Vol 56 Iss24

Page 1


The Captain’s Log

Books under fire:

A group of students work on various school assignments in the Tribe Library, photo courtesy of

The rise of banned books

NYLAH WIGGINS

NYLAH.WIGGINS.23@CNU.EDU

In school districts across the United States, students are staring at empty spots on bookshelves where their favorite books used to lie. Books students were eager to check out, such as “The Kite Runner,” “The Catcher in the Rye,” “Yellowface” and many more are

quietly being removed from shelves. As stories of book bans continue rapidly, students have begun to have less access to literature that expresses diverse experiences and topics as school boards and state officials take them away. Book bans begin with a challenge from parents, organizations, or community

members, and then removal requests start. These bans typically impact public libraries and public schools. This means these bans significantly impact students and low-income individuals.

(Story continued in Opinions, page 12)

Breaking barriers:

The experiences of disabled students at CNU

EMMA RECUPERO

EMMA.RECUPERO.23@CNU.EDU

The Disabled Student Union is a club at Christopher Newport University that meets in the multicultural lounge on the third floor of the David Student Union (DSU). This club is an opportunity for students with disabilities to discuss grievances about living on campus as well as how their disabilities affect their everyday lives. Through every meeting, the members learn more about different things they can do as well as just feel heard and seen by other people like them. While they do work towards comfortability within the community, it is also about individuality. They are a part of this amazing community together, but they are also their own individual person and this club has found ways to balance this concept over time. Not only do they talk about their daily life, they also participate in different activities such as coloring nights and powerpoint nights. Coming up, they will decorate their mobility aids; such as canes and wheelchairs.

A part of our discussion was not only how the club helps the individuals in it, but also what this school can do to help aid people with disabilities. A couple of the ideas that were discussed are more Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, including ...

(Story continued in Lifestyle, page 10)

Disabled students experiences on campus

Prioritizing yourself Claire’s Corner

The rise of banned books

Letting go of situationshipsdeep

Nylah Wiggins

ELLORA HOUCHINS

ELLORA.HOUCHINS.24@CNU.EDU

Trade war escalates with China

The tariff battle between the world’s two largest economies shows no sign of stopping. On April 4, China announced a 34% tax on all U.S. imports. This comes after Trump imposed two rounds of 20% tariffs on Chinese goods in the last two months, according to AP News. On April 7, Trump posted to Truth Social that if China did not withdraw its 34% counter-tariff by the following day, the U.S. would impose an additional 50% tax as soon as April 9. With this new pending tariff, Chinese products would reach a combined 104% tax. On Tuesday, April 8, AP News reported that China is willing to “fight to the end”.

South Korean president impeached

Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office last Friday in an unanimous vote by the Constitutional Court. Yoon was suspended from duty in December due to a failed attempt to impose martial law. On Dec. 3, Yoon declared martial law; however, BBC reported it only lasted six hours due to lawmakers quickly overturning it. After the announcement, troops stormed the National Assembly under orders to “break down the door and drag out” lawmakers who gathered to vote down the martial law decree. BBC reiterated from Korean officials that the decree brought back the “ghosts” of Korea’s violent and dictatorial past. Many are still upset; afraid that the threat of martial law could be brandished again by “overzealous” politicians. South Korea will hold a snap election for Yoon’s replacement on June 3.

Prince Harry appears in court

On Tuesday, April 8, Prince Harry appeared in court to win back his government-funded protection. In 2020, the Duke of Sussez stepped down from his role as a working member of the royal family and moved to the U.S. with his family. His lawyer, according to AP News, said Harry and his wife stepped back from their roles because they no longer felt protected by the institution. A High Court judge ruled last year that the Duke’s as-needed security basis was not unlawful, irrational, or unjustified. Harry claimed he and his family are endangered when visiting the U.K. because of hostility aimed through social media and relentless hounding by the media. Since losing government-sponsored protection, Harry faced at least two serious security threats, according to his lawyer. Al-Qaida published a document saying Harry’s assassination would “please Muslims,” and his family were attacked by paparazzi in New York.

“Hands Off!”

Nationwide protests against the Trump Administration broke out across the nation last Saturday

BRE DORRIAN BREANNA.DORRIAN.23@CNU.EDU

Demonstrations across the nation broke out last Saturday, April 5, in protest of the Trump Administration. The National Public Radio (NPR) reported that the primary message was “Hands Off!”

The topics ranged from LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, the mass firing of federal employees, deportation legislation, healthcare, billionaire Elon Musk’s involvement in government, tariffs and several other messages.

“Saturday’s protests appeared to be the most widespread to date of Trump’s second term,” NPR reported. The size of protests varied, however, all

50 states participated in some capacity. According to NPR, in Washington, D.C., thousands of protesters showed up with signs and surrounded the Washington Monument.

While also serving as the main message of the event, “Hands Off!” is also the organization behind the mobilization of these demonstrators.

According to a statement found on their website (handsoff2025. com), “Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. They’re taking everything they can get their hands on, and daring the world to stop them. On Saturday, April 5th, we’re

taking to the streets nationwide to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!” The organization also emphasized that these demonstrations were intended to be non-violent. Also stated on their website, “A core principle behind ‘Hands Off!’ is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values, and to act lawfully at these events.”

As of April 8, The Captain’s Log has not seen any reports of any of the nationwide protests being labeled as violent or out of conduct.

Image of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. in Jan. 2023, photo from Unsplash.
Image design of a ship steering wheel, designed by Gemini 2.0 Flash AI.

New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker breaks senate speech world record

Senator Booker spoke for over 25 hours, the longest speech on the senate floor since 1957

Democratic New Jersey Senator Cory Booker broke a world record of the longest Senate speech on March 31, filibustering for a total of 25 hours and four minutes. The previous record was set in 1957 when Strom Thurmond filibustered the Civil Rights Act for 24 hours and 18 minutes.

Sen. Booker’s speech consisted of several discussions, however the main focus was aimed at discussing the Trump Administration.

According to AP News on April 5, Sen. Booker stated, “A gathering like this can’t be the end of our activism. This has got to be a moment in America where all of us begin to say, what more can I do?”

Former United States Vice President Kamala Harris and former 2025 Presidential nominee wrote a heartfelt post of her and Sen. Booker to her Instagram account after the speech concluded.

“The true measure of a leader is not based on who you beat down but on who you lift up,” she wrote in the caption of her post. “For over

24 hours, my friend @corybooker stood on the floor of the Senate and lifted up the voices of the American people harmed by the current administration. We must continue to fight for the best of who we are as Americans. Thank you Cory, for your leadership.”

To prepare, Sen. Booker stated he stopped drinking water and eating several days before to prepare his body for his prolonged speech. Sen. Booker stated he would continue for as long as his body was “physically able.”

According to the National Constitution Center (NCC), Sen. Booker’s speech may not qualify as a “traditional filibuster.” The senate had invoked cloture, which is the procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote.

“Booker could not block or obstruct the vote on Whitaker’s nomination from happening, which is one of the key goals of any filibuster,” The NCC wrote. “His lengthy appearance may have delayed the vote, which some people could consider as meeting part of the broad Senate website definition of a filibuster.”

Image of Cory Booker speaking at the 2019 Iowa Democrats Hall of Fame Celebration in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, photo from WikiMediaCommons.

Introducing the torpedo bat

A look into baseball’s newest addition

With the Major League Baseball (MLB) season having begun, a new discovery has taken place within the sport.

This discovery was the invention of the torpedo bat, a bowling-pin shaped bat that has coincided with an increase in home runs over the first week of the season. While this number is expected to increase as the season progresses, there is a possibility that the torpedo bat may lead to higher than usual numbers. This has led to some questioning the legalities of the torpedo bat. However, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred does not agree with this claim. He stated that the torpedo bat was good for baseball and that the debate is what makes baseball unique from other sports. Although the bats will

be a controversial topic for an extended period of time, Manfred did not suggest or advocate for a rule change that would ban the torpedo bat.

The torpedo bat became controversial during a spring training game on March 29, when the New York Yankees hit nine home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers. This led to the Yankees broadcast channel, YES Network, explaining the origin of the bats.

The bats were invented by Aaron Leanhardt, a former Yankees front-office staffer who now works as a coach on the Miami Marlins. He designed the bat with the intention of more mass being placed where the hitters make contact with the ball, improving the chances of a

ball being put in play.

Despite the difference in the shape of the bat, there is no effect on how they are made. With torpedo bats progressively becoming more popular, one can be purchased for a similar price to a regular bat as the cost is at around $200. As torpedo bats begin to get used by various players and teams, one can wonder how the rest of baseball will catch up to its newest addition.

Ovechkin becomes all-time goal-scorer

895 and counting

Alex Ovechkin is the new all-time goal-scoring leader of the National Hockey League (NHL).

With Ovechkin surging towards Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 goals over the past month, many were greatly anticipating the day Ovechkin would break it. In Sunday’s game against the New York Islanders, this day became a reality as Ovechkin scored goal No. 895.

The record-breaking goal occurred in a 4-1 loss as a pass from forward Tom Wilson saw Ovechkin rifle the puck into the top corner, beating fellow Russian Ilya Sorokin to put the Capitals on the board.

As Ovechkin got closer to etching his name into hockey history books, several longtime teammates began to take notice. In at-

tendance were center Nicklas Backstrom, forward Devante Smith-Pelly, and forward TJ Oshie. Despite Backstrom and Oshie still being on the Capitals roster, both have yet to suit up this season due to various injuries that could force both to retire at the end of the season.

After the goal was scored, Ovechkin walked over to center ice and began applauding the crowd. He then skated over to the Capitals bench and hugged coaches, staff members and arena workers while carpets were being set up on the ice for a ceremony. Islanders players also made sure to congratulate Ovechkin as they arranged themselves in a handshake line to congratulate him.

Videos were played which saw several people congratulating Ovechkin on the re-

cord. Some were NHL legends such as Jaromir Jagr, Brett Hull and Phil Espoisito while other celebrities also offered their congratulations which included the likes of LeBron James, Derek Jeter and Snoop Dogg. Ovechkin’s goal-scoring rate has always been remarkable. He won the Rocket Richard trophy as the NHL’s regular-season goalscoring leader nine times. Other achievements include three Hart Trophies as NHL Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Conn Smythe Trophy as he led the Capitals to their first ever Stanley Cup Championship in 2018.

Photo of baseball bats. Baseball Bat by Spitzgogo_CHEN is licensed under the CC By Attribution 2.0 Generic Deed.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, December 19, 2018, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Alex Ovechkin by Michael Miller is licensed under the CC By AttributionShareAlike 4.0 International Deed.
TREY GREENWELL TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU

NFL owners discuss new rules

A three-day discussion

National Football League (NFL) owners met in Palm Beach, Florida to discuss current affairs around the league including rule changes.

The first rule that was discussed related to overtime rules in the regular season. While the regular season rules previously differed from the playoffs, the owners voted in favor of changing the system. Instead, regular season games will have playoff overtime rules which will include each team getting the ball regardless if a touchdown is scored on the opening possession. With the extra period now being 10 minutes instead of the traditional 15, there could be future concerns if the number of ties or the number of possessions each team gets increases.

Another rule that was discussed related to the tush push. This was a play developed by the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles designed to convert short yardage third and fourth downs into first downs. Currently,

“The next round of owners meetings will take place from May 20-21 in Minnesota. Different topics of discussion that were shelved will be mentioned again such as the potential banning of the tush push.”

the play is being criticized for its safety risks as well as its potential unfair advantages given to offensive players. Despite the problems raised from the tush push, the owners de-

cided to push the vote on this rule to May.

Other big news relating to the NFL was their bid to normalize games being played on Christmas day. During the owners meetings,

it was revealed that the league will be broadcasting a triple-header next year, rivaling the National Basketball Association (NBA) for television ratings during the most festive day of the festive season.

Another big news drop from the league was the new method of measuring first downs. During the meetings, it was announced that the NFL would be shifting to Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology as the primary method for this, replacing the chain gang. While they will still serve as the backup crew, the test results with the new technology were successful last season and the league hopes to move forward with it full time.

The next round of owners meetings will take place from May 20- 21 in Minnesota. Different topics of discussion that were shelved will be mentioned again such as the potential banning of the tush push. If there is a vote on it, this is when it would take place along with any other topics that were shelved.

Coming soon in CNU Sports:

*Games listed are happening at CNU

April 11th:

Women’s Softball

CNU v. William Peace University

Location: Raleigh, NC

Time: 2:30 and 5:00 PM

April 12th:

*Men’s Lacrosse

CNU v. Kean University

Location: Newport News, VA

Time: 12:00 PM

Women’s Lacrosse

CNU v. University of Mary Washington

Location: Fredericksburg, VA Time: 1:00 PM

April 13th:

*Men’s Baseball

CNU v. Randolph-Macon College

Location: Newport News, VA Time: 2:00 PM

April 14th:

Men’s Baseball

CNU v. Marymount University

Location: Arlington, VA Time: 6:00 PM

To look at events off campus and for future weeks, visit cnusports.com

Photo of Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia Eagles by Jason Murphy is licensed under the CC By Attribution 2.0 Generic Deed.

Dance Company’s

Spring Showcase

Abby Stephens, Charlotte O’Connor, Emily O’Leary, Gwen Hawdon, Hannah Cecil, Kate Bentov, Melissa McDonnell, Olivia Thompson, Rebecca Lloyd and Sophie Rusin performing “This is Camp,” choreographed by Rebecca Lloyd
Allison Singley, Annalise Sison, and Sarah Gingerich performing “Forgotten Souls,” choreographed by Annalise Sison
Charlotte O’Connors, Jess Langhorne, Makenzie Palazzone, Melissa McDonnell and Olivia Thompson performing “Werld is Mine,” choreographed by Jess Langhorne and Makenzie Palazzone
Annalise Sison, Trinity Kaderli, Victoria Grimes and Sarah Gingerich performing “Chained Desire,” choreographed by Trinity Kaderli
Laura Beier, Emily Tucker and Markel Watts performing “Love vs. Death,” choreographed by Markel Watts
Ally Ottaviano, Annalise Sison, Jamie LaFever, Mallory King, and Taylor Ligatti performing “Game Over,” choreographed by Jamie LaFever

Spring Showcase

Annie Mitchell, Charlotte O’Connors, Makenzie Palazzone, Melissa McDonnell, Olivia Thompson and Victoria Johnson perfoming “Women of the Beatles,” choreographed by Melissa McDonnell
Gwen Hawdon and Jamie LaFever performing “Black Friday,” choreographed by Gwen Hawdon and Jamie LaFever
Lilly Kohl, Taylor Ligatti, Melissa McDonnell, Ally Ottaviano and Markel Watts performing “Roaring On,” choreographed by Lilly Kohl
Kayla Burnette, Rae Bittenbender, Trinity Kaderli and Victoria Grimes performing “Sweet Dreams,” chroeographed by Kayal Burnette
Annalise Sison, Annie Mitchell, Gwen Hawdon, Olivia Thompson, Rae Bittenbender, Sophie Rusin and Trinity Kaderli performing “Wildflower”, choreographed by Chloe Leach
Abby Stephens, Hannah Cecil, Jamie LaFever, Jess langhorne, Kate Bentov, Lilly Kohl, Rebecca Lloyd and Victoria Johnson performing “To the Moon and Back, choreographed by themselves

Christopher Newport Hall featured on “Saturday Night Live”

Weekend Update uses a photo of CNH

ALYSSA TILLMAN

ALYSSA.TILLMAN.22@CNU.EDU

Did you catch “Saturday Night Live” this past weekend? Our very own CNH was featured in a Weekend Update sketch for millions of viewers to see. Co-anchor Michael Che joked about the decreasing rate of Black men attending Historically Black Colleges, saying that it is because they “are lacking one key resource: white girls.”

A photo of CNH was displayed on screen beside him during this joke about HBCUs. While Christopher Newport University is not an HBCU, it is a predominately white institution. University statistics on the CNU website show that 72.09% of students in the Fall of 2023 were white.

The choice to use a picture of CNH could have served as commentary on the lack of white women at HBCUs, as there are obviously plenty of white women at CNU.

It is unclear whether the SNL writers and producers knew that CNU was a predominately white institution

and chose to use a picture of the university as a joke. It is most likely that they picked a random picture of a random school and it just so happened to be ours.

The rest of Weekend Update was a hit on social media this past week, particularly a segment of Ego Nwodim prompting the audience to curse (which is not allowed on air). Nwodim asked the crowd, “These men ain’t what?” to which those sitting before her responded in unison, saying, “Shit.”

A shocked Nwodim replied, “We finna get fined for that,” as Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Che broke out in laughter behind her. “Lorne will be mad at y’all,” she continued, referring to Lorne Michaels, who created SNL. It has yet to be confirmed if the FCC will fine SNL, as the banned word made it onto streaming but was caught by the five-second delay on NBC, per Deadline.

An image of Christopher Newport Hall (CNH) similar to the one used on SNL this past Saturday, photo taken by Savannah Dunn/ TheCaptainsLog.

“A Minecraft Movie” review

CLAIRE HALL

Stupid but brilliant

CLAIRE.HALL.22@CNU.EDU

It’s official. “A Minecraft Movie” came out on Apr. 4th and has popped up everywhere on social media for its quirky and funny content. Theaters all across the United States such as Cinemark and Regal Cinema are seeing massive audiences coming to watch this film since its release.

The very first trailers for “A Minecraft Movie” came out on Sep. 4th, 2024 and later in November. The trailers themselves put the Minecraft community on edge, as people were debating on whether or not this movie would be good.

I watched the film at the Cinemark in Oyster City Center the day after its release. I was very excited to get my hands on some merchandise. Cinemark had a lot of items such as a TNT popcorn bucket, a creeper and pink sheep blanket, a chicken jockey cup and much more. I was able to get the last pink sheep blanket they had in stock, as all the other merchandise was sold out. Despite that being the second day of showing, the merch has quickly sold out. However, Cinemark still has kid snack meals that come with a Minecraft collectors cup. Not only do theaters have merchandise in store, but McDonalds has also come out with adult meals that feature McDonald themed Minecraft items that you can collect.

Overall, the film was very stupid, but at the same time was a cinematic masterpiece. Jack Black and Jason Mamoa carried the entire film with their quirky personalities and funny remarks. Other characters such as Emma Myers, Jennifer Coolidge, Sebastian Eugene Hansen and Danielle Brooks also made appearances in the movie. The movie was very engaging and had a lot of references that only true Minecrafters would understand. One of Jack Black’s famous lines within the movie was, “First we mine, then we craft. Let’s Minecraft.” Other notable phrases in the movie include, “Flint and Steel” and ‘Chicken Jockey.” Lastly, the film featured a very notable tribute to YouTuber Technoblade who passed from cancer in 2022. Sebastian Eugene Hansen, who plays Henry in the film, saw a pig walking around with a crown on its head. He proceeds to say,

“Is he some kind of king?” Jack Black, who plays Steve, then says, “No, he is a legend.” This scene had many viewers emotional, as Technoblade was a popular YouTuber that many people grew up with. The animation style of the movie was absolutely stunning, as the entire world of Minecraft was depicted perfectly.

This movie has certainly gained attention in the entertainment industry and for good reason too. This movie brought to life a game that the majority of people have played when they were younger. While many people enjoyed the movie, some individuals took it too far as they would scream the movie’s references in the theater or jump on each other’s shoulders during the chicken jockey scene. Movie theaters also looked like a disaster after the film was over. Overall, “A Minecraft Movie” has been receiving a lot of attention as many share their experiences with the film on social media and in person with others.

So far, it is unclear whether or not there will be a second movie released that will continue the story. For now, let’s see where this movie goes.

Drugs

and Rock n’ Roll: the art behind the chaos

Let’s be real, all of the best rock musicians were drug users. It’s a reality that has led opponents of the genre to the conclusion that rock music is nothing more than meaningless nonsense. There’s no way a person under the influence of drugs could create a truly meaningful representation of anything, right?

Wrong. If you apply that way of thinking to any other art form, the entire argument falls apart. Take painting for example. Who’s to say that a Jackson Pollock is less valuable than a DaVinci just because Pollock was on heroin? In the same way that paintings can come from many different places, music can as well. Pollock and DaVinci paintings are different in many ways, but they’re similar in that they each represent an individual’s outlook on life. No matter their differences, the works of both artists ultimately serve to make the art world richer.

Art, much like culture as a whole, is always evolving. While society was recovering from the chaos of World War II in the 1950’s, thousands of new consumer products were being invented, including the electric guitar. As the sixties and seventies came around and mind-altering substances were all the rage, electric guitar players began experimenting with distortion and all sorts of ways to create different sounds with their instruments. This new wave of rock and roll inspired the generation that

“No matter their differences, the works of both artists ultimately serve to make the art world richer.”

followed as they navigated the highly political 1980s and 1990s, giving birth to all new genres of rock; and with them came all new artists with all new styles.

If you ask me, all music, and all art for that matter, inherently has meaning. If it were true that rock music made by drug-using artists was devoid of any meaning, it would cease to be music at all.

“A Minecraft Movie” poster, image from DeviantArt.
Electric guitar, image from Unsplash.

Breaking barriers Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Story continued from cover

....rooms on the first floors of residence halls, not having the desks with the attached chairs within classrooms, bigger stalls in the bathrooms, wider ramps and many other suggestions. These suggestions came from the mindset of how we are an accessible campus, but not a friendly campus towards people with disabilities. We have the ramps and other aids, but they are not designed with disabilities in mind as much as they are done to reach a standard. “This club is not proportional to the disabled student population at CNU,” Gwendolyn Ware said.

There are different types of disabilities and so many others out there who this club would love to meet and help. “Before I knew about the Disabled Student Union I felt very secluded and not really welcome here. It has provided the support I needed and made me a lot happier and livelier on campus,” Lily Donovan said.

When asked why she chose CNU, Donovan added, “When I first visited CNU, I really liked how tight knit the campus was. It was smaller and more condensed than a lot of the other campuses I toured.”

Ware said, “I chose CNU because it was the one campus I toured where I could get where I needed to be without having to rely on someone else for help.” CNU’s small campus has become

an attractive point for students with disabilities because it allows them to navigate independently.

Another large talking point was how the campus views our disabled students and how this affects them. We talked about how anyone at any time can become disabled and we have accommodations available for them. However, the process is not an easy one to navigate with preexisting disabilities let alone new ones popping up. One of the members said that most of the members in the disabled community weren’t born that way, but that an event in their life caused it.

Another member added that people often struggle to get a diagnosis, and once you do have one, you get looked at differently. When asked how she feels about this, Kaitlynn Snell said, “I am more than just my disability. I am still human. I am just as capable as my peers.”

We need to look at our disabled students and get to know the person, not the disabilities. This is a huge part of what the Disabled Student Union is about.

From goodhousekeeping.com

Ingredients

- 1 medium onion, quartered

- 1 leek, white and light green parts only, cut into 1-inch pieces

- 1 stalk celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

3 Tbsp. low-sodium chicken bouillon base (we like Better than Bouillon)

- 1 bone-in chicken breast (about 2 1/2 pounds), split

- 1 small sprig fresh oregano

- 1/4 small bunch dill, plus sprigs, for serving

- 1/2 cup long-grain white rice

- 2 large eggs

- 6 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

- Cracked pepper, for serving

Directions

- In a large pot, combine onion, leek, celery and bouillon with 10 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add chicken, oregano and dill and simmer until chicken is just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

- Transfer chicken to a bowl and when cool enough to handle, shred the meat, discarding the skin and bones.

- Strain the liquid and return it to the pot. Add the rice and simmer for 12 minutes.

- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and lemon juice until foamy and combined.

- Ladle 1 cup of hot broth off the top of the soup into a measuring cup. Slowly whisk broth, 1 tablespoon at a time, into the egg mixture. Then, whisking constantly, gradually add this egg-broth mixture to the pot. Simmer until the soup is slightly thickened and velvety and rice is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in the shredded chicken. Serve topped with dill and pepper.

The Disabled Student Union, photo taken by Gwendolyn Ware/ TheCaptainsLog.

Self-care isn’t selfish

Learning to prioritize yourself without feeling guilty

In a world that constantly demands more from us, it is easy to lose sight of our own needs. We often put others first, thinking that selflessness is the key to happiness and success. However, neglecting yourself can lead to burnout, stress and a lack of fulfillment. Prioritizing yourself is not about being selfish. Instead, it is about recognizing your worth and ensuring you are physically, emotionally and mentally nourished. By setting boundaries, saying no when necessary and making time for what fuels you, you can show up as your best self for others. When you prioritize your own well-being, you not only enhance your life but also improve your ability to support those around you. Here are some tips on how to say ‘no’ and to put yourself first.

Set clear boundaries

Creating boundaries is important as it enables you to say ‘no’ when needed. These boundaries are important as they protect your time, energy and well-being from individuals that don’t want to lift you up. Having these conversations early on when meeting new people is extremely helpful when wanting to get close. Just remember, do not feel guilty for saying ‘no’ to things that drain you or do not align with your priorities.

Schedule “me” time

Similar to how you would schedule a meeting or an appointment on your Google Calendar, make sure you book some time in your schedule for yourself. First of all, this is not selfish as you deserve to have some time to yourself. Whether that be a few minutes of quiet time before getting out of bed in the morning, a quick workout or simply reading a book, ‘me’ time is meant to be for you. So take this opportunity to relax and unwind. During this time, it is okay to decline plans from others, as this time is strictly meant for you.

Learn to delegate

Do not push yourself to do everything all the time. Putting too

much on your plate can cause you an unhealthy amount of stress, which can lead to worser mental and physical symptoms. It is 100% okay to ask for help from others. Your friends and family are here to support you, so ask them for help. Whether this be at work or at home, asking for help is not shameful. Let others contribute and do not overburden yourself with unnecessary responsibilities.

Practice self care

Try to make self care a regular part of your routine. This can include anything from journaling to putting on a facemask. If you do not have a self care routine, it may be time to put one together. Practicing self care can be super beneficial for your health, as it can reduce your stress and make you feel better.

Avoid people pleasing

Stop trying to please people at the expense of your happiness. It is about time that you put yourself first. It is completely okay to help people out once in a while, but try to set boundaries to keep yourself happy. Running around and pleasing others all the time will lead to extreme amounts of burnout. You cannot be everything to everyone. Focus on what aligns with your goals and values instead of stretching yourself out too thin.

Claire’s Corner

Your go-to advice column for college

How can I stay connected with my long distance partner?

Long distance can be really hard, especially if there is a massive time difference between you and your partner. While long distance dating can be tough, there are ways to navigate your relationship to make it more communicative and healthy. Here are some tips to help with navigating a long distance relationship.

Download Cozy Couples

Cozy Couples is a wonderful app to use when long distance with your partner. The app features a section where you can update your mood throughout the day. This helps your partner figure out how you are feeling during any given time as it sends a notification to your partner that you are feeling that way. Other app features include taking care of a plant and a cat as well as having the ability to send cute notes to your partner that will make them smile. Overall, this app is wonderful if you or your partner are struggling with long distance.

Block out time to FaceTime or call

If long distance is going to work for your relationship, you will need to find time to communicate. Obviously communicating in person will be a bit more difficult, since distance can really separate individuals. But blocking out time to do a simple FaceTime or call can be very good for your relationship. You can update your partner about your day and vice versa. You can also talk about other things such as your future passions, plans etc. It is important to always stay in touch with your partner when living far away.

Be creative and still plan dates

You can still plan dates despite being long distance. Sure you cannot go to the mall or the movie theater together, but that doesn’t mean you are unable to have a cute date. Be

creative. Share your screen and play a movie that you can watch together. Call and bake some cookies together. Sure, it is not the same as a conventional date, but making the best out of a situation will only help you look forward to when you can see each other again.

Text back at a reasonable time

Never under any circumstances, leave your partner hanging. Not responding to your partner for an adequate amount of time can make them nervous. Even if you are busy throughout the day and do not have time to text, communicate that to them through a singular text or call. No one wants to be left hanging, especially if your partner is an anxious individual. Keep texting cohesively in a timely manner, as it will put both you and your partner at ease.

Be aware of time differences

Remember to be aware of time differences when wanting to FaceTime or call your partner. While you might be free at 9:00 your time, your partner, whose time is 6:00, may be eating dinner. Remember to communicate that so you are not thrown for a loop when wanting to talk to your partner.

I hope these tips help if you are long distance with your partner. Distance loving can be very hard, but using correct communication will help you overcome it.

Photo courtesy of Claire Hall /TheCaptainsLog
Campus Trees, photo taken by Fiona Sullivan.

OPINIONS

12

“The Captain’s Log is free to write anything it pleases and CNU fully respects the Freedom of the press.”— CNU Chancellor Paul Trible

The rise of banned books

Story continued from cover

Students have less access to diverse perspectives and discussions about history, identity and social issues. Public libraries are critical places for many low-income individuals who rely on free access to literature.

I asked 30 people around and off the Christopher Newport University campus about banned books, and their reactions were generally similar. “If you’re banning things that disagree with your opinion, I think that ultimately that is harmful, not only for the exploration of one’s own ideas and beliefs, but it violates freedom of speech as well,” CNU student Alex Gonzalez said.

While banning books isn’t a new phenomenon, we’ve seen a quick increase in banning in the past few years. Since 2021, over 16,000 books have been banned in states, school districts and schools, ABC news reports. Oftentimes, these books are banned in hopes of “shielding” or protecting students from certain topics.

Others argue that book bans only suppress impactful issues, such as race, gender and history. “These books are a part of our history, so why get rid of them,” History major Kendra Primm said.

There were differing opinions on moderation, but the consensus was that books were necessary for knowledge and expression. “Books are the language of the author, and it’s their way of talking to their audience through books,” Cadence, a Barnes & Noble shopper, shared with me in the “banned books” section of the store.

The limitations of literature have a long history. The most infamous example of “book bans” was the book burnings by the Nazis in 1933. It was one of the most significant examples of literary suppression: burning books written by Jewish people, LGBTQ+ authors and socialists, including works from Albert Einstein, Helen Keller, Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud and more influential individuals. Those book burnings were efforts to control and eliminate the literature the public was able to consume.

Although modern book bans don’t involve literal flames, some argue that they share a similar motivation: to stop people from consuming certain narratives and understanding diverse perspectives. “Most, or just about

every child that goes in reading [banned] books are not going to pick up on all of these possible political messages in the books. They’re looking for a story to read,” Andrew Sobol said.

PEN America, a non-profit organization that intends to defend freedom of speech, keeps track of challenged books in the United States. PEN America reported that over 10,000 books were banned in the 2023-2024 school year. The data they’ve collected about the rapid removal of books is shocking.

The states of Iowa, Texas and Florida are the country’s greatest offenders of banned books, Florida leading with over 4,000 books banned between 20232024.

In Virginia alone, over 100 books are banned across five

“Most, or just about every child that goes in reading [banned] books are not going to pick up on all of these possible political messages in the books. They’re looking for a story to read.”

different districts. Titles such as “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Hate U Give,” “Nineteen Minutes” and more have been removed, all detailing stories of suicide, school shootings, oppression, LGBTQ themes and racism. “You can’t make exceptions. It’s either nothing is allowed, or everything is allowed and I prefer to have everything allowed with the majority of good themes,” Bridget Little said.

Not only does this impact the students on this campus, but it reaches elementary school students as well. I took an account from my 10-year-old sister, who experienced book banning firsthand and expressed frustration when she discovered all her favorite “Dork Diaries” books were removed. “Kids should get to pick who reads what because they are the ones reading it,” she said. These words come from a young student, the ones book banners intended to protect.

After interviewing many on campus, I found that 95% of the people I spoke to read at least one banned book, whether they considered themselves avid readers or not. So this begs the question, is banning books effective?

In fact, I found that it encouraged curiosity and made readers seek out the stories they intended to silence. This highlights the reality that banning books does not erase them but strengthens their message.

Bookstore in Maine, photo by Katherine Zickel /TheCaptainsLog

Almost, but not enough

Letting go of deep situationships

If anyone knows a thing or two about situationships, it’s me. To me, a situationship is acting like you’re in a relationship, talking like you’re in a relationship, doing all the relationship-type things, but there’s no “what are we?” attached to it. Questions, everywhere. A relationship with no commitment, really. I’ve broken them off more times than I can count because I knew they weren’t good for my soul. I’ve also been in a lot where I could tell their heart wasn’t in it all the way and I gave my all even more just so they would give me even just a sliver more of their affection. Or, situationships where they just stopped texting overall and I was left to wonder why I wasn’t good enough. No matter how it ended, each one hurt in its own way. You can tell me all day that they never should matter that much, and that I shouldn’t feel this deeply for someone I never even dated. But, I’m here to say, I love hard. I will never take ridicule for loving hard. I will never be sorry for giving someone the love they

probably needed. I don’t believe in revenge for people who hurt me. Chances are, they needed the love I gave more than I realized. Hurt people, hurt people. I know this because when I’m hurt, I sometimes unintentionally hurt those who I love. Through each one, everyone gave me advice as to what to do or what not to do. But, when it comes to be 3 a.m., no one is awake to tell me what to do or how to feel, and I’m left alone to deal with these raw emotions on my own. I’ve come to realize that there are just some things I have to internalize in order for me to move on. These are some of those things.

1. Feel those raw emotions in all of their glory

I hate feeling like I wasn’t good enough for a person to love, or that I need a man to tell me my worth. However, when I trust someone who doesn’t handle my trust with care, it’s what happens. When you let your guard down, it’s what

happens. So, in all of their gory glory, these raw emotions, and my willingness to just let them sit for a while, determines my next steps. Instead of saying I didn’t feel something at all, I ask myself why. Why am I feeling this angry about it? Why did this hurt me the way it did? Internalize it.

2. Whoever wants to, will

I know that everyone says that whatever the wrong person said was”‘too much,” the right person will automatically do and say “that’s it?” I will be fully transparent. I’ve had some situationships where I truly liked them, they did all the things, and I truly believed they wanted to be with me…but then they stopped. The thing is, the statement “if they wanted to, they would” is so true. I do things because I want to. Not because I feel I have to, or they make me. If I don’t want to do something, I won’t. If a man wants to buy me flowers, or make an actual effort, he will. If a guy is flaky, and only ever gives excuses as to why he’s NOT doing something, then I know he doesn’t truly want to. I cut my losses. I’d rather be single than chase after someone who acts like I’m an afterthought.

Walking away from something I thought would be a great chapter in my life is one of the hardest things I’ve had to come to terms with doing in my young adult life. Walking away from someone who checks my boxes, treats me better than I have asked for and lets me be my authentic self, but having to let go because they can’t commit to me, is something I’ve realized never gets easier. I wish I could say it does, but it doesn’t. I had a relationship that ended about a year ago in a way I wish could’ve gone differently. That was hard. I couldn’t take care of myself or do basic care for myself for a while. I was broken in every way. That rela-

tionship meant the world to me, and I would’ve done anything to savor it. Wondering why he couldn’t do the same plagued me. That same hurt of “why can’t you just try harder?” is the same hurt I feel in some of my more serious situationships. Not every one, of course. This was a deep hurt. While I believe I haven’t experienced something that heart-wrenching, I’ve come pretty darn close. While I have so much more to say, I will leave it at this for now: don’t let people ridicule you for loving hard. I often feel stupid for feeling so deeply about a person I never dated. The truth is, I cannot control how I feel. I can control what I do with these emotions, and where I put my energy, but at the base of it, if I feel hurt, that’s just how it is. It’s no one else’s fault for how I feel. I am my own person, and I am responsible for how I carry myself. Therefore, I will let her feel what she needs to in order to heal. I owe her that much.

“I cannot control how I feel. I can control what I do with these emotions, and where I put my energy...”
Cartoon of couple breaking up, photo from Unsplash.

Student poetry and short story submissions

Email clog@cnu.edu to be featured in the paper

“Scared”

I am so scaredScared that I am too much. Too much of a burden to be loved.

To be loved by friends, To be loved by family, To be loved romantically.

Mental illnesses scare most away, But throw in physical illnesses? I am so screwed in finding love.

“Attack of the Pollen”

Sudoku

Fill the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9

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“Semester Stressors”

princess? 51 ___ to Joy

Assignments where some people might not be pulling their own weight

Hairy fruit

Did a cobbler's job

Ripped

Paradise

Genuine

Amend

Blocky Star Wars droid with an oddly specific fanbase 66 Suffix following lemon or lime

Workout count

Common freshwater fish

Computer operator

Beach highs and lows

Gave lip

Pencil lead, for one

"Whatever floats your ___"

Aang's TV show, for short

Digits, colloquially

Olive, peanut, or vegetable

"To Kill a Mockingbird"

Harper

Others, in Spanish

"This place is _____"

Tint

Houston baseball player

Ugandan dictator Amin

Measure up

"I can take _____ at it" 18 Indigenous people of Japan 21 Program file extension

African antelope

In ___ (unborn)

Raptor's claw

Monte _____

"Don't mind ___ do" 39 Be lovey-dovey

Skater's place

Republic of Gamers company

"Your neighborhood market" colloquially

Spider-Man love interest

Courtroom entry

Peruse or perused, depending on how you say it

Cipher

Vacation

Complete collections

Beer holder

Wedding words

Flavor 48 Alternative to vb. or n.

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