The independent newspaper of Washington University in St. Louis since 1878

VOLUME 142, NO. 4 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020 WWW.STUDLIFE.COM

FOOTBALL LISTEN IN They will not have a Unpacking the fall season, but the lyrics and emotions Bears are getting of internet star back in action Joji’s newest album (Sports, pg 6) (Cadenza, pg 9)

‘Show our Black sisters the respect they College deserve’: Hundreds of students mourn Republicans, Democrats together at vigil for Breonna Taylor work to excite and engage students ahead of November election

GRACE KENNARD STAFF REPORTER

There is no shortage of politi- cal opportunities this fall, and the College Republicans and Democrats are working diligently to engage students with local and national campaigns. With the November election fast approaching, the College Democrats are planning to focus their efforts on local initiatives. “I think that Trump is more than likely going to win Missouri.” College Democrats President Arik Wolk said, “[So] in Missouri I think that the bigger chance for Democrats to be suc- cessful is at the local level—the Jill Schupp versus Ann Wagner race. I think the governor’s race is going to be pretty competitive [as well].” Missouri’s political leaning has shifted over the years. It used to be known as a bellwether, voting for MORAD SULIMAN | STUDENT LIFE the winning presidential candidate Over three hundred students gathered around the East End steps to mourn Breonna Taylor. Participants wore masks, stayed socially distanced, held signs in all but one election between and lit candles to show solidarity. “The event was such a beautiful reminder of the solidarity that we could have as a campus,” junior Nana Kusi said. 1904 and 2004, but in recent years has taken a turn to the right. The JULIA ROBBINS be mindful of the space they chose six feet apart from each other for upperclassmen to the younger Black shift can likely be attributed to the STAFF REPORTER to take up that night. Students were students to stand behind. After the students at the University. fact that the state’s population no asked to be respectfully quiet, and to organizers of the vigil spoke, students “We wanted to show some of longer parallels the nation’s demo- stay masked and socially distant. walked around to light the candles in the underclassmen who didn’t get graphics. For example, Missouri “One, two, three, four, five, six, “I thought it was really power- commemoration of Taylor’s life. the opportunity to meet a lot of the has a low Hispanic population, seven, eight.” ful, how we got so many people to “I definitely thought that the image upperclassmen on campus… that while nationwide the group has The numbers, symbolizing the show up,” Kina said. “I didn't know itself, with the candles and people there is a strong Black community become the largest minority. number of bullets that police offi- if it was going to be a popular event standing socially distant but definitely on this campus, that there is a unified Missouri now consistently leans cers fired at Breonna Taylor, echoed because this has been so controversial together in a sense, was very power- Black community on this campus,” Republican, with Romney win- against the buildings of the East End these past few months. So just seeing ful,” freshman Kayzad Bharucha Kina said. “And I think that’s some- ning the state by 9.4 percentage during a vigil held Saturday. Taylor’s all this support, for me, was really said. thing that you wouldn’t have had points in 2012 and Trump win- murder at the hands of the officers really eye-opening.” As students stood apart from one otherwise because we’re, for the most ning with an 18.5 point margin has further fueled a nationwide move- Calls to action on both national another, cupping their hands to the part, online.” of victory over Clinton in 2016. ment fighting for justice. and individual levels rang through the candles to prevent the wind from Phelps agreed, noting how diffi- Politico predicts Missouri to be More than three hundred stu- night. blowing them out, the open mic sec- cult it had been for her to get to know a “Solid Republican” state in dents gathered together on the East “It is time to show our Black sisters tion of the night began. Black upperclassmen prior to the the presidential election, partly End steps and grass lining the hill to the respect they deserve,” Sayed said One of the students who spoke vigil. “It definitely felt like they just because of Trump’s previous Brookings, carefully spacing six feet in her speech. “It is time we fight with during this section of the night was weren’t there because of COVID,” commanding win in the state in apart. our sisters and brothers and nonbi- sophomore Aaliyah Allen, the presi- Phelps said. “[But at the vigil] it just 2016. If this prediction rings true “We really wanted this space to be nary family members the same way dent of QUEENS, a Black women’s felt like they put their arms around us, in November, that would mean primarily for students to stake their we would for our blood. Ask yourself affinity space on campus. Allen spoke and it was definitely something that I Missouri’s 10 electoral votes will claim on this campus and make their if any Black woman in your life sees to how the unique oppression of needed.” go to Trump in his race to 270. feelings known,” Junior Nana Kusi, you as her ally, as someone who fights Black women stems from the inter- Some of the themes of the night For the College Republicans, one of the organizers of the vigil, for Black women.” sectionality of their identities. were manifested in the cardboard the less competitive nature of said. “I think on this campus there’s Kusi echoed this sentiment in an “We talk about the loss of Black signs that some students held up, bear- the presidential election this year not many spaces or avenues through interview with Student Life. men at the hands of the police very ing phrases such as “Be the Change,” in Missouri means they can also which I feel particularly represented “Nobody thinks that they’re a rac- often,” Allen said. “Gender dispari- “Protect Black Women” and “What focus more of their energy on the or seen as a Black woman at Wash. ist, and nobody thinks that they’re ties have been a racialized issue in crime did she commit in her sleep?” close House race between Ann U.” discriminatory or prejudiced against America; we talk about white wom- At the end of the night, students were Wagner (R) and Jill Schupp (D). Kusi, senior Sabrina Sayed as well Black women, but many people are,” en’s inability to maintain their home encouraged to bring their posters and Matias Mayesh, president of as juniors Nafi Seife, Rene Kina and Kusi said. “In their actions, abso- life and juggle to climb the ladder of candles to a shrine for Taylor at the the College Republicans, said that Yohanes Mulat organized the vigil to lutely, they exclude and silence Black corporate America. But where does top of the steps. plans are in the works for a phone recognize Taylor and repudiate the women in a variety of spaces and that leave Black women? Where did “I hope what people took away bank before the election, but it’s system that killed her and failed to axes, and I want people to interrogate that leave Breonna?” is that it’s really, really important been a challenge not being able bring her killers to justice. that.” “‘You catch more flies with honey to check on yourself and how you to connect with club members in The ninety minute vigil featured Maya Phelps, a freshman who than vinegar,’ they say,” Allen contin- interact with your Black friends and person. speeches from the organizers of the spoke during the open mic portion of ued. “All while America catches flies friends of other marginalized groups,” “I want us to be involved and event, an open mic and a moment of the night, similarly wanted the vigil with the body of millions of slaugh- Kusi said. “If you don’t have friends be able to go out and do some silence at the end of the night. to encourage people to question their tered Black women since the first of any marginalized identities, why is activities for local campaigns like “For me, it was really impactful to actions. of us was stolen and taken to stolen that?” canvassing, but it’s a bit difficult hear from my peers with very simi- “For people that chose not to land. Well frankly, I don’t give a damn Ultimately, Kusi said she hoped with all the restrictions and we lar experiences as me express their come, I guess I want to question about your feelings anymore. Your that the vigil showcased the power don’t want to break the rules,” he feelings, really be able to be candid, really why,” Phelps told Student Life. feelings over my life, my mother’s and importance of collective commu- said. and put people on the line as to how “What inside of you makes you want life, my sister’s life, my friends’ lives, nity care. “So that's something I’ve been they're treated and how they navigate to ignore the death of Black people, women I haven’t even met—their “The event was such a beautiful trying to organize and trying to these spaces on campus,” Kusi said. especially Black women? And why lives? Absolutely not.” reminder of the solidarity that we manage and see if that’s possible The ground rules for the vigil were are you not advocating for the lives of In addition to calls to end racist could have as a campus, like what can [and] if we can do that safely.” laid out at the beginning; it was to people who are still living?” and corrupt governments, societal be done when students care, when we Wolk echoed some of Mayesh’s be a space primarily for Black stu- Before the vigil started, tealight and educational systems, the vigil was check up on one another and create dents, and individuals were asked to candles were placed approximately a declaration of support from Black space for one another,” Kusi said. SEE ELECTION, PAGE 3

CONTACT BY POST CONTACT BY EMAIL CONTACT BY PHONE ONE BROOKINGS DRIVE #1039 [email protected] NEWSROOM 314.935.5995 #320 DANFORTH UNIVERSITY CENTER [email protected] ADVERTISING 314.935.4240 ST. LOUIS, MO 63130-4899 [email protected] FAX 314.935.5938 2 STUDENT LIFE EM MCPHIE & TED MOSKAL | SENIOR NEWS EDITORS | [email protected] THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020 As on-campus activities continue, Student Health theFLIPSIDE Ambassadors facilitate THU 8 FRI 9 SAT 10 SUN 11 CLOUDY CLOUDY AM CLOUDS/PM SUN CLOUDY 81/57 82/63 81/60 76/59 COVID-19 safety measures MON 12 TUES 13 WED 14 PARTLY CLOUDY MOSTLY SUNNY MOSTLY SUNNY OLIVIA POOLOS 79/53 73/51 70/49 STAFF REPORTER For freshman William the community.” Sepesi, the presence of Aside from keeping the EVENT CALENDAR SHAs on campus is simply community healthy, one Washington University a reminder to stay on top of the main concerns of THURSDAY 8 introduced the Student of his personal safety prac- SHA organizers was keep- Health Ambassador tices, such as completing ing the student workers

program this fall in the daily self-screen. safe as well. Even though New in the Lou: Through the Eyes of Movement Leaders order to foster peer-to- “I think in general, that SHAs often come into con- Virtual Event, 4 p.m. peer interactions that it’s a good effort by the tact with dozens of people The Gephardt Institute is hosting “New in the Lou,” a series of panel discussions enforce COVID-19 safety University to have constant per shift, they are always to catalyze dialogue about St. Louis through the eyes of our local community. regulations. presence and a constant outside, masked and dis- Conversations are geared towards undergraduate students, graduate students, and Stationed outside in high- force to encourage good tanced as much as possible. faculty/staff, with attention on new members of the WashU community. Attend- traffic areas, the Student habits,” Sepesi said. Cannon confirmed that ees will be entered to win door prizes from STL Style! Health Ambassadors Undergraduates from each SHA has their tem- (SHAs) offer hand sanitizer, all four grades are SHAs, perature taken before each masks and reminders to motivated by a variety of shift and are reminded not FRIDAY 9 complete daily self-screen- different factors. Senior to come to work if feeling ings. There have been Kristen Reikersdorfer was ill. Gender, Race and Election Webinar roughly 160 students who immediately interested in “Safety for all of our stu- Virtual Event, 12 p.m. have completed at least the SHA position after it dents is paramount,” she In this conversation, we will explore how varied group expectations shape vot- one shift, according to was offered to her via the said. ing behavior. We shall also explore how disaggregating “group” identity helps one of the logistical direc- biology department. Sophomore SHA Avita tors, Assistant Director for “Public health is some- Clarke said she wasn’t wor- us understand voter self-interest. How are “identity politics”--white nationalism, Sports Operations Jamaica thing I’m pretty passionate ried about getting sick while divergent gender politics and Black Lives Matter-- playing a role in this election? Cannon. about, so I jumped on it on duty due to the limited Cannon said that one of right away and applied,” she amount of close contact the goals of the program said. Reikersdorfer is one of needed during a shift. SATURDAY 10 is to encourage a sense about one quarter of SHAs “The only interactions of community responsi- that are working as volun- I have with people are to Welcoming the Second Quantum Revolution bility. She also indicated teers. Students who are paid give them hand sanitizer, Virtual Event, 10 a.m. that while the end goal is receive 10 dollars per hour. and that’s a two-second Kater Murch, of Washington University in St. Louis, will present. Quantum to reduce the spread of For senior Kate Koch, a exchange,” she said. mechanics underlies the transformative technological advances of the last cen- COVID-19, the program paid worker, the job was a While the tasks accom- tury. This “first quantum revolution” has been enabled by semiconductor devices, was more of an indirect way for her to stay involved plished by SHAs may where quantum mechanics ultimately governs the conduction of electrons. Quan- means to that end by giv- with student life while tak- seem small, the cumulative tum mechanics, with exotic features such as quantum superposition and entangle- ing students the tools to ing online classes. positive influence over hun- ment, has the potential to be harnessed in new devices that take advantage of the practice safe living while on “I’m living off campus dreds of students could be campus. and not really involved with game-changing. inherent complexity of quantum systems. Scientists are beginning to identify plac- “It helps foster that too many things going on “I can unequivocally say es where this “second quantum revolution” has potential for true impact. Murch sense of community in anymore,” Koch said. “So it’s one of the most impact- will outline this exciting future, focusing on cases where quantum technologies that we really are all in this it was partly a way to get ful programs I have ever will allow us to see, probe and quantify the world in fundamentally new ways. together, and that we care me out of my apartment been a part of,” Cannon and all want to be here,” and onto campus, partly to said. “It’s worth all the time she said. have some contribution to and all the effort.” SUNDAY 11

Public Tour: ‘House and Home’ Catholic Student Center, 2 p.m. Join us for live, interactive tours on Zoom. Student educators design and lead virtual tours featuring several artworks in the Kemper Art Museum collection, showing images of the artworks through screen sharing and answering participant questions. On October 11, Nina Huang (Sam Fox School ‘22) shares artworks in the collection that depict domestic spaces and explore the many meanings of home.

MONDAY 12

Abend Family Visiting Critic Endowed Lecture: Margarita Jover Virtual Event, 5:30 p.m. Margarita Jover, cofounder of the Barcelona-based firm aldayjover architecture and landscape and associate professor in architecture at Tulane School of Archi- tecture, will deliver the annual Abend Family Visiting Critic Endowed Lecture. CURRAN NEENAN | STUDENT LIFE Jover’s practice and research focus on mitigating and reversing socioecological Student Health Ambassadors are stationed across campus to ensure that students are crises with a particular focus on the interplay between cities and rivers. wearing face masks, have access to hand sanitizer and maintain proper social distance.

Midwestern Climate Summit focuses on equity and momentum

CLARA RICHARDS up new opportunities for by Phil Valko, assistant vice provide the greatest protec- speaker lineup was specifi- the planners attempted to CONTRIBUTING REPORTER expansion. chancellor for sustainability tion for the most vulnerable, cally targeted to achieve a combat Zoom fatigue with a The summit’s found- and executive committee we provide protection for us focus on justice and equity. dynamic experience involving Chancellor Andrew ing partners, including member. “While none of us all.” The summit was originally breakout rooms, discussions Martin introduced the Bloomberg Philanthropies, played a direct role, we are Highlighting the theme scheduled to occur over two and workshops. Midwestern Climate Summit Ohio State University and the beneficiaries of this his- of equity was an inten- days in St. Louis, but adap- The kickoff session on at its virtual kickoff event Washington University, tory,” Valko said, echoing tional move by the students tation for COVID expanded Friday was just the begin- on Oct. 2 by stressing the spurred the main initiatives, the theme of equity that ran and administration team the project’s reach. Instead ning; Think Tank events urgency of the project’s but the event is meant to be throughout the entirety of that planned the event. of following the blueprint will continue on alternating ambitious short and long- a true collaboration between the summit. Marginalized communities of previous conferences and Fridays until Nov. 20. The term objectives. a large number of stakehold- Dr. Robert Bullard, the are historically, systemically summits, it pushed organiz- series is expected to draw in The Midwestern Climate ers. Leaders hope to work first speaker at the kickoff, and repeatedly excluded ers to maximize their reach thousands of participants Summit aims to accelerate with higher education insti- emphasized a similar mes- from climate conversations, and make the events acces- from across the country, cre- work in climate action, out- tutions, local government sage throughout his keynote but it is those communities sible to a wider audience. ating drive for the focus to reach, engagement, research partners and business com- speech. that are the most dispropor- “It has made us be really shift to follow-up actions in and education. While the munity partners to build “This whole idea of tionately affected by climate creative and [think] about the spring. six-week-long summit was momentum toward climate addressing equity is a pre- change. doing this in a way that’s One of the major goals forced to transition online action. requisite to achieving “That [exclusion] felt so really authentic to our goals for the summit was to have due to the COVID-19 pan- The summit started with climate-resilient communi- wrong, on so many levels, and engaging with our par- conversations and dialogues demic, that shift opened a land acknowledgement led ties,” Bullard said. “When we and was something that we ticipants,” Deleger said. that generate momentum, had a lot of conversations That creativity involved especially for larger institu- about, especially the way the organizers broadening tions. The continuation in that we want to elevate the their reach, as the summit the spring will serve to hold voices of people who are is now accessible to partici- these institutions and organi- historically excluded from pants outside of St. Louis. zations accountable. these conversations,” sopho- Eliminating location-based “My biggest hope for more Julie Deleger, a student barriers to entry made the this is that we do gener- member on the steering com- event much more open and ate a momentum especially mittee, said. accessible. amongst students that will The student representa- Professor David Fike, direc- carry on to the spring, tives pushed to find speakers tor of environmental studies because it’s a constant representative of the groups at the University, said that chipping away at layers of most impacted by climate the move online ensured that legislation, layers of admin- change for the series of the summit is open to anyone istration and layers of online sessions, titled the who wants to log in and that bureaucracy, and that noth- Think Tank. Deleger said it will not contribute to the ing is going to change if we that when considering speak- carbon footprint associated aren’t constantly working at ers, the sub-committees with travel to major confer- it,” Deleger said. would ask themselves, “Are ences. While there are also “This decade is a critical COURTESY OF JOE ANGELES we sure that we aren’t just challenges that come with decade to take action, and During his commencement address in 2019, Michael Bloomberg announced that the University giving the same mic to the holding an online event, such the action has to be action would serve as anchor for the Midwestern Climate summit. The summit aims to connect educa- same voice, over and over as making sure that partici- that connects both planet and tional institutions, businesses and local government to accelerate ways to slow climate change. again?” to ensure that the pants are actually engaged, people,” Valko said. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020 EM MCPHIE & TED MOSKAL | SENIOR NEWS EDITORS | [email protected] STUDENT LIFE 3

On-campus dining involves new safety precautions for workers and students

ELISA XU see what you want once you had an orientation where we CONTRIBUTING REPORTER get to the end of the line, then had to watch videos about you have to go all the way COVID-19, about how to Dining on campus this back around.” keep yourself safe and how to semester looks quite different When asked about the rea- wash your hands,” Bernard than it did before COVID-19. soning behind these changes, said. “They gave us all the While all dining areas except Associate Director of Dining tools and protocols to be safe for the law cafe are open and Andrew Watling emphasized and stay safe. We also get running, many have reduced the importance of safety. our temperatures checked hours. Most items are pack- “Obviously the quality of and have to answer a couple aged in to-go containers for the food and the service are of questions on the clock-in students to grab and go, and extremely important to us, monitor before we clock in.” all of the dining areas have but we're not going to put Despite all of the safety reduced indoor seating. those over creating a safe din- precautions in place, there are Any customization comes ing experience,” Watling said. far fewer students eating at from mobile ordering, where “We worked with the medical the dining halls than the din- students can pre-order their experts on campus to set this ing administration expected. meals on their phones and up, as well as the workers in “We're serving about pick up a customized meal. the facilities to get this put 5,500-5,700 student meals MORAD SULIMAN | STUDENT LIFE The process of getting food into place.” per day, which is down from A student orders from the Bear’s Den. All open dining areas have revamped the food ordering pro- has been altered to fit social Besides the social dis- 13,000-14,000 per day in cess to fit social distancing guidelines, with changes such as reduced capacity and mobile ordering. distancing guidelines as well. tancing requirements and a normal semester,” said “You come in and you the pre-prepared meals, Watling. during lunch time. In previ- from past years. seemed to make eating inside have the concierge greet- the dining administration Senior Qiqi Chen said that ous years, a lot of the time “I do think [the screen perfectly safe as well. ing you,” Travis Bernard, a has also taken measures the social aspect of dining when you're eating lunch, separating the table] has a “I just really want to give chef at the Bear’s Den (BD) to make sure workers are on campus has significantly you're eating with your non-trivial effect on the con- a shout-out to anyone work- said. “They only let about 15 safe when handling food. changed compared to previ- friends. Right now, it seems versation flow,” Chen said. ing at the dining halls right people in at a time. Everyone These measures include ous years. more likely that you're eating “You feel like you’re more now,” Chen said. “It seems in the line has to stay six feet self-screening for symp- “There’s a lot fewer peo- by yourself.” separated.” like they're really doing their apart. You go through the toms, temperature checks, ple on campus, since some The plastic barriers in While she stated that she job by keeping the tables line, you pick what you want mask mandates, increased people have stayed home and place at various dining loca- personally prefers eating out- clean and keeping students and if you pick what you handwashing and work- some people are completely tions do allow for between side compared to inside the comfortable dining inside, want at the beginning of the ing in smaller groups to online and off-campus with 2-4 students to sit at a table dining hall due to the airflow, and also providing a space line, you get to hop out of the prevent the potential spread their classes,” Chen said. “I together, though students Chen observed that the fre- for students to socialize safely line and go to the cashier to of COVID-19. think you just have fewer sitting at these tables have quent cleaning of the plastic even though we're all living check out. But if you don't “Before we came back, we friends with you on campus greatly decreased in number screens and tables by workers through this pandemic.”

ELECTION from page 1 woes about the inability to presents potential health sustainable. We need to be resume their typical pro- risks, so far more Americans able to expand our voting gramming, but the College than usual are expected to bloc to Hispanics and other Democrats are also trying vote absentee. Some states, minority communities.” to make the most of the like Illinois, have stated that For Wolk, his favorite situation. “We’re trying all absentee ballots post- part about being involved to keep everything virtual marked as late as November with the College Democrats just because of COVID 3rd will be counted. This is seeing students get safety reasons, but also makes it likely that there involved with initiatives, that way [so that] students will not be a definitive result something that took place who for whatever reason on Election Day for the next during the 2018 midterm were unable to make it to president of the United elections and that he is St. Louis this semester are States. starting to see again now. still able to participate in Both Mayesh and Wolk “The amount of Wash. events.” expressed excitement for the U. students that get involved College Democrats have upcoming debate between in St. Louis and in Missouri hosted and plan to host sev- their respective clubs. They politics, like the way eral candidates on the ballot are hoping to hold it the people get involved with this November in virtual week before Election Day campaigns, is really cool,” settings including Yinka and are working to find an Wolk said. “I think my Faleti, Nicole Galloway, energized moderator for the favorite part is just seeing Jill Schupp and Cori Bush. event. students get engaged and Additionally, Law Professor “It will just be a couple try and make a difference in Denise Lieberman gave a of our club members versus not just St. Louis but on a presentation about how to a couple of theirs just talk- grander scale than that.” vote absentee and vote by ing about some issues with Maggie O’Connor, a mail in Missouri, something the race,” Mayesh said. member of the College that Wolk foresees could be “It’s going to be healthy, Democrats who is work- a challenge. positive stuff. It won’t be ing as a field fellow for “I think the biggest about attacking each other. the Jill Schupp campaign, challenge is how insanely It’s more just talking about is a great example of this complex it is to vote in policy and [other related] involvement. In a statement Missouri, particularly for things.” to Student Life, O’Connor college students,” Wolk “The way we’ve always said she first met Schupp said. “Voting absentee and kept it tame is that we both while canvassing for her voting by mail are separate plan it,” Wolk said. “We are 2018 state senate cam- things in Missouri [and] in co-hosting and co-planning paign with the College some instances, you need this event so there has to be Democrats. to get your ballot nota- some teamwork and coop- “My advice [to students rized which is an insane eration there.” who are interested in get- challenge.” After the election, ting involved with politics Mayesh vocalized his Mayesh said that his club but aren’t sure where to own concerns regarding the will be able to have a really start] is to do your research upcoming election, worries interesting conversation to find a candidate that you that many have also started about the future of the believe in, and then reach to articulate nationwide as Republican party. out!” she wrote. “Getting October begins. “I’m wor- “Either way, we're going involved in local politics ried that neither candidate to have to acknowledge has given me a much deeper will concede, to be honest,” what does Trump’s win appreciation for the com- he said. “I’m worried that or loss mean for what we munity that exists beyond we won't know the results should do as a party?” campus. Wash. U. students for a protracted amount of Mayesh said. “Because are very fortunate that St. time, and that’s not healthy you can look at the popula- Louis has great opportu- for anybody.” tions in the demographics nities for young people to Given the extraordinary of the United States, and take on meaningful roles nature of a presidential you can see right now the in highly competitive races. election in the middle of a Republican voting bloc is Volunteering is always a pandemic, voting in-person not going to hold. It’s not great place to start.”

VOLUME 142, NO. 4

Emma Baker Kya Vaughn Curran Neenan Sabrina Spence Adrienne Levin Coleman Copyright © 2020 Washington Editor-in-Chief Senior Forum Editor Senior Photo Editor Social Media Director General Manager University Student Media, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Inc. (WUSMI). Student Life Nathan Springman is a financially and editorially Matthew Friedman Dorian DeBose JJ Coley Website Editor Tammy Dunsford independent, student-run Associate Editor Josh Shapiro Isabella Neubauer Advertising Sales Supervisor newspaper serving the Senior Sports Editors Copy Chiefs Jamila Dawkins [email protected] Washington University Jayla Butler [email protected] [email protected] Forum Editor community. Our newspaper is Kya Vaughn a publication of WUSMI and Managing Editors Isabella Neubauer Vivienne Chang Christine Watridge does not necessarily represent Sabrina Spence Kathleen White Spencer Linenberg the views of the Washington Em McPhie Senior Cadenza Editors Engagement Directors Jaime Lee University administration. Ted Moskal [email protected] Designers Senior News Editors HN Hoffmann [email protected] Mia Goldberg Jaden Satenstein Design Chief Christine Watridge Benjamin Simon [email protected] Multimedia Editors Senior Scene Editor [email protected] 4 STUDENT LIFE BENJAMIN SIMON | SENIOR SCENE EDITOR | [email protected] THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020 SCENE Navigating WU as a freshman during the pandemic

RYAN RICKS past few weeks, I’d go with starts. Some classes record CONTRIBUTING WRITER “difficult.” Because that’s their lectures, others don’t. what everything has been— It’s hard to know what to When I fantasized about difficult. Making friends, expect, and that has made my first few weeks of socializing in general, going the transition even harder, college, I thought of what to classes, getting involved because I already had noth- many of us were probably in extracurriculars, all of ing to compare my college looking forward to: the new these were things I knew I classes to, and now I can’t freedom, the new ways would at least somewhat even compare them to each to make friends, the new struggle with during my other. foods and the new city to transition to college. But the When I’m not in class, explore. Even then, I always pandemic has made every- I’m doing everything except understood that the reality thing so much harder. And relaxing and enjoying some would look different than what I think a lot of people free time. I’m not going the fantasy. For one thing, don’t consider is that these to blame all of this on the there was no way I was things are harder for reasons pandemic; I already had going to transform from a that go beyond wearing workaholic tendencies stem- shy person to an extremely masks, social distancing and ming from even before high social one in the span of communicating over Zoom school. But the pandemic a few months. But I never calls. has definitely made it worse. could’ve expected it to be Classes, for example, are I’m in my dorm room all CURRAN NEENAN | STUDENT LIFE like this. difficult not just because I the time, so I have nothing A group of students walk past Olin Library before classes begin. Due to COVID-19 protocol, the fresh- Back in February, when have to do some of them better to do than to work. man experience has been marked by lots of masks, social distancing and long hours in dorm rooms. people were becoming over Zoom, but because Every night since Sept. 14, worried about COVID-19, they’re all so varied. I have I’ve refused to stop work- say that during the last few different games, like the the extreme end of the spec- I had hope. Hope that this a class that’s asynchronous, ing until I’ve done every weeks I’ve spent a good newly popular Among Us. trum in terms of spending wouldn’t become an issue. one that’s online and syn- bit of work that I can do. 90% of my time in my For the most part though, time in my dorm, but what Even in March, as we were chronous and two that are Even when it’s an assign- dorm room. Why? Well, every social gathering has else can I do? Being close to sent home, told that we’d mixes of those two options. ment that’s not due for over there’s no reason for me to been put together by stu- other people right now, even be doing online school for I have a couple of in-person a week, it’s hard to stop go anywhere. Most of my dents, and I haven’t been in when it’s just two of us, feels at least two weeks, I had classes, except one of them myself from trying to finish classes are online now, and much of a mental position dangerous. The University’s hope that this would end has online components it because there’s nothing when I do go out I usually to take advantage of any of positive testing rate may be soon and that my last few while the other does not. else for me to do. get everything I need to do them. low, but who knows if or weeks of high school would These classes feel regi- If I’m not doing school done (like getting lunch and Don’t get me wrong, I when that may change? Not go as expected. Even after mented in a way that I didn’t work, then I’m probably dinner) in one trip. In the have managed to connect to mention that the self- we were told in April that expect from college. All of in a meeting for one of the classes I do have in-person, with some people, like my screening form that we’re we would be online for the our seats are turned towards many, many clubs I signed it’s hard to approach anyone suitemates, or a couple supposed to fill out every rest of the school year, I the front of the room like up for. During the virtual with our seats being six feet people from class or some day is based on symptoms. had hope that my summer we’re taking a test, and I activities fair in August, I apart. And unfortunately people from group chats Asymptomatic cases are would be normal. That I can’t lean over to talk to any signed up for way too many for me, I’m not the type of made over the summer. well-known by now, so how could enjoy my last summer of my classmates because clubs, ranging from Active person who can randomly Though I’m not sure if am I supposed to know if of freedom before moving our seats are so far away Minds to Bears Care to the walk up to someone and I can give myself much anyone has the virus based to college. Up until that fate- from each other. Whenever Anime Exploration Team, introduce themselves. credit here. Most of these on that? ful moment in May, when I am able to talk in class, I partly because I’m a worka- Not that the University impromptu meet-ups There’s an uncertainty Washington University pretty much have to shout holic, and partly because hasn’t tried to give us oppor- happen because someone surrounding the entire situ- announced that the fall because of both the masks I’m socially starved. These tunities to socialize though. recognizes me on one of my ation, and it makes it so that semester would be delayed, and the distance. The new clubs have helped a little bit While we have been asked rare trips outside my dorm, the only place I can feel safe, I had pictured my first few classroom environment has with my lack of socializa- to remain in our dorms and and we end up having a or feel that I am keeping months in college being taken a lot of getting used tion, because I get to talk to stay distanced, there have conversation for a little bit. others safe, is in my dorm. normal. to, and I’m still not all the people that I have at least been a couple of opportuni- But none of these connec- And as new groups of Maybe it was optimism, way there yet. one thing in common with, ties to meet new people. tions feel real yet because I people are reported on the maybe it was denial. Either It’s hard to keep track of but having every meeting Every Friday, there’s been haven’t been able to spend Covidiots page every other way, here I am, a freshman everything when no class over Zoom kind of puts a an event called BEAR-idise, much time with anyone. day, I can’t help but grow in college in the middle of is the same. Some classes damper on that. where we play bingo to try Another thing that has more and more confident in the pandemic. have their Zoom link posted Speaking of socializing, to win prizes and then we really hurt my friend-making my decision to stay in here, If I could only use one on Canvas, others send it’s safe to say that my social go into what are essentially prospects is anxiety. I must even as I feel lonelier and word to describe these it out right before class life is severely lacking. I’d breakout rooms to play admit that I’m probably on lonelier.

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Student Life contest: Send us your favorite pandemic facewear BENJAMIN SIMON Whatever it looks like, we okay if you didn’t make SENIOR SCENE EDITOR want to see yours! the mask yourself—that Your mask doesn’t doesn’t mean it’s not The coronavirus has have to be fancy. We’re important to you. Even introduced a whole new not asking you to look if you don’t have a story realm of fashion: masks. like Lady Gaga. Maybe and just want to send in We saw it at the MTV it has a cool backstory or your mask, we still want Video Music Awards when unique feature. Maybe you to see it! Lady Gaga flashed more made your own mask or Submitters will have the than five different masks found one at Target that chance to win in mul- in a night, including one speaks to you. Maybe you tiple different categories, with horns and another dazzled up your basic blue including best store-bought that looked like a fish- surgical mask or found mask, best homemade bowl. September’s digital one in a thrift shop five bask, best story and more. New York Fashion Week years ago and saved it all Extra points if it is related featured mask after mask, of this time. Maybe you to Wash. U. Winners will as if each one was trying now feel motivated to go have their masks featured to outdo its predecessor. and create your own mask. in Student Life. We’ll have Masks have come in (If you’re still looking for more information later this all different designs and that motivation, check out month. material—plain black these handmade masks. The deadline to submit masks, crocheted masks, They’re pretty cool.) is next Wednesday, Oct. superhero masks, tie-dyed Regardless of what your 14. To enter, fill out the masks. We even hear mask looks like, send us short form below: there are South 40 masks a picture and tell us why http://bit.ly/ swirling around out there. you’re submitting it. It’s studlifemasks GRAPHIC BY CHRISTINE WATRIDGE

#ThisCivicMoment: Gephardt Institute creates space for WU to reflect

ISABELLE GILLMAN on the implications of the list of reflection questions Martin, the Assistant narratives, historical and Cure: How to Help Our STAFF WRITER civic moments of our time and additional readings Director for Strategy journalistic perspectives, Democracy Recover from including COVID-19, that viewers can engage and Evaluation at the calls to action, creative the Pandemic.” A 2020 In 2005, the Gephardt the Movement for Black as well. Gephardt Institute, hopes expression, and academic alumna, Charlyn Moss, Institute of Civic Lives, 2020 Census, and The project, however, the entire Washington essays. Most impor- submitted a poem and Engagement was created 2020 National Elections,” isn’t designed to elicit University community tant, students can speak recited it for the Gephardt by Congressman Richard according to the pro- 20-page stories or in-depth will consider these ques- directly to other students Instagram page. Gephardt with the goal gram’s web page. documentaries. Instead, tions as well. and engage each other in “Gephardt Institute has of encouraging students #ThisCivicMoment is contributors produce “We created the critical issues of our so many programs [and] to help support communi- an online series open to written work no longer #ThisCivicMoment for time.” opportunities for student ties worldwide. This goal submissions from any- than 350 words and audio the campus community The Gephardt Institute involvement,” said Brooke manifests itself in a num- one in the Washington recordings no longer than to engage in critical has already started show- Bulmash, a Civic Scholar ber of ways, including University community, five minutes. reflection about the civic casing its submissions and senior majoring in Gephardt’s Civic Scholars including students, In this short amount of issues of our time,” said for #ThisCivicMoment, Architecture. “In my Program, the Arts as Civic faculty, alumni and staff. space, #ThisCivicMoment Martin. “Just this year ranging from essays to opinion, it’s definitely a Engagement Program and Submissions may come in asks contributors to alone we have multiple videos. An undergraduate great resource for individ- the University-wide blood a variety of creative forms consider questions such moments—COVID-19, student majoring in politi- uals [or groups] wanting drives each semester. of expression, from jour- as, “How will you act movement for Black lives, cal science and religious to get involved with civic The Gephardt nalistic to academic to in this civic moment?”, national election, and studies, Yohanes Mulat, engagement and engage Institute’s most recent video or audio recordings. “How will you respond to census—that will have wrote a poem about the with the St. Louis com- community engage- The program welcomes this civic moment?”, and significant implications struggle between pro- munity. My involvement ment project is called a variety of media that “What are you commit- for the future. As the next testing and staying safe with Gephardt has been #ThisCivicMoment, effectively communicate ting to doing as a result generation of leaders, from the coronavirus. enlightening [me] about aimed at inspiring feelings about community of this civic moment?” influencers and scholars, Taylor Brown, a student civic and community Washington University and society as a whole. While these prompts are students offer a unique at the Brown School of issues and has definitely community members to Each submission not only aimed at those submit- voice in connecting cur- Social Work, wrote an been my most meaningful voice their “perspectives features the content, but a ting their work, Dr. Jillian rent events with personal essay titled, ”We are the involvement on campus.”

ACKERMANTOYOTA.COM 2020 HAMPTON AVE. ST. LOUIS, MO 63139 AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 44 314-351-3000 Toyota Care is a no cost maintenance program that covers the first 2 years or 25k miles, whichever comes first. The Ackerman For Life is valid only at Ackerman Toyota and is non-transferable. Offer contains 1 oil change maximum, per calendar year, when Toyota Care expires. Offer good to primary owner only. 6 STUDENT LIFE DORIAN DEBOSE & JOSH SHAPIRO | SENIOR SPORTS EDITORS | [email protected] THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020 SPORTS For football, business is back, but not quite usual

DORIAN DEBOSE the training regimens put SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR forward by head sports performance coach Terry Last Monday, a familiar O’Neill has been a huge part sight returned to Francis of maintaining his prepared- Field. Football players— ness for the season. Bears who have remained in “He still kept sending hibernation since the cancel- us programs,” Pigatti said. lation of their season back in “Everybody encouraged July—began to work out at each other to keep working their home field again. hard and all that. As athletes, “It's all socially distanced it's not really part of your kind of workouts on the mindset to give up.” field,” said senior defen- Due to social distancing sive lineman Peter Pigatti. guidelines, the football team “Running and lifting like has not been able to practice small weights, just what we as a full unit and they haven’t can bring outside. I believe been able to practice in full next week, if it all continues equipment. But they have to go well, we're going to be remained devoted to keeping putting the pads on.” prepared for a season that The football team, along may never come. with the remaining fall “We have two groups: sports, were able to resume one in [the] morning, one practice last week. Since in the afternoon,” Hurley football is a sport centered said. “[We’re] basically try- around physical contact, ing to ready our bodies for their early practices have our next phase, which hope- CURRAN NEENAN | STUDENT LIFE focused on preparing their fully results in us actually Then-junior defensive back Andrew Whitaker scans the field before a snap against North Central College last fall. The Bears have started bodies for the remainder of practicing with each other. practicing with the hope of playing games in the spring, but practices have focused on staying in shape rather than football-specific drills. the fall and—hopefully—a I don't really know what spring season. that's gonna look like, but our new head coach [Aaron cohesiveness by diligently things a little bit more dif- way around the place, it's “We were told pretty early so far it hasn't really been Keen],” senior defensive working. ficult,” he said. “But there good to finally be able to on when the season was can- positionally focused or any back JT Streepy said, adding To Streepy, the lack of a are some people on our team meet these freshmen in per- celed that the goal would be real football scheme type “And, obviously, that was preseason to integrate new that organized some bond- son and kind of gauge what to have some sort of games practice.” not able to happen.” members of the team was ing events, social distancing the team is going to be like in the spring,” senior defen- Fall of 2020 was going to In addition to the coach- a challenge, but he believes enforced. We'd be in Forest and I think that has been sive back Will Hurley said. be a different year for Wash. ing change, a number of that the team has worked to Park. We do random things very optimistic, and it has “And so that was kind of the U. football. For the first leaders on the team from last overcome that unexpected like throwing the football been very positive for both outlook that we had regard- time in over 30 years, they year graduated. Quarterback hurdle. around. All very spaced out the coaches and the players.” less of whether it would were going to start a season Johnny Davidson graduated “It kind of changed the and stuff because of COVID For seniors like Hurley, happen or not.” without head coach Larry in the spring, alongside key dynamic a little bit, but I and everything. But just to they are clinging to the hope Before practices resumed, Kindbom at their helm. offensive contributors John think the coaching staff in try to get to know them, you that the opportunity to play players maintained disci- “We hired a new head Fisher, Mitchel Groen, Tim general, as far as the fall know, in any way we can.” again comes sooner rather plined workout schedules coach, going into the spring, Mattheissen and Nick Watts. sports [are concerned], has Whether efforts to inte- than later. so that they would be ready in which our spring practices For a team in the midst of done a good job throughout grate the freshman are “As a high school football for the return of practices. were going to be kind of regime change, the pandemic the summer of staying in successful can likely only be player. I knew that going into According to Pigatti, run- the first time we were able could have been devastating. touch, holding team meet- judged in the spring or next the [last high school] game, ning, lifting and following to meet and interact with But they have maintained ings and having player fall, when Wash. U. football ‘This is going to be my last meetings where we've gotten trots out on the field for their game,’” Hurley said. “Last to know the new players on first game in what will then year, there's no way in hell I the team,” Streepy said. “I be over a year. But now, the ever thought that would be WE ARE OPEN think preseason is the biggest Bears are just jazzed to be my last game. It'd be really thing that is different from playing—or at least almost nice to have the opportu- with safe social this year versus the years playing—again. nity to go into the season before.” “There’s a lot of excite- and know these are the distancing Hurley concurred with ment to get back out there,” last games. Just to have the practices. Streepy. “We didn't have Streepy said. “For the seniors opportunity to suit up again that preseason and made and juniors who know our with my best friends.” We offer curb side pick-up. LIVE GLASS BLOWING BY LOCAL ARTISTS Come check out our CBD selection Brands we carry: BeLeaf Life Oils - Missouri Grown! • Eclipse Green Roads • JustCBD • Koi • Rescue CBD

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2019 8 STUDENT LIFE KYA VAUGHN | SENIOR FORUM EDITOR | [email protected] THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020 FORUM STAFF EDITORIAL

The least you can do: Here’s how to vote in this fall’s general election

ormally, the ABSENTEE VOTING to guarantee that it’s received it while you’re at the Board to have your request submit- form and on the ballot Student Life BY MAIL on time, especially if you’re of Elections.! In order to ted is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, itself, including signing all NEditorial Board sending it in via mail. The vote absentee in person, you Oct. 21. If you’re mailing in of the correct places. Do would run a staff editorial If you are not going to Board of Elections will then have to go to the local Board the request form, be sure to not give election officials about voting during the last be in Missouri on Election mail you a ballot, which you of Elections by 5 p.m. on account for the time it will a reason to disqualify your week of October, just before Day but still have a Missouri will have to fill out, get nota- Monday, Nov. 2. This option take for it to be processed and ballot by filling out the Election Day. This year, address or if you meet other rized and return by 7 p.m. does not require you to go delivered through the mail. wrong parts of the form though, voting is different. criteria, such as working at on Tuesday, Nov. 3 (either by to a notary, since that will be They will then send you or forgetting to sign the The pandemic—along with the polls on Election Day or mail or by dropping it off at taken care of at the Board of a ballot, which you must fill envelope. various efforts to suppress caring for someone who is the Board of Elections). That Elections, but you still need out, notarize and return by If you’re voting absentee voter turnout—has made vot- sick, you can vote absentee. is a lot of steps, so be sure to some form of identification. mail no later than 7 p.m. on or with a mail-in ballot, ing incredibly complicated Absentee voting was already start this process as soon as Tuesday, Nov. 3. Just as with start as soon as you can! this fall, despite the need an option for some Missouri possible to ensure your ballot MAIL-IN VOTING the absentee voting process, The deadline to have your to exercise our right to vote voters prior to the pandemic, gets counted. there are lots of steps, so start ballot request submitted is being as clear as ever. So here but the state added two If you fall into one of the If you will be in Missouri now! 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. we are now, a full 26 days additional reasons to vote two new categories, you on Election Day and do not 21, but don’t wait until the before Nov. 3, to explain how absentee this year: incapacity do not need to have your meet the other criteria to IN-PERSON VOTING last minute, as the mail to vote in this year’s general due to illness or being part of ballot notarized. For the qualify for absentee voting, ON ELECTION DAY moves slowly and your election. a high-risk group for COVID- other excuses, the Gephardt you still have other options request may not get there Since many Washington 19. According to the St. Louis Institute has developed a list beyond voting in person. To If neither of those options in time. University students are Post-Dispatch, you do not of notaries on and near cam- respond to the pandemic, the work for you, you can still Be sure to bring with Missouri voters, we have need to provide proof that pus to help you notarize your state introduced universal vote in person on Nov. 3. you an acceptable form of chosen to focus on this state’s you are in a high-risk group, ballot in a timely manner. mail-in voting this year. You can look up your polling identification whenof vot- voting process. Other states so you can use that excuse to The process is very similar place location at the Missouri ing in person or dropping have different processes and do absentee voting as well. ABSENTEE VOTING IN to absentee voting, but you do Secretary of State’s website, off your absentee ballot. restrictions, so if you choose The first way you can PERSON not need to have a specified which also provides a list of Just because polls show to vote elsewhere, be sure vote absentee is completely reason in order to vote by acceptable forms of identifica- a wide margin in the to get specific information contactless. You can fill out If you meet one of the mail. tion that you’ll be required to national election does about how that particular an absentee ballot request state’s criteria, you can also To start, you must mail have with you on voting day. not mean that your vote state handles the voting form and then email or mail vote absentee before Election the aforementioned ballot is meaningless: State and process. The website howto. it to your local Board of Day by going to your local request form to your local THINGS TO local elections are very vote can connect you to the Elections. That request form Board of Elections and filling Board of Elections or go in REMEMBER important and are often information you need if you is due by Wednesday, Oct. out an absentee application. person to apply for the form much closer than the cast your vote outside of 21, at 5 p.m., so make sure to You will receive your ballot (unfortunately, email is not an Follow all of the instruc- national votes, especially Missouri. fill it out as soon as possible on the spot and be able to cast option). Again, the deadline tions on the ballot request in states like Missouri.

The struggle to balance college and current events

REILLY BRADY Some topics have been Sometimes, I take a step the impact of the events of the and attend protests, but police which these monumental CONTRIBUTING WRITER ever-present, just under the back to attempt to process all world around me. brutality and systemic racism events are occuring; right now, surface, and are finally being of the change in my personal While the stress of the continues. I have the power to I feel like I’m falling behind. ver the past few addressed by Americans life and in the world. How outside world has impacted vote, but my vote is only one Getting an education is weeks, we’ve instead of being swept under am I supposed to focus on students in previous years and of millions. I can follow all what I can do right now in Obeen hit with an the rug, such as police brutal- a minor assignment when decades, the overwhelming of the guidelines to stay safe hopes to have more of an overwhelming amount of ity and deep-seated racism in California wildfires rage near nature of 2020 has especially and healthy, but the reckless influence in the future. That information: the result of American society. Others are my hometown and my fam- affected current college stu- actions of others perpetuate doesn’t mean it’s easy to stay Breonna Taylor’s case, high completely new issues that ily? How do I study for a quiz dents. College education has the pandemic. focused; I find myself often numbers of COVID-19 cases we haven’t quite figured out while worrying about staying always continued throughout However, I also realize discussing the news instead in schools re-opening around how to deal with yet, like the safe amid COVID-19? It’s election years, throughout how vital an education is. of studying, reading about the country, the first presiden- worldwide impact of COVID- extremely difficult to balance wars, throughout tragedies. Many of my classes discuss COVID-19 cases in each state tial debate, Trump contracting 19 on physical and mental the abundance of informa- But that doesn’t mean it’s these current issues, and I am instead of writing an essay or COVID-19, the death of Ruth health, economic systems, tion that I’m inundated with any less difficult to cope with learning about the histori- checking for election updates Bader Ginsburg, the push for travel, international relations, as I’m constantly updated the collective pressure of cal background of many of instead of getting extra sleep. nominating a Supreme Court employment rates and overall about political candidates studying hard, paying atten- these topics. I feel slightly Some days, homework feels justice before election day daily life. and COVID-19 cases on top tion in class, staying healthy comforted to know that I am useless compared to the and the devastating effects Among all of this change of the overwhelming stress and dealing with the often educating myself on these weight of the current world; of climate change, to name and uprooting of societal of starting my first year of disheartening realities of our relevant topics, doing my best other days, education feels just a few. But this surge of norms, somehow, life contin- college. Not only am I balanc- present day. I constantly feel to understand the state of our vital to try to understand pres- unprecedented events within ues. Students are studying for ing living independently in useless; my actions never feel country and the world. But ent realities. Either way, it’s the past few weeks is not tests and completing assign- college, developing a social like enough. I can try to lessen I’m impatient. I want to have overwhelming. For now, I can unique: This entire year has ments amid a pandemic and life and dealing with dozens my individual environmental a greater ability to bring about only hope that by the time I been filled with waves of an election that will directly of assignments, I’m also impact, yet our climate still tangible, meaningful change can make more of an impact, change, emotion and tragedy. impact their lives. constantly trying to process suffers. I can sign petitions that outpaces the speed at it’s not too late.

The presidential debate debacle

OLIVIA POOLOS mudslinging and interjec- feet and respond to pres- turnout will be Trump’s change and the economy. It’s undo, especially if the next STAFF WRITER tions on Tuesday night, I sure. Undecided voters get a expert theory of rampant easy to make the argument few debates go even half as realized that it’s time for a chance to see their options mail-in ballot fraud). that the debate did more badly as the first one did. nless you’ve been change. Presidential debates, in action, and those who Additionally, many of harm than good in terms of The presidential debate living in an ice at least this year, have lost may not usually vote can get the debate topics, carefully informing the public about tradition has been nice—but Ucave in Siberia, any positive impact they inspired to cast a ballot. posed by moderator Chris what’s truly at stake in this add it to the list of things you’ve heard about the first may have once had. The downfall of the Wallace, lead the candidates election—aside from our col- 2020 has ruined, possibly presidential debate of 2020. Televised presidential debates started in earnest in to either irrelevant tangents lective sanity. forever. Even though many Miriam-Webster has put a debates had a strong start 2016, when Hillary Clinton (read: Hunter Biden, the Okay, you might argue may not agree with me now, screen capture of Donald in 1960, with Nixon and and Trump batted insults flammability of certain trees that one bad debate doesn’t I’m betting that by the time Trump’s scrunched-up, Kennedy bantering back and and interruptions back and and who is more knowledge- mean that the entire practice the final debate rolls around, scowling face adjacent to forth about civil rights and forth, both amusing and hor- able about suburbs) or to is rotten. However, gone we’re all going to be chan- Joe Biden’s too-white fake Chinese communism. The rifying their audience. spew misleading or incor- unchecked, the circus put neling Biden, asking the T.V: smile next to the definition two men were composed. And this year? It’s rect information. Not only on by Biden and Trump sets “Will you shut up, man?” of “garbage fire.” It was, in They were civil. Since then, gotten even worse. The does the American public the precedent of “anything If we really want people short, a disaster—an opinion the American public has debate didn’t help make up not need to hear about the goes,” for future presidential to vote (which we do!), we that I’d guess is widely held largely viewed debates as a anyone’s mind. In fact, it candidates’ family drama, candidates. Americans are need to cancel the rest of by members of both political way to get a feel for a candi- actually pushed voters away they were also bombarded tuning in for the show, not the debates. Instead, let’s parties. date’s political stance, as well from the whole mess (unless with blatantly wrong facts for information—and that’s just focus on surviving until As I cringed through the as watch them think on their the reason for low-voter about COVID-19, climate a mindset that’s difficult to election day.

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GRADY NANCE sounds, plans to unleash traditional action trans- CONTRIBUTING WRITER a temporal catastrophe forms into palindromic upon the world. With the chaos: characters colliding Editor’s note: This review help of deranged Russian from opposite directions contains spoilers arms dealer Andrei Sator in time, fighting that (Kenneth Branagh), who which appears to be going Christopher Nolan executes their plans in in reverse. A car chase welcomes audiences back the present, the plot to during the middle of the to theaters with a mind- reverse the world’s entropy film captures the full melting concept and the using a doomsday device potential of this idea, as most creative action you’ll reaches its endgame. cars are driven backwards, see all year: ”Tenet.” Fighting enemies back- flipped in reverse and un- Watching “Tenet” in wards and forwards, the exploded, all while trying theaters—the first time Protagonist and his allies to chase down someone I’d been to one since must thwart the plot and who has seen the fight quarantine began—felt alter the grim fate of an unfold before. The excite- like coming back from unraveling world. ment of a concept that summer break and being The movie is undoubt- makes the “Terminator” handed an exam on the edly rooted in classic movies sound straight- first day, but I didn’t mind. James Bond-like spy thrill- forward reaching such After a decade in which ers with dangerous stunts, thrilling heights is just he challenged audiences’ enormous set pieces and more evidence of Nolan’s notions of time with an almost parodic foreign absolute command of his “Inception” (2010), then villain. This, of course, is craft. shattered them entirely supplemented by Nolan’s Much like its electric in “Interstellar” (2014), almost compulsory action scenes—from its it seems as if in 2020, time-tampering and use frenetic opening sequence Christopher Nolan is of IMAX cameras. John to the credits—the loco- picking up right where he David Washington deliv- motive pace of this movie left off. ers a strong performance does not let up. Despite “Tenet” follows a secret in a highly-demanding the 150-minute runtime, agent known only as “the role, Robert Pattinson when trying to juggle Protagonist” (John David continues to display his the baffling premise, the Washington) sent on a immense talent and a inverted timelines and mission with no informa- strong supporting cast an overstuffed plot, you tion other than a single ensures “Tenet” operates might find yourself trying word: “tenet.” This word at its highest potential. to catch your breath every leads to a string of con- These strong performances few scenes. Alternatively, nections across the world are imperative, grounding you may be scratching who inform him of the a film that actively pushes your head out of pure looming threat sent from the audience to their con- bewilderment. Characters the future. Joined by the ceptual limits. spend a great deal of time mysterious agent Neil Though Nolan has trying to explain the plot, (Robert Pattinson), the toyed with the theory in yet it still feels a bit out of Protagonist learns about earlier films, this is his reach because of how far “inversion,” a phenom- most sincere attempt at the film takes its premise. enon in which objects and time travel, and his knack Nolan reportedly spent people can reverse their for delivering a bold nearly 10 years developing entropy, allowing them to and original perspective the story for “Tenet.” At travel backwards through shines yet again. Instead some points, it feels like in the film, “don’t try to this movie is to sit back shake your seat. Enjoy time. Bullets shoot back of hopping in a machine, the viewer may need the understand it, feel it,” and and let it unfold on its the enormous scale of into guns, fallen buildings phone booth or DeLorean, same amount of time to that tenet (pun intended) own. Enough of the “two-way” fight scenes re-assemble and, most these characters actually understand it. Time travel certainly holds true for the story makes sense to stay filmed in IMAX format. importantly, people can move backwards in space is never simple, and the audience as well. invested, so don’t over- And only after the credits travel through the timeline and time—that is, from amount of questions that Like much of Nolan’s think it while watching roll, after you’ve taken in reverse, affecting events the perspective of those arise from Nolan’s take are filmography, trying to for the first time. Feel the a moment to digest and as they unfold; imagine a moving forwards in time. almost enough to take one nitpick your way through immaculate, thundering appreciate the magnificent fish swimming upstream This creates arguably the out of the movie. But fear this movie—at least while soundtrack by Ludwig spectacle of it all, should in a river. This technique most entertaining action not! As physicist Laura in the theater—will only Goransson and the you begin to wonder is how the future, which sequences captured on (Clemence Poesy) explains give you a headache. genius behind Childish whether it all made sense is as ambiguous as it film in recent memory, as to the Protagonist early The best way to enjoy Gambino’s “Redbone” or not. ‘Nectar’ displays Joji’s unconventional, emotional music

GRACIE HIME sound. his most celebrated song, pairing provides a “stream “BALLADS 1,” his debut especially public figures, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Joji's newest album “SLOW DANCING IN of consciousness”-like album, he doesn’t abandon to repress feelings. When reminds listeners of his THE DARK”). His work energy, a vulnerability that his staple realism/existen- talking about “west side” Internet star and musi- outstanding ability to is unique to the modern attracts listeners. As Joji tialism philosophy. (probably LA) in this cal genius Joji released his externalize emotion into music industry for many explained in an interview Joji collaborates with song, Joji also makes newest album “Nectar” music. He pairs love songs reasons, but possibly with Golden Pathway several people on this a reference to the hills Friday, Sept. 25, where he with darker or deeper the most notable is his Magazine, he wants his album. Lil Yachty, Omar “burning bright.” This displayed a beautiful blend musical effects such as an bombastic and simple music to make people “sad Apollo, Diplo and others could also be a political of orchestral, R&B, low-fi airy voice or resolving dis- underlying beats and how and horny.” This might be contribute in many ways, statement about the recent and experimental elements sonance with a jazz-based they contrast from his the best way to explain the but more than anything, I California wildfires. We that create his iconic extended chord (like in passionate lyrics. This background of his realistic feel like it is a mainstream revisit his existentialist fret and solemn love songs. music ploy. Most of the in the song “MODUS.” Right from the begin- collaborative songs are The most notable phrase ning, listeners get a taste enjoyable, but they really is “Speed it up, slow it of the strong piano that interrupt the album with a down, Need control, need makes up a lot of the kick of orthodox pop and it now / I need to live a album. In the album’s first rap that is uncharacteris- thousand times I cannot song, “Ew,” Joji summa- tic of Joji’s normal work. stop, I cannot cry I will rizes the contents of what While this brings diversity not fret, I will not die.” this album is all about. His to the album, I must admit This cry for immate- quintessential buildup to that I am biased in favor rial answers isn’t new of a diminished resolution is of a classic Joji ballad. Joji, but it does remind accompanied by a beauti- BENNE’s appearance listeners of the constant ful string orchestra. His on the album, though, fight between the external rich tones carry through- is the most fitting of the world and oneself. out all the songs, but they features. Not only did she Because the album are very prominent in the fit the vibe of the album, release was pushed back beginning of the album. but she matched Joji’s a few months due to Instead of his typical urge emotion in their song COVID-19, fans were to sing in the background “Afterthought.” This is an anxious for its arrival, and not compete with the aspect that the other art- but it is fair to say that heavy drums, he dances ists could not do as well. Joji’s “Nectar” lived up with them while keeping Like any Joji album, we to the high expectations. his classic melancholic cannot overlook the seem- He executed the idea of reverberation. We also ingly simple lyrics. On ‘realistic and worldly love’ get to see his technical his song with Lil Yachty, perfectly, yet still provided vocal evolution, which I “Pretty Boy,” Joji talks enough diversity to keep first noticed in the song about the materialism in his audience attentive. “Run.” He also displays the world. In one verse, he With this variety, go ahead his beautifully emotional says “Livin' so loud, you and add this album to both falsetto and pitch control could never hear me cry.” your “Sad Boi Hours” throughout the album. Not only is this a reference and your “Summer Nights While he does provide a to the effects of being in Vibe” playlists. Whatever more uplifting mood in the music industry, but the occasion, Joji has a this album compared to also the pressure of men, song for you. College is hard. Snacks help. Get FREE delivery. Start your 6-month trial, no cost to you

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