Weekly Summer Edition Ann Arbor, MI
inside NEWS
Washtenaw Democrats County Democrats encourage precinct-based organizing. >> SEE PAGE 2
NEWS
Eva Feldman
michigandaily.com
ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY SIX YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM
Leaders of top universities discuss societal “compact”
Bicentennial Summer Festival
>> SEE PAGE 8
OPINION
Summer Managing News Editor
“contemporary political operatives undermines democracy...” >> SEE PAGE 4 MAX KUANG/DAILY
Leaders from nine top universities discuss the role of academia at the President’s Bicentennial Colloquium at Hill Auditorium on Monday.
New Netflix series glimmers in its premiere >> SEE PAGE 7
Schlissel emphasizes need to communicate public benefits of university research By EDUARDO BATISTA Daily Staff Reporter
SPORTS
Wilson drafted Michigan now has had six first-round picks in the last five years. >> SEE PAGE 12
INDEX Vol. CXXVII, No. 78 | © 2017 The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com
NEWS .................................... 2 OPINION ...............................4 ARTS ......................................6 CLASSIFIEDS.........................8 MiC.........................................9 SPORTS................................ 10
MStaff200 celebrates University staff, unveils art tribute
By JENNIFER MEER
Zuckerberg
TV Review: Glow
ADMINISTRATION
University reveals awards for community service and excellence
Exiting director discusses work on curing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
ARTS
Thursday, June 29, 2017
On Monday afternoon, the University of Michigan hosted leaders from nine of the world’s most highly ranked universities to discuss the public role of research universities for the ongoing celebration of the school’s Bicentennial. The event, titled “The Evolving Bargain Between Research Universities and Society,” was the third conversation in a series of colloquia hosted by University President Mark Schlissel. It is following “The Future University Community” from January, which featured U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and a discussion with four former
University presidents in April on the topic of research. The event featured a prelude performance by students from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and introductory remarks by Presidential Bicentennial Professor Paul Courant, who is also the interim provost, and then Schlissel himself. Schlissel emphasized the importance of the gathering to advance discussions on research that will hopefully benefit society in the future. “For the University of Michigan 200th year we are looking forward with purpose in examining the future of higher education and of our society,” he said. “Here for what I believe is an unprecedented public conversation are leaders from nine of the world’s top Universities, participants of the Board of the Tanner Lectures on Human Values … Our challenge here as leaders is to develop the right narrative to explain our missions to citizens and society.” Following Schlissel’s remarks,
moderator Ruth Simmons, President Emeritus of Brown University, facilitated discussions focusing on three specific topics: the role of free speech on campus, affordability of education and the responsibility of universities to promote social mobility. Each university leader discussed a specific topic related to the public role of research universities and their interactions with society. Leszek Borysiewicz, ViceChancellor of the University of Cambridge, argued universities should not deter freedom of speech in detriment of celebrating different ideas. Borysiewicz first noted there is a special relationship between universities and the public. “My view from over the pond, if you like, is that you are quite right that there is a compact between society and universities,” he said. “It is one that is entirely built on trust, and that we as institutions have to understand that society that gives us our rights or licenses. If we forget that, we are in great difficulties.” See UNIVERSITY, Page 3
The MStaff200 Bicentennial Celebration Event, kicked off early Tuesday morning with tents, activities and recognitions of University of Michigan staff and faculty, past and present. Hundreds gathered on the Diag and Ingalls Mall for the event, which marked the second day of the Summer Festival after Monday’s Bicentennial Colloquium. Several speakers took to the steps of Hatcher Graduate Library to address the crowd. Gary Krenz, executive director of the University’s Bicentennial, opened the event and acknowledged the essential work of faculty. “We have a really vibrant, fun set of activities ahead of us today, all developed by staff, in recognition of staff contributions over the University’s 200 years,” he said. “To make that complex entity (that is U of M) function requires partnership with a lot of people who are operating at the very highest level, and that, of course, is our dedicated University of Michigan staff.” Laurita Thomas, associate vice president for Human Resources, worked to create the MStaff200 event. She thanked the over 600 volunteers, faculty and staff who committed to facilitating activities throughout the day. “I hope you will feel a sense of pride See MSTAFF200, Page 3
2 NEWS
Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Washtenaw County Democrats organize to promote communication, voter turnout Event was intended to steer Democrats toward more effective canvassing By JENNIFER MEER Summer Managing News Editor
About 40 Washtenaw County residents gathered Sunday afternoon at the Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center for an event titled Mobilizing for Michigan: 2017 Listening Tour Launch. The event, led by the Precinct Organizing Committee of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party, aimed to organize residents from county precincts to canvass effectively and communicate better with local Democratic voters. Catherine Daligga, a vice chair for the Precinct Organizing Committee, said the event is meant to encourage community members to listen to their neighbors, act upon their concerns and volunteer to canvass locally. “Our objective today is to start grouping people geographically so that we can use a team approach to
talk to people in the neighborhoods, listen to what people have to say about their reactions to the 2016 election and start to serve as a reliable conduit of information back and forth from the people in the community to elected officials and to the Democratic Party, and vice versa,” she said. She noted in recent years, canvassing and reaching voters has been based on Big Data and technology instead of communication. “To do it, it’s a relatively novel approach in some ways, because we’ve been relying on Big Data for a while, but the personal touch is indispensable,” she said. “The politics is based on relationships. If we foster good relationships, then we’ll be stronger.” COURTESY OF JENNIFER MEER The Listening Tour itself will Catherine Daligga, vice chair for the Precinct Organizing Committee of Washtenaw consist of acquiring 65,000 contacts County Democratic Party, speaks at the Mobilizing for Michigan event at the — Democratic voters in Washtenaw Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center. County — by the end of 2017, by way of volunteers who will canvass and “We’ve done remarkably well in parties,” she said. “It’s had the loss reach out to their communities. the county for keeping our turnout of an independent existence in Daligga opened the event and better than it has been in some terms of organizing people. That’s explained the importance of places, and yet it’s still true that our what we’re here for today.” precinct-based organizing, as well turnout is not as good as it could Daligga noted 2017 is not nearly as the plans for the Listening Tour. be and we still have a noticeable as intense in terms of political She said Washtenaw County needs fall-off in the non-presidential campaigning as are presidential to improve their voter turnout. elections,” she said. “To this end, election years, and so it should precinct organizing is the key.” serve as an opportunity to regroup Precincts refer to the smallest and improve upon the situation the political units in the American party found itself in last year. electoral system, and they are With regard to reaching 65,000 represented by one or more residents, Daligga said the number precinct delegates. These delegates may seem staggering, but it is serve as a primary link between definitely possible. residents and their party, and “The closer we get to that goal, according to Daligga, a strong the more we grow the number of precinct organization generally people that are willing to take on corresponds to a much better voter a few people to talk to, the farther turnout. ahead we have ever been,” she said. Daligga emphasized the “Our objective is to aim to recruit importance of community people to go talk to their neighbors, relations to be fostered by the serve as a community liaison and Listening Tour. resource, and socialize — get to “Over and over and over again, know each other.” study after study shows that the She emphasized the importance most effective way to mobilize of not just asking people for money voters is to talk to people, and to and votes but really listening to talk to people face to face, not on their concerns and transforming the phone, not online, not through those concerns into actions. emails — it’s remarkable,” she said. Washtenaw County resident Daligga noted Hillary Clinton John Erdevig also addressed the lost the 2016 election in Michigan group, speaking on his experience by 2.2 votes per precinct. She said as a canvasser. He noted the the Democratic Party has failed importance of asking people to to organize people and has only refer their neighbors and friends to served in the context of specific gain a stable foundation of voters. political parties. “The party has existed really as Read more at MichiganDaily.com an adjunct in many ways to political
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Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
MSTAFF200 From Page 1
UNIVERSITY From Page 1
and excitement and enthusiasm, and return to your jobs later today or tomorrow with understanding who makes blue ‘go,’ who makes an incredible difference with your ideas, your innovation, and the work that you do every day,” she said. Kevin Hegarty, executive vice president and chief financial officer, spoke to faculty and staff and announced a new award to be launched in October. “It’s important that we celebrate your effort, skills, innovation and excellence in a very visible and impactful way, which is why we felt it was important to bolster our University-wide employee recognition awards,” he said. Hegarty said Thomas reached out to the Voices of the Staff, an employee engagement program at the University, to create a rewards and recognition task force with members from the campus and Michigan Medine. BEN HSU/DAILY Laurita Thomas, assosiate vice president for human resources, speaks at the MStaff 200 Festival on the Diag on Tuesday.
Read more at MichiganDaily.com
He then explained universities are sometimes the conduit for conveying what might not otherwise be heard. “However, universities are also charged with something else, in many parts of the world, with speaking unpalatable truths, even though society might not want to hear it,” he said. “This is where often conversations become extremely difficult. A university is by definition not a safe space. It can not be, because we value the freedom of speech of our academics to address a range of issues … and to not debate is the worst thing a university can do.” Nicholas B. Dirks, Chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, contextualized Berkeley’s history surrounding freedom of speech and noted the issue the university had with safe spaces. In April, at the University of California, Berkeley, political commentator Ann Coulter’s speech was canceled due to threats of violence against her
NEWS 3
— an incident that fostered heated debates regarding the right to free speech. “Of course, Berkeley has always been at the epicenter of discussions regarding free speech, after all we invented free speech on American campuses for public universities in 1964,” Dirks said. “There are some differences between then and now, but the similarities are quite stark, in that in my university, this has become a highly politicized issue. For the Ann Coulter (event) we got credible threats, both from the far left, as well as from the far right. So we clearly had a problem with promoting a safe space for her to speak, in the literal sense.” In addition to discussing the role of universities in promoting freedom of speech, participants also explained their views on future affordability of education and financial aid for all students. Speakers on this topic included Drew Gilpin Faust, President of Harvard University, and David Ibbetson, President of University of Cambridge, among others.
Read more at MichiganDaily.com
At first gathering of Michigan Trump Republicans, supporters pass out “training cards” for reelection Organizers stress duty to defend Trump amid rising unpopularity By ANDREW HIYAMA Summer Daily News Editor
More than 50 people showed up to Avery’s Tavern in Rochester Hills Monday night to attend a meeting hosted by the Michigan Trump Republicans, intended to train supporters of President Donald Trump on how to most effectively promote his agenda and win his reelection in 2020. The Oakland County stop was the first of several the organization has planned this summer throughout the lower peninsula. At the meeting, as well as on the organization’s website, organizers emphasized the amount of opposition Trump faces, saying it was their duty to defend him. “Learn how you can get involved to help fight back against the fake news and the establishment that wants to bring down our great Presi-
dent,” the website reads. “At our meetings you will hear the most current talking points directly from the White House that will embolden you to speak up and defend President Trump!” The event was run by Meshawn Maddock and Diane Schindlbeck, who both served as delegates to the Republican National Convention last year. Both have been vocal supporters and organizers for the Trump campaign and administration in Michigan. Schindlbeck said one of their main challenges as organizers was figuring out what message to promote. “After November came, people still looked to Meshawn and I, as leaders throughout our own community and throughout the state, wanting to know, ‘What do you think Trump’s doing today? Was that a good choice? Was that a bad choice?’ “ she said. “So Meshawn and I would sit back and we’d say, ‘Gosh, we believe this is what Trump is wanting us to say and what Trump is wanting us to do, but how do we truly get his real message out there?’ “ According to Schindlbeck, though, that task became easier
when they were contacted by a “regional director” from the White House. “This gentleman called us, and he said that he appreciates our efforts throughout the campaign, and he would like us to be a part of a team here in Michigan and to be the eyes and ears on the ground,” she said. “Every day we receive an update on what’s Trump’s agenda for the day and great things he has been doing with his administration. And it’s our job to get that out to you.” Though Maddock said she hoped to bring the regional director to meet with Trump supporters in Michigan soon, she said she was not at liberty to disclose his name or any other information about him. Glenn Clark, a District Chair for what was formerly Michigan’s 9th Congressional District and Republican precinct delegate from Troy, told the audience they had to be willing to engage in open forums in left-leaning media outlets to spread Trump’s message and asking them to become “Trump first responders.” “What does the left always do without regard for anything else?” he said. “They always push their agenda. So I don’t care if it’s Mitch
Albom in the afternoon. I just listened to him today — he said some cockamamie things. Guess what — it’s good to be on his show, call in and say, ‘I’m sorry, Mitch. You’re wrong. Here’s why.’ “ Maddock didn’t express the same level of faith in the media, however. Dismissing criticism of Trump as fake news, she advised the audience to carry “Trump training cards” she had made, containing talking points on Trump’s agenda. “Does anybody ever get frustrated — you’re standing in line at Walmart, and the guy behind you is complaining about something Trump just did?” she said. “And it’s all fake news. This is the way to combat fake news.” Maddock’s husband Matt Maddock, who unsuccessfully ran for Michigan state senate in 2014 and is considering a run for state office in 2018, also spoke at the meeting, said Trump supporters would have to fight back attacks from within their own party to secure Trump’s reelection in 2020. Emphasizing the importance of electing Trump supporters as precinct delegates, he asked how many there were in the audience — about 20 hands shot up. “There are unfortunately a lot of Republicans within our own party that
are gonna be working behind the scenes to put up a challenger against President Trump in 2020,” he said. “Remember, we have an electoral college. The delegates are the people that are in charge of that whole process. And the more Trump Republicans we get as delegates, the better chance we’re gonna have to hold strong in 2020 to combat this attack that’s gonna be coming toward Trump.” The last person to speak at the meeting was Jarvis Williams, a volunteer with Secure Michigan, a political organization dedicated to opposing refugee resettlement in Michigan. Handing out cards that read “I’m a Shariaphobe,” Williams said the organization was opposed to Sharia law rather than Muslim people. “We are involved in the educational process here to help Trump ultimately reduce the amount of people coming into our country that we call Sharia,” he said. “If you fall back on the comments that are made in the press today, and you make any comment about Islam or Muslims, you’re an Islamophobe. Even a good Muslim has a hard time standing up for Sharia.” After the words “good Muslim,” however, a member of the audience interjected, “There’s no such thing!”
4 OPINION
Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com NISA KHAN EDITOR IN CHIEF
DAYTON HARE MANAGING EDITOR
SARAH KHAN EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily’s Summer Editorial Board. All other signed articles and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
ANNA POLUMBO-LEVY| COLUMN
T
Start a conversation
he first time that I ever found a spider in my house, after a bit of screaming and running around and yelling for my mom, we eventually caught it in a jar and set it free outside. And except under dire circumstances, I still try to make sure the little guys, and gals, make it out alive. Which is why when the Daily’s Editorial Board first discussed the deer cull — a city-wide plan to manage the deer populations by hiring sharpshooters to kill, and now sterilize, deer — I was adamant that a deer cull was entirely wrong in any circumstance. It was an issue I saw as framed as one of convenience for humans, and I believed that was wrong. The deer were here before humans, we built on their land, we’re driving on their land, so we shouldn’t have the authority to kill them — especially since the deer cannot defend themselves against it. And at the time, the Editorial Board was almost completely divided, so we didn’t take a formal stance on the issue. Last fall, when it came time to endorse a candidate for a contested city council seat, I was wary of the fact that one of the candidates, Chuck Warpehoski, was an outspoken proponent of the cull. Having been a staunch opponent of the cull up to that point, I really struggled with the fact that it was one of the issues he explicitly approved of. Nonetheless, because we believed he was, overall, the stronger candidate of two, I, along with the majority of the Editorial Board, voted to endorse him. Through various interviews, we learned Warpehoski was an environmentalist, and his support for the deer cull was one that came from an ecological standpoint. The overpopulation of deer is a problem for people
and drivers, but more crucially it is making Ann Arbor less ecologically diverse, as we have removed their natural predators. So, when the Editorial Board finally decided to try, again, to take a stance on the deer cull last winter, as I looked around the room, I could see how framed in a new light, with new information in hand (via Warpehoski), the deer cull made more sense to some people than it had before — it definitely made more sense to me. In the end, the vast majority of the Editorial Board voted to endorse the deer cull. If we are given more information on divisive issues, it may help different sides get their points across better. In a recent interview, City Council candidate for Ward 1, Anne Bannister, cited transparency as a primary campaign platform. And it should be, as I believe it is one of the most important things for a public official to work toward — yet it is one that many still fail to reach because goals that are viewed as more “tangible” seem to take priority. But I believe this is one of the most crucial issues. While Bannister was speaking more broadly about the need for citizens to trust their representatives, it got me thinking about how important transparency is, not only from elected officials, but also at the more personal level. In this case, I saw very clearly how Warpehoski’s transparency when it came to why he supported the deer cull made me less wary of him, less wary of the cull and more able to see a side I had originally thought was completely wrong. Being able to more thoroughly understand the issue also had an impact on Bannister, who says in her interview, though an animal lover who believes animals should
always be “treated with respect,” she realized the deer cull was necessary for rebalancing the ecology of Ann Arbor — an ecology that us, humans, unbalanced. She cited information she learned from Washtenaw Citizens for Ecological Balance. There needs to be more Warpehoskis in public office, more Bannisters who take the time to explain their stances. Answers like ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ ‘wrong’ and ‘right,’ only go so far and can shut down a conversation in a split second. Once I better understood the issue of the deer cull as not just about inconveniences for drivers, but as an issue of ecological imbalance — since humans eliminated their natural predator, the wolf — I could make a more informed decision. I could better evaluate arguments on each side of the issue. And even just between two friends or coworkers, transparency can often be key to allowing another person to understand your side. That’s not to say I will change my mind every time I hear another side of an issue, and when it comes to protecting wildlife, supporting the deer cull is a pretty big exception. (If you look at my sad excuse for a Twitter account, you’ll see it’s mostly videos of baby animals.) But there is a problem, and the problem lies with not having access to the other side. Someone saying that they approve of x, or that they don’t like y, without an explanation, doesn’t lead to a conversation — more likely, it becomes two people who may now be angry at each other because they don’t understand the other side. Of course, if you’re trying to shove your viewpoint down someone’s throat, even
if you have all the facts in the world, it won’t matter. But simply explaining why you see the issue one way, without trying to persuade the other side, could have an effect. It’s true, we shouldn’t have to give a reason for every single little thing we do in life, and there are tactical reasons not to talk about every little thing we plan to do, but when they impact many different people or they impact even one individual in a way that impacts them greatly, it’s important to be open to a discuss, to give more detailed reasoning. Not only when it’s the duty of someone in public office, but also, in larger part, it’s a simple way to make people feel as though you are listening and care that they have the tools to understand why a decision that may seemingly be inflammatory at first glance, is based in thought and fact. We won’t always change our opinions, given more information from the other side, but there is almost no chance someone will change their mind if they
REGAN DETWILER| COLUMN
are not even provided with the reasoning of the other side, we will almost never change our opinions. For many people who aren’t well informed on the issue, it’s hard to not look at something like a deer cull as completely unnecessary, another blow to our already endangered wildlife. So, I implore our elected officials, University of Michigan administration and any and all other actors of change, to just explain. Not simply disseminate pamphlets, or hope that journalists will write about the issues and environmentalists will post on their websites and blogs. And to everyone else engaged in a discussion with another: if you make more of an effort to be forthright, transparent, explain your reasoning, who knows? You could just start a conversation. You could just have an effect.
—Anna Polumbo-Levy can be reached at annapl@umich.edu.
The first settlers, part three
OPINION 5
Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
ANGELA CHEN| COLUMN
W
Throwback Thursday
ith the campus population so much sparser in the summer, it’s easy to spot differences among passing crowds. For the past few weeks, a certain species could not go unnoticed walking the Diag and roaming State Street. They travel in packs, wearing bulky lanyards around their necks and excessive University of Michigan gear fresh out of their swinging M Den bags. They make me chuckle, because just one year ago, I was one of them: unsure of my whereabouts, excited and, ironically, disoriented — an orientation kid. Now, it’s hard to believe that I had once been so unfamiliar with this university. Exactly one year ago, trekking from the holy East Quad with eyes glued to Google Maps, I was worn out by high school, nervous and uncertain about my future. I was lost, both literally and figuratively, and entirely unaware of who I was to become. Yet, as I watch their confusion and excitement, I can practically relive the freshness of orientation, almost longing to be on that momentous brink of change again. While the details are fuzzy, my memories of orientation standoutcollectivelyasadistinctfeeling of novelty, marked by an independence that I couldn’t yet comprehend. Coming from a reserved suburban household, a number of things shocked me those two days. Having been told that I would never escape my “high school circle” in college, I was amazed by the amount of unfamiliar faces and even more so by the expectation of befriending them. Just a few days after graduation, I wasn’t ready to leave behind petty notions of high school cliques and the social taboo of simply approaching someone outside of my own social group. In essence, I couldn’t imagine ever being confident or comfortable enough toreachouttoothersmyownage,much less be surrounded by them day and night for the next four years. As a result, my social interaction at orientation was restricted to a grand total of one friend — a high school classmate, of course. But while I still regret not branching out earlier, it didn’t stop me from having fun for those two days. The orientation high I’ll always be able to remember is the sheer taste of freedom — that I perhaps now take for granted. Having been accustomed to strict parents for the first 18 years of my life, I couldn’t fathom the ease with which I could roam about campus, stay up until 2 a.m. or spend money without consequence.
But as I attended informational lectures and scheduled my very first classes, I felt the same fear we all did: was I ready for college classes? Would I even find them? What will I have advanced in my career a year from now, next summer? Remembering this, I couldn’t help but smile — out of amusement, because I recall so clearly that anxiety that had plagued me exactly 12 months ago, but also out of appreciation, because I never would’ve pictured myself as the person I am today. We are told not to live in the past, but growth cannot be measured in the absence of reflection. Following that eventful orientation, my first year of college was, as it is for all of us, marked by countless milestones, or “firsts”: first stranger to become a best friend, first independent decision, first all-night study session, first fulltime job — the list goes on and on. Over time, my firsts turned into standards and my naïve freshman self grew into an individual. Though the point at which I crossed into adulthood is difficult to define, the difference in my maturity is distinct. A year ago, I would have hardly believed that I could converse readily with strangers or even stray far enough from home that I would encounter one. I would’ve dismissed the reality of financial independence, and I was terrified of an impending career that I’ve learned only hard work can pay for. But somewhere along the line, I provedmyselfwrong.Withuncertainty and challenge, I have grown into a better version of myself — defined not by my high school, my family nor my former reservations but rather by my own ideas and actions that are given so much room for growth at this school. Looking back, I can attest to the rumors: change is good, and I’m proud of it. So, for those of you who are long past your orientation days, I urge you to pop that dusty lanyard back on for one last throwback. A simple selfreflection cannot be underestimated; recognizing personal growth only creates increased cause to advance. We will only keep growing. For those of you who have yet to taste the freshman experience, don’t toss that lanyard off just yet. You’ll want to remember what it feels like around your neck; a year from now, you might feel completely different. And I promise you, you don’t want to forget it.
MICHAEL MORDARSKI| COLUMN
C
Benevolent billionaires
urrently, it seems that the tumultuous political environment of America will never calm, and the news of Mark Zuckerberg awkwardly testing the waters of the potential presidential arena only adds to the absurdity of our present democratic state. Zuckerberg, a thirty-threeyear-old computer programmer who has a net worth greater than the GDP of Luxembourg, is yet another example of the growing belief that billionaires are able to solve America’s problems by entering into politics and policy creation. Due to their massive financial success, we as the poor citizens we are should willingly allow for the transformation of our democratic system into an oligarchy full of benevolent billionaires who so generously bless us with their intelligence and talent. This trend in American culture is the culmination of several factors all stemming from specific attributes and common desires we as a collective citizenry share. This trend was detailed excellently on a recent episode of the podcast “Politically Reactive,” where writer Naomi Klein explained how several of the solutions to the growing wealth and income inequality in America relied on the generosity of the rich, or “philanthro-capitalism.” She argued that throughout the 1980s into present day, growing materialism and the idea that wealth is synonymous with success led to this reliance and idolization of the mega-rich within America. And despite this phenomenon occurring and growing for years, its fruitions have only become blatantly visible recently with the election of famous rich person, Donald Trump. Trump, throughout the entirety of his celebrity life, has been selling a “brand” — and the Trump brand is all about money, power, success and happiness achieved essentially through material wealth. From his name plastered in gold on the side of every building he owns, to the fact that he is rarely ever seen in something other than a suit — the — Angela Chen can be reached man sold the idea that his massive at angchen@umich.edu. financial wealth was more than enough evidence that he could fix America’s political problems.
His election demonstrated that many Americans believe success within the private sector can translate to victories within America’s complicated and massive public bureaucracy. That by enabling these wealthy geniuses, we can allow them to transform and fix our country the same way they did to their company, brand or social media site. As Klein stated in an interview with The New York Times, “rather than trying to solve these huge global problems through institutions with some kind of democracy and transparency baked into them, we’re just going to outsource it to benevolent billionaires.” From the billionaires who own charitable
Trump, throughout the entirety of his celebrity life, has been selling a “brand” foundations to unregulated political contributions — the mega-rich have been entrusted to serve our best interests crafting policy and changing the political landscape. And most of these actions go unnoticed by the public, mostly through the privatelyrun charitable organizations which are controlled by only a few individuals whose policies, viewpoints and politics are often unknown to those outside these groups. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation alone determines many policies for public education in America, free from citizen input and comment. And what this trend is doing is undermining our American democracy. Essentially, we are creating a pseudo-oligarchy in which money and material wealth dictate public policy in America. We do so willingly with the current political campaign finance laws, the allowance of massive lobbying firms to draft laws and the ongoing idolization of the super-rich. Our democracy is meant to function with public input and participation on all levels, in which our
statesmen and women are empathetic citizens representing constituents they truly understand. Willingly sacrificing our political input and interest to a handful of billionaires who we have come to believe are more intelligent, empathetic and qualified than contemporary political operatives undermines the communal political actions that are central to American democracy. This obsession and idolization of the wealthy has begun to seriously jeopardize the overall strength of our democracy. The solution to the level of growing inequality is not the gracious donations of billionaires who take time to step away from their business and into the positions of public office. Historically, America has been plagued before by gross levels of inequality in which wealthy families wielded massive control over the politics of the time. The Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Morgans of the past shaped political and public policy to bend toward their interests. From atop their golden estates, they were thought to grace the working public with their immense knowledge and wealth during a time in which inequality had reached a historical high. And now, the robber barons of the past have been replaced by the tech and finance titans of the present. Gates, Zuckerberg, Bezos or Trump — regardless, their wealth has somehow justified the assurance that they can change America, they can fix its problems. Billionaires and the super wealthy are obviously intelligent and their accomplishments impressive. Whether they created luxury hybrid cars, built massive fortunes in investments or decided whether Joan Rivers or Dennis Rodman would make a better “celebrity apprentice” for a hypothetical company that will never exist — billionaires’ accomplishments are complemented by their immense wealth. Yet that wealth should not serve as an automatic guarantee that they understand and can solve the complex political issues facing the country. —Michael Mordarski can be reached at mmordars@umich.edu.
6 ARTS
Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
MOVIE REVIEW
MUSIC REVIEW
COURTESY OF 300
Young Thug rapping on “Safe” music video
COURTESY OF FOCUS FEATURES
Characters gather for a meal in “The Beguiled”
Young Thug is inventive ‘Beguiled’ is a on recent hip hop album strong remake By SHAYAN SHAFII Daily Arts Writer
Ah, a man and his guitar. So much of the worst music of the last 100 years has been made by dudes crooning about women over four-chord loops. But some of it has been good, too. At best, romantic, sing-song-y guitar ballads can be emotionally piercing and refreshingly honest; at worst, they can be made by guitarists from Illinois who go by “The Plain White T’s.” Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, is the latest of a long line of rappers to willfully assert hip-hop culture into something more, ahem, progressive. In his wake, a long line of adolescent weirdo-rappers with multicolor hair. That his latest effort, officially then unofficially titled Easy Breezy Beautiful Thugger Girls (now just Beautiful Thugger Girls) would be “alternative,” even by his standards, has been a poorly kept secret over the last six months. Snippets of album cuts Beautiful have been in cirThugger Girls culation for years, and the album Young Thug intro in particu300 lar, with Thug croaking in the southern drawl of a country singer, was clowned on immediately. Less than a year ago we’d seen Thug mocked for donning a dress on the cover of Jeffery, and now, he returns with even greater style — this time, with a guitar.
He joins a relatively short list of MCs who’ve survived near-fatal encounters with the instrument; recent survivors include André 3000, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi and, I guess, Frank Ocean too. All are revolutionary Black male rappersinger-songwriters who blur gender lines and have no regard for tradition; Thug is certainly not in bad company. To be perfectly clear, Beautiful Thugger Girls is misleading. Perhaps it’s being marketed as some sort of 2017 Rebirth, but it’s really not that much of a radical deviation from Thug’s traditional album structure. While his earliest mixtapes (and even recent Slime Season installments) tend to run amok, Thug cleaned up his act on the uncharacteristically polished Barter 6, Jeffery and now Beautiful Thugger Girls. Safe to say it’s not uncharacteristic anymore, but the untamed nature of his music has almost permanently branded him with these sorts of lazy labels. Thug’s desire to belt out in song was always there, and in his own words, this is his “singing album.” He mainly sings about sex. Sex, to Young Thug, is like cocaine to Pusha T; they simply never run out of things to say no matter how narrow the scope. You get the sense that Thug simply has too much emotion to express himself within the confines of rap, men’s fashion or any human language. There is singing, yes, but there’s a lot of rapping too. There’s a lot of whatever you want to call what Young Thug has been doing for the last five
years, really. Kanye always joked that 808s & Heartbreak could have been a country album, but Thug actually managed to incorporate acoustic sonic elements into Thugger Girls while still maintaining his largely undefinable pop-rap lane. Album-opener “Family Don’t Matter” sees Thug harmonize with breakout London vocalist Millie Go Lightly, with what is maybe supposed to be his best George Strait impression. He lets out a “yee-haw” less than 30 seconds in, and Thug actually fools us all into thinking this might seriously be a country album. You can practically hear him strain his face to annunciate “Country Billy made a couple millie / Tryna park the Rolls Royce inside the Piccadilly.” But relax, there are features from Future and Snoop Dogg later, and lyrics like “‘Bouta put my d*** in your mouth right when you yawn.” Still, it’s funny to see Thug be so tongue-in-cheek about the whole idea of the album. He takes the backseat for the latter half of the song, letting Millie’s sweeping vocals shine. She has a prominent role throughout the first few tracks, which feels appropriate for an album so fixated on Thug’s relationship with women. She appears again on “She Wanna Party,” which is another early highlight on the first half of the album where Thug front-loads so many standout tracks.
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By EMILY BICE Daily Arts Writer
Virginia, 1863. The Civil War is underway and America is a nation divided in more ways than North versus South or abolition versus slavery. A country in the midst of a war also means the men are away fighting while the women wait for their return. The boys are on the battlefield, and the girls stay in the house. Sofia Coppola’s reimagination of the 1971 Gothic drama, “The Beguiled,” offers a darkly comedic portrayal of life for a group of women during the Civil War, and just how complicated things get when a man comes into it. The film premiered this May at the Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d’Or. Though it did not win the coveted award, Coppola was awarded “Best Director” for her work. She is the second female director to ever win this prize. The award was well deserved. What makes the 2017 adaptation of “The Beguiled” watchable is certainly not its simple plot: an injured Union soldier, Corporal John McBurney, is taken in by the few remaining women at the Miss Martha Farnsworth Seminary for Young Ladies in Virginia and tensions rise until they boil over. Despite a plot identical to its 1971 predecessor, the 2017 adaptation tells a different story as a result of Coppola’s directorial choices. It’s the nuanced dialogue, the flawless mise-en-scene, the subtlety of movement and the implications of subtext. By telling the story from the women’s per-
spective instead of from Corporal McBurney’s (as did the 1971 version), Coppola pivots the implications of a source material which can be construed as misogynistic and demeaning towards women. The film begins when 12-year old Amy (Oona Laurence, “Pete’s Dragon”) finds Corporal John McBurney (Colin Farrell, “The Lobster”) alone in the woods and at death’s door. She takes him back to the house, where he is begrudgingly allowed inside by Miss Martha (Nicole Kidman, “Big Little Lies”), who insists he can stay to heal. After he is better, they will — they must — hand him over to the Confederate soldiers. After all, they are good, Southern ladies. They might be good ladies, but they are ladies who have not had the company of anyone, much less an attractive young soldier, in quite some time. Before long, everyone in the house has developed some kind of attachment to Corporal McBurney. For Amy, it is a sweet, innocent crush. For the shy schoolteacher Edwina (Kirsten Dunst, “Spider- The Beguiled man”) it is deep, Focus Features tender love. For the rebellious Ali- Michigan Theater cia (Elle Fanning, “20th Century Women”) it is full out lust. Corporal McBurney capitalizes on this and manipulates the lonely women as best he can, desperate to not be handed back over to the Confederate soldiers.
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Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
ARTS 7
MUSIC REVIEW
Staples appeals with new sound By AARURAN CHANDRASEKHAR
TV REVIEW
Daily Arts Writer COURTESY OF NETFLIX
Wrestlers gather around the ring
‘Glow’ packs a punch By SAM ROSENBERG Daily Arts Writer
When watching “Glow,” you can’t help but think of its sister show “Orange is the New Black.” In addition to sharing the same streaming platform, “Glow” draws several parallels to “OITNB,” with its diverse female ensemble cast and its illustration of the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated system. (It’s also no coincidence that “OITNB” creator Jenji Kohan executive produces “Glow” and wrote one of the episodes). But while both shows share similar themes and socially conscious undertones, comparing the two feels a bit too on-the-nose, especially since “Glow,” though not as nuanced as “OITNB,” offers something entirely different and refreshing. Created by Liz Flahive (“Adult Beginners”) and Carly Mensch (“Nurse Jackie”), “Glow” treats its audience to a delightful, entertaining and visually glossy depiction of the female wresGlow tling world, along with the intricaNetflix cies of female Season 1 Review friendship and gender dynamics. The Netflix series was based on an actual syndicated female wrestling circuit from the ‘80s, but thanks to some sharp dialogue and inventive characters, “Glow” works well as a fictionalized origin story, breathing new life into its defunct source material. The show begins with its antihero protagonist Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie, “The Littlest Hours”), a struggling Los Angeles actress who, after failing an audition and reaching near debt, joins the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, an emerging TV show that involves a group of “unconventional women” acting and wrestling one another. Despite derision and doubt from her fellow G.L.O.W.-
mates and the show’s scuzzy director Sam Sylvia (a perfectly cast Marc Maron, “Easy”), Ruth persists against the odds, even if it’s mostly out of desperation. Things become more complicated when Sam places Ruth’s best friend-turned-rival Debbie Egan (Betty Gilpin, “True Story”) on G.L.O.W., making for a predictable albeit intriguing and heartfelt dual character arc. The central focus on their relationship is perhaps the most engaging and genuine part about “Glow.” The troubled connection they work through feels similar to something like the volatile relationship between “Orange is the New Black”’s Piper and Alex, “Riverdale”’s Veronica and Betty and “Insecure”’s Issa and Molly. Without spoiling the truth behind their deeply troubled friendship, “Glow” deftly uses literal and figurative fighting ground for Ruth and Debbie to resolve their issues, with their opposite wrestling personas building and simultaneously relieving tension between the two. Despite its glee and gusto, “Glow” is not as incredibly unprecedented as it may seem. The plot is fairly conventional, the jokes are raunchy but not gut-busting and for the most part, it’s more enjoyable than thoughtprovoking. However, “Glow” does have the potential to reach heights of critical grandeur, especially with its stellar cinematography, charming costume design, makeup and killer New Wave soundtrack. Most period shows and films try too hard to evoke the time period in which they take place through obvious pop culture references. Luckily, “Glow”’s authentic portrayal of the ‘80s evokes the decade’s social and aesthetic atmosphere well enough that it’s neither too simplistic nor over-the-top. In addition to “Glow”’s artfulness, the show continues to break ground for better and more fleshed
out representation of women on television. Brie makes for a compelling lead, seeing that her previous supporting roles on NBC’s “Community” and AMC’s “Mad Men” have propelled her to finally playing a main character perfectly suited for her. Similarly, Gilpin brings the funk and humor as Debbie, playing off Brie’s energy with a subdued yet dynamic performance. In addition to Brie and Gilpin, Sydelle Noel (“Everybody Hates Chris”) and Britney Young (“Those Who Can’t”) give enthralling, breakout performances as Cherry Bang and Carmen Wade, respectively. The two each offer both comic relief and genuine poignancy, even if their roles as supporting characters aren’t as amplified as much as Brie and Gilpin’s. “Glow” itself triumphs as a show primarily because of its female cast and how its characters deal with the complexities of being sexualized and stereotyped as wrestlers for the sake of entertainment. The execution of “Glow”’s subversiveness sometimes comes off a bit shaky. At times, it just seems like the characters are willfully embracing the very stereotypes that suppress them into onedimensional people. But “Glow” is smart enough to recognize the effect the male gaze has on these women, and how their reclaiming of regressive symbols of femininity can be liberating and empowering. The first few episodes are a tad lukewarm, plot and humor-wise — the pilot feels like it could be longer, and the two episodes following it ebb and flow between intelligent and meandering. But much like “Orange is the New Black,” “Glow” truly shines when it gets to the emotional core behind each of its character and the kind of personas they’re trying to build as wrestlers and as women.
Underground French night clubs will be adding Staples to their rotation soon. From inaugural major label EP Hell Can Wait to his most recent Prima Donna, No I.D. and ARTium label mate DJ Dahi have produced 90% of the tracks Vince Staples has released. On Big Fish Theory, Staples eschews collaboration with both. Instead, he favors electronic-heavy producers like Flume and SOPHIE. While this doesn’t spell some in-labelunder-the-table beef — the album was still released on No I.D.’s ARTium Recordings, after all — it highlights creative differences, significant differences at that. Big Fish Theory opens with Justin Vernon-assisted “Crabs in a Bucket.” The first minute is spacy, thinly sliced vocals tightly driven between filtered, distorted sounds and ambient coastal noise. It’s hardly recognizable as a Vince Staples track, but when the beat kicks — a sweeping, garage housederivative kick and snare composite — and when Staples spends two verses rapping frantically staccato — “put me in the MoMa when it’s over with / I used to look up to the sky, now I’m over shit” — it’s immediately clear that we’re meeting a new Vince. Staples has long envisioned himself within the legion of hip hop’s avant-garde. On Big Fish Theory, he is no different. Yet, what he steps away from is the Lamarian meta-thematic, architectonic experience we saw on Summertime ’06 and Prima Donna. Those pieces both function and frame on the project-level scale: A complete experience calls for total consumption. Not that Big Fish Theory doesn’t beg to be enjoyed from front to back. But in those past projects, the music was engineered around a larger motive: Certain emotions, certain takeaways seemed to be demanded. What Big Fish Theory sees is Vince stepping away into much more amorphous territory, leav-
ing space for interpretation rather than urging the listener outright to some conclusion. He better understands that artists ask questions, not answer them. On Big Fish Theory, his experimental tendency has constrained into the microscopic, into the minute elements of the single track. What’s most telling is his choice to release the outro “Rain Come Down” as a single more than two weeks before the official album drop. It’s hard to imagine A$AP Rocky releasing “Suddenly,” Danny Brown dropping “Float On” or Kanye West surrendering “Bound 2” prealbum. Those tracks were essential summits to the larger album at hand, aesthetically and emotionally. It would taint the piece to hear it prematurely. Not that “Rain Come Down” doesn’t decisively conclude the album. It does. The most ominous bass on the album grumbles between sparse hi-hats, looped gunshots and a solemn recount of his hometown and emotional disconnect from women. Yet, what gets lost is this album as a self-contained entity. Whether that is devolution or transcendence is up to the listener, I suppose. It can’t help but seem like a surrender to the fact that most of his fans will only hear the singles and not the album. This Big Fish comes full circle Theory because beyond all the mention Vince Staples of avant-garde Dej Jam Recordings and experimentation, Big Fish Theory is Vince’s most accessible release. For the first time, it seems that Staples has really embraced his role as an artist and entertainer. Not that he’s moved beyond social critique and black advocacy: Those ideas continue to animate much of this album’s lyrical content. However, the significant attention to money, cars and deviant relations with women does mark a major thematic shift in his style.
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8 NEWS
Thursday, June 29,2017 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Eva Feldman reflects on time at Taubman Institute Classifieds
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RELEASE DATE– Thursday, June 29, 2017
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52 Lowly workers 55 Completes a street 56 Purpose 57 Tilted type: Abbr. 58 “Not That Kind of Girl” memoirist Dunham 61 Indian bread 63 Shakespeare’s fairy queen
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and while it is centered around the study of neurodegenerative disease, cancer and Managing NEWS EDITOR cardiovascular disease, researchers also touch on a variety of other medical research Eva Feldman has been at the forefront areas. of the University of Michigan’s stem cell Feldman, who has served as director research for decades. Since receiving her of the institute since its inception and is a M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University Russell N. DeJong Professor of Neurology, and, later, becoming director of research for said her inspiration for her research the University Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis stems from a desire to make positive and Clinic and director of the A. Alfred Taubman impactful discoveries in neurology and Medical Research Institute, Feldman has cancer care. conducted her research with one thing in “Our goal has always been to mind: finding a cure for ALS. understand the pathogenesis of Though Feldman recently announced neurological disorders and create new she will be stepping down from the latter therapies,” Feldman said, recalling the position, her extensive research and impact that seeing one of her first patients numerous accomplishments as director of had on her. This patient was a woman — the Taubman Institute just a few years older than will not be forgotten by her at the time — who had peers, mentees and — most ALS. importantly — her patients. Feldman has received Stem cell research, a number of awards though controversial, has and authored countless always been a noteworthy academic articles regarding point of scientific and her work — many of which medical innovation have been acknowledged and development at in medical news across the the University despite nation — all motivated by pushback from human the patients and diseases PHOTO COURTESY OF DETROIT NEWS rights groups and seen. government action. “Starting to see patients Feldman herself has been conducting her when I was young … made me realize that research for years, starting first as a fellow at this is what I wanted to do,” Feldman the University in 1987, then later joining as a said. faculty member, practicing clinical trials and The work of Feldman and her closest speaking at events to stress the significance peers have also led scientists closer to of stem cell research. She conducts research a cure for ALS than ever. This isn’t to primarily on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, say Feldman hasn’t faced challenges, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — a however — namely, finances. The neurodegenerative disease which the Centers institute was born just prior to the 2008 for Disease Control and Prevention estimates recession, prompting researchers there 5,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with to find new ways to gain access to local, each year. pharmaceutical and national funding. The creation of the Taubman Institute first “There’s certainly now, at the medical stemmed from a unique friendship between center, a much more robust infrastructure Feldman and one of her early patients, to help individuals with the novel ideas A. Alfred Taubman. While Feldman was they’ve created as Taubman scholars to Taubman’s physician, he became more and bring them forth to the clinic,” Feldman more interested in medical research and said. “That’s one of the underlying tenants funded her work several times. and one of the underlying visions of the “I said, ‘you know Alfred, we need to do institute, is to let a clinician scientist take something bigger than just me,’ ” Feldman that discovery and bring it into the clinic.” said. Aside from finances, gaining With the help of then-University President recognition within the University was Mary Sue Coleman and other administrators, a challenge at the beginning. Now, the Taubman was founded in 2007, aiming however, the institute has gained national to allow researchers to pursue all avenues of recognition. biomedical research at the University. Max Wicha, director of the Forbes “He was the world’s best patient,” Feldman Institute for Cancer Discovery and one laughed, noting Taubman even had his own of the founding scholars of the Taubman, white lab coat when visiting her lab. Feldman attributed much of the institute’s success recognized his willingness to learn about her to Feldman and her dedication to medical research and help close a gap present at the treatment and innovation. University in terms of this work. Starting with just four central physician Read more at MichiganDaily.com scientists a decade ago, the institute has more than 200 working researchers today, By ALEXA ST. JOHN
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MICHIGAN IN COLOR 9
Surround yourself with the ones that uplift you By ‘DOLAPO ADENIJI Michgian In Color Contributor
“No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.” — Alice Walker I started college by saying bye to my dad, sending a picture to my mum, and walking into Angell Hall to register for classes. I knew not a single person at the University of Michigan and it was the first time I had been to the state was a week earlier. Not to mention, I signed up for the wrong semester (spring) and was handled like a transfer student. So not only was I doing this college thing for the first time, I was surrounded by people who’d already done it before and many of whom did not look like me. Thus the journey of finding my chosen family began. Looking back I feel like I went through a bunch of different friend groups, many of which happened due to proximity. They all taught me a lot and I think it’s important to share those things, especially because of the toxic as well as formative friendships I have experienced in and outside of my own personal experience. When I look back at my college experience, there are a lot of emotions that come up for me. Throughout all the emotions — whether I find myself relaxing tightly clenched fists, laughing till I am teary eyed or holding back a deeply exaggerated eyeroll — at the end of this rollercoaster, I settle back, relax and smile when I think of who I shared these memories with. Regardless of whether or not it was in the moment, we’ve been there for each other for heartbreaks, exams, graduations, birthdays, bad movies, shopping trips, photo shoots, awkward moments, late night Pizza House runs, all nighters all over campus, lapses in judgment, concerts, rejection letters, acceptance letters, deaths, births and so much more. This
piece isn’t a sap story for all the sentimentalities of college. Rather a ref lection on everyone from the Black/African women who I call my mothers/aunties/ sisters that I owe the world to the Residential College kids that taught me a thing or two about myself and everyone in between that I loved and loved me in return. 1. Get you some friends that want to see you thrive - I have seen too many people get spiteful because their friends were f lourishing and they weren’t. No matter how bad of a day I am having there is nothing that makes me happier than when my friends are slaying the game. Like my first and second year roommate Marjai used to say, “Girl, when you make it, we all make it.” 2. Get you some friends that show you love - Love is such a loaded, multifaceted word. Love for me is friends spending numerous late nights to work me through yet another semester of French. Love is consistently letting me do the most on my birthday every year. Love is being your biggest supporter and chanting your name even if it’s remotely. Love is knowing that your friends will always have your back because you’ve seen them go in on anyone whether it was on Facebook or at Necto. Love is living in a house that was always ready to give you the tightest hug even after a fight. Love is knowing that I sleep with my phone on loud so you know you always have someone you can call. 3. Get you some friends that are brutally honest - If someone can’t tell you that your f lannel doesn’t match the 90s look you’re trying to pull off, they aren’t real. As hard as the truth is to hear, it has been so useful. It made me reevaluate the ways in
which I utilized or didn’t utilize my privilege effectively. Calling each other out/in when we perpetuated isms was vital. Sitting down and working through our f laws together, pushing ourselves to grow, becoming more culturally aware of our back-
for themselves. In turn I have learned to take care of myself. So thank you to the friends that taught me how to take time for myself, to shut off all the lights, watched trashy TV with me, and a shoutout to those that let me cook in their kitchens before I moved out of the dorms. 5. Get you some friends that are oak trees - A woman once said to me that are two categories of friends. You’ve got friends that are like paper and glass trees and you’ve got friends that are like oak trees. What she meant is that, the first group of friends are fine when the day is bright and life is nothing but smiles. Yet, when the storm hits, their support shatters, they are uprooted when you need them to be firm the most. However, friends who are oak trees are always there to support you
So thank you to the friends that taught me how to take time for myself, to shut off all the lights, watched trashy TV with me, and a shoutout to those that let me cook in their kirchens before I moved out of the dorms. grounds in order to see the best in each other, that was friendship. 4. Get you some friends that understand that you need to take care of yourself - #SelfCare has come to mean so many different things. From a trendy new hashtag to a deeper understanding of Audre Lorde. I have learned to respect the healthy ways in which one cares
to provide you cover when the storm hits. Not only do you need oak tree friends, you need to be an oak tree friend, because let’s face it, nobody likes a leech. 6. Get you some friends that... get you - Friends who take time to understand you and help you understand yourself. Friends that you feel no shame laughing wildly around and sobbing loudly into their shoulders. The ones you never have to explain yourself to because they listened when you told them your innermost fears and motivations. The ones that are your biggest allies as much as you are theirs. Friends that get. You. Completely. As. You. Are. So in essence, shoutout to all of these friends, my chosen family. Whether we became best friends after one semester or our friendship grew stronger throughout our four years, thank you. Your friendship strengthened my resiliency and made navigating my identities as a woman of colour on the University’s campus feel less difficult — you will forever be held closely to my heart. To anybody reading this, whether it’s your first time in university or your final year, I hope you can take a golden nugget from it and I hope you’ve got or will get friends that will never demand your silence.
10 SPORTS
Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
LACROSSE
Nielsen named next women’s lacrosse coach The Australia national team member was formerly an assistant at Northwestern JACOB SHAMES
Summer Managing Sports Editor
A week after former Maryland assistant Kevin Conry was hired as the Michigan men’s lacrosse coach, the women’s program filled that same opening. Athletic director Warde Manuel announced Monday that Hannah Nielsen, a member of the Australia women’s national team and assistant coach at Northwestern, will be the next coach of the Wolverines. “I am thrilled to welcome one of the most accomplished women’s lacrosse players of all-time to lead our program,” Manuel said in a statement. “Hannah has proven her ability to translate her skills and knowledge of the game into a successful coaching career. She has been a winner at every level, and I am confident she is prepared to lead our women’s lacrosse program.” Nielsen is one of the most accomplished players in the history of the sport. As a midfielder at Northwestern from 2006 to 2009, she won four national championships, three AllAmerican honors and two Teewaraton Awards — which are given to the nation’s top college lacrosse player — in 2008 and 2009. She is also the Wildcats’ alltime leader in both points and assists, as well as the NCAA all-time leader in assists, singleseason assists and assists in a single game.
In international play, Nielsen is just as decorated. She was a part of Australia’s gold-medal winning team at the 2005 Women’s Lacrosse World Cup, and was named an All-Star at the 2009 and 2013 tournaments as Australia finished second and third, respectively. She is currently training with the national team as it prepares to compete in the 2017 World Cup in England next month. Nielsen’s coaching career began in 2009 at Penn State, and she has also coached at Towson, Colorado and most recently Northwestern, where she helped guide the Wildcats into the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. “I am extremely excited and honored to be named the new head coach of the women’s lacrosse prog ram at the Universit y of Michigan,” Nielsen said in a statement. “I am excited to take the next step in my coaching career in becoming a head coach, and could not think of a better place to start this new chapter. “I would like to thank Warde Manuel and Bitsy R itt for this incredible opportunit y and for their support so far. I am also g ratef ul to Kelly Amonte Hiller, the Northwestern staff and athletic department for their ongoing support, and to my previous coaching mentors who have helped me get to this position. I am so excited to get started and for the f uture of this prog ram.”
“I am confident she is prepared to lead our program”
Donlon joins staff at Northwestern An assistant coach at Michigan for one season, Donlon was targeted by the Wildcats due to his strong ties to the program JACOB SHAMES
Summer Managing Sports Editor
In the span of just five days, the Michigan men’s basketball team is down to one assistant coach. Scout.com’s Brian Snow reported Sunday afternoon that assistant coach Billy Donlon has accepted a similar position at Northwestern. Donlon, the former head coach at Wright State, was hired by the Wolverines just last May. The Chicago Tribune reported Friday that Wildcats head coach Chris Collins was trying to lure Donlon away from the Wolverines, due to Donlon’s deep ties to the Northwestern program. Donlon is a native of nearby Northbrook, Ill. and longtime friend of Collins, and his father spent seven years as an assistant coach of the Wildcats. And as it turns out, Collins was successful.
“We are obviously disappointed to be losing Billy, however, we are happy he has the opportunity to be closer to his family, home and still coach in the Big Ten,” said Michigan coach John Beilein in a press release. “He is one heck of a coach who has been a great asset to our program over this past year. Over many years, Billy has sacrificed his family for coaching basketball. This time he chose his family first and no one can fault him for that. “We have had very talented coaching staff’s during my time here. That will not change. We have always embraced sudden change and have gotten better from it. I am excited to have this opportunity to bring in two new
assistants who will bring us even more success in the future. The Team, The Team, The Team. Go Blue!” Donlon’s departure comes after assistant coach Jeff Meyer announced Tuesday he was leaving Michigan to join the coaching staff at Butler. Unlike Donlon, Meyer had nine years with the Wolverines prior to his departure. With Northwestern’s hiring of Donlon, Beilein will now have to fill two vacancies on his coaching staff for a second offseason in a row. Saddi Washington, who joined the staff along with Donlon last summer after being hired from Oakland, is the sole returning assistant for next season.
“He chose his family first and no one can fault him for that.”
“I could not think of a better place to start this new chapter”
ZOEY HOLMSTROM/Daily
Michigan men’s basketball coach John Beilein will have to replace two assistant coaches after Billy Donlon’s departure.
Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
SPORTS 11
Michigan releases its 2017 volleyball schedule JACOB SHAMES
Summer Managing Sports Editor
Wednesday, the Michigan volleyball team released its full schedule for the 2017 season. The 32-game slate includes 15 matches against teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season, and 22 games against teams that ranked in the Top 70 in RPI. While the Wolverines opened last season in the friendly confines of Cliff Keen Arena for the Michigan Invitational, this year will be very different. Michigan will travel to Los Angeles for the USC/LMU Tournament August 25-26 for matches against Albany, USC and Loyola Marymount to begin its campaign. The season-opening trip
to the West Coast is almost triple the distance of the Wolverines’ longest road trip last season, which took them to Manhattan, Kan. for the K-State Invitational. Following the West Coast swing, Michigan will open its home slate against Butler on Sept. 1 in the Michigan Invitational. The Wolverines will continue the invitational with games against New Hampshire and WisconsinGreen Bay the next day. Michigan’s third tournament of the season involves another challenging Western road trip. From Sept. 8-10, the Wolverines will compete in the Colorado State Invitational against Idaho State, Colorado State and Ball State. Just as it did last season, Michigan will host its final regular-season tournament
The Big Ten slate again figures to be challenging.
— the Michigan Challenge — on the fourth weekend of the season. The Wolverines’ three opponents in the challenge are North Carolina State, Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Cincinnati. Highlighting the nonconference portion of the schedule are NCAA Tournament teams USC, New Hampshire and Colorado State. Michigan will hope for similar success in non-conference action as it experienced last season, when the Wolverines went 11-1. These early triumphs will be necessary, as the Big Ten is possibly the most challenging conference in the country — last season, the conference ranked first in RPI and sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament, including the top three overall seeds: Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The 20-game Big Ten slate doesn’t figure to get any easier in 2017. Michigan’s first two conference games are at Minnesota and at Wisconsin on Sept. 22 and 23. Ten of the
Wolverines’ first 12 conference games are against teams who finished last season with winning records as well. One notable feature of Michigan’s schedule is the lengthy home stretches relative to last season. In 2016, the Wolverines had only one stretch of three straight games at Cliff Keen Arena. However, Michigan will have two such stretches this year, including a fourgame string from Nov. 10-18 against Northwestern, Illinois, Michigan State and Purdue. Michigan’s first two conference home games will be against Ohio State and Maryland on Sept. 29-30. Aside from the four-game home stand in November, the Wolverines will also take on Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Rutgers at Cliff Keen Arena.
One notable feature is the lengthy home stretches.
HALEY MCLAUGHLIN/Daily
The Michigan volleyball team will play 15 games this season against teams that qualified for last year’s NCAA Tournament.
After the conference openers on the road, Michigan will travel next to Iowa on Oct. 4. the Wolverines will also go on the road from Oct. 13-21 for four straight games against Rutgers, Penn State, Michigan State and Ohio State, a streak the length of which was not seen last season. Michigan’s three road games in November are against Illinois, Indiana and Purdue, the latter two finishing the Wolverines’ regular-season schedule. Last season, Michigan survived Big Ten play with an 11-9 conference record. If the Wolverines do the same this season and finish at least .500, they should be in good shape to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season, and the 16th time in 19 seasons under head coach Mark Rosen.
12 SPORTS
Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Conry named head coach Wilson drafted in first round by Bucks, Irvin, Walton to play in summer league
MEN’S LACROSSE
JACOB SHAMES
Summer Managing Sports Editor
Six weeks ago, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced the firing of men’s lacrosse coach John Paul, the only head coach the program has known. Wednesday, Manuel found his replacement when he announced the official hiring of Kevin Conry, formerly the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Maryland. Conry spent five years in College Park — a span during which the Terrapins went 67-17, including a third straight Big Ten title and a national championship this season. Under Conry’s guidance, Maryland’s defense ranked in the Top 10 in fewest goals allowed in four out of five seasons. Instead of trying to defend a national title at a perennial power next season, however, Conry’s next task will be to continue building a program from the ground up. Maryland and Michigan may share conference affiliation, but aside from that, the two programs could hardly be more different. Maryland’s
lacrosse program has existed since 1924, and is one of the most prestigious in NCAA history — the Terrapins are the only major college team that has never had a losing season, and have won 31 conference titles and three national titles while making 40 NCAA Tournament appearances. The Wolverines, on the other hand, only added varsity lacrosse in 2012, and have had just one winning season in their history. That one winning season, however, took place just this year, when Michigan went 8-6 and defeated a ranked opponent — No. 10 Penn — for the first time ever. “My wife, daughters and I could not be more excited to join the Michigan Athletics family, and Ann Arbor community,” Conry said in a statement. “The University of Michigan represents a standard of excellence that I look forward to upholding. I would like to thank sport administrator Bitsy Ritt and athletic director Warde Manuel for their commitment to the sport of lacrosse, and this amazing opportunity to be a head coach in the best lacrosse conference in the country.”
JACOB SHAMES
Summer Managing Sports Editor
The 2017 NBA Draft took place Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.. Three former Michigan players — Derrick Walton Jr., D.J. Wilson and Zak Irvin — anticipated possible selections, waiting to learn their next basketball destination. Wilson, however, was the only one to find out Thursday, as the Milwaukee Bucks drafted the 6-foot10 forward with the 17th pick in the first round. Walton and Irvin were not among the 60 players selected in the draft, but both players reportedly accepted invitations to play in the NBA Summer League — Walton with the Orlando Magic as reported by MLive’s Brendan Quinn and Irvin with the Miami Heat according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes. If Walton and Irvin impress in Summer League competition, they can earn an invitation to an NBA training camp in hopes of eventually signing a professional contract. Most sources had projected
Wilson as a late first-round pick, while Walton and Irvin were both predicted to either go late in the second round or undrafted. Wilson becomes the sixth Wolverine in the last five years to be drafted in the first round, joining Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway in 2013, Nik Stauskas and Mitch McGary in 2014 and Caris LeVert a year ago. This scenario didn’t seem likely at the onset of the Sacramento, Calif. native’s college career. With injuries and inconsistency playing a role, Wilson averaged just 5.9 minutes and 2.3 points per game his first two seasons. However, Wilson was finally able to show off his unique skill set this season, and shot onto NBA teams’ draft radars. He used his 7-foot-3 wingspan to average 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and also displayed a smooth shooting stroke for a player his size, knocking down 37 percent of his three-point attempts and scoring 11 points per contest. The Bucks, a young, lengthy and athletic team built around 6-foot-11 star forward Giannis
Antetokounmpo, were attracted to Wilson for his physical tools and versatility. “Watching him on film, he fits the DNA of the Bucks, being able to play multiple positions,” said Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd in a press conference after the draft. Walton, a four-year starter at point guard for Michigan, averaged 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as a senior while shooting 42 percent from distance. The Detroit native also ranks fourth in Wolverine history in assists and three-pointers made. Despite Walton’s decorated college career and his ability to score, rebound and run an offense, he was only projected to be drafted late in the second round if at all, due in large part to his short stature at just six feet tall. Irvin appeared in 142 games in his Michigan career, tied for the most alltime, and also ranks third in program history for three-pointers. In his final season as a Wolverine, he averaged 13 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. His outside shooting and perimeter defense are his main strengths that he will hope to take to the next level.
SAM MOUSIGIAN/Daily
D.J. Wilson became the sixth Wolverine to be drafted in the first round since 2014 when the Milwaukee Bucks took him 17th overall.