No. 2 (Sept. 19, 2019)

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VOL. XCVIV No. 2 / September 19, 2019

THE UNIVERSITY NEWS

StUdents and faculty challenge SLU’s academic priorities Two narratives of the same struggle for a liberal arts education

page 2 COVER Design by Rebecca LiVigni

NEWS

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SLU Community marched for adjuct professors in spring 2017 with many of the same grievances as discussed in the SavingSLU movement (Emma Carmody / The University News)

SAVING SLU: STAFF DEMANDS CHANGE Staff bands together to create a movement in reaction to recent administrative developments

By SAVANAH SEYER Staff Writer

s displeasure with the administration mounts, faculty members across multiple departments at SLU have banded together to form SavingSLU, a website/blog dedicated to recognizing and recording issues with the University. The website was created earlier this year and was announced in an email to all Saint Louis University faculty members on Sept. 8.

In the email, the group stated that they were hoping to provide faculty with information “about potential dangers to the best of Saint Louis University.” These alleged dangers included “its strong national reputation, its Jesuit identity, its commitment to provide faculty what they need to flourish and its ability to give all of our students a truly great education,” according to the website.

The group’s core members include professors from the Political Science, Economics, Theological Studies, History, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Languages, Literatures and Cultures departments. The website’s main content includes blog posts that detail issues deemed concerning to the future of SLU, including inappropriate donor influence and the closing of the Latin American Studies Program at SLU, just to name two.

In their faculty email, the SavingSLU group expressed concern about the

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continued budget cuts in many departments, the reduction of hiring and the increase of dismissals of both faculty and graduate assistantships. Because of this, states the group, there are large gaps in the education offered to students, as well as an increased and unmanageable workload on faculty— often without adequate compensation.

On their website, the group also claims that the University leadership has violated mandates laid out in the Faculty Manual.

Many professors are worried about the University’s ability to continue offering all of the courses and programs that it currently does. A professor in the Languages Department, who wishes to remain anonymous, spoke with The University News about their concerns that there would be more cuts to departments such as the languages. They specifically mentioned the Chinese program as one that seems at risk of being cut. The SavingSLU organization also singles out the fate of graduate programs as “precarious.” They stated that they were worried the University was only focused on a few programs and not promoting or supporting other programs sufficiently.

The administration claims that the reason STEM fields are receiving more money and attention is because students are overwhelmingly choosing those study fields over others. However, some humanities professors argue that the University does not promote

the humanities and social sciences when recruiting new students.

In his remarks to the Faculty Senate this month, President Fred Pestello, P.h.D, responded to these claims by saying that the humanities and social sciences “will always be critical to SLU education” and that the reason for such emphasis on STEM and health sciences is led by student interest.

Pestello commented on the continuing cuts in other departments by saying, “the areas in which we have been trimming have already allowed us to invest in areas that serve our students and our patients… We have also been investing millions of dollars from the Sinquefield gift in our faculty, who were hired or retained from funds from the gift, and faculty who received research funding.”

However, many professors take issue with the Sinquefield gift and with the influence of donors on certain programs in the University and its research altogether.

Professor David Rapach, P.h.D., the John Simon Endowed Chair in Economics in the Chaifetz School of Business, is a member of the SavingSLU organization. On his personal website, he has written a number of articles expressing concern about donor influence at Saint Louis University, especially concerning the recent donation to the Chaifetz School of Business by Rex Sinquefield. The University News sat down with Professor Rapach, as well as Bonnie Wilson, P.h.D., when the news of the Sinquefield donation broke. Rapach and Wilson argue that the influence that Sinquefield has over decision-making in requests for funding and in hiring is a violation of academic norms that undermines SLU’s reputation.

The two are currently working with UnKoch My Campus, which is an organization that works to identify and remove alleged “undue donor influence” in higher education in America.

They are also trying to construct a database titled the Academic Capture Warning System, which will aim to “provide information on organizations and individuals that have engaged in a clear violation of well-established academic norms involving financial donations,” according to their website.

The group of faculty that makes up SavingSLU is working to inform other faculty members about the issues they claim are detrimental to the SLU community. The University News will continue to highlight this issue in the weeks to come.

NEWS

03 (Trenton Almgren-Davis / The University News)

FUTURE OF CHINESE PROGRAM IN DOUBT

By CONOR DORN Associate News Editor ast week, students and faculty members associated with SLU’s Chinese Program learned that after the 2019-2020 academic year, SLU’s Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures will no longer offer Chinese language courses for an undetermined period of time.

The program’s future is in jeopardy after financial difficulties influenced the decision not to renew the only full-time Chinese faculty member, Lili Guo, M.D., P.h.D., who is the primary Chinese language instructor.

As a consequence, the Chinese program will effectively cease to function after the current academic year.

Michael Lewis, P.h.D., Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences, who was interviewed on the future of the Chinese program, said, “At this point, the future of the program remains in question. It is not officially being cut from the books.”

Lewis explained that since the only full-time faculty member will not be renewed, incoming and current students will not be able to take courses

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in Chinese beginning in the fall of 2020. This nuance might give some hope to students, since a complete cut of the program would be significantly more difficult to reverse.

Still, Lewis said, “I know this is no solace, especially for those students who would like to declare the minor but cannot.” As it stands, Lewis is continuing to work with trustees and other concerned parties to determine if the program has a future.

To students and faculty involved with the Chinese program, especially the 70 current minors, the decision represents a tacit cancellation of the program, the ambiguous nuance notwithstanding. Soon after the announcement, senior Malaya Siy, currently nearing completion of the Chinese minor, created a Change.org petition called “saveSLUchinese,” in which she voiced the displeasure felt on behalf of the faculty and the student body. Since the petition was launched, it has gathered more than a thousand signatures, with the number growing daily.

Such a positive response to the petition indicates a widespread belief that cessation of the Chinese program is antithetical to SLU’s values as a Jesuit institute of higher learning. SLU’s mission to foster “programs that link University resources to local, national and international

communities” is a fundamental aspect of our identity, and the Chinese program is a direct manifestation of this commitment.

Since its inception in 2003, SLU’s Chinese program has blossomed into a vibrant and engaging curriculum with the dual purpose of preparing graduates for employability in today’s globalized job market and enriching cultural interactions on SLU’s campus.

Siy stressed the numerous advantages that will be lost if the program is cut. “The practical side is significant. Chinese is the second most-spoken language in the world, which yields enormous practical value for students entering the job market.”

But, Siy added, the practical angle is only the start. Through classes that satisfy the minor requirements, SLU students have the opportunity to participate in a unique cultural dialogue. As SLU’s last remaining Asian language, the program is a vital linguistic component to bridging the diverse backgrounds that characterize SLU’s campus.

With 8 percent of SLU students arriving from outside of the U.S., and an Asian population of almost 10 percent, the Chinese program affords the Asian community important linguistic representation.

Students enrolled in Chinese classes are taught not only the basics of reading, writing and conversation, but are also exposed to Chinese history, literature and culture. And for students, it is this cultural component that has been the most fruitful part of the Chinese program.

A striking example of the cultural engagement that makes the Chinese program so essential is Guo’s Cultural Comparisons class, which takes an interdisciplinary approach to comparing social relationships, education, food and other prominent cultural features in the United States and China...

To continue reading this article, please scan the QR code below:

News

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TYLER, THE CREATOR CONCERT CREATES BUZZ AT SLU Photo Courtesy of Bryan Lasky

Photo Courtesy of Trenton Almgren-Davis

RECAP OF RECRUITMENT WEEK MADNESS

By LEAH GEORGE Contributor

By KLAUDIA WACHNIK Contributor

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urrently one of the most talked about artists in the nation is Tyler, the Creator.

Since the release of “Igor” in May, his fifth studio album, the excitement has only grown. Now, he plans to come perform for the students of SLU at Chaifetz Arena on Oct. 4.

Earlier this summer, he announced his fall tour that started on June 21 in Dover, Delaware and ends in Houston, Texas on Oct. 26. Luckily for those in St. Louis and the surrounding area, one of the stops on Tyler, the Creator’s fall tour will be on SLU’s campus in early October. His concert will begin at 7 p.m. with Blood Orange and GoldLink as his opening acts.

Kelsie Woodward, Director of Marketing at Chaifetz Arena, was integral in the decision to bring Tyler to SLU. Woodward says “His demographic is a lot of students, so it made the most sense for him to come here.”

Due to the age range of his demographic, Woodward also explained that SLU students can expect affordable ticket prices. On StubHub, prices range anywhere from $52.15 for upper level seating, to $106.18 for general admission floor seating.

“I would totally anticipate him to be his crazy, wild self,” said Woodward. “If I think you can expect a good time and hear everything you want to hear,” she said.

According to Woodward, fans can expect to have a memorable time at Tyler’s show, both through his performance and engagement with the audience. She offers some advice on how to create an enjoyable environment by saying, “arrive early, I think it’s important to get there early just so you can have the whole experience… be ready to take in the whole show. It’s a Friday night, so it’s a great night for students.”

She also spoke on the safety aspects of the arena. In December of 2017, the arena installed walk through metal detectors to further protect patrons in the facility, so fans can experience the utmost comfort and security.

Tyler, the Creator’s personality is wild, unpredictable and lively.

On Oct. 4, SLU students can expect to be greatly entertained by the imaginative artist.

When asked whether she was a fan or not, freshman Lizzie Ableson enthusiastically said “I love him so much… his music is great!” Many fans, both nationally and on SLU’s campus, share this same sentiment. Buy your tickets now and experience a piece of Tyler, the Creator’s unique mind on Oct.4 at Chaifetz Arena.

ast weekend, hundreds of students participated in recruitment week to potentially be a part of Greek Life at SLU. The whole process was broken into five very busy days.

The first and second day included rotationals, where students who rushed could get to know some of the active sorority or fraternity members. On the third day, if the students were asked back by any of their top five choices they ranked, they continued to talk more with the members about philanthropy and events.

On the next day, if they got asked back again by either or both of their top two, they took part in preference, where they could get more of an inside look into their top picks and learn more about the different traditions and philosophy behind those sororities or fraternities.

Finally, on Bid Day, students opened their envelopes and learned which chapter they were invited to join as a new member.

Emma Riley, freshman, said, “The whole process was a little overwhelming because it was a lot of talking and meeting new people,” but she enjoyed the experience “because I met so many different types of people doing so many different things.”

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Riley continued: “Your perception of the sorority is going to be different based on the girls you talked to, so one that I felt didn’t click with me could totally click with somebody else.” The recruitment experience was different for each person, but the sorority/ fraternity members tried to make the process as fun as possible for all of the potential recruits.

Keara Anonson, senior, who was a recruitment counselor this year, said, “As recruitment counselors, we tried to make light of what can be a stressful situation, whether it be by chanting for them when they go into the doors or high-fiving them and telling them they’re awesome right before they go in to hype them up.”

For the students who decided to join Greek Life, they are now part of a community and a network of friends that they can reach out to for anything and participate in philanthropy and service. Along with that, each group has a specific area that they focus on, including empowering women and spreading altruism.

The new members now have a support group that they can always rely on and have a sense of sisterhood or brotherhood.

Keerthi Kode, freshman, said, “On Bid Day, I had a lot of fun running home to my new sisters.” Greek Life comes with a unique sense of community in each of the chapters, which will hopefully continue to be a fun extracurricular at SLU for many years to come.

News

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DPS REPORTS On 9/6, officers were dispatched to Griesedieck Hall on two separate occasions. By the time the officers arrived on both occasions, the occupants were gone and the elevators were working.

Photo Courtesy of St. Louis Metropolitan Police Dept. and family of Stephanie Grant

WOMAN CHARGED IN HIT-AND-RUN THAT INJURED SLU STUDENT

By RILEY MACK News Editor tephanie Grant, a 20-year-old junior studying Biomedical engineering at SLU, was walking across the street near Marchetti Towers on Thursday, Sept. 5 when a car driving erratically ran through a red light, hitting Grant. The driver fled the scene immediately afterwards.

Four days later, the driver was identified as 21-year-old Aldina Sakanovic, per the St. Louis Police Department.

Grant told The University News that she broke her tibia and fibula, a few bones in her back, her nose and eye socket. “While these were significant injuries, it could have been far worse, and I am so grateful that all I have is some broken bones,” she said.

When the accident happened, Grant said she was “simply walking back to [her] apartment and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Sakanovic was charged with second degree assault, leaving the scene of an accident, resisting arrest and two counts of armed criminal action, KMOV4 reports.

St. Louis Police say that the silver Nissan Pathfinder Sakanovic

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was driving was stolen that day and spotted earlier near Grand and Cherokee. Officers had started to follow the car but stopped once they saw how erratically she was driving.

STLPD says that officers were not in pursuit of the car when the accident occurred.

Colin Thierry, a senior at SLU, was walking ten feet ahead of Grant when he heard the noise of an “engine roaring” behind him. Thierry turned around just in time to see the car hit Grant and speed away.

Thierry, along with five or six other people who witnessed the accident, stood in shock for a few moments. “It didn’t feel like it was real,” Thierry said, “it was pretty horrifying to see, honestly.”

After seeing the incident, Thierry still feels safe crossing the street on campus because “you can’t really control someone acting that unreasonably.” However, he urges other students to always “look both ways, even when you have the right-of-way.”

Grant also warns SLU students of the dangers that she experienced first-hand. “We all know that Grand is not the safest street, and it sucks that it took someone getting seriously injured to draw attention to the matter,” she said.

“I hope that SLU can use this as an opportunity to prioritize student safety and figure out a way to keep this from happening to any-

one else,” Grant stated.

In the summer of 2018, SLU made sweeping changes to the crosswalk on Grand and West Pine. It provided students with a wider median that can safely accommodate pedestrians, additional traffic signals and dividers to separate traffic from the median. With safety improvements to this busy crosswalk on campus, the accident raises questions of new safety plans for the crosswalk between Grand and Laclede.

However, DPS Assistant Vice President James E. Moran states that because the incident was unusual, “there are no specific plans in place to share at this time.”

Moran says they will “continue to explore ways to enhance pedestrian safety at SLU” and have reached out to STLPD to figure out any additional steps that could be taken to slow traffic along Grand.

Kent Porterfield, Ed.D., Vice President for Student Development, in a statement to SLU, said, “Stephanie is part of our larger SLU family. All of us are keeping her, her family and her friends in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.”

In an interview with News 4, Grant’s father states, “We are very appreciative to everyone for their prayers. They are work-

On 9/17, at 2:30 p.m., people who were assaulted in an incident off-campus were driving to SLU Hospital when they crashed into another vehicle. Subjects were then transported to SLU Hospital.

On 9/17, a student called Public Safety at 11:45 p.m. when he noticed that the rear right window was broken on his car that was parked on Olive street. He was missing his wallet and backpack.

He noticed a red, older model pickup truck pulled away from his car, heading west.

ing. Stephanie has made a lot of progress. After several days of trying, she was able to sit up at the side of her bed. Thanks to the community for all of the support.”

Elaine Grant Farwell, Grant’s aunt, states that her niece has a “bright future ahead of her” in her GoFundMe. Farwell encourages people to donate to help with the emergency medical funds her family is paying.

Consider helping a member of the Billiken family by donating to the GoFundMe here: https:// www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-fund-for-stephanie-grant.

Arts and life

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Photo Courtesy of Scott Legato

St. Louis is Burnin’ Up After jonas brothers concert

By GRACE WILKEN Contributor ick, Joe and Kevin took St. Louis on a trip back to the late 2000s this past Saturday night with their “Happiness Begins” tour. All fans, new and old, joined together to wish the brothers a warm welcome as they came on stage.

The Jonas Brothers popped on stage and began the concert with “Rollercoaster,” a song off their new album “Happiness Begins.” The audience couldn’t contain themselves. Joy, tears, screams, all the feelings, all at once. Once the first song was over, the fans joined together to welcome the brothers by screaming, nonstop, for four minutes.

Every single person in the Enterprise Center was screaming.

They continued the night with hit single “S.O.S,” to the crowd’s liking. The fans fed off the brothers’

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energy all night long. The Jo-Bros performed as many songs as they could, boasting a mash-up of some of their more popular songs from the late 2000s. Nick was left on stage for a performance of his hit “Jealous” with a surprise back up by his brother Joe, which led into Nick singing back up while Joe performed “Cake by the Ocean.”

During Nick and Joe’s quick change, Kevin shared his heart with the arena; he explained how happy he was to be back on stage with his brothers, how a conversation with them two years ago led to where they are now.

While the brothers performed many of their new songs, their old hits like “Lovebug” and “When You Look Me in the Eyes” were what left the crowd in tears. The fans waited all night until they finally heard the intro to “Year 3000,” and knowing that the concert was coming to a close, they sang their hearts out. To end the night, the band began playing “Burnin’ Up,” and the arena filled with screams. The song ended, and the

brothers looked out into the crowd, taking in every single one of their fans, smiling bigger and bigger. They exited the stage, yet no fans wanted to leave. The fans lingered for a while, taking everything in, with the knowledge that their childhood crushes were just there—with the knowledge that the Jonas Brothers will always be amazing because that’s just the way they roll.

The Jonas Brothers brought so much joy into St. Louis on Saturday, and their performance here will leave an imprint on everyone who was blessed enough to attend.

Arts and life

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The fountain on Locust: a retro fantasy

Photo Courtesy of Trover

By JACK JOHNSTON Contributor When I went to the Fountain on Locust, I was thrown into an adventure full of contradictions - but I wasn’t complaining. With strange flavor combinations and an aura that seemed to be from another point in history, I leaned into the uniquely St. Louisan experience.

The Fountain on Locust is open

everyday except Monday: 12 p.m.-9 p.m. on Sundays; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 11 a.m.-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. It is located on 3037 Locust Street, just a few blocks from SLU’s campus.

On first glance at the menu, we see food inspired by the city and the history of its inhabitants - but with a flair. Cuisines from Italy, Mexico, eastern Europe and others are all represented. Those cuisines are represented, I’m sure, in other major U.S. cities as well. The Fountain on Locust gives all its menu choices a spoonful of St. Louis uniqueness, though.

My favorite dish is the Royale Grille - an adult grilled cheese. This sandwich has slices of crisp apple mixed with the cheese. It may be strange at first, especially if you aren’t expecting to find a crunch in the white-cheddar and mozzarella blend.

Upon further inspection, those contradicting flavors build on each other and provide a well-rounded taste that caused me to put the apple slices back on the sandwich after I had originally picked them off.

But don’t cut yourself short and leave after your first course! The main event at The Fountain on Locust is dessert, or, more specifically, the creative ice cream dishes. They specialize in ice cream cocktails but also have non-alcoholic ice cream creations, like the Nutty Americano or Black Cadillac. My go-to, though, is always the Sundae Gambler. Every time you order it, it’s a complete surprise with different flavor combinations. The first time I ordered it, I got a fancy sundae with Zanzibar chocolate, black cherry and butter pecan ice creams - flavors that I thought would contradict each other, but they worked together harmoniously.

What I love about The Fountain on Locust, though, is that it puts every customer into the shoes of the 1920s flapper, into the pages of the “Great Gatsby,” and into a point in American history where things were easier and the music was louder. Part of that can be attributed to the design of the restaurant. The building that houses The Fountain on Locust was originally a car showroom in the early 20th century. You can still see this in the architecture: the

high ceiling, the black and white tiled floor, the aura that this building has a story both as private and flamboyant as the city of St. Louis itself. But the current owners of the building have put in plenty of work to enhance this aura. All walls in the restaurant have art-deco murals, and each booth has a sense of intimacy as if you are the one who is in a speakeasy of the ’20s.

How can this happen? It feels like a crime to even pull your phone out at The Fountain on Locust, to impede on that retro fantasy crafted for your enjoyment. St. Louis is a city currently going through a phase of change: a new MLS team, numerous developments going on in historical areas and constant construction that tells us to hope for the future. But The Fountain on Locust instead tells us to sit, enjoy some ice cream and think about the experiences of the inhabitants of the city founded in 1764 on the Mississippi.

Convenient caffeine fixes on and around slu’s campus

By AMAN RAHMAN Contributor

Being a college student means becoming accustomed to constant exhaustion. Whether it’s due to late-night study sessions or early-morning classes, sometimes our bodies just need a jumpstart to get through the day. The perfect remedy for this is a good ol’ cup of coffee. SLU’s campus provides many different locations to sit down for a cup of coffee or take a cup to go. While most students know Starbucks, some may not be aware of the other options for coffee on campus. Whether you are a coffee fanatic or you just drink it to survive the day, here are some of the best coffee places in a walkable distance from SLU’s campus.

Kaldi’s Coffee: Kaldi’s Coffee is a chill café located at 3900 Laclede Avenue.

While Kaldi’s has other food and drink options, their coffee is by far my favorite item they have.

Recently, I ordered the iced mocha-flavored coffee, and I really enjoyed it. Kaldi’s coffee is a good mix between sweet and bitter, so not one overpowers the other. I also felt very re-energized after having this. Kaldi’s isn’t too expensive, ranging usually around $2-6. Furthermore, they do offer a student discount for those attending SLU.

Café Ventana: Café Ventana is another cute, trendy brunch restaurant and coffee shop located at 3919 West Pine Blvd. This is the perfect location to sit down, order some coffee and relax or do homework. The atmosphere at Café Ventana is very laid-back and the coffee is exceptional.

When I went, I chose to try the latte, which was very flavorful.

In addition, it was not too bitter by any means. Normally I choose to put a good amount of milk and sugar in my coffee, but that wasn’t necessary here.

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Einstein Bros. Bagels is an American bagel and coffee chain located in SLU’s Pius XII Library.

Before coming to SLU, I had never actually tried the coffee from Einstein Bros. Bagels, and it wasn’t until my friend recommended it that I tried it. Out of all the coffee, this was my personal favorite. I ordered an iced coffee and put caramel syrup on top. For people, like me, who don’t love super bitter coffee, I would recommend doing this.

The syrup almost overpowered the bitterness of the coffee, but it still was just as energizing.

Arts and life

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CHARLI XCX is on the rise with New album ‘Charli’

By DANIEL BERNAS Contributor Photo courtsey of Wikipedia The progression of Charli XCX has certainly been an interesting one to watch.

After penning some of the biggest pop hits of the decade (Iggy Azealia’s “Fancy,” Icona Pop’s “I Don’t Care”), as well as going three-times platinum with her first solo hit, “Boom Clap,” Charlotte Emma Aitchison stepped away from the Billboard-friendly pop of her first two records in 2016 with the “Vroom Vroom” EP. Teaming up with forward-thinking artists in the underground like SOPHIE, AG Cook and Hannah Diamond, instantly affiliating herself with the underground pop movement/record label PC Music, the four tracks on “Vroom Vroom” sound like a form of pop not quite like anything we’ve heard before, especially coming from a platinum-selling artist. This was supposed to be the predictor of her, at the time soon-to-be-released, next record.

Even though it’s taken three years to deliver her promise, Charli hasn’t exactly kept fans waiting for new music. Along with many collaborations and features, in 2017, she released two mixtapes, “Number 1 Angel” and “Pop 2,” as well as her biggest solo hit since “Boom Clap,” “Boys.” The latter of the two mixtapes, “Pop 2,” was aptly titled. Charli’s output since “Vroom Vroom” has essentially been “Pop 2.0,” a sequel to what pop music is today, an idea of the form it could take in the future. In 2018, she released a slew of singles, all but one (“1999”) not making the record, yet many becoming instant fan favorites (“No Angel,” “Girls Night Out”). Not only has this been a prolific period for Charli, but it’s also been a dramatic one, with an entire album being shelved thanks to leak after leak of songs she claimed meant a lot to her. There are tracks that, to this day, can only be found on the internet, yet fans still know every word. Songs like “Bounce” and “Taxi,” despite their unreleased status, are still performed live.

While none of those unreleased tracks made it onto “Charli,” the highly anticipated third album is an amalgamation of every side of the artist we’ve seen in the past couple of years. For one, she continues to prove herself as one of the best collaborators in music, period. On “Gone,” she and Christine and

the Queens go hard as hell on a glamorous ’80s-inspired instrumental, resulting in one of the best pop songs of this decade. From the passionate verses to the final moments, a dance beat that feels less like an outro and more like a victory lap, its bittersweet euphoria does not let up even slightly. Troye Sivan sits comfortably atop the nostalgic, sassy, ear-wormy electro-pop of “1999,” and Charli trades verses with Sky Ferreira on “Cross You Out” for a rare moment in which Ferreira doesn’t sound drab and lifeless. HAIM hops onto “Warm” to assist one of the lightest grooves on the project, and those are just some of the more notable of the 14 guest appearances on this record. While AG Cook co-executive produced the entire project with Charli, their eclectic choice in producers remains, calling on the likes of everyone from underground names such as Umru and 100 Gecs’ Dylan Brady to bigger industry names like Stargate.

A lot of hands were on this thing, and as a result, the songs on “Charli” range from loud and proud bangers to chilled-out slow burners. “Click,” featuring Charli-protege Kim Petras and Tommy Cash, is one of the loudest tracks she’s released in a while, with a noise-esque, distorted outro serving as one of the weirdest moments of her entire discography. On the other hand, “Official” and “I Don’t Wanna Know” are much quieter, more subdued tracks, while “Silver Cross” weaves itself in between the two extremes.

Charli’s ability to make emotionally poignant pop has largely gone under-discussed. The Lizzo-assisted

“Blame It on Your Love,” a remix of “Track 10” from “Pop 2,” is equal-parts catchy and heartbroken. Lizzo’s little verse is a nice addition, but the real showstopper on this track is Charli’s earnest performance and the sticky, regretful lyrics. “White Mercedes” and “Official” both take a ballad approach and do so relatively well, making for surprisingly revealing tracks that strip her down to true, unfiltered emotions.

There are certainly a few underwhelming tracks here and there. “Shake It,” a sequel of sorts to the “Pop 2” highlight “I Got It,” feels disjointed even with all of the fantastic performances from Cupcakke, Big Freedia, Brooke Candy and Pablo Vittar. “Thoughts” has a few nice melodies, but the production feels too unfinished to look past, and it’s the same case with “I Don’t Wanna Know.”

“Click” is an enjoyably bombastic posse cut, but, like “Shake It,” the structure leaves little to be desired. But the problem with these songs is not that they’re bad, it’s just that they had potential that wasn’t fully realized.

However, the record finishes strong with some of the most off-the-wall tracks, “February 2017,” featuring Clairo and Yaeji, and “2099,” featuring, once again, Troye Sivan.

Both of these tracks are arranged in incredibly interesting ways, completely abandoning the common verse-chorus-versechorus structure most pop songs follow.

Despite having a somewhat awkward flow, “Charli” is likely going to satisfy those fans (such as myself) who have been waiting all these years for a third record. The lows aren’t awful, and the highs provide some of the best pop songs of the year, perhaps of the last ten. At every moment, “Charli” is a welcome looking glass into the future of pop g and is certainly a standout moment for this year.

Best Tracks: “Gone,” “1999,” “Blame It On Your Love,” “White Mercedes,” “Official,” “Silver Cross,” “Cross You Out,” “Warm,” “Next Level Charli,” “February 2017,” “2099” My Rating: 8/10

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School of Nursing White Coat Ceremony @ College Church

1 pm

Rainbow Alliance Speed Dating @ BSC 253 C & D

12 pm - 9 pm

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6:30 pm

SLU ESPORTS SMASH TOURNAMENT @ ST. Louis Room

Billiken Madness @ Chaifetz Arena 7:30 pm

6 pm

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September

MSA WELCOME EID DINNER @ ST. Louis Room

SLU HOMECOMING GOLF CART PARADE @ Olive-Compton Garage

3:30 pm

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games

Last Issue’s Solutions

Solutions in the Oct. 3 Issue

photography

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Spirit of St. Louis Airshow

By RILEY TOVORNIK Photo Editor

Crowds gathered at Spirit of St. Louis Airport to watch historic and modern airplanes perform stunts and fly-bys on the first weekend of September. “Black Daggers,” a parachuting team, kicked off the show, followed by famous stuntman Skip Stewart in his modified Pitts S-2s “Promethius,” as well as the Shell Aerobatics team. But the two most prominent displays were from the U.S. Navy F-18 stunt team called “The Blue Angles” and Britain’s Royal Airforce, the“Red Arrows.”

Organizations such as Saint Louis University’s Flight Science Program, other local collegiate and High School institutions and STEM groups displayed their work, courses and programs. Spectators also had the chance to view a large variety of static ground show as well, with notable aircraft like the F-16, P-51 and F-35.

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photography

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Girls. Gold. Glitter. Bills get their Bids.

Photos by TRENTON ALMGREN-DAVIS and MADISON SMITH Photo Editor and Staff Photographer

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PHOTOGRAPHY

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8 1. New Kappa Alpha Theta members run through the open arms of their new sisters.

2. Jessica Connelly helps her friend with glitter.

3. Beneath the shade of the Clock Tower, Kappa Delta girls snap photos of each other.

4. Phi Mu decorates their members with glittery faces.

5. Delta Gama celebrates at the clocktower.

6. Two girls from the Delta Gama sorority embrace in sisterhood.

7. Grace Nguyen smiles wearing her pit crew themed Phi Mu attire.

8. Alpha Delta Pi members rush down West Pine.

9. Kappa Delta rock shades and stars.

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Photography

Taste of STL Returns to the City Photos by JULIANA CORTESE, MADISON SMITH and JOSHUA KANG Staff Photographers The fifteenth iteration of Taste of STL returned downtown, the last five years being held at the Chesterfield Amphitheater. Memorial Plaza and Market Street were filled with the smells of food from 40 different regional vendors and restaurants. Those smells of BBQ, Italian, Chinese, Mexican and other cuisines combined with the sounds of live music, like the acoustic strums of country singer Mike Mattingly and the hard rock of Apex Shrine. As people enjoyed the culinary and auditory delights, they witnessed chefs sauce off in a

battle royal cooking competition. As their tastebuds were buzzing, the kids also got active through the Healthy@Home activities, like the Upper Limits rock wall, ninja course and an educational music course.

For the full-bellied event-goers not wanting to run around, picnic tables and standing tables spotted the plaza.

sports

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VOLLEYBALL DROPS MATCH TO SEMO IN FIRST FIVE SET MATCH

By ERIN MCCLELLAND Associate Sports Editor n an unusual midweek matchup, the Billikens volleyball team took on Southeast Missouri State in their first five-set match of the season. Despite the rally to send the match into the fifth set, the Billikens fell short in the shorter frame for the 3-2 loss to the Redhawks. With the loss, SLU fell to 6-4 on the year, going 5-2 in the Pavillion in Chaifetz Arena.

The Billikens dropped the first set in a close 25-23 contest that saw eleven ties and six lead changes between the two squads. SEMO was able to score the last two points of the set from tied at 23 to 25 for the win. After losing the first set, the Billikens rallied to take the second in a more commanding fashion, 2518.

Much like the second set for the Billikens, the Redhawks took the lead early on in the set and maintained it throughout for the 25-16 win. The Billikens were now in a hole and had to come back from being down 2-1 in the match.

The comeback was enacted for the Bills and they fought tooth and nail to squeak out the 25-23 to force a fifth set in the match. Seniors Sien Gallop and Lauren Mershon recorded back-to-back kills to give the Bills a lead they were able to hold on to.

The comeback mentality didn’t carry over for the Billikens into the fifth set because SEMO jumped out to a seven-point lead. SLU was able to bring the game back within striking distance, but the Redhawks held onto the lead, and eventually the match.

In the match Gallop lead the Billikens with 24 kills and junior Maya Taylor had a double-double with 18 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Emily Imo had a game-high 18 digs to add to her season totals.

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(Juliana Cortese / The University News) This weekend, the Billikens head north to Milwaukee, Wis. for the Marquette Invitational. They will face off with host, eighth ranked Marquette, Green Bay and Northern Iowa.

(Top) Maya Taylor had 18 kills in the match against SEMO. (Bottom) Senior Sien Gallop had 24 kills in SLU’s 3-2 loss to SEMO. Gallop had the most kills in the match. She also recorded three aces and eight digs.

(Juliana Cortese / The University News)

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WOMEN ROUND OUT NONCONFERENCE HOME SCHEDULE

(Top) Junior Annabelle Copeland plays a long ball.

(Bottom) Brianna Arthur dribbles past a Purdue defender. (TAD / The University News)

By SUSANNAH ELLIS Contributor

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he Billikens Women’s Soccer team hosted two matchups this weekend that ultimately became their first two games sent to overtime of the season. On Friday night, they faced Iowa State, winning 1-0 in overtime, and Sunday afternoon against Purdue, the team’s double overtime final was 0-0.

Iowa State walked into Hermann Stadium with an overall record of 2-4. There were no goals scored in the 90 minutes of regulation play, but within two minutes of overtime, SLU’s Hannah Friedrich, sophomore midfielder, assisted by Emily Groark, sophomore forward, scored the goal that made the Bills victorious. Mary Niehaus, senior goalkeeper, held the Iowa offense

scoreless for her third shutout.

“We’re trying to find the groups that play the best together to be in good rhythm, to grow our mental and physical fitness and just take one game at a time,” said Head Coach Katie Shields.

On a warm Sunday afternoon, the Bills faced Purdue, who held a record of 4-2 on the season. They displayed endurance and fight through 110 minutes of scoreless play. Both teams had some chances, but the goalies had the final word. Billiken goalkeeper Mary Niehaus saved six shots, securing her fourth shutout of the season, and Purdue’s Marisa Bova had seven saves.

“We played a pretty short bench Friday night, and we played a relatively short bench for some players. It’s a hot day, but fatigue is part of the game. Our goal, though, is to continue to grow in our fitness so that by mid-October we’re flying at the end of Sunday games,” said

Shields on visible player fatigue from two long games in one weekend. Alli Klug, Emma Farley, Isabel Burke and Mary Niehaus played the entirety of both games, an altogether 202 minutes a piece.

“This was the best complete weekend we’ve had, against two really good opponents,” said Shields.

“We’re still unbeaten here. Our seniors have now never lost a game in non-conference play at home.

That’s something to be proud of.”

The Billikens traveled to Missouri State on Wednesday, Sept. 18 for a 7 p.m. matchup, where they came out with a 1-0 win. Their first conference game is scheduled for Sept.

22 at Rhode Island.

“We’ve got one more opportunity to grow in both our defending mentality and attacking ability at Missouri State non-conference, and then we’re into the grind of the league,” said Shields.

Evie Lavelle dribbling through two defenders. The Billikens played home games against Big 12 opponent Iowa State and Big Ten opponent Purdue.

(Trenton Almgren-Davis / The University News)

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SLU KEEPS BRONZE BOOT IN DOUBLE OT VICTORY OVER SIUE

By MISHAL MUSTAQUE Contributor wenty years had passed since the last Bronze Boot game in Edwardsville, Illinois, and after the final whistle, it could be said that this game between SLU and SIUE was one some would remember for 20 more years.

With an official recorded attendance of 3,107 fans, players weren’t short-changed for inspiration. A hectic atmosphere amidst the crowd transferred into a thrilling contest on the field. Both teams fought hard from minute 1, and it took only 10 minutes for the first goal to pop up as senior forward Leo Novaes drove a header on a perfect ball from senior midfielder Devin Boyce. But the lead for SLU would not last long.

SIUE kept knocking on the door, and after coming tantalizingly close off a corner and then hitting the post shortly thereafter, their efforts were finally capitalized by sophomore midfielder Kelby Phillips. Only 17 minutes were left in the first half.

Boyce had a productive game in midfield and laid a delicious pass into the box only just missing the foot of a fellow Billiken. The teams went into the break tied at 1 apiece.

Batteries recharged, SLU made a strong start in the second half, coming close to taking the lead again through two quick shots. However, the Cougars survived the early onslaught and gained more ground as the half wore on.

The historic tie showed no signs of a winner in the remaining minutes of the second half as the game became a war of attrition. Willpower and determination of both sets of players went through the ultimate test as extra-time inevitably arrived.

The Bills kept on piling the pressure, but nothing came to fruition in the first half of extra time.

However, when all hope seemed lost, Kipp Keller arrived, the freshman midfielder from St. Louis. With

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32 seconds remaining, when junior Matteo Kidd went down grabbing his leg, supporters would have been forgiven for expecting nothing more out of this game. However, SLU had a last second corner off a free-kick which presented an opportunity to utterly crush the resistance of the SIUE Cougars.

And Keller did exactly that with a thunderous header from Novaes’ corner. The golden goal had come at last. A fitting end to a fixture with over 50 years of history. This was Keller’s first goal for Saint Louis.

Head Coach Kevin Kalish was delighted with his midfielder’s performance and after the game described

him as being “well beyond his years” and a “leader for [SLU’s] backline”.

“We needed the victory, we needed that type of game,” said Billiken Captain Quayyum Murana when asked to comment. “And we needed that type of victory based on how our first two games have played out.” The Bills are in for a great season if they can recapture this same fighting spirit for their remaining games.

Having retained the Bronze Boot for another year, Saint Louis takes on Davidson on Sept. 21 in a road game.

SLU played against SIUE in the fabled Bronze Boot Match. The St. Louis rivalry was revived last year by Head Coach Kevin Kalish who spent six years at SIUE as head coach. The Billikens played thier final non-conference home game in a 1-0 win over Tulsa. (Trenton Almgren-Davis / The University News)

sports SAINT LOUIS BASKETBALL GETS A MAJOR TECH UPGRADE 18

By SAM GLASS Sports Editor h - f o rone…ohfor-two… oh-forthree,” the beautiful sound of progress in Chaifetz Arena as Support Service Coordinator Michael Wilson demonstrated, with three missed shots, the new technology leading SLU Men’s Basketball to a new era— ShotTracker.

The system was installed in the arena and the pavilion over the summer. Petey Cautilli, the Facilities and Events Manager, said that most of the project was spearheaded by Wilson and that they are installing over 100 sensors in the facilities. Currently there are 36 in the arena with 18 more to be installed soon and 50 sensors in the pavilion.

ShotTracker is a system that actively tracks player performance by reading player and ball movements. It gathers a whole bunch of statistics and shows them on an iPad in real time. Many of these stats were previously collected by hand, but the new tool allows coaches the flexibility to focus less on keeping stats and more on how to use those stats to make the team better.

The system works by setting up a grid of sensors all along the walls and rafters of Chaifetz. These are set up in a way so that many fans may not even notice the new addition at all with sensors blending in with their surroundings. The sensors then read movement from the ball, that has its own sensor in it, and the player tags. Each player has their own tag which they can clip onto their shoes. These come together to give a near perfect picture of what is happening on the court.

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“It keeps the guys accountable because they want to get here and see what they did. A lot of guys like to come in [to the pavilion] and shoot with it on then go back and check out ‘what were my stats?’” said Wilson. ShotTracker lets players see their stats with an app on their phone an hour after their training session, giving them time to shower off, relax and come back to see their performance.

On top of stats like assists, rebounds and shooting percentages, it also tracks hot zones—areas where a player is shooting well.

This can be a critical tool in shaping the Billiken offense. As a team that likes to get into the paint, this can show where the team may be falling short and where they are doing well.

Head Coach Travis Ford can use ShotTracker to gauge where the team is at. Ford can look at the iPad and see the stats and go from there. “[Ford] will say, ‘All right guys we had four turnovers and one assist. That’s not good enough,’” said Wilson, “usually [after] every time he says that, it’s always the flip.”

The fans can get in on the action as well. When games start up at Chaifetz Arena there is an app that fans will be able to use to see some of the stats. Though not as comprehensive as what coaches see, it provides an extra level of depth fans do not normally see.

This is a huge step forward for Billiken basketball in terms of recruiting, as well as player development. It is currently unclear as to how much in game impact will be seen from the ShotTracker, as NCAA must approve teams and leagues for use on the bench.

On top of that, both teams must agree to use ShotTracker in game.

Billiken fans will have a chance to see how this new technology is

helping the team with Billiken Madness on Friday, Sept. 27. The event will feature a scrimmage and will be a great opportunity to see the Bills in action.

Billiken player getting ready for a shot at Billiken Madness 2018. The Billikens will celebrate Billiken Madness on Sept.

27 to mark the start of practice that day. (Trenton Almgren-Davis / The University News)

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Opinion WHERE IS THE FACTUAL AND A Discussion on Language: RELIABLE INFORMATION? The SLU “Safety” Bubble 20

This article was anonymously submitted by a slu student in reaction to “SLU “SAFETY BUBBLE”: A MATTER OF PERCEPTION

“This atmosphere is known as the SLU ‘Safety Bubble.’ This safety bubble can be attributed to the diligence of the Department of Public Safety (DPS),” SLU “Safety Bubble”: A Matter of Perception, Klaudia Wachnik (9/4/2019) What? I thought to myself. I’ve attended SLU for three years. Never once during my time on campus, or my brother’s, have I heard that phrase.

The “Safety” Bubble.

If you ask about the “SLU Bubble,” however, you’ll hear quite a different story.

The SLU Bubble is a colloquialism on campus. You’ll hear it used by students, professors and administrators alike.

Similar to the “Safety” Bubble, the SLU Bubble refers to the specific set of circumstances that differentiate the campus of SLU from our surrounding community—the differences of which discourage students from venturing into said community around us.

Are these “set of circumstances” really just issues related to safety?

Perhaps. Make no mistake, there’s a reason why my friends and I seldom travel alone past midnight, even when on West Pine. Saint Louis, like any large city, can be dangerous. I have not written this piece to convince you otherwise.

My concern today is with the way that we code our language, and the ways that we utilize different words to produce different sentiments.

The SLU Bubble has always been a reference of negative connotation.

My peers and I have spent countless hours working with students and admininistrators alike, brainstorming ways for us to get more students into the city. The SGA External Affairs Task Force has collaborated with numerous administrative offices across campus to tackle this very issue, attempting to create a bucket list of places to go

around the city, a guide to using the metro and even steps to inviting local businesses to form connections with our campus, as with last year’s SLUper Market.

And so, I ask again: Does this really just boil down to safety? I don’t think so. It boils down to the demographic differences between our campus and our surrounding community. The differences in upbringing, wealth and opportunity between the students who attend our University and the community members who do not.

It boils down to the privilege we are willing to admit to.

The SLU Bubble is not a solution to be spread, nor a concept to be celebrated.

It is, and has always been, a challenge to overcome.

“My concern is with the way that we code our language, and the ways that we utilize different words to produce different sentiments.”

By JEREMIAH KIRSCH Contributor

I use Twitter to stay up to date on current events and news. There, I said it. An unbiased, unopinionated and unmonitored social media platform gives me all the information I want and use in 280 characters. If I need more, the Twitter search handle has more details for me—a 20-year old caught somewhere between Millennial and Gen Z. It didn’t always used to be this way.

From a young age, I can remember opening the local newspaper of my small town and digesting the big stories and events of the local, regional and world stage. This continued through High School and into college; well, at least for my freshmen to sophomore years here at SLU. The Student Readership Program allowed students hard-copy access to three daily newspapers during the week: USA Today, The New York Times and our local St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Placed in convenient locations like Grand Dining Hall, Busch Student Center and Pius Library, the local, national and world news was right at the fingertips of my fellow students and I. Upon returning to campus this Fall, the newspaper carts are still around, but I couldn’t help but notice an interesting detail about them. They did not have newspapers on them!

(It should be noted that USA Today has been placed in the carts on Sept.

16 and Sept 17.) Where did they go?

Not that I have inquired for their whereabouts, but I am led to believe they were eliminated due to budgetcuts or some other worthy reason.

To say the least, I am disappointed by their disappearance—hence, my first opinion piece for the University News.

Maybe I am old-school and like to digest the happenings of our city, nation and world in print, but I see the elimination of student access to these resources as a concerning event. The mission of SLU is “the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and for the service of Humanity.” Despite clamoring

about “Fake News” and “Biased Press,” newspapers and media have an important place in our world and for the fulfillment of the SLU mission.

Newspapers give access to unbiased, factual and relevant news each day.

The bias lies in the eyes of the beholder.

If one thinks a news story is biased, go find another source! That is no reason to denounce a news outlet and remove it from existence. The PostDispatch, New York Times and USA Today have a relevant place on this campus. Removing them from SLU, no matter the reason, is censorship and an action contrary to the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and the service of humanity.

In closing, I have no clue why the newspapers are not available like they used to be. Although, I know that they should be around. Finding ways to give students access to happenings outside of the “SLU bubble” should be a priority, not just a slogan. As Billikens, we have a responsibility to stand up for truth and the free press, and the Student Readership Program did this. Otherwise, students like myself will drift away to find their news and information through outlets like Twitter, Snapchat and other convenient platforms. The absence of newspapers on campus is concerning, and it reflects a dangerous pattern in our society. Factual and reliable information is being discarded for the convenience of platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat. Newspapers are the checks and balances of our society. Without them, our nation and world is nothing; there is no justice and there is no truth in the absence of free press. We must stand up for our mission and the truth! Where are the newspapers, and what are we doing to provide students with factual and reliable information? Dr. Pestello, Dr. Porterfield or whomever oversees the Student Readership Program, can you answer this question? If so, please let us know. And yes, you can Tweet the answer if that is more convenient.

Editors Note: Due to delays with the vendor contract, the implementation of the Billiken Readership Program was delayed this academic year, but is expected to resume in the next week or two.

Opinion

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A Nation Divided: The Hong Kong Protests Explained

By JORDAN BAILEY Contributor

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s you read the latest news headlines, it can sometimes feel like the only stories ever covered are ones that affect us nationally, with little to no room for any global narratives. But with the recent anti-government demonstrations rattling across Hong Kong, the current news reports are ones that not only examine the domestic implications of the protests, but analyze the international significance to China’s latest political outcry, as well.

The protests began back in February, when Beijing openly expressed their support of an extradition law that was proposed by the Hong Kong government.

The law would have permitted the deportation of people accused of crimes to places where Hong Kong had no formal extradition agreement established. Although supporters of the bill claim that this would prevent Hong Kong from becoming a criminal refuge, many critics fear that the law would be used to expatriate political

opponents, local activists and even Communist Party commentators back to their home regions, including mainland China. Because Hong Kong is considered a “special administrative region,” a subdomain of China that’s government operates separately from the mainland communist one, legal protections and civil liberties cannot be guaranteed when both Chinese citizens and foreigners are relegated out of the region.

So why was an extradition bill even proposed? In February of 2018, a 19-yearold Hong Kong man named Chan Tongkai allegedly murdered his pregnant girlfriend in Taiwan after an argument they had. Tong-kai was able to return back to Hong Kong before Taiwanese law enforcement officials could arrest and prosecute him. Even though Hong Kong law would have traditionally extradited a man like Tong-kai back to the country seeking to indict him, the region’s provincial-level administrative division left authorities powerless to do so. This, in turn, caused the proposition of an extradition bill to come into play.

As more and more people advocate for the removal of the amendment, the list of protestor demands continues to grow. Overall, though, demonstrators have five crucial requests from the Hong Kong government. The first is a complete

withdrawal from the proposed law, which has recently been satisfied after months of continued unrest. During a news conference on July 9, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, promised a “complete and formal withdrawal from the bill.” Although the demonstrators first requirement was met, that didn’t stop them from protesting. Nathan Law, a pro-democracy activist, told BBC News that the anti-government campaign would go on until Hong Kong meets all five demands. “The movement has evolved into a movement that fights for autonomy, democracy, preserving our way of life and restricting the excessive power of the police,” Law said. Although many activists believe the withdrawal of the amendment is a step in the right direction, they still call for the release of arrested protestors, the government to stop using the word “riot” in relation to their protests, an investigation into police brutality and the implementation of universal suffrage. Until all of these requests are met, Hongkongers will continue to protest against the Chinese government, affecting local and national legislation—ultimately altering international relationships and perspectives.

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Opinion

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THE PRIMARY WITHIN THE PRIMARY ast week, the third edition of the 2020 D e m o c r at ic Primary debates was held in Houston, Texas, with the top 10 polling candidates slugging it out on a single stage. It was the first time that all of the top-tier candidates appeared on the same stage and also the first time the number of candidates was reduced to accommodate a single event. Immediately after the candidates had given their opening statements, the ABC moderators set up what has become the classic dynamic of this campaign so far—progressives led by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren versus conservatives led by Joe Biden on the issue of healthcare.

In this article, rather than focusing on this debate or the progressive versus “moderate” dynamic, I’d like to take some time and talk about the progressives in this race, namely Senators Sanders and Warren.

Many pundits and media-folk predicted at the beginning of the campaign that Sanders and Warren would cannibalize each other’s support, effectively splitting the progressive base and giving Biden the nomination. This idea was repeated before the second debate, when they were scheduled to appear onstage alongside one another for the first time. The idea was that Warren and Sanders’ messages and policies are so similar, that they would be forced to attack one another in order

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to have a chance of winning the nomination. Instead, they worked as a tag-team, deflecting mud slung at each other by the centrist candidates and building off each other’s points to create a somewhat cohesive narrative, particularly on the issue of healthcare.

In the campaign overall, Warren and Sanders have refrained from attacking one another and frequently complimented each other in public. This is perhaps possible because the pundits, unsurprisingly, got it wrong; Sanders and Warren have proven to attract support from very different demographics, with Sanders’ coalition being overwhelmingly poor and young, and Warren being most popular among white voters with college degrees.

The friendly nature of Sanders and Warren’s relationship, and the similarity of much of their rhetoric has led many to believe that they are basically the same candidate. After all, they both support Medicare-for-All, eliminating student loan debt and a Green New Deal—all things that Biden and others do not. Warren has even adopted much of Sanders’ rhetoric from 2016 regarding movement versus electoral politics and the need to take on the establishment. As usual, however, the devil is in the details.

Let’s take the most important issue in this primary aside from beating Trump: healthcare. Polls indicate that a strong majority of Democratic primary voters favor moving to a national healthcare system. Although Warren has been one of the most vocal sup-

porters of Medicare-for-All for years, she’s taken steps throughout the campaign to signal to big donors and other elites that she’s not serious about enacting the plan introduced by Sanders in the Senate, despite formally endorsing the bill as her own campaign’s plan for healthcare. When campaigning, she frequently talks about “multiple pathways” to Medicare-for-All which she calls her “North Star”— rhetoric which is used by other candidates who don’t support “M4A”.

In addition, despite pledging to swear off big-money fundraisers and donations from establishment interests, she’s since clarified that this only applies to the primary, because apparently corruption only matters some of the time.

This uncertainty about her true position and her tendency to talk about other, less ambitious healthcare plans she’s signed on to in the Senate, have led many progressives to accuse her of attempting to coopt the label and rhetoric of M4A, while not actually intending to pass it once elected. Such a strategy would also give her the benefit of not having to release her own healthcare plan and see it possibly become a drag on her campaign, as other candidates attempting to co-opt M4A have done.

Look, I like Elizabeth Warren.

She has a strong, progressive record in the last 20 years, despite being a Republican for most of her life, and she knows how to get stuff done in Washington. But honestly, I’m not sure why she’s running in this race. If she really is the same as Sanders in terms of policy and her vision for the country, as so

By JAKOB BENEDETTI Staff Writer

many in the media seem eager to portray even as they smear Sanders and M4A nonstop, then why doesn’t she drop out and endorse him? In a normal situation, the media and people in the Democratic establishment would be treating the runner-up in the primary last time around as the presumptive nominee, or at least in a tie for that position in their minds with the former VP Biden. But for whatever reason, the mainstream media and the Democratic establishment have decided that Sanders is an unacceptable choice, and that Warren is just fine. Wonder what they know that we don’t?

“Warren and Sanders’ messages and policies are so similar, that they would be forced to attack one another in order to have a chance of winning the nomination. ”

Opinion

23

TOXIC MASCULINITY

By ALEXIS KAYSER Staff Writer hen you picture a dog, chances are, you don’t picture a Fila Brasileiro, one of the rarest breeds.

When you picture the sky, you probably don’t picture the colors of the northern lights, which only occur rarely, in certain places, at certain times. When you picture a school shooter, or a rapist or an instigator of domestic violence, it’s all but guaranteed that you’re picturing a male.

This isn’t due to profiling or sexism; it’s due to plain fact. According to an FBI study cited by The Guardian, 96.2 percent of mass shootings are committed by men. This has been blamed on an assortment of things over the years—mental illnesses, testosterone levels, “boys being boys.” No one wants to admit that it’s the way in which the media portrays masculinity that’s the real problem.

In 2012, Bushmaster Rifles put out an advertisement that pictured an AR-15 rifle with the caption, “Consider your man card reissued.” Adam Lanza, a

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small, socially outcast and mentally ill 20-year-old, would fire fatal shots at Sandy Hook Elementary School using this very same type of assault rifle. There’s no coincidence here.

When someone goes the majority of their life feeling as if they are not masculine enough to be accepted by society, they seek to reverse the vulnerability, to turn around the fear and project it onto someone else.

This ad was practically made to appeal to people like Lanza— the lost, the confused, the lonely.

Somehow, this message gets mixed up by the time it hits the headlines. The news claims that it is bullying and mental illness that causes such tragedies to occur.

The idea is that if a person is not consistently wronged by humans, they will not feel the need to get revenge on humans. To an extent, this is true, but it is not the root of the problem. Girls are bullied too. Girls absorb violent movies and video games too. Girls have mental illnesses too. So why, then, has this sort of wicked, gruesome violence become an almost entirely male behavior?

The answer lies in the difference between the two primary gender expressions that kids are raised with: masculinity versus femininity.

Girls are taught to shrink, while boys are taught to puff out, to make themselves as big, strong and “manly” as possible. The size of the G.I. Joe action figure’s biceps has steadily increased over the years; from the

“We can open

a dialogue where boys are welcome to be softer, more emotional and more empathetic, without facing ridicule.”

1960’s to 2001, they increased over 100% to a size that is virtually impossible for men to attain, according to Bradley University.

In proud shows of masculinity, men on television shows and movies fight, shoot and kill each other. Boys, mimicking, fight on the playground. The physically weaker grow up, see ads like the one put out by Bushmaster and seek to reclaim their manhood by putting themselves on the upper hand of a power difference. It’s as easy as buying a gun. Which, in this country, is far too easy.

As the next generation of Americans, we can’t realistically outlaw guns, but we can raise boys who know that physical domination should be a last resort and is not a test that one has to pass to become a man. We can open a dialogue where boys are welcome to be softer, more emotional and more empathetic, without facing ridicule.

Let’s stop telling boys to be boys and start telling boys to be human.

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ADVISOR MICHELLE PELTIER advisor@unewsonline.com

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR GRACIE SIMON travel@unewsonline.com

ASSOC. SPORTS EDITOR ERIN MCCLELLAND sports@unewsonline.com

COPY EDITOR SARAH STEEN copy@unewsonline.com

OPINION EDITOR KELLY SIEMPELKAMP opinion@unewsonline.com

ILLUSTRATOR ASHLEE KOTHENBEUTEL design@unewsonline.com

The University News was founded by CLAUDE HEITHAUS, S.J.

The Editorial Board of the University News recognizes AVIS MEYER, PH.D., as the newspaper’s faculty mentor.