FOURTH ESTATE Sept. 25, 2017 Volume 5 Issue 4
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com
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MASON CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
5
“Bienvenida Latina” started Mason’s official Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations on Sept. 14 with authentic food, dancing, and music. Mason students can join in on celebrating all that the Hispanic community has to offer in its vast traditions, history and culture from now through Oct. 20. Read the full story on all of the 20-plus events that are being organized by Mason students all month.
NEWS
OPINIONS “I heard a loud screech and saw smoke just before I cleared the speed bump in front of me...”
Transparent GMU began oral arguments in their lawsuit against Mason last Friday, Sept. 22 at the Fairfax County Historic Courthouse. page 6
NEWS
LIFESTYLE
Where, when, how and why to vote in the upcoming governor’s election.
What’s the buzz with Fenty Beauty? Will Kylie Cosmetics and other makeup brands regain their spotlight? page 4
page 7
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9.25.2017
FOURTH ESTATE
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
WE ARE HIRING!
Fareeha Rehman Sosan Malik
Katya Beisel Copy Chief
Chances are, a walk around campus means walking past a new vocal protester in North Plaza or a new kiosk in the JC. With thousands of students in the Mason community, the campus remains lively, even if you have to seek it out. This issue, we’re highlighting the celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month, hosted by Mason’s own students. You’ll also find out about opportunities that Mason’s faculty puts on- like Government Week, in which students got to network with the CIA and FBI (pg. 5). Fourth Estate is here to show how colorful campus can be, if you know where to look. The college experience is not just about attending class, it’s about making connections outside of your own world. We’re lucky to have a dedicated community wanting to share their world with all of Mason. If your organization wants to feature an event in Fourth Estate, let us know!
Michael D. Eberhart News Editor
Dinanda Pramesti Lifestyle Editor
Basma Humadi Lifestyle Assistant Editor
Catherine McKay Online Editor
Billy Ferguson Art Director
Michelle Gardner
Fareeha Rehman Co-Editor-in-Chief
Photo Editor
Emmett Smith Distribution Manager
Please email story pitches and opinions to frehman3@gmu.edu
Kathryn Mangus
We are currently looking to fill the following paid editor positions for the Fall 2017 semester: - SPORTS EDITOR - GRAPHICS EDITOR
We are always recruiting new members for our staff teams:
Director
David Carroll Associate Director
Jason Hartsel Assistant Director
Lottye Lockhart Communicaion Manager Copy Chief Katya Beisel
Photo Editor News Editor Michelle Gardner Michael D. Eberhart
Lifestyle Editor Dinanda Pramesti
Jessica Smith Business Office Manager
COVER PHOTO CREDITS
- NEWS WRITERS
Hispanic Heritage Courtesy Mason Creative Services
- LIFESTYLE WRITERS
Opinions Fourth Estate/Cristine Viray
- SPORTS WRITERS
Sosan Malik Co-Editors-In-Chief
Fareeha Rehman Co-Editors-In-Chief
News Courthouse Fourth Estate/Michael Eberhart
- COPY EDITORS
Lifestyle Fenty Cosmetics Fourth Estate/ Jim Thomma
- DESIGNERS
News Voting Pins Courtesy Mason Creative Services
- PHOTOGRAPHERS For all inquiries, please email and resume and two clips (or samples of work for visuals) to: frehman3@gmu.edu AND apply online at http://c2ms.info/osmapply
LifestyleAssistantEditor Online Editor News Assistant Editor Basma Humadi Catherine McKay Alex Shedd
Art Director Billy Ferguson
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. George Mason University Mail stop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone 703-993-2950
NEWS
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9.25.2017
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Virginia’s Governor Candidates Offer Different Plans for Higher Education Ralph Northam and Ed Gillespie want to stabilize tuition rates, increase research and innovation ABIGAIL ADCOX STAFF WRITER
Photos Courtesy of MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
A STUDENT’S GUIDE TO VIRGINIA VOTING
Where, when, how and why to vote in the upcoming governor’s election GEMMA CARRETTA STAFF WRITER
Virginia’s next gubernatorial election is coming up on Nov. 7, 2017, but many Mason students are still unprepared to vote. Because the state’s election does not have any national candidates on the ballot, their votes could be more important than ever. Students who are not already registered to vote in the state are running out of time for voter registration. If students are already registered on campus, they may not know where to find their polling place. If they are registered to vote somewhere else but plan to cast an absentee ballot, they may not know how to request one in time. How to register to vote: To register, students must be residents of Virginia, be at least 18 years old by election day, not be registered to vote in another state, and have a valid photo ID. Students can register online through the website of Virginia’s Department of Elections (elections.virginia.gov), or through the mail to the Fairfax County Office of Elections (PO Box 10161 Fairfax, VA 22038). Students must be registered to vote by Oct. 16 in order to cast a ballot on Nov. 7. Where can you vote on campus? For those students casting ballots in person on Nov. 7, Mason’s polling place is located on the Fairfax Campus in Merten Hall (4441 George Mason Blvd.). It will be open for voting from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. Students will need to bring a valid photo ID with them to the polling location.
How to vote absentee: Students who cannot make it to a polling place on election day can still cast an absentee ballot by mail. But to vote by mail, students will first need to download an Absentee Ballot Application from the state Elections Department’s website. The application must be completed, signed and returned to the Fairfax County Office of Elections by 5 p.m. on Nov. 14. Once the application has been approved, an absentee ballot will be mailed to the voter’s address, which will be returned to the same office once it has been filled out by the voter.
Both candidates for Governor want college to be more affordable and accessible for students, but they have different ideas of how to achieve it. Most importantly to Mason students, both candidates want to stabilize college tuition prices. Democratic candidate Ralph Northam suggests using what he calls the “four year promise,” which guarantees that tuition costs will not change for a student’s four years of undergraduate education, but tuition prices would start out slightly higher to account for the fluctuating price. The College of William & Mary has already implemented a similar program. More than 80 percent of students there graduate within four years, which is much higher than the statewide average and over double the rate at Mason. Meanwhile, Republican candidate Ed Gillespie supports a state savings account that schools can rely on during tough budget years. Virginia already has a general fund in place that Richmond lawmakers can pull money out to use for any state agency, including education. Though a similar college-specific account has been on
Voter turnout in Virginia for presidential elections is relatively high when compared to the national average, with over 70 percent of Virginia voters turning out for the last four elections, according to the state’s Department of Elections. However, that is not the case for other elections, like the governor’s race. Virginia’s election for governor occurs on “off-off years;” residents vote for a new governor in the year after a President and Vice President have been elected. In 2013, only 43 percent of eligible voters in Virginia cast their ballots in the last governor’s election. This means that 57 percent of Virginians missed an opportunity to impact their state’s leadership. With election deadlines looming for voter registration and absentee ballots, the candidates for governor in this year’s election will need every vote that they can get.
Photos Courtesy of MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
the table before, Virginia lawmakers have never voted to fund it.
but Northam hopes to expand that in part with innovation.
In an interview with Virginia Public Radio last week, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s director Peter Blake said that Gillespie’s plan “could be beneficial to control some of the ups and downs that we see in tuition, and in general fund reductions, that we’ve experienced over the last several years.”
Gillespie’s education plan seeks to make Virginia the “Opportunity Capital” of the nation by stressing three types of strategic partnerships. The first is a business-education partnership that would focus on workforce development. The second is a partnership between the Commonwealth and Virginia colleges to make higher education more accessible and affordable. The third is a consumer partnership between universities and the students they serve. Gillespie proposes that these three partnerships will make college more accessible and affordable to Virginians.
Taking a broad look at Northam and Gillespie’s other plans for higher education, there are both differences and similarities between the two candidates. Northam’s idea for revamping higher education in Virginia is broken down into three ideas: affordability, accessibility and innovation. He supports increasing access to online learning and open educational resources like Mason’s current partnership with Online Virginia, which helps Virginians complete their degrees through a simplified process. He also wants universities to partner with private businesses to attract top students and entrepreneurs. Virginia is ranked 8th in the country for degree attainment,
Both Gillespie and Northam have different education plans with similar goals; both want to lower college tuition, make higher education more accessible, and increase innovation and economic development at the college level. Virginia voters will get to choose with their ballot which candidate’s education policies they prefer on election day, Nov. 7.
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NEWS
9.25.2017
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
CAMPUS GROUP SUES SCHOOL FOR KOCH FOUNDATION RECORDS DANA NICKEL STAFF WRITER
Photos Courtesy MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
THE HIGH PRICE OF FREE SPEECH
Mason community weighs in on free speech as U.C.-Berkeley hosts Free Speech Week
OLIVIA BOOTH STAFF WRITER
The University of CaliforniaBerkeley, designated Sept. 24-27 as “Free Speech Week,” bringing focus to an issue that has generated controversy and violence at colleges around the country this year. After Berkeley’s cancellation of a Feb. 2017 speech by alt-right political commentator Milo Yiannopoulos, President Donald Trump tweeted, “If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view - NO FEDERAL FUNDS?” But can the federal government really take action against colleges for free speech issues on campus? According to Mason professor Jennifer Victor, “the Supreme Court allows government to restrict speech that may be violence inducing, or ‘fighting words,’ which can be a bit vague.” “The balance between liberty and security is delicate and often changes based on circumstances and
perceived threats,” Victor continued. “The Supreme Court tends to err on the side of freedom, but then again security is not a part of their job.” As of now, Mason has a green light rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). According to FIRE’s website, “‘Green light’ institutions are those colleges and universities whose policies nominally protect free speech.” Mason students’ views on freedom of speech differ. Andrew Millin, the Chief-of-Staff for George Mason Democrats, argues that “in instances where speech can incite immediate violence, it is vital to stop it. After all, freedom of speech does not mean you cannot face consequences for that speech.” Millin also suggests that students should still learn about different worldviews and be able to challenge such views, but in a setting where they are guaranteed safety such as classrooms.
Others believe that schools should celebrate, not condemn, all expression of ideas. “I find it particularly dangerous for schools and colleges to curtail free speech, as the purpose of education is to hear multiple ideas and allow the student to come to their own decision,” said John Kielbowicz, the secretary of George Mason College Republicans. “College should be a marketplace of ideas, not an echo chamber of one viewpoint.” The balance between of liberty and security is a complicated issue, and one that will likely remain in the tension between protecting our rights and protecting our citizens from harm. Virginia House Bill 1401, passed earlier this year, “prohibits public institutions of higher education from abridging the constitutional freedom of any individual [...] to speak on campus, except as otherwise permitted by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.” Mason will celebrate Healthy Campus Week from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1 as part of the Healthier Campus Initiative by the Partnership for America.
Transparent GMU began oral arguments in their lawsuit against Mason last Friday, Sept. 22 over donation records from influential energy billionaires, the Koch brothers. Transparent GMU is a campus organization that is dedicated to informing the public about private business interests they say are funding universities in exchange for political influence. Their most recent and prominent project has been to obtain the donation records from the Charles Koch Foundation to the George Mason University Foundation. Some controversy surrounds this project due to the fact that the George Mason University Foundation previously declined to reveal these documents. Transparent GMU even filed an official request for the donor records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in past attempts to obtain them. FOIA is a law that grants the public access to important and relevant documents or data in the possession of public institutions. The denial of Transparent GMU’s requests for the donor agreements prompted the organization to file a lawsuit against both the school and the George Mason University Foundation. Augustus Thomson, the official plaintiff listed in the group’s lawsuit, is also a student at Mason. “I’m directly involved, but the organization voted on going forward with the lawsuit [together],” said Thomson.
Monday, Sept. 25: Commonhealth: Think About it seminar. Merten Hall, 1201. 12-1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26: Embrace wellbeing. Student Union Building I, 3309. 12 to 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27: Mason’s annual Happy Heart Walk. Merten Hall. 12 to 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28: Healthy Food Cooking Demo. Southside’s Blackstone room. 1 - 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29: Walking garden tour from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. South plaza of the Johnson Center.
FOURTH ESTATE/MICHAEL EBERHART
The organization operates under a horizontal leadership structure in order to give everyone involved a voice for what goes on their agenda. The organization’s unanimous decision was to call for the donor agreements from Mason and its foundation. Transparent GMU’s goal is for Mason to make their donor records public so that anyone concerned can see for themselves who is donating to the school and what their grant agreement entails. “You have a right to get the information, and university foundations are subject to requests under the Freedom of Information Act,” Thomson said of the organization’s message. According to Transparent GMU’s press briefing regarding the lawsuit, the Charles Koch Foundation has given George Mason University $95.5 million since 2005. The organization, which is closely associated with Koch Industries, most recently formed a grant agreement with the university’s foundation alongside a second anonymous donor. The grant agreement will bring $20 million to Mason over the next five years to fund the new Antonin Scalia Law School. The School of Law was renamed after the late Supreme Court Justice in the spring of 2016. Evan Johns, a lawyer with Appalachian Mountain Valley Associations, is representing Transparent GMU pro bono.
NEWS
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
9.25.2017
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HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH KICKS OFF
The celebration will continues through Oct. 20th ISABELLA LAMAGDELEINE NEWS EDITOR
“Bienvienda Latina” started Mason’s official Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations on Sept. 14 with authentic food, dancing, and music. Mason students can join in on celebrating all that the Hispanic community has to offer in its vast traditions, history and culture from now through Oct. 20. The 20-plus events sponsored by ten different organizations are meant to be enjoyable for all, with free food, various performances, and fun music. The organizations themselves love the events during this month. “One of my favorite parts of Hispanic Heritage Month is “Bienvenida Latina” said Andrea Garcia, president of the Hispanic Student Association (HSA), “because it’s such a fun event where we are able to introduce all of the different Hispanic organizations on campus to students at Mason.” The groups hosting these activities cover many different student organizations across campus. Leadership associations such as the HSA will host discussions of the contributions and identities of the Latino community, as well as taco nights. Social organizations, including various fraternities and sororities (Lambda Theta Phi, Lambda Theta Alpha, Lambda Upsilon Lambda and La Unidad Latina), will organize spelling bees. Finally, academic organizations like
the Aguilas Mentoring Program, which instills the values of academic excellence and leadership in underclassmen through mentoring newcomers to Mason, will host taco nights too. The list of planned events ranges as broadly as the host organizations themselves. These include UndocuALLY Training, which aims to educate participants to better understand and support undocumented immigrant students and students of other immigration statuses. Shades of Brown: Open Mic and Poetry will feature artists sharing their unique stories in various art forms that often transcend a sole identity. Finally, Immigration Monologues will explore the hardships that immigrants face in coming to the U.S. as well as their resilience. The events will continue until ¡LatinXcelencia!, the Hispanic Heritage Month closing ceremony, ends the month of festivities on Oct. 20. The official National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) celebrates the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the U.S. It also recognizes their contributions, heritage and culture. Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as a week-long celebration before being expanded to an entire week under President Ronald Reagan.
FOURTH ESTATE/NICOLAS MACOTTO
MASON CELEBRATES GOVERNMENT WEEK EVENTS ON CAMPUS
CIA, FBI and local agencies came to educate and recruit Mason students SABRINA ACERRA STAFF WRITER
Students participated in events for Government Week from Monday, Sept. 18 to Friday, Sept. 22. The series of campus events were an opportunity for all students, regardless of their major, to engage with government agencies at the local and federal level and to learn about what is required to work there. “Government Week was a great way to have insights into the fields that I want to pursue after college,” said freshman Donnelle Bodnarchuk, a Global Affairs major. “I was really able to understand the whole process of security clearances and potential job opportunities in the intelligence field,” Bodnarchuk explained. The most helpful feature for Bodnarchuk was how to make a federal resume because they differ from the typical resume a student may have learned to write.
Photos Courtesy MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
Learning these tips “from someone who knows a lot about applying to a federal position really enabled me to feel more confident in applying for an internship later this year,” Bodnarchuk said.
The events offered potentially life-changing career choices. Events during this week included “Careers in Intelligence,” how to get a security clearance, advice on writing a federal resume, “Navigating USA Jobs,” government contracting, “Careers in Politics” and an open house organized by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). “On Friday they had the CIA open house where you get direct contact with them,” said freshman Cruz Sanchez, a Global Affairs major. “You get to meet people there, introduce yourself and put yourself out there. That is really good to attend, especially if you would like a job with them in the future.” Students were also glad that Government Week offered local agencies a chance to come by and talk at Mason. “They had opportunities to let you know about other careers, not just in the federal government, but also the local and state government,”said Sanchez. “You might not hear about all the local agencies that have a direct impact on the cities so that was really fun to learn about.”
Government Week was open to all Mason students. Not only did the events give students a chance to explore their future career options in a deeper manner, but it also helped them gain more knowledge in their chosen fields. “Government Week allowed me to understand more about the field that I thought I already knew so much about; but this week prepared me for the things I didn’t think of, like the resume,” said Bodnarchuk. “It was a really cool and insightful week and I feel more knowledgeable and confident about the whole process.” Government Week seemed to be a success for Mason students and some planned to attend the event again next year if it becomes an annual occurrence. “I would attend next year since there were some programs that I couldn’t make this year,” said Bodnarchuk. “I also think that attending again next year would benefit me in the way that there may be new programs that would be more catered to a different aspect of government.”
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OPINIONS
9.25.2017
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
I ALMOST CRASHED ON CAMPUS... SARAH HEATON CONTRIBUTOR
Car accidents are the number one leading cause of death among college students, according to a 2013 study by the The National Center for Biotechnology Information. The deafening part of this statistic is that most of these accidents are preventable. Mason is often labeled a “commuter” school, which really is not far from the truth since 75% of the student population does not live on campus. This makes for a campus with high foot traffic and high vehicle traffic. Mason’s location at the epicenter of Northern Virginia, which was ranked the second worst in the nation for traffic congestion, just behind Los Angeles, does not help. A few days ago, I was driving through campus when I saw a pedestrian and stopped for them to cross. There was
a car coming from West Campus drive that was directly behind me and apparently did not understand why I stopped. They continued to drive around me and sped across the raised crosswalk— just barely missing the pedestrian who was crossing. I almost witnessed someone get struck by a car right in front of me. Then, just two days later, I had another alarming driving experience. Before I tell you what happened, let me preface with this: although I am not an expert when it comes to cars, I can say I have a fair appreciation for the hard work and amount of time people spend modifying and upgrading their cars. I do basic maintenance work on my cars and my friend’s cars. I used to admire the decked out cars and cheer on the racers as they sped down the strip at Old Dominion Speedway.
Never in my life did I think I would find myself on West Campus drive wondering if I was on the raceway at Old Dominion Speedway. A tiny red car sped around the corner behind me. I heard a loud screech and saw smoke just before I cleared the speed bump in front of me. I turned just in time to see the red car spinning out right behind me. At first I felt angry. It was noon on a public road where students cross to get to class. Someone could have been injured.
boring, but West Campus drive is not the place to test out the doughnut you pulled off in the Wal-Mart parking lot last week. There is no justification for reckless driving when you are putting yourself and others at risk. Also, it’s illegal— There are serious ramifications for those who choose to drive recklessly. Driving recklessly can be defined as a driver who: Fails to yield to emergency vehicles Fails to signal
Then I felt scared, were they challenging me?
Weaves in and out of traffic
I never caught up to the car to ask the driver why he felt the need to turn West Campus drive into this own private drag strip.
Passes a stopped school bus
I understand that commuting can be
Patriots, we have all had traumatic
experiences driving on campus. We’ve seen everything from distracted driving, to speeding, to drivers deliberately ignoring pedestrians, and now my experience has been extended to witnessing people spin out on West Campus drive. We need to be better drivers. We have to slow down, wait for pedestrians, and stop being selfish. We are all Patriots and we all want the best for our community. Let’s take a stand against reckless driving on our campus. It starts with us.
Passes a vehicle on a curve Drives with faulty brakes Races FOURTH ESTATE/CRISTINE VIRAY
DOES CLIMATE CHANGE EXIST? PARESHA KHAN STAFF WRITER
Prior to his Presidential election, Donald Trump tweeted in 2012, “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” As a student who is tremendously passionate about global warming and climate change, I stared at my phone in awe, dumbfounded that the citizens of our country elected a leader who has previously expressed complete denial about the complications arising in our environment. Global warming is known as the rise of the average temperatures of the Earth over time, and is considered to be a human-caused complication due to the burning of fossil fuels. This process causes carbon dioxide to absorb sunlight and solar radiation, thus increasing the Earth’s heat drastically. Climate change also refers to the distinct differences of the predictable weather patterns in a certain location. Students at George Mason University shared my distress over President Trump’s words and their opinions about climate change.
FOURTH ESTATE/MEGAN ZENDEK
“What shocks me the most is the fact that there has been proven evidence that climate change is real by certified science agencies and the fact that we are seeing the consequences of our actions already with the multiple
hurricanes that have happened recently,” freshman Andrea Aguiluz said. “Something that really makes me angry about [Donald Trump’s] stance on climate change is how he and most Republicans have made denying climate change into a political issue when it should be a scientific one.” The effects of both global warming and climate change are in full swing as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which includes over a thousand scientists, predicts a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit over the next century. According to CNN, scientists have discovered that the rising sea levels and warmer temperatures in oceans have caused both Hurricanes Harvey and Irma to be far more destructive than they would have been decades ago. A Category 4 and 5 hurricane were clearly not convincing enough to the President, as he stated that, “we’ve had bigger storms than this.” “To me, it is absolutely mind boggling that some people do not believe that global warming exists and is an increasingly pressing issue,” junior Sanjoli Agarwal said. “When it comes to global warming, you can choose to believe that nothing is wrong and that ‘we’ve had bigger storms,’ but when the facts are right there in front of you
and you don’t even acknowledge it, it’s called ignorance. What more needs to happen for us to be able to enact some real change? Was Hurricane Irma, a record-breaking Category 5 hurricane, not enough? What else will it take?” Recently in Northern Virginia, climate change has displayed its presence during the 2015-2016 school year. On Dec. 25, 2016, Virginians in NOVA spent their Christmas day in 75 degree weather. “Living in the East Coast, especially in Northern Virginia, we suffered from ‘bipolar’ weather heavily last year. I clearly remember waking up on Christmas morning and being in complete shock because there was absolutely no snow and no sign of winter,” freshman Rezia Mahmud said. “Climate change is very real and it’s time that the leaders of our country take notice.” Given that the world is experiencing a plethora of terrifying events regarding the climate, it is crucial that the student body of George Mason University considers both global warming and climate change, which have been twisted into various controversies. So one should not hesitate to ask, “Is global warming really a hoax created by China?”
LIFESTYLE
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9.25.2017
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SAY YES TO YOGA This Mason student showcases her love for yoga in hopes of helping other students’ well-beings
ANGELIQUE ARINTOK STAFF WRITER
Ashley Whimpey is a Utah native; she moved to Northern Virginia to study Communication at Mason. Whimpey is currently a senior and aims to graduate in December. Her studies concentrate in Media Production & Criticism, she recently won a scholarship at the 59th Capital Emmy Awards, and has conducted Communication research under the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR). Along with her duties as a full-time student, Whimpey is also a teacher—a teacher of well-being and fitness. Whimpey loves yoga and the gym. “I have always been active,” Whimpey said. Once a week, Whimpey teaches a yoga class at the Recreation & Athletic Complex (RAC) here at Mason. Her love and investment for yoga has led her to influence other students on campus. “I was a dancer my whole life and when I began to leave the dance world, I needed a supplement,” Whimpey said. She danced as a child and inherited a knack for yoga from her father, who she says bought her a Manduka mat and Tibetan singing bowl. Whimpey’s yoga supplement made her stronger, physically and emotionally. She remains fit and has gained lots of friends because of her love for yoga. Whimpey says that not only is she interested in this hobby, but she is “also really into overall wellness, and the research surrounding it.” During her time at Mason, Whimpey
Photo Courtesy of ASHLEY WHIMPEY
was involved in a psychology lab. She says, “[the lab] focused on social and emotional well-being,” urging her to think more about yoga, fitness, and health as it pertains to the overall effect on the human body. Whimpey asserts that yoga is a mechanism that “really allows [her] to have moving meditation that lets [her] mind and body get on the same page.” She thinks of yoga as lifestyle beyond the mat. Her classes are geared to instilling overall strength and confidence in her students, “allowing energy flow and successes to be loud and proud,” Whimpey said. After a yoga class, Whimpey feels both excited and rewarded to witness students who appear serene and totally relaxed. As a yoga fanatic, Whimpey also uses social media to reach an entirely new audience. Aside from the Mason demographic, Whimpey is guaranteed to add joy to your media feed with her crazy poses. She says that her posts relate to “[her] philosophy and also as accountability to keep [herself] going.” To Whimpey, yoga is not a stationary activity—yoga is dynamic and exciting. It ultimately allows her to be her best self. She is glad that she said “yes,” to yoga, and hopes for her students to feel the same. If you’re interested in learning how to pose and practice yoga like Ashley Whimpey, follow her on Instagram (@ashleywhimpey) and view her yoga schedule at recreation.gmu.edu.
RIHANNA RELEASES FENTY BEAUTY
FOURTH ESTATE/
Singer Rihanna releases inclusive makeup line HAILEY BULLIS STAFF WRITER
On Sept. 8, singer Robyn Rihanna Fenty released her makeup line, Fenty Beauty. The line was highly anticipated by makeup lovers, especially after it was announced that the line would include 40 shades of foundation. “The beauty industry for so long had just carried the shades they deemed ‘normal,’ which basically meant a lot of shades for white people. I think this new line is inclusive for darker skin, and I’ve even seen it including albino skin tones, which is a huge step. But, I do think it is ridiculous that it has taken until 2017 for something like this to exist,” sophomore Liz McArdle said. For some people finding their shade was a difficult task with other makeup lines. After the 40 shades were announced other makeup brands including Marc Jacobs, Kylie Cosmetics, and Estee Lauder took to social media to remind users of what they offered. In particular, Kylie Jenner’s line, Kylie Cosmetics, was criticized for posting about a new lipstick shade called “Brown Sugar Matte.” Some felt that it was a ploy to seem inclusive.
“I think it was a ploy. Kylie had so much attention with her lip kits for the longest time, and now the spotlight has been taken away from her. I don’t think Kylie Cosmetics’ move to create their new shade was genuine. If it were, why didn’t they make inclusive shades to begin with?” senior Melissa Wilson said. Others felt that it was a coincidence and that Jenner has always been inclusive. “As someone who has bought Kylie Cosmetics products and who follows her accounts on social media, I feel like her makeup line has always included diversity. When showing new lip kit shades she will post multiple pictures of the shade on people of different races and skin tones,” senior Alicia Muir said. According to CNN, just five days after Rihanna’s line hit stores, eight of the ten deeper shades sold out. This incident, for some, demonstrated how necessary it was for the darker shades to be created and how those with darker skin tones were not being catered to previously.
“I think that having more inclusive shades is extremely important. We all come in different shades, some of us have pink undertones while some have red or yellow undertones. Not to mention we all are different base shades. I know women who buy two or more foundations to mix together to make a shade fit for their skin because they can’t find a brand that makes their shade. That’s ridiculous and conforms to the ideology that beauty only comes in one shade which is completely untrue,” junior Allison O’Neill said. On the Fenty Beauty website, Rihanna wrote that she noticed a void in the makeup industry for products that included all skin colors. She wanted all women to feel included so she focused on universally hard to find skin types and tones. “All women are beautiful and deserve to feel like it. I don’t want women or young girls to think that they are not beautiful because they aren’t a certain skin tone. I think as a society we are progressing to be more inclusive and it’s about time the makeup industry does too,” O’Neill said.
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LIFESTYLE
9.25.2017
ON THE ROAD TO FAME Interview with DMV artist, Sydney Franklin QUIANNA ADAM STAFF WRITER
New artist Sydney Franklin is making major moves in the DMV area. She recently headlined her first performance at the Songbyrd Music House and Record Cafe along with labelmate Luke James Shaffer. Franklin and Shaffer are affiliated with D.C.’s House Studios, a new age multimedia and communication company. Franklin described House Studios as an open space for artists to create and be inspired. Franklin, Shaffer, and Mannywellz are a trio for D.C.’s House Studios, who just recently returned from their tour with hip-hop artist Jidenna. Franklin began working with House Studios as an outreach intern after her time at Berklee College of Music. She promoted the studio and invited local and visiting artists to use the space while they were in town. This internship was a networking tool for Franklin, as it allowed her the opportunity to meet artists and get to know the leadership team of the studio. “I wanted to learn the other side of the business,” said Franklin about her internship experience. Less than a year later, she began using the studio for her own creative projects. In 2016, Franklin became an official
House artist. Franklin does not confine herself to one specific music genre. She describes her sound as a “soulful pop feel.” Her music reflects the catchy-like tunes of pop music, but still has depth and meaning behind it. Some of her inspirations are Aretha Franklin, Jessie J., Allen Stone, and Elton John just to name a few. During the interview, Franklin mentioned Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair” as it reminds her of her childhood. She appreciates these artists because of their ability to bring stories to life through their soulful and powerful voices, which is something Franklin aspires to do as a singer-songwriter. Franklin co-wrote her first single “L.O.V.E. Me,” which is a ballad about self-love. Through her music, Franklin is able to learn about herself, work through emotions, and create a sense of community amongst her listeners. She stated in an interview that, “singing creates an indescribable feeling for everyone in the room. It’s as if the artist and audience feel numb to everything except the music and – even if just for a moment – they are lost in a world
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without fear. Untouchable and invincible.” She uses the guitar and piano as an outlet and inspiration for new music as well. Her goal as a new artist is to create quality sounds that have potential to be everlasting. One of her biggest fears is becoming a one-hit-wonder. With this in mind, she is working to build a respectable career where she is able to create relatable content that tells a story through music, much like her iconic musical inspirations. She wants people to be impressed and think of her voice when they hear her name. Since she is a developing talent, Franklin can be spotted at local events around the DMV area. In the past week, she performed at Mason’s Open Mic Night and Relay for Life of Washington, D.C. In the next month, Franklin will release new singles and her first EP is expected to be released early next year. When asked where she plans to be in the next five years, Franklin said that she hopes to be anywhere that she is able to create and she hopes to go on tour. She said she would love to write a song with One Republic lead singer Ryan Tedder, and sing a duet with Adele. You can follow Sydney Franklin’s Instagram account, SydneyFranklinMusic, for videos and upcoming performances. Her performances and music can also be found on YouTube and SoundCloud (Sydney Franklin 4).
Photo Courtesy of SYDNEY FRANKLIN
JESSE JACKSON ON CAMPUS Civil Rights activist Jesse Jackson spoke to Mason students BASMA HUMADI STAFF WRITER
Jesse Jackson marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis from Selma to Montgomery. The civil rights activist and reverend fought alongside the new wave of Americans who participated in movements like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and called to end to segregation in the United States. Knowing Jackson’s fight for civil rights led to better opportunities for African Americans today is what sophomore attendee India Moon felt most happy to see. “I was satisfied for him because I’m a dream he hoped for when he started this,” Moon said. “His efforts helped me be able to attend college as a black woman.” In an intimate setting at Harris Theater on a Friday afternoon, Jackson -- a living, breathing figure of American history -- spoke to a crowd of Mason students addressing issues that affect
many of us today. From the recent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville to the importance of college students’ voting, Jackson’s words precisely articulated the feelings of many and reassured them that there is still room to heal and move forward.
“Your generation has the burden upon it,” Jackson said. “Not to see those who march in hoods as mean, but in many ways, as sick... something now, a virus, is in this soul. So we must rip the virus out and redeem the soul.”
go to the event because she wanted to know more about Jackson’s struggle as an African American who lived through Jim Crow Laws.
“There are many reasons we don’t vote, but none of them stand good sense,” Jackson said.
“Hearing about segregation really gets me fired up,” Gordon said. “I wanted to know more about it because there’s no way I could experience that truly. So to hear his experiences about him going to jail and not being able to use a public restroom or a library -- stuff I take for granted [is important].”
The event brought a diverse array of students, such as Nayanka James, an international student from France, who wanted to seize the opportunity to see a living civil rights figure share his experiences.
“We are God’s people,” Jackson said. “We will not go backwards in fear. We will go forward in hope.” Calling on today’s youth, Jackson noted the responsibility of Mason students to look beyond and reframe the mentality on white supremacists who participated in Charlottesville.
not registered to vote on location at Mason campus were also called to come to the front of the stage and change their voting location.
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Jackson, currently going on a “Healing and Rebuilding” tour across Virginia, is calling on citizens to register to vote. In a grand gesture supported by Mason fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, Jackson had unregistered voters come to the front of the stage and sign documents to register to vote. Out-of-state students who are
“He is peaceful and I think that should have been difficult for him when he had to face so much hatred at the beginning of his life,” James said. “Just [him] finding a way to be peaceful and happy and share love with people and positive vibes -- that’s the proof of [his] strong personality.” Junior Nicole Gordon felt inspired to
Having lived through the divisive era of segregation -- fighting for a better, more just and fair America, “A more perfect union” America, Jackson is a palpable testament that the America we live in today can also be a better, more just, more fair place if they take a stand. “We must choose hope and healing over hate and hurt,” Jackson said to the crowd.
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9.25.2017
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Although you love being the focus of attention, it’s a good idea to take a few steps back right now to just watch the action. What you see can help with an upcoming decision. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) “Caution” continues to be your watchword this week, as a former colleague tries to reconnect old links. There are still some dark places that need to be illuminated. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Making a good first impression is important. Revealing your often hidden sense of humor can help you get through some of the more awkward situations. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Taking that Cancer Crab image too seriously? Lighten up. Instead of complaining about your problems, start resolving them. A friend would be happy to help. LEO (July 23 to August 22) A widening distance between you and that special person needs to be handled with honesty and sensitivity. Don’t let jealousy create an even greater gap between you two. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Congratulations. Your handling of a delicate family matter rates kudos. But no resting on your laurels just yet. You still have to resolve that on-thejob problem.
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LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might surprise everyone by being unusually impulsive this week. But even level-headed Libras need to do the unexpected now and then. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A period of turmoil gives way to a calmer, more settled environment. Use this quieter time to patch up neglected personal and/or professional relationships. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A new relationship could create resentment among family and friends who feel left out of your life. Show them you care by making more time for them. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Concentrate on completing all your unfinished tasks before deadline. You’ll then be able to use this freed-up time to research new career opportunities. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You’re right to try to help colleagues resolve their heated differences. But keep your objectivity and avoid showing any favoritism ‘twixt the two sides. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your personal life continues to show positive changes. Enjoy this happy turn of events, by all means. But be careful not to neglect your workplace obligations. BORN THIS WEEK: People of all ages look to you for advice and encouragement. You would make an excellent counselor. © 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.
LAST WEEK’S GO FIGURE!
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LAST WEEK’S MAGIC MAZE
LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU
9.25.2017
COMICS FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON
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YOUR SPACE Faculty and Staff 10:00am – 12:00pm Students 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Every Friday SUB 1, Room 2400 ODIME is an office of University Life
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It is important, now more than ever, to have an ongoing space for discussion, reflection, and healing. While prompted by recent tragic events that occurred over summer, ODIME remains dedicated to supporting faculty, staff, and students who are impacted by local, national, and global events. Please join us…let’s continue this conversation, together. For more information, please visit: odime.gmu.edu/your-space/ODIME_GMU