News: Anthropology museum reopens Page 6
Opinion: Afghanistan desperate- Sports: Previewing the ACC Football season ly needs humanitarian aid Page 10 Page 8
Life: Reflecting on "The Emoji Movie" Page 15
Old Gold&Black
WAKE FOREST’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1916 VOL. 108, NO. 2
T H U R S DAY, AU G U ST 2 6 , 2 0 21 “Cover s the campus like the magnolias”
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Renaming process continues The building that houses the Department of Religions again awaits a new name BY JACKIE THATCHER Staff Writer thacjd20@wfu.edu Nearly four months ago, former Wake Forest President Nathan O. Hatch announced the renaming of what was then Wingate Hall to “May 7, 1860 Hall”. This naming was meant to commemorate and acknowledge the day the University sold 16 enslaved humans at auction. The renaming was quickly met with widespread backlash from the Wake Forest community. The backlash prompted the creation of a change.org petition titled “Replace May 7, 1860 Renaming of Wingate Hall,” which received over 1,800 signatures. In this petition, students, faculty and alumni demanded a name that would “celebrate Black excellence” rather than one which memorialized a day that human beings were sold. Shortly thereafter, the name change was halted, and a committee was convened to search for yet another new name. Katie Fox/ Old Gold & Black
Campus was fully alive during this year's FDOC, students lining the sidewalks, academic buildings full to the brim and students and professors alike enjoying that long-awaited company.
Students express joy at first in-person FDOC in a year With a return to fully in-person classes, students reflected upon a joyful first day back BY HANNAH ABERNATHY Contributing Writer aberhe18@wfu.edu After three pandemic semesters, Wake Forest felt almost normal on Aug. 23 when students experienced their first fully in-person FDOC since 2019. While individuals were wearing masks indoors, Hearn Plaza was filled with lively students embracing each other after a long summer break. Students ate Subway and Zick’s and took selfies in front of Wait Chapel with their friends. Instead of a few students attending online classes outside of Benson, many
could be found sitting together enjoying food from the newly-installed Yamas. Some followed Yamas with a stop at the Dating Deacons table to hopefully find a cute person with whom they could go out to start the school year. Outside Johnson and Bostwick, freshmen were seen playing a game of Spikeball in between classes. To celebrate the new school year, RUF started the day with a picnic on Davis Field, replete with some southern favorites: barbeque, chicken, coleslaw, baked beans and hush puppies — another sign of revival for Mother So Dear. New students had positive first impressions about their professors and the academic environment at Wake Forest. “Students are held to a high standard by professors and they are consistently working to uphold that,” Lauren Cros-
by, a freshman intending to major in biology, said. Crosby was also pleased with the intimate setting inside classrooms and expressed that her FDOC experience gave her reassurance about her decision to attend Wake Forest. “I was very happy to see that both of my entry-level classes had around 30 students,” Crosby said. “Today further proved that Wake Forest is definitely my home and I can’t wait to continue to explore it.” While new freshmen began their college experience in person, the Class of 2024 had to begin their experience behind a screen. Despite an imperfect and tumultuous start to her undergraduate career, sophomore Camille Murashige was excited about in-person classes.
See FDOC, Page 4
See Renaming, Page 5
Wente addresses sophomores The 14th President of Wake Forest spoke to second-years at an FDOC cookout Monday BY EMILY TORO Staff Writer toroer20@wfu.edu “Hi, welcome. I’m the new president. I bought the hotdogs for you,” new Wake Forest President Susan R. Wente said to a group of students at the Sophomore Welcome Back Cookout this past Monday. She later admitted she was joking about bringing the hotdogs, though this was something she would have likely done given the opportunity. The food, music and giveaways enticed students of the class of 2024 to attend the cookout on Davis field, but many seemed more intrigued by Wente’s presence. She dropped by the event at around 5:30 p.m. Dean of Students Dr. Adam Goldstein was also in attendance. He described Wente as an “authentic” person and commended her honesty in all her interactions, especially those with students.
See Wente, Page 6
OGB
“ Forest sparks optimism Fall in the This column represents the views of the Old Gold & Black Editorial Board.
As we look around campus these days, it is impossible not to feel enlivened and excited by all the clamor and the noise. Inperson classes have returned, the quad is abuzz with student life, Moe’s has been eradicated from Benson and Chick-fil-A’s spicy chicken sandwich is now an Old Gold option. Our campus is alive once more, and that feels great. At the same time, it’s important that our community remains cognizant of the fact that the pandemic is not behind us, that vigilance and compliance are still necessary for our own health and safety and for that of the sur-
... we here at the Old Gold & Black encourage you to hang tight and to seize every opportunity this campus has to offer while you can." rounding community. Following the guidelines put forth by the experts is an obligation because we are not out of the woods yet. Soon, though, we will get there. In the meantime, we here at the Old Gold & Black encourage you to hang tight and to seize every opportunity this campus has to offer. There are life-changing experiences to be made at every turn, all you have to do is take
the initiative and seek them out. We urge you to leave no stone unturned, to travel your own unique path during your time as a Demon Deacon. Many of us have been robbed of the typical college experience to some extent, which makes us all the more grateful for the start of a semester like this one. Let's not let it go to waste. While you're out there finding adventure, we will continue to do what we've always done: provide you the most accurate and reliable coverage of campus life. With the first full week of classes nearly behind us, we are look-
ing toward the remainder of this new semester with optimism. The future is bright, and we are beginning to regain the sense of normalcy that has eluded us for so long. To the Class of 2025, once again, welcome — we’re glad you’re here. We sincerely hope that your Wake Forest experience begins on a high note. To the rest of our fellow Demon Deacons, we hope that your Fall in the Forest is a healthy and successful one from start to finish. Even during such a chaotic time of the year, I think we can all agree on one thing — it’s good to be back.
Old Gold&Black THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF WAKE FOREST UNIVERSIT Y SINCE 1916 ALEXANDRA KARLINCHAK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF karlae18@wfu.edu
BEN CONROY
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>> NEWS
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Connor Mcneely, mcnecb19@wfu.edu
>> SPORTS
Christina DeNovio, denoca20@wfu.edu Essex Thayer, thayse20@wfu.edu
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The Old Gold & Black is published Thursdays during the school year, except during examinations, summer and holiday periods, by Triangle Printing of Durham. © 2014 WFU Media Board. All rights reserved. The views expressed in all editorials and advertisements contained within this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the OGB. As part of our commitment to reporting news fairly and accurately, we will not remove any previously published content. If an error in either our online or print content is brought to our attention, we will revise the originally published article with an appended correction. In order to facilitate thoughtful and appropriate debate, profane, vulgar, or inflammatory comments on our website are not allowed and will be deleted. For more information on our commenting policy, please see our website. We reserve the right to reject advertisements deemed inappropriate. Our full policy, and how to advertise with the OGB, can be found on our website.
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Old Gold & Black | News
Deacon Profile: Gabbie Coffy
many people right now just want to be artists for fame and money, and even though that stuff is great, the factor that most motivated me was this belief that what I've written will have some effect on humanity or will touch somebody's life. I had come up with a melody from a music history course of mine. I had heard this harmonic progression and I thought it was beautiful. It stuck in my mind, and then I just had to keep playing it. I was at the piano. I was just trying to replicate what I'd heard. And then, on top of that, once I figured it out, I just started singing on top of it. That's how we started, and that's how the song developed. The lyrics came to me, the ideas came to me. Then I reached out to a producer who I'd gone to high school with, and he ended up producing my song. I also got an outside guitarist on that song — he provided the jazzy, funky guitar sound. I think it really is the meat and bones of my song, I think is what gives my song its umph. I think collaboration in music is so important. And then after that, the song was produced and released, and I'm so happy to see it out. So often, I get people who say they love it and they really enjoy it, and I feel like my work is doing what I intended it to do.
BY AINE PIERRE News Editor pierav20@wfu.edu
Gabbie Coffy is a senior at Wake Forest who is majoring in Music. On campus, she is involved in Momentum, Demon Divas, Chamber Choir and is a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Outside of school, she is a recording artist; her stage name is gxbrielle, and her first single, “What You Are,” was recently released on July 16. How did you first become interested in music? I was a dancer — I began when I was six — so for 15 years now. I was always surrounded by music, and when I'm dancing, I'm literally interpreting the music with bodily form. Dancing is an interesting medium because it enables me to understand myself physically with sounds and vibrations. I think growing up as a dancer, I automatically had this strong appreciation for the way different types of music could make my body move. It fostered an interest in music and prompted me to seek a more comprehensive understanding of it. I found myself considering questions such as 'why does this beat make me want to move this way?' But that was an implicit process, not something that I was consciously aware of at the time. Once I reached higher levels of education, I realized, ‘Wow, this is actually something I would want to do.’ Growing up, I was also in musicals, so I've been a singer for a very long time. After I started doing musicals and people were really enjoying my performances, I thought 'Wow, I'm not just a dancer, I can do other things as well.' I auditioned for Lion King on Broadway for Nala, and I actually got into the semifinal round for that role. The only reason I think I couldn't make it to the finals was because I broke something in my foot. So from that point onwards, I was faced with a choice about which passion I wanted to pursue: dance or song. At the same time, I knew I did not want to be just a singer-songwriter, I wanted to do more than interpret and regurgitate. It wasn't until I found myself very hormonal and with a lot of emotions that needed to be released at age 15 that I knew I needed to start writing songs. I think at that point, that's when I started to really see this as a viable career path. What has your musical journey at Wake Forest been like? In my freshman year, I think I had one music course with Professor [Joanne] Inkman. It was music 104: basic reading and sightsinging, the basics. I didn't see myself as a musician or a singer or an artist. At that point I was thinking of business, I was thinking of biology, I was thinking of Spanish. I wasn't thinking of music, and I was extremely un-
So what's next for you?
Photo courtesy of the Winston-Salem Symphony
happy. I was always somebody who loved school, loved every second of it, and all of a sudden I just found myself hating it. I realized I was not on the path right then, and I needed to figure out what that path was, so I kept taking music courses. One day it just hit me. I was following my intuition and following my heart and what felt best. I can't really explain it. I also auditioned for the Demon Divas acapella group, and through that, I realized that music is something I just love. I love singing in a group — harmonies make my heart skip a beat. They’re a true love of mine. I think that's also what allowed me to carry my passion for music through. And everybody goes to release their demons somehow. For me, that passion used to be dance, but then it became the piano. I knew that I was moving in a direction where music was becoming more a part of my life, so I was never overly concerned. Can you share a little bit more about your musical journey at Wake Forest beyond the classroom? I've grown most as a musician when I've been in social settings. I think it's so easy to grind at the piano, learn your scales, all that stuff. But when you're with people and
you are creating music — using each other's understanding of music to enhance your own — it all starts to click. I think Chamber Choir also has been really beneficial for me because I learned how to sight-read. That gave me an understanding of why the greats are the greats, why we sing Bach and why we appreciate what they bring to the table. In Demon Divas, I started arranging songs. In our repertoire, we have "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae. I arranged that in my sophomore year, and it allowed me to further my understanding of how harmony works: why I want Basses to sing this note; why I want the Altos to sing this note; why I want the Sopranos to sing this note; and how, by them singing these notes, we are creating a holistic sound. I think a big part of what you learn in music is that so much is dependent upon interpretation. That’s the biggest thing I've learned by being in the Demon Divas. What made you make the jump into the recording world? It took a lot of courage. I remember my friends would recommend that I just post covers, and I would be terrified of even posting them. But I felt like I had something to say, like I wanted to share my work because it could be beneficial to humanity. I think so
Right now, I'm drowning in work and figuring my life out, but I am still working toward creating an EP, which I hope to release in 2022 or early 2023. I think the EP will probably consist of a song I released — and another single I hope to release soon — and then maybe three or four more songs. For the moment, though, I'm a student. I'm the music director of Demon Divas, I'm head choreographer of Momentum and I'm in the sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma. I think my next steps are cultivating and creating the music that I want to share, but for right now, I'm focusing on being here. What's your message to other aspiring artists and musicians? I would say that sometimes it's super hard to follow your instincts. It's super hard to follow that intuition, and so much easier to follow the crowd and be like everybody else. But, I think the reason why I recorded my song in the first place was because it was an act of authenticity. Especially in the Wake Forest community - where there are so many sororities and fraternities, and you feel so much pressure to conform — I think it's so important at the end of the day to reel it back and remember what is at the heart of why we're here, what we're doing on this planet and how we can move society forward. Editor's Note: This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.
POLICE BEAT COVID-19 Violations/Underage Consumption/Drug Offenses Editor's note: A mention of an assault is contained within this police beat. Reader discretion is advised. • WSPD and WFUPD responded to a party on Wakefield Drive with approximately 120 people. One student was found drinking underage, but no citations were issued. The report was filed at 11:17 p.m. on Aug. 19. • A student who was drinking in Deacon Place was found on Allen Easley Street. The student was transported to WFU Baptist Medical Center by emergency services. The report was filed at 2:29 p.m. on Aug. 20. • Students were found drinking vodka in South. One student was severely intoxicated, but refused emergency medical services. That student was later taken to the hospital by
their RA. The other students were not nearly as intoxicated. The report was filed at 9:39 p.m. on Aug. 20. • An intoxicated student in Polo assaulted an RA. The student was taken to WFU Baptist Medical Center. The RA refused to press charges. The report was filed at 7:23 a.m. on Aug. 21. • An underage student hit their head on a grill while intoxicated at Theta Chi. The student checked themselves into WFU Baptist Medical Center, but they later left after learning of the hospital's nine-hour wait time. The report was filed at 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 22. Miscellaneous • A tractor/trailer hit a bench near Campus Grounds. The report was filed at 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 9.
News | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, August 26, 2021| Page 4
FDOC: Students celebrate mostly in-person classes Continued from Page 1 “I felt less disappointed about not having an in-person experience last year, and I’m excited on behalf of this incoming freshman class,” Murashige said. “It truly makes me happy that they get to have that as the beginning of their college experience. I love that, in a way, we’re all experiencing many ‘firsts’ together.” As the junior class begins to delve deeply into their selected courses of study, some view the ability to return to in-person studies as a blessing. “Returning to in-person instruction in biology and psychology courses is incredible,” Caleb Strickler, a junior, said. “It makes it easier to show how much you know, especially since there is a decrease in the amount of openbook tests.” For science majors, virtual versus inperson labs make a huge difference. “I am excited to get back into the chemistry lab and run experiments,” Stuart Lewis, a junior majoring in chemistry, said. “Doing a virtual lab is not comparable to a real lab.” Freshmen and seniors, going through their first and, in some cases, last FDOCs, respectively, had differing emotions. “I felt very much ‘in the zone’ and I wanted to prove myself here,” fresh-
man Alyssa Zaepfel said. “I started my day by reassuring my confidence and going at the day head first.” For the senior class, FDOC was both exciting and sentimental. “After the fact that I had to actually get dressed and look presentable for class for the first time in a year and a half, I felt extremely ecstatic to attend in-person class again,” senior anthropology major Christian Estrada said. “I was getting sick of ‘Zoom University’ and craved the school setting.” For second-semester senior and politics major Katelyn Jones, the emotions were heavier because Monday was truly her last FDOC. “Waking up this morning, I was sad,” Jones said. It feels like it’s been two years since I’ve felt a bit normal at college because of COVID-19,” Jones said. “I can’t believe that I was a senior because it still feels like I’m stuck in sophomore year.” For Jones, the fact that this is her last semester didn’t quite settle in on Monday. In fact, it still hasn’t. However, after spending all summer preparing for the LSAT, she is ready to make the most of the limited time she has remaining at Wake Forest. “I do feel sad, but I know I have an entire semester ahead of me to have fun, work hard, and enjoy Wake For- Students were excited instruction after nearly est for the last time,” she said.
Katie Fox/ Old Gold & Black
to make the return to in-person three semesters of virtual learning.
City implements indoor mask mandate Masks are now required all inside buildings throughout WinstonSalem BY COOPER SULLIVAN Asst. News Editor sullcg20@wfu.edu On Aug. 16, Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines reinstated a mask mandate for all indoor spaces within city limits, regardless of individual vaccination status. The policy comes in response to a rise in Delta variant COVID-19 cases both around the country and especially here in North Carolina. On Aug. 4
Governor Roy Cooper announced that while a statewide mask mandate is “still on the table,” and that his administration’s “primary focus is going to be on vaccinations.” This announcement prompted local leaders to reinstate mask mandates within their own municipalities. Wake, Durham, Mecklenberg and Guilford Counties have all issued county-wide mandates; Forsyth County has yet to implement any such measure. Joines reissued the mask mandate after speaking with fellow mayors and medical officials, including Forsyth County Public Health Director Joshua Swift and Dr. Chris Ohl, an infectious disease specialist at Wake Forest Baptist Health.
“All [the people I talked to] suggested that we need to take some steps to get this spike under control,” Joines told WFMY News2. “Particularly, I was concerned about the diminishing number of intensive care beds in our city.” There are several exceptions to the new mandate which differentiate it from previous mask mandates. Presenters that are at least 10 feet away from their audience, individuals citing religious beliefs and those in the middle of “strenuous exercise” represent just three of the 14 categories of individuals who are exempt from the mandate. Also noteworthy is Joines’ amendment, which allows private businesses and third parties to require proof of vaccination status.
Katie Fox/ Old Gold & Black
Signage posted on the storefront of a Winston-Salem Walgreen’s notifies customers of the recent citywide mask mandate, signed by Mayor Allen Joines on August 16.
Vice President of Campus Life Penny Rue says that, because the city-wide mandate includes the Reynolda campus, the university’s mask guidelines will not be lifted until Joines lifts his own decree. “The good news was that it wasn’t really widely divergent from what we’d already said we would do,” Rue said. “I know it’s their intention to reevaluate regularly as well.” Rue also mentioned the fact that, since both the city and university are advised by Ohl, “we tend to know exactly where things are headed [decision-wise].” Rue does not believe that breakthrough cases — those when a fully vaccinated person tests positive for the virus — will be a big issue at Wake Forest due to high vaccine efficacy rates. “I was impressed at Convocation on Friday,” Rue said. “Mask compliance is very high among the student body, and that’s what’s going to keep us safe. We’ve got a very, very small number of unvaccinated people — less than 200 — who chose to get an exemption. And some of those individuals are undervaccinated, meaning they may be coming from abroad locations where they couldn’t get a shot. [Now that they are here at Wake Forest] they’re part of our testing regimen and our vaccine distribution.” It is important to note that both Wake Forest University President Susan Wente and Student Body President Ally Swartzberg were present at convocation, so students may be less compliant when important officials are not around.
Page 5 | Thursday, August 26, 2021
Old Gold & Black | News
Renaming: Generic name acts as placeholder Continued from Page 1
On Aug. 10, the university’s new President, Dr. Susan Wente, shared with the school her plans to address the history of the school and rename the hall. She informed the community that the hall would temporarily be known as the Divinity and Religious Studies Building. Wente explained that this measure would prevent the continued use of the name Wingate Hall, but it would also provide the community time to agree on a more permanent and fitting name. She also announced that she had tasked the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to begin this process of finding a suitable name. All the while, she emphasized the importance of “open dialogue” within the Wake Forest community. With a focus on discovering “names of individuals, themes, and concepts to inform and inspire future endeavors as a university” her announcement suggests that this process will directly involve many members of the Wake Forest community. It is Wente’s
hope that these individuals will continue to speak up regarding their beliefs and opinions, both on this matter and others. Additionally, Wente’s comments hint at an intention to use names found in this specific renaming process for future projects. In finishing her announcement, she noted the importance of continuing to improve Wake Forest’s “diversity, equity and inclusion” on a community-wide level. Now that the majority of the community is back on campus and the Divinity and Religious Studies Building is in use hosting inperson classes, many are wondering when the next steps to rename the building will take place. Since the announcement on Aug. 10, there has been no word regarding the next steps of the naming process. When asked if there were any updates on the building’s name, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Jose Villalba said that his office has been “laying out these next steps” during the past few weeks and that they are currently “working on the pro-
cess and method, now that students, staff, and faculty are back in person.” As of now, this process is centered around assembling a group of stakeholders to assist Dr. Villalba and the office with the next
steps in this naming process. Dr. Villalba did not have any further comments at the time, but he did acknowledge that there would be more updates for the community on the renaming decision in the near future.
Katie Fox/ Old Gold & Black
After the committee missed its June 30 deadline to come up with a new name for the religion building, a placeholder name was chosen.
Family of shooting victim appeals in Barn lawsuit The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals will take up the wrongful death lawsuit against Wake Forest BY AINE PIERRE News Editor pierav20@wfu.edu
Baker’s family was less than pleased with the result. “I feel my son, Najee Baker, has not received any justice at all,” Jemel Ali Dixon, Baker’s mother, told the Winston-Salem Journal. “I lost my son, my heart ... (it) is the worst feeling for a parent to lose their child, especially
when my son’s death could have been prevented.” The family has appealed the decision to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. That process could drag on for months or even years. Right now, there is no indication how events at the Barn will be better
guarded, or if there will be any moratorium to honor the man who was lost there three years ago. COVID-19 concerns could also leave the barn shuttered if the virus gets out of hand. Vice President for Campus Life Penny Rue could not be immediately reached for comment.
Events at the Barn, an on-campus event site, may be coming back as early as this semester after a federal judge dismissed a case involving the site over the summer. The lawsuit involved the shooting death of Winston-Salem State University student Najee Ali Baker on Jan. 20, 2018. Baker was attending a party at the Barn hosted by Delta Sigma Theta, which was named as a defendant in the lawsuit alongside Wake Forest University and assorted security staff members. “In late 2014 and early 2015, WFU proposed new event management guidelines that would save the University money by sharply cutting law enforcement staffing and other security measures at The Barn,” the complaint, which was filed in federal court, alleges. “Police and professional security consultants openly warned against the proposed security cutbacks. One WFUPD officer publicly stated that a substantial police presence at The Barn was warranted given past dangerous incidents, including one melee involving six fights that required the already substantial police presence at the Barn to call for backup.” The complaint also alleged that events held by minority groups received less security, citing a 2014 controversy on campus. On Aug. 5, District Judge Catherine Eagles dismissed the case on the grounds that a gunman’s presence was not an obvious enough risk to prove negligence on the part of any defendants, according to Fox 8.
On Jan. 20, 2018, a Winston-Salem State University student was shot and killed at the Barn. For the past several years, the university has been a defendant in a lawsuit which alleges negligent wrongful death.
Photo Courtesy of Wake Forest University
Old Gold & Black | News
Page 6 | Thursday, August 26, 2021
Wente: 14th WFU president greets Class of ‘24 Continued from Page 1 Wente certainly seemed to bring her authentic self to the cookout on Monday night as she addressed every group of students sitting underneath the Davis field tents. She approached picnic tables not only to introduce herself, but also to inquire about the students’ first days of classes. She seemed keen to hear about the students’ experiences, especially in light of the fact that many had not sat through a live class in months.
“I want to let you sophomores know that you are very special . . . I thought about you a lot as we came back for the semester and thought about how you’ve had the most unusual of experiences,” Wente said. “We’re going to look back and look forward from here. We’ve learned so much about each other and we’re going to take care of each other.” President Wente, eager to find out who had a challenging or dreadful day and who was excited about an intriguing class, asked students about their
schedules and other interests. She also took time to highlight the noteworthy aspects of Wake Forest’s liberal arts education and explained her own educational background. She shared with students about how she majored and later received a doctorate in biochemistry, but wishes she had the opportunity to engage in more humanities classes. Through interacting with students and walking the campus, the newly appointed president quickly recognized the significant presence of the
forest’s motto, Pro Humanitate, noting the sense of community the university fosters. “I’ve lived on college campuses for years,” Wente said. “But what has been most exciting to me is the fact that everyone really loves this place and wants to be connected to one another.” Overall, Wente plans to leave a lasting impression on the university. “My time here has been wonderful [so far],” Wente said. “When I retire, I want to leave the place better than I found it.”
Anthropology museum reopens to the public With a new name, anthropology museum staff hope to enrich both students and the public BY SOPHIE GUYMON Staff Writer guymsm20@wfu.edu After 17 months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Timothy S.Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology is reopening on Friday to the public under a new name, the Lam Museum of Anthropology. The museum is also unveiling a new logo, which reflects the museum’s mission statement: to “[create] awareness of global cultures by collecting, protecting, managing, and exhibiting archaeological artifacts, ethnographic objects, and visual arts of past and present peoples and [provide] opportunities for intercultural learning,” per its website. The new name honors Wake Forest alumnus Timothy S. Y. Lam (‘60), who donated a large collection of Tang Dynasty ceramics to the museum shortly before his passing in 2012. The name also honors his family, members of which carried on his generous legacy with the creation of a new academic excellence fund earlier this year. Lam’s collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection of ceramics from the Changsha Kilns in the United States. During the temporary closure, Lam was accessible to students in person and online for socially-distanced internships, class projects and employment. There was also a Lunch & Learn series launched in February, in which participants pre-registered to discuss various anthropology-related topics with museum staff. However, students who have not gone to the museum since the onset of the pandemic will be met with many changes. “The overall look of the [new museum] is quite different,” Sara Cromwell, the assistant director at Lam, said. “It is brighter with more clean lines [and] the galleries themselves are larger and more open. We [now] have a lot more behindthe-scenes space to work on projects or hold class meetings.” There will be five new exhibits on display alongside the museum’s permanent “Stories of Humanity: Anthropology in
North Carolina” installation. Of these, the central exhibit is ‘Culture at Stake’ (on display through August 2022), which was curated by students in an Introduction to Museum Studies course and focuses on unethical collecting. “Culture at Stake” will feature objects from three of the Museum’s collections: the West Mexican shaft tomb ceramics, the Bura ceramics from Niger and the ethnographic objects from the Pacific islands. “It traces the origins of these collections and discusses possible futures for these artifacts,” Cromwell said. Also housed in the new museum will be three smaller exhibits curated by student interns, “Animal Origin: Tokens and Tools from Faunal Remains”, “Exchange in Melanesia” and “The Private Lives of Pots”. These exhibits focus on artifacts from around the world that are
made using animal parts, objects connected to trade in the Pacific Islands, and the construction, use, and loss of cultural heritage caused by the archaeological looting of a recently donated collection of Ancient Middle Eastern pottery, respectively. “Animal Origin” will be on display through May, while the other two exhibits will be on display until Dec. 10. Cromwell’s favorite exhibit is the annual bilingual Day of the Dead exhibit, “Life After Death: The Day of the Dead in Mexico”. New to the exhibit this year is a section on fantastical Mexican folk art sculptures. There is also an opportunity for visitors to leave memories or messages for their loved ones who have passed away. “I look forward to setting up the ofrenda, or offering, each year and love the bright colors and skeleton imagery
[in the exhibit],” Cromwell said. “I really admire the outlook that death is just another part of life and not something to be frightened of.” The Lam Museum, and the family for which it is named, have given many members of the Wake Forest community a lasting appreciation of material culture and a greater understanding of anthropology. The in-depth research project opportunities offered to students serve as a launching pad to graduate school and future careers. “Going forward, [we] envision using funds from the Lam family gift to enhance the possibilities for independent research,” Cromwell said. Advanced techniques like materials analysis, radiometric dating and digital image capture technology are all now on the table to better understand the Museum’s collections.”
Photo Courtesy of lammuseum.wfu.edu
The Anthropology Museum reopens to the public with a new name, new layout and new exhibitions this upcoming Friday thanks to gifts from the Lam family.
OPINION
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Afghanistan desperately needs humanitarian aid U.S. government's mistakes become apparent in disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan BY MARYUM KHANUM Staff Columnist khanmg20@wfu.edu
America’s rapid withdrawal from Afghanistan leaves chaos in its wake. Numerous media outlets have been scrambling to cover the situation in the capital, Kabul, as Afghans desperately attempt to leave the country. All of this turmoil has sparked intense discourse amongst Americans as to what the government should have done to mitigate the current disaster. However, considering the fact that American troops have been fighting this war for two decades and still have essentially nothing to show for their efforts, it isn’t entirely clear what measures American forces could have taken in order to protect the citizens of Afghanistan and prevent the Taliban’s Photo courtesy of Jeremy T. Lock (USAF) forcible takeover of the country. In 2012, then-president Barack Obama stated Members of the Afghanistan Military Force (AMF) stand guard over the that the U.S. would no longer be in the busi- town of Markhanai, keeping watch over the valley from an adjacent hilltop. ness of “nation-building” in Afghanistan and that his government would "focus on nation- reconstruction funding by billions of dollars in of 300,000 men in Afghanistan also contained building here at home.” Nevertheless, the prac- just a few years. Their lack of attention to the the names of thousands of soldiers that didn’t tice continued in Afghanistan for the majority issue further emboldened the Taliban, who were actually exist and who were only enrolled so that of Obama's time in office. The truth is, it was then able to regain control of most of the coun- the other Afghan military officials could multiply their own pay. Simultaneously, the extent extremely easy for American forces to drive out try by 2006. However, the U.S. could no longer afford to of the corruption meant that actual existing solthe Taliban from most of Afghanistan and forcibly gain control over the country — such was revive its efforts in Afghanistan. By 2010, the diers were also not receiving resources, food or accomplished less than a year after the official U.S. was already $13 trillion in debt, a number any kind of reimbursement for their efforts — which has only risen over the years, amounting to this demoralized Afghan soldiers to the point of beginning of the war. The bulk of the approximate $2 trillion approximately $30 trillion today. Moreover, the desertion, further weakening the army. Lastly, the fact that former President Trump’s (Brown University, 2019) spent on the war COVID-19 pandemic took precedence in 2020, was utilized in rebuilding and defending what and Congress passed the $2 trillion CARES act. government actually validated the Taliban as a became known as the Ring Road — a major The U.S. just didn’t have the money to spend on legitimate organization, and that President Joe Biden continued that validation, speaks volumes highway in Afghanistan that connected its’ main a foreign war anymore. While it’s evident that the U.S. had to with- about how dedicated American forces were to cities, including the capital, Kabul. Due to the population of Afghanistan consisting primarily draw from the Afghanistan war, the fact remains actually eliminating the terrorist organization of disconnected and isolated tribes and commu- that the bedlam that followed this withdrawal as a threat. In 2020, President Trump actually nities — and coupled with the fact that the road was almost wholly unnecessary and was perpetu- sat down with the leaders of the Taliban in a negotiation that produced the February 2020 was essential to the country’s ability to trade as ated by the governments of four presidents. Firstly, many Americans, including U.S. gov- deal (as a result the U.S. agreed to withdraw the only land route connecting South Asia and Central Asia, the reconstruction of the road was ernment officials, are quick to blame the army from Afghanistan by May of 2021). Despite the vital. The roadway needed to be functional in in Afghanistan. Over the course of the war, the Taliban constantly violating this agreement (by order for American forces to be able to stabilize U.S. spent $83 billion equipping and training refusing to renounce Al-Qaeda and continuthe Afghan army. What they failed to realize is ously harboring terrorists among many other the country socioeconomically. However, the complete lack of foresight on the that simply throwing expensive weaponry at the infringements) Biden used it to justify his rapid part of the United States government meant that Afghan military would not make them better withdrawal from Afghanistan, essentially stating the billions of dollars that went into rebuild- fighters. The U.S. inadvertently created an army that he was following a deadline set by the very ing this road would soon go to waste. For one, that was so dependent on American forces — forces the U.S. originally set out to destroy. Ultimately, there is not much the U.S. can do they didn’t re-establish the Afghan Ministry of airstrikes in particular — that when the U.S. Public Works, an organization that was recently refused to provide more air support, the Afghan to help Afghanistan at this point. The Taliban forced to let go of hundreds of employees due army simply stopped fighting. Instead, they takeover has been prompt and little resistance to corruption charges. The ministry was just began handing over territory to the Taliban and has been offered. Simply put, the government as corrupt back in the early 2000s — the same offering no resistance. cannot afford to pledge another trillion dollars Ministry was in charge of conducting mainteIn addition, American forces refused to toward efforts in a foreign country while the nance on and guarding the Ring Road and it acknowledge — and by extension take action U.S.’s own economy is just beginning to recover. was almost too easy for the Taliban to concen- against — the intense levels of corruption At the end of the day, the war in Afghanistan the trate their attacks around the road and destroy within the Afghan political and military sys- subsequent withdrawal and the Taliban takeover it. In addition, the beginning of the war in Iran tems. In neglecting the re-formation of the have revealed too many cracks in the U.S. efforts in 2003 meant the U.S. had to put their efforts Ministry of Public Works, the U.S. government concerning the war on terrorism, flawed foreign in Afghanistan on the back burner, cutting failed to address the fact that the supposed army policy measures and failed humanitarian efforts.
Opinion | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, August 26, 2021 | Page 8
Late-night era of“television fades from entertainment spotlight Entertainment
Strict, politically-correct TV standards are sending comedians to less-restrictive mediums Conor Metzger Staff Writer metzcr19@wfu.edu
This past June, Conan O’Brien finished off his tenure as a late-night television host. It was a role he spent the past 30 years dedicating his life to — in that time, he worked on two networks and three different shows. Upon announcing the move, O’Brien also revealed two other interesting pieces of information. First, he would be starting a new variety series on HBO Max. As of now, not much is known about the project’s details. Perhaps more newsworthy, however, was his announcement that he will be devoting an increasingly significant amount of his time toward podcasting endeavors. O’Brien began his first podcast, “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend”, back in 2018. Quickly, the show became a hit and the critics took note. Since then, O’Brien has launched a slew of other podcasts through his production company Team Coco.
Younger generations are less interested in staying up late at night to catch a half-hour show that includes commercial breaks... ”
interest in being censored. Being politically correct is exhausting, and the talking heads would rather spend their time discussing the things they want in the manner they want without the fear of offending someone or being “canceled”. When the comedian has the reins, there are no issues ‘too sensitive,’ and practically nothing is off-limits. One only has to look at the success of “The Joe Rogan Experience” to see how the podcast arena allows for superior comedy and debate. Comedian Joe Rogan’s podcast, which many would consider to be among the best out there, features discussions on a multitude of topics. Rogan’s guests come from all walks of life and all corners of the political spectrum. Topics of discussion vary as widely as the role of censorship and big businesses, to LGBTQ+ rights and the intersection of transgender athletes and Olympic competition. Rogan examines a plethora of issues, and does so while maintaining a casual style of conversation, reminiscent of the ones we have with our closest friends and acquaintances. His style is not bogged down in showmanship and promotion — the hallmarks of our current late-night shows — nor is it bogged down in political correctness. Rogan uses his unique style of comedy — a loose, no-holds approach — to take issues that many find sensitive and bring them to a level where
they are more approachable and appropriate for his audience to consider. It is for the reasons listed here, among others, as to why there is no shortage of podcasts today. It seems as though everyody has got one, and comedians are surely leading the pack. Even before Rogan’s start in 2009, there was Bill Burr in 2007 with his “Monday Morning Podcast”. Comedians are increasingly finding platforms such as “SNL” to be too restricting and deciding that they need to find a space where they can do comedy the way they want to. Even in the comedy club setting, audiences are having to be asked to turn in their phones out of fear of the comic’s joke being recorded and put out into the world with the wrong context. So what does this all mean for the future of comedy? Hopefully, it hints at a more prosperous time when comedians can experiment and try new things without the fear of being cancelled. As of now, there have not been many notable cases of censorship on platforms like Spotify or Youtube, though this could change quickly if the “woke” culture sets its sights on these platforms. We will just have to wait and see if this new podcast culture can hold out and continue to serve as a platform for some of the funniest comedians of all time. That’s my hope, because who doesn’t love to see their favorite celebrities raw, honest and uncaged?
Global warming has accelerated But the average American is the wrong the water cycle, leading to an in- person to constantly inform about global creased rate of evaporation from warming. Instead, those who control the means of electricity and heat production both soil and plants. ”
must innovate less energy-intensive processes to generate clean water. We have to move away from power plants that pollute oceans with mass amounts of brine and the skies with smog. Aquifers — one of the country’s greatest water resources — are a key factor in our preservation of clean drinking water for the growing global population. However, the historical trend regarding the major aquifers across the United States has proven unsustainable. A prevalent example of our inefficient use of aquifers can be found in the Ogallala aquifer, which has been overutilized for irrigation purposes. Water levels in this source have reportedly declined more than 100 feet in some areas (per USGS surveys). The idea that a significant loss of life or property is necessary for action to be taken against issues like a lack of clean drinking water is not new by any means. At face value, it sounds excessive and harsh. Some people may draw the premature conclusion that I desire this destruction. This is not the case. I am not fear-mongering, and I am not writing this from an uneducated perspective. Rather the truth that I have been driving at is this: until the destruction and death move to the front doorstep of Shell and Exxon Mobil executives — or any major international corporation — big businesses won’t abandon those practices that will make them the survivors of the hellscape that they have created.
These podcasts have been generally well received and have successfully given the comedian an outlet to connect with a younger audience. Through his podcasting work, O’Brien is revealing a side of himself that his traditional network television audience may be unfamiliar with. Listeners are hearing from a more “uncaged” Conan, as the absence of a network’s standards and practices allows him to discuss issues however he sees fit. O’Brien’s decision to focus his efforts on podcasting represents a significant shift in the ethos of the entertainment industry because late night shows have often been regarded as a comic’s dream. Hosting one of these programs used to equate to stardom and success, but it appears they are becoming relics of another time. Younger generations are less interested in staying up late at night to catch a halfhour or an hour show that includes commercial breaks. They’d rather listen to a podcast while they are driving or working out, and do so without interruption. Another issue is at play here as well. Comedians, like the rest of us, have no
“ Global water scarcity becomes a growing danger Environment
Preventative action must be taken to halt the effects of climate change
ic catastrophe could shock officials into making a substantive change, because Connor McNeely today, preemptive legislation introduced Opinion Editor in Congress is rare and seldom passed. mcnecb19@wfu.edu This idea remains unchanged, regardless of how many catastrophic events have occurred since the time of my original Around this time last year, I wrote an writing. It has become clear that for acarticle for the Old Gold & Black describ- tual work to be done, an incident worthy ing the immediate need for international of the attention of the U.S. government action on the wildfires raging across the must occur. Worse yet, this incident must American West and the rainforests of be far more damaging than anything preBrazil. My hypothesis was that a dramat- viously considered possible. The alarming wildfires that occurred last year are still tearing apart Reno. Those wildfires — and the accompanying droughts — are symptomatic of a much larger problem that has received little effectual change (though the semantics of the term global warming have proven that it has received more than enough public attention). It is redundant to point out that global warming is the reason behind all of the individual weather disasters. It isn’t enough that people know that it is a dangerous issue, because even then nothing is going to be done about it. Every day, the average American is being notified that if Photo courtesy of Martine Perret they don’t change the ways in which they UN photographer Martine Perret captures the utilize ‘essential services’ on a daily basis, effects of a drought on dry-land in Timor-Leste. their way of life will be totally destroyed.
must be constantly reminded. Government officials, the individuals who control policies that relate to fossil fuel emission and set agricultural subsidies, must be influenced in the intimate way that American citizens are being influenced. Instead, the spotlight now must shine on solutions to the multiplying dangers that oppose vulnerable countries across the world. One such peril is the steadily increasing lack of clean water. One billion people — including 450 million children — live in areas of high or extremely high water vulnerability (per UNICEF, 2021). Global warming has accelerated the water cycle, leading to an increased rate of evaporation from both soil and plants. In turn, this has led to a severe reduction of moisture in various land areas all over the world, areas where droughts have been more common, historically. As a direct result, we now live in a world in which eternal fires blaze across the United States. In the larger world, great river beds like the Rio Grande have been drained and reduced to cracked, dried mud. The solution to climate problems like these does not lie in an emerging Canadian enterprise of harvesting icebergs — nor does it exist in the ancient desalination plants that are heavily depended on in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. As technology advances, we
Opinion | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, August 26, 2021 | Page 9
“ Dishwashing teaches an essential lesson of patience Cap's Cabana
Cap's summer working in local kitchen becomes an important life experience Cap McLiney
Asst. Opinion Editor mclicp19@wfu.edu
Over the summer, I worked here and there in a local kitchen as a dish boy. It was not a real resumé builder by any means and the pay was nothing to write home about. The only perk that came with working the $8 an hour job was that I was able to get lunch or dinner for free, whenever I liked. Considering I never really cook and order take out way too often, that free food was a nice perk ,and one I took advantage of often. My primary station was in the elbow of an “L” shaped metal trough of sorts that led to an industrial dishwasher. I would
...the best approach is sometimes that which might at first seem to be the most difficult... ” open it up, slide in the tray of dishes and close the door to activate the cleaning sequence without needing to press a single button. In all honesty, I slowly fell in love with this machine. It could do a whole load of dishes in less than two minutes! I was continually impressed by the way in which this device was so much more efficient than the average home dishwasher. Apparently, they are alarmingly expensive to the point where most restaurants rent them. Otherwise, I would absolutely try and get one in my own home someday. At the end of the shift, we would finish drying off all of the dishes and rack them before beginning to shut down the shiny metal kitchen for the night. One of the primary duties for which I was responsible was that of cleaning, sanitizing, rinsing and, finally, squeegeeing the surface
to remove all excess liquid before drying. It was during this penultimate act that I was hit with an interesting nugget of wisdom that I would not have anticipated receiving as a dish boy. The night was ending. We had been running late and I was in a hurry to get out the door. I was hurriedly drawing the long plastic blade across the iron “L.” The water was flying everywhere and it felt like I was making no progress in removing the liquid from the surface. I began to grow quite frustrated. The head chef then walked over and said,“Cap, if you just go a little slower you’ll move more water and not have to go over the same surface so many times.” He then proceeded to finish my job in a deliberate manner that put my flustered effort to shame. His words resonated with me for the rest of the night because they seemed to have implications that reach far beyond the art of squeegeeing. Simply put, he reminded me that slower can be better. Similar to the tortoise and the hare, the chef's words seem to be especially rel-
evant in regards to the beginning of the school year. As we all encounter various tasks inside and beyond the classroom, we should not be afraid to be calculated, focused or even slow in our actions. There is a real tendency within most people to rush through our duties in order to feel as though we are being as efficient as possible. While efficiency does have its place, we can’t forget that the best approach is sometimes that which might at first seem to be the most difficult or time-consuming. Compare squeegeeing and reading, for example. It is tempting to complete both of these tasks by quickly skimming either over the water or the text. I have found, however, that by giving just a little more time to either the stroke or the word, I gain a lot more. As this school year kicks off, I would like to encourage the reader to consider parts of their life in which they are currently rushing and could slow down. I can guarantee you that in doing so, you will be surprised by the degree to which your performance is enhanced.
“ England's Euro run inspires fan devotion Soccer
The 2020 European Football Championships provide invigorating entertainment Jacob Schaffer
Staff Writer schajj19@wfu.edu
It’s the 70th minute of Germany versus England. The game is tied at 0-0. England star Jack Grealish has just been subbed; off comes the 19-year-old attacker, Bukayo Saka. Wembley roars in excitement at the sight. Four minutes later, the ball is fed into the feet of Raheem Sterling who stands at the German half of the midfield. He turns towards the German defense, the ball in front of him. He dribbles toward the German goal, beats two defenders and passes to England’s talisman, Harry Kane, who waits on the edge of the 18-yard box. Kane, with his back towards goal, passes to Grealish, who supplies the ball to Luke Shaw on his left. Making one of his marauding runs down the left wing, Shaw runs by a defender and fizzes the ball along the ground across the penalty area. There Sterling tucks it away for his third goal of the tournament. Wembley erupts into ecstasy. Over the summer of 2021, the 2020 European Championships gave the continent, and the soccer world at large, reason to celebrate. The games are normally held in one country, but to mark
...I can't imagine feeling more England is a team that is also full of re- to the players, offering their support connected to a group of play- latable people. From Mason Mount and and their love. I was heartened, too, ers and a nation as a whole, Declan Rice — two midfielders who by the quick support offered by other than I did last summer.” have been friends since childhood — to English players, Kane in particular. To Raheem Sterling — who lost his father the public, he said: “If you’re abusing when he was two, and who was seen anyone on social media, you’re not an the 60th anniversary of the tourna- carrying his four-year-old son onto the England fan and we don’t want you.” ment, it was decided that these matches field after the win against Germany — Watching the European Championshould be played all over the continent. the team has quite a cast of characters. ships was an amazing experience, and England was very lucky in their draw After the game against Germany, Eng- I recommend everyone tune into the of cities: they were able to play six of land went on to crush Ukraine in the 2022 World Cup when we can (hopetheir seven games in front of their home quarterfinals by a score of 4-0. Then, fully) cheer on the American national crowd. in the semifinals, they beat Denmark team. There are not a lot of American However, the English fans weren’t con- 2-1 in extra time. After reaching their sporting events that can match the pasfined to their country across the pond. I, first tournament final since their 1996 sion and intensity that comes with inaround 3,462 miles away from London, World Cup win, England was set to face ternational football, which is one of the am also a firm supporter of the team. the best team in the tournament: Italy. reasons I have come to love the sport. I I first became a soccer fan when watchThe game was an emotionally taxing am and always will be incredibly proud ing the 2018 World Cup and found my- one. England went up 1-0 after only of this England team, not only because self rooting for a country on the other three minutes, but the score was leveled of how far they went, but because of side of the world. That year, team Eng- in the second half off a scrappy goal that the example they set along the way. land tragically lost in extra time to the resulted from a corner kick. England sweethearts of the tournament, Croatia went on to lose the game on penalties yet, even still, I fell in love with both the — the Italians found the back of the net sport and team. thrice, England only twice. I was heartI am pretty non-English. With Ital- broken. ian and Eastern European ancestry and My sadness quickly developed into a multi-generational American back- anger and disappointment when I heard ground, there was very little tying me to the news that the three English players the country. Nonetheless, I can’t imagine who had missed their penalties — Rashfeeling more connected to a group of ford, Saka and Jaden Sancho — had players and a nation as a whole, than I been racially abused on social media. did last summer. I was sickened, as I’m sure many othEngland is a team replete with icons. ers were. ‘How could anybody possibly Captain Harry Kane may be the first abuse someone in such an ignorant way, to come to mind for many, but Marcus especially Rashford, whose compassion Rashford deserves praise as well. Dur- during the pandemic allowed many ing the initial lockdowns in the United children to not go to bed hungry,’ I Kingdom, Rashford successfully peti- wondered. Photo courtesy of Franco Neal At the same time, I was heartened by The England National Team poses tioned the government to continue and expand a program of free school meals. the number of people I saw reaching out for a picture ahead of their match.
SPORTS
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OLD GOLD & BLACK
Previewing the ACC Football season The ACC looks to be strong this year, with the likes of Clemson and North Carolina BY ESSEX THAYER Sports Editor thayse20@wfu.edu
The college football season is almost upon us, and as always, there is much to size up in Wake Forest’s conference: the ACC. For the past few years, the top of the ACC has remained relatively constant, with Clemson practically a perennial College Football Playoff member and the recent resurgence of North Carolina under head coach Mack Brown. But below that, the rest of the conference is up for play. Below, each team in the conference will be previewed and their records will be predicted. With that, let’s get into it. Atlantic: 1. Clemson (Predicted finish 12-0, 8-0 in the ACC) Expect nothing less than an undefeated season from the No. 3 ranked Tigers. They lost quarterback Trevor Lawrence to the NFL, but sophomore DJ Uiagalelei is the real deal and should fit right into the Tiger offense. On defense, sophomore defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is expected to build upon a star-studded freshman year. Looking at the schedule, Clemson’s hardest game should come in their first week matchup against No. 5 Georgia. Other than that, the Tigers’ conference schedule is much easier than it could be, as they avoid No. 10 North Carolina and No. 14 Miami. 2. NC State (Predicted finish 9-3, 5-3 in the ACC) Devin Leary is back at quarterback for the Wolfpack after spending last season on the sideline with an injury. The defense could prove to be a weakness, they lost the heart of their team, pass rusher Alim McNeill, to graduation. The Wolfpack has a rather easy nonconference schedule, except for Mississippi State, which will be a challenge. In conference play, NC State should be able to handle the likes of Wake Forest, Boston College and Louisville. Their three losses should come to No. 3 Clemson, No. 10 North Carolina and No. 14 Miami. 3. Wake Forest (Predicted finish 8-4, 4-4 in the ACC) Wake Forest struggled last season, but with the return of nearly their entire offense, there is an opportunity for this team to be a formidable one.
Sam Hartman is back at quarterback and could lead the offense to a big year. The Demon Deacons are known around the NCAA as a team that can beat almost anyone, but also can falter against weaker opponents, so this prediction is not easy. Wake Forest starts the season out with two games they should win — against Old Dominion and Norfolk State — and has two games they should lose — No. 3 Clemson and No. 10 North Carolina. Other than that, almost every other game is a toss-up. I like the Demon Deacons to beat Florida State, Louisville, Syracuse, Army, Duke and Boston College. I see them losing to NC State and Virginia, along with the ranked teams previously listed. If this prediction comes true, the Demon Deacons would start the season 7-1. 4. Boston College (Predicted finish 8-4, 4-4 in the ACC) Boston College should be a good football team this year, but like Wake Forest, they are hard to predict. Phil Jurkovic solidifies the offense at the quarterback position as one of the best in all of college football. On defense, eight starters are expected back. The Eagles have a very easy non-conference schedule to start off the season aside from when Missouri comes to their home field. They also have to face No. 3 Clemson, and have some losable games against Wake Forest, NC State and Virginia Tech. All of these, I expect them to drop. 5. Louisville (Predicted finish 6-6, 4-4 in the ACC) Last season, the offense was Louisville’s strong suit, averaging 444 yards and 30 points per game. Their quarterback, Malik Cunningham, returns, adding stability. The linebacker core on defense has been heavily diminished by graduation, so the Cardinals could be weak up the middle. Louisville has a tough first matchup against Ole Miss in Atlanta, but after that, I expect them to handle the rest of their early schedule. In conference, they have two cupcake games against Syracuse and Duke, but also have to face No. 3 Clemson, NC State and Wake Forest. 6. Florida State (Predicted finish 3-9, 1-7 in the ACC) For Florida State, last year was a struggle, but the transfer of quarterback Mckenzie Milton could provide some pop on the offensive side of the ball, as long as he can stay healthy. On defense, the Seminoles return a very strong linebacker core. I personally think this team will continue to strug-
gle throughout the season, but they could also be the most likely team to prove me wrong and turn the tables. From top to bottom, Florida State has a really tough schedule, starting in week one against Notre Dame. In conference play, they also have to face all of the top-end teams — No. 3 Clemson, No. 10 North Carolina, No. 14 Miami and NC State. At the end of the season, the return of their annual battle with No. 13 Florida will be must-watch football. The only conference matchup I truly trust the Seminoles to win, against Syracuse. 7. Syracuse (Predicted finish 3-9, 0-8 in the ACC) Last year was not fun for fans of the Orange, with the team only posting one win. The offensive line couldn’t block a beach ball, and the rest of the offense couldn’t do much more to move the chains. Tommy DeVito is back at quarterback, but is at risk of losing his job before the season even begins. Believe it or not, I think the Orange will start the season on a 3-0 run, but that comes in games against Ohio, Rutgers and Albany. After that, I expect Syracuse to drop the rest of their games, including a matchup with No. 3 Clemson. Coastal: 1. North Carolina (Predicted finish 11-1, 8-0 in the ACC) Sam Howell is back at quarterback for what was a lethal North Carolina team last year. He is easily one of the top candidates for the Heisman Trophy this season. The offensive line could be a liability protecting Howell in the pocket, though. The defense lost a lot of production to the draft as well. The Tar Heels have a relatively easy ACC schedule, but they do have to face off against No. 14 Miami and NC State. I expect them to drop a nonconference game in the middle of the season to No. 9 Notre Dame. 2. Miami (Predicted finish 10-2, 7-1 in the ACC) D’Eriq King is back at quarterback for the Hurricanes after tearing his ACL in the bowl game. The defensive side of the ball is a big concern for Miami after losing Greg Rousseau to the draft. The linebackers are shaky as well. Miami kicks off the season against Alabama in what will be a packed house in Atlanta. Luckily, the Hurricanes avoid No. 3 Clemson, but do have to face No. 10 North Carolina, which I have earmarked as a loss. The rest of the schedule isn’t too trouble-
some, but NC State should be an upset watch. 3. Virginia Tech (Predicted finish 9-3, 6-2 in the ACC) I like Virginia Tech more than most sports journalists, and most of that has to do with their offense, which returns seven starters. The most important position for the Hokies this year is quarterback. Braxton Burmeister is expected to start after transferring over from Oregon. Virginia Tech’s first game comes against No. 10 North Carolina, which is a tough way to start off the season. They also have a tough mid-season matchup with No. 9 Notre Dame. Lastly, the end of the season brings some competitive games against Boston College, No. 14 Miami and Virginia. 4. Pitt (Predicted finish 7-5, 3-5 in the ACC) In years past, Pitt has not been known to be a strong contender in the ACC. Last year, however, they turned it around and put forth a winning record. Luckily for the Panthers, Kenny Pickett returns at quarterback, and the receivers surrounding him are spectacular. The ground game, on the other hand, leaves a lot to be desired. Pitt’s only remotely tough earlyseason game comes against Tennessee, and who knows if that even is worth calling a contest. In conference play, the Panthers face strong competition, including the likes of No. 3 Clemson, No. 14 Miami and No. 10 North Carolina, all in the span of four weeks. 5. Virginia (Predicted finish 5-7, 3-5 in the ACC) Last year, the Cavaliers were plagued by inconsistent play on both sides of the ball. This coming season, I expect much of the same. There are some tough out-of-conference games against No. 9 Notre Dame and BYU, not to mention playing No. 10 North Carolina and No. 14 Miami in conference. I do have the Cavaliers taking down Wake Forest, though. 6. Georgia Tech (Predicted finish 3-9, 1-7 in the ACC) Simply put, the transformation process is still on for the Yellow Jackets, and they are not done yet. They get a courtesy win against Duke, but that’s about it. 7. Duke (Predicted finish 3-9, 0-8 in the ACC) Duke has some pretty easy out of conference games, the toughest being a home game against Kansas. They should win those. The ACC schedule should be a big struggle and lead to a disappointing record.
Sports | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, August 26, 2021 | Page 11
Men’s soccer splits results in exhibition matches Wake Forest took down Furman before losing to Coastal Carolina a week later BY CHARLES HORN Staff Writer horncs18@wfu.edu Under the lights in a packed and raucous Spry Stadium free of capacity restrictions, Wake Forest faced off against Coastal Carolina in the Demon Deacons’ second and final exhibition game. Just over three months ago, the Demon Deacons played the Chanticleers in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Junior midfielder Omar Hernandez scored twice in a hard-fought and tension-ridden 3-2 win. Wake Forest would go on to outlast Kentucky before losing to North Carolina in the Elite Eight. On Aug. 21, two Coastal Carolina goals were enough to beat Wake Forest in the final warmup match before the start of the regular season. The Deacons began their exhibition slate by overcoming Furman 2-0 in their first preseason fixture. Sophomore midfielder Chase Oliver scored just minutes into the second half, and Hernandez scored off a trademark free kick to seal off the game with only six minutes remaining. Most importantly, the exhibitions showed off Wake Forest’s dazzling collection of first-year talent — the class was
given the distinction of TopDrawerSoccer’s No. 1 recruiting class of 2021. Freshmen Nicolas Mancilla, Tareq Shihab, Roald Mitchell and Leo Guarino started against Furman, while Babacar Niang started against Coastal Carolina in a more veteran-heavy starting eleven. Throughout the first half, Niang starred as Wake Forest dominated possession and produced numerous scoring chances. Even so, they repeatedly came up short in front of goal. Starting in the middle and drifting out wide, Niang darted at defenders while continually making himself open for the ball. He orchestrated the plays with Hernandez, who was operating much deeper than he does in his normal attacking midfield position. Senior forward Kyle Holcomb had a series of chances, including a close-range opportunity that forced a spectacular diving save from the Coastal Carolina goalkeeper, Leon Schmidt. Despite the heavy pressure, it was the Chanticleers who struck first in the 32nd minute on their first meaningful opportunity of the match. Throughout the battle, Coastal Carolina’s deep sitting defense and resolute goalkeeping frustrated Wake Forest, who failed to score. The Demon Deacons recorded seven shots on goal and 10 corners. Coastal Carolina struck again in the 72nd minute on a counterattack that broke through Wake Forest’s high pressure. Tension from last year’s NCAA match lingered, with tackles growing increasingly rough and the match becoming more
and more physical. Wake Forest Head Coach Bobby Muuss and Shaun Docking of Coastal Carolina could be seen engaged in intense dialogue on the far sideline. A particularly tense moment occurred when an errant Coastal Carolina backpass forced their goalkeeper to rapidly charge to clear the ball away from an onrushing Niang. Seemingly nicked by Niang’s trailing leg, the keeper collapsed in a heap while play continued, ultimately provoking a Coastal Carolina player. Both teams registered a collection of yellow cards, with hard fouls and late challenges aplenty in a game carrying more emotion than a normal exhibition match. This was clear based upon Coastal Carolina’s goal celebrations, which included their goalkeeper sprinting across the field from his box. A series of foul calls in the dying minutes provoked the crowd, players and
coaches, ultimately bringing an end to a frustrating evening for the Demon Deacons. The atmosphere remained, however, with a packed Spry Stadium cheering on Wake Forest until the final whistle. The sole player to play the entire match for Wake Forest was junior Nico Benalcazar, who started on the right before moving to his normal position in the center at halftime. Hernandez also played a number of midfield positions throughout his seventy-eight minutes on the field. The Demon Deacons begin their regular season against Virginia Commonwealth University on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. They hope to build off an NCAA tournament run reliant on young talent, who, luckily for Wake Forest, are now more accustomed to the college game, and primed for success.
Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest men’s soccer kicks off its regular season games on Aug. 26 against Virginia Commonwealth University at Spry Stadium.
Tips to dominate your fantasy football draft Research and finding value serve as important steps towards securing a championship BY JAKE STUART Asst. Sports Editor stuaja20@wfu.edu A pastime that brings football fans together regardless of hometown or rooting interest, fantasy football is a true gift from the sporting gods. We’re not all fans of the New England Patriots or Kansas City Chiefs but alas … there is still beauty to be found in fantasy football. Your team goes 0-16 (Sorry Browns and Lions fans), and bingo, fantasy football is there to save your Sunday! Even when the game’s a blowout, fantasy football keeps fans glued to the screen (who doesn’t love garbage time points?) With the kickoff to the regular season on Sept. 9, the time to draft is now. League Format: The first thing any fantasy football manager needs to understand is how their league scoring works. ESPN, Yahoo and CBS Sports all use variations of a similar scoring system, so study your league’s rules like a textbook. Going into your draft with a robust understanding of each position’s value (and how many of each player you need) is essential, and doing so will give you a leg up against the others in your league. The number of teams in your league is also something you want to remain cognizant of. 10 team leagues mean fewer players will be drafted and rosters
will be deeper, which can provide leeway for managers looking to take risks. Running Backs and Wide Receivers: The first-round pick circles around and you’re on the clock. Proven playmakers — Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson — remain on the board, but resist the urge to pick one up. Repeat: do not fall under this trap! The quarterback position — alongside tight-ends — carries less value due to its scarcity. While the quarterback may be the most valuable player on the field, you’re on the computer and this is fantasy football. Now this doesn’t mean that you should ignore the stars, just understand that your favorite player, or the biggest household name, may not be a fantasy gem. Running backs often score more than players of other positions, and most leagues require two to be started per week. Look for players that will receive a majority of their team’s touches at a given position and avoid backs who split carries with teammates. Kickers and Defense: Wait until the last two rounds to draft your kicker and defense. And never ever draft multiple kickers or defenses. The final rounds of a draft should be spent on positional depth and building a bench replete with the talent to step in on bye weeks and in case of injuries. Tight End: This is a very top-heavy position — unlike the wide receiver corp — where there is a huge gap in talent among the tiers.
Aside from Travis Kelce, the tight end position is as wide-open as can be. George Kittle and Darren Waller offer stud potential, but the drop-off after these stars is significant. While having one of these playmakers provides a leg-up, drafting one likely requires a sacrifice at another position. The best bet: take one of the big three while you have the chance. If you’re feeling dangerous, wait until the final rounds of the draft and throw a dart at a few sleepers. Either way, pick your strategy, and stick to it. Free Agency: Many fantasy football players think the magic only happens during the draft, but these are the owners that often fall short. In fact, I find myself looking back on my team at the end of the season, marveling at how few players remain from my original draft class. This is the beauty of the waiver wire. Each week, owners are given the opportunity to snag a performer to replace a player on their bench. The key here is to think ahead. For example, know when bye weeks fall within your lineup and anticipate when backups might see their role increased. Handcuffs: Fantasy football pros are well aware of this safety move. Too often a star goes down due to injury or underperformance, leaving an owner without a centerpiece to their team. Think of a star like Christian McCaffrey, the consensus No.1 overall pick who spent much of the 2020 season on injured reserve. Fear not, my friends. Drafting a handcuff — a player that is behind the starter on the depth chart — is
your solution. Take a good look at your first-round picks and determine who would receive their touches, should they go down. Safety nets, people! Strategy Selection: Each fantasy owner has a different method when it comes to selecting players. Some opt to fill up on each position before moving to their bench, while others choose to go for depth. No one strategy is inherently better than any other, but flexibility is essential no matter what path you choose. Look for value and don’t reach on a player that may come to you in the next round. Let the draft come to you. Research Average Draft Position (ADP): Understanding ADP is essential to knowing when a player is likely to get taken off the board. Note that ADP is not when a player necessarily should get drafted, but is instead an average measure of where they do get drafted based on previous drafts. Preparation is what sets the mediocre fantasy owner apart from the one who will win the championship. And good for you, because just through reading this, you’ve already taken your first steps towards greatness. Understand that no draft is the same, afterall that’s the lure of fantasy football! Pick an incredible team name, set your lineup, and come up with an outlandish punishment for the loser of your league. And lastly, whatever you do, don’t autodraft!
Page 12 | Thursday, August 26, 2021
Old Gold & Black | Sports
Deacon Spotlight: Isaiah Chaney BY CHRISTINA DENOVIO Sports Editor denoca20@wfu.edu Redshirt sophomore Isaiah Chaney has more to offer to the Wake Forest University community than just his football talents. The Cartersville, Ga. native discovered a passion for football in high school; there, he was a team captain and consensus three-star athlete. Chaney was a member of a Cartersville senior class that won 55 games in their four years and was a standout defensive and offensive weapon. During his time at Wake Forest, Chaney has tallied six game appearances. He also has a strong presence off the field, as he works tirelessly to give back to the community he grew up in. Christina DeNovio: At what age did you start playing football? Isaiah Chaney: I started playing football in 10th grade, in high school. Growing up, I played backyard football, travel basketball, and stuff. My sophomore year of high school I wanted to try something new, so I started playing football. CD: What else did you do growing up? IC: I played basketball just to keep myself active. My best friends were playing and that’s how I got into it. I actually was a heavy video-gamer growing up. I didn’t think I was gonna go to college for free or go to college at all. I thought I was just going to work and play video games my entire life. Basketball — I didn’t really have any love for it, it was just something for me to do. CD: You come from a big family. Did this ignite your competitiveness? IC: Yeah, especially with my little brother, he was a big sports player growing up. He used to play football, baseball, basketball, soccer. Him having that competitive drive made me want to have the same competitiveness. So really, he was the one who influenced me to start playing football because it was a more physical sport than basketball. CD: What made you stick with football, and when did you realize you loved the game? IC: The thing that probably made me stick with football is the extended family aspect of it. Where I’m from, we’re a big football town. Even though we’re a small city, it’s literally run by football. The school was in the middle of downtown Cartersville. People would come from around town to watch our team play. So I was surrounded by football. The kids loved us, the parents loved us. So just the family aspect really made me stick it out. That was actually a reason why I quit playing basketball — because there’s not a lot of players. You’re not able to meet a lot of different families. Playing football, there were like 115 or 120 of us. Being able to meet their families and spend time with them really made me want to see it through. And then, around my junior year, I truly began to love football — even though I had scholarship offers and stuff like that, it still took me a while. I’ll probably say after making my first big hit my junior year is whenever I fell in love with the game. Seeing the crowd’s reaction when you make a big play or something, I really loved that feeling. And so I was looking forward to many more moments of that feeling.
Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics
Chaney finished his senior high school season with 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He had 25 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery as a junior in 2017. My high school head coach told me to try defensive and that I’d have a better future there. I didn’t believe him at first, but after I switched over, I started getting a bunch of offers at a couple of colleges. I continued playing tight end a little bit through high school, but defense was my main priority. CD: How would you describe yourself as a teammate? IC: I like to give advice to the young guys to make sure they know what they’re doing sometimes. I pick up on plays pretty quickly, I’m just now starting to play defensive tackle this year. Now, I meet with my coach once or twice a week to go over the new position. I feel like I picked up on it pretty fast. CD: Can you talk about your major and future plans? IC: I actually wanted to go to school to pursue a business entrepreneurship degree. My grandma runs a cleaning business, and I wanted to take it over one day. But then I realized I wanted to give back to the community in any way I can, so I switched my major to elementary education. With that, I could give back by teaching and coaching.
but she was a huge inspiration. And she had 12 kids. Like I said, My family was pretty big. She paved the way for all 12 of her children, and I want to do the same thing. Another person I think of is my Fafa, he was such a fighter. He just passed away this year in January. He always told me to keep playing and to get out of my home state, make way for my family. CD: Can you describe your relationships with your coaches? IC: Coach Cohen, he and I have a pretty good relationship, we’re both very open with each other. He’s always there to talk to me, whether I’m performing poorly or well. I’ve come to him with everything, with any issues that I’ve had, even outside of football life. He’s a very caring coach. After my first surgery, he was the first person I saw. He showed up at my house and made sure that I was good. He called me just about every three hours just to make sure I was okay. I really love my coaches back at home, too. They set me up to be in the position where I am now. I still talk to most of them, even though I’m up here, they call me to ask how I’m doing. So I will say I have very loving relationships with all my coaches.
I really love to give back to my hometown community, and I’ve started working with little kids. Over the summers, there’s a freedom school program — it’s a bunch of African American, under-the-poverty-line students who are on Wake’s campus. They’ve been there for a couple of years, and nobody really noticed them or anything like that. So, once or twice or three times a week, a couple of the football players and I would read to them and just hang out with them for the whole day. They’re in Carswell Hall from around the end of May to the beginning of August, just about Monday through Friday, from about seven in the morning to three in the afternoon.
CD: Do you have a favorite NFL player who served as an inspiration to you?
CD: What areas do you think the team will be strong in this year?
CD: Do you have any pregame rituals?
IC: Growing up, the players that I liked watching the most were Troy Polamalu and Ray Lewis. Even though they don’t play the same position that I do, they had a bunch of love for the game. I loved to see how energetic they were, every time that they hit the field. I always thought, if they can do it, anybody who puts their mind to it can do it as well. Growing up, I loved watching the Ravens, especially watching Ray Lewis come out of the tunnel and do his thing.
CD: What position(s) do you play and how did you land in those roles?
CD: Who is your biggest inspiration when you’re playing and practicing?
IC: I walk the field, say a prayer at the 50-yard line, then walk back. I know it sounds weird, because I’m gonna sweat, but I normally take a shower before the game. I really don’t like to have a sticky feeling before I put my shoulder pads on. So I’ll take a shower and turn on some music. I’ll send my mama, my grandmama and my siblings text messages and they’ll wish me good luck.
IC: I play defensive end and defensive tackle now. When I first started playing in high school, I was a tight end.
IC: One person I think of is my great-grandmother. She passed away in 2014. She was never able to see me play,
Editors Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and brevity.
IC: I would say we have a bunch of depth this year. We have to give the young guys a chance to show what they have, and what they’re worth.
Sports | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, August 26, 2021| Page 13
Major League Baseball season surprises thus far While some teams have held up to their expectations, others have overperformed BY JAKE SINGER Staff Writer singjr19@wfu.edu
If there is anything this season has shown us, it is that a full MLB season is a marathon, not a sprint. Unlike in last year’s shortened schedule, many teams have felt the wear and tear of a 162-game campaign. Take the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox, for instance. Both teams looked like surefire playoff teams and possible championship contenders throughout the first half of the season, but have seen their postseason hopes take a serious hit in recent weeks. The New York Mets, who led their division for 90 consecutive days have all but collapsed and given way to the red-hot Braves in the NL East. At the beginning of the season, I carefully laid out my predictions for the 2021 season. While I’ve done respectably thus far, you can never predict in March what’s going to happen at the trade deadline in July. This year, baseball fans witnessed one of the crazier deadlines in re-
cent memory. Several trades completely turned the tide, for better or worse, for several contending teams. The Yankees, who looked dead to rights in the early goings, received a burst of energy from newly acquired sluggers Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo. The San Francisco Giants have maintained their lead in the competitive NL West with help from former MVP Kris Bryant. However, the biggest news of the deadline was the Dodgers’ acquisition of three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and star shortstop Trea Turner. While some front offices provided a muchneeded boost to their teams, others such as the Padres, Mets and Red Sox fell short and suffered the consequences. I don’t like going back and changing my predictions this late into the season, so I will try to remain as consistent as possible. Things didn’t look great early on, but it appears as if I will be correct in picking Atlanta to win the NL East. The Mets and Phillies spent a lot of money over the past couple of years trying to overtake the Braves, who seemingly win the division every year. Yet, once again, they will fail to do so. While I like my original predictions from top to bottom in the East, I cannot say the same about the NL Central.
The Brewers — carried by good pitching and the resurgence of Willy Adames — have been great all year and will run away with the division title. The Reds have also come on as of late and will punch their ticket to the postseason due to a hot stretch from Joey Votto. The Cardinals fell way short of my expectations due to some injuries and mediocre play throughout the season. I thought I was being generous giving the Giants 74 wins this year in the NL West, but they came out of the gate fast and haven’t looked back. Veterans Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford have rejuvenated their careers and the Giants look like a threat to bring another ring home to the Bay Area. However, I still believe the Dodgers will win this division. It seems like they have been chasing their rivals all year, but their mid-season acquisitions should push them over the hump. Fernando Tatis Jr. continued his incredible season for the Padres, but San Diego has crumbled down the stretch. I was worried about how they would handle expectations in my March predictions, and it doesn’t help that their front office made a cardinal sin and traded with the Rays. Blake Snell has pitched poorly all season, and the Padres will ultimately miss the playoffs.
In the AL East, I originally picked the Yankees to take home the division title, but little ol’ Tampa continues to play good baseball and looks to be the No.1 seed come playoff time. The Red Sox not only failed to get Anthony Rizzo, but watched him go to their hated rivals in New York who will end up hosting the Wild Card game. Boston and Toronto have a lot of talent but are a few more pieces away from becoming true playoff contenders. To no surprise, the White Sox separated themselves from the pack early on in the AL Central and will win their first division title in over a decade. Cleveland is the only other competitive team in the division, but they’ll miss the postseason for just the second time in six years. The AL West has been a two-team battle for the majority of the season. I’m going to take a shot and stick with my original prediction of the A’s coming through and Houston settling for the Wild Card berth. Seattle has been much better than expected, but they’re not ready to hang with the big boys just yet. Back in March, I took the Braves to beat the Yankees in the World Series. While both teams did well at the deadline and will be in the postseason, I would now take the Rays to avenge last year’s loss and beat the Brewers in the Fall Classic.
Tony Finau wins in first event of FedEx Cup Playoffs The win vaults Finau up to the No. 1 spot in the season-long points rankings BY NICK HAYMAN Staff Writer haym19@wfu.edu
On Monday, Tony Finau did something in Jersey City, NY that he had not done in 1,975 days — he won a golf tournament. Since turning pro in 2007, Tony Finau has become popular for his powerful swing and his laid-back demeanor. Finau is one of Nike’s top golf athletes and is one of the longest hitters on TOUR with an average driving distance of 305.4 yards this past season. Considering Tony Finau’s immense talent and popularity among golf fans, many expected him to claim his fair share of trophies early on in his career. Since his initial TOUR win in 2016 at the Puerto Rico Open, Finau has become a familiar face on the first page of leaderboards and is always in the mix during the biggest tournaments of the year. However, before Monday, he had been unable to get over the hump and capture a second victory on the tour. According to ESPN, in the five years since he won in Puerto Rico, Tony Finau had 40 top-10 finishes and eight second-place finishes. Over that span, many folks in the media began to question whether or not Finau would ever be able to end his winless drought. Finau carded a six-under-par 65 in the final round, which was the low round of the day among the field. His spectacular round featured a back-nine surge in which he lit up Liberty National Golf Club with three birdies and an eagle. He
came into the clubhouse at 20-underpar for the tournament. Several groups behind Finau, Cameron Smith battled his way to a final round 67, which tied Finau at 20-under. After 72 holes, two players remained, and a sudden-death playoff was necessary to determine a winner. The playoff took place on the No. 18 hole at Liberty National, and an errant tee shot from Cameron Smith allowed Finau to make a routine par and capture the crown. When asked about his winless drought, Finau remarked, “It’s been a long time since my last win … It’s been a blessing in disguise that I’ve had to wait this long, because I’ve polished my game to a place where I think I can start to win more often.” One of the most formidable opponents that Tony Finau had to overcome was unexpected and unpredictable: the weather. Late Sunday afternoon, Hurricane Henri swept across the Northeast and dumped nine inches of rain on Liberty National Golf Club. With the entire course practically underwater, the final round of the tournament was pushed back to the following day when conditions would be more manageable. Even with the extra day, the course was still waterlogged, and was only playable because of the grounds crew at Liberty National Golf Club, who worked overnight to dry the course out as much as possible. In addition to creating more difficult conditions on the golf course, Hurricane Henri imposed a great mental challenge on the players at the top of the leaderboard. Like icing the kicker in football, the tournament’s delay of the final round allowed for even more pres-
sure to weigh on the shoulders of Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith, Justin Thomas and Tony Finau. Instead of carrying on the momentum from Saturday’s round, the hurricane forced players to stay inside all day Sunday, leaving thoughts of Monday’s round to ruminate in their heads. When asked what he would do during Sunday’s storm, Finau responded, “A lot of Netflix and reading and eating.” Finau also noted that his hotel room had a “nice smooth piece of carpet to roll putts on.” The putting practice certainly paid off on Monday. Finau drained a number of birdie putts and a clutch par putt on the 72nd hole to lock up the top of the leaderboard at -20. Finau’s victory at the Northern Trust earns him a whopping $1,710,000, and shoots him to the top of the FedEx Cup rankings with a 585-point lead over Jon Rahm. Looking to the week ahead, the
top-70 players in the FedEx Cup rankings move on to the BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland. After a winner is decided in Maryland, the top-30 players in the FedEx Cup rankings will move on to the final leg of the FedEx Cup race: the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga., where the winner will earn the $15 million prize. Going into this week’s BMW Championship, Jon Rahm is the heavy favorite after being on the first page of the leaderboard in yet another tournament. With one win and thirteen top-10s this season, Rahm has been a dominant force on the tour and is almost certain to be in the mix on Sunday. Other favorites include Justin Thomas (who finished tied for fourth last week) and Finau, who is looking to continue his stellar play going into the second round of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Photo courtesy of Keyur Khumar/PGA Tour
Jon Rahm embraces Finau after his win in the playoff against Cameron Smith. With the third place finish, Rahm moves to second in the rankings.
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Genre Review | Midwest Emo
Midwest emo music deserves more appreciation A unique genre of music encapsulates a variety of sounds and emotions BY ISABELLA MASON Staff Writer masoif20@wfu.edu Let’s begin with a few clarifications about what Midwest emo music is: though a large percentage of the genre does come from bands based in the Midwestern region of the United States, this doesn’t define the genre. Midwest emo is a genre that includes unique guitar riffs and unconventional vocals that draw from indie, traditional punk and hardcore rock in special ways. Bands like American Football and Braid paved the way in the 1990s. More recently, popular emo music of the 2000s, from bands such as My Chemical Romance, has come to the spotlight. Emo and pop-punk overlap to a large extent. Most music that could be categorized as Midwest emo could also be categorized as pop-punk, though pop-punk is a lot less
niche as a genre than Midwest emo is. Still, bands like Citizen, Modern Baseball and Mom Jeans tend to share a lot of the qualities associated with both genres. There are other bands that are softer in terms of presentation — think less screaming, more indie influences and lots of ‘chill’ riffs — such as Sorority Noise, Pinegrove and Tigers Jaw. There are many cultural undertones associated with Midwest emo, too — the sort of DIY, low-budget sounds that inspired teenagers to pick up their electric guitars and form bands with their friends in the garage. This is how many Midwest emo bands that are popular today actually started. Local bands, such as Jail Socks from Charlotte, have made it big despite their small beginnings, partially because the Midwest emo genre is relatively lowkey and has a very loyal fan base. There’s a sort of underground culture that goes along with these bands, fans who follow incessantly as their favorite performers tour at small venues across the country. The truest of fans seldom miss a single show.
Midwest emo is also influenced by math rock, a genre characterized by its unique and polyrhythmic clever musical stylings. Midwest emo deals a lot with the dialectic, meaning that bands in the genre often exist on opposite sides of the spectrum at the same time. Soft, calming vocals one moment, screaming the next. Don’t be surprised to hear chill, catchy and quirky guitar riffs, one minute and heavy, repetitive guitars the next. As a result of all these influences, this type of music carries individualistic and idiosyncratic vibes that may or may not resonate with each individual. Nonetheless, it’s definitely still worth a listen because the feeling of “I’m from the middle of nowhere, I’m emotionally lost, and love isn’t working out for me” is something that many people can relate to and adds to the charm of this genre. Midwest emo is worthy of a chance because of the raw emotion inherent within. That’s the best part about emo — its artists are able to turn the most mundane, unemotional experience into something very powerful. It’s through that emotional, sometimes jarring singing and screaming — and its ac-
companying instrumentation — that the artists are able to accomplish such a feat. And obviously, etymologically, the word ‘emo’ is short for ‘emotional.’ Midwest emo is unapologetically emotional, and I believe that is what makes the music so beautiful — the crude, passionate product of the human condition transcribed in a three to five-minute song. Therefore, if you’re ever feeling emotional and in the mood to hear some 20-somethings sing about their pain in a way that you’ll strangely relate to, check out Midwest emo.
Photo courtesy of The Front Bottoms
The Front Bottoms delivers classic Midwest emo sound for new listeners.
Artist Review | Benny Sings
Benny Sings’ albums provides ease for listeners
The simple yet elegant style of Benny Sings’ songs dissolve all surrounding clamor BY ELLY HONAKER Staff Writer honaer18@wfu.edu I had never heard of Benny Sings until I listened to a song he made with Mac DeMarco. The beauty of Sings’ simple and slick composition of “Rolled Up” made me want to look into his songs without the charm of DeMarco. When I searched Sings on Spotify, I found his soft-lit, mildly-bewildered portrait — an iconic face that spans across his discography. Most recently, a cover photo of Sings’ new album — “Music” — captures his mystified countenance. A slight frown reveals gapped teeth and a frazzled blonde mop sits atop his head. His eyes lock with yours, beckoning you, the arresting onlooker, beyond the picture. The powerful stare coupled with his pocket full of groovy syncopations as the listener. When I first listened to “Music”, I found songs that embrace the late 70s and early 80s classics. Sings utilizes many of the R&B, soft-rock and jazz-fusion sounds from greats like Donald Fagen, Stephen Bishop, Ambrosia and Poco — bands that my dad used to play when I
was 16. Now, this great music which I once held at a distance I view as a guilty pleasure and has garnered my utmost appreciation. It’s these types of songs that leave a deep groove in your mind and invite you to venture further into the artist’s work. As I scrolled deeper through DeMarco’s Spotify page, I found myself in the Benny Sings rabbit hole. Eight studio albums and an EP dignify him as an illustrious veteran.
Sings has been steadily making music since the early 2000s and was the cowriter of “Loving is Easy” with Rex Orange County. Sings has also collaborated with Tom Misch to produce a fantastic little ditty called “Nobody’s Fault”. Like a poem, ambiguity reveals itself via a simple truth, and Benny Sings brings this mindset to the fore. There is an overlap between maintaining sonic simplicity and the complexity of arduous production, and it completely enraptured me.
For comparison, look no further than Steely Dan’s “Aja", or Fagen’s solo album “The Nightfly”, and you will be too. It’s a kind of art that is purely masterclass. I don’t believe that Dan’s imagining himself in a Cold War bunker post -atom-bomb, as Fagen, is, per se, but this idea still anchors his lyrics and places his compositions in our reality — the bleak, unsteady, uncertain present. His expression of lightness, crispness and cleanness pierces through the chaotic, jagged humanity. This juxtaposition is so refreshing it provides a therapeutic release, one we can all appreciate. In Sings' music, a sunny world unfolds before us — one where saxophone solos overwhelm our earbuds, where the bass reverberates throughout the body and the groove overtakes our feet. The melody encroaches on everything, and for a second, life’s not heavy. A moment of relief, a moment of joy — it’s the power of music. The syncopation bobs up and down like a sign in a protest march. We’re marching to the beat of Sings’ drum, soul. For 33 minutes and 44 seconds, the congested world clears up and we see things as a preliminary sketch. Let’s begin with what we know, or as Sings Photo courtesy ofTess Jansen expresses, “I don’t believe in miracles, Benny Sings, a Dutch pop musician and songwriter, delivers ther- walking on water. But I believe you’re apeutic sounds with his studio albums and artist collaborations. beautiful. Let us just start there.”
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Old Gold & Black | Life
Movie Review | “The Emoji Movie”
Reflectingon“The Emoji Movie” The introspective nature of “The Emoji Movie” makes it a cinematic masterpiece BY SELINNA TRAN Life Editor transn19@wfu.edu
Filled with bright colors and exuberant emotions, “The Emoji Movie” is so much more than faces on a screen. To too many, the film brings a quick smile or is passed with the judgment due to its cartoonish nature. Truthfully, the film is an allegorical reflection of the society we live in and asks the viewer to come to terms with the deeprooted lack of individualism that is present in our daily lives. However, for those who dared to view the film without passing preliminary judgment, there is a rare story of beauty that unfolds as the film progresses. By deciding to not pass this untimely and preemptive judgment, viewers can realize that they may connect — or even empathize — with our protagonist, Gene. Let’s delve into the layers of “The Emoji Movie” and the emotional depth that is
present within. First and foremost, viewers have no choice but to praise the film’s cinematic genius. All throughout are characteristics that closely resemble the works of directors like Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight”) or Todd Phillips (“Joker”). It’s worth noting that, in “Joker”, the protagonist, Joker, faces a similar psychological and mental struggle to that which Gene is experiencing — the incessant desire to fit into a world and society that rejects him. The premise of “The Emoji Movie” is centered around the technology that dictates our modern life and focuses on a community of emoticons, or emojis, that are given sentience. Each emoji is born with a pre-determined identity, a role they are expected to fill without fail or question, time and time again. But the emojis were robbed, never given a chance to explore a life outside that of notions determined even before their birth. The emotion/identity that was assigned to Gene at his birth is “Meh”, literally. To be fair, Gene is nothing but meh. He wishes to be able to express joy, anger and surprise, but he is unable to break out of the constraints that society has put on him.
He often questions why he is made the way that he is — why each time he looks in the mirror he feels nothing but disdain and a desire to be someone else, to be that person that everyone wants him to be. Instead of feeling desolate or hopeless about the melancholic reality of his enforced destiny, Gene still wishes to “fit in.” His only dream is to be able to fulfill his role and work as the “meh” emoji that he was intended and designed to be. No matter how much he tries to bottle it up, his true identity is revealed during a highstakes moment in the film. Following this climax, Gene is ostracized, shamed by the society that he’s a part of, labeled as a “malfunction,” an irregularity. He’s beaten, battered and bruised (mentally) from the treatment he’s given simply because he wishes to be himself. Yet, his only mistake was being born in a society that rejects him solely based on the emotions he wishes to express. “The Emoji Movie” is full of that heartwrenching, wholesome and purely cinematic scenes. It is a movie that asks you to step outside of your comfort zone, reflect on your own experiences, and engage in a story. The story of Gene.
Food | Cereal
Cereal? You’re doing it wrong.
You’ve never prepared the breakfast favorite like this before BY JOE CHO Asst. Life Editor choyy19@wfu.edu
Remember our beloved Life Editor Selinna Tran’s warm cheesecake controversy last year? Yeah, well I have something that is far more absurd and contentious than a rather stale modification to a mediocre dessert. But, before I reveal my deep, dark, raunchy secret, I would like to provide a preface. Don’t read further if you are sensitive to new ideas, innovation, progressivism and dairy. If any of these offends you, then leave. Triggering thoughts and ideas are incoming. You’ve been warned. Okay, now that all the soy boys, lactose intolerants and Will Zimmerman have left the chat, it’s time to reveal my absolutely gobsmacking new answer to the age-old question — how should one prepare their cereal in the morning? Obviously, the traditionalists would answer this trivial question with a definitive and confident demonstration. First, they toss their grain of choice into the bowl. Next, they splash in their favorite milk. However, I would like to propose an opposing methodology — pouring the milk before the cereal can be a breakfast-altering expe-
rience. It doesn’t even have to be during breakfast. Try it in the evening. Go nuts. Before you lose faith in humanity and judge me viciously, let me explain myself. The practice of pouring milk before cereal is merely a question of nature versus nurture. Personally, I have been using the aforementioned method since I was four years old, and it has been ingrained into my psyche. (And no, my parents didn’t force me into this practice — what some may deem a war crime — I just ended up doing it because it felt comfortable). I strongly believe that this method is better than the traditional boring cereal-before-milk one because of several reasons which I will now share. If you are like me, acutely fond of different textures and the mouthfeel of foods, then you would agree that soggy food is disgusting. You would obviously want a crispy fry from McDonald’s over those rancid, flaccid, soggy ones. The same logic applies to cereal. The crunchiness of cereal becomes tainted when it sits too long at the bottom of the bowl. Thus, having an immaculate milk-to-crunchy-cereal ratio is absolutely necessary, and the only way to achieve it is by pouring your milk first. Another way to think about this is through an analogy. A boat cannot be launched without a body of water. The boat is represented by the cereal. The first layer of the boat serves as a sturdy flotation device for the rest of the hull
and keeps the ship afloat — are you getting it now, soy boys? I know what you’re thinking, and I know what emotions are flowing through you: rage, murderous intent. That’s what happened during the Inquisition when the Catholic Church tried Galileo for heliocentric heresy, but if you view me as somewhat of a Galilean, well, I’ll be flattered. Perhaps only a few thoughts arise from this quandary. Probably, and most notably, “surely thou jest,” or, “who hired a couple of psychopaths to run the Life Section?” But this is where many people fail to inquire deeper, to go further into the depths of the uncharted. An intellectual once said, “to fail at questioning everything is a conscious death.” Anyways, my days are numbered here at Wake Forest. I regret to inform you that the student body and many faculty members here share a common distaste for my radical views on America’s favorite lazy meal prep, and I fear I am slowly being ousted. I seek a loving and understanding community, yet I get flak for my principles and beliefs. Seldom do I find benevolent souls who take after my ingenuity and appreciate my cereal rituals. When I do come upon one of these individuals, they are welcomed into a dynasty of dreamers and enlightened thinkers. So, join me on this quest of goodwilled dissemination in my pursuit of a revolutionary solution. Explore. Experiment. The oasis of Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs awaits you.
THE HOT LIST TOP TEN WAYS TO IDENTIFY A FRESHMAN
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Walking in herds Wearing a lanyard
Too much energy in morning classes Getting lost in Tribble Crying in ZSR after receiving their first B No sense of direction
Excessive Wake Forest gear Asking everyone where the compound is located Cannot handle their own drinks “Hey, what’s your name? You in Bostwick?”
LOCALE OF THE WEEK By: Selinna Tran
Photo courtesy of Taco Rico Taco Rico Taqueria For authentic and delicious Mexican food, Taco Rico is the place to go. Affordable, flavorful and purely delectable, Taco Rico offers a wide variety of different dining options. Check out this restaurant in Winston-Salem, it’s sure to satiate your appetite. My personal favorite is the carne asada tacos covered in salsa verde sauce.
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Old Gold & Black | Life
www.wfuogb.com
Est.2021
LIFE EATERY Some recipes from the Life kitchen!
DRY BONES PIT BURGER Craving the delicious lack of flavor that comes from your friendly neighborhood Pit? Recreate this delicious recipe in your communal kitchen today! Ingredients: 2 lb. mystery meat 4 oz. freezer meat water Under no circumstances should you add any seasonings at all. Mushrooms, apparently... That’s it! Just “cook” and serve lukewarm.
THE DEACON SPECIAL SUB Who needs Subway when you can create a delicious sandwhich in the comfort of your home. The Deacon Special Sub tastes even better after a long sweaty night in a dark basement surrounded by loud music and hordes of people (trust me). Ingredients: 6-inch Italian herbs and cheese (the only acceptable bread) 2 handfuls of soggy shredded lettuce 1 flat piece of chicken that has the texture of spam Add sauce of your choice and do not forget to toast! Try these unique snacks when you are hungry!
Flat Soda Shake a bottle/can of soda until all the fizz dies out, or leave it to get flat. Then enjoy the delicious beverage!
Just the Crust Warm Cheesecake Take a slice of your favorite flavor of Grab a slice of pizza and cut off the cheesecake and pop it in the microwave triangular part of cheese (no one likes for 15-20 seconds for soft, gooey good- those anyways). Now you are left with a delicious snack! ness!