WSN020312

NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper

washington square news Vol. 40, No. 7

friday, february 3, 2012

nyunews.com

Irish Travellers find their way to NYU Study

shows death by earbuds

By Kristine Itliong

ERIC HSIEH/WSN

The NYU Glucksman Ireland House hosted a multimedia presentation about an ancient Irish nomadic group.

By Lavya Yalamanchi Americans rarely hear about Irish Travellers, a small nomadic group with an ancient and fascinating culture.

The NYU Glucksman Ireland House provided a glimpse into the peculiar lifestyle last night. A multimedia presentation of Irish photographer Alen MacWeeney’s memoir “Irish Travellers” depicted the slowly vanishing culture of the Travellers. During his time spent with the Traveller community between 1965 to 1971, MacWeeney documented elements of their character and unique

lifestyle in film and audio recordings.

His photos are designed to captivate viewers with their blunt but beautiful quality.

The photographs are also informative about the oft-forgotten and much-shunned Irish Traveller subculture. Through his work, MacWeeney seeks to portray the hardships and prejudices inflicted upon this uncommon group of people.

“Their vitality and strength distinguished them from other people,” MacWeeney said of the subculture. “They’re not the same as settled people. It’s difficult to define the difference.”

During the presentation, MacWeeny narrated and explained a series of images from his book. He shared many anecdotes about his time within the community and discussed the backgrounds of the people in his pictures. The images were followed by a reading of an old folktale that MacWeeney heard while documenting his time in the Traveller camp. Irish actress Aedin Moloney, who just wrapped up an extended role at the Irish Repertory Theatre last month, read the anecdote.

R irish continued on PG. 3

You may want to think twice before you plug in those headphones on the walk to class.

A recent study from the University of Maryland Medical Center found 116 reports of injuries or deaths involving pedestrians wearing headphones between 2004 and 2011. The reports in 2011 are triple the number reported in 2004.

The report also showed that 55 percent of these cases involved trains, 89 percent occurred in urban counties like New York City and 74 percent involved victims wearing headphones at the exact time of the crash. “[The results] seem to mimic the increasing popularity of headphone devices,” said Richard Lichenstein, director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research at UMMC. “There are risks involved as a pedestrian in where you walk, run or where you’re participating in,” he added. “If you’re not only distracted by your music but also physically can’t hear, you’re setting yourself up for potential injury and death.”

R earbuds continued on PG. 3

Student petition demands Chick-fil-A removal

By Julie DeVito and Kristina Bogos Upstein’s Chick-fil-A is taking heat once again for its financial ties to openly anti-gay rights organizations. This time, it is in the form of a petition created by Gallatin freshman Hillary Dworkoski.

The petition, which launched on change.org on Jan. 20, currently has 479 signatures and a goal of 5,000.

“My ultimate goal is to remove Chick-fil-A from the Weinstein dining hall, and hopefully through that, other universities will follow,” Dworkoski said. “NYU students and people all over the world have signed the petition and this shows that there are so many people that believe in gay rights. The more signatures we get the better, because this will put pres-

sure on NYU to get rid of it.”

In 2009, Chick-fil-A’s charity organization, WinShape, donated almost $2 million to groups that oppose universal rights.

NYU has a reputation of tolerance towards students’ sexuality with organizations such as the LGBTQ center and other peer groups. Some students are angry that NYU is employing a fast food chain that has openly opposed gay rights.

Gallatin freshman Jacob Aviner wanted to sign the document because it goes against what he believes NYU stands for. Although he hopes NYU will get rid of Chick-fil-A, he knows awareness is the first step.

“It’s highly hypocritical to have it on campus,” Aviner said. “Hopefully if it doesn’t generate enough business because people don’t want to eat where they don’t support this

universal right ... then it’ll [go away].”

But Gallatin freshman John Edwards said he does not want the only New York City branch to close.

“I don’t think that should affect whether or not we have them on campus,” Edwards said. “I personally disagree with their standing on it, but that doesn’t really affect me when I make a decision to go buy a chicken sandwich.”

Dworkoski said he feels boycotting the chain is the best action NYU students can take right now. In response to people who are opposed to signing the petition, she has one thing to say: “I’d like to ask them what’s more important: waffle fries or human rights?”

In late 2011, there was an unsuccessful attempt to remove Chick-fil-A from NYU’s campus,

FILE PHOTO BY DAVID LIN/WSN

The Chick-fil-A in Weinstein dining hall, the only branch located in New York City, faces student opposition. but the NYU student senators voted not to ban the chain.

Dworkoski has contacted NYU’s dining provider, Aaramark, but the university has not announced plans to remove the restaurant at this time.

Julie DeVito is university editor.

Email her at jdevito@nyunews.com.

Kristina Bogos is deputy features and special issues editor. Email her at kbogos@nyunews.com.

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Washington Square news | friday, february 3, 2012 | nyunews.com

NYU grad acknowledged for entrepreneurship

Steinhardt grant to boost science education for English-language learners

By Eric Benson Three NYU researchers received a $4.5 million grant last month for educational research. The professors from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human hope to improve science education among English-language learners in elemantary schools.

Okhee Lee, Lorena Llosa and Susan Kirch will conduct the four-year study called Promoting Science among English Language Learners.

Lee, who joined NYU this past fall from the University of Miami, said science programs implemented by districts in Florida are ineffective, particularly for those learning English as their second language.

“English-language learners are subject to a disadvantage in science education,” Lee said. “We are interested in closing that gap.”

Professors will conduct P-SELL in fifth-grade classrooms throughout Florida elementary schools in Duval, Lee and Orange coun-

COURTESY OF JESSICA MOORE

Moore launched the smartphone app Stylebook in 2009.

By Julie DeVito NYU alumna Jessica Moore was recently listed in MSNBC’s annual TheGrio 100, which honors African-American history makers and industry leaders, who have the potential to cause a significant difference throughout the country.

Individuals were selected from 10 professional fields including business, education, sports and popular culture. TheGrio 100 began three years ago and celebrates Black History Month.

“This year’s list celebrates 100 honorees who possess a unique set of characteristics that separate them from the rest,” the site’s executive editor David Wilson said. “TheGrio’s 100 gives us the opportunity to shine a spotlight on individuals that are changing their communities and making history today.”

TheGrio selected Moore for her entrepreneurial efforts over the last three years. In Oct. 2009, Moore and her boyfriend, Bill Atkins, created Stylebook, a closet management application that allows users to photograph and catalogue their clothing and accessories. Users can create outfit combinations by clicking and dragging different items together. The application also includes a calendar that keeps a log of former outfits and helps users plan for their future wardrobe.

The Stylebook application began as a $500 endeavor and costs $3.99 for iPods and iPhones. It has been praised by The New

York Times, Vogue Australia and Harper’s Bazaar UK. Moore graduated from Tisch School of the Arts in 2008 with a bachelor of fine arts in photography and imaging with a minor in art history. After graduation she worked full time for three years at Condé Nast, where she had previously interned, before starting Stylebook.

“I never expected to be an entrepreneur, but my time interning in the fashion closet at Vogue and Modern Bride inspired the idea of organizing clothes with a digital photo management system and I decided to make it a reality,” Moore said.

She said her training in photography and art history has been indispensable in developing Stylebook’s branding.

“Having the right eye to pick out inexpensive things that can be made to look appealing is something I owe to my time at Tisch,” Moore said.

NYU professor Deborah Willis taught Moore in a class on imaging and photography. Willis said she was impressed with Moore’s independence and the different ways Moore explored projects.

“She had an amazing curiosity about popular culture and fashion trends,” she said. “She was also a great resource to others during class critiques. It’s exciting to see how her ideas relating to fashion extended into a wonderful business idea.”

Julie DeVito is university editor. Email her at jdevito@nyunews.com.

ties. Lee said these urban and rural settings have a wide range of student diversity.

The P-SELL curriculum, which has a more visual approach, will be applied at 11 randomly selected schools from each district. The control group, consisting of 11 other schools, will follow district education plans.

“Science is not a language dependent subject,” Lee said.

“Graphs, charts and interactive experiments are just a few of the ways in which all students, regardless of their fluency in English, can engage in the topic at hand.”

P-SELL is scheduled to begin this fall when all fifth-grade Floridians will begin preparation for the annual Science Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Mary Avalos, professor at the University of Miami, said P-SELL will play an important role when teaching a diverse student body and second language learners.

“The curriculum focuses on

developing deep understandings by experiencing science and building on the knowledge students bring with them to school,” Avalos said.

Steinhardt dean Mary Brabeck hopes the study will apply its findings to schools in New York. According to the City Department of Education, New York City schools have a population of 154,446 ELLs. More than 41 percent of students speak a language other than English at home.

“Lee’s research can help New York implement similar models or adopt our own policies so that our teachers can better educate diverse learners,” Brabeck said.

“This project could potentially provide pathways to equitable learning, narrow the achievement gap, measure teacher effectiveness and meet national efforts to keep all students academically competitive.”

Eric Benson is a deputy university editor. Email him at ebenson@nyunews.com.

New lunar year, new rules: no school

By Sarah Skirmont New York state senator Daniel Squadron and state representative Grace Meng are pushing a bill to make the Lunar New Year a school-sanctioned holiday for a third time. After a staggering 80 percent of public school children in a in Squadron’s district did not attend class on the holiday.

Asian students make up 14 percent of New York City’s public school population. Squadron believes that honoring this culturally significant celebration is crucial to the diverse community.

“These students are forced to choose between celebrating their most important holiday or attending class,” said Amy Spitalnick, spokesperson for Squadron. “By designating the Lunar New Year a school holiday, New York would recognize the important role this growing community plays in our city and state and demonstrate that this is a place where the whole world is welcomed.”

Spitalnick further explained the need to adjust the academic calendar with the growing diversity of New York City’s public school system.

“The Asian American community in New York City will continue to grow,” Spitalnick said.

“As New York changes, so too must its school calendar. Senator Squadron will continue to push to ensure that New York’s Asian American students can celebrate the New Year with their families without missing class.”

Social studies teacher at Brooklyn’s New Utrecht High

School Joe McCarthy said the majority of his students are Chinese and the school system should respect their culture and traditions.

“We have a growing number of Chinese students in the NYC public schools,” McCarthy said. “China and the U.S. are intertwined economically. We should simply recognize these facts and make the Lunar holiday a school holiday.”

Currently, absences due to a religious holiday are considered excused. But in their letter to Mayor Bloomberg, Squadron and Meng argued that these absences still remain on the student’s record, and the school district loses money and students sacrifice a day of learning for each absence.

Spokeswoman Gentle Blythe reported that the San Francisco Unified School District, where the Lunar New Year has been observed for several years, is saving money.

“There was no resistance to [the legislation], it both saved the district money and it did not compromise the instructional time for students,” Blythe said.

Squadron and Meng’s proposed bill states that in the future schools should “provide a school holiday in municipal jurisdictions with substantial Asian populations.”

Squadron also discussed the possibility of creating a professional development day.

“Brooklyn-Queens day was a school holiday for years and was recently made a professional development day, during

which teachers report for professional development training but students have [the day] off,” Spitalnick said.

The New York City Department of Education was not able to comment on pending legislation.

Steinhardt professor of education and history Jonathan Zimmerman said the Lunar New Year is comparable to holidays such as Easter or Yom Kippur and school systems should give students the option of missing school.

“Surely there are plenty of Asians who do not recognize the Lunar New Year, and would be justifiably offended at the suggestion that they should,” Zimmerman said.

CAS sophomore Evelyn Jung believes she should be able to celebrate this holiday away from school.

“It is a very important part of our culture to start the New Year with family and we have different traditions that we carry out on our new years day,” Jung said. “I think it’s important to acknowledge it because America is a nation of immigrants and it should not cater to just one culture and one group of people’s traditions.”

Other students, including CAS sophomore John Petinos, disagree.

“If they gave days off for the Lunar New Year, I’m sure all kinds of people would be asking for days off and then when would we go to school?” Petinos said.

Sarah Skirmont is a staff writer.

Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.

nyunews.com | friday, february 3, 2012 | Washington Square news

features

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edited by jessIca littman features@nyunews.com earbuds continued from PG. 1

Pedestrians endangered by headphones He said he decided to begin the study when he came across a case in which a teen with headphones died while crossing an intersection. Lichenstein and his co-authors then synthesized cases from several databases, including the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The group then analyzed the link between wearing headphones and pedestrian injuries or deaths.

“I don’t think [headphones] are a good way to listen to music when outside,” LSP freshman Zhao Gao said. “A lot of people might not hear buses or traffic.”

But CAS sophomore Gabriela Chavez does

Pierson comforts with briskets

By Michelle Lim The universal fettish for good food is something Stephanie Pierson encourages in her new book, “The Brisket Book: A Love Story with Recipes.”

She also includes over 30 recipes and cooking tips.

On Feb. 1, Pierson held a book signing at the Kosher Eatery in Weinstein residence hall for a hearty talk. She shared brisket braised by NYU’s Kosher Eatery chef. Pierson also expressed her excitement and sense of humor as she tweeted (@thebrisketbook): “Great news! Brisket just got into NYU! Early admissions!”

“I never had brisket growing up in Baltimore, and later I fell in love with it,” Pierson said. “I have a Jewish father and a Swedish Lutheran mother and briskets [has] never crossed their minds.”

Pierson took it upon herself to explore the nature of the food.

“I thought, ‘I can’t be the only one,’” Pierson said. “I decided brisket is the ultimate comfort food. And it’s in every cookbook, but it never had its own cookbook.”

Pierson stressed the importance of brisket for cultures and families. She signed books and offered samples of

different kinds of brisket with tomatoes and onions to all attendees.

Stern freshman Nathan Gelman enjoyed the free samples and Pierson’s passions resonated with him.

“Judaism for me is made up of many different cultures, times and people, and brisket represents that aspect of Judaism,” Gelman said. “My family comes from Eastern Europe and brisket is such an integral part of that lifestyle.

It reminds me of that and it’s really heartwarming for me.”

Pierson’s recipes are compiled from famous chefs including Daniel Boulud, Anita Lo and Top Chef’s Richard Blais, as well as food authors Joan Nathan and Colman Andrews. Her collaborative method reflects her desire to bring people together through food.

“I think it’s a magical dish and every culture, every family and just about every community has a brisket tradition,” Pierson said. “It has a huge history and has prominence.”

Pierson’s Brisket Blog shares her brisket events throughout the city and describes the crucial steps for making the perfect brisket.

Michelle Lim is a contributing writer.

Email her at features@nyunews.com.

irish continued from PG. 1

Irish Travellers find their way to NYU “I grew up in that era. The Travellers are a very important part of Irish culture, one I’m ashamed to say we’ve been afraid of,” Moloney said. “Prejudice comes from fear. [MacWeeney] captured something that is long gone and which I remember clearly.”

Powerful black-and-white images of children in shabby clothes, rags hanging from trees and the Travellers’ unabashed stares intrigued and enchanted viewers into thinking about this rare community. MacWeeney’s personal experiences with the Travellers added to his fascination with exposing the hidden truths about their culture.

At its core, the “Irish Travellers” presentation is a statement about a community that continues to thrive, despite a host of misconceptions and

judgments. MacWeeney’s colleague in private publishing, Hazel Hammond, said the photography has a “timeless quality, non-judgmental, neutral and honest, painterly in the way he uses light and composition. It’s like looking at a Vermeer painting. There’s a gentleness to it.” It was this combination of gentle, albeit direct, honesty that distinguishes MacWeeney’s memoir from so many others. His passion for the Traveller community and the confidence and bravery required for undertaking of this subject makes him a compelling and endearing individual.

“MacWeeney captured the soul of the Irish Traveller,” Moloney said.

Lavya Yalamanchi is a contributing writer.

Email her at features@nyunews.com.

not think she puts herself at risk by wearing headphones while walking.

“I definitely have had some moments where I have to be careful because I can’t hear what’s going on,” she said.

Daniel Smith, a co-author of the report, warned adolescents about the devastating consequences of being distracted while walking.

“MP3 players are becoming almost ubiquitous among teens and young adults,” he said. “It is important that they know when and where to use them.”

Kristine Itliong is a deputy city/state editor.

Email her at kitliong@nyunews.com.

Professor exhibits illustration manual for Passover

VIA FORUMGALLERY.COM

Podwal’s illustration of a menorah was displayed in his exhibit.

By Katya Barannik Watch out for locusts and lice this spring.

An exhibit at the Forum Gallery features a new Passover Haggadah — a pseudo instruction manual for the Passover seder — illustrated by Mark Podwal, a new art history professor at NYU. Podwal is an internationally renowned artist, award-winning dermatologist, documentarian, author, illustrator and the only recipient of the Medicine in the Humanities Award. The exhibition, Sharing the Journey, celebrates the new Haggadah. This edition will be published by the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

Alan S. Yoffie wrote the book “Sharing the Journey: The Haggadah for the Contemporary Family.” Both the book and Podwal’s original illustrations will be on display.

“Mark’s lighthearted, optimistic, respectful approach, his extraordinary sense of color and movement and his wry humor

are the keynotes of every show,” Forum Gallery director Robert Fishko said. He said Podwal provides a “unique, fresh take on possibly familiar material.”

Viewers can expect to see many works of art in Podwal’s preferred mediums of gouache and colored pencil. One of his favorite pieces, a unique visual depiction of a traditional Jewish song, “Had Gadya,” will be on display. The exhibition is another step in his budding career.

Podwal’s unanticipated success as an artist came about when a New York Times art director noticed his political cartoons of the ’60s. “ ‘If you want to give God a good laugh, tell Him your plans,’ he said. “It just worked out because someone saw something and they liked it.”

He credits his success to his ability to work quickly.

In 2011, he designed embroidered textiles for Prague’s 700-year-old synagogue Altneuschul, Hanukkah cards for The Metropolitan Museum of Art and a limited edition print for The Metropolitan Opera’s production of “Nabucco.” He accomplished all of this while traveling to Prague, the city he described as magic and golden, every four weeks.

There will be something for everyone to appreciate at his gallery exhibition. Those who are familiar with the Jewish religion can expect unique ways of depicting common themes. Everyone will have the opportunity to learn about Passover, regardless of religious affiliation. Podwal said he believes the show is about more than just religion.

“It is about a new way to depict ideas that have been portrayed over and over again,” Podwal said.

One of Podwal’s main goals is for his art to become iconic. “When someone thinks of an idea or an event, I hope my art becomes the image, the icon for it,” he said.

The opening reception for this exhibit will take place at the Forum Gallery at 730 Fifth Ave. on Feb. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Katya Barannik is a staff writer.

Email her at features@nyunews.com.

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Washington Square news | friday, february 3, 2012 | nyunews.com

SPORTs

edited by daniel hinton

sports@nyunew.com

Final stretch to Stanley Cup

By Timothy Alan Peterson With the end of All-Star break this past weekend and the postseason less than 10 weeks away, NHL teams are beginning the final stretch to the Stanley Cup playoffs. WSN predicts the conference champions, the teams that will make the final cut and those that will go home early.

Conference Champions: New York Rangers (East) and Detroit Red Wings (West) While most franchises hope their teams will make the playoffs, the Rangers and their large fan base are already focused on the top spot. The Blueshirts have accumulated 69 points in 49 games, making them the Eastern Conference leaders. Starting goalie Henrik Lundqvist and right wing Marian Gaborik, who earned MVP honors at the 2011 All-Star Game, lead a roster stacked with youthful talent on offense and defense. The Rangers are in good shape to make a run for the President’s Trophy, which is awarded

to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season.

A seventeen-game winning streak on home ice has propelled the Red Wings to the top of the league’s toughest division: Central.

At their most recent home game, the Red Wings showed signs of a team that can succeed down the stretch. Center Pavel Datsyuk is in the middle of another great season and remains the Red Wings’ offensive leader.

CONTENDERS: Florida Panthers (East) and St. Louis Blues (West) The Panthers’ surprisingly stellar start to the season has been matched by a disappointing year for every other team in the Southeast Division. The franchise’s success is the result of general manager Dale Tallon’s smart moves, such as trading for right wing Kris Versteeg and hiring head coach Kevin Dineen. Florida is on pace to make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

Only four points behind the Red Wings in the Central Division, the Blues have won a league-best

Washington Square News Editor-in-Chief amanda randone Managing Editor

jaewon kang Deputy Managing Editor

Amy zhang Assistant Managing Editor

james lanning Creative Director

selena chen VIA FLICKR

This year’s NHL playoffs will start this April.

21 games at home. St. Louis has averaged the fewest goals allowed per game (2.00) with goalies Jaroslav Halak and 2011 All-Star Brian Elliott trading starts in net. The Blues will not win the division, but expect them to play strong in April and May.

PRETENDERS: New Jersey Devils (East) and Colorado Avalanche (West) Entering the final two months of the regular season in the seventh playoff spot, New Jersey has a lot to worry about. The Devils have only scored three goals in three straight losses, but they defeated the Rangers and Montreal Canadiens this

week. Premier players such as captain Zach Parise, fellow left wing Ilya Kovalchuk and center Patrik Elias have no problem scoring points. The team is currently ranked 18 in goals scored and 23 on power plays.

With the third youngest roster in the league, the Avalanche are only two spots away from qualifying for the playoffs. However the team’s point total is deceiving because they have played the most games among Western Conference teams.

Colorado lacks experience and will have to wait until next year to compete for the Stanley Cup. Timothy Alan Peterson is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.

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