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EDITORIAL NEWS EDITOR Mary A. Brassfield signalnewseditor@gmail.com ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Vacant OPINIONS EDITOR Kenneth Lockett III signalopinions@gmail.com ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR Callie McNorton ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Jada Jones signalliving@gmail.com ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Isa Cordona SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Freedman signalsport1@gmail.com ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Erik Indrisano COPY EDITOR Miro Georgiev signalcopyeditor@gmail.com PRODUCTION PRODUCTION EDITOR Monique Rojas signalprod@gmail.com ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION EDITOR Myah Anglin PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO EDITOR Matt Siciliano-Salazar signalphoto2@gmail.com ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR Harry Wyman DIGITAL DIGITAL EDITOR Caitlin Whisby signalmanaging@gmail.com ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR Vacant VIDEO EDITOR Andre Walker signalvideoeditor@gmail.com ASSOCIATE VIDEO EDITOR Vacant PODCAST EDITOR Timo Clark THE SIGNAL BUREAUS ALPHARETTA BUREAU CHIEF Vacant CLARKSTON BUREAU CHIEF Chris Bryant DECATUR BUREAU CHIEF Vacant DUNWOODY BUREAU CHIEF Vacant NEWTON BUREAU CHIEF Vacant ADVERTISING STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER Bryce McNeil bmcneil1@gsu.edu BUSINESS COORDINATOR Wakesha Henley whenley@gsu.edu PERIMETER STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER Zoana Price zprice@gsu.edu ADVERTISING The deadline for all advertising is 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the desired issue of publication. Ads must be printready and in PDF format; files must be delivered via e-mail at signalmarketingmanager@gmail.com. Please visit our website at www.georgiastatesignal. com/advertise for more information, including rates and payment methods. MISSION STATEMENT The Signal shall provide, in a fair and accurate manner, news of interest and significance to the Georgia State community and serve as a forum for the expression of ideas of members of that community. Furthermore, The Signal shall provide an opportunity for students to pursue experience within a professional newspaper environment. The Signal shall also provide truthful and ethical advertising of interest to the Georgia State community. COVERAGE REQUESTS Requests for coverage and tips should be subwmitted to the Editor in Chief and/or the relevant section editor. SUBMIT LETTER TO EDITOR Letters must be submitted to the Editor in Chief via e-mail and must include the text of the letter in the body of the message. Letters should be 400-500 words maximum. The Signal will allow longer letters, but only in rare circumstances. Letters must include the full name(s) of the writer(s) and include their year and major. If the writer is a faculty member, they must include their title and department. Letters will be fact-checked prior to publication. The writer may be obligated to make changes to the letter for publication. Letters will be edited for grammar, clarity, length, factual accuracy and adherence to The Signal’s policy. The Signal reserves the right to modify and/ or reject letters at the discretion of the editorial staff. DISCLAIMER Opinions and Letters to the Editor expressed in The Signal are the opinions of the writers and readers. It does not reflect the opinions of The Signal. OFFICE INFORMATION The Signal Student Center West, Suite 250 P.O. Box 3968 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: 404-413-1620 Fax: 404-413-162
A Georgia State student was a victim of false imprisonment and simple assault at Student Center West at 11:05 p.m. The case is still active. FEB. 1
I’m just going to borrow this.
At 9:11 a.m, a Georgia State student was a victim of theft at the J Parking Lot. The case is still active.
NEWS BRIEFS
EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brooklyn Valera signaleditor@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Sharayah Davis signalmanagingeditor@gmail.com MARKETING MANAGER Franky Huang signalmarketingmanager@gmail.com
FEB. 1
This world isn’t big enough for the two of us.
At Library North, a Georgia State student was a victim of terroristic threats at 6:19 p.m. The case is still active. FEB. 2
I got lost on the way to the bathroom. A non-Georgia State offender was arrested for criminal trespassing at Dahlberg Hall at 10:21 a.m. The individual was exceptionally cleared
FEB. 2
I’ll bring it right back, I promise!
At 11:47 a.m, a Georgia State student was a victim of motor theft at 191 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. Georgia State University Police cleared the case. FEB. 3
If it paint broke, don’t fix it.
At Library Plaza, a Georgia State student was a victim of vandalism at 3:02 p.m. The case is still active.
LOCAL
NATIONAL
GLOBAL
Big Tech and automotive partnership in West Point, Ga.
President Biden aims to bring an end to the death penalty
Protests erupt after shooting of Chilean street entertainer
Friday, WSB-TV reported a potential partnership between Troupe County’s KIA plant and Apple. The idea is to create a production plan that would produce 100,000 self-driving cars annually beginning in 2024. The attention and job-demand brought by the cross-industry deal would turn West Point into a city depending on the population increase.
Opponents of the death penalty look ahead as President Joe Biden begins discussions to stop scheduling new executions, WSB-TV reported on Sunday. However, they want him to proceed further by ending executions altogether. This decision would make life in prison the maximum penalty for crimes committed moving forward.
ABC News reported protests in the southern tourist town of Panguipulli and Chile’s capital, Santiago. The protests were tied to alleged police violence after a street juggler, Francisco Martínez Romero, resisted the police’s request when asked to verify his identity. According to a social media video, the 27-year-old held machetes used in his performances and when he lunged at the police, several shots were fired.
NEWS
February 9, 2021
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS
Adult entertainment industry sees business as usual Tokyo Valentino and Starship Enterprise implement CDC recommendations BROOKLYN VALERA Editor-in-Chief
S
ince the start of the pandemic, industries have reported a decline in customers and sales from the food industry to the airline industry. Within the retail industry specifically, we’ve seen stores shut down nationwide due to the pandemic. One facet of the retail industry that hasn’t seen such a drastic decline in the adult entertainment industry. Tokyo Valentino has five stores across the metro Atlanta area. According to Chris Coleman, marketing director for Tokyo Valentino’s Cheshire Bridge Road location, the adult novelty store has implemented the CDC recommended guidelines. “Fortunately, with quarantine, people are looking for things to do at home and we can provide that service,” he said. Overall, the store hasn’t gone through a drastic downfall because Tokyo Valentino and other adult entertainment stores are providing people with the opportunity to enhance the intimate part of their lives at home. This can be attempted in the safety of their own homes without exposing themselves to COVID-19. “People are enjoying each other’s company and we can enhance that experience,” Coleman said. The Tokyo Valentino Cheshire Bridge Road location now has an updated store capacity that takes into account the store’s size and social distancing. “The store is 5700 ft.². At our busiest time, we will have 20 shoppers in the store,” Coleman said. “We require social distancing and we are providing hand sanitizer to our customers and we have a mask requirement.” The store remains open 24 hours a day throughout the week and customers are welcome as long as they follow CDC guidelines to keep one another safe.
Starship has almost three times the number of stores as Tokyo Valentino spanning all across Georgia. According to Ainsley, a Starship Enterprise employee, the adult novelty store occasionally has a line outside the door due to their capacity requirement. “We actually regulate our customer flows [at this location], so we only allow five people in the store at a time,” she said. “But, most of the time, people are willing to wait so it doesn’t really affect our business.” Similar to Tokyo Valentino, the new guidelines haven’t negatively impacted the store’s profits like other industries impacted by COVID-19.
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People are enjoying each other’s company and we can enhance that experience.
”
— CHRIS COLEMAN
Marketing Director for Tokyo Valentino Cheshire Bridge Road
“[We] detail, clean and sanitize the entire sales floor and counters every two hours,” she said. The company has made sure to implement the proper CDC recommendations to ensure a safe experience
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOKYO VALENTINO
Tokyo Valentino
Starship Enterprise
Tokyo Valentino is one sex shop in the Atlanta area where students can visit for the Valentine’s holiday.
for their customers. The Starship Enterprise Chesire Bridge Road location keeps hand sanitizer in stock and enforces a mask requirement. There hasn’t been a store closure by Tokyo Valentino and Starship Enterprise as a result of the pandemic in the past year. The two popular adult entertainment stores wish to continue supplying Georgia’s adults with the necessary products to enhance their intimate experiences.
ILLUSTRATION BY BROOKLYN VALERA | THE SIGNAL
NEWS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021
The new student housing apartment is off campus, includes seven floor plans and various convenient amenities.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH
Atlanta HIV/AIDS epidemic continues during COVID-19 People living with HIV at greater risk for severe cases SHARAYAH DAVIS Managing Editor
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ID Atlanta is asking for donations after experiencing a greater demand for HIV care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We continue to meet this demand because of generous gifts from friends like you. Gifts of your time and financial resources in support of improving health in our community combine to make meeting our mission possible,” their website states. They are currently prioritizing donations for “rent and utility assistance, food vouchers, public transportation and Uber health services, health insurance premiums and co-pay assistance [and] PrEP Labs.”
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We need everyone working together to address all the things that keep people from getting the diagnosis and treatment they need: a lack of insurance, barriers to care, stigma and poverty.
”
— CARLOS DEL RIO
Co-director of Emory University’s Center for AIDS Research
Currently, AID Atlanta has approximately 3,000 active patients in their healthcare center and 450 high-risk HIV patients in their PrEP therapy clinic. They have continued to provide about 1,200 HIV and 3,000 STD screenings each month. “Our viral suppression rate continues its five-year upward trend to its current level of 82%. This is all during the time of COVID-19,” their website states.
Although they admit that the studies are in their infancy, HIV. gov states that they “believe that people with HIV who are on effective treatment have the same risk for COVID-19 as people who do not have HIV.” The website notes that those with low CD4 cell count and not receiving antiretroviral therapy are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19. They encourage any person living with HIV to maintain a healthy lifestyle, limit stress and continue treatment to avoid contracting the virus. A recent study in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome of people living with HIV in Atlanta showed that people with HIV are at a greater risk for contracting severe cases of COVID-19. The study also found that social distancing interfered with HIV patients’ access to medications and food. Although access was more challenging, every patient was eventually able to access their medicines on time. “These results suggest social responses to COVID-19 adversely impacted the health care of people living with HIV, supporting continued monitoring to determine the long-term effects of cooccurring HIV and COVID-19 pandemics,” the article states. According to a July 2020 report from the CDC, “there were no reports of manufacturing concerns or supply shortages of ART or PrEP.” The Atlanta HIV/AIDS crisis predates the current pandemic. According to a 2019 Health Testing Centers study, Georgia ranked as the third-worst state for HIV risk in 2019, following Nevada and Ohio. Georgia ranked as a state with one of the highest AIDS death rates, with 7.2 deaths per 100,000 people. The South had the highest HIV risk score of any region in the U.S. According to a 2019 article from the National AIDS Treatment and Advocacy Project, Georgia has the largest number of new HIV infections of any state in the U.S. As of 2017, 58,808 people were living with HIV in Georgia, and approximately 37,000 of those individuals lived in Atlanta. In Georgia, the risk of HIV/AIDS diagnosis is 1 to 51, but that ratio gets higher the closer one gets to metro Atlanta, according to an Essence article. In a 2018 article for WSB-TV Atlanta, the CDC confirmed that Atlanta’s HIV/AIDS crisis had reached epidemic proportions. Atlanta sees similar HIV rates to developing nations. “Downtown Atlanta is as bad as Zimbabwe or Harare or Durban,” Carlos del Rio, co-director of Emory University’s Center for AIDS Research, told WSB-TV reporters. According to an October 2020 story in Atlanta Magazine, some Atlanta zip codes see HIV rates eight times greater than
the national average. Rates are higher in lower-income areas with more limited access to health services, lack of health insurance or lack of sexual education. “We need everyone working together to address all the things that keep people from getting the diagnosis and treatment they need: a lack of insurance, barriers to care, stigma and poverty,” del Rio said. “Emory and our partners are making real progress in Atlanta, but we still have a long way to go.” The article notes that the Black population is disproportionately affected by the Atlanta HIV epidemic. According to NATAP, the leading cause of death for 35 to 44-year-old Black men in Georgia is AIDS. According to a 2019 study from AIDSVu, 36,060 people lived with HIV in Atlanta and 1,530 new cases in 2018. Over 80% of Atlanta HIV cases were male, and over 70% of those affected were Black. Almost 71% of the male transmission cases came from male-to-male sexual contact, and nearly 60% of the female transmission cases came from heterosexual contact. Although HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects gay Black men in Atlanta, a study from Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health says that these men do not necessarily engage in riskier sexual behavior than white men. Instead, many are disadvantaged, live in lower-income areas and have limited access to health services, health insurance, health literacy resources and condoms. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services granted $6 million in 2019 to go toward HIV relief efforts in four of the country’s highest-risk jurisdictions, including DeKalb County. The Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) federal initiative aims to reduce the number of new HIV cases in the U.S. by 90% by 2030. Through funding and the EHE initiative, healthcare workers in Dekalb county have expanded their HIV services, including making medications like PrEP more accessible. “Our team has long wanted to offer PrEP to the community,” Dr. Sentayehu Bedane from the DeKalb County Board of Health said. “EHE funding was the engine we needed to set the program in motion. These services are filling a critical gap in HIV prevention for people in our county.” Fulton County has also expanded their HIV relief efforts, following the vision of the EHE initiative. The Fulton County Board of Health has partnered with the Department of HIV Elimination and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to provide services to people living with HIV in Atlanta. The Fulton County website offers information and resources for HIV/AIDS services, including medical care, substance abuse counseling, mental health care and support services.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021
THE SIGNAL
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INFOGRAPHIC BY MONIQUE ROJAS | THE SIGNAL
OPINIONS
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/OPINIONS
February 9, 2021
Your sexual assault fetishes are NOT okay Sexual assault fantasies should not be normalized ALYSSIA HARDGE Staff Columnist
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ILLUSTRATION BY ROE GASSETT | THE SIGNAL
Spoiler warning: Bridgerton has a sexual assault scene
A scene in the hit show reveals desensitization in media CALLIE MCNORTON Associate Opinions Editor
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ditor’s note: TRIGGER WARNING for discussion of sexual assault and rape Editor’s note: Spoiler warning for Netflix’s Bridgerton Season 1 We all have heard of “Bridgerton.” It’s still in the Top 10 on Netflix. However, I have seen very little criticism of what happens in episode six. If you’re unfamiliar with the plot, the protagonist, Daphne, wants to prove that her new husband, Simon, is avoiding fatherhood. She instigates sex, and even though he tells her to wait, she stays on top of him until the end. The straightforward sexual assault is played down, and Daphne faces little to no consequences for her actions. While there is a lot to unpack character-wise, this is evidence that media is desensitized to sexual assault. Daphne is a young woman, uneducated on conception. How could she have sexually assaulted him if she did not know any better? Isn’t she a woman? Of course, she can decide when she wants a child, right? Daphne is an abuser, and you almost have to watch the scene twice to grasp it. “Since men are the stereotypical
sexual assaulters, I feel like the audience would have more easily understood what was happening. Since Daphne was the one assaulting Simon, it made it less understandable of what was happening,” Georgia State senior Ashleigh Cochran said. Furthermore, there is no trigger warning, and according to the Innocent Lives Foundation website, “memories of trauma are worse without warning.” Remembering you are in control and paying attention to warnings is a widespread tip for survivors consuming media. If there is no chance for survivors to decide if they are ready to witness an assault, a series, especially one as big as “Bridgerton,” should do better. So what exactly do we call what happened to Simon? First we need to understand the media industry’s lack of attentiveness, it is essential to know what you see when you see it. Sexual assault, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, is any “nonconsensual sexual act, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent.” “Wait, wait,” the words Simon said during the scene, should it be categorized with another verbiage
like “Please stop” and other signals indicating you do not want to engage in a sexual act. Case closed, Daphne assaulted Simon. There is debate on the severity of the crime and what we should call it. “I would say that Daphne forcing Simon to do what they did was rape. While he does consent to sex, he does not consent to finishing, and by forcing him to do that, Daphne is entrapping him in the relationship,” Cochran said. Rape is defined by the FBI as “penetration, no matter how slight, without the consent of the victim.” Entrapment is just what it sounds like, trapping a partner into pregnancy or abortion. Daphne put the pieces together and knew Simon wouldn’t have kids, not couldn’t, and did what she did anyway. Whatever you choose to call it, the presentation of the scene was insensitive and tacky. That did not keep the show from being renewed for a second season, similar to how it did not keep Daphne from getting a happy ending. Our heroine is an abuser, and she, along with the entertainment industry, should be ashamed that this was allowed to happen.
ditors note: TRIGGER WARNING for discussion of sexual assault and rape. Everyone has sexual fantasies, but where do we draw the line? Society often draws the line at sexual assault. They say “it’s wrong” and that if something happens to you, to report it, to “not be afraid.” But many then go and question you about every detail, like it’s a steamy sex story. Some people actually fetishize the act. As a survivor, this makes me sick to my stomach. It is something that shouldn’t be normalized. It’s all fun and games until your fantasy becomes a reality. Being raped isn’t a dream. It’s the effort you put into doing everyday activities because your mind is continually running, trying to make sense of why this happened to you. It’s your local law enforcement failing you because of “lack of evidence.” It’s not coming to terms with the fact that you were raped for days, weeks, months and sometimes even years. No one asks for this to happen to them. I didn’t ask for that empty feeling, the feeling like you are missing a part of yourself. For people to just want the “dominant sex,” the “rough sex,” the “I want you to unapologetically have sex with me but with my consent, of course,” for them to want the “nice version of rape” makes me sick to my stomach. There is no nice version of rape. Rape is rape. Not having consent is rape. Forced is forced. If you want to be pressured into doing a sexual act, you have no business doing it in the first place. Porn plays a big part in people having rape fetishes, especially bondage, gangbang, hardcore and rough sex. Many of these
are staged productions with consenting adults. Some people don’t see the reality of it. Being tied up and scared, being used as a toy for men you don’t even know — there’s a big difference between fantasizing about being forced against your will to have sex with someone and the reality of it. Based on my experiences, people rape because they want to be in control. They want to be dominant, not just because they want to have sex. To make this even worse, it’s not only the male population with these fetishes. It’s mainly the women who have these desires. I know people who make rape jokes, and if I complain about these jokes, I am just “sensitive.” I know people who have rape fetishes, and when I try to educate them about it not being what they want, they are quick to bring me down as if I liked what happened to me. As if I wanted to live with the feeling. The morning after, you wake up with this feeling that something has been taken from you. It’s not the missing clothes or the urge to throw up. It’s the emptiness you feel. The feeling that your freedom to consent has been taken away. How could someone ask for that? I’m not writing as an attack on people and their fetishes. You are into what you are into, whether that be feet or anime or whatever. I’m just bringing attention to something that shouldn’t be normalized. People are out here getting raped every day. They aren’t asking for it. It’s not okay to dream about having non-consensual sex. Nonconsensual sex is rape. One of our fundamental human rights is the right to say no, so why would you dream about taking that away?
OPINIONS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021
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‘Promising Young Woman’: A patriarchal battle
Emerald Fennell’s directorial debut leaves audiences baffled DORIAN ROSENBURG Staff Columnist
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ditor’s Note: TRIGGER WARNING for discussion of sexual assault and rape Editor’s note: Spoiler warning for “Promising Young Woman” A storyline rooted in years of sexual incursion, “Promising Young Woman” envelopes its audience in a suspenseful, revenge thriller about a young woman attempting to subvert the patriarchy. The film follows medical school dropout Cassandra (Carrey Mulligan), whose life seems wistfully dull during the day as a 30-year-old coffee shop barista living with her parents. However, when the sun falls, Cassandra becomes a vicious predator, hellbent on exploiting men. Cassandra’s alluring, night-time alter ego originates from a vaguely-disclosed trauma her best friend, Nina, experienced during their time in medical school. Director Emerald Fennell gradually reveals what happened to Nina, exposing that she was the victim of sexual assault. The event caused Cassandra’s life to collapse into a dark hole of depression and regret, fully fleshing out the motives behind her newfound life of vengeance. The character of Cassandra Thomas is a challenging role that not many actresses can pull off. Cassandra’s dark humor and borderline manic behavior are fully expressed through Carrey Mulligan’s superb acting. Her performance will undoubtedly win her a ticket back to the Academy Awards after her 2009 star-making performance in “An Education.” “Promising Young Woman” is not an easy film to watch. With the subject matter centering
around sexual assault and the emotional trauma it causes, almost every aspect of the film can be viewed as triggering to some degree. This creates a frightening experience for the viewer, as it should. The film does not hold the audience’s hand when things get intense. Instead, it forces actual thought and conversation around topics that society tries to censor. The second act of “Promising Young Woman” gives hope that Cassandra will eventually find closure on the situation when she falls in love with her former medical school classmate, Ryan (Bo Burnham). The film’s tone shifts towards an airy lightness that embodies Cassandra’s newfound happiness, but Ryan’s deeply unsettling secret destroys any trust Cassandra had in men. The decision to horrifically disassociate Cassandra from Ryan after finally coming to terms with her life shifts the story into a new gear. We see our heroine fully relapse back into her sociopathic tendencies, dismantling the system that destroyed her best friend’s life. However, this time around, Cassandra “knows” her fate is sealed, setting up for one of the most divisive endings out of any film I have seen this year. The final act of “Promising Young Woman” creates a tonal shift that will puzzle viewers. Although the ending creates a sense of justice for Nina, it may be too exaggerated in its execution. This exaggeration inadvertently creates an opportunity for the film’s ending to be discussed long after the credits roll, addressing
ILLUSTRATION BY MYAH ANGLIN | THE SIGNAL
Some people are not ready to have sex, and yes that is okay
Choosing to stay a virgin is valid, and no one should tell you otherwise GABBY MILLER Staff Columnist
T
here is always a stigma about virginity today. For women and men, it is still a constant struggle to admit you are a virgin. Men and women alike are shamed for keeping their virginity. It is seen as uncool, and it could be a subject to be made fun of among your friend group.
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For women and men, it is still a constant struggle to admit you are a virgin.
”
— GABBY MILLER
Staff Columnist
In western culture, society rushes you to lose your virginity. If you get the courage to tell your friends, it can still feel lonely being the
only virgin. It is lonely because most people just do not get it. They do not get why you choose not to have sex like everyone else. You risk being the subject of discussion because you don’t follow the social norms of our culture. If you are a virgin, you do not have to be overly conscious of how you look in front of your significant other. You are almost hyper aware of how you look in front of your significant other, especially if you are sexually active. Not only do you have to be conscious of how you dress, but you have to be mindful of shaving. There is this norm where women are the ones who have to shave. If a woman chooses not to shave, it can be looked down upon. In certain religions like Christianity and Islam, virginity is a standard, and it is viewed differently based on your culture. In western culture, we say women can have sex with whomever they want. In some eastern cultures, on the other hand, people wait to lose their virginity. They view virginity not only as sexual control but also a business contract where a woman’s virginity is a bargaining chip to move up in society. From a religious perspective,
many women are shamed when they lose their virginity. But if you put it in a regional setting, it comes off across as either carefree or as a bargaining chip in society. This does not mean people should be ashamed if they still have their virginity. According to western culture, it is a norm to lose it. But that should not always be the case. And it seems that virginity is gaining popularity among college students. If you look up virginity on Instagram you’ll see university virginity clubs, including Georgia Tech and Georgia State. In a recent post, the Georgia State Virginity Club even addressed some of the struggles of being a virgin including societal standards and relationship pressures. You are guaranteed not to get an STD or pregnant if you’re a virgin. You can avoid having sex with the wrong person and can avoid the pressure to do so. If you are a virgin you get to avoid the consequences of having unprotected sex. Being a virgin is a choice, like having sex with someone is a choice, and it is perfectly valid to choose not to have sex or to wait until you find the right person.
This Week’s Spread: Arts and Living WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING
Dating adventures at Georgia State: worst and best first dates Students share their dating mishaps and success stories GRACE BRASWELL & KARA MARTIN Staff Reporters
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irst dates are often hit-or-miss, and many times they are either really good or really bad. Some students at Georgia State discuss their first date experiences and how their worst first dates have changed their views on dating.
PHOTO BY HARRY WYMAN & PAGE DESIGN BY EVAN KOENIGS | THE SIGNAL
gave her a copy. According to Clark, the book was completely different from what she could have ever imagined. After Chloe Clark, a freshman, describes receiving the book, Clark sat down on her worst first date as one for the the curb and read it. books, noting it as one of the weirdest “The book ended up being about how experiences of her life. Clark first met aliens are really demons that are waiting her date on Tinder, and they started in the atmosphere for the Rapture to talking on the phone about a book that come so they can take over,” she said. “I he was writing. couldn’t believe that I had actually gone “He seemed super sweet at first, and on a date with someone that crazy.” he told me that the Holy Spirit was Although it may seem like Tinder leading him to write a book, which I dates only bring disaster, according to found very attractive,” Clark said. Things were going well for Clark and Online for Love, “13.6% of matches might lead to marriage and 30% of all her Tinder match until it was time to people who use Tinder are married.” meet in person. Clark explained that Freshman Kylie Bick describes her her date looked much different than his worst first date as a hookup gone profile picture, and he drove a car filled wrong. Bick was hanging out with her to the brim with things that reminded friend and two boys. The group decided her of a hoarder. to watch a movie at one boy’s house. “We had gone to the mall, and I Bick was excited to spend time with was embarrassed to be seen with this one of the boys because she had a crush dude,” Clark said. “I was like, ‘People on him. At the house, Bick and her are going to think I’m on a date with crush began to make out during the this man.’ I guess I was, but I was still movie. One thing led to another, and her embarrassed.” crush asked if they could go further. Clark’s date took her out to eat at a “He was trying to get in my local Italian restaurant, paid for her pants, but I was not down for that,” food and then walked her back to she said. “Then he told me that he her car. Before the date was over, he reminded her of the book he wrote and was bored, and I didn’t know what
Worst Dates
Best Dates While some may follow an itinerary so that a first date goes perfectly, others like senior Joshua Morgan believe there is no such thing as a perfect first date. He tends to go with the flow while staying in tune with his partner’s love language. “Before you ask that person out, you should gauge their personality type, their love languages and their likes and dislikes to plan accordingly,” Morgan said. “You wouldn’t want to take your partner to the park if they hate being outside or go to the movies if they love to talk.” Morgan shared some hiccups during his first date with his partner, but it didn’t determine the rest of their night. He continued to make the best of the night for both him and his lady. “Once we got to the Atlanta Hawks game, things did not go as planned, but it was the idea and the effort put forth
that made [it] a good first date,” Morgan said. “That was the day when we both said, ‘I love you,’ for the first time, but I know love has no timeline.” While some realize that things are not always perfect, others want their first date to have a fairytale ending. Senior Za Jones always dreamed of a cute and romantic first date with a traditional flare. From the dozen roses to the box of chocolates, she hopes that whoever chooses to take her on a date will sweep her off her feet with romance. “I would want my date to come pick me up from my house and give me a bouquet of flowers, and then we would go to a picnic or something where we can talk a lot,” Jones said. “I wouldn’t feel shy to talk because I would want to be so comfortable around him.” A candlelit dinner or intimate lunch in the park might be one person’s idea of the best date ever, but some people seek
to say because I didn’t want to go any further.” According to Bick, the boy got up and left after telling him that she only wanted to make out. Bick stayed inside with her friend and the other boy, and they ended up making out during the movie on the couch. “I was sitting down in a basement with my other two friends, who were making out under a blanket,” she said. “I was awkwardly sitting there alone watching the movie.” Fortunately, not everyone has the same experience with terrible Tinder dates and failed one-night stands. There are still good people out there looking for real love. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, there are endless ways to make your significant other feel like the most special person in the world. One way is by taking someone out on a date. Taking someone out on a date will not only get both parties out of their comfort zone, but it will give both of them a chance to see if they are compatible.
a bit more thrill. Some students, like junior Tyla Headley, enjoy stepping out of the box on a first date. Driven by adventure, she hopes that her significant other shares the same love for wild and spontaneous dates. “I love to go hiking or doing anything outdoors, so I would want to do something that incorporates both of those,” Headley said. “I really like the serenity of nature, and if I could comfortably share that with someone, that would be amazing.” Whether someone’s idea of a perfect date consists of the outdoors or dinner under the stars, love has no sense of time.
ARTS & LIVING
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING
February 9, 2021
Updating love: The changes of the dating world COVID-19 creates an unrecognizable dating scene DEENA KAYYALI Staff Reporter
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Students reflect on past Valentine’s Day gifts and why they loved or hated the gift.
PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
The good, the bad and the ugly: Valentine’s Day gifts
Students reflect on past Valentine’s Day gifts CATHERINE USHER Staff Reporter
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s Valentine’s Day approaches, people reflect on all the gifts they received in the past. While some of those gifts were unique and original, some gifts were unoriginal or cliche. Junior Melodee Lovett favors more romantic gifts when it comes to Valentine’s Day, including a beautiful bouquet and a meaningful card. “When it comes to gifts, I have always been the kind of person who feels like it’s the thought of the gift that really matters,” Lovett said. So, when she received a pair of Victoria’s Secret underwear one year for Valentine’s Day, she was unimpressed. “I don’t think the gift itself was what made it taboo but more so the fact that I received it from a friend and not a lover,” she said. Like many others, Lovett feels that underwear is a more intimate gift and should only be gifted by a significant other. She thinks that friends should not be the ones to give them. Junior Gia Riguez received her fair share of Valentine’s Day gifts like candy, bears and other items but ultimately finds handmade gifts to be the best. Riguez always felt that handmade gifts are more sincere because of the thought, time and effort. “I still have some cards to this day that stand out to me because they are either
handmade or written by close friends of mine,” she said. “A Valentine’s Day gift I will always remember is a papier-mâché rose and a handmade bracelet I received from a friend in middle school.”
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When it comes to gifts, I have always been the kind of person who feels like it’s the thought of the gift that really matters.
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— MELODEE LOVETT Georgia State Junior
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, Riguez usually doesn’t find the holiday romantic because, most of the time, she is not in a relationship when the day
comes around. Instead, she shares her Valentine’s day with friends, and they express how grateful they are for each other. While she cherishes every gift she receives, some of them, in her opinion, were slightly unoriginal. “Most of the gifts I’ve received consist of cards, small stuffed animals and even sometimes candy,” she said. “I consider some of them to be cliché because of how common they are.” Junior Teri Hiley feels that Valentine’s Day gifts should be personal and reflect the interest of the person receiving them. When she looks back at Valentine’s Day gifts she’s received, Hiley remembers a box of chocolates she got from her mom. “It was more of a symbol of the holiday rather than a thoughtful gift,” she said. Hiley feels that the key to a perfect gift is paying attention to the things they mention. “My ideal Valentine’s day gift is something meaningful that I’ve always wanted no matter what it is,” she said. “I think it’s best to give someone something they’ve always wanted as a surprise because it makes the gift more special.” Despite personal preference for Valentine’s Day gifts, most agree that when it comes to a great gift, it is the thought that counts.
ating can be fun, romantic and filled with excitement. However, that doesn’t mean it comes with ease. Besides being time-consuming and stressful, finding someone to connect with on a deeper level is anything but simple. Emotionally bonding with others is challenging, especially when there’s a global pandemic involved. As COVID-19 forces bars, clubs and restaurants to implement restrictions and regulations, “meetcutes” are few and far between. Junior Anne Hickey explains her COVID-19 dating experiences. In her opinion, the pandemic dating scene has been more challenging for singles since they can’t go out and meet people like before. “Masks and social distancing are absolutely necessary and vitally important, but they do make it harder to make connections with people,” she said. “Seeing someone’s face helps in creating that initial spark, and getting close to someone is part of flirting. Nowadays, I’m not comfortable doing either.” The mental pressure and loneliness of being distanced and quarantined are hitting many singles hard. According to Everlywell surveys, one in four young Americans broke quarantine in April, when stay-at-home orders were at their peak, to go hook up. Also, 15% admitted to hooking up with their roommates. Junior Sarah Evans commented on the shift of atmosphere in the dating world. She’s seen a significant change in how people interact and view romantic relationships. “With more of the younger generations
recovering from positive test results and entering the dating world again, they only seem interested in hookups or flings,” she said. “It’s like they feel that they have to make up for all the missed time they spent alone. They are repelled from the idea of actually creating a meaningful connection.” Getting to know someone requires courage and patience. That courage is now harder to find in many singles. Instead of bars, many are moving their searches to dating apps and online profiles. According to a Morning Consult poll, 53% of people report using online dating services and apps more during the pandemic. “I have seen an increase in people using apps like Tinder and Bumble for sure,” Junior Daniel Cabrera said. “I feel like people don’t have anything to do, and you can’t really go out and meet people during a pandemic. With the easy accessibility of apps like those, it’s no wonder more people are turning to them.” Dating involves opening up to someone new and being vulnerable. However, emotional vulnerability is the last thing on people’s minds when they’re afraid the person next to them could be carrying a deadly virus. Many young Americans struggle in the new world of dating, attraction and sex, and many hope things will return to normal once the virus is behind them. “Living in [a] world of COVID-19 doesn’t allow for any certainties,” Evans said. “With so many unknowns, I’m hoping things get better with time and that everything eventually gets back to normal. And, one can only hope the same applies to the dating world.”
ARTS&LIVING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021
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Reasons and misconceptions about waiting until marriage
Students share their reasons for waiting to have sex ISA CARDONA Associate Arts & Living Editor
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ith the freedom that comes with young adulthood and the popularity of hookup culture, sex and college seem intertwined. But not everyone wants to participate in the sexual aspect of the “college experience.” Some instead choose to wait until marriage, which is quite rare in the U.S. According to the CDC, over half of U.S. teens have had sexual intercourse by 18, and another study stated that 95% of married couples had premarital sex. People choose to wait to have sex until marriage for various reasons. For many, it’s ingrained through culture, religion or life experience.
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[It’s good] being on the same level where you guys both agree to wait, but I think it’s a struggle when being with someone who doesn’t have the same values. — NAIYA DOUGLAS
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Georgia State Freshman
Senior Kandice Abrams is a Christian and has always believed that she would wait to have sex until marriage. Abrams believes that there’s more to focus on in life, and one shouldn’t emphasize a singular aspect of a relationship. “In media, sex is overhyped. But in regards to my religion, it’s a special connection with [a] person,” she said. “If it’s
something special, then I don’t want to give that special thing away to someone I barely know or don’t have a connection with.” Abrams sees many perks in waiting until marriage, like protection from diseases spread through sex. Freshman Naiya Douglas lost her virginity at a young age but recently switched her perspective on sex. Back in high school, she saw sex as something that everyone was supposed to do with their significant others. After entering college and embracing Christianity, Douglas began to reevaluate her beliefs and see sex as something deeper than desire. “From a religious perspective, there are spiritual dangers, and from a cultural perspective, you risk heartbreak because you’ve given yourself to someone who had no true commitment to you,” Douglas said. Dating while choosing to wait can be especially difficult in a sex-centered society, but students can have an abstinent relationship by setting boundaries and avoiding tempting situations. Currently, Douglas has a boyfriend who shares the same beliefs and is also waiting to have sex. “[It’s good] being on the same level where you guys both agree to wait, but I think it’s a struggle when being with someone who doesn’t have the same values,” Douglas said. “They’d rather get to know someone else than be with someone that’s going to make them wait.” Senior Tish Chaney is another student that has experienced changing perspectives on waiting. “This was something I did want for a long time, but at the beginning of college, I found no reason to wait,” she said. “I was depressed, and drinking and I just gave it up.”
Did You Know? Sex, gender and sexuality
Defining terms to support the LGBTQ community
ILLUSTRATION BY MYAH ANGLIN | THE SIGNAL
Romantic movie night: Zodiac edition
Venus signs reveal your perfect romance movie KRISTY RIVERA Staff Reporter
JADA JONES Arts & Living Editor Sex, gender and sexuality are terms used to label someone’s sexual reproductive anatomy, how one expresses themselves to the world and someone’s sexual orientation. These terms are not synonymous and can be confused with one another. But, that does not mean the three words are not intertwined. Sex is strictly biological. Sex chromosomes and sexual organs determine someone’s sex. At birth, babies are either male or female. But intersex people, those with a combination of male and female sex chromosomes and sexual organs, exist, too. Sex does not equal gender identity. A common misconception is that one’s gender correlates directly with what sexual organs one possesses. But gender identity, based on social norms and roles, can be fluid and has different definitions in different cultures. According to the World Health Organization, “[g]ender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed.”
Chaney became a Christian two years later and decided to wait until she gets married. Seven years have passed, and she continues to stick to this choice. While she’s received nothing but support from her immediate circle regarding her choice, Chaney has a message to any students who feel pressured to have sex. “You are going to [be] looked at strange that you chose to wait, but at the end of the day, you only get one shot at this,” she said. “I hated that I didn’t wait, and if I could take it back, I would. But what I learned was that it’s more than just waiting; it’s learning how much you’re truly worth.
Someone assigned male at birth who feels disconnected from the social identities of being a man may declare their true gender identity as female. The disconnect between assigned gender and gender identity is why transgender people exist. Conversely, a cisgender person’s gender identity corresponds with their sex assigned at birth. Sexuality refers to someone’s sexual feelings. Similar to gender identity, sexuality is a spectrum and can be very fluid. Some common sexual orientations are gay, straight, lesbian and bisexual. People whose sexual attraction encompasses multiple genders often identify as pansexual or queer. The definitions of gender and sexuality are continually evolving. When inquiring about someone’s gender or sexual identity, be mindful of your phrasing and respect their privacy, as many people are still searching for their true identities.
Love is in the air, which means it’s the perfect time to cuddle up and watch your favorite romance movies. This week we will be exploring Venus signs and compatible zodiac pairings. Venus signs reflect your ideal relationship and what makes you happy when in love. The first perfect pairing is Cancer and Scorpio. This pair thrives because where one is weak, the other is strong. Both share a mutual understanding of what they seek romantically, which perfectly aligns with their drive to accomplish their goals. The perfect movie for this pairing is “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” a film about two assassins with the same target who navigate power struggles and an unexpected relationship. Next are Aries and Sagittarius. Both signs enjoy making each other laugh and keeping things light and positive. When both are present, a good time is almost always
guaranteed. A movie these two would enjoy is “Always Be My Maybe,” a couple’s quirky love story, that ends with a fun relationship where both fully embrace their true selves. Virgo and Capricorn is the next pairing. These two are hard workers who choose to seclude themselves and have private personal lives. Though they may be a little hesitant to start a new relationship, they bond over their similarities and find comfort in each other. “Crazy Rich Asians” perfectly encapsulates this romance. The main characters also throw themselves into their ambitions but can be secluded romantically once disapproval is present. Eventually, they find solace in one another.
SPORTS
February 9, 2021
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS
Panthers beach volleyball ready for another 20 W’s
Following a humbling career, Coach Van Fleet will lead them MARQUIS CHAMBERS Staff Reporter
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Coach Ed Joyce has lead women’ s soccer to multiple appearances in the Sun Belt Conferences Tournaments.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY BREE HICKEN/GSU SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS
Coaching the opposite sex really isn’t a big deal
Just ask head Ed Joyce, the women’s soccer head coach MEADOW BARROW Staff Reporter
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en coaching male athletes is ubiquitous and may be more favorable for both parties. But what about men coaching female athletes? Ed Joyce, head coach for the Georgia State women’s soccer team, has experienced both. Coaching is all about having the skills to make your athletes better at what they do while having patience and persistence. To Joyce, it’s all about maintaining a successful sports program, no matter the gender. “I don’t think there are any challenges coaching women that don’t also exist coaching men,” Joyce said. “The challenges that exist are the same for both in terms of knowing how to communicate with your players.” Joyce’s lengthy coaching background involves working with athletes of the same gender as himself. To him, there are no differences when it comes to coaching male and female athletes. It’s all about knowing how your players are motivated and tapping into those motivations to push your team to be the best they can be. “I coached men’s soccer for eight
years, including four with the men’s team here at Georgia State,” Joyce said. “Every team is different, so it’s hard to compare teams. Especially in college where you only have players for four years, the team chemistry changes every season.” Many people believe that male coaches tend to be more intense and harsher than female coaches. Joyce believes that this is far from the truth. “I don’t necessarily think that male coaches are more or less tense than female coaches,” Joyce said. “I’ve seen plenty of tense coaches, both men and women. My job is to figure out how to best coach my team each season.” To Joyce, the gender of a coach is the last thing that people should look for. The only thing that should stand out is a coach’s work ethic and strong determination to make their team better and better each day. “The coach’s ability matters,” Joyce said. “If the coach understands their player and program, that’s how you build a championship program. You have to know your players. What works on one student-athlete might not work on another. The more ways you can learn to communicate,
the more effective you are when coaching up your team.” Having a strong love and dedication to your sport is not separated by gender. Male and female athletes are equally tenacious when it comes to their competitive spirit. “Female athletes have the same drive and desire to win at their sport the same way their male counterparts have in their sport,” Joyce said. “The styles might be a bit different, but the goals to be successful are the same.” Since 2016, Coach Joyce has been a dedicated coach for the Panthers, leading them to multiple appearances in the Sun Belt Conferences Tournaments and eight or more wins in back-to-back seasons. His time at Georgia State has brought many accomplishments and record-breaking wins, showing that gender plays no role in how well one can lead a team to victory. “I’ve had a blast coaching my teams here at Georgia State,” Joyce said. “We’ve been fortunate to have some great people on these teams, and I’m excited and grateful to lead this program.”
n the early stages of our childhoods, it’s safe to say we have big dreams and aspirations about what our life will look like when we grow older. We want to become heroes, doctors, lawyers, basketball or football players or somehow be on television. Individuals tend to find their passion at that age as well, and if lucky enough, they go on to have great careers. Georgia State volleyball head coach Beth Van Fleet found her niche and love for volleyball at a young age. “I just started playing and quickly really bought into the game and loved it,” Van Fleet said. “I really could see myself playing in college. I had the opportunity to come here to Georgia State and play on the indoor volleyball team on scholarship, which was an incredible opportunity.” Van Fleet was a star on the court during her college days. After college, she set out on a journey to San Diego, California, with one of her college teams whose goal was to play beach volleyball. “I graduated from Georgia State with a degree in marketing. I worked here in Atlanta for about two years for an advertising firm, and then packed up and moved to California and played on the AVP for eight years,” Van Fleet said. In California, Van Fleet learned beach volleyball, and spent countless hours perfecting her craft. She went through painful and harsh moments to prepare her for her future passion. “It was painful, humbling and incredibly rewarding,” Van Fleet said After spending time in California, word got out that Georgia State was thinking about adding a beach volleyball team to the sports program. Sure enough, they did, which led to Van Fleet’s hiring. In just three seasons as the Panthers’ head coach, the beach volleyball team has
finished with records over 20 plus wins. In 2016, Van Fleet led the team to a programhigh of 26 wins. She led the program in 2018 to 22 regular season win victories. During those same three years as the head coach, Van Fleet racked up two Coach of the Year awards honoring her hard work and dedication to her student-athletes and the tremendous work she has established with her team.
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That to me is incredible when you see the people who you invest in so much every day.
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— BETH VAN FLEET
Volleyball Coach “Those rewards are incredibly meaningful because that’s coming from the students,” Van Fleet said. “I think it was really neat they went into the meeting and nominated me and gave a reason as to why I should be nominated.” The amount of determination and joy Van Fleet puts into perfecting her teaching skills and craft is a clear indication that she deserved the awards. “That to me is incredible when you see the people who you invest in so much every day,” Van Fleet said. “Those were really special awards to me.”
SPORTS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021
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Almost a year later, men’s tennis returns
Recapping the action and lessons learned from Charlotte AARON WILSON JR. Staff Reporter
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match (6-7). That was the he Georgia State men’s tennis team only advantage he could finally returned to claim as time elapsed, but the court to kick off their his adversary, Olle Wallin, spring 2021 season on Jan. had more gas left in the 30. Head coach Jonathan tank. Wallin claimed the Wolff waited with his team next two straight sets for for 328 days to return to the win (6-3 and 6-3) to action. swing momentum and the Unfortunately, that score to 3-2. extended layoff did not Although Grinvalds translate into an immediate did his best to keep the win, with Georgia State Panthers in the match, falling to the 3-1 Charlotte Charlotte gained the 49ers by a score of 4-2 advantage for the day and overall. The team was never relinquished it. He understandably rusty, went down in straight sets, considering they had not played in a year. “Tough one out there today, but the team competed hard in our first match back in what seemed like forever,” Wolff said. The day started with the 30th ranked doubles duo, Andrei Duarte and Roberts Grinvalds, notching their first doubles win of the season. They defeated 39th ranked Benjamin Wayand and Henry Lieberman on the first court. Over on the third court, experience and youth synergized as freshman Mihai Marinescu paired — JONATHAN WOLFF with senior Kevin Huynh. The rookie and veteran Men’s Tennis pairing earned a 6-3 win Head Coach in their first outing to 7-6 in each. help clinch the one-point With that finish, advantage. With an early Georgia State fell into an 1-0 lead, singles action inescapable hole, down 4-2, took the stage next. leading the game to end Vazha Shubladze, the even though court six was 2019 Sun Belt Newcomer still playing. Diego Padilla of the Year and this week’s Sun Belt Player of the of Georgia State was in a Week, was the lone player tough spot early after a 3-6 to win in the singles set and finished at 2-2. competition. The junior, The lack of match playing in the No. 1 spot, conditioning likely became dominated 6-1 and 6-0 a contributing factor to to secure Georgia State’s Georgia State’s fatigue as second point in the match, the afternoon progressed. 2-0 over Charlotte. “Credit to Charlotte for As the 104th ranked picking up their level to fight Shubladze dispatched his back in singles and take the opponent on the first court, match,” Wolff said. “We will other Panthers found continue to get more reps little success. Duarte and in and get stronger every Harvey Maughan fell (3-6, day this season. It is a quick 6-2, 6-4) and (7-5, 7-6), turn around with two tough ending at 3-2. matches on the road next Court three started week, so we need to rebound differently for Marinescu, quickly and hit the ground as he staked an early claim to victory with a tough first running in practice.”
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We will continue to get more reps in and get stronger every day this season.
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Justin Roberts reflects on his road to Georgia State and how it has impacted his game.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GSU ATHLETICS
Hear over height and Justin Roberts’ impact on and off the court
Panthers basketball guard opens up on emerging as a leader JULIAN HARDEN Staff Reporter
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itting at 8-4, the Panthers men’s basketball team is in the midst of another competitive season as they continue to battle for another Sun Belt Conference championship. At the center of it all is Panther point guard Justin Roberts, who is having a breakout campaign. Roberts’ 2019 season was solid under Rob Lanier’s first season as head coach at Georgia State. He earned all-conference honors while averaging 13.7 points and nearly five assists a game. However, Roberts elevated his game in 2020, leading the Panthers to a four-overtime thrilling win over in-state rival Georgia Tech. Roberts is currently averaging 14.4 points, four rebounds and 3.5 assists as he tries to lead the Panthers back to the NCAA Tournament. Even with the season young and unpredictable, Roberts still recognizes his game’s improvement and the team’s progress as a whole. For Roberts, one of the most significant differences from the 2019 season is that the program’s expectations are high. “Being leaders even when we don’t realize it, has become a big adjustment to the older guys and returners, but I think we are handling it very well,” Roberts said. As a leader, Roberts understands that the program has expectations of winning the conference, and he takes that in stride. With head coach
Rob Lanier in his second season with the Panthers, the team looks to compete in every game, including the conference tournament.
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For me, it was just a reflection of the work that was put in over the summer and the quarantine.
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— JUSTIN ROBERTS
Men’s Basketball Point Gaurd
“The expectations have changed for the returners, now that we know what [Coach Lanier] expects out of us on and off the court - it’s hard to have an excuse for anything,” Roberts said. With the expectation comes the pressure to perform, especially in conference play. The Panthers have struggled in Sun Belt play and currently rank eighth overall but have played only five conference
games due to recent COVID-19 stoppages. Before the stoppage of play, Appalachian State swept the Panthers, causing the Panthers to drop from the conference’s top spot. Roberts knows the Panthers will have to play with urgency when they resume play. For the Panthers to get a top seed, they’ll need to get on a hot streak and fast. Even with the stops to the season, Roberts is confident in the whole team’s ability to ride out the games’ rough stretch. The Panthers are one of the few teams to remain undefeated at home this season and are 5-0 at the GSU Sports Arena. Roberts is still confident that the team will get back to their winning ways. He knows that he can’t afford to doubt during tough stretches and compliments his teammates throughout an odd season. “It also made me realize that [my teammates] are tougher than I thought mentally, and they could be held at a higher standard,” Roberts said. “For me, it was just a reflection of the work that was put in over the summer and the quarantine. It made me realize that I can push myself harder than what I even thought.” With Roberts becoming a vocal leader on the court and in the locker room, the Panthers are in good hands. Georgia State returns from its hiatus on Feb. 16 to face the Troy Trojans.
February 9, 2021
THREE BIG THINGS
GAMES SUDOKU
UNIVERSITY
STATE
NATIONAL
Georgia State golf opens up its season strong
Braves bring back Marcell Ozuna
Tom Brady, Bucs are Super Bowl champions
The Panthers finished the two-day Raines Company Intercollegiate in fourth place out of 10 teams. Freshman Maxence Mugnier and senior Ashton Poole led Georgia State, shooting five shots under par. With a newcomer and veteran leader, 2021 could provide some surprises for the Panthers. The team will compete again this weekend, with the All-American Intercollegiate Golf Tournament running from Sunday to Tuesday.
Ozuna and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a four-year, $65 million contract on Friday. According to reports, the deal also includes an option for the Braves to bring him back for a fifth season. Following a breakout campaign, Ozuna finished sixth in MLB MVP voting last season. As one of the older players on a young and rising team, his veteran leadership is crucial. The commitment brings hope that he will continue to perform at a high level.
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in a defensive masterpiece for the winning team. Brady collected his seventh ring (Tampa Bay’s first in franchise history) and fifth Super Bowl MVP trophy after throwing for 201 yards and three touchdowns. However, the Buccaneers defense deserved even more credit, silencing one of the league’s best offenses. The Chiefs finished the game with 11 penalties for 120 yards, including eight in the first half.
THE KICKBACK
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021
GAMES
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COMIC
Your Comic Should be Here!
UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY
Virtual Support During COVID-19 Panels: Physical Health 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Virtual Welcome to the Cookout: The Black History Month Celebration 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Student Center East Ballroom/ Virtual
Pop Talks 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Virtual Black Women’s Dialogue 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Virtual
Escalation: Movie & Discussion 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Student Center East/Virtual Latinx Trivia 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Virtual
Black Male Leadership Academy 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Virtual Love at the Drive-In: “The Photograph” 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Green Lot
FEB 12
THURSDAY FEB 11
WEDNESDAY FEB 10
TUESDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
“Ring of Fire” Walking Tour 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Underground Atlanta Orchid Daze 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Free Admission to the High Museum of Atlanta 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. High Museum of Atlanta Love Stories of Oakland 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Oakland Cemetery
Peaceful Place Meditation 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Virtual Hot Wings Hot Topics 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Virtual
FEB 15
SATURDAY FEB 14
FEB 13
FEB 09
THE KICKBACK