The Hawks' Herald | Nov. 18, 2021 by Hawks' Herald

www.rwuhawksherald.com Vol. 34, Issue 9 FREE

The university takes mold prevention steps in residential housing communities

Almeida, Bayside, Stonewall and Willow have had reports of localized mold Jimmy Sadowski News Editor

Throughout the months of October and November, Roger Williams University residence halls saw a new problem rise to prevalence. Mold. A total of 168 work orders related to mold were placed between Oct. 1 and Nov. 12 according to Associate Director of Residence Life & Housing Tim Valton. Valton attributed the increased mold issues in campus housing to a multitude of factors, including air conditioning units being kept on longer than in the past due to warmer and more humid outside temperatures further into the fall which lead to the buildings “sweating” more with “condensation from air handlers in the building then create small droplets on vents which is a condition for mold to grow.” As well as residents leaving their windows open for prolonged periods of time which can bring more humid air into residential communities. Lastly, dust accumulates which provides “food” for mold to grow. Housing has received reports of localized mold from units in Almeida, Bayside, Stonewall and Willow. “The circumstances and levels detected and tested are fairly consistent in each of these buildings,” said Valton. “Every report and location received has been assessed by [Environmental Health and Safety] (EHS) and Facilities [Management] for safety reasons and nothing has risen to a level of ‘significance’ which would require relocation of students or a safety concern.” In terms of a mold response, Valton

Courtesy of Andrew Skempris Students in this Bayside Tidewater apartment went to the university with these images of mold in the vents. The university promptly sent someone to clean the vents.

said all air handler vents in Stonewall have been cleaned and disinfected and a similar process in Willow is expected to be finished early next week. An outside company has been hired for return vent cleaning in Stonewall which began Thursday. Localized reports of mold have been addressed in Almeida and Bayside. Housing plans to conduct a similar process to what has been done in Stonewall to Almeida, Bayside, Baypoint and North Campus Residence Hall over winter break. Facilities have been checking and replacing any broken fans in common

Courtesy of Andrew Skempris Mold found in the vents in a Bayside Tidewater apartment.

area bathrooms which trap moisture in the unit. An outside environmental vendor has been hired to test for mold spores in heightened areas of concern and while some results are still pending, the vendor “expressed no concerns when investigating and

Courtesy of rwu_s.a.m The RWU Students Against Mold Instagram account has been collecting photos of mold found in residence halls and updating their followers on actions made by the university.

seeing the areas in question and provides a summary for each area and outlines where improvements can be made,” said Valton. In response to mold in campus residence halls, a Students Against Mold (S.A.M) Instagram account was made by two students who wish to remain anonymous. The students said they both have allergies to mold and asthma. When they had their vents cleaned for mold, it “caused quite a reaction for one of us. It triggered the allergies and asthma, causing a need for medication and doctors visits.” The account was made on Oct. 26 and has amassed almost 280 followers as of Nov. 17. Posts consist of mold illnessrelated symptoms, updates on the campus mold situation, and pictures of mold on campus. The two students said they are not sure how long they will keep the account in operation. “If the mold situation gets taken care of, students feel heard and administrators take action then we may not need the account anymore. But until that day comes, we will continue to support the students of RWU.” Director of Health Services Anne Mitchell said mold allergy symptoms could be sneezing, runny nose, congestion, cough, post-nasal drip, itchy, watery eyes, red eyes, an itchy throat and less commonly dry scaly skin. When students have mold allergy symptoms, Mitchell said “we cannot, with full competence make any comment to the student that you’re here with these symptoms because of mold. We just can’t do that no matter what season it is, but especially fall when we have flu, COVID, and just your regular common colds on campus.” Valton said housing fully supports and expects students to advocate for their educational and living needs and to speak up when things are not going right. “We empathize that this has happened and are addressing all work orders in a proactive and timely manner,” said Valton. “I would just add that formal work orders help us greatly to create a plan and take action to help remedy the situation.”

SECTION EDITOR

Jimmy Sadowski jsadowski031@g.rwu.edu

NEWS

DESIGNER

Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

November 18, 2021

Remote learning in a ‘I am the last Nor’easter yay or nay dictator in Europe’ Students and professors discuss thoughts on remote learning in inclement weather

Gracie Munnie Herald Reporter

The Nor’easter that hit campus a couple of weeks ago has professors and students questioning the best methods for maintaining student safety as well as continuing education. The university’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) put the university in Level 4 operations for the storm. Level 4 means that essential personnel only report to campus and everyone else should work remotely. Dr. William Palm, Associate Professor of Engineering and Honors Program Director said remote learning has made a difference in how he deals with inclement weather situations. “The big difference is that we are now able to hold classes remotely during weather-related closures, which is new since the pandemic started,” said Palm. “I see that with my children’s school as well. They have distance learning during snow days.” Under Level 4 of operations, professors are allowed to make the decision whether a class will be held virtually or not. Palm said he would not hold class virtually if students did not have internet or power. He also had a

had a strategy for commuter students who have to deal with a big storm. “If it was a big storm and commuter students might have lost power, I would want to provide some sort of make-up option or alternate lesson for them, perhaps an asynchronous virtual lesson that they could complete later,” said Palm. Lesson plans for the bad weather day are considerations for Palm holding class virtually as well. “I also consider the lesson planned for the day and whether it would work in a distance format or, if not, whether I have time to adapt it to work or have something else that I can do,” said Palm. “Sometimes the learning outcomes for the day lend themselves to independent study by students but sometimes they do not.” Associate Professor of History Dr. Charlotte Carrington-Farmer had a similar mindset to Palm for whether to go virtual. “If I don’t have power or RWU doesn’t have power, then there is no way I’d try to hold class, either in person or virtually,” said Carrington-Farmer.

Read the rest of the story at rwuhawksherald.com

THE GAVEL

Your source for Student Senate news Hi everyone, Senate has had a busy past couple of weeks with lots of topics up for discussion. Last week we passed a resolution encouraging the university to bring back the parking committee after it has not met in over 5 years and recently students have voiced their concerns regarding parking on campus. We had a conversation regarding requiring Senators to participate in yearly student leadership training, which Senate was in favor of and agreed to move forward with. We also discussed coming up with a concluding process for non-chartered student groups requesting Senate funding. This past week we had two open debate topics, one discussing what would be the benefits of adding bike storage infrastructure to the campus and the second one being what are the benefits and/or harms of offering temporary housing during emergencies. We also appointed three new student senators last night. Congratulations to Jason Regan, Nathaniel Rollo, and Matthew Tilly on being appointed, we are so excited to work with you! Looking forward, we will not be meeting on Nov. 22. Both Vice President of Student Life John King and Provost Margaret Everett will be joining us on Dec. 6. As always, 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 - make sure to check those out! The gavel is contributed by The Student Senate and does not reflect the views of The Hawks’ Herald

Students advocate for political prisoners in Belarus Conor Harrington Herald Contributor This semester there is a course called Honors 300 Community Engagement Seminar that is being taught by Dr. Robert Cole. There are two advocacy groups in this course. One group is advocating on behalf of Patrick George Zaki who is detained in Egypt while the other group is advocating on behalf of political prisoners in Belarus. Since August 2020, authorities in Belarus have arrested a growing number of students in retaliation for their nonviolent participation in protests across the country over the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko. Many of the protests were organized by students or took place at university campuses. Authorities have arrested students during protests and targeted house raids of student leaders, including members of the Belarusian Students Association. As of today, there are 24 students, 8 teachers, and 5 scholars who are currently political prisoners in Belarus. In a 2012 interview, the Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko said “I am the last and only dictator in Europe.” Lukashenko was the first democratically elected president of Belarus in 1994, and according to the Belarus constitution when he was first elected, he was only allowed to serve for two terms of five years each. Since then he has changed the constitution to allow him to run as many times as he wants and has remained president since 1994. In every election Lushenko has won there have been widespread allegations of election fraud. In the most recent election in 2020, there

have been widespread protests against Lushenko and the government. Numerous other countries have not accepted the results of this election as well as the European Union. The group advocating for Belarussians met with Ala Sivets, a researcher and human rights activist working for Politzek. According to her research, over 35,000 people have been detained since the protests began after the 2020 election, 4,644 people have been tortured or illtreated by security forces, and there have been 4,700 politically motivated criminal cases. The prisoners are forced to live in horrible conditions. They are only allowed to shower once a week, the rooms they live in are very overcrowded, and there is no sunlight because the windows are boarded up. In those rooms, there’s only 1 toilet per room if that, and those toilets have little to no privacy. The prisoners are not allowed to leave their room and they suffer from many physical and mental health issues. The goals of the group are to help raise awareness for the political prisoner scholars of Belarus. Some ways people can help are by posting on social media with #FreeStudents or by following @ ScholarsInPrisonRWU on Instagram. Another way to help is by “friending a prisoner” at Politzek.me. Through this program, people can learn more about each individual person imprisoned and send them letters or items they may need while imprisoned. If people stay silent then nothing will be done for these people and they will remain in prison while a self-admitted dictator remains in power.

Courtesy of Human Rights Advocacy Seminar Students in Honors 300, the Human Rights Advocacy Seminar are advocating for political prisoners in Belarus.

SECTION EDITOR

Amy Martin amartin052@g.rwu.edu

DESIGNER

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

FEATURES November 18, 2021

What is your favorite part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Emily Dvareckas Photo Editor

Brigid Woods Jill Martel The Rockettes

Abigail Magiera The Snoopy balloon

Kyle Rocha The Snoopy balloon

The Peanuts character balloons but mostly Snoopy

Elise Antonino Astronaut Snoopy

Meredith Nailor Santa Claus

The importance of gratitude

Amy Martin Features Editor

Thanksgiving is more than the yummy food prepared on the kitchen table. It is a holiday dedicated to gratitude, but this should not be the only time to be thankful. According to Dr. Erin Tooley, Associate Professor of Psychology and Public Health at Roger Williams University, practicing gratitude can improve the quality of life in more ways than one.

Tooley explains that people who are more grateful report “greater wellbeing, less stress, less loneliness, higher quality of life and are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.” In addition, feelings of gratitude lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, and it can improve the quality of relationships with loved ones. “Especially during more stressful times (think COVID), gratitude may act as a buffer and help protect

Courtesy of Priscilla du Preez on Unsplash According to Dr. Erin Tooley, practicing gratitude can improve the quality of life.

people against the negative impacts of stress,” Tooley said. Other stresses include the stress of school, work and daily life during a pandemic. With gratitude being a big part of Thanksgiving, Tooley said that “when we express gratitude to our loved ones during the holidays, this can strengthen those relationships and make the holidays more fun and meaningful overall.” Tooley brings up the term “posttraumatic growth,” and defines it as “the idea that we can make meaning out of the difficult times in our lives and come through it with positive psychological change.” After dealing with COVID for the last two years, and dealing with the various types of hardships that follow, Tooley believes that if we consider the lessons we learned during the pandemic, it may help us process and adapt to these experiences. “For example, what did you learn about yourself? How did your relationships change for the better?

What hobbies or new interests did you pick up?” Tooley said. “Recognizing these kinds of positive changes in ourselves allows us to take our hardships and grow from them.” In terms of how to develop a gratitude practice, Tooley advises thinking of several things you are grateful for each day while also expressing gratitude to others, which can help improve your relationships. In addition, try to look for the meaning and/or positive change that results from difficult situations. “Hardship is a part of the human experience,” said Tooley. “Try to find ways to look at the value in coming through difficult situations.” As for the upcoming Thanksgiving break, Tooley strongly recommends taking a genuine break. “Taking time (even if it’s just a little bit of time) to truly rest and be with your loved ones can make all the difference in your mental health and your academic success in the last few weeks of the semester!” Tooley said.

SECTION EDITOR

SECTION MANAGER DESIGNER

Emma Bartlett Kayla Ivan ebartlett122@g.rwu.edu kivan850@g.rwu.edu

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

Feast on these Thanskgiving facts Kayla Ivan Arts & Culture Manager As the day of thankfulness approaches, feast on these Thanksgiving facts before the holiday weekend arrives!

There was no pumpkin pie at the first Thanksgiving 400 years ago (shocking, I know.) Although there may have been some variation on the classic recipe loved today, there were no ovens in existence or baking ingredients that would have allowed the pilgrims to make this dessert.

Thanksgiving only became a national holiday in 1863, more than 200 years after the first celebration in 1621.

Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be the turkey as he believed it was the “bird of courage.”

There are four locations in the United States with “turkey” in the name; can you guess where? There are two Turkey Creeks, one in Arizona and the other in Louisiana. There are also two Turkeys, one in Texas and another in North Carolina.

ARTS & CULTURE November 18, 2021

Hawk in the Spotlight Musicians’ Guild Greg Tocket

“Jingle Bells” was originally a Thanksgiving song! Composed by James Pierpoint, the classic Christmas tune was originally intended for the Thanksgiving holiday and was titled “One Horse Open Sleigh” in 1857. Yet, it was so successful that it was brought back for Christmas and the tradition stuck, prompting the name change two years later.

The only turkeys that gobble are males, who are called toms and are nicknamed accordingly as “gobblers.”

Hot Hits for the Thanksgiving drive home Scan the QR code to check out our playlist of songs for the ride home.

Kayla Ivan Arts & Culture Manager “Music takes a while to learn, and even if you don’t and you’re just starting… we want [you] to come. The more people, the more music we can have.” These words came from an interview with Greg Tocket, the president of the Musicians’ Guild, when asked what his experience with playing an instrument has been like. Tocket is a junior construction management major from Sea Girt, New Jersey. He has been playing the drums since he was in the fourth grade. “I grew up playing the drums for my whole life. The Musicians’ Guild doesn’t assign any instruments, so you can play anything you want, but I stick with drums,” Tocket said. He gravitated towards the drums because his father played them when he was a kid. Tocket decided, because of this exposure, to take it on. Tocket also discussed how he looks up to various drummers and bases his playing off 60’s funk, jazz and other rock genres. “I listen to a variety of music. I like to play metal, I like to play jazz, really everything,” Tocket said. He considers music as a great artistic outlet and place for self-expression. “It’s a way to keep yourself occupied… It’s an enjoyable art form. I use it to provide something that I enjoy throughout the day.” When asked about how his past experiences with Musicians’ Guild have been, Tocket discussed his first year experience and how welcoming the upperclassmen had been.

Courtesy of Greg Tocket Now, after being the club’s vice president last year and this year’s president, he likes to welcome new musicians in a similar way. Of course, because of the pandemic, his experiences have been challenging in the past few semesters. “Last year was tough…. It was a big issue trying to get the jam room to work…. But we got it done,” Tocket said. Tocket also expressed how he likes to figure out and learn how to play new songs because it brings him joy and that songs make you feel all sorts of emotions while in different moods. When asked about why students should consider joining Musicians’ Guild, Tocket said, “We have Musicians’ Guild as a space for anyone to flow in and out of and to have a set time for people to know that they have a place they can be in order to bring their guitar or drums [or other instruments] and play in a full band.” Musicians’ Guild meets weekly on Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. in Global Heritage Hall (GHH-01). Whether you are an expert musician, new to an instrument or just want to listen, anyone can go to their meetings! Catch Tocket playing the drums with his band, Flourish, in the summer and winter months back in New Jersey. Follow their Instagram account, @ flourishbandnj!

Follow Greg’s band on Instagram @flourishbandnj

SECTION EDITOR

SECTION MANAGER DESIGNER

Emma Bartlett Kayla Ivan ebartlett122@g.rwu.edu kivan850@g.rwu.edu

Emily Dvareckas edvareckas213@g.rwu.edu

ARTS & CULTURE November 18, 2021

RWU theatre presents ‘A...My Name Will Always Be Alice’

Nicole Kowalewski Herald Reporter

Come one, come all, to this celebration and sharply witty criticism of what it means to be a woman! RWU Theatre’s “A...My Name Will Always Be Alice” delivers clever humor, heartbreaking laments and fierce joy through a diverse collection of songs,

scenes and monologues. Written by a multitude of composers of different gender identities, “Alice” is a musical revue tracing back to the 1980s. The show features a small, allfemale cast who transport audiences through a distinct range of material in order to represent the struggles of women in recent

Courtesy of rwu.edu “A, My Name is Alice” will be playing November 18, 19, 20 at 7:30 p.m.

decades and the present day. Each cast member takes on several different roles, cycling through personas and narratives throughout the 90-minute performance. The set is simple, consisting of a small platform upstage and several “flats” — narrow temporary walls — bordering the stage. The flats bear modest paintings of feminine silhouettes with multicolored hair, clothing and skin tones. Each face is pointed towards centerstage as if to witness the characters’ testimonies. The show’s cast members moved the few small set pieces after each scene, and the simplicity of the setup served to highlight the performers above all else. The only musical accompaniment is provided by a (very talented) live pianist, providing an intimate feel to the performance. The only flashy element “Alice” needs is the skill of its

performers. All iterations of “Alice” cover a wide range of material, but this particular rendition takes the best of the preceding “A...My Name is Alice” and “A...My Name is Still Alice” to fill out the musical’s roster of scenes. Whether you are a fan of musicals or not, you can be sure to find something in this show to your liking. “Alice” is equal parts funny and emotive, encapsulating a diverse array of musical styles from blues to Broadway. With soaring vocals, gut-busting laughs and harmonies gorgeous enough to melt your face off (in the best way), RWU Theatre’s “A... My Name Will Always Be Alice” is sure to impress. You can catch “A...My Name Will Always Be Alice” in the Performing Arts Center Nov. 18, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and can be purchased at booktix.com or at the door

5 TV episodes to get you in the Thanksgiving mood

Emma Bartlett Arts & Culture Editor

While you are at home with family and friends this holiday, why not curl up in front of the TV and celebrate Thanksgiving with your favorite TV series characters? We have rounded up the best Thanksgiving comedy episodes that will keep you laughing throughout the night.

1. “Friends: The One With all the Thanksgiving Flashbacks”

In this episode, the gang reflects on their past Thanksgivings that went terribly. Joey reminds everyone about the time his head got stuck in a turkey, Monica recalls accidentally cutting off Chandler’s toe when she first met him and Chandler talks about his parents telling him about their impending divorce. Still, through all the memories, the group manages to laugh through the rough times that passed while focusing on the great friends they have in front of them.

2. “How I Met Your Mother: Slapsgiving”

Marshall is preparing to use his third slap this Thanksgiving from the “slap-bet” he made with Barney. While Barney timidly awaits his fate, Ted and Robin are figuring out how to address the fact that they slept together after breaking up when they were supposed to be baking pies for the holiday. Meanwhile, Lily is upset that no one is taking Thanksgiving seriously. Will they be able to make it through the meal without someone leaving?

3. “Brooklyn NineNine: Thanksgiving”

Amy hosts Thanksgiving at her apartment for the precinct, however, it soon turns into a disaster -- starting with her lack of cooking abilities. She is using this meal as an opportunity to ask Captain Holt to be her mentor, however, Holt and Jake have already left the celebration to take down a criminal. Jake hates Thanksgiving and gladly leaves with Holt while they investigate a robbery in the evidence locker. Amy discovers everyone disliked her food and has dumped

their food in the toilet, so she leaves the apartment to go to the bar. Will they all end up reunited by the end of the night?

while Michael is trying to get people to invest in Ryan’s internet company.

4. “The Office: WUPHF.com”

While Elaine is busy getting Mr. Pitt (her boss) in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Jerry is figuring out whether he is invited to Tim Whatley’s annual pre-Thanksgiving party, Kramer is helping save a small mom and pop shoe repair shop. He takes all of Jerry’s shoes to the shop, however, his suggestions for the shop send the couple into bankruptcy.

Dwight reminisces on his Thanksgiving memories and creates a hay festival in Dunder Mifflin’s parking lot. Meanwhile, Jim discovers that the paper company’s policy does not allow him to make commission

5. “Seinfeld: The Mom and Pop Store”

SECTION EDITOR

Samuel Elwell selwell531@g.rwu.edu

OPINIONS

DESIGNER

Rachel Dvareckas rdvareckas244@g.rwu.edu

November 18, 2021

POLITICAL HEAD-TO-HEAD

Should marijuana be legalized?

In this column, the College Democrats and College Republicans of RWU go head-to-head on a different topic, chosen by the club members themselves.

Jack Creonte Op-Ed Writer

Democrat

The federal illegalization of marijuana is a systematic tactic the American government has used to imprison Black and brown people. The cannabis “controversy” began when it became apart of minority culture in the south. Cannabis became popular within the Black community of New Orleans and made a huge impact on southern culture, and there was no issue until Harry Anslinger became The United States Commissioner of Narcotics and Treasury Department in 1930. Anslinger misled the nation into believing this new mysterious plant was a lethal, scheduled one drug. Without any prior research or knowledge, he would push his racist agenda through propaganda. He even shifted the name of “cannabis” to “marih[j]uana” so that it would have a Mexican connotation when people would hear it. One year after marijuana became illegal, people of color made up 78% of all marijuana arrests in New York alone. Ronald Reagan took the war on Cannabis to the next level when he went on national television to claim that “marijuana is the most dangerous drug.” As of 2017, America has the highest incarceration rate in the world (2,205,300 people) and there were 1,632,921 people imprisoned for low drug violations; and 70% of the low drug offenses were marijuana-related. 80% of people that are incarcerated due to drugs in federal

Alexa Davignon Herald Reporter

prisons and 60% of people in state prisons due to drugs, are Black and Latino. Cannabis legalization popularity went from 12% in 1969 to 65% in 2018. Where cannabis is legal, business is booming. This year, the cannabis industry has 321,000 employees. In 2018, the states that legalized were earning an average of 1.4 billion in tax revenue. Legal marijuana is a seven billion dollar industry and is projected to grow to 57 billion dollars by 2027, but in the same year, in the states that are still prohibited, there were over 600,000 arrests for the same offense The industry is still predominantly white, as Black people own less than 1% of the dispensaries in the United States. America needs to federally legalize marijuana and expunge the records of non-violent marijuana cases. We also need to establish a system where targeted demographics can profit and capitalize on the cannabis industry. We need to create an environment that accepts marijuana as a natural, helpful, and harmless drug. The plant has been scientifically proven to be safe and helpful. I am not saying go buy an ounce; I am saying to appreciate marijuana and its culture and to recognize the years of oppression it has brought to millions of people. America will eventually realize its benefits, but until then, we need to continue to fight for the basic human rights of all people, all cultures, all ethnicities and stop demonizing them.

Eben Kiesow Op-Ed Writer

republican

There are many reasons to criminalize drugs. Drug use is bad for society because it poses health risks such as overdose, organ damage and significant impairment to brain function, which can result in the user hurting themself or others. The sale of drugs is also bad for society because competing dealers are forced to use violence to protect their interests, as they cannot turn to the police for help. Additionally, drug use has significant externalities: large swaths of the population are removed from society – either through death or imprisonment – which causes emotional distress, tears apart families, reduces the workforce and lowers our voting population. These risks are not applicable reasons for marijuana to be illegal. Marijuana is not a dangerous drug. Although users may become drowsy, numb, and have diminished reaction time, there is no risk of overdose or organ failure. Driving while high is the only serious risk to public health that marijuana poses, as users may become distracted, fail to react to other drivers, or fall asleep at the wheel. States that have legalized marijuana are able to diminish these risks by making it illegal to drive while under the influence of marijuana. The legislation actually provides states with a reason to focus on maintaining public safety, rather

than arresting non-violent offenders who pose no risk to others. Allowing for the legal sale of marijuana lessens the risk of violence between dealers because it eliminates people’s reluctance to contact the police for help. While the medical benefits of marijuana need further study, its effectiveness for pain relief is well established. In fact, easy access to medical marijuana could reduce the number of opioid prescriptions for chronic pain, which is a significant source of addiction for many Americans. Over the counter opioids are highly addictive, lethal in large quantities, and serve as a gateway drug to more dangerous opiates such as heroin. Marijuana could be substituted for opioid analgesicswithout producing any of these negative effects. The economic benefit of legalizing marijuana is vast. Once legalized, more companies will be able to grow and sell marijuana, as well as manufacture products such as edibles and vaporizers. Credit card processors, banks and delivery services will also be able to work with these new businesses which will increase their revenue substantially. All of this increased business will create jobs and tax revenue that is currently lost to the black market. Marijuana laws have incarcerated many Americans but have disproportionately affected African Americans to a significant degree.

Read the rest of the story at rwuhawksherald.com

Is it okay to laugh?

Nothing compares to the absolute fear one experiences when confronted with a dark joke; I mean, are you allowed to laugh? Generation Z, those born between 1995 and 2012, has mastered the art of “dark humor.” Whether it be self-depreciation, mental illness or jokes about a relative that has passed away, Generation Z has found a way to turn any gloomy topic humorous. With one look at any of the top trending jokes on social media platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok or Youtube, it is not difficult to find examples of Generation Z dark humor. Why is Generation Z trading out knock-knock jokes for dreary punchlines, though? Generation Z grew up drowning in media and technology, the first

generation to truly experience the impact of technology. One of my earliest memories was holding a Blackberry cell phone. Adolescence is never easy, but with the influx of pop culture coverage in the media, Generation Z was consistently surrounded by reminders of their inadequacy. Children of any generation can recall a moment where they experienced teasing by other children, but Generation Z was raised to bully themselves. Thus, selfdeprecating jokes were born. Besides the constant strain of societal pressure experienced by the members of Generation Z, the media has made a considerable contribution to the desensitization of Generation Z. The technological advances of the 21st century led to Generation Z witnessing every atrocity in their state, nation and around the globe. Few generations prior to the technological age experienced news on this grand of a scale. When an

entire generation grows up discovering a new horrible occurrence every day, the news stops surprising you. This paved the way for the infamous sore-subject jokes of Generation Z. As a member of Generation Z and an avid participant in dark humor, I believe it is okay to laugh. I find that the dark humor of Generation Z unites us. Not only does Generation Z, subjectively, have the best humor, but we also manage to be the most caring and empathetic. As desensitized as we might be, we care about others’ feelings. Most of the dark humor is used so that our generation can heal from past traumas, on our own time and in our manner of choice. Most importantly, as risky as dark humor can be, nothing is better than hearing a joke you relate to and feeling just a little less alone.

Courtesy of @anxietymemes on Instagram Gen Z post on social media about their trauma and mental illness in a humorous way.

SECTION EDITOR

EDITOR’S DESK

DESIGNER

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

November 18, 2021

EDITORIAL: Where is the trust? Mold is common and can be incredibly harmful to people who spend a lot of time in spaces where it is present, like a dorm room. Students on campus have been getting sick over the past month most likely due to the mold in their dorms. This is unacceptable. Students should not have to worry about the place they live and sleep in is causing them to become sick. There are students who are allergic to mold or have asthma that requires them to seek out medical attention. It makes students feel unsafe in the place they are supposed to call home while getting an education. We understand that no one can really be blamed for the mold occurring because there are a multitude of reasons it grows, but being aware of the causes could have prevented a lot of illness. However, the university could have alerted people of the causes of mold and ways to prevent it in residence halls. Amid the mold issue on campus, university officials have told students via email the causes of it, but it seems to be too little too late for many campus residents.

Furthermore, silencing student voices by taking down “Students Against Mold” signs in Stonewall because they were “not approved to be hung in the halls” does not exactly show students you are taking this seriously. At a time where students are already justifiably upset over racial bias incidents, the university’s handling of the mold problem is only reinforcing the belief that they do not care about the welfare of students. The university is rapidly losing the trust of the student body, or whatever is left of it, and the mold problem could have given them the chance to earn it back. Instead, it seems to have only increased the issues students have with the university, regardless of how they handle it moving forward. We understand the frustration students are experiencing this semester as more and more issues arise. Students already did not feel safe on campus due to bias incidents and now they do not feel safe in their rooms because of the mold. The university should take a step back and see what they can do to make this campus safer for students in all respects.

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SPORTS

November 18, 2021

Nothing but net

Men’s Basketball secures clean victory in first game Kristen Dansereau Sports Editor When it came down to the last few minutes of the first half, men’s basketball rallied together to snatch the lead from Springfield College in their game Friday, Nov. 12. The Hawks went into the locker room at the half with a seven-point cushion, leading Springfield 42-35. Head coach Mike Tully said RWU outhustled their opponents and maintained their lead, securing the victory over Springfield, especially in the second half of the game. As the crowd watched the team’s confidence grow on the court, they were given a taste of what they should expect to see from this team throughout the rest of the season. Sophomore guard, Mac Annus, scored the most points for RWU with a total of 24 points. The game was his college basketball debut. “I certainly had fun out there, the crowd was awesome and it was definitely cool to be able to play my first college game in an environment like that on our home court,” Annus

said. He felt that the versatility of the offense and solidity of the defense played a huge role in their victory against Springfield. “We were still working out the nervesat the beginning of the game, but once we caught a rhythm, there was no looking back,” said Annus. “Basketball is a game of runs, and we were able to limit any runs Springfield went on which allowed us to pull away and hold a comfortable lead for the majority of the second half which turned into a win for us.” After two long years without competitive play, Tully said there was a positive climate amongst the team going into the game. “They were excited, you know, really upbeat and energetic,” Tully said. “Just happy they’re practicing every day with competition in front of them.” The team stepped onto the court with only one returner, due to injuries leading up to the first game. The leadership on the team was effective in preparing the players for the season that lies ahead.

“We have been practicing as a team for a while now and I was more than ready to get out there and compete in a meaningful game with my teammates,” said Annus. “It was nice to get the first game under our belts, but we have a lot ahead of us.”

The team is dedicated to working hard each day towards their goals for this season. The Hawks hit the court Wednesday, Nov. 17, at home at 6 p.m. in a game against Connecticut College.

Courtesy of RWU Athletics The men’s basketball team playing on Wednesday, Nov. 17 against Connecticut College.

Women’s basketball season preview

Drew Hart Sports Manager

Depth is just what the women’s basketball team called for this season as the Hawks return 12 — yes, 12 upperclassmen to the halls of the Campus Rec Center.

With the return of so many experienced players, the Hawks have taken a focused approach to the rapid-fire pace of preseason, showing the ropes to essentially two firstyear classes due to a year of missed competition from COVID-19. The Hawks’ 2021-22 campaign is headlined by the return of first-

Courtesy of Sydney Goldstein Junior center Kendi Barnard finishes at the rim during a practice drill.

team all-conference performer Karli Opalka and graduate student Sam Mancinelli, who provide a strong core of leadership as quad captains alongside senior Kay Reen and junior Lizzy Stevenson. “I think everybody, though overall, is just really excited to be preparing for something other than the unknown,” said Head Coach Kelly Thompson, who returns for season 12 at the helm for the Hawks. The excitement of the new season came to a sudden halt when Opalka went down with a knee injury during practice. Fortunately for the Hawks, luck was on their side as the 15 point per game scorer only missed a few practices. During this time, the Hawks saw players stepping up to fill the voids of leadership and playmaking that were lost while Opalka was on the sideline. “We saw Kendi Barnard step up big time with her leadership,” said Thompson. “We had to learn to play without her and lead without her, and sometimes I think that can be really hard, but I think our team stepped up,” she said.

The presence of Mancinelli at the head of the offense has also provided a level of comfort for the Hawks this season. Sitting at ninth all-time in career assists and with a career average of 26 minutes a game, the seasoned point guard provides unparalleled experience on the court. “She certainly helps our team stay composed and always on the floor, and brings us great leadership every day with her voice and her example,” said Thompson. Two sophomores look to make their presence felt consistently on the court by cracking the starting lineup in Caroline Elie and Katie Galligan. The two sophomores started in the lone scrimmage against Stonehill during the spring semester and look to carry that experience into the new year. First-year player Reese Codero also looks to provide valuable minutes off the bench with her shooting ability and high motor on the court. The Hawks tipped off their season on Wednesday when they traveled to New London, Conn. to face Connecticut College. They will look to defend their home court on Saturday against Babson College — start time 1 p.m.