Emory Jewish community commemorates Oct. 7 anniversary
By Jack ruTherford, kiMBle Schiller & Maxine Podgainy Managing Editor, Senior Staff Wrtier & Contributing Writer
Content Warning: This article contains references to gun violence.
Across Emory University’s Atlanta and Oxford College campuses, Jewish and Israeli community members and organizations marked the second anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the intensification of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The anniversary comes as U.S. President Donald Trump attempts to broker a ceasefire to end the IsraelHamas war.
During the Oct. 7 attacks, Hamas killed nearly 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Currently, the U.S.designated terrorist organization is holding 48 hostages, with 26 publicly confirmed to be dead, in the Gaza Strip.
Pro-Israeli, Jewish organizations unite to host memorial
Nearly 100 Emory University community members gathered on McDonough Plaza on Oct. 5 to host a vigil honoring those killed and taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7. Chabad at Emory, Emory Hillel, Emory-Israel Public Affairs Committee, TAMID at Emory, MEOR at Emory and Emory Eagles for Israel organized the event.
The event began with organizers passing out Israeli flags and attendees
Community members gather around McDonough Plaza on Oct. 5 for a vigil honoring the victims of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and call for Hamas to return hostages taken.
singing the Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem.
Chabad at Emory Rabbi Zalman Lipskier began the vigil by leading students in prayer.
Following Lipskier, Assistant Teaching Professor and Language Coordinator in Hebrew Pazit KahlonShelnutt said the feeling of simultaneously watching the Oct. 7 attacks happen from the United States while trying to contact her family in Israel was an experience “beyond anything we could have imagined.”
“I remember sitting in front of the TV, frozen, and my mind refusing to understand,” Kahlon-Shelnutt said.
“That day, something inside of all of us broke. And for me, it is still broken.”
With an increase in antisemitism across the United States since the war’s inception two years ago, Kahlon-
Shelnutt said Israeli and Jewish students are facing a “painful reality” and urged attendees to stand up against hate.
“Being against antisemitism does not mean being against anyone else,” Kahlon-Shelnutt said. “It means being for humanity, for dignity, safety and empathy for all people.”
Jewish Chaplain Jordan Braunig recited the Mourner’s Kaddish, a prayer said to honor the deceased, and offered words of gratitude to the Jewish community for staying strong, despite trying times.
After Braunig, multiple students shared their stories and experiences of dealing with the grief and trauma of the Oct. 7 attacks.
Roxy Harary (28B), who was living in Israel on Oct. 7 shared her experiences in the weeks and months
following the attack. A close friend of Harary attended the Nova Music Festival, where Hamas attacks killed 378 people.
“Resilience comes in all forms, but it always looks like life,” Harary said. “Resilience is not the absence of fear, it’s the decision to keep going in spite of that fear.”
Emory Hillel President Arielle Rezak (27C) said the attacks brought her hometown on Long Island, N.Y., together after Omer Neutra, a former classmate of hers, was presumed missing during the Oct. 7 weekend. Neutra became a commander in the Israel Defense Forces after high school and was believed to be held hostage in Gaza, but in December 2024, his death was confirmed to have occurred on Oct. 7.
By inaara lalani and JaMeS Schechner Contributing Writers
This November marks three years since OpenAI released ChatGPT, the generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool that has reshaped the workflow and livelihoods of students and educators worldwide, including at Emory University. Now, students and faculty at the University are grappling with how best to approach AI usage for academic purposes. Emory lacks an institutional policy on AI, which has made it challenging for professors and students to navigate its usage in the classroom.
However, with the rise of AI, Emory University’s Honor Council has created an information sheet to help professors navigate the use of generative AI. The information sheet warns that there is not a definitive consensus among educators “about the accuracy of detection programs,” and that “detection programs may produce false negatives or false positives.” The Honor Council information sheet also lists some common indicators of AI.
Office for Undergraduate Education Associate Dean Jason Ciejka, who leads the Honor Council, said the boom in AI use in classrooms over the years has not drastically
SGA holds first meeting after suspension, calls on Emory to reinstate
By Tori Mooney SGA Desk
Student Government Association (SGA) President Tyler Martinez (26C) opened the organization’s first public meeting in 175 days by “acknowledging the significance” of the session on Oct. 6. Emory University’s Office of Student Conduct suspended SGA for actions “potentially constituting discriminatory harassment” on April 14, resulting in a six-month pause in normal operations.
In outlining goals for the upcoming year, Martinez highlighted several areas on which SGA hopes to focus.
“We have a lot to address now that we’re back,” Martinez said. “There are challenges to confront, systems to improve and opportunities to create meaningful impact for every student on this campus.”
During the meeting, Board of Elections Chair Elizabeth Brubaker (24Ox, 26C) introduced a resolution which legislators voted to pass, calling on the University to restore diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
“We’re asking that DEI principles be put into University policy, so that it has the opportunity to remain a part
of Emory DNA,” Brubaker said. Brubaker said the resolution was in response to Interim University President Leah Ward Sears’ (80L) Sept. 3 announcement that the University will end its DEI programs. The text of the resolution calls on Sears and the Board of Trustees to reinstate DEI policies and clarify how policy changes will impact students.
The resolution will include a student referendum to assess student support for SGA’s statement, sent within two weeks of the meeting. In 2024, SGA sent a similar referendum to evaluate student support through a vote assessing confidence in former University President and current Chancellor Gregory Fenves.
The legislation was co-sponsored by Martinez, Executive Vice President Zoe Grotjan (24Ox, 26C), Speaker of the Legislature Sohan Bellam (26C), College Council President Vlad Senenko (27C), College Council Vice President Braden Newsome (25Ox, 27C) and Vice President of Student Wellbeing Asmita Lehther (24Ox, 26C). Additionally, Brubaker said the resolution is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia and the Georgia National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
The ACLU of Georgia and Georgia NAACP did not confirm their support of the resolution by press time.
SGA Speaker of the Legislature Sohan Bellam (26C) reflected on how SGA plans to face current uncertainty surrounding DEI policies in an interview with The Emory Wheel.
“We’ll keep asking questions,” Bellam said. “SGA’s [Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging] work is completely protected by the University’s Open Expression Policy and won’t stop.”
Martinez highlighted the importance of SGA’s internal commitment to DEI values.
“It’s easy to pass bills and say that we’re committed to it, but showing up for the community is another thing, and we’re definitely committed to showing up,” Martinez said.
Additionally, SGA introduced and passed a resolution calling on Emory to defend its community members in the face of federal funding attacks. This resolution included a similar referendum to be distributed to students within two weeks of its passage.
The resolution calls on Sears and the University’s Board of Trustees
to enact a policy preventing Emory employees “from voluntarily providing information or assistance in response to a request” from government authorities seeking to impose penalties based on speech, to help apprehend a person for immigration detention proceedings, or investigate the sex or gender of a community member.
Brubaker, who introduced the resolution with the same co-sponsors as the previous one, said the second resolution is in response to threats to freedom of expression, immigrant communities and LGBTQ+ youth on higher education campuses.
SGA introduced and passed a bill to add naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, to the Health Access Machine Initiative. In April, SGA unveiled a Health Access Machine that provides students with free menstrual products, bandages, medication and other supplies.
SGA members also discussed the possibility of creating opportunities to share instructions and training on administering naloxone.
Reflecting on the first SGA meeting of this semester, Bellam said
he has three main hopes for SGA this year: defending Emory against the federal government, increasing transparency between SGA and students, and helping SGA foster a stronger connection with the Emory community. Martinez also emphasized similar objectives for SGA following the suspension.
“As we considered our goals for this year, four guiding principles emerged: transparency, meaningful change, inclusivity and action,” Martinez said. “Values that will shape every decision we make and every initiative we launch as a student government.”
Over the rest of his term, Martinez said that he hopes to facilitate further communication with the student body and the Emory administration, noting previous concerns with University leadership’s decisions.
“I hope that this shows a reaffirmed commitment from SGA to protect the student body as well as hold the administration accountable for decisions that haven’t included students or haven’t kept our best interests in mind,” Martinez said.
— Contact Tori Mooney at tori.mooney@emory.edu
Survivor of Hamas attacks recounts experiences on Oct. 7
On Oct. 6, the organizations set up tables on the Emory Student Center (ESC) promenade to further educate students about the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. The memorial exhibit featured tables with information and visuals about the Nova Music Festival and Israeli flags and yellow roses, representing the movement known as Bring Them Home Now. The organizations also set up a dinner table with 48 empty place settings in honor of the hostages.
Emory Eagles for Israel Freshman Representative Maya Clare (29C) said events like this are important in not only bringing the Jewish communities together but also encouraging fellow students to join in showing support. Clare said that all students, Jewish or not, have the ability to fight antisemitism.
“When people are targeting someone, even if they’re across the world, it’s attacking everybody,” Clare said. “You should care about it, even if it’s not directed at you or it’s not impacting you directly.”
MEOR Board Member Nicole Kiblisky (28C) said that despite a rise in antisemitism around the country, being at Emory over the last year has been an encouraging space for her to advocate for Jewish groups on campus and promote education, both within and outside of the Jewish community.
Kiblisky had visited Israel four months before Oct. 7 and was devastated to learn that places she had visited were destroyed, and cemeteries she had walked through were completely filled up after the attacks.
“It hit very hard, seeing even just how places I had been to, communities I had slept in, had been completely decimated by terrorism on Oct. 7,” said Kiblisky.
Clare said she hopes community members see the vigil and tablings as symbolic of the strength of Jewish students and their ongoing perseverance.
“Jews are here,” Clare said. “We are not going away, no matter how much people tell us to, and that you can hate, but our love is stronger than
your hate.”
Oxford students table to spread awareness for hostages
At the entrance of the Oxford Dining Hall, two Israeli students, Rom Zuckerman (26Ox) and Arad Ganir (26Ox), created a memorial for the lives lost on Oct. 7.
Zuckerman and Ganir decorated the memorial with artwork and informational posters. The students at the table gave out yellow flowers and ribbon pins, which symbolize remembrance and support for the return of hostages.
Last year, Zuckerwman and Ganir felt unsupported by the lack of remembrance on Oxford’s campus, inspiring them to take things into their own hands. With the help of the Oxford College's Jewish Student Union and Emory Hillel, Zuckerman and Ganir set up a table to honor the deceased and raise awareness for the Israeli hostages.
Ganir, an Israeli student, emphasized he wanted the memorial to create a safe space for Jewish students.
“There isn’t a huge Israeli community over here,” Ganir said. “I knew that if I didn’t do it, if I didn’t make the initiative, no one else would.”
Ganir called the events of Oct. 7 “painful” and said it had been on his mind for the past two years.
“It’s infiltrated every space I’ve been in because of how pervasive it was,” Ganir said. “This is personal, it’s not just something you hear about on the news.”
Zuckerman mentioned the reception at the event had been good and that people at Oxford had been respectful. Ganir similarly commented on people’s reactions to the event.
“Jewish students have told me, ‘Thank you for doing this,’” Ganir said. “People have been like, ‘This is really sweet. This was a horrible thing, and we’re so happy that someone is memorializing it.’”
Zuckerman also emphasized that they appreciated the questions others
asked them about the attacks.
“We are here because we want people to come ask, to come learn, as long as it’s from a place of curiosity, we are more than happy for any question to be asked,” Zuckerman said.
Max Bernstein (26Ox) said he attended the event to support his friends and connect with his community. He wanted people to be aware that there are still hostages from the Oct. 7 attacks.
“I know it’s a very important day for them, as well as for me, because Oct. 7th was a terrible tragedy,” Bernstein said. “We still need to bring awareness that it happened and to bring the hostages home.”
Ganir emphasized that he would like more people to know about the humanity of the Oct. 7 victims.
“These are real people,” Ganir said. “Each person has a real story. Each person did something. This is beyond just the numbers.”
Oct. 7 survivor recounts experiences for Emory community
Oriya Berlin, a survivor of the Hamas attack, gave a talk about her experience in an Emory Hillelorganized event on Oct. 7. Around 20 people attended the outdoor event on Tuesday night.
Berlin had finished her training at the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and was serving as an observer on the Re’im base, a kibbutz in southern Israel, at the time of the attacks. Berlin served as an observer in the IDF and monitors intelligence feeds from different areas of Israel and the surrounding region.
Since Oct. 7, Berlin continued serving as an observer in the IDF before transferring to the IDF’s Spokesperson's Unit, where she finished her mandatory conscription. At the end of her service, she was decorated with the President's Award of Excellence, the highest honor of excellence for IDF soldiers and commanders.
Before Hamas attacked Israel in
2023, Berlin’s group was instructed to enter service immediately to monitor the Gaza Strip.
“They told us, the area is just very heated right now,” Berlin said. “We need you to go tomorrow to base to start your handover, to start doing what you were trained to do.”
When explosions from the attack first started on Oct. 7, Berlin was in her dormitory in the base. She said the system to warn of incoming missiles did not function as intended, so the IDF soldiers in the base learned of the attack from the explosions.
Berlin said she thought the explosions were thunder until someone told her to go to a safe room. She expected to exit the safe room around 10 minutes later. Instead, they began to hear gunfire drawing closer to their base. The IDF typically uses the M16 as its standard-issue rifle, which Berlin said she did not hear amongst the fire.
“I immediately recognized that it wasn’t an M16 and that it was a Kalashnikov, which sounds more like a footstep,” Berlin said. “The scariest part was that we didn’t hear any return fire. We didn’t hear our M16s, so we thought they’re just roaming the base, doing whatever they want. Nobody’s stopping them, and they’ll soon get to our residence area.”
Berlin said she tried to shut the safe room door, as it did not lock from the inside, but could not get the door to
close fully. Her group then received a text in broken Hebrew, supposedly from her sergeant, telling them to scream “IDF” in Hebrew so IDF soldiers could rescue them. Berlin said the text was suspicious and thought it might have been Hamas trying to locate them, so the group did not follow the order.
The group Berlin was with remained in the safe room for a few hours until IDF soldiers arrived to rescue the people remaining in the base.
“I remember stepping out of that safe room,” Berlin said. “Everything did not look like the base I just got through just two days before. It was like everything on fire, a ton of smoke, I won’t get too graphic, but some bodies and blood … But the soldiers were so sweet, and they told us, ‘You got this. You’ll get through this.’”
If you or someone you know is struggling in the aftermath of gun violence, you can reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at (404) 727-7450 or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress hotline 24/7 at +1 (800) 985-5990.
— Contact Jack Rutherford at jake.rutherford@emory.edu
Kimble Schiller at kimble.schiller@emory.edu and Maxine Podgainy at maxine.podgainy@emory.edu
Trump administration's claims about autism leads to medical, social repercussions
By fern BiSwaS Contributing Writer
To aid in U.S. President Donald Trump’s objective to cure autism, the National Institutes of Health unveiled a future $50 million grant for research on Oct. 6. These plans emerged a couple of weeks after Trump and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy announced that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, was a likely cause of autism — sparking both national debates and disagreement from the Emory Autism Center and student leaders.
Trump also said his administration plans to pursue new medications such as leucovorin to reduce the rate of autism, which he considers a “horrible crisis.”
At Emory University, the Autism Center pursues research and innovation to “empower autistic individuals and their families.”
Emory Autism Center Director Mikle South wrote that most studies have not linked vaccines or Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism in a statement to The Emory Wheel. He added that people should turn to healthcare professionals and scientific studies for answers to the devel-
opment of autism.
“Science evolves constantly, but today’s largest, most rigorous studies find no association between vaccines and autism and does not support a causal link between prenatal acetaminophen and autism,” South wrote.
Emory Autism Center Director of Adult Programs Amanda Platner wrote to the Wheel that autism is a “complex, multifactorial” disorder that is more likely a result of genetic and environmental factors than a result of specific medical treatments.
In addition, Platner clarified that these federal announcements have not altered the center’s goals in uplifting the autistic community.
“The Emory Autism Center will continue our longstanding commitment of supporting the health and well-being of autistic individuals and their families,” Platner wrote. “Our focus remains on providing effective guidance and interventions that help our patients achieve their desired quality of life and in addressing service gaps.”
South wrote that it is important for people to trust the work of scientific and research communities, regardless of the federal government’s agenda.
“Excessive skepticism has the potential to slow scientific progress
and distract from the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes,” South wrote. “While government statements may influence public perception, the scientific research community remains steadfast in its commitment to rigorous, evidence-based and collaborative work.”
Emory’s Autism Advocacy Organization President Vivienne Drake (24Ox, 26C) said they worry that rhetoric disparaging autism harms autistic individuals by “demonizing” their identities. According to Drake, for autistic individuals, Trump’s plans to reduce the rate of autism will negatively impact their daily lives by alienating them further from their communities.
“Reducing the amount of diagnoses is not going to lessen the amount of autistic people that exist,” Drake said. “All it will do is create a more skewed picture of what autism can look like.”
Amara Kirkpatrick (26Ox), president of Oxford College’s Neurodivergent Advocacy and Support club, said Emory already fails to provide proper accommodations for some autistic individuals. For instance, Kirkpatrick said first-year orientation events at Oxford involved loud and crowded environments that could be difficult to navigate for autis-
tic individuals.
Drake said that Emory, more than anything else, can help its autistic community by continuing to support autism research. However, she also said the University should use caution in taking a public stance against federal policies to avoid drawing more scrutiny to Emory and potentially causing the dissolution of communities.
“The best thing for us to do is just keep putting out research that shows this to be false instead of making a claim because research has more things backing it up, and that is hard to fight against,” Drake said.
Conversely, Kirkpatrick said Emory should offer a statement in support of autistic individuals.
“All I want from Emory is to just say that they support their students,” Kirkpatrick said. “We worked hard to get here. We are not worth any less because of a diagnosis we have.”
Carolyn Joe (26Ox), co-president of the Oxford chapter of Best Buddies, said as an ally of the autistic community, it is important to “understand that everyone is different” and “work toward celebrating that difference.” She asserted that the Emory community should exercise open-mindedness.
“Let’s learn how to put our differences aside, but also celebrate those differences when they do exist,” Joe said. “At the end of the day, remember that we’re all just people.”
Joe reflected on her own upbringing, explaining that her peers would often insult or isolate her autistic sister. She said stigmas surrounding autism continue to harm autistic people and their loved ones, including her own family.
“[Trump’s recent announcement] has increased this negative stigma, not just about autism and the prevalence of an unborn child getting it — this is something through pregnancy — but I think there have been effects on people who are living,” Joe said.
Joe’s insights reflect the larger conversation about inclusion and scientific education triggered by Trump’s statements, as emphasized by other Emory students and researchers. Members of the community also urge individuals to recognize the positive aspects of autism.
“There is so much joy that can come out of being autistic and being a part of this community,” Drake said. “Despite what politicians might say.”
— Contact Fern Biswas at fern.biswas@emory.edu
K imBle Schiller/Senior Staff Writer Oxford College students remember Oct. 7 attack victims.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Administration, faculty debate AI use at Emory
increased the number of violations the body reviews. Ciejka said AI-related Honor Code violations generally fall into pre-existing violation categories, including plagiarism, unauthorized assistance and data fabrication.
“[AI-related violations] are now a proportion of the total cases that we see,” Ciejka said. “Within our own reports, we haven’t seen a drastic shift in the types of violations that we usually encounter within a given year.”
Ciejka said that despite not seeing a dramatic number of AI cases, professors still come to the Honor Council with questions and concerns. He reasons that AI’s accessibility might be incentivizing students to cheat.
“Many tools being free and accessible to students, that makes it easier, and in some ways more tempting, for students to misuse artificial intelligence,” Ciejka said.
Even in light of this potential risk, some professors, such as Professor of Biology and Computer Science Yana Bromberg, have decided not to ban AI outright. Bromberg compared it to using other classroom tools.
“It’s like a calculator versus doing it by hand,” Bromberg said. “You should know how to use a calculator. Does it mean you shouldn’t know how to add by hand? No, those two go hand in hand.”
Bromberg said it is not as simple as telling students not to use AI, instead, students and faculty need to educate themselves on how to use AI effectively and ethically.
A 2025 Reuters poll found that 71% of Americans are concerned about AI technology taking away jobs from humans. Bromberg said the problem is not AI replacing employees, but rather that people who understand
how to use AI will have advantages over their peers.
“They’re not going to lose their jobs to AI,” Bromberg said. “They’re gonna lose their jobs to the people who know how to use AI if they don’t know how to do it, and just plugging in questions in ChatGPT is not knowing how to use AI.”
Associate Professor of Political Science J. Judd Owen has taken a hard stance against AI use since what he calls the “ChatGPT outbreak,” which he said he first observed in 2023. Owen said he has adapted how he leads his classes to combat the rising use of AI by students.
“I’ve been teaching at Emory for probably 25 years now, and I would say that I’ve prosecuted about the same number of plagiarism cases in my whole career as I had instances of unauthorized AI use on this first
exam in this one class, and that really took me aback,” Owen said.
Owen said that as of now, he does not have a problem with the Honor Code as a beginning point for AI regulation. He said the use of AI should not automatically be considered plagiarism, as the faculty members should be educating students on the appropriate uses of AI. However, Owen said the rise in AI has made him rethink how he approaches his classes.
“I’ve gone very old school,” Owen said. “I require paper editions of the book, students take notes by hand, unless there are accommodations otherwise.”
Jay and Leslie Cohen Assistant Professor of Religion and Jewish Studies Kate Rosenblatt said the rise in AI will likely alter the future of education.
“We have a responsibility to help them become responsible AI users, but I am also deeply suspect of the people who imagine that AI is going to become ascendant in ways that disregard or devalue or render antiquated everything that we currently value,” Rosenblatt said.
Rosenblatt argued that using AI in humanities classes is just “shortchanging” students’ learning.
Still, students are just as divided on AI use as faculty members. Brigid May (26C) said AI harms students’ critical thinking skills. He said using shortcuts like AI makes it hard for him to fully understand the content, leading to worse exam results.
“I’ve always felt really guilty if I cheated in any tiny sense,” May said. “I’m just averse to taking shortcuts like that.”
May also said using AI feels contradictory to Emory’s core mission and values.
“In an institution where you’re supposed to learn how to process information that might not be part of your worldview and open your mind to new ideas, it’s not conducive to that,” May said.
Branson Adams (29B) took a different stance, arguing that he uses AI as an “aid” for assignments and called it a convenient tool for classwork. He said professors are often too harsh when banning AI, and said that proper AI use is an important skill for students to learn.
“I feel like professors should be more understanding,” Adams said. “It just seems like AI is going to be used more and more, and it’s going to have real-world applications, so I feel like they should start being more lenient.”
AI’s presence on campus is seemingly undeniable, leaving students and faculty to make decisions about its integration or exclusion from college education.
“This is, in some ways, the biggest crisis in education that I've seen at Emory,” Owen said. “A lot more attention has to be paid to this issue.”
— Contact Inaara Lalani at inaara.lalani@emory.edu and James Schechner at james.schechner@emory.edu
‘If it affects them, it affects Emory:’ Nepali community reacts to Gen Z protests
Since Sept. 8, protestors in Nepal have demanded an end to government corruption and social inequalities, which led to former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oil resigning from office. The protests left 74 dead and 2,100 people injured in the midst of this conflict.
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Founded in 1919, The Emory Wheel is the financially and editorially independent, student-run newspaper of Emory University in Atlanta. The Wheel is a member publication of Media Council, Emory’s organization of student publications. The Wheel reserves the rights to all content as it appears in these pages, and permission to reproduce material must be granted by the editor-in-chief.
The statements and opinions expressed in the Wheel are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Wheel Editorial Board or of Emory University, its faculty, staff or administration.
The Wheel is also available online at www.emorywheel.com.
By SaMara goyal Contributing Writer
For 48 hours starting on Sept. 8, thousands of people took to the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal, demanding an end to corruption. The protests left 74 dead and 2,100 people injured. On Sept. 9, the former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned from his position, and Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki was sworn in, making her the first female prime minister of Nepal. Recently, on Sept. 29, Nepal’s new government imposed travel bans for Sharma Oli and four former senior officers.
Nepali youth led this movement against corruption, citing the lack of job opportunities and social inequalities between average citizens and
elites. Even though these protests are all the way across the world, these events are weighing heavily on the minds of Emory University students and faculty from Nepal or with connections there.
Selina Chhantyal (27B) said the Nepali government’s ban on 26 social media platforms, which was lifted on Sept. 9, took away Nepali citizens’ ability to discuss anti-corruption online, partially inciting the demonstrations.
As a transfer student new to Emory, Chhantyal said while she was not aware of the size of the Nepali community here, it is very likely that these protests are a sensitive issue for a lot of people, especially those with family in Nepal.
“Everybody that is Nepali and first gen and goes to school in the U.S. has family in Nepal,” Chhantyal said. “It’s not very far removed at all. It’s very close to home for a lot of people.”
Assistant Professor of Medicine Abesh Niroula said it has been difficult acquiring information from Nepal about the latest developments since a major media group's headquarters burned down and international media coverage is limited. In addition, he said having family still in Nepal has made this challenge of accessing information a personal issue as well.
“Getting information coming out from ground level has been very challenging, and that has created a little bit of anxiety, even in people living abroad and even within the country,” Niroula said.
For Nepali members of the Emory community, the recent upheaval threatens to impact their work, even 8,150 miles away in Atlanta. With the recent violence, Niroula said
these protests will impact timelines on projects, student work and travel.
“The country is going through transition,” Niroula said. “There may be some delay on basic official events like getting a passport on time, getting visas on time, getting flights out.”
““It’s not very far removed at all. It’s very close to home for a lot of people.”
— Selina Chhantyal (27B)
Sushma Timalsina (28G) said she has felt anxious in the wake of these protests. Still, Timalsina said she has found a consoling and understanding community at Emory that she might not have had elsewhere.
“Certainly there have been some sleepless nights, but I’m glad to have a friend circle, colleagues at Emory who are very much aware of what is going on at home,” Timalsina said.
Noting the impact these protests can have on a personal level, Niroula said the turmoil should be addressed in the classroom and that Emory has a responsibility to address global events that affect their students. He said that the University should provide support to students here to ensure their well-being during this time.
“People, either the faculty, students who are from Nepal, who have passed through Emory,” Niroula asked. “If it affects them, it affects Emory.”
— Contact Samara Goyal at samara.goyal@emory.edu
a Shley K im/contriButing illuStrator
The Emory Wheel Opinion
Atlanta reinvestment risks repeating the past
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ new Atlanta Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI) comes with a bold promise — an end to Atlanta's “tale of two cities.” The phrase refers to the stark contrast between prosperity and poverty in Atlanta, where skyscrapers and massive corporations stand just miles from blighted neighborhoods.
Announced on Sept. 30, the $5 billion plan aims to transform the underserved parts of the city with extended transit, new affordable housing, trails, greenspaces and public infrastructure improvements.
The initiative aims to reinvest in Atlanta’s various communities and address entrenched economic disparities. However, many important details of the plan remain largely unknown, such as the allocation of the raised revenue. Given Atlanta’s long history of ambitious but flawed urban reinvestment projects, Dickens must reflect on Atlanta’s past failures to avoid repeating mistakes, especially given the broad scope of the project and the potential consequences of diverting funds from other public services such as the Atlanta Public Schools System. The Atlanta NRI depends on tax allocation districts (TAD) to fund its projects. TADs will enable the City of Atlanta to issue bonds to finance public improvements, then repay the loans at a later date using property tax revenue that the increased property value would generate. The specifics of the plan remain vague as officials have not clarified who the TADs will be sold to or who will be contracted to oversee the projects. In Atlanta, there are currently six established TADs, all of which are set to expire within the next five to 13 years. To finance the Atlanta NRI, the lifetime of these TADs would
have to be extended to 2050 — an action that would require the approval of the city council, Fulton County and the Atlanta Public School system.
According to Emory University Professor and Department Chair of Political Science Michael Rich, while the TADs would allow the City of Atlanta to invest in its neighborhoods without depending on federal funding, this self-reliance comes at a cost.
The new infrastructure detailed in the NRI plan would generate additional property tax revenue, which can then be used to repay bonds issued to fund development in the targeted neighborhoods and downtown Atlanta.
Rich said that until these bonds are repaid, the benefits of additional property tax revenue will be focused on the areas outlined in the plan, rather than the typical beneficiaries: the City of Atlanta, Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools System.
“The school system is already starved for revenues for both capital improvements to the various schools as well as programmatic investments,”
Rich said. “This will certainly have an impact on education spending in the future.”
Apart from concerns surrounding the efficacy of TADs, urban revitalization plans risk gentrification and displacement as rising property values can price out residents if poorly implemented. The city’s most recent major urban development project, the Atlanta Beltline, was initially touted as a model for equitable development, promising affordable housing, accessible transit and sustainable green spaces. Yet, as property values along the Beltline skyrocketed, many of the residents the development aimed to serve were forced out.
Just this summer, the Atlanta Beltline called upon Dickens to “recommit” to building sustainable, accessible transportation across the affected area.
Atlanta has a long history of lofty, yet unsuccessful, urban development efforts. For example, in the mid-1990s, the city received $250 million in federal funding to revitalize its impoverished neighborhoods. The project, called the Atlanta Empowerment Zone, promised growth, prosperity
and the bridging of economic divides. Instead, the mismanagement of funds, corruption and the hiring of consultants disconnected from the target communities contributed to the Zone’s shortcomings. As such, Atlanta ranked among the weakest performers of the six cities that received urban renewal funding. Comparatively, model cities that have successfully revitalized struggling neighborhoods maintain long-term momentum and incorporate resident feedback, rather than relying on a one-off reinvestment effort that instates acute improvement.
According to Rich, these models often involve a “quality of life planning process.” By combining input from residents of target areas with coordination among nonprofits and other organizations with shared goals, local governments can create mechanisms for communities to track progress, provide feedback and hold leaders accountable.
Without these key relationships, reinvestment initiatives stagnate. Given these insights, if Dickens hopes to avoid the pitfalls of past Atlanta initiatives, he must prioritize transparency with the public and strong governance. TADs are notoriously opaque as funds have little council oversight and budgets are not readily accessible to the public.
Atlanta citizens deserve regular reporting on the management and application of NRI funds. The TAD neighborhoods are home to Atlantans who have weathered decades of disinvestment, redlining and predatory housing markets.
Emory University, as an anchor institution with students residing in and around Atlanta, has a stake in these neighborhoods’ futures. The
University’s properties in Druid Hills, Ga., Decatur, Ga., and across Atlanta shape surrounding housing markets and influence zoning and infrastructure decisions.
In addition, having also contributed to the neglect and gentrification of these neighborhoods, Emory carries an obligation to address and repair the harm to the affected communities.
Given Emory Healthcare’s reach across Atlanta, students should urge the University to take a more active role in revitalization efforts — a strategy that has proven successful in cities such as Philadelphia, where partnerships with institutions like The University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University (Pa.) contributed greatly to urban renewal.
Dickens’ vision for a united Atlanta is one worth believing in, but the city’s residents, universities and civic organizations must make sure his promises result in progress that lasts.
Students living in neighborhoods targeted by the NRI must engage by providing feedback to their representatives and participating in meetings hosted by organizations like the Atlanta Planning Advisory Board. Those seeking to be further involved can volunteer with community organizations and nonprofits in affected neighborhoods, such as Hands on Atlanta or TogetherATL, which work to represent local neighborhoods.
Furthermore, as the Atlanta mayoral election on Nov. 4 approaches, students need to stay informed and critical of candidates’ follow-through. Do not let flashy promises blind you to the past’s proven truths — Atlanta’s “tale of two cities” can end, but only if every voice, including ours, stays involved.
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‘Don’t think, just write’: How freewriting transformed my thinking
By JoshUa gLazer
ContriButing WritEr
At least once a week on the fourth floor of Raoul Hall, you can hear me click-clacking away on my laptop well past midnight. I am not writing an essay for my religion class, nor am I typing up microeconomics notes. While shuffling songs from my beloved “J’s Journaling Playlist,” instead, I am spending 20 minutes typing up a journal entry — or as I call it, a late-night thought.
There is no better flow state I can reach than when I write a late-night thought. That is the beauty of freewriting without form or structure: It reduces writing anxiety. The product does not need to be grammatically correct nor logical. It simply flows from one thought to the next. And, in that process, freewriting becomes less about the act of writing and more about understanding yourself — it’s a way to think honestly, feel deeply and express with clarity and freedom.
I began journaling as a high school junior studying abroad in Zaragoza, Spain. During the plane ride over the Atlantic Ocean, I made a goal for myself in the hope of documenting my journey: Write one journal entry every night capturing my day-to-day life and thoughts. Shockingly, I kept my promise, resulting in a 51-page Google document complete with more than 100 entries from my time in Spain. While the length of what I wrote was impressive, more important was how freewriting helped me process my days, build empathy for myself and others and sharpen how I communicate.
When I returned home, I stopped journaling my daily life, but I continued to write when I needed to vent. Every once in a while, when thoughts swirled in my head and I could not
fall asleep, I would open my “Free Writes” document and begin writing. I had no outline, no point to make and no sense of coherence. I just wrote until I felt satisfied.
Eventually, I decided to publish my private writing. I created a Snapchat story called “late-night thoughts” to post my writing every week or two. Each entry was only titled with the date and hour in military time, a tradition I started in Spain. I write about whatever is on my mind, including current events, my search for purpose or anything that was bugging me that night.
During first-year orientation at Emory University, for instance, I wrote about wanting to act less superficially.
“With the start of September I find myself pausing my social crusade
and figuring out who I will wave to on the way to class and who I’ll actually spend time with,” I wrote. “But in doing so, I find more and more new people whom I want to know and become friends with. And that’s what is so great about college; the period of meeting new people doesn’t really ever end.”
Writing this full entry was hard. I was exposing an insecurity of mine to a handful of people I had only known for a week. Even though my writing was not polished or profound, it was real. When I posted it, the new friends I had just made instantly felt closer. One of my friends privately messaged me after he read my entry, asking who wrote it — he could not believe it was my own writing. Sharing personal thoughts did more than just let friends see my inner
thoughts. Journaling also provided a welcoming audience to whom I could display my work.
Even though my writing was not polished or profound, it was real.
I will admit that posting deep and sensitive writing on social media is not easy. I still get nervous that my friends will think I’m weird, crazy or both. Instead, they tell me they look forward to my posts. My friends say my writing captures emotions they have felt but have never put into words. My writing is raw, and
it is undoubtedly mine. And, when I slip into that flow state and get a rush of that indescribable feeling of joy and euphoria, that’s what keeps me going.
Freewriting has changed my life. I have become more empathetic, understanding and forgiving of myself. Unexpectedly, what began as a solitary ritual has grown into a small community of people drawn to my honesty. In a few cases, some readers of my writing have started writing for themselves as well. I have even started posting some of my friends’ writing to my page.
If you find yourself overcome with stress and need a way to internalize and understand your thoughts and emotions, I urge you to try journaling for yourself. Here’s how you should approach the art: When you get a few minutes of free time — which admittedly is never, but try your best — find a quiet place and set a 15-minute timer. Use whatever medium works best and in that time, try just to write. Don’t think, just write.
It can be hard at first, with no prompt or end goal in mind. You may not succeed initially or be happy with the results, but that is okay. Freewriting is hard. It took me years of practice to get to where I am now. After all, the more times you try it, the better you will get.
Freewriting does not have to be about what you ate for lunch or how much you procrastinated today. Freewriting can be raw, emotional and meaningful. It can be messy. That’s what makes it liberating. In a world that rarely slows down, a blank page at midnight is one of the simplest and most transformative gifts you can give yourself.
— Contact Joshua Glazer at joshua.glazer@emory.edu
Promote better discourse, stop abusing the cloak of 'inFizzibility'
By Micah cohen ContriButing WritEr
I arrived at Emory University over a month ago as a bright-eyed freshman. Having grown up with various anonymous messaging board apps like Reddit, YikYak and Jodel, I anticipated there would be an incognito messaging app for students to communicate with each other online.
What I did not expect to find, however, was the noxious environment present on Fizz, an anonymous messaging board app. On Fizz, I found hate, loathing, racism, argumentation and bullying. My experience discovering an alternative side to the Emory student body dispels the notion that as intelligence rises, so does one’s moral compass. But, even with the malicious posts, I believe wholeheartedly that Fizz is crucial for not just the students, but the University as a whole. Fizz fosters communication, streamlines student grievances and creates a place where students can be themselves without fear of condemnation.
Fizz posts certainly play with very dangerous ideas and topics that could potentially cause real life harm, but Fizz, for this very reason, sparks debate — it gets people talking about important issues of campus life, romantic interests and politics.
Fizz gives students the ubiquitous ability to converse with their peers about topics that affect campus, school and personal experiences.
In response to Emory’s new tuition-free plan for families earning less than $200,000 a year, one Fizz post reads, “This is genuinely not fair the gap between free tuition and over 80k is insane. Who’s paying for this.”
This post received many responses, one of which counters, “Being upset about people who are in dire need of money is evil.” Another respondent wrote, “I am not upset about it, I’m just saying it’s not fair,” finally prompting the original author to concede, “Okay got u.”
Contrary to most online forums, on which compromise and mutual understanding are incredibly rare, here is a perfect example of how common they are on Fizz, a testament to the power of anonymous conversations among Emory students. Herein lies the beauty of Fizz: a post brought up a hot-button topic about Emory, both sides made arguments, an ensuing debate occurred and finally, the two sides came to an agree-to-disagree conclusion. Both parties were made aware of the counterargument, and despite the simplicity of the conversation, they thought critically about their position. A discussion like this between two strangers would never happen in person because feelings and reputa-
tions would be on the line. Slip up once by making an offensive joke or sharing a bad take in a classroom or dining hall, and everyone will know what you did. Slip up once on Fizz, and no one knows. Fizz creates a space that renders discussions like this possible, benefiting everyone involved because it strips conversations of societal expectations and boils them down to the true issues at hand.
Students can and should use Fizz for good, but it can also promote hate and toxicity.
Even if one side feels upset or hurt by the other, productive debate will still emerge, forcing Fizz posters to consider their adversaries and formulate more well-rounded arguments.
Outside of politics, Fizz remains a great place to openly share personal thoughts. In a social group setting, people worry about expressing their feelings for fear of making a social faux pas. No such fear exists in the realm of Fizz, though, as anonymity protects outlandish statements. One
such post reads, “Short guys with insane face cards are my type now.” A stranger would never say a sentence like this to another in daily conversation, yet here it lies on Fizz.
The post was met with roaring concurrence, accruing 2,000 upvotes, seven comments and two reposts, landing at the 11th-most popular post of the week.
One comment responds with “Stand up queen. Literally” while another writes, “ FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT I WAS SO SHY.”
This small interaction is a perfect example of the unknown camaraderie that Emory students can discover when they no longer feel the strain and burden of societal norms. But, when you take away this platform — this medium of silent agreement — you take away an outlet where our feelings, no matter how silly, get validated, causing us to become isolated.
Fizz’s anonymity, however, also opens the door for bad actors. Posters will take the sweet nectar, the constituency and sense of community, of this secret group we all love, and sour it with bullying, harassment and intimidation. These harms are the unfortunate price we must pay for free and discreet speech.
The ancient Chinese believed in the philosophical concept of yin and yang, two opposing forces that complement and complete each other. Though completely opposite, one
contains a piece of the other, fundamentally embedded within. You cannot have the yin without the yang. Our yin is the free and joyful Fizzes, simply meant to evoke conversation, while our yang is the hateful Fizzes, intended to stir the pot and cause chaos. If we starve these malicious posts of reactions and comments, leaving them devoid of attention, they will be rendered obsolete. Emory students must ignore this ragebait that will inevitably exist on Fizz.
If we cannot do that and choose to engage instead, the future of Fizz lies in the hands of the aggressors, and that is not a world I want to live in.
Fizz will decline into a wasteland of pure hatred, and any posts that seek validation or advice will be met with a firing squad of harassment. Fizz is like fire — if used correctly, it can create wonder. If used incorrectly, it can burn down a house. That is why we must use it delicately. Students can and should use Fizz for good, but it can also promote hate and toxicity. While Fizz remains paramount to free speech in the Emory community and a poignant reminder of our differences, we must tread lightly when using the app.
—
Contact Micah Cohen at micah.cohen@emory.edu
SaSha EmmErich/DEPuty illuStratiOn EDitOr
Slow down in senior year
By MaDeLine shapiro ExECutivE Editor
In the first few months of my senior year, I have been hit with two waves of emotion. One is an overwhelming feeling of sentimentality. I long to make the most of my remaining days at Emory University, an ever-dwindling stretch of time that I almost wish I could pause. At the same time, I feel restless, craving something new. I am on the precipice of a new stage in life — that scary postgraduate phase that many college seniors dread — and I am ready, yet nervous, to begin. Like two competing fronts of air on a windy day, these two thoughts clash in my head, and as they battle for supremacy, I don’t know which one I want to win.
During the second week of school, I tabled for several clubs at the student involvement fair. Between pitches to eager first-years about why they should join my organization, I surveyed the chaos of the event: a loud DJ blaring music across McDonough Field, juxtaposed against a sea of students making it nearly impossible to walk from table to table. After chatting for an hour, I felt tired, dazed and overwhelmed, but on my way out, a flash mob of sorts blocked my path: A bunch of students assembled in lines danced to the directions of a catchy tune. Watching the crowd, I smiled and reflected on the spontaneity of the moment. It was 9 p.m. on a Wednesday, and at a time when students typically study or hang out with friends, they were dancing next to snowcone machines, all after perusing the hundreds of clubs Emory has to offer. At no other point in my life will I be surrounded by such wonderfully odd and eclectic moments of joy.
However, the following week my classes and extracurricular commitments picked up. Like past years at Emory, I found myself running from one meeting to another, speeding through the day like a racehorse. Long days bled into late nights, and I quickly found myself becoming upset. I know that being busy is a privilege, but I craved a bit more autonomy over how to spend my time. Instead of having assignments to complete and meetings to attend, I longed for free time to dedicate to my own creative projects or exploration beyond the Emory bubble. So, I concluded, three weeks into senior year, that I was ready to graduate.
I find myself wanting to check
this impulse, though. When I was a freshman, a senior at The Emory Wheel imparted some of his wisdom on the incoming editors. In the final weeks of his senior year, he told us not to wish away the time at college and instead be fully present in every room we find ourselves in. I took this as a blinking sign to savor this unique time in our lives. We are surrounded by interesting, driven people, pursuing their passions and taking part in meaningful opportunities each day. Yet, no matter how much I remind myself to enjoy everything that makes college so special, I find my mind wandering off to vignettes of what my life will look like after May.
As a remedy to the tendency to look toward the future, I challenge myself and others to intentionally slow down at Emory using some of these strategies. One is spending time on the University Quadrangle. There is nothing more quintessentially college than a Quad, and the majority of the student body underutilizes Emory’s. In order to slow down in the middle of a busy day, I suggest sitting for a moment in one of those Adirondack chairs (even if re-seeding is underway) and reading, calling a friend from home or simply zoning out. Sitting outside on the remodeled Cox Hall for work or a meal is another great way to slow down, saying “hi” and chatting to each friend who spontaneously passes. And, partly inspired by my recent reading of Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden” (1854) in an English class, I plan to pay more attention to everything going around me to not miss out on what makes Emory home.
In practice, it should not be too difficult to focus on our dynamic college lives without our thoughts drifting elsewhere, but we are constantly reminded that our time in college is finite. I often balk at the phrase that college is “the best four years of your life.” It shortchanges everything that has come before and is overwhelmingly pessimistic about the rest of one’s adulthood. But, I do know that once I graduate from college, I will wish for another fall of returning to friends and classes at Emory. So, as I dedicate the next several months to applying to postgraduate programs, I will try to tone down the voice in my head wishing the time away and replace it with an intentional calm.
— Contact Madeline Shapiro at madeline.shapiro@emory.edu
Bring back political politeness
By eMMa Monroe ContriButing WritEr
The U.S. government shut down for the first time since 2018 on Oct. 1. The shutdown occurred because of a lack of agreement between Democrats and Republicans to come to an agreement on a bill to fund government services for the months to come. Four shutdowns have occurred within the past decade, all under U.S. President Donald Trump. The recent shutdown reflects the steadfast increase of polarization in politics, a phenomenon that can partly be attributed to a shift in the way politicians treat their opponents. Trump himself exemplifies why it has become so difficult for politicians to agree on a simple budget bill. At the memorial service for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, he notably mentioned that he disagreed with Kirk on how he regarded his political opponents.
The
erosion of politeness in political spaces takes political debate to an uncomfortably personal level.
“He did not hate his opponents, he wanted the best for them,” Trump said. “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them.”
Trump’s perspective should not come as a surprise to the majority of Americans who have seen the way he has engaged with his political opponents during all three of his presidential campaigns.
He called former U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton “the devil,” former President Joe Biden “low I.Q.” and former Vice President Kamala Harris “mentally impaired." His comments at Kirk’s funeral only clarified his existing ideology — political opponents should not be treated with respect.
Trump is by no means alone in his hostile treatment of his fellow politicians. Biden would often fire back at Trump by calling him a “sucker” and a “loser,” and Harris once remarked that Trump was “unhinged.” These prominent politicians’ remarks reflect a growing trend in politics of hurling nasty insults at opponents instead of engaging with the substance of their arguments.
The erosion of politeness in political spaces takes political debate to an uncomfortably personal level. Politicians not only treat their opponents as if they have bad ideas but also as if they are not worthy as human beings. This dehumanizing treatment creates an “us versus them” mentality in politics, fueling political polarization that disrupts basic government functioning.
Politeness takes the form of relatively simple actions in everyday life: holding the door open for the next person, smiling at a peer or asking a cashier how their day is going. Many people disregard polite acts as trivial because these small deeds of kindness seem as if they have little impact or meaning in people’s lives, but they could not be more wrong.
Small, seemingly insignificant acts such as asking about one’s day serve to acknowledge the other person’s humanity.
Politeness is not just a means to get something you want – it signals to other people that they deserve to be treated with respect.
The same principles apply to politics. When politicians act as if their opponents are scum on the bottom of their shoes, they signal to the general population that it is acceptable to dehumanize members of opposing political parties. It is no coincidence that as politicians have shown less and less respect for their opponents, the American people have also shown less respect for their fellow citizens, creating a climate of extreme polarization.
About a decade ago, politeness existed in politics. Rather than politicians firing personal insults back and forth, they showcased a genuine respect for their opponents. In a 2012 NPR article, political reporters described the presidential debates between former President Barack Obama and former Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) as “sometimes spirited, but always cordial.”
Obviously, not every comment made in 2012 was polite, but politicians were always courteous during debates. In contrast, recent elections have seen candidates being much more rude to one another. A PBS commentary described the 2024 presidential debate between Trump and Harris as “fiery and contentious,” with politeness virtually absent. Political debate has evolved from respectable to downright disgraceful, foiling fruitful discourse.
To
restore any sence of bipartisanship in America, politicians must return to treating their opponents with dignity.
A Pew Research Center study confirms that the shift towards increased hostility in how politicians treat one another comes with an increase in the American people viewing members of the opposing party as morally inferior.
In 2016, 47% of Democrats and 35% of Republicans regarded people of the opposing party as more
immoral than them, and in 2022, those numbers grew to 63% for Democrats and 72% for Republicans, displaying a stark increase in political polarization in under a decade. Polite behavior is, therefore, directly
When
politicians attack their opponents for their character and not their policies, they undermine the productive debates essential to a democratic system.
correlated with the proliferation of polarization.
This proliferation over the past decade reveals an important truth: The American political system cannot effectively function without politeness. When politicians attack their opponents for their character and not their policies, they undermine the productive debates essential to a democratic system. The recent government shutdown is just one example of this erosion of productivity. Both politicians and constituents are becoming less willing to compromise with their opponents or even listen to their ideas because they view the opposing party as morally inferior. As a result of this political friction, meaningful dialogue is disappearing, hindering attempts towards compromise and progress that benefits all Americans.
To restore any sense of bipartisanship in America, politicians must return to treating their opponents with dignity. They are our role models and thus should extend the same respect to their opposing party as ordinary people should. But, even if our politicians do not change their behavior, we still must be careful when engaging in political discussion and debate.
We must listen to everyone's perspectives with intention and treat them with respect, even if we disagree with their viewpoints. Extend this respect outside of political conversations, too. Hold the door open for the person behind you, smile at a peer passing by and ask the cashier about their day. If we let politeness erode, we all stand to lose.
The Emory Wheel Arts Life
PROFILE MUSIC
On his typewriter, Tim Youd accepts time
By HuNteR BucHHeit Arts & Life editor
When Tim Youd sits down at a typewriter, he does not craft stories of his own. Youd, a performance artist from Los Angeles, uses typewriters to rewrite other writers’ novels in their entirety.
Thirteen years ago, Youd began his “100 Novels Project,” setting out to retype 100 fiction novels. Word by word, he retypes whole books, but only books whose authors originally wrote on a typewriter.
He types each book, in its entirety, on a single sheet of paper, layering hundreds of lines of ink on top of each other.
With a chair, a table and a typewriter, Youd sits and types in the Schatten Gallery in the Robert W. Woodruff Library from Sunday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. By the end of his live typing, which he began on Sept. 19 and plans to conclude on Oct. 17, Youd will type the entirety of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” (1897) and Noel Langley’s screenplay for the original “Wizard of Oz” (1939).
Youd performs live typing as part of his exhibit in the Woodruff Library, “Striking Characters: Typewriters, Literary Worlds, and the Art of Tim Youd,” which features his art and pieces from the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library.
Youd recently completed the 84th book in his “100 Novels” series. However, he did not always have a clear path toward an art career — despite being exposed to art from a young age.
“My mom was, and still is, an amateur artist,” Youd said. “She had art materials on our high chairs before we could even walk.”
The artist graduated from the College of the Holy Cross (Mass.) in 1989 with an economics degree. After working on Wall Street for two years in New York, he moved to Los Angeles and worked as a movie producer for 10 years. But Youd still felt unfulfilled and turning toward a career in art seemed like the only solution.
“Only after I did all that and got it all out of my system did I then say, ‘You know what? I’m only going to be happy if I make art,’” Youd said.
Youd discovered his interest in retyping by chance. One day, over a decade ago, he read a book and found himself contemplating its physical form. He realized that the book was nothing but a collection of black text rectangles printed on white paper rectangles.
“If I could just get all the text from the whole book to be there on those two pages and I could feel the weight of it and the texture and the distress,
then I’d be drawing the book, but not drawing the book in a way that anybody else has done before,” Youd said. “I would be creating this abstraction, but with truly every single word there.”
So Youd decided to try his hand at retyping. He began with journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1971). Once Youd finished retyping Thompson’s novel on his typewriter, he continued producing new abstractions. He retyped novel after novel, beginning to work in public.
“I didn’t even know [typing] was a performance then, and I didn’t know it was going to be more than one,” Youd said. “It was just an exploration, but I liked it, and I did a few more in my studio.”
Youd designed the “100 Novels Project” somewhat arbitrarily, setting a lofty goal to challenge himself.
“Everybody has 100 ‘best something’ or 100 ‘biggest something,’ and I liked the playfulness of that as well as the devotion,” Youd said. “It was going to take a chunk of time and that shaped it.”
When choosing his next novel for retyping, Youd does not follow a pattern of genres or time periods. But that does not mean he retypes just anything. He will only select novels that he wants to spend time with during the four or five weeks he takes to type a book from front to back.
“I’ve been building this database and anything that I type, or should I say I retype, I’ve read before I do the performance,” Youd said.
At Emory, Youd did not select “Dracula” at random. The Rose Library houses an extensive collection of Stoker’s manuscripts, artworks and vampire-related materials. Alongside his performance and exhibit at Emory, this marks Youd’s first time retyping an archive manuscript.
Hannah Griggs (22G), the subject librarian for English at the Woodruff Library and a co-curator for the “Striking Characters” exhibit, immediately saw the potential to combine Youd’s work and pieces from the Rose Library into a single display.
“As a literary scholar, I loved the idea of an entire novel being on a single sheet of paper,” Griggs said.
“ I thought it would be really cool to pair that with a lot of our special collections and some of the really cool things that we have in our archives and see the different ways that they might speak to each other.”
Griggs, alongside Shanna Early (18G), an instruction archivist at the Rose Library and the other co-curator of the exhibit, solidified their interest in Youd’s work after visiting his home studio in Los Angeles.
“I have never had the experience
of being in a place and seeing live art and it feeling alive the way that Tim’s work does,” Early said. “That was such a profound experience for me, both in thinking about Tim’s work but also in thinking about art more broadly.”
Aside from live typing, Youd contributed other artwork to the exhibit. He used collaging and painting to create visual pieces, transforming paint chips into renditions of typewriter ribbons and machines to honor the machine’s beauty and power.
“Anything that’s not from the archive is my art,” Youd said. “There are a lot of drawings and sculptures and signs, and they all have to do with the abstraction of the typewriter ribbon and spool.”
Youd believes that typewriters contribute to a more fulfilling writing experience. For example, Charles Howard Candler Professor of English and Creative Writing Tayari Jones uses typewriters to write her books, including her novel “An American Marriage” (2018), which featured in Oprah’s Book Club in 2018.
“It’s a disconnection from the immediacy and the distraction of the internet, which can be poison to a writer,” Youd said.
Youd interprets the physical act of typing on a typewriter as a cerebral endeavor — a practice that connects the words in people’s heads to the physical world in the form of typed letters. He views the brain as a chemical machine and the typewriter as a mechanical conduit for the brain’s creativity.
“The typewriter, in a way, is an external brain mimicking what the brain is doing,” Youd said.
While he types, Youd finds his brain working harder than usual. Working word by word, line by line, Youd both creates art and works toward the goal of close reading he originally pursued through retyping.
Close reading takes time, and retyping takes even more. For his remaining 15 books, Youd estimates he may spend four or five more years retyping them. Looking back on years of retyping, Youd works to unravel the relationship between his life, retyping, fiction and time.
“I started this thing and I was in my mid-40s, and that’s squarely middle-aged,” Youd said. “Unless you have real health problems or something, you’re not necessarily thinking about mortality so much.” In the years since starting his project, Youd developed leukemia—treatable but no less scary.
Now, Youd recognizes the temporary nature of retyping and how his close reading of fiction influences the way he perceives novels and their impact upon his life and the lives of readers.
“I’ve come to appreciate that each time I sit with a book, that might be the last time I read that book,” Youd said. “So it’s a chance for me to come to terms with that book if I can.”
For now, Youd’s work culminates in the “Striking Characters” exhibit — a celebration of how typewriters immortalize stories that become cornerstones of the literary world. Just as Youd sees the power in typewriters, he sees the bittersweet power of fiction itself: “sadness.”
“That’s really what it is,” Youd said. “It’s about the passing of time and the learning of lessons and of loss and reconciliation and acceptance.”
– Contact Hunter Buchheit at
‘The Life of a Showgirl’ brings textbook sound, happiness
By Niyati Ravi C ontributing W riter
In an era full of musicians seeking virality and fame, one artist remains dedicated to evolution and risk: Taylor Swift. From 2023 to 2024, Swift embarked on her record-breaking Eras tour, during which she reached new heights — no pun intended.
Her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” offers a behind-thescenes look into her mind and life during this special period. On Oct. 3, Swift released her 12th studio album, reverting to old sonic and lyrical themes and marking an end — or at least a pause — to the somber trend of her discography.
The first track, “The Fate of Ophelia,” encounters a classic theme in Swift’s writing: retelling old stories. From “cardigan” (2020) in which she evokes “Peter Pan” (1904) characters to “Love Story” (2008) in which she pleads for her own Romeo to take her away, Swift’s reimagining of the ending of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” (1623) fits perfectly within her world.
Rather than letting her Ophelia go mad, Swift gives the character a happily ever after much like her own.
“You dug me out of my grave and / Saved my heart from the fate of / Ophelia (Ophеlia),” Swift sings. Swift begins with somber words, “I sat alone in my tower,” but soon turns to hope, “No longer drowning and deceived / All because you came for me.”
Both the lyrics and the production, which features a mix of piano and percussion, amplify the positive and happy aesthetic and reflect a bright and charming change in Swift.
The lead single sets the stage for the rest of the album — representing a revival in Swift’s confidence due to her newfound happiness.
“The Life of a Showgirl” offers a distinct tone of renewal and rebirth, especially in the tracks “Opalite” and “Eldest Daughter.”
In “Opalite,” Swift rethinks her old attitude about life, singing, “Life is a song, it ends when it ends / I was wrong.”
On this track, Swift acknowledges
that she is still worthy of love, despite her missteps and hardships, with her distinct backing vocals reflecting her growing confidence. This realization reinforces the song’s central theme: Everything will be okay. Contrary to the angst and anger that Swift’s last album, “THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT” (2024), depicts, she recognizes how her past pain brought her to her current happiness.
With a personal touch, “Eldest Daughter” highlights how finding the right person can change you. Swift sings, “But I’m never gonna let you down / I’m never gonna leave you out,” promising to herself and others around her that she will be a better partner and more self-assured. Showcasing her resilience, Swift demonstrates the importance of moving forward. In this track, Swift shifts to a more somber tone, explaining her past misfortune in love, “When I said I don’t believe in marriage / That was a lie.”
But, like other songs on the album, the track eventually changes to burst with love: “Shimmers that innocent light back / Like when we were young.”
Though this track reveals a beautiful message, it stumbles in its execution. For example, following the bridge, the instrumentation abruptly shifts, creating an unpleasant listening experience. In addition, the chorus breaks listeners’ engagement when Swift sings, “But I’m not a bad bitch / And this isn’t savage” which taints the entire song, making it feel shallow and surface-level. Despite the song’s romantic message, its inconsistent production and Swift’s superficial lyrics make it a conflicting listen.
“Father Figure” uses an extended metaphor about family to explain Swift’s protection of her musical legacy.
Singing, “Leave it with me, I protect the family,” Swift equates her music to her reputation — one that Swift, and her faithful fans, have protected ceaselessly during her battle for her master recordings, which she bought in June.
Photo m A niPuLAtion by sA sh A emmeriCh/dePuty iLLustr Ation editor
Tamryn Weiss talks time management, unstable couches
By mia HamoN
m usi C & L ive A rt d esk
On a warm day in late September, Tamryn Weiss (28B) walked into Kaldi’s Coffee at the Depot. Immediately, Weiss’ vibrant red hair caught my attention as she bustled through the porch.
The wind shifted, as if it were unsure of which way to blow, and Weiss pulled up a chair.
Weiss, who comes to Emory University from South Florida, is majoring in Business and Environmental Science. During her brief time on campus, she has made a large impact on clubs, holding several leadership positions.
Despite only being a sophomore, Weiss spoke with maturity and passionate insight. While reflecting on her first year at Emory, she laughed about a moment of extreme stress and silliness during the two weeks between Thanksgiving break and winter break.
Like any Emory student knows, those two weeks are unbearably challenging, chock-full of finals, end-of-year celebrations and deeply lacking in sleep. Weiss recalls this time during her first year to have been especially rigorous.
“H*ll week is what we call it,” Weiss said.
During this time, Weiss and her friend, Aiden Bergey (28C), were overwhelmed by their never-ending list of tasks when a brief moment of comic relief shifted the energy of their study session.
According to Weiss, Raoul Hall’s disjointed study room couches are deceptively easy to fall off of. As the academic pressure peaked during their study session, Bergey flung his hands in the air, causing him to animatedly flip over.
“We were crashing out so hard and then he goes to lean back and backflips backwards and falls into the wall,” Weiss said. “That was just exactly what we needed in that moment, a moment of stupidity and silliness. ”
Even as a small moment, the memory reflects a larger pattern in Weiss’ life: navigating challenges with adaptability. Her flexibility stems from her upbringing, Weiss explained. As a daughter of South African immigrants, she found that her communication skills and maturity evolved differently from her friends from non-immigrant families.
Weiss recalled that from an early age, her parents sought to improve her competence in communicating, specifically with adults, knowing it could help her expand her network of mentors, teachers and advisors.
During Weiss’ childhood, her
mother, Shelley Weiss, worked as an art teacher at North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida.
Growing up around affluent and privileged students broadened Weiss’ educational and experiential learning opportunities. She could take classes and explore different learning niches in ways not available at the local public school.
“It afforded me a very unique way of thinking,” Weiss said.
Weiss found that her multifaceted upbringing provided her with a diverse skill set — one that she continuously seeks to improve. Additionally, her mother integrated creative thinking into her life from a young age, encouraging her to craft, build and plan.
From busying herself with making crafts in her mother’s studio after class to redesigning bedrooms and making DIY birthday decorations, Weiss continued to hone her creativity through her childhood. She continues to apply her artistry today, serving as the co-director of marketing for TEDxEmory.
Weiss credits her father, William Weiss, who works as an engineer and entrepreneur, with instilling her persistent work ethic, as he, too, pursues projects outside his profession.
“I’ve always had a very go-getter mindset because of that,” Weiss said.
Weiss pursues opportunities at Emory not to strengthen her resume but because she genuinely enjoys them.
Like many Emory students, she is very involved on campus, boasting four executive roles in organizations and student library assistant job. As the vice president of education in the Emory Sustainable Business Group (SBG), co-director of marketing and design for TEDxEmory, direc-
Continued from Page 7
The song also discusses an up-and-coming “protégé,” who Swift becomes a “father figure” to. Unlike other tracks, “Father Figure” has a darker vibe, demonstrating the precarity of upholding a livelihood when people attempt to bring you down.
In “Father Figure,” Swift’s characterization as a “father” emphasizes how making tough decisions is often associated with masculinity. By taking on this gendered role, Swift is able to express her rage about her former misgivings as a musician. Men are traditionally able to express their anger without being shamed for it, and are rather praised for such emotions.
Swift is showcasing her autonomy and leadership as an artist through sharing her feelings like a man would.
tor of event operations for Emory Climate Analysis and Solutions and a project lead for Project V Solutions Consulting,, Weiss keeps herself busy.
“I don’t think I have an hour of free time during the week,” Weiss said. “I’m definitely on the grind.”
Among Weiss’ campus engagements, she resonates the most with her role in SBG. Within a year of joining, Weiss helped create a program called the Consulting Fellow Initiative (CFI), a semester-long commitment featuring a five week teaching program with a final project and presentation.
“I built out an education program for freshmen because freshmen aren’t allowed to join clubs for the business school now their first year,” Weiss said. “When I entered my first role as a consultant, I felt very unprepared, and I wanted to lead that for people that were incoming.”
Drawing from her past feelings of inadequacy, Weiss aimed to bridge the gap for passionate first-years. In CFI, first-year students undergo five weeks of training before spending the remainder of the semester working on a project that culminates in a presentation, providing them with both experience and networking opportunities.
“Anyone in the world can graduate with a business degree,” Weiss says. “It really is what you do with it that makes or breaks your career.”
Weiss is lucky to have found her “niche” within the world of business: environmental science and sustainability.
While the two fields may seem opposite to each other, Weiss connects them through her passion for combatting climate change, demonstrating how the entrepreneurial sphere can institute sustainability. As businesses increasingly implement sustainable practices, she believes that other organizations will need her work in this field in the future.
“The way that I want to go is sustainability consulting,” Weiss said. “A lot of businesses, especially in three years, are going to be looking for those types of things to institute in their business models.”
Weiss exemplifies taking advantage of one’s environment. From becoming an unsuspecting student in a college preparatory school to a leader and innovator at Emory, Weiss continues to develop her career and network.
Weiss’ insistence on growing herself and her organizations makes it hard to imagine her slowing down anytime soon — and that is exactly how she likes it.
effect, where lyrics such as “Did you girlboss too close to the sun?” from “CANCELLED!” or “Everyone’s unbothered ‘til they’re not” from “Eldest Daughter” suggest a decline in her songwriting.
“CANCELLED!” in particular reflects an issue with Swift’s rising stardom and her declining lyricism. While it demonstrates the precarious relationship between friendship and fame, instead of enlightening comments on life and love in the spotlight, Swift offers superficial sass.
Channelling these stereotypical notions about what masculine leadership, Swift questions, “Whose portrait’s on the mantel? Who covered up your scandals?” underscoring her role as a powerful authority figure.
Although “The Life of a Showgirl” brings a new sound to Swift’s discography, the album lacks the powerful lyricism of her past projects. Swift’s older discography, especially “folklore” (2020) and “evermore” (2020), offers more profound songwriting with a softer emphasis on production.
This record has the opposite
“Welcome to my underworld / Where it gets quite dark / At least you know exactly who your friends are / They’re the ones with matching scars,” she sings. Her breathy tone, with a sharp edge, does not help the delivery of these choppy lines. However, the album’s production makes up for what the songwriting lacks. The surface-level lyrics make the record more relatable to casual listeners and the bubbly, fun sounds such as the drum machine or electronic synth in “Elizabeth Taylor” bring the record together.
In “The Life of a Showgirl,” Swift gains more confidence than ever before, solidifying herself as a household name while simultaneously striving for more.
– Contact Niyati Ravi at niyati.ravi@emory.edu
Mini Crossword
By etHaN altsHul Crossword Desk
C
Tamryn Weiss (28B) holds executive positions in four clubs.
Celebrate country music month with 4 exemplary tracks
By catHeRiNe GoodmaN m A n A ging e ditor
Legacies are peculiar things. Just look at former U.S. President Richard Nixon, the only chief executive to ever resign from the office. In 1974, halfway through his second presidential term, the 37th president stepped down amid calls for impeachment in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.
While Watergate continues to shape Nixon’s legacy over 50 years later, there are several other contributions to foreign and domestic policy during his time in the Oval Office that need recognition. He forged diplomatic relations with China and the Soviet Union, withdrew U.S. troops from Vietnam and, of decidedly unequal importance, officially declared October as “Country Music Month” on Oct. 9, 1972, via Proclamation 4166.
As the month begins, it is only fitting to honor this declaration. As such, I present five country songs from the ’70s that deserve nationwide appreciation.
‘Delta Dawn’ by Tanya Tucker (1972)
With thick harmonies and evocative imagery, the opening lines of “Delta Dawn” offer the listener a tranquil soundscape before a melancholic darkness floods the scene, eroding the foundations of its passivity. “Delta Dawn, what’s that flower you have on? / Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?” Tanya Tucker croons.
Before Ethel Cain dissected the traitorous love of the American heartland with her Southern Gothic perso -
ATLANTA
na, country artists such as Tucker traded stories of the sour souls of the South. In the verses of “Delta Dawn,” Tucker describes a 41-yearold woman from Brownsville, Tenn., who drives herself mad waiting for her no-good lover to steal her away. “In her younger days, they called her Delta Dawn / Prettiest woman you ever laid eyes on / Then a man of low degree stood by her side / Promised her he’d take her for his bride,” Tucker sings. As a wailing harmonica calls to mind a lonely tumbleweed dancing in the wind, Tucker captures, with empathy and compassion, the spirit of a woman utterly lost to love.
‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ by John Denver (1971)
The layman may hesitate to call Interstate 16 a country road, but after a few months away from home, this barren stretch of pavement transforms into a desolate, never-ending path leading toward sweet respite. In 2022, while headed back to Savannah, Ga. for my fall break, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver beckoned me to roll down all the windows, sing with a slick Southern twang and imagine myself arriving home on horseback — like a true cowboy returning to his bliss.
“Country roads, take me home / To the place I belong / West Virginia, mountain mama / Take me home, country roads,” Denver sings while strumming a six-string acoustic guitar.
Warmth radiates from this track, like the soft glow of a campfire kissing your skin. Throughout the song, Denver paints a portrait
of the Southern landscape — from clear waters to rocky mountains to towering trees. Veneration burrows between the lyrics as a banjo, steel guitar, double bass and drums flow together, much like the steady rush of the “Shenandoah River” Denver admires. Nevertheless, on “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Denver does more than observe.
He invites the listener to join him on a pilgrimage through the Southern terrain, culminating in the incomparable sentiment of returning home.
‘Jolene’ by Dolly Parton (1973)
Billboard recently named “Jolene” by Dolly Parton the best country song of all time — beating out favorites like Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” (1980), Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” (2003) and George Stait’s “Amarillo by Morning” (1982). As a country music snob, I must agree.
On “Jolene,” Parton captures with unparalleled vivacity and candor the darkest emotions: desperation, insecurity and jealousy. She says — or sings — the quiet part out loud, stepping out from the shadows as she begs another woman not to wreck her marriage.
Atop a barreling beat, Parton pleads, “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / Please don’t take him just because you can.” Despite penning the track over 50 years ago, Parton’s lyrics reflect a progressive solidarity with the perceived other woman. Instead of tearing her down, Parton admits, “Your smile is like a breath of spring / Your voice is soft like summer rain / And I cannot compete with you, Jolene.”
If the hypnotizing beat, candid
lyricism or Parton’s powerful crooning have not yet convinced the reader of the track’s supremacy, its longevity and cultural significance must. For example, Beyoncé offered a new interpretation of the 1973 song on her Grammy-winning record “Cowboy Carter” (2024). On “JOLENE” (2024), Beyoncé offers a different perspective, sharing a sharp declarative, “I’m warnin’ you, don’t come for my man.” Perhaps this change marks an evolution in the Southern dialect, where women say what they mean. Either way, bless her heart.
‘A Lesson in Leavin’’ by Dottie West (1979)
Like Beyoncé, Dottie West pulls no punches on “A Lesson in Leavin’.” Thick harmonies, emphatic percussion and smooth piano propel this track forward as West derides a hypocritical man. “Somebody’s
gonna give you / A lesson in leavin’ / Somebody’s gonna give you back / What you’ve been givin’ / And I hope that I’m around / To watch ‘em knock you down,” West sings, her smile seeping into the latter lyrics. When West arrives at the bridge, she offers a brilliant bait and switch. “Yeah, you’re the kind of man / A woman thinks she can change / But the only thing changin’ / Is my way of thinkin’,” she muses. Instead of falling prey to his silly games, West relinquishes control and waits for karma to finish the job. This anticipation builds in the outro as West repeats the chorus over sparse percussion. As karma lurks around the corner, West makes sure to get the last word: “You’re a fool-hearted man.” If only Delta Dawn was listening.
– Contact Catherine Goodman at catherine.goodman@emory.edu
Emory community channels joy, empathy at Decatur Book Festival
By ellie Fivas
e ditor - in -C hief
As Gregory Ellison (29C) took the stage on the Fourth Floor Gallery of the Decatur Library, audience members collectively inhaled and hushed, ready to dive headfirst into a day dedicated to reading, writing and storytelling. With the confidence of an experienced writer, Ellison kicked off one of the first events of the Decatur Book Festival, reading his poem titled “The Cup.”
In the heart of downtown Decatur, Ga., Emory University students and professors, along with other community members, shared their work on Oct. 4. For 20 years, literary enthusiasts have gathered to support books and authors at the Decatur Book Festival. This premier independent book festival attracts thousands of attendees from across the United States. With 103 booths and 68 events, the festival featured professional authors, student writers, local businesses and several musical acts.
The Emory Creative Writing Department faculty selected four students and one alum to read their written work onstage at the Decatur Library on Saturday morning to a crowd of about 60 listeners. Later in the afternoon, Assistant Professor of Dramatic Writing Kimberly Belflower also read from her Tony Award-nominated play, “John Proctor is the Villain,” and participated in a moderated Q&A.
Along with Ellison, Nasneen Abdalim (25C), Abigail Charak (26C), Amelia Ali (27G) and Aaron Rachel Selby (25C) each read excerpts of their fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Professor of English and Creative Writing Tiphanie Yanique opened the event, encouraging the audience to read and purchase books to support the authors. Along with the readers in attendance, many Emory community members came to this event to engage with the literary arts. Creative writing student Amelia Hardy (28C) attended to support her peers and gain more exposure to the
Atlanta arts community.
“I felt so moved by everything that they were reading,” Hardy said. “It opened this whole new world of writing and poetry to me, of what the possibilities are.”
Yanique introduced the readers in reverse seniority order, beginning with Ellison, who reiterated his excitement for the opportunity. While the newly arrived firstyear has yet to declare his major, he expressed his gratitude for the chance to read at the event.
“I wanted to challenge myself this year,” Ellison said. “I’ve been trying to push myself to do new things, to try new things, just because I don’t necessarily know what I want to do yet.”
Following Ellison, Charak read aloud a portion of her nonfiction paper written for Emory Creative Writing Program Professor of Practice Hank Klibanoff’s “GA Civil Rights Cold Cases” course. Charak, a creative writing and economics major, wrote her paper on the killing of Clarence Pickett and acts of violence in the Jim Crow South. Abdalim, a creative writing and biology student, read next, sharing an excerpt from a fiction story about a young girl dealing with the death of her little sister. Selby read several poems, including three from their honors thesis portfolio.
Selby, who Yanique dubbed a “rising star,” commented that the Decatur Book Festival was the largest event at which they had ever read their poetry. They emphasized the importance of sharing creative writing and believe that poetry can create community and connections.
“One of the primary purposes of
poetry is to share what moves us,” Selby said.
Across downtown Decatur, in the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Belflower ascended the stage to share her playwriting experiences in a discussion moderated by former Emory Vice President and University Secretary Rosemary Magee (82G) and watched by about 100 audience members.
Magee, who also served as director of the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library, began the conversation by, asking Belflower about her inspirations for writing. Belflower, to the audience’s delight, showed off her literary heroine-inspired tattoo collection, featuring characters like Matilda from Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” (1988) and Ramona Quimby from Beverly Cleary’s “Ramona” (1955-1999) series.
“Most of the books that have shaped me the most deeply are by women,” Belflower said. “Reading about these young girls who were living very different lives than me, but who I felt so much in common with, helped me see that there were other ways of living that were possible.”
Belflower’s play ran on Broadway for about five months before closing on Sept. 7 and earned seven Tony nominations in June. The playwright returned to Emory in August and is happy to teach students again while anticipating the movie adaptation of her play.
“When I teach playwriting, my own writing is better, because it keeps me honest,” Belflower said. “If I’m teaching my students things that I’m not doing, then either I’m lying to them or to myself or It really makes
me think very deliberately about the craft of what I do.”
While walking between the booths lining downtown Decatur’s streets on Saturday, no one could deny the literary magic in the air, inviting both readers and writers to engage with the storytelling community. However, amid the joy and empathy at the book festival, both Belflower and Yanique noted recent national turmoil. Yanique said the lack of empathy in national politics amplifies the need to support literary arts.
During her Q&A, Belflower opened up about the inspiration and difficult themes at the center of her play, which she started writing in 2018 during U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term. According to Belflower, realizing the resounding relatability of her narrative almost a decade later has been “sobering” yet empowering.
“The play ends with these two teenage girls performing this very brave act of rebellion against this institution that is not protecting them,” Belflower said. “Their school isn’t protecting them, their parents aren’t protecting them, but they’re protecting each other.”
Yanique captured the spirit of the event, praising the Emory student writers while also emphasizing the importance of events like the Decatur Book Festival.
“There is definitely a segment of our national community that thinks empathy is weakness,” Yanique said. “Reading is a radical way to say that empathy is the most important tool we have if we want to go forward as a humanity.”
– Contact Ellie Fivas at ellie.fivas@emory.edu
Belflower and Rosemary Magee (82G) discuss
Book Festival.
Sports The Emory Wheel
Emory community takes strides for cancer research at Winship 5K
By Alex WAryn And SoniA lieW Staff Writer & Contributing Writer
Saturday mornings on Emory University’s Atlanta campus are often quiet — however, at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 4, more than 4,000 people gathered at the starting line of the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University’s 15th annual 5K. For a second time, the event was sold out at full capacity, raising over $1.3 million and surpassing the institute’s fundraising goal for cancer research and care.
The Winship Institute is Georgia’s only National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Since the inaugural race in 2011, the event has raised over $11.4 million toward innovative cancer research.
Dr. Suresh Ramalingam, the executive director of Winship Cancer Institute, is also a professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Emory University School of Medicine. Internationally renowned for his work in thoracic oncology, Ramalingam said it is important to raise community awareness to support the institute’s work amid federal funding uncertainties.
“Federal funding for biomedical research is not growing,” Ramalingam said. “Support from the communities is crucial for us to sustain and grow our ability to find cures for cancer.”
Ramalingam said that the successful fundraising efforts will not only help the operations of the Winship
Institute but also offer solutions and support for patients in the future.
“That’s why we do this,” Ramalingam said. “This is also an occasion for us to celebrate those who are fighting hard against cancer, the survivors, the family members, and, unfortunately, those who are no longer with us. This is a time to remember them.”
Beyond the organizers and researchers, the runners themselves play a vital role in sustaining the Winship Institute. Many participants
had a deeply personal connection to supporting cancer research, and used the race as a chance to honor loved ones, celebrate survivorship and contribute to life-saving research.
Rebecca Lancaster is a tongue cancer survivor and was treated at the Winship Institute in 2023. After running the race virtually the first time, this year, Lancaster came to run with her team of family members, friends and others who were inspired by her story.
“It’s really exciting,” Lancaster
said. “I’m really happy that I got as many people as I could for my team. I have family, friends and I have people who have just heard my story and want to run with me, so it’s very fun.”
Many Emory students also participated in the 5K. Elena Charria (25Ox, 27C) said she missed the opportunity to participate last year, but was excited to be part of the atmosphere this year.
“Everybody’s having a good time,” Charria said. “There’s so much energy. It’s good to see that everybody’s
coming together for the same cause and raise awareness.”
Russell Souter was a patient treated at Winship for Type III colorectal cancer in 2024. He said he participated in the 5K to give back to those at Winship who cared for him and supported him during his treatment.
“They looked after me, they took care of all my needs and everything. I thought it was a great way to raise money to give back,” Souter said. “It’s amazing what they do down there, and I really wanted to make sure I give back.”
Tracy McAllister shares a personal connection to Winship as well, as it is where her husband received treatment for brain cancer. She attended the race as a way to celebrate her husband, and said she has a deep commitment to raising awareness and funding for brain cancer research.
“Brain cancer lost all of its funding earlier this year when the administration changed over, so our whole theme this year is get loud for brain cancer,” McAllister said. “We need awareness for brain cancer because it is not prioritized the way it should be.”
While McAllister acknowledged the many difficulties of finding cures for cancer, she said it takes everyone to make a change.
“It does feel like we’re pushing a rock uphill,” McAllister said. “We can do it, but it’s going to take all of us coming together.”
— Contact Alex Waryn at alex.waryn@emory.edu and Sonia Liew at sonia.liew@emory.edu
Kaitlyn Nimmer stars in dominant women’s soccer season
By Sophie BergmAn Contributing Writer
As the Emory University women’s soccer team powers through another stellar season, currently ranking No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, junior forward Kaitlyn Nimmer has been a driving force for the team. She leads the team in points with 21. Nimmer burst onto the scene
as a freshman with nine goals and was named University Athletic Association Rookie of the Year in 2023. Last year, she led the team in goals and assists with 11 and nine, respectively, continuing to prove herself as a consistent offensive powerhouse. She also set the program record in shots taken and shots on goal, and scored four game-winning goals. The Eagles also had a 10-1-3
record in games where she earned a point, and advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the second time in team history.
Nimmer’s commitment to improving her game shows on the other side of the ball as well. While Nimmer has always displayed offensive strength, women’s soccer head coach Sue Patberg said she sees continued development in Nimmer’s defensive ability.
“Before she was a forward and was always looking to attack,” Patberg said. “Defending was not one of her greatest strengths but attacking was. Now that she’s gotten physically stronger, she’s more confident in her ability to defend. She’s more confident in her ability to win balls that are bouncing around that she’s competing with the defender to win.”
Nimmer’s contributions to the team expand beyond her individual performance in her role as one of the team’s captains. Junior midfielder and defender Madison Teng explained that Nimmer leads by example on the field.
“She always is putting in 100% or as much as she can give in any situation, and that energy really motivates people to also give it their all,” Teng said. “She gives a lot of motivational words and that’s always amazing. But for me, it’s always been her actions on the field. That really motivates me.”
Nimmer said one of her personal goals is to keep improving each year. She said she views stepping up into the leadership role as a major part of that evolution as an upperclassman.
“I always try to build off my performances from the previous years to make sure I’m having a linear career at Emory,” Nimmer said. “Now that I’m a junior on the team, a big goal for me is being a good leader and role model for the team. … With it being my second year as a captain, to make sure I’m being a strong leader for the team while also still playing my best.”
“She always is putting in 100% or as much as she can give in any situation.”
— Madison Teng
It is not only her leadership skills, but also her attitude and approach to the game that affect the team’s mentality. Teng said Nimmer simply has fun playing soccer, and watching Nimmer’s enjoyment creates a positive atmosphere on the team.
“She’s honestly a really funny person, and that really contrasts with who she is on the field, because she’s very intense,” Teng said. “That contrast really creates a positive vibe because we know when we’re on the field, we get business done, but then off, we’re able to have a good time and just relax and be friends and be teammates.”
Expectations are high this season, following last year’s deep postseason run. Nimmer said her favorite
moment of her Emory career came during last year’s NCAA Division III playoffs, where the team bested Loras College (Iowa) 4-3 in a penalty shootout.
“It was getting late in the game and we were just trying to throw numbers forward, and then I threw a shot onto frame and my teammate [junior forward] Emily Woodall was able to finish a header and push us into [penalty kicks],” Nimmer said.
The team hopes to continue their success with many returning key players and six new freshmen who will add to the team’s successful dynamic. This year, Nimmer said she has prioritized building team chemistry and her relationships with her freshmen teammates.
“Just making sure that I stay checked in on them, there’s only six of them so it’s actually pretty easy to be able to converse one-on-one,” Nimmer said. “Making sure you try to have a relationship with everyone on the team is important.”
As the Eagles head into the back stretch of their season, Nimmer will continue to push herself and the rest of the team toward excellence. Patberg said Nimmer’s positive outlook and competitive drive will help the team reach their potential.
“While she’s competing, she’s really having fun and she’s constantly looking to raise the level,” Patberg said. “She has standards and expectations for herself, but for her teammates as well and for the program.”
— Contact Sophie Bergman at sophie.bergman@emory.edu
Jack Sutton/Deputy photography eDitor Runners start the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory Univerity’s 15th annual Winship 5K on Oct. 4.
courteSy of k aitlyn nimmer
Junior forward Kaitlyn Nimmer fights for possession against Berry College (Ga.) in a 2-1 home vicotry, on Sep. 3.
Men’s soccer extends undefeated streak with 1-1 draw at Carnegie Mellon
By lily WiSe Contributing Writer
The Emory University men’s soccer team marked the start of University Athletic Association (UAA) play with a 1-1 draw against Carnegie Mellon University (Pa.) on Oct. 5, preserving their undefeated season record. The No. 2-ranked Eagles dominated possession of the ball, outshooting the Tartans 10-5.
Junior forward Lorenzo Avalos made an instant impact following his return from injury, giving the Eagles the lead in the 17th minute. Cutting in from the left side, Avalos beat his defender and slotted the ball into the far right corner for his third goal of the season. Emory maintained their momentum entering halftime, edging the Tartans 7-2 in first-half shots.
Early in the second half, the Tartans beat the Eagles’ defense off a corner kick to level the score. Both teams fought hard for the winning goal in the final minutes, but neither could secure the victory, with junior goalkeeper Geoffrey Halpern making a crucial save in the 85th minute to secure the tie. Junior defender Michael Constant noted the Tartan goal as one of the turning points in the game.
“They had a header right around the top of the box, and [Halpern] made a pretty good save on it,” Constant said. “That was a key moment because they had some momentum at that point in the game, and that kind of settled us down.”
Emory’s defense continues to anchor the team, allowing only five
goals through 11 games this season. Senior forward Adeyemi Oni emphasized that the squad’s defenders not only limit opponents’ shooting opportunities, but are also the first line of the Eagles’ attack.
“We play out from the back quite a lot,” Oni said. “Constant, [junior midfielder] Logan Steren and [senior defender] Owen Clark, they’re the first point of attack, and that was a
strength we could see yesterday.”
Constant attributed the back line’s strong performance in the game to their communication skills and how the team is always looking to cover each other’s mistakes.
“We have this idea that might sound weird, but we’re pessimistic in the back,” Constant said. “My defensive partners, I bank on them making a mistake so that I’m there when they
do and they do the same for me, and that’s helped us out this season.”
Constant also noted that Emory’s defense anticipated Carnegie Mellon’s offensive strategy, helping them limit scoring opportunities.
“We knew what they were going to do — they were going to play a lot of long balls, they were gonna be pretty direct at us,” Constant said.
Offensively, Oni emphasized the
Eagles’ confidence and determination.
“We’re not afraid to shoot in and around the box,” Oni said. “We definitely get a lot of shots per game … That’s definitely a major strength, the confidence in ourselves, confidence in our abilities.”
Oni said Avalos’ return to the field after being out with an injury for a few weeks was one of the game’s highlights.
“Him coming back and being able to get on the score sheet, I was very happy for him,” Oni said. “We play the same position, so it was good to see other people scoring and everyone contributing to the game.”
The team’s reaction to Avalos’ goal highlighted the chemistry that has fueled the Eagles’ strong start to the season. Despite the good result against the Tartans, Oni admitted that moments of complacency cost them the win.
“We went 1-0 up and kind of capitulated,” Oni said. “We didn’t play the football we know we can play … Something that pulled us through [was] the resilience when we did get scored on. We quickly pulled it back together, and we tried our best to get another goal. It just didn’t come to be, but it’s definitely something to build on for next week.”
With the draw, Emory men’s soccer improved their record to 10-0-1 and plans to carry this momentum into next week’s away game against No. 12 Brandeis University (Mass.) on Oct. 11.
— Contact Lily Wise at lily.wise@emory.edu
Swim and dive teams off the blocks quickly to open new season
By Alex WAryn Staff Writer
The Emory University men’s and women’s swim and dive teams are launching into the 2o25-26 season with a splash, coming off a strong 2024-25 season in which both teams finished in the top five at the NCAA Division III Championships and retained their University Athletic Association (UAA) titles for the 26th year in a row.
On Oct. 4, the teams competed at home against Queens University of Charlotte (N.C.), opening the season
against the Division I opponent. The women’s team won 179-83 while the men’s team fell 154-108. The teams also sent their divers to the University of West Florida over the weekend, where they earned numerous topthree finishes.
The men’s team ended last season with their seventh consecutive toptwo finish at the NCAA championships, along with three national championship event performances and 10 First Team All-Americans. Despite their successful season last year, the men’s team remains ambitious.
Senior swimmer Henri Bonnault said
the team is not satisfied and wants to win nationals this year.
“We got a little disappointed last year from being second,” Bonnault said. “This year we have a real chance of winning again, and I will do [everything] possible to accomplish this goal.”
Junior swimmer McKee Thorsen has similar hopes for the team this year, but said he is focusing on creating an uplifting environment as they begin the season.
“My goal for the team is to win NCAAs in the end, but in the meantime, getting to that point to fos-
ter a really supportive environment where everyone is always cheering and rooting for each other,” Thorsen said. “Maintaining the high amounts of energy that the freshmen have brought in this year, using that to build into really, really fast swimming at the end of the season.”
Prior to last weekend’s competitions, the Eagles competed in their annual Blue-Gold intrasquad meet on Sept. 26 to kick off the new season, with the Gold team winning 190-100. Thorsen, who competed on the Gold team, said the meet showcased the strong support everyone on the team has for each other.
“Even though we were on different teams, people were still cheering for everyone in the Emory cap,” Thorsen said. “Every race, there were teammates behind your lane supporting you, which I really appreciated, and you always swim faster when you’re thrown into the meet and support your teammates as much as you can.”
Thorsen credited his coaches, head coach Jon Howell and assistant coaches Cindy Fontana, John Petroff, Bob Hackett and diving coach Tomasz Rossa, for helping him become “more fearless” in the pool. Similarly, Bonnault said Howell is very positive and encouraging.
“John … likes to listen to us,” Bonnault said. “He likes to take the process step by step, and for him, it doesn’t matter where you are at the beginning of the season. All that matters is how you do at the end of the season.”
The women’s team also had a successful season last year, placing fifth at the NCAA championships and seeing 14 members earn First Team All-America recognition and 18 earn Second Team All-America nods.
Junior swimmer Katie Cohen emphasized the importance of keeping the energy levels up during the
season. She said the seven new freshmen will play an important role in that aspect.
“We’re all super excited to keep building the momentum we had from last year,” Cohen said. “We had a really good UAAs and nationals, and now with our new freshmen, we’re excited to bring them into the team and just keep the good energy and positivity going for this year.”
Similarly, sophomore swimmer Allison Greeneway said she is excited for the months ahead to see if the team can live up to their strong potential.
“What makes me the most excited is the potential we have as a team to really carry each other,” Greeneway said. “We have the potential to be really good this year, and that’s super exciting. It really motivates me, especially during practice, to see what we can all do.”
Cohen, who competed on the Gold team at the Blue-Gold meet, said that the meet was a great start for the team and is always a good way to ease back into the season.
“It’s always hard coming off the summer and getting back into shape, so I was excited that I was at the same place I’ve been in the previous years, and as a whole we were about the same, just getting ready to get back into the season,” Cohen said.
Greeneway said that the win over Queens was crucial for getting back in the race routine and also created a positive atmosphere for the team as their season ramps up.
“We tied with Queens last year, and then we beat them by quite a bit this year,” Greeneway said. “We’re all really excited about that and try to carry that energy and determination moving forward.”
— Contact Alex Waryn at alex.waryn@emory.edu
courteSy of Steven Depiero Emory University swimmers dive into the pool at the George W. Woodruff Physical Education Center during the annual Blue-Gold intrasquad meet on Sept. 26.
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Graduate forward Ignacio Cubeddu dribbles past Covenant College (Ga.) defenders, on Aug. 30.
