News: Deacon Profile: Meredith Vaughn Page 3
Opinion: Democrats sweep Virginia’s General Assembly Page 8
Sports: Wake Forest fares well at ACC Cross Country Championship Page 12
Life: App motivates people to get off the couch and get moving Page 18
Old Gold&Black
WAKE FOREST’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1916 VOL. 106, NO. 10
T H U R S DAY, N OV E M B E R 7 , 2 019 “Cover s the campus like the magnolias”
wfuogb.com
The Demon Deacons obliterate NC State
Campus’ indigenous land roots recognized
Family Weekend proved fruitful for the Demon Deacons, as they beat the Wolfpack 44-10
Wake Forest‘s indigenous land heritage was acknowledged in an event on Monday evening
BY RAFAEL LIMA Sports Editor limara17@wfu.edu
BY WILL MAY News Editor mayws16@wfu.edu
Before their matchup against NC State, the Demon Deacons faced many season-defining questions. Would Jamie Newman be healthy enough to face the Wolfpack? Could the Deacs finally break their winless record (0-7) after bye weeks under Head Coach Dave Clawson? Could Wake Forest fix some of the defensive and special team miscues that cost their first loss of the season against Louisville? These were some of the concerns going through the minds of many Wake Forest fans as they filled BB&T Field for the rivalry game. After one quarter of play and an early 21-0 lead by Wake Forest, all concerns were put to bed as the Demon Deacons (7-1) cruised to a 44-10 win against the Wolfpack (4-4), good for the second-largest victory margin (34) by Wake Forest in the rivalry. Newman showed he was finally back to full strength after throwing for three touchdowns and 278 yards while completing 65.8% of his passes. Newman also displayed some of his athleticism, adding two other touchdowns on the ground. If he continues this level of production, Newman is bound to have his name among the likes of Travis Etienne, AJ Dillon and Sam Howell in the conversation for ACC Player of the Year. “[Coming back from an injury] honestly didn’t feel different because I am always mentally prepared to help even when you’re not there physically,” Newman said. “Like the Florida State game, I still felt prepared like I was going to play that Saturday. So, staying mentally prepared always helps getting ready to get back out there.”
dents, faculty and members of the Winston-Salem community. WFDD’s Bethany Chafin led “An Evening with Sarah Koenig” in Wait Chapel, in which Koenig answered questions about all three seasons of her critically acclaimed podcast, ending with a Q&A session. Serial is credited as the podcast that made podcasts cool, and as the host and co-creator, Koenig is an expert in the field. Known for her relatability, quirky candor and commitment to telling all sides of the story, Koenig did not disappoint the audience on Monday, speaking openly and honestly about her personal experiences working on Serial.
On Monday evening, the denizens of Wake Forest congregated at the center of campus in Reynolda Hall for an event that was the first of its kind in the history of the university. The event was dubbed the Indigenous Land Acknowledgment. Its purpose was to gather members of the campus community together with members of the North Carolina Tribal Nations to commemorate the indigenous heritage of the land upon which both the old and new incarnations of Wake Forest’s campus were built. This event is a part of Native American Awareness Month (NAAM) and coincided with the erection of a commemorative plaque in the courtyard outside Tribble Hall. Jonathan A. McElderry, assistant dean of students and executive director of the Intercultural Center, said that this event was almost exactly a year in the making. “[This acknowledgement] shows our native students that they are welcome on this campus,” he said. “It also shows the strides we are making to create a more inclusive campus. This plaque represents all of the hard work that so many people around this campus do to make sure that all our students feel welcome, and it is a symbol for our native students.” The land acknowledgment is part of a larger effort to increase the inclusivity of the university’s community, especially in light of events such as the threatening emails that were sent to a number of offices and academic departments in September. Initiatives like these include the President’s Commission established by President Nathan Hatch and The Slavery, Race and Memory Project.
See Koenig, Page 4
See Heritage, Page 5
See Football, Page 11
Graphic by Emily Beauchamp/Old Gold & Black
Sarah Koenig, acclaimed host of Serial, was interviewed on Monday evening in Wait Chapel BY CAROLINE KLEIN Staff Writer kleicd16@wfu.edu “I’m never sure of anything” is not something you’d expect to hear from one of Time magazine’s past “100 Most Influential People,” but Sarah Koenig, host of the popular podcast Serial, is okay with uncertainty. Podcast pioneer Koenig spoke at Wake Forest on Nov. 4, sharing knowledge and expertise about her storytelling process with stu-
OGB
“ should go back to basics Deacon Dining This column represents the views of the Old Gold & Black Editorial Board.
This semester, Deacon Dining has unveiled some new and ambitious food items in the Pit — such as UpDog Kombucha on tap, Krispy Kreme burgers and vegan pumpkin porridge. The Editorial Board of the Old Gold & Black applauds the Deacon Dining team for its creativity with respect to the menu. We are also deeply cognizant of the hard work that running a college dining facility requires. However, we would offer some constructive feedback to those designing the Pit's menus. While keeping food options fresh and interesting is an
We know that certain foods chicken or have something other ... have become something than rice and green beans at the vegthat students expect to find an station. when they swipe in." While enjoying a unique food opimportant priority, we also believe that high-quality, consistent options should be reliably available to students at the Pit. For example, several of us would prefer that the Deacon Dining staff prioritize perfecting staple menu items before other, more ambitious and unusual items. For example, we would rather be able to consistently be able to get a good piece of grilled
Old Gold &Black
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF WAKE FOREST UNIVERSIT Y SINCE 1916 LILLIAN JOHNSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF johnlg16@wfu.edu
REN SCHMITT PRINT MANAGING EDITOR schmwm16@wfu.edu
>> NEWS
Will May, mayws16@wfu.edu Assistant: Caroline Walker, walkct18@ wfu.edu
>> SPORTS
Rafael Lima, limara17@wfu. edu Assistant: Lucy Nelson, nelsld16@wfu. edu
>> OPINION
Kyle Ferrer, ferrka16@wfu.edu
>> LIFE
Emily Beauchamp, beauea17@ wfu.edu
>> DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR Mary-Hallet Culbreth, culbmh16@wfu.edu
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Phoebe Zerwick, zerwicp@wfu. edu
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BUSINESS MANAGER
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>> POLICIES
The Old Gold & Black is published Thursdays during the school year, except during examinations, summer and holiday periods, by Triangle Printing of Durham. © 2014 WFU Media Board. All rights reserved. The views expressed in all editorials and advertisements contained within this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the OGB. As part of our commitment to reporting news fairly and accurately, we will not remove any previously published content. If an error in either our online or print content is brought to our attention, we will revise the originally published article with an appended correction. In order to facilitate thoughtful and appropriate debate, profane, vulgar, or inflammatory comments on our website are not allowed and will be deleted. For more information on our commenting policy, please see our website. We reserve the right to reject advertisements deemed inappropriate. Our full policy, and how to advertise with the OGB, can be found on our website.
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The OGB welcomes submissions in the form of story tips, columns and letters to the editor. Letters to the editor should be fewer than 500 words, and columns should be around 500 words. Send yours via e-mail to johnlg16@wfu.edu the Monday before publication. We reserve the right to edit all letters for length and clarity. No anonymous letters will be printed.
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tions can be a nice break from the monotony that sometimes accompanies the average campus dining experience, there is also value in knowing that some of the most popular items in the Pit will be readily available and consistently prepared. Again, we do not intend to impugn the quality of the Deacon Dining offerings or the Deacon Dining staff. We know how hard the Deacon Dining staff work every day to provide
the campus community with tasty, healthy food every day. Rather, we know that certain foods in the Pit have become something that students really enjoy and expect to be able to find when they swipe in. Creativity in dining options, particularly creativity that pays homage to local cuisine or the traditions of an unfamiliar cultures, does have a place in Wake Forest dining halls. However, consistency also has its place, and students would benefit from knowing, when they swipe into the Pit, that they are guaranteed a favorite and familar meal.
News | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, November 7, 2019 | Page 3
Deacon Profile: Meredith Vaughn
BY WILL MAY News Editor mayws16@wfu.edu
Meredith Vaughn is a junior majoring in engineering from Greensboro, N.C. She is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and is the treasurer for Women in STEM. She is also the student liaison for the engineering department, where she also works as a TA.
Did you come to Wake Forest with the express purpose of doing engineering? I had wanted to go to Wake Forest for a while, and I thought I wanted to do applied mathematics. I found out about the engineering program around the time I was applying, and I just decided that I wanted to do engineering. What specifically do you like about engineering? I went to a performing arts high school, so I really like the creative thinking and creative problem-solving aspect that is required of someone who wants to be an engineer. I always enjoyed math and science; it’s like crossing those two sides of the mind, which I think is compelling, more so than just sitting around and running programs. It’s more applied and more creative.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Vaughn
Is there any advice you would like to dole out to other Wake Forest students who are considering declaring a major in engineering?
How do your love of engineering and its creative aspects diffuse into other activities you take part in here at Wake Forest?
Try to plan ahead as much as possible. That’s what I did. I wanted to go abroad, but I also wanted to make sure that all my years here as enjoyable as possible. The major is 75 credit hours; this includes the actual engineering classes you have to take, along with your basic sciences and math. So all that together is a large majority of the hours you can take here. On top of divisional classes, you don’t have a lot of leeway. So, you should try to get into the program early; knowing what you have to do and the timeline you have to do it in is super helpful. Also, you should try to keep an open mind about the program and what you will get out of it. I came in thinking, “I’m going to be a biomedical engineer, that’s what I want to do.” And then going abroad changed me. I was exposed to a lot of architecture and art history in Venice, so I switched my path away from biomedical engineering to civil engineering, structural engineering and historical preservation. So, just keep an open mind and take the opportunities that come to you.
I am applying for a Richter Scholarship to return to Venice. I have been offered an internship with Save Venice, an American nonprofit that hosts fundraisers to restore important pieces of art, architectural sites and buildings from Venice’s history. I am proposing to do my own exploration in Venice’s archives and on San Sebastiano Church, and I’m trying to develop my own proposition for restoration. Basically, I am weighing artistic architectural integrity against the idea of a building being architecturally sound. I’m really interested in the balance between historical significance, modernism and making sure everything is a-okay. Also, I’m in the a cappella group Innuendo, and the Set In The Groove Tap Club. I still love to do a ton of performing arts stuff. Music theory is math; all you’re doing is counting and making and finding patterns. The whole phenomenon of pitch and sound waves and making sure everybody is in tune with each other is really important to think about, too. It’s kind of a crossover with engineering.
State of the University Address Time: Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. Location: Brendle Recital Hall President Hatch will present his State of the University Address this afternoon: a reflection on the year so far and the weeks to come. A reception will follow his address in the lobby of Scales Fine Arts Center.
Wake Forest University Graduate Fair Time: Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Benson 401 Attendees of this event may learn more about Wake Forest's programs and application process. Discussed programs include the master's in management, business analytics, accounting programs and more.
Keynote Speaker Jennifer Teege Time: Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. Location: Pugh Auditorium, Benson Jennifer Teege, author of the international best seller My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me will speak on Tuesday as part of International Education Week. Teege's novel is about her struggle coping with her complex heritage.
Queen Bee & the Honeylovers Time: Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. Location: The Barn at Reynolda Village Queen Bee & the Honeylovers are a swing jazz band that performs energetic and exciting original compositions. This concert is a part of the More Barn Concerts series. Doors open at 7 p.m.
A Conversation with Senators Burr and Warner Time: Nov. 11 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Location: Broyhill Auditorium, Farrell Hall Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Mark Warner (D-VA), of the Senate Intelligence Committee will participate in a moderated conversation about the work they have done. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Gamelan Giri Murti Time: Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Location: Brendle Recital Hall The Wake Forest gamelan ensemble, Gamelan Giri Murti, will perform a mixture of different music, dance and theater in honor of the cultural traditions of Bali, Indonesia. Elizabeth Clendinning will direct.
You are the first person in the history of Wake Forest to declare a major in engineering, correct? Yes — there actually is a story behind this. I went abroad the second semester of my sophomore year, so I had to take the sophomore-level classes in the fall. That allowed me to declare the major early because I had already taken all the prerequisites needed to declare. I was the first person to declare because I did it before I went abroad, before everyone else. Are there a lot of women in the department? The student body for engineering is over 40% female, and I believe a lot of our faculty are female as well. That’s something a lot of my professors never experienced in undergrad or even graduate school, so I think it’s a really special opportunity for younger women in STEM to experience female mentorship.
WAKE IN A WEEK
Page 4 |Thursday, November 7, 2019
Old Gold & Black | News
Koenig: Speaker shares podcasting tips
Continued from Page 1
Koenig didn’t leave much out, recounting the story of her success from the beginning. Starting her career as a newspaper journalist, Koenig told Chafin that she was on an assignment for the paper she was working for at the time when she stumbled across NPR’s This American Life on the radio. “Why am I not doing this?” Koenig had wondered. Soon thereafter, she was, and it was at This American Life that she met producer Julie Snyder, to whom Koenig attributes much of her success. As Koenig explained in an interview with the Old Gold & Black, it was Snyder who came up with the idea of making a podcast in the first place. Snyder saw the podcast form as a perfect medium to experiment with. “If it was a total failure, no one would hear it,” Koenig explained. But, people did hear it: Serial has become the most listened-to podcast in the history of the form. After its wild success, Koenig told the Old Gold & Black that she and her team initially felt pressured to follow up season one with another crime piece, but that she wasn’t necessarily interested in crime.
Koenig is instead truly fascinated by criminal justice, and she stayed true to her interests in choosing which stories to tell in the consecutive seasons of Serial. She said that there have been several times when she’s begun a story and ultimately walked away from it because it no longer interests her. Koenig is not afraid to kill a story, even if it means walking away from a project that she’s invested six months into — which she has. If she’s not thoroughly interested in the story, she says it isn’t worth telling. “If you’re interested in whatever you’re telling, your audience can hear that passion, and they’ll become interested, too,” Koenig said. In her talk at Wait Chapel, Koenig also discussed the challenges that come with immersing herself in an environment for prolonged amounts of time as a journalist, wherein she must emerge with a story built from unbiased facts. She emphasized that, as a journalist, she is there to gather facts and tell a story, so she cannot advocate for any individual or issue, even with those to which she may feel personally connected.
Koenig also talked about this challenge in her interview with the Old Gold & Black, explaining that because she works in longform journalism, spending so much time with the characters of a story can make it difficult to maintain professional relationship boundaries. “I don’t pretend that that [relationship] was purely professional,” she said of her relationship with Adnan Syed, the subject of Serial’s first season. “You know, like we would chat all the time and joke around, and you know like that’s fine.” Koenig maintains that being upfront about her relationships in the beginning is key for setting expectations, so that whoever she’s working with understands that she is there to report the facts and not to help them. This honesty, Koenig said, is also important to her relationship with the audience. She said that while at times the audio of the show may sound unedited, as if the audience has access to every moment of every conversation relevant to the story, this candid storytelling is intentional. Koenig is strategically transparent with her audience, sharing as much context as is necessary for listeners to fully understand the story she’s telling.
“When I’m letting you in on something dumb that I say, or some moment where I giggle too much, or if I have misgivings, or if I’m rude to someone, there’s a reason you’re hearing that,” Koenig said to the Old Gold & Black. “There’s never just loops that slip by. You know, it’s calculated.” She went on to further explain that the freedom to share so much of her experiences and thought processes with the audience is a privilege afforded to her by the podcast form, which allows her to experiment within the journalistic genre. Serial also allows Koenig to feel comfortable expressing doubt, which is something she encourages as a journalist. Koenig explained that she is less concerned with personal feelings of certainty than she is about collecting and conveying facts. “There is so much pressure to know in our world right now,” Koenig said in her conversation with Chafin. “Everybody always feels like they have to pick a side.” But, as Koenig pointed out — it doesn’t have to be that way.
THE MORE YOU KNOW
CORRECTION
Amanda Wilcox/Old Gold & Black
CORRECTION The article titled “Nathaniel Mackey Gives Powerful Performance” featured in the last issue (Vol. 106, No. 9) was missing crucial details. Associate Professor of English and Poet-in-Residence Amy Catanzano curated the event on behalf of the Wake Forest Creative Writing Department and did the introductions for the event, describing Mackey’s work as an American epic poem. Mackey’s work draws from African-American radical music and poetry as well as West African culture and mythology in his poetry, prose fiction, and criticism. Mackey’s visit was made possible by the A.E. Finley Foundation, which has named him the Edwin G. Wilson Distinguished Artist.
News | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, November 7, 2019 |Page 5
Heritage: Native American roots acknowledged
Continued from Page 1
The event was sponsored by several university offices: the Intercultural Center, the Native American Student Association (NASA), the Department for the Study of Religions, the American Ethnic Studies Program, the Department of Anthropology, the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, Division of Campus Life, the Dean of Students Office and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion. The event began with Ray Silva of the Pueblo/Navajo nation, who performed an honoring song: setting a tempo with his hand drum, he vocalized powerfully in the language of his people. He was soon joined by Brenda Silva of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe to perform a healing song. Clad in ceremonial clothing, she danced. “When she dances, she is praying for all the sick and wounded in the world today,” Silva said. After the songs, Vice President of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer José Villalba addressed the audience on the event’s purpose. He asserted the importance of acknowledging and addressing the roots of the university’s land. “You are here at an incredibly momentous time,” he said. This was followed by an address from Roo George-Warren of the Catawba Indian Nation, who described the vast swath of knowledge inherent in the university’s land heritage. He described how important honoring the land was to his ancestors and implored the audience to be mindful of their relationship with the land.
Professor Ulrike Wiethas of the Department for the Study of Religions then took to the stage to further reinforce the event’s theme of mindfulness. She implored the audience members to take a look at their neighbors, before providing context on the history of land acknowledgement, which she said was a timeless indigenous protocol that honored the stewardship between indigenous people and the land upon which they lived. She also asserted that the damage done by colonialism must not be ignored and that its wounding power still lives on today, concluding that the responsibility for working to heal those wounds falls on everyone. Matthew Tooni of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians also provided valuable pieces of his culture. He performed an extremely quick and precise flute solo for the audience and also shared the Cherokee earth creation story later on in the evening. Freshman Mahlea Hunt gave a thought-provoking testimonial to the room. She discussed her personal native heritage, which is rooted in the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and credited the value of respect that was instilled in her from an early age. She ended her part with a moving performance of the song “Amazing Grace” in her indigenous language, accompanying herself with a hand drum. “I was not aware of the land heritage, but as soon as I came [to Wake Forest,] the Intercultural Center educated me,” Hunt said. “I really got interested
Photo Courtesy of Lauren Martinez Olinger
Brenda Silva of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe performed a dance as part of the healing song. The ceremony prays for healing for all who are ill. in acknowledging indigenuous lands, so I got very involved with them to be a part of this.” Savannah Baber, who is also a member of the Lumbee Tribe and an alumnus from the class of 2019, gave a few remarks. McElderry credits her for the event’s conception in the spring of 2019. She said that students who are uninformed on the heritage of their school should look to academic departments and their indigenuous peers to learn more. She also commented on the newness of the administration’s acknowledgement of Wake Forest’s land heritage. “I think this is a wonderful first step. I definitely think that [the Wake Forest administration’s] intention is to learn more and to do more,” she said. “I certainly think they are moving in the right direction.”
SG GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY JESSICA SCHMIDT Staff Writer schmja19@wfu.edu I. Executive Reports President Mellie Mesfin began the meeting with a few announcements regarding the Deliberative Dialogue guide that is intended to increase conversation between student groups. Speaker of the House Miles Middleton discussed ways that the bias reporting system could become more effective. He suggested that adding more students to the committee, increasing familiarity with the code of conduct and using a survey to gain more input would help improve the system. Chief of Staff Isabella Ryan voiced her support for the Wake for Women campaign that seeks to support women’s sports at Wake Forest. II. Committee Reports The Academic Committee had many different topics to present during the meeting. Following up on a constituent concern, they are working on a disclaimer for the Human Sexuality course offered in
the sociology department that will explain in more detail the course’s content and warns of sensitive material discussed in class. Wake Forest student IDs (Deacon OneCards) are now being accepted as certified voting identification for the 2020 election, and the meeting about Wake Forest becoming a polling location will happen on Nov. 8 in Benson 503 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. In response to the performance by Wake Forest facilities team, “From the Ground Up,” the Academic Committee is hosting a Lap of Understanding, in which each senator will walk a lap around the Upper Quad with facilities members to discuss issues and foster community. As continued from last week, a survey to be sent out to professors regarding course descriptions and grading scale standardization is being created. The Campus Life Committee announced that the theme for Mental Health Week will be announced soon. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee was excited to share that the results of the demographics from freshman dorms will be given to them by the end of the week so they can begin to discuss possible implications. There is also a new official statement regarding
President Hatch also commented on the event’s importance to the Old Gold & Black. “It is important to come to terms with history, particularly when there are descendants or heirs still living,” he said. “This is one more way that we can authentically come to terms with the ‘crooked timber’ of the past.” The event was concluded by McElderry, who thanked both the audience and the sponsoring departments. He also reminded everyone that this event is merely the first in a month-long series of events honoring Native Americans. The next event is a NAAM pop-up event from the Harvest Table Culinary Group in the Pit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, featuring authentic Native American cuisine.
NOVEMBER 5 inclusion on the advising website under the orientation tab. The Judiciary Committee, in order to improve the procedures and practices of Senate, announced their plans to research other universities in the Colonial Group (schools similar in size and ideology to Wake Forest) to compare how their respective student governments operate. The Physical Planning Committee reported that the Wake Line shuttle can only afford to go to Target or Walmart, but not both, in order to keep shuttle services quick and efficient. Target was chosen because of its location near Hanes Mall and Walmart’s potentially unsafe location. The Student Organizations Council introduced the new chartered service organization Hands to Hearts and informed the Senate that First in Flight and Young Americans for Freedom will be the last organizations to be chartered until next semester when the chartering application will open again. III. Announcements One senator brought up a concern from a visiting parent about the lack of lighting on campus and advocated for the Physical Planning Committee to look into this further.
Page 6 |Thursday, November 7, 2019
Old Gold & Black | News
Undergraduates present research Sponsored by the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Center (URECA), Undergraduate Research Day highlighted the hard academic work done by Wake Forest students. This past Friday, students, faculty, family and friends gathered in the ZSR Library to share the knowledge they gained.
Photo courtesy of Riley Herriman
Photo courtesy of Riley Herriman
Undergraduate Research Day includes work from across a variety The ZSR Library atrium was bustling with undergradof disciplines, including research, art and independent scholarship. uates presenting their research Friday afternoon.
Photo courtesy of Riley Herriman
The event allows for a celebration of knowledge and learning for student scholars. Prospective participants were required to submit an abstract in anticipation of the event.
Photo courtesy of Riley Herriman
Photo courtesy of Riley Herriman
The event consisted of a large poster session and smaller oral presentations.
Photo courtesy of Riley Herriman
Students who received Wake Forest Research Fellow- Undergraduate Research Day took place during Family Weekend, allowing ships or Richter Scholarships were required to present. family members to attend and witness their progeny’s accomplishments.
News | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, November 7, 2019 |Page 7
Moving On: Part 1 — the Diagnosis
When it comes to a medical diagnosis, no news is always good news, but it still matters how the news is told BY CHRISTIAN GREEN Staff Writer greecm15@wfu.edu
Three years ago, Keith Lawson sat waiting in his local neurologist’s lobby, waiting for his name to ring across the room so that he could get on with the rest of his day. He had a lot planned and not as much time as he would like. The then-55-year-old isn’t typically one to sit idle. Rare moments of inactivity are filled instead with his voice, gregarious and warm — yet soft and contemplative. In his previous visits to this lobby, he had become friendly with the staff. They often chatted to pass the time before his appointment. This particular morning though, he recalls that no one seemed interested in speaking. So he thumbed through a magazine that he didn’t care to read and observed the room around him. He took in the strangely aqua-colored carpeting — it matched the stiffly uncomfortable chair in which he resided, in which he had resided far longer than usual today — at least, it felt like it. Lawson had been a regular at the neurologist for the past several years due to back pain. He would visit the office every few months to receive six injections into the back of his lower neck, just above his shoulders. The shots helped to relieve pains that sometimes spread out into his arms and crept down his spine. These visits normally conformed to a template procedure. Lawson would enter a small, rectangular back room and sit again to await his neurologist. The neurologist would enter, shake Lawson’s hand, and they might exchange a few updates — conversation began with one another’s families and generally drifted towards golf. Lawson would then move to lie face-down on a white table placed in the center of the room, where he would receive his six injections and be on his way. On this morning however, when his neurologist entered the room, there was no golf talk. Instead, the doctor walked into the room, offered a quick handshake, and then backed away, putting the white table between Lawson and himself. This was not normal. “I guess I’m not getting my injections today,” Lawson recalls thinking.
Photo courtesy of Winston-Salem Journal
Keith Lawson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease when he was 55 years old. He had been a frequent visitor with his neurologist for several years due to chronic back pain. His doctor took a deep breath and paused for a long moment. Finally, he began, “I’m very sorry, but I have some bad news for you.” He continued on to inform Lawson that, based on his self-reported symptoms and tests they had performed during his last visit, Lawson had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. For a rare instance, Lawson couldn’t find a word to say. Thoughts swirled through his mind, but few escaped his mouth. He had never met anyone with Parkinson’s before. He realized that he didn’t really know what the word meant. The names Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali flashed into his mind, but he wasn’t even sure what effects the disease had on them. He just knew they had it. Today, Lawson doesn’t remember how he eventually replied. But he remembers his neurologist telling him, “This disease isn’t going to kill you, but it is going to make the rest of your life more difficult … and you are going to die with it.” His neurologist assured him that he would have support. Once Lawson collected himself though, the
doctor explained that he would need to come back for a follow-up visit in a week. He then handed Lawson some medication, no description, and he was out the door. “I can usually be vivid in my explanations of things, I can usually remember things really well. But I don’t even remember driving home that day,” Lawson recalled. Once home, he slumped down into a chair, unsure of what to do. His wife was at work; he would have to tell her. His children were grown and out of the house; he would have to tell them too. Tell them what, exactly? “They tell you that you have Parkinson’s, and then you go home,” he said. “I didn’t even know what this meant for my lifespan. Was I going to die in the next five years?” Hours ago, he had scheduled out every moment left of his day. Now, he had no schedule for what could be the rest of his life.
• Intoxicated subject in Collins Hall was transported to WFUBMC. Had been to an off-campus party. Report filed at 1:03 a.m. on Nov. 3.
• A student's vehicle was entered and a pair of sunglasses were stolen at Student Drive lot. Report filed at 12:52 a.m. on Nov. 1. • A student's vehicle was entered and wallet was taken at Lot Z2. Report filed at 9:39 p.m. on Nov. 1. • A possible overloaded vehicle was observed on Wake Forest Road. When vehicle was stopped, two second-row passengers were not wearing seatbelts. Written Warning #4234 was issued to the Uber driver. Report filed at 12:16 a.m. on Nov. 2.
This is the first part in a series, entitled "Moving On." The Old Gold & Black will be publishing subsequent sections throughout the remainder of the semester and can also be found online on our website.
POLICE BEAT Underage Consumption/Drunkenness • Student was involved in a single-car accident at the intersection of Cherry Street and 6th Street. Student was arrested for DWI and reckless driving. Report filed at 12:42 a.m. on Oct. 29. • WPSD investigated crash. Driver arrested for DWI by WSPD on University Parkway. Report filed at 11:52 p.m. on Oct. 31. • Two female students got into a verbal argument that turned physical at Last Resort. No visual injuries. Report filed at 1:38 a.m. on Nov. 1. • Large party at university theme house with the majority of the students from WSSU. Vehicles parked at this party on Polo Road caused damage to the landscaping due to being stuck in the mud and having to be pulled out by a wrecker. Report filed at 1:12 a.m. on Nov. 2.
Vehicles/ Parking • A student's vehicle was entered took car keys and AirPods in Lot Q. Report filed at 5:29 a.m. on Oct. 29. • Unknown subject(s) broke into victim's car in sophomore lot. No items taken. Report filed at 8:24 a.m. on Oct. 26. • Victim called to report that her vehicle was stolen but did not have registration for the vehicle in Bridger Fieldhouse Parking. Returned to UPO to review cameras in the area but was contacted to meet with WSPD Officer, who took report and entered the info on the vehicle in NCIC. Report filed at 9:13 a.m. on Nov. 1.
Miscellaneous • Unknown subject(s) damaged WFU Water Well trailer on Hearn Plaza. Report filed at 10:14 a.m. on Oct. 29. • Unknown subject(s) took item without paying for them at Subway POD. Report filed at 1:19 a.m. on Nov. 3.
OPINION
T H U R S D AY, N O V E M B E R 7 , 2 0 1 9
PAG E 8
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OLD GOLD & BLACK
The views expressed in all opinion columns represent those of the article’s author, not the opinions of the Old Gold & Black Editorial Board
“ Democrats sweep Virginia’s General Assembly The State Legislature
A strong night for Democrats in the off year election is promising for the commonwealth
If the referendum succeeds, the amendment will be a giant leap forward for equitable representation in Virgnia.”
Amanda Wilcox
the minimum wage, ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment and passing gun safety provisions. Ironically, Corey Stewart, who was the Virginia GOP’s right-wing neo-Confederate challenger to Sen. Tim Kaine in 2018, summed up Tuesday’s Democratic victories best. “The Republican Party is toast in Virginia for the next 10 years,” he said to the Washington Post. “Republicans will cease to be a serious political power.” Indeed. Depleted by President Donald Trump’s floundering approval ratings in Virginia, the Republicans’ defeat was a new low for a party that has not won a statewide race since Bob McDonnell was elected governor in 2009. And GOP candidates will face additional headwinds from the state house to the U.S. Congress — because now, they’ll have to run on an electoral map that is actually fair. As the majority party in the state legislature, Democrats will dictate the terms of Virginia’s redistricting process in 2021 after the U.S. Census in 2020. Unified Republican control of the state legislature and governorship after the 2010 census allowed the party
Staff Columnist wilcaf16@wfu.edu
Democrats completed Virginia’s partisan shift from red to purple to true blue on Tuesday night, winning majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly and consolidating power across the commonwealth for the first time in 25 years. When the new General Assembly convenes in January, Democrats will control the governorship, the state Senate, the House of Delegates, both seats in the U.S. Senate and seven of the 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Going into the election, Republicans held a 20-19 advantage in the state Senate and a 51-48 edge in the House of Delegates. Republicans in the General Assembly had typically served as a stopping point for any progressive legislation advanced by Governor Ralph Northam’s administration, such as getting rid of right-to-work laws, raising
to engage in partisan gerrymandering of both the congressional and state legislative districts. However, the new General Assembly is likely to pass a constitutional amendment promoted by OneVirginia2021, a grassroots, bipartisan coalition that has been pushing Richmond to reform the commonwealth’s protocol for redistricting. The amendment would create an independent redistricting commission, comprised of four state senators and four delegates of equal partisan affiliation, as well as eight citizens. That commission would draw the lines that govern representation in the state Senate, House of Delegates and the U.S. House of Representatives. If the amendment’s language passes in the new General Assembly, as is expected, it would go to ballot as a referendum in 2020 and take effect for the 2021 redistricting cycle. If the referendum succeeds, the amendment will be a giant leap forward for equitable representation in Virginia, protecting free, fair elections in our state for generations. And it will be, in some part, because so many in the commonwealth showed up to the polls on Tuesday — even in an off-year state election. In addition, on a shorter time horizon, Tuesday’s election results will open the door to some broadconsensus progressive policies that were stifled in the Republican General Assembly. Tougher gun regulations will almost certainly swiftly become law. In the aftermath of a mass shooting in Virgin-
ia Beach that killed 12 people in May, Northam sought to pass a package of reforms to close background check loopholes for private sales and transfers and forbid the sale of assault rifles, high-capacity magazines and silencers, among other things. The Republican-controlled General Assembly abruptly ended debate after just 90 minutes at a special legislative session in July, before a single bill had been considered. Two bills aimed at protecting LGBTQ Virginians from discrimination are also likely to pass very quickly. Democrats will also have the opportunity to expand abortion rights and pass the Equal Rights Amendment, which aims to enshrine gender equity in the U.S. Constitution — and if it is ratified in the commonwealth, Virginia will be the last state needed to actually amend the Constitution. It took years of organizing and multiple election cycles that resulted in incremental progress for Virginia to reach a point at which a blue sweep was possible. As the country gears up for the general election next year, Tuesday’s elections in the onceruby red Old Dominion are a good reminder that no state is unwinnable forever. Democrats have the resources to take their case to the public and win, but they have to organize relentlessly and fight for every inch of political space they can get. Virginia is proof that if you treat every state like a battleground, then it can become one.
very impossibility and therefore keeps me in business. I am compelled to assiduously and eternally trace lines of thought and relay the agonistic upshot of history to the art consumers of the present. That seems noble enough, but still there lies a palpable anxiety in (my) criticism, or general thought, a kind of shameful, intellectual crutch. Bloom talks about this anxiety in relation to the poet and his predecessors and delineates the “strong” poet’s process as a brutal reckoning. But the critic becomes a poet only insomuch as he writes, stylishly, a history of ideation. Woody Allen says as much, if through comedic shorthand, when he says, “Those who can’t do, teach, and those who can’t teach, teach gym.” Yeats in “The Scholars” says something similar: “Old, respectable, bald heads / Edit and annotate the lines / That young men, tossing in their beds, / Rhymed out in love’s despair.” Even so, I’m not sure there is a decisive answer. Teachers precipitated change before the great writers they recommended did. Their erudition and literary vigor spread through my brain like a hungry flame. Film critics, too, have incited me to seek out each and every film to try to weave an intricate tapestry of referents — not idle, but constantly speaking to each other across time and space. Perhaps there isn’t just undiluted shame in criticism, but a compounded anxiety, more than just the strong poet’s contest with his pre-
decessor. The critic’s agonism is also with himself, with his potential lack of transcendent creativity. It seems criticism, to me, can sometimes serve as a permanent hiding spot for intellectuals, scared out of or unable to deal in the endlessly ambiguous confidence of creation. There is something more definitive about criticism. The concrete historicity of notional nerves chattering across the void, interpreted and written (ingenuously, at that), has a sturdiness built in. Though criticism has helped me learn so much about myself in relation to the world, I wonder if it is a gloss, alloyed to great thought instead of its generator. Yet, if the critic does anything, it is add texture to a work of art. Not context, but richness. As Wilde says, critics “give form to every fancy, and reality to every mood…yet convey something of the delicate charm of chance.” In an act of translation, the critic reveals the artist, yet does not flatten him, or dissect him. He or she simultaneously makes the artist legible and complicates him. Through the critic’s ability to tether an artist’s floating notions to grand ideas of the past, he adds complexity, and does not simply hammer beauty and mystery into understanding. At least I hope so. But if you still wish to deem critics the limited wastrels of Shakespeare, Yeats, Stevens, then stick with Auden, who says, “It’s better to say ‘I’m suffering,’ than to say, “This landscape is ugly.” I’m just not sure.
“ an ambiguous relation to creation The critic maintains Literature
The critic as artist has been a long debated question, and it remains a puzzling aspect of art
Kyle Ferrer
Staff Columnist ferrka16@wfu.edu
What are these things I write? What are the various cultural flash-points, aesthetic philosophies and slight, introspective discoveries put down in these pages? Am I a critic, an artist, a recycler? Am I just deflecting the act of genuine creation, articulating my own insecurity? Ornamenting the genius of others with my own glancing language is at best a clarification, at middle a desperate desire to glean inspiration from their genius and at worst an unnecessary complication. Though I try to integrate the notions of strong imaginations into my own artistic disposition, I fear my heavy reliance upon the language of others in interpreting my own experience. Living through brilliant quotation, with little annotation, makes life gleam with great novelty, but also parades the ignominy of my own thoughtlessness. So nourished am I by
The best film critics are encyclopedic film historians, not only recalling films themselves, but their entire aesthetic universe.” my “Quote Pad” that I can feel defined only by the words of others. The agon of great poets, as Harold Bloom describes it, comes from a fundamental misreading of previous poets’ work, a deep understanding eventually presents old material in a way that seems new. Though framing my own reading (or filmwatching) around aesthetic observations of great artists (Richard Powers helps me understand The Peanut Butter Falcon’s questions of recognition, Shakespeare clarifies the animating principle behind The Farewell’s moral ambiguities, Scorsese provides the ammo to embarrass Joker, etc.), I constantly worry if the critic is really an artist. Harold Bloom tells us in The Anxiety of Influence that “criticism is the art of knowing the hidden roads from poem to poem.” This makes sense; the best film critics are encyclopedic film historians, not only recalling the films themselves, but their entire aesthetic universe. It is at once admirable and sad, as I continue to build an arsenal of references that are not only filmic but literary. Mallarmés lament that “Alas, I have read all the books,” is the antithetical affirmation of that
Opinion | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, November 7, 2019 | Page 9
“ must remain a benevolent leader The United States History
In terms of power, the United States clearly dominates the world...[and] exhibits similar capabilities to ancient Greece and ancient Rome."
With all of our might, our nation must maintain a stance of international liberalism
John Manos
Staff Columnist manojd18@wfu.edu Sitting in an Airbnb, looking out over the cobblestone streets of Rome, I experienced a sense of overwhelming perplexity at how such a magnificent power can fall so hard and so fast. Driving through the streets, I observe titanic structures like the aqueducts, the Pantheon, the Colosseum and many others. A similar feeling arises when walking through the streets of Athens, Greece. High above the sprawling, white marble city of five million, the intimidating Acropolis oversees the entirety of their civilization. Take a ferry east, to Turkey, to the land formerly called Constantinople, and you will see an overwhelming mix of Christian and Muslim architecture, as the two religions competed for thousands of years for the strait to the Black Sea. This would be the cornerstone of one of the longest-living nations ever –– the Ottoman Empire. Where did these empires go? Why such a quick exchange (Greek to Roman, then Roman to the Ottoman, etc.)? Do we see a similar empire that is as domineering today? I believe that (usually) an empire that grows to such might is doomed to fall. Nowadays called "hegemon," these
overly dominant civilizations ran the world at one point. As for the ancient Greeks, we see the first efforts to preserve and defend a participatory democracy. Rome did likewise. In fact, we see Rome’s passion for a liberal democracy in the story of Julius Caesar. Caesar, elected to the throne of a democratic Rome with a functioning senate, was a beloved leader. Publicly praised and diplomatically feared, Caesar carried Rome to an unfathomable number of victories. His famous “I came, I saw, I conquered” phrase represented the ease with which Caesar’s Rome defeated its enemies. With such success, Caesar didn’t see any logical reason as to why he should ever discontinue his service as Rome’s leader. For this reason, he proclaimed himself emperor of the great nation. This unsettled many people, including his close friend Brutus, to the point that they decided that Julius Caesar was a disgrace to Rome’s revolutionary future. For his proclamation, Caesar was stabbed to death by his guards and very own friend, Brutus, on March 15, 44 B.C. Rome is a special case because it saw the fall of Caesar, the life of Jesus Christ and the crusade of Constantine during its existence. Eventually, the great power fell. In Greece, we saw the young Alexander the Great lead his troops through Asia, extending the Hellenic Empire all the way to India. This colossal nation met its ruin when Alexander the Great died
from sickness on the way back to Athens. The Ottoman Empire came to fruition shortly after the conclusion of Rome and lasted all the way until World War I. However, once struck by the power of modernity, the Ottoman’s could no longer keep their dynasty intact. Imprisoned by their ageold customs, the 20th century proved to be detrimental to their life span. Next, we see the rise of fascism in the conjoined Prussian and German Empires, where young political candidate Adolf Hitler was able to distort the German Weimar Constitution just enough to fit his agenda. Nazi Germany expanded throughout the continent, killing and torturing their enemies and, most infamously, a vast portion of the European Jewish population. Once the Nazis were stopped, it was time for a new empire to move in: the Soviet Union (Russia/USSR). Under the iron fist of Joseph Stalin, the communists reached a novel level of evil. The red nationalists ended the lives of more innocent people than did even the fascists. This empire extended its reign into the 1990s. The degeneration of the USSR began with immense pressure on its "soft" leader, Mikael Gorbachev, by President Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II (along with efforts from Winston Churchill). With the pressure of these three international liberals, Gorbachev modeled his new policies after Reagan-like capitalism and slowly moved Russia out of the communist scope and into the liberal scope. This was the genesis of a revelation for the Soviets. Now, what do we have? What empire? Political scientists will tell you that we are currently without one.
They will even go so far as to tell you that our world has been without a hegemonic power since the 1970s, when America lost much of its economic dominance to China. However, in terms of power, the United States clearly dominates the world. With the most diverse economy and (by far) the most powerful military in the world, the United States exhibits similar capabilities to ancient Greece and ancient Rome. So, what has changed since the era of mass conquering? In my opinion, it’s not power, but motive. America owns a sense of benevolence that was nonexistent 2,000 years ago. Recently, we have spent exponentially more money assisting nations other than ourselves (ex: Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Somalia and more). This would’ve been unheard of in the times of the Romans. If Francis Fukuyama is right, we really have reached the end of history. Does this mean that the classic, ancient way of empires conquering each other is extinct? I think so. In fact, I think that time has stagnated and settled on the world order that we currently see. So, in looking for a modern-day Rome or Greece, look all around. It must be our home: America. And considering that we aren’t burning any Christians at the stake or putting peasants in a stadium to fight to the death, I think we’re setting a pretty decent precedent. President Lincoln said that America will meet its ruin only if we let it. No outside power will ever knock us down. So, in that case, I think it’s pretty cool to think that we may just be the modern-day Rome. Except maybe, just maybe, even bigger and better.
Word on the Quad | JUULing
Should JUULing be banned on campus?
“No ... but there should not be JUULing excessively or at all in buildings." Caroline Tompson (‘20) “I don't think they should be banned, but there should be regulation.” Brae Troutman (‘22)
“Yes, I think it's very disruptive.” Emily Goff (‘21)
“It should have the same regulations as cigarettes.” Ismael Valdez (‘22) “I don't think it's the university's prerogative to intervene in student life." Cydney Meadows (‘20)
SPORTS
T H U R S D AY, N O V E M B E R 7 , 2 0 1 9
PAG E 10
Online at: www.wfuogb.com Twitter: @sports_ogb Editor: Rafael Lima, limara17@wfu.edu Assistant Editor: Lucy Nelson, nelsld16@wfu.edu
OLD GOLD & BLACK
No. 5 Wake Forest beats No. 25 Louisville 3-1 Thanks to a brillant performance by freshman Calvin Harris, the Deacs finished their regular season with a 3-1 win JB BLOOD Staff Writer bloojj18@wfu.edu Wake Forest soccer has been remarkably consistent. The No. 7 Demon Deacons have been in the top 10 of 45 consecutive polls and in the top 25 of 65 consecutive polls. Head Coach Bobby Muuss has built a program that is consistently successful and exciting to watch. Spry Stadium has one of the best atmospheres in college soccer, and Wake Forest soccer alumni are successfully playing in professional leagues. Wake Forest’s final regular-season game of the 2019 season was similar to most of their games over the past few seasons — they won. On Friday night in Louisville, Ky., the Deacs continued their winning ways and defeated Louisville 3-1. Freshman forward Calvin Harris was the star of the night, scoring two goals. For his performance, Harris was named the ACC offensive player of the week. Harris is having a sensational freshman season, scoring six goals and recording two assists. Harris’ impact goes beyond the stat line, though. His deft touches and creative play have helped to propel the offense throughout the season. Harris’ first goal opened up the scoring for Wake Forest in the 18th minute. He received a pass while closely
defended at the top center of the box. He then dribbled around the right of the defender and wound up to take a shot. Harris’ shot sliced across the pitch and ended up in the left netting of the goal to give the Deacs a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, Harris would net his second goal of the night. Machop Chol was making a run down the left side of the Louisville box and passed the ball toward the center. Harris hit the ball with one touch and doubled the Deacs’ lead. The first half wasn’t all smooth sailing for Wake Forest. In the 36th minute, Louisville’s Louka Masset scored off of a backheel shot to cut Wake Forest’s lead down to one. At halftime, Wake Forest held a 2-1 lead with two fewer shots and one less corner kick than Louisville. The only goal of the second half came in the 52nd minute. Alistair Johnson gave Aristotle Zarris a long pass into the box, which Zarris was able to hit hard with his right foot and sail it past the goalie. At the end of the match, Louisville outshot Wake Forest 10 to eight, but the Deacs had a five to two advantage in shots on target. Additionally, Wake Forest had four corner kicks compared to Louisville’s three. The 3-1 win was Wake Forest’s sixth in ACC play. The Deacs finished the regular season in second place in the ACC Atlantic with 18 points and trailed Clemson by only 1 point. Wake Forest’s first ACC tournament game will be on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. at Spry Stadium. As the No. 3 seed, the Deacs will now wait to find out their first round opponent. They will either play Louisville again
or Virginia Tech. A game against the Hokies would mark the first time the two teams would meet this season. If Wake Forest wins, they will likely go on the road to play the University of Virginia in the semifinal round. In last season’s ACC tournament, Wake Forest lost in the semifinals to Louisville 2-1.
Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletic Communications
Freshman Calvin Harris continues to impress, notching a brace in the Deacs' season finale win.
CFB Roundup: Georgia still rules SEC East Georgia and Memphis inch closer to their respective conference’s championship games with home wins BY BEN CONROY Staff Writer conrbd19@wfu.edu Georgia 24, Florida 17 The No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs (7-1) marched into Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon to take on the No. 6 Florida Gators (6-2) in a bout between two top-tier SEC squads. With the eyes of the college football world upon them, Georgia delivered an impressive performance on both sides of the ball en route to a critical 24-17 victory. Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm conducted the offense with ease, connecting with eight different receivers and collecting 279 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns along the way. Georgia’s defense rose to the occasion as well, suffocating the Gators halfbacks and allowing only 21 yards on the ground. The Bulldogs led from wire-to-wire, scoring the game’s first 10 points and holding the Gators without a point until late in the first half. With the victory, Georgia’s playoff hopes remain intact as they seize the No. 6 spot in the College Football Playoffs top 25 rankings, while Florida drops to a 6-2 record. SMU 48, Memphis 54 Two AAC prizefighters collided in Memphis last Saturday night for a pivotal in-conference showdown. The two gunslinging offenses were firing on all cylinders, combining for over 1,000 yards of total offense and one of the most entertaining games of the weekend. While an outstanding performance from Mustangs quarterback Shane Buechele (456 passing yards and three touchdowns) helped SMU stick around for a while, the visitors were eventually overwhelmed by the Tigers’ dual threat offense. Memphis quarterback
Brady White gouged the Mustangs’ secondary for 350 yards and three touchdowns of his own, while halfbacks Antonio Gibson and Kenneth Gainwell collected 165 total yards and a touchdown apiece. With the loss, SMU (8-1) suffers its first defeat of the season as the plot thickens in the race for the AAC American West division. Virginia Tech 20, Notre Dame 21 The Fighting Irish (6-2) were given all they could handle at home on Saturday as they narrowly avoided a gutsy upset bid from the visiting Virginia Tech Hokies (5-3). Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book dragged the Fighting Irish across the finish line, throwing the ball 53 times for 336 yards and two touchdowns in the hard-earned victory. Book also led the Irish in rushing yards, collecting 50 yards on the ground and finding the end zone late in the fourth to give his team the final lead. Virginia Tech quarterback Quincy Patterson II completed just nine passes for a subpar 139 yards and the Hokies’ sole offensive touchdown, while running back Deshawn McClease was held to just 32 yards on the ground. With the victory, Notre Dame avoids a treacherous third loss and shows up in the first CFP rankings at No. 15. Utah 33, Washington 28 No. 8 Utah (8-1) ventured westward to Washington (54) on Saturday, facing off against the Huskies in an actionpacked Pac-12 contest. The Utes stumbled out of the gate, unable to find the end zone for the first 27 minutes of gameplay until a Tyler Huntley touchdown pass to halfback Zack Moss opened the floodgates. Still, the Utes didn’t claim the lead until early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Tyler Huntley maneuvered his way into the end zone on a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line. Moss scampered across the goal line again a few minutes later, putting the finishing on another solid road victory for Utah. Though Washington quarterback Jacob Eason took to the air for 316 yards and four touchdowns, his two interceptions shifted crucial momentum in Utah’s favor. The road victory allows Utah to crack the CFP’s top 10, while Washington continues its recent downward spiral.
Week 11 Preview No. 4 Penn State @ No. 17 Minnesota Two of college football’s remaining unbeaten teams face off in a battle for the high ground in the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers will have their work cut out for them as the Nittany Lions look to continue their rigorous pursuit of an appearance in the Big Ten Championship game. No. 2 LSU @ No. 3 Alabama In perhaps the most meaningful game of the regular season thus far, two of the nation’s best duke it out, fighting for separation in both the SEC standings and the College Football Playoff race. Something has to give as two star-studded squads collide in Alabama on Saturday afternoon. No. 18 Iowa @ No. 13 Wisconsin Camp Randall will be buzzing on Saturday as Wisconsin hosts Iowa in a battle for second place in the Big Ten West. Both teams look to improve their postseason resumés with a decisive in-conference win as bowl season approaches.
Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun Correspondent
The Bulldogs defense shut down the Gators running game all afternoon, allowing only 21 running yards.
Thursday, November 7, 2019 | Page 11
Sports | Old Gold & Black
Football: Deacs roll past NC State 44-10
Photo courtesy of Riley Herriman
Continued from Page 1 On defense, despite losing tackling leader and team captain LB Justin Strnad for the season due to a torn bicep, the Demon Deacons had a dominant afternoon against a struggling NC State offense. NC State redshirt freshman quarterback Devin Leary had a poor outing in his first collegiate start, throwing for only 149 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The Deacs’ front seven disrupted the pocket with ease, notching two sacks, six TFLs and five QB hurries. In the secondary, redshirt senior cornerback Amari Henderson was the name of the game. Henderson forced the two interceptions of the afternoon, while also adding four pass breakups and a TFL. “I feel like I got in one of my zones, and when I get in one of my zones. I feel like my confidence just goes out the roof, and I can really just play and just be focused and set my feet and trust my instincts,” Henderson said, as reported by Conor O’Neil for the WinstonSalem Journal. The difference in physicality and urgency coming off the bye week in comparison to the Louisville game was tangible. Instead of poor tackling and positioning on defense and special teams, Wake Forest played its most disciplined defensive game of the year. Right after scoring its first touchdown of the game, the Deacs recovered the ball back thanks to a forced fumble by DeAndre’ Delaney on the NC State kickoff return. “I felt that with the preparation that week, we got down to the base of our defense and offense real quick. That helped us just be prepared a little bit more about NC State in a long week, and we were just communicating a lot better,” said defensive lineman Sulaiman
Kamara. “It was just something that we wanted to change that culture of coming off a bye week losing. We wanted to change that, and in practice, everyone just came out with a lot of energy. We just wanted it and we didn't want to have the same mistakes as in past games.” On Saturday, Wake Forest certainly showed improvements both in getting up for games after the bye week and shoring up some defensive woes. Whether they can replicate this same level of defensive and special teams play down the stretch still remains to be seen. Yet, the defensive improvements, especially in the secondary, were tangible against an inexperienced NC State offense. The Demon Deacons will now shift their attention to a clash with Virginia Tech (5-3) in Blacksburg on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., in a game that could have massive implications for the Deacs' bowl aspirations. Sitting at 7-1, Wake Forest has the second-best record in the ACC behind reigning national champions Clemson (9-0). In case of a win against the Hokies, they further solidify their position as the second-best team in the ACC and their chances to get to the Orange Bowl for the first time since 2006. The Hokies are coming off a near upset of No. 15 Notre Dame in a 21-20 loss in South Bend. They forced three turnovers from the Irish, including a 98yard fumble recovery touchdown by defensive back Divine Deablo. However, their offense failed to produce, managing only 240 total yards against a stout Notre Dame defense. If Wake Forest wins on the road against Virginia Tech and Clemson beats NC State as expected, an 8-1 Wake Forest squad would be playing a 10-0 Clemson team in Death Valley for possibly the right to represent the Atlantic division in the ACC Championship Game. It’s fair to say that their matchup with Virginia Tech has major season-defining implications for Wake Forest.
After answering many doubts and concerns about their performance by overmatching NC State, there’s only one real season-defining question facing the Demon Deacons ahead of their matchup against the Hokies: is this team good enough to get to the Orange Bowl?
Graphic by Ren Schmitt/Old Gold & Black
Page 12 | Thursday, November 7, 2019
Old Gold & Black | Sports
Deacs fare well at ACC Championships Men's and Women's cross crountry finish fifth and sixth respectively at the ACC Championships BY SAM WEXLER Staff Writer wexlsn17@wfu.edu The men’s and women’s cross country teams traveled to Virginia Tech’s home cross country course in Blacksburg, Va. to compete in the ACC Championships. The men’s team placed fifth over the 8k race, tying their best team finish since 2005 at the meet. The women placed sixth over the 6k course, which was the second best team showing since 2008. The men’s 116 point team score was led by sophomore Zach Facioni’s fourth place finish. His time of 24:32.5 earned him All-ACC for the second year in a row in just his second year. Junior Jack Tiernan was close behind him, finishing in eighth place to join Facioni in the top ten and earning All-ACC honors. Freshman Carter Coughlin in 24th place, sophomore Brent Bailey in 34th place and junior John LePino in 46th place put all five scorers for the Deacons in the top 50 finishers of the meet. It was an extremely tight finish on the men's side in a field that included six nationally ranked teams in Syracuse, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Florida State and NC State. The Demon Deacons finished right in the mix, beating NC State and Florida State with their fifth place trophy.
The women were led by two All-ACC finishers as lowed by the NCAA Southeast Regional Champiwell in sophomore Elise Wright and senior Saman- onships in Charlottesville, Va., on Nov. 15. There, tha Halvorsen. Wright led the Deacons with her they will try to be one of the top team finishers 14th place finish in a time of 21:12, while Halvors- to ensure a spot in the NCAA Championships in en clocked in at 21:20 to take 19th place. They Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 23. were completed by a trio of Deacons punching in close together. Senior Hannah Brookover led the pack in 42nd and was closely followed by sophomore Georgia Evans in 43rd and sophomore Meredith Helton in 46th place. The women’s race was very competitive as well, finishing just 12 points out of fourth place and behind four top ranked squads in the nation in NC State, Florida State, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. Women’s Head Coach Ashley Botham joined the Demon Deacon squad in August and experienced her first ACC Championships along with the team. “The women did an excellent job at the 2019 ACC Cross Country Championships,” Botham said. “We knew it would be a tight battle going into the race and that certainly proved true. The women stepped up and rose to the challenge, finishing higher than their ranking going into the meet. Wake Forest finished in 6th place, 12 points behind 4th place and just 4 points away from 5th place. I am incredibly proud of the effort the women gave and their tenacious mindset going into the meet. They aren’t afraid to line up against some of the best teams in the nation and that bodes really well for our fuPhoto courtesy of Wake Forest Athletic Communications ture.” The meet marked the beginning of the postsea- Sophomore Zach Facioni (right) earned All-ACC son for the Demon Deacon harriers and will be fol- honors with a fourth place finish in Blacksburg.
Preview of the top half of the ACC Duke, North Carolina and Virginia are projected to be among the elite of the ACC once again BY CHRISTIAN ODJAKJIAN Staff Writer odjact18@wfu.edu Last week, we took a look at the bottom half of the ACC in my preseason rankings, which included the Demon Deacons. Let's take a look at the cream of the crop of the league: 7. Florida State Seminoles Florida State (29-8, 13-5 in 2018-19) was good enough to make the Sweet Sixteen last season, but fell to Gonzaga in a lopsided 72-58 game. The Seminoles, famous for their depth, take some big hits on the front court with the losses of Terrance Mann and Mfiondu Kabengele. FSU does, however, retain the starting back court of senior Trent Forest (9.3 PPG, 3.7 AST, 1.9 STL) and junior M.J. Walker (7.5 PPG). A collection of new faces, including four transfers and two top 65 recruits, should be enough to restore the depth and keep the Seminoles in the top half of the ACC. 6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notre Dame (14-19, 3-15) came in last place last year, so why are they ranked in 6th place? Ten of the 11 players from last season’s rotation return, featuring senior forward John Mooney (14.1 PPG, 11.1 REB), a double-double machine who could compete for First Team All-Conference honors. Versatile senior forward Rex Pflueger (8.1 PPG 4.3 AST) got injured at the beginning of last season, but is back and ready to go. The continuity and experience of Mike Brey’s squad should push them toward the upper echelon of the conference and toward a return to the NCAA Tounament. 5. North Carolina State NC State (24-12, 9-9) fell on the wrong side of the bubble along with Clemson last season. However, things are looking brighter this year. The Wolfpack
lost leading scorer Torrin Dorn, but return a trio of experienced guards in senior Markell Johnson (12.6 PPG, 4.2 AST), senior CJ Bryce (11.6 PPG) and junior Braxton Beverly (9.4 PPG). The Wolfpack also bring in Lehigh transfer, forward Pat Andree (12.9 PPG, 6.2 REB). This talented and experienced team has what it takes to win games in March. 4. North Carolina Tar Heels North Carolina (29-7, 16-2) got bounced by Auburn in the Sweet Sixteen, and Coby White, Cameron Johnson and Luke Maye are all gone. The Tar Heels will now be led by projected top 5 NBA draft pick, guard Cole Anthony. Chapel Hill also welcomes another top recruit in big man Armando Bacot. Other newcomers include talented grad transfers Christian Keeling (18.7 PPG at Charleston Southern) and Justin Pierce (14.9 PPG at William & Mary). This team isn’t as good as they were last year, but Roy Williams will find a way to keep his team near the top of the conference. 3. Virginia Cavaliers Virginia (35-3, 16-2) redeemed themselves to the ultimate extent by being crowned national champions last season. Tony Bennett lost the core of last year's team, in Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and DeAndre Hunter, but key rotation players are returning and expected to expand into larger roles. Two of which are senior forwards Mamadi Diakite (7.4 PPG, 1.7 BLK) and Braxton Key (5.7 PPG, 5.5 REB). The Hoos also bring in two top-65 recruits, as well as junior college All-American Tomas Woldetensae. Virginia will likely continue their stretch of defensive excellence, but offensive limitations may limit this team’s chances of advancing deep in the tournament. 2. Duke Blue Devils Duke (32-6, 14-4), with all the talent on last year’s squad, failed to reach the Final Four for the fourth straight year. Coach Krzyzewski lost Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett, but brought in another stacked freshman class. The Blue Devils welcomed four top-35 recruits, big men Vernon Carey and Matthew Hurt, wing Wendell Moore and guard Cassius Stanley. Sophomore guard Tre Jones (9.4 PPG, 5.3 AST, 1.9
STL) will be one of the best players in the conference, and a collection of returning glue guys will give this team more depth and experience than in 2019. 1. Louisville Cardinals Louisville (20-14, 10-8) is locked and loaded for this season. A disappointing opening round loss doesn’t speak to how talented this returning group is. Junior forward Jordan Nwora (17.0 PPG, 7.6 REB) is a preseason All-American and is accompanied by a deep and balanced supporting cast. Senior forward Dwayne Sutton (10.0 PPG, 6.9 REB) and junior forward Malik Williams (7.7 PPG, 6.1 REB) are just two of arguably the most talented and deep returning frontcourt core of any team in the nation. Not to mention, they also snagged transfer guard Lamar Kimble (15.6 PPG) from Saint Joseph’s. Louisville will without a doubt compete for the ACC and NCAA titles.
Photo by Getty Images
Jordan Nwora (left) figures to be a prominent player in the ACC and a cornerstone for the Cardinals in 2019.
Sports | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, November 7, 2019 | Page 13
Spotlight: Elise Wright BY LUCY NELSON Asst. Sports Editor nelsld16@wfu.edu Sophomore cross country runner Elise Wright was offered to compete for a plethora of Division I schools but chose Wake Forest. Why? Mostly because of the cohesive team dynamic and how supportive the girls are. She recently finished 14th at he ACC Conference Championship last Friday and hopes to keep improving and lead as Mimi Smith did last year and in years prior. In her free time, she participates in a Latin poetry club and the Athletes in Action Christian Ministry Club. She is a determined athlete who improves at rapid rates and is poised to make an impact on Wake Forest’s cross country team.
LN: So there was no pressure for you to run — you sort of found it on your own? Or were you inspired from their stories? EW: I sort of knew that both of my parents did this … you know there’s definitely a genetic component to running … there’s also definitely a mental fortitude component. I played soccer until I kept dislocating my kneecap in middle school, and then the doctor was like, “yeah, we can do this surgery where we can fix it or you could maybe just not do a contact sport anymore.” I was like “Ah, I’ll just not do this contact thing
Lucy Nelson: What’s something that not a lot of people know about you besides the fact that you’re an athlete at Wake Forest? Elise Wright: I really like painting, so whenever we go to the beach I would sit at the beach and paint, or I would go outside and I would paint the neighbor’s really pretty blue house.
anymore and try out this running thing that my parents did.” Honestly, I kind of hated it at first, but it was better than not doing anything at all, and then I realized that I really liked beating people. LN: You had lots of other college offers to run. So, why Wake Forest? EW: It’s a good school and it was closer to home, but also that it was a competitive team and a competitive conference. But, even more so, the girls on the team themselves are amazing. They’re my best friends. I spend more time with them than I spend with anybody else, and they know if I’m having a bad day, what to do, what to say. If I lost my phone, I know that one of the people on the team will swing by Benson and grab it for me; that’s really the selling point is the team. LN: How do you feel about the last ACC competition in Virginia? EW: I was really proud of how the team did. The team ran really deep. Sam Halvorson is an All-American, and I looked up to her last year thinking “how could I ever do the workouts that Sam is doing?” At ACCs, I really raced with Sam for almost the entire race. Like I couldn’t have told you before the race if Sam or I was going to come in number one for our team. And that’s really powerful; we were passing people on both sides; it was great.
LN: So both of your parents were runners at Texas A&M. What was that like growing up? EW: My mom was in the first class of female distance runners at Texas A&M after Title IX passed. Her freshman year, she was part of the first 12-or-something girls at Texas A&M and she was the only one made it to senior year of that class — who didn’t quit or get injured too many times. Her collegiate career actually ended on a bit of a sad note. She was trying to go to the Olympic trials in the 5K, but she broke her toe walking barefoot in her dorm. So she didn’t qualify for the Olympic trials, but she was trying to, but then she couldn’t because she had broken her toe. Growing up, I never really heard about it. I knew that they had [run in college] and I knew that my mom had met my dad at her first college cross country practice, but I had never really heard about collegiate racing. The only sort of real racing influence was that my dad raced bicycles laughs.
LN: What do you hope to bring to the team? EW: So I just want to continue Mimi Smith’s legacy. She graduated last year; she was our senior, she was our captain, and she’s really irreplaceable. She really gave everything that she had every race, but not to the detriment of her academics as well, and I just sort of hope to continue Mimi’s legacy — with the help of the other girls on the team — it’s not a one-person job. I want to lead in giving everything that you have and putting it all on the line for your teammates. And knowing that, when we wake up for our teammates at 6 a.m. and it’s 20 degrees outside, you’re not doing it for yourself; you’re doing it for your teammates.
Personal Profile Hometown: Asheville, N.C. Class: Sophomore Accomplishments: -Finished 14th and All-ACC at the ACC Conference Championship last Friday at Virginia Tech -Ran as 1st seed for Wake Forest Women’s Cross Country -Competed in four races as a freshman -2018 NCHSAA 3A State
Cross Country champion
-2017 NCHSAA 3A State Cross Country champion
Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletic Communications
Deac Notes Women’s field hocky crushes Richmond Spiders on Senior Day 4-0
Women’s soccer alum Aubrey Bledsoe called up to National Team
Seniors Nthabi Maine, Kelsey Gill, Jess Pianka and Isla Bint (pictured) were the four seniors honored at Ketner Stadium prior to the team’s faceoff against the University of Richmond. During the game, the Demon Deacons and Spiders each had 10 shots and 5 penalty corners, but Blint showed her seniority in the net with six saves and her fifth shutout of the year. The team was all-around strong, with the four goals coming from all different players.
U.S. Soccer announced last week that Wake Forest alum Aubrey Bledsoe was called up to the U.S. Women’s National Team. The goalkeeper was an All-American while at Wake Forest and holds the program record for most shutouts (33), goals-against average (0.91) and minutes played in goal (8,692). She just concluded her sixth pro season and was named to the NWSL Best XI as top goalkeeper in the league.
Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletic Communications
Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletic Communications
Old Gold & Black | Sports
Page 14 | Thursday, November 7, 2019
Talented youngsters renew Hudson River rivalry The top two picks in the 2019 NHL draft, Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko, bring new hope to the Devils and Rangers BY WILL ZIMMERMAN Contributing Writer zimmwj19@wfu.edu Two cards remained in the hands of deputy commissioner Bill Daly. One held the shield of the New Jersey Devils, the other held that of the New York Rangers. The draft lottery had come down to these two cross-town rivals, or perhaps rather cross-river rivals. Daly turned the card. The first overall pick of the 2019 NHL draft, a pick that would certainly equate to upcoming phenom Jack Hughes, belonged to the Devils. The Rangers and Devils rivalry has long been one of the fiercest in the National Hockey League. Back in 1982, the Colorado Rockies moved to New Jersey and became the Devils, playing within the same Patrick Division the Rangers played in. However, before even playing in their first game of the season, the Devils were forced to pay out a huge compensation to the Rangers, among other teams, for the right to share the NY-NJ market. But that’s all in the past. The Devils now have Hughes. The hype around him was tremendous. The American center was the clear-cut choice for the first overall pick. He drew comparisons to some of the best playmakers in the world, including Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. The Devils’ front office hopes he can soon center a first line between dangerous wingers including former first-overall pick Taylor Hall. With the number two overall pick in the 2019 draft, the Rangers selected Kaapo Kakko. The Finn, many analysts said, would likely have been a number one overall
pick in any other year and has been compared to felThe teams met for the first time this season back on low countrymen such as Patrick Laine and Sebastian Oct. 17. The Rangers, who play at Madison Square GarAho. The Rangers’ front office hopes that Kakko will den in Manhattan, drove the 14 miles under the Hudson also develop into a first-line winger and help to speed River and through the Lincoln Tunnel to get to the home of the Devils, the Prudential Center. There, the Devils up the club’s rebuild. Both young studs are barely 18 years old, meaning claimed a 5-2 victory, with Hughes registering one assist that most of the people reading this article are actually and Kakko registering zero points. The long-anticipated meeting between the two rookolder than either of the top-two overall picks. Their age, however, has not deterred either club from in- ies was somewhat anticlimactic, but the teams are slated serting the players into their respective lineups. Both to face each other again three more times, with the next Hughes and Kakko were slotted into their clubs’ open- meeting on Nov. 30. The cross-river rivalry has been rejuing night lineups this October. In 12 games, Hughes venated yet again, and for these young men and the clubs has put up three goals and four assists, while Kakko they play for, the sky’s the limit. has put up three goals and two assists of his own. While there are many similarities between these top-two picks, some crucial differences remain. Physically, Kakko is much more developed than Hughes. His game is more physical, and he prefers to play at the winger position. Standing five inches shorter than Kakko, Hughes plays a more tactical game from the center position and has a superb hockey IQ. Unlike Hughes, who has been playing under the U.S. development team program for several years, Kakko comes from the top league in Finland. There, he has been playing against grown men since he was 16 years old. While the competition in Finland is good, it isn’t comparable to the fast-paced and extremely high skill level of the National Hockey League. Also, the ice surface itself is larger in Europe than in the NHL, forcing Kakko to further adapt his game to fit the North American-sized rinks. The psychological toll of moving to another continent to play a sport at the highest level also cannot be overlooked, especially considering Scott Faytok/ NJ Advance Me that the 18-year-old is learning to speak English in the Hughes (pictured) is widely considered the best talent, Big Apple, a far cry from the small town in Finland he was raised in. but Kakko gives the Rangers plenty of hope as well.
Cover three: Ravens down Patriots at home
In a week where the home team won 11 out of 14 games, the Ravens dismantle the Patriots’ elite defense for a win BY LUKE MARTIN Staff Writer martl19@wfu.edu
“Tom Brady and the Patriots sure must be thankful for the end zone cat” is certainly not a sentence that I predicted would go through my head going into this week. But it is one that is feasible after Monday Night Football featured a house cat making an attempt to run through the end zone at MetLife Stadium, drawing a small amount of attention away from the Patriots’ blowout loss in Baltimore. The Ravens’ win was one of many for home teams in Week 9. As we reach the midway point of the regular season, let’s look at some of Week 9’s big games and preview some of Week 10’s. Week 9 Recap Chiefs 26, Vikings 23 Missing Mahomes, the Chiefs relied on offensive playmakers and steady defensive play to hand the Vikings their third loss of the year. Damien Williams put up 125 yards and a touchdown on the ground, while Tyreek Hill caught six passes from Matt Moore for 140 yards and a score. Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce were also reliable targets for Moore, each hauling in seven catches. Meanwhile, the Vikings struggled to find a spark on offense. Dalvin Cook failed to put up a touchdown for only the second time all season, and while eight receivers caught passes from Kirk Cousins, not one could top 60 receiving yards. This game was a reality check for the Vikings and a confidence-booster for the Chiefs, who expect to see Mahomes back in action some time in the next few weeks. Dolphins 26, Jets 18 There will be no 0-16 team this year, to some Dolphins fans’ delight and to others’ dismay. On Sunday, the Dolphins defeated the Jets to swap places with New York at the bottom of the AFC East. This game was special for two reasons.
One, it was awfully late in the year to produce two one-win teams as a result. Even more unique, this game featured two scores by safeties, one for each team. This is only the 10th time in NFL history that feat has been accomplished (out of roughly 16,000 regular season games played). So, bravo to the Dolphins and Jets! Ravens 37, Patriots 20 “MVP, bro.” That’s what Ravens safety Earl Thomas had to say about his quarterback, Lamar Jackson, after Jackson scored two touchdowns on the ground and added one through the air to beat the Patriots. The Ravens dominated this game from the beginning. Two un-Patriot-like turnovers in the second half allowed the Ravens to pull away, and Lamar and Co. weren’t looking back. The Patriots are still a formidable opponent and likely the favorites to win the AFC. However, the Ravens proved to everyone that they can play with, and even outplay, the big boys.
Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun
Lamar Jackson led the Ravens in a dominant win against the Patriots with three total touchdowns.
Week 10 Preview Panthers at Packers, Sunday 4:25 p.m. Christian McCaffrey has propelled the Panthers back into relevance in the NFC. As the Panthers place Cam Newton on IR, nobody could have predicted they would have a solid substitute in Kyle Allen to complement McCaffrey. Just how legitimate the team’s potential is tested at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Few are expecting the Panthers to win this one, but they simply can’t take another pounding like the 51-13 loss they suffered at the hands of the 49ers. To avoid that, Kyle Allen just has to manage the game and let McCaffrey and the defense do the dirty work. Aaron Rodgers had a below average game by his standards last week, but he’ll likely get back on track at home. This game could be a statement for either team as they fight to secure footing for the playoffs. Vikings at Cowboys, Sunday 8:20 p.m. The Vikings saw a four-game winning streak come to an end last week, but they’ll have no time to dwell on that as they have the opportunity to play another NFC playoff contender this week in the Cowboys. Ezekiel Elliot and Dak Prescott were both looking true to form on Monday night. The Vikings have only given up two 100-yard rushing games to running backs this year, and they’ll need to hold Zeke back if they expect to win in Dallas. Kirk Cousins played well in their loss to the Chiefs, but he may have to account for some more big plays to get past the Cowboys defense. Seahawks at 49ers, Monday 8:15 p.m. In what has become an even bigger NFC matchup than Vikings-Cowboys, the 7-2 Seahawks look to pull off the road upset at the undefeated (8-0) 49ers. The 49ers need to take their close away win at Arizona as a wake-up call if they hope to survive the surging Seahawks, winners of five of their last six games. The NFC West is still up for grabs even though the 49ers are undefeated, and this division will likely claim one of the NFC’s Wildcard spots. With a big game from Jimmy Garoppolo, the Niners could quiet a lot of noise and build themselves some wiggle room for the second half of the season. Don’t expect the moment to be too big for either QB in this one.
Thursday, November 7, 2019 |Page 15
Old Gold & Black | Sports
John Collins receives 25-game suspension The former Wake Forest star failed a drug test after testing positive for GHRP-2 BY REN SCHMITT Print Managing Editor schmwm16@wfu.edu On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Johns Collins, a former Wake Forest basketball star and current Atlanta Hawks forward, was suspended for 25 games without pay after violating the NBA’s drug policy. Collins tested positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (GHRP-2), which increases appetite, but has also been shown to increase growth hormone secretion, according to The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner. “First I want to apologize to my teammates, the Hawks organization, our fans, partners and community as a whole for this situation,” Collins said in a statement to ESPN’s basketball insider Adrian Wojnarowski. “I understand the impact this matter has on what we are trying to achieve together this season, and I am incredibly frustrated and disappointed in myself for putting all of us in this position.” In his statement, Collins went on to say that he did not know precisely how the substance ended up in his body, and he went on to suggest that he perhaps had taken some sort of tainted supplement. He intends to appeal his suspension, a process that could take up to two weeks. He will not permitted to play during the appeals process. Should his appeal fail, Collins suspension will see him lose out on $610,582, per The New York Times. During his 2016-17 season at Wake Forest, Collins established himself as one of the top players in NCAA basketball, averaging 19.2 PPG and 9.8 RPG. He also
led the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010, but the Demon Deacons exited quickly after a 95-88 loss to Kansas State in the First Four. The Atlanta Hawks drafted him with the 19th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, and during his rookie season, he appeared in 74 games and was named to the All-Rookie Team. He entered his sophomore NBA campaign with high expectations on a lackluster Hawks roster, but he delivered, averaging 19.5 PPG and 9.8 RPG, a line reminiscent of his college days. In five games this season, Collins averaged 17 PPG and 8.8 RPG, and he leads the Hawks with 32.2 minutes per game. He figured to be a key part of an exciting, young Hawks roster, which features Trae Young and rookies De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish. Now, the young
Hawks squad likely will be without one of the roster’s more seasoned players for about a third of the season. During Collins’ absence, the Hawks will turn to backup forward Jabari Parker, who performed admirably on short notice Tuesday, posting 19 points and eight rebounds in 32 minutes of playing time. The Hawks may also slot Hunter or the ageless wonder Vince Carter in the power forward position while Collins serves his suspension. Though the NBA season just began a few weeks ago, there have already been three players to receive 25-game suspensions for violating the NBA’s drug policy. John Collins joins Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton and Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler on the ignominious list.
Daniel Carde/The Dallas Morning News/TNS
Wake Forest alum and Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (left) was flagged under the NBA’s drug policy for testing positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2. As a result, Collins will be suspended for 25 games.
Volleyball team loses to Pittsburgh and Virginia The Wake Forest volleyball team struggled against No. 2 Pittsburgh and Virginia over the weekend BY NICK LALLI Staff Writer lalldp18@wfu.edu Wake Forest Volleyball continued its descent down the ACC standings, as two consecutive losses to No. 2 Pittsburgh 23-1 (12-0) and Virginia 10-15 (2-10) dropped the Demon Deacons into last place in the ACC and increased their losing streak to nine matches. Pittsburgh welcomed Wake Forest to the Fitzgerald Field House and promptly showed why they are ranked near the top of the national standings. The Panthers dominated the Demon Deacons across three straight sets on their way to a 25-12, 25-11, 25-20 victory. The first two sets were decided early on as Pitt held respective 10-5 and 11-3 leads before closing each out easily. The Panthers recorded 27 total kills against only seven errors for a remarkable 40% hitting rate while forcing the Deacs to record more errors (12) than kills (10). Wake Forest’s hitting percentage sat at -.04 after two sets. Wake Forest showed some fight in the third set, as they battled evenly with Pitt to a 13-13 tie, surpassing their point totals from the first two sets. A Wake Forest service error followed by two aces from Pittsburgh senior outside hitter Stephanie Williams spearheaded a 4-0 run that turned the tide of the game before the Panthers proceeded to close the game out 25-20. Sophomore middle blocker Olivia Saunders posted six kills for the Demon Deacons and freshman setter Parker Kwiatkowski dished out 14 assists. Williams led Pittsburgh with nine kills and three aces. Wake Forest then traveled to Charlottesville on Sunday seeking a reversal of fortune. The Deacs managed to win the first set, but ultimately lost the match 21-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-11.
They played an aggressive brand of volleyball from the outset, as four kills from three different players gave the Demon Deacons a 7-4 lead. The Cavaliers battled back to tie the game at 15-15 before consecutive kills from Saunders and freshman outside hitter Peyton Suess started a 5-0 run. Wake Forest never relinquished this lead, winning the first game 25-21. The second set continued the competitive play from the first touch, as Virginia held a slim 8-6 lead early. The Cavaliers then ripped off a 7-2 run of their own, tallying four kills in this stretch en route to a 25-16 set victory. Virginia proceeded to play two sets of near perfect volleyball to close
out the match. The Cavaliers hammered home an astonishing 30 kills against only four errors to outscore Wake Forest by a combined tally of 50-30, shutting the book on a potential streak-ending victory for the Deacons. Junior outside hitter Sarah Billiard and freshman outside hitter Jayna Francis recorded 11 kills apiece for Virginia. Suess had another good outing for the Deacons, posting 12 kills of her own. Wake Forest will host two in-state rivals this weekend. First, NC State 9-15 (4-8) will come to Reynolds Gym for a 6 p.m. match on Friday. Wake Forest will then host North Carolina 11-11 (8-4) on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletic Communications
Peyton Suess (left) and Caitlin Clarke (right) led the team in kills (12) and digs (10) respectively in a loss to Virginia. The four-set loss to the Cavaliers marked the team’s ninth straight loss.
LIFE
T H U R S D AY, N O V E M B E R 7 , 2 0 1 9
PAG E 16
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a t : w w w. w f u o g b . c o m e d i t o r : E m i l y B e a u c h a m p , b e a u e a 17 @ w f u . e d u
OLD GOLD & BLACK
The Crucible captivates audience The combination of the cast, set and lighting creates a realistic atmosphere that fully immerses the audience into the story BY RYAN KING Staff Writer kingrm17@wfu.edu
I am drawn to describe the experience of The Crucible, directed by Sharon Andrews, as intense, though I hesitate to do so. On one hand, the nature of its narrative, focused on the chaos of rapidly spreading fear, misinformation, accusation and spite, is grounded in a world in which characters are attempting to understand and control a rapidly unraveling community, and is in that way quite intense. But I do not want to imply that the construction of the show — its staging and performances — are similarly unwieldy in an uncontrolled sense. As I’ve come to expect, each role was honed in a way that gave each character a distinct personality. As basic as that may sound, convincingly becoming another person is a matter of detailed external and internal study that I think was executed particularly well in this production of The Crucible; each character was clearly motivated in a unique way, and to see their personalities mingle and clash was probably my favorite aspect of the show. Though, of course, it wasn’t only the characters that were impressively constructed. The set itself made compelling use of materials and light, the most immediately noticeable one being the dozens of hanging ropes, spaced and aligned intently to designate a ceiling, a wall, a threshold or something more abstract, but always keeping one keenly aware of that which threatens the characters living in that space; a death by hanging looms just the same as those ascending and descending strands.
Photo courtesy of the Facebook of Wake Forest UniversityTheater and Dance
Photo courtesy of the Facebook of Wake Forest UniversityTheater and Dance
Similarly, the use of light was dynamic in implying certain aspects of the setting or atmosphere. It worked with the unconventional backdrop (unconventional in that it didn’t depict any specific scenery, but was rather a dark, irregular surface) to make feelings of despair, fear and love more engrossing and inherently perceptible. I worry that you may not find talk of the specific and technical aspects of the show to be very interesting, but I want to express the wonderful way in which those aspects build upon each other and create one cohesive, engrossing space. I find this show to be a wonderful example of the possibilities of a theatrical production, that which has inherent limitations, namely in regard to space, and how creativity can be such a powerful tool in addressing technical issues as much as artistic ones. It’s interesting to me that so much work is put into such numerous and small parts for the primary purpose of making that effort unnoticeable. And, in fact, the more attention that has been put into the details, and the more control that is produced as a result, the more naturally audience members can find themselves inside the world of the show. I had the opportunity to lend a hand in constructing the set, which only helped make it more clear the amount of work that goes into a show like The Crucible. I learned a new meaning for the word scab; I learned the fault in calling a caster a wheel; I learned how to avoid breaking a drill bit (after learning what breaking one
looks like), and still, the effort I put into helping construct a part the show, while I hope it was valuable, was but a tiny fraction of the total process. This was made abundantly clear when I saw the finished set. The barren, wooden platform I had a small part in building had become a textured, colorful surface: the brick floor upon which the members of the show danced, fought and fell. The four hours I spent drilling was one of the many small steps that went toward creating one of the many aspects that made this show feel positively alive. Being built out of an endless amount of component parts to eventually become a cohesive being made to entertain makes the theatrical production as much a machine as it is an animal. And while there is much to see and appreciate in that foundation that supports the narrative and its performances, I’m not suggesting you focus on that if you chose to see the show (which, of course, I recommend; there are show times for Thursday through Sunday). Yes, value the work, coordination and passion that goes into creating a show like this from the ground up, but don’t let that distract you from that which it is trying to accomplish by doing so. Allow yourself to be lost in The Crucible’s world of fear, anger and love. Hear what the story is saying, let the characters move you, enjoy the drama. Because, that experience you get to live as the viewer, as I’m confident the many people who had a part in producing the show would agree, is the point of it all.
Thursday, November 7, 2019 | Page 17
Life | Old Gold & Black
Movie Review | Rocketman
THE HOT Movie narrates singer’s life LIST Rocketman effectively balances emotion, music and flashiness BY CONNOR MCNEELY Staff Writer mcnecb19@wfu.edu Rocketman is a delightful ballad of Elton John that fulfills expectations by sticking close to the rules. Screenwriter Lee Hall of Billy Elliot shifts reality into feeling. The famous musician’s life is reorganized into thematic stints that soar under the banners of John’s countless hit songs. Although the movie never quite reaches the compelling momentum of the rival Bohemian Rhapsody, the audience can still expect a certain freeness and sheer energy propelled by its jukebox musical status. Director Dexter Fletcher excels and exhibits unmistakable bright spots within the film that seize the focus of anyone watching. The high flying ear-worm “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” is laid out in a brilliant tracking shot that smooths the transition into John’s adult life. The birth of “Your Song” is another formative moment that overcomes apparent fabrication and instills spontaneity within the narrative. Highlights of the film can be found first and foremost in the performances of the cast. Taron Egerton acts his heart out
in this role and communicates the true depth of John’s feeling in each scene and song — in which his tremendous voice exceeds expectations. Jamie Bell (Bernie Taupin) adds in a superb performance and complements Egerton well. Additionally, Richard Madden departs from his previous acting experience and completes a dynamic performance as John’s love interest (John Reid). Only a handful of scenes stick out as strained sore thumbs. Elton John’s 1990 venture to rehab can be seen as a painful and brusque technique. In John’s difficult childhood, his parents are skin-deep and his memories deserving of much more screentime. The placement of “Tiny Dancer” appears unfounded and is lack-
luster in its effect. These moments combine to create an unsettling artificial undertone. The very invention of the name “Elton John” is another one of these disappointing moments. The direction of the story can be seen from a mile away. Still, this does not detract from the enjoyability of the film. While the audience may turn their heads in dismay at John’s downward spiral into addiction and the failure of celebrity, the journey of the central character is entrancing due to the fantastic foundation of the first hour. John’s exploitative relationship with Reid is appropriately staged in that their sex scenes are incisive and far apart. The rebirth of the Taupin songs like “Bennie and the Jets” are a surprising touch that exhibit Fletcher’s creative framing, yet the mention of such good decisions is also harmed by the brevity of said numbers. Rocketman leaves you wanting more music. Especially during “Rocket Man,” played while John sinks to the bottom of his pool. In the end, Rocketman serves as a fresh taste in the cavalcade of biopic movies. The film stays true to the flashiness of Elton John, while anchoring itself in emotion. Although much of the story focuses on what happens around John, the viewer can’t help but dance, laugh and Photo courtesy of imdb.com cry along in his dazzling costumes. Like Rocketman stays true to the Elton John, you have to sing your way flashiness of the real Elton John. through it.
Humor Column | “Have a safe flight?”
Humor: phrase mocks lack of agency “Have a safe flight” is not the best thing to say to someone about to fly BY EVAN DAANE Contributing Writer daanep19@wfu.edu Airplanes bring us incredible convenience, allowing thousands of miles to be covered in mere hours. Of course, something this good comes with plenty of downsides, such as being 30,000 feet (9,144 meters for everyone else) up in the air, a single well-placed bird being able to cause you to crash and constant delays due to overcrowding at airports, but none is worse than people telling you to have a safe flight. I find this very annoying, and so should you. This seemingly harmless phrase mocks any sort of agency you have in the situation. “Have a safe flight?” Yes, I might if I was flying the plane and had any sort of control of the situation, but instead I’m going to sit in this fast metal death tube with nothing to do but read the book I’ve been meaning to read for a while, hope that the person piloting the plane is doing a good job and pray that I’m not on the one Boeing 737 MAX they forgot to recall. Have a safe flight indeed. The worst bit of it is that whoever has just sent you the text thinks they’re doing a great job, being a good friend and show-
ing you that they don’t support your per- gods you forgot to pray to. I personally ishing in fiery sky ball and being blown like “have a nice flight,” which is much to a billion little bits as you’re dragged lighter and more personal, since niceacross a field somewhere in the Midwest. ness is what you make it and perceive it Somehow “have a safe flight” is supposed as. Your plane could crash on an island to alleviate these fears instead of causing and leave you as the only survivor, forcthem to multiply when you think of how ing you to live off oysters and alreadylittle control you have in the current situ- starved seabirds, but as long as you are ation. What becomes worse is when that enjoying the experience, it still counts as thought begins to infect others, such as part of your nice flight. Saying “have a how little control you have in the work- nice flight” can relieve all that pre-and place, how little control you have toward mid-flight anxiety, making it the flyer’s the government, how little control you responsibility to have a good experience, have over your life and by now you’re in and giving them more time to sit down a full-blown existential crisis right as the and read that book they’ve been meaning flight attendant finishes telling you how to finish. to operate the low oxygen masks — oh god, what did she say if the bag doesn’t fill up? Is oxygen even flowing? Who am I supposed to help first, me or the child next to me? And all of a sudden that cross-country convenience isn’t sounding all that good. Now that we’ve identified the problem, how do we fix it? What do we say instead? Let’s explore that. Instead of “have a safe flight” we could say “stay safe,” but that one has the same issues as the last one since safety on a plane is not really determined by you. We could say “be safe in the terminal where you have some control over your safety, then pray to every single god you can think of once Photo courtesy of Travis Olbrich you’re on the plane,” but that one seems too wordy and excludes those who don’t We have no agency over our flight, so have a god and really angers any of the stop telling me to “have a safe flight.”
Top 10 Latin American Dishes By Rafael Lima
Latin American culture is an essential part of the United States. Here are the top 10 Latin American dishes.
1. 3. 5.
Churrasco Feijoada Empanadas Ceviche Tres Leches
Arepas
7. 9.
Quesadillas Açaí Bowl Tacos de Carne Asada Plantain Chips
DRINK OF THE WEEK Pumpkin Pie Martini
Is this a rip-off of a juice shop smootie? Maybe...
• Pumpkin pie liqueur • Whipped cream vodka • Ice Using a cocktail shaker, shake 2 parts pumpkin pie liqueur with 1 part whipped cream vodka and ice. Then strain the mixture into a glass and enjoy. 21+ only
Courtesy of Instrupix
Page 18 | Thursday, November 7, 2019
Old Gold & Black | Life
App Column | Peloton – Guided Workouts
App motivates people to exercise Peloton – Guided Workouts offers a multitude of exercise classes for its users
BY AMANDA GAGE Staff Writer gageak19@wfu.edu If you haven’t heard of the fitness brand Peloton, you are living under a rock. John Foley, CEO and co-founder, developed Peloton in 2012, and since then, the company has released an at-home spinbike, treadmill and my personal favorite: a digital app that provides access to hundreds of fitness classes taught by professional trainers. Peloton – Guided Workouts has truly changed my life and taken my fitness to the next level. When you purchase a bike or treadmill through Peloton, the app is included with your purchase. If you don’t have either of these machines, the app is available for around $20/month. Though it seems expensive, it is truly the investment of a lifetime. Whether you are a spinner, runner, yogi, weight-lifter or just want to sweat a little bit more, the Peloton app is the app for you because it caters to everyone’s needs. By purchasing the app, you get access to a wide variety of fitness classes that are challenging, fun and make you feel like you’re right there in the studio. Regardless of what
level you are, the app offers beginner, intermediate and advanced-level classes, and the instructors always encourage the audience to choose speeds or resistance levels that work for them. I personally love mixing and matching different classes together. One day, I will do a 30-minute HIIT run with Olivia Amato combined with her 20-minute core strength class and a 10-minute post-run stretch to finish. Another day, I will take a 20-minute fun run with Oliver Lee, an additional 10-minute extra mile class with Jess Sims, a 10-minute core with Emma Lovewell and a five-minute toning class with Ally Love. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you can build a workout that is best for you. Before Peloton, I would get tired of my daily exercise routine because I never switched anything up. Because there is always something new on the app, you will never fall into a rut. The best part about Peloton Digital is the community. Their motto is, “together, we go far,” so you always feel like there are people to enourage and to challenge you. Throughout the class, the trainers call out names on the leaderboard to cheer people on, and it reminds you of your strength when you feel like you can’t go any longer. I have found myself running faster and lifting more than I ever thought was possible. Working out can be daunting when you are by yourself be-
Emily Beauchamp/Old Gold & Black
It doesn’t matter what kinds of exercise you enjoy doing; this app offers something for everyone and motivates you to be your best self. cause the average person doesn’t always know what challenges them or what workout style they like best. This app is the answer to all your exercise questions because it makes working out less stressful and more exciting since you come together with like-
minded people. Now, I get excited to go to the gym and take classes with my favorite instructors. With thousands of people streaming the app worldwide, you always have a community to pick you up when you’re down and push you to reach new personal records.
TV Show Review | Queer Eye — Season four
Queer Eye highlights participant’s hardships Season four of Queer Eye captures the struggles of both participants and Fab Five
BY KATE TENDER Staff Writer tendke18@wfu.edu Premiering on July 19, season four of Queer Eye was one of the most emotional and heartfelt yet. The episodes featured many different cultural components that are important to the identities of the people given the make overs, or the “heroes,” as the Fab Five refers to them. The transition from only giving men makeovers in season one has continually shifted to a diverse group of individuals of all genders, races and ethnicities. The Fab Five continually tackles difficult social issues that are prevalent in today’s society through their own experiences and the real-life stories of the people they encounter. This season dived into the personal lives of the Fab Five in more detail than before. In the first episode, the team went to Jonathan Van Ness’ hometown of Quincy, Ill., to makeover his high school music teacher. Van Ness opens up about his struggles during high school, resulting in a bittersweet homecoming. However, he emphasizes the the impact that teach-
ers can have on their students through his continued appreciation for his high school music teacher. One important note that The Atlantic brought up was how the Fab Five started their respective careers through different backgrounds, but Queer Eye has launched them into fame. Now, they are more considered celebrities, and the show puts an effort to not overshadow the real-life people they are assisting.
In addition, the show allows individuals to express their identities in a genuine way. These are real-life people, and while some of the tactics employed by Karamo Brown, the culture expert, can seem staged and awkward, the struggles these people are facing are real. For this season, these struggles include discrimination of sexual orientation, PTSD, racial heritage and ethnic culture. One
episode focuses on a Chicana woman who struggles to find the balance between her Mexican heritage and white community, which has inspired her to be promote local art relating to her identity. Self-love and acceptance are integral themes to the show. In one episode, the Fab Five helps make over a veteran who has difficulties facing his vulnerability, which has impacted his family. In another, the Fab Five meets a man who became paralyzed after being involved in a shooting, which completely changed his life. However, the important takeaway from these people is that despite their struggles, they are resilient. Many times, they are able to use their hardships to create better versions of themselves or help others who might be going through a similar situation. While it is still a TV show, and these changes don’t happen overnight, it’s important to recognize the importance of this message. In addition to the social importance of a show such as Queer Eye, it is thoroughly entertaining. If you’re looking for a show to binge-watch, something heartwarming or a lovable group of guys to laugh about, I’d recommend this show wholeheartedly. On Nov. 1, Queer Eye Photo courtesy of imdb.com came out with a new installation of their Season four does a deep dive into the histories of the Fab Five members. In series in which they visit Japan, which is one episode, the viewers are brought into the heart of Van Ness’ hometown. also worth checking out.
Life | Old Gold & Black
Thursday, November 7, 2019 | Page 19
Willem Dafoe cracks up in new film Robert Eggers’s new film, The Lighthouse, creates as much maddening monotony as a film can, but Dafoe’s incantatory performance provides consistent light BY KYLE FERRER Opinion Editor ferrka16@wfu.edu
One wonders what’s a-swirl in director Robert Eggers’ head. Do his monstrously imaginative thoughts tear at each other until they pare down into some grisly vision? If ever the creative collateral of Eggers and his psychedelic coeval, dread expert Ari Aster, combine into a feature film, it would consist of countless, immersive hours of hypnotic debasement. The film would dip audiences in and out of aesthetic oblivion, flashing visually awesome environments in numbing succession. It would be a dialectical acid trip, but one questions if the mind, and subsequent body, could handle it. Coppola famously said he wanted Apocalypse Now to be a film synonymous with Vietnam, one that visualized its sensory substance and immersed the viewer in the hallucinatory chaos of the moment. Rather than a film about Vietnam, Coppola wanted his film to be Vietnam. Robert Eggers’ films feel similar, their ostensible subjects disappearing within a world of immediate feeling. The subjects thus far have been bleak portraits of our once-nascent nation, first imbuing our Puritan ethos with graphic magic, and now mystifying the grim existence of those who man our shores. The Lighthouse, Eggers’ new film, lives in the slightly slicker world of coastal New England, instead of its forested interior, and infests its subject with both banality and horror. But the new film feels even more like Eggers’ creative warzone, where he lobs entropic cocktails across the electric field of our deep unconscious, less to scare us, and more to make us gawk. The premise is simple. Two lighthouse caretakers, one a novice named Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson), the other a craggy creature named Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe), maintain the fa-
Photo courtesy of imdb.com
Photo courtesy of imdb.com
cilities of a lighthouse on a New England island, sometime in the 1890s. The surf is rough, the wind bellows and the work is rank. Seagulls house the souls of dead sailors (you shouldn’t kill one, lest the rest come after you), and the lighthouse offers an eerie tune, a kind of air-raid siren dragged up against the inside of your skull. There’s not a glint of hope in The Lighthouse, and the washed-out, black-and-white photography, at times, lets rain plow through the frame with such aching force it’s hard to tell the elements from altered film stock. At other moments, the sea air sucks so sharply on the two actors’ faces that their features appear as Roman Veristic sculpture. We squint and then relax, in states of concentration and trance. The Lighthouse tricks us, though, in its first thirty minutes, with the high-contrast, workaday slog shot as if the film is simply an unearthed documentary. Though the lighthouse looks destined to cramp its occupants into madness, the initial picture presents extremely stylized ennui, the kind of wordless experiment meant to evoke more Ken Loach than Edgar Allen Poe. I’m even tempted to say that breed of social realism, with Eggers’s talent for steely dread, could have worked. But alas, we have a much different film. We soon plunge into a set-list alternating between febrile hallucinations and drunken reconciliations, a pendular, stake-raising back-and-forth slowly rotting toward its psychological expiration date. Dafoe resembles an abandoned Shakespearean character, one the playwright decided to cast off into obscurity, left to transform his complex conception into a histrionic love of a light and task-mastering. “The light belongs to me,” he says multiple times, like he’s Prometheus guarding his flame, or monopolizing some source of divine nourishment. He’s a real lighthouse Lear-type, philosophizing about man and the elements, mixing sincerity and metaphysics in jarring semi-coherence. Dafoe’s Wake is more pathetic in station than Lear though, “wedded to the night,” after his wife divorced him (out of 14 Christmases, he missed 13, though he did make it back for one). Soaked in the kind of brain-fevers that make space for delusional speeches, Dafoe enhances the character’s beveled face through his native facial can-
yons, which seem to have let the entire history of mankind run through them. It’s easy to see why Julian Schnabel, Lars Von Trier, et. al. trusted Dafoe with their most complex creations in At Eternity’s Gate and in the (very difficult) Antichrist. His face alone, a mountainous terrain of slopes and plateaus (perfect for camping), gives us a complex performance all by itself, not to mention his delivery, which is instantly intense and serrated with gravitas. He is a most coveted actor, and for good reason. When Pattinson finally has had enough of Dafoe’s cranky sooth-saying (and out-acting), he shouts at him to stop all his “Captain Ahab bullshit,” calling him a “parody.” Fair enough, but even if we were thinking it too, subconsciously, we would never dare reproach Dafoe’s commitment. Pattinson himself is admirable in his effort to devolve from a hard-working shit-shoveler to a bare, maniacal impulse, doing his best Altered States impression. But his beauty is potent and never quite sinks into ghoulishness the way William Hurt did in Altered States. Most of the formal aspects of The Lighthouse are integrated quickly into Eggers’ world — perhaps a nod to the first-class artists involved, since the best style is one wholly unnoticed and unconsciously assimilated — or a slight toward the immediate bleak-house overload that can lead to desensitization. The score, too, is salient only as we acknowledge its competent contributions. The real triumph of The Lighthouse is the acting, and everyone knows it. Dafoe speaks in crackling verse, commiserating with the elements themselves, absorbing their motion and morphing it into obscure vituperations (or mystic drivel). Roland Barthes would have loved Dafoe, I think, because his performance, like any great Shakespearean, is nothing if not pleasurably embodied. Here’s Barthes, from The Pleasure of the Text, in a description that, for our sake, illumines Dafoe’s performance as “the language lined with flesh … where we can hear the grain of the throat, the patina of consonants, and the voluptuousness of vowels, a whole carnal stereophony.” Go see The Lighthouse, if only to see the exhibition, while it’s in town. You’ll even see it crack — into a million brilliant pieces.
Page 20 | Thursday, November 7, 2019
Old Gold & Black | Life
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