5/7/21 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 M ay 7 , 2 0 2 1

WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER...

Women’s Lacrosse & Men’s Soccer Win PAC Champs

CURRENT EVENTS

Over the past week, India has averaged more than 357,000 new cases of COVID-19 per day. -P.7

DIVERSITY

In most areas, Black mothers are three to five times more likely to die of childbirth with some areas like New York City reaching the twelve-fold mark. -P.10

PAGE 19

OPINIONS Yuh-Jung Youn became the first Korean actress to win an acting Oscar. She won based on her supporting role in the film “Minari.” -P.14

SPORTS

[Aisa Uhler ‘24] sees not only the personal benefits of being a student-athlete, but also the effect she has on her teammates and friends around her, which inspires her to always put forth her best effort. -P.19

WJREDANDBLACK.COM

Courtesy GoPresidents.com

2 CAMPUS NEWS

Red & Black

7 May 2021

Seniors Begin Planning for Life Post-W&J Alex Wagner Red & Black Staff

With the end of the semester approaching fast, many of our seniors are sad to leave the place they have called home for 4 years. Washington and Jefferson College has become this home for many talented and hardworking students, looking to expand their career and future with a solid academic foundation and wonderful alumni connections.

One bright senior, Casey Rupen, is looking forward to more education at the higher level. Rupen is a communications major with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in history.

“In the fall I will be attending law school at Duquesne University or the University of Akron. At this time, I am undecided as to what area of law I will focus. I just know law is something I want to pursue in my future, it has always been a passion of mine” said Rupen.

A junior, Benjamin Fisher, is planning on graduating early this spring in 2021, a whole year earlier than his classmates. Fisher is a member of Phi Kappa Psi, a fraternity on campus, among many other organizations and groups.

“I plan to attend Duquesne Law School in order to focus on litigation.

I majored in econ and philosophy at Washington and Jefferson, so I am excited to see how that will help me with my education at law school,” said Fisher.

Brendan Tribeck, another senior, plans to further his education beyond

Courtesy Onwardstate.com

Penn State’s Old Main, where some W&J graduates are planning on attending post-undergrad education, is pictured.

W&J. Tribeck, like many others, will continuing his academic career and going to a graduate program.

“I’m going to Penn State in the fall to pursue my master’s in health administration. I also will be working in the recruiting department of the football team this summer and fall. After grad school, I hope to get a job in healthcare, or pursue a career in sports at the collegiate level” said Tribeck.

Patrick Brunner, a past member of the Red & Black newspaper, is also graduating in the spring of 2021.

Brunner is a business administration major. He chose this major because it “allowed [him] to study a variety of different subjects over the years: accounting, economics, finance, etc”.

After graduation, Brunner plans on going back to school to pursue an MBA or a master’s in real estate. After that, he is looking forward to joining the workforce in hopes to eventually become an entrepreneur and start his own business.

Follow and Like Our Socials @rednblackwj

@rednblackWJ

@wjrednblack

7 May 2021

Red & Black

CAMPUS NEWS 3

Student Spotlight: Daniel “Dingle” Florentino Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Editor Daniel Florentino ’21 is getting ready for life after graduation. Florentino is beloved by his fellow classmates at school going by the name “Dave Dingle” or “Delwood” for his brightness and charisma he spreads to others. He has been a student at Washington & Jefferson for the past four years. Florentino is from McMurray, Pennsylvania where is attended Peters Township High School. While in high school, Florentino was a superb athlete and scholar exceling in mathematics and wrestling, Florentino has a history at Washington & Jefferson, and when looking for a college W&J stood out above the rest. When asked why he chose to go to Washington & Jefferson he responded, “My fellow brother Samuel L. L. Florentino pursued a Biology degree and I was aware of the success rate of Washington & Jefferson students/alumni.”

Florentino followed in the footsteps of his brother in making an impact of the school community and in academics.

When deciding on a major while at Washington & Jefferson he decided to pick a major in which he thoroughly enjoyed while still being able to challenge himself through his studies. Florentino is a mathematics major which was impressed on him by those that came before him in addition to his determination to learn and study mathematical studies. “Mathematics is my major and I chose this route because I love numbers, formulas, and equations- specially ‘The Fourier Transform’ theory,” he said. When asked if there were any significant professors or advisors that helped led him, Florentino responded, “The entire staff was great.” Florentino has tried his

Courtesy Daniel Florentino

Daniel Florentino (right) is known for his charima and charm on campus and will be missed as he plans to graduate this May.

best to remain active and involved on the school campus during his time at Washington & Jefferson. When asked about what activities he participates he answered, “Along with being an All-Academic All American in wrestling (2 times) I am apart of Big Brothers and Big Sisters and I was a semipro Rugby player for a Washington club team my freshmen year before the team was disbanded.”

Florentino joined these organizations and Big Brothers and Big Sisters specifically because, “I liked working with children and making them happy.

I love seeing the kids smile and have someone to look up to was always awesome. Some are not as fortunate with their home lives compared to others so they like being around older individuals.” Outside of academics, helping others and being a goofball with his

friends, Florentino has a multitude of hobbies. Florentino was a former semi-pro fly angler and an exceptional wrestler. Even though it is his major and what he focuses on in school, he still classifies mathematics as one of his hobbies. In his free time, Florentino works on debunking Newton’s Fourth Law, hanging with friends, and “analyzing logarithms.” When he was in quarantine earlier this year, Florentino said he spent his time, “playing basketball, studying times tables, mastering jiu-jitsu and spending time with family.”

Florentino has accomplished many goals during his time here at Washington & Jefferson. He was a two time Scholar All-American in Wrestling.

He was also accepted into CMU for graduate school. Florentino said his biggest goal he accomplished while at

W&J was “making the most out of every opportunity.”

After graduation Florentino is not certain what he wants to do yet. When asked about his plans he respnded, “Either attend graduate school or work with students/children who are not as fortunate as others.” Whatever he does, Florentino is determined to master mathematics and conquer the day by being an inspiration to others and, more importantly, an inspiration to himself.

Florentino wanted to shout out some of his biggest role models and inspirations during his time here saying, “I want to thank Jaden Datz, Samuel Florentino, Wesley James Donahue, Emmanuel Shak Dovshekie, and SchmackedNoon for being there for me whenever I needed them and pushing me to the best of my abilities.”

4 Campus News

7 May 2021 Red & Black

Career Service Announcements 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!

Attention class of 2021. We want to hear your plans!

We have followed your journey to this point, and would love to know what the next chapter holds for you. Secured a fulltime opportunity? Going to grad school? Taking a gap year? Email careerservices@washjeff.edu with your post-grad plans to be entered in a raffle for a $50 Amazon gift card. We will accept emails until 5pm on June 18.

7 May 2021

Campus News 5

Red & Black

A Note from the Editor-In-Chief The Red & Black Editorial Board wants to thank the W&J community for a great year. We were inspired by the student body’s ability to perservere through adversity. As COVID-19 vaccines are administered to the community, the near future is looking brighter, and we can’t wait to report on the events occurring on campus and student achievements next academic year.

- Marcy Saldivar ‘21

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).

6 CAMPUS NEWS

7 May 2021

Red & Black

Speak Out! How do you prepare for finals?

“First, I organize what I have to do and when I have to do it. Then, I prioritize the assignments by due date and level of importance. Then I execute the plan.”

- Ben Fisher ‘21

“I sit back, I drink my coffee, skim my notes, and hope and pray that I do my best.”

Red & Black Established 1909

-Sean Doran ‘21

“I like to work in my room first organizing all my notes and materials for my next exam. I try to study by myself, and I get lots of coffee and grind it out.”

-Vinnie Catania ‘22

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

7 May 2021

Red & Black

Current Events 7

Current Events

Crisis Befalls India as COVID Cases Surge

Courtesy Time Magazine

Medical staff struggles to administer healthcare under COVID crisis.

Lekhya Kollu Red & Black Staff

Over the past week, India has averaged more than 357,000 new cases of COVID-19 per day. Hospitals and clinics have been severely overwhelmed, quickly running out of essential supplies like protective equipment, oxygen and medicines. On April 25, after a phone call between White House national security adviser

Jake Sullivan and Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval, the United States pledged to provide medical aid to India.

A statement from the National Security Council promised that the US will allow for the export of COVID testing kits, ventilators, PPE and importantly, the raw materials needed to boost vaccine production in India. This is a significant shift from the United States’ initial stance, which was to ban the export of raw vaccine materials in order to put Americans first. The US will also be providing a team of public health advisors from the CDC and USAID to work with Indian officials on controlling the rapid surge

in cases “Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need,” said National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne.

Indian COVID cases have been jumping daily and show no signs of slowing down. Crematoriums have been running nonstop to keep up with the surge of new bodies daily. But even the alarmingly high numbers of cases and deaths being reported are thought to be underestimates, due to a shortage of test kits and hospital beds.

The second wave comes as a surprise to Indians, who enjoyed record low

numbers of cases through late Jan. and early Feb., leading to a relaxation of many COVID protocols. Religious events and political gatherings resumed in many parts of the country.

These mass gatherings likely contributed to the shocking second wave of cases in the country. Doctors and hospitals are unable to keep up — oxygen is impossibly scarce, with many hospitals unable to even provide oxygen to those it has beds for.

“I have never felt so desperate or helpless,” said Dr. Trupti Gilada, in a Facebook video “We are seeing young people. We have a 35-year-old who’s on a ventilator. Please pray for our patients.”

8 Current Events

Red & Black

7 May 2021

Pittsburgh Struggles to Vaccinate Homeless Population

Courtesy Fresno Bee

Light of Life Pittsburgh shelter works to vaccinate those suffering from homelessness.

Sofia Jenkins Red & Black Staff

Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, homeless shelters have been one of the hardest hit population all across the world. Shelters are struggling through pandemic because of congregate setting, and the fast transmission that happens in the shelters.

On top of this rapid transmission, people in homeless shelters are already more susceptible to COVID because the majority of them have a preexisting condition and do not have

access to a primary care physician or health insurance. In Pittsburgh, the Light of Life Rescue Mission homeless shelter discussed how the pandemic has affected them, and how they are stressed while trying to administer as many vaccines to the homeless in their shelter. They began administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and it was perfect for them because it was only one dose so the homeless patients did not have to come back for another dose. Then, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was put on a 11-day pause by the CDC because of troubling sideeffects.

The Light of Life shelter and others in the Pittsburgh area then switched to the Moderna vaccine, which caused some issues because this vaccine

requires two dosages. The problem with this is that in almost all cases, the homeless shelter could not find the recipients after they received their first dose, to tell them to come back for their second dose, so a lot of those vaccinations were unsuccessful.

Another issue that the shelters in the Pittsburgh area are having to maneuver is the shifting in the eligibility divisions for the vaccine.

In December, for instance, several Pittsburgh homeless organizations said they were told their populations would be included in Phase 1A. A few weeks later, a new definition of Phase 1A was released, and it didn’t include homeless people. While this did include some of the homeless population, some of those who were

eligible are still very hesitant about getting the vaccine.

A lot of the shelters cite lack of knowledge and mental disorders as the main reasons why people neglect to consent to be vaccinated. In response to this, shelters have been putting out campaigns recently to provide homeless populations with information about the vaccine that come from licensed doctors and professionals, to ease the nerves of the homeless population. Overall, the homeless shelters in the Pittsburgh area are in constant worry that while some of their vaccinations and treatments have been successful recently, they feel that when immediate threat washes away, their population will be left on the back burner once again.

7 May 2021 Red & Black

Current Events 9

Victim of Asian Hate-Crime Brutally Stomped

Courtesy The Guardian

Protests begIn after anti-Asian hate crime in New York City.

Sofia Jenkins Red & Black Staff

Apr. 23, 2021 marked another day in which Asian Hate was witnessed in the streets of New York City. At 8:20 p.m.

61-year-old Yao Pan Ma was attacked by a man on the corner of third Avenue and E. one-hundred twenty-fifth Street in Manhattan.

A traffic-camera captured the suspected (and now arrested) attacker,

Jarrod Powell, stomping Ma into a coma in the streets of Manhattan. Ma now remains in that coma in a New York City hospital where his wife and children fear that he may not survive the attack. Ma’s wife, Baozhen Chen, told reporters that she “is very upset and scared for her own life,” and spoke about how their two children, who are still living in China, are worried as well.

Ma and Chen arrived in the United States two years ago with the hopes of finding a better life in New York City. In China, Ma was a very talented pastry chef, and in the States, he began working at a Chinese restaurant

in Lower Manhattan to support he and his wife. Ma recently lost his job due to COVID-19 reductions in the staff at this Chinese restaurant, so he began collecting cans and recycling on the streets of Manhattan to make ends meet. Ma was in the process of collecting cans on this corner when he was brutally attacked by Powell.

Chen now stated that she is worried for her own safety when going out to do necessary things in the Big Apple.

She worries because she has to return to her work as a home healthcare aid soon and is afraid she will suffer the same fate as her husband. Chen had been demanding justice since the event

occurred and luckily, Ma’s attacker was found a few days later. Powell is being charged with attempted murder and hate crimes. Powell claims that he did not attack anyone, and that Ma was the one who attacked him.

Governor Andrew Cuomo responded to this report and said, “This is not who we are as New Yorkers, and we will not let these cowardly acts of hate against members of our New York family intimidate us.” This is but one example of the brutal AntiAsian attacks that have been plaguing our nation recently. Hopefully with the arrest and prosecution of Powell, similar future crimes will be deterred.”

10 Diversity

Red & Black

7 May 2021

Diversity Disparities Exist in Black Maternal Healthcare Akansha Das Red & Black Staff

Over the past year and with the introduction of the Black Maternal Momnimbus Act of 2021, statistics about the number of Black mothers and Black babies from pregnancyrelated complications have been widely shared.

In most areas, Black mothers are three to five times more likely to die of childbirth with some areas like New York City reaching the twelve-fold mark. This statistic is infuriating and unjust and transcends environmental factors like socioeconomic status, education level, genetics, diet, smoking and drug abuse. Yet the difficulties of motherhood - especially mental health issues - are often never talked about, especially in relation to Black mothers.

As of 2019, The Archives of Women’s Mental Health report that Black mothers are more likely to suffer from PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders) than their White counterparts. Additionally, women of color overall suffer from higher rates of postpartum depression (38 percent) than the general population (13-19 percent). Additionally, Black mothers are less likely to receive treatment

(including follow-up treatment) for their mental health concerns. One of the main issues contributing to this is cultural stigmas in communities of color that discourage the seeking of mental health treatments like Sangu Delle outlines in his Ted Talk. For Black men, the intersectionality of toxic masculinity and their cultural stigmas can limit their access to mental health services.

Yet for many Black women and Black mothers, there is fear in speaking to a professional about their mental health because of worries that they will be judged as a bad parent and fear that their mental professionals will get child welfare involved because of these judgments. Additionally, experiences and racism that occur during prenatal care or the birthing process can exacerbate mental health concerns for Black mothers. These include the increased likelihood that Black mothers will not have their pain and their physical symptoms taken seriously by medical providers.

There’s also an added component of socio-economic factors that can exacerbate mental health concerns.

In a post reviewed by UPMC Western Behavioral Health, The UPMC Health Beat has said that issues related to lack of access to mental health care because of medical insurance gaps, lack of paid time off from work, or lack of high-quality medical services in their area - can all reduce the

Courtesy Planned Parenthood Action

Black maternal mental health is an important topic to consider when addressing problems in medicine.

likelihood that Black mothers will seek mental health services.

As Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, an OBGYN in the Oregon area has stated on her social media “If you don’t know the scope of the problem, you can’t be motivated to fix it.” The first step in any campaign to rectify these disparities is increasing awareness of them. Efforts like National Health Law Program’s to increase access to doulas for Black

mothers (which has been proven to decrease maternal mortality according to a 2019 study with organizations like Ancient Song Doula Services, Village Birth International and Every Mother Counts) and increasing cultural competency training in medical providers in the field of gynecology, obstetrics, and mental health are all important steps in reducing Black maternal mental health gaps.

7 May 2021

Red & Black

Diversity 11

Diverse Literature Review: “Left to Tell” Alex Wagner Red & Black Staff

There are a myriad of diverse novels and memoirs that have been written, with a majority of them coming from the year 2021. It Is important to read books like this, because a lot of these minority groups and minority narratives have not been shared in society today.

Although there are many, these books have been outshined by other common whitewashed stories, thus taking the back burner in the world of literature. One novel, more specifically an autobiography/memoir, addresses the issues of the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Many do not know about this genocide, as it was hidden by those perpetrating such violence.

This memoir, “Left to Tell,” is Immaculée Ilibagiza’s story about her time surviving the Rwandan Genocide of the mid 1990’s. The memoir was published 12 years after the 1994 genocide in 2006. It claimed over one million lives in just 100 days, one of the worst mass genocides in history.

Ilibagiza highlights her life as a young girl up until the genocide’s beginning.

Unfortunately, after speaking with many Washington and Jefferson College students, many did not know about this novel, let alone the genocide. However, one student that attends Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. was willing to speak on the memoir and her experience reading it in high school. Duquesne junior, Alexis Lytle, said this has become one of her favorite books in the past four years, rereading it at least three times.

“I remember reading the Memoir sophomore year in my world cultures class at Mercyhurst Prep. At the time, I had no interest in the topic, but after reading it, I was moved by the experiences and the horrors that I had read in this novel,” said Lytle.

This book is not a light read by any means. Many of the details that one might encounter leave readers feel-

ing unsettled and disturbed, as the violence is prominent and peppered throughout the entire memoir.

“I think we’ve become accustomed to the idea of genocide, especially after the Holocaust. Any high school or college you go to in any history course will address the Holocaust, but the Rwandan Genocide is something that people are not aware of. It’s sad be-

cause a lot of the details in this narrative alone show how awful it truly was, but no one knows anything about it” emphasized Lytle.

For those interested in the novel, “Left to Tell” is truly a life-changing story. Those who have read it have shared the enormous impact has had on their perspective of our world today.

Courtesy Overdrive

“Left to Tell” is Immaculée Ilibagiza’s story of surviving the Rwandan Genocide in the mid 1990s.

12 Diversity

Red & Black

7 May 2021

The Dangers of Florida’s New House Bill 1 Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Editor

Recently, Florida passed an “anti-riot” law called HB1 in response to Black Lives Matter protests. House Bill 1 (HB1) will result in the systematic arrest of Black protestors for peacefully protesting.

If protests break out into violence, this law allows for peaceful protestors to be punished. The ACLU claims the law is “overboard and vague,” and will give Florida officials more room to disproportionately arrest Black protestors who have not committed any acts of violence. Micah Kubic, the executive director of ACLU of Florida, described the bill in the following way: “The bill was purposely designed to embolden the disparate police treatment we have seen over and over again directed towards Black and brown people who are exercising their constitutional right to protest.”

With this bill, the scope of what can be considered a “misdemeanor” during protests is broadened. Further, anyone charged with a misdemeanor during a protest will be denied bill.

HB1 also creates a new felony crime called “aggravated rioting” with 15 years in prison and a new crime of “mob intimidation.” Additionally, it requires state approval for local governments to cut police budgets. And, it raises penalties against protestors accused of a crime, including damage to historical monuments or statues.

An Orlando civil rights attorney issued a federal lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis for signing this law into effect. The suit argues that this law is

Courtesy WFSU

Florida Gov. Ron DeStantis signed House Bill 1 (HB1) into law which will actively prohibit and criminalize successful tactics of people’s movements.

unconstitutional for three reasons. The first reason is the following: Stripping Floridians of their first amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly by considering peaceful protests to “incite riots.” The second reason is that HB1 punishes the arrested with “excessive bail, fines or cruel and unusual

punishment as a means of hindering the speech of dissenting opinions,” violating the first amendment. Lastly, HB1 violates the fourteenth amendment’s due process by not clearly defining “inciting a riot” and arresting peaceful protests.

Ultimately, House Bill 1 (HB1) is

a racist and unconstitutional bill that will have a chilling impact on free speech. It was evidently drafted in the effort to quash protests by groups like Black Lives Matter. This bill will prove to be dangerous, serving as intimidation to people who would peacefully demonstrate.

7 May 2021

opinions Red & Black

Opinions 13

Supreme Court Upholds Dangerous Precedent Paul Collier Red & Black Editor

The Supreme Court recently decided to not hear a case from a West Point cadet who was raped while a student at West Point, following a dangerous precedent to ignore violence carried out outside of combat. She had previously tried to sue two senior offices after the attack occurred in 2010, but the case was thrown out then as well due to a 1950 court case called Feres v United States, in which the court decided military personnel cannot sue over issues that happen in relation to military service.

This precedent is quite obviously morally wrong, as noted by law professors at Harvard and Texas at

Austin, who said in a joint statement that the cadet was voluntarily enrolled as a student at West Point and was performing no military activity. The only thing tangentially militaristic about the situation was her enrollment, and that should not be enough to keep justice from being achieved for the unidentified cadet.

The immorality of the precedent is also seen in the range of supreme court justices against it, which include Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Antonin Scalia, John Paul Stevens and, most recently, Clarence Thomas, who wrote the dissent after the court decided to not take up the cadet’s case.

Even worse is that Biden’s solicitor general, Elizabeth B. Prelogar, and the Justice Department opposed the cadet’s petition. She claimed Feres is a “good law: the distinctively federal character of the relationship between

the military and service members, the availability of certain no-fault statutory benefits for service-related injuries, and the avoidance of judicial intrusion into military discipline and decision making.” In some ways, she is correct, as someone who is shot while in combat and volunteered to take on this risk should not be able to then sue the government over this risk.

But this case is quite clearly not the same. A woman was abused while not in combat, and even if in combat, the law must be changed so that sexual assault cannot occur and be allowed because of a blanket of military protection. Quite frankly, it is shameful Biden has someone in his justice department that, like the other supreme court justices, is so attached to precedent that she refuses to understand that the precedent is wrong. The U.S. military has a history

C ontac t

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.

of abuse against women, and if a law is standing in the way of combatting this abuse, then that law needs removed regardless of the circumstances behind it.

Justice Thomas holds the same view. In his dissent, he wrote that “perhaps the Court is hesitant to take up this issue at all because it would require fiddling with a seventy-yearold precedent. But if the Feres doctrine is so wrong that we cannot figure out how to rein it in, then the better answer is to bid it farewell.” It is a disgrace that the military and the government would be willing to endorse treating women who are willing to die fighting for them in this manner. We cannot allow the military or the courts to continue to ignore cases like this and push them aside because it’s easier that way. Justice Thomas is correct; the Jane Doe of this case deserves justice.

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

7 May 2021 Red & Black

Oscars Begin Recognizing Minority Artists Alex Wagner Red & Black Staff

Even with so much progress in society today in regard to racism and other gender-based issues, we sadly still live in an environment that fails to recognize the talent and beauty in many minority actors and actresses.

The Oscars are a prime example of this issue, as many African American individuals have not been awarded for their stunning performances and overall gift of the arts.

The Oscar Awards have been around since 1929, and still we have seen little to no recognition of the minority groups that have been involved in numerous movies and projects. There are only 17 black actors who have won Academy Awards. Out of these 17 winners, five of them were roles that reinforced bad stereotypes about African American people. This alone shows the issue within the Academy Awards, and why there needs to be more change.

With the Black Lives Matter Movement reaching its highest peak in the past year, it is no surprise that the Oscars have been under a microscope regarding their nominations and winners. Still with a majority of white and mainly male nominees, we have thankfully seen a slight change in the minority group represented.

The biggest win for the Black community was when Daniel Kaluuya won the award for best supporting actor for his role as Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah.”

Another remarkable accomplishment

was when Chloé Zhao won the best director for “Nomadland”. She became the first woman of color to win the award, and more notably the second woman ever to win.

Yuh-Jung Youn became the first Korean actress to win an acting Oscar.

She won based on her supporting role in the film “Minari.”

Sophomore Madison Butler spoke on how she felt after the 93rd Oscars this year in April. “It is so nice to finally see not only minority groups, but also women, finally be recognized for their hard work and talent in such a white and male dominated field,” said Butler. She further emphasized, “It just shows that our efforts in the past few years with BLM and other movements have given us some results, but we still have a long way to go.”

Courtesy The Oklahoman

Yuh-Jung Youn wins the Grammy for Best Supporting Actress.

Courtesy AP News

Daniel Kaluuya wins the Grammy for Best Supporting Actor.

7 May 2021

Red & Black

Opinions 15

Biden Gives Armenia Deserved Recognition Paul Collier Red & Black Editor

For 106 years, American politicians have partially denied the cruelties inflicted on the Armenians in the Armenian Genocide to maintain relationships with Turkey. However, President Biden recently risked this relationship to set the record straight that America recognizes the Ottoman Empire’s mass deportations leading to the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians as a genocide.

As Turkey is a NATO ally, many past presidents have stopped short of this label to avoid criticizing Turkey too heavily. Turkey claims the genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire that became the country of Turkey is overblown by many in the international community, with death numbers not being nearly so high and treatment not being so bad as the forced expulsion that caused the genocide.

Despite Congress applying pressure by passing resolutions to recognize the genocide, President Obama reversed a campaign promise to label the deportation a genocide, President Trump called the deportations “one of the worst mass atrocities in the 20th century” and President Reagan called it the “genocide of the Armenians.”

The Armenian people were abused by the Ottomans from the start, as Armenia was the first country to make Christianity its official religion. The Islamic empires, including the Ottomans, were often tolerant of Christianity and Judaism, but Armenians still had few legal or political rights and had to pay higher taxes than Muslims. They still thrived, however, and were left the

target of more violent leaders as the Ottoman empire progressed, leading to a pogrom in the 1890s to slaughter Armenians due to protests over Ottoman influence.

In 1908, the Young Turks took control of the Ottoman Empire, and, in 1914, declared a holy war against all Christians while joining World War I. After Armenia began fighting against the Turks on the side of Christianruled Russia, the new Turkey that emerged following the war began deportations leading to the Armenian Genocide.

It is integral, then, that this genocide is recognized as such.

America joins only 30 countries in officially recognizing this massacre over religious beliefs as a genocide.

Even Turkey recognizes the massacre to some extent, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calling the deportations inhumane. But the label adds the intention for the Turkish government to kill Armenians over their religious beliefs, and this is a human rights abuse that the world needs to take seriously and hold Turkey accountable for, so it doesn’t happen again. It might have happened 106 years ago, but it isn’t encouraging that as a result Turkey’s foreign ministry stated that the label will only cause polarization and instability.

This slaughter is still ignored by the Turkish government and most of the world, and it is promising that Biden is willing to allow America to be a leader in recognizing human rights abuses even if it makes some allied countries mad. America cannot ally itself with those that excuse abuses like genocide, and we can only hope Biden continues to take steps to put pressure on Turkey to recognize the genocide and provide reparations for the Armenian people they destroyed.

Courtesy Courthouse News

President Erdogan claims President Biden made a mistake, denies the Armenian Deportations was a genocide.

16 Opinions

7 May 2021

Red & Black

India Needs More Assistance to Combat COVID-19 Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Editor

Now that millions of Americans have received their doses, the Biden administration is looking to distribute the coronavirus vaccine to India and other countries.

In recent weeks, India has struggled with an astounding rise in new coronavirus infections. Over this past weekend, India has reported 400,000 cases, bringing the nation’s cumulative total to 19,557,457 cases, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins.

This spike may have been triggered by a highly contagious Covid variant, known as B.1.617, which was first identified in India. Since then, the variant has been identified in other countries including the United States.

The Biden Administration has since responded swiftly, with White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain saying “We are rushing aid to India,” during an interview on CBS program “Face the Nation. Klain shared that the U.S. has already sent therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and protective equipment as well as raw materials needed for vaccine production. Additionally, the Biden administration has said it would relax patent protection on the coronavirus vaccine. Thus, Klain stated “Our U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is going to the WTO next week to start talks on how we can get this vaccine more widely distributed.”

And, earlier in April, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed lifting the patent protections of the

coronavirus vaccine with Biden to grant governments with quicker and more affordable access to the lifesaving doses.

Now, President Biden, under intense pressure to do more to address the surging pandemic abroad, intends to make up to 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine available to other countries. Biden’s talks with Prime Minister Modi and this following action is a significant, albeit limited, shift for the White House. Up until this point, the White House has been reluctant to make excess doses of the coronavirus vaccine available in large amounts. And, while this action is certainly welcomed and needed considering the humanitarian crisis growing in India, global health groups said the commitment was not nearly big enough.

And, this action comes with a catch: The AstraZeneca doses were made at a Baltimore plant, owned

by Emergent BioSolutions, where production has been halted amid fears of contamination. Therefore, as part of a continuing safety review of the plant, the Food and Drug Administration will have to certify that the doses meet the United States’ standards for safety and quality before they can be distributed to India.

Ultimately, President Biden took office vowing to restore the United States as a leader in global public health. Thus far, he has taken steps to do so: rejoining the World Health Organization, pledging $4 billion to an international vaccine effort and providing financial support to help Biological E, a vaccine manufacturer in India and produce at least one billion doses of coronavirus vaccines by the end of 2022. These plans come

Courtesy Time Magazine

Prime Ministaer Modi discusses COVID-19 in India.

with two goals: one being to combat the coronavirus pandemic and the second to return America to its previously held position with allies.

However, more than a year into the pandemic, infections are beginning to slow domestically as they still continue

to sweep across the world. Given the scope of the crisis, President Biden has a moral obligation to do more, not only to reestablish American alliances abroad, but to address the growing humanitarian disaster unfolding before our eyes.

sports

7 May 2021

Red & Black

17 Sports

Steelers Receive Mixed Reviews On Draft

Courtesy Steelers Wire - USA Today

Steelers rookies look to make an instant impact.

Nick Krugh Red & Black Editor

The Pittsburgh Steelers have completed the 2021 NFL Draft and the reviews seem to be mixed. The Steelers took nine prospects in this year’s draft thanks to an extra fourth and seventh round pick. The drafter consists of

running back Najee Harris (Alabama), tight end Pat Freiermuth (Penn State), guard Kenrdick Green (Illinois), tackle Dan Moore (Texas A&M), linebacker Buddy Johnson (Texas A&M), defensive end Isaiahh Loudermild (Wisconsin), linebacker Quincy Roche (Miami), safety Tre Norwood (Oklahoma), and punter Pressley Harvin III (Georgia Tech).

The first round pick of Najee Harris might have been the only pick, out side of Trevor Lawrence going first overall,

that everyone could have predicted.

The most controvery comes with the Steelers Second overall choice. The team desperately needed offensive line help. This is due to some key departures to free agency of guys like Matt Feiler and Alejandro Villanueva. Also, the loss of Maurkice Pouncey to retirement left the o-line in bad shape.

Thus, this led to the questioning of the picking a tight end with several instant starter caliber offensive line left on the draft board. Freiermuth is going

to have to play like Health Miller if we wants to win over the Pittsburgh fans anytime soon. However, if the line is struggling, Freiermuth is going to be hearing about how bad his pick was for years.

The one silverlining for Steelers fans is that, just like wide recievers, the Steelers have succeeded in finding offensive line value in later rounds.

It looks like they may have done this with Green and Moore in the third and fourth rounds.

18 Sports

Red & Black

7 May 2021

Student Athlete Highlight: Aisa Uhler

Courtesy Sofia Jenkins

Aisa Uhler ‘24 is involved with women’s lacrosse and ROTC.

Sofia Jenkins Red & Black Staff

This week’s student-athlete highlight is Aisa Uhler ‘24. Uhler is a freshman from East Lansing, Michigan, who was born in Osaka, Japan. Uhler is involved with many things on the Washington & Jefferson campus, including being a key player on the W&J Women’s lacrosse team as well as being a part of W&J’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. Academically, Uhler is a superb student

who has not yet declared her major but is heavily considering International Studies. Uhler is very passionate about the potential this major offers because she enjoys learning about different countries across the globe to include appreciation of the language(s) and culture(s) each may offer.

Uhler’s academic and athletic prowess did not just start in college, in high school Uhler was a member of the National High School Honors Society: she received three scholar athlete awards, and was nominated for lacrosse player of the year in her hometown her junior year of high school.

Uhler has been a very well-rounded student-athlete since she began her lacrosse passion in sixth grade. Uhler

said she loves lacrosse so much because she enjoys, “seeing the results of my hard work pay off and making friends I probably wouldn’t have made if I didn’t play.”

Uhler sees not only the personal benefits of being a student-athlete, but also the effect she has on her teammates and friends around her, which inspires her to always put forth her best effort. Not only does she hold this mentality on the lacrosse field and in the classroom, but she also puts forth her best effort in her participation in the ROTC program at W&J. Uhler’s passion for ROTC arose out of her father’s service in the U.S. Army as an airborne ranger. Uhler enjoys ROTC at W&J because she likes that

she gets to challenge herself every day, she likes the people that she has met through ROTC, and it helps her for the future because they teach her leadership skills that she would not get to learn otherwise.

Uhler also believes that balancing all of these different activities helps her strengthen her time-management skills. Uhler says her balancing strategy this semester worked better than last semester because now she is more adept at focusing on one task at a time.

Uhler likes the W&J campus and the friends she has made and said her favorite thing about being a student-athlete at W&J is that she, “always knows she has people that have her back no matter what.”

7 May 2021

Red & Black

19 Sports

Women’s Lacrosse & Men’s Soccer Win PAC Champs John Kiebler Red & Black Staff

In a championship-filled weekend, Washington & Jefferson’s men’s soccer and women’s lacrosse team both secured PAC Championship wins.

Sam Casile ‘23 of the women’s lacrosse team stated, The PAC championship was an expectation that we set for our team since the very beginning of the season. Our victory felt like a reward for our discipline and diligence.” The women’s lacrosse team entered the championship game against Thiel with a perfect 9-0 record, ready to go undefeated en route to a championship. After scoring nine unanswered goals to start the game, the Presidents did just that.

Midfielder Becca Ghoin ‘23 opened the scoring just 27 seconds into the match and the Presidents never looked back. Aisa Uhler ‘24 and Sarah Labovitz ‘23 scored four of W&J’s next five, taking a commanding 6-0 lead just eight minutes into the match.

Three consecutive goals by Amanda Effland ‘23, Sadie Firman ‘24 and Clara Sherwood ‘22 gave W&J a comfortable 9-0 lead. The Presidents scored 4 more before closing out the half, leading 13-1. With the championship in sight, W&J tacked on another five goals in the second, trampling Thiel with a final score of 18-3—completing their perfect season.

Labovitz, a midfielder, took home Most Outstanding Player honors, while Kaitlyn Brown’24, Effland, Sofia Jenkins’24 and Sherwood joined Labovitz to be named to PAC’s AllTournament Team. Katelyn Walzer

Courtesy GoPresidents.com

The PAC champions celebrate their victories.

‘22 said, “After facing so much adversity this semester, it was the most rewarding feeling to finally play together, to our full potential.”

The women’s lacrosse team will travel to Washington & Lee University to participate in the DIII Women’s Lacrosse NCAA tournament next weekend.

W&J’s men’s soccer team also secured a championship win this weekend, winning their second straight title. The game opened with a goal from Westminster just 15 minutes

in. The majority of the first half saw the Titans dominate possession.

However, right before the end of the first half, midfielder Thomas Einolf ‘22 scored an unassisted goal to tie the game 1-1 heading into half.

Before the game, forward Jake Fetterman ‘21 said, “We handled Westminster early in the season with a 4-2 win, but we can’t think of them as the same team now. They’ve made improvements to their game plan and are coming off a huge win against Geneva. It’ll be crucial for the

underclassmen to step-up despite not having the same experience a lot of us do.”

This would come to fruition. After a slow start to the second half, Jayden Da ‘24 took a freekick in the 81st minute. Off the deflection, midfielder Zach Bowser ‘23 headed in the gamewinning goal. Goalie Sam Miller ‘223 recorded six saves in the win as W&J wins their second consecutive PAC Championship. Bowser, Da, Einolf, and Joey Feola ‘22 were all named to the PAC All-Tournament Team.

20 Sports

Red & Black

7 May 2021

Last Week’s Scores Apr. 30 Men’s Soccer vs. Westminster: 2-1 W PAC Championship

May. 1 Women’s Lacrosse vs. Thiel: 18-3 W PAC Championship W&J Baseball vs. Thiel: 15-2 W W&J Baseball vs. Thiel: 12-2 W

Feb. 16 W&J Baseball at Thiel: 17-2 W W&J Baseball at Thiel: 12-2 W

Next Week’s Games

Courtesy GoPresidents.com

May. 6 W&J Softball vs. Chatham or Grove City: 5:00 PM

May. 8 W&J Baseball at St. Vincent: 1:00 PM W&J baseball at St. VIncent: 3:30 PM

May. 9 W&J baseball vs. St. Vincent; 1:00 PM W&J Baseball vs. St. Vincent: 3:30 PM Courtesy GoPresidents.com