NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 15
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013
nyunews.com
MTA to increase fare, lower waste By VERONICA CARCHEDI
Questlove explores meaning, musical ingenuity of classic artists A new class taught by The Roots drummer and Henry Weinger brings classic music back into the classroom.
STORY ON PAGE 3 JON PACKLES FOR WSN
WSN ON THE WEB: REFLECTING ON PROFESSOR VÁZQUEZ: Great mentors can have an indelible impact on our lives. In the wake of the passing of LSP professor José Vázquez, one of his former students, alumnus Eli Epstein, reflects on the intimate connection he shared with the late professor.
OSCAR-NOMINATED FOREIGN FILM IS A TRAGIC STORY: Capturing a sense of tragedy and longing, “War Witch” is a magical film that can be difficult to watch. COURTESY OF ITEM 7
Starting March 3, subway users may think twice about tossing their old MetroCards. The Metropolitan Transit Authority has announced several new policies for the price and purchase of MetroCards. In addition to a 25-cent fare hike, which will make single rides cost $2.50, the MTA will charge $1 for each new MetroCard purchased. Despite being called a financial nuisance to users who do not normally save MetroCards, the policy may have some environmental benefits, according to the MTA. “We produce almost 160 million MetroCards each year at an annual cost of nearly $10 million,” MTA Interim Executive Director Thomas F. Prendergast said in a press release. “Many of the cards often end up as litter ... so by refilling your MetroCard, you’ll reduce expenses and help the environment.” The new policy is part of a budget proposal to respond to
MTA continued on PG. 3
Radiohead and Flea bring unique styles together on ‘AMOK’ By PATRICK JAOJOCO
It has been said that Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke can do no wrong, which makes it unsurprising that his side project Atoms for Peace’s new album, “AMOK,” is transcendent. The project has been labeled a supergroup, and with good reason — Atoms for Peace consists of bassist Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead), drummer Joey Waronker (R.E.M.) and Brazilian percussionist Mauro Refosco. The band has done its best to remain somewhat mysterious — they played as a surprise guest performer at Coachella 2010 — but finally ardent followers have something tangible to hold and love. That something happens to be an impressive feat. “AMOK” takes the sounds from Yorke’s solo effort “The Eraser” and recent Radiohead releases like “Super-
collider” and “The Butcher” to a more frenzied level, unabashedly drawing from each member’s myriad of influences. The mesh of full-bodied synthesizers, busy drums, funk-inspired bass riffs and Yorke’s meandering vocals form something unlike anything in music today. But the album is still an easy listen thanks to each track’s danceability. “Default” begins with a synth melody that wouldn’t be out of place on a Kanye West track, and “Dropped” holds a throbbing pop beat throughout, with energetic synths and Flea’s rock bassline backing Yorke’s vocals. A grooving bassline introduces “Judge, Jury, Executioner,” and “Ingenue” moves with a funk beat that chugs along with a multitude of melodies and sounds. Herein lies the album’s genius — the supergroup manages to take classic pop songwriting basics to an entirely new level, experimenting with percussion,
synthesized melodies and odd time signatures. These are all elements of Yorke’s previous musical ventures, but with Atoms for Peace, the presence of prominent musicians allows for masterful experimentation. The band has been able to lend each track meticulous attention to detail, not only layering instrumentation, but also tweaking and adjusting several sounds to fit together perfectly. Every second of “Ingenue” seems precisely placed and monitored, with synthetic sounds traveling from high to low to otherworldly. In “Dropped,” we hear produced beats mix and blend with Waronker’s live drumming, and bumbling synths subtly giveaway into Flea’s funk rock bassline, backing precisely placed shakers and güiros. Yorke’s ethereal vocal melodies and an overall chaotic feel balance out the beats and synths. These elements
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combine to provide the entire album with an expertly crafted dynamic. Patrick Jaojoco is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE STAFF PLAYLIST By ALEXANDRIA ETHRIDGE Great soundtracks always seem to accompany coming-of-age movies. Here is a playlist of songs from some of our favorite coming-ofage movies, as well as one Oasis song, since you can’t properly come of age until you’ve developed a deep, passionate love for Oasis.
COURTESY OF RCA | COURTESY OF COLUMBIA RECORDS COURTESY OF A&M RECORDS | COURTESY OF A&M RECORDS
“Heroes” — David Bowie
“The Sound of Silence” — Simon and Garfunkel
“The Wind” — Cat Stevens
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” — Simple Minds
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COMPILED BY THE
WSN STAFF
IN AND OF
THE CITY
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Editor-in-Chief JONATHON DORNBUSH Managing Editor
AMY ZHANG Web Managing Editor
HANQING CHEN
It’s a big city and a widespread university. Catch up with our daily updates on university and city/state news headlines other publications are covering.
Deputy Managing Editor
JORDAN MELENDREZ Assistant Managing Editor
NICOLA PRING Creative Director
KALEEL MUNROE SENIOR STAFF
university TATIANA BAEZ city/state VERONICA CARCHEDI investigative NICOLE BROWN arts JOSH JOHNSON features KRISTINA BOGOS sports MARY JANE DUMANKAYA multimedia RACHEL KAPLAN copy MICHAEL DOMANICO,
WICY WANG foreign correspondent JULIE DEVITO senior editors GENTRY BROWN, DAN
HINTON, CHARLES MAHONEY, CLIO MCCONNELL, STEFAN MELNYK, LAVYA YALAMANCHI
DEPUTY STAFF
“Your Love” — THE OUTFIELD
university KEVIN BURNS, NEELA QADIR city/state EMILY BELL, ANDREW
KARPAN
“It’s Hard to Get Around the Wind” — ALEX TURNER “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” — BARRY GIBB AND ROBIN GIBB “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” — THE SMITHS “I’m In Love With a Girl” — BIG STAR “Anyone Else But You” — THE MOLDY PEACHES “You’ve Got Me Wrapped Around Your Little Finger” — BETH ROWLEY “Chicago” — SUFJAN STEVENS
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STUDY RANKS TIMES SQUARE AS THE HAPPIEST PLACE IN NEW YORK CITY Although many New Yorkers may disagree, a recent study conducted by the University of Vermont found that people in Times Square seem to be happier than people anywhere else in the city. The study evaluated Twitter messages sent in from all five boroughs and used key words to evaluate the happiness of the tweeters. — NY Convergence
JOON LEE
OPINION PAGE opinion editor
SAMEER JAYWANT deputy opinion editors
NASSAU COUNTY SEARCHES FOR SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR In Nassau County, executive Edward Mangano is enlisting the help of communities in finding Nassau County’s Senior Citizen of the Year. He hopes to recognize someone aged 60 or over who has shown humanitarian concern and community involvement in Nassau. The award is presented each year through the County Office for the Aging. — Newsday
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UNIVERSITY SALES COORDINATOR
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books/theater OLIVIA GEORGE film JEREMY GROSSMAN entertainment ALEX GREENBERGER music ALEXANDRIA ETHRIDGE the highlighter blog SAM RULLO features HELEN HOLMES beauty & style MICHELLE LIM dining ANGEL CHANG sports FRANCISCO NAVAS multimedia REBECCA CLEMENTI,
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NYU LANGONE MEDICAL CENTER’S ROAD TO RECOVERY During Hurricane Sandy, NYU Langone Medical Center lost decades of research. Since then, President Obama signed the Sandy Relief Bill for $50.5 billion. As the medical center applies for funding, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will decide how much of the $195 million will go towards repairing the damage. — TIME.com
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BROOKLYN ASSEMBLYMAN DEFENDS WEARING BLACKFACE This past weekend, many New Yorkers celebrated the Jewish holiday Purim by dressing in costume and attending parties. Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind is now facing criticism for his decision to dress in blackface as a black basketball player for the holiday. He said that he had no intention of offending anyone, and has no plans to apologize for the costume. — DNAinfo
Passersby stop to look as a cat peers from above a minitature storefront on Elizabeth Street.
PHOTO BY RACHEL KAPLAN
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GUARD PAYS TRIBUTE TO HOMETOWN MASSACRE Riley Wurtz, a freshman guard for the NYU women's basketball team and former star at Newtown High School, discusses the tragedy that occurred in her hometown. — NY Daily News
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MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN, JAEWON KANG, FRANCIS POON, MERYLL PREPOSI, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Amy Zhang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
MTA continued from PG. 1
MTA goes green with fare hikes, regains revenue post-Sandy
the MTA’s financial troubles, which were exacerbated by Hurricane Sandy. According to the MTA’s website, the storm caused a $268 million loss in revenue. But with these new measures, the MTA expects to recuperate nearly $382 million this year. In addition to a fare hike, a new system will allow users to fill their MetroCards with both unlimited ride time and pay-per-ride dollars. Now 30-day unlimited MetroCards will cost $112 and seven-day cards will cost $30. Hevba Allam, a freshman at CAS who commutes to NYU from Brooklyn, was supportive of this option to pay for her subway fare. “I would definitely do that,” she affirmed. “It sounds like it will make taking the train everyday more convenient and much easier.” The MTA webpage on new fares also suggests some ways to save, despite the increase. For example, adding $5 to a pay-per-ride card will give users a 5 percent bonus. Subway riders should also be wary of the possibility that their current cards might expire. All unlimited-ride cards purchased before the March 3 changes must be activated by March 11 to ensure they can still be used. “I’ve used the same card for about eight months. [This is] just a good reminder to get a new one,” said Albert Ai, an NYU-Poly junior who commutes from Queens. Veronica Carchedi is city/state editor. Email her at vcarchedi@nyunews.com.
Study investigates symptoms of Facebook withdrawal among users By TATIANA BAEZ
Facebook users sometimes have ethical and political reasons for abandoning the site, Laura Portwood-Stacer concludes in a study titled “Media Refusal and Conspicuous NonConsumption: The Performative and Political Dimensions of Facebook Abstention.” Portwood-Stacer, a Steinhardt professor in the Media, Culture and Communication department, created the study as the first phase of a research project about discomfort with different forms of media. Published in “New Media and Society,” the study examines the reasons why people leave Facebook and how the media portrays these absences. “People have a variety of reasons for quitting or refusing a platform like Facebook, yet many media accounts of the phenomenon portray quitters as hipsters or elitists,” said Portwood-Stacer in a press release. “Even some of the refusers themselves describe their decision to quit in terms that make it sound like they’re ‘too cool’ for Facebook.” The study is an analysis of 100 web and print publi-
cations from 2006 to 2012. Also included are interviews with 20 people who abstain from using Facebook. “I conceptualize Facebook abstention as a performative mode of resistance, which must be understood within the context of a neoliberal consumer culture, in which subjects are empowered to act through consumption [and non-consumption] choices ... and through the public display of those choices,” said Portwood-Stacer in the study. The study also shows that people who refuse Facebook are only making an individual difference rather than systemic change and thus won’t impact Facebook’s privacy regulations. Mark Crispin Miller, a Steinhardt professor of Media, Culture and Communication, agrees that there needs to be more active participation to propel change on a greater level. “That those opting out of Facebook often do so to protest its policies is a discovery suggesting how uneasy people often are about the brave new world of social media,” said Miller. “And yet those opting out
COURTESY OF LAURA PORTWOOD-STACER
Laura Portwood-Stacer studies discomfort in the media. must understand that their mere individual withdrawal from Facebook won’t do much, if anything, to change the system that disturbs them. Any such change will certainly require a bolder, more collective sort of activism,” he added. NYU students struggle between protecting their privacy and sharing their social lives. “I have [deactivated my Facebook account] to protest privacy rights. Once for when I first started applying for internships ... and another time when I realized how many photos were up
of things I don’t want,” said Steinhardt sophomore Maria Jung. CAS sophomore Cindy Pi mirrors Jung’s sentiment. “When there was a big concern over image privacy on Facebook, I deactivated my account and hoped that it would change the policies,” Pi said. “But of course it didn’t really do much and I just ended up making my photo albums private.” Tatiana Baez is university editor. Email her at tbaez@nyunews.com.
NYU student receives Questlove fosters scholarship for mediocrity appreciation for classics By NEELA QADIR
CollegeHumor, a comedy website attracting over 15 million unique viewers per month, announced the two winners of the CollegeHumor Average Student Scholarship Contest last week. Instead of being based on scholarly achievement, the contest’s aim was to recognize “average” students based on their humor and originality. The purpose of the scholarship, which closed on Feb. 1, was to find students who perform typically in an academic setting and reward them with a scholarship. “We noticed that kids at the top and bottom of the class often get a lot of financial help with school, leaving all the [students] in the middle without any free money for school,” said Streeter Seidell, editor-in-chief of CollegeHumor. “So we thought we’d try to find the most average students and make their dreams come true.” Students were judged on the averageness of their grade point average, extracurricular activities and non-academic lives, as well as the wittiness of their applications. Two winners and four runners-up were named. The two winners each received $5,000, and the runners-up received recognition. The second runner-up, Phillip Kim, is a freshman in the Tisch School of the Arts. The film major said the highlight of his daily routine is a game of Tetris everyday at 5 p.m. To demonstrate, he also included a video of himself playing the game in his application. “Tetris is the most mundane aspect of my life, yet I can’t stop playing it,” Kim said. “I felt that it captured an accurate depiction of my average life as a college student.”
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CollegeHumor believed that Kim’s Tetris playing demonstrated something more than average. “The regular Tetris playing showed a level of commitment and interest in an activity that just pushed Phillip a little too close to exceptional territory,” Seidell said. Although Kim did not win the contest, applying allowed him to acknowledge aspects of his life he had not known before. “No one likes to talk about their boring, mundane lives,” Kim said. “This scholarship helped me realize and embrace that there are things in our lives that aren’t amazing and cutting-edge.” Steinhardt professor Judith Green said the scholarship is useful because it recognizes those who don’t shine in a particular subject. “I think it is a great idea to recognize students who may not necessarily excel academically,” Green said. “It emphasizes the importance of skills and attributes that may not be evidenced through a test or other traditional measures.” Kim stated that accepting less interesting aspects of one’s life means people need to be true to one’s self and a sense of humor. “We hide these average activities through Instagram filters or well-structured Facebook statuses,” he said. “I don’t think I or anyone wants to live a completely average life, but I guess it’s also healthy to laugh at the boring parts of lives instead of denying it all the time.” The winners of the scholarship were David Timothy Cole, a sophomore at Ball State University, and Jordan Bass, a freshman at the University of Central Florida. Neela Qadir is deputy university editor. Email her at nqadir@nyunews.com.
By WILLIAM RICHLING
Ahmir Thompson, known by many as Questlove of The Roots, bobbed his head lightly as he loaded up the original and individually recorded tracks of an album from a late-night Michael Jackson recording session. He was already hearing the groove in his head. For the next 90 minutes, everyone else in the room bobbed along as Thompson dissected and discussed an early demo of “Working Day and Night” stem by stem. That’s the attention to detail 24 students at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music have grown accustomed to since Feb. 1 in a class called Classic Albums, taught by Thompson and Grammy-winning producer Henry Weinger. When the two decided to teach at NYU together this spring, they had a daunting task in mind: to define what makes an album “classic.” Classic Albums uses that goal as a starting point for a discussion of works subjectively deemed classic by the instructors, including Jackson’s “Off The Wall,” Aretha Franklin’s “Lady Soul,” and the Beastie Boys’ “Paul’s Boutique.” Weinger, who is vice president of A&R for Universal Music Enterprises and has been an adjunct professor at NYU since 2009, said the purpose of the class was not to force the students to listen to these albums but to help them understand why they were deemed important. “At nearly 60 years old, rock music
has developed a particular canon: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, artists that continue to appear on Top 100 lists,” Weinger said. “What we’re looking at is how does that happen? Who makes those decisions? What patterns emerge?” Besides facilitating discussion, Weinger and Thompson have assigned the class readings by music historians like Carys Wyn Jones and Jim Mahfood. They’ve also provided each student with a 16-gigabyte iPod filled with music relevant to the class. “In a foolish Christmas move, I thought ‘hey, let me get them all iPods,’ and then the $5000 bill came,” Thompson said. “But I wanted the students to leave with as much information as possible, because long after this class is over, this will remain.” Brian Rockoff, a senior in the class, said being able to break down songs track by track off influential albums like “Off The Wall” has helped him understand what it means to be a good producer. “Hearing what was taken out of those classic songs, and hearing [producer Quincy] Jones and Michael Jackson decide what was good for the track and what wasn’t is amazing,” Rockoff said. “For people learning to be producers here, that is the single hardest thing to learn how to do.” William Richling is a contributing writer. Email him at features@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
BEAUTY AND STYLE
Summer styles to brighten winter closet blues MAXI SKIRTS Maxi skirts may be a bohemian staple in the summer but can be just as well suited to cold weather. They can create a very dramatic, romantic effect. Pair a long skirt with a sheer, long-sleeved top with feminine detailing, like a bow at the neckline. Toughen the Victorian vibe up with some heeled or wedged boots, which also work with the long skirt to make you look even taller. If you have long hair, wear it in a low, loose bun to offset all the fabric.
FLORAL DRESSES Floral dresses are an easy way to femme up your heftier winter pieces. For a casual occasion, add thick tights in a dark neutral color, flat winter boots and a heavy leather jacket for a ‘90s-grunge take on the girly dress. A big knit scarf or crocheted hat provides extra warmth. For a more formal setting, wear the dress with pantyhose and pumps. Cover up with a classic, elegant cardigan and add some simple pieces of jewelry like a locket or bejeweled hair pins.
MINIS Short, breezy skirts might seem like the ultimate nightmare when it’s below freezing, but these can be adapted for the cold. Make it preppy with knee-high socks over pantyhose and a chunky knit sweater over a collared button-down shirt. Finish the look with patent ballet flats or Mary Janes to emphasize the prep, or winter boots to play it down. Top it off with a headband. Bonus points if it has a bow or gems to polish up the ensemble and add a dose of personality.
SHORTS Even shorts can work at this time of year. Acid-wash, high-waisted shorts were practically made to be worn over tights. If you’re feeling particularly punk, layer fishnets over brightly colored opaque tights. Wear with chunky boots and a plaid, flannel shirt. Don’t forget black eyeliner and deep red lipstick, and you’ll be ready for any urban adventure the night may bring.
EDITED BY MICHELLE LIM BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
By ARIANA DIVALENTINO March is often thought of as the start of spring, but anyone who has lived in the Northeast for at least a year knows that we have about another month to go before the city starts to thaw. In the meantime, your favorite summer clothes are sitting in the back of your closet, taunting you with memories of sunlight. Fight the seasonal depression by working your warm weather pieces into your current wardrobe.
Ariana DiValentino is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
DANA RESZUTEK FOR WSN
NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY JOSH JOHNSON ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
‘Luck’ takes complicated look at race relations in America
By ALEXANDER TSEBELIS One could easily compare “Luck of the Irish,” Kirsten Greenidge’s work that is playing at LCT3’s new space at Lincoln Center, to last year’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning “Clybourne Park.” Both plays, for example, deal with discriminatory housing practices in the 1950s and the 2000s. But while the two works share common ground, they are fundamentally unique. Although “Clybourne Park” used irony and Brechtian distancing devices to satirize deeper social problems in American society, “Luck of the Irish” takes the opposite approach. The story is not about ghost-buying or the practice of white people fronting for black homebuyers, but instead it is about one family’s experience. Lucy and Rex Taylor (Eisa Davis and Victor Williams) are the black couple of the 1950s. He’s a well-paid doctor and she’s a woman of taste — a snob. They want a home to raise their children, and they buy one with the help of the Donovans, a working-
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class Irish family led by a husband who refuses to work. Fast forward to the 2000s, a similar device to “Clybourne’s,” but in “Luck” the two eras flow smoothly together rather than being separated by an intermission. Rex’s and Lucy’s grandchildren are now living in the house. Mrs. Donovan, who still has the deed, and is a different kind of snob than Mrs. Taylor, wants the house back. “There’s an order to these things. First comes the Protestants, then the Irish, then the Italians, then the blacks,” she says. The play manages to reveal unexpected aspects of the African-American experience today — one grandchild can’t help seeing racism, whether present or not, and the other is too selfcentered to notice either way. However, “Luck” makes it a little too easy to reduce the flawed institutions and culture that promulgated an under-the-table apartheid system to a single antagonist. Mrs. Donovan simply appears to be a racist. Attempts are made to make her sympathetic, and in some ways she is. At the end of the night, it is too
convenient and easy to write her off as an awful bigot opposite the open-minded audience. It is relieving to view yourself as a morally sound observer of the regrettable moments of America’s history, to see it as something out of your hands. It is relieving because it is dishonest. “Luck of the Irish” is playing now through March 10 at Lincoln Center’s Claire Tow Theater. Alexander Tsebelis is a contributing writer. Email him at theater@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF LINCOLN CENTER
Two cultures collide in a play by Kirsten Greenidge.
Beach Fossils celebrate most recent album By PATRICK JAOJOCO
Shoegaze outfit Beach Fossils rocked the Bowery Ballroom last Saturday promoting its latest album, “Clash the Truth.” Starting the night off with the album’s two opening tracks, “Clash the Truth” and “Generational Synthetic,” frontman Dustin Payseur leapt into the crowd, being tossed around the pulsating audience while crooning the two anthems. Payseur set the tone for the rest of the night, as the audience sang and bounced along to the music. When the band played “Youth” from its self-titled debut album, an enthralled fan crawled onstage and dove into the audience, Payseur merely smirked and continued on with his chilled out melodies. Beach Fossils have been rocking around the Brooklyn scene since 2009, quickly going from underground venues such as 285 Kent to headlining the Bowery Ballroom. Realizing this, Payseur gave a grateful shoutout to “literally everyone in this room,” saying they “haven’t played a headlining show in a year.” His music spurred a mosh pit full of jumping, sing-
ing audience members despite the music’s relaxed sound. “Clash the Truth” came out only four days prior to the show, yet the lyrics were ingrained in the crowd’s minds. In acknowledgment of the leak, Payseur jokingly remarked that he too heard the album before it came out. The show continued in the same vein, equal parts mosh pit and pleasant crowd work. When the encore came, the band played its most low-key song to date, “Sleep Apnea,” during which drummer Tommy Lucas surprised the audience by stepping away from the drums and pulling out an alto saxophone for a solo. It was an incredible ten minutes that pulled the audience into a dreamlike trance that sobered them after 45 minutes of pulsating indie rock. The band quickly fell back into its energetic swing, finishing the concert with “Daydream.” Payseur instructed the crowd to freak out, and the audience zealously obliged, ending a thoroughly entertaining night. Patrick Jaojoco is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
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Crossword Across
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY SAMEER JAYWANT OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
China lacks clear position on North Korea By PETER KEFFER
Analysts agree that North Korea’s third nuclear test will prove to be one of the more humiliating events in the history of modern Chinese foreign policy. Following the emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi affirmed that China was “strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed” to North Korea’s actions and called on the country to “stop any rhetoric or acts that could worsen situations and return to the right course of dialogue and consultation as soon as possible.” Although Mr. Yang’s statement exhibits the growing exasperation felt by Chinese officials toward their reclusive neighbor and its belligerent behavior, it does nothing to herald the arrival of a necessary, meaningful reaction. China has been far too silent, and the fear of the presumed byproducts of the collapse of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea do not justify prolonging the country’s muteness. A fear of instability is at the root of China’s silence following the
recent events in North Korea. The hermit kingdom acts as a buffer to American interests in South Korea and its collapse threatens to destabilize parts of the northeast corner of China as an untold number of refugees flood the border. This poses a threat to the resources and security of the region, and the huge influx of North Koreans could lead to agitation for independence reminiscent of Tibet. On these grounds, China has offered North Korea diplomatic cover and large amounts of monetary and food aid. Furthermore, China has promised to provide its paranoid neighbor with security should it choose to abandon its nuclear program — an offer not yet accepted. North Korea’s behavior has not changed and is a cause for instability and an increased American presence in Asia. President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address this year was marked with a vow to boost missile-defense capabilities in Asia and “lead the world in taking firm action in response to [North Korean] threats” — news that, needless to say, was not well received in Beijing. China’s dedi-
cation to peace in East Asia should encourage it to adjust the lens through which it views its neighbor. The 2010 attack on Yeonpyeong Island, which killed four South Korean citizens, in addition to recent, blunt threats against South Korea and the United States, should be evidence enough of North Korea’s aggression. Rather than a tool to maintain stability, North Korea is itself the cause of many of China’s woes. Regime change in North Korea is likely. There is hope for a stable evolution of a humane regime, though it would be reckless to not prepare for the worst. The collapse of the DPRK could be sudden. Despite this ominous possibility, Beijing remains reluctant to engage in the dialogue needed to form a coherent safeguard against the inevitable. China is beginning to risk losing face in the international community as North Korea becomes a liability for the world’s emerging superpower. Peter Keffer is a foreign correspondent. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STUDENT LIFE
NYU mistaken in roommate policy changes By MATT LUO
When you are first accepted into NYU, whether it was your first choice or just one of the many applications you filled out, the prospect of starting college with imminent fresh experiences probably filled you with excitement. For most people, one of the most important experiences is living with a complete stranger for the first time. Well, up until this year, if this part caused you any measure of anxiety, there was always the option of choosing your roommate, whether it was a friend from your hometown who also got accepted or a stranger you met online with whom you really hit it off. But that is no longer the case. NYU has ended the opportunity for incoming freshmen to hold onto any sense of familiarity in the residential experience. Starting next year, freshmen will not be allowed to choose their own roommates; everyone will be placed through random selection. Playing the geographic diversity card, NYU said this recent policy will force students to room with
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someone from a different location, instead of having the choice. I have seen many students who have had the perfect living situations because they can chose their roommates. Then again, I know they could have been just as happy with a stranger, but our lives are enriched by having more options; it is the foundation on which we have built our flourishing society. It is the reason people hold NYU in such high regard. It is one of the reasons we can claim our title as one of the most progressive universities in the country, along with not having communal bathrooms. But you would think that, as one of the most innovative universities, NYU would let freshman students choose their roommates. Alas, such is not the case, to many prospective students’ dismay. In addition, while NYU seems to be restricting freshman housing freedom, it is loosening the reins on upperclassmen. Starting next fall, upperclassmen will have the option of gender-neutral housing, which means boys can room with girls, breaching the college taboo.
Although this comes as a pleasant surprise to upperclassmen in heterosexual relationships, as with the change in freshmen housing, NYU has not provided much of an explanation. Of course, upperclassmen still have the choice to opt out of gender-neutral housing, as well as random roommate selection. So do not fret, sophomores, juniors and seniors; you can still have as much leeway as you want. It is only the freshman whose freedom of choice is being taken away. Why give some students more freedom while restricting others’? Perhaps NYU’s decision on this issue has validity. However, we students cannot assess the validity or even properly critique it because the administration has not provided us with adequate reasoning and intentions behind the decision. It will be interesting to see whether there will be backlash from incoming freshmen, or whether the transition will be smooth. Matt Luo is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
UNC takes shameful stand on sexual assault
There have been isolated reports of American colleges and universities covering up or otherwise misreporting rape cases involving their students, but it appears the University of North Carolina has taken the cake this time. Its former assistant dean of students, Melinda Manning, and four students (three current, one former) have filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights alleging that university officials encouraged and pressured Manning to underreport rape cases — a serious violation of many important non-discrimination laws. To make matters significantly worse, one of the student victims, Landen Gambill, has been charged under the UNC Honor Code with “intimidating” her rapist by discussing her sexual assault with the press. If Gambill is found to have “adversely” impacted the rapist’s life, she could be subject to expulsion by the university. This incident recalls the outrageous practice of “honor killing.” In some conservative cultures, rape supposedly brings shame upon the family, and fathers deal with this perceived problem by murdering their own daughters. It is plain to see the perverse logic of punishing the victim twice, and in a sense UNC is acting like this type of paternal agent and attempting to preserve its honor — i.e., public image — which is understandable, if it weren’t at the expense of silencing the victim. The UNC decision is not tantamount to murder, but it resembles honor killings in that it is a violation of a rape victim’s dignity and basic rights by someone who should protect her. The course of action pursued by UNC is reprehensible and deserves strong reproach. To claim to care about the welfare of all students and then underreport sexual crimes and punish the victims of such crimes is hypocrisy at its most egregious. Due process must be followed, and while it is important to protect the rights of both sides in any legal dispute, to threaten a victim who has the courage to speak out about her horrific experiences with expulsion is pathetic and detrimental to other young victims who need the encouragement to share their stories and confront their abusers. If the UNC administration considers its own actions to have any vestige of justice for its students, it may want to rename its “Honor Code” — the honor was lost long ago.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Sameer Jaywant (Chair), Raquel Woodruff (Co–Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co–Chair), Nickhil Sethi, Matt Luo, Nina Golshan, Ian Mark, Jess Littman, Marcelo Cicconet
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 150 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY MARY JANE DUMANKAYA SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Lakers begin to recover from lackluster season By KARTHIK RAMAKRISHNAN
As this past summer turned to fall, expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers were skyhigh and many expected the team to rival the Miami Heat for the championship. After the Lakers management brilliantly executed trades during the offseason to capture a slew of stars and surround Kobe Bryant with solid role players, the Lakers looked like nothing less than a championship team. They were predicted to usher in another era of basketball dominated by Los Angeles. Yet during the first half of this season, we witnessed what was perhaps the greatest disappointment in NBA history. Few could believe that such a star-studded roster could fail to achieve a .500 record, losing badly to mediocre teams like the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns. Media pundits scrambled to find solutions to the Lakers’ woes, suggesting everything from trading center Dwight Howard to firing coach Mike D’Antoni. Recently, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban went as far as to say that Los Angeles should consider exercising
the amnesty clause by shredding Bryant’s contract to avoid paying taxes on his salary. With 70 percent of the regular season completed, the Lakers are finally showing some signs of life. They have won 11 of their last 15 games and are now one game below 0.500 with 28 wins and 29 losses. In terms of the postseason race, the squad is currently sitting at the ninth seed, 2.5 games behind the Houston Rockets and a playoff berth in the Western Conference. On Sunday, Bryant torched the Mavericks to the tune of 38 points and after the game fired off a tweet aimed at Mark Cuban saying “Amnesty that.” Despite the Lakers’ poor performance this year, Bryant should not be faulted. He has been playing some of the best basketball in his life, and he has masterfully taken on a different role based on what his team needs — he has excelled as a scorer, passer and facilitator. His competitive drive has not softened with age, and he has done everything he possibly can to urge his teammates to perform. Though some of his public statements have been condescending toward his team-
mates, he is not at all at fault for his team’s failures. A positive sign for the Lakers is that Dwight Howard’s shoulder injury is slowly improving, and the dominant big man can hopefully go back to playing lockdown defense and formidable on-theblock offense. Forward Pau Gasol is expected to return by the postseason, should the Lakers survive for that long.
Legendary Lakers owner Jerry Buss passed away a few days ago — perhaps this will fuel some competitive fire within the Los Angeles squad. The Lakers should at least make the playoffs in the memory of one of the greatest owners of all time. Karthik Ramakrishnan is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Kobe Bryant cannot be held responsible for the team’s losses.
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