LGBTQ THE
ISSUE
1969 THE STONEWALL RIOTS
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1980S AIDS CRISIS
1970S NYU GAY PEOPLES UNION PROTEST DISCRIMINATION
1985 NYU GAY PEOPLES UNION REJECTS FUNDING FROM NYU
1985 FIRST LESBIAN ASSIGNED TO JUDICIAL DUTY IN NYC HOUSING COURT (NYU ‘1989)
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2011 MARRIAGE EQUALITY ACT WAS PASSED
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De Blasio Announces Bike Lanes Extension By SIERRA JACKSON Contributing Writer
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a plan to extend the current bike lanes on 8th Street from Astor Place to Sixth Avenue on Sept. 13 as a continuation of his Vision Zero project to improve safety conditions for cyclists. Amongst NYU students, there is a pre-existing need for more bike lanes. Many students, like CAS graduate student Kilian Breathnach, believe that biking, skateboarding and blading save both time and money compared to traveling by subway, cab or bus. “Biking is the superior mode of transportation here,” Breathnach said. “I live six to seven miles from campus, depending on the route I take, and it takes me around 30 minutes to bike it whereas the subway takes at least 35 to 40 — and that’s with no delays.” Citi Bike, which offers unlimited 30 minute rides for a day at the price of $12, and NYU’s no cost BikeShare program, also serve as viable options for those searching for cheap means of transportation. However, Gallatin freshman Ingrid Apgar said she believes
these alternative traveling methods can spell danger for students who must face New York City traffic. “Biking in New York is nerve-wracking because so much of your safety is in the hands of other people and their choices, rather than it being completely on you to reach your destination uninjured,” Apgar said. In fact, this year there have already been 17 fatalities involving a cyclist and a motor vehicle. However, these stats don’t seem to deter New Yorkers as more than 250,000 people ride a bike regularly, according to NYC’s Department of Transportation. CAS freshman Matthew Park is a competitive cyclist and finds New York City roads too dangerous for his cycling training. He often travels far distances to search for level roads and clearly defined bike lanes. “In general New York is not a safe place to ride at all and I have to cross the bridge to New Jersey in order to ride my bike properly,” Park said. “The roads in New York have a lot of potholes and [are] just never properly paved so it’s not ideal. I noticed that pedestrians do not care about the traffic lights at all and the bike lanes here are
CRIME LOG Sept. 18 to Sept. 22 By ABRAHAM GROSS Deputy News Editor The NYU Department of Public Safety received four reports of larceny, two reports of criminal mischief, two reports of harassment, one report of forcible fondling and one report of domestic violence between Sept. 18 and 22.
Criminal Mischief On Sept. 22 at 11:50 a.m., a staff member reported damage to a locked storage closet in the Puck building. On Sept. 22 at 3:15 p.m., a staff member reported intentional damage to a dorm room dresser in Weinstein Hall. The incident has been referred to the Office of Community Standards.
Larceny
Harassment
On Sept. 18 at 8:30 p.m., a student reported that at 6 p.m he secured his bicycle to a street sign on 18 Washington Pl. and found his bike missing when he returned at 8:20 p.m. Police notification was declined. On Sept. 19 at 1:14 p.m., a student reported that his laptop went missing from a conference room in Tisch Hall. On Sept. 19 at 7:15 p.m., a faculty member reported that at 6:28 p.m. she left her wallet on a bathroom counter in Lipton Hall and discovered her identification was missing when she returned to retrieve it at 7:02 p.m. Police notification was declined. On Sept. 20 at 11:05 a.m., a student reported that at 9:05 a.m. she secured her bike to the Tisch Hall bike rack and found it missing when she returned at 10:45 a.m. A police report was filed.
On Sept. 19 at 9 a.m., a student reported verbal harassment from two NYU students at Palladium Athletic Facility. On Sept. 19 at 8:50 p.m., a student reported receiving harassing text messages from another NYU student while in Goddard Hall.
Forcible Fondling On Sept. 22, a student reported that on July 4 at 11:30 p.m. she was sexually assaulted in a Palladium dorm room. A Title IX investigation is pending.
Domestic Violence On Sept. 21 at 11:30 a.m., a student reported being assaulted by his ex-girlfriend in front of 14 Washington Pl. NYPD responded to the incident and a police report was filed.
Email Abraham Gross at agross@nyunews.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY ANNA LETSON
In a busy city like New York, safety is a biker’s biggest concern. In hopes of a good solution, many NYU students anticipate Mayor Bill de Blasio’s new plans for biker safety. pretty much non-existent.” People who get around campus on wheels, such as Apgar believe that although bike lanes are a step in the right direction, more change
must roll into the city. “I do think the new bike lanes will be helpful and give bikers better access to a safe route, but I do not see it fixing the
attitudes of the people who drive,” Apgar said.
Email Sierra Jackson at news@nyunews.com.
Blackout Spurs Diversity Talks By FATIMA MUBASHER Contributing Writer
Terrence Crutcher, Keith Lamont Scott and the names of other black and brown people who were killed by police remain prevalent in the minds of many — especially among the student of color population at NYU. Community members donned all black in commemoration of them during the NYU Together: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion event last Friday, as they grieved the lives lost at the hands of law enforcement. This event, presented by the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Task Force, is part of a larger series of events during Inauguration Celebration Week. It focuses on NYU’s legacy of inclusion, issues around diversity and policies for improvement. NYU Together also gives the NYU community an opportunity to convey its grievances and experiences to President Hamilton, Provost Fleming and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force co-chairs Charlton Mcllwain and Gabrielle Starr. During the event, President Hamilton highlighted NYU’s history of openness and accessibility, but mentioned that there is still a considerable distance to travel. He addressed the recent progress made, such as introducing the Bias Response Hotline, establishing a new Senior Diversity Officer position to be filled by February
and creating an extensive climate survey to be administered shortly. CAS senior Sana Mayat spoke at the event and alluded to the ongoing violence against black and brown people. “It’s not okay that what’s happening out there and how that impacts what’s going on in here goes unnoticed, that you have to wear all black and come out in hordes for anyone to finally look up and realize that you’re hurting,” Mayat said. After hearing from other speakers, attendees were encouraged to ask questions. Stern sophomore Prabs Anant spoke about the microaggressions faced by students of color in classroom settings. She referenced a professor from her leadership class who only used the pronouns “he” or “him” and Western names when referring to someone in a leadership position and excluding pictures of leaders that are of color from presentations. “What are we doing about inclusiveness and diversity in classrooms
where students are spending a good portion of their time?” Anant said. Towards the end of the event, a member from the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Task Force sat at each table to gain feedback from the event and gather ideas to improve the work of the Force. These included discussions around administrator and staff outcomes, barriers and communications. CAS senior, Task Force member and Vice President of the Black Student Union Angel Parker said the event was a great starting point, but more must be done on campus to promote diversity and inclusion among all NYU students. “Having conversations about these issues is important, but there also needs to be implementation,” Parker said. “The notes that my Task Force colleagues and I took today will definitely have an impact on the work that we do.”
Email Fatima Mubasher at news@nyunews.com.
PHOTO BY FATIMA MUBASHER
Following recent cases of police brutality, NYU students and staff members are responding in numerous ways.
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Hamilton Aims High at Inauguration By DIAMOND NAGA SIU News Editor
Bagpipes played on Sunday morning to commence the 16th presidential inauguration of NYU for Andrew Hamilton. The full crowd in the Skirball Center stood for the anthem, and around 70 administrators and campus leaders filed onto the stage. While many people cracked Hamilton: The Musical jokes throughout the ceremony, speakers inundated their speeches with more serious topics — most saliently, the social issues that have been at the forefront of the conversations on campus over the last few months. Here were the top three issues discussed during the inauguration:
Diversity
New York Senator Chuck Schumer sat next to Hamilton on the stage, and he started the discussion that morning surrounding diversity. He called NYU’s journey one that is a distinct American and New York story, especially regarding diversity. “Welcoming diversity has been a hallmark of NYU and of New York,” Schumer said. “[Albert Gallatin] wanted a place where the brightest minds of the next generation could be inspired and expand, regardless of their faith or background.” This past year, the university implemented the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Task Force as well as a bias hotline. NYU also hosted a diversity and inclusiveness forum in October and incorporated many conversations regarding race throughout the presidential inauguration week.
He said that the values of NYU made sure that people, regardless of their creed, could have access to a quality education. Although Schumer lauded NYU’s diverse and open background, Hamilton acknowledged that the university has been far from perfect in its diversity efforts. “How can we build a culture that respects and embraces diversity and inclusion as an indispensable element of academic excellence?” Hamilton asked during his speech. “They should be indispensable elements of an NYU education on all of our campuses.” He said that diversity will lead to higher quality debates and more excellence throughout the university. Hamilton also mentioned that if the school wants to live up to NYU’s aspirations, the school needed to do more regarding diversity and inclusion. Hamilton ironically said this on a stage where less than one-third of the people sitting on it were female, and approximately 10 people of color sat among 60 white people. When the Steinhardt string ensemble performed, the people of color population increased onstage by almost 20 percent.
Strengthening NYU Study Away Relationships
While former president John Sexton focused largely on expansion, including his 2031 plan, Hamilton said that he would put a taper on reaching out. He said that he wanted to focus the school’s efforts on what already exists at NYU, especially since Hamilton said that we are not bound to one area.
STAFF PHOTO BY ANNA LETSON
NYU inaugurated Andrew Hamilton as its 16th President on Sunday, while focusing on the university’s biggest issues and concerns, such as affordability and diversity. “We must make a priority of refining the global network,” Hamilton said. “In the long term, that means our focus should be less on further expansion and more on reaching the full potential of the exceptional global enterprise NYU has already built.” He said that there has never been a time when bold action on education has been as urgent as now, and Hamilton especially wants to strengthen the weaker academic areas, noting that science and engineering would be a focus in the near-term. This spoke to his background as a chemistry academic. “I emphasize not at the expense of other programs,” Hamilton said. “NYU’s special advantage is its
ability to fuse creative talent with technological prowess.”
Affordability
Hamilton saved affordability as one of his last big points of his speech. He reminded the audience that he stymied rate increases for housing and boasted the smallest tuition increase in 20 years from 2015-16 to 2016-17. “The plain fact is that tuition at NYU places an unacceptable financial strain on too many students,” Hamilton said. “NYU is a tuition-dependent university with a per-student endowment that is among the smallest of any private research university in the nation.” NYU’s tuition hikes and small endowment do not properly accommodate all demographics, and it has inspired action from many students.
But Hamilton does not think that should not be the case. He said that regardless of the history, the university should not be content with the status quo of an exorbitantly priced higher education. According to Hamilton, his affordability steering committee will release a plan with steps to make NYU more affordable for more students. “I urge faculty, administrators and students to be receptive to new ideas, to continue to think creatively about how to bend the curve of affordability,” Hamilton said. “We can cover the distance together all the while keeping our eyes firmly on the horizon.”
Email Diamond Naga Siu at dsiu@nyunews.com.
Adjunct Faculty Union Advocates for Rights
By MORGAN SMITH Contributing Writer
In the midst of a dynamic evolution in the NYU community — the inauguration of the college’s 16th president Andrew Hamilton — few facets of university life remain untouched. However, one unit has continued its decade-long fight over benefits for its members. The Adjunct Faculty Union, a group of professors who comprise over 60 percent of the working staff at NYU, has historically rallied for fair wages and benefits. As Hamilton begins his tenure, the group has even more goals to achieve and issues to address. Washington Square News spoke with Emily Barnett, the president of ACT-UAW Local 7902 — the union that represents adjuncts at NYU and part time faculty members at The New School. She shared her thoughts on the inauguration, student involvement and justice for adjunct faculty members as the union continues to evolve. Washington Square News: Many NYU students, specifically underclassmen, aren’t familiar with the mission of the Adjunct Faculty Union. Can you explain exactly
what the group aims to do? Emily Barnett: Our principle goal — and we’ve achieved it — is to improve the working conditions for our faculty members. We’re an amalgamated union, and we represent the part time faculty. We believe that teaching conditions are learning conditions; we really do think that it is all related. The quality of student learning is related to the ability of students to have decent working conditions. We began the union in 2002 and were recognized by the university a couple of years later; we gained our first contract at NYU in 2004 and we are now negotiating for our third contract with NYU. WSN: What do you looking to change or improve under President Hamilton’s leadership? EB: The second collective bargaining agreement expired on Aug. 31, but during negotiations, the union and the university agreed to keep it through Oct. 21, and we are currently involved in negotiation. I don’t know if the fact that [Andrew Hamilton] is the new president has changed our proposal specifically because he’s been here since January. I would say also that he is the first president
in my recollection to really acknowledge adjuncts. There was a breakfast specifically for adjuncts very shortly after he started his tenure at the university. This is something that would never have happened under the previous president. We were very pleased that he acknowledged us and our importance. We make up 60 percent of the faculty within the university. We are looking forward to his tenure and we would like to meet with him; we hope that he hears our proposals. We don’t negotiate with him directly, but you know, of course being the President, he has a voice and provides a direction. We have a number of important changes that we need to make. Aside from specific changes, we negotiate annual wages and we would like a fair wage that allows us to live and work in New York City for people to live in that aren’t wealthy. That’s one of our goals. We are also looking for an expansion of the health benefits for the adjuncts so it is more affordable. Another very important point is that the university has been shaving time off of many courses because we get paid by the teaching
contract hour. When they shave off time, that affects our salaries and well-being. Additionally, there have been many, many course cancellations recently. That happens throughout the university. They’re changing what’s called the certificate program. They’re starting something called the diploma program. We’re asking for compensation. A teacher puts a lot of time and effort into preparing a course. A teacher can’t accept an offer from another university or job because we’ve said, “we’ll be teaching Tuesday and Thursdays from one till four o’clock,” and once that course gets cancelled, we’re asking for a cancellation fee for that course because we think that’s fair. WSN: The Adjunct Faculty Union’s leaflet states that it would like NYU to “show the same commitment to its adjuncts that the adjuncts have shown to NYU.” What would this ideally look like, in the AFU’s view? EB: We work hard for the university, we spend a lot of time with our students and preparing for our courses and we want to be compensated in a way that reflects that amount of work and that kind of devotion to our students and the
university. One of our proposals is longevity raises. There are many adjuncts who’ve been at the university for 10, 20, even 30 years, so we’re asking for longevity raises for those people because they’ve devoted substantial portions of their lives to the university. Right now, adjuncts are really struggling to live. You can imagine — I’m sure you’re aware of the cost of living in the metropolitan area — and some of the adjuncts can’t afford the health insurance plan; some of them aren’t eligible for it. Some of the teaching or coaching they do isn’t included in the teaching criteria in order to be eligible for health insurance, so we’d like to expand that. We’ve contributed to NYU becoming a force of higher [education] over the last 10 years, and adjuncts constitute the majority of teachers at the university. We’d like to get some better job security too. We’re often left to wonder: are we going to teach the next semester, or not?
This interview was edited for length and clarity. Email Morgan Smith at news@nyunews.com.
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New York Film Festival: Week One By ETHAN SAPIENZA Film Editor
Every fall brings with it a run of film festivals that set up the conversation for the Oscars, and the New York Film Festival, now in its 54th year and running from Sept. 30 to Oct. 16, is always one of the biggest players. We’ll be providing coverage of the some of the films as they screen for critics, letting you know what movies are going to make the biggest impact when they hit theaters in the coming months. Ken Loach’s “I, Daniel Blake,” winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival kicked off the festival. The film’s topic is rife with relevance: working-class Britons whose frustrations with their bureaucratic government essentially ruin their lives. While likely not intentional, “Blake” gives viewers a chance to sympathize with those who voted to leave in Brexit, seeing so many blue-collar workers get tossed aside by their government and society. However, Loach’s inherently di-
dactic approach prevents the film from achieving any semblance of depth. Its intentions are clear; they leave no inference for the viewer, only a feeling of being beaten over the head. A tendency for melodrama is unnerving as well, threatening to undermine meaningful performances from Dave Johns and Hayley Squires that act as the real beating heart of the film. With a name like “The Son of Joseph,” writer-director Eugene Green seems to clearly display his intentions to allude to the Bible, but it never quite adds up. It has its core set of ideas, mostly hinged on love and parenthood as a boy (Victor Ezenfis) tries to discover who his father is, but the possibility of having substantial religious allusions ends up as more of a MacGuffin (a trick on the viewer). Indeed, the uncomfortably dry, occasionally funny film seems to derive joy from jostling the viewer, and eventually it became too much self-pleasure. “Joseph” never mounts an honest story, instead favoring humor for its own sake.
‘Body Alarm’ Hits a Nerve in the Best Way By ARIMETA DIOP Contributing Writer
On the night of Tuesday, Sept. 20, Obie Award-winning performer Winsome Brown held the first performance of her one-woman show, “Hit the Body Alarm,” at The Performing Garage. Before this, her solo endeavor titled “This is Mary Brown,” also performed and written by Brown, was warmly met by the public and critics. Expectations for this performance were therefore understandably high. As the venue’s name so vividly indicates, the stage was a large garage area with concrete floors. The set consisted primarily of sheets of plastic draped from the ceiling at various heights. The aesthetic initially brought to mind scenes from the Showtime crime-thriller “Dexter.” But later, once the performance had gotten into the thick of the narrative, the sheets of plastic came to be the perfect tool for fluid scene change. More than that, they left the exact settings of the play somewhat vague, leaving it to Brown’s impressive storytelling to flesh out the images for the audience. The lights dimmed suddenly and a brightly colored geometric image was projected onto the plastic. The next hour of performance was one of the most intense encounters anyone could ever have the pleasure of experiencing. This vivid performance was built primarily from sound design and music as well as Brown’s performance in the monologues, which included text from John Milton’s
classic novel “Paradise Lost” and James Joyce’s “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.” The best description for the music would be ambient noise or shoegaze, but also harsher sounds that were more aligned with black metal. Sound designer Sean Hagerty created the sonic landscape, and also performed live on an electric violin. The music as a whole paired perfectly with Brown’s presence on stage. The songs echoed Brown’s physicality with eerie resemblance: at times she’d squat, legs wide, and seem to be challenging the audience, and the music would do the same. Viewers visibly squirmed — in the best way — at these moments of aggressive, emotional affect. Brown has an amazing ability to put on accents and movement style, which completely leave her behind and present only the character she intends to portray. She went from being Satan in the moment of his fall from Heaven, to inmates, to a failed actress, to Eve before she fell into temptation. Through each of the characters, Brown explored ideas of prison, freedom and choice, which were remarkably relevant to the current social climate. This was the kind of piece which is meant to leave the audience still mulling over it in the train ride home, wondering about the choices of the characters and the clear message about the choices we make in the daily comings and goings of life.
Email Arimeta Diop at theater@nyunews.com.
Is it too early to declare the best film of the festival? How about the best movie of the year? Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” is intricate and nuanced, beautifully constructed and emotionally crippling. It depicts the life of a gay black man from Miami in three parts, as 10-year-old “Little” (Alex Hibbert), high schooler Chiron (Ashton Sanders) and the grown up “Black” (Trevante Rhodes). Its narrowly focused story captures universal themes in an honest, naturalized manner, working as a definitive text on loneliness, masculinity, sexuality and blackness in contemporary America. The chapters progress in a layered manner flowing from one to another, with each of the incredible performances adding remarkable depth to Chiron, making him devastatingly human. Ingenious tragedies befall him, the likes of which are effectively presented as commonplace, including father figure Juan — played by a remarkable Mahershala Ali — being revealed as the drug dealer to Chiron’s
VIA FILMLINC.ORG
A still from the film “I, David Blake” — one of the works to be screened at 54th New York Film Festival. crack-addicted mother (Naomie Harris, whose complexity cannot be overstated). It’s difficult to select the best portion of “Moonlight.” The film features limited yet always insightful dialogue, a lyrical, observational camera and moving orchestral compositions. Still, Rhodes may already be worthy of the distinction. His take on the older Chiron requires some of the most taxing, powerful work in the film, all of
which he carefully delivers in a tangible, never sensationalized manner. Rhodes carefully balances character developments with older tendencies, revealing them in ways that are precise and telling of Chiron’s state. It’s the final piece to a film that fires on all cylinders — a masterpiece that informs and devastates.
Email Ethan Sapienza at esapienza@nyunews.com.
Adele Performs Soulful Confessions By DAKSHAYANI SHANKAR Contributing Writer
“I love Beyonce as much as I love my son. But really, I need to get tickets to her show.” It’s not often that Grammy-winning singers bless us with personal anecdotes during their concerts, but on her Sept. 22 show at Madison Square Garden, Adele quipped out in abundance, taking her already soulful concert to a whole new level of intimacy. Walking out into a crowd of 18,000, the British singer, popular for hits such as “Chasing Pavements,” “Skyfall” and “Someone Like You” started off the show by running towards each section of the audience, capturing a few selfies with the audience and dashing back onto the middle stage to belt out her hit “Hello.” Surrounded by two huge screens featuring her mascara-laden eyelashes, Adele soared to dazzling heights, reaching that high soprano pinnacle that most can only dream of singing. “New York, it’s a Thursday, but let’s pretend it’s a Friday or Saturday. How are you doing? I did some wonderful things this past week. I went to the Bronx Zoo yesterday, and my god, it’s a lot better than the Central Park Zoo. You should go there,” she said, decked out in a glittering black gown. Throughout the two-hour-long concert, which she jokingly described to be “on the longer side,” Adele crooned out her hits, backing them up with a powerful orchestra of singers and classical musicians and visuals that corresponded exquisitely to each
respective song. She dedicated “Hometown Glory” to New York City, displayed images of her childhood with “When We Were Young” and rocked out “Rolling In The Deep” in the finale to actual rain mid-stage. (So naturally, a totally normal thing to do on a bustling Thursday night.) Whilst Adele’s voice and her ability to change from a deep tenor range to a high soprano remains the main reason behind her sold-out concerts, it’s also her on-stage personality and push to address every single personal story with her audience that turns the arena into a special family-dinner-style setting. “When I was a teen, I didn’t realize how many things my mum used to do in the house. It was amazing, really. She used to nag, but which mum doesn’t? Now I nag my four-year-old,”
she laughed, singling out a mother and daughter pair from the crowd and beckoning them onto stage. From addressing the infamous Brangelina divorce controversy to talking about how she felt uncomfortable singing about an ex while being with a partner, Adele dished out her personal opinions and asked the audience how they felt about them, too. She interspersed her hits with tales of her hardships in her early 20s and explained why New York was so special to her. Although Adele’s chats seemed long-winded at times, the 28-year-old made sure her audience was her family and took them on a riveting journey of soulful perfection.
Email Dakshayani Shankar at music@nyunews.com.
PHOTO BY KEVIN MAZUR
Adele performed In New York City at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 22 for about 18,000 fans.
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Starry Nights and Violet Lights
By CRISTAL GONZALEZ NUNEZ Contributing Writer
Inauguration Week was all about celebrating Andrew Hamilton as the 16th president of NYU through a series of events ranging from free food at Kimmel to a projected visual artwork under the stars at Gould Plaza. Hundreds of students, pedestrians and spectators gathered outside Tisch Hall on Thursday night with blankets and snacks to watch the projected art produced by students and alumni (it was, as a matter of fact, the only student-created event during the whole week of events). The project had evolved from an undergraduate film class assignment to an event that would gather individuals from across campus to honor the talents and innovative ideas of the students at NYU. Rising senior Bea Young and alumni Justin Scholar formulated the idea of having the multimedia project presented for the whole school. The project opened with dimmed lights and a little history of Aphrodisias, an ancient Greek city, as well as its influence on the social and cultural findings of an ancient civilization. The focus then shifted to Greene Street
and honoring the importance of music in everyday lives. Though the piece had a very educational feeling, it was still visually impressive and found no challenge holding the attention of the audience. The show wasn’t just limited to the stunning visual projections, though. In addition to the lights cast upon Tisch Hall, a troupe of student dancers performed a routine in time to the music. The performers were surrounded by a pool of mesmerized faces amazed at the skills and abilities of their fellow classmates. The audience’s hearts seemed to beat in time with the drumbeats of the song. Coming to NYU, one can expect a diverse, interactive and, most importantly, unique campus. Every day, there is something new. On the night of “Violet Lights,” people passing by the show did what could possibly be considered the great pastime of pedestrians in New York: they stopped and watched. Many individuals who weren’t students attended the show, part of the boon of being “in and of the city.” In the classrooms of our campus, students can witness the intelligence and sophisticated minds of their peers, challenged by pro-
VIA NYU.EDU
As part of the inauguration week, student-design laser light projects were screened on Tisch Hall on Thursday, Sept. 22. fessors to support them on their journey to success. “Violet Lights” was a way to bring all the unique characteristics of the campus together to create an innovative, short presentation of what goes on at NYU. The performance was informative and inspirational. The fact that the project was com-
Columbian Writer Talks New Novel By JAXX ARTZ Contributing Writer
At the center of the Strand’s Rare Book Room stood Juan Gabriel Vasquez, comfortable in a crisp navy button-down and jeans. He moved confidently towards the podium and began to explain the motivation behind his latest book, “Reputations,” which has recently been re-released in English. “‘Reputations,’” he began, “is the study of one man’s doom.” Born in Bogota, Colombia, Vasquez’s writing focuses on the conflicts that have plagued his home country, both as a way to explore the complexity of the conflicts and as an easy way to provide depth for his characters. “Reputations” follows Javier Mallarino, a famous political cartoonist, who was at the center of documenting political treachery with his drawings in the 1980s. The action takes place in the present-day, 30 years after Mallarino’s heyday, when he becomes reacquainted with someone from the past and is forced to remember what happened all those years before, as well as figure out the implication it could have in the present. Though this new novel rings similar to his other works in the way that it recounts Colombia’s darker history, Vasquez insisted that “Reputations” is new and different. For one, it is noticeably shorter.
“Short novels,” he said, “novels around 50,000 words or less, do things in a special way.” According to Vasquez, this included going deeper into the protagonist to examine who they really are and why they do what they do. During a short reading from the novel, it becomes clear that “Reputations” is about many things — among them the unreliability of memory, the dangers of journalism and the fear involved with challenging the system, though the plot takes place within the span of 72 hours. When asked by the audience where the idea for this story came from, Vasquez named a Colombian political cartoonist from the 1930s, Ricardo Rendón. “I grew up with his books,” Vasquez explained, sharing that the ability to shape a political world through drawings still matters in today’s world. Vasquez also drew from the mystery surrounding Kafka’s “The Trial” and the ambiguity in Henry James’ work, adding that “there is treasure in the not knowing [what will happen next].” Though the novel’s protagonist is a political cartoonist, Vasquez wants to clarify that the work attempted to answer the question of why journalists as a whole do what they do, despite the death threats and fear that inevitably accompany a successful career. Almost as an echo of this state-
ment, Vasquez read from the novel, “Congratulations. You are nobody in this country unless somebody wants to hurt you.” At the end of the reading, Vasquez looked into the crowd and smiled, as if flattered to be the object of the wide-open eyes that dotted the room. Judging by both the audience’s reaction and the several awards he has garnered for his previous works, Vasquez is clearly a force preparing to take the literary mainstream by storm.
Email Jaxx Artz at books@nyunews.com.
pletely created by former and current NYU students made the film both more entertaining and more personal to the members of the school’s community. “Violet Lights” was a way to display the magic that can happen when students are given an assignment that gives them room to flourish.
For years, NYU has released scholars and scientists into the world to do great things. “Violet Lights” was an example of these students putting their greatest work to the test, and succeeding boundlessly.
Email Cristal Gonzales Nunez at entertainment@nyunews.com.
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Juan Gabriel Vasquez took to Strand Bookstore to discuss the hardships that inspired his writing about his hometown in Bogota, Colombia.
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EDITED BY ABIGAIL WEINBERG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
NYU Professor Exposes Fraud in Heart Disease Research By KAITLYN WANG Contributing Writer
An editorial released last week reporting that the sugar industry paid researchers in the 1960s to skew research to show that sugar was not a major player in heart disease has challenged the general public’s understanding of food. This new report, published in the American Medical Association’s bi-weekly medical journal “JAMA Internal Medicine,” was supplemented by an editorial by NYU Professor of Nutrition and Food Studies, Marion Nestle. In 1967, a group of Harvard scientists published a research review in the “New England Journal of Medicine” denying sugar’s prominent role in causing coronary heart disease, instead pushing saturated fat to the forefront. For decades, this has influenced the conversation about heart disease.
Nestle, has been influential in nutrition research and politics and has served as the chair of the Food Studies department in Steinhardt since its conception in 1996 (the first of its kind in the entire country). In the editorial, Nestle began with the assertion that research sponsored by certain industries would almost always end up confirming the industries’ products benignity. “The food companies want to do this research to prove that their products are healthy or benign and that research to the contrary is so flawed that you don’t need to pay attention to it. That’s marketing research, that’s not basic research,” Nestle said. This isn’t a singular occurrence. In 2015, the New York Times broke a story on how Coca-Cola provided millions of dollars in funding to researchers who were trying to
downplay the effects of sugary drinks on obesity. The story here is unsurprisingly similar. “The documents talk about how the sugar industry deliberately corresponded with these researchers, sent them papers that they wanted dismissed and said ‘We’re very worried about these papers,’ and the authors wrote back and said, ‘Well don’t worry about it, we’ll take care of it.’ It just doesn’t look good,” Nestle said. It doesn’t look good indeed. This link between the industry and the researchers is troubling, according to CAS freshman Matt Lim. “I wouldn’t trust the 1967 review because, obviously, if the sugar industry is supporting it, I can’t help but think that something fishy is going on,” Lim said. Small steps have been taken to eliminate conflicts of interests such as these, which serve
ping up in the news, keeping this topic in everyone’s minds, then the public is going to lose whatever trust they had in food and pharmaceutical studies,” Mo said.
Email Kaitlyn Wang at dining@nyunews.com.
PHOTO BY MIGUEL DE LAVEAGA
NYU Professor of Nutrition and Food Studies, Marion Nestle recently released an editorial providing detailed information about the issues surrounding sugar and its potential health problems.
Sheet Masks: A Second Skin For Your Face
School or a Career? An NYU Dilemma
By CECILIA HUA Contributing Writer
By FAITH GATES Contributing Writer
The goal of many students going to college is to learn about their profession and how to succeed in it, but sometimes they are forced to choose between finishing college and beginning their career. NYU is known for training and producing many Broadway, film and TV stars, but sometimes those stars don’t even finish college. For many students hoping to become professional actors, they often have to choose between committing all their time to their studies or pursuing roles outside of the classroom. Gallatin junior Casey Whyland made her Broadway debut when she was only nine years old. After auditioning and getting a role in the national tour of “Annie,” Whyland performed in the tour of “Billy Elliot.” During these years of performance she was homeschooled, as her parents wanted to make sure she completed high school before moving to New York City. “I stayed at home for the last few years of high school to make sure I finished,” Whyland said. “I focused a lot on school and did a bunch of school shows. It’s about balancing between balancing the career and graduating.” Whyland mentioned part of that balance has been trying to match up audition times that don’t conflict with her classes, which has proved difficult. She hopes to graduate early to get into the business sooner. For now, Whyland believes
to derail important nutritional research. Journals now largely require studies to disclose their funding. However, Nestle said, “Nobody thinks it’s efficient.” There’s a better solution, and Nestle thinks that the food industry should have to do what the pharmaceutical industry is required to do under a sunshine clause in the Affordable Care Act: disclose how much they gave to different researchers. “It might help open up the possibility of showing what has been shown for drugs, which is that the doctors that get the most money from drug companies write the most prescriptions from brand name drugs as opposed to generic drugs,” Nestle said. CAS sophomore Wendy Mo agreed, and urged that something be done. “If reports like this keep pop-
STAFF PHOTO BY POLINA BUCHAK
Gallatin junior Casey Whyland performing in the Reality Show during the Presidential Welcome for the Class of 2020. that both excelling in academics and moving forward in her career are equally important. “School has always been a priority, but it’s hard to say,” Whyland said. “If some movie star calls you and says, ‘Hey I want you to do this movie with me,’ I wouldn’t say no. Life happens, but I will graduate. It’s like two different aspects of my hopeful grown up life; they’re different sides of the field.” However, according to Tisch sophomore Madison Kitchen, NYU discourages students from working professionally. Working outside of classes could potentially lead to students dropping out or missing classes because of shows, according to Kitchen. “I would say school is my priority,” Kitchen said. “I definitely want to be learning as much as I can, and I don’t want an outside show now to take away from the potential to have more opportunities later. They don’t want us working outside of school because we’re still in school and we’re still learning; we’re not ready to work yet.” While Whyland and Kitchen focus on school, Tisch senior David Merino has deferred his education for a year to follow his dream in theater by playing Angel in the national tour of “Rent.” While he would’ve been a senior this year, he
still plans to come back and finish out college after the show. But there are some NYU students who try to do both. Tisch sophomore Charis Swartley, who was in the off-Broadway show “Medea” last summer, is a full-time student during the year and a full-time performer during the summer. “Over the summers I always try to be involved in something, because taking a break from what I love is not really a break,” Swartley said. “I’ve been in three shows outside of school, but I also try to involve myself in as much film as possible, usually small projects my friends are working on.” However difficult it is to balance, these students have said that they wouldn’t trade their experiences for anything. Whyland said the business taught her to grow up faster and work and learn independently. Kitchen loved the environment of the theatre and said it taught her professionalism. “From my experiences I’ve learned that I don’t like taking breaks, and in a profession like acting you must know how to work to the bone and enjoy it,” Swartley said.
Email Faith Gates at features@nyunews.com.
Forget about the messy mud masks that are difficult to apply and wash off. Stop trying to gather ingredients in your fridge to mash up into a sticky pile of goo. The future of face masks lies in the innovation of Korean Sheet Masks. Most Korean Sheet Masks are thin cotton sheets soaked in a liquid-based formula that, depending on which mask you purchase, delivers a myriad of facial beauty treatments that are cheap and easy. These easy-to-apply, single-use face masks are designed for all skin types and face shapes. They are soaked in powerful serums made from healthy ingredients that will make you skin look and feel great. Just apply them on your face, wait 20 minutes and your skin will feel as if it was reborn. There are plenty of types to choose from; whether you have sensitive skin or are looking for anti-aging products, there’s a sheet mask out there for you.
I’M REAL by TONYMOLY This brand has 11 types of sheet masks each with different ingredients such as lemon, aloe, tea tree oil and avocado. There are masks for brightening, moisturizing, radiance, skin soothing and many more. You can buy all 11 sheet masks on Amazon for $12.45 or on their website for $4 each.
Skin Clinic masks by Innisfree Another popular brand in Korea, Skin Clinic makes masks that are made of 100 percent natural cotton wool. It is so thin that you can barely feel it on your face. Its
mild formula is free of animal ingredients, mineral oil and other ingredients affiliated with skin concerns. This sheet mask is good for those who are looking for a treatment that is a little stronger than the fruity sheet masks. There are seven types containing ingredients such as vitamin C, that yield different beauty results. You can get these for $2.20 each on their website or 10 for $24.70 on Amazon.
Real Nature by The Face Shop The Face Shop offer many different types of sheet masks but their most popular are the Real Nature series. Like I’M REAL by Tonymoly, these masks are made from natural ingredients such as kelp, honey, pomegranate and cucumber. If you have sensitive skin, the pomegranate face mask is perfect for you because it has a gentle formula and is rich in antioxidants that provides long-lasting hydration. These are available at their various store locations in the city for about $2 each.
Rich Snail Masks by mothermade Do not be frightened by the word “snail” — this mask does wonders. The snail secretion filtrate offers incredible hydration and nourishment and has anti-aging effects. It includes collagen and elastin which will help improve your skin’s elasticity and leave it flawlessly dewy. These thin and translucent masks are 100 percent cotton cupra and are available in packs of 10 on Amazon for only $17.95.
Email Cecilia Hua at bstyle@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
FEATURES Don’t Let Fall Weather Dress You Down
EDITED BY ABIGAIL WEINBERG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
By ALI WEBB Staff Writer Early fall weather leaves many fashion lovers clueless about what to wear. It’s too cold for the breezy, skin-baring looks of summer, yet not quite cool enough for fullblown autumnal outfits. It can leave you feeling either sweaty or underdressed. Luckily, some creative thinking will lead to looks that work perfectly for this transitional phase. Here are some favorite summer pieces repurposed for early fall. PHOTO BY RYAN QUAN
Squirrels are the little inhabitants of Washington Square Park.
Tails of Washington Square Park By FAITH GATES Contributing Writer
Cute. Entertaining. Annoying. Thieves. Crazy. They’ve been called many things, but to NYU students, they are neighbors. Millions of squirrels take up residence in New York public green spaces like Washington Square Park. While some students choose to spend their breaks from class inside, others prefer the live entertainment that the furry-tailed friends offer. “They just add to the good vibes of Washington Square. It’s fun to see people interact with them and if you don’t try to feed them they don’t mess with you, unlike birds,” CAS sophomore Lourania Oliver said. “And I’ve never heard anyone say they got pooped on by a squirrel.” Squirrels haven’t always been city dwellers. They have only been here since 1877, when a few gray squirrels were released into Central Park purely out of interest of living peacefully with nature. By 1883, there were already 1,500 squirrels in Central Park alone. Today, millions of squirrels live amongst New Yorkers. These eastern gray squirrels are still around because of their capacity to cope with all types of weather. Squirrels often bury their nuts, and their strong sense of smell allows them to find them again, even if they’re buried beneath a foot of snow. Squirrels can also survive the harsh winters because of their ability to bulk up to stay warm in the snow. No matter their size, the agile entertainers have amazing acrobatic abilities, climbing trunks and jumping branches aimlessly, to onlookers’ amusement. However, these hoarders are no fools, and often pretend to bury their nuts to throw off thieves. Some nuts are never dug up and grow into trees.
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The entertainment they offer varies, according to a Washington Square Park worker who asked not to be named. From stealing food to stealing homework, the employees have seen it all. Often they see groups of tourists crowded around a tree, and upon further inspection find them watching squirrel intercourse. However, the entertainment of the regular park-goers is often watching lanyard-clad freshmen attempting to pet or hold the squirrels, sometimes resulting in them chasing the students away — and even biting them. The buck-tooth rodents got their name from the Latin word “rodere,” which means to gnaw, because their front teeth never stop growing. However, they don’t use those chubby cheeks to communicate. Rather, they use scent markings, vocal calls and tail flicks to connect with each other. A tail raised above the body and flicked is usually a sign of aggression. This aggression can sometimes be seen when the dogs in the park try to attack the squirrels. The innocent tree rats often run zigzag to escape their other airborne predators: the falcon and the hawk. This isn’t always a good tactic though, as the pesky vermin often venture into the city. This sometimes gets them into serious trouble, like twice in the late 1900s, when a squirrel stepped on a power line and shut down NASDAQ for over an hour, preventing trading of about 20 million shares. Washington Square Park’s “squirrel lady” Susan Goren, who feeds the squirrels daily, sees them as intelligent friends, as they always remember and come to her. Washington Square Park is always filled with nutty characters, but none quite as cute as these furry friends — except, perhaps, for pigeons.
Email Faith Gates at features@nyunews.com.
Crop tops These have been popular for the past few years during spring and summer, only on the rise due to celebrity influence and movements for body positivity. This piece often pairs with cutoffs or a high waisted skirt, and usually goes to the back of your closet when temperatures are no longer unbearably hot. Mixed with layers and fall pieces, the crop top has potential to be a fall staple. Look chic and put-together by pairing it with a skirt, short boots and a lightweight jacket, or for a more casual look, wear it with high-waisted jeans and Converse. Accessorize with a cute choker or a scarf.
Lightweight dresses Quick to throw on and effortless in its femininity and class, this piece is lovely to live in during scalding
days. A summer dress can be the perfect base to a fall ensemble. Simply add a layer on top such as a sweater, a flannel or a chambray shirt and put on a pair of boots or comfortable sneakers. Potential ways to make the look more individual include a belt, sunglasses and/or a statement necklace.
Off-the-shoulder tops Recently a huge trend on the runways, many fashion-forward students are looking for a way to continue wearing this cute, carefree piece. This autumn, wear these with palazzo pants or jeans — skinny or flared — and add wedges or pointed-toe flats for a look that is classy and chic. If you’re worried about the irony of chilly shoulders while wearing a “cold shoulder” top, add a big, cozy scarf.
Some people switch out their wardrobes entirely each season, but this does not have to be the case. Try to resist immediately breaking out the sweaters, fleecelined leggings and fuzzy socks until later; instead, choose to embrace the warmth still lingering in the air. The pieces you accumulated this summer are still wearable, so be inventive with your outfits. It can help get you out of a style rut and maybe even set a trend.
Email Ali Webb at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Shorts Whether you’re a fan of put-together patterns, dark denim or classic cutoffs, shorts are another option for fall legwear. Despite their longtime prevalence, few think of how to make them work through the fall. Balance out bare legs by wearing a button-down on top, either on its own or layered over a tank. Over-the-knee socks with boots can help with coverage and create a trendy look. Alternatively, pair tights underneath shorts for an eye-catching, ’90s-reminiscent look.
STAFF PHOTO BY ANNA LETSON
Transitioning pieces from summer to fall is all about layering your lightweight pieces, like adding a sweater over a collared shirtdress.
Dollar Pizza That Gives Back By ASHLEY ARNOLD Contributing Writer
The collaboration of quality New York pizza and nonprofit work is made possible with Slice Out Hunger. It all started with Scott Wiener, who leads Scott’s Pizza Tours, taking visitors to famous pizzerias throughout the city’s outer boroughs. Wiener was offered free pies by several pizzerias for the celebration of the first anniversary of his pizza tour company, which led Wiener to wonder how he could give back to the community. “Every time I’ve ever done anything I’ve tried to include a community aspect to it,” Wiener said. “The issue of hunger is extremely important because it is the root of so many problems we have in this country.” When he founded Slice Out Hunger, Wiener envisioned a night where people could enjoy a slice of high quality pizza for only a dollar. This key event of the year is known as NYC’s Biggest Pizza Party. For every dollar spent, 50 cents go to Food Bank for New York City and the other 50 cents go to City Harvest. Wiener did not have high expectations for his very first pizza party, so he only invited friends to attend. But to his surprise, the party managed to raise $500. Last year, Wiener
managed to raise over $40,000. His goal for this this year’s party is to raise $50,000. 57 pizzerias will be participating, including Arturo’s, Carmine’s Pizza Factory, Dough, Emmy Squared, Lombardi’s, Joe’s Pizza, Patsy’s, Speedy Romeo and NY Pizza Suprema. Joseph Riggio, Owner of NY Pizza Suprema and graduate of the CAS class of 1991, recognizes that hunger is a prevalent issue, which is why he is very hands-on when it comes to helping out with NYC’s Biggest Pizza Party. “I have donated pizza every year that the event has taken place, and I am helping this year by donating 40 pies,” Riggio said. “No one should be hungry in our country, and we always need to be mindful of those that are less fortunate than us.” Looking forward, Wiener wants to see if he could bring the party outside for a half-block street fair so that there’s more space for people. To extend the service beyond the pizza party, Slice Out Hunger teams up with food banks and food pantries within the city. They compile a volunteer list and then send those volunteers out to help the participating nonprofits. Wiener’s future plans include expanding into other cities. He also wants to get Slice Out Hunger onto different college campuses.
In the past he has successfully partnered with Cooper Union and Sarah Lawrence College to host $1 pizza parties. This year’s pizza party will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 5 in Soho at The Lower Hall of Shrine Church of St. Anthony of Padua (155 Sullivan St). Doors will open at 6 p.m. and close when the pizza runs out. One-dollar tickets are available at the door, and VIP tickets that could get you and a friend to the front of the line are being sold for $100.
Email Ashley Arnold at dining@nyunews.com.
PHOTO BY TAYLER MACMILLAN
Slice Out Hunger, a nonprofit project raising money through pizza has 57 pizzerias throughout the city participating in this year’s event.
LG BTQ LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
GENDER NEUTRAL BATHROOMS
WSN Management Team October is Pride month at NYU and we could not let it pass us by without commemorating it in some way. New York City has long been a welcome home for the LGBTQ community, with landmarks such as the Stonewall Inn to remind queer people of what can often be a comfort — the simple fact that the LGBTQ community has always existed in one form or another. Though this history may seem to be oft-trodden ground, many younger members of the LGBTQ community, and those outside of it, may not be aware of it. New York City has been one of many
battlegrounds in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and still is to this day. NYU also has roots in this history, with its Queer Union being the second-oldest of its kind, after Columbia’s. All members of NYU can benefit from learning about the long history of activism our school has seen, even those who are not part of the LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ community is working to make it easier every year for more people to come out and be comfortable with their identities. The continued existence of the LGBTQ center on campus is proof that these efforts are not
in vain, as students are still coming to college and finding a place to belong. In this issue, we aimed to highlight resources available to students around campus, as well as some of the obstacles the LGBTQ community has faced in the past — and still faces today. In an effort to remain in line with the wording of the center on campus, WSN chose to refer to the community as LGBTQ. We recognize that not all communities around the country identify with these letters, but for consistency, we followed the lead of NYU’s campus community.
PRIDE MONTH EVENTS OCT. 6
THU 5 PM
OUT AT NYU, IN AT HOME BY KATE BROWN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Being born and raised on the East Coast of the United States, one of the most progressive parts of the world, you would think, of course I’m out to my parents, why wouldn’t I be? We’re not exactly in the hotbed of antiLGBTQ violence. Microaggressions, however, can be an act of violence, and it’s one many members of the LGBTQ community experience. It’s more than just a casual use of a slur — it’s things such as overhearing someone say “I don’t mind gay people, I just don’t want to see them kissing in public” or your mom being convinced that you’re just going through a phase, that you’ll eventually get over it and settle down with an appropriately gendered significant other and have grandkids that she can spoil. And yes, you can try to educate those around you but quite frankly, that’s exhausting even on a good day. I couldn’t tell my siblings or any of my friends from high school that I was bisexual for fear they would slip up and tell my parents. I wanted to be out and proud, but also didn’t want to be the subject of
ridicule at the dinner table, or to be the justification for my parents’ off-color jokes. Being out at NYU has been a breath of fresh air. I’ve finally been able to be myself here, to go sit in the LGBTQ Center just because I want to with no need to make up a story about a friend of a friend needing to borrow my notes. I can make “swings both ways” jokes whenever they apply, and worry about nothing more than my friends complaining about how not funny I am. I can casually mention the beautiful girl I saw in Starbucks the other day. There’s no addition to that last one, just being able to mention it is liberating in and of itself. But there’s a flipside to this freedom — eventually, I have to go home. I have to carefully hide my bisexual flag pin at the bottom of my bag, pretend that every stereotype my parents drag out about gay people doesn’t hurt. I have to bite my tongue anytime something related to being LGBTQ comes up for fear I will come off as a little too invested and arouse suspicion. I couldn’t even tell my parents I was writing this arti-
cle, or what the theme for this week’s issue was. There is a limit to how involved in the LGBTQ community a closeted kid can be, a tightrope walk that many of us struggle to balance on. This duality can be draining. I have many friends who don’t know I’m bisexual, just because I am so used to hiding it. My pulse raced when I came out to my suitemates, unsure of their reactions. To my out friends, I feel as if I am making something out of nothing. After all, I doubt coming out to my parents would result in physical violence, and anything less than that feels like a privilege. I am grateful that things aren’t worse. There’s nothing to combat being half-in, half-out of the closet, so I have learned to take it one day at a time. Maybe someday things will change, and I will be able to fully come out. But if not, or until then, I will just allow myself my moments of being unabashedly not-straight. It’s the small victories that count. The author of this piece used a pseudonym to protect his or her identity.
OCT. 6
THU 7:30 PM
OCT. 12 WED 6:30 PM
OCT. 19 WED 8:30 PM
OCT. 24 MON 7 PM
OCT. 27 THU 6 PM
CONNECTING NYU & NYC THROUGH LGBTQ HISTORY BY DIAMOND NAGA SIU NEWS EDITOR
DRAG WORKSHOP WITH GOLDIE PEACOCK
An inclusive drag workshop that goes beyond binary drag.
GENDER BENDER BALL
The kick-off party for Pride Month 2016. A safe, inclusive dance for queer students at NYU to express themselves and celebrate their unique identities.
COMIC ART WORKSHOP FEAT. SOPHIE LABELLE
Sophie Labelle, the artist behind “Assigned Male,” comes to NYU to lead a workshop on comic art and its intersections with queerness.
SLAMMING THE CISHETEROPATRIARCHY
In partnership with SLAM! at NYU; a discussion on social justice, spoken word and the power of activism in the arts. The discussion will be followed by a poetry workshop.
OUTTA THIS WORLD: ACE-TEROIDS & ARO-SPACE
Aces & Aros and Aces NYC join to bring a workshop about asexuality and aromanticsm, how these two identities fit into consent, relationship structures and how they intersect with other identities.
CLOTHING DRIVE
A clothing swap/donation drive for a local organization featuring an open mic, hosted by Crystal Valentine (NYU ‘16), at which we will collect clothing for homeless LGBTQ youth.
Proudly nestled on the sixth floor of Kimmel, the NYU LGBTQ Student Center has worked with students for half a century. It celebrates its 50th birthday this year, and the center’s efforts have won it multiple awards and national recognition. Queer Union, a separate entity within NYU, has an even longer history and is proof that queer students have always had a place in New York City, as well as NYU. But New York City’s history with the LGBTQ community predates the LGBTQ Center’s 1966 founding. Since the 1800s, there have been laws against sodomy, and people were even taken to trial for it. Walt Whitman was one of the first people to publically address LGBTQ issues, creating a larger space to discuss non male-female relationships. He wrote many pieces in the 1800s that included relationships between males. But literature did not equate to acceptance within the city. In the early 1900s, New York City had many gay bath houses that were shut down, and even up through the middle of the 20th century, people of the LGBTQ community still faced much discrimination. In 1969, the Stonewall Riots took place at the Stonewall Inn, where tensions between members of the LGBTQ community and the police ran high. Although this became a national monument in 2016, this multi-day riot concluded with many injuries and 13 people sent to jail. This uprising then inspired the first New York City Pride March, which packed the streets with enough people to cover 15 blocks. During the 1970s, the LGBTQ club at NYU, then called the Gay Peoples Union, was protesting the university’s discriminatory policies toward LGBTQ people. Then-chairman Robert Rygor sent letters to NYU administrators advocating for an official policy of nondiscrimination. Then, there was the HIV/AIDS epidemic in 1981, which negatively stigmatized the LGBTQ community even further. This inspired the Gay Men’s Health Crisis organization in 1982. This organization is still around today, and it openly assists gay men with issues ranging from social work to crisis counseling. The Gay Men’s Health Crisis has helped trailblaze for other LGBTQ groups to form in the future. Although the LGBTQ community faced some hardships in the early 1980s, the group was persistent with their rights, and 1983 marked a win for them: New York abolished all sodomy laws in its New York v. Onofre lawsuit. And then
following that year, the Center for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center was founded in 1984. The LGBTQ community at NYU was just as successful, however, as in 1985 the Gay Peoples Union was still protesting discrimination against them, going so far as to reject funding for the club that the university had allotted them. The center works closely with building a community among people of the LGBTQ community and helps members of the LGBTQ community advocate for their rights, justice and opportunities. At the end of the decade, the LGBTQ community received some government representation in New York City with Deborah Glick, the first openly LGBTQ member within the House of Representatives. Government representation closer to home came in February of 1985, when a member of NYU’s class of 1969 was appointed to New York City’s Housing Court, becoming the first lesbian to be assigned to judicial duty. In the following years, a slew of legislation changes passed to make a more accepting environment for the LGBTQ community: 1997: Domestic partnerships now had their own municipal registry. 2002: The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act was passed. 2011: The Marriage Equality Act was passed. 2013: The Defense of Marriage Act was ruled unconstitutional. While non male-female relationships are legal in New York City now, the LGBTQ community still struggles to find 100 percent acceptance, and the New York Times recently published an article in July that said that the LGBTQ community is the most at-risk minority group to be the target of hate crimes. Today, the NYU LGBTQ Student Center works closely with building a community among people of the LGBTQ community and helps members of the LGBTQ community advocate for their rights, justice and opportunities. The center continues to help create a more accepting university, setting open and safe spaces for people regardless of their sexual orientation. This October, the center is again hosting NYU’s university-wide LGBTQ pride month, and this month celebrates and honors the backgrounds of people in the LGBTQ community. The center has planned a variety of events and activities for all NYU community members — regardless of sexual orientation — throughout the entire month.
Email Diamond Naga Siu at dsiu@nyunews.com
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION
EDITED BY EMILY FONG OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
CITY
Hakook Helps Students Pay It Forward By CONNOR BORDEN Staff Writer Launched this past week by NYU students, Hakook is an app that aims to help homeless people who are struggling with resources. Users meet homeless people on the street, ask them what they need, then drop a pin on their location. Other Hakook users are alerted to this pin and can fulfill the specific request, whether it is food, water, clothing or anything else. By creating this innovative and socially-engaging app, NYU students are taking what they learn and experience in New York and applying it to uplift the entire community.
Efforts such as the one behind Hakook are incredibly important. As members of the NYU student body, we have a responsibility to improve the impact this school has on the wider New York community through service, research or simply by becoming a conscious citizen. Many local residents often complain about the university and its seemingly disproportionate influence in the Greenwich Village area, and it is our duty to listen and respond to these grievances. It would be unjust to take advantage of the resources the neighborhood offers without returning the favor by utilizing NYU’s partnerships with local organizations. Children’s
rights advocate Marian Wright Edelman said that service is the rent we pay for being, and at NYU, it is the rent we pay for the New Yorker status we hold so dear. Hakook is just one example of this type of community service, albeit an exemplary one. No one expects every student to do something quite as ambitious as design an entire
app. However, the reason NYU stresses service — whether it is through the CSALS office or school-based programs like CAS Cohort Day of Service or Stern Cares — is so students can have opportunities to help the city they live in. Students do not even need to take time to do an extensive service project to help their communities. The first step to progress is a change in mindset. NYU students should always consider the city, and particularly its less fortunate residents, when they observe the university’s impact. Becoming a conscious citizen — one who is attentive to the needs of the community around us — is enough to have
difficult conversations with each other, the university and the Village itself. Living in New York City is both a privilege and a burden. We are free to enjoy all that the city offers, but we must also use our new experiences to pay it forward. The innovative creators of Hakook, by helping the city’s homeless population, have done that exact thing so many times over. But outreach can be easy, too. Individuals can be “in and of the city” by being conscious of others when navigating the shared space that is New York.
Email Connor Borden at opinion@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
Millennials Should Be Excited for Clinton By ANNIE COHEN Staff Writer Come November, students who are registered to vote will cast their ballot to decide who will be the next president. For many of us who were too young to vote in 2012, it will be our first time voting for a president. The elusive millennial vote is one that both candidates are struggling to capture, especially in light of the third-party candidates who are presenting themselves to young voters as attractive alternatives to the status quo. While this should be an exciting time for us as we prepare to have our votes counted for the first time, we too often get
lost in the day-to-day ennui of a campaign season. The same students who were most fervently feeling the Bern are now feeling burned by the system. But we cannot afford to sit this one out. Hillary Clinton’s campaign has not been without its flaws, but it has demonstrated a fundamental desire to facilitate a dialogue with young voters, a goal largely absent on the opposing side. By appearing in popular formats like Between Two Ferns and Humans of New York, the Clinton campaign is attempting to communicate with millennials through their own unique channels. It sounds trite, but as an electorate, Americans need to re-
member that all of the candidates are only human beings. Of course, only one of these human beings claims that he alone can defeat ISIS and that, up until this week, President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. Still, though, only human. There are less than 50 days until the election, which means there is no time to waste. If the American voters, particularly
young voters, do not want to hand the highest office in the land over to a lying, fear-mongering, misogynistic xenophobe, then we had better start taking this seriously. A vote for anybody besides Hillary Clinton is a vote for Donald Trump, plain and simple. Furthermore, a vote for Hillary Clinton is not simply, as Jill Stein’s merchandise declares, “the lesser evil.” Only one person in this contest has proven himself time and time again to be, in a word, deplorable. Hillary Clinton is not Donald Trump with a few different policies and a better makeup artist. She is an intelligent, hardworking woman who has already accomplished an astonishing amount for this
country, and who will continue to do so if elected president. So much is discussed in our culture on the subject of millennials. Countless thinkpieces and news reports over the years have tried to define our generation, but to no avail. We are a magnificent and diverse group who defy labels and expectations. We have the world at our fingertips, and it is up to us to ensure that this continues. Through taking action in this election, we can prove our ability to come together and rise above in the name of progress and equality of opportunity for all.
Email Annie Cohen at opinion@nyunews.com.
HEALTHCARE
We Shouldn’t Be Burdened By Tampon Costs, Period By JOSY JABLONS AND MEGAN RACKLIN Contributing Writers It didn’t take long after arriving at NYU to know where we could find free condoms on campus: residence halls, the Health Promotion Office and other school-sponsored events. It was clear that NYU cared about our sexual health — sort of. While we could obtain condoms with relative ease, we struggled to access menstrual hygiene products. On average, we each spend about $10 a month on MHPs — $10 that students who don’t menstruate never have to spend. Together, over the course of four years at NYU, that’s $960. At an expensive univer-
sity where many students face large amounts of debt, our budgets can’t always accommodate those $10 a month. We shouldn’t have to choose between MHPs and other necessities like pricey textbooks, groceries or MetroCards. Our bodies shouldn’t have to be more expensive than other bodies. Finances are not the only obstacle here. It’s often difficult to predict exactly when your period will start, how long it will last or how many MHPs you’ll need over the course of a day. We can recall numerous times when we’ve had to stuff wads of toilet paper in our pants, return to class and sit for an hour in discomfort. We’re often distracted, plagued by questions like: Am I staining the
seat? Is the bathroom dispensary stocked? Do I even have a quarter? Wait, what did my professor just say? This, in itself, is an impediment to our education. We are not alone in this. It is common to run into a student in the bathroom who is desperately seeking a tampon or pad. The situation is even more troublesome for menstruating students who use men’s
restrooms, since they may not find anyone in the bathroom they are comfortable asking for MHPs. NYU is committed to ensuring that all students feel safe using bathrooms consistent with their gender identity, and yet, to fully realize this goal, there must be access to free MHPs in all university bathrooms. By making MHPs inaccessible to those who need them, NYU implicitly accepts that barriers to education based on anatomy are permissible. This is unfair and discriminatory. NYU should take immediate steps to address this by providing free MHPs in all restrooms in major school buildings. Free supplies should be located in convenient places such as the Health Promotion Office and
Student Resource Centers. Other schools around the country, including Brown University and the University of Minnesota already recognize the needs of students who menstruate by providing free MHPs. NYU, however, has not been receptive to our call for similar action. On Thursday, Student Senators will introduce a resolution appealing for support from the Student Senators Council in our efforts. We, alongside the rest of Students for Sexual Respect, will continue pushing for this until we see change.
Josy Jablons and Megan Racklin are co-founders of Students for Sexual Respect. Email Josy Jablons at josy.jablons@nyu.edu.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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OPINION
EDITED BY EMILY FONG OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
UNIVERSITY LIFE STAFF EDITORIAL
Bobst Is Not The Place To Protest By PARIS MARTINEAU Deputy Opinion Editor If there is one commonality that connects all NYU students, it is the love of political protest. Despite our many differences, it seems that nearly every student can at least agree that they are all outraged about something. Mass demonstrations are as common of a sight for NYU students as streets lined with yesterday’s garbage and people who somehow still don’t know how to properly use a revolving door. However, some methods of on-campus protest are significantly more effective than others. The Incarceration to Education Coalition’s protest at Kimmel and the occupation of Bobst by NYU Divest were two of the most followed demonstrations on campus last semester. While the high visibility of both of these events is indisputable, it is important to note the differences in achieving actual goals between the two protests. The IEC protest resulted in surging support from the community, while the occupation by NYU Divest was met with a somewhat lukewarm response in comparison.
These factors led university officials to deal with each situation much differently. NYU officials threatened Divest activists with suspension and academic probation, while the Ban the Box occupation partially succeeded despite being threatened with disciplinary action. The community and the administration’s responses are revealing. Putting aside any arguments over which cause resonates more with the student body as a whole, one key factor stands out: location. Both protests chose locations close to epicenters of NYU activity, but the NYU Divest group chose a Bobst elevator as the site of their protest. Far from inspiring community-wide support, the Divest protest became more of a source of frustration for students trying to go about their day.
While the library may seem like an ideal place to force the facilitation of discussion on key issues, in actuality, it could not be a worse choice of location for a mass demonstration. Events such as these require the community to side with the protesters and to support their efforts to sway the minds of administrators, and the least effective way to win the hearts of other outrage-prone Bobcats is to forcibly interrupt 10 floors of studying students with chanting and slogans. With this in mind, it is not surprising that few Bobst-centered protests so far have gone on to prompt actual change. While the recent NYU SLAM demonstration outside of Bobst achieved some administrative success, few students outside of the group itself got involved. It lacked the wider community support shown by IEC’s protest. To attract people to their cause, activists need to station themselves in a place where their demonstrations are a welcome interruption, not a nuisance.
Email Paris Martineau at pmartineau@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
Judgment Looms for Uninformed Voters By ZOE HALL Copy Chief The 2016 U.S. presidential election has been an unavoidable topic for over a year now, and although these elections have had higher voter turnout historically, this election season will still result in many casting votes down the ballot for their party blindly. Others will vote for their president of choice and nothing else on the ballot. While the intense media coverage of the presidential candidates’ every move allows for plenty of information to be available to educate voters on the national race, it is more important to take the time to learn about those running in local elections. In particular, the most impactful local elections this year will be the ones determining positions for state judges. Although a position as a federal judge is important enough to require an appointment from both the president and Congress, 38 states nominate almost all of their judiciary positions of power through some type of election. These decisions must not be made lightly. Whoever wins a seat
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will have the opportunity to shape court proceedings that will affect their constituents’ lives immediately: they will be the ones setting bail, hearing discrimination cases or deciding custody. The person sitting on that bench matters. In many instances, it is hard to learn about who is running for a judicial seat. In New York, that is because judicial elections are a rubber stamp for party-selected judges, come election day. On some level, it is good to know that these people are being vetted by party officials, but this is also the U. S., and we are supposed to be a nation leading by democratic example. Handing off that critical decision to a political party machine is not an appropriate solution. Voting for a candidate who has no opposition and was chosen by a few party
members doesn’t feel very democratic, but even more alarming is one where the majority of voters don’t even realize or care that it is happening. For many, this election season is disappointing. But instead of concerning ourselves so much with the most celebrated race, we should divert our attention towards those running in races that aren’t as publicized. These are the elections that are vital and consequential. Although it might be hard to assemble all the information about the down-ballot candidates, it is beyond necessary. Being informed allows voters to make choices that reflect their own political view about individuals who, should a voter ever encounter trouble with the law, could ultimately directly affect their lives. In addition to learning the names of the judges running for a seat in their local jurisdiction, constituents should also read up on their credentials. It’s a vital step towards not only becoming a more informed voter, but also to fully exercising the right to vote.
Email Zoe Hall at opinion@nyunews.com.
Nonsexual Queer Spaces Needed in NYC
Though LGBTQ people have gained ground in their fight for equal rights in recent years, there is still much to be done. These individuals are often unable to feel comfortable in their day-to-day lives for a number of reasons, but one of the most harmful is the oversexualization of their romantic lives. The vast majority of LGBTQ-exclusive spaces are inextricably linked to sex and hookup culture. This poses a problem for many queer people who are looking for potential partners in a casual and relaxed environment. In our heteronormative society, it is unfortunately still culturally unacceptable for a queer individual to assume someone they have met in a non-LGBTQ exclusive space shares the same sexuality as them, because if they assume incorrectly, they might be met with bigotry and hatred. One of the most historically important LGBTQ sites, the Stonewall Inn, is merely blocks from the NYU campus. The importance of gay bars to the exploration and self-acceptance of many LGBTQ folks cannot be underestimated. However, as bars are hyper-sexualized and have a certain connotation, they are also a source of anxiety for many. Of course, spots where comfortable and nonsexual relationships can be developed do exist, but they can be ill-advertised or underrepresented. Because typical public spaces like bookstores, movie theaters, coffee shops and malls are places where heterosexuality is usually assumed, it is not always secure or safe for some folks to freely express their gender and sexual identities. This emphasizes the urgent need for more nonsexual LGBTQ spaces. Students at NYU can turn to the school’s LGBTQ Center, which does good work for members of the community. But once a student exits this space on the sixth floor of Kimmel, it becomes evident that LGBTQ people have few obvious settings in the city which cater to the them without the ever-present sexual backdrop. NYU’s unconfined campus encourages students to venture out and explore the city, but queer students do not have the same opportunities to make connections that are taken for granted by straight people. Many NYU students come to this university seeking a community that will accept them as they are, but once they arrive, some feel that the city’s LGBTQ scene isn’t as inclusive as it could be. Queer folks can find themselves with a dearth of options for meeting other people. Experiences such as these are one of many ways in which queer people are marginalized daily. This passive discrimination is not a niche issue, but rather a larger community problem, and it must be handled in a communal manner. The onus is on everyone — not just political leaders — to ensure that no space feels like it is off limits for people who identify as LGBTQ.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at opinion@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Emily Fong (Chair), Paris Martineau (Co-chair), Akshay Prabhushankar (Co-chair) STAFF PHOTO BY SAM BEARZI
Send mail to: 75 Third Ave. #SB07, 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.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
SPORTS
EDITED BY RACHEL RUECKER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Volleyball Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
By RACHEL RUECKER Sports Editor
The NYU women’s volleyball team played in the Baruch TriMatch this weekend at none other than Baruch College. Coming off a convincing 3-0 victory on Friday at home against the College of Mount Saint Vincent, they extended their season win streak to nine with a 3-1 win over St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a 3-0 victory over the host. Against the St. Mary’s Seahawks, the Violets held less dominance on the stats board, except where blocks were concerned — as NYU out-blocked the Seahawks 8-1. The Violets were winless through the
first set 25-16, but came back big to take the next three 25-20, 25-17 and 25-22. Later on, NYU restored its total dominance, taking Baruch in an easy three sets, going 25-15, 25-17 and 25-10. Freshman outside hitter Caroline Rapp was instrumental in the Violets’ success on the weekend as she led in kills for both matches, coming away with 10 against St. Mary’s and 12 against Baruch. Other strong individual performances came from junior outside hitter Jenna Dickey and sophomore outside hitter Annie Singh, who each had 10 kills in game one. Singh expressed her excitement about the team’s evolution over the season.
“This weekend we had some great games to prepare us for our conference play this upcoming weekend,” Singh said. “We learned a lot about each other and how we connect on the court in certain situations. Our team chemistry is definitely improving which is leading us to become more successful. This season so far has showed us how much depth we have on our team and how each team member is always ready to be on the court. “We are excited for this upcoming weekend in Pittsburgh.” The team is, as mentioned, off to Pittsburgh next weekend to compete in the UAA round robin, first facing off against Case Western Re-
Facility on Friday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m.
Email Rachel Ruecker at rruecker@nyunews.com.
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The NYU women’s volleyball team brought home another win this past weekend at Baruch College.
Jose Fernandez Found Dead in Boat Wreck
Runner Garners UAA Honors
By MICHAEL THOMPSON Staff Writer
By MADDIE HOWARD Contributing Writer
Running cross country is hard. But Jorge Maldonado, a CAS senior on the NYU team, makes it look easy. Maldonado was the recent recipient of the NYU and UAA Athlete of the Week award and has been a member of the team for the entirety of his time at NYU and has led the group to a successful season thus far. Maldonado credits his award to a recent win at the Vassar Invitational, where he ran a 6K in just 19:08. “I expected to be up top,” Maldonado said. “I think the reason why I got that kind of accolade was because Williams and other all-Americans were in the race as well.” He has been working all summer in order to end his senior season with memorable performances. Though time management has become difficult, Maldonado has learned to balance eating right, lifting and running twice a day as a means to reach his optimal performance level. Missing a majority of his first two seasons due to injury, Maldonado got back into shape his junior season. His injuries did not seem to withhold him from achieving great success when he got the opportunity to compete once again. “Last year I was ECAC athlete of the week three times and UAA athlete of the week one time,” Maldonado said. “Also last year, I earned All-Region for the 5k in the indoor season
serve University on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. They will be back home the following weekend, playing Hunter College at the Brooklyn Athletic
PHOTO BY MADDIE HOWARD
Jorge Maldonado, cross country runner and NYU and UAA Athlete of the Week, recently impressed his team with his outstanding win at Vassar College even after a long hiatus due to injuries. and for the 10k in the outdoor season. I also won the UAA in outdoor.” Since this will be Maldonado’s final year at NYU, he looks to end his senior season on a high note for the team and while individual performance is important, he ultimately wants to be able to positively reflect on his cross country experience as a whole. “I want to be happy with it more than anything,” Maldonado said. “But beyond all, I want us to achieve to our fullest potential as a team … It has been a little tumultuous over the past years with people who have been out because of injuries and other setbacks, so we only really got to scratch at the surface of how great we could be. But I think this year we have an opportunity to show the hard work that everyone has put in and the talent that I believe has always been there. Hopefully by the end of the season we can come out feeling like we did our best and hopefully the results show for that.” Maldonado attributes a lot of his success on and off the field to his close family and
friends. His coaches and more experienced teammates have helped him grow as a competitor by teaching him all they can about the sport. This camaraderie, not the running itself, has been the highlight of his career at NYU. “The actual running and the actual racing, you could say it’s fun, but it’s not really,” Maldonado said. “It’s painful and tough and you wonder why you do it each time when you’re really tired and want to stop. The fun part is the kind of ‘in between’ where you’re trying to improve yourself the best you can but there are other people alongside you physically dedicating themselves to the same thing.” Maldonado will be applying to graduate programs upon completing his majors in sociology and psychology this spring. Catch him and the rest of the cross country team competing next in the Paul Short Run at LeHigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Email Maddie Howard at sports@nyunews.com.
Jose Fernandez, the young ace of the Miami Marlins and one of the brightest stars in the MLB, died in a boating accident in Miami Beach early Sunday morning. He was 24. The Marlins’ scheduled afternoon game against the Atlanta Braves was canceled Sunday, and the team gathered in front of cameras and reporters in a highly emotional press conference. Manager Don Mattingly was visibly shaken as he reminisced about his young pitcher. “When I think about Jose, I see such a little boy,” Mattingly said. “The way he played, there was just joy with him.” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement on Fernandez’s death, describing him as “one of our game’s great young stars.” “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Miami Marlins organization and all of the people he touched in his life.” Teams across the league responded to the tragedy with outpourings of support. Fernandez’s teammate Christian Yelich posted a picture of himself and Fernandez hugging on the field. “You played this game and lived your life 100 percent,” Yelich said. “The competitor you were is the competitor we all strive to be.” A point of pride amongst the area’s community, Fernandez was drafted by the Marlins in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft, three years after he successfully defected from Cuba following three failed attempts. Fernandez was an instant standout upon his debut in 2013, making the All-Star Game and earning Rookie of the Year hon-
ors. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014, he returned to old form this season, posting a 16-8 record and 2.86 ERA. Fernandez went 38-17 over the course of four seasons, with a stellar 2.58 ERA and 589 strikeouts. The Marlins return to the field today against the Mets in what is likely to be an emotional evening.
Email Michael Thompson at sports@nyunews.com.
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
This past Sunday, star Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez passed away due to a boating accident. Over the course of four seasons, Fernandez went 38-17 with 589 strikeouts.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
13
SPORTS
EDITED BY RACHEL RUECKER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Kaepernick Stands Up By Taking A Knee By BRENDAN DUGGAN Contributing Writer
The backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick, spends most of his time on the sidelines these days. But he’s far from out of the spotlight. After taking a knee during America’s national anthem, Kaepernick has been castigated by many and was recently voted the most disliked player in the NFL. Kaepernick said he is “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and are getting away with murder.” This statement remains the protest’s fundamental goal, as his actions have inspired other NFL, NCAA and high school athletes across the country to kneel during the Star Spangled Banner. Numerous critics have attacked Kaepernick, saying the act of kneeling during the anthem is disrespectful to the NFL, the military, the veterans and the United States as a whole. Some claim he is trying to gain attention so he can get more
playing time. Others call for him to be suspended or expelled from the NFL because it is an inappropriate venue to protest. But regardless of personal views on Kaepernick’s decision to kneel, he has changed the game. CAS sophomore Larenz Brown offered his two cents on the matter. “What people don’t realize about this situation is that he’s not solving a problem,” Brown said. “He’s undoubtedly started a conversation that needs to be had about the role of police and exactly what it means to be black in America.” There is no question that a conversation has been created in the midst of national coverage on athletes taking a knee, as President Obama, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and other iconic figures have spoken out. Whether they support or oppose Kaepernick, former NYU professor N.B.D. Connolly, whose expertise is in the field of race and politics, believes Kaepernick has instigated a moment in time where people are allowed to make similar statements. Connolly referred to the Miami Dolphins’ white chairman Stephen Ross. “[He] isn’t going to be the first one to protest something like this,” Connolly said. He sees him as a positive influence in the protest, for he
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One of the San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks, Colin Kaepernick recently sat down during the performance of the National Anthem, causing major uproar among fans across the country. has encouraged his players to support the protest and take a stand by doing just the opposite — taking a knee — which Connolly feels this to be vital. “That to me is the biggest issue ... are people really allowed to be vocal in terms of what they believe in?” Connolly said. “Athletes are humans, they’re just like anyone else. They shouldn’t have to keep their political beliefs quiet just because of their position.” Like Roger Goodell, many critics disagree with Kaepernick’s methods, saying it is an inappropriate platform to protest on. But what other platform does Kaepernick have? He is a professional football player in the NFL, one of the most corrupt organizations in the country. Brown would respond to the
Golf Stellar in Busy Sports Weekend By MIGUEL DE LAVEAGA AND RACHEL RUECKER
Golf The women took home another third place finish in the Mt. Holyoke Invitational, playing at the Orchards Golf Club. Leading the team was freshman Ashley Tsoi, who finished in fifth place and with a two-day score of 152. Following several strokes back were junior Kristin Lee and freshman Patty Treevichapman, who finished in 11th and 12th place, respectively. Right behind was freshman Arisa Kimura, shooting a +14, 158 to finish tied for 13th. Rounding out the group were seniors Mikaela Santos and Rose Friedman, finishing 20th and 45th, respectively. The team is content with the weekend, as put by freshman Arisa Kimura. “Altogether, we had a solid weekend, but we intend to play better next weekend.” The men’s team took home second place at their event this weekend. The Liberty League Championship, hosted by Skidmore College, was hosted at the Timber Banks Golf Club. The men played two solid days of golf to finish six strokes behind University of Rochester. Three freshmen ended up in the top 10 for the violets, with Jensen Ji leading the pack at +8 for the weekend. Right behind
him, fellow freshmen Matt Shen and Kelly Sun both tied for seventh, posting +10’s. Sophomore Lucas Oberholtzer and junior Bryce Holmes both tied for 14th, although struggling in the mid80s on Sunday. Rounding out the crowd, was senior captain Eric Tarakjian, taking 18th. After struggling in some of their more recent tournaments, the Violets were able to bounce back nicely this weekend. They look to continue this solid play into next weekend, when they’ll head to Westchester, New York, to compete in the Manhattanville Invitational.
Tennis The women’s tennis team competed at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships with notable moments coming from sophomore Alice McGinty, who went 7-5, 3-6 and 6-3 in her win, and sophomore Flyora Shiyanova, who won a pair of matches 6-2. Both ultimately lost in the quarters, but fought valiantly on their way to those defeats. The men, meanwhile, competed at the Steven’s Institute of Technology Invitational over the weekend. Highlights included freshman Vishal Walia, who competed well on day one. The Violets then went 6-4 in doubles on day two. Their nod at the ITA Championships will come next weekend.
Cross Country
NYU’s cross country contingent competed in the Purple Valley Classic in Williamstown, Massachusetts this weekend. In the men’s 5k, top Violet finishers include junior Karn Setya, who finished in 13th with a time of 16:52 and senior Curtis Mann, who came just a couple spots behind in 15th at 16:56.8. NYU’s representation in the women’s 5k included freshman Sidney Williams, who came in seventh in 20:46.7. Other NYU competitors featured juniors Alexa Goldman and Anastasia Filimontse, who came in 20th and 22nd, respectively. The men’s 8k was highlighted by senior Jorge Maldonado, who came in 12th.
Soccer The women’s soccer team has soared above their male counterparts in this fall season and has continued on that hot streak this weekend as they defeated DeSales University 4-2, improving to 6-1-1 on the season. Goals came from junior Olivia Braender-Carr, freshman midfielder Isabelle Turner and freshman forward Alex Benedict, who scored a pair for the Violets.
Email Miguel de Laveaga and Rachel Ruecker at sports@nyunews.com.
critics by asking them examine the problem more critically at its roots. “It’s a protest, it’s not supposed to be convenient for others.” A country like ours — that was founded on protesting — takes pride in the fact people can speak up for what they believe in. So why does everything change when an elite athlete speaks out against racial inequality? In the past three years, the NFL suspended Ray Rice for two games after there was video evidence of him beating his fiance in an elevator. Later, the NFL suspended Greg Hardy for four games for domestic violence. The organization then went on to suspend Tom Brady for four games for allegedly deflating footballs. After all of the incidents with physical violence and drug
abuse, Colin Kaepernick is trying to raise awareness about racial injustices in a country where African-Americans are targeted and senselessly murdered every week. When put into perspective, Kaepernick’s intentions become clearer. In the heat of recent protests in North Carolina, Oklahoma and elsewhere around the country, Kaepernick is doing something we’ve seen done before: using his platform as a professional athlete to speak out against the inequalities we’ve been witnessing. Regardless of whether one supports or condemns his actions, he is creating a vital conversation that needs to continue in this country.
Email Brendan Duggan at sports@nyunews.com.
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