Edition 2 2020/2021

Clarion Call Ruth Bader Ginsburg THE

OCTOBER 1, 2020

CLARION UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1913

VOL. 107 ED. 2

gone but never forgotten

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THE CLARION CALL

News

October 1, 2020

NEWS

Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87, leaving behind a lasting legacy Even though she did not want someone to replace her The Supreme Court until after a new announced the death president, President Donald Trump and of Supreme Court Senator Mitch McJustice and feminist Ruth Bader Ginsburg Connell rush to fill Ginsburg’s seat on on Sep. 18. She was the Supreme Court.

87. The Supreme One day after her Court attributed death, President Ginsburg’s death to Trump announced pancreatic cancer Amy Coney Barrett complications. as his nominee to re“Our nation has place Ginsburg’s seat lost a justice of on Sept. 26. historic stature,” Trump called Chief Justice John Barrett “a woman of Roberts said. “We at remarkable intellect the Supreme Court have lost a cherished and character,” saycolleague. Today we ing he had studied mourn but with con- her record closely before making the fidence that future pick. generations will reSenator McComember Ruth Bader nnell released a Ginsburg as we knew statement saying, her, a tireless and resolute champion of “Americans reelected our majority in justice.”

2016 and expanded Days before Ginsit in 2018 because burg’s death, her we pledged to work granddaughter rewith President leased a statement saying that Ginsburg Trump and support his agenda, particudid not want to be replaced until a new larly his outstanding appointments to the president takes offederal judiciary. fice. “My most ferOnce again, we will vent wish is that I keep our promise. will not be replaced until a new president President Trump’s nominee will receive is installed,” said a vote on the floor Ginsburg.

Jason Phox NEWS DIRECTOR

of the United States Senate.”

While government officials argue over who will take Ginsburg’s seat, people all over the United States honor her 27 years of fighting against gender discrimination and equality. Americans gathered hours after the announcement of Justice Ginsburg’s death at the grounds of the Supreme Court to mourn her death. People arrived with signs and chalk messages respecting Ginsburg.

Parents came with their children to

show them Ginsburg’s legacy.

“I knew it was essential to come here and show our kids the right thing, that they have to fight for the little guy,” said Annie Couture, who brought her children to the memorial.

Government officials also mourned Ginsburg’s death.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden expressed his views on Justice Ginsburg’s death and requested that her replacement be nominated after the presidential election.

“Tonight and in

Contributed Photo / scotusblog

the coming days, we should focus on the loss of the justice and her enduring legacy,” Biden said to reports. “But there is no doubt, let me be clear, that the voters should pick the president, and the president should pick the justice for the Senate to consider.”

Justice Ginsburg advocated cases on abortion, affirmative action, gay rights and the death penalty. Americans will not forget Ginsburg’s work and her empowering life story.

THE CLARION CALL

News

October 1, 2020

NEWS

Strike looms over Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as Employees demand better Contracts Jason Phox News Director The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh’s parent company, NewsGuild-Communication Workers of America, approved the Guild’s strike vote on Sep. 14. The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh authorized a strike in August due to management’s alleged mistreatment of journalists.

“Bargaining proceeded over more than three years as the employer pushed to reduce benefits and place them under its total discretionary control, making access to health care more expensive – even as the coronavirus death toll nears 200,000 in the U.S,” said the News Guild in a press release.

“Throughout the bargaining, the employer maintained an arbitrary and inflexible stance aimed at undermining any chance of agreement.

The company has refused for 14 years to give its hard-working, talented, and loyal employees an across-

the-board raise, and its imposed conditions continue to maintain significant pay cuts that have been in effect for that time.”

Former Newspaper Guild President Michael Fuoco told Tribune-Review that Post-Gazette management proposed cuts to health benefits, severance packages, and vacation time in journalist contracts.

Management also proposed to eliminate the right to dispute issues through grievances and arbitration.

Starting Sep. 1, employees at the Post-Ga-

zette started paying up to 30 percent of health insurance premiums.

“The strike will be on ownership’s bad faith bargaining since 2017, the unlawful declaration of an impasse, and the imposition of working conditions that strip all of our rights that have been negotiated over for the last 85 years,” Fuoco said.

Earlier this year, management also planned to shrink the Post-Gazette’s newsroom by 20 percent. To ensure this, 14 employees at the Gazette took buyouts offered

by management.

Michael Santiago, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist for Getty Images, accepted a buyout in June due to management stopping him from reporting on the Black Live Matter Protests.

“I can’t work for a paper that treats their employees like this,” said Santiago. “I just felt that there wasn’t going to be any resolution, and there was no way to mend any fences and repair the damage that has been done. And honestly, I can’t work for people like that.”

While management shrunk the Post-Gazette’s newsrooms, they offered remaining journalists an 8 percent raise, the first at the Post-Gazette in 14 years.

However, Fuoco believes that this raise does not make up for how much journalists will have to pay for health insurance.

Michael Fuoco said the Guild is still negotiating with Post-Gazette management in hopes of avoiding the action.

Contributed Photo / Alyssa Brown

THE CLARION CALL

News

October 1, 2020

NEWS

Trump picks Amy Coney Barrett for Supreme Court nominee

ASSOCIATED PRESS President Donald Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on Saturday, capping a dramatic reshaping of the federal judiciary that will resonate for a generation and that he hopes will provide a needed boost to his reelection effort.

Trump hailed Barrett as “a woman of remarkable intellect and character,” saying he had studied her record closely before making the pick.

“I looked and I studied, and you are very eminently qualified,” he said as Barrett stood next to him in the Rose Garden.

An ideological heir to the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, Barrett would fill the seat vacated after the Sept. 18 death of liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsberg, in what would be the sharpest ideological swing since Clarence Thomas replaced Justice

Thurgood Marshall nearly three decades ago. She would be the sixth justice on the nine-member court to be appointed by a Republican president, and the third of Trump’s first term in office.

Trump joked that the confirmation process ahead “should be easy” and “extremely noncontroversial,” though it is likely to be anything. No court nominee has been considered so close to a presidential election before, with early voting already underway. He encouraged Democrats to take up her nomination swiftly and to “refrain from personal and partisan attacks.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate will vote “in the weeks ahead” on Barrett’s confirmation, adding that Trump “could not have made a better decision” in nominating the appellate court judge.

The announcement came before Ginsburg was buried beside her

husband next week at Arlington National Cemetery. On Friday, she was the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol, and mourners flocked to the Supreme Court for two days before that to pay respects.

Barrett said she was “truly humbled” by the nomination, adding that she would be “mindful of who came before me.” She praised Ginsburg upon accepting the nomination, saying, “She has won the admiration of women across the country and indeed all across the world.”

Within hours of Ginsburg’s death, Trump made clear he would nominate a woman for the seat, and later volunteered he was considering five candidates. But Barrett was the early favorite, and the only one to meet with Trump.

Barrett has been a judge since 2017, when Trump nominated her to the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court

of Appeals. But as a longtime University of Notre Dame law professor, she had already established herself as a reliable conservative in the mold of Scalia, for whom she clerked in the late 1990s.

The staunch conservative had become known to Trump in large part after her bitter 2017 appeals court confirmation included allegations that Democrats were attacking her Catholic faith. The president also interviewed her in 2018 for the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, but Trump ultimately chose Brett Kavanaugh.

Trump and his political allies are itching for another fight over Barrett’s faith, seeing it as a political windfall that would backfire on Democrats.

Catholic voters in Pennsylvania, in particular, are viewed as a pivotal demographic in the swing state that Biden, also Catholic, is trying to recapture.

Barrett’s nomination

could become a reckoning over abortion, an issue that has divided many Americans so bitterly for almost half a century.

The idea of overturning or gutting Roe v.

Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion, has animated activists in both parties for decades. Now, with the seemingly decisive shift in the court’s ideological makeup, Democrats hope their voters will turn out in droves because of their frustration with the Barrett pick.

In nominating Amy Barrett to the Supreme Court, President Trump has again fulfilled his promise to appoint Justices who are not only exceptionally qualified, but willing to bravely stand up for the Constitution as it’s written and not bend to political pressures or personal preferences,” said the conservative Federalist Society’s Leonard Leo, who has advised Trump on judicial appointments.

News

October 1, 2020

THE CLARION CALL

NEWS Clarion County Bank’s 22nd Annual Foodstock Dusty Morrison WRITER

The Clarion County Community Bank is holding their annual Foodstock event in conjunction with the Clarion University to benefit local families.

The Foodstock is sponsored by the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry and the 67th annual Allegheny Toyota Autumn Leaf Festival. It benefits local families in need in the Clarion area.

This is the 22nd year that the Foodstock is being held.

In the past, donations were collected at the Autumn Leaf Festival and by going around to residences and dropping off a bag to be filled with donations.

These bags were then collected and taken to be boxed, taken to Clarion Ford and were then picked up by someone from one of the local food

pantries.

This year, because of COVID-19, this process needed to be changed to reduce the amount of people coming into contact with the donations.

Monetary donations were being accepted this year instead.

These donations were collected from collections sites and taken to Walmart to be turned into gift cards which were given to the food pantries, so they were able to buy stock.

Throughout the month of September, donations were being accepted at twenty-three locations across Clarion County. These locations included the Clarion Free Library and the Ramada by Wyndham. The Clarion University bookstore was also accepting donations.

The organizers of the event recognize that there is more of a need now than

in past years. Due to COVID layoffs, more local families are relying on their food pantries to get food.

“We know there is a need this year because of the pandemic,” said Tracy Becker of the Chamber of Business and Industry. “I’m thankful I have what I do so if I can help I

Contributed Photo / exploreClarion

will.” She personally knows some of the people impacted by COVID. Last year the Foodstock surpassed the number of donations they had received the previous year by 2,500 items. This year, they hope to raise around $5,000 to $6,000 so that each food pantry will be able to receive

around $500.

The foodstock was a way to help those in the community in need, especially during this time of year as individuals have been dealing with repercussions from COVID-19.

This happens annually, so if anyone could not donate this year, there is always next year.

THE CLARION CALL

Features

October 1, 2020

FEATURES

PRSSA conference offers advice to student organizations in time of COVID-19 Jaisa Meleason MEDIA MANAGER The Public Relations Student Society of America held their annual chapter development conference virtually Sep. 21, discussing both the difficulties and opportunities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Three different chapters gave presentations during the conference, each giving advice applicable to any student organization struggling to adjust to the ‘new normal.’

“Different is hard, but it’s a good thing,” said Heather Radi-Bermudez, an instructor at Florida International University, during opening remarks. The presentations that followed echoed this sentiment.

The Universidad de San Martín de Porres chapter, located in Peru, spoke about how they served their members as the pandemic hit and usual in-person meetings became impossible. The chapter took this time to learn more about their vast membership on a more

personal level, asking individuals about their hobbies and interests.

They sent out surveys to gauge the effectiveness of their virtual efforts, learning what worked and what did not so they could adjust activities accordingly.

To keep their membership engaged and from falling off the radar, PRSSA USMP used online applications and games such as Google Meet, Facebook Groups, Kahoot and, most recently, Among Us. The chapter also took to social media to keep their 70 members active and suggested

using videos and graphics to grab members’ attention as opposed to text-only posts.

Ohio State University’s PRSSA chapter spoke on the importance of maintaining an organization’s network even when traditional meetings and events cannot be held. Ally Williams, the chapter president, identified COVID-19 as a “unique opportunity” to get students connected with professionals and alumni who do not live around the university.

With COVID-19, distance does not matter, an idea evidenced by

the international nature of the conference itself.

The OSU chapter additionally gave advice to those who conducting internships virtually.

They said to get faceto-face as often as possible, prioritizing Zoom meetings over email communication. At minimum, they suggested having weekly Zoom meetings for clear updates on performance, a chance to ask questions and, most importantly, to form a more personal connection with those at the company or organization.

To maintain a sense of normalcy, the confer-

Contributed Photo / PRSSA

ence utilized technologies that best mimicked the format of their usual physical event, going steps above the typical Zoom meeting. Attendees sat at virtual tables where they could speak to others at the same table using audio and video, and they could move from table to table to network with as many peers as possible. The unique setup used silently offered another piece of advice to attendees – do not be afraid to experiment with new ways to connect, even if they seem strange at first.

Features

October 1, 2020

THE CLARION CALL

FEATURES Clarion, CalU and Edinboro create partnership options that could broaden the array of courses, credentials and degrees available to students at all three Clarion University, California University universities.”

Back in July, memof Pennsylvania and bers at the PennsylEdinboro Universivania State System ty, three state-owned of Higher Education, schools, announced PASSHE, were disthey would be joincussing a redesign for ing one another in several schools. Those a historical partnerschools included ship that is hoped to change higher educa- CalU, Clarion, Edintion in western Penn- boro, Slippery Rock, Lock Haven and sylvania.

Announced on Mon- Mansfield. Originally day, Sep. 14, all three it was planned that pairs of these schools colleges announced this three-way merge. integrate, but it was later determined that The hope for this merge is that students three at a time would be stronger and more will get more opportunity among this area proficient.

PASSHE’s plan for and further in many this new partnership ways, but especially is that the universities online. will affiliate, build Geraldine Jones, on their institutional President of CalU, strengths in order to said, “I view the expand high-quality integration among educational opporCalifornia, Clarion tunities for students and Edinboro as a positive development, throughout the region and beyond, posiprimarily because it is intended, above all, tion themselves for growth, and create to create new opporgreater efficiencies. tunities for students.

Clarion and CalU I look forward to already share physics exploring both onand Spanish online line and on-campus Michelle Gilliland EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

programs while Edinboro and Clarion have worked together on a graduate nursing program. These schools all share similarities among the board and similar enrollment numbers. The three colleges combine to a little over 16,000 students with related campus culture and more.

The students, parents and the public all share different opinions on this new change. This change is looked to be a step in the right direction for these PASSHE schools.

Edinboro University sophomore Devin King said, “I think this merge will be very good for Edinboro because over time we have suffered from enrollment losses and by partnering with CalU and Clarion, it will not only improve the amount of enrollments, but also improve the opportunities that are provided to our current students and also the students in the future.”

This will be a historical moment as three schools come together as one in terms of academics. The State System shared that Edinboro was a big welcoming addition to the original partnership that paired Clarion and CalU. All these schools share major academic programs with alike successes.

Despite the collaboration among these three PASSHE universities, they will still have their own individual identities.

They collectively will be one of the largest sources of education in western Pennsylvania that will hopefully continue to grow.

Students, faculty and PASSHE will all benefit from this threeway merge for hopes of an even brighter future.

“I believe the integration provides a grand opportunity for all three universities to put themselves back on sounder financial footing while remaining true to their core responsibilities

to provide high quality, affordable higher education to working class families within their regions,” said Dr. Jamie Phillips, a Clarion Professor in the social sciences department. “What we are missing right now is simply a clarity of vision regarding how this integration will be accomplished so that it achieves both financial sustainability and greater educational opportunities at all three institutions. I have full confidence, though, that this vision will be articulated soon.”

This will be a change for students among these three schools, but one that is sure to benefit them. CalU, Clarion and Edinboro all are online this fall due to COVID-19 restrictions. Plans for spring have not yet been announced, but each school has a team working to plan a safe and healthy spring as the trio join together.

Features

October 1, 2020

THE CLARION CALL

FEATURES Welcoming back the CU TV NEWS can gain pre-professional experience in video and audio production, copy writClarion University ing, graphic design, of Pennsylvania is home to many diverse advertising, public relations and organiclubs and organizations. The Communi- zational leadership, as well as learn how cations Department a production house located in Becker operates by working Hall offers many as a volunteer, deopportunities for all type of students vary- partment manager, paid staff member, or ing on what career path they choose and independent contractheir specific concen- tor.

Eagle Media Protration. ductions also supThis year due to ports television and COVID-19, numerradio broadcast proous professors and students use zoom as gramming for the Department of Coma way to stay conmunication, covering nected during this news, campus and difficult time. Many community events, clubs and organizations also have trans- sports and variety ferred their meetings shows.

For students inonline as well to proterested in pursuing vide students with the same experience that independent career they will be receiving paths after graduation, Eagle Media when face-to-face also serves as a classes resume. small-business incuEagle Media Probator. This organiductions is a stuzation is open to all dent-run digital media production house majors. This organization is hosting located in Becker Hall. There, students meetings virtually Shannon Brady WRITER

on zoom typically Monday evenings. To stay up to date follow them on Facebook and Instagram by looking up, “Eagle Media Productions,” on Facebook and searching, “@eaglemediaproductions,” on Instagram.

“The Clarion Call” is Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s student newspaper.

This is typically where students and community members learn about new things happening on campus or breaking news. This year the organization is uploading pdf versions every two weeks.

This year the two organizations are in the early planning process of merging to bring back the CU TV NEWs. The plan is to have one general meeting for both clubs typically Monday nights to have a run-down to cover each club’s agenda for the week in Becker Studio B. The idea

is to create a news broadcast by taking the stories from “The Clarion Call” that the writers issue and turning them into news stories for a Tuesday News Day evening production.

This will be involving Eagle Media Productions crew who will be operating the live remote broadcast.

The collaboration will bring many new opportunities to students who wish to pursue broadcast journalism or simply want to learn how to use equipment. Students will gain hands on experience with writing news stories, reading off a tele-

prompter, learning how to operate cameras to produce a live remote production and so much more.

It will provide students with the chance to learn new skill sets and meet new people. Many students are optimistic for a return to Clarion University in the spring semester if offered face-to-face classes. In the future, the clubs hope to be able to meet in person to use Becker Studio A, room G-41, while maintaining social distancing guidelines and to start recording the CU TV NEWS for the Clarion community.

Contributed Photo / Eagle Media Productions

Opinions

October 1, 2020

THE CLARION CALL

OPINIONS

How to Get the Most Out of Online Schooling mix of it all.

Other students may be working, volunteering or doing This fall semester other things now that is not what anyone they are not on camexpected it to be.

Everyone hoped they pus.

This makes things would be back on difficult, so I have campus, walking to tried to come up with class or hanging out the best list of tips with their friends and tricks that are again. However, COVID-19 had other determined to help plans for college stu- someone who may still be struggling dents all across the with this transition nation. to the online learning Now that we are lifestyle. currently experiencOne thing that I ing an online semesmust do, or I will be ter, many students wonder just how they setting myself up for can juggle it in their failure is knowing schedule or adjust to every single deadline and marking it on a the different types of learning they will calendar that I will be sure to look at endure. throughout the week.

As for me, online At the beginning of was a hard transition every week, I look for me, but I have through all my aslearned to like it in some new ways once signments, quizzes, readings and so on I figured out a good way to handle it with and mark it on the my schedule. Outside calendar in such a way that I will have of online school, I plenty of time to enwork on the newssure I get it done. As paper, try to have a you go through these social life and still see my family in the assignments, cross Michelle Gilliland EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

them off and it will relieve any anxiety or disorganization throughout the week.

Another thing that is hard but should be taken seriously is to not let yourself have the mindset of it just being an online class and you will not get anything out of it.

It might be easier or harder, but regardless do what you can to learn and comprehend the material at hand. You, me and everyone else are definitely putting money and time into a degree, so get everything that you can out of it.

Find somewhere that you can study. I

have tried studying in my room where my TV, phone and other things that interest me are and I get nothing done due to the various distractions at hand.

Find somewhere quiet and learn what makes you get the most done that you possibly can, and you will thank yourself later.

Lastly, and most importantly, do not be afraid to reach out to a professor, advisor or anyone who can assist you with something you are unsure of.

Many people like to avoid communication unless they have to,

but it doesn’t hurt to ask questions. If you reach out to someone and do not get your answer there, search someone else.

Your grade and degree are worth asking your peers a few questions. Everyone else is in the same boat as you are, professors included.

Organization and planning ahead is key during this semester. Everyone handles the stress and change to online differently. Hopefully sooner rather than later, things can return to normal once again.

Arts & Entertainment

October 1, 2020

THE CLARION CALL

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT “The Social Dilemma” review: The social media scare that society needs

Laney Urban WRITER Tristan Harris, a former design ethicist for Google and the cofounder of The Center for Humane Technology, stares solemnly at the camera and says, “How do you wake up from the Matrix when you don’t know you’re in the Matrix?” This is a central idea which permeates the 2020 Netflix Documentary “The Social Dilemma.” It argues that the social media technology which society holds so dear is the harbinger of its own downfall, as thousands allow themselves to be manipulated by the various platforms. “The Social Dilemma” sets out to make the need for change apparent and unignorable and succeeds in every possible way.

The documentary opens with the early investors and former executives of some of the highest grossing online industries taking their places for their interviews. The tension and nerves are

palpable. Tim Kendall, Roger Mcnamee and Aza Raskin are some of the many individuals who hope to spread the truth about the manipulation of the people via social media with the goal of pioneering a new and better future.

Meanwhile, a narrative sets itself in an average suburban household.

A nameless mother, played by Barbara Gehring, deals with the relatable struggles of a family plugged into technology. Besides her oldest daughter Cassie, played by Kara Hayward, all of her children are seemingly obsessed with their phones.

The audience sees a peek into the life of the youngest daughter, Isla, but mainly follows the story of a teen boy named Ben, played by Sophia Hammons and Skyler Gisondo respectively.

Through this beautifully and interestingly woven hybrid of documentary and narrative, the watcher is blasted with the terrifying reality of technology. This unique format works super well to the film’s

advantage. One moment it states facts about the middle school and high school suicide and selfharm rates rocketing in recent years due to social media, and next this idea is visible in the story with the struggles of Isla. The combination of these methods makes the facts seem more personal in a way that is hard to ignore.

Separate from this are the AI segments, which are brought to life by Vincent Kartheiser. The choice to personify the surveillance technology, which in some way is the true villain here, makes the threat feel more viable. Add this

to the fact that this AI has latched onto the struggling protagonist Ted, and suddenly it becomes clearer how an algorithm on a phone can ruin a life.

Logically, this movie is a scare tactic. It is a film solely made to open the eyes of society to the truth which it would rather not see.

All throughout, the audience is confronted with the fact that their own brain psychology is being used against them for profit. Platforms are constantly pushing out false and harmful narratives simply to extend engagement times. The world is suffering, the

people are addicted, and nobody wins except for the companies which are already filled with billionaires. Yes, it is a scare tactic, but it is a necessary one.

“The Social Dilemma” comes at a crucial time. COVID-19, the 2020 Election and Black Lives Matter are all huge social issues which have dominated social media as of late.

The problems of technology go far beyond these topics, but it is built on a mixture of all of these issues. Now is the time to seize the ideas brought in this documentary and start making a real change.

Photo Courtesy of Indian Express A poster for “The Social Dilemma”

Arts & Entertainment

October 1, 2020

THE CLARION CALL

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Joji finds success with new album “Nectar” Elijah Stivanelli WRITER On Sep. 25, “Nectar”, the second album from singer-songwriter Joji, also known as George Miller, was released to the masses and immediately garnered critical acclaim.

The album features eighteen songs including the four previously released singles from this year: “Run,” “Sanctuary,” “Gimme Love” and “Daylight.”

“Nectar” has been in the works for the past two years, ever since Joji’s previous release, “Ballads 1” back in 2018. It was originally set to be released in early July 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joji’s musical style takes inspiration from several different genres including, but not limited to, hip-hop, lo-fi, R&B, trap and electronic. He’s stated in previous interviews that he was taken inspiration from artists such as Radiohead and Childish Gambino and likes to implement their writing style within his songs, typically having soft intros but crawling into

a booming crescendo over the course of the track. Joji takes a more liberal approach to the way certain songs are written within Nectar, having soaring guitar solos within the hit-single “Run” and powerful electronic power-ballads in songs like “Daylight.” Almost every song within the album attempts to assert an atmospheric tone that has been backed up by interesting instrumentation and empowered

by Joji’s powerful and emotional vocal style.

Plenty of different artists and producers known across the musical realm have also come to help with the development of this album, and several songs feature other artists. Lil Yachty, also known as Miles McCollum, helped write the song “Pretty Boy” and is also featured in the final half of the song.

Diplo produced the beat for “Daylight,” and the song “High Hopes” features SoundCloud artist Omar Apollo. It is clear throughout the

album that Joji had help with the production from his close friends, as some of the songs would simply not be the same without the performances from the featured artists.

George “Joji” Miller started his musical career on YouTube and was originally known for creating comedy sketch content under the channel known as “Filthy Frank.” This YouTube channel currently has over 7 million subscribers and over a billion views.

Under this moniker, Miller was constantly in hot water, as his sketches frequently offended people with their anti-politically correct nature. In 2017, Joji stopped producing comedy content due to a neurological disorder that would cause stress-induced seizures and went on to continue his music career that has since taken off since his signing with 88rising records.

Photo Courtesy of Hypebeast The cover of “Nectar”

Arts & Entertainment

October 1, 2020

THE CLARION CALL

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NBA viewership declines in wake of political statements

Nicholas Allis WRITER On March 11, 2020, the Utah Jazz were getting ready to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City when the NBA, and most of the sports world, came to a screeching halt. A packed Chesapeake Energy Arena was awaiting an exciting matchup between two playoff hopefuls, but it would not be. Only minutes before the opening tip off, doctors in Oklahoma City were notified that Rudy Gobert, Utah’s starting center, had tested positive for COVID-19. After a 35-minute delay, fans were told that that evening’s contest had been postponed and that they were to leave the arena. Within minutes of postponing that game, the NBA announced that it was suspending its season until further notice.

The NBA world had stopped at the drop of a hat. Fans of every team would ask the same question: “what now?”

Nobody knew if NBA

fans would see another game in 2020. Soon, every other major sports league that was operating at the time followed suit. With no baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey, or promises of a football season, sports fans everywhere were distraught.

For months, fans waited for some kind of signal that they would have sports again.

In July, they got that signal. The NBA was coming back, this time from a bubble. With the stage set for teams to reside in Orlando, Florida, sports fans seemed excited to have something back. There would be no fans and players would have to adhere to strict guidelines, but there was going to be basketball.

It was not ideal, but it was something. What seemed like a promising endeavor, however, has no doubt fallen short.

Since the restart of the NBA season, viewership has dropped off significantly. With NBA players taking strong political stances

against racial injustice, many fans have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with their sentiments.

As we approach the NBA Finals featuring LeBron James and Anthony Davis’s Los Angeles Lakers and the youthfully loaded Miami Heat, one could expect a strong uptick in viewership. However, it just does not seem likely. A recent poll conducted by The

Harris Poll found that 39 percent of all sports fans believe that the NBA has become “too political” thus prompting them to stop watching. At a time when the country is deeply divided, sports leagues are not exempt. With the NFL season off and running, fans are already pledging not watch because of kneeling and protests. How this will affect teams’ revenue with less fans remains

to be seen, but the likelihood of teams seeing a financial impact is quite high.

With NBA Final viewership already seeing a decline in the past few years, the 2020 Finals are shaping up to be no different. What remains to be seen, however, is how far the ratings will fall off, if they will at all.

Photo Courtesy of Heatnation LeBron James (Lakers) and Jimmy Butler (Heat)

Arts & Entertainment

October 1, 2020

THE CLARION CALL

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Christopher Tate soars through “TIME”

Shannon Brady WRITER

Clarion University student Christopher Tate, a junior communications major from Meadville, is beginning to leave the nest with his very first short film “TIME Vol. 1.” He has spent the last 8 months working on his film study, script writing and shot list composition.

Over this period, he created “TIME Vol. 1” and decided to enter his first short film in numerous different festivals to gain exposure.

“I was keeping my fingers crossed, hoping to learn something if I could get a good critique out of this,” said Tate. “I just wanted to put this student film out there for the first time.

I need to get my foot in the door somewhere in media.”

He soared through the door and was chosen as a finalist in the Los Angeles Independent Shorts Awards and has received an official selection in the Experimental category of Montreal Independent Film Festival.

In this psychological comedy, a character named Wallace, por-

trayed by Tate, encounters a small, broken clock that appears to be following him everywhere. This seven-minute film was shot at Clarion University and Meadville.

“The main message from my film can be drawn from many perspectives, of always coming back to the same moment where you were before, to always consider the big picture when one tries too hard to run from the past,” he said. “Stop thinking about that certain moment and just erase it. Look at time internally.”

He plans on making “TIME Vol. 1” into a graphic novel to go more in depth so his audiences can further understand and enjoy the story.

He has gained confidence and experience within himself and his film studies this past year, and plans to keep learning, to help establish a name for himself.

One way he has done this is by creating his own independent mobile studio under the name “TOAST STUDIOS.” After viewing the

short film, you may have some questions.

Like why is the main character in therapy?

These questions will be answered in the sequel “TIME Vol 2.” It will begin to explain why Wallace wants this clock. The character has never had a negative emotion toward the clock, he received it from an antique store as a gift. What is the negative part of Wallace’s past that he associates with the clock? The overall mystery will be revealed to why he feels so strange about this clock, and we will get to see a deeper analysis of Wallace’s character.

Curious to know when to expect “TIME Vol. 2?” Tate is in the early producing process now.

He is currently working on sound and music.

As a teaser, he plans

on incorporating new songs that remind him of his childhood and that will carry a type of emotional energy, that will motivate his character to push through the day. There is not a set date when he will publish his next film, but he does want to have more fun with the production and continue teaching himself more about film. He is excited to have brought new equipment to record the next section of his video. This is intriguing as he recorded “TIME Vol. 1” with a single DSLR camera with no monitor and a little boom mic.

Tate found the clock featured in the short film locally at the Clarion Antique Mall.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic got out of hand his mother knew of someone who had

an office space that was completely unoccupied for him to use to produce his short film. The space was full of office items and included a working phone. He spent a week perfecting the location for this production, by moving objects like plants and lights around trying to recreate a mock therapy office.

Tate looks forward to his bright future in entertainment saying, “my main career goal is to be financially comfortable, raise a family, have my own studio one day and to always be having fun. Knowing I can go to work every day and be in complete control with what I am doing. I can come to a notebook every day and have it open to whatever I chose. My own sort of sandbox.”

Photo Courtesy of Youtube The title card for “TIME Vol. 1”

THE CLARION CALL

UPCOMING PUBLICATION DATES October 15, 2020 October 29, 2020 November 12, 2020 November 25, 2020

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