Thursday, April 19, 2018 Vol. I, No. 4 THE STATESMAN REASONS TO VOTE FOR TRUMP: A CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL KNOWLES Dominic Gregorio President of ISI Society

Michael Knowles, Managing Editor of the right-leaning publication The Daily Wire and author of the New York Times best-selling blank book Reasons to Vote for Democrats, will speak in Jon M. Huntsman Hall room JMHH 370 on Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m. to explain his staunch support for President Trump.

Hosted by The Statesman, Knowles will A TRIBUTE TO BARBARA BUSH give a talk laying out his rationale for sup- porting the President followed by a ques- at home in Houston. Bush suffered for years tion-and-answer session from the audience. Christian Petrillo from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Dis- Attendance is free and catered food will be ease (COPD). She often minimized her own Staff Writer provided during the event. Limited copies Knowles graduated from Yale University health issues and decided to focus rather on of Knowles’ book may be available. Food with a B.A. in History before pursuing his Known by many titles such as “the Enforcer” her family and her faith. Barbara Bush is a true and books will be distributed on a first- career in acting and political commentary. and “the Matriarch,” Former First Lady Bar- profile in compassion and grace. Regardless come, first-serve basis to audience mem- President Trump tweeted praise in 2017 bara Bush undoubtedly cherished the titles of your views in this hyper-polarized political bers. for Knowles’ empty Simon & Schuster of mother and wife more than anything else. climate, it is important to honor our former book, calling it “A great book for your read- Mother to six children and wife to her hus- first lady and her extraordinary life. Undergraduates from the University of ing enjoyment.” Knowles began hosting a band for seventy-three years, Barbara Bush, Pennsylvania and other Philadelphia-ar- regular podcast for The Daily Wire, where at age 92, entered the final stages of her life Born in New York in 1925, Barbara Pierce ea universities will gather to meet the ac- he works for editor-in-chief and founder over the weekend, as she chose not to seek met her husband, George Bush, at a dance tor-turned-journalist and ask questions in . further medical treatment. Monday night she when she was sixteen years-old. A year and a person. All students, faculty, and staff are accepted phone calls and sipped bourbon. invited to attend and to bring guests if they The talk is co-hosted by the UPenn College Hours later, on Tuesday evening, she died Continued on Page 2 wish. Republicans. DR. AMY WAX AND DR. ISABEL STUDENTS TEAR DOWN FLYERS AD- SAWHILL DISCUSS MARRIAGE AND VERTISING MICHAEL KNOWLES EVENT THE FUTURE OF THE FAMILY Lindsey Powell families and committed marriages. Through- out Monday’s debate, Dr. Wax and Dr. Staff Writer Sawhill found much common ground. “There is a lot of research that the well-being of chil- America is facing a crisis: the decline of mar- dren is related to marriage. There is a strong riage and . According to the Pew consensus that children do better in life when Research Center, 72% of adults were married they are raised in two-parent families. These in 1970. Today, only 50% of adults over eigh- are typically stable, committed relationships teen fit that description. The CDC reports that lead to better parenting”, explained Dr. that 5% of children were born out of wedlock Sawhill. While the women agreed that mar- in 1960. Today, that rate has jumped to 40%. riage creates ideal conditions for childrearing Read further coverage of this event by staff writer James Paron on our website at Monday’s conversation with Penn Law Pro- and that the institution is on the decline, they www.statesmanonline.org fessor Amy Wax and Dr. Isabel Sawhill of the disagreed about how to solve the problems Brookings Institution confirmed that these single parenthood creates. statistics are concerning to scholars on both sides of the aisle. The event was hosted by the Dr. Sawhill claims that marriage is only one Penn chapter of the non-partisan American of many ways to raise of child, and that the in- MONTH IN REVIEW APARTHEID WEEK Enterprise Institute, and was moderated by stitution is becoming less necessary as wom- PAGE 3 PAGE 11 Dr. Petra Todd, a visiting professor of eco- en become more educated, less financially nomics. dependent on men, and distance themselves from a feminine identity that is traditionally Dr. Wax sparked controversy last August tied to motherhood. She claims that society LIBERAL RESPONSE when she co-authored an opinion piece in the must shift attention from marriage to chil- “LIBERAL BUBBLE” Philadelphia Inquirer lamenting the decline TO SHOOTINGS of “bourgeois culture,” which values strong PAGE 6 Continued on Page 4 PAGE 8 IN THIS ISSUE

Follow us @statesmanofpenn The truly independent student newspaper of the University of Pennsylvania Online at www.statesmanonline.org PAGE 2 THE STATESMAN THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 NATIONAL NEWS THREE INJURED IN SHOOTING AT YOUTUBE HQ

to the United States in 1996 with her family. of her whereabouts and proximity to YouTube Reza Javaheri She was a vocal vegan, animal activist, and fit- headquarters, claimed they notified authorities Staff Writer ness enthusiast, and a registered follower of of Aghdam’s deeply rooted hatred of YouTube the Baha’i faith. She took frequently to social and cautioned them that she may be traveling media, including , Instagram, Twit- to their offices, even saying explicitly that “she Daniel Tancredi On Tuesday, April 3, around 12:45 in the af- ter, and YouTube, to post her content, much of might do something.” Editor-in-Chief ternoon Pacific Time, an active shooter opened which went viral in her home country. Recently, Dominic Gregorio fire at YouTube headquarters in San Bruno, Aghdam had been criticizing YouTube on her The San Bruno police chief claimed that the President of ISI Society . Terrified employees could be seen website, citing several complaints – she voiced communication and relaying of this information Toren Arginteanu evacuating the premises as police rushed to the her discontent with YouTube’s censorship pol- between police departments was unclear, and Tech & Media Director large, 200,000 square-foot YouTube HQ com- icy, claiming that it had filtered and suppressed still under investigation. Connor Hart plex in the San Francisco suburb, and the vic- much of her content to prevent her from getting Finance Director tims of the shooting were quickly rushed to two views, and she also made clear her anger with In response to the incident, several figures took Madison Reasnor nearby medical facilities, San Francisco General YouTube’s demonetization of many of her vid- to social media: President Trump tweeted, “Our Social Chair Hospital and Stanford University Medical Cen- eos. thoughts and prayers are with everybody in- Adam Sherman ter. volved. Thank you to our phenomenal Law En- Staff Writer Authorities found that Aghdam had legally pur- forcement Officers and First Responders that Alexander Lenz Late Tuesday night, law enforcement was suc- chased the 9mm pistol she used to carry out the are currently on the scene.” Furthermore, You- Staff Writer cessfully able to identify the suspect as Nasim shooting from a gun dealer in San Diego on Tube CEO Susan Wojcicki tweeted, “There are Alison Thompson Najafi Aghdam, 38, a resident of Riverside January 16th. This purchase was made two days no words to describe how horrible it was to have Staff Writer County, California living with her grandmother. after the YouTube policy change that left many an active shooter @YouTube [sic] today. Our Caleb Kennedy According to reports, Aghdam entered through of Aghdam’s videos ineligible for monetization. deepest gratitude to law enforcement & first Staff Writer an exterior parking garage before approaching Additionally, Aghdam visited a gun range the responders for their rapid response. Our hearts Chris Tremoglie an outdoor patio on the premises and opening day before the shooting. go out to all those injured & impacted today. Staff Writer fire. She used a 9mm Smith & Wesson semi-au- We will come together to heal as a family.” In Christian Petrillo tomatic pistol, with which witnesses say she On March 31st, Aghdam’s family reported her a statement, Sundar Pichai, CEO of YouTube’s Staff Writer fired a total of between 15 and 20 shots. Au- as missing; the night before the shooting, po- parent company, Google, stated “Over the com- Danielle Yampolsky thorities found Aghdam dead at the scene with a lice in Mountain View, California, about 25 ing days, we will continue to provide support to Staff Writer self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. miles south of San Bruno, found her asleep in help everyone in our Google family heal from Dennis Oussenko her car in the parking lot of a Walmart store. this unimaginable tragedy.” Staff Writer Aghdam, born in Urmia, Iran, had immigrated Her father and brother, upon being informed Eric Hoover Staff Writer

Esther Fleischer Photographer

James Paron Staff Writer

Janmiguel Gonzalez Staff Writer U.S. LAUNCHES STRIKES IN SYRIA Jeff Jiang Staff Writer Adam Sherman ment center, storage facility, and bunker facili- portive of President Trump’s actions, with a Jesse Blanco Staff Writer ty. There were no Western forces harmed in the general focus on seeking a clear long-term strat- Staff Writer operation, however the effectiveness has been egy for handling Syria and the various parties Kara Roche Staff Writer challenged by Russia and Syria. The United involved there. Democrats and some Republi- Nearly a week after alleged chemical attacks on States military claims that no aircraft or missiles cans have been more critical, however, due to Lindsey Powell Staff Writer Syrian civilians in the Damascus suburb of Dou- were successfully engaged by Syrian defens- concern with presidential overreach in Trump ma, President Trump along with allies in the UK es, meanwhile Russia asserts that 71 of 103 not seeking Congressional authorization to Maria Biery Staff Writer and France launched a limited intervention on missiles were shot down by the Syrians before conduct military operations, including Senator the evening of April 13th to diminish the chem- reaching their targets. Tim Kaine saying “President Trump’s decision Matan Arginteanu Staff Writer ical weapons capabilities of Syrian President to launch airstrikes against the Syrian govern- Bashar al-Assad. These missile and aircraft Response to the airstrikes has been mixed both ment without Congress’s approval is illegal and Michael Moroz Staff Writer strikes come after failed attempts at United Na- internationally and domestically. After news -- absent a broader strategy -- it’s reckless.” tions Security Council resolutions regarding of the international military action broke, gov- Morgan Herrmann Staff Writer the chemical attack due to Russia vetoing West- ernments and politicians were quick to release Looking forward, President Trump has stated ern resolutions as they have been aligned with statements on the matter. Notably, Turkey’s his intention to get American troops out of Syr- Nik Damjanovic Staff Writer the Assad government. Erdogan called the strikes “appropriate” and Is- ia and his chemical weapons red line does not raeli PM Netanyahu gave “total support”. China alter that goal. Syrian President al-Assad has Reza Javaheri Staff Writer Following the strikes, the Pentagon informed has responded by saying that it opposes the use been warned that strikes will occur again if he the press that three targets had been struck, of force and that there can only be a political continues to use chemical weapons on civilians, Sydney Gwynn Staff Writer which had “set the Syrian chemical weapons solution to the Syrian conflict. leaving the future of U.S. military involvement program back years.” Among the sites targeted in Syria to the Butcher of Damascus. Trize Stephen-Pons Staff Writer were a chemical weapons research and develop- Republicans in Congress have been mostly sup-

Westley Wedell Staff Writer

Continued from Front Page cided to succeed Reagan and run for president son, George W. Bush, was elected president The Statesman is the truly in- in 1988, Barbara spoke in support of her hus- in 2000. Only Abigail Adams had previously dependent student newspaper band at the Republican National Convention, served as both a wife and a mother to two pres- at the University of Pennsyl- half later, Pierce and Bush were engaged right vania. We stand for freedom before George went to serve in World War II becoming only the second spouse to do so, after idents. It was during her son’s time in the Oval of speech on campus and as a bomber pilot. Once married, Barbara fol- Eleanor Roosevelt. Office that Barbara came to be known as “the elsewhere, valuing arguments lowed her husband around the United States, Enforcer,” the one who through her straightfor- not for their popularity but for As First Lady, she emphasized the importance of wardness and honesty got things done. their merit. We espouse objec- eventually settling in Texas, where George ran tivity in reporting and passion for Congress in 1966. From the early days, Bar- literacy and founded the Barbara Bush Founda- in discourse on our quest to bara was an eager campaigner and at times her tion for Family Literacy. She also broke stereo- Barbara loved her husband and her children. bring true diversity of thought husband’s greatest advocate. George would go types surrounding HIV, when in 1989 she vis- She also loved her country. In her 92 years of to the University. on to work in the Nixon Administration as Am- ited babies infected with HIV and hugged them life, she witnessed both triumphant and tragic Send news tips and letters to bassador to the United Nations and in the Ford in her tender arms. While doing this she said to events in our nation’s history at a unique van- [email protected] Administration as Director of the CIA before reporters that “there’s a need for compassion,” tage point. Through all of this, she maintained serving as Vice President under . a word that certainly characterized her time in her compassion and grace, two nouns lacking If you are interested in joining the White House. Barbara Bush occupied a in our politics today. May we pray for the entire us, email us or find us on social Throughout these years, George could always media @statesmanofpenn rely upon the support of Barbara. When he de- unique position in American History when her Bush family in this time of great grief. THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 THE STATESMAN PAGE 3 THE MONTH APRIL IN REVIEW A 48-year old psychology professor, Robert Kurzban, Paul Levy, trustee emeritus of Penn’s Board of Trust- was sleeping with an undergraduate student— from his ees and Overseer of the Law School, submitted his res- own class—with whom he rendezvoused on the dating ignation to President Amy Gutmann on April 6th be- app Tinder. Our editorial board unequivocally repudi- cause of the way in which the University has treated, or ates Kurzban’s behavior, because it placed him in an mistreated, Law professor Amy Wax. In a letter report- inappropriate position with his student - or, worse, ed by The Daily Pennsylvanian, Levy wrote, “Prevent- multiple inappropriate positions. All of them were re- ing Wax from teaching first-year students doesn’t right volting, and the professor should be disciplined. academic or social wrongs … A serious error has been made; please reconsider this illiberal ban on Wax’s pedagogy.” Wax was banned in March from teaching a mandatory first-year course after making an uncareful Students retaining a shred of innocence were not argument against affirmative action. Wax had implied thrilled when the unpalatable CupcakKe (pronounced black students don’t often succeed in her courses; Law like a vile sex act) was chosen as opening artist for the Dean Ted Ruger had categorically denied this before annual concert at Penn’s shortened Spring Fling cele- punishing Wax for speaking about class performance, bration. Their wounds were exacerbated when admin- which is confidential. In order: Wax didn’t break the istrators insisted on republishing the artist’s unsavory rule unless Dean Ruger did too, Ruger was wrong to stage name so as to soil otherwise wholesome emails ban her anyway, and Levy might have been more in- urging students to attend the admittedly “different fluential by sticking around afterwards. Somehow no events” of the weekend. At least University-wide com- signs yet of Penn lawyers who are acting deliberately. munications retain a smidgen more holiness than do (They must have stayed out of the news this month.) the devilishly explicit lyrics CupcakKe expressed on stage April 14th. All of them were revolting, and SPEC should be disciplined. President Amy Gutmann announced on April 12th an- nounced “The Power of Penn Campaign,” a $4.1 bil- lion fundraising drive. The campaign will have goals in- cluding to increase financial aid spending, add faculty Luckily hundreds of students were patient enough to and staff, and expand construction projects. Gutmann wait two hours until Tyson Ritter was able to lead The was pleased to announce that she pursues these goals All-American Rejects on stage to cleanse the polluted “with the full endorsement of the Board of Trustees.” air. Their provocative and rebellious music seemed Does a vote of confidence from the Trustees count as wholesome, compared. AAR stole the night. unanimous if one of them resigned in protest?

“I’m writing about gender roles in Pixar movies. Spe- Law school rebel Amy Wax was undeterred by Uni- cifically toxic masculinity. For my literature review I versity sanctions against her. Declining to take a page covered how school shootings are a result of masculine from the resignations playbook, Wax leaned in to her roles. And other people’s theses are like talking about work by participating in a Family Policy Panel at the just Disney princesses and I’m like, ‘No! Support your Law School. There she debated Brookings Institu- kids and walk out of Pixar movies.’ They’re, like, tox- tion sociologist Dr. Isabel Sawhill about the value of ic.” It should be self explanatory that Disney movies marriage in alleviating poverty given the dreary out- do not cause school shootings. In fact, the lack of mas- comes seen among out-of-wedlock children. Thought culine figures is a near-constant in the troubled lives the state ought not play a role in legislating marriage, of school shooters. Perhaps some masculinity is thera- repealing policies which incentivize its destruction peutic rather than toxic. would objectively improve the lives of poor children. PAGE 4 THE STATESMAN THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

Continued from Front Page Dr. Wax sees things differently. She agrees were discrepancies in martial rates across we don’t agree, but we agree on a lot”. She that readiness for parenthood is an import- the socioeconomic spectrum, however those continued to espouse the importance of so- dren. Rather than encouraging marriage, ant factor in a child’s well-being, however discrepancies were much more convergent. cial norms, yet acknowledged that she and society should promote the idea that it is not she believes that such readiness should be We’re seeing a huge divergence today,” she Dr. Wax differ regarding where society’s fo- right to bring children into the world until embedded in the institutional context of explained. She continued to emphasize the cus should be: reviving marriage, or working one is ready to become a parent. She sug- marriage. “The infrastructure of marriage change in cultural context: “People married around its decline. Dr. Wax concluded by re- gests two policy proposals to promote such a provides broader benefits”, she explained. at higher rates and had fewer out of wedlock iterating her belief that concrete supports ex- shift in cultural thinking: affordable access to She discussed how marriage knits families births during the Great Depression.” When ist when couples honor the institution of mar- the most effective forms of birth control and together through networks of in-laws and rel- asked if it is responsible to promote marriage riage. She added that she becomes frustrated improvements to career prospects and tech- atives—connections that can provide financial in communities where there are not enough reading articles penned by financially stable, nical education (such as increased vocational support and potentially job opportunities “marriageable” men, Dr. Wax responded, married, feminist law professors demanding training and a higher minimum wage). Dr. when an individual falls on hard times. She “Marriageability doesn’t fall from the sky. the acceptance and celebration of nontradi- Sawhill emphasized that she is not against explained that due to the decline of marriage, It’s a product of a set of decisions people tional families. “It’s selfish and a show of bad marriage. However, she believes that such a many people find themselves virtually alone. are socialized to make as mature adults. Get faith. They are depriving others of the bene- decision should not be made without great The elderly are attending more medical ap- married, be faithful, seek employment, avoid fits they themselves enjoy.” As marriage rates thought. She asked the audience to pose pointments alone, and a growing population breaking the law, etc. Promoting marriage is continue to fall, family values are in danger of as a child behind John Rawls’ classic veil of of unattached young men are putting their telling communities to think about how we being replaced by policy solutions: a turn of ignorance. “Would you rather be born to communities at risk as they are more likely to can make ourselves more marriageable”. event welcomed by Dr. Sawhill and mourned a well-educated, financially stable, single use drugs and engage in crime. She acknowl- by Dr. Wax. mother in her thirties who planned you, or a edges that economic disparities play a limited As the debate concluded, Dr. Sawhill re- married, young couple who has no financial role in the decline in marriage, but believes minded the audience that she and Dr. Wax resources and no idea what they’re doing?”, that changes in cultural norms are primarily have a common understanding of the value she asked. responsible. “In the 1940s and 50s there of marriage, “There is a tendency to assume SEN. CORY BOOKER MISREPRESENTS CHRISTIANITY IN CRITICISM OF MIKE POMPEO

Caleb Kennedy The core of Booker’s argument relies on the Moreover, what I can only assume Book- Booker seems to think that reviling what idea that homosexuality is something innate er thought of as a brilliant indictment of God calls sin is equivalent to condemning Staff Writer and unchangeable. Essentially, biology has Pompeo turned out to reveal what many those who practice it, but this is not what the written in stone an individual’s sexual orien- leftists will not say explicitly but certainly Bible teaches. It certainly tells us to hate evil This past Friday, N.J. Senator Cory Booker tation and thus it constitutes a fundamental believe: Failing to celebrate and promote (Psalm 97:10), but we are told to hate evil announced in a Facebook post that he would and immutable aspect of their being. Conse- homosexual activity is no longer in line with because it pulls us (and others) away from not be voting to confirm Mike Pompeo for quently, to call homosexuality a perversion ‘acceptable’ discourse. God. Secretary of State. In the statement, he would be no different than identifying any echoed the sentiments he expressed in his other immutable characteristic (such as skin According to a Pew study, as of 2015, 46% So when a Christian says that they believe questioning of Pompeo in a Senate confir- color) as inherently bad. of Christians—about a third of America’s to- homosexuality is a perversion, it should not mation hearing the day before. tal population—believed that homosexuality be seen as reflecting hatred for the individu- But homosexuality is not as strongly genet- should not be accepted by society. al(s) practicing it. In fact, Christians are to Booker believes that Pompeo’s views on ically determined as Senator Booker and hate sin out of love: love for God and love for homosexuality are somehow grounds to dis- others assert. A Columbia and Yale twin This would seem to indicate Senator Booker our neighbors. All sin runs contrary to God’s qualify him from being Secretary of State. “. . study on self-reported same-sex attraction deems one-third of Americans unfit for pub- good design and ultimately leads to physical . I am not sure how you truly lead others—not reported only a roughly 10 percent concor- lic office because of their deeply held moral and spiritual death—which is why we want to mention ‘love thy neighbor’—and still view dance rate (the rate at which both responses beliefs on the topic of homosexuality. More people to be set free from it. a fundamental and innate part of who they aligned) for both identical and non-identical than that, he believes that these people do are as a perversion,” Booker said. twins. In other words, approximately 10 not put forth “the values of our nation” or That is one of the most important messages percent of the time when one twin reported “love thy neighbor.” in Christianity: the message of the Gospel This statement went along perfectly with same-sex attraction the other did as well. and grace and the idea that “There is there- his in-person questions for Pompeo the day This can be divided into two separate, but fore now no condemnation for those who are prior: “You said in a speech that, warning an No doubt genetics have a role to play in equally important criticisms. First, this is an in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of America that endorses perversion and calls it the predisposition of individuals to same absurdly radical way to view a third of the US life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the an alternative lifestyle, those are your words. sex attraction, just as genetics have a role population. Perhaps it is not surprising, giv- law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2) Is being gay a perversion?” to play in a whole host of issues that we do en how polarized the two-party system has not consider to be exclusively genetically become, but it should give us some pause In short, maybe Senator Booker should “Senator, when I was a politician, I had a very predetermined – things like predisposition that someone like Senator Booker is seen spend less time mischaracterizing the Chris- clear view on whether it was appropriate for to violent crime, which happens to have an as a popular candidate for the presidency in tian worldview and virtue-signaling to his two same sex persons to marry. I stand by identical-twin concordance rate higher than 2020. constituents and focus on considering if that,” Pompeo replied. that of same-sex attraction. acceptance of homosexuality is a fair litmus In my opinion, the more important correc- test for public office. Booker went on: “I do not necessarily con- Simply put, Booker wields the myth of “born tion to be made, however, is regarding Sena- cur that you are putting forward the values this way” as a cudgel to shame Americans tor Booker’s complete misunderstanding of of our nation when you believe that there are who do not morally support homosexual ac- the Christian worldview. people in our country that are perverse.” tivity as bigots.

WANT TO WRITE FOR US? SEND US AN EMAIL: [email protected] THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 THE STATESMAN PAGE 5

FIVE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM ZUCKERBERG HEARING

Morgan Herrmann dorm room. In its earliest stages, the site also declined to share the names of people he Cruz grilled Zuckerberg and asked him why existed for campus entertainment- viewing messaged, or the content of said messages. two female Trump supporters by the name Staff Writer mutual friends, finding out about parties, Senator Durbin was quick to point out that “” with a massive follow- and rating girls. Though everyone knows the information Zuckerberg failed to share ing were labeled “unsafe to the community”. America recently tuned in to Mark Zucker- the story by now, Zuckerberg continuously was extremely similar to the sensitive data As two female friends who simply give their berg’s hearing before Congress, a somewhat points this out and fails to acknowledge the dealt with rather carelessly by Facebook. In opinion in a comedic way to the public, there awkward endeavor that left us with more ro- amount of influence his creation has. It is other words, if Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t is nothing unsafe about them. This labeling bot memes about the CEO than actual prog- now a platform that people of all ages rely want anyone knowing his whereabouts, why of users based on political stance allows for ress on internet policy. However, there were on, for purposes ranging from private mes- should everyone else have to share their in- outright lying on behalf of Facebook. some key takeaways worth considering. A Productive Ques- tioning To what extent should freedom of Many of the ques- speech be honored? tions posed to Mark Zuckerberg related Because Facebook to the use of data by is a privately owned Facebook, protection platform, it is easy of privacy, and polit- to argue that Face- ical bias. Through- book can choose out, it became clear what can and can’t that several senators be viewed by users. asked questions that The same applies to could be considered sites like YouTube redundant or simply and Instagram. irrelevant to the hear- However, throughout history, laws have saging to operating a business, and should formation? ing. While some questioned on how Face- changed in response to an evolving society. be treated as such. book makes money- (to which Zuckerberg It may be time for such a widely used plat- Bias and Safety responded with “We run ads, sir”)- others form to be considered a public space for the The Right to Privacy asked questions that showed just how little expression of ideas, as most of today’s com- How is society expected to separate real they knew about Facebook, or tech compa- munication relies heavily on the internet— Members of Congress addressed the loom- danger from people with opinions we don’t nies in general. If policies regarding tech specifically Facebook. ing concern of user privacy on Facebook. agree with? If you have liberal views and platforms are to be implemented, it would Senator Dick Durbin caught Zuckerberg off watch a liberal news station, no one will force be in everyone’s best interest to appoint in- Facebook’s mission is not what it once was. guard by asking the tech CEO if he would you to watch a conservative news station. dividuals with enough knowledge in the field share the name of the hotel he was staying at Just because you choose to watch a left or to make productive policy decisions. Facebook, as Zuckerberg stated many times the past few days. As expected, Zuckerberg right leaning program doesn’t mean the op- during his hearing, began in his college was not willing to share this information. He posing channels are “unsafe”. Senator Ted

WHAT DO YOU THINK? LET US KNOW ON FACEBOOK OR TWITTER @STATESMANOFPENN PAGE 6 THE STATESMAN THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 SMALL BUSINESS AND THE CORPORATE TAX CUTS

Reza Javaheri Trump, and finally within the ballpark of, business is an LLC, after all, and he’s one of employ millions of people domestically and like, literally the rest of the world’s nations those abhorrent white males! Again, wrong. worldwide, and account for around 81% of Staff Writer . Additionally, it puts into place a 20% de- Newsflash #2: the vast majority of business- the U.S.’s profits, and virtually all profits duction of income for pass-through corpo- es, C-corporation or not, are small. Defining among C-corporations . Nevertheless, de- With President Trump’s new tax bill, the Tax rations – LLC’s, S-Corps, Partnerships, and a small business in the typical way—any busi- spite the (inevitable) fact that massive firms Cuts and Jobs Act, still relatively hot off the Sole Proprietorships. These firms are not ness with no more than $10mm in annual re- are crucial in driving the economy (yes, I’m press, many individual and family taxpayers taxed at the corporate tax rate; rather, they ceipts (basically sales)—we see that upwards sorry to say, “big business” and “corporate are all eager to see how much they’ll get to are taxed at the personal income tax rates of of 96% of all pass-through firms are small America” succeeding is integral to our en- keep—both this fiscal year, with certain el- every owner/shareholder. businesses, and even 95% of C-corporations tire nation succeeding), don’t lose sight of ements of the plan kicking in immediately, are also small businesses . Ergo, wheth- the fact that for every four or five of these big and especially in April 2019, when the bulk Long story short, corporations are getting to er you look at the corporate tax cut, or the firms benefiting from tax breaks, so are 95+ of the tax plan comes into effect. keep a hell of a lot more of their money. 20% write-off coupled with lower income small firms. tax rates, greater than 95% of beneficiaries The tax reform touts many notable features. Now, I know the word “corporation” is are small businesses. The c-corporations, 95 In a nutshell: Big businesses, though the Here are a few: it changes income tax brack- being tossed around a lot here, and I don’t out of every 100 being small business, enjoy overwhelming minority of businesses in the ets, both in where they cut off and in each mean to trigger anyone. I know it’s a mean the corporate tax cut, while the pass-through U.S., account for much of its profits—this will bracket’s percentage; it nearly doubles the word, and it screams rich white guys in suits organizations, an even greater share of which never change, nor should it. This fact, how- standard deduction from what is used to be, firmly maintaining the societal patriarchy; are small, enjoy the write-off and the lower ever, has nothing to do with helping small for individual and joint filers alike; it caps but please put down your pitchforks, and income tax rates. businesses, since, after all, we don’t have a the State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT) hold off on occupying a certain street in zero-sum economy, and big businesses suc- break at $10,000; it eliminates the feder- NYC for just a second. Let’s look at the facts These facts bring us to the third point to be ceeding doesn’t mean small ones failing (a al fine levied on people who did not obtain about “corporations,” and then maybe we’ll made here. Both sides of the aisle tend to rising tide, remember? How come we don’t health insurance, known as Obamacare’s In- see that the tremendous lift that they are get- agree that small business makes up the back- have the same size economy now as we did dividual Mandate; and it adjusts the child tax ting from the tax bill isn’t all that bad. bone of our nation’s economy; it certainly 100 years ago? An economy grows togeth- credit, doubling it to $2,000 per child and makes up the majority of it businesses. As a er. Large firms doing well means America is raising the income threshold under which First off, I’m sure corporations getting a tax result, both sides of the aisle are always look- doing well, which means American business the credit can be applied. cut simply means a bunch of rich, white guy ing to help out small businesses, and, if the is doing well, 95% of which is made up by CEO’s lining their pockets with even more previous paragraph was a bit much in the way small businesses). The way to help small Certain elements of the tax bill, however, millions, right? Wrong. Newsflash: almost of figures, let me summarize it in one line:by business is to help all business, since small seem to be soaking up : namely, all businesses are pass-through. Around helping all businesses and corporations, you businesses makes up so much of all busi- the ones surrounding corporations. 95% to be exact. These firms don’t enjoy are inherently primarily helping small busi- nesses in the U.S., corporations or not. So, the corporate tax cut the tax bill offers—rath- ness. The reverse of this statement is equally by making life tremendously easier for “cor- Plenty of people, despite the many individual er, they enjoy the 20% deduction, as well as as enlightening: the best way to help small porations,” the tax bill inherently makes life provisions included in the bill, see the Tax the lowered income tax rates that together business is to help all business. better almost entirely for small businesses— Cuts and Jobs act primarily as a corporate (taking all the owners into account) act as the not the dreaded white, successful males that tax overhaul—and honestly, for good reason. effective tax rate for the firm. Now, don’t get me wrong: there is absolute- libs all hate so much. For one, it reduces the corporate tax rate ly nothing bad about helping big business from 35% to 21%—only one percent higher But hey, there are lots of big businesses that or “corporate America.” In fact, there is a than was originally promised by President are pass-through, right? Trump’s real-estate lot right with it: these large organizations

NO, THE “LIBERAL BUBBLE” IS NOT BENEFICIAL Eric Hoover this simply fails to consider that many con- conservative ideas perpetuate minority dis- Put differently: If the majority obtains total servatives fully believe that police brutality is crimination. Open debate cannot be a chance control of the societal flow of ideas and refus- Staff Writer a problem when it occurs but do not believe for politics to rebut my identity. The liberal es to tolerate any challenge to its views, then, that it is a statistically-widespread phenom- push-back defends intolerance of ideas that consequently, society will be less likely to “Speech is not violence - it is how we avoid enon. The fact that this is entirely different society agrees are fundamentally injurious.. come to the truth. (This seems self-evident: violence.” -Christina Sommers from believing that it is morally acceptable . . there are issues that are so fundamentally one is more likely to believe falsehood if the for cops to intentionally shoot innocent entangled in a group’s basic rights that they falsehood is not debated or challenged.) And In her op-ed column “When the Liberal black men in cold blood due to the color of transcend the arena of meaningful political even worse, if it is the case that any speech Bubble is Justified”, The Daily Pennsylva- their skin is patently clear. The conflation of discussion. [emphasis added] that opposes the majority is not “dignified”, nian opinion writer Lucy Hu makes a case the two is disingenuous at best. then not only will the majority fall into error, that Penn’s “liberal bubble” is beneficial to Following this line of reasoning, there are but they will drag the entire society right the university. Hu then points, almost comically, to the slo- two categories of speech: that which is “so along with them. gan “All Lives Matter” as further evidence of fundamentally entangled in a group’s basic Her case is not a strong one. the inherent compatibility of rights” so as to preclude it from being digni- This same level of risk is simply not present with racism. Of course it could be the case fied, and that which isn’t - ideas which we can in a society where people are free to chal- Firstly, Hu simply assumes conservatism is that proponents of such a slogan may miss (and should) debate. lenge the statements of every party or group racist without offering a shred of hard evi- the point that the Black Lives Matter move- without experiencing any form of censor- dence: ment is trying to convey, but to merely state But this begs the all-important question: ship. (truthfully!) that “All Lives Matter” is not Who gets to decide which ideas belong in The lives of racial minorities should not be prima facie evidence that one is racist. which category? Moreover, the painful irony is that, despite used as horseplay for political banter. This her ostensible support of the minority, Hu’s is a realm where viewpoints from the right Now of course, there are genuine racists who Hu’s answer is that “society” should decide. support for “limiting” viewpoints (otherwise seek to silence those who have already been call themselves conservatives. There are also known as censorship) poses a far greater traditionally suppressed. . . . Racial affairs is racists who identify as liberals or socialists or Let’s ignore for a moment the fact that the danger to minority groups that fall outside not an issue where the left and right can sit in libertarians. This is not so much intrinsic to criteria for exactly what constitutes accept- the mainstream than the alternative: a society a room, pour tea, munch crackers, and hash conservatism as it is intrinsic to the tragedy able discourse, as determined by society, are that embraces free thought and open debate out a great societal outcome. of the natural human condition regardless of constantly changing - for better or for worse. from all groups. political affiliation. But why not? Why is calm dialogue on issues But perhaps more importantly, if the stan- One need not agree with an idea to tolerate of race simply assumed to be impossible? Hu continues, and perhaps more disturbing- dard for what constitutes acceptable dis- its expression. Certainly, this responsibility In what ways is conservatism racist to the ly so: course is what society currently deems to to tolerate all views - even views one finds degree that it would be impossible to have a be acceptable, then this works fine - so long reprehensible - does not mean that each productive conversation with a conservative Perhaps limiting conservative viewpoints as the majority gets things right. But what if person has a duty to spend time voluntarily about race? serves to halt the perpetuation of tradition- society gets something of great moral impor- debating all views. Nevertheless, we must ally stronger voices, giving a voice to those tance wrong? When the majority errs, the not “limit” ideas - we must tolerate the ex- Hu first attempts to answer this question by who have been historically silenced. . . . I consequences of letting society decide what pression of any idea - which is not always a noting that many on the right refuse to sup- will refuse to dignify ‘discourse’ on my infe- is allowed to be debated can be - and have good thing, but is infinitely better than any port the Black Lives Matter movement. Yet riority, especially in an environment where historically been - egregious. alternative. THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 THE STATESMAN PAGE 7

BUMPY AND BULKY: THE SCIENCE OF JET LAG AND BODY WEIGHT

Jeff Jiang University School of Medicine, recently re- Sluggishness. This reminds you of college process. This is partly why an afternoon ported by DailyMail, found a link between jet life, doesn’t it? Well, I’ve got bad news: ac- workout—which will temporarily increase Staff Writer lag and weight gain. Specifically, increases cording to the Stanford study, spikes in the cortisol level—is good for the body. Cortisol in body fat content are related to stress and stress hormone cortisol during sleep hours hikes are detrimental when caused by chron- Many of us have had this experience: board- poor sleep, two phenomena that are char- can disrupt your body’s fat balance. The re- ic stress. They are detrimental at night, and ing a plane, landing some hours later in a acteristic of jet lag. According to Dr. Mary sulting imbalance, in turn, causes the body especially so if they last for more than 24 different time zone, and feeling exhausted Teruel, lead author and Assistant Professor to convert precursor fat cells into actual fat hours. So much glucose is produced that the while everyone around us seems energized of Chemical and Systems Biology, “If you cells. These effects seem to confine them- body can’t use it all up, eventually causing an and ready to go. What we’re experiencing is experience chronic, continuous stress…the selves to the nighttime, however. According accumulation of unhealthy body fat. jet lag, of course, and is defined by WebMD resulting loss of normal circadian glucocor- to Dr. Teruel, “Even if you get significantly as the rapid crossing of two or more time ticoid oscillations will result in significant stressed…you won’t gain weight, as long as So, are there any ways to fight off jet lag? You zones accompanied by symptoms bet. The National Sleep Foun- of sleepiness and sluggishness. dation makes a few suggestions about ways to change how you What causes jet lag? According travel, en route to alleviating the to Camille Peri of WebMD, jet symptoms of jet lag and decreas- lag is the result of an abnormal ing the amount of stress put on circadian rhythm induced by your body. As a few examples, the high-speed travel. Our circadian Foundation recommends book- rhythm is sort of like an internal ing a flight that arrives in the early clock, regulated by external cues evening (local time). In addition, such as mealtimes and exposure several days before traveling east, to light. Dr. Allison T. Siebern, a you should start going to bed earli- fellow in the Insomnia and Behav- er than usual. (Vice versa if you’re ioral Sleep Medicine Program at the Stanford traveling west.) And finally, both University Sleep Medicine Center, explains weight gain.” In other words, an out-of- stress…happens only during the day.” prior to and after arrival, you should avoid how this clock can be thrown out-of-whack: whack circadian rhythm disrupts the nor- caffeine during the three to four hours be- “When you cross time zones, it disrupts mal hormonal cycle, thus harming physical It’s important to note that not all increases fore you go to bed. those [cues], and your internal clock and health and fitness. Furthermore, the study in cortisol levels are bad. Dr. Teruel and her the external time are desynchronized. Your showed that the buildup of unhealthy fat due team found that increases in cortisol levels Sometimes, we have no choice but to travel. body needs to get on the rhythm of the new to such stress is especially prominent in the are beneficial if they happen during the day We miss our families. We need to go to col- time zone.” belly area. and for a duration of fewer than 12 hours. lege. We need to visit some friends. Rapid This increase helps the breakdown of stored travel might be inevitable, but the detrimen- A new study done by a team at the Stanford Hold on a second. Stress. Sleep deprivation. fat into glucose, boosting our energy in the tal effects of such excursions certainly are

WANT TO WRITE FOR US? REACH OUT TO [email protected] PAGE 8 THE STATESMAN THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

RIVER STONES AND 18-INCH MINI BASEBALL BATS: THE LIBERAL SOLUTION TO SCHOOL SHOOTINGS

Reza Javaheri ing our kids to be better prepared for these There are many ideas being thrown out there tion: they need to be killed. Not only that, but situations”, with the goal being to “provide – arm all teachers, arm some teachers, have assuming the attacker is wielding a firearm, Staff Writer awareness to everybody that you may be in a one armed police officer in every classroom, you will need to respond with equal force; in situation where you have to fight.” Trust me, have one armed police officer on school essence, you don’t bring a knife to a gunfight. I don’t need a souvenir baseball bat to remind premises for every 50 students – to name To incapacitate a bad guy with a gun, you I’m not kidding. me that there’s a fight incoming when some- a few. I completely understand and agree, need a good guy with a gun. What’s more, one storms onto my campus with a gun. All each of these ideas has its own benefits and the quicker they’re killed, the fewer casual- This past March, the Blue Mountain School the bat does is remind me how defenseless I its own drawbacks. Solving the issue of gun ties they cause. Let’s review: District – about 90 miles northwest of Phil- am, and how much of a dipshit my superin- violence at our schools isn’t an open and shut adelphia – held a press conference to discuss tendent is. case. But for the love of God, can we at least 1) Bad guy with gun can either run out of its new policy regarding gun violence preven- all agree that giving six-year-olds a bunch of ammo, kill himself or herself, or be killed. tion at its schools, a policy which We won’t wait on the first two op- Superintendent David Helsel tions, so we pick the third. stated he implemented last fall. Namely, the school district had 2) You need to match the force stocked each one of its elemen- the bad guy is bringing to the ta- tary, middle, and high school ble, so you’re going to need a gun classrooms with a five-gallon to kill him/her. bucket full of river stones. These are smooth stones, small enough 3) We need the bad guy killed to be held in a hand and thrown ASAP. and are intended to be hurled at armed attackers. The above analysis yields only one logical conclusion: more guns, in Helsel added, “If someone can the hands of good people, on our provide a better last-ditch re- campuses. If you really want to sponse to an armed intruder prevent school shootings, there that’s trying to gain access to a classroom, Okay, seriously, let me get to the point here rocks, or a couple of toy baseball bats, to fend are a variety of options that fit this very bill, then I would be open to any idea.” I can think (though this piece pretty much writes itself): off an adult with a semiautomatic weapon is and each, while not perfect, puts more guns of a few. are you actually serious with this? Have we absolute LUNACY? For our sake – and for in the right place, in the right hands; and But wait, hold on, it gets even better. gotten to the point where we’d rather be the sake of every child, staff, and teacher at each, without any shadow of a doubt, will politically correct than have our children be our schools – I hope we can. At the end of do a better job of preventing a killer with a On April 2nd, Superintendent William Hall safe? Like, you’re telling me, all things con- the day, there are three things that can stop a weapon from doing harm at any school than of Millcreek School District in Erie, PA, had sidered, some version of having 10-20 armed person intent on harming others with a gun: will a bucket of rocks off in a corner, or a 600 18-inch mini baseball bats distributed to police officers at every elementary, middle, the person taking their own life, the person miniature baseball bat tucked away in a desk. classrooms and school offices, to be locked and high school campus – whether in class- running out of ammunition, or the person I’m not saying militarize our schools through up during the day and used in the event of an rooms, or immediately removed from stu- being killed by a third party. (Shocker, third and through. I’m just saying, when ludicrous armed attacker. According to Hall, the point dents in a faculty lounge area, or something grader with toy bat isn’t on the list.) In any attempts at gun control actually become law, of the bats was less about their actual efficacy in between – is LESS EFFECTIVE than sec- event, none of us want to rely on the gun- it’s time to wake up and come to our senses. in an altercation, and “more about the edu- ond graders armed with rocks? Have we gone man/woman killing themselves or running cational piece and that awareness – teach- insane? out of ammo, so we’re left with the third op- THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 THE STATESMAN PAGE 9 DON’T BE A TEAM PLAYER: AGREEABLENESS IS HOLDING BACK YOUR CAREER

straight away, the agreeable person at times week and they understand that you had prob- disagreement. A prerequisite is to actually Janmiguel Gonzalez doesn’t even know what he wants because he lems at home. He says that both traits are know what you’re talking about. If you have Staff Writer is so used to living for others. If personality needed in an employer, but those that are been studying business and management plays a pivotal role in leadership capability, higher in agreeableness are more likely to for years and you know that your method then unsurprisingly, top managerial posi- be exploited. He continues, “if you want to for maximizing revenue is better than that of As the gender pay gap continues to be a tions aren’t meant for those who are con- hire someone to exploit productively, you your colleague, then don’t be afraid to speak hot-button topic for many of us who care flict-averse and hyper-cooperative. So, those hire middle-aged women who are hyper-con- up. Focus on personal development: read about discrimination and inequality, it’s im- that are more agreeable are less likely to re- scientious and who are agreeable because often, eat healthy, and take care of yourself. portant to recognize that the reason that the ceive a promotion, especially for positions in they’ll do everything, they won’t take credit Your confidence will rise, and so will your as- average working woman is earning less than upper management. Multivariate and univar- for it, and they won’t complain. And that’s sertiveness. Many men and women have also the average working man is not based entirely iate analysis in scholarly articles reveal that nasty, and it happens all the time.” found psychotherapy to be extremely useful on gender discrimination. There for everyday personal interactions is indeed historic discrimination and for this particular issue as that has handicapped women for well. There are many clinical psy- many decades, but women are chologists that offer assertiveness and have been making strides at training sessions in order to help astounding rates. Since the early others empower themselves. 1980s more women have been attending institutions of higher To tackle the issue of gender di- education than men. The gap versity in upper management, continues to increase as there are affirmative action policies and vir- now approximately 30% more tue signaling are not the answers. women than men enrolled in And no, calling a corporation college, and this number is pro- that has more men than women jected to be even higher in 2020. on their board “sexist” is not the Multiple studies also suggest solution either. You need to sup- that women in their twenties are ply those who want to succeed earning more than their male counterparts women tend to be, on average, more agree- with the education and truth necessary to do in the U.K. But why are only 5% of Fortune able than men, and that plays a considerable Now, being agreeable isn’t necessarily so. The truth is that part of the reason why 500 companies female? What’s preventing role in the average earnings gender gap. something that you should avoid at all times: the wage gap exists is because men tend to be them from further success? Obviously, there there are definitely instances where it may more assertive and disagreeable than women. are many factors that contribute to this dis- Canadian clinical psychologist and professor be advantageous to be conflict-averse, coop- If we really want to see more women in pow- crepancy but I want to focus on one of them: of psychology at the University of Toronto erative, and altruistic. But, if your goal is to er, we should encourage and teach women in agreeableness. Dr. Jordan B. Peterson has addressed the build a career, then it should be something to these situations to be more assertive. Some- issue by examining the differences between be wary of. times the truth is disagreeable, but we have to One who is agreeable is typically pleasing to those who are conscientious and those who acknowledge it in order to make a difference. the mind or senses of others, avoids conflict are agreeable. The former doesn’t care about One of the ways that you can help yourself religiously, prioritizes a group’s need over your feelings and pays attention only to your be less agreeable is by simply being more their own, and strives to make others’ lives level of productivity. If you underperform, honest with yourself and with others around more comfortable. The disagreeable person the latter will say that it’s understandable if you. That means speaking your mind even when asked what they want is able to tell you you underperformed because it was a rough when it has the potential to cause conflict or PAGE 10 THE STATESMAN THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018

RESTAURANT REVIEW: VICTOR CAFE Italian cuisine, a pinch of great vino, a tially in the ending credits of Rocky the waiting staff. In addition to being Chris Tremoglie tad of fresh Italian bread, add in some III as “Eye of the Tiger” is played. extremely courteous and very pleas- Staff Writer live opera music and—Presto!—you ant, they are immensely talented. have the fixings for the most uniquely Victor Café is a delightful experi- Each of the servers of Victor Café is enjoyable dining experience in Phila- ence! The ambiance is remarkable. trained in singing opera. They come Sylvester Stallone’s latest installment delphia. And for dessert, there’s the Decorated throughout the restaurant from all walks of life and vary from of the Rocky anthology, Creed 2, is added benefit of dining where scenes are paintings and pictures of singers, performers in music companies to being filmed in the Philadelphia area. for the movies Rocky Balboa and busts of composers above the bar, college students in music programs. The fictional character Every 20 minutes a different Rocky Balboa is as synon- server rings a bell and sings ymous with Philadelphia as an operatic song. During other cultural icons such my dinner, I experienced 4 as cheesesteaks, scrap- breathtaking performances. ple and the Liberty Bell. While I am hardly a fan of With a significant and cel- musicals or opera, I was hap- ebrated Italian-American py to recognize one of the population, South Phila- performances this evening, delphia has a plethora of the renowned song “Maria” local Italian restaurants to from Leonard Bernstein’s choose from that will leave West Side Story. your taste buds drooling. However, of all the delicious choices Creed were filmed. and old-fashioned red-checked ta- While the majority of people are available, only one restaurant will de- blecloths on wooden tables that give not opera fans, anyone can enjoy a liver phenomenal food, amazing live Seen in the last two installments of the sensation of an Italian restaurant once-in-a-lifetime experience at the entertainment with your meal and the Rocky anthology as the restau- in the early 20th century. Venture up Victor Café that is incomparable to the opportunity to dine on the set rant Balboa owns, Adrian’s—named to the second floor to find another that of any restaurant in the Philadel- of a Hollywood movie – and a Rocky after the protagonist’s deceased bar in the style of a speakeasy with phia area. Amazing food, dining on a movie to boot! wife—Victor Café was used for eclectic art and posh velvet furniture. movie set of Philadelphia’s beloved several crucial scenes in each of Rocky franchise with spectacular Yo Adrian, it’s Victor Café. Located those films. One of the most iconic An old axiom in opera opines, “it performances on a nightly basis, Vic- at 13th and Dickinson in Philadel- speeches in the entire Rocky fran- ain’t over until the fat lady sings.” tor Café is arguably Philadelphia’s phia. chise—“Life ain’t all sunshine and Well, she must have dined at Victor most precious jewel of the culinary rainbows…”—takes place outside the Café because in addition to the food world. You’ll depart the restaurant Victor Café is a quick Uber ride from venue. A movie prop still hangs in the being exquisite, the performances by with a full belly, lasting memories, Penn’s campus. It is the perfect rec- rear of the restaurant – the painting the staff can give any person a musical and who knows, maybe even an affin- ipe for a unique, great dining expe- of a sparring match between Apollo epiphany. The most delectable treat ity for a new genre of music. rience in South Philly. Scrumptious Creed and Rocky Balboa shown ini- of this restaurant is without a doubt THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 THE STATESMAN PAGE 11 ANALYZING STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE’S ISRAEL APARTHEID WEEK Toren Arginteanu el as a Jewish state, which should not that there was no political autonomy makes them colonizers; and further- be conflated with discrimination un- for Palestinians; the Zionists created more, an entirely separate group of Tech & Media Director less the author is willing to similarly a lot of it.” people should be held accountable condemn the Syrian Arab Republic, for their actions. This isn’t merely Students for Justice in Palestine are the Arab Republic of Egypt, or the Is- For historical context, the Hebron excusing bigotry - it’s using bigotry back out on Locust Walk for their lamic Republics of Afghanistan, Iran, massacre was a slaughtering of nearly as an excuse. annual Israel Apartheid Week. It’s Mauritania, or Pakistan. seventy Jews, many of whose families always productive to have a free ex- had been living there for centuries, Nor should it be forgotten that both change of ideas, especially when it Ajjit and SJP are also troubled by Is- by the Arab Muslim majority. Many of blaming Jews for their socioeconom- pertains to important geopolitical rael’s security barrier (the so-called these Jews had never lived in Europe, ic successes and fortunes (“privi- issues such as the fate of Palestinian “apartheid wall”) that reduced ter- had brown skin, and spoke Arabic. lege” in the modern leftist lexicon) refugees - perhaps the least fortunate rorist attacks by 90 percent and its Still, in the mind of SJP, these Jews and holding Jews collectively respon- group of people in the current world. military blockade of Gaza, whose should be held partially responsible sible were the exact anti-Semitic tac- ruling authority Hamas calls for the for their demise, because an entire- tics employed by the Nazis and oth- But in encountering SJP’s apartheid slaughter of all Jews and annually ly different group of Jews came from ers. wall or panel discussion featuring launches thousands of rockets at Is- Europe, and thus must have automat- a genocide advocate, one may have rael despite Israel’s unilateral with- ically been privileged: Students for Justice in Palestine found its members unwilling to speak drawal from the region. claim they want to have a productive to anyone who disagrees with them. “[Palestinians] didn’t have the same dialogue with the goal of improv- Or maybe that’s just me. Fortunately, SJP doesn’t want us to scrutinize political coordination as the early ing the lives of Palestinian refugees. SJP co-chair Ajjit Narayanan penned Israel with the same critical lens as Zionists, [who] were coming into a Unfortunately, this cannot happen a guest column in the Daily Pennsyl- other nations; SJP wants us to focus European-controlled area, and they while they continue to fling absurdly vanian clarifying the group’s stance. our lens on Israel and ignore even its knew the European models.” hyperbolic rhetoric, selectively ig- closest neighbors. nore the actions of other countries Whether the state of Israel consti- It doesn’t matter that these so-called and groups that are contributing to tutes apartheid is too ridiculous to Ajjit assures readers that “Our events European Jews were themselves be- the refugee crisis, and hypocritically argue seriously. One would have to critique Israeli policies, not Judaism ing violently expelled from Europe slam Jews with textbook anti-Semitic distort the definition of apartheid or the Jewish community,” which for being racially inferior. The fact bigotry under the self-styled mantle beyond recognition, and then lie and would make sense if he didn’t shame- that they even came from Europe of social justice. misrepresent the situation. Still, Ajjit lessly conflate Judaism with Israel wants us to “scrutinize” Israel with a few paragraphs later. He refers to “the same critical lens as other na- Israeli settlements as “Jewish-on- tions,” so let’s do that. ly towns,” when a more accurate description would be “Israeli-only In her guest column in the DP, Ari- towns,” since there is nothing pre- ela Stein correctly points out that venting non-Jewish Israelis from set- Arabs and Jews in Israel shop in the tling there. same stores, receive care at the same hospitals, and serve in the Israeli mil- Evidently, SJP’s events also inspired itary, parliament, and supreme court a sympathizer to post a meme on side by side. On the other hand, our facebook page depicting himself Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are wishing his “Jewish friends” (not prevented by law from pursuing ca- “Israeli friends”) a “happy Passover” reers in medicine, engineering, and while setting them ablaze with fiery law. Palestinians and other ethnic mi- breath, in a “[shout-out to] Israeli norities also face legal discrimination Apartheid Week 2018.” See photo in Egypt, where labor laws actually on the right. restrict the salaries and amount of jobs that can be offered to foreigners. SJP would like to have it both ways, (These are but two examples - I en- claiming that attacking Israel as a courage you to read Ariela’s column political entity is not necessarily an- for more.) ti-Semitic (which is fair), but also that Jews are a privileged lot who should For his part, Ajjit provides a list of 35 be forced to answer for Israel’s ac- Israeli laws he doesn’t like, but none tions whether or not they live there of which are actually discriminatory. or agree with them. Read all 35 - none of them mention Palestinians or legalize taking any ac- Case in point, when I went to the tion against a person due to religion Apartheid wall event, I was treated to or ethnicity. Most of the laws in ques- this doozy: tion constitute heightened security or counterterrorism measures (un- “[The 1929 Hebron Massacre] was derstandable in a nation that experi- largely influenced … by the displace- ences upwards of 14 terrorist attacks ment that was happening because of per month on average), which a Pal- Zionist immigration ... the way that estinian rights group argues could be they were doing that was displacing abused by law enforcement to target a lot of people. That’s what created Palestinians. Other laws refer to Isra- the frustration, along with the fact PAGE 12 THE STATESMAN THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2018 MY LAST COLUMN FOR THE STATESMAN Maria Biery do so after I move my tassel to the left in May. fabric of the Penn community. It was too im- September, I take with me the skills I have portant to only give fifty percent. acquired at my internships, the connections Staff Writer Letting go of it is like losing a part of myself. But, on an individual level, being editor I have made through this network of conser- changed, and made me into, the person I vatives, and the ideas and values I hold dear I was a shy and confused freshman back in No, it’s not just sentimentality kicking in, am today. I gained a confidence I never had that make me who I am. the spring of 2014 walking around the activ- and I can prove it. growing up. I could finally speak in front of ity fair in Houston Hall trying to find a club, a room full of people without feeling like my CN is to thank for that. any club, that even semi-piqued my interest. This essay is a reflection on how this organi- heart was going to beat out of my chest. I The idea in my head of what college would be zation has personally shaped and guided me, learned invaluable leadership qualities that I *** like came crumbling down that first fall. Ev- but it is also a tribute to its existence. It’s a take with me wherever I go. I became a better erything I thought I knew about myself, and thank you note to the staff, the founders, the editor and writer. I figured out how to com- And here comes the hardest part. all the plans I made, didn’t seem to fit any- supporters, the donors, and to the paper for municate with people effectively—those who more. I was lost. Little did I know, though, what it has taught me. liked me and those who disliked me. I could I want to thank all of The Statesman staff and that while I was wandering, trying to find my go on, but I think the picture is clear. board members—my friends, or, better put, place, I would find my small dysfunctional family. The Statesman. Last year, I went back to my high school to Especially Daniel, Eric, and Dominic, the “Hi! Are you inter- talk to juniors about three of you have carried on what I started, ested in learning the college admis- and, frankly, you have exceeded every goal about my group?” sions process and that I had for this paper all in the time I have the boy, who I would choosing the right been here at Penn. That’s no small thing, later find out was school. Teachers I and it means everything to me that you have named Praneeth, had couldn’t believe grown to care about this as much as I do. I said as he stopped that I, the girl who know that when I leave, this paper will be me in my tracks. I guess I’ll start here. never raised her hand more than okay, and that’s all I ever wanted. in class, let alone got on stage, volunteered “Uh, sure, what is it?” I asked. *** to put myself out there. They said I was dif- I could say how every member of The States- ferent. man has touched my life in some way, how “We’re a political magazine called The The anecdote at the beginning was the start they have grown or how they’ve made me Statesman. We tend to lean center-right, of the long, winding road I travelled with The I had confidence. laugh, but to save some space I’ll try to sum conservative.” Statesman, but if it was not for the found- up. ers—Aidan McConnell, Nicholas Zarra, and I owe that to The Statesman. “Oh!” I said in surprise as he handed me a Dillon Weber—the paper would not be here I’ll cherish the moments where I’ve bursted copy of a sleek magazine that read “Rearm- today. *** out laughing in a quiet classroom because ing the Archipelago.” of a funny group chat conversation, and the Everything about my life would be so differ- With being editor, and otherwise being nights we’ve spent talking in my room un- “Sure, I’ll sign up,” I said. ent. It’s hard to think about the big “what involved with The Statesman, I was given til four a.m., and the legendary stories that if.” What if there wasn’t a place for a con- countless life-changing opportunities by get told over and over again, and our weekly I went to the first meeting. I was the only new servative student, one who might feel isolat- our non-profit affiliate group, the Collegiate meetings where it seems ideas are endless, person to show up, and there were barely ed and out of place, to go to every week to Network (CN), that have lead me to the ca- and the roadtrips to Pittsburgh and Delaware five people in the Huntsman room that was be around like-minded people, even if just reer path that I am on today. and D.C. and Connecticut, trying not to lose too large for a gathering of that size. They for an hour? What if students never got the anyone along the way, and all the memories couldn’t believe they actually got someone chance to hear a viewpoint that didn’t match I went to my first CN conference the summer we’ve made over plates full of Chinese food. to come. Joe, the editor that I would even- their own? What if someone was forced to after my freshman year, and it was where I tually succeed, tried his best to make me feel keep silent on an issue they deeply cared discovered that I wanted to be a journalist. We’ve gone through some tough times, but welcome, but I still felt awkward as everyone about because they didn’t feel that any group the good strongly outweigh the bad in my stared at me throughout the PowerPoint pre- on campus would accept their take? That realization, when you find what it is you mind. sentation trying to gauge my reactions. want to do, what you were meant to do, is in- The creation of this paper has given me, and describable. You all have made my college experience so They probably thought I wouldn’t come those like me, a place here at Penn, and, af- much better, and I’m not sure what I would back. ter five years now of existence, it continues And CN’s guidance didn’t stop there at that have done without you. You’re all going to to provide a home for intellectually curious conference that gave my life, and time in go on to do amazing things, and I can’t wait I kept going to meetings every week, though. conservative and libertarian students. college, direction. They helped me get two to hear about them. I stayed silent in the back of the Lippincott internships—one after my sophomore year room. Everyone seemed to be friends al- To Aidan, Nick, and Thank you for being a part ready. I was the only freshman. I didn’t write Dillon, I want to say, on of my journey and thank the entire semester, afraid that my opinions behalf of all of us at The you for letting me be a weren’t well-formed enough yet, and afraid Statesman, how grateful small part of yours. of the ridicule I might face if I didn’t come we are to the three of off conservative enough to these people or, you. Thank you. *** worse, too conservative to the rest of the Penn community. *** To close off this opus, I want to offer one piece of I look back now, and I question why I stayed. I became editor-in-chief advice. of The Statesman in the spring of my soph- and one after my junior year—at conservative Sometimes we don’t know why we do certain omore year. At that point, we were still media outlets that provided me with the nec- I meet and see so many people who are afraid things. Only time brings clarity. functioning as a political magazine, and we essary experience to land a job in journalism. of telling others what they really think. Like hadn’t gone to print or updated our website They’ve connected me with amazing people, me at one point, they are afraid of the ridi- But things ... they always happen for a rea- in months. People had stopped coming to with some of whom I have developed close cule or social implications involved with son. meetings, and I had slowly watched one of relationships and lasting friendships. They coming out about who they are. the few things I had come to care about at have challenged me intellectually on innu- *** Penn disappear. merable occasions and have given me the My advice: Just do it. tools to figure out why it is I believe what I To even begin to explain what The Statesman When I became editor, I had so many goals, believe. They’ve always been there to start a There’s no sense in pretending, and you’ll has meant to me these past four years has me but the main thing I wanted was for us to be- conversation, never to dictate a mantra. find that most people are pretty open-mind- at a loss for words. I don’t know where to be- come a daily newspaper with a conservative ed, and, you know what, those who aren’t gin. My notes are a jumbled mess of how this opinion section. The staff at the Intercollegiate Studies Insti- aren’t worth your time anyway. Don’t go paper has impacted my life, and I realize that tute (the parent non-profit of CN that seeks through your time at Penn hiding. it truly has been my life in college. The experience I had trying to achieve this to spread conservative thought on college goal was one of the most rewarding and campuses) have treated me with the utmost Because it’s so much better to find people Every senior has to let go. The friendships stressful times of my life. I’m not going to respect, and have supported me in all my like you. and relationships and memories you make at lie: my grades took a hit that semester. But I endeavours with The Statesman and profes- Penn, or anywhere else, construct a key part was so invested in making something of The sionally. I can’t even begin to thank them. Be brave. Be a statesman. of the adult you become. The Statesman, for Statesman that I hardly noticed. I knew this me, though, has touched every aspect of the paper would continue on long after I grad- As I move on to this With love, life I’ve lived in college and it will continue to uated. I believed in its purpose in the larger summer and to my fellowship with CN in Maria Biery, The Statesman Class of 2018