PRISM Fall 2018 Issue 3

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December 10, 2018

Welcome to PRISM EDITED BY Sarah Molano prism@bupipedream.com

Gaby Trinidad gtrinid1@binghamton.edu

ASSISTANT EDITOR Tykeem Banini tbanini1@binghamton.edu

DESIGNED BY Cory Bremer design@bupipedream.com

Atsuyo Shimizu ashimiz2@binghamton.edu

DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR Daquan Taylor dtaylor6@binghamton.edu

PHOTOS EDITED BY Joel Velasco jvelasc2@binghamton.edu

Theo Mason tmason1@binghamton.edu

COORDINATED WITH Andy Jean-Baptiste vpma@binghamtonsa.org

COVER PHOTO BY JOEL VELASCO JESSICA SUMMARS ZEANETTA ROGERS

PRISM is published monthly during the fall and spring semesters, except during finals weeks and academic breaks.

The content of PRISM represents the opinions of its authors, and not necessarily the views of Pipe Dream.

Letter from the Editor SARAH MOLANO Happy — or maybe not so happy — finals week, everyone! I don’t know about you, but the semester flew by extremely quickly for me. Because the semester is coming to a close, this issue of PRISM is the last before we all head back home for a much-needed break. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for sticking with PRISM throughout what was an extremely tough semester for a lot of us.

Because this PRISM serves as both the November and December issue, we start off by commemorating Black Solidarity Day, which fell on Nov. 5 this year. PRISM Photo Co-Editor Romel Adams discusses the 1969 creation and history of Black Solidarity Day and its sustained importance today.

In case you’re looking for entertainment recommendations for the break, PRISM’s got you covered with a couple of reviews. First, we take a look at “Helium,” Rudy Francisco’s book of poetry. Francisco is already a successful spoken-work poet, and he effectively tackles a variety of subjects ranging from love and heartbreak to today’s political climate. There really is something for everyone. We then examine Mick Jenkins’ newest album, “Pieces of a Man.” Borrowing its name from a Gil Scott-Heron album, the rap record is surprisingly vulnerable. Like “Helium,” Jenkins’ album is exceedingly versatile, ensuring that listeners are bound to find a song that resonates.

Of course, it would not be PRISM if we didn’t have a fashion spread. You all know how unpredictable Binghamton weather is, and this issue’s spread reflects the struggle we all face when we’re stuck in that fall/winter purgatory.

Moving on, transport yourself back to the spring semester with writer Stella Huang’s recollection of her spring semester abroad in Suzhou, China. Huang details the life-changing experience and urges other students to study abroad if given the opportunity.

We also shine a light on the Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program’s (JUMP Nation) recent Leadership Conference, in which high school students came to Binghamton University and were exposed to the benefits of pursuing higher education. Members of JUMP Nation aim to inspire the younger generation by creating a support network of mentors and peers.

Wrapping up the issue are a series of columns from your editor and assistant editor, respectively. I discuss my opposition to Amazon’s decision to open its second headquarters in Long Island City, Queens, specifically considering the probable effects on minority communities that currently reside there. Assistant Editor Tykeem Banini draws attention to the concept of clout chasing and how it can have real consequences, as evidenced by Tekashi 6ix9ine.

The holiday season is upon us, and I hope you all have a break full of warmth and love. But I also want to recognize that the holidays, and the winter in general, can be a tough time for some for a variety of reasons, and I want you to acknowledge this, too. Don’t forget to reach out to your friends while you’re apart. We’re all stronger when we’re connected. With that said, happy holidays to you all! We’ll see you next year!

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Recognizing Black Solidarity Day Celebration emphasizes importance of community connections

ROMEL ADAMS Black Solidarity Day is a memorial day created in 1969 by Carlos E. Russell, a Black Panamanian-born Brooklyn activist who died in July 2018.

He was a professor and chair of field studies at SUNY Old Westbury, director of international and urban affairs at Medgar Evers College and dean of contemporary studies at Brooklyn College, among other contributions.

Russell was inspired by Douglas Turner Ward’s play, “Day of Absence,” where the entire Black population in a small southern town disappears one

day, crippling their society and sending the town into chaos. This is due to the fact that, during the time period in which the play is based, Black people were subjected to occupational segregation and were only allowed to hold positions in menial lines of work, which were essentially at the framework of their society.

In this admiration, Russell created Black Solidarity Day as a means of recognizing and showcasing the economic power of the Black peoples.

Held annually on the Monday before Election Day, Black Solidarity Day encourages those affected by the African diaspora to abstain from participating in any commercial activity as a means of highlighting not only our economic power, but also to shine light on racial inequalities and the wealth gap between the wealthiest people within

our nation and those stuck in the cycle of poverty.

Here at Binghamton University, the focus was less on the economic power held within the Black community, but more so on the sociopolitical power the community holds. As the flags lined the Spine with the names of about 400 Black people killed by police and or in police custody over the past few years, Kelly Clark, director of the Q Center, spoke on these killings, putting particular emphasis on not only the details of their passings, but on their inability to cast a vote, repeating: “They can’t vote tomorrow, but you can.”

At the Black Student Union’s Black Solidarity Day Festival on Nov. 5, the theme of unity was apparent due to not only the presence of all the Black organizations on campus, but

also the responses given to the question, “Why is Black Solidarity Day important? And why is it important for those affected by the diaspora to unify?” Most answers were geared toward unification for political fortification. In our unification, we are able to acknowledge and address the different needs of individual groups within our community.

Nichelae McFarlane, a junior majoring in political science, weighed in: “We don’t really have that connection with each other — we need to stand in solidarity with each other so that we can have progress.”

If we come together, we will be able to bring about the change necessary to end the cycle of marginalization, discrimination and the criminalization of our blackness, which have cost us many lives.

ROMEL ADAMS Black flags with the names of Black individuals killed by police or in police custody lined the Spine on Nov. 5 in recognition of Black Solidarity Day.

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Francisco’s ‘Helium’ rises to the top Spoken-word poet debuts first written collection ANASTASIA FIGUERA “Helium” is the debut poetry collection written by Rudy Francisco, who is one of the most recognizable names in the world of spoken-word poetry. As the summary of “Helium” suggests, it’s filled with work that is simultaneously personal and political, blending love poems, self-reflection and biting cultural critique on class, race and gender into an unforgettable whole. Francisco, at the age of 21, completed his Bachelor of Arts in psychology and continued his education by pursuing a Master of Arts in organizational studies. Using his platform to continue to discuss harsh topics, his poems and quotes have been viewed and shared millions of times as he continues to tour both the country and the world to perform his work.

As with Francisco’s previous work, “Helium” is impactful and quite lasting in its strong imagery, words and message. In the collection of 58 poems, he uses metaphors and comparisons in order to make the message relatable and to bring difficult discussions to the forefront.

Just like Francisco’s spoken-word performances, his collection allows for reflection and understanding on past events, even ones that we may be unfamiliar with. Francisco releases a concerto of words that fit together perfectly in such an artistic and bright way while conveying the darkest of topics in today’s society and our own psyches. He also includes some interesting facts among the imagery in order to tie it back into a reality that isn’t just emotion, but science, statistics and daily news.

From the very first poem in the collection, “Water,” Francisco opens up by writing the poem that alludes to a fear of water, likening the water to jaws of a liquid beast. He also sets the stage to his own self-awareness, and in doing so, gives us an open door into himself and his own self-proclaimed shortcomings and flaws. If anything, it makes him more realistic as a poet and storyteller by also making him one of us.

He features other poems that are about himself and his own self-reflection such as “My Honest Poem,” “Sip” and “Chameleon,” among others. In all of them, he features a short anecdote from his past or a regular daily activity.

Throughout his poems, the imagery is heavy and displays, in a point of camaraderie, that he’s not perfect and is currently working on himself.

“I am not a love poet,” Francisco says. “Every time I try to write about love my hands cramp.” Despite his claim, his ability to write both love poems and poems of heartbreak is astonishing. In his poem “Correctly,” the last line of the paragraph-long piece is, “I promise I will love you as if it’s the only thing I’ve ever done correctly.” In “To the Girl Who Works at Starbucks, Down the Street from My House on Del Mar Heights Road, I Swear to God I’m Not a Stalker,” he continues his loveinspired poetry.

No stranger to heartbreak, Francisco features two poems of heartbreak that have gone viral on social media: “Scars” and “To the Random Dude Who started Dating My Ex-Girlfriend Two Days After We Broke Up (Yes, I Read That on Facebook),” which he has countlessly performed both separately and as a combined poem. Both poems feature a count from one to 10 in which he goes through the emotions and what he’s feeling post-heartbreak with someone he loved.

Political, racial and societal issues are also addressed in his poetry collection. He has poems that discuss the political climate of our nation. He speaks heavily on being a black man in America in our current state and how sometimes it’s easy to see himself dying over minuscule things merely because of his skin and the assumptions of others. In “Skin II” he writes, “your skin is that one friend who meets everyone before you do,” and expresses similar sentiment in other poems. He also discusses the global climate dealing with clean air in the poem “Trees” and discusses the depletion of water in “Roulette.”

He continues to discuss what it’s like

HELIUM BY RUDY FRANCISCO Published Nov. 28, 2017 to grow up learning how to be a man, whether what he was taught was right or wrong and its influence on some of his shortcomings in his treatment of women, hypermasculinity and learning how to be emotional.

While those are the heavier topics of his poetry collection and sometimes are tough pills to swallow, he also writes motivational poems in which he tries to uplift others through their hardships and to help them understand that, eventually, there is a better to-

morrow. Overall, this poetry collection provides discourse on a range of topics — happy, sad and indifferent. The range of emotions is not a rollercoaster, but a simple progression akin to life.

Through his range and literary reflection, he provides an outlet for himself and comfort to others who find his writing relatable. Francisco tries to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and if it’s not there, he encourages both himself and his audience to create the light for themselves.

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Mick Jenkins gets personal New album pays homage to the ‘godfather of rap‘

MALACHI MITCHELL In the current rap climate, Mick Jenkins came in as somewhat of a dark horse. Often deep and philosophical, Jayson Mick Jenkins is every lyrical hip-hop fan’s dream. His layered metaphors and clever wordplay, along with his deep and brooding voice, grab the listener’s attention, but it’s his messages that keep them there. On his second album, “Pieces of a Man,” which was released on Oct. 26, his appeal is in full effect. Using the title from poet Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 debut studio album, Jenkins wants to show the pieces that make up the artist he is.

It’s quite fitting that Jenkins named his album the same title as that of a poet because his rapping reads more like poetry than bars.

Heron has had a massive influence on hip-hop, referred to by many as “the godfather of rap.” Jenkins hails from Chicago and broke out around the same time as other rising Chicago artists such as Chance the Rapper, Noname and Saba, who are all a part of the recent wave of poetic, socially aware hip-hop in Chicago. On his last album, “The Healing Component,” Jenkins wanted to share the message of self-love and spreading love.

On his tape that garnered recognition in the rap scene, “The Water[s],” Jenkins takes on multiple topics, but has the central theme of water and its therapeutic and healing qualities.

This time, Jenkins has even more on his mind.

Jenkins covers many topics that relate to himself and society throughout this new album. On “Consensual Seduction,” Jenkins raps about the joys of having consensual sex, a timely and very interesting viewpoint for a rap song, especially in the wake of

the #MeToo movement. “Never have to force facts, the vibe in the room as thick as a short stack / Still I don’t make a move until shorty endorse that,” Jenkins raps. He talks about religion (also a point of focus in his last album) as well in “Grace & Mercy,” where he thanks God for the blessings that were given to him: “Wake up thanking God for these brand new mercys / On my knees, said a prayer caught a blessing.”

A highlight on the album is the song “Ghost,” where he spends most of the track rapping about never really going out and being focused on

his craft. “You never really see me out / I be on the road / Or I be in the crib / When I’m not on the road I’m workin’ on my penmanship,” Jenkins raps on the hook. The song (and most of the album) is backed by beautiful jazz production. The album does take some detours from that sound, like on the Kaytranada-produced “Understood,” where Jenkins shows off his rapping ability over a smooth, breezy, laid-back beat. Another highlight is “Gwendolynn’s Apprehension” (based off a poem by another black poet, Gwendolynn Brooks), where Jenkins spits over a bouncy, bubbly, dream-

like beat.

Mick Jenkins’ last album seemed to be focused on the world around him and how we love each other (or don’t), whereas this album feels more personal. Even the moments where he may make a statement about society, it’s anchored through an experience he’s had/having, such as the aforementioned song about consensual sex. On “Pieces of a Man,” Jenkins takes a deep look inside and creates one of his most well-rounded and cohesive projects in a while. I’d give it an 8/10, definitely worth a listen. You can find it on all streaming platforms.

PIECES OF A MAN Mick Jenkins released sophomore album on Oct. 26, 2018.

1. DESCRIBE YOUR FALL/WINTER STYLE

2. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT Y

3. WHAT OR WHO WOULD YOU SAY IS Y YOU WEAR?

4. WHAT STYLE TIPS WOULD YOU HAVE THEIR OWN STYLE?

MIKE CALABRO FIRST-YEAR MBA STUDENT

JOHAN FERRERAS SENIOR, COMPUTER SCIENCE

COURTNEY MITCHELL SENIOR, COMPUTER SCIENCE

1. Calm 2. I just like incorporating my creativity into how I dress and present myself. Especially in winter, since you have more layers to play around with.

3. My friends, definitely. We all like to experiment with different looks or combinations. We get new ideas and learn from each other, which is dope.

4. Don’t be afraid to be bold or different. The most important part of pulling off a wavy fit is being confident.

1. Chic 2. My versatility. Because of the variety of my wardrobe I can switch between styles and mix them up as I please.

3. My mood. Most days I wake up and try to express how I feel through my clothing, but other days I try to influence my mood with my clothing instead. If I feel down or stressed often times I would dress up in hopes of improving my mood.

4. If you see that one shirt that you like but you feel like people might think it’s a little weird, go ahead and get it.

Figure out how to rock it.

1. Cozy 2. Most of the clothes that make up my style are thrifted and compliment various colors.

3. Andre 3000 4. Just be yourself and don’t be afraid or hesitant to wear what you want. Also definitely always try to be comfortable.

PHOTOS BY JOEL VELASCO & THEO MASON

E IN ONE WORD?

YOUR STYLE?

YOUR DAY TO DAY INFLUENCE ON WHAT

E FOR ANYONE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT

CHIEDO ONYEUKWU JUNIOR, BIOLOGY

IAN FERNANDEZ FRESHMAN, UNDECLARED

1. Unique 1. Unique 2. My style is versatile, but also very comfortable.

2. I had always struggled with having a low self-esteem. I 3. My older brother (hand-me-downs) realized that I am in control of how I view myself. I found 4. Just be yourself and your style will come. Also, no matter refuge in my choice of clothing, and ever since, I was what you wear make sure you wear it confidently. able to enjoy the confidence that I draw from it.

3. There isn’t a specific thing or person that influences my day to day fashion choices. As long as I look good, I will certainly feel good.

4. A good place to start, is by picking clothes that you see yourself wearing, basically anything that brings out the confidence in you.

ANGEL REYES SENIOR, ACCOUNTING 1. Bozy 2. How versatile I can be when deciding my fits my day to day influences consist of my mood, the weather, and specific instagram stylists 3. I would say to go out of your way and try different styles you’ve never thought of wearing. Usually we aren’t aware because we’ve never put thought into it or actually fitted 4. some clothing. Expand your mind and allow yourself to see past your own limits.

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Studying abroad offers new perspectives Reflecting on a semester in Suzhou, China STELLA HUANG Hi! I’m Stella Huang, a junior majoring in Chinese studies and a Pipe Dream PRISM contributor.

Last semester, I spent six months abroad in China studying Mandarin and came back in August feeling as though the world as I knew it had changed completely (in the best way, of course). As the fall semester draws to a close, I’d like to look back on the memorable moments of this year and write an article dedicated to my time studying abroad in China.

In the spring of 2018, I traveled to Suzhou, China to spend a semester at Soochow University as a Binghamton University exchange student. Suzhou is a second-tier city located half an hour away from Shanghai, one of the biggest metropolitan centers in the world, by the high-speed rail. A beautiful and fastgrowing city, Suzhou retains the charm of old China and also offers the convenience of a modernized city. It’s a city famous for its water towns, cultural sites from an era long past and its gardens, which are considered UNESCO World Heritage sites. People from all over China and the world come to Suzhou to visit places like Pingjiang Road and the Humble Administrator’s Garden. There’s a famous saying in China that goes: “In the sky, there’s heaven. On Earth, there’s Suzhou and Hangzhou.” A place where the old lives in harmony with the new, Suzhou truly is one of the world’s most beautiful and unique cities.

Soochow University, whose main campus (one of seven) is located in the heart of Downtown Suzhou, is one of the nation’s top universities.

Students from all over the country come there to study at its nationally ranked Business School, Law School, Medical School and English School, among others. International students, too, have their own school, located on Main Campus in a beautiful, newly renovated three-story

PHOTOS BY STELLA HUANG building. Strategically located near the cluster of Humanities Buildings on the Main Campus, where the Foreign Languages School is also situated, the International Students Building is a social hub that not only brings students from all over the world to one place, but also allows them to meet native speakers majoring in foreign languages.

Besides the many student-run activities available on campus, the city itself is a place where it’s impossible to be bored. Suzhou Center Mall, which recently opened in 2017, was awarded “Best New Shopping Centre” at the 2018 MAPIC Awards, which recognizes “innovation and creativity in the retail real estate industry.” With an indoor skating rink, Imax cinema, arcade, food court and both Western and Asian clothing stores located across a stunning 300,000 square meters, Suzhou Center Mall proves that its award is well-deserved. Besides the mall, there are places like Jinji Lake, a public park that provides an excellent view of the skyline and Guanqian Street, a traditional-style shopping street full of street food stalls, clothing stores and ancient temples.

In fact, just outside the North Gate of Soochow University is the Xiang-

men Metro Station, which provides an extremely convenient mode of transportation to just about any part of the city. And if on the off-chance you are bored, or just want to experience more of Chinese culture, Shanghai and other cities are just a high-speed train ride way.

Studying at Soochow University was an amazing experience, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I was able to experience a different culture, meet people from all over the world, and step outside my comfort zone and learn more about things foreign to me. I realized that the world was much bigger than I initially thought, much more diverse than one can comprehend, and so rich with culture that a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to really see and understand the world we live in. It was a truly enriching experience, and I can definitely say that spending time abroad has impacted me in so many positive ways. I met many kind, generous, talented people and I’m so grateful to be able to consider them lifelong friends. The language immersion component of the program also allowed me to improve my Mandarin skills quickly and gain firsthand knowledge on how Mandarin is really spoken by native speak-

ers. This real-life experience, along with classroom and textbook learning, proved to be invaluable in the language-learning process.

I’d say, looking back now, that my life has been divided by this one singular experience into two parts: pre-China and post-China. Everything before my trip is a blur, and everything afterward pales in comparison. I truly feel as though my life would have suffered in comparison if I hadn’t had this experience, and for that, I’m so incredibly grateful to have been able to study abroad. As our world continues to

globalize, cultural understanding becomes increasingly important, not just for our individual benefits as human beings, but also for the benefit of the world we live in today.

There is truth in the quote: “Knowledge is power.” Cultural knowledge benefits all.

Therefore, I encourage everyone to step outside your comfort zones and travel abroad. Whether for a semester, a year or even a couple of weeks, studying abroad will change your life. There are so many wonderful experiences waiting for you, and so many opportunities available to you. Go for it!

I’m so thankful to all the wonderful staff at the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives who introduced me to this program and who work hard to give BU students the best opportunities possible. I would also like to specifically thank Allison Nyamuame, an Education Abroad adviser, and Chenqing Song, the program organizer and an associate professor of Asian and Asian American studies.

Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible. Finally, I would like to thank the committee members of the Dr. Israel J. Rosefsky Language and Culture Scholarship, who also helped make my semester abroad possible. Thank you so much!

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JUMP Nation mentors local students Leadership Conference exposes youth to college experiences

CHRISTIAN CUATLATL The Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program, also known as JUMP Nation, aims to help students strive for higher education.

Throughout the academic year, the Binghamton University community is presented with general body meetings to have discussions on topics that oftentimes are not spoken about. In the end of these general body meetings, the facilitator(s) connect the topic to JUMP Weekend. This weekend will take place in the spring semester and is a 4-day, all expenses-paid experience that engages high school students and encourages them to attend higher education institutions.

On Nov. 17, JUMP Nation had its annual Leadership Conference, which serves as a prelude to JUMP Weekend. It is a day full of informative and engaging events.

This busy but rewarding day began at 10 a.m. once the high school students arrived from New York City. They were immediately greeted by the enthusiastic executive board, who would guide these students through a planned day of productivity — a day these students will not forget. Once settled in, a free breakfast followed and was made possible by a donation from IHOP, which sponsored the meal. Next, the students prepared to engage in forums meant to educate them about life as a minority in a higher-level institution like BU. This was followed with a University campus tour to get them familiar with a college campus, as many of these students were already beginning to weigh their college options.

ANASTASIA FIGUERA High School students attend the Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program annual leadership conference, where they experience a day in college.

After the students got a sense of the gloomy weather that came with attending the “premier public Ivy,” they were exposed to Student Association-chartered organizations. Groups such as Bert Mitchell Minority Management Organization and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers were present to speak about the importance of minority representation in these professional fields.

Students learned about these organization and how they are able to impact the Binghamton community. In addition, organizations that specialize in the art of dance were also present to show these students that one can find their place within this school.

The Greek Stroll Show and

Panel was the last stop for the day. Greek organizations from different councils including the Latino Greek Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek and Fraternal Council showed the students what minority Greek life is about. The high school students not only cheered, but were also enthusiastic to ask questions regarding this event, as it served to help students understand the significance of wearing Greekaffiliated letters around campus.

Because many of these students have only been exposed to Greek life through movies and media, they were able to see for themselves the fallacies regarding these films and learn the truth

about minority Greek organizations here at BU. This was meant to expand their knowledge about Greek life and what it means to be a part of a social organization at the University.

Matthew Vizcaino, the co-fundraising chair for JUMP Nation and a junior majoring in economics, said that throughout his time in the organization, he has been able to help students become more engaged with their academics and has emphasized the importance of education among them. Through the Leadership Conference, Vizcaino was able to speak to students about his time at BU and served as an inspiration, as many of the high school students hope to reach a higher-

level institution. Vizcaino, as well as the other JUMP Nation EBoard members, gave up their entire Saturday to help execute this successful event that was planned months in advance. Through this ability to help students, many eboard members create relationships with these students and impact their lives drastically, while also building relationships with other JUMP Nation members.

“When joining an organization at Binghamton University, I sought to stand by the message of the organization, but one thing that has motivated me to continue to be a part of JUMP is the relationship I have with those on the executive board,” Vizcaino said. “They are more like family.”

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Amazon is not welcome in Queens The company will cause long-lasting damage to Long Island City

SARAH MOLANO Amazon is officially coming to Queens. Great. Now what?

If you haven’t heard the news, the company announced that it will be splitting its second headquarters, known as HQ2, between Long Island City in Queens, New York and Arlington, Virginia. The move will allegedly bring at least 25,000 new jobs to both cities.

In exchange, New York promised Amazon upward of $1.5 billion in tax incentives as well as used SUNY and CUNY students as leverage in the deal, for we provide “an unrivaled talent pool for Amazon.”

Proponents of the New York deal boast that Amazon will help revitalize the industrial Long Island City. But at what cost?

It goes without saying that revitalization is code for gentrification. The most recent Long Island City census shows that 25.9 percent of the population is African American and 40.5 percent is Hispanic or Latino. More significant, though, is the prospective location of HQ2. Amazon will build its headquarters in close proximity to Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing development in North America. Just think about that: Amazon, owned

by Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world, is planting its new headquarters literal city blocks away from an immense complex that houses thousands of lowincome, predominantly black and Hispanic or Latino people. This is not even addressing the more than 60,000 homeless families in New York City. Amazon’s arrival in Queens will undoubtedly exacerbate the already existing disparity

in the city.

This is bad enough, but we must also consider that Long Island City has already been undergoing gentrification in recent years, particularly due to a 2001 rezoning of the area that made way for increased office space, stores and residential high-rise buildings. If you grew up in or around Queens like me, you’ve likely seen the bustling construction on your 7 train commute between Queens and Manhattan. As such, these luxury developments have already attracted more well-off individuals while rents in Long Island City continue to steadily rise. Moreover, as soon as Amazon announced its HQ2 plans, searches for homes in Long Island City reportedly spiked dramatically on the real estate site StreetEasy. This is concerning. Already, if you walk through the area,

the inequality is extremely blatant: Shiny, new high-rise buildings are juxtaposed against Queensbridge Houses and The Floating Hospital, a nonprofit hospital that provides medical care to homeless and lowincome people. How much worse will the problem get?

To get a glimpse at how this project will play out, we can look to Amazon’s imprint on Seattle, Washington, where its main headquarters is located. Though we cannot assume that the circumstances and effects will be identical, some aspects can inform our predictions of Amazon’s impact on Long Island City. In particular, though Seattle has the third largest homeless population in the country, the city’s median rent increased three times as much as the U.S. average over the past 10 years. Likewise, as buildings were

constructed to support Seattle’s burgeoning population, the majority of them have rents that are 40 percent more expensive than those of older buildings. These housing trends are cause for concern when considering the conditions of Long Island City I’ve previously mentioned.

We should also draw attention to how a corporation like Amazon impacts a community outside of just housing prices. Business Insider writer Harrison Jacobs described walking through Seattle’s ‘Amazonia’ area: “There is a strange vibe that Amazon controls everything. Amazon security guards questioned [a] photojournalist about what she was doing — on public property. Shortly after, the guard began filming me, saying Amazon documents all media personnel. I hadn’t identified

myself as a reporter.” This sort of hypersurveillance on public property should be a red flag, especially bearing in mind that Long Island City is largely composed of racial minorities. This is on top of the fact that Amazon offered Immigration and Customs Enforcement its facial-recognition software to help the agency identify immigrants.

Amazon has more than its fair share of problems that I have not even delved into. For now, though, the focus must be on the incoming massive transformation of Long Island City and its surrounding areas. Black and brown people will undoubtedly bear the brunt of Amazon’s HQ2, building upon the already existing inequalities in the city. We don’t fully know what will happen to Queens, but we must stay cognizant, for the effects will surely be felt for decades to come.

JONATHAN SPERLING VIA QUEENS EAGLE Anti-Amazon rally at proposed new location in Long Island City, Queens.

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We shouldn’t support Tekashi 69 Rapper portrays gangster image for musical fame

TYKEEM BANINI Recently, Brooklyn rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine was arrested and is now facing federal charges of racketeering.

He could also face life in prison.

Racketeering is a part of a bigger charge of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO). RICO is organized crime and encompasses a variety of other crimes within one charge. Some crimes included within RICO is kidnapping, homicide, extortion, and witness tampering.

RICO as a charge was established to target the mafia’s criminal tendencies. Unlike the mafia, the one thing sadly involved in Tekashi 6ix9ine’s operations is clout chasing. A clout chaser could be defined as someone who associates themselves with certain people to gain popularity.

Now, while I will say I have consumed 6ix9ine’s work and find some of his music to be really good at getting me through my weekly workouts, as far as the actual substance of his work, there is none. And sure, people can make the argument that not all hip-hop has to have substance — that some music is just for fun and should be treated as such — what those same people forget is that 6ix9ine uses the same voice inflections and even steals flows from other rappers. How could the “King of New York” be someone whose identity as an artist is someone who screams the way other people rhyme?

Besides being known for having multiple charges within the legal system and screaming on all of his songs, 6ix9ine is also known for accusing people of clout chasing. With all of the beefs he has had with other hip-hop artists and personalities, such as YG and Ebro Darden, at the root of them is clout chasing. 6ix-

JEFFERSON SIEGAL VIA NY DAILY NEWS Tekashi 69 is facing a minimum sentence of 32 years of prison following charges of raketeering.

9ine feels that the reason many of those people made negative comments about his career is that they don’t like that he is succeeding, and that they envy him. And while that could be the truth for most of these situations, one undeniable realization about 6ix9ine’s story is that in reality, he might be the biggest clout chaser in hip-hop currently.

As stated earlier, 6ix9ine has compiled numerous charges, with his racketeering charge offering him the greatest number of years possible in prison. There is no proof currently that he has played a part in any of the operations by the Nine Tr3y Gangsters, but what drew 6ix9ine into this case was his affiliation.

Kifano “Shotti” Jordan, 6ix9ine’s former manager who is also on trial, is a member of the Nine Tr3y Gangsters.

6ix9ine is also documented in videos — such as his breakout hit “Gummo” and the Billboard-charting “Kooda”

— wearing red bandanas and allred clothing. Sure, this could be because he likes the color red, but that is not the case. 6ix9ine used to claim that he was a member of the Nine Tr3y Bloods. This is where his clout chasing began. Prior to receiving his sentence, 6ix9ine had denounced his affiliation with the Nine Tr3y Bloods during an interview with the Breakfast Club, in which he stated that Tr3way doesn’t actually exist and that it was something he created. Yet, Tr3way is the nickname for the Nine Tr3y Gangsters. Why would he state this during his interview?

It is because he is finally understanding that his affiliation has gone too far. This affiliation had led him to a path he cannot come back from. See, by maintaining his affiliation with the Nine Tr3y Bloods, Tekashi 6ix9ine would be able to use the image of a gang member

to promote his music. Now within hip-hop, one archetype that can be found in many artists is the thug archetype. Tekashi 6ix9ine was trying to portray that archetype to gain popularity, even though he never really lived that life. This can be dangerous due to his fan base.

Tekashi’s fan base is made up of mostly very young and impressionable minds. If they view this image and Tekashi’s actions, they will normalize these things and think it is OK to do what he did. But it isn’t.

Claiming a gang you do not belong to is not safe. Trolling people on the internet as Tekashi did is not safe.

If we should learn anything from Tekashi facing 32 years to life in prison, it’s that while it may seem fun, clout chasing can lead to real consequences. But I guess, in the words of Shotti, “We don’t fold, we don’t bend, we don’t break, it’s Tr3way,” right?

JOEL VELASCO Top: Caribbean Student Association E-Board and interns during their carnival event: The END (Energy Never Dies).

Left: Student dancers of Quimbamba Latin Dance Team performing during The Latin American Student Union’s 49th annual Banquet: Fuerzas Extremas.

Right: Student Dancers of Uyai Nnua African dance team performing during their fifth annual banquet.