THEOakland University’s IndependentOAKLAND Student Newspaper VolumePOST 46 l Issue 11 lOctober 21, 2020

WXOU’s Haunted Halls hits the Oakland Center The station is reworking Haunted Halls to be scary but safe Page 6

FRISBEE CHARITY ROOM REASSIGN SNL SATIRE Ultimate Frisbee ‘Outlaws’ raise Housing offers room change period Bill Burr’s SNL introduction teeters money for American Cancer Society to promote social distancing between comedy and bigotry PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 12 PHOTO BY: EMILY MORRIS OCTOBER 21, 2020 | 2 THIS WEEK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK THEOAKLANDPOST EDITORIAL BOARD Michael Pearce Emily Morris Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor [email protected] [email protected] 248.370.4266 248.370.2537

EDITORS COPY&VISUAL Ben Hume Web Editor Jodi Mitchell Design Editor [email protected] Meg Speaks Design Editor Sophie Hume Photo Editor Sam Summers Design Editor [email protected] Sergio Montanez Photographer Liz Kovac Engagement Editor Ryan Pini Photographer [email protected] Maggie Willard Photographer Cayla Smith Campus Editor [email protected] Jeff Thomas Features Editor [email protected] REPORTERS DISTRIBUTION Bridget Janis Staff Reporter Jaylon Johnson Distribution Director Lauren Karmo Staff Reporter [email protected] Autumn Page Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Distribution Assistant NEVER EVER LET IT COOL On Matilda Dodge Wilson’s Birthday Bash celebration, Lauren Reid Kimmy Guy Staff Reporter Distributor students were welcomed with free gourmet hot chocolate. Rachel Yim Erika Beechie PHOTO / EMILY MORRIS

ADVERTISING ADVISING Kaitlyn Woods Ads Director Garry Gilbert Editorial Adviser [email protected] [email protected] 248.370.4269 248.370.2105 Don Ritenburgh Business Adviser [email protected] 248.370.2533 4 10 13 NEW FACILITY BLY MANOR TOURNAMENT TIME! Board of Trustees purchases new “The Haunting of Bly Manor” 2024 Men’s Basketball regionals to be VOTE AND CONNECT AT: facility for SECS research launched on Netflix hosted by Oakland, Mercy Photo/ Photo/Netflix Photo/Golden Grizzlies oaklandpostonline.com

POLL OF THE WEEK LAST ISSUE’S POLL WHAT IS YOUR MUST WATCH HALLOWEEN SHOW WHAT SPORT ARE YOU MISSING THE MOST RIGHT NOW? OR MOVIE? A) HOCUS POCUS B) THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS 27% 8% 15% 50% A) B) C) D) C) THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR SOCCER CROSS COUNTRY VOLLEYBALL I’VE ALWAYS MISSED D) HALLOWEEN TOWN FOOTBALL

CORRECTIONS CORNER:The Oakland Post corrects all known errors of fact. If you know of an error, please email [email protected]. OCTOBER 21, 2020 | 3 CAMPUS Oakland Outlaws raise money for breast cancer research

RACHEL YIM Staff Reporter

October is breast cancer awareness month. To raise awareness, the Oakland Outlaws Ultimate Frisbee team is hosting its second annual breast cancer fundraiser game. The team is raising money throughout the month of October by selling Outlaws Against Cancer t-shirts for $15. The fundraiser will last until Oct. 24, and all profits will go to the American Cancer Society (ACS). As a Division I travel team, the Oakland Outlaws Ultimate Frisbee team participates in Ultimate Tournaments all over the Midwest. Ideas for the breast cancer awareness game started out last year by President Jacob Lekki. Lekki said that his grand- PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND OUTLAWS GOFUNDME PAGE mothers were the inspiration for his ideas. 2020 Oakland Outlaws Against Cancer team t-shirt design. The team is raising money selling their t-shirts for $15. “Breast cancer is a very important issue to many members of our team scrimmage for its fans, friends and proud of all the funds we have raised for as possible for game day and to receive and me personally because three of my family to watch and enjoy. the American Cancer Society last year donations and support from them. grandmothers have had breast cancer They will be wearing their team jerseys and this year.” “I would like to ask the OU community and have made it to remission,” Lekki with splashes of pink for breast cancer for Clarence Round, the advisor for the to help us out and to please donate online said. “One was diagnosed with stage four the recording, according to Lekki. club, said she is proud of the team for or buy a shirt and check out our social metastatic breast cancer and has been Though COVID-19 resulted in a using the spirit of Ultimate Frisbee media,” Lekki said. fighting for a few years now.” different way of conducting the fundraiser competition to support important causes. People can participate in the fund- Through this fundraiser, the team game, it did not stop the team from “I’m looking to see how far the team raiser by emailing Jacob Lekki at hosted a pink-out game against Kettering spreading awareness for breast cancer. has grown,” Round said. “To put on a [email protected] or visit their University and raised $2,110 for breast Lekki and his teammates are looking good showing for friends and family that GoFundMe fundraiser which is directly cancer research last year. to raise over $1,000 for breast cancer come out to support the game and cause.” tied to the ACS. Oct. 24 is one of the most important research, like they did last year. According to Round, she has been To order an Outlaws Against Cancer days for Lekki and his teammates. “What I look forward to the most is making social media posts and posting team t-shirt, contact any Outlaw members It is the deadline for their fundraiser, getting to play with my team, to grow on several Ultimate Frisbee pages in or Club President Jacob Lekki via phone and the team will be playing a and learn … to play alongside them is in order to spread the word. number: (630)-360-0945 or email: scrimmage that day and recording the something I love,” Lekki said. “I am She hopes to gain as many spectators [email protected].

Graphic designer and videographer Jason Willis visits OU

LAUREN REID Communications, where Willis helped freelance],” Willis said. “You might pick the guardian of your time, and nobody Staff Reporter revamp brand styles and build a new look up a client here, lose a client there, and can really tell you how to spend it. Wrap for the company and eventually, the OU it’s all just part of the process.” your head around timeboxing and trying Local graphic designer, videographer marketing department. Willis enjoys working with nonprofits to set time aside for what’s coming up and photographer Jason Willis visited “We worked on a lot of different but unfortunately, due to the ongoing throughout the week.” Oakland University on Thursday, Oct. sections of the [OU] website, graphics pandemic, budgets have been cut back. To conclude the event, Willis took 14 to share his experiences and offer for social media – I had my hand in a lot “I really like the nonprofit worlds questions from students, sparking expertise, touching on storytelling in of the different areas of design for the – great stories to tell and it’s all for discussions on edits, work/life balance, media design and his branching off to university, whether it was web, social, wonderful purposes,” Willis said. “I potential internships and collaboration and freelance work. campus signage or brochures” Willis like when the work I do has an impact. creative freedom. Willis, an OU alumni, began his work said. “Ever since I’ve been working at Knowing that what I’m doing has a little “At the end of the day, what people at The Oakland Post as a design editor, Oakland, I’ve been going in two different meaning to it.” want is content and the story,” Willis highlighting the creative freedom he paths between design and video.” Willis also touched on what he refers said. “Whether I shoot it on a $3,000 had in his role. About two years ago, Willis started to as the “4 quadrants to [a] project:” camera or record it over Zoom (in regard “There’s literally nobody telling you freelancing, and has since worked with client, creativity, profit and wellbeing. As to COVID-19 times), the message is still what you can and can’t do,” Willis said. Downtown Detroit Partnership, creating projects come, it’s important to consider getting out there. People still need to do “It allowed me to push into my style.” brochures, maps and event support, these aspects before taking on the that sort of storytelling.” During his time at The Oakland Post, Romulus Public Schools, Eastern Market, endeavour, as mentioned by Willis. For more information on Willis – Willis also worked with the Detroit Warrior Sports, among others. “Managing your time is one of the most his projects, design and contact – visit News, leading into his work at Grid 4 “[You] just have to go with the flow [in important things,” Willis said. “You’re JMW Creative. 4 | OCTOBER 21, 2020 CAMPUS Off-campus research facility to temporarily fix space shortage LAUREN KARMO The SECS faculty Piskulich is referring Staff Reporter to will occupy the 40 labs at 2871 Research Dr. following a $10-12 million renovation. After receiving a vote of approval from They currently reside in Dodge Hall, and Oakland University’s Board of Trustees their vacancy will be filled by others in (BOT), the university is planning to purchase departments needing research labs. an off-campus facility located at 2817 “We would then backfill that space [in Research Dr., Rochester Hills to expand Dodge Hall] with faculty from the School of research in the School of Engineering and Medicine, biology, chemistry and physics, Computer Science (SECS). The $3.715 and then bioengineering,” Piskulich said. million facility is located four miles south “So, these are areas where we’re expecting of campus. growth, and these labs would be very The 2016 Campus Master Plan critical for our ability to continue to provide determined an immediate need for 21,000 the space necessary for those faculty.” square feet in research space with an The university had a third party company additional 131,000 square feet in order called SmithGroup appraise and create an PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY 2871 Research Dr. is the address of Oakland’s newly purchased research facility. for the university to achieve their research outline for the renovations needed to 2871 goals by 2025. Research Dr., which will increase the total purchase of the facility itself, they have not need for space, the cost of building on The 50,000-square-foot facility, priced cost-per-square foot to roughly $600. voted to approve the renovations necessary campus is much higher than the $600 per at $75 per square foot before renovations, “SmithGroup has concluded that with to make it functional as a research space. square foot provided at 2871 Research Dr. will allow for the university to fulfill some an investment of somewhere around $10- The funding for this project is coming Once the university can foot the bill of that need. 12 million, we would be able to create from the same set of 2019 bonds that are to build on campus, they will look into “I’ve been dealing with space here at the 40 labs, a number of offices, restrooms, funding renovations to South Foundation long-term solutions for the need for university for quite some time, and it’s been collaboration space, and do a fair amount of Hall and Wilson Hall. Because of this, the research space. tight for a while, but it’s gotten critical,” maintenance as well — replacing the roof, 2020 decline in student enrollment and its “In the ideal world, we would build all Interim Provost Michelle Piskulich said. securing an emergency backup generator, effect on the university’s finances will not the research space that we need on our “Right now, we have faculty that were hired power upgrades, add HVAC improvements impact this project, according to Beaghan. own campus, and ... we would eventually this year that are still waiting on labs, and and those sorts of things,” BOT Treasurer The expansion to 2871 Research Dr. will build our research buildings back on the we also have a faculty that are in the process John Beaghan said. most likely be a temporary one. While the open campus,” President Ora Hirsch of being hired for which we have no labs.” Although the BOT voted to approve the university is experiencing an immediate Pescovitz said.

YOU CAN FIND US ON

THE VISIT US ONLINE WWW.OAKLANDPOSTONLINE.COM 5 | OCTOBER 21, 2020 OCTOBER 21, 2020 | 5 CAMPUS Housing offers room reassignment period to social distance

MICHAEL PEARCE “We thought it would be most Editor-In-Chief equitable to make an announcement to the entire population so no one would get left out of the party,” Zentmeyer said. Students must meet the prerequisite requirements to live in a certain building before their reassignment is approved. For instance, a freshman in Hamlin Hall could not be reassigned to the Ann V. Nicholson student apartments. Students must list their requests on the form, including where and with whom they would like to live with. Each student is only offered one reassignment request each and switching rooms with a peer is not allowed. MARY MITCHELL | ARCHIVES If someone is receiving a new Hamlin Hall is home to OU Housing, which roommate, they will receive 24-hour will handle all reassignment requests. notice before their new roommate picks up their key. To increase social distancing The reassigned student then has the in the residential halls, Oakland next 24 hours after their roommate is University housing is offering a room notified to pick up their new key. reassignment period. According to Zentmeyer, Housing Students who want a more socially has received pushback regarding this distant experience living on campus can decision. However, he believed the request reassignment to a vacant or less equity is the most important aspect occupied room. of this decision when dealing with an “Please note that this process is not imbalance of room occupancy. intended to be utilized for room change “Bringing it up to 50% occupancy purposes other than enhanced social would be equitable,” he said. distancing,” the official Housing email According to Zentmeyer, health and said. “Not all vacancies in University safety studies recently have shown Housing will be offered during this Housing that COVID-19 doesn’t process in order to maintain increased spread as easily on shared surfaces, it social distancing where possible.” spreads more through shared air and The room reassignment period runs close contact. from Oct. 19-30. Director of University Because of this, Zentmeyer and Housing Jim Zentmeyer felt this process Housing believe that if distancing is was needed to promote equity and followed, the reassignment process proper health precautions. won’t further the spread of contagions. “Some locations are set where you If a student is alone in a four- would have, say, one four-person suite person suite and they receive a new fully occupied, then right next door to it roommate, Housing will put them on you’d have a four-person suite with one the direct opposite side of the suite, to person in it,” Zentmeyer said. “Rather limit close contact. than sitting on the status quo we thought “There’s got to be a sense of fairness it would be advantageous to offer up in this as well,” Zentmeyer said. “It that space to our residential population.” does not seem fair to have one person Rooms without anyone in them will sitting in a four-bedroom apartment be prioritized. If all empty rooms are when right next door there are four filled, then four-person suites with one people in a four-bedroom apartment.” person will be next in line. Since Housing has never done a Housing had received individual room reassignment period like this requests to move, so it was decided to before, it has no expectation of how open the opportunity to all students who many students wish to be reassigned. might have COVID-19 concerns. The After Oct. 30, all room assignments Graham Health Center and the Office of will be finalized. Once a student is Environmental Health and Safety have reassigned, the decision is final. approved this plan. 6 | OCTOBER 21, 2020 CAMPUS

O U Haunted hallways to C C spook the Oakland Center

EMILY MORRIS | MANAGING EDITOR WXOU and other organizations will decorate the OC for Haunted Halls on Oct. 29

Staff members will be stationed EMILY MORRIS throughout the area to ensure the line is Managing Editor moving and socially distant. This extent of separation wouldn’t be possible in the Oakland University’s usual residential narrow residential hallways. Haunted Halls are replaced with a The hall and windows will be lined with Haunted Habitat and Hallway hosted by spooky decorations and an occasional WXOU, OU’s student radio station, and scare. Despite social distancing standards, door decorating contests in Housing. Thompkins managed to balance jump In-person events have become scares and safety by focusing on the few and far between to follow social windows of the various organizations. distancing guidelines, but instead of Costumed staff will be separated from skipping Halloween, some students are guests by the glass, making a surprising promoting alternatives. yet safe scare. “It’s been upsetting for myself as well “With the radio station already as some of my residents, but we are doing playing [Halloween music], gearing up, the best that we can,” Resident Assistant we’re gonna have people kind of jump Brendan Triola said. “But I am thankful from behind the window and beat on that for the most part, everyone seems to the window, trying to scare people,” have public health first on their priorities Thompkins said. and are willing to sacrifice some of the While the Halloween decorations will normal things that we do every year for be a fitting backdrop, students can also the sake of others.” take a pit stop at a photo booth. Photos WXOU’s General Manager Teyler will be printed immediately after, and Thompkins proposed that a Haunted guests can take home a photo momentum. Hallway in the Oakland Center could be a After heading back to a residence hall, socially distant replacement for Housing’s there is another option to get involved with traditional Haunted Halls. WXOU the students in your hall or building. Door is partnering with Student Congress decorating contests will be going on until and Student Activities Funding Board Oct. 30 at noon. introducing a seasonal and safe haunted “We still can’t gather all together, but hall to the Oakland Center (OC) on Oct. it’s been more successful than our virtual 29 from 6-8 p.m. programming has been,” Triola said. Everyone is encouraged to wear Anyone interested can email ourla@ costumes. Although costumes and oakland.edu with their door submission, decorative masks are welcomed, guests and they’ll be notified by Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. must also still wear a medical facial mask. if their door was worthy of a prize. Guests will enter through the west Halloween on campus will look staircase nearest the front entrance and different this year, but WXOU’s Haunted make their way through the basement of Hallway and Door Decorating Contests the OC with activities and snacks along may offer a similarly spooky substitute. the way. OCTOBER 21, 2020 | 7 Story and Design by Emily Morris The haunting of Meadow Brook Mansion isn’t a “One morning after suspense-filled series, but a stately manor teetering Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had on the edge of Oakland University’s campus. dressed and departed, Built nearly a century ago from 1926 and 1929, the I was arranging some mansion amounted to a history: a home, a museum, a books near Mrs. partyThe venue and a possibleHaunting haunting. of Meadow BrookWilson’s Mansion bedroom,” Whitaker said to The present reflecting the past Oakland University Matilda Dodge Wilson and her husband, John Magazine. “Out of the Dodge, bought a sprawling farm of over 300 acres in complete stillness of the Rochester a year after they married, one of nine farms house, I heard someone that they eventually called Meadow Brook Farm. This whistling, yet there was was their countryside getaway, but the couple only no one about. I looked enjoyed the property together until 1920 (12 years). all over, but found no one at the house.” Whitaker was the Beatrice Whitaker was head maid from the hired as the Meadow mansion’s completion Brook Mansion’s first head in 1929 to the 1950s. maid. She worked in the mansion for over 20 years. She remembers the (Photo Courtesy of the household fondly, Meadow Brook Mansion) referring to Mrs. Wilson as “thoughtful, considerate and kind,” in her written record of her time at the mansion. “Some volunteers have worked here for almost 40 years, and they may say they feel a kindred spirit or connection to Matilda… they dedicated many years to the house,” Shannon O’Berski, director of external relations at the Meadow Brook Mansion, said.

This is a portion of the Meadow Brook Farm. The farm predates the famous Meadow Brook Mansion. (Photo Courtesy of Oakland University Magazine)

2020 is the anniversary of John Dodge’s death. Mirroring the present COVID-19 pandemic, the influenza outbreak was the “most severe pandemic in recent history” before COVID-19, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Dodge became fatally ill with influenza while on a trip to New York. Since his death, some think his spirit returned to the farm and resides within the Meadow Brook Mansion. Former Head Maid Beatrice Whitaker has reported The Meadow Brook Mansion is a national disembodied whistling, which another staff member historic landmark so the gardens, architecture and ensured was Dodge’s spirit. layout have been left largely unchanged. (Photo by Emily Morris | Managing Editor) Emily Morris | Managing Editor

Haunted halls Buried in the backyard Although Dodge never officially returned to On the exterior, there are additional personal elements, the Meadow Brook Farm, the estate did not stall including a small cemetery. Although the cemetery is as in development. Matilda Dodge Wilson inherited stately as a small plot in a community cemetery, the area is the farm and his share of the Dodge Motor only the final resting place for the Wilson’s family pets. Mrs.Wilson was reported to have a soft spot for animals and Company, making her one of the wealthiest wanted their burial to be thoughtful with caskets and some women in the U.S. tombstones. In the plot behind the mansion, Belgian horses, Six years later in 1926, Mrs. Wilson and hackney ponies, dogs, cats, cows and one zebra have been buried. her second husband, Alfred Wilson began constructing the Meadow Brook Mansion after an inspired honeymoon to England. The mansion was designed as a revitalization of the English Tudor style, complete with extensive dark wood, gothic structure and detailed layout. The mansion is home to several secret passageways. The narrow passageways extend to children’s playrooms, Wilson’s game room and a basketball recreation room. Although the design isn’t necessarily meant to add a frightening flare, the intricate layout can be elusive to the untrained eye. Hayley This is one of three pet gravestones located behind the Serr, local historian, noted that she “is not the Meadow Brook Mansion. The stone reads, “Dinarth Sunbeam, first visitor to lose their way.” Hackney Pony, Mate to Buckley Anity, Foaled 1923 - Died Sept. 1933.”(Photo by Emily Morris | Managing Editor)

Before the mansion was built, the grounds were Matilda Dodge Wilson and John Dodge’s farm retreat with various livestock, including “ghost deer,” according to the Oakland University Magazine. Contrary to traditional ghosts, these deer were given their supernatural title while alive. Encounters with the ghost deer were more farm-oriented than frightening. Ghost deer is a term to refer to white or albino deer. White-tailed deer are rarely completely white because white is a recessive gene, but inbreeding introduced a ghost deer to the Wilsons’ fenced-in pasture. Whether the tales of Meadow Brook feel like lore or legacy, the almost century-old mansion is still collecting history. Ghost hunters and historians can sort facts from fable at the Meadow Brook Mansion. Tours are available for registration at meadowbrookhall.org/dailytours. “We definitely want to continue to respect and uphold the legacy and keep the integrity of who she (Mrs. Wilson) was, A farmhand feeds a white deer at Meadow Brook Farm. These rare deer have been called as a human being… in her home,” O’Berski said. “In that “ghost deer” because of their unlikely color. sense, I think we can all say we feel that sort of kindred spirit (Photo Courtesy of OU Magazine) with her.” 10 | OCTOBER 21, 2020 OPINION Netflix’s satisfyingly scary ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’

BRIDGET JANIS might be hard to keep straight who are ghosts and who are Staff Reporter actually alive. Even if you can't keep it all straight, don’t worry be- With October being the spookiest ghost story time of cause everything will make sense in the end. The show the year, Netflix has released “The Haunting of Bly Man- did a great job developing the backstory. For example, or.” The nine episode mini series is a perfect fit for the episode eight specifically was dedicated to explaining month of Halloween. The series creator Mike Flanagan also the historic background. created 2018’s “The Haunting of Hill House.” Throughout the series there are flashbacks to the kids’ As a huge horror fan, any ghost story or creepy movies is old nanny, Miss Jessel (Tahirah Sharif) and Peter Quint worth a watch. “Hill House” was attention grabbing, unique (Oliver Jackson-Cohe). The past always overlaps the and had a great story. It is a must see on Netflix. present in this series. When starting “Bly Manor” it was held to a high stand- PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB During the last episode, roller coasters of emotions ard because “Hill House” was so good, and it did not come out. It was so intense that I almost shed a tear disappoint. While a lot of things don’t add up until the jump scare scenes surrounding Dani’s ex-fiancé Edmund while watching it. end, the series still kept me on the edge of my seat while (Roby Attal). He pops up in reflections, haunting Dani with his Dani ends up falling in love and leaving. She thinks piecing the story together. bright glowing eyes. everything is going to be okay, that she’ll have a couple Victoria Pedretti stars as the main character, Danielle “Dani” The first half of the series focuses on the development of years in love, but her past at Bly Manor might just be Clayton. Clayton is a young American that was hired as a nan- Dani, her background and how she is building a connection playing tricks on her. ny for two orphaned children, Flora (Amelie Bea Smith) and with the kids. Other key character developments include Chef While it’s true that nothing in this series was as disturbing Miles (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth). Owen (Rahul Kohli), groundskeeper Jamie (Amelia Eve) and as the bent-neck lady from “Hill House,” the feel of this ghost Pedretti is also appeared in “The Haunting of Hill House,” housekeeper Mrs. Grose (T’Nia Miller). story definitely had more emotion behind it. There was a deep- where she played Eleanor “Nell” Crain. There is this idea in the series that a fear within Bly er emotional connection there for the audience, and it ended up A couple other cast members from “The Haunting Manor keeps everyone there. At least that appears to be being more than just a ghost story. of Hill House” that appear in “The Haunting of Bly the case for the Lady in the Lake Viola (Kate Siegel), a With the last episode being such a shock, Netflix’s “The Manor” are Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel, Henry character that seems to be haunting the lake and dragging Haunting of Bly Manor” is a must-see for Halloween. As Flora Thomas and Carla Gugino. people there to meet their doom. would say, it was “perfectly splendid.” This horror series focuses less on the jump scares and more It’s not just Viola doing the haunting though. There are on the build up of suspenseful horror. Though there are some other ghosts throughout the story too. To the point that it Rating: 4/5 stars

TOTALLY GOLD SPENDING ACCOUNT

$0 minimum balance requirement $0 monthly fee Free Grizzly Debit Card

Open your account today!

oucreditunion.org/tgc OCTOBER 21, 2020 | 11 OPINION The Trials and Tribulations of Voting in a Pandemic AUTUMN PAGE and figuring out the ratio between parties, Staff Reporter but I’m going to be honest — I don’t care. Though, if you want to know, With the general election only weeks Democrats are leading over Republicans, away, many states have begun counting according to Fox News. the ballots they have received — and it’s There are more republicans than a lot. democrats? Cool. They are voting. People This election has caused a lot of are getting out and voting. problems and, President Donald J. Trump I think that’s the only thing that matters and COVID-19 are making it harder for because in the past it was super hard to people to send in their absentee ballots or get people to the polls. hit the poles. When I worked at a polling station in Over 7 million ballots have been cast as high school, the turnout was low. Given of Oct. 11 — in 36 states alone. In 2016, it was an off-year election, so turnout only 75,000 people voted one month was expected to be lower, it was still PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FOLD early, according to USAToday. surprising to see. Usually, general elections have higher Though, with everything going on, go get your kids, just being on your feet? that because of this there should be more numbers compared to other elections, but you’d think the state government would It’s cruel.” polling stations open. this year is already setting records. figure out a better system for early in- Not every state is like this. In Texas, as More polling stations equal fewer This year alone, I have seen more person voting. Instead, voters in Georgia of Oct. 13, lines only exceeded 40 minutes. people per location, and this equals less advertisements to vote on social media are waiting six hours to vote. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be any exposure. Compared to fewer stations and than ever before. Users can even register Six hours is the low end too, 10 hours lines or wait, that’s unrealistic, but the greater exposure. to vote on platforms like Instagram, being the high end. wait time shouldn’t be several hours. In Michigan, absentee ballots have Snapchat and Facebook. One Twitter user said, “I cannot think I understand that there aren’t many already been sent out and any voting I think this could be partially why of anything I stood in line for 10 hours volunteers this election season because of questions can be answered on the Michigan the increase of voter awareness or voter to do or even buy. It is very gross that it COVID-19. government website or Vote.org. registration has skyrocketed. would take 10 hours to vote. What about With COVID-19 concerns, it is To find a polling station near you, go to I’ve heard people breaking down the eating, going to the restroom, needing to probably harder to have poll workers and Vote.org. individual numbers of 7.3 million ballots use your phone, having to work, having to more polling stations. But I also think

HBO’s ‘Lovecraft Country’ exposes America’s demons

CAYLA SMITH a billboard it read, “N***ers -- Don’t Let Campus Editor The Sun Set On You Here Understand?” Even goes to talk about historical in- HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” is an stances. When they are in a sundown town American drama horror series taking and discussing why the white house is place in the 1950s in Jim Crow Ameri- white. We learn it’s because slaves had to ca, where the viewer has the choice of paint it white to cover up the burn marks. deciding whether the monsters or racism The group is following a guide book, is scarier. which was called “The Green Book.” It After Atticus Turner (Jonathan Majors) was a book that was made for and by returns home from the war, he decides black people, and it marked where it was that he wants to travel across America in safe for black people to stop for food or search of his missing father. He brings even drive through. along his childhood friend Letitia Lewis Director Victoria Mahoney empha- (Jurnee Smolett) and his Uncle George sized the time, but not in the way of PHOTO COURTESY OF NPR.COM (Courtney B. Vance). direct racism. The way the character At- Throughout the episode there were mo- ticus “Tic” walked, shoulders back whilst Times Best Seller List, but that didn’t Shannon Houston discuss the writing and ments where I wanted to turn away, and it swinging an arm, and how Uncle George stop Executive Producer Jordan Peele, the thought processes of the writers in the wasn’t when the monsters came out. walked with a wobble to remind us of his from showing J.J. Abrams’ production writer’s room to get each scene just right. The first episode is called “Sundown”, bad knee. company and deciding that it would be a In episode one of the podcast, Houston but it’s not what you would particularly The show was adapted from the 2016 great TV show. says that even though HBO gave the show think. In Jim Crow America, a sundown novel, “Lovecraft Country” written by Jordan Peele is known for the 2017 a hefty budget to work with, the writers town was an all-white town that was Matt Ruff. Ruff conjoined the monsters horror movie “Get Out” and J.J. Abrams still had to figure out how to tell the story. segregated, but would often intimidate from the horror fiction novels written by is known for creating “Lost,” a television “We would forget about all that and or even go as far as use violence against H.P. Lovecraft and racism in America. series that ran for six seasons before end- imagine that we have no monsters and black people. The cover of the original book even says, ing in 2010. no budget and we’re just trying to tell If you have never heard of a sundown “America’s Demons Exposed.” It’s up to The show also has a Podcast, “Love- a family story,” Houston said. “What town before, the episode hints at what it the viewer to decide. craft Country Radio,” where Ashley C. is that story and how can we make that is before showing you. While driving by The novel didn’t make it on New York Ford and “Lovecraft Country” writer compelling?” 12 | OCTOBER 21, 2020 OPINION Defining bigotry in satire: Bill Burr’s monologue

Furthermore, the notion that white progress. The expansion of social media women have historically upheld the led to increased diversity of voices in our patriarchy and tenants of white supremacy discourse — public opinion swayed in is also accurate. The issue persists to this favor of disenfranchised communities. day, in the last presidential election the Jokes where the sole punchline is majority of white women who voted cast someone’s race or gender or sexual their ballot for Donald Trump. But that’s orientation are out. This is a good thing. not to say that Burr’s take here doesn’t We want decency in our society. require some nuance. As we move forward and our views I’m sure scholars on the topic would continue evolving, there will be a mention the fact that white women didn’t balancing act with our standards for invent the patriarchy, that men did. I’m satire. Audiences want effective social sure they’d also mention the fact that for commentary, yet effective social PHOTO COURTESY OF DEADLINE.COM much of history women were basically commentary does not go hand and hand property and in no position to fight for with comfort. course egregious considering the historical social justice. The whole point is to disrupt patterns JEFF THOMAS violence LGBTQIA+ individuals have But, the thing is — comedians are in the public discourse. Comedians like Features Editor endured. Hate crimes continue to be a not scholars. Jokes are not dissertations. Burr achieve this disruption. Despite how problem, with 2020 being an awful year Performance art is entertainment. How offensive his work can be, I hope people Veteran stand-up comedian Bill Burr for violence against transgender women fair is it to expect stage performers to are willing to engage it and recognize took to the stage at Studio 8H on Oct. 10. in the U.S. perfectly flesh out the intricacies of our when there are valid points being made. In what was his first appearance hosting To a general audience much of this society in their work? If the problems weren’t real they Saturday Night Live, Burr’s performance material was shocking to see, but those So, what makes a joke objectively wouldn’t be appearing in someone like divided audience opinion and raised familiar with Burr’s work know that he’s offensive and unacceptable in the Burr’s routine. We won’t be better off important questions about what is and no stranger to controversy. public discourse? insulating ourselves away from topics isn’t acceptable satire in our evolving Burr has skyrocketed in popularity in Well, in a lot of ways we’ve already we’re not comfortable discussing. We social landscape. recent years due to his prolific podcast decided those metrics. It wasn’t that long won’t get where we’re trying to go if The primary source of the weekend work, acclaimed Netflix stand-up specials, ago that comedy blockbusters like “The we’re not willing to continue having the controversy was Burr’s opening stand-up work writing and producing his own Hangover” were riddled with homophobic hard conversations. monologue. The seven-minute comedy animated Netflix series and his various slurs. Over the last decade there has been set featured scathing commentary on acting roles. the activism of white feminists and the He’s made a name for himself with LGBTQIA+ community and how it has brash comedy that often showcases his impacted African Americans. willingness to challenge what he perceives Burr’s primary criticism was the attention as hypocrisy in liberal politics. This stage white women and gay people draw in the persona has been incredibly successful, public discourse distracts from the fact that leading to multiple sellout comedy tours NOW ACCEPTING: African Americans are systemically kept across North America and abroad in at the bottom of the United States’ social Europe and Australia. ladder. Basically, his belief that there’s a So with a comedian like Burr, the CONTRIBUTORS lack of understanding about what oppression question becomes — where is the tipping is and he’s tired of loud complaints coming point in which edgy social commentary from certain groups. becomes problematic? Well, it’s hard to say. Some of his harshest comments on On the surface level, it’s a matter WRITE FOR THE OAKLAND POST! white women included his assertions that of a taste. Burr’s delivery is crass and they co-opted the woke movement to colorful. He’s very much an adult advance themselves, they rolled around comedian, profanity is a trademark of We’re looking for contributors from with white men in “blood money” for his performances. The shock that his centuries and that they shouldn’t compare routines evoke is by design. He challenges their experiences to the struggles of audiences, his desired effect is some level African Americans from the comfort of of discomfort. ANY MAJOR their “new SUV with heated seats.” If you’re not interested in a middle His material about the LGBTQIA+ aged white guy howling expletives for community was perhaps less personal, the duration of his set, then Burr probably ANY BACKGROUND but problematic nonetheless. Burr’s isn’t for you. But does discomfort with his jokes centered around pride month — delivery necessarily invalidate messages his stance being that it’s absurd that gay he inserts into his routines? Well, with an people get the warm and pleasant month examination of his messages things get of June to celebrate while Black History more complicated. Contact [email protected] month has been relegated to the short and For instance, Burr’s remarks Saturday comparatively miserable February. about white feminists had truths laced There was a particularly distasteful within them. People like Rachel Dolezal comment about gay people never and Jessica Krug exist, the phenomenon of being enslaved. Despite perhaps being white women occupying black spaces for technically correct, the statement was of their benefit isn’t some fantasy. SPORTS OCTOBER 21, 2020 | 13 Oakland to co-host 2024 NCAA regionals MICHAEL PEARCE The last time OU was in the NCAA Editor-in-Chief Tournament was in 2011, when they defeated Oral Roberts in the Horizon The National Collegiate Athletics League Tournament to clinch an Association (NCAA) March Madness automatic berth. That season, the Golden Tournament is coming to Detroit in Grizzlies went 25-9 overall, with a 17-1 2024, with Oakland University and the conference record. University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) co- The 13-seeded Golden Grizzlies lost in hosting it. the 2011 first round in a shootout, 85-81 to On Wednesday, Oct. 14, OU announced the Texas Longhorns. the tournament regional round would be in The Horizon League, which Oakland joined the Motor City. This came together through in 2013, was represented by the eventual the Detroit Sports Commission. tournament runners-up, Butler University. “We are grateful to be selected by the Now, the Golden Grizzlies have NCAA to host the 2024 Men’s Basketball two chances to compete in an NCAA Regionals,” said Dave Beachnau, Detroit Tournament game in their backyard. Sports Commission senior vice president, PHOTO COURTESY OF OU ATHLETICS For Waterfield, this would be “pretty in the official press release. “A special The 2024 Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen will be co-hosted by Detroit Mercy and Oakland. special” to see the Golden Grizzlies thanks goes out to 313 Presents, Little with ticket sales, so they can get seats. Little Caesars Arena hasn’t hosted an compete on a big stage with their logo Caesars Arena, Oakland University and the “Not only is it a great opportunity for NCAA Tournament since it opened in 2017. on display. University of Detroit Mercy who helped Southeast Michigan to showcase the The last time the NCAA Tournament “It’d be immeasurable,” he said. “It land this incredible event.” region and the city, it’s a chance for our was in Detroit was in 2008. would be special, the energy it would bring For the universities which co-host the staffs both at Oakland and Detroit Mercy to “We were extremely interested to [host],” to the entire area. Not just campus, but event, they would have the responsibilities get experience running an NCAA event,” Waterfield said. “We got to the bid package, put Oakland County and Southeast Michigan of running communication. Athletics Director Steve Waterfield said. together the numbers and put it out there as to — it would be one of the highlights of my The students and season ticket holders The Oakland University logo will also why [Detroit] would be a good site, and we’re career to date if that would happen.” at each school will also receive priority be on display at the tournament. fortunate enough to be selected for 2024.”

The Oakland Post is looking for SPORTS REPORTERS Responsibilities Skills necessary Contact • Write two sports stories per • Ability to write in journalistic style [email protected] week • Knowledge of sports Send three writing samples of any • Provide fair coverage to all kind and a resume • Knowledge of AP Style sports • Good communication skills and • Attend weekly virtual budget punctuality meetings • Receptive to criticism and • Maintain positive relationship motivation to learn with OU Athletics 14 | OCTOBER 21, 2020 SATIRE OCTOBER 21, 2020 | 15 Donald ‘J. for Genius’ Trump is an illiterate brat LAUREN KARMO It’s the inability to write a 240-character sentence, for me. Staff Reporter Our Twitter KING (or dictator?) has proven time and time again that he cannot spell nor read — failure to recall The last few weeks in politics have felt like a punch in the QAnon retweets ring a bell? Now I refuse to play on tired face with every Twitter refresh. Allow me to provide some millennial jokes like covfefe, but the typos are insane. Just solace and sway you toward the only logical choice in this admit defeat and use voice-to-text. election between your weird grandfather and an illiterate “What about ‘Art of the Deal’? Just because he makes a brat — that’s right, I said illiterate. mistake typing on Twitter doesn’t mean he can’t write, he’s Ever since Donald J. (“for genius”) Trump has been a published author!!” on my radar for something more valuable than his OK Johnathan David, I guess you’ve never heard of cameo in “Home Alone 2,” I have held a strong belief ghost writing. I’m a 20-year-old, and I’ve ghostwritten that he cannot read. over a dozen projects, what makes you think future “top Flashback to 2015. You’re 15 years old in your Physics five worst president” wouldn’t hire some chump to do class with two minutes until the bell. You’re arguing with a the same? classmate — he suffers from early onset Tr*mp-supporter syndrome. It is your moral duty to heal him from such, and BEN HUME | WEB EDITOR They really give anyone a driver’s license, huh what do you do? Suggest his lord and savior, and illustrious You read that right, Don can’t read. Little Boy Billions was born into money, so I find it “The Apprentice” host, cannot read. shocking he has a license in the first place. Totally ig- The initial reaction you receive is one of disgust and dis- receiving a college education does not signal any signs of noring the fact that he couldn’t even read his own plas- missal, but after some time, he simply cannot disagree. Who intelligence, especially when someone with a fat wallet and tic square of information when sharing his height with is the young brilliant mind to convince him of this? Check little moral obligation is concerned. the public (every inch counts), what use does Lil’ Don the byline. According to his dearest niece Mary, the illiterate have for a license? The face of U.S. fascism has never had a need to read in fool paid someone to take his SATs. There’s clearly As someone who has taken the driving exam without pay- his decrepit lifetime, and I can prove it. nothing holding him back from paying someone to ing someone else to do it for me, as most normal and regular write his exams and essays as an “economics” major people do, I needed to be able to read the words on the page to College degree: because education apparently (also, seriously? He literally majored in economics, and select a choice on the written exam. I also needed to be able to can’t be bought we still live like this? Embarrassing). read street signs when operating a motor vehicle. The fat monster has a bachelor’s from the Wharton If he didn’t need to read during his college or high school I have never seen Trump drive a car (golf carts don’t School of the University of Pennsylvania, which many experience, what use would he have for it at any other time? count, champ). Let’s face it. This little bitch can’t read people seem to take as some sort of accomplishment. As He has servants for that. — hopefully to the point where he marks a fat vote for we have seen time and time again during Zoom University, Joe Biden. 248-373-4330 3011 E. W alton Blvd . (next to 7-11) O P EN L ATE • W E D EL IVER O N C A M P US! O P EN FO R L UNC H D AILY START EARNING FREE PIZZA DOWNLOAD OUR APP & YOUR HALFWAY TO YOUR 1 ST FREE PIZZA TO ORDER ONLI NE USE CO D E : C H O O SE2 2 mmed.ed. 11-- LAVOR THAT t toppingopping FFLAVOR THATUDGET 99 ppizzas izzas aandnd a B ® FFITSITS ANYANY BUDGET $ 99 H Howieowie B Breadread $ oor r a 2 lliteriter 11 55 b beverageeverage MEALMEAL DEALSDEALS L Lg.g. 1 1-topping-topping 9999ddeep eep dish,dish, oorr llg.g. 22-- $$ ttopping opping tthinhin ccrustrust oor r rroundound ppizzaizza 2 llg.g. 11-topping-topping ppizzasizzas a andnd 99 ® S Smallmall 11 00 $ 99 HHowieowie B Breadread w withith $$ 55 99992 2-topping-topping p pizzaizza $ 2020 ddippingipping saucesauce

*Additional charge may apply for Howie Wings® . Must select 2 valid Mix & Match options to receive discount. Use promo code “CHOOSE2” for Mix & Ma tch offer. Additional toppings and delivery extra. Limited time offer. Prices subject to change. All stores are independently owned and operated. Prices and participation may vary. If you have online ordering issues, visit hungryhowies.com/help. If you need help ordering online due to a disability, please conta ct your Hungry Howie’s store for assistance. Hungry Howie’s and its related marks are trademarks of Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs, Inc. Pepsi, the Pepsi logo and rela ted marks are trademarks of PepsiCo. You can register to vote now using your campus address. You can vote early. You can vote by mail. You can vote on Election Day. Go to voteamerica.com/students

VoteAmerica.com VoteAmerica is a 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization, and does not support or oppose any political candidate or party.