NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 47
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013
nyunews.com
Petition targets Wasserman internships By NICOLE BROWN
Last week, two NYU students started an online petition to stop the Wasserman Center for Career Development from posting certain unpaid internships. Tisch sophomore Christina Isnardi, one of the organizers of the petition, defined illegal unpaid internships as those that require academic credit, but either treat interns as full-time employees who would normally be paid, or require them to perform menial labor with no educational value. In his article in the New York Law Journal, “Unpaid Internships Under Legal Scrutiny,” NYU professor of law Samuel Estreicher said that unpaid internships should not simply benefit the employer, but also provide interns with skills that will benefit them in a specific field. “To satisfy Labor Department concerns, managers should be reminded that unpaid interns will be joining their department
PETITION continued on PG. 3
Wi-Fi service expands to 30 stations
The MTA plans to provide Wi-Fi and cell phone service to all New York City subway stations within the next three years. By FAY LIN Subway riders can now look forward to checking email, sending text messages and making calls from underground stations, as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority expanded Wi-Fi and cell phone service to 30 additional stations last Thursday.
According to CBS New York, the plan to provide wireless service began when Wi-Fi was tested at six stations last year. The MTA plans to have all subway stations wired by 2016. The stations now equipped with Wi-Fi and cell service include subway stations from 14th to 96th Street in Manhattan as well stations at Times
NYU alumna talks being Tribeca’s youngest director By JEREMY GROSSMAN
For any filmmaker, having your work premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival is an incredible feat. But Tisch alumna Emily Harrold has accomplished something beyond even that. Harrold, only 22 years old and a member of NYU’s class of 2012, was the youngest director at this year’s festival. Harrold’s short documentary, “Reporting on the Times: The New York Times and the Holocaust,” premiered at Tribeca on April 20. The documentary, which exposes the truth behind The New York Times’ lack of coverage during the Holocaust — despite being a Jewish-run newspaper — is inspired by Laurel Leff’s book “Buried by the Times” and was featured at the Student Academy Awards in 2012.
RACHEL LIQUINDOLI FOR WSN
Tribeca is an entirely different experience, especially when you’re the youngest filmmaker there. “It was crazy,” Harrold said. “When I first found out I was the youngest, I was totally overwhelmed. Tribeca is such a preeminent festival, and I was nervous about stacking up.” “But it was really great,” she added. “I had the opportunity to meet a lot of successful directors, and I was continually impressed by how down-to-earth everyone was.” “In the end, we are all filmmakers, very excited to have our films playing at Tribeca,” Harrold added. Still, Harrold admitted that the festival did have its difficulties. “By far, the biggest challenge was fitting everything into a short amount of
HARROLD continued on PG. 5
Square, Rockefeller Center and Columbus Circle. These 36 stations were chosen based on their ridership. The average annual ridership of one of these networked stations is approximated to be around 7 million customers per station. According to a press release by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, design work has already
begun on the next 40 stations in Midtown and Queens and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014. Stations soon to be equipped include Flushing–Main Street, Grand Central and Herald Square. Jared Leavitt, a spokesman for Transit Wireless, the company
SUBWAY continued on PG. 3
K-pop popularizes Korean beauty By ARIANA DIVALENTINO
Decades ago, we would not have seen Americans idolizing South Korean pop stars and actresses alongside our own national starlets. But thanks to the Internet, people everywhere are following Korean pop culture and the flawless faces that headline it. Music groups like Girls’ Generation have achieved international fame not only by performing and releasing albums in various languages and countries but also in large part through international word-of-mouth and the sharing of online videos. K-pop now has its own chart on Billboard’s website, and there are numerous English-
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Girls Generation is of one of K-pop’s most popular groups. language Korean pop culture and beauty websites. BB cream, made popular by Korean celebrities, has spread to American markets as well, and users of Korean brands
such as Skin 79 and Missha still claim their superiority over Western copycats. Most K-pop boy bands and
KPOP continued on PG. 4
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE STAFF PLAYLIST We here at WSN face some long nights so that we can produce a daily student newspaper for the NYU community. Bleary-eyed and sleep-deprived, we turn to the power of music. For the semester’s final playlist, we present the 15 most-played songs in the WSN office. “Pusher Love Girl” — Justin Timberlake “Sail” — AWOLNATION “Radioactive” — Imagine Dragons “You Make My Dreams” — Hall and Oates “Just Give Me a Reason” — Pink “Some Nights” — fun. “Cups” — Anna Kendrick “Out of My League” — Fitz and the Tantrums “Crazy In Love” — Beyoncé “Misery Business” — Paramore “Sunday Morning” — Maroon 5 “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” — Fall Out Boy “Funeral” — Band of Horses “Too Old to Die Young” — Brother Dege “What Makes A Good Man?” — The Heavy
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IN AND OF
THE CITY
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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.
COMPILED BY THE
WSN STAFF
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Editor-in-Chief JONATHON DORNBUSH Managing Editor
AMY ZHANG Web Managing Editor
HANQING CHEN 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
university KEVIN BURNS, NEELA QADIR city/state EMILY BELL,
ANDREW KARPAN books/theater OLIVIA GEORGE film JEREMY GROSSMAN entertainment ALEX GREENBERGER music ALEXANDRIA ETHRIDGE the highlighter blog SAM RULLO features HELEN HOLMES, JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU beauty & style MICHELLE LIM dining ANGEL CHANG sports FRANCISCO NAVAS multimedia REBECCA CLEMENTI, JOON LEE
VIA FLICKR.COM
OPINION PAGE opinion editor
SAMEER JAYWANT deputy opinion editors
EDWARD RADZIVILOVSKIY, RAQUEL WOODRUFF
AMY ZHANG FOR WSN
SNAPSHOT
METS GAME DELAYED DUE TO VOMITING UMPIRE A Mets game against the Philadelphia Phillies last week was delayed because the home-plate umpire walked off the field due to vomiting. The umpire had apparently swallowed his chewing tobacco. — GOTHAMIST ONE WORLD TRADE SPIRE POSTPONED Due to inclement weather on Monday, the previously planned installation of the spire for One World Trade was postponed. The skyscraper, already the tallest building in the country, will top out at 1,776 feet. — USA TODAY LADY AND THE TRAMP STAMP Temporary tattoos have become a new trend in dog grooming. Celebrity dog-groomer, Jorge Bendersky, whose clientele is rooted on the Upper East Side, started offering the service to pets with short hair. — DNAINFO
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KAITLYN O’BRIEN SALES REPRESENTATIVE
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NANCI HEALY
JUSTINE THE BEAVER RESCUED FROM THE EAST RIVER A beaver named Justine was rescued off the shore of the East River. Found starving and sick, she was cared for by a Long Island couple. Today she was released back to where she belongs, in the Bronx River. — VILLAGE VOICE
A rainbow settles across Niagara Falls as tourists visit the popular vacation destination.
PHOTO BY JORDAN MELENDREZ
LONGER SCHOOL DAYS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS Next fall, over 2,000 New York City sixth graders will have 2.5 hours of class time added to their school days. The extra hours will feature tutoring and educational programs run by The After-School Corporation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to extend school hours nationwide. — NEWSDAY
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EDITORIAL ADVISER
KEITH LEIGHTY EDITORS-AT-LARGE
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, APRIL 30, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SUBWAY continued from PG. 1
MTA wifi service extends to rider-chosen subway stations
running the project, said that providing wireless service represents another step toward modernization for the subway. “[This plan] is part of the MTA’s ongoing commitment to bring our 109-year-old subway system into the 21st century with new technology and ways for customers to get information in real time,” Leavitt said. A variety of wireless companies and cell phone carriers, such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Boingo Wireless, sponsored the project, as well as a number of construction and installation contractors and hardware suppliers. Sprint and Verizon Wireless are also expected to join the project. Currently, subway stations in other cities, such as Boston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Philadelphia also provide WiFi and cell service. However, Leavitt expects the project in New York City to be one of the the largest and most state-ofthe-art in the country.
Cuomo also explained that implementing Wi-Fi in underground metro stations is one of the MTA’s many technological efforts to modernize the city’s public transportation. Bus Time, a new service that provides real-time bus tracking information, is currently operational for parts of the city and expected to be finished by spring 2014. CAS freshman Edward Hennis views the Wi-Fi plan as a successful method to develop the city as a whole. “The idea of free Wi-Fi in the subway sounds like a great means of boosting connectivity in the city, especially since almost everywhere else in New York City has readily accessible Wi-Fi,” Hennis said. “It will be interesting to see how it works out over time, especially since the system will have different [wireless] providers.” Fay Lin is a staff writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
PETITION continued from PG. 1
Students petition against illegal Wasserman internship postings
to learn and not as much to supplement the regular work force,” he said in the article. However, the students are not against all unpaid internships. “There are plenty of unpaid internships on CareerNet that are perfectly legal under existing labor laws and give valuable, professional experiences to interns,” Isnardi said. “These include unpaid internships for non-profits and government, and internships at for-profits that follow the criteria outlined in the Fair Labor Standards Act.” Under the FLSA, the U.S. Department of Labor developed a list of six factors to determine if an intern should be paid minimum wage. Professor Tom Gerety agrees that the primary benefit of the internship must be for the intern. “A good internship should have definite training and educational objectives,” Gerety said. “It should involve work, of course, but not work that the employer would otherwise have to hire someone for.” Wasserman assistant vice president Trudy Steinfeld said the center understands the students’ concerns and will always advocate for students. “We think that students in most cases should be compensated whenever possible, but there are situations and industries that do not commonly pay for internships,” Steinfeld said. However, she said Wasserman does not want to take away op-
portunities for students. “We have so many other students in certain fields that if they do not intern it’s very hard for them to break into those industries,” Steinfeld said. Steinfeld explained that unpaid internships can help students secure jobs in the future, and freshmen especially want opportunities to gain experience. Wasserman recognizes the concerns about certain internships, though, and has a system that checks whether internships are credible. NYU is also part of a network with other top universities that advise each other on which internships are reputable. But Isnardi said Wasserman should not encourage students to take these internships. “Many students, eager to gain experience in their fields, willingly take full-time unpaid internships without knowing or caring that their labor is being abused, or that their rights are being violated,” she said. “I’m hoping to put an end to this abusive practice by enforcing the labor laws that already exist.” As of press time, the petition has around 450 signatures. Isnardi said their goal is to have 1,000 signatures by finals week. After that, they will present the petition to Wasserman. Nicole Brown is investigative editor. Email her at nbrown@nyunews.com.
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Relay for Life raises thousands, culminates this weekend By AMANDA ZAMBITO
More than 72 teams of students have raised over $107,000 for NYU’s 11th annual Relay For Life fundraiser that will take place this weekend. Relay For Life, organized by the American Cancer Society, is an overnight fundraiser for cancer research and treatment. Many NYU student organizations — clubs, fraternities, sororities and residence halls — are still fundraising for the event, which will be held at Coles Sports Center from May 4 to 5. Students, parents and alumni are also welcome to attend. At the event, teams will set up campsites to engage in additional fundraising. Participants can join in a raffle to win donated prizes, or they can play basketball, volleyball and other sports and games. There will be three ceremonies during the event titled Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back. “It’s a great event,” said Andrew Ark, an LSP sophomore and external vice president of Pi Kappa Alpha, one of the fraternities participating in the fundraiser. “People come together to help out the cause, and you get to spend time with your friends. It’s a good time that benefits the community.” Pi Kappa Alpha has raised
$4,536 so far, and last year the fraternity raised over $25,000 — the most money of any team. Matt Parvin, an alumnus of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, brought Relay For Life to NYU in 2002 after being diagnosed with cancer. Since then, the event has raised over $1.3 million for the American Cancer Society. Last year the event brought in $192,000 and was named the Top Collegiate Relay Event in the Eastern Division. “Relay at NYU has been the national leader in online fundraising and has paved the way for what it is today,” said Emily Soukas, a CAS senior and team leader for Colleges Against Cancer. “We also consistently have one of the highest average dollar amounts raised per person.” Colleges Against Cancer has raised over $10,000, currently second only to Zeta Beta Tau Gamma, a fraternity that has raised $20,000. The American Cancer Society’s goal is $100 per person, which Soukas said is easily attainable. “All it takes is to ask. People will really surprise you with their generosity,” Soukas said. “Everyone is affected by cancer in one way or another, so you never know who will want to support you.”
Rubin residence hall team leader Richard Perez has helped organize some of the hall’s fundraising activities, including a male beauty pageant known as Mr. Rubin and a food delivery service called Rubin Saturdays. For some, Relay For Life is an integral part of their NYU experience. LSP freshman Allison Flom, who has been active with Relay For Life since high school, is the top individual fundraiser this year with $6,000. “NYU’s relay is special because it’s almost a subculture here,” Flom said. “You can go up to almost any student [at the Relay event] and ask what their story is, and they’ll definitely have something to say.” Soukas also said she sees Relay For Life as a time when NYU students can connect with one another. “The support that is shared at a Relay For Life event is unlike anything I’ve ever seen or experienced,” Soukas said. “I love that at a school as large as NYU, we can all come together as one community ... and rally in the fight against cancer.” Additional reporting by Veronica Carchedi. Amanda Zambito is a contributing writer. Email them at cstate@nyunews.com.
Student hosts drive to encourage potential bone marrow donors By NEELA QADIR
Students will have the opportunity to be involved in a campaign that saves lives with NYU College of Nursing senior Kathryn Rice’s bone marrow drive for leukemia patients, which will take place May 5 to 10. “Unlike other campaigns against cancer, the fight to end leukemia is not as well known,” Rice said. “For example, the pink ribbon is automatically identified with breast cancer awareness and survival. Leukemia does not really have that recognizability, especially in regard to the process of bone marrow donation.” Rice’s interest started after attending a program hosted by the College of Nursing called the Understanding Organ, Tissue and Bone Marrow Donation Program. She later developed the idea to organize a bone marrow drive when she shadowed nurses at Bellevue Hospital. “I really connected with the patients and began to see them beyond their cancer diagnosis [and instead] as real people with lives and families and hopes for the future,” Rice said. “After spending time in the clinic and on the oncology unit, I knew I wanted to help on a larger scale.” Rice held a smaller drive last year in Coral Towers residence hall, where she successfully registered 30 residents. This year she hopes to ex-
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Leukemia is a form of cancer that is located in blood cells. pand the drive to at least 100 people. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in bone marrow and is found in the blood cells. In adults, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia are the most common types. In children, the most common form is acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Of the few known cures to leukemia, bone marrow donation is one of most important. The registration process for donors to the bone marrow registry involves testing whether a person’s tissue type matches a patient’s type. Improvements in treatment and bone marrow donation have led to a significant five-year survival rate. “I think the bone marrow drive is an outstanding public health initiative,” College of Nursing professor Cheryl Nadeau said. “If even one
person were to donate bone marrow, it would be worthwhile as it may result in a life being saved.” According to the National Bone Marrow Donor Program, 70 percent of patients cannot find a donor in their family and look to bone marrow registries for a chance at a longer life. But the lack of information about bone marrow transplantation has resulted in a small number of people in the national registry. The drive will be taking place in the Kimmel Center for University Life, as well as in four dorms — Coral Towers, Palladium, Third Avenue North and University residence halls. The kickoff event is at Coral Towers this Sunday. Neela Qadir is a deputy university editor. Email her at nqadir@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
BEAUTY AND STYLE
EDITED BY MICHELLE LIM BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Shift overalls from everyday look to smart staple
By MARINA ZHENG
Tomboy
Overalls aren’t only for toddlers and construction workers. A huge hit on the spring 2013 runways, this tricky item is surprisingly easy to rock on the streets. The myriad of fabric, prints and color choices for this item makes it super versatile. Here are four awesome looks for tomboys and girly-girls.
Day: Overalls are surprisingly super comfortable, especially soft denim options. For those who prefer something more laidback, wear them over your favorite oversized T-shirt. Throw on a pair of perfectly broken-in sneakers, accessorize with a beanie, and you’ll emulate downtown cool. For the chilly days, try layering on a leather jacket for the perfect effortlessly grungy modeloff-duty look.
Night: When nighttime rolls around, it’s time to swap out the denim for edgy leather. But this doesn’t mean you have to trade in comfort. Layer under an unfussy body-conscious crop top. As for shoes, skip out on the ankle-breaking stilettos and opt for some chunky platforms — they provide the height without the pain. Slather on some red lipstick for a finishing touch.
Night: White and black is a popular color combo for this spring. One can achieve a dressy look by pairing some white overalls with a contrasting dark colored blouse. Finish the ensemble with chic ankle booties and delicate jewelry. There’s nothing more elegant than a minimalist approach to styling a statement-making piece. Marina Zheng is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com. RACHEL LIQUINDOLI FOR WSN
DAY
Girly-girl
Day: What better way to be flirty for spring than with some floral overalls? The trick here is to balance the boyish shape of the overalls with feminine pieces. Don’t shy away from mixing and matching prints. Wear one with a billowy polka-dotted or striped button-down top, strappy sandals, and then accessorize with a girly headband. For some added warmth, throw on a preppy schoolgirl blazer.
DAY
NIGHT
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KPOP continued from PG. 1
South Korean pop music celebrities create waves in international style scene
girl groups are arranged by record labels — much like their American counterparts of the 1990s — and their images tend to be as carefully engineered as the music itself. Plastic surgery is not uncommon. In fact, K-pop has been suggested as the cause for a recent spike in adolescent cosmetic surgery in South Korea. Olga Fedorenko, an NYU professor of East Asian studies, focuses her research on socio-cultural anthropology and Korean studies. She sees that the South Korean celebrities closely monitor their physical appearances to increase their fan base.
“Perfecting one’s appearance via plastic surgery is on the same continuum as maintaining a fit body through exercise,” Fedorenko said. “A failure to take care of one’s looks is thus often perceived as a failure of self-discipline and self-care, and thus a signal that the ‘not beautiful’ individual is deserving of lesser social opportunities.” Thomas Looser, a professor of East Asian studies, sees K-pop beauty standards as relating directly to the overall style of the music. “The use of plastic surgery, or hair dye or even just clothing
are really all just shifting variations within the more globalized expectations of the highly produced, very spectacle-like culture of Asian pop music,” Looser said. “People expect it to be formalized: choreography of dance as much as the formulaic quality of image, and that’s what helps people to identify with it.” CAS freshman Cindy Li is a fan of K-pop, citing girl group 2NE1 and soloist Lee Hyori as notable figures. Li is well aware of the extreme beauty standards. “They’re not really popular style icons, as much as trying to adhere to a certain style for their fan base
and fashion magazines,” Li said. “There are ideal beauty looks, [such as a] small face, big eyes with double lids, small pointed nose and different body lines, that are emphasized in society.” Fedorenko points to social, cultural and political influences on Korean beauty standards. “The demands on celebrities are a reflection of the importance of physical appearance in South Korea, which has been described by local observers as ‘lookism’ and is attributed to various factors — from tough competition for employment and social opportunities to neocolonial veneration of Caucasian fea-
tures, such as big eyes and fair skin.” Li agrees and finds the beauty standards harmful in several ways. “It’s in tune with white imperialism, especially with the increased U.S. geopolitical influence in the Pacific, creating the wish to be as white as possible,” Li said. “Everything is geared toward trying to make them buy products and make themselves look different, not because the individual wants to but because society wants them to.” Ariana DiValentino is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY JOSH JOHNSON ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
‘Veep,’ ‘Nashville’ lead spring’s underrated shows By JAKE FOLSOM
Blockbuster television shows often seem like they are more than the sum of their parts. With a certain visibility, television shows can even turn into cultural currency, becoming fuel for everyday small talk or Twitter hashtags. Alongside the many lauded TV shows of late, there are critically hailed gems lurking beneath the surface. Compared to titans like “Mad Men” and “Game of Thrones,” these underrated series are not as included in popular discourse. While HBO has a lightning rod in “Girls,” the network also features the less appreciated “Veep.” “Girls” is often said to be a subversive take on “Sex and the City,” swapping idyllic boyfriends for troubled ones and the glamorous Upper East Side for grimy Brooklyn. “Veep” does something similar with another series from the early 2000s — Aaron Sorkin’s “The West Wing.” “The West Wing” presented an idealized reflection of the Clinton years, featuring an exceedingly intelligent Democratic president with a good heart. But “Veep” pulls back this facade, harshly satirizing the doublespeak of Washington politics and the 24-hour news cycle. The leading lady, Vice President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), acts like a buffoon. The veep’s stump speeches are emotional drivel, and she makes shocking, nasty comments when behind closed doors. Where President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) of “The West Wing” walked through the Oval Office with purpose
and aplomb, Meyer stumbles with every step. For those who can’t flip past CNN fast enough when channel surfing, “Veep” is sure to entertain. ABC’s “Nashville,” another underrated series, is a refurbishment of the soap opera. The show tells the story of established country star Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton), who is threatened by the blossoming career of Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), a singer popular among the teeny-bopper subset. So much of “Nashville” feels informed by the histrionics of cheesy soap opera fare from the 80s, namely “Dallas” and “Dynasty,” but it refuses to go where those shows did. Where Krystle and Alexis Carrington from “Dynasty” fought brutally, Jaymes and Barnes are forced to collaborate on a concert tour. “Nashville” realistically portrays their frenemy relationship, as the two vacillate between loathing and tolerating each other. In this way, “Nashville” resists the cliché but misses none of the drama — the plot twists are numerous but often unpredictable. The fate of the series itself is sometimes just as unpredictable, and such was the case with HBO’s “Enlightened,” which met its end earlier this year. With the advent of artful television, it is unavoidable that some favorites fall by the wayside. Remember “Enlightened.” Spread the word for vulnerable favorites while you still can. Jake Folsom is a staff writer. Email him at entertainment@nyunews.com.
HARROLD continued from PG. 1
NYU alum Harrold screens documentary short at Tribeca
time,” Harrold said. “Tribeca runs for 11 days, and we, the filmmakers, are squeezing in as many films, parties and meetings as possible. It is the supreme balancing act. But, as NYU students know, running on little sleep can also be super liberating. I have walked up to and spoken to people I never would have otherwise.” For all the big names that Harrold was able to meet at the festival, Danny Strong, actor and NYU professor best known for his work on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” may stand out the most in Harrold’s memory. Strong presented the Jury Mention Award to Harrold in the festival’s Student Category. “Danny Strong, who I immediately recognized from ‘Gilmore Girls,’ began to speak about a film that really stood out to [the jurors] and brought attention to the world of journalism and one of the biggest newspapers,” Harrold said. “It was sort of an out-of-body experience. I’m not sure it has really sunk in.” The experience isn’t over, as Harrold will be holding New York screenings in the coming months. She is
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also excited to continue working on new projects, particularly one about a woman named Miriam Moskowitz, a 96-year-old felon who was suspected of being a communist spy in the 1950s. Having had the experience of a lifetime, Harrold feels prepared for all her future filmmaking endeavors. “When I think about who I was and what I thought I was capable of even a year ago, I am very amazed by how far I have come,” Harrold said. “I now feel I can call myself a filmmaker.” Jeremy Grossman is film editor. Email him at jgrossman@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF EMILY HARROLD
“Reporting” explores The Times’ coverage of the Holocaust era.
‘Pippin’ revival brings big top to Broadway By OLIVIA GEORGE
Maybe it is true that nothing is perfect, but in her revival of “Pippin,” Diane Paulus “nearly came near,” to quote the show’s finale lyrics. The musical, written by Stephen Schwartz when he was in his early 20s, will hit close to home for the college crowd. It follows the life of recent university graduate Pippin as he struggles to find something extraordinary to do with his life. Although his version of the so-called real world may include acts of magic and a king for a father, he still deals, rather clumsily, with the same troubles facing all new young adults trying to find out who they are. The show is narrated by the Leading Player (Patina Miller), who has come with her theater troupe to tell the story of Pippin. This device plays an important part in contributing to the idea of fantasy versus reality, a major theme in the show. “Pippin” deals with other grand themes, including the meaning of life, love and what having magic in your life truly implies. Such extravagant concerns can only be tackled by a musical, which is an over-the-top medium by its nature. Terrence Mann and Charlotte D’Amboise, real-life husband and wife, star opposite each other as Pippin’s royal parents, and they both deliver impeccable comedic performances, as does the entire cast. Matthew James Thomas, in the title role, perfectly marries the wide-eyed naivete of his age with the characteristic accompanying fear. His smooth vocals on his first solo “Corner of the Sky” signal to the audience early on that this is going to be a special performance. Patina Miller, as the Leading Player, is a veritable powerhouse, easily measuring up to the iconic Ben Vereen, who originated the role. Her execution of the Bob Fosse-style choreography, particularly during the “Manson Trio” in “Glory,” an
anti-war ballad, is sharp and haunting. But the clear standout of the cast is Andrea Martin, in the role of Pippin’s grandmother, whose rendition of “No Time at All” yielded at this particular performance a rare mid-show standing ovation. The 66-year-old belts the last verse of the song hanging upside down from a trapeze, proclaiming quite appropriately, “I believe if I refuse to grow old/I can stay young till I die.” The circus elements of the show, courtesy of Gypsy Snyder and her troupe Les 7 Doigts de la Main, are miles beyond impressive. The feats of the performers are practically superhuman and require strength and flexibility that have to be seen to be believed. And don’t look for the wires — they aren’t there. “Pippin” is now playing at the Music Box Theatre, located at 239 W. 45th St. Olivia George is theater/books editor. Email her at ogeorge@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF JOAN MARCUS FOR MUSIC BOX THEATRE
Patina Miller plays the Leading Player, the narrator who tells Pippin’s story.
Guided By Voices keep rocking on 20th album
By DAVID SZEMIS
To say that Guided by Voices has a prolific recorded catalog would be an understatement. After releasing three albums in the last year alone, the band hasn’t wasted any time with its latest effort, “English Little League,” an album of 17 brandnew tracks. “English Little League” marks GBV’s 20th album, an astonishing feat for the band’s primary songwriter and frontman Robert Pollard. This record carries more heft than some of the band’s other efforts. Critics and fans will make the inevitable comparisons between “English Little League” and GBV’s earlier work, wondering if they’ve abandoned their original sound and evolved or stayed true to their roots. Even without an extensive knowledge of GBV’s discography, it is apparent that GBV has not let their early fans fall
to the wayside. “English Little League” screams ’90s alternative, featuring unpolished guitar riffs and low-fi vocals. There are many notable musical gems on the album, like “Noble Insect,” which allows for some classic rock organ and guitar strumming to shine. “Islands (She Talks In Rainbows)” contains beautiful vocals that could have been ripped out of the 1960s, and a familiar melody reminiscent of GBV’s previous work. While each song has its own unique sound, “Taciturn Caves” is the standout. The fuzzy guitars echoing behind Pollard’s reverbed voice are both intimidating and entertaining. Not every song is a winner, though. Some, such as “Biographer Seahorse,” are drab and unmemorable. While a few songs fall short, the majority of them are interesting at the very least, and many are welcome reminders of alternative rock’s past. Repeat listens of this album will be rewarded by
increased appreciation. In this age of one-hit wonders and overnight successes, Guided By Voices has somehow managed to stay relevant. “English Little League” has enough layers for fans to peel back and enjoy, and there is enough variety within the album that you will forget they’ve released 19 other albums before this one. Pollard proves again that quantity and quality are not mutually exclusive. David Szemis is a contributing writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF GUIDED BY VOICES INC.
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Crossword Across 1 “Back in Black” band 5 Biggest diamond? 8 Arnaz and Ball’s production company 14 Title Seuss character who speaks for trees 16 Prefaces 17 “Wow, he survived!” 18 Walked with purpose 19 Bowling unit 20 AOL and Comcast 22 “Hulk” director Lee 23 Airline guess, for short 24 Depot: Abbr. 26 “Wow, you’re a regular expert at turning right!” 29 Jacob’s twin 31 Horrified 33 Yucatán year
34 Renée Zellweger’s role in “Chicago” 36 Door swinger 38 “Wow, those reptiles have mad hops!” 42 Handed out cards 43 April 1 gag 44 Texter’s expression of surprise 45 Shortly 48 Succumbs to gravity 52 “Wow, look at that bovine idol!” 54 Triumphant shout 56 Half of a disapproving rebuke 57 Previously named 58 Ticked (off) 60 Long, disapproving look 62 Jackson with two Best Actress Oscars
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61 Thor’s archenemy in comics 62 Satellite-based navigation aid, for short
55 Like some wines 63 One of three in and cheeses an ellipsis 59 Iberian Peninsula river 65 Gangster’s gun
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY SAMEER JAYWANT OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
DISCOVERY
NYU professor’s research should be continued By JOSEPH MANAGO
I am belatedly expressing my heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends and associates of the late Dr. Fleur Strand, author, philanthropist and research professor of biology and neural science at NYU, whom I had known as a doctoral teaching fellow in her physiology course. What is inspirational is her pioneering physiological research on laboratory rats of the neuropeptide concept that ACTH, the hormone that regulates the adrenal glands, has a physiological effect on nerves and muscles, and that the offspring of women who smoke or are exposed to high levels of stress during pregnancy have a higher risk of psychosexual problems — such as reduced libido — later in life. Dr. Strand’s basic experimental protocol is applicable to prospective research projects on animal models of human gender identity disorders. This is when gender identity differs from the genetic, endocrinologic and anatomic sex (Benjamin, “The Transsexual Phenomenon,” 1966). Neurobiological studies on humans support the concept that gender identity develops as a consequence of a neuroendocrinological interaction between the developing brain and sex hormones. In terms of
histological evidence, it has been demonstrated that both male and female transsexuals exhibit a form of brain hermaphroditism. This means that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of the limbic system, known as the BSTc, is structurally opposite to the transsexual’s genetic and genital sex. Therefore, the major neuronal population in the BSTc is related to the neurophysiology of transsexualism, as it is neurally correlated with transgendered identity. Since the BSTc of the limbic system of the rat is essential to rodent sexual behavior, possesses estrogen and androgen receptors, and manifests sex differences in the size and number of BSTc neurons which are influenced by gonadal steroids during development, it is an excellent replica for experimental investigations of my theoretical proposal of the transgender hypothesis of the biological basis of gender identity disorders. Further, my
theory of gender identity hypothesizes that transsexualism is potentially reversible through stem cell transplantation, in vivo induction of neurogenesis and molecular genetic procedures with viral vectors. It is true that no psychotherapeutic “cures” for the spectrum of gender and sexual identities constitute evidencebased clinical practice — EBP — at the present time. The current treatment method is sexual reassignment surgery, yet animal models in the rat, as vigorously employed by Dr. Strand in her studies, are a prerequisite to the clinical trials on the causes of gender identity disorder and the efficacy of stem cell therapies, thus precluding the need for surgical reconstructions. We need to expand Dr. Strand’s pioneering neurophysiological studies in rodents to answer these major questions of gender identity. Unfortunately, at the time of my association with Fleur at NYU, I did not conceive of the transgender hypothesis to experimentally test the empirical consequences. Nevertheless, a rose by any other name is still a rose. Rest in peace, fleur de NYU: Fleur Strand. Joseph Manago is a former NYU professor. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
WORKERS’ RIGHTS
Factory regulations must be revamped
By SHAMIR TANNA
The garment factory collapse in Bangladesh this past week was absolutely horrific. There have been 380 reported deaths, with many more still unaccounted for. Since the incident, there has been outrage by the masses in Bangladesh, and the factory owner — as well as others — have finally been arrested. Unfortunately, this does not assume enough accountability and does not decrease the chance of such an event occurring again. This is a systemic issue and the entire culture surrounding manufacturing standards needs to change from top to bottom. The government and industry in Bangladesh need to take the leadership role, but any change must also include North America, as we are major stakeholders. The answer is not shutting down those factories, which are directly producing clothes that we buy every day. Nor should we strive to equalize the level of workplace quality compared to American factories. That is not realistic and would put Bangladesh’s economic development at risk. Undoubtedly, one of its current comparative economic advantages is cheap labor, and its factories and
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the country depend on this, as 80 percent of the nation’s exports are now from the garment industry. It has been a critical factor in igniting amazing economic progress, including the country’s highest growth rates, liberating nearly 3 million people from being bound to subsistence farming, and doubling minimum wages in cities from 2006 levels. This type of development has been a starting point for various higher-income countries, and it will continue to keep Bangladesh on the path towards high-skilled industries and jobs. This is not an opinion — this is history and the numbers talking. However, the loss of hundreds of lives need not be a necessary evil on this path. Multinational corporations and governments around the world still have the ability to improve very poor working conditions without forcing labor costs to rise by any dis-
cernable amount in Bangladesh or anywhere else. Additionally, multinational corporations need to employ comprehensive checks for all the factories they employ immediately. These checks are estimated to cost $500,000 per year for a company in Bangladesh, an amount that is pocket change for corporations that outsource production overseas. Governments can also take a further step by reducing the unnecessarily high tariffs put on goods coming from countries like Bangladesh. They are forcing factories to cut corners as a way to be competitive. As for us, people have shown the ability to make change, even on international worker rights, when governments and companies have shown inability to take action on their own terms. Whether it’s through our purchasing power or our voice, we must be the strongest advocates possible. Let’s forget the obvious and huge humanitarian cause for a minute and look in our closets — we are the ultimate consumers, and this is our responsibility as well. Shamir Tanna is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
CIA political bribery proves unsurprising
The New York Times recently brought to light the CIA’s decade-long practice of secretly funneling tens of millions of dollars to the Karzai government in Afghanistan. Newly discovered accounts of stealthy cash dropoffs directly to Karzai’s offices indicate an extensive network of political bribery, and many reports indicate the money was frequently used to further the pervasive corruption within the Afghan government. It also appears these secret payments have been notably inadequate in ameliorating U.S.-Afghan relations or constructively contributing to the demise of the Taliban insurgency. According to the article, the CIA has been pouring cash into Karzai’s office since the onset of the war effort in 2001. Even if this secret delivery of money had proved effective in buying Karzai’s support, the ethics of the ongoing operation are still in question. Over the past 12 years, however, it is clear that the CIA funds have not made Karzai or any of his top officials more cooperative in passing progressive domestic policies. The Afghan president has shown signs of mental instability and has been at best unreliable in backing the American agenda in Afghanistan. After more than a decade of clandestine cash deliveries meant to secure his loyalty and the place of American influence within his political circle, it is still largely unclear where Karzai’s loyalties lie. Continuous American support to Karzai’s administration has been called fundamental for the establishment of his authority and the prevention of Taliban insurgency. Whether Karzai has conducted his administration suitably is a delicate topic, but even in the negative case it could be worse without him. That is, in the face of Taliban and terrorist insurgency, even the maintenance of a supposedly corrupt government could be justifiable. This phenomenon is not new in international diplomacy — for example, even while protesting the way North Korea is run, China supports the North Koreans because its collapse would imply an increased American presence in the region — despite long-term adverse effects. There should be little surprise that the CIA is engaged in such reckless, unchecked behavior. Its historically stubborn insistence on pursuing an initial course of action regardless of poor results and negative externalities has once again wasted valuable funding that should be spent on productive policymaking. It is unequivocally obvious and unfortunate that our bribery of an already unstable and corrupt government has worsened instead of preserved the status quo.
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
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY MARY JANE DUMANKAYA SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
German victories signal shift in international soccer By SEBASTIEN VAN HEYNINGEN and FRANCISCO NAVAS
Germany and Spain last played in the 2010 World Cup semifinals, with Spain winning a narrow 1-0 victory on the way to its first World Cup trophy. However, in last week’s UEFA Champions League semifinal match, the German sides asserted utter dominance over their Spanish counterparts. The Champions League calls together the best teams from every league in Europe. The Spanish participants, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, currently sit at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in Spain’s La Liga. Sports commentators everywhere were salivating at the idea of an all-Spanish — or “El Clásico” — final. The storyline was already written: Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid, the two best players of the year for European club soccer, would face each other in a highly-anticipated showdown. Madrid versus Barcelona, a historically bitter matchup, would take place on a neutral field to decide which team ruled the Iberian peninsula and all of Europe. This hypothesized all-Spanish final would have come right in the midst of a historic run by Spain’s national soccer team. The Red Fury, or “La Furia Roja,” have won the last three major international tournaments. After capturing the European Championship in 2008, Spain won the 2010 World Cup and the Euro
tournament again in 2012. That streak was accompanied by similar streaks from Real Madrid and Barcelona. Barcelona has won two of the last four Champions Leagues, 2009 and 2011. Both teams made it to the semis last year. The all-Spanish final bandwagon was rolling at full speed going into the first leg of each semifinal match. Forgotten in the media circus were the two German teams in the semifinals this year. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are currently ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in Germany’s Bundesliga, and also exchanged their places from last year. The two German teams took a Panzer tank to the picture-perfect Spanish final after Bayern tied the record for goals scored against Barcelona in a Champions League match, winning 4-0. Dortmund added to Spain’s woes by blowing out Real Madrid 4-1 behind Robert Lewandowski’s record-setting four goals in a Champions League semifinal. Both Spanish teams still have the second leg of their semifinal matchups to respond, but it doesn’t look like either will be representing their country on the big stage. Real Madrid has come back from being three goals down in the Champions League only twice, and coming back from four goals is close to impossible for Barcelona. Perhaps this year’s Champions League will serve as a changing of the guard in international soccer. Germany currently sits at No. 2 in the FIFA world rankings — one
spot behind the dominant Red Fury. Will Spain be able to hold onto its place on top of the soccer world? Or will the German style be the next one to take over? At the club level a power transfer is obvious. The latter part of the last decade was a period when the English Premier League undoubtedly included the strongest teams. Their dominance transferred to La Liga. Barca was later joined by Madrid at the top of the Champions League level. Both teams were then regularly picked to defeat the English. If this pattern of change continues, soccer fans worldwide should prepare to see a newly popular Bundesliga in the next few years. Dortmund star Mario Gotze has committed to rival Bayern Munich for £32 million, while Lewandowski is rumored to do the same after he decided to leave Dortmund for a more elite club. FC Schalke 04 used the international transfer market to bring top-notch players like Klass-Jan Huntelaar, Michel Bastos and Ibrahim Afellay to Germany. German dominance will continue as long as its teams keep their most skilled players in the national league. Sebastien van Heyningen is a contributing writer. Francisco Navas is deputy sports editor. Email them at sports@nyunews.com.
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Lewandowski (above) and Arjen Robben of Munich lead their clubs.