Feb. 27, 2019

COLLEGE OF DUPAGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER — 27 FEBRUARY

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2019

VO L U M E 5 3

NEWS

OPINION

MUSIC

Preferred Names Now Available on Student IDs

Insomniac Special: The Plight of the Romantic

Staff Picks: Social Justice Anthems

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COLLEGE OF DUPAGE WEEKLY WEATHER FORECAST Made Possible by the COD Meteorology Department WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

33°F 14°F

20%

MOSTLY CLOUDY

32°F 16°F

10%

MOSTLY CLOUDY

34°F 22°F

PARTLY SUNNY

50% CHANCE OF PM SNOW

27°F 5°F

10%

PARTLY SUNNY

SUNDAY - TUESDAY RECAP Heading into the upcoming weekend and after a potential snow maker on Friday night, the pattern looks to turn very cold by the latter half of the weekend as there is good agreement on a several day stretch of bitterly cold temperatures for early March. This will mean daytime highs Sunday through Wednesday of next week will be in the upper single digits to mid-teens as things look now as this cold pattern has an impressive staying power, remaining in place for several days. With high pressure overhead or near the region during this period, we will see dry and quiet weather with no precipitation chances to speak of.

INDEX

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NEWS······················ 04

You May Now Put a Preferred Name on your Student ID

FEATURES··············· 08

Students for a Democratic Society Rally Against Trump Wall

OPINION·················· 10

Black in the Suburbs: A Story Not Told

MUSIC····················· 17

Courier Spotify Playlist: Social Justice Anthems

COFFEE BREAK······ 18

Crossword and Sudoku Puzzles

COD Courier Student Newspaper

@codcourier

@codcourier

ON THE COVER THE TEAM

Jolene Driver, member of the Students for a Democratic Society.

SRC 1220 • 630-942-2689

Alison Pfaff

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF···························· Tessa Morton ASSIGNMENT REPORTER················· Joey Weslo NEWS EDITOR································· Madison Venckus NEWS CORRESPONDENT················· Karla Villegas Pineda OPINION EDITOR····························· Kimberly Wilson STAFF WRITER································ Miguel Contreras III STAFF WRITER································ DeAnte Washington HEAD PHOTO EDITOR······················· Alison Pfaff ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR·············· Lindsay Piotter GRAPHICS EDITOR··························· Brandon Beckwith ASSISTANT GRAPHICS EDITOR········· John Noonan SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER················ Brooke Shapiro ADVISER - Jim Fuller fullerj103@cod.edu

ABOUT US The Courier is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters, except for the first and last Wednesday of each semester and the week of spring break as a public forum with content chosen by student editors. One copy free, additional copies available upon request.

The Courier does not knowingly accept advertisement that discriminate on the basis of sex, creed, religion, color, handicapped status, veteran or sexual orientation, nor does it knowingly print ads that violate any local, state or federal laws.

Deliver all correspondence to SSC 1220 between regular office hours or mail to the Courier, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL. 60137.

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NEWS

You can update your student ID at the Student Life Office

Alison Pfaff

STUDENT LIFE OFFERS PREFERRED NAMES ON ID CARDS Madison Venckus, News Editor venckusm1845@dupage.edu

College of DuPage's Student Life office offers students the option to choose a preferred name on school identification cards. Students can either write in a preferred name or nickname on the initial COD application or change their name through myACCESS. “It’s gotten even easier now because in student life we have access to students nicknames online.

Before we had to call up to the records office and confirm when students come in wanting different names,” Student Life Officer Jelymar Mejia said.

The majority of students who are taking advantage of this and putting their preferred names on ID’s are both transgender students and students who go by a nickname or their middle name. With nicknames and preferred names on class rosters as well, faculty can avoid mis-

naming or misgendering students.

“I identify as non-binary which means I don’t quite identify as a man or a woman. I’m exploring the possibility of a name change that would represent my identity best, and this [students putting preferred names on ID’s] can be a way to start this process prior to a legal route,” former Pride Alliance President, Jacob Kent said.

The process to change one’s name legally can become expensive and time consuming. This is an opportunity for students to publicly represent who they are without having to go through that process.

“The majority of names that we have changed have been for transgender students. Sometimes people have nicknames and it’s just Elizabeth to Liz, but for transgender students its important to

be able to put the correct name on there,” Mejia said.

Pride Alliance members have also become more involved in the safe zone community and the gender identity task force. This is a faculty committee that works on policies to make the campus a more welcoming place for LGBTQ individuals.

“I personally have found the faculty to be receptive to the needs of the LGBTQ community. More training is always needed as basic understanding of our communities experiences and needs is very important,” Kent said.

Currently, students are not required to have their preferred names approved, which may leave room for errors or students taking advantage of this benefit.

“Throughout high school, my nickname was always ‘Narty’ which is also my last name. So when I

put ‘Narty' in as my nickname on myACCESS it made my name on my class rosters ‘Narty Narty’… I know how to change it, and I was going to, but I don’t mind having my nickname in there because that’s what people call me,” COD student Manuel Narty said.

Students that are interested in putting preferred names or nicknames on their ID can access that through myACCESS. A photo ID with a legal name is still required at financial aid, the testing center and the cashier’s office. diplomas and other school documents will also still use a student’s legal name. Students interested in having names changed are welcome to stop by student life or go on myACCESS for further steps.

FOR OUR TAKE ON THIS TOPIC, SEE PAGE 14

NEWS NEWS

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COD SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Kimberly Wilson, Opinion Editor wilsonk767@dupage.edu

College of DuPage scholarships for the 2019 Fall semester are now open. As many COD scholarships often go unawarded, the college is encouraging students to apply for scholarship opportunities to aid in funding their education.

Applying for scholarships is something many students often do not prioritize. When asked about COD scholarships opportunities for the fall semester, COD student Rachel Schaffer stated she had been aware of some scholarships but had yet to apply. “I think I was looking and I just haven’t found one that fit yet, but I didn’t check everything thoroughly.”

The requirements for each COD scholarship varies and are often very specific. But with the vast amount of scholarships available, every student is almost certain to find a scholar-

ship they would qualify for.

Applying to multiple scholarships is quite a time consuming process that can almost feel like a part-time job. But the benefits of receiving a scholarship will make the effort worth it. Receiving a scholarship can be a very liberating feeling. You’ll be able to focus on your studies without having to worry about how you’re going to finance your education.

The deadline for fall 2019 COD scholarship opportunities is March 15. Many scholarships require the submission of essays, so it is best to start working on applications as soon as possible. To find out more about COD scholarship opportunities, vist the ‘Paying for College’ tab on COD’s website or the Office of Student Financial Assistance at the Student Services Center (SSC), Room 2220.

LEVEL UP PODCAST WITH KENNETH MCKINNEY

COD SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES John Belushi/Second City Theatre Scholarship Award: $7,500 H. Claire Walters RN Memorial Scholarship Award: $2,000 Foundation’s Impact Scholarship Award: $3,250 Kathy Marszalek Memorial Scholarship Award: $3,000 Paul W. and Katherine T. Hedburn Student Success and Retention Scholarship Award: $2,500 S.C. Reed Scholarship Award: $2,500 Vistex Impact Scholarship Award: $2,000 Jerry Bradshaw Memorial Scholarship Award: $3,000 Keiser Accounting Scholarship Award: $2,000 Lloyd David and Carlyle Cannon Wattis Foundation Memorial Scholarship Award: $2,500

YOU CAN FIND MORE ONLINE

FRIDAYS ON CODCOURIER.ORG

To find out more about COD scholarship opportunities, vist the ‘Paying for College’ tab on COD’s website or the Office of Student Financial Assistance at the Student Services Center (SSC), Room 2220.

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NEWS

COD STUDENT TO OFFER LIFE-SAVING BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT Karla Villegas Pineda, News Correspondent villegaspinedak@dupage.edu The Courier spoke with COD student Noah Redmond about his upcoming decision to donate a life-saving bone marrow transplant. To sign up for the Be the Match stem cell donor registry, students and faculty can text CODHERO to 61474.

How did you find out about Be the Match?

Hearing about the registry was pretty circumstantial. I first heard of Be The Match through a podcast by h3h3productions. The podcast typically focuses on comedy and media personalities, but there was an episode that had a much more serious tone when a young man diagnosed with leukemia, Chris Betancourt, and his friend Dillon Hill were featured. From what I remember, Chris describes his diagnosis as being particularly grim. "They have never seen this mutation before," [Chris] said, referring to his doctors. Chris and his friend talked on the podcast for about an hour, during which they went into detail about Be the Match's registry and how it provides an outlet for patients to be matched with potential donors.

What encouraged you to join the donor registry?

After hearing about Chris's story, I figured hey, the likelihood of me being a match for a specific person seems pretty slim, but why not? As you probably would have guessed, I certainly wasn't a match for Chris-although he did actually find a match about two months after appearing on the podcast--but my submission did eventually result in a different match.

Joining the registry is not a commitment but agreeing to donate is. What drove you to actually commit to donating?

Well, I guess I don't entirely know.

I figured that if I were to hold the keys to someone's life in my hands and not oblige, I'd be a much worse person than what I aim to be and see others being in the world. Admittedly, it's a little freaky knowing that somebody is going to stick a needle into my hip, but the medical consequences of donating are very minor, and most people just feel some fatigue for a week. If it were reduced to its simplest form, Weeklong fatigue [is better than] dying of leukemia, if that makes sense.

Would you encourage other people to join the donor registry and why?

Absolutely. There are people out there in excess who are in need of healthy donors. Everyone from adults whose lives in one phone call seemingly come to a halt, to young men and women who are right at a phase in their lives where they are supposed to step on the gas, but find out that there may not even be enough in the tank to get them there, and even to children who I imagine are too young to fully grasp the awful reality they simply are unequipped to handle on their own. By joining the registry, we can help to mitigate so much suffering and catalyze fruitful lives for individuals who, What is your donation experi- if born into a different time or place, ence like, so far? would certainly be hopeless.

It hasn't been too crazy, or really that intrusive at all so [far] if I'm Are you at all worried about being transparent. Currently--at the actual donation procemy doctor's discretion--, I'm set to dure? wait about 2 months before we fol- I'd be lying if I said it didn't make low through with the beginning my palms sweat a little bit, but to be pre-donation health evaluations and honest, I think the only nerve inducscreenings. Part of me wishes we ing part is the health screenings they could get it done sooner, but I trust require--and administer free of costthe doctors with Be the Match have -prior to donation. For all I know, in both their patients and donors best a couple months during my health interests in mind. screenings, I could end up on the same registry; any of us could, really.

How long were you on the registry before being contact- If presented with the oppored to donate? tunity, would you like to one I was on the registry for close to day meet the person you are a full year before I was contacted. donating for?

That being said, I actually had for- I would love that. I want to see gotten I was on the registry until I whose bones are going to be carreceived a surprising voicemail ex- rying my DNA and if it's served plaining the situation. them well, you know?

What would you say to someone that was on the fence about joining the donor registry?

I know it can be a little freaky sending in your genetic profile to someone, but the benefit is too great to ignore when you consider you could save someone's life in exchange [for] whatever mild paranoia can ensue. I guess I would say, ‘Look, nobody cares about your genetic profile as much as the individual's who are literally in a state of hastened dying waiting for what I imagine seems to them like a miracle.’ Is there anything else you would like to add about your experience with Be the Match?

Be the Match's doctors and representatives have been respectful and fully transparent with me about the procedure and details regarding it. They've been patient with me, and all I have to say is that if you're not doing anything on a boring afternoon, or a late night up on a computer while sleep eludes you, just sign up. It takes only a few minutes and requires nothing more than a cheek swab sent via US-mail on your part. A spontaneous decision could result in a life-saving coincidence.

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BUSINESS TRANSFER FAIR Thursday, March 7 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Student Services Center (SSC), Room 3245

• • • • • •

Aurora University Benedictine University Bradley University Concordia University DePaul University Elmhurst College

• • • • • •

Illinois State University Indiana Tech Lake Forest College Lewis University Loyola University University of Illinois at Chicago

For more information, visit cod.edu/academics/transfer_programs.

For ADA accommodations, call (630) 942-2141 (voice) or (630) 858-9692 (TDD).

Please call two weeks in advance.

©2019 College of DuPage. All rights reserved. CA-19-24339(2/19)

Attention business students: Representatives from our top business transfer institutions will be on hand to answer your business school transfer questions.

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FEATURES NEWS

From left to right: 'Bee' Casey, Drew Ehrler, James Piehl, and Alex Westberry

Photos by Alison Pfaff

College of Dupage (COD) Students for STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY a Democratic Society (SDS) held a banner drop in the student services center atrium on RALLY AGAINST TRUMP WALL Wednesday, February 20. This was a part of

Jolene Driver and 'Bee' Casey, members of SDS

a national call to action to reject Trump’s wall and his state of emergency on the US-Mexico border. The group is calling to attention the humanitarian crisis on the border and is denouncing the Trump administration labeling of immigrants as criminals.

“It’s easy to blame poor people coming from desperate situations for your troubles.

What’s not so easy is acknowledging the reality that three oligarchs own more wealth than that owned by the bottom half of people in our country combined,” said James Piehl, the first officer of the COD SDS. “We need a massive movement of direct action focused on progressive change instead of a wall based on hate.”

Members of the COD SDS advocate for radical progressive change and support a far left movement in the United States. They call for more focus to be on the aggressive trade policies implemented by the United States government as they believe these policies have fueled the migrant crisis and the influx of refugees seeking asylum at the border.

FEATURES

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SDS Second Lieutenant Alex Westberry, and SDS First Officer James Piehl

Photos by Alison Pfaff

Representatives from all 12 Illinois public universities will be available to answer your transfer questions with many universities offering on-site applications, fee waivers and decisions.

STATE UNIVERSITY TRANSFER DAY

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Chicago State Eastern Illinois University Governors State University Illinois State University Northeastern Illinois University Northern Illinois University Southern Illinois University Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville University of Illinois at Chicago University of Illinois at Springfield University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Western Illinois University

For more information, visit cod.edu/transfer.

Explore your transfer possibilities with Illinois public universities.

Wednesday, March 13 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Student Services Center (SSC), Atrium ©2019 College of DuPage. All rights reserved.

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OPINION

From left to right: Jasmine Riggs, Channan Daniels, Ariel Poston, Taria Murphy, Regente Myers, Djimon Lewis, and Cory Davis

Madison Venckus

BLACK IN THE SUBURBS A STORY NOT TOLD DeAnte Washington, Staff Writer washingtond1614@dupage.edu As Black History Month comes to an end, I felt drawn to talk about what it means to be black. If you're black, you're black all the time. Every day. Not just for 28 days of the year. Being a black man, I decided to sit with my colleagues to discuss exactly what it even means to be black in our society, in the suburbs, and within predominantly white institutions. A conversation with the Black Student Alliance (BSA) at COD resolved some of my questions.

“What does it mean to be black?”

I asked.

“I think it means not forgetting

where you come from because it’s so easy to feel outnumbered.” Jasmine Riggs, a member of the BSA says, “But, I think it’s just holding onto who you are.”

In a predominantly white institution, a struggle that black students face is the pressure to assimilate into white culture in order to be considered educated. In Dupage County, white americans make up more than 75% of the population.

Being black and living in the suburbs, I found it hard to express my culture without receiving judgment from my white peers. The students also mentioned how in our society

today, black men and women forget where they came from.

“I see a lot of black men and women with black fathers and mothers who want to live the European lifestyle,” Cory Davis, a member of the BSA said.

I brought up the concept of being “whitewashed,” in our institution.

“Some people say it is easier to find a black space in a Historically Black College and University,” Taria Murphy, Co-President of BSA said, “But, I personally believe you can find a black space wherever you go.”

She emphasizes being black is

knowing that you are black, no matter the circumstances. But, for certain black people who grew up in predominantly white areas, they find it difficult to interact with other black people due to cultural differences. Some of the students in the discussion grew up in the south side of Chicago and moved to the suburbs at an early age. Djimon Lewis, co-president of BSA grew up going to a predominantly black christian school until the age of nine.

“Everybody was like each other. I didn’t have a concept of what it was like to feel different.” Lewis said.

OPINION He moved to the suburbs when he was in the fifth grade and went from being around black students to being only one of four black children in the school.

“Midway through the year, I was starting to feel different and the teachers started to treat me differently.” Lewis said.

Being an African American with darker pigmentation, he faced colorism and judgment from his black peers.

“There were social cliques. Everybody would say you’re black but your not light skin, cool and don’t dress nice.” Lewis said.

During field trips, he wasn’t allowed to sit with black people and his white peers made him question his own identity. I was intrigued by Lewis’s concept of how he internalized being black.

“To be black and conscious in America is to be in a conscious state of being pissed off and being okay with being pissed off” Lewis said.

Lewis believed that, when being treated as a second class citizen, it’s important that black people learn how to operate in white spaces while having barriers of racism, colorism, and stereotypes play a part in their education.

“It’s like we're always getting looked down on, regardless of what we do,” Jeremiah McClendon, a member of BSA said. He explains how black people could be at the peak of their career but still looked down on by society. For him, it is a motivation.

“I remember in fifth grade being at a white institution, they would try to put me into a slower learning class,” Mcclendon said.

Due to the different curriculum from the inner city schools and suburban schools, he was being taken away from class and put into specialized groups that would help children who learned at a slower pace than their classmates. His tone suggested he was uncomfort-

11

able, and the pain of reliving these memories was palpable.

“Growing up knowing that I could be a CEO but still be looked down on because if he’s white and I’m black, he’s a better CEO than me,” Mcclendon said, “It happens so much that I can’t hate anyone, I don’t fault anyone because it’s life.”

Other students related to his story, making note of how different inner city schools are from suburban schools despite being a 30-minute drive apart. Davis brought up the difference in extracurricular activities from inner city and suburban schools. He described how going to events, the white kids would have new and clean uniforms while theirs were dingy and worn out.

“We would be invited to big events and we would be around white people and they would keep eyeing us, waiting for us do to something bad,” Davis said.

Black women are faced with more challenges. In society, black women are seen as recalcitrant, loud, and--most of all--angry. In white institutions, black women are held to a higher standard than black men. Co-President Taria Murphy has faced limitations and she battles with the stigma surrounding the “typical black female” in american society. Murphy has dealt with this in her role

as a BSA leader. When she attended a reception with her co-president, she was struck by a comment that was made.

“The first thing a black woman asked was if I was the vice president,” Murphy said.

Murphy corrected her and stated that she was the co-president.

“For me it was it was the interaction of, why would she assume that I was a vice president...when I told my peers, they didn’t understand because it was a black woman problem,” Murphy said. “When there is a black woman in power, people feel that in order for me to be in power I have to diminish you.”

Hearing other black women tell their experience, they emphasized how tough it is to be vulnerable and show emotion without being silenced by society.

“I’m not used to exercising my voice. I had to learn to be more powerful,” Murphy said. “It’s hard for black women to feel that because people tell us that we shouldn’t.”

At school, Murphy found it hard to express herself because people would assume she was an angry black woman.

“Maybe it’s the way my tone is or how my body sways when I get passionate about something, but I can’t really express how I want to because I’m afraid how other people will view me as a black wom-

Some people say it is easier to find a black space in a Historically Black College and University, but I personally believe you can find a black space wherever you go.

-Taria Murphy, Co-President of Black Student Alliance

an,” Murphy said.

In order to show white people they are able to do the just as much, if not more, black women feel they have to work 10 times harder. At College of DuPage, the Black Student Alliance feels the school could be doing more for minorities.

“I think they are doing something, but I don’t know if it is enough,” Lewis said.

Murphy attended a meeting when they were planning events for black history month. Murphy and other students all shared their opinions.

“I said, you have to make more it interesting and engaging with the students,” Murphy said “A lot of students don’t know what we're doing. It’s gonna take more than a computer screen.”

Lewis stresses the importance of this month and the lack of support they have after the month is over.

“Whatever else happens to the club after is on us, this is all they are giving us.” Lewis said.

Talking to the past presidents of the BSA, Murphy was asked what COD can do to engage more African American students.

“It takes more than a black history month for [COD] to show [its] support for us,” Murphy said. “What will [COD] do for the rest of the month to show that we belong?”

Murphy has seen incidents where black culture at COD was asked to be toned down during the month. She, along with others, questions why they have to be limited in how they show the school what black culture is.

“You need more than one month to show your solidarity,” Murphy said.

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NEWS OPINION Miguel An gel Contrer as

III

Staff Writer

THE INSOMNIAC SPECIAL

THE PLIGHT OF THE ROMANTIC

within our minds.

In high school we became masters of admiring from afar. Averting our eyes just as theirs flickered in our direction, memorizing where we hoped to notice them walking the halls on our way to class, and stalking social media posts. All the while praying to the universe for a convenient reason to say ‘hello’ and for everything to Thoughts, feelings, or spontaneous schemes conveniently fall into place. for world domination?

Let me know! macontrerasiii@gm Erroneously, it became far too ail.com easy to become infatuated with an idea of a person. An idea cultivatTransitioning to warmer weather ed within the mind without really also means being transported back in time to the first days of high school summer vacation. Guessing ‘C’ on my last final exam. Throwing my backpack in the closet and slamming the door like it’s some horror to be forgotten. Burning that year's worth of papers and, at last, being rid of my incorrigible classmates.

Except for the group that I affectionately dubbed: “The One Percent”. The small collection of people I actually could stand.

I spent those early summer nights with them. It was huddled around a pit of smoldering english, math, knowing anything about them. and science papers that our history My first experience with this feelwrote its first few lines. ing was because of a girl named It inscribed pretty sounding and Sidnie LaMotte. She entered my idealistic falsehoods about how we life the same way that she left it: were a family and how long we with a text message. would last. But what invariably I carefully scrolled through picdanced in the back of everyone’s tures on her Instagram profile. mind was hope. A hope of sum- Content to leave the world blissmer love. fully unaware. Then my thumb Something romantic, and se- slipped. A faded, white heart cretly desperate. Burning privately blipped on the center of a monthslike a contraband cigarette. Yet, old photo. My cover was blown: despite our best intentions, still the ultimate teenage misstep. Even as fickle as these short summer if I unliked her picture, she kept months that grew larger than life the notification.

I was scrounging up my nonexistent funds for the first flight over the border. Then my phone buzzed and stalled my pulse.

Sidnie Lamotte: “You creepin?”

In a panic-stricken, nerve-induced moment of brilliance, I made the only sensible decision.

To like ALL her pictures and comment on every one of them. I suspect they were all less than intelligible.

Somehow that worked and Sidnie befriended me. She became an omnipotent influence in my life, and probably saved it. Incompre-

It's easy for many to arrive at a similar point of romantic cynicism. We live amidst a world where every new piece of pop culture is either a grandiose love story or it romanticizes the glory of being single and promiscuous. hensibly, she tolerated me at the onset of my teenage angst. In innumerable ways she inspired me, and for the first time in my life I toyed with the idea of love.

She did these things from within a fortress though. One of breathtaking selfies, ceaselessly witty comments, and perfectly articulated text messages: her internet persona.

For an insecure and transportation-less 15 year old the nine mile distance from my house to hers was impassable terrain. Lest I let her see me in my, by comparison,

far less perfect form.

I sparsely met her face to face, and even when I did my nervous impulses directed the flow of the conversation. Incidentally, I only really learned about her from an outside perspective.

Our relationship eventually buckled beneath deafening collisions of awkwardness. Concluding with a scapegoat text-contention when neither of us had the emotional intelligence to say what needed to be said.

She was wonderful, and I’m glad that whole experience happened—in retrospect. At the time, managing the overwhelming and contradicting longing for contact was profoundly awful. This only grew worse in the summer.

For many, high school meant time constraints, crushing workloads, and inhospitable environments. Despite those things, an awkward but innocent twinge inside of us missed seeing ‘that one person’ five times a week and letting our imagination surround them. Now, our imagination was all of them.

Left to our own devices with seven additional hours of freedom, those hours could be more like an emotional revolver loaded with just as many bullets. Suddenly, it was difficult not to imagine all the fantastic things that wonderful person must be doing. When compared to our own mundane lifestyle, there was a feeling of inadequacy. More than that, we really just wished we could be there with them.

Even while in the thick of it, that all seems like it changes after high school. After years of being disregarded, disappointed or destroyed, it's easy for many to arrive at a sim-

OPINION ilar point of romantic cynicism.

We also live amidst a world where every new piece of pop culture is either a grandiose love story or it romanticizes the glory of being single and promiscuous.

I’m not sure about everyone else, but there’s a distinct lack of both a partner to go sprinting into the midnight woods with as well as a severe shortage of accessible booty calls that befuddles me. Even if that were different, it never shakes out how it does in the movies— shocking I know.

The result is being suspended in a sort of romantic illusion—trapped somewhere between our imaginations, our true desires, wanting to find the love of our lives, but also just wanting to spend a weekend with someone new. So little of that becomes grounded in reality, it can become difficult to know where to turn.

Frankly, meeting people can feel pretty difficult. Especially for those of us who are less extroverted and not proficient flirters. Even in a room full of people, it’s possible to feel alone and hopeless against the odds. No matter the number of pretty faces in the room, it can still feel like an infantile chance that we could be compatible with any of them, or that this time could be any different. We can say to ‘just take a chance’ in a vacuum, but after years of keeping our head down, raising our chins may as well be scaling a mountain.

Putting down inhibitions and reservations is a big step. As is learning to relinquish intentions and expectations when we’ve only ever known just that. Learning to let go of them and caring a little less about how events proceed, isn’t a death of youthful love. It’s a triumph of the heart to realize that it's not that serious, and that’s liberating.

Meeting someone new doesn't have to mean anything. It’s that

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Photo by Lindsay Piotter & Brandon Beckwith

pressure that we put on ourselves which makes that so difficult in the first place. We tell ourselves that we’re going with the flow and whenever it happens, it happens.

But how else is it supposed to if we never meet someone new?

The ironic twist to the story is that perhaps the best way to sate our longing hearts is by not trying so hard or thinking so much. We live in a world where we’re constantly bombarded with horror stories of rape culture and unplanned pregnancies. We learn to protect ourselves and be cautious of everyone. Still, I’d like to think a piece of that kid standing around a summer’s eve bonfire still lives on in each of us.

One of blissful and unshattered, trusting innocence. One that wants to gaze across the courtyard from a balcony and serendipitously meet the eyes of a silhouette in a white dress billowing gently in the Mexican heat.

One that wants to hop in the car, roll down the windows, crank the radio, and scream. Not stopping until the car needs gas, and then we figure it out from there.

Someone wild, real, and ultimately yours.

One that wants to believe you can find love buying roses in the club and dancing with a stranger.

Years later, yes, the rules are different. Although I’d encourage anyone to fantasize, the time for

staring across the room is over.

The rules are different because the training wheels are coming off. When we grow up we somehow forget that it’s still okay to fall down a few times.

Perhaps, tragically, that’s the best anyone can do.

There’s something beautiful about the plight of the romantic though. One that compels and transfixes us. A collective struggle that could become easier if we would all talk about it a little more, and this is my contribution.

The setting has changed, but the familiar desire for intimacy remains. The only thing left is mustering the courage to let go.

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NEWS OPINION

THAT’S [NOT] MY NAME, DON’T WEAR IT OUT Kimberly Wilson, Opinion Editor wilsonk767@dupage.edu

We’ve probably all dreamt about changing our name at some point or the other. College of DuPage’s Office of Student Life is making that dream a reality by allowing students to use the name they are most comfortable with being addressed as on their student I.D cards. Of course there are ways this new move could potentially go awry, but, overall, it will be beneficial to students.

One of the most obvious benefits this new rule will bring about is preventing potential misgendering of people who are transgender, gender nonconforming or nonbina-

ry. An article by KC Clements on Healthline.com says misgendering happens when “you intentionally or unintentionally refer to a person, relate to a person, or use language to describe a person that doesn’t align with their affirmed gender.”

Going through the transgender process is stressful enough without having to deal with being misgendered. Being addressed by the wrong gender can have a negative effect on a person’s mental health.

COD is doing the right thing by implementing new ways to avoid this from happening. This new rule will help those students feel

more valued and accepted, something COD and colleges in general should always strive to do for all their students.

It will also be good for people who like to be addressed by a name that happens to not be their legal one, like a nickname. A person’s name is a very important part of his or her identity. Being misgendered is almost always going to be more disconcerting than not being called by a cherished nickname. But overall, students should have the option to be addressed by the name they are most happy with.

Of course, there are also ways

The Real Me

Lindsay Piotter

this rule could be abused by people looking to have a laugh or be rebellious. Even though the negative repercussions of abusing the rule makes that occurrence unlikely, some students may do so all the same.

Many students might not recognize the seriousness of the rule and choose to use the opportunity to change their name to something silly. While that might be appealing as a joke, there are consequences students should consider before doing this.

Choosing to be formally called by a ridiculous-sounding name will undoubtedly invite some amount of ridicule. Forget about professors, or anyone wanting to be taken seriously, daring to utter your name out loud. Doing so would always cause unwanted attention.

Furthermore, there’s no way to get over the embarrassment of being introduced as an absurd name. Being fun and quirky is definitely not worth the trouble. Choosing to be called by a funny name will ensure you’re always the butt of the joke.

This new rule is a great way to accommodate the changing views in our society. It can have potential issues and drawbacks, but the consequences of abusing the rule would be on the students, not COD. As students are paying to be here, it’s important they feel respected. This rule will undoubtedly make the experiences of many COD students a little more enjoyable.

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15

Your Elmhurst Journey Starts Here.

You’ll find a warm welcome and a supportive community at Elmhurst College. More than 500 students transfer to Elmhurst every year, so we understand your needs—and we’re committed to helping you reach your full potential.

Money and Forbes magazines rank Elmhurst among the top colleges for your money. Plus all transfer students receive scholarship support.

OPEN HOUSE April 27

Check-in and events begin at 8:30 a.m.

Meet faculty and students, learn about admission and scholarships, and explore the campus!

RSVP at elmhurst.edu/openhouse

ELMHURST IS COMING TO THE COLLEGE OF DUPAGE! March 5 & 13 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

2nd floor, near Starbucks

Ask about our Guaranteed Transfer Admission program.

Individual appointments are available.

Email brian.pollastrini@elmhurst.edu for more information.

Office of Admission | admit@elmhurst.edu | (630) 617-3400 | elmhurst.edu/transfer

16 North Central will be at College of DuPage on: February 27, 2019 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

March 13, 2019 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

March 5, 2019 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

March 19, 2019 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Transfer and

Be central

at North Central College.

VISIT OPPORTUNITIES Saturday, March 9 - Transfer Information Session Friday, March 29 - Transfer Information Session northcentralcollege.edu/transfer-visit-registration Transferring into North Central College means helpful planning with knowledgeable counselors, generous academic scholarships and financial aid, and customized campus visits.

Join the conversation and use #BeCentral and #WeAreNC

CALL

EMAIL

LEARN

630-637-5800 admission@noctrl.edu northcentralcollege.edu/transfer

NEWS NEWS MUSIC

F F A T S S K C I P

17

SOCIAL JUSTICE ANTHEM S

Same Love Macklemore and Ryan Lewis ft. Mary Lambert

Time + Tragedy Rise Against

Madison Venckus

Miguel Angel Contreras III

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released their song “Same Love” with Mary Lambert back in 2013. I remember hearing this song for the first time in middle school and it took some time for me to really understood what the lyrics meant. I didn’t revisit this song until my senior year of high school and I haven’t gone a day without hearing it since. The lyrics are so pure and innocent, especially Lambert’s chorus which is the part I confidently belt out every time I hear the song. Macklemore highlights the simplicity and similarities between homosexual and heterosexual relationships ending his second verse with, “No freedom 'til we're equal.

Damn right I support it.”

Working Class Hero John Lennon

There are no coincidences. There’s only oppression, subjugation and rules designed to keep people in their place. Do not speak out of turn.

Do not think out of turn. Do not question your manipulated existence. Your only purpose is to support the hierarchal elite. Protect their wealth, greed and monopoly on power. “Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV.” They need lobotomized peasants working the fields.

They need you to pledge your energy to any thought but your own servitude. They want you to believe you’re the ones in control; your actions are born of freedom. They let you tie your own noose while indoctrinating and conditioning you into ownership. One step out of line and the brutal hand of authority comes down.

Joey Weslo

Time + Tragedy is empowerment in its essence. There’s an endless amount of music that’s meant to do the same thing. But Rise Against does so in a way that intersects guttural determination to succeed with your back against the wall and the emotional empathy of a gentle hand lifting you back to your feet.

Not all battles for social justice are public. This song is dedicated to everyone struggling amidst their despair and are yet to seek the help they need. The way through the darkness is up to you. Take one step at a time and you’ll eventually look back and realize where you’ve been is bleaker than where you are.

History Has Its Eyes on You John Legend

This song is originally from the hit musical “Hamilton,” and sung by Christopher Jackson as George Washington and Lin Manuel Miranda as Hamilton. John Legend sings of Washington’s first battle, his mistakes and shame and what he wished he knew. The song says there is really no way to control how we will be remembered and “who lives, who dies, who tells our story.” I believe it is telling us to strive for greatness and that history really does have it’s eye on us to fight injustice.

Alison Pfaff

YOU CAN FIND THE FULL COURIER SPOTIFY PLAYLIST AT CODCOURIER.ORG

18

COFFEE BREAK

MARCH MADNESS

ACROSS 1. Trunk extension 5. Dojo pad 8. *Villanova ____ at end of each half in '18 championship 11. Away from port 12. Windmill blade 13. Key material 15. Hefty competitor 16. European sea eagle 17. Walnut ____, MN 18. *____ Sunday 20. Smelling tainted, as in meat 21. Soft and sticky 22. Giant bird of "One Thousand and One Nights" 23. *____-elimination 26. Making sounds like Babe 30. Beatle wife 31. Not absorb, nor repel 34. Twelfth month of Jewish year 35. Batman to Bruce Wayne 37. Elizabeth Gilbert's "____ Pray Love" 38. Cubic meter 39. Ghost of Christmas ____ 40. P in POI 42. Make work 43. Puffed up 45. ____ and effects 47. Mont Blanc, e.g.

48. Oddball's attempt?

50. Tropical tuber 52. *Penultimate NCAA round 56. Like cornflakes leftovers 57. Slavic version of John 58. Tangerine plus grapefruit 59. Chased up an elm 60. Blow off steam 61. Tear violently 62. Da in Russia 63. Before of yore 64. Pasturelands

DOWN 1. Falls behind 2. Archipelago unit 3. Square one?

4. Good-for-nothing 5. Nobel Prize winner Curie 6. Bug 7. High school student 8. Rumpelstiltskin's weaver 9. Green-eyed monster 10. Tie ___ 12. Ruled against, as President can 13. Prod 14. *Fill-in-the-blanks 19. Pepsi and Coke 22. Part of human cage 23. Daytime entertainment, pl.

24. Spouse's parent 25. Neil Diamond's "Beautiful ____" 26. Tiny leftovers 27. Intestinal obstruction 28. N in RN 29. Mirths 32. *1 or 68, e.g.

33. Crew tool 36. *Automatic vs. ____ 38. Creepy one 40. *Coach's locker room talk 41. Similar to sextant 44. Andrew ____ Webber 46. *Hang a banner, e.g.

48. Abraham Lincoln bill, slangily 49. Lacking sense 50. Ruptured 51. Ice, dark, and middle 52. *Twelve's opponent 53. Type of molding 54. Forearm bone 55. Purges 56. Slovenly abode

NEWS COFFEE BREAK

19

Achieve More.

Together.

• 80 undergraduate majors • Adult accelerated degree completion programs • Counselors on-site to make the transfer process easy Our most popular transfer majors include computer science, criminal justice, education, nursing, healthcare leadership, business and aviation.

Learn more about our on-site undergraduate programs: • 3+1 Computer Science degree • 3+1 Criminal Justice degree • Enhanced 2+2 Teacher Education degrees (Early Childhood Education with Endorsements in Special Education and ESL, Elementary, Special, and Combined Elementary/ Special Education)

Scheduled On-Site

3+1 Advising Session

Dates and Room Locations: cod.edu/academics/transfer_programs/ 3plus1_advising_sessions.aspx

(815) 836-5250 • admission@lewisu.edu

lewisu.edu/transfers

Spring Open House

It’s amazing to be needed.

Angie ‘14

Healthcare needs you.

This is the Open House that can open the door to an amazing career in

SPRING OPEN HOUSE

healthcare. At Resurrection University you can earn the degree you need to build the future you want. Whether you choose to pursue nursing or radiography, you’ll find the flexibility and support to succeed in the classroom and in your career.

Come to our Open House and find out what ResU can do for you.

Explore bachelor degree programs in • Nursing • Radiography Saturday, March 23 Stop by anytime between 10am – 1pm

1431 N. Claremont Ave. • Chicago, IL 60622 • ResU.edu/openhouse