Many in Commons have decried conditions at busying dining locations
HECIEL NIEVES BONILLA Assistant News Editor
Food service workers at the University Student Commons were confused in October when a notice for a new break policy was posted on an office door, contradicting the terms of their contracts.
The notice, attributed to the “Management Team,” detailed a new policy with three facets — workers doing shifts under six hours do not get breaks, those working longer than six hours get a 30-minute unpaid break, and workers are not allowed any 15-minute breaks, as seen in a post on Reddit.
The notice also stated student workers were no longer allowed overtime.
“If this is my third year working here, why have they only now implemented this policy?” the author of the post stated.
The Commons are notoriously busy and full of long lines, especially at Chickfil-A. VCU Dine’s new in-app ordering feature through Grubhub has allowed students to quickly fill up virtual lines. Both methods of ordering can take up to an hour to move through.
VCU has continuously accepted larger freshman classes with each passing year. The class of 2029 has been estimated to
be over 4,500 students, according to a previous report by The CT.
Dining workers previously received half-hour unpaid breaks when working five hours or more, and those on seven and a half, eight or 12 hour shifts would receive one, two and three fully-paid half-hour breaks respectively.
The terms of those breaks were negotiated between the VCU branch of the UNITE HERE union and the management outsourcing company Aramark, according to Aramark’s local district manager Bryan Kelly.
Virginia does not require employers to provide breaks or meal periods at all unless the employee is under 16 years-old.
Kelly confirmed the existence of the notice and said it was taken down within days of the notice on VCU’s Reddit community.
“There’s nothing that applies to student workers [alone], everything applies to our employees. Students are our employees,” Kelly said. “They get the same amount of wage — everything. And they work under the same union.”
Kelly said he should be considered ultimately responsible for the discrepancy with the break policy posting, and that it was a mistake by a lower-level manager.
Kelly acknowledged instances of inconsistency between levels of management at Aramark, and said there is an effort to “re-educate and inform” lowerlevel managers in those instances followed by “progressive disciplinary actions” if policy-breaking behavior continues.
The CT spoke to multiple students who work in dining at the Commons, who preferred to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation by their employer.
STUDENT WORKERS Continued on page 2
Muslim students ask for more prayer spaces on campus
ANDREW KERLEY Executive Editor
Some Muslim VCU students have said there are not enough prayer spaces on campus to accommodate the high volume of people worshipping throughout the work day.
VCU offers two spaces where students of all religions can pray without interruption on the Monroe Park Campus: one in the University Student Commons and another in James Branch Cabell Library.
While students have said the interfaith prayer spaces are helpful, they often become crowded — especially for VCU’s estimated 2,000 Muslim students, many of whom pray at the same five times of day in accordance with their faith.
The Division of Student Affairs provides an Interfaith Meditation Room, a space intended for individual quiet reflection, meditation, contemplation or prayer in room 156 of the University Student Commons.
Cabell Library has a “Reflection Room” on the second floor in room 212. Both spaces are empty and undecorated to be accessible to all faiths.
Fourth-year student Ammaarah Fulani is Muslim and prays five times a day; at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset and nighttime. She said it would be easier for her to practice her religion if there were more prayer spaces around campus.
SPECTRUM
‘Chat, is this real?’ VCUarts exhibition peels back memes, AI and digital diaspora
VCUarts students are pulling back the digital curtain to explore the blurred boundaries between authenticity and artifice shaped by AI, livestreams and memes in this year’s juried exhibition, according to the event’s website. The Undergraduate Juried Exhibition will run from Nov. 13 to Dec. 6 at The Anderson and is juried by Anisa Olufemi, director of programs and curator at Hamiltonian Artists. The show will feature the works of 52 student artists.
on page 8
LELIA CONTEE Contributing Writer
Student workers at Chick-Fil-A in VCU’s University Student Commons preparing and distributing orders on Nov. 10. Photo by Kieran Stevens.
Muslim Student Association officers, fourth-year communication arts student Dalal Alghaithi (left) and fourth-year bioinformatics student Eilaf Aljasari (right). Photo by Andrew Kerley
'Oscillation' artwork.
Photo courtesy of Becca Karabin.
Stories of the week
national: The Supreme Court declined to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 landmark case protecting same-sex marriage nationwide. The challenge to the case came from former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who previously refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses.
international: Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, faced its first major attack in almost a decade. Khawaja Asif, the Pakistani defense minister, said Pakistan is in a “state of war.”
From Franklin Terrace to the mayoral mansion VCU alum Rama Duwaji illustrates sisterhood, freedom
SARAH HAGEN Managing Editor MOLLY MANNING News Editor
As Virginia elected their next governor on Nov. 4, New Yorkers chose Zohran Mamdani to become their next mayor. His wife, Rama Duwaji, is a Syrian illustrator, animator, ceramist — and she studied at VCUarts before she found unexpected fame.
Duwaji was born in Texas and moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates when she was nine years old. She attended VCUarts’ Qatar for a year before transferring to Richmond where she graduated with a communication arts degree in 2019.
In May 2025, Mamdani shared an Instagram post that read “Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms.”
The 28-year-old, who now has over one million followers on Instagram, has become known for her inked-out portraiture that captures sisterhood and tells stories of freedom and justice in the Arab world. Much of her art has highlighted the ongoing Genocide in Gaza.
Continued from front page
One anonymous student worker confirmed the accuracy of the posting and believed it was still up as of Friday, Nov. 7. He confirmed he had been operating under the rules Kelly said were a mistake.
An anonymous UNITE HERE member and Aramark employee at a food service location elsewhere on campus said Aramark generally enforces the negotiated break policy and operates the same policies with part-time, student workers. They were not aware of the notice or the social media post.
KERLEY Executive Editor
It was during Duwaji’s third year at VCU when she made the switch to her signature, animated style of portraiture after her father, a computer engineer, told her to “get with the times,” she said on an episode of the Amad Show podcast in 2020.
“Once I got introduced to digital art, I basically wanted to translate that visual language of ink on paper into a more accessible kind of form of art,” Duwaji said on the podcast.
Duwaji had good things to say about her time in Richmond. She loved all of her classes, except for “COAR 307: The Face” — a grueling elective all about drawing portraits. She said it was hard to get into to begin with, and ended up being the “worst class possible.”
“If you do enough self portraits it will really mess with your head, because at the end I did not know what I looked like,” Duwaji said. “I looked different every single one and you really have to study your own face. And you get into this existential crisis
They also said Aramark management at their location can be inconsistent, and VCU Human Resources is ‘completely useless,’ especially regarding workplace incidents that would require their intervention.
The employee said there was an instance in which a store manager told a student worker she could sit and rest while working with a migraine, and was then yelled at for doing so by a higher-up manager. They also claimed another student was harassed by multiple other staff members and forced to leave her job because of HR’s inaction.
It is difficult to incorporate student workers into the union because of a requirement that members work full time,
of like ‘what do I look like to other people?’”
Like many VCUarts students, Duwaji held an exhibition at The Anderson Gallery titled “More than.”
Kelly Alder, a VCUarts adjunct instructor, taught Duwaji in two classes during her time at VCU — comics and graphic novels, as well as senior portfolio. Duwaji was a quiet, focused student who kept to herself but still worked very hard, Alder said.
Duwaji was already a developed artist when she came to VCU, as her style in college is very similar to her style today, Alder said.
“I think that she really, she already had a very confident visual voice,” Alder said.
“She was just one of those students who, she knew what she wanted to do, she knew what she wanted to say. And I just kind of left her alone and let her do her work.”
Her work centered around social justice causes and the ongoing genocide in Gaza includes illustrations of objects Palestinians
the member said. Instead, students rely on consistency between their contracts and the contracts of UNITE HERE members to ensure their rights as workers.
The posting in the Commons conflicted with a contract the union signed with Aramark in July that improved working conditions for food service workers on campus, and included “big raises, cheaper health insurance, more sick days, holidays and an improved attendance policy,” according to a post on their Facebook.
However, the student worker who authored the Reddit post described other issues with their work conditions in the Commons, including chronic short-
left in their homes when they fled for an article, and an animation urging for an end to the genocide.
“I’m seriously impressed with what she’s accomplished,” Alder said. “And it was slightly surreal, the first time I saw on television with Mamdani and her standing beside him, and I was just thinking, ‘Is that Rama?’”
Dalal Alghaithi is a fourth-year, international communication arts student. She is from Saudi Arabia, and her mother’s side is from Palestine.
Alghaithi was not surprised to find out Duwaji went to VCU given its large community of students from the Gulf region. She said she was proud to see Duwaji’s success, especially with creating art about Palestine.
“I’m just glad to see that somebody is in the spotlight the way she is, and she’s very outspoken in a very, I would almost say radical, way,” Alghaithi said. “She’s not holding back at all.”
staffing and policy denying overtime pay. For them, remaining at their workplace is no longer worth it.
“Because this is my primary income, I cannot just quit like that,” they wrote.
“But I will start searching for jobs nearby that allows me to work early morning shift again.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The CT made the decision to grant student worker interviewees their anonymity to protect them from possible retaliation by their employers.
ANDREW
Illustration by Zoë Luis.
STUDENT WORKERS
Continued from front page
“There’s different religions, it’s a really diverse community and I think there should definitely be more places to pray,” Fulani said.
Students have noted that the Cary Street Gym gets particularly packed during Maghrib prayer, when the sun sets. Many end up practicing in the stairwell.
“Like technically you can pray literally anywhere, but I would rather not put my head on the tiles. I don’t know who walked on them,” said fourth-year communication arts student and Muslim Student Association historian Dalal Alghaithi.
Where there are designated prayer spaces, like the Reflection Room in Cabell Library, overcrowding often forces students to line up and wait their turn. Many end up praying outside the room.
VCU has continuously accepted larger freshman classes with each passing year. The class of 2029 has been estimated to be over 4,500 students, according to a previous report by The CT.
Fourth-year bioinformatics student and MSA treasurer Eilaf Aljasari said it would be helpful to have a reflection room in each academic building so students can pray where they are.
“If we have long classes, I wouldn’t want to have to leave and take too much time out of class to go pray,” Aljasari said.
Aljasari mentioned it would be helpful if students could store prayer rugs, religious books or pamphlets in the interfaith spaces. The Commons’ policy does not allow any items to be stored in the Interfaith Prayer Room as it
cannot be affiliated with any one faith tradition.
Muslim students used to leave items in the room, but the Commons cleared it out during the summer of 2024 to update the room with new carpeting and paint, according to Director Carole Dowell. They clean and refresh their facilities once a year.
MSA leaders were contacted and informed the items were available to be picked up from the Commons office. They acknowledged the communication, though the items have not yet been retrieved. MSA is permitted to store a large bin of prayer mats in our Virginia Rooms storage area.
Aljasari said she still wishes they could store religious materials in the prayer rooms. She said they are open to sharing space, and did not recall any issues in the past. Qurans and Bibles would often lay next to each other, along with scarves, prayer rugs and other religious pamphlets.
“I feel like everyone here pretty much coexists,” Aljasari said. “We all respect everyone’s religious views.”
The Commons has worked closely for several years with MSA to provide space for Jummah prayer every Friday based on room availability. They can accommodate up to 350 people.
The CT reached out to every organization in the Interfaith Campus Ministers Association to ask how they felt about spiritual accommodations. Only the Orthodox Christian Fellowship and Hillel, a Jewish group, responded.
Father Philemon Patitsas of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship said it would be helpful if campus parking fees could be waived for worshippers. He also wants an annual Campus Ministry fair and a newsletter.
Sheri Rodman, director of Hillel, said students want more communication from VCU about available resources for faith-based groups. The few times the organization has tried to reserve space in the Commons for Friday night Shabbat dinner, no spaces were available.
Hillel students have also said the process of getting attendance accommodations for classes is difficult, and many are not aware of the process.
Cabell Library has a microwave now
ANDREW KERLEY Executive Editor
A microwave was installed inside Cabell Library for public use earlier this month — a small addition that provides a sizable convenience, according to students.
The microwave, located just outside the Starbucks on the first floor, was implemented to advance holistic student well-being, according to Laura Gariepy, associate dean for research and learning at Cabell Library.
Students have been requesting a microwave for years, and the library test-ran installing one earlier this year, though they paused permanent implementation while considering the food odors it could bring and what it would take to keep it clean, Gariepy stated.
Cabell Library welcomes 7,000-9,000 visitors nearly every work day during the academic semester.
“We saw a microwave as another valuable way to help students by enabling folks to have hot, nourishing food that they bring from home,” Garipey stated. “It’s a winwin in terms of nutrition and cost savings for students.”
The Health Sciences Library on the MCV Campus has had two public microwaves available for at least a decade. VCU Libraries has been in communication with other campus units about the need for more microwaves across campus, and Student Affairs has been a leader on that initiative.
Joy Dao, a fourth-year graphic design student, hangs out in Cabell Library nearly every day after class. She packs her own meals to save money and avoid eating at VCU Dine locations, which she said do not always put vegetables at the forefront of their menus.
During the winter, Dao used to walk blocks in the cold to use the microwave at Ram City Market. With the new microwave at Cabell Library, everything she needs is in one place.
“It’s definitely helped to not have to walk out to bring my food, heat it up and run back here,” Dao said.
Dao hopes VCU provides more campus amenities like microwaves to make life easier.
“If I want hot cocoa, I can just do it myself instead of going and buying Starbucks,” Dao said.
Other public microwaves can be found within the University Student Commons, Snead Hall, the Engineering Building West Hall, the Pollak Building, Ram City Market and the Student Media Center.
Cabell Library will update signage to officially reflect the new microwave in the coming weeks if things continue to go smoothly. They are asking students to keep it “spiffy and clean.” Wipes, paper towels and trash cans are available nearby.
Infographic by Marty Alexeenko.
Fourth-year graphic design student Joy Dao eats homemade food she heated up using the new microwave at Cabell Library, while watching a video on a library desktop about meal prepping.
Photo by Andrew Kerley.
The new microwave at James Branch Cabell Library, located outside the Starbucks on the first floor.
Photo by Andrew Kerley.
The prayer room in VCU’s Cabell Library. Some VCU students said there are not enough prayer spaces on campus for groups of people worshipping throughout the day.
Photo by Kieran Stevens.
PAPI’S TO REOPEN
City Council grants nightclub license for 18 months
MOLLY MANNING News Editor
ANDREW KERLEY
Richmond City Council voted unanimously Monday to allow Papi’s, an LGBTQ+ bar in Shockoe Slip, to reopen with a temporary nightclub permit.
The bar has been closed since January after the city shut it down for permit and occupancy violations, according to a previous report by The CT.
After approval from the Richmond Planning Commission, City Council and a personal request by Mayor Danny Avula, Papi’s will be allowed to operate as a nightclub — meaning it can stay open and serve drinks until 2 a.m. — for 18 months after it receives a new occupancy certificate.
The permit grants the bar permission to extend operating hours on Friday and Saturday nights with “occasional” DJ’d events.
Papi’s owner Adrienne Lodoño wrote that the bar serves as an inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community to “feel safe and enjoy food and cocktails in a fun atmosphere” in her Applicant’s Report for the nightclub permit.
The Miami-style club is one of few LGBTQ+ bars in the city, and many employees and community members shared disappointment at its closure. Supporters wrote 30 pages of public comments alleging the bar was unfairly scrutinized for being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Lodoño agreed, according to Axios.
They tell me that they loved the space and miss it dearly. They tell me that it was the one establishment in Richmond that made them feel fully welcomed, safe, appreciated, and able to authentically be themselves.”
William
former
Reynolds,
Papi's employee
The Shockoe Partnership and several neighboring business owners near Papi’s submitted their own public comments, alleging the club’s late-night activity was harmful to the mostly residential neighborhood.
“This atmosphere is unwelcoming to visitors who may be patronizing other businesses and harmful to residents in the vicinity of these clubs,” stated Spencer Grice, president of The Shockoe Partnership.
Some supporters disputed those claims. Resident Bryan Collins, who wrote he had worked in the neighborhood since 2013, described it as predominantly commercial.
“In fact, since my first visit to Richmond in 2010, Shockoe Slip has been not only home to, but defined by the string of restaurants along Cary St. that double as raucous nightclubs,” Collins stated. “The fundamental identity of
the neighborhood and its economy is the very ‘late night activity’ that the Shockoe Partnership claims is antithetical to the district’s growth.”
3rd District City Counselor Kenya Gibson said during the Monday meeting it was fitting to reinstate Papi’s license on the same day the Supreme Court decided not to reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that protects same-sex marriage on the national level.
The Papi’s owners posted a statement on their Instagram account remarking on their victory and thanking the community for helping them achieve it.
“There has been many times over the past (almost) year where I wanted to give up because it had become so hard emotionally, mentally and financially,” the statement read. “But every time I thought I had reached my limit, this community found a way to remind me why I opened Papi’s in the first place.”
The Miami-style LGBTQ+ bar, Papi’s, in Shockoe Slip. Richmond City Council voted to give Papi’s back their nightclub license and reopen after almost a year of closure on Nov. 10.
Photo by Kieran Stevens.
SCOUTING REPORT: VCU women’s basketball vs. Maine
SAANVI VOOTLA Contributing Writer
Mary-Anna Asare — The fourth-year guard has emerged as one of the Atlantic 10’s top two-way threats, capping a breakout 2024-2025 season with an All-A-10 Second Team and All-Academic Team honors. Asare is a fierce competitor and versatile playmaker who scored 16 points per game last year. Her ability to create her own shot and stretch defenses makes her a threat to opponents. She averages 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game, showcasing her all-around impact on both ends of the court. Her 37 point outburst against Duquesne University represents her ability to take over games. Asare is known for her leadership on the court and has steadily elevated her play. As a former Team Canada U19 FIBA World Cup representative, she combines international experience with dedication, making her a vital player on the Rams to watch out for.
KYLER GILLIAM Staff Writer
Patricia Augustine — The first-year guard had an impressive debut this year, producing on both ends of the court. Augustine racked up four steals in VCU’s victory against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Nov. 5.She scored eight points, drained a three-pointer and grabbed five rebounds, making her presence felt on the boards. The Canadian represented her country’s Under 18 team in the Women’s Americas Championship, averaging seven points and four rebounds. Before enrolling at VCU, she was awarded the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association Championship game MVP award, scoring 25 points and nine rebounds. At 5-foot-10-inches, Augustine brings a defensive advantage and makes a fun north of the border duo with fellow Canadian guard Asare.
‘My second home’
Stat of the week
Women’s basketball fourth-year guard Mary-Anna Asare surpassed 1,000 career points as a Ram in the win against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
VCU women’s basketball will face the University of Maine for a non-conference matchup at the Siegel Center on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
The CT sports staff chose their notable players for the matchup.
JENNY ALLEN Staff Writer
Adrianna Smith — The Black Bears’ 6-foot redshirt fourth-year forward will be a key threat to the Rams. Despite Smith missing the 2024-2025 season due to an injury, she has already reached over 1,000 career points, according to Maine Athletics. Her size advantage and knack for second-chance points will be a major threat to VCU. Smith is entering this season ready to make up for her missed time, which will force the Rams to step up their game. Smith has accumulated multiple awards, including America East Player of the Year, America East First Team All-Conference in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 and America East AllAcademic Team in 2022-2023 and 20232024, according to Maine Athletics. Her recognition highlights her skills and will require the Rams to plan around her.
HAYDEN BRAUN
Contributing Writer
Asta Blauenfeldt — The Black Bears’ fourth-year 5-foot-6-inch guard enters this matchup against the Rams as one of the most reliable players on the team. She was amazing in Maine’s season opener against Saint Joseph’s, scoring 16 points while shooting 71% from the field and hitting 4-of-5 from three, according to ESPN. She also had two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Her ability to space the floor and score in constant rhythm makes her an ever present danger from beyond the arc. Despite her size being seen as a disadvantage, she plays with confidence and pace while having good shot selection under pressure.
Volleyball captain Julia Rienks brings passion, precision from Netherlands
ALEXIS WASHINGTON Assistant Sports Editor
A simple question changed Julia Rienks’ life forever: “Hey, do you guys want to play volleyball?”
Rienks grew up in a small town in Dronryp, Netherlands. Though volleyball started off as a hobby for her, it has now taken her across the Atlantic — and into the Atlantic 10 — to lead VCU as captain of the volleyball team.
“When I was younger, my mom used to be a [volleyball] ref,” Rienks said. “I would just go there to see the bigger girls play, and I was just inspired by them.”
That inspiration for the court only grew, and as an 18-year-old, Rienks came to the United States to continue her passion.
Rienks started her collegiate career playing middle blocker at Daytona State College. She averaged a team-high of 2.74 kills per set to lead Daytona State to a 20-11 record and became a two-time AllConference First Team honoree for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Rienks said she received a lot of offers after Daytona State, but VCU stood out because of the welcoming nature.
“Sometimes that’s hard to find on a hard level, where coaches just really care about you as a player,” Rienks said. “But here I felt so welcome, and you’re far from home, and I wanted to feel at home, like my second home, and that’s what I found here.”
Rienks also said she wanted to be a part of a program where she could win at.
“[The Rams] want to be a winning program, and I want to win, and they are also really competitive and I’m really competitive,” Rienks said. “All my teams are competitive, so being in a competitive environment is great.”
Rienks became a Ram in 2024, where she immediately made an impact playing opposite.
Despite having to wait in the fall for an official visit with VCU, head coach Tim
Doyle said he was amazed by Rienks’ passion for the game.
“I thought, ‘wow, this person has a goal in mind,’” Doyle said. “And again, it’s just very thoughtful and intentional about what she’s looking for and her goals in her own life.”
Those goals came to life for Rienks. She was named 2024 All-A-10 Conference First Team, averaged a team-best 3.32 kills per set – which ranked fifth in the A-10 – and placed fifth in the league in points per set at 4.04.
Rienks has continued to build on her resume with standout performances across multiple matches this season. Last month, Rienks reached 1,000 career kills.
She delivered a stellar performance recently, recording 17 kills, 10 digs, seven blocks and an ace, against Dayton on Nov. 8.Just around a week earlier, on Oct. 28, Rienks powered VCU to victory over Davidson with a dominant 23 kills.
Rienks also put up a historic performance against Davidson College on Sept. 30, when she put up 29 kills, the most by a Ram in 12 years.
Rienks said her game has evolved since becoming a Ram on and off the court. Her teammates play at such a high level that she pushes herself further to meet their level — and off the court, volleyball has helped Rienks become a better person.
“I never thought that I would say I would be a captain of the VCU volleyball team, and now I am, and it makes me really proud,” Rienks said.
Doyle said he admires Rienks’ attention to detail and her eagerness to learn. He describes her as a “perfectionist” who takes feedback and applies it to her game.
“There’s no doubt in anybody’s mind who’s the most invested athlete on our team, and it’s hard when you’re at the top, as she’s the only team captain,” Doyle said.
The perfectionist nature comes from Rienks’ habits beyond the net. Doyle said she does not go out all the time, gets good rest and has a healthy diet.
“The result that you see on the court is a byproduct of what she does in the practice gym,” Doyle said. “And it’s something where, as a coach, she’s a dream, come true.”
Rienks said she is thankful for her teammates because they push her to play better and have been supportive through the journey.
Rienks will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in May 2026, and hopes to play professional volleyball overseas in Europe. She wants to move closer to home so her friends and family can see her play more often.
Wherever Rienks decides to go, her legacy will be remembered by the coaching staff and players.
“How do you give enough credit to an individual when they’re ultimately the ones who have to wake up and choose to do it every single day?” Doyle said. “Julie does that, and she wakes up and does it every single day.”
VCU fourth-year opposite Julia Rienks.
Photo by Landon Walker.
Illustration by Zoë Luis.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
WON 62-48
FIELD HOCKEY VS. SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY
LOST 2-3
7
MEN’S SOCCER AT UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON
LOST 2-4
MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
LOST 77-80
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL AT UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON (GAME ONE)
LOST 2-3
NOV. 8
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL AT UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON (GAME TWO) LOST 2-3
NOV. 9
The NFL can’t count Stefon Diggs and Cardi B out
ETHAN YORK Staff Writer
The NFL has made a very obvious push to capitalize on celebrity romances in the league. However, only catering to one in particular, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, paints an incomplete picture.
The NFL has completely dropped the ball on another star studded couple in the league: New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs and his biggest cheerleader, Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B.
Despite Cardi B’s superstar dom and Diggs being a well-known veteran and an all pro player in the league, they have received very different treatment from the NFL and its fans, especially compared to the “golden” couple of Swift and Kelce.
Diggs is a well-known diva in the NFL, infamous for his partying and relations with women. It is dragged through the mud and slandered for his actions, while Kelce — who is guilty of the same things — gets off scot-free.
Many fans criticized the Patriots during the offseason for signing Diggs, calling him old, problematic and bringing up his previous season injury. Diggs has since helped transform the Patriots into a top AFC team and has shown he is still a threat, recording 146 yards against reigning AFC East champs, the Buffalo Bills.
As an African American man in the spotlight, Diggs has to fight twice as hard to defend his reputation. He has repeatedly
told the media he likes to keep his private life private, and though his teammates speak highly of him, he is still labeled a “locker room cancer.”
He helped develop the Patriots’ young quarterback, and under his skills and leadership, he leads the Patriots in receiving yards with over 500 receiving yards, has two touchdown passes for the season and most recently passed 900 career receptions, according to ESPN.
Kelce, on the other hand, has thrown many public tantrums on the field, even going so far as to shove his head coach when frustrated. Kelce apologized on his own podcast and was quickly forgiven, while Diggs has to work overtime to prove himself.
Kelce and several other Chiefs players were also wearing “Free 4” T-shirts before a game that caused a dangerous crash and injured four people , in reference to wide receiver Rashee Rice’s speeding incident. Kelce defending a criminal is overlooked, whereas Diggs would be subjected to all types of scrutiny if he did the same.
Since their relationship became public, Cardi B and Diggs have faced all types of rumors and hate, going as far as saying the couple had broken up because of the rapper’s “BBL stench,” which is an appalling thing to say about anyone.
Kelce and Swift were praised as the ideal couple when they started their relationship, meanwhile Cardi and Diggs are swept under the rug and faced with horrible disrespect.
Cardi and Diggs are just as marketable as Swift and Kelce, who have just as many controversies, such as Kelce’s history of outbursts, and Swift frequent microaggressions against her music. In her song “Opalite”, she describes her relationship with Kelce as an “opalite sky” and refers to his past relationship with an African American woman, allegedly sports journalist Kayla Nicole, as an “onyx night.”
Cardi B is an internationally known Grammy-winning artist and has broken multiple records as a female rapper. She has been a vocal supporter of young people, the LGBTQ+ community and donated $1 million to COVID-19 relief in 2020, according to Forbes.
Diggs helped revive the patriot team’s legacy and has multiple other accomplishments outside of the field. A fashion icon, Diggs recently signed an endorsement deal with UGGS and founded his own fashion line, LIEM. Diggs also has many charitable acts under his belt — like going back to his hometown to host a free football camp for the youth during the offseason, according to MSN.
Unfortunately, Diggs and Cardi will always be held to a higher standard despite rising from the bottom to the top of their respective fields. The NFL needs to learn that there are two sides of America at play here.
If the NFL wants to continue its success, it should look past Swift and Kelce and embrace the other power couple sitting right in front of them.
PRESS BOX
On This Day
On
Richmonders rise from the coffin for the Vampire Ball
CORA PERKINS Assistant Spectrum Editor
Richmonders came back to life on Saturday as goths, cosplayers and curious mortals gathered to haunt Scott’s Addition for the annual Richmond Vampire Ball. The Hofheimer was transformed into a den of the undead as attendees roamed the halls, their sharp fangs shining through the shadows. Nov. 8 was a night full of dark, gothic attire and eerie celebration. The event encouraged every vamp attending to bring canned food donations for Feed More, a charity focused on fighting hunger in Central Virginia.
The ball was separated into two sections of The Hofheimer, a bar encased in books called “The Library” and a ballroom-esque area, complete with a glowing red stage held by skulls with hellhounds guarding either side.
In addition to ghouling on the dance floor and enjoying quiet conversation by the bar, the ball had performances by dancers and DJs, body and face painting, art vendors and even a coffin photo-op.
First-time attendee Maxx enjoyed looking at all of the vendors at the event, even purchasing a themed necklace from jewelry vendor CircleCircle Brand. For Maxx, the most exciting part of the ball was getting to interact with other members of the gothic community.
“It’s just meeting people who have the same interests as me,” Maxx said.
Julie Cristobl, another first-timer of the ball, said the event was enticing to those who wished the spooky season could have lasted longer. The season felt short-lived, according to Cristobl, so the ball helped to re-vamp the feeling of Halloween.
Vampires of all kinds prowled from room to room, with dark corsets, curving
horns, and glitter-adorned canes. Some dressed as traditional vampires, others as iconic, pop-culture creatures, such as the Cullens from Twilight. Cristobl went as a vampire’s victim and was most excited to see the makeup and dress.
“I like to people watch, so I love looking at all of the outfits,” Cristobl said.
Davina Louise, co-founder of AfterDarkRVA, said the event is meant to be a space for people to be themselves and meet others.
“Dressing up, having fun, bringing people together,” Louise said. “We’ve had people meet their future wives and stuff in their lives.”
AfterDarkRVA is a collective project created by Louise and Mark Bagget. Louise is the founder of DC Creators and Body Art Collective, which collaborates with AfterDarkRVA to create events such as the Vampire Ball.
“We’re both cosplay enthusiasts, I’m a creator myself.” Louise said. “So it meshes well with [Bagget’s] events, and so we came together to really blow it up.”
The project is relatively new, according to Louise. Her initial goal was ensuring the event could be successful — now, she said she wants to focus on staying in Richmond.
“I would love to work with the locals, they’re creative,” Louise said. “For me, I’m all about the creative side, calling creative people together and telling those who don’t think they’re creative, that they actually are.”
For more information about creep-tacular events from AfterDarkRVA, visit their website afterdarkrva.com.
this day, the famed recording Studio, Abbey Road, opened in London in 1939. 30 years and some change
Vampires swarm the library as they talk and drink. Photos by Kieran Stevens.
‘Chat, is this real?’
VCUarts exhibition peels back memes, AI and digital diaspora
Continued from front page
The exhibition’s name “Chat, is this real?” was popularized by famed Twitch streamer iShowSpeed, who posed the question to his audience in reaction to fabricated content. It has been a staple of Gen-Z lexicons ever since.
The theme arose from Olufemi’s first experience with TikTok this year. She said she was shocked by the “phenomena that TikTok produces” through viral trends and mimicked sounds.
“I felt it was relevant too, with it being an undergrad show,” Olufemi said. “It’s so relevant to that generation, and I felt like it would be something people could immediately find relation to in their work.”
The exhibition’s themes are drawn from the artists’ submissions. These themes include data and memory, gamification and glitch, identity, worldbuilding and meaning in mirrors.
Rowan Leary, a fourth-year sculpture student, will feature two pieces at the
exhibition, including one titled “Data Processing Unit.” Leary used found objects, such as dirt and potatoes from Richmond, to convey ideas about how people would view technology in a future where current systems no longer exist.
“I want [the audience] to think about our futures and our systems and like, how precarious the systems that we have right now are,” Leary said.
Rebecca Karabin, a fourth-year painting and printmaking student, will feature works called “Oscillation” and “The Dangers of Teleportation.”
“Oscillation” is a cut-out wood piece that is projected by an iPad, exploring the idea of relationships experienced through screens, Karabin said. “The Dangers of Teleportation” is a multimedia self-portrait on cutwood, where she depicts herself as an ear. The work questions self-filtering through the internet under the guise of teleportation and reconfiguration on “the other side,” according to Karabin.
“The topic is mostly about AI and the internet and internet memes and internet culture and how things can get
misunderstood or falsified,” Karabin said. “I was thinking about how we get filtered through technology in general.”
With a two-part set called “Cache” and “Cache2,” fourth-year sculpture student Kiera O’Harrow, uses metals, rocks, sea glass and photographs to explore memory, time and authenticity.
The first piece, “Cache,” uses a brass and copper mobile adorned with rocks and sea glass, representing balance and holding memories, according to O’Harrow. “Cache2”, the second piece, is a welded steel grid that displays small photographs, reflecting on disparate memories and decay.
“I hope that they’re [the audience] interested in it visually and that they’re curious about why I made it or it makes them think more about their memories or objects that they hold,” O’Harrow said.
The show will begin with a juror lector at 5 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony and will end with an exhibition reception on Thursday, Nov. 13.
The Dangers of Teleportation' artwork. Photo courtesy of Becca Karabin.
'Oscillation' artwork. Photo courtesy of Becca Karabin.
'Cache2' artwork by Kiera O'Harrow in Belle Isle. Photo by Valeria Beauchamp. Collages by Milena Paul
JURIED EXHIBITION
Richmond’s first Asian street food festival bring cultures, flavors to one lot
RACHEL NICHOLAS
Contributing Writer
Answer Brewpub’s parking lot was filled with flavor on Nov. 8 as friends and foodies gathered for Richmond’s first-ever Asian street food festival, organized by the Asian American Society of Central Virginia.
As the vendors opened their lines for business, hungry customers perused the various styles and cuisines from different countries being served by cooks of all ages and backgrounds, while a mix of cultural music surrounded the event.
From an expansive array of Korean barbecue spread out in buffet style to Nepalese Momos packed with spices and flavors enhanced with live fire, each stall had something for everyone.
The event was designed to highlight the work of smaller Asian communities, according to AASCV vice chair Tin Myint.
“This is a good platform for countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Burmese, Thai and Laos to showcase their food,” Myint said. “Larger communities have their own events, so this is really helpful for a smaller community.”
Myint, a VCU alum, said the active use of grills and fire was meant to be the main focus of the festival.
“Our traditional event is indoors with no live cooking,” Myint said. “We have challenges about serving drinks because of regulations, but a bunch of us have been talking about expanding for years to doing outdoor events.”
The AASCV has held a big flagship event every May in celebration of Asian Heritage Month for over 27 years. They have been mostly indoors.
The festival on Saturday served as a test
run for a different type of event that catered to a different demographic, Myint said.
“We want to bring in a variety of folks who attend the events,” Myint said. “We normally see families, younger kids with activities and elderly folks who enjoy their culture. So we’re trying to bring in younger folks, professionals, etc.”
Richmond resident Diamond Banks said she saw an advertisement for the festival on social media, and decided to go as a lover of Korean food.
“I think [the diversity] is nice,” Banks said. “I love the different cultures and foods. It’s not just one particular part of Asia, but all over and that’s really cool.”
The lines stayed long as the day progressed. The visibility for each culture was more than what was hoped for, vendor Rainy Wang said.
“I want people to know more about our traditional drinks and Taiwanese culture,” Wang said. “We’ve only been here six months, but this event is helpful to let more people know about our shop and our food.”
Wang, who ran the Ben Wong’s Tea stall, was approached by Myint only a couple of days before the event. The cafe has locations in both Midlothian and Richmond, so Wang said she was excited to participate in a local festival.
“I’ve been to many Asian festivals like this before,” Wang said. “So I am always interested in these events, so when he told me about this, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’ll definitely be there.’”
With the success of its first street food festival, the AASCV looks ahead to more opportunities to continue celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Asia — one dish at a time.
‘In the Dark: Perspectives’ brings light to human experience to ICA First Friday
MAEVE BAUER Spectrum Editor
Lived experiences are different for everyone, causing different perspectives on sound, light and art. VCU’s Institute for Contemporary Art embodied those differences on Friday with its latest exhibition.
“In the Dark Presents: Perspectives” was a part of the podcast festival, Resonate, that took place on Nov. 3 and 4.Podcasters and radio hosts from across the commonwealth gathered to celebrate the art of audio — filled with workshops, performances and exhibitions.
Sounds ranged from spoken word and clips from songs and podcasts to sounds of our everyday life. ICA’s website described the event as a series of live audio performances aimed to reveal how memory, identity and imagination all shape our experiences.
“A hospital room becomes a zoo, pest control becomes political, a list of questions becomes a form of socio-political domination, all depending on perspective,” the website states.
“In the Dark” is a project that started in London 15 years ago by artist Nina Garthwaite. It was created to give people a chance to enjoy sound works as the art form is often overlooked, according to Talia
Augustidis, a curator at “In the Dark.”
“[Garthwaite] created it because she felt like people were not able to discover interesting sound work and were complaining that there isn’t creative stuff out there, but she knew it was out there.
It just was hard to find,” Augustidis said.
“She would invite audio makers that she admired and was inspired by to play books from people that they admired.”
To Augustidis, audio works sit in a place between art and journalism. In a time where both mediums are under attack, the combination offers an opportunity for people to expand their works and feel less restricted in their titles, she said.
“I think both journalism, especially now, especially in the U.S., when the media is being dismantled and the right kind of free press, like all of these things are in danger, like journalism right now is more important than ever,” Augustidis said.
Augustidis got involved with ICA after hosting an “In the Dark” event in New York, where she met Chioke I’Anson, ICA’s director of Community Media, who asked if Augustidis would be interested in hosting something in Richmond.
The project started out with only featuring audio works, but as time went on, they started to incorporate other mediums. The sound remained the star of the show.
Artists at the Richmond show ranged from puppeteers to acrobats.
“I do definitely feel like Richmond has an artistic spirit that is so much greater than the size of the place,” Augustidis said.
“I come from London, which is obviously a huge cultural city, and we have a lot of art and culture and yet this place is so much smaller but feels like it has a lot going on. It has a real heartbeat of art and I really appreciate that coming in.”
A variety of Asian street cuisine being shared and enjoyed at Richmond’s first Asian Street Food Festival. Photos by Landon Walker.
Quote of the week “I wouldn't want to live without strong misgivings.”
Healthcare activism is failing us — where did we go wrong?
LILY GORDON Contributing Writer
Insulin was isolated for use in humans pens, glucagon, continuous glucose to become unaffordable, I would be lost.
I have been diabetic for 19 years. In that time, I’ve been involved in a multitude of nonprofits and activist circles. From the time I was diagnosed, my family and I took part in fundraising campaigns, went on awareness walks and volunteered as advocates and ambassadors. It was empowering and unifying to stand with and for people like myself.
I’m still involved in the diabetes community today, and I cannot overstate the sense of purpose that allyship gives me. However, I’ve always had a feeling that what I was doing was superficial, and that I could be doing more. What did my advice and story mean when people were truly struggling — people going without insulin, people with subpar access to care or none at all?
Sir Frederick Banting.
Illustration by Lily Gordon. Collage by Zach Montgomery.
They claim Bad Bunny isn’t American. That should scare you.
SHINY CHANDRAVEL Contributing Writer
After the NFL announced Bad Bunny as the halftime show for next year’s Super Bowl, there was an uproar from many Americans at the idea of showcasing a “non-American” in a game so quintessential to “American” tradition.
The irony is that Bad Bunny is, in fact, American. Puerto Ricans have been American citizens since 1917.
The uproar over the Latin singer isn’t just coming from online rage-baiters or random podcasters — it comes from inside the federal government.
House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, went as far as to say that country artist Lee Greenwood would have been a better choice than Bad Bunny, whom he claims “sounds like he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience.”
Bad Bunny is a proven megastar, though, receiving global acclaim for redefining reggaetón as one of the moststreamed artists in the world.
Either Johnson is just that out of touch, or his definition of a “broad audience” was never meant to include those who don’t look like him.
Conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA also capitalized on the outrage by announcing a rival event, the “All-American Halftime Show,” which is said to promote “faith, family and freedom” and promises that every song will be sung in English.
This was never about who the better performer is. It is a tool in a larger cultural war — one that seeks to decide who is “American” enough to stand center stage in a stadium meant to celebrate the nation’s greatest talents.
Bad Bunny and his fans’ resistance to the backlash is not just important to me as someone who loves his music — it is important to me as an American.
It is clear that citizenship is no longer enough in today’s politics. Arbitrary values now dictate who counts as “American,” weaponized to pit “real” Americans against those painted as their antithesis.
The issue with Turning Point USA’s appeal to “faith, family and freedom” isn’t the values themselves — it’s the suggestion that anyone outside their vision of America stands opposed to them, as if Bad Bunny and his fans’ very existence threatens those ideals.
Calling it a “culture war” is an understatement, because the war isn’t just between artists — the war is coming for us as citizens.
When enough people consider entire demographics un-American, our government knows it can treat them as such. The tragedy of this year isn’t just that our government turned against its own — it’s how easily it happened. It’s how quickly federal agents started detaining American citizens without warrants, often on grounds of race or language, enabled by our own Supreme Court.
The right to be called, considered and treated as an American isn’t just a desire for belonging, but to have the promise of the rights that come with citizenship.
Whenever that promise becomes fragile or threatened, it is up to us to stand up and protect it, refusing to let the government break its oath.
Be wary when they question who is “American” or “citizen” enough. This rhetoric has been used throughout history to deny women, Black Americans, Indigenous peoples and immigrants their civil rights — claiming they weren’t “American” enough to take part in democracy.
Bad Bunny is not the only high-profile victim of this phenomenon; it targets any politician outside the traditional image of America. Former President Barack Obama faced it in 2008. Kamala Harris and Nikki Haley received similar accusations during their 2024 campaigns.
Zohran Mamdani dealt with it during the recent New York City mayoral race. Baselessly questioning a person’s background or birth is a tool to invalidate their right to occupy space — whether on a stadium stage or the ballot.
In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt: “Remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.”
To erase that truth is to rewrite history.
And if they’re already rewriting Bad Bunny as “un-American,” who is to say they won't erase you next?
Illustration by Zoë Luis. Collage by Zach Montgomery.
Punk isn’t dead; you just can’t get off your phone.
MILES DILLAHUNT
Contributing Writer
I was nervous about my first punk show. I had lied to my parents about my whereabouts and now found myself in a cramped backyard.
My heart rate spiked as the first band started. I watched as two dudes hopped into the pit, sprawling their arms like eagles. They started running in circles, flailing and jerking their legs in every direction. As more joined the chase, I gained the confidence to join in.
I threw my arms and legs around faster than my body could balance. I fell hard, scared for a split second that I would get trampled. I closed my eyes in anticipation, only to feel hands pull me up and hear voices reassuring me I was okay. I had never experienced care like that from strangers before. Although a little injured, all I could do was smile.
That night, I found a community. Online, however, I’ve found the opposite. Punk only dies when you go online. The killer? Internet punks.
I have noticed a huge difference between people in the scene and those who post like they are. These posters’ authenticity is a digital illusion. I’ve found that internet punks don’t listen to punk music, don’t go to shows and aren’t politically involved. Their “rebellion” is a performative thread of hashtags without conviction.
Offline punk fashion culture is handmade. It’s reinforced through
second-hand clothes, repurposing old garments and mending your wardrobe for longevity.
Online, it’s Temu battle jackets adorned with plastic studs from Amazon. Those weekly SHEIN hauls with promo codes, the “alternative” fashion influencers collaborating with racist brands for money — they don’t represent punk values. However, anyone looking to join the subculture will initially consume this content since it is the most accessible, and be misguided.
While punk is a costume for fashion influencers, on the opposite end of the internet poser spectrum are the hardcore “tough guys” who think aggression is authenticity. I can’t count the number of times I watched a mosh pit playback on social media with a smile on my face, only to lose it upon opening the comments.
“If anybody tried that karate shit on me, I’d beat their ass.”
“Moshing is so cringe, these people look ridiculous.”
“If I saw you in the pit, I’d crowd kill you.”
Comments like these warp what shows actually feel like. It’s not a warzone — it’s a community. It is not people beating each other senseless — it is picking someone up when they fall. It’s spinning with your friends, jumping off their backs or even just standing off to the side to watch the bands. When you are in the pit, you don’t have time to worry about someone judging you because you are too busy having fun.
The worst aspect of internet superficiality is the prevalence of fake values. The first punk song I ever heard was “Godless” by Nausea. Through the aggressive vocals, the lyrics painted a story of liberation from religious oppression. Even the most popular mainstream punk band, Green Day, is political. Their song “American Idiot” calls out American propaganda and media manipulation.
Punk was political in the 70s when it was blaring out of someone’s basement. It was political when I discovered “Godless” through a TikTok comment. It remains political as my band plays benefit shows for charities such as H.E.A.L. Palestine and Safe Harbor, under dusty bridges and cramped backyards.
The abandonment of politics in online spaces has created a black hole of negativity. People aren’t standing up for anything, and in that void, bigotry has only grown. Since punk’s resurgence online, I have noticed an increase in bigoted bands hosting gigs that leave vulnerable minorities feeling unsafe and unwelcome.
That is why we have to remember what punk has always been — punk is local, punk is physical and punk is political.
Your local scene needs people to show up, not scroll and post. Your local scene is hosting benefit shows that need attendees to help raise funds for local mutual aid organizations. Your local scene is restoring safe spaces and building families for people who don’t have one.
Punk dies when it is treated like a trend, but it lives when the community shows up.
Photos courtesy of Liam Jet Lau (@mail_shootz on Instagram). Illustrations by Zoë Luis. Collage by Zach Montgomery.
The death of Wattpad is killing writers
MARITZA BAPTISTE
Contributing Writer
As a senior English major and creative writing minor, I have taken my fair share of intensive writing courses, many of which include a workshop element. I find workshops to be an important element of writing classes, as we are not just subject to our professor’s critical opinion, but also that of our peers. However, they have been eye-opening experiences for reasons I did not expect.
In many cases, my classmates and I have read papers that do not live up to the standards of a college-level course. Now, it is glaringly obvious when a paper falls flat from a lack of effort or from being written lastminute — work simply lacks sophistication.
These students have talent and creative story ideas, but it’s clear they missed a crucial phase that many poised writers of our generation have: a Wattpad phase.
I didn’t fall in love with writing in public school English classes — it came from fanfiction. More specifically, Wattpad, a site for publishing original works, including fanfiction. I immersed myself in worlds built by fellow middle schoolers and fell into bittersweet love over and over again with stories that took forever to be updated — a wait that frustrated me so much, I decided to write my own, introducing me to a community of writers who were also finding their voice.
Wattpad infamously does not have the best quality of writing. Stories are often littered with grammatical errors, plot holes or cringeworthy content. But the site was a space for young writers to share stories that would otherwise sit in Google Drives and Microsoft Word documents — unread and unloved.
It’s through the publication of these stories that young writers grow, being subject to the criticism and love of a community of
their peers. Writers have the opportunity to take the lessons they learn on Wattpad and apply them to their other writing, in academic form or other creative endeavors.
Unfortunately, Wattpad as a space is dying. What was once a free site for writers has now become relatively unusable and riddled with ads. The only way to recapture a semblance of what Wattpad used to be is to pay their $9.99 monthly subscription fee.
I returned to the platform recently, for nostalgia and to potentially find a good story, only to discover that Wattpad autoplays an unskippable ad after nearly every chapter and has much stricter content guidelines than before. While Wattpad has capitalized on the popularity of its writers with book deals and its new movie studio, which increases writer incentives with fame and compensation, the platform’s user experience has severely deteriorated.
The paywall has discouraged new writers from using the platform. Those who seek fame and book deals have found ways to benefit, but writers who just want a low-barrier place to publish have been pushed to other fanfiction websites, like Archive of Our Own (AO3), that are free to use but do not offer the same community and demographic as Wattpad.
This commercialization doesn’t just inconvenience readers — it alters the culture and community that once nurtured new voices.
Many people’s first introduction to writing is in English class — a heavily structured writing environment that forces strict guidelines and perfect grammar. Rules like these do not allow creativity to flourish, and unfortunately, public schooling is just not enough to properly cultivate good writers.
Without a wild, unregulated space, we face the reality of watching writers wither — just like Wattpad has.
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Illustration by Bryce Griego.
Daijah Hinmon
ACADEMIC CIRCLES
By Zhouqin Burnikel
Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle
ACADEMIC CIRCLES
By Zhouqin Burnikel
Edited by Patti Varol
Los Angeles Times
Sunday Crossword Puzzle
Edited by Patti Varol
Edited by Patti Varol
