November 2, 2020

November 2, 2020

Volume 102, Issue 6

THE

CHARGER BULLETIN

West Haven, Conn.

The student news source of the University of New Haven.

Presidential Election Edition

PICKING THE PRESIDENT A long-awaited election is finally here

Graphic courtesy of Christopher Colquhoun, Graphics Editor

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November 2, 2020

BU L L E T I N B OA R D

Bulletin Briefs

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Charger Bulletin

Page 3 Author Jennifer Cobbina speaks to students

Page 5

What to know before the election

Page 8 SNL political impersonations

Page 10 Meet the Chargers debut

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Editor-in-Chief Kayla Mutchler Managing Editor Amanda M. Castro Student Life Editor Beth Beaudry Sports Editor Joe Klaus Entertainment Editor Tiara Starks Opinion Editor Kristen Marcus Staff Writers Kelly Adkins, Earl Alexander Givan, Cameron Hailey, Isabelle Hajek, Barry Lewandowski, Mia Steadman, and Tyler Wells Multimedia Editor Jada Clarke Associate Editor for Photography Hunter Lang Associate Editor for Graphic Design Christopher Colquhoun Advertising Manager Hannah Providence Associate Editor for Videography Nick Meaney Community Engagement Editor Victoria Cagley

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To view previous issues, go to issuu.com/chargerbulletin

Students encourage voting

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Charger Crossword

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The Charger Bulletin staff strives for excellence and accuracy in writing and reporting. We recognize that mistakes may occur and encourage readers to notify the Bulletin if they feel a correction is necessary. Please email the Editor-in-Chief at chargerbulletin@newhaven.edu.

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November 2, 2020

NEWS

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Author Jennifer Cobbina speaks to university students about protests changing America

BY ISABELLE HAJEK STAFF WRITER

O

n Tuesday, the office of the V.P. for diversity & inclusion and the Myatt Center for Diversity & Inclusion hosted a webinar entitled “Hands Up Don’t Shoot: How Protests Changed America.” The webinar featured critically acclaimed author and scholar Jennifer Cobbina who spoke about her book, “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot: Why the Protests in Ferguson and Baltimore Matter, and How They Changed America.”

Cobbina is an associate professor at the University of Michigan within the school of criminal justice. Her research focuses on corrections, recidivism and how race, class and gender impact victimization and an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system. Her book is a product of research she conducted using detailed interviews to explore the Ferguson, Missori and Baltimore, Maryland protests and riots following the police killings of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray.

In the aftermath of these killings, among others, the DeFrom Cobbina’s presentation Photo courtesy of Isabelle Hajek

partment of Justice conducted research into policing and the criminal justice system in both Ferguson and Baltimore. The report found that Black citizens were more likely to be “stopped, searched, and arrested” but less likely to be found in possession of contraband (i.e. illegal substances or weapons).

“Hands Up, Don’t Shoot: Why the Protests in Ferguson and Baltimore Matter, and How They Changed America,” explores these instances and the statistics further. After interviewing 218 different individuals involved in protests, Cobbina found four common themes that lead to negative encounters with the police: aggressive policing, racial profiling, police disrespect, and the unfavorable treatment of women.

Cobbina shared quotes from her interviews to exemplify each of the above categories.

Darnell, a Black teenager from Ferguson said, “[The officer] comes back. [Hey says] ‘Didn’t I tell you motherf***ers… get the f**k out’ … ‘they just start whooped on all of us … they hit me in my face once, my ribs twice.”

Rosalind, a Black woman from Ferguson reported that she “called a police [officer] one time. I had a dispute with

a neighbor and [the police] just came to fight… just grabbed me out the house… and beat [me] up.”

Like in her book, Cobbina said that positive encounters with police were typically due to “quick response time” and “police encounters void of assault.” She said that demonstrations occur when emotions of discontent and anger, grievances, belief in “individual efficacy” and “group efficacy” and collective identity coincide.

Finally, she said that riots are “the language of the unheard” and are “a powerful mechanism,” although she would not participate in one herself.

In reviewing the police and governmental responses to protests, she said that the initial response used to be an “escalated force” tactic where police matched the aggression of protestors. This shifted to negotiated management and eventually again to what is presently used, strategic incapacitation: a militarized response to protests.

Once again, Cobbina shared quotes from protestors’ experiences with the police both directly and indirectly.

Monique, a Black Ferguson protester said, “Ferguson police called us monkeys and n***ers.”

Javon, a Black Ferguson protestor, said that while he was in a car during a protest, “[the officer] put his gun to me, was like ‘don’t move, let me see your hands.’ But I already had my hands up though because it’s ‘hands up, don’t shoot’... And he put me in [hand]cuff and… had me to the ground for like two hours.”

According to Cobbina, experiences such as these affect protestors differently. She coined three terms to categorize protestors: ‘the Revolutionary,’ who protests daily, ‘the Inter-

The Zoom event Photo courtesy of Isabelle Hajek

mittent,’ who has protested more than four times, and ‘the Tourist,’ who has protested less than three times. ‘The Revolutionary’ is likely to continue protesting despite the violent experience whereas ‘the Tourist’ is not likely to return to do so.

During the last thirty minutes, Lorenzo Boyd and Glenn McGee opened up the Q&A feature and allowed students to ask questions.

Student Kareem Jordan asked, “given the structural issues that are deep in policing that contribute to these issues and the deep mistrust Black communities have toward police, do you

really believe true reconciliation can take place?”

Cobbina said that the U.S. must “engage in truth telling,” as other countries have done regarding atrocities and publicly and systematically address… the sin of slavery,” in order for reconciliation to take place.

After the conclusion of the Q&A session, Boyd asked Cobbina to promote her book.

Cobbina said that viewers could follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn, and visit her website.

November 2, 2020

NEWS

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Trump v. Biden: Who’s who

BY AMANDA M. CASTRO MANAGING EDITOR

T

hough Americans are aware of who the Democratic and Republican candidates for president are, it is important they know the facts and what they have been able to achieve leading up to the point of candidacy, and eventually, (re) election.

Democratic candidate Joseph R. Biden Joe Biden, presidential candidate and 47th vice president of the U.S., is currently 77 years old and was born in Scranton, Pa. Biden pursued the Democratic nomination for president in 1988 and 2008.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden searched for ways to help voters see that he had been formulating ideas rooted in recommendations from specialists in health care and economics – including making coronavirus tests widely available and free of charge. According to the New York Times, he said that there should also be no out-of-pocket expenses for patients to obtain a potential vaccine. And he was Donald Trump Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

strongly critical of the reaction of President Trump to the virus, accusing him of responding too slowly.

As vice president, Biden saw the passing of the Affordable Care Act – or Obamacare – and has demonstrated that health care is one of his highest priorities. Because of his own experiences regarding health care, such as his son’s death of brain cancer and the death of his first wife and daughter, he remains advocating for more affordable health care options.

Biden has extended his higher education proposal and proposes to provide free college tuition to families earning less than $125,000 for public universities, historically black colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions, along with his previous commitment to make community college tuition-free.

The 2020 presidential candidate has also put a significant emphasis on tackling climate change, naming it one of the four crises the world currently faces. He launched a new plan this summer, calling for the U.S. to reach a carbon-free power system by 2035 and a $2 trillion investment in renewable energy and infrastructure to tackle the challenge of climate change during his first four years in office.

Biden has not supported the

calls to defund police forces in the aftermath of nationwide demonstrations over racial injustice, but he supports offering an additional $300 million in support for community-based policing, as well as matching police with mental health providers to help meet community standards, while also promoting a national standard regarding use of force.

Biden promises to reverse Trump’s policies during his first 100 days in office, such as separating parents from their children at the U.S.-Mexican border, lifting the cap on the number of asylum applicants, and putting an end to travel bans from several Muslim-majority countries. He also promises to support the “Dreamers” as well as to ensure that they are eligible for federal student assistance.

Republican candidate Donald J. Trump Currently, Donald Trump serves as the 45th president of the U.S., assuming office on Jan. 20, 2017. On Mar. 17, 2020, he crossed the delegate threshold needed to secure the Republican nomination. At the Republican National Convention on Aug. 24, 2020, he was officially nominated.

Trump’s reelection has centered on the economy, employment, immigration, and foreign policy. During his inaugural address, he outlined his agenda called “America First.”

The U.S. withdrawing from the Iran nuclear agreement, the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the First Step Act in 2018, decreasing the size of the ISIS caliphate, and creating the Space Force as a separate military branch were key policy measures during Trump’s first term. Trump has also made more than 200 federal judicial appointments, including two U.S. Justices of the Supreme Court.

Trump has taken a strong position on China in terms of investment, combined with a campaign to shield local producers from international competition, and these remain core aspects of his trade policy.

The president stressed his work during his first term, renegotiating previous trade agreements that he claims were unfair to the U.S. — like NAFTA, between the U.S., Canada and Mexico — or leaving them explicitly — like the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

In 2016, Trump supported the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, initiated by former President Barack Obama and Vice President Biden. The administration has succeeded in undoing portions of the legislation, including the elimination of the individual mandate, which required people to purchase

Joe Biden Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

health insurance or face a tax penalty, despite stopping short of a full elimination.

Pres. Trump has also vowed to lower U.S. drug prices and implemented steps in July to enable discounts and imports of cheaper drugs from abroad, although some industry experts have said that they will not have much effect.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., Trump has repeatedly said that the virus would “disappear,” despite arguments from Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies and reports, and experts, such as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci.

The Presidential Seal Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

November 2, 2020

NEWS

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What to know before the What is happening election if you don’t follow in the battleground states politics

BY AMANDA M. CASTRO MANAGING EDITOR

T

he election this year is facing different circumstances as COVID-19 continues to loom in the U.S. It is understandable that there may be some confusion surrounding the election.

With this in mind, here are some things to think about for Nov. 3 if you don’t actively follow politics, or if this is your first time participating in an election: What can I expect on Election Day? This presidential election is the first in history to take place during a pandemic. There have been changes to the electoral process as an increasing number of voters plan to vote by mail, despite President Donald J. Trump’s concerns about fraud.

The public may not see final results until after Election Night.

Unfortunately, not even political experts know much about what will be happening on the day of the election, so don’t be frightened if you don’t know what to expect, No one does.

How is the winner chosen?

Despite popular votes, candidates ultimately compete to win electoral college votes.

Partly based on its population, each state is assigned a specific number of electoral college votes and there is a total of 538 of those votes available, so the winner is the candidate who receives 270 or more.

It is possible for a candidate to win the most votes nationwide but still not win the electoral college, as Hillary Clinton did in 2016.

All but two states have a winner-take-all system, meaning

all of the state's electoral college votes are awarded to whichever candidate receives the highest number of votes.

States generally lean toward one party or the other, but typically, the emphasis is on 12 or so states where one might win.

These are known as battleground states.

When will the winner take office?

If Democratic candidate for presidency Joe Biden wins the election, there is a fixed transition period to allow the new leader time to select cabinet ministers and to make and finalize plans.

On Jan. 20, 2021, in a ceremony known as the inauguration held on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington D.C., the new president is formally sworn into office.

The new president returns to the White House after the ceremony to begin his four-year term in office.

Am I eligible to vote?

In Connecticut, you should be able to vote in the presidential election if you’re a U.S. citizen and are at least 17 but turning 18 before Election Day.

According to Connecticut’s state website, as a college student living away from home, you may be able to vote by either completing an absentee ballot for an election taking place in your home state or town or by registering to vote in West Haven.

When and how should I vote?

According to Democracy Works, in Connecticut, the last day to register to vote online, by mail, or in-person is Oct. 27. Absentee ballots, however, must be requested before Nov. 2. Voters will have until 8 p.m.

Nov. 3 to return their ballot by mail or in person.

Learn more about in-person voter registration by visiting the Secretary of State for Connecticut or by contacting local election officials.

To vote, one must have a current and valid driver’s license, learner’s permit or non-driver’s photo identification card from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and a signature on file with the DMV to use the online voter registration system.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

BY TIARA STARKS ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

A

s Election Day creeps closer, both candidates have put an emphasis on visiting socalled battleground states.

These states tend to have split support for Democrat and Republican candidates. In these states, also known as swing or purple states, it is up to a candidate to convince voters that they’re the right pick. This year, these states are Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

According to CNN, Republican candidate and current President Donald J. Trump is considerably more focused on voters in these swing states where the outcome may be uncertain for a candidate. Voters in battleground states can expect to have eyes on them as the presidential race intensifies.

Looking back at the 2016 election, 94% of all campaigning took place in 12 states, and two-thirds of the events took place in six states. Candidates weren’t present in any state with just three electoral votes, which undermined how the Electoral College forces candidates to run national campaigns. This fall isn’t any different.

In 2020, since the conclusion of the national party conventions in August, we’ve seen 70% of all campaign events have been held in six states: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Florida, Michigan, and Minnesota. Almost nine dollars out of every $10 spent on TV in the presidential race is being invested in these states.

Democratic candidate Biden has had advantages in five of those states, except for North Carolina. Trump has been spending a lot of time promoting himself in Georgia, Ohio and Iowa, where he won in 2016.

According to an NBC News article, last year, a Republican strategist Justin Clark, was caught on tape saying that Republicans were always “suppressing votes in places,” which he later claimed was in reference to false allegations against the Party as a whole.

Currently, there have already been controversies over fake ballot drop boxes across the country, specifically in California. In Fresno, Los Angeles and Orange County, the Grand Old Party (GOP) has been accused of planting the fake boxes. A Republican official replied that it’s a form of “ballot harvesting,” which is considered legal, so voters that lack transportation or are elderly/disabled can have a third party sign the ballot as a witness. However, the unofficial ballot boxes in California have been unmanned, therefore, the state says it’s not the same as actual ballot harvesting.

As of now, in most election forecasts, Biden is predicted to win. He holds a firm lead in the national poll and in the 8 battleground states; Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

An electoral map Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

November 2, 2020

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Celebrities talk voting and who they’re voting for

BY KAYLA MUTCHLER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

C

elebrities seem far from the average person, but in one regard, they’re not so different: they still vote. Some celebrities have been outspoken on social media about this year’s presidential election, while others have taken a quieter approach.

On Oct. 7, singer Taylor Swift, posted to social media about why she is voting for Joe Biden in an interview with V Magazine. One photo included the cover of the magazine, which said “vote.” In the other photo, she held a plate of cookies that said, “Biden Harris 2020.” In the interview, she said “The change we need most is to elect a president who recognizes that people of color deserve to feel safe and represented, that women deserve the right to choose what happens to their bodies, and that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves to be acknowledged and included.”

50 Cent has been outspoken about his support for Donald Trump, specifically in a social media post. He disproved of Biden’s tax plan, where it depicted California being taxed by 62.6%. He said, “I don’t care Trump doesn’t like black people. 62% are you out of ya f***ing mind.” Instagram has flagged the post, as according to the Associated Press Fact checker, the post is missing context and could spread misinformation.

Lady Gaga has encouraged citizens to vote. She promoted a website called turbovote.org, created a song about voting, and recreated her “Telephone” sandwich dance while promot-

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Writer’s Choice

BY CHRISTOPHER COLQUHOUN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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I

took my time with this playlist to ensure you would enjoy it. I chose these songs because these are some of my escapes from the real world that help me relax. It is a playlist that I believe brings a little bit of inspiration to some people’s lives and a little bit of a shoulder for you to lean on as some songs may relate to others.

Zanzibar by Kamaliza Kamaliza is an Australian artist, bringing a very upbeat song to our lives. Zanzibar is about taking steps to better yourself/situation, even if that means leaving good people behind.

ing feedthepolls.org and more.

Gaga most recently posted a video about the importance of voting while wearing outfits from each of her album eras, including the infamous meat dress. Gaga has not directly said who she is voting for; however, after the killing of George Floyd, she opposed Trump: “He holds the most powerful office in the world, yet offers nothing but ignorance and prejudice while black lives continue to be taken.”

Kirstie Alley has shown support for Trump since his original run in the 2016 election. She has voted for different parties throughout the years, such as Photo courtesy of Taylor Swift’s Instagram

Graphic courtesy of Christopher Colquhoun

former President Barack Obama in both of his terms. On Oct. 17, she tweeted, “I’m voting for @ realDonaldTrump because he’s NOT a politician. I voted for him 4 years ago for this reason and shall vote for him again for this reason. He gets things done quickly and he will turn the economy around quickly.”

Cardi B participated in an interview with Biden on Aug. 17, saying that she wants Trump out of office. She critiqued his handling of COVID-19, saying, “[Trump is] really confusing everyone. One day he’s telling them this is nothing, that people need to stop getting tested. Next thing you know, [he has] a mask [on his] face… And it’s crazy that all of this had to happen so they could open their eyes to the past four years.”

Kid Rock supports Trump in the upcoming election. On Sept.

14, Donald Trump Jr. tweeted that Kid Rock would join him for a Michigan campaign rally in support of Trump’s re-election. In Feb., Rock posted an Instagram photo of him and Trump playing golf together.

For information on this year’s election, head to vote.org.

Put Your Records On by Ritt Monmey Originally a song done by Corinne Bailey Rae, it was remixed to have a more lively feeling. The song is about living life in the best way possible because if you’re not having fun, then what’s the point?

I’ve Got My Life To Live by Carter Ace Carter Ace is a small-time artist, but has nice sense and grasp to music. His song talks about how, no matter the setback, you still have to keep moving forward.

Face To Face by Ruel The song represents a relationship through social media in hopes that they would soon then meet face-to-face. If you can see that special someone, then go for it!

Roll Some Mo by Lucky Daye Lucky Daye with his first song on his first E.P, “I”, blows people away. The song lets you know that no matter how high the dreams, you should go pursue and enjoy them.

Good Life by Kanye West A well-known artist with a song that just makes you feel lively.

“A Good Life” leads you into West’s celebrity living despite what others might say about him.

Best Friend by Rex Orange County The song talks about a love for a girl where even though they can’t be together at that moment, the guy still wants to be there as her favorite boy/best friend.

Broke by Samm Henshaw Samm Henshaw sounds like he talks from personal experience in this song. The song goes through the life of a man and how everything going down around him caused his significant other to leave.

He asks, if he wasn’t broke, would she still care and do all the things they said?

See You Again by Tyler the Creator (feat. Kali Uchis) Tyler seems to be talking to his ideal significant other in this song: a person that he has only seen in his sleep or while he daydreams.

Tribe by Bas (feat. J. Cole) This song was a kind of humbling piece to Bas, to take a look at what you have and don’t forget where you come from.

November 2, 2020

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Five political TV shows to watch this election

BY EMILY MCDONOUGH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

W

ith the presidential election right around the corner, Americans are anxious to find out who will win. Television can be a good distraction from real-world events, especially with the potential of delayed results.

Here are five political shows to distract you.

The West Wing This political drama follows the fictional administration of President Jeb Bartlett and his staff while they struggle to find a balance between their personal lives and trying to run the country. “The West Wing” was

created and written by Aaron Sorkin and aired on NBC from 1999 to 2006 for seven seasons.

After season four, Sorkin left the show for his own reasons, though many speculated it was because the production had issues during that season.

“The West Wing” is available to watch on Netflix.

Scandal Lawyer and former White House communications director and lawyer Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) opens her own crisis-management firm. Trying to move on from her past by defending the secrets of the nation’s elite, Pope and her team can’t seem to bury their own.

Created and written by Shonda Rhimes, “Scandal” aired on ABC from 2012-2018 for seven

seasons.

“Scandal” is available to watch on Hulu.

Veep “Veep” is a sitcom that follows Vice President Selina Mayer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) as she navigates her public and private life as well as all the situations that come with being the vice president. The political sitcom was created by Armando Iannucci and aired on HBO starting in 2012. It ran for seven seasons and consisted of 65 episodes, ending in 2019.

“Veep” is available to watch on HBO MAX. The Newsroom This political drama series is about the staff at a fictional news network, Atlantis Cable News. When Will McAvoy’s

(Jeff Daniels) co-anchor, Elliot Hirsch (David Harbour) lands a new program, he ends up taking most of the staff with him. The newsroom undergoes changes when Will gets a new staff for his program. The series was written and created by Aaron Sorkin and aired on HBO for three seasons. The series ended after season three because Aaron Sorkin didn’t want to continue writing the show.

“The Newsroom” is available to watch on HBO MAX. Designated Survivor Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) who is the housing and urban development secretary is picked to go to an undisclosed location during the State of the Union address. When the U.S. Capitol is attacked resulting in

the death of the president and most of the Cabinet, Kirkman becomes the president. Created by David Guggenheim, the show originally aired on ABC in September 2016. The show was cancelled by ABC after season two but then picked up by Netflix for a third and final season for June 2019.

“Designated Survivor” is available to watch on Netflix.

Photo courtesy of Scandal’s Twitter

Five great political movies for voters to watch

BY HANNAH PROVIDENCE

STAFF WRITER

P

olitics in film often highlights a monumental moment in history or focuses on one of the many intricate processes involved in government, and makes for an engaging, yet informational, plot. Here are five films that epitomize the politics genre: 1. All the President’s Men This 1972 classic is based on a best-selling memoir by Washington Post investigative reporters, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Woodward initially believes that he is covering a small break-in at the Democratic Party national headquarters, but soon finds that top lawyers are already on the defensive case, and that the Republican Party may actually be involved.

This thriller is a must-see and keeps you on your toes as you

follow the reporters solving the mystery of the trial, as IMDb says “leading higher and higher in the Republican Party, and eventually into the White House.”

2. Selma Arguably one of the most iconic movies of this generation, “Selma” is a star-studded film illustrating the unforgettable story of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous campaign for the support of equal voting rights.

One of the greatest protests in American history, King’s march from to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965 was more than just a march. Ann Hornaday from

the Washington Post says this campaign was one of “the most pivotal events in American life in the 20th century.”

The film’s director Ava DuVernay was able to depict this moment in history in a “stirring, often thrilling, uncannily timely drama that works on several levels at once,” said Hornaday.

If you never watched this movie in theaters, it is never too late as this Oscar-winning film is written in the list of classic movies from our lifetime.

From “All the President’s Men” Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

3. The Ides of March “We have to do it, it’s the right thing to do, and nothing bad happens when you’re doing the right thing,” says Ryan Gosling as the main character, Stephen Meyers. A fictional tale of a presidential candidate’s campaign is filmed through the eyes of Meyers, a young idealist.

As he is second in command to Gov. Mike Morris’s -- played by George Clooney -- presidential campaign, he learns quickly that a lot of bad things can happen.

This drama is underlined with romance, jam-packed with politics and filled with exciting and shocking twists, as the young Stevie battles with dirty politics and tries to stand for the people he believes in.

4. The Best Man Another classic film released in 1964 illustrates the story of two front-runners for their party’s presidential nomination.

Their personas differ greatly, according to IMDb, but both are looking for the former presi-

dent’s endorsement.

This drama highlights two distinct personas in politics but the pressure of grasping the attention and trust of the American people pushes both campaign teams to decide how dirty they are prepared to get.

5. Lincoln President Abraham Lincoln has one riveting story to tell as his presidency falls in the midst of the revolutionary American Civil War in 1865. The 2012 film illustrates how Pres.

Lincoln made one of the biggest decisions for America’s future: abolishing slavery.

Watch as Pres. Lincoln races against the clock to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment that will permanently end slavery in the U.S. This historic film is sure to give you further insight into the intricacies of Lincoln’s term and the monumental amendment that plays a big part in our American culture today.

November 2, 2020

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Saturday Night Live’s most notable political impersonations

BY TIARA STARKS ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

T

he NBC late-night sketch comedy show, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) is notorious for its satirical take on current politics. The show was closely followed during the 2016 presidential election as there has been discourse regarding how much influence the impersonations have on the election. In 2020, this conversation has not changed. Here is an overview of the 2020 political impersonations thus far: Actress and comedian Maya Rudolph has been recognized for her portrayal of vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris. According to the Associated Press, on the potential for her to impersonate her for the next four years, Rudolph said: “Let’s go. I’m ready.”

Larry David, well known for starring in hit television shows, “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” has been brought Baldwin and Carrey Photo courtesy of SNL’s Instagram

back into the spotlight for his impersonation of Vermont Senator and former 2020 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

David’s impersonation has been praised highly for his spot-on mannerisms and vocal cadence.

Not only that but, ironically enough, David and Sanders are actually distant relatives.

Colin Jost, current co-head writer on SNL and Weekend Update anchor, portrayed 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. This is another ironic portrayal as they were dormmates during college.

Previously, former cast member Jason Sudekis and actor Woody Harellson have portrayed the former vice president and current 2020 presidential candidate, Joe Biden. In a surprise announcement, however, Jim Carrey was picked to impersonate the politician for this upcoming election.

Carrey’s take on Biden has been talked about greatly by both fans and critics of the show. Some have said Carrey’s portrayal is “inaccurate.” Karen Valby at Vanity Fair wrote “He’s a monkey tasked with playing a tortoise,” a quip on the comedian’s recognizable outlandish

behavior when he portrays other characters in comparison to Biden’s more toned down personality.

Previously, 14-year cast member Darrell Hammond had been impersonating Donald Trump up until he was told by SNL producer Steve Higgins that he would no longer have the role.

Currently, Donald Trump is being portrayed by actor Alec Baldwin, who has recently been criticized for defending an SNL sketch in which the details of Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis

were mocked.

SNL is also known for not only mocking national but local and state politics. After New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer resigned, the show capitalized off of then-Lieutenant Gov. David Paterson who was portrayed by Fred Armisen.

Armisen is famously known for impersonating many political figures including former president Barack Obama and former New York mayor and 2020 presidential candidate

Rudolph and Beck Bennett Photo courtesy of SNL’s Instagram

Mike Bloomberg.

These impersonations play a big part in how people view the respective politicians as they highlight the unique personalities that flood the current world of politics.

Saturday Night Live is currently being taped in-studio with a limited audience at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City and is broadcast every week on Saturday on NBC.

November 2, 2020

S P O RT S

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Professional sports venues convert to voting centers

BY TYLER WELLS STAFF WRITER

T

o accommodate the Nov. 3 election, professional sports teams are opening the doors to their stadiums and arenas to serve as new voting centers. Teams hope to give citizens in highly populated areas more opportunities to cast their vote, an issue that many urban areas face on election day.

Earlier in the NBA’s bubble season, access to voting stations became an important issue as teams protested the officer-involved shooting of Jacob Blake.

Part of the league’s discussion with the players included turning their arenas, which will be mostly vacant in the weeks

leading up to and including election day, into voting centers.

This has become a reality.

The Election SuperCenters Project is an initiative to get professional sports teams to open their arena’s doors. It represents a collection of nonpartisan experts who have worked together to convert these venues into large spaces that allow for voters to have better safety and social distancing, as well as shorter lines and wait times.

Beyond these experts, many athletes and coaches have gotten involved with the efforts. Doc Rivers, current head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, has become one of the primary figures speaking for citizens to vote and for these new voting centers to be put up.

“Voting is so important for all of us,” Rivers said, now a

contributor with the Election SuperCenters Project.

Basketball superstar LeBron James has also advocated for the importance of voting and greater access to polling stations. He founded the nonprofit, More Than a Vote, and advocated to some of the teams around the NBA to convert their arenas to polling stations. The Atlanta Hawks were the first to make this change, with their arena becoming “Georgia’s largest-ever voting precinct,” as the team announced on their Twitter page on June 29.

Many other teams followed their lead. Dozens of franchises across the NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLB, MLS and NHL have become their areas’ largest polling sites, with many being available to early voters.

Lack of voting precincts is

It’s Tua time in Miami

BY DAVIN ROY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

T

he Miami Dolphins’ head coach, Brian Flores, announced Tuesday morning that rookie Tua Tagovailoa will be their new starting quarterback.

Former starter and 38-year old veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the backup to Tagovailoa for the remainder of the 2020 season.

Tagovailoa was the Miami Dolphins’s first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, being taken after only Joe Burrow, Chase Young, Jeff Odukah and Andrew Thomas. He was a star playing quarterback for the University of Alabama, winning the National Championship in 2017. Tagovailoa finished his college career with a 69% passer completion percentage, 7,442

passing yards, 87 touchdown passes and only 11 interceptions in a 3 season span. The future was bright for Tagovailoa, being one of the best quarterbacks in college, and looking like he was going to carry that same play into the National Football League (NFL). However, Tagovailoa had a major setback at the end of his college career.

In his final season at Alabama in 2019 he suffered a broken hip that required season ending Tua Tagovailoa Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

surgery. Everybody began to doubt him and if he’ll ever play like before. Nobody even knew if Tagovailoa would be back on the field.

Since his injury, Tagovailoa has been trying to defy the odds, wanting to be remembered as a great quarterback In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins took a risk and took Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in the draft and that’s because they believed in him. They saw greatness in him, and now, he is their starter.

In week six of the NFL season, Tagovailoa made his NFL debut in the closing minutes of the Dolphin’s 24-0 win over the New York Jets. Only two days later, he was named the starter. His NFL dreams were coming true right before his eyes. The photograph to the left is a picture of Tagovailoa sitting on the field after the game at Hard Rock Stadium, home of

a major issue during every election. A report from the New York University School of Law found that in the past election, voting centers in an Arizona county closed two hours late on average. Along with this, Latino voters “faced disproportionately long waiting times.” Though the efforts may not get rid of the

the Miami Dolphins. He wanted to take it all in that this was no longer a dream. He posted on Instagram with the caption “Come a long way. The journey continues. #BLESSED.” He has come a long way, and the journey is truly just about to start because he is set up for success.

The best college players are drafted to the worst NFL teams because they are in the most need for new stars, sothe draft is based around the teams that have the worst record, which then get the highest draft picks.

Tagovailoa has a top ten tight end to throw to, Mike Gesicki,

The Atlanta Hawks arena Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

problem, it could help with it.

If record early-voting numbers are any indication of what is coming with voter turnout for this election, voting centers could prove to be helpful in making sure every voter’s voice in these areas is heard.

and wide receiver, DeVante Parker, who had over 1200 receiving yards last season. He also has a great offensive line up with Ted Karras, Ereck Flowers and Soloman Kindley protecting him from opposing defenses.

Tagovailoa is set up for success. He has gotten further in his career than many people believed he would after his horrible injury. Many Dolphins fans, Alabama fans, and football fans are excited to see him make his starting NFL debut in week 8 vs Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

November 2, 2020

S P O RT S

Page 10

Meet the Chargers: Gabriela Garcia-Perez

BY ETHAN CARDONA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

‘M

eet the Chargers’ kicks off with Gabriela Garcia-Perez, a first-year business analytics major from Guilford, Conn. and a member of the women’s soccer team, donning the number 27 shirt for the “Blue and Gold.”

Making the transition from high school to college in the midst of a pandemic is no easy task, as the class of 2024 experienced this year. For Garcia-Perez, she juggled all this along with pursuing multiple extracurriculars in her senior year at Guilford High School, in particular a Gabriela Garcia-Perez Photo courtesy of Charger Athletics

group she founded: Community Integration Mentoring Program (CIMP) CIMP is a group at Fair Haven Pre K-8 School in New Haven where local high school students promote a sense of community between students of various ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds.

The idea started after talks with Daniel Díaz, Parent Engagement Project Coordinator for the New Haven Public School’s system, and an invitation to an event focused towards people from Puerto Rico who had moved to the Contiguous U.S. following Hurricane Maria.

“In attending that event, I realized a major social issue,” said Garcia-Perez. “With these kids coming to the nation, they were new to the school sys-

tem and some even new to the language.”

It was a problem that Garcia-Perez was made more aware of through the event with Díaz and struck a nerve, as Spanish was her first language and with two Latino parents, her mom and dad from Ecuador and Colombia, respectively, she has seen this story before, which made creating a diverse community even more of a goal.

That feeling of community starts at home for Garcia-Perez and her family. Living with her mom, dad, brother and grandmother, she was raised with her family by her side through everything, in her extracurriculars and especially in athletics.

“I remember going to practice with [my dad],” she said, “staying after to go over the different

techniques I needed to work on, my shooting, the strength of my shot, so he had a big influence on my development in middle school and in high school.”

In her youth soccer days, her day was either an assistant or head coach on each of her teams. A former University of New Haven men’s soccer player, himself, his influence was always there on and off the field.

As she made the transition herself onto campus, Garcia-Perez made the decision to start her collegiate endeavors as a commuter student rather than living on campus. With COVID-19 still very far from subsiding, it was the best decision at the time for the safety of her and her family.

The pandemic, along with

living at home, makes it harder for her to make friends, with everyone wearing masks and a lack of events on campus due to social distancing and other concerns. This is where being a member of the women’s soccer team became extra-special for Garcia-Perez, as she had her own group to immerse herself into right when she got on campus.

“Over the summer we had played some pickup games and mini practices,” said Garcia-Perez. “It was a good way for people to meet up and for me to meet the people on the team.

All of them were super nice and were telling me about all the things to look forward to at the university.”

That team comradery became ever more important for every team on campus on Jul. 16, when the Northeast-10 (NE10) Council of Presidents made the decision to postpone conference-sponsored competition and championships through Dec. 31 of this year. It was a tough situation but one that Garcia-Perez thinks was essential to ensure the safety of everyone on campus and around the NE10.

“Obviously I was sad,” she said, “But if that’s what it takes to really slow the progress of this pandemic, then that’s what’s needed. Not having a season, again, is sad, but so many people have been affected by COVID in such worse ways, that we can’t be complaining about [not playing].”

Garcia-Perez had much more to discuss about her family, soccer, and life as a first-year student at the university. For the full interview with Gabriela Garcia-Perez, go to NewHavenChargers.com, and later this week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

November 2, 2020

OPINIONS

Page 11

You’re an idiot. You’re a fascist. This election has tested us.

BY SUSAN L. CAMPBELL CHARGER BULLETIN ADVISOR

I

grew up in a mixed household.

My parents were rock-ribbed Republicans. My mother will go to her grave believing Nixon was framed. My grandparents were yellow-dog Democrats.

Fellow Missourian Harry S. Truman was their north star, and if there’s a heaven, he still is.

Every Election Day, my mother would skip out the door and merrily call to my grandmother that she was off to cancel her vote. My mother worried about

hippies and Democrats and drugs and sex. My grandparents didn’t seem concerned about hippies, drugs, or sex, but everyone was interested in arguing.

No one was formally educated, at least as far as book-learning went, but everybody read.

I counted once and my family subscribed to nine different magazines – “Time,” “Newsweek,” “Look,” “Life,” “Reader’s Digest,” you name it. If that wasn’t enough, my grandfather subscribed to the “U.S. News & World Report,” which he called the “Republican mouthpiece.”

He’d read it – my grandfather, with his fourth-grade education – and shake his head. I was in my teens when I realized all

those magazines were a means of self-defense for the arguments that would erupt as soon as Pres. Johnson upped the ante in Vietnam or Pres. Reagan cut another social program.

Let me be clear: We embraced Christianity, but political discussions in my home involved shouting and name-calling and – if we had them – knives pointed at throats. The script was: “You’re an idiot.”

“You’re a fascist.”

“I’m hungry.”

“Let’s go eat.”

It wasn’t that we didn’t mean the nasty things we said to each other. We meant and felt them deeply, but we also loved and trusted each other, and that al-

lowed us to remain on speaking terms through decades of shouting until we were hoarse.

This administration has tested that. My brothers and I (my little sister is decidedly apolitical, which in my family, is like being a unicorn that speaks French and drives a school bus) each picked a side. Two of us became conservative Republicans. One of us went off the deep end on the left. Our political conversations are still loud and vigorous and – here’s weird -- I always come away smarter for them. No one has changed their politics, but knowing why people think the way they do is a lot better than dismissing those people outright.

Photo courtesy of Susan L. Campbell

I hope my candidate wins on Tuesday. I hope my candidate wins big. And one of my first phone calls after will be to my family so we can roll the tape.

You’re an idiot. You’re a fascist.

I’m also hungry. Let’s eat.

Your vote always matters Charger Polls

BY KAYLA MUTCHLER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

T

he power is in your hands. Whether you’re voting for president, men or women of Congress, senators, or as local as the mayor of your town, it’s all up to you. Every election counts, and you can make your voice heard.

When someone says, “My vote doesn’t matter,” it means that you believe that you, as an individual, do not determine the outcome of an election. Perhaps, that is true for one person; but that’s not true when half of the country thinks that.

Nearly half of the country did think that in 2016.

According to a Penn State study, in the 2016 presidential election, only 58.1% of the voting-eligible population voted, which is about 138 million Americans. Although it may

seem like a big number, it still means 41.9% of the population didn’t vote.

This means, had the other 41.9% voted, there could have been a different result.

The Electoral College has a lot to do with this. To win an election, a candidate must win at least 270 out of 538 electoral college votes.

Electors in your state are supposed to vote for your votes, too. For example, Connecticut has seven electoral votes, and two senators and five members in the House of Representatives.

Whatever the majority vote of the state, that is what the electors are supposed to vote, too. Some states have laws that require electors to vote for the same candidate that wins the popular vote in the state, while others do not.

Your vote matters. You vote for the people that vote for the president. These electors are voted in based on their loyalty to the party, so they are sup-

posed to vote for the majority leader. Though there are faithless electors, this did not affect the 2016 election.

If it isn’t a primary election year, midterms matter, too. You vote for senators and House members, which determine policies relevant to your state.

Those votes are based solely on the popular vote.

If thousands of people once again believe that their vote doesn’t matter, the 2020 election could look similar to the one in 2016. If it is still available in your state, register to vote at vote.org.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Check out chargerbulletin.com each week for a new Charger Poll!

Results as of Nov. 1

November 2, 2020

OPINIONS

Can science and the U.S. government coexist?

BY CAMERON HAILEY STAFF WRITER

L

ast week, President Donald J. Trump, referred to his top epidemiologist, Anthony Fauci, and other leading scientists as “idiots.” As unbelievable as it may seem in 2020, the U.S. government and science have not always been in such disagreement.

Scientific belief has turned partisan as people leaning left often find more truth in scientific statements while those leaning right find mistrust in top scientists’ words. He; however, in 1970, Richard Nixon, a conservative Republican president, passed the Clean Air Act. In 1973, through an almost unanimous vote, the Endangered Species Act was passed into law.

Times have changed and mistrust in science has grown because of it. In Feb. 2015, Sen. James Inhofe brought a snowball into the Congress room to announce in his claim that there cannot be climate change if there is still snow on the ground outside. This shift came after years of cooperation between experts and politicians, which seemed to happen after Barack Obama was elected into the presidency. Before this, in the Republican debates in 2007, men like Rudy Giuliani and Newt Gingrich admitted to human-based climate change as an issue.

In 2012, Mitt Romney -- who once supported helping fight climate change -- had swung to denial. What followed his loss in 2012 was a Republican race in 2016, and run from Trump and others who denied scientific consensus often. After winning

the election and being inaugurated, Trump left the Paris Climate Accords. Scientists and politicians from the other countries in the accord had said this decision was a regrettable one from the administration and was only the beginning of the administration’s disregard for science.

In 2020, the denial of science and the implications for the U.S.’s citizens would be affected. In Feb. 2020, Trump met with Bob Woodward and explained he wanted to play the severity of what would soon be classified as a global pandemic.

As the year continued, the push away from science was continued by Trump. . With many claims of Hydroxychloroquine as a treatment and the withdrawal from the WHO. Trump has pushed away from taking advice from the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Fauci.

The task force for COVID-19 met almost every day. These meetings included the president.

However, as time has progressed, the task force has been reduced to a virtual meeting Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

once a week. While Fauci says that the president is briefed every day, his lack of attendance and claim that the U.S. is “rounding the corner” is counterproductive to what scientists say about the virus.

This election has many topics that the candidates are contested on, and one of them is the acceptance of science. Democratic nominee Joseph Biden has run a message of “science over fiction” a dig at the Trump administration’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although this administration has found itself denying science and choosing a policy that ignores scientists’ concerns, it is not unreasonable for the U.S. to work with science. We have seen it before, in the Nixon era, and with the space race of the 1960s, and even into recent times, with the initial agreement on the Paris Climate Accord.

Although the current administration does not stand for the same scientific understanding as past presidents, science holds a place in the U.S. With it, the country often stands at its proudest moments.

Page 12

One decision, millions of voices

BY RYAN BIBEAU CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“L

et each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual – or at least that he ought not do so; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.” - Samuel Adams, U.S. Founding Father The cornerstone of American democracy is voting. The ballot allows the common person to express their opinion, and to make their voice heard. In a country of 328 million people, most of us are able to make our opinions known. As we prepare for the 2020 general election, many people are unsure about their safety as they go to vote, with some beliefs that it is too great of a risk to go to a polling place and cast their vote in person. Some people have cast mail-in ballots, others have taken advantage of early voting in some states, but many have decided that they will be at the polls on Nov. 3.

However, there are people who have decided that they are not going to vote this year. This is not a new phenomenon. For several years the percentage of people who are eligible to vote but abstain has stayed level. In the 2000 general election just over 51% of Americans who could vote, did. The numbers have gotten a little bit better, and over the past four general elections between 54.87% 58.23% of the people who were eligible voted.

This election seems to be bucking that trend, however,

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

according to an article from the Atlantic,“The early-voting totals so far in the general election have only bolstered the case for a record turnout. Although early voting is not a reliable predictor of election outcomes, the sheer number of votes that have been cast by mail or in person more than a month before Election Day has astonished voting experts. More than 4.7 million Americans have already voted early or mailed back their ballots, and turnout in some states, including Wisconsin and Virginia, has exceeded 15 percent of the total votes cast in 2016.” ​In a country that relies on each of its citizens to choose the next person to lead them, it should not be difficult to see why it is so important for people to participate in our political systems. During the final presidential debate, former Vice President Joe Biden said: “What is on the ballot here is the character of this country.”

As the 2020 election draws closer, we all must participate in our political system. We have a chance to vote, to throw our support behind which ideals most closely resemble our own.

No matter who you are going to vote for or your political beliefs, by voting we take control of our lives and country. The decisions about the next four years are going to be made on Nov. 3. I do not know about anyone else, but I would rather have a hand in making those decisions than leaving it up to others.

November 2, 2020

Page 13

OPINIONS

It’s time to pack the court We’re talking wrong

BY BARRY LEWANDOWSKI

STAFF WRITER

I

n 2016, with nearly eight months until the election and 10 months until the end of President Barack Obama’s term, Senate Republicans refused to hold hearings on Merrick Garland, the president’s Supreme Court nominee. Eight days before the 2020 election, Senate Republicans pushed through now-Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. These facts demand that, should the Democrats win the majority in the U.S. Senate, the court must be expanded.

It didn’t matter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that over 60 million Americans had already voted. It didn’t matter to Senate Republicans that a president who received nearly three million fewer votes than Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would be placing his third Supreme Court justice on the bench for a lifetime appointment. It should, however, matter to the rest of us.

The Supreme Court, since the conception of the Constitution, has had as few as five, and as many as 10, justices on the court at once. There is no set number specifying how many justices The Supreme Court Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

must be on the court, as that number is set by Congress. The size of the court varied constantly before 1869, in which to match the number of federal court circuits, Congress set the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. Aside from a threat

by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to add as many as six additional justices in 1937, the idea of adding justices to the court has been a moot point.

Democratic nominee for president Joseph Biden has not offered an opinion on adding justices to the court, instead offering that Americans will “know my opinion on court-packing when the election is over.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, when asked about adding justices, said "everything is on the table,” should the Democrats win a Senate majority.

Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, and Senate Democrats: if the Democratic party makes up a majority of the Senate after Nov. 3, the Supreme Court should expand to 13 justices.

The 1869 precedent of nine justices was set because there were nine federal court circuits.

Since then, more states have been added. The country is extraordinarily larger, and we now have 13 appellate courts that make up the U.S. Courts of Appeals. While it may seem

like a drastic jump, moving so swiftly from a nine-seat court to a 13 seat one, this move is necessary.

President Donald J. Trump has appointed a third of the Supreme Court. Coney Barrett, who is an extremely conservative justice, is 48, making her one of the youngest justices ever appointed. Trump’s second appointed justice, Brett Kavanaugh, argued recently that mail-in ballots received after Nov. 3, but sent prior, should not be counted, as they could “flip the results” of an election.

And it should never be forgotten that Senate Republicans let the Supreme Court remain at eight justices for over 10 months, after which a newly elected Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch.

The Supreme Court is now seen as having a 6-3 conservative to liberal majority. The court consists of justices like Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, who lashed out against the decision made in the 2015 case of Obergefell v. Hodges, which declared same-sex marriage a constitutional right.

The court is imbalanced. With the nomination and confirmation of Coney Barrett, it has completely lost its legitimacy. If Biden wins the presidency, and if Democrats win the Senate, the Supreme Court must be expanded. It must consist of 13 justices.

about voting

BY JORDAN HARRIS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I

f you ever hear somebody talk about this election, it is very gloom and doom -- a vote-or-die type of situation. People yell at you to vote, but never explain what you’re voting for, or to just vote for a single party without doing research.

The truth is voting is a conscious decision that should take time, thought, and research, but because of the way we talk about voting, it has just been watered down to just siding with one party. By just voting blue or red, it maintains the two-party system and gives us a lesser of two evils situation. When politicians know you have no other option, it allows mediocrity to enter our system and give us a low quality representation. Gallup has done the approval rating for congress for decades and currently only 19% of people approve of the job. When asked about trust and confidence in the legislative branch only 4% have a great deal of trust in our elected officials making laws.

As a result of having low quality representation and little results, people do not see the direct importance of voting, and it is because we have been talking about voting the wrong way.

I believe if people knew the importance of voting and how it affects their everyday life, then turnout in national elections and local elections would go up tremendously. Young people vote less often, so our representation in elected office is very small compared to longtime, older voters.

I believe in two ways to change the way we talk about voting, and it must include power and strategy.

Building power within our community only makes us stronger, and that goes for every marginalized group. We should be figuring out ways to come together and make sure we are present for each other. That means spreading the word and making sure we get our people with our experiences and shared values in office. Now, “all skin folk ain’t folk.” In fact, the opposition will use people from your own community to undermine your power: like

Continued on pg. 14

November 2, 2020

OPINIONS

Page 14

Talking wrong

Civil discourse in a divided nation

Continued from pg. 13

A

using Black people to reinforce the stereotype that we do not work hard, women to speak out against reproductive health, or people within the LGBTQ+ community to undermine trans rights. To combat this, we need people on the ground fighting, and understanding their role so everyone knows what part to play. We need to sustain power in places where decisions are made so our voices are not silenced. Being elected is a good start, but when you have nobody to support or back you, then your voice is limited.

To be a strategic voter in this climate is to see which candidate has more to offer. In the 2020 election, you could not have had two candidates that are more different. Consider this when voting for the other candidates on the ballot within the House of Representatives and Senate in play. Voting in 2020 will determine reproductive rights, another stimulus, education policy, foreign policy, climate change, the courts, healthcare, and voting rights. People do not usually think of this, but in the age of COVID-19, we know how fragile the systems that uphold our government is. Voting at the local level is where change begins. Your local elected officials determine police budgets, in some cases who the chief is, and how other funds are reallocated.

The more we talk about the issues affecting us, the more people we will realize the importance of voting. All the protests we attended over the summer could have results if we vote in this election and hold our elected officials accountable.

Get organizers at the forefront and give the people who truly care about us the legislation they need. We need to take care of one another.

BY ISABELLE HAJEK STAFF WRITER

s the presidential election approaches, concurrent with the holiday season, political conversations are abundant.

From the classroom to the Thanksgiving table, individuals are discussing their political beliefs and preferred candidates, which is bound to cause conflict. The goal of such discourse is to communicate ideas, but it commonly deteriorates from a civil debate into a catastrophic argument that may result in lost or broken relationships.

So why do politics cause such visceral reactions? Politics is coldly defined as, “the science or art of political government.”

Such a clinical understanding does not encapsulate the reasoning for the emotions that are entangled in politics. These emotions are derived from the understanding that politics is the manner in which society decides

who holds the power to affect the public’s lives.

In order for power to be held by individuals or parties, the opposition must lose power.

People do not argue over politics, they argue over their power. It is not the clinical analysis of policy, rather a power that drives the screaming and tears of a deteriorated discussion.

With this understanding, an individual can learn to have effective conversations about politics, even in the divisive climate present in society.

First, understand the purpose of your conversation. If you are seeking out a fight then it is easy to begin one. However, more likely than not, you are engaging in conversation out of curiosity or to persuade the other individual(s). With this understanding, you can keep a clear mind and not be dragged into the trap of arguing -- unless, of course, that is the goal.

Second, stick to the facts.

While finding the truth in politics is difficult, it is important to utilize reliable sources in order

to stay informed. By doing this, a conversation about politics will not be muddied by misinformation and subsequent miscommunication. Furthermore, the emotional component will be diminished by maintaining a fact and data-driven conversation, rather than arguing beliefs.

Third, listen to your voice. It is easy to believe that we hold a monopoly on the truth -- that truth being a political opinion.

This belief is likely to manifest itself in a number of ways, primarily in your tone of voice.

The tone of voice is a powerful part of communication, and both the conscious and unconscious mind can identify shifts in a person’s tone of voice. Whether it be perceived as condescension or politeness, your tone of voice can drastically change the direction of a conversation.

While remaining polite, stay civil. When challenging or questioning the other person’s ideas or beliefs make sure to not attack them as a person.

Instead of using statements that may insult their intelligence or

morals, direct discussion to the points being brought up or the candidates themselves. In short, follow the Golden Rule: treat others how you want to be treated. Speak to the other person how you wish they would speak to you. Maintain this even if they start becoming hostile, do not match their energy.

Finally, know where your limits are. Political conversations can be draining, and you do not owe anyone an explanation for your personal beliefs.

While it is important to stay engaged in current events and actively participate in your civic duties, it is important to know when you need to be done with an interaction that is negatively affecting you. If this occurs, be honest with the other individual, explain that the experience has been draining and that it’s time to stop.

No matter how the other person reacts, you can rest easy that if you follow the above tips, you have done your best to engage in effective civil discourse.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

11November

2, 2020

OPINIONS

Page 15

Trump’s worst enemy in 2020 is reality

BY BARRY LEWANDOWSKI

STAFF WRITER

T

he election is edging closer, over 42 million Americans have voted, and candidates are making their closing arguments. And yet, the closer we get to Election Day, the easier it is to see that Donald Trump refuses to be honest about his time as president, nor has he provided a valid argument for reelection.

With just days to go before the consequential presidential election, and on the day of an imperative third presidential debate, incumbent president and Republican nominee Donald Trump spent his morning releasing a recording of his “60 Minutes” interview with reporter Lesley Stahl, in a tweet, captioned, “Look at the bias, hatred and rudeness on behalf of

60 Minutesand CBS. Tonight’s anchor, Kristen Welker, is far worse! #MAGA” The interview, which Trump walked out of after 37 minutes, was recorded by the White House for “archival purposes” but was released by Trump anyway, irking CBS. Trump was obviously irritated in most of the interview, especially when asked about his comments on Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer.

At a rally in Michigan, when talking about Gov. Whitmer, Trump supporters began to shout, “lock her up.” In response, the president smiled, saying “lock them all up,” even though just weeks earlier, the F.B.I. thwarted a plan to kidnap the governor.

When Stahl pushed on this, Trump soon left the interview, saying: “You brought up a lot of subjects that were inappropriately brought up. They were inappropriately brought up,

right from the beginning.”

This interview highlights a pattern in the president’s behavior. It’s a troubling chapter in a long, drawn-out saga of Trump playing the victim with reporters when asked about his record.

But the reality is, Stahl was no harder on him in that “60 Minutes” interview than anybody else has been.

In an Axios interview, Trump became flustered and annoyed when Jonathan Snow pushed him on coronavirus deaths in the U.S. compared to other countries. In July, Trump became aggressive with reporter Chris Wallace in an interview after the reporter corrected the president for implying Biden wanted to defund the police, which he does not.

“Chris, you’ve got to start studying for these,” said the president.

And this “60 Minutes” fiasco comes just days after a town hall with NBC, in which Trump

was asked to deny Q-Anon and their belief that he was a “savior” against Democrats running a “satanic pedophile ring.” The president refused to denounce such conspiracies, and instead praised their work against pedophilia.

Donald Trump is delusional.

He has refused to answer pertinent questions about his record as president and has refused to outline what a second term would look like. On the campaign trail recently, Trump has averaged 50 misleading claims

a day according to the Washington Post. The president’s inability to answer these questions, his inability to be honest, is damaging to the country, and the office of the presidency.

Perhaps the most symbolic moment of Trump’s presidency happened in the first moments of the “60 Minutes” interview.

When asked “You’re okay with some tough questions?” The president responded simply.

“No, I’m not.”

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Choose the lesser of two evils: But don’t stop there

BY MIA STEADMAN STAFF WRITER

T

his upcoming election has been hanging over the heads of all Americans like a big, gloomy, blue and red cloud. I’ve seen countless Facebook posts, articles and Twitter threads all pondering how we are supposed to choose between Joe Biden and Donald Trump -- two men who could not be more different and are both perceived negatively by a majority of the country.

Many are feeling nervous about casting their ballots. After all, we’ll have to deal with the consequences of this election for the next four years, and considering all the issues on the line,

the stakes are high. Choosing the lesser of two evils requires us to first examine our morality, but it doesn’t end there. More Americans need to realize that we are our own secret weapon -- democracy can work for us if we put in the effort.

As Americans, we expect a free and fair election, and with that right comes the responsibility of doing our work before we cast our vote for the next leader of the nation. We cannot waste the opportunity to mold our future because we didn’t feel like researching the candidate’s past policy decisions or evaluating the strength of their plans.

We need to be informed for democracy to exist. We need to participate. Voting is but one (very important) tool citizens can use to influence politics.

Getting involved in politics can

certainly seem like a daunting undertaking, and it’s not as if thinking about and discussing politics is known for leaving people with a warm, fuzzy feeling, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. We don’t live in a utopia, therefore, there is always more to be done.

There are many ways to participate in politics between election cycles. Subscribe to publications that will give you unbiased and up-to-date information. Once you’ve found issues that inspire you, put that passion to good use by joining voting leagues and political organizations, attend rallies and go listen to experts speak on issues you care about.

Politics is not a once-everyfour-year event; it is an ongoing conversation that we all need to pay attention to, because if

we don’t, who is going to hold politicians to their campaign promises? If politicians aren’t doing everything in their power to act on the behalf of their constituents, then we need to be aware of that so we can remove them in the next election cycle.

If we turn a blind eye as soon as elections are over, then there is no incentive for politicians to follow through on anything, and nothing will ever get better.

This is not a job that can only be taken up by a small percentage of Americans to be successful. If we want the government to work with us, we all need to put in work. Unfortunately, we are not in a place where we can blindly trust that the government will always act in our best interest, and right now we shouldn’t expect it to. We can’t even expect voting to solve all

of our problems because, historically speaking, it hasn’t.

If we want to get an accurate idea of what Americans need, then we need all Americans to speak up. We are dissatisfied by both presidential candidates because they aren’t accurately representing what most of America wants; they are representing the Americans that make the most noise, the Americans who they think will get them elected.

If we want better candidates, if we want to vote for a candidate who isn’t a lesser of two evils, we need to make the most noise. Don’t let political apathy continue to sabotage elections.

Vote for the lesser of two evils now and stay involved. Show politicians that strong morals mean more to Americans than they might think.

November 2, 2020

OPINIONS

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How Millennials and Gen Z are impacting the election

BY BETH BEAUDRY STUDENT LIFE EDITOR

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xperts have been debating how the results of the 2020 presidential election will change education, but America’s students may be the ones changing the election.

Matthew Schmidt, national security and political science professor at the University of New Haven said that for the first time in a half-decade, Baby Boomers are no longer the majority at the polls. Instead, Millennials and Gen Z make up the largest group of voters. Students within those generations are the people enforcing discussion on current events, which were highlighted topics in the presidential debates between Republican incumbent President Donald J. Trump and Democratic candidate Joseph Biden.

“What is driving the election are exactly these issues, Black Lives Matter, wildfires and climate change,” said Schmidt, “these are issues that we know from opinion polling, are extremely important to [Millennials and Gen Z].”

For example, so far this year there have been over 4,700 protests in America over police brutality and racial injustice. A Business Insider survey found that 90% of Gen Z support the Black Lives Matter movement, and that 72% expect their school to further teach on the subject.

The University of New Haven’s criminal justice chair David Myers said the university’s criminal justice program has had required courses about race, class, and gender issues for several years and is only continuing to expand education regarding it. This semester a new class on diversity and inclusion was added to the criminal justice program and is being offered in various sessions.

Myers said that criminal justice students examine current events and issues from across the political spectrum, such as the Trump administration’s First Step Act or Biden’s 1994 crime bill.

“I think that any time there are topics being presented from a political standpoint, they are relevant to issues of crime and justice and that is fair game for discussing and assessing,” said Myers.

Myers said that regardless of the election results people will want policing to be reformed, but that the election results may determine how strongly a reform is enforced.

Some trends that Myers is expecting to see following the election are an increase in crime control training, the creation of specialized police positions centered around social services, and a push for requiring higher education among officers.

“With policing itself I think you’re going to see an empha-

sis on higher education,” said Myers. “Right now it’s estimated that a third or less of officers have a bachelor’s degree, and maybe only 20 percent of police departments in the country require bachelor’s degrees. I think we’re going to see an expectation for the police to have bachelor degrees.”

With the amount of activism that Millennial and Gen Z has shown for current issues -policing only being one of many-politicians and educators are beginning to take note and adapt their practice.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

“Climate change is no longer viewed as something you can debate. Black Lives Matter and police reform and judicial reform in general is no longer something you can debate,” said Schmidt. “Only things you can debate are how you’re going to do police reform, not whether you’re going to do it.

How you’re going to prepare the country for climate change and change its energy structure, now whether you’re going to do it. [Millenials and Gen Z] are going to drive that.”

Joe Biden’s support for the LGBTQ+ community

BY ANYA DOUGHERY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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emocratic candidate Joe Biden has shown support for the LGBTQ+ community throughout his campaign and intends to continue throughout his presidency.

Biden worked to repeal the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy in his time as vice-president, which was a policy in the U.S. military where homosexual members of the military were permitted as long as they did not openly identify with their

sexuality.

Biden also endorsed Danica Roem in 2017, after getting elected to the Virginia house of delegates, where she became the first openly transgender person in U.S. legislation.

Biden has also been endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. If elected, Biden intends to reverse the transgender military ban, fight for transgender women of color, end homelessness of LGBTQ+ youth, and more as stated on his website.

Biden plans to pass the Equality Act within the first 100 days of his presidency, which would

amend the Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity as sex discrimination. This act does not just protect those in employment, but also housing, education, federally funded programs, and more.

Biden has vowed to reverse A Pride flag at the Capitol Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

the transgender military ban, which would allow people of any gender identity to serve.

In 2017, President Donald J. Trump announced that transgender people would no longer be permitted to serve in the military. After a lawsuit, the ruling decided that transgender people were allowed to serve, but they

were expected to identify with their biological sex during their time of service.

Biden also publicly condemns Poland’s LGBT-free zones.

He said in a tweet, “Let me be clear: LGBTQ+ rights are human rights — and ‘LGBTfree zones’ have no place in the European Union or anywhere in the world.” Since 2019, Poland has adopted a variety of anti-LGBTQ+ policies under the veil of “family rights.” The current administration has enacted several anti-LGBTQ+ policies that allow discrimination.

If Biden is elected president, it could ensure a better future for the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S.

November 2, 2020

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STUDENT LIFE

How the election is impacting mental health among students

BY KELLY ADKINS STAFF WRITER

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s 2020 comes to an end in all of its glory, the U.S. Presidential election is just another additive to mental health struggles for the students on campus.

According to a BioMed Central Study on the impact of the 2016 presidential election, the majority of the youth participants reported emotional stress throughout the election process.

Political discussions are notoriously touchy subjects; it is no secret that it can be difficult to explain your own opinions to

someone with opposing ones. In the current political climate -with two opinionated candidates who do not play well during their own debates -- makes the topic even more taboo while passing the stuffing to Grandma at Thanksgiving dinner.

Not to mention that this year’s election is significantly tied into fundamental human rights issues as a result of 2020’s ongoing racist, homophobic, xenophobic, transphobic and sexist events.

“The largest contributor to my emotions surrounding the election is truly the fact that there are basic human rights being put at risk, not only just for me, but for many people that I love,” said Michael Calabrese, junior sports management ma-

jor. “How can someone not feel stressed or upset or scared when they are watching their rights to equality be decided by someone else?”

With President Donald Trump’s reelection and former vice president Joseph Biden’s opposing campaign plastered on all social media outlets, the topic can be inescapable to young adults.

A survey by the Pew Research Center concluded that 55% of adult social media users feel “worn out” by the number of political posts and discussions.

The same study also reported that seven-in-ten users say it is stressful to talk politics with people they disagree with on social media.

Calabrese suggests that any

students feeling anxious tune it out and take time to disconnect.

“In the world we live in today, it is extremely hard to do that I know, but tuning out and disconnecting to give yourself some time to reflect and have a

thought to just you could help so much,” said Calabrese.

Students are encouraged to utilize the resources Counseling & Psychological Services has to offer.

Graphic courtesy of Christopher Colquhoun

University students encourage voting

BY BETH BEAUDRY STUDENT LIFE EDITOR

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nticipation of the 2020 presidential election has been prominent among students since their return to campus in Sept. Throughout their weeks here, there have been multiple university forums and recognized student organizations (RSO) programs about the election. Nearly every residence hall has windows decorated with student-made sticky note messages encouraging students to vote, or who to vote for.

On Sept. 29, Tiara Starks, entertainment editor, went around campus for an episode of Charger Bulletin News to ask students and faculty if they were registered to vote. Starks interviewed one faculty member and eight students, only one stating

that they were not yet registered to vote.

Starks said that she originally went into the segment with the mindset that students were only thinking about registering, or that they had not registered at all.

“It was interesting to hear that some students were planning on going back home to vote,” said Starks. “As college students, we’re almost stigmatized to not be active voters so it was refreshing to hear the consensus was ‘haven’t voted yet but I plan to.’”

Now, with the election only one day away, students are voicing their opinions about the election, and student leaders are using their platforms to encourage the campus community to vote.

Maddy Mandeville, a junior, criminal justice major says that some students are involved in politics, but that others don’t seem to care. She hopes that stu-

dents realize that their opinions matter and how important their vote is.

“Originally, I didn’t plan on voting because I am not one for politics, but over time after seeing news articles and seeing how much divide this election was causing, it made me realize that my vote mattered, the other day I voted!” said Mandeville.

“I do think there is a positive outcome for voting because everyone wants change and equality for the most part,” said The sign in Celentano Hall Photo courtesy of Beth Beaudry

Mandeville. “Our nation needs to be unified and not divided.”

Jordan Harris, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) said that the organization is encouraging all students to vote. In Sept., they hosted a Voter Education Week and worked with the Myatt Center and the Civil Engagement team of the NAACP state conference to send members information about voting.

NAACP has also been using their Instagram to post about the election, and printed out posters saying, “In this house, we vote,”

which were placed across various residence halls.

On those who are not voting, Harris said, “It’s not their fault because I don’t think we really teach people how much of an effect voting has especially on a local level. If we didn’t, the right amount of local elected officials than the Police Accountability Bill in CT wouldn’t have been passed.”

“Redistricting is on the line.

Reproductive health is on the line. The future of policing is on the line because each candidate has two different policies on CJ,” said Harris. “The environment is on the line. One [candidate] believes in climate change the other doesn’t.”

Desheania Andrews, vice president of the Caribbean Student Association, said, “[the Caribbean Student Association] would like to encourage all of those that can do so, to vote in the upcoming election and let your voices be heard!”

November 2, 2020

STUDENT LIFE Charger Crossword

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