page 2 the paper december 9, 2015

SStoya,toya, ppg.g. 3 RResolutions,esolutions, ppg.g. 9 GGrimes,rimes, ppg.g. 1155 CCelebrityelebrity Santa,Santa, ppg.g. 2211 AAdele,dele, ppg.g. 2233

the paper “Which Crayon Are You?” c/o Offi ce of Student Leadership Editors-in-Chief and Community Development Ali “Tickle Me Pink” Glembocki Fordham University Zoe “Laser Lemon” Sakas Bronx, NY 10458 [email protected] News Editors www.fupaper.org // @fupaper Caitlin “Razzmatazz” Hufnagle Siobhan “Thistle” Donahue the paper is Fordham’s journal of news, analysis, comment and review. Students from all years and disciplines get together biweekly to produce a printed version of the paper using Opinions Editors Adobe InDesign and publish an online version using Wordpress. Photos are “borrowed” from Elena “Manatee” Meuse Internet sites and edited in Photoshop. Open meetings are held Tuesdays at 9:00 PM in McGin- John “Timberwolf” Looby ley 2nd. Articles can be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. Submissions from all students are always considered and usually published. Our staff is more than willing to help Arts Editors new writers develop their own unique voices and fi gure out how to most effectively convey their Kelly “Forest Green” Tyra thoughts and ideas. We do not assign topics to our writers either. The process is as follows: Melody “Black” Knight-Brown have an idea for an article, send us an email or come to our meetings to pitch your idea, write the article, work on edits with us, and then get published! We are happy to work with anyone Earwax Editor who is interested, so if you have any questions, comments or concerns please shoot us an Arthur “Fuzzy Wuzzy” Banach email or come to our next meeting. So why come write for us? We are a constantly evolving publication, and have been since Features and List 1972. We provide an outlet of expression otherwise unavailable to Fordham students. Writers Matthew “Raw Sienna” Whitaker are free to say whatever they want, whenever they want. We are also pretty cool people, to be Luis “Raw Umber” Gomez completely honest. So please come hang out with us. You’ll have a good time, we promise. our aim Contributors the paper is Fordham University’s fully student-run, free speech publication. Our aim is to Larry Andres-Placido, Jicama, Matt’s mom’s rice krispies, facesitting, challenge our writers and our readers: we want to make you think. We provide an outlet for all Adam Hamilton, bald Connor Ryan, Blu Donation, Lucifer, racoons in the dark students to express themselves, whatever their passion may be. Whether it’s commenting on a room, Dunkin’s donuts, the acoustic version of “Can I Get an Amen,” Kanye, social issue, writing a factual news article, making people laugh with a humor piece, composing Lisa Calcasola, Satan, Marcus Milk, cupcake cat, drunk Caitlin kareoke, the a personal narrative, giving advice or ranting about something that makes you feel a certain gallon of milk, Michael Sheridan, Tinkers, big brother, The Fordham Ram, caf strong way -- we have a place for you. Because of our platform as a free speech newspaper, we chicken tenders (RIP), Reyna Wang, the eggnog challenge, 2-Chainz, the but- tend to push the boundaries of university journalism by talking about important social issues, thole issue, Declan Murphy, robot Connor Ryan, glitter, babies, Q Lazzarus, expressing otherwise silenced voices and opinions, addressing Fordham policy and administra- Cudi, Claire Nunez, Estrellitas Poblana III, and, as always, boxed wine. tion, and starting serious conversations about what is important to our student body. Here at the paper, we encourage creativity and uniqueness, spark dialogue and discussion, and foster a community where students are free to fully express themselves. december 9, 2015 the paper page 3

Porn Community Shaken Up By James Deen Rape Accusation by Melody Knight-Brown Now is not the time to defend rapists #IStandWithStoya Arts Co-Editor community, as well as the larger BDSM spect for women. Moreover, what mo- status or clothing (she may or may not James Deen, porn’s boy next door community, consent is sacrosanct. tivation Deen would have to “resort” to have been wearing at the time) do not household name as dubbed by Porn- Effective immediately, Kink.com will rape since he literally has girls signing matter. Stoya was raped and James Hub, is a rapist. On November 28th, cease all ties with James Deen, both up to have sex with him and can act out Deen raped her. James Deen is a rap- Deen’s ex-girlfriend and fellow porn as a performer and a producer” and any kind of sex fantasy, violent or oth- ist, and I do not believe that that is too star Stoya fi nally came forward about that “our performers deserve not only erwise, he wants with willing partners. strong of a term. He may still have good why they broke up in two tweets. They safe sets, but the ability to work with- Why, they say, would someone who, in qualities, and this does not negate the were: “that thing where you log in to the out fear of assault. Rape or sexual as- May of this year, participated in Porn for fact that he has done good work, espe- internet for a second and see people sault, with or without a safe-word, on- Consent, an initiative to get porn com- cially towards adult performer’s legal idolizing the guy who raped you as a set or off, should never be accepted as panies to remind their audiences that rights. But, he is still a rapist and noth- feminist. That thing sucks” and “James a hazard of adult production.” Acworth porn is a production and all sex should ing, whether it is all of the many good Deen held me down and fucked me also stated that in the wake of the rape be consensual. In keeping with this things he’s done or said, will change while I said no, stop, used my safe charge, Kink will review its policies to initiative, all fi lms produced by James that fact. In the same way if you kill word. I just can’t nod and smile when “strengthen rights of performers off- Deen bare the following disclaimer: the someone, whether it is one person or people bring him up anymore.” set” and “work with the larger industry performance you are about to watch a hundred, whether you are the world’s These accusations spread across to help performers who have been as- is meant for entertainment purposes number one philanthropist or a career the internet and the porn community saulted to more easily come forward.” only. It should not be seen as a model criminal, you are a murderer; if you quickly, and within hours and days, Additionally, Evil Angel, another porn for real-life sexual encounters. We rec- rape someone you are a rapist. The several major porn companies and the company, has stopped selling any new ommend honest, clear, and ongoing one exception to being called a mur- website The Frisky, where Deen pub- scenes with Deen and the sex cartoon- communication with your partner(s) to derer is self-defense, however, if were lished a sex advice column, severed ist Erika Moen withdrew all prior ad and ensure that all sex is consensual. All sticking to the rape as murder analogy, ties with Deen, effective immediately. endorsements for the performer and actors in this fi lm have consented to there is no rape equivalent of killing Amelia McDonell-Parry, who runs The his website. Deen himself voluntarily participate in the acts you see. Have someone out of self-defense. Rape is withdrew himself from his position on fun, respect each other, and practice an active choice. You are never forced the board of the Adult Performer Advo- safer sex.” to initiate rape. It is never an accident. I believe women. I cacy Committee, a group dedicated to Why would a man such as that rape Rape is rape and yes, sometimes the believe Stoya. I be- protecting adult performers’ rights, due his girlfriend, or anyone for that mat- situation is complicated by drugs or to the confl icts these rape allegations ter, when rape is so against his values? alcohol, but rape itself is not compli- lieve anyone...who pose between himself and the commit- Well, the simple answer is that Deen’s cated. Rape is rape and it is sick and tee’s mission. He also released a state- branding is not in line with his personal shameful that rape victims are consis- has come forward ment saying “There have been some ethics and the way he has marketed tently put in the position of having to egregious claims made against me himself is all a lie. The more complicat- prove/justify themselves. It is appalling on social media. I want to assure my ed answer is that despite these issues that people who have been raped are Frisky, stated that although she en- friends, fans and colleagues that these being important to him, he is an impul- scrutinized, put on trial, and are judged joyed working with Deen, what she allegations are both false and defama- sive hypocritical asshole who does not for what they wear, what they do, or liked most of all was his emphasis on tory. I respect women and I know and always act in accordance with his be- how they act. As McDonell-Parry said, consent and that “No amount of good respect limits both professionally and liefs. What is not an answer, however, “I believe women”. I believe Stoya. I be- rapport between us or traffi c to his col- privately” and has been inactive from is that Stoya just made it up. Although lieve anyone, male or female, who has umns would EVER supersede the fact social media since. there may not be any evidence besides come forward about being raped. It is that I BELIEVE WOMEN.” Kink.com, the Fans of Deen have been quick to de- her testimony, although she is a porn unknown if legal action will be taken largest distributer of BDSM fi lms in the fend him, questioning what evidence star and has sex for a living, although against Deen and I don’t think it is the U.S., was the fi rst company to offi cially Stoya has, questioning why it took a they were in a relationship at the time, media’s job to either save him or con- blacklist Deen. The CEO of Kink, Peter year for her to come forward, citing false rape charges are exceedingly rare demn him, but regardless, James Deen Acworth, stated that “for the Kink.com Deen’s dedication to consent and re- and Stoya’s profession or relationship is a rapist, and I stand with Stoya. page 4 the paper december 9, 2015 Wealthy Fashion Designer Steals Designs From Indigenous Women by Larry Andres-Placido In this case, the original is not only better, but $375 cheaper Staff Fashion Guru had a Spring/Summer line called the Each blouse that the indigenous wom- beautiful traditional clothing available The world of high fashion has often Étoile collection, which had showcased en makes defi nes their role in society. or the ones they can afford. Fiestas been depicted as cultural burglary. The these stolen blouses. When shown on Living in poor towns, women are ex- (parties) celebrating saints’ days are designers are portrayed as thieves who the catwalk, the crowd was amazed as pected to know how to weave clothing other occasions for costumed dances steal the identity of oppressed cultures. they had never seen designs like this for the family, for temples, and for of- that are often of Spanish origin, and Concerning recent events, people can before. ferings. A fi ne weaver has status in the require special rented dance costumes argue that current fashion trends are As soon as the blouses appeared on- community. Clothing and cloth also pro- with the embroidery. Even the most mocking or stealing a culture. From the line, people were buying them for their duce extra income when made for sale, common celebration, a quinceañera, physical attributes to hairstyles, people originality and uniqueness. Later, a which for many is the only way they can or a fi fteenth birthday party for a young are getting their identity stolen. group of indigenous women from Mex- bring income into the household. Chil- woman, is another occasion for special From the catwalk to harmless Insta- clothing. Every stitch work and design gram pictures, people often feel like is signifi cant for each occasion as it their culture is being used as a ploy in helps show why that day is important. a consumerist world. What makes cul- Multiple people have reached out tural appropriation bothersome is that and collaborated with these women to people of color cannot take off their help shine light on their designs. On- “costumes or facades” and return to line boutiques help create fair-trade, everyday life without the discrimination which allows these women to make or stigma commonly associated with these blouses and earn a reasonable those cultural expressions. Employing commission. These boutiques are dedi- someone’s culture for expression is an cated to sharing the voice and talent of insult that comes with a long history amazing artisans located throughout remote villages in Mexico. Rather than collaborate with these women, Marant From the catwalk to stole their ideas and used them as her harmless Instagram own. She not only stole a fashion de- IIff yyouou ssquintquint rrealeal hhard,ard, yyouou ccanan sseeee tthehe ccapitalismapitalism sign, but she also stole a piece of Latin pictures, people often heritage with her as well. feel like their culture is As of now, Isabel Marant is fi ghting ico noticed that their designs resem- dren learn by imitation, watching their to set the record straight: she has pre- being used as a ploy in bled the ones on Marant’s blouses. mothers spin, prepare yarn, warp the sented submissions which show that When comparing the two, they looked loom, and weave. By the age of twelve, these designs truly come from the vil- a consumerist world. identical. The prices, however, are not whether or not they like it, weaving lage of Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec, identical. Marant is selling her “origi- must be taken seriously. Young girls of- Oaxaca Mexico. Furthermore, Ms. Ma- and trend of racial and ethnic discrimi- nal” and “unique” blouses for $395. ten watch their moms weave and see rant, after revealing the true origin of nation and prejudice. Meanwhile, the women who created how they can create these blouses, be- these designs, offi cially informed the Designer Isabel Marant is widely these designs are only selling these cause they know that this will be their public that she does not claim to be known for her Bohemian chic style de- blouses for 300 pesos or 20 USD. lives when they reach adulthood. the true designer for these designs. signs. Recently, she has been accused These women are making authentic These designs made by the Mexican So, what’s next for Marant? Earlier of stealing the designs for one of her Mexican clothing and are making way women depict a story, a story that is this year she stole Adidas’ Stan Smith blouses from a design created by indig- less of a profi t than Marant. told by the fi ne embroidery. In Mexico, shoe design and now Mexican clothing. enous women from Santa Maria Tla- The issue is not only the price differ- when beauty contests are held, the in- Guess we’ll have to wait to see what’s huitoltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. Marant ence, but also the theft of a culture. digenous contestants wear the most her next plagiarized design. december 9, 2015 the paper page 5 Study Suggests That There’s No “Male or Female Only” Brain by Blu Donaton “Take that, gender binary!” -Science, probably Staff Bill Nye Follower act and think more masculine and a similarities between us. test our boundaries and learn from the Whether it is science or society, one female-born person view the world in As with most news, this article has a world around us. While some boundar- key belief about life is that men and their own distinct way. This was not the big headline but a small founding. The ies, such as those of the moral kind, women belong to the same type of ani- case. Rather than discover possible brain is still a mostly unknown struc- may be important, others like appro- mal but are separate beings. Our bod- distinctions between the two genders, ture meaning that while no differences priate gender actions may not. People ies are different and because of this, scientists at Tel Aviv actually found a may be found now, future techniques do this not because we know how we we are often fi t to play separate roles great deal of similarities. While certain may reveal hidden mental processes are supposed to be, but because we in things as obvious as reproduction to structures such as the hippocampus we cannot yet detect. Also, only one are born with no instincts and choose as indistinct as religion. In his famous showed slight differences, being larger university has been referenced to see much of it for ourselves by learning. psychoanalytic perspective, Sigmund in men than in women, this difference this lack of distinction, and before in- Maybe we could have learned to act Freud even included a separate stage appeared lower and less signifi cant formation can be trusted it must be like tomboys and janegirls if given the of development for men and women than past fi ndings had suggested. An redone to see if the results can be rep- chance, or rather maybe could have all Surprisingly, his penis envy theory may article by Medical Daily on the study licated. just acted like people. be incorrect. even states that “0 to 8% of the brains Despite this, at least the article So next time you think all men think In Israel, Tel Aviv University recently contained only male or only female brings to question just what is really alike ask yourself if this is actually true. reported their fi ndings after they stud- structures.” This implies that brains so different between men and women Ask, are certain genders more prone ied over 1400 male and female brains. between the genders may not only be below the skin. Growing up, a lot of us to a certain mental illnesses by biol- The goal was to inspect different areas similar but that there may not be a dis- have tried to push the gender bound- ogy or by an incongruent way of think- of the brains and the grey matter be- tinct male brain or female brain. ary now and again, whether it’s trying ing of which we have just yet to take tween them to discover possible dif- If true, this research could launch on another gender’s clothes or play- notice of? And lastly, ask if we have to ferences in connections, purpose, and not only a whole new way of societal ing with “their” toys. Testing our role in be male and female doing male things development of certain structures of thinking, but a brand new branch of society allows us to feel like we fi t in or female things, or can we all just be the brain between the two genders. psychology based not on distinction of and have a place, but does the role of people and do people things? Such differences could help under- gender, but rather on perceived differ- gender really exist by the time we are stand what makes a male-born person ences versus the biological reality of born? Just like in science, in society we World Leaders Meet to Save the Planet That They Helped Destroy by Declan Murphy Apparently “not killing the planet” unpopular in Congress Staff Green Peace Worker change, disaster will become more more time to manage steady economic pected that President Obama will veto This past week, representatives and more imminent. growth and emissions. this bill, and the Senate lacks the two- from nearly every country met in Paris Luckily, there is real hope for a reso- The pledge is not in its fi nal form thirds majority to overturn the veto. to discuss—and attempt to address— lution to pass. The U.S. and China have yet, but a draft has been proposed as Still, it is unfortunate to see such deter- climate change. both expressed their willingness to ac- of Thursday, December 3, that will be mined oppositions to these measures. Though there have been many such cept limitations on emissions. China, reviewed and modifi ed by the member This is especially true given a recent summits in the past two decades, the in particular, has been hesitant to limit nations of the summit. Expected provi- poll, which indicates that 66% of Amer- last major formal agreement was the emissions in the past. However, its sions include hard caps on emissions icans believe the US should enter into 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Proto- latest climate change report is both an international agreement on climate col set hard limits on emissions for ma- critical and comprehensive, positively change. As is typical of this particular jor developed nations, in an effort to asserting that change is needed and issue, support is signifi cantly higher combat climate change. Unfortunately, that failure to regulate could lead to among Democrats than Republicans. while many nations adopted the Kyoto disaster. It warns that at current rates, But the overall takeaway is that most Protocol, it ultimately fell short of what climate change could throw much of Americans want real initiative taken to was needed to slow the growing effects China’s coast into direct danger of di- A littlelittle helphelp wouldwould bebe nicenice limit climate change, a sentiment that of climate change. For one, it failed to saster. Further, it urges for China to their Congressional representatives include China and India, which have work together with other nations to re- seem not to share. since become major sources of carbon duce its carbon footprint—exactly what The resolution has not been emissions. It also was never ratifi ed or the summit proposes to do. for all ratifi ers. Other provisions will be fi nalized or voted on, but in the com- enforced in the United States, thus lim- Since the start of the conference, revealed as the resolution is fl eshed ing weeks, the results of the summit iting its effi cacy. indeed, President Xi Jinping has an- out. should become clear. Obama seems The Obama administration—and the nounced that China will employ cap- Unfortunately, the resolution is being determined to push through and man- whole conference—wants to avoid an- and-trade regulation to combat grow- met with resistance within the United age to enact a multinational resolution, other mishap like the Kyoto Protocol. ing emissions. It will also seek to stem States. Or rather, Congress seems op- but with determined opposition back As more and more scientists stress the growth of its emissions by 2030. posed to these measures. The Senate home, this may be diffi cult. Still, this the coming crisis of climate change, This may seem far off, but China still ratifi ed the House’s measures that is a critical time for environmental pro- the urgency seems greater all the considers itself a growing economy, so would limit the EPA’s ability to enforce tection. The results of this summit may time. If this summit fails to realize real Jinping (and others) argue that it needs limits on carbon emissions. It is ex- decide the fate of the planet. page 6 the paper december 9, 2015 Faker than As Primary Season Approaches, Race Heats Up by Adam Hamilton Donald Trump still in lead, somehow Staff Campaign Intern Truth: campaign by giving it media attention. nating Carson to snag second place. Haiku Edition With two months until the fi rst votes Trump has pledged to self-fund his Bush’s family name has dragged down are cast in Iowa, it is now time to start campaign, having only $217,000 so the governor, and after four anemic de- by Zoe Sakas paying serious attention to the elec- far in the race, and has used the me- bate performances, Bush has had to tion. The Democratic Party’s smaller dia attention his campaign generates start cutting staff salary. Conservative Trump falls down, hits head contest looks relatively simple. Sec- largely to spread his message. Former Governors Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker, Now in coma, unconscious retary Hillary Clinton has the backing pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson and Rick Perry have already dropped Still running for Prez of the majority of the party establish- has also tapped into the grassroots out under similar circumstances, but ment; as of December 2nd she has anger to make his case for the White- with such a multitude of candidates, Jersey takes SI been endorsed by 142 congressmen, house. Carson’s popularity among many voters are still waiting for the Finally New York is free 38 Senators, and 12 Governors. Sena- Christian conservatives, a key constitu- fi eld to narrow down before deciding to Of its worst borough tor Bernie Sanders has been endorsed ency in many early voting states, has back a specifi c candidate. by two representatives and Governor helped him raise over 20 million dol- Texas Senator Ted Cruz has the most Self driving smart cars Martin O’Malley by one. Clinton’s lead lars in the third quarter, more than any cash on hand, one of the largest ac- Develop programed road rage has been growing over the past few other candidate. Carson’s campaign tual ground campaigns and four Super Accidents ensue months, as her polling lead over Sand- has faced increasing scrutiny in re- Pacs with a total of $38 million raised. ers has grown to 30 points. Although, cent weeks over inconsistencies about The barn burning conservative has New policies make House Republican Leader Kevin Mc- his life story, as well as long standing staked his political career on showing Buying guns now illegal Carthy admitting that the Benghazi questions of competence after Carson it to Republican voters that he can and Texas leaves US hearings were intended to lower her demonstrated a lack of understanding does fi ght the Republican Washington place in the polls. Clinton still faces Thumb wrestling trend threats from an FBI probe into her pri- Grows as a result of strong vate email which may lead to charges Fingers from texting fi led, but politically she seems safe as long as Sanders continues to languish Research now funded outside of his key demographic: young To search North Pole for Santa educated white (mostly) males. The In- Better watch out, Claus dependent Vermont Senator, who has never won an election as a Democrat, Kim surprised with twins has galvanized the progress wing of the Kanye names South and Easton Democratic Party, but his impressive Mission accomplished fundraising and grassroots support are considerable. Former Maryland Gover- TThishis couldcould bebe ourour nnextext leader....leader.... New laptop released nor Martin O’Malley has atrophied in Does not include hashtag key the single digits since the start of his Pranks Twitter users campaign, and little looks to change. Because of the large number of can- of several basic policy questions. Out- establishment. His campaign maneu- Cheez-It offi cials didates in the Republican Party, many sider candidates more often than not vering has placed him in a completive Announce next generation in the GOP establishment have yet to end up losing to the candidate that is position to pounce and snatch up the Of snacks have real cheese! endorse a candidate. With the lack of backed by the establishment, but both supporters of any other candidate that a default candidate, political outsid- candidates have mounted legitimate drops; Cruz was one of the few candi- Gabelli students ers have been able to reach the hearts campaigns and both have conceivable dates to have consistently not called Set Hughes on fi re, McShane and minds of the GOP base. The most paths to the nomination. out Trump, even appearing at several Is fi nally proud. recent Quinnipiac University Poll in- The Republican establishment is events together. Cruz has established dicates that businessman and reality having a bad year. Former Florida Gov- an extensive campaign network in the Herd of rams attack TV star Donald Trump is still leading at ernor Jeb Bush managed to raise an as- states set to vote in the South Eastern All Fordham’s wifi routers 27 percent. Trump turned the political tounding 100 million dollars from Right Conference primary, eight southern Finals are cancelled! world on its head when his controver- to Rise, a Super Pac supporting the states voting together on the fi rst of sial campaign announcement catapult- Bush campaign. Super Pacs are third March, where he expects to pick up a Ali and Zoe ed him to the front of the pack, where party independent political organiza- large number of delegates. None of the Fail all their classes this year he has more or less remained ever tions that are not bound by the same eight other Republicans reached 3 per- Won’t leave the paper since. Trump holds a commanding lead limits to individual donations that of- cent, but that is not a reason to count in the fi rst three voting contests, the fi cial campaigns are. Bush is polling them out: 2012 Iowa Caucus winner Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire at around 5 percent nationally, and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick San- -ZS and South Carolina Primaries, contests seems to have lost momentum to his torum was only polling at 4.6 percent which traditionally can make or break former protégé, Senator Marco Rubio in a University of Iowa poll at that point a campaign. Trump’s bombastic ap- of Florida, who is now polling at 17 per- in the election cycle. At this point in the proach to the race has helped fuel his cent, putting him just above the stag- race it still can be anyone’s game. december 9, 2015 the paper page 7 College Is Terrible, So Order A Coloring Book! by Elena Meuse Drown in your sorrows with Crayola Realer Opinions Co-Editor to completely focus on what they are while living with a complete stranger Do fi nals have you crawling under doing. For anyone who ever doodles who nine out of ten times turns out Than your desk and crying? Have you found during class or enjoys painting their to be a complete psychopath who yourself repeatedly contemplating al- nails while watching TV, the concept is watches you sleep at night! Do you feel ternative career plans that would al- pretty similar. You’re working within a okay?” low you to forgo a college education? defi ned space, allowing you to only de- Adult coloring books are only a small Fact When you open your laptop to write a vote partial attention to the task you’re part of the growing anti-stress market, paper, do you fi nd yourself just gaping performing. packed with products promising relax- by Caitlin Hufnagle in horror at a blank screen for hours at a time? Maybe you should consider getting St. Louis, Missouri an adult coloring book! Known for their intricate outlines When your last name is Weisser and and detailed designs, adult coloring you decide to bestow the name Bud books are basically an advanced form upon your son, you have to know that of a regular children’s coloring book. (I you’re asking for trouble. I mean, re- know what you were thinking when you ally, what does naming your child af- fi rst heard word “adult,” and I assure ter a cheap beer brand most popular you there are no dicks involved.) These amongst frat boys and middle-aged books require a great deal of time and suburban dads at block parties say attentiveness, making them far more about how you care his self-esteem? appealing to adults than younger chil- Eventually, your small boy will realize dren. What started as an intriguing the signifi cance of his moniker when novelty has quickly grown into a huge elementary school teachers snicker market, with publishing companies during attendance and cruel middle scrambling to add their own books to school bullies make fun of him. Ku- the expanding genre. dos, parents. You really set your kid Particularly, within the past several up for success. And, unfortunately, months, adult coloring books have the holder of a name like Bud Weiss- skyrocketed in popularity, topping the er does not get any special treat- Amazon bestseller list. Titles such as ment from the brand which his name Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt pays homage. Nineteen-year-old Bud and Coloring Book by Johanna Basford Weisser of St. Louis, MO was arrested and The Mindfulness Coloring Book: for trespassing on secure areas of Anti-stress Art Therapy for Busy People the Budweiser Brewery grounds. First by Emma Farrarons gained widespread off, this brings up the question of why acclaim back in the spring, quickly fol- Budweiser even has a secure area… lowed by a variety of similar books. are they experimenting with aliens From zoo animals to mandalas, there or something? Also, were the police is a wide array of differently themed laughing while the arrest Bud? Did coloring books for different interests. Bud feel betrayed by Budweisser’s Most recently, Scholastic debuted It’s no surprise that people are turn- ation and relief. From apps that play rejection? So many questions, so few their Harry Potter adult coloring book, ing to coloring books to help relieve “relaxing sounds” to special teas to the answers. Although, Bud apparently which has already been added to Ama- stress. A recent study from the Higher ridiculously large array of Lush bath made use his mugshot as his profi le zon’s Best Books of the Year list. Education Funding Council of England bombs, people are turning to anything pic on Facebook, so he defi nitely rec- The popularity of adult coloring books showed that college students are re- and everything to help cope with the ognizes how ridiculous this whole sit- is mainly attributed to their use as art porting more anxiety and other mental growing levels of stress in their lives. uation is and is choosing to embrace therapy, helping users cope with stress health issues than ever before. While All we need next is start splashing the it. Bravo to you, Bud Weisser. You took and relax. The complex designs neces- some of this increase is simply due to coloring books with lavender essential a bad name and did something abso- sitate focus, yet allow users’ minds to the reduced stigma surrounding men- oils while having them serenade us lutely awesome with it. Plus, at least wander. While a regular children’ color- tal illness, there still appears to be no- with soothing noises. (Future Amazon you have a good comeback for when ing book might be too simple to fully table increase in problems among stu- bestseller?) In the midst of this entire your parents get mad at you for get- immerse someone and a blank page dents. Given the fact that college has stress craziness one thing is clear: Peo- ting arrested—say they were asking might be too overwhelming, adult col- basically turned into a $250,000 shit ple are stressed. And stressed people for it when they named you Bud. oring books offer just the right balance show, it’s unsurprising that people fi nd love coloring books. And if you’re feel- of structure; users can pick the color themselves feeling unwell. “Welcome ing stressed maybe you want to start scheme and spend hours working on to college, take fi ve classes, work 12 doing some coloring too. In fact, feel a single design, yet they never have hours a week, intern, and oh, do it all free to color the image above! page 8 the paper december 9, 2015 Syrian Civil War Will Soon Be Old Enough for Kindergarten by Luis Gomez It’s been a rocky fi ve years...the world needs a better strategy Staff CNN Analyst ing very very very quickly and get very be kept out of extremist hands. From that point Syria experienced Pre-2011, Syria was just another very very complicated so we’re going to Hezbollah got involved in the confl ict months upon months of Daesh at- country in the Middle East; that is to try to hit as many major points as we in May of 2013. And from then until tacks, counter attacks, reprisals, and say it was completely ignored by the can without leaving stuff out. early 2014 the war in Syria was an es- general dickery that made their already American news cycle and public unless Sometime in mid to late 2012, the calating spiral of confl ict and reproach. war-torn country a literal hell to live something important and vaguely-ter- war became a proxy war between And then a new player entered the in. On June 29th of 2014, Daesh de- rorist related happened there. many groups. Iran began funneling fi eld, one that would change the entire clared itself a caliphate. Which lead to As the Syrian Civil War drags on into supplies to Assad’s forces. The CIA treatment of the Syrian Civil War. That more fi ghting. The US began airstrikes its fi fth year, many are asking questions began a training/supply program for new player? Daesh. against Daesh in September of that like “Why?” and “How?” and “What?” rebels, then ended it, then the Penta- Before I dig into history, a quick side year. After that point, things seemed to So, that’s what we’re going to try to do. gon began a training/supply program note on terminology. Daesh is one of stagnate, with a fairly common pattern We’re going to see if we can explain for rebels, then ended it. The interna- many names for ISIS, formerly known of US airstrikes and Daesh ground at- the How and What of this confl ict, and, tional community did what it did best as ISIL, and currently trying to pass tacks emerging. And that brings us up most importantly, the Why. in these situations, which means they themselves off as IS, the Islamic State. to about fall of 2015, which is when So, remember the Arab Spring? That wrote some very nasty memos at the But I’m not going to call them that. I’m Russia entered the picture. Which, if populist uprising that spread across UN and sanctioned the shit out of Syr- going to call them Daesh because a) you know anything about Russia, just the Middle East and attempted to ia. Kurds living in northern Syria decid- it’s the Arabic acronym for their name ended up making everything worse. install democratic (or at least new) ed that since everything was going to b) Daesh is so, so, so far from being Russia began an air support campaign, governments in many nations over hell anyway, hey might as well secede anything remotely close to Islam that supposedly bombing Daesh and other there? Yeah, that. That’s how this all from Syria and declare their indepen- calling it Islamic seems wrong and c) extremists, but really only targeting started. In March of 2011, major popu- anti-Assad rebels. The US, in turn, re- list protests against the government sponded by sending in a small Special of Bashar al-Assad began. Why were Forces unit to do...well, something. On people protesting? Well, mostly Assad November 13th, Daesh carried out a was being a massive prick who rigged coordinated attack in Paris, leaving elections and liked committing some- hundreds dead and more wounded, thing between three and seven human and prompting the French government rights violations before breakfast. The to retaliate with airstrikes. On Decem- protests continued to grow, frequently ber 2nd, the UK’s parliament, after a clashing with police until around May, very long, very contentious debate, vot- when the Syrian government sent out ed in favor of airstrikes against Daesh. the army in to quell protests. Because, So, where does that leave us now? after all, the easiest way to settle the Well, the war in its current form is a concerns of a mostly non-violent series ridiculous shitshow. There are four of protests is to start shooting at them. separate, differently backed, ideologi- Works like a charm. MMostost depressingdepressing beforebefore andand afterafter slideslide ofof thethe yearyear cally distinct groups fi ghting amongst As with anything regarding leaders one another with basically no end in killing their own people, the situa- sight. The longer this confl ict drags on, tion went from bad to even worse as the more messy and complicated it be- time went on. Massive crackdowns dence. Which they did. A cease-fi re because it apparently pisses them off. comes. took place, most notably in the city of was brokered in April of 2012, which So Daesh they will be. And the worst part of all of this fi ght- Hama. This continued for a few months fell apart in July with the massacre of Anyway. Remember that al-Qaeda ing is the profound human cost. The until an armed rebellion began to take a small farm village called Tresmeh, in operation in Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra? refugee problem is so often spoken of shape in early June. Anti-Assad protest- which about 200 people died. The FSA Yeah, that’s where Daesh got its start. in merely those terms, as a “problem,” ers organized themselves into the Free counterattack ended with a bombing After having been a part of al-Qaeda implying there were some easy solu- Syrian Army (FSA) and began to fi ght of Damascus’ National Security center, for enough time, they decided that ap- tion to the fact that, according to the back against Assad’s forces. Members which killed a number of top members parently the guys responsible for 9/11 UN High Commissioner for Refugees, of the Syrian Army began to defect in Assad’s government. weren’t radical enough for them, so at least 7.6 million people have been to the FSA and fi ght against their old Confl ict continued to escalate until they broke away from al-Qaeda and internally displaced by the war in Syria, boss. More troublesomely, Syrian and April 2013, when the UK and France began their own movement. Daesh and 4 million others are now consid- other regional extremists begin travel- presented the UN with evidence that has spent their time in Syria basically ered refugees. Consider that, for a sec- ing into Syria and joining with the rebel- Assad had used chemical weapons ruining fucking everything. They’ve ond. Really think about that. There is lion in the fi ght against Assad. In Janu- against his own population, setting off captured a wide swath of territory, rou- a profound miscarriage of justice hap- ary of 2012, al-Qaeda formed its Syrian another chain reaction of confl ict, in- tinely tortured and brutally executed pening right before our eyes and we’ve branch, known as Jabhat al-Nusra. Pay ternational pressure, and making the their detractors, and systematically de- so far done nothing about it. It’s time attention to these guys, it’ll be impor- entire problem even more complicated. stroyed hundreds of historical and reli- for the United States to act as it should, tant later. Now, there was a chemical weapons gious sites across Syria. Oh yeah, and and realize just who the real victims of It’s at this point that things start mov- stockpile loose in Syria, and it had to displaced a few million people, also. Syria’s civil war are. december 9, 2015 the paper page 9

The Social Pressure Of Resolutions Is Coming For Us All by Kelly Tyra You better fi x yourself the right way Arts Co-Editor And if you look back on the past ~355 usually to better yourself. I won’t dump accomplish this, which is understand- It’s that time of year again, folks! days I bet you did stick to your guns on that aspect. Self-improvement is a able as Estrellitas exists, you will feed Finals time, long, ugly puffer coat every now and then. Hell, every time noble effort. If you really want to take the fl ames of hatred making you less time, and 25 Days of Christmas on I ate a salad this year, no matter how a chance make a change the secret likely to get back on track. Instead ABC time. December is an emotional good that salad was, I know I would is to start small. If you want to begin think of it this way, I love the feeling month; we laugh, we cry, we party but rather have been eating pizza. It’s the actually doing the required reading of cooking for myself every now and we also refl ect. As 2015 draws to a little victories, ya know? for all your classes, start by reading then; I would like to experience that close let’s just take a moment to re- feeling of accomplishment more of- member and mourn all of those New ten and thus I will resist ordering a Year’s Resolutions we completely dis- quesadilla. Failure in this case would regarded after February. I’ll start. motivate you to try again because you This year I wanted to focus on be- have made the resolution for yourself coming my ‘best self.’ 2015 was (sup- not against yourself. posed to be) the year I’d get in touch One hit wonder resolutions are a with my creative side, hop on a tread- good option as well. I wrote a personal mill more than once a month, and mantra and scribbled it down once a get in touch with who I ‘really’ am. I month. Easy-peasy but still makes started by writing a personal mantra, me feel lemon squeezey (???). Try to which sounds lame and Oprahtic, but set some goals that you only have to turned out pretty badass. It reads: accomplish once but have the power “I hold myself to a high enough stan- to change your out look all year long. dard. I don’t need other people’s ap- Shuffl e the furniture in your apart- proval, respect, or recognition when I ment around, delete a distracting app have my own.” I scribbled this once a on your phone, get the Kardashian Ad month in my planner, kept it digitally blocker. Small task, big pay off. stuck to my desktop background, and If even the baby and big task you tried to ignore how silly it felt to be MMaybeaybe nnextext yearyear set for yourself elude you, and you emulating my own words. Obviously, end 2016 in a puddle of mud on the it’s not a perfect statement. It wasn’t side of the road feeling no better than an excuse to write off other people’s you do today, remember that time is opinions or perspectives but a re- New Years resolutions are an in- the fi rst fi ve pages of each text. Baby a social construct and we are all irrel- minder that I am allowed to put my- teresting phenomenon. Forty-fi ve per- steps are steps nonetheless and evant in her wide span anyway. While self fi rst because I am the only person cent of American’s make them every when you prove to yourself that you it may seem like we are hurdling to- who has to live with me for the rest of year on January fi rst and twenty-fi ve can work through the tedium you’ll be ward some annual fi nish line as De- my life. That may seem scary at times percent drop those wills and wishes encouraged to push yourself harder cember come to a close we are really but I take solace in the fact that it is within the fi rst week, forty-six percent and set new milestones and goals. Six just going to keep on moving through true for everyone. within the fi rst six months. Less than pages here I come! space as our baby blue planet runs When you don’t keep your New ten percent of people actually achieve It is also important to make sure track around the sun. You are one in Year’s resolutions it may feel like you whatever they have set out to do and your resolutions stem from a place of 7.125 billion, who cares if you had pie are letting yourself down. But as we while it’s bleak it sure as hell makes self-love as opposed to self-loathing. today? are all alone in this world anyway it me feel better and hopefully comforts You may hate yourself for ordering probably doesn’t really matter and you as well. from GrubHub fi ve times a week and you don’t even have to tell anyone. I know the point of resolutions is vow to never order again. If you fail to page 10 the paper december 9, 2015 Japan: Land of The Cute and The Heaviest Metal by Blu Donation Idol culture has come to redefi ne stardom Staff Weeaboo This is the start of idol nation. anime, and real life idol culture’s true Combining his love of all things cute Following cultural development Combining the core selling points power is its ability to inspire, showing with his lust for heavy metal, Lady- most countries often create their own of cute appeal, music, and role mod- that everyone is different but that we beard formed the band to live out a sources of entertainment wildly differ- els in 1970, Japan created idols as a all have an inner yearning to succeed persona who could embody it all even ent from other nations. For some this new class of performers meant not and be loved for being who we are. creating a new genre of music they may be fast cars and high-paced ac- only to entertain and inspire but to Idols often create a whole new world call “Kawiicore” mashing the Japen- tion, while others might prefer a more be completely and utterly beloved by as there is much more to them that ese word for cute with the term hard- theatre-like production of romance those who experienced them. many meets the eyes, as was the case with core metal. and suspense. Despite differences idols share similarities with pop-stars, newest idol group Ladybaby. While the band is in many ways modern day people tend to lean to- however Japan added an extra ingre- Ladybaby is much like any other strange and different, it also em- wards many of the same core ideas dient or two to the recipe. Idols mainly idol group, as its members include bodies everything people love about making it possible for another coun- differ from pop-stars in their out right two cute Japanese girls and some up- idols. Much like a real person every try’s creation to become popular in idol is different and whether it is truly other places despite the lack of popu- YYup,up, itsits a realreal thingthing themselves or a character they play larity or possibility for that creation to each stands out as someone distinct. come out the other nation’s culture. Many idols even portray themselves For these reasons Japan stands out much like an average person ,who wasn’t born beloved but whose hard- The leader of the work and unwillingness to give up on what they loved gained they there group just happens place in the world. This is their power and appeal. Idols much as their name to be a cross–dress- implies are meant to inspire spread- ing death metal ing not only cuteness, but their pas- sion and desire to work hard, to love singer ,feel and to one day become famous, loved and accomplished just by being we all are are. Performers like Lady- as a major source of both confusion beard, a now popular character who and admiration in the world of enter- could never arise in America, even tainment as its many more original show the break down of societnal creations such as anime are viewed norms putting down age differences, by some of us with questions about gender, and gender roles to just show its out-there themes, strange charac- the worlds cultures some rules can ters, and weird artistic design. Oth- be broken, the strange can be em- ers fall in love with its originalities, braced and harnessed, and that it diversity in creations and boldness obsession with cute appeal. They are beat j-pop music. However there is a doesn’t matter who you are or what of subjects rarely seen or heard of in meant to be adorable using an as- bit of a twist. The leader of the group you love anyone can be loved and we American life. In recent years, howev- sortment of costumes and sentimen- just happens to be a cross–dressing all can just have a little fun. er, anime is no longer alone as a new tal lyrics to bring a closeness between death metal singer and Australian Cause hey if a beared man in a source of entertainment stemming fan and performer to a new level. wrestler, dressed as a 5-year old girl. dress singing death metal can be from Japan has started to hit other While this sounds shallow for many His name is Ladybeard, and he is the loved, why can’t you? (Go out and fi nd nations causing many weaboos, Japa- idols become more than just a pretty center of the popularity of the band your idol!) nese culture nerds, and music lovers face but a source of energy and in- whose very fi rst song gained 7 million alike to freak out over a new fandom. spiration. Spreading through games, hits on youtube in less than a month. december 9, 2015 the paper page 11 What Do You Mean Calm Down, I’ve Got Work To Do! by Zoe Sakas Editor fi nds it diffi cult to meditate when there is shit to get done Co-Editor-In-Chief when dealing with personal relation- sive institution, can drive good and ence that arises from social injustices I’m taking a political science class ships, when we act out of these irratio- passionate people to take action. Es- like oppression is very much war- this semester, and we’ve spent the nal “sticky” feelings, the only result is pecially when dealing with injustices ranted, and to fi nd peace with it might last few months talking about how to more hatred and tension between the that already exist in our societies, it is actually be detrimental to progressive apply different philosophies from vari- two parties. Meditation can be a good essential to blame those who are the social action. It is possible to act out ous streams of political thought to at- way to release those emotions, and cause of the oppression of marginal- in non-violent ways while still not swal- taining global justice. Most recently, refl ect on thoughts that might be detri- ized communities in order to promote lowing any of the anger you are expe- we have read a book called Practic- mental to our internal peace and con- some kind of change. When an act of riencing. Meditating on such matters ing Peace in Times of War written by won’t lead to further action, and al- a Buddhist nun from New York City, though the one who meditated might Pema Chödrön. Her writings focus on feel a bit less aggressive, the lack of how meditation and reaching internal raw feelings might not be as produc- peace are essential in the quest to es- tive. tablish justice. In simple wording, her There are plenty of examples I can main suggestion is to focus on oneself think of when anger was the stem of and reach internal peace through the positive social action. One recent ex- practice of meditation. To Chödrön, ample that is very close to home oc- because we cannot control anything curred on Fordham’s campus just a or anyone except ourselves, all we can couple months ago. The racial bias do is fi nd ways to establish peace with- incidents sent the Fordham commu- in ourselves. nity into a whirlwind of social initiative. Chödrön makes a claim that the Between the talks organized by ASILI root cause of injustice is this concept and the creation of Fordham Students called shenpa. She describes shenpa, United, the strong feelings that these which is translated as “attachment,” racial bias incidents provoked resulted as the sticky feeling we experience in a positive change at Fordham. when someone irks us. She gives the The link between moral anger and example of being insulted; the anger social action is defi nitely apparent, we feel as a result of being insulted and it is an important one. While medi- translates into shenpa. According to tation and a peaceful heart might be Chödrön, when we act on shenpa, helpful to overcome detrimental emo- which can also exist as guilt, blame tions on a personal level, when deal- ,or aggression, we make decisions ing with social injustices it is some- that we will later regret because they LLetet thethe angeranger fl owow tthroughhrough youyou times necessary to just let that anger are results of irrational emotions and take the lead. You can’t tell someone the lack of internal peace. In order to sequentially personal relationships. injustice occurs, it is the anger that who is suffering from an oppressive achieve justice, we must escape and However, with that said, it is diffi cult stems from that act that typically initi- society to sit in peace and meditate overcome shenpa. to picture how this would be benefi cial ates a large step within a social move- on their experiences. In the long run, On a personal level, I can com- on a larger scale. As much as patience ment. that won’t help anyone. When we wit- pletely understand how Chödrön’s can be a virtue, and internal peace Meditating about these injustices, ness or experience an injustice that perspective can be very effective. It is might lead to clearer decision-making, as I mentioned, might lead to reach- makes us angry, we should act on it. diffi cult to live a happy and success- anger can also result in positive social ing some sort of internal peace about This action is what will lead to a better ful life when you are bogged down by action and social progression. Being them. But, is that really what we want? society. anger and aggression. And typically, angry at an oppressor, or an oppres- The internal shenpa that we experi- page 12 the paper december 9, 2015 Stand Up For Female Empowerment: Make A Duck Face by Melody Brown Wait can we take another my eyes looked weird Arts Co-Editor ter? I’m the fi rst person to admit that feels like lowkey shaming girls into not stupidly obsessed girls get about cer- If you don’t know what duckface duckface looks dumb, but honestly, feeling comfortable with their face, tain things they like. But so what? Why is, you probably lived under a rock. It’s how do you take a selfi e that doesn’t into not being visible. is it bad to like the things everyone that face girls make in selfi es, where look dumb? I mean of course people And if that’s feels like reaching too else likes? Starbucks is a convenient they, according to urban dictionary can just stop taking selfi es. There is much, how about this: people make source of caffeine and sugar. North- “push [their] lips together in a com- something nauseatingly shallow and fun of duck-face because in our soci- faces are warm. Leggings are comfort- bination of a pout and a pucker, giv- superfi cial about it, but maybe there ety, it is easy, acceptable, and in many able. ing the impression [they] have larger is also just the hint of something em- ways cool to make fun of girls. Basic Or there’s the argument that these cheekbones and bigger lips.” It’s sup- powering about as well. Posting lots of white girls, Starbucks cups, uggs, jokes don’t really mean anything and posed to make a girl look more at- pictures about yourself can be seen leggings, northface jackets, hunter besides we make fun of stereotypical tractive, but only manages to be ab- as narcissistic but it also takes a mea- boots, beliebers. How girls act, how guys too. But it does mean something. solutely ridiculous. It is this contrived sure confi dence and a self assurance they drive, what they like, who they Our humor says a lot about what kind distortion of the face that might be in yourself to put those pictures out like. Girls can hardly breathe without of society we are, which in this case grotesque if it wasn’t so funny and there. being ridiculed for one thing or anoth- would imply we are a misogynistic we, being the self-respecting human Not to get all feminist anthropologi- er. They are constantly the punchline culture of institutionalized sexism. beings that we are, can sit back, grab cal psychological or whatever, but girls of so many of society’s jokes that the And yes, it’s true we make fun of guys the popcorn and laugh until as this have spent so much of history being don’t even really seem like jokes any- too. Guys get shit for wearing salmon new trend fades. invisible, being anonymous. Selfi es more. pants or taking gym selfi es but it’s not Or can we? Yes, duckface and is stu- for better or worse are self-initiated There’s the argument that it’s funny on the same scale or as pervasive as pid looking, basic, average, overdone, attempts at being visible and making because its true; it is just so common the humor we and gather at the ex- but who cares? Why does that mat- fun of the faces girls make in them for girls to do this and it is funny how pense of women. A Perspective On Life With Disabilites In The Media by Lisa Calcasola Also Walt Jr. got like super hot Staff Broken Bad therapy every week was considered Our Stars, in which main characters with suspicion or fear, because it was While we may live in a time of ex- “abnormal”—he thought that’s just Hazel and Augustus have cancer, but unknown. This is what scares people, aggerated FOMO, it’s no exaggera- what everyone did when they weren’t their cancer is not their whole story. Mitte explained. The unknown scares tion to say that if you missed seeing in school. Mitte told the audience of They are not their disease; they are people, because they’re not sure RJ Mitte speak on December 1st in his family’s attitude towards his dis- human beings who also happen to how to react. Keating auditorium, you missed out have a condition that makes their Representation in the media isn’t big time. Mitte, best known for his lives different from the masses. a new topic, but it is gaining traction character Walt Jr. on the smash TV Mitte is a strong advocate for rep- with shows like Fresh Off the Boat, series Breaking Bad, visited Ford- resentation in the media. It’s not so Blackish, and Aziz Ansari’s new TV ham to speak for about an hour, cov- much shining light on people with series Master of None. Minority voic- ering a range of topics, from acting disabilities, he says. It’s entering es are being heard, voices that have to disabilities to the importance of them organically through the litera- existed in America forever but have representation in the media. Mitte ture, by introducing them as people never really been at the forefront was, in one word, hilarious, as well with real life problems who also hap- of pop culture. Now they are slowly, as superbly well-spoken. Witty, elo- pen to have a disability. Although fi nally getting their chance to be quent and really damn hot, too—this he shied away from using the term heard. Throughout the media’s one- is a guy you’d want at any party or “normal” (“Who in the audience sided history, the party in position social event. Not that I’m biased or thinks they’re normal? Well, they’re of power (usually but not always a anything. wrong!”), Mitte admitted that a key straight able-bodied white male) has Breaking Bad was Mitte’s fi rst I ssaidaid ddamnamn aspect in Walt Jr’s character is the represented almost all corners of the major acting role, which he fi rst au- way his CP is introduced and thus media, and thus all other groups have ditioned for at 13 years old. Mitte’s “normalized” through later episodes. been asked to put their own identity character on the show lives with ce- ability: “I was never allowed to use In the very fi rst episode, we see Walt aside while watching movies or TV rebral palsy and requires crutches to my CP as an excuse for anything, and Jr’s crutches before we see the actu- shows. Now it is time for new groups move around in his daily life. Mitte I never did. If I wanted to play soc- al character. However this is the fi rst to share their story, and ask others to also lives with CP, albeit a milder ver- cer, I worked hard for it, like anybody and only time the crutches take cen- identify with something else. This is sion than his on-screen counterpart. else, and I’d get out and play.” ter stage; in every episode after this, how empathy is born. Put yourself in The main theme of Mitte’s Tuesday Mitte emphasized that although his crutches become background as other people’s shoes, and see what night talk focused on his personal he and Walt Jr. have a disability, their we become emotionally invested in their lives are like. You might fi nd attitude toward his so-called “disabil- disability does not defi ne them. It is the character himself. We become they’re not so foreign after all. ity”. not who they are. This theme has accustomed to a formerly “taboo” Growing up, Mitte never realized also been expressed in other works, object and this “normalizes” what that going to physical and speech such as John Green’s The Fault in may have been previously regarded december 9, 2015 the paper page 13

Four Christmas Specials the paper’s View To See BEfore Santa Comes Endings are softer to the eye than in the mind. As I’m writing this fi - nal exec, I’m sitting in the print shop immersed in the familiar scene: the Much to the disappointment of major retail chains, Christmas only comes editors (more accurately, my paper fam) are typing away at article edits, once a year. Around this time of year, television channels air episodes of chomping on snacks, arguing about current events, and watching bizarre their shows focusing on the beloved holiday. These episodes are often dark-side-of-YouTube videos. It’s comforting to know that at exactly 4pm, heartwarming and hilarious, yet, we feel ashamed if we watch them out- everyone’s going to complain about being hungry, at around 6pm, there’s side the season. Make sure to watch these specials to avoid post-Christ- going to be a frustrating formatting glitch in somebody’s InDesign fi le, and mas regret! pretty much every new hour will be punctuated by a stranger yelling that How The Grinch Stole Christmas Starbucks is closed. Everything feels warmly the same, but when I leave The Dr. Seuss story tells of an ugly green creature called The Grinch who the offi ce tonight, I know that it’ll be my last late-night walk back home. And hates Christmas and attempts to prevent the holiday from happening. In that’s hard to think about. So much of my personal growth in college has the end, he learns that there is more to Christmas than decorations and been colored not only by writing and editing articles (and photoshopping gifts. pictures of Ted Cruz licking lollipops), but by hanging with these strange and beautiful people. They taught me, among many other things, the im- portance of 80s new wave, boxed wine, acoustic RuPaul jams, not taking things too seriously, but always having confi dence in my own perspective. I know that things will never be the same, but when I visit the print shop next semester--and very likely, a couple years from now--I know that things will be even better than they were before. And so will I. Thanks, fam. Take Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer good care of the baby. This tale follows the life of Rudolph, one of Santa’s reindeers who is treated differently because he was born with a glowing red nose. His family and -Ali peers come to see the value of his difference, and Rudolph becomes a val- It’s an understatement to say that being a part of this very special publi- ued member of the reindeer community. The message of this special is cation has shaped my college experience, in the best way possible. the pa- timeless, and can be applied to the plight of today’s disadvantaged groups. per brings together the most interesting, passionate, out-of-the-box think- ers at Fordham, and I am so thankful to have gotten to spend the last few years learning and growing with them. The memories we’ve made in B-48, from listening to Q Lazzarus to ordering Estrellitas every Sunday night to fi nding the strangest ways to “decorate” the print shop, will always be how I remember production weekends. Alongside watching editors crunch to fi nish the articles they know they should have worked on the week before, struggle with severe hangovers, and fi nd themselves lost in the terrifying Ed, Edd, ‘n’ Eddy’s Jingle Jingle Jangle black holes of the Internet. But more than all that, my experience with the A special which sums up the true meaning of Christmas in one unforgettable paper has exposed me to people who want to make some kind of differ- quote, Ed, Edd, ‘n’ Eddy’s Jingle Jingle Jangle is worth a watch with all of ence, all in their own unique ways. My favorite paper memory happened your friends during the Christmas season. It shows in a humorous manner during our fi rst production weekend this semester, when Ali and I decided how the notoriously greedy Eddy learns what Christmas is really about. that we wanted to update the mission statement of the paper. All the edi- After doing an act of kindness, Eddy exclaims, “Christmas ain’t about what tors sat in a circle as each one talked about what the paper meant to them. you fi nd under a tree. It’s about what you fi nd in your heart!”. Everyone here, regardless of where they came from and who they are outside the print shop, agreed that what Fordham needed was an outlet where anyone can talk about whatever they want to. Everyone agreed that we should emphasize issues of social action, creativity, uniqueness, and freedom of expression. I have had so much fun at the paper, and I’m sure thinking of my memories here will make me tear up everytime I hear the fi rst chord of Goodbye Horses, but the lessons I have learned from these incredible people and the perspective I have gained from working with this free-speech student paper will shape how I think and act every day. And for Christmas Who? - Spongebob Squarepants that, I am most grateful. From the hit show Spongebob Squarepants, “Christmas Who?” shows what would happen if Christmas was introduced to a society that had never heard -Zoe of the holiday. The special follows Squidward’s denial of the holiday and all the goodness it brings. Eventually, Squidward learns the joy of giving Xoxo, himself.

Your Deaditors-in-Chief page 14 the paper december 9, 2015 Safe Spaces Aren’t Here To Steal Your Freedom Of Speech by Siobhan Donahue You’re just kind of being an asshole News Co-Editor be discussed. I think the reason why and just wants to continue making talk because there is no fear that Recently, there has been much people see this as “coddling” can be jokes about stereotypes, etc, without their very being will be attacked. As backlash against concepts such as traced to two reasons. The fi rst rea- being called out for them. for trigger warnings, if you want to ex- political correctness, safe spaces, son is the the modern idea of PC is The critique of censorship also press something and your message trigger warnings, and basic human relatively new, tracing its start to the stems from a place of societal mis- happens to contains sensitive con- decency. The argument is that these 1970’s. Even then, not many people understanding. There is nothing tent, you can still say it. They whole things hinder freedom of speech and are educated on these things while about being politically correct, cre- point of trigger warnings is that you further promote the “coddling” of col- they’re young. I did not even hear of ating safe spaces, and implement- alert people who have had bad ex- lege students. I strongly, but respect- the terms “safe space” or “trigger ing trigger warnings which suppress periences concerning that content fully, disagree. warning” until 2011. So, once people speech. If anything, they promote it. before you say what you want to say. So, what do the terms political are introduced to these ideas, they Think of this way. Imagine you are in That way they can take care of their correctness, safe spaces, and trigger mental well-being. There is abso- warnings even mean? I ask because lutely nothing wrong with that. After clearly not everyone knows. Politi- all, in 2015, we need to respectful cal correctness is “the avoidance of of people’s mental health. Also, the forms of expression or action that common counter argument is that are perceived to exclude, marginal- people can’t “get over” their trauma ize, or insult groups of people who by avoiding it is fl awed since some of are socially disadvantaged or dis- the fi rst steps to recovery, as recom- criminated against”. Safe spaces mended by psychologists, is the cre- “are an area or forum where a mar- ation of a safe space. Also, seriously, ginalised group is not supposed to “get over it”, what is this, 1938? face standard mainstream stereo- To conclude, people who argue types and marginalisation”. A trigger against these notions tend not to un- warning is “a statement at the start derstand them. In fact, in their coun- of a piece of writing, video, etc., alert- ter discourse, they usually use anec- ing the reader or viewer to the fact dotal evidence to support their claims that it contains potentially distress- that this is all liberal nonsense. Seri- ing material often used to introduce ously, many examples about PC gone a description of such content”. All of EEvenven thethe onesones youyou don’tdon’t like.like. wrong are urban myths. Obviously, this can be summarized as concepts there are people out there who do which ensure that everyone is treat- may see it as being excessive when a room with a bunch of people and not realize that it is a privilege to not ed with dignity and respect. compared to the lack of these ideas. want to express your opinion. Be- be ignorant and do not know how to So, what is with these accusations The second reason is that the groups fore you begin to say what you want handle people who accidentally say that these concepts are “babying” who often promote these notions are to say, the other people in the room something terrible, which is different people and destroying the freedom the same ones society marginalizes. dehumanize you and remind you from intentionally being terrible. How- of speech? First of all, there is noth- In society’s eyes, these oppressed about a traumatic event in your life, ever, most people know that the goal ing infantile about the idea of not groups of people are just making a causing you to have mental anguish. of political correctness, safe spaces, being racist, sexist, homophobic, request which society can ignore Now, state your opinion. Except, you and trigger warnings is to educate transphobic, etc… No one is being along with everything else it ignores most likely cannot because of what and the people who are against that oversensitive when they request that due to complex structures of power the other people in the room did to are usually the same people who do their identity not be attacked or in and privilege. However, all society is you. In my opinion, that is censor- not want to admit that they may be the case of trigger warnings, ask if doing when it rejects these ideas is ship. Notice how my example though, bit problematic. they can be warned ahead of time sending the message that it does not is about the lack of safe spaces, etc. when a traumatizing topic is about to care about these groups of people In a safe space, everyone is free to december 9, 2015 the paper page 15

Rhinestone Cowgirl Dance Party: Grimes at Terminal 5 by Reyna Wang Sick in more ways than one Staff Dark Fairy Warrior instance, is this squeaky clean, sicken- confi dent and happy Grimes, and I was Grimes, in a t-shirt, fringed shorts, “Sorry, I’m not usually this out of ingly sweet bubblegum pop song with excited to see how this new attitude and leg-brace, was accompanied by breath, I have the fl u,” pants Grimes extremely clichéd lyrics. This radio pop would manifest itself in her live perfor- two backup dancers, which is regular in with her quirky lisp, proceeding to apol- level of accessibility is pretty shocking mance. Grimes’ shows. While they twisted and ogize if she projectile vomits on us. for an artist who just a few years prior Terminal 5 was packed. I had never turned hypnotically throughout her per- These are the fi rst words we hear from was making music that could be classi- seen so many people lined up outside formance, Grimes jumped frantically the eclectic synthpop icon at the Ter- fi ed as witch house. Perhaps it results of a venue almost over an hour after about the stage, dancing in her jerky, minal 5 show of her “Rhinestone Cow- from Grimes’ acknowledgement of the doors opened. Even the security let manic fashion and impressively dis- girls” tour. For an artist who is almost need to cater to her growing audience, you know that this was not going to playing no fl u symptoms. You can tell narcissistically good at fabricating a ro- or perhaps it’s just the evolution of her be your ordinary show, doing thorough that Grimes just wants to have fun and manticized image, from the grandiose sound. Either way, these uninspired bag checks and taking away fake IDs. make sure that her fans have fun. She music videos to the psychedelic hair tracks are luck- But what was wants to make sure no one is afraid to and costumes, Grimes’ awkward, ut- ily few, giving most impressive dance, and for the most part, the show terly human personality is acutely iron- way to the more was that no one did feel like dancing at a high school ic. And if there was one constant that idiosyncratic was there just slumber party, only with a goddess in defi ned Grimes as an artistic fi gure, it ones, most of because their the room. She played a lot more songs would probably be this odd combina- which are killer. friend dragged from Visions than I had expected, in- tion of otherworldly fantasy and earthly Grimes gets them along, or cluding all of the hits and more, which humbleness. It’s also an indication of pretty hardcore because maybe was fi ne by me; I’m sure I speak for a the unique DIY-ness of Grimes, who on this record, they had only lot of the audience when I say that al- sings, writes, and produces her own growling, gasp- heard of Grimes though I love Art Angels, I’m still very music, dyes her own hair, directs her ing, screaming and were looking emotionally attached to Visions, and in her paradoxi- for something seeing as Grimes just wants her fans own music videos, etc. She has full cre- EEh!h! I don’tdon’t behave!behave! ative control over her persona, doesn’t cally sweet and to do. Terminal to have a good time, she probably rec- worry about what’s ”cool,” and you nev- high-pitched 5 was packed ognized this and played more of her old er know what she’ll morph into next. voice, and it’s with dedicated stuff intentionally instead of trying to In the midst of this fall tour, Grimes incredibly refreshing and energizing. Grimes fans who might not know all of promote the new album. released her highly anticipated album Some of the lyrics, such as the cheer- Grimes’ incoherent lyrics on Visions, Taiwanese rap artist Aristophanes Art Angels, almost four long years after leader-like chant of “Kill V. Maim,” are but joined me in belting the random joined Grimes on the stage for the song the release of her breakthrough album sassy as heck, which is a totally new words they sound like they are. It was “SCREAM,” which is one of the most Visions. Since then, Grimes’ sound and amazing dimension of Grimes. packed with people who were ready badass tracks on the new record. It has drifted from the dark, dreamy, Apparently she even taught herself to to break it down to “Go,” even though was cool seeing her go so hard, shout- minimalism that won her recognition, play violin for this record, which paid the general consensus is it’s not that ing into the mic with an almost animal but thankfully, it hasn’t lost much of off in tracks like the opener where the great. It was packed with people from abrasiveness that one would’ve never it’s weirdness in the process. While use of organic strings is so beautiful. around the world whose eyes all twin- expected from Visions era Grimes. It Art Angels is defi nitely a pop album, Other tracks like “Artangels” have a kled with enlightenment, in disbelief seems that Grimes has shed some of its tracks range vastly in accessibility. strong 80’s pop infl uence, which was that we were being blessed by Grimes’ the dark fairy aesthetic she once em- Though “Flesh Without Blood” is a de- also present in Visions and has proven presence. It’s safe to say that while the bodied and has grown into more of an lightfully catchy and danceable, many to work well for Grimes. Overall, I think crowdedness of the show made it hard Amazon warrior, confi dent with both of the other more accessible tracks are the positive, punchy attitude that gives to see, this was one of the best audi- her contrasting identities, and this is a bland, to say the least. “California,” for the album cohesion refl ects a more ences I have ever been a part of. pretty inspiring thing. page 16 the paper december 9, 2015 If You’re Five-Year-Old Can Do It, We Are Doing It Right Events by Michael Sheridan In defense of modern art What: SantaCon 2015 - Staff Squiggly Line techniques may appear simple, such what many in the art world consider The Solomon R. Guggenheim Muse- as Pollock’s drip paintings, it’s often the “laziness” of viewers. When look- New York City um is hosting a major retrospective of harder than one might think to create ing at a traditional artwork, the artist Where: A yet undisclosed the life work of the Italian artist Alberto cohesive balanced works of art this has done all of the work. All the viewer site somewhere in the Burri. I recently had the opportunity to way. Pollock and the other artists didn’t must do is stare at the picture and im- see the show and was fascinated by paint in this style because they were mediately understand what is happen- fi ve boroughs of NYC. Fol- the artist’s abstract creations. Work- unable to create illusionistic works. ing. Yet, with abstract art, the viewer low @santacon on Twitter ing primarily in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, They did it because they were talented has to engage with the piece and work for more info. Burri used new, interesting mediums enough to invent new groundbreaking to understand what was meant by the and techniques to create groundbreak- ways of creating art. Furthermore, most artist. Returning to that fi eld of red, th When: Sat. Dec. 12 @ ing works of art. For example, the art- of the techniques are only valued in an one might consider how the particular 10am ist used old cloth from food sacks in artwork if the piece was created by the shade of red makes them feel. Is it a How Much: $10 cash some of his works and actually severe- inventor of the technique. Often times, lighthearted red, blood red, dark red, ly burned some of his other paintings it is less about the actual artwork and or some other shade? How does the donation to create something the art world had more about these revolutionary meth- subtle nuisances in color change the Why: Imitation is the never seen. ods that make artists stand out in this overall feeling of the work? These are highest form of fl attery While I personally found the types of questions that the show exceptionally in- a viewer must work to an- and Santa will appreci- teresting, and I spent over swer, something with which ate you for dressing up and hour and half walking the average viewer usually as him and will bring you through the exhibition, my does not want to deal. Yet, friends were much less im- if you actually take the time lots of presents this year pressed. The problem they to fi gure out what the artist like a passable GPA. had with Burri’s works, as was trying to say, the ex- What: The Museum of does much of the public, is perience is rewarding, and that it is simply too modern. makes the process of view- Feelings Burri’s works are the type ing modern art fun. Where: 230 Vesey Street of paintings in which there Furthermore, people of- When: Now through Dec. are no fi gures, but instead ten claim that abstract art the canvas is covered with is bad because it is often th 15 a few black squares and impossible to distinguish How Much: Free maybe a line or two. Yet, I from children’s art. If chil- Why: It’s a unique exhibit am here to defend modern iiff thisthis isis soso easy,easy, whywhy dren can create similar art- art, and help explain exact- ddon’ton’t youyou dodo it?it? work, than surely there is that refl ects the current ly what the art movement is not talent in these works. mood of New York in vivid all about. period. Thus, even if you were to paint Yet these similarities are not a coin- color by reacting to social The artwork that most people think a canvas in the style of Jackson Pol- cidence. Many artists purposefully of when they think of “modern art” rose lock, don’t expect to rake in millions of worked to paint like children. This is media. to prominence in the post-World War II dollars. because they believed that when chil- What: It Ain’t Where Ya era. Centered mainly in New York City A second argument often used dren drew, they were drawing with pure from, It’s Where Ya At; during the 1940’s and ‘50’s, artists against these works is that they simply unbridled emotion. As the artists were such as Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, don’t mean anything. Many people like attempting to also reveal their inner but Not Like That Mark Rothko, and Willem De Kooning to mock paintings from this time pe- emotions, they turned to children’s art Where: 22 Jackson Ave. all rose to fame as leaders of the new riod by questioning how much mean- as inspiration. Thus, while people often When: Sun. Dec 13th @ movement of Abstract Expressionism. ing there could be in a canvas that is use the comparison between the two Introducing new techniques, materi- simply a fi eld of red. Yet, the abstract as something that is negative, the art- 3pm als, and subject matters, these artists expressionists poured their emotions ists of the movement would have actu- How Much: $12 worked to challenge accepted notions into their works, hence the name. The ally been quite pleased. Why: A panel discussion of art, often on a grandiose scale. A goal of this movement was to strip While I’m not saying you have to love decade later, another movement of away all the excess and leave art with Abstract Expressionism or Minimalism, about the intersections minimalism rose in popularity which only the pure essence of emotion. The it is important to have a basic apprecia- of gentrifi cation, educa- stressed simplicity above all else. It is artists believed that their work would tion and understanding of what exactly tion, cultural production the artwork from this period that is of- be accessible to the public, and that the artists were trying to achieve in ten considered by many to not be “real” as they were painting the most basic their works. I would highly recommend and community building, art. level of human emotion, it would be going to the Guggenheim and check- followed by a set by DJ- The most common argument against understood by the masses. However, ing out the Burri Exhibition which runs Bearcat abstract painting is that “anyone could time has proved otherwise, as many through January 6th. Tickets are $18 do that.” However, this argument is museum goers struggle to understand with a student ID. invalid for several reasons. While the the artists’ intentions. This is due to december 9, 2015 the paper page 17 You May Tell Me I’m a Meme-er but I’m Not the Only One by Matthew Whitaker Dank memes rule, normies drool Shows Features and List Editor growing exponentially, and memes to browse Dank Memes.” The meme took a dark turn in their evolution. quickly spread, spawning several other Imagine, it is 2003, you have just 2010-2013 was the normie era of dank memes in the process. Though, What: Navidad Flamenca come home from school, and you are memes, a time when relatability took what is a dank meme? Firstly, “dank” Where: The Bronx Mu- eager to check AOL Instant Messen- precedence over quality. What does means high-quality, cool, or very funny. seum of the Arts ger. After moving your mouse past the “normie” mean? A normie is someone Thus, a dank meme is a meme that is th Neopets and Disney’s Toontown Online who follows the mainstream to a fault, of high-quality and has actual content When: Sat. Dec. 12 @ icons, you open AIM, and see that your often being devoid of any individuality and creativity. Dank memes can be of 5pm friend has sent you a link. Upon open- because of their reliance on popular greatly varying quality, often depend- How Much: Free ing the link, you are greeted by a danc- culture. He or she rarely produces any- ing on the dankness of the creator. ing banana with the song “Peanut But- thing of signifi cance, and mostly regur- There are many different types of dank Why: Flamenco Vivo ter Jelly Time” playing on repeat. The gitates ideas and content created by memes, some examples being “Rare Carlota Santana is one phenomenon you witnessed is known others. This disgusting regurgitation Pepe” and “The Dark Side of Sesame of the nation’s premier as a “meme,” one of the greatest is how normie memes, the vomit of Street.” Dank memes are loved by things created by humanity. Though, meme culture, came to be and spread meme enthusiasts, people who both fl amenco and Spanish what is a meme? A meme, or more like a disease. These memes, if they create and enjoy dank memes. Dank dance companies. Also specifi cally, an Internet meme, is a can even be called that, became icons memes are enjoyable because, unlike piece of media which presents normie memes, they often target it’s good to check out an idea or topic in a relatable, a specifi c audience, creating a other cultures around abridged, and often humor- feeling of humor and relatability the holidays especially ous manner. Memes are easily in a specifi c environment. These spread through their relatability audiences began connecting if the black baby jesus and use of common knowledge. with one another, creating the outside FMH isn’t cutting For example, the normie meme, meme team culture. it for you diversity wise Trollface, is recognizable to most The meme team culture has people in both meaning and pur- been growing rapidly this year, What: Imaginary People pose simply through the image and shows no signs of stopping Where: Mercury Lounge itself. This begs the question, anytime soon. One might ask, When: Mon. Dec. 14th @ how are memes so recogniz- what is a meme team? A meme able? One of the keys to a suc- team is a group of people who 7:30pm cessful meme is it’s ability to be share and create memes with How Much: $10 easily spread. Image memes one another, usually having Why: Imaginary people are quickly spread through in- BButut that’sthat’s nonenone preferences to certain types of stant messaging on social me- ooff mymy bbusiness.usiness. memes and levels of dankness. but not imaginary music. dia platforms. The main reason Status within meme teams is Go and have some non- why memes have exploded in often determined by the qual- imaginary fun with your popularity in recent years is because of of certain feelings, and were soon de- ity and quantity of memes posted. An imaginary friends. the many new platforms on which they voured by normie culture. Examples example of a meme team is my own, can be shared, like Facebook and Twit- of these memes include, “Rage Com- as I am a member of the meme team, What: Harry and the Pot- ter. Though, what was meme culture ics,” “Bad Luck Brian,” and “Trololo,” “Where The Wild Memes Are,” which ters like before the rise of social media? which can be easily repurposed for prefers only the dankest of memes. Where: The Bell House, Prior to popular social media, almost any situation, yet contain vir- Each meme team has its own culture, spreading memes was much more dif- tually no content. Normies swarmed which can affect its ways of sharing Brooklyn fi cult. Platforms for spreading memes towards these memes, regurgitating and enjoying memes. Using my team When: Sat. Dec. 19th @ were mostly email and instant messag- them throughout the Internet, making as an example again, we host a bian- 4pm ing, which required more work to send “meme” a sickening word during the nual event named “MemeFest,” where memes than their present-day counter- era. Eventually, the popularity of these we come together and appreciate How Much: $20 parts. Thus, memes did not spread as so-called memes crashed, and memes many different types of memes, also Why: An extension of the quickly, and there was a lower variety became rare and hated for a period. celebrating the growth of memes in Harry Potter weekend of memes to enjoy. A few classics from During the spring and summer of the past two years. The exponential the ancient meme era include, “Pea- 2014, memes sat in a dormant state, growth of memes’ popularity shows no on ABC. If you don’t go, nut Butter Jelly Time,” “Chuck Norris appearing rarely and receiving little signs of stopping, as more people learn you’re a muggle. Don’t Facts,” and “Badger Badger Badger,” fanfare. Though, on the fi rst day of to appreciate the greatness of memes be a muggle. Be a wiz- all coming from the fi rst half of the fall, the world of memes was changed every day. Despite all the hatred and 2000’s. Memes from this era often forever thanks to a veteran of the an- violence in our world, we can all unite ard. did not spread on a basis of humor or cient meme era. On that day, an im- through the splendor of memes, usher- relatability, but through their silliness age of Old School Runescape’s Gnome ing in a new era of human existence. or weirdness. When the 2010’s rolled Child character appeared on Reddit Don’t let your memes be dreams. around, social media platforms were with the caption, “Born just in time page 18 the paper december 9, 2015 Jessica Jones is the Hero We Need and the Hero We Deserve by Declan Murphy Netfl ix platforms another hit Marvel Series Staff Super Streamer By adapting little bits of the procedural sica Jones is everything that you’d with their partners, and these choices The complaints that Marvel’s fi lm conventions of crime dramas, Jessica hope for in a strong female superhero. are not only free of judgment but em- outings are formulaic grow more and Jones immediately liberates itself from She never needs saving; she’s rarely (if braced. more powerful with each new install- many of the rote superhero tropes. In- ever) sexualized. Also worth noting is the inclusion of ment. An eager, quipping, fresh super- stead, the show is imbued with a dark Even better, Jessica has a supporting Luke Cage. Cage is a black superhero, hero battles a nondescript enemy until noir vibe. This is accentuated by Jessi- cast with a number of other well-writ- and unlike the other prominent black a large and destructive climax in some ca’s sharp wits and crime-solving skills. ten women. (For those keeping score, characters in the Avengers fi lms, he’s sort of urban center. (Also worth not- Despite her super strength and lim- this show passes the Bechdel test in no one’s sidekick. Not to discredit Fal- ing: said hero is a straight white man). ited fl ight abilities, you’re the fi rst few minutes of con or War Machine, but one can’t help That’s exactly why Marvel’s Netfl ix more likely to see Jessica Jessica Jones its fi rst episode). Her but feel that these characters are rele- programming has been so refreshing. use her brains than her friend, Trish Walker, is a gated to the sidelines. Fortunately, this Daredevil, released earlier this year, brawn. liberates itself confi dent radio host who is not the case for Luke Cage, who is prioritized pathos and character work The true success of from many of can fend for herself near- given plenty of time to shine before his over jokes, brutal and realistic action Jessica Jones, though, is ly as well as her super- own show debuts some time next year. over sci-fi setpieces, and compelling the subtly feminist lens the rote super- powered counterpart. On top of all this, Jessica Jones is a characters over one-dimensional vil- through which it presents Carrie-Anne Moss also damn good mystery / crime drama with lains. It appears Marvel’s once again the heroine—and her hero tropes stars as lawyer Jerry Hog- a healthy dose of superheroism. It’s a struck gold with Jessica Jones, which well-rounded supporting arth, who, in addition to testament to the writing and acting of may be an improvement over the al- cast. Jessica Jones is Marvel’s fi rst fe- being a woman in a position of power the show that it’s progressive without ready stellar Daredevil. Jessica Jones male superhero to have a starring role in a large law fi rm, is one of the Marvel every feeling self-congratulatory. Jes- is the freshest and most original take (sorry, Black Widow), and as such, she’s Universe’s fi rst openly gay characters. sica Jones would still be a huge accom- on a superhero to come out of Marvel a real triumph. It doesn’t hurt that the The show also embraces sex positiv- plishment even if Marvel wasn’t strug- Studios. show is executive produced and writ- ity so naturally you’d hardly notice it if gling with representation in its fi lms. Jessica Jones, based on the Marvel ten by a woman, Melissa Rosenberg, a it weren’t so rare to see on television However, given the occasional failings Comics series Alias, tells the story of welcome voice in the male-dominated these days. Both Jessica and Trish of the Avengers fi lms, Jessica Jones the titular super-powered private eye. world of comic book adaptations. Jes- engage is casual sex, on equal terms manages to succeed on both fronts. It Took Me Longer to Write This Title than It Did to Write The Article Below by Luis Gomez and Kelly Tyra Proof that pressure and creativity have a complex relationship Features, List, Arts Editors takes a very long time for them to leave do is not the kind of writing I like doing. as defl ated as failing to complete the I like to write. Writing and I have a my head and actually end up on the The kind of writing Nanowrimo needs 12,500 words a week Nanowrimo de- pretty good relationship. Occasionally page. I do a lot of mental editing, and ends with me being burnt out and un- mands of you. I can put out one or two stories that I do a lot more editing once I actually creative for months. The kind of writing Some people are able to rise and I’m rather proud of. The process to get- start writing. I’ve started plenty of sto- Nanowrimo needs doesn’t encourage meet these challenges with grace and ting to those stories is usually a lot of ries only to have them end a paragraph creativity: it stifl es it in the name of the enthusiasm. While their accomplish- thought, energy, and more than a few later because I don’t know where I novel. ments are commendable, I wonder if screwdrivers. But mostly, it takes time. want to take the rest of it. And all of this Nanowrimo isn’t a solitary creative they miss the point of creative think- Lots and lots and lots of time. And that takes time on my end. I write in bursts, plague, however. Creativity challeng- ing altogther. Is it really something that amount of time I take means Nanow- and the gaps between bursts can be a es present themselves time and time should be rushed through like a sweaty rimo and I are…not the greatest of few weeks long. again in numerous formats across nu- toothed madman? While some struc- friends. And then Nanowrimo strolls in. merous creative genres. Take popular ture can be helpful, excessive structure To anyone not in the know, Nanow- Nanowrimo, with its word-count-in- author Kerri Smith’s work, for example. can halt the creative drive. While chal- rimo stands for National Novel Writing spired approach to creativity. That Her series of creativity inducing books lenges like Nanowrimo and Wreck This Month. It’s a writing challenge that seems antithetical to how writing such as the highly popular Wreck This Journal’s give people a jumping off takes place every November. That chal- should work. The stereotype about writ- Journal and F_nish Th_s B__k chal- point, there’s no guarantee that these lenge? Write 50,000 words during the ers always trying to change their old lenge owners to embark on creative challenges actually end up helping. month of November. It’s an interesting works exists for a reason. We are a pas- missions of self-discovery. But even After all, pressure and creativity are idea that has lead to the creation of sionately self-critical bunch of people, these heavily structured artistic tasks notorious frenemies. Perhaps because more than a few novels, most notably always looking to change something for can be daunting. To rub salt in the the feelings of confi nement found in Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants. But the sake of the story. To then present artists wound, the back covers often the pages of creative journals and the for me? It’s literally one of the most us with this sort of “anything goes as (jokingly) discourage those lacking in entire month of November are the an- stressful things I encounter all year. long as you get it written down” method imagination to turn away from the chal- tithesis of the freedom of mind that Let me tell you a little bit about my of writing doesn’t mesh well with the lenge they hold in their hands implying allow for the most successful creative creative process, and then maybe way I, and many others, write. that some people just aren’t cut out for thought. However, without slight pres- that’ll explain why Nanowrimo and I Trust me, I’ve tried Nanowrimo. I’ve the artistic endeavor. Failure to com- sure would the freewheeling artistic don’t get along. Story ideas are always tried it for the last four years. But the plete or start one of these do-it-yourself mind ever put pen to page? I just did, bouncing around in my head, but it kind of writing Nanowrimo asks you to art books can leave you feeling just but I’m also way past deadline. december 9, 2015 the paper page 19 California Summers and Twenty-First Century Riot Grrrl by Ali Glembocki An Interview with Aquadolls’ Mel Brooks Co-Editor-in-Chief ment. What was your introduction to they are a woman. I want this song to OUS” which was inspired by her song A little over a week ago, I got the op- riot grrrl? How does it inspire your mu- bring girls together and help them re- “Luxurious.” I was so determined for portunity to interview Melissa Brooks sic? alize that they don’t need to live up to her to see my sign, even though she of California-based band The Aquad- MB: I identify as feminist, meaning society’s impossible standards, as well never did. Lol. olls. Mel’s the lead singer, songwriter, I believe in political, economical, and as standing up for themselves if they AG: Your merch is rad. I couldn’t help and overall creative director of the society equality of the sexes. Riot grrrl encounter sexist bullshit. but notice that one of the shirts says band—she’s also a completely rad hu- was a time in the 90s that took the AG: What was the fi rst concert you’ve ‘beach goth mel.’ is there a story be- man being, which is no real surprise. punk scene by storm with female-front- ever been to and how old were you? hind ‘beach goth?’ how would you de- The Aquadolls’ fi rst full-length release ed bands and artists who expressed (mine was N*Sync in 2nd grade oh scribe it, in relation to your style and is 2014’s Stoked On You, a sharp and your music/visuals in the Aquadolls? shimmering pop-rock record with the MB: Beachgothmel is my Instagram perfect balance of fun and bite. It’s the user name. It’s that because the user kind of album with a soundscape lush @melissabrooks is saved. Which is the enough to live in. The Aquadolls just one I want haha. One of my fans de- dropped “Girl Riot,” a punchy ode to girl signed that shirt and it’s super rad! I power, kicking ass, and taking names. love the beach and hang there a lot. We discussed everything from femi- AG: What kind of music did your par- nism to cartoons, and of course her ents listen to when you were growing and the Aquadolls’ plans for the future. up? Has that shaped your sound at all? AG: Wow! I’m gonna fan out for a sec- MB: I grew up on oldies. Jimi Hen- ond--I love your music. it puts me in a drix, The Beatles, The Ronettes, Connie very specifi c space when I listen to it— Francis, Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Ma- especially Stoked On You, which feels donna, The Beach Boys. I love the mel- like a nostalgic summer in California odies within old music and it certainly (sweet but not sugarcoated), which I’ve inspired me, even to this day I come never really got to experience fi rsthand, back to these artists and feel nostalgic. but love to visit through your music. AG: What’s next for the Aquadolls? What kind of time, place, and vibe are Another single, a music video, a super you going for in your upcoming work, if big surprise, etc? any? MB: Expect a new EP early new year, MB: Aw, thanks! The next music that TThehe luxuriousluxurious MMelel BBrooksrooks a music video for Girl Riot that I will be I will be releasing is quite in-your-face shooting really soon, and a co-headlin- and loud. The time of sound is pretty ing tour with SWMRS this January! modern with the use of synths and AG: Are you planning on touring the drum samples but ties into the 70’s feminism through their music. Now, in god) Can you paint a picture of what east coast anytime soon (plz?) and 90’s punk style with brash guitars 2015, riot grrrl is a thing that happened that was like for you? MB: SOON! I promise. and shouty vocals. Basically, these new in the 90s that many of us look back MB: My fi rst concert was Gwen AG: Okay, some rapid fi re questions: songs are amped up and wild. They are on and think of how political music Stefani at the Anaheim Pond when what’s a song currently stuck in your also super fun to play live at shows. was back then. With Girl Riot, the lyr- I was in fourth grade. I went with my head? Favorite 90s cartoon? and can AG: You just dropped ‘Girl Riot’ ics itself aren’t the deepest and most parents. We had nosebleed seats. I you describe your relationship with (nice!!!!) and I can tell that it’ll be in profound, and I wasn’t going for that. could barely see her but I was way in your bandmates in a word or two? heavy rotation on my iPod already. I I just want for women to listen to this the back screaming every lyric back. I MB: Happy With Me by Holychild. know in previous interviews you men- song and feel like they can fi ght against made a poster from magazine articles Hey Arnold tioned that you’re inspired by femi- any oppression they have experienced, of her that I cut up and wrote in bold We love messing around and doing nism, especially the riot grrrl move- any issues they have faced because letters, “YOU MAKE ME FEEL LUXURI- crazy shit together. page 20 the paper december 9, 2015

If I was Santa Claus, I would ensure that visions of If I was Santa Claus, I would replace sugar-plums no longer danced in all Christmas music with my album, children’s heads. Instead, I would Under The Mistletoe, and give out fi ll kids’ stockings with tasty copies of my album to all children. vegetables so that obesity would Also, I would rename the holiday be a thing of Christmas Past. “Biebmas” as I’m all children should be celebrating these days.

If I was Santa Claus, rather than If I was Santa Claus, who I think waiting all year to give presents, I has done a terrible job by the way, would just do it every day. Also, I I would give children gifts that would create motivational videos would help make America great urging children to spread again. I would give all children Christmas cheer. Don’t let your bricks so they could help build Christmas dreams be dreams! the wall I envision for this country. Elect me for Santa Claus, I will make Christmas great again! december 9 , 2015 the paper page 21

to some dick in a Christmas sweater are passed down from generation to ogy? Why doesn’t my dorm have a nice by the paper staff while I cradle and raise the plastic generation, fl owing from Great Great bed Fordham? My tradition is escap- The holidays are an important time. baby Jesus as my own child. Some- to Great to Grand to Parent to You, an ing these horrible beds. I need Netfl ix It’s a time to rest, relax, and argue with times people will say god bless to me entire cultural legacy placed in your and a full night of sleep every day for Aunt Gloria about the fi ner points of when I sneeze so I’ll carefully explain hands to either continue or drop like a Month. I guess I’ll also do Christmas queer theory while at dinner and Can’t to them that I am beyond religion and a Tinder match gone sour. Others are stuff, or just take more naps. We Just Have A Nice Evening For Once. also that Christmas is just a stolen pa- newer traditions, borne of innovation Praise Be, Kill a Tree It’s also a time where everyone, in one gan solstice celebration rebranded. Af- and creativity, maintained by a sense by Kelly Tyra way or another, comes together and ter that sometimes I’ll pose for photos of fresh energy and enthusiasm by all Every year my family and I try to en- does something special in the name of with all my baby Jesusi. Every Year I buy involved. My holiday tradition is more gage in the locavore movement and tradition. a Christmas tree just so I can burn it on like the latter, but not exactly. It’s more purchase our Christmas tree from the Tiny Christmas Trees my front yard while reading passages of a pattern than anything else. My holi- weird guy on our street who may or may by Zoe Sakas from The Origin of Species to my neigh- day tradition is getting kinkshamed by not just call his property a tree farm for For the fi rst time, I’m spending this bor. He’s a reverend he told me he re- a crescent roll. Now, I know what you’re the tax write off. After we verbally as- Christmas away from my lovely family. spects my views, I told him that respect thinking: “She probably wrote that sen- sault one another arguing over which This has led me to refl ect on some of won’t trick me into surrender. This war tence wrong--that makes no sense. She tree we will sacrifi ce to the baby Jesus the things that make the holidays so wages eternal into the night! meant kinkshaming a crescent roll.” in front of this kind pseudo stranger, special. Of all our little traditions, I think CHRISTMAS OR ELSE Now, I understand where you’re com- we drag it back home and proceed to my favorite would have to be the buying by Kim Davis ing from there. Crescent rolls aren’t argue about who has to trek up to the of our two-foot tall Christmas tree. As Like most Americans, I live and sentient objects and I am. Now, look attic to retrieve all of the ornaments residents of a New York City apartment, breathe Walmart. However, I am sad at it this way--only sentient objects can our family of seven has acquired over and with three seemingly (actually) wild to say that in recent years, Satan has have kinks in the fi rst place. So, both the years. We then fi ght over who cats, there is only about two-three feet taken a hold of Walmart, and no, you scenarios are ultimately just as realis- gets to put up certain ornaments even of air space that is underneath the ceil- damn liberal hippie, I am NOT talking tic. And one of them is. though we are all over the age of ten ing and still high enough that the cats about their human rights abuses. That Traditions? I Guess? at this point. Next it’s time to string the won’t reach it. How on earth New York- is fi ne since it is capitalism and capital- by John Looby lights and beads which are undoubt- ers fi t those 10-foot trees they sell on ism is as American as banning same- I don’t really have many actual holi- edly knotted beyond repair. My mother the street in their apartments boggles sex marriage. My beef with Walmart day traditions but I guess binge-watch- mourns our fake pre-light strung tree my mind. My mother, brother and I are is the fact that when I walk into their ing Netfl ix and sleeping on my couch and we remember how fucking sharp always very proud of our little tree, and store, the greeter says, “Seasons the whole break counts. I really enjoy the spines on our farmer friends trees we have just enough space in out tiny greetings!” THE ABOMINATION! As a lying about and doing nothing that is are as we painfully hang each orna- storage room to fi t the 20 ornaments result, my new CHRISTMAS NOT HOLI- my tradition. If it were possible and ment. One of us is sent outside to en- that it can hold. DAY tradition is to go down to the local have my whole family open our Christ- sure the tree looks appealing through An Eternal, Snowbound Fight Walmart and stage a protest. I make mas presents while lying in bed. The the window even though we have no by The Angriest MSNBC Anchor sure to scream at all of their workers, holiday season is about love and other neighbors. Finally my dad spends three My Tradition is the War On Christ- who quite frankly, are making too much emotions that I need cards to convey; hours setting up the model train set mas; my eternal and constant war of money for their job of spreading Satan- it is not about me being a productive beneath the sight of carnage while we non-denominational greetings, subtle ism. Anyway, Merry Christmas and do citizen. As soon as my fl ight lands in apply bandages to our wounds make winter themed decoration and on oc- as Jesus would do! Rochester this year like every year I’ll spike the eggnog. Every year someone casion stealing the baby Jesus from Kinkshaming Crescent Rolls be immediately walking in the general forgets my niece is young and implies Nativity displays. Nothing makes me by Ali Glembocki direction of my bed. I miss my bed. Santa isn’t real and then we have to happier than saying Happy Holidays Traditions are funny, you know. Some What is so diffi cult about bed technol- call the CIA to wipe her memory. page 22 the paper december 9, 2015 the album’s weaker tracks. One such for here but it was not punk rock and track is “Bermuda”. The band’s sensi- it was not good. If Man on The Moon bilities don’t match the rapid fi re lyrics, III isn’t good I’ll take you to court and and the whole track seems off bal- use this album as evidence to have ance. Again, Lamson’s vocals provide you legally barred from making mu- some stability to the otherwise jumbled sic. There’s no honest reason why al- track, but for the most part it’s a miss. bums like this should be made unless I New Kingdom is not a total failure, but guess trash music is someone’s fetish. it’s a disappointment given the band’s promising debut. There are certainly tracks worth a listen—indeed, some of the album’s best ranks up with the best of In Light. But on the whole, the album abandons the distinctive fl avor that made Givers enjoyable. For a standard alt-rock album, New Kingdom is ade- quate. But having the potential to be so much more, it feels like a true let-down.

Adele don’t fi nd it to be extraordinary as my 25 friends suggest. It’s just another CD by Claire Nunez on my shelf that I’ll pull out and play On November 22, the world had yet when my aunts or grandma come over. another, Adele-fever breakout with the release of her latest album, 25. The Coldplay British singer, famous for her strong, A Head Full of Dreams raspy voice, broke *NSYNC’s single- by Luis Gomez week CD sale record by selling 2.3 mil- Every joke about Coldplay being a dad lion copies; however, I found the album rock band now is true, mostly. Sort of. disappointing despite all of the hype. How’s that possible? Well, it’s possible When “Hello” was released, I thought because A Head Full of Dreams, Cold- this album was going to be a drastically play’s latest album, is boooooooooring. different from her previous albums, 21 Kid Cudi? A Head Full of Dreams is Coldplay’s and 19, by including more than just Speedin’ Bullet to Heaven seventh album, coming on the heels of ballads, but I was wrong. There are by John Looby the rather ‘meh’ Ghost Stories and the one or two songs that are more upbeat I’ve listened to a lot of really bad al- more interesting Mylo Xyloto. If you take like “Send my Love” which is super bums so I could review them merciless- look at Coldplay’s career as a whole, catchy and greatly different from her ly. I’ve always listened to the album the you can track this distinct movement previously released tunes. Some songs Givers whole way until now. What in the fuck from pure alt-rock to an alt-electronic- though are way too long, like “I Miss New Kingdom were you trying to do here Cudi? This rock mix, and AHFoD is determined to You”-- she doesn’t need 5 minutes and by Declan Murphy album sounds like the bastard child of keep that trend going. The title track 49 seconds to say she misses this guy, New Kingdom, the second album Sun Kil Moon and Nirvana that was left sounds like something U2 might have we get it you can shut up now, Adele. by Louisiana-based rock group Givers, to live on the streets. I tried to listen to made in the mid-90s (ie back when U2 “Hello,” to be completely honest, is marks anunfortunate lateral move. The this whole album quite a few times I in was good). It’s an upbeat, busy track the best song off the entire album be- album pales in comparison to their all seriousness could not do it. The ex- that I actually liked quite a bit. But the cause it really shows off Adele’s vocal 2011 debut In Light. Whereas In Light perience was just too painful. Speedin album never really matches the energy range and her talent--the other songs was bright and original, New Kingdom Bullet 2 Heaven has no redeeming qual- or interest level of that fi rst track, and it are good, but they are all seem to be falls more in line with typical alt-rock— ities. If a song has even a slight positive all ends up petering out. The most dis- about the same subject matter and and in the process, loses most of the moment Cudi is certain to immediately appointing track has to be “Fun,” which have the same beat as all of the songs touches that made the original so note- thereafter spit in the listeners face with for some reason is featuring Tove Lo. on 21. They’re nothing special. With worthy. Luckily, some standout tracks some bullshit. The worst of which is Now, Tove Lo doesn’t get a verse, nor a voice like Adele’s, she has to sing preserve enough aspects of their earli- those god-awful Beavis and Butthead does she sing the chorus for this one. ballads but they all start to sound the er releases to reach the same heights. interludes. At one point they’re basical- She is literally there just to do harmo- same after going through the fi rst few The upbeat “Sure Thang”, with its ap- ly there just to say that this is the great- nies for Chris Martin. I don’t know why tracks. I hate to make this comparison, propriately twang-y title, marries light est album of all time, which is to say they needed Tove Lo to do backup vo- but Adele is like Taylor Swift pre-Red, but driving percussion with energetic that they’re there to spread lies and an- cals when there are literally thousands every track is about the same love-sick vocal harmonies. “Record High, Record noy the fucking shit out of anyone who of other competent, non-Tove Lo singers Adele with the same beat, notes and Low” also emphasizes the percussions attempts to listen to this trash album. who could have done them. I genuinely tempo in every song. Overall, Adele’s and lets vocalist Tiffany Lamson take Cudi I want you to know something, don’t get the decision to have her fea- album is impressive solely for her vo- the lead. Indeed, it’s her smooth and this is not fucking punk rock. I don’t ture and do nothing with that. It’s ridic- cal talent and range, but otherwise I inviting voice that saves even some of fully understand what you were going ulous. At this point in their career, Cold- december 9, 2015 the paper page 23 play isn’t looking to surprise anyone. favorites Choir Elikya, Damiano Affi nito, Nor are they looking to convert anyone and Choir Insieme per caso. Perhaps who isn’t already a fan, so basically AH- the freshest new voice on the album is FoD’s central question is “Did you like Alessia Busetto, whose simultaneously Ghost Stories enough to stick with the soothing and powerful vocals harks band?” And if your answer to that ques- back to a young Dido, if Dido had vocal tion is a yes, then by all means go enjoy range. The must-listens: “Cuidar el Pla- the album. Otherwise, it’s just not that neta” and “Pace! Fratelli!” Skip out on: interesting. The cover’s cool, though. “La Iglesia No Puede Ser una ONG!” and “Santa famiglia di Nazareth” if you know what’s good for you. Here’s to hoping that the Pope brushes the in- evitable critical panning he’ll receive in the media for his debut, and gets back in the studio for his sophomore effort with a fresh perspective and a hungry attitude. FuturePontifex LoveSounds.

Pope Francis Wake Up! by Ali Glembocki There’s been a host of memes lead- ing up to Pope Francis’s debut album release. Most of them imagine the Pon- tiff dropping theological bars over sick imaginary Zeytoven beats. The reality of the Pope’s LP Wake Up! is that all of his bars are old--we’ve heard them before. They’re snippets from his pre- vious speeches, mostly in Spanish. That is a safe, but lazy move on the part of Papi Francisco, who can easily draw crowds of thousands to his per- formances at the drop of a habit, or at the lick of a tabernacle. But as an up-and-coming artist looking to make his mark on the game, Fran needs to take it from zero to sixty. And unfor- tunately, ‘Cisco just wasn’t willing to take the risk needed to crossover from underground notoriety to Top-40 suc- cess. Papa Frank is the Kanye West of his subgenre--he loves himself. He has a big ego. His wardrobe is mono- chromatic and his chains are gold. And he relies heavily on features--but un- like Kanye West, Franny Pack depends completely on his collaborators, to the point where they are basically carrying the entire album on their shoulders. His collaborators include the beloved Choir Compagnia Aquero, the elusive Giorgio Kriegsch, the established Choir Academia Ars Canedi, as well as crowd page 24 the paper december 9, 2015