Volume 103 Issue 12

The Fordham Ram Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 Volume 103, Issue 12

TheFordhamRam.com

September 22, 2021

Fordham SJP Starts New Protest

OMA Celebrates Latinx Culture

By SEBASTIAN DIAZ

By ISABEL DANZIS

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

On Thursday, Sept. 9, Fordham Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) launched a letter-writing campaign aiming to quantify public support for the unsanctioned club.

The campaign marks the first action taken in the legal battle between Fordham SJP and Fordham University since the Dec. 22 court decision giving the university the freedom to deny SJP's campus presence. For its new campaign, SJP asks students to fill out a pre-written template for a letter to Fordham, demanding the university reinstate the club’s official status on campus.

“Fordham students have fought a long battle for the university to recognize SJP. The scrutiny and censorship that SJP has been put through is a clear violation of Fordham University’s own declared free speech policies,” states the letter template.

The letter details how thoroughly impacted the club was after the Dec. 22 court decision, describing the number of activities the club had been able to facilitate both onand off-campus, including “reading groups, movie nights, museum out-

The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) is celebrating Latinx Heritage this month from Sept.

15 to Oct. 15.

According to the OMA’s official Instagram account, “Latinx Heritage Month was established as a way to celebrate and recognize the history, culture and contributions of Latinx individuals in the United States.”

This month, the OMA will be hosting multiple events in celebration of Latinx and Hispanic culture. The Latinx Heritage Month Committee, which is an extension of the OMA, planned the events occurring this month. The committee has branches at both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center, meaning Latinx heritage programming will be offered at both campuses.

Chantz Kouveras, FCRH ’22, the cultural programming coordinator for the Latinx Cultural Committee, took on a significant role in the upcoming cultural events.

“I am responsible for planning and helping to coordinate the events throughout the year that celebrate Latinx heritage and culture, specifically with a focus on Hispanic Heritage Month,” he said.

Programming for Latinx Heritage month at Fordham this year ranges from a trip to a Yankees Game to a Hurricane Maria Remembrance event. “[On the 17th,] we [had] a trip to the Yankees game. They honor[ed] Hispanic Heritage month by making a special series of hats that have different flags of Latin countries and territories on them,” said Kouveras.

The Hurricane Maria Remembrance candle lighting event will be taking place on Sept. 20 in Campbell Hall on the Rose Hill campus.

Kouveras said he was looking forward to providing a space for

SEE SJP, PAGE 3

SARI AVILA-FRANKLIN / THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham students at the Rose Hill campus are able to be tested for COVID-19 at the shed located behind O'Hare Hall.

Fordham Grapples with Testing and Contact Tracing Procedures

By SOPHIA FORLENZA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham University has made the decision this semester to do away with regular surveillance testing for vaccinated individuals, who represent the vast majority of Fordham students and employees, according to Fordham’s official website. This decision is in line with current CDC guidelines regarding regular testing of vaccinated individuals. Fordham students and faculty who are unvaccinated, however, are still subject to weekly testing.

Keith Eldredge, assistant vice president and dean of Students Services, said the university’s decision is in line with current public health policy. “We continue to adhere closely to current CDC and NYC Department of Health (DOH) guidance,” said Eldredge. “The CDC and DOH have not yet recommended broader surveillance testing and our health care professionals on and off campus recommend that we mirror the guidance.”

The Ram interviewed two professors who asked to remain anonymous to protect themselves from university

retaliation. They said they felt that Fordham’s facilities administration had done a fair job of explaining the protocol when asked about the transparency of COVID-19 testing and contacttracing procedures.

One sociology professor at Lincoln Center expressed concern for their child at home, since Fordham’s policy for parents and caregivers “only covers children who get a positive test result, not those waiting for SEE TESTING, PAGE 3

The Ram Checks in With ASILI

By MOLLY EGAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ARI AVILA-FRANKLIN / THE FORDHAM RAM

The brand new interior of Ram’s Deli, above, increased space as the deli and the neighboring pizzeria turned into one store.

Beloved Belmont Deli Gets a Brand New Look This Fall

By LUCY PETERSON

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The 24-hour bodega Ram’s Deli Plus located near campus on East Fordham Road is beloved by students, professors and members of the Belmont community. Now, it

has a new name and a series of exciting new renovations that provide the space with a much sleeker and spacious interior.

The bodega, recognized by students for its chicken over rice, deli sandwiches and a wide variety of

drink selections, has expanded to create a much larger shared space after merging with the small pizza joint, Ram’s Pizza, next door. The renovations boast a significantly larger storefront, an updated electronic menu board, new floors and increased reSEE DELI, PAGE 5

In June of 2020, shortly after national outcry erupted over George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police and protests for Black Lives Matter mobilized across the nation, Fordham’s Black Student Union, ASILI, released a list of 11 demands centered on issues of Racial Justice to Fordham on its official Instagram page.

These demands were focused on how the student club believed the university’s administration could make the school a better place for Black students. The club pushed the university to adopt updated policies in areas like course curriculums, faculty and administrator hiring and student protests. ASILI members also demanded that Fordham “acknowledge SEE ASILI, PAGE 5

SEE LATINX, PAGE 4

in this issue

Opinion

Page 9

Dress Codes and Masks: Freedom Versus Safety

Sports

Page 20

Fordham Water Polo Sweeps Bison Invitational

Culture

Page 14

The Satin Dolls, the Ramblers & the Rockettes

NEWS

Page 2

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS Sept. 13, 2021 Walsh Hall 11:42 p.m.

Public Safety was notified of an occupied elevator stuck in the basement floor of Walsh Hall.

The student was freed by Public Safety at 11:53 p.m. At this time, both elevators are out of service.

Sept. 17, 2021 Walsh Library 6:10 p.m.

Public Safety received an alert of a fire alarm in Walsh Library and FDNY was notified to respond. The fire panel displayed a problem with a roof smoke/heat detector. FDNY searched the roof area, the boiler room and surrounding area with no sign of smoke. The panel was reset.

Sept. 17, 2021 2512 Hoffman Street 11:21 p.m.

A student was assaulted off campus. A witness reported that five young men attempted to enter the residence to attend a gathering. The men attacked the student, unprovoked, as he exited the residence. FUEMS treated the student for minor cuts and bruises, but they declined further treatment. NYPD is investigating the assault.

Sept. 20, 2021 Walsh Library 11 a.m.

A Fordham student attempted to bring a non-Fordham guest into the Walsh Library. The student texted a copy of his VitalCheck access screen to his friend in order to gain access to the library. The non-Fordham guest and the student were stopped at the turnstile gate before they could enter the building. The student was instructed on the university’s guest policy.

Follow us on Twitter! @TheFordhamRam

September 22, 2021

Fordham Students Talk Mask Mandate

By AVA KNIGHT

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

With the delta variant of COVID-19 still spreading throughout the United States, Fordham University adopted the CDC’s recommendation to implement an indoor maskmandate for the fall 2021 semester. In an email sent to the Fordham community on Aug. 19, two weeks before the start of the academic year, the university announced that all students and employees will be required to wear face masks while indoors on campus, regardless of vacciEMILY HUR/THE FORDHAM RAM nation status.

Students must wear masks while attending classes in-person.

The university requires masking in all indoor places.

This announcement was a disappointment to some students while working out. “We tend to not safe? We’re just trying to con- study published by Proceedings who were excited to be return- have a little 50/50,” said Bickford, trol the area that we can control of the National Academy of Arts ing to campus for a “normal” “It tends to be once they come in, down here by making sure ev- and Sciences (PNAS) found that school-year after more than a we’ve been having problems with erybody is wearing their masks.” “places and time periods where year of online learning. Some people going into a studio or an According to the university’s of- mask usage is required or widemembers of the Fordham com- area where they think we can’t see ficial website, over 98% of Ford- spread have shown substantially munity were also confused as to them and they take [their masks] ham undergraduate students lower community transmission.” why the indoor mask-mandate off.” Surveyed students report that have been vaccinated against Under CDC guidelines, New was adopted for the fall when masks “get really hot and stuffy” COVID-19. Currently, over 98% York City is considered an area vaccination is also required for and are “hard to breathe [in].” of university employees are also of “high transmission,” defined all community members to enter 46.6% of surveyed students felt vaccinated. However, the CDC as an area with over 50 cases campus. Unvaccinated members that mask use in the gym is un- still recommends that fully vac- per 100,000 residents over the of the Fordham community are necessary or not very important cinated individuals wear masks last seven days or 8% test posinot able to “dine indoors, use while the other 53.4% felt that in indoor settings in areas in the tivity rate over the same period. indoor athletic facilities nor take masks are kind of important or United States “of substantial or As of Sept. 20, the Bronx and part in indoor entertainment important. None felt that masks high transmission.”

Manhattan reported 106.26 events per the New York City are necessary in the gym.

So, when will the masks come and 136.98 cases per 100,000 policy,” according to Fordham’s A reminder for students to off? There is no clear answer yet. residents, respectively. For now, official website. wear masks properly is repeat- One study published in the New expert wisdom seems to indiTo get a sense of Fordham stu- ed over the loudspeakers every England Journal of Medicine cate that masks are a good way dents’ opinions on the current few minutes as fitness center found that the full dosage of to protect against breakthrough masking requirements, the Ram staff members notice people the Pfizer vaccine is around infections that can still occur in conducted a poll. Of the 15 stu- defying the university’s rule, 88% effective against the delta vaccinated communities. Until dents polled through a Google said Bickford. “COVID has variant. As of Saturday, Sept. rates fall below the CDC threshform, 53.3% felt that masks were mutated, and we just don’t know 18, both New York County and old and remain consistent, redundant with such a high per- what it looks like,” she said. “It Bronx County are categorized Fordham students will likely centage of the community being [could] turn into something else, as areas of “high” transmission continue to be asked to wear face vaccinated. The other 46.7% pre- so we don’t know really, with the of COVID-19, according to the masks indoors on campus, even ferred the extra protection that vaccination, are we safe, are we CDC’s COVID Data Tracker. A when working out in the gym. masks provide in tandem with the vaccine.

When surveyed on the importance of masks in various locations, many students thought masks are not very important or unnecessary in places like residence halls. Of those surveyed, 66.7% of students felt that masks were unnecessary or not very important in residence halls and 46.7% felt that masks were unnecessary or not very important in the residence hall lounges.

Fordham students are particularly against the mask mandate in the Ram Fit Center, located on the bottom floor of the McGinley Center across from the post office. Sarah Bickford, administrator of fitness and recreation at Fordham, said not every student chooses to folEMILY HUR/THE FORDHAM RAM low the official masking policy For vaccinated students at Fordham, face masks are required indoors but optional in outdoor areas on campus.

This Week at Fordham Wednesday Sept. 22

Thursday Sept. 23

Friday Sept. 24

Saturday Sept. 25

Sunday Sept. 26

CAB WAC Apple Picking Tabling

Fall Harvest Block PartyOrganization

Advocates for a Palestinian Perspective Kickoff Meeting

FUEMS Fall EMT School

Fordham Dance Marathon General Meeting

McGinley Lobby 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Campus Activities Board WAC is hosting a trip for a day of apple picking at Wightman Farm.

CAB will be setting up a table event on Wednesday for students to sign up.

McGinley Ballroom & 2nd Floor Lounge 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Commuter Student Services has organized a Block Party. Sponsored by the Office for Student Involvement, the party will be catered by Boston Market and include games and crafts.

Dealy 115 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The Advocates for a Palestinian Perspective are holding their kickoff meeting for the semester this Friday. Join in for a discussion on Palestine and global politics.

Freeman 105 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. .

FUEMS is hosting a training session for the fall semester.

Attending students will learn about the medical profession through the Fordham community and hands-on experience.

McGinley Rose Hill Commons 9 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Fordham Dance Marathon, a club raising funds for pediatric cancer research group Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, has an organized meeting open to all students this Sunday.

NEWS

September 22, 2021

Page 3

SJP Launches Letter Writing Campaign for Club Status FROM SJP, PAGE 1

ings, speaker events, seminars and more.” Since being shut down, SJP has not had the means to organize these kinds of events.

“The general plan is just to put pressure on the administration and make them know that we’re here to stay,” said a spokesperson for SJP, who wished to remain anonymous for the sake of identity protection, regarding the campaign. The letter-writing campaign provides supporters of the club a medium to make the university administration aware of the club’s support base.

The campaign allows the club not only to contextualize the issues they are facing but also restate its mission to be officially recognized by the university. “Our only demand is just to exist and be able to have discussions on campus,” Fordham SJP told the Ram. The issues that surround SJP affect more than just the logistical sanctioning of the club, the spokesperson noted, but also the school’s Palestinian population. “By not allowing SJP, you’re denying a whole group of students safe space to learn about their heritage, culture and the issue that is central to their whole life. To deny that is inherently anti-Palestinian,” the spokesperson says. “The club has continued to affirm and uplift community among people of all cultural backgrounds for the promotion of justice, human rights, liberation and self-determination for Palestinian people,” says the campaign letter.

The campaign is in direct re-

sponse to the Dec. 22, 2020 New York Appellate Court decision that gave the university jurisdiction to decide whether or not Fordham SJP can stay on campus as a sanctioned club.

The December decision is a reversal of a prior court decision from Aug. 6, 2019 that directed Fordham University to recognize and sanction Fordham SJP as an official club, blocking the veto by Keith Eldredge, assistant vice president and dean of student services, of the United Student Government’s vote of approval for the club’s existence. With this decision reversed, the university administration has returned to its initial stance not to allow the group to become an official club.

Currently, Fordham SJP is an unsanctioned club that the university does not officially recognize. This decision, forcing SJP away from its sanctioned status, claimed that the club’s presence was ‘polarizing.’ SJP is pushing against this claim in the new campaign.

“They don’t want us on campus and have made that very clear,” said the Fordham SJP spokesperson.

When asked whether Fordham SJP was considering an appeal to a higher court, the club responded with a yes, but acknowledged the hardships that the next steps might bring. “With the New York Court of Appeals, they don’t have to take every case,” their spokesperson said.

“We don’t necessarily know if we’ll get a chance in court… It’s just a waiting thing.”

For now, the letter-writing cam-

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The letter campaign calls upon students and the supporters of Fordham SJP to digitally organize and make demands.

paign is the club’s next source of action, helping show how much support the club has, not just among students, but among other college SJP groups and Palestinian advocates across the country. The campaign serves to show the Fordham administration how many people are unhappy and want to challenge Fordham’s decision not to recognize the club, the spokesperson from SJP explained.

Beyond the campaign, there are other ways that Fordham students can show their support for SJP, the group told the Ram. “Bring attention to the issue, tell the faculty and advisors that this is something that’s important to you

and realize the sort of struggles that being Palestinian on campus brings with it and how hostile the administration can be,” the spokesperson said.

The legal battle between Fordham University and the club has proven to be an expensive campaign for the school.

“This lawsuit has cost the university a lot of money during a period of massive budget cuts, university-wide salary freezes and significant austerity,” said Jordan Stein, an English professor at the university. “Given these conditions, it is not clear that spending this money on a lawsuit should be the university’s priority.”

According to Bob Howe, the university’s assistant vice president of communications, the administration at Fordham currently has no plans to reconsider SJP’s club status.

“The court found that Fordham was not unreasonable in concluding that the proposed club, which would have been affiliated with a national organization reported to have engaged in disruptive and coercive actions on other campuses, would work against, rather than enhance, respondent’s commitment to open dialogue and mutual learning and understanding,” Howe wrote in statement to the Ram.

Fordham Students Express Confusion Over COVID-19 Testing FROM TESTING, PAGE 1

a test result or whose classes have been moved online because of a school outbreak.”

A Rose Hill professor expressed concern for their “unvaccinated child and immunocompromised spouse” at home and dissatisfaction with the university’s choice not to continue surveillance testing for everyone. They said they would prefer if regular surveillance testing could be continued, given that there is the potential for asymptomatic transmission of the delta variant between vaccinated individuals, according to the CDC. The question remains, though, if such protocols are effective and if they are in fact being strictly implemented on campus. Abigail Dziura, FCRH ’24, told the Ram that she recently had a student test positive in one of her classes, and explained that everyone in the class had been contact traced because her professor had not submitted a seating chart, which is strongly encouraged by administrators.

“I just felt very in the dark, confused and scared,” Dziura said.

Dziura said that Fordham’s Public Safety Office told her she needed to wait “a day or two” before being tested and was able to go to class while masked in the meantime — something she described as “a recipe for disaster” in light of the fact that she could have unknowingly been positive.

Jake Miller, FCRH ’24, agreed, saying he, too, had to wait three days until he was allowed to get tested. He feels like Fordham is “pushing in-person learning too much to really be safe.”

Students have had mixed experiences with testing on campus. Some found the experience fairly easy and straightforward while others found it slow due to the lack of people actually conducting tests and confusing messages from Fordham administrators. Dziura described her extremely confusing and difficult experience last week, both while locating the new testing center and communicating with administrators as she was given contradictory instructions on how and where to get tested by three different administrators at Fordham.

Joshua Gilbert, FCRH ’24, who was tested at the CityMD off campus, explained that he felt as if Fordham could “make things easier, simply by bringing back the testing tent near O’Hare.” Last year the large tent set up on the green space in front of O’Hare Hall provided testing to students every day of the week. He said he observed that many students are “frustrated by the inaccessibility [of] testing on campus.”

While their actual testing experiences vary somewhat, all students interviewed by the Ram felt confused about what was being asked of them after being contact-traced.

Additionally, the students interviewed were under the impression that PCR tests are free on campus and rapid tests are $35. This was the case during the fall and spring semesters of the previous academic year when students were not charged for the regular COVID-19 tests conducted on campus. The Fordham Forward FAQ section of the university’s website states that both PCR and rapid tests on cam-

SARI AVILA-FRANKLIN / THE FORDHAM RAM

The vaccination and testing center, seen above, is located behind O'Hare Hall, on the east side of the Rose Hill campus.

pus now cost $35. “In most situations, students are charged $35 for a test and, if charged, they are given a receipt which they can submit to their insurance,” the website states.

Eldredge told the Ram that students can seek free COVID-19 testing off campus at testing sites near campus.

All students interviewed agreed that COVID-19 testing for contacttraced students must be required, not simply “a series of suggestions,” as Miller put it. Students interviewed agreed that mandatory testing would make them feel much more comfortable on campus, as the delta variant is a threat to the safety and livelihood not only to Fordham students and faculty, but also the greater Bronx community.

As of Monday, Sept. 20, Marco Valera, vice president for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator, announced updated contact tracing and testing policies. All vaccinated

students and employees “should report for testing as outlined below within three to five days” after being contact-traced, according to Valera.

Until they receive a negative result, these individuals must wear masks at all times on campus, including outdoors.

In his update, Valera also outlined when and where students can be tested for COVID-19 on campus this semester. Rose Hill students who have been exposed or contact-traced will be tested Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the shed on the northeast corner of O’Hare Hall. Rose Hill employees can receive on-campus testing Monday through Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Coffey Field trailer. Lincoln Center students can get tested Monday and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in McMahon Room 211.

Lincoln Center faculty and staff will be tested during the same times in

McMahon Room 211.

“This testing is provided at no charge to anyone believed to be exposed on campus,” wrote Valera.

The statement regarding billing students $35 for tests in “most situations” on Fordham’s website had not been revised to reflect Valera’s announcement as of the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Valera advised that contacttraced students and employees do not need to call Health Services before getting tested and can simply visit their campus testing sites at designated times. “All symptomatic students should isolate and contact the University Health Services for follow up,” wrote Valera.

Symptomatic employees are also asked to isolate and contact their healthcare provider, as well as indicate their symptoms in VitalCheck.

“They should not return to campus until cleared by their health care provider,” said Valera.

NEWS Fordham OMA Kicks Off Celebration of Latinx Heritage Month

September 22, 2021

Page 4

FROM LATINX, PAGE 1

cultural celebration and understanding at Fordham.

“Sharing Puerto Rican history and culture is a big part of why I applied for OMA,” said Kouveras.

“Getting to talk about the effects of Hurricane Maria, which is something that’s not super well understood in the mainland US, that’s something I’m really passionate about.”

Following the Hurricane Maria Remembrance event, there will be a “Cafe con OMA” event in the McGinley Lobby on Sept. 29, which will include a coffee tasting.

On Oct. 15, there will be a Latinx Excellence Show to conclude the month of cultural celebration.

There will also be separate events occurring at Lincoln Center, including a Common Grounds Conversation on Sept. 28, which will focus on “human migration and Latin America,” according to Fordham’s website.

Students can stay up to date on events occurring throughout the month by following and checking

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Fordham students enjoy a night at Yankee Stadium as part of Fordham Office of Multicultural Affairs’ Latinx Heritage Committee’s group celebration of the month.

in on the Latinx Heritage month Instagram page (@fordham_ latinx). “There are also several more events that are still in the works,” said Kouveras.

Students can reach out to the committee to stay up to date with

events that are happening or find opportunities to help with planning events and activities.

Students can either directmessage the Instagram account, email culturalrh@fordham.edu, call 718-817-0664 or visit their of-

fice in McGinley 215.

“We like to reach students where they’re at, and engage them in planning for and celebrating heritage where they can. Whether that be through Hispanic Heritage Month this month, or Black History Month,

Women’s History Month, etc.,” said Kouveras. “We’re always looking out for new people to reach out and help.

There’s no such thing as too many cooks in the kitchen when it comes to our planning, so we’re always happy to have more people on board.”

Fordham Launches Laundry Program for Commuters

By HASNA CERAN FEATURES EDITOR

Fordham Commuter Student Services has recently begun offering a free laundry program for commuter and off-campus students at the Rose Hill campus.

Students have the opportunity to wash their laundry every other Wednesday in time slots ranging from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Those participating in the program reach Giant Laundry, the laundromat on Webster the free laundry program utilises, by riding the Ram Van from the Bathgate entrance near Finlay Hall.

The program was conceived after a survey for commuters was sent out sometime last year regarding their needs and what they would like to see from Commuter Student Services in the future.

“Some of the feedback that we got was how they were in need of laundry service, being that they are off-campus commuters but they live really close to campus, they don’t have the luxury that residents do of using [the residence halls’] laundry,” said Commuter Assistant Staff Development Coordinator Emely Mojica, FCRH ‘22. “We figured [free laundry service] was the best way to serve that population. It’s free laundry service, free detergent, we pay for the machine use and

COURTESY OF FLICKR

A new Fordham program launched this September allows commuter students a new opportunity to do their laundry at an off campus location free of charge.

the transportation.”

The program is largely credited

by Mojica to Assistant Director for Leadership and Commuter Student Services in the Office of Student Involvement, Stephen Esposito, FCRH ‘17.

“This is something that Stephen took under his wing this summer, and really made it happen,” said Mojica. “He made it his mission that while we were on vacation or at internships, he was programming that we would do next over the next school year.”

The first run-through of the laundry program was on Wednesday, Sep. 8, during which classes followed a Monday schedule. Because of the schedule change, there was a chance student turnout was lower than it otherwise would have been. About 30 students used the laundry program on its first day. However, Mojica noted, considering more students are busy on Monday schedules than on Wednesday, the turnout was surprisingly high.

The turnout is likely to be higher in the following weeks, as some students who haven’t attended the program yet have expressed interest in it. “I haven’t [taken my laundry there], no, but I definitely think I will, soon,” said Ana Bui-Martinez, FCRH ‘23, “It seems really useful.”

Though the program works in conjunction with Giant Laundry as well as the Ram Van, it is not officially sponsored by Giant Laundry. “It comes out of our budget,” noted Jeffany Acosta, FCRH ‘22.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Fordham University's commuter students can now take a Ram Van once every two weeks to an off campus laundromat to do loads of laundry for free.

Commuter Student Services pays Giant Laundry as normal, but the cost does not transfer over to the students participating in the laundry program.

Director of University Transportation Plinio Gonzalez, GSB ‘23 in the Business Administration Master’s program commented the following regarding the Ram Van Office's involvement and participation in the new laundry program: "As a former commuter student, I am delighted to see the strides the University has made in efforts to ease the lives of commuter students. At Ram Van, we are in the business of commuting, so we understand the unique issues that these students are facing."

"We are happy to do anything we can in order to assist. I would like to thank Stephen Esposito at CSS for his tireless work, and being instrumental in the creation of this program. We look forward to the future of this collaboration," Gonzalez said.

The next time the free laundry program will be active is Wednesday, Sep. 22. Students can register online at the link sent out to all Fordham students

by Commuter Student Services at Rose Hill.

NEWS

September 22, 2021

Page 5

Popular Fordham Deli Expands to Include Pizzeria FROM DELI, PAGE 1

frigeration casings offering a more comprehensive selection of drinks and snacks.

Before the decision to expand, the narrow aisles in Ram’s were frequently crammed with students visiting during their lunch hour and grabbing late-night snacks on the weekends. The owner’s son, Kareem Saleh, said the decision to expand stemmed from the fact that, previously, Ram’s was just “too tight of a space.” His father wanted to create more options for the customers and Fordham students who regularly visit the deli, Saleh explained.

Some Fordham students questioned the timing of the renovations which took place over the first two weeks of the fall semester, as hundreds of students returned to campus and began to frequent local bodegas again.

However, Saleh said that their goal was to take advantage of the last few weeks of summer when “business was slower” so that the updated Ram’s would be “ready for upcoming students.”

Saleh said that the severe flash flooding that occurred during the first two weeks of September in New York City “slowed construction” on the renovations. Despite this delay, Ram’s Deli and Pizza is now open and already flourishing with Fordham students as well as members of the local Belmont community returning to check out the updated space.

Saleh said that the menu has

SARI AVILA-FRANKLIN / THE FORDHAM RAM

The newly renovated and expanded Ram’s Deli and Pizza on East Fordham Road now serves fresh pizza along with its usual sandwiches, snacks and deli items.

undergone some changes to select sandwiches but that there are ultimately “more options because the pizzeria is combined with the deli.”

Saleh told the Ram he hopes the recent renovations will provide a better experience for customers.

“There is more space, so we can take care of everyone who comes here,” he said. “[I hope] they’ll be happier in the new space.”

Many students feel that the recent renovations provide opportunities for new opinions and contro-

versy to the continuing debate: whether Ram’s Deli and Pizza or its nearby competitor, The Best Deli & Grill, located down the street on East Fordham Road, is the superior bodega.

Thomas DePaola, GSB ’22, said he was excited about the big changes made to Ram’s Deli and Pizza. “The new renovations are beautiful and a really good way for Ram’s to draw even more business and capitalize on the increased number of students on

campus,” he said.

Grace Twehous, FCRH ’22, said she was also excited about the bodega’s improved look. “Ram’s is my go-to place for mozzarella sticks, curly fries and of course, their sandwiches. The new remodel and additional space is a huge bonus, too. I can’t wait to enjoy it during the rest of my senior year!”

While students are thrilled by the new renovations, it remains to be seen how the changes will impact the future success of Ram’s

competitor, The Best Deli & Grill.

At the very least, the new renovations certainly helped kick off the new school year, marked by the return of students to the Rose Hill campus after the impacted of the COVID-19 pandemic. The expansion of Ram’s Deli and Pizza is largely viewed as a welcoming sight, and members of the Fordham community can look forward to checking out the new renovations in the weeks to come.

ASILI Welcomes Historically Diverse Freshman Class FROM ASILI, PAGE 1

and unpack public safety’s ties to the police” and cut ties with the food service company Aramark, which has been criticized for its work with prisons.

ASILI later released “Volume II” of their demands to the university in late August of 2020, which the club explained were focused on “previous demands that Fordham has not clearly addressed and new demands brought up by members of the student body,” according to their Instagram post. New demands included promoting the chief diversity officer to a senior vice president status and adding Black student representation on all “adjudication committees that pertain to students.”

Some of the newer demands made in August also focused on diversifying residential assistant hires and providing them with mandatory education on antiracism and Bronx history.

However, right now, continuing to push for these demands is not the main focus for ASILI, said club president Rashain Adams, FCRH ’22. While their list of demands is still important, ASILI is focused on getting their feet on the ground and helping the new freshman members of ASILI. Typically, ASILI has a good retention with club members but struggles to attract new students each semester, explained Adams.

However, this year about 60% of the students at ASILI’s first

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The freshman class of 2025, both the biggest and most diverse incoming freshman class of Fordham history, provides ASILI with optimism for the club's future.

meeting were freshmen, he told the Ram. “We feel like we’ve reached more freshmen than we’ve ever reached before,” Adams said. In addition to the influx of new students, they’re also focused on bringing back juniors and seniors who were part of the club during COVID-19, he said.

At the moment, the club is focused on pushing ASILI’s new freshmen members, many of whom are commuter students, to be engaged on campus and join

clubs and student organizations outside of class. Returning club members want Black students at Fordham to feel included and engaged on campus, said Adams. He said that he hopes that being part of ASILI can help foster that for Fordham students.

In terms of demands, ASILI has made some progress, and hopes to make more, said Adams.

This year’s freshman class is one of the most diverse in Fordham history, with more

than 44% domestic students of color and 6.5% international students, according to the official Fordham News website. “You can see the difference [on campus],” said Adams. A lot of departments have made progress on creating more race inclusive curriculums, but there’s still progress to be made, he said.

Adams said he believes staff diversity has also increased at the university. The new director of residential life, Charles Clancy, is Black, and Adams said he thinks that, in terms of hiring,

the school is defintely seems to be “looking in more places than they used to be looking for applicants.”

There isn’t as much energy now for meeting the demands as there was last summer, but Adams said he still sees a strong desire to change and make Fordham more inclusive across the university.

“The want to change is still there," Adams said. “It doesn’t seem as urgent as it used to be, but I do believe that if we can continue to work with the administration we can get some of these changes past.”

OPINION

Page 6

R

Serving the Fordham University campus and community since 1918 The Fordham Ram is the university journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of over 12,000 and a web readership of over 300,000.

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September 22, 2021

From the Desk | Emma Lipkind

The Irresistibility of Crochet in the Modern Age While everyone was stuck inside quarantining, some people picked up new hobbies just to make it through each day. People turned to content creating, reading, whipping coffee and cutting their bangs. But one trend seems to have stood the test of time: crocheting. Similar crafts such as knitting and embroidery have had shining moments throughout the last year and a half — not to mention much of history — but crochet stands out because of its accessibility, fast turn around and flexibility and freedom in design.

As an avid crocheter, I am definitely biased in my assessment of the growth of crochet as a trend.

My Instagram explore page and Pinterest board have become riddled with crochet patterns, inspiration and creators. Nevertheless, I still believe there is a unique quality in the way crochet has adapted to fit trends over the last few decades and especially since the rise of COVID-19.

Researchers suggest crochet dates back to the 16th or 17th centuries, known by different names over time and seen all over the world from China to France to Arabia. In the 20th century, crochet was popping up everywhere in various forms each decade, with the 1920s notably being the start of crochet as a method for clothing production. Eventually, crochet was on display at runway shows by major fashion designers such as Dior. Little did crocheters know 100 years ago, young people would be doing the same thing today.

In the recent years leading up to COVID-19, crochet was colloquially known as something grandmas took part in to pass the time: creating things like baby blankets and doilies was the precedent. But feelings began to change with the rise of the modern-day festival era. Events like

Coachella saw the surge of trendy, youthful crochet in the form of bralettes, shorts, cardigans and other traditional festival-wear. In the prime years of Coachella circa 2016, blogs frequently featured crochet styling posts geared toward festival-goers, as the breathable and colorful designs matched the aesthetic of these events perfectly.

Crochet looks completely different now than it did just five years ago.

Blankets and doilies have become checkered and psychedelic print tote bags and festival wear shifted into bucket hats and crop tops. The art form has entered mainstream fashion in a completely new way, using contemporary trends as the foundation for handmade pieces. It seems like every decade people transform crochet into something more unique than before, allowing anyone to take part in the fun of pop culture in a more sustainable way, as opposed to buying premade items that will quickly go out of style.

The accessibility of crochet is what allowed it to rise as a popular trend beyond knitting and embroidery. All one really needs to work on a project is a hook and some yarn — each of which can cost as little as $2. With a small number of necessary, affordable supplies, crochet can be done anywhere by anyone. This doesn’t even include the plethora of free YouTube tutorials for people of all skill levels and online patterns that rarely cost more than a few dollars (there are many free ones online for those who prefer reading). Knitting and embroidery are similarly accessible, though I’d argue they require a bit more precision and are usually more challenging (for me, at least).

The other part of crocheting that has kept me interested for longer than any other hobby I’ve picked up is the

quick turnaround for most projects.

Some projects have taken me days to complete, or a 12-hour crochet binge when I was especially motivated.

However, many things can be completed in just a few hours, whereas knitting and embroidery projects can take much longer because of their tedious nature. Seeing your hard work manifest in a tangible, useful item in a short amount of time will surely keep you coming back for more. Crochet isn’t something exclusive to high fashion or skilled artisans; in fact, I’ve seen many beginners make the most beautiful pieces without ever having touched a crochet hook before. Being able to create trendy pieces without investing large sums of money or time on them is irresistible, and that’s why so many people can’t get enough of crochet.

I truly hope everyone hops on the crochet train with me. It’s relaxing. It’s

accessible. It’s rewarding, yet challenging. It’s all the things I’ve wanted in a craft but never had altogether.

If the act of crocheting isn’t for you though, it’s still easy to indulge in the beauty of these pieces by supporting small artists.

However, try to refrain from buying crochet at fast fashion businesses; the low price can be tempting, but due to the nature of crochet, it cannot be done by a machine. This means that an individual hand-made that piece and is not going to receive proper payment for their hard work because fast fashion brands boast these items at relatively cheap prices. If you’re interested in participating in the crochet rage, check sites like Etsy, Depop or even Instagram to find incredible pieces made by independent artists.

Or head to your local craft store and learn for yourself; I promise you won’t regret it.

Editorial | Gender Issues

The Influence of Sexism in Women’s Health Care

Last April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) temporarily paused the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine because six of its 7 million recipients developed a blood clotting disorder. At the time, the Ram commended the FDA and CDC for their careful choice amidst vaccine skepticism. Looking back on this decision several months later, though, we have another question: Where’s the abundance of caution when it comes to women’s health care?

Women using hormonal birth control methods run a much higher risk of developing blood clots. The rate is roughly one in 1,000 — more than a thousand times higher than the Johnson & Johnson vaccine — yet contraceptives containing estrogen and progestin are regularly prescribed to women and girls nationwide.

In contrast, an experimental birth control treatment for men was cut short due to side effects.

Researchers cited a link between the hormonal injections and de-

pression as their reason for shutting down the study. However, studies have also shown connections between female birth control and depression. So why was this only deemed an unreasonable, unsafe risk for men?

The risks themselves are less troubling than women’s concerns being swept under the rug.

Unfortunately, this negligence has become an alarming theme across women’s health care, and it applies to much more than just reproductive health. Women’s health issues are brushed aside due to historical and present-day sexism in medicine. If we want to achieve a healthier world, we must address this issue.

Doctors are more likely to dismiss women’s concerns and queries about their own health.

It starts at the beginning of each appointment: the first thing any doctor asks a woman, regardless of what she’s seeking treatment for, is the date of her last menstrual period. When female patients describe what’s wrong, doctors point to hormones as the root issue; when women complain about pain, doctors are less

likely to give them strong painkillers. Women are thought to be untrustworthy on the subject of their own health.

This is the result of a systemic lack of attention to how health issues impact women. Medicine is a historically male profession, and as such, a disproportionate amount of medical research surrounds men’s health. While this is a historical bias, it carries through to modern times — science still focuses less on female bodies than it does male ones.

Medical sexism especially applies to women of color, who experience medical discrimination on the basis of both their race and gender.

Biology and anatomy refer to white men as model patients, and anyone outside of those parameters receives less attention.

Researchers who ignore the differences between men’s and women’s health have led to deadly consequences. For instance, heart attack symptoms vary between men and women. As a result, many women don’t know when they’ve had a heart attack, and doctors are more likely to misdi-

agnose those who seek medical attention.

Make no mistake: misogyny is the reason why women’s health remains secondary to men’s. Past medical research ignored women’s health because it was considered less important, and current medical professionals who brush off women’s concerns are the direct result of that neglect.

Male birth control trials were abandoned because researchers thought the side effects were too dangerous; on the other hand, women are expected to handle the side effects that come with reproductive responsibility.

When doctors pin issues on raging hormones, they reach back to the diagnosis of female hysteria — the catch-all for women’s unexplained health issues. We have long since rejected female hysteria as a flawed, sexist diagnosis.

It’s time we recognize its remnants in current medical practice.

Until we correct the biases that underscore health care, women will continue to suffer at the hands of doctors who dismiss and misdiagnose the issues they suffer.

OPINION

September 22, 2021

Page 7

DeSantis’ Mask Mandate Ban is Selfish and Short-Sighted

COURTESY OF PBS

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has fought tirelessly to keep in place his ban on mask mandates by taking legal action.

By HALEY DANIELS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Debates over mask mandates are at the forefront of many individuals’ and institutions’ agendas.

Generally, conservative viewpoints suggest that masks are an infringement on our rights, while the liberal side believes that mask mandates are necessary to end the pandemic.

On Friday, Sept. 10, Florida’s First Court reinstated mask mandates in schools, superseding local requirements for now. Florida’s Republican Governor Ron

DeSantis made waves by recruiting legal forces to continue an executive order that leaves masks up to the discretion of childrens’ parents. The original executive order, passed on July 30, is titled “Ensuring Parents’ Freedom to Choose – Masks in Schools.” This order was made partially in response to President Biden’s encouragement that children in schools should be required to wear masks.

Mask mandates are integral to putting an end to rising COVID-19 cases throughout the United States, even alongside the introduction of several effective

vaccines. Although the vaccine rate has recently increased, only 54.5% of the U.S. is fully vaccinated, according to Our World in Data. For example, those who are fully vaccinated in New York have reached 61.8%, whereas Florida is only 55.2%.

However, Florida has given out 25.8 million vaccinations versus New York’s 25.1 million.

This data shows that there has been more of an active effort by New Yorkers to receive their second doses. Floridians’ lack of enthusiasm to follow up with their second vaccination might be an

indication that people are afraid.

Vaccine distrust has existed almost as long as vaccines have. It is not a novel topic, but it has created a serious impediment to the success of eliminating COVID. Even after the FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, a large portion of the population is still concerned about its contents and effectiveness, and most importantly, the side effects.

Alongside the air of distrust surrounding the vaccine, as seen in Florida, there has also been a severe backlash in response to the mask mandates in several states.

Some Republicans feel like it is a breach of their freedom, and that the government should not be allowed to mandate masks. This stems from a distrust of the vaccine, and in the case of DeSantis, disrespect for President Biden.

“Americans should be trusted to provide informed consent for vaccines. Americans should make their own personal decisions about masks. They’re sick of others imposing their will on them,” stated Rep. Warren Davidson, an Ohio Republican.

There should be a collective acceptance that wearing masks assists in ending the pandemic. The government’s main responsibility is to protect the population, so it has a duty to enforce mask requirements. By doing so, this socalled imposition can promote a culture of safety for everyone.

Moreover, it is not asking much to wear masks. They are only a

small piece of cloth or polypropylene, in the case of surgical masks. New designs have prioritized comfort and affordability, with some public places carrying extras if a patron does not have one.

It is selfish and short-sighted for DeSantis to not require masks in school, where most kids are not yet vaccinated, especially because children ages 12 to 15 make up the group with the least vaccinations, with only 33% having received one shot.

With new variants on the rise due to increased in-person activities, masks must continue to be worn to limit the spread of the virus. Most children in elementary and middle school are not old enough to understand the full ramifications of the pandemic, so their parents must acknowledge the negative effects of choosing not to enforce mask-wearing.

DeSantis’s vehement opposition to a mask mandate reflects his selfish perspective. There will always be some amount of uproar in response to a mandate, but it should not get in the way of the greater good.

I hope for Florida citizens’ sake that people will make the right decision and wear masks, and tell their kids to do so as well. It is not up to the children to fix this problem; it is up to their parents.

Haley Daniels, FCRH ’23, is a psychology and English major from Hershey, Penn.

Fordham Must Act on Climate Change After Christian Leaders’ Message

By MICHELA FAHY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The United Nations is hosting their Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) next month.

This conference has been described as the “the world’s best last chance to get runaway climate change under control.” A primary goal of the 26th annual conference will be to comprehend the effects of the Paris Agreement of 2015, which was settled upon almost unanimously by the participating countries of the COP21. The Paris Agreement was legally binding in order to hold all those involved accountable for

reducing their country’s emissions while giving them the individual freedom to choose how to execute.

The COP26 has other goals they would like to achieve: securing global net zero by mid-century and keeping 1.5 degrees of warming within reach, adapting to protect communities and natural habitats, mobilizing finance and working as a unit to deliver on these objectives. This conference is also notable following some additions to the guest list – the three top Christian leaders issued a joint-statement displaying the commitment they have to their communities for the first time in history.

The message reads: “[As] leaders

COURTESY OFTWITTER

Top Christian leaders issued a joint-statement concerning climate change.

of our Churches, we call on everyone, whatever their belief or worldview, to endeavour to listen to the cry of the earth and of people who are poor, examining their behaviour and pledging meaningful sacrifices for the sake of the earth which God has given us.”

Pope Francis, Ecumenical Bishop Bartholomew and the Archbishop of Canterbury uniting in this statement is powerful and brings the gravity of our climate crisis into a soul-stirring focus.

While all three of these Christian leaders previously made environmental justice an important pillar of their faith, this new rhetoric welcomed further discourse. Still, religious institutions’ support of social issues such as climate change has rarely led to direct policy change.

President Joe Biden, a practicing Catholic, has acknowledged the importance of support from religious leaders such as Pope Francis and his call to action in regards to climate change. Nonetheless, there has not yet been any legislation written in the name of his faith. While advocacy by religious leaders is important because it demonstrates the significance of an issue in society, the influence is indirect.

The landmark recognition of these dire issues by the top three Christian leaders helped promote the United Nations’ COP26 conference. It piqued interest surrounding the goals of the COP26 and emphasized the

importance of our planet’s future.

Religion plays a large role in society. Emphasizing the importance of certain issues such as climate change in the name of faith can motivate community-led change. This direct call from Christian leaders encourages followers to align their moral compasses with Christian ideologies, which include respect for the planet.

This move can heighten many followers’ interests in climate change.

This is a call to respect the beauty of nature, which translates to a care for the divine creation of nature. The support of Christian leaders helps make the message at hand more comprehensible for religious followers. It also offers a larger perception of bipartisan support and further accentuates the harsh reality of climate change.

This religious support also places a responsibility on institutions and organizations affiliated with Christianity. Fordham, an institution run by Jesuits, directly falls under this umbrella. Fordham must acknowledge its environmental responsibility and continue to do so after this call to action.

Fordham’s most recent publication describing the university’s climate action was released in 2018. The report details the Jesuit mission, noting that “In keeping with the Jesuit traditions … the university recognizes the value of minimizing its environmental impact and endeavors to pursue best

practices throughout all aspects of its activities.” The report shows changes made to Fordham’s campuses to operate more sustainably.

While there have been positive shifts to cleaner energy sources — such as adding solar panels to Walsh Library and the conversion to electric or biofuel vehicles — ­­ administration still lacks a sense of urgency.

There have not been any further reports from the university since the 2018 plan, nor has there been any recent data about the university’s progress or upcoming initiatives.

While there are multiple student groups on campus devoted to sustainability and eco-consciousness, support and partnership from Fordham’s leaders are crucial elements to enacting any sort of lasting change.

Despite their efforts, it seems as though the best that the leaders’ call to action can do is boost morale.

However, as a Jesuit university, these Christian ideas should lead to a more passionate and active system to combat climate change and promote sustainable practices on Fordham campuses, as well as around the world. Christian world leaders have made their message clear; it is time for Fordham and other institutions to listen up.

Michela Fahy, FCRH ’23, is a humanitarian studies and English major from Cedar Grove, N.J.

OPINION

Page 8

September 22, 2021

Increased Effort is Necessary to Encourage Vaccinations During Pregnancy

COURTESY OF TWITTER

State health officials are urging pregnant people to get vaccinated, despite controversy surrounding the topic.

By NICOLE BRAUN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Concerns about pregnant people getting the COVID-19 vaccine are charged, sensitive and understandable. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not an anti-vaxxer or a flat-earther that doesn’t believe in the real-life magic that is science. However, it’s important to recognize that this particular conversation is very delicate.

This past August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said that “all pregnant people or people who are thinking about becoming pregnant and those breastfeeding [should] get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19.” Walensky also noted that “it has never been more urgent to increase vaccinations as we face

the highly transmissible delta variant and see severe outcomes from COVID-19 among unvaccinated pregnant people.”

Despite this report, pregnant people continue to suffer with and die from COVID-19. As of last week, a staggering 75% of those expecting remain unvaccinated. This is causing deadly consequences for both mothers and children.

Mississippi’s state health department is conducting an investigation after eight expectant mothers died of COVID-19 in the past month, according to ABC News. The network also reported that the Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said that “COVID is especially problematic and dangerous for pregnant women … We also know it can be deadly for the baby in the

womb.”

My cousin got the vaccine in May, and she gave birth to her first child in June. When this news trickled down through the family channels, I’ll admit that some were skeptical, maybe even a little worried. But my cousin spoke to her doctor before making the decision and she is now a healthy mom of a healthy baby girl.

Pregnant people who get the vaccine are very brave, and that is not to imply that trusting science is risky.

Trusting anything with your unborn child is a tremendous act of faith, especially considering all the COVID-19 vaccine conspiracies floating around the internet.

One of the most well-circulated rumors is that the vaccines cause infertility in women. And, according to NPR, “despite a mountain of scien-

tific evidence showing the vaccines are safe and effective, the false information persists.” Though this myth has been consistently unfounded, it is one of the reasons that women in general have put off getting the vaccine.

However, pregnant women have reason to be wary of new medications. In the 1950s and ’60s, European doctors prescribed their patients a German drug called thalidomide.

Thalidomide sought to treat a range of maladies, from the common cold to nausea in early pregnancy, according to Medical News Today. Many women who took this drug while pregnant gave birth to babies with severe birth defects, including missing limbs and incorrectly developed organs. “Estimates suggest that the drug caused at least 10,000 cases of severe congenital abnormality, leading to the death within months of approximately half of the babies affected,” reports Medical News Today.

Nonetheless, comparing today’s medical standards to those during the thalidomide crisis should encourage women to trust vaccines. The regulatory standards 50 years ago were a lot looser than they are today.

It was partly due to the thalidomide tragedy that regulations became so much stricter.

This past summer, the FDA finally approved the Pfizer vaccine, with Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock stating that “the public

can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product.”

Despite this significant approval from such a well-respected organization, some government officials still allow for people to remain unvaccinated and unmasked in public spaces.

In response to President Biden’s new vaccine mandate, Senator Joey Hensley (R-TN) said Americans “have a right to make the choice” if they want the vaccine or not.

To convince more pregnant people to get the COVID-19, agencies like the CDC or FDA should continue publishing more data about the safety of getting the vaccine while pregnant. Stories like what is happening in Mississippi should be getting more national attention. It would also be helpful if ordinary people, like my cousin, from both sides of the political aisle shared their positive experiences. Inundate the news cycle with successful stories, drown out the conspiracy theories and maybe people will start to believe in the vaccine.

Pregnant people should look at overwhelmingly positive data and realize that if they want their children to grow up in a healthy, COVID-19 free world, they should get vaccinated.

Nicole Braun, FCRH ’24, is undecided from Saddle River, N.J.

California Recall Exemplifies Growing Polarization

By ALLY DUGAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

California Governor Gavin Newsom successfully held onto his title after a Republican-led effort to recall him from office.

Although Governor Newsom won with 65% of the vote, this recall election could have had drastic impacts on the rest of the nation.

As the most populous state, California is a known trendsetter.

This election had the potential to influence Republicans across the

U.S. to go against their governors and their governors’ COVID-19 policies. This, in turn, had the possibility to jeopardize Democrats’ control of the Senate in the 2022 election.

Newsom’s unfavorable reputation began years ago, as many California Republicans were against his progressive policies. However, this disapproval was accelerated during the pandemic following criticism of Newsom’s extremely cautious COVID-19 policies and mandates.

Newsom has maintained strict

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

Gavin Newsom has held onto his title as governor of California.

mask policies throughout the pandemic and is now requiring many professionals, such as teachers or state workers, to be vaccinated or get tested regularly for coronavirus.

A large number of the arguments against the governor come from critics who believe that Newsom’s closures of schools and businesses and occupancy regulations for public spaces were too prolonged, hurting both Californians and their businesses.

Even in November 2020, eight months after the beginning of the pandemic, Newsom ordered all nonessential businesses to close and required all Californians to wear a mask whenever they left their homes after a stark rise in COVID-19 cases. These regulations were done in an attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus, but angered many business owners and Californians who wanted a return to normalcy.

However, other critical issues such as homelessness, wildfires, droughts and unemployment were highlighted under the Republicans’ recall effort. Randy Economy, one of the recall’s original organizers, stated, “California is in crisis right now. And not only with natural disasters but by manmade disasters made by politicians like Gavin Newson.”

The recall had a strong force behind it with many California Republicans supporting a new governor to address the serious issues facing California. However, Governor Newsom defeated the effort with 65% of the vote from

Californians. Newsom led with 5.8 million votes over the 3.8 million votes cast against him.

After his historic win, Newsom declared, “No is not the only thing that was expressed tonight.

We said yes to science. We said yes to vaccines. We said yes to ending this pandemic.”

Newsom’s win can be attributed to his work to help end the pandemic. A CNBC analysis showcased a strong link between support for Newsom and counties with high COVID-19 vaccination rates.

While this recall attempt was unsuccessful, the risks of taking a Democratic governor out of office could have impacted many people, and not just Californians.

This recall has the potential to influence other unsatisfied Republicans in Democrat-led states to take action against their leaders.

Vice President Kamala Harris, on this issue, said, “They think if they win in California, they can do it everywhere.” She also stated that the recall of a Democratic governor could impact women and their reproductive rights, workers’ rights, immigration policies and equal access to voting.

The attempt to recall Newsom also draws attention to the Senate election in 2022. If Newsom lost in the recall election, it would suggest the Democrats could face an uphill battle to maintain control of the Senate.

While the recall was settled with victory from Newsom, the price tag of this election was not small. Originally, the state esti-

mated that the election would cost taxpayers $276 million. However, the election cost around $450 million, according to David McCuan, a political science professor at Sonoma State University.

Millions spent on an election defending a Democrtatic governor in a predominantly Democratic state calls the success of the recall into question. People deserve to be heard and be able to express discontent with their leaders. Governor Newsom won his title in 2019 in a fair and equal election, but as time progressed and more issues — like the pandemic — arose, criticism grew.

However, the eagerness to launch a pricey recall election instead of attempting a bipartisan approach not only highlights dissatisfaction with governmental leaders, but also showcases America’s increasingly polarized political climate.

The drastic polarization in the U.S. was only further exacerbated during the pandemic. One either supported or opposed mask mandates and vaccination. Often, there is no ideological middle ground during a deadly pandemic.

To fix the growing polarization crisis, more bipartisan work needs to be done. While it is easier said than done, bipartisan efforts could help finally end this deadly pandemic. We need cooperation from both parties.

Ally Dugan, FCRH ’23, is a communications and culture major from West Chester, Penn.

OPINION Dress Codes and Masks: One Infringes on Freedom, the Other Saves Lives September 22, 2021

Page 9

COURTESY OF TWITTER

In states without mask mandates, schools have taken matters into their own hands by adding masks to the dress code.

By MARGARET CRYAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

One thing has remained constant throughout the uncertain state of the pandemic: the debate over masks. Masks act as both a safety device and as a symbol of debates concerning personal freedoms.

To maintain the balance between federal and state power, a nationwide mask mandate was never issued. Instead, many states have required masks in public places. In states without mask

mandates, school districts have taken matters into their own hands by adding masks to the dress code requirements. In doing so, schools can prioritize health safety.

A drawback to this method is the association that most students have with dress codes.

Dress codes have infamously targeted females and students of color through rules concerning hair length, shirt messages and skirt lengths. It makes me wonder why schools find it so much easier to prevent a student from dying

their hair than preventing widespread infection among students.

If people want to discuss personal freedom, the first debate should be school dress codes, not mask mandates.

Under Title VII, dress codes are permitted as long as they are enforced equally. This begs the question: how can a dress code, which specifically monitors a woman’s hair color, or specifically monitors a man’s hair length, possibly be equally enforced?

With guidelines ranging from skirt lengths and t-shirt messages

to hair color, student’s rights to freedom of speech and expression are undoubtedly suppressed.

A mask is a mask. Cropped shirts and hair colors do not affect health. Schools should have no trouble enforcing health-related policies separately from the dress code.

Masks work when used properly. According to research from Vanderbilt University Department of Health Policy, “COVID-19 death tolls were twice as high in Tennessee counties without mask mandates as compared to counties with directives in place.” Schools should be able to require masks on grounds of safety, not dress code.

As mask mandates fall under state jurisdiction, public schools must comply with their home state’s choice. In states such as Iowa, Utah and South Carolina, where students are not required to wear masks, the transmissibility of COVID-19 is bound to increase. If a school can enforce something as superficial as a dress code, why should they have trouble enforcing a mask policy? The system is flawed. Schools can easily prioritize control of a student’s physical appearance but not their health.

Those who argue that a piece of fabric on their face is an infringement on their liberties need to accept that in times of desperation, some “freedoms” must be given

up for the sake of the common good. No matter how it is spun, nobody is being harmed or losing their self expression by wearing a mask. As stated in a Teen Vogue article “The right for students to present themselves how they choose is one worth fighting for and defending. The right to get others sick is not.”

Masks are a safety precaution, and dress codes are discriminatory. If individuals are so concerned about personal freedoms, then the discussion should not surround masks. By intertwining mask wearing with dress codes, both issues become clouded. Yes, dress codes do target certain groups disproportionately and should absolutely be reevaluated. In fact, slipping mask requirements into dress code regulations emphasizes how backwards dress codes are.

School faculty and boards need to utilize the clear power they have to regulate masks. This power does not need to rely on further complicating dress codes.

If government officials are unwilling to protect students, then it is a good thing that school officials can find means to enforce masks, but it is unfortunate that it has to be through a dress code.

These two issues need to be separated in order to bring necessary justice to both.

Margaret Cryan, FCRH ’24, is a communications major from Buffalo, N.Y.

Disney: Fueling an Unexpected Comeback of Movie Theaters

By CAROLYN BRANIGAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After Disney announced that the rest of its 2021 movie releases would debut exclusively in theaters, it seems that cinemas might stand a fighting chance. Toward the height of the pandemic, it seemed as though the movie theater industry was on its last legs, particularly with motion picture giant AMC declaring bankruptcy.

Several smaller theaters did not make it through the trying times of the pandemic and had to close their doors permanently.

Disney’s bold decision leaves consumers with no choice but to play an active role in the comeback of movie theaters. The hit that box offices took during the peak of the pandemic was substantial, so this new marketing strategy may be the key to the industry’s renewed success.

Though this idea may seem risky, there is evidence to support the likelihood of its success in returning movie theaters to their once former glory. Just this year, 20th Century Studios saw massive success with its two new re-

leases “Free Guy” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”

Both films were released in theaters only and they grossed millions of dollars. “Shang Chi” performed so well that it was deemed the second-highest grossing theater debut since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, “Free Guy” has made over $200 million around the globe and has been established as the fifth highest worldwide movie haul in 2021.

Even if one were to disregard these promising numbers, this strategy has great potential because of the world we are currently living in. Unfortunately, the delta variant still stands in the way of the industry’s full-on revival. It is an ever-present looming threat, keeping even avid movietheater lovers hesitant to leave their homes. However, I do not believe that this fear will trump people’s desire for social interaction. Though the delta variant remains in full force, restrictions on the American people are miles ahead of where they were only a year ago. As vaccinated people try to establish some sense of a new

normal, they will turn to timetried traditions in an attempt to recreate the simple pleasures of their past lives. Going to the movie theater is a perfect way to fulfill this need.

While the main pretext for watching a movie in the theater is to see it earlier, the underlying reason so many people enjoy going to the movie theaters is for the experience. When people pay for the ticket, they are buying into much more than just viewing the film.

They are buying into the traditional experience of buttery popcorn, 3D glasses and a dark theater illuminated by a giant screen.

More importantly, they are buying into the experience of comradery that comes from sitting next to complete strangers just as eager to view a new movie.

It is this interconnectedness that has been greatly missed since the tragic world events of 2020 began. People are starved for entertainment, but more than that, they are starved for companionship.

If Disney makes it so individuals have no excuse but to attend the theaters to watch movies, most people will set aside their fears

and engage in the social interactions that they have previously been deprived of.

When faced with the decision of seeing a new movie release or having to miss the debut, people will undoubtedly choose to see the movie, regardless of the medi-

um through which it is presented to them. This push from Disney is just what Americans need to get back into the theater.

Carolyn Branigan, FCRH ’24, is an English major from Tinton Falls, N.J.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Disney’s 2021 movie debuts can save the movie theater industry.

CULTURE

Page 10

September 22, 2021

Fordham Screens “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”

By SARA TSUGRANIS CULTURE EDITOR

On Wednesday Sept. 15, Fordham’s Center on Religion and Culture held a special screening of “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” before its scheduled release on Sept. 17. After the showing, David Gibson, director of Fordham’s Center on Religion and Culture, guided a conversation with Jessica Chastain (Tammy Faye), Vincent D’Onofrio ( Jerry Falwell Sr.) and director Michael Showalter.

“The Eyes of Tammy Faye” is about the rise and fall of televangelists Tammy Faye Bakker and Jim Bakker. The film, though detailing their corruption, makes an effort to separate Faye from her ex-husband. Faye is presented in an empathetic light, and rightly so. Despite perpetuating greed in the name of Christianity, Faye cared deeply for everyone she came in contact with. Jim Bakker, on the other hand, let his ego and money hungry attitude destroy his life and reputation.

Tammy and Jim began as traveling puppeteer evangelists, spreading Christianity to young children. From there, the couple went on to host their own TV show and began working in elite circles with powerful evangelical public figures, like baptist pastor Jerry Falwell Sr. The film portrays Jim as desperate to occupy the power that men like Falwell have. While Tammy also seeks that lifestyle,

her values drastically differ — she is not afraid to stand up to Falwell when it comes to loving all people. Falwell is vehemently against the LGBT community and Faye powerfully declares, “I’m not telling people who’s going to hell.”

One of the most impactful moments in the film is the depiction of Tammy’s 1985 interview with Steve Pieters, a gay minister with AIDS. On Jim and Tammy’s PTL network, Tammy spoke directly to Christian families in this interview, sobbing and telling viewers “how sad that we as Christians, who are to be the salt of the earth, we who are supposed to be able to love everyone, are afraid so badly of an AIDS patient that we will not go up and put our arm around them and tell them that we care?”

D’Onofrio discussed his upbringing in the ‘80s and how important this interview was then and still is today.

Faye was a big personality who was excluded and mocked within her own community and others even before her downfall. Known for her extravagant makeup, Chastain explains how it was not a mask, but a way for Tammy Faye to express herself.

The film shows instances where Faye was judged for her light makeup as a young woman at a Christian college, seen as a “harlot.” She was then mocked for her heavier makeup later in life. An image of Faye with makeup streaking down her face became popular in the media,

mocked by shows like SNL. Chastain recalls an interview where Faye explained why she wore her makeup in such a way: “I feel pretty this way ... Why would God be against something that makes you feel so good and so beautiful?

God is love and love is beauty.”

Showalter explains that Tammy’s journey was one where “she goes through this crisis of faith where she feels this God that’s so important to her has left her ... She realizes that God didn’t let her down, but people let her down.”

But at the end of the film she regains “the God that is in all of us individually [and] it doesn’t matter what other people think [of her].”

Though the film recalls a time in

the 80s where televangelists like Jerry Falwell Sr. were very popular , Gibson notes that televangelists under the Trump administration were closer to the center of power than Falwell Sr. ever was.

Jerry Falwell Jr. was involved with the Trump administration and continues his father’s mission, prompting Gibson to say, “The past is never past.”

Chastain also discussed Faye and Jim’s children, Tammy Sue and Jay Bakker. Jay Bakker continues his mother’s work as a minister of Revolution church, a parish that embraces the LGBT community. His criticism of Christian fundamentalism is presented in the documentary series “One Punk Under God.”

Tammy Sue is a singer who sings “Don’t’ Give Up (On the Brink of a Miracle)” during the end credits of the film. Chastain was thankful to the Bakker children for sharing intimate details about their mother to help her prepare for the role. Despite their parents’ troubles, they are still both people of faith.

“The Eyes of Tammy Faye” is a fantastic look at Faye’s life and dedication to good, despite mistakes made and bumps in the road. The film masterfully presents how religion can be manipulated for the worse and the strength it takes to overcome that. Be sure to see “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” in theaters now.

COURTESY OF SARA TSUGRANIS /THE FORDHAM RAM

Jessica Chastain speaks at Fordham’s special screening of “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.”

Editor’s Pick | Television

Norm MacDonald’s Moth Joke Encapsulated the Mind of a Genius

By DYLAN BALSAMO MANAGING EDITOR

Over the past 30 years, certain comedians have made themselves known as outstanding guests on late-night talk shows. From the established legends like Steve Martin and Martin Short to younger comics like Nikki Glaser, the spot on the couch next to a host has become a place for some of the greatest comedians to become favorites.

However, in that time, nobody funny has been funny on late night television in quite the way that Norm MacDonald has been, which is part of why the comedy world was devastated by his unexpected death at the age of 61 last week after a private nine-year battle with cancer.

In the last week, his classic talk show appearances, specifically those he made on the programs of Conan O’Brien, have been passed

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Norm MacDonald’s Moth Joke is one example of his comedic genius.

around on YouTube more than they had ever been before. A few things about MacDonald have become abundantly clear to the general public in this time, chief among them being that the man was a comedic genius on a completely different plane than anyone else.

MacDonald had a tendency to sit down in the chair next to a host like O’Brien and tell old, corny jokes. Oftentimes the jokes that he would tell would not be his. What made his appearances works of strange brilliance were the roads he would take to get to his typically pun-filled and hackneyed punchlines. MacDonald would extend what were originally 20-second jokes into 5-minute grandpa stories, flavored by his own signature mastery of the English language. It made for incredible television every single time.

The best example of this incredible skill that Macdonald had was his now infamous “Moth Joke,” performed in 2010 during Conan’s short-lived stint as the host of “The Tonight Show.” In its most basic form, the joke is quite simple: a moth goes into a podiatrist’s office, and he begins to tell the doctor about all of the problems in his life. When the podiatrist points out that the moth’s issues would be better

addressed by a psychiatrist and asks the moth why he came to him, the moth responds that the light was on.

That joke alone is certainly not enough on its own to make its teller into a comedy genius. In fact, MacDonald later said that his friend and fellow comedian Colin Quinn was the one who had originally told him the joke years earlier. What made MacDonald telling of the joke such an eloquent display of his delightful madness and such an incredible flex of comedic muscles was the fact that he turned the quick joke into a fourminute piece of comedy.

For many comedians, taking up so much time for such a quick joke is a recipe for a career disaster. For Norm, it was just one of many comedic risks he willingly took in his career.

The way that MacDonald was able to fill up so much time was by taking the idea that the moth was having troubles in his personal life and extrapolating it to an unheard of level of absolute madness.

The moth essentially became a character in a tragic Russian play, reminiscent of the works of famed playwright Anton Chekhov.

MacDonald had often said before that one of the greatest influences on his work and career was the Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy,

best known for his elongated masterpiece War and Peace. That ability to use the English language to extend a sentence to its furthest possible capacity, plus a clear knack for the typical names and plotlines found in Russian tragedies, is what allowed MacDonald to make a joke about a moth into what is perhaps the most memorable moment of his odd but glorious career.

The moth feels lost and trapped in his job, has fallen out of love with his wife, lost his daughter in the cold of winter and begins to feel the same hatred for his son that he feels for himself. It’s ludicrous. It’s downright unreasonable. It’s absolutely hilarious.

The best part of the joke is the revelation since MacDonald death last week that the joke only happened because MacDonald was asked to be on an extra segment on Conan’s show that night and had nothing prepared for it. The joke was a spur of the moment attempt by MacDonald to extend a very quick, very corny joke into a full segment, and what he ended up doing was giving us a tour of the way his brain works.

Norm MacDonald’s brain was clearly a unique and special phenomenon in the world of comedy, and the Moth Joke is a perfect example of what made such a brilliant comedian and an entertaining talk show guest.

CULTURE

September 22, 2021

Page 11

How To Cook (or Not To) For Yourself in College

By AVA ERICKSON CULTURE EDITOR

As students return to college this fall, after spending over a year stuck at home, many of us are learning how to take care of ourselves for the first time.

Cooking for yourself can be one of the most daunting aspects of this newfound freedom. Here are a few essentials, cooking hacks and mistakes to avoid.

W hen shopping for kitchen supplies it can be really easy to overbuy, but most student apartments and Fordham dorms have small kitchens, so try to only purchase the essentials: one big pot, a saucepan, a frying pan, a wooden spoon, tupperware, dishes and silverware. In terms of appliances, a toaster oven is key—they are perfect not only for toasting bread and bagels, but also for roasting vegetables or frozen dishes. They work just like an oven but are faster and don’t heat up the entire room.

You should also invest in a food processor. It can be tempting to get a blender if you’re a smoothie fan but food processors are a better option.

You can make your morning smoothie as well as a variety of other things, like pesto or hummus.

Once you have all your supplies and appliances, it’s time to tackle the grocery store. It can be overwhelming, so it is important to be organized before you go. I recommend making a “master grocery list” first.

Here, you can write and categorize everything you could possibly want to buy (ex. produce, grains, condiments, etc.). Next, in the notes app on your phone, create categories that relate to your grocery store (ex. front produce, aisle one, frozen, etc.).

As you run out of ingredients or plan meals, add them to your grocery list. This system makes for the most efficient grocery trip, even if it’s a little anal.

One of the best hacks for cooking as a student is to “elevate” your classic college meals.

For example, add sautéed onions, spinach and bacon to your boxed mac and cheese.

Or, my personal favorite, add vegetables and an egg to instant ramen, trash the high sodium seasoning packet and mix in teriyaki sauce to season the broth. This is an elevated, but equally cheap way to get a quick meal in.

Meal prepping is another great way to save time and stay healthy. At the beginning of the week make a bunch of rice or pasta, vegetables and protein (tofu, sausage, chicken etc.) and store them in your refrigerator. Then, you can just pop them in the microwave (or on the stove if you don’t have one) to have an instant meal.

Be sure to eat breakfast! It can be tempting to skip, but we’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it’s true! Many people say it takes too much time in the morning, but there are plenty of ways to save time and still get those early morn-

ing calories. First, eat oatmeal.

Instant oatmeal takes only a few minutes to make (either in the microwave or with hot water); add some peanut butter and frozen berries and you’re set to go in under five minutes. Second, meal prep a breakfast bar (this one is one of my favorites) and bring it with you on the go. Finally, eat some toast. All it takes is a few minutes in your toaster oven and your favorite toppings to make a delicious breakfast.

You’re learning a new skill so you’re bound to make a few mistakes, but here are a few that my friends and I have made so you don’t have to. First, know oil smoke points. NYC apartments and dorms have very sensitive smoke detectors, so if you are cooking something on high heat make sure you pick an oil with a high smoke point to avoid that embarrassingly loud alarm.

Some produce is really expensive. Berries, avocados, peaches and pears can have a heavy price tag, so if you are on a budget, opt for cheaper produce like apples and carrots for your weekly meals.

Don’t pour grease from cooking down the drain. It solidifies in the pipes and causes them to clog. Instead, pour it into a bowl, wait for it to cool and solidify then throw it in the trash.

Most importantly, always be cautious about what could cause a fire. With small kitchens, storing pans in the oven is a great use of space but be sure to remove them before you cook.

W hen I first moved into my

apartment I turned on the oven not realizing a wooden cutting board was in the broiler drawer.

A few minutes later, the room was filled with smoke. After opening the oven, I saw flames coming out of the bottom and I had to use the fire extinguisher to put it out. About eight fire

trucks surrounded our building and the firemen stormed our apartment. It was a scary and embarrassing experience, so learn from my mistakes, and take everything out of your oven before you turn it on. And be sure you know where your fire extinguisher is located!

COURTESY OF PIA FISCHETTI/THE FORDHAM RAM

Cooking is an important life skill to master when first living on your own in college.

“Come From Away”: The World 20 Years After 9/11

By KARI WHITE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Sept. 10, 2021, for the 20th anniversary of 9/11, AppleTV released “Come From Away.” The film is based on the Tony-winning Broadway show, created by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It tells the story of Gander, a small town in Newfoundland, where people from all over the world found themselves stranded after the twin towers fell, through whimsical

songs that expertly mix humor with heartbreak. Along with the beautiful music, the characters capture the ultimate theme of the musical: human compassion trumps hatred. Always.

Twenty years after 9/11, with our world still dealing withthe ramifications of the tragedy, the musical’s message doesn’t just remain relevant; it’s a necessary reminder.

Minutes after the second plane crashed into the towers, Gander International Air-

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

“Come From Away” memorializes the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

port received an alert that the United States air patrol had redirected dozens of international flights bound for major airports. The citizens of that small town watched as thirtyeight planes landed on their small tarmac and welcomed their 7,000 passengers and crew into their community. Yet, rather than waiting for someone to tell them what to do, the people of Gander worked with the two nearest towns to find shelter, food and clothing for their stranded guests. The guests, who the townspeople referred to as “plane people,” hardly understood what had happened in NYC. The credits of the film scroll past images of cast members and the real people of Gander, as Sankoff and Hein based almost every character in the show off a real person. The film shows the complications and conflicts of finding love and companionship amongst tragedy. The difference between every character’s experience — some falling in love while others break apart, some praying together while others hide their faith — struck me. No one experiences tragedy in the same way, but all of us can find someone to bear the pain

with, just as the characters in this musical do.

My favorite three songs in the entire show capture how the depth of despair can bring people together. The opening, “Welcome to the Rock,” introduces the island of Newfoundland as “the Rock.” The song explores how the locals rely on each other so strongly because of the hostility of their environment. The song “Something’s Missing” comes at the very end of the musical, when the plane people return home and the weight of 9/11 fully settles onto the cast of characters. This song broke me. I never really understood how 9/11 changed the world, but I know what it’s like for your idea of the world to fall away. “Something’s Missing” captures how 9/11 left these characters cold and vulnerable in light of a new world.

“Prayer,” the third song on my list of favorites, explores the caveat in many people’s compassion in the wake of 9/11. This song comes much later in the musical when the townspeople and plane people have grown closer and come together in their faith. They sing hymns and chants from Christianity,

Judaism, Hinduism and Islam.

Unfortunately, the community they forged cracks when one character, a Muslim man, expresses his anxiety over praying in public. Sankoff and Hein could have shown a fantastical version of the story, where people put aside their fear and prejudices to welcome everyone, but they didn’t. And it hurts. This character clings to his faith like so many other characters, and they abuse him because of it.

As someone born a month and ten days after this earth-shaking event, I never really understood the trauma 9/11 imposed on my parents, teachers and every generation before mine. I grew up in its ashes, always anxious about TSA checks, always curious why people were so cruel to my friends of different faiths and always curious about the world I never saw. The tragedy felt huge but never real. “Come From Away” and its band of characters shows the world before and after this terrible event and how it changed them. For once, I feel like I can grasp a fraction of what the world went through that day. For the first time, I feel I might understand.

Page 12

CULTURE

September 22, 2021

Broadway Returns After a 16 Month Hiatus

By BROOKE SOLAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Broadway returned on June 26 with “Springsteen on Broadway’’ after a 16 month break, the first break in history, according to Playbill. Showgoers are eager to get into theaters as more shows reopen, including “Chicago,” “Hadestown,” “Hamilton,” “Waitress,” “Wicked,” “Pass Over” and “The Lion King.” In September and October, 13 shows are set to reopen and seven others have confirmed reopening dates through April 2022, leaving only 14 empty theaters.

This past week, I went to “Hadestown” at the Walter Kerr Theater and was able to experience a show under the current COVID-19 restrictions. The confirmation email said to arrive 30 to 60 minutes prior to the show time due to new procedures. As I walked to the event, I was met with a massive line that curved into the neighboring parking garage. I wondered how the show could possibly start on time, but once in the line, I remembered

I was at Broadway, the home of professionalism.

The line was truly three lines.

In each one, guests were already wearing masks. For those who had forgotten, the theater provided them. The first security stop then approached. Each audience member was asked to provide proof of vaccination. According to NYC.gov, acceptable forms of vaccination proof include the NYC Covid Safe App, Excelsior Pass, a physical CDC vaccination card (or photo of one) or an NYC vaccination record. Children under 12 who can not be vaccinated had to show a negative test.

The next stop was state-issued identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. This is only applicable to those over the age of 18. After these stops, it became a typical line. After having your bag checked and walking through a metal detector, you presented your ticket and were welcomed into the theatre.

Inside, you are ushered to your seat as normal. The theater was packed like pre-COVID-19 times,

devoid of social distancing. Concessions and merchandise were also sold. Someone stood at the front of the sections with a reminder to mask up, but this did not apply when eating or drinking.

The show carried on marvelously. Participating thespians were allowed to abstain from policies such as mask wearing. My seat neighbor commented that at the opening of “Chicago,” there were six standing ovations in the first 30 minutes. It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm of this community. As the show ended, we stood and clapped for quite some time.

You may think it used to be difficult to get Broadway seats, but it does not compare to the current chaos. That being said, seats are still waiting and ready to be purchased. You can find tickets at broadway.com for purchase.

From Playbill, here are the opening dates through October: Sept. 21; Come From Away, Sept.

24; Moulin Rouge!, Sept. 28; Aladdin, Sept. 28; Lackawanna Blues, Oct. 3; Six, Oct. 5; To Kill

COURTESY OF BROOKE SOLAN THE FORDHAM RAM

Attendees are required to wear masks during the duration of the show.

a Mockingbird, Oct. 8; Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Oct. 13; Girl from North Country, Oct. 14; The Lehman Trilogy, Oct. 16; Ain’t Too Proud–The Life and

Times of the Temptations, Oct. 17; David Bryne’s American Utopia, Oct. 21; Jagged Little Pill and Oct. 22; The Phantom of the Opera.

Who’s That Kid? | It’s Jacob Myron, FCRH ’24

Sophomore Pours Personality into his Poetry

By HANIF AMANULLAH

ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR

You can tell there are many thoughts running through the head of Jacob Myron, FCRH ’24. When you walk into his O’Hare dorm room, plastered on the wall are photographs, scraps of poetry, Aboriginal boomerangs and various knicknacks representative of his Filipino heritage. The same is true of his longboard, the bottom side of which is covered in signatures and stickers.

Both his walls and his preferred method of transportation are indicative of his diverse, collaged personality — one which, at Fordham, has been expressed through Myron’s involvement in mental health clubs, Rodrigues’ Coffeehouse and, most important of all, the Black Sheep Performance Poetry collective.

“My poetry is inspired by empathy,” Myron says, pouring me a mug of matcha. “I want my poetry to be accessible to people on all intellectual and emotional levels.” Myron, who

auditioned for and was accepted into Black Sheep during his first semester at Fordham, writes poetry about what he considers to be the grander themes of life. Inspired by the people he has met, his athletic past and the various revelations he has experienced atop upstate New York’s Mt. Beacon, Myron channels his creativity into crafting poems that, though stemming from niche concepts, cater to universal truths.

Though he is by now an established part of the Black Sheep community, Myron wasn’t always an aspiring poet. When he was younger, he played soccer and was on track to play semi-professionally in Europe.

However, in his sophomore year of high school, he tore his ACL and meniscus, and damaged cartilage in his left knee.

“That was a very damaging event for my ego,” Myron recounts. “And I think with ego-death comes a very large change in worldview. It was very humbling for me.” The injury,

which left him unable to play soccer for eight months, led Myron to significantly reflect on his “personality collage.” “I experimented with various forms of emotional catharsis, including writing to myself,” Myron explains. “I had a lot of time to express myself in ways that were much more meaningful to me. And I’d say that expressing yourself to yourself is very helpful for inducing positive change in your life.”

In addition to his several years of experience writing poetry, Black Sheep offered Myron new opportunities to perform his work — something that proved distinctly different from simply reading a poem. “Acting is dynamic; I found this out in the past year,” he says. “The eyes tell a lot and eye contact is very intimate.

There are also things like walking around the stage, gesturing with your arms and hands. You’re speaking poetry, but your poetry is also speaking through your body.”

Poetry in general, Myron postu-

JACOB MYRON THE FORDHAM RAM

Jacob Myron is a member of the Black Seep Poetry Collective and he works at Rodrigues’ Coffeehouse.

COURTESY OF JACOB MYRON THE FORDHAM RAM

Myron muses on poetry, self-expression and his collagic personality.

lates, is not nearly as enigmatic as it seems. “Poetry is a lot more accessible as an artform than people think,” he said. “Any structure of words can be poetry — any structure of words written with intention. It’s really all about the intention.”

Aside from his work with Black Sheep, Myron enjoys longboarding around campus — perhaps a remnant of his athletic history — and working at Rodrigues’ Coffeehouse.

Taking up Monday and Thursday shifts, Myron speaks fondly of the student-run coffee shop: “Rod’s has historically gotten a bad rep for being cliquey and exclusive. But I’d say that the workers are a lot nicer than you think they are. They love to get to know new people. It’s a warm environment and a safe space.” In addition, Myron has already left his mark on Rod’s comprehensive menu (“Please try my drink, it is called the Coco Loco!”).

Myron also enjoys events with the Happy Hopes Mental Health Collaborative, based at the Rose Hill campus. The club, which functions under the Fordham Social Innovation Collaboratory, provides students with a place to meet and exchange advice regarding mental health. According to Myron, it is a space where, “everyone who feels the need to destress...

can just explain their issues and get peer advice, student to student, not from a CPS official who is disconnected from studenthood. We lead with breathing and mindfulness exercises, we leave having respected the privacy of ... the individuals who come.”

The different aspects of Myron’s life come full circle — every moment he experiences and every person he meets has an influence on his ever changing personality. “A [personal] collage is like a history; it doesn’t change,” Myron explains. “It grows and amalgamates into something more beautiful than before, as long as you see it that way. You might want to drop pieces of it but you can’t.

You have to accept it’s part of you.”

This realization was one of Myron’s most fundamental, and came to him after his injury in high school. It’s clear from his answers that he truly is a poet at heart: “Part of the collage, for me, was consciously recognizing that in sophomore year, I wasn’t a good person. Looking back on that piece now, it’s beautiful. The meaning comes from the change. There are remnants of who I was that still exist, but they operate in ways that are more meaningful to me and other people, that are much more productive.”

CULTURE On the 25th Anniversary of “Blues Clues”

Page 13

September 22, 2021

BY TAYLOR MASCETTA STAFF WRITER

On April 22, 2002, millions of children across America lost a dear friend. They stared at their television screens in disbelief as Steve, the beloved host of Nick Jr.’s “Blue’s Clues,” packed up his belongings and departed for college, never to be seen again. “Thanks again for all your help,” he said, before hopping on a bus and leaving.

While this moment broke the hearts of audiences both young and old, it exemplified the significance of “Blue’s Clues:” teaching viewers valuable lessons. Nothing lasts forever, but that’s okay. Change is inevitable and something that should be welcomed with open arms.

Nevertheless, with “Blue’s Clues” reaching its 25th anniversary this month, Nick Jr. celebrated by doing something fans never expected. On Sept. 8, its Twitter account uploaded a video captioned “so about that time Steve went off to college…,” featuring Steve’s return, striped green polo shirt and all.

At long last, Steve acknowledged how sudden his departure felt. “One day, I was like, ‘Oh hey, guess what?’

I’m leaving, this is my brother Joe, he’s your new best friend,” Steve said. “And we didn’t see each other for, like, a really long time… can we just talk about that?” It was the closure us late 1990s/early 2000s kids needed.

In reality, Steve left the show since his actor, Steve Burns, realized he was starting to go bald. “I knew I wasn’t going to be doing children’s television all my life,” Steve revealed on Nickelodeon’s 2006 special “Behind the Clues: 10 Years with Blue.”

“Mostly because I refused to lose my hair on a kid’s TV show.” The implications behind his hair loss motivated his decision even further.

Steve was getting older, and he felt that it was time to explore other opportunities and pass the mantle on. He had done his job, as “Blue’s Clues” made a considerable impact on millions of children.

“Blue’s Clues” arrived at the end of an era. In the mid-90s, many children’s television programs prioritized selling toys over substance, using flashy animations and graphic fighting sequences to promote products to an impressionable audience.

After significant backlash from concerned parents, Congress cracked down on these shows and insisted that networks needed to produce more educational content for children’s mental development. To abide by these rules, Nickelodeon created Nick Jr. for preschoolers, and soon new shows such as “Blue’s Clues” entered development.

Heavily inspired by the revered “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood,” “Blue’s Clues” takes the viewer to a fantastical, animated world of bright-colored puppies, sentient mailboxes and French salt-and-pepper shakers.

At the center of all of this is Steve, a happy-go-lucky teenager that spends each episode solving some sort of mystery with his dog, Blue.

Since Blue cannot speak, she leaves her signature pawprints all across the house for Steve and the viewer to find.

After finding all three clues, Steve sits in his iconic “Thinking Chair’’ and figures out how they fit together.

The plotlines of each episode promote problem-solving and creative

thinking, two important qualities for children to adopt.

Steve stands out as a host due to his ability to create individual relationships with every child watching the show. At the beginning of each episode, Steve greets the viewer like an old friend before starting his next adventure. Viewers feel as if they’re always right alongside Steve; for instance, Steve always pauses after asking the audience a question, giving kids the opportunity to excitedly shout their answers to the screen.

“My favorite part of the show was to talk directly through the camera,” Burns revealed during his “Fameishness” special. “To actually, if I could, form a relationship with an individual child through the TV. I could hear them, and they could hear me.” To children, Steve wasn’t a teacher — he was their peer.

Therefore, when Steve headed off into the sunset, viewers found themselves distraught. Even though the new host, Joe, did a great job in the role, his presence felt somewhat unsettling. Kids longed for Steve to return after going on so many adventures with him, and their relationship with Joe simply wasn’t the same.

Nevertheless, Steve leaving for college serves as a metaphor, just like his receding hairline. It showcases the importance of growing up and moving onto bigger things, helping us become the best versions of ourselves. Unfortunately, sometimes we need to leave some people behind to move forward. Viewers will befriend and perhaps lose various reiterations of Steve, but the lessons learned from these relationships will remain with them forever.

Today, the preschoolers who

spent their childhoods with Steve are now adults. For many of them, life has not been easy, especially after a global pandemic. Steve recognizes this. “We started out with clues, and now it’s what?” Steve said in the clip. “Student loans, jobs and families! And some of it has been kind of hard, you know? I know you know.”

After solving each episode’s mystery, Steve celebrates by dancing around the “Thinking Chair’’ and singing a song. However, before the theatrics, he looks right in the camera, commends the viewer for the great job they did that day and thanks them for all their help. For millions of these now-adults strug-

gling with today’s day and age, knowing that Steve is still proud of them is an incredibly reassuring feeling.

“And then look at you!” Steve beamed. “Look at all you have done and all you have accomplished in all that time. And it’s just — it’s just so amazing.” Cue the waterworks.

Even though we all have grown up, a small part of Steve lives inside all of us. We may not press our foreheads against the screen to scour every frame for Blue’s pawprints anymore, but the lessons “Blue’s Clues” taught us shaped us into who we are.

We’ll always remember Steve, and he’ll always know us.

“After all these years, I never forgot you,” Steve said. “Ever.”

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“Blue’s Clues” has remained a beloved children’s TV show for 25 years.

The New York Latino Film Festival is a Cinematic Experience

BY ILAINA KIM

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The annual New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) shines a spotlight on documentaries, films and features by members of the Latino diaspora. From Sept. 13 to the 19, the event beautifully showcased the multi-faceted allure of Latin-American and Latino culture through a multitude of lenses.

With a hybrid of in-person and online events, the lineup boasted a roster of 102 films from more than 12 countries, as well as documentaries, short films, U.S. feature narratives and web series. For those with an affliction for movie nights in or a preference for the big screen, the

festival provides a well-rounded experience for all. Since its founding in 1999, the NYLFF effectively fostered support for both Latino cinema and filmmaking communities alike, providing culturally relevant and riveting experiences in the process.

Choosing screening events was daunting to say the least, and the decision came with much calibration and an obscene amount of trailer viewings. Needless to say, I started off my experience with an online screening of six short films.

Of them all, “Segregatio” (dir. Jowy Santiago), left me simultaneously dumbfounded and wanting more as two nuns discussed whether or

not they were going to save dying people outside of the church during a post-apocalyptic game of brisca.

A whimsical manifestation of selfexpression, “Unicorn” (dir. Jason Tropiano) was a captivating tale of a gay man on a personal journey of self-acceptance.

In “El Montaje” (dir. Ed Trucco), music becomes medicine as a tango dancer grapples with grief. Though under the umbrella of Latin American descent, the collection of short films is a mosaic of wonderfully diverse niches and identities. Queer, ravaged, young, old, blissful and grieving, their lives become tangible.

Intertwined with our own experiences, the audience becomes inter-

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The New York Latino Film Festival took place from Sept. 13 to Sept. 19 with a mix of hybrid and in person events.

woven with the culture.

The festival also offers an array of drive-in screenings on the corner of Gerald Avenue and 151 Street, an experience that excites in lieu of the overpriced-popcorn-AMC-theatre scene that we all know and love. I was lucky enough to find parking for the full-length film “All the World is Sleeping” (dir. Ryan Lacen), which tugged at heartstrings as we were swept into an emotional whirlwind of discovery and survival. Created by a group of seven mothers with firsthand battles against addiction, the non-linear film follows the life of a Chicana in New Mexico as she sinks deeper into substance abuse.

Cerebral, jarring and passionate, Lacen’s filmmaking flourished in the heart of New Mexico, a city that has been increasingly attracting films since 2005. Starring Melissa Barrera (“In the Heights”) and Jackie Cruz (“Orange is the New Black”), the two worked along these survivors to bring their words to the silver screen with unabashed authenticity.

“Todo Lo Que Fui (Mos)” (dir.

Lorenzo Navas Ortega) introduces us to Rafael, a son who is reunited with his father upon learning of his death. Amidst this pandemic, he embarks on the difficult journey of navigating burial rites while trying to gain closure. While their stories are told on the big screen, the Latin

American community struggles with their own narrative as COVID-19 wreaks physical and mental havoc. Facing disproportionate health and economic impacts, the pandemic and resulting recession have mangled the Latin American community.

Notably, Latinos have been disproportionately and negatively affected in the U.S labor market, as well as in terms of COVID-19 related deaths. Filmmaking is not only an art but a form of communication, and the NYLFF allows us to appreciate these cinematic narratives while bringing awareness to the structural challenges those stories are borne from.

Whether you’re a cinephile, Bronx native or exclusively call movies “films,” the New York Latino Film Festival guarantees a gratifying experience. You’ll find yourself adding reviews to your IMDb profile, crying during the finale of “I Wish You Told Me,” frantically adding to your LetterBoxd watch list and raiding the nearest Duane Read for drive-in snacks all at the same time.

As we marvel at the screen, we’re not only immersed in cultural vibrancy but in the characters and filmmakers that live through them. A proper “salute to la cultura,” this Bronx-based tradition is a cinematic experience in itself.

CULTURE

Page 14

September 22, 2021

Fordham Satin Dolls, The Fordham Ramblers & The Rockettes

By ELISABETH MURRAY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Two of Fordham’s a cappella groups — The Satin Dolls and the Ramblers — will be performing at Radio City Music Hall to kick off the first weekend of the highly anticipated Christmas Spectacular on Nov. 5 and 6.

The two groups began practicing last week in preparation for their biggest show post-pandemic, the “Sounds of Christmas,” where they will be opening for the beloved Rockettes.

“I’m most worried about performing at Radio City,” said Julia Leahy, FCRH ’23, a third-year member of The Satin Dolls. “This is by far going to be the biggest audience we have ever performed in front of.”

Leahy’s stage fright is definitely a shared feeling among her fellow a cappella members. It has been almost two years since either group has given a live performance, apart from a small in-person spring concert the university allowed at the end of last semester. But that was only for an audience of 50 people. President of the Satin Dolls, Amanda Ojeda, FCRH ’22, has the girls in rehearsal three times a week to ensure that they will be at their absolute best. “I’d say we are all a little worried about feeling completely comfortable and confident with the music, but we always learn quickly,” said Ojeda.

“It’s really the opportunity of a lifetime,” Ojeda said. She explained how a representative

from Madison Square Garden reached out to the a cappella groups after seeing some of their video performances online. “We just can’t wait to get up there and show them what we’re made of.”

Each year Radio City selects a small number of local collegiate a cappella groups to perform on the Great Stage for the “Sounds of Christmas.” It is a testament to the groups’ talent to have been selected. “So many incredible artists and musicians have played on that stage and we are so honored to be included in that list,” said Ojeda.

Once the opportunity was presented, board members from each group jumped to secure their spots and immediately began working on their showcases. The groups are still in the early days of preparation for this event. Earlier this semester, the groups had to go through tryouts and initiation, but they are finally able to focus on preparing for the “Sounds of Christmas.”

Understandably, the a cappella singers are buzzing with nerves and exhilaration over the initial shock. Hearing this news just days after tryouts and initiation, many new members are especially on edge. “I am definitely nervous, but I am more excited to see our progression over the next few weeks,” says first-year Satin Doll, Lily Brown, FCRH ’23. “I am excited to see how we evolve as performers, both individually and as a group, and I cannot wait to see what our hard work and dedica-

tion will look like at the end of this process.”

The groups are still in the early days of their preparation and members are looking forward to getting into a normal routine of in-person and regular practices to help feel prepared.

“It is definitely an adjustment after the past year and a half, but this is exactly what I signed up for,” says Brown. “I love singing and I love that I share a passion

with my fellow Satin Dolls. We all feel so blessed to be able to have an opportunity to showcase our love and talent for singing.”

The Satin Dolls and the Ramblers will be utilizing their five minute slot on the Great Stage to showcase each of their carefully curated Christmas medleys that are a mix of both traditional and pop. Each of their arrangements includes Christmas classics

such as “Underneath the Tree,” “Last Christmas,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “All I want for Christmas is You.” Over the next few weeks, they will be practicing tirelessly for their post-pandemic debut.

Despite all the stage fright and nerves, Fordham’s a cappella groups are thrilled to perform in front of so many new people.

Tickets for the Christmas Spectacular are on sale now.

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Fordham’s a cappella groups, The Satin Dolls and the Ramblers, will be opening for the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular.

Now Performing (In Other Words) Crossword

Across

1. Back in Black (two types of elec- tric current)* 5. Hotel California (avian symbols of America)* 11. Losing My Religion (dreamy cycle)* 14. In _ of; instead 15. Firstborn 16. Doce meses, including 12 down

17. Studier of the stars 19. Small room for TV or animals 20. Civil society (abbr.)

21. Heavenly author Nancy 22. Apple assistant 23. Son of Abel’s replacement 25. Code imitation 28. Act that killed half of the MCU 29. Renewable ID numbers (abbr.)

30. Pet’s nameplate 32. Bohemian Rhapsody (king’s counterpart)* 34. English river/Andean bird homonym 40. Baseball event on All-Star Game eve (abbr.)

41. Auction site in the Empire State, potentially 42. Instagram gardener Maria Laura de _

43. Oral arthropod appendage 44. Native Guatemalan’s fountion (abbr.)

45. What one on a FCRH tour may be (2 wds.)

50. Arcade game, _-Ball 51. Long Island’s largest clinic (abbr.)

52. European primrose 54. Show with the most Emmys (abbr.)

56. Legally disallow 57. Opponents 60. Double helix genes 61. Division symbol in text 62. Spacefaring org. (abbr.)

63. With 56 across and 60 across, what the answers to the starred clues are (2 wds.)

64. Insert contact _ you can see (2 wds.)

65. Vulgar “once”

COURTESY OF SEAN HUFF

Down

ISSUE 12

1. Alda or Turing 2. Opposite of trans 3. Exploded 4. Scoundrel 5. Like a slippery fish 6. Without accompaniment 7. Aeronautic company’s universal remote (2 wds.)

8. Description for an unhurried pace 9. Double-curve 10. Statistic that goes with DOW on the NYSE (abbr.)

11. Half diameters 12. First segment of 16 across

13. French coffee, syrup, and liqueur company 18. Opposite of nors 22. Titles for Francis Xavier or of Assisi (abbr.)

24. Halloween birthstone 26. English name based on a Star Wars princess 27. Declare void 28. Observer of a Punjabi religion 31. Electricity producing cow dung 32. Pure mathematician’s victory cry (2 wds.)

33. Large vase for coffee or ashes 34. One from the former Zimbbwe 35. Strangeness or creepiness (var.)

36. City of Levi, or Papuan la guage 38. Unpleasantly wicked 39. Thick guck 43. Breathy onomatopoeia of contempt or disgust 45. Browning pistol 46. Neutral Punjabi pronoun 47. StarKist fish 48. Icy leaps 49. American scrum-sport league division (abbr.)

50. Health resort 53. Columbia office for those from abroad (abbr.)

55. Hopeful future lawyer’s task 57. You’ve got mail company 58. Disadvantaged business enterprise (abbr.)

59. Biggest little city air- port code

SPORTS

September 22, 2021

Beyond the Scoreboard: The USWNT’s Battle For Equal Pay

By MADDIE BIMONTE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Page 15

Volleyball Splits the Rose Hill Classic

By GIGI SPEER STAFF WRITER

The fight for equal pay continues for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT). This past week, a new contract proposal for both the men’s and women’s teams made headlines. In the new collective bargaining agreement, the U.S. Soccer Federation proposed a shared revenue and to begin talks of equalizing the prize pool money in the World Cup. Currently, the USWNT’s labor agreement is set to expire at the end of this year.

The USSF released a statement addressing the proposal saying, “This proposal will ensure that USWNT and USMNT players remain among the highest-paid senior national team players in the world while providing a revenuesharing structure that would allow all parties to begin anew and share collectively in the opportunity that combined investment in the future of U.S. Soccer will deliver over the course of a new CBA.” For the upcoming 2022 Men’s World Cup, the expected prize pool comes out to about $440 million, compared to the 2023 Women’s World Cup at $60 million. Under this new CBA proposal, both the men and women would be receiving the same pay contracts. However, that does not include the World Cup and the prize pool that is expected. Rather, the CBA proposal would focus on pregnancy and maternity leave and salaries for national club teams, as well as uniting the two labor unions that represent the USMNT and USWNT. The respective labor unions in previous years were provided with individual bargaining agreements, in which discrepancies in pay sparked a lawsuit in 2019. The solution proposed by the USSF is to provide a single CBA to both labor unions in hopes to avoid complications.

The USWNT Players Union responded by calling the new CBA

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Morgan is leading the US’ womens’ charge to receive fair pay. proposal, “a PR stunt.” USWNT player Alex Morgan also spoke at a press conference later that day addressing the proposal, “... we need to look line by line at what they’re actually providing, because if you have equal but it’s not even what we got before, or to the value that we are, then we still consider that to be not good enough.”

The USSF then responded, saying the offer was made in “good faith” and criticizing the documentary released back in June 2021 titled “LFG.” The documentary followed members of the USWNT in their ongoing legal battles and fight for equal pay.

For reference, in the 2018 Men’s World Cup, the USMNT failed to secure a qualifying spot, and the victors, France, took home $38 million. For the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the USWNT took home the title and $4 million.

Later that year, 28 members of the team went on to file a lawsuit against the USSF for unequal pay and gender discrimination. The women had their case thrown out in May 2020 by District Judge R. Gary Klausner since they had dismissed a pay-to-play structure to equalize them to the men. The USWNT appealed to the Court of Appeals and is awaiting a decision.

Throughout the past few years, the USWNT’s dominance has be-

come evident on a major scale.

It’s also clear that four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals are not enough reason to give the woman a pay raise in the eyes of the USSF. While critics of the USWNT may call them greedy or ridiculous for constantly wanting more money, it is completely unfair how hard they have had to fight for the money they so clearly deserve. In this current mentality and the past bargaining agreements the USWNT has had with the USSF, the women are expected to win just to get a fraction of the cost the men would get if they lost.

Even with this new proposal, the details are a little unclear as the full terms of the CBA have yet to be revealed. The massive uncertainty revolving around the World Cup pay and how equal it would be for the USWNT is crystal clear, however. While the USSF has agreed to begin talks to improve it, how long those negotiations will take is anyone’s guess.

As of now, both sides enter a stalemate, and with the upcoming 2022 Men’s World Cup and 2023 Women’s World Cup, a decision must be made soon. Regardless, the women still plan to continue their fight. “We will continue to work with U.S. Soccer moving forward, looking towards equal and fair payment and treatment,” said Morgan.

Fordham Volleyball hosted St. Francis Brooklyn and Providence College this weekend and came out with one dominant win.

On Friday, the squad played the Terriers and set a season-high with a .366 hitting percentage on 46 kills in their 3–0 victory. They set another season-high with eight aces as the offense was the star of the show.

However, Saturday’s matchup with the Friars proved to be very different. The defense shined and kept the Rams steady throughout five very long sets. Junior libero Mallory Lipski won Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week and was named to the All-Tournament team with her career-high 30 digs.

Fordham’s Sophomore outside hitter Whitley Moody noted Lipski’s influence in the hard-fought battle, “Our defense stepped up and allowed us to be super competitive at the net. Scrappy defense from our STUD libero, Mallory Lipski, created a ton of opportunities for our hitters to score out of transition.”

Despite the defensive efforts and offensive efficiency, they dropped Saturday night’s game 28–26, 18– 25, 25–19, 33–35 and 13–15.

Moody led the squad in kills with 20, matching her career-high. Another career-best came from junior Aria De La Rosa with 18 kills.

De La Rosa noted the importance of this nailbiter, and how it sets the tone heading into conference play, “I’m really proud of the

way our team is coming together to find our rhythm.Preseason for our team has been about learning how to trust and rely on our teammates during the moments that count. The Providence game really showed our energy and our fight.

Although we are still working out some kinks, we have come so far in developing a great team culture on and off the court. I am excited to start conference play so we can really show Fordham Volleyball potential.”

With the split, the Rams fall to 3-8 and will take on both Virginia Commonwealth University and Davidson College this weekend, two dominant Atlantic 10 Conference competitors.

Defensive Player of the Week Lipski notes that the team is using the conclusion of the preseason as a momentum-builder heading into the weekend, “It was so fun to host our first home game this weekend in front of our friends and family! I thought we competed really hard this weekend and although we came up short in our last match against Providence, we did some really great things and I am extremely proud of the team. These preseason games have really allowed us to grow as a unit. We are a different team than we were four weeks ago and I am so excited to start conference play on Friday and show people what Fordham Volleyball is about!”

The Rams will be on the road for three matches before returning to Rose Hill on Oct. 8 to take on George Washington University.

Women’s Soccer: Another Day, Another Battle on the Field

By KALEY BELL

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Fordham women’s soccer team was ready to face the La Salle Explorers and show how their hard work and practice has paid off to this point. This is the start of the competitive excitement Coach Clinton and players alike have voiced. You can sense the intensity in how they have been practicing and even posting on social media.

They are ready to begin their conference play.

In that first conference game, the Rams held off the Explorers for a draw. Even though they did not pull off the win, the players proved a lot to themselves. Neither team scored in the first half of the game but Fordham struck in the second with sophomore midfielder Alexandra Taylor.

Taylor was not the only player who wanted to leave their mark on the game. Junior midfielder Danielle Etienne attempted two shots, as well as junior forward Caitlin Kennedey and senior defender

Kendall Dandridge. They aggressively pushed toward trying to score an extra goal but came up short.

It wasn’t until the last few minutes of the game that La Salle scored their first goal. This tied the game and forced double overtime.

The Rams looked to have a game winner after sophomore defender Olivia Redden scored off a free kick. However, a foul against the goalkeeper negated this goal.

Fordham’s sophomore goalkeeper Serena Mensah had a smashing game with a career-high night of six saves. Mensah was a big part of her team’s success, leading toward maintaining an evenly played game that resulted in the draw.

Another standout performer was senior defender Claudia Cuicani, named the Player of the Match, according to the Fordham women’s soccer team Instagram. Cuicani, along with her teammates, stepped up to hold the line against an equally aggressive team.

With the competition becoming tougher ahead, the Rams are gearing to get back into action and face

their next team. The team is set to play again on Sept. 23 in Richmond against the Spiders and on Sept. 26 against the St. Bonaventure’s Bonnies, a team that Fordham athletes all across the board know that they must defeat.

Five out of the next eight games will also be played in the Bronx, and the fans are ready to show the support that the Rams deserve.

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Volleyball’s defensive effort carried them to success this weekend.

Think you know sports?

Become a writer!

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Mensah had a career night in goal.

Email: fordhamramsports@ gmail.com

SPORTS

Page 16

Reviewing the NHL Offseason

By CHRIS HENNESSY STAFF WRITER

The NHL season is just weeks away but the action never really stopped since Tampa Bay lifted the Stanley Cup in July. There has been plenty to discuss both nationally and locally in free agency and elsewhere.

The New Jersey Devils landed the biggest free agent on the market in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton.

New Jersey represents Hamilton’s fourth stop in his NHL career and potentially his last, signing a 9 million dollar contract. The Devils will lean on Hamilton to anchor a young blue line with promise. Ty Smith had a solid rookie campaign and Ryan Graves is coming off a fantastic year in Colorado. However, it might impact their ability to add pieces down the line. For now, it is a great move for the Devils to add Hamilton to the squad.

The Rangers have gone through a transitionary offseason since the firings of Jeff Gorton and John Davidson. Former captain Chris Drury has taken over the general manager reigns and attempted to make the team “harder to play against.” He added Barclay Goodrow and Ryan Reaves and traded away Pavel Buchnevich. Buchnevich was a restricted free agent before he was traded to St. Louis in exchange for Sammy Blais and a second-round pick. The moves make sense on the surface, but the details are what make this offseason confusing.

Goodrow was an unrestricted free agent from Tampa and the Bolts had no cap space remaining.

The Rangers traded the negotiating rights to Goodrow before the beginning of free agency in exchange for a seventh-round pick.

They then signed him to a six-year contract worth $3.65 million annually. This was a gross overpay from Drury, especially for a player over whom he had exclusive negotiating rights. There are a lot of similarities between Goodrow and Islanders center Casey Cizikas, who signed a six-year deal worth $2.5 million this offseason. Analytics is even harsher towards Goodrow, with many models predicting a major drop-off after he turns 30.

The Rangers also re-signed Igor Shesterkin to a four-year extension worth over $5 million per year.

Through all of that, the Rangers still have over $8 million left in cap space. That money is undoubtedly being saved for the impending Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad contracts coming next offseason.

The biggest storyline in September was Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s offer from the Carolina Hurricanes.

The former third overall pick was a healthy scratch in many parts of Montreal’s run to the Stanley Cup and has yet to show the upside many anticipated. He sat as an RFA for many weeks, waiting for Montreal to re-sign him. Carolina came calling out of revenge for the Canadians’ offer sheet attempt at Sebastian Aho a few years ago.

They overpaid for Kotkaniemi, offering a $3-4 million player over six million for this season.

Montreal smartly declined the offer sheet and recouped a first and third round pick for their troubles.

They immediately traded the first rounder for Arizona forward Christian Dvorak. This was the first successful offer sheet in many years and has yet to lead to any of the remaining RFAs — Quinn Hughes, Elias Petterson, Brady Tkachuk — getting offered, but there is still time to see what will happen next.

September 22,

Just Like the Good Old Days

Varsity Scores & Stats Water Polo Bucknell 9 Fordham 13 (FOR) G. Papanikolau: 4 G, 2A Mercyhurst 6 Fordham 14 (FOR) M. Katsev: 4 G, 2 A RV Wagner 10 Fordham 15 (FOR) J. Parrella: 4 G, 3 A Mount St. Mary’s 8 Fordham 15 (FOR): N. Ariste: 4 G, 3 A

Men’s Soccer La Salle

Fordham 3 Providence 2 (FOR) B. Urena: 14 K, 20 DIG (FOR) W. Moody: 20 K, 14 DIG

Women’s Soccer La Salle 1 Fordham 1 (FOR) A. Taylor: 3 S, 1 G

Softball STAC 0 Fordham 15

Football Florida Athletic 45 Fordham 14 (FOR) D. Carter: 111 Yds, 1 TD

Dominican Fordham

1 13

Golf Hartford Hawks Invitational P. O’ Rourke: 215 (-1) T-14

Mallory Lipski

P.J. O’Rourke

Junior

Junior

Volleyball

Golf

Fordham Volleyball’s junior libero was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Week, becoming just the seventh Ram to earn such an accolade, the first of her career. Lipski led Fordham’s defense during this past weekend’s Rose Hill Classic after producing 16 digs against St. Francis Brooklyn and, previously, a career-high of 30 digs in a five set battle against Providence. She sits at third in the A-10 overall with 192 digs, 4.47 per set.

With a four-under 68 in round two, P.J. O’Rourke powered the Rams to an 11th place finish at the Hartford Hawks Invitational. It is the first sub70 score of O’Rourke’s career, as he completed the tournament with a three-round score of 215, another career-best. The 68 is the secondlowest round a Fordham golfer has produced since 2000, with Josh Madarang being the only other Ram to go sub-70 back in 2018.

Each week, The Fordham Ram’s Sports editors honor two athletes for their on-field performances as their “Athletes of the Week.”

News & Notes • Sister Anne Walsh to Receive

Liberty Bell Award

Sister Anne Walsh, Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, a familiar face within the Fordham Athletics community since arriving in 1989, will receive the Victory Bell Award on October 7 under the Homecoming Tent.

Walsh, an associate academic advisor, has worked with student-athletes, predominantly with the football program, since 1998. In addition, she continues to work as an advisor with Queen’s Court residents, where she began one year prior. The Victory Bell honors those who have served Fordham Athletics in ways not related to competition, coaching or administration.

• Jacopo

Parrella Named MAWPC Rookie of the Week

Another freshman making waves is Jacopop Parrella, becoming the second straight Ram to earn Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Rookie of the Week honors after his teammate George Papanikolau. The Italian product finally joined the team at this past weekend’s Bison Invitational after his stint with Team Italy at the World Junior Championship. He pioneered the Rams to a 4-0 record at the Bison Invitational at which he totaled 11 goals and seven assists, including a season-high four goals against Wagner College.

• James Conway Earns Second Consecutive Rookie of the Week Honors

The Fordham Football linebacker was named the GEICO Patriot League Rookie of the Week for his performance in the Rams’ defeat of Florida Atlantic University.

Conway totaled a season-high 15 tackles, eight of which were solo, in addition to a fumble recovery and pass breakup. He has already racked up 27 tackles and an interception across the young season.

•

1 2

Fordham (FOR) J. Sluys: 1 S, 1 SOG 1 G

Athletes of the Week

By COLIN LOUGHRAN

Volleyball Fordham 3 St. Francis Brooklyn 0 (FOR) W. Moody: 18 K, 3 DIG

Women’s Basketball Schedule Announced

Fordham Women’s Basketball will play 29 games in total, including three at the 2021 Cancun Challenge and 16 in the Atlantic 10, which are evenly split between home and away. The league opener is on New Year’s Day against Davidson College and will conclude at home versus the Wildcats on February 26. The 2022 Atlantic 10 Championship will be held March 2-6. The Rams are coming off a 12-6 overall record, 8-2 in league play, to earn the number two seed at the Atlantic 10 Championship.

–Compiled by Alexander Wolz

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

October 3, 1951, Manhattan, New York, The Polo Grounds. On this fateful afternoon the Brooklyn Dodgers faced the New York Giants in the rubber match of a threegame playoff series. The bitter crosstown rivals were both seeking the National League pennant and a date with the mighty New York Yankees in the World Series.

This was the stage for one of the most dramatic moments in baseball history. With thousands of servicemen listening to the game’s radio broadcast stationed in Korea for the war effort, it may also be remembered as a staple of the larger American story.

Down 4–2 in the bottom of the ninth, with one out and two runners on, Giants third baseman Bobby Thomson blasted a pennantwinning, three-run home run that was later dubbed as “the shot heard round the world.”

The moment encapsulated a remarkable season for the Giants.

While they were indeed a talented club that boasted great players, like outfielder Willie Mays and second baseman Eddie Stanky, few could have predicted their success. In the middle of August, they trailed Brooklyn by 13.5 games in the standings, but once October arrived, they won 37 of their last 44 games, forcing the best of three playoff set.

This October will mark the 70th anniversary of that wild season, and it is fitting that the modern day Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are currently engaged in a duel for the NL West crown.

Just like the good old days, the two rivals each have championship caliber rosters.

On the LA side of things, starting pitchers like young Walker Buehler and trade deadline acquisition Max Scherzer have been dominant. Big name position players, like first baseman Max Muncy and outfielder Mookie Betts, have helped form a lineup that opposing pitchers dread.

Much like the 1951 squad, this season’s Giants have been a bit of a surprise. Fueled by “renaissance” seasons from grizzled veterans, catcher Buster Posey and shortstop Brandon Crawford, the Giants have been able to hang tight with the defending champion Dodgers all summer long. At the time of this article, the Giants currently hold a one game lead over the Dodgers in the standings. However, this could change relatively quickly with several games left to play. Regardless, both have already clinched postseason berths with the best records in the National League. It is almost a given that whoever wins the division will play the winner of the NL Wild Card game in the NLDS. That could very well be a classic GiantsDodgers postseason matchup.

Baseball fans should be very excited for a fight to the finish between two familiar foes that will be a treat to watch. While this race may be in California instead of the city that never sleeps, the mystique of the Giants-Dodgers rivalry will always be special, even 70 years later.

SPORTS

September 22, 2021

Page 17

Rams Edge La Salle in Atlantic 10 Thriller

By MICHAEL HERNANDEZ ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The men’s soccer team continued their 2021 season with a victory over Atlantic 10 opponents La Salle University with a tough 2–1 victory. La Salle opened up the scoring with a goal by Junior Nare. Nare picked up the ball from around midfield, went to just outside the box and fired a shot that found its way into the back of the net. Nare’s second goal of the season gave his team the lead over the Rams.

That slim lead lasted only 12 minutes. In the 36th minute, the Rams had a throw-in opportunity.

When graduate defender Matt Sloan threw the ball into the box, it ended up bouncing off the head of a La Salle defender and into the back of the net to even the score at 1–1.

It remained tied until the 65th minute when Fordham finally had a breakthrough. The ball was in the La Salle box, and found its way to sophomore midfielder Max Rogers, who whipped the ball into graduate midfielder Jacob Bohm, who flicked a header into the right side of the box. Senior defender Jack Sluys then took the ball and fired a shot, beating the goalkeeper and giving the Rams the go ahead goal.

After that, the Rams focused on defending their slim lead in the remaining minutes. La Salle pushed for the equalizer, but had no success with sophomore goalkeeper Nick Buchholz making his one and

only save for the Rams in the 68th minute. La Salle kept on pushing, but ended up running out of time.

When the whistle blew, the Rams won the match with a 2–1 scoreline against their conference opponents. La Salle outshot Fordham, taking nine shots compared to Fordham’s six, but the Rams were more clinical with their shots with three on goal compared to two for the losing team.

This was the Rams’ first match within the A-10 conference, giving them a 1-0 conference record. With this victory, the men’s soccer team is now 2–4–1 overall in the season.

This week, the Rams have two matches with the first one on Wednesday, September 22, as they travel to Rider University for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. Then their next match is at home at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday against another A-10 rival George Washington University. These two A-10 rivals faced off in last year’s A-10 final, with Fordham winning their fourth conference title by a score of 2–0. They then play another match next Tuesday at home against Seton Hall University. With the season now fully in motion, the Rams will hope to use this recent victory as a foundation to erase the shaky start of the season.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Sluys (above), scored the winning goal in Fordham’s 2-1 victory against La Salle.

The Final Act of the Unpredictable

By ALEXANDER WOLZ SPORTS EDITOR

Baseball was never a favorite sport of mine growing up. Children are often exposed to whatever it is their parents enjoy and baseball was never really a part of my household. That is beyond my father claiming to be a Dodgers fan from their tenure in Brooklyn.

For whatever reason, and I do not quite remember why, I fell in love with the Boston Red Sox at a young age. Maybe it is because of the funny name. Maybe it is because red was my favorite color.

In fact, I painted my entire room a bright shade of it. Or maybe it was the mascot of Wally the Green Monster whose pillow pet still sits on my twin bed at home.

Whatever the reason, the Red Sox became my baseball team, and in some way, baseball became one of my favorite sports. “Running Bases,” the game, was a fixture in my front yard and I took a stab at bat in my recreational leagues, funny enough, donning the Yankees uniform, albeit without the pinstripes.

There were the friendly rivalries between the Yankees and Red Sox, as I always had a group of friends in school who were Boston fans themselves. I had the joy of visiting Boston, one of my favorite cities, and seeing a Jacoby Ellsbury walk-off home run. And there is no better memory than watching Koji Uehara on the mound to secure the 2013 World Series.

The entire playoff run was an absolute thrill, with all of the ups and downs that came with it, and the World Series the crowning moment. Then, things changed.

The ragtag group from 2013 that grew out their beards and pulled off the impossible was supplanted by a juggernaut of young talent.

Because of that, a World Series returned again in 2018, but it was not the same, nor was my relationship with the team or the sport.

At that point, I had become dis-

illusioned with baseball, doubling down on basketball, college football, and more recently, a renewed sense of love for soccer. Baseball was an afterthought for many years. But, in a baseball town like New York, it becomes impossible to ignore.

There are Yankee shirts at every corner, Fordham University itself is a mere six stops from the ballpark on River Avenue and it is the topic of conversation each Saturday on WFUV Sports’ One on One that I spent an entire year producing.

So, when the time came to select beat reporters for the 2020-21 season, I was surprisingly offered the opportunity to cover those same New York Yankees. It was an opportunity that could not be turned down, to report on one of the finest organizations in all of professional sports, and to rediscover that love of baseball along the way.

Who knew, however, that I would be reporting on a season unlike any other. I came into it excited to see the home run balls the team had become known for and the likes of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. I had only been to Yankee Stadium a few times before and my best memories were of the flashing stadium lights at night when a ball flew over the outfield wall. I expected to see that every

night.

The same could be said for Aroldis Chapman, a shutdown closer who I remember watching clinch the Yankees a playoff berth a season ago. And then, of course, there is the ace himself, Gerrit Cole. I thought I would be joining the journey of a 100-win baseball team.

Instead, just a couple of weeks out from the MLB season ending with one last home series, three games against Tampa Bay, the Yankees do not find themselves at the top of the AL East as many expected. They are near the bottom of it and sitting on the outside-in of the Wild Card picture as well.

The reason for that has not been the questionable pitching coming into the season or all of the things fans conjectured about back in April. It has been that same offense I was so excited to see, and still never really have. Now, there is one final stretch, three final series to change that.

This season, for all of those unexpected reasons, has been incredible. Even though it was not how I thought things would turn out, I cannot wait to see what happens in this final act. And I am thankful I have been able to experience it from the inside, and, that I do not have any skin in the game, either.

ALEXANDER WOLZ/ THE FORDHAM RAM

The Yankees will have one final home series to clinch a playoff berth.

Varsity Calendar HOME AWAY

Wednesday Sept. 22

Men’s Soccer

Rider 7:00 P.M.

Women’s Soccer

Follow us on Twitter at @theram_sports

Volleyball Men’s Tennis Football

Thursday Sept. 23

Friday Sept. 24

Saturday Sept. 25 GWU 7:00 P.M.

Richmond 4:00 P.M. Richmond 5:00 P.M.

Cross Country Softball

St. Bonaventure 1:00 P.M.

Davidson 6:00 P.M.

Quinnipiac Invitational Stony Brook University 3:30 P.M. Navy 11:00 A.M.

Water Polo Golf

Sunday Sept. 26

MacDonald Invitational Jasper Fall Invite 10:30 A.M. Binghamton 11:00 A.M. Canisius 1:30 P.M.

Monday Sept. 27

Tuesday Sept. 28 Seton Hall 7:00 P.M.

SPORTS

Page 18

The USMNT’s Quest for Qatar

By NICK GUZMAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In 2017 the United States Men’s National Team failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Since that night, the USMNT has rebounded under new manager Gregg Berhalter. A flock of young, talented players such as Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest and Tyler Adams lead the way, applying their trade from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. This renaissance of fresh talent was on full display this past summer, when the Stars and Stripes won the Confederation of North Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League and the CONCACAF Gold Cup, beating Mexico in the final of both tournaments.

With all the momentum coming from a successful summer, the USMNT looked poised to start their 2022 World Cup Qualifying campaign in a strong manner earlier this month. In CONCACAF, qualification for the World Cup consists of one, eight team “octagonal,” with each team playing one another home and away. Every team plays a total of 14 matches, with the top three finishers qualifying for the World Cup, and the fourth place finisher qualifying for an intercontinental playoff. A new wrinkle to this qualifying cycle is the three game window, meaning each team will play three games in six days, as opposed to the usual two. This makes squad depth and rotation extremely important to avoid injury and fatigue.

The US’s 14 match odyssey began with a 0 – 0 draw on the road to El Salvador on Sept. 2. Despite the massive gulf in talent between these two teams, a tie on the road

in CONCACAF is not considered to be a bad result. Historically, hostile atmospheres, poor field conditions and police escorts have all contributed to a lack of USMNT success in Central America .

But, if you draw on the road, you have to win games at home. Three days later, the USMNT looked to get a win on the board against Canada in Nashville. Despite a raucous crowd at Nissan Stadium, the US and Canada played to a 1–1 draw, with the US’s only goal coming from Brendan Aaronson. The US struggled to create chances all night, mustering just two shots on target despite having 72% of the possession.

With two points on the board after two games, the USMNT headed to San Pedro Sula, Honduras for the final game of the September window in desperate need of a win.

After trailing 1 – 0 at halftime, the US exploded with four second half goals to defeat Honduras 4 – 1. Despite being without Reyna (injury), McKennie (suspension), Dest (injury) and Pulisic (subbed off due to injury in the second half), the US showed just the kind of re-

silience that is needed to qualify for a World Cup. So, even with all the drama and panic after the first two games, the USMNT currently sit in third place with five points through international break. Although the performances have not been entirely convincing, the team is still in a very good position for qualification.

Had they not beaten Honduras, the narrative about this window would be entirely different. But, five points from two road games and one home game is a pace that will get you to the World Cup. In October, the USMNT will first host Jamaica in Austin, followed by a trip to Panama. The window will be capped off with a battle against Costa Rica in Columbus, Ohio. Considering the two home games in this window, anything less than seven points should be considered disappointing. This young group of players now knows what it takes to win in CONCACAF and should enter the October window with a point to prove.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Reyna is one of the players hoping to take the USMNT to the 2022 World Cup.

September 22, 2021

Student-Athlete Column: Coming Back to Finish Strong

By KALEY BELL

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The long, grueling process of the preseason has started, and it has been difficult to enjoy it for the last time. The tough workouts and lifting sessions have begun, and there is no going back.

We have been jolted back to reality, and the real track season has begun again.

The sprinters and jumpers have a new coach, and she is not playing any games.

Our coach has come full force with us and has shown us that she is ready to make us a competitive team.

With a new freshman class and upperclassmen who are ready to become leaders, the Fordham track team is looking forward to competing on the track with no interruptions.

After three years of being on the track team, I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief now that I have reached the point where the end is near. The end is so close, yet so far away. I find that I have to force myself to remember that I am not there yet. I have to fight hard, just like I would during a tough workout. My mom has always told me that I needed to “finish strong” in anything that I do whether that is during a workout, in class or anything else.

With a new perspective on my event, our new coach, Keela Austin is the future of the team. I unfortunately do not feel like I am part of that future because I am the past of Fordham, a has-been on the team. My age has kicked in, and I believe that I have reached my limit.

It could be the senioritis hitting me, but I am having a hard time facing the fact that it is almost done. It is my last year with my teammates who have been by my side throughout a crazy and unpredictable last three years, and I still feel like I just started here. We are going through the same, difficult starts of pre-

season and the looming decisions of competition that are up ahead.

When I face the music and realize that the end is near, I have a difficult time doing what I need to do. I’ve struggled during workouts, however, I have forced myself to realize that I cannot give up. I have to finish strong.

This last year as an athlete, I have become more reflective of the time I have spent here, and I feel like it went by in the blink of an eye. They say that college goes by fast, but I did not realize how fast they meant.

It seems to have sped by Sha’Carri style, and there is no going back to the past.

I think about the time I spent laughing, crying and celebrating everything I’ve done as an athlete, and I feel like I am not done. There is still another year for me to get through, even if I have to force myself to crawl through it. The end is here, but it has just begun.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Bell reflects on her college career.

Champions League Kicks Off Group Stage

By MICHAEL HERNANDEZ ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Champions League group stage kicked off last week with matchday one of six as all 32 teams played their first match of the campaign.

The top two in all groups advance to the round of 16.

In group A, Manchester City started with a thrilling 6-3 win over RB Leipzig. As for the other match, Club Brugge tied with PSG 1–1. Lionel Messi whipped the ball into the top left corner but it bounced off the crossbar. An inch lower and it would have been an amazing goal that no goalkeeper could stop. Instead, PSG could not get that winning goal and had to settle with a draw and one point to start the group stage.

As for group B, Porto had a goalless draw with Atletico Madrid to start off their campaign in the “group of death.”

The other match was Liverpool against AC Milan. Liverpool had the early lead with a goal in the ninth minute and were dominating the proceedings. They even had a penalty awarded, but Mo Salah was unable to convert it.

However, in the span of less than five minutes to go before the end of the first half, Milan scored two goals to make it 2–1 heading into halftime. In the second half, Salah equalized in the 49th

minute to make it 2–2. Then, in the 69th minute, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson struck the ball off the half volley to slot it into the bottom left corner and seal the victory for the reds.

As for group C, Ajax started their campaign in the best way with a 5–1 thrashing of Sporting CP. Sebastian Haller scored four goals, becoming the 14th person to ever do that in a Champions League game. As for the other match, a goal from Erling Haaland helped Borussia Dortmund beat Besiktas 2–1 and secure three points.

Sheriff, who has never competed in the Champions League before, was in dreamland in group D with a 2–0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. In the other match, Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 1–0. Rodrygo scored the game’s lone goal in the 89th minute to give the 13-time Champions League-winners all three points in the match’s dying moments.

Benfica had a goalless draw with Dynamo Kiev for their champions league opener, but the main match in group E was between Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Last time these two titans faced each other, Bayern humiliated Barcelona 8-2 for their worst defeat ever in a European competition. Once again, Bayern was too much to handle for Barcelona, who lost 3-0 to the German champions with

Robert Lewandoski scoring a brace as they cruised to victory.

For group F, Atalanta and Villareal both scored goals as they ended up drawing 2–2 and receiving one point each. The other match was between Manchester United and the Swedish champions Young Boys. United opened up the scoring with Cristiano Ronaldo in the 13th minute. However, they fell down to 10 men shortly after with Aaron Wan-Bissaka sent off due to a poor challenge. Young Boys equalized in the 66th minute.

Then, in the last minute of extra time, United’s Jesse Lingard made a woeful error and passed it to the opposing team, who scored in the final seconds of the game to steal the points from United. Under their current coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, they have lost seven out of 11 matches in the Champions League, which is a worrying sign.

Both of group G’s matches ended up in draws, with Sevilla tying with Salzburg 1–1 as both goals came from penalties.

As for the other match, Lille ended up with a goalless draw against Wolfsberg. This is the only group to have all four teams equal on points with one apiece.

As for group H, Juventus got off to a perfect start. They ended up with a 3–0 win over Malmo.

The other match featured the current Champions League holders Chelsea. The Blues started their

title defense with a win against Zenit, with star striker Romelu Lukaku scoring the lone goal in the 69th minute to give the Blues’ trophy defense off to a good start.

You can take a look at the complete results here and the group tables here to see how the teams look after the first matchday of the Champions League. The next matchday will take place next week on Tuesday and Wednesday. All of the upcoming matches can be found here. The matches to watch on Tuesday will be titans Manchester City and PSG, Milan versus Atletico Madrid and Liverpool against Porto. As for Wednesday, Manchester United takes on Villareal in a rematch of last year’s Europa League final where Villareal took the spoils and Chelsea against Juventus. Matchday one is finally in the books, but the Champions League excitement is only getting started.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Solskjær has a lot of ground to make up.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson secured all three in the Champions League.

SPORTS

September 22, 2021

Page 19

McLaren Rises to the Top of the Italian Grand Prix

By MICHAEL HERNANDEZ ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Last week, Formula 1 rounded off another tripleheader at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix. Heading into this race, the momentum was with Red Bull and Max Verstappen, having won the previous two races. However, if last year’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza showed anything, this track can give us a new winner.

This weekend brought back the spring race format, which meant that there were only two practices, with qualifying on Friday and the sprint race on Saturday. Qualifying set the grid for the sprint race while the results of the sprint race determined the starting grid for the full race on Sunday. The top three finishers of the sprint race receive three, two and one point respectively.

The Mercedes were blazing fast on Friday with Lewis Hamilton topping Verstappen who was followed by the other Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas.

When it was time for qualifying, Bottas grabbed P1 for the sprint race, with Hamilton in second and Verstappen in third. One shock were the McLarens, with Lando Norris qualifying in fourth and his teammate Daniel Ricciardo in fifth.

Bottas received a brand new engine when it came time for the sprint race, surpassing the engines allotted for the season. However, the key aspect is that any penalties are not in effect until Sunday, which meant that Bottas

still started the sprint in first despite being pushed to the back of the grid on Sunday. This was a tactical masterstroke by Mercedes because it still gave them points to pursue and increase their gaps in the constructors’ standings.

When the lights went out for the sprint, Bottas got off the line well, with Hamilton falling down the order into fifth. Ricciardo moved into third while Norris remained in fourth. Before the end of the first sector, a safety car was brought out due to the Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly, whose front wing broke after slight contact and caused him to run off the road and into the barrier.

The sprint resumed after a couple of laps and Bottas crossed the line 18 later, followed by Verstappen, Ricciardo, Norris and Hamilton. Verstappen slightly increased his lead in the drivers’ championship with his second place finish and started the race in pole position due to Bottas’ grid penalties.

When it came time for the race, both the Mercedes and McLarens were quick the entire weekend and the start would be critical. Sure enough, when the lights went out on Sunday, Ricciardo passed Verstappen going into turn one with Norris staying ahead of Hamilton and in third.

The order remained until lap 23 when Ricciardo entered the pits. Verstappen responded on the following lap but had a woeful 11.1 second pit stop, a rarity for one of the best pit crews in

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Pictured from left to right: Lando Norris, Zak Brown (CEO of McLaren Racing), Daniel Ricciardo.

the paddock. Verstappen ended up emerging in 10th thereafter. Norris’ lead only lasted for a bit, with Hamilton passing him in front. Norris pitted on lap 25 with Hamilton entering the pits the lap after.

This is where the race turned on its head. Verstappen was coming up right behind Hamilton as he exited the pits.

The two ended up side-by-side going into turn one and two and the title rivals collided, taking each other out of the race. The safety car was immediately brought out which meant that Ricciardo now led the race in front of the Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Norris. The lone Red Bull of Perez was in fourth with the other lone Mercedes of Bottas in sixth.

Once the safety car was in and the green light was given, Ricciardo led the pack with Norris getting past

The State of the New York Giants

By ANTHONY BALLAS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The New York Giants have had four straight losing seasons since 2016. After two straight losses to start their 2021-2022 NFL campaigns, things are not looking as good as Giants fans had hoped.

Although Daniel Jones has proven to be a decent starting-level quarterback for the Giants, he has not shown himself to be a franchise leader who can put them over the edge. Jones recorded just 11 passing touchdowns in the 2020-2021 season while simultaneously throwing 10 interceptions. He has an astounding 40 giveaways since his 2019 season, encapsulating one of his biggest flaws. Oftentimes Jones retreats to the pocket and either fumbles or throws an interception when faced with adversity, which must change for the Giants to have success. An improved offensive line should take some pressure off the young quarterback but that’s only one of the team’s many necessities.

Another bright spot is the return of running back Saquon Barkley.

Even so, coming off an ACL tear last season, questions remain as to whether he can recreate the magic that made him such an important asset.

As head coach Joe Judge said after Thursday night’s heartbreaking loss to the Washington Football Team, “There’s enough things we can clean up as a team, we can play better.”

This sums up the first two losses of the season for the G-men. They fell 27-13 to the Denver Broncos in week one in an all-around crushing loss. Barkley, playing his first minutes since 2020, recorded just 26

Leclerc in the Curvo Grande to make it a McLaren one-two. Perez also eventually passed Leclerc, albeit off the track. The regulations state that the position has to be given back immediately but Red Bull was unsure of that.

Unfortunately, the window to return the spot was eliminated when Bottas passed Leclerc, which meant that Red Bull would lose a lot of time if they tried to give the position back.

Perez was subsequently given a five second time penalty for the pass on Leclerc, which could cost them positions.

Meanwhile at the front, the McLarens were cruising, with both drivers holding their positions. After 53 laps, Ricciardo earned his first victory since 2018, McLaren’s first since 2012. Norris finished in second to give McLaren

Fanatics’ Rise in Digital Marketing

By GRACE COYNE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

COURTESY OF TWITTER

Judge may be on the hot seat after the Giants’ early underperformance.

rushing yards. This low number is understandable considering the severity of his injury, but the star running back is going to have to return to his pre-injury form if the Giants want to make a playoff push. Jones had a solid performance recording 267 passing yards but the offense looked stagnant when faced with pressure.

Jones had an impressive performance during Thursday night’s matchup against Washington, completing 23 of 32 passes, many to receiver Sterling Shepard who has proven to be a bright spot within this Giants team. This added up to him finishing the game with 249 passing yards and one touchdown. He also finished with 95 rushing yards. His versatility is one reason why Giants fans can be hopeful. Barkley had yet

another sub-par performance but a 41-yard run early in the night gave a glimpse of what to expect regularly once he returns to form.

The game was a heartbreaker as defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence jumped offsides just as Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins narrowly missed a game-winning kick, as they were down 27-29 with just seconds left on the clock. This allowed Washington to get another chance at the kick that won them the contest 30-29.

All in all, the Giants have much to improve on heading into their week three matchup against the Atlanta Falcons but one thing is clear: they must clean up their sloppy mistakes if they want to compete with the NFC East.

their first one-two in eleven years.

Perez finished in third but fell down to fifth with his penalty, giving Bottas the final spot on the podium.

This is the fifth different winner this season. In addition to that, this is the first race where a constructor has claimed the maximum points from a race. That is 44 points from finishing first and second as well as the fastest lap of the race.

McLaren jumped into third in the constructors with Verstappen remaining in the lead of the driver standings after this result. The next race is this weekend at Sochi for the Russian Grand Prix. Importantly, Verstappen has a three place grid penalty for the Hamilton incident, which means that the highest he can qualify in this race is fourth. Expect another exciting race in a season that has not disappointed.

Fanatics, a website where fans can buy their favorite team jerseys or other products, is a leading ecommerce company in the sports world. Now, they are becoming even bigger.

The Dallas Cowboys, one of America’s most notable football teams, has hired Fanatics to take over their merchandising. This 10year contract gives the company total control over the team’s online merchandising. The Cowboys are the latest significant name, however, 26 other NFL teams are already Fanatics’ e-clients.

After the partnership, Fanatics began by creating a new webshop for Cowboys products. Cowboys Merchandising COO Tim Burkhart said the shop’s alignment with the NFL’s pre-existing store ensures consistency and breadth for customers. It is a unique situation because the Cowboys do all their merchandising in-house as opposed to following the rest of the NFL. For example, they have about 20 actual shops that are fulfilled internally. Fanatics is also

taking over the Cowboys’ digital marketing efforts and will control their media networks, global headquarters and inside AT&T Stadium.

Broadly speaking, companies now have access to many people’s data online, creating a demand for digital marketing. Leagues such as the NFL have been outsourcing their marketing to satisfy that demand. Specifically, Fanatics has unrivaled access to consumer data that teams like the Cowboys can use to track consumers’ digital footprints and curate advertising campaigns to their interests.

Fanatics has grown their marketing in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and NASCAR. They also operate many college and pro sports digital marketing initiatives. With the number of teams they work with in the NFL and other sports, Fanatics holds a monopoly on digital marketing. Their extension into the sports marketing world has grown the company and increased their revenue intake. They are an example of how companies can succeed in the sports marketing business by exposing themselves to different leagues and controlling them.

COURTESY OF TWITTER

The Cowboys’ online web shop with Fanatics has already debuted.

SPORTS

Page 20

September 22, 2021

The Fordham Ram

Water Polo Sweeps Bison Invitational

By JACK ROCHE STAFF WRITER

Fordham Water Polo rolled through the Bison Invitational this weekend in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, going a perfect 4–0. Arguably, the most exciting match of the weekend came in the first event against the host, 15th ranked Bucknell University.

After leading 4–3 after the opening quarter, the Rams got off to a quick start in the second, scoring the opening three goals of the period. Two of these came from freshman driver George Papanikolaou from Athens, Greece. This momentum gave the Rams an 8–4 lead at the half, subsequently carrying into the third quarter through another three consecutive goal-scoring outbreaks. Fordham held on to their lead, finishing the first match of the weekend with a 13–9 victory.

This win served as the first time Fordham has defeated the Bisons in consecutive games at Bucknell with their last match in 2019.

Papanikolaou finished the first match with four goals and two assists, driving the offensive production. He commented on the team’s performance, “We had some difficult games this weekend, and I think that we did great. We can always find something to improve on and be ready for our next conference games.” In response to being named the Mid-Atlantic Wa-

ter Polo Conference (MAWPC) Rookie of the Week, he added “I am very happy with the [award], but the only thing that matters to me is winning with the team.”

This success continued after the opening match, as they rounded out Saturday with a 14–6 victory over Mercyhurst University. Freshman driver Mark Katsev from Brooklyn led the way with four goals and two assists of his own, keeping the Rams perfect on day one.

Day two brought wins against both Wagner College and Mount St. Mary’s University. Fordham bested Wagner 15–10 to open up Sunday, with graduate utility Hans Zdolsek and freshman driver Jacopo Parrella each adding four goals on offense.

The Rams knocked off Mount St. Mary’s, 21–8, in the final match, the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Fordham got off to an extremely hot start, holding a 14–4 lead at the half that was not overtaken. The offensive production in this match came from Lucas Nieto Jasny, yet another freshman driver, who scored five goals on just five shots.

This will certainly improve Fordham’s rank in the MAWPC polls, which sat 20th in the nation before the Bison Invitational.

Fordham hosts their first opponent at the Francis B. Messmore Aquatics Center, as conference competitor Navy travels to the Bronx. That begins on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 10:00 a.m.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Water Polo proved their national ranking in Pennsylvania.

P.J. O’Rourke Powers Golf

By CHRIS HENNESSY STAFF WRITER

The Fordham golf team placed 11th out of the 16 teams at the twoday 54-hole Hartford Hawks Invite.

The tournament was held at the Bull’s Bridge Golf Club in South Kent, CT with 16 teams from all over the East Coast.

The University of Central Florida (UCF) took first place with a score of 829 (-35) over the span of three rounds. Johnny Trevale posted an incredible eight-under 64 in the third round to lead the way for the Knights. Trevale won the individual championship at 11-under by one shot, over his teammate Clement Charmasson.

As for the Rams, junior PJ O’Rourke posted his career low for one round and three round scores.

His second round 68 paced the Rams for the tournament, and his final score of 215 (-1) was good enough for a tie for 14th place.

Junior John Kryscio continued his great play placing T-44 individually. His 225 (+9) is hardly his career-low but he brings consistency the squad desperately needs heading into the spring. His third round 77 brought him down the leaderboard, as he started the final round t-29 and ended 15 spots lower.

Last week saw junior Andreas Aivazoglou shoot his career low with a 71 at the Ryan T Lee Memorial. This week, he shot two rounds

in the 80s, 85 in round one and 82 in round two, with a two-over 74 sandwiched in between. He placed near the bottom of the individual leaderboard and will look to show that this week was the sore thumb, not last week.

One sign of improvement the Rams showed this week was that over rival Manhattan College.

The “Battle of the Bronx” is usually saved for the hardwood, but the Rams took down the Jaspers by 27 shots after losing by one last week.

This was once again a week with no Atlantic 10 competition for Fordham and that will continue next week.

The Rams will head to the Yale Golf Club to play in the Macdonald Cup. The Bulldogs will play host to the Rams, fellow Ivy Leaguers Pennsylvania University, Princeton University, Harvard University, Cornell University and Dartmouth College, New York schools St. Bonaventure University, Colgate University and St. John’s University, two more Nutmeggers in the University of Hartford and Fairfield University and finally the Michigan Wolverines. In 2019, the Rams placed 11th out of 12 teams in the event and will look to improve in 2021’s 14 team field.

The Hartford Invite was a decent week for Fordham but more consistent play from the bottom of the lineup will help them throughout the season.

Football Flies to Florida Atlantic, Falls to the Owls

By DYLAN BALSAMO MANAGING EDITOR

When it comes to college football, Florida is the Taj Mahal. With so many storied institutions and college football programs calling the state home, it is understandable why a matchup for Fordham Football with Florida Atlantic University, their second Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent in three games, was such a marked moment on their 2021 schedule, even though it eventually resulted in a loss.

To be exact, that loss was by a score of 45–14 against the Owls in an evening matchup at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton. The Rams only scored twice, likely the result of the fact that they produced just 237 total yards to FAU’s 547. Fordham also only had 29 rushing yards and were just 1–15 on third down conversions. The Rams also had 81 total penalty yards.

The only scoring in the first quarter came on the Owls’ behalf, when quarterback N’Kosi Perry finished a 10-play, 71-yard drive for FAU with a two-yard run into the end zone. They had a 7–0 lead over Fordham.

The Rams, to their credit, kept themselves in the game by getting on top of things at the beginning of the next set of 15 minutes. On their first drive of the second quarter, Fordham secured a touchdown themselves, as senior quarterback Tim DeMorat, the reigning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week, found his fellow senior,

wide receiver Fotis Kokosoulis, for 14 yards to tie the game up at seven points apiece. Before the first half came to an end, the Owls retook the lead with haste as running back Larry McCammon ran into the end zone for six yards, the finale of a five-play, minute-long drive to give FAU a 14–7 lead.

The Eagles did not look back from there.

In the second half, FAU blew the barn doors open, taking advantage of a Fordham team that could not keep up with them offensively.

The Owls made a big play on their first drive of the half to start to pull away. Wide receiver LaJohnta Wester caught a 25-yard pass from Perry to wind up in the end zone and give FAU a 21–7 lead. Later on in the quarter, Perry connected for another long touchdown pass, this one to receiver T.J. Chase for 17 yards. It ended a five minute drive for 67 yards and gave the Owls a

21-point advantage with just 15 minutes to play.

Fordham scored once more, as during the fourth quarter Rams junior wide receiver Dequece Carter caught a 48-yard DeMorat toss on the first play of the drive to give Fordham their first score since the second quarter and bring them within 14 points with a little under 10 minutes to go.

It was all FAU from there.

Owls running back Kelvin Dean brought another touchdown in from the Fordham two yard line.

Then, almost immediately after Fordham took the ball over, DeMorat threw an interception that FAU’s Teja Young returned for 22 yards. The score became 42–14 incredibly quick.

Owls kicker Aaron Shahriari added a 23-yard field goal before the game ended to put the final dagger into the Rams’ back. The final whistle blew at a score of 45-14

in favor of the Owls.

Fordham left Boca Raton on Saturday at 0–3 on the season after an incredibly difficult non-conference schedule to begin their 2021 season.

The good news for the Rams was that they continued to have players with standout individual performances worthy of weekly awards. For the second consecutive week, freshman linebacker James Conway was awarded the Patriot League Rookie of the Week after recording 15 tackles and recovering a fumble.

Before the game against FAU, Fordham head coach Joe Conlin had expressed confidence that the individual performances his team has celebrated this year would lead to a breakthrough in the win column.

“Monmouth was a playoff team last year, ... and we gave them a heck of a game,” Conlin said, tak-

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham is hoping that its offense, particularly the rushing attack, will pick up pace in Patriot League play.

ing his usual optimistic approach on how the team has performed to this point. “Obviously, you ultimately want to win, but we have some guys who are playing really good football right now. We just have to continue to work to get better every week.”

The outstanding individual performances continued to come during the game against the Owls. DeMorat, while not taking home any hardware for his performance this past week, continues to climb up the Rams’ all-time lists for career touchdown passes, passing yards and completions, currently standing at fifth, fifth and fourth, respectively. Senior linebacker Ryan Greenhagen also recorded double digit tackles for the third consecutive week.

But despite that, Fordham remains winless in 2021.

Up next is another road game, this one in Long Island, significantly closer to home, against Stony Brook University at LaValle Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 25. The two teams have met four times prior, with the first two occurring while both programs were at the NCAA Division III level, as opposed to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

One might argue that the difficult part of the season for Fordham is over. But for these Rams, the hurdles they plan on overcoming for this season are only just beginning.