The Barry Buccaneer Summer 2021 Edition

SUMMER 2021

80 years of barry History of the past & dreams for the future pg. 6

puff puff policy-smoking on campus pg. 5 barry rower on her way to the olympics pg. 17 post-pandemic plans pg. 19

BUCCANEER STAFF

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THE TEASE

SUMMER 2021

Layout and Graphics Editor MELISSA MANOHAR

Copy Editor

BRIANNA LOPEZ

Web Editor

ANNA GALAKTIONOV

Assistant Photo & Graphics Editor

JIMMY MUNIZ JR.

Social Media Representatives

in-person commencement pg. 8

JIMMY MUNIZ JR. SUZANNAH YOUNG

Staff Writers

LIZ CALVO ISABEL PULGARIN AMANDA GONZALEZ GARCIA LANA SUMNER-BOREMA JIMMY MUNIZ JR. SUZANNAH YOUNG

Staff Photographers JIMMY MUNIZ JR. MELISSA TUMBEIRO ASHLEY MOBLEY

Business Liaison

Entrepreneurship lab pg. 11

MELISSA TUMBEIRO

Faculty Adviser

TIFFANI KNOWLES The Buccaneer welcomes student contributions.

Editors assign stories for pay at this time. Letters to the editor, story ideas, news releases, photos and artwork can be submitted to The Buccaneer office in Garner Hall or through campus mail or email.

All contributed material must include the signature and the mailbox or telephone number of the contributor. The Buccaneer reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for style and length.

Contributed material does not necessarily reflect the opinions and policies of The Buccaneer editorial staff or those of Barry University. “Interested in advertising your business in the Buccaneer?

Contact Professor Tiffani Knowles, 305-899-3465" Cover Photo and Design by Melissa Circulation: 800 Tumbeiro and Melissa Manohar.

the real virus: asian hate crimes pg. 17

SUMMER 2021

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3 Photo courtesy of HITC.

Biden’s First 100: Student Loan Relief?

By Isabel Pulgarin

President Joe Biden’s campaign agenda promised to make 62 major changes in his first 100 days in office. According to the Associated Press, with just a few weeks left, President Biden managed to fulfill 19 of these 62 promises, such as vaccinating 100 million Americans, and pausing evictions and foreclosures. Still, there are some promises left unkept.

Some major promises Biden fulfilled include rejoining the Paris climate accord, passing executive actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, easing federal unionizing restrictions, mandating masks on federal property, and ending the travel ban on major Muslim countries which was implemented by former President Trump.

Biden still has some promises in progress, including signing the Equality Act, which would ensure equal rights under the law for LGBTQ+ Americans, sending Congress a gun control bill and developing effective ways to enforce gun laws and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. However, eight of the promises have been put on the backburner. According to the Associated Press, these include increasing corporate taxes, restricting background check

loopholes when purchasing a gun, and taking steps toward making housing a right for all Americans.

Still, possibly the most important achievement for Barry students was Biden’s extension of the pause on student loan payments through Sept. 30, for both

to those attending private minority-serving colleges, as can two years free at community colleges.

Freshman criminology major, Armani Gearing, is grateful for Biden’s plan to assist students with loans. Gearing takes part in federal work study and has loans,

experienced much anxiety, fearing that interest rates will accumulate while he waits until September to pay his loans.

Despite Holden’s hope about the loans, he is skeptical of Biden’s “very complicated” plan to make public college free. He pointed out that high school is free to attend, but that

undergraduate and graduate students. This executive order was signed on his first day in office.

In addition, according to “The Biden Plan for Education Beyond High School” on the President’s campaign website, the Biden administration wants to make college more affordable and help support students with loan debt. Biden supports efforts to cancel $10,000 or less of undergraduate loans per person for COVID-19 relief. This would exclude graduate loan relief.

Biden would also like to broaden the scope and eligibility requirements for Pell Grants.

To do so, he will double the grant’s current amount, $6,345 per student, to a maximum amount of $12,690. This will increase the number of families in the U.S. that will be eligible.

Finally, Biden plans to offer free college tuition to a four-year college to students whose family income is below $125,000. Free two-year grants could also become available

scholarships, and grants helping her pay for school. While she wishes Biden would relieve a larger amount of debt, Gearing thinks Biden’s efforts seem like a “good idea.”

“For him to say, ‘yeah, I’m going to take it away if it's $10,000 or less,’ is great because it leads a lot of people out of debt,” said Gearing.

Trevor Holden, a student who got his master’s degree in 2019, agrees and is waiting anxiously for Biden to decide whether he is cancelling the $10,000 in loans for students.

Holden had taken out loans for graduate school, but they currently aren’t guaranteed under Biden’s loan cancellation proposal.

However, he is still holding hope that graduate loans will be included.

“I basically haven’t made any payments on my [graduate] loans because I am waiting to see if he does cancel $10,000, because if you make payments now, you might end up hurting yourself,” Holden said.

During this waiting period, Holden has

comes at the expense of teachers’ salaries.

“When you get to college, the professors obviously are paid much more and [tuition] is how they’re able to fund all of that,” said Holden. He added that this allows colleges to be luxurious and well-maintained.

Dr. Sean Foreman, the chair of the department of history and political science at Barry, supports the plans for loan relief and free college.

“If we can move toward more need-based and merit-based grants, which you do not have to pay back, and move away from the need for people to borrow so much in student loans, that can help to change the balance,” said Foreman.

With 19 promises fulfilled, 35 promises in progress, and eight promises on hold, Barry students are patiently awaiting this change in balance as President Biden continues to work on keeping the promises his campaign proposed.

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SUMMER 2021 Photo courtesy of Charles River Lab.

Barry Professor warns students against Co-Infections related to COVID

By Lana Sumner-Borema

While the number of positive COVID cases in Florida surpassed 2 million and resident hospitalizations reached approximately 85,000 as of late March, according to the Florida Department of Health, many young adults have chosen to ignore pandemic protocols due to the low percentage of severe cases in their age group. But are there coinfections that anyone, regardless of age, could acquire that may escalate a COVID infection?

Dr. Christoph Hengartner, assistant professor of biology at Barry, acquired his bachelors in biochemistry from Université Laval in Quebec, completed his doctoral dissertation on the regulation of yeast transcription through the enzyme RNA polymerase II from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Princeton University’s molecular biology department.

In an interview with The Buccaneer, Hengartner said he has a particular interest in “infectious diseases, defending against infectious diseases, and how microbes change entire ecosystems and have changed the atmosphere of our planet over time.”

He claimed that the SARS-CoV-2 infection is particular in how it mutates.

“The virus is changing relatively fast because it’s an RNA virus. We let COVID

burn too fast. Every time a virus copies itself, hospital, usually from the use of ventilators or it makes some errors and most of them are heart catheters, and prolonged ICU stays.

Researcher Anuradha Chowdhary, who bad, some give them an advantage,” he said.

“If it gets to multiply enough it will mutate to reviewed a study from India that correlated candida auris infections to patients who tested make itself more efficient."

He doesn’t believe we will ever eliminate positive for COVID-19, stated that candida COVID completely and, according to infection was found in 67 percent of those Hengartner, the treatment plan of such a who died. Chowdhary and her colleagues related this back to the care of the severely virus may affect our bodies adversely.

When treating the Coronavirus, it is critical patients with high infection levels in common for antibiotics to be given to the intensive care units.

In another patient in order to “After the fact, we realize our prevent side-effects simple treatments toward one study conducted such as pneumonia infectious disease fails, there is by Haidi Karamthat would harm the now another infectious disease on Allah Ramadan in upper Egypt, out patient. However, the top of it.” antibiotic, which kills Dr. Christoph Hengartner, of 267 patients who Barry assistant professor of biology tested positive for the good and bad bacteria, gives way to fungus such as candida, COVID-19, only 28 cases “showed bacterial and/or fungal co-infections.” However, 20 of inside the body.

“After the fact, we realize our simple these cases were “severe or critical cases” and treatments toward one infectious disease fails, none were found to be in the “mild” group.

Researchers also found that a specific there is now another infectious disease on top variation of candida, candida albicans, was of it,” he said.

The candida species is a yeast in the normal “resistant to flucanzole and voriconazole,” human body’s environment. However, in the which are the only treatments for this case of a bodily environment that is already fungus.

Resistance is another concern, said diverting energy to fight off a different infection or is immunocompromised, the Hengartner, since “we are woefully short of candida already present in the body will begin alternatives for antifungals.”

Young adults should be particularly acting as an opportunistic yeast pathogen concerned because after they are diagnosed that can severely harm the body.

Co-infections like these are picked up in the with COVID-19 and are prescribed an

antibiotic, they could potentially acquire a yeast infection that is resistant to the only available treatment.

While Hengartner has not worked directly with this species, he has done research with a pseudo-candida through experimentation with baker’s yeast to study how it causes disease and developed new therapies to treat candida. The most effective way to avoid this fungus, he said, is not to contract COVID to begin with by following the recommended safety protocol of mask-wearing and distancing.

Side effects such as the loss of taste and smell and “long-haul COVID” are side effects many young adults are experiencing, and the long-term effects of the immediate side-effects are unknown as this virus is new.

Aside from following all safety protocol, Hengartner recommends getting the vaccine as symptoms from long-haul COVID have diminished after patients received the vaccine.

In closure, Hengartner wants the Barry community to know that “there is so much we don’t know, so we should be as cautious as possible.”

He is rearing up to conduct a full presentation on the topic of COVID and its side effects for the Barry community this year.

SUMMER 2021

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5 Barry student houses smoking paraphernalia in dorm room. Photograph by Jimmy Muniz Jr.

Puff Puff Policy:

Students Smoking on a Smoke-Free Campus

By Liz Calvo

Barry University has been a smoke-free campus since July 2016, which means that no one can smoke on the premises. This policy was implemented to promote a safe campus environment in allegiance with the Tobacco Free Florida campaign.

Some students break this policy, however, and continue to smoke and store substances that are prohibited on campus, such as marijuana, vape pens, and e-cigarettes, in their dorms. These substances affect students who are non-smokers or those who follow the policy, as those students must deal with the smell and effects of secondhand smoke.

Often, the scent of marijuana permeates the dorm hallways. Smoke escapes when doors or windows are open and can also travel through ventilation systems. Although some students do not care about the smell, others take issue with it.

“Having to smell the smoke coming into the dorm is annoying because the smell is not at all pleasant,” said an anonymous, nonsmoking student.

This student adds that there is no way to prevent the smell because students will not stop smoking.

However, an anonymous student who smokes in his dorm said that he does care if his neighbors are bothered by the smell. To combat this, he takes “certain precautions to keep the smell from traveling.”

According to Modern Castle, an expert home product review team, some common precautions students may take to prevent smoke from leaking out is to close the air vents, place a wet towel at the bottom of the door, or use an air purifier.

Despite the poor smell, another problem that comes from policy breakers is secondhand smoke. According to the American Lung Association, “Secondhand smoke causes approximately 7,330 deaths from lung cancer and 33,950 deaths from heart disease each year.”

Thus, students who are non-smokers are still put at risk because of the people in their dorms that smoke. This is worrisome for many.

“I would rather my neighbors find a different place to smoke if it means my health is at risk,” said the non-smoking student.

Due to the smoke-free campus policy being violated, Assistant Dean of Students,Matthew Cameron, notes that there is a “detailed reporting and review policy for

conduct violations, including smoking illegal substances on campus.”

If a student is found guilty of violating the code of conduct, sanctions can include “a written or verbal warning, university or housing probation, housing termination, university suspension or dismissal, fines, community service,” and many others.

However, Cameron notes that implementing these sanctions isn’t always an easy decision.

"One increasing challenge we face as it relates to marijuana prevention efforts on campus is that even though it remains illegal federally, several states in the U.S. have legalized or decriminalized marijuana use, as well as several countries we welcome our students from,” said Cameron.

He adds that some students come to Barry with a medicinal marijuana authorization notice. The use of medical marijuana was legalized in Florida in 2014 under the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. To accommodate different perspectives on the use of marijuana on campus, Cameron encourages student input.

“We always welcome dialogue with our students regarding suggestions to make these measures even more effective,” he said.

One student’s input is that allowing students to smoke on campus is the best thing to do.

"If Barry would let people smoke on campus, outside the dorms, then it would keep residents away from smoking inside the dorms,” said the student.

Policy changes are not too uncommon on Barry’s campus, as the university began allowing alcohol on campus under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, after 35 years of being a dry campus.

The student who smokes understands this change because “alcohol doesn’t smell or cause secondhand effects, unlike [marijuana] or tobacco.”

Similarly, the non-smoking student believes that the current smoking and drinking policies are the fairest for Barry to have. “...Smoking can bring more harm to a person’s health and, as mentioned, it can have an unpleasant smell,” said the student.

Although resident students have mixed views about smoking on campus, it is unclear whether Barry plans to make a change to the no-smoking policy. Students should be sure they understand the policies in the student handbook before smoking or drinking alcoholic substances in their dorms.

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SUMMER 2021

80 years of barry

By Liz Calvo and Melissa Tumbeiro

In honor of celebrating 80 years of Barry University’s existence, The Buccaneer has chosen to highlight the most notable events that have occurred at the college throughout the years. It was our esteemed honor to interview our two most recent presidents, Sister Linda Bevilacqua and President Allen, as we admire our campus then and now as well as discuss plans for the near future.

The 1940s and 1950s Reverend Patrick Barry, Bishop of St. Augustine, and his sister, Reverend Mother M. Gerald Barry wanted to open a leading education center for young women in Miami.

So, they recruited their brother Monsignor William Barry, John Graves Thompson, and the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan.

According to Dominique St. Victor, the Barry archivist, “the Cor Jesu Chapel was the first group of original buildings to be built for Barry College of Women, along with Adrian Hall, Lavoie Hall, Farrell Hall, and Kelley House.”

Barry College had several ideologies that still define the school today. Firstly, Barry encouraged the education of young women of diverse backgrounds. So, the campus welcomed women of different religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

Secondly, Barry made sure to help their students foster the core commitments we still follow today. These core commitments include knowledge and truth, inclusive community, social justice, and collaborative service. These core commitments are meant to resonate with students after graduating to create social leaders who can improve society.

Sister Linda Bevilacqua, former president of Barry University and now President Emerita and Founding Director of the Adrian Dominican Institute for Mission and Leadership, said that “the purpose of our undergraduate degree programs and cocurricular experiences was to create women leaders.”

1960s Barry became a member of the College

Entrance Examination Board and in 1960 was accepted as one of the original nine members of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida.

Following the passing of Mother Gerald, Mother Genevieve Weber automatically became the second president of Barry.

Sister Linda, who graduated in the class of 1962, mentioned that she “loved being a Barry College undergraduate resident student.”

As the college was growing, Mother Genevieve decided it was time for the president to reside on the campus. She nominated Sister Dorothy Browne, who was an executive vice president, as the first resident president in 1963.

The School of Social Work was later created and accredited. They were admitted to their first class in 1966. The Monsignor William Barry Library opened in 1968.

1970s During the 1970s, the school underwent restructuring and transition. The Wiegand Center, housing science laboratories, classrooms, and language center were completed.

Sister Dorothy retired after being president for 11 years and Sister Trinita Flood became the fourth president of Barry University.

She was previously a faculty member and academic dean of the college.

At this time, enrollment was almost 1,370 and the Schools of Art and Sciences, Business, Education and Nursing were established.

The biggest change since the school’s inception happened on Oct. 7, 1975. The Board of Trustees voted to allow males to enroll. Prior to this, males were only allowed to enroll as graduate students.

If it weren’t for this change in school policy, then international students like Dajour Dixon - a freshman from Jamaica majoring in biology - would have missed out.

“Having to find a school that helps students from foreign countries as well as Barry does can be difficult,” he said. “Also, if it weren’t for the diverse culture of Barry, I wouldn’t have made the great friends I have now.”

1980s Barry College officially became Barry University on Nov. 13, 1981, and Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin was inaugurated.

Although she was the fifth president of Barry College, she became the first president of Barry University.

Sister Jeanne was ambitious and wished to expand student and campus life. Between 1984 and 1985, the D. Inez Andreas School of Business and a 96-bed residence hall were added. The School of Podiatric Medicine came the following year.

Barry University became a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and a new athletics facility was built, hiring new staff and coaches.

The School of Adult and Career Education (PACE) was created for working adults. The School of Social Work also offered Barry’s first PhD program.

While student enrollment rose from 1,750 students in 1981 to 5,900 and undergraduate majors doubled from 25 to 50, there was still a need for expansion. The number of buildings on campus grew from 16 to 40.

Jaden Beckles, a freshman psychology major mentioned that although he hasn’t been at Barry for a long time, without the expansion we wouldn’t be able to have the resources or courses we have now “because of the lack of space.”

"I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like cramping all art classes, psychology classes, and science classes together in one building as the school of arts and sciences,” he said.

Also led by Sister Jeanne, Barry University raised its profile throughout the United States.

She became the first woman appointed in the all-male Orange Bowl Committee and brought nationwide publicity for the university.

2000s Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin retired in 2004 after being president for 23 years.

She continued serving as a chancellor for five years, becoming Barry’s first president emerita.

That year, Sister Linda Bevilacqua was inaugurated as the first Barry alumna president. She held several administrative positions before then. She had been associate vice president for academic affairs and founding dean of the School of Adult and Continuing Education (ACE), and now PACE. When asked about her experience, Sister Linda stated that “as president for fifteen years, serving the Barry University community was a distinguished honor and one of the most growth-filled and enjoyable experiences of my life in ministry.”

She even oversaw the purchase of a law school in Orlando in 1999.

“Any pride I feel for the many accomplishments from my fifteen-year tenure as president is due to the energetic, committed and innovative faculty, staff and administrators who helped create and implement the goals we set in the strategic agenda,” she said.

Barry also revitalized and strengthened ties to community partners with the establishment of The Barry Institute for Community and Economic Development (BICED), and The Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI).

The Future Now, a new president, Mike Allen, is entrusted with the growth and development of Barry University in the future. Even trough his first obstacle was the COVID- 19 pandemic, he remains optimistic about the future of Barry.

“Barry University has a rich 80-year history of providing truly transformation education rooted in our Core Commitments,” said President Allen. “As the first male president of Barry, I am committed to preserving our institutional history and honoring and building upon the work of the six dedicated and talented Adrian Dominican Sisters who came before me."

He said he looks forward to “building a strong future together.”

SUMMER 2021

Then Then (1940s): Students walking in Adrian while reading The Angelicus.

Then (1960s): Nursing students studying.

Then (1965): Students sitting in the Thompson building reading copies of Barry's newspaper.

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versus

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now Now: (Left to right) Liz Calvo, Brianna Lopez, Jimmy Muniz Jr., and Suzannah Young walking in Adrian while reading The Buccaneer.

Now: Senior nursing student Kayla Colon in 2021 studying in the library

Now: Students sitting in the Thompson building while on their phones.

Then Photography courtesy of Barry Archives. Now Photography by Melissa Tumbeiro.

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SUMMER 2021

Former SGA President Sirena Register is among the 2020 grads to be honorered this May. Photography by Emma James

A Reason to Celebrate:

Barry Commencement to be held at Marlins Park

By Lana Sumner-Borema

is also excited for her parents to have the opportunity to see her walk across the stage.

Evodxia Mastrominas, a chemistry major

from Karpathos, an island in the southeastern

opportunity to embrace this accomplishment fully.

Among all of the nonconventional routines

Araujo had a difficult time dealing with the

part of Greece, is graduating this May. She

Faculty members at Barry are also a big

and celebrations that came in the Spring 2020

news of the virtual commencement in Spring

was not expecting the commencement to be

part of this celebration. That’s why Dr.

semester, possibly the most disappointing for

2020. She had been awaiting her graduation

in-person.

Celeste Landeros, faculty senate chair and

Barry students was the virtual commencement

day for three and a half years, and the news

“I was convinced the graduation for this

professor of English and humanities will be

ceremony. Seniors missed out on caps,

that she would not get to walk across the stage

semester would [also be] online, based on

participating in the in-person commencement

gowns, pictures with friends, and celebrations

shocked her.

with family. The nature of the Spring 2020

the

L u c k i l y,

ceremony is what made current Barry seniors

Araujo’s

excited and relieved to learn that the Spring

organized

2021 commencement ceremony will be held

special

in-person on Monday, May 10.

celebration

The ceremony will be held at Marlins Park

for

mom a family

her.

While

protocols

followed last

ceremony.

from

At these ceremonies, Landeros carries the

semester,”

Barry University mace, which is a “heavy staff

Mastrominas

that is a symbol of scholarship and integrity

said.

and that signals that this in an important

S i m i l a r Araujo,

Landeros also participated in the Spring

Mastrominas

2020 commencement ceremony, but the

this quality at-

notes

that

procession had to be filmed privately before

home time, like

graduation

is

graduation day. She text messaged her

Amanda Araujo is a first-generation

many others, she

less for her, but

individual students as their names appeared

college student who graduated from Barry in

still felt as if she

more like a day

on the screen to congratulate them.

Spring 2020 with a degree in psychology. She

missed out on the

to celebrate her

“Many of the students who I texted with

is looking forward to the in-person event.

traditional event.

accomplishments with her family and friends.

during the 2020 graduation have let me know they will be there in person in May,” said

with all attendees following social distancing

Araujo

protocols. Graduates from 2020 and Spring 2021 will be recognized.

enjoyed

to

event," she said.

“My partner is graduating this semester,

While the class of 2020 grappled with the

While commencement ceremonies are

and I would like us to take pictures in our

sudden change of tradition, the class of 2021

a symbol of success for all students, for

caps and gowns together,” said Araujo.

Landeros.

got so accustomed to the COVID-19 lifestyle,

first-generation and international students,

“I will be happy to see all the 2020 and

Araujo’s partner, Michelle Etchebaster-

that is, everything being conducted virtually,

securing a bachelor's degree is monumental.

2021 graduates in person, to give them air

Martins, will be graduating in May with

that the in-person commencement took them

The in-person commencement ceremony

hugs and a big thumbs up,” she said.

a degree in exercise physiology. Araujo

by surprise.

will give Araujo and Mastrominas the

news

SUMMER 2021

9 Photo courtesy of FindLaw.

A Pathway to Citizenship: Biden’s Proposal

By Amanda Gonzalez Garcia

As part of his new agenda, President Joe Biden has curated a new immigration reform plan to help over 11 million undocumented immigrants become authorized.

Biden hopes to relieve tension built by former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

Trump’s goal to build a wall bordering the southern U.S. which would prevent the entry of immigrants into the country, for example, caused tension in immigrant communities.

In early 2019, when Congress could not come to terms with funding the wall, a federal government shutdown occurred. The shutdown lasted over 35 days and the wall was never completed.

Biden’s goal to release the tension caused by this shutdown stems from his belief that preventing immigrants from entering the U.S. is detrimental to the country’s citizens and industries, including the arts, culture, and government sectors.

According to the White House government website, “President Biden knows that new Americans fuel our economy, as innovators and job creators."

The Biden administration’s plan will put people on an eight-year path to citizenship.

First Phase of Immigration Reform As of Jan 1, 2021, the first part of Biden’s

plan was set into action. Under this path, Dreamers, temporary protected status undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. holders, immigrant farm workers, children, can gain temporary legal status or a green asylum seekers, and others.

Biden’s plan would implement a swift, safe, card in five years. To qualify, individuals must and orderly integration of immigrants into pass a background check and pay taxes.

Many undocumented individuals already American society. Still, with the pandemic pay taxes under their individual taxpayer and lingering policies from the Trump identification number. This is a processing administration, it may be a while before number made available to nonresidents and Biden’s plan becomes legislation.

For example, the Centers for Disease resident aliens and their families who do not reap the benefits of a social security number Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented Title 42 Section 265 under because of their legal status.

“I would hope and, the Trump administration.

Second Phase of to a degree, believe This policy allows the Immigration Reform the president will put U.S. Customs and Border The second part of to expel Biden’s plan is a three-year together a long-overdue, Protections humane, concise immigrants who pose a path toward naturalization. immigration policy." health risk at the border This path is for people who -Former associate professor of are interested in pursuing communication at Barry, Connie Hicks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Under the United States citizenship.

Junior pre-professional biology major policy, posing a health risk includes “...

Mary Carrasco is glad that immigrants will being subject to previously announced have easier access to U.S. citizenship, and travel restrictions or because they unlawfully entered the country to bypass health hope others will share this excitement.

“We are all American, one way or the screening measures.”

The House Signed Two Immigration Bills other, and our differences should not be emphasized as negative aspects,” said in 2021 When the House of Representatives signed Carrasco. “[Such negativity will] take away from all of the opportunities we can share as two bills on March 18 that would give a clear path to migrants trying to obtain permanent citizens [and] residents of this nation.”

The eight-year plan welcomes Deferred resident status, immigrants gained hope.

-The first bill was the American Dream Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

and Promise Act of 2021, which will provide green cards and eventual citizenship to migrants who entered the U.S. as minors.

-The second bill was the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021, which will provide legal status to migrant farm workers.

However, immigrant communities were defeated on March 21, when the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced that the U.S. southern border was closed.

The closure came in response to a surge of people on the southern border and may serve to rebuild some of the immigration policies created under the last administration.

Conversely, Biden’s new plan will aid immigrant populations against the Trump administration’s policies. The common goal is to give immigrant families access to opportunities for a better life.

For many years, former associate professor of communication at Barry, Connie Hicks, has served on the board of the Miami-based organization Americans for Immigrant Justice.

She believes that Biden’s new plan will serve the immigrant community well.

“I would hope and, to a degree, believe the president will put together a long-overdue, humane, concise immigration policy,” said Hicks.

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SPORTS

SUMMER 2021 Photo courtesy of the Golf Channel.

Barry Rower secures her ticket to the 2021 Olympic Games

By Lana Sumner-Borema

Former Barry rower, Alejandra Alonso Alderete, started to dream of going to the Olympics in 2014, after making it to the A finals at the Young Olympic games in rowing.

Since then, the former sports management major has been preparing for her big shot at the Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Regatta, which occurred on March 4 and 5. Alonso Alderete came in second in the women’s single A finals with a qualifying time of 8:09.82. This secured her ticket to the Tokyo 2021 Olympic games.

The competition included athletes from twelve different Latin and South American countries. All women had to race in a twokilometer spring race known as a “heat.”

Alonso Alderete won first place in her heat, qualifying her for the women’s single A finals, where she won second place and secured her ticket to the Olympics.

Alonso Alderete, a Paraguayan national, came to Barry after being recruited by former rowing head coach Boban Rankovic in Spring 2017. She had to leave the rowing program in 2019 to prepare for her Olympic qualification competition. She plans to return after the Olympics.

Current head coach of Barry’s rowing

team, Nicholas Johnson, said that allowing at the qualification regatta and Olympics.

Alonso Alderete to leave the team after At Barry, the rowing conducted is called Spring 2019 to work toward her Olympic sweeping. This is performed with one oar and dream was a “no-brainer.” used in the eight and four-person boats.

“The opportunity to race at the Olympics The other type of rowing is sculling, which is something every rower dreams about, and is typically done with two oars and in the one the Division II model allows her to stay home or two-person boats. This is what Alonso and not lose any eligibility,” said Johnson.

Alderete needed to do to qualify in Paraguay.

Despite Alonso Alderete’s eagerness In order to master her sculling technique, and her coach’s support, qualifications in Alonso Alderete began working with Eduardo 2020 were delayed for one year due to the De Camillis, founder and head coach of pandemic. Still, Alonso Rowing "After the announcement, Decamillis Alderete didn’t let her I started to adapt how I Academy. De Camillis focus dwindle when was going to handle the and Alonso Alderete knew COVID-19 struck. situation, and again I took each other in Paraguay, “After the advantage to work on my before Alonso Alderete announcement, I started came to Barry. fitness." to adapt how I was going De Camillis called -Former Barry rower, Alejandra Alonso Alderete Alonso Alderete an “easyto handle the situation, and again I took advantage to work on my going girl, who is very demanding in the fitness,” said Alonso Alderete. technique.” He added that she always asked Back home in Paraguay, Alonso Alderete questions to fully understand any technical spent a lot of time on the rowing machine. changes she needed to make. Because of this, Her time on the two-kilometer rowing test De Camillis describes Alonso Alderete as a improved by thirteen seconds. “real athlete.”

Despite her rigid practice schedule with Alonso Alderete’s dedication to developing Barry, Alonso Alderete always put in extra her athletic ability is shown in the number of hours to improve her rowing. The kind of hours she spent on the water and in the gym rowing she was doing in the Varsity 8 boat at leading up to her Olympic qualification.

Barry was different from what she had to row “I used to train in the morning and

afternoon with the team [at Barry], but as soon as I finished there I would run to the club [with De Camillis] to row the single and then come back to campus to do homework and study,” said Alonso Alderete. On the weekends, she continued to train in the mornings, both with Barry’s team and with De Camillis.

The intense training regimen paid off.

She attributes her success to the support of her friends, family and coaches. The sports psychology department at Barry was also a huge help to Alonso Alderete as she was able to keep a strong mindset as she worked toward the Olympics.

This mindset is the reason Coach Johnson believes Alonso Alderete is the “perfect rower.”

While physical characteristics are usually scrutinized to determine an athlete’s ability, Johnson claims that it is Alonso Alderete’s love for the sport that has led to her success.

Alejandra will be competing in the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021. While the day-to-day schedule remains tentative, Coach Johnson encourages Barry students to stay tuned to watch Alderete represent her country and Barry University in the women’s single scull heats.

SUMMER 2021

11

CAREER & LEADERSHIP

Dr. Dale Hartz, assistant professor of management, standing outside of Barry's Entrepreneurship Lab. Photograph by Jimmy Muniz Jr.

Barry Entrepreneurship Lab is “No Club”They Mean Business

By Jimmy Muniz Jr. Many Barry students unlocked their entrepreneurial potential during COVID-19 lockdown, curating small businesses and other side hustles. These skills are exactly what Barry’s entrepreneurship lab (BEL) aims to nurture.

The lab helps Barry students, studentoriented businesses, alumni and community members to flourish and achieve their fullest potential within the business industry.

The entrepreneurship lab is led by Dr. Dale Hartz, assistant professor of management, who insists that the lab is “no club.”

"To me, a club is where we kind of chill and relax,” he said.

According to Hartz, since many Barry students are still figuring out what they want to do after graduation and, by the time they figure it out, they don’t have time to obtain much experience, they can use the lab to figure it out.

“One of the things that is important is that we enable [students] to have actual practical experience with working with clients, giving them the ability to develop something that they are going to use in the workplace,” said Hartz.

Students within the entrepreneurship lab collaborate with the Barry management consulting firm to gain this experience. Here, students assist real-life clients with marketing plans, leadership development, and strategic planning.

Senior marketing major Olivia Liu said that the Barry management consulting team changed her life. After transferring to Barry University about a year ago, she found a family within the team.

Further, Liu’s biggest accomplishment was obtaining “opportunities and experiences” that she wouldn’t have had without the club.

Such opportunities give students the skills and knowledge needed to work with clients

and prepare them for the real world, while also giving them a good experience to put on their resumes.

Developing these skills and building relationships is something Hartz prides himself on facilitating. Beyond this organization, he dedicates his time to help those who are struggling and is the founder and executive director of Better Future Facilitators (BFF).

It was through this association that Hartz has built his life philosophy.

“At the end of the day, how can we help each other to make the world and our community a better place?” asked Hartz.

Liu has undertaken this philosophy since she began her time with the BEL. She plans to become an entrepreneur and start her own non-profit that specializes in homeless and atrisk youth.

While Liu is still at Barry, she plans to continue to participate in any opportunities the BEL has to offer.

Next fall, Barry entrepreneurship lab will hold its first pitch competition where coaches will help students develop a business plan that students will pitch to a panel of judges to win a cash prize.

One does not need to be a business major or have any prerequisites to join the BEL or BMC as it is interdisciplinary, welcoming students from all Barry schools and colleges to join.

The Barry Management Consulting team has an active group of social work alumni and current students who are involved, including Dr. Sheila McMahon, assistant professor of social work who co-leads the team alongside Hartz.

For those who wish to join, you may contact Dr. Dale Hartz by email at DHartz@ barry.edu or direct message them on their Instagram @BarryU.belab for more information.

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12

CAREER & LEADERSHIP Photo courtesy of Fiverr.

SUMMER 2021 Photo courtesy of Omi Vasquez.

Nerdy PCs Business attract Candle Company for the New Gaming Enthusiasts Environment

By Jada Mohammed

efficiently as the ones in the offices.

By Kaylin Donovan

“Quarantine created a need for faster and During the quarantine of summer 2020, Angel Acuna decided to follow his dreams

better computers, so it was the perfect time to start providing them,” said Acuna.

and drop out of school to create a company

Acuna was also able to tap into the gaming

specializing in personalized technology that

market because regular computers were not

he runs out of his home.

ideal for gaming experiences. This was where

Acuna graduated high school with the

Nerdy PCs found its niche.

class of 2017 and, like most of his other

“A little adjustment to a computer can

classmates, immediately enrolled in college.

greatly improve someone’s experience,” said

He began attending classes in the fall of 2017

Acuna. “It’s all about knowing what the client

with the hopes of graduating and becoming

needs and personalizing their machine to

a teacher.

meet those needs.”

As the semesters went on, he found himself

Following his dreams ended up paying off,

struggling to find classes that interested him.

literally, for a young entrepreneur searching

During the COVID-19 lockdown, when

for his purpose.

classes were temporarily suspended, Acuna realized that school was holding him back from doing what he was passionate about.

He began reaching out to friends and family who were now working from home and in need of computers that worked just as

Candles are an essential room decoration in households and, on top of it all, they give off amazing scents that fill the entire room.

How could something like that become any better? What if there was a business that was environmentally conscious and gave back to the environment?

Omi Vazquez is the creator of Savvy Candle Company based in Miami, Florida, who supplies luxurious, hand-made candles, oils, and wax melts while giving back to nature by using clean, sustainable ingredients and products, and contributing to help plant a tree for every order received.

Beginning in the heart of the pandemic, Vasquez was diagnosed with extreme anxiety due to her schoolwork in her senior year at college. She needed a release to cope with this. This was where her journey began in the candle making practice.

Savvy Candle Company distributes handmade products and each ingredient

is carefully researched so that it is environmentally safe.

“A candle requires more than putting materials together. You have to do a lot of testing,” said Vasquez.

Every product shown on her website is handmade and carefully tested. All candles are made with biodegradable soybean wax and wicks are cotton and lead-free to be as sustainable and safe as possible for the environment.

Her business is partnered with One Tree Planted, an organization which vows to plant a tree with every purchase made.

“I know I can’t save the world, but I want do something where people are encouraged to do more and learn more. Even if it’s 1 percent of people that want to learn more, that’s worth it to me,” she said.

Vasquez’s end goal is to open up a store front that not only sells her products, but she also wants to open up a workshop that allows customers to make their own candles with her natural, sustainable ingredients.

SUMMER 2021

13

CAREER & LEADERSHIP Photo courtesy of John Clinton.

Barry Student Launches Film Production Company

By Samantha Tobares

Barry student John Clinton decided to take his career into his own hands this January while creating a space for his peers to delve into personal projects in film through his new company, Working Arts Productions.

Like many college students, 19-yearold Clinton, a Miami native, applied for internship after internship only to be rejected for an all too familiar reason: lack of experience. Instead of wallowing in the rejection, he decided to create his own opportunities in the field he’s passionate about.

“It’s all about who you know to get these internships and jobs,” Clinton stated. “I decided to make my own company to gain the experience I need for the future and give others the same chance to have these experiences.”

Working Arts Productions welcomes any passionate, creative individuals who wish to

not only add to their portfolio but enjoy the experience while they do it. The company focuses on photography, videography, screenwriting and more. Clinton insists the business is open to any fresh and new ideas that come its way.

Working Arts Productions has a platform on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube where Clinton gives updates on his current projects and takes requests from anyone that wants camerawork. He’s currently editing a documentary on a local band named Supergold which is set to premiere this summer. He also presented a sneak peek to a dark comedy short film that will begin production after the documentary premieres.

“I see us making films that are creative and unique to each person who is given the chance to write and produce their own film,” said Clinton.

You can find the company as @workingartsproductions on Instagram and @workingartspro1 on Twitter.

CEO of Manikwa Hair Jaida Bennett

Manikwa Hair Care Offers Alternative to Beauty Shelf Products

By Jeremiah Jamison

When Jaida Bennett discovered that women of color found it difficult to match their hair with the right beauty shelf products, she created Manikwa Hair Care — her own Miami-based brand of hair products that aims to keep natural hair healthy, moisturized, and shiny.

Bennett became tired of spending extreme amounts of money on products that promised to saturate her hair in rich oils and butters, but they never delivered.

“I had more products than I had shoes, and as a fashion forward woman, I have enough shoes to put a shoe outlet store to shame,” she said.

It sparked the idea of creating her own hair products and starting the business.

Manikwa Hair Care brings an assortment of hair care products that deliver healthy, moisturized, shining hair without the use of

chemicals and ingredients that cannot be pronounced.

“Every ingredient I use is pure, which gives your hair the best chance of flourishing to its potential,” she said.

Manikwa Hair Care aims to help its curl friends from all walks of life get healthy, moisturized, shiny hair because “everyone deserves to have healthy hair without the use of chemicals and ingredients,” said Bennett.

Manikwa Hair care continues to provide for all women in the journey of growing clean and natural hair.

Manikwa Hair Care ships across Miami and the tri-county region, pushing for a new age of hair care products.

Manikwa Hair Care, LLC can be found on their website - www.manikwahaircare.com and their own Instagram page.

14

CAREER & LEADERSHIP

SUMMER 2021 Image courtesy of Buzzsprout.

Top 8 Podcasts for Promoting Self-Growth 2) “The Happy Day Show” by Catalina

By Isabel Pulgarin

Perez de Arminan Pazos* recommended by Since the COVID-19 pandemic began,

Ingrid Moreno

many people, including Barry students, have

Pazos’ podcast aims to promote positivity

had little hope that their professional careers

and happiness in listeners’ everyday lives. She

would blossom as they may have in the pre-

does this through discussing the benefits of

COVID world. Self-esteem, inspiration, and

being outside in nature and the importance

motivation are at a low within most people.

of traditions and rituals, for example.

topics like marriage, mental health, and the

intriguing. The hosts conduct interviews with

African American experience.

leaders, experts, and celebrities like actress

Muniz

recommends

these

podcasts

because the celebrities demonstrate “how they are just as human as everyone else.”

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and psychologist Dr. Edith Eger.

7)

5) “TED Talk Daily” by TED recommended

by Amanda Gonzalez Garcia

“Radio

Puddicombe

Headspace” &

by

Headspace

Andy

Studios*

recommended by Lana Sumner-Borema

Every weekday, this podcast samples the

These meditations are delivered every

To combat this, members of The Buccaneer

Moreno, a junior communication major,

latest TED Talks into audio for listeners to

weekday morning to allow listeners a few

staff and students at Barry have curated a list

has been listening to this weekly podcast

hear on their own time. These talks aim to

minutes to pause and reflect before starting

of the top eight podcasts to listen to in order

regularly to help her grow as a person because

help teach people something new every day,

the day. Meditating first thing in the morning

to help yourself and your career grow.

Pazos “spreads positivity to the max.”

like secrets to forming a new habit and how

can help people start their day with a positive

to have constructive conversations.

mindset and be ready to reach their full

All podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Podcasts containing asterisks in the title began during the pandemic.

BUC Staff picks

Gonzalez

Garcia

recommended

this

3) “I Am Athlete” by Brandon Marshall,

podcast because TED Talks are something

Barry Student Picks

Chad Johnson, Fred Taylor, Channing

commonly referred to in her college courses.

1) “A Bit of Optimism” by Simon Sinek*

Crowder, & Chef Nancie*

recommended by Diego Torres

6) “The Skinny Confidential Him and Her

potential.

Sumner-Borema

said

the

podcast’s

episodes are “short ways to notice your perspective and improve your mindfulness.”

This podcast serves as a filter-free

Podcast” by Lauryn Evarts Bosstick &

8) “Sound Plus Doctrine” by Sovereign

Sinek is an author and inspirational speaker

medium for a group of former NFL players

Michael Bosstick recommended by Amanda

Grace Music* recommended by Anna

who started a weekly podcast to connect with

to discuss ranging topics, including family

Gonzalez Garcia

Galationov

others and find hope from those who inspire

feuds, COVID-19 battles, and the lives of

This podcast is based on a brand, blog, and

This is a Christ-centered podcast hosted by

him. His inspiration comes from people like

professional athletes. The hosts frequently

YouTube channel by creator Evarts Bosstick

Pastor Bob Kauflin and musician and author

philosopher Dr. James Carse, Gucci CEO

have celebrity guests, like former NBA player,

and her husband, the CEO and co-founder

David Zimmer. They deliver weekly church

Marco Bizzarri, and singer-songwriter Andy

Dwyane Wade, who spoke on raising a

of the Dear Media Podcast Network. On

services from Sovereign Grace Church in

Grammer.

transgender daughter.

Mondays and Thursdays, they offer lifestyle

Louisville, Kentucky.

Torres,

a

freshman

biology

major,

recommends Sinek for his “amazing speeches about self-behavior, relationships, self-growth and leadership.”

4) “I Am Woman” by Michi Marshall* recommended by Jimmy Muniz Jr.

and wellness tips for anyone trying to learn more about business, health, and beauty.

“I Am Woman,” a branch off of the

“This podcast has a conversational tone,”

podcast, represents the female perspective on

Gonzalez Garcia said, which makes it

Galationov recommended this podcast to anyone looking for an online Sunday church service to engage with and anyone who enjoys Christian music and conversation.

SUMMER 2021

CAREER & LEADERSHIP

“A Bit of Optimism”

by Simon Sinek Recommended by Diego Torres.

15

“The Happy Day Show” by Catalina Perez de Arminan Pazos Recommended by Ingrid Moreno

“I Am Athlete” by Brandon Marshall, Chad Johnson, Fred Taylor, Channing Crowder, & Chef Nancie

“I Am Woman” by Michi Marshall

“TED Talk Daily”

by TED

“The Skinny Confidential Him and Her Podcast”

by Lauryn Evarts Bosstick & Michael Bosstick

Recommended by Jimmy Muniz Jr.

Recommended by Jimmy Muniz Jr.

Recommended by Amanda Gonzalez Garcia

Recommended by Amanda Gonzalez Garcia

“Radio Headspace”

by Andy Puddicombe & Headspace Studios

“Sound Plus Doctrine” by Sovereign Grace Music

Recommended by Lana Sumner-Borema

Recommended by Anna Galationov

Photos courtesy of Buzzsprout and Spotify.

16

CAREER & LEADERSHIP

SUMMER 2021

Photo courtesy of Senior Marketing major, Lianne Garcia.

Mock Interviews—A College Student’s Avenue for Success

By Amanda Gonzalez Garcia

As students, we all will have to go through an interview process at least once in our lives, but mock interviews are a great way to ease the nerves, practice our presentation skills and prep our materials before the big day arrives. And, sometimes, they can turn into the real thing.

Job Interview Training Executive & Career Development Specialist Ebony Olivier offers three action steps that should be completed before any interview.

These steps include: 1. Research the company, CEO of the company and the position you are interviewing for. It’s very important to know the vision and goals of the company, get familiar with the CEO and know what the position entails so that you can be able to articulate the value you can bring to the position.

2. Make sure your resume is up to date and have multiple copies of them, at least five copies. You can also create samples of your work, if applicable. The work samples can be passed out during the interview, i.e., art portfolio, engineer models, or pictures of your work.

3. Create a list of projects that you completed and/or are currently working on that pertain to the position for which you are interviewing. Having a visual other than a resume gives you an opportunity to further sell your value to the organization during the interview.

The Career Development Center at Barry has a committed staff to serve students and alumni alike as they navigate through job searches and career decisions.

“By meeting regularly with [a] career counselor and building a relationship with them, they are better able assist you in your job search and able to advocate for you to employers,” said Career Development Center Director John Moriarty.

Mock interviews are available to all interested students and, if students desire more of an intensive experience, the center also facilitates the ORI-300 course for Career Readiness as an open course for all junior and senior students to assist in the transition from undergraduate studie into the “real world.”

In this course, students are guided in a semester-long practice of necessary career development skills.

Every year, the Career Development Center invites local South Florida employers to conduct these mock interviews. They are now conducted virtually.

The student will meet with the employer for a 20-minute interview and a subsequent feedback session. Through this activity, students are placed in a real-life interview scenario in which, for some, it is the first ever interview they have ever done.

“In my first interview, I was a nervous wreck trying to remember every pointer my professor gave us while trying my best to get a good grade on the assignment,” said Lianne Garcia, a senior marketing major. “This mock interview was an assignment, but it also taught me that all my doubts about not being able to impress an employer with no official experience was just me overthinking.”

Additionally, students are taught about interview ethics such as how to research companies of interest, how to dress appropriately and how to anticipate possible interview questions and more.

“Practice makes perfect when it comes to interviewing and the more experience one gets the better they become,” said Moriarty.

Senior career counselor at the center, Gurbet Akdogan, is at the frontline of student success and is always excited when a mock interview turns into a real one.

“The latest example of this was the case of Lianne Garcia, a marketing senior, who met with an international media and communications agency Republica Havas,” said Akdogan. “After giving a strong

performance at her mock interview, Lianne was invited to a real job interview and got offered an amazing internship opportunity for the summer.”

While this ORI-300 Career Readiness course is mandatory under the business major curriculum, said Garcia, she is very thankful for the experience she gained from it.

Some of the secrets she learned were to include project(s) or paper(s) on your resume that you are most proud of and that relate to your ideal career path and to spruce up your LinkedIn profile.

“It makes all the difference in the world and no one can explain the work you put into your projects better than you can,” she said. “Also, use LinkedIn and connect with as many people as you can! You never know

who’s going to come across your profile, so make sure to put your best foot forward on your LinkedIn profile.”

In order to see more detailed descriptions of all programs and services by the Career Development Center, visit their website at https://www.barry.edu/career-developmentcenter.

Olivier believes that preparation for such career opportunities is the key. “...Look at your career after college as a journey,” she said. “You may or may not land your dream job after college, but every career opportunity that you embark on will give you the experience and KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) for the next career opportunity, that comes your way."

Three action steps that should be completed before any interview Research the company, CEO, and position that you are being interviewed for.

Make sure your resume is up to date.

Create a list of projects you have completed.

Career tips courtesy of Ebony Olivier.

SUMMER 2021

foreign & culture

17 Photo courtesy of Axios.

The Real Virus:

Asian Hate Crimes Spread Across U.S.

By Brianna Lopez

Helen Oh was walking down a Denver, Colorado sidewalk in February when she was approached by two young men. The men called her “infected and disgusting.”

A month earlier, three elderly people were shoved to the ground in Chinatown in Oakland, California. One was knocked out cold. That same month, an 84-year-old Thai American man was shoved to the ground in San Francisco, and later died from the blow.

Still, the country wasn’t prepared for March 16. It started out with eight people visiting three separate spas in the Atlanta area, expecting to enjoy a peaceful, relaxing day.

Around 5 p.m., suspect Robert Aaron Long shot five people in Young’s Asian Massage in Acworth, Cherokee County in Georgia.

Two victims died at the scene from gunshot wounds, and three others were hospitalized, two of whom later died from their injuries.

Less than an hour later, another robbery was reported at Gold Spa in northeast Atlanta. By the time police arrived, three females were found dead from gunshot wounds.

Just across the street, at Aromatherapy Spa, another woman was shot dead.

In total, eight victims died that day, six of whom were Asian women.

The increase in hate crimes such as these throughout the United States has led the Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and its allies to rally in protest. A number of these rallies were led by the reporting forum Stop AAPI Hate which, according to NBC News, revealed that there

were 3,800 incidents of Asian hate crime eventually led to the Chinese Exclusion Act, a law first passed in 1882 that was among reported over the past year.

Dr. Laura Finley, a sociology professor the first to institute broad restrictions on at Barry, attributes part of the rise in hate immigration,” said Esposito.

Because of the extensive history of hate crimes to the former president.

“We have seen an increase in membership crimes against Asians in the United States, in hate groups and in hate-based crimes Esposito doesn’t find the current situation in since Donald Trump took office,” said the U.S. surprising.

However, Angela Rodriguez, a junior Finley. “That, coupled with the stressors of COVID-19 and the economic struggles, have criminology major, is shocked that such prompted some to act out violently against crimes are happening.

“We are in 2021. We should not be having those they have scapegoated as responsible.”

This idea of “scapegoating” is something these kind of hate crimes still happening,” co-chair of the sociology and criminology said Rodriguez. “I do not understand how department at Barry, Dr. Luigi Esposito, people can commit these horrendous crimes. was raised to treat believes to be true.

“I do not understand how Ieveryone kindly and “…Throughout people can commit these with respect and I do much of U.S. history, horrendous crimes. I was raised not understand why during times of to treat everyone kindly and everyone does not heightened collective with respect and I do not think or act this way.” fear about something understand why everyone does Rodriguez notes that (whether real or not think or act this way.” when the pandemic imagined), various -Angela Rodriguez, a junior criminology major began, she never racial and ethnic groups have been targeted as convenient thought to blame Asians. Finley, however, scapegoats and subjected to various forms of attributes part of these attacks to Trump’s former habit of referring to the Coronavirus violence and discrimination,” said Esposito.

Esposito cites another time such hate as the “China virus.” Esposito agrees, noting against those of Asian descent was displayed that “…words matter.”

However, Finley also believes gender is a —the 1870s. After an “invasion” of Chinese migrants into the United States, white key component as well, since female members workers believed these migrants would take of the AAPI community are more likely to be their jobs. Thus, newspapers published targeted.

In fact, according to NBC News, 68 stories about Chinese laborers kidnapping white women and children and turning them percent of hate crimes against AAPI people were reported by women, whereas 29 percent into opium addicts.

“This and other factors led to a wave of were reported by men.

Esposito attributes the hate crimes to what violence against the Chinese, which reflected a broader anti-Chinese sentiment that he refers to as “model minority” stereotypes.

This is the belief that Asians have higher educational attainment and are economically successful, which makes other minorities resent them. This resentment “might have been amplified by the pandemic,” according to Esposito.

As these crimes continue to occur, many people are wondering how they can help support the Asian community. Esposito says that the first step is to promote education and awareness about the issue.

Often, according to Esposito, people assume that because Asians are a “successful group,” they do not experience racism.

However, within the Asian community in the U.S., there are “significant differences in terms of median income, educational attainment, wealth, and life chance,” he said.

So, Finley believes that we need to begin educating our society about why these stereotypes about AAPI people are inaccurate.

“Part of that is to address the reality of how COVID-19 spread,” she said.

Finley encourages students to look toward organizations within and beyond Barry for guidance. She works with an organization called The Humanity Project, a nonprofit which works to promote equality and respect.

Students can also consider joining the Antiracism and Equity Coalition at Barry, which works to address these same issues and “create a more just and inclusive Barry.”

“All of us should feel empowered to speak up about this problem and to correct anyone we hear making hateful comments,” said Finley.

18

foreign & culture

SUMMER 2021 Photo courtesy of CNN.

The american crown

By Suzannah Young

Racism, sexism, mental health, and suicide were just a few of the controversial topics discussed by Meghan Markle and Harry the Duke of Sussex in their interview with television personality Oprah Winfrey. The interview aired on CBS on March 13.

The interview, which took place in California, began with Winfrey and Markle discussing Markle’s entrance as an American into the royal family.

“I didn’t fully understand what the job was,” Markle said. “That’s what was so tricky.

When the perception and the reality are two different things, and you’re being judged on the perception, but you’re living the reality.”

Later, the two discussed a rift which was highly publicized in British tabloids—the conflict between Markle and her then tobe sister-in-law, Kate Middleton. Just days before the royal wedding in May of 2018, the British tabloids claimed that Markle made Middleton cry in an incident surrounding the event.

In the interview however, Markle explained that it was actually the other way around.

“I think that’s when everything changed, really,” Markle said.

Markle believes that tabloids and “the institution” contributed to a false narrative that led to vicious attacks against the future duchess via the British press.

“The institution” refers to the “business of the monarchy” or its “public role,” according to Victoria Arbiter, a commentator for the royals. This includes private secretaries, palace aides, and the communications team that corresponds with the press.

While the interview covered many topics, including motherhood, the royal family, and the couple’s security issues, Markle’s statements about mental health and racism were arguably the highlights of the conversation.

Markle’s exposé about her mental health began to unfold when she explained the severe isolation that came with her new role as a royal in the public eye.

Specifically, Markle’s feelings of isolation and loneliness were brought on by the realization that she was not being protected from the British press. In addition, Markle was told not to leave the castle and encouraged not to talk to her close friends and relatives outside of the royal family. These factors all contributed to Markle’s worsening mental health.

“I just didn’t see a solution. I didn’t want to be alive anymore,” said Markle.

Winfrey responded with empathy and questioned other events that led to Markle’s ultimate break.

In addition, Winfrey’s curiosity led Markle to begin discussing racism, which she insinuated was present amongst the royals.

“In those months when I was pregnant, we have in tandem the conversation of ‘you won’t be given security,’ ‘not going to be given a title,’ and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born,” Markle said.

Winfrey’s response was pure shock.

“What? There is a conversation with you about how dark your baby is going to be?”

Winfrey said.

She prodded Markle to reveal who made the racist remarks, but Markle declined to say.

Still, sophomore pre-nursing major Izabella Ruiz thought it was important that Markle used her platform to speak up on racism within higher institutions.

“No one would know about [racism in the royal family] unless she said something,” Ruiz said. “It was really brave of her to speak out because that is a big family that has a lot of influence and power.”

After the interview aired, Markle also received some positive feedback from notable public figures.

“Meghan was the Crown's greatest opportunity for change, regeneration, and reconciliation in a new era,” tweeted youth poet laureate, Amanda Gorman. “They didn't just maltreat her light. They missed out on it.”

However, other reactions weren’t so supportive.

“In which M & H pretend that no royal has had it worse in the press than they have.

Give me a break,” said former MSNCBC Fox News broadcaster, Megyn Kelly, via Twitter. “Have you ever seen such privileged people wallowing in their own (perceived) victimhood like this?”

Despite this, Ruiz thinks it is still important for people like Markle to be transparent about their lives and speak their truth.

“I think people who have a lot of influence in society have the power to bring more attention to these issues,” Ruiz said. “It’s important that they speak up and talk about it.”

A&E

SUMMER 2021

19 Photo courtesy of Finn Partners.

Family Hugs and Jet Setting: Imagining a Post-Pandemic World

By Brianna Lopez

It’s been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic shut the whole world down and, with a vaccine available to those who are 18 and older as of April 5, Barry students have begun to fantasize about a post-pandemic world. Here’s what they’ve missed most.

According to a survey conducted by The Buccaneer, 23.08 percent of Barry students are looking forward to going on a trip out of the country after the pandemic. In addition, 46.15 percent of Barry students said that they are most looking forward to visiting their friends in another state after the pandemic.

Finally, 30.77 percent of students said they are looking forward to going to a party when the pandemic is over.

Among the latter group is freshman biology major Caryn Williams, who sums up what most students are likely feeling after one year in quarantine.

“This pandemic feels like it has been going on for so long,” said Williams. “So, when this

is all over and it is 100 percent safe to go out and enjoy ourselves again, there are so many things that I cannot wait to do.”

Most of Williams’ post-pandemic plans revolve around her family, who had many traditions that were halted when the pandemic began. One of these traditions was their frequent backyard barbecues in New York.

“All of my family and friends bring their best dishes, and we have a huge feast,” said Williams.

Williams and her family also used to dedicate one day each July to a family trip to Six Flags, where they spent the day getting on rides and playing games. Williams was disappointed when the tradition was cancelled due to COVID-19.

“I can’t believe it’s been more than a year that we haven’t been able to have our family gatherings,” she said.

Williams communicates with her family over the phone, but it doesn’t feel the same, she said.

Above all, the plan she is most excited about is a trip back to where her family is from —Trinidad. According to the U.S. embassy website, Trinidad’s borders have been closed since March 2020.

Sophomore nursing major Monique DaFonseca also plans to visit the country her parents are from, Cape Verde, after the pandemic is over. As an activist, she is also looking forward to being more active in her community by attending protests when it is safe.

However, DaFonseca does not expect the post-COVID-19 world to look the same as the pre-COVID-19 world did.

“I believe that even when the pandemic is ‘over’ things will not go back to the way it was,” she said. “I do believe people are going to be more cautious with the people next to them and not everyone is going to look at huge events, like concerts, the same.”

To her last point, DaFonseca noted that many people look back at concerts and are dumbfounded by how reckless attendees were

with their germs.

“People were literally sweating on strangers and nobody really thought about it until the pandemic,” said DaFonseca.

Williams seconds this, noting that her family is now “much more aware of germs and how they spread” and will be taking sanitary precautions at future family gatherings.

With all these new considerations to take when getting together with family, DaFonseca and Williams both admit that they have a new appreciation for quality time with loved ones.

DaFonseca notes simply that the pandemic “100 percent” changed the way she valued going out. She now keeps her family in mind when going out, since she worries about getting the virus and spreading it to them.

Williams agrees, saying that she definitely took some of her pre-COVID get-togethers for granted.

“Going forward, [I will] value every small moment and memory,” she said.

What are you most looking forward to doing after the pandemic?

Results from a survey involving 15 Barry students.

3 students said they look forward to going on a trip out of state.

6 students said they look forward to visiting friends who live in a different state.

4 students said they look forward to going to parties.

1 student said they look forward to hanging out with friends.

1 student said they look forward to being in public spaces without feeling anxious.

A&E

20

By Suzannah Young

SUMMER 2021

Barry’s Most Bingeworthy

If staying at home in quarantine gave us anything, it was the time to binge-watch. As summer begins and the pandemic continues, binge-watching all the latest shows will likely still be a popular pastime.

Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video continue to release new series and movies, sometimes making it difficult to decide what to watch. To help Barry students make these decisions, The Buccaneer talked to some students to determine what they believe is most bingeworthy.

Gabriel Maysonet, a freshman studying criminal justice, is currently watching the 1990s sitcom series “A Different World” on Amazon Prime for the second time. “[A Different World] is about a group of kids going through college, but it really follows two particular characters and the evolution of their love life through young adulthood,” Maysonet said.

“It’s actually a black sitcom, but I love it because it’s hilarious but also highly relatable and realistic,” he said.

Another pick on Maysonet’s must-watch list is the series “Ragnerock” on Netflix.

Maysonet describes how the show surrounds a “Thor-like-character” and would fall under a multitude of genres including sciencefiction, action, Viking mythology, and superhero shows.

Showcasing his diverse watchlist, Maysonet also recommends “Outer Banks,” “The Reign,” and “Sherlock,” all of which are on Netflix. On Amazon Prime, he recommends “Friday Night Lights.”

Nicole Lentz, a sophomore studying photography, tends to lean toward heavy dramas or high crime genres.

One of her top picks is “Bridgerton,” one of Netflix’s most popular shows yet. Reaching more than 82 million views in the first month of its release, “Bridgerton” surpassed records held previously by the Netflix Original, “Lupin,” according to the streaming service.

“I literally watched ‘Bridgerton’ in two days,” Lentz said. “I honestly didn’t think I would enjoy it at first because the trailers just did not do it justice, but after my roommate started watching I figured I’d try it.”

“Bridgerton” is a steamy romance series that surrounds an elite family in a high class British Victorian society as they deal with debutantes, love, and scandal.

Lentz added that the trailer for “Bridgerton” portrays it more as a historical fiction show rather than the true drama that it is. She recommends it to everyone.

Another drama Lentz has been watching is “Life Sentence,” starring Lucy Hale from former FreeForm show, “Pretty Little Liars.”

Hale plays the role of a young terminally ill woman who upon finding her condition cured, must adjust to living a life longer than expected.

Lentz likes to move beyond drama, too, when she watches her crime shows. She watches “Hawaii Five-O,” “Magnum PI,” and “MacGyver,” all of which can be accessed through XFinity, a streaming service available to Barry students.

A newer show that Barry students love is “Ginny and Georgia,” recommended by sophomore communication major Renia Franco.

“I really enjoyed ‘Ginny and Georgia,’”

Franco said. “I would consider it a teen drama with a focus on the mother-daughter relationship.”

“Ginny and Georgia,” released in late February, follows a fifteen-year-old girl and her mother as they navigate life in a new town whilst dealing with the secrets of their past.

The Netflix original has been termed "the next ‘Gilmore Girls’” by Teen Vogue.

Lentz has “Ginny and Georgia” on her towatch list. She is also anticipating upcoming releases of other shows.

“I also really want the second season of ‘Emily in Paris’ to come out soon,” Lentz said.

“And I’ve heard that there’s going to be an ‘iCarly’ reboot, so I’m curious to see how that turns out.”

From futuristic sci-fi romance to Thor-like thrillers, many Barry students are counting down the days to summer break, if for nothing else than to catch up on all the latest new releases.

Images courtesy of Amazon. Netflix, and IMDB.

SUMMER 2021

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21 Images courtesy of Amazon.

The 10 Best Books to Get Lost in This Summer

By Isabel Pulgarin

This summer, students all over might have the urge to shove their phones and laptops into a drawer to escape the blackhole of virtual learning. So, here are 10 book recommendations, some classic and some contemporary works, with which to escape the world of screens, including some from The Buccaneer staff.

Barry Student Picks: 1) Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas recommended by Autumn Davis This 1844 French adventure novel tells the story of a handsome, young sailor, Edmond Dantès, over 23 years in an adventure for redemption after being tricked and wrongly imprisoned by four rivals, including a jealous man who marries the love of Dantès’ life.

According to freshman theology major, Autumn Davis, this almost 180-year-old book has “stood the test of time as it discusses the topics of revenge, love, and betrayal.”

2) Today Matters: 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow’s Success by John C. Maxwell recommended by Ingrid Moreno This motivating self-help guide tells readers that today is the most important day of life and it must be seized in order to make tomorrow and all the days afterward a

success. Junior communication major, Ingrid Moreno, said this book “teaches you to start working on our goals from that instant” after one read.

3) Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek recommended by Diego Torres In this lesson, Sinek explores the “why” behind leaders of organizations.

Diego Torres, a freshman biology major recommends this “wonderful” book as it is the literary adaptation to Sinek’s 2014 TED talk, “How great leaders inspire action,” which he believes is an “amazing [speech] about self-behavior, relationships, self-growth and leadership.”

4) Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek recommended by Diego Torres A follow up to Start with Why, this insightful book teaches you how to get people to follow your “why." Sinek’s “extremely interesting” book, is also recommended by Torres as it will guide its readers on how to help others thrive and find meaning in their work, while keeping the “why” as their inspiration.

5) In Cold Blood by Truman Capote recommended by Willima Nguyen This true-crime thriller describes the 1959 murders of members of the Herbert Clutter

family who live on a small farm in Kansas.

Nguyen recommends this non-fiction novel because “it’s intense and chilling” and portrays the story in a way that makes it feel “almost as if they were your friends!”

BUC Staff picks: 6) All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven recommended by Brianna Lopez This young adult fiction novel is based on Niven’s personal story told by two Indiana teenagers struggling with their mental illnesses and the idea of death in this heartbreaking love story. Lopez, the Buc copy editor, recommends this “tragic but beautiful love story” because it “discusses important and current issues like mental health, depression, and suicide.” She also recommends watching its film adaption on Netflix.

7) The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith recommended by Melissa Tumbeiro In her message to readers, Smith shares that in order to find fulfillment in life one must live everyday along 4 premises: “belonging, purpose, storytelling, and transcendence.”

Through many inspiring stories, Tumbeiro, a Buc photographer and business liaison, said this book “digs into the concept of true happiness in different societies.”

8) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho recommended by Amanda Gonzalez Garcia

This 1988 Portuguese novel tells the tale of Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd boy and his mystical journey to find a treasure that leads him to find three greater treasures: hardship, friendship, and love. Garcia, a Buc writer and photographer, believes this book teaches you that “your journey is personal to you and it will come with challenges but you are in charge of how you react.”

9) Picture Perfect by Mykila M. Anthony recommended by Ashley Mobley This part one to “The Perfect Series,” tells the love story between a CEO girl-boss and a professional football player and their journey to find a perfect partner but soon realize that perfection may not actually exist. Mobley, a Buc photographer, said this story “helps you put life in perspective” and “is a great book for those who love romance.”

10) The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday recommended by Lana Sumner-Borema Holiday breaks down disciplines of perception, action, and will and tells readers how to use each as an exercise to live a life full of happiness while challenging our perceptions. Borema, a Buc writer, said this book is a “short [way] to notice your perspective and improve your mindfulness.”

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A&E

SUMMER 2021 Photos courtesy of HoYoLAB.

Tiny Chinese Game Developer Plays to Win

By Lana Sumner-Borema

Video games are for geeks. This concept, according to senior biology and philosophy major Luis Estrada, is what Genshin Impact, a new video game, is all about. The game, released on Sept. 28, 2020, was created by miHOYO, a Chinese game developer.

Available on mobile, PC, and PlayStation 4, the game has gained over 12 million players.

Since its release, the developer of the game has coined the phrase: “tech otakus save the world.” Estrada, an avid player of Genshin Impact, says this catch phrase can be roughly translated to, “Nerds save the world.”

According to Estrada, miHOYO was not expecting the game to take off, since it is “a Chinese gacha game that’s trying to make it in a market very saturated by Japanese companies with heavy Western influence.”

The gacha game system, Estrada notes,

functions through a version of virtual gambling.

“You [the player] play for a certain amount of currency that you put into the gacha system which is basically a random number generator,” said Estrada. “You then roll and throw your currency into the wind to get a certain character.”

The currency for Genshin Impact, also referred to as Genshin, comes in “primo gems,” which are found by running around the game’s inner world. It takes approximately 160 primo gems to roll for a character once.

If the player does not get their desired character, they can pay for that character.

This, Estrada explains, can increase player retention for most gacha games.

A player can obtain primo gems daily by completing daily missions. Most players, therefore, sign on to the game at least once a day, even if it’s for a brief amount of time. For

Estrada, this is about one hour per day. This consistent playtime required for successful players is one of the reasons for Genshin’s success.

While Estrada is a fan of Genshin, Micah Williams, a computer science junior and member of Barry’s Esports team, is not as committed to the grind of the gacha system.

“I personally abhor games that are ‘pay to win,’” said Williams.

Instead, he plays games which must be bought up front. The only items for sale in the games he plays are used to make “cosmetic changes” on characters. He believes this keeps “a fair environment” for players.

Williams spends forty hours per week playing online multiplayer games. Sometimes, he practices in the Esports room with the team, and others, he streams on Twitch, where he is known as giswa_.

Although Williams doesn’t like Genshin’s

gacha system, he can appreciate the game’s graphics. He agrees with Estrada’s claim that the graphics “are comparable to companies with much larger budgets,” despite miHOYO being a relatively small company.

Williams notes that the graphics are more “polished” and “the whole mechanics feel decent.” This, he adds, makes Genshin Impact unique.

Both gamers and non-gamers alike can appreciate the success of a small company within an array of bigger developers. In fact, many movie producers and media studios have held their long-awaited new releases for fear that their products would not do as well as they could during the pandemic. Genshin Impact has proved the opposite.

For those who have never played in the gacha system before, Williams and Estrada both recommend giving the grind a shot.

Some of the five-star characters from Genshin Impact.

Left to right: Diluc, Jean, Venti, Xiao, and Zhongli.

student hacks

SUMMER 2021

23 Photo courtesy of Others Magazine.

Eternity: Just Think About It . . . Again

By Anna Galaktionov Kurt American

Gödel,

an

logician

Austrian-German-

and

mathematician,

once said, “I am convinced of the afterlife,

“If you open up your brain, you're going to

soul is reborn into a new body, lives in

this world and the uselessness of our actions.

find neurons, but you’re not going to find the

that body, dies, then is reborn into a new

But, what really encourages us to move on is

thought, the scenarios, the throwbacks, things

body again and again. The cycle continues

a hope, a hope that there is something better

you see of the past, you’re just going to see

forever. Eastern religions such as Hinduism,

to look forward to.

your biology,” he said.

Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, believe in

independent of theology. If the world is

In other words, the consciousness or soul is

rationally constructed, there must be an

the “I” or the “me” of every individual. It’s

afterlife.”

hard to imagine the soul simply disappearing

reincarnation.

Although this viewpoint agrees that there is an afterlife, there is a hole in its origin.

Some people blindly put their hope in their health, career, wealth, or good deeds, but as we have seen, these things end at death.

Now, as we have seen in our Christian

Gödel’s statement sounds firm, but how

with the physical body at the time of death.

How did the energy, soul cycle begin?

tradition, there are some people who put

can we as Barry students be sure that there

So, ponder on this question for a minute: Do

Since this world is dominated by definite

their hope in God and the eternal life He

is an afterlife?

you think “you” evaporate at death?

beginnings, the theory of reincarnation is

gives. They hope for the day when all their

problematic.

strivings will cease, when everything will be

As a school deeply rooted in Catholic

Lebron doesn’t think so.

tradition, Barry University accepts the

“I don’t think life ends when your body

concept of an afterlife and teaches it in its

stops functioning or when your body [dies],

theology classes, but many students are still

your heart dies, or your brain dies. I believe

The efforts and strivings toward success,

With this hope, these people live their

skeptical. Based on a survey done on the

your soul has to go to another place, because

prosperity, and career logically don’t matter

earthly lives knowing that every action and

topic, 50 percent of students believe in some

your soul is the spirit and energy,” he said.

if there is nothing after physical death. As

every decision count in God’s eyes.

form of an afterlife while 50 percent are not

“Life is not just your heart and your brain.”

the proverb goes, “You can’t take it with you

sure.

Based on this information, the soul seems

In my preceding editorial, “Eternity: Just Think About It …” I discussed the human

to be a spiritual substance that continues after the physical death of the body.

Moving on, without an afterlife, there is no purpose in earthly life.

when you go.”

restored back to perfection, and when justice will be served. And, this day will never end.

According to the truths of Christianity, the single decision a person needs to make to

Some people claim that they live in order

receive the eternal life God promises is simply

to make the lives of their loved ones and

to believe that Jesus died and resurrected,

soul from the perspective of Aristotle’s

Samuel Vilmeau, a junior majoring in

the future generations as comfortable and

recant the wrongs that he/she committed,

philosophy. Now, let’s take a deeper look into

exercise physiology, believes that “energy

safe as possible. However, no matter how

trust that through Jesus the wrongs are paid

the human soul and add the purpose of life in

[or the soul] continues in a cycle and carries

comfortable or how horribly people live

for, and sincerely try to do better every day.

support of an afterlife.

on somewhere else ... it goes back to our

on this planet, death comes to all. Also, no

This decision is difficult to make because it

… environment, in a way, kind of like

matter if we do good or bad to others, death

probes you to give up worldly pleasures and

reincarnation.”

is inevitable.

dedicate your life wholly to God.

Another term for the human soul is consciousness or the awareness of oneself.

According to Fiona Macdonald from

So, what about reincarnation? In simplest

Thus, some might say that we might as well

If you think all this talk sounds absurd, too

Science Alert, scientists have struggled

terms, it’s the belief that after death the

exterminate ourselves to avoid the pain of

good to be true, or nonfactual, I implore you

for

millennia

consciousness.

to

understand

Despite

human

improvements

Do you believe in life after death?

Results from a poll involving 12 Barry students.

in technology and the advancements in

to search these sources that present evidence for God’s existence and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

neuroscience, they still cannot pinpoint

-Lee Strobel

exactly where consciousness comes from, or

-Frank Turek

where it goes after death for that matter.

-Living Waters

Eric Lebron, a sophomore majoring in criminology, agrees that the human brain is complicated.

50% Yes

50% No

-Ligonier Ministries

24

student hacks

SUMMER 2021 Photo courtesy of British GQ.

Hey Siri: Should I Use a Dating App?

By Suzannah Young

In the world of Zoom classes, social media, and everything taking place virtually, dating apps are the norm. In fact, according to Statista, an estimated 26.6 million people used a dating app in 2019. The majority of this group was college students.

According to Statista, of the multitude of dating apps, including Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder, Bumble is the second most-used dating app among all age groups, with 5.03 million users. Tinder takes first place, with 7.86 million users.

Barry student Darialy Alvarez, a sophomore communication and media studies major, is part of the latter group.

“I am not using a dating app currently, but in the past, I have used Tinder and Match,” said Alvarez. “The one I used more was Tinder, definitely.”

While most of the apps use similar profile creation methods, all have different ways of operating. On Bumble, women have the power to “make the first move” in a goal to “challenge outdated heterosexual norms,” according to their website.

On Tinder, users can mark their geographic location, age, sexual preference, hobbies, and other aspects about themselves. Based on that information, users are matched with potential

partners and are given the option to swipe left apps have policies that are meant to protect or right. Swiping right indicates that they are users from harassment and manipulation. interested in their match, where swiping left Violation of these policies can result in getting suspended or even banned from the rejects the match.

Alvarez liked this aspect of the app, along app.

Despite these policies, approximately 36 with how safe she feels while using it. “[On Tinder] not only was I being able to percent of women and nearly 60 percent of meet people at my age level, but also it made people who identify as ‘other’ report being me feel less scared about being catfished,” harassed through online dating, according to a study of 4,000 college students across the Alvarez said.

Safety is an important factor that many U.S. conducted by Rentable.

Sarah Ruiz, a junior studying users consider when using dating apps. For communications, had a less Tinder, Alvarez notes that “I would encourage than desirable experience college students must use a people to give it a go, using dating apps. valid college email address just make sure you “There were just weird in order to connect with other students. put your safety first.” guys on there and they all To promote other kinds Darialy Alvarez, a sophomore want[ed] one thing,” Ruiz communications and media studies major said. of safety, many dating

Which dating app do you prefer?

Results from a survey involving 13 Barry students. none tinder hinge bumble

Still, a study by Rentable found that dating apps are used for more than just that “one thing.” In fact, around 34 percent of students said the leading reason for using a dating app was for entertainment. About 16 percent of students said they used the apps for “casual dating.”

An equal number of males and females— about 11 percent--said they were using the dating apps for “love.”

However, over 10 percent more males than females voted that they use dating apps for “hook-ups.”

Despite the reasoning for joining the app, users like Alvarez get a lot out of it. Although Alvarez did not get into a relationship through the apps, she still enjoyed the overall experience.

“I got to meet so many people, and actually one of them is one of my closest friends now,” Alvarez said.

Sarah Ruiz, on the other hand, prefers to meet people the old-fashioned way.

“I like meeting guys the natural and in person way,” Ruiz said. “The in-person meeting part is really important to me.”

Still, many dating app users would recommend using apps at least once.

“I would encourage people to give it a go,” said Alvarez. “Just make sure you put your safety first.”

SUMMER 2021

social justice

25 Photo courtesy of Patch.

Debunking Myths of Living on the Spectrum A Conversation with Dr. Susan Hildenbrand

By Amanda Gonzalez Garcia

Netflix original series "Atypical" centers on an 18-year-old Sam Gardner who loves Antarctica, penguins and lives on the autism spectrum yet defies the expectations of those living with his condition.

ASD, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a developmental condition that challenges social and communication skills of the individual. Some individuals on the spectrum need more help than others but society has chosen to assign the trait of “helplessness” across the board.

In recent years, there have been a growing number of new shows that have tried depicting individuals with ASD all with different accuracy degrees.

Atypical, created and written by Robia Rashid under the production of Academy Award winner Seth Rogen, received some negative feedback from the autism community due to the absence of actors with ASD and Sam’s neurotypical status.

Here is a note from the American Journal of Psychiatry about the show.

“Atypical is noteworthy because it endeavors to convey more thoughtful representations of individuals with ASD by incorporating voices from the autism community and bringing additional actors, consultants, and a playwright with ASD into the production.”

The month of April is Autism Awareness Month; thus, faculty member of the Adrian Dominican School of Education and Barry University alumna, Dr. Susan Hildenbrand,

sat down with The Buccaneer to share some common myths associated with individuals living with ASD. Myth: “The cause of ASD lies in childhood vaccines.”

Dr. Hildenbrand: For years, research has shown that childhood vaccinations are definitely not the cause of ASD. The misinformed belief that this is the case has caused many parents to refuse to vaccinate their children, putting them and those around them at great risk for the diseases prevented by those vaccines.

Myth: “ASD is an epidemic.”

Dr. Hildenbrand: The number of individuals diagnosed with ASD has increased rather dramatically over time, but that is not because ASD, itself, is an epidemic. While ASD characteristics have been observed in individuals far back in history, it is only since the late ‘80s and early ‘90s that education and resources were legally mandated for individuals with ASD, resulting in greater awareness about it. With this awareness came more recognition of the symptoms and signs of ASD, both by parents and medical professionals. Thus, more individuals are now being diagnosed with ASD. Additionally, the actual medical definitions of ASD have changed over time, allowing additional people to be included in the current broader definitions.

Myth: “Bad parenting causes ASD.” Dr. Hildenbrand: While some individuals may still cling to this old wives' tale, this idea has been debunked. Back in the 1950s, there was a theory entitled the “refrigerator mother

hypothesis” which insisted that autism was caused by mothers who were emotionally cold. This theory has been researched and proven untrue.

Myth: “Individuals with ASD have severe learning problems and will never be able to live independently or have a decent job.”

Dr. Hildenbrand: Children with ASD can learn, but many teachers have not learned how to meet their actual learning needs. For some of these students, learning may be slow and potentially difficult, but with persistence and when instructed with the correct set of learning strategies for that individual, progress can be made. Also, consider individuals falling into the “high performing” group...some of these individuals may have extremely high IQs and will thrive in the business world or in other fields. Individuals include Dan Aykroyd, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, Steven Spielberg, Thomas Edison, Bill Gates, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Carl Jung, Lionel Messi, Charles Schulz, George Bernard Shaw, and Greta Thunberg.

Myth: “Individuals with ASD do not have or experience emotions.”

Dr. Hildenbrand: While individuals with ASD do have emotions just like everyone else, some of these individuals may be challenged in being able to communicate these feelings to others. Likewise, some individuals with ASD may struggle to interpret the facial expressions and body language of other people, thus not being adept at interpreting

their emotions and feelings.

Under the diagnosis of ASD, there are now several conditions that are all diagnosed separately.

Dr. Hildenbrand refers to it as an umbrella disorder that is comprised of a few disorders that used to be diagnosed separately: “autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome.”

No person with ASD is alike.

“In other words, they are much like any other person in the world...unique and special,” said Hildenbrand.

Some difficulties that may arise are trouble relating with others, repetition of actions, unusual reactions to smell, taste, look, and/ or sound amongst others.

While there is no cure for ASD, early diagnosing can help aid and improve a child’s development for instance.

“If diagnosed early enough, early intervention therapies can assist children in meeting their developmental goals sooner, and some behavioral therapies may assist individuals with better coping with behaviors associated with the disorder,” said Hildenbrand. “Once diagnosed with ASD, the person will not outgrow it or cure it. It lasts a lifetime."

Individuals living on the spectrum are more than able to live happy and meaningful lives if they are given the opportunities and support to push forward.

While World Autism Awareness Day lands on April 2, it is really a day of celebration all year round.

26

social justice

SUMMER 2021 Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Magazine,

The Faith of Women for Racial Justice

By Isabel Pulgarin

Faith and justice have been common themes of the last year, with people needing comfort after losing loved ones, and others fighting for causes like Black Lives Matter.

With a lot of loss, hate, and negativity in the world, many have found faith to be scarce within and around themselves. That’s why Black Catholic theologians from different colleges throughout the country have worked to bring support, faith, and love to people during these times.

One of these theologians is Dr. Kathleen Dorsey Bellow, who has devoted her life to her church and her ministry. This journey began in 1989, when Bellow first became frustrated with the Catholic church.

This frustration surfaced when she realized that clergy members and churchgoers were unaware of the history of the Catholic church’s sins toward Black Catholics, causing a disconnect between Black Catholics and leaders of the church. By channeling this frustration, she was able to educate herself and others on how to lead in Black communities.

Another church leader educating others is church historian Alberto Melloni. According to the Associated Press, Melloni believes that the Catholic Church has a history

of ignorance, racism, and “political and African American communities, and racist ideological partisanship” which they attempt policing. to cover up. This is something Bellow Unfortunately, the experiences of racism discusses in her article, “Black Catholic in the Black Catholic community are well women: voice embodied.” known. Dr. Bryan N. Massingale, a Black In the article, Bellow describes the life Catholic theologian, discusses white privilege of Black women who balance so much on in his National Catholic Reporter article, their faith and agrees with Melloni, adding “The assumptions of white privilege and that the Catholic Press rarely considers the what we can do about it.” perspectives of Black Catholic women.

Massingale wrote that black essential “I am not altogether convinced that the workers are “sacrificed for the comfort of Catholic press is interested in the perspectives those who can isolate and work from home, of Black Catholic women except as a last who are disproportionately white.” resource in situations “You end up fighting Bellow discusses white of racial crisis when privilege within the church to stay Catholic.” dominant culture wisdom -Dr. Kathleen Dorsey Bellow, as well, noting that despite Black Catholic theologian the hard work of Black fails to satisfy,” she wrote.

As an example, Bellow cites the summer Catholic women, resources like affordable of 2020 with the murders of George Floyd healthcare, comprehensive and attainable and Breonna Taylor, which caused a public education, and paycheck protection are outcry for justice. According to Bellow’s reserved for those with more money, who are article, in response, Black Catholic women, usually white people. men, and children came together to protest To combat racism within the church, on the streets and in the form of spoken Bellow believes all Catholics need to know word, music, and the arts.

Catholicism’s origin. She says the religion In addition, during the pandemic, was molded to work for Europeans and COVID-19 and policy brutality haven taken European-Americans, rather than being the lives of Black men, women, and children inclusive of different races and ethnicities. at disproportionate rates. According to Bellow, Bellow believes once a person learns that these rates are attributed to overcrowded “the church was involved in the slave trade housing, unhealthy working conditions in and how the religious congregations owned

slaves... it shakes [their] faith when [they] learn the history of the church and how we have had black priests, black sisters who have been rejected by the official church.”

Still, she finds hope within the “many faithful black Catholics who have persevered” and the female “faithful believers with stubborn roots” who commit to service both inside and outside the church’s walks.

Bellow believes being Black and Catholic takes strength. This strength is needed to fight against white supremacy and anti-blackness in the church.

“You end up fighting to stay Catholic,” she said.

Despite her life-long fight for equality in the church, Bellow’s religious life has brought her full circle in her professional life.

She now teaches lay people, who are nonclergy leaders who embody the teachings of the church, and clergy members how to lead black communities competently at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University. Her main message is that faith can take anyone a long way.

"I think we're called to really understand what it is that God wants each one of us to do and we have to do it out of our faith," said Bellow.

SUMMER 2021

social justice

27 Photo courtesy of The New Republic.

Medical Apartheid;

A Conversation on Health, Race and Trust with Harriet Washington

By Suzannah Young

It’s about health, race, and trust.

The current health care disparities prevalent in the black and brown communities have always existed, but COVID-19 has brought them to the forefront of issues in the past year.

Harriet Washington, author of "Medical Apartheid," spoke about some of these issues at a virtual event hosted by the Barry University Africana Studies Program and South Florida People of Color (SFPoC) on Feb. 22 as a part of a Black History Month collaboration.

Roni Bennett, executive director of SFPoC, introduced the organization as one that works to “[raise] the consciousness of people by providing creative ratio healing education,” which she said helps individuals to break down the racist structure existent in their own lives.

The event began with what Bennett termed a ‘land acknowledgement.’ This included a brief reminder of how “Miami was founded on an exclusion in a ratio of many indigenous people” and that it is now our job to deconstruct the systems of oppression present today.

The eye-opening event continued as Dr. Pamela Hall, director of the Barry Africana studies program, took the time to “honor our African ancestors” by pouring three distinct libations as part of the African tradition.

Nevertheless, the star of the show was Harriett Washington herself. In her avid descriptions and detailed explanations of

the work she has so passionately committed her life to, Washington painted a grotesque picture of the systemic racism and oppression that has contributed to an alarming amount of health care disparities in communities of color.

Specifically, Washington explained the causes and effects of environmental racism.

“If you read…language pertaining to socioeconomics…there’s this conflation of poverty putting you at risk and race putting you at risk with the implication that [environmental pollution disparities] is not really a racial issue - it’s poor people who fall victim,” Washington said. “That’s not really true.”

Using data published in "Who’s In Danger" (2014), Washington backed her claims by showing how whites making less than $10,000 annually had less exposure to environmental toxins than blacks making around $50,000 - $60,000 in the same time frame.

“Although there’s a lot of acknowledgement that people of color are disproportionately affected by poisoning… industrial chemicals…and air pollution…there’s been a bit of denial,” Washington said.

In her prolific career as a researcher and scholar, Washington has led fellowships at both Harvard and Stanford, and is currently teaching ethics at Colombia University. She has written many books and her work is published in many journals about environmental racism and medical disparities.

Of the six books written by Washington,

topics discussed in the event focused primarily on those pertaining to "Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present."

Lead poisoning and IQ were two highlights of Washington’s lecture.

Washington explained that as whites began to flee the cities to suburban areas in what we now call “white-flight,” they were able to purchase new houses free of lead paint and lead structures. Meanwhile, people of color, trapped in the cities by “racist policies,” had no choice but to live with the poison. “[The industry was] successfully able to demonize Hispanic and African American households in that way and escape responsibility…this is a pattern that is repeated frequently,” she said.

According to Washington, this manipulation and blatant racism was also prevalent in the scientific community, as it pertained to intelligence.

“Hereditarians are scientists who say that IQ is tied to race, and the IQ you have is genetically passed on. So, if you’re African American, you are fated to have an IQ that is on average 15 points lower than most white Americans,” Washington said.

The problem with IQ being deemed ‘genetic’ by these scientists, is that it falsified IQ as unchangeable - it could not be fixed, she explained. If this was the case, there was no need to increase funding to these communities where there was what was seen as an unsolvable problem.

After discussing these disparities amongst

many others from her books, Washington ended the conversation with a note on the vaccine.

“People are justifiably mistrustful of vaccination campaigns, so we shouldn’t act as if it’s something pathological when they raise questions and are reluctant,” Washington said.

In agreement with this, Hall questioned about the functionality of the vaccine, and if there is reason enough for communities of color to believe that it will not only work, but also not cause harm.

“I hope our government will start being a little bit more objective and honest, so people don’t have to worry about everything they need to know,” Washington said. "It’s a risk worth taking, in my opinion, and I hope everyone will take it.”

As the topic of COVID-19 continued, Hall voiced further skepticism concerning vaccines from attendees of the event, saying, “it’s not going to be easy to attack the health disparities that exist in the black and brown communities...it’s not going to happen overnight.”

One attendee asked what we can do as a community to aid in solving these problems.

“These assaults are not things that everyday people can control,” Washington said. “I always urge people to band together and put pressure on lawmakers.”

The conversation ended with voices raised in the black national anthem, an acknowledgement of all the work that has been done, but an awareness of all the work that is yet to come.

28

SUMMER 2021

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