change and joy, an arrowhead symbolizes protection and courage, and an owl represents death because the nocturnal creature is seen as tied to the night. Taken in tandem with how the woman’s hand is fractured from her body with a ghostly shadow where the bricks are light, this work of art speaks volumes. Tears line the woman’s eyes, but she does not wear a frown; instead, her lips remain neutral. She has accepted her fate. Around the corner and in front of the building from “Persistence” is an untitled work depicting a woman of color, origins unknown, with a black and white checkered flag. Due to its proximity to “Persistence”, I interpret the woman to be Native American and the flag to symbolize the end or nearing the end of the Native American way of life.
photo by CALASANDRA SPRAY
Pictured above is Lundborg’s untiled work. The mural is located around the corner and in front of the building from the mural “Persistence” by the same artist.
Lundborg’s next two murals were painted this past month in Sept. 2021. One is a tribute to John Coltrane, a jazz saxophonist and
composer who now resides on Central Avenue. Coltrane’s jazz changed how music was heard and transcended cultural boundaries, marking him as a man to go down in history. His influence, more than fifty years after his death, is still prominent today. The mural features the man himself holding his saxophone, with his pointer finger directing viewers’ attention to the sky. The way his hand is placed represents Coltrane’s view that the diversity of human beliefs are simply different ways of recognizing one God. Lundborg also has a Vietnam tribute sponsored by the Dubuque Museum of Art and the American Legion Post 6. The mural was recently painted on the American Legion Post 6 building at 1306 Delhi Street. Fighting against the North Vietnamese, the United States banded with the South Vietnamese in a highly contested war. The mural depicts two Black American soldiers with the American flag hoisted over the shoulder of the man on the left. In the helmet of the soldier on the right is a joker playing card, representative of national views of the Vietnam War. This mural was commissioned to go alongside the Museum’s upcoming Vietnam exhibit. While Lundborg has produced many works of military themed art, this was his first mural of the kind.
Stay tuned for more on the Voices of Dubuque Murals photo by CALASANDRA SPRAY and the artists who Pictured above is Corban Lundborg’s mural which is a tribute painted them.
to the Vietnam War. It can be found on the American Legion Post 6 building at 1306 Delhi Street.
Have you ever lain in bed on a Saturday morning when you have nowhere to be and you decide to go back to sleep? Your body does not require more sleep, but your mind desires the haze of the unknown that lurks in the inbetween of not quite awake and not quite asleep. This book lies somewhere in that mist. A tribute to life. A call into the void. In a world rapidly descending into the mundane where we spend more time passively observing the lives of others through social media and T.V. Addie LaRue pushes your desire to live to a peak. I believe that deep down everyone desires to live forever. Addie receives her wish. On her wedding day, when she is to be married off in an arranged matrimony to a man much older than herself, whom she doesn’t love, she prays to the gods to allow her to avoid marrying him. During her prayer, though, the sun sets and she is no longer praying to gods who wish to help humanity out of kindness. Instead, she finds herself praying to Death. He grants her wish to live forever, but it comes at a price: she is now a girl whom no one can remember. At first, she struggles but then she eventually learns to live life to the fullest outside of her small town. The one thing she wishes to have is companionship, and she begins to crave
Henry is a gentle reminder that we do not live forever. His deal is one year of life – one year in which everyone who sees him sees exactly what they desire him to be: the perfect friend, grandson, brother, handsome love interest. He quickly learns that this is not what he wants because when everyone sees what they want to see, no one sees his true self. In tandem, the two characters demonstrate what it means to be human. To be human is to find people who appreciate the real you and to live every moment because one thing is true: we don’t live forever. So we must live. Now. Go out into the world and simply enjoy it. We cannot live forever, but we CAN live. Favorite Quote: “But isn’t it wonderful,” she says, “to be an idea?” – Schwab, “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue”
5
O pinion
The Lorian October. 14, 2021
The all-or-nothing effect of political polarization by JAKE SINATRA staff writer
My entire life I’ve had an issue with people who have the “All or Nothing” mindset. And it isn’t always just in politics. My Grandfather, for example, refuses to even have the White Sox on the T.V. (unless they are playing the Cubs) strictly because he is a Cubs fan and is convinced he can’t even enjoy a baseball game without the Cubs. Through my own experience and observation, as well as that of my close friends and family when I asked them, we are seeing a stricter divide into one way or the other way in politics. I see Conservatives who are big supporters of Mr. Trump, and are incapable of criticizing anything he does because they are “Trump Supporters”. On the other side of the same coin you can see the same thing, with Liberals putting full-fledged support into both Mr. Obama and President Biden, with no regard for criticism. It’s almost as if a brain virus is going around and convincing people they have to dive headfirst in on everything that comes out of their elected official’s mouth. It is very sad that I have to say that this should not be the case. We seem to forget
as a society that in the United States of America, power is held by the people, and we allow these elected officials use that power in our best interest. So then why are we allowing any politicians on any political spectrum to just do whatever they want? They have grown accustomed to minimal backlash from their supporters, and that is what is driving this country apart.
ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” George Washington even knew the detrimental effects of political parties and societal divide, yet we did not listen to him, and look where we are now. Neither side can listen to each other, neither side wants to compromise, neither side is capable of having a civilized debate in which at the end of it the two people can go see a movie and stay friends. We as a people NEED to get back to basis of unity, for it is the lack of unity that creates tyrants that can end our country as we know it. Once people start holding politicians accountable, once people stop agreeing with everything that leaves a photo by THE HILL/GETTY IMAGES politicians mouth just because he has a Blue or a Red tie, once We should not have dependency on one people realize it is the PEOPLE who hold person, or even one political party. the power, not any government employee, George Washington addressed this in once people can finally see that at the end his farewell address, and stated it very of the day, we all breathe, eat, sleep, and well. “However [political parties] may now bleed, we will be able to return to the way and then answer popular ends, they are things were. We cannot become content likely in the course of time and things, to in the times that are good, or they will not become potent engines, by which cunning, stay that way for very long.
My mother’s kitchen Why eating your family’s recipes will always be a five-star meal and that it is okay not to like other people’s recipes. by ZAEBIAN MACHANDE staff writer
I’ve had conversations with many of my peers on the infamous recipe books written by their families that they’ve grown to love. Sharing favorite meals made by loved ones is one of the ways I’ve gotten to know people the best. My own mother’s journey in cooking has been quite experimental, but today, her list of staple recipes is definitely an accomplishment. There are some dishes my mother makes that have been absolutely perfected over the years—so much to the point that I can’t help but shudder when I hear another say, “My mom makes that too!” These instances have helped me accumulate a list of dishes I will never eat unless they come from my mother’s kitchen. Leading my list is a dish referred to in my house as “Mom’s Famous Meatloaf.” I do not trust anyone else who claims they’ve had good meatloaf before because they haven’t had my mother’s. She has somehow created the perfect concoction of spices and sauces that would have Gordon Ramsay quaking in his boots. This meatloaf contains the perfect balance of ground beef, that actually has
flavor, and a sweet ketchup-&-barbecuesauce topping that is guaranteed to have you running for seconds and thirds. Try comparing this to your grandma’s plain block of meat with ketchup: I dare you. Served best with a side of mashed potatoes, this excellent dish is sure to put any other platter of meat to shame. Have you ever had a scone? Was it my mother’s? If not, then it probably wasn’t a very good scone. Scones are often something I tend to avoid as a bakery option because they never fail to have the consistency and flavor of a brick—that is, if it doesn’t come from home. My mother makes the absolute best homemade scones on the planet. The intoxicating smell of the sweet dough baking turns our house into a professional bakery, and the finished result is wonderful. They’re soft and buttery and don’t taste like a brick. One of my favorites consists of chocolate chips and an espresso glaze. They’re absolutely to die for—not literally, but they are really good. Again, Gordon Ramsay is quaking. I don’t have any explanation as to why, but I have extreme trust issues with a foreign
dish of tater-tot casserole. Maybe it’s my innate hatred for cream of mushroom soup or fear of soggy vegetables. Regardless, I simply will not eat tater-tot casserole if I don’t know where it came from. The only phrase I can think to use is “unsettling”… I don’t know, it’s just a weird dinner. Plus, my mother melts cheese over the top of the covering layer of tater tots and it’s mouthwatering. The idea of only eating some recipes homemade is something I’m weirdly opinionated on, much like the Met Gala. It simply makes sense in my mind that not every dish offered to you is destined to be good. As children, we were always preached the idea of “stranger danger.” What adults failed to mention to us was the versatility of this phrase; it applies to both kidnapping as well as eating food made by others. My opinions differ from Chef Gusteau of the hit film “Ratatouille” I don’t think everyone can cook, and that’s okay. I thank The Lorian for providing me a safe space to air out these hard feelings to my campus community.
photo by GETTY IMAGES
THE
EDITORIAL STAFF executive editor: KEEGAN GODWIN executive copy editor : AVERY WICKERSHAM features editor: MARY FELLERS opinion editor: DEVYN SHEA news editor: CAMERON ARVIDSON mind and soul editor: CALASANDRA SPRAY sports editor: KEVIN KESSEL assistant editor: EMERALD BARNES-SEGER
ABOUT US Circulation: The Lorian is published on a weekly basis, with exceptions of holiday breaks, examination periods and January Term. The newspaper is available in all main academic buildings and residence halls across campus on Thursdays during the afternoon/evening. Editorial Policy: The Lorian is the official student-led, award-winning newspaper of Loras College. The opinions expressed in The Lorian are those of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the students, faculty or administration. The Lorian reserves the right to edit submissions for taste, length and grammar.
CONTACT US On campus: 259 Hoffmann Hall 675 Loras Boulevard Dubuque, IA Phone: 563-588-7954 Mailing address: 1450 Alta Vista Street Box #243 Dubuque, IA 52001 On the web: Email: lorian@loras.edu www.myduhawk.com/thelorian www.issuu.com/thelorian Facebook: facebook.com/thelorian Twitter: @TheLorianLC
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Do you have an opinion on something and want to write a “letter to the editor?” Do you have more questions about an article you read? Corrections or clarifications? A differing opinion about an issue brought up that you want to be heard? We want your input. In every published Lorian, all members of the Loras community are encouraged to write a letter to the editor. We encourage differing opinions, so take the time, and speak your mind. To submit a letter to the editor, please email lorian@loras.edu. Letters should be no more than 300 words in length and include the name and article you are referencing. *Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
6
7
O pinion
October. 14, 2021 The Lorian
The ethics behind being left on read by ARJA KUMAR staff writer
The whole concept of “being left on read” is one that most are unfortunately familiar with. The expression itself refers to when a person has seen, but not responded to, a sender’s (digital) message, and is commonly linked with feeling ignored. Typically, most people distress about this type of situation and are left to wonder why the other person did not reply. Did I say or do something wrong? What is the other person thinking of me? What is the other person doing that is making them so busy to not be able to reply? More so, one is left feeling unsatisfied without a proper and mutual beginning or termination of conversation. The issue is thus tied to communication ethics. This specific branch of ethics is concerned with questions about “the good” in relation to how we ought to act when communicating with each other. Typically, modern communication ethics focuses on practical problems concerning institutions, the work place, the media, etc. Yet, modern communication ethics in a person’s personal relationships is still important to consider and understand -- especially in an online context. The act of being left on read implies that the recipient is too busy to talk or does not desire to converse with the sender of the message. It can be an appropriate response with the right people (e.g., those who are very close to you, those who understand you intuitively -- everyday family members, intimate friends) in the right situations (e.g., casual conversation, showing the other person something). For example, your beloved sibling leaving your Spongebob memes on read is okay, since you both know each other very well and understand each other’s communication. Yet, being left on read can be an inappropriate, and moreover, indecent response with other people (e.g., those who have a more formal relationship with you -- friends, acquaintances, respected family members, professionals, teachers, students, etc.) in certain situations (e.g., scenarios that strongly invite a response). One such example is that of casual friends that you talk to only on occasion. As a modern human being, I am no stranger to being left on read. It is one of my biggest pet peeves. One example of poor communication ethics is from an old family friend of mine. We had known each other for years, growing up together and frequently seeing each other as young teens when our families would meet. Though we had not been in close communication as young adults, I still thought we were friends. One day, I was thinking of her and thought to send her a message. I greeted her with a “Hey! How are you?” and asked her a simple question like “Do you need back that cat toy your grandma gave you? I remember you sold it to me when we were five. Found it in my basement.” After many hours, I was left on read. My so-called “friend” would not reply to me until five months later with a simple “oh, sorry I didn’t see this until now. No, you can keep it.” Yet, she was active on social media and responded to my mother immediately to get a recommendation letter from her.
She posted pictures regularly on Facebook and her chat icon was always active. I do not know how seemingly busy she was in her life, but I intuitively knew that she ignored me. True that she was not obligated to respond to me, but I believe it is the ethical thing to do to acknowledge a person, their reason for communicating with you, and to respond to them appropriately and politely. Especially if they have good intentions with you or just want to ask how you are. This incident reflected the harsh truth that people may ignore you unless you are relevant to them and their lives somehow or unless you can do something for them. In this case, I perhaps could not be of any social or status benefit to my “friend.” Yet, my mother could in the way that she could greatly increase my “friend’s” chance at getting a job and boost her status. This all comes down to the fact that people make time for the people they <em>want</em> to make time for. More so, people’s response to you (or lack of) not only reflects their level of interest and respect for you, but also their personal sense of ethical behavior in society. One example of good communication ethics was from an old professor of mine. I sent her an email asking how she was and a simple question about some practical matter. She responded she was doing well and hoped that I was too. She said she saw my message, truthfully, did not know the answer, and would not get to respond properly until tomorrow, as she was busy with a lot of things that day. Though she was not obligated to respond, her two-lined email response made what I said feel acknowledged. She could have easily ignored me or responded an untimely while later (since my matter was not the most urgent or relevant), but she communicated promptly and politely. This gave me a good impression of her as a good listener, and made me connect with her more. Most importantly, I believe it reflected her good sense of communication ethics and the fact that she was a responsible and honest communicator. Good communication is vital to developing a meaningful relationship with others and building trust. We cannot rightly judge whether a person is meaningful to us without giving them a chance to actually speak with us. And we should give ourselves a chance to seek to understand them. I believe purposefully ignoring others’ messages or attempts to communicate with you is unethical. It is so because it does nothing to contribute to doing good for the individual or society. Rather, it shatters the opportunity to foster a meaningful relationship. Virtual-messaging culture does seem to dissociate people from normal communication etiquette. Perhaps being left on read is not a matter of ethics, but more so, having good manners. We should give each person a chance to say what they intend to say to us and reciprocate their communication. (Of course, the case is different if somebody is being rude to you, but most people are just trying to talk to you.) At least acknowledge the other person. At least say “yes, I got your message!” Or, “yes, I heard you!” Even a simple thumbs-up or smiley face works wonders. That is enough decency to make another person feel heard instead of staring at an empty abyss, blank wall, or read receipt.
The battle for immortality by KEEGAN GODWIN exectuive editor
7-time MVP. 2935 hits. .298 batting average. Most intentional walks in MLB history. Most home runs ever hit in an MLB season. Most home runs hit in MLB history. This is just the highlights of Barry Bonds’ resume.
Bonds played 143 games and batted .370. Bonds would win four MVP awards in a row between 2001 and 2004, becoming the greatest baseball player ever.
In 2007, at the age of 42, Bonds knew his career was going to end soon. He had suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2005, and the risk of re-injuring it was extremely high. However, despite all of his success, Bonds was still chasing one more After being drafted 6th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates accolade; the all-time home run record. The record was held by in 1985, Bonds debuted in 1986 as a left fielder. He struggled (for Hank Aaron, hitting an amazing 755 home runs in his career. On his standards) as a rookie, only batting .223 and racking up a caAugust 7th, 2007, Bonds was tied with Aaron’s record of 755. The reer-high 102 strikeouts. Baseball is a game of patience. For some sold-out crowd at AT&T Park watched and waiting for Bonds people, it takes years to develop their craft. Some people simply to break the record. And then, on a 3-2 pitch from Washington never figure theirs out. For Bonds, however, it took him only four Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik, Bonds crushed the ball 435 feet. years. In 1990, Bonds took his game to the next level. Bonds was an Bonds stood alone. all-star, a gold glover, a silver slugger, and won his NL MVP award. With all of his success, however, there was controversy. Between the 1990 season and the 1993 season, Bonds would win three total MVP awards, cementing himself as a true superstar in the Barry Bonds was accused of using PEDs in 2003. The controversy is extremely long and complicated and is an entire paper on its league. own. The important details are that Bonds never failed an MLB In 1993, Bonds signed a historic deal with the San Francisdrug test and the PEDs he was accused of using were not banned co Giants, worth $43.75 million over a six-year term. Between 1993 by the MLB until 2005. Bonds never admitted to cheating, but and 2000, Bonds would continue his elite reign over the league. He that does not mean he is 100% innocent. Bonds’ resume, even would be selected to six all-star games, four more gold glove awards, if you remove the four years of ‘suspected abuse, is still Hall of and four more silver slugger awards. Despite all of this success, and Fame worthy. It goes to mention that the MLB Hall of Fame is him being 35 years old, Bonds was still not even at his peak. riddled with people who have cheated in worse ways than Bonds. Between 2001 and 2004, Barry Bonds cemented his posi- That does not mean cheating is right but why were those memtion as the greatest baseball player to ever live. In 2001, Barry Bonds bers allowed to be inducted? If the MLB is making a statement by was eons above every other player. He hit 73 home runs that season, not allowing Bonds to enter the Hall of Fame, then there needs to the most ever in an MLB season, a record that still stands to this be a standard that is accepted and used throughout time. day. In 2002, Barry Bonds batted .370. Let me say that again. Barry
Protagonists vs antagonists: Who makes up the story? by SARWAN MOGHAMIS staff writer
The obvious response to this question is the protagonist, but we never truly look at the antagonist’s point of view. Every story is usually told the same way: a protagonist is trying to rediscover himself or herself through some sort of journey. An antagonist reflects who the protagonist strives to be different from. The antagonist is the central obstacle in the protagonist’s way. The protagonist wins and the antagonist loses. Then comes the happy ending. All these stories center around the protagonist, never the antagonist. Almost every antagonist has a reason for why they do what they do. Starting with various Disney villains, each is illustrated as pure evil to demonstrate the better characteristics of the main protagonists. Scar from “The Lion King” kills Mufasa and attempts to kill Simba because he wants to rule Pride Rock. It may not seem like it for the obvious reasons, but in reality, Scar was betrayed by Mufasa when the throne promised to him was taken away. Scar was only putting his feelings of neglect and anger in action. Was it right to kill Mufasa? Of course not, but it’s what made the story. Hades wants to overthrow Zeus and the other gods because he was sentenced by Zeus to look after the Underworld, Ursula was betrayed by Triton, Davy Jones wanted to find love and be free from his curse, Prospector (from “Toy Story 2”) was tired of rejection, and the list goes on. Each Disney villain had a purpose behind their actions, whether it was betrayal or revenge on those who did them wrong. In a sense, they were victims at one point and now they are taking back what was taken from them: their self-worth. Shifting gears to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I have to talk about this specific antagonist: Thanos. Thanos wanted to remove half of life from existence, which is awful, but there is a reason behind his madness. Thanos believed that by eliminating half of existence, the other half would strive. I’m not in support of this plan, but there is logic to it. The world had become so occupied with many different people from both sides: good and bad. It had reached a point where Earth was failing to meet everyone’s needs. By sacrificing half of humanity, the other half could save the world from extinction. The DC universe has created a very popular villain as well, one that has been played by some terrific actors. This character is known as the Joker. Focusing on the Joker featured in “The Dark Knight,” this man was a psychopath who murdered so many people. Again, I’m not supporting his actions, but the Joker had a reason. The city of Gotham had reached a high level of corruption, and the Joker was only bringing that fact to reality. He wanted people to understand that he was the only “sane” person for seeing the world as it was: a dark place filled with hidden corruption. As mentioned earlier, antagonists make up these stories. They give protagonists an opposition, but we need to consider why the antagonist does what he or she does. Most have good reasons while others are just plain “evil.” Next time you watch a film or T.V. show, take a moment to really center your focus on the antagonist.
8
S ports
October 14, 2021 The Lorian
Raiders Head Coach emails come back to bite by PAUL GUTIERREZ ESPN Staff Writer
LAS VEGAS -- Jon Gruden has resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders following reports that emails he wrote over a 10-year period included racist, misogynistic and antigay language. “I love the Raiders and do not want to be a distraction,” Gruden said in a statement Monday night. “Thank you to all the players, coaches, staff, and fans of Raider Nation. I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone.” Raiders owner Mark Davis released a short statement saying he has accepted Gruden’s resignation. Assistant coach Rich Bisaccia will serve as interim head coach effective immediately, the team announced. Bisaccia will meet with the media during availability on Wednesday. The resignation came shortly after The New York Times reported that Gruden used misogynistic and anti-gay language in numerous emails during a seven-year period. That report came days after 10-year-old emails from Gruden surfaced that included a racist comment about NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith as well as a vulgar criticism of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
he sent the emails that are now under review. “The comments are clearly repugnant under any circumstance,” ESPN said in a statement. Gruden’s emails also included harsh language for a handful of team owners involved in the 2011 labor disagreement that led to a lockout at the time. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Gruden, in an email to Allen, said Smith had “lips the size of michellin tires,” with the newspaper saying it had reviewed the email in question. Gruden told ESPN that he routinely used the term “rubber lips” to “refer to a guy I catch as lying ... he can’t spit it out.” “I’m ashamed I insulted De Smith. I never had a racial thought when I used it,” Gruden told ESPN. “I’m embarrassed by what’s out there. I certainly never meant for it to sound that bad.” The emails came to light during the NFL’s investigation into workplace misconduct with Washington, as “the league was informed of the existence of emails that raised issues beyond the scope of that investigation,” according to NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy. Senior league executives reviewed the content of more than 650,000 emails, including the one the Journal reported was written by Gruden to Allen. The NFL sent pertinent emails to the Raiders for review. Gruden, 58, became the Raiders head coach in 2018, agreeing to a 10-year contract worth a reported $100 million. The Raiders, off to a 3-2 start this season, went 22-31 under Gruden this time around, after he initially coached the Raiders from 1998 to 2001. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and beat his former team in Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003. The Raiders have had one winning season and a playoff appearance since then, in 2016.
photo from THE ATHLETIC
Jon Gruden resignation comes in the midst of a 10 year $100 million contract, the largest coaching cntract in NFL history.
Where do the Las Vegas Raiders go after Jon Gruden’s abrupt departure? According to The Times, Gruden sent emails to Bruce Allen, then the president of the Washington Football Team, and others during a seven-year period that ended in 2018. Gruden emailed Allen that Goodell should not have pressured then-St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher to draft “queers,” referring to former defensive end Michael Sam, a gay player drafted in 2014, according to The Times. The Times also reported that Gruden used an anti-gay slur in several instances while referring to Goodell and used offensive language to describe some owners, coaches and media members who cover the league. Gruden was employed by ESPN as the lead analyst for Monday Night Football at the time
NFL Comissioner Roger Goodell
photo from YAHOO SPORTS
Nets to sideline Irving until vaccinated Local Brooklyn mandates force Irving to make a decision on the vaccine as the NBA season looms closer
“everyone” was consulted, this decision came down to two people: him and owner Joe Tsai. Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the Brooklyn Marks also said the only salary Irving will forfeit will be Nets until he is eligible to become a full participant for home games due to New York City’s vaccine mandate. under local COVID-19 vaccination Irving wasn’t even eligible to requirements, general manager Sean practice with the Nets in New York Marks said Tuesday. until Friday, when the city told the “Kyrie has made a personal choice, team that its training facility was and we respect his individual right to considered a private venue. choose. Currently the choice restricts Irving then joined the team at his ability to be a full-time member of an outdoor practice Saturday and the team, and we will not permit any worked out with the team Sunday, member of our team to participate but he didn’t play in Brooklyn’s with part-time availability. It is exhibition game at Philadelphia on imperative that we continue to build Monday. chemistry as a team and remain true NBA players are not required to be to our long-established values of vaccinated, but unvaccinated players togetherness and sacrifice,” Marks face more testing and restrictions said in a statement. on their ability to be around their “Our championship goals for the teammates. The league had said that season have not changed, and to players wouldn’t be paid for games achieve these goals each member they miss because they are ineligible of our organization must pull in the to play. same direction. We are excited for the I r v i n g h a s n’t s a i d h e i s n’t start of the season and look forward vaccinated, asking for privacy when to a successful campaign that will he spoke via Zoom during the team’s make the borough of Brooklyn media day on Sept. 27. Teammates proud.” have said they are supportive of his Ne w York C it y ’s C OV I D - 1 9 personal choice. vaccine mandate requires a person to On Tuesday, asked by the media if have proof of at least one COVID-19 Irving wasn’t vaccinated, Marks said: vaccine shot to enter indoor gyms -“If he was vaccinated, we wouldn’t be including Barclays Center, the home having this discussion. I think that’s photo from USA TODAY of the Nets, and Madison Square Irving has been persistent on not getting vaccinated since before last seasons NBA playoffs. pretty clear Garden, the home of the Knicks. Irving isn’t the only NBA player facing a tough decision amid league and local mndates. The Nets are prevented by law from by ESPN NEWS SERVICES
revealing whether Irving has been vaccinated, but the team’s statement is a strong indication he has not met New York’s vaccination requirement. Addressing the media Tuesday, Marks said that while