Issue 5 | Volume 101

@GCSUnade

@TheColonnade

The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College Feb. 28, 2023

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EARTHQUAKE STRIKES TURKEY AND SYRIA KILLING OVER 50,000

The devastation of the earthquakes worsened by politics Rebecca Meghani News Editor The death toll continues to rise in Turkey and Syria after deadly earthquakes hit their regions, beginning on Feb. 6. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake was followed by a 7.5 magnitude aftershock only a few hours later. As the month progressed through continuous searches and devastation, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake followed in the

same region on Feb. 20.

At the time of publication, the death toll in Turkey and Syria has surpassed 50,000. According to the latest figures from Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), 44,218 people have died in Turkey and 5,914 in Syria.

The infrastructures that toppled due to the earthquake trapped thousands under the rubble who are still being rescued and also left

The BRIT Awards Paige Blakemore News Editor In 2021, the BRIT Awards made progressive steps forward by eliminating male and female categories and introducing genderless categories for Artist of the Year and International Artist of the Year. The goal was to make the show more inclusive for all artists and their identities.

“Celebrating

many homeless. Families have begun staying in tents and sleeping in their cars due to the fear of another earthquake. The thousands of people displaced from their homes are only an addition to the thousands more that have been displaced by the war in the region.

The earthquake has brought scrutiny to the Middle East from many different angles, from politically to religiously.

See EARTHQUAKE | Page 2

the show to be as inclu-

the Year, Album of the

sive and as relevant as

Year, Song of the Year

possible,” said the show’s

and

Pop/R&B

Act.

Courtesy of VOA

Rescue searches conducted through rubble of buildings downed by deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria

HISTORY REWRITTEN: FOR BETTER OR WORSE?

a

Styles was one of the

statement on the BRIT

five males nominat-

Awards’ official website.

ed for the established

This year, the BRIT

gender-neutral Artist

When looking at his-

Awards took place on

of the Year catego-

tory from a micro lens,

organizers

through

Feb. 11 at the O2 Area in

London,

England.

The evening was filled with the brightest performances and appearances from Britain’s top and upcoming artists,

artists

including Wet Leg, Sam

solely for their music and

Smith, The 1975, Charli

work, rather than how

XCX and the big winner

they choose to identi-

of the night, Harry Styles.

fy or as others may see

Harry Styles swept all

them, as part of the Brits’

four categories he was

commitment to evolving

nominated in: Artist of

ry. The nominees led many to question if the Brits were actually working towards inclusivity with their fail-

Hannah Adams

Asst. Opinion Editor

the truth can be difficult to distinguish. This is because with every

ure to include female

new year, history books

and nonbinary artists.

are rewritten, and new

Singer Charli XCX found herself dubious

editions crafted. Minis-

of the award show’s ef-

cule details are discov-

forts — or lack thereof

it. In other times, writ-

as over time, people are

ers record history from

left to believe what they

a lens that is in favor of

read in books, as there

their personal feelings

are no longer any survi-

or to aid the integrity of

vors alive to tell the tale.

their country. It is not

For example, what is re-

always easy to be truth-

ferred to as “Holocaust

ful in writing the grue-

denial.” Holocaust denial

some realities that come

is an occurrence when

with war and tragedy.

individuals

deny

the

ered, some completely

This distortion of his-

truth of the Holocaust

of non-male artists.

changing an instance in

tory can have horrific

or that it happened at all.

See BRIT AWARDS | Page 7

history as we once knew

repercussions on society,

See HISTORY | Page 12

The game was a fantastic match up overall with the two teams going back and forth taking the lead until the Bobcats made some second-half adjustments that helped them seal the victory.

The Bobcats had five players in double-digits for points and scored a season-high 101 points.

Richard Crawford III, a redshirt junior at GC, led the Bobcats in scoring with a season-high 26 points.

Crawford went 5-for-8 from beyond the arc, while also going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Chapin Rierson, a redshirt senior on the team, was the second leading scorer for the Bobcats. He had a season-high of 18 points to go along with his four rebounds and three steals.

Rierson also drained a half-court buzzer-beater to end the first half, putting the Bobcats up five and electrifying the senior night atmosphere.

The Bobcats did not let the momentum slip in the second half, shooting just under 50% from behind the arc.

— to highlight the work

GC Men’s Basketball’s Senior Night Drew Bogumill Staff Writer

Anjali Shenoy | Digital Media Editor

Forward Chris Barks prepares to score at Senior Night

The GC men’s basketball team beat Flagler University Wednesday, Feb. 22, by a score of 101-87.

This was a big game for the Bobcats, as Flagler is a huge rival of GC. It was also senior night, meaning this would be the last time some players ever play a home game at GC. Three seniors, forward Christian Koneman, forward Chris Parks, and guard Brandon Thomas, were honored before the start of the game.

See BASKETBALL | Page 5

NEWS | PG. 3

SPORTS | PG. 5

ARTS & LIFE | PG. 7

OPINION & MISC. | PG. 11

Students and alums thoughts on how frat culture contributes to participating in toxic culture.

The GC women’s basketball team have a strong start to the season both offensively and deffensively.

Read your horoscope for the Sagittarius new moon on Nov. 23.

Once our favorite stars reach a certain level of fame, many fans notice a change in their demeanors as they begin exuding satanic symbolism.

BANNING FRATERNITIES ON CAMPUS

GC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STARTS 4-0

HOROSCOPE FOR THE NEW MOON

IS HOLLYWOOD DEMONIC?

2

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

02.28.2023

NEWS EARTHQUAKE Continued from page 1 There have been criticisms regarding the state of the collapsed buildings and the governments’ responses to the earthquake. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been blamed for the late response in getting aid into the devastated areas by saying more people could have been saved with a more timely response and that he lacked providing support for survivors.

In Turkey, the government investigated more than 550 people and issued warrants for more than 100 people for their responsibility in the poor construction of the buildings. The Turkish Justice Ministry has ordered officials to set up “Earthquake Crimes Investigation Units” to charge the construction workers with criminal charges of failing to meet codes that were set in place after a previous disaster in 1999.

Multiple legal actions have been taken in identifying and charging people who may have contributed to the deaths of those from collapsed buildings. Residents have criticized builders and contractors who failed to follow safety codes in order to increase their profits. This criticism also falls on the government, which has been granting “amnesties” to the builders who did so.

These buildings are not only old buildings in the region but newly built ones, like a luxury

14-story building that housed around 90 apartments that collapsed during the earthquake.

These charges have been presented as involuntary manslaughter and violation of public construction law. Constructors have been fighting back by stating that their buildings have been licensed and audited by local and state authorities.

The government’s response to the earthquake has been criticized as slow, and residents’ worries continue to build about their own safety and well-being in a country where inflation passed 80% last year.

In addition to the devastating impacts of the earthquake, Syria continues to struggle, as they have been mostly cut off from outside aid due to political issues from their 12-year civil war.

Humanitarian aid has been consistently politicized throughout those years and continues to be so even through this

A building that collapsed in on itself due to the earthquake.

ident. al-Assad wants aid to come through the central government, while Western

aid

agencies

want to deliver it directly to Syria’s northwest.

Even with the death toll continuously rising, there seems to be a disorganized effort for aid because of politics. The situation is increasingly becoming more devastating for the coun-

I could not stop smiling watching people being pulled from the rubble, thankfully some dead, sadly some some still alive.

-Anonymous

crisis. As the United Nations Security Council attempts to send aid to Syria, it has been stopped in Russia by the refusal of allowing other crossing points to function because of Russia’s support for President of Syria Bashar al-Assad. Pres-

try and its residents, and the focus should be for them to receive access

and

resources

to soothe the disaster as much as possible.

The

rebuilding

of

the countries is difficult when considering the

VOLUME 101 | NO. 5

other issues that they face. With sanctions, economical issues and a collapsing currency, the response to the earthquake only becomes harder. The international community needs to rise to fulfill its responsibility for aid and emergency measures to prevent further issues from arising.

The international response has been mostly positive in supporting Turkey and Syria with an exception of the Islamophobia that remains in the Western world.

While social media and the progression of society have improved how the Western world views the Middle East, Eastern countries still face attacks due to religion.

Though the Turkey-Syria earthquakes have devastated the countries to an immeasurable amount and people continue to encourage aid and hope for a positive future for the countries, some peo-

ple do not seem to agree with them on the basis of their Islamaphobic view.

Two mosques in London have been targeted and received Islamaphobic letters. The letter was titled “To all worshippers of the make-believe religion of Islam.”

“This heartfelt letter is to express my sincerest sorrow about the events in Turkey and Syria,” one letter read. “However I wish to make it clear that it is not heartfelt sorrow I feel that thousands of people died. I am only sincerely sorry that more Muslims didn’t die.”

The letter continues to wish for more deaths from the earthquakes.

“There should have been at least 2 million dead, at the very minimum,” it said. “I could not stop smiling watching people being pulled from the rubble, thankfully some dead, sadly some still alive. I really hope that the recent earthquake will be one

@GCSUnade

of many more to come.”

The letter follows by slandering Islam with non-factual and

statements

stereotypes

that

have followed Muslims for years. The writer of the letter hopes for more suffering for Muslims and does not believe that Islamophobia

is

real.

The mosque community had personal connections to people that died in the earthquake.

The mosques filed reports but inquiries are still ongoing and there have been no arrests, according to the police.

There continues to be growing anger in how the residents of Turkey and Syria have been treated with the corrupt infrastructure practices and the Islamaphobic commentary from the international

commu-

nity. The devastation is not just limited to the physical

tragedy

but

also the politics that surround the countries.

@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.

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3

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

02.28.2023

NEWS

The Senate is to pass a bill on the homeless Catherine Wall

create a public health

rounding this bill could

Staff Writer

issue to have every-

be too loose and more

In Georgia, there is

one in the same area

open to interpretation.

a bill in the Senate that

who are suffering from

Some think it could

seeks to ban homeless

things such as addic-

be a positive thing, as

people

sleeping

tion and mental health.

the homeless would no

or camping on pub-

“I tend to feel that

longer be on the streets.

from

lic property. In fact, it

people

experiencing

“I feel like they should

could

cities

homelessness are real-

try and be enforcing

like Atlanta for hav-

ly mistreated and de-

it,” said freshman busi-

ing a higher-than-av-

humanized in a lot of

ness management ma-

erage

pop-

ways already and that

jor Peyton Roger. “No

ulation and could use

the bill seems like a step

one should be just out

federal money to build

kind of along the lines

sleeping

a state-funded camp-

of more anti-homeless-

and everything. It could

ing area specifically re-

ness architecture, things

be a positive thing so

served for the homeless.

like that,” said freshman

that the homeless are

Carden

political science major

not just on the streets.”

of

Cor-

Katie Cooper. “It could

“When you ride down

believes

these

further criminalize an

encamp-

penalize

homeless

on

benches 62 in the Georgia Sen-

the Georgia Legislature.

san support from Dem-

ate. From here, the next

“The bill has sever-

ocrats, which, though

step is floor action, and

al factors going for it

if it succeeds there, then

regarding its potential

the bill will be sent to

passage,” said GC po-

a road in Atlanta, any-

the other chamber. Here,

litical science professor

already vulnerable group

where within a two-mile

a conference commit-

Dr. Kevin Spann. “The

jority is not as over-

ment areas are helpful.

of people in the U.S.”

radius of this capital,

tee will take place, with

bill’s

whelming as it once was.”

“There are a lot of

There is also a con-

homelessness is out of

both chambers having to

clude quite a few com-

vacant areas in every

cern that it could allow

control,” Summers said.

agree on the bill exactly.

mittee chairman as well

city,”

said.

law enforcement officers

On Feb. 15, 2023, the

The last step would be

as current and former

issue

to force people expe-

State Senate and Local

sending it to the Georgia

members of Republican

with the creation and

riencing

homelessness

Government Operations

Governor, Brian Kemp.

leadership. As for factors

enforcement

to

completely.

Committee voted four

It is hard to say whether

going against it, the bill

fully and legally be-

To some, the laws sur-

to three to advance Bill

the bill will pass or not in

currently lacks biparti-

come a law in the state.

Senator Summers dele

designated

Summers

Some

take of

these

camps, because it could

move

co-sponsors

in-

not

always

necessary

for passage, is relevant, as the Republican ma-

Georgia

must

wait

and see whether this bill will pass into the next steps needed to

Derailed trains are more common than we think Lily Pruitt

Asst. News Editor In the past month, there have been several

instances

where

trains

have

derailed

from

their

tracks.

On Feb. 3, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

About 11 of the 20 train cars containing hazardous materials derailed.

Authorities worked over the weekend to get the fires contained while residents were evacuated.

The area has been deemed safe to reside in again, but many residents are reporting several signs of side effects, includ-

ing animals falling ill.

On Feb. 13, a CSX train derailed in Enoree, South Carolina.

There were no reported leaks or freight spills.

Also on Feb. 13, a Union Pacific train derailed in Splendora, Texas. There were no dangerously hazardous materials in any of the train cars, but citizens were concerned because of the Ohio train. However, the company did send out a HAZMAT team and a team to monitor air quality because of the materials that were on board. There have not been any bad reports.

On Feb. 20, a Union

Pacific train derailed in Riverbank, California.

It is reported that there are no leaks or spills, and a HAZMAT team has not been involved.

On Feb. 21, a Union Pacific train derailed in Gothenburg, Nebraska. It was reported that hazardous material was spilled during this incident, but that the HAZMAT team was not involved.

Many GC students are aware of the dangers of the derailments.

“It’s really scary how things like that can happen,” said senior English major Scarrlee Porter.

There are many environmental con-

cerns involved with these accidents.

“There have been a lot of situations where it was not taken care of properly, and when that happens it gets into an environment and it causes illnesses,” said GC Chief of Sustainability Officer Lorianne Hamilton.

“Plant life dies off, animal species die off, people start getting sick and going to the hospital, people die, birth defects start showing up, people become sterile and cannot have children, and these are things that happen.”

Many residents in East Palestine have filed a class-action lawsuit

Derailed train in East Palestine, Ohio

There have been a lot of situations where it was not taken care of properly, and when that happens it gets into an environment and it causes illnesses

-Lorianne Hamilton

against Norfolk Southern because of all the consequences of the train derailing. People have experienced chest pain, sore throats and headaches.

Residents were forced to evacuate the area, but when they returned, they noticed that animals were dying, and many residents felt pain in their chest.

“I think people do have the right to sue because it totally could have been prevented,” Porter said.

“They were not taking the right precautions.”

Not only are residents affected, but also plant and animal life. It is said that more than 40,000 animals have died as a result of the derailment in East Palestine.

“Officials estimated 38,222 minnows and around 5,550 other species — such as other fish, crayfish and amphibians — were killed during the

derailment,” said “USA Today” editor Paige Bennett. “The deaths occurred in a five-mile span within the impact area.”

“I could see more species becoming part of the endangered species list,” Hamilton said.

“In the same respect for our soil, it does damage and contaminates our soil, so we are looking at potential of areas becoming unusable as far as growing crops, losing their vegetation that they seriously need, like our trees and our bushes that help soil erosion, and once we start losing trees — these things are vital for us to live — so these are critical things that we should be aware of.”

GC students all agree that this tragic accident left a concern of negligence.

“Oh, it was most definitely negligence,” Porter said.

4

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

02.28.2023

NEWS

Balloons or plastic?

Plastic from shot down balloons cause more damage Lily Pruitt

Asst. News Editor On Feb. 4, a 200-foottall balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina by a U.S. F-22 fighter jet. This Chinese balloon flew across the country, starting in Alaska, followed by several other unidentified objects. The balloon is believed to have been tracking U.S. airspace and U.S. territory. The balloons all went noticed once they reached U.S. military bases.

President Joe Biden originally made no comment on the national security threat.

“We are going to keep our allies and Congress contemporaneously informed of all we learn and all we know, and I expect to be speaking with President Xi, but I make no apologies for taking down that balloon,” Biden said.

Biden never spoke directly about these objects belonging to China, but he beat around the bush, leaving many Americans believing the objects do. This has left many citizens worried about the relations be-

tween the two countries.

“I think it will definitely impact the relationship between these two countries because a

was shot down on the coast of South Carolina has been recovered and is now at FBI headquarters being investigated.

can shoot it down over land, but just like water, you are going to have environmental issues on the land side, whether it

they were UFOs, which the White House had to comment on and deny.

It has left many GC students confused about

and a sense of security, it was right for them to shoot the balloon down.”

Many talists

environmenare

concerned

about what the debris of the balloon could do to the ocean’s ecosystem.

“With this particular event, the main thing is we really do not know what it is until we get it collected and do analysis, so we really do not know what it is made of and then what the end result will be,” Hamilton said.

There are concerns that the balloon recovery team will leave parts of it down at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

“If we do not recover everything, I can see that it is just one more thing that we add to the Courtesy of MGN

U.S. Air Force pilot looked down at the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon as it hovered over the Central Continental United States

sense of trust has been broken,” said junior English major Joy Hames.

The White House has had several press conferences regarding these flying objects and has said that they will be conducting more surveillance and have involved the FBI. The balloon that

Originally, the White House and the Biden administration were not very transparent with the public and refused several times to comment, especially about why they did not shoot the balloon down earlier.

“That is going to be a Catch-22 because you

is plant life or animal life, so you really do not know until something like that happens,” said GC Chief Sustainability Officer Lorianne Hamilton.

There has been a lot of controversy about what these balloons and other objects actually are, with many people thinking

what these objects actually are. However, students agree with Biden’s final decision to shoot it down.

“I think anything labeled as spy balloon can be intimidating and scary to many people,” Hames said. “I think, in order to give the people of this country peace of mind

list of things that are degrading our ecological environment for our aquatics,” Hamilton said.

“I also think it definitively had an impact on the environment because it could have seriously harmed civilians,” Hames said. “Also, the wreckage could cause some damages that could harm the environment.”

5

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

02.28.2023

SPORTS BASKETBALL

Thomas led the team

Continued from page 1

in total assists, dishing

Sophomore

Austin

Sloan had 15 points, going

5-for-10

from

the field and 3-for-7 from behind the arc.

He also had two blocks and a steal on defense.

Brendan Rigsbee, a redshirt freshman, led the Bobcats in 3-point shooting percentage, going 50% from behind the arc (3-for-6) for a total of 14 points. He also shot a

out five to his teammates.

Thomas

fin-

ished with three points, going

3-for-3

from

the

free-throw

line.

“That was an allaround great team win,” said Ryan Aquino, GC’s first-year head coach.

“We

had

nine

guys

dressed. All nine played, and all nine scored.”

A change defensively helped turn the game

perfect 6-for-6 from be-

around for the Bobcats.

hind the free-throw line.

“We put a new de-

Christian

Koneman

fense together that we

Anjali Shenoy | Digital Media Editor

GC’s Cheer Team at the Men’s Basketball Senior Night

they plan to approach

we are starting to look

said. “It is very sad. I love

to mention we had five

this final game like it is

like we are doing that.”

playing this game, so

guys in double-digits.”

and

it is hard to accept that

se-

it is all over, and I have

ed their season with a

game on Saturday, and if

niors, senior night is

to go do actual work.”

nail-biting loss to Co-

we win it, we have a re-

not just another game.

Rierson was ecstatic

lumbus State 67-65. The

ally good chance to make

“It definitely means

about his team’s perfor-

team will now begin

the Peach Belt Tourna-

a lot more, with it be-

mance on senior night.

preparations for the next

ment,” Aquino said. “My

ing the last time we get

“It has to be a 10 out

year as they came up

have

goal the whole year has

to show out for the fans

of 10,” Rierson said. “The

short of making the Peach

a piece. Of their 14 re-

one remaining game on

been to play our best bas-

we have been playing in

ball movement, as well as

Belt Conference tour-

bounds, six came from

their schedule, and de-

ketball at the end of the

front of for what feels like

the team chemistry, were

nament. They ended the

under the Saints’ rim.

spite their poor record,

season, and right now,

forever now.” Koneman

at an all-time high — not

year with a 9-18 record.

player

had not run in months,”

to score in the dou-

Aquino said. “We had a

ble-digits,

13

couple problems with it

shoot-

in the first half, but we

ing 50% from the field.

cleaned them up at half-

Both Koneman and

time, and the guys made

was

the

points

fifth

scoring

while

Sloan led the team in rebounds, having seven

all

the The

adjustments.”

Bobcats

game one of the season.

“We have one more

For the

Koneman

rest

of

the

GC baseball struggles in first home series

The

Bobcats

end-

Emily Henderson

The final game of the

Felt entered the game

left on base after se-

Nolan Belcher. “But we

little bit. Adrenaline was

Staff Writer

series was a slow game for

with two men on base

nior

Hunt-

played to the best of

flowing, but it was really

the Bobcats. Freshman

and no outs. Felt put out

er Baker struck out.

our ability, and we will

good. It was not how we

pitcher John Luke Glan-

the fire, striking out the

The rest of the game

be back to work next

wanted it to go, but it was

ton made his first career

first two batters he faced,

was

hit-

week and continue to

exciting

start. His first inning was

while the third batter

ting-wise for the Bob-

try to improve and try

The Bobcats played

a little rocky, but he got

flied out to the right field-

cats. While GC did get

to get better every day.”

their first eight games

GC baseball hosted their first home series of the year on homecoming

weekend,

playing

Feb. 17-19 against Flor-

outfielder

unsuccessful

nonetheless.”

of the season versus

ida Southern University

tough

in a non-conference se-

non-conference

teams, including No. 7

ries. The Bobcats were

Tampa. While GC has

excited to be playing

not seen the results they

back at home despite

had hoped for against

being swept by FSU. The first game of the

these teams, being 1-7,

series was the Bobcats’

it still has given them a

best performance against

good start to the season.

the Mocs. GC could not

“Tough series like that

hold onto their lead, and

with FSU, they are always

FSU came back to tie

great competitors, and

the game in the eighth

they always have a great

inning,

the

team, so it really helps

game into extra innings.

us prepare for the season

A walk and two hits

and who we are going to

in the top of the tenth

face late in the year,” Sapp

lost the Bobcats the

said. “We did it last week

sending

game. Despite having two hits and scoring

Marissa Marcolina | Digital Media Editor

Redshirt-sophomore infielder Dominic Arienzo drives the ball off the bat versus Florida Southern on the weekend of Feb. 18.

with Tampa. We did it with these guys, and we learned a lot as a team.

one run in the bottom of the tenth, GC lost 6-5.

out of the inning, leav-

er, Brandon Bellflower.

on base because of mul-

GC was scheduled to

And we learned that we

GC showed off their

ing two runners on base.

GC started the bottom

tiple walks and hit by

host their first home se-

could play with these

bats in game two of the

The Bobcats first inning

of the second strong with

pitches, the lack of hits

ries of the season Feb.

guys, and we believe it.

series but were out hit

offensively was a quick

a single up the middle

after the second inning

11-12, but it was delayed

It’s all up from here.”

8-16. While they made

three up, three down.

from senior infielder Ben

cost them the game.

due to inclement weather.

The team hopes to

the most contact with

The second inning

Tuten. Tuten stole second

FSU had ten more

“This was my first

turn

things

around

the ball, they were un-

did not go as smoothly

after a strikeout from Jax-

hits than GC during

home series ever at GC,

quickly

and

improve

able to score many runs,

as the first for Glanton.

on Weatherford, putting

the game, including a

so it was exciting,” Felt

their record, especial-

leaving ten men on base.

He faced five batters,

him in scoring position.

big two-run homer in

said, who is playing his

ly

The Mocs had a big first

giving up two walks, a

Junior infielder Palm-

the fourth inning, out-

first season with GC after

teams. Their next home

inning, scoring five runs,

double and two singles,

er Sapp drove home

scoring the Bobcats 9-1.

transferring from Gor-

game is March 1 at 5

and the Bobcats never

which scored three runs.

Tuten with a line drive

“It was a tough week-

don State. “Definitely

p.m. in a one-game series

recovered, losing 13-1.

Senior pitcher Trey

up the middle but was

end,” said GC head coach

got the blood pumping a

against West Georgia.

against

conference

6

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

02.28.2023

SPORTS

Bobcat pitcher in the MLB Bruce Smith

something

Taylor

but the Red Sox found

The decline in play was

back, and I’m able to fin-

reer-high 67 games and

Staff Writer

that other organizations

themselves missing the

due to the shortened sea-

ish out the whole season.”

striking out 62 batters

base-

did not, and in 2019, he

postseason by only a cou-

son because of COVID

In 2021, Taylor and

with an ERA of 3.40.

ball player Josh Taylor,

would make his MLB

ple of games, going 84-78.

along with Taylor bat-

the Red Sox found them-

This level of play

who spent three seasons

debut as a 26-year-old.

In 2020, Taylor ap-

tling

injury.

selves in a bounce-back

turned some heads in the

“It’s not something

year where they managed

Former

GC

as a Boston Red Sock,

in

“Stay

humble

peared in only eight

through

was recently traded to

ago, in January 2023.

graduat-

“He’s an incredibly tal-

ed from GC in 2014

ented player,” said Kan-

with hopes of being

sas City Royals General

drafted later that sum-

Manager J.J. Picollo. “The

mer in the MLB Draft.

injuries have impacted

Taylor would sign with

his

the Philadelphia Phil-

and I’ll share with you:

agent in August 2014.

He can take off there.

After a full year, the would

He’s going to get a great

trade

opportunity. It would not

Taylor, along with a

surprise me one bit —

teammate, to the Arizona

with the change of scen-

Diamondbacks

for bonus slot money.

Courtesy of GC Athletics

remem-

games, all as a relief

we’re really trying to

ber where you came

pitcher, compiling a 1-1

rush right now,” Taylor

from,”

said.

record with an ERA of

said. “In 2020, I kind of

six of the 2021 post-

he would see no play-

In 2019, Taylor ap-

9.82 and seven strikeouts.

rushed back, and it didn’t

season

ing time for the team.

peared in 52 games,

season

kind of go well for the

ing four hits and strik-

re-

was rough for the Red

rest of the season. So, I

ing

would get traded to

cord with an ERA of

Sox and Taylor, where

think right now, we’re

the Boston Red Sox

3.04 and 62 strikeouts.

they found themselves

season

could have gone better,

Taylor would spend three years with the Diamondbacks,

where

In March 2018, he

for

Deven

Marrero.

The Red Sox saw

performance.What

I’ve shared with Boston,

lies as an undrafted free

Phillies

City Royals to trade for Taylor just over a month

the Kansas City Royals.

Taylor

MLB, causing the Kansas

and

always Taylor

compiling

The

a

2-2

debut

The

2020

to make the postseason.

Taylor

pitched games,

two

The

allow-

people 2021

in

out.

ery, his talent, we know his knee is healthy — if he has a great year. And that’s how the game goes.

There’s risk on both ends.”

The 29-year-old pitcher looks to continue to make GC proud as he

season

suits up this next sea-

just making sure we’re

is the season Taylor

son and as he hopes to

at the bottom of their

taking all the right steps

needed to increase his

have a long, success-

division, going 24-36.

to make sure I come

value pitching in a ca-

ful career in the MLB.

Shing wins second straight PBC player of the week

Courtesy of GC Athletics

Sophia Shing throws the ball up to serve

Christian Castillo

land, Australia, arrived

habra and won 6-0 in

State.

on the team this season.

at GC in Fall 2021 and

singles

Emman-

“I think that I played

“She has had a huge

ten-

immediately shined. She

uel’s Soleny Gonzalez.

very well,” Shing said. “It

impact on the team

nis team is off to a great

holds a career record of

Against Valdosta State,

is one of the best match-

since she has gotten

start to the season with

48-25 for the Bobcats,

Shing went 2-0 again,

es I have played this sea-

here and continues to

a record of 5-1. The

including a spectacular

with wins in both a dou-

son, though we have not

grow into a great player

Bobcats started the sea-

15-4 record last season.

bles and singles match.

played many matches.”

and great leader,” Flem-

son 2-0 with dominant

Shing holds a doubles

She won doubles 6-3

wins

Emmanuel

record of 21-12 and a

and Valdosta State. In

singles record of 27-13.

Staff Writer The

women’s

over

both of these early sea-

Against

Emmanu-

over

Valdosta

sity while using what I learned from last season.”

There is no doubt that the team is playing extremely well right now,

attributes

ing said. “She creates

and Shing is a danger-

alongside the same team-

her success to time.

a positive atmosphere

ous asset on the court.

mate, Shradha Chhabra,

“Having more experi-

and won 6-1 in singles

ence, as this is my second

motivating both herself

State’s

season, as well as hav-

and us, her teammates.”

Kohoutkova.

ing two fall semesters.”

Shing said she planned

her

Senior Emma Fleming

to keep playing at this

Shing

through

pushing

and

son conference clashes,

el, Shing swept both a

over

sophomore Sofia Shing

doubles and a singles

Natalie

produced player-of-the-

match 6-0. She won

Shing

week

performances.

doubles 6-0 alongside

thoughts on her per-

commented on the effect

level by “playing with

Shing, from Auck-

teammate Shradha Ch-

formance

Shing’s leadership has had

confidence and inten-

Valdosta

shared

against

The Bobcats are looking extremely strong during early season, non- conference play and will look to keep doing so.

7

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

02.28.2023

ARTS & LIFE BRIT AWARDS

Continued from page 1 “I was on album cycle, and I had a No. 1 album, so yeah, there’s many of us,” Charli XCX said. “We’re doing everything right. I don’t think it’s our fault. I think it might be theirs.”

Upon accepting his Artist of the Year award, Styles acknowledged the situation by paying tribute to several British female artists.

“I’m really, really grateful for this, and I’m very aware of my privilege up here tonight,” Styles said. “So, this award is for Rina [Sawayama], Charli [XCX], Florence [Welch], Mabel and Becky [Hill].”

According to “The Guardian,” 60% of the BRIT Awards’ winners were male.

Earlier this year, Styles made a controversial statement at the 2023

Grammys during his acceptance speech for the highest honor of the night, Album of the Year.

“This doesn’t happen to people like me very often,” Styles said.

This caused an uproar of backlash since Styles is a cisgender, white male from England who has already achieved vast success spanning over a decade.

When asking GC students and staff their thoughts on the situation and how the BRIT Awards should have been handled, many had similar opinions.

“I think if you keep it separate, then women actually get a chance to be seen,” said Annabel Hirst, freshman world languages and culture major. “If you have them all as one, women aren’t heard. It’s just men that are nominated, which I don’t think is fair, but I can see why they wanted it to be all-inclusive.”

“It takes a lot more than just making a category neutral to make that category genuinely inclusive of women and nonbinary people,” said Sabrina Hom, a philosophy professor at GC and coordinator of GC’s Department of Women’s and Gender Studies. “The norm is gender is male, and race is white, and cisgender and equal body — all of these things. In terms of our social imagination, it’s treated as the norm and then also becomes the standard of a great performance.”

Further, Hom believes it is important to recognize — and address — the ways in which society’s predominant presentations of gender and race influence our cultural understanding of “great” art.

“There’s a lot that needs to be done to rethink what great performances and great films and

Courtesy of Billboard

Harry Styles swept the board at the 2023 BRIT Awards

great albums and great music look like — not only in terms of gender, but also race,” Hom said.

“I think just saying, ‘Hey, we have a gender-neutral category.

Gender doesn’t matter anymore.’ — obvious-

ly, that’s not true,” Hom said. “This idea that we’ll just take the label off it, and then it’ll really be equal, then it’ll be an equal playing field — that’s not reality. So, there has to be an engagement with that fact, and there

has to be a willingness to figure out what it means.”

As reported by “Euronews.com,” organizers of the BRIT Awards have planned to reevaluate the gender-neutral categories in their annual post-show review.

Cale’s cinema critiques: “White Noise” Did a movie predict the East Palestine train derailment?

Cale Strickland Managing Editor

oped himself — at the

—

Oscar-nominated

scene involving a traf-

noir — à la Paul Thom-

seeing it showcased on

College-on-the-Hill, an

— original song plays,

fic jam in the aftermath

as Anderson’s “Inherent

the Netflix homepage.

idyllic small-town uni-

we see the store’s pa-

of “The Airborne Tox-

Vice,” which, in many

Actually,

versity. His wife, Ba-

trons fascinated by fresh

ic Event,” in particu-

ways, seems to be a sis-

is; it has a Rotten To-

bette Gladney, played

fruit, filling carts with

lar — are breathtaking.

ter film of “White Noise”

matoes Audience Score

by Greta Gerwig, is a

bland boxes of cookies

Yet, by the time the

— and the seams start to

of — oh, yikes — 31%.

stay-at-home

mother

and crackers, and walk-

film hits the two-hour

show a little bit. It starts

Nevertheless, despite

who spends her evenings

ing, in single file, with

mark, what Baumbach

to drift from a cohesive

all of the film’s messy,

leading a — wait for it

impassioned

strides.

is after — some sort of

narrative to more of a

shaggy

posture-correcting

I have been in the bag

melding of the big-bud-

psychedelic dreamscape

found myself moved by

course for the elderly.

for Baumbach for a min-

get, candy-colored spec-

for Baumbach’s — and,

the — rapidly — beating

The peculiar details

ute. His second-to-last

tacle of ‘80s blockbuster

of course, DeLillo’s —

heart at its core. I have

of the Gladneys’ day-

feature film, 2019’s “Mar-

filmmaking and an anx-

fears of and frustrations

no idea how Baumbach

to-day lives are just the

riage Story,” is — proba-

iety-fueled, heady con-

with late-stage capitalism

managed to convince

tip of DeLillo’s absurd-

bly — my favorite film

frontation of Reagan-era

to roam without rein.

one of the biggest cor-

ist iceberg. Each of the

from that year. I only

consumerism — starts to

All in all, it might be

porations in entertain-

story’s characters speaks

say, “Probably,” because

exceed his grasp. Its third

a bit much for the poor

ment to give him $100

in ideas, not words and

of Ari Aster’s “Midsom-

act takes a hard left turn

soul who decides to fire

million to make it, but

sentences. Every line of

mar.” Regardless, “Fran-

into nightmarish neo-

up “White Noise” after

I am glad it happened.

dialogue in Baumbach’s

ces Ha” is one of my fa-

script is managed and

vorite films of all-time.

overwritten,

stamping

Baumbach’s films often

out any semblance of

focus on aspirant east-

human

conversation.

coast creatives riddled

Driver and Gerwig’s per-

with crippling neurot-

formances are fueled by

icism; the shoe fits. Al-

wacky, wide-eyed, cap-

though “White Noise”

ital-‘A’ acting. It is, es-

might, on first glance, ap-

sentially, two hours and

pear to be a detour from

change of Driver, Gerwig

his past projects, it is the

and Don Cheadle, who

manifestation of all of the

of noxious gas and forc-

plays Murray Siskind,

feelings he has been after

ing the residents of fic-

one of Jack’s fellow pro-

throughout his entire ca-

tional town Blacksmith,

fessors, bemoaning soci-

reer — to the nth degree.

Ohio, to evacuate. As

ety’s commodification of

the prospect of small-

every aspect of our lives.

comes some of the stron-

scale societal collapse

For instance, the film’s

gest filmmaking of his

looms large, DeLillo’s

final scene, which serves

career. Baumbach has

materialistic melancho-

as its thesis statement,

never been afforded a

lia shifts from domestic

features the Gladneys

budget this big before.

despair to mobile mania.

— and, seemingly, every

Even as a long-time fan,

film

other family in Black-

I did not know he had

follows Jack Gladney,

smith — dancing up

this — true-blue Spiel-

played by Adam Driv-

and down the aisles of

bergian spectacle — in

er, a professor of “Hitler

the town’s supermarket.

him. Some of the sec-

studies” — an academ-

As “New Body Rhum-

ond-act set pieces he is

ic discipline he devel-

ba,” LCD Soundsystem’s

able to put together — a

When I made the 45-minute drive from my middle-of-nowhere hometown,

Loganville,

Georgia, into the Atlanta Perimeter to see Noah Baumbach’s

adaptation

of Don DeLillo’s 1985 classic, “White Noise,” back in December, I could not have imagined real-life headlines mirroring the film’s farfetched plot. Yet, just two months later, here we are. The Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio — where sections of “White Noise” were filmed — has produced a plight on-par with “The Airborne Toxic Event,” the fulcrum of DeLillo’s timeless tale.

In its second act, a train hauling hazardous chemicals derails, forming a fuming cloud

Baumbach’s

—

With

those

ideas

it

definitely

trappings,

I

8

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

02.28.2023

ARTS & LIFE

Netflix? More like Netflop.

The egg crisis Shaw Coggin Staff Writer

From eggs to cake to pasta to breakfast burritos, eggs are used in just about everything.

Recently, though, the price for them has increased drastically. This has led to many theories, including a very popular one that involves the famed multi-billionaire Bill Gates.

The theory states that Gates, who owns a large number of the farms in America, has been keeping the eggs for himself, resulting in raised prices.

This has been a common business practice used by monopolies in the past.

Though this theory has been debunked by many reliable and trusted sources, there are those who still believe in the theory — or at least that Gates is somehow involved.

One of the possible causes for the shortage of eggs is the dreaded avian flu. Those who think that Gates is involved with this have said that he flooded Africa with vaccinated chickens and caused the avian pandemic.

An interesting fact that some have brought up is the fact that the flu mostly affected big agriculture and not the local, small farmers we get our eggs from. If true, this would throw a wrench in the avian flu story — and at those who believe in it.

GC students like freshman marketing major Jared Smith do not believe any of these the-

ories hold any validity.

“Personally, I don’t believe in that theory, but I wouldn’t put it past him,” Smith said. “I think it’s probably inflation is just happening, and the prices of eggs are just going up because of that.”

Though many share the same sentiment as Smith, there are those like freshman marketing major Jake Garrett, who believes the complete opposite.

“Of course I believe that,” Garrett said. “I think he’s a scumbag for buying all the eggs and making the prices go up.”

He believes Gates is going to great lengths to control the egg market.

“He’s going to his local Publix, his Kroger,” Garrett said. “He’s getting all his workers in, buying all the eggs and reselling them. It’s not cool.”

Unlike Smith and Garrett, there are some that are not fully committed to either side, like freshman nursing major Jenna Hemingway.

“It sounds like something he could do,” Hemingway said.

The whole egg situation has also opened the

door for other conversations about conspiracy theories as well. Smith said that one conspiracy theory that he believes in is one that involves the government.

“The government does a lot of things that they don’t want us to know about,” Smith said.

Garrett, too, has others that he believes in as well.

“Kurt Cobain didn’t kill himself, Zuckerburg is a reptile man, and the Earth is rectangular,” Garrett said.

His message to non-believers is simple and direct.

“They’re dumb,” Garrett said. “They need to grow up and get educated.”

Freshman mass communication major Gracie Hagen said that she doesn’t believe in the Gates theory, though she did have one about the moon landing.

“I think the moon landing might be fake,” Hagen said. “Just when you look at all the things about it, and you realize that they would do it just to get there first — they just have a lot of reasons to fake it,” Hagen said.

Claire O’Neill | Art Director

Lilyanna Kovacheva Senior Writer

On Feb. 1, Netflix announced its plan to enforce stricter password-sharing guidelines. These new guidelines include a strict limit on the number of users that are permitted on each account. IP verification of logins and other tools will be utilized to detect logins from households outside the main holder’s address.

The streaming platform revealed that devices using a Netflix account would need to be logged into their household network every 30 days. Otherwise, the account would be blocked.

According to Netflix’s website, accounts are only allowed to be shared in one household. The website defines a household as the group of people in one house.Netflix states that people who are not in your household will need to sign up for their own account to be able to watch Netflix.

Just days after announcing these new guidelines to enforce less password-sharing, Netflix claimed that the announcement was posted by accident.

“No one’s going to pay for that, because the only reason that people use Netflix is purely because they don’t have ads already,” said Zayne Ridge, freshman Psychology major. “These new changes and ‘accidents’ are just going to open up the opportunity for their competitors to swoop in and give users a reason to switch to another platform.”

Recently, the platform said it will begin notifying their users in Canada through email about their new limitations on who can access their account from outside the account holder’s household. Netflix stated that an ad-supported plan that can be used by one person on one device in one location will be launched — and that plan will cost $5.99 per month.

“I have a few streaming platforms, like Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max and Netflix,” said Matthew Seton, senior marketing major. “I use all of those because they offer a lot of variety, and I don’t have any ads. Some of the accounts are my own. Mainly, my friends and I just share multiple accounts together.”

A GC poll was taken to gauge students’ reactions to the major platforms’ recent actions and announcements. Eleven

percent of students said that they would purchase the Netflix ad-supported plan, while 89% of students said they would not purchase the new plan if it was offered.

Netflix is facing a lot of backlash due to their recent changes, and many students at GC are on the same page.

Eighty-seven percent of GC students surveyed said that they shared an account with users from another household.

“Thankfully, I just use my parents’ Netflix account, so it wouldn’t affect me financially if Netflix did stick to their ‘every 30 day’ rule,” said Kassandra Garland, junior mass communication major. “I wouldn’t personally pay for another Netflix account, but I really do use Netflix, but I’m in college, and I don’t go home every 30 days, so it really feels unfair.”

This new change might cause issues for college students that use their parents’ Netflix account in their college housing. Even though students are still part of the family, they will not qualify under the single-household rule.

“If their account is allowed to have multiple users on it, then why does it matter where the account holder is watching from?” Garland said.

Album Review: Caroline Polachek’s “Desire, I Want to Turn Into You” Cale Strickland Managing Editor

“soph-

remix featuring Charli

those found throughout

claim-

XCX and George Daniel.

Sophie’s sole studio al-

ing yet another victim.

The album’s next three

bum, “OIL OF EVERY

“Pang” is a top-notch

tracks, “Pretty in Possi-

PEARL’S UN-INSIDES.”

pop record in its own

ble,” “Bunny Is a Rider”

Grimes and Dido join

right. It being Polachek’s

and “Sunset” form a triad

in on Polachek’s explo-

first solo fare only set a

of bright, energetic songs

ration of her compli-

near-impossible bar for

I know I will be listening

cated feelings — once

her follow-up to clear. I

to all summer long. “Bun-

contempt and disdain,

thought she might have

ny Is a Rider,” an anthem

now intense affection

come out of the gate too

about the elusive, enig-

— towards the person

hot for her own good.

matic people in our lives,

she finds emotional so-

But, oh, was I wrong.

is definitely my favorite

lace in, “Fly to You.”

“Desire, I Want to Turn

of the three, but “Sun-

“Say you want to show

Into

on-par

set” is a beautiful, warm

me a place; the place is

with — if not outright

piece of flamenco pop.

here; the here is inside

better than — “Pang.”

“Crude Drawing of

you,” Polachek says on the

“Welcome to My Is-

an Angel,” a pitstop one-

opening verse of “Blood

land,” the album’s open-

third of the way through

and Butter,” a four-and-

er, gives listeners a taste

the record, is Polachek’s

a-half-minute

of the masterclass in

heartfelt meditation on

ment of all the feelings

worldbuilding Polachek

the desperation and panic

— affection, desire, long-

pulls off on the rest of the

of attempting to preserve

ing — the album is after.

record. The track’s lyrics

her fading memories of

From there, on the

In a matter of days, I

discuss Polachek’s hopes

someone she has lost.

found myself binging

of escaping the daily

“Look over the edge,

through her discogra-

judgment she receives

but not too far,” Po-

fantasy of existing be-

phy. I was three years

from her family and ex-

lachek mutters at the

yond the barriers of death

late to the “Pang” Par-

isting — on a dreamy,

outset of “I Believe,” a

and time is laid to bare.

ty, but I was hooked.

idyllic island — as a feel-

gut-wrenching tribute to

Naturally, as I sat

ing: desire. Although the

the late, great SOPHIE.

down — on Valentine’s

version of the song that

Polachek’s light, elec-

Day, fittingly — to lis-

made it onto the record’s

ten to “Desire, I Want

Coming off the heels of her first solo album, critical darling “Pang,” Caroline

Polachek,

co-founder of now-disbanded indie-pop outfit

Chairlift,

released

her sophomore project, “Desire, I Want to Turn Into You,” on Feb. 14.

I stumbled upon Polachek’s work after hearing her feature on Charli XCX’s “New Shapes,” one

the

infamous

omore

slump”

You”

is

Courtesy of Wasserman Music

Caroline Polachek

a single “ooh” for 45 sec-

the record exists within.

onds as the instrumental

“I’ve never felt so close

matching

to you,” Polachek repeats

Polachek’s vocals and

over and over as “Bil-

producing a sense of son-

lions” comes to a close.

ic euphoria. Each time I

It appears the goal she

hear it, I think I am go-

outlines on “Welcome to

ing to start levitating.

My Island” — exploring

“Butterfly Net” and

her own desires, con-

“Smoke” serve as a sort

necting with whoever is

of decel lane guiding lis-

the object of her affection

teners from the magical

— has been achieved.

mountaintop of “Hope-

Hooked on the fre-

drunk Everasking” to the

neticism of its titular

album’s closer, “Billions,”

feeling, Polachek’s “De-

bones, and yet, they

with the constant refrain

sire, I Want to Turn Into

won’t,” Polachek says.

of “nah, nah, nah” on

You”

tronic-infused refrain of

“Pull

me

“Smoke” feeling as if Po-

past and the present,

tracklist is near-perfect,

“hah, hah, hah” on the

and never be alone.”

lachek is escorting you

the historic and the hy-

to Turn Into You,” I was

Polachek also released

front half of the song

At the end of the song’s

off of the elliptical, ex-

permodern, crafting a

a little bit worried about

an absolute banger of a

are a clear homage to

second verse, she extends

perimental soundscape

siren song for all-time.

of the singles released in the lead-up to the release of her latest album, “Crash.” Immediately, I was blown away

by Polachek’s angelic, falsetto-fueled

vocals.

ethereal

embodi-

“Hopedrunk

Everasking,”

“They’ll

close

Polachek’s

find

to

our

crescendos,

synthesizes

the

9 02.28.2023

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

ARTS & LIFE

Above: Tent City, one of the biggest events of Homecoming week, was held at the Centennial Center on Saturday.

HOMECOMING Y2K: TENT CITY MAYHEM GCSU 2023

Photos by Anna Leavitt

Above (left): Katie Futch and Jen Crider (right) Collin Zabroske spends time with Sparky at Tent City

10

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

02.28.2023

ARTS & LIFE

The subculture of celebrity pregnancy reveals

Rihanna somehow kept her pregnancy hidden from her fans until the night of Super Bowl LVIII.

Grace Robertson Staff Writer

at Super Bowl LVIII.

Since the controver-

a GC mass commu-

have been a thing that

an opportunity to receive

social control of women’s

a

nication

happened,” Butler said.

sponsorships,

increase

bodies with their pre-

junior

environmental

discussed

topic.

“It would’ve been re-

popularity and venture

sentations of pregnancy.

sial-yet-significant Demi

science

major,

spoke

“I think it has every-

ceived very differently.”

into

Moore 1991 issue of

about the performance.

thing to do with fourth-

Celebrities like Ri-

In

“Vanity Fair,” where she

“I think it’s cool that

photographed her preg-

Wiley

Simmons,

the

industries.

In an interview with

2019,

Danielle

“The

Atlantic,”

Cra-

discussed

some

hanna send a message

Brooks, an actress pop-

mer

no one knew that she

the ‘90s into the 2000’s,

in their performances

ular for her role as Tasha

of the reasons celeb-

nancy nude on the cov-

was

as

in the fact that we’ve

that create conversation

Jefferson on “Orange is

rities feel the need to

er, more celebrities have

soon as everyone saw

had more and more

about gender equality.

The New Black,” an-

share

become

comfortable

her, they were, like, sur-

visible pregnant wom-

“I like that celebrities

nounced her pregnan-

“In the last 10 years,

sharing details in their

prised,” Simmons said.

en

childbearing

are modeling so many be-

cy in an Instagram post

as our obsession with

pregnancy — sometimes

The rise of celebrities’

women,” Respess said.

haviors that then makes

sponsored by Clearblue,

celebrity pregnancy has

revealing their pregnan-

openness in pregnan-

Lily Butler, a fresh-

other people in society

a brand that specializ-

risen, so has other peo-

cies in similar stunts.

cy has led individuals

man music major, talk-

aware,” said author Re-

es in pregnancy tests,

ples’ obsession with con-

Rihanna recently re-

to talk about their im-

ed about how the per-

nee Cramer. “Your ev-

ovulation tests and fer-

trolling the reproduc-

vealed her second preg-

pact and how societal

formance

have

eryday woman can say,

tility

Some

tive capacity of average

nancy with rapper A$AP

norms have changed in

been received if execut-

‘I’m gonna do that too.’”

criticized the post for

women, and [Beyoncé’s]

Rocky during the half-

the past few decades.

ed 20 or 30 years ago.

Many celebrities have

the decision to prof-

image of an empowered

“It probably wouldn’t

used their pregnancies as

it off of a situation as

Black woman embracing

sensitive as pregnancy.

her own autonomy as a

Respess spoke about

reproducing human, I

the difference between

think that resonates with

the

people,” Cramer said.

time show performance

Amanda

so

Respess,

feminism

new

from

pregnant,

wave

professor,

and

may

monitors.

two

announce-

ments and the reac-

These

stories.

choices

to

tion to Brooks’s post.

share more about preg-

“It’s her body,” Respess

nancy may have had an

said. “It’s her pregnancy,

impact on how preg-

and she’s about to put in

nancy

is

presented.

a ton of work as a mom

“I think it helps the

who’s expecting, so if she

everyday woman when

wants to partner with

a celebrity steps up and

Clear Blue and have that

makes those boundar-

partnership, that’s great.”

ies very clear because I

Cramer’s 2015 book,

think it sets an example

“Pregnant

With

the

for women who may be

Watching

and

hesitant to do that, but

Wanting the Celebrity

seeing somebody with

Baby Bump” discusses

that kind of power make

how women like Beyon-

those choices, it makes it

cé have pushed back on

possible,” Respess said.

Stars:

Claire O’Neil | Art Director

their

11

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

02.28.2023

OPINION

Is Hollywood Demonic?

Abigayle Allen

symbolizing

satanism

He even released a chil-

for this video, Lil Nas X

children from his fame

lieve and what someone

Opinion Editor

once they reach peak

dren’s book, “C is for

partnered with MSCHF,

with “Old Town Road.”

should not believe. Ev-

fame. Many artists, in-

Country,” leaning into

an American art collec-

Did Lil Nas X go too far,

ery person should have

cluding (but not limited

his popularity within the

tion, and released 666

or is this self-expression

a right to their personal

to) Beyoncé, Travis Scott,

younger community. In

pairs of his Satan shoes

acceptable? Many other

feelings and beliefs, but

Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Bil-

2021, however, Lil Nas

that had the Bible verse

artists have leaned into

when you hold a position

lie Eilish, Lady Gaga,

X released his hit “Mon-

Luke 10:18, explaining

including satanic sym-

of power, I think that

On February 5th, the 65th Grammy Awards took

place,

honoring

many names within the music

industry.

Fans

were greeted with many performances from their favorite artists, including some performances that should never have been seen. Sam Smith performed their newest hit, “Unholy,” with Kim Petras, where they were seen wearing a hat with devil horns while Petras danced in a cage high-

Trippie Redd and so on

bolism in their music

have been reported to

videos. In her song “All

show satanic symbolism

the Good Girls Go to

within their concerts,

Hell,” Billie Eilish first

music videos and con-

appears wearing white

tent put out on social

angel wings in the begin-

media. Any person has

ning of the music video,

freedom to believe what

but after falling to hell,

they want to believe.

her wings turn black,

However, when a person

and

is placed in a position

dancers appear in the

of power and influence,

flames behind her. In her

how much is too much?

song “Hold Up,” Beyoncé

lighted by red lights. Re-

Lil Nas X won fame

gardless of Smith trying

with his production of

to lean into the title of

“Old Town Road” in

their song, this seems to

2019. After its roaring

be a trend within Hol-

success, he began per-

lywood. Over the years,

forming this hit to chil-

many artists and actors

dren, including a group

have been reported as

of fifth graders from an

being a part of a cult or

Ohio elementary school.

Courtesy of Art Director | Claire O’Neill

tero (Call Me By Your

Judas’s fall from heaven,

Name)” accompanied by

and human blood with-

a music video where Lil

in the red section of the

Nas X demonstrates sex-

shoe. Fans were outraged

ually explicit biblical and

at this depiction of Sa-

satanic imagery. After

tanism, as much of his

receiving heavy backlash

audience consisted of

her

background

shows a Bible sinking in water after singing lines about meeting the devil.

discretion is necessary.

Some of these artists are idolized by younger generations and, rather than taking on their favorite popstar’s belief, children should have the right to be influenced by their families and own influences to form opinions.

Moreover, when did it become a trend to include satanic symbolism in the music industry?

Whether it is a rite of

This glamourization of

passage or an expression

hell has become a trend

of personal beliefs, it is

for artists, but how does

my opinion that artists

it affect certain audi-

should censor their con-

ences? I cannot speak to

tent before allowing it

what someone should be-

to be seen by the public.

My Hot Takes as a Senior in College Abigayle Allen

eration put high value

that it’s overpriced and

women and men around

on either being Repub-

that many of the more

the world gather in front

lican

Democratic.

unusual things that you

of the TV to enjoy the

tled to their own opin-

Our social landscape is

will find on the shelf end

latest episode of “The

ions and beliefs about the

almost defined by being

up not living up to their

Bachelor.” I cannot un-

world. These differences

a far right-winger or left-

description. Bottom-line,

derstand the obsession

are what help our society

ist. When voting, rather

any other grocery store

with shows that are so

grow and change over-

than having the option

is just as good, if not

obviously fake. I think

time. For this week, I de-

to vote for the best can-

better. 4) “The Office”

that maybe the first cou-

cided to hop on the trend

didate, many people are

is criminally unfunny.

ple of seasons were good

where I discuss my top

pressured to take a side.

I hear so many of my

and slightly enjoyable.

hot takes regarding food,

Coming from a family

friends speak about how

However, it has become

school and life in gener-

that is divided between

funny they think “The

worse and worse as more

al. 1) Starbucks is superi-

the two, I have been privy

Office” is and that there

series are produced. This

or to Dunkin’. I feel like

to many political debates.

is something wrong with

can be said for any of

this take could be a topic

Instead of joining in, I

me for not liking it. I am

the popular reality TV

of debate for my fellow

listened and took note of

sorry, but if I fall asleep

shows, including (but

caffeine fanatics. Com-

how uncomfortable the

not once, not twice but

not limited to) “Too Hot

ing from an ex-Dunkin’

situations were. I would

three times during the

to Handle”, “Love Island”,

employee, I think that

like to say I take a neutral

first episode, there is no

“Selling Sunsets.” If you

the quality of espresso

stance when looking at

way I am sticking around

are a fan of watching

politics and forming my

to finish the series. I

scripted drama with ter-

own educated opinions.

know that everyone who

rible actors, reality TV

Opinion Editor Every person is enti-

beans and coffee beans at Starbucks have a stron-

or

Colton Underwood former contestant on “The Bachelor”

dent. I also realize that

part in online classes

many of us are young

for an entire year after

adults and must begin taking on tasks that do

the outbreak of the pandemic. Shifting back into

not always allow for us to attend these sessions.

Whether you have a job

in-person classes is not always the easiest once

and you need to pick

you get used to learning

up another shift so you

in a certain way. I am in

can afford rent, or you

no way telling you not

ger flavor and a stronger

3) Trader Joe’s is overrat-

is an avid fan of “The

is for you.6) Class atten-

effect. Dunkin’ tends to

ed. Okay, so this one may

Office” says that once

dance should not affect

be watered down with

definitely

some

you make it past the first

a student’s grade. I un-

too much sugar, cream

feathers, but I think that

season, it gets better, but

derstand the principle

and syrup that you in-

Trader Joe’s can be classi-

if I must suffer through

behind showing up to

ment that you must go

evitably lose the coffee

fied as a bandwagon fad

an entire season just to

class and making sure

to, sometimes making

flavor you most desire.

that many people jump

get to the good part of a

you are comprehending

it to class is simply out

2) Taking a Switzerland

on after seeing their fa-

show, it is a no from me.

the lectures and class

of the question. After

stance. I think a lot of

vorite influencer shop

5)Reality TV is overrat-

participation grades that

COVID-19, many of us

on a test, why fail them

people during our gen-

there. Personally, I think

ed. On Monday nights,

come from being a stu-

were sent home and took

for

ruffle

have a doctor’s appoint-

to go to class, but if a student has their work submitted, and they are making

bad

good

grades

attendance?

12

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

02.28.2023

OPINION HISTORY

hold when communi-

Continued from page 1

cating and documenting

They claim that the

facts. It can be painfully

event was simply Allied

easy for these people to

propaganda

was

withhold certain details

crafted to ruin German

or write in a manipula-

reputation and villain-

tive manner that skews

ize the people. This an-

the opinion of the public.

ti-sematic

viewpoint

This has also proven to be

essentially works to dull

true in the way that the

down the severities of

history of slavery in the

the event or to wash

United States is commu-

away the stain that Na-

nicated by modern his-

zism left on Germany.

torians and sociologists.

Although there are not

In the “SpringerLink”

many that believe in

article “The denial of

parochialism has blind-

slavery to history. Fi-

taking place when slav-

certain way, there are

this obvious and em-

slavery in contemporary

ed US sociologists to

nally, theoretical frame-

ery was an active prac-

going to be members of

barrassing

American

sociology,”

the complex interweav-

works that revise en-

tice in the United States.

the public that take their

soon enough, time will

author Orlando Patter-

ing of enslavement with

slavement as ‘ennobling’

People try to dissect the

word for it. Unfortunate-

pass to where survivors

son dives further into

the systems of oppres-

erase the long-term ef-

past and make excuses

ly, this is not an issue

of this event are no lon-

the ways that slavery is

sion that sociology has

fects of psychological

for inexcusable actions.

that can really be repri-

ger living. It will become

not properly commu-

decided to care about.

and physical violence

History and how it is

manded. It will continue

easier to pass along fab-

nicated in this country.

Second, presentism, an

on

the

described is largely based

to be in the position of

ricated stories to the

“In this paper I ex-

historical ‘account’ of

of

enslaved

peoples.”

on the perception of the

historians and educators

generation.

plain this scholarly ne-

the past that culminates

There are certain as-

ones writing about it. If a

to keep their integrity in-

Situations such as this

glect as stemming from

in a preference for pres-

pects of history sociol-

historian goes on record

tact when conveying the

one bring to light the true

three factors,” Patterson

ent-day events and in-

ogy that diminish the

to say that a certain event

important

power that historians

said. “First, disciplinary

stitutions, has relegated

true horrors that were

in history happened a

of the past to the people.

younger

that

conspiracy,

The Holocaust Memorial at California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco

descendants

information

Book bans in the education system A protection of innocence or an abuse of control?

Hannah Adams

but instead that they do

innocence, but this is not

book portrays the life

faulty morality behind

nying the experiences of

Asst. Opinion Editor

not want their children

the same as shielding

story of a young African

book banning becomes

others, you can get away

to be exposed to sexu-

them from becoming ed-

American girl named

transparent. It should

al content. This excuse

ucated on the real societal

Celie growing up in

be criminal for the ed-

with harmful and prob-

is flimsy in nature, giv-

issues this country faces.

Georgia during the ear-

ucation systems to try

en that the targeting of

Banning books that shed

ly 1900s. The book does

and shelter young peo-

books containing refer-

light on the harsh truths

not shy away from harsh

ple from being able to

In public education systems, the term “book banning” is used when a certain piece of literature is prohibited from being taught in schools, includ-

lematic behaviors. While yes, these topics can be difficult, horrifying and sad to read about, they are also real and deserve

ed on reading lists or be-

to be voiced. The youth

ing housed in libraries.

of today should not be

The reason for a book

sheltered

ban can vary. A book can

from

learn-

ing the truth about their

be banned for being con-

country and its founda-

sidered sexually explicit, offensive in language,

tions. They should also

inappropriate for under-

not be kept from reading

age individuals, violent

about the experiences

or holding a certain re-

of others and identity.

ligious viewpoint that is

Trying to keep young

deemed unsuitable. Oth-

people from this infor-

er times, a ban can be in

mation is a cowardly act

place due to references

that should not continue.

to elements like witch-

Although it can be a dif-

craft or themes of death.

ficult truth to face, this

While in some circumstances, a book ban

country did not begin on

is rightly in place, there

righteous

are times when this sys-

foundations,

Claire O’Neill | Art Director

and it is dangerous to

tem is taken advantage

ences to the LGBTQ+

and realities of this coun-

truths, and throughout

learn and understand

keep the youth of today

of by those with a more

community is clear as

try will prevent youths

the story, Celie encoun-

the tragic reality of their

from truly understand-

manipulative intent. In

day. While the concern of

from being able to grow

ters racism, sexism, abuse

country’s

recent years, this meth-

children being exposed

and learn from their be-

and questions of her sex-

By keeping them from

ing this. This is not to say

od has been used as a

to sexual content is val-

haviors and understand

uality.

banned

having access to this cur-

scapegoat to ban books

id, it is the insinuation

why certain actions may

from school systems, the

riculum, it is denying

that touch on topics like

that any content relating

be harmful to others.

primary reasons were

the experience of the af-

racism or identity. Often,

to the LGBTQ+ commu-

A commonly known

the book’s references to

flicted and a sad attempt

those trying to ban these

nity is inherently sexu-

banned book in the Unit-

homosexuality, violence

at not taking account-

books argue that it has

al that is the problem.

ed States is Alice Walk-

and explicit language.

ability. It is teaching the

the idea that maybe this

nothing to do with the

It is important to pro-

er’s “The Color Purple.”

It is situations such

young people of today

list and its intentions

covering of these issues

tect and preserve a child’s

Written in 1982, Walker’s

as this one where the

that by ignoring and de-

need to be reevaluated.

When

foundations.

that there are no books that are not deserving of a book ban in education systems. It is simple to draw attention to