Issue 10 Volume XXXVIII

Observer the

SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 VOLUME XXXVIII, ISSUE 10

www.fordhamobserver.com

By COLIN SHEELEY News Editor

Editors from the Fordham Observer and the Fordham Ram met with Fordham President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J. on the gray afternoon of Friday, Sept. 15 in the wood-panelled Council Room. We sat down at one half of the massive cluster of tables centered in the room, a bookshelf stocked with titles that could fulfill the CORE curriculum on one flank and an arrangement of cookies and packaged beverages sitting on an opposite table. A dark metal depiction of Icarus loomed in the corner next to the air conditioners.

Both newspapers arrived with the same agenda, the same questions weighing on all of our minds.

This is how Father McShane took them: What shall we do about DACA “The most important thing right now would be getting through to members of Congress, both the Senate and the House, and pressing them on this. Right now, we’re told that about 78 percent of the American population is in favor of DACA and want to see this handled. So, I would think sooner rather than later, the vote should be taken.

“It’s in people’s minds, but more importantly it’s in people’s hearts right now; how important this is, how it speaks to the American soul, the American promise. And everybody, everybody has this story.

“At Fordham, it’s in our DNA. We were founded by an immigrant, and the very reason for the foundation of what was Saint John’s College; there were two reasons: One, to preserve and pass on the faith in a very hostile environment. And the second was to break the cycle of poverty that immigrants were caught in. So this is our story, and

SIMON GIBBS/THE OBSERVER

We met with Father McShane at Cunniffe House to talk about DACA, the Dean Rodgers investigation, and many other topics.

in a very special way, the DACA students, both at Fordham and throughout the country are our people. We were founded to serve them, and it’s important for us to keep faith with that.

“Congress is the way in right now. Nothing else matters. No one else counts. No one else can do it.

It’s the consciences of 535 women and men in the United States on Capitol Hill and they hold the future of this in their hands.”

Communications and the general dissatisfaction on campus “In regard to communications, one of the things that I would like to do is have these kinds of meetings

regularly, and I’ll ask Bob to see if we can’t get that set maybe once or twice each semester, so there’s contact there ... I’m going to have a series of listening sessions where we have two each campus, each semester ... That’s the first.

“The second is general tone and feeling on campus ... and I think

communications is part of it. That people feel that they weren’t getting enough information, B and they weren’t getting, whatever information they were getting, they weren’t getting it in a timely fashion. And maybe C, because they weren’t getsee MCSHANE pg. 3

Creating Conversation for a Better Fordham

By LYDIA CULP Contributing Writer

At the core of the word “university” is its Latin root, “vers,” which means to turn, the same root found in the word “converse.” When we have a conversation, this can represent a turn of our opinion because when hearing a different view, we can gain a perspective we hadn’t previously seen or thought of. Conversation, then, when we consider its root, perhaps comes from the notion that the very purpose of speaking with others is to produce and turn to new ideas.

I write about conversation because I believe that pure conversation— the type that serves the purpose of turning to, or acknowledging, new ideas—is lacking at Fordham. Too often I see a conversation that instead of a dialogue becomes a monologue of one prevailing opinion. For many at Fordham, this creates a space that feels safe and inviting because their opinions are the majority. While that safety can be a beautiful thing, it can too often lead to a danger zone.

Class discussions become an arena to air complaints about the “other side” and the people we freely call “they” who, unbeknownst to the majority, might be sitting in the same classroom. The reason this can become a dangerous path is that frequently, such discussions quickly deem those who dissent from the majority view as either bigots or uneducated people. Once we think the other side is filled with either bigots, who know their harm yet harbor prejudice, or uneducated people who are unenlightened (which, as I have observed, we seem to think are the only means by which someone could disagree with the majority opinion), the discussion ends. Speaking continues, but true, meaningful discussion or conversation is over. If the only way to disagree with the majority opinion is to be either uneducated or a bigot, few would be so brave as to disagree at all.

“Good,” we may think. “If the other opinion displays nothing but unenlightened bigotry, we should shut it down to create a positive and healthy environment on campus.”

There are two reasons I believe this is wrong. One is that when we shut down debate, we produce mediocrity. If we are of the majority opinion, we have the luxury of assuming the premises of our argument and taking them for granted because we do not have to argue with someone who disagrees. Could we really argue with an intelligent counterpoint to our belief if we don’t believe such a thing exists?

It is likely difficult to anticipate what such counterpoints could be if we haven’t heard them, especially from peers we respect.

Furthermore, how can we truly know what we believe if it is not constantly challenged by perspectives that actually bother us? If we end every class wanting to pat our professor and peers on the back because of how in-line all of our opinions are, perhaps we are not growing much intellectually. Perhaps we are becoming intellectually enslaved because to question the majority is inconceivable due to our fear, laziness or the mere ease of avoiding such disagreements.

The other reason that shutting

down debate is wrong is that the other opinion might not be a view made entirely of bigotry. Of course, we cannot know this if we do not invite debate.

This is not meant to serve as a defense of hateful groups such as neo-Nazis or white supremacists. People, however, are hesitant to disagree in even the slightest way with the majority opinion for fear that their dissent will mark them as such. When people even question the majority opinion of a sensitive topic, we sometimes assume their entire worldview.

We should welcome questioning, because it makes us wrestle with our views. Though our views may not change in response, they will be stronger, better educated and able to withstand more thorough scrutiny.

It is difficult to truly know what we believe if we are not faced with intelligent dissent.

I do not mean we should present the opinions of others at a surface level. I believe we should ask if there are people who disagree, and genuinely welcome debate. Anyone who disagrees with the opinion that is often

presented here at Fordham has likely deeply thought about and thoroughly researched their opinion to maintain it—it is easier to accept what professors and students around us say than it is to question the view that prevails and is asserted as morally superior.

Professors and students should help to foster an environment that welcomes debate. This is not because I think people of the minority opinion on campus are disenfranchised or oppressed and need a voice. Regardless of whether that is true, we should welcome—even request—disagreements. Real debate promotes our intelligence and prepares us to truly defend our own opinions. More than that, it fosters a community that promotes the productive discussion that we need in our world.

If we cannot welcome debate and bridge the gap between the aisles in a college classroom, it is difficult to expect our leaders in Washington to do the same. If we have conversations in the true sense of the word, we can produce better citizens and a greater hope for compromise in the world.

NEWS

OPINIONS

FEATURES

ARTS & CULTURE

SPORTS & HEALTH

The newest addition to the Lincoln Center campus.

One student’s satirical take on the new ram.

Junior publishes book of poems.

A look at this season’s most anticipated TV shows.

Your guide to the best NYC has to offer.

PAGE 2

PAGE 5

Say Hello to the Ram Satire

“Rose Notebook” PAGE 9

New This Fall PAGE 8

THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM LINCOLN CENTER

Unorthodox Workouts PAGE 11

2

News

SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

Ram Statue Rides Into Lincoln Center

By STEPHAN KOZUB News Editor

After years of rumors and ramfueled intercampus jealousy, the Lincoln Center campus has achieved what at one point seemed unachievable to some members of the Fordham community—the installation of a ram statue.

Situated at the northeastern corner of the Outdoor Plaza, the statue arrived on the uncomfortably humid and overcast afternoon of Sept.

18, but those conditions did not affect anyone’s jovial attitudes. Official Fordham photographers took pictures of the new installation, while sculptor Harry M. Stierwalt, Jr. of West Palm Beach, Florida, admired his creation.

“It took me almost a year to build this,” he told me, while his uncle, who had assisted him on the project, took photos. Stierwalt has a knack for bronze sculptures of animals— he’s sculpted frogs, mythical creatures such as unicorns and pegasi, and also a Kirk’s red colobus monkey, a species only found on the East African island of Zanzibar. He keeps that one on his office desk.

Almost immediately after Stierwalt’s ram was installed, students began discussing the statue on social media. It is nearly identical to the ram statue at the Rose Hill campus— another Stierwalt creation—famous among students for the tradition of mounting the bronze animal.

“I think it makes it feel like a real campus,” said Shilpa Basu, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’18. “It’s really fun because now Rose Hill and Lincoln Center have something in common.”

Plans for the ram statue were solidified a little over a year ago, according to Vice President for Lin-

EMMA DIMARCO/THE OBSERVER

The newest addition to the Lincoln Center campus.

coln Center Brian J. Byrne, Ph.D. “The Ram statue is a symbol meant to signify that the two campuses are parts of one University,” Byrne said in an email statement to The Observer.

Stierwalt made both of the statues and was asked by the university to replicate the ram that was installed at Rose Hill in 2006.

Stierwalt’s ram replaced an ab-

stract statue titled “The Soaring Figure,” which Byrne described as “at best an abstract expression with no special reference to Fordham.”

It has been moved to the Rose Hill campus.

Not all students, however, are on the ram statue bandwagon.

“Though I do appreciate the Fordham spirit that’s come to the Lincoln Center campus, I do miss

the abstract statue that was so wellknown in the plaza,” Elisabeth O’Neill, FCLC ’19, said.

The original plan was to put the ram statue in the same place as the Robert Moses plinth, according to an email Byrne sent to The Observer in November 2016. The plinth was put into storage last fall following a United Student Government (USG)

vote to add a plaque to the monument explaining Moses’ controversial history. While text is still being finalized, the plan is to have it include information on Moses’ urban planning legacy and the people that he displaced in order to construct the Fordham University campus and the Lincoln Center arts complex.

The plinth was “moved to storage to beat the winter weather while [awaiting] the draft of the statement to be attached to it,” according to the November 2016 email Byrne sent to The Observer. Prior to the removal of the plinth, it had stood on the plaza covered in styrofoam, cardboard and plastic following backlash from members of the Fordham community who asserted that Moses was a racist and highly problematic individual.

The university’s plan is to eventually relocate the plinth to the lower plaza, an area of campus that has not yet been fully developed. The university intends to replace “most of the parking area with a park,” pending approval from the city, according to an email from Byrne to The Observer sent on Sept. 22 He also noted that “news of the Plaza renaming will be released shortly.” It had been previously named the Robert Moses Plaza.

Until the plinth is reinstalled, the Lincoln Center campus is left with various statues of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and its new ram. Members of the Fordham community have already made their intentions of riding it in the tradition of its Rose Hill counterpart known.

“So many ram riding opportunities next time I visit,” commented Alexa Fuler Situ, FCLC ’14, on our Facebook page. Another alum simply commented “let’s go sit on it.”

Residents Call for Change in Guest Policy

By KATHERINE SMITH Asst. News Editor

College campuses, particularly those in New York City, are no stranger to guidelines meant to ensure the safety of students and faculty. One policy at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus, however, has recently been under scrutiny after a petition calling for change began to gain university-wide attention.

In a detailed Facebook post that brought both support and commentary from other Fordham residents, Katie Doman, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’19, announced that she would be collecting signatures from both individuals and student organizations for support against the overnight guest pass rule, which prohibits undergraduate residents from hosting overnight guests of the opposite sex.

The overnight policy was enforced to support roommate rights and community interests, according to Jenifer Campbell, director of Residential Life at FCLC. “The policy was developed to enforce roommate rights in addition to maintaining the expectation that guests are in fact visitors and not residents of the building by frequent sojourns,” Campbell wrote in an email statement to The Observer, implying that policy prohibits guests from visiting so often that they would become unofficial residents of the dorms as well. “The importance of students being able to focus on their studies and the reason why they have chosen oncampus accommodations is also the purpose for maintaining the policy.”

Doman, however, believes that there are other reasons for the guest pass policy, and that they go beyond

concerns for safety and roommate rights, stating that “while the guise of the policy is the protection of marriage and abstinence against premarital sex, it is clearly just a ruse” based on several observations she has made surrounding other resident guidelines.

Besides having co-ed floors and a visitation policy that extends late into the night, the policy for graduate students living in McMahon Hall allows for two overnight guests of either sex for two nights in a seven-day period, something that Doman didn’t realize until she moved to a floor with many graduate residents.

“I didn’t realize until my first floor meeting that the graduate students don’t have to follow this opposite-sex guest policy,” Doman said. “As soon as I found that out, I was like okay, this guise of morality that Fordham is putting up as their reason for maintaining this rule for the undergraduate students is clearly false, because they’re willing to let graduate students break this rule.”

Doman also stressed that the policy resulted in fines for students that directly benefited the administration, in addition to using exclusionary language that failed to acknowledge same-sex relationships or individuals who do not identify within the gender binary, a point she brought up when meeting with Campbell and Keith Eldredge, assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at FCLC. “Let’s for argument’s sake say this needs to be a protection in place for a student who is not bold enough necessarily about their partners being over too often, what then is in place for someone who has a roommate with a same-sex part-

ner?” Doman said. “They say ‘well, we deal with that on a case-by-case basis, and if it becomes egregious, then we have a roommate meeting.’ Then why can’t we do that for people with opposite sex partners?”

In response to concerns raised by the fees and the difference in policy for graduate residents, Campbell wrote, “All students, undergraduate and graduate, are subject to fines. The fees are incremental in order to deter continual violation of the policy.”

There are close to 650 guest passes, as well as an average of 75 fines, issued each semester, according to Campbell. One student that faced the $15 charge was Elizabeth Davis, FCLC ’19, who finds it frustrating to leave with her friend after visiting hours end in order to avoid additional charges.

“I found myself in several circumstances where it was like, alright, it’s 3:30 a.m., time to be out on the streets of the city until 6:30 a.m., which is not much fun to look forward to,” Davis said.

As part of a class exercise for her Basic Research Methods class, Davis and other classmates polled approximately 90 students on their opinions concerning the policy.

“Overall we found that students weren’t happy with it, they didn’t support it, they didn’t see it as needed and it validated my own feelings towards it,” Davis said.

Another student affected by the policy is Maggie Wong, FCLC ’19, a former resident who believes that the guest pass policy should be revised to allow guests to spend the night regardless of their gender. Like Davis, Wong also faced a frustrating situation as a freshman when her friend came to visit from another state.

EMMA DIMARCO/THE OBSERVER

Students can only have overnight guests of the same sex.

“His hotel rental was messed up, and he had nowhere to stay and nowhere to go,” Wong said. “I was trying to ask the people from the Residential Office if he could just stay over, and they said no. He ended up sleeping on the couch outside McMahon all night.”

Doman said that she has received support from residents and student clubs, one of them being the Fordham Filmmaking Club.

Additionally, Doman has also written her own Opinions article for the Fordham Observer. Regarding the future of the guest pass policy, Doman would like to see guest poli-

cies that address safety issues and are also fair and inclusive to Lincoln Center’s residents. She said her concerns come from a “logic-based place.”

“There are real reasons you’d want a list of all the visitors and guest visitation for the reasons that they said,” Doman said, going on to add, “It’s not the problem that I have with these rules. It’s not the safety component. It’s the actual logical component of ‘Is there is a reason to separate this out based on biological sex?’ And there isn’t. There is no reason to keep this policy.”

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER September 28, 2017

News

3

McShane Says Communications Failed Last Year MCSHANE FROM PAGE 1

ting communication, they may have felt that they were not being listened to.

“Let’s be honest ... there were issues and incidents of, say of weight, that we all had to wrestle with, and it started early in the year. We had one or two incidents that were unsettling for us...I know there was a swastika incident at the beginning of this year which really annoyed me to the teeth.

“Let me be clear. I don’t understand hate. There’s no place for hatred here. There’s no place for bias here. We’re not just a university where those things shouldn’t be present. We’re a Jesuit university.

So for me it’s disconcerting, it’s deflating, it’s very disturbing for this sort of thing to bubble up.

“There were other things that came up in the course of the year, of course culminating with a really difficult last month of the school year. I think a lot of it is communication, but also, the incidents that we all wrestled with last year, they were weighty, and highly freighted with great emotion and principle on both sides, if there are sides. And I know you’ll think I’m being either pollyannaish or worse when I say, for me, I can never believe there are sides. I can’t. For me, it’s the university, and I have to work with everyone. I want to make sure everyone is listened to, heard and attended to. Did I succeed last year? Well the answer is no, isn’t it? I didn’t.

“A lot of it was local. And I think we didn’t communicate, I didn’t communicate well, and I know people find this hard to believe, but I love this place. After God it’s what I love most. And that’s the truth. My

image is of a community of scholars who are bound together by respect, reverence and mutual affection.

And I felt the loss of that last year, deeply.

“So what am I going to do? I’m working. I want to make it work. As hard as I can, I’ll work at it.”

The RA training incident and sexual assault “I have purposefully not dipped into that because I guess the report comes to me, and I don’t want to in any way seem to be trying to influence it in any way. So I don’t know.

I do know that it is underway. I’m told it should be completed in the near future. Now I don’t know what the definition of near future is. I’m hoping it’s 10 days, because I want it to be taken care of.

“How seriously do we take the matter or the issue, not of what happen at RA training, but how seriously do we take the issue of sexual assault on campus? And I have to tell you, for me, it’s a moral question.”

“When we talk about cura personalis, we talk about the care that the university gives. For me, there’s also the implicit pledge of every person on the campus, student, faculty and staff, to treat one another with great care, and therefore for me, at the very beginning of it, sexual assault is a violation of the solemn promise that we make to one another ... that there will be no violence.

“Sexual assault begins in a diminution of the Other, which is the opposite of cura personalis and the opposite of treating people with reverence, respect and great affection. It is an abuse of the person by denial of their worth. That’s where

it begins, and then it takes on physical form in the sexual abuse itself.

“For me, it’s a sinful thing, and I know that sounds very old fashioned, but for me that’s a loaded word, because it is a violation of the honor and the dignity of the other person and a use of somebody else for your own pleasure. I find that distasteful, and I find it dishonorable, and I can’t say enough negative about it.”

that we’re tied with this year.

“For us, I’ll tell you what it is.

Our endowment is $727 [million] ... When I came, it was $226 million dollars. Now it’s $727 ... If it hadn’t been for the recession, we’d be above a billion and I’d be a happier guy. Look, I’m not supposed to be concerned about money at all for God’s sake. Look at the way I’m dressed. I have a vow of poverty!

But I pay attention to this all the

“ How seriously do we take matter or the is-

sue, not of what happened at RA training, but how seriously do we take the issue of sexaul assault on campus? And I have to tell you, for me, it’s a moral question.”

–

REV. JOSEPH M. MCSHANE, S.J., University President

U.S. News & World Report ranking and Fordham’s endowment “The crowd from 30 to 60, they really do extraordinary, I would say, strenuous breakdancing. And some swing. We have been ... Look, I am so frustrated. We’re better than 61.

I think we have a terrific faculty, and I mean that. We have a terrific faculty, we have the best location in the world, we have the most exciting opportunities for our students, and our students do great things.

They’re great when they walk in, they’re better when they leave ... We have been dancing with 10 schools, and those 10 schools are the ones

time. Why? Because money...two things. One, money is seen by others as, in the old words, an earnest of worth; a proof that if you have that money, you’re good. So that’s the first and the second, frankly, is we’re so committed to financial aid. ninety percent of our kids receive financial aid.”

Shuffling the budget “What we did last year was we did have to shuffle the budget for the current fiscal year, and there were certain things that were tripped up ... around the outsides, around the peripheries of life. So travel, entertainment, food, things like that, we went after right away

in order to find the money.

“No core services were trimmed.

We do have a 120-day delay period for replacement hires, which does return to us a fair amount of money, or doesn’t let a fair amount of money get spent. Front line positions of faculty and student life staff, those would not be cut because they’re front line student-facing positions.

So that’s the way in which we held it together. We also did not, and I know that this is a big, big concern, it’s a concern of mine, we did not cut financial aid. We did not. We will not. Not as long as I’m here.”

Where union negotiations stand “I’m never against the unions. I had real concerns about...you know, is this the right time...so I spent a lot of time talking to Jesuits who are in social ethics and catholic social teaching, and I actually worked on this when I was in grad school. So no notional opposition to it, but timing and all that.

“The conversations are well along, but during the summer, the union lawyer was in Syracuse.

Because of summer schedules, it didn’t get all hammered out during the summer. So they and we are still in conversation and I hope that something will happen pretty fast.

“I honestly think that we’re going to have something within, I’m going to give you a three week thing. If it’s sooner than that, wow!

If it’s just three weeks, good. If it goes beyond that, you’re going to kill me. So I’m going to say that I’m hoping. Say, in a month, within the month.”

Additional reporting by Morgan Steward and Stephan Kozub.

Computer and Information Science at Fordham

Become competitive in the fast-growing tech industry.

Fordham’s Computer and Information Science Department now offers the following graduate programs:

• M.S. in Computer Science • M.S. in Cybersecurity • M.S. in Data Analytics • Advanced Certificate in Financial Computing • Advanced Certificate in Financial Econometrics and Data Analysis

Evening and weekend classes available Reduced tuition for master’s programs Undergraduate degree in computer science not required Visit fordham.edu/cisgrad to learn more.

Opinions

Opinions Editor Alex Seyad - aseyad@fordham.edu

September 28, 2017

STAFF EDITORIAL

WE MUST UNITE THROUGH TRANSPARENCY AND INCLUSIVITY

L

ast semester, Fordham’s administration faced a host of issues ranging from free speech concerns among students to protests over faculty benefits.

The administration has not responded to the best of its ability, and some would even argue that the reputation of the university has been tarnished. To make matters worse, there have also been problems with lack of both transparency and holistic dialogue among parties. The environment that these issues have fostered has caused students to feel as if they cannot trust their administrators and that any dialogue on campus will be dominated by the more polarizing voices in the community.

In its attempt to mend the wounds of last semester, the university has begun taking steps to keep the community in the loop on its decisions. Recently, Father McShane held a press conference for student reporters from The Observer and The Ram. In this press conference, McShane addressed the need for greater transparency and dialogue among the many moving parts that make up the Fordham body. He noted his desires to increase the amounts of time during which he meets with the Faculty Senate and other members of the administration. He also stated that

he wants to hold similar press conferences with students more frequently. More importantly, he expressed a desire for more “listening” sessions, which can be a good thing for the community. These sessions would be geared toward more organized and open conversa-

“It is vital that we understand the importance of transparency in our university community.” tions in which the administration will have a chance to hear and understand the points and concerns that are pressing in the community.

It is vital that we understand the importance of transparency in our university community. Now that Fordham has undergone a difficult period of confusion and lack of communication, we are left only with room to improve. McShane seems to understand the problems that occurred last year as well as the sources of these problems. This should make it easier for him and the administration to rebuild the trust

among the community, including students, staff and administrators.

This transparency applies not only to the administration’s addressing of student concerns, but also to the way students and professors conduct dialogue between one another. Constructive dialogue and compassion for differing opinions, even when they are not the prevailing opinions, will unite us. Too often, the voices of those with unpopular views get drowned out in the noise of polarizing or majority opinions. Perhaps the less frequently held opinions, though, could be the most valuable ones. We must still remember to respect the beliefs of those with opinions that differ from the majority.

It may be difficult for some of us to recognize the problem, but this is a crucial first step. If you are a holder of the prevailing opinion, you have a responsibility to acknowledge your position in the Fordham community and your duty to listen to the less commonly held views. This is not always easy, but it is an extremely important step in fostering positive and productive discussions, be they with administrators, staff or students. To improve the university community, we must first better ourselves.

THE OBSERVER

Observer the

Editor-in-Chief Morgan Steward Managing Editor Reese Ravner Business Manager Michael Veverka Layout Editors Sherry Chow Loic Khodarkovsky News Editors Stephan Kozub Colin Sheeley Asst. News Editor Katherine Smith Opinions Editor Alex Seyad Asst. Opinions Editor Jordan Meltzer Arts & Culture Editors Maryanna Antoldi Sam DeAssis Asst. Arts & Culture Editors Lindsay Jorgensen Bessie Rubinstein Features Editor Carson Thornton Gonzalez Asst. Features Editor Jeffrey Umbrell Sports & Health Editors Mohdshobair Hussaini Alexander DiMisa Artemis Tsagaris Photo Editors Jon Bjornson Aseah Khan Comma Coordinator Erika Ortiz Copy Editors Erika Ortiz Izzi Duprey Gianna Smeraglia Social Media Managers Angelika Menendez Andronika Zimmerman

Visual Advisor Molly Bedford Editorial Advisor Anthony Hazell PUBLIC NOTICE

No part of The Observer may be reprinted or reproduced without the expressed written consent of The Observer board. The Observer is published on alternate Thursdays during the academic year.

Printed by Five Star Printing Flushing, N.Y

To reach an editor by e-mail, visit www.fordhamobserver.com

SHARE YOUR OPINIONS WITH US VIA THE INTERNET! Twitter: @fordhamobserver Instagram: @fclcobserver Facebook: The Fordham Observer

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES • Letters to the Editor should be typed and sent to The Observer, Fordham University, 140 West 62nd Street, Room G32, New York, NY 10023, or e-mailed to fordhamobserver@gmail.com. Length should not exceed 200 words. All letters must be signed and include contact information, official titles, and year of graduation (if applicable) for verification.

• If submitters fail to include this information, the editorial board will do so at its own discretion.

• The Observer has the right to withhold any submissions from publication and will not consider more than two letters from the same individual on one topic. The Observer reserves the right to edit all letters and submissions for content, clarity and length.

• Opinions articles and commentaries represent the view of their authors. These articles are in no way the views held by the editorial board of The Observer or Fordham University.

• The Editorial is the opinion held by a majority of The Observer’s editorial board. The Editorial does not reflect the views held by Fordham University.

Opinions

Opinions Editor Alex Seyad - aseyad@fordham.edu

September 28, 2017

THE OBSERVER

Why We Can’t End Racism

Alex Seyad Opinions Editor

I want to start this article with an extremely unpopular opinion: we are all, to some degree, racist.

Whether we realize it or not, we all have had at least one moment in our lives in which we have felt or thought something that was racist towards someone or a group of people. Some of you are probably wondering if such a thing is possible or shaking your head because you believe that the notion of you being racist is ridiculous. Unfortunately, our society has wired us to make false predispositions about the people around us based on their skin color and social background.

Think back to the last time you were walking alone, late at night, on the streets of Manhattan and there was one or more men of color walking behind you. Whether you consciously thought it or not you were most likely afraid because you believed that there was a possibility you were going to be attacked or mugged. This is because when we think of a late night on a lonely street in New York City, we assume that a shady character is out to get us; but think deeper to who you picture that character to be and then tell me if my initial premise was incorrect.

You may be thinking that this doesn’t mean you’re racist, but I argue that this is racism on its most basic level. I, as a man of the Islamic faith, will admit that I get concerned when I see someone dressed in a full niqab (Islamic dress for women that covers most of the face) on my flight. Do I really believe that this person is a terrorist or poses any threat to me? Not at all, but some small part of me still accepts the notion that anyone who fits the media’s description of a terrorist may possibly be one. I find it absolutely ridiculous that I would think that about someone of my own religion, but I had to come to terms with the fact that I still hold a lot of predispositions about people that I have collected from my

COURTESY OF SARAH MIRK/FLICKR

Racism takes many forms at different levels, from internal prejudiced tendencies to institutional racism.

environment.

Many of us have family, especially those who are elderly, that still hold conservative views about certain minority groups. While we don’t hold the same views as these family members, we inadvertently carry those thoughts with us in our daily lives. In the world we live in today there is no clear way to identify who is racist and who isn’t, but this has become more concerning with the recent white supremacist uprisings. As we saw in Charlottesville, the average white supremacist looks just like the average person.

They work with us or stand next to us in line to get coffee, but we are none the wiser. We see that in situations like these many people rise up to challenge the status quo of white supremacy, but we are often faced

with the same question: why does racism still exist?

Racism exists because we choose to accuse others of this crime but forget to look at ourselves and those

the struggle of a person of color whose family, at some point of their history, had to start from the bottom. We can say that we are forward thinking and that one of our goals

“ Racism exists because we choose to accuse

others of this crime but forget to look at ourselves and those around us.”

around us. We often forget that we fear what we don’t know, and that in itself can be attributed to racism. A person from an upper middle class white family can never understand

is to change the lives of those who are marginalized, but what do we really know about their struggles?

As a heterosexual male, I can’t claim to understand the struggles of

a person who identifies as LGBTQ. But, as a brown-skinned Muslim, I can identify with the struggles of those who face the oppression of Islamophobia because it is a battle I’ve faced every day since I was five years old after 9/11. No one can claim to understand my struggle, but at the same time not one person can say they haven’t felt that sense of uneasiness sitting next to a stereotypically dressed Middle Eastern person on a plane.

The grander point that I’m trying to make is that if our society wants to make greater strides to end racism on a social level, then before we speak out against others, first we must address the possible demons within ourselves. As it says in the Bible: “Only he without sin can cast the first stone.”

Newest Ram Statue Ignites Never-Before-Seen School Spirit Owen Roche Contributing Writer

Top university officials dropped a 500-pound bombshell on the student body just weeks ago—what has been described as a “giant metal ram” by onlookers has been installed on Fordham’s singular stronghold of grass.

Standing four feet tall and composed of a gray metal composite with gold accents, the ram is Fordham Lincoln Center’s newest addition. Robert Moses Plaza, allegedly a gathering place for the school community, now falls under the watchful eye of the quarter-ton metal beast.

“I didn’t know what our mascot was, and I didn’t want to know,” said Alan H, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ‘21, known for blowing off floor meetings and taking the elevator to his second floor class. “This is another boldfaced attempt by the university to foist spirit on our school.”

Murmurings among the shocked crowd gathered around the metal colossus suggest students are outraged, distressed and under the impression that school pride was just kind of a thing that Rose Hill

did.

Cult implications have run rampant through Fordham’s beige, undecorated walls. Students fear that erecting effigies is only the first step toward the slippery slope of school spirit.

“What’s next, pep rallies? If I wanted to get my buddies together and spell out “Fordham” on our chests, I would’ve gone to Penn State,” said Colby W., FCLC ‘19, who enjoys living weeks on end without setting foot outside. He quickly fled through the Gabelli doors before further questions could be asked.

Within minutes of the statue’s arrival, hundreds of charters for pep bands, intramural sports teams and improv comedy groups inundated student council email servers.

Levels of mindless prejudice and unfounded feelings of personal supremacy—side effects associated with “team spirit” and “rivalry,” per a 2010 study—have undoubtedly reached all-time highs in the university. Mascot-emblazoned spirit wear was completely sold out three days following the incident, with more on the way. The result: hundreds of students rallying behind the siren song of the metal ram.

Ranging from casual acceptance

to violent rejection, the reaction among the population has been mixed. Kelsey L., FCLC ‘21, also weighed in: “Sure, now we have a puppet to draw a false sense of collective from. But was there tofu in the dining hall yesterday?” She continued, urging our correspondent to watch What the Health and see the truth.

Long-term effects on the student body are still under close watch; already young people have been spotted attempting to tailgate before important mock trial events.

Experts posit that if the ram’s presence remains unchecked, full-sized flag football games may appear on the plaza as early as 2020—with disastrous effects on local social ecosystems and sedentary lifestyles alike.

It is yet to be seen whether foreign notions of “school spirit” and “school pride” brought about by the newly-ubiquitous ram will stick to the hearts, minds and nondescript buildings of Fordham Lincoln Center. Nevertheless, the ram remains: keeping watch over the subjects of its new domain and patiently waiting for a game of KanJam to start in its midst.

Go Rams.

COURTESY OF DANNY HOLMBERG

Riding the Ram can make anyone’s day better!

6

Arts & Culture

September 28, 2017 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

The Meadows Closes Out Festival Se

Fans of artists M.I.A. gather

By BESSIE RUBINSTEIN Asst. Arts & Culture Editor As the crowd packed into Citi Field in Queens, you could almost swear it was still summer. Glitter, space buns, bright lipsticks and flash tattoos made a September resurgence at The Meadows music festival from Friday, Sept. 15 to Sunday, Sept.

17, where preteens and parents alike danced on the blazing concrete to sets from some of the hottest artists in the country.

Sept. 15 kicked off the fest with a packed set from 21 Savage. The 24-year-old rapper from the Caribbean attracted a huge crowd of high school and college-aged fans. A relative newcomer to the scene, 21 Savage’s popularity exploded in 2016 with his album “Savage Mode,” which featured hits like “X” and “For Real.” His performance—energetic and full of crowdpleasers—set the mood for a hip-hop-heavy day.

With a Friday lineup full of rappers, electropop artists Marian Hill and Sky Ferreira were the outliers. Both acts, featuring female leads who have incredible stage presence had smaller, but dedicated audiences. Fans were delighted to see Ferreira, as she had taken a break from performing due to her stage fright, which she overcame to deliver an emotionally-charged set.

For those who were looking for a different sound, duo Marian Hill—comprised of production artist Jeremy Lloyd and a fishnet-clad Samantha Gongol as lead vocalist—provided sultry hits like “Down” and “One Time.”

Migos, one of the hottest groups of the moment in part due to their hit song “Bad and Boujee,” lit up the stage in the afternoon, as well as alternative favorites Milky Chance and Two Door Cinema Club. R&B artist Blood Orange, also known as Devonté Hynes, performed a surprising set, mixing never-before-heard new music at the festival along with some fan favorites.

But the headliner and biggest set of the night was Jay Z, who had fans young and old waiting for hours in the sun to get a coveted spot near the stage. Jay performed a wide range of hits, from “Empire State of Mind” to “No Church in the Wild” to a tribute performance of “Numb/Encore” for the late Chester Bennington (lead singer of Linkin Park). He finished off Friday with a bang, albeit with a bit of a fizzle when he did not come out for an expected encore.

Saturday kept the momentum of the festival going with a morning featuring hip hop artists BadBadNotGood, Flatbush Zombies and LL Cool J, who was not to be missed as he brought out rap legends DMC and A Tribe Called Quest. One of the most intense sets of the day was Erykah Badu, a knockout R&B artist who has been prominent since the late ’90s. Badu’s vocal talent was on display as she crooned her most popular hits “On

& On” and “You Got Me.” Future, an Atlanta-based rapper whose most famous songs include “Low Life,” featuring The Weeknd, and “Mask Off,” was another artist who surprised his crowd with guest stars. Fans practically stormed the stage when Future brought out Nicki Minaj for an unbelievable few minutes followed by Young Thug, who stayed onstage for the majority of Future’s set.

The day culminated in sets from M.I.A. and Gorillaz, both established acts who have been part of the music scene for almost as long as many of the younger members of the crowd had been alive. M.I.A., a British female rapper best known for in-your-face rebel anthems like “Bad Girls” and “Paper Planes,” had her crowd screaming as she crawled along an enormous lit-up cage, but it was Gorillaz who took the crown for best Saturday headliner. The alt rock/rap group, who have captivated their niche audience since the ’90s, kept the guest stars coming with appearances from Pusha T, D.R.A.M. and De La Soul.

Perhaps an unusual headliner choice for a festival that has attracted a younger crowd in the two years since its creation, Gorillaz proved to be a risk that more than paid off.

The third and final day of the fest ensured that The Meadows experience stayed strong until the very end. Indie pop had a strong presence in Sunday’s lineup with New Zealand duo Broods, for fans preferring a more electronic vibe, and Foster the People, for those who favor acoustics. Later in the day, the band Sleigh Bells made the trek from their native Brooklyn to deliver a rowdy noise pop set.

The evening forced festival-goers to make a tough choice between veteran rapper Nas and ’90s rock group Weezer. There wasn’t a wrong pick as both acts delivered. Weezer did the impossible and made Queens feel like a beach with dreamy hits like “Island in the Sun” and “Feels like Summer,” while Nas, a Queens native, repped his breakout ’90s album “Illmatic” and his most recent album “Life is Good.” Nas finished his set leaving no doubt that he is not only a proud New Yorker, but continues to be one of the biggest forces in hip hop.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, the longest-living band playing The Meadows, closed out an amazing festival weekend Sunday night. The largest crowd of the day belted along with the West coast alt-rock group as they delivered a hefty dose of ’90s nostalgia with songs like hits “Californication,” “Give it Away” and “Under the Bridge.”

When the last echoes of mic feedback had faded away and final stragglers made their way from Citi Field to the 7 train, the sense of satisfied exhaustion was in the air. Manhattanites and New Jersey residents alike returned home to hang up their bralettes and denim cutoffs—but only until next spring, when festival season returns to the city.

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER September 28, 2017

Arts & Culture

7

eason

s like Jay Z, Migos, and r for for The Meadows

BESSIE RUBINSTEIN/THE OBSERVER

Arts & Culture

Maryanna Antoldi- mantoldi@fordham.edu Sam DeAssis- sdeassis@fordham.edu September 28, 2017 THE OBSERVER

Off-Broadway Steals the Spotlight beloved friends are Oliver, who is muggle-born and Megan, who is the daughter of a henchman of the wellknown villain “Voldy.” The show follows these characters through “Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic” beginning with year one as they are sorted into the “Puffs” house and throughout the years learn how to be wizards. Of course, they meet some familiar characters along the way, such as Harry, that happen to be a part of the ensemble.

Everyone knows the story of Harry, but this is the story of those who are not destined to be heroes at magic school.

Location: New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St. Price: $67.00 Rush/Discounts: $22 student rush with student ID, cash only

By ANGELIKA MENENDEZ Social Media Editor

Bright lights and giant advertisements may not appear all over New York for these shows, making offbroadway seem less lavish, but the quality of the shows is just the same as any show on the Great White Way. The Off-Broadway scene produces underperformed shows and premieres exciting, new works of art that wouldn’t make it on Broadway.

An off-broadway theater creates far more intimate performances, since they only seat 100 to 499 people.

While these productions have lower budgets, but these shows make audiences laugh and cry with their spectacular performances, even with their smaller sets or fewer lights compared to Broadway. Off-Broadway is like a underground cavern where hidden gems lie, just waiting to be discovered. Once the lights go up on an off-broadway venue, audiences are in for a memorable night.

Here are some Off-Broadway shows worth seeing this fall.

“On the Shore of the Wide World” Written by Simon Stephens, best known for “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” and directed by Neil Pepe, the artistic director of Atlantic Theater Company. “On the Shore of the Wide World” follows the lives of three different generations that seem perfect to an average onlooker but have deep secrets that cause the family’s downfall. The play takes place in Stockport, England and follows the life of this family over the course of nine months. The timeline shows just how long it can take the average family to recover from a tragedy but also shows that even when a year passes and things may seem alright, there is always an underlying gloom surrounding everyone. Audience members follow the family through the ups and downs of their life, with each family member having a different story line, including abuse, alcoholism and death. This show involves love, tragedies and family as life as they know it falls apart and comes back together.

Location: Atlantic Theater Company’s Linda Gross Theater, 336 W. 20th St.

ELVERT BARNES/THE OBSERVER

Atlantic Theater Company’s Linda Gross Theater features several Off-Broadway hits, like “On the Shore of the Wide World”

Price: $66.50-$86.50 Rush Policy/Discounts: $20 student rush sold at the box office two hours prior to curtain with a valid student ID, cash only.

“KPOP” The title of this show basically gives away what the show is going to be about: Korean Pop music.

“KPOP” is an immersive theater experience that follows the making of three different types of KPOP stars trying to make it in America: a solo artist, an all-female group and an all-male group on their journeys as they try to assimilate their music into the American culture and make it “American.” Audiences get to explore over 20 rooms in the KPOP factory as they watch these artists go through the highs and lows of the recording industry lifestyle.

Location: Ars Nova A.R.T., 502 W. 53rd St. Price: $45 for general admission and $75 for premium admission which included access to VIP only rooms in the KPOP factory and expedited, concierge services.

Rush Policy/Discounts: None “The Wolves” Returning Off-Broadway on Nov. 1 after a successful run at The Duke, Sarah DeLappe’s play is ready to keep audiences on edge once again, but this time at Lincoln Center. When the show first ran it was met with initial acclaim, receiving several nominations, including the Lucille Lortel Award and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play follows a group of nine girls on a soccer team as they go through their daily routine of warm-ups. As simple as this may seem, within the six scenes audiences get a look into what it’s like being a teenage girl with the world around them constantly changing.

The play begins with overlapping dialogue, so the audience must choose what they pay attention to.

Their conversations range from talking about their menstrual cycles to Harry Potter. You get to hear stories from all the girls, which breaks any preconceived notions the audience developed about the characters from their first words, and watch as they deal with the never-ending cycle of emotions and life. The most

enthralling part of DeLappe’s writing is that “The Wolves” is an ensemble piece. Audience members hear from every girl equally, so there is less of a chance of picking a favorite or having a breakout performance. What brings the show together is all nine girls speaking together to address societal issues, from being sidelined and feeling the need to prove yourself to feeling guilt and responsibility for that which cannot be controlled.

Location: Lincoln Center Theater, 150 W. 65th St. Price: TBA Rush/Discounts: $32 rush tickets sold two hours before a performance “Puffs” A must-see for Harry Potter fans, “Puffs” takes Potterheads on a magical adventure through wizarding school. Unfortunately, this isn’t a play about any known characters, but is instead a spoof causing audience members to fall in love with wizarding heroes who weren’t ever in the books. The main character is named Wayne and his

“Game of Thrones: The Rock Musical” The creators of “Lost: The Musical” now bring you a musical parody of the popular HBO series, “Game of Thrones” (GOT). The musical includes 13 original songs and follows Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark as he goes through and takes on many comedic adventures, including tap dancing werewolves in a Dire Wolf sequence and an inbred prince. The songs are all odes to the GOT script, including titles such as, “Hello from Winterfell,” “You Win or You Die,” and “Let’s Go to War.” The play goes back to the beginning of season one where all the conflicts stem from and Stark is faced with many obstacles as he tries to make his way to the Iron Throne. Other characters that make appearances in the musical are fan favorites, such as Jon Snow and Catelyn Stark. The musical does not just look at the men in this story, but there is also a number that is all about female empowerment. All the women in the musical get together and sing a song about being stronger than they look. The musical is a love letter to the HBO series, and so detail-oriented that Hodor even holds the door for you when you walk into the theatre.

Location: The Jerry Orbach Theater, 1627 Broadway Price: $63-123 Rush/Discount: TBA

Fall Television Turns Up the Heat

By COURTNEY BROGLE Staff Writer

It’s that time of year when the leaves are changing color, sweaters and scarves are being pulled from their shelves and our favorite television shows (both old and new) are premiering once again! This television season brings much to be excited about; both major networks and streaming services are launching highly-anticipated releases in addition to revamping beloved fan favorites. Here is just a taste of what’s new and exciting this fall season.

1. “Liar” This Sundance/ITV contemporary thriller stars Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd in a “he said/she said” whirlwind town scandal. Froggatt, known for her Golden Globewinning performance as lady’s maid Anna Bates in “Downton Abbey,” now plays school teacher Laura Nielson opposite Gruffudd’s Andrew Earlham, surgeon and father to a student at Lauren’s school. What starts as an innocent date culminates the next morning with accusations of rape.

This six-part miniseries premieres at 10 p.m. on Sept. 27 on Sundance.

2. “Me, Myself, and I” Former “SNL” leading comic Bobby Moynihan stars alongside Jack Dylan Grazer and John Larroquette as Alex Riley, an inventor at three stages in his life (Grazer plays Alex at 14, Moynihan at 40, and Larroquette at 65). At each stage of his life, he handles his own identity crises and the repercussions of the decisions of others with humor and resolve. It premieres on CBS on Sept. 25 at 9:30 p.m.

3. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Larry David’s critically acclaimed HBO show is back for a ninth season after quietly finishing its run in 2011. This Emmy award-winning comedy follows a fictionalized version of David’s life, particularly with his variety of neuroses and his lack of empathy and understanding of social norms. Many are particularly excited for this revival; his observational comedy that made “Seinfeld” and “Curb” such a success has been dearly missed, and much needed given the current political climate. It returns to HBO on Oct. 1 at 10 p.m.

4. “Alias Grace” For those who either enjoyed “The Handmaid’s Tale” immensely or couldn’t find a friend with a Hulu account to watch it, Margaret Atwood fans can now become excited for “Alias Grace,” based on the historical fiction novel of the same name. Following a “what if” narrative around the real convict Grace Marks (played by Sarah Gadon), Atwood researches the case through the eyes of fictional doctor Simon Jordan (Edward Holcroft), who attempts to comprehend the accusation that she and colleague James McDermott (Kerr Logan) committed the infamous 1843 double murder of her employer Thomas Kinnear and maid Nancy Montgomery. This highly-anticipated six-part limited series streams on Netflix starting Nov. 3.

5. “Shade: Queens of NYC” In light of the newfound mainstream popularity of “Rupaul’s Drag Race” as well as the success of other shows that appropriate drag culture (i.e., “Lip Sync Battle” on Spike), Fusion TV has recently announced their new 12-part docu-series that follows the actual lives of New York

City headlining queens. The show will incorporate a look at both their work in the LGBTQ nightlife industry as well as their own personal lives. Among those being featured are Brita Filter, Chelsea Piers, Jada Valenciaga and Marti Gould Cummings (with Cummings also working as a consulting producer). This unique reality series premieres Oct. 5 at 10:30 p.m. on Fusion TV. 6. “Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders” Edie Falco stars in the latest in American true crime anthology series that have swept the country over the last few years as Leslie Abramson, the defense attorney in the Menendez brothers case. Created by Dick Wolf, this eight-episode season stems from the “Law & Order” franchise, and will focus on the events that led up to and culminated with the trial of Erik and Lyle Menendez (played by Gus Halper and Miles Gaston Villanueva, respectively), who were accused and convicted in 1996 for the murder of their parents. The crime drama begins airing on Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. on NBC.

7. “Will & Grace” This late ’90s/early ’00s comedy hit is returning to television this fall, following the reunion of its core four cast members (Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes) releasing a 10-minute PSA on YouTube urging Americans to vote in the 2016 election. Now, the show that pioneered LGBTQ representation on primetime television is back.

While some are hesitant about how it will handle the original series finale plot, in which the titular characters are in the midst of a decades-long feud in which they have separate families and are not on speaking terms, most are just excited for the witty banter and cutting-edge comedy that made audiences laugh all those years ago. “Will & Grace” premieres on Sept. 28 on NBC at 9 p.m.

While these only touch the surface of this fall’s television repertoire, they are some of the highlights to certainly get excited for.

Make sure you grab some snacks and some friends when preparing for these boisterous comedies or spine-chilling dramas!

Features

Features Editor Carson Thornton Gonzalez - cthorntongonzalez@fordham.edu

September 28, 2017

THE OBSERVER

Student Self-Publishes Poetry Collection

By KYLE J. KILKENNY Staff Writer

While most Fordham students are trying to get into the groove of a new semester, Alex Crosby, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’19, has a unique New (school) Year’s resolution. Under the pen name “awc,” this Fordham junior has begun binding, marketing and selling copies of his first poetry collection, “Rose Notebook.” During our hourlong conversation, Crosby and I discussed the importance of new poetry in this particular moment in our society and how his time at Fordham and in New York has influenced his writing.

An avid reader from a young age, Crosby first began writing during his freshman year of high school.

“I was never really a serious poetry reader,” he admitted in the early minutes of our interview. “I started to think of what it means to love literature and to read and if I could be satisfied with not being engaged in the process of creating something like that.”

With a collection of poems written primarily over the past year, Crosby has become not only an ambitious creator, but also a curator of sorts. Each copy of “Rose Notebook” has been bound and printed with the poet’s personal touch, placing stunning black words onto glowing pink and purple pages. Just like everything else in Crosby’s work, these copies are made with great intention and care.

When speaking of intention, I asked the Tampa-born poet, “Why now?” The eager response: “I decided to write 50 odes. I wanted to harken back to an older structure of poetics.” Crosby noted “Rose Notebook” was a concept born out of writing these poems with a singular structure which, in turn, ties them all together. He continued, “I just felt that it was right that it was finished. The last poem I put down felt like an ending point … all of these complement each other [so] that it feels like a work to me.” Thus, the guarded poet decided to share his work with the masses, kicking off a social media campaign this summer and designing and launching a new website.

After reading the collection, I was most interested in both who Crosby turns to for direction in his art and how his experience living in

COURTESY OF JANE SCHIAVONE

In September, Crosby self-published and designed a collection of 50 poems titled “Rose Notebook.”

New York has acted as a catalyst for “Rose Notebook.” He cites Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher who wrote the novel “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” as his most formative influence in both life and literature.

Aldous Huxley’s “Island,” the novels of Cesare Pavese, and the nonsensical poems of Christian Morgenstern inform Crosby’s work as well.

“I don’t feel like [New York] is a hot-bed for poetry,” the Philosophy and Classics double-major commented. When asked how his experiences over the course of two years at Fordham have facilitated this work coming to fruition, he noted that his work “is a mix of poetry, philosophy, prose, [and] notebooking. It’s not just poetry, and I’d like it to be as broad as possible.” While Crosby emphasized he does not want to be a career academic, he does believe

that students should take advantage of reading poetry, including “Rose Notebook.” He voiced, “It took me a lot of time to feel comfortable to do this, and I’m comfortable enough with myself that I want to share it unabashedly.”

The poet cites the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed the Guggenheim, as an artist he admires for his perfectionism and intentionality, something Crosby tries to incorporate in his writing process.

Upon my first read of the collection, Crosby’s use of grammar, spacing, indents and font enforced my initial belief that this was a work developed and refined over the course of several months. However, I stood corrected. As he explained, that was “oddly enough all in the moment. Usually I try to write down everything that comes to mind, but I decided [with

this specific project] I was going to wait until I was about to burst, so that everything coming to me in the moment was inspired and distilled by recent experience.”

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about this artist is that he himself is the personification of the term “dichotomy.” I was fascinated to learn “Rose Notebook” was carefully crafted by a poet who hardly reads poetry, an academic who wishes to be liberated from the restraints of the classroom, a young classicist who wishes to find modern applications for his greatest influences and a young voice who is turning to older, dated structures to convey new and fresh messages. On the role this duality plays in this particular collection, Crosby explained, “I think there are a lot of lessons of seriousness, of life and death in these

Swipe right on us. Or something like that.

Instagram: @fclcobserver Twitter: @fordhamobserver Facebook: The Fordham Observer

poems; but to combat that, I think there is also a feeling of the utmost hilarity.”

In the closing moments of our highly-caffeinated interview, I turned to Crosby and said, “So, what’s next?” Modest and coy, the driven poet teased, “I have two or three other projects almost ready for publication, which I will move ahead with if this [first book of poems] is received well.” Until then, you can visit him at Rex coffee shop and grab an espresso brewed by a poet, who will certainly be absorbing fresh ideas and crafting new poems for future ambitious works.

To order your copy of “Rose Notebook,” visit awcpoetry.wixsite. com/awcpoetry or follow @AWCPoetry on Instagram.

10

Features

September 28, 2017 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

Lecture Series Contextualizes IsraeliPalestinian Conflict

By JEFFREY UMBRELL Asst. Features Editor

“When people call this a catastrophe, they’re not kidding,” Hussein Ibish said, referring to the extraordinary violence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ibish is a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, D.C. who spoke at the Fordham Jewish Studies Department’s recent “In Dialogue” lecture series on the history of Palestine over the course of the 20th century. “Whoever’s fault it was, how it happened, is not the point.”

In the past year, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has proven to be one of the most divisive and contentious issues here at Fordham. Last December, Dean of Students Keith Eldredge vetoed the formation of a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) club here at Lincoln Center.

In response, SJP sued the university on the grounds that the decision restricted free speech.

Despite tensions between the administration and the student body, the Jewish Studies Department remains dedicated to exploring the conflict’s history.

Sept. 14 saw the first installment of the three-part “In Dialogue” series with Ibish and David N. Myers, the president and CEO of the Center for Jewish History here in New York.

Jewish Studies is a relatively new department at Fordham, established in 2013 after various donations allowed for the creation of a formal program. Jewish history and literature have been taught at Fordham, however, since the 1980s. The name “In Dialogue” reflects the department’s desire to encourage conversation at “every level.”

This lecture was titled, “A Different Take on Israel/Palestine: Shared Histories, Divergent Pathway,” and addressed the history of the region from 1882-1948 (the year which saw the implementation of the Partition Plan for Palestine). Their goal was not to “be partisans of one group

COURTESY OF RUSTY STEWART/FLICKR

Fordham’s Jewish Studies Department held a forum on Sept. 14 to discuss the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

or another,” said Myers, but to “understand the evolution of a conflict with some measure of historical integrity.”

“What animates us is our desire to approach the history of our subject with a mixture of empathy and critical discourse,” Myers said, “In a certain sense, that’s the essence of the work of a historian.” Balanced historical analyses are crucial in addressing conflicts like that in Palestine.

“The facts of history are not contested,” Ibish noted. What is contested is the interpretation of that history. “There are competing truths, competing rights, competing narratives … but there are not competing facts,” he said. “We [historians] understand how they’re interpreted by

different communities.”

Myers stressed how, when studying the past, the historian should always maintain a “critical distance.”

It’s important, he said, to “take a step back, and question some of the presumptions and … ideological beliefs” that we have. Only then can the historian begin to understand the “lived experience” of a people. “The appropriate balance” must be found between object and subjectivity, Myers said.

This balance was, at times, difficult for Myers to find. “There is a great deal of truth” in both the Israeli and Palestinian accounts, he said.

“More than that, there are competing rights, and what we are struck by is the seeming conundrum of irreconcilable rights and truths.”

Ibish and Myers aimed to present both histories to an equal extent.

“What we’re trying to do,” Ibish said, is to “look at these histories in parallel.” In doing so, they noted the importance of reexamining the categories with which the conflict is described.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a subject of focus for countless historians. Myers remarked, with some understatement, that “what we are attempting to do is something that [has already been done] on a number of occasions.” He and Ibish, understanding the gravity of their subject, did not present a solution to the conflict, but rather sought to explain its origins carefully and neutrally.

Myers and Ibish did not shy away

from addressing the harsh realities of the conflict. Fundamentally, said Myers, “It would be an act of historical blindness not to recognize that … this was a conflict between two people.” Whatever their personal leanings were, the two acknowledged that such biases did not change the facts of history, they did not erase the massive losses of life.

The lecture was structured to present the Palestinian conflict as clearly and objectively as possible.

“We have completed one chapter in a story,” Myers concluded. “Two more to go.”

The second and third installments of the series will be held on Jan. 25 and March 20, 2018, and will explore Palestinian history from 1949 to the present.

Fill Your Fall With These Five Activities Governor’s Island

This quick getaway from the city is located only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan. Home to some of the best views of the city, Governor’s Island hosts different events throughout the year and has permanent art installations and original military barracks to explore.

For a lazy day, you can take a book and read in one of the island’s 50 red hammocks, gazing upon the beautiful skyline we all know and love. Or, if you have slightly more energy after a week full of studying for midterms, grab a bite to eat from one of the many food trucks, rent a bike and enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

Open until Oct. 31 Free

New York Film Festival

Tragically, most Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC) students do not take advantage of what we have within a couple blocks of campus (remember, Fordham is our school and New York is our campus). Now is your time! Every year, one of the largest film festivals in the country happens in our own backyard.

Organized by the Film Society at Lincoln Center, these three weeks present new and upcoming filmmakers as well as special events focusing on the power and pervasiveness of film.

Sept. 28-Oct. 15 Prices vary

Halloween Dog Parade

NYCFC Game

By CARSON THORNTON GONZALEZ Features Editor

Without a doubt the cutest day of the year. Located in Tompkins Square Park, New Yorkers and their dogs go all out for this parade, not only perfecting the dog’s outfit but often finding a way to incorporate the owner’s costume into the ensemble. It’s an event you won’t want to miss!

Oct. 21 Free

Sports! Many FLC students came to this campus knowing their main focus would not be the wonderful world of sports. There is, however, no feeling quite like going to a New York City Football Club game at Yankee Stadium.

The summer days are blisteringly hot in the huge stadium, but these fall months are perfect for some chicken nuggets and a little healthy competition. The feeling of camaraderie is something that can’t be beat.

Sept.-Oct. Prices vary

Bronx Botanical Gardens

The most important thing to do during these beautiful fall months is to find activities that get you outside. The Bronx Botanical Gardens is beautiful any time of the year, even during the winter, but there’s no time quite like the fall. Even the trip up to the Bronx is a spectacle of changing leaves in preparation for winter. Plus, the Dale Chihuly exhibit is up until Oct. 29; the world-renowned glass sculptor has a permanent exhibit in Chicago but we’re lucky enough to get him for one more month!

Open year-round Free for Fordham students

Sports & Health

Sports & Health Editors Shobair Hussani - mhussani2@fordham.edu Alexander DiMisa - adimisa@fordham.edu Artemis Tsagaris - atsagaris@fordham.edu September 28, 2017 THE OBSERVER

Houston Sports Rebuild After Harvey

By ALEXANDER DIMISA Sports & Health Editor

On Aug. 25, Hurricane Harvey made landfall between Port Aransas and Port O’Connor, Texas as a Category 4 hurricane. This was the first “major hurricane,” meaning a Category 3 or higher storm, to make landfall in the United States since Wilma hit Florida in 2005. Over four days, the Hurricane dropped more than 40 inches of rain in areas across the Houston metropolitan area and southeastern Texas, with peak totals at 64.58 inches. This made Harvey the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the US. One of the most impacted areas was the major metropolitan city of Houston, which, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, received 44.91 inches of rain from the storm. This massive accumulation of rain, combined with the wind that the storm brought, caused massive damages.

Aside from the physical accumulation of rain, the storm also took a great toll on the people. The casualties in the US alone was more than 80 individuals. This is a striking number, considering that the storm occurred over heavily populated areas. In addition to those who passed as a result of the storm, over 30,000 people were displaced, and more than 17,000 rescues were conducted.

The toll on life is obvious and devastating, but so is the physical/ financial toll. Early estimates predict that the storm caused damage and economic losses between $70 billion and $200 billion and damaged more than 48,000 homes and 700 businesses. It is clear now that rebuilding after this storm is going to be a long, expensive and tedious process. One thing that is going to help in this rebuilding process is the presence of many famous athletes, celebrities and sports teams.

One of the most proactive figures helping his adopted home city is J.J. Watt, defensive end for the Houston Texans. Born in Wiscon-

ARIE KIEVIT/FLICKR

Houston athletes and team owners donated to relief organizations such as the Red Cross in the wake of devastating hurricanes.

sin, but drafted by the Texans in 2011, J.J. has grown into one of the best players currently in the National Football League (NFL) and is arguably one of the best defensive players in NFL history. When he witnessed the devastation that Harvey brought to the city that he represents, he decided that he must do all he can to help.

Watt created a fundraiser whose donations went to help buy different goods and services that were desperately needed in the aftermath.

On Sept. 15, after less than a month of fundraising, the donations concluded. In total, it raised $37,123,057 from more than 200,000 people. To put that into perspective, this is

more than 3x the amount Watt is set to earn this year ($12 million.)

Numerous other athletes donated to his fundraiser including Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, quarterback and coach for the New England Patriots, who both donated over $50,000.

This is just the beginning of the list of those who have helped or pledged to help with Harvey relief.

Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announced that he would donate $1 million to assist in the relief, with the NFL promising to match any of the relief efforts made

by Mr. McNair. Los Angeles Rams’ Stan Kroenke is also going to donate $1 million to the Red Cross

for relief efforts. The Houston Astros, the Houston affiliate of Major League Baseball (MLB), has already donated $4 million in addition to donating all concessions, ticket and parking revenue from a three-game series right after the hurricane to relief efforts. The Houston Rockets, the local team of the National Basketball Association (NBA) originally pledged to donate $4 million to the mayor of Houston’s relief fund, but has since increased that amount to $10 million. A plethora of other athletes and teams have pledged other amounts and have come out in droves to support Houston and the relief efforts. In addition, some players have volunteered to helping

the city hands on, such as Clint Capela of the Rockets who was working with first responders to contact those in need of help. Other teams and players are donating physical items, such as jerseys, cleats and other equipment, to local children’s teams and youth organizations that lost items to the storm.

It was extremely impressive and gratifying to see professional athletes and teams using their platform and money to do good in the communities that they are a part of and supporting those people who support them every game. This continual support is an amazing example of what professional athletes can do.

The Unorthodox Workouts of NYC

By ELISABETH O’NEILL Contributing Writer

1

Kayaking

Like New York City, there are a world of possibilities that exist in the world of exercise.

2

Surfing

3

Underwater Spin

4

Trampoline

5

Trapeze

For the ones who have an adventurous side

For the ones who miss the California waves

For the ones who find spin classes too unoriginal

For the ones who are easily inspired by the Olympics

For the ones who reach for the stars

Long hours of studying call for a little more adventure in our dayto-day lives. Cue free kayaking on the Hudson River. No experience is required here (though professionals are always welcome). Kayaking is a great way to get in touch with an outdoor sport without ever having to leave the five boroughs.

Huge benefits of this activity not only include it being an exciting way to workout, but it also being a new way to experience the city skyline and, of course, it’s free!

Services are available through The Downtown Boathouse. In case you were wondering, their motto is: promoting public access to the water for all.

Here at Fordham, there are many students who are no strangers to the California coastline. As of Fall 2016, about 8% of the current Lincoln Center undergrad student population comes from The Golden State (Undergraduate Demographic Profile). Believe it or not, New Yorkers can catch a “wave” or two with classes from Surfset. Unfortunately, this does not mean busting out your surfboard on the Hudson River. This does, however, mean a dry land, surfing simulation workout. Surfset, which has been featured on Shark Tank and many other media outlets, provides classes that are inspired by the balance and coordination that is utilized while surfing.

Classes are located in downtown Manhattan and are $25 for first-timers.

It is the great New York City phenomenon, otherwise known as spin classes. Spin classes are one of the most highly attended workout classes throughout the city. However, for those who are looking to jazz up their spin routine, or even to try spin for the first time, there is underwater cycling. Located in TriBeCa, AQUA provides classes anywhere from beginner to more experienced underwater cyclists, where participants are submerged from about their waist down. Why underwater cycling? AQUA cites several reasons how water benefits the otherwise traditional workout, which includes actively enhancing blood flow and improving cardiovascular endurance (aquastudiony.com).

We are all mesmerized by their performance. The ability to jump what seems to be sky high into the air while performing flips, twists and turns. Though most of us are not professionals on the trampoline, we can still channel this energy into trampoline workout classes. TrampoLEAN can deliver just that. This company provides workouts specifically designed to incorporate the use of a personal trampoline. Each class contains 50 minutes of, what trampoLEAN describes as, “HIIT on a low-impact surface [that] will keep you lean and strong while preserving your joints.” Get ready for an intense leg-day!

Whether you’ve already found your passion, or you’re still on the journey, there is still some room to shoot for the stars. For all the dreamers out there, big and small, there’s an exercise that’ll help you do just that. Trapeze is not only used for those who swing through the air as a circus performer, but it can also be an extremely enjoyable and untraditional workout experience. At the Trapeze School of New York, each class includes two hours of outdoor trapeze for a cost of about $60 and is located along the West Side Highway. Though the first jump may feel daunting, it is one of the most riveting feelings to soar through the air during a trapeze class.

12

Sports & Health

September 28, 2017 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

The Olympics Return to Hollywood

ERIC DEMARCQ/FLICKR

The Olympic Games will return to the U.S for the first time since Atlanta’s 1996 Games.

By S. J. CYRUS Contributing Writer

For the second time in a span of 44 years the city of Los Angeles has won the bid to host the Olympic Games. Los Angeles of 1984 is extremely different from the city of today, and as the glamourous city continues to evolve and improve, it will be far more different when the 2028 Olympic Games arrive.

The risk and reward factors for this Olympics is just as risky as it was in 1984, dealing with financial elements like public funding, corporate sponsor list and television rights. All of these terms equal dollars spent on shopping, food, hotels, vehicles and every other necessity it requires to host people from all over the globe.

Given we have now entered the digital age, a healthy portion of the 2028 Olympics will be marketed to a younger audience. This is not your father’s Olympics. We asked Fordham Water Polo Team member Ethan Vandeventer, Fordham Col-

lege at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ‘18, who is from L.A., how he feels about the Olympics being hosted in his city again.

“The 1984 games were before my lifetime, but I heard quite a bit about it from my parents,” Vandeventer said. “L.A. is a perfect place to host an Olympic games because there is so much room; it was a buzz in the city pushing for the 2024 games, but we got it for 2028 instead.”

Many technological breakthroughs have occurred since 1984, like the Internet and social media, both of which make 2028 all the more attractive because those things bring the games to the world quickly and efficiently.

When we see the Olympics, we see the finished product. But the truth is it’s actually something between an investment and a gamble.

It takes proper planning along with precision execution to receive the payoff for hosting the Olympics in your city.

The logistics required to run the

Olympics is an immense challenge that will undoubtedly test the infrastructure and supply chain of the City Of Angels, not as if it hadn’t been tested before.

Los Angeles is already a nightmare of a city when it comes to traffic. Those who have experience driving there can attest to that. Think about adding millions of people from all over the world to the city’s population.

Professor Mark Conrad is the Director of Sports Business Concentration at the Gabelli School of Business. We asked him what are some factors that make the Olympics of 2028 and the Olympics of 1984 different. “The 2028 Olympics is a much larger event than the 1984 Olympics because there are more athletes and many more sports now than before,” he replied.

Professor Conrad also stated housing and security will be significantly different than the previous games, as well as transportation and traffic, due to L.A’s physical devel-

opment since its last hosting of the Olympics. These are some of the challenges that will “need to be overcome” whether it’s 1984 or 2028.

When asked what he thought was one of the greatest things that the 2028 Olympics has to build on that the 1984 didn’t, he replied, “the 11 years that the 2028 Olympic Games has to market and promote its product is a unique advantage.”

One of the things that gives Los Angeles an advantage is the 1984 Olympics was one of the most successful iterations of the games in a long time-the city has a blueprint for success from the past. However, new challenges exist, and proactivity should be exercised in order to duplicate and expand on that past success.

Financial risk makes the games a tough undertaking. Brazil is a perfect example. Learning from the lessons in Brazil where the games were a temporary band aid in underdeveloped areas. These areas should be in better shape when the games leave

town than when they came. Speaking in terms of tangible elements, someone who is a product of Los Angeles, Vandeventer, said, “Urban development and youth programs still exist from the 1984 Olympics, and that’s the best proof of giving back to the community.” The buzz in the Los Angeles area starts now. He grew up directly in the backdrop of the Rose Bowl. Vandeveter said, “I’m excited to see what takes place in the next 11 years.”

Granted, the city has a 44-year gap in time this represents a technological leap. We have now entered the digital age and the technology of the ’80s is not the millennium technology of today. Technological advantages are a bonus for the city, being in the same state as Silicon Valley, so tapping into the local and global talent pool will help the process. Social media and information technology advancements will be huge since a younger audience has taken the lead. The future’s looking bright in Los Angeles.

Get involved and get writing!

Mondays at 5 p.m. in LL 506