3-6-24

Illustration by Carrington Bryan | Photos by Kaylee Uribe and Nate Yonamine

The Pitt News The inde p e nde nt st ude nt newspaper of the University of Pittsburgh | PIttnews.com | March 6, 2024 ­| Volume 114 | Issue 115 pittnews.com

March 6, 2024

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AS NOROVIRUS SPREADS ACROSS CAMPUS, STUDENTS RECOUNT THEIR EXPERIENCES Free 20oz Pitt Aluminum Bottle

Current Locations: Litchfield Towers Lobby William Pitt Union University Store on Fifth Baierl Fitness Center

$50

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Access for the entire Spring 2024 semester

An electron micrograph of the norovirus. Image via Wikimedia Commons

Kyra McCague Staff Writer

Across the country, cases of the norovirus are climbing. Panther Central sent out an email on March 2 with confirmation of at least one case of the virus on campus, but more students have discussed getting the stomach sickness over the last week.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus, with infected individuals commonly exhibiting symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain. It spreads from person to person and through contaminated water, food and surfaces. Because the test for the virus is relatively difficult to do in a doctor’s office, most people are diagnosed based on symptoms.

When Bella Bilec, a first-year neuroscience major, woke up sick on Thursday night, she went to Student Health Services. She had no idea where she could have gotten the virus from, though Student Health services suggested it was likely food contaminated with the virus.

In the email sent out to students living in on-campus housing on March 2, Panther Central said the University is “working with staff from our Dining, Housing and Environmental Health and Safety teams, we are completing additional cleaning and sanitizing measures in campus dining and housing locations as preventative actions.”

“They can't confirm it 100 percent,” Bilec said. “But they assumed. They told me it's probably from The Eatery.”

Bilec exhibited symptoms of nausea and then vomiting from around 1 a.m. to 8 a.m.

“Then I just felt like super wiped out for the rest of the weekend,” Bilec said.

First-year biology major Maria Ahmad also got sick with the virus around the same time.

“I was projectile vomiting on Friday, so I threw up like eight times in six hours,” Ahmad said. "I couldn't stop throwing up. I couldn't eat anything because I would just throw it back up.”

Initially, Ahmad thought she had food poi-

March 6, 2024

soning because she couldn’t figure out anyone she would have caught it from.

“Nobody I was really exposed to was super sick,” Ahmad said. “So I don't think I got it from someone else. That never crossed my mind.”

A couple of hours after she came down with the virus, her roommate also began getting sick, though the two were apart most of the day.

Ahmad noted that lots of other people on her floor also had the virus.

“The more and more people I talked to, everybody knows somebody that's gotten it,” Ahmad said.

Ahmad took the entire weekend to recover, estimating that it took three days, though she still doesn’t have an appetite. Despite how sick she was, she still considers herself lucky because she didn’t miss any classes.

“I was physically not functioning Saturday and Sunday,” Ahmad said. “I slept the entire day.”

Bilec missed all of her classes on Friday including a chemistry lab, which she said has been difficult to make up.

“I had to go and get an excuse,” Bilec said.

“And I don’t even know if it's approved yet.

That has been hard to make sure I'm not getting a zero on that lab.”

Joana Aguilar, a first-year biology major, avoided coming down with norovirus, even though her roommate had it. In an effort to avoid getting sick, Aguilar made sure the room was clean by taking precautions such as wiping down surfaces and taking out the trash.

“I felt really bad for her, but honestly we kind of just ventilated the room like we usually did,” Aguilar said. “She took precautions herself. We kept everything clean.”

Ahmad described having the norovirus as “the worst thing ever.” As it continues to spread, she recommended basic precautions to avoid coming down with it.

“Just wash your hands,” Ahmad said. “It's really nasty, so you don't want to get it.”

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SGB HOSTS WOMEN IN POLITICS PANEL

Panelists speak during a Women in Politics event hosted by Student Government Board on Monday in the William Pitt Union. Emma Hannan | Staff Writer

Emma Hannan Staff Writer

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Student Government Board hosted a Women in Politics panel on March 4 featuring a panel of women involved in politics. During the event, the panelists shared insights into their political work, discussing their entry into the field and the ways their career has been shaped as a woman.

Panel moderator Kristin Kanthak, an associate professor of political science at Pitt, remembered how her childhood shaped her career.

“I come from a family where politics was a sport and we would debate issues and I kind of took it to a whole new level,” Kanthak said. “I decided to go to graduate school for political science.”

Meanwhile, senior politics and philosophy major Hattie Lindsey mentioned how the differing views she saw growing up in Fayette County encouraged her to find groups and organizations she aligned with.

“I believe it’s one of the most Republican counties in the entire state,” Lindsey said.

“For me, not necessarily aligning with that, it was always a bit of a struggle with my political beliefs compared to my peers. I think that initially sparked my interest in just kind of seeing those divisions. As I got into high school, I got involved with a program locally called Girl Up where I really found a community of like-minded people who wanted to do good for others.”

While Lindsey got her political start through high school, Madi Pryor, executive director of South West Regional Chamber of Commerce, was originally involved with magazine writing and film before moving to Pittsburgh.

After moving, Pryor said she fell into her role after her involvement with the Chamber of Commerce candidates in her marketing job.

“I went out to the network for a chamber event and sat down with the board of directors.

A few months later, they said, ‘The executive

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director position is opening and we think you should interview,’” Pryor said.

For students looking for political internships and opportunities such as the Chamber, Kanthak said one of the biggest things students can do is expand their definition of politics and get involved in grassroots work.

“We do a lot of community engagement work in Fayette County and talk about how Pitt can partner with Fayette to make the country better,” Kanthak said. “90% of the people in these rooms are small business owners. These people are having a real positive effect on their communities. If you’re willing to put in the work, you can make a lot of changes.”

From her research at Pitt, Kanthak said there can be barriers preventing women from becoming involved with politics.

"We did an experiment where we had a math task and said ‘We’ll pay you a quarter for every math problem you did right.’ We then said, ‘We’re going to experiment again, but this time, you’re going to be paid based on a representative from your group,’ and asked if they’re willing to be the volunteer for the group,’” Kanthak said. “Women didn’t do it, and it did not matter how good they were at the task.”

To get women to run for office, Kanthak said it’s important to turn something into a volunteer activity instead of a competitive activity and look for role models.

“You don’t even have to win to have an effect when you’re running for office or doing anything else,” Kanthak said.

Lindsey, previous president of Pitt’s Mock Trial team, reflected on gaining confidence to run for the position.

“I ran with some of my best friends at the time, and that was helpful,” Lindsey said. “Even if you have an idea that you want to run for something that you’re nervous about, it helps to talk to your friends and they will likely encourage you because they’ll see how qualified you are for that position.”

Salute to the Grads of 2024

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March 6, 2024

3

r eview

LIVE-ACTION ‘AVATAR’ SERIES BRINGS NEEDED REPRESENTATION, BUT FALLS SHORT OF THE ORIGINAL Irene Castillo Staff Writer

A few things made me the critical thinker I am today — my mother, Luisa Capetillo’s feminist literature and “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” The show cemented my beliefs in what freedom truly means and explained the pressure of power and how to face colonial situations that feel too close to home. And it has a flying bison, Appa. Need I say more?

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” ran from 2005 to 2008 on Nickelodeon, quickly becoming a cult classic. The 61-episode series follows the growth of a young monk called Aang, who — as the Avatar and the only person who can control all elements — needs to bring balance to a world filled with violent colonization and a growing dictatorship. The animation format of the show allowed us to enjoy a full blaze of colorful fires, the striking wind, water whips and the auditory world of earth bending through a nerdy, political, laugh-

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out-loud funny and comforting script.

However, in this day and age, no great animated media can rest in peace without a live-action remake.

The show’s first live-action adaptation, a 2010 fever dream, consists of an extremely white and not diverse cast fighting against the people of color in the Fire Nation — Dev Patel did an amazing job, and no one can take that away from me. The necessity of a new live-action series rose from the need to accurately represent the extremely diverse world of the Avatar, from the Inuit and Yupik cultures seen through the Water Tribes, Tibetan Buddhist Monks high up in the Air Temples, Imperial Japan through the Fire Nation and the monarchs of China with the Earth Kingdom.

To bring in white people for these roles kills the whole point of the show. I needed to see this show with its true cultural authenticity.

When the cast was announced for the Netflix show, I was so glad. The lineup featured Kiawen-

Gordon Cormier and Robert Falconer in “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2024).

Photo by Robert Falconer/Netflix via IMDB tiio Tarbell, who broke my heart in “Anne with an E” on Netflix, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu and Gordon Cormier. They seemed great for the messy, emotional, teenage angst team that made up the Gaang.

Yet, when the original show creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko parted the project in June 2020 due to “creative differences” with Netflix, I knew I could not expect anything from the show. I still wrote myself up to review the show for The Pitt News because there was a small part of 15-year-old Irene who wanted to cry over Princess Yue again.

The first few episodes focus on depicting the pain and grief that comes with fighting a war —

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or even choosing not to — for 100 years. The loss and grief are not yet apparent to the main characters. Aang, Katara and Sokka’s adventures kind of blur in the background, as if they were only observers. Katara’s fury against the Fire Nation and her envy over not being a naturally talented bender are gone. Katara is now a kind “motherly figure” to the team, all hugs and caring for their pain. Sokka is no longer funny — maybe a bit of dry humor is sprinkled there, but my favorite prepubescent macho man, desperate to become the big leader of the team, is gone.

Aang is no longer on his journey to become the Avatar, but he jumps directly into taking See Avatar on page 9

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PITT STAGES PLAY

‘THAT’S NOT HOW I REMEMBER IT’

FINDS COMEDY IN MEMORY AND ‘80S NOSTALGIA Daniella Levick Staff Writer

The Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre swelled with laughter last Friday as it hosted the Pitt Stages production of “That’s Not How I Remember It.'' The one-act play, which ran from March 1 to March 3, was written by playwright, novelist and educator Don Zolidis and directed by junior social work major and theater arts minor Ty’Mariya Moss.

The play follows a mom and dad recounting radically different versions of the story of how they met in 1986 to their child. Through their dual perspectives, “That’s Not How I Remember It” reimagined the ageold he-said, she-said debate to question the accuracy of memory and expose the stereotypes of the 1980s.

Maddie Decker, a junior English fiction writing and theater arts major, was assistant stage manager on the play alongside first-year business major Colin Eccher. She said “That’s Not How I Remember It” is a mordant but comical exploration of the '80s.

“I would describe it as an amalgamation of every '80s stereotype you can think of perfectly crafted into a satire that will leave everyone laughing,” Decker said.

Family, friends and students packed into the small theater on opening night, and sure enough, they howled with laughter from the beginning to the end. The audience was especially responsive to the gang of rough waitresses, the faux karate fights set to Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and the foreign exchange student Mom and Dad argued was Finnish and Indian, respectively.

Samuel Couch, a sophomore business and theater arts major, played the role of Dad. Couch did stage management with Pitt Stages last semester but made his Pitt Stages acting debut in “That’s Not How I Remember It.” He said Dad contributes to the hilarity of the play through his version of events, but the efficacy of his recollection is up for debate.

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Students perform in the Pitt Stages production of “That’s Not How I Remember It” in the Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre. Image via Pitt Stages “I think a lot of what’s at the root of this character is kind of, you know, wanting to bring some brevity and light to the situation … all around trying to be silly and goofy,” Couch said. “It’s a debate we’ve had as a cast whether or not he actually believes the story he’s telling, or if he’s just telling it to get a laugh out of his kid.”

Dad’s hyper-masculine perspective contested Mom’s feminist-leaning perspective, which emphasized the disparity between typical female and male representation in ‘80s cinema. The play made a direct reference to the genre of films it critiqued when Dad accused Mom of recreating John Hughes’ 1984 rom-com “Sixteen Candles” in her version of events.

Gianna Healy, a first-year biology major with a minor in theater arts, played Jessica and Nurse 1. Nurse 1 was only present in Dad’s version of events, but she said the depth of Jessica fluctuated depending on which parent was telling the story.

“I definitely have to play two different visions of Jessica, one with thoughts and feelings and the other whose … one of the lines is ‘I’m just a girl, my brain isn’t made for thinking,’” Healy said, laughing.

The play overtly portrayed gender stereotypes to critique their real-life impact, not propagate them, Healy said.

“Honestly, every bit of this show that points out

something that’s problematic in any way is for the sake of calling it out,” Healy said. “It’s poking fun at these harsh mentalities that were seen in these stereotypical ‘80s movies and shows and then were carried with this generation that grew up watching the movies.”

Alyssa Dausch, a sophomore elementary education major, played Lola, the younger version of Mom. Dausch said playing two variations of Lola, as well as the fast pace of production, was challenging but enjoyable.

“I think the quickness of the process has been a little bit hard,” Dausch said. “In Mom’s version, Lola is kind of quintessential '80s girl, more like has her own spirit, and then in Dad’s version, she’s a total stereotypical heartthrob girl and very dramatic and over the top. So playing those two opposite each other and switching up each scene is a little bit more difficult, but it’s really fun.”

Decker said from her perspective, the production time wasn’t a challenge because of the incredible effort of those involved.

“The pace of the show is different to what I’ve done in the past, but I don’t think it’s been too challenging,” Decked said. “Our cast is great, they’ve been great with everything we’ve gone through so far … the stage management team is fantastic, the directors are fantastic. It’s just been a really great process so far.”

Sharing the behind-the-scenes workload with an-

March 6, 2024

other assistant stage manager was a welcome change from her last Pitt Stages production, Decker said.

“I was the only assistant stage manager on [Corsicana], and it’s nice having another assistant stage manager this show,” Decker said.

“Having more hands on the set is so helpful to the process, and it’s just like a lot more fun, frankly.”

Healy also praised the creative team. She said the artistic freedom Moss granted them was a notable, welcome change from her theater experiences in high school.

“In the past, it was ‘what the director says is what you’re doing and end of story,’ but here, there’s so much room for freedom and growth in your character,” Healy said. “Ty’Mariya is driving the bus, but all of us get a say. So it’s really cool.”

The modest set, which consisted of a small couch, rug and end table, created a lively atmosphere.

On stage, multicolored overhead lights and geometric decals framing the two exits represented the chromatic diversity of the '80s, while the actors' comb overs, sunglasses and leather jackets spoke for the fashion of the time. A few audience members contributed to the theme, too, by sporting bomber jackets and flare jeans.

Evan Knott, a sophomore communications major who starred as Barry, the young version of Dad, said he hopes people see there is depth to be gleaned from the play, even with its conspicuous comical elements.

“It’s one of those things where I feel like even though it might just seem like a little bit goofy and it might just be like a good old fun time, I feel like there can be an interesting message behind it,” Knott said. “It makes you think, ‘How did you act previously?’ And ‘how do you look back upon it now?’”

5

PITT MEN’S BASKETBALL PATH TO MARCH MADNESS Jermaine Sykes

Assistant Sports Editor move them to 19-12, and 10-10 in the ACC. From here, the Panthers would need to win the ACC tournament for the selection committee to ignore their multiple shortcomings.

While the Panthers have shown they can beat anyone in the country, it’s difficult to win the ACC tournament with a lower seed.

Only one of the recent five ACC tournament champions — Virginia Tech in 2022 — won the tournament from a seed lower than No. 4.

When the calendar turns to March, fans across the country begin to anticipate March Madness. The conclusion of the college basketball season is one of the most exciting — and sometimes heartbreaking — months in all of sports. Currently, Pitt men’s basketball is still in play for a bid into the field of 68.

Entering the last week of the regular season, I will break down where Pitt currently stands, what the best-case scenario and worstcase scenario for the Panthers is and what to watch for heading into March.

Where Pitt currently stands Pitt is currently out of March Madness, sitting within the first eight teams out of the NCAA tournament on prominent bracketologists’ projections.

Two stats that are the most important for Pitt’s March Madness hopes — NET rankings and road wins. According to the latest NET rankings, Pitt is the No. 44 best team in the country, with seven Quadrant 1 and 2 wins.

Pitt’s seven road wins is a feat that only five Power 6 teams have on their resumés.

With 19 wins on the season, a high NET ranking and seven road wins, some would think the Panthers are already locked into the tournament.

But all is not well for the Panthers. Pitt has inexcusable losses to inferior opponents. Pitt’s home loss to Missouri — who are 0-16 in the SEC — is objectively horrible. Other home losses to Syracuse and Clemson, as well as

Head coach Jeff Capel speaks to the team during a game against Notre Dame at the Petersen Events Center on Feb. 4. Bronco York | Staff Photographer blowout losses to Duke and Wake Forest have worsened the Panthers’ tournament resumé.

At the end of the day, the good will outweigh the bad if the Panthers can finish the season strong. But every team needs a bit of luck.

This scenario would move the Panthers to No. 4 in the ACC tournament, awarding them a double-bye and a much more favorable matchup in the quarterfinals. From here, one win against a team ranked lower than them would all but lock the Panthers into the field of 68.

Best-case scenario Multiple wins, or even an ACC tournament Phase one of the best-case scenario for Pitt championship, would only further help the is to win out. Pitt must win out against NC Panthers by improving their seeding in the State and Florida State to put themselves in NCAA tournament. good standing. Phase two is a bit of good luck.

Pitt needs Clemson to defeat Syracuse on Worst-case scenario Tuesday. The Panthers then need Wake Forest The worst-case scenario for Pitt is to lose to defeat Clemson on Saturday. to both NC State and Florida State. This would

Photos by Nate Yonamine | Assistant VIsual Editor

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March 6, 2024

The difference maker for Pitt This year’s Pitt team is different from last year’s team. While the Panthers don’t have Jamarius Burton on this year’s team, they have the best version of senior forward Blake Hinson. Hinson ranks top five in the ACC in points per game and three-pointers made per game.

Along with Hinson, the first-year guard duo of Carlton “Bub” Carrington and Jaland Lowe are making strides as players. Carrington recently set his career high with 27 points against Boston College. Lowe has taken full advantage of his elevation to the Panthers’ starting lineup, averaging 13 points per game since his promotion.

The Panthers don’t have the experience of last year’s team, but their offense is explosive from three-point land and is effective on the perimeter defensively. The ball is in the Panthers’ court, and their path to the NCAA tournament is clear.

6

OAKLAND ZOO LEADERS REFLECT ON 2023-24 SEASON AND UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS The Oakland Zoo attempts to distract Notre Dame players for a foul shot during a game against Notre Dame at the Petersen Events Center on Feb. 4. Bronco York | Staff Photographer

The Oakland Zoo flutters their fingers during a free throw in the final seconds of the game against NC A&T at the Petersen Events Center.

Bronco York | Staff Photographer

The Oakland Zoo tosses torn newspapers in the air after Pitt scored its first points against Clemson at the Petersen Events Center. Ethan Shulman | Visual Editor

James Carter Staff Writer

Pitt men’s basketball is having one of its most interesting seasons in recent memory. The Panthers’ return to the NCAA Tournament last season brought plenty of hype to students and fans of the program.

Nowhere else is that hype more felt than inside the Petersen Events Center and Pitt’s student section — The Oakland Zoo. In many ways, the recent trajectory of the Oak-

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land Zoo has mirrored that of Pitt men’s basketball.

Head coach Jeff Capel’s rebuild of the Panthers back to respectability took a major leap forward with last season’s tournament run.

Oakland Zoo leader senior Austin Hogeboom also reflected on the progression that the men’s basketball program has taken within the past few seasons.

“I think we’re very proud of where we are, espe-

cially given the last few years,” Hogeboom said. “Programs change. We went through an 0-18 season in ACC play and a pandemic, so we’ve had to recover.”

The buzz in the Oakland Zoo has caught the attention of opposing teams as well. Virginia Tech’s head coach Mike Young commented on the environment during the Panthers’ 79-64 victory over the Hokies.

"I was here in 2010 — they were coming off a great year,” Young said following the Hokies’ game against the Panthers. “It was hard [to play], really hard. What a great atmosphere, what a great building for college basketball."

While the program still has a long way to go before it reaches the same tier as those mid- to late2000s teams, coaches, players and fans alike have all expressed excitement and hope for the direction that the team has taken and what they believe the program can become.

Still, the recent success of Pitt men’s basketball has seen the Oakland Zoo reach some heights that it has never seen before, even during its heyday. The Jan. 9 contest against Duke saw the Zoo smash its previous record attendance number, with 2,750 students in attendance.

Zoo leaders like senior Dustin Bleiweis have utilized both social media and the Panthers’ dynamic roster to generate hype amongst students, which created some of those record-breaking nights.

“This team is young and flashy, which gets people excited,” Bleiweis said. “We’ve also used our social media and a lot of promotions and giveaways to get people interested.”

Among their responsibilities outside the Pete, the Zoo leaders are tasked with making sure that games run smoothly in the section and that students are as engaged as they can possibly be.

“What it comes down to is maintaining our traditions,” Hogeboom said. “The things we try to do is lead by example, like jumping up and down on defense and just being loud.”

Leaders like Hogeboom and Bleiweis have started a new tradition for the Zoo — sending members to road games, and the ACC and NCAA tournaments.

The Zoo has made sure that their presence is felt and the Panthers are supported wherever they go.

Next week, the Panthers will travel to Washington D.C for the ACC Tournament. Hogeboom is certain that the Zoo will support the Panthers as best as it can in the nation’s capital.

“The mentality we had last year was ‘wheels up,’ and this year we have the same mindset,” Hogeboom said. “We’re gonna be there. We’re gonna be sure that our people are there.”

The Panthers currently have an outside chance to make the NCAA tournament and would need a lot to

March 6, 2024

go their way if they want to return to the big dance.

However, Bleiweis has shared similar sentiments about traveling to Pitt’s tournament destination if the team was to make it.

“I'll do everything I can to go to the ACC tournament and March Madness,” Bleiweis said.

Hogeboom and Bleiweis’ careers as Zoo leaders and as Pitt students will end after this semester. But the pair have left a positive impact on the Oakland Zoo for the next set of students who will fill their positions in the coming years.

“I mean, this is my last week — I can do it,” Bleiweis said. “I'm just trying to pass the torch and saying ‘you can keep this going because we had a bad direction.’ Now, it is going well.”

Similarly, Hogeboom reminded Pitt fans and students to remain passionate about the Panthers as they continue their rebuild and attempt to regain the power they had in years past.

“I really encourage future leaders to cheer for the team like they were back in ‘08-’09,” Hogeboom said.

“Whatever team comes out on that floor, be relentless.”

7

Women in Politics, pg. 3 When interning for former Representative Connor Lamb, Lindsey said she noticed women worked in the office, but men took many of the high positions.

“It was interesting to see women occupying some of these lower roles in that hierarchy and not necessarily being in the top chain of the office,” Lindsey said. “I think where I felt it the most is with the dynamic with the interns.”

Working with another woman and two male colleagues, Lindsey said she could see a disparity between how the male interns interacted

with each other and treated their work.

“We noticed we were picking up a lot more calls, and taking some projects a lot more seriously,” Lindsey said. “The male interns would sort of leave the office and go on these walks around the Capitol and leave with the work like taking phone calls.”

In her recent political work, Lindsey said she noticed her direct managers have all been women, and noted that she believes it has been good to have women in charge as mentors.

“Having more women at the table, and women working there in roles of leadership, is a really important thing,” Lindsey said.

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Be aware of your role as a traveler over break

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Spring break is approaching to the delight of many Pitt students overwhelmed by their midterms — they can finally relax, travel or maybe just catch up on work due when they return the following Monday. For those choosing the second option of traveling, it’s important that we bear in mind our role as tourists.

Often, Americans hold the attitude — implicitly or otherwise — that their visit abroad should be akin to a national-scale dining experience, where they are the customer and the locals are the hosts, servers and cooks. After all, they are on vacation, and their hotel and attractions weren’t exactly cheap. Don’t they deserve special treatment so they leave with a positive opinion of the place they visited?

No! Of course not. There are exceptions to this — barring a few cities, if you’re traveling within the contiguous United States, go ahead and let the lovely people of Wisconsin impress you with their cheeses. And if you wanna act a little pompous in England, no one will hold it against you.

Otherwise, tourists should make it a point to appreciate the culture of the region and recognize that they are in someone else’s home — often someone with a strained history with the United States. Some of the most beautiful and popular tourist destinations for Americans, like Mexico, the Caribbean or Hawaii, are also some of the worst victims of

March 6, 2024

U.S. hegemony.

These travel destinations do not exist solely for the entertainment of tourists and are their own diverse regions whose residents will have very different opinions on American visitors. Over the past several years, Hawaii residents especially have adopted an increasing disdain toward tourists, as many believe the islands’ resources are unfairly and disproportionately directed towards tourists over locals.

This has led some to drop their travel plans due to a lack of “aloha spirit,” which is a curious expectation to have in the first place. “Aloha spirit” is a spirit of harmony and pleasantness that Hawaii citizens have written into their law to live by, though tourists should not expect this treatment from the locals — they should abide by the spirit themselves to appreciate the culture of the islands.

Travel is a wonderful experience and very often encouraged by nations whose tourism industry plays a vital role in their economy, but neither of these give tourists the excuse to wander into a new region oblivious to how the locals expect them to act. Nobody wants a guest to visit their home and sleep in their bed without at least complimenting the wallpaper.

In short, do your research, make it a point to respect the culture and enjoy your vacation. Or just go to Wisconsin.

8

Avatar, pg. 4 action by Episode 4, his jokes and way of peace long gone. His journey, which does take up all 61 episodes in the animation, seems to be muddled down to a few short episodes. The Gaang seem to need the time to understand their roles and what is at stake for each of them. They seem distant, a superficial coloring of teenage angst, yet I’m hopeful for them to grow. I’ll be as old as King Bumi when the second season comes out.

Dallas Liu and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee put up a stellar performance. The uncle and nephew team, a fan-favorite from the animation, do an amazing job of building up the pain of loss through the latter half of the show. Zuko deals with scars inside and out — his face was branded by his own father’s fire, leaving a burn mark that runs through his eye, brow and ear, a permanent reminder that he is not the perfect crown prince or son.

His uncle Iroh, a tea-loving retired war general, joins him in his exile and mission to find the Avatar to regain his honor. Liu and Lee work amazingly together. Zuko sees the world for the first time not as the future Fire Lord, but as a child, and Iroh helps him question if he truly needs his father’s approval. Liu works great at proving how sad Zuko is from being rejected by his family, and Lee masterfully depicts a grieving, wise man who doesn’t want to lose his loved ones. Iroh and Zuko’s journey best serves to understand what is at stake and how we define our

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destiny, truly building up their characters fully.

Seeing them in live-action brought a fire to my soul — get it?

But, why are we so desperate to bring every cartoon to live-action? Why are we desperately excited and hopeful for these adaptations? What do we even want to get out of it? Are we that desperate to see magic at the hands of real humans in times that seem dystopian to some degree? Is this just a projection of our desire to see magic — to see ourselves in a new light — in our daily lives, a seemingly childish dream that has followed us into adulthood? Do I want to relive my childhood, even as a boring college student, and remind myself how magical life can feel?

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” tries its hardest, but its secondary characters and villains are the true spirit of the show — playful and hopeful, each with their desire to become part of the bigger world. Characters like Yue — including her stiff, Party City wig, even with a Netflix-level budget — Suki, Iroh and Zuko remain the most prevalent figures, and become the heroes of the live-action adaptation. What truly made me tearbend was the image of all the female waterbenders, dressed in their Indigenous clothes, standing together to defend their land together. I didn’t care anymore about staying true to the animated story — what mattered was that scene alone encompassing everything 15-year-old Irene loved about the original show.

* Undergrad and grad, all campuses.

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March 6, 2024

9

opinion

THE BEST CITIES ARE WALKABLE

Ve n ice

Anna Ehlers

Contributing Editor

THE

I’m a firm believer in a “take a hike, kid!” mentality.

Taking a walk can cure anything, I think. If I have recently experienced a stressful situation, you can probably find me walking it off in Schenley Park. If it’s a sunny day, I will be outside soaking up the sun, staving off a vitamin D deficiency. If there’s snow on the ground, this flâneur will be on her walking route taking advantage of what is perhaps her third-to-last snow experience ever.

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Many thanks, climate change.

I will forever be a subscriber to the belief that humans were created to walk outside. We’re on this planet to interact with the environment — with the wind in our faces, with the crunchy leaves beneath our feet, with the rain that falls from the sky. It may not all be pleasant to us — hence, the indoors world we’ve created — but it’s an important part of the human experience, and we’re missing an integral piece of life if we’re not spending time outside.

To illustrate my point, I decided to write this column outside. Don’t believe me? Look out your window. Yup, that’s me out there. Please open the window so I can argue with you face to face.

In a world that prioritizes being indoors, it can be hard to find good places to be outside. It’s no secret that America is pretty car-centric — Pittsburgh especially. So as someone who loves being outdoors so much, I find it pretty frustrating to live in cities built of road upon road upon road. It’s so hard to get from place to place, especially when the city doesn’t prioritize public transportation. I’ve found Oakland to be a generally walkable neighborhood, but the drivers can be a bit aggressive, much to my chagrin and much to the endangerment of my health.

Lucky for me, however, my recent escapades in traveling have opened my mind to the possibilities of a pedestrian lifestyle. Has anyone ever considered putting the Port Authority bus system underground? What if we just took the bulk of the transportation routes in a city and put them underground so they weren’t in everyone’s way, and we could use all the above ground space for walking and other pretty stuff? Said London in the 19th century.

Don’t listen to the Brits’ complaints about the London Underground — the Underground system is my favorite ever experience in public transportation. It is so unbelievably easy to get around. It is orderly, timely, so convenient and you can get anywhere — the T just does not hold a flame to that. And because I know you’re just dying to know, the Bakerloo is my favorite line. There’s

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something just so titillating about being an American in London and riding the same underground line that Sherlock Holmes rode in the stories. And the Elizabeth line is my other favorite. Lizzy intimidates me because frankly, she means business with her double doors, but I appreciate that about her. I like to think we’re the same in that regard. We’re not, but I like to think it.

While there are still certainly cars in London, the model of the city makes it easy to truly feel like you can experience the city without driving. Here in Pittsburgh, it’s really hard to reach certain corners. I’ve been on the North Shore only a handful of times because I really just don’t enjoy the lengthy bus ride getting there. If I had a car, you bet I’d be driving on over there for a fun afternoon at the Carnegie Science Center … and then cursing the government for charging me to park. You can’t win, can you?

In London, however, so much of the city is reachable via the Underground, and even the extra walk after leaving the station is a fun experience. I don’t know what exactly the difference is, but the walk that would exhaust me in Pittsburgh would energize me in London. I’m no city design expert, but I have to believe that the Londonders have truly created a city that values walking.

I loved every London walk. Hyde and Regent’s parks offered lovely strolls, but even a walk along the street was a beautiful experience. London is gorgeous, and I loved taking in the scenery from the sidewalk — or pavement, as they say, and as I was corrected once. If you know me, you know I love old buildings, so every glimpse I got delighted me. I miss my walk to Tesco, passing the colorful flags strung up over a primary school. I miss the flowers hung outside of pubs. I miss the blinking streetlights on the crosswalks warning the oncoming drivers of a pedestrian. If I had taken a car around the city, I would’ve missed these things. But in three months, I didn’t need a car once. Just the Underground, a few buses and my two feet. And on my feet was how I got to know London, now my favorite city.

For all my fascination with walking, you can imagine, then, how I feel about a city with no cars at all. Take

Venice, for example. No, it’s not just a tourist trap. It may seem like an amusement park in the shape of an ancient city, but it’s actually just a really cool ancient city whose primary business is tourism. I visited Venice last November with some friends, and when I tell you that city did me good, I mean it. The Italian sun, the little bridges over water, the brightly painted buildings and laundry lines strung up overhead … I now know that the peak city design is one that makes you feel like you’re in a film just while strolling around. This is the life we deserve.

I may have had to watch out for walking straight into a canal and held onto my phone for dear life, but not once did I have to watch out for a car. And I’ll take the threat of walking into water over the threat of someone hitting me with their car any day. Easy.

Not that long ago, all cities were about walking. I mean, sure, there were horse drawn carriages and bikes and other things on wheels, but let’s not forget that cities predate vehicles. Cities were created for walking convenience, not car convenience. And here we are, in car hell.

I’m going to stage a protest by standing out in the middle of Forbes every day until I get hit. Who’s gonna join me?

Just kidding. No one do that. Please. I’ll cry if someone gets hurt on my behalf, and then you’ll have to deal with me crying, and it’ll be very awkward for the both of us.

I’ll stare down Oakland drivers who don’t really look like they’re gonna stop at stop signs to the day that I die, and do it happily. But truly, I can’t stop thinking about how much nicer it was to walk in a place that felt like I was meant to walk there rather than some places I’ve walked in this country, where I’ve felt like I was playing “Crossy Road” with my physical body. It’s lovely to walk around, and I’ll do it forever, because I know it’s good for my health. But it would be nice if cities were as they were originally meant to be — designed for people, not big boxes of moving metal. Throw this flâneur a bone, Pittsburgh.

Anna will willingly share her Oakland walk route if you contact her at ane45@pitt.edu.

Left: The skyline of London, England. Image via Ilya Grigorik/Wikimedia Commons.

Right: Ponte dei Dai on Rio dele Procuratie in Venice. Image via Didier Descouens/Wikimedia Commons

March 6, 2024

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