F URTH ESTATE Dec. 4 , 2017 Volume 6 Issue 11
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
DE-STRESS EVENTS page 5
HOLIDAY FUN page 7
LIFESTYLE
NEWS We sat down with Fairfax’s Representative Bulova to talk education policy.
DESSERT RECIPE page 14 LIFESTYLE
OPINIONS
How do Mason students from different backgrounds celebrate the holidays? Find out more about their holiday traditions page 4
@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com
Holidays can be stressful for those who struggle with food fears. Find tips on how to deal with holiday feasts page 7
Exclusive interview with “The Voice” contestant and Mason Alum, Brandon Showell
page 12
page 9
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FOURTH ESTATE
12.4.2017
We are always recruiting volunteers for: - NEWS WRITERS - LIFESTYLE WRITERS - SPORTS WRITERS - COPY EDITORS - PHOTOGRAPHERS
For all inquiries, please email a resume and two clips (or visual samples) to: masonfourthestate@gmail.com AND apply online at http://c2ms.info/osmapply
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Fareeha Rehman Sosan Malik Co-Editors-in-Chief
Katya Beisel Copy Chief
Michael D. Eberhart News Editor
Alex Shedd News Assistant Editor
Dinanda Pramesti Lifestyle Editor
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR The end of the semester is always bittersweet.
Co-Editor-in-Chief Sosan Malik
Co-Editor-in-Chief Fareeha Rehman
Students rush around trying to complete last minute assignments for classes and study for finals and have incomplete work or internship applications weighing on their minds as they enter the holidays. Relatives are reunited but your family at school is left behind… The Fourth Estate team began this semester no different than students coming to class on the first day. We were strangers to one another and by the end we united together as a family. A family that has endured deadline pressures and the struggles of balancing both class and work. Each Fourth Estate member brought story pitches and unique qualities to our meetings and all came together as one to create a paper that is completely rejuvenated from the previous semester’s paper.
News Editor Michael D. Eberhart
News Asst. Editor Alex Shedd
Lifestyle Editor Dinanda Pramesti
I am proud to see the progression of our team members, the paper and the connections we make here at student media. We have reached a new level of success that I hope continues next semester and well into the future of the paper. If you are an artist, photographer, or writer looking for a campus family to share your struggles or success with, I encourage you to come join our growing family here at Fourth Estate.
Basma Humadi Lifestyle Assistant Editor
Jamie Beliveau Opinions Editor
Catherine McKay Online Editor
Billy Ferguson Art Director
Michelle Gardner Photo Editor
Emmett Smith Distribution Manager
Kathryn Mangus Director
David Carroll Associate Director
Jason Hartsel Assistant Director
Lottye Lockhart Communicaion Manager
Jessica Smith Business Office Manager
Sosan Malik Lifestyle Asst. Editor Basma Humadi
Opinions Editor Jamie Beliveau
Copy Chief Katya Beisel
Co Editor-in-Chief
COVER PHOTO CREDITS Fourth Estate/Billy Ferguson Masthead Snowman Fourth Estate/ Mary Jane DeCarlo News Represenative Fourth Estate/ Alexander Shedd Art Director Billy Ferguson
Photo Editor Michelle Gardner
George Mason University Mail stop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone 703-993-2950
Online Editor Catherine McKay 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.
Lifestyle “The Voice” Photo courtesy of Brandon Showell Opinions Eating disorders Fourth Estate/ Mary Jane DeCarlo Lifestyle Traditions Fourth Estate/ Basma Humadi
12.4.2017
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MASON PROFESSOR CREATES NEWS APP FOR ONLINE JOURNALISTS
InstaStream lets reporters stream event photos and report on Facebook Live ISABELLA LAMAGDELEINE STAFF WRITER
A Mason professor has developed a new app called InstaStream for reporters and others to upload pictures directly into a Facebook livestream broadcast. The app also lets journalists see and respond to comments from people watching in real time, making a fully interactive experience. Hope Hutman, adjunct professor of new media within Mason’s School of Art, wanted an easier way to add visuals and pictures from events to a livestream broadcast. After last year’s election, she thought this app would be a good way to be able to cover any kind of breaking news activity or event. The app lets journalists get involved and participate, and then tell the story using the photos in a livestream or save them to report later. “We worry a lot today about ‘fake’ news and how technology is going to be our ruin,” Hutman said. “But I think traditional media needs to catch up with the possibilities that the technology affords and the way we are all already using technology to get our news, to explore issues more deeply, and to share our thoughts and opinions.”
FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON
Hutman also founded the TelefomProjekt, the app’s developer. The company is involved in creative software development and mobile applications for storytellers and journalists. Their technology allows content
producers and creators to interact beyond their typical relationship with media viewers, having conversations through text or speaking interactions that actually affect a story that can be delivered in any form over the internet. “The people who get to tell the story have always had the power,” she added, “and one good thing about where we are with technology is that we all have a chance to tell our story, to be seen and to be heard.” This is not Hutman’s only project, however. Beside being an adjunct professor at Mason and founder of TelefomProjekt, she also is a project specialist at the University of California Santa Cruz’s Computational Cinematic Studio, which is involved with human-computer interaction (HCI) research with a focus on visual narrative and culture building. Previously, Hutman worked as an artist in residence at North Carolina State University. The TelefomProjekt also worked for several major movie projects, including Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Watchmen. At this time, InstaStream can only be used directly with Facebook Live, but the content can also be shared on Instagram or Twitter. There are plans in the future to move to other platforms. The InstaStream app is available now in the iTunes app store.
2017 ELECTIONS SIGNAL CHANGE FOR DEMOCRATS IN 2018 But the parties disagree on Virginia’s impact on midterms OLIVIA VERMANE STAFF WRITER
The November elections demonstrated huge successes for the Democratic party. In Virginia, Governor-elect Ralph Northam won by almost nine points, and fellow Democrats Justin Fairfax and Mark Herring, an incumbent, won the other two statewide races. In New Jersey, Democrat Phil Murphy defeated his Republican rival for governor by over 13 percent. These statewide Democratic victories and sweeping local wins around the country sent a very clear message to political observers. Although a year away, the 2018 midterms are now of top concern for both the Democratic and Republican parties due to the major shift in representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates. Before this election, Republicans rested comfortably in control of the House, with a 66-34 advantage over Democratic delegates and needing just one more seat to achieve a supermajority that could override the governor’s veto. Along with winning three statewide offices, however, Democrats flipped more than a dozen seats in the House of Delegates - far more than even the most optimistic polls predicted - resulting in Democrats controlling 49 seats. Two remaining seats are still being decided by recounts, including Fairfax’s District 40. If both of the Democrats’ recount efforts fail, the House will remain in Republican control, 51-49. Mason’s very own Democrat organization was heavily involved in Virginia campaigns this fall. Although highly in tune with Northam’s campaign from the start, not even the George Mason Democrats expected such a
high margin in final results, and what surprised them even more was the amount of seats gained in the House. “Going in, we predicted that we would flip maybe seven or so seats, but being able to flip 15 seats with the potential of a few more - that is truly amazing” said Camden Layton of George Mason Democrats. But not everyone was so hopeful about the election’s results. “We all wish last Tuesday’s election turned out differently,” wrote John Kielbowicz, secretary of George Mason Young Republicans in an email following the election. “[But] it should motivate us to become more involved to ensure last Tuesday does not happen again.” As the first big election since Trump’s inauguration, many members of the Democratic party view this victory as a political turning point for not only Virginia, but the nation as a whole, where Democrats have lost over a thousand seats in both federal and state governments during the Obama administration. One major argument for the 2017 election as a change of fortune for the Democratic party is the fact that Northam’s victory marks the largest margin between the Democrat and Republican parties since 1985, with a final tally of 54 to 45 percent according to the Virginia Department of Elections. Democratic turnout was also on the rise in 2017. In Virginia, Democratic voters came out in record numbers, with an eleven point lead in party identification at the polls. On the other side, only 30 percent of voters identified as Republicans - a 21-year low.
However, some evidence does not support the assumption that the House of Representatives is now up for grabs between the two parties in 2018. Virginia has proved to be predominantly Democratic for the last three presidential elections, and with Northam’s election, four of the last five governor elections. Most of the House of Delegates’ seats that changed party control in 2017 also voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, further suggesting that last month’s wave of Democratic victories was not as sudden or unexpected as they first appear. George Mason Democrats are aware of the effect this election has directly on Mason students and have high hopes for Northam as he takes on this new position, and stand behind him as he takes on his new position as Virginia’s Governor. “Having a voice supporting the issues of student debt and rising tuition, I think it will truly help the pockets of many Mason students” Layton said. The Northam campaign’s education plan included a “Four-Year Promise” as a guarantee against tuition hikes for students and families. Although there is no way to tell for certain which direction Virginia is headed for the 2018 midterms, tensions continue to rise between the two opposing parties. “Virginia has told us to end the divisiveness, that we will not condone hatred and bigotry,” Northam said in his election night victory speech at Mason. “It’s going to take a doctor to heal our differences. And I’m here to tell you, the doctor is in!” said Northam, followed by cheers from the roaring crowd of supporters.
FOURTH ESTATE/MORGAN MCCARTHY
NEWS
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NEWS
12.4.2017
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ANNUAL HUNGER BANQUET BRINGS AWARENESS TO FOOD INSECURITY SAIL showed students how poverty looks worldwide GEMMA CARRETTA STAFF WRITER
hunger comes from the unequal distribution of resources: wealthier countries have access to more food than they need, leaving poorer countries with less than what is needed to cover their people’s basic needs.
Jason Padilla, one of SAIL’s staff members, explained that the Hunger Banquet “allows participants to see what hunger looks like around the world,” as well as in their own community. “Hunger is happening all across the world, but [it] is also happening on the Mason campus,” Padilla explained.
“Every person on earth has the same basic needs,” Ekeanyanwu added, but within these countries, differences among income in different regions further increase disparities in food distribution and availability.
They also learned that hunger is not caused by a lack of food on earth, explained Onyinyechi Ekeanyanwu, a junior at Mason majoring in Integrative Studies and the programs and event coordinator for SAIL. Ekeanyanwu said that the real problem regarding
While many Mason organizations have been connected to the Hunger Banquet in the past, organizers explained that Patriot Pantry has always been the most involved. Padilla explained that joining two organizations that help those in need can bring even more awareness to the issue. Dominic Straquadine, a junior majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and a Sustainability LLC member involved in the planning of the banquet, explained that partnering with organizations like the Patriot Pantry helps students to better understand the problem of hunger not only in other countries, but also in their own local community.
FOURTH ESTATE/NICOLAS MACOTTO
Attendees of this year’s banquet were able to learn about how prevalent hunger is around the globe. The event was designed as an interactive experience that allowed participants to step into the lives of different people with varying income levels in order to show how much food is available to them.
To attend the Hunger Banquet, participants were required to bring at least one of the Patriot Pantry’s most requested items, including non-perishable food items, toiletries, and school supplies. This pantry lends extra support to Mason students who are food insecure or cannot afford basic supplies.
DELEGATE BULOVA TALKS EDUCATION Fairfax’s state representative speaks on working with Mason ALEXANDER SHEDD NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR
FOURTH ESTATE/ALEXANDER SHEDD
Democratic Delegate David Bulova, who represents Fairfax City, parts of the county, and the Mason area as the state delegate for the 37th district, sat down with Fourth Estate to discuss his policies and how they influence Mason.
FOURTH ESTATE/NICOLAS MACOTTO
Mason’s office of Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL) hosted an annual Hunger Banquet on Nov. 14, where approximately 100 Mason students, faculty, and staff gathered to learn about food insecurity.
“One of the things I treasure about being a delegate is having Mason as the centerpiece of the area,” Bulova said of his involvement with the school. “George Mason is great for the community and the economy, but the thing I cherish the most is working with student groups.” On the issue of student debt and tuition prices, Bulova feels strongly that more effort should be directed to funding public higher education. He mentioned his own two children in Virginia colleges, adding that he and his family are also
“going through the struggle of how to pay for college.” Bulova is a member of the Virginia House of Representative’s Education Reform subcommittee, and co-sponsored a bill to create the House’s Standards of Learning Committee, which works towards equalizing public education across the state and creating standard curricula for students. Bulova also co-sponsored legislation to “enhance efforts to fight bullying in our schools” as well as strengthen “the process for dealing with teachers accused of sexually assaulting a student,” according to the delegate’s official website. Similarly, Bulova stated his belief in more investment in on-campus housing, citing the need for students to have affordable living situations in an area with no rent control.
“Virginia has really underfunded public education,” he alleged. “We need to step back and recommit funding to universities.”
Don’t be afraid to approach your legislator.” He added that he is “always happy to meet with clubs, groups, and individuals” from Mason.
He informed constituents that “when [the state government] cuts funding, higher education is really easy to cut, and it’s gotten us into a bad situation.” Mason received approximately $9 million in operating funds and financial aid from the state in fiscal year 2017, according to the state’s education budget chart. This only accounts for approximately 0.9 percent of Mason’s $1 billion total budget according to the school’s budget document.
Bulova ran unopposed for reelection on Nov. 7, and hosts a recurring informal meeting open to the public in Main Street Bagel Deli on Saturday mornings, which he calls “coffee with constituents.” At his Dec. 2 meeting, he discussed legislation he was currently working on and addressed issues that the attendees brought up, including northern Virginia’s infamously slow traffic, the legalization of medical marijuana, and his day-to-day dealings with Mason.
He also brought up the work he has done to provide Virginia students with alternatives to an expensive college education, such as requiring high schools to give students information on trade schools. Bulova emphasized his openness to the members of the Mason community. “There is a misconception [among students] that there are barriers to meeting with your local representatives.
Delegate Bulova offers his constituents a number of services including help in mediating issues with state agencies such as the DMV and special recognition for important events such as birthdays and retirements. His office can be reached through his website, davidbulova.com.
NEWS
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CAMPUS EVENTS FOR STRESS-FREE FINALS CLAIRE UNDERWOOD STAFF WRITER
December is always a stressful time for college students. With upcoming final exams, papers, and projects, many people feel as though they do not have the time or energy to do anything fun or take a break. However, Mason offers many fun events meant to relax students as well as academic workshops with tips for dealing with stress.
FOURTH ESTATE/MICHELLE GARDNER
The next of these events will happen on Dec. 6, the first week of finals. It will be in the Johnson Center Room 239A from 3-4 p.m., and is co-hosted by the Biology Club and the Patriots for Health Assistance. This will be a fun and relaxing event and will offer games such as jeopardy, bingo, and team bonding. It will also include free food, drinks, and prizes. The next event will take place on the same day from 6-7:15 p.m. It will be located in SUB 1 in Suite 3129. This event revolves around test taking strategies and stress, and is named “Managing Performance Anxiety.”
STUDENTS HAND OUT FACTS AND SNACKS FOR HIV/AIDS AWARENESS WEEK
More events will occur on Dec. 7. The first will take place at the Corner Pocket from 4:30-5:30 p.m. It will be hosted
by the Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students, or MAPS. They will offer an hour of free play on pool and ping-pong games, and will be giving away free food. The last event is the Finals Destress Day, also on Dec. 7. This will be at 6 p.m. in the Johnson Center Room 326 B. This is hosted by the Mason chapter of MedX Global, and is open for all students to attend and play games. The first of these sessions was Tuesday, Nov. 28 in the HUB. The event was named “Academic Survival for Finals,” and it offered tips on test-taking and not letting anxiety get in the way of studying. This was led by the Learning Services department of CAPS, and they distributed materials such as calendars and personal planners, and taught students how to prioritize their exams appropriately. Saturday, Dec. 9 is the last official day of classes for this semester. The next Monday and Tuesday will be reading days, and then finals begin on Dec. 13 and end the following Wednesday, Dec. 20.
MedX Global members educate others about community health and campus resources
MICHAEL EBERHART NEWS EDITOR
Mason’s MedX Global chapter ensured Mason’s community learned these uncommon facts about the disease and what they can do to protect themselves as a part of HIV/AIDS Awareness Week from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1. “Honestly, even I did not know until I had gone and put the facts together,” said MedX Secretary Devin SinghStewart. “Really, these are important facts that people may not know to really make them aware of exactly how much of a problem AIDS is, how common it is across the world.” MedX Global promotes awareness of issues for students interested in careers in the field of community health. At Mason, they also direct students and the local community toward public health resources. Singh-Stewart explained their goal for the week was “letting people know
what is available and letting them know about resources like SSAC (Student Support and Advocacy Center) here on campus that will provide free condoms to students who need them, that will provide free HIV/AIDS testing.” MedX Global also hosts regular panel discussions at Mason with professors and local experts in different fields of community health. Presentations this semester included subjects like the Flint water crisis and hurricane relief in Puerto Rico as examples of public health disparities within the United States. But Singh-Stewart explained that the issue of HIV/AIDS is especially important on college campuses because students are a high-risk group for infection. “Not everybody has equal access to sex health education here in the United States - it varies state by state, and honestly, region by region and family by
family,” he said. “You might have some students who are super educated about contraceptives, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, but other students who are completely ignorant and know nothing about it. The idea of safe sex doesn’t even cross their mind.” This ignorance can lead students to behaviors that increase their risk of infection - exactly the type of actions that MedX Global is trying to educate students about. “Everyone likes to think that it can’t happen to them, and I’m pretty sure that everybody who has contracted HIV/AIDS thought the same thing,” said Singh-Stewart. “It’s as simple as not wearing a condom one time, it’s as simple as deciding to engage in safe sex with the ‘wrong person’ one time, different things like that. Just be aware that you have the power to impact whether or not you can contract the disease.”
FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO
One in six infected U.S. citizens don’t know they have HIV.
LIFESTYLE
12.4.2017
HURRICANE RELIEF CONCERT UNIFIES MASON MUSIC ORGANIZATIONS
Habitat for Humanity will disperse concert donations among four regions HAILEY BULLIS STAFF WRITER
On Nov. 19, Mason’s music organizations, the American Choral Directors Association, International Tuba Euphonium Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, National Association for Music Education, Phi Mu Alpha, and Sigma Alpha Iota organized a Hurricane Relief Concert to raise money for those affected by the multiple hurricanes earlier this year. The concert raised $820 in total and all proceeds were donated to Habitat for Humanity. The group decided on Habitat for Humanity because the international organization clearly states where the money donated goes.
FOURTH ESTATE/HAILEY BULLIS
“We wanted to find an organization that would give the money to all the hurricane causes we were looking for so Puerto Rico, the Caribbean’s, Harvey, and Irma. We wanted to find one that would give money to all four of those and Habitat for Humanity is an international organization, so we can give it to all those causes,” said Helen Landers, the music chair of Kappa Kappa Psi. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma caused 200 billion dollars in damages in the continental United States alone, according to ABC News. In Puerto Rico, Irma caused 1 billion dollars in damages, according to bloomberg with Hurricane Maria adding to those damages. “The biggest goal is to raise money
for the effort, but I think it’s also an outreach for the community so that we can share our talents,” said Landers. The concert was the first time in recent years that all the music organizations collaborated and come together. “We saw an issue and we saw a bunch of other efforts and people coming together to raise money for it and we thought that this was a great opportunity for us to use our talents and our organizations to help the community. We saw an opportunity to use what we have in the situation that we’re in to help,” said Landers.
NATALIE BUTLER: A STORY OF COMING HOME NATALIE HEAVREN STAFF WRITER
When I found out Natalie Butler was transferring from the powerhouse University of Connecticut women’s basketball team to Mason for her last year of eligibility, I was understandably excited. As a Connecticut native and now a Mason freshman, I would get to spend another year watching Butler, not on TV but from my seat with the Green Machine at EagleBank Arena. I sat down with Butler on Nov. 1 to ask her a few questions about what led her to join Mason Nation. FOURTH ESTATE: What drew you to Mason? Natalie Butler: The global affairs masters program. I really wanted to focus on doing something international with my graduate degree, so the fact that that was offered here and not at Connecticut was a huge, I guess, key factor for me coming to Mason. And then in addition to that, having the coaching staff, and the coaching staff here is phenomenal. They really want to work with me so that was really appealing. And then having the family aspect with my teammates. FOURTH ESTATE: How did the Mason women’s basketball team welcome you this offseason? NB: I think it was with open arms. I think it’s tough to let a fifth year senior come in, and I feel like my team really was open to that idea and I think that’s huge because not a lot of teams do that. And again, that just brings in the whole family aspect that we really have with this team here at Mason. And just I’m just welcome be a part of their family. FOURTH ESTATE: So what is the most important thing you learned and were able to take with you from your time at UCONN? NB: I would say to go hard every play. I think that was a huge concept to learn there. There’s no plays off. FOURTH ESTATE: What do you think you’ll be able to contribute to the team this season?
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NB: Hopefully, bring some leadership with Taylor Dodson who’s our other senior. So I think and we can sort of be a dynamic duo. And then also, bring energy and hard work I guess. I think that a lot of it comes with setting an example on the court, as a senior should do.
FOURTH ESTATE: What are your hopes for the team this season? NB: I would like to see us go into postseason play, and do well in postseason play. FOURTH ESTATE: Who, in basketball, did you look up to growing up? Why? NB: Probably my dad. My dad sort of became my coach growing up a little bit, he really just worked with me throughout you know my basketball career. He’s just always been there. He played ball at the Naval Academy so he’s got experience. They did pretty well when he was there, so I always had this dream of being like dad. FOURTH ESTATE: What’s the best advice you’ve received at any level of your basketball career? NB: The best advice would be to take care of your sport, and your sport will take care of you. Meaning if you do everything that you’re supposed to do things will play out the way that they’re supposed to. And then I feel like the concept goes with anything, like school, with work, or whatever it is you got to take the right steps to put you in the best position to be successful. And then things will fall into place. Maybe not immediately but eventually, things will come around. FOURTH ESTATE: What is your goal for after you graduate? NB: I would like to play at the next level. Coach Milleson and Coach Ngongba have really been working with me to try to get me to be able to get those looks for next year. If not, then the next step would be doing an internship with something like international consulting or something along
Photo courtesy of BETHANY CAMPWELL/MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
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those lines, so we’ll see. But, the first goal would definitely if I ever had the opportunity to play overseas or professionally here that would be amazing, I mean a huge opportunity, just to say that you’ve done it. That you’ve made it to that level. Butler and the rest of the Mason Women’s Basketball Team kicked off their season in the first round of the Preseason WNIT at No. 23 Michigan.
LIFESTYLE
HOLIDAY TRADITIONS BASMA HUMADI ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR
December is a time of celebration of many different holidays and traditions. How do Mason students of different backgrounds and traditions celebrate the holidays? Let’s find out… Jaskiran Kaur- Sikh December is a sad month in Sikh history because many shaheed’s passed away - they are individuals that gave their lives up during this month for our faith. Both Sikhs and non-sikhs don’t know about this about the month of December in relation to Sikh history. So, there’s kind of this unknown area in relation to what happened to our people this time of the year. To commemorate their shaheedi we go to the gurdwara, which is our place of worship, and usually there’s some kind of service in their remembrance. It depends on gurdwara itself, if they’re going to celebrate or commemorate their lives. We celebrate a holiday in the beginning of November/late October which is called Bandi Shhor Divas. It’s around the same time as Diwali, but for us, Bandi Shhor Divas is a holiday where one of our Gurus, Guru Hargobind
Singh Ji was in jail at the time and helped free 52 prisoners. He was going to be set free, but there were also 52 prisoners who were sitting in jail at the time that he was. Guru Hargobind Singh Ji created 52 threads so all the political prisoners who were imprisoned could leave with him by holding on to his shirt. This holiday celebrates the Day of Liberation. I would say Bandi Shhor Divas is one of my traditions because I think it was inspirational that Guru Hargobind Singh Ji didn’t just leave when he had the chance but that he made sure to leave with all the other prisoners. We celebrate it by going to the gurdwara with our families. Jacob Weiser- Jewish On Hanukkah, it is a tradition to eat fried and oily food such as jelly donuts to commemorate the oil, which miraculously lasted for eight days when it was expected to only be enough for one day. We also light candles on the menorah each night to remind us of the light the oil brought to the Jewish people during those eight nights. Another tradition is giving gifts to friends and family each night, which makes for an immense amount of holiday shopping!
The last most common tradition is playing dreidel, which involves spinning modified tops with Hebrew letters on each of their four-sides. The letters are an abbreviation for “nes gadol haya sham” meaning “a great miracle happened there” in Hebrew. It refers to the Jewish people’s victory over their Assyrian Greek rulers to reclaim their sovereignty and their sacred temple. I enjoy these traditions because it’s a way to feel connected with my family and previous generations, along with other Jews celebrating all over the world. It is also especially delicious to eat all the traditional sweets with friends and family! Overall, my favorite Hanukkah tradition would have to be lighting the candles with parents. One of my earliest memories was getting to light the menorah with my grandmother, and seeing how happy she was to pass down the tradition to her grandchild.
The top 10 holiday movies, according to Mason students MICHAEL ABLER STAFF WRITER
It’s that time of year again when people break out the winter jackets, Christmas decorations, and snuggle up indoors watching a few holiday movies. The following is a list of Christmas movies that many people at Mason, or in general, enjoy most around the holiday season, so let the countdown commence! 1. A Christmas Story (1983) 2. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) 3. White Christmas (1954) 4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) 5. Die Hard (1988) 6. Gremlins (1984) 7. The Santa Clause (1994) 8. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) 9. The Polar Express (2004)
Both me and Cru traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Cru usually Celebrates Friendsgiving with other houses who are a part of Cru during Thanksgiving week. They host a Christmas party that allows students to exchange gifts with each other and connect with one another during the holidays. The Christmas party is definitely my favorite tradition that Cru has during the holidays.
10. Elf (2003)
On Christmas, my mom lets me open the presents around midnight and then later on she makes homemade ribs and sweet potato pie with eggnog. On New Year’s Eve, my mom and I attend a church service that celebrates the countdown of the New Year. Afterwards, we have a late-night breakfast either at Denny’s or Ihop. Later in the day she makes homemade fried chicken to end the New Year celebration. These traditions are important to me because of the opportunity they give me to connect with family and friends.
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THE TOP 10 HOLIDAY MOVIES
CJ Rivers- Christian
On Thanksgiving, I attend multiple of my family members’ Thanksgiving. My favorite house to visit is my Aunt Gwen’s house. She makes her delicious homemade tea and we play Scattegories, which is my favorite game. Next, we go around the room saying what we are thankful for, which is an awesome time to reflect on our lives. My favorite holiday tradition is visiting my Aunt Gwen’s house during Thanksgiving. We have an awesome time together, and the events allow us to connect as a family.
FOURTH ESTATE/BASMA HUMADI
12.4.2017
Still from COCO
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NIC’S FLICKS: COCO NIC MACOTTO STAFF WRITER
Coco had me worried at one point. Originally, it seemed troublesome as another film, The Book of Life (2014), also focused on the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with Mexican characters at the center of their culture. However, Coco beats The Book of Life by a milestone. It boasts beautiful animation with lovable original songs and a fantastic voice performance from Anthony Gonzalez while never letting up on its sense of wonder. Though darker than some other Pixar installments and somewhat borrowed from them in some instances, it pays respect to Mexican culture by introducing it to a mainstream audience while raising thoughts on mortality, legacy and family. Here, Pixar has presented us with their best film since Inside Out (2015). [Star Rating: 4/4] [For more reviews, check out https://nicsflicks.blogspot.com]
KEY 4 = Great; 3 = Good; 2 = Fair; 1 = Poor; 0 = Ooh, let’s not go there
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LIFESTYLE
12.4.2017
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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 Mason student Mariam Zaidi, Mason alumni Mason Pazhwak, and Mason Noise. 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 MIA WISE, DINANDA PRAMESTI, AND JAMES STEMPLE
STUDENT: MARIAM ZAIDI What is your major and year? I am a Junior, Computer Science major and Math minor.
FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON
What organizations are you involved in on and off campus? I love staying involved on campus. It has made my college experience extremely enjoyable. I am a member of the engineering fraternity, Theta Tau. It’s a fraternity made up of engineering students on campus. It’s given me some really great friends who help each other out with classes and hang
out together. The alumni help us get internships and jobs during school and when we graduate as well. I am a part of the Society of Women Engineers. Last year, it helped me land a summer internship at Northrop Grumman as a software engineering intern. What brought you to Mason? Originally, I was very interested in the cyber security field and wanted to major in it. GMU was one of the only schools to offer the program and it was the one closest to me. After my freshman year, I enjoyed my computer
science classes more than the cyber security ones, so I switched my major. I was drawn to the campus as well because of the diversity and political activeness we have. One of the highlights of my college experience was getting to listen to Michelle Obama speak at GMU. What encouraged you to become involved on campus and what drew you to the organizations you’re involved in? Whether it’s with academics or sports, I love staying busy. I’ve always been one
to enjoy being involved in various organizations since it helped me expand my social circle and stay busy outside of classes. I’ve met great friends, been part of some amazing initiatives, and made experiences that I’ll remember for the rest of my life! I’ve been part of a lot of organizations since I was a freshman but the ones that I am still a part of now, two and a half years later, are the ones that have either helped me academically, socially, physically, or have just been fun.
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A L U M N I : M A S O N PA Z H W A K How were you awarded the Fulbright Grant for English Teaching Assistantship in Malaysia?
team that reviewed it, and once they approve it, we send it to the Fulbright Commission to review. It was a long process.
So my last year at Mason, the Honors College, they have a really good fellowship team there led by Dr. LaNitra Berger. She really encouraged me to apply and I’ve been interested for several years in doing those fellowships and scholarships that allows you to go abroad. So, starting my last semester at Mason, I began the application and it was pretty a long application process, I kinda worked through it over the summer. Finally, last October, we submit the application first to a
You said you were a Global Affairs major, what was your concentration in Global Affairs? One concentration on global governance and a second concentration in Middle East studies or Middle East and North Africa. What got me interested from my major in going to Malaysia is while doing the Middle East and North Africa concentration, I did a class on political islam. The professor who taught that class was actually a
specialist in Indonesia and Malaysia which never really occurred to me as predestinations for that area. Where did you work after you’ve graduated and before you’ve gotten this assistantship? So for the past year and a half, I’ve been working at Grant Thornton LLP. They are one of those big tax advisory audit firms and I am working in their advisory portion doing public sector consulting. It gave me some good exposure to the world of business and actually had no background in finance at all, so it increased my background a bit. If you could live in one country,
where would it be besides Malaysia? If I could work in a country, a place that I want to really visit again would be the UK. I studied abroad there for a semester, which I really enjoyed. I wouldn’t mind going back there especially since it’s an English-speaking country, it would be easier to work there. In terms of countries I would love to visit again outside of Europe or Western countries, I’d really like to go to Turkey. I went on a brief trip to Istanbul and I thought it was an incredible city, so I would love to go there again.
O R G A N I Z AT I O N : M A S O N N O I S E
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What is Mason Noise? Mason Noise is the university record label, organized under Mason’s School of Music. Mason Noise is mainly composed of music technology majors, and our organization primarily focuses on production of CD’s - from recording, mixing to the album art. Outside of that, we host concerts which feature upcoming Mason musicians and have weekly meetings. In our weekly meetings, we discuss mixing
techniques and have timed composition challenges for electronic producers. Our goal is for students to get as much experience with audio engineering, and by having many musicians/artists in one room, we hope to create a hub for creators and collaborations. Why is Mason Noise Important? Mason Noise is important for music technology majors who want more experience with recording and mixing on the board. Of course the
organization is open to non-Music Technology majors, and those students have learned a lot of material as they attend meetings and take part in recording projects. In greater sense, our organization is important on giving students an opportunity to become a proficient audio engineer/producer. What is Mason Noise’s proudest accomplishment? Every semester, we produce a CD of either a solo artist or a GMU ensemble.
All of them have been successful, (or currently in production) so I would say having those projects a success is an accomplishment. In terms of concerts, we hosted the music for the Grand Opening of the MIX@Fenwick. Thankfully, we were given positive comments after the show, so that was also a great accomplishment. to have all of it recorded and mixed by the end of the semester.
LIFESTYLE
MASON ALUM BRANDON SHOWELL CHARMS AUDIENCES ON NBC’S “THE VOICE” Showell rises in his career as a musician BASMA HUMADI STAFF WRITER
Photo courtesy of BRANDON SHOWELL
Showell cites figures such as Usher, Bruno Mars, and Brian McKnight as some of his inspirations. He hopes one day to follow in their footsteps and envisions himself inspiring others through his music.
Brandon Showell, a 26-year-old Mason alum, always had a drive for music. Growing up, he spent his after school hours participating in talent shows, joining chorus, and collaborating with other singers to create a four-part boy-group, 4Shore — who later ended up participants on “The X Factor”. Now, Showell can say he’s been a solo contestant this year on NBC’s “The Voice”. “I’ve always had this itch that’s told me this is what I’m supposed to do,” Showell said. “Once you get that itch and it relieves you- you can’t ignore it.” For his blind audition, Showell wowed judges with a cover of Shawn Mendes’s ‘There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back’. Adam Levine was the first to hit the button and turn his chair around. Judges Jennifer Hudson and Miley Cyrus followed after.
“I’ve seen how I’ve been able to inspire one youth or person my age or older, and I love that,” Showell said. “Just the direct response of people saying ‘Wow, you’ve really inspired me to go after what I’ve wanted to go after’ or ‘I was doubting myself and then I saw you.’ That inspiration and reception from people- that’s what I’d like to do in my music and my career.” Ultimately, Showell chose to be on Adam’s team and is happy with his decision. Though he is no longer a contestant on The Voice, being on Adam’s team allowed Showell to learn valuable lessons as an artist that have and will stay with him. “A lot of times we kind of question ourselves because in music we become vulnerable and have to give ourselves to everyone and hope they receive who you are as well,” Showell said. ”Adam definitely gave me the confidence and let me know my gift is something that people definitely appreciate and something I should be proud of.”
Showell revealed to the judges that he teaches seventh grade English in Arlington, VA. — and his students don’t know he can sing. “Toward the end of last year, I had to keep leaving school for days at a time and my students were kind of worried,” Showell said. “[I had to tell them] ‘Listen, I’m a musician, I can sing, but mainly on the weekends. The opportunity I have right now is allowing me to do some traveling to California.’ That’s all I could really tell them.” It made sense later, once camera-people came to their middle school and filmed shots of Showell teaching. His students put two-and-two together after they saw Showell on television. Since then, Showell took the school year off to pursue music full-time and notes that he misses his students. Showell is a Mason alum and double-majored in English and music, was president of his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, and began dating his soon-to-be wife, Perla during his time here. “We met when we were 18 and 19,” Showell said. “I was a sophomore and she was a freshman. We carried on, stayed together and got married. That was the best part of going to Mason.” For the struggling Mason students, Showell advises them to utilize Mason resources while they can and pick a career path they find fulfilling.
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“My advice would be to exhaust all outlets while you’re at Mason - whether that be networking, with your professors, or if you have peers that have outlets I would definitely use that.” Showell said. “I know a lot of those times those four years are spent figuring out what you want to do but there’s nothing wrong with using the outlets you have while you have them.” “My secondary piece of advice would be, whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy,” Showell said. “For you to be in your twenties and not be happy, is not a good feeling. So whatever you go through, know that the stability will come and make sure you’re happy in doing what you do.” Since graduating, Showell had the opportunity to return to Mason — this time to sing at Democratic candidate Ralph Northam’s election night watch party in the 2017 Virginia governor’s race. “It was great because we heard Northam had just won so everyone’s spirits were high and it was a great
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experience,” Showell said. “I was able to sing five songs. I was supposed to be either the relief for bad news or excitement for good news. And I was glad I was the excitement for good news.” Readers can follow Showell and his journey his social media accounts: @ brandon_showell on Twitter, brandonshowell on Instagram, brandonshowell on YouTube, facebook.com/ brandonshowellmusic, and at his website bshowell.com. His music is also available on iTunes at itunes.com/ brandonshowell.
PRIDE ALLIANCE HOSTS MASON ANNUAL STUDENT DRAG SHOW
FOURTH ESTATE/HUONG CAO
On Nov. 10, Mason students gathered at the Johnson Center Cinema with excitement. However, what they were waiting for was not a movie, but the annual Mason Student Drag Show organized by Pride Alliance at George Mason University.
year’s drag show. Gav Farmer, an organizer of the show as well as a senior studying neuroscience at Mason, shared that most students have never done drag before.
audience and filled the JC Cinema with excitement. Performers received tips from student guests as well as positive comments after the show ended.
“Everybody who does this is extremely enthusiastic,” she added.
According to Graham Ferguson, a Mason alumnus as well as the program assistant for LGBTQ Resources, “drag is a form of entertainment through the expression and kind of playing at the role of gender as well as hyper femininity and masculinity.”
One of the performers, sophomore Ana Young, said, “I saw the drag show last year and it looked like a lot of fun. I wanted to participate in that. This is my first time doing this. I want to do it again. This is fun.”
Kim Bartenfelder, a sophomore at Mason, said, “honestly, [the show] was pretty awesome. This is the first time that I came so I’ll definitely try to get more involved.”
There were four performers at this
The performers’ energy enthused the
During the show, six students got actively involved by volunteering to join a Vogue-ing competition, where competitors make “exaggerated poses” and “creating the most
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HUONG CAO STAFF WRITER
passionate dance.” The Vogue competition sparked excitement in the audience. Mason sophomore Patrice Jennings shared that she had not expected to volunteer but she felt like the amateur drag show was a safe environment to be crazy and silly. This year’s annual Mason Student Drag
Show brought participants delighted laughter and memorable moments. This did not surprise Farmer, who said that “the main takeaway of the show is entertainment value.” According to Ferguson, as long as people still feel interested in drag shows, the Pride Alliance team will keep organizing this event as it is becoming a tradition.
THE 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW
Top five 2017 news stories according to Mason students
Program (DACA), which may affect roughly 800,000 people known as “DREAMers.” Walker said that DACA affected many students at Mason as well as people she knows.
HUONG CAO STAFF WRITER
4. Russia Investigation
The end of 2017 is around the corner. We have lots of big news in 2017. Here are some big stories that captivated this year. 1.Transparent GMU sued George Mason University This year, a group of students from Transparent GMU sued George Mason University and its private foundation due to concerns over the university being influenced by its largest donor, the Charles Koch Foundation, after receiving up to $95.5 million since 2005. Transparent GMU launched a donor transparency campaign in 2014 after learning that the Charles Koch Foundation allegedly used a grant agreement to seek influence over hiring decisions and teaching curriculum at Florida State University. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to obtain donor records from these entities, Transparent GMU filed a lawsuit against the university and its foundation. 2. Sexual harassment scandals In October, the New York Times reported on the sexual misconduct of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. After this allegation became public, news organizations discovered many accusations against powerful men in a variety of industries. Accused sexual harassers have resigned, been fired or experienced other consequences. The
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list of famous men accused of sexual harassment is still growing. Recently, Matt Lauer was fired by NBC News after the network received a detailed complaint about sexual misconduct. Sabah Nasir, a senior at Mason, said that she was surprised to see so many familiar names, which made her feel nervous about the workplace. On the other hand, Lina Kastanos Salamanca, a Mason student, is not surprised at how many complaints there are. “People close to me have experienced sexual harassment,” she added. According to Kastanos Salamanca, sexual harassment is happening a lot in conversations among women, and she feels glad that the truth has come out. Desiree Orr, another Mason student, said that #MeToo, a social media campaign, played a big role in empowering women to come forward and bring these things to light. 3. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) According to Anjelicia Walker, a junior at Mason, Donald Trump being the President and what he has been doing as president had huge impacts in 2017. “A lot of things he does have effects on students,” she said. For example, in September 2017, Trump ended Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
When discussing big events in 2017, Orr said that the Russian investigation related to the state of our democracy. “Are we being influenced by a foreign power? This could control our lives,” she added. The influence of the Russian government over the 2016 presidential election has sparked national conversations since last year. According to the New York Times, former President Barack Obama announced sanctions against the Russian government, citing attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election. Since then, President Trump’s former campaign advisers have been charged with collusion with the Russian government. Basit Mohammad, a student at Mason, said “regardless of how many things [President Trump] is accused of, the government will cover for him to save face.” The investigation is on-going. 5. The Solar Eclipse 2017 In August 2017, Americans witnessed a total eclipse of the sun, when the moon blocked the sun for a few minutes. Viewers in all 50 states could enjoy this experience, according to the New York Times. While people could witness a total eclipse in many states such as Missouri, Illinois and Georgia, in some states such as Nebraska, fog and local weather phenomena obscured the view, according to CNN.
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HOW OBAMA’S PHOTOGRAPHER DEPICTS HIS TIME AS PRESIDENT
“An Intimate Portrait” from the lens of Pete Souza ANGELIQUE ARINTOK STAFF WRITER
Pete Souza is an American photojournalist best known for his work as the former chief official White House photographer of the Obama administration. Souza captured former President Barack Obama’s most crucial times as president of the United States. From documenting moments in the situation room, to the Oval Office, and engagements on international soil, Souza revealed himself to be one of the Obama’s closest confidants during his time in office. On Tuesday, Nov. 21, Souza made an appearance at the Tyson’s Corner Barnes & Noble to celebrate the publication of his two new portrait books: “Dream Big Dreams,” and “Obama: An Intimate Portrait.” Open to the public and free of charge, Souza’s book signing was a tremendous success. Barnes and Noble was packed with avid fans of the photographer from the entryway to the back section of the store. Most guests at the book signing desired for a signature on Souza’s longer-length feature “Obama: An Intimate Portrait,”—a quickly sold-out item at the McLean Barnes & Noble location. Captured with an enormous smile, Obama serves as the face of the book and additionally composed the foreword saying that “[he has] probably spent more time with Pete Souza than with anybody other than [his] family.” Both of Souza’s recent books are compilations of his photographs and include captions describing the respective documented moment. Side by side for eight years during Obama’s administration, the two teamed up in recording history from the most basic day-to-day meetings to interactions on the Air Force One, the Governors Ball, and more. According to the “Dream Big Dreams” book jacket, this version of the publication is “created especially for young readers and not only provides a
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beautiful portrait of a President but shows the true spirit of the man.” The cover of the children’s version beautifully depicts a heartwarming interaction, as Obama is caught snapping a selfie with two younger fans named Jacob and James Haynes. Although marketed towards a younger demographic, the photos inside remain powerful storytellers of Obama’s time in office. A key photo Souza is notable for highlights a five-year old boy, Jacob Philadelphia. The child asked for a simple favor, asking the President if he could feel his hair comparing it to his own. Entitled “Hair Like Mine,” Souza perfectly caught the moment in 2009, implicitly signifying Obama’s administration as one that reaches the hearts and minds of many, including Philadelphia. The photograph was such a crucial depiction of his presidency that it features in both “Dream Big Dreams,” and “Obama: An Intimate Portrait.” Souza’s interaction with the public at the event was well-received. He took the opportunity to converse with many, even if it was for only a short period of time. He was kind in responding to questions the attendees had, and was gracious of their support. When asked about advice he could give to up and coming photojournalists, Souza strongly proclaimed, “take lots of pictures.” His time working for the White House was both hectic and rewarding, as his dynamic photography of the 44th President of the United States demonstrates.
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EMILY BARTENFELDER CONTRIBUTOR
Give something the good old college try. At first this may sound like a blanket statement, but to many people this has a different meaning. No matter who you are, the person next to you will have a different college experience and story to tell. Despite the fact that universities hold policies that support affirmative action, institutionalized discrimination is still prevalent today, maintaining unequal representation throughout the higher educational world. These universities are unable to provide students equal opportunity of learning and thriving within a college setting. From my own experience, in the state of Virginia, there are certain universities that are considered prestigious and pride themselves on diversity, higher standards of learning, and amenities available for students. Looking at the distinguished University of Virginia, affirmative action stands to support students of all backgrounds. However, in past years the
statistics appeared to mainly support Asian-American students, while other minority groups are left with faint numbers. Demographics from 2016 show that the percentage of accepted students range from 59.21 percent for White Americans, with AsianAmericans at a mere 13.01 percent. Other minority groups peaked at 5 percent, so it is evident that the backgrounds of potential students are working against them, even with affirmative action in place. Individuals that come from underprivileged communities are automatically disadvantaged simply because of their geographic location. A Black or Hispanic student living in a wealthier part of Georgetown would most likely have the opportunity to attend a private school, whereas another Black or Hispanic student living in Southeast D.C. might not have that same opportunity. Even with affirmative action in place to empower minority groups, the transition to prestigious universities
sometimes blocks students from procuring their education, because the system ultimately fails to acclimate them to the standards set by the university. These students have been thrown into a new environment drastically different from their own, and some are unable to thrive in a setting of new demands. However, in the same light, there are students who prosper at the sight of new opportunity and a chance to further their future. Some reasons for this could be underdeveloped aptitude towards learning. These skills are developed at a young age, and individuals who did not receive support from parents, guardians, or teachers during their K-12 education are less likely to perform at higher standards in college. Additionally, students coming from low-income, underprivileged areas have drastically different priorities. Many of these young adults have had to build their lives up from the ground, such as first generation students. They do not have the luxury of living on campus, having a meal plan, or expanding their social circle due to financial, familial, and societal responsibilities. These aspects all play into the social injustices that
minority groups face when taking on higher education. However, at Mason, there has been active steps taken to ensure the necessary representation of all backgrounds and groups of people. Looking at statistics from 2016, Masons’ population consists of 46.1 percent White undergrad students, 15.8 percent of Asian students, 11.47 percent of Hispanic students, and 10.2 percent of Black students. Even though the numbers still have a large gap, the university is widely recognized as one of the most diverse universities in Virginia. Looking beyond admission statistics, Mason has tasked the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Education to continue to advocate and educate students from all over the globe so that acceptance and open mindedness in our community is the priority. Each month the ODIME
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office celebrates a different heritage with events happening on campus for all to attend. Some of these include educational sessions, as well as activities for all students. Even though Mason has a way to defeat systematic discrimination in higher education, the efforts to reform the system and give justice to all deserving students is underway. All colleges are different—and so far, Mason has been extraordinary in my experience. My good old college try has just begun.
GEORGE MASON’S LEGACY ON FREEDOM
Photo courtesy of CRAIG BISACRE/ MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
PARESHA KHAN COLUMNIST
The attention to free speech on college campuses is rising in public opinion and media.
encouraged to share our opinions and make our voices heard, even if it makes us or other people feel uneasy.
At Mason, pro-life senior citizens and non-Mason students gather around the clock tower and plaster bloody fetus posters in North Plaza. People also preach about religion by handing out pamphlets and flyers. Although both of these demonstrations can be uncomfortable for many students, myself included, the citizens are within their constitutional rights.
I was intrigued by the perspective of Stojanov, who began his speech by asking the audience a very important and contemplative question: “When a country implements certain rules, who decides and who listens?”
Emeritus Don Boileau, Ph.D., and Igor Stojanov, a Macedonian journalist here on a fellowship, expressed how our university receives a lot of the credit for our freedoms and other thoughts on freedom of speech at the “Right, Wrong or Different?” event hosted by the LEAD Office and The Office of International Programs and Services. Boileau reminded the audience that Americans are able to exercise their fundamental rights because of one of our founding fathers, George Mason. His refusal to sign the Constitution without a Bill of Rights is a moment in history that further enhanced American democracy. We are always
Both Boileau and Stojanov believe that hate speech should not be tolerated. Vocal racism, threats or even personal insults serve as weapons that can hurt a person emotionally. The freedoms that George Mason fought for encourages individuals to stand up for what they believe in. Stojanov was taken aback by how media in the U.S. makes fun of people’s outward looks openly, especially President Donald Trump. When a person exercises his/her freedoms to an extreme, he/she is essentially jeopardizing another person’s freedom. Everyone has a right to express opinions but I believe that the line of integrity is being crossed when people are verbally harassed by others. Current politics divide the nation because people with opposing political
agendas refuse to come together and sort out their differences. During George Mason’s time, face-to-face communication was the only method to address issues. He had no idea that the Internet would consume America or that hurtful actions such as cyberbullying would take place. Yet, George Mason still valued the right of our essential freedoms. This is completely mind-blowing to me because even though he had no idea of the complications that would arise in the 21st century, George Mason’s urge for a Bill of Rights is something that Americans need to grasp onto every single day. George Mason left behind a legacy that carries generations forward in America. Each of the freedoms listed in the Constitution represent the basic natural rights that all Americans deserve. Without his daring move of standing by the Articles of Confederation until our rights were added into the Constitution, citizens today would not be able to walk in the pathway of freedom that George Mason created.
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NORMALIZING INK Tattooed men are the new “sensitive.” Tattooed women are the new “approachable.” According to Pew Research Center, 40 percent of millennials (ages 18-35) have at least one tattoo and most have degrees. I’ve met librarians with tattoos.
happier and incrementally more interesting than having a bare tricep, but I can’t grasp the mechanism responsible. I want the ink, but I don’t want traditional tattoo drawbacks: I don’t want to explain my tattoo, and I don’t want you to explain yours.
Ink has bled so deep into our culture, it’s no longer a sure indicator of rebellion. It’s a picture of a thing we like to think about, and that’s all a tattoo definitely is. We get tattoos to please ourselves, even when we get inked in spots we can’t see. It is a permanent form of expression, but they’re really there to satisfy our own passion for a thing, and sometimes recognize a severe personal tragedy. Sometimes a cigar is just a big blue dinosaur. Professor Bitey, the non-ferocious blue dinosaur on my left tricep is so stupid, it’s smart. Nobody asks me what the blue dino means. It’s boyish and silly, and I suppose that suits me accurately and it suits the image I hope to convey.
There must be tattoo drawbacks because tattoo-removal shops are thriving. Those of you thinking of getting tattoos, reconsider any tattoos that will be visible for the rest of your life. For readers facing jail time, I advise the opposite: Definitely get that face tattoo. A perpetually visible tattoo conveys dedication, and to some degree, toughness.
I’m getting another tattoo and I’m not sure why. I hope to work for NASA someday, and it’s unlikely this next tattoo of a rocket ship will legitimize me. A cartoonish rocket will make me
EATING DISORDER RECOVERY DURING THE HOLIDAYS: A SURVIVAL GUIDE SUSAN KATHERINE CORKRAN COLUMNIST
Between the Thanksgiving leftovers spilling out of the fridge and sugar cookies at every turn, I know firsthand that the holiday season can feel overwhelming during recovery from an eating disorder. Eating mindfully, giving your body what it needs, and making it through ordinary days can be a daunting enough task without facing a plate overflowing with turkey, stuffing, and pie. So how do you make it through the holidays without feeling like your food-related fears are tangling you up like a jumble of knotted Christmas tree lights? First step: breathe. Know that you can do this, and take a look at this short list of helpful tips to turn to when you start to doubt. 1. When you feel tempted to restrict your food intake or purge what you have eaten, make sure that you are with someone. This is usually a time for family and friends anyway,
and the added support of having a loved one by your side will help you calm the instinct to “undo” whatever holiday treat you’ve eaten. When I’m afraid that I’m going to lapse into my old anorexic habits, I look for a distraction to make me smile at the happy memories I am making instead of crying about calories. It sounds easier said than done, but a friend by your side will remind you that you’re worth it! 2. In moments when you feel panicked before sitting down to a family dinner full of your fearfoods, take a bit of time to soothe your nerves. I usually channel my anxiety through writing, but there’s no shortage of methods you can try. Whether you use a trusted music playlist, a favorite movie, or the simple comfort of a cozy holiday sweater, try to find something that
will help you separate your disordered food-related thoughts from the happiness of the moment. 3. Talk to a therapist or trusted person about your recovery goals before meals. If you feel strong enough to challenge certain fearfoods, talk through a strategy of reintroducing that food back into your life. Recovery is a unique experience, and it needs to be on your own terms. You don’t have to jump into taking two helpings of pie if that terrifies you. Instead, set small, manageable goals to reach gradually. My own goal this year is to eat a bite of my mother’s pumpkin pie for the first time in more than two years. It may seem like a tiny victory, but any step forward is a step away from my eating disorder. I hope other people get to have that experience this holiday season too. 4. Especially as we come to the end of the year, take time to reflect on what you want to achieve from recovery. Make a list in a journal, and actually write out your feelings on the achievements you have reached as well as the hopes you
Most companies now permit visible tattoos as long as the ink is “non-offensive.” But would you prefer an accountant whose forearms display dollar bills? Does a lawyer with the scales of justice crawling beyond a collar seem more dedicated? What if your surgeon appeared with sleeves rolled up to show defibrillators on his biceps? There’s a stigma against tattoos for a reason. It doesn’t matter how many degrees you have - a tattoo will always indicate some degree of rebelliousness because
of previous media representations of toughness. Toughness no longer has a monopoly on the market, but it has a controlling interest. I’m guilty of owning a “regrettable” tattoo. It hasn’t cost me a job, but the conversations at the swimming pool annoy me. At eighteen, I had “Quinn” tattooed on my back. Bob Dylan wrote “Quinn the Eskimo,” but the cover you know is Manfred Mann’s “Mighty Quinn.” I like the song, Quinn is a guy I’d like to be, and you’ve never seen anything like him. When I tell the story, I sound pompous, and I’m glad the tattoo is hidden by a shirt. Consider a waiting period. Magic marker the tattoo for a week. I wanted a blue Infinity Mobius on my forearm, so each morning, I carefully drew one on. The entire week, I was bombarded with “Why you got a big, blue eight on your arm?” If you decide you want ink, I recommend The Body Gallery 2 in Leesburg or Marlowe Ink in Fairfax. Both are professional, friendly, clean, and safe.
still have for new progress in your journey of recovery. Be inspired by yourself, and try to use the upcoming holiday challenges as an opportunity to rise above your eating disorder. 5. Finally, don’t be afraid to tell your family and friends when you are feeling overwhelmed and upset by food. One of the biggest burdens of eating disorders is the feeling of struggling with it alone in your mind. The act of opening up and starting a dialogue about it is the first step to finding a solution, seeking support, and overcoming the illness. If your family situation is too complicated to confide in them, look at online resources. There are open forums of survivors in recovery who are bravely sharing their stories and advice. Know that you are not alone. You can do this. We can do this. Happy holidays, and happy recovery!
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ALEXANDER KENNY COLUMNIST
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THE RIGHT TO REPORT CRIME FEARLESSLY
ADRIENNE KENNEDY COLUMNIST
JOCELYN VARELA-MARTINEZ CONTRIBUTOR
“You shouldn’t have given him your number in the first place.” These are the few words my manager told me when I was sexually harassed by a coworker at my workplace, a place I should feel secure and comfortable in. These sole words spoken by my manager resonate in my mind every time I think about the horrifying words my coworker said about me. The conversation between my manager and myself turned on me in a matters of seconds, making me the one at fault. The background story is pretty simple. I met a boy at my overnight retail job who was quick to make unwanted advances. When he asked for my number, I refused immediately, telling him I had a boyfriend and had zero interest in him. He awkwardly responded, “Well...I just need friends.” This simple line ended up putting me in the worst situation I’ve ever been in at work. After feeling badly for the boy who said he needed friends, I gave in and allowed him to have my phone number. After this, I received text after text and phone call after phone call from him for the next few weeks before the situation escalated. My other coworkers began confiding statements to me of what they had heard the boy say about me. Or rather, what he wanted to do to me. This is when I finally went to my manager, to no avail. “You shouldn’t have given him your number in the first place,” my manager told me. Confused, I sat there wondering why I was suddenly at fault and not the victim of sexual harassment anymore. I was scared to walk to my car during the night or go on my lunch break. I constantly feared seeing him at work. I was always hearing about new ways he would talk about me to other people. But I was to blame. This is just another case of sexual harassment in everyday life. I never would have expected this to happen to someone like me. But what I would expect even less is the sexist remark made by my seemingly kind, helpful manager. In his eyes, I was to blame for being harassed. Maybe
it was my makeup, maybe it was my body, or maybe it was my sympathetic demeanor I can’t ever shake. He wouldn’t talk to the boy, but instead he told me to keep my phone number to myself. The harassment continued, and I left my job the next week. Today I have a new job with coworkers who support me and believe in me. I learned a great deal from this experience and am done with feeling uncomfortable, scared, and disrespected in my workplace. I am a woman, and I am an asset to any workplace. Matt Lauer, Kevin Spacey, James Toback, Ben Affleck, Chris Savino. Recognize any of these names? They all have one thing in common: they are all “role models” in today’s society that have been accused of sexual harassment, some of whom even admitted to it. Sexual harassment is a serious issue that shouldn’t be taken lightly, and these men are all examples of it. Their remarks and actions endanger all women and will always remain in the minds of the ones they attacked. Today’s society struggles with the concept of sexual harassment. People have a tendency to blame the victim, and then when they finally come out, they are asked questions such as “Why did you wait so long?” or “Why didn’t you just leave him?” or “Why didn’t you consult someone higher up at your job?” These are not the questions we need to be asking. We need to ask questions such as “Who could do such a thing?” and “How could they have thought that this was okay?” Sexism is prevalent every day of our lives. I’ve experienced it and I’m sure you know someone who has experienced it too. Women shouldn’t feel forced to hide harassment they face, but rather they should feel as if they can come forward for help. Sexual harassment is no joke, and I hope that one day it can cease to exist.
FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON
2017 SEXUAL HARASSMENT SCANDALS
Oct. 10
Nov. 1
Ben Affleck
Oct. 5 Harvey Weinstein
Nov. 20
Dustin Hoffman
Oct. 29 Kevin Spacey
Photo coutesy of EVAN CANTWELL/MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
I’M JUST HERE TO WORK: SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
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Charlie Rose
Nov. 9 Louis C.K.
Nov. 21 John Lasseter
Anna* is a college student who attends church regularly and goes out with friends on weekends. Anna is your typical American girl - but she was sexually abused as a child. After this horrific trauma, she cried to her mother about the horrific moment when her life changed forever. Afraid, both mother and daughter decided that it was best to remain silent in fear of being deported if police were involved. This crime occurred years before the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals act, and therefore the risk of deportation was high. Anna is an American in all aspects except for the right to seek justice without fear. DACA was implemented in 2012 by the Obama administration and the United States Citizenship and Immigration services. This policy allowed for those who had come to the United States before their 16th birthday to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and to be able to go to school and work legally. In Sept. 2017, the Trump Administration ended DACA. Anna is a 1.5 generation American -- her family is from Argentina and she was born there. Out of her control, she was brought to the United States to be raised here. She had no choice but to follow her parents. At the time she came to this country, she had the ability to come with a temporary visa, but that program was eliminated and her family chose to overstay their visa. This factor would make her a nonimmigrant visa overstay. Fear of deportation is what silenced her many years ago. Anna was afraid that in pursuit of justice there would be repercussions. She remained silent. DACA is the reason she has proceeded in life and in college and is hopeful of one day obtaining a degree in law. The American Immigration Council has stated: “While DACA does not offer a pathway to legalization, it has helped over half a million eligible young adults move into mainstream life, thereby improving their social and economic well-being.” Due to having legal status in the U.S. with DACA, Anna feels more protected and secure in reporting any illegal activities.
DACA helps the younger generation have the willingness to report crimes, because now their status will not be in question. ThinkProgress reported on a 2013 study that consisted of more than 2,000 Latinos. It was found that more than four in ten Latinos are less likely to report crimes and 45 percent are less likely to volunteer information about crimes. This same survey showed that 70 percent of non-immigrant Latina women would not file a police report in fear that the police will try to review their immigration status. It is understandable why others might think demolishing DACA is best, due to believing that these individuals are taking away jobs from other Americans. Anna is a perfect example of those DACA members who are just students looking for an opportunity. She is one of many, but many in one. Her voice alone is just as strong. There have been protests and public speakers discussing concerns about repealing DACA and how many people would be affected. Removing DACA could cost more than $460.3 billion over the next decade in GDP losses, according to the Washington Center for American Progress. Not only does this affect DACA members, but also everyone else, families and future generations. There are countless non-immigrant individuals who are victims of crimes that go unreported. This includes our youth that are looking for a better future. Is it fair to deprive them of such an opportunity and extinguish the right for justice because of a crime that was not their fault? For many, justice is never sought or obtained. As a society, we should look out for one another and for our youth as they live on our legacy. To let Anna’s story be in vain and thrown away and be forever forgotten would be tragic. She is no longer a victim and her past does not define her. She is DACA, and she is a patriot to the United States of America. Together, we are America. *Name has been changed for anonymity
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12.4.2017
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
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Recipe of the Week
Obtained from allrecipes.com
Peppermint Bark Ingredients: 30 crushed peppermint hard candies, divided 1/2 pounds milk chocolate candy, coarsely chopped 1/2 pounds white chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon oil-based peppermint flavoring, or to taste Prep time: 20 mins. Cook time: 20 mins. Ready in: 1 hour 40 mins. 1. Spread 1/3 of the peppermint candy over a 9x13-inch baking pan lined with wax paper. 2. Melt the milk chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, just until melted. Pour the melted chocolate over peppermint candy in the prepared pan. Sprinkle another 1/3 of the candy
on top of the milk chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. 3. Melt the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Stir in the oil-based peppermint flavoring. Pour the white chocolate over the milk chocolate, then spread the remaining 1/3 peppermint candy on top. 4. Refrigerate until the white chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. Cut or break into pieces to serve.
LAST WEEK’S GO FIGURE!
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
ETC.
LAST WEEK’S MAGIC MAZE
LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU
12.4.2017
COMICS FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON
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ST U DE N T M E D I A P R E S E N TS :
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GEORGE! #292YearsOfGeorge
MUSIC!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8TH
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12–2pm | PATRIOT’S LOUNGE
CAKE!