Thursday, June 6, 2019
ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM
inside
Former priest charged with sexual assault of minor in A2
NEWS
2020
Democratic presidential candidates make campaign stops in Detroit >> SEE PAGE 8
Ex-St. Thomas priest Timothy Crowley faces up to life in prison if convicted
OPINION
Abortion rights Ramisa Rob addresses considerations for pro-life conservatives >> SEE PAGE 4
ARTS
Governor’s Ball The 1975 and Florence + the Machine rock the annual New York City music festival >> SEE PAGE 7
MICHIGAN IN COLOR
Pride Month
Dierra Barlow reflects on queer indentity, person journey in during worldwide LGBTQ+ celebration
>> SEE PAGE 9
SPORTS
New leadership Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard was introduced on Thursday
>> SEE PAGE 11
INDEX Vol. CXXVIII, No. 108 © 2019 The Michigan Daily
NEWS .................................... 2 OPINION ............................... 4 ARTS/NEWS..........................6 MiC......................................... 9 SPORTS................................ 10
michigandaily.com
CLAIRE HAO
Summer News Editor Design by Kathryn Halverson
‘U’ study finds LGBT employees feel less supported at federal jobs Researchers hope work sheds light on experiences of LGBT workers MICHAL RUPRECHT Daily Staff Reporter
LGBT federal workers reported worse experiences at their offices compared to their non-LGBT colleagues, reports a study conducted by assistant professor of sociology Erin Cech and Rackham student William Rothwell. This disparity tends to lead to higher turnover intentions, Cech and Rothwell claim. In an email to The Daily, Rothwell said he and Cech started the study in 2014 because they were inspired by data from the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. Rothwell hoped their work would bring light to the unobserved discrimination of LGBT individuals. “We knew that there were likely important and interesting stories that we could tell with this data,” Rothwell wrote. “I think that these findings, in general, are especially daunting
given that federal agencies and workers are actually protected under non-discrimination legislation meaning that these results may provide a somewhat conservative estimate of the extent of LGBT workplace inequality more broadly.” According to the Federal Trade Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces laws that make it unlawful for federal agencies to discriminate against employees and job applicants. Rothwell said it is rare to come across data on LGBT populations, but they were able to work with the FEVS data of 300,000 respondents because about 11,000 of those respondents identified as LGBT. Cech also noted their study uses the “LGBT” acronym because the FEVS survey contained questions that captured LGBT status. She added the “LGBTQ+” acronym is more fully inclusive of gender nonbinary and queer persons and was disappointed these identities were not accounted for. The researchers also found LGBT workers reported feeling their work was less respected by their supervisors and non LGBT peers. Cech and Rothwell concluded these processes are intersectional
with LGBT women and people of color, as they reported significantly more negative experiences than LGBT men and white workers. Although equality for LGBT-identifying persons has increased over the last three decades, Cech said she has seen greater instances of hate speech toward LGBT persons within the last five years. She added this study took place in a federal workforce with nondiscrimination policies in place, so their conclusions may have been equal or worse in other employment sectors. “Little research, up until this point, has been able to systematically document how LGBT persons are impacted by more subtle day-to-day experiences of devaluation and marginalization at work,” Cech said. “We hope this study gives visibility to these issues and voice to LGBT persons who encounter these issues at work.” LSA and Music, Theatre & Dance senior Dylan Genouw, a member of the LGBT community, said in an email to The Daily he noticed gender and sexuality-based discrimination in his restaurant job.
Read more at michigandaily.com
Timothy M. Crowley, a former priest at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Ann Arbor, was arrested on May 23 in Tempe, AZ, according to Maricopa County jail records. The next day, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Crowley was one of five Michigan Catholic priests her office charged with criminal sexual misconduct. Crowley, 69, was charged in Washtenaw County with four felony counts of firstdegree criminal sexual conduct, with a maximum sentence of life in prison, and four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. He is accused of assaulting a minor boy for about eight years while at St. Thomas from 1987 to 1990. The charges come after months of investigation into sexual abuse by Michigan clergy inside the Catholic Church. The investigation was started in August 2018 by Nessel’s predecessor, former Attorney General Bill Schuette, following a report exposing widespread sexual abuse in the Pennsylvania Catholic Church. All charges against Crowley fall within the statute of limitations because he has not been a Michigan resident since 1995. Prosecutors will move ahead with proceedings. According to Nessel, all five cases began as tips from the Attorney General’s sexual abuse hotline, which she said has received more than 450 tips. The tips were then corroborated by interviews with victims and information found in the hundreds of thousands of documents seized from Michigan’s seven Catholic dioceses last October.
Read more at michigandaily.com
2 NEWS
Thursday, June 6, 2019 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
City Council talks rezoning projects Council examines affodability, scale of proposals CLAIRE HAO
Summer News Editor
On Monday evening, the Ann Arbor City Council discussed several rezoning requests, voting to deny rezoning for the Brightdawn Village development and to approve rezoning for the Broadway Park development. Gil-Ad Schwartz, one of the developers behind the Brightdawn Village proposal, explained the land on Burton Road is private property. Thus, according to Schwartz, he is allowed to build a 120-unit apartment building. Rezoning a land parcel would assign different permissible uses and restrictions on the property. The proposed conditional rezoning would allow the Schwartz family to build 160 Sudoku Syndication units, under the stipulation that the additional 40 be affordable
housing units. Twenty units would be restricted for people earning 60 percent of the area median income or below, and 20 units would be restricted for people earning 80 percent or below. Tom Covert of Midwestern Consulting, the civil engineering firm behind the project, also emphasized the development will will be equipped for residents with disabilities and senior residents. In its report to the council, the city’s Planning Commission recommended a denial of the rezoning request. During the public comment sections, many residents at the meeting also spoke in opposition to the rezoning. Residents expressed concern over the density of the units and additional traffic the development could bring, which they said would be dangerous for children in the area.
Read more at michigandaily.com
SUDOKU HARD
3
2
4 5
5
9 7
7 2
6
9
6 8
7
8
7 8
3
6
9
7
4
2
CHALLENGER
2
8 3
puzzle by sudokusyndication.com
© sudokusolver.com. For personal use only.
420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1327 www.michigandaily.com
CASSANDRA MANSUETTI Editor in Chief 734-418-4115 opt.3 cassette@michigandaily.com
RYAN KELLY
Business Manager 734-418-4115 ext. 1241 dailydisplay@gmail.com
CONTACT INFORMATION Newsroom
Office hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. 734-763-2459 opt.3
ALEC COHEN/Daily
Taste of AA brings local food, music Locals head downtown for annual festival
go to in the future,” McAllister said. “I also just love getting a ton of different foods at once rather than one thing.” In addition, there were options for those with dietary restrictions. Karissa Urban, GABI GIGANTE Daily Staff Reporter Eastern Michigan University student, was surprised by the http://sudokusyndication.com/sudoku/generator/print/ On Sunday afternoon, the variety of food. “There are a lot more vegan annual Taste of Ann Arbor festival brought live music and options than I expected, so that’s over 30 local restaurants serving cool,” Urban said. Jessie Kinney, the head baker of an array of entrees, drinks and French bakery Le Bon Macaron, desserts to South Main Street. Restaurants, like Gratzi, Palio said it was Le Bon’s second year and Aventura, had tents set up participating in the event. Kinney with a couple of signature plates said she returned to Taste of Ann available for patrons to sample. Arbor because it is a great way to From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., unique meet more potential customers Indian, Italian and Spanish and work alongside other Ann cuisines were readily made for Arbor businesses. “It’s just good to get exposure each hungry passerby. The six-hour event provided an for people that might not be opportunity for residents from all walking around Fourth Street over Michigan to taste a variety or don’t know as much about Kinney said. of local restaurants for a much macarons,” lower price. Community member “Hopefully more people know Vince Pope said the wide range of about us now.” Kinesiology sophomore Eliya selections is part of what makes Gelb said the event introduced the festival so enjoyable. “It’s my first time here, and her to local businesses she had I just tried octopus for the first not known about previously. “It’s really nice you get too see time,” Pope said. “That’s what I like about it. You get to try all of these places here,” Gelb different things that you would said. “I didn’t know half of these restaurants existed.” normally never try.” With food priced between Unlike Pope, Cassie McAllister from Troy has attended the $1 and $4, Engineering junior Lindsay Llende said the price festival before. “I love that I can try a lot of allowed her to taste dishes from different places that I normally multiple restaurants. would not go for a full dinner, Read more at michigandaily.com but I can get a little sampling, so I can see if it’s a place I want to
Generate and solve Sudoku, Super Sudoku and Godoku puzzles at sudokusyndication.com!
News Tips Corrections Letters to the Editor Photo Department Arts Section Editorial Page Sports Section Magazine Advertising Department
news@michigandaily.com corrections@michigandaily.com tothedaily@michigandaily.com or visit michigandaily.com/letters photo@michigandaily.com arts@michigandaily.com opinion@michigandaily.com sports@michigandaily.com statement@michigandaily.com Phone: 734-418-4115 dailydisplay@gmail.com
EDITORIAL STAFF Barbara Collins & Alex Harring Managing News Editors news@michigandaily.com
Erin White Editorial Page Editor tothedaily@michigandaily.com
Jorge Cazares & Akul Vijayvargiya Managing Sports Editors sportseditors@michigandaily.com
Julianna Morano Managing Arts Editor arts@michigandaily.com
Alexandria Pompei & Natalie Stephens Managing Photo Editors photo@michigandaily.com
Alec Cohen & Kathryn Halverson Managing Design Editors design@michigandaily.com
Silas Lee Managing Copy Editor copydesk@michigandaily.com
Devak Nanua & Sam So Managing MiC Editors michiganincolor@michigandaily.com
Amir Basha Managing Online Editor webteam@michigandaily.com
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 per issue. Subscriptions for September - April are $250, and yearlong subscriptions are $275. University affiliates are subject to a reduced subscription rate. Subscriptions must be prepaid.
Thursday, June 6, 2019 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
NEWS 3
Unity walk encourages Students, ‘U’ county-wide conversations fauclty reflect on Duo after six months
Washtenaw County residents trek from Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor on Saturday BARBARA COLLINS
Summer Managing News Editor
More than 75 Washtenaw County residents made the trek from Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor Saturday morning during the second annual Bridging 23 Unity Walk. Organizer Robin Stephens said the 8-mile walk was created to unify the east and west sides of Washtenaw County, which faces disparities in job access, economics and education. “I think it’s so important for us to really connect as an entire community so we’re all responsible for each other and we have to help each other,” Stephens said. “If it means we have to get out and walk … so that we really get to know and understand each other, then I am willing to put these walks together for the rest of my days.” Stephens, an Ann Arborbased criminal defense attorney, said she attended an event at the Dispute Resolution Center that challenged her to create unity within her community. Inspired by her past participation in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Stephens decided
to create the Unity Walk to encourage dialogue between county residents who may not have met otherwise. “I had done the Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk three times prior, and I knew from my own experiences walking with thousands of people that I did not know, that by the end of that walk I knew some of them much more intimately,” Stephens said. “We were walking and we were bonding and we were talking, and … I really built a bond with those people.” Participants began the day at the Ypsilanti District Library. They took Washtenaw Avenue all the way to Ann Arbor and concluded at the Ann Arbor African American Downtown Festival. A rally with multiple speakers from the community preceded the walk. Stephens began the rally by introducing Jeff Gabrielson, vice president of the Association for Youth Empowerment. Gabrielson said the goal of the Unity Walk was to get to know other community members on a personal level.
“What we see is that when we get to know each other as human beings, there’s a third wave that occurs,” Gabrielson said. “Our intent with Bridging 23 is to look at different ways to bring people together.” Ypsilanti Mayor Beth Bashert also spoke to participants about fixing income, education and health care disparities within the county. “We all know that, in our area, we have disparities, and we talk about them all the time; disparities from one side of our county to the other,” Bashert said. “We know what the problems are, and I’m going to tell you what the solutions are. The solutions are right here.” Bashert said solutions to issues of disparity must be solved regionally and that unification helps the county grow stronger. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich, commended participants on their work in bringing both sides of the county together. “This walk is a symbol of people caring, and we need to get a lot more people engaged because we are one
community,” Dingell said. “Together, we can make a difference.” Stephens closed the rally by challenging participants to meet at least two people during the walk they did not previously know. During the walk to Ann Arbor, participants conversed with those around them and did not use their cell phones. Eastern Michigan University senior Sarah Khan said she was encouraged by a friend to take part in the Unity Walk. She said the walk let her see Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor from a new perspective and helped her meet people from across the county. “I think it’s really cool to see people come together for things like this,” Khan said. “I would like to see a little more diversity, like generational diversity, but as far as the people that I met, they were all really cool.” In the future, Stephens said she hopes to extend the walk to reach other surrounding Washtenaw County communities. Read more at michigandaily.com
COURTESY OF BARBARA COLLINS
Washentaw county residents walk from Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor as part of the Bridging 23 Unity Walk Saturday.
One semester in, users express support of heightened online security at ‘U’ LIAT WEINSTEIN Daily Staff Reporter
On Jan. 23, after nearly a year of deliberation among University of Michigan administrators, Duo TwoFactor Authentication was introduced for student employees, faculty and staff. Duo, a program that aims to protect a user’s data by requiring they log in to websites like Canvas and Wolverine Access using both a password and an alternate device, is mandatory for those employed by the University on all three campuses. LSA sophomore Charlotte Weisman, a former employee at Maizie’s Kitchen and Market in the League, said she was accustomed to programs that use dual-factor verification and found the process of setting it up fairly simple. “There are a lot of platforms that use dual-factor authentication, like Facebook and Instagram where they text you a code or something,” Weisman said. “Initially, I was a little annoyed because I was like ‘Oh, I have to set this up, I don’t know if this is going to be a hassle,’ but I found it pretty straightforward and they kind of walk you through the steps.” Duo Security, an internetsafety provider with offices in three states and the United Kingdom, was founded in 2010 by University alumi Dug Song and Jon Oberheide. According to the Duo website, the company serves over 14,000 customers in 100 countries, including larger brands like Yelp and Face-
book. In August 2018, Cisco Systems Inc. acquired Duo in a $2.35 billion deal. According to Ravi Pendse, vice president of information technology and chief information officer, multi-factor authentication has existed in some form at the University since 2005. Pendse said Duo’s 2FA provides more extensive security coverage than previous verification programs because it is based in a smartphone app rather than an external hard drive. “In 2005 and even before, when people used other forms of verification, they would not use most of the modern tools that we use today — tools that we carry in our pocket or purses,” Pendse said. “A lot of the things that we do, we do them through smartphone … so smartphone has replaced many things, including the two-factor verification that can be used for using Duo.” Most 2FA users verify their identity using the Duo Security app and their smartphone, Pendse said. Student employees and faculty, however, can also request a hardware “token” from the University that plugs into their computer for when they are traveling or do not have reliable service. “One of our challenges was communication — letting people know that while smartphone is the most popular way to use Duo, that’s not the only way, there are many ways you can use Duo,” Pendse said. Read more at michigandaily.com
4 OPINION
Thursday, June 6, 2019 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
CASSANDRA MANSUETTI
ERIN WHITE
Editor in Chief
Editorial Page Editor
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS Zack Blumberg Emma Chang Joel Danilewitz Emily Huhman Tara Jayaram
Jeremy Kaplan Magdalena Mihaylova Ellery Rosenzweig Jason Rowland Anu Roy-Chaudhury
Alex Satola Timothy Spurlin Nicholas Tomaino Erin White Ashley Zhang
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.
RAMISA ROB | OP-ED
A
common post revolving around the internet right now that condemns the near total abortion ban in Alabama states, “Men shouldn’t be making laws about women’s bodies” has been f lying around the internet recently. But the deadlocked abortion debate is much more complex than old, white men versus women when it results in a concerted, national effort to get the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. Missouri also recently established anti-abortion laws, and female state Sen. Kim LaSata, R-Sturgis proposed abortion bans in her state and heartlessly said abortions “should be painful.” Governor of Alabama Kay Ivey, also a woman, signed Alabama’s bill citing Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God.” Pew finds that the gender difference between those for and against abortion is trivial. To then say the pro-life movement is indicative of men pushing opinions on women would prove unproductive. Instead, “God” seems to be the point of focus for most pro-life campaigns. But it is ridiculous that such abortion bans can be passed by a majority of senators in a nation that has a ‘free exercise clause’ enshrined in its constitution, fundamentally prohibiting Congress and states from furthering or deterring
Illustrator / Ramisa Rob
Considerations for pro-life conservatives religious beliefs or practices. The juxtaposition between anti-abortion state laws and the First Amendment produces a self-contradictory legal system. However, the abortion state laws are not yet in effect, and will likely reach the Supreme Court, where Brett Kavanaugh will get a chance to prove his competence in safeg uarding inclusive justice. Regardless, American society needs to engage in a constructive conversation about abortion. Conservative pundits are fond of saying “Facts don’t care about your feelings.” It seems that they presume exemption from their own statement. Pro-life conservatives ignore a number of scientific facts because, in reality, they “view” and “feel” that abortion constitutes murder. The assertion that a two-week-old fetus amounts to the same humanness of a full grown baby is contradicted” by medical evidence that suggests fetuses cannot live unsupported without a respirator, even at 21 weeks. Pro-life campaigns argue fetuses can feel pain, although scientific evidence tells us that, until at least 24 weeks, fetuses cannot feel anything like pain. With the lack of science, banking on a strict perception of morality to criminalize abortion casts infeasible restrictions on fertile women, especially rape victims, and ironically becomes unjust and immoral. The solution is actually quite
simple: If you don’t support abortions, don’t have one. You don’t have to dig your fingers into strangers’ lives and provide unsolicited virtue signaling. Considerations of what should be criminalized by law must be logically based on human rights, economic standards and ethical or unethical conduct that endangers or ensures public safety. You can be a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist or Scientologist, but your religion shouldn’t matter when it comes to your “advocacy” pertaining to policies and politics. That only makes sense if your nation ratifies religious jurisdiction, but the U.S. Constitution explicitly does not. So, I challenge conservatives to explain why abortion should be banned without unconstitutionally bringing God into the conversation. When navigating through what has today become the deadend abortion debate, we must highlight that pro-choice means you can choose to and choose not to have an abortion. Prochoice not only aims to protect those who choose abortion, but also those who do not, while pro-life attacks the choice of those who have abortions. I understand that many women hold religious convictions and will not pursue abortions. What I cannot respect is when individuals disparage women who have had abortions for very personal, complex reasons only
to validate their anti-abortion viewpoints. Though abortion affects a woman’s body, reproductive rights concern both sexes. But the fact is that men can easily escape the responsibility of being involved in a pregnancy or raising a child, as the law does nothing to ethically counter that. Many single mothers raise children through financial challenges, and oftentimes children end up in foster homes. And I’m sure many rapists would not like to raise children. So if the law forces a 11-yearold rape victim to deliver a child, a fair bill should also be passed that requires rapists to finance and account for the entire pregnancy, along with their prison sentence. If nothing is done in that regard, we are legalizing vile misog yny. A rapist can now face a lesser sentence than a doctor who performs an abortion on a rape victim, a woman who became pregnant without her consent. No one should inhumanely force victims to physically carry what happened to them against their will. So, to those diehard pro-life advocates who believe they’re doing the right thing with these laws that marginalize vulnerable people, it’s time to refresh those ethics lessons. Pennsylvania Rep. Tim Murphy has been “pro-life,” and recently resigned after reports found that he had asked his
extra-marital partner to get an abortion, highlighting a clear hypocrisy. The tragedy here is that abortion has become a partisan issue — a denominator in the clash of the liberals and conservatives — which, in this case, seems to mean abandoning the sense of logic and morality to fit oneself into a political tribe. Maybe I’m wrong, but where’s the logical consistency for conservatives who are prolife, pro-death penalty and prog un? Pope Francis himself has recently arg ued the death penalty is a violation of the right of life. How can Alabama be pro-murder and anti-murder at the same time? Shooting incidents have been killing youths across the nation for decades, and teenagers are arguably “more living” than fetuses. Yet, lawmakers cannot implement common-sense gun laws because Americans need to bear arms for “selfdefense.” How many people have used guns for self-defense and how many have used them to murder innocents? I challenge conser vatives to straightforwardly explain the contradictions with “facts.” It’s time for conser vatives to answer these questions and to apply their log ic and humanit y to the abortion debate.
Ramisa Rob is a 2019 graduate of the University of Michigan
Thursday, June 6, 2019 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
PHILIP EIL | OP-ED
ERIN WHITE | OP-ED
I
Pride isn’t a brand
t’s officially June, which means two things: The Peony Garden in Nichols Arboretum is due to bloom any day, and it’s time to celebrate Pride. LGBTQ+ Pride month has gone through many evolutions since its origins in New York in 1970, where the first Pride was held to commemorate a year since the Stonewall riots. The Stonewall riots are a historical moment often credited as the beginning of the modern gay rights movement, and were bravely led by transgender women of color, including famous activists such as Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. The impact of these women and other gay rights activists was the harnessing of LGBTQ+ individuals’ political power, which translated into the creation of LGBTQ+ Pride month. Pride began as a political demonstration, where the voices of the LGBTQ+ community demanded equal rights and protections. Pride still serves as a crucial political tool, pushing the importance of LGBTQ+ freedoms and safety — and this is especially salient when acknowledging the tangible barriers still stand in front of LGBTQ+ Americans. Political and social threats still exist. An individual can still be fired in 26 states because of sexual orientation or gender identity. According to 2017 FBI hate crime statistics, a surge in hate crimes has disproportionately affected LGBTQ+ individuals, and even more so those with intersectional marginalized identities. These issues are deserving of political attention and advocacy, but gradually this political focus of Pride has expanded into what it is widely viewed as today: a celebration. This isn’t a plea to turn every visible moment as an LGBTQ+ individual into a rally cry against oppression. Pride can and should be used to celebrate queer life. Pride can and should be enjoyable. It exemplifies the importance and impact of LGBTQ+ people across the spectrum, and brings the community together in a way that allows individuals to praise their own and each other’s identities. What Pride shouldn’t be promoting, however, is the commercialization of these identities to benefit corporations and promote half-baked awareness of the issues. Something that I’ve learned in my time as a Communications Studies major is that any aspect of your identity can and will be utilized as a market. During Pride, the
OPINION 5
LGBTQ+ community becomes easy to tap, with newseeds and storefronts flooded with rainbow flags, while marketers clearly know that the community’s buying power has exceeded $1 trillion. At first glance, the idea of brands incorporating products that support LGBTQ+ visibility into their lines is commendable. Oftentimes, these products come with some social benefit. For example, H&M’s Pride collection “Stay True, Stay You” donates 10 percent of the global sales price to the work of the United Nations’ Free & Equal campaign. Again, this is seemingly mutually beneficial: I get a cool new rainbow bodysuit while simultaneously donating to a significant cause. But the implications of this type of consumerism get a bit dicey when considering that H&M has several high-volume factories in China, a country with historic anti-LGBTQ legislation (despite very recent promises to the United Nations to address LGBTQ+ rights). This type of commercial social blindness is consistently seen throughout Pride, like when the biggest sponsors of city-wide Pride events are contributing greatly to issues such as income inequality, an issue affecting marginalized (especially those that are intersectional) identities at disproportionate rates. With the growth of positive sentiment regarding the LGBTQ+ community, brands frequently attempt to jump into these celebrations to make a profit with little found interest in the actual issues. Wearing or purchasing Pride merchandise from a big corporation is not something to be intrinsically ashamed of. Sometimes, corporations have a piece of clothing that you feel represents your version of Pride, and it’s okay to indulge that purchase. The issue arises when Pride becomes a market competition for who can earn the most LGBTQ+ dollars without consistently supporting the community. Consumers need to hold companies accountable for their political and monetary actions, and the impact of these decisions on the LGBTQ+ community. While Pride should be a time to celebrate, the political origins of the holiday and the ongoing needs of the community should remain at the forefront of one’s thoughts. Now, go buy a rainbow t-shirt from a local LGBTQ+ supporting business, and happy Pride. Erin White can be reached at ekwhite@umich.edu
W
Taking steps toward improving mental health
hen I was a junior at the University of Michigan, I experienced the worst panic attack of my life. At the time, I was on spring break from a semester abroad in Scotland, midway through a long-planned trip through Spain, France and Italy. It was, in theory, the highlight of my semester. But symptoms that I had begun to experience back at school in Ann Arbor had gotten worse. And on this trip they boiled over, culminating in a moment in Florence when I became convinced I was dying, which sent my heart racing and my mind whirring out of control. That moment was followed by aftershocks in the following weeks, including one day back in Scotland where I asked my dorm administrator to call an ambulance because I thought I was having a heart attack. The EMTs arrived and determined that I was fine, which added a big dose of embarrassment to my distress. I share this story now as a 34 yearold who only recently started taking my mental health seriously. Despite flare-ups of anxiety and depression in my twenties, I spent the decade after college burying myself in my work as a journalist and teacher and ignoring these issues when they arose. It took another crisis in 2017 — a case of burnout and depression that left me unable to work for weeks — to really wake me up. I’ve since spent a lot of time taking better care of myself, and also writing about mental health topics, including anxiety, depression, burnout, therapy, toxic masculinity and suicide. The brain is now one of my beats, as a journalist. Part of this journey has involved realizing just how much the collegeaged me could have benefited from the knowledge I have now. If I had a time machine, I might send it back to Bursley or the Brown Jug or the Big House, circa the mid 2000s, to whisper a few words in my own ear, and save myself a lot of future misery. Alas, I can’t do that. But I can write something for The Daily, and perhaps be a bit of help to you. The first thing I would share with the younger me — and to you, my fellow Wolverines — is the simple message that you are not alone. As a reporter on mental health, I’ve learned that anxiety disorders affect some 40 million adults in the U.S. and that, worldwide, so many people struggle with depression that the World Health Organization calls it the world’s leading cause of disability. While mental health struggles can feel intensely isolating, that feel-
ing is an illusion. This is a huge part of being human, and there is much solace to be found in remembering that, and hearing other people’s stories. I would also add that there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of about struggling with your mental health. You wouldn’t be down on yourself for getting the flu or pulling a muscle during a pickup basketball game, because neither of those things would mean you’re a bad or a weak person. And the same idea applies to your brain. Having anxiety or depression means that you’re someone with a human body that is prone to occasionally malfunction. It also means that we live in a world with countless mental health-aggravating triggers, from social media to climate change to racism to mass shootings to dating apps to political chaos and so much more.
The good news is that there is help for you.
If your mind is telling you that there is something to be ashamed of because of a mental health issue, that is a symptom of the issues themselves — or perhaps an outgrowth of our culture’s pervasive and totally unnecessary stigma. Confronting that stigma in yourself and others is a huge step toward becoming a mental health-literate and overall good person. College, for me, was the first time when mental health symptoms really started to affect my quality of life. And if you’re experiencing similar turbulence, the good news is that there is help for you. There are support groups, medications, therapists, self-help books, TED Talks, mindfulness apps — the list goes on. Everyone’s mental health regimen is going to look a bit different, according to their schedule and needs and budget. And it may take you some time to figure out what works best for you. I’m still tweaking mine, years after first seeking help. But the basic fact is you are surrounded by time-tested, researchbacked, highly-accessible (and fully anonymous) ways for you to feel better. The University of Michigan isn’t just an athletic and academic
powerhouse; it’s also a major center for mental health treatment. At University Health Service’s online hub for mental health, you’ll find links to all kinds of options and resources, including the office of Counseling and Psychological Services, wellness coaching, the MiTalk and Campus Mind Works databases and info about on-campus counseling. Taking steps to invest in your own mental wellbeing in college will place you so far ahead of the game here at school, and in the post-college “real world.” Plenty of people go their whole lives without doing this, and it’s something I wish I’d done years sooner. There is a quote I like from the pioneering Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung: “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” After my experiences in the last couple years, I now look back at college (and many years after) as a time when my life was significantly steered by fears and insecurities and depressive spells and unacknowledged pain from my childhood and adolescence. The choice to finally meet these issues head-on and start unpacking that unconscious was a way of taking more control over my own life. Far from being an admission of weakness, addressing my mental health in recent years has been one of the biggest sources of strength and growth and wisdom and authenticity and happiness in my life. I go to therapy every two weeks. I’ve cut down on drinking. I take more frequent breaks from work. I’ve cultivated new hobbies and selfcare practices, and taken countless other large and small measures. In the process, I’ve become a better teacher, a better journalist, a better friend and a better member of my family and community. I’m simply a better version of me. (Note that “better” isn’t “perfect.” I still have bad days, and weeks, and even months, and that is OK). I hold the University of Michigan professors in the highest regard. And yet, while you’re in Ann Arbor, the work you do in a therapist’s office, or support group, or mindfulness practice, or any other mental wellness-focused space, is just as important as anything you’ll learn in a classroom. After all, your college education is only as useful as the health of the mind that holds it. Philip Eil is a 2007 graduate of the University of Michigan
6 ARTS
Thursday, June 6, 2019 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
BOOK REVIEW
FILM REVIEW
‘On Earth’ tells a tale of becoming
PARAMOUNT PICTURES
How to tell a star’s story JULIANNA MORANO
Summer Managing Arts Editor
Taron Egerton (“Kingsman: The Golden Circle”) doesn’t consider “Rocketman” a biopic. While the story revolves around the life and music of Elton John, Egerton himself filling John’s (platform) shoes, he has a point: “Rocketman,” with its all-out musical numbers and its elegant balance of fantasy with realism, isn’t like the other biopics. At the same time, it seems impossible to discuss “Rocketman” without invoking another biopic in particular. Yes, you (probably) guessed it: “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Its subjects, Queen and their legendary frontman Freddie Mercury, have hardly left the musician-biopic limelight since the film’s Nov. 2018 release, though they’ll soon be forced to share the space with an increasing number of artists. To that end, we have films highlighting the lives and/or music of Boy George, Aretha Franklin, Judy Garland and Céline Dion lined up in the near future. In spite of the critical and popular success of “Bohemian,” however, I would urge the filmmakers in charge of telling these beloved artists’ stories to look instead to “Rocketman,” if they’re interested in pulling off more than their artist’s highlight reel. Where “Bohemian” had trouble deciding if Freddie Mercury or Queen’s songs were the point of the film, “Rocketman” never took the man behind the music or his story for granted. Where “Bohemian” reduced Mercury’s queer identity to a plot point, “Rocketman” treated John’s
homosexuality like it was, oh, I don’t know, part of his being a person. In short, Dexter Fletcher (“Eddie the Eagle”), who took over direction of “Bohemian Rhapsody” after Bryan Singer was accused of sexual assault and was on board for all of “Rocketman,” seems to have learned from the former’s errors. But make no mistake: “Rocketman” is not “Bohemian” 2.0. Returning to Egerton’s sentiment, the film should not be defined strictly in the ways it holds up against other biopics. Its innovative employment of musical and fantasy genre techniques and
Rocketman Paramount Pictures Ann Arbor 20 + IMAX, GT6 Quality 16, the State Theatre
its confident foregrounding of queer sexuality are due singular praise. The musical lended them ingenious transition scenes, hinging on overlapping lyrics, and at best commendable, at worst forgivable flashes forward in the film’s timeline. It’s extraordinary how much time they covered without oversimplifying any events in John’s life (the most notable exception being his marriage former wife Renate Blauel, but I’m not going to gripe about a film that respected a queer character refusing to dwell on his brief collapse under the weight of heteronormative pressure).
It is also extraordinary what the fantastical elements managed to represent. Each song is magically transported into the era of its making. Gravity is suspended during John’s first performance at The Troubadour, as John levitates above the piano bench and the enthused crowd rises along with him. Never have I seen those imprecise feelings — the ill-ease that comes with revisiting our bygone work, the floating sensation you experience when a musician just moves you — so precisely captured on screen. What excels the most about “Rocketman,” however, is not its visual splendor or “La La Land”-caliber song-and-dance. It’s that the movie treats each of its characters fairly. How many films could say the same? Villains and heroes are formulaic for a reason. For a completely different reason — above all, its abiding belief in the goodness and subsequent redeemability of all people — “Rocketman” pays no heed to these formulae and dares to criticize its protagonist while being sympathetic about why we end up hurting the people we’re supposed to love. We see this in another of the film’s innovations: Remaking solos into duets, trios and the like. Picture this: John sings the opening lyrics to “I Want Love,” when suddenly, the people he’s singing about claim some of the lines. His flawed mother (Bryce Dallas Howard, “Jurassic World”), his cold father (Steven Mackintosh, “Urban Hymn”), his steadfast grandmother (Gemma Jones “God’s Own Country”). These thoughtful recreations remind us that we sing along to songs about real people.
Read more at michigandaily.com
million puzzle pieces. The book begins at the onset of CLARA SCOTT narrator Little Dog’s childhood, Senior Arts Editor as he collects scattered memories of his mother to share with When I received Ocean Vuong’s her. Vuong’s skill as a poet (havdebut novel “On Earth We’re Brief- ing won the T.S. Eliot Prize in ly Gorgeous” in the mail, I read the 2017) is immediate in these first jacket description to my mother pages. Through a mix of abstract immediately. It began, “‘On Earth description and fleeting emotion, We’re Briefly Gorgeous’ is a letter he stabilizes memory despite its from a son to a mother who cannot ephemeral nature and invites the read.” She stopped me there, ask- reader in to remember with him, ing if the book was a first edition, his mother and his younger self. and told me to keep it safe. Even “I am writing because they told from that one sentence, not even me to never start a sentence with having read the book, my mother because,” Vuong writes, “But I knew that Vuong’s writing was wasn’t trying to make a sentence special. Having read it, I know — I was trying to break free.” that is true, and “On Earth” is centhat his writing is tered around the beyond special — confusion of this it is a distillation search for freeof emotion that dom, revealing the only a poet could interplay between On Earth We’re achieve, capturthe “why”s and Briefly Gorgeous ing the intensity “because”s of a difof familial and ficult life. He can’t Ocean Vuong romantic love in start a sentence Jonathan Cape a way that’s nearwith “because,” ly impossible to but Vuong is a masJune 4, 2019 explain. From the ter of explanation; first words of the even if it isn’t in jacket to the last of the way a reader his acknowledgeexpects. ments, Vuong has Though Little created a world of his own within Dog is not exactly Vuong, or vice the confines of a novel, pushing his versa, the intimacy between the readers so deeply into the experi- author and character is palpable. ence of his characters that it feels It’s almost like Vuong is trying to like they’ve lived it themselves. describe how his reflection looks “On Earth We’re Briefly Gor- in a foxed mirror; there are some geous” is a book about the immi- parts of Little Dog that are the grant experience, and it is also a author completely, but the others book about the queer experience. are somewhere in the middle of It is a book about a son’s love for them both. his mother, for his grandmother, It’s this foggy quality of memfor his family’s homeland and the ory that colors the entirety of “On home they built away from it. In Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous,” another writer’s hands, this would almost like a character of its own. surely be too much to address in Of course, it affects Little Dog’s one novel. But Vuong, in his first memories of his mother, but also foray into fiction, is more than her own recollections of her life capable of handling all of these and those of her mother, too. In a things. In truth, the realities of narrative heavy with their family’s being human are not easily swal- story of immigration from Vietlowable, and certainly more com- nam, this emphasis on memory is plicated than we wish they were. also tied to Little Dog’s relationVuong knows this well and weaves ship with a heritage fraught with each aspect of his semi-autobio- trauma. graphical story through the lens of personhood, making the big Read more at michigandaily.com picture distinguishable among its
Thursday, June 6, 2019 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
FESTIVAL COVERAGE
GETTY IMAGES
The Brits bring down the house at Gov Ball in NYC MADELEINE GANNON Daily Arts Writer
Amid earth-shaking thunderstorms and sweltering heat, New York City’s Governors Ball started and ended with a bang — literally. The third and final day of the outdoor music festival on Randall’s Island came to a close with performance cancellations, a torrential downpour and hundreds stranded as they awaited a break in the storm. But before Mother Nature arrived in all her wondrous fury (some cosmic karma, perhaps, for all the littered beer cans), there was Saturday night. And Saturday night at the Governors Ball was glorious. With several stages and an extensive list of performances to choose from, the Governors stage in particular beckoned with promises of Kacey Musgraves’ sweetheart country, The 1975’s techno rock ‘n’ roll and Florence + the Machine’s otherworldly performance. Musgraves took to stage first, adding a dose of country flair to the evening lineup. Dressed in a matching floral top and pants, her outfit was reminiscent of the rhinestone-studded glamor of previous country icons. Standing atop the Governors stage, Musgraves put on a show, the crowd eagerly singing along to her mel-
low tunes. As she serenaded the sizable audience with her hit “High Time,” fans could be seen “swimming” through the crowd in an amusing display of misheard lyrics, mistaking the line “It’s high time” for “It’s high tide.” Musgraves’s songs, although beautiful, were ill-suited for an outdoor festival; much of her performance lacked the electricity and energy needed to amp up a crowd. However, Musgraves put forth a good effort to engage with fans, throwing in some admirable (but flat) remarks about the start of Pride mMonth. Her heart of gold, too, was on full display as she reflected on promoting positivity and love — the belief that love can find a way fueling her music-making. But as fun as it was to “yee-haw” and “hell -nah” alongside Musgraves as she tried to add a spark to an eager but stifled crowd, the performance itself was ultimately lackluster. Where Musgraves failed, however, British pop-rock band The 1975 succeeded. The band rolled in like thunder and struck the crowd with lighting. Everything about the performance was energetic and colorful: Behind the band, a kaleidoscope of lights and images played on stage, mirrored by the setting sun, which illuminated the sky with rainbow hues (a natural phenomenon that seemed a cos-
mic salute to Pride month). The smell of stale beer and press of sweaty bodies aside, as The 1975 played the crowd in an almost sinful display of musical mastery, everything was overwhelmingly beautiful. A “New York moment” is what I would call that Saturday night: a rare experience of the intimate, innate connection between strangers in New York City. Lead singer Matt Healy was a sight to behold, dancing, grinding and gyrating like a pro — at risk of offending the king of rock ‘n’ roll, Healy could have given Elvis Presley a run for his money. About three songs into the band’s hour long set, Healy stripped some layers off to the animalistic cheers of the audience. “I know, we keep getting better, right?” Healy called out, at once arrogant and delightful. The second half of the set saw Healy’s swagger on stage, accompanied by a cigarette in one hand and a cocktail in the other: a true man of the people. What was most enthralling about The 1975 was the deep sincerity with which they performed each song. Nothing about their performance suggested they were going through the motions. No, Healy and the rest of his beloved band made every song an independent, emotional experience. By the time the band finally left the stage, the audience vis-
ibly deflated, a mix of disappointment and utter exhaustion. It was like The 1975 had held the crowd in some hypnotic state, where release was only granted when the band was good and done. The 1975, without doubt, improved upon Musgraves’s earlier performance by leaps and bounds. As the clock ticked on and the final rays of sunshine flickered out, Governors Ball came to a quiet pause. Or, more accurately, it was the calm before the storm. Then, out of the darkness came Florence + the Machine. Florence herself arrived barefoot, dressed in a sheer gown like a heroine from a gothic novel. Her fiery red hair swung unbound behind her. The night was dark, but not fearful; there is never room for fear in the presence of Florence. As the beat dropped, she raised her arms up to the sky as if in offering, and then, there was light — literally, it wasn’t until 30 seconds into the first song that any lights turned on at all. The entire experience was otherworldly. Florence + the Machine always have a dreamlike style, with songs that are lyrically beautiful and complex. But to see Florence perform in person is something else entirely. She seemed almost ethereal; a wild, beautiful creature, running and dancing across the stage. Her movements sharp, then suddenly soft and flowing. With every song, every note, every word, Florence channeled the energy through her, as if her body was a mere conduit for some greater power. Take the music away, and Florence could have been a body possessed in a horror movie — not horrifying, but as if there was something else present on stage with her. Her music, powerful and strong-willed, seemed a complement, rather than a contradiction, to Florence’s sweet, gentle personality. As she spoke for the first time to the audience, Florence gently admitted her own anxiety about speaking to such a large crowd. In response, jubilant cheers and cries of love erupted almost violently from the audience. It was like a harsh, demanding tug on your soul: No, Florence, do not apologize or be afraid! It
ARTS 7
seemed divinely unjust for a person so beautiful (both inside and out) to be humbled by the masses that often weep and whisper her name like a prayer in their darkest moments. And really, it was as if Florence was a goddess. Every word she spoke, the audience strained to hear, catch and hold within their hearts; every request was treated like a commandment. Florence asked us to turn to one another and embrace each other — so we did. She asked us to give words of love and positivity to each other — a girl yelled in my ear that she liked my scarf, and I hugged her and waxed poetic on her earrings. Florence asked us to put away our cell phones — every screen switchedblinked off. The magnificence of Florence + the Machine was a combination of evocative music and a powerful stage presence. Audiences react and take their cues from the artists on stage; an engaging artist makes for an engaging performance. Florence, more so than Musgraves or The 1975, gave herself utterly and completely to the moment, to the music. Her scant dress and bare feet heightened the connection between musician and audience member. It was as if Florence rooted herself to the stage, to the very ground. It was watching Florence on the jumbo screen kiss the forehead of a young man at the front of the crowd; desperately clasp hands with the arms that reached out to touch her; sing among the audience with a flower-crown a fan gave her that made Florence seem both larger-thanlife, but also closer and more intimate than any artist before. Florence told the audience that she wanted everyone there to share and indulge in an experience. She wanted to create something that would stay with us — with her — and mark the moment. Together, we did. No one who cheered for an encore at near-midnight will ever forget the evening of Saturday, June 1, 2019, spent sweaty, tired and cramped on Randall’s Island, awaiting that moment we would never forget. The moment we would tell our friends, our family and maybe one day our children, and grandchildren, and nurses at the senior living facility.
Then, out of the darkness came Florence + the Machine.
8 NEWS
Thursday, June 6, 2019 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Classifieds
Call: #734-418-4115 Email: dailydisplay@gmail.com
Release Date: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
FOR RENT
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
ACROSS 1 Hairy swinger 4 Blue semiprecious stone 11 Vainglory 14 “Blue Bloods” actor Selleck 15 Joint Chiefs member 16 Bubbly title 17 Dreamed of a career in politics 20 Mythical hunter 21 Considerable stretches 22 Thames academy 23 Old Opry network 24 Nice picnic spot? 25 Burn soothers 26 Took part in a revival 29 Hit one out, in baseball parlance 30 Atomic number of nitrogen 31 TV commentator Navarro 32 Fort Collins sch. 34 Cone producer 35 “Amscray!” 38 Singer Lopez 40 Name on a “Little Women” book jacket 42 “We can’t win!” and “It’s useless!” 45 “Something to Talk About” singer 46 Low-quality 47 Mining supply 48 Subject of the documentary “Blackfish” 49 __-g 50 Terra __ 52 New father’s task, maybe ... and what the three other longest puzzle answers have in common? 55 Luv 56 Candy bowl holder’s rule on Halloween 57 __ generis 58 Short albums, for short 59 “Afterwards ... ” 60 Word before cow, dog or lion
DOWN 1 Somewhat 2 Physics particle 3 Spanish stuffed pastry 4 Taj Mahal city 5 Zombiepocalypse start? 6 Like a zombie 7 Snappy comebacks 8 Japanese show set in a kitchen 9 New Mexico resort 10 Pixie 11 Publishing house hiree 12 Start admitting both men and women 13 Fodder for soothsayers 18 Navel variety 19 Pen denizen 24 Soft drink choices 25 Last Olds models 26 Dustin Johnson’s org. 27 Confidential 28 More wicked 33 Still wrapped
35 Garganta of “Femforce” comics, e.g. 36 “No kidding?” 37 Road gunk 38 Saturn’s largest moon 39 “It’s not coming to me” 41 “High five!” 42 Drive-in server 43 Puerto __: San Juan natives
44 “Camptown Races” refrain syllables 45 Valium maker 49 “A People’s History of the United States” writer Howard 50 “High Hopes” lyricist 51 China setting 53 Small Indian state 54 Puck’s place
OLIVIA SCOTT
CENTRAL CAMPUS, FURNISHED rooms for students, shared kitch., laundry., bath., in‑ ternet, rent from $700 and up. Call 734‑276‑0886.
05/30/19
THANKS FOR FOR READING THE MICHIGAN DAILY! Find more online at www.michigandaily.com
STATE OF MICHIGAN PROBATE COURT COUNTY OF WASHTENAW PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF HEARING FILE NO. 19-942-NC In the matter of the name change of Robert Michael Mansuetti TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS including: whose address(es) is/are unknown and whose interest in the matter may be barred or affected by the following:
Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Elizabeth Warren make stops in Detroit on Tuesday afternoon Daily Staff Reporter
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
By Ross Trudeau ©2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
2020 candiates stump in Detroit Democratic presidential candidates Jay Inslee and Elizabeth Warren both visited Detroit on Tuesday. Inslee has been governor of the state of Washington since 2013 and has focused his campaign on environmental issues. Warren, a Massachusetts senator, has created a progressive campaign focused on rebuilding the middle class and fighting corruption. According to Real Clear Politics averages, Warren and Inslee currently poll at 8.3 and 0.5 percent, respectively. On Tuesday morning, Jay Inslee spoke with three environmental justice leaders in the 48217 zip code of Detroit, which has been referred to as “most polluted zip code in Michigan.” The event was composed of a walking tour around the Kemeny Recreation Center and the neighboring Marathon Petroleum refinery. Inslee’s campaign has been focused on combating climate change and he highlighted the progress Washington has made under his leadership in combating climate change. When asked about why he was visiting Detroit, Inslee emphasized the environmental impact of the fossil fuel industry on the communities they operate in. “I’m in Detroit to see the problems that the fossil fuel industry, specifically the oil and gas industry, causes the residents of this area,” Inslee said. “I have proposed a plan to wean us off of
fossil fuels so that these families don’t have to breathe these fumes and their children don’t have to be exposed to asthma and cancer, which appears to be a higher rate here.” Theresa Landrum, a Detroit resident who has been working since the 1980s to clean up pollution, lead most of the walk. She said she has lived in the area her whole life and remembers what the community center looked like before the refinery moved in. “Marathon and I-75 have taken up wetlands; we had possum, the fox, the raccoons, the gardener snake, the turtles. We used to play there as children,” Landrum said. “Every home had a garden, every home had five to six fruit trees. They have all died out, and I contribute that to the emissions in the air. If the vegetation dies out, what is that doing to human life?” Landrum talked about the impact the Marathon plant has had on the surrounding community, which she said has been widely felt. “We need doctors to be to be trained to be able to identify more environmentally-related diseases,” Landrum said. “We know that we are a vulnerable community. We should not be compared to a healthy community when it comes to national standards. You have to compare a vulnerable community with a vulnerable community.”
Read more at michigandaily.com
05/30/19
TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be held on July 10, 2019 at 1:30 PM at the Washtenaw County Trial Court before Judge Conlin, P56333 for the following purpose: the name change of Robert Michael Mansuetti to Cassandra Dawn Mansuetti. Date: June 6, 2019 Robert Michael Mansuetti (petitioner) 411 E. Washington Street, Apt. 509B-1 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (248) 504-8314
COURTESY OF OLIVIA SCOTT
Elizabeth Warren, 2020 Presidential candidiate, speaks to attendees at Focus: HOPE in Detroit Tuesday.
Thursday June 6, 2019 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
MICHIGAN IN COLOR 9
Pride month feature: “Not my binary” DIERRA BARLOW MiC Podcast Editor
When I was five years old, I found myself on a muddy, cold football field. I was in kindergarten playing flag football in Saginaw, Michigan. I was the only girl. That day, I didn’t think about being the only girl on the field, I only remembered being forced onto my back by an illegal tackle and scoring a touchdown the following play. My anger seemed to propel me to the end zone, my father screaming for joy when I crossed the threshold unscaved. From five years old, I’ve loved the ruggedness of contact sports and the masculinity associated with such sporting events. I’ve found solace in the volatility of a basketball game, the ebb and flow of organized sports. I fell in love with the way my father communicated with me through the analysis of a turnover or a missed shot. Sports was my language, my love. But, as I became older, I realized that my masculinity was only supposed to be regulated within the lines of a basketball court or flag football field.
Growing up, I always felt more like one of the “boys” than the “girls.” Back then, I thought my masculinity was weird and wrong. It was often times critiqued by the extremely heterosexual, feminine Christian women that I grew up around. I was not girl enough. To them, my body language screamed masculine, while my body screamed feminine. To them, my actions screamed man, while my words screamed woman. At that age, I didn’t understand the magnitude of the restrictions being placed on me, of the incorrectness associated with those statements, and how they would affect me in the future. It took me sixteen years to perform the mental gymnastics to evade the language spewed to misinform my true identity, and it may take me many more to stick the landing. At twenty-one years old, I can say with complete assurance FUCK THE BINARY! The binary system that we’ve created within our society is trash. In this regard, it focuses
on gender, but we’ve done ourselves a great disservice in every aspect of binaristic life. We live in a world where there are usually two choices: right or wrong, good or bad, straight or gay, man or woman. We restrict our mobility so much that our muscles begin to atrophy into binaristic semblances of once healthy tissue. Life cannot be a binary whether you’re talking about gender or anything else. The shades of grey that we live within are so vivid, yet society hates to admit that they exist. My biological female frame does not inform how I must live my life; I don’t have to reside within the confines of a socially constructed binary to fit the aesthetic of “woman.” I am womxn because I feel innately womxn. I am womxn with the coarse hair that grows throughout my body, with the wide hips that extend back to generations of Black bodies. I am womxn with my snapback and my baggy shorts. I am womxn with my tight black shirt and my close-fitting denim. I am womxn with
I AM WOMXN BECAUSE I SAY I AM.
oversized hoodies and loose-fitting denim. I am womxn with a constant sweater-to-bootto-tennis shoe ratio. I am womxn without a fresh face of the latest foundation. I am womxn without grooming my eyebrows or shaving my armpit hair. I am womxn with my stud earrings. I am womxn with my thick 4c hair. I am womxn with braids extending from the front of my head to the very back. I am womxn with mini twists that morph into gorgeous locs. I am womxn without manipulating my tight curls after I arise from my slumber. I am womxn with a freshly shaven bald head. I am womxn with my arms wrapped around another womxn, she/them lying on my chest in the warmest embrace, our heartbeats producing a melodic symphony of revolutionary love and anti-binaristic, holistically-loving badassery. I AM WOMXN BECAUSE I SAY I AM. And however my masculine and feminine energies decide to reside in my biologically female frame, I’ll let them. Since I was five years old, my body restricted the binary because it was never made to live within it, but wherever it wanted to.
10 SPORTS
Thursday, June 6, 2019 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Michigan hires Phil Martelli, Howard Eisley as assistants ARIA GERSON
Daily Sports Editor
John Beilein was the veteran coach who filled his bench with younger, up-and-coming assistants. For new coach Juwan Howard, it was the opposite for his first hire. It had long been rumored that Howard, a young coach with no college or head coaching experience, was looking for a veteran head coach to join his staff, and Howard has now found that person in former St. Joseph’s
coach Phil Martelli, according to a report from NBC Sports Philadelphia. At 64, Martelli is old for an NCAA assistant. He spent the last 24 years coaching the Hawks in the Atlantic 10 conference, where he led them to seven NCAA Tournaments, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1996 and an Elite Eight run in 2004. That year, St. Joseph’s went undefeated in the regular season and Martelli won the Naismith and Associated Press Coach of the Year awards. However, the Hawks made the
tournament just twice in the past 11 years, with five losing seasons in that span. In March, in the wake of several disappointing seasons, Martelli was let go, and as a former mid-major coach whose best days were behind him, he did not receive much interest for open head jobs. But Martelli fit perfectly the assistant role Howard was looking to fill. Martelli was beloved in Philadelphia, and six of his former players went on to play in the NBA — including three first-round draft picks. He has also been an
assistant before, holding that position at St. Joseph’s from 19851995. Michigan also has decided to complete its assistant coaching staff with the hiring of Howard Eisley, according to The Athletic. Eisley comes from a very different background than Martelli but his pedigree is similar to that of Howard instead. A former teammate of Jalen Rose, Eisley is a Detroit native, graduating from Southwestern High School before playing at Boston College. Playing 12 seasons
in the NBA and retiring in 2006, he entered the coaching realm in 2010 as an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers. He also spent time as an assistant for the Washington Wizards and New York Knicks. With the hiring of Martelli and Eisley, Howard has no more spots left to fill in his coaching staff. Saddi Washington, an assistant under Beilein, is staying on staff, but Luke Yaklich left to become the associate head coach at Texas and DeAndre Haynes was not retained by Howard.
‘M’ defeats Creighton, 17-6, to advance to Super Regional AVI RAJENDRA-NICOLUCCI Daily Sports Writer
Win or go home. That was the scenario for the Michigan baseball team Monday after missing out on a chance Sunday to advance to the Super Regional. After losing to Creighton 11-7, they faced the Bluejays once again for another chance to advance. In the top of the fifth inning
with no outs and the bases loaded, redshirt freshman right-hander Isaiah Page stepped onto the mound. The Wolverines were clinging to a 6-4 lead, but Page cooly forced the first two batters he faced to pop out and struck out the final batter swinging to get out of the jam. Michigan didn’t seemed phased by the sudden-death atmosphere, eventually winning 17-6. Freshman left-hander Walker
Cleveland was on the mound for the Wolverines. But he didn’t last long. Creighton drew first blood in the second inning. Leadoff hitter Will Robertson took the 0-2 pitch deep for a solo-shot down the right-field line. The Bluejays added another run in the top of the third off an RBI triple which ended Cleveland’s day. Sophomore right-hander Blake Beers replaced him and retired the side. The Wolverines responded in
the bottom of the third with the bases loaded. Senior infielder Blake Nelson earned a walk to score sophomore outfielder Jesse Franklin, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Creighton’s leadoff hitters continued their hot batting in the fourth with another solo home run down the left-field line, this time by Jack Strunc. Beers continued to struggle giving up a double to the next batter and later an RBI single to make it 4-1 after the top of the
ALLISON ENGKVIST/Daily
Sophomore outfielder Jesse Franklin counted as the Wolverines’ first of 17 runs as they advanced to the Super Regional for the first time in 12 years on Monday.
fourth. But for each punch that the Bluejays landed, Michigan had a counter. Two consecutive walks to open the bottom of the fourth forced a pitching change for Creighton as John Sakowski replaced Evan Johnson. But that didn’t stop the Wolverines’ bats. Sakowski gave up back-to-back runs after a double by Franklin scored two and a single by junior outfielder Jordan Brewer allowed two more to cross the plate. Brewer also scored when Nelson grounded out to third base, giving Michigan a 6-4 lead. In the bottom of the fifth inning, a solo home run came from sophomore catcher Joe Donovan who had hit only six all year prior to Monday to extend the Michigan lead to 7-4. The Wolverines blew the game wide open in the sixth and seventh innings, scoring ten runs and allowing only one to take a 17-5 lead. The most satisfying play of the game for Michigan came in the sixth inning when sophomore infielder Jack Blomgren laid down a suicide squeeze to perfection. The Creighton infield was unaware of the large leadoff the runners on second and third had, allowing both to score. The timely play call by Michigan coach Erik Bakich put the Wolverines firmly in the driver’s seat. Junior right-hander Jack Weisenberger entered the game in the ninth inning and closed the game out for the Wolverines. The win propelled Michigan to their first Super Regional in 12 years. They will face the winner of Loyola Marymount and UCLA.
Thursday, June 6, 2019 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
SPORTS 11
For Howard, recruiting Howard’s emotion, zeal for ‘M’ on will be biggest challenge display at intro press conference AKUL VIJAYVARGIYA
Summer Managing Sports Editor
When Jimmy King came home from high school practice as a highly-touted recruit, he wasn’t just greeted by his mother but often another call from Juwan Howard. With only one phone attached to a cord that stretched through the house, as King recalled, he would mouth to his mom the moment it rang. “I’m not here, I’m not here,” King would tell her while she responded to Howard. As the first signee of the Fab Five, Howard took it upon himself to recruit his fellow teammates. Relentless in his pursuits, Howard is well-known for not only courting King to Michigan but also Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Ray Jackson. “Think I recruited you, right?” Howard said on Thursday as he looked at King from the podium at Crisler Center. “Told Jimmy I’m coming, you better come with me.” Twenty-eight years later, Howard was introduced as Michigan’s basketball coach, and his focus toward recruiting will be more than just a one-time ordeal. His biggest priority as a recruiter is to find players who uphold the Michigan culture of brotherhood within the team, similar to what he experienced during his playing days in Ann Arbor. At the same time, though, he will need to learn the rules of the NCAA before doing so — a stark contrast from his predecessor, John Beilein, who knew the rulebook like the back of his hand. “Brotherhood is big with me,” Howard said. “The relationship that we built over the years — that will never leave us. They are family and I know how supportive Jimmy, Chris, Jalen, Ray (have been), and do you want me to name the other teammates? But I know how supportive they all will be in helping to continue this Michigan winning tradition on and off the floor. “Recruiting is going to be the
challenge because I have to first understand all the rules. I want to continue to make sure that this culture does not take a step back. I will learn and get into that rulebook of NCAA rules as far as what you are allowed to do and what you’re not allowed to do. That’s gonna be one of the biggest challenges, and to my understanding, there are a lot of rules out there.” As a former five-star, McDonald’s All-American recruit with AAU ties through his children, Howard is expected to expand the Wolverines’ recruiting pipeline to players Beilein might not have considered. He affirmed that on Thursday, but made it known that he also wants to find pieces that best fit the puzzle. “I’m all eyes, I’m all ears to talent,” Howard said. “I haven’t just pinpointed exactly like, I’m going after the five-star, one-and-dones or I’m going to recruit three-star kids. As a staff, we will meet. We will figure out, what is the best solution moving forward to give us the best chance to win?” Current players are also eager to see how Howard’s pedigree, both as a player and coach, will drive the direction of recruiting. But they are confident that he will continue to bring in recruits that fit right in with the current roster. “If I was a recruit, that would definitely catch my eye,” said junior forward Isaiah Livers. “You’ve got a guy who was in the NBA, played in the Fab Five, coached in the NBA. He’s got a lot of experience under his belt. That’s definitely going to draw my attention to Michigan. “As long as he brings in people that wanna play defense, is gonna work hard and just gonna be a great guy off the court, I have no problem. We all have no problem. We all want the same kind of guy. We want a guy we can hang out with on the court, off the court and a guy who works hard. And they’ll fit right in.”
“We want a guy we can hang out with... who works hard.”
JORGE CAZARES
Summer Managing Sports Editor
As Juwan Howard approached the podium for his introductory press conference at the Crisler Center, he looked around the arena and into the rafters, trying to gather himself. With his head down and his back towards to the podium, he was overtaken by his emotions. When he finally turned again to face the crowd seated on the court, he leaned into the microphone. “It’s tears of joy,” Howard said. As he battled back tears on the same floor where he once donned maize and blue to battle his on-court opponents, Howard left no doubt as to whether his passion had waned for the program. His tears eventually became a smile as he seemed to come to terms with the gravity of the moment. According to Howard, this accomplishment is second only to earning his Michigan degree. “It just made us even more excited, man,” said junior forward Isaiah Livers. “You got your head coach up there crying walking up, before he even gets called up there. That just shows that he’s going to put a lot of work in. He’s really going to push for his players to be great. He’s going to make –– even off the court, he mentioned that earlier –– he just wants our
players to be good people on and off the court. No matter what you do, he’s going to support us.” Added sophomore guard Adrien Nuñez: “That’s cool as well that he cares enough to even have that emotion. There’s not a lot of guys that would even go up there and have that emotional attachment to this university. So he’s definitely going to put his best foot forward in bringing the best assistant coaches, having us be as prepared as possible, so I’m really excited.” Howard had been here before –– participating in a press conference at the then-Crisler Arena –– but the circumstances were quite different. The last time he was in a press conference in that building, he was declaring for the 1994 NBA Draft. That moment was bittersweet for Howard. A promising NBA career beckoned, but fresh off an Elite Eight loss to Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt. “I didn’t do what I came here to do,” Howard said. “And that was to bring a championship to this university. A university that I cared so much about. ... Now let’s fast forward 25 years later. I’m back.” Over two decades removed from his last attempt to bring a national championship to Ann Arbor, Howard gets another chance –– a chance he could not
pass on. Howard said Thursday that he could’ve stayed in the NBA. He received an offer to be the associate head coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but his mind was fixated on only one vacancy: Michigan’s. Despite spending the week preparing for the Timberwolves interview, news of John Beilein leaving the Wolverines for the NBA allowed Howard’s mind to wander. Friends and family asked Howard if he would consider coaching in college. “My answer has always been, there’s only one job, only one school I would look back and pursue at a collegiate level,” Howard said, “and that’s the University of Michigan.” For Howard, becoming the 17th head coach in program history is a dream come true. His zeal for the Michigan basketball program was on full display from the time he walked onto the court Thursday. For the current players and former teammates in attendance, Howard’s fervor spoke volumes. “No, I’m not (surprised) because Juwan is not afraid to show –– you know, he’s a strong man –– he’s always been a strong person to show his emotions,” King said. “... None of that was fake, that was all real. He’s happy to be back. He even got me to tear up a little. I gotta keep my rep, but he’s killing me right now.”
ALEC COHEN/Daily
Michigan coach Juwan Howard was overcome by emotion at the beginning of his introductory press conference Thursday.
12 SPORTS
Thursday, June 6, 2019 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Thursday proved why gambling on Howard was right move Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel introduced basketball coach Juwan Howard on Thursday
ALEC COHEN/Daily
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel believes that the hiring of men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard may seem like a gamble at the moment, but he trusts that Howard will develop into the coach he wants.
Warde Manuel spoke directly, with certainty and confidence. “We looked at many,” Manuel said. “Broad scope. I stand here today with my choice.” Before Juwan Howard had stepped to the podium as Michigan’s ETHAN new basketball SEARS coach and before a question had been asked, Manuel answered the day’s biggest one. Since John Beilein left, a coaching search unfolded and ended last week with Howard, there has been a not-so subtle implication of nepotism that has come with the discussion of Howard. Howard has the requisite qualifications, it starts, but would he be in this position if not for his association with the Fab Five? Manuel, who has never had a hiring of this magnitude in his hands completely, must be under pressure from donors. From regents. From Jalen Rose and
Chris Webber; LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. The athletic director acknowledged as much seconds later, noting Howard’s resonance with the university, its fans and its donors. But, outside pressures being as they may, this decision was Manuel’s to make. His choice. His gamble. “There’s a whole lot of bunch of adjectives like that, that have already been used, and that’s fine,” Manuel said. “If I’m gonna take a risk for somebody, they’ll see why I took the risk and the gamble — and all the things you all say about what could possibly happen — with Juwan Howard.” To be clear, it is a gamble and it does run a risk of failure. So would any other. That is beside the point. Beilein left the Wolverines with little warning in mid-May — when the coaching carousel had already slowed. The candidate pool, inherently, was thinner than it might have been a month or two earlier. And, even if Manuel had his pick of the lot, it would be impossible to hire another Beilein.
The best coach in the history of the program doesn’t come around often. Particularly not when that coach is Beilein, who ran things in a way unique throughout college basketball. Howard hasn’t been in college basketball. He isn’t familiar with a world where a slip of the tongue can be a recruiting violation, and admitted as much on Thursday. Even without his ties to the Fab Five, the likelihood that he recruits programs like Mac Irvin Fire, the way his name alone makes heads turn — that makes him inherently antithetical to Beilein. And that is fine. Juwan Howard isn’t here to build on John Beilein’s legacy. He’s here to make his own. There are no shortage of basketball reasons to think he can. Howard comes with endorsements from Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra, two names
that should carry more weight than his former teammates. He succeeded as an assistant in Miami, unequivocally so. The Heat won titles when they had the requisite talent, and outperformed expectation anyway when they didn’t. Howard was a repeated candidate for NBA job openings for a reason — he’s developed a well-earned reputation as a good basketball mind, and someone who connects with players. There’s also the intangible — which was on full display Thursday when Howard stepped to the podium and wiped tears from his eyes, needing to gather himself before he started speaking. Yes, it’s concerning that it may take some time for Howard to get a grasp on the NCAA’s rulebook. And yes, it should raise eyebrows that he answered a question about his basketball philosophy with, “Well, it remains to be seen, fellas,
“They’ll see why I took the risk and the gamble.”
right?” The rest of his answer, though, speaks to the qualities that got him hired. “But I can tell you this,” Howard said. “One thing about me, I’m humble. And I don’t have all the answers. We’re gonna try to figure out solutions together. … Players have to be active participants in finding solutions. We will create this identity together. And we will have fun doing it, too.” All that — the emotion and the attitude, the acknowledgements that he isn’t perfect and the willingness to work on it — makes it believable that Howard will put in the hours to fill the gaps. This is no reunion tour or nostalgia trip, nice as those side benefits may be. Howard was hired because Warde Manuel thinks he can win basketball games, first and foremost. But don’t get it wrong. This is Manuel’s gamble. The right gamble. Sears can be reached at searseth@umich.edu, or on Twitter @ethan_sears.