The Hawks' Herald | Feb. 24, 2022 by Hawks' Herald

www.rwuhawksherald.com Vol. 34, Issue 13 FREE

Center for Women and Gender How RWU in development for RWU handles a

Jimmy Sadowksi News Editor

A Center for Women and Gender could potentially be established for Roger Williams University. Relational Design Fellow for the Center for Women and Gender Nikki Juen said President Ioannis Miaoulis offered the initiative to her and wanted research done for the potential center. Juen had an email sent out on Jan. 20 to the RWU community with a survey to get their input and opinions on what they would want from the center. Members of the RWU community, which includes students, faculty, staff and alumni had until Feb. 14 to complete the survey. When survey results closed there were over 200 respondents and Juen said she will start putting the data together for early March to see what people are requesting and what’s necessary. In her position, Juen said “My role is to listen. My role more than anything is to collect the data, both qualitative and quantitative.” “I’m a relational designer which means I consider systems and relationships in my work,” said Juen. Juen collaborates with the members of an advisory council Miaoulis developed for the center composed of 11 women from the RWU community. What the center will be is still up in the

air. “I don’t know what it will look like, but it has to have action,” said Juen. “There has to be action towards policy, administrative understanding and reflecting on the biases that exist on our campus and the dangers that exist for some people on our campus.” Juen said she personally would like to see the center be a place that serves as a workplace for some and a place of learning for others where everyone feels safe and supported to express themselves. The name for the center is not set yet either. “The name [Center for Women and Gender] is magnetic in that some people love it. Some people hate it,” said Juen. “It’s starting to sort of create a conversation, but the request is there to see what is necessary on campus.” She said she hopes a full time employee could be hired to direct the center and provide administrative support. Juen said she also has to take into consideration what this center would do in relation to the Providence campus as well as they may have different needs there than Bristol. A number of methods have been used by Juen in conducting research for the center with the RWU community. Surveys to get community members’ opinions on the center have been sent

out, there have been one on one small meetings and play shops. Play shops were online events Juen said were used to gather information. In-person events have not been able to happen yet. Courtesy of RWU Nikki Juen is the Relational Design Fellow for the Center of Women and Gender.

Moving forward, on March 8, Juen said an event is being planned for International Women’s Day with the theme: Break the Bias. “It will be a day of events and we are planning to explore and discuss the survey data that day.” In terms of the development of the research for the center, Juen said she would come up with a mission statement and a series of goals for the center and a series of aspirations for what it could be and how it should take form. She said by mid March she will make a report or a brief presentation to the advisory council offering what the center could be and then it would travel its way to President Miaoulis and “he’ll be able to press go on what this means and how it could unfold for the community.”

blizzard Gracie Munnie Herald Reporter

Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter at the beginning of February, and it seems as though he was right. At the end of January, a blizzard dropped around 15 inches of snow onto campus. Chief of Staff Brian Williams said the National Weather Service (NWS), as well as other sources, dictate how far in advance Roger Williams University and The Emergency Response Team (ERT) prepare for a blizzard like the one that happened in the final days of January. “Preparation in advance for any snow storm for the university is really the regular information we receive from the National Weather Service and other sources,” said Williams. “Our facilities team does a great job monitoring, and we have LISTSERVS and communications we’re on, and we follow the weather just like students or faculty.” “We are always making a decision of when to convene our Emergency Response Team.” The blizzard happening over a weekend provided more time for Williams and the ERT to keep reassessing and readying campus for Monday as well as “getting a handle on road conditions coming to and from campus to make thoughtful decisions about being open for Monday.” Williams said he expected a significant storm. “When the major news outlets are talking about ‘Blizzard of 2022’ and ‘Snow-magedon’ you get attention and focus.” Students might be more concerned about parking bans for inclement weather than the preparation process. In regards to parking bans Williams said, “We are in communication with the town and what the town is thinking, and then that informs how we can communicate to students, especially with students off-campus or living in

See

Courtesy of RWU A survey was sent out to the RWU community on Jan. 20 to gather opinions of what they would want from The Center at RWU.

BLIZZARD

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SECTION EDITOR

Jimmy Sadowski jsadowski031@g.rwu.edu

NEWS

DESIGNER

Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

CAMPUS HAPPENINGS Upcoming events: Fireside Chat with Vice President and Treasurer of Amazon GSB alumnus Tony Masone

February 24, 2022

BLIZZARD

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Almedia that have cars, of any advisories they need to be aware of cars in the community.”As for the efficiency of this system, Williams said, “I think operation is really smooth with the team of just seeing what’s happening and being able to share information.”

With this amount of snow, the possibility of a power outage is expected. However, Williams explains that this was not a major concern for him, as the snow was fairly light for this level of a blizzard. “In the grand scheme of, you know, a heavy snow that can weigh down power lines and power outages and other disruptions for the scope of being categorized as a blizzard, I think we fared pretty well as a campus.”

Feb. 24 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in RWU Law School Room 274 MSU’s Black History Month Featured Speakers Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. in CAS 157 WQRI After Hours Feb. 25 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Global Heritage Hall Black Art Showcase Feb. 26 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Global Heritage Hall

News: The deadline for students to get COVID-19 booster shots and submit their information to Health Services is March 1. Housing deposits for the 2022-23 academic year are due March 4.

THE GAVEL

Your source for Student Senate news Hi Hawks! This coming Monday, Feb. 28, Student Senate will be joined by Vice President of Student Life Dr. John King to discuss COVID-19 policies, masking updates, and the Title VI Review Committee. We will also be joined by the Interim Director of Residence Life and Housing and Assistant/Associate Vice President for Student Life, Dr. Dameian Slocum. Make sure to come by if you would like to speak to meet Dr. Slocum. We are still looking for two general senators to join us! If you are interested in being a Student Senator, please email jst.onge618@g.rwu.edu to set up an interview. Follow us on social media @ RWU_Senate and come to our weekly meetings on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the Mary Tefft White Center. Our meetings are recorded so you can watch the recordings on the Senate YouTube page if you miss them! The gavel is contributed by the Student Senate and does not reflect the views of The Hawks’ Herald

Emily Dvareckas/The Hawks’ Herald RWU is no stranger to snow storms. Snow accumulation can make it difficult to walk through campus and power outages are possible.

SECTION EDITOR

Amy Martin amartin052@g.rwu.edu

FEATURES

DESIGNER

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

February 24, 2022

Case title: Forensic Science Club spotlight report

Amy Martin Features Editor

Have you ever wanted to perform an autopsy on a pickle? The Forensic Science Club may be just the club for you! The Forensic Science Club focuses on — you guessed it — forensic science, specifically its various disciplines and networking after graduation. Members do not have to major in forensic science or criminal justice in order to join. From journalism to public health, any student can join. The club is a place where anyone can learn more about the world of forensics. The club has only recently been founded, but there is a lot in store for its members, including bringing in guest speakers and throwing events. For its first big event, the Forensic Science Club helped run the Late Night Murder Mystery event on Feb. 23, where students interacted with actors and tried to solve a murder. During club meetings, students can present forensic cases they find

Emily Dvareckas Photo Editor Hop over to Bayside and one may run into Simba, a five-year-old rescue lionhead bunny. Senior Megan Goldschneider rescued Simba two years ago, and since getting him, he has been working as an emotional support animal (ESA). “Simba is an ESA on campus and he truly does his job. Without going into too much detail, when I am upset, Simba can sense it and will sit with me for long periods of time to comfort me,” Goldshneider said. “He was never trained for this, I am so grateful for Simba and the comfort that he brings me. He is my best friend and I could not imagine life without him.” Simba loves to cuddle, but only on his own terms. He also grinds his teeth as a sign that he is happy when cuddling or going for a walk. Goldschneider described the bunny as a huge character; he grunts to show he is annoyed or as a way to tell his mom it is past his feeding time. Goldschneider then describes a typical day for Simba: 1) Starting at 9 a.m., breakfast is served. Simba loves to be fed no matter what, but he happily gobbles up his food while his mom gets ready for the day. 2) After breakfast, the bedroom door is open and Simba will run around the

interesting, as well as participate in fun activities, including performing an autopsy on a pickle. As a result, members can expand upon their skills as they learn more about crime scene reconstruction and case studies. Forensic Science Club President Andrew Skempris wants to give club members the chance to learn more about the forensic science community. “Before the club, I didn’t really know that many people that were also interested in [forensic science],” Skempris said. With the limited amount of forensic science courses at Roger Williams University, it was difficult for students outside of the forensic science major to learn more about the subject. On top of educating students about it, as well as providing networking opportunities, Skempris adds, “[The club] is something fun to do.” The Forensic Science Club meets Thursdays at 5 p.m. in Room 132 of the School of Engineering. Stop by and learn more about the world of forensic science!

Courtesy of Forensic Science Club Forensic Science Club members at the Nov. 4, 2021 meeting. The club began at the beginning of the fall semester and received full club status in mid-November.

Hoppy to help

living room. He is a free roam bunny, and he is also litter box trained, so he is allowed to move about the apartment without supervision. 3) Between 12 to 3 p.m., one can find Simba taking a nap under the couch or in his wooden castle. 4) When Goldschneider returns from class at around 5 p.m., Simba runs up to her for cuddles. 5) At 6 p.m., dinner is served. He may pretend that he is starving, but Goldschneider warns to not let him

fool you. He has hay available to him 24/7. 6) For the rest of the evening, Simba is the most active and playful, even sometimes trying to sneak into their suitemate’s room. But eventually, he will chill with his humans as they watch TV. The personable bunny also found love last semester in his Bayside court. Simba met his first bunny in the fall semester, and after going through the

Courtesy of Megan Goldschneider Simba hanging out in a Bayside court with his girlfriend, Butterball and Butterball’s sister, Ginger.

proper bunny meeting precautions, he fell in love with Butterball. Butterball lives in the same residence hall as Simba, and he treats her like a princess. He follows her wherever she hops and showers her in kisses. Goldschneider has created an Instagram account for Simba and his adventures, @simba_rwu. Keep yourself updated on Simba as he hops around outside with his girlfriend and eats grass to his heart’s content.

Courtesy of Megan Goldschneider Simba is a five-year-old lionhead/American bunny who was rescued by Goldshneider two years ago.

SECTION EDITOR

Nicole Kowalewski nkowalewski683@g.rwu.edu

DESIGNER

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

ARTS & CULTURE February 24, 2022

The history of Black Black voices in modern literature History Month Nicole Kowalewski Arts & Culture Editor

A single word can start a war or save a life. The power of the written word cannot be denied, and this February we are highlighting some of the greatest Black voices in modern literature that you might have missed. We all know the genius of Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison, but what about today’s writers? Whether you are looking to gain a powerful new perspective or simply settle back with a great read, here are just a few authors you should have on your list year round.

Natasha Trethewey– Poetry

Contemporary poet Natasha Trethewey served two terms as the Poet Laureate of the United States from 2012 to 2014. Recipient of over two dozen prestigious awards and honors, Trethewey has published many poetry collections as well as two memoirs, one following the disastrous aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Gulf Coast (“Beyond Katrina”) and the other exploring the life of her mother (“Memorial Drive”), who was killed when Trethewey was only 19. Trethewey takes inspiration from her experiences as a biracial woman living in the American South as well as from the area’s darkly complex history. For more, visit Trethewey’s website.

Neal Shusterman– Science Fiction

Neal Shusterman is the author of over 30 books for all ages, but science fiction is where he really shines. With an uncanny ability to match unique dystopian settings with probing existential dilemmas, Shusterman’s latest and greatest works include the “Arc of the Scythe” trilogy, set in a future society where natural death has been eliminated and select experts called scythes are charged with thinning the Earth’s population, and “Dry,” a survival thriller about a horrific California drought, co-authored by Shusterman’s son. For more fantastic writing, visit Shusterman’s website.

Tomi Adeyemi– Fantasy

A creative writing coach and #1 New York Times bestselling author, Tomi Adeyemi is known for her online presence as well as her writing skills. Her debut novel, YA fantasy “Children of Blood and Bone,” is the recipient of over a dozen honors and takes inspiration from West Africa. Full of

magic and gorgeous worldbuilding, “Children of Blood and Bone” will see a film adaptation from Paramount Pictures within the next few years. To learn more about Adeyemi and her work, visit her website.

Nicola Yoon– Romance

#1 New York Times Bestselling author Nicola Yoon is the recipient of multiple honors, including the Coretta Scott King New Talent Award and a place among the National Book Award finalists. You may have heard of “Everything, Everything” or “The Sun is Also a Star,” both of which have received film adaptations. Yoon, along with her husband, is also the co-publisher of Joy Revolution, which will champion books that “tell stories with people of color as their heroes, each searching for love and living their lives on their own terms,” according to Yoon’s website. She calls it “a safe haven for readers to celebrate the full beauty of their humanity.” For more information on Yoon’s beautiful work and Joy Revolution, visit her website.

Angie Thomas– YA Realistic Fiction

Another #1 New York Times bestselling author, Angie Thomas’s debut novel, “The Hate U Give,” serves as both a powerful piece of literature and a call to action against institutional racism. “The Hate U Give” saw a critically acclaimed film adaptation starring Amandla Stenberg, and Thomas’s second novel, “On the Come Up,” will receive the movie treatment as well. Another notable work of Thomas’s is “Blackout,” a romance novel following six different couples that she co-authored with five other award-winning authors, including Nicola Yoon. For more information on Thomas’s work both on and off the page, visit her website.

Grant Soedler Herald Reporter

For nearly 50 years, every February in the United States has been dedicated to celebrating the achievements of African Americans and recognizing their central role in U.S. history. This celebration, known as Black History Month, honors the contributions and legacy of all African Americans, including civil rights pioneers and activists like Harriet Tubman, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr, as well as leaders in industry, culture, science and more. Schools across the country participate every year, using the opportunity to showcase and teach histories that have been buried under the white narrative. Countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands also devote a month to celebrating their Black history. However, despite its prevalence, not many people are aware of how Black History Month came to be and how it evolved into what it is today. The idea for Black History Month originated in Chicago in 1917. In response to a lack of information on the accomplishments of Black people, Carter G. Woodson, a Black Harvardtrained historian, co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), this organization was dedicated to promoting and researching Black American achievements, as well as those of other people of African descent. In 1926 they declared that the second week of February was to be “Negro History Week,” an entire week

to officially recognize the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. February had been chosen because it contained the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass, a prominent Black abolitionist, and former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, which were on Feb. 12 and 14 respectively. Prior to the creation of “Negro History Week,” few people studied Black history, and it wasn’t included in any textbooks. The week’s establishment caused schools and communities nationwide to organize their own local celebrations, create their own history clubs and host their own performances and lectures. Woodson and his organization were overwhelmed by the response to their call– so much so that they had to scramble to meet demand. In the years that followed, the ASALH began to set annual themes for the celebration and provided study materials to anyone who was looking for them: lessons for teachers, posters of important dates and people and plays for historical demonstrations. “Negro History Week” went on to be recognized each year by mayors of cities across the country. It became so prevalent that by the late 1960s, the week had evolved into a month on many American college campuses, a change that was also due in part to the Civil Rights Movement and a growing awareness of Black identity. “Black History Month” became official when it was recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976 as he made a call for the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Those looking to learn more about and participate in Black History Month can visit the ASALH’s website at https://asalh.org/.

Bonus: Amanda Gorman– Poetry

This astounding writer is the youngest inaugural poet in the history of the United States– and for good reason. Gorman’s explosive poetry is both accessible and sensational, earning her many accolades before her twenty-third birthday. She has published a children’s book titled “Change Sings” and a collection of poetry called “The Hill We Climb.” To learn more about Gorman’s upcoming publications, visit her website. To watch her poetry performance at President Biden’s inauguration ceremony, visit CNN’s website.

Courtesy of bu.edu February has been known as “Black History Month” since 1976 when President Gerald Ford recognized it.

SECTION EDITOR

Nicole Kowalewski nkowalewski683@g.rwu.edu

DESIGNER

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

ARTS & CULTURE February 24, 2022

‘Peacemaker’: making peace with a different kind of superhero

Grant Soedler Herald Reporter

In an age where superhero movies and shows dominate pop culture, it can get tiring to keep up with each and every one, especially when one is required to have at least four different streaming services in order to legally watch them all. Of course, it’s not surprising that many people have lost the energy to get invested in the lesser-known or newer characters that appear in superhero media. So it might come as a shock that the first of DC’s live-action shows that tie into their larger cinematic universe is about some guy named Peacemaker, of all things. And even more shocking is how good it is. “Peacemaker” is a new HBO Max original series created by James Gunn, best known for directing Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” films. The series is a direct sequel to 2021’s “The

Suicide Squad” film, also directed by Gunn, not to be confused with the similar 2016 film “Suicide Squad.” John Cena reprises his role as Christopher Smith, AKA the Peacemaker, an extremely jingoistic “superhero” who cherishes peace with all his heart, “no matter how many men, women, and children he has to kill to get it.” The series also stars Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee and Robert Patrick. After recovering from the near-fatal injuries suffered during the climax of “The Suicide Squad,” the series sees Peacemaker forced into yet another secret government task force known as “Project Butterfly.” Their mission is to root out and eliminate an invading force of parasitic butterflylike aliens, who have the ability to burrow into and take over human brains and have already done so to many high-ranking U.S. government

officials. “Peacemaker” is yet another example of James Gunn doing what he does best: taking an unlikely group of misfits and investing viewers in their problems as they come together as a dysfunctional found family. Despite its incredibly strange plot, the series can be incredibly heartfelt and funny, and it takes its time to make you sympathize with every main character’s struggles. This is most apparent with Peacemaker himself, while the series by no means attempts to glorify his jingoistic and extremist mindset– or excuse his jerkish and antagonistic behavior– it does do a great job of making you sympathize with him. This is primarily done by exploring his relationship with his father, Auggie Smith (portrayed by Robert Patrick), a white nationalist and former supervillain known as the White Dragon, which sheds light on the type of upbringing Smith had. It is also clear to the viewer that the events

of “The Suicide Squad” had a big impact on Smith, making him question if what he does is actually “good.” John Cena does a fantastic job of bringing the character to life. Of course, the awesome uses of licensed music that are a staple of Gunn’s films are also present, and the songs used are well-incorporated into the show by reflecting the personal taste of the title character. The series is not without its flaws, however. Despite the show’s humor, the writing can feel a bit stale at times. In addition, the lack of a single overarching antagonist can make the pacing feel a bit off, and sometimes the set design feels very cheap. The tone is also odd, as often none of the characters treat the threats with any seriousness. However, all of these complaints are ultimately nitpicks; “Peacemaker” is a blast from start to finish and can be streamed on HBO Max.

‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,’ a novel about the immorality of love Soraya Bettencourt Herald Reporter

Courtesy of goodreads.com “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is a 2017 historical fiction novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The novel is about an aging Hollywood icon, Evelyn Hugo, who is ready to tell her truth.

Is it human to want to be loved? How do we justify our immoral actions? Author Taylor Jenkins Reid brings forth a powerful novel leaving readers with more questions after each new answer. Jenkins Reid develops an unusually complicated protagonist in “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” carrying a lifetime of success, loss and hidden truths. Evelyn Hugo, the main character of the novel, uses her beauty to create opportunities for herself in 1960s Hollywood. Evelyn retells her life story through marriages and divorces; however, despite the infamous title, this is not what the book is truly about. At age 79, Evelyn is ready to tell her story to rising journalist Monique Grant, who has an eerily suspicious connection to Evelyn’s tale. Evelyn has a secret that, throughout the novel, drives her to do everything she can think of to protect it. The book itself teaches about the consequences of hiding who you truly are. It demonstrates the importance of loving the ones that surround you before it is too late. At first glance, Evelyn Hugo is an arrogant and insensitive character. She mistreats the people she encounters for selfish gain. Putting

her acting career above all else has brought Evelyn a lot of success in her lifetime. However, when her success starts to fade, she realizes all that truly mattered were the people she allowed to leave. She did what she thought was right at the time and was victimized by circumstance. After all the trauma, Evelyn is ready to put everything behind her for good without any regret at all. Jenkins Reid successfully builds Evelyn’s character and concludes her growth by the end of the novel in the only way that makes sense. Jenkins Reid’s decision to switch between the first-person narratives of journalist Monique Grant and Evelyn Hugo encourages readers to put together the pieces of the puzzle with each turn of the page, making this novel hard to put down. It will transport you to a new decade and life, forcing you to read until the shocking end. Fans love the exploration of the time period and the complication that the main character brings to the story. The novel is intriguing, irritating, heart-wrenching and ultimately loveable. The back-and-forth emotional tone keeps readers picking up the book just one more time in between class or work to find out what happens next. This novel will keep readers talking about it long after the last word has been read, and should be on any book lover’s shelf.

SECTION EDITOR

Samuel Elwell selwell531@g.rwu.edu

DESIGNER

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

OPINIONS February 24, 2022

‘Twilight’ is more How should the messed up than United States you remember respond in Ukraine? Ryan Concannon Herald Contributor

Courtesy of stephaniemeyer.com The movie poster for “Twilight.”

Emily Dvareckas Photo Editor

Yes, you read that headline correctly, I really am about to talk about “The Twilight Saga” in the year 2022. Now, before we get started here I feel it is important to let you know that I was once a die-hard “Twilight” fan. I went to the midnight movie premieres of “New Moon,” “Eclipse” and both parts of “Breaking Dawn.” I read all the books multiple times throughout my tween years. No exaggeration, I read “Eclipse” 13 times in a span of four years. Why did I read a 629-page novel 13 times? I do not know but I think it explains a lot of why I am the way I am now. Let’s move on, this article is not supposed to be about the personal choices I made as a 10-year-old, this article is about how messed up “The Twilight Saga” is. Team Edward or Team Jacob? A decision that could make or break a friendship between two 13-yearold girls. It was such an important decision to make and thinking back to it now, both are horrible options. Edward Cullen is a 108-year-old vampire that pretended to be a high school student over and over again. He is an immortal being who does not even look like a teenager and he decides to go to high school, why? Really thinking about this makes everything else creepier than before. He is 108-years-old but goes to high school and becomes infatuated with a 17-year-old girl whose life ends up destroyed because of him. He stalked Bella and broke into her home to watch her sleep and we all just pretended that was okay. Onto the other option, Jacob “Bella, where the hell have you been, loca”

Black, a werewolf, is closer in age to Bella than Edward so that is a plus but he is not any better. He forced himself onto her even after she repeatedly told him no and that she loved Edward and when he did not listen to her saying no, she ended up breaking her hand. He was incredibly manipulative and claims to know what is best for Bella and went to the point of making Edward believe she was dead. Jacob threatened to hurt himself and forced Bella to kiss him to make him stay in “Eclipse.” Any romantic gestures Bella showed to Jacob were forced, this storyline can barely be referred to as a love triangle. Bella loved Edward and was forced to show feelings to Jacob throughout the saga. The biggest red flag Jacob had? He was in love with Bella and Edward’s daughter (don’t even get me started on that abomination. If you don’t know what I am talking about, look up Renesmee CGI). We are supposed to be okay with the idea of Jacob imprinting on Renesmee because it is an involuntary action but there is no explanation as to why it happens. There are no evolutionary benefits, it is just a weird thing that happens. The whole situation is creepy and unnecessary. Both Edward and Jacob are the worst and Bella would have been better off dating the cactus she brought from Arizona. This series was dangerous for young impressionable girls to become so attached to as they became obsessed with a story involving toxic love interests and a lead female who could not exist without a love interest. It’s a miracle we all are not in relationships with moody guys who are manipulative and toxic seeing as this is what we grew up on.

It has been the topic of every major news station all over the world for the last few months. Everyone, from regular Americans to college professors, has been trying to predict the outcome. It is clear to me that the best response the United States can have if Russia invades Ukraine would be little to no response at all (at least not militarily.) In any way one looks at the situation in Europe, it simply does not behoove the United States to retaliate and attack Russia over Ukraine. From a theoretical standpoint, going to war does not make sense. President Biden is a “realist” when it comes to foreign policy, and that basically entails that he does not believe in sending troops or using American military might unless a vital area of the world is being attacked. This aforementioned “vital area” basically covers all of Western Europe, the Northern coast of Africa, the Middle East, parts of East Asia and Japan. The key takeaways are the idea that one, the United States should only go to war if one of the previously mentioned regions are attacked, and two, all the places previously mentioned are on the coast. Ukraine is not on the coast as it borders an inland sea (the Black Sea) as well as Russia. Biden, then, as a realist, would not send the full United States military into this region as it isn’t considered vital. Theories aside, it would not be a savvy political move for President Biden to join this potential conflict

either. Just this summer, America ended its 20+ year war in Afghanistan, pulling all American troops out of the state very rapidly, which ultimately resulted in the Taliban regaining control of the nation. After Afghanistan fell around mid-August, Biden’s approval numbers among Americans dipped below 50% for the first time in his presidency. Simply put, the last major conflict President Biden engaged in abroad hurt his approval ratings and he will be keen on making sure that does not happen again. Even from an ethical perspective, the answer is still a resounding no to the question of war in Ukraine. Historically, Ukraine and Russia are very intertwined. Hundreds of years ago in the days of the Czars, Ukraine was simply another part of the Russian Empire. Out of a country with a population of around 44 million, 8 million identify as ethnically Russian. That is the largest minority group in the entire country. Many of these ethnic Russians live in the Eastern part of the country, where they border Russia. If a war ever did break out, it is likely this part of Ukraine would not mind being absorbed into Russia, and also very likely Russia would be unable to annex the Western portion, as they are too closely tied with the European powers to fall into Russian hands. Personally, I do not think a war is likely to happen. Russia would lose way too much profit from its natural gas shipments to Europe if they choose to invade. However, as previously mentioned, it would be wisest for the United States to stay out of the conflict if it does arise.

Courtesy of Tina Hartung on Unsplash Russia may invade Ukraine because Ukraine is not recognized as a country by Russia. There has been heavy debate as to whether or not the United States should retaliate against Russia.

SECTION EDITOR

EDITOR’S DESK

DESIGNER

Rachel Dvareckas Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

February 24, 2022

THE HAWKS’ HERALD The student newspaper of Roger Williams University

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THE HAWKS’ HERALD is a student publication. The views, statements, opinions, depictions, and/or representations (expressions) contained herein are solely those of THE HAWKS’ HERALD and do not, and are not, meant to represent or be attributed to the expressions of Roger Williams University, any trustee, officer, agent, employee, student, or representative of Roger Williams University, and either are such expressions authorized, accepted, or condoned by the university. THE HAWKS’ HERALD is dedicated to providing news to the university in a fair and accurate manner.

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The Hawks’ Herald · Suite 212, Campus Recreation Center · 1 Old Ferry Road · Bristol, R.I. 02809

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SECTION EDITOR

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DESIGNER

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SPORTS

February 24, 2022

Get JAAA head in the game

Kristen Dansereau Sports Editor Andrew Hart Sports Manager

Members of the Justice in Action Athletic Alliance (JAAA) convened in the Global Heritage Hall on Feb. 20 for their first meeting of the semester to discuss ways RWU can create a more inclusive and welcoming space for current and incoming athletes. JAAA is a student athlete driven organization with support from the Athletic Department and the Bristol community. Led by President Dalton Sousa, a senior on the swimming and diving team, the organization seeks to foster an inclusive environment and lead the discussion and education of others on “issues of social injustice including - but not limited to - race, class, sex, gender and sexual orientation,” according to the organization’s official Instagram page. Through educating people on social injustices that take place within the community, JAAA also seeks to empower members of the community to address these injustices, advocate for those who are affected, and act when these injustices are encountered.

The formation of the organization stems from the protests in wake of the death of George Floyd. The athletic department realized they were not doing enough to address social injustice issues of inclusion, race, LGBTQ+ rights, and sexual assault. Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant Bryce Johnson pitched the idea of JAAA to the department based on his experiences with a similar club as an undergraduate at Franklin Pierce University. Sousa, who transferred to RWU from the University of Maine in the Fall of 2020 felt compelled to join the club after seeing how the campus reacted to issues surrounding social injustice — specifically the Black Lives Matter protest that took place on campus on Sept. 16, 2020. “A lot of students had actually spoken really negatively about the protest and that caught me off guard to be at a school that was talking so negatively about the protest,” said Sousa. “The previous school that I had been at, it was never an issue, never a conversation.” Other incidents include the blue lives matter flag being hung in the Black LLC and the incident of two students wearing blackface within campus residence halls also affected Sousa’s decision to join.

The organization has hosted multiple events within the last year and a half since it started in 2020. The most recent event was a food drive to benefit the Bristol community during the holiday season. The club campaigned outside the RWU men’s and women’s basketball games and through social media according to Sousa. “We ended up getting about 194 food items that weighed like 200 pounds and that was donated to a local

Bristol food pantry,” said Sousa. “And that was our first thing that we did, that was just trying to help the community, give back to the community that we are a part of [because] we are a part of Bristol.”

Read the full story on rwuhawksherald.com

Andrew Hart/The Hawks’ Herald Members of JAAA met on Feb. 20 to discuss ways RWU can create more inclusive spaces on campus.

Rainbow Six Siege pro players shoot for the stars

Jacob Pina Herald Contributor

A $3 million prize pool is the main target for worldwide gamers as they vie for first place in the Six Invitational 2022 in Stockholm, Sweden, this week. Gathering the best players from around the world, the 13-day tournament matches up the skills of 20 pro league teams to determine who wins the title of World Cup champions for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege tactical first-person shooter game. “The competitive nature of Siege is unlike any other game,” said 18-yearold Luc ‘Rxinforce’ Benjamin, a TikTok gaming content creator from the United States with a following of 150,000. “Its mechanical and strategic aspects allow the game to be played differently every match, creating different competitive levels that allow players to become better while competing against people at or higher than their skill level.” Organized by the world’s leading esports company, ESL, and Rainbow Six Siege developer Ubisoft, the annual

tournament uses a round-robin format where five-member teams eliminate each other as they advance toward the Grand Final. Countries represented in the competition include the U.S., Brazil, South Korea, France, Germany, Japan, Russia and the U.K. Game play is fast-paced and intense, with team members using finely tuned tactical maneuvers and high-precision shooting to defend their site or attack their opponents’ location throughout numerous maps. Benjamin says gamers’ passion for Rainbow Six Siege, along with lucrative

Courtesy of Joao Ferreira of Ubisoft Competitors huddle up during during the Six Invitational 2022.

prize awards, make tournaments like the Six Invitational an attractive competition for pro league players that “allows the Siege community to become closer” while bringing newer players into the game. With nearly 175,000 global viewers watching this year’s tournament remotely on YouTube and the streaming service Twitch, the Six Invitational is a high revenue-generating event for its organizers. Transitioning to a Games-as-aService (GaaS) business model, Ubisoft learned to monetize its video games by frequently updating game content, offering players game subscriptions and in-game purchases, and organizing competitive tournaments with enticing money awards. The proof of success is in the numbers. According to Statista, Ubisoft generated just over $1 million in revenue for its third-quarter of 2021. Likewise, Ubisoft’s FY19 earnings report recorded impressive numbers, with Rainbow Six Siege reaching $1.1 billion in lifetime revenue from game sales, season passes, and direct ingame monetization since its inception in 2015.

Last year, the game also reached a total of 70 million registered players. Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft CoFounder and Chief Executive Officer, underscored the company’s goals to outperform itself in its 2021-2022 earnings report: “The industry is thriving and quickly evolving, offering new challenges and opportunities. Players have a deeper impact on the worlds they are engaging with, and technological breakthroughs are opening up promising new avenues… we continue to invest to bring our biggest franchises and new brands to a significantly wider audience.” YouTube Siege content creator Liam ‘Garfieldisdoc’ Hennessey, of Ontario, agrees that players’ enthusiastic immersion in the sport can positively affect the business side of gaming, while also promoting a community of gamers reaching for personal greatness. “Pro League impacts the gaming industry in a huge way because you’re now creating jobs like pro players, analysts, coaches, etc.,” he said. “But you’re not only creating jobs. You’re making people’s dreams come true.”