The Commonwealth Times; Sept. 29, 2021

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VOL. 63, NO. 6 SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

11 INDICTED IN CONNECTION TO FRESHMAN ADAM OAKES’ DEATH

Clockwise from left: Benjamin Corado, Robert Fritz, Quinn Kuby, Riley McDaniel, Jason Mulgrew, Christian Rohrbach, Colin Tran, Alessandro Medina-Villanueva and Andrew White. The photos of Alexander Bradley and Enayat Sheikhzad are unavailable. Eleven individuals have been charged with “unlawful hazing of a student,” six were charged with “purchase, giving alcohol to a minor.” Photos courtesy of the Richmond Police Department KATHARINE DEROSA News Editor

Villanueva, Jason Mulgrew, Christian Rohrbach, Colin Tran, Enayat Sheikhzad, Andrew White, AlexanLEVEN PEOPLE WERE der Bradley and Robert Fritz have indicted on Friday in been charged with “unlawful hazing connection to the death of a student.” Corado, Kuby, Tran, of VCU freshman Adam White, Bradley and Fritz were addiOakes, as a result of a seven-month- tionally charged with “purchase, giving long investigation led by the Rich- alcohol to a minor.” mond Police Department, according Nine out of the 11 people indicted to RPD spokesperson are currently enrolled in Tracy Walker. the Fall 2021 semester, Out of the eight according to university people arrested, seven spokesman Michael were taken into custoPorter. Sheikhzad is a dy by VCU Police and graduate of the unione by Virginia State versity and White is Police. The other three not enrolled in the Fall individuals turned 2021 semester. Andrew themsel ves in on White has no relation Monday, according to to Courtney White, Walker. After a Sept. cousin of Oakes.

27 hearing, seven more University public were released on bond, relations could not indiAdam Oakes. according to an article Photo courtesy of the Oakes family cate the disciplinary staby CBS 6 Richmond. tus of the nine students The Oakes family released an as of Sept. 28, however, CBS 6 Richmond emailed statement on Friday with reported seven have been suspended. a list of seven things that can be The Oakes family also stated they learned from Adam’s death and the are grateful for the “relentless effort, recent arrests. The list includes stop- diligence, and perseverance” of Major ping hazing, “being brave” by stand- Crimes Detective Michael Gouldman ing up for others, calling emergency and Deput y Commonwealth’s services and “hug your loved ones and Attorney Alison Martin. Gouldman let them know you care.” led the investigation of Oakes’ death, “Time is precious,” the Oakes according to RPD. family stated. “We would give any“Our entire family has faith in the thing to hug Adam one more time, judicial system and we appreciate the see the smile on face, or hear his driving efforts for justice,” the Oakes laugh, but we can’t because of the family stated. “To the young men actions these young men took that charged, we hope you learn from your evening in February.” criminal acts and never, ever forget Benjamin Corado, Quinn Kuby, what you and Delta Chi did to our Riley McDaniel, Alessandro Medina- sweet boy, Adam Oakes.”

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A majority of the individuals: Kuby, McDaniel, Medina-Villanueva, Mulgrew, Rohrbach, Tran, White, Bradley and Fritz will have a court session at 9 a.m. on Oct. 4 in the Richmond City Circuit Court at the John Marshall Courts Building.

Oakes was pronounced dead by Richmond Police on Feb. 27 after he was found dead at a West Clay Street residence the morning after attending a Delta Chi event, the fraternity Oakes pledged. Oakes’ family says a hazing event led to his death.

VCU’s chapter of Delta Chi was suspended the morning after his death and officially expelled from campus on June 3, according to a university statement.

The cause of death was ruled accidental due to ethanol toxicity, a type of alcohol poisoning, according to a May 25 report from the Richmond Medical Examiner.

The seven-month-long investigation was conducted by the RPD in collaboration with VCU Police and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, according to Walker.

Hazing is considered a class one misdemeanor in Virginia, which is punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine or both.

The international headquarters of Delta Chi released a statement condemning the actions of the former members of the VCU chapter following the arrests that were made on Friday, Sept. 24.

“No family should ever have to experience what the Oakes family has experienced,” Delta Chi stated. “Delta Chi remains committed to continued cooperation with all law enforcement agencies and efforts.”

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: President Joe Biden received a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, tells Americans to get vaccinated. international: Two transgender women, Tessa Ganserer and Nyke Slawik, won seats in the German Parliament for the first time in the nation’s history.

Illustration by Seulgi Smith

City Council declares City of Richmond to be in a state of climate emergency KATRINA LEE Contributing Writer Richmond has become one of the 2,006 local governments across the world to declare to be in a state of climate emergency, according to the Climate Emergency Declaration and Mobilisation website.

On Sept. 13, Richmond City Council members voted to pass a resolution declaring the “existence of a climate and ecological emergency that threatens the city of Richmond, the surrounding region, the Commonwealth of Virginia, civilization, humanity, and the natural world.”

Barry O’Keefe, a Richmond climate activist, stated in an email that he has been advocating for this declaration since 2019 through awareness, protests and petitions. A week before the vote, O’Keefe, other climate activists and City Council members gathered for a Climate Emergency Rally on the steps of Richmond City Hall to advocate for this resolution.

“With Richmond now regularly breaking annual rainfall and temperature records, Richmonders are already feeling the direct impacts of the accelerating climate emergency,” O’Keefe stated in a press release.

Sheri Shannon is the co-founder of Southside ReLeaf, a local nonprofit which works to address environmental and climate justice issues in South Richmond.

“Our communities cannot afford inaction from its leaders as our health, livelihood and life expectancy are on the line,” stated Shannon in O’Keefe’s press release.

“Right now, Southside residents bear the brunt of decades of disinvestment and harmful policies that has left generations of Richmonders displaced, under-resourced and marginalized.”

The resolution was originally introduced on July 27 by Richmond’s 2nd District City Councilwoman Katherine Jordan. She stated in an email that the climate crisis was one of the primary reasons she ran for office.

“The resolution expresses our unified commitment on council to being an environmental leader in the region, and when realized through the required follow-up legislation (resolutions are non-binding) it will help protect our businesses and residents from the worsening effects of climate change,” Jordan stated in an email.

Climate change continues to increase the intensity and number of national disasters, including massive wildfires, doughts, hurricanes and floods, according to the United Nations. Global temperatures are expected to rise by up to 3.2 Celsius by 2100 as well.

Climate change is “a long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth’s local, regional and global climates,” according to NASA. Associate professor Scott Neubauer, who teaches in the biology department, said this climate emergency reflects both “foreseeable, imminent” risk that the city of Richmond is facing as well as a sense of urgency to deal with the climate crisis.

“If we look at the data, we can see things are beginning to change,” Neubauer said.

“Every year since 2016, we have been experiencing the highest temperatures that humans have ever recorded on the planet.”

Director of Sustainability at the VCU Office of Sustainability Ann Kildahl said it was “good” to see the city council make this declaration and that VCU is

moving in the same direction to limit the university’s impact on the Earth.

“I think the effect on VCU will be to reinforce our commitment to addressing climate and broader sustainability challenges in the months and years ahead,” Kildahl said.

I have two children, ages one and four.

God willing they will live into the 2090s and beyond, and stand to suffer greatly at the hands of our generation’s ignorance and cowardice.”

Barry O’Keefe, climate activist 2020 was the second-warmest year recorded, right behind the 2016 temperature record. 2020 was 1.84 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the baseline 1951-1980 mean, according to NASA. Due to the passing of this resolution, Richmond can now begin taking “meaningful

steps” to enact policy that decreases the city’s impact on the environment, stated O’Keefe.

“The City must reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45 percent from 2010 levels by no later than 2030, and reach net zero by 2050, in order to stabilize a 1.5° C (2.4° F) temperature increase to have a chance at avoiding profound and disastrous impacts on the city’s local climate, ecosystem, and communities,” according to the resolution.

Some policy commitments made by the resolution include to electrify the city’s vehicles, to increase funding to the city’s Urban Forestry work and to adjust the Office of Sustainability so that it has more power to enact its recommendations, according to O’Keefe’s press release.

The resolution also addresses how climate change has been and will continue to “disproportionately impact Black neighborhoods in South and East Richmond,” which contributes to the reasoning of declaring a state of climate emergency.

The resolution also commits to create a new Office of Sustainability for the city to “oversee a community-wide mobilization effort to be implemented by all departments and agencies of the City, and provide for the powers and resources necessary to coordinate the City’s climate and environmental programs.”

O’Keefe explained how his children are one of the driving forces for his advocacy and push toward this declaration.

“I have two children, ages one and four.

God willing they will live into the 2090s and beyond, and stand to suffer greatly at the hands of our generation’s ignorance and cowardice,” O’Keefe stated in an email.

“We have no right to remain inactive with so much precious life at stake.”

City Hall is located in downtown Richmond, where City Council members recently voted to declare Richmond in a state of climate emergency.

Photo by Alessandro Latour

Wed. September 29, 2021 3

DAVINA EFETIE Contributing Writer VCU HEALTH ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF the Office of Health Equity on Sept. 14, which will be housed in the VCU School of Medicine on MCV campus.

Sheryl Garland, chief of impact health at VCU Health and the appointed executive director of the new office, said that she worked very closely with members of her team to “identify ways to integrate the principles of health equity into the core missions of the university and health system.”

She said she worked closely with current Senior Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the School of Medicine Kevin Harris, who holds a doctorate in public policy and administration.

“We took our time to really try and understand and get the right people around the table to come up with ideas that we thought could make a difference,” Garland said.

Garland also said that it took her and her team members about a year of planning. She wanted to ensure that her team members all spoke the same language and understood what the core issues were from both a university, health system and community perspective.

“As a hub, we connect the talent and expertise that exists at the university and the health system with that of community organizations to develop and build partnerships focused on addressing health inequities and disparities. We hope our work will substantially reduce the negative impact of defined social determinants of health,” according to its website.

Anika Hines, assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Policy, said that health equity means that every person has equal opportunity

Illustration by Lauren Johnson

VCU launches Office of Health Equity to address health, racial disparities to obtain their highest level of health.

Hines also holds a doctorate in health and public policy.

These opportunities not only include having the privilege to visit the doctor but opportunities associated with “structural barriers,” according to Hines. Examples of structural barriers include people not having access to healthy food, exercise and obtaining an education that could position themselves to earn money and live a healthy, desirable life.

Hines said that race has become one of the most prominent structural barriers in health disparities because certain groups of the population aren’t adversely stressed disproportionately to the point where it affects their health.

“African Americans were slaves and that initial saying of being property and not humans has trickled down through the ways we

have been treated over centuries,” Hines said.

Hines said public policies that were set in place unequally treated minorities, such as the practice of red-lining, in which mortgage renters only allowed Black people to buy homes in certain communities.

“When you think about pollution or source pollutants, Black communities and other minorities are more likely to be sat next to those,” Hines said.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in health disparities as it adversely exposed groups of a population that had already been marginalized to being further marginalized, according to Hines.

“During the pandemic, disparities persisted as people of color had higher rates of infection, hospitalizations and deaths and largely that’s because of their social exposures that were in jeopardy, such as shelter,” Hines said.

VCU Health takes COVID-19 research on the road with mobile-RV laboratories

Ages 70+

Ages 0-9

University, the LEGACI Ages 10-19 project is analyzing “proAges longed cardiac symptoms, 50-69 respiratory symptoms, altered smell and taste, etc.,” 10% according to Kinser.

18.3% VCU Health will be taking data collection devices directly to the patients and test subjects by constructing 29.6% mobile laboratories, according to Kinser.

29.2% “So essentially we’re retrofitting small RVs and putting all of our equipment into those RVs: mobile MRI Ages 30-49 Ages 20-29 machine, EEG, EKG, blood drawing station, everything 7.7% of patients with age not reported. so that we can actually take these to where families are Source: Virginia Department of Health instead of depending upon Infographic by Jayce Nguyen families to come into an academic health system, which can be sometimes overwhelming to Public Information Officer for Richfamilies in the first place,” Kinser said. mond and Henrico Health Districts Cat Black populations have the highest rate Long has been collecting COVID-19 data of cases, hospitalizations and death in Rich- weekly since the start of the pandemic. mond, according to the VDH. “Most of our cases, zero to nine year “So, families of color, for example, are olds, particularly, of the age range of our disproportionately affected by COVID and residents in Richmond and Henrico are also tend to not be able to participate in experiencing more cases than the total casresearch studies for a variety of reasons,” es they have previously,” Long said.

Kinser said. “So, this whole concept of Virginia is expecting a COVID-19 being able to bring the research to those vaccine for children to soon be approved, communities or bring the lab to those Long said. communities, we’re trying to cut down on “The upcoming possibility that vaccines barriers for these families to participate. will be approved at five to 11-year-olds will VCU Health is continuously looking for be a big protective factor,” Long said. participants ages 0-25 who both have had COVID-19 and have not had it.

6.3%

COVID-19 vaccine, according to the VDH. Children 11 and under are currently ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, which has VCU Health recently joined the Na- resulted in a recent spike of cases, Long said. tional Institutes of Health in researching Vaccinations for children 11 and under COVID-19 in children ages 0-25 and their will become available in descending age biological families, as children are increasing- groups, starting with children ages 9-11. ly experiencing long-term symptoms post- The Pfizer vaccine is looking to submit data COVID-19, according to Assistant Dean of for vaccine eligibility in children by early Research, Scholarship and Innovation at the October and Moderna is expected to follow VCU School of Nursing Patricia Kinser. suit by early November. Children ages 5-11 Children ages 0-19 are accounting for will receive 1/3 of the adult Pfizer vaccine 35.8% of new COVID-19 cases in the Rich- dosage and children ages 6 months to 5 mond area in the last four weeks, according years will receive 1/10 of the adult Pfizer to the Virginia Department of Health. vaccine dosage, according to the VDH. “Compared to this time last year, the inLong-term effects of COVID-19 in fection rates in children, it’s astronomically children include fatigue, “brain fog,” difhigher,” Kinser said. ficulty concentrating and mental health Children ages 12 to 15 are eligible for symptoms, Kinser said. The NIH recently the Pfizer-BioNTech allocated $417 million in studying longterm COVID-19 effects and recruited VCU Health to join the Life-Course Examination of General Affect and Neurocognitive Changes Following COVID-19 Infection (LEGACI) program.

“The reason we’re doing this study is to understand why some people who got COVID-19 are still sick many months after being infected, how this affects the body,” Kinser said. “We want to understand the myriad of symptoms and long-term outcomes that children and family are experiencing whether or not they had an infection.”

Partnered with Brown VCU Health buildings are located on the MCV campus in University, New York Unidowntown Richmond. Photo by Alessandro Latour versity, and Northeastern

Covid-19 case distribution by age in Richmond

6.7%

LINDSEY WEST Contributing Writer

Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020 by the World Health Organization, there have been 22,544 reported cases in Richmond, among which Black people make up 52.2%, Hispanics or Latinos 13.2% and white people 28.9%, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Nearly 70% of the COVID-19 deaths in Richmond have been among the Black and Latino communities while 28.9% of deaths were among white people. Throughout the pandemic, Black and Latino communities hospitalized with COVID-19 are more than five times the rate of white residents, according to the VDH. “We should be encouraged if we think of health inequity as something that resulted from flaws in a system we created, rather than something that stems from the inferiority of a particular population,” Hines said.

The Office of Health Equity has collaborated with VCU Libraries, along with other departments, including the department of African American studies and the Humanities Research Center to curate programs such as the History and Health: Racial Equity series to combat racial inequalities in health which are offered to community members, students and staff members.

The office has also partnered with other aspects of VCU such as the Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success, according to Garland.

Health equity is a matter of social justice and serious evaluation of the public policies that have manifested as health disparities over the centuries would help to combat the injustice, according to Hines.

“If we take deliberate action to support and provide resources to communities that have been systematically under-resourced and locked out of opportunities, then we can help move towards equity,” Hines said.

4 The Commonwealth Times

Emancipation and Freedom Monument unveiled at Brown’s Island EMMA CARLSON Contributing Writer

hope, and will be inspired to keep moving forward for freedom and equality.”

THE NEW EMANCIPATION The MLK Memoriand Freedom Monument al Commission chose the was unveiled on Brown’s names at the base of the Island by the Virginia Dr. monument based on pubMartin Luther King, Jr. lic feedback, from which Memorial Commission on 10 finalists were chosen.

Sept. 22, according to the Among the names are Nat commission’s website.

Turner, Lucy Simms and The 12-foot bronze Dred Scott, according to monument was designed the commission’s website.

by Thomas Jay Warren and Turner led the first sucdepicts a man breaking free cessful slave revolt in Virfrom shackles and a woman ginia in 1831, and Simms holding a child, symbolizserved as an educator at a ing freedom from slavery. segregated school in HarGov. Ralph Northam, risonburg, Virginia, until Richmond Mayor Levar her death, according to Stoney and Virginia state the website.

Sen. Jennifer McClellan Scott was the defendant were in attendance at the in the landmark Supreme unveiling ceremony, accordCourt case, Dred Scott ing to the MLK Memorial The 12-foot bronze Emancipation and Freedom statue was unveiled on Sept. 22 on Brown’s Island in Richmond. The v. Sandford, which led to Commission website. statue depicts a man breaking free from shackles and a woman holding a child. Photo by Megan Lee the infamous decision that “We talk often about the individuals of African deneed to make sure that we tell and teach Warren’s designs for the statues were soThe new monument on Brown’s Island scent were not considered United States the full and true story of our shared his- lidified in 2014, and the statues began the comes exactly two weeks after the Robert citizens, according to the MLK Memorial tory,” Northam said at the unveiling cere- assembly process in 2020, according to the E. Lee statue was removed from Mar- Commission website. mony. “How we must ensure that everyone MLK Memorial Commission website. cus-David Peters Circle on Monument “Richmond and Virginia have come a understands where we have been so we can “Dedicated to the contributions of Af- Avenue on Sept. 8. long way,” Stoney said at the ceremony. build a more inclusive future together.” rican American Virginians in the centuMcClellan serves as the chair of the “And while there is still much work left to At the base of the monument are the ries-long fight for emancipation and free- MLK Memorial Commission. do, we are moving in the right direction.” names and biographies of 10 African dom, the monument highlights notable “This monument captures the triumph Americans from Virginia who aided in African American Virginians who have of emancipation and the hope of freedom More information on the monument and all the emancipation and freedom move- made significant contributions to the eman- emerging from the tragedy and trauma of the individuals commemorated can be found ments prior to 1865 and up through cipation and freedom of formerly enslaved slavery,” McClellan stated in an email. “I on the MLK Memorial Commission website.

1970, according to the MLK Memorial persons or descendants,” the MLK Memo- hope that every Virginian who looks upon Commission website. rial Commission website stated. the figures will feel their nobility, pain, and ADVERTISEMENT

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Wed. September 29, 2021 5

Stat of the week

VCU men's soccer senior defender Zeron Sewell was named Atlantic 10 Co-Defensive Player of the Week.

Photo illustration by Bailey Wood

From left to right: Sophomore forward Jamir Watkins, senior forward Vince Williams Jr., sophomore forward Mikeal Brown-Jones and junior forward Hason Ward. Photo by Megan Lee

5 VCU men’s basketball games to look forward to this season 2

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This season will be interesting as the black and gold will play in front of 7,500 rowdy spectators in the Stuart C. Siegel Center for the first time in over a year. This seaASKETBALL SEASON IS VCU will face A-10 champion St. Bonaven- The Rams will face the Spiders in the annu- son, the Rams will try to bring their 10th gearing up, which means a ture two times over the course of the season. al Capital City Classic. The Rams lead the all-time conference tournament champifresh schedule has been anThe Bonnies will be returning with the ma- classic all-time, 55-31. The men’s basketball onship win, and the team will try to gain nounced. The VCU community is jority of last season’s players, including Osun team will look to continue their dominance their second A-10 championship win close to being in that familiar atmoOsunniyi, who was named A-10 Defensive over it’s local rival. Spider fans should be ex- since their first in 2015. There is much to sphere again, with energetic fans and Player of the Year. The Rams defeated the cited to watch graduate students and A-10 expect from the Rams this season. lively music from the VCU Pep Band.

Bonnies only once in the three times they honor players, Grant Golden and Jacob GiThis year brings a new and explayed, falling to the opposing team in the lyard, come back and start for the Spiders The Rams will open up their season with the citing season for the men’s basketA-10 championship. This season, the Rams for another season — their fourth as startannual black and gold scrimmage on ball team, as it is another tough but will try to avenge their losses from last year. ers. Both A-10 honor players are four-year Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. The game will be thrilling schedule for the Rams. For starters for the Spiders. Golden used his played at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE fans of VCU men’s basketball, here’s last year of eligibility and Gilyard became a For ticket information, visit OPENER — VCU VS. GEORGE a list of games to look forward to this graduate student. vcuathletics.com.

MASON: DEC. 30 (TBA) season, with a mix of nonconference BAD BOY MOWERS BATTLE and rivalry matches.

4 ATLANTIS — VCU VS. SYRThis game will open Atlantic 10 conference ACUSE: NOV. 24 AT 5 P.M. play for the Rams. Last season, the Patriots and the Rams split the season series, both acVCU AT ODU: DEC. 11 (TBA) cumulating a win against each other. The Rams The Rams will partake in an eardefeated the Patriots 66-61 in January, then ly-season tournament versus some of lost 79-76 in an overtime thriller in February. the top ten teams in Division I basketThe rivalry between the Monarchs and ball. Last season, the Rams captured third Rams still stands to this day. The Rams place in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Sophomore guard will face the Monarchs for the 97th time.

Classic. The Rams could possibly face the Ace Baldwin.

The Rams lead the rivalry all-time at 52-44. reigning NCAA champions, Baylor, if they Photo by Megan Lee Last season, the black and gold defeated defeat the Syracuse Orange in the first the Monarchs 77-54 for the second time round of the tournament. This is a game in a row. The game will be held in ODU’s for transfer students and newcomers like Chartway Arena at the Ted Constant Marcus Tsohonis to show us what they’ll Convocation Center for the first time in bring this season. two years. In the last ten matchups, the VCU men’s basketball huddles together during Rams have ruled the rivalry, 8-2. a game earlier this year. Photo by Megan Lee ARRICK WILSON Contributing Writer

ATLANTIC 10 — VCU VS. ST. BONAVENTURE: MAR. 1 (TBA)

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ATLANTIC 10 — VCU AT RICHMOND: JAN 29 (TBA)

6 The Commonwealth Times

PRESS BOX

THERE IS NO ‘PERFECT BODY,’ not even in sports

SEPTEMBER 23

WOMEN’S SOCCER - AT ST. BONAVENTURE WIN 1-0 ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 24

TAGWA SHAMMET Opinions Editor

GOLF

This story discusses body dysmorphia and eating disorders. It may be triggering for some readers.

Sept. 24-25 18TH OF 18 WILLIAM H. TUCKER INTERCOLLEGIATE (ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.)

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HROUGHOUT HUMANITY, OUR SOCIETY has struggled to define what the perfect body is — curvy, muscular, skinny, fat. All of these words present an extremely toxic environment within the conversation surrounding an individual’s body.

The concept of the perfect body has created a consistently harmful view of oneself. Many people of all ages, genders, etc. struggle with their body image. Between disordered eating and body dysmorphia, the perception of one’s body has provided major insecurities to many.

There is a large misconception that athletes are excused from these insecurities. That could not be further from the truth.

Think about it: athletes’ entire careers are contingent on their bodies. A gymnast must be light on her feet. A defensive football player must be strong.

A sprinter must be fast. All of these requirements can affect an athlete’s body and their image.

As a society, we’ve begun to move away from encouraging toxic body images, instead focusing on body positivity.

However, this evolution seems nonexistent in the sports world. Coaches and staff continue to push athletes into unrealistic body goals that are unhealthy.

It isn’t just eating habits that come into play due to these body image issues.

Athletes have a desire to strengthen their bodies — some don’t care about the cost. Athletes have even undergone surgery to help their bodies keep up with their sports.

Former Olympian Kristen Maloney shared her story with ESPN, retelling the horror stories of the eight surgeries she underwent when she was a gymnast to help fix her foot. Nearly 20 years later, Maloney is still suffering with the aftermath of her operations, the worst being her regret.

Maloney did not undergo her surgeries for cosmetic reasons, however her surgery just goes to show how much work an athlete puts into maintaining their body. Maloney changing her body can have a direct effect on how she views her body.

Athletes can develop serious body dysmorphia simply because their body has been changed, which can encourage other unhealthy habits.

Earlier this year, the University of Michigan sought to understand disordered eating in athletes. Their research found a massive correlation between disordered eating in female athletes and the power dynamic found within their coaching staffs.

The research focused mostly on NCAA Division I female runners. I found this to be such a sufficient test group.

In high school, I was on the track and field team as a discus and shot put thrower. I witnessed the gruesome training the track runners had to endure.

GAME RESULTS

MEN’S TENNIS

Sept. 24-25 OVERALL 0-3 ELON INVITATIONAL (ELON, N.C.)

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Sept. 24-26 OVERALL 10-4 JTCC BEDFORD CUP (WASHINGTON, D.C.)

FIELD HOCKEY - VS. SAINT JOSEPH’S LOSS 3-1 ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

VOLLEYBALL - VS. FORDHAM WIN 3-0 ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 25 MEN’S SOCCER - VS. DAYTON WIN 2-0 ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

VOLLEYBALL - VS. RHODE ISLAND WIN 3-0 ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 26 FIELD HOCKEY - VS. LA SALLE WIN 2-0 ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

WOMEN’S SOCCER - AT GEORGE MASON WIN 4-1 ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE Illustration by Lauren Johnson

They were constantly conditioning themselves to be light on their feet and run faster.

However, many of them had extremely concerning relationships with food. Instead of replenishing their bodies with food before and after a practice, they stayed away from food to enhance their speed.

eating among female runners is twice as high as non-athlete peers.”

The fundamental issue within this dilemma is the perpetuation of these toxic body images by coaching staff. A coach is meant to be someone who has your best interest at heart, someone who encourages your success. They are supposed to be a mentor to athletes all over.

However, when a coach encourages body image ideals within their teams, they can directly harm these athletes and their self image. If a person were to call a When a coach encourstranger in the street fat, there would be ages body image ideals uproar. How come we don’t reciprocate within their teams, that outrage when it comes to athletes?

I understand that athletes have certhey can directly harm tain weight and body goals that they these athletes and their must upkeep. However, I will never be self image.” supportive of the bullying athletes endure.

They are still human beings. Sure, Tagwa Shammet, they may be more physically gifted than Opinions Editor the rest, but they work extremely hard to attain their goals. One of those goals This is a normality in many teams across should not be reaching an absurdly the world. In fact, the University of Mich- “perfect” body. igan noted, “The prevalence of disordered

VOLLEYBALL - VS. SAINT LOUIS LOSS 3-2 ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 28 MEN’S SOCCER - AT VIRGINIA LOSS 3-1

Wed. September 29, 2021 7

On this day

In 1988, the space shuttle Discovery left the Kennedy Space Center to release a satellite into orbit.

VCU fashion alumna recognized nationally, expands fashion presence SAHARA SRIRAMAN Spectrum Editor

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ETAL CHAIN BREASTPLATES that reflect the sunlight, blush-colored velvet suits and leather mini handbags are just some of the pieces featured in VCU alumna Kylie Rose Carroll’s clothing collection, Divine Proportions.

Rose’s collection was chosen to be part of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Fashion Future Graduate Showcase 2021, and launched on the CFDA’s Runway 360 website on Sept. 7 for New York Fashion Week. The program itself is meant to highlight the talent of 2020 fashion graduates and honor the difficulty they faced in school during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to its website.

Rose, who is a current fashion student working to get her Master of Fine Arts in the Parsons Paris fashion design and the arts program, said she was nominated for the award by one of her fashion professors.

“They were seeking nominations of graduates who the faculty members felt were the up-and-coming names and brains of fashion, with an emphasis on things like having a greater purpose as a designer,” Rose said.

She said the clothing collection, Divine Proportions, is focused on how societal standards of beauty for women can be harmful, especially because women are often told they need to look a certain way that forces them to fit into society’s standards of beauty. A lot of the inspiration for this project came from Rose’s journey with 1

learning how to love and appreciate her own body, according to the artist.

“I deeply relate to the societal pressures to, like, watch your appearance and watch your weight and have your hair and makeup done,” Rose said. “Things I think can have really negative and harmful effects on women and have had really negative and harmful effects on me.”

She said that although she was inspired by her own femininity, her clothing and accessories can be worn by anyone, regardless of their gender.

She’s a forward thinker, she is going to change the structure of the industry.”

Hawa Stwodah, assistant professor of fashion design “It exists beyond an experience that someone who identifies as a woman might have,” Rose said about her clothing line. “I think everyone experiences this in different ways and it’s very universal.”

She said she wanted this project, along with most of her work, to challenge society’s disapproval when it comes to talking about body image issues.

“It’s about challenging the way things function, the way you think about things, what you are told you should be expected to be or how you think you are expected to act,” Rose said.

She said that she tried to savor and feel proud when

From left: Amani Synclare, Michelle Owusu, Shelby Davies and Rubén Pagán-Ramos.

Models wearing various pieces from Kylie Rose Carroll’s clothing collection, Divine Proportions, which was chosen to be part of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Fashion Future Graduate Showcase 2021. Photo courtesy of Elissa Rumford

her pieces launched on Runway 360’s site on Sept. 7, even though she is currently in school. She felt even more of an honor to be recognized on the site when she saw other designers she was a fan of on there as well.

“It’s pretty amazing and it’s an amazing opportunity,” Rose said.

2 She said VCU taught her to get the most out of all her experiences, even if they are limited. Rose also said she believes that you can only get what you want if you put the effort in.

“I got everything I could out of my experience at VCU and that was because I took a lot of initiative on my own, the professors were always there to help you,” Rose said. “I was really able to design my own experience at VCU and get the most out of it as possible.”

Hawa Stwodah, an assistant professor of fashion design, said she first worked with Rose when she was a sophomore, preparing her design package for the International Fur Federation’s ReMix Student Fur Design 1: Model Michelle Owusu wears pieces from Kylie Rose Carroll’s clothing collection, including the twoCompetition, which Sttone leather coat dress and the leather breastplate. Photo courtesy of Elissa Rumford wodah oversaw.

2: Model Shelby Davies wears a beaded leather harness top, beaded breastplate bustier and “It was great seeing drawstring slip dress. Photo courtesy of Elissa Rumford her develop as a designer

because she really wanted to master her craft,” Stwodah said.

After Stwodah worked with Rose when she was applying for fashion scholarships, she was her professor during Rose’s last years at VCU. Stwodah also mentored Rose when she was in the process of applying to be a finalist for the CFDA award.

“She’s a forward thinker, she is going to change the structure of the industry,” Stwodah said. “That is something we’re always trying to push in our students; make a change, make it better, do something new.”

Kimberly Guthrie, associate chair of the VCUarts fashion design and merchandising department, said that Rose was “extremely resourceful,” always going above and beyond with her work.

“She knew what she needed to do to get the project done but was always curious and wondered about what work could she do or in what way could she think to make that project elevated,” Guthrie said.

Guthrie said that she is proud of Rose for having her pieces displayed on Runway 360 and is glad that Rose and her work are getting the recognition they deserve.

She said Rose’s work isn’t mainstream, but will have major effects on the industry, such as challenging fashion norms and pushing for the restructuring of aspects of the industry, including inclusivity and sustainability.

“It might seem like a small representation, but its ripple effects are bigger and I think she will inspire all of the students behind her,” Guthrie said.

8 The Commonwealth Times

HADIA MOOSVI Contributing Writer

exhibition the past three years. Nguyen submitted her work for consideration A TV RESTS ON THE WALL OF to The Anderson in the a dark, black room as the summer of 2021 before it proverb, “Home is where was approved by the gallery. one buries their umbilical She said certain pieces cord,” fades in on the screen. in the exhibit, including the A person is seen cutting a axe and the performance bamboo tree from the video, were assignments ground that is tied to their from her previous classes body by what resembles a at VCU. bloodstained rope.

Nguyen said her craft Surrounding the TV are professor, Vivian Chiu, and elements from the video — sculpture professor, Kendall dimly lit bamboo trees in Buster, played a role in helpthe corners of the room, a ing her as an artist. With bloodstained rope meant to their help, she was able to resemble an umbilical cord, get experience in using cera small tree in a glass distain materials, such as plexiplay case and a wood craftglass, to perfect the work in ed axe that sits beside the A piece from Hien Nguyen’s “In the Theme of Home” accompanies her installation “Up-Rooting” and performance her exhibition. glass box. video “Somewhere the Driftwood Will Land.” Photo by Megan Lee Buster said it is critical Hien Nguyen, a VCthat Nguyen’s work is being Uarts senior studying sculpshowcased at The Anderture, created two forms of son, so her experience can visual work for her exhibibe heard. tion titled “In the Theme “The Anderson gallery of Home,” which tells the gave a student who is defistory of displacement and nitely stellar in terms of losing a sense of home through the lens of “It’s a metaphor for my motherland “And I’m like, ‘why am I thinking about this their output, productivity, seriousness; gave an immigrant. country,” Nguyen said. “The image of the thing so much?’ It’s like an itch that you’ve them this opportunity to have an exhibition The exhibition is being showcased at The bamboo tree had appeared in a lot of Viet- got to scratch or make work for.” of this kind,” Buster said. “It talks about this Anderson, an on-campus VCUarts gallery, namese art and literature for a thousand idea of being uprooted. But imagine talking until Oct. 2. It includes both a performance years. We use bamboo to build houses and about being uprooted through the metaphor video, “Somewhere the Driftwood Will contain fruit.” of a bamboo tree that has been ripped off. I Land” and an installation, “Up-Rooting.”

Alongside using bamboo as a metaphor think it speaks so eloquently.”

Nguyen was born and raised in Saigon, for her homeland, Nguyen said she used Lizalde said Nguyen’s work in the exhibI think it’s very clean Vietnam, and said the concept of the instal- a rope which resembles an umbilical cord it impacted her as a multimedia artist and lation is centered around her personal expe- to show the Southeast Asian ritual of umgraduate student herself. and well put together rience after moving to America at the age bilical cord burial. The performance video “It challenges me to make sure my work as an installation. I felt of 17, where she grappled with the question also shows the cord being cut and regrown, is up to standard,” Lizalde said. “It’s exciting like all my senses were “what is home?” which she said is a metaphor for the trauto see that undergraduate students are ac“At one point I realized my parents’ ma involved when moving away from a tually getting enough space and a platform engaged when I walked house is their home but not my home, and home country. to put their work out there.” in. So there’s a lot of Vietnam is no longer my home. I’ve been “I think it’s very clean and well put toNguyen said she hopes her work can technical skills that went so far from it,” Nguyen said. “Here, I can gether as an installation. I felt like all my make anyone going through the same extry to fit in, but in the back of my mind I senses were engaged when I walked in,” said periences, including VCU students and the into the pieces.” am an immigrant and I’m a person of color. Aida Lizalde, an exhibit attendee and VCU overall Richmond community, to feel as if Aida Lizalde, exhibit attendee I was being challenged like, ‘Okay so, what graduate student. “So there’s a lot of technithey are not alone in feeling displaced. and VCU graduate student is home?’” cal skills that went into the pieces.”

“I was hoping seeing my work would Nguyen said her first time thinking of Nguyen then tied all the elements into give the people who are a lot like me — in the concept was during her sophomore year the proverb she used for the performance a situation where they’re having an exiswhen she visited her parents’ home in the video, “Home is where one buries their tential crisis — that comfort of knowing suburbs of Virginia. There, she passed by a umbilical cord.”

While the exhibit was independent from like, ‘Okay, I’m not the only one feeling like bush of bamboo trees that reminded her of “Every time I turned to my parents’ her classwork, Nguyen said her experience something’s messed up,’” Nguyen said.

Vietnam, which inspired her to use them in house, I’d see the bamboo and the proverb at VCU helped in creating her work and the exhibition. kept spiraling in my brain,” Nguyen said. establishing the overall concept of her

‘In the Theme of Home’ tells the story of displacement through the immigrant lens

VCU Cabell First Novelist Award granted to ‘Luster’ author Raven Leilani

ZAHRA NDIRANGU Contributing Writer

New York-based author Raven Leilani was awarded VCU’s Cabell First Novelist Award for her debut novel, “Luster.” The story centers on ideas about race, class, gender and sexuality located amid the backdrop of New York City.

“It was a really really beautiful surprise.

Finding out I was up for it was really deeply cool,” Leilani said.

VCU’s Cabell First Novelist Award is granted each year to an author, whether that be from VCU or beyond, who presents excellence in their premiere novel. The award is now in its 20th year and has become a staple in the VCU Master of Fine Arts creative writing program.

The uniqueness of the award stems from the fact that it is almost entirely run by VCU students in the M.F.A. program, according to VCU English professor Thomas Didato.

“The award was built to honor new writers and to offer a chance for M.F.A. candidates to learn more about the publishing process,” stated Cabell First Novelist Award Fellow, Ty Phelps. “It is truly a joint effort between the M.F.A. program, the broader English Department, and the library.”

Leilani’s book centers around the story of a young Black woman, named Edie, as she becomes entangled with an older married man and his family, eventually moving in with them.

“For me the project was to write a story about a Black woman who doesn’t have it all together yet, who’s making mistakes and who, on the page, is allowed the room to make mistakes,” Leilani said.

This desire to tell a story about the need for human connection is what fueled Leilani to write the book in the first place.

“What was exciting to me was beginning to write a story about the complications, the joyful complications, the frustrating complications, of being a Black woman who is doing her best to survive but also seek out intimacy,” Leilani said.

The characters in Leilani’s novel are complex and often morally ambiguous, adding a personal, human touch to the story, according to the author.

“Ms. Leilani explores these topics in a way that feels natural and driven by the humanity of each character,” Phelps stated. “This novel is both timeless and quintessentially modern.”

NPR called the book an “exotic hybrid,” stating that “Leilani writes as if she’s stabbing the keyboard with scalpels made of

class resentment and memories of racism and misogyny.”

In addition to these subjects, Leilani also details central human themes as well, such as romantic desire and being an outsider.

“One of the big themes in ‘Luster’ is desire,” Phelps stated. “And not a static, fixed sort of desire that is so often represented in media, but a messy, ever-shifting type of desire that feels much truer to life, and much harder to render in fiction. This is a desire that is fraught and complicated and illogical and deeply human.”

Leilani’s novel has garnered a great deal of attention in the literature world, with her novel winning awards such as the Kirkus Prize, which highlights exceptional fiction works; the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, which features debut fiction novels; and the John Leonard Prize, which awards a debut novel in any genre.

“The prose, on a sentence-by-sentence level, is gorgeous but real, and doesn’t distract from the story even as it frequently dazzles,” Phelps stated. “The characters are complex, compelling, and dynamic. But most of all, I found myself constantly surprised by this book. It winds up places that are just totally unpredictable, but the twists never feel forced or out of character. The book really fires on all cylinders.”

For Leilani, the acclaim for her first book is more than she could have imagined for herself as a Black novelist.

“More than anything you hope that people will pick it up and read it and approach it with an open mind, but the rest of the real concrete recognition I’ve gotten, including from VCU, has been a dream and has really affirmed me on this journey,” Leilani said.

Raven Leilani was awarded VCU’s Cabell First Novelist Award for her debut novel, “Luster.” Photo courtesy of Nina Subin

Wed. September 29, 2021 9

EDITOR'S LIST OF FILMS TO WATCH “This is Paris” (2020)

Paris Hilton, known for her inherited wealth and iconic fashion, is not often taken seriously by the public. However, in this documentary that can be streamed for free on YouTube, she talks about the trauma she experienced as a child, showing a vulnerable side of herself and her life that will insight empathy for the heiress.

Available on YouTube | 63% Rotten Tomatoes

From left: Institute for Contemporary Art Associate Curator Amber Esseiva and Dineo Seshee Bopape, the artist of “Ile aye, moya, là, ndokh...harmonic conversations...mm,” describing the pieces of artwork as attendees observe different parts of the exhibition.

Photo by Jon Mirador

New exhibit uses natural elements to highlight pain, experiences of enslaved people SAHARA SRIRAMAN Spectrum Editor

A

25-MINUTE VIDEO DISPLAYED ON A projector shows close-up images of soil and dirt while playing sounds of singing, crying and wind blowing — setting the tone for Dineo Seshee Bopape’s exhibit, titled “Ile aye, moya, là, ndokh...harmonic conversations...mm.”

Bopape’s exhibit opened at the Institute for Contemporary Art on Sept. 25 and spotlights the experiences of African Americans who were traded, enslaved and mistreated during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. These themes are represented through different mediums of art such as video, sculpture and animation.

Bopape visited the places where she got the natural materials for the exhibit in order to strengthen the connection between her and the art.

She said that this exhibit highlights the connection between the past and the present, emphasizing that the pain felt by her ancestors deserves to be acknowledged.

“How can we heal the wounds that we have, even people who think that they’re not involved,” Bopape said. “It somehow affects all of us.”

“Ile aye, moya, là, ndokh...harmonic conversations...mm” uses materials made from soil and water that were taken from plantations, ports and trading posts in places where slaves were traded and worked, including Virginia, Louisiana, Senegal, Ghana and South Africa. The exhibition itself is meant to honor enslaved people who fought for their freedom.

Artist Dineo Seshee Bopape poses in front of the exhibit’s largest installation, Master Harmonizer, which is a 25-minute video projecting close-up images of soil and dirt while playing sounds of singing, crying and wind blowing. Photo by Jon Mirador

The first part of the exhibit’s title translates to “earth, wind, fire and water” in different African dialects. “Ile aye” translates to “earth” in the West African dialect Yoruba; “moya” translates to “wind” in South African dialects Nguni and Sepedi; “là” translates to “fire” in the Ghanaian dialect Ga; and “ndokh” translates to “water” in the Senegalese dialect Wolof.

The exhibit itself, however, is transcendent beyond languages, cultures and dialects, honoring the experiences of those who escaped enslavement and those who did not through the universal form of art as a form of communication, according to Bopape.

This show really gives you a global picture of how these sites are connected and how these moments are not really isolated.”

Amber Esseiva, Associate Curator at the Institute for Contemporary Art The walls of the exhibit are made out of different kinds of clays and soils that originated from multiple parts of the world, appearing in various colors and textures. Handmade sculptures are scattered around the room; some Bopape worked to create out of Virginia bricks from demolished houses.

Bopape said that she was inspired to create an exhibit like this, one that included the physical materials of land that used to be where enslaved people lived along with the historical backgrounds of those places.

She believes it’s important for people to visit this exhibit and learn about the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

“It’s clear that there’s many things to work through,” Bopape said.

She said she also wanted to create an exhibit that honored the scars of those who suffered, including an enslaved man, Gordon, whose photos became famous because they showed the extent to which slaves were beaten and whipped. Also known as “Whipped Peter,” Gordon was a slave who escaped before becoming a symbol of the cruelty shown toward African American slaves at the time.

“The scars on Gordon’s back looked to me like water and made me think about how flesh expands and contracts,” Bopape said. “And what can we do about the pain of the past, the pain that’s still with us.”

Bopape said she wanted to work with soil and water because they’re parts of the earth that always remembers the past, no matter how much time has passed.

Associate Curator at the ICA Amber Esseiva, who also curated the exhibit, said that the work provides an all-encompassing understanding of the world and its history.

“This show really gives you a global picture of how these sites are connected and how these moments are not really isolated,” Esseiva said.

Esseiva said that the natural material, no matter how accessible it might be, always carries a historical significance and it’s up to the artist to utilize it in a way that conveys that significance in a concise and powerful way.

“The texture and the possibilities of what you can do with a material that people kind of look over often, you know, dirt is dirt,” Esseiva said. “Dirt can become paint, it can become video, it can become sculpture; that multifaceted nature of that material feels really important for the show.”

Jennifer Schooley, an attendee at the exhibit, said she thought it was amazing that Bopape actually visited the places where she got the materials, making that connection between the artist and the work even stronger.

“She visited these places to have a spiritual connection with the place, the earth, the water and the animals,” Schooley said.

“It’s the intersection between the conceptual and the real, turning that thought process into something material.”

Andrew Clarke, another attendee at the exhibit, said that he wants to take in all aspects of the exhibit, overwhelmed with all of the different sights and sounds. He said he’s trying to comprehend that the materials of the art surrounding him are connected to his ancestors.

“This art was made from the soil of my ancestors, it makes me feel connected to African Americans and all the stuff that came before me,” Clarke said.

He said he’s amazed that Bopape was able to utilize the earth’s elements to create an exhibit like this, especially because they are not something he thinks about on a daily basis.

“Like, we walk on soil every day and we never think about it,” Clarke said. “To utilize that as the medium to create art, so we’re all in here looking at it.”

He said the exhibit validates the experiences of his ancestors who suffered, making him feel more connected to the message Bopape is communicating through her art.

“As a Black man living in Richmond, it’s dope to realize the liberties I take for granted today wasn’t available to those before,” Clarke said.

“Cowspirary: The Sustainability Secret” (2014)

This environmental documentary follows an amateur filmmaker as he tries to uncover the destructive nature of factory farming and why this issue is not being addressed. It exposes the negative environmental consequences of this process, prompting viewers to rethink their role as consumers.

Available on Netflix | Unrated on Rotten Tomatoes

“Love Wedding Repeat” (2020)

On the day of his sister’s wedding, Jack, played by Sam Claflin, struggles to keep chaos from ruining the day amidst trying to win over his dream girl, Dina, played by Olivia Munn. In a “Groundhog Day”-esque scenario, multiple versions of the day play out as the wedding faces threats including a crazy ex-boyfriend and a misplaced champagne glass filled with a sedative.

Available on Netflix | 35% Rotten Tomatoes

“Always Be My Maybe” (2019)

Sasha starts cooking simple meals for herself as a child in San Francisco, falling in love with her best friend Marcus before they tragically drift apart.

Fifteen years later, she’s a celebrity chef in Los Angeles, extremely wealthy and successful. When she reconnects with Marcus, who is still trying to get his music career off the ground, they’re both reminded of their pasts and feelings for each other.

Available on Netflix | 90% Rotten Tomatoes

“Someone Great” (2019)

After music journalist Jenny, played

by Gina Rodriguez, breaks up with her boyfriend of nine years, she and her two best friends decide to have one last adventure in New York City to distract Jenny before she leaves for her new job in San Francisco. While Jenny reflects on her newly ended relationship, the three enjoy their last night together while evaluating their different futures.

Available on Netflix | 83% Rotten Tomatoes

“Loving” (2016)

Based on an interracial marriage in the 1960s that led to the Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia, this film follows Richard and Mildred Loving as they defend their then-unacceptable relationship. Their story aligns with the current events that were happening throughout the country at that time, including the historic March on Washington.

Available on Netflix | 88% Rotten Tomatoes

Have suggestions for our watchlist? Email spectrum@ commonwealthtimes.org

10 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week

“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”

— Bob Marley

Menstrual products are not a privilege; THEY ARE A RIGHT

TAGWA SHAMMET Opinions Editor

I REMEMBER SITTING IN MY MIDDLE school algebra class, feeling as gross and disturbed as ever. I had been feeling nervous and sick all day, but I couldn’t pinpoint a reason. I asked my teacher to use the restroom, running to see what the feeling in my stomach was. I never imagined that I would see a deep red color on my underwear.

I was 12 years old when I got my period. And just like every other girl out there, the first time I ever got it felt like a nightmare. Sure, we had learned about a woman’s menstrual cycle in our health classes; but nothing can truly prepare a girl for that initial fear that comes with seeing blood on your underwear.

When I got home, I told my mother about everything and she congratulated me on being a woman before she handed me a pad. I always found that to be so peculiar — while I was terrified out of my mind due to what felt like the never-ending stream of blood coming out of me, my mother and aunts were celebrating my womanhood.

What I hadn’t realized was that womanhood was going to be extremely expensive.

For too long, individuals across the world have dealt with the same enemy: the price of menstrual products.

For the first few years of my life after I got my period, I never had to worry about the price of pads. My dad had always made me feel comfortable enough to ask him

Illustration by Lauren Johnson

to pick up products for my sisters and I. He never complained about the prices so I never knew how expensive menstrual products truly are.

When I got to college, most of my finances became my own responsibilities. I knew that I’d worry about groceries, transportation, rent and everything else, but I’d never thought of the reality that menstrual products would be a part of that list.

The concept of charging individuals for a natural portion of their bodies and lives seems extremely backward to me. A period is more than just blood. It toys with your emotions, it provides physical pain in cramps, vomiting, migraines; in short, periods are a week of torture for many.

So, to add on monetary stress on top of that is an exploitation beyond belief. A 50-count pack of Always maxi pads at Kroger is $10.49. For many people, including myself who tend to purchase this exact pack, $10.49 is pretty expensive.

When I used to work as a front desk assistant on VCU’s campus, I used to make $7.50 an hour. That means that in order to buy one box of pads, I had to put in nearly two hours of labor. Even though the minimum wage has increased to $9.50 in Virginia, many people are still using countless hours of labor to purchase menstrual products.

A period is not a choice. We do not wake up and choose to have a week of torture every month of the year for most of our

lives. We do not desire to lose ourselves in the sense of depression, nor do we enjoy enduring the stabbing pain of cramps.

Menstrual hygiene is not a privilege. In fact, the United Nations has defined menstrual hygiene as a human right. Therefore, the lack of access and affordability to menstrual products is a violation of human rights.

Nothing is more anxiety inducing than thinking I bled through my pants during my period. I am constantly looking over my shoulder and asking my friends to check for me. And I’m not the only one, because I do the same for all my friends as well. What makes it worse is if I bleed through my underwear. Now, on top of the actual embarrassment, I have to worry about the financial burden of having to purchase more underwear.

As expensive as these products are, I am blessed enough to still have the financial means to purchase them. Even if it is with my last few dollars. However, some individuals don’t even have enough money to purchase a box of pads for $10.49. They barely have enough to feed themselves. Staying on top of their menstrual hygiene has been distorted into a privilege rather than a right.

To expect people to give up their last few dollars to pay for something they cannot control is absurd. It is disrespectful and unacceptable. Menstrual hygiene is a right and it should be treated as such. Nobody should have to pay for any menstrual products — and that’s not up for debate.

A billionaire’s trash is the lower class’ treasure MONICA ALARCON-NAJARRO Contributing Writer Our society is built on overconsumption in societal trends such as fashion and smartphones, particularly Apple products. Apple has released a new iPhone annually, and due to their high demand, people fall for their gimmicks and end up buying a new phone regardless of whether their current one works or not.

Recently, Apple released the new iPhone 13 lineup which includes minor upgrades in camera quality and longer battery life. For me, it seems like a new iPhone each year is a bit excessive as most of the time the upgrades done are very minimal.

Yet, people seem to be addicted to getting a new model as they value minimal improvement and the status symbol a new iPhone brings. Corporations across the U.S. tend to thrive off of people who buy unnecessary items just for status in society.

For example, Kim Kardashian spent $200,000 on wrapping her Lamborghini Urus for a Skims Instagram PR stunt — which she most likely won’t even use — while some lower income households don’t have the means to even afford a car.

The large sums of money wealthy people waste on unnecessary things such as Kim Kardashian’s PR stunt could have been used to better the world like donating the money towards a philanthropic cause or bring awareness to important issues.

The idea that there are people in this world going hungry, without shelter and suffering when there are plenty of resources is bewildering to me.

I can’t even wrap my head around the net worth of billionaires such as Jeff Bezos, whose net worth is $177 billion. That is completely outrageous for a single person to have. Bezos could easily end world hunger with the money he has or donate it, yet he can’t seem to do either of those things and thrives off of overworking and underpaying his Amazon workers.

With the amount of money these wealthy individuals have, they could solve the U.S. food insecurity crisis. The wealth gap is just adding another layer of inequality between the classes as the rich are wasting valuable resources that could be donated or given to lower-income households.

Sure, they were able to find success through fame and their companies, but there comes a point where the amount of money they can donate won’t break the bank, as they would either make it back or still have enough to live with their assets.

They could be changing lives, yet decide to selfishly focus on their own lives without helping others. I believe wealthy corporations and people should do more in donating their surplus to shelters and help out communities instead of wasting their money either throwing out surplus or buying unnecessary luxury items to boost their own egos.

Illustration by Lauren Johnson

To put it into perspective, in 2020, about 13.8 million U.S. households were food insecure, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Millions of people went to bed hungry and laid awake wondering where their next meal would come from.

Millions of families suffered daily. Millions of parents felt the burden of not being able to feed their children and themselves. Millions of children went to school hungry and came home hungrier.

Meanwhile, Kardashian wasted $200,000 for some likes on Instagram. It is eternally disheartening to see people in the streets of Richmond — barely make it through the day — then turn to Instagram to see the rich flaunt their money.

I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about where my next meal will come from so I cannot begin to imagine the anger and sadness those in poor communities must feel. However, I can completely sympathize with their frustration.

We live in a world that will always prioritize privilege over human rights.

Instead of reallocating our resources to fit the needs of every single person on Earth, we are letting a select few fulfill their wants. It is called the 1% for a reason. Most of us are lucky if we can get by, while some people have a net worth that could single handedly end world hunger.

We need to realize that this constant drive for more is what will hinder us from equality. It is a disease that will eat away at our society until we have no more left. It is insane to think that this time next year, another iPhone will hit the stage. But, this time tomorrow, another person of color will sleep on the streets of Richmond; alone, cold and hungry.

So, whether it be food surplus, excessive iPhone productions or the 1%, wealth inequality will always continue to be a danger to our world.

Wed. September 29, 2021 11

THE CT STAFF

Creative Writing by Jesse Beck

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Iman Mekonen mekonenib@commonwealthtimes.org MANAGING EDITOR Sarah Elson elsonsp@commonwealthtimes.org COPY EDITOR Rachel Rivenbark rivenbarkrs@commonwealthtimes.org NEWS EDITOR Katharine DeRosa news@commonwealthtimes.org SPORTS EDITOR Vacant sports@commonwealthtimes.org SPECTRUM EDITOR Sahara Sriraman spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org OPINIONS EDITOR Tagwa Shammet opinions@commonwealthtimes.org PHOTO EDITOR Megan Lee photography@commonwealthtimes.org AUDIENCE EDITOR Grace McOmber mcomberge@commonwealthtimes.org ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Lauren Johnson illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org

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Morning Motivation by Lauren Johnson

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12 The Commonwealth Times

Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle

2021 Wilder School Symposium presents

The Triple Pandemic: Implications for Racial Equity and Public Policy

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

bit.ly/vcuwilder2021

Thursday, Sept. 30

1-2:30 p.m. Virtual - Free R.S.V.P. Elongation by Michael Lieberman

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Sudoku

By The Mepham Group DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2

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Complete the grid so each row, column, and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) containsSolution to Monday’s puzzle every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

1/15/19 Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

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