4/9/21 Red & Black Issue

Red & Black

The Free

s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r o f w a s h i n g t o n a n d j e f f e r s o n c o l l e g e w j r e da n d b l ac k . c o m W a s h i n g t o n , P e n n s y lva n i a 9 April, 2021

WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER...

CURRENT EVENTS

Student Athlete Spotlight: Madison Butler

Mar. 28 marked the worst flood that Nashville, Tenn. has seen since the catastrophically deadly flood that plagued the city in 2010. -P.7

PAGE 17

DIVERSITY

On Monday, Mar. 29, the Arkansas State Legislature passed the “Medical Ethics and Diversity’’ Law that allow healthcare professionals and insurance companies to withhold gender-affirming care from patients based on “personal beliefs.”

-P.11

OPINIONS Recently, at the ’21 Grammys, we found gyrating bodies on a lilac bed. Taking a look at the artists who frequent the Billboard 100 songs we find some very common themes of late: women empowerment, fame and sex. -P.13

SPORTS

After having March Madness cancelled last year due to COVID-19, the muchanticipated event returned with a bang.

-P.18

WJREDANDBLACK.COM

Courtesy Madison Butler

2 CAMPUS NEWS

Red & Black

9 April 2021

Student Spotlight: Jacob Duda ‘21 Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Editor

Jacob Daniel Duda ’21 is working on finishing up his final year at Washington and Jefferson College. Duda is 412 product coming from Peters, Pa. While there he graduated from Peters Highschool.

Duda was not always from the Pittsburgh area and before he moved here in his sophomore year of high school he lived all around including North Carolina, Virginia and even across the pond in Turkey.

Duda transferred to Washington and Jefferson after attending a semester at Dayton University in Ohio.

When I asked why he picked Washington and Jefferson he responded, “I first knew about Washington and Jefferson from just living in the area.

I had friends who lived in Washington and I also had some classmates from Peters who attended Washington and Jefferson. I liked how I could enter the school knowing people and being able to become involved socially and academically once I entered the school.”

Duda is a business administration major at W&J. “From the classes I started taking when I came in my freshmen year the business classes stood out to me the most. I always imagined myself in the business environment once I graduated and I thought that the class-

es I was taking would properly prepare me upon graduating,” Duda said.

Along with exceling in his classes Duda is also a four year member of the men’s lacrosse team and a brother of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. When asked about why he choose to participate in these activities Duda responded, “I played lacrosse in high school and it was one of my favorite activities and I had a good chance of playing right off the bat at Washington and Jefferson. Phi Psi was where most of my friends I made at school were involved in and once I got to meet the brothers of the house I wanted to become a brother.”

Beyond school Duda has many hobbies and activities in which he likes to participate. When not studying rigorously Duda loves finding new parks to explore, landscaping and animals of all kinds.

Duda exclaimed, “Ever since I mowed my first lawn when I was a little boy I have been obsessed with how a good lawn looks. With a good lawn comes a nice puppy and some flowers and to me that is like heaven!”

Upon graduating Duda is planning on working in a local construction compay where he has been interning for the past year. Duda is working hard to finish school strongly and is excited to graduate this May along side his close friends.

“I want to thank all my friends and supporters here at Washington & Jefferson College. I want to give a special shoutout to my best friend and companion Sam Bellini for being the best tennis player and worst golfer I have ever seen,” Duda said as he reflects on his years spent at W&J.

Courtesy gopresidents.com

Jacob Duda ‘21 has been a four year starter on the W&J men’s lacrosse team.

Follow and Like Our Socials @rednblackwj

@rednblackWJ

@wjrednblack

9 April 2021

Red & Black

CAMPUS NEWS 3

W&J Students Prepare for Mid-Terms

Courtesy washjeff.edu

Students all have various ways of countering the pressures of midterms during an especially difficult year.

Alex Wagner Red & Black Staff

There are many ways to prepare for midterms when it comes to having a successful college year. Although midterms can be overwhelming, one must remember that to be successful, one must stay calm, organized and determined in order to get the grades one wants. With the pandemic causing a

lot more stress than expected, students must try to ignore any outside distractions, and focus on what lies ahead.

One thing that Washington and Jefferson College has done to prepare students for these unlikely times is urging students to use their own understanding and knowledge to have effective time management skills.

Juan Caputi ’22, is a major in psychology and has mastered his own time management skills. “I like to organize my study schedule before I begin any preliminary work for an exam.

I write down major topics I want to review and make a detailed list of times and subjects I need to address before

the test” said Caputi. Many students agree with Caputi, saying that keeping a planner with all their subjects and a detailed time schedule is essential to having an even and productive study session.

Now, this does not mean one should plan for hours of studying in one night. The smart way to study is to look over and review material about a week or two before the exam.

“There have been many tests I didn’t plan for and ended up cramming last minute. This did not work out for me at all. I personally believe that reviewing a week earlier is the best option for any class or subject,” stated Caputi.

One last study tip for midterms is to remember to save some time for oneself to relax beforehand. Some ideas include trying some stretching with a little yoga, taking care of one’s body by eating healthy, meditating, socializing with other people and taking short naps.

All of these options will help you revive from hours of studying and get your brain ready for your midterm.

Overall, every student understands how stressful and draining midterms can be, but we all must remember there are simple ways to stay focused and get ready for the dreaded tests and quizzes.

4 Campus News

9 April 2021 Red & Black

Follow @wandjcareerservices on Instagram The Career Services Office would like to know if you are following us on Instagram? If you are not, you definitely should be! Not only will you be kept well-informed about the events and programs we sponsor, but you will be entered into raffles all semester long. Names will be drawn from our followers for great prizes such as: a limited edition HydroFlask, Starbucks gift cards, W&J swag, and much more!

Coming Soon: New Red & Black Website!

Over the fall semester, Raheem Clemons, our Website Design Manager, built a new website for the Red & Black. In the next month, we will transition away from Issuu (our current online platform) and launch the new website that will list our articles in a blogpost format. Until the new website’s launch, find the Red & Black in the major academic buildings on campus and digitially on Issuu (at https://issuu.com/rednblackwj/docs).

9 April 2021

Campus News 5

Red & Black

Career Service Announcements Robert Maxwell ’43 Student Internship Endowment Application Due April 15 at 5PM Are you completing a Summer 2021 Internship? Need Event:

Attention Seniors! Embark presents: Group Career Coaching

Date:

April 14, April 28, and May 5

Time:

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Type:

Virtual – Go to the Handshake Events Calendar to access the Zoom link

Description:

Group Career Coaching! Join certified coach, Jami Klingensmith from the Center for Professional and Career Pathways for a high impact career coaching group. In this deep dive you will explore all things career – job searching, career management, and more!

funding? Do you meet these eligibility requirements?

- You are currently a sophomore or junior enrolled at W&J returning to the College the following academic year - You have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher - You are in good financial and disciplinary standing with the College - Prior to the application deadline, you have secured an internship that will be completed in summer 2021 - You need financial assistance to complete the internship - Preference will be given to first time Maxwell candidates - Previous Maxwell Scholars will be considered as funding permits - Second round applications must build upon previous Maxwell experiences, and thus be a more substantive proposal TO APPLY, please send the following documents as attachments in a single email to maxwell@washjeff.edu: Completed Maxwell Internship Award application, current résumé, current W&J transcript from WebAdvisor, copy of the internship offer/confirmation

6 CAMPUS NEWS

9 April 2021

Red & Black

Speak Out! How are you enjoying the first signs of spring weather?

“I find myself walking to more and more of my classes instead of driving and sometimes finding any reason I can to find an excuse to get outside!”

- Brendan Tribeck ‘21

“I have a hammock where I will set up on my porch in the sun while I am studying, napping or just talking with friends. It is really nice getting outside especially after having to stay inside so much.”

- Alex Strain ‘22

“I have been starting to take my food to-go so I can take it outside and find a place to eat. I much rather eat outside than in my room!”

-Anthony Romasco ‘23

Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Campus News Editor Current Events Editor Diversity Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Social Media Manager Website Design Manager Distribution Manager Interim Faculty Advisor

Marcy Saldivar Erin Herock Reilly Oliverio Moll Kilbourne Amanda Fitzpatrick Paul Collier Nick Krugh Grace Depaul Raheem Clemons John Kiebler Kellin Cavanaugh

9 April 2021

Red & Black

Current Events 7

Current Events

Flooding in Nashville Kills Four

Courtesy New York Times

Rescue attempts are ongoing after Nashville experiences its worst flood in history.

Sofia Jenkins Red & Black Staff

Mar. 28 marked the worst flood that Nashville, Tenn. has seen since the catastrophically deadly flood that plagued the city in 2010. Throughout the day, the fire department responded to over 140 calls saying people were stuck and needed to be rescued. The fire department rescued at least 130 people from automobiles, apartments and houses, including 27 swift water

rescues. The flooding began earlier in the weekend with just minor rainfall but continued to pick up as Saturday rolled into Sunday. The rainfall turned roads into rapids, caused mudslides and was responsible for the death of at least four people; one of those deaths being a motorcyclist who was drowned in the roads by the continuous flooding. The other bodies of those killed by the floods were found dead in their cars and in their basements.

Those who were found in their basement were killed by a mudslide that was caused by the immense flooding that crushed their house on top of them. At the peak of the

flooding, Monday night at midnight, the water levels reached a height of 42 feet, which is roughly 10 feet shy of the record height reached in the 2010 Nashville flood. Nashville was not the only citing to be terrorized by harsh weather conditions this weekend.

While Nashville maybe got the worst of it with high winds, hail and flash floods, other southern states like Ala. and Ga. were plagued with scattered tornadoes that ended up killing six people. Beyond this horrible storm, Nashville was still recovering from the deadly tornado that hit the city a year ago, and the man-made disaster when a man killed himself with explosives

on Christmas morning, destroying electricity and some businesses. Not only was this storm a test of the city’s rescue teams, but also a test for the citizens’ resilience. Nashville has been taking a lot of unlikely events this last year.

The mayor of Nashville, John Cooper, said that “city officials would have to examine the influence of climate change and whether major floods had become not once-in-alifetime but once-in-a-decade kinds of events.” The mayor and the city’s rescue teams will continue their efforts to make sure when things like this happen, they are ready for it.

8 Current Events

Red & Black

9 April 2021

Myanmar Forces Catalyze Deadliest Day of Coup

Courtesy PBS

The Myanmar coup has entered its second month with continual casualties.

Sofia Jenkins Red & Black Staff

Commencing on Feb. 1, the citizens of Myanmar began a coup d’état in their country. The source of this conflict began because of the Nov. 2020 election in which democratically elected members of the country’s ruling party, The National League for Democracy, were deposed by the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military. The military then went on to declare a stratocracy, which is a type of government in which the

military leaders are the ones who rule the country. The Tatmadaw declared a state of emergency which is supposed to last for a year due to the assertion that the November 2020 election was invalid, and that the country needed to be ruled by a stratocracy until a new legitimate election could be held.

The coup has resulted in large scale protests by the citizens of Myanmar.

These protests have been continuously peaceful, with the protestors simply walking through the streets and protesting the new government. Yet recently, the Tatmadaw has been repeatedly opening fire on civilians during their protests. They have become more

and more violent as the civilians keep protesting. There is footage of three civilians riding on a moped when military officials pulled up next to them and simply opened fire. As of right now, there are 328 known civilian deaths at the hands of the Tatmadaw, with probably more deaths that have just not been reported. Not only are these civilian adult protestors, but also babies and children. Babies were shown having puncture wounds in their eyes and abdomens from the Tatmadaw. The deadliest day of the protests occurred on Mar. 27 in which was also the day the Myanmar military celebrated the country’s 76 annual Armed Forces Day in the capital with a

parade. The death toll that day reached 114. Thousands of people were out that day protesting the government’s celebration and control. Leaders from across the world continue to condemn the actions happening in Myanmar and have provided the interim Myanmar government warnings that the killing of innocent civilians will not be accepted. Thomas Vajda, the U.S. ambassador in Myanmar, called for an “immediate end to the violence and the restoration of the democratically elected government.” The events in Myanmar continue to unfold with the world now watching to see how the Tatmadaw respond to the demands of the Myanmar citizens.

Diversity 9

9 April 2021 Red & Black

Diversity

Skimm’d from the Couch: A Space for Women Akansha Das Red & Black Staff

With the rise of podcasts in the recent decade, viewers have latched onto every type from true crime podcasts to comedic and historical podcasts to ones like ‘Skimmed From The Couch’ that deliver practical advice. Carlie Zakin and Danielle Weinsberg, the co-founders of the media company “The Skimm” host ‘Skimmed From the Couch’ each week, interviewing female leaders from a variety of industries including medicine, journalism and media, entertainment business and more.

Notable guests have included actress Priyanka Chopra, Black Lives Matter Co-founder Alicia Garza, Facebook CEO and author of Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg and journalist Kristin Welker. Not only is the collaboration of successful women talking about topics other than their family or personal lives so exciting to listen to, but the advice and anecdotes shared on the podcast provide so much inspiration and leave listeners anxiously anticipating each new episode.

The podcast focuses on tips for professional success including the importance of mentorship, network-

ing skills, practicing self-care outside of work, negotiating for yourself and how to avoid being taken advantage of at work. In a world where women are often perceived to be too bossy or “difficult to work with” when asking for a higher salary, but a “pushover” if they settle for the first offer given, this podcast really provides a desperately needed space for marginalized genders to share professional advice and support.

One of the most notable interviews on the podcast done with D.C. fixer (and inspiration for the hit ABC show Scandal) advises to not hold back and really go all in with negotiating. As a professional whose job became to negotiate for other people, she says she

really considered everything that she wanted in a negotiation and worked from there. In delivering weekly content even throughout the pandemic and asking specific questions about how to work through crises, podcast hosts Zakin and Weinsberg have really shown viewers what a female leader looks like and serve as inspirations for many young women at an uncertain time when such examples are needed more than ever.

Perhaps most importantly, Zakin and Weinberg really strive for diversity on their platform, aiming to interview women of color and different sexualities and focus on how their experiences may differ from more privileged

groups of people, and it really illuminates to viewers just how rampant and widespread inequality is in industry.

For example, Misty Copeland, one of the most talented ballet dancers of our time, identifies as Black and acknowledged the way she was sidelined in the ballet world for a while because her body type did not look like the other dancers in the majority-White field of ballet. Zakin and Weinsberg acknowledge not only their marginalization as women in their industry but also their privilege as White women by actively inviting women from a multitude of different backgrounds to share their experiences openly and honestly so they can benefit their listeners.

Courtesy The Pop Insider

Podcast ‘Skimm’d From The Couch’ features the company’s founders, Carlie Zakin and Danielle Weinsberg, as hosts during causal sit-downs with other big name women.

10 Diversity

9 April 2021

Red & Black

Enbridge Line 3 Divides Indigenous Land Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Editor

A fight is brewing over an oil pipeline and it is pitting Native groups against Big Oil once again. The Anishinaabe people and climate activists have been taking direct action to stop Enbridge Line three.

The Line three pipeline is said to have the potential to add 50 new coal plants’ worth of carbon emissions to the atmosphere every year for the next three to five decades and will pass through the Anishinaabe territory.

Once the river is no longer frozen, they are dreading the day that the Canadian company Enbridge will drill and lay down a new section of their Line three pipeline, a construction project about halfway finished that has sparked increasing environmental demonstrations and unrest from Native Americans and climate activists.

To put it simply, pipelines are dangerous. 68 million people rely upon this water that comes from Northern Minnesota, which goes all the way down the Gulf of Mexico.

Along the way, there are cities and people consuming this water that is being put at risk. In addition to the obvious climate concerns, activists have emphasized that this pipeline travels directly through Native land returned in the treaty of 1855 and through lands where Native tribes have been harvesting wild rice for decades.

If this pipeline breaks, it will destroy

Courtesy Red, Green and Blue

Indigenous water protectors have taken direct action against the Enbridge Line 3 tar sands oil pipeline.

our country’s water and vital Native crops.

Gina McCarthy, currently serving as the first White House National Climate Advisor under U.S. President Joe Biden, stated she was proud to join Indigenous leaders and climate activists in urging Governor Tim Walz to oppose Enbridge’s Line three tar sands pipeline to protect Minnesotan’s health water, and land.

Likewise, Jane Fonda has spoken out against this pipeline.

Like Keystone XL, this is a dangerous pipeline that will bring tar soils through Minnesota and come

in contact with fragile and important water including the head waters of the Mississippi down to the Gulf Coast where it will be exported.

Several of the pipeline’s mostly female, indigenous opponents have described their experience of systemic intimidation and harassment from Minnesota police ever since Enbridge began funding law enforcement across the state. The police are being paid for every moment they spend doing this to water protectors. Funded by the oil company, the police have followed, targeted and strip-searched

water protectors. When Indigenous peoples are informing the country of these dangers, it is our responsibility to listen. The time for dangerous oil pipelines is over.

Just as President Biden revoked the permit for Keystone XL, over 350 groups are calling on him to revoke the 404 water permits for Enbridge Line three. Rejecting Keystone XL was a clear break from President Trump’s fossil fuel giveaways; the same logic applies to Line three, which would lock in fossil fuel dependence for decades to come.

9 April 2021

Red & Black

Diversity 11

Arkansas Passes Anti-Trans Healthcare Bill Akansha Das Red & Black Staff

On Monday, Mar. 29, the Arkansas State Legislature passed the “Medical Ethics and Diversity’’ Law that allow healthcare professionals and insurance companies to withhold gender-affirming care from patients based on “personal beliefs.”

Specifically, the bill makes prescribing (or even referring a patient for) reversible puberty blockers and hormones that many transgender youth depend on a felony. The bill also prohibits the use of public funds like Medicaid for gender-affirming healthcare.

Under the guise of “diversity” and “personal freedoms,” State lawmakers like Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson have withheld a fundamental human right from one of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in society.

Deputy director for transgender justice at the American Civil Liberties Union, Chase Strangio says this is the “single most extreme anti-trans law to ever pass through a state legislature.” Unfortunately, Arkansas isn’t the only state considering such anti-trans legislation. The passing of the Medial Ethics and Diversity Law is in keeping with one of two types of anti-trans legislation being considered by over two dozen states (the other type of legislation being related to the participation of transgender youth in sports).

It’s not just the general public expressing understandable and justified outrage. Michael Hutchinson, a pe-

diatric doctor in Arkansas, testified about the increased number of patients he’s seen in the emergency room from suicide alone. In other words, not only the physical health but the mental health of transgender youth across Arkansas has been put in serious jeopardy because Arkansas legislatures can’t seem to fathom the idea that identifying as the same gender assigned at birth is not a reality for everyone.

Rumba Yambú is the director of Intransitive (an Arkansas group dedicated to supporting transgender youth) and uses gender-neutral pronouns.

She says “it’s just expected that if this

passes, it will cost lives, and they don’t seem to care about that,” referring to the Arkansas legislators who support the bill. “It’s already difficult enough to survive here, when they’re not actively creating more laws to oppress us.”

From every angle, this law is illogical and harmful for trans youth.

Renowned medical organizations like The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the Pediatric Endocrinology Society and the American Medical Association have opposed the legislation citing data that shows the legislation

could lead to increased suicide rates (which is already being anecdotally observed).

Additionally, the law is yet another example of a sexist removal of a medical choice. Opting for hormones or puberty blockers (which simply give children and their parents more time to come to a decision about when to begin transitioning) is a heavily considered decision for transgender youth and their families and taking away this critical choice which has been shown to lead to improvements in body image and overall psychological well-being is fundamentally unjust.

Courtesy Yahoo News

Arkansas’ Republican governor vetoed the anti-trans healthcare bill, saying the bill “would be and is a vast government overreach” and “a product of the cultural war in America.”

12 Diversity

Red & Black

9 April 2021

Protests Against Georgia Voting Laws Rise Dylan Bertovich Red & Black Staff

This fall there was a shocker that many experts on demographics have seen coming for a generation; Georgia turned blue. Georgia turned blue not just one time, but two major times and that may have changed the history of the country.

This change was not something that came about on a whim, it was something that activists and women of color have fought for years to bring about.

These women like Latosha Brown and the now famous Stacey Abrahm used their groups to fight on the streets and in court to bring about fair changes to the voting system.

Now that may all be over, as the other side has spoken. Republicans have realized that making it harder to vote and “turning the screws” as has been said will allow them to win. Less voters equals a Republican win and more voters is anything but.

This realization led to the new voting bill just passed in Georgia; this is followed by similar bills in over 40 states. These states are literally actively stealing votes from their people.

Some of the major changes include: shortening the period to request and return an absentee ballot, going from about six months to about two months and they must be requested at least two weeks before an election. This shortened window will make it harder to vote this way and prevent people who need to vote absentee from vot-

Courtesy The New Yorker

As the GOP steps up their voter suppression efforts, protests are growing against Georgia’s new voting law restrictions and corporations have blasted Georgia’s ‘unacceptable’ voting laws.

ing. This is in response to almost 26 percent of the voters from 2020 voting in this manner.

Another change includes adding a new voter identification hurdle. The ballot requires a voter to place numbers from the drivers license on the ballot and if they don’t have that they have to print out another form and include that. This is a huge hurdle for

many inner-city people that do not drive.

They removed absentee ballot drop boxes. This will make it harder to return ballots on time especially with the mail becoming slower and slower every day. If that ballot doesn’t make it your vote doesn’t exist.

Finally, a major aspect that one probably hasn’t heard much about is

that it is illegal to hand out water and other food and refreshments. People in cities like Atlanta have to wait for hours to vote and now they can not receive water in the hot sun. This is almost letting the whole game go; they want the vote to be as hard as possible.

The most painful experience however, would be the loud and screaming death of democracy.

9 April 2021

opinions Red & Black

Opinions 13

Celebrities Deserve Sexual Liberation Sofya Maxnide Red & Black Staff

Recently, at the 2021 Grammys, we found gyrating bodies on a lilac bed. Taking a look at the artists who frequent the Billboard 100 songs we find some very common themes of late: women empowerment, fame and sex.

Consider the new rap by Cardi B called “Up” in which it is stated that Cardi controls her men with her vagina, hinting that all men want is sex, and has rich standards of Bentleys, Barcelona’s and Birkin’s. We find of the same sort of empowerment in

“Sacrifice” by Bebe Rexha. The music video there portrayed a fictional story of vampires in which the supposed vampire boyfriend is inferred to have been emasculated by the way the video opens up in the BDSM act with the boyfriend strung up with whip marks and by the way she pulls him along later by the tie. It ends with bodies writhing underneath a bloodbath.

Drake, one of the most famous male rappers released “What’s Next,” talking about how hard it is to be famous but yet cutting to scenes of fast cars, private planes and yes - women.

Drake is flaunting what many male rappers do, that now that he’s at the top, he can have any women he wants, and that includes any poor man’s women.

Saweetie in “Best Friend” ft. Doja Cat is another woman empowerment rap about how woman have control of essentially everything in life, and she

is applauding her best friend because of this, while interestingly enough, Saweetie and Quavo have just been announced to be broken up, and there has been footage of a very violent elevator ride.

Ariana Grande, in “34+35,” blatantly exposes the sexual position sixty-nine while begging to be exploited all night long showing that she too has control over her sexual life, but yet is acting like a cat in heat.

The problem here is that we cannot control others and in the case of celebrities, they have been given the freedom by our society to do essential what they wish, but in hindsight we really shouldn’t control their sense of liberation either.

It’s not their fault that our children’s sexual education is so meagre because they themselves probably had the same treatment. Being told to put on a

E ditorial P olicy The Red & Black is the official, registered student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College. It is published Fridays with the exception of exams and break periods.

Editorials are based upon the opinion of the respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper, the

College or its students, faculty, or administration.

The Red & Black welcomes all reader contributions, but reserves the right to reject letters of pure promotional nature, as well as letters which do not meet its standard of integrity, accuracy and decency.

The Red & Black also reserves the right to edit submissions.

condom or get birth control and “stay safe” is not sex-ed.

On the other hand, because of many religious beliefs, being told to not even have sex because it’s “sacred” is also a terrible way to have that discussion as well, as it ignites fear in the act itself.

Parents who are so ashamed or think sex is taboo don’t talk to their children about their sexual adventures in order to advise them, and instead hand pamphlets and/or allow the school to take the burden, making the cycle worse.

It is actually really good to be liberated, as it is nothing to be ashamed of, but liberation should come with the wisdom of one having knowledge before bopping your head to the lyrics.

If one does not yet have the sexual knowledge, that also cannot be blamed on the music, as that’s a failure of the parents to educate the child.

C ontac t Letters are due on the Monday before publication and may not exceed 600 words. All letters must include the author’s name, campus box and telephone number.

Names may be withheld upon request under certain conditions on rare occasions. All letters may be submitted to redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu.

Telephone: FAX: E-mail: Mailing Address:

(724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S. Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301

14 Opinions

9 April 2021 Red & Black

James Spears Holds Britney Financially Hostage Paul Collier Red & Black Editor

The #FreeBritney movement has existed since 2019 when she asked for her conservatorship to end, but California legislators have now begun to consider legislation that would reform conservatorships to help Britney Spears regain legal rights over her own actions and business.

Britney’s father, Jamie Spears, has been her conservator since 2008 when she was legally placed under his care as a result of her public meltdown in 2007. Attorney Andrew Wallet was also a conservator, but left on her request in 2019, leaving the legal battle between Britney and her father. The movement gained traction in 2020, when TikTok users noticed her acting strangely and asked her to wear yellow if she feels unsafe. When she wore yellow in a video soon after, her fans collectively became even more emboldened to support her in her fight.

The documentary Framing Britney Spears, released in February 2021, further brought the issue from her fans and into the public eye, as it shows Britney was forced to continue performing, and making millions from it, while her conservators removed her agency to make decisions about her money and her life.

Now, California lawmakers are attempting to help free Britney by regulating conservators, who oversee the financial decisions of and care for a conservatee, by requiring them to be trained in financial abuse and register with an oversight bureau. Likewise, if abuse does occur, the license of the

Courtesy Harper’s Bazaar

Spears poses at a theatre.

conservator will be removed, and they will be fined up to $50,000 paid to the conservatee’s estate.

It is obvious that abuse has occurred in Britney’s case. It began in 2008, when she was not allowed to hire lawyer Adam Streisand to contest the conservatorship because her conservators deemed her mentally unwell.

Judges likewise denied Britney’s right to have an attorney in the early stages of the case, locking her into a situation where she was made to be financially reliant on her father while not being able to make choices for herself. She has lived in this system for thirteen years, and her father still refuses to give up control.

Jamie Spears has also stigmatized conservatorships that can be helpful, such as cases of disabled adults needing assistance from parents after they no longer have legal child status.

But Jamie Spears’s abuse of Britney’s freedoms is a disgrace to the system put in place to help protect people. It has been thirteen years since Britney has been able to live freely, and it’s time to #FreeBritney once and for all.

Courtesy Britney Spears Wiki

Britney Spears’s father, James, sits next to his daughter prior to the conservatorship fallout.

9 April 2021

Red & Black

Opinions 15

Lil Nas X’s Satan Shoes Are Needlessly Taboo Sofya Maxnide Red & Black Staff

It’s a celebrity’s job to try to be relevant enough to stay in the news while staying out of the bad spotlight, so it comes to no surprise that we got another publicity stunt; however, these Satan shoes are causing a lot of trouble.

Let’s face it, the world loves to create taboos as it provides mystery and thrills for those who break them.

Most taboos come from what is considered a breaking of societal norms, from folklore, or from one of the major institutions in society

– religion. The attraction of a taboo comes solely from the fact that we don’t understand what we have heard to be true and feel that we need to use our physical senses instead.

What’s taboo about a shoe? Only part of it is because of the name Satan.

In the Christian religion, Satan is the archenemy of God and leader of all the demons in the world, but according to the Bible, Satan wasn’t always this way.

He was recorded as being one of God’s favorite angels named Lucifer.

The name Satan itself is not to be feared, it is rather the actions of Satan that is feared. Satan supernaturally embodies the worst predator imaginable as being the source of all fears, malice, lies and every categorized wicked action on earth. What we can’t understand is how someone could go

from being a glorified favorite angel of God to a twisty, constricting snake that takes souls to hell, and so that is why the ‘Satan’ shoe is a part of the taboo, as it really is all this combined.

For someone to take all of this symbolism behind a name and slap it on a shoe for marketing is really quite startling, but it’s also a confidence booster.

Everyone knows that wearing a certain brand gives you an “image” and these shoes give off the image that you are not afraid of Satan.

You literally have him under your foot. Unfortunately, this is another disillusion, for if we pasted the name Satan on everything, we would find eventually it would lose its meaning.

Looking at it from an ethical point of view, let’s talk about the fact that

it sold out in less than a minute. Lil Nas X’s fan base may be huge, but still at over a thousand dollars, these shoes are at the level most would consider expensive. With the ongoing effect of COVID, and many still struggling despite stimulus checks and government funding, now is not the time to be dropping a new shoe.

One would think the latest song “MONTERO” garnered enough views to pay the bills.

Why would Lil Nas collaborate with MSCHF who has been known to be controversial in their designs after releasing an equaling puzzling pair of Jesus shoes two years ago?

Although Nike didn’t sue over the use of their shoes to make those shoes, these Satan shoes show none of the good “image” that Jesus does.

Courtesy The Guardian

Lil Nas X promotes his new Satan Shoes.

16 Opinions

Red & Black

9 April 2021

Cyrus Reclaims Her Identity in Plastic Hearts

Courtesy Unwritten

Miley Cyrus poses in her album cover for Plastic Hearts, released in December.

Paul Collier Red & Black Editor

Following Miley Cyrus’s newest album, Plastic Hearts, landing her as one of only three female artists with an album with over a billion streams on Spotify in the last three decades alongside Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, her album’s legacy is continuing to cement Cyrus’s newfound respect as a legitimate musical artist.

Sadly, it hasn’t always been that way, and part of the major success of Plastic Hearts corresponds with the assaults on her image. Cyrus’s problems began post-Hannah Montana era, when she released her music video for Wrecking Ball. A beautiful song and video, it was criticized for its lewd nature by fans that expected Cyrus to remain in a Disney box. The same day, Cyrus’s career was damaged permanently by a

VMA performance with Robin Thicke, in which she switched a body suit out for a bikini and twerked on stage.

Not only was Cyrus also criticized for the sexual nature of this performance, but she was relentlessly body shamed for her pale body and thin frame.

In a 2020 interview, Cyrus even admitted to Demi Lovato she was unwilling to wear a bikini for years due to gifs putting Cyrus next to a turkey.

While her song We Can’t Stop and her Bangerz album has since been considered an iconic moment in music history, times were remarkably different just eight years ago, and Cyrus was mocked endlessly as she attempted to remake her public image after Disney. Many fans even remarked she had “returned home” following the release of her song Malibu, which is even more disrespectful as a boxing of the artist in a Disney frame. With Plastic Hearts, Cyrus has broken out

of this frame forever. She first gained excitement for her album following a viral TikTok of her incredible cover of Heart of Glass, which led to the widespread discovery of the lead single, Midnight Sky, in which Cyrus claims that she was “born to run” and doesn’t “belong to anyone.”

This song set the tone for a powerful rock album about Cyrus’s liberation.

My personal highlights include Midnight Sky alongside Angels Like You, a song about Cyrus never being an angelic figure and owning this; Gimme What I Want, a song in which Cyrus owns her sexuality and asks for sex purely for pleasure; Bad Karma featuring Joan Jett, in which Cyrus says she won’t believe in karma or luck and will behave as she wants; Never Be Me, in which Cyrus claims she’ll never be perfect but she’ll never give up in a relationship; and Golden G-String, my personal favorite song, which is a rock ballad about Cyrus owning

past missteps and negative press and turning them into a statement of power, culminating in my personal favorite lyric of the album, “yes I’ve worn the golden G-string, put my hand into Hell fire. I did it all to make you love me, and to feel alive.”

Critics rated this the best Cyrus album thus far, and it took the top spot on Billboard rock charts, while seven individual songs placed on rock and alternative charts.

Following the unfair slander of her early career reframing, Cyrus has been successful in reclaiming her individuality and fighting for its positivity. This may be best exemplified by a bet made with E-News soon after the album release, in which they agreed to make their Instagram bio “We’re sorry for all the sh*t we said about Miley Cyrus.” Cyrus is finally getting a fair chance to be a serious artist, and she’s reminding us all she’s one of the best of the generation.

sports

9 April 2021

Red & Black

17 Sports

Student Athlete Spotlight: Madison Butler Alex Wagner Red & Black Staff

This week, the Red & Black Newspaper has decided to highlight another great golfer on the Washington & Jefferson College golf team, but this time, one of the college’s women golfers is highlighted.

Madison Butler ’23 is a double major in psychology and English on the Pre- Law track. She is involved with the Hillel Society, Student Association for Neuroscience, Delta Gamma, NSLS, coloring club, Pre Legal Society and Panhel. She is also a LINK mentor.

Butler has practiced golf for the majority of her life. Butler fell in love with the game, and since she was a little girl, she was golfing, doing fun camps and playing with her family and her grandparents.

“My favorite place to play has to be the Country Club of York. Whenever I am home you can find me on the course at CCY with friends and family,” shared Butler. Butler found a

new family with her golf team here at W&J, and is so happy she decided to join the team. Initially she was hesitant to play college golf, considering her heavy work load on the Pre-Law track.

However, she is glad she decided to play.

“I was not planning to play college golf, but then I talked with Coach Matt Kluck. I knew I wanted to be a part of a group when I arrived at W&J. After doing an overnight in the fall of 2019, I immediately was in love with the golf team. It was such a great group of girls who I got along with really well,” said Butler.

Since then, Butler has loved the fact that she has created so many good memories over the past two years. From spring break, to practice at Southpointe Country Club, golf has been a great stress reliever and a great way to improve her time management.

Butler loves being out in nature when she golfs. Especially during these stressful times— it’s nice to get out on the course and blow off steam.

Her favorite part of golf is the mental aspect. “Golf is a very mental game; if your head isn’t in the round, it’s basically over. It is so important to not only think about the physical aspect of the game, but also the mental aspect,” shared Butler.

W&J is excited to see what Butler and the women’s golf team accomplish in this upcoming season!

Courtesy Madison Butler

Butler ‘23 has enjoyed being a part of W&J’s golf team.

18 Sports

Red & Black

9 April 2021

March Madness Ends with Excitement

Courtesy CBS Sports

Baylor players celebrate their NCAA National Championship victory.

John Kiebler Red & Black Staff

The 2021 March Madness tournaments reminded everyone why they love this time of year so much. After having March Madness cancelled last year due to COVID-19, the much-anticipated event returned with a bang. While this year’s tournament didn’t feature as many big names as it has in the past, a

plethora of upsets and wild games still made the men’s tournament incredibly fun to watch. Probably the biggest surprise of the whole men’s tournament was Oral Roberts University, a 15 seed from the South region. The team made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen after besting Ohio State and Florida in the first two rounds.

Other big upsets included Ohio beating Virginia, North Texas beating Purdue, Abil Christian beating Texas, and Oregon State making it all the way to the Elite 8.

However, the most impressive run came from UCLA. After defeating

Courtesy Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Standford University hoists their NCAA National Championship trophy.

Michigan State in the First Four, they managed to make it all the way to the Final Four, toppling 6 seeded BYU, 2 seeded Alabama, and 1 seeded Michigan.

Unfortunately, this run was put to an end after an incredible game against Gonzaga, which saw star guard Jalen Suggs hit a game-winning shot to send the Bulldogs to the championship game.

Despite being the favorite, Gonzaga saw its undefeated season come to a heartbreaking end as Baylor dominated in the championship game and won the tournament by a final score of 86-

70. The women’s tournament was just as interesting, as teams like Wright State, Belmont, and BYU all pulled off huge first-round upsets.

One of the biggest surprises of the tournament saw 6 seeded Texas reach the Elite 8, with victories over powerhouses UCLA and Maryland.

In the end, it was 1 seeded Standford winning the programs first title since 1992 in a thrilling 54-53 win over Arizona.

With all the crazy games and storylines that these tournaments had to offer, it’s safe to say it made up for the lack of a 2020 tournament.

9 April 2021

Red & Black

19 Sports

Pirates Open 2021 Season Against the Cubs

Courtesy Bum Bunter

The beautiful PNC Park will host the Pirates all summer long.

Nick Krugh Red & Black Editor

The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially closed the door on Spring Training and have headed north to begin the 2021 MLB season. The Pirates open up this year again on the road against

NL central division rival the Chicago Cubs.

Both teams are looking to improve from their previous year season. They will be back to playing a normal 162 game schedule compared to the 60 games that where played last year.

The Cubs are looking to compete for a World Series while the Pirates are at the beginning stages of a rebuild.

The season looks to be very bleak for the Buccos after trading off major pieces like Joe Musgrove and Jamison

Tallion. There are still a few bright spots to look forward to in the coming season for the Pirates. NL rookie of the year favorite Ke’bryan Hayes will be manning the hot corner for his first full MLB season. Outfielder Bryan Reynolds will be manning left field and looking to repeat his rookie season in a normal season.

On the mound, look at Mitch Keller to take the major step forward that the Pirates need and expect from him. He has struggled in his previous Major

League outings but has shown flashes of ace stuff on the mound. In the bullpen, a new Bucco to watch is David Bednar.

The local guy, who came over in the Musgrove trade with the San Diego Padres, has electric stuff. He did not allow a run in Spring Training.

Although the Pirates don’t look to be in playoff contention again this year, it still exciting to have baseball back. Hopefully, we will see fans filling up PNC Park again this summer.

20 Sports

Red & Black

9 April 2021

Last Week’s Scores Apr. 1 W&J Football vs. Geneva: 20-6 W

Apr. 3

W&J Baseball at Geneva: 8-0 W; 11-2 W

Apr. 4

W&J Baseball vs. Geneva: 9-5 W; 9-0 W

Apr. 6

W&J Softball at Westminster: 0-6 L; 1-11 L Women’s Soccer at Franciscan: 0-0 T

Apr.7

Women’s Lacrosse at Bethany: 18-3 W Men’s Soccer at Franciscan: 1-1 T Women’s Tennis vs. Thiel: 9-0 W W&J Softball vs. Bethany: 0-6 L; 2-3 L

Courtesy GoPresidents.com

Next Week’s Games Apr. 10 W&J Track and Field at Westminster Invitational: 10:00 AM Women’s Lacrosse vs. Westminster: 1:00 PM Football vs. Saint Vincent: 1:00 PM W&J Baseball vs. Waynesburg: 1:00 PM; 3:30 PM Men’s Soccer vs Thiel: 1:00 PM

Apr. 11 W&J Baseball at Waynesburg: 1:00 PM; 3:30 PM

Apr. 12 W&J College Rossin Memorial Invitational: 11:00 AM Courtesy GoPresidents.com