Issue 12 | Volume 101

@GCSUnade

@TheColonnade

The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College May 1, 2023

Single Copies Free

bobcatmultimedia.com

Fox News settles lawsuit with Dominion Voting System Lily Pruitt Asst. News Editor

tled so that they could

said Ansley Walker, a

move

from

senior criminal justice

Fox News released a

the dispute as soon as

major. “But I do under-

defamation has caused

statement after the set-

possible. “I think most

stand where the com-

Fox executives, guests

serious harm to the com-

tlement was announced,

news media channels

pany was coming from

in the 2020 presiden-

and celebrities defamed

pany and its employees.

claiming that the court’s

are

if it was hurting their

tial election. They set-

the company about con-

report-

rulings were false and

ed anyways, so anyone

tled for $787,500,000,

spiracies about the past

ing in the media is

that the news outlet set-

can claim defamation,”

Fox News has settled a lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems over claims of fraud

which is half of the orig-

presidential

inal ask,

Dominion CEO John

mocracy,” Poulos said.

Poulos claimed that the

that

$1.6 billion.

Dominion Systems

Voting

claimed

“Truthful

election.

essential

to

our

de-

forward

very

opinionat-

company

financially.”

See CONSTITUTION | Page 3

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHERE I WAS APRIL 28, 29 AND 30? THE TAYLOR SWIFT ERAS TOUR. Hannah Adams Asst. Opinion Editor

to dress as a chosen al-

bum through colors and

6:30 p.m., with Gra-

Next was Beebadoobee,

stage at exactly 8 p.m.

bum or era for their

accessories. Some fans

cie Abrams being the

who played a largely in-

The concert kicked

Opinion

concert outfit. The out-

even adopted the idea

first opener to take the

strumental set that set

off with the much-loved

fit choices ranged from

of creating and trading

stage. Her performance

the mood for Swift. Af-

The Taylor Swift Eras

“Miss

Americana

&

the Heartbreak Prince’’ and from there, dove

Tour made its way to

into the “Lover” album.

Atlanta this past week-

The concert started off

end, and Swift brought

with a bang, and Swift

nothing but joy and ex-

did not hold back with

plosive energy to the

her

Mercedes Benz Stadi-

energy,

costumes

and choreography. The

um. The concert was an

crowd was packed with

experience that allowed

adoring fans, and there

for fans to see Swift live

was not one person in

once again after a long

the crowd that was not

hiatus. During the con-

overjoyed. Each era was

cert, Swift paid tribute to

paid special attention to,

each of her albums, de-

and she took opportuni-

voting attention to each

ties between each tran-

one in different ways.

sition to speak about her

Swifties banded to-

being extremely specific

friendship bracelets pri-

was beautiful and sweet,

ter these performances,

life and feelings when

gether during this tour,

to simply encompass-

or to the show starting.

covering a few of her

it was Swift’s turn, and

writing

and unanimously chose

ing the idea of an al-

The show began at

most well-known hits.

the superstar took the

See CONSTITUTION | Page 3

GC Baseball loses series, but wins senior day Emily Henderson Contributing Writer

Again, in the second,

seventh innings. GC nev-

GC extended their lead

er responded, and CSU

after a deep shot to right

took game one, 14-7.

field by Mason Spivey, his

The Cougars started

second of the day, to make

game two hot and did

it 2-0 for the Bobcats.

not slow down. While

Both teams had no

April 28 and ending the

CSU scored 14 runs

trouble reaching base but

series on April 29. Sat-

again in game two, the

struggled to produce runs

urday’s

Bobcats

scored

— until the fifth inning,

honored the 12 seniors

two, both off of a Ma-

where CSU scored first.

on the baseball team.

son Spivey home run in

An overthrown ball to

Game one was a tough

the bottom of the sixth.

first started the inning.

battle between the two

In game three, the

With runners on second

Columbus State University for their last conference series of the regular season, starting on

Hunter Baker batting on Friday April 28.

NEWS | PG. 2

FULTON COUNTY JAIL’S INHUMANE CONDITIONS

The jail’s conditions are brought into question after the death of Lawshawn Thompson, an inmate. .

album.

through the sixth and

GC baseball hosted

Marissa Marcolina | Digital Media Editor

each

doubleheader

only

teams. After being down

Bobcats

scored

first

0-6, the Bobcats came

after Ben Tuten stole

back to tie it up. The Cou-

second base, causing a

gars, however, did not

throwing error that re-

take their foot off the gas,

sulted in him reaching

as they scored seven runs

home on the same play.

and third, a ground ball to second base allowed one run to score before another ground ball ended the top of the inning.

See CONSTITUTION | Page 3

SPORTS | PG. 6

ARTS & LIFE | PG.7

OPINION & MISC. | PG. 10

Looking ahead at the world’s biggest soccer tournament, returning on July 20.

Debate has erupted in light of the company’s new advertisement, which features trans TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

Deceipt and manipulation are the name of the game in politics, but is this behavior acceptable?

WOMENS WORLD CUP SET TO RETURN

BUD LIGHT AD SPARKS CONTROVERSEY

WHY ARE POLITICIANS SO UNTRUSTWORTHY?

2

REBECCA MEGHANI, NEWS EDITOR LILY PRUITT, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

05.01.2023

NEWS FOX NEWS

Continued from page 1

Following the end of the lawsuit, Fox News’s biggest star, Tucker Carlson, was fired. Fox News has replaced his segment with a series of rotating hosts rotating and are looking for a permanent replacement. This has left

day,” said David Bauder,

places left, but there are

a writer for AP News.

some.

Both

political

The New York Times

parties and their donors

reported that Carlson’s

have reached consensus

private messages, deemed

on what benefits them,

offensive by many, may

and they actively col-

have been a reason for

lude to shut down any

his firing. The Wall Street

conversation about it.”

Journal said that Carl-

In this video, Carlson

son used the “c-word.”

did not mention his de-

Shortly after his de-

parture from Fox News

re-

nor his next move. How-

leased a video on Twitter.

ever, Carlson told every-

In this video, Carlson

one to pray for 10 minutes

addresses

dis-

a day for the future of the

the network altogether.

closure in the media.

country and its people.

“That is down 56 per-

“Where can you still

“I think Tucker Carl-

cent from the 3.05 mil-

find Americans saying

lion

Carlson

reached last Wednes-

many Fox News viewers abandoning the time slot of Tucker Carlson’s show and some ditching

viewers

parture,

Carlson

public

Tucker Carlson

“But under the circum-

put under spotlight, and

son should have been

stances,

understand

if they would not have

ward is unclear, but his

true things?” Carlson

more protected by the

why he was fired be-

fired him, it could have

media career is cer-

said. “There aren’t many

company,” Walker said.

cause the company was

caused a public outrage.”

tainly

I

Fulton County jail’s inhumane conditions Jennifer Crider A&L Editor

Opinion Lawshawn Thompson, an inmate at Fulton County Jail, was found dead on September 19, 2022. Michael D. Harper, the Thompson’s family lawyer, is allegeding that he died from being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs.

Harper also alleges that the officers and medical staff had previously noticed Thompson’s health deteriorating; however, they offered him no medical aid until they found his dead body.

In November, the Southern Center for Human Rights released a press release called “Uncontained Outbreaks of Lice, Scabies Leaves People at Fulton County Jail Dangerously Malnour-

ished,” which called for the jail to immediately improve their conditions.

“According to documents obtained through an open records request, medical professionals brought in to assess the September outbreak found that 100% of the people held in one unit had either lice, scabies and or both,” the Southern Center for Human Rights said.

During Thompson’s death, he was being held in the psychiatric wing of the jail.

“That unit houses people diagnosed with mental illnesses requiring treatment; the reviewers also found that 90% of the people in the unit had not been completing their ‘activities of daily living’ — including showering, dressing, getting out of bed, walking, and using the toilet

— or receiving essential medications,” the Southern Center for Human Rights said. “Further medical findings showed that over 90% of the affected people were significantly malnourished, showing clear signs of cachexia – a wasting syndrome leading to the loss of muscle and fat, often seen in people with late stage cancers.”

The inhumane conditions of this facility are due to their overpopulation and understaffing issue. According to a 2022 study done by the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, the Fulton County Jail has 728 over-detained prisoners.

This overpopulation is partially due to the fact that Fulton County keeps people charged with misdemeanors de-

VOLUME 101 | NO. 12

tained when they cannot pay bail, as well as the fact that they do not transfer inmates that are able to be placed in alternative facilities, such as halfway homes.

The ACLU study also found that 46.6% of Fulton County Jail detainees have not been officially charged with a crime, 12% could not afford bail and 3.6% were able to be transferred to an arrest diversion program.

At the time of his death, Thompson was being held because he could not pay the $2,500 bail.

This Saturday, protesters gathered in Woodruff Park in Atlanta to protest Fulton County Jail.

Many people are calling Patrick Labat, Fulton County Sheriff, to step down from his job.

Thompson’s family is calling for this facility to be shut down; how-

ever, they have not filed an official lawsuit yet.

In response to this backlash, Sheriff Labat has stated that the jail will be transferring 600 inmates to jails in other countries.

They are also spending $500,000 to improve the conditions of the jail.

Although this money will help the quality of life in this prison, the prison has not commented on if they will change their policy of keeping people charged with misdemeanors detained. Without these adjustments, the overpopulation and over jailing people will prevail.

Transferring inmates to other facilities will just create overcrowding in other jails across Georgia.

Thompson suffered from mental issues, and he clearly was not receiving rehabilitation in

@GCSUnade

Carlson’s

not

path

over

for-

yet.

the psychiatric facility at Fulton County Jail. If the Fulton County Jail would have sent him to a quality mental facility, they could have provided him with aid and prevented his death.

Keeping prisoners does not prevent crime.

All this does is perpetuate the cycle of crime.

Recently released inmates are not given the proper resources to become accustomed back into real life, and so, they retreat back to committing crime.

The amendments this prison is making is not enough. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that between the years of 2009 and 2022, 64 inmates died, and this is the highest rate of death in any jail in Georgia. The Fulton County Jail must be shut down immediately.

@TheColonnade

Editorial Board

Katherine Futch..............Editor in Chief Cale Strickland................Managing Editor Claire O’Neill................... Art Director Rebecca Meghani..........News Editor Lily Pruitt............................Asst. News Editor Hayden Flinn....................Sports Editor Brennan Schmitz........... Asst. Sports Editor Jennifer Crider................. Arts & Life Editor William Van de Planque.............................. Asst. Arts & Life Editor Abigayle Allen..................Opinion Editor Hannah Adams...............Asst. Opinion Editor Anjali Shenoy................ Digital Media Editor Marissa Marcolina.........Digital Media Editor Connor Patronis............. PR Manager Robert Trotter...................Ad Sales Manager William Burke.................. Faculty Adviser *All Opinion columns are the opinion of the columnist, not of The Colonnade.

The Colonnade is looking for staff writers, editors, designers, videographers, and more.

Contact thegcsucolonnade@gmail.com for more.

If you’re interested in writing for The Colonnade, email thegcsucolonnade@gmail.com.

Ad Disclaimer The Colonnade is not responsible for any false advertising. We are not liable for any error in advertising to a greater extent than the cost of the space in which the item occurs. The Colonnade reserves the right to edit or reject any advertising copy submitted for publication. There is no guaranteed placement of ads. The Colonnade does not accept advertising concerning firearms nor guarantee ads concerning alcoholic beverages.

Corrections

If you feel anything we’ve printed or posted online has been reported in error, please send an email to thegcsucolonnade@ gmail.com.

Copyrights

All stories and photographs appearing in this issue and previous issues, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted by The Colonnade.

Contact Us Office: Terrell 301 thegcsucolonnade@gmail. com bobcatmultimedia.com

3

REBECCA MEGHANI, NEWS EDITOR LILY PRUITT, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

05.01.2023

NEWS

Snapchat rolls out new AI feature Kate Verity

Contributing Writer In the 21st century, we live in an era of great technological advancements and constant changes.

From smartphones to electric vehicles, the way that humans live has changed drastically in the last few decades. In terms of creating new technologies, 2023 has not disappointed. One of the biggest and most controversial advancements that this year has brought has been artificial intelligence, or AI. ChatGPT is one of the most well-known AI systems that anybody can use. ChatGPT was developed by OpenAI. It has been available for public use since the end of November 2022, but it was not until earlier this year that it really started to gain popularity.

In response to ChatGPT’s popularity, many other companies began working to develop their own AI chat models. This includes Microsoft through Bing, Google, Meta — the mother company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — and other tech companies.

One of the most recent AI developments has put an AI chat right into smartphones across the world. Anyone with Snapchat who has updated their app since April 19 may have noticed the new feature pinned at the top of their Chat page. A chatbot called “My AI” is now available to every Snapchat user. It is powered by

ChatGPT, but it has been tweaked so that it conforms to the Snapchat community guidelines.

This new chat friend is being met with mixed reviews by Snapchat users. My AI was previously only available to those who paid for Snapchat+.

However, now it is the opposite: Only those who subscribe to Snapchat+ can remove My AI from their app. For anyone unwilling or unable to pay the $3.99 monthly fee, a conversation box with My AI will remain at the top of their feed. Not only are users unable to remove the chatbot, but they also cannot unpin the conversation. This means that it will forever be at the top of the screen, where users used to be able to pin any conversation of their choice.

Emily Moore is a senior political science major at GC, and she greatly dislikes the new AI. She has heard about it from her friends and has avoided updating her Snapchat to keep it off her phone. She said that if her Snapchat were to update with the new My AI system enabled, she would deactivate her account and delete the app entirely.

“Whenever it comes down to the whole Snapchat thing, being able to talk to you on that kind of level, a very personal level, I think that could be very dangerous,” Moore said. “People could self-incriminate themselves on accident, and I think that it can access things on your phone that you wouldn’t want

people to have access to.”

Much of the public’s perception of AI is created from its villainous personas in science fiction. Characters like Ultron from Marvel and movies like Transformers or Terminator have helped to shape what people know about AI, and these perceptions are rarely positive.

Dr. Juli Gittinger is a professor of religion in GC’s Department of Philosophy, Religion and Liberal Studies.

Many of her interests lie in studying science fiction, and she explains how today’s AI differs from the villainous AI personas we see in entertainment media.

“It’s not conscious,” Gittinger said. “Conscious means free will, volition, a sense of self-awareness.

That’s what we see in science fiction, with, like, robots and androids and, you know, “Blade Runner,” things like that — where they’re robots, but they’re like people.”

Elon Musk was one of the founders of OpenAI, but he resigned from the board in 2018 to avoid conflicts with his work at Tesla. Musk has been greatly politicized in recent years, but he is still inarguably one of the leading technological innovators of our time. He is very wary of AI and recently said in an interview that he believes there needs to be a government regulatory agency that looks into AI technology and sets rules for the industry.

Additionally, in late

Courtesy of Kate Verity

March, Musk called for a six-month pause on the development of AI systems to give researchers the chance to introduce “shared safety protocols” for the technological community to adhere to. This letter was also signed by other big names in technology, such as Steve Wozniak, a co-founder of Apple; Andrew Yang, an entrepreneur and former presidential candidate; and Rachel Bronson, the president of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Frank Richardson is a lecturer of computer science at GC. He explained what he thinks needs to be understood about AI moving forward.

“The biggest thing that I think will need to be done with AI is that the hype that is given to it by researchers as to what it can do and what it is is far from the truth,” Richardson said. “The idea that we can basically simulate the human process — I think you have to understand that there are aspects to the human being that we

don’t fully understand, that you can’t understand in a mathematically algorithmic mannerism.”

As of now, the technological community has mixed feelings on how to proceed with the development of AI. It is likely that the scientists who have been working towards these breakthroughs for years are not going to be eager to halt their research or work under government oversight and regulation, no matter what big-name tech executives call for action.

which represents Pinova.

“I don’t think there was a whole lot more they could’ve done other than giving reassurances and being seen,” Brewer said.

Many GC students from the area had little concern at first.

“I think it is more of an instructional moment, where they can figure out what went wrong and prevent it from happening again,” Brewer said. “It is not necessarily super surprising, considering their day-to-day operations, and there is always a possibility of a factory that large that something can go wrong.”

“We will learn from this event, and we will do better moving forward,” said Johnson.

Officials closed the F.J. Torras Causeway, stopping traffic in both lanes going to and from St. Simons Island to Brunswick, leaving many either stranded on the island or

unable to get back home.

“I think it was more a precautionary thing because of the amount of traffic that would have increased, and it could have caused a little more panic than needed if people had been on it and seen that amount of smoke,” Brewer said.

“Precautionary, sure.

Overdramatic, probably.”

The cause of the fire is still unknown, and the plant will remain closed until a full investigation can be completed by state investigators and the plant’s own team, leaving many employees jobless for the next few months.

“The plant is not going to reopen until we are 100% sure it can be done safely,” Johnson said.

“I think it’s a big change for Brunswick, and I think it will take a lot to rebuild it and get people’s jobs back,” said J.T. Good, a sophomore MIS major.

Brunswick Pinova plant catches fire Lily Pruitt

around sunrise, which

Asst. News Editor

posed

On April 16, 2023, the

concern. The fire reig-

equipped

nited hours later which

fires of this magnitude,

prompted a shelter-in-

resulting in surround-

place for a one-mile

ing counties bringing

radius

surrounding

in their units, as well

the plant. The shelter-

as Savannah and Jack-

ing areas. Many GC stu-

in-place then spread to

sonville bringing units.

dents are from the area.

surrounding areas as far

“I think they handled

The plant caught fire

as St. Simons Island.

it fairly well,” said Ryan

Pinova plant in Brunswick, Georgia, caught on fire, causing evacuations in the surround-

no

immediate

The Brunswick Fire Department

is to

not handle

The Pinova plant

Brewer, a sophomore criminal justice major.

“They got the evacuation orders out fairly quickly, and the Red Cross station was useful and helpful for those who had to leave their houses.”

Fortunately, there were only six employees in the plant at the time of the explosion, and they were all accounted for.

The cause for concern which forced the evacuations was the resin and other chemicals that the plant uses that could have contaminated the air.

The Red Cross set up a shelter for the households who had to evacuate, of which there are believed to be more than 100.

“There is nothing more important to Pinova than the safety of the neighborhood, the safety of the employees and the safety of this community,” said Mark Johnson, an attorney with Gilbert Harrel, the law firm

4

HAYDEN FLINN, SPORTS EDITOR BRENNAN SCHMITZ, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

05.01.2023

SPORTS

BASEBALL Sapp, putting the score fielder Brandon Bellflow- early in the season, but Davis Swenson, Mason with a big win at the end

Continued from page 1

The top of the sixth started with a double for CSU followed by another infield error that resulted in the Cougars

at 7-2 for the Bobcats.

er scored Tuten. Bell-

we know just how to

Spivey, Trevor Knowles,

against Columbus State,

took

flower advanced to third

battle through it,” Tu-

Josh Hudgins, Matthew

who has an amazing

more

on a fly ball to center and

ten said. “I think we just

Chester, Palmer Sapp,

baseball program, makes

CSU errors in the bot-

scored after another wild

have a good group of

Trey Felt, Preston Felt

it just such a special day.”

tom of the eight to ex-

pitch by the CSU pitcher.

guys that come out here

and Parker Kauffman.

This series put the

and fight every day. We

“You know, having

Bobcats in fifth place go-

The

Bobcats

advantage

of

tend their lead further.

The

Cougars

tried

ing into the Peach Belt

tying the game, 2-2.

Conference,

The Bobcats respond-

or

PBC,

Tournament. The tour-

ed in the bottom of the sixth to break the tie

nament is composed of

with a solo homerun

two double-elimination

from

redshirt-junior

rounds, with eight teams

infielder Palmer Sapp.

in the first round and

After an infield sin-

four in the second round.

gle for the Bobcats in

“We just have to con-

the bottom of the sev-

tinue to do what we

enth, GC produced the

always do,” said head

big inning that they

coach Nolan Belcher. “If

needed. With one out,

we show up to practice,

the Cougars intentionally walked the bases, hoping to get a double play to end the inning.

The

following

bat-

ter, Sapp, hit the ball down the right-field line to score all three baserunners, giving himself a triple. A single past the second baseman by Mason

Spivey

scored

Marissa Marcolina | Digital Media Editor

Hunter Baker and Matthew Cassandra bump helmets after scoring versus Columbus State on Friday April 28.

Staff Writer The first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs is close to an end, and there is plenty to talk about.

Starting with a huge upset, No. 8 Miami sent No. 1 Milwaukee home after only five games.

on the little things and prepare the right way,

A lead-off walk fol-

to come back in the top

just play for each oth-

my family here makes it,

then, hopefully, that will

lowed by a wild pitch put

of the ninth after a few

er, and I think that’s all

obviously, a very special

translate to good suc-

the runner in scoring po-

mistakes from the Bob-

that it comes down to.”

day,” Sapp said. “To get to

cess in the tournament.”

sition. Then, an RBI-sin-

cats, but the defense

The Bobcats honored

have your family see the

The Bobcats will play

gle to left field by Tuten

held the Cougars to

12 seniors that will be

special day we had and

Columbus State again

scored the runner before

just one run, giving GC

leaving after this season.

get to be here and cele-

for the first game of the

another wild pitch al-

their first win of the se-

Those players includ-

brate. It has been a long

PBC Tournament on Fri-

lowed Tuten to advance.

ries, with a score of 10-3.

ed Ben Tuten, Hunter

baseball career, so it was

day, May 5, at Georgia

Next, a double by out-

“We have been kicked

Baker, Ashton Sturgell,

very special. Coming out

Southwestern University.

NBA playoffs wraps up first round Drew Bogumill

work hard, concentrate

superstar

Steph

Cur-

with injuries right now is

“The series was excit-

Nets and are now facing

of the next four games.

ry dropped 50 points.

very sad because I believe

ing but did not go exactly

the Celtics in round two.

“I really want the

Cleveland also saw the

we would have really had

as I wanted,” said Jack-

The No. 7 Los Ange-

Lakers to win the whole

end of their season, com-

a chance to win the se-

son Kiser, a sophomore

les Lakers took down the

thing,” said Alex Paparo,

ing up short against the

ries with them healthy.”

business major. “I am

No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies

a sophomore philosophy

New York Knicks. The

In another Western

a Hawks fan, so it real-

in six games. There was

major. “Seeing LeBron

Miami Heat are facing

Conference matchup, the

ly hurts to see the sea-

a lot of talk around, and

get a fifth ring would be

the Knicks in the second

No. 1 Denver Nuggets

son end, but I still had

in, these games, espe-

awesome, and it would

round of the playoffs.

took on the No. 8 Min-

fun watching the series.”

cially involving Grizzlies

officially

guard

Brooks.

as the greatest basket-

In a very anticipated

nesota

Timberwolves.

The

Philadelphia

Dillon

cement

him

The Heat’s Jimmy Butler

matchup, the Los Ange-

The Timberwolves bare-

76ers went head-to-head

Brooks talked a lot of

ball player of all-time.”

dominated in the series,

les Clippers took on the

ly avoided getting swept,

against

Brooklyn

trash at the beginning of

The 2023 NBA Play-

averaging 37.6 points,

Phoenix Suns and their

winning game four in

Nets for the last series in

the series, but was quick-

offs have already been

6.1 rebounds and 4.4

new

Kevin

overtime, but Denver

the Eastern Conference.

ly hushed by the king

full of excitement and

assists — including an

Durant. After the first

closed it out the next

The 76ers, backed by su-

himself, LeBron James.

surprises.

incredible 56-point per-

two games, it looked as

game, with big perfor-

perstars Joel Embiid and

After Brooks’ comments,

only speculate as for

formance in game four.

though the series may go

mances from stars Jamal

James Harden, swept the

the Lakers won three

what’s to come next.

In perhaps the most

the distance, but Phoenix

Murray and Nikola Jokic.

exciting series of the

won four games straight

The No. 2 Boston

first round, the Golden

to take the series 4-1.

Celtics faced off against

State Warriors overcame

“I’m very disappoint-

the No. 7 Atlanta Hawks.

the Sacramento Kings

ed with how the series

The series proved to be

in seven games. This se-

went,” said Tucker Sut-

closer than many ex-

ries was back-and-forth

ton, a junior accounting

pected, with Trae Young

the whole way, but in

manager. “Kawhi Leon-

consistently playing ex-

the final game, the War-

ard is my favorite player,

ceptionally well,

riors handled the Kings

and to see him and Paul

Boston finished the se-

with ease, as Warriors’

George having to deal

ries in the six games.

superstar,

but

the

Fans

can

5

HAYDEN FLINN, SPORTS EDITOR BRENNAN SCHMITZ, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

05.01.2023

SPORTS

GC golf finishes off an unideal season Christian Castillo

Dyas Invitational host-

the second round was

them with days of high

finished in eighth place

source

Staff Writer

ed by the University of

highlighted by both se-

scores or vice versa. Next

at the event and did not

for next season. GC will

did

West Georgia. After day

nior Isaac Samples and

year’s team will know

play great. Seniors Na-

trust the process and go

not have the time they

one at the par-71 Oak

freshman Parker Houck

that if they can keep their

than Moore and Samples

out much stronger next

hoped for on the links

Mountain

Club

posting a score of 73.

foot on the gas, for either

led the Bobcats on the

year. Returning players

this season. However,

in Carrollton, Georgia,

While this lack of con-

both rounds or three

leaderboard at the event.

will want to go out and

next season will bring

GC was sitting in eighth

sistency was frustrating,

rounds of the event,

“The PBC champion-

ensure better finishes.

The

Bobcats

Golf

of

motivation

new opportunities for

“It was a challeng-

a talented young roster

ing season, but I believe

that has gained experi-

it shaped the team in

ence and been taught

a way that will prepare

lessons by the strong yet

them for success in com-

few players on this year’s

ing years,” Samples said.

team that will not return.

“The last two years were

GC showed promise

very much rebuilding

in some tournaments

years for our program,

but ultimately struggled

but this season helped

to find consistency. Due

us learn to put the pieces

to this struggle, the team found themselves fight-

Courtesy of GC Athletics

Junior Austin Quillian watches his shot

in place to go forward.”

Although this year was no success, expect

ing to finish in the top half of the leaderboard.

place — out of nine.

it shows a good aspect

they can find them-

ship did not go as we had

GC to make some noise

The Bobcats played

On day two, the team

of next season, in that

selves in a good spot.

planned, but we battled

on the course next year

their best golf in Sep-

played to their poten-

GC can play some good

The toughest stretch

the entire time,” Samples

and have much better

tember

October,

tial and fired themselves

golf. The team would

of the season, unfortu-

said. “I would say the PBC

finishes and scores to

when they grabbed two

back up the leaderboard.

have great days, finding

nately, fell on GC towards

championship

stand on. The Bobcats are

Three

ended

fairways and rolling the

the end, and at the Peach

our season as a whole.”

up finishing top 20 for

rock to go low, but, un-

Belt Conference, or PBC,

Poor performance in

the

fortunately, would follow

Championship. The team

the final event is a great

and

fourth-place

finishes.

The more promising of the two was at the Matt

Bobcats

tournament,

and

reflects

going to work the most so they can play the least, or at least hit fewer shots.

Baseball’s Jaxson Weatherford wins Bobcat AOTW Owen McDaniel

day, hammering a three-

Staff Writer

run homerun with one

Junior first baseman

out in the ninth inning to

Jaxon Weatherford was

lift the Bobcats to victory.

awarded Bobcat Ath-

Weatherford

be-

lete of the Week for

lieves that his improve-

the week of April 11-

ment of his hitting me-

18 for his outstanding

chanics

performance over the four games during that timespan.

Weatherford

batted .438 during that four-game stretch, blasting three home runs, driving in seven runs and scoring four times.

Weatherford’s tributions

con-

helped

the

Bobcats win three out of four of their games that

week,

including

a

three-game

sweep

over Claflin University.

contributed

to his recent success. “[I’ve been] having a better plan in the box,” Weatherford said. “[I’ve been] working on my load and just trying to have my foot down when the pitch is coming.”

Although

Marissa Marcolina | Digital Media Editor

Redshirt-junior first baseman Jaxon Weatherford swings hard at the plate versus Columbus State.

receiving

over the fall, but when

he comes to the field ev-

es everybody,” Belcher

nal regular season home

honors like Bobcat Ath-

Jaxon catches fire, it’s

ery day, gets his work

said. “The whole team

series of the season.

lete of the Week do not

really something special

in and does all the right

knows he’s a good play-

They came up short in

to watch. The amount of

things to prepare,” Bell-

er, and when he starts

the series, 2-1, and fell

power he can bring to the

flower said. “I don’t think

to play well, it en-

back to fifth place in the

table, and at the end of the

he’s one of the guys who

ergizes

dugout.”

Peach Belt Conference.

day, still control the bar-

is going to ‘rah-rah’ you

The GC bats were cer-

They will have to play

rel, still find singles, he’s

to death, but he’s defi-

tainly energized during

Columbus

very important for us.”

nitely a silent leader.”

their

against

again to begin the PBC

Claflin, in which they

tournament as the four

impact

Weatherford

greatly, he still appreciates the recognition.

“It’s not bad to get a couple accolades along

In the second game of

the season,” Weatherford

the series against Claf-

said. “It gives you some

lin, the Bobcats’ chances

confidence, and it’s really

were looking slim after

important to have con-

Claflin scored four runs across the seventh and

Bellflower

Head baseball coach

sees

Weatherford as a “silent

Nolan

fidence inside the box.”

leader” on the team,

ed

“Jaxon is a really good

series

State

once

Belcher

point-

scored 39 runs across

seed faces the five seed.

out

how

Weath-

the three games, forc-

Round one will take

meaning a player who

erford’s

hot

streak

ing two mercy rules.

place on Friday, May 5,

eighth innings to take a

hitter,”

Brandon

speaks with his work eth-

provided a spark for

one-run lead. However,

Bellflower. “I realized

ic rather than his words.

the

Weatherford saved the

that when he came in

“He doesn’t say much,

said

the

other

players.

“I think it energiz-

The

Bobcats

faced

at 2 p.m. The game will

over

be played at Georgia

the weekend for their fi-

Southwestern University.

Columbus

State

6

HAYDEN FLINN, SPORTS EDITOR BRENNAN SCHMITZ, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

05.01.2023

SPORTS

Women’s World Cup summer 2023 Rebecca Meghani

the tip of stars, and their

The U.S. currently holds

tations,” said Football

eration, or USSF, said it

a new qualifying tour-

News Editor

home kit features a drip-

four world titles, with

Australia Chief Exec-

would also voice con-

nament that will fly 10

paint-technique pattern.

the most recent being

utive

cern,

Amnesty

teams to New Zealand

“The FIFA Women’s

2015, in Canada, and

Players around the

has

al-

to decide the final three

World Cup is the abso-

2019, in France. Cur-

world have also dis-

ready spoken out. FIFA

places at the tournament.

lute pinnacle of the sport

rently, the U.S. is lead-

agreed with FIFA’s course

has since dropped this

“I’m sure FIFA will say

capturing the imagina-

ing in the FIFA world

of action on this front.

proposed

tions of both current

rankings, with their to-

“If we want to push

and new fans across the

tal points being 2091.38,

women’s

globe,” said Sam Handy,

followed by Germany,

we want it to be sup-

Lima was named a global

Ireland and Reading de-

vice president of prod-

Sweden, England and

ported by people who

ambassador meant to de-

fender. “Of course, we all

uct and design at Adi-

France,

respectively.

share the philosophies

velop, promote and par-

want the game to grow,

das Football. “With the

While the excitement

and the views that we

ticipate in global initia-

but it can be done in a

tournament being held

has been high, FIFA

share as players and as

tives prior to the World

sustainable way and not

in Australia and New

has not been without its

a game, which is sup-

Cup. FIFA former council

by flying 10 teams from

Zealand, two countries

faults in preparing for

porting women, which

member Moya Dodd de-

different continents to

with iconic landscapes,

the World Cup. Contro-

is a high-level sport,

scribed this as tone-deaf.

New Zealand to compete.

we want to create a com-

versy continues to follow

high-level football, ful-

“When a girl plays

I think it could definite-

mon theme throughout

the organization, includ-

ly inclusive,” said Lucy

football, the world sees

ly have been avoided.”

our kits, in celebration

ing its previous plans to

Bronze, England fullback

her differently,” Dodd

While FIFA has been

and appreciation of the

have Saudi Arabia’s tour-

and Barcelona player.

said. “Instead of being

dealing with its con-

wonders of the natural

ism authority be named

“We

every-

complimented on her

flicts, there have been

environments that can be

as an official sponsor

body to our sport. So

nice looks of her pretty

independent issues in

found around the world.”

of

tournament.

we’d like to think that

dress, she is valued for

participating

coun-

Other federations fea-

In recent years, Saudi

the people that sup-

her game-saving tackles

tries.

Spain

ture their natural diversi-

Arabia has been invest-

port us and are pushing

and brilliant goal-scor-

and France have each

ty. Germany’s kits show-

ing in sporting events as

the game have simi-

ing, shes admired for

had disputes between

case green woodlands,

a way to “sports wash”

lar views and interests

what she can do, rather

players and federations.

Sweden includes their

its reputation. The coun-

and opinions as we do.”

than how she looks, put-

Fern Whelan, former

To have a country

ting her on more equal

England

With less than 100 days

until

the

2023

FIFA Women’s World Cup,

people

around

the world are gearing up to watch Australia and New Zealand, this year’s host countries, to prepare for what is expected to be the biggest Women’s World Cup yet.

The

tournament

has already sold over 650,000 tickets, and it is projected to sell 1.5 million

tickets

total.

“FIFA’s mission is to organize the biggest and best

Women’s

World

Cup in history this year,” said Fatma Samoura, FIFA’s secretary general.

This year, each federation’s kits are inspired by what makes their country unique, which is meant to showcase

the

James

Johnson.

sport

welcome

on,

while

International

still

plan

remains

Brazilian

but

they’ve done it to help

faulty.

the women’s game grow,”

Adriana

said

Diane

Caldwell,

Canada,

glacial rivers and Colum-

try has been accused

the diversity in every

bia has the many colors of

of issues like human

with

rights

footing with her brothers

Brighton & Hove Albi-

country.

United

its Caño Cristales river.

rights. The World Cup

abuses, the use of the

in a way that can alter the

on defender, expressed

States Women’s Nation-

There is much to be cel-

host countries have ex-

death penalty and im-

whole trajectory of her

her worry of the tur-

al Team’s, or USWNT’s,

ebrated about this year’s

pressed that they are

prisoning women’s rights

life’s ambitions, in a FIFA

moil

kits are inspired by ab-

World Cup along with

not comfortable with it.

campaigners,

having

world cup year, that’s the

al football but that the

stract expressionism, an

celebrating the diversi-

Australia

Saudi Arabia as a spon-

message that should be

rapid development of

art movement that began

ty of each country, like

has consulted on this

sor has been called an

ringing loud and true

the game has brought

in New York in the 1940s

this year being the first

matter with key stake-

exploitation of the sport.

around the world. Where

issues to the forefront.

that shifted the art capital

Women’s World Cup to

holders, including gov-

“Obviously we want

a supermodel fits into

Though many issues

of the world from Europe

have more than one host.

ernment and commer-

the best and we want in-

this is truly baffling.”

have risen through this

States

cial partners, and it was

clusivity, but equally it’s

U.S. women’s team did

women’s team has im-

an overwhelming con-

for soccer. The USWNT

mense support and ex-

away kit’s uniqueness

The

to the U.S., like how the

The

United

“Football

women’s

current

internation-

Lima’s

year’s World Cup, it has

not about going there

public image, many have

not hindered the excite-

sensus that this partner-

and being political at the

found it a confusing move

ment and anticipation

citement behind them,

ship does not align with

same time,” said Keira

for FIFA, an organiza-

for this summer. All

is represented through

as the hope for a third

our

vision

Walsh, England midfield-

tion that claims to em-

eyes are on New Zea-

stars, stripe print and red

straight

consecutive

for the tournament and

er and Barcelona player.

power girls and women.

land and Australia as

blades meant to look like

tournament win builds.

falls short of our expec-

The US Soccer Fed-

Additionally, there is

we get closer to July 20.

collective

Considering

in

and

7

JENNIFER CRIDER, A&L EDITOR WILLIAM VAN DE PLANQUE, ASST. A&L EDITOR

05.01.2023

ARTS & LIFE

ERAS TOUR

Courtesy of Hannah Adams

for those that grew up

ing experience for many.

theatrical flair, dressed

took the opportunity to

with Swift. Each of her

It was also an incred-

whimsically in a beauti-

speak a bit to her fans

songs and albums repre-

ible opportunity to hear

ful dress and elaborate

and show her gratitude

sented a different time of

both “Evermore ‘’ and

dance numbers com-

by expressing her love for

life, and for many young

“Folklore”

per-

plete with fire, diving

her audience. She spoke

from the “Fearless” al-

women

Taylor

formed live, as these al-

into a mysterious pool

about her thankfulness

bum and “Coney Is-

Swift’s songs played a

bums were recorded and

and climbing onto a ta-

to her fans for always

pivotal role in their abili-

released by Swift during

ble. It truly was the ex-

having her back and her

ty to heal and grow from

quarantine. While she

perience of a lifetime.

desire for her fans to be

heartbreaks and first life

has performed a few

One of the most nota-

able to have a personal

citing surprise to hear

sentimental to be able

experiences. She became

songs from these albums

ble aspects of Swift’s char-

connection to her music.

to see early albums like

“The Other Side of the

like a big sister to a gen-

live since, neither one

acter is always evident

“Fearless,” “Speak Now”

eration, and seeing her

was able to have its own

when she speaks can-

rewarded with two sur-

and “Red” performed

relive these moments in

concert or tour. Swift

didly to her fans. In-be-

prise songs, and during

once again, especially

concert was a life-chang-

delivered with a huge

tween many songs, Swift

the Friday performance,

Continued from page 1

Although every single era was given the same love and energy, getting to see “Reputation” live was

extremely

excit-

ing and had the crowd going wild. It was also

today,

songs

Every

concert

Hannah Adams, Opinions Editor, and Jennifer Crider, A&L Editor, at Eras Tour Night 1

was

the people of Atlanta got to hear “The Other Side of the Door”

land” from “Evermore.”

It was an extremely ex-

Door,” which is not one of the most well-known of the “Fearless” songs.

Rebecca Meghani, News Editor, at Eras Tour Night 3

Is Bud Light trying to be “too woke”?

Paige Blakemore Staff Writer

Some have even gone as

heuser-Busch marketing

tant professor of strate-

same week, rival beer

Greer said. “I hope this

far as to post videos of

executive Daniel Blake.

gic communication at

companies Coors Light

doesn’t dampen the fu-

Recently, Bud Light,

themselves shooting their

Bud Light and An-

GC. “I don’t know how

and Miller Lite experi-

an American beer com-

already purchased cans

heuser-Busch have failed

huge

companies

can

enced an 18% increase.

pany, sought to be more

of beer, including sing-

to show further inclusiv-

really

prepare

them-

“It’s so scary that one

inclusive by featuring

er-songwriter Kid Rock.

ity amidst the backlash.

selves for such backlash.”

little advertisement is

think it’s a beer problem;

trans TikTok influenc-

Within recent years,

Many are left question-

in-

causing a multi-million

it’s a bigotry problem.”

Mulvaney

Bud Light has experi-

ing how companies strive

terested in seeing how

brand to not only lose

Despite the backlash,

advertisement.

enced a decline in sales,

for inclusivity and how it

the

affects

money but have to deal

Mulvaney posted a

as younger consumers

can exclude other groups

Bud Light’s future sales.

with crazy people send-

video on the platform

have turned to popular

during

process.

“The perception of so

ing death threats,” said

dressed as Holly Goli-

seltzer brands, such as

2018,

many is that they have

Grace Greer, freshman

ghtly from “Breakfast at

White Claw and Truly.

Nike experienced a boy-

done wrong, and that’s

public

cott

when

er

Dylan

in

an

Tiffany’s” while promot-

“We

never

intend-

the

Similarly,

in

campaign

Christensen

backlash

is

ture of inclusivity, but it really could. I don’t

some felt that Bud Light was

making

progres-

sive steps forward and

major.

should continue to do so.

what they have to face,”

Greer believes, be-

“It’s not fair when

health

ing a sweepstakes chal-

ed to be part of a dis-

featuring football play-

Christensen said. “That’s

cause of social media’s

lenge for the company

cussion

er Colin Kaepernick in

where the boycott comes

wide

reach,

modern

as well as Mulvaney’s

people,” said Brendon

an

af-

in. Usually, those things

advertisements

attract

face on a can of beer.

Whitworth,

of

ter he kneeled during

go back to normal, but

far more hateful indi-

Bud

the national anthem to

once in a while, there

viduals than those seen

other cultures and sizes

protest

brutal-

are exceptions. I think it

on

don’t feel like they can

The video received widespread

that

divides

CEO

Anheuser-Busch,

advertisement

everything is just a cis white man everywhere, because then people of

backlash,

Light’s parent company.

with many far-right con-

Since the controversy

ity. Since then, Nike’s

will be really interesting

“Since TikTok is a

servatives threatening to

happened, Bud Light’s

stock has risen 51%.

to see what happens.”

huge form of media

boycott the best-selling

vice president of mar-

“Not being inclusive

According to CNN,

now, it reaches all dif-

beer company and ac-

keting, Alissa Heiner-

is also taking a stand,

Bud Light’s sales fell

ferent types of commu-

cusing the brand of not

scheid, has taken a leave

almost,”

Mikkel

17% during the week

nities rather than your

“Companies like Target

recognizing its audience.

of absence, as has An-

Christensen, an assis-

of April 15. During the

normal

and Aerie do it very well.”

police

said

cable

television.

advertising,”

participate or feel included,” said Gini Peña, sophomore exercise major.

8

JENNIFER CRIDER, A&L EDITOR WILLIAM VAN DE PLANQUE, ASST. A&L EDITOR

05.01.2023

ARTS & LIFE

Cale’s cinema critics: “Beau is Afraid” (dir. Ari Aster) Cale Strickland General Editor All of Ari Aster’s films are, in one way or another, about family.

His first feature, “Hereditary,” is a story of a family’s grief, and subsequent dissolution,

iety. Although his mother, Mona Wasserman, played by Patti Lupone, is a business mogul, he lives in a cramped, dingy apartment in a crime-ridden city. At the outset of the film, his therapist, played by Stephen McKinley Hen-

leaving the door open behind him. He comes back. His keys and suitcase are missing. Wondering if he should reschedule his visit, Beau calls his mother and asks for her advice. Audibly disappointed, she leaves her son with a cryptic

Ari Aster’s latest feature film was released April 14, 2023.

following the death of its matriarch. His follow-up, “Midsommar,” chronicles a young woman’s search for a sense of belonging after losing her sister and parents in a murder-suicide.

His latest, “Beau is Afraid,” follows a middle-aged man for whom visiting his mother is a nightmarish, psychedelic odyssey.

Beau Wasserman, played by Joaquin Phoenix, is riddled with anx-

derson, prescribes him a new, experimental drug because his current medication does little to nothing for the inescapable dread which clouds his consciousness.

But he has to visit his mother.

So, Beau decides he is going to will himself to Washington, D.C. He hastily packs his bags and rushes out the door before realizing he forgot his floss. He runs back into his apartment,

message before hanging up: She knows he will make the right choice.

Within 24 hours, Beau has a bodega clerk threaten to call the police on him, his apartment invaded and trashed, a man fall on top of him mid-bath, a police officer hold him at gunpoint, a naked man stab him — multiple times — and a car hit him.

The film cuts to black, marking the end of the first of the four 45-min-

ute “chunks” Aster boxes the three-hour epic into.

For the next two-plus hours, Beau finds himself on a mind-bending journey equal parts terrifying and laugh-out-loud funny.

Aster has described each of his films thus far as “nightmare comedies,” but “Beau is Afraid” genuinely fits the bill. I went to a near-full screening, and people were downright cackling during a couple of scenes — which says something.

I saw Aster’s previous, “Midsommar,” in theaters as well. The people of Bethlehem, Georgia, did not know what they were getting themselves into. Aster’s work does not shy away from blood and gore; in fact, he often lets the camera linger on the horrifying imagery he has painstakingly crafted. A handful of people were visibly upset. I can distinctly remember seeing a middle-aged couple rushing their school-aged son out of the auditorium, covering his eyes from the horrors unfolding on screen.

Do not get me wrong.

“Beau is Afraid” is disturbing, just not in the ways in which Aster’s other films are. The grief and anguish which fill the atmospheres of “Hereditary” and “Midsommar” are literalized by brutal, graphic violence in the

films’ third acts. With “Beau is Afraid,” Aster holds the camera on a paranoid protagonist while the world closes in and collapses on him; I have heard a lot of people comparing the film to Darren Aronofsky’s infamous “mother!” For better or for worse, that is the wavelength Aster is operating on here.

I am a “mother!” defender. As someone who came to politics through the lens of environmentalism, I loved what Aronofsky was after: a visual manifestation of ecological suffering, of the “hell” eons of human destruction have created.

But I also understand its criticisms. It is abrasive. It is underwritten; its metaphor is painfully obvious, especially for Western audiences. Anyone who knows — of — the Bible can predict Aronofsky’s plot, frame for frame, from the opening shot.

What sets Aster’s film apart from Aronofsky’s, though, is its commitment to humor. It is a three-hour movie; a lot of shots run a little long.

But Aster paces himself, throwing in enough gags to let his audience breathe, even if just for a second. Aronofsky is deathly serious; Aster is, to a degree, at least, aware of the pretension he, and all other filmmakers working in “elevat-

ed horror,” can fall into.

In addition to his newfound lightheartedness, Aster has stretched himself as a filmmaker and an image maker. One of the film’s 45-minute quarters takes place in the forest and features a traveling theater troupe. Beau stumbles upon the group on the opening night of their production. He is welcomed with open arms and offered a costume; one of the troupe’s members says the group enjoys blurring the lines between the audience and the players. As he watches the play, Beau begins to see himself in the story, an account of a farmer’s struggle to find his family in the aftermath of a natural disaster — unfolding on stage.

Audiences are transported into Beau’s mind as he imagines years and years of a pastoral lifestyle for himself. Large portions of the sequence are animated, and Aster’s attention to detail is downright mesmerizing.

Aster’s images are always memorable but rarely pleasant. “Beau is Afraid,” although disturbing, is lighter — “lighter,” not “light” — on its feet than anything else Aster has made thus far, and a breath of fresh air in the young filmography of one of today’s rising auteurs.

Coachella performance did not go as expected

Frank Ocean’s set was highly anticipated as it was his first performance since 2017 Grace Robertson Staff Writer Frank Ocean fans were excited to see him perform this year at one of the most anticipated music festivals, Coachella.

Ocean was announced to headline the festival in January — for his first performance in years.

Ocean previously announced his involvement with the festival in 2020 but was forced to cancel due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As one of the most acclaimed singers of his generation, the performance was con-

Ocean was set to perform at 10:05 p.m. PST. Fans were worried due to Ocean’s secretive nature and YouTube’s swift announcement to no longer live stream the event.

Ocean arrived at the main stage one hour late, leaving fans confused and disappointed.

As the set began, Ocean was barely visible to the crowd, and most of his performance included lip syncing and remixes.

Ocean spoke about his decision to headline the event as a tribute to his family.

“You know, these last couple years, my

He should have been prepared, especially when he got paid so much to do it.

-Michelle Crumbley

sidered the most anticipated of the three headliners, which also included Bad Bunny and BLACKPINK. On Sun., Apr. 16,

life changed so much,” Ocean said. “My brother and I, we came to this festival a lot. I feel like I was dragged out here half the time because I hated the

dust out here, I always left with a respiratory infection or what have you. So, I would avoid coming, but I would always end up here.”

The singer’s brother, Ryan Breaux, passed away at 18 years old in 2020 from blunt-force head injuries in a single-vehicle collision.

The set ended quickly with an abrupt exit due to the star’s worries of a curfew fee.

“I feel like that’s not OK, because it’s his job,” said Michelle Crumbley, a freshman environmental science major. “He should have been prepared, especially because he was paid so much to do it.”

As soon as Ocean’s set ended, rumors flew.

The Festive Owl, a trusted source for insider festival information, explained that Ocean was initially meant to perform with an ice-skating rink and set of skaters, but the deconstruction of the set was demanded shortly before the performance was planned to begin.

Out of all the criticism swarming social media, one artist made sure to stick up for Ocean on Instagram: Justin Bieber.

“I was blown away by

hours before due to an ankle injury he suffered in the previous week.

After rumors and stories filled the news, Variety’s Shirley Halp-

out of necessity,” Halperin and Aswad said.

Soon after, the festival announced that American rock band blink-182 would re-

Frank Ocean photographed before the music festival.

Frank Oceans Coachella performance,” Bieber said. “His artistry is simply unmatched, his style, his taste, his voice, his attention to detail..

I was deeply moved. It made me want to keep going and get better as an artist. He continues to set the bar high and gave me a night I will never forget! Thanks Frank.”

The singer allegedly intended to cancel the set

erin and Jem Aswad confirmed that Ocean made the decision to pull out of Coachella’s second weekend.

“After suffering an injury to his leg on festival grounds in the week leading up to weekend one, Frank Ocean was unable to perform the intended show but was still intent on performing, and in 72 hours, the show was reworked

place the headliner for the second weekend.

According to Billboard, Ocean was initially set to be paid $8 million for the two performances, but the disappointing cancellation led to his salary being cut in half.

The performance, and cancellation, allegedly cost the festival millions due to the loss of interested fans, cost of the ice rink and curfew fees.

9

JENNIFER CRIDER, A&L EDITOR WILLIAM VAN DE PLANQUE, ASST. A&L EDITOR

05.01.2023

ARTS & LIFE

Milledgeville’s Earth Day festivities Shaw Coggin Staff Writer

took

West

nior exercise science ma-

ucts and things like

ing photos for one of my

no regard for what it does

Campus Drive; the Hu-

jor, lives in a house near

that,”

extracurriculars, and I

for the Earth,” Porter

Earth Day was Sat-

ley Park cleanup; Earth

campus, and though his

a

saw a lot of corkscrews

said. “That’s something

urday, April 20, and

Fest, which was on the

housing does not provide

freshman MIS major,

and confetti that no one

I just need to work on.”

the city of Milledgeville

GC front campus; Lake

any recycling system, he

lives in Adams Hall and

had a few activities to

Sinclair Clean-up Day;

and his roommates take it

uses the school-provided

do their part in taking

as well as a Greenway

upon themselves to have

recycling bins regularly.

Clean-up Day. All of

a bin that they use to re-

He has also implemented

these events were suc-

cycle some of their trash.

protecting the environ-

care of the environment.

One of these events was

a

clean-up

day

hosted by Central State Hospital

and

Keep

Milledgeville-Baldwin Beautiful. The event lasted from 9 a.m. to noon and started at the historic Powell Building.

A few other events that were hosted include the Eve Puckett Giving Tree

Planting,

which

place

on

cessful, with many GC students and communi-

cling bin that we use

and pastimes as well.

ty members showing up

at my house,” Faulk-

“My mom and I like

to do their part in help-

ner said. “I also reuse

to plant trees,” Schwartz

ing

environment.

plates, bowls and cups.”

said. “Occasionally, we’ll

Doing your part is not

Though Faulkner does

plant flowers as well.”

just something people do

put in effort to do his

for one day, though, as

part, he said that there

plement things in their day-to-day lives that help out

the

environment.

Gus Faulkner, a ju-

EARTH DAY FEST Photos by Anjali Shenoy

The Environmental Science Club and other community organizations celebrated Earth Day on GC’s Front Campus with games, tie dye, plant potting, and more.

a

Schwartz,

ment into his hobbies

many GC students im-

have

Bryan

said.

recy-

the

“I

Faulkner

are areas where he feels like he could do better.

Recently,

students

have seen the effects on the local environment that graduation tradi-

picked

up,”

Schwartz

Porter also said that he

said. “Occasionally, af-

and his apartment com-

ter big party Saturdays,

plex do not have any re-

I’ll see, like, beer cans

cycling systems in place.

and beer bottles and plastic cups on the side of the street, so I feel like we can do better.”

Campbell a

sophomore

Porter, mar-

keting major, lives in an

apartment

com-

plex

near

campus.

tions and parties held

plas-

near campus can have.

and silverware a lot, just

tics and paper prod-

“I was outside, tak-

out of pure laziness, with

less

single-use

down

on

Claire O’Neill | Art Director

“I use plastic plates

“I think I could use

“Cutting

plastics and recycling more would be two things that I’d implement more into my daily life so the world would be a better place in the future,” Porter said. “I hope people can look at me as an example instead of my wrongdoings in the past.”

10

ABIGAYLE ALLEN, OPINION EDITOR HANNAH ADAMS, ASST. OPINION EDITOR

05.01.2023

OPINION

Why are politicians so untrustworthy?

Hannah Adams

our

Noggles’s article “Manip-

a deeper look, how dan-

itician succeeds in gain-

to feel foolish to place

government is found-

ulation in Politics,” the

gerous to society these

ing a position of power

good faith in these pol-

ed upon a premise that

ideology behind political

tactics can truly be. It puts

based on their principles

iticians. It is common

those in power should

persuasion is explained.

people in an uncomfort-

during their campaign,

knowledge that they tend

be trained to be deceitful

“It appears that the

ably vulnerable position

only to reverse those

to have an ulterior mo-

and skilled manipulators.

term manipulation can

of not being completely

ideals once they are in

tive in the back of their

These realizations also

be applied to two rath-

sure of when those they

their desired position.

minds. Political jargon

beg one to question how

er different ways: by

vote for are trustworthy

For the most part,

is a game, and it is a sad

politicians

influencing

state

or just exercising a ma-

one would like not to

truth that oftentimes cit-

skills in the first place.

of mind of the person

nipulation tactic. This

think that they are be-

izens are the ones being

It is conflicting to com-

whose decision will get

is a problem especially

ing led astray by their

played. It is this distrust

prehend when a politi-

him what he wants, and

during voting periods.

favorite politicians. It

en party. Politicians can

that leads people to feel

cian would begin learn-

by changing the situa-

During this time, politi-

is easy to place trust in

lie with a straight face

uneasy and unsure about

ing the skills of deceit

tion so that he gets what

cians have a certain out-

someone who claims to

and defend opinions and

the security of the gov-

in order to lead those

he wants,” Noggle said.

come they desire, and of-

have policies that align

premises that they do

ernment. When it feels

in their country. When

“Let us call these forms

tentimes, they will go to

a specific voter’s ideals.

not truly believe in just

like those in power are

learning the trades of

of manipulation psycho-

any lengths to get it. This

While this is not to say

to gain a party vote. It

not being fully truthful,

politics, there are certain

logical and situational,

means shamelessly lying,

that every politician has

can be difficult to know

it is easy to get caught

skills and strategies that

respectively. Both forms

playing mind games and

bad intentions in mind,

where to start when it

in a cycle of feeling dis-

a politician will mas-

of manipulation occur

manipulating the public

it is still a warning to

comes to trusting those

trustful of the system

ter before advancing in

in the political realm.”

to go along with their

be wary of those in-

in

as a whole. It leads one

their career. In Robert

It becomes clear, with

words. Sometimes, a pol-

volved in the profession.

Asst. Opinion Editor It is in the nature of a politician to learn how to manipulate the public and skew their opinions towards a certain direction. They know how to play on emotions, intellect, strategy and other components to obtain the loyalty of their giv-

political

positions.

Overtime, it can begin

to

wonder

why

gain

these

the

10

ABIGAYLE ALLEN, OPINION EDITOR HANNAH ADAMS, ASST. OPINION EDITOR

05.01.2023

OPINION

Implicit bias challenged, if not debunked Adam Lamparello, J.D. Asst. Professor of Criminal Justice

In recent years, the concept of implicit bias – the belief that all individuals harbor unconscious biases that affect their choices and actions – has been embraced by many law schools and the American Bar Association. In fact, the ABA passed a resolution requiring law schools to provide some type of bias training. But there is one problem – implicit bias research is deeply flawed and, in fact, so flawed that its validity is now in question. Below is a summary of the flaws in implicit bias theory.

1. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) is deeply flawed.

The American Bar Association logo

Empirical

implic-

fective in reducing biased behavior. For example, a

it biases do not necessarily cause biased be-

study in the United Kingdom concluded as follows:

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin at

sensitivity training programmes found that ‘chang-

Madison, Harvard, and the University of Virginia

es in measured implicit bias are possible, but those

examined 499 studies over 20 years involving 80,859

changes do not necessarily translate into changes in

participants that used the IAT and other, similar mea-

explicit bias or behaviour’. The Equality and Human

sures. They discovered two things: One is that the

Rights Commission published its findings in 2018,

correlation between implicit bias and discriminato-

stating that ‘the evidence for [unconscious bias train-

ry behavior appears weaker than previously thought.

ing’s] ability effectively to change behaviour is limit-

They also conclude that there is very little evidence

ed’ and that it may cause a ‘backfiring’ effect, actually

that changes in implicit bias have anything to do with

making people more biased. And last year the Char-

changes in a person’s behavior. These findings, they

tered Institute of Personnel and Development (the

write, ‘produce a challenge for this area of research.’

UK’s main HR professional body) said ‘unconscious

Importantly, these researchers examined “63

bias training has no sustained impact on behaviour’.

studies that explicitly considered a link between

Indeed, “while implicit bias trainings are mul-

changes in bias and changes in actions . . . [but]

tiplying, few rigorous evaluations of these pro-

they found no evidence of a causal relationship.”

grams exist,” the fact remains that “to date, none

3. There is no way to quantify the im-

of these interventions has been shown to result

pact of implicit bias on biased behavior, par-

in permanent, long-term reductions of implic-

ticularly

of explicit biases.

it bias scores or, more importantly, sustained and

Assuming arguendo that implicit bias exists, there

meaningful changes in behavior (i.e., narrow-

is no reliable way to quantify its relationship to biased

ing of racial/ethnic clinical treatment disparities.”

behavior, if such a relationship even exists. For exam-

Of course, these facts have not stopped the Amer-

racism” … That’s what the research says, at least, and

ple, how can one distinguish between explicit and im-

ican Bar Association from requiring law schools

it raises serious questions about how the IAT be-

plicit biases? And how can scholars quantify or mea-

to conduct training on implicit bias, a proposal

came such a social-science darling in the first place.

sure the impact of implicit biases when explicit bias

that was rightfully met with resistance from estab-

Indeed, “much murkiness surrounds (a) the

has a demonstrable relationship to biased behavior?

lished scholars. Perhaps this is because most law

proper causal explanation for alleged IAT effects,

These and other issues have led some scholars

faculties are so overwhelmingly liberal that group-

(b) the psychological meaning of IAT scores, [and]

to question the validity of implicit bias as a pre-

think, rather than critical thinking, precludes a

(c) the statistical generality and potency of al-

dictor of biased behavior: As one scholar states:

principled assessment of implicit bias’s validity.

leged relations between IAT scores and actual be-

Almost everything about implicit bias is contro-

Without such an assessment, claims that im-

havior.” To be sure, Tony Greenwald, who co-cre-

versial in scientific circles. It is not clear, for instance,

plicit biases impact biased behavior will contin-

ated the IAT, acknowledged that the IAT should

what most implicit bias methods actually measure;

ue to lack empirical support. As such, the effi-

not be used to predict biased behavior, stating that

their ability to predict discrimination is modest at

cacy of implicit bias training remains dubious.

the IAT is only “good for predicting individual be-

best; their reliability is low; early claims about their

Ultimately, eradicating bias and discrimination

havior in the aggregate, and the correlations are

power and immutability have proven unjustified.

from all facets of society is a legal and moral imper-

small.” Put simply, the “IAT provides little insight

Resolving these issues in an intellectually hon-

ative, but scholars should question seriously wheth-

into who will discriminate against whom, and pro-

est manner is critical to determining whether im-

er a focus on alleged implicit biases is an effective

vides no more insight than explicit measures of bias.”

plicit bias bears any relationship to biased behavior.

way of doing so. And in so doing, scholars should

implicit biases. The problem is that there is little, if any, evidence that IAT scores actually measure unconscious bias.

As

one

scholar

states:

The IAT is impacted by explicit attitudes, not just implicit attitudes, . . . It is impacted by people’s ability to process information quickly on a general level. It is impacted by desires to want to create a good impression. It is impacted by the mood people are in. If the measure is an amalgamation of many things (one of which is purportedly implicit bias), how can we know which of those things is responsible for a (weak) correlation with behavior?

Furthermore, individuals who take the IAT are likely to achieve different scores if they take the IAT multiple times. One commentator explains as follows: The IAT, it turns out, has serious issues on both the reliability and validity fronts, which is surprising given its popularity and the very exciting claims that have been made about its potential to address

2. There is insufficient evidence that implicit bias – or results on the IAT – predicts biased behavior.

given

one

that

2017 meta-analysis of 494 previous studies of racial

University, purports to measure an individual’s

As

suggest

explains:

The IAT, developed by researchers at Harvard

havior.

studies

the

commentator

presence

ineffective.

be committed to intellectual honesty to ensure that

Not surprisingly, implicit bias training is not ef-

their own biases do not influence their findings.

4. Implicit

bias

training

is