The Commonwealth Times; Feb. 13, 2019

COMMONWEALTHTIMES.ORG @theCT

THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY 2ⁿ place, weekly newspaper of the year — 2018 Pinnacle Awards

VOL. 60, NO. 20 FEBRUARY 13, 2019

“The shock. The horror.” @Eyerone

“Throw the whole school away.” @tbabycashmoney

“Virginia is racist, and water is wet.” @BelongsToBoston

“I knew I should have gone to a HBCU”

VCU IMPLICATED IN BLACKFACE CONTROVERSIES @lillivhunna

CT probe reveals racist imagery in old yearbooks

Story on page 2

NEWS Blackboard 4

SPORTS Men’s Basketball 7

SPECTRUM Visual dissection 11

OPINIONS Valentine’s Day 13

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: The notorious drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán was found guilty of 10 counts of drug trafficking Tuesday. international: Venezuelan opposition took to the streets Tuesday to keep the pressure on beleaguered President Nicolás Maduro.

Supporters also showed their approval in counterprotests.

VCU and predecessor yearbooks show racist imagery as late as 1989, students held “Slave Sale” fundraiser HANNAH EASON Contributing Writer

2

1

Y

earbooks from the richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia are littered with racist photos, some published as recently as 1989. Images include blackface, a “Slave Sale” at the Future Business Leaders of America Club and derogatory remarks toward Asian-Americans.

RPI and MCV merged in 1968 to become VCU. The editor of the 1989 yearbook that features blackface photos in a Halloween spread is listed as Betsy Lee. The colophon page of the yearbook labels her as a class of 1990 dentistry student. Charles Decker is listed as the editor of the 1952 “Wigwam,” which featured a group photo of people in blackface dressed as “savages,” as described in the caption. M.D. Friedenberg is shown as the editor of the 1947 edition of the MCV “X-Ray,” featuring a man in blackface in a hat wearing a cane. The issue also featured two white students pointing a rifle and a Japanese flag at a student who appears to be Asian.

The name of RPI’s first yearbook, “Wigwam,” refers to a dome-shaped shelter historically used by American Indians. The publication, which ran from 1931 to 1955, featured covers with Native American imagery. In 1943, the yearbook featured a teepee on the cover. Yearbook covers from 1944 through 1947 included a Native American in a headdress. Groups such as the National Congress of American Indians have campaigned against the use of Native American symbols as “mascots.”

The exposure of these yearbook photos comes one week after Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s racist yearbook photo was leaked.

At a Feb. 2 press conference, Northam admitted to “darkening” his face with shoe polish as part of a Michael Jackson costume in 1984, but did not classify the incident as blackface.

Adding to the crisis among Virginian Democrats, Attorney General Mark Herring announced he once used blackface as part of a costume.

The Virginian-Pilot reported that Virginia Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment was an editor for a VMI yearbook littered with blackface and racial slurs.

The first African-American student, Jean Harris, was admitted to MCV in 1950.

Harris later became the Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources. In the 18th and 19th centuries, MCV used black people’s bodies dug up from cemeteries by grave robbers for medical research.

6

3

4

1. Later in RPI’s yearbook history, in 1951, three unnamed white students are shown in black masks on stage, one playing a banjo. 2. A spread from 1989 published in MCV’s X-Ray shows a student in blackface and an afro wig. 3. A 1943 MCV yearbook spread titled “Dental Student Party Night” shows one unnamed female in blackface captioned “Sweet Eloise,” dressed as a housemaid and photographed cleaning. 4. One photo from a 1947 MCV yearbook shows a unnamed man in blackface with a cane and white hat. He is standing in front of several white men in lab coats. The picture is captioned, “I’d blush if it would show.” 5. Another photo from MCV’s 1947 yearbook, “X-Ray,” shows an Asian student held in a corner by two white men, one holding a rifle and the other holding a Japanese flag. The title of the photo of the three unnamed men reads, “We’ve got you where we want you.” 6. The 1959 yearbook, “Cobblestone” had a spread for the Future Business Leaders of America that lists a “Slave Sale” as one of the organization’s yearly accomplishments. The page says the “Slave Sale” occurred during a scholarship drive. Also shown on the page are two men posing in front of a Confederate flag. 7. In another spread in the 1959 “Cobblestone,” two men appear to be holding a woman’s head. The caption reads “another slave to be auctioned off at the slave sale ...” 8. RPI’s 1952 yearbook, titled “Wigwam” has a page titled “Mardi Gras,” showing several people in blackface. One photo shows students dressed as “savages,” according to the caption, with leopard-print clothing. 9. From the “Mardi Gras” spread in RPI’s 1952 yearbook, titled “WigWam.”

7

5

Wed. February 13, 2019 3 9

8

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

How imagery drives racism FADEL ALLASSAN News Editor

A line of people, most of whom wanted to speak in favor of the measure, extended outside the Council chamber. Photo by Jon Mirador

Boulevard to be renamed after Arthur Ashe following Council vote CHIP LAUTERBACH Contributing Writer Richmond City Council approved a measure in an 8-0-1 vote Tuesday that will rename Boulevard to Arthur Ashe Boulevard — an homage to the tennis legend, philanthropist and Richmond native.

Arthur Ashe Jr. was born in Richmond in 1943. He was the first black tennis player to represent the U.S. in the Davis Cup. He remains the only black man to win the U.S. Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon. Ashe died at 49 when he contracted HIV from a blood transfusion and died from AIDS-related pneumonia.

A statue of Ashe was erected in 1996 and an athletic center in the area is also named after him. Both are on the Boulevard.

Eighth-district councilperson Reva Trammell was the only member who did not vote for the measure — she abstained.

A line of spectators at the meeting spilled out into the hallway — most of them wanted to voice support. Among those in support and thrilled with the outcome of the historic vote was David Harris Jr., Ashe’s nephew.

“He was not just an athlete, he stood up against apartheid and was an early advocate for those afflicted with HIV,” Harris said. “He stood for what was right.”

Among those who spoke in opposition to the measure were residents who live on and near Boulevard. Some said they were not against renaming Boulevard after Ashe, but wanted Council to defer the issue to the city’s History and Culture Commission.

Others felt the issue should have been decided by a petition instead of a Council vote.

“No one here tonight in opposition wanted to stop the city from honoring Arthur Ashe,” said Janet Brown, a Boulevard

resident. “We just wanted the City Council to do it the right way, the way it was supposed to be done through the system.”

I have lived in Richmond for 50 years, and the last 12 were on the Boulevard, and I can’t wait to write my new street address.”

Melissa Ferell, Richmond resident Certain supporters mentioned the vote’s timing, as race-related scandals have rocked the capital in recent weeks. A speaker, who identified herself as Melissa Ferell, said passing the resolution would move the city forward.

“I was so happy when I first heard about the proposal. I have lived in Richmond for 50 years, and the last 12 were on the Boulevard, and I can’t wait to write my new street address,” Ferell said. “It is one of the best steps the city has taken in recent memory.”

The passage of the measure relieved second-district councilperson Kim Gray, who sponsored it for the third time. The previous two attempts were delayed in the chamber.

“I want to thank all of my colleagues, and especially Mayor Levar Stoney,” Gray said. “This is a remarkable time.”

Arthur Ashe Boulevard will end at Byrd Park, next to the location of tennis courts that were once off limits to Ashe because of the color of his skin.

For the many who doubt the existence of racism in contemporary American society, a glance at the news in the last couple of weeks could serve as a reality check.

On the first day of Black History Month, Virginia’s democratic governor, Ralph Northam, admitted to being one of two people in a photo featuring a person wearing blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe. On the second day, he denied being in the photo at all, then said he actually wore blackface as part of a Michael Jackson costume for a dance competition in 1984.

Just days later, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring admitted he had also worn blackface in the 1980s to appear as rapper Kurtis Blow.

On Feb. 7, The Virginian-Pilot broke the news that State Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment, a Republican who represents parts of North Hampton Roads, was the managing editor of a 1968 Virginia Military Institute yearbook that included racial slurs and blackface photos.

The Commonwealth Times broke news on Feb. 8 that the yearbooks of VCU, MCV and the school’s predecessor, Richmond Professional Institute, were inundated with blackface and outright racist imagery up until 1989. Among the most striking of the discoveries was an apparent “Slave Sale” students held as a fundraiser in the 1950s.

The trove of blackface photos discovered in the yearbooks of VCU and many other schools across the country in recent weeks speak to the prevalence and ubiquity of racism in American culture.

Blackface minstrel shows were the most popular form of entertainment in the 19th century. Blackface costumes were apparently still accepted in the mainstream just decades ago. Today, many Americans don’t see the problem with the practice —

almost 35 percent of white Americans said blackface was “sometimes” or “always” acceptable in a Pew Research poll conducted just before the Northam controversy. More than half of the white Americans polled said blackface is acceptable for a Halloween costume.

For people who are familiar with the historical power of blackface imagery, seeing these photos is all too painful.

During slavery, blackface minstrel shows were used to depict blacks as docile and happy — giving the impression that they were content with being enslaved. In the Reconstruction era, minstrel shows depicted blacks as violent and unable to adapt to American life.

This kind of imagery had a profound effect on white Americans, most of whom had never come in contact with blacks.

By validating stereotypes and pushing the notion that blacks weren’t suited for American society, blackface contributed to the racist laws and violence that have hallmarked the U.S. for centuries. Its existence in a more modern setting shows how mainstream disrespect for black people persisted long after the civil rights era.

It is important for our collective psyches to revisit clear examples of contemporary racism so we recognize how prevalent it has remained. It is also important to counteract such images with uplifting depictions of black Americans.

Illustration by Steck Von

4 The Commonwealth Times

Transgender students fear being outed by Blackboard CELESTE CHANCE Contributing Writer Some transgender and nonbinary students are seeking alternatives to Blackboard Learn — the course management system used by VCU and many other schools — because of worries that it may out those students to their peers.

Blackboard doesn’t allow students to use preferred names on the site; requiring legal names to be used. Students say this leaves them vulnerable when posting on discussion boards, which are used to communicate with peers, sometimes as part of class assignments.

Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Reuban Rodriguez said modifications to allow students to change their names in Blackboard could be in place for the next academic year. Blackboard is scheduled to update in May. Students have to change their names legally for them to appear differently on Blackboard, said Eric Harvey, senior manager of learning systems for VCU Technology Services. Harvey said his department reached out to the vendor to see whether a separate name field can be used.

“It could be as simple as that,” Harvey said. “We don’t know.”

The process laid out by the Division of Student Affairs outlines two methods of name change — one for a preferred name and one for legal name changes.

Certain information systems do not support preferred names, according to DSA. Some departments, however — including Residential Life and Housing, Recreational Sports, VCUCard Office and VCU Libraries — allow students to use preferred names.

Students who undergo a legal name change can visit Student Services Center or mail their form to Records and Registration with verification that shows their name change.

Junior Tristan Taggart — who studies political science and gender, sexuality and

Illustration by Steck Von

women’s studies — has been advocating “That hasn’t been streamlined at all.” that Blackboard allow name changes on its Some professors are using Google Classsite since transferring to VCU in 2017. They room, a similar course management system, said constantly being addressed by a name as an alternative to Blackboard. Among that isn’t theirs can be marginalizing and is them is Myrl Beam, a gender, sexuality and in some ways a “violent” experience in terms women’s studies professor. After years of of the toll it takes on them. using only Blackboard, Beam started using Google Classroom in January.

“I knew [Blackboard] was problematic.

I had never tried to create an alternate to it,” Beam said. “I think students in previous years have just been like, ‘Well this is what It’s been hard for me we have to deal with.’”

Beam said it shouldn’t be on faculty to figure out where members to find alternative solutions. It’s I’m known by which an unnecessary burden, he said, and there’s no guarantee they will seek to do it at all. name. That hasn’t been “It should be a systemic solution to a sysstreamlined at all.” temic problem,” Beam said.

Tristan Taggart, VCU student Archana Pathak, senior faculty specialist for the Division for Inclusive Excellence, “I sort of figured I had to suck it up will be part of a focus group that will invite and constantly out myself to my peers,” students and faculty to discuss the issues Taggart said. with Banner, the software application that They said they’ve reached out to groups Blackboard runs under. Pathak notes one on campus and the Office of Equity and of the goals will be to create four distinct Access in pursuit of a solution. Taggart said categories in Blackboard: legal name, legal the university’s name change policies can gender, name of use and gender. be confusing because they aren’t consistent Pathak said part of the issue has been across the board. integrating each of VCU’s databases that “It’s been hard for me to figure out where collect different information from students I’m known by which name,” Taggart said. — such as name, address and financial aid

data — to work together. He will send an email out to students and faculty this month to participate in focus groups to discuss potential additions to Banner.

I knew [Blackboard] was problematic. I had never tried to create an alternate to it. I think students in previous years have just been like, ‘Well this is what we have to deal with.’”

Myrl Beam, gender, sexuality and women’s studies professor “It’s important for folks to know that since it has come up it’s been on the radar and I know it feels that it got lost in the fray, but it hasn’t,” Pathak said. “It’s been about getting to a place where we have the technological capacity.”

Fordham professor talks black impact on society in keynote ZACH ARMSTRONG Contributing Writer

Christina Greer received the W.E.B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award in 2014.

Photo by Jon Mirador

Christina Greer, a Fordham University political science professor, is acutely aware of the contributions of black Americans to politics and social life. The writer made the issue the topic of her Feb. 5 keynote address for VCU’s Black History Month celebration.

Greer, the recipient of the 2014 W.E.B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award by the National Conference of Black Political Scientists, highlighted the impact of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to seek a

major party’s nomination for Congress.

“Shirley was stuck in this position of being a black woman and not being fully integrated in gender or racial politics,” Greer said. “Funny enough we are still seeing this 50 years later today where the Democratic party seems to like black women in theory.”

During the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election, former Vice President Joe Biden endorsed U.S. Rep. Stacey Evans instead of Stacey Abrams, while Abrams polled higher. Greer, who campaigned with Abrams, highlighted this, saying it seems difficult for Democrats to elect people of color.

“When you scratch the surface, you real-

ize they were elected despite the Democratic party,” Greer said.

Greer pointed out that the U.S. did not elect its first black democratic senator, Carol Moseley Braun from Illinois, until 1993.

The party may talk plenty about racial equity, Greer said, but its lack of black representation in elected office remains an issue.

“This current administration has been very clear that they do not like the composition of the United States and they are very fearful of the composition of the United States and they can’t make any more white people,” Greer said.

Wed. February 13, 2019 5

Political science experts analyze Trump’s agenda CHIP LAUTERBACH Contributing Writer

The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus joined a growing chorus of calls for Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax to resign. Photo by Erin Edgerton

Calls for Lt. Gov. Fairfax to resign swell with second accuser ARIANNA COGHILL Capital News Service Democratic leaders called on Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax to resign after a second woman stepped forward Feb. 8 and accused him of sexual assault.

Meredith Watson said Fairfax raped her when they were students at Duke University in 2000, according to a news release posted by her lawyers.

“Mr. Fairfax’s attack was premeditated and aggressive,” the release said.

Watson’s accusation follows a public statement by Vanessa Tyson two days earlier, alleging Fairfax assaulted her in 2004.

Fairfax, a Democrat, has denied both accounts. He called Watson’s accusation “demonstrably false” and said he “never forced himself on anyone ever.”

“I demand a full investigation into these unsubstantiated and false allegations,” Fairfax said. “Such an investigation will confirm my account because I am telling the truth. I will clear my good name and I have nothing to hide.”

On Friday night, House and Senate Democrats issued a statement saying, “Due to the serious nature of these allegations, we believe Lieutenant Governor Fairfax can no longer fulfill his duties to the Commonwealth. He needs to address this as a private citizen. The time has come for him to step down.”

At the beginning of the week, state leaders took a “wait and see” approach toward Tyson’s allegations against Fairfax. In the wake of a new accusation, state and national leaders issued an avalanche of statements calling for Fairfax to resign — and even threatening impeachment.

Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, stated on Monday he would introduce “articles of impeachment for Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax if he has not resigned before then.”

Hope later backed off from his plan, saying additional conversations needed to take place.

The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus called for Fairfax to resign.

“We remain steadfast in our conviction that every allegation of sexual assault or misconduct be treated with the utmost seriousness. While we believe that anyone accused of such a grievous and harmful act must receive the due process prescribed by the Constitution, we can’t see it in the best interest of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the Lieutenant Governor to remain in his role,” the group said.

A joint statement issued by U.S. Reps.

Abigail Spanberger, Don Beyer, Elaine Luria, Jennifer Wexton and Gerry Connolly — all Virginia Democrats — said they believed both women and questioned Fairfax’s ability to govern.

“The lieutenant governor of Virginia presides over the Virginia Senate and must be prepared to fill the role of governor. It is unacceptable that either of these weighty responsibilities be entrusted to someone who has engaged in the behavior described

by Dr. Tyson and Meredith Watson, particularly in light of Gov. Northam’s situation, which we continue to believe requires his resignation,” the statement read.

Former democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who called for Northam’s resignation, was also quick to demand Fairfax’s resignation once the second accuser came forward, calling the allegations “serious and credible.”

“It is clear to me that he can no longer effectively serve the people of Virginia as Lieutenant Governor,” McAuliffe wrote. “I call for his immediate resignation.”

Republicans in the General Assembly also called on Fairfax to quit.

“For the second time this week, Lieutenant Governor Fairfax has been accused of actions that, if true, constitute major felonies in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are shocked and dismayed by these credible and serious allegations,” read a statement issued by the top GOP leaders in the House and Senate.

“These accusations necessitate comprehensive, thorough, and immediate investigations by law enforcement authorities in Massachusetts and North Carolina.”

This year’s State of the Union Address has been marked with controversy over issues including border wall funding and the recent government shutdown that caused the speech to be rescheduled.

In President Donald Trump’s third year in office, many are looking to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to strongly oppose Trump’s off-the-cuff leadership style.

The CT asked political science professors Alex Keena and Andrea Simonelli to break down the address and Trump’s agenda moving forward.

What do you make of Trump’s call for unity? Do you feel bipartisan cooperation is possible at this point in his presidency?

What are your thoughts about Trump’s statements about the U.S. now being No. 1 in oil and energy production?

Andrea Simonelli. Photo courtesy of Department of Political Science

Alex Keena. Photo courtesy of Department of Political Science

andrea simonelli: Bipartisan cooperation is much more possible if the president allows congressional Republicans to negotiate without his interference.

His calls for unity in this speech ring hollow when you consider how often he has changed his mind over the last two years. The Democratic leadership haven’t forgotten the whiplash they suffered over the DACA turnabout, which happened over the span of a day. alex keena: In this era of partisan politics, it’s become normal for the president to make appeals for bipartisanship and compromise during the State of the Union, so I am not surprised that President Trump made similar appeals. However, one of problems is that Trump’s central issue — “the wall” — is inherently polarizing. If you had asked me a few months ago after the midterm elections whether bipartisan cooperation was possible, I would have said “yes,” but in areas where both parties have overlapping interests, like infrastructure investment.

What does Trump’s insistence on building the border wall mean for the future of his presidency?

simonelli: It signals to other countries that are currently literally feeling the unnatural heat of climate change or increasing intensity of storm systems that the world’s second-largest carbon emitter does not care about their increasing struggle. keena: I think it shows how differently the Republican Party and its supporters view the problem of “energy.” ... From Trump’s perspective, it makes sense that being the biggest producer of oil is a worthy goal for the United States. Of course, for the Democrats, and most everyone else in the world, this goal is not constructive in reducing carbon emissions.

Trump’s insistence on ‘the wall’ is painting him into a political corner. No one in Congress wants to see another government shutdown after the longest one in U.S. history.”

Andrea Simonelli, political science professor Will criminal justice reform remain as one of the only bipartisan successes of the Trump presidency? Will these gains spread from the federal level down to the states?

simonelli: It very well may be, unless Trump is willing to fade into the background and allow Congress to work simonelli: Trump’s insistence on “the without his interference on other issues. wall” is painting him into a political cor- I wouldn’t expect major changes at the ner. No one in Congress wants to see state level because those vary by state and another government shutdown after the are determined in each state’s own unique longest one in U.S. history. But the big- political context. gest issue is the potential rift in the Republican Party if the Senate Republicans keena: I think this is a bipartisan success have to face overriding a presidential veto. story because it saves the federal government money. Locking up nonviolent ofkeena: I think that he is doubling down on fenders for years on drug charges is very “the wall” because he sees it as central to his expensive, not to mention ineffective in success as president. Building a wall and terms rehabilitation ... So I wouldn’t exhaving Mexico pay for it was one of his pect dramatic reforms unless there are central campaign pledges. He wants very many more “winners” than “losers.” much to claim victory. However, I’m not sure that the wall really has much impact, either on his legacy or policy outcomes, beyond its power as a symbol of “greatness.”

6 The Commonwealth Times

VCU to build $350 million children’s hospital FADEL ALLASSAN News Editor VCU Health System is planning to build an 86-bed, $350 million inpatient children’s hospital at the university’s medical center, the university announced last week.

The facility will be on East Marshall Street, between 10th and 11th streets, and adjacent to the outpatient Children’s Pavilion building downtown. The university expects to start construction as early as this summer, and it will last until the end of 2022.

The new building will replace the pediatric inpatient unit at the main VCU hospital. It will dedicate a number of services to children, including private rooms, new operating rooms, imaging capacity, emergency services and family amenities.

VCU President Michael Rao said the new project is part of a strategic goal to be ranked among the top-20 in children’s health by 2022. The university wants the hospital to be a destination for people across the state seeking quality care, as well as a landing spot for research and education-based opportunities.

“The completion of the Children’s Pavilion with a new inpatient hospital will provide an exclusively child-centered environment as advocated by patient families, our own pediatric team and regional children’s health care providers,” Rao said in a statement.

Some local political leaders endorsed the plan. In a statement, Richmond Mayor

Providing access to world-class health care for every child, no matter their zip code or ability to pay, is the right thing to do. Building this new facility will not simply expand our growing healthcare economy — it will improve the lives and health outcomes for our children.”

Levar Stoney, Richmond mayor

The new building will replace the pediatric inpatient unit at the main VCU hospital.

Image courtesy of University Public Relations Levar Stoney said it would benefit the entire region.

“Providing access to world-class health care for every child, no matter their zip code or ability to pay, is the right thing to do,” Stoney said. “Building this new facility will not simply expand our growing healthcare economy — it will improve the lives and health outcomes for our children. We are proud to be home to VCU and applaud its progressive, mission-centered patient care.”

Del. Delores McQuinn, whose district includes parts of Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield, said in a statement that she welcomes the addition as a cancer survivor and beneficiary of research and care of VCU facilities.

“Our children deserve the best we have to offer both in terms of care and experience — and that is just what this new facility will provide for the entire region,” McQuinn said.

VCU and Bon Secours looked into developing a similar facility in 2015, but the plans fell through after both parties determined it would have been financially risky, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Officials were apprehensive about the investment because of uncertainty over Medicaid expansion in Virginia, federal funds for training new doctors and ongoing court battles over Affordable Care Act premiums.

ADVERTISEMENT

Remembering activist and VCU graduate Lillie Estes CHRIS WOOD Contributing Writer

Think local, think Chop Chop Food Delivery

FREE DELIVERY! ADVERTISEMENT

the speech with a moment of silence for Estes.

“Both [Estes] and [forLillie Estes, a communimer] Mayor Kenney repty organizer and long-time resent the best of RichRichmond activist, died of mond,” Stoney said. “They cardiovascular disease Jan. were 150 percent dedicat31 at the age of 59. ed and devoted to moving Estes, a VCU alumna, Richmond forward.” graduated in 1983 with a Estes had been a membachelor’s degree in adber of the Mothers of ministration of justice and Justice and Equality since public safety.

2006 and was presented “The ACLU of Virginia with the Mothers of Courwas stunned at the sudden Photo courtesy of GlenMcClure.com age Award from the group passing of civil rights acat its 2016 conference. tivist Lillie Estes,” said Bill Farrar, ACLU “Violence will stop within our commuof Virginia strategic communications di- nity after the disinvestment of our comrector. “She touched and improved many munity is restored and behavior rapport lives through her social justice work and building among our neighbors begins showed, leading by example, what we could anew,” Estes said when she received the accomplish when we invest in people. May award. “This re-engagement of behavior she rest in power.” rapport development must be led in plain Estes was a member of ALO Com- sight by the leaders of our community munity Strategy, a consulting group, since consistently.”

2008. On Jan. 8, Estes, along with dozHer other son, Tobias Estes, is raising ens of other social activists, stood out- money on GoFundMe to put toward burial side the Richmond Redevelopment and and funeral costs. The campaign surpassed Housing Authority office to protest the its $10,000 goal and has since raised more fact that Creighton Court’s public-hous- than $12,000. ing residents had no heat for weeks in “It’s easy to echo how much the loss of their apartments. her earthly presence means to the RichIn 2016, she ran for mayor, campaign- mond community,” wrote Iman Shabaing on a platform of social justice. Estes zz, who worked alongside Estes, in a told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “I’m guest column in Richmond Magazine going to be calling for active citizenship after Este’s death. “Yet her work has left as we work to govern more effectively and an unequivocal footprint in this city, the more efficiently.” gravity of which has rippled across a Hours after she was found dead, Mayor national stage.”

Levar Stoney paid homage to Estes in his annual State of the City address, opening

HEY RAMS!

Whether your ordering for yourself or your entire study group, Chop Chop is ready to deliver your favorite restaurants right to your door!

_________________________ VCU Students and Faculty score free delivery with code

RAMSFREE $15 order minimum, pre-tax.

Go to ChopChopRVA.com

Enter your address

Place your order

Enjoy!

Download our app to make ordering even easier

Wed. February 13, 2019 7

Stat of the week

Men’s Basketball’s 30-point win over St. Bonaventure Feb. 9 was the largest margin of victory since January 2017.

Rams sweep Spiders

Photo by Jon Mirador

ANDY RIDDLER Contributing Writer

Redshirt-junior guard Marcus Evans transferred to VCU from Rice last year. Photo by Jon Mirador

Men’s Basketball presses forward with tournament hopes RYAN GRUBE Contributing Writer All streaks must come to an end. That’s the motto Men’s Basketball has lived with after last season’s first failed tournament bid in seven years, but it has not blocked tournament hopes for 2019.

Mike Rhoades, the third VCU head coach in four years, endured growing pains while rebuilding in the 2017-18 season.

Following last season’s eighth-place finish in the Atlantic 10, the Rams (1815, 9-9 Atlantic 10) missed out on the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.

Current Director of Player Development — and former Rams point guard — Darius Theus said the missed postseason opportunity was disappointing, especially given the program’s success in recent years.

“The first time missing the tournament, I was really hurt by it,” Theus said. “So, I think the team has been working hard to improve their legacy, and improve coach Rhoades’ legacy to make sure that never happens again.”

The A-10 committee picked the Rams to finish seventh in a conference preseason poll, but Rhoades’ bunch has exceeded all expectations.

Rhoades brought nine new faces to the squad. Among them are transfers redshirt-junior guard Marcus Evans, sophomore forward Corey Douglas and redshirt-senior forward Michael Gilmore, as well as the freshman class of for-

ward Vince Williams and guards P.J. Byrd and KeShawn Curry.

A deeper bench has boosted the team’s defensive efficiency. By cycling in more bodies, Rhoades can apply more pressure on the ball.

A crucial road victory Saturday over St. Bonaventure improved the Rams to 17-6 for the season, and the team is now tied atop the conference with Davidson, 8-2 in the A-10.

Chris Kowalczyk, assistant athletic director for Athletics Communications, said the drastic turnaround is a testament to the team’s much-improved defense.

I think it’s something in our peripheral vision.

But, at this point, we’re really trying to focus on one game at a time and control what we can control.”

J.D. Byers, Men’s Basketball assistant coach “It’s pretty remarkable, where we are this year compared to last year,” Kowalczyk said. “We were rated somewhere around 150th defensively last year, and now we’re rated eighth. The team has really, really grinded defensively.”

The resurgence of the Rams’ notorious HAVOC defense has re-established them as a current favorite to secure one of the 36 at-large bids for the NCAA Tournament in March.

Assistant coach J.D. Byers said although the tournament is in the back of their minds, the players can’t get focus on March just yet.

“I think it’s something in our peripheral vision,” Byers said. “But, at this point, we’re really trying to focus on one game at a time and control what we can control.”

But with the NCAA Tournament only weeks away, ESPN’s projections have already started. The latest update from ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi has the Rams as a No. 11 seed and one of his last four teams in the field of 68.

Given the team’s Final Four run in 2011 under the same circumstances, the scenario holds promise. Theus said making the tournament would mean a lot to this year’s team.

“I think that’ll be the biggest topic, being the No. 11 seed,” Theus said. “But hopefully people don’t get too excited about that legacy and think we’re going back to the Final Four.”

With nine games still left in the conference season, players and coaches are tackling one challenger at a time, but hope to still be playing in March.

“I think just making the tournament is a blessing,” Theus said. “As long as we’re playing in March, that’s the goal.”

The Rams will return home for their next game Feb. 13 against crosstown rival Richmond at 7 p.m.

Women’s Basketball completed its season sweep of Richmond as redshirt-freshman guard Madison Hattix-Covington led the way for the Rams with a career-high 13 points, propelling the Rams to a 58-37 victory Saturday.

“Defenses underestimate her ability to hang in the air, so those andones — her teammates know where those are coming from — but she can score in a variety of ways,” coach Beth O’Boyle said.

Sophomore guard Tera Reed started off slowly with only two points in the first half, but she was all over the box score by the time the buzzer sounded as she finished with 9 points, four rebounds and four assists. “[Reed] makes very timely plays.

She’ll get a good steal, or she’ll make two foul shots, and she’ll get to the rim,” O’Boyle said. “Her defense, with her length, is huge for us.”

The Rams trailed 14-12 after the first quarter as a result of shooting 38.5 percent from the field and allowing Richmond to shoot 50 percent. VCU’s second-ranked defense strangled Richmond’s offense for the rest of the game, holding them to only 5.9 percent from the field in the fourth quarter.

“We had a really active zone in the second half that really helped us contain the ball a lot better,” O’Boyle said. “I think our depth makes a big difference. When you can sub-in 10 players that are going to go out there, push the ball and defend hard — it wears teams down.”

The Rams started rolling in the second quarter with an early 7-0 run for the first three minutes to give them a lead they did not relinquish.

VCU shot 50 percent in the frame, entering halftime with a 30-27 lead.

The Black and Gold took control of the game in the third quarter following a 9-1 run — including five from Reed — that spanned two minutes to take the lead 39-30.

Piling it on in the final frame, VCU outscored Richmond 13-3, clinching the team’s fifth-straight win and its 12th in the last 13 games.

VCU will face Dayton at home Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.

8 The Commonwealth Times

PRESS BOX

Worst Super Bowl ever?

JARON NUTTER Contributing Writer Everything about the 2019 Super Bowl pointed to a shootout. Both the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots boasted a top-five offense coming into the game and were fresh off thrilling overtime victories in their respective conference championships.

Instead, both teams combined for only 16 points. It was the worst Super Bowl ever.

The Rams averaged 32.9 points this season, second in the NFL. Quarterback Jared Goff threw 32 touchdowns and nearly 4,700 yards this season. Running back Todd Gurley finished with 21 rushing and receiving touchdowns combined. Wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods garnered over 2,400 combined receiving yards.

The high-powered Rams offense even took part in the third-highest scoring game in NFL history this season, when they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 54-51. After that game, many speculated the NFL was moving toward an offensive-driven league.

Rodger Sherman, writer for sports and pop culture site The Ringer, thought the Chiefs-Rams game would be the future of the NFL. “Football is changing. Getting better, really,” Sherman said in a Ringer editorial. “The NFL has recently been accused of providing a lukewarm product with stagnating ratings. That’s not a problem anymore. Monday night will go down as the game that encapsulates these changes, the birth of a better football.”

However, these speculations were unfounded. The Rams’ consistent offensive machine fell flat on the NFL’s biggest stage.

Leading up to the Super Bowl, the Patriots did not fall short of offensive fireworks this season either. New England finished fifth in the league with 27.3 points and ended first in yards with 476.3. Quarterback Tom Brady was coming off another impressive year, finishing with 29 touchdowns and more than 4,300 passing yards. Just last season,

Illustration by Steck Von

the Patriots were defeated by the Eagles in a thrilling 41-33 finish. Every Patriots Super Bowl since 2001 was decided by 8 points or less. For the first time, that didn’t hppen. The usual offensive strike expected from the Patriots in the Super Bowl didn’t appear.

In the 2019 Super Bowl, both quarterbacks failed to throw a touchdown or even 300 yards. Gurley finished with a disappointing 10 carries and only 35 yards. At halftime, the Patriots led by a score of 3-0. It took 53 minutes of game time for running back Sony Michel to score the first and only touchdown of the game.

All in all, the Patriots defeated the Rams 13-3. Both offenses were awful and could barely enter opposing field territory throughout the game. This was

especially shocking ,considering both teams defeated offensive juggernauts in previous playoff rounds. Any football fan would have predicted a shootout, but we were all wrong.

The halftime show was disappointing as well. Leading up to the performance, many famous artists such as Cardi B and Rihanna turned down offers to perform.

Both artists said they turned down the performance to support Colin Kaepernick and his kneeling during the national anthem, which essentially cost him his career. Maroon 5 and Travis Scott ended up performing at the 2019 Super Bowl, and received backlash for not standing up in support of Kaepernick. Scott’s representatives released a statement saying Scott and Kaepernick came to an understanding about the performance.

The controversy of the halftime show led to one of the worst halftime shows in Super Bowl history. Travis Scott only appeared on stage for about two minutes and more people paid attention to Adam Levine’s tattoos than his terrible singing performance.

With a boring game and disappointing halftime show, the Super Bowl was a letdown. According to Don Reisinger, writer for The Fortune, the 2019 Super Bowl finished with its lowest viewership since 2008.

If a certain pass interference call was made by officials in the NFC Championship game or a coin flip landed differently in the AFC Championship game, maybe we wouldn’t have had to watch the worst Super Bowl ever.

Track and Field shatters facility records at VMI BEN MALAKOFF Contributing Writer Track and Field set personal and facility records Feb. 8-9 at the VMI Winter Relays in Lexington, Virginia.

WOMEN’S Junior sprinter Kayla Smith won the 400-meter with a time of 54.92 seconds, setting a new VMI facility record. Finishing behind Smith came senior sprinter Taylor Watkins who made the event’s top three, clocking 57.61 seconds.

Redshirt-senior mid-distance runner Nichelle Scott set another facility record, running 2:09.25 in the 800-meter. The closest finisher was seven seconds behind.

Smith, Scott, Watkins and junior sprinter Kara Lyles combined to set a facility relay record in the 4-x-400, with a time of 3:45.10.

The Rams led the shot put — senior thrower Camora Sanders threw a first-place 13.69 meters, and freshman thrower Shannon Moise placed second with 13.24 meters.

On their second day at VMI, three Rams placed in the top five in the 500. Lyles made first place with a time of 1:15.42. Senior mid-distance runner Ashley Greenlee finished right behind, clocking in at 1:15.64. In fifth place was freshman sprinter Channelle Hodges, finishing with a time of 1:17.77.

Smith ended her second day with a personal best in the 200 at 24.57 seconds.

Lyles recorded her best long jump of her young career with 5.64 meters, landing in third place.

toss was more than a meter farther than the second-place winner.

In the 100-meter, junior distance runner Lucas Sidle made a second-place finish, setting a personal best with a time of 2:31.20.

The Rams continued setting personal

bests when redshirt-senior jumper Bashir Idris placed second in the long jump leaping 6.97 meters.

Track and Field will travel to Fairfax for the Atlantic 10 Championships Feb. 23-24.

MEN’S The first day at VMI started in the Rams’ favor when senior sprinter Jamik Alexander set a personal best and made a firstplace finished in the 60-meter, recording a 6.86-second-time. Freshman hurdler JeVon Waller — who was named Men’s Rookie of the Week by Atlantic 10 last week — came in second place with a time of 6.89 seconds.

Sophomore thrower Willie Schwartz was the highlight of the weight throw, winning the event with a 17.34-meter throw.

Joining Schwartz’s win, freshman thrower Jaekob Vollbrecht won the shot put with a personal best throw of 17.13 meters. His

Redshirt-senior mid-distance runner Nichelle Scott set a facility record in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:09.25. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics

Wed. February 13, 2019 9

TENNIS

Women beat Maryland, men fall to Pennsylvania NILE MCNAIR Contributing Writer

“I know Paola finished first,” Kostin said, “but everyone played well and we could’ve won every game we played out there.”

WOMEN’S

Tannum Donaldson cards record-breaking rounds in spring opener NOAH FLEISCHMAN Sports Editor Sophomore Kristian Tannum Donaldson led Golf to a fifth-place finish in a record-breaking opening two rounds at the UNCG Martin Downs Collegiate tournament Feb. 10-12 in Palm City, Florida.

The Rams finished fifth out of 13 teams, finishing with a total score of 5-over. VCU carded rounds of 295-281-293 for a final score of 869.

Tannum Donaldson broke a school record for the lowest score after two rounds at 10-under. He shot two consecutive rounds of 67 on the tournament’s first two days, launching himself up the leaderboard to the top spot.

Coach Matt Ball said that Tannum Donaldson drove the ball well which made up for his “average” short game, which is normally where he excels.

“Those were, like, the worst scores he was going to shoot, actually,” Ball said. “He hit 35 out of 36 greens in regulation, which is very difficult to do and really not that far from the hole.”

I’ll be able to remind them how well [they] closed out rounds, especially on a good solid difficult [back] nine like that was. It’s a really good young group of guys and I’m excited about growing with them.”

Matt Ball, VCU Golf coach Tannum Donaldson led the Rams in the first round recording a 5-under round. He birdied three holes on the front nine — the second, third and ninth holes. On the back nine, he birdied four holes — 10th, 13th, 17th and 18th — and bogeyed one.

The second round was no different for Tannum Donaldson as he logged another 67, this time bogey-free. He birdied the third, fifth, seventh, ninth and 17th holes, en route to a second consecutive five-under par round.

Tannum Donaldson entered the final round with the 36-hole lead, ahead by three shots. He has not held a lead recently, because the sophomore has only played in three tournaments for the last 11 months due to a back injury.

“A lot of it was just not being familiar with being in the situation like normal,” Ball said. “He would admit in a few places he didn’t handle it as well. In golf, you have a tendency to get too quick with your golf swing, and he hit some stray shots that he definitely didn’t hit in the [previous] two days.”

The final round was a different story for the Buckinghamshire, England native as he carded a round of 74. Tannum Donaldson dropped a shot on the opening hole but birdied the next three in a row. He then bogeyed the final two holes on the front nine and double bogeyed the 10th hole.

Tannum Donaldson finished the tournament at 8-under in second place, one shot behind the tournament champion.

Freshman Ian Peng finished the tournament 1-over as he carded rounds of 74-71-72, finishing tied for 17. Freshman Cam Barackman finished tied for 28th as he logged rounds of 77-72-71 en route to a 4-over finish.

Freshman Adrian Vagberg carded rounds of 77-71-77 as he finished tied for 43rd at 9-over. Sophomore Sachin Kumar rounded out the Rams’ starting five as he finished tied for 60th at 16-over after rounds of 79-77-76.

“I’ve been curious to find out really where we are,” Ball said. “We are definitely a better team with [Tannum Donaldson] in the lineup, so we really didn’t know who the starting five would be on a regular basis. We started three freshman and two sophomores and probably that same group will start for the next tournament.”

Freshman Clifford Foster and junior Alston Newsome both competed as individuals outside of the Rams’ starting five.

Foster recorded a score of 6-over, tying for 36th. Newsome finished the tournament tied for 71st with a score of 20-over.

Tannum Donaldson recorded the most birdies in the tournament with 16 over the three days.

“I’ll be able to remind them how well [they] closed out rounds, especially on a good solid difficult [back] nine like that was,” Ball said. “It’s a really good young group of guys and I’m excited about growing with them.”

Golf will be back on the course March 4-5 at the Fort Lauderdale Intercollegiate.

MEN’S In the first of two back-to-back game on the road in Philadelphia, Men’s Tennis faced Pennsylvania.

During the opening doubles matches VCU looked sluggish. Pennsylvania won the first doubles matches with a score of 6-3.

The closest doubles match came from duo of senior Arvid Noren and sophomore Inigo Torre Martin against Pennsylvania’s Edoardo Graziani and Kevin Zhu. Noren and Torre Martin edged Pennsylvania in a long 7-5 set that gave the Rams its one and only doubles win.

The six singles matches were split right down the middle. Both teams managed to walk away with three victories.

Senior Phillip Mobius’ win for the Rams proved to be ne of the more exciting singles matches. Mobius got beaten badly in the first set 1-6 and bounced back to win the final two sets and the match.

VCU ultimately fell 4-3 to Pennsylvania as the two losses in doubles decided in the match.

Women’s Tennis will host Liberty Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. and Howard Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. The men will also host Howard Feb. 17 at 10 a.m.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Sophomore Kristian Tannum Donaldson set a school record for the lowest 36-hole score during the UNCG Martin Downs Collegiate tournament at 10-under.

Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics

After losing two straight matches at the ITA National Indoor Tournament last month, Women’s Tennis has been on a winning streak.

Entering Saturday’s matchup against Maryland, VCU had won two straight matches, bringing its record to 3-2.

The Rams-Terrapins matchup began with three doubles matches. After two games, the doubles matches were tied at one apiece.

The pairing of senior Anna Rasmussen and sophomore Melissa Ifidzhen had the task of winning the last doubles set for VCU. And they did just that, with a final score of 6-4.

Despite winning, coach Paul Kostin believes the team can improve.

“I don’t think we’re playing that great yet, especially in doubles,” Kostin said. “We need to get better in doubles.”

Moving into single matches, the Rams didn’t slack off. Coming off her Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Week honors, sophomore Paola Exposito Diaz-Delgado performed impressively. She finished her game in just sets with scores of 6-2 and 6-3.

Ifidzhen and sophomore Kanako Yano won their singles matches to contribute to the eventual 4-0 defeat of the Terrapins.

15% discount for students (discount (discount applies applies to to food food and and non-alcoholic non-alcoholic beverages beverages only) only) Parking Parking at at Bookbindery Bookbindery Parking Parking Garage Garage 2201 2201 W. W. Broad Broad St., St., Richmond Richmond Monday Monday -- Friday Friday after after 66 p.m. p.m.

All Day Saturday and Sunday All Day Saturday and Sunday

2035 W Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220 804-447-2705 www. piesandpints.net

10 The Commonwealth Times

On this day

In 2015, Drake released “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” without any prior announcement. The mixtape sold 495,000 copies in its first three days, bringing the Canadian rapper to the top of the Billboard 200 for the fourth time in his career.

Mitochondrial Eve

Alternative process develops history of feminine evolution ANDREW RINGLE Spectrum Editor Eight months ago in South Africa, VCU senior Annie Hodgkins investigated ancient pre-human species and the most common ancestor of all living humans, the Mitochondrial Eve. The link between humans and Mitochondrial Eve, she said, is in mitochondrial DNA, a substance inherited solely from the mother to the child that can be traced back across hundreds of thousands of years.

“I took that concept and expanded upon it, trying to think of maternal instincts and inheritance,” Hodgkins said. “I’m investigating what that means to me as someone who doesn’t have a mother and is figuring it out on her own.”

When Hodgkins was 13 years old, her mother passed away. That loss inspired her to explore maternity and what it means to a motherless and childless woman.

Hodgkins collects her thoughts on inheritance and identity in “Mitochondrial Eve,” which opened Friday at The Anderson.

“I’m very interested in the concept of motherhood because it’s something that is lacking in my life and development as a person,” Hodgkins said. “I didn’t have that role model to help me go through the world as a person that identifies as a woman.”

“Mitochondrial Eve” is mostly composed of mordançage, an alternative photographic process which involves darkroom development and a toxic chemical bath. The process results in a veiled version of the original image that seems to float under the surface of chemicals. Hodgkins said she chose the medium because of how it visually alludes to body chemistry and anatomy.

“When [the photo is] wet, it’s really gross and mucusy,” Hodgkins said. “It reminded me of how gross people are ... It looks like menstrual blood.”

Senior Annie Hodgkins uses mordançage in “Mitochondrial Eve,” which traces feminine identity throughout human evolution.

Photo by Erin Edgerton Hodgkins also included glass jars and 3D-printed artifacts in her show. She said she wanted to play off museum aesthetics by reimagining objects typically seen in a scientific gaze in a feminine one.

“I’m recontextualizing objects and photographs that were probably fabricated by men,” Hodgkins said. “It’s unfortunately true — most scientists and archaeologists are men and they’re mostly white.”

Hodgkins said that she wanted to contextualize motifs, objects and religious ref-

erences into her own perception of female evolution. She hung a large printout of the fossilized remains of a 3.2-million-yearold female human ancestor, known as Lucy.

And in one of the glass jars, there’s an image of the skull of Mrs. Ples, another fossil Hodgkins saw in South Africa.

“It struck me that these pre-human beings were females, and they probably gave birth to other beings that later turned into us,” Hodgkins said. “I’m really trying to imagine what that ancient biological desti-

ny was like for them and what that means for us as modern people.”

The pelvic bone is a recurring symbol in “Mitochondrial Eve,” and Hodgkins said she’s obsessed with its feminine significance.

“When women are giving birth, their pelvic bone expands inches,” Hodgkins said.

“The fact that the female body can sustain that much pain and distortion and then come back together as a whole person … it’s almost like a passage. It’s like the bringer of life.”

Local gallery owner finds visitors’ inner artist TIRTHA RATNAM Contributing Writer

“I really love the people that come in,” Pollard said.

“So often in the neighborThe diversity and inhood, Jackson Ward, many trigue of work within ADA of the people coming in Gallery is enough to entice have never been in a gallery, any art aficionado through so they’re not sure what to its doors, but part of the make of the art and they’re ADA experience is creditnot even sure if they can ed to the warm enthusiasm come in.” of its owner. Artist, curator Pollard makes it a point and frequent speech-giver, to encourage anyone who John Pollard, is the man walks through the door to behind the gallery on West create art. Visitors can exBroad Street.

ADA Gallery opened 15 years ago. The gallery’s name alludes to the pect engaging discussion Pollard decided to create owner’s grandmother, who inspired him to become an artist. with Pollard on their artistic his own gallery after grad- Photo by Raelyn Fines capabilities, and will leave uating from San Francisco with a new sense of purpose.

Art Institute, but unexpected events caused Then, ADA Gallery was born. The name His motivational words have reached some him to leave for Virginia. is an homage to his grandmother, Ada, who unexpected audiences.

“I was about to create a gallery space when always supported the idea of him becoming “Once Solange Knowles came in and, unmy landlord suddenly sold our building and an artist. fortunately for her, I launched in on my mogave me short notice,” Pollard said. “So I Pollard adopted his grandmother’s at- tivational art speeches and art advice for her decided that was a sign to move and came titude of embracing the arts, and his gal- teenage niece,” Pollard said. “She laughed at home and began painting in Richmond be- lery now serves as a haven for people of all almost all of my bad jokes and nodded in fore deciding to try the gallery idea again.” backgrounds. [approval] of my advice.”

Pollard didn’t initially recognize the celebrity artist, until Knowles revealed her identity in a request for images.

“I literally fell to my knees when she left, embarrassed that I gave her the full ‘Church of John’ art speeches,” Pollard said.

Pollard’s conscious effort to curate pieces beyond the standard contemporary aesthetic offers something in the gallery for everyone to appreciate.

“I curate what I love,” Pollard said. “I try to show a range of work, but as a painter myself, I seem to have a focus on painting and drawing … I just look for art that speaks to me as being authentic, honest and bold.”

After 15 years of operation, Pollard said that ADA Gallery has been embraced and shaped by the VCUarts community.

“So many students have stayed over the years after graduating,” Pollard said. “So the connection to and importance of art in so many Richmonders’ lives is very palpable.”

Pollard’s future plans consist of simply enjoying the company the gallery’s visitors and continuing to make art of his own.

Wed. February 13, 2019 11

VCU graduate combines anatomy and art IMAN MEKONEN Contributing Writer Orange, turquoise, red and yellow compliment black backgrounds to depict detailed human organs and portraits on the white walls of Tompkins-McCaw Library.

The artwork by 2014 VCUarts graduate Nickolai Walko made its debut at the second installation of “Unmasked: A Visual Dissection.”

The exhibit, which opened Feb. 8, showcases Walko’s detailed portrayal of the human body and those of animals through drawings of bones and organs, such as the eye, brain, heart and ear.

Walko designed his sculptures with masking tape, guided on top of a first layer of color, then revealed by the strokes of an art knife. The first colored layer of the work represents skin. Then the artwork is dissected, revealing the colored layer underneath with a precise blade.

“I like to think of the knife as a scalpel to the artwork, revealing what’s underneath,” Walko said.

Walko said his interest in anatomy and art emerged when he was a child. The exhibit displays Walko’s admiration of human anatomy and different artistic mediums.

“I’ve always been fascinated by anatomy,” Walko said. “My father is a physician, so I would always find myself looking through his anatomy books and practicing my sketches from those.”

Born in Russia and raised in Virginia Beach, Walko’s curiosity toward everyday sights sparked his interest in drawing.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by aviation and always thought of planes as giant metal birds,” Walko said. “It really helped me gain a new perspective.”

Walko’s love for art led him to attend the Governor’s School for the Arts in high school, where he first utilized masking tape as an artistic tool. His teacher, Virginia VanHorn, brought masking tape into class one day and challenged her students to incorporate it into their work.

UPCOMING EVENTS See something

THURS. 2/14 VCU Dance NOW 2019

Faculty members and South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma will perform new work in a concert hosted by the VCUarts Department of Dance and Choreography.

8 p.m., Grace Street Theater (934 W. Grace St.) $15, or $10 with valid student ID

SAT. 2/16 ICA Topic Tour: “Cauleen Smith: Give It or Leave It” The ICA’s Daniel and Brett Sundheim Chief Curator Anthony Elms will give a detailed tour of “Cauleen Smith: Give It or Leave It.” This new gallery offers antidotes to the perceived hopelessness of American society.

1-2 p.m., Institute for Contemporary Art (601 W. Broad St.) Free.

SUN. 2/17 Faculty Jazz Recital: Antonio García

A skeletal horse is shown rearing-up in a selection from “Unmasked: A Visual Dissection.” The installation is at Tompkins-McCaw Library. Photo by Jon Mirador “She wanted us to explore using masking tape and I became completely fascinated by it,” Walko said. “It literally stuck to me.”

After high school, Walko attended VCUarts and graduated with a BFA in sculpture in 2014. He said he was extremely honored to have been a part of the school’s program.

Walko said he was mostly inspired by art movements such as the Renaissance and others from the late 1800s and early 1900s. He said the vibrant colors used in the drawings were derived from the 1950s pop art movement.

“I like to look at different time periods and find my way through them all,” Walko said. “Leonardo da Vinci was one of my first inspirations. I used to practice sketching from his art.”

One piece in Walko’s show, titled “Emille,” shows a portrait of a woman with half of her body represented in bone and half in muscles and ligaments. The inclusion of copper metal and black masking tape bring shape and depth to the two-dimensional figure.

The piece took him about a month to complete — he spent at least five hours a day working on it. He said perfectionism “gets to [him],” but he pushes through to what he thinks is close to perfect.

“I would love the viewers to have their own take on my work,” Walko said. “It’s up to the audience to interpret the art so I leave the personal aspect out of it.”

“Unmasked” is on display in the first floor gallery at the Tompkins-McCaw Library until April 29.

Trombonist, composer and Jazz Studies Director Antonio García will host a recital.

Additional performances include vocalist Mary Hermann García, The Nashville Avenue Stompers, VCU Jazz Orchestra I, the VCU Greater Richmond High School Jazz Band and a recording from the VCU Commonwealth Singers.

4 p.m., W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts (922 Park Ave.) Free.

Do something

SAT. 2/16 ChinaFest 2019: Celebrating the Year of the Earth Pig

Celebrate the Lunar New Year and enjoy art-making activities, demonstrations and performances. A full list of events can be found at vmfa.museum.

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (200 N. Boulevard) Free.

TUES. 2/19 SNPhA’s Annual Multicultural Dinner

The Student National Pharmaceutical Association will have free food, a performance from VCU’s Latin dance group, a student fashion show in cultural attire and a speech from professor Jeffrey L. Wilson. For information on reservations, visit SNPhA on Facebook.

6 p.m., Jonah L. Larrick Student Center (900 Turpin St.) Free, RSVP online.

Learn something

FRI. 2/15 Darwin and the Politics of Nature

Princeton University history professor Erika Milam will give a lecture on the danger and hope offered by the theory of evolution.

10:30 a.m., Commonwealth Ballroom, University Student Commons (907 Floyd Ave.) Free.

MON. 2/18 Off Campus Student Services— Rental Workshop Understand theTO step-by-step process of LETTER THE EDITOR finding and renting an apartment for the first time. Learn about deposits, leases, budgets and tenant rights.

2-3 p.m., Suite 229, University Student Commons (907 Floyd Ave.) Free.

VCUarts graduate Nickolai Walko depicts anatomical subjects, using masking tape and an art knife to reveal layers of color.

Photo by Jon Mirador

12 The Commonwealth Times BRANDON’S ANGLE

“They Shall Not Grow Old” is an absolute technical marvel Peter Jackson produces a momentous show of technical mastery in “They Shall Not Grow Old.” Compiling more than 600 hours of century-old archived footage and audio from World War I, the creators colorized, restored and projected the footage in 3D. It is one of the most groundbreaking technical achievements I have ever had the luxury of witnessing.

Jackson has long been an innovator when it comes to filmmaking technology.

Whether it be experimentation with frame rates or visual effects in films like his famous “The Lord of the Rings” franchise, Jackson has always had a knack for trying techniques that challenge his directorial abilities.

He also strives to create work that has immense personal value to him. And his newest documentary is his most ambitious and personal project yet. “They Shall Not Grow Old” is more than just a movie for Jackson. It is a love letter to his grandfather who served in the war.

The film begins in a very tight frame with hazy black-and-white footage of soldiers marching with narration from World War I veterans. About 20 minutes in, the picture expands, the image sharpens and color washes across the screen. Color brings these images to life, depicting the perspectives of the young soldiers.

As the film moves forward, the narration guides the audience through the footage, and the men share anecdotes about their experiences on the Western Front.

Illustration by Lindsay Hart

BRANDON SHILLINGFORD Contributing Writer

Although many British soldiers were too young to fight, the men tell stories of officers who ignored this rule because winning the war was so important. They often ate the same breakfast every day, and they traded their food with the French for cigarettes.

Some might consider the narration unnecessary, but for me, it’s an essential part of the viewing experience. Without the tender and eloquent narration, the film becomes a series of cold and harsh images with very little context of their true meaning. But an image of a young man with his lung hanging out becomes undeniably more powerful when coupled with a soldier recounting his

experience in the background.

The passion Jackson infuses into his work is truly unparalleled. After the credits, an additional 30-minute documentary takes the viewer behind the scenes and through the process of bringing his project to the screen. He details the painstaking methods behind restoring and colorizing the shrunken and damaged celluloid film.

In one particularly fascinating story, Jackson recounts how he traveled to Belgium to see the exact green shade of the grass in order to color the film.

In the mini-documentary, Jackson discusses his family’s involvement in the war

and the impact it had on his life and career as a filmmaker. It’s a deeply intimate film for him, acting as a bridge between his child and adulthood. The film speaks as a tribute to the losses that continue to affect him today.

“They Shall Not Grow Old” is a stunning and profound work of art. Peter Jackson brings the men and women from World War I to life in a masterful technological feat of filmmaking prowess that fans of Jackson, and of film, cannot afford to miss.

Alumna reflects on path toward entrepreneurship Although her job at the Martin Agency was primarily focused on purchasing broadcast media, she ventured outside of that field and began getting involved in the community to learn other skills. The payoff came shortly after, when she started working in social media. “[All of ] that kind of led to a new position when we started to develop a social media department at the Martin Agency,” Dick said.

Shortly afterward, she found herself at Capital One, working in social media there as well.

Christina Dick. Photo courtesy of Bree Davis Today, Dick runs Tiramisu for Breakfast, her own social media marketing WALTER CHIDOZIE ANYANWU agency. In between working at Capital Contributing Writer One and launching her agency, she also spent time at Big River Advertising and From working with top marketing recruiting firm Aquent, honing her skills. agencies in Richmond to starting her own “Throughout [that] time I had kind of public relations and marketing agency, thought about starting my own [compaVCU alumna Christina Dick has been on ny],” she said, “but I wasn’t sure, or I guess the rise since graduation. Now, she works confident enough about it.” as an adjunct professor in the Robertson Tiramisu for Breakfast started as a School of Media and Culture. small blog about fashion and beauty. It Dick attended VCU from 2006 to grew beyond that when Dick decided to 2010, studying strategic advertising at the weave her marketing expertise into the School of Mass Communications, which website. She took on clients and rapidly is now the Robertson School of Media saw her blog turn into something comand Culture. She worked at a Richmond pletely different. ad agency, the Martin Agency, for three “This local beauty company reached out years right after graduation. and wanted to work with me, so I took

them on as a freelance client,” Dick said.

“I had them throughout my time working at Big River. So I did some recruiting for a while [and] kept up the blog … Everything kind of just grew from there.”

Originally from Gloucester County, Virginia, Dick had all the hallmarks of someone who grew up in a small town.

Chamberlayne exit near Belvidere, and he said, ‘This is it, this is what you wanted.”

She lived on the top floor of Johnson Hall, which she said she dreaded at the time.

“It was the oldest. And when I started, Brandt was brand-new and I wanted it,” she said.

She enrolled as an undeclared freshman and worked with academic advisors to figure out what she wanted to study.

“My roommate studied mass comm, and that kind of made me want to do it, too,” Dick said.

I remember my dad She said after taking her first introducdriving me up here, and tory communications course, she declared mass communications as a major. we were getting off at While at VCU, Dick worked at the the Chamberlayne exit Career Center as a student ambassador near Belvidere, and he and at The Commonwealth Times. She sold advertising for the paper and said said, ‘This is it, this is that at the time, it felt like she was makwhat you wanted.” ing so much money.

“Honestly, it was the best job ever Christina Dick, adjunct because you would just hustle and you professor, entrepeneur would get a check for like a thousand She longed to live in a city, and when the dollars,” Dick said. “It was a lot of money time came to apply to colleges, she only to me.” applied to VCU. In 2017, Dick was named as one of the “I really wanted to be in the city. That 2017 Top 40 under 40 by Style Weekly was the whole [reason] why I wanted to Magazine and 2017 10 under 10 by the come here, it was in the middle of the city,” VCU Alumni Group.

Dick said. “I remember my dad driving me up here, and we were getting off at the

Wed. February 13, 2019 13

Quote of the week

“My perfect Valentine’s Day? I’m at home, three cell phones in front of me, fielding desperate calls from people who want to buy one of the 50 restaurant reservations I made over six months ago.”

— Dwight Schrute

Other countries do Valentine’s Day better IMANI THANIEL Contributing Writer Buying roses, going out to dinner, gifting a teddy bear that says “I love you” — there is one day every year that people get to show their significant other or “soon-to-be” partner how much they are loved. Many cheesy American romance movies and commercials portray Valentine’s Day as the one day that, women specifically, are showered with gifts and luxury.

Although gift-giving is a common theme for Valentine’s Day across the world, it should also be a day of loving and celebrating friends, family and significant others. Instead Valentine’s Day in the U.S. has become a contest sponsored by retail stores and marketing media companies.

U.S. holidays, including Christmas and Easter, have lost their original meanings because they have become business opportunities. The National Retail Federation shows that Americans spend an average of $162 on Valentine’s Day gifts. Nationwide, more than $20 billion are spent for the holiday, according to the study.

Valentine’s Day originated in Rome, celebrated for the first time in 496 when the Romans celebrated a holiday called Lupercalia in the middle of February. During Lupercalia, women and men became couples and sometimes got married. Because the Catholic Church wanted to make the hol-

Illustration by Emely Pascual

iday more religious, it was officially named Valentine’s Day to commemorate the Roman priest St. Valentine.

Other countries also celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, but their traditions are unique. In these places, there is less em-

phasis on what you buy and more on the love you spread.

In U.K. tradition, which dates back to the Victorian Era, people send anonymous valentines. They keep the valentines anonymous because they believed signing their name would send bad luck. Today, red roses are also given along with the anonymous valentine.

Women are the main gift-givers in Japan, and the most popular gift is called honmei-choco, or homemade chocolate.

Along with Valentine’s Day, South Korea also celebrates another holiday called Black Day. On April 14, South Korean single friends come together, eat noodles and celebrate being single.

In Finland and Estonia, Feb. 14 is called Friend’s Day. It is a day to honor friends and significant others. Cards are typically given to best friends, neighbors and parents.

The capitalist structure in the U.S. makes it difficult to enjoy holidays how other countries do. It turns a fun day into a competition of trying to prove your love by seeing who can spend the most amount of money. Valentine’s Day should be about the people you love, romantically or platonically.

This Valentine’s Day, don’t feel pressured to buy the perfect gift or find someone.

Spend this year loving the people you have in your life.

White feminists’ criticism of Beyoncé is unwarranted ALEXIA HOLLOWAY Contributing Writer Many stamped Beyoncé as a feminist icon upon the release of her self-titled album in late 2013. While some people take issue with that label, their logic is based in internalized misogyny and racism.

People criticize Beyoncé for being a feminist simply for show. Over the years she has been accused of faking a pregnancy and naming a world tour after her husband’s last name. Most importantly, some say she fetishizes herself to appeal men, specifically her husband, Jay-Z. Of two controversial music videos, the one that has caught the most criticism is “Partition.” In the video, Beyoncé is half-naked in most of the scenes, aesthetically showing off her body. In some scenes, Jay-Z runs his hands along her body.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian woman who is featured on Beyoncé’s hit song “Flawless,” has criticized Beyoncé in the past. However, her criticism is not about how she chooses display her art, it’s about how she thinks Beyoncé’s music focuses heavily on men.

When reflecting on the Beyoncé’s music, Emma Watson said to Insider, “I felt her message felt very conflicted in the sense that on the one hand she is putting herself in a category of a feminist, but then the camera, it felt very male, such a male voyeuristic experience of her.”

Singer Annie Lennox also criticized Beyoncé, telling Spin that, “twerking is not feminism. That’s what I’m referring to. It’s not, it’s not liberating, it’s not empowering.

It’s a sexual thing that you’re doing on a stage;

it doesn’t empower you.”

She also referred to Beyoncé as “feminist lite” while accusing other artists of taking the word “feminist” hostage.

It is important to note that many of these famous criticisms come from white women. The way white feminists attack Beyoncé is a direct attack on how black women choose to express their sexuality. Lennox’s comments on twerking only further that attack.

Twerking is part of African and Caribbean cultures. It is obvious who the comments target — Lennox is implying that black girls expressing sexuality through dance is not traditional feminism.

Feminism is not supposed to have one look. Feminism is supposed to protect sex workers as well as stay-at-home wives and mothers, should these lifestyles be what a woman wants. If we are under the assumption that Jay-Z isn’t some abusive overlord that makes his wife twist and bend at his will, then it is reasonable to conclude that Beyoncé enjoys performing in ways that please her husband. It’s basic sexual attraction.

Beyoncé choosing to be sexy for her husband is normal, and it’s something many women find pleasure in. That does not mean these women don’t believe the gender wage gap exists or that working women are betraying their families. Beyoncé, like many women, enjoys twerking with her friends

Illustration by Karly Andersen

and being silly. That does not mean she is allowing herself to be a victim of patriarchy or even advancing a patriarchal agenda through her music. She is exercising autonomy over her body and art in a way she enjoys.

Male performers such as Chris Brown and Michael Jackson are famous for their dance moves that emphasize their genitals.

Instead of being accused of performing for the female gaze, it is considered normal for them. Feminists can adopt this same attitude toward female performers without betraying the basic pillars of feminism.

The main issue I have with some feminists criticizing Beyoncé is that they use same rhetoric and logic of their oppressors while also using their privilege. They are

policing another woman’s body — specifically a black woman’s body — because she is using it in a way they do not agree with.

More precisely, she is embracing her culture to express herself, which makes some feminists uncomfortable. Because of this, they are trying to change the rules of feminism to only fit one type of woman.

This is no different from men expressing outrage over seeing scantily clad women or toxic men antagonizing women who choose to dress modestly. Feminism cannot move forward if women choose to use the language and ideals of their oppressors to criticize the women are trying to fight alongside them.

14 The Commonwealth Times

Kim Kardashian’s activism is performative AJA MOORE Contributing Writer

Kim Kardashian has slicked down her edges in ways similar to black women and wears box braids periodically. But her mixed children, the oldest being North West, keep it pretty simple with either natural curls or flat-ironed hair.

Now, I get it. Hairstyles seem universal — right? No, they’re actually not, Kim. Cultural appropriation is real, and just because you’re married to a black man and have half-black kids does not mean you are excused from it. The ignorance behind Kardashian rocking black-girl hairstyles while her half-black daughter doesn’t is a problem for me.

In addition to her controversial hairstyles, Kardashian has also taken a jump by becoming very involved with social issues, such as gun violence and the mass incarceration of African-Americans. While these are important issues, her advocacy work doesn’t seem genuine.

I don’t feel as though Kardashian has malice toward black people, but I don’t think her activism is coming from an authentic place of concern. She took an opportunity to improve the life of Alice Johnson, a now 63-year-old black woman, who was arrested in 1966 for involvement in a drug-trafficking case. After being sentenced to death, Johnson was later given life in prison.

As a first-time offender, Johnson is one of many who deserved a second chance against the criminal justice system. This seemed like a genuine and meaningful act — but it turned out to be the “touch-

ing finale” of season 15 of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Kardashian posted heavily about Johnson only during the season up until the finale. Since then, she has said nothing.

Her husband Kanye West, who is from Chicago, has been a prominent figure for the black community since his initial rise to fame. In the recent season of the family’s series, which highlights a few of Kanye’s recent controversial remarks and actions, it feels like Kardashian is trying to step up her game at addressing serious problems.

It’s difficult, however, considering the rapper’s recent Twitter wars with himself and love for Donald Trump. The current political climate is tough for black people.

Kanye’s spiral seems to have catapulted Kardashian into a “save-the-day” position.

When Kardashian feeds into West’s passions of helping the black community and explains how West means well in season 15, it makes Kardashian seem like the hero the black community needs. And it’s all content featured on that same dramatic season finale.

The Kardashian-Jenner family experiences a lot of hate on a daily basis, and many of the issues are irrelevant. I do not want to be another “hater,” but this is an issue that needs to be addressed. Kardashian needs to know the line between helping the black community and trying too hard to fit into the black community while doing so.

With the appropriation of black hairstyles and cosmetic surgeries she has allegedly done to enhance certain characteristics — including her lips, butt and hips — that mimic black features, Kardashian

Illustration by Lilly Cook

needs to stop trying so hard to mimic black women because it’s offensive. The Kardashians are of Armenian descent and celebrate that often, especially in memory of

An Ode to Self Care

ADVERTISEMENT

Exes can be a tricky map to navigate but one general rule of thumb I like to keep when it comes to whether I should communicate with an ex is that if you’re having the slightest even little bit of doubt, definitely don’t do it. Good luck, and Godspeed. Although I can tell you, it becomes a totally different game if there’s a drink in your hand.

“NASA”

Ariana Grande

SHAUN JACKSON Staff Columnist He lied to me. Big lie. Think relationship-altering lie. Honest to God, I am trying my best to make it work, but it’s just not the same anymore. Will it ever be okay?

Darling, I have no idea what this man did to you, but good riddance. Of course, after a betrayal of trust to the degree you are speaking about, it’s only natural to be over and done with it, regardless of how hard you may be trying. I think that deep-rooted gut feeling that’s making things different this time around is what you really need to listen to. Intuition is a powerful thing if you let it guide you.

And I think yours is screaming out, “Everything will be okay, just not with him.”

What’s the socially acceptable protocol for sending an ex a message? Is the answer just don’t do it?

What are your thoughts on friends who subtly throw shade, but then say something to the effect of “just kidding” or something so if you call them out on it, you’ll sound irrational and overemotional?

My first piece of advice is talk to them.

Clearly, they have a lot to say but only feel comfortable doing so under the guise of throwing shade. There could be an underlying problem they don’t want to speak to you about directly. My second piece of advice is stop being so easily manipulated by passive-aggressive “friends.” If the other two pieces of advice fail, it’s probably time to find new friends anyway.

What should I think about a guy who’s interested in me physically, which is cool, he’s by no means ugly, but he goes on about his number of sexual partners and boasts quite proudly?

Firstly, ew. I don’t know why he thinks anyone cares about his body count. I think that there is something so little and pathetic about a man who thinks he has that much to prove. He sounds like another unfortunate byproduct of studly toxic masculinity, in all honesty. Oh, and don’t have sex with him. After what I’ve garnered from your question, I can already tell he’s terrible in bed.

ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended listening while reading

their father. Having heritage that she does seem to be in touch with, I suggest she fully embrace that instead of black culture.

Wed. February 13, 2019 15

THE CT STAFF EXECUTIVE EDITOR Georgia Geen geengr@commonwealthtimes.org

Not About Feelings by Ellie Erhart

MANAGING EDITOR Saffeya Ahmed ahmeds@commonwealthtimes.org NEWS EDITOR Fadel Allassan news@commonwealthtimes.org SPORTS EDITOR Noah Fleischman sports@commonwealthtimes.org SPECTRUM EDITOR Andrew Ringle spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org OPINIONS EDITOR Brianna Scott opinions@commonwealthtimes.org MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Erin Edgerton photography@commonwealthtimes.org AUDIENCE EDITOR Alexandra Zernik zernikal@commonwealthtimes.org ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Steck Von illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org STAFF WRITERS Adam Cheek, Sports STAFF COLUMNISTS Shaun Jackson, Opinions jacksonsk@commonwealthtimes.org

Coping Mechanism by Jeffrey Belfield

STAFF ILLUSTRATORS Sammy Newman Erin Joo Summer McClure

VCU STUDENT MEDIA CENTER DESIGN EDITOR Ryan Rich ryan@ryanrichdesign.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mai-Phuong Bui Jeffrey Pohanka Andy Caress designers@vcustudentmedia.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Gabbi Bernardo Dana Cantor Miles S. Hicks advertising@vcustudentmedia.com (804) 828-6629 WEBMASTER Chrislin Hearn webmaster@vcustudentmedia.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Evan McGrady distribution@vcustudentmedia.com DIRECTOR Allison Bennett Dyche abdyche@vcu.edu (804) 827-1975

;( by Erin Joo

CREATIVE MEDIA MANAGER Mark Jeffries mjeffries@vcu.edu BUSINESS MANAGER Jacob McFadden mcfaddenjc@vcu.edu ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Drew Salsbury smc_assistant@vcustudentmedia.com

ABOUT THE CT The Commonwealth Times is the award-winning independent student newspaper at VCU, since 1969. The CT staff maintains all editorial and operations discretion. There is absolutely no prior review by the public, university or VCU Student Media Center administration or staff. The Executive Editor writes and manages the Operations Budget.

ADD YOUR VOICE The opinions pages of the CT are a forum open to the public. Contributions are welcome by email to Brianna Scott, by mail or in-person at 817 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220. Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Commonwealth Times.

Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The CT staff.

The Commonwealth Times strives for accuracy in gathering news. If you think we have made an error, please email the appropriate section editor.

Corrections will appear on the news pages and/or online. One CT per person. Additional copies can be purchased at the Student Media Center for $1 each.

16 The Commonwealth Times

For answers to this week’s puzzles, check commonwealthtimes.org/puzzles every Friday at noon.

Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle NOT AGAIN

Sponsored by

L o s A n g e l e s Ti me s Sun d a y C ro s s w o rd P u z z l e

By David Poole Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

9 Sensitive issues for 87 Andrea __: ill-fated 72 Jane Rochester, ACROSS directors ship née __ 1 Pen pals?

10 __-de-lis 90 City, informally 73 Uncouth types 5 Complexion 11 Wells title foes 92 Magoo’s malady 74 It’s misleading enhancement

By David Poole 12 Bobs and buns 93 Cooperstown when it’s red 10 Email subject abbr.

13 Bloody Civil War charter member 75 Ming most look up 13 Get to smile battle sitefor 95 Abash to 18 From square one 9 Sensitive issues 87 Andrea __: ill-fated 72 Jane Rochester, ACROSS 14 Actress Maples née 76 Steam up ship98 Prov. at one end directors __ Spot at the prom?

1 Pen19 pals?

15 Inuit boats of the Ambassador 77 Climbing 21 John, to Paul, 90 City, informally 10 __-de-lis 73 Uncouth types greenery 5 Complexion 16title Volleyball 78 Iron pumper’s pride George and Ringo 11 Wells foes position 92 Magoo’sBridge malady 74 It’s misleading enhancement 17and Fragrant 99 Dental image 12 Bobs 82it’sVersatile utensil 22subject John, Paul, buns 93 Cooperstown when red 10 Email abbr. George compounds 101 member Social event for13 Bloody Civil and Ringo Historic trio War charter 75 Ming83most look nautical up 13 Get to smile 20site Put up 23square Chef’sone directives member battle 95 Abash British tavern to 18 From 24 Bisected involving sieves?

14 Actress Maples 98 Prov. atkeepers? one end 76 Spot84 at Dionysus the prom?devotee 19 Steam up Rooster’s last 77 Climbing 104Ambassador Latin art 26toTravis 86 Red or White 15 Inuit25 boats greenery 21 John, Paul, of country of the word?

107 Triangle product16 Volleyball 27 Tennis’ Goolagong Bridge Little trickster position 78 Iron 88 pumper’s pride George and Ringo 29 Involve with 82 Versatile 109 image Tot’s rebuttal 17 Fragrant 28Paul, Kia HQ city 89 “Aladdin” 99 Dental utensil monkey 22 John, George reluctantly, as a83 Historic 110 event Role for Liam Widen 91 Club component compounds 101 Social nautical trio and 29 Ringo 111 tavern Dusting goal? 20 Put up tough situation 30 directives Old pool people British 92 AOL alternative member 23 Chef’s 31 __ bene 115 Banded 34 One splitting 94 Patient’s 24 Bisected keepers?

84 Dionysus devoteeID involving sieves?

32 Yellowish tone 86 Red96 Knack 25 Rooster’s last 104 Latin artmetamorphic rock or White 26 Travis offirewood? country 33 Answers the call 117 Big Sur institute word?

36 Goolagong Violin stroke 107 Triangle Fill to the max product 88 Little97 trickster 27 Tennis’ 35 Pollen 118 Cambodians’ 29 Involve 39 Big 100 Nikkei index with carrier 89 “Aladdin” 109 Tot’s rebuttal monkey 28 Kia HQ city chamber group 36 Erieas 41 Candidate’s aim currency reluctantly, a city 91 Club component Canal 110 Role forneighbors Liam 29 Widen 120 Film frames 102 Blog updates tough 37situation One who has 92 AOL goal? alternative 30 Old 42 poolYearbook people sect.111 Dusting 124 Knighted British31 __ beneclass?

Chance for Obi103 Gretzky’s NHL 115 Banded 94 Patient’s ID 34 One43 splitting actor Hawthorne Wan to play?

32 Yellowish tone of “Law 38 Benjamin metamorphic rock 96 Knack record 1,963 firewood?

47stroke Quaint oath 117 Big125 Supreme 33 Answers&the call Order” Sur License institute to search 97 Fill104 to the max Egyptian 36 Violin for the Holy Grail?

49 Bar quaff, deity 35 Pollen 40 carrier Kicks out 118 Cambodians’ 100 Nikkei index 39 Big chamber groupbriefly 129 “The Canterbury 50 YOLO, 105 Bar in TV’s Govt.

41 Candidate’s aimin ancient neighbors 36 Erie44 Canal cityorg. with a currency Tales” pilgrim 37 One who Rome “M*A*S*H” Media 120 Film frames 42 Yearbook sect. has Bureau102 Blog updates 130 Blast cause 52 Actress 106 Play grounds?

45 Calendario square 124 Knighted British 103 Gretzky’s NHL 43 Chance for Obi-Staunton class?

131Hawthorne Washington city38 Benjamin Harry Potter 108 1,963 Bring into harmony 46 Mil.ofroadside actor record Wan to of play?

“Law 132 Enterprise movies 112 Parisian 37-Down 125 License to search 104 Supreme Egyptian 47 Quaint oath & Order”danger counselor Lemony, 113 “I never give 48out 2017 Best Director deity for the Holy Grail?

49 Bar 56 quaff, briefly say 40 Kicks 133 Portfolio part 44 Govt. org.

59 in PCancient bailout key129 “The anything without Oscar Canterbury 105 Bar in TV’s 50 YOLO, withwinner a 134pilgrim Collecting Soc. 60 113-Down’s last Tales” expecting Guillermo __ Toro “M*A*S*H” Rome Media Bureau Sec. something in 51 It may be held106 in a Play grounds?

130 Blast cause 52 Actress words Staunton 45 Calendario square 135 Enlighten 62 Placed return” speaker deli 131 Washington city 108 Bring into harmony of Harry Potter 46 Mil. roadside 136 Virgo/Libra mo.

63 Take in or let out 114 Western 53 Southern Calif.112 Parisian 132 Enterprise 37-Downtreaty gp. movies danger 64 Broadway’s Hagencounselor 116 NBA airport give legend 56 Lemony, say 48 2017 Best Director 113 “I never 66 Hirsute 54 winner Roller in Vegas 133 PortfolioDOWN part anythingThomas without 59 PC bailout key Himalayan Oscar 1 Project humanoid 119 Little fight 55 Put__inToro 134 Collecting Soc. for Poirot Guillermo expecting 60 113-Down’s last of myth 68 Crossed (out) 121 Euro 57 be MLK’s Sec. 2 Airing something in forerunners words 51 It may held title in a 3 Student of Seneca deli 58 Miffed 69 Therapist’s 135 Enlighten 122 speaker Programmer’s return” 62 Placed 4 TV dinner 61 Voice 136 Virgo/Libra mo. brand53 Southern 114 Western“endless” treaty gp.problem 63 Take in technique or let out using Calif.artist Blanc 5 “Xena” actress poetry?

123 Peevish state 65 Shakespearean 116 NBA legend 64 Broadway’s Hagen airport 76 Compress, 125 Game div.

Thomas 66 Hirsute Himalayan as a fileDOWN O’Connor 54 Roller incries Vegas 6 for Hush-hush 79 Resist 126 Barely make, with 1 Project Poirot fight humanoid of myth 55 Put 67 in Pop of punk 119 Little 80 Pop duo __ & Him “out” 70 title Snoopy’s nemesis 2 Airing maritime org. 57 MLK’s 121 Euro forerunners 68 Crossed (out) 7 Java holder 81 Signs of shock 3 Student 127 Fjord kin 71 Northern Calif.122 Programmer’s of Seneca 69 Therapist’s 58 Miffed 8 Witty bit 85 Currier’s 128 CXL x XV airport brand “endless” problem technique using partner 4 TV dinner 61 Voice artist Blanc 1 2 65 3 Shakespearean 4 Level 5 “Xena” actress 123 Peevish state poetry?

O’Connor 125 Game div.

76 Compress, as a file cries 6 Hush-hush 126 Barely make, with 79 Resist 67 Pop of punk maritime org. “out” 80 Pop duo __ & Him 70 Snoopy’s nemesis 7 Java holder 127 Fjord kin 81 Signs of shock 71 Northern Calif.

8 Witty bit 128 CXL x XV 85 Currier’s partner airport

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

Spring Break plans? Get out west with OAP! Lo s recsports.vcu.edu A n g e l e s Ti me s

NOT AGAIN

Sunda y C ro s s w o rd P u z z l e Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

Not Again by David Poole

ADVERTISEMENT

a i d e M t n e d ! u s St m a R e h T s cover

Sudoku

By The Mepham 1 2 Group 3 4 Level

∙

2

3

4

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

ADVERTISEMENT

1

∙

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Can’t make a game? Listen to live play-by-play coverage on WVCW Radio, available at WVCW.org or on the WVCW app.

sudoku.org.uk

2/11/19

© 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Solution to Saturday’s puzzle

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

For strategies Quickness RVA -Since 2010on how to solve Order Online Now! @ quicknessrva.com Sudoku, visit Sponsored by

sudoku.org.uk

© 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Read all about the team and what’s going on across the board in the world of VCU sports in The Commonwealth Times every Wednesday, or online at commonwealthtimes.org.