APRIL 11, 2018
VOLUME 125, ISSUE 12
DU MEN’S LACROSSE STEAMROLLS VILLANOVA 22-6
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CULTURE WARS EVENT OPENS DISCUSSION AT DU
MARCH FOR OUR LIVES CONTINUES GUN DEBATES
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JUKEBOX THE GHOST: NEW ALBUM, NEW LIVE TOUR
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DU CLARION
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APRIL 11, 2018
| NEWS
Dialogue on political correctness at Denver Culture Wars
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enver Culture Wars, an event put on by the DU Chapters of Turning Point USA, The Federalist Society and Prager University, featured a panel discussion followed by a lengthy question and answer session engaging the audience. The panel featured Will Witt, a correspondent for Prager U, Krista Kafer, a Denver Post Columnist and Adjunct Professor who taught at DU last quarter and Hannah Scherlacher, the Program Manager and Opinion Writer for Campus Reform. It was moderated by Justin Longo, cofounder of the libertarian organization Liberty on the Rocks. The event, held Thursday, April 5, was in Davis Auditorium inside Sturm Hall and drew over 250 people—according to organizers. The audience was a mix of DU students, people from the surrounding neighborhood as well as other Turning Point USA Chapters from other universities in Colorado. The discussion covered many different topics but
mainly centered around political correctness and identity politics. Witt told the Clarion the event went well, saying, “It was a great discussion and the Q&A was very civil and people asked some very good questions that we can come to some agreement on.” In the panel discussion, Scherlacher argued that the aforementioned topics are increasingly hampering discussions on college campuses. Kafer said that most students are willing to participate in difficult discussions, but it is the fringes of the right and left that pose the main issue. Witt was for the most part focused on how identity politics and political correctness only benefit people who conform to the “liberal orthodoxy.” The “liberal orthodoxy” was something emphasized by both Witt and Kafer and pushed back against by both members of the DU College Democrats during the Q&A session. The Q&A session had a wide range of audience members, with
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some commending the speakers and the event while others were more critical of the event. Members of the DU College Democrats, including their co-presidents, attended the event and asked the panel questions. Event organizer Ari Estevez, a graduate student from Brooklyn who is completing his MS in information and communications technology, organized last year’s Political Incorrectness event and called this event a success. Political Incorrectness was a free speech event hosted by the DU chapter of the libertarian organization Young Americans for Freedom. When asked to comment on the event, Estevez provided an e-mailed statement that said Denver Culture Wars “drew a bigger audience and just as many student attendees as Political Incorrectness.” To Estevez, the lack of protests and a more engaged crowd was an “indication of growing support for conservative values on campus.” Campus safety
officers were on hand during the event, but no issues arose. Kafer commended DU, saying that the university, “is doing a good job of having events here.” She continued, “There is a robust intellectual atmosphere here for discussion.” She was glad the College Democrats participated, calling it “exactly what we need.” There was a sense of optimism among event organizers that future dialogue could occur between liberals and conservatives on campus. Ally Hibben, president of DU’s chapter of Turning Point USA and a junior majoring in political science from Littleton, Colorado, said both co-presidents of DU College Democrats came up to her after the event. “We talked after about getting together and having a joint meeting and discussing topics amongst the two viewpoints,” she said.
Jack Reilly | Contributing Writer
DU Clarion EDITORIAL STAFF
TARYN ALLEN, Editor-in-Chief GRACE CARSON, Executive Editor JOHN POE, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus RYAN NINESLING, Executive Editor Emeritus DANIELA SANTOS, News Editor The Clarion is the official student newspaper of the University of Denver, serving as the “Voice of the Pioneers.” Founded in 1899, it covers campus and local stories with the highest level of journalistic integrity possible. 1000 copies are distributed each Wednesday afternoon (throughout the academic year) across the DU campus, and every article is also published at duclarion.com. The Clarion does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff and/or administration of DU, and the opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of the Clarion. Reproduction of The Clarion in whole or part in any form written, broadcast or electronic without written permission of The Clarion is prohibited. The opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of The Clarion. Weather forecasts are of courtesy of the National Weather Service. The Clarion reserves the right to reject advertising, stories, columns or letters to the editor that it deems graphic, obscene or that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender or sexual orientation. The Clarion welcomes letters to the editor. Those who submit letters must limit them to 500 words. Some letters may not be published because of space limitations, overly-libelous content or similarity to past submissions. Please submit letters to duclarioneditor@gmail.com.
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CONTRIBUTING STAFF HANNAH BRANIT NINA PETROVIC JACK REILLY
APRIL 11, 2018
DU CLARION
SPORTS | 3
Brown advances to NCAA National Championships
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lthough the Pioneers were unable to advance as a team to the NCAA National Champions, freshman Lynnzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) qualified for the all-around individually with a score of 39.525. Her qualification continued Denver’s streak of qualifying at least one gymnast to the NCAA gymnast for the last 19 straight seasons. “I’m very excited and honored to be in this position as a freshman,” Brown said, following the meet. “I’m excited to represent my team, and I hope I do it well.” Denver began the competition on the floor, where they recorded a new season-best road score of 49.350. Brown tied her career-high score of 9.950, tying for second overall. Senior Nikole Addison (Fort Myers, Fla.) scored
a 9.900, sophomore Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.) and freshman Mia Sundstrom (Boulder, Colo.) scored 9.850. Junior Claire Kern (Charlotte, N.C.) earned a score of 9.800 to round out the scoring for Denver. On vault, Denver scored a 49.125 overall, with each counted score at least a 9.800. Sundstrom tied her career-best of 9.850. She was followed by Brown, who also scored a 9.850, junior Kaitlyn Schou (Orlando, Fla.) with a 9.825 and Karr and Addison, who both scored 9.800s. Denver moved on the bars, scoring a 49.325. Freshman Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.) and Brown lead the team with a tied score of 9.900, tying them for second overall. Karr scored a 9.875, Sundstrom scored a 9.850 and junior Claire Kern
(Charlotte, N.C.) scored a 9.800. The Pioneers finished the meet on beam, where Schou and Brown led the team in scoring with a 9.825. Karr and Addison scored 9.700, and Glynn’s 9.425 helped ensure that Denver would not have to count a fall on the event. Denver finished third overall with a 196.275, the second-highest score in program history at the NCAA regions. Two of the Pioneers’ event scores were also second-highest NCAA Regionals scores in school history, the 49.350 on floor and 49.325 on the bars. “We’re excited for Lynnzee to have this opportunity as a freshman. She’ll gain valuable experience that she can bring back to the team in the future. We’ve had a lot of adversity this year, and I truly believe it will make us stronger and tougher in the future.” Head Coach
Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said after the meet. “We have a very young team and a bright future, and it’s thanks to the contributions of our seniors (Addison, Leah Lomonte (Katy, Texas) and Claire Hammen (Loveland, Colo.)). They have bright futures, and we are so grateful for all they’ve contributed to DU Gymnastics.” The NCAA National Championships are on April 20 and 21, at the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. Brown will compete in the semifinals on April 20, when individual titles and postseason All-American honors will be decided.
Hannah Branit | Contributing Writer
Grace Houser | Clarion
Baptiste named finalist for 2018 Senior Class Award
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enior faceoff Trevor Baptiste (Denville, N.J.) has been named a finalist for the 2018 Senior Class Award, as announced on April 5. Fans are encouraged to vote for Baptiste through May 14. The Senior Class Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their athletic platforms to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be classified as NCAA Division I seniors and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. Baptiste is one of 10 student-athletes who were chosen as finalists for excelling both on the field and off. Baptiste has had an excellent
season and earned a spot on Team USA for the 2018 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Lacrosse Championships, won 2018 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse (USILA) Player of the Year Watchlist, 2018 BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and was a Tewaaraton Award Finalist (2017). He has also been a Tewaaraton Award Nominee in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He was on the USILA First Team All-America in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He was on the NCAA All-Tournament Team in 2015, and he won the BIG EAST Conference Midfielder of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In the 2017 season, Baptiste played in all 17 games as Denver’s primary faceoff specialist. He had a career-high of 12 goals to go along with two assists, won double-digit faceoffs in all 17 games to stretch
his career streak to 52 games and won 15+ faceoffs in 12 of 17 games and 20+ faceoffs in six of 17 games. Baptiste scored his first career hat trick to go along with an assist and 23-of-28 from the dot in Denver’s 16-11 win over Villanova. He scored three goals in the NCAA Tournament, two against Air Force and one against Notre Dame. Baptiste had double-digit ground balls in eight games, including a season-high 18 in the NCAA First Round against Air Force. Baptiste is ranked first in 2017 in Faceoff winning percentage (.744 – fourth best in NCAA history), second in faceoffs won (297 – seventh most in NCAA history) and second in ground balls per game (10.47 – tenth most in NCAA history). The finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 20
candidates that were announced last month. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at the Senior Class Award website through May 14. Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winners. The Senior Class Award recipient will be announced during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse National Championships in Boston, May 26-28.
Nikky Johnson | Sports Editor
DU CLARION
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| SPORTS
APRIL 11, 2018
Denver Lacrosse takes down Villanova 22-6
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he Pioneers established an early lead over Villanova, scoring 18 goals in the first half in a game that saw senior Trevor Baptiste (Denville, N.J.) win a career-best 27 face-offs. Sophomore attack Ethan Walker (Peterborough, Ontario) also had a career-high game when he scored eight goals and one assist, bringing him to nine points. Walker was the first Denver player in five years to score eight times, the last one being Wesley Berg (Coquitlam, B.C.) in the first round of the 2012 NCAA tournament. Denver began scoring in the first
minute of the match when freshman Ted Sullivan (Tucson, Ariz.) scored off an assist from junior Austin French (Danville, Calif.). Senior Joe Reid (Petaluma, Calif.) scored the second goal for the Pioneers shortly after, off an assist from junior Colton Jackson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.). Although Villanova was able to tie up the game, Denver went on a sixgoal scoring streak in which Walker scored three times. Walker has had a hat trick in the first half of a game in at least three games this year. The other three goals were scored by Sullivan, French and red-shirt senior, Connor Flynn (Charlotte, N.C.). Although Villanova scored one more
time, Walker responded with a goal off an assist from Jackson, leaving the score at 9-3 in the first period. Denver started the scoring in the second period with Sullivan, followed by a goal from Walker. Other Pioneers that scored in this period included senior Zach Runberg (Centennial, Colo.), Baptiste, Reid, French (who scored twice) and Walker (who scored three times). In the third quarter, Sullivan, senior Colton McCaffrey (Parker, Colo.) and Walker scored. In the fourth and final quarter, Danny Logan (Upper Arlington, Ohio) was the final Denver scorer, scoring an unassisted goal to
bring the final score to 22-6. This was a career-high game for several Pioneers. Sullivan had a career-high four goals, Jackson had a career-high three assists and Runberg tallied a career-high seven ground balls. This game was the 19th time since the 2014 season, and the first time in 2017 season that Denver had three different players pick up hat tricks. The Pioneers play again on April 14 against St. John’s at 12 p.m. at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Altitude TV and ESPN Denver 1600. Hannah Branit | Contributing Writer Caitlin Gannam | Clarion
Women’s Lacrosse beats Cincinnati 17-11
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enver’s Women’s Lacrosse team came from behind for a 17-11 victory over Cincinnati on April 7. The Pioneers rallied after falling behind early in the first half, going on a seven-goal run to take the lead back and keep it. Freshman attacker Quintin Hoch-Bullen (Severn, Ontario) tied her season-best performance during which she scored three goals and had three assists. Senior attacker and captain, Caitlin Derry (Seal Beach, Calif.) had a careerhigh three goals and two assists for five points in the game. The game started with the Pioneers falling behind 4-0. The Pioneers scored their first goal of the game nearly ten minutes into the first half, off a shot from redshirt junior and captain Katherine Fischer (Upper Nyack, N.Y.)
assisted by Hoch-Bullen. Following Fischer’s goal, there was no stopping the Pioneers. Junior attacker Julia Feiss (Baltimore, Md.) was the next Pioneer to score, followed by Derry, freshman Eliza Radochonski (Englewood, Colo.), Hoch-Bullen and junior Kendra Lanuza (Littleton, Colo.). Although Cincinnati was able to score again at 10:24, Feiss responded with an unassisted goal. Derry was the last Pioneer to score in the first half, with an unassisted goal at 3:28, bringing Denver’s lead to 9-6. In the second half, Denver started where it left off with a four goal run. Junior Elizabeth Behrins (Basking Ridge, N.J.) was the first and last to score in the run. She scored her first goal at 26:41, off an assist from Lanuza. She was followed by Hoch-Bullen, with an assist from Molly Little and Derry,
who scored an unassisted goal. Behrins scored off an assist from Derry to end the run. Although Cincinnati would go on to score three goals, Denver responded with a two-goal run. Freshman Caroline Wiseman (Alexandria, Va.) scored an unassisted goal at 13:29, followed by Derry at 12:59. Hoch-Bullen was credited with the assist on Derry’s goal. Although Cincinnati would follow with a two-goal run of their own, Denver finished the game with another two-goal run, with goals from Radochonski and Hoch-Bullen to bring the final score to 17-11. Eight different student-athletes scored for the Pioneers, with nine different players getting at least one point. Derry, Hoch-Bullen and Behrins led the team in goals scored, with each athlete having a hat-trick in the game. Junior draw specialist Maddie Baum (Piedmont, Calif.) recorded 11
of the team’s 18 draw controls, tying for fourth-most draw controls in a single game. Baum’s season total in draw controls, 69, is the thirdmost draw controls recorded by an individual in a single season. Goaltenders sophomore Carson Gregg (Severna Park, Md.) and freshman Amelia Cole (Alexandria, Va.) shared the net, Gregg playing 43:08 and Cole playing 16:52. Gregg was credited with the win, making four saves, and Cole made five saves. The Pioneers play again at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium on Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. Admission is free and students are encouraged to go cheer on their No. 22 ranked Pioneers.
Hannah Branit | Contributing Writer
APRIL 11, 2018
DU CLARION
OPINIONS | 5
Seeking understanding in Colorado’s urban-rural split E ncountering conversations about the urbanrural divide in the U.S. has become common since the 2016 election, when the split between different voters became a major way of discussing results. But as time goes on, discussions of this split have evolved beyond election analysis as we realize that tension between urban and rural voters affects many aspects of American politics and quality of life. Colorado is a striking example of such a divide—the state is made up of rural and mountain communities surrounding an urban front range, and personal accounts from urban and rural residents indicate various resentments and misunderstandings. But if Colorado wants to be an exemplary and prosperous state into the future, overcoming these misunderstandings is going to be key. This will take some policy compromises and solutions, but also, perhaps more importantly, more patience and compassion for the many different backgrounds Coloradans represent. Setting out to understand the urban-rural divide is arduous, and that is because neither one of
these groups is anywhere close to uniform—just as people in urban areas have different views and values as people in rural areas, individuals within these groups are equally diverse. However, some headway has been made through surveys and analysis. The 2017 Washington PostKaiser Family Foundation survey revealed some interesting results. Nationwide, there are both economic and cultural reasons for a divide. On the economic side, rural areas are shown to have recovered more slowly from the 2008 recession, and concern over lack of jobs is stronger in rural areas than urban areas. Additionally, urban residents often feel that the government caters more towards the needs of cities. But the survey also looked at cultural differences, which researchers found to be even more important in defining a split. Rural residents were more likely to consider their values different or very different from urban residents, and these value systems play heavily into how the two groups perceive each other. Both economic and cultural differences can also be felt in Colorado. More than half of Col-
orado’s registered voters live in just five of 64 counties, and as the front range grows, there are more voters representing urban interests, which tend toward a different set of issues than for rural voters. This has left many rural residents feeling voiceless and disregarded, according to reporting from The Denver Post and NPR. A (largely symbolic) attempt to protest this lack of voice came in 2013 when leaders in several rural counties held a referendum on a secession movement. Though the state won’t really split into two, we owe it to each other to try to come up with some solutions. Sometimes, starting with concrete policy solutions is easier. There are some things state leaders are already doing— the rural broadband bill in talks over the past few months has become law, emphasizing the extension of internet service to parts of the state where speeds and access have lagged. Improving health care services and affordability in rural areas should also be a policy priority. Coming up with policy areas to improve quality of life across the state is a job that will fall to
PIONEER FUNNIES
the next governor, and the governor’s race is also a time when we can consider the variety of policy issues that will represent the needs of more Coloradans. But if the divide really is more cultural than economic, as The Washington Post survey indicates, this gives hope that more understanding, patience and respect will actually go a long way. Urban and rural residents need to value one another and the different things each brings to the state, be it culturally or economically. Urban centers are important for Colorado’s economic growth, but that growth relies on energy and agriculture from rural areas as well as the people that work across all industries. What is more, having a diverse range of opinions and values makes our state fuller and, hopefully, can encourage us to all be more compassionate. Moving forward, compromise when it comes to urban and rural policy goals in state politics will be important, but so will a desire to listen to others with different values. Elizabeth Lochhead | Opinions Editor
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| OPINIONS
APRIL 11, 2018
Vaping explodes in middle and high schools
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he issue of vaping in middle schools and high schools nationwide is a relatively new issue but one that has taken center stage with surprising speed. Schools have reported high percentages of kids in this age group using e-cigarettes, and both the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times released in-depth stories last week about the topic. There are both known and unknown health effects of e-cigarettes— lung disease and harms from nicotine have already been studied extensively, but health effects from flavorings and other ingredients have not— and though older people can make the decision to vape for themselves, there is cause for concern when it comes to kids under 18. Asking schools to take time out of the day to enforce vaping rules is not a good answer to the problem of students vaping on school property and in class—instead, we should be making sure that it is prohibitively difficult for kids to see advertising and buy products. E-cigarettes heat liquid into an aerosol to be inhaled and produce very little scent—researchers generally considered vaping safer than smoking traditional
cigarettes, and many large e-cigarette companies (such as industry leader Juul) advertise the devices as a way to help smokers quit. They are, however, still considered tobacco products because they contain high amounts of nicotine, derived from tobacco. Additional concerns also arise over the presence of carcinogenic compounds that form when the liquid is heated, and researchers are still unsure of what long-term health effects may be. According to the U.S. Surgeon General analysis, usage is currently higher among high school students than adults. It is true that vaping has notable benefits over cigarettes, but they also may be leading many more young people toward nicotine addiction. Juul has expressly stated that its products are not intended for kids, and yet, in 2016, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that many advertising campaigns were targeting young people. The CDC survey found that two thirds of kids had seen e-cigarette advertising and that e-cigarette companies have increased spending on advertising and online presence. As described by a ScienceNews article from March, e-cigarette
advertising often includes bright colors, cartoons and celebrity endorsements. Direct marketing of traditional cigarettes towards teens has been banned since 1988, though these rules do not apply to the vaping industry. Despite what companies like Juul may say, high numbers of kids are seeing advertising that does seem intended for them. Accounts from middle and high schools across the country explain how teachers and faculty are dealing with the in-school vaping explosion—suspensions and confiscations are common, and some schools have started placing bathroom monitors at the doors of bathrooms. Clearly, enforcing these rules is distracting during the school day and annoying for kids who want to go to the bathroom without sidling past a door monitor. Asking schools to teach lessons on health risks also probably isn’t helpful—likely a reason kids vape is to be a bit rebellious. Ultimately, though, it shouldn’t even be the responsibility of schools to take even more time out of the day to address this issue. Instead, e-cigarette companies should take most of that responsibility by not advertising
to kids and by making it more difficult for kids to get their hands on their products in the first place. Nicotine and other chemicals have harmful effects especially on young people, and advertising to this age group should face the same restrictions that normal cigarettes do. This is an easier goal to accomplish than preventing purchase—e-cigarettes are available in convenience stores everywhere. Easy access is a good thing for adults who now can use devices that don’t produce secondhand smoke and may be a better alternative, but it is a less good thing for the huge numbers of kids now using products containing high levels of nicotine. Schools will, no doubt, still have to confront this issue daily for the time being, and teaching kids about the health harms of vaping may be necessary, but the issue should be most seriously addressed by e-cigarette companies themselves. The point is not to rail against vaping in general, it is to ask companies not to target to customers who aren’t even able to legally buy their products yet. Elizabeth Lochhead | Opinions Editor
The gun control debate should include police brutality T he gun control conversation has mostly been limited to mass shootings without addressing the issue of police brutality and its relationship to gun violence. March for Our Lives has brought the issue of mass shootings, specifically school shootings, to the forefront of the debate. With this, it becomes easy to forget about police as a source of gun violence, since the conversation is focused around how to limit the public’s access to guns. According to a study by Vox, there are hundreds of police killings per year, significantly more than any other developed country in the world, although the number is significantly underreported. The debate about gun control should include police killings and not just mass shootings. Recently, a group of Parkland students published their “manifesto” for gun control in a Guardian guest-edit article. Among one of their goals was to increase funding for school security so the school could hire armed resource officers to protect the entire campus. They stated that Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was only given funding for one armed resource officer and that the officer’s hesitation due to lack of backup during the Parkland school shooting played a part in some of the deaths. This stands out among the other points made by the students, as the other points revolve around limiting access
to guns and increasing mental health funding. It is also reflective of how police involvement in gun violence is often forgotten about or even ignored when discussing gun control. More armed officers on a high school campus should not make students feel safer; if anything, it
debate is brought up because police are expected to protect, not harm, as evidenced by the Parkland students’ faith in their ability to keep their campus safe. However, the U.S. has a serious problem with police brutality and law enforcement having unchecked power, and it should
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
should make them more worried with the amount of police killings that occur within the U.S. If there is a worry that teachers might harm students if trained and given arms, why doesn’t that worry extend to police? It can seem easy to focus only on mass shootings because according to BBC, most people agree that there should be some restrictions on civilian access to firearms. But police involvement in gun violence is often not even considered when the
not be ignored. There are steps we should take to curb police violence, and they need to be discussed. Body cameras should become a requirement for every law enforcement officer. There should be regulations and rules to help protect officers who come forward to report another officer for misconduct so they don’t face backlash and harassment from their colleagues, thus discouraging them from reporting in the first place. There needs to
be a better system for collecting accurate and comprehensive data from police, so we can actually know which areas are problem areas and work towards improving them. It would also be helpful if there were some restrictions on the types of arms police can use and the frequency in which they can use them. Nonviolent intervention and negotiation tactics should be heavily emphasized, and officers should be required to go through training and courses to make sure violence becomes a last resort when all other options have been exhausted. Resorting to violence, especially shooting and killing a suspect or civilian, should be investigated heavily and the officer in question should have to face appropriate punishment if it is found that excessive force was used. There are many more options that can be considered, but we actually have to broach the topic of police brutality before discussing ways to improve it. The gun control debate should not simply be limited to whether or not regular people should be allowed guns and with what restrictions. The debate needs to extend towards law enforcement as well. Gun violence goes hand in hand with police brutality, and it is just as important an issue as school shootings are. Sara Loughran | Contributing Writer
DU CLARION
APRIL 11, 2018
ARTS & LIFE | 7
“My Dear Melancholy,” The Weeknd’s recent EP
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hen Abel Tesfaye, better known by his stage name “The Weeknd,” first emerged with his breakout mixtape “House of Balloons” in 2011, he was portrayed as a mysterious yet hedonistic character that numbed his existence through partying, girls and drugs (They say my brain be melting / and the only thing I’ll tell them is I’m living for the present and the future don’t exist). Tesfaye was able to create his persona through his battle with insecurity and anxiety, using destructive vices, such as drugs, as a crutch for both his anxiety and songwriting. In his early years, Tesfaye also refused to show his face or agree to interviews, due to his insecurity of his looks and speaking abilities. He instead chose images of scantily clad women to represent his work. Over the course of his career, Tesfaye seemed to be winning that battle against his demons. He decided to perform live at music festivals such as Coachella. He became the face of Puma in 2016 and moved into the pop music genre. His last album, “Starboy,” featured songs such as “Starboy” and “Reminder” that reminded listeners of the success Tesfaye achieved through
his music. He was able to live the high life through “platinum off a mixtape” and “traveling around the globe, make a couple mil’ a show.” He decided to become sober and attributed his progress to a steady support system. However, it seems Tesfaye has now returned to the dark, self-destructive character he first created in his new EP “My Dear Melancholy.” Tesfaye contemplates suicide in his new EP, asking “What makes him wanna take his life? His happiness is never real.” He mourns losing a woman he loved and wonders if he was ever truly happy. Tesfaye decides to revert back to his
old methods of coping with his emotional pain. Tesfaye claims he has “two red pills to take the blues way” and his method of numbing the pain of his heartbreak harks back to the demons and vices he used when he created “House of Balloons.” Tesfaye reveals the reason he is distraught is because the woman he loved had left him for someone else. He realizes he “was just another pit stop” until his lover was able to leave him for someone else. Tesfaye feels betrayed and destroyed by love. His lyricism seems to ask, what is the point of loving someone again if there’s a chance that it will end in flames? Tesfaye decides there is no
point to love someone else, as there will always be his vices. There has been some fan speculation that “My Dear Melancholy,” is the first of several EPs that Tesfaye plans to release this year. Whether his future music will continue to follow a darker tone, or go back to the upbeat tempo of “Starboy,” is yet to be seen. It is certain, however, that Tesfaye will continue to release music that is related to that battle with his demons and whether or not he will be able to overcome them once more. Nina Petrovic | Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of Run The Trap
“Care For Me” showcases a young artist’s pain Photo courtesy of The Chicago Tribune
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n his sophomore album, the dreamy, introspective “Care For Me,” Chicago rapper Saba offers a soul-baring image of a young man reeling from intense loss and grief, yet still finding hope. Saba, who first gained attention with his features on Chance the Rapper’s projects “Acid Rap” and “Coloring Book,” has become known in the underground for his warm, jazzy production and deeply reflective lyrics. In his music, he discusses issues of racism, violence and poverty in his neighborhood and city (Westside Chicago) and the difficulties of being young in our modern times. His rapping is at times fastpaced and hard-hitting, with a hint of simmering anger and dissatisfaction. Other times, Saba slows and slurs his deeply poetic lyrics to match the sunny nature of his production. He doesn’t get bogged down in lengthy metaphors or complex rhyme schemes, instead providing the listener with easy-to-grasp, but still
poignant—and at times, deeply haunting—lyrics. His storytelling, showcased in songs such as his feature on Joey Purp’s “Cornerstone” and “PROM/KING” off of “Care For Me,” connects him with the greats of narrative rapping, a young descendant of Nas and Kendrick. While Saba’s collaborations and other projects connect him with other buoyant, poetic rappers (such as Noname and Smino), “Care For Me” loses some of the happiness and lighthearted lyrics and production. “Care For Me” is dark—a reflection on the deepest hurts of human nature. The album reflects on the loss of his close friend, collaborator and cousin Walter Long, Jr., who was murdered in 2017. “Care For Me” isn’t only about dealing with grief of a single personal death but also the grief of a life spent dealing with the deaths of friends and the inherent dangers of life on the Westside of Chicago. As he states on “PROM/ KING,” “Sometimes I f•ckin’ hate
Chicago, ‘cause I hate this feelin’ / Innocent n****s get shot at, in the broad day, the A.M.” It’s also a reflection on the pains of being a young adult, of depression and the dangers and problems that come with producing art and fame. On “LOGOUT,” for example, Saba and featured guest Chance the Rapper, both ruminate over the struggles of fame in the digital landscape. On the chorus, Saba raps, “If you press logout, you get forgotten, what’s a post but a reminder?” On the album, the bouncy, heady beats of “Bucketlist” and Saba’s other mixtapes are replaced by a still atmospheric but gloomy production that combines upbeat, dreamy instrumentals with piercing jazz breakdowns that hit hard and fast. Saba employs a spectacular control of his voice and cadence, being able to rise and fall in tempo to convey complex emotions and thoughts. On “LIFE” for example, a track that deals specifically with Saba’s state and ability to deal with “life” after the death of his cousin, Saba combines exasperatedly crooned lines dealing with his hurt, with a rapid fire, angry, short-breathed chorus that bluntly showcases glimpses into his pain: “That’s life / Momma mixed the vodka with the Sprite / They killed my cousin with a pocket knife.” The standout track of the album, and one of the best of the year, is the aforementioned twopart “PROM/KING.” The song is a perfect example of hauntingly beautiful, emotive storytelling. It seems analogous to Kendrick Lamar’s masterpiece, “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst.”
The first part of the tour-deforce track, laid over an evocative piano beat, showcases a slowly rapping, rosy-eyed Saba discussing his experience at prom in highschool, a story that introduces us to his cousin Walter and the ignorant, risk-taking nature of Saba and his peers. The second part of the song has the beat increase in intensity and speed, along with Saba’s rapping. The first verse paints a lighthearted picture as Saba describes his life and relationship with Walter post-highschool, detailing their starts in the music industry. The beat simmers down at the start of the second verse as Saba starts to rap faster and irritated, gasping for breath as he describes the days leading up to his cousin’s death. Saba’s voice seems to battle the beat, as they both rise in red-faced anger and tempo. His rapid-fire bars describe the night his cousin died, receiving a call in the studio from Walter’s mom, asking if Saba knows where he is. Saba’s last bars in the song are delivered with an emotive, momentus exclamation: “We got in the car, but we didn’t know where to drive to / F•ck it, wherever you are my n****, we’ll come and find you…” As the beat fades, the song ends with Walter repeating the lines, “I just hope I make it ‘til tomorrow.” “Care For Me” is out on all streaming platforms. It’s 41 minutes of life, death, grief and hope. It’s the most important hip-hop album of the year.
Justin Cygan | Copy Editor
DU CLARION
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| ARTS
APRIL 11, 2018
& LIFE
Jukebox the Ghost on the rise with “Off To The Races” Photo courtesy of HBO
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Photo courtesy of Headliners Music Hall
op band Jukebox the Ghost has been making music since 2006, but the release of their newest album on March 30, “Off To The Races,” is sure to bring them into the spotlight more than ever. Jukebox the Ghost is made up of a high-energy and talented trio: Ben Thornewill (piano/ vocals), Tommy Siegel (guitar/ vocals) and Jesse Kristin (drums/ vocals). The group’s sound is bright and vibrant, described as anything from indie pop to piano-rock, with colorful and quirky songs that connect to a wide variety of audiences. They have long drawn inspiration from Queen—a fact fairly obvious after listening
to even one of their songs—and they have similar tones to other artists like Matt and Kim, JR JR, Walk the Moon and The Mowgli’s. Their sound is, however, super unique, and with their many fun albums and excessive love for touring and performing live, they’ve developed quite a cult following over the years, one that is only sure to grow at the release of “Off To The Races.” The new album has everything expected of Jukebox the Ghost and then some. It’s experimental, personal, energetic and just thoroughly enjoyable. “Jumpstarted” kicks off the setlist with a beginning reminiscent of “Bohemian Rhapsody” that moves
into an instrumental-heavy and fun track. Highlights include “Fred Astaire” and “Everybody’s Lonely,” both of which debuted as singles prior to the album’s full release and are bound to be instant favorites. “Time And I” is one of the more experimental tracks, but it still fits with the context of the album, and the piano-driven beat certainly reveals flavors of the band’s previous hits. Other great ones to check out are “Diane,” a sappy romantic hit, and “Colorful,” an uplifting and forward-moving finale to the album. Jukebox the Ghost is serving up contemporary pop hits that also transcend any decade or tra-
ditional musical convention. If you find yourself a fan of “Off To The Races,” top songs from their older albums include “Girl,” “Victoria,” “Adulthood” and “Stay the Night.” Jukebox the Ghost has a ton of music, including recorded live shows and a set of solo piano versions that are sure to please. Each Jukebox the Ghost song has the energy of a live performance, so actually seeing the band in concert would definitely be a blast. Luckily, they’re celebrating the release of “Off To The Races” with a tour stop in Denver. Catch them at the Bluebird Theater on May 5. Taryn Allen | Editor-in-Chief Elect
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