Mace & Crown Spring 2022

EDITOR’S NOTE Making the Mace & Crown magazine is a labor of love, and one that every semester we offer up to students after several months of writing and work. We always try to choose themes that we feel embody or appeal to the student body, and after much discussion, this magazine is the “international edition”. A major defining feature of ODU - and the Hampton Roads area in general - is diversity, and that means having an influx of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We wanted to draw attention to that by featuring multiple perspectives, and a plethora of unique news and stories. We hope you love this issue as much as we loved making it.

Thanks for reading, Sydney Haulenbeek, Editor in Chief

EDITORIAL BOARD 2022

Editor-In-Chief

Copy Editor

Skyler Lee

Jonathan Fernandes

Dana Chesser

Gabriel Cabello Torres

Benjamin Draper

Sydney Haulenbeek

Arts & Entertainment Editor

Margaret Lynch

Graphic Designer

News Editor

Technology Editor

Elena Harris

Social Media Editor

Sports Editor

NEWS

ODU’s Struggle with Academic Freedom Casts a Long, Dark Shadow Jonathan Fernandes & Sydney Haulenbeek

Controversy over the university’s mishandling of Dr. Allyn Walker’s research and the subsequent media attention raises concerns about academic freedom and the role higher education plays in addressing sensitive research topics.

NEWS

NEWS

Old Dominion University’s College of Art and Letters hosted “Hear Their Voices: A Human Trafficking Awareness Event”.

NEWS

NEWS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

SPORTS

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SPORTS

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TECHNOLOGY

When did you come to the US? Gonzalo: My dad is in the [Spanish] Navy so we moved to Norfolk, VA in 2017. I have actually been in the US before 2017 like three or four times. I was only six years old. One time, I went to Maine to study English with a family we knew for a month.

What was your experience like handling the language barrier? I came from an immigrant family myself and I know that experience is a big challenge.

Gonzalo: At first, I thought I was able to speak a little bit of English. I mean, I knew a few words but no one understood me when I came to the US. I remember I was in Chipotle and I tried ordering a burrito but man, it was impossible. I was 16 and it was in the airport at Philadelphia. I tried to order a burrito because I was so hungry. They just couldn’t understand me at all. I even tried pointing at the food, “I want this, and that, and that.” It was a mess and I was making the lady mess up. It was tough. My parents were there and they speak English pretty well; they didn’t want to help me though. They wanted me to struggle, to be able to learn the language. I ended up getting the burrito, but that was a hard process. It motivated me to actually make an effort to learn.

How did you learn the English language? Did you take any unique steps?

Gonzalo: I started studying, then I just started listening to people in the street, to shows, to songs, and all that. It helps because you start developing an understanding of how the language works. I still had to learn new words so for that I carried a book around with me. If I was ever having a conversation with someone and they said a word I didn’t recognize, I would have them write it down. Then, when I got home I would look at that word, see the definitions, then examples of how it was used. That’s how I got better at the language.

What were some significant cultural differences you’ve noticed from Spain?

I’ve had the pleasure of getting three different perspectives from students who had to go through a cultural shift and are currently pursuing fields in STEM. One such student is named Gonzalo Lopez de Ayala, a sophomore from Spain pursuing a mechanical engineering degree.

He shared his experiences in the USA and the challenges of learning a language.

Gonzalo: I will say…the culture and the way people socialize. The countries are different because of the sizes. In the US, things are bigger. Cars are bigger, houses are bigger, streets are bigger. Something I find curious and funny is that here in the US, sometimes you don’t find a sidewalk by the road. Over in Europe, there’s always a sidewalk and people are always walking. Also, here people are nicer but, I don’t know how to explain it. I think it’s easier to know people, b u t not to be friends with. Here, people socialize more on the weekends but [in Spain], people will get together after class for a drink, or something, and continue with their day. But yeah, I believe people socialize more over there.

What were your biggest challenges during college? Did the pandemic make it harder or significantly impact your life as a student?

Gonzalo: Well, I tried to have a balance of everything. I like to play sports. I love having a social life, I really like socializing and I tried to study as well, so what I do is that I will reserve some time frames during my day just to study for classes. Once I’m done with that, which is my priority, I allocate my time to other things like going to the gym, playing a sport, or socializing with friends. For COVID, it wasn’t too difficult but I couldn’t visit back home so that was harsh.

Do you miss your home country?

Gonzalo: I do, I do! At first, I didn’t like the idea of coming to America because my entire life was in Spain. But when I

came here, it was very beneficial and I actually love it here.

Gonzalo’s experiences detailed the struggles of learning a completely new language and going through a cultural shift.

Other students experience cultural struggles while growing up in the U.S. Cielo Sotelo Paredes, a third year ODU student, is pursuing both a mechanical engineering degree and medical school.

Her family is from Mexico but she was born in Arkansas. She’s the second oldest out of seven.

When we first talked, you mentioned that you grew up in Arkansas. What was living there like compared to here?

Cielo: Arkansas is really nice actually! Over there, the majority of the population is either white or Mexican. It’s a unique type of Mexican since it’s near Texas. Moving out here was a cultural change because out here, there are more Caribbean latinos rather than Mexicans. It’s also different because Arkansas is more of a nature state. We would go hiking and camping often but here in Norfolk, you can’t really do that as often.

What were some cultural differences you experienced growing up? You know, between living at home and the “outside world.”

Cielo: It’s funny because I feel like if you ask any immigrant, or someone who came from somewhere else, they usually grow up in a house with different rules and more strictness. Outside of my house it’s American society but then, once you get back into your house, it’s back into the society of where you’re from.

For us in Mexican culture, it’s very respectful. We greet each other with a kiss on the cheek if it’s a friend or family. If they’re strangers, you shake their hand because a kiss is too much.

Here, you can’t even smile at someone without them taking it the wrong way. You can’t shake people’s hands unless it’s professional. You can’t kiss people on the cheek because, you know, that’s weird here.

What influenced you to pick the degree you’re pursuing right now? Were there any family members who had a background in engineering?

Cielo: Actually, no one in my family influenced that. No one here in my family has had a “professional” job here so it’s like I’m the first generation to do anything in my family. No one in the family has even made it to sixth grade so college is a big thing. I was undecided my first semester. I knew math was one of my favorite subjects so I just decided to go with anything that had to do with math and something that could give me a job. Honestly, I wanted to do something with art or marine biology but a lot of immigrant families, including mine, diss those degrees.

I feel like job security is always a big component in choosing a degree. Especially with international students or students from immigrant families, it’s always a case of, “Go big or go home.”

Cielo: Yeah, because I’m also one of seven, and the second oldest, so I have to set an example for the younger ones too.

When you started college, what were the biggest struggles you had to face?

Cielo: Well, I feel like it’s not really the struggles of college.

I feel like school in general has always been a struggle. Your friends in school, for example, have their parents help them.

But me, I have to ask my teacher or my classmates or YouTube or something. My family has never been able to help me in school

Whether students choose their degree based on needing job security or based on an interest, it’s inspiring to see that they’re still steadfast in reaching academically. the mountaintop of They can’t teach their careers. me to do anything in English. Because my parents never had [higher] education, they can’t help me with math or science or anything like that. So it’s always been a struggle learning by yourself but the more siblings you have, the more you can help each other out. I get calls on the phone every day from one of my younger siblings asking me to help them out with their homework.

You mention your siblings a lot and being an example.

Besides having the responsibilities of college and working, I imagine you also have to be a second parent in a sense?

Cielo: Yeah, like my oldest sister. She’s four years above me so she could definitely help me in school, but I know it’s a lot of pressure on her to be the first one to go to school, first one graduate, to be the only one that can help us without getting help herself. I also have to stay home with the kids all day. I have to cook, feed the kids, make sure the house is cleaned up, and basically do everything that a parent is supposed to.

From my experiences being in the Latino community, I know that work ethic is a very big part of our lives. How did that work ethic manifest in you?

Cielo: To me, the way that work ethic came wasn’t really from inspiration. It was more from sadness, from how everything came to be… Hearing all the stories about the pain [my mother] went through to get to where she is really pushed me. My mom loved school, that was her favorite thing. The fact that she was forced to drop out of school by her mom so she can stay home and take care of the kids while her mom went to work… She was one of eight but she has five brothers and they’re all older than her. Since she’s female, she had to take care of them regardless.

Like you said, it is more pressure as you’re like a second parent so the uphill battle is harder…

Cielo: Yeah, they could obviously choose their own path in life. At the same time, they don’t understand that we’re the first generation. We don’t have any family here who’s in politics. We don’t have a family who has businesses. We don’t have family who have been in the military. No one has ever really had a job or a position here like in the country yet. So in my first generation of siblings, we have to be the ones to plant roots in America. Then, with those strong roots is where the family starts growing. They don’t understand that a better life isn’t necessarily for the people who come into America.

It’s for the generation that comes after them because the first ones to arrive still have to struggle harder to move forward.

Both of these students have experienced two different sides of multiculturalism. Going through college is not an easy task, but for many, it’s a hope to achieve a better future that’s worth every sleepless night and headache inducing exam. It’s great to see that students keep fighting the good fight and muscling through every obstacle. Whether students choose their degree based on needing job security or based on an interest, it’s inspiring to see that they’re still steadfast in reaching the mountaintop of their careers.

TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY Video games have become a revolutionary form of entertainment throughout the years. Players get to experience a story instead of just watching it or listening to it. They get sucked into the world that they’re playing in. Great games have a tendency to show you the beauties and horrors of our world, leaving an impact on your way of thinking. There are plenty of video games out there that deserve a bigger reputation or simply, a closer look into them.

Blasphemous (Europe - Spain) This game came out three years ago but still carries a reputation for being criminally underrated.

“Blasphemous” is a masterfully crafted game that would entice hardcore fans of Soulsborne and Metroidvania games. The environment is embossed with gothic architecture showing signs of decay and ruin. You play as the Penitent One, the last survivor of your congregation, trying to free the world from the evil it’s covered in. This game’s ambience is a love letter to Spanish culture, folklore and history. Catholic Gothicism shrouds the environment and is visible from the world’s visual aesthetic all the way to its downright sacrilegious boss fights. Spain’s culture isn’t only influenced by its Roman history but also deeply impacted by its Visigothic and Islamic influences.

Local folklore seeps through the game as well, creating a dark fantasy world that is reminiscent of real-world history but is so fresh that it’s surrealistically immersive. It’s important to note that the story and environment serve as a spiritual ode to Spanish arts and literary works, a source of Spain’s pride. It’s apparent that mystic art, such as the works of Francisco Goya and stories written

by Jorge Luis Borges, is part of the influence that makes this game so haunting.

As for gameplay, you can expect a relentless game that will truly put you in the shoes of a penitent. The enemies you encounter don’t hesitate to take advantage of a simple slip up and will punish you sevenfold for it. While the game is frustrating and requires grit to play through, it does an excellent job of egging you on to keep pushing forward. The small victories in difficult sections or the triumphant feeling evoked when you finally beat that boss reveals more about a world that is begging for a miracle. For an even more immersive experience, play through the game in its native Spanish tongue. From a fluent Spanish speaker’s perspective, the talented voice actors do an outstanding job of pulling you into the eerie and malignant nature of the game.

The Wagadu Chronicles (African mythology and culture) “The Wagadu Chronicles” is an ambitious but enticing game that is still in development but is on its way to fully release this year. This game is an MMORPG that aims to make roleplaying a central part of the genre. What makes it so mesmerizing is the team’s dedication to creating this African folklore and culture based fantasy world. It combines these fantastical African stories and adds the flair of magic to it. The lore, creatures, magic, and spirits of the world serve to

encapsulate the essence and wonder of African legends. Not only is this an MMORPG, it can also be played like a tabletop game that’s compatible with the fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons.

On top of that, the developers provide a 300page PDF file full of all the lore you need to not only fall in love with the game’s world but be immersed in it. It’s even more astounding that the developers are now working on a seventh lorebook to add on to an already thorough and complex lore. The team went above and beyond by crafting stories, characters, and in-game history that reveres and celebrates the beauty in the diversity of Africa culture. Not only does it showcase how rich African culture is, but it also shows how beautifully artistic it is as well. As for the gameplay, it can be accessed the same way as the pdf file. When subscribed to Twin Drums’ newsletter, you can get access to the alpha. What makes this game so fresh is how it diverts from the constant grind other RPGs put you through and allows you to customize a character with your own skillset and steady progression system.

Twin Drums kept to their word and would prefer players soak in the beauty of the world and the roleplaying aspects it offers. This is an attractive take on MMOs as opposed to a game where hours and money must be spent for noticeable progress and enjoyment.

This War of Mine (Europe – Poland) Whenever a game is set in war or rooted in combat, you’re often the soldier or the heroic protagonist of the story. In the glory days of “Call of Duty”, you’d play as soldiers who played a pivotal role in historic battles or even fictional ones set in our modern world. Even in games like the “Fallout” series, you can still completely change the course of in-game history and make an ending completely different based on your actions. “This War of Mine’’ flips the script on what it means to be in wartime. It doesn’t relish you in glory, and it doesn’t make you a part of something bigger and more important. It’s the ugly truth of struggling for your life in a broken, war-torn city. This beautifully melancholic game was the product of inspiration from the Siege of Sarajevo, often known as the longest siege in modern history, where thousands of civilians lost their lives along with the soldiers fighting that war.

The game’s narrative doesn’t dare shy away from the bitter-cold reality that average men, women, and children suffer through during this time. Food is scarce. Medicine is scarce. Safety itself is scarce.

Not only do you have to worry about going against the elements, but you have to be wary of violent scavengers and militants while protecting your own group of fellow survivors. Treading through destroyed buildings, dim streets and abandoned houses is both tense and bleak. The game knows it’s difficult but that’s the point. You’re stuck with having to worry about these dire circumstances

and still survive. However, what’s truly brutal about it isn’t just the difficulty of the game. It’s the story.

You grow attached to different characters and feel sympathy for them. When tragedy strikes these characters, it leaves an empty feeling in your chest and you suffer through that loss. The distress it puts you through lingers well after the game is put away. The grounded and realistic nature of it offers an important lesson about the reality of war.

The story’s anti-war narrative is still relevant today as it would’ve been all those years ago. So much so that the game creators even made a fundraiser to help Ukrainian fugitives during their current troubling times.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (Asia – Japan) “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” has been infamously known for giving players inexperienced with the souls genre a beatdown. However, this game is something utterly fresh compared to Miyazaki’s other works. As opposed to the “Berserk” inspired series, “Dark Souls,” Miyazaki uses rich Japanese folklore and history in “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice”. The architecture of feudal Japan shrouds the game, and it provides a stunning view of the world around you. Every enemy you encounter has a direct link to Japanese history or Japanese legends that can be found in statues or paintings. “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” reveres the mythological history behind every character and bossfight. In addition to the beautiful aesthetic, Buddhist themes are present in the story and the architecture that make you ponder fate and the cycle of reincarnation. Yes, this game is brutal, but it’s complemented by a fascinating story that makes every hair-pulling encounter worth the progression. The game studio’s decision to focus the game on a set protagonist differentiates “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” from other Soulsborne games. You get to see Sekiro, the main character, go through personal development and interact with the world around him. Over time, the story reveals what type of person he truly is, and it makes the story both engaging and heartfelt. Depending on how you fight your way through the story, the environment of the world around you can change drastically.

Over time, the progression system allows you to evolve into a more experienced fighter as it forces a quick-witted playthrough but not a reckless one.

Mulaka (Latin America - Mexico) For lovers of adventure games, “Mulaka” takes a fresh spin on the genre by using Tarahuamaran culture to shape the world you play in. You play as a shaman named Sukurúame tasked with warding off evil from your world, maintaining peace. Armed with a spear, the ability to see both the living and spirit world, and the ability to shapeshift, “Mulaka’’ offers an adventure that is nothing short of a fun ride. You will notice the landscape is based on Mexico’s northern region and the art style is based on native imagery. The story itself is narrated in Raramuri, Tarahumara’s native language, which adds to the wonder the world offers. Add on the beautiful soundtrack made with instruments from that region, and you achieve an immersive experience in Tarahuamara’s mythology. The

creators of the game did an excellent job at making sure the game was authentic. They didn’t want a game that is only “fun.” They wanted a game that could offer a unique experience into legends that still haven’t had a chance to come to life the way they do in “Mulaka”. Every level, whether it’s fastpaced or mellow, really drives home that the world you’re playing in feels real and grounded. Playing as the shaman in this world emphasizes the surreal magic that is embedded into native folklore. The combat isn’t repetitive and doesn’t lend itself as a button-mashing game, but it requires unique approaches for different enemies and locations.

You have several abilities and can play through the entire game experimenting with how enemies can be defeated. The gameplay is action-packed and pairs excellently with its story. As a whole, it was thoughtfully put together with pride and love.

If you’re ready to be enthralled by the grandiose legends from a humble tribe, then look no further.

“Mulaka’’ offers a beautiful experience.

These stories have an incredible story to tell and present a whole new world for you to explore.

What sets video games apart from other forms of entertainment is that you’re placed in the shoes of the characters you play as. To look through a perspective that might be completely foreign to you is an experience that should be cherished.

With that being said, be sure to relish in the tales that creators have poured their heart into creating.

CREATIVE ENCLAVE

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A knife dips into the chest of a pomegranate Cracking it’s sternum right at the center And as she spreads it apart into two jagged halves Tiny red rubies spill and cover her already stained Waiting palms in a fresh layer of sickly coating dripping down and down until Her forearms bare it’s sweet marks dancing and twisting down in the shape of ribbons She brings her hands up and up until velvety scarlet fingers meet equally scarlet lips Opening her mouth she places a ruby on her tongue and she can taste Its guts and grit and gore underneath her fingernails as well as All the life she has stolen and all the lives before this one Lowering herself down on a throne of ivory bone that connect like joints at her seams She downs her crown of wilting pinks and greens and yellows she leaves Red stains in the shape of delicate fingerprints on each A pile of pomegranate peels lay at her right heel and A three-headed dog slumbers at her left And in this moment a laugh slithers out of Persephone’s parted lips as She sits saturated in her desires and wonders why She ever gave any thought to going back up

Once you know what it is like to live deliciously Why would you ever return?

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CREATIVE ENCLAVE

Give me holes, and mold, and mice.

In imperfections after things go awry, I'll show you someone’s last advice.

Polish tells a story that’s far too concise.

It can't show how someone lived and cried.

Give me holes, and mold, and mice.

I want to see the cigarette holes, the spliced edges of a jacket, with seams tied and re-tied.

There, I’ll show you someone’s last advice.

I want to wonder about the chipped dice in Granddad’s nightstand and his nickname: “small-fry.”

I learn from holes, and mold, and mice.

I want to wade in dusty memories, the smell of must and spice: and look through a telescope’s cracked glass eye Searching for someone’s last advice.

A perfect thing can be visually nice; this, I don’t deny.

But give me holes, and mold, and mice

CREATIVE ENCLAVE

Twinkle stars at night dark clouds in your eyes.

I should not have come.

Teardrops and tissues Cotton underneath your head It will be dawn soon. confusing queries malfunction in subconscious desolate bed sheets Tiptoes on the floor frighten all the dust bunnies.

Tripped the way out.