NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 32
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014
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Latinos in New York
SEGREGATION
FOUNDATION
Four out of 10 Mexicans under the age of 16 live in poverty and nearly 60 percent of young Mexican men — and nearly half of young Mexican women — have not completed high school, motivating the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation to offer $1.5 million for efforts to benefit Mexican-American students.
New York public schools have been some of the most racially segregated schools in the country for the past 30 years, according to a recent report. The report says the typical black or Latino student attends a school where close to 70 percent of classmates are low-income. Community members are fighting for the educational advancement of all children, no matter their race.
DREAM ACT
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LATINOS IN
50MILLION N.Y. 3.5MILLION N.Y.C. OVER2.2 MILLION U.S. OVER
New York Republicans killed the DREAM act in the State Senate by a small margin, preventing undocumented students from receiving state financial aid for college. The state comptroller estimates that 8,300 undergraduate undocumented students were enrolled in postsecondary public schools in New York during fall 2012.
STORIES ON PAGE 3
GRAPHIC BY CICEK EREL AND LYANNE NATIVIDAD
‘Dom Hemingway’ satisfies audience
Lady Gaga residency closes out Roseland
As “Dom Hemingway” opens, the titular character stands naked while giving a prolonged monologue about his privates. He is not a particularly likeable man — at first, you want to punch him and about half way into the film, you wish he would leave the screen forever. However, the film eventually manages to win you over with its gleefully wicked charm, courtesy of Jude Law’s hilariously unhinged performance as Dom. A safecracker by trade, Dom spent 12 years in prison for keeping his boss’ secrets, and now he wants the reward from that employer — Mr. Fontaine (Demián Bichir). Bringing along his partner in crime Dickey (Richard E. Grant), Dom confronts Fontaine for the hush money. But the deal goes awry, and Dom hits rock bottom having lost his money, shelter and dignity. Unlike other British gangster films that overly indulge in style
Lady Gaga took the stage for her first of seven shows at the Roseland Ballroom, a residency that will last until the closing of the venue, on March 28. The promotional media for the residency features a photograph of Gaga before she became famous, establishing the theme of a celebration of Gaga’s journey, which began in Lower East Side bars and clubs after she left NYU. Her ability to take the stage at Roseland can be seen as a chance to look back at her successful career. Gaga’s entrance was, as expected, theatrical and unique. From the top of her scaffolding-style set — accompanied by two staircases, a piano and a walkway on top — a cabaret-inspired spotlight shone on a white door, which slowly opened to reveal Gaga. As she began the set with an acoustic version of her anthem “Born This Way,” the crowd erupted with energy, reciprocating Gaga’s emotional enthusiasm.
By ZACK GRULLON
HEMINGWAY continued on PG. 4
By DANA RESZUTEK
FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN
Center for Reproductive Justice holds first annual conference. “Reproductive Rights Law: Where is the Woman?” featured a keynote address by law professor Carol Gilligan and several presentations on the voices of women.
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GAGA continued on PG. 5
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SNAPSHOT: TRADITION
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WHAT DO YOU FEAR MOST ABOUT GRADUATING?
Just finding something to do with my year off.
AVITAL GLIBICKY/WSN
TODAY ON CAMPUS “Books as Social Media” Harvard professor Leah Price will be giving a lecture titled “Books as Social Media.” The lecture will take place in Bobst Library’s Fales Reading Room at 6 p.m.
the highlighter blog MARISSA ELLIOT LITTLE features HANNAH TREASURE beauty & style DANA RESZUTEK violet vision blog GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS dining CHANDLER WEST sports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO multimedia HANNAH LUU, LAWRENCE WU video ALEX LINZMEIER
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Memory
NANCI HEALY
NYU neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki will be giving a lecture about memory and cognition. The event will take place today in the auditorium of the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology at 4:30 p.m.
JIM LUTTRELL
Environment
A Catholic displays a crucifix in the window.
PHOTO BY WARD PETTIBONE
A symposium will be held to discuss the technological methods that will mobilize environmental concerns. The event will take place on the eighth floor of 2 MetroTech Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
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HANQING CHEN, JONATHON DORNBUSH, RACHEL KAPLAN, JORDAN MELENDREZ, JONATHAN TAN 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 Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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Grants aid communities in need By VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI
Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation revealed its plans to distribute $1.5 million in grants over the next three years to five neighborhoods that have a high population of Mexican-American students on March 26. The project, a part of the Anchoring Achievement in Mexican Communities Initiative, was created based on research from a Community Service Society report that highlighted some of the problems facing Mexican-Americans in New York City. The report says that while more Mexicans are moving to New York, the group is still economically stalled. “The dominant themes that emerge from our analysis of data on Mexicans in New York City are that they are a growing population that is increasingly born in the United States, and — as a result of several contributing factors — are more likely to fall into poverty than other groups,” the report said. The report also addressed ongoing issues with education facing native and foreign-born Mexicans, with the latter particularly falling behind academically. “Mexican young people born outside the United States have low rates of school enrollment, likely because many have come here specifically seeking work,” the report said. “Mexican youth who do enroll in New York City public
State legislators kill DREAM Act in close vote By JOHN AMBROSIO
FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN
The bank’s project aims to help Mexicans in New York. schools fare much worse than other foreign-born youth.” As a response to these results, the foundation will distribute grants to five neighborhoods — Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Harlem, Port Richmond and Bushwick — chosen by a competitive application process. Community organizations will work in partnership with schools, libraries, nonprofits and other community institutions to create centers for educational services. In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, NYU urban policy professor Mitchell Moss commented on the importance of the initiative. “The well-being of this new immigrant population depends on their building ties with the city’s educational and community-based institutions,” Moss said. These efforts are expected to reach more than 3,500 youths and offer opportunities to engage students and parents in the educational process. The grants are expected to create a new high school to
offset academic and economic demands. Additionally, the money will be used to connect families with early childhood education programs and support services. The programs will also help promote literacy and improve home-school connections and parental leadership. Money from the grants may go toward educational and employment resources for out-of-school youths and their families. CAS freshman Krissian Martinez said while the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation is doing great work, there is still more to be done to truly help Mexican-Americans living in the United States. “We need to focus on making sure that every student, regardless of legal status, should be allowed to continue their education if they desire to do so,” Martinez said. “I think this program is on the right track by wanting to help Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.” Valentina Duque Bojanini is a deputy news editor. Email her at vbojanini@nyunews.com.
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Undocumented students continue to fight for financial aid for their education. The New York State Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act was voted down 29 to 30 last month, which has outraged experts and students in the NYU community. The bill, which would have provided state-funded college aid to the children of undocumented immigrants, was rejected by New York State Republicans after it passed the State Assembly earlier this year. Spanish and Portuguese social and cultural analysis professor Mary Louise Pratt said she was upset that the bill did not pass. “It was a political travesty that it was brought up in the New York State legislature in such a way that it was narrowly voted down, despite broad public and political support for it,” Pratt said. DREAM Team leaders, Gallatin senior Mark Putterman and Silver senior Maria Monica Andia, accused those in the legislature of putting their chance of getting elected in the 2014 election cycle before the interests of their constituents. “The DREAM Team at NYU is disappointed and disgusted that New York State representatives have once again chosen to let petty politics and misinformation prevent the passage of the New York DREAM Act,” Putterman and Andia said in a statement on behalf of their organization. “While these politicians obsess over future ‘electability,’ talented and deserving students suffer the consequences of inaccessible and unaffordable education, simply because of their immigration status.” Putterman and Andia said the blame was placed squarely on the shoulders of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and
supporter of the bill, New York State Senate Co-President Jeffrey Klein, who they say called the measure to a vote prematurely. “We hold Senate Co-President Jeffrey Klein and Governor Cuomo especially responsible for the failure of this legislation,” they said. “Senator Klein, a supposed supporter of the bill, put the New York DREAM Act to a floor vote knowing that the bill lacked the votes necessary to pass — effectively killing the bill.” The DREAM Team, along with New York State Youth Leadership Council and high school students affected by the DREAM Act’s failure, registered their disappointment with Klein by staging a rally outside his offices on March 19. Klein’s spokesperson Anna Durrett denied Putterman and Andia’s claims and said Klein was and continues to be a supporter of the bill. “At the request of the bill’s biggest supporters, Senator Klein delivered on his commitment to bring the DREAM Act to the floor,” Durrett said. “While Senator Klein is disappointed with the outcome, he believes this was an important vote to have.” Frank Sobrino, a spokesperson for the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jose Peralta, said the supporters of the bill are still working to gather the votes necessary to pass the bill and another vote is possible in the next three months. “[Sen. Peralta] and his colleagues are looking into the possibility of bringing the DREAM Act to a vote again later in the legislative session, particularly if currently vacant seats are filled before the end of session,” Sobrino said. John Ambrosio is a staff writer. Email him at news@nyunews.com.
New York State public schools suffer from segregation By KAVISH HARJAI
New York State public schools are the most segregated in the nation, according to a report released on March 26. The report, published by the Civil Rights Project at the University of California, Los Angeles, says New York State public schools have held this record for many years. Gary Orfield, co-director of the project, has conducted research on the topic for three decades. “New York State has consistently been one of the most segregated states in the nation — no Southern state comes close to New York,” Orfield said in a press release. Based on enrollment data compiled from 1989 to 2010, the Civil Rights Project found that many black and Latino students attend school without any white classmates. According to the researchers, pupils in segregated schools perform significantly worse than those in integrated schools. Lourdes Davila, professor of Spanish and Portuguese, said the segregation of schools is inevitable due
to certain policies implemented by the Department of Education. “Clearly, affluent neighborhoods will, more and more, have only affluent families; because the DOE has made it quite difficult to move across zones, and absolutely impossible to move across district lines, segregation is a given effect,” Davila said. The report also pointed to housing patterns throughout the state as a primary factor in causing schools to become segregated. Deanna Martinez Morales, a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology and former student at the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central, said she noticed how areas of residence affect race representation at her school. “In my high school it was mostly black and latino,” Martinez Morales said. “This was because the school was in the city area. When in the city or even the lower class part of a city there are more minorities. It’s just always been that way. Then when you move up to the suburb area there are more white people.” The report recommends that state and city governments should focus time and energy on promot-
FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN
Minority students often attend schools with little diversity. ing racial diversity in schools. Davila said the the way of assigning students to schools needs to change to hurdle how areas of residence affect school placement. She said she thinks certain programs, such as the Dual Language program present in public schools such as PS 163, alleviate segregation because it is made to specifically include both strong Spanish and strong English speakers in the classroom. Certain groups, such as Parent Leadership Project, which is a collaboration between the Center for Immigrant Families and the
Bloomingdale Family HeadStart Program, has been fighting segregation and inequality in District 3 and in the city for many years. Donna Nevel, a member of PLP, said there are systemic mechanisms used by affluent families that hurt low-income families. According to a report released by CIF, intentional policies that have been put in place by school administrators exclude low-income families from public school education and that increased development of gifted and talented programs that largely serve white children have caused public
school segregation in District 3. Davila said the Gifted and Talented program needs to be reformed in order to battle the issues currently facing the public school education system. “Gifted and Talented programs work to ‘separate’ the ‘gifted’ from the non-gifted,” Davila said. “As you can imagine, parents ‘who know’ (mostly from affluent or upper middle class backgrounds) train their children to take this exams, and are also able to give the necessary support that other families cannot. [Gifted and Talented] is then, by definition, a practice of segregation.” Nevel said her group has been collaborating with the D3 working group on fairness and equity in admission to develop a controlled choice admissions policy to properly reflect the demographics in D3. Additionally, Nevel said her group will work with those in District 1 and 13 who are interested in desegregating their schools. Additional reporting by Anetxy Barnes. Kavish Harjai is a news editor. Email them at news@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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HEMINGWAY continued from PG. 1
Crude Jude brings role to life in ‘Dom Hemingway’ and excessive violence, writerdirector Richard Shepard makes “Dom Hemingway” a comedic character study of an anti-hero at a crossroads with his career and family. The film consists of a collection of vignettes rather than a straightforward narrative, aided by title cards that introduce each chapter of Dom’s postprison life. Despite Dom’s predilection for substance abuse and loose women, he has a heart of gold. The film presents emotional scenes in a cliché way as Dom tries to make peace with his wife’s death and reconnect with his long-lost daughter Evelyn (Emilia Clarke), yet viewers begrudgingly develop sympathy for his character. A dozen years in prison is a long time, and audiences respect Dom enough that they want to see him succeed. Karma becomes another anchor for the film when Dom saves a woman after a car crash.
Exposure
She tells him that he will have good luck in the future for his good deed. Though the plot point is a lazy way to move the story along, it still manages to reveal more of Dom’s soft interior, which is often overshadowed by his chubby, chainsmoking exterior. Although the majority of crude humor in the film is entertaining — particularly the banter between Dom and Dickey — occasionally the dialogue is so vulgar that it distracts from the joke. The film is very much like its indelicate titular character. At first, it is difficult to enjoy because it spits in the audience’s face with obnoxious attitude. But, over time, viewers will begin to surreptitiously chuckle at the antics until the last shot of the film, after which they will leave sporting the same ear-toear grin as Dom himself. Zack Grullon is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
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‘Retrieval’ stands out among slave film narratives By DAVID LEIDY
With the popularity and success of films like “Django Unchained” and “12 Years a Slave,” the slave narrative seems to be a popular trope of recent cinema. While combining elements of the slave narrative with those of a Western, “The Retrieval” finds its own voice, clearly distinguishing itself from convention. “Retrieval” is about 13-yearold Will (Ashton Sanders), who is sent to the North with an older adviser, Marcus (Keston John), to bring runaway slave Nate (Tishuan Scott) back to the South. Although Will is slightly stoic, he is quick to make friends with Nate. The Civil War is always on the outskirts of the path they walk — they move along their route, always aware of the danger with gunshots and cannon fire often heard in the background. While the white men normally required only the retrieval of runaway slaves, Nate’s case is unique. He is not a runaway, but a freedman worth a decent sum of money. The white men intend to steal Nate’s belongings, offering a share of the money to Will and Marcus. When a battle breaks out before them, Will and Marcus are left in the woods to fend for themselves. Will must consider the moral dilemma that has been developing since he was assigned his task — does he disobey his commands to bring
COURTESY OF VARIANCE FILMS
Will is sent to bring an alleged runaway slave back to the South. Nate back to the South to be betrayed? Or should the teen team up with Nate and risk his life to fight against the white slave owners? Thanks to performances from newcomers Sanders, John and particularly Scott, “Retrieval” has moments that are particularly poignant. Even with its dismal, unsaturated color scheme, the cinematography is nothing short of beautiful, depicting large, bucolic scenery. The impressive lighting design creates gorgeous contrast, and the camerawork reveals a real grittiness. The strong composition puts the audience directly into the melancholic
atmosphere and high stress involved in the slave trade. The film shines most when it sticks to the personal elements of its narrative, particularly the relationship between the oddball pair of Nate and Will. Whenever the film diverts its focus, it does not hold together quite as well due to a contrived plot and budgetary constraints. Overall, “The Retrieval” is a character driven drama that strikes its audience to the core, bringing up horrific tragedies that are deeply embedded in American history. David Leidy is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
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‘Porgy and Bess’ star Norm Lewis to don Phantom’s mask By DYLAN JARRETT
After more than 25 years on Broadway — the longest run of any Broadway production — “The Phantom of the Opera” rarely makes headlines anymore. The production has remained virtually the same since the 1980s, with a series of talented yet unknown actors cycling through the many roles. There was a 25th anniversary celebration last year, which was commemorated by fan favorite and “Little Mermaid” star Sierra Boggess taking over the role of Christine. However, even that momentous anniversary was not able to stir up much conversation about the trademark production. But just recently, news of the Phantom sent social media into a frenzy with the announcement that Broadway veteran Norm Lewis will be playing the title role opposite Boggess starting in May. Lewis, best known for his Tony-nominated role in the much-praised 2012 production of “Porgy and Bess,”
carries name recognition far beyond that of most actors who have played the Phantom. He is arguably the first star to take on the role in recent years. Additionally, Lewis played King Triton opposite Boggess’ Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” so fans are likely eager to see the co-stars reunite on stage. Broadway composer Lin-Manuel Miranda even began tweeting lyrical mashups of the two musicals using the hashtag #PhantomMermaid. However, the real cause of the buzz surrounding Lewis’ casting is that he will be the first black actor to play the iconic role, which was originated by Michael Crawford. This casting change marks a significant step forward for colorblind casting on Broadway. Over the years, “Phantom” has created its own legacy. While it exists within the 19th-century France of its setting, “Phantom” has expanded far past that limited scope. It is a fixture on Broadway — the Phantom’s mask has loomed over Times Square for decades at a time. And why shouldn’t a black
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actor slip behind that mask? In a season with 12 new musicals on Broadway, only two — “Aladdin” and “After Midnight” — feature people of color as their leading characters. While shows like these, as well as the currently running “The Book of Mormon” and “Motown,” do feature many people of color, seeing a black actor take over a role that has been played by a white man for 25 years is a refreshing change of pace. The new Phantom does not diminish the importance of new musicals, which are key to expanding the representation of diversity onstage, but it is essential to show that actors have the opportunity to play established roles, regardless of their own race or the race of the people who originated the parts. Regardless of these sensitive implications, Lewis is sure to be fantastic in the role. Visit the Majestic Theater starting May 12 to see him don the Phantom’s mask. Dylan Jarrett is books/theater editor. Email her at djarrett@nyunews.com.
GAGA continued from PG. 1
Gaga performs intimate set at Roseland This performance was not about promoting her latest album, “ARTPOP,” which is what many audience members may have been expecting. In fact, only four of the 11 songs performed were from the singer’s latest album. It seemed as though Gaga chose songs to lead the audience on a journey through her career. Older tracks, like longtime fan favorites “Black Jesus + Amen Fashion” and “Monster,” were also performed. Gaga selected songs to make a careful combination of the old and new, including performances of “Just Dance” and the piano version of “Poker Face,” popularized during her first “Fame Ball” tour. Halfway through the performance, Gaga moved to a side stage, which was equipped with a piano positioned in front of an F train subway car. Surrounded by fans who purchased this special seating area, Gaga performed two ballads, “Yoü and I” and “Dope.” She dedicated the songs to her Little Monsters, who sang along and witnessed a moment that was clearly special for Gaga. Her costumes were as bold and outrageous as fans have come to anticipate. Sporting a mermaid-style brown wig with neon green streaks, Gaga debuted outfits that ranged from a red rose bustier to a disco bra paired with a yellow, ’80s-style suit. Though evolving her look and sound, Gaga took the time to return to her roots with older material, bringing a strong sense of nostalgia to the performance.
DANA RESZUTEK FOR WSN
Lady Gaga impressed fans at the Roseland Ballroom. For Gaga, the show was a perfect New York City comeback, and the opening date landing on her birthday was truly fitting. For the audience, it was a happy celebration of art, music, freedom and fans. In honor of a venue with such historical significance to New York, Gaga’s intimate set left her Little Monsters awed and appreciative. Dana Reszutek is beauty/style editor. Email her at dreszutek@nyunews.com.
Play lacks realism, execution By TATIANA BAEZ
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Secrets, adultery, abuse, distrust and alcohol — “Hounds of War” has more than enough elements to make up an interesting family drama, but this overload ultimately becomes a histrionic mess. Directed by Mark Cirnigliaro, the production quickly turns from a simple family conflict into a soap opera. The Dorothy Strelsin Theater, a tiny black box theater, seats about 30 audience members. The stage presents one room with hardwood floors, living room furniture, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and a few family photos. The intimate set design welcomes audience members into the characters’ lives, but this sympathy is eventually overpowered by a complicated storyline with trite lines and unnecessary plot twists. “Hounds of War,” Wee Man Productions’ inaugural play, tells the story of a broken family in desperate need of repair. Jim, an overbearing military father, moves with his wife and their two vastly different sons from New York City to a quiet town in upstate New York where homes are isolated and wild dogs roam the streets. Instead of confronting their familial discord head on, the
COURTESY OF WEE MAN PRODUCTIONS
The play has the characteristics of a family drama. characters decide to run away in search of a much-needed “fresh start.” But, as expected, they eventually run right back to their problems and dysfunction, smacking into them with full force and no safeguards. Cirnigliaro pulls out every trick in the book — he imbues each character with layer upon layer of cliché complexities, hitting the audience over the head with obvious points such as Jim’s alcoholism, his wife’s adultery and his son’s homosexuality. The result is a muddled melodrama. These intricacies would be realistic in a feature film or television show because there would be more time to develop them, but the details immediately lose their ardor when clumped together in a short play. Cirnigilaro’s goal was a worthy one, but it was a mistake
to assume it could be achieved in a mere 90 minutes. The production could perhaps have been salvaged with skillful acting. However, despite the play featuring several known performers — Christopher LaPanta played Jim and Tony Head played his new neighbor Henry — the acting was subpar, adding to the show’s chaotic nature. The performances feel stiff in the first half and highly embellished in the second, as though the actors are trying to overcompensate for the banal script. LaPanta in particular would have conveyed his character’s insecurities better if he did not try to compete with his lines — his over-the-top performance distracts the audience from the overall point. “Hounds of War” was set up for failure from the outset. Executed properly, the play might have simply been added to an already long list of cliché family dramas. As it is, Cirnigliaro’s piece failed to produce realism and left audiences confused. Most likely, few people will pay it any mind after the 90 minutes are up and they walk out of the theater. Tatiana Baez is an assistant managing editor. Email her at tbaez@nyunews.com.
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Fare in “blankets” 5 Do the Wright thing? 11 Half-___ (coffee order) 14 In a frenzy 15 Bahamas cruise stop 16 South American cruise stop, for short 17 Journalists covering abstract art? 20 Coriander, for one 21 Cry with a fist pump 22 Hill staffers 23 “Mob Wives” star Big ___ 25 Aim high 26 Help from a jerk? 32 “… cup ___ cone?” 33 Model plane, e.g. 34 Like steak tartare 37 Letters on a radial
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PUZZLE BY RUTH B. MARGOLIN
30 It’s best when it’s airtight 31 Towers on farms 35 Hurt 36 Pull up dandelions and crab grass 41 Harry Belafonte genre 42 It carries a shell 45 Flooring option
57 Txts, e.g. 46 One needing detox 47 It’s a plus 48 Tornado Alley city 51 Mortarboard 59 Symbol of tosser slipperiness 52 ___ cream 53 Jiffies 55 Castaway site 56 Siouan speaker 60 Net judge’s call
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
MIDDLE EAST
Students have right to speak on Israeli conflict
By DONNIE DONILON, ELLIS GAREY and SHAFEKA HASHASH
Avital Kaplan and Josh Lavine’s recent WSN op-ed condemned an Israeli Apartheid Week event held by NYU Students for Justice in Palestine. The authors expressed interest in a “panel on peace,” but their concept of peace comes through silencing those they oppose — be they “welleducated” and therefore “dangerous” speakers at an SJP event, or the Palestinian people, who had the audacity to elect officials from a political party the authors dislike. Since the launch of the U.S.-brokered peace process in 1991, Palestinians have been expected to engage in negotiations that offer them no tangible gains. Palestinians witnessed the Israeli population in the West Bank rise from 110,000 in 1993 to 350,000 in 2013. Each year, Israel detains 500 to 700 Palestinian children, many of whom suffer physical violence. In Gaza, Palestinians endure Israel’s frequent blockades, leaving them without power or clean water. Asking Palestinians to participate in this farcical peace process is asking them to passively watch further confiscation of their land.
The anti-Palestinian logic of this sham peace process is reflected in Kaplan and Lavine’s argument. First, they introduce the West Bank as “Judea and Samaria,” disregarding the internationally recognized Palestinian claim to the land while settlement building continues. Next, they mistakenly equate Palestinian stone-throwing with Israeli state-sponsored violence. Israeli military offensives like Operation Cast Lead exemplify this imbalance — 1,400 Palestinians were killed, the majority of whom were civilians. Finally, in referencing the “12 elected Arab members” of the Israeli Knesset, Kaplan and Lavine obscure the fact that, by definition, a state that considers itself Jewish privileges one religious group. We see this in Israel’s segregated schools and in the treatment of African immigrants. We feel the effects of repression on university campuses as well. This semester, Barnard College adminis-
trators removed an authorized SJP banner due to accusations of antiSemitism. Likewise, Northeastern University’s SJP was suspended because of similar pressures. NYU students must ensure this type of censorship does not occur on our campus. We must be critical when Kaplan and Lavine label Max Blumenthal anti-Semitic for criticizing Hillel. In reality, Hillel excludes Jews who reject Israeli occupation and the morality of religious states like Israel. By confusing anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, Kaplan and Lavine ignore this uncomfortable fact. Swarthmore College Hillel rejected this discriminatory policy, deciding to become the first “Open Hillel.” They were denounced by Hillel’s national president. Freedom of speech is not reserved for safe topics. Students have the right to speak out against Israel, including the right to question NYU’s partnership with organizations that fund an unjust occupation. Donnie Donilon, Ellis Garey and Shafeka Hashash are contributing writers. Email them at opinion@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
Midterm campaigning reflects hypocrisy By DAN MORITZ-RABSON
Politicians must change their current tactics to ensure that the government truly serves the American people. The current strategies that candidates in both parties are employing for the midterm elections demonstrate the need for reform in the U.S. political system. For example, Republicans pointing to President Barack Obama’s flaws may be a valid method of swaying voters, but critical Republican politicians fluctuate on their opinions too frequently when attacking the president. They appear to be pandering to voters to gain support rather than devising concrete, consistent solutions to issues that Americans face. During the recent Ukraine conflict, Republicans — who previously supported President George W. Bush’s actions during Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia — accused Obama of reacting too timidly to recent Russian aggression. Although either statement alone can hold validity, reprimanding Obama for abusing his presidential authority and then condemning his foreign policy for lacking authority sends contradictory messages. Furthermore, Republicans have targeted Obama for
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supporting doctrines — like keeping Guantánamo Bay open or yielding to corporate powers — that Republicans advocate for. Rather than creating a dialectic that promotes citizens’ best interests, politics has turned into a game of partisan vendettas. This convenient manipulation to denounce the opposing party and appeal to voters is a tactic both parties use. Sen. Harry Reid has recently been criticized for his hypocritical views on political donations. While vehemently attacking wealthy conservatives who donate to Republican causes, Reid neglects to acknowledge the large sums Democrats receive from liberal donors. Just as Republicans fail to defend the doctrines they support — often changing their opinions based on convenience — Democrats, too, should be criticized for
their ideological inconsistencies. Our founding fathers intended for our democracy to effectively serve the people. Instead, the American government is now plagued by deceitful tactics. The constant fluctuation of political viewpoints by our elected officials has fueled the public perception that politicians have lost touch with voters. The increasing polarization in our political system has muddled the original intent of our democracy and permits our representatives to use ideological differences as an excuse for ineffectively serving the people. The situation must change. While differences of opinion invariably exist in political discourse, constituents of opposing parties must work together to compromise. Compromise can only occur if representatives articulate consistent beliefs that benefit citizens. Politicians should not reduce our democracy to political theater through stunts. Meaningful agreements cannot be reached if each party constantly modifies its position solely to be contrary to the opposition. Dan Moritz-Rabson is a contributing writer. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Success of Obamacare contingent on youth
The White House announced yesterday that over 7 million people had enrolled in insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. This achievement marks a symbolic victory for the Obama administration, which struggled to meet the self-imposed goal after the turbulent October launch. Throughout the six-month enrollment period, pundits have repeatedly emphasized the importance of youth participation in determining Obamacare’s success. Last month, young adults between 18 and 35 years old accounted for one-fourth of sign-ups, far below the intended 40 percent. The final figure suggests a lastminute boost in youth enrollment, indicating that youth were integral to achieving the target. It remains to be seen if Obamacare will be worth the youth investment. Given the immense support youth have given President Barack Obama, it would be particularly disappointing if Obamacare failed to deliver on its promises. During election seasons, his campaign held events on college campuses. In 2008, Obama won 66 percent of the youth vote — voters 18 to 29 years old — and in 2012, 60 percent of voters in this age group re-elected him. Youth support has become closely associated with the Democratic Party in the past 20 years. Since 1992, Democrats have consistently won the youth vote — sometimes by considerable margins. Democrats enjoyed a popular mandate from the country’s youth during both the Clinton and Bush administrations. In Bill Clinton’s 1996 re-election, the Democratic Party had a 19-point lead on the Republicans. In 2004, Democratic candidate John Kerry won 56 percent of the youth’s support. The association between America’s youth and the Democratic Party is clear. The success of Obamacare could be a determining factor in whether this support continues. Despite providing more Americans with affordable health insurance, Obamacare would result in about 2.5 million lost jobs. While many young college graduates already find job searches daunting, the cuts resulting from Obamacare will likely make initial employment even more difficult because employers have fewer opportunities to employ fairly inexperienced workers. As graduate students end their education — at around age 26 — they have to pay for their own health insurance. When added to increased job competition that Obamacare will likely create, the Affordable Care Act could render economic survival as a recent graduate difficult. Young Americans — who remain largely uninsured — still approve of Obamacare. The participation of youth in health coverage is an important factor in the success of the health insurance marketplace. This demographic tends to be healthier and thus help stabilize insurance premiums. If young adults do not participate in the program, Obamacare’s chances of survival are slim. As such, Obamacare must support youth in the way that youth has supported Obamacare.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Peter Keffer (Chair), Christina Coleburn (Co-chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Nina Golshan (Co-chair)
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 450 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 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
BEAUTY & STYLE
EDITED BY DANA RESZUTEK BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Trends incorporate unique materials By DAVID BOLOGNA
From sequined lip prints to nylon windbreaker couture, Spring 2014 fashion collections brought a whirlwind of bold and eccentric materials. While these fabrics may seem impossible to pull off in an everyday wardrobe, it is actually easier than ever to sport some of this season’s styles. DKNY displayed an interesting take on the parachute dress this season by using material that, fittingly, resembled a parachute. Clad in windbreaker-esque nylon looks, many of Donna Karan’s dresses fluttered down the runway, displaying the beautiful movement of her sportswear couture. Though sportswear couture is not easily found in stores, adding some nylon to your wardrobe can still be done in an affordable fashion. Windbreaker jackets are always available at American Apparel, with its unisex nylon taffeta version in 16 different colors ($21). Gucci also paid homage to sportswear by using mesh in a number of looks. From a paneled detail on the shoulder to a full shirt, the use of the material was bold and perfect for carrying the sporty trend that will gain steam as the weather warms up. Forever 21 offers a variety of dresses and shirts in mesh, but the simplest and most effective are the crew neck mesh jersey ($13) and the daring mesh crop top ($10). Pair
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Sequins are one of many textures found on popular clothing. either with a bold, printed floral pant to really rock the look. Givenchy made the return of rubber and vinyl evident in its accessories. The sport sandal presented by the designer comes in a transparent rubber material that nostalgically references the good old days of jelly shoes. American Apparel sells a few versions ranging from $24 to $45. Another way to bring this trend to clothing is to take a chance with the vinyl mini skirt, offered in four vibrant spring colors ($58). Pulling this off is best done with a vibrant floral shirt or a contrasting suede or fuzzy-textured top. Sequins are finding their place back on the runway. Marc by Marc Jacobs and Yves Saint Laurent are to thank for this
flashy return, which is sure to excite fashionistas. Sequins are one of the most difficult materials to pull off, as are all things shiny. Pairing ASOS’ sequin-striped Motel Ronnie Stripe Tee ($38) with a leather skirt and kitten heels is a surefire way to rock the look. Avoid matching tops and bottoms, as too many sequins could make a costume out of a street look. If full apparel is too edgy, try sequined clutches, hair bands and other accessories. Spring will be a season for the statement maker, and incorporating some of these designer inspired materials into your wardrobe will add just the right touch. David Bologna is a staff writer. Email him at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Recycling fashion should be tasteful By SAM DEL ROWE
With the rise of the “normcore” trend, recycling fashion seems to have reached a high. Normcore can be summed up as taking fashion inspiration from the worst trends of the ’90s — illfitting jeans and white New Balance sneakers or Tevas. The term was coined on Feb. 26 in a New York Magazine article and has since been popularized through social media. There is something to be said for understanding fashion as an important form of self-expression, yet there are still trends that should not be resurrected. Think back one or two years to the unfortunate Cosby sweater trend that swept the campuses of liberal arts colleges and beyond. Rivaled only by the related ugly Christmas sweater trend, oversized thrift store Cosby sweaters were paired with skinny jeans for both men and women before the trend was swept up by the likes of Urban Outfitters. Many people agree that Cosby sweaters and ugly Christmas sweaters should be left in the past. While over-
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White sneakers are part of the normcore trend. sized sweaters may be comfortable, the irony that comes with replicating the ’80s and ’90s is best left on coffee mugs. Of course, comfort is an important factor to consider when it comes to clothing. However, irony comes into play as soon as someone claims to be against current trends by attempting to revive past trends. The purposeful resurrection of unfortunate trends is undesirable. These styles were bad when they started and reappropriating
them under the guise of irony may be even worse. That said, some aspects of the normcore trend can be worn tastefully. Fleece is an acceptable option, especially in neutral colors such as black and grey. Loose-fitting jeans can also be incorporated into many outfits, as long as they are in dark washes. After all, sweatpants are currently ubiquitous in high fashion. The issue is not comfort. There are ways to wear loose fitting and athletic clothing while maintaining a put-together look. Check out the persistent sports luxe trend for inspiration. Ironic clothing makes the wearer look silly and careless, on par with wearing an “I’m with stupid” t-shirt. Who knows, maybe those kinds of shirts will be the next big trend. But for now, leave the Cosby sweaters in the ’80s, Christmas sweaters at your grandma’s and dad clothes in his closet. And please, do not bring back the fanny pack. Sam Del Rowe is a staff writer. Email him at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Jackets for 5 spring styles
P TO
By MAGGIE O’NEILL
Rain
With new summery dresses, skirts and tops starting to appear in stores, lightweight jackets will be useful for chilly spring nights and April showers to come. Basic, fundamental closet staples, such as rain slickers, are important to have on hand. Plus, there are a few trends that can add variety to any wardrobe while also keeping you warm.
Rain jackets are a must-have in the spring. Keeping dry during a sudden spring storm can save your day and your outfit. Outdoor wear brands such as The North Face, Patagonia, Columbia, Marmot and Mountain Hardwear have popular options, normally costing around $70. Investing in good repellent wear is a smart idea, considering the unpredictability of precipitation in this city.
Denim
Leather
Denim jackets are known for their classic, comfortable feel and look, and they also match a wide array of outfits. Whether headed to a social gathering in a sundress and sandals or going to work in khakis and a button-up top, denim jackets can almost always complete an ensemble. Playful light-wash styles with rips and tears display a laidback look, while fitted, darkwash pieces are suitable for more professional settings. H&M carries a particularly diverse collection of jean jackets that is sure to meet anyone’s denim needs ($20-$40).
Solid-colored leather jackets are very versatile. This timehonored multipurpose piece can be the finishing element to a number of looks. Chances are you will wear this piece often, as it will likely remain in the fashion scene for a while. Forever 21 offers a variety of faux leather jackets in colors such as black, navy and light pink ($16-$40).
Patterned Blazer Patterned blazers are not quite as dynamic as jean jackets, but add a fun, flirty touch to spring-inspired ensembles. Layering a solid-colored dress or shirt with a bright floral blazer will add style and liveliness in an outfit. This style can be found at clothing stores such as ASOS ($42).
Cardigan Lastly, cardigans can complement any outfit and are appropriate for any occasion. Whether you need to dress a number up or give it a cozy, loose touch, cardigans can do the trick. Nearly all stores, including Zara and J. Crew, offer this basic in a variety of textiles and colors. For a more affordable option, check out H&M’s selection of knit cardigans that range from $8 to $15. Maggie O’Neill is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
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