News: Famous journalist Opinion: Why do we roll the quad? visits Wake Forest Page 10 Page 5
Sports: Star golfer survives car crash Page 11
Life: Social justice comedian visits Wake Forest Page 16
Old Gold&Black WAKE FOREST’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1916
VOL. 103, NO. 5
T H U R S DAY, F E B RUA RY 15 , 2 018 “Cover s the campus like the magnolias”
Deacons lack enough sleep Office of Wellbeing seeks to remedy Wake Forest’s sleep deprivation epidemic BY JULIA HAINES Editor-in-chief hainjm15@wfu.edu It causes higher stress levels, decreased academic performance, decreased memory and a weakened immune system. It increases risk for mental health issues, automobile accidents, cancer and weight gain … and it affects 70 percent of college students, specifically those at high-ranked universities such as Wake Forest. Sleep deprivation is an issue that most students struggle with on a daily basis, but one that has been normalized so much that it is not often spoken about beyond comments of “you look tired” and the frequent observance of glazed-over eyes and the aged neck-jerk indicator of students nodding off in class. In order to combat the trend, the Office of Wellbeing orchestrated the third-annual Sleepin’ Deacon initiative which comprised last week’s Week of Sleep and a two-week Sleepin’ Deacon challenge through which many students have pledged to exercise healthy sleep habits and log their sleep quality. The Week of Sleep included workshops on sleep as it pertains to subjects like mindfulness, nutrition, sound and restorative yoga. According to a study conducted by the Office of Wellbeing last week through their Sleep Week initiative, members of the Wake
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Forest community have an average “sleepiness score” of 9.745 — a score categorized as moderately to excessively sleepy by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Those scoring higher than 10 are asked to consider seeking medical attention. “Wake Forest University harbors an academically rigorous environment that pushes faculty, staff and students alike to perform their best. However, everything comes at a cost and for some that cost is sleep,” said Allie Chambers ‘17, a Campus Life Fellow who works with the Office of Wellbeing and has coordinated all Sleepin’ Deacon events. “The purpose of Sleepin’ Deacon is to give people the tools and knowledge they need to improve their sleep habits and therefore their overall wellbeing.” While an undergraduate, Chambers started the student marketing team MRKT, and has largely applied that skill in marketing efforts associated with Sleepin’ Deacon. Students may have noticed vertical mattresses displayed across campus in the library, outside of the Benson food court and in Reynolda, as well as the eye-catching picket signs spread across lower and upper quad depicting animals yawning and facts about sleep. “We put more effort into the social media marketing that accompanies the program [this year],” said Emma Baske, who is an administrative intern with the Office of Wellbeing and has been assisting Chambers. “In terms of involvement, we have about double the number of people officially enrolled in the challenge, and I’m hoping they will all be able to complete it.” Before the challenge began on Feb. 12,
students and staff participating were asked to complete an initial survey which asked about each individual’s current sleep habits, including average bed time, whether they use technology right before bed and how many hours they typically get in a night. The survey of 55 participants revealed that the average person got 6.65 hours of sleep, as compared to the recommended minimum of seven hours. “I believe the culture of sleep deprivation on Wake Forest’s campus is more normalized than the standard [campus],” said senior Soo JeongLee, who is doing the challenge. “The fact that the library provides late night foods during finals week proves that most students stay up late and do not get enough sleep, especially during weeks with a heavier workload.” While Chambers is aware that the initiative may not get students to get more sleep, she hopes that students at least improve sleep quality if increasing the hours of sleep quantity is out of the question. “We are trying to get people to not only increase the amount of sleep they are getting, but also the quality of that sleep,” Chambers said. “Sleep is essential for improving things like academic performance, memory, heart health, weight loss, and immune function, and it reduces stress, anxiety, risk of cancer, and risk of depression.” The student organization with the most members participating will earn $200 worth of printing money at the end of the two weeks, something which motivated some students participating.
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WFU Press relocates to new Reynolda Road location Publisher specializes in exposing the works of budding Irish poets BY CONNOR MURPHY Staff Writer murpct14@wfu.edu Wake Forest University Press, Wake Forest’s faculty-run publisher of Irish literature and poetry, has moved to a new location on Reynolda Road over the past summer. Professor Jefferson Holdridge of the Department of English is the current head of WFU Press. Under his leadership, the Press has seen significant growth. For most of its time at Wake Forest, WFU Press has had to store their books in a warehouse off campus, while operating mainly on campus. Their new location eliminates much of the old arrangement’s difficulties. “We were in Carswell for a while, and up until last year we were in the basement of Tribble,” Holdridge said. “It was a very small place, and within my first five years we had outgrown our warehouse where we housed our books.” The WFU Press publishes the works of budding Irish poets and writers that are not normally seen in the U.S. With an American publisher, work that would otherwise never leave Ireland is able to reach new audiences with a different style of work. The new location has even helped reach local WinstonSalem audiences. “I’ve already heard from so many folks who’ve seen our sign on the road,” said Amanda Keith, a Wake Forest professor who works with Holdridge at the Press. “Having that visibility in the community is new and exciting. People have even walked in off the road just to see what we’re all about.” The new space not only allows for storage space and for the publishing operation to take place under one roof, but also provides a space for WFU Press to host poetry events, as well as visiting poets and scholars. “We’ve always said that WFU Press helps expand the Wake Forest mission internationally, and now we have a welcoming place to which we can invite people,” Keith said. Alongside Keith and Holdridge are a team of interns who help with the regular operations of the Press. Students who intern typically do so for a year and can earn credit hours in the English department for doing so.
See Press, Page 4
OGB
“ play a larger role in faculty hiring Students should This column represents the views of the Old Gold & Black Editorial Board.
Wake Forest is currently in the process of hiring new faculty members in various academic departments. Many students have been given the opportunity to sit in on mock classes and evaluate how prospective professors teach and to see if the candidate is a good fit for the university. The editorial board of the Old Gold & Back believes that having student input in hiring new professors is crucial to building and improving the academic experience at Wake Forest. At the end of the day, the students are the ones who are directly impacted by the hiring of new professors: we are here to receive the best education possible. We push the university to involve stu-
Students are vital when it comes to the hiring process. Students know what does and does not work in the classroom..." dents even more than they currently are. Professors have the ability to define our Wake Forest experience. Their capability to connect with and teach students molds students' perspectives of not only that individual class, but the department as a whole. One professor can make or break a student's decision to continue taking courses in a department. Therefore, they indirectly have an impact on students' major and minor decisions and career futures.
Old Gold&Black THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF WAKE FOREST UNIVERSIT Y SINCE 1916 JULIA HAINES
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF hainjm15@wfu.edu
BECKY SWIG PRINT MANAGING EDITOR swigrr15@wfu.edu
>> NEWS Lillian Johnson, johnlg16@wfu.edu Daniel Pachino, pachdb15@wfu.edu Asisstant Editor: Nicole Loffredo, loffn16@wfu.edu
>> SPORTS Lizzie Snyder, snydem15@wfu.edu Ren Schmitt, schmwm16@wfu.edu
>> OPINION Ethan Bahar, bahaea15@wfu.edu Kyle Ferrer, ferrka16@wfu.edu
>> LIFE Olivia Field, fielor17@wfu.edu Emily Beauchamp, beauea17@wfu.edu Asisstant Editor: Sarah Boyce, boycse15@wfu.edu
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>> ADVISER Phoebe Zerwick, zerwicp@wfu.edu
Student feedback is vital when it comes to the hiring process. Students know what does and does not work in the classroom, and sometimes, what looks good on paper does not work nor resonate with students and their learning. While expertise is essential, having a Ph.D. does not mean that a professor connects with students or lectures well. This can only be determined by students in the classroom, not by administrators in an interview. Having a Ph.D. is the expected quality for a professor, but there are also qualified individuals who do not have a Ph.D. who make good professors. This is evidenced by the professors on this campus who are Professors of Practice.
Whether or not a professor connects well with students matters; professors with infectious enthusiasm for their field transmit that energy to students and inspire them to work harder and contribute to the fields themselves. Great professors who have good rapports with students can also be influental mentors and can lead students in research. When it comes to the hiring process, the university should look at candidates that are personable and knowledgable, and they can best ascertain this with student input. Being able to make a class interesting and engaging is more attractive to students.
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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. Š 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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News | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, February 15, 2018 | Page 3
Deacon Profile: Savarni Sanka
a new phrase in Syrian dialect when I visit them.
BY LILLIAN JOHNSON News Editor johnlg16@wfu.edu
I heard that you are studying both Arabic and Spanish. What do you think is the importance of learning multiple languages, especially in terms of volunteer service and global work?
Through the Student Association for the Advancement of Refugees (SAFAR), freshman Savarni Sanka has established a loving, supportive and mutually beneficial relationship with a Syrian refugee family as a "friendship partner." She emphasized the lessons that she and her friendship partners have learned from each other and the importance of language learning and cross-cultural connection. Coming into college, did you have a good idea of how you wanted to get involved on campus and in the Winston-Salem community?
I have always been very service-oriented. Throughout high school I was a member of many organizations that were involved with the local Hispanic community, so I had an idea that when I came to college I would work with minority groups. Other than that it was fairly nebulous. I didn’t know that I would get involved with SAFAR or with refugees at all — I hadn’t had any experience working with refugees beforehand. What made you want to work with SAFAR and work with refugees? I’m a pretty avid journaler and actually just re-read a journal entry that I wrote last summer expressing my anger at the way that refugees are often portrayed in the media and the amount of misunderstanding and ignorance that exists concerning refugee and immigrant populations. So I suppose that the idea of working with refugees has always been on my mind. When I came to campus and learned about SAFAR, I realized that working with the organization would be a great way for me to productively channel my frustrations into making a meaningful difference in the lives of refugees and educating people about what it is really like to be a refugee in the U.S. I love the refugee family that I work with as if they were my own family — it is impossible to say no to working with such a caring, loving and welcoming group of people, not to mention their cute kids and their incredible cooking skills. You work with two 16-year-olds as friendship partners. In your own words, what is the role and purpose of a friendship partner? The role and purpose of a friendship partner is to be whatever your refugee family needs you to be. Sometimes that means helping my friendship partners look after the family’s four younger kids. Other times that means helping them with homework or school projects. On a larger scale, being a friendship partner gives refugees a chance to interact with native English speakers in a casual and conversational way, to spend time with someone who has lived in the U.S. for a considerable period of
Photo courtesy of Savarni Sanka
time who can explain, if needed, unfamiliar parts of the culture. But also to interact with an American who doesn’t embody the racism and xenophobia that has come to define many other nations’ views of our people. At the heart of it, a friendship partner is just a friend — someone that your refugee family can count on to support them and love them just as any friend would.
standing of the English language and, to use a broad term, aspects of “American culture” that they may be less familiar with. But the truth is, my refugee family has been in the U.S. for quite some time. The younger kids have picked up English well. One of them even sings along to Disney songs, which is amazing.
What is your favorite thing about working with them?
In reality, my friendship partners teach me so much more than I could ever teach them. From them, I’ve learned the beauty of hospitality and the power of cooking and sharing a meal together. They’ve shown me wonderful parts of their culture. I recently attended an Arab party with them — one of the most fun experiences I’ve had at Wake Forest to date. They are always willing to share stories about themselves and their home country with me. Most of all, and I know this sounds cliché, but they have taught me the power of laughter. We baked cookies together once but I left them in the oven too long and they burned. They laughed it off and said “Don’t worry! Anything with chocolate is good!” Their younger brother, whom I lovingly call “monkey” for his love for jumping off of furniture onto mattresses, is all smiles and giggles even as I tell him to be careful. His favorite thing to say to me is “Me not monkey — you monkey!” I’m smiling just thinking about him. When you’ve been through some of the things that this family has been through but can still break out in fits of unadulterated laughter — that is something powerful and meaningful. Of course, they also help me with my Arabic. One of our favorite things to do is to talk about our favorite words in English and Arabic. One of my friendship partner’s favorite words is “absolutely.” Needless to say, she takes every opportunity to use “absolutely” in everyday conversation. They jokingly make fun of my standard Arabic but always make sure I go home with
I’m not really sure how to answer this question. The reality is, at the end of the day, my friendship partners and I are just that: friends. We do all of the things that friends do like texting, calling, discussing relationships, faith and school life, eating pizza while watching movies, cooking together, deciding what to order at Starbucks — things that are so blissfully mundane. One of my favorite quotes of Seneca from his “Letters from a Stoic” is the following: “I am writing not for the eyes of the many but for your eyes alone, for each of us is audience enough for the other.” That is how I feel when I am with my friendship partners. I feel at home and always welcome. There is never a moment of discomfort even when we have difficulties getting over the language barrier. When we are with each other, we each feel like we are in our own home. We are content, comfortable and grateful for our friendship just as it is. I’d have to say that this is my favorite part about being a friendship partner: when you have the chance to prove to people that refugees and the average American citizen are not so different after all. What do you feel that you can offer or teach them and what do you gain by working with them? I think that the best that I can offer my refugee family is a better under-
What do they teach you?
I am a huge proponent of language learning. Language is not only the key to being able to communicate with others conversationally or orally — it is the key to understanding other cultures. So much of a culture shows through in language. When you learn a language, you learn what the people who speak that language value and what their customs, traditions and heritage are. For example, the various registers of respect in Telugu, my mother tongue, and Korean, which I began studying a year ago but have had to put aside since I’ve started Arabic, convey the importance of respect for elders in the Korean and Indian cultures. The love and welcome conveyed in Arabic phrases like “Ahlan wa sahlan” and “as-salām 'Alaykum” are true to the hospitality of the cultures of many Arabic-speaking nations. Languages go so far beyond just grammar and vocab. We as English speakers do have a privilege in regard to global communications but that does not mean that we shouldn’t make the effort to learn other languages. It doesn’t work that way. In terms of service work, it always helps to have language skills. You can communicate on a deeper level with someone when you can speak their native tongue and it also adds a degree of intimacy and respect — you took the extra step as an English speaker to speak to the individual in his or her native tongue and showed him or her that you care enough to do so. For people who are shying away from doing this kind of work because of a lack of language skills: don’t. My Arabic is mediocre at this point in time. I’m only a second-semester Arabic student. I’m nearly a decade ahead in Spanish. You’ll find that laughter, smiles and food are the just as much the language of many refugee families as their native tongue. Has your experience working with SAFAR affected what you want to do in the future? I’ve always wanted to work internationally and with international organizations, governmental or otherwise. My work with SAFAR has definitely pushed me to consider working with organizations focused on human rights violations or with resettlement agencies. In fact, some of the internships I applied to for the summer were with resettlement agencies. But I’m just a firstyear. I have so much room to grow and broaden my understanding of the world before I have to make a choice about what I choose to dedicate the rest of my life to. Refugees will never be far from my mind, though. That is for certain.
Page 4 |Thursday, February 15, 2018
Old Gold & Black | News
Press: Poems reflect changes in Ireland Continued from Page 1
“A good publishing intern has an appreciation for good writing, meticulous attention to detail and an ability to work efficiently,” said Katie Huggins, a Wake Forest graduate student and WFU Press intern. “In the past year and a half, I’ve really enjoyed learning about production and design skills.” While interns are often English majors, intern positions are offered to students of any major. The smaller size of WFU Press allows interns to have a more hands-on experience with editing and publishing than at other publishers. Huggins is a fan of the new space on Reynolda Road as well. “Our new space offers a much more tranquil aesthetic as a workplace,” Huggins said. In particular, she said having more space and natural light made proofreading manuscripts more enjoyable. The change for WFU Press comes at a time where the
migration of other European nationals Emerald Isle, have brought new faces to a culture that has widely gone unchanged for decades. “Our poets are certainly invested in ongoing changes in Ireland,” Huggins said. “Last year, the Press published a collection of critical essays titled ‘Post-Ireland?’ which explores poetry that engages with more contemporary cultural shifts in Ireland.” In addition to immigration, the role of faith is changing in Ireland as well. Poets published in the WFU Press have already begun to engage with the changing role of Catholicism in Ireland and how a diversifying population is addressing religion. According to Holdridge, it is an exciting time to be following Photo courtesy of WFU Press The WFU Press offers internships to English Irish writers. “It’s difficult to say how all this will change Ireland,” majors, who have enjoyed the new space. Holdridge said. “Will it just change how Ireland looks, traditional content of Irish poetry and literature is be- or will the society become something other than what ing challenged. Changes in the Irish population, due it was? Some of our younger poets are reflecting on to the migration of Irish nationals abroad and the im- this new reality.”
Old-growth forests face worldwide decline A biology professor discussed the plight of ancient forests and their endemic species in the third installment of ZSR Library Lectures BY JACK PORTMAN Staff Writer portjt17@wfu.edu
On Feb. 7, Bob Browne, a biology professor at Wake Forest, delivered a presentation regarding his recent research conducted at Oxford University. In the third installment of the ZSR Library Lecture Series, Browne — the recipient of the Nathan and Julie Hatch Research Grant for Academic Excellence — explored his studies of England’s ancient forests and discussed the histories and traditions surrounding these mostly undeveloped spaces of land. Worldwide, Browne said, there has been a large decline in the abundance of ancient forests, with virtually none remaining in the U.S. These forested areas, which are generally more than five hundred years old and frequently surpass one thousand, have been largely depleted as industrialization and urban sprawl destory and pollute large tracts of previously undisturbed forest. In years past, many trees were removed for lumber and to clear large spaces for human development. Many of the world’s remaining old-growth
forests exist in Europe, with Britain’s being the subject of Browne’s research in previous years. Although they’ve shrunk in recent decades, with most now baring a footprint of less than twenty hectares, ancient forests serve important research functions and are therefore of great value to botanists, entomologists and the greater biological community. Many organisms lived almost endemically in ancient forests. The decline in ancient forest space has therefore also seen a decline in these species. Biologists like Browne utilize the small tracts of remaining forest land to identify and catalog species whose loss of habitat has endangered their livelihood. Browne added that conservationists and civilians seem particularly concerned with the preservation of insect species whose exteriors are colorful or lustrous, placing less emphasis on the study and protection of less aesthetically appealing species. Similarly, several species of plants exist in ancient forests that are absent in younger forests. Species such as the sessile oak and hornbeam hazel are indicator species typically found in ancient forests. Browne studied the recorded field notes and records of “landed gentry,” a historical social class of wealthy land-owning Britons. These records, Browne hoped, would serve to identify insect species that existed prior to the devastation of worldwide ancient forest, thereby enabling him to track the loss and gain of insect species over time. However, these notes generally prove to be insufficient for this, most lacking precision and sci-
OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE
entific value. Although the effort to compare past catalogues of species variety to contemporary data proved inefficient, examining the organisms that once lived in ancient forests is still a worthwhile endeavor. Studying the endangered species endemic to the forests, and those that were known to have existed in these environments but no longer do, serves as a meaningful indicator of the devastating effects deforestation can have. Browne also addressed the practices of coppicing and pollarding, methods utilized by tree farmers to ensure continual regrowth of trees. Each involves removing the tree’s trunk from its stump, and allowing the stump to regrow new sprouts. This routine cutting expedites the process of regrowth, and encourages the presence of small wildlife and numerous insect species. In recent years, conservation groups have arose across Europe to ensure the preservation of what ancient forests still exist. Browne added that Oliver Rackham, a British ecologist at the University of Cambridge, facilitated the growth of conservation movements concerned with ancient forests after publishing groundbreaking research in a book entitled “Ancient Woodland, its History, Vegetation and Uses in England.” Browne’s presentation is available for viewing on the Z. Smith Reynolds YouTube channel, entitled “Ancient Forests of England.”
U.S. snowboarders dominate halfpipe at Winter Olympics
Jacob Zuma resigns from South Africa’s presidency
School shooting at Florida high school leaves 17 dead
American snowboarders took the gold medal in both the men’s and women’s halfpipe at the Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. On Feb. 13, twelve years after winning his first gold medal at the 2006 Torino Games, Shaun White won the U.S.’s 100th all-time gold medal at the Winter Olympics. He also became the first American man to win the same individual event at three different Winter Olympics. His halfpipe title came a day after 17-year-old Chloe Kim won the women’s halfpipe gold medal for the U.S. Despite her young age, the daughter of Korean immigrants has been hailed as a snowboarding prodigy.
President Jacob Zuma of South Africa agreed on Feb. 14 to step down from his nine-year presidency after being ordered to do so or face of vote of no confidence in Parliament by the African National Congress Party. While he started out as a charismatic anti-apartheid hero, his time in office was tainted by corruption and accusations of misconduct. The deupty president, Cyril Ramaphosa, immediately became acting perident and will almost certainly be chosen by Parliament to assume the office of president on Feb. 15. Zuma leaves behind a disillusioned electorate and an economy in dire straits.
On Wednesday, Feb. 14, a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, FL opened fire on campus, killing 17 people. Nineteenyear-old Nikolas Cruz allegedly pulled a fire alarm to lure more people out of the classrooms to increase the number of casualties. Cruz had been expelled from the high school for unspecified reasons. The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas is amongst the top 10 deadliest mass shootings in modern American history and the 18th in 2018 alone. Cruz was taken into police custody after the shooting and has been talking to investigators.
News | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, February 15, 2018 |Page 5
Lipsyte continues to visit Wake Forest Robert Lipsyte, former New York Times boxing reporter and author, is set to speak at Wake ‘N Shake as a Team Champion BY LILLIAN JOHNSON News Editor johnlg16@wfu.edu There was no reason for journalist Robert Lipsyte to be at the first sporting event he covered. In 1964, little-known fighter Cassius Clay, now known as Muhammad Ali, was facing off against heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. It was assumed that Clay would be knocked out in the first round. Clay was an underdog, and so was Lipsyte, as a young reporter in his 20’s. “The New York Times’ boxing reporter didn’t think he was worth his time to go all the way to Miami,” Lipsyte said. “He said, ‘send the kid. The kid’s no doing anything.’” When Lipsyte arrived in Miami he had very specific instructions: to rent a car and to drive back and forth between the arena where the fight was being held and the hospital in case Clay was sent into intensive care. Lipsyte said he was rooting for Clay not to win, but not to get hurt. “Then of course, he won, which was an amazing career move for me,” Lipsyte said.
From there, Lipsyte went on to become the boxing reporter. Not only has he had a renowned career as a sports journalist, but Lipsyte has also written several works of fiction and non-fiction. His first novel, a young adult book called The Contender, was inspired by some of the events he witnessed as a young boxing reporter. The Contender, centering around the story of a young boy in Harlem who tries to make it as a boxer, just celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new edition. Last year, Wendell Dunn, former Demon Deacon football player and current graduate student in education, mentored eight students at Paisley IB Magnet School in an after school sports literacy program. Together, with assistance from education professor Alan Brown, they read The Contender. According to Lipsyte, when the publishers heard what was happening at Paisley, they felt that publishing the new edition was more urgent. Brown’s Adolescent Literature class, which focuses on censorship and its impact, recently read The Contender. Their reading coincided with Lipsyte’s talk that he gave on campus, “2018: A Collision of Politics, Sports, and Journalism.” Lipsyte will visit Wake Forest’s campus again in March. Next time he won’t be speaking in a class or on a stage, but at a dance marathon. Lipsyte is one of the Wake ‘N Shake Team
Champions for 2018. A Team Champion is an individual who currently has or previously had cancer whose role is to inspire the dancers by giving speeches, according to the Wake ‘N Shake website. In 1978, Lipsyte was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He recovered, but was diagnosed with cancer again in 1991. Writing from his experiences, Lipsyte wrote The Chemo Kid, a young adult novel, and In the Country of Illness, a nonfiction book. When speaking about cancer, Lipsyte believes that any metaphor is dangerous — especially as any kind of war. He asks if it means that cancer patients are victims or didn’t fight hard enough? Lipsyte participated in a panel on athlete’s cancer that featured Lance Armstrong, a famous cyclist who also was diagnosed with testicular cancer, who made a strong statement on cancer treatment. “When [the panel]’s all over, a radio reporter comes up sticks a mic in his face and says, ‘Lance, could you tell us how faith got through cancer?’ He stiffens up a little bit,” Lipsyte said. “He said, ‘I believe everybody has a right to their own belief system, but when it comes to cancer, I believe in surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.’ And I found that really meaningful and powerful.”
“Up to Us” raises awareness about national debt A team of students represented Wake Forest at a nationwide conference to discuss the debt BY MICHAEL BLEVIN Contributing Writer blevmw15@wfu.edu The Peter G. Peterson Foundation, along with Net Impact and the Clinton Global Initiative University, have sponsored the “Up to Us” college competition at Wake Forest this semester. “Up to Us” is a rapidly growing, nonpartisan movement of young people who are passionate about raising awareness of the national debt. Since its inception in 2011, “Up to Us” has engaged nearly 150,000 people through over 400 college teams. This semester, teams from over 60 universities nationwide will be hosting events to educate young people on the economic impacts that the national debt brings. In the past, teams have hosted trivia nights, documentary screenings and debates to raise awareness on the issue.
This semester, the Wake Forest “Up to Us” team will be competing to collect signatures to ask representatives to be more fiscally responsible and to consider the economic consequences of the debt. Each team has a chance to receive cash prizes, meet with key policy leaders, travel to Washington D.C. and attend other top-tier national conferences. On the weekend of Feb. 10, the Wake Forest “Up to Us” team attended the Up to Us conference in Oakland, CA. Over 50 team leaders from across the country came to the conference to discuss the national debt and their plans for the competition. The weekend included speeches from recent “Up to Us” alumni, including George Batah, who made headlines in 2015 when he wrote a petition to increase the number of Syrian refugees allowed in the U.S. The petition garnered over 300,000 signatures and enacted policy change. Batah spoke on how “Up to Us” gave him critical leadership and team management skills that has granted him success in his career at Deloitte.
The conference gave attendees the opportunity to discuss issues with a diverse range of perspectives. Teams hailed from Fordham University, the University of Notre Dame, University of California Irvine and more. “Understanding the big picture of the long-term national debt and its influence on our everyday lives as not just students, but also Americans, is what I believe to be the starting point for millennials to have better personal finance,” sophomore Shawna Tuli said. “In the realm of politics and changing government, financial literacy is a necessity every person should be equipped with.” “Up to Us” is the only nationwide campus-based campaign focused on the national debt. “Up to Us” is committed to a nonpartisan approach to ensure that students from any political background can get involved. The competition stresses a factual, unbiased approach that looks to unite young people under a common goal. Lowering the debt economically means increasing taxes, lowering government spending or both. “Up to Us” believes that the only way to solve the issue is
to generate enough awareness so voters elect officials who will tackle the debt. “Up to Us” specifically targets young people. The debt is currently $20.6 trillion and growing every day. If current policies continue, the Congressional Budget Office predicts that the debt will reduce family incomes by $16,000 by 2047. Robert Whaples, a professor in the Department of Economics, commented on the debt. “It should concern everyone, but particularly younger people, because a high debt makes higher future taxes or lower government spending inevitable — especially when interest rates climb from their current low level and payments on the debt balloon,” Whaples said. “If the rising debt-to-GDP level isn’t reversed and political gridlock on the topic persists, the U.S. government could eventually face bankruptcy, so this issue is extremely serious.” On Feb. 13, National Intelligence Director Daniel Coats also stated that the national debt “represents a dire threat to our economic and national security.”
WAKE IN A WEEK TED Talk Discussion: Embrace the Near Win Time: Feb. 15 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Location: Reynolda 301 Join us as we discuss Sarah Lewis’ TED Talk entitled “Embrace the Near Win.” Participants are encouraged to watch the talk in advance. The discussion will cover creativity, mastery, expertise and success. Please note that registration is required. Maslenitsa: A Taste of Russian Mardi Gras Time: Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Greene Atrium Mardi Gras isn’t just a New Orleans tradition. Come celebrate Russian Mardi Gras with free samples of tasty Russian-style pancakes.
2018 Founder’s Day Convocation Time: Feb. 15 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Wait Chapel Each year, the Wake Forest family gathers for the Founder’s Day Convocation to observe the university’s founding in Feb. 1834. Awards will be presented to faculty, and outstanding seniors will read this year’s winning orations. The Adding Machine Time: Feb. 16-17 and 22-24 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. Location: Tedford Stage, Scales In this play, Mr. Zero is replaced by an adding machine after 25 years on the job. There’s a murder trial, the afterlife and machines everywhere. Elmer Rice’s influential expressionistic masterpiece ponders what it means to be human.
TEDxWakeForestU 2018: “The Broken Box” Time: Feb. 17 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Wait Chapel We have all heard the saying “think outside the box.” Our theme this year seeks to challenge attendees to think about why they are constrained to boxes in the first place. Just Us Open Mic Time: Feb 21 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Location: Zick’s, Underground This is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to showcase their talent and lift up narratives of authenticity and social justice. There will be free food, poetry, music and more. If you are interested in performing, please email Demi McCoy at mccods14@wfu.edu.
Page 6 |Thursday, February 15, 2018
Old Gold & Black | News
Sleepin’: Initiative raises sleep awareness Continued from Page 1
“[Printing money] would greatly help us out for marketing future events,” said senior Jessica Huang. “It also helped that I knew several other people doing the challenge as well.” Others are authentically drawn to the topic of sleep deprivation and are using the challenge as a way to improve their own habits. “I hope that I can learn to put away my phone earlier; however I know that it won’t be an hour earlier as Thrive suggests. Electronics and entertainment are two of the biggest factors that I believe contribute to not getting enough sleep,” JeongLee said. “Stress is another category that I believe contributes to lost hours, especially on college campuses. De-stressing is a lot easier said than done.” When asked in the initial survey what they thought would be the greatest challenge throughout the two weeks, more than half of respondents cited electronics, specifically breaking the habit of checking one’s phone before bed. The challenge guidelines recommend that participants avoid using electronics for a full hour before going to bed. Two years ago, in 2016, online media site
The Tab published an article exposing the correlation between U.S. News and World Report rankings and average student bedtimes in prominent American colleges. Data generated by fitness products company Jawbone revealed that, over the course of their three-year study, the average Wake Forest student slept 7.12 hours in a night, on par with William and Mary, but higher than that of comparable colleges such as University of Notre Dame (6.71) and NC State (7.04). Thanks to efforts led by CHARGE a few years ago, the ZSR Library implemented the ZieSta Room, a space with comfy chairs in the 24-hour room dedicated to allowing students the opportunity to nap while pulling late nights in the main library. This year’s participants may earn a Wake Forest sweatshirt blanket upon completion of the challenge. Each night, participants are asked to try two of the recommended sleep tactics, which include avoiding large meals before bed, using scented lotion or aromatherapy and ensuring that one’s sleep environment is dark. “The issue of sleep deprivation tends to be pretty prevalent among college students, regardless of the institution they are attending,” Baske said. “The main issue is
Julia Haines/Old Gold & Black
Wake Forest students sleep on average just 7.12 hours per night. The Sleepin’ Deacon program promotes better student sleep habits. that students are trying to balance so many things — class, homework, clubs, exercise, socializing, eating — so sleep is usually the first thing that gets compromised. One of
the main goals of Sleepin’ Deacon is to raise awareness about how sleep affects overall wellbeing, so students can learn to prioritize it.”
Performing arts played a role in civil rights movement Washington University in St. Louis professor delivered lecture on Nonviolent Direct Action BY KIANA POURTEYMOUR Contributing Writer pourk17@wfu.edu
Paige McGinley delivered a lecture titled “The Sociodramatic Experiment” in the Scales Fine Arts Center’s Charlotte and Philip Hanes Art Gallery on Feb. 13. McGinley is an Associate Professor of Performing Arts at Washington University in St. Louis and received the Eroll Hill Award and John W. Frick book prize for her book, “Staging the Blues: From Tent Shows to Tourism.” Throughout her talk, McGinley highlighted a performing arts movement used frequently during the civil rights movement: Nonviolent Direct Action, which is based on Martin Luther King Jr.’s principles of eliminating violence. At the
time of the civil rights movement, during which police threats, discrimination and attacks were prevalent everywhere, many individuals, both black and white, needed to know how to react. Therefore, Nonviolent Direct Action was an effective technique for victims of attacks to control the situation without aggression. McGinley went on to highlight the fact that while it may have seemed as though retaliations to these various threats were spontaneous, they were actually rehearsed through this performing arts movement. Activists, mothers or anyone else interested in learning how to react in these difficult situations would take part in workshops or classes in order to learn how to react during these dangerous times. According to McGinley, ‘Saturday Night Skits’ were common among participants; many would spend their nights practicing and critiquing each other’s defense performances.
Individuals were taught how to react through sociodrama, or acting out roles in order to practice methods of retaliation. According to McGinley, the individuals were encouraged to use actions, rather than words, to protest against the threats. This way, they could eliminate verbal disagreement and practice making silent statements. McGinley highlighted the fact that it wasn’t always easy in Nonviolent Direct Action environments. In fact, sessions would often become violent and discriminatory. According to McGinley, even though the participants were randomly assigned into as either the perpetrator or the victim, people often reacted too aggressively when taking on their role. She asked the question, “What is the relationship between the actor’s feelings and how they act on stage?” While sociodrama was merely acting, it was often telling about the actual opinions of the participants towards the situations being presented.
Although not always easy, sociodrama was, in general, extremely useful to people tackling issues of discrimination. For example, Pauli Murray, a civil rights activist, experienced firsthand the necessity for training regarding dealing with discrimination. Upon entering a relief bus for a trip, Murray was ordered to move to the back of the bus. When she refused to do so, the police were called. Experiencing discrimination herself helped Murray understand how important the Nonviolent Direct Action was. With the help of such movements, victims could “apply what they knew on the spot.” According to McGinley, sociodrama also had a large impact on the dispositions on the individuals involved. Not only did it help the participants build stronger relationships among themselves and each other, but it also taught them a stronger sense of discipline.
POLICE BEAT Underage Consumption and Alcohol Abuse • Intoxicated student was transported to Student Health from Johnson. The report was filed on Feb. 10 at 12:48 a.m. • Intoxicated student was transported to WFUBMC from Johnson. The report was filed on Feb. 10 at 1:04 a.m. • Intoxicated student was transported to WFUBMC from Bostwick. The report was filed on Feb. 12 at 1:00 a.m. • Offender was intoxicated and trying to find his room but was at the Residence Inn. Offender was located and transported to Student Health without incident. The report was filed on Feb. 9 at 3:01 a.m. from North Point Boulevard.
Assist ALE/Miscellaneous • A citation was issued by ALE at Last Resort on Feb. 1 for possession of a fake I.D. The report was filed on Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. • Two citations were issued by ALE at Last Resort on Feb. 2 for underage consumption. The reports were filed on Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. • A citation was issued by ALE at Last Resort on Feb. 2 for attemption to purchase alcohol with a fake I.D. The report was filed on Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. • Unknown subject took a victim’s Gucci belt. The report was filed on Feb. 6 at 9:40 a.m. from Kitchin.
• Unknown person placed grease under the door handles of 10 vehicles. The report was filed on Feb. 9 at 3:01 a.m. from Facilities. • Offender had taken several pills and was transported to WFUBMC. The report was filed on Feb. 8 at 1:47 a.m. from Efird. • Unknown subject appeared to be carrying a bottle of liquor and ran when asked to stop. The report was filed on Feb. 9 at 9:25 p.m. from Poteat. • An unknown person choked a female from behind as she entered a suite in Poteat. It was reported to WSPD as a possible sexual assault. The report was filed on Feb. 10 at 2:16 a.m.
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“ to turn the table in 2018 midterms Democrats look Politics
The 2018 midterms could be consequential for both Democrats and Republicans
It will be impossible for Democrats to benefit from that energy if our candidates do not challenge Republicans in every election..."
Amanda Wilcox
Democrats have a double-digit lead on the generic ballot, and experts suggest that this could be sufficient to flip the House of Representatives. However, it will be impossible for Democrats to benefit from that energy if our candidates do not challenge Republicans in every last election and district — no matter how unlikely the race may seem. Last fall, Virginia Democrats made substantial inroads in the General Assembly, but many of those victories would have been impossible in past elections because those districts were uncontested. In 2013, 34 Virginia Republicans ran without major-party opposition. In the 2015 midterm elections, that number increased to 44. But in 2017, fueled by anger at Trump and his Republican-establishment enablers, Democratic challengers left only 12 Republicans unopposed. Six Republicans who lost their seats in 2017 held seats that were not contested in 2015. Many of those Democratic candidates had never considered running for political office before. Thanks to the Virginians who stepped up to the plate to run for the first time, not only is the General Assembly more Democratic, it looks a lot more like the Commonwealth. Joining the Democratic caucus were Danica Roem, the first openly transgender woman elected to the General Assembly; Hala Ayala, a PTA mom who became the first Hispanic woman elected to the
Staff Columnist wilcaf16@wfu.edu
U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) should be feeling nervous as the 2018 midterm elections come into view on the political horizon. Challenged by just one Democrat in 2016, she was re-elected to her second term by only hardly in a gerrymandered monstrosity of a district that Hillary Clinton won by 10 points. This year, no fewer than eight Democrats — including State Sen. Jennifer Wexton, former State Department official and anti-human trafficking advocate Alison Kiehl Friedman, Army veteran and business strategist Dan Helmer and Obama administration alumnus Lindsey Davis Stover — have declared their candidacies for that race. The jam-packed primary in Comstock’s district is by no means unusual. Finally, Democrats’ problem is a good one to have: things are starting to look a little crowded Helped along by President Donald Trump’s abysmal approval rate, Democrats certainly lead the Republicans in energy and enthusiasm for the 2018 congressional elections. The most recent polling data signaled that
Virginia House of Delegates; and Lee Carter, the first self-described Democratic Socialist. By fighting like hell and challenging every Republican in every office, Democrats can chip away at GOP majorities on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures. This midterm election cycle, I’ll be closely watching a number of top-notch Democratic candidates running in typically ruby-red states and districts. There’s Democratic Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema from Arizona, who is running for retiring Republican Sen. Jeff Flake’s seat. Her center-of-the-road politics could help her hold the line against the hateful and lawless former Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is running for the Republican nomination. Republican Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee is also vacating his seat, and the promising Democratic candidate in that election is former Gov. Phil Bredesen. Like Sinema, Bredesen is a political moderate, and having won every county in Tennessee in 2006, he has broad appeal in the state. In Texas, Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke of El Paso is challenging Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. Although electing a Democrat to the U.S. Senate from Texas is surely a long uphill climb, the young, progressive and Kennedyesque Congressman is the Lone Star State’s great blue hope. Mass deportations and wall speculation affect his border district as much as any other, and his dedication to comprehensive immigration reform could help him mobilize the binational state’s large Latinx community. There is also Amy McGrath, who is running for the House of Representatives in Kentucky’s 6th district. She was a combat aviator in the U.S. Marines who flew 89
combat missions bombing al Qaeda and the Taliban. When she was 12 years old, she wrote letters to every member of the House of Representatives and Senate Armed Services Committees asking them to change the law against women serving in combat so that she could follow her dream of flying fighter jets. “I never got a letter back from my Senator Mitch McConnell,” she laughed in her campaign launch ad. Her campaign has already had a remarkably enthusiastic and financially successful start. Kentucky’s 6th district is deeply red, but I’m confident that McGrath will be a competitive challenger to Republican Rep. Andy Barr, the McConnell devotée who is the incumbent candidate. Looking beyond Congress to gubernatorial elections, I look forward to watching the campaign of Georgia state Rep. Stacey Abrams, a Democrat who is testing the theory that Democrats can win statewide elections in the South by building coalitions of African-American support. She has also attracted Democratic endorsements nationwide, such as from former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, Sen. Corey Booker of New Jersey, and civil rights hero Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. Midterm elections are generally seen as referenda on the sitting president, and given Trump’s low approval rating and historic trends working against the party in power, Democrats could well be in line for a significant windfall. Gaining the 24 seats Democrats need to flip the House of Representatives will be no easy task, but the possibility would not even be on the table without the wave of Democratic energy and appealing, viable candidates.
by the many new and exciting gadgets that the technological world can offer. And it is downright terrifying. As opposed to movie’s like IT about clown’s that feed off fear, which obviously does not exist, Black Mirror is often about a piece of technology that is omnipresent in everyday life or could be within the next decade. Typically, the beginning of the episode introduces a new piece of digital machinery or automated reality that is supposed to be useful for mankind. Throughout the episode, it is not the technology that turns on the human, it is the human that is so easily changed by the technology. Rather than portraying evil robots trying to rebel against mankind, the show just lets people ruin their lives all by themselves. My fear of this show stems from how often I can see this happening daily. People are constantly talking about how iPhones and computers are taking over the world, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Humans are using technology to communicate with others on a global level, cure diseases and fix disabilities, but they are also abusing technology in ways that inhibit so-
cial development, promote addiction and shorten attention spans. It is not realistic to want to decimate technology when it is evolving at such an exponential rate but it is reasonable to adapt along with it. People need to find a balance between the amount of time they spend on computers and phones that is not absolutely necessary so that it does not become something that even has the power to take over their lives. It is so easy to spend hours scrolling through funny articles or binge watching a show when you have free time, but it also becomes easy to start doing this when you are busy with other work because it turns into a habit. Black Mirror provides such a harsh yet honest criticism on where society is headed that I can only watch one episode at a time because after more than that I start taping over the webcam on my computer or hiding my phone in my drawer at night. The fact that I even have these fears show how close modern civilization is to matching this fictional world and how important it is to prevent that from happening.
Black Mirror“finds its horror inside the possible Television
The futuristic realism of Black Mirror breaks many horror tropes and makes for a scary experience Kiley Price
Staff Columnist prickj15@wfu.edu
At their core, scary movies follow a similar plotline. They often start in a quaint town, with a seemingly innocent protagonist that is forced to move to some sort of abandoned mansion or cabin in the woods. Usually, their family is down on money and their parents often say key phrases, like “this will be good for us, a new start.” Then enters the villain. A demon or murderer or demonic murderer comes to terrorize the protagonist in sneaky ways that no one
I realize how similar every movie in this genre is, yet I continue to watch at least one scary movie a week." believes until it is too late. Finally, the protagonist figures out a way to banish the villain back to the fiery pits of hell from which it came, until inevitably there is a scene revealing that the villain is still very much alive and ready for about eight more sequels. I realize how similar every movie in this genre is, yet I continue to watch at least one scary movie a week. I have become desensitized to the classic notion of “fear” that arises from ghosts, exorcisms and gruesome or ridiculous murders simply because I can easily detach myself from that false reality. Black Mirror is a different story. One of Netflix’s most popular shows, Black Mirror is a series about society and how technology is controlling the modern world. Each episode gives a different scenario in which humans are swayed and manipulated
Page 8 | Thursday, February
Old Gold & Black | Opinion
Our campus“has become too sterile to violence Campus Crisis
Conservative conclusions on campus prove troublesome to many around the community Carly East
Guest Columnist eastcm14@wfu.edu
On Jan. 20 of this year, Najee Ali Baker was shot and killed on Wake Forest’s campus. Najee’s death marked the 10th of the 11 school shootings that took place on American soil in the first 23 days of 2018. Twelve days after the senseless death that deeply saddened the Winston-Salem community, contributing writer Ryan Wolfe wrote an opinion article that concluded that Vice President of Campus life, Penny Rue, was partially at fault for the shooting. The article concluded that Rue’s implementation of unconscious bias training for the Wake Forest University Police Department (WFUPD) inhibited the officer’s abilities to prevent the shooting and effectively police our campus. To defend this conclusion, the article cites the William-Moss police report that was investigated by retired police chiefs of North Carolina Central University and Garner. This report was
Wolfe’s article exploits the profoundly personal loss experienced by the Winston-Salem community...” ordered following several allegations of racist attitudes towards students of color on campus by WFUPD. The article asserted that the report found that none of the allegations by students of color rose to the level of actual racial bias, but rather instances of racial insensitivity. The article then claimed that Rue’s implementation of unconscious bias training directly in spite of these findings to unfairly sanction the WFUPD. In addition to recklessly placing blame and dismissing the very real problem of racial insensitivity at our predominantly white institution, the article is inaccurate. At the conclusion of the WilliamsMoss report, investigators stressed the necessity of “providing additional training to the University police personnel in the area of conscious and unconscious bias and cultural differences.” Wolfe’s selective omission of this recommendation in the article would lead readers to believe that Rue’s actions were unfounded. Not only was Rue’s pursuit of bias training an appropriate first step considering the allegations of racial insensitiv-
ity that were confirmed by the investigation, but the training was encouraged by the investigators from larger police departments. Furthermore, to suggest that the shooting could have been prevented if WFUPD had not been subjected to unconscious bias training is a non-sequitur. The bias training neither detracted time from any training already in place, nor did it diminish the importance of other training courses. The most troubling part of the article is the suggestion that it is not WFUPD’s job to be the most inclusive department on campus, but instead to keep Wake Forest students safe from “the dangers that lurk outside of our wall.” This divisive rhetoric is symptomatic of the “us versus them” mentality that is unconsciously fostered in an institution such as Wake Forest. While it is of course the job of WFUPD to keep campus safe, it is just as much their job to promote a safe and healthy on-campus environment for all of our students. Students of color constituted 50 percent of student arrests in 2016 despite only making up 28.3 percent of the student body, according to the WFUPD website. The Williams-Moss report argues that these statistics do not hold up as evidence of racial biases, but it is certainly a worrying trend. According to several studies, including Devah Pag-
er’s “Marked: Race, Crime and Finding Work in an Era of Mass Incarceration” and Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow,” these statistics do not indicate that students of color commit more crimes. Rather, they are congruent with the national incarceration demographics, which have been found to reflect the Reagan administration’s “war on drugs” that effectively targeted and criminalized people of color. People of all demographics are equally as likely to commit a crime, but people of color are significantly more likely to be prosecuted for a crime. It is nearly impossible to cultivate a safe environment for students of color if they are arrested on campus at a disproportionately higher rate than their white peers. Wolfe’s article exploits the profoundly personal loss experienced by the Winston-Salem community and the Baker family to undermine University investment in inclusivity and diversity. Additionally, the article frames inclusivity and safety as exclusive goals, insinuating that the WFUPD is incapable of being both unbiased towards students and protective at the same time. I feel as if it is not only possible, but imperative to ask for both. I would encourage the University’s continued pursuit of action that may help departments on campus to be more inclusive and diverse. We have a long way to go.
so that we do not die as early. There are changes to be made: we could have a comprehensive policy response to the opioid crisis, we could pass legislation that makes it harder for tobacco companies to kill you or we could make our roads safer — currently a good way to risk death is to get in your car and drive to work. One simple reason that Americans are dying more is that we do not have a coherent national health system. Consider maternal deaths in the U.S.: a woman is eight times more likely to die in childbirth in the U.S. than in the United Kingdom. California decided to try and not have mothers die in childbirth, and after putting together a tool kit and a checklist for doctors to use, mothers in California are three times less likely to die in childbirth than in other states. Because we do not have a national health care system, this solution can’t be scaled. The consequences are appalling. As well as mothers dying in childbirth, we do not have an effective, scalable solution to the opioid epidemic. To take another example, you are more likely to get central line infections in some hospitals than in others, because there is no central
system governing how much caution any one hospital uses. The health care debate in this country is often about how we structure insurance; we at times forget what insurance is for. There is another story here that demands to be told. As of 2010, the poorest Americans could expect to live to 76; the richest Americans could expect to live to 89. Life expectancy for the richest Americans has been going up for the past decades (up six years since 1980) and is among the highest in the world. Life expectancy for the poorest Americans has stayed the same despite incredible technological progress. There is no worse inequality than an inequality of death. A complaint one could have with my argument is that I’m using outdated data; we’re in 2018, and the most recent data is from 2016. To which I would respond: you’re right. Because the Republican-led government comprehensively addressed the opioid epidemic and passed legislation that is aimed at improving health outcomes for Americans, life expectancy, surely, will rise. We are in good hands.
“ expectancy indicates serious decay Plummeting life Public Health
Life expectancy in the United States is indicative of many of our systemic problems Chris Verrill
Staff Columnist ferrka16@wfu.edu
Life expectancy fell for the second year in a row in 2016. Per the CDC: In 2016, a baby born in the U.S. can expect to live 78.6 years, down .2 years from 2014. This translates to roughly 800,000 years of life lost. Some perspective: American casualties in the Iraq war cost us 243,000 years of life. I do not feel like I possess the language to adequately communicate what a catastrophe this is. In our modern political system, we measure the health of our country by the economy and have built up systems of language to describe said economy (we can talk about nominal GDP per capita, GDP measured on
As well as mothers dying in childbirth, we do not have an effective, scalable solution to the opoid epidemic.” a PPP basis, GNP, capital consumption allowance and countless other acronyms). If any one of those economic indicators is falling, slumping or looks like it could potentially slump, we form fiscal committees and we have a public debate about stimulus packages and we eventually pass legislation. Sometimes, the economy is fine, and we pass legislation anyway (like last December). Something is seriously broken. We are 31st in life expectancy and have fallen behind every other developed country. Australian people, German people and South Korean people are living longer while American people are dying quicker. This problem is American. One would be forgiven for thinking that after learning that Americans are dying quicker, the political establishment would rush to make changes
Thursday, February 15, 2018 | Page 9
Opinion | Old Gold & Black
“ Modern film audiences prioritize fact over fullness Culture
A shift in how the public watches and enjoys film is another sign of cultural decay Kyle Ferrer
Staff Columnist ferrka16@wfu.edu
“Are you a Star Wars guy?” That is the question that begins most ordinary discourse about film. Star Wars itself of course, is a microcosmic example, but the film marks a paradigm shift in how the public sees and consumes film, as did Jaws and Rocky (at least, according to Quentin Tarantino). The historic meaning of film (mostly) up until the release of these blockbusters was not to fill the box office or appeal to the simple desires of a mass audience. Films were made as an attempt to work through something. The viewer was more artistic assistant than raw consumer. One helped the film-maker refine his or her visual draft of a certain cultural idea. That same crucial assistance, surviving on the unspoken propinquity to the art itself, is nowadays siphoned into a corner of effete or elite taste. The artistic partnership between cre-
A duel of recollection replaced the dialectic spirit in relation to the greater work of art." ator and consumer reached its end around 1980, when the creative effulgence delivered through the New Hollywood films of the 1970s unwittingly portended an apogee of “difficult art,” to use a Greenbergian term. Soon to be diffused by the emergence of the blockbuster, the filmic freedom of 70s auteurs like Friedkin, Coppola and Altman vanished as the big studios discovered that formulaic, almost demagogic films could boost profit exponentially. This ideological shift pivoted films away from essential truths toward hedonist fodder. Philosophical tinkering became a less-trying exercise of cataloguing fact. This shift, in its fullest realization, brought about the naissance of “fanboy culture,” a wave of movie junkies who were not interested as much in the philosophical, visual or thematic arc of a film, but were invested in the minutia. A duel of recollection replaced the dialectic spirit in relation to the greater work of art. Owen Gleiberman, chief film critic for Variety, expounds this sentiment on the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, when he says, of today’s myopic film
culture, “geek culture…is this kind of encyclopedia culture. The fans are obsessed with the minutia of it. And yet, once the movies come out, when they’ve been out for about a year or so and you think back on it, most of these movies are not very good.” The films we relish are not of much inventive achievement, other than the fact that they create a universe distilled into a deluge of fact. Gleiberman continues, re these certain films: “They’re corporate products… And so what you have now, I think, is a generation that’s obsessed with corporate products, and the information that’s in them.” It is exemplative of an age of instant satisfaction and shortened attention that films who allow audiences to be clerks are the ones that flourish. The rabid secretary of our minds shuns, almost categorically, the delayed pleasure of analysis. But this is not to say that culture died in 1980, it simply mutated into its current form. As the Hollywood studios shifted their motives towards profit, the popular view of movies shifted in kind. Our minds eek out a “profit” by achieving total factual recall. Gleiberman goes on to say, in contrast to this shift, of the film culture that he grew up in, that “there was something very pure about going to see those movies because they seemed real. I think what we were connecting to in those films like Rose-
mary’s Baby or The Boston Strangler or In Cold Blood or Midnight Cowboy [was] this certain truth that they are about.” Easton Ellis follows up and asks, “What are the kids connecting to today, and is it movies?” Gleiberman responds succinctly: “No.” The “certain truth” of these films, I think, is the trenchancy of an artist attuned to the human condition. And these films do not exist only in the past tense. I can name any number I have seen in the last few years that took (and can still take) me through the progressions of emotion. They can evoke a contemplative stillness, visceral throes, and everything in the space between the extremes. It is this subtlety that has been lost in much of American cinema. The sterilization and commercialization of art numbs us to nuance and forces us to consume raw something that is utterly synthetic. There are still people toiling away in the dim corners of the artistic world (some even do it in the glaring light of the commercial one), but the majority of us don’t wish to see their difficult creations. Culture is too impatient for experimental films laden with the beauty of invention. “Art films” are left for the obnoxious few. It is a sad but all too accepted notion; “culture” seems to be investing in its own deathdrive.
asking for a lot out of people, but what other way do you expect to create the change you want? Speakers that no one goes to, meetings that people don’t care about, and flyers that people don’t read clearly hasn’t been doing anything – so why not try something different? Now, I’m not claiming to be the messiah of activism and I’m sure that my ideas will change over time, but as for the time being, it only makes sense to me that people need to do more than what they’re doing now to get what they want. That means, for example, barricading Reynolda hall, sit-ins in front of the president’s office, or consistent walk-outs. These are things that put one’s life on the line and results in concrete change. Never mind the apathy that swallows this campus, imagine if half the school did one of those things? “Prestigious Wake Forest under attack from their own students. Their demands are x, y, and z.” The fact that an event would get local or even state news worthy means that the school would need to listen to us because of the political force we would have created. But how, you may ask, do we do things like that? Let me start off with a controversial opinion: full democracy doesn’t work. If we had everything we do go to a vote with a group of people that jump in and out of a club, then we won’t be able to effectively achieve what we want. The power of organiz-
ing large-scale activism relies on a few rather than the all because ideas can be formulated easier and discussed faster. How we choose our representatives is where it gets a bit tricky. A couple of friends and I have thought of a club that would deal with the organizing of such events through club representation under larger council called the Justice Council. This is where representatives of certain clubs toss ideas to the executive for them to relay the message to other clubs for support. This way, only a few people are organizing while many people become aware of the event. So, what does this mean? It means that our current efforts have been futile. By working through the administration, we’ve given our power over to the same people we want to change our status quo. If we want things to happen, we must put our selves on the lineand give the power back to the students and those that represent the students. For far too long, we have played into the Right’s side of politics (easy going, that it’s time for something new. Overton Window theory states that the compromising middle ground gets shifted by radical perspectives, and so I’m more than willing to be painted as that: the anthesis to the Right. So, to be down for the cause means taking big, calculated steps towards a broad goal – otherwise we fall ill to painfully slow wheel of change.
“ Posterity should hold a deeper place in our hearts Philosophy
The difficulty of change is an innately human endeavor that requires bodies to be on the line Andrew Azuara Guest Columnist azuaaj17@wfu.edu
What does it mean to be down for the cause? The answer isn’t that simple. I could give you a list of things that determine whether you are “woke” or not — but that would be too easy. The reason I say that is because I’ve been having trouble answering that question; I’m afraid I come off naïve, reckless, and pretentious sometimes. But regardless, I would like to make the argument that I think needs to be said: You are down for the cause when you put your life on the line. Imagine a world where we had the things we all asked for. What would it take, realistically speaking, to make that happen? Putting your life on the line. For example, say I wanted to be rich. Let’s set aside the debate whether the lower class is aware of their rudimentary oppression or not: being eco-
Deflection of assuming the appropriate responsibilities is what perpetuates the cycle of stagnation." nomically wealthy means you are more likely to be murdered under the right circumstances. This shows, then, that asking for anything means putting your life on the line. Everything comes with a risk – big or small – so why not give it your all? You say you have your future to worry about, but what about the millions of other people getting screwed over? Do their lives not compare to yours? I agree that it’s silly to think we’ll get all the things we want during our lifetime, but why will you not work for the betterment of the future? Deflection of assuming the appropriate responsibilities is what perpetuates the cycle of stagnation. Putting your life on the line can mean not caring what happens to your reality, yourbeing. Although I’m forever thankful for Wake Forest paying for the majority – if not all and then some – of my expenses, I don’t care if I go to jail, expelled, or even die. Why? Because I recognize that the only way to create true meaningful change is to not care what happens to you. I understand that this is easier than done and that it’s likely
Page 10 | Thursday, February 15, 2018
Old Gold & Black | Opinion
“ moral virtue with dubious practice Wake Forest espouses Letter to the Editor
It is time for us to align our institutional values with our behavior and traditions. It has struck us as morally dissonant that WFU articulates a number of inspiring moral principles, while we continue to ‘roll the quad’ with toilet paper when one of our athletic teams achieves a noteworthy victory, or some other meaningful event occurs for our institution. As a university, we proudly espouse sound environmental practices and stewardship. In fact, most of our recently constructed buildings are highly rated as environmentally sustainable structures. Yet we throw toilet paper on the trees on Hearn Plaza, frivolously wasting an environmentally derived commodity. According to the National Geographic Green Guide, an estimated 27,000 trees are cut down daily (nearly 10 million annually) to produce toilet paper. Additionally, removal of the tis-
Let us end the tradition of ‘rolling the quad’ with toilet paper. But let’s not end our celebrations.” sue can result in unintended damage to a tree, thereby making it susceptible to disease and infestation. In our opinion, this is incommensurate with our stated values. As a university, we proudly espouse inclusive respect for all members of our community, yet we require that our grounds management staff clean up after us and remove the toilet paper from the trees. In our opinion, this behavior is elitist and inconsistent with our stated values. As a university, we value responsible financial management, yet we spend hundreds of dollars each year to buy scores of rolls of toilet paper to hand out to newly-arrived first-year stu-
dents so that they can “learn” the proper technique for “rolling the quad.” This practice is inconsistent with our values. As a university, we proudly espouse a value of giving back to those less fortunate in our surrounding off-campus community, which we do in many meaningful and important ways. Yet, we willfully waste hundreds of rolls of toilet paper that many in our community could use for its intended purpose. (Recently, toilet paper was the donation item of the month for the Second Harvest Food Bank). Again, our behavior is not consistent with our stated values. Therefore, it is time that we align our values with our behaviors. Let us end the tradition of “rolling the quad” with toilet paper. But let’s not end our celebrations. We propose that our division of Student Life promote a campus-wide challenge among concerned students, faculty, and staff to devise creative, value-consistent alternatives to this tradi-
tion. Our goal should be to develop a new and responsible tradition that we can all be proud of. For example, one possible alternative could involve rolling the quad in the large bubble balls used for entertainment at football and basketball games. Given the breadth of creativity that exists in our community, we are confident that we can collectively generate many other unique and fun alternatives to show the world how Deacons share their joy and that are consonant with our institutional values. Let the process begin! If you agree, please join us by adding your name to the petition to end the practice of rolling the quad with toilet paper. You can find this petition via the online version of the artice.
gle, resilience and pursuit of the American dream. My blackness was gifted to me by my ancestors and their power courses through my veins every single day. My blackness is one piece in the puzzle of my self-discovery. In my earlier youth, I used to question my every decision, worrying about how it would make me look, or how other people would view me. I still find myself falling into this trap because black people don’t have the luxury to simply be black in America. Tell that to Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin or any of the millions of their predecessors who were lynched that were denied their right to existence simply on the basis of the artificial construct called race that was created to silence and separate us. The three aforementioned modern victims are examples of how racism is more nuanced and complicated than what meets the eye.
A select few of those given the responsibility to protect have the ability to hide behind a badge. Let it be noted that I respect police officers as a whole and appreciate their sacrifices made in the service of others. But those who abuse this power for self-satisfaction do not deserve the title of honor. In my experience, there are two sides to being black — the ideological side and the reality. At this point in life, I’m lucky enough to be able to make a conscious decision to stop worrying about which stereotypes I fulfill or violate as a black woman; but the reality is that Tamir and Trayvon don’t get to make any decisions anymore because those in authority over them chose to believe in the fear and pain caused by stereotypes. Even still, caught in the purgatory between being “not black enough” and “too black” is where I find myself today — stuck between living my life and simply living.
Sincerely, Professors Randall Rogan and John Llewellyn, Department of Communication
“ my identity as a black woman Understanding Identity
The complexity of human affairs is an inescapable reality of every life we lead
Kira Sims
Contributing Writer simskn15@wfu.edu
I often find myself questioning what it means to be black in America. Truthfully, that is a loaded question with many different answers. This is mine. Growing up as a light-skinned African American girl is a peculiar paradox. I never quite knew where I fit. I was too “whitelooking” to be fully accepted by those with darker skin, but too “black looking” to be
Growing up as a light-skinned African American girl is a peculiar paradox. I never quite knew where I fit.” fully accepted by my white contemporaries. For the entirety of my life I’ve attended overwhelmingly white schools while also attending a predominantly black church. This dichotomy presented me with the question of what is “black enough?” I believe my blackness should not be measured by whether I listen to Taylor Swift or Kanye West; in fact I appreciate both artists. I believe my blackness should not be measured by whether I relax my hair or leave it in its natural state. My blackness should not be measured by the way I speak or dress. My blackness is a single piece of my identity, interwoven with an immense history or strug-
Word on the Quad
What is your favorite sport at the Winter Olympics?
“Curling” Ray Zhongshan (‘21)
“Figure skating” Caleb Cabiness (‘19)
“Bobsledding” Kayla Willis (‘20)
“Curling” Caroline Sar (‘21)
SPORTS
T H U R S D AY, F E B R U A R Y 1 5 , 2 0 1 8
PA G E 1 1
Online at: www.wfuogb.com Twitter: @sports_ogb Editors: Ren Schmitt, schmwm16@wfu.edu Lizzie Snyder, snydem15@wfu.edu
OLD GOLD & BLACK
Deacs defeat Georgia Tech to snap losing streak Wake Forest's 79-62 victory over the Jackets is only their third win in the ACC during the 2017-18 season BY KYLE TATICH Senior Writer tatika14@wfu.edu “It’s nice to get a mark in the column that we want,” said coach Danny Manning following Wake Forest’s 79-62 victory over Georgia Tech.“We’re happy about that.” The Deacs ended a three-game losing streak, winning just the second game of their last twelve outings behind a strong offensive performance as a team, shooting 53 percent from beyond the arc with four guys in double figures. Bryant Crawford led the Deacs with 16 points and nine assists, matching a season high. His seven assists in the first half set the tone and his emphasis on finding high percentage attempts for his teammates grabbed the attention of Georgia Tech’s Josh Pastner. “Give Wake Forest credit, 17 assists on 29 made field goals, they played well tonight," Pastner said. Coach Manning agreed, saying the Deacs had a number of “hockey assists,” meaning his guys were effective in making the second, third or even fourth pass of a possession to get the least-contested look at the basket. With nine assists, Crawford was one away from a double-double — which he would have had if Brandon Childress would have
sunk a shot in the game’s final two minutes, which Childress joked required an apology after the game. The story of Wednesday night’s game was not necessarily how well individuals performed, however, it was how well the Deacs took care of the basketball. As a team, Wake Forest committed just five turnovers, a season low, and an indicator of success and improvement. “I thought we did a good job of not forcing passes,” Manning said. Crawford had zero turnovers and Childress just had one. “Taking care of the ball got us the win tonight,” Childress said. Wake Forest got out to a quick lead and hardly looked back. Mitch Wilbekin had three first-half three pointers, and by the end of the game’s first 20 minutes, the Deacs had made 16 of their last 23 attempts from beyond the arc, dating back to Sunday’s game at Syracuse. In the second half, Wake Forest took over, extending the lead to 21 points with just three minutes remaining — and with Betsy Mann/Old Gold & Black a comfortable lead, was able to put in the walk-ons for the final minute of the game, Bryant Crawford fell just one assist short of the double-double against something the Deacs haven’t been able to Georgia Tech, as he totaled 16 points and nine assists during the contest. do with a lead in quite some time. Wake Forest will host NC State on Sat“The most rewarding thing is seeing our Doral Moore added that paying attention scout team guys get in,” Manning said after urday, Feb. 17 and will look to earn its first to the details on defense will be crucial. If the game, seeing it as a great testament to back-to-back conference wins of the sea- that can be accomplished, Moore believes son. According to Manning, in order for the Deacs can “win the rest of [their] how hard they work. As Wake Forest enjoys its third win in his team to come away with a victory it will games.” ACC play this season, it also looks forward, need to get the ball into the paint and avoid It is one game at a time, however. And if hoping to string together a winning streak settling for long jump shots. the Deacs were to “run the table,” as ChilAs for what he expects from the Wolf- dress mentioned, it will have to continue before the ACC Tournament with the words, “run the table,” being mentioned by pack, Manning explains that they will with another complete effort on Saturday, Childress after the game. “push tempo and be aggressive.” this time against a talented Wolfpack team.
Wake Forest golf star involved in three-car crash Bill Haas ('04) is in recovery after a car accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening BY DANIEL PACHINO News Editor pachdb15@wfu.edu On the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 13, PGA Tour player and former Wake Forest star golfer Bill Haas was involved in a three-car accident in the Pacific Palisades region of Los Angeles, CA. One person, the driver of Haas’ car, was killed while the others, including Haas, were taken to the hospital in critical condition. The man killed in the crash was 71-yearold Mark Gibello, who was hosting Haas and his family in Los Angeles while Haas prepared for the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club. According to the Los Angeles Times, Gibello and Haas were driving at high speed in the former’s Ferrari down North Chautauqua Boulevard before crashing into several cars and eventually smashing into a road-side pole. Haas was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and has since been released. Haas decided to withdraw from the Genesis Open due to his minor injuries and
is returning home to Greenville, SC to recover before returning to play. Allen Hobbs, Haas’ agent and a fellow Wake Forest alumnus, released a statement on Haas' behalf. “While Bill escaped serious injuries and has been released from the hospital, he is understandably shaken up and — more importantly — his deepest condolences go out to the host family during this tragic and difficult time. [Bill] appreciates the support of friends, family and the golf world as a whole, and he has asked for privacy as he processes what has happened,” Hobbs said. Haas’ close call Tuesday night reminds one of the fragility of life and serves as a reminder of the former Demon Deacon’s legendary career. Haas is a six-time winner, including a 2011 FedEx Cup Championship and a 2012 win at Riviera, on the PGA Tour and has earned nearly $29 million since becoming a Tour member in 2006. Additionally, Haas helped lead the U.S. to a 2011 Presidents Cup victory over the World team in Black Rock, Australia. During his career as a Demon Deacon in the early 2000’s, Haas was one of the NCAA’s premier collegiate golfers. He earned an impressive seven wins during his four-year career. Entering his senior year in 2003, Haas was ranked No. 1 in the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings and finished the sea-
son with that ranking by winning two of his four matches that fall season. Haas additionally earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2001 along with the ACC Player of the Year distinction in 2003 and National Player of the Year award in 2004. Haas’ uncle, Jerry Haas who graduated
from Wake Forest in 1985, is entering his 22nd season as the head coach of the men’s golf team. The Wake Forest men’s golf team is ranked No. 13 nationally and begins its spring season play this weekend in Houston, TX with the All-American Intercollegiate tournament.
Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/TNS
PGA Tour star and former Demon Deacon, Bill Haas was the 2001 ACC Rookie of the Year, 2003 ACC Player of the Year and National Player of the Year in 2004.
Old Gold & Black | Sports
Page 12 | Thursday, February 15, 2018
Team USA wins multiple gold medals Though they trail other nations in medal count, Team USA has performed well in South Korea
the U.S. is fifth overall, Team USA has the third most gold medals in the games so far and each recipient has his or her own unique and touching story.
BY LIZZIE SNYDER Sports Editor snydem15@wfu.edu
Shaun White, Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe
This year’s Winter Olympic games in PyeongChang, South Korea has been a testament to strong global talent in some of the most niche sports in the world — and the world has been watching. Covering the games via traditional primetime coverage and a digital streaming platform, NBC is working to reach several audiences for this year’s event. According to the CynopsisSports online newsletter, NBCSports Digital has broken records with 445 million live streaming minutes from the start of the game through Monday’s events. This statistic clearly tops the 420 live streaming minutes NBCSports Digital reported for the entire Sochi Winter Games in 2014. A little under halfway through the Games, Germany emerges No.1 in the 2018 medal count with 12 total. Tied for second place are The Netherlands and Norway with 11 medals each. Canada is close behind with ten medals to take fourth place and the U.S. is tied with Japan for fifth place following seven full days of Olympic events in PyeongChang, South Korea. Although
John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/TNS
Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS
31-year-old Shaun White, who has participated in four Olympics, won his third gold medal on Tuesday, silencing those who thought him incapable of competing this year.
American Winter Olympic superstar Shaun White returned in 2018, and he had a record-breaking morning in PyeongChang on Tuesday. Not only did he win his third personal gold medal in the Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe event, but the 31-year-old secured the 100th gold medal overall for the U.S. in the Winter Olympics. Further accolades include being the first olympian to win three times in a snowboarding event and the first American to win the same event at three separate Winter Olympics. Before the olympic final, White tweeted, “Couldn’t be happier to qualify first today! Tomorrow is the moment I’ve been looking forward to for 4 years.” Competing against 19-year-old Ayumu Hirano and 23-year-old Scotty James, White proved he still had the necessary tricks to outdo the international competition with a score of 97.75 from the judges. Coming in close behind, Hirano finished with a score of 95.25 and James concluded the day with a score of 92 points.
See Olympics, Page 15
Yu Darvish signs long-term deal with Cubs The 31-year-old starting pitcher secured a six-year, $126 million deal with the 2016 world champs BY REN SCHMITT Sports Editor schmwm16@wfu.edu
Free agent starting pitcher Yu Darvish signed a six-year deal worth $126 million with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Feb. 10. Darvish posted a 3.86 ERA in 2017 with the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his diverse arsenal of pitches allowed him to post a K/9 of 10.08. Though he struggled mightily in his two 2017 World Series starts with the Dodgers, clubs did not view those blemishes as reason for any long-term concern. Darvish’s dynamic stuff and proven record bolster a Cubs pitching staff that collectively posted a 3.95 ERA in 2017. The Cubs will certainly be a favorite to win the NL Central for the third-straight season, as their starting rotation already featured three pitchers who combined for 9.1 fWAR last season in Jon Lester, Jose Quintana and Kyle Hendricks. Add Darvish to the equation, and that figure jumps to 12.6 fWAR in 2017. The 2016 World Series champions also return Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, two young stars entering the prime of their respective careers. The ripples of this deal will be felt throughout the MLB, especially during an offseason marred by free agent stagna-
tion and threats of a player strike. Though appears too close to joining a new club at aging, overrated “stars” has found its way no flurry of deals followed the signing, the Spring Training next week. into all 30 MLB front offices. Darvish contract changed the complexion There is no doubt that the philosoEventually the remaining free agents will of the 2018 free agent market. phy surrounding player acquisition has find their homes, but the fallout of this Specifically, free agent pitcher Jake Ar- changed across all MLB front offices, as the historically slow 2018 offseason could be rieta, who played the last four and a half “eye test” approach to player evaluation has felt for years, as clubs will likely continue seasons with the Cubs, will now almost cer- given way to a combination of traditional to heavily favor cheap, young players with tainly find himself in a different uniform scouting and advanced statistics, and with years of team control over expensive veterin 2018. this shift, a healthy fear of overpaying for ans. Arrieta could receive a contract like the one that Darvish was able to secure, as the two posted similar numbers in 2018, and both are 31-year-olds who appear to have already experienced the primes of their careers. Unfortunately for Arrieta, the decision by the Cubs to sign Darvish instead of re-signing their in-house option with comparable numbers could signal that Cubs executives feared significant regression from Arrieta in 2018. Alternatively, Arrieta’s agent, the infamous Scott Boras, could have forced the Cubs to move a different direction, as Boras is a notoriously difficult negotiator. Boras represents several of the remaining top MLB free agents and has been bombarded with vitriol from media pundits, as some feel that his no-nonsense, moneyfirst approach has prevented his clients from inking deals before the start of Spring Training. Outfielder J.D. Martinez and third baseman Eric Hosmer, both Boras clients as well, remained unsigned despite having posted above-average to elite numbers in Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/TNS 2017. Traditionally, both of these two players would have been aggressively pursued Darvish, who served a short stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of 2017, at the beginning of the winter, but neither managed to sign a lucrative deal just before pitchers reported to 2018 Spring Training.
Thursday, February 15, 2018 | Page 13
Sports | Old Gold & Black
Teams speculate picks for 2018 NFL Draft After the Super Bowl, teams analyze top draft prospects in anticipation of the 2018-19 NFL BY JONATHAN BELL Staff Writer belljh15@wfu.edu
With the Super Bowl concluding last week, many football fans have slipped into a slight depression as there is a mere 190 (but who’s counting?) days until college football kicks off again. However, the one thing that will be able to keep us fans going is the excitement, fanfare and endless speculation about the upcoming NFL draft. Here is a brief mock draft of the first five picks in the 2018 NFL draft: Pick 1: Cleveland Browns, Sam Darnold, QB, University of Southern California We all know the Browns struggle with the quarterback position, but the true despair of the Browns past two decades is staggering. Over the last 17 years, the Browns have had 26 different players
start at the quarterback position and only one (Tim Couch in 1999) has managed to complete the whole season. Desperate for some consistency at the most important position in football, and with no time and/or resources to develop a “project” quarterback after the Deshone Kizer disaster of last season, the Browns will take the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft. Darnold offers the most intangibles of any prospect and despite a tendency for too many turnovers, Darnold still has a high ceiling and definitely has a higher floor than Josh Rosen and certainly is safer than wild card Josh Allen.
more flexibility to develop a slightly less league-ready quarterback to be his successor. Rosen has the capability to hit some throws that make you say wow,
he has great arm strength and throws a great spiral.
See NFL Draft, Page 14
Pick 2: New York Giants, Josh Rosen, QB, University of California, Los Angeles Last season was a full on dumpster fire for the Giants. Picked second in ESPN’s preseason power rankings, the Giants imploded and finished 2-14 and lost a coach in the process. Despite Eli Manning’s struggles over the last several seasons, he likely still has a couple more serviceable seasons as an NFL quarterback. Because of this, the Giants have
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/TNS
Sam Darnold, quarterback for the University of Southern California throws a touchdown pass in a victory against Utah last season.
Roger Federer seeks 21st Grand Slam Title The Swiss star hopes to continue his impressive Grand Slam wining streak at the French Open in Paris this summer BY WILL HARGROVE Contributing Writer hargjw15@wfu.edu
The Fed Express, the Swiss Maestro, the Mighty Federer: these are just a few of the hundreds of nicknames forged over decades of celebration around one of, if not the, greatest tennis players of all time,
Roger Federer. Born on Aug. 8, 1981 in the mountains of Basel, Switzerland, Federer began his tennis career at a young age, and it took but 18 years for him to earn the title of a professional. At a young age, Federer took home the Boy’s Wimbledon Single Title, and from that moment on his name became one of highly-valued recognition. Despite being over 30 years old, Federer continues be a force to be reckoned with in his sport, and in recent events, he has proven himself to be a legend. On Sunday, Jan. 28, Roger Federer achieved another historic milestone. After over three hours of
Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald/TNS
Roger Federer won the Miami Open title last year against Rafael Nadal in Key Biscayne, FL. The Swiss tennis star hopes to win the ATP Rotterdam title later this year in The Netherlands.
intense match play in the 113th Australian Open Finals, he became the first professional male tennis player to earn 20 Grand Slam Titles. Over the course of the two-week tournament, Federer took down a number of highly-ranked professionals including Richard Gasquet in the Third Round and Tomas Berdych in the Quarterfinals. It was not until a warm Sunday after that Federer took down No. 6-ranked Croatian Marin Cilic in a momentum-swaying five-set match, 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. After it was all said and done, Federer could not help but let the tears flow. In an interview with Metro News, Federer commented on the breakdown, “When I start thinking about what I was going to say, every subject I touch actually is very meaningful and very emotional,” Federer said. “Thanking your team, congratulating Marin, thanking the people, thanking the tournament. At the end it’s like one big party.” With this title, Federer now owns six Australian Open Titles, accompanied by eight Wimbledon Titles, five US Open Titles and one French Open Title. He continues to lead the ATP Tour with the AllTime Most Grand Slam wins, with the next-highest professionals being Rafael Nadal with 16 and Pete Sampras with 14. Federer now sits on a comfortable pile of over $115 million in prize money that does not even include his endorsements from highly-esteemed companies such as Wilson, Rolex and Gillette. With the momentum on his side and his confidence at an all-time high, there seems to be no stopping this tennis powerhouse. His next tournament appearance will be at this year’s ATP Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Spectators can only wait and see what else Roger Federer has in store until he returns to Paris for the 127th French Open in hopes of winning his 21st Grand Slam Title.
Page 14 | Thursday, February 15, 2017
Old Gold & Black | Sports
Virginia Cavaliers still No. 1 despite upset This week in the ACC was full of unpredictable upsets and shifts in conference rankings BY ABBY MCMULLEN Contributing Writer mcmuaj17@wfu.edu
The recurring inconsistency among the AP Top 25 NCAA Men’s Basketball rankings this season was illuminated more in the happenings of this past weekend, particularly in how Virginia Tech upset in-state rival University of Virginia in overtime 61-60 and fans proceeded to watch the Cavaliers climb in the rankings to No. 1 as the Hokies remained unranked. Although likely the most significant, this was not the only upset of the past couple days, as No. 14 UNC defeated in-state rival No. 12 Duke. UNC’s 82-78 win on Thursday night brought a flood of people and sea of Carolina blue to Franklin Street, advancing what is now the Heel’s four-game winning streak. This streak, initiated by a win over Pittsburgh, gained fuel from the Heel’s 96-89 defeat of NC State on Saturday, and continued with their 83-66 win over Notre Dame on Monday, advancing the team to an overall record of 207. The Blue Devils have since exhibited rebound from their tough loss on Thursday night, taking down Georgia Tech on Sunday with a score of 80-69. Georgia Tech, currently on a threegame losing streak, comes to WinstonSalem on Wednesday night to face the Demon Deacons at home in the Joel
Coliseum. The Deacons, who are also on a three-game losing streak, suffered a tough 78-70 loss to Syracuse this Sunday, Feb. 11. This bumped Wake Forest down to an overall record of 9-16 and increased the Orange to 178. Syracuse looks ahead to NC State and Miami next week to advance their two-game winning streak. The University of Miami, who just lost a 72-70 nail-biter to Boston College, is looking to increase their record to 19-6 as they prepare to face the Virginia Cavaliers Tuesday, Feb. 13. The Clemson Tigers had a significant win on Thursday of last week, beating Pittsburgh with a score of 72-48 on Thursday. Following their loss to the Tigers, the Panthers played the Louisville Cardinals on Sunday, and lost 94-60. The Pittsburgh Panthers are currently on a thirteen-game losing streak, and are ranked last in the ACC, right beneath Wake Forest. On the contrary, the Cardinals will use this blowout to propel them into a busy week ahead — facing both UNC and Duke within the next week. Stealing talk of ACC basketball, the Tigers prepare to face Florida State and Duke in the coming week, a chance to build on their four-game winning streak and advance their 20-4 overall record. Currently ranked second in the ACC and 11th in the AP Top 25, the Tigers had not been ranked since the 20092010 season, and last made the NCAA tournament during the 2010-2011 season. The ACC now holds four of
Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/TNS
Duke freshman guard Marvin Bagley III has been a strong force on both offense and defence for the No. 12 ranked Duke Blue Devils this season when he is healthy.
the top 25 spots in NCAA standings, as opposed to the preseason rankings where the ACC held five of the top 25 spots, ironically none of which belonged to the University of Virginia. Beginning March 15 following Selection Sunday on March 1, the year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is bound to be one of the most unpredictable and surprising yet. Early bracketology predictions for the
2018 tournament, found on espn. com, suspect the ACC will receive four teams in top-five seeds — Virginia, Duke, UNC and Clemson. However, in anticipation for March 11, the only thing that is certain is that these next few weeks awaiting the looming decisions of Selection Sunday will bring many uncertain outcomes.
NFL Draft: Top prospects line up for draft day Continued from Page 13
However, with these incredible showcases of talent come equal cases of bad interceptions and poor decisions. The Giants need a quarterback to take them past the Manning era. A successful nurturing of Rosen until he is ready to play the NFL level could pay big dividends for New York. Pick 3: Indianapolis Colts, Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS, Alabama Another team with an exceptionally weird season last year, the Colts are a team in a strange position. Once one of the most promising teams in the league with burgeoning star Andrew Luck at the helm, injuries not only put the season in doubt but also Luck’s career. However, with quite a lot of money locked up in Luck, it doesn’t make much sense for the Colts to invest this high a pick in another quarterback. A defensive anchor like Fitzpatrick seems far more likely. Fitzpatrick plays every aspect of the safety position well, has great instincts and can defend against the run just as much as he can hit and play man coverage. He is a safe pick that should be the cornerstone of their secondary for years to
come, the Colts decide to let it ride with Luck and hope he can be the same quarterback he was before his injuries. Pick 4: Arizona Cardinals (via trade with the Cleveland Browns), Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma With Cleveland already getting their play caller of the future, they can sell the fourth pick at a high value to a team that needs a quarterback. The Cardinals fit this profile perfectly. After Carson Palmer retired this season, the Cardinals suddenly need a quarterback. The Cardinals are capable of being a great team; they went 13-3 two years ago. However, two years of injuries at the quarterback position as well as others dampened their elevation into perennial contender. Baker Mayfield is almost as NFL-ready as Sam Darnold and has shown tremendous talent and abilities. Some are concerned about his attitude, but with good coaching and strong veteran leadership, this shouldn’t be a problem. In need of a quarterback who can come in and make a difference right away, the Cardinals trade up to take Mayfield. Pick 5: Denver Broncos, Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State Despite certainly needing a quarterback at some point in this draft, with
Darnold, Rosen and Mayfield all gone, the Broncos decide to take the best available talent in Chubb. Chubb plays for all 4 quarters and wears down offensive lines in his quest to get to the quarterback. With the thin air already causing stamina problems for opposing offenses in Denver, Chubb has the capability to be a true
game-changer. By wreaking havoc on opposing lines and breaking down the opponents’ passing game, Chubb can single-handedly change teams’ gameplans. With the Broncos’ strong tradition on the defensive side of the ball, Chubb seems like an easy decision for John Elway and the team.
Smiley N. Pool/Dallas Morning News/TNS
Minkah Fitzpatrick, free safety from the University of Alabama, could be a good fit for the Indianapolis Colts who suffered from injuries last season.
Sports | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, February 15, 2018 | Page 15
Olympics: Team USA has earned four golds Continued from Page 13
Chloe Kim, Women’s Halfpipe
The 17-year-old snowboarding standout was too young to qualify for the 2014 Sochi Games, but made major waves in her Olympic debut in her firstround score of 93.75 and final-run score of 98.25 to edge out teammate Arielle Gold, who earned the bronze. Though she was born in California, what makes the story extra special is the fact that her parents immigrated from South Korea to the U.S. and much of her family still lives in Seoul. Last month, Kim won her fourth X Games championship title in Vail, CO and is quickly establishing herself as a top notch competitor in the Women’s Halfpipe Snowboard event, and it seems as though her momentum will continue for many other Olympic Games to come. Red Gerard, Men’s Slopestyle Chloe Kim was not the only American 17-year-old to achieve success in PyeongChang. Red Gerard from Silverthorne, CO secured the gold medal in Men’s Slope-
style, becoming the youngest person ever to win a snowboarding event and the first member of Team USA to get the gold. The morning of his event, Gerard overslept and struggled to find all of his gear, but was eventually able to stay calm and collected to finish on top. Early on in the competition, Gerard struggled and occupied some of the bottom spots in the competition after he could not land. Gerard finished with a score of 87.16 to edge out his main competition, Canadian Max Parrot. Jamie Anderson, Women’s Slopestyle
Bad weather did not help the reigning 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist, Jamie Anderson, in the Women’s Slopestyle event on Monday. After watching several of her competitors not land any tricks or complete runs due to the high stream of winds, Anderson was able to focus and channel her mental game to land and win the gold. In an interview with ESPN, Anderson said, “I felt strong wind as soon as I dropped in, but I knew I had to go with it. It’s not always Mark Reis/Colorado Springs Gazette/Zuma Press/TNS going to be perfect.” A true testament to her experience in the sport, Anderson Team USA members Chloe Kim (left) and Arielle Gold (right) celebrate first and third outsmarted the competition. place finishes, respectively, in the Women’s Halfpipe events this week in Pyeongchang.
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OLD GOLD & BLACK
Negin Farsad takes the stage Social justice comedian Negin Farsad comes to Wake Forest to address the issues of fighting Islamophobia and bigotry while using a comedic flair BY LILLIAN JOHNSON News Editor johnlg16@wfu.edu
Emily Beauchamp/Old Gold & Black
On Wednesday night, people without a Valentine’s Day date did not find themselves alone. Instead of a romantic candlelit dinner for two, many people shared in the laughter of others. Pugh Auditorium was filled with people attending comedian Negin Farsad’s talk “Fighting Bigotry with Comedy: Notes from an Iconless American.” Knowing the special date on which she was performing, Farsad even began her talk by joking how lonely the audience members must be. If they were there, they must not have a valentine, which was sad for the audience, but good for her. She said that maybe some of the men needed to wear more cologne — except for Muslim men, who should wear less cologne, because Muslims wear too much in an
attempt to cover up the overwhelming smell of lamb. But, getting serious, Farsad that she wasn’t there tonight to perpetuate stereotypes. Speaking on the theme of stereotypes, Farsad said recounted a story: after being interviewed on MSNBC, someone tweeted at her that she “was clearly the Jew nerd on the panel.” To her, as an Iranian-American Muslim, being called a Jew felt like somewhat of an upgrade. Farsad called out the person, stating that she was “clearly the Muslim nerd on the panel.” That person wrote back, “No, clearly you’re a Jew-y McJew Face.” Farsad thought it was hilarious that this person was so insistent that she was Jewish — how could they tell her what they she was? Farsad also sarcastically lamented that she was taking away that bigot’s anti-Semitism, but felt that Islamophobia was a good enough replacement. Farsad said, “we don’t give [bigots] enough credit for being so specific.” That man wanted to target a Jew, and so he made Farsad a Jew — but also a little Irish by using the name “Jew-y McJew Face.” In the end, Farsad just responded with a smiley face emoji. As she learned from the 2016 election, “when they go low, we go emoji.” A more pressing issue for “hyphenated Americans” — those who also have another cultural heritage or hail from other countries — is iconography. Because hyphenated Americans are so weirdly specific, there are not a lot of people for them to look up to. And while icons are positive images, they create sticky situations in which people try to define themselves in the limited terms of those icons. One way that she attempted to reconcile this problem, Farsad said, was to attempt to adopt other cultures throughout her life. Farsad explained that Palm Springs, California, where she grew up, was comprised of three main populations: the old, the gays and the Mexican-Americans. The teachers in her school could pronounce Mexican names with the perfect rolling of their R’s. As a result, Farsad wanted to have a Mexican name and be Mexican. Her childhood best friend, a Mexican-American, told her about a Mexican Thanksgiving tradition in which they ate a gigantic, single bean instead of a turkey. Farsad went around proudly stating this fact until she realized her friend had given her some fake news. Farsad attended college in upstate New York where there were only white people as far as the eye could see. She toyed with the idea of whitewashing herself and attempting to pass as white, but she quickly realized that it was a bad idea. “[There was] too much Dave Matthews Band
Photo Courtesy of amazon.com
involved for me to be white,” Farsad said, taking a jab at the musical epitome of white culture. “That’s when my black formation really began.” Farsad began protesting segregated campus housing, taking classes in the African American canon of cinema, wearing Malcolm t-shirts, and quoting a “James Brown impersonator — Frederick Douglass.” Eventually, Farsad moved on from using other culture’s icons. She learned that she, and other hyphenated Americans, need to adopt new icons. Calling on the media, and giving a nice shout-out to the Old Gold & Black (specifically my own cinnamon toast Pit hack from last week), she said they need to use minority voices, but not just to talk about minority voices. Throughout her talk, Farsad also brought in the intersectional issues of feminism, interracial relations and social justice. The entire hour that she spoke, Farsad had her audience in stitches. She often used impersonations, raising her voice to imitate a spoiled person or when she wanted to drive home the fact that she was making a joke. Farsad’s topics may be important and relevant — and at times, sensitive — but Farsad has the unique opportunity to use her status as a Iranian-American female comedian to teach the larger culture about racial and feminist issues. Farsad’s talk was far from the normal, cut-and-dry talks that are typical of college campuses. That’s because she wasn’t giving a talk or a presentation or a lecture; she was performing. Farsad captivated the audience with her jokes and made the audience members feel like they were watching one of Netflix’s many hour-long specials by a comedian. Who knows — maybe Pugh Auditorium will be the next main stage for a comedy show.
Thursday, February 15, 2018 | Page 17
Life | Old Gold & Black
Event Column|Mardi Gras
THE HOT Experiencing NOLA for the first time LIST Wake Forest student reflects on the traditions and fun surrounding Mardi Gras
Top ten things better than Feb. 14
For all the single people out there, here are 10 things better than having a sweet heart.
BY HEATHER HARTEL Online Managing Editor harthf15@wfu.edu Every year the week before Ash Wednesday, New Orleans, LA (NOLA) transforms into a wave of purple, gold and green, while the city comes alive with hundreds of thousands of people celebrating Mardi Gras. The name “Mardi Gras” specifically refers to Fat Tuesday, or the day before Ash Wednesday, but parades trample the streets of New Orleans for a week before the final day of celebration. As someone originally from Chicago, seeing the celebration for the first time was simultaneously overwhelming, exciting and magnificent. What I didn’t know before going to the first few parades is that they are separated by “Krewes,” meaning floats, bands and dance groups all join specific krewes that march on certain days and times throughout the weekend. My favorites were on Saturday, and they were the Krewe of Iris — the first and largest all women’s krewe dating back to 1917 — and the Krewe of Tucks, which was humorously “toilet” themed and decorated the streets with
By Olivia Field John Fitzhugh/Biloxi Sun Herald/TNS
Mardi Gras week is a staple event for the New Orleans community. Comprised of parades, music and dancing, the event is truly unique. colorful toilet paper as they paraded. The krewes march through uptown and downtown, covering miles of the old New Orleans streets. Another stereotype-defying realization I had during the weekend at Mardi Gras was just how many beads and other decorative goods the parades pass out. I had heard of the concept of Mardi Gras beads, but didn’t know that every single float throws out beads, scarves, silly headbands, hats and sunglasses to the crowds lining the streets. Waving your hands in the air and catching a handful of beads is a special, childish phenomenon that didn’t get old for the duration of the weekend. Going further downtown to Bourbon Street is also a must during Mardi Gras.
While the street itself is lined with bars, there is plenty to see and do for those under 21 such as Cafe du Monde, famous for its beignets. For those that are over 21, more famous bars to get drinks are Pat O’Briens — famous for a bright red drink named the “Hurricane” and Tropical Isle, known for a “Hand Grenade.” Bourbon Street is also exciting during Mardi Gras, as they have stores that sell unique beads specific to certain krewes, professional sports teams and even universities. Overall, the weekend at Mardi Gras was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The culture in New Orleans, from the colorful SuperDome to the bead throwing is truly unique to the city.
Album Review|Little Dark Age
New album presents strong statement MGMT releases Little Dark Age, a futuristic and innovative new album BY SARAH CREWSE Contributing Writer crewsh17@wfu.edu A little present was dropped into the alternative world on Feb. 9 when MGMT released their fourth album, Little Dark Age, into the limelight. MGMT, famous for their hits “Electric Feel” and “Time to Pretend,” has battled the mainstream by constantly altering their sound. This new album presented a strong statement after several years of sideswipe by fans. Little Dark Age accomplishes this statement by utilizing modern psychedelic with dark humored punk. The themes that dominated their most popular album, Oracular Spectacular, are held true in their newest exploration. Themes of chaos, anxiety and technology mesmerize the listener in a helter-skelter swirl of electronics. Although the dark irony still runs through the lyrics, they really have evolved in their sound from the 60’s to something in the far future. Although they have gotten some heat about this switch, I think it complements the ultramodern topic of technology intertwined in virtually everything. If this point is not clear enough, the fifth song in the album is titled, “TSLAMP,” an acronym for “Time Spent Looking at My Phone.”
of electro-pop sounds. The song reminds me of a 3 a.m. space prom with heads bobbing as the repetitive beat starts to set in. The internet has blown up with regards to who the mysterious, entrancing Michael depicted in “Me and Michael” could be. The track describes a magnetic relationship that suddenly dissolved in a wave of unforeseen changes. This song upholds the coming-of-age angst represented in the alternative genre as a whole. “Days That Got Away” heightens the underlying sense of anxiety throughout the album. The words “days that got away” are repeated over and over as hypersonic noises speed through, indicating a sense of urgency of time. This track is followed immediately by “One Thing Left to Try” which exercises lyrics as a Photo courtesy of Amazon.com proponent of anxiety. Lyrics like “I don’t The album, Little Dark Age, continues want to die! Wishing I’d done something more than what’s required” lay the founto reflect MGMT’s changing sound. dation for this existential crisis of a song. My main grievance with the album is Another song off the album, “She Works Out Too Much” intentionally that there are no real bangers like the ones spirals out of control as the band describes that have existed in their earlier albums. the exhaustion they feel from keeping I see the album as more of a continuous up with social media and essentially the art form than something I would casually twenty first century lifestyle. It resembles listen to on a Friday night. There is a taran almost twisted circus vibe with a grain geted audience for sure — those wishing of 80’s pop. Listening to it gives me a to indulge in a psychedelic atmosphere sense of something out of a Nintendo or those who relish the softcore nihilism of punk. That being said, I support the game on repeat. “Little Dark Age” is the most band’s attempt to present their identity reminiscent of a MGMT song, with their in a strong way. It is hallucinogenic to say tenor-toned continuity throughout a mix the least, so do with that what you will.
1.
Sleeping in Eating a home-cooked meal
3. Dancing with friends FaceTiming your mom
5. Free food Marathoning Netflix
7.
Chick-fil-a lemonade Concerts
9. A sunny, warm day Wholesome memes Mini
DRINK OF THE WEEK
• 2-3 scoops raspberry sorbet • 1 cup pink champagne (or Barefoot Pink Mascato) • Fresh raspberries to garnesh Scoop raspberry sorbet into a large wine glass then pour the champagne over it. Top with raspberries. Allow time to soften while you sip or eat with a spoon!
Courtesy of The Cookie Rookie 21+ only! Enjoy!
Page 18 | Thursday, February 15, 2018
Old Gold & Black | Life
Album Review |Hamilton
Top 10 songs on the Hamilton Soundtrack The original Hamilton Soundtrack is composed of legendary songs to listen to when you want to party like it’s 1776 BY AMANDA WILCOX Digital Media Editor wilcaf16@wfu.edu Anyone who has known me for about five minutes knows that I love Hamilton with a feverish, almost delirious intensity. It’s not entirely because of my love for the history of the American Revolution. LinManuel Miranda’s tour de force is infused by a sense of momentum, a speeding course of human events that you either ride or die in, and that’s all due to the genius of the score. So even though other passionate fans may find it blasphemous, here are my Top 10 Hamilton songs. Consider it my Federalist Papers to Miranda’s Constitution. 10. “Washington On Your Side” “George Washington always agrees with Hamilton!” grumble the other members of the cabinet. While this isn’t my favorite in terms of melody, the lyric “Let’s show these Federalists who they’re up against / Southern motherf*cking Democratic Republicans!” is one of my favorites. 9. “Take a Break” This song gives me anxiety because you just know Hamilton is going to cheat on his wife, Eliza Hamilton, while she’s away. But I’ll just leave a lyric here: “Angelica, tell my wife John Adams doesn’t have a real job, anyway.” 8. “Cabinet Battle #1” Boy, do Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson hate each other. Jefferson thinks he owned Hamilton (“Look, when Britain taxed our tea we got frisky / Imagine what gon’ happen when you try to tax our whiskey,”) but that was nothing compared to how Hamilton roasted him.
“A civics lesson from a slaver? Hey neighbor / Your debts our paid cause you don’t pay for labor / “We plant seeds in the South. We create. / Man, keep ranting. / We know who’s really doing the planting.” It’s worse than when my best friend roasts me, and that’s saying something. 7. “Guns and Ships” Okay, I’m in love with Lafayette (slash Daveed Diggs.) America’s favorite fighting Frenchman — yes. Enough said. 6. “Ten Duel Commandments” No one really cares about the duel between John Laurens and Charles Lee, but it gets us comfortable with the idea of dueling before a certain other one (ahem, spoiler alert.) Also, I’ve liked this one ever since I learned Miranda based it off a book that I’ve read about 18thcentury dueling, called “Affairs of Honor.” 5. “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)” This is the perfect Hamilton jam for whenever your get-up-and-go got up and went. Seriously, listening to this song is like having another cup of coffee. Best lyric: “Immigrants / We get the job done!” 4. “My Shot” This is the one my roommate and I have been known to sing-shout on the quad late at night when no one is listening. There’s just an incredible lyrical quality to “Meanwhile, Britain keeps shittin’ on us endlessly / Essentially, they tax us relentlessly / Then King George turns around, runs a spending spree / He ain’t ever gonna set his descendants free / So there will be a revolution in this century.” This was the first one I learned by heart. 3. “One Last Time” Ever since the original Hamilton cast performed “One Last Time” for President Barack Obama during his last year in office, the song has had a special poignance for me. I’ll never be able to get past the beautiful excerpts from Washington’s “Farewell Address” with a dry eye. 2. “Right Hand Man” This song finally introduces the revered general and patriot George Washington. It’s just a straight-up jam,
Photo courtesy of amazon.com
The Hamilton Soundtrack consists of 46 historicallyaccurate songs that characterize the Founding Fathers. and it has a lot of references to real Revolutionary War battles, which the history nerd in me loves. 1. “The Room Where It Happens” Burr desperately wants to be remembered, and we can all relate to the intense desire to see your hard work pay off and the frustration when it doesn’t. It also includes the verses that Miranda has said he is proudest of (“The art of the compromise / Hold your nose and close your eyes / We want our leaders to save the day / But we don’t get a say in what they trade away / We dream of a brand new start / But we dream in the dark for the most part.”) But, of course, we don’t remember Burr for the reasons he wanted.
Restaurant Review| Restaurant Week
The two best deals to try during Restaurant Week Two downtown restaurants, DiLisio’s Italian Restaurant and Foothills, have amazing $30 speacials starting next week BY NICHOLAS DEMAYO Senior Writer demanj14@wfu.edu Monday, Feb.19 marks the beginning of Restaurant Week, a festival of local fare hosted by the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership featuring a set-price, threecourse dinner special. While many of Winston-Salem’s fine downtown restaurants will participate in the weeklong event, only a few have earned my title of “Restaurant Week steals.” These restaurants are putting on specials so good that it would be a real loss to miss out on them. My “Restaurant Week steals” include Di Lisio’s Italian Restaurant’s $30 special and Foothills’ $30 special for two. Whether it’s an old favorite or a place you’ve never tried before, chances are that it will run a special next week. So if you missed the boat on taking your special someone out for Valentine’s Day dinner, next week might be the best time to get back on your honey’s good side while also maintaining a healthy relationship with your wallet. My first steal is DiLisio’s Italian Restaurant $30 special, including bruschetta, a choice of garden or Caesar salad and Seafood DiLisio. For those who have never stopped by the restaurant before, DiLisio’s Italian Restaurant is a family-owned and operated joint serving real-deal Italian
Photo Courtesy Foothills Brewing
Foothills Brewing, located in downtown Winston-Salem, posesses one of the best Restaurant Week specials.
cooking along with homemade bread and a plentiful selection of beer and wine. If I’m honest, their food tastes just like Grandma makes it — except with not nearly as much love, of course. From the fresh bread down to their scratch-made sauces, everything is really well done and the atmosphere is homey. The Seafood DiLisio combines tender sauteed shrimp, mussels, clams and lobster in a light tomato sauce served over linguini. The care that
they put into their dishes makes DiLisio’s a great stop for Restaurant Week. Senior Julianne DeMarco also noted how much care DiLisio’s takes when serving their customers. “The atmosphere was very comfortable and the service was great and matched the feeling of home I got from the entire restaurant.” While DiLisio’s may have yet to draw attention with its homemade cuisine, Foothills is a name known to many a Demon Deacon. With their selection of craft beer and fun atmosphere, the only thing that could make it better is some great dinner specials. Their $30 special for two includes a cornbread-crusted Cotija cheese round with guacamole to share, a choice of Moravian chicken pie with garlic mashed potatoes or charred scallion and feta manicotti with Romanesco sauce as well as a chocolate torte with raspberry drizzle for dessert. Foothills’ special does well to satisfy both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, and the special for two would make it a great place to go for a date. While you are there, talk to your server about which craft beer to pair with your meal (if you are of legal drinking age, of course). One of my favorite seasonal beers on tap now is the Pilot Mountain Pale Ale. This American-style pale ale is lower in bitterness than many of their other IPAs, while its hop profile gives it fruity flavors that taste like spring. With hopes that the cold streak might snap soon, this beer will have you thinking of warmer days. These “Restaurant Week steals” are ones to check out starting Feb. 19. While you’re exploring more of downtown Winston-Salem, I’m sure you will find more great specials to enjoy during this week of great grub.
Life | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, February 15, 2018 | Page 19
Easy works to captivate its audience Director Joe Swanberg expertly balances content, casting and length to create the awe-inspiring television series Easy.
BY KYLE FERRER Opinion Editor ferrka16@wfu.edu There are few directors today who can capture the quotidian as brilliantly as Joe Swanberg in T.V. show Easy. Noah Baumbach comes to mind, with his ability to make the natural both accessible and discursive, much like the philosophical arc of conversation. French cinema also shows us everyday beauty, the sort of pace of the world recorded. Films like Blue is the Warmest Color, Raw and The Unknown Girl are filmed as though we are watching someone’s life as if our own. It is a Jane Doe sort of film-making.This not to imply that its creator is unknown, just that it doesn’t seem as “created” as it is “already there.” It is a filmic naturalism. But this “naturalism,” does not refer to austerity, nor to the objective tedium of the scientist’s observations. It is not the heavy, historical “realism” meant to enmesh the audience in implacable fact. It is a gentle, undulating playback of life. Joe Swanberg’s series Easy is a sort of cavort through the lives of different characters, spread out through two eight-episode seasons. The episodes each work as eight short stories; some have been called “a feature-film in disguise,” by Richard Brody of The New Yorker, and each creates its own unique universe of moments. All of the episodes are set in Chicago, a city where Swanberg has long lived. The city’s cultural touchstones (Dark Matter coffeehouse, Half Acre brew-pub) serve as both specific and universal references to urban life. The episodes themselves are as diverse in subject as they are alike in style. In one, Dave Franco and his older brother start a brewery in their garage. Evan Jonigkeit, the older brother who at first is reluctant to join the joint venture, is spurred by his stable but rote corporate job. Too large a part of him yearns for the semi-libertine days his brother lives. There is spousal chafe between husbands and wives at the legality of the brewery and the venture is then blown to smithereens (not literally), and then unified again like the Italian city-states, all in one episode. In another episode, we meet an Argentinian couple, Gabi and Bernardo (Aislinn Derbez and Raul Castillo) trying to conceive their first child. Their increasingly settled life is roiled by an old friend and former flame of Gabi’s. The couple visits the estranged club-scene with their friend for the sake of “celebration”, Gabi (Aislinn Derbez) shows a pittance of marital languor, and the sexual
Photo courtesy of imdb.com
Photo courtesy of imdb.com
tedium of marriage rubs with the untamed freedom of bachelorhood. Mind you, in twenty-eight minutes. It is the stories themselves, packed with moments that could be scooped from anyone’s life, that lend a special glint to Swanberg’s characters. We are shown the characters at once in the amber of their moment, while seemingly able to situate them on the larger horizon of life. In Nabokov’s “Laughter in the Dark,” the narrator writes of this momentary intensity, while placing it in what Albinus wishes to be the larger story of his life. I picture Swanberg approaching each episode of Easy in a similar way. The woman’s singular entrancements are written thus: “with her dark head of hair and one arm with the gleam of a bracelet still outstretched after her throw, she seemed to him an exquisitely colored vignette, heading the first chapter of his new life.” This sort of orifical devotion encapsulates the episodic profundity of Swanberg. In each perfectly-wrapped capsule of an episode we look into the lives of Swanberg’s characters, lives that contrast our focused seeing with their miniclips of mundane passion. Although season two of Easy was written, directed and co-produced by Swanberg himself, much must be said for his actors, who bolster Swanberg’s naturalistic stories with poignant, improvisational acting. Among the cast are Orlando Bloom, Malin Akerman, Aya Cash, Jacqueline Toboni and Marc Maron. Most of them appear in season one as well as two. To quote Brody again, “Swanberg’s performers are alive to the moment; they seem to be speaking rather than acting.” The near-gestural performances, spurred by Swanberg’s own acknowledged aversion to written scripts and his gravitation towards improvisation, freshen each frame with incandescent energy. Each actor’s emotion is more like the expressive slash of a De Kooning than the pointillistic preparation other films require. Swanberg’s creations, propelled by the acting, resemble nothing other than life itself. The momentum of moments, carrying each other into the next makes for an art that feels more like a skin that an object to be looked at. The episodes are nearly all anecdotal but do not evaporate into forgotten threads. The content faces and worlds glom on for the full half-hour and depart having left a residual feeling like a powerful mint. They are “real”, but are also uncanny. Let me try to explain. The first time I saw a high school football game, I recognized a friend’s older brother run down the field on kickoff and punch through a backward-running defender. A fairly commonplace sight. But the act itself seared itself ineffably into my memory. My mind’s eye can conjure that millisecond as clearly as I see this very page. He (the
friend’s brother) became a massive, spatial object clipping the earth’s surface, not a rumbling linebacker. There was no change in course except the unconscious nod that he sent the earth (the defensive back, me, later) into tailspinning chaos. It was normal, but became uncanny; a fur-covered teacup, a hairy box. Swanberg’s episodic gifts intensify normality to a point that approaches a similar uncanny remembrance. Not only does Swanberg’s show work on a level that seems to understand the most relatable flicker of emotional memory and experience, but it seems to acutely understand the 21st century mind’s short attention. Each episode is approximately a thirty-minute ride, a “feature-film in disguise,” that has all the trappings of a major movie — sex, wit, emotional sundries — but Swanberg only needs us for the amount of time he knows we can stand to give him. The two-sentence description read for each episode is puffed out into three dimensions, keeping its original succinctness of form, while impacting the audience in a full-bodied way. It is a wink at his atrophied audience and a testament to the director’s consummate skill. Easy, is not a wild ride. It is a slow, cellular absorption of glimpses, and Swanberg’s awesome feat is that nearly every one sticks. The show to watch is, above all, Easy.
Photo courtesy of imdb.com
Page 20 | Thursday, February 15, 2018
Old Gold & Black | Life
Learning how to treat yourself With the stressful environment of college and constant presence of technology in your life, students need to learn how to take time for themselves. Follow these steps to live a happier, more productive life this semester. BY KERRIANNE RILEY Staff Writer rilekk17@wfu.edu Many of us make New Year’s Resolutions, filled with promises to treat our bodies and minds better. Come February we tend to lose motivation to fuel these resolutions. The issue here is not the lost February motivation, but the fact that we need a new year to treat ourselves better. Self-care is the most important thing you can do to lower stress, see better performance in your work, maintain your passion for day-to-day activities and improve self-love. I have constructed reasons and chances for anyone looking for a revamp on their self-care ritual to dive into and see results. The easiest way to incorporate self-care is to avoid making it feel daunting. We live in a time where it feels hard to breathe due to how overwhelming our lives feel. There is no need for another reminder to pop up on your phone or in your mind about taking steps to put your health first, it should be second nature. That is one of the best measures in self-care — finding a routine that becomes so easy to incorporate that you forget you are integrating it. This routine could become steps such as packing books up the night before, doing a face mask while watching an episode of TV or something as simple as deleting junk mail. Little tasks each day contribute to an overall relief of stress, greater ability to be organized and clearer thinking. In high school I visibly looked overwhelmed and
stressed every second. One of the best things I did for myself was to take a social media cleanse. For a year I had nothing but Facebook to keep me up-to-date on my friend’s whereabouts. This may sound impossible, mainly because we live in a world almost defined by how we appear on social media, but once you step away, it will become evident how toxic and life-controlling every app is. If taking steps to delete your user handle is too much, just try to have a tech-free day once a week, putting your phone down as you walk to class or avoid looking at your phone while falling asleep. Slowly leaning away from your reliance on checking these apps will feel like a weight taken off your chest. The activity everyone loves to hate is an endorphin raiser and ensures a better night’s sleep. Working out is a way to feel better about yourself, but it goes beyond a desire to shape your appearance. Physical activity stimulates your brain. It is so difficult to leave your dorm bed watching Netflix; we are all aware of this. Wake Forest happens to have a newly redone gym alongside personal trainers, work out classes, cardio machines that have access to Netflix and a rock climbing wall. If this is not enticing enough, a great way to also get up and go is making yourself a playlist on your music streaming account. Just doing 20-30 minutes of cardio daily will continue you on a positive path to self-care and barely takes a slice of time out of your day. Another great tip that goes
along with physical activity is to drink 80 ounces of water daily to help keep you off of caffeine, keep you hydrated for your workouts and classes and flush out toxins within your body. Lastly, an easy way to construct a better life with selfcare is the ability to say yes and no. A great way to weave this into your life is by keeping positive and kind people around. It is important to devote time to friendships, but it is also important to give yourself time to be alone and just be you. Saying no to things that add too much onto your workload is entirely fine. Everyone leads a busy life where just one more thing can tip them over. Managing obligations, friendships, outside activities, all while working is doable if you have time to unwind. It is not selfish to put yourself first. It allows you to make yourself a better person that people will appreciate next time you say yes to a group gathering. If there is anything to take away from this article, it is the fact that you matter. Your mental health matters. All that you are matters to someone on this campus. You are more than your academics and social media status. Choose to help yourself and transform your life by incorporating some part of a self-care routine into your day-to-day life. You will see improvements in friendships, grades, stress levels and overall clarity. Form the best relationship with yourself that you can.
HOW TO: Practice self care every day
NO! Olivia Field/Old Gold & Black