The Student Newspaper of Lawrence University Since 1884

THE VOL. CXXXX NO. LAWRENTIAN1 Appleton, Wisconsin April 9, 2021 Laurie Carter named 17th president of Lawrence University

Emily Zuniga perience as a sitting president at Shippensburg and staff. Then, the students and staff who met Do you have questions about any new developments on campus? Staff Writer University, her 25 years of experience at Juilliard with both finalists were given a survey to provide ______and her focus on student success and the student general feedback to help inform the search com- Should the Lawrentian be covering any event? After a lengthy process, the Chair of the experience were a few of the key qualities which mittee’s decision. Toncler said that Carter was the Presidential Search Committee, Cory Nettles, an- Nettles identified. Looking at all the places Carter clear frontrunner in her mind. The search com- Let us know! nounced that Laurie A. Carter will be Lawrence has been, it was clear that student success was her mittee unanimously decided to select Carter to be University’s 17th President on March 4. July 1 will highest priority, said Nettles. the 17th president of Lawrence. Send any tips to [email protected]. be President Carter’s first official day as president Junior and member of the Presidential Assistant to the President and Secretary to of Lawrence University. Search Committee, Jessica Toncler, stated that the Board of Trustees Christyn Abaray described Although Carter has not formalized long- Carter’s genuine care and concern for her stu- the presidential hiring process as “intense” and a term goals yet, she commented on the impor- dents stood out. For example, at Shippensburg “whirlwind.” She said that they really became one tance of working on diversity and inclusion, University, President Carter would step out of as a committee and made sure that everyone’s something she also worked to emphasize at Ship- her office to engage with students. Toncler said voice mattered. Abaray believes that the search pensburg University, where she currently serves that Carter has been known to go sledding with committee is a group that will stay connected as president. The creation of an Anti-Racism students and teach exercise classes. throughout the years. Institute, the creation of the first Chief Diver- Moreover, Toncler said that each candidate’s Further, Abaray explained that the Presiden- sity Officer position and the addition of a Pride view on what it means to be an anti-racist campus tial Transition Committee will aim to provide Center were some of Carter’s primary efforts to was a make-it-or-break-it question, and Toncler a smooth start for Carter while also honoring strengthen diversity and inclusion at Shippens- believed that Carter gave an excellent answer to Burstein’s time at Lawrence. This will include burg University. this question. In her response, Carter talked about making sure Carter gets to know the Appleton “I got a very strong sense that this work is im- integrating anti-racism training into a first-year community, as well as meeting with people in portant at Lawrence,” Carter said. “… I look for- studies course and creating workshops to give advance. Abaray also said that the Presidential ward to listening to folks with where they are and students the necessary tools to work toward anti- Transition Committee does not yet have firm where they think Lawrence can go in this regard, racism. dates set in place but will be planning events to as well as connecting with the broader Appleton Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebrate Burstein. community. It’s work that has to be done both on Presidential Search Committee had to gauge Additionally, Nettles will be helping with the and off-campus.” these qualities without meeting in person. Ton- presidential transition. Starting in the 2021-2022 Nettles further emphasized the need to hire cler explained that the search process comprised academic year, Nettles will be stepping into the a president with experience dealing with the many Zoom meetings, interviews and surveys role of Chair of the Board of Trustees. He ex- economic pressures and need for differentiation sent out for feedback. According to Toncler, sev- plained that as Chair, it will be his responsibility to placed upon institutions of higher education. This eral candidates made it to the Zoom interviews, work with Carter and create a strong partnership. consideration led them to look for someone who with two finalists making it through to the third Nettles stated that he and the trustees are com- could both add programming at Lawrence to and final round, one of them being Carter. mitted to doing everything they can to ensure a distinguish it from other institutions and advance After making it to the final round of inter- solid start for Carter. Nettles concluded by noting gains made by current President Mark Burstein. views, Carter came to visit campus to meet with Burstein and his team have been incredibly “gra- According to Nettles, several factors set a wide variety of members of the Lawrence com- cious” by providing them with advice for creating Carter apart from the other candidates. Her ex- munity, including members of LUCC, professors a successful transition. CODA hosts networking event with focus on community ing environment. With such difficulties, about “getting to the coin”: Caleb Yuan (ABOVE) Karen Foster and Blaire Hervey, founders of the Visionary Squad, joined CODA on April 2. Staff Writer Foster said, it is vital to recognize and how to get paid what people Photo by Pei Robbins. ______acknowledge who you are and what you deserve in their employment (TOP) Laurie Carter will begin her new role as president of Lawrence University on July 1. Photo provided by Shippensburg University. A virtual social-networking workshop, genuinely want in life. through grit. Grit requires a “Let’s Talk: Collective Healing, Building Foster then introduced the significance trade-off in time, power and speakers and the participants. lightened their career paths with students. Community & Getting to the Coin,” was of time management, which involves set- attention, Hervey explained; it takes time Senior Adona Laureano, the Event Co- “We are confident that the insight we held on April 2 at 7 p.m. by CODA and ting boundaries to focus on priorities in for you to put in the effort, power to per- ordinator Manager at CODA, was happy share can heighten the experience of the The Visionary Squad, a community with a academics and building a squad or com- form at the optimum level and attention to to see how all participants were actively younger generation and encourage them mission to create space for Black women munity for collective healing, which al- stay focused on the task. engaged throughout the event, which to truly tap into life in a remarkable way to connect. The event aimed to address the lows one to be supported, vulnerable and Finally, Hervey stressed the benefit of made her think CODA had made the right … and become differentiated changemak- importance of building connections with authentic to themselves. People should be a growth mindset as a continuously im- choice to invite Visionary Squad to hold ers along the way,” Hervey said. other individuals and how to succeed on intentional and clear about what they need proving process and the potential gains the event. She also hopes that students Hervey and Foster also encourage the career paths through different skill sets. from their squad, so they can be authen- from connecting with one’s future job via will connect with Hervey and Foster after student body to take good care of them- Karen Foster and Blaire Hervey, co- tic and not become overwhelmed by the LinkedIn for support and informational she sent out their contact information or selves and be their authentic self in life. founders of The Visionary Squad, spoke quantity rather than the quality of their reference. Hervey mentioned the impor- can utilize the message they took from the “Enjoy your college experience, build at the event. Foster started the workshop friends, Foster emphasized. tance of “knowing your number,” which event as they proceed in setting bound- fruitful friendships and move with inten- by addressing the difficulties of presenting After a break-out room discussion re- is knowing one’s yearly salary and acquir- aries, networking and building powerful tion,” Foster said. “Stay focused, plan for oneself authentically at certain occasions garding how to refuse an invitation to an ing the skills for a higher position before connections, which could help them in the life you want and start building your in workplaces, especially for a woman of event without verbally saying “no,” Hervey being offered that position. The event career and daily life. body of work for your career. Everything color within a white-predominant work- transitioned to the speaker role. She talked ended with goodbyes among the two guest Hervey and Foster are pleased with the you do now is serving as building blocks opportunity to share the virtues that en- to your future.”

Sports Variety Features A&E Op-Ed Why England can win Dancing on a pole is not Creative Writing Club Do not smile at me in Inorcism of Molly the 2022 World Cup the end of America Serial Story: Episode One 2021 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 6 PAGE 8 PAGE 10 THIS WEEK 2 NEWS April 9, 2021 THE LAWRENTIAN New activist organization, Lawrence University Students for a Democratic Society, forms on campus Olivia Zimberoff Appleton community face socioeco- Staff Writer nomic issues that can be ameliorated ______by the mutual aid and ‘bottom-up’ Lawrence University Students for a [grassroots] organizing that LU-SDS Democratic Society, or the LU-SDS, is engages in,” Freeman said. “Our or- a newly formed student-led organiza- ganization understands that we, the tion dedicated to the support of pro- people, cannot solely rely on opportu- gressive and or revolutionary change nistic politicians, wealthy philanthro- in the world. Their platform includes a pists and the university bureaucracy call for police accountability councils, to amend our problems.” fighting for safer spaces in marginal- Freeman hopes this organization ized groups, raising the minimum will help provide young adults with wage and diversifying Lawrence Uni- the ability to advocate for the social versity clubs, classes and activities. causes they care about effectively. Founded by juniors Terrence Freeman Freeman and Simons’s goal for this and Earl Simons, the two-month- society, in addition to promoting ac- old group is 20 members strong and tivism, is to inform students that there growing. are people at our university who are On March 8, LU-SDS joined with working to solve relevant issues and another Lawrence organization, the help the community. Lawrence Liberation Front, which has While learning about the meaning a mission to spread information about behind rallies and fighting for change, social and political issues, and Sunrise Freeman said students will work to Appleton, a youth-led movement that teach those surrounding them and works to stop climate change. To- work to build solidarity with others gether, they put on their “Justice for and spread and analyze information George Floyd” rally. During this rally, about various problems that are often they advocated for the implementa- kept in the dark. As part of this, Free- tion of Civilian Police Accountability man and Simons’s plan to introduce Counsils (CPAC), denounced polic- students to leftist theory and literature ing in the U.S. as inherently racist within books and excerpts, including and classist and demanded that Derek Black Panthers co-founder Huey P. Chauvin be convicted of second-de- Newton’s autobiography, “Revolution- gree murder. Chauvin’s trial began on ary Suicide.” March 29. Freeman explained, “The Students can send an email to (ABOVE) A member of LU-SDS passes out flyers for their cause at a mutual aid event on April 3. call for this cop’s conviction stood at Photo by Sarah Elise Navy. [email protected] or (TOP) A group of LU-SDS members stand in front of their “Free Hot Feed and Market” at Houdini Plaza. the core of our work that day.” [email protected] to in- Photo by Sarah Elise Navy. Earlier this month, on April 3, LU- quire about joining, or if they would SDS followed their initial event by like to share information about injus- joining forces with Food Not Bombs. This non-profit volunteer organiza- To view the LU-SDS Weekly updates on the tion distributes free hot food dona- Instagram account, status of COVID-19 at COVID-19 tions to protest poverty by giving scan the QR code: those in need a free, accessible place Lawrence ON CAMPUS to enjoy a meal. At Houdini Plaza, the groups hosted a mutual aid event, a free hot feed and market, in which they distributed free clothing and food to those in need. According to TESTS CONDUCTED: ACTIVE CASES: TOTAL POSITIVE Freeman, this event emphasized how CASES: communities can rely on themselves rather than wealthy donors and phi- lanthropists for support. Signs read Total LU tests: Active LU cases: Total LU cases: “Solidarity not Charity” to further this tices, such as hate crimes or a global 16,936 5 136 message. In addition to thesesigns, issue, happening on campus or in Ap- there were also signs protesting Asian pleton. The founders want LU-SDS to hate. serve as a safe place where people are Total Appleton tests: Active Appleton cases: Total Appleton cases: The next event will be held some- accepted and can speak about what 48,123 152 8,439 time in the near future. Students will they believe. be rallying for a student pay increase To learn more and see when the at Lawrence University. Limited cases on campus; wide- next event will be, details can be found We are in: These various student-led events on their Instagram, @lawrenceunisds, spread transmisison off campus are meant to help serve the founders’ and their Facebook, @Lawrenceunis- original intent for the organization: ds. YELLOW to create a democratic organization Isolation and quarantine spaces where students can create tangible LIGHT available changes on and off-campus through activism. LU-SDS practices the Mao- In-person classes continue, non-essential employees ist-derived principle of the “Mass on campus are reduced, testing increases, most Line”; they embrace the practice of listening to issues and identifying cur- co-curricular activities are virtual, and restrictions rent problems in a community and are placed on residence hall capacities. then incorporating those into their campaigns and rallies. “Our work is relevant, as both *data reported as of April 7 Lawrence University and the broader April 9, 2021 SPORTS 3 THE LAWRENTIAN The underappreciated art of the deadlift Unusual Sports: Slam Sean McLaughlin he may even appear to the For a bit of context, both Hall and Columnist naked eye as morbidly obese. In reality, Bjornsson completed their lifts with a ______the physiques the media sells us-toned deadlift compression suit, and on dead- Ball — The sky’s the limit abs, tight waists, defined arms and legs- lift bars. The significance here is that the In July 2016, Britain’s are not functionally strong. Much as we deadlift compression suit, which looks Kelli Quick doesn’t have the ball. The last position is Eddie Hall deadlifted 500 kg (1102lbs) may not like it, peak performance is a similar to a wrestling or powerlifting sin- Columnist called the Gunner. This position is mainly at the strongman World Deadlift protruding gut of monstrous abdominals, glet, aids in the lift by essentially acting ______just offensive and they tend not to play Championships. The equivalent of a half arms and legs like trees, and a body fat as a spring. The more contorted the body any defense. Their main goal is to score as metric ton, this incredible feat of strength percentage too high up the BMI scale to from an upright, standing position, the many points as possible. Since there are 4 added 35 kg/77 lbs to the previous world see muscular definition. All that extra fat tighter the suit becomes, essentially help- If you’re a basketball lover who likes flips players and only 3 positions, the 4th play- record. Once deemed impossible, this lift and water maintained on the body allows ing to push the body back into a locked and heights, then this may be the sport er can play whatever position the team shook the earth in the strength commu- the muscles to work under ideal con- out position to finish the lift. In terms of for you! This sport is called Slam Ball. wants, depending on the team’s strategy so nity. And yet, this astronomical lift went ditions-fully hydrated, and always with the bar used, a deadlift bar flexes far more Created by Mason Gordon, a basketball there is some variety! unnoticed in the wider world. a surplus of carbohydrates available to than a stiff bar, so when pulling the weight enthusiast who wanted to try and create You may find it surprising to So, what is the deadlift? Put work with when fibers are pushed to their off the floor, the distance is essentially a real-life game that mirrored capabilities hear that there is no safety equipment simply, to deadlift is to pick up a loaded breaking point. While it may look like lessened by using a deadlift bar. When seen in video games, such as super high required for players to wear – though barbell off the ground, and stand at full Hall and his compatriots simply aren’t pulling on the bar, the outsides of the jump and dunking. People have described there IS special equipment made for this lockout with the shoulders, back, hips and fans of cardio, in reality they simply don’t weight stay on the floor longer on account this sport as being a mashup of both bas- particular sport. The court itself is also knees locked out straight. It is the truest have the capacity to do so with the toll of the added flexibility, so the lift becomes ketball and acrobatics! It is also played as surrounded by a wall of plexiglass, similar test of strength known to strength sports. their training takes on their bodies. easier. Karu had neither of these advan- a full contact sport. to hockey, possibly for both the players Contrary to what I’ll refer to as “gym bro Nowadays, the strong- tages, and yet still pulled 1063 pounds. The game space consists of a and crowd’s protection. rhetoric,” the bench press is indeed not man world record stands at 501 kg after Additionally, his max lift has risen 40 regular basketball court with four trampo- How does scoring work? Just the metric by which we ought to judge Iceland’s Hafthor Julius Bjornsson, also kg from 442 kg within the last month. lines placed in front of each net (8 total). like in basketball, you can earn two or the strength of a lifter. Unlike benching or known as “The Mountain” from Game Much like Maheripour, I don’t foresee This sport was first featured on tv in 2002, three point shots. You can earn two points even squatting, the deadlift engages every of Thrones, broke Eddie Hall’s record by him breaking the record in the immediate and since then it has been growing in by shooting the ball through the hoop muscle in the body. Furthermore, an extra a single kilogram, or 2.2 pounds in 2020. future, but Karu is definitely a top candi- popularity! It was first introduced in an without the opposing team touching it. element of strength is contributed by the While it may seem this record could date to unseat Bjornsson’s record. LA warehouse! You can get three points on the other hand inoptimal location of the weight in front be quite untouchable, standing at 1104 Last but not least, Estonia has The objective of the game is through slam dunks or from all shots out- of the body. This ensures the movement pounds, this is far from the case. At the a second candidate in the form of my fairly similar to basketball; you are trying side the three-point arc. requires the lifter to maintain their bal- moment, several men stand a realistic personal favorite lifter, Rauno Heinla. to score more points than the opposing How do you win? Like most ance throughout, neither falling forward chance of reaching the 500+ kg marker in Heinla’s best lift to date is 470 kg, much team. However, this sport has been known sports, the team with the most points with the sheer force of the barbell pulling the near future. below his compatriots, making him per- for unofficially competing to see who can after the clock runs out wins – but what if down in front of their center of gravity, First up is Iran’s Peiman haps the least likely to challenge the do the coolest dunks. This sport requires it’s a tie? These rules are pretty similar to nor falling backward by trying to offset Maheripour. A lesser-known name in record. However, he is the current world you to be extremely fit, as well as having hockey; if it is a tie, the two teams battle the weight’s location by leaning too far strength sports, Maheripour has pro- record holder for most reps with 400 kg, good communication and teamwork skills in what is called a “face off” where one back. One must have exceptional core, leg, gressed extremely rapidly in recent with 6, outstripping other world class ath- – if both of you go up to get the ball, fall- person from each team competes against back, arm and even grip strength in order months. On March 25th, he was able to letes like Jean-Francois Caron, Konstantin ing awkwardly or uncontrollably at such one another to try and score (1 being a to rip an excessively loaded barbell off the pull 492 kg in a training session, while in Janashia, and Jerry Pritchett, all while a great height could be dangerous and defender and the other trying to score). ground, and maintain balance and correct prior weeks he had managed 455 kg and weighing just over 300 lbs-over 100 lbs career ending… Each team is allowed one attempt at try- spinal and hip positioning to avoid injury 477.5 kg each for two reps. A the rate he less than Bjornsson at the time of his Something different in this ing to score, per face off, there can be mul- and complete the lift. This puts some con- is currently progressing, it is fair to pre- record in 2020, and significantly less than game compared to basketball are the posi- tiple, until a winner is declared. text to the insane effort Hall managed that dict Peiman to break 500 kg by the end both Maheripour and Karu. These are tions being played. Each team has four What are the rules of Slam summer of 2016, to pull a barbell loaded of the year. A lift with the magnitude of unprecedented strength levels, so I would people on the court at a time. There’s three Ball? The game is played in four quarters to the weight of around five and half 492 kg requires substantial recovery, so not be surprised if Heinla was to make a official positions: Stopper, Handler, and that last 6 minutes each with a ten minute times the bodyweight of the average adult much in the same way a marathoner takes run at 502 kg in the coming year or so. Gunner. The stopper is what it sounds halftime break. Each quarter starts off by American man (197.9 lbs) a substantial portion of time to recover It’s easy to overlook the mon- like; a defensive player whose objective a “bounce off”, which is where the ball Yet, despite the complexity of the lift and from and work back up to the marathon strous levels of strength the deadlift is to stop the opposing team from scor- is bounced into the air. Again, similar to inhuman strength necessary to lift mas- distance, so too will Maheripour require requires. It may not carry the flashiness ing. You would rarely see this player in basketball, there is a time limit. There is sive weight like Hall, I’m all but certain several months before pulling so heavy in of the bench press or allow for the ripped the offensive zone, just because this sport a shot clock of 15 seconds, which is the no more than five to ten Lawrence stu- the future. However, watch this space; big physiques that draw the eye, but those is placed at such a fast pace that in mere time the team who possesses the ball dents and faculty will have ever heard his things seem to be on the way by 2022. who dedicate themselves to pushing the seconds, the other team could transition has to shoot. Also, if one player fouls name, much less what he’s achieved. I put Next is Estonia’s Asko Karu. human capacity for strength by ripping and have the ball by your basket, so the another, they compete in a face off again. this down to the lack of flashiness associ- The newest of the contenders, Karu has massive weights off the floor deserve the stopper needs to be ready to defend at To readers who are seriously consider- ated with the event itself. For starters, the only burst onto the scene in the last few same respect as the influencers we see all all times. The next position is the han- ing this sport, I advise caution; there are physique of the elite deadlifter is not that months or so. His best lift to date is a 482 over the internet. And for what it’s worth, dler: they are seen as the midfield player, frequent midair collisions and full-force idealized by mainstream society. Last I kg pull, also done on March 25th. While give it a try yourself-safely, with the cor- and their main contribution is to handle body checks, and without wearing any checked, power bellies and dad bods were this may seem rather less impressive as rect technique, of course-you might just the ball and bring it from the defense to safety gear, that may become problematic. not the fitness influencer standard. If one compared to Maheripour, it is worth con- fall in love with the process as countless offense. These players also help out on Play at your own risk! were to google the aforementioned Eddie sidering that Karu completed this lift on have before you. the defensive end as well when their team Hall in 2016, a stiff bar, and without a deadlift suit.

Why England can win the 2022 World Cup

Sean McLaughlin mous with) to Italy. Rock bottom came talent coming out of the English acad- tinued under Southgate as well. Sancho, talents like Bellingham and Sancho have Columnist in 2016, when England lost 2-1 to tiny emies are taking world soccer by storm. Bellingham, Henderson and many others left English shores as teenagers to play ______Iceland, whose total population is just Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, 20 like mercurial talents James Maddison in the German Bundesliga, while other The world’s perennial underachiev- under 360,000, in the round of 16 at the and 23, are both being chased by the big- and Jack Grealish have been given their key players have been able to work under ers in men’s professional soccer, the Euros. To put the scale of this embar- gest clubs in the world at fees reportedly chances since 2018; further young play- revolutionary foreign managers that have English national team has been on a slow rassment into context, the population of over 90 million Euros. Trent Alexander- ers like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie come to the Premier League. Sterling, resurgence for a few years now. Without London alone is nearly 9 million. And Arnold, 20, is arguably the world’s best Watkins have joined the squad in the last Foden and others playing for Manchester doubt, most of you will have no clue in yet since that fateful night in June 2016, right back, while Dean Henderson, 24, year. In the early half of the 2010s,the City have been able to work under argu- the slightest what I’m referring to; Afterall, the English seem to have turned a corner. is one of the world’s best up-and-coming youth were largely ignored, with the nos- ably the world’s best manager, Spaniard soccer has always been overlooked in the Manager Roy Hodgson was fired soon goalkeepers. In midfield, Jude Bellingham talgia of the original golden generation Josep Guardiola, while Alexander-Arnold, United States, and so widespread coverage after, and under the guidance of new man- starts for Borussia Dortmund, one of the carrying over beyond their expiration midfielder Jordan Henderson and others is hard to come by, especially regarding ager Gareth Southgate, they are once again best clubs in Germany, at the tender age date. Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Terry play for German genius Jurgen Klopp. teams not based here. For a bit of context, becoming a powerhouse in world soccer. of 17. Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and alum and others were still mainstays well into Other notable managers include the England have disappointed both their own The World Cup in 2018 saw England Hudson-Odoi are the two of the best their mid-30s. These days, however, you’d Argentine Mauricio Pocchetino’s spell at fans and neutrals with their performances reach the semifinal for the first time since players in the English Premier League be hard pressed to find anyone over the Tottenham, and German Thomas Tuchel’s in international tournaments since win- 1990, and even look the better side as at 19, 20 and 20 years old. I’ll make the age of 28, a soccer player’s prime, on the reign at Chelsea. By being exposed to ning their only World Cup in 1966.The they went out to finalists Croatia. They bold statement myself that anything less field for England. foreign tactics, training methods and atti- golden generation of the late 90s and early won 7 of 8 qualifying matches to top their than a major tournament win should be With another year and a half to tudes, the English have diversified their 2000s never progressed beyond the quar- qualifying group for Euro 2021 as well. considered a failure for this generation mature, this young crop could do some portfolio of skills and tactical nous ahead terfinals of a major tournament, despite Now, with the World Cup approaching coming through. real damage in 2022.The second cause for of the World Cup in 2022.Whether or not generational talents like David Beckham, quickly in the later months of 2022, the So where has all of this success the English resurgence surrounds the for- they manage to win a trophy, the future is Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne future has never looked brighter for the come from? There seem to me to be two eign influence on this crop of players. The bright for the English national team. With Rooney, John Terry and the list goes on. English. English fans have another uber- main causes for England’s turnaround in English are notoriously hard-headed in budding young talent plentiful alongside After the turn of the 2010s, their talented generation coming through the fortunes. First, the focus on youth devel- their openness to tactics, following many plenty of experienced older players, an fortunes worsened further. With the ranks to look forward to, with the perfect opment and chances in the international of the outdated methods of play. The emphasis on playing the youth and foreign golden generation phased out, results combination of talent and experience hav- team have been a primary focus amongst early 2010s saw them play a very hard-to- influence educating the talented players dropped again, with the English failing ing come from the Island nation over the the Football Association’s staff. Despite watch longball style, full of crossing from coming through, there seems to be very to progress past the last 16 in any of last 3-5 years. Players like striker Harry his shortcomings, Hodgson did blend in a players not suited to cross to players not little room for further improvement in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups or the Kaneland and winger Raheem Sterling number of youngsters before being fired. suited to finish crosses. English players the talent production system. I expect big European Championships of 2016 (often are amongst the best players in the world Dele Alli, younger versions of Harry Kane also mostly play their full careers in the things from the English moving forward, referred to as the “Euros”). Their only in their position, and at 27 and 26 years and Raheem Sterling, the aforementioned English league under English managers and highly recommend watching in a few quarter final came in the 2012 Euros, old respectively, the perfect bedrock on Marcus Rashford and a number of other with other English players, leaving little years’ time to witness them take the World where they embarrassingly lost on penalty which younger players can rely. On the talents were given international debuts room for the injection of new ideas. But Cup by storm. kicks (something they’ve become synony- flip side, the most recent crop of young under the old boss, and this trend has con- since 2016, this has begun to change. Big 4 VARIETY April 9, 2021 THE LAWRENTIAN Spacemart The Joys of EBay By Rachel Robrecht By Kelly Foy “Attention, Spacemart shoppers, we ters above the store, but he spends most have you worked here, exactly?” Wow! A whole new term! Crazy, what of an overpriced cardigan. Well… will be closing in ten minutes. Please of his time shut up in his room and only “Thirty years, or so,” Zander replies. right? Over spring break, fashion was one thing led to another and since I had bring your items to the front of the store acknowledges her with a nod when they “Were you by yourself, or…?” definitely something that plagued my my brand spankin’ new Ebay account, I to check out.” run into each other in the kitchen. He “Some other woman; she retired thoughts. In this sense, plague was defi- decided to treat myself! I bought myself Ethel’s voice echoes through the appears middle-aged, a few grays in his right before they hired you,” Zander says. nitely a bad thing. When left to my the most ornate, pastel, springy sweater store before she shuts the receiver off hair and lines on his face, which puts him He gives her a meaningful look. “She own devices for ten-ish days I con- one has ever seen. It was from a brand with a click. The last few straggling cus- somewhere around sixty or seventy, with didn’t talk much.” stantly found myself scrolling on Depop. called StoryBook Knits. This brand is tomers shuffle over to her register, where the elongated lifespans these days. She Ethel furrows her brow and opens Spending hours focusing on the prices perfect. Although, they went out of she scans their items and then their supposes he’s been around long enough her mouth to reply, perhaps to finally tell of some thrifted favorites, incessantly business! The only place you can get wrists for the credit payments. Their pur- to have earned being a little crochety, not him off for his attitude, but she gets inter- scrolling through Instagram fashion their clothing is through resale. They chases mainly consist of snack foods and that she, at nineteen, can really relate. rupted by a pounding on the back door. pictures and many more borderline- hand knit all of their cardigans on their some restocking of camping supplies— She also supposes he has a point They both freeze, looking at each obsessive means of looking at clothing. own with the most abstract colors and jugs of water, extra firewood— and then about the “nature preserve”, though other with wide eyes. Zander shakes it off Although, something great did come of designs. I am so enamored with them. finally, a rugged looking man buying a Spacemart does retain full legal author- first. “Bastards. Hours are clearly posted,” this! One day, as I was scrolling through Next, I went looking for the rings. few packs of rifle ammo. ity over the planets under its jurisdiction he says. She doesn’t bother to tell him Tik Tok (as a quarantined lady does) I Except, I didn’t fully understand the way Zander scoffs as the airlock woosh- and can do with them what they like, that no customers ever come by this late. found one of my favorite Depop sellers’ Ebay worked. I started making bids on… es shut behind the man. “Nature preserve so she thinks it’s kind of nice that they He must know, given the small blaster he accounts! I was stalking their videos well… most things I saw. I didn’t know my ass,” he mutters, raising his tablet set this planet aside, rather than min- grabs off a nearby table. when I saw one of their answers to a one was expected to buy every auction back up to cover his face and kicking ing it for resources. Even if that means He cautiously approaches the panel question. The question asked something they won. I kinda put myself into a cor- his feet up on the counter. Ethel squints, Spacemart has to make money off hunt- next to the airlock and she trails behind along the lines of “Where do you find ner… But I won a lot of rings! The first trying to make out the mirrored text ing licenses and camping reservations him, leaning her head around to watch your rings?”, which is a question I have ring I got was a chunky ring with a large through the transparent back of the tab- instead. She’d never really seen anything the screen as he activates the external pondered for a while now. Obviously, I pink stone. This ring was only, drum let. It seems to be some sort of tabloid. approaching “nature” growing up, which camera. It shows a figure in a spacesuit am an avid ring fan. The seller respond- roll, twelve dollars! If I had bought this Frowning, Ethel starts closing down is why she requested to be placed here, that has clearly seen better days, stained ed, “Oh, ebay! They’re very cheap on at a farmers market or at a vintage shop her register. “It’s still a nature preserve,” at the store on the moon orbiting the with a dark substance that she soon iden- there”. it would have definitely been upwards of she argues. “Controlled, licensed hunting planet. Not that she’s actually got to go tifies as blood. Now, this shook my world. I was forty dollars. It felt like such a steal! The keeps animal populations in check and on planet, yet. “Zander, you piece of shit,” she aware that Ebay was like… a thing, how- next ring I bought was a thinner silver prevents poaching and over-hunting.” Setting his tablet aside, Zander hears the figure— a man, judging by the ever, I wasn’t too familiar using it. Also, ring with a blue lapis stone in it. It was Rolling his eyes, Zander mut- stands, groaning as he stretches out his depth of his voice— shout through the I was under the impression that it was a definitely a little tight, but I just decided ters something about “Damn company back. “Come on, kid. Inventory time.” tinny speaker. “Let me in.” little bit sus. Sus is short for suspicious. I to keep it on my fingers all the time! I am scripts,” but doesn’t otherwise grace her Ethel follows him to the back room, Zander swears, but his posture threw caution to the wind and immedi- so so pleased with my Ebay rings! I rec- with a response. where they spend twenty minutes sorting relaxes. He shoots her a glance, smiling ately downloaded the app. I mean, how ommend it to anyone who is looking for Ethel sighs. Since she started at through boxes in awkward silence. Well, ruefully. “Sorry about this, kid,” he says, could I not, the seller said they’ve found a cheap alternative and is sick of over- Spacemart two weeks ago, none of her awkward for her. Zander doesn’t look like and unlocks the door. rings for nine dollars! Now, this was paying at vintage shops. No hate though, conversations with her coworker have he cares much, counting items with his huge for me. I’ve spent upwards of sixty I love going to a good vintage shop. last much longer than that, despite her ever-present bored expression. New term, new serial! dollars on a ring before! The reason that So, to sum it up, don’t ever overpay best efforts. They even share living quar- “So,” Ethel attempts, “how long Spacemart will continue next week! these rings are so expensive is because for jewelry. Shop smarter not harder. they are sterling silver. I prefer to wear Although, this kinda does only apply sterling silver rings because if I don’t to vintage jewelry. You probably won’t there’s always a chance I’m gonna get find Cartier or Rolex for twelve bucks green fingers. Not a good look for me, on Ebay. You could definitely look maybe it works better on other people. though. One drawback I did find was I don’t know! that the sizing for rings really does vary. So, upon downloading the However, try and buy rings that have a app, I remembered that I was eye-ing sizer in one of their pictures. There’re so a cardigan that was on Ebay. I never many crazy, thrifted, ornamental, beau- bought it; I didn’t wanna go out of my tiful and shocking pieces on Ebay. I’m way to make an Ebay account for some- kinda sad I’ve missed out thus far!

During the quarantine, students celebrated Easter Sunday by painting eggs, getting dress up and making a meal to share. London Center Photo Feature Week 1

Caroline Garrow

The London Eye. April 9, 2021 VARIETY 5 THE LAWRENTIAN What’s on your mind, Piper? Inorcism of Molly By Lauren Kelly By Willem Villerius

Pets are such a big part of our left when she was my size and now she no time to waste. More destroy until tired What is ecstasy in life? I’m not to do but return home? lives, but do you ever guess what is ginormous and lazy! I wish she’d play again, and I sleep the morning away with talking about the pill named molly. I’m Go clean your room, someone they are thinking? Each week, I will ball and wrestle and tug of war with me. snuggles from my mom and sometimes the only one here who’s being a pill ask- might tell you. It will make you feel take a different pet and write their Sometimes she is the only fun thing in even sister or grandmas! And I love walk- ing such a phony question, and I’ll take free. Maybe they’re right, but maybe “inner thoughts.” the house. To make it more interesting ies with mom or grandpas. Rosie always on the name Molly too while I’m at it. not. Couldn’t a clear bed be as cheap I like pretending I will come inside like try to walk me, what? She good. Maybe I Anyhow, the Google machine tells a thrill as a hit of heroin, just to get Hi, my name is Piper, but you can a good dog and as my mom is unhook- can run away! Oh and did I mention how me it’s “an overwhelming feeling of great messy and redone again? So much for call me Pipey! That’s what they all call ing me I run run run. Chase me chase much I love giving dad kisses all over his happiness or joyful excitement.” Quite a freedom. Go clean litter off the streets, me. Nice to meet me, right? Everyone me! This is so fun. I am pretty sure they face? He tastes so good. I only do this to scary either/or to distinguish between someone might suggest. It will make always smiles at me in the car like I am love it! Otherwise they sit and do not pay him though. I love my family and anyone - either I’m in touch with something you feel whole. Cleaning streets so that sooo cute, but it’s ok, I know I am. I love attention to me! That is mean because I have ever met, except for those who will outside of myself in blissful harmony or when they’re done and dusted you don’t being a puppy! I get to run like a pranc- I am perfect, so I hump their blankies. not play with me. They are mean! I hope out of touch with myself in discordant feel worthy of them. Perhaps you feel a ing deer around the house with my big Or ring my potty bell after every five you love my life, because I cute. Come rapture. The googol machine also told whole lot worse. Then what to do - what ears flapping and hump my sisters to minutes. They won’t even notice, I bet. I back and play soon! me that the ecstasy etymology means to do? The obsession with “cleansing” to show I’m more dominant AND I can even smartened up and learned if I “acci- to “stand outside oneself”, which really solve issues is strange. It’s at the quaint do whatever I want because my humans dentally” go round bush and get stuck, begs the same question - am I being hellish intersection where we find the can’t help but love me. I love destroying they have to help me. Life is so fun!!! invited outside on a picnic or shutting genocidal and health-nuts. Might you toys right after my mom gives them to These humans eat out of my paw. I am myself outside of the house for some feel better for a bit? Certainly, but you me so I can eat stuffing, yum. And I love a model on mom’s facebook. I just stare fresh air? may only rust your cogs further while to hide treats real sneaky and put them at phone and be cute and get treat or toy. Being out on a picnic would be oiling others. in my bed or dad’s hood thingy or even Squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak- lovely. You plan it with someone and you Maybe we won’t clean the room. on the stairs. I’m so small and I don’t like kkkk! So fun but they hate it and I get go and open yourselves to the opportu- Maybe it was already clean, sorry for eating. I like eating stuffing and sticks ball taken away. Another toy destroyed nity of one another’s personhood. It’s assuming. Maybe we need a different and what my mom calls pipe cones, but record time, I quickly eat stuffing before error-prone certainly - it’s a closed sys- bedspread for a bit, one with a floral pat- I HATE the food. Only the orange pieces taken away. I turn to the wood on house. tem if you picnic for picnic’s sake. You tern. See how it feels. Maybe you should for me. Or that food those humans eat. I Mom just think it bone. No it’s not! Rosie each get to snack on food and try out put some goofy posters on your wall, tease, I tease, I know, but I won’t eat your help me and we destroy together. Then if each other’s souls a bit as well. It seems even ones you don’t like with garish col- french fries. I decide to act like humans we are caught it her fault. All this work so simple, but maybe this was the real ors. Just see how they feel for a bit. Just because I am real smart but I pretend to destroy everything, I am finally tired. euphoria you craved. After this picnic, give it a whirl, you know? It’s nothing I am a fool. I love my human sister Once I asleep, I chase so many bunnies you might invite each other for after- like a snort of blow, but you might learn and even that menace she brings who but no humans to hold me back. So fun. noon lunch. You can let someone into a thing or two along the way. taunts me with that awful air sound and I wake up whenever the humans move, your house and forget that you ever Maybe we won’t clean the streets. sounds like Chewbacca...he is SO FUN! so I hope my mom bring me to bed so needed to go outside. Maybe the streets were already clean. He makes me go rawrrrrr and sometimes my dad does not make me stay up. But Shutting yourself out of the house No, stupid point - streets are almost I think he is a dog too! To get him to play if my human sister home, sleepover! for some fresh air is a bargain. You can’t always in need of a sweep, scratch that. I jump and try to hurt his lip again, that’ll She takes forever for sleep time but at see the air. Maybe it’s all around you, Instead you can invite the streetsweep show him. My mom and dad bought least no cage and we snuggle. My life is maybe it’s wisps in a void or vacuum. over for tea and learn. It’s a fresh per- me a sister Rosie and she is so fun. She clearly rough! When I wake up there is Maybe it’s all noxious gas or CO2. The spective to glean. Better not to assume endless opportunity of wandering an streetsweeping a toil because your own Photo provided by Lauren Kelly. open system without a compass. Didn’t life deemed it due penance. Why impose you say you were leaving specifically for your disconnect on this noble profes- fresh air? Who could say? It could be sion? Have we not pitied the streetsweep oxygen or a nefarious otherwise rushing enough across our stories? to your head. Maybe your house had As time moves forward, so do our a filtration system and the confines of brains unzip; so do humanity’s pockets this industrial park did not. It’s a dubi- pour out. We stood outside ourselves ous quest, a dysphoric one too because as we couldn’t let anything in. Maybe it you’re still the same you. What have you was a pill all along.

By Celeste Reyes 6 FEATURES April 9, 2021 THE LAWRENTIAN

Revolution Treehouse: Fridaof the Mexican nationalists “identified Kahlo the Aztecs as the last independent Lucian Baxter Columnist rulers of an indigenous political unit. However, by the early 20th century, ______the United States began to replace Spain as the intrusive foreign power [over Mexico]. [This] threat became particularly evident to the Mexican Welcome to Revolution Treehouse, your corner of the left when the United States interfered in internal political struggles Lawrentian for all things creative, outspoken and changemak- between capital and labor.” The United States’ government took sides in ing! Art of every form is an evocative and efficient vehicle for the Mexican Revolution, working against revolutionary leader Francisco political ideas, ranging from the protest music of the Vietnam Madero because it feared for its business interests in Mexico under his War era to the graffiti transformation of confederate monu- leadership. President Woodrow Wilson was instrumental in ousting ments during summer 2020. This column aims to share great Victoriano Huerta from the Mexican presidency in 1914, and supported art and cool facts about important historical and contempo- Venustiano Carranza in the bloody struggle for power after Huerta’s rary social movements with the Lawrence community because downfall. knowledge and inspiration make us powerful. Welcome to Much of Kahlo’s work is an overt critique of the industrialized, Revolution Treehouse! capitalist United States. Her 1933 painting, “My Dress Hangs There,” juxtaposes the extreme wealth and extreme poverty in the United States Frida Kahlo’s face is ubiquitous to the point of commodifica- through paint and collage. At the top of the canvas are a massive church tion, appearing on objects such as mugs, shirts and even a Barbie doll, and factory whose spire and smokestacks tower over photographs of but the Mexican nationalism and anti-capitalism she advocated for in Depression-era food lines pasted below. Pollution billows from boats and her art have, ironically, been erased from her story. Though Kahlo was factories; a garbage can full of waste stands in the foreground; a fire burns born on July 6, 1907, she frequently told people she was born in 1910, out of control in a building. Amid this urban hell, a Tehuana dress, the the year that the Mexican Revolution began, because she wanted her traditional garb of the matriarchal Zapotec people, hangs; according to birth to be associated with the birth of modern Mexico. In 1922, Kahlo Corrine Andersen, it “stands out as a marker of difference. It occupies the entered the National Preparatory School, a “center of post-revolutionary place of the exotic Mexican as spectacle in the eyes of the depersonalized, Mexican nationalism,” with the dream of becoming a doctor. She was one consumer-oriented, over-saturated industrial world.” The entire painting of 35 women in a school of over 2,000. There, Kahlo befriended a group invites us to bear witness to the evils of materialism. of students who championed socialism and cultural nationalism, and, Kahlo created another eloquent critique of the United States like many educated young adults in post-revolution Mexico, joined the in her painting “Self Portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the Mexican Communist Party. United States” (1932). As in “My Dress Hangs There,” pollution billows In 1925, Kahlo was forced to abandon medical school after a streetcar from smokestacks and skyscrapers blot out the sky. The United States flag accident left her with debilitating injuries, including a fractured pelvis hangs in the smoke, a sickly apparition half-obscured by fumes. On the and three displaced vertebrae. She taught herself to paint during her Skeleton’s Flower Crown. Mexican side of the border, the sun and moon fill the sky, casting their slow recovery. The physical pain that plagued her throughout her life is Art by Astro Medeiros. vibrant oranges and yellows onto the rain clouds around them. On the a through line of her self-portraits such as “The Broken Column” (1944), models for economics and culture” (Andersen, 2009, p. 119). His policies U.S. side, machines snake their wires into the ground, while on Mexican which depicts a stoic Kahlo against an arid landscape: skin pierced by favored wealthy Mexicans and foreign investors while leaving indigenous soil, healthy flowers and cacti plant roots. According to Anderson, Kahlo nails and tears streaming down her face, her torso bound with metal agricultural workers in poverty. The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) “stresses the United States’ imperialist desires as well as its artificial rela- belts that support her back. Art historian Janice Helland writes that, was eventually successful in establishing a constitutional republic, and tionship with the land in this painting. The US machines feed off of the due to Kahlo’s lifelong suffering and immense resilience, she has been the new Mexican government reversed the anti-indigenous policies of the Aztec vegetation.” established as a “tragically romantic and exotic figure.” As a result, Kahlo’s previous administration, including sponsoring socially impactful public Although Kahlo was outspoken about many issues, these two paintings works have been exhaustively psychoanalyzed and thereby whitewashed art that would transmit a nationalist appreciation for indigenous culture are particularly relevant to students in the United States. Our generation of their bloody, brutal and overtly political content. Though much of to the masses. is fighting so many good fights for social justice, but we are still caught Kahlo’s work explores her worldly and inner experiences as a disabled The post-revolutionary romantic nationalism that united up in the imperialist, capitalist machine that fucks with other countries woman of color, we do her a disservice if we reduce her radical legacy to Mexican indigenous people through their traditional art is called so it can hold onto power. We need perspectives like Kahlo’s that reflect a study of her psyche. Helland continues, “Kahlo’s personal pain should Mexicanidad. Kahlo’s artistic expression of Mexicanidad placed a special our American exceptionalism back to us and show us that this country’s not eclipse her commitment to Mexico and the Mexican people. As reverence on Aztec culture, particularly symbols of hearts, skeletons exceptional talents include murdering innocents and destroying ecosys- she sought her own roots, she also voiced concern for her country as it and the goddess figure Coatlicue, which show up throughout her work. tems. struggled for an independent cultural identity.” According to Helland, these Aztec images, which symbolize life arising Frida Kahlo died eleven days after taking part in a protest Before the Mexican Revolution, Mexico had been governed for from death, speak not only to “Kahlo’s personal struggle for health and against U.S. interference in Guatemala, and her coffin was draped with three decades by dictator Porfirio Diaz, whose positivist regime “despised life but to a nation’s struggle” to reclaim cultural identity after decades of the Communist flag while it lay in state at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in indigenous Mexican culture and held the United States and Europe up as European cultural influence. Kahlo was not alone in her reverence for Mexico City. Her life was political up to the very end. pre-Columbian Aztec culture; the anti-Spanish, anti-imperialist attitude Dancing on a pole is not the end of America Karina Herrera fight smart. We have to win.” Another commentator was Candace Owens, ence as well as make the parenting decisions one wants to make regarding Staff Writer an American conservative author and activist. On March 29, she tweeted, acceptable media consumption in one’s own home. But the world is not ______“I have four gay cousins - all of whom I’m very close to and all of whom a vacuum and is filled with an incalculable diversity of experiences that have made it through life without using crystal meth, sexually assaulting media, including music videos, will represent one way or another. One On March 26, the 22-year-old American artist, Lil Nas X, anybody or creating a satan shoe. Stop blaming your immorality on sexu- artist’s music will not suddenly corrupt everyone, nor will it bring about released his new single “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” accompanied a l it y.” the end of the nation’s soul. So, if you come across another person’s work, by a music video. The video features Christian imagery while the singer Both Noems and Owen are two people with similar comments whether it be music, art, makeup or cooking skills, if you don’t like it, let flirts with the devil in the Garden of Eden. It ends with Lil Nas X killing that blame performers and artists like Lil Nas X and his music for tempt- it go and do not comment. Satan and taking his crown after having given him an erotic lap dance. On ing people to sin, corrupting souls or for the fall of America. This mantra March 29, just days after the video’s release, Lil Nas X also revealed a pair that being gay, lesbian or queer is immoral is a nonstop occurrence, but of doctored Nike Air Max 97s, “Satan Shoes,” on which he collaborated immorality is not defined by any one person or group of people. It is with MSCHF, a small company situated in Brooklyn. As expected, there evident within the United States’ history that society’s definition of what have been a storm of negative reviews and comments on various media is right and what is wrong is in constant flux. One music video is not platforms, the most notable being on Twitter. going to be the downfall of society because any given social revolution is Because he is an openly gay Black artist, Lil Nas X is no a culmination of complicated intersectional factors that often cannot be stranger to the hate and hardships that come from the media and within pinned to one exact event or other. Rather, what we see in the media is the music industry itself. When he came out [as gay] to the public in 2019, often a reflection of popular beliefs and its ever-evolving social climate. he shared that he grew up in a Christian household where “if you did Lil Nas X addressed his negative audience by writing, “[t]here is a mass anything slightly feminine, it was like, you know, like, don’t do that gay shooting every week that our government does nothing to stop. Me slid- shit.” According to Andrew Chow in Time, “He had been taught from a ing down a cgi pole isn’t what’s destroying society.” young age that homosexuality ‘is never going to be O.K.” Unfortunately, Lil Nas X deserves a defense because these critics are missing this is not a novel nor unique occurrence; it is a daily reality for many a key message of this song and his video. His latest single is not telling LGBTQ+ individuals globally. In response to the first round of insults people to renounce heaven and worship Satan nor give him lap dances; and hateful comments the day after his video release, Lil Nas X shared on Lil Nas X uses his creative license to embrace his sexuality and respond Twitter, “I spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the shit to everyone who says that he will go to hell for his gay identity. He means y’all preached would happen to me because I was gay.”. that if his critics’ Bibles say that he will not go to heaven for being himself, On March 28, as discourse continued, one such commenter whereby loving who he loves, then he will accept his fate and make hell was South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who tweeted, “[o]ur kids are a safe haven for himself and his community. It is true that the song’s lyr- being told that this kind of product is, not only okay, it’s ‘exclusive.’ But do ics mention drugs, drinking and sex. However, it is unfair to exclusively you know what’s more exclusive? Their God-given eternal soul. We are in debase him for this when popular media champions all of these “unsa- a fight for the soul of our nation. We need to fight hard. And we need to vory” behaviors. Anyone can choose not to listen to his music by prefer-

Lil Nas X in Montero. Art by Astro Medeiros.

@TheLawrentian /Lawrentian @the_lawrentian April 9, 2021 FEATURES 7 THE LAWRENTIAN Historically White: Lawrence University’s first BIPOC President Mary Boyle During its early years, the university struggled with the Center. Afterwards, she held office as vice president and university coun- Staff Writer ______effects of the Civil War and financial problems. However, President sel of Eastern Kentucky University. In 2017, she was named president of Samuel Plantz significantly improved Lawrence with his return back to Shippensburg University before she returned to her liberal arts roots. From the founding of Lawrence University to President Mark his alma mater in 1984. During Plantz’ 30 years as president, the student Although Carter’s time at Shippensburg was brief, she estab- Burstein, the university has largely consisted of a white administration. body increased from 200 to 800, eight major buildings were constructed lished and implemented a variety of programs to further academic Lawrence University was founded by Amos A. Lawrence, a wealthy mer- and the Conservatory of Music was established as a separate part of the success, diversity and inclusion. Carter created a program for first-gener- chant from Groton, Massachusetts, about 35 miles northwest of Boston. university. In 1913, the university adopted the name Lawrence College. ation college students and established both a student success center and Amos was a descendant of John Lawrence, who was the first of the family President Henry Merritt Wriston (1925-1937) articulated the com- an academic center for student-athletes. As a part of Carter’s diversity and to arrive in America from England in 1635 and later helped establish the mitment to a liberal arts education by stating the ideals of character, inclusion initiatives, Carter introduced the addition of a diversity officer, town of Groton in 1660. More than a century later, Samuel Lawrence, a ethics and passion that are the foundations of a liberal arts education. aided in the expansion of the Title IX office and created an Anti-Racism descendant of John Lawrence, established an academy in Groton, which Freshman Studies was then introduced by President Nathan Marsh Institute. Because of Carter’s extraordinary efforts, she was named one of is now called the Lawrence Academy at Groton. Samuel had five sons, Pusey (1944-1953) to broaden the areas of knowledge introduced to 25 outstanding women in higher education by “Diverse: Issues in Higher one of whom was Amos. Amos became a successful businessman and freshmen. In 1964, under the presidency of Curtis W. Tarr (1963-1969), Education.” distributed a large amount of his wealth to multiple causes, including Lawrence University was consolidated with Milwaukee-Downer College By establishing programs to promote diversity and inclu- the colonization of American Negroes in Liberia, the founding of Kansas for Women. Merging with the women’s college was a step in the right sion, Carter reinforces the ideals of moral integrity and high character State University and organizing regiments in the Civil War. Amos sought direction toward gender equality, but the university’s first female presi- that Lawrence University was established upon. The induction of Laurie to use his wealth to improve his neighborhood and better the lives of dent was not appointed until 2004 with the inauguration of Jill Beck. Beck Carter as Lawrence University’s 17th president marks the turn of the tide, those around him. broke the gender barrier, but the university still lacked racial diversity with the university’s first Black president determined to foster a diverse Amos wished to establish a college on the land he owned among its administration. learning community here in Appleton. Having a Black, female leader will in the Wisconsin territory and instructed three other white men, Rev. While the university’s foundations are rooted in that of amplify the voices of marginalized groups, which has previously been dif- William Harkness Sampson, Rev. Henry Root Colman and Rev. Reeder wealthy white men, Laurie A. Carter, who is an African American ficult to achieve with a historically white administration. Under Carter’s Smith, to help him found Lawrence in 1847. Sampson became the woman, will become Lawrence University’s first BIPOC president on July leadership, we are headed in the right direction to establish an ethnically first principal of Lawrence University, serving from 1849 to 1853, at 1, 2021. Carter was born in New Jersey and attended Clarion University and racially equitable environment that prioritizes the success of every the time when the university only functioned as a preparatory school. in Clarion, Pennsylvania where she received a Bachelor of Science degree student. When Lawrence requested Sampson’s assistance in founding Lawrence in communications. She competed in track and cross country there. She We would also like to recognize the other faculty, staff and University, Sampson resigned as principal of the preparatory school and received her master’s degree from Williams Paterson College and earned administrators of color here who are already contributing to our com- served as a faculty member of the school. Edward Cooke would become her JD from Rutgers University. munity to foster understanding without bounds. The effort of these indi- the first president of Lawrence University, serving from 1853 until 1859. Carter spent 25 years at The Juilliard School as its first viduals have been an integral part of making Lawrence University what Before he became president of Lawrence, Cooke taught and served as African American administrator. Carter held many leadership positions it is today as we strive toward establishing ourselves as a truly anti-racist principal at two schools, and was a pastor of a Methodist Church for six at Juilliard, most recently standing as vice president, general counsel and institution. years. Cooke set high moral and academic standards for his students and executive director of Jazz Studies in 2013. Carter then left Juilliard to established the strong foundation that exists today. lead the arts education department at the New Jersey Performing Arts

Photo Feature: Astra Medeiros

palm

long dark

take out sky can 8 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT April 9, 2021 THE LAWRENTIAN Creative Writing Club Serial Story: The Book Episode One Olivia Sibbet starting to crust over at the edges. The Lizzie sunk into herself, thinking Guest Writer area was empty, except for the group of she looked brave. Diane took another Club ______High Schoolers Lizzie saw packing empty swig of beer. Lizzie sat in the front seat of her beer cans into trash bags on the way in. “What kind of monster?” mothers SUV, habitually tugging her hik- Lizzie’s mom heaved a box onto the “I don’t know if I should tell you. I ing shorts up and down her legs. picnic table. Lizzie struggled with the don’t want to scare you.” “You and Dad really used to come metal rods of the tent on the other side “I wouldn’t be scared,” she chewed Mikayla Henry in the classic tale of The Odyssey. In up here?” She asked, digging a finger into of the site. her lip, “Dad would tell me stories like Columnist Miller’s story, Circe is first deemed as a her ear. “I can’t do this,” she said. that.” ______disappointment amongst the rest of her Her mother glanced away from the “Come over here,” her mother called. “Alright,” Diane smiled, her face This is the first of a new column, in family, for she is nowhere near as power- winding mountain road. “A long time ago. Diane pulled out the propane camp- warm with the flame and alcohol. “The which I will recommend a few new books ful or beautiful as they are. Upon finding Before you were born.” ing stove, and rubbed some dust off it with monster is called El Ahogado. It’s got long each week to hopefully help you avid her true calling in the arts of witchcraft, “He really enjoyed it?” her thumb. fingers, humongous height, as wide as it readers overcome that reading slump. I she is ultimately deemed a tremendous “For my sake he did.” Lizzie peeled some skin off her lip, “I is tall, with white patching hair. It’s skin is am currently a first year hoping to study threat and banished to a deserted island. California’s redwoods loomed over- miss Daddy’s spaghetti.” rotten and it’s stench is unbearable to any English and creative writing, which stems The rest of the novel follows her growth head, and Lizzie squinted her eyes at “He was the best,” Diane rubbed her human.” Lizzie’s eyes trained on the void from my life-long passion for reading. as she comes to terms with who and what the flashing sunlight, dragging her shorts eyes and showed a wry smile. “You’re just where the lake was. This passion has impacted me profoundly she is and documents the various encoun- back over her knees. She was growing stuck with my cooking for now.” “The most terrifying thing is what and shaped me into the person writing for ters she has with many important fig- faster than Diane could manage, and had “Boarding school food is supposed it does to its victims - when El Ahogado you today. My hope is to eventually rec- ures of Greek mythology, from the fallen been wearing clothes two sizes too big all to be really bad.” captures them, it eats them whole!” Diane ommend a book that will impact you in a Icarus to the scheming Odysseus. I have year. Her mother seemed to fear them Sunlight touched the pallor of sprang out of her chair. Lizzie screamed, similar fashion. Some of these recommen- a deep appreciation for Miller’s works, as being unprepared for the next growth Diane’s skin. “Kiddo… Kingston is a good and tried to pull the pajama set over her dations will come from my own personal she takes characters who were originally spurt. place.” head. The mother’s face was shadowed library, while others will be from other deemed as minor roles or even as villains “Are you still thirsty?” Diane ges- — in the firelight, her eyes cavernous with Lawrentians I interview around campus. in their first recounts and develops them tured at the water-bottle at Lizzie’s feet. The moon rose high in the sky. shadow. She sank back down, “Some say For my first recommendations of this into beautiful heroes who readers cannot “It’s out.” Diane let her hair down, and took a beer it transforms into its last victim, to lure term, I am going to discuss some of my help but love. I could not put this book “Oh,” the car crept its way up the for herself. They ate undercooked hotdogs another into its clutches.” current favorite books that I have read down when I read it for the first time, hill, “there should be a faucet at the camp- and boxed salad mix. Lizzie shook in her fold-out chair, within the past year or two. and I hope a few of you will have a simi- ground.” Lizzie rubbed her eyes, and dropped golden lines spilling down her face as she First off, we have The Song of lar experience, as well. Again, Circe is a — another burnt marshmallow into the gazed at the pit. Achilles by Madeline Miller. In Miller’s perfect read for those who adore Greek Two steps out of the car kicked up flames. The charred exterior reminded “You alright, kiddo?” debut novel, she introduces us to a rei- mythology, or perhaps those who have yet enough dust to swaddle Lizzie’s legs. El her of how her fathers matted hair used to Lizzie nodded into herself. magined version of Homer’s The Illiad, to stick their toe in the mythological water Parque del Diablo, sitting on what was at look after he got out of the pool. “The monster isn’t real, you know. where Gods walk among mortals and for the first time. the time called El Lago del Diablo, court- “What does Diablo mean?” It’s just a story.” mythological creatures lurk around every The last book I want to mention ed the few campers it could steal from “D e v i l .” “I know.” corner. Readers follow the main charac- this week is The Secret History by Yosemite. This was before the droughts, “Does the devil live here? Like Diane kneeled next to her, and ter, Patroclus, as he grows up in Ancient Donna Tartt. Taking place in an elite which made water holes like Diablo poi- Satan?” brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “As Greece alongside Achilles, the infamous school in 1980s New England, the read- sonous to dogs and small children. Even Diane chuckled, “No. But… there is long as I’m here, nothing can hurt you. hero of the Trojan War. It is a story of ers find themselves listening to the tragic so, early August meant there had been no another monster in the lake. That’s why Let’s get to bed.” And she rose, offering a impossible love, the bloodshed of war and tale of six students studying the clas- rain for five months, and the water was it’s called,” she waved her fingers in the hand that wasn’t taken. the price of fame all rolled into one. As an sics, told years after the events of their firelight, “Devil’s lake.” avid fan of Greek mythology, I fell in love story. After having thought-provoking with this book as I read it. Miller’s writing discussions with their professor, the group style is beyond anything I have ever read becomes obsessed with exploring how far previously. Not only is the imagery in the the boundaries of morality can be pushed, novel stunning, but some of her quotes leading them to take one step too far, ulti- have continued to stick with me, even to mately murdering one of their own. As the Make your this day. This book is beautifully tragic, tension builds, so do the lies, and the book To advertise in and perfect for those reminiscent of their ultimately leads to a coldly calculated Percy Jackson phase and who are also conclusion. This book is perfect for fans of message The fans of ill-fated romances. However, this the dark academia genre who love a good is not the last book of Madeline Miller’s thriller that will haunt them for days after Lawrentian, that will find a spot on my list of favorites. they have read the final page. stand out Similarly, her second book, Circe, That’s it for this week’s recommen- contact holds a special place in my heart. Here, dations! I hope you are all able to get we witness the story of Circe, who is outside this week to enjoy the weather, and be famous for being an enchantress featured and just maybe get some reading done out lawrentian@ in the sun.

EXPOSURE heard. lawrence.edu. ADVERTISE

SOUP offers grab-and-go crafts Sarah Matthews peted for an opportunity to win their own A&E Section Editor pair of custom Vans. ______In addition to these two events, On Wednesday, March 31, Lawrence SOUP will continue to host other grab- University’s Student Organization for and-go events throughout the quarantine University Programming (SOUP) hosted period, with the hope of safely engaging their Adopt a Rock! event. Due to cam- students on campus. Other events SOUP pus-wide COVID-19 restrictions taking will be hosting includes a grab-and-go place during the first two weeks of the Make Your Own Tie Blanket project on term, the event was grab-and-go style. Wednesday, April 14. Once the quarantine COVID-19 Students were able to pick up a carton of Freshmen Cat Chu and Charlotte Ho pick up supplies from SOUP’s Adopt a Rock! event. restrictions have been lifted on cam- supplies in Warch Campus Center. Photo by Alana Melvin. Within the carton provided, stu- pus, in-person, socially distanced and dents were given their own pet rock, as masked SOUP events will begin taking well as a pair of googly eyes to decorate place, including Paper Mache Crafts being Meditation, Zoom 4/15 11:15 a.m. Yoga with. Beyond the supplies provided, cre- offered in Warch Campus Center on UPCOMING: - Physically Distanced, ativity was left up to each individual stu- Wednesday, April 28. 4/13 11:15 a.m. Begining Buchanan Kiewit Wellness dent. SOUP, as a way to engage students Because of their creativity, SOUP 4/10 11 a.m. Student Fencing Lessons, Center during the two week-long campus quar- works to offer students fun and creative recital: Carmen Magestro, Buchanan Kiewit Wellness antine, will continue to offer other grab- opportunities during a two-week long flute, Lawrence Vimeo Center 4/15 12:30 p.m. Tai Chi, and-go art-related projects until students waiting period. Student engagement Buchanan Kiewit Wellness are able to safely gather for events. continues to be an accomplished goal 4/10 11 a.m. Easter Egg 4/13 7 p.m. Ping Pong Center Besides the Adopt a Rock! event, for the organization, despite gathering Hunt, Main Hall Green Intramural Leauge, Esch SOUP also offered a Vans Design contest restrictions at the beginning of the term. Area Hurvis Room 4/15 4:30 p.m. Mudd on Wednesday, April 7, in which students Whether SOUP offers grab-and-go activi- Library Fiber Arts and were able to grab supplies and competi- ties or in-person events, students are pre- 4/12 9 a.m. Welcome 4/14 5 p.m. Make Chat, Zoom tion rules at Warch Campus Center. SOUP sented with unique opportunities to build Back Crafts, Diversity and Your Own Tie Blanket, accepted both physical and digital designs their social life, in addition to their pet Intercultural Center Somerset Room 4/15 8 p.m. Student for the event. As a prize, students com- rock collection. recital: Ella Kile, violin, 4/12 4:30 p.m. Virtual 4/14 7 p.m. LU Reads, Lawrence Vimeo Zoom April 9, 2021 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 9 THE LAWRENTIAN Group Spotlight: Trombone Studio

Lauren Woodzicka which is accessible for students who are Staff Writer off campus. They are held in person and ______through Zoom at the same time in order The trombone studio is working to accommodate every student. Frank- hard to stay connected despite the many Martin noted that, “it feels like people changes that have occurred since the onset who are off campus are a part of the stu- of the COVID-19 pandemic. I spoke to dio,” due to the dedicated and innovative junior Mikayla Frank-Martin and sopho- work of Tim Albright and the supportive more Ryan Saladin about how the studio student community, and the studio feels is promoting musicians and adapting due like “a big family” which focuses on sup- to the pandemic, and both emphasized porting each other’s needs and growth the importance of social media in creat- rather than competition. It’s is an encour- ing a space where Lawrence students can aging space even for non-majors, since connect with and get to know members everyone has “respect for each other as of the studio. musicians.” According to Frank-Martin, The trombone studio’s Instagram the studio’s primary focus is becoming (@lawrencetrombones) and Facebook “the best musicians we can be.” page (Lawrence University Trombone There are multiple upcoming stu- Studio) are used to create a space for the dent recitals and projects to look forward studio members to show their work and to this term. On April 16, Daniel Johnson connect with other Lawrence students will release a single titled “Mighty Sketch,” and the community as a whole. Saladin’s and the full album, Childhood Sketches, motivation for creating the Instagram was will also be available on Spotify on May to highlight the “unique environment” 28. Frank-Martin and Jacob Dikelsky of the studio which is untraditional in 2019-2020 Trombone Studio. Not pictured: Juniors Molly Ruffing and Kate James. are performing a joint junior recital at its diversity of musical expression. The Freshmen members for the 2020-2021 studio: Caelen Hubred, Leah Kukman and Sam Johnson. 8pm on April 16, and on April 18 Omar studio is undivided between classical ver- well. We do studio member spotlights so performances are shared through social more like a group of friends,” accord- Tlatelpa-Nieto’s junior recital will be per- sus jazz players or between music majors then people can get to know and see what media as well, which is especially impor- ing to Saladin. Tim Albright, assistant formed at 8pm. On April 24, Nathan Graff versus non-music majors. Frank-Martin each member of the studio is doing.” The tant as currently there’s a lack of in person professor of music, is a helpful facilita- will perform his junior recital, and Allie shared that, “We just wanted to create studio member spotlights demonstrate performances. tor of the close community, and “really Goldman will release the first episode of it so we could promote the studio and the work that students are doing not Frank-Martin also highlighted the great about promoting community and her senior recital podcast. The recitals spread awareness of what we’re doing and only within the studio, but as artists and “tight knit community” of the studio, addressing individual needs and support- can be accessed at https://livestream.com/ promote certain people in our studio as students in general. Updates and links for which feels incredibly important during ing everyone,” as stated by Frank-Martin. lawrenceuniversity. the pandemic. The studio “often feels Classes are currently in a hybrid setting, Album Review: Above Movies, Movies, Caleb Carter where they were combating their respec- vocals are on another level. Freed from Staff Writer tive substance abuse problems. Looking the constraints imposed by his work with ______for a new project, the pair recruited sing- Alice in Chains, Staley pushes the bound- Movies There are few places on Earth par- er Layne Staley, whose primary band, aries of his expressivity in “Wake Up” alleled in their perpetual gloom than Alice in Chains, was on a temporary and composed highly evocative lyrics for Seattle, Washington. As a native of the hiatus. McCready and Saunders hoped the group’s most popular song, “River of city, I never fully appreciated the somber that their influence would help Staley stay Deceit,” which also contributes one of atmosphere, the frequent overcast skies clean from his own struggle with heroin. the few glimmers of light to an otherwise and rainy days created until I moved The trio finally enlisted Screaming Trees bleak atmosphere. Singer Mark Lanegan’s away to sunnier climes. Sequestered in the drummer Barrett Martin to finish out gritty baritone vocals on “I’m Above” and Pacific Northwest, Seattle’s music scene in the lineup. “Long Gone Day” provide an additional the 1980s flourished in an underground Desolate and morose, Mad Season’s emotional dimension to those songs that capacity, largely undiscovered by outsid- Above fits in well with the grunge cata- creates a pleasant contrast to Staley’s. ers until the dam broke with Nirvana’s logue and is essential listening for alt-rock Like many other bands from Seattle, 1991 release, Nevermind. Suddenly, the fans. Sonically, the album feels character- Mad Season’s existence was cut tragically moody and introspective Seattle sound, istically raw, with sparse instrumentation short by addiction. Although the band attribute their success to the film’s tre- Levi Homman so-called “grunge,” was a hot item in the and angsty lyrics. Unlike other Seattle members were enthused about the pros- mendous visual effects, which are not Columnist music industry, with record labels fran- bands who drew more influence from pects of reuniting for a second album, ______only groundbreaking from a technical tically signing deals with up-and-com- punk or metal, Mad Season stands out their schedules rehearsing and perform- standpoint, but also master some basic Godzilla Vs. Kong, 2021, directed ing bands, hoping for the next Nirvana. with blues-infused songwriting. Saunders ing with their respective main groups kept elements of cinematography, and make by Adam Wingard – 3.5/5 Stars Grunge ultimately proved to be a flash in plays a supportive role as the bassist, sel- them apart. Unfortunately, the chances of great use of light and color. The best- the pan, as addiction and waning interest dom the star, but nonetheless the lynchpin a follow up to Above began to diminish looking fight scene takes place in down- Warner Brothers’ recent monster devastated Seattle’s most popular acts. of the group’s tight-knit sound. Meanwhile after bassist Saunders died of a heroin town Hong Kong, where the two monsters films, members of the “Monsterverse” as With the unexpected death of Nirvana McCready is right at home soloing on overdose in early 1999, but the band evap- are lit by the bright blues and reds of the they are called, are difficult to assess with frontman Kurt Cobain in April 1994, these bluesy tunes, drawing inspiration orated altogether in 2002 with the death of city at night. Kong’s incredibly realistic the usual filmmaking criteria. These bom- grunge effectively died with him. from guitar idols like Stevie Ray Vaughn singer Staley, also by overdose. Although and expressive face reflects these colorful bastic, ridiculous romps have little to offer But America at large moving on with heavy, syrupy licks heard in “Artificial it’s regrettable never knowing exactly how lights, and nearly every moment is framed in terms of an emotional core or narrative from Seattle and leaving its musicians Red.” Martin, on drums, provides a driv- a second Mad Season album would have and lit beautifully. arc, but somehow successfully work as behind didn’t discourage them from con- ing energy that elevates the intensity of the sounded, there are some clues. The 2013 What really makes these fight scenes simple, entertaining blockbusters. Thanks tinuing to express themselves. This dole- whole group, most visible in the vigorous deluxe rerelease of Above includes sev- fun, though, is their choreography, which to some quality visual effects, excellently ful atmosphere is where the long-for- track “X-Ray Mind.” The unusual variety eral original songs written by guitarist almost feels akin to staged profession- choreographed fight scenes and a beauti- gotten and criminally underrated Seattle of percussion on this album serves to fur- McCready and sung by Lanegan in place al wrestling. Because the monsters are fully absurd premise, Godzilla Vs. Kong, act, Mad Season and their 1995 album, ther cement Mad Season as a band worth of Staley. However, in some ways, perhaps so large, they move in what looks like like its predecessors, manages to keep its Above, arose. Prior to the group’s forma- remembering, gently expanding the musi- it’s appropriate that Mad Season’s discog- slow motion, not unlike the telegraphed, audience’s attention for a fun, silly two tion, guitarist Mike McCready of Pearl Jam cal expectations for their Northwestern raphy is so scarce. Brooding, gloomy and over-the-top fighting moves seen in hours. Full spoilers ahead. met bassist John Baker Saunders in rehab locale. Even in the midst of such phe- cut too short, Mad Season provides the The primary role of the human char- WrestleMania. Though it’s known, from nomenal musicians, Staley’s electrifying perfect representation of Seattle’s music. acters in the film is to explain why the a logical standpoint, that everything is monsters are present, and why they’re mad predetermined, audiences will likely find at each other. The cast is jam-packed with themselves reacting to each punch or bite criminally underused actors, including that lands as if the fight is happening in some from past films, like Millie Bobby real time. This similarity to professional Brown and Kyle Chandler, as well as some wrestling is especially clear in the final new faces, like Alexander Skarsgård, Brian fight scene, in which Godzilla and Kong Tyree Henry and Julian Dennison. All inevitably team up to fight Mechagodzilla. these notably talented actors are sidelined In the climactic final seconds, the two for the sake of exposition, with one group monsters pick up Mechagodzilla by his investigating the evil megacorporation arms and slam him into the ground as the Apex Cybernetics, creators of the formi- human characters cheer from a distance. If dable Mechagodzill, and another group audiences can allow themselves to accept following Kong on his journey to the the silliness of the film’s premise, this is inside of the hollow earth (an undeniably a fantastically fun moment to close with. hilarious and bizarre addition to the plot). Godzilla vs. Kong is completely HELP THE The closest thing to an emotional devoid of subtlety. It lacks the social com- foundation for the film is Kong’s con- mentary of the films that inspired it and ENVIRONMENT. nection with a young deaf girl named introduces some truly outrageous con- Jia, who is played by Kaylee Hottle. In cepts. In short, this flick has little to say one memorable scene, Kong, after learn- in the way of storytelling. All that being RECYCLE THIS ing some minimal sign language from said, it works. Thanks to stunning visu- Jia, signs the word “home.” More human als, much needed glimpses of emotion moments from Kong like this one allows and some over-the-top fight scenes, the NEWSPAPER! the audience to connect with the massive film succeeds at being what is essentially ape and give the big fight scenes some a Saturday morning cartoon with a $200 much-needed stakes. million budget. For a brief, fun experi- The film’s emotive scenes can also ence, Godzilla vs. Kong is a safe bet. 10 OPINIONS & EDITORIALS April 9, 2021 THE LAWRENTIAN Orthography as a Political Phenomenon: Why do we write long vowels differently when we textttttt? vowels without changing or switching out system in the whole world, which makes ment on it, but you can see the people you to think about how innovations in Zander Buchlaw the vowels at all. it sometimes highly difficult and confus- who have commented on it already. Now, digital interpersonal language intersect Columnist Imagine for a moment that ing to lengthen vowels by simply repeat- imagine that one of the comments you with the politics of your environment. ______you receive the following text: “I f*cking ing the same vowel letter. For instance: see, written by someone who you don’t When historically-minded people look hateeeeeeeeeee that they decided to f*ck if I wanted to lengthen the word bet by know, reads: “I can’t believe you actually back on our era, what will they say Spoken English, like most us over like this.” adding extra vowel letters, I would end believe this opinion. F*ck off.” about us and the way that our texting languages, makes great use of semantic Alright, now imag- up with something like beeeeeeet which, Now, imagine it appearing and posting imitated and influenced our and pragmatic vowel length. It is not ine you receive this text: “I f*cking without context, can be highly ambigu- with lengthened vowels in all of these dif- politics? Personally, I think that the most phonemic, meaning that the word you haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate that they decided ous; it could either be a lengthened ferent ways: prominently political aspect of this shift are saying will not become a different to f*ck us over like this.” version of either bet or beet. Everyone “I can’t believe you actuallyyyy in digital orthography might have to do word if you lengthen one vowel, but it’s If your first instinct was to who’s had to look twice at an oh my believe this opinion. F*ck off.” with how we each curate our personal clearly a part of the way we communicate read the word hateeeeeeeeeee in the gooooooood text before knows exactly "I can’t believe you actually experience on the internet and in digital because most of us actively represent it first text with two syllables, you’re prob- what I’m talking about. belieeeve this opinion. F*ck off.” communication by using things like non- when we text. In most writing systems, a ably not a frequent user of digital com- These small changes in how “I can’t believe you actuallyyy phonemic vowel length to influence the long vowel is represented by emphasizing munication. So, why is that? we represent our language, like in the belieeeve this opinion. F*ck off.” formality and tone of our interactions. As a vocalic sign, whether it is a glide conso- As far as I can tell, this environment of the internet, may hardly To me, these each have dif- you might expect, I think that the people nant that stands for a vowel—such as in phenomenon did not appear until tex- seem noteworthy, but they exist within ferent tones and levels of animosity and who are innovating our collective modes Abjads like Hebrew, most Aramaic variet- ting became a universally-normalized a broader web of signs which we heavily seriousness to them. I’m curious to hear of online communication by shortening, ies, and Arabic (these letters are called practice in many societies. In literature, rely on in order to make inferences about from other people whether they inter- lengthening, changing or not writing matres lectionis) — or a character that purposefully lengthened vowels have who we’re talking to and how we should pret them similarly. The first of these, things are adapting our orthography to represents a vowel itself — which is always been written in the way that interact with them. The same way that the one where actually is lengthened to fit a newer perception of language, and either repeated or somehow embellished haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate appears our physical appearance, tone, accent/ actuallyyyy, I interpret as being the most this makes writing much more accurate with a diacritic or other mark, as is the in the second text. My thinking is that a dialect and facial/hand expressions influ- aggressive and the most serious. The sec- and nuanced than if we all simply colored case in most Roman-based orthogra- very special digital communicator, prob- ence how someone will respond to us in ond one, where believe is lengthened to within the same lines. phies. Some writing systems, like Ge`ez ably a kid, realized at some point that person, I think the way we mark length- belieeeve, I interpret as being less aggres- and Devanāgarī, have separate vowel when we read, we actually look far ahead ened vowels in digital communication, sive than the first one, but still serious in markings or characters for long vowels of the word we think we’re reading to as well as how long we choose to make its tone, placing heavier criticism on the that can be related in shape or form, but anticipate upcoming words and punc- them in accordance with the underlying post-sharer’s judgment. To me, the last which are unmistakably distinct from tuation so we can determine breath and context of the message or conversation, one seems the least aggressive and the their short counterparts, working in a tone. After realizing this, and after getting can be important elements of how we least serious, maybe because it seems like similar way to the matres lectionis in tired of having to remember to lengthen communicate online. They can serve to the exaggerated vowels are being used Abjads. Although it seems almost too vowels in the middle of writing words, set the tone for an entire interaction, or, for emphasis but not for focus. My inter- functional and straightforward for it not this brave hero of modern orthography in some cases, entire digital relationships. pretations of these might be completely to have been done at some point, I have made history by arbitrarily lengthening With the ability to set tones with each different from yours. But the reason I yet to personally come across a writing the final character. The truth is that there other on how formal or confrontational mention them is to demonstrate that system that marks lengthened vowels were almost certainly thousands of rogue an interaction should be, we can actively even when looking at comments from without involving a distinct “lengthened” orthographers who started popularizing respond to politically-significant speech- someone I’ve never met, on a post origi- vowel or an embellished vowel sign this method, maybe without even know- acts in a subtle but meaningful way. It nally shared by someone I’ve never met, I of some kind. That being said, please ing or remembering. Personally, I’ve seen doesn’t require us to explicitly dictate have the ability and the instinct to make comment if you know of such a system it used in Spanish, Portuguese, Yucatec what we want from the conversation but judgements (based on things like length- because I will be very excited to learn Maya, and Hebrew. But there are reasons instead it tells the other person what ened vowels) on what kind of interaction more about it. But that’s exactly what we why I think it serves English especially kind of interaction we expect from them. the commenter wants from the poster. are going to talk about today: the way well. Picture an inflammatory online post: you The column is called in which texting has endowed us with a The English writing system didn’t write the post, you don’t know the Orthography as a Political socially-meaningful way to lengthen our might have the most frustrating vowel person who wrote it and you don’t com- Phenomenon, so I want to encourage Do not smile at me in 2021 Capitol rioters form a substantial amount their heads around the fact that even if variants (Al Jazeera). The national outcry doesn’t hold a candle to the lived experi- Barrah Kunaan Shamoon of not only the general population but they don’t get deathly ill, going out in a came at a time of increased deaths but ences of BIPOC. The pandemic further Staff Writer of the U.S House and Senate as well, pandemic still spikes transmission rates. the response of the administration has revealed the inequalities in housing and ______resulting in a year’s worth of unnecessary From their own government, they heard been uncaring and brutally repressive in employment for those living paycheck- deaths and hospitalizations for a nation mixed messages across state and county silencing protestors. A recent press brief- to-paycheck compared to Americans who already struggling with health issues and lines as each state went about the mask ing by the World Health Organization could afford to do their job remotely or I’ll be honest. I’ve never been a fan of a crumbling public health infrastructure. mandate in their own way. Personally, (WHO) and Pan American Health take time off. As in Brazil, the popula- the Midwestern “friendliness” culture in And then we come back to the issue of what I noticed the most as we switched to Organization (PAHO) stated that the tions in the U.S who are struggling the Wisconsin. Coming from a city of 20 mil- fake friendliness in a pandemic when pandemic cleaning procedures was that Americas could see more cases this year most with COVID and will continue to lion people, you are trained to keep your most people walking through downtown most Americans were even confused on than in the entirety of 2020 due to this do so are marginalized: Black, Hispanic eyes forward and your hand on your pos- Appleton cannot even be bothered to put the basics of hand washing and sanitizing new variant, all in the same month that and immigrant communities who already sessions as you navigate busy traffic or on a mask. Expecting pleasant interaction surfaces or just staying clean. Not to be the Florida governor banned vaccine have limited access to public health care. crowded markets. In my freshman year from a stranger you will pass by for 5 sec- shady or anything, but this is probably passports as “divisive” (Pan American It amazes me to no end that those who international student orientation, one of onds is entitled enough, but to brazenly how white European settlers killed the Health Organization; Hall). If there is are the most privileged have the means the seniors told us, “You’ll find it very, have your face out in 2021 is nothing Native American population by biological no clear, uniform, centralized response to stay at home, but simply choose not very, weird at first. Just smile and nod short of ignorance. After a whole year of warfare via the viruses pooling in major in the Americas soon enough, this virus to. And while being out and about com- back. No one is being rude or trying to seeing what this virus does to the most European cities in the 1400s. will never leave us. We will continue liv- mitting acts of biological warfare, they fight you.” This advice came to be useful vulnerable of the population and able- On the topic of biologi- ing through half-assed, non-enforced expect a smile or acknowledgement of the first time I went downtown because bodied young people as well, it’s not a lot cal genocide, the Brazilian response to lockdowns during which the majority of their existence as if I have not already many people on the street who were not to ask for Midwesterners to keep their COVID-19 is perhaps the only one more the population will go about their lives begun plotting the 5 meter circle I will even Lawrence students were smiling or masks on and socially distance. worrying than the American one. While while somehow also complaining about walk around them to make sure they trying to say hello to me. I was pretty Of course, in an ideal world, the U.S government wants its citizens to masks, all as the most vulnerable will know I spite them and their germs. confused most of the walk, wondering: the U.S would not be behaving like it go ahead and kill themselves going back remain locked up at home. I do not plan were people mistaking me for someone somehow doesn’t have the resources or to work and by convincing them it's safe on sticking around any longer. else? Do I have an approachable face? Or capital to keep its citizens at home and to eat inside a restaurant, go clubbing or I used to have faith in the maybe my make-up looks off? Nope, it not rush to reopen its economy. The dif- attend large events, the Brazilian govern- American people. Now, I cannot wait turns out that Midwesterners just love ference between the American response ment is much more adamant in its intent. to finally leave and never come back (at saying hello to each and every person on compared to, let’s say, the Chinese, Since the beginning of the pandemic, sci- least as a resident). Even though I come the street. Vietnamese, Australian, Taiwanese or entists and doctors have been intimidated from a country that has been bombed In 2018, I found those cultural Bhutanese response was a direct and by the Bolsonaro regime to stay silent and invaded by the U.S military and habits odd but quirky and fitting for a steady agreement on policies by scientists or have been arrested for undermining that has seen a violent phase of anti- population mostly concentrated in small and public officials. Even in poorer Asian government efforts. In March of 2021, American sentiment, I really did believe towns or farms. “Perhaps there’s not nations, there was an immediate response popular vlogger Felipe Neto was arrested that the American people were not their much else to do and they like seeing new by health and government authorities to on charges of “threatening national imperialist government or military. So people,” I used to think. Since the out- centralize the fight against COVID-19 security” for calling out Bolsonaro on his much so that I came in 2018 under the break of COVID-19, I have a much lower (Tang). Previous exposure to pandem- genocidal intent at letting a virus run free Trump regime thinking I wouldn’t run tolerance for being smiled at. Not only ics such as SARS, H1N1 and MERS was in a population already heavily divided into half the population of the country has this country’s government severely also at the front of public memory, which on racial and class lines (Marin). Brazil which voted for him. In just 2018, I mismanaged the response to curtail the is why mask-wearing was more strictly is struggling with the highest death rate knew my first mistake was thinking of spread of the virus for more than a year, abided and social distancing rules were from COVID-19 globally, and in no other the American people as a homogenous there has been an absurd culture war over followed (the irony of the increase in country of major outbreak are there still population. So I will clarify my earlier mask-wearing and abidance of social dis- Anti-Asian sentiment due to COVID-19 record-highs being set for daily infec- sentence: “I used to have faith in the tancing. Apparently for some American in the U.S could be a whole Op-Ed of its tions, hospitalizations or deaths. There white middle/upper middle class.” Seeing patriots, putting on a mask is a violation own). Communal cultures also inspire have been major protests in 2021 against and hearing the experiences of BIPOC of personal freedoms as is any temporary more cooperation in times of emergency, the Bolsonaro regime’s active intent to in rural areas and inner-cities alike made suspension of bars, clubs, restaurants or more so than the independent American kill, which has also resulted in the inten- me realize how much the Hollywood and gyms. These thugs, deniers of science and culture where young people cannot wrap sification of the virus and creation of new media portrayal of racism is shallow and

The opinions expressed in The Lawrentian are those of the students, faculty and community members who wrote them. The Lawrentian does not endorse any opinions piece except for the staff editorial, which represents a majority of the editorial board. The Lawrentian welcomes everyone to submit their own opinions. For the full editorial policy and parameters for sub- mitting articles, please refer to the masthead, which is located on the back of each edition. April 9, 2021 OPINIONS & EDITORIALS 11 THE LAWRENTIAN Polarity2: F*ck-off day and The overlooked oddities of the globe undesirable, boring Midwestern state. I also learned to find the centrist politics I don’t quite remember how I adventure in unconventional places. Rosalira Paxlington found it, but the RoadsideAmerica.com Although I was not seeing a grand tour- Staff Writer Willem Villerius ity of a clear majority, Italy's government website helped me to not only see the ist attraction that is on everyone’s bucket ______Columnist ministry has become much more unclear beauty of my state, but also to develop lists, I was still seeing a small piece of the ______and volatile. a new understanding of what it meant world that I had yet to explore up until Why does this all matter for When I tell people that I go to school to explore and create memories. Among that moment. We won’t get around to Some of Italy celebrates F*ck- us in the United States? I think that out in Wisconsin, the first thing out of their other things, the site has a database of the seeing most of the planet during our time off Day. It was observed for two years in of this, we can find a strategy to help mouths usually is not about how jealous strangest tourist attractions in America, here, so it counts to explore and appreci- a row from 2007 to 2008. F*ck-off Day is the American left (which I advocate for) they are of the weather, how they have sortable by state. After jokingly sift- ate what you can wherever you are. not a religious holiday, nor a nationally- better win what I argue is today's actual always wanted to live there, or how they ing through the site for a while with no This is especially important as recognized one. It's a political holiday center: the anti-establishment vote. I have vacationed there before. They do not intention to actually utilize it, I had the we approach the year-and-a-half mark of cursing the government with its own want us all to imagine an imaginary Five ask me if I have seen any famous attrac- realization that I could, in fact, go to the living this limited life, drained of adven- Santa Claus of sorts: frizzy grey-haired Star Movement in America (maybe tions or if I have time to explore warm bizarre places that I had been laughing at ture, during our early 20s. Some of us are founder, Beppe Grillo. Grillo, a comedi- hypothetically started by America's beaches or bustling cities on the week- from my screen for weeks. stuck living places we do not want to be. an, is the caricature you may expect. The favorite anti-establishment comedian, ends. Instead, I am usually bombarded I did not tell my friend what Many of us had adventures like studying short, plump man even recently wore Joe Rogan). Our goal is to win over this with questions about how I can handle they were in for when I told them to abroad or summer internships in big cit- clown make-up to reference the chaotic party, or at least dissuade them from vot- the unpleasant weather or what I do for wake up at 7am for a surprise, but surely ies cancelled. Though the light at the end political movement from the 2019 film, ing Republican. fun in such a place. Although Wisconsin a road trip to see a mural of a founding of the tunnel is growing closer, there is no Joker. His round face, in true comedic The Republican Party, since holds a place in all of our hearts, it’s not father as a drag queen was not one of telling when traveling to big, sunny cities fashion, lends itself equally to the goofi- their loss of congress and the presidency, exactly the first place that comes to mind their guesses. Neither was stopping to see will be safe again. est of smiles, the fiercest of frowns and has completely left the realm of policy in when one thinks of traveling. a 20-foot tall mummy on the way. Yet, we In the meantime, check out everything in between. favor of cultural issues. Cultural issues Coming from another made a day out of it, acting like tourists what Wisconsin has to offer on the web- The year following the like cancel culture are great because there Midwestern state, I had already grown in places that not many desire to travel to. site. Maybe you’ll visit a seven foot grass- two F*ck-off Days, Grillo founded the is no way to "lose" them. It can remain used to this kind of attitude towards I began using the website hopper made of junk in Sussex. Perhaps political party known as the Five Star in public discourse for an eternity, but where I lived. Despite living in a big city, more after that, finding strange things you’ll head the opposite direction and see Movement (M5S). Today in 2021, M5S we can't realistically legislate away can- my peers and I frequently complained of wherever I went. A boring school fieldtrip the world’s largest corkscrew up north holds more seats in the Italian parliament cel culture because of our beloved first boredom and dreamed about living in to the middle of nowhere became much in Hurley. The website has plenty to see, (36%) than any other single political amendment free speech rights. In the cooler places one day. When graduation more exciting when we stopped to play both near and far from Appleton, at pan- party. A version of M5S would never minority, the right can win points by sit- rolled around, the kids who were head- the world’s largest claw machine. A day demic-safe locations like the outdoors. realistically spring up in the United States ting back and virtue signaling over cancel ing off to big, sunny cities next year for where I could not think of anything to do Enjoy exploring! because of our disgusting two-party sys- culture, election fraud, and denying the college or life were a hot topic in envious with my friend became most memorable tem. Here, regardless of how particular rights of Trans folks during this unprec- conversations. We all craved the adven- when we decided to visit a seven-foot tall your political beliefs are, 99% of the time edented global pandemic and economic ture and excitement of living anywhere sloth skeleton just a few minutes away you have two viable choices: Democrat or crisis. With all eyes on the Democratic but our boring Midwestern state. from our houses. Republican. The interesting thing about majority, so far we've seen the Democrats I was fortunate enough to Through these small excur- the M5S is that it's a centrist "big tent" hugely water down economic policies be able to take a gap semester to travel sions, I learned that it’s not always so party, meaning that it includes both tra- around COVID relief and the minimum before moving to the similar Midwestern much about where you are going, but ditionally left- and right-wing members wage due to dissent from the most con- state of Wisconsin and attending instead about what you do along the jour- and viewpoints. servative members of the party. Lawrence. I got to live in one of the big- ney there. I did not actually care about The two-party polarization Democrats need to stop the gest, sunniest, tourist-ridden cities in the driving hundreds of miles to see a mural in the United States has turned the word "call for unity" with a Republican Party United States and I got to see the biggest, of an ancient white dude in drag (ok, "centrist" into a term used to ridicule that has no desire to unify with them sunniest cities in other countries. Yet, maybe I did care a little bit), but instead the center of each party separately. Joe or help accomplish their goals (reach- looking back, I find that some of my I valued that time spent with my friend. Biden and Mitt Romney, while clearly ing across the aisle is not what centrism fondest memories and biggest feelings of The laughter that came out of their liberal and conservative respectively, are is anymore). Let's remember that M5S adventure were not when I was in these mouth when they discovered what I had both "centrists" because they are mod- was started by a brash comedian who desirable places, but instead when I was dragged them hundreds of miles to see, erates in their respective parties. The was a centrist because he was anti- back at home exploring my so-called the terrible car singing on the way there. actual centrists, then, end up being the establishment, not because he was a farthest right Democrats and farthest left bipartisan champion. The Democrats Republicans; they are seen as two-faced need to lambast the Republicans for not traitors who are disloyal to their parties doing a single thing for the American instead of principled politicians. people. We need to start thinking about Repeat After Me: No one hates you M5S contains elements that the American center like the M5S: it is are both left- and right-wing in nature volatile and willing to go either way, but Sarah Matthews Maybe you haven’t been in laugh so hard that you start to feel a would prefer to do from left environmental issues to right- most importantly it Columnist my shoes. Maybe you really couldn’t care sharp pain in your abdomen. They’re the neither. wing criticism of the European Union. ______less about who does and doesn’t follow ones who call you because texting just The glue sticking these traditionally The best strategy, with our you on Instagram, but that isn’t really isn’t the same. They’re the people who incompatible viewpoints together is invisible M5S of anti-establishment "cen- I used to think that repeating the point I am trying to make. My point take the time to throw you a surprise anti-establishment populism. Unlike trist" voters, is reminding the American affirmations was a really cheesy thing is, no matter what you see or hear, no birthday party. They’re the ones who the American centrist politician, who people why the Republicans suck and not to do. I’ve changed my mind, and you one hates you. And you need to get that show you love through words, smiles and is fairly content to vote with their party why the Democrats are great. Democratic should, too. Let me tell you something I through your head. Now. memories, not by liking your posts. (how else can they secure party support Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio did a think you need to hear. And, you might be thinking, The biggest illusion in life is to win re-election?), anti-establishment wonderful job of this with a particularly I’ve been having a lot of “Nope, there are definitely people who thinking that the more people you have sentiment and a rejection of polarizing fiery speech in congress where he yelled trouble with thinking that everyone hates hate me.” And yes, there are people who in your life, the happier you are. One Five Star political orthodoxy is what the at Republicans: "Stop talking about Dr. me. I think that the more consumed we hate you. So many people hate me. I hate of the hardest ideas to wrap your head Movement is built around. Seuss and start working with us on behalf are by social media in our technology- people. Hate is inevitable. around is that love does not come in The Italian parliamentary sys- of American workers!" This is an impor- based pandemic world, the more insecure But there’s a simple solution. equal amounts within each person. tem is characterized by coalitions. Instead tant reminder that only the Democratic we become about ourselves. For me, this No one who matters to me in Even if I want everyone to of having one big Democratic Party Party (even if it is doing a lackluster job) transition has been somewhat detrimen- my life has ever made me think that they like me, that won’t ever happen. As I’m whose voting base contains everything is seriously discussing how to help our tal, since I’ve always been insecure about hate me. Every hurtful, cruel and down- slowly learning more about loving myself, from socialists to fiscally-conservative working people amidst this global crisis. myself, with or without the inclusion of right mean things that has ever been I have learned that my circle of love, liberals and a Republican Party whose The reality is that Republicans social media. done to me has come from people who I though small, will always offer me more voting base contains everything from the are halting real progress—so Democrats I recently went through my don’t care about. As in, I couldn’t care less endearment, support and surprise birth- alt-right to libertarians, every particular should tell the American people that Instagram account and noticed just how about how their life turns out. They mean day parties than all of my five-hundred- f*ck off ideology can have its own party, but these politicians need to . many of the people I follow don’t follow nothing to me. something followers combined. vaguely associate with a "left coalition" or me back. The number was high. I know, And I’m going to be honest There are some people I don’t "right coalition". The M5S had ambiva- you can try and call me crazy for tak- here. I do not genuinely love more than like. There are a lot of people I do like. lently abstained from joining a coalition ing the time to actually go through my maybe ten people in this world. Tops. I There are very few I absolutely love, but for many years until it became the largest account. But I think that everyone has like a lot of people. I take interest in a they’re the only ones that matter. single party in Italy, a party that either been obsessive over what others think lot of people’s lives. But do I need their If you related to any of what coalition would have to win over for a of them at some point, whether it be by reassurance? No. The only people I need I just said, keep your head up. You are true majority. noticing your number of followers go reassurance from are the people I love. worth more than what any post, tweet, The 2018 Italian government down or by getting weird looks from Look, I’m not saying you story or snap has to offer. Take a deep saw M5S ally with the right coalition. people walking by. should start treating unlikeable people breath, look in the mirror and repeat This government coalition ended up I’m not embarrassed to admit like trash, but if you take away the power after me: breaking up a year later due to struggles that I was sad after seeing how many of someone being able to work their way No one hates you. within the coalition, only for M5S to turn people don’t follow me back. I don't think into your life, they become a nobody. around and ally with the left coalition I’d usually want to admit this, but I really So, if you let the people you instead. This government coalition also hope my experience involving self-depre- love be the only human beings in your ended up failing just a few months ago. ciation will help at least one person out. life you see as true, honest people, then Most of the time, the right or left coali- The most alarming aspect of no one hates you. So, seriously, no one tion gain enough seats to hold a political- this whole Instagram journey is that I hates you. If the people who you love ly-stable ministry on their own, but with instantly thought everyone who unfol- don’t hate you (and they don’t) then the unaffiliated M5S halting the possibil- lowed me hated me. And while I am everyone else is completely irrelevant. certain people hate me, I think it was I will say, though, that this is really bold of me to assume there was not encouragement to treat people with- such a deep-rooted meaning behind these out kindness. If anything, you should be people’s actions. I didn’t even know some nicer to people now more than ever. Just of these followers. Looking back, I find don’t be so nice you forget the control getting upset over something that might you have over your own life. not even be true kind of crazy, but at the The people who matter are the time I was actually devastated. ones who have your coffee order memo- rized. They’re the people who make you 12 LISTINGS April 9, 2021 THE LAWRENTIAN EDITORIAL EDITORIAL BOARD Pei Robins POLICY: Staff Photographer Editor-in-Chief: Editorial policy is determined Molly Ruffing by the editors. Any opinions Copy Chief: that appear unsigned are Which COVID vaccine did you get or plan on getting? Shania Johnson those of the majority of The Lawrentian’s Editorial Board. Managing Editor: Ethan Wachendorf Letters to the editor are encouraged. The editors News Editor: reserve the right to edit for Alex Freeman style and space. Letters must be emailed to: Variety Editor: [email protected]. Celeste Reyes Submissions by email should be text attachments. Sports Editor: Gannon Flynn —All submissions to editorial pages must be turned in to Features Editor: The Lawrentian no later than Dani Massey 5 p.m. on the Monday before publication. Arts & Entertainment Editor: “I got two doses of Pfizer.” “I’m not too sure, I’m just waiting it out “I plan to get the Pfizer vaccine.” Sarah Matthews — Macy Veto and looking at the side effects.” — Tyler Antoine —All submissions to the — Eder Bellegarde Opinions & Editorials Editor: editorial pages must be ac- Lauren Kelly companied by a phone number at which the author can be Photo Editor: contacted. Articles submitted Alana Melvin without a contact number will not be published. Web Manager: Nora Murphy —The Lawrentian reserves the right to print any submis- Copy Editor: sions received after the above Luther Abel deadline Hasif Ahmed Sam Victor —Letters to the editor will be edited for clarity, decency, ac- Public Advocate: curacy and grammar. Matvei Mozhaev

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