F O U RT H E S TAT E October 22, 2018
Volume 6 Issue 7
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION 4 page
JEWISH STUDENTS SPEAK OUT
news page 8
INSIDE CLUB FOOTBALL sports page 9
MASON’S
MANDELA CARRIES THE LEGACY culture page 11
THE
@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com
RACE FOR DISTRICT 10 opinions page 21
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10.22.2018
FOURTH ESTATE
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
ALEXANDER SHEDD Editor-in-Chief
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
BASMA HUMADI Managing Editor IZZ LAMAGDELEINE LIZ ELKIND OWEN FERGUSON Copy Editors
Dear Patriots,
TISHA HERRERA News Editor
I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of all this construction. Don’t get me wrong—it’ll be nice to have a renovated Robinson and a new plaza. But for the last few years I’ve enjoyed walking down the path to Innovation behind the JC and to SUB 1 through the walk between the two Robinsons. Now halfway through my last autumn at Mason (hopefully), I find that it’s usually too much a pain to go all the way around to Chick-Fil-A from our newsroom down in the Hub. That being said, our very own sports bar, Rathskeller, needs some love. They’ve suffered under the sidewalk closures, so be sure to patronize them sometime. It’s the only place on campus to get beer, and the food is good and cheap. In this issue, you’ll see an update to our story from a few weeks ago on cheating, coverage of the vandalism at the Jewish Community Center and our regular comic artist Monique Le celebrating the launch of a book which she illustrated. As always, email us at Masonfourthestate@gmail.com if you have any questions, comments or concerns. Stop by Student Media sometime to say hello.
DANA NICKEL Assistant News Editor MONICA ECHOLS Culture Editor HAILEY BULLIS Assistant Culture Editor JAMIE BELIVEAU Opinions Editor NATALIE HEAVREN Sports Editor DOMENIC ALLEGRA Assistant Sports Editor LAUREN SULLIVAN OLIVIA VERMANE Longform Editors KRISTEN TALMAN GMU Korea Coordinator ALLIE THOMPSON Photo Editor
Sincerely,
ALLY MCALPINE Art Director
Alexander Shedd
BILLY FERGUSON Online Director
Editor-in-Chief
ANDREA LUGO LAURA SCUDDER Social Media Editor
We are always recruiting volunteers for: For all inquiries, please email - WRITERS - VIDEOGRAPHERS - ILLUSTRATORS - COPY EDITORS - PHOTOGRAPHERS
a resume and cover letter or sample to: masonfourthestate@gmail.com
DOMINIQUE BERNARDINO Multimedia Editor EMMETT SMITH Distribution Manager KATHRYN MANGUS Director DAVID CARROLL Associate Director JASON HARTSEL Assistant Director
correction: Last week on the cover the sports teaser incorrectly spelled Emma Van Der Vorst’s name “Emma Van Durst” George Mason University Mail stop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone 703-993-2950
Fourth Estate is printed each Monday for George Mason University and its surrounding Fairfax community. The editors of Fourth Estate have exclusive authority over the content that is published. There are no outside parties that play a role in the newspaper’s content, and should there be a question or complaint regarding this policy, the Editor-in-Chief should be notified at the email provided. Fourth Estate is a free publication, limit one copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents payable to the Office of Student Media.
COVER PHOTO CREDITS Photo Courtesy of Students Demand Action
NEWS
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
10.22.2018
03
DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY DISCUSSES CHEATING
Why it happens and how to prevent it SANJANA RAGHAVAN STAFF WRITER
“It’s OK to switch gears and find something that fits better.”
“[If you] run a red light, it’s not malicious, but you still have to pay the ticket,” said Dr. LaShonda Anthony, Director of Academic Integrity and Initiatives in University Life. “It’s not meant to brand you forever; it’s not meant to make you feel [bad]; it’s more of an alert.”
Anthony added that Career Services offers a number of resources, and that even if students are only in their first or second year, it is never too soon to start developing a career path and drafting a resume. PHOTO COURTESY OF– LASHONDA ANTHONY
How is cheating like running a red light?
Anthony emphasized that she and the honor committee are not on just “the institution’s side.” “They’re looking to see if there are enough facts to say clearly and convincingly, because that’s our standard, that this student violated the Honor Code,” Anthony said. According to Anthony, there are two main reasons why people cheat. First, some students struggle with managing stress, time and/or resources. “What I mean by resource management is, ‘I’m busy juggling work, school, or a home life, so I grabbed the wrong thing and turned it in,’ or, ‘I planned to cite and paraphrase properly, but in the rush, I submitted it, and it’s too late,’” Anthony explained. The second reason is trouble understanding the course. “For some, they’ve mentioned a challenge with grasping the course material,” Anthony said. “People are so fixated on, ‘I have to be this or else all this money is for nothing.’ I ask students, ‘But do you even like studying this? Your parents may expect you to do this, but … you have
PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE MASON POLICE
MASON WEEKLY CRIME LOG
to live with you.’” One way to prevent cheating is for students to let go of the idea that a degree needs to be done in four years. “Five-to-six year degree completions have been the standard for decades, so it’s OK if it takes a little longer, if you can financially afford it,” Anthony said. “The conversation I’m having is, ‘Have you considered dropping a course? Can it be a summer course or an online course? If you have a lot of external obligations, maybe start with [no more than] 12 credits.’” If a student experiences a crisis mid-semester, the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) can help. “If you’re going through a particularly tough time, or you run into a
catastrophe, [the SSAC] does a lot of that work,” Anthony explained. “I used to work there and I would often have to reach out to professors if students were losing parents or experiencing major medical issues. Often I would send a letter saying the student had experienced a crisis and are going to be delayed with some of their work.” Another solution is for students to look more critically at what they want for their career. “In 30 years, you might look back on your life and think, ‘I want to do what I want to do, which I enjoy and can get paid for, and it’s not this. But I’m 30 years into a career, and I don’t know how to get out of it, and I’m miserable,’” Anthony cautioned.
Anthony also noted that the vast majority of students do not cheat, and those who are referred to the Office of Academic Integrity do not usually do it again. “The referrals to our office constitute less than one percent of the campus population,” Anthony said. “We’re not seeing thousands upon thousands of students a year. Within that, the number of repeat students we’re seeing is in the tens.” The office also helps professors with questions regarding Honor Code violations. “Just give us a call,” Anthony said. “We’re always available to chat if you’re not quite sure it’s an Honor Code violation, and we can talk through it to see.” Professors can also take measures to prevent cheating. “A few years back, Dr. Dade [of Research Development, Integrity, and Assurance] and I worked together to bring an online module on plagiarism to campus,” Anthony recalled. “We bought the licenses, so there’s no charge to students, and a professor could have students do that and
generate a certificate.” Reading and paying close attention to syllabi are also helpful. “In some educational levels, collaboration isn’t allowed in your entry point courses,” Anthony explained. “It’s important for the professors to be specific in their syllabi about the activities that are allowed and [to] talk about it on the first day of the class. Students don’t always read the syllabi, so review it with them, and let them ask questions around it.” Students can also use Learning Services, located in Counseling and Psychological Services, if they need help with coursework. “They have study-skills courses, and that’s an amazing asset,” Anthony said. “K-12 education is way different than how we approach learning in higher ed. The honor committee sends people there as a sanction, but you don’t have to go just because a professor tells you to go.” Ultimately, Anthony wanted to remind students that working honestly and avoiding cheating is up to them. “Sometimes when we get overwhelmed with our life, we forget we can make choices to reduce that,” Anthony noted. “Especially when it comes to external pressure, like family pressure, which can be very heavy. Don’t forget that in all of this, you have agency. You have choices. Especially now, as an adult, you’re not beholden to the expectations of your parents. You have to live with you at the end of the day.”
Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018- Fairfax Campus / EagleBank Arena, 11:21 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018- Bike Rack Outside of Field House, 6:35 p.m.
Drunkenness/ Medical Assist.: Subject (Non-GMU) was transported to Inova Access Hospital by emergency medical services for overconsumption of alcohol.
Larceny: Complainant (GMU) reported the theft of an unsecured bicycle from a bike rack.
Case 2018-010146- Closed
Case 2018-010260- Inactive
Monday, Oct. 15, 2018- Fairfax Campus/Student Housing Facility, 12:29 a.m. Stalking: Complainant (GMU) reported receiving unwanted contact from a known Subject (GMU) on multiple occasions. Due to confidentiality of reporting, limited information is available regarding this incident.
CSA Report #101518- Information Only Monday, Oct. 15, 2018- Founders Hall (Arlington Campus), 1:54 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018- Lincoln Hall, 10:18 p.m. Drug/Narcotic Violations/ Liquor Law Violations: Four Subjects (GMU) were referred to Office of Student Conduct (OSC) for possessing illegal drugs and alcohol while under age 21. Case 2018-010268- Referred to OSC Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018- Lot K, 12:17 a.m.
Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property: Complainant (GMU) reported damage to a meditation space.
Drug/ Narcotic Violations: Subject (Non-GMU) was issued a releasable summons for possessing illegal drugs. A second Subject (GMU) was referred to Office of Student Conduct (OSC) for the same offense.
Case 2018-010166- Pending
Case 2018-010272- Cleared by Summons/Referred to OSC
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NEWS
10.22.2018
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
WHAT IS “STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION”? A closer look into Mason’s newest activism organization DANA NICKEL ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Mason’s newest Registered Student Organization (RSO) has been working hard to make big changes on the state and national level. Students Demand Action (SDA), a branch of the wellknown organization that advocates for gun-reform, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, has been established at Mason with the arrival of young activists from across the country. Elijah Nichols, a freshman studying government and international politics at Mason, is a co-founder and the direct action co-lead of SDA.
LAW SCHOOL ADJUNCT, NEWEST FEDERAL COURT NOMINEE
Adjunct professor nominated to U.S. Court of Appeals OLIVIA VERMANE LONGFORM EDITOR
Less than a week after the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, President Trump has announced his intent to nominate an 18th wave of judicial nominees, an 18th wave of U.S. attorney nominees and a 13th wave of U.S. marshal nominees. Among Trump’s nominees is Michael H. Park, an adjunct professor at Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School. Park has been nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in New York. In addition to teaching the Supreme Court Clinic at Mason, Park is a partner at the Consovoy McCarthy Park PLLC in their New York City office. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School, and has worked with a number of New York law firms since 2002. Park received the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s 2013 Best Lawyers Under 40 award for his prominence in law and dedication to the Asian-Pacific American community. Park has also served in the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of
Justice. He advised executive-branch officials on matters including national security issues, constitutional questions and congressional investigations. Currently, Park “represents clients in litigation in a wide array of subject areas, including securities, criminal, commercial, administrative, and constitutional law,” according to the White House announcement published Wednesday, Oct. 10. Two days later, Consovoy McCarthy Park posted an announcement online commending Park’s nomination. “It’s bittersweet,” said Will Consovoy. “Mike is a great partner and an even better friend. Although we will miss him, we know that he will be an outstanding addition to the judiciary, so our loss will be the nation’s gain.” “Scalia Law School congratulates adjunct professor Michael H. Park on his nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit,” said Antonin Scalia Law School Dean Henry N. Butler. “We are fortunate to attract top-flight faculty like Michael Park. He is an example of the outstanding men and women who provide a first-rate legal education to Scalia Law students, and will be an excellent addition to the bench.”
join SDA after Nichols founded it on campus because of her experience campaigning with the Democratic Party of Florida, where she is from. “I have had a lot of experience with voter registration in the past,” she stated. “I felt like I could bring my experiences to a group like Students Demand Action.” Felizor also went on to explain that she lived about 30 minutes from Parkland, Florida before coming to Mason. “I just felt like gun violence wasn’t
“I’m the president of the group, but we don’t really go by those titles,” said Nichols. While SDA does not use typical executive-board positions like other RSOs at Mason, Nichols explained the reason for the meaning of “Leads” over president or vice president. The workload for a group like SDA is different from the workload for “a typical student organization.” “It’s because the tasks that [SDA] gives us [do not] really align with what an [executive] board does,” stated Neuteyisha Felizor, SDA’s Voter Registration Lead. “… We’re also just not fully established yet. So we’re still trying to work out specifically who does what in terms of positions.” Nichols also referred to Gabrielle Giffords, a politician from PHOTO COURTESY OF STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION Arizona that was shot in the head really talked about before [the during a campaign event back in Parkland shooting] happened,” 2011 from a failed assassination Felizor said. attempt. Since then, she has become an advocate for gun law reform in the “Gun violence has always been an issue, especially in the black U.S. She has also created the Giffords community,” she continued. However, Courage Fellow program, in which students are given the tools needed “having [SDA] in such a diverse community like Mason brings a whole in order for them to keep improving new perspective to the issue.” gun safety laws where they are. In the inaugural launch of the program, Despite only recently emerging, the Nichols is one of those students. group is already gaining popularity. “I am a Giffords Courage Fellow, “We have about fifteen members so and I’ve done a lot of activism on far, and I think we’re all really proud a national level for gun violence of that,” Nichols said. prevention,” stated Nichols. “I choose Right now, SDA’s leads are focused Mason for [SDA] because ... I noticed ... that among all the activism groups on sending interested students and members of the group to campaign [in Mason], there were no groups on campus that focused on gun violence events for candidates that are advocating for gun reform in elected office. prevention.” Felizor explained that she decided to “After the [midterm elections], we’ll start retaining members by doing
training events, specifically for how to lobby or just how to have a conversation about our message,” said Nichols. With Nichols from a small conservative town in Michigan, and Felizor, skilled in speech and debate, both activists stressed the importance of rhetoric on the conversation about gun control. “It’s all about word choice,” Nichols said. “...Instead of saying words like ‘anti-gun,’ we’ll describe our message as ‘gun violence prevention.’ It makes people more comfortable with the conversation in general … My dad loved his guns, so I definitely had to choose my words wisely when I tried to talk about [gun reform] with him and a lot of people from my hometown.” SDA has also started to make an impact is through simple things like artwork. Two weeks ago, the organization hosted a poster-making event, where students made posters about gun violence which were sent to various members of Congress. The organization is focused on working and lobbying for gun reform on the state and national level after the midterm elections. Another SDA leader,Erica Kelly, is leading the charge for campaign work and lobbying on the state level. “[Kelly] has an in-depth understanding of Virginia state government,” Nichols explained. “I’m really excited to see all the work she’ll do coming up.” While there are SDA chapters at more than 100 high schools across the country, there are very few university SDA chapters. “We don’t work as closely with March for Our Lives or the national Students Demand Action chapter yet,” Felizor stated. “We’re waiting to get more members and be more established as an organization.” When that happens, both Felizor and Nichols expressed excitement to work with elected officials, other college chapters in the D.C. area and the national organizations that work together to help start a conversation for gun violence prevention.
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10.22.2018
05
KNOW YOUR VOTE, SHARE YOUR VOICE
Sisters of Delta Sigma Theta teach students about midterm election candidates ALLY MCALPINE ART DIRECTOR
Sisters from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presented Know Your Vote, an event that focused on teaching students about candidates running for the midterm elections this November. The sisters described U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Tim Kaine, Republican candidate Corey Stewart and independent Matt Waters. “This will be our second annual Know Your Vote event,” senior Cidney White said. “It all started with the huge gubernatorial elections last year because we did elect a new governor … because again that is a really big deal and a lot of people didn’t know about it.” Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Merten Hall is the polling location for Mason students that are registered to vote on campus. “We need to get students more aware about midterm elections because this is almost [as], if not more, important
[as] the presidential elections,” White said. “A lot of students don’t know who or what they are voting for so this event is really just to educate Mason students and everyone in the community just about the midterm elections.”
rewards, be it from private citizens, corporations or other organizations.
papers instead when looking for less-biased coverage of candidates.
Audience members were also advised to stay away from news outlets like CNN and Fox News and to use local
“I’m looking forward to explaining if there are any misconceptions people have about the midterms,” junior
Joseph Fernando said. “And just help dispel some myths … and I think that’s going to speak [volumes] when each of us [talks].” Fernando, along with sophomore Shannon Glesing and senior Tim O’Shea, spoke on a panel about the importance of young people voting and answered audience questions on the midterms. These three students are part of Mason’s Student Government and were invited to speak by White, one of the organizers of the event.
The central message of the event was the need for everyone to go out and vote, to have a voice in the government, no matter which candidate you pick. Many will recognize Senator Kaine’s name, as he was Hillary Clinton’s running mate in the 2016 presidential election. Kaine’s opponent, Corey Stewart, carried less name recognition by the audience. Independent Matt Waters’ policies were not discussed, but the audience was pointed to his website, mattwaters.com, if they wanted more information.
“I just turned 18 recently, so I can finally vote,” freshman Sophia Tempio-Wilson said. “I’m excited this is going to be my first election voting … I’ve only lived in Virginia for a couple months, so I’m interested in learning more about the candidates.” FOURTH ESTATE ALLY MCALPINE
Red, white and blue balloons shouted “Go out and vote!” Thursday, Oct. 18, in an attempt to inspire students to be more politically engaged.
Sorority sisters at the event demonstrated how people can do their own investigation of candidates by going to opensecrets.org and looking up where each candidate gets most of their funding and other monetary
On the ballot for Nov. 6, 2018, are candidates for the U. S. Senate, House of Representatives and local positions such as town council and mayor. “Go out and vote!” White said. “On Tuesday, Nov. 6, the polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Go out and vote everybody.”
DEVELOPING A SYSTEM OF ACCESS
A one-on-one with Katrina King of the Empowered Communities Opioid Project ABIGAIL ADCOX STAFF WRITER
A grant project under Mason’s School of Nursing, the Empowered Communities Opioid Project, is intended to implement a system of access to health care for individuals recently released from incarceration on drug-related charges.
FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON
One of the people working on the project is Katrina King, the founder of Recovered Purpose. She described Recovered Purpose as a group
of “advocates and sober coaches providing interventions and resources for those affected by substance abuse.”
part-time as a community health navigator for the Empowered Communities Opioid Project.
Her personal story of addiction was one of seven testimonies featured in the FBI’s “Chasing the Dragon” documentary, designed to educate the public on the dangers of substance abuse.
King said that the project aims to help people who self-identify as having an opioid abuse disorder and/or involvement with the criminal justice system, and have lived in the Prince William County area, within the past 90 days.
Since March 2018, King has worked
In 2016, there were an estimated 27 million people suffering from opioid abuse disorders, according to the World Health Organization. “The point we recognized was that when people come right out of jail or they have been detoxed, medically detoxed, without any resources or support, they are more likely to overdose,” King explained. She added that statistically, recent ex-convicts use the same amount or dosage of drugs that they did before they went in, but their bodies are unable to take the same quantity that they did before.
Part of King’s job is doing presentations at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center and letting inmates know about the project. If they are interested, though, they cannot consent to participation until they are released. Once former inmates are released and agree to participate, a representative from the Empowered Communities Opioid Project sits down with them. Together they look at the next 30 days with questions such as, “What are your obstacles, from your point of view, to recovery?” King mentioned that often, identifying housing and transportation is a key concern. “What I will do is, as soon as [inmates] are released,” King said, “I’ll offer to meet them at the door if no one else is available, and then we will walk them through the process of basically mentoring them. And walk alongside them. We don’t actually provide
the resources ourselves, but we do help guide them and give them that support they need.” Separate from her work on the project with Mason, she said, “When it comes to treatment and the peer model in general, [Prince William County] is lagging; we are seriously lagging behind.” Students who are struggling with substance abuse can go to the Student Support and Advocacy Center or Student Health Services to explore treatment options, both on-campus and off-campus, that are available to them. “You have to have some sort of lived experience with this particular substance,” said King, “because the one thing is, if you don’t have a full understanding, then you don’t know the differences in the fact that the physical withdrawal is such a driver. It replaces all other needs for all other substances or even eating and drinking.”
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NEWS
10.22.2018
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS SPECIALIST COMES TO MASON
World-traveled doctor discusses his experience with diseases and viruses APRIL HORENCY STAFF WRITER
career and extensive medical history impressive.
Dr. Lucey’s career began in the 1980s, when he started working with the international organization Doctors Without Borders on pandemic diseases in San Francisco like HIV/AIDS. From there he moved to working on the Avian Influenza (also known as the bird flu) in China, Indonesia and Egypt, the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone and Liberia, the Zika virus in Brazil, and Yellow Fever in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Dr. Lucey stressed one aspect of dealing with the big picture, “When things seem overwhelming, break it down into smaller ideas, and do whatever you can to make it a little better, even if that means at the very least you choose the least bad solution.”
His dedication to learning and helping others pushed him to go straight to the front lines of these epidemics, regardless of whether he was backed by U.S. organizations. Senior graduate student in biodefense Stephen Taylor found Dr. Lucey’s
“I’m looking to work abroad such as Dr. Lucey does, and it’s impressive that he has so much experience doing so,” Taylor said. “He’s an inspiration, because he’s not just there as a doctor, but he really understands the big picture.”
He practiced this strategy while helping in Liberia in 2014, during the Ebola crisis. As a doctor, he was restricted to no more than a 90-minute timespan for providing medical assistance. This time restriction existed because the heat was so brutal that doctors would overheat in their full protective clothing. To compensate, stronger victims of the Ebola virus would help weaker ones by giving them large amounts of water.
One way to educate the public and to prevent future crises such as the ones that these epidemics caused is to create a place for this information to be readily available to everyone. Partnering with the National Museum of Natural History, Dr. Lucey accomplished this with the exhibit “Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World,” open from May 2018 until May 2021. “By informing people of epidemics, I hope to reduce fear of them and stop the stigma surrounding people who had [the illness] or [were] near it,” Dr. Lucey said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKICREATIVE COMMONS
Epidemic diseases have appeared throughout history, ranging from the bubonic plague to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak. To learn about experiences dealing with epidemic diseases, Mason’s Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) brought in world-travelled medical professional Dr. Daniel Lucey.
To senior Karina Moreno, the speech Dr. Lucey gave to MAPS demonstrated his commitment to teaching others about epidemic diseases. “I know now how going there first and learning as much as possible benefits everyone,” Moreno said.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT DISCUSSES CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS
Gold Rush talk, being a conflict-free campus and condemning anti-Semitism JALEN REID STAFF WRITER
FOURTH ESTATE IBRAHIM AHMAD
On Oct. 11, 2018, the 39th Student Senate met at Merten Hall to discuss The George, Congressman John Lewis’ Fall for the Book talk, the first Board of Visitors (BOV) meeting and a resolution to support Mason becoming a conflict-free campus.
during the civil rights movement.
During the public comment segment, Melanie Balog, managing editor for strategic communications, reported on The George, an online platform that provides news to the campus community. Started in February 2016, the initial subscribers were faculty and staff. The George has vastly expanded, however, and now has a readership of over 8,800 students, parents, faculty and staff.
Pettine described the BOV meeting, saying, “We talked a lot about the student redesign project, which is a program Vice President [for Administration and Finance] J.J. Davis has really been working on, the advance launch between NOVA Community College and George Mason University. Basically, Advance is a partnership with NOVA and George Mason, and it helps make sure that NOVA students [who] are entered into the community college have access to [Mason’s] academic advising … [It] ensures that all of their credits will be transferred and that none of them are lost in the process.”
In her executive report, President Bekah Pettine spoke about Congressman John Lewis’ graphic novel trilogy, “March,” based on his life growing up in Alabama and
Pettine said that the BOV also discussed the annual budget overview for the university, along with a future housing initiative called One University, which is going to provide
housing for 750 students along Ox Road. Three pieces of legislation were passed during the meeting. R#10, a resolution to support Mason becoming a conflict-free campus, was referred to the chair of university services. R#12, a resolution to support the tradition of gold rush, was referred to Amir Mahmoud, the chair of diversity and multicultural affairs. R#11, a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism in Fairfax, was passed after 19 swastikas were spray-painted on the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia on Oct. 6. There is surveillance evidence of the culprit, but his face was covered. With acts like this happening in our community, R#11 hopes to keep the 1200 reported Jewish undergraduate and graduate students at Mason safe. It was also referred to Mahmoud.
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MASON UPDATES CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM New program designed to address need for Cyber Security in U.S.
FOURTH ESTATE IBRAHIM AHMAD
DANA NICKEL ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
It was stories of hacking like these that motivated Peggy Brouse to work with Northrop Grumman, a global technology and aerospace defense company based in the U.S., to develop an extensive cybersecurity degree program at Mason. Brouse, the current director of Mason’s cybersecurity program, worked with Mike Papay, vice president and chief information security officer at Northrop Grumman, for two years before releasing the program for student enrollment in spring 2015. A blogpost for Mason News explained what exactly inspired Brouse to develop this program back in 2015. She read an article about an incident where hackers sabotaged the engine of a Jeep Cherokee and decided to contact Papay, suggesting they develop a program to “fight such attacks.” Since then, Brouse and Papay have continued to work together to adapt the program to prepare students to combat hackers. Executives from Applied Systems and Analytics and Robison International have also contributed to the establishment of this program. The degree program is the first of its kind in the U.S., and is focused on “safeguarding existing systems and building resilient new ones,” according to a description of the program on the engineering school’s webpage. The webpage explains the importance
of cybersecurity in the U.S.: “This degree provides a foundation in cyber security engineering … it is the most appropriate for students with a strong mathematics and science background.” Another reason why this program was developed with private companies was the lack of experts in the cybersecurity field pursuing opportunities to teach. A report published by Northrop Grumman explained that while the need for cybersecurity careers is climbing, many education institutions do not have the ability to provide their students with opportunities to learn about cybersecurity from experts in the field.
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THE NEXT CHAPTER IN ENDING SEXUAL VIOLENCE AT MASON
A call to action encouraging discussion, training and education ABIGAIL ADCOX STAFF WRITER
The pledge initiative to end sexual violence at Mason began four years ago. This call to action continues today through events like Chapter Next: Ending Sexual Violence. Chapter Next was held Thursday, Oct. 18, organized by the Women and Gender Studies Center, the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) office and the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC). The event was an opportunity for the Mason community to come together, to encourage discussions, trainings, education, programing and outreach to help end sexual violence on campus. “I think events like this are really important, because there are a lot of people on campus that are doing the work … offices like [the] Student Support and Advocacy Center and Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics,” said Courtney Diener, SSAC assistant director of student support and interpersonal violence. “It’s not until everyone gets involved in the conversation and plays a role in the conversation that things are really going to change,” Diener added. “[This] allows students, faculty and
community members to think about ways in which they can actually make a difference and intervene, challenge [rape] culture and support survivors.” Tables throughout Dewberry Hall offered various activities like writing cards for survivors, making hope rocks with inspirational messages, packing FACETS food kits for members of the community and making posters for with messages of hope. In attendance were Haleigh Megirt and Izzie Larson, members of the GMU Forensics Team. Recently the team’s director, Peter Pober, was accused of sexually harassing a student, leading to his retirement from Mason. Megirt, a sophomore, discussed her feelings on the allegations against her former advisor: “It’s not something you can really put into words, but it makes you realize more and more the importance of these events.” Students were also educated on topics from stalking to sexual violence with “live quizzes.” These “quizzes” were presented with a pathway of posters containing information and personal testimonials about sexual violence.
In addition to being educational, the quizzes were intended to spark a conversation between students. They also provided opportunities to ask the event’s leaders for more information on issues related to sexual violence. Toward the end of the event, Mason’s Title IX coordinator, Jennifer Hammat, came onstage and read the school’s Pledge to End Sexual Violence while students and faculty members, including President Cabrera, recited it back. “I hope that it inspires [students] to get further involved, whether that is [through] attending another event or talking to their friends about consent or just supporting survivors in our community, and that the messages we send out are supportive,” said Diener. If any student has experienced violence and is looking for someone to talk to or other on-campus resources, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services and the Student Support and Advocacy Center are confidential and available to help.
Many experts within the field migrate into the private sector of the workforce and work for companies like Northrop Grumman. Since the program’s introduction, student enrollment has risen significantly over the last three years. Brouse and Papay have worked to develop the program as new security risks arise in the U.S. and abroad. Students are also expressing an interest in pursuing a career in cybersecurity more and more because of predictions of a drastic increase of opportunities for careers in this particular field. The Wall Street Journal released a report in May of 2018, predicting that there will be an increase of 265,000 more cybersecurity job opportunities in North America by 2022. Northrop Grumman assisted in the creation of this program to encourage cybersecurity development: “We can only hope that other schools follow suit.”
FOURTH ESTATE IBRAHIM AHMAD
According to an article released by the New York Times in July 2018, the risk of attacks on U.S. infrastructure and financial systems has increased. This concern has been part of the result of the FBI investigation into the Russian government’s involvement in the 2016 presidential election.
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JEWISH STUDENTS RESPOND TO ANTISEMITISM
Swastikas in Fairfax, “Jew-jokes” and fear: Jewish students speak out TISHA HERRERA NEWS EDITOR
Earlier this month, the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV or “the J”) found swastikas spray-painted on the building’s windows and walls. This vandalism happened ten minutes from Mason’s Fairfax campus, where Jewish students comprise one of many diverse communities.
said the perpetrator “appears to be an adult male.” Though Adler has reason to believe that they knew what they were doing, “I don’t think that he realized the support that his actions would elicit from our community, around the U.S. and around the globe.”
Sunday, Oct. 14, the J hosted a “CommUNITY Gathering.” About 450 to 500 people came and used chalk to decorate the ground with “messages of love and support … to affirm that hate “My first reaction was disappointment will not overcome a shared desired for that the J had been a target again, and peace and acceptance.” I wondered what prompts that kind of Adler noted that the JCCNV is open lashing out,” said JCCNV Marketing to and accepting of everyone, whether and PR Director Laura Adler. “The J they are Jews, Jew-“ish” or neither but is a place in our community—whether simply want to be a part of a commuit’s in our building or beyond our walls, nity. where everyone is welcomed to come and learn, get healthy and connect with McKenna Bates, co-president of the others … it’s generally people’s ‘happy Israel Student Association (ISA) and junior at Mason, recounted a time in place.’” her first semester at Mason when she Based on surveillance images, Adler
FOURTH ESTATE TISHA HERRERA
Anti-Semitism, or a prejudice or hatred against Jewish people, is nothing out of the ordinary for Jews at Fairfax or even Mason.
felt unsafe for being Jewish.
she would “raise eyebrows.”
“As a Jew, I have felt unsafe, excluded and unwanted. My freshman year, I was not involved in any [club or organization] at all. I didn’t go outside of my dorm,” and she added that she had not known how to contact and get involved with Jewish clubs on campus.
“[Israel] is something I care about and I shouldn’t be embarrassed or feel ashamed to talk about the state of Israel … people need to acknowledge that Israel isn’t going anywhere … I want to help start that conversation, but often it’s very hard to,” said Shirazi.
Freedman further explained, “A lot of people think that if you’re a Zionist, you’re somehow an extremist, whereas that is mainly due to ignorance, but because of that misconception, I worry a lot about identifying as Jewish in certain spaces [on campus] and how I will be interpreted.”
“Maya” (who chose not to reveal her Sarah Freedman, a junior at Mareal name and used a pseudonym), a son, spoke about her experience and junior at Mason, told Fourth Estate thoughts regarding her safety on camthat she has experienced anti-Semitism pus. while at Mason. “I wouldn’t say I’ve ever felt physically unsafe—I don’t believe anyone would “Yes, a lot of it was before my time at Mason, but I have experienced comattack me because I’m Jewish, but I ments about me being Jewish at Mason worry a lot about my social safety in the … in class or [among] friends or [othsense that I—depending on what space er] people outside of the classroom,” “I feel [this] is a form of not being safe I’m in, identifying as Jewish might also but “never at work.” on campus … because the minute I say lead to social isolation, because a lot of I’m Jewish, the conversation goes silent, people, regardless of their religious af- Maya added that “typical Jew jokes and I know why it has to be that way,” filiation, have misunderstandings about were thrown around me a bit, like what it means to be Jewish and what it things revolving around money, the Shirazi said. also means to support the state of Is- Holocaust, bagels, etc. … stereotypical Shirazi stated that in class, she is too stuff.” rael.” nervous to discuss Israel out of fear that Chanel Shirazi, junior and president of Mason Hillel, spoke about her time on campus. “Thus far, I have never felt physically unsafe.” Though she said she has not been afraid to walk at night on campus, “I’ve never felt truly free and safe to express my identity and values … which is my Jewish identity and my connection and ties to Israel.”
SPORTS
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FOOTBALL IS FOOTBALL In the huddle with the Mason club team ZACH SEAY STAFF WRITER
and planning practices to overseeing items such as uniforms, dues and club budget.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON CLUB FOOTBALL
“We travel to different places like Ohio State and Pittsburgh,” said Savannah. “It’s pretty legit, people just don’t see that because of the club sports thing… “Honestly, sometimes we don’t get any but we still take it serious[ly] and it’s still respect,” said club president Xavier competitive.” Savannah. “Because it’s a club sport, In addition to practice and competipeople are like, ‘Mason doesn’t have a tions, the team also takes part in strategy football team,’ but we play full contact sessions that are split up into offense and we play at least eight games during and defense. Both units go over the Xs the season.” and Os of their upcoming opponent, The team’s association with club sports from what plays they run to defensive does not deter them from approaching schemes and positioning. the game of football like any other Dues are currently $130 and they cover program would. As club president, the costs for the jersey, helmet, shoulder Savannah is in charge of the logistics, pads, pants and travel for games. This from scheduling games in the offseason year, Savannah added a player package
that included team gear such as hoodies, t-shirts and shorts. “That’s kind of the one thing that scares people, but when you think about it, a bare minimum helmet costs $250 and shoulder pads cost $180,” said Savannah. “If we made you buy all of that stuff yourself, you’d be at a whole lot more money than our $130.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON CLUB FOOTBALL
While some look at Mason as just another school without a football team, all it takes is a trip to the RAC Field every so often to find a studentled group that plays the same physical brand of football that students seem to pine for.
Savannah, who plays wide receiver for the team, has been president for nearly three and a half years. Under his leadership, the team has revamped their recruitment strategy and social media, purchased new home and away uniforms and made a stronger effort to get people involved, such as asking them what kind of uniforms they should wear on a certain week. “That really has helped with people getting more involved and coming to the games,” added Savannah. “Even recruiting more guys, because they see like, ‘oh you all have brand new Adidas uniforms?’ and they want to join the team.” As a full-contact sport, football is inherently a violent game, so the team has installed a medical protocol to see that all players are fit to participate. There is an athletic trainer on staff who is at all of their practices and games, and before anyone can do anything football related, they must take an impact test, which is a baseline concussion test. The team recently got new athletic trainers through INOVA, which offers them
before the first practice. After dues are paid and all the necessary forms are filled out, you can consider yourself a To the naysayers, Savannah suggests member of the 40-man team. For more that they “get over the club sports thing information, you can contact the club at and realize that it’s still football. It’s still gmuclubfootball@gmail.com. contact, we’re still going to compete Each season starts in the middle of with other teams.” September and concludes in late “You have to come see us play yourself October. For students and school staff and determine if you’re going to be looking for football action on campus, like, ‘well I don’t know if I’m going to you can catch every home game on go,’ because even big schools like Ohio Saturdays at the RAC Field. State, their team loses but they still have people show up in the stands,” he said. Their next home game is next season, but keep your eye out for the team pracFor those interested in suiting up with ticing on the RAC Field as they make a the team, no past experience is needed, push for the playoffs. but they usually require players to join much more in terms of getting into clinics and MRIs.
SPORTS IN BRIEF
NATALIE HEAVREN SPORTS EDITOR
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
Women’s Volleyball
Men’s Basketball
Men’s soccer improved to 3-2 in conference play and 5-6 overall. As of late Wednesday night, the Patriots are tied with St. Louis for fourth in the Atlantic 10. Tunde Akinlosotu, Colin Brezniak Pablo Pertusa and Grant Robinson all scored in the 4-3 victory against Saint Joseph’s.
Women’s Soccer improved to 7-2 in conference play and 12-5 overall in a 1-0 victory over La Salle Thursday night. Emily Littell scored the game-winning goal in the 84th minute, her fifth goal of the season, a career high. This was also her third game-winning goal in the last eight games.
Women’s Volleyball improved to 5-3 in conference play and 7-11 overall in a comeback win against Duquesne Friday night. Despite losing the first two sets, the Patriots won the last three, the first time Mason has done this since Sept. 10, 2016.
It was announced at Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Media Day that Mason was picked by the conference to finish fourth. This is the highest preseason ranking of the Patriots in their six years in the conference.
This win was also head coach Greg Andrulis’ 250th career victory as a collegiate head coach. 134 of these wins came during his 12 years at Wright State (1985-1996), while the last 116 victories came during his 14 seasons with the Patriots.
Emma van der Vorst recorded an assist on the goal, making it the fourteenth game in a row she’s recorded a point, extending her own program record.
Senior guard Otis Livingston II was ShaLi Niu posted a career-high 28 kills named to the preseason All-Atlantic 10 which Emily Konchan recorded 55 First Team. assists, just the second time in her career she had more than 50.
FOURTH ESTATE DOMENIC ALLEGRA
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JAIRE GRAYER: A TRUE PATRIOT AT HEART On and off the court Grayer exceeds expectations as a player and a man of his community KIM BARTENFELDER STAFF WRITER
A true Patriot at heart, Grayer has come a long way to become the distinguished player he is on the court and the thoughtful young man he is off the court. From Grayer’s early years, basketball was second nature. “What got me interested [in the game] was my mother and my father,” Grayer said. Grayer’s parents, Patrice Martin and Jeffrey Grayer, both played in college and were more than prepared to tag team sharing their skills and energy with their son. Additionally, Grayer’s father is well known for his time in the NBA, giving another dimension to Jaire’s early basketball experiences. However, for Grayer, the idea of following in his parents’ footsteps was not as appealing as building an athletic and academic career based on his own merit. Rather, Grayer marked his progress by his own experiences and not the athletic foundation of his parents. Leading up to Grayer’s time at Mason, he began his life in Flint, Michigan. With acknowledgment of better opportunities, Grayer then moved to Florida to attend the IMG Academy.
He said that “the transition from Michigan to Florida was needed because, basketball-wise, the talent level was not there. Academically, when I was in Flint, I wasn’t where I needed to be [either]. The move to IMG was a huge step for me. It got me bigger, stronger, faster and helped me with my basketball skills. Overall it was a great opportunity.” With each move, Grayer was forced to become a better version of himself, player and individual. After his time at IMG, he said that “I [also] got the opportunity to play for Mason, which I am proud and appreciative of.” Without his moves and changes, “there’s no tellin’ where I’d be,” said Grayer. When asked how he defined home his
Despite all of Flint’s environmental issues, the people are really what makes it worth it. Grayer added how the pride of being from Flint is what brings the community together.
Grayer believes that environmental policy and implementaMost recently, Flint tion of that policy underwent major is severely lacking. water pollution, Understandably, the known as the Flint F lint water crisis Water Crisis. Grayer highlighted insuffiat the time was cient intervention and in Florida when he heard the news. prevention from the Calling family and friends back home, government on all Grayer could not help but feel helpless. levels. However, to combat that feeling, Grayer However, Grayer began to be more involved in the Fresh believes that Flint is Flint Festival. The festival is a time for slowly being forgotten. the Flint community to gather for fun Lead in the water activities for all ages that encourage does not disappear healthy living practices. overnight, but it seems Grayer was a youth volunteer for two years at the festival in charge of basketball; This was very fitting for a player like himself. For him, “the best part was the kids. Seeing them having fun out there is just a sight to see.” More recently, Grayer participated in the festival’s water drive. Rotating in shifts, volunteers handed out cases of bottled water to Flint residents.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON ATHLETICS, RAFEAL SUANES
Tackling his senior year, Jaire Grayer could not be more on top of his game. As a guard for the Men’s basketball team at Mason, Grayer exemplifies a unique mindset for the game, recognition to detail and skills, and the energy to feed fans, his teammates and himself.
Grayer though worked an entire day, showing dedication to his hometown.
as if the issue was formulated as such. In order to continue to make progress, Grayer expressed how team and the potential that Mason the conversation of Flint still needs to be basketball brings to the game as a had including how more can be done. whole. As Grayer begins his last year at Mason, Grayer said that every time he steps his future does indeed look bright. on the floor, “I’m willing to make any Grayer is excited for this upcoming effort plays and any energy plays for the season, for the new men joining the team.” Being a true team player, Grayer sees where he is needed and utilizes his talents to benefit everyone. “Staying hungry and aggressive” is what yields success and a hype game not only for players but for fans too, Grayer said. PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON ATHLETICS, RAFEAL SUANES
PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON ATHLETICS, RAFEAL SUANES
response was, “Flint. I wouldn’t want to be from anywhere else. There is so much passion and pride and that’s hard to take away from people.” Because of the strong sense of community that Grayer feels, he continues to return home when his town needs him and to visit loved ones.
Grayer’s post-graduation plans include his, “high hopes of making it into the NBA wherever [he] can.” On top of that, Grayer values the coach-player relationship. Exposed to this dedication and encouragement for a majority of his life through figures like his parents and coaches, Grayer hopes that after his potential NBA career, he can give back to his community and be a coach himself. Grayer is more than just a basketball star, he is an individual with a good head on his shoulders.
CULTURE
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SIYABULELA MANDELA CARRIES ON HIS GRANDFATHER’S LEGACY
Mandela talks about his time at Mason and plans for the future RUTH MEKONNEN STAFF WRITER
notes that teaching at Mason isn’t out of the question for him. “I have plans to come back and I have recently applied for a position to teach so it will depend on if the department will take me back,” said Mandela.
Mandela came in the summer of 2018 as a visiting scholar to complete his research dissertation titled “Preventive Diplomacy and Conflict Prevention in Africa.”
Mandela’s appreciation for Mason comes from his ability to access a lot more resources than Nelson Mandela University. “You will find that in our university, recent books are difficult to “George Mason University is consid- find,” Mandela said. “A book published ered ... one of the leading institutions in 2017 will be found 3 years later.” He as far as the field of conflict resolutions highlights the John Burton library as is concerned,” Mandela said. “There being one of his favorite spots on the isn’t any other place that I would go Arlington campus, since he was able to review Burton’s original work. to.” John Burton is one of Mandela’s influences in the field of diplomacy, peace, security and conflict resolution. “I have adopted ... his strategy and techniques on how to resolve some of the chronic conflicts in the world and in my continent,” Mandela said. But he also states that his grandfather is the main reason why he decided to pursue this field and to continue his legacy. “Sometimes I sit and imagine that if Mandela plans on finding ways to climb the 1944 settlement did not happen, those mountains through observing the where my generation would be,” underlying issues that cause conflicts. Mandela said. “[They would] probably He notes that most of the conflicts be perished in a civil war, so I don’t arise from a lack of basic needs being want any country within my continent met. “Overall, I am trying to find ways and the rest of the world to be in a to bring about development in African position that it was.” countries and to find a way for the basic human needs to be attended to He cites that the greatest lesson he learned from his grandfather, besides by the governments,” Mandela said. the value of resilience, is the philosoCurrently, Mandela is teaching two phy of Ubuntu—I am because you are. modules at Nelson Mandela University “We don’t believe in the sense of indiin South Africa. The first module is an vidualism but a sense of community,” introduction to conflict resolution and Mandela said. “Your neighbor cannot looks at the basics of conflict resolution go hungry when you have plenty.” and case studies in different parts of the He plans on eventually becoming a world. The second is on peace, security diplomat and working for the United and development, where students look Nations in the field of peace, security at strategies to conflict resolution in and development in undeveloped Africa and post-conflict reconstruction countries. strategies. For Mandela, true peace is peace that He enjoys teaching very much and He highlights that the work of his grandfather, Nelson Mandela, hasn’t completely been accomplished yet. “Madiba said that after climbing a mountain, you realize that there are so many more mountains to climb,” said Mandela. Madiba is a term of endearment and means “father.” Nelson Mandela has often been referred to as Madiba by the general public.
addresses all levels of society and the basic human needs of everyone in the country are met. “A peace where everyone is treated equally and there isn’t suppression of one group by another,” Mandela said in regards to his idea of peace. He believes that level of peace has not yet been met due to the lack of responsible and accountable leaders in the political arena. “We need leaders that won’t see other people as other people, and instead see everyone as one human race,” Mandela said. Just like his grandfather, Mandela doesn’t believe that violence is the answer to true peace. In fact, he believes that the only way to deal with corrupt leadership is by participating in the day-to-day running of the government. “We must keep our leaders accountable,” Mandela said. He would also like to advance the interests of Africa and South Africa, although Mandela plans on sticking with academia for the time being.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SIYABULELA MANDELA
When Siyabulela Mandela first arrived at Mason, he was shocked by the overwhelming support he received. “The minute I stepped my foot into that school, all the needs that I had, [Mason] attended to,” Mandela said.
CULTURE FACES OF MASON delves into the lives of Mason students, faculty or alumni, and organizations every week. This week we take a close look at student Carter Knapp, alumnae Rajpreet Heir and Jen Shelton and organization Blockchain at Mason. If you know of a Mason student, faculty member, alumnus or alumna or organization that would like to be featured on FACES OF MASON please submit your request via: https://goo.gl/HZ4SMd INTERVIEWS BY HAILEY BULLIS AND BASMA HUMADI
SSTTUUDDEENNT, T, ACNADRRTEEAR GKANRACPIPA What student organizations are you involved in? I’m involved in PAC, [which is] the Patriot Activities Council. So we help plan events that go on around campus and the famous performers that come as well. What is a hobby of yours?
FOURTH ESTATE HAILEY BULLIS
I love playing basketball so I’ll try and go to Skyline as much as possible but just with being so busy, I haven’t done it a lot lately … Sometimes I go with my roommates. We all played together in high school, so sometimes we’ll go play together if we’re not busy.
house and having all our family come over and opening Christmas presents together. What is your favorite thing you have done at Mason? Going to the events put on by PAC like Mason Day, Mason Mayhem. Also I love going to the basketball games. Why did you join PAC? I wanted get involved with a leadership role on-campus and help plan the activities that students here go to, and also to help with picking what famous people come to campus.
What has been your favorite class at Mason?
Who would you like to see come to Mason?
Probably Art History 102. My professor was Christopher Gregg and it was all about Greek mythology and I just found it super interesting and this year I’m kind of sad I’m not taking it because I just—I liked learning the stories about the Greek gods and it was fun.
I would love to see Post-Malone come … I just love his music and I think it would be so cool if I could meet him too.
What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be in some branch of law enforcement. I’m not really sure which one yet. What is one of your most treasured childhood memories? On Christmas morning, going over to my grandparents
How do you balance having a job, being in a student organization and school? Just making sure my schedule doesn’t have me at work too much. So I’ll work like Mondays and Thursday, and Tuesday nights are our PAC meetings, so then I’ll have like Wednesdays, Fridays and the weekend to work on homework. And I’ll still do it in-between classes on Thursdays just to make sure I don’t get behind.
ALUMNA, RAJPREET HEIR What activities were you involved in at Mason? What did you take from them? Through my MFA program, I got to tutor in the writing center my first year, take pedagogy courses and teach my own courses ... Going into the program, I knew I had an interest in teaching as a long-term career goal, and now I know for sure that it’s something I want to pursue.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RAJPREET HEIR
What have you done since graduating Mason? I moved to Manhattan and found a role at Getty Images in communications, and then switched to TED Conferences. While working, I’ve published in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, The Atlantic, Teen Vogue, Literary Hub, an anthology and The Collagist (forthcoming), and was featured on a podcast through On Being Studios. What inspires/influences your writing? Lately, I’ve been inspired by the times we are [living] in, and how there is a need for marginalized voices. People seem to really want to know about a woman of color’s experiences right now. As far as influences, I lucked out with three very different nonfiction professors, and together, they’re the perfect
combination for me. My undergraduate nonfiction professor, Greg Schwipps, helped me develop my voice and taught me how to write a great scene. Kyoko Mori helped me make sense of my identity. Tim Denevi taught me how to push my work into new forms and how to incorporate research. Articles you’ve written have touched on representation in pop culture. What other instances of pop culture have made you feel represented? Bend It Like Beckham was about a Punjabi Sikh girl like me … the movie was set in England, where my parents are from, and where I was visiting the summer the movie was released. The timing couldn’t have been better, since it was at that time that I ... really become aware of what it means to balance cultures. [Hasan Minhaj’s] work makes me feel seen since he talks about being a minority and having immigrant parents. Last week, I went to a fusion Bhangra concert and felt represented, since Bhangra music comes from the area of India where my grandparents were born, and the fusion incorporates American music. Crazy Rich Asians made me feel seen, since the movie hits on diaspora.
A L U M N A , J E N S H E LT O N ALUMNA, ELIZABETH BAIRES What do you do now? I am [the] full-time volunteer alumni president. I try to increase opportunities for meaningful engagement for the alumni, and also for the students and support the university … I run board meetings and help do input on events and things that involve alumni. Why do you like being the alumni president? I enjoy it because it gives me an opportunity to give back to Mason. I really enjoyed my experience as a student, and it was an important and meaningful part of my life. So it’s nice to be able to give back in that way and support the institution I love.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JEN SHELTON
What is one of your fondest memories from your time at Mason? I think my fondest memories include the friendships and relationships that I made at the time. Also that it gave me the opportunity to grow at Mason. It’s not so binding and traditional and everything is a certain way. I think Mason students and the university allow[s] you to grow as a person in a very free way and have a chance to grow up. What advice do you have for current Mason students? I think just to try new things. Mason has a great environment, and wonderful opportunities for pretty much everything. So if you have an interest in something, give it a try and see how it works. It’s a good time to try things and
make mistakes and keep going. Just find out who you are and explore the possibilities. What would you say is your biggest strength? My biggest strength is I try to put myself in other people’s shoes when approaching a problem and try to look at it from different perspectives so that I can get a better, broader view of things rather than just my own. Where have you traveled? I’m originally from Hawaii, so I was an out-of-state student originally. But I’ve lived in Virginia my whole adult life. I’ve traveled to Barcelona, Spain, Canada, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. My background is Pacific Islander, Hawaiian, Japanese, Portuguese and Mexican, so I feel like I’m a mixed plate of different backgrounds and I really appreciate different people’s culture. What is your favorite place in the world? Probably Hawaii. I didn’t realize at the time—growing up there I just wanted to get off the rock, get off the island—it really has a unique element to it. [It’s k]ind of spiritual— people say “Aloha spirit.” It’s more about people and family and friends that it is about trying to accomplish the next gold star in your career. It has beautiful scenery—oceans, lava, palm trees—and the food is wonderful. It’s a good place to be, a good place to recharge and reset your mind when you [visit]. So I love to visit there, and I always feel energized.
O R G A N I Z AT I O N , B L O C K C H A I N AT M A S O N What does your organization do? We look at blockchain. All a blockchain is, is a list of data except the data [is] not all in one place, so the idea [is] of decentralization and the data being everywhere. [We] talk about different elements of technology, emerging technology like artificial intelligence and blockchain. We do research to figure out how ... students do projects, student blockchain startups. The other thing our organization does is provide education to any student willing to learn about blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLOCKCHAIN AT MASON
Does your organization hold any events? We have a couple of interesting events coming up. There’s an event with CryptoPets. They’re a blockchain and cryptocurrency startup, and [they have a game] that’s similar to the Pokemon Go game using cryptocurrencies. We’re actually planning a joint event with the Entrepreneurship Club and the economics club, like a roundtable discussion that is coming up in one or two semesters. What led you to make Blockchain? The reason why I started the organization Blockchain at Mason is because the technology is very new and it’s emerging technology, but the only way I got exposed to it was through self-education. There wasn’t really a place at
Mason where you could go and talk about emerging technology like blockchain and cryptocurrencies ... I want to make sure other students don’t have to self-learn and that there’s opportunities available on campus and in the Mason community. What is one adjective that you would use to describe your organization? I would probably say courage because the group in the organization, the type of technology we talk about is not something that you will find prevalent in the Mason community that is not really exposed to these forward-looking technologies. We really had to figure out a lot of the gathering interest for the club and talk about why it’s important, and we had to do a lot of self-advocacy on our own. Not all universities have these types of forward-looking discussions ...We kind of took a leap of faith and it’s working out. What is your organization’s proudest moment? Our organization got accepted into a wider initiative, a global initiative, called the Blockchain Campus where we’re working with 50 other student organizations across the globe to make good blockchain content. We’re working with other universities as well.
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AS SEEN ON “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” Samuel J. Comroe Headlines Mason’s Comedy Circuit ANGELIQUE ARINTOK STAFF WRITER
PAC and Student Involvement passed the microphone off to Lauren Cocroft and Kristopher Heaton—transfer students who are relatively new to the stand-up comedy scene.
his experience living with Tourette syndrome.
By relatively new, “this is literally my first attempt,“ Cocroft said. Cocroft The two-hour event was open to said being part of the forensics team at students and the general public. The Mason helped with her public speaking cinema was packed with energy and skills. enthusiasm for the comedic talent on “I’ve been doing this pretty briefly too stage. … [Comedy Circuit] was the first thing
Throughout praising Cocroft and Heaton, delivering new content and hosting a Q&A portion after his set, Comroe showed a side of him that people did not see on “America’s Got Talent.”
“[Comroe] was very funny, but not in the way I thought he’d be,” freshman Omarys Rosado said.
With such passion and drive for his I had to audition for,” Heaton said. dreams, Comroe showcased what Before opening for Comroe, Heaton he truly does best on stage—making had only performed at a few open mic people laugh. nights. “Being on the road’s been amazing. It’s As an organization, PAC aims to “hold The crowd was giggling and laughing sold-out crowds … [and] now the fans a lot of the major events on campus during both student sets. Their laughter are coming out to see me specifically, in hopes to bridge gaps between the and cheers intensified more as Comroe which is a dream come true,” Comroe various communities across campus,” appeared on stage. said. Mark Keovongphet, director of Comroe’s jokes were based on personal Pursuing comedy as a career after so publicity for PAC, said. life stories, like his audition process many years of ups and downs, Comroe Before Comroe appeared on stage, at “America’s Got Talent,” going on offers some advice for college students the road as a start-up comedian and As the first installation of the Comedy Circuit series, PAC said it took about two to three weeks to arrange Comroe’s arrival to campus.
FOURTH ESTATE ANGELIQUE ARINTOK
On the night of Thursday, Oct. 18, the Patriot Activities Council (PAC) and Student Involvement hosted a sold-out comedy show featuring some of Mason’s most talented comics and “America’s Got Talent” finalist, Samuel J. Comroe.
doing the same. “If you’re going to do it, commit to it, work really hard, write your truth and just have fun,” Comroe said. Being where Comroe is now took over ten years, he said. “It’s a long road, it’s a marathon … it doesn’t happen overnight,” Comroe added.
The next step for Comroe is being a participant on a brand-new spin-off series releasing in January, “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.” Aside from that, “I’m working on trying to develop a special, a TV show and all the stuff so I can buy my baby a house,” Comroe said.
A GIRL WITH BIG DREAMS Sahar Sarsour finds new opportunities at Mason SARA ANWAR STAFF WRITER
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAHAR SARSOUR
Growing up in the Gaza strip is not easy or favorable for a girl with big dreams. Gaza is a war-torn territory where individuals constantly struggle with financial and psychological issues. Life is difficult for Gaza dwellers, specifically for girls in regards to fulfilling their dreams and aspirations. However, Sahar Sarsour fought against the odds
and worked hard to achieve her goals. Sarsour paved her way through all the hardship and adversity in Gaza—a territory that is under-siege and has no airport to travel from——and is now a fellow at Mason.
Exchanges Board (IREX), a U.S. based nonprofit organization. IREX has a professional leadership development program for the brightest community leaders worldwide. After completion of a four-month fellowship through Sarsour was looking for a way to make IREX, community-solutions fellows a difference in her life and stumbled return to their home to apply their across the International Research & new skills through a community-action project. Sarsour’s focused vision towards having a professional career led her to apply for the IREX program. She was selected to work as a community-solutions fellow in Mason’s student media department. Sarsour shared some of her experiences and goals while working with Mason faculty and student media. The diversity in cultures within the student body at Mason astonished her.
“However, Mason provides its students with vast and numerous educational resources to thrive in any field.” Sarsour finds that there are huge differences between U.S. and Gaza’s media organizations. “In Gaza, media outlets work under government authorities and journalist[s] have no autonomy to criticize any government policy,” Sarsour said. “Moreover, often times they have to suffer severe consequence for their action, but U.S. media enjoys its full liberty in terms of publishing or criticizing on any government policy, and it does not face any government persecution, whatever it shows to its audience.”
country where nobody speaks English. “Developing English language skill[s] in Gaza was not easy for me,” Sarsour said. “I have self-taught myself. YouTube was a great learning tool for me and I practiced a lot. Speaking in front of [the] mirror enabled me to be fluent in English.” When discussing her goals, Sarsour said that during her fellowship she is determined to learn how to analyze and evaluate the impact of social media campaigns, and also determined to learn how to raise awareness for the role of women in the community.
“Students [at] Mason are blessed with such resources and facilities, which we Despite being so far from home, can only dream about in my country,” Sarsour did not feel homesick upon Sarsour said. “Therefore they should coming to Mason. She said that faculty not take these blessings for granted and members here helped contribute to not be thankful and humble to God.” feeling homesick because they were Sarsour is a project manager for a press very welcoming and friendly to her. house in Gaza. She has experience Various learning prospects at Mason managing media projects that present equip her to see the world with a advocacy and documentation oppordifferent angle and make her feel more tunities to young journalists. She also confident. works as a training coordinator and a
“Universities in Palestine have no cultural diversity and the lack of resources also limit their abilities to excel in Sarsour cultivated good English various fields,” Sarsour said. language skills despite being in a
translator.
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THOUSANDS OF MILES FROM HOME A Palestinian Mason student explains what it’s like for her living in today’s America
MANSUR SHAHEEN STAFF WRITER
and “upset” after hearing about the region is one of her biggest concerns. decision. “At any moment things could, like, go “It’s the most important place for me as crazy there … clashes, little clashes, big a Palestinian and it’s the holiest place,” clashes, whatever it is,” Sayyad said. “I like visiting my family and my friends Sayyad said. “The fact that they’re She recalled a story where one of her cause I went to school there,” Sayyad calling it Israel’s capital is not right.” cousins was assaulted by an Israeli said about her yearly trip. The city of Jerusalem has been soldier as he was sitting in a restaurant. sort, not only with her family and friends who are still living abroad, but with the culture and lifestyle she misses from her youth.
Sayyad names as her favorite spots to visit as “Al-Aqsa” and “the Dome of the Rock,” which are both mosques One thing that differentiates Sayyad that are close to each other. Her favorite from many other college seniors is her spots are not just religious, though. strong connection to her birth nation, “There’s like a bazaar kinda, it’s called Palestine. Palestine is not an officially a Souq,” Sayyad said. “I like shopping recognized nation. It is also referred to there.” as West Bank, or the Palestinian region. Jerusalem was the subject of an interThis region of the world is 6,000 miles national crisis earlier in the year when away, but it still feels like the country of President Donald Trump signed her birth “[is] just [her] home.” an order to move the United States Despite having lived in the U.S. for the embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to past eight years, Sayyad still feels more Jerusalem. This was a symbolic move Palestinian than American. Every by the United States, declaring the summer, Sayyad and her family travel long-battled-over city as the capital of back to Jerusalem, a trip she looks Israel. Many Palestinians saw it as a forward to all year. slap in the face. The trip serves as a reunion of some
Sayyad said she felt “frustrated”
the crux of a long-running conflict between Palestine and Israel. Palestine had been in control of Arabs since the 600s. Palestine remained in Arab control until the early 1900s when Britain would secure it during the age of colonization. The Allied Powers of World War II would eventually spearhead Resolution 181 in 1947, partitioning Palestine and creating the state of Israel. This moved many Palestinian families out of an area that they had lived in for centuries, a move they never received compensation for. The Resolution passed, and in 1948, the state of Israel was officially created.
Many Palestinians in the city are forced to live in fear knowing that at any time they could be the target of a soldier’s rage.
“If one s o l d i e r m e s s e s with one Pa l e s t i n i a n kid then things would go crazy,” The region has been littered with Sayyad said. violence over the past few decades, For now, the victims usually Palestinians. For Sayyad is so Sayyad, the safety of her family in the
far removed from the violence that she personally feels safe here in the U.S. She is excited to graduate from Mason with a bachelor’s of science in finance. While she is unsure of her exact plans after graduation, she plans to continue her annual visits to the country she loves so dearly.
FOURTH ESTATE MANSUR SHAHEEN
Suhad Sayyad is just like every other student at Mason. She is a senior who balances her busy work and personal schedule with the rigors of advanced education. She drinks Starbucks almost every morning to get the kick she needs to survive the day. On a brisk fall afternoon, she is adorned with wearing a North Face logo that is seen so often on Mason’s campus.
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IT’S NOT JUST YOU
Mason sorority holds public talk on mental health LEIGH NORMAN STAFF WRITER
Hosted by the Omicron Rho chapter on Oct. 17, students learned about recognizing mental illness both in themselves and others. The night began when Nicole Cross, senior communications major as well as the co-chair of physical and mental health in the sorority, declared it a “safe zone” before asking students about stressors such as “not [having] enough hours in the day,” “fear of missing out” and “too many assignments.”
every hand went up. Those feelings of isolation or being overwhelmed are all valid. “Whatever you experience … is real to you,” Daquin said. She urged students to “give [themselves] permission” to feel that way without feeling like a lesser person for it. A visible wave of calm rippled through the room. Daquin also identified symptoms of mental illnesses. For example, symptoms of depression include fatigue, difficulty focusing, loss or increase in appetite and suicidal thoughts. The last symptom, she noted, ”does not appear on its own.” Normally, other symptoms appear before it.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps patients to challenge their worldviews. Daquin recommended starting with campus resources and reaching out to loved ones. When your friends and family have these conversations, attempt to get them professional help while also offering your companionship. Having them try to solve everything on their own will just hurt everyone. The second presenter, Adara Adams, is a peer health educator from the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC). Adams had much information to share about both SSAC and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which offers confidential help for students in crisis. During the presentation, the crowd piped up with their CAPS experiences. One found her outside therapist through the employees there. A student athlete was recommended to a sports psychologist.
While depression is usually a disorder, anxiety can be natural to a degree. Anxiety is our body’s way of preparing for a perceived threat, with Daquin comparing it to a smoke detector. Some smoke detectors go off during a fire, while some go off for burnt toast. The night was not just about depression However, it is dangerous to take the CAPS has more to offer than recomand anxiety, but also focused on accep- batteries out. tance. Their first guest speaker was A recommended strategy to cope mendations and appointments, and Jewelle Daquin, a licensed counselor, with anxiety is to make a change in is not just for mental illnesses. One who asked the audience if they ever how to react to perceived danger. example of this is their MindSpa, for anyone needing a break. In this quiet felt anxious or alone. Immediately,
FOURTH ESTATE LEIGH NORMAN
Put five students in a line. Put six in another line. Out of the first line, three students likely have anxiety, around 60 percent. From those six in the second line, likely half struggle with depression. This makes Delta Sigma Theta’s event on mental health,“Beneath the Surface: A Campus Conversation on Depression and Anxiety,” an event that loosens the stigma around mentalhealth issues here at Mason.
room, students can recline in massage chairs and breathe essential oils. Students can even book 30-minute appointments online and visit between classes. The night ended with a series of scenarios. Student groups were given a dilemma to solve such as helping a roommate who never goes out or a best
friend who drinks more than normal. Cross had each group explain how they would navigate each scenario. Though the presentation is over, the line of students remains. Thanks to Beneath the Surface, there is now a room’s worth of students ready to help them.
HIDDEN HANGOUTS: UNIQUE A high-end department store with affordable prices
FOURTH ESTATE DANA NICKEL
DANA NICKEL ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Fashion trends are constantly changing. For college students, it can be difficult to keep up with different styles that go in and out of season so quickly, especially on a limited budget. With places close to campus that are easily accessible through Mason’s transportation services like Fair Oaks Mall, Tysons Corner and other high-end shopping centers in the area, avoiding overspending for the latest fall trends can be a challenge. That’s why thrift stores like Unique, located near the Mosaic District in Fairfax, satisfies both our wallets and our aesthetic.
and placing them into the long aisles of overflowing racks that fill the store.
amount of space inside the store. Vintage and modern styled couches are The store sells clothing that is in great listed for as low as $35. condition from well-known brands like While spacious, the store has a Tommy Hilfiger, H&M and Michael comfortable atmosphere. Everything is Kors. organized neatly into various sections Unique updates its products from across the store, much like a regular season to season. Now that the weather department store like Walmart or is getting cooler, shorts and tank tops Target. It even dedicates a section for are being put away. Jackets, scarves, seasonal decorations where there are boots and other cold weather necessi- an abundance of unique and affordties have been rolled out to welcome able Halloween home decorations and the new season. Several sections of the costume options.
store are lined almost wall to wall with various styles of jackets. From sleek Unique, a warehouse-sized thrift store, leather jackets to clean and crisp camel sells donated clothing, shoes, furniture, coats, Unique provides many different vinyl records and more. To ensure the options to support all kinds of fall styles. high quality of products, employees comb through all donations before Additionally, discounted decorations labeling them ready for redistribution and furniture take up a significant
The store is accessible through the CUE Bus System, which is free for Mason students as long as their Mason IDs are present. Unique is a good place for stylish Patriots looking for an easy way to find sophisticated styles and gain access to all the latest fall trends at an affordable price.
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ONE LAST BITE WON’T HURT A few healthy tips for Patriot students KATHYA MENDEZ STAFF WRITER
student who isn’t content with her eating habits living here at Mason. “In college, I feel as though I don’t eat healthy as much as I want to,” Holloman said. ”I do purchase healthy food items from the grocery store, but that does not mean that I eat it every day. The things that I wish were different [so I could] achieve eating healthy [habits] is [having] more healthy food options Imani Holloman is an on-campus in the JC, time—because I am always
FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON
As a college student, there are many responsibilities that can keep you busy throughout the day. Having a tight schedule can be overwhelming for Mason students, making it difficult to maintain a healthy eating habit. Another challenge for Mason students is that they tend to be short on money and time, which makes eating, especially healthy eating, difficult.
on the go between work and school— and remembering to eat healthy while stressed.” It is not impossible for a student to eat healthy in school, but there are some choices that can be difficult to adjust into a student’s lifestyle and budget. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a few tips for healthy eating. “Whether you’re at the sandwich station in the dining or pouring yourself a bowl of cereal in the morning, it is important to make the switch to whole grain bread and oatmeal,” said the USDA. Whole grain products include nutrients such as potassium, fiber, B vitamins, folic acid and magnesium, so make it a habit to consume whole grains.
Based on USDA statistics, Americans drink nearly 400 calories daily. Consider how often you drink sugary beverages such as sodas, sweetened teas, cappuccinos and energy drinks. Drinking water instead of sugary beverages can help you manage your calories.
to warm up food that you bring.
If you are an off-campus student, you might be able to cook your own lunch at home and bring it to school. This can save you both money spent on campus and time waiting in line. You can take advantage of the microwaves in the JC
Although students spent their day hustling and forget to eat healthy, it is important to develop and practice these small tips now and make it a habit to stay healthy throughout their lives.
Cooking isn’t always an option for on-campus students, since not all residence halls have full-sized kitchens. If you have a meal plan as a Mason student, time and money can be saved there as well. Self-control for healthy decisions can be tough to find once Being surrounded by fast food in the JC you’re in Southside, Ike’s or The Globe. can be tempting, and most of the time, However, despite the overloaded fats, it fits perfectly well in students’ busy these dining halls provide fresh cut schedule. Imagine a student who walks veggies and fruits. Practicing healthy by the JC to get to class and suddenly habits such as not overeating at meals feel the need to buy a milkshake or and avoiding desserts is also beneficial. get food before class. However, the There is always organic food available restaurants at the JC offers a couple of near Mason. Students can buy from healthy suggestions, such as Freshens. food markets such as Aldi and Earth They offer rice bowls, salads and their Fare located in Fairfax, where cheap classic fresh blended smoothies, so try and healthy options are available some of these healthy options instead through different choices of vegetaof the regular unhealthy burger-and- bles, fruits, oatmeal and a variety of fries diet. nutrition snacks.
FOLLOWING THE “DARK MONEY” An inside look at “Dark Money” film with director Kimberly Reed NAYOMI SANTOS STAFF WRITER
The Film and Media Studies at Mason is holding a screening and discussion of the film with Reed on Tuesday, Oct. 30 in the JC. The movie is also available for free at PBS.org. In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that any laws preventing
corporations and unions from using their funds for political advertising violated the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech. Montana had a law in place for almost a century that prevented corporations and unions from doing just that. The film follows several Montanans, both politicians and not, who were angered by this ruling and have worked since to fight it. Though Reed began filming in 2012, she said, “the seed was planted” in her head after the Citizens United ruling in 2010. The ruling caught her eye specifically because she is from Montana. In fact, Reed said that she was “fortunate to be from Montana,” because she knew many people living there who would help bring her film together. Like Reed, they knew how important it was to cover these paramount changes to American campaign laws and let the public know about shady dealings that
occur in campaign funding. Reed hoped to inspire this with her film. “People need a healthy dose of skepticism,” Reed said. She also mentioned that the greatest obstacle she faced was the editing process, since “there was so much exposition.” Filming the movie spanned eight years, so both Reed and her editor, Jay Arthur Sterrenberg, had to condense everything that developed over that time into an hour-and-half long movie. Despite this challenge, the movie was completed and garnered many awards, including a Sundance award, and brought much attention to the topic of “dark money” which is what Reed ultimately wanted. “[Young people] are qualified to vote,” Reed said. She believes that young people, college students especially, should utilize their voices and engage in politics to prevent the corruption that was exposed in “Dark Money.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF CLAIRE JONES
Movies and literature have a significant power in opening the eyes of their audiences to injustices. In today’s climate wrought with falsehoods, one film stands out to do just that. The movie “Dark Money,” directed by Kimberly Reed, uncovers the prominent use of money donated to nonprofits to influence elections. These funds are called dark money. The movie takes place mostly in Montana, which is at the frontline of the resistance to this practice. The movie follows an investigative journalist, John Adams, who is determined to get to the bottom of this conspiracy.
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DEAR IVY,
This week, Ivy tells a student how to deal with online dating and friendship Dear Ivy,
PHOTO COURTESY OF MONIQUE LE
My best friend and I never really dated much in high school. Now that we’re in college, both of us have downloaded all those dating apps to try and find someone to do cute fall stuff with. We both have met people through the app.The latest guy I met,“John”, was so sweet, and after the date I was so excited to see him again. My friend asked me about him and before I could give his name or
any other real detail, she cut me off and told me she was excited about her own date coming up with a guy. Then, she showed me his Instagram. In the moment, I panicked and didn’t tell her that the John she was seeing was the John I had literally just been on a date with. I haven’t spoken to John either about it. What do I do? -OnlineDater
Dear OnlineDater,
Junior Monique Le illustrated new book “Modern HERstory” MONICA ECHOLS CULTURE EDITOR
As an artist, the idea of your work being published in a book can seem like a dream. For Monique Le, this dream became a reality. Le, a junior at Mason, illustrated “Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History.” The book, which was released on Oct. 16, was written by activist Blair Imani. Le loved art and drawing since she was a child, but as a biology major, she was not planning to pursue art as a career. “When I went into college, I told myself, ‘Alright let’s stop. Put the paint brush down. We’re going to focus on school,’” Le said. “And then Blair happened, and I was like ‘I guess I’m not just going to focus on school, I’m going to be working on a book now.’”
“After that, I worked on it for like a business woman.” whole year straight,” Le said. “Before Now that the book is complete, school, during school, after school. Le describes seeing her work in Every day for like a year.” a published book as a “surreal” Le had to find ways to balance illustrat- experience. “Honestly, I still can’t ing with school. “I’m actually not the believe it,” she said. “I was thinking best with time management,” she said. to myself, ‘This doesn’t feel real. “But I just tried to do as much as I can Maybe it will feel real once it’s in my with the time that I had. So if I had hand, once it’s palpable.’ And now I an hour between classes, that’s what I still can’t believe that this is mine.” would be working on. I would just try Le spent some time promoting the to squeeze in as much as I can.” book in New York with Imani the
Le illustrated 70 women and nonbinary people for “Modern HERstory.” Although Le has done illustrations before, she found illustrating the book to be more challenging. “The characters that I draw are usually myself because my comics and illustrations are about me,” Le said. “So drawing a Imani discovered Le through the huge, diverse group of people, that was #TheArtistChallenge on Twitter, a a challenge, but it helped me.” challenge “... just to draw yourself in One of her favorite people that she different art forms and different styles.” drew was YouTuber, makeup artist and Imani followed her on Twitter, and entrepreneur Michelle Phan. “I was later asked her to illustrate one woman really excited to draw her because she’s a day for Women’s History Month. Le also a Vietnamese person and she’s also started working on the pictures during one of the only Vietnamese people I winter break in 2017, with the process knew,” Le said. “I remember in middle continuing through the spring semester school I would watch her makeup in 2018. Le took a break from illustrat- tutorials and I didn’t see anyone else ing during finals, but shortly after exam doing what she did. She just literally season was over, Imani asked her to started from the bottom and worked work on the book. her way up. She is … a self-made
week that it launched. Although she only met Imani in person for the second time during this trip, Le still felt comfortable with Imani. “It didn’t feel like we were strangers online, it felt like we knew each other before,” Le said. Despite her experience with “Modern HERstory,” Le is not planning to pursue an art career. Instead, she plans to continue studying biology and become an orthodontist. However, Le is open to taking more opportunities to illustrate in the future. “If it happens, it happens,” she said. More of Le’s drawings can be found on her Instagram, @guacamomole. She also creates the 3030 comics for Fourth Estate.
Considering how early it is in this online relationship, the easiest and most honest thing to do would be to tell your friend what happened. By telling her, you are being completely open about the situation you are both in while avoiding the secrecy that could tear you and you best friend apart. There’s always a chance that your best friend might not take the news lightly. The possible upside of this situation, however, is that it is highly unlikely she would hold hard feelings towards you. Her response would probably be more of an appreciation that you told her upfront. Who knows, maybe you both could get a good laugh out of all the people you could’ve both matched with.
At the same time, please consider the fact that this John more than likely is not holding either of your best interests at heart. Given that the online scene is more open to seeing and dating multiple people at once, John may have other intentions that neither of you expected. Maybe this John is a gentleman, or does not know you two are close or is just trying to see which girl he enjoys spending the most time with. Just remember to always be cautious and safe in your encounters. Online dating can often lead to sticky situations. While meeting p e o p l e becomes more convenient, their true identities could be hidden behind their computer or phone screen. If you continue using online dating apps, please be safe. Let your friends know where you are going, have an emergency contact, meet in public areas and don’t share too much about yourself online. All of these tips make online dating more safe. Of course, still have fun when you go out, but don’t risk your friendship or your safety for someone you barely know. FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON
MASON STUDENT DRAWS HER WAY INTO HERSTORY
First and foremost, college is typically known for experimentation with both intimate and platonic relationships. Addressing your immediate question, this John is a boy you just met. There are no direct romantic or emotional obligations to him. However, take into account the other girl he is talking to is your best friend. There should never be a time where you choose a boy, one you met online and only briefly in person, over a friend that you value as much as you do.
-Ivy
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10.22.2018
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OUR EARTH IS DYING, NOW WHAT? ELIJAH NICHOLS STAFF WRITER
As you have probably heard, the global temperatures are rising and, of course, you are to blame. Media outlets, like Forbes and CNN, often address the issue of climate change in a singular way. For example, articles may read that the best way to fight climate change is to “be vegan” or “recycle.” These actions are wonderful, yet they completely miss the point that singular entities are not contributing to this global ailment. It makes me wonder, do we truly not have the power to look at data and place the blame not on an individual, but on a system as a whole? Before acknowledging the systemic issues that cause climate change, it is important to understand some key points about the realities of it all. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the latest annual average anomaly in temperature was a rise of .9°C. When considering this report, we must take into account the data provided by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in their report titled “Global Warming of 1.5 °C,” which shows the overwhelming
answers to what exactly an increase in temperature means. As we are on the fast track to the set-average increase of 2°C, we must realize that with this average temperature increase, we not only gain a warmer climate, but we obtain rising sea levels, coral reef degradation and a scarcity of water. In places like South Africa and California, we are already seeing devastating effects from global temperatures rising, which in turn is affecting the global health and economy. Nevertheless, while Forbes and CNN tell us that we are to blame for not being “vegan” or taking the time to “recycle,” we have electricity companies and the agricultural industry making up roughly 46% of all pollutants; and this completely negates the fact there are other forms of pollutants coming from a wide variety of industries too. So, when
we are seeing societies acclimating to water shortages, we must acknowledge that there is something larger than these adversaries in front of us. We have a methodology in America dedicated to keeping working class issues, like climate change, out of the minds of elected officials: our broken campaign finance system.
With the current state of wealth inequality, specifically in America, we are seeing a lack of political will from politicians to attack the issue of climate change simply because their pockets are only filled with the money from those who are not hurt by it. We have the big oil and gas companies donating to candidates at much higher levels than any one working-class person could. With data from OpenSecrets, a non-profit and non-partisan research group in D.C., the biggest gas and oil corporations, like the Koch Industries and ExxonMobil, have collectively donated over 57.1 million dollars in the 2018 election alone. There has been an absurd amount of money flowing into this election, specifically from the gas and oil industry, thus we have seen candidates both embracing and denouncing the
science of climate change. We must follow the money when looking at these candidates and their stances. We have a system in place in which millions of dollars can be given to candidates to help get them elected, and once they’re elected, they do the work of their donors. Sadly, this is understandable seeing as how they only wish to keep their jobs. And, sequentially, money is what keeps them in their position. So, until we fix our broken campaign finance system, climate change and other pressing issues will only be an uphill battle. However, we must not turn a blind eye at this matter. When a candidate or already elected official does not listen to their constituents, whether it be with climate change or other matters, we must vote them out. We have the capability to effectively mobilize with grassroots, community-based organizing to help those elected understand that we want both climate change addressed, and our broken campaign finance system fixed. Take the time to act up and speak out about the issues that most condemn us.
FOURTH ESTATE ALLY MCALPINE
SHOULD OUR ESTATE TAXES BE HIGHER?
JACE WHITE STAFF WRITER
As a general rule, taxing anything discourages it. That’s why many cities have extra taxes on cigarettes and sugary drinks. Taxes raise the cost of
doing or buying something, forcing people to consider alternative options. Estate taxes discourage people from having money left in the bank when they die, and the alternative option they turn to is spending that money on things they otherwise wouldn’t buy. This is a problem because money that exists in savings serves an important role in the economy. Wealthy estates store very little of their money as hard cash. Most of their savings exist in the form of various investments. In other words, they direct their money to places where they believe it will be worth more after a given period of time. Much of it is in banks, where it can be loaned out to businesses and individuals to make purchases or investments of their own. In either case, wealthy savers or experienced bankers are attempting to direct their money towards places where they see potential for growth. Businesses who seem more likely to waste their
money are less likely to receive bank loans or investment from private individuals. Businesses with good plans for the future and who are more likely to succeed and grow the economy are more likely to receive funds. Private investment is the market’s way of sending capital to its most valued uses. Banks and individuals are looking to maximize the returns on their investments, so they have an incentive to seek out the places where their money will be most useful. By contrast, money that is returned to the government has a much different fate. Government officials have much less of an incentive to spend money in the most productive way possible. Stories of massive government waste are common, because no one in government is spending their own money. A government employee will retain their job no matter what, while a person spending their own money will suffer a significant loss if they spend
their money foolishly. Despite the reservations Gates and Buffet might have about their children inheriting money they didn’t earn, it is wrong for them to conclude that large fortunes do more for the economy when they are in the hands of the government. Even Warren Buffet admitted that his money would probably be better spent by his children’s charitable foundations than by the federal government. It is unfortunate that some people are wealthy at birth, while others are born poor, but we should not let that distract us from the fact that in order to make everyone better off, money should be directed to where it is
needed most. We cannot assume that estate taxes are a way to raise money for the government without any economic consequences. Undeserving as wealthy heirs might be, the incentives they face inherently make them better managers of their own money than the government.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSE LUIS MAGANA
Two of the richest men in the world, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, have advocated for significantly higher estate taxes, which are taxes collected after a person with a large fortune dies. Both billionaires argue that the taxes are a good way of targeting the wealth of those who need it the least, because only the wealthiest 0.2 percent of Americans are subject to the estate tax. They say it discourages the practice of so called “dynasty building” where the children of wealthy parents are able to live off of inherited money for generations without having to work hard for what they have. However, even though they target a smaller group of people, estate taxes would still have widespread negative effects on the economy because of the way they affect the incentives facing wealthy savers.
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EAT YOUR WORDS SUSAN KATHERINE CORKRAN STAFF WRITER
her quotation’s impact on body image and mental health—however, it then quickly shifts gears to discuss topless photos and whether or not Moss would let her own teenage daughter pose topless as a minor. Her “remorse” falls short of an acknowledgment of what exactly her words have become. Not only does the sentiment of her statement feed into a toxic cultural perception of the ideal woman’s body, it has become a mantra for millions of people suffering from eating disorders across the world. Katie Green, a former model advocating for greater body size representation in the modelling industry, said that “Kate Moss’ comments are likely to cause many more [eating disorders]. If you read any of the pro-ana websites, they go crazy for quotes like this.” Crazy. That’s a painfully accurate word for it, but I’ve seen firsthand how true it is. Some young people suffering in the depths of this starvation refer to
anorexia as Ana, a personification somewhere between goddess and demon. This idea that thinness is preferable to any taste of food constitutes a central commandment. It’s insane. I know that. However, I am only now able to know that I am not starving. A mind deprived of food is not a mind able to think rationally, which is one of the many reasons why the pro-ana websites are so toxic for young people, vulnerable in the worst moments of an eating disorder’s devastating effects. Starvation makes you a pale, thin shadow of your former self. At the worst moment of my anorexia, I was reduced to a childish weight and size. I couldn’t sit on a wooden chair without a pillow to cushion me, since all that seemed to be left in me were my bones. My mind felt as though it had deserted my body as I shrank away. I was in constant pain, split in a struggle with this odd disease inside of me trying to convince me to die.
Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. I promise you, being skinny did not feel good. There was never a weight where I could look at the scale and say “That’s enough. I can stop now.” The target kept moving. 115 pounds? Fat. 110 pounds? Fat. 100 pounds? Fat. 95? Better, but keep losing. Wouldn’t it be fun to hit the 80s?
I’m nearly 5ft 8in. I’m amazed I didn’t kill myself. I’m one of the lucky ones because I did survive that. Eating disorders destroy lives, and even as you read this, there is a hungry girl or boy out there somewhere who is refusing to eat, repeating again and again, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF HUFFINGTON POST
“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” The first time I read these words was on a pro-ana website. For those unfamiliar with the term, pro-ana is shorthand for pro-anorexia. These are forums online where predominantly young women struggling with eating disorders exchange tips for fasting, purging, abusing drugs and laxatives, burning calories and encouraging severe weight loss with “thinspiration,” photos of dangerously underweight women. Kate Moss, the woman who coined this now infamous term, stated in an interview that she regrets the little quip years later, excusing it away as a youthful saying, “My friend used to say it, because you know, we were all living together, and we’d go for the biscuits and go, ‘Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.’” According to her modelling agency, her original comment was taken out of context. The article discussing this offers a brief mention of the controversy of
A HEAD-SCRATCHER IN VIRGINIA 10
DOMINIC PINO STAFF WRITER
According to conventional wisdom, both propositions seem true. According to electoral reality, one will be true and the other false on the first Tuesday in November. Which one though? That’s a head-scratcher.
nominee Ed Gillespie got hosed (discloCongressional Committee is standing by Comstock and even held a fundsure: I worked for the Republican Party raiser headlined by House Speaker of Virginia for the 2017 cycle). In Paul Ryan. However, Congressional 2016, Democrats were already licking Leadership Fund, the PAC associ- their chops when Hillary Clinton won ated with Ryan and House leader- by ten percentage points in Comstock’s ship, never spent a penny for Comstock, believing their resources would be better spent elsewhere. On the other side, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and House Majority PAC canceled their ad buys because they think Wexton will win, but Democrat (he’s back!) Michael Bloomberg recently announced he is spending big for Wexton, indicating he PHOTO COURTESY OF LOUDOUN TIMES believes she needs help. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. district.
The funding story in the race shows both sides do not know what to make of it. The National Republican
Anyone who’s anyone wrote off Comstock after election day in 2017 when Republican gubernatorial
An informed observer of politics could make two propositions about the election for who will represent Virginia’s 10th congressional district in the next Congress: 1. Republican Barbara Comstock will win: she is incumbent, willing to put district over party, has had two easy wins in previous elections and is respected personally and politically in a time when politics seems dirtier than ever. 2. Democrat Jennifer Wexton will win: she is an experienced state legislator and lawyer, a member of the opposite party of the president in a midterm election and is running in a district that has been becoming increasingly blue for years.
Democrats’ jubilation always seemed a bit premature. You know who else won Comstock’s district in 2016?
Comstock. By six. Furthermore, since 2017, Democrats have done significant damage to their credibility as the party to restore order and normalcy to a Trumpified government. Governor Ralph Northam was successful because he seemed like a reasonable, normal guy and was from the opposite party of Donald Trump. While Virginia 10 is certainly getting bluer, the subdivision-dwelling, wine-tasting and comfortable voters of Loudoun County will be hesitant to support the party associated with pounding on the Supreme Court doors and rampant rowdiness that led to hundreds of arrests during the Kavanaugh confirmation rodeo and Wexton will have a hard time mollifying that hesitation. Wexton must also be concerned that the voter enthusiasm gap the
Democrats were touting a few months ago has disappeared; The most recent poll shows that 79% of Republicans and 81% of Democrats say they will certainly vote. All of this suggests Comstock will not be swept away in a blue wave. This is a competitive race, and the Democrats would be wise to treat it that way instead of wasting money to unseat safe Republicans, like Rep. Devin Nunes in California. If someone had said that Virginia 10 would be competitive a few months ago, it would have seemed absurd. If someone had said that the Democratic Party would scrap its winning message from 2017 in favor of a men-shouldshut-up, “I’m-knowingly-violating-therules,” harass-your-opponents-in-public brand of disruptive, rude, identity politics more fitting for a radical activist strategy meeting than a general election, it would have seemed absurd too. It’s a head-scratcher who will win this election in Virginia 10, but it’s not a head-scratcher which party has done more to damage its candidate’s chances in the last few weeks.
22
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