ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM
Friday, March 10, 2017
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Students4Justice Center
ADMINISTRATION
Baker-Mandela Center
provides a space for activists to work
created alternative anti-racist curriculums
archives past University activism work physically and online
organizes social justice literature for activists
michigandaily.com
provided space for students to plan anti-racist events
facilitated dialogue on campus about social issues
Current and former profs file lawsuit against ‘U’ Scott Kurashige and Emily Lawsin sue under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act ANDREW HIYAMA Daily Staff Reporter
DESIGN BY AVA WEINER
Students4Justice demands center dedicated to minorities, justice
S4J wants activism space separate from Trotter, similar to former Baker-Mandela Center MATT HARMON Daily Staff Reporter
In response to the racist and antisemitic email hackings last month, the University of Michigan student organization Students4Justice published a public list of demands for University President Mark Schlissel, one of which was the creation of a physical space for students of color on campus to organize and enact social change. The request has since gained traction. S4J Core Organizer Lakyrra Magee, LSA
junior, has confirmed the group has found a temporary space for student activists to work, but has no official funding or physical center as of yet. In its demands, S4J said the new activism center should be separate from the Trotter Multicultural Center and should be specifically for students of color — allowing students access, with special recognition toward minorities. Magee said S4J wants the center’s budget to include a library for social movement literature for activists. She also said the use of the library as an archive for the
University’s activism history is crucial to the group’s plan. “We also want archived past University work, so we want it to have access to previous movements from students, both online and in paper and news articles and things like that, that documents all of the activism that’s happened throughout the years at the University of Michigan,” she said. “We also just want it to be a space for students to get together in order to better prepare themselves to do said work.” S4J Core Organizer Vikrant
Garg, a Public Health student, said a new activism center would spark more social innovation on campus. He cited institutions such as the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, minority cultural lounges and others as ideas that have been created by students. “If you think about it ideologically, what a student activist center would be would be a center that really fosters a lot of what has made this University better over time,” Garg said. “There are so many things that have been created at this University See CENTER, Page 3
One former University of Michigan faculty member and one current University faculty member are joining together to bring a lawsuit against the University under the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, making claims of racial discrimination and harassment. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, passed in 1976, prohibits discrimination based on “religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status,” in employment and education, among other areas. The plaintiffs — Scott Kurashige, an assistant professor in the History and American Culture Departments from 2000 to 2014, and Emily Lawsin, a lecturer in the Women’s Studies and American Culture Departments since 2000 –– are seeking over $25,000 in damages in the form of lost salaries and emotional
harm. Kurashige and Lawsin have been married since they began teaching at the University in 2000, and are being represented by attorney Alice Jennings and Carl Edwards of the Detroit law firm Edwards & Jennings, PC. According to Jennings, the University violated the ElliottLarsen Act in multiple ways, including discrimination based on the plaintiffs’ marriage. “The primary issue is disparate treatment,” Jennings said. “They have been treated differently than others who are not similarly situated for racial reasons. Secondly, there’s an issue of hostile work environment, meaning that individual is made to feel different in a way that is painful both intellectually as well as emotionally.” The lawsuit claims both Kurashige and Lawsin were consistently passed over for promotions and raises, despite each receiving high acclaim in their respective fields. See LAWSUIT, Page 3
University professor lectures about Econ prof. Legislature gets a taste repression of investigative reporting takes on ACADEMICS
GOVERNMENT
of Golden Apple
50 gather at Michigan League to hear visiting prof. and journalist, Will Potter
Dr. Edward Cho given student-nominated award in Economics 102 lecture
Around 50 people gathered in the Vandenberg Room of the Michigan League on Thursday for the Communication Studies Department’s annual Howard R. Marsh Lecture in Journalism, delivered this year by investigative journalist Will Potter. Potter’s talk, titled “From Protester to Terrorist: The Mechanisms of State Repression,” highlighted his own career as a journalist and the ways he discovered the United States government systematically discredits activist movements in order to protect corporate interests. He said he became obsessed with investigating the FBI’s tactics after he was arrested for hanging leaf lets against animal testing on doors. The FBI then offered him career help in exchange for becoming an informant. “Two FBI agents came to my home, and they knew all about where I worked, and how my dad had to cosign for our apartment at the time because I didn’t have enough money, and I had a Fulbright (scholarship) pending, and my girlfriend at the time had some Ph.D. funding, and they said they could make all this go away, unless I helped them by spying on protest groups,” he said. “And they made a
MOLLY NORRIS Daily Staff Reporter
Economic Prof. Edward Cho was teaching his Econ 102 class, macroeconomics, Thursday afternoon when a student raised his hand to ask a question. When called on by Cho, the student asked: “Do you like apples?” Cho appeared confused and the student reiterated, “What about a golden apple?” The doors at the back of the lecture hall then opened to reveal the other members of the Golden Apple committee, the graduate student instructors for the class and other members of the Economics department, all holding balloons and f lowers. This was how Cho was awarded the Golden Apple Award. After the award selection committee received a record-breaking 1,136 nominations this year, the committee members were very excited to present this award to Cho. Cho appeared overwhelmed with emotion when he realized that he would be the recipient See AWARD, Page 3
GOT A NEWS TIP? Call 734-418-4115 or e-mail news@michigandaily.com and let us know.
ANDREW HIYAMA Daily Staff Reporter
point of emphasizing you know, you have this upward career trajectory, you’re doing everything right, just make it all easier on yourself, or you’re going to be put on a domestic terrorist list. It scared the daylights out of me.” The majority of Potter’s talk was spent breaking down his “10 easy steps to turn protesters into terrorists”: using the power of language,
waging media campaigns, holding government hearings, dividing, conducting surveillance, advocating for disproportionate sentences, creating informants, passing laws against dissent, creating special prisons and expanding to the mainstream. Many of the laws criminalizing dissent, Potter pointed out, were passed without the knowledge of
many people, including lawmakers. To pass the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, which makes causing a loss of profits to an animal enterprise an act of terrorism, Congress used an obscure procedure called “suspension of the rules” to get the bill through with the minimum oversight possible. “This is how a lot of bills See POTTER, Page 3
JEREMY MITNICK/Daily
Investigative journalist Will Potter gives a lecture entitled “From Protestor to Terrorist - The Mechanisms of State Repression” in the Michigan League on Thursday.
For more stories and coverage, visit
michigandaily.com
INDEX
Vol. CXXVII, No. 42 ©2017 The Michigan Daily
new FOIA expansions
Michigan ranks among last in state Freedom of Information Act laws CALEB CHADWELL Daily Staff Reporter
The Michigan Legislature is currently addressing expansions and limitations to the Freedom of Information Act in Michigan through two bills: Senate Bill 0069 and House Bill 4149. FOIA, a federal law that took effect in 1967, allows individuals in Michigan to submit requests to access public information. Michigan has ranked poorly in issues of transparency, in part because of weak or absent state laws about public records and disclosures. HB 4149 would expand FOIA requests to include the governor’s office and the state legislature. The Committee on Michigan Competitiveness is currently evaluating the bill in the House of Representatives. In a phone interview, state Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D–Ann Arbor) said he believes the legislation is a priority and feels encouraged to see bipartisan support on the issue. “We live in one of the worst states when it comes to transparency in government, we See FOIA, Page 3
NEWS.........................2 OPINION.....................4 ARTS......................6
SUDOKU.....................2 CLASSIFIEDS...............6 SPORTS....................7
News
2 — Friday, March 10, 2017
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
ON THE DAILY: CSG “BIG BROTHER” TRACKS GYM USE Fear crowded gyms no more. LSA senior Lakshman Mulpuri and Rackham student Trevis Harrold, Central Student Government representatives, recently launched a program through the University of Michigan app that allows students to view how many people are currently in the Recreational Sports facilities, as well as what equipment is being used. The model is very similar to one of the app’s features that tracks how full dining halls are. Mulpuri and Harrold worked with College of Engineering students and Information and Technology Services to create the program and add it to the official University app. The representatives said CSG made a donation to the recreation buildings to buy iPads. Then, every half hour, recreation employees walk around the building and count how many people are using the equipment. “It gives you a sense of how busy (the gym) is,” Mulpuri said. “It tells
you how many people are in each usable and working,” Harrold said. North Campus Recreational Building room, lifting, running, swimming The program can be accessed and the Intramural Sports Building. is actually on there too, the lounges, through the University app from the racquetball courts. At the top of the Student Life tab and is currently Read more at the app, it’ll also say what time it’s collecting data from the Central MichiganDaily.com been updated at, and it’s really useful Campus Recreational Building, the because a lot of students have told me that this is something that they’d like.” Mulpuri added this was a project he and Harrold been trying to work on for a while, and they had to go through multiple meetings with managers and faculty at different centers to have it implemented. Harrold said he was proud to see the application running after their hard work. “It was a really long process, even getting the money allocated to different KEVIN ZHENG/Daily (recreation) centers, we were Associate research scientist Sara Gonzales discusses women of color in research and very involved with that, but academia with UROP students at Haven Hall on Thursday. it was good to see it actually
MUSIC Matters @MUSICMatters_UM Ready for the biggest concert at UM this year? Join the MUSIC Matters V.I.P list to learn about the headliner before anyone else.
G I R L TA L K
Ross School of Bus. @MichiganRoss The ACA’s effect on the poor: more coverage, longer wait times. See the latest Ross research
CAMPUS EVENTS & NOTES 33rd Annual German Day WHAT: The University will sponsor an event for secondary school students to compete in German language competitions in front of teachers and parents. WHO: Germanic Languages & Literatures WHEN: 10 a.m. to Noon WHERE: Rackham Graduate School Auditorium
Morgan Stanley Informational Event
WHAT: Representatives from Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking Division will assist freshmen and sophomores in the process of getting an internship. WHO: University Career Center WHEN: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. WHERE: Ross School of Business, Davidson Winter Garden
Harassment and Gender Discrimination Talk
Food Truck Friday
Mobile Device Security Seminar
WHAT: Food trucks from Bearclaw Coffee Co. and Ray’s Red Hots will be selling lunch and giving away merchandise on North Campus. WHO: Michigan Dining WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE: North Campus Diag, Gerstacker Grove
WHAT: ITS will demo how to properly manage and secure mobile devices to ensure privacy and the protection of personal information. WHO: Information and Technology Services WHEN: 11 a.m. to Noon WHERE: Michigan Union, Room G312
WHAT: Elizabeth Seney, the Univeristy’s deputy Title IX coordinator, will provide information on sexual harassment and gender discrimination on campus. WHO: Department of Physics WHEN: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: West Hall, Room 340
“What is Good About Justice?” Lecture
UMMA After Hours
Saxophone Ensemble Concert
WHAT: Rüdiger Bittner, from the University of Bielefeld in Germany, will discuss ideas and concepts of justice in a philosophical context. WHO: Department of Philosophy WHEN: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Angell Hall, Room G127
WHAT: UMMA will be open late to the public to view galleries as well as special exhibits, including the Bicentennial Victors for Art exhibits. WHO: University of Michigan Museum of Art WHEN: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. WHERE: Museum of Art
WHAT: The UM Saxophone Ensemble will perform a free concert featuring works by Joel Love, Matthew Browne and Vincent David. WHO: School of Music, Theatre & Dance WHEN: 8 p.m. WHERE: Earl V. Moore Building, Britton Recital Hall
AARON DALAL
Daily Staff Reporter
Discussions surrounding issues of race and gender in the world of University of Michigan research and academia were prominent during a lecture for undergraduate researchers held Thursday afternoon. Around 40 students gathered in a classroom in Haven Hall to hear a panel of speakers discuss issues of gender and race in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, the University of Michigan’s program for involving undergraduates in research projects with faculty. The panel was moderated by one of UROP’s social science peer advisors, LSA senior Adedolapo Adeniji who asked
SHOW STOPPER.
puzzle by sudokusyndication.com NAME CREDIT TO: SIMONSAYS
WANT TO NAME A SUDOKU? GO TO TINYURL.COM/TMDSUDOKU
Read more at MichiganDaily.com
I went from having a relaxing spring break directly to having my life spin out of control once again
420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1327 www.michigandaily.com
The speakers presented to approximately 40 undergraduate researchers challenged. So, if anything, you learn to push back, you learn to defend your ideas.” American Culture Prof. Yeidy Rivero, another panelist, discussed mentorship in research and how it relates to race. “Because I am a woman and I am Latina does not mean I am the perfect mentor for a Latino person, you know what I mean?” she asked. “My first mentor was a white male. And he was wonderful and I adore him and he was my dissertation adviser.” In an interview following the panel, Rivero discussed the importance of talking to undergraduates. “We as scholars should devote a lot of attention to our undergraduates and part of that is to talk about what is going on in society, and gender and race are key issues today,” she said. In the interview she also commented on the way the University addresses racial issues higher up in the research community. “I think the University is trying very hard to tell you the truth, to deal with those issues,” she said. “I think each department is different, of course, but I think the University is putting in a lot of effort and funds for that … I think many people are unaware of their own sexism and racism. They make comments and you are like ‘Oh my god.’ Believe it or not, I think people should be trained. It doesn’t matter that you have a Ph.D.” Kinesiology junior Riley Engstrom commented on the diversity within UROP.
I could not be more satisfied with Michigan Basketball at the moment
Lyss @AlyssaW21
Panel addresses gender and race biases within research community the panelists questions. At the end of the discussion, the students were allowed to ask the panelists their own. Adeniji sought answers that would help students learn more about research, including how to find a mentor, how to seek out support and how race and gender have played a role in the paths of the panelists. Panelist Sara Adlerstein Gonzalez, an associate research scientist in the School of Natural Resources and Environment, discussed what it means to be a woman in a male-dominated research field. “Being a person of color and a female and younger, you get questioned a lot in terms of your research or your ideas,” she said. “You get challenged in ways that maybe your male or white counterparts aren’t
matt stewart @stewmagoo02
EMMA KINERY
Editor in Chief 734-418-4115 ext. 1251 kineryem@michigandaily.com
NEWS TIPS
HUSSEIN HAKIM
Business Manager 734-418-4115 ext. 1241 hjhakim@michigandaily.com
ARTS SECTION
PHOTOGRAPHY SECTION
news@michigandaily.com
arts@michigandaily.com
photo@michigandaily.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
NEWSROOM
tothedaily@michigandaily.com
EDITORIAL PAGE
734-418-4115 opt. 3
CORRECTIONS
opinion@michigandaily.com
SPORTS SECTION
sports@michigandaily.com
corrections@michigandaily.com
ADVERTISING
dailydisplay@gmail.com
Editorial Staff
AMELIA CACCHIONE and EMMA RICHTER
REBECCA LERNER
Senior Photo Editors: Zoey Holmstrom, Evan Aaron, Alexis Rankin Assistant Photo Editors: Claire Meingast, Emilie Farrugia, Sinduja Kilaru, Sam Mousigian, Marina Ross
Managing Editor
Managing Photo Editors rebler@michigandaily.com
ALEXA ST.JOHN
photo@michigandaily.com
LARA MOEHLMAN
Managing News Editor alexastj@michigandaily.com Senior News Editors: Riyah Basha, Tim Cohn, Lydia Murray, Nisa Khan, Sophie Sherry Assistant News Editors: Kevin Biglin, Caleb Chadwell, Heather Colley, Erin Doherty, Maya Goldman, Matt Harmon, Andrew Hiyama, Jen Meer, Carly Ryan, Kaela Theut
Statement Editor statement@michigandaily.com Deputy Statement Editor: Brian Kuang Yoshiko Iwai
ANNA POLUMBO-LEVY and REBECCA TARNOPOL
Senior Copy Editors: Marisa Frey, Ibrahim Rasheed
Editorial Page Editors opinioneditors@michigandaily.com Senior Opinion Editors: Caitlin Heenan, Jeremy Kaplan, Max Lubell, Madeline Nowicki, Stephanie Trierweiler
BETELHEM ASHAME and KEVIN SANTO
Managing Sports Editors sportseditors@michigandaily.com Senior Sports Editors: Laney Byler, Mike Persak, Orion Sang, Minh Doan, Chloe Aubuchon, Sylvanna Gross, Chris Crowder Assistant Sports Editors: Rob Hefter, Max Marcovitch, Avi Sholkoff, Ethan Wolfe, Matthew Kennedy, Paige Voeffray
ANAY KATYAL and NATALIE ZAK
Managing Arts Editors arts@michigandaily.com Senior Arts Editors: Tess Garcia, Dayton Hare, Nabeel Chollanpat, Madeline Gaudin, Carly Snider Arts Beat Editors: Caroline Filips, Danielle Yacobson, Danny Hensel, Erika Shevchek, Matt Gallatin
MICHELLE PHILLIPS and AVA WEINER
DANIELLE JACKSON and TAYLOR GRANDINETTI Managing Copy Editors
copydesk@michigandaily.com
DYLAN LAWTON and BOB LESSER
Managing Online Editor lesserrc@michigandaily.com Senior Web Developers: Erik Forkin, Jordan Wolff
ABE LOFY
Managing Video Editor video@michigandaily.com Senior Video Editors: Gilly Yerrington, Matt Nolan, Aarthi Janakiraman, Emily Wolfe
JASON ROWLAND and ASHLEY TJHUNG
Michigan in Color Editors michiganincolor@michigandaily.com Senior Michigan in Color Editors: Christian Paneda, Tanya Madhani, Neel Swamy, Adam Brodnax, Areeba Haider, Halimat Olaniyan, Sivanthy Visanthan
ELLIE HOMANT
Managing Social Media Editor Senior Social Media Editors: Carolyn Watson, Molly Force
Managing Design Editors design@michigandaily.com Senior Design Editors: Alex Leav, Carly Berger, Christine Lee
Business Staff
SONIA SHEKAR
EMILY RICHNER
National Accounts Manager
Sales Manager
ANNA HE
Special Publications and Events Manager
Digital Marketing Manager
JESSICA STEWART JULIA SELSKY
Local Accounts Manager
CLAIRE BUTZ
Production and Layout Manager The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms by students at the University OF Michigan. One copy is available free of charge to all readers. Additional copies may be picked up at the Daily’s office for $2. Subscriptions for September-April are $225 and year long subscriptions are $250. University affiliates are subject to a reduced subscription rate. On-campus subscriptions for fall term are $35. Subscriptions must be prepaid. The Michigan Daily is a member of The Associated Press and The Associated Collegiate Press.
News
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
AWARD From Page 1 of the Golden Apple Award, naming him Professor of the Year. The whole lecture hall erupted in cheers, and Cho looked on, smiling from the front of the room. After the award was explained, Cho delivered an impromptu thank you speech. “When I was a little kid, I thought my dream would be to be a professional wrestler,” Cho started, causing the class to erupt with laughter. “I realized that wasn’t going to happen with this body, and so this is more or less a dream come true.” This was the 27th annual Golden Apple Award, which is the only award at the University that is comprised soley of student nominations. Economics Prof. Jim Adams, who received the Golden Apple Award in 1998, made a speech in front of the class congratulating Cho on this honor. “There are about 4,100 members of the instructional faculty at Michigan,” Adams began. “In the entire history of this award, only 26 people have won it. If you do the math, 26 divided by 4,100, you get something under 1 percent.
FOIA From Page 1 have been fighting this issue for years,” Rabhi said. “House Republicans and Democrats are starting to work together on legislation around the Freedom of Information Act expansion.” LSA junior Enrique Zalamea, president of the University of Michigan’s chapter of College Republicans, echoed this sentiment in an email interview and said he fundamentally believes in holding the government accountable through FOIA, agreeing that more transparency is needed in Michigan’s state government in order for these values to be protected. “I believe that government officials, as public servants to the people, must be obliged to a higher standard of transparency,” Zalamea said. “The people cannot hold their publicly elected officials accountable if crucial information regarding their performance and activities remain private — with more transparency in our government, we the people have more influence in making sure the people we elect lead
CENTER From Page 1 by students and by their activism.” In the University’s 35-page response to all of S4J’s initial demands, released in February, the University said cross-cultural spaces already exist on campus, an example being The Connector that bridges the Michigan Union and West Quad Residence Hall. The report said the current plan for a new Trotter Multicultural Center closer to Central Campus addresses S4J’s original demand. Another future idea outlined in the response would create a social justice institute, which would include areas for student activists to work. However, University spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said the document is just a starting point for discussion, not a final decision. Many students and faculty are comparing this request to the Baker-Mandela Center for AntiRacist Education, a social activism space for students that was active in the ’80s and ’90s. The BMC was founded in 1988 by students Premilla Nadasen, Barbara Ransby, Tracye Matthews and members of the United Coalition Against Racism. The circumstances surrounding the BMC’s closing are unclear. However, according to Fitzgerald, there was never an official decision to remove the
More like one-half of one percent of the faculty at the University of Michigan have won this award. I would say that’s in the A+ category.” Adams went on to discuss the importance of this award, noting that the fact that it is chosen only by students makes it a particularly priceless recognition for someone who
“I’m pretty much speechless right now. You know when in this situation, I have a call that we all understand”
values his students as much as Cho. However, it isn’t only students who say they love working with Cho — his GSIs, when asked, say they find him to be a great teacher. Rackham student Ivy Tran, who started working with Cho this year, said he has been one of her
Friday, March 10, 2017 — 3
favorite teachers to work with. “In terms of the energ y he brings to the classroom, (Cho) is really great,” Tran said. “He always has jokes and finds a way to make economics really interesting, even for a graduate student. It’s a way different experience than I ever had taking these courses. He really cares to make sure the students have the resources with me, and I feel like even though it’s a 300-person lecture, each student still feels like they have a personal connection with Dr. Cho.” During the class, the students had multiple things they chanted throughout the surprise announcement, which students said were things Cho and his students often do as a way of bringing the class together. Cho said “Yuh!” The students responded by repeating the call in unison, laughing as they celebrated this award KATELYN MULCAHY/Daily with their professor. Economics professor Edward Cho receives the Golden Apple Award during his lecture in Lorch Hall on Thursday. On April 3, Cho will accept his award and deliver a “last lecture.” LSA senior Rachel as a reminder that professors every day to students,” Liang Cho gave one final speech to Liang, a who was a part of the should always teach as though said. “The winner every year show his gratitude. award selection committee, it was their last day teaching. embodies that idea and that “I’m pretty much speechless described the last lecture, “The theme of the lecture is spirit that we want to spread right now,” Cho said. “You which is a tradition that all basically to convey the idea of throughout the University, and know when in this situation, of the winners of the Golden teaching every day as if it was that’s why we do what we do.” I have a call that we all Apple Award participate in your last, and giving your best At the end of the surprise, understand.”
this state efficiently.” Rabhi said part of the push for this recent activity regarding FOIA has come from Michigan voters who want to hold the state government accountable for its actions, particularly in light of the Flint Water Crisis. “This is a very important issue that really resonates with voters in Michigan,” Rabhi said. “People believe that government should be open, they believe it should be transparent and this is one of those issues where we need to jump in and make sure that happens.” The state House passed a similar package to expand FOIA to government officials with bipartisan support last session, but the measure died in the state Senate when Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R–West Olive) refused to bring the package to a vote, the Detroit Free Press reported. In a response to comment, Meekhof’s office said his reason for not supporting the earlier legislation was out of concern that sensitive constituent information could be exposed through FOIA. “The Majority Leader is opposed to legislation that would make constituent correspondence available under
FOIA,” a representative from the office of Meekhof wrote. “Constituents often contact legislative offices seeking assistance with the state and may supply personal or financial information in seeking to resolve issues and the Senator does not think such information should be available for review by the public or media.” Rabhi disputed Meekhof’s claim and said sensitive constituent information would continue to be protected from FOIA as a part of any legislation passed in the House. “Certain sensitive constituent information like medical information, financial information, social security numbers would be redacted if an email or communication were released,” Rabhi said. “That privacy concern I believe is dealt with.” The other bill, SB 0069, would work to expand restrict FOIA further by exempting company secrets and bids from FOIA requests in order to promote competitiveness. It passed both the state Senate and House with unanimous bipartisan support. Rabhi said he voted for the bill because he agreed with the idea of limiting FOIA requests to ensure the bidding process for state contracts is fair.
“When a company is bidding for providing services to the state, there was concern that a competitor company could FOIA that bid and then undercut that bid,” Rabhi said. “In a sealed bid environment, every company submits their bid not knowing what the other company has done.” Zalamea said he fully supports the passage of the bill and agrees with the idea of protecting businesses from certain aspects of FOIA to promote competition. “The government can and has directly impeded companies’ competitiveness when they release sensitive trade secrets,” Zalamea said. “Such information should only be released after the trades have been made.” Conversely, Public Policy junior Rowan Conybeare, chair of the University’s chapter of the College Democrates, said in an email interview her position is to support FOIA expansions, believing limitations of the act are a threat to democracy. “Transparency and accountability in government are essential to our democracy,” Conybeare wrote. “Legislative attempts to limit the scope of the FOIA are impediments to civic life and citizen participation.”
BMC from campus. He said the center slowly faded away after the founding students started to move away or focus on other issues. The University could not give specifics on when the BMC dismantled and the Daily last reported on its existence in September 1994. A Daily article from November 1995 reported on students’ calls for its reinstatement. Nadasen said the incidents leading up to the founding of UCAR in 1987 and subsequently the creation of the BMC, involved racist flyers around campus, similar to the flyer incidentslast semester. She said the purpose of the BMC was to not only help student activist find resources but to bring racial issues into the classroom. “One of the goals of the BMC was to create an alternative curriculum, one that made the theories that we were learning in our classes relevant to everyday people and to our lives so we sought to link intellectualism and activism,” she said. “We wanted to have a space that was available for students of color and we were available to all students on the campus who were interested in anti-racist education.” In 2013, Rackham student Garrett Felber cofounded the United Coalition for Racial Justice, which took inspiration from Nadasen’s UCAR. After researching the UCAR and talking with former UCAR members about the BMC, Felber began researching the original center as
part of a racial justice proposal. In an email interview, Felber said the BMC had ingrained diversity into the center’s functions. “BMC by-laws specified that the board must be a majority women and people of color,” Felber wrote. “For example, in 1993, it was 74 percent female, 61 percent Black, 9 percent Latina, 9 percent LGBTQ.” Felber said getting funds for the BMC was a similar process to S4J’s proposal for the new center: primarily by the University. “Funding was provided by outside philanthropic grants such as the social justice group, Funding Exchange, as well as small donations from community members, fundraising events, and donations from UM offices,” Felber wrote. “Almost 90% of funding came from grants, most of which were provided by the University.” In response to S4J’s new proposal, Felber wrote the plan reflects the long traditions Garg mentioned of students creating change on campus. He wrote students are the main purveyors for racial justice and program innovation at the University. “Nothing meaningful for racial justice on campus comes from top-down leadership models,” Felber wrote. “It is only through organized, thoughtful study and agitation by students and the community that administrators are pressed to come up with a program.” Research fellow Austin McCoy, who studies and teaches
about racial justice, believes the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan needs student-run resources like S4J’s activism center in order to make a difference in campus climate and change the University’s outlook on social activism. “If the administrations are trying to implement any sort of campus-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan, a lot of times they’re going to need to be able to draw on resources from undergrads and grad students who are on the ground,” McCoy said. “These students are actually a resource who are trying to … implement DEI policy so I think such a (S4J) resource center could directly assist this institution.” Instead of seeing the need for another student activism center as repeating past efforts with no change in between, Nadasen said the new center builds off the BMC and provides another stepping stone in the fight for diversity and racial justice. “There are cycles of student organizing and student activism and I think those cycles are important and they do lead to incremental change,” she said. “I think the universities of today and the University of Michigan looks very different today than it did 60 years ago and part of the reason for that is because of the ways in which student activism has made demands on the University and the ways in which they have tried to hold the University accountable.”
LAWSUIT From Page 1 According to the plaintiffs, both of whom are Asian-American, the reason they weren’t considered for advancement was racially motivated. “Even with the requisite raise for promotion effective Fall 2012, Plaintiff’s salary remained at the university’s scale minimum, far below average for his rank, and well below that of faculty with comparable or less accomplishments,” the lawsuit reads. The lawsuit asserts Kurashige’s continued pursuit of discrimination claims against the University led to his 2013 termination as Director of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Studies Program, and his later blacklisting by his colleagues, which effectively forced him to resign from his position as professor in 2014. Additionally, the University attempted to terminate Lawsin’s employment in 2015, while she was on leave to care for a baby with Down syndrome, and has barred her from teaching her previously scheduled classes for the winter 2017 semester, which the lawsuit claims was a result of her reporting discrimination against herself and other faculty and students. In addition to their own personal accounts of discrimination, the plaintiffs’ complaints contain demographic information about the University for the purpose of illustrating a culture of racial bias
POTTER From Page 1 get moved through that are ostensibly non-controversial,” Potter said. “That same week, the same procedure was used to honor the St. Louis Cardinals for winning the World Series. Then it was used to pass the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. There were only six members of Congress in the room. The rest were on the National Mall breaking ground on a new memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Information master’s student Jay Choi said he appreciated being exposed to an issue he wouldn’t otherwise have been aware of as a noncommunications student. “I actually didn’t give it too much thought before I came here, but I was really surprised at the content of the actual lecture and some of the issues that journalists are facing,” he said. “It’s not every day that students from different departments get exposed to such events and trends in other industries so this really helps expand those horizons for students, in my opinion.”
and censorship. “The composition of UM faculty also contradicts the institution’s rhetorical commitment to diversity and equity,” the complaint reads. “Of the 3,096 tenured and tenuretrack faculty at UM, 74 percent are white, 15.8 percent are Asian (a large portion being international scholars), 4.3 percent are Black, 4.1 percent are Hispanic, 0.4 percent are Native American, and 0.1 percent are Native Hawaiian/
“The composition of UM faculty also contradicts the institution’s rhetorical commitment to diversity”
Pacific Islander. At the rank of full professor, 80 percent are white and 73 percent are male.” University spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said the University would be contesting the charges, but provided no further details. “We will vigorously defend the university against this lawsuit,” Fitzgerald wrote in an email to the Daily. “In fact, the university already has filed a motion to dismiss much of the complaint.”
At the end of the talk, Potter warned repression was an issue that applied to more than just environmentalists, saying the power of the state was especially dangerous under President Donald Trump’s administration. “Now of course I lied in my BuzzFeed listicle presentation here, that there’s not just 10 steps to how all this happens,” he said. “The most important point is that there’s this unspoken final step to repeat the entire thing over again against different political groups. Right now, the main target has been environmentalist groups. But even if you don’t care about the environment, this still affects everyone in this room.” LSA sophomore Lena Dreves said she thought Potter’s remarks were something everyone needed to hear. “I thought he really put it together really well, and that needs to be known by people on campus, and, if possible, people need to read his book because it’s really well-written,” Dreves said. “I really liked how he said the way that they’re constructing this certain dynamic with environmentalists, they can do with any social group. I thought that was a very important piece of information.”
Opinion
4 — Friday, March 10, 2017
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
ROLAND DAVIDSON | COLUMN
Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com
EMMA KINERY Editor in Chief
ANNA POLUMBO-LEVY
and REBECCA TARNOPOL Editorial Page Editors
REBECCA LERNER Managing Editor
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS Carolyn Ayaub Megan Burns Samantha Goldstein Caitlin Heenan Jeremy Kaplan
Sarah Khan Max Lubell Alexis Megdanoff Madeline Nowicki Anna Polumbo-Levy
Jason Rowland Ali Safawi Kevin Sweitzer Rebecca Tarnopol Stephanie Trierweiler
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily’s Editorial Board. All other signed articles and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
SARAH LEESON | COLUMN
The illusion of time and comparisons
C
urrently, there is a already, whether it’s grad school, variety of undeniable a career or some turf picked out signs cropping up for panhandling. Considering around me that indicate I’m the relativity of time can give a graduating, from healthier perspective the flood of emails on this, though. in my inbox about This commencement to understanding of the small mountain the relativity of time of coffee cups I have comes from a couple near my study spot places for me. First, from late nights a couple semesters with senior capstone ago, I took a course projects. It would be on rocket science hard to write off the (which does mean SARAH amount of evidence that I am officially LEESON sitting in front of a rocket scientist me that I need to start and get to pretend preparing for college to be to be superior). While doing a over. However, until recently, I refresher course on physics, was a master of denial; without we covered Einstein’s laws of a clear path in front of me for motion and theory on general my post-grad steps, I just didn’t relativity, which show that want to think about the future. time is relative. That is to It wasn’t until I was talking say, bodies being acted upon with my mom at the end of by different levels of gravity Spring Break that I knew I will experience the passage needed a better way to think of time differently. about this upcoming life The other classes I can point change. She pointed out that, to where the relativity of time while I can continue seeing was discussed are my linguistics graduation as seven long courses. It was pointed out that weeks away, or an entire half a some languages, like Hopi, don’t semester away or even as being conceptualize time in the same more than 1000 hours from way that English does. Based on now (a lifetime!), graduation is theories of linguistic relativity next month now — which is, in and, more specifically, Sapirfact, not a lifetime. Whorf’s hypothesis that our When I resumed breathing language shapes our experience after that chilling realization, of reality, this language I tried to sort through some difference has the implication new coping mechanisms for that even our experience of time tamping down the desire to dig differs based on how we express my heels in harder against time. it. Someone speaking Hopi Ultimately, I’ve found that, instead of English might have a above all else, the knowledge completely different perception that time is completely relative of the passage of time. has been a massive help in In short, time is an illusion, making my way through my changing based on how we final semester in a relatively think about it or what our calm way. frames of reference are One of the hardest things to compared to others’. What’s overcome in handling the fear “slow” or “early” for an that comes with graduating is individual is completely open a lack of concrete plans after to interpretation in the grand getting kicked out of the dorms. scheme of things. This anxiety gets even worse While Einstein’s theories when people around you do, are usually applied to physical in fact, have things figured out motion, and linguistics uses
the idea of time as a tool for comparing worldviews, I find that these ideas can very easily be applied to dealing with the fear associated with being “on time” in life. When I begin to compare my own progress to that of those around me, it’s easy for me to see how relative time is. More often than not, the timing of milestones and the general timelines that others operate on are different enough from my own that it’s pointless or even misleading to use them for myself. Most notable for me was that many of my friends are in engineering fields, which began to hire months before any of the jobs I would be applying to. Seeing people around me settled with concrete plans made me more panicky than normal, until I recontextualized the timeframe. Their timelines are not my own, and I’m not running late or falling behind at all; I’m running on my own time, figuring things out and trying out avenues of possibility at my own speed. While there are deadlines that I need to hit soon (I am more than aware that I need a job soon, don’t remind me), as soon as I stopped looking at what others were doing as a direct comparison to what I was doing, I felt infinitely more relaxed. My first post-grad job is probably not going to be my last, and I can take my time to build up to my dream job of being a football-playing queen in space. So, while I am still hyper aware of the passage of time right now, and I’m still not exactly racing toward that finish line, I at least know that I have options, I have ideas and, more than anything, I have time.
MICHELLE SHENG | CONTACT MICHELLE AT SHENGMI@UMICH.EDU
Sarah Leeson can be reached at sleeson@umich.edu.
C
Consuming collective culture
onfession: I (probably) program and me, they’re had norovirus. constructed by how I watched Confession: I damned the show. Instead of watching 10 of my housemates to making it with a bunch of friends, I offerings before our soon-to-be- saw each episode in solitude. besmirched porcelain idols for This has implications for how two to three days. I interacted with Confession: I spent my it. According to precious few conscious Robert R. Provine, hours binge-watching a neuroscientist “Rick and Morty.” and psychology Despite not being professor at the made for Netflix, “Rick University of and Morty” is the Maryland, people perfect show to bingelaugh nearly 30 watch. The jokes are times more when fast, the episodes are they’re in a group ROLAND short, the animation is when they’re DAVIDSON than colorful and the premise by themselves. is simple. The show has very The content may be the same for loose continuity (and because everyone, but how you engage inter-dimensional travel is a with it changes depending on the key plot device, I don’t think a individual. At the end of the day, viewer would have to watch the I probably enjoyed the show less episodes in order to necessarily because of how I viewed it. understand what’s going on). Our consumption has But as I finished my latest also become asynchronous. binge-watching session, I had Television used to be a communal a bizarre realization: I didn’t experience, even if you weren’t have anyone to talk to about with anyone per se. The nation the show with. It’s not because was tuned in to the same show the show is an empty calorie each night. Cliffhangers had cartoon: “Rick and Morty” is meaning. People could make unafraid to explore themes of predictions with each other existentialism and mortality while they waited with bated alongside diverse topics such breath for the next episode. This as feminism and imperialism doesn’t happen with shows that (and do so coherently! It really are available all at once, like is a testament to the sheer “House of Cards.” The ebb and imagination of creators Dan flow of the whole season doesn’t Harmon and Justin Roiland). mean much if it’s all consumed Upon some reflection, I think in one week (or as is often the the biggest cause of this void was case, one night). the way I consumed “Rick and This phenomenon falls into a Morty.” Instead of watching the broader paradigm of the internet show week-by-week, I watched destroying synchronous rituals. the bulk of it at once on a sketchy Once again, we lose something Chinese website offering to sell tangible in our collective me “Mail Enhancement Pills.” cultural consciousness. I indulged myself alone both Memories are formed through spatially and temporally. repetition, and when we all My memories of “Rick and devour a show like “House of Morty” don’t exist solely as Cards” in such a short time, we a relationship between the are more likely to forget the
show’s content. It has become more difficult to mull over the show long after its time has passed. I don’t want this column to be a simple polemic about how the internet is ruining society. There are historical analogues to this. Back in the ’90s, if you got into a TV show late, you would watch it on VHS after everyone else. However, VHS faced physical constraints on the number of episodes its viewers could access at a given time; viewers didn’t have access to every tape at once, and tapes held a limited amount of footage. But the accessibility of shows on streaming services — and the advent of shows released in bulk on those services — makes the phenomenon a much more common occurrence. I don’t want to understate how awesome streaming services are; they let people watch shows when they want for them rather than forcing people to watch whatever is on. In addition to making television more convenient, people from all over the globe can enjoy “Rick and Morty.” Once again, this isn’t a totally unique process and there are additional important ways we can historicize this: Reading in the secular context has often been a solo endeavor. Book clubs are the exception, not the norm. But we do lose something when we watch a show all at once, not as individuals, but as a collective. That’s emblematic of what the internet does as a society: It empowers the individual but atrophies everything around them.
Roland Davidson can be reached at mhenryda@umich.edu.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONVERSATION Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor and op-eds. Letters should be fewer than 300 words while op-eds should be 550 to 850 words. Send the writer’s full name and University affiliation to tothedaily@michigandaily.com. VICTORIA NOBLE | COLUMN
A
Women supporting women
s my college career Fortunately, that changed draws to a close, shortly after I arrived at the I’ve spent some time University. Older students on reflecting on my the Daily staff and experiences here. in other student Looking back at organizations the sheer volume of during my first work I’ve done, the semester helped new things I’ve tried me get involved and the amount I’ve on campus in grown as a person over organizations that the past four years led me to discover is simultaneously deeper interests amazing and in things I ended VICTORIA overwhelming. I’m up liking far more NOBLE proud of the things I’ve than the superficial. accomplished as a University They gave me the courage to of Michigan undergraduate, share my thoughts and opinions largely because they reflect with the rest of campus through the love I felt for (most of ) the the Daily — something I’ve classes I took and activities I been doing ever since. In doing participated in. so, they taught me to value my But, at this point during my own voice and to take myself senior year of high school, I seriously as someone who envisioned myself spending my deserves to be heard. Wednesday nights partying with I did end up joining a fraternity men, not attending sorority as a sophomore an informational session about — when I had personally graduate school fellowships and matured enough and learned then coming home to write this enough about myself and my column. personal priorities to pick an It’s not that I didn’t care organization with ideals and about school, or really even that women I respected, rather I was really very interested in than just an aesthetically partying (or fraternity men for pleasing Tumblr page or an that matter). Rather, it was just impressive social schedule. what I thought people were Through my sorority, I gained supposed to do in college. Most a community of women who of the images I had seen of support me when I need it and college — both on older friends’ respect me for who I am. social media accounts and in Too frequently, we’re popular culture — involved encouraged to be pretty faces stylish blonde women either for Instagram posts instead wrapped around tall, tan men of strong people with the or huddled in massive groups of ability to make a real impact. women laughing in Instagram- Though these things aren’t worthy places. I imagined mutually exclusive, living up college through rose-tinted to these outrageous standards lenses adorned with pearls and impedes our efforts to excel in bows. I didn’t realize that the school and pursue the things ideas I had developed about how we’re passionate about. In college women were “supposed” the workplace, especially in to look and act were not only male-dominated fields, these unrealistic but, if left unchecked, pressures only intensify. could be detrimental to my longYet, with the support of term goals. older students willing to act
as my mentors, I learned to navigate the pressures and expectations of women in college and, later, in office environments. Many of these women were busy themselves, but still took the time to serve as resources for me as I began to get involved on campus, search for internships and apply to my current college, the Ford School of Public Policy. At my internship this past summer, management-level female employees made an effort to mentor and advocate for lower-level female employees, including the interns. They helped me feel welcome at work, encouraged me to share my ideas and opinions in meetings and gave me opportunities to work on incredible projects. Women face challenges at school and work that men often don’t, such as wage gaps and not being taken as seriously as their male counterparts. Big picture: building a society where women have the full opportunity to contribute all they can to our economy and government will require that we remove social, legal and economic barriers for women pursuing educational and occupational opportunities. Greater female representation in every arena — from government to engineering — can help make that happen. As it does, all women become better off. But first, we need to help each other get there. From challenging the stereotypes that hold women back, to serving as resources for other women, to simply being real and honest with our friends and on social media, we can help make it easier for women to deploy their talents and efforts to improve society as a whole.
Victoria Noble can be reached at vjnoble@umich.edu.
Arts
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
TV REVIEW
Friday, March 10, 2017 — 5
FILM REVIEW
ABC
‘Rise’ and LGBT issues fear of the AIDS crisis, often focusing on cities. While most Daily Book Review Editor of the people themselves are fictionalized — though the show does follow the story of On Friday June 26th, 2015, Harvey Milk’s rise, fame and the justices of the Supreme assassination — the challenges Court of the United States ruled that they face feel more that same-sex couples had the relevant now than ever. right to marry nationwide, At times, the stories in sending the country into “When We Rise” are woven a state of celebration and, together with precision and in some places, fervent delicacy; at others, they are full opposition. of schmaltz and Although the sentimentality “And We Rise” White House (it includes may have been the line “Your ABC lit up in rainbow summer of love 6 episode minilights that day turned into a series in solidarity, winter of heroin the SCOTUS’s a long time ago.”) decision wasn’t In the opening unanimous; it episodes the was a 5 to 4 vote. Ever since show reveals the dislike and then, the rights of the LGBTQ exclusion of lesbians and community have been under other queer women in certain assault, in situations that both groups in the women’s rights do and do not receive national movement. But the rendering attention. of this feels like a tongue-in“When We Rise,” ABC’s cheek move; the women who four night TV special, begins voice those views sound more in the ‘70s to tell the story of like the white women from a few individuals who were “The Help” whose ideas are fighting for these rights, also framed to be laughed at which did not end with the at times, rather than people right to a marriage certificate. with harmful views who These years were by no means were fracturing a movement. the beginning of the struggle However, the writing of the for the LGBTQ community, show captures the f lipsides but a time in which issues of issue like these with more surrounding sexuality — and accuracy: the reluctance to the right to love and/or sleep associate with terms like with someone of any gender — lesbian or dyke even if there were receiving more national is a personal connection to the attention than ever before. connotations. A few quiet but It travels through time to powerful scenes show a black the beginning and growing man’s progress in fighting SOPHIA KAUFMAN
racism in the military while still having to deal with the pervasiveness of homophobia — all while keeping his sexuality a secret. The writers of the show are more successful in showing how the struggle for LGBTQ rights was impacted by and affected by other movements for social progress — the Women’s Rights Movement, the Civil Rights Movement and the Antiwar movement — than it is in showing complications of personal stories in such a short amount of space and time. While the performances are fine, they skew towards feeling like those hokey reenactments in historical documentaries. “When We Rise” isn’t always the heart-wrenching drama that it often tries to be. It’s overtly sentimental, several makeout scenes are awkwardly high-school worthy, and there are subplots revolving around the lesbians that feel more like a joke’s punchline than an attempt at a real story. But the show does get a few things right: the momentum of youth, the importance of physical spaces for queer communities, the fierce pride and joy of loving acceptance — and, perhaps most chillingly, the shock that a gunshot-like sound makes in the middle of an upbeat scene because we already believe that someone would threaten the safety of those involved because of their quiet happiness.
BOOK REVIEW
‘Refugees’ humanizes are revealed, the suspenseful buildup to the story’s broiling Daily Arts Writer emotional climax is heartstoppingly memorable, at times difficult to read and persistently It takes a certain type of hard-hitting. genius to write endings the The stories in “The way Viet Thanh Nguyen does: Refugees” have several with candor, poetic grace and a common themes — family, haunting emotional spark that alienation, independence and sticks. In his newest collection personal growth — but the book of short stories, “The Refugees,” never feels repetitive. This is Nguyen’s endings due in part to don’t merely the drastically “The Refugees” slap on some different main Viet Thanh Nguyen haphazard characters and finishing touches; situations that Grove Press they ripen each live in each story story’s content, world, from a leaving them to bloom and woman whose ailing husband tickle the mind even after the mistakes her for a former lover book has finished. to a young man with a host “Black-Eyed Women,” family comprised of a gay couple the first story of the book, adjusting to life in America. is a satisfying, immersive Many of the stories also introduction to Nguyen’s involve strained relationships style. It follows a Vietnamese between parents and children. ghostwriter who lives with her Sometimes the problem is due aging mother; the two women to a generational conflict, and are visited by the ghost of the other times it’s more influenced writer’s brother, who died by culture, but the pain and years earlier when the family anger depicted is immediately was fleeing the war. Nguyen is understood by anyone who has intimately masterful in the way ever argued with their parents he describes the awkward first (or their children!). meeting between the sister, Most characters in the now a middle-aged spinster, book are either related and her brother’s waterlogged to an immigrant or an spirit, who swam for years to immigrant themselves. “The get to America. As the details Refugees” implores readers of her brother’s death and to remember that, in the end, the circumstances of that day refugees are people. Nguyen SAMANTHA LU
delicately balances relatable, fundamentally human conflicts with cultural identity issues that not everyone may have personal experience with. “The Refugees” is almost disarmingly realistic in its candid depictions of imperfect lives; it’s easy to forget that the stories are fiction and read them as a collection of memoirs. “Fatherland” recounts 23 year old Phuong’s excitement when Vivien, her stepsister from her father’s first marriage comes to visit Saigon; the first contact the two have ever had. Because she grew up in Chicago, Vivien is glamorous, wealthy, and successful, everything Phuong wants to become. But when Phuong finds out that Vivien’s “perfect” life is actually a facade, she’s left to deal with the rubble of her broken expectations, a process that reveals her inner strength to herself and the reader. Nguyen reminds us that regardless of where we are from, human beings react to conflict in the same ways. When faced with those who are unlike us, it’s important not to close off, as Carver learns when he struggles to reconcile with his daughter in “The Americans,” and not to judge too quickly, as Phuong realizes in “Fatherland.” The best we can do is to keep an empathetic, open mind.
OPEN ROAD FILMS
‘Fall’ & the millenial condition What at first is an irritating representation of today’s teens For the Daily soon becomes a scarily accurate portrayal of this generation. The film adaptation of Lauren While Sam is evolving with Oliver’s YA novel “Before each rendition of her last day, I Fall” is the philosophical her friends are stagnant. No “Groundhog Day” for the selfie matter how much she grows generation that one day, her pensive teens buddies make the “Before I Fall” have been waiting same immature Rave Cinemas, for. Director Ry remarks the next Goodrich Quality 16 day. Yet, the Russo-Young (“Nobody Walks”) friendship of Sam Open Road Films ensures that the and her clique young adult f lick goes far beyond goes beyond the surface level. the overused YOLO theme While other teen movies may and approaches the familiar focus on the romantic, “Before plot with a certain nuance I Fall” brings some muchthat many teen movies lack. needed attention to the value of The film follows Samantha friendship for the average teen Kingston (Zoey Deutch, “Why girl. Him?”), who seemingly has “Before I Fall” manages to it all: the douchey boyfriend, capture Sam’s personal growth, the giggly clique and the legs while allowing her to develop of Gigi Hadid. Sam realizes relationships and storylines that her life may not be as with her surrounding cast of f lawless as it seems as she characters, all within the frame relives the day leading up to a of one repetitive day. From fateful car accident again and the loving gaze of a childhood again. Throughout her déjà vu crush to the unapologetic adventures, Sam shifts from a sexuality of the token lesbian, selfish queen bee to a caring, from the relentlessly bullied mindful friend. misunderstood loner to the At the film’s start, Sam and adorable little sister with a her posse are unbearably basic. lisp, Sam attempts to mend the They Snapchat everything, relationships she has failed they shriek one too many to foster. Sam is, at the film’s times and they say things like beginning, self-absorbed and “bae” and “Should I post this?” cruel, but after repeating the REBECCA PORTMAN
same day the same way, she realizes something needs to change. What begins as confusion turns into indifference, then anger. Only then does Sam decide to take charge of her fate and make her last day a worthy one. What “Before I Fall” accomplishes is Sam’s struggle to discover what she needs to change in herself and in her relationships in order to end the cycle that aff licts her. Sam becomes increasingly more aware of her shortcomings with each rendition, leaving everyday a little wiser. While the film is a loop of the same day, Deutch turns what might initially feel mundane into a captivating narrative. Her performance adds layers of depth and sincerity to her character’s struggle, making Sam’s redemption an endearing one. Sam’s growth is the hallmark of the film, leaving viewers satisfied by her metamorphosis, yet the ending is exactly that — an ending. What the audience fails to realize at the film’s finish is that Sam is in fact reliving her last day, the last day before she fell. Sam’s path to discovering empathy is paved with the lessons she has learned and the love she has gained, yet the viewer still craves redemption for Sam after February 12th.
BOOK REVIEW
‘Pass’ and life after loss no quotation marks are used; instead dashes indicate the Daily Arts Writer start of speech, and the end has to be inferred by the reader as there is no clear change from From the opening pages of the end of a character talking “This Too Shall Pass,” it’s clear to Blanca’s personal thoughts. that this book is more than what This quickly draws the meets the eye, and definitely attention back to our heroine’s a book not to be judged from inner monologues, which are its cover. The summary on the the highlight of the book, and book explains that the story definitely more interesting that follows Blanca, what the side a 40-year-old characters have “This Too Shall Pass” mother of two to say. who is now The entirety Milena Busquets having to cope of “This Too Hogarth with the loss Shall Pass” of her own feels like an mother through dementia, but in-depth character analysis of this sells the story short. At first the main character, more than this seems like the book would a romance or tragedy. Blanca be a harrowing experience for stumbles through encounters the reader; however this is with lovers and ex-husbands entirely not the case. This book in several scenarios, but these is a treasure trove of witty men are just f leeting moments insights, with a very modern before we are returned to take on living with loss. Blanca once again pondering Translated from the original her relationship with her Spanish — and set in Spain — lost mother. Although this reading this book feels like a may seem to distract from lovely trip to the Mediterranean the current events, it is these with a few friends. Despite f lashbacks and ponderings the sombre beginnings, and that are really the highlight of Blanca’s constant referrals to this book. Through these we “you,” her deceased mother, the learn the convoluted history book maintains an unusually between Blanca and her optimistic tone. Blanca is a deep, mother, and throughout the real and quirky main character, book these emotions of loss and despite the brevity of the and conf licted love between book, her insights on the world mother and daughters serve are both inspirational and to create a lovely mosaic of intelligent. Her interactions the history between the two with other characters in the women. Because the book book are unusually brief, and is written from the author’s MEGAN WILLIAMS
own experience of losing her mother, it is easy to see where the emotional inspiration came from; at times it feels like the reader is peeking into a diary. This book is a completely uplifting and eye-opening experience, as it goes through emotions that many people may not have experienced
From the opening pages, it’s clear that this book is more than what meets the eye themselves, and shows how there’s always a way out of the other side of hardship. Regardless of the reader’s age, it’s incredible insightful and all the characters offer small tidbits into their lives. Blanca is a wonderful protagonist that isn’t perfect in many ways, but her bumbling and convoluted ramblings make her compassionate and someone who you’d want to get a beer with. The book never feels dragged out, and the ending is open for interpretations; it doesn’t feel like it has a conclusion. It is both wistful and upbeat and fits the theme of the hopefulness that the book carries with it.
Arts
6 — Friday, March 10, 2017
TV REVIEW
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
TV REVIEW
NBC
‘Taken’ a stale outing played by Celeste Desjardins (“Lost & Found”). The entire Daily Arts Writer setup doesn’t attempt to hide the obvious: their lives are in danger, Remember the 2008 film evidently being pursued by men “Taken?” Given that the movie donning trench coats and refusing grossed over $200 million and to remove their hands from their spawned a cult around Liam pockets. Such suspicious-looking Neeson (“Schindler’s List”) as attire immediately sticks out to any an unstoppable action force, the audience member as a poor excuse chance that you remember it is for a criminal’s garb. It’s the type high. However, the average movie- of outfit that is so stereotypically goer likely doesn’t recall — or and classically linked with shady chooses to forget — activity that it the 2012 and 2014 leaves viewers “Taken” sequels, “Taken wondering Series Premiere 2” and “Taken 3,” just how much respectively. While effort the show’s NBC these films generated creators put into solid box-office “Taken.” While Mondays at 10:00 figures, they were some programs do p.m replete with trite have predictable dialogue, rushed elements, the fact storylines and a generic brand of that it was clearly apparent from supporting cast. this scene that Cali was going to Unfortunately, NBC’s television be murdered by these assassins adaptation of the film trio, the is a sign of sloppiness — the sort unoriginally-dubbed “Taken,” of which prevents “Taken” from reeks entirely of the latter two gaining any momentum. movies. As the series’ title The show’s overall lack of care indicates, the show attempts to ride and creativity extends into its off the coattails of the first movie, writing, which is plagued by a while simultaneously paying little continuous stream of unoriginal attention to the qualities of the film and banal lines. Outside of a solid that made it successful. This lack of speech by Romano Orzari (“White awareness dooms the show, with House Down”) as the series’ central “Taken” offering nothing in the antagonist, “Taken” has only way of a compelling storyline or generically-written conversations decent cast, along with containing that sound as if they are ripped some of television’s most bland straight from any terrible action writing. movie of the past 20 years. Even the From the series’ first scenes, briefest, simplest scenes contain “Taken” gives off the impression of vague, nonspecific language that lazy production. The show opens does little to entertain viewers or with Clive Standen’s (“Vikings”) present “Taken” ’s plotline in an character, Bryan Mills, aboard a interesting or exciting way, with train with his sister Cali, forgettably Standen describing his late-sister CONNOR GRADY
by saying: “She was something, let me tell you. Beautiful. Kind. Smart.” With such general lines filling the show, it’s no wonder none of the characters display any depth. To make matters worse for “Taken,” it is composed of an unconvincing cast that lacks any semblance of chemistry. Playing the show’s star, Standen brings little emotion or intrigue to his part, claiming extreme remorse over his sister’s death yet never showing any. As an intelligence officer, Jennifer Beals (“The Book of Eli”) is also content to read monotonously from the series’ generic script. Despite possessing terrifying roles on the surface as characters with cartel connections, Gaius Charles (“Friday Night Lights”) and Monique Gabriela Curnen (“The Dark Knight”) inspire zero fear in either viewers or Mills himself. For the cast of “Taken,” its only redeeming quality is Kris Holden-Ried (“Lost Girl”), who delivers a quality performance as a corrupt DEA agent driven by a sincere emotional desire to protect his family, unlike Standen. Though Holden-Ried is solid in his part, his role is far too minor and his performance not memorable enough to fix the inherent flaws of “Taken,” which are extreme. The series’ lazy production value extends to nearly every aspect of the show, begging the question as to why NBC elected to market it so heavily and with such high expectations. As a television show, “Taken” bears nothing in common with the successful film beyond the names of its characters, and it should be avoided like the plague.
Classifieds RELEASE DATE– Friday, March 10, 2017
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
PERSONAL
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
ACROSS 1 Early Welsh 6 Subpar performance ... or not 11 School sweater letters 14 Wedding, e.g. 15 All small, say 17 As 19 Ancient communication medium 20 Modern communication medium 21 Parts to put together 22 Memphis-toNashville dir. 23 Washington portraitist 27 Bocelli album that includes “Bésame Mucho” 32 A’s 38 __ work: menial labor 39 Venerate 40 1992 opponent of Bill and George 41 As 44 What a bump may affect 45 Sources of peeps 46 Nation with a pyramid on its currency: Abbr. 49 Title for actor Gielgud 51 Channeled, as water 55 Most trusted 60 A’s 62 Real bargain 63 Quarters in the wild 64 CIA predecessor 65 __ bird 66 Not worth it, perhaps DOWN 1 Point of imminence 2 Musician from County Donegal
3 Sagging 4 Keith of country 5 Underwater aid 6 Leg up 7 On vacation 8 Lose it 9 “The Smartest Guys in the Room” subject 10 Sighed agreement 11 1493 Lisbon arrival 12 Israeli weapons 13 Mennonites, e.g. 16 “Just a __!” 18 Heathrow : his :: Orly : à __ 23 Vermin 24 Serpico, for one 25 Severe 26 River in Hades 28 Toon with a blue do 29 Trails for bloodhounds 30 Go back to zero 31 Swiss borders? 33 __ Palmas: Gran Canaria capital 34 Author LeShan 35 __ de famille
36 Otto minus cinque 37 H.S. equivalency test 42 Inform 43 Registers 47 “Never __ boy to ... ” 48 Dangerous biter 49 Like 48-Down 50 Unlikely to be chipper
51 Acceptable 52 They’re often broken 53 Luau entertainment 54 Suffix with percent 56 “Get lost!” 57 Nobelist Wiesel 58 “Glad to help” 59 Kitchen meas. 61 Acct. entry
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
PHIALPHAKAPPApledges, congratu‑ lations on making it this far! Call the pledge chairs for further instructions.
HELP WANTED STUDENTS: COME JOIN a 75‑ minute focus group discussion about The Michigan Daily and receive $40 cash. We currently need more students to round our our representation in these March groups. Please contact Lisa Carn at 734‑647‑ 6582 if you are interested in participation.
FOR RENT 1 BEDROOM APTS Near N. Campus Fall 2017‑18 ‑ $900/m + $25/m Utilities Each unit has one parking space. 909 & 915 Wall St. Deinco Properties 734‑996‑1991 xwordeditor@aol.com
03/10/17
4 BEDROOM HOUSE May 2017 New Kitchen & Study Wood Floors Throughout Washer/Dryer, Parking $2800 + Utilities 1010 Cedar Bend Dr. 734‑996‑1991 712 W. HURON ‑ PURRRFECT, pet‑ friendly location with great pricing! Rents starting at $1375! Call today for specials & secure your new home! 734‑741‑9300 935 S. DIVISION 2 Bedroom + Study Fall 2017? Max Occupancy is 4 ? 2 Parking Spaces Washer/Dryer $2190 + Utilities Cappo Mgmt 734‑996‑1991
By Jeffrey Wechsler ©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
03/10/17
ARBOR PROPERTIES Award‑Winning Rentals in Kerrytown, Central Campus, Old West Side, Burns Park. Now Renting for 2017. 734‑649‑8637. www.arborprops.com
CBS
‘The Good Fight’ laudable Kolstad. Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo, “Vera”) works there as Daily Arts Writer well, and Diane brings along Maya Rindell (Rose Leslie, I’ll admit, when I first heard “Game of Thrones”), a new about CBS’s plan to make one associate who is also Henry’s of its first series for its new daughter. online portal, CBS All Access, “The Good Fight” continues a spinoff of “The Good Wife” what “The Good Wife” (after “Star Trek Discovery” started in terms of letting a was delayed), my reaction great ensemble of New York was an eyeroll. At its peak, City actors work with strong “The Good Wife” was one of material. Something “The the best shows Good Wife” did “The Good Fight” on television. so very well was However, by the build out a deep Series Premiere end of its run, it cast of strong was struggling. actors, from the CBS All Access Its finale ended regulars to the Sundays on such an angry guest stars. It and bitter note all starts with that I didn’t know if I wanted Baranski, who provides a to ever spend more time in compelling center for the show. the universe and with these She portrays layers of Diane characters. Still, my love for that we haven’t seen before. the majority of “The Good She’s clearly hurt after her Wife” ’s run piqued my interest husband cheated on her and just enough to get me to tune Alicia (Julianna Margulies, into “The Good Fight,” and “ER”) exposed it publicly in the I’m so glad I did. With the new “Good Wife” ’s finale. As she series, Robert and Michelle works her way through losing King’s (“BrainDead”) writing her life savings and starting a feels reinvigorated and fresh new job, Baranski brings these as they somehow make old emotions to life. Jumbo also characters more compelling does excellent work as Lucca, than before. as we see her take the lead “The Good Fight” follows on cases and become a more Diane Lockhart (Christine relevant character. Baranski, “Into the Woods”) Being on CBS All Access who, as she’s about to retire, means “The Good Fight” can loses her life savings when do more in terms of language a ponzi scheme run by her and sexual content than “The investor, Henry Rindell (Paul Good Wife” ever could. As Guilfoyle, “CSI”) is exposed. Diane finds out about the She’s forced to postpone her Rindell’s ponzi scheme, the retirement and go to work for show cuts to commercial, but the firm Reddick, Boseman, & not before she can exclaim, “Fuck!” It sounds jarring at first, but the show takes its extra abilities and runs with them, and the language is now a part of the fabric of the show. Call: #734-418-4115 It’s through the story where Email: dailydisplay@gmail.com “The Good Fight” truly stands out on its own. The case-ofthe-week format remains from “Wife,” but fewer episodes BROADVIEWAPARTMENTS ‑ Spa‑ seems to allow for them to cious & peaceful North Campus living!! 1 come up with cases are more & 2 bedroom apartments with pricing that interesting than later seasons starts at $1110 per installment!! FREE parking, FREE laundry, and FREE shuttle of “Wife.” This year, we’ve seen service! Call today for specials! a surgeon fight for the right to assist a surgery in Syria over ALEX INTNER
CMB MANAGEMENT ‑ With 17 pre‑ mier locations treating every resident like family since 1992. Apartments as low as $1050 per rental installment. Call today for specials and to schedule a tour of your new home! 734‑741‑9300 EFF, 1 & 2 Bdrm Apts Fall 2017‑18 Many locations near campus Rents from $850 (eff) ‑ $1415 (2 bdrm) Most include Heat and Water www.cappomanagement.com 734‑996‑1991
FALL 2017‑18 Apts @ 1015 Packard 3 Bedroom ‑ $1380 ‑ basement 1 parking space avail for $50/m per unit Deinco 734‑996‑1991 GEDDES HILL ‑ HUGE contemporary apartments with unforgettable amenities! Peaceful location adjacent to the Arbore‑ tum with pricing starting at $1800. Call to‑ day for current specials! 734‑741‑9300 LARGE 3 BDRM. at 119 E Liberty. Washer and dryer, central air. Heart of Ann Arbor, 7 min. walk to UM and close to Main St. Sept. 9/1/17‑8/24/18. $2700. Please call 734 769 8555 TWO BDRM APT. 325 E Liberty in‑ cluding attic room with sky light room and window AC for three people. Apt above Persian House 5 min. walk to UM. Free heat, shared internet. $2650 per month. 734 769 8555 or 734 662 0805
CHECK OUT OUR COOL
WEBSITE. www.michigandaily.com
NOW.
Skype and a woman try and regain the rights to her eggs in order to have a child, running into twisty legal hurdles along the way. The show’s also found a more natural way to integrate politics into the show. The first episode opens with Diane watching President Donald
Being on CBS All Access means “The Good Fight” can do more in terms of language and sexual content than “The Good Wife” ever could
Trump’s inauguration with a shocked look on her face, and the show had a story in its third episode where the lawyers at Reddick, Boseman, & Kolstad struggle to keep a client who wants to go to a firm where the leaders are close with Trump. Throughout “Wife,” the Kings showed an interest in keeping up with current affairs, but on “Fight,” they have found a way to be relevant without forcing it. “The Good Fight” reminds me of exactly what I missed about “The Good Wife” in the first place. It has a similar cast of extremely talented actors with a compelling central character in Diane. It’s surprising how well the pieces of this show fit together, and I’m excited to see where they take these stories and characters.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR ARTS? Email arts@michigandaily.com for an application. Questions / concerns? Don’t hesitate to reach out.
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Sports
Friday, March 10, 2017 — 7
Wolverines have a chance to play spoiler ORION SANG
Daily Sports Editor
It is fitting that the Michigan hockey team will end the regular season against No. 11 Penn State. Nearly three years after Penn State a bitter loss that continues at Michigan to linger in Matchup: the minds of Penn State six seniors, 21-9-2; the roles are Michigan 11-18-3 reversed in this weekend’s two- When: Friday, game series Saturday 7:30 P.M. against the Nittany Lions Where: Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor. One storied TV/Radio: program has BTN Plus endured a recent but significant decline — a downward trajectory that began with an opposing program seeking to make a name for itself in the wake of its birth. In the aftermath, a rivalry has blossomed between two schools that share just four years of history between them. Senior weekend at Yost Ice Arena is upon Michigan, and with the finality there is inherently introspectiveness — especially for the home team, as it concludes a long season that has not gone the way anyone had hoped. The Wolverines will look across the rink and find an offensive juggernaut clawing its way to an NCAA Tournament bid — a team that resembles Michigan teams of years past. Penn State will take the ice against a team that, in some ways, resembles early iterations of the Nittany Lions: hungry and desperate, with nothing to lose. Just how did these two teams end up in this position, mirroring each other’s pasts? The rivalry began four years ago during the 2013-14 season — the second year of Penn State’s existence as a Division I program and its first in the newly formed
Big Ten. The Nittany Lions were upstarts looking up at teams like Michigan, a program that already had decades to establish its place within the hierarchy of college hockey. The Wolverines were the class of the conference, coming off a 22-year NCAA Tournament streak that had ended the year before. Their success as a program was what Penn State would hope to emulate. The Nittany Lions spent much of that year punching up at other teams, hoping to knock down a few of them. It just so happened that they first experienced success against Michigan — and in doing so, derailed the Wolverines’ season. Michigan’s 4-0 loss in State College on Feb. 8 that year was Penn State’s first Big Ten win in program history. The Wolverines’ 5-4 overtime loss on Feb. 21 was the Nittany Lions’ first road Big Ten victory. And then, the final blow came at the inaugural Big Ten Tournament, where Penn State beat Michigan in the first round. The Wolverines’ unexpected loss, coupled with the previous two losses to Penn State that had hurt their PairWise Ranking, ended their season and attempt to return to the postseason. And a rivalry — however improbable its existence may have seemed before the season — was forged. “It kinda came out of nowhere … especially in hockey, they’re a new team,” said senior forward Alex Kile. “You just didn’t really expect it. That first year, they basically ruined our season. They ended our season in the Big Ten Tournament, but throughout the year they just beat us, and the same with sophomore year — they beat us. We kinda felt like we always had the better team, but they found a way to beat us.” The Nittany Lions got the better of Michigan the following year as well, splitting a series in Ann Arbor before sweeping the
MINH DOAN
Daily Sports Editor
EVAN AARON/Daily
Senior forward Alex Kile gets one last crack at a Penn State team that has caused problems for Michigan over the years.
Wolverines at home. Through two years, Michigan had just a 3-6 record against Penn State, with each of those losses playing a crucial role in keeping the Wolverines from the NCAA Tournament. This year, again, the Nittany Lions have owned Michigan, winning the first two meetings by a combined score of 11-2. Nagelvoort attributes Michigan’s difficulty against Penn State to the Nittany Lions’ “runand-gun” style — a high-octane offense that peppers opposing goaltenders with shots. The past few years have also seen the Wolverines struggle tremendously on defense, often giving up many more shots than they generate. That slide, coupled with Penn State’s offensive strategy, is one of the reasons why the Nittany Lions had so much early success. It’s not inconceivable that those earlier Michigan teams made the mistake of overlooking Penn State, all while the Nittany Lions regarded those games
as benchmarks for the young program’s progression — the type of games to circle on the calendar. It is true that Michigan coach Red Berenson has instilled his team with a mentality to take games one at a time. But the regular season is long, and players are acutely aware of how talented their opponents are. And in those early years, the Wolverines had the definite on-paper advantage over the Nittany Lions — perhaps leading to some glancing past them. “They surprised some teams,” Nagelvoort said. “We were one of those teams. … I think they had performances that were above their paygrade at the time — which, give them credit for. They beat us and they beat some other teams that they quote-unquote shouldn’t have beat.” At this point, though, there appears to be little possibility that Michigan overlooks Penn State, which is 21-9-2 and in position for its first NCAA Tournament berth, or is surprised by its offensive scheme going forward.
They have finally accepted their new role — however unfamiliar or unexpected it may be — as the scrappy underdog. It is a different type of reality: Michigan can no longer move up in the Big Ten standings. An NCAA Tournament berth won’t be on the line for them this weekend. But the motivation is easy to find — for the six seniors whose careers will be celebrated after Saturday’s game, the weekend provides one last chance for retribution against Penn State. They have an opportunity to end their careers differently than how they began them, as the spoiler instead of the spoiled. “Last year, we got our way with them, and this year, as seniors, we remember the feeling (from) our freshman year of them knocking us out of the tournament,” Kile said. “We have an opportunity where if we sweep them, we can make it really hard on them to make the tournament, so that’s our goal. … We want to sweep them this weekend and screw up their season.”
SOFTBALL
Michigan tries to ease pressure in Kentucky MARK CALCAGNO Daily Sports Writer
MATTHEW VAILLIENCOURT/Daily
Sophomore infielder Ako Thomas leads Michigan with 10 stolen bases heading into this weekend’s road trip.
‘M’ heads to Lipscomb for series PAIGE VOEFFRAY Daily Sports Writer
The Michigan baseball team (9-3) is fresh off a stellar spring break trip in California, but the Wolverines couldn’t care less. The only thing on their minds is their upcoming series against Lipscomb (8-4) this weekend. “Hank Aaron told us when he spoke to us, ‘What you did yesterday is only good for wrapping dead fish,’ ” said Michigan coach Erik Bakich. “Spring Break has nothing to do with today or the weekend moving forward. We’ve got to re-center, get back to training and busting our butts and working hard to allow us to have success moving forward.” Michigan will kick off the three-game series Friday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn. Though the team may not be interested in what happened last week, it has surely garnered some national attention. The Wolverines entered the D1baseball.com poll at No. 24 and the Collegiate Baseball News poll
at No. 19. If Michigan continues with its impressive offense, these rankings will only improve. After a hot start, redshirt sophomore outfielder Miles Lewis has not cooled down and has led the Wolverines with a .340 batting average, while three of his teammates are also batting above 300. Sophomore infielder Ako Thomas follows closely behind Lewis with a .333 average, 17 hits and 10 RBIs. He’s also tied for fourth in the nation in stolen bases, in which Michigan also ranks first as a team, success that comes from a more aggressive style of play. “We’re just as fast as we were last year,” said senior infielder Michael Brdar, who also already has seven steals this season. “It was (Thomas and my) first year, didn’t have all the confidence we do now. I think now when we run the bases we have more confidence and trust ourselves.” The Wolverines may not have faced any similar opponents to the Bisons this season, but they know what to expect.
‘M’ set for rematch vs. Purdue
“Our coaches do a very good job at scouting,” Thomas said. “They’ll give us the scouting report on who we’re going to face: pitching, types of hitters they have, the kind of defense we’re going to be in and things like that. That usually helps prepare us most for teams we’ve never played before.” Michigan’s junior left-hander Oliver Jaskie has established himself as the best on the mound for the Wolverines. He boasts a 2.25 earned-run average, 16 strikeouts and has only allowed 11 hits through 16 innings. Lipscomb’s biggest threat on the mound is right-hander Dayton Tripp, but due to a rescheduled game against Tennessee Tech, Tripp pitched on Wednesday and is unlikely to see the field against the Wolverines. The Bisons may be riding a high from a two-game win streak, most recently beating Tennessee Tech and Auburn, but if they’re anything like this Michigan team, they will only be looking ahead.
Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins has noticed a simple theme plaguing her team. “I think when the kids feel the pressure, they try too hard,” Hutchins said. “That’s exactly what is going on with them.” Despite the success that the 17th-ranked Wolverines typically enjoy against the nation’s elite programs, Michigan has gone just 2-5-1 against ranked opponents this season — including three shutout losses in California over Spring Break. So in this weekend’s Jim Cropp Classic, which features two matchups against No. 19 Kentucky and contests with Evansville and Kent State, Hutchins simply wants her hitters to relax at the plate. “This year’s been tougher than previous years — we haven’t started the way we wanted to,” said senior righthander Megan Betsa. “One of the biggest things (Hutchins) keeps stressing is do less. One of the biggest things we need to focus on is that it’s just a softball game.” Thus, this week’s practices were centered around mental composure and hitting under pressure — both of which have developed into significant shortcomings in the opening month. Michigan even took two practices off at the beginning of the week following a 10-day California trip in hopes of collecting themselves. Junior first baseman Tera Blanco has fallen victim to this tension more than any
Wolverine, as her batting average has plummeted 180 points from last season’s .404 mark. Blanco — statistically Michigan’s best returning hitter from 2016 — has especially been a focus of the relaxed approach Hutchins is trying to instill in her team. “Tera tries too hard, and tried so hard that her swing gets really big,” Hutchins said. “We did a couple good drills that helps you stay short to the ball and smack it, and she was better at my station today, but she’s got to quit trying.” Sidelined with an injury, sophomore outfielder Natalie Peters didn’t play in the second California tournament over spring break. Hutchins said that she hopes to use Peters this weekend and will continue to tweak the batting order until Michigan finds consistent offensive production — not a single lineup was repeated in the team’s five games last weekend. Sophomore second baseman Faith Canfield combated the sluggish trend set by Wolverine hitters last week, suggesting that she could see more at-bats near the top of the order. She hit .538 and provided the team with its only two runs in a 2-0 victory over Cal State Fullerton last Friday. While Canfield has enjoyed recent progress, a matchup with a ranked Kentucky team provides Michigan with the challenge the Wolverines have faced all season, balancing pressure with performance. But for the team to have success, as Hutchins has reminded them all week, it’s as simple as not trying too hard.
“I think when the kids feel the pressure, they try too hard.”
WASHINGTON — Wednesday afternoon, the Michigan men’s basketball team was set to fly to Washington D.C. for the Big Ten Michigan Tournament. vs. Purdue But a plane Matchup: accident Michigan 21-11; derailed the Purdue 25-6 Wolverines’ When: Friday plans, and 12 P.M. they were forced to fly Where: Verizon Center out Thursday TV/Radio: ESPN morning, landing just three hours before the noon tipoff and not arriving at the Verizon Center until about 10:40. That didn’t stop Michigan, though, as it came out on fire, jumping out to a 20-point lead and ultimately won, 75-55. Now, less than 24 hours after that victory, Michigan will have an even tougher test in No. 13 Purdue. “That’s the beauty of the (Big Ten Tournament),” said sophomore forward Mortiz Wagner. “Somehow you gotta get to the next one in any way. It doesn’t matter what happened. We (did) it once now, we can do it twice.” “Luckily, we just played Purdue, so we still know the strategy, we still know how they play.” The two squads met just 12 days ago back in Ann Arbor, where the Wolverines pummeled the Boilermakers, 82-70, on Senior Day. Wagner scored 24 points, including 20 in the first half, on 10-of-15 shooting. Even more impressively, he did it with Big Ten Player of the Year Caleb Swanigan on him for most of the game. Swanigan couldn’t keep up with Wagner, allowing him to get open frequently for pick-andpop shots. On the other side of the court, Wagner and redshirt sophomore forward DJ Wilson shut down Purdue’s duo of big men Swanigan and Isaac Haas, holding the pair to a combined 26 points and 11 rebounds. They average 31.3 points per game in addition to 17.7 boards per game. “I think for me personally it helps a lot too because (they) won’t change their whole playbook through two weeks or one week,” Wagner said. “So you know what they’re going for.” Added Wilson: “My biggest thing is trying to stay in front of them and box them out. They’re two great rebounders, especially on the offensive glass. So I need to try to stay in front of them, chest them up and box them out.” Michigan, though, shot an astronomical 65.5 percent in the first half, and replicating that performance against the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten will be a tough act. “We know that they’re Big Ten champs,” Wilson said. “They’re a great team, they have a great post presence and they shoot the ball well from 3.” Outside of its frontcourt, Purdue boasts guards Carsen and Vince Edwards (no relation), who average 12.3 and 10.6 points, respectively, as well as guard Dakota Mathias, who is one of the Big Ten’s most prolific 3-point shooters, shooting 47.8 percent from behind the arc on 136 attempts. The Wolverines will also see a familiar face in guard Spike Albrecht, who transferred to Purdue this past offseason after four years in Ann Arbor, though Albrecht has played a minimal role on the Boilermaker team. He averages just 12.9 minutes per game. Since Senior Day in Ann Arbor, Purdue has won twice. But as well as the Boilermakers have played this season, Michigan’s confidence might be at an alltime high after it has won seven of its last nine games. “To be honest with you, I think this group can beat anyone,” Wagner said. “That’s how much I believe in this group.” That confidence grew Thursday when the Wolverines beat the Fighting lllini just hours after their flight. Now, the biggest challenge for Michigan will be to play with the same adrenaline when a bit of normalcy returns to their lives.
Sports
8 — Friday, March 10, 2017
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
CAPITOL WILL
Just hours after arriving in Washington following plane accident, ‘M’ powers past Illinois in Big Ten Tournament, 75-55 BETELHEM ASHAME Managing Sports Editor
WASHINGTON — The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind for the Michigan men’s basketball team. After attempting to take off for the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday afternoon, the Wolverines’ team plane slid off the runway amid turbulent winds. Though no one faced serious injury, Michigan faced a long delay in reaching Washington, D.C. The Wolverines didn’t arrive at the Verizon Center until approximately 10:40 a.m. Thursday morning — less than an hour and a half before their scheduled noon tip-off against No. 9 seed Illinois (18-14 overall) — after a 7:30 a.m. flight from Detroit courtesy of the NBA’s Pistons. With their game uniforms still on the plane that crashed in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines took the court in their practice attire of maize jerseys and blue shorts. But different clothes and a different time didn’t slow down No. 8 seed Michigan (21-11) against the Fighting Illini, as it rode a red-hot start to a 75-55 victory to advance to the tournament quarterfinals. “What these guys have been through the last 24 hours has been incredible,” said Michigan coach John Beilein. “… It’s made them so resilient. They played connected like they were yesterday when we got a hundred-some people off an airplane it seemed like in two minutes.” The Wolverines looked fresh from the rescheduled 12:20 p.m. tip, dominating the majority of the first half before Illinois began to climb its way back. While those on the outside looking in might have expected Michigan to fall victim to tired legs or distracted minds, the Wolverines were locked in like men on a mission. “Sometimes it’s more than just basketball we play for,” said sophomore forward Moritz Wagner. “We played out there to prove ourselves, that we’re tough and that nothing can stop us really. And for the sake of this group, it helps us so much to stick together.” Michigan opened the game on an 15-4 run, punctuated by a rare four-point play from junior guard Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman to take a double-digit lead just five minutes into the contest. The Wolverines kept rolling in the next five-minute stretch, forcing Fighting Illini coach John Groce to call timeout. After senior wing Zak Irvin stole the ball from Illinois center Maverick Morgan, he lobbed an alley-oop pass to redshirt sophomore forward
DJ Wilson, who took flight and emphatically finished at the rim to put Michigan ahead, 22-9. The Wolverines built a 20-point lead soon thereafter, capitalizing on nine forced turnovers which they scored 12 points off in the stanza. “I think that’s the No. 1 team offensively in the Big Ten,” said Illinois guard Tracy Abrams. “When you play guys like that, little things matter. Every play, every possession matters.” But Illinois responded with a 15-4 run of its own to close the half, led by Abrams. With a personal 10-0 stretch, he drove through the lane with ease and finished from both the key and the perimeter to limit Michigan to a 40-29 halftime lead. On the other side of the break, Abrams started where he left off, nailing another triple to narrow the Wolverines’ lead to single digits for the first time since the first five minutes of the opening stanza. As has often been the case for the Wolverines this season, though, in the moments when the Fighting Illini began to threaten, senior guard Derrick Walton Jr. provided the steady hand to right the ship for Michigan. Walton immediately answered back with a 3-pointer of his own, part of his 12-point outburst in the second half to finish with a team-high 19 total. Though the Wolverines thought they had the game all wrapped up down the stretch, Illinois began another comeback attempt, cutting Michigan’s lead to 10 with just four minutes left on the clock. That’s when Walton nailed backto-back 3-pointers to give the Wolverines all the breathing room they would need to close out the blowout win. Despite the challenging circumstances of their journey to Washington, D.C., Michigan proved that it still had much to play for in the tournament. But in this particular game, the Wolverines put their bodies on the line for one particular man. Thanks to their high energy and clear focus, Beilein earned the 210th victory of his Michigan career to become the winningest coach in program history. “It’s an awesome feeling, especially with Coach B, one of the best coaches in the country,” Irvin said. “He’s done so much for this program, for the players. …It’s just an amazing accomplishment, and I’m just so happy to be a part of it.” As chaotic as the past 24 hours have been for Michigan, the next 24 hours won’t let up — as they now have another game to play in the tournament against No. 1 seed Purdue on Friday at noon.
“Sometimes it’s more than just basketball we play for.”
Abdur-Rahkman sets stage for postseason encore with season-high 17 points BRANDON CARNEY Daily Sports Writer
WASHINGTON — Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman wasn’t the hero Michigan expected as it put together its fivegame postseason run last year. He was the one it needed. With guard Caris LeVert lost for the season due to injury, thenjunior guard Derrick Walton Jr. caught in a shooting slump and then-junior wing Zak Irvin bogged town by the heavy scoring load already placed on his shoulders, the Wolverines knew they needed to find a new source of points heading into the Big Ten Tournament or start planning for an early summer. From there, the stage was set for Abdur-Rahkman to put on his best show. The then-sophomore guard entered Michigan’s opening round game of the conference tournament playing the best basketball of his young career. He posted double-digit scoring figures in three of the Wolverines’ final four regular season games, and looked as consistent as he ever had in a Michigan uniform.
W
Abdur-Rahkman was ready for a breakout performance on the big stage, just when his team needed it the most to reach its postseason goal. In the Wolverines’ five combined games in last season’s Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament, Abdur-Rahkman averaged 15 points per game — the highest of any five game stretch of his career — and stepped up to keep Michigan’s season alive. Abdur-Rahkman peaked at the right time then, and as the calendar flips to March again, it looks like he’s about to do the same for the second straight year. After finishing the regular season with six straight doubledigit point tallies, the now-junior guard has peaked at the right time, and is ready to play an integral part of the Wolverines’ next tournament run. “You just want to play your best in the postseason,” AbdurRahkman said. “I just try to channel that and focus on the little things, try to hone my skills and up it in March.” Thursday against Illinois,
Abdur-Rahkman scored a seasonhigh 17 points, grabbed three rebounds and notched three assists to push Michigan to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. The junior set his tone that, just like last season, his mind is set on bringing his best stuff to extend his team’s season. Like his usual self, AbdurRahkman’s offense derived from being aggressive driving the lane, and finishing easy buckets at the rim. The guard kept Fighting Illini defenders on their toes by dialing up from deep — four of his 13 shot attempts were from beyond the arc. But Abdur-Rahkman’s outing Thursday was different than those he had in the previous postseasons. Not only was the junior scoring points for the Wolverines, he was preventing Illinois from scoring itself. “Maybe before we — even myself — were guilty of caring about offense too much,” Abdur-Rahkman said. “I think now we’re worried about defense, and getting out and running, instead of worrying
about offense. We’re letting our defense turn into offense.” Abdur-Rahkman finished with three steals, made plays on the fast break and opened up opportunities to convert on the Fighting Illini’s offensive mistakes. His finest stretch came on a 6-0 run halfway through the second half, which Abdur-Rahkman single-handedly constructed. After driving to the hoop for two straight layups, the guard started a fast break off a steal, dribbled all the way to the hoop and found senior wing Zak Irvin under the hoop for the assist. “It’s a conscious effort trying to get buckets in transition instead of half-court sets,” Abdur-Rahkman said. “In order to do that, you have to play defense.” If Abdur-Rahkman can catch fire like he did last year over this stretch, his abilities to make plays on both ends of the court could lift Michigan to uncharted heights as it looks for postseason glory. He saved the Wolverines last season, now Abdur-Rahkman could be a paramount piece in Michigan’s plan to surpass expectations.
Michigan sheds the stigma
ASHINGTON — “It felt like pain. I was thinking, you either submit to the pain or you keep pushing.” Derrick Walton Jr. was talking about running away from the plane. He could have just as easily been talking about Michigan’s season roughly a month ago. The Wolverines could have submitted to the pain and
accepted a season that was spiraling toward mediocrity and an NIT bid, or keep pushing and earn an invitation to the only March tournament that matters. Michigan chose the latter, and KEVIN the 33 days SANTO that followed all led to Thursday afternoon, as the Wolverines took the floor for their opening matchup of the Big Ten Tournament against Illinois. They had all the excuses in the world to swallow one loss, pack their bags and go home. Less than 24 hours earlier, the power went out in Crisler Center. Michigan chose to practice in the dark. A few hours later they boarded a plane to Washington D.C. They never made it in the air — skidding off the runway due to high-speed winds and an aborted takeoff. Walton picked up a gash on his knee that needed five stitches. He still tied fellow senior Zak Irvin for a team-high 37 minutes played against Illinois. After the accident, they went back to Ann Arbor. They woke up this morning at 6 a.m., took a bus to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, departed at 7:30, landed at 8:45 and took a bus straight to the arena. “Curfew was 10 last night,” said senior forward Sean Lonergan. “I’ll give you five dollars if you can find anybody
who probably fell asleep at 10 o’clock. Everybody was just — still had that adrenaline kicking.” Michigan was supposed to tip off at noon. The Big Ten told the Wolverines that they were willing to move the game time. Michigan asked for 20 minutes instead. Illinois was playing for an NCAA Tournament bid. The Wolverines could have lost and still gone dancing. And then there was the issue of jerseys — albeit the least of Michigan’s worries. The Wolverines were required to leave their gear on the plane as it was part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s investigation of the accident. They improvised, hitting the hardwood at Verizon Center in their practice jerseys — outfitted more like an AAU team than a Division I basketball program. Then they punched Illinois in the mouth, finishing with a 20-point victory to advance to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. “That was kind of the question walking back into the locker room, like, ‘If we get our real jerseys back tonight, what do we do tomorrow?’” Lonergan said. “I’m sure we’ll have a conversation about that. “I don’t have any clue what the status of our actual jerseys are, so who knows at this point? … I like it. I like it a lot.” This is the same team Illinois
center Maverick Morgan called “white collar” back in January. And in truth, maybe they were. Maybe the stigma of being “soft” that has followed the Wolverines in the modern era was warranted. Then again, that’s the point. As senior guard Andrew Dakich said: “Sometimes they’re right, and sometimes it makes us mad that they’re right.” Michigan’s senior class has seldom gone a day without hearing the outside chatter. The five seniors walked into it, and they’ve spent their careers denying it. But on Thursday, they finally made you believe them. “A lot of people question our toughness, and I think that kind of sums it up right there,” said senior forward Mark Donnal. “It takes a tough team to be able to move on from that. … It tells a lot about our team — the type of guys we have, the type of characters, that are able to just kind of move on from something that happened to them so recently. We were not feeling bad for ourselves, we were ready to play basketball.” So call the Wolverines soft. Tell them they’re a white-collar team. After the last 24 hours, frankly, they don’t give a damn.
“It takes a tough team to be able to move on from that.”
Santo can be reached at kmsanto@umich.edu or on Twitter @Kevin_M_Santo. People forget that you can @ him.