THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF TUFTS UNIVERSITY EST. 1980 THE TUFTS DAILY VOLUME LXXX, ISSUE 11
MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, MASS. Wednesday, September 30, 2020 tuftsdaily.com Tisch College hosts lunch with White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor
YAGMUR SIMSEK / THE TUFTS DAILY Yamiche Alcindor and moderator Neal Shapiro are pictured during a virtual Civic Life Lunch hosted by Tisch College titled ‘Asking Truth From Power: Reporting on the Trump White House’on Tuesday, Sept. 29. by Alicia Zou Alcindor and the moderator for the event, especially with the upcoming U.S. presi- She also explained the importance of Staff Writer Neal Shapiro, CEO of WNET, the largest dential election. civil rights in shaping her interest in jour- public media station in the country. “It’s no secret that President Trump has nalism. She noted the impact of Emmett Yamiche Alcindor, PBS NewsHour Shapiro began the conversation by ask- struggled more with support with African Till’s mother placing her son’s disfigured White House correspondent, spoke to the ing Alcindor about the difficulties of being American voters … but there are still a lot face in an open casket on the cover of a Tufts community on Sept. 29, in the sec- a White House correspondent. of African Americans looking at the Biden/ magazine in connection to her under- ond virtual Civic Life Lunch hosted by the Alcindor recognized the drastic chang- Harris ticket and saying: What exactly are standing of America. Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life. es reporting has undergone during the your plans for me?” Alcindor said. “I’ve “It solidified for me that America has Alan Solomont, dean of Tisch College, COVID-19 pandemic and her decision been really focusing on making sure that real deep flaws, and that we need to be shared opening remarks, and Julie to turn to the foundations of journalism my role is to bring all of those questions focused on those flaws … and … on under- Dobrow, senior fellow for media and civic while maintaining accountability. She also and all of that meaningfulness and resolve engagement at Tisch College, introduced addressed the significance of her role, to the job.” see LUNCH, page 2 Office of Campus Life launches JumboLife, new student engagement platform by Sara Renkert “With 340+ student organiza- News Editor tions with hundreds of events per year, we hoped to be able to bet- The Office of Campus Life ter support student organization (OCL) recently announced the management through an engag- launch of JumboLife, a student ing, easy to navigate platform, engagement platform that is such as roster management, a center for student organiza- training, tools for promotion and tion activity, events and study recruitment, event registration, space reservations. The Student and more,” he said. Organization Fair was held Organization leaders can through the platform last month. also customize their club’s event John Wescott, associate direc- details through JumboLife to tor for campus life and program- accommodate their group’s ming, explained that the tran- application-based processes as sition to JumboLife was not in well as host private events. response to COVID-19, but was “It used to be confusing and rather the result of ongoing difficult to piece together all the reviews of campus engagement resources you may need for an platforms. event — from the space reserva- “[There was] a full student tion to the facilities setup, cater- review of the JumboLife platform ing, TuftsTickets or adding it to in 2018, so this was not a specific the Student Life and OCL Student response to COVID-19, though Organization calendars. Now, all ANN MARIE BURKE / THE TUFTS DAILY the pandemic certainly helped us of that information is collected in President’s Lawn is pictured on Sept. 6. understand the need for strong this one form,” he said. virtual management tools rather Some other benefits to the JumboLife was also used to OCL] really gave too much of a “[A club member] told us than our tradition [of] in-per- program include financial man- host Undergraduate Orientation. background about [it],” she said. that she had to submit it for son meetings or paper forms,” agement tools. Student organi- Rachel Wang, a student chapter Wang also explained that her approval to the OCL … just lit- he wrote in an email to the Daily. zations no longer have to wait director for Strong Women, Strong organization’s banner was inad- tle things that [are] taking … Wescott also outlined the in line at the Tufts Community Girls, said it was challenging to get equately shown on the platform. an increased amount of time,” ways in which the platform Union Treasury office hours or accustomed to the platform. The club later had to receive she said. could increase productivity Campus Life Financial Office, “[JumboLife] was a little bit approval from the OCL in order within the OCL. according to Wescott. confusing … it didn’t feel like [the to fix the issue. see JUMBOLIFE, page 2
NEWS 1 ARTS / page 4 FEATURES / page 3 SPORTS / back FEATURES 3 Anna von Hausswolff Bokoff speaks on NFL teams off to ARTS & POP CULTURE 4 breaks with previous community engagement, a rocky start, struggle FUN & GAMES 6 conventions with philanthropy with defense OPINION 8 new album SPORTS BACK 2 THE TUFTS DAILY | News | Wednesday, September 30, 2020 tuftsdaily.com THE TUFTS DAILY Alcindor describes key role of journalists in light of Alex Viveros Editor in Chief November election EDITORIAL Rebecca Barker LUNCH “I think that we are all one ly present counter-evidence for emphasized the phrasing in how Hannah Harris continued from page 1 supporting each other, but also, what the president says. She she reports. Managing Editors standing what it means that we we understand that doing this responded by indicating that “I think the way I deal with Jake Freudberg Associate Editors say we are going to treat everyone job in 2020 is really chronicling part of journalism is to present objectivity is to be fair but not to Jilly Rolnick equally but don’t,” Alcindor said. life and death and asking ques- all evidence. give false equivalences, so when I Alejandra Carrillo Executive News Editor Maddie Aitken Deputy News Editor In response to Shapiro’s ques- tions that are literally life and “The president constantly report on climate change, I don’t Jess Blough News Editors Tom Guan tion on working with a presi- death for so many Americans,” is beating up on mail-in vot- say, well, one person thinks it’s Liza Harris dent who singles out reporters, Alcindor said. ing, constantly saying it’s full not true and the other thinks it is. Alex Janoff Matt McGovern Alcindor discussed her greater Shapiro also asked about the of fraud and I constantly, every What I say is the overwhelming Sara Renkert Sarah Sandlow duty as a journalist. challenges a reporter faces when single time I record it, say he science shows that the climate is Anton Shenk Carolina Espinal Assistant News Editors “When I think about my the president and his supporters has no evidence,” Alcindor said. changing,” Alcindor said. Sam Klugherz back and forth with the presi- fail to agree on the scientific “We asked the White House con- Katrina Moore, director of the Alexander Thompson dent, because I never get person- facts regarding COVID-19. stantly for evidence because I Africana Center, asked Alcindor Ryan Shaffer Executive Features Editor Sid Anand Features Editors al, because I really do think that “I’m constantly having think if there was evidence for if she could share with students Amelia Becker there [are] so many Americans to explain to people that this mass voter fraud, I would want to how she has maintained hope in Jillian Collins Claire Fraise that are vulnerable and are scared, president is saying two differ- report on it.” the current environment. Evelyn McClure Kayla Butera Assistant Features Editor and that have lost their jobs, that ent things but the scientists are The webinar then opened to “I think I maintain that sense
Megan Szostak Executive Arts Editor deserve someone that is there to saying we should take this very, questions from attendees. One by taking care of myself and by Devina Bhalla Arts Editors Ryan Eggers be their representative,” she said. very seriously,” Alcindor said. “I student questioned how Alcindor naming when I’m not having a Steph Hoechst After Shapiro asked about the hope that in our reporting, that can remain objective, even when good day,” Alcindor said. “If you Tuna Margalit Chris Panella sense of comradery among the it comes off not as adversarial, one of the arguments is untrue don’t allow yourself to just feel Yas Salon Elizabeth Sander White House press corps in the but that we are trying to keep or racist. your feelings … you will eventu- Colette Smith current administration, Alcindor people safe.” Alcindor drew attention to ally have to confront them and it Rebecca Tang Geoff Tobia mentioned that journalists are Shapiro asked Alcindor if the importance of that ques- will be in a way that might lead to Drew Weisberg Assistant Arts Editor working together to seek the truth. she feels the need to constant- tion for current journalists. She a nervous breakdown.” Liz Shelbred Executive Opinion Editor Priya Padhye Senior Editorialists Paloma Delgado Amulya Mutnuri Student leaders express concern over virtual platform Mike Wilkinson Caroline Wolinsky Milli Lu Editorialists JUMBOLIFE the organizations to manage gramming and strengthening positive hopes for the future of Emily Nadler continued from page 1 Julia Baroni Editorial Cartoonists their group. JumboLife does community while not over- the platform. Carys Kong Upon inquiring about this so much more than Facebook whelming people with more “We know that there have Annabel Nied Valeria Velasquez feedback with Wescott, he pages or events could ever,” screen time. Because clubs are been some hiccups with the Juju Zweifach explained that it is the purpose Wescott said. not accustomed to JumboLife, onboard process, as we’d expect Sruthi Kocherlakota Executive Sports Editor Tim Chiang Sports Editors of JumboLife to replace the old Another concern raised by I’m curious how much the plat- with any new system, includ- Matt Goguen means of student engagement or student organization leaders form will become a central part ing slow loading pages. We’re Jeremy Goldstein Aiden Herrod connection and enhance these was navigating a lack of com- of club operations,” Haruka actively working with the vendor, Pranav Jain Ananda Kao processes. munity within clubs as a result Noishiki, founder of Women in Presence, that manages the plat- Delaney Tantillo Arpan Barua Assistant Sports Editors “We don’t anticipate (or of hosting events in an online International Relations, wrote in form and providing all feedback, Jacob Dreyer want) JumboLife to replace platform. an email to the Daily. the good and bad, to ensure it’s Henry Gorelik Ethan Ling [Facebook] pages or events, “My concern for this year Wescott ensured issues would the best possible experience for Arnav Sacheti Alex Sharp but to be an added resource for is providing meaningful pro- be resolved in due time and has our students,” Wescott said. Eric Spencer Austin Clementi Executive Investigative Editor Arlo Moore-Bloom Executive Audio Editor Anne Marie Burke Executive Photo Editors Nicole Garay Aidan Chang Staff Photographers Patrick Milewski Menqi Irina Wang
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tuftsdaily Please recycle this tuftsdaily newspaper! Features 3 tuftsdaily.com Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Alumni Interview: Jen Bokoff finds balance in philanthropy by Sam Russo people behind the issues that we took the Experimental College ent times that are being used by generalist named Jen” — where Outreach Coordinator were talking about.” class Experimenting with a different array of people than she is able to delve deeper into Bokoff just began a new job as Philanthropy. The class instilled what I might be exposed to,” she the topics that interest her. These As the Tufts student body was the director of development for in her a sense of the “power that said. “It’s about proactively seek- range from social justice and hunkering down for a cold night the Disability Rights Advocacy money holds” and inspired her to ing out people who are going to philanthropy to board games one winter, Jen Bokoff (LA’08) was Fund, a global non-profit that, pursue a career in philanthropy. think a little bit differently.” and self-care. In nearly any post, thinking about how the home- according to its website, “empow- This notion, along with a Bokoff also uses Twitter to though, Bokoff emphasizes the less people she volunteered with ers persons with disabilities to strong belief that Tufts is shaping field questions that she knows importance of self-reflection and would be spending the freezing advocate for equal rights and full the next generation of leaders, will elicit different answers “for thinking about one’s goals. night. Rather than waiting to participation in society.” compelled Bokoff to volunteer the point of engaging.” As a more One of her favorite tools for find out until morning or the In considering career — and on behalf of Tufts in alumni rela- trite example, she recently asked doing this is thinking of a “high- next time she saw them, Bokoff other — choices, she weighs a tions, at first as part of a group her followers when they use the light, lowlight and insight” at the invited one of her clients into careful balance of pragmatism dedicated especially to fundrais- word “utilize,” a word which she end of a busy day, a sort of spinoff Harleston Hall’s basement and and idealism, assessing both the ing from younger members of the didn’t see as being very useful. of the more popular “rose, bud, gave him shelter for the night. contextual experience of a job Tufts alumni network. Today, she Their responses prompted her to thorn” exercise. In fact, Bokoff Since then, Bokoff has not (“Is it remote or in an office? serves on the Alumni Council’s reconsider her take. used to arrange her note-taking stopped doing what she can to What’s the meeting culture? executive committee and is Just as her social media use around that. make the world more just, but What’s the leadership like?”) as co-chairing a strategic plan- exposes her to new ideas, Bokoff “For years, I sat with specif- her perspective has changed well as help alleviate many of the ning committee focused around also finds new relationships ically those three colors [corre- after a decade working in philan- problems she sees in the world. increasing access to the alumni through it. She recently recon- sponding with a rose, a bud and thropy. To this end, Bokoff thinks network’s various offerings. nected with an old classmate a thorn] of sticky notes, and that “I learned through that expe- about how her work in one phil- More broadly, Bokoff uses whose political views she dis- is how I took notes during the rience that casework and stuff anthropic field can impact other social media as an antidote to agreed with after he commented week, which was a little extra, dealing with life or death like in areas, too. many of the problems it can cre- on one of her social media posts, even for me, so I stopped that a given moment in time is not “I was actually just writing a ate for others. Rather than allow- and she has seen relationships practice,” she said. something I do well with,” Bokoff grant proposal about how we’re ing it to become an echo cham- from Twitter bloom into real-life In a sense, those sticky notes said. “I’m not really comfort- looking at intersections with ber, she consciously works to connections. For example, her embody the balance that Bokoff able saying ‘Bye, have fun on the gender, sexual orientation, race make her feed a mixture of many “accountability buddy,” who constantly strives for, balancing street tonight.’ I’m someone that and how the intersectionality of different viewpoints. helps her stay on track with her work with self-care and social crosses lines and tries to help identities actually can make you “I intentionally follow people goals, is someone she met online media’s positive and negative with whatever person I can … more marginalized within the who I admire, people who I don’t 10 years ago. components. Bokoff signed off Homelessness and gun violence, disability community,” she said. admire but who are influential Running parallel to the brief with a bit of career advice. for me, will always be important “I like that about where I work.” [and] news publications from comments and 280 character “It’s really about figuring out issues,” she said. “But to [work For Bokoff, the path to philan- all sides and in different geog- posts of Bokoff’s social media how you want to be spending in those fields] every day would thropy in general and fund- raphies, [people with] different is her recently reignited blog, your time and then how can you not optimize my energy because raising in particular began in identities in all forms. I’ll read up the “Jeneralist” — which she leverage your strengths to still I would get too attached to the a Tufts classroom, where she on different hashtags at differ- describes as “a blog of lists by a make a difference,” she said. 4 AARTSrts & POPPop CUCuLTltUuREre Wednesday, September 30, 2020 tuftsdaily.com The stunning (and scary) beauty behind ‘All Thoughts Fly’ by Geoff Tobia Jr. remaining minute of the song, Arts Editor almost like a whining that fades to a whimper. Until “Entering” Life is more exciting when you comes on, which is a truly terri- actively search out for different fying two-minute moment on the things. Uncharted territory, the album. Every sound on here rides hidden gem, the road less taken. a fine line between sounding nat- Applying this analogy to music, ural and artificial, making it the it’s likely that the beautifully ter- most unsettling two minutes of rifying neoclassical dark wave the album. genre could serve as one new “All Thoughts Fly” is the lon- place to explore. gest track on the album, led by To get a taste of neoclassical a repeating melody in the mid dark wave, Anna von Hausswolff and high-end range of the organ. is the best place to start. While At around the five-minute mark, her music can be classified or the quick change in pace for the categorized in numerous other synths and organ gives a sense of ways, von Hausswolff definite- rejuvenation to the listener. It’s ly blends classical and darker, as if rays of sunlight are peeking drone-like elements into her through a dark and dusty room. compositions. The Swedish com- Then eight minutes in, the synths poser and songwriter has made start to slow down, but increase in significant waves in drone music volume, as a heavier bass comes and gothic-inspired music for in, shaking the orchestration like over a decade, with projects like an earthquake. This track con- “Ceremony” (2012) and “Dead cludes on a calmer note. Magic” (2018). Cuts like “The Despite this relieving conclu- Truth, The Glow, The Fall” (2018) sion, it’s not until “Outside the represent her artistic styles and Gate (for Bruna)” when we see a abilities, both of which are to be more sincere and tranquil fina- admired by listeners and fellow le for the album. The underlying musicians. tone for the song is new. It’s not Through Southern Lord like there’s a sense of peace neces- Records, von Hausswolff was sarily, as von Hausswolff definitely able to release her latest project left some elements intentionally
“All Thoughts Fly” (2020). As she VIA SPOTIFY in suspense. There’s a new feeling shared on Instagram, the album The album cover for ‘All Thoughts Fly’ (2020) by Anna von Hausswolff is pictured. of hope in the flute-like tone and was made during the COVID-19 the lower-end chord progression, pandemic. This album is vastly ends of the organ play a cool chills us to the bone; the sounds track becomes a cacophony. but something about it makes the different from “Dead Magic” in back-and-forth pattern, and it all feel like a suspenseful moment Moments like these are extremely listener feel like a storm is still the sense that von Hausswolff feels like you’re in a cathedral in in a horror movie. pleasant reminders of how well coming. doesn’t feature any of her vocals the middle of a dark forest. The This tone continues in “Sacro von Hausswolff can mesh sounds One underlying tone persists on the songs, nor is there any constant panning effect seems Bosco” in which more panned together. throughout the project, yet so percussion. So, this album basi- to personify each of the tones in noise kicks off the track, then This mesh of sounds also leads many different visuals can be pic- cally focuses on and showcases this pattern, almost like different a new bass tone that also trav- to desired effects for emotions, tured while listening. In her own her musicianship, and as it turns animals, or presences, coming els from left to right repeated- like on the following “Persefone.” words, this album is about “the out, it does so very well. from all directions in this dark ly. Some organ/flute-like combo The typical bass and organ play importance of sharing for surviv- “Theatre of Nature” is von forest. pops in and out, and one tone a more somber song with a chord ing, creating space and evolving. Hausswolff’s way of introduc- Next is “Dolore di Orsini” in borders bagpipe territory. The progression that never reaches Once you’ve shared your words ing us to this project, and it’s a which we’re greeted by another track becomes very busy, but it’s a happy conclusion. The synths, they are not only yours anymore.” very fitting song name. She starts organ with an accompanying definitely an organized mess. It bass and organ, all get louder and The pipe organ serves as your only off with some cool sounds from bass tone that nearly mimics an sounds like hundreds of tones are heavier as the song goes on, but friend throughout this experience, one of her favorite instruments: upright bass. A viola eventually layering on top of one another. It’s everything seems more like a des- as von Hausswolff’s arrangements the pipe organ. With dreamy joins in to create more eerie tones. hard to keep track of all of them perate cry for help than a buildup behave like a guiding force, bring- synth-like effects, everything is Nothing seems unexplainable at the same time, but nothing to some grand ending. The higher ing you to places, unlike anything drenched in reverb. Different here musically, but the timbre is too distracting that the whole synths and organ ring out for the you’ve seen before. A&P Wednesday, September 30, 2020 | Arts & Pop Culture | THE TUFTS DAILY 5
Julian Levy ‘The Devil All The Time’: everyone’s a sinner Keep the Cameras Rolling by Miranda Feinberg Contributing Writer A post-COVID With the temporary closure of in-per- son theaters, Netflix has released a world slew of original content over the past few (endless) months: most recently, or months, the COVID-19 pan- Antonio Campos’ thriller “The Devil All demic has brought the enter- the Time” (2020). The film, which stars tainment industry to its knees. big-name actors Tom Holland, Robert Production on most major Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska and Bill Fmovies and TV shows has had to cease Skarsgård, travels throughout space and entirely, and is only just now begin- time as it tells an intertwining ballad ning to restart. Some shows have had to of unholy human evils. With each story delay their subsequent seasons, while comes tales of woe, death, terror, reli- others have turned to creative meth- gious ecstasy and, above all, sin. The sto- ods to complete in progress runs. “The ries are all connected, and throughout Blacklist” (2013–), as an example, some- the film the overarching narrator, voiced what comically, had half of its season by the source novel’s author Donald Ray finale animated without the ability to Pollock, comments on each one, giving shoot on-set. But once the current sea- intimate insight into the connections son of a show ends, and it comes time to and characters. While the film is effec- brainstorm ideas for its next episodes, tive at portraying sin, it falls flat in its how will COVID-19 factor in? attempts to delve into the psyche and Production delays will happen and meaning within each sinful act. Despite social distancing guidelines and mask the aching depictions of hopelessness wearing will be adopted by basically any- and melancholy, the heavy-handedness one not in front of the camera, but that’s of the theme detracts from the film’s not what I’m getting at. How will the message and its attempts at philosoph- actual content of the shows be affected? ical introspection. There are three possible ways that this The film is dark and dim, with themes could manifest. of turmoil and human destruction con- Consciously or unconsciously, the stantly being emphasized. The narrator zeitgeist of living in a world with COVID- opens the film by pointing out how the 19 could influence television and movies two main towns of Knockemstiff, Ohio thematically. Anxiety and frustration due — the name a not-so-subtle nod to the to long-lasting lockdowns, and resent- town’s violence — and Coal Creek, W. ment toward a government that has mis- Va. blend into the backdrop of rural handled its response to the disease will America. The evil that is portrayed is not have an impact on the way screenwriters some special specific evil but is instead a everywhere see the world, and how they universal human one. The two towns are characterize it. like any other town; the people there are It’s also interesting to think about just like any other people. The idea that whether COVID-19 will even exist in these humans are inherently evil comes up continuities. For some shows, especial- VIA IMDB time and time again throughout the film. A promotional poster for ‘The Devil All the Time’ (2020) is pictured. ly those dealing with government, reli- Acts of violence and depravity are gion, or healthcare, it would make sense the checkpoints throughout this film, esting enough to pull you in, but are The film has a star-studded cast who all to incorporate how the pandemic has yet the different situations shown are hollowed out and remain greatly unex- give solid performances. Though the film affected these complex institutions. But, what makes the film entertaining and plored by the film’s end. is set in the American country, a number for shows that more often lean toward exciting. Whether it is an act of pure psy- Cinematographically, “The Devil All of members of the cast are European or lighthearted comedy, it would be an chopathy, an act of revenge, a religious The Time” is light and clear, and show- Australian — the accents, however, are incredibly difficult task to acknowledge lament or an attempt at salvation, each cases vivid greens and deep browns; wonderfully believable. Robert Pattinson that COVID-19 exists without it having fold in the story is tense and interesting. juxtapositions of light imagery and in particular, who plays a character from major implications on tonal consistency. Furthermore, the violence is cyclic. It dark motivic content are common. Tennessee, gives an unhinged perfor- Perhaps most interestingly, will these builds upon itself and spreads, it trickles The music included also added much mance that has sparked dense twitter dis- movies and shows branch off into a weird down into following generations. to the film; the soundtrack, primarily course over whether his accent is absurd alternate reality where the pandemic has While the connection and the thrills consisting of folk and country music, and crazy or assured and fantastic. never happened? Words like “Zoom calls,” are tragically portrayed, much of the added so much life to each scene. The Overall, “The Devil All the Time” is an “social distancing” and “anti-maskers” film is very shallow, and never manages costumes and hair were great at bring- entertaining watch. Despite a semi-hol- would no longer be a part of the vernac- to delve into the philosophical explana- ing the time period and the stories to low tone and a mostly unsuccessful ular. The idea of “remote learning” would tions for the immorality seen in the film. life in subtle ways that made the char- grasp at depth, it is exciting and full of seem as impractical and foreign to them Ultimately, the main ideas are inter- acters feel very lived-in. thrills, twists and turns. as it did to us just months ago, and the daily anxieties of living in a pandemic needn’t be thought about. Realistically, how would major world events logical- ly diverge given the significant effect COVID-19 has had on the socio-politi- cal level? Would these realities account for how the lack of the pandemic might have affected something like the 2020 presidential election? If one small change has major consequences when examined across an entire country, the paradigm shift that COVID-19 has created would undoubtedly have to intertwine with many aspects of television shows set in the real world. Studios face a difficult and unenvi- able task going forward. COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on almost every aspect of our lives and will continue to at least influence them for years to come. There will be many approaches with varying levels of success, but the creativity used to reconcile the tragedy of the real world and the media that connects us is going to be absolutely fascinating.
Julian Levy is a first-year who has not yet declared a major. Julian can be reached at [email protected]. 6 THE TUFTS DAILY | Fun & Games | Wednesday, September 30, 2020 tuftsdaily.com LATE NIGHT AT THE DAILY F&G Rebecca: “If [Trump] brings up forest management one more time, I’m going to drink Jilly’s nail polish.” Fun & Games
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Caroline DePalma Philosophy in Focus Should we be here? hould we be here? The world is overwhelming. In trying to balance being an active, thoughtful citizen with maintain- Sing a certain level of sanity, it is helpful to turn to philosophers, who pondered over- whelming subjects regularly. Philosophy is a generally misunderstood field, and one that I knew almost nothing about, so I was quick to dismiss it. But with information thrown at us from every direction, trying to process it all is a Herculean task; I’m starting to think that having a way to break it down into more digestible pieces might not be such a bad idea. This week’s question examines whether we should be here at all, “here” being Tufts’ campus and the communities of Medford, Somerville and Boston, and “we” being those of us present in those communities. While not everyone has a ‘somewhere else’ that would be conducive to the intellectual curiosity that Tufts holds so dear, Tufts gave its students the choice to come to campus, and many took it. This brings us to the final piece of the question: “should.” A philosopher loves a “should” ques- tion. It hits deep in our ethical and moral judgements and leaves us making choic- es that we often understand but can’t explain. Every big name has a different method for addressing these questions and putting rhyme and reason to the gut reactions we all have to them. Today’s big name is Jeremy Bentham. He thought you could look at any action and quantify how much happiness it puts into the world versus how much pain. Any action whose happiness index outweighs the pain it creates will be considered good (the things we should do), and the opposite ones con- sidered bad (the ones we shouldn’t). While the logic is easy to follow, the conclusions may be difficult to reach. We can put Bentham’s idea to work on our original question: should we be here? First, the happiness index: we are offered time with friends, a beautiful cam- pus, in-person classes, more academic resources, proximity to the city and actual face time with professors and mentors, among other things. On the other hand, we risk getting sick and putting others in danger, we wear masks at all times and we plan our weeks around routine testing. Should we be here? “Should” is a tough word to answer definitely, and perhaps it’s still up for debate (and likely will be for a long time). I know I will feel better about the decision if I see Bentham satisfied, so I’ll try to throw some extra weight on the good side of the scale each day I’m allowed to be here. My advice to you? Take every- thing this campus has to offer you, and put it to use in those changes you’re already making in the world right now. As long as we wear our masks, respect our neighbor- Before anything else, we are all human. ing communities and socially distance, we It’s time to embrace diversity. are standing on the good side of the scale. Let’s put aside labels in the name of love.
Caroline Depalma is a first-year who has Rethink your bias at lovehasnolabels.com not yet declared a major. Caroline can be reached at [email protected]. The Tufts Daily is a nonprofit, independent newspaper, published Monday through Friday during the academic year, and distributed free to the Tufts community. The content of letters, advertisements, signed columns, cartoons and graphics does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Tufts Daily editorial board. EDITORIALS Editorials represent the position of The Tufts Daily. Individual editors are not necessarily responsible for, or in agreement with, the policies and editorials of The Tufts Daily. OP-EDS The Op-Ed section of The Tufts Daily, an open forum for campus editorial commentary, is printed Monday through Thursday. The Daily welcomes submissions from all members of the Tufts community; the opinions expressed in the Op-Ed section do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Daily itself. 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Final score: Buffalo Bills 35, Christen Press the Cincinnati Bengals. On Sunday, Wentz to make it 27–10. The game stayed that Los Angeles Rams 32. seemed to have disappeared, being thor- way, with the Chiefs consistency stifling Sam Darnold continues to prove how irst up this week is my favorite oughly outplayed by rookie Joe Burrow. any hope of a Raven comeback. Of note costly a mistake he was for the entire New striker, Christen Press. Even if The game went to overtime after Wentz was the difference in passing yards for York Jets organization with a near dis- you don’t follow women’s soccer, scrambled to find the end zone with less both teams as the two MVP quarterbacks graceful performance on Sunday. Playing you may be familiar with names than 20 seconds left in the game. In over- could not have had a more antithetical against a new-look Indianapolis Colts Flike Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and time, neither team could find the score- night. While Mahomes threw for a blud- team with first-year familiar Phillip Rivers Carli Lloyd. These three shined under board, resulting in a 23–23 tie, a damming geoning 385 yards, Jackson only finished at the helm, Darnold had only 168 passing former head coach Jill Ellis from 2014– and humiliating scoreline for a team with with a feeble 97. It was business as usual yards, with three interceptions to go along 19. But with Rapinoe and Lloyd’s loom- playoff aspirations. for the defending Super Bowl champi- with it. It was an awful game from start to ing retirements, Ellis’ exit and Morgan’s Finally, we move to America’s team, ons and a disappointing night for the finish, and this is once again shaping up to maternity leave, 2020 is absolutely the Dallas Cowboys. With a team load- Super Bowl aspirants of the Chesapeake be a dreadful season for both Jets players shaping up to be Press’ year. The depth ed with weapons and a roster seemingly Bay. Final score: Kansas City Chiefs 34, and fans. Final Score: Indianapolis Colts of strikers on the United States women’s devoid of any salary cap, they took the Baltimore Ravens 20. 36, New York Jets 7. national team (USWNT) is incredible, field against MVP front-runner Russell Other scores from around the NFL The Tennessee Titans have quietly which may help explain why it took Wilson and his Seattle Seahawks. With star The Los Angeles Rams traveled to the followed up on last season’s incredible so long for Press to enter the national running back Ezekiel Elliott running for near opposite corner of the country on run to the AFC championship, bouncing spotlight. But now that she’s here, CP23 only 34 yards, they relied on their aerial Sunday to play against a young and rising to a 3–0 start. They played a struggling is certainly making a lasting impact on prowess to win the game. However, this Buffalo Bills team. From the start, the Bills Minnesota Vikings team who continued the game. was not only matched by the Seahawks looked like they would blow out the Rams to make costly mistakes as talisman Kirk The 31-year-old striker hails from but surpassed, as Russell Wilson dropped as they went up 21–3 in the third quarter. Cousins threw two interceptions while California where she attended Stanford an inconceivable five touchdown passes. However, this is a Rams team with offen- running back Dalvin Cook had a fumble University. With 71 goals, she still holds Muddled in disappointment and disillu- sive firecrackers, and on its day, the team of his own. Derrick Henry continues to the title as the Cardinal’s all-time lead- sion, the Cowboys fell to the Seahawks by has the offensive capability to be one of plow through NFL teams as he had over ing goal scorer. She also went on to a score of 38–31. the best in the NFL. By the third quarter, 100 yards as the Titans squeezed out the win the 2010 Mac Hermann Trophy –– A battle of AFC royalty the Rams paid their homage to Drake’s victory. Final Score: Tennessee Titans 31, beating Alex Morgan for the award. Yet, Monday night saw the two previ- opening track on Scorpion and simply Minnesota Vikings 30. despite a successful college career, it ous MVPs, Lamar Jackson and Patrick flipped a switch. They scored 29 unan- In New England news, Cam Newton took until 2013 for her to finally earn her Mahomes, battle it out in a highly antici- swered points over the course of both the and his New England Patriots put up first cap (appearance) with the national pated matchup as the Kansas City Chiefs third and fourth quarters, putting them- numbers this weekend, scoring a mega team, and even then, her minutes were traveled to the Old Line State to play the selves up 32–28 late into the game. The 36 points while cruising to a 36–20 victo- still limited for the next several years. Baltimore Ravens. The game was akin to Bills had the ball with a minute left to ry over the Las Vegas Raiders. The game In many ways, one could describe her a seesaw in the first half. The teams went go, hoping that ascending quarterback was won on the ground as Tufts’ home- journey to the national team as a true back and forth with their explosive offens- Josh Allen could channel his former divi- town NFL team ran for 250 total yards. underdog story. es, trading field goals and a touchdown. sion rival Tom Brady and lead them to a Meanwhile, Tom Brady and his Tampa With two World Cup wins (2015, The game was perhaps at its closest when last-minute victory. The game looked up Bay Buccaneers eased their way to a 2019) under her belt, Christen Press returner Devin Duvernay of the Ravens, in the air as the Bills were marching, but 28–10 victory over the Denver Broncos. then spent the early half of 2020 scoring fresh from conceding a touchdown of their on a fourth and eight with 20 seconds to Brady had a monster game, passing for golazos for the USWNT in international own, took the kickoff 93 yards to the end go, a defensive pass interference on the nearly 300 yards and throwing three friendlies during the team’s quest to zone to make the game 13–10 in favor of Rams bore new life into the Bills as they touchdowns. Let’s hope we’re all this ath- Tokyo 2021. Something I’d say is quite the Chiefs. However, that was the closest it turned their impossible dream into a real- letic by age 43. unique to Press is her ability to score from outside the box. It’s clear that she has incredible vision and a power- Surprises in the MLB regular season will provide an ful strike because her goals are abso- lute wonders to witness. Under new exciting baseball playoffs head coach Vlatko Andonovski, Press has scored seven goals in eight appear- MLB face the St. Louis Cardinals tonight in good without the help of trashcan-bang- ances for the USWNT in 2020. One continued from page 10 their first game in the National League ing and inappropriate uses of technol- can only wonder how many more goals Finishing with the second-best record Wild Card Series. ogy? Either way, the team has a lot to she could have scored had the season in the National League, the San Diego Finally, a controversial team deserving prove going forward and will undoubt- resumed normally. With the COVID- Padres were an unexpected gem in the of discussion heading into the playoffs is edly continue to receive criticism unless 19 pandemic complicating many play- shortened season. A combination of none other than the Houston Astros. The they turn their performance around. The ers’ ability to play, she’s now head- young players such as shortstop Fernando Texas team — plagued by rumors, then Houston Astros finished the 2020 reg- ing to Manchester United with her Tatis Jr. and veterans like pitcher Mike proof, then investigations into cheating ular season with a 29–31 record and USWNT teammate Tobin Heath. This Clevinger provided a solid basis for the during their 2017 World Series run — had are playing the Minnesota Twins in the is the first time she’ll be playing for rest of the team. a disappointing season in comparison to American League Wild Card Series that an abroad team since 2018 when she Tatis Jr. ruffled feathers in a mid-Au- previous performances. Individual players began Tuesday. signed for Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC gust game against the Texas Rangers when such as Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa had While this year’s COVID-tainted base- in the Swedish Damallsvenskan league. he hit a grand slam in the eighth inning, significant dips in their batting averages, ball season was full of good and bad Considering the streak she was on in the increasing the Padres lead to 14–4. While and their inability to deliver in compari- surprises, the playoffs are sure to pro- beginning of the year, there is no doubt some players and managers complained son to previous seasons made many fans vide more entertainment and exciting that she will be making an impact the about the breaking of unwritten rules question their performance. moments for all teams. Hopefully, the moment she steps onto the pitch. and baseball etiquette, others were happy Did the mental struggle of being players and managers will stay safe and Unfortunately for U.S. fans, that to see the young player shine and earn caught cheating change the players’ healthy and make the 2020 World Series means we won’t be able to see her play a career-high seven RBI.The Padres will ability to play, or were they truly not one for the history books. in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) –– meaning we won’t be seeing Press’ golazos on national television anytime soon (the NWSL is hosting the Fall Series on CBS with games airing every Saturday in September to Oct. 17), but luckily we’ll still be able to watch her play on The FA Player, a free streaming platform which is self-de- scribed as the “home of women’s foot- ball.” Considering the number of footy players heading over to Europe –– Alex Morgan to Tottenham, Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle to Manchester City –– maybe Europe really does deserve the title –– at least for this year. Only time will tell, but in the meantime … pull up a chair, kick up your feet and let’s enjoy some women’s soccer.
Nicole Setow is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. Nicole can be reached at [email protected]. 10 Sports Wednesday, September 30, 2020 tuftsdaily.com NFL Week 3 recap: Recap of the MLB 2020 season and A Defensive Nightmare playoff preview by Arpan Barua next Bears drive saw a miracu- Staff Writer lous Allen Robinson touchdown, and with over four minutes to The third week of this ever so go, Foles and the Bears turned odd NFL season had one cen- the game around and were only tral theme to it, and that was its down by three. More offensive lack of defensive structure, com- apathy from Matt Ryan and the mitment and consistency. This Falcons meant that Foles had a Sunday, nearly every losing team chance to win the game, which conceded more than 30 points, a they did, scoring a touchdown on statistic that will give defensive their third drive in a row. In total, coordinators around the country it was a 20-point fourth quarter, Herculean headaches. Indeed, it and in just a quarter and a half, is an evolving league with scores Foles finished with 188 pass- only rising. That being said, is it ing yards and a win. Somehow, so hard to just play some defense someway, the Bears are 3–0 while every now and then? Come on, the Falcons, with all their bril- just play a nickel, dime or special liance for the first three quar- edition Gerald Ford dollar coin ters of every game, are 0–3. Final formation. Here is your recap of score: Chicago Bears 30, Atlanta some of Sunday’s games. Falcons 26. Saint Nick is back! NFC East, my GAWD The aura and mysticism sur- Last season, the Philadelphia rounding former Philadelphia Eagles won the NFC East with a Eagles backup quarterback and record of 9–7 in the last week of ALL-PRO REELS / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Nationals player Juan Soto is pictured on Aug. 25 during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. notorious 2018 Super Bowl MVP the season. As a whole, it was a Nick Foles took the field Sunday division that averaged only six by Brigitte Wilson baseman for the Washington eligibility for the playoffs due to as a member of the Chicago wins. Many pundits deemed it Staff Writer Nationals, and David Price, start- COVD-19 (the opportunity for 16 Bears. It is the third team he has the worst division in the histo- ing pitcher for the LA Dodgers, teams to start in the postsea- played for in the last three years, ry of football. Could it get any While there were doubts that were two of the many players son) and that the Red Sox are as he was traded just one year worse? At the present moment, the MLB season would even that chose to opt out of the sea- the third-most valuable team after signing that mega contract the answer seems to be yes. It be able to finish due to early son for the health and safety of in MLB. Instead, they were dis- with the ever quality Jacksonville indeed can get worse. This sea- outbreaks of COVID-19 among themselves and their families. mayed by the lackluster perfor- Jaguars. He started on the bench, son, the NFC East is shaping up some of the younger teams, the Despite the loss of many play- mance, underperforming players as Mitchell Trubisky, the team’s to be its usual juggernaut, but playoffs began Tuesday with ers, the season still proved to and failure to make the playoffs. divisive starting quarterback, one covered in garbage displays glaring absences and unexpect- be full of surprises and disap- By contrast, teams that exceed- began the game. The game was on the field. The division went ed appearances due to a combi- pointments. The Washington ed fan expectations included the against the Atlanta Falcons, winless on Sunday, with the nation of the shortened season, Nationals, reigning World Series Miami Marlins, the Chicago White a team coming off a shambol- Washington Football Team still coaching weaknesses and player champions, finished at the bot- Sox and the San Diego Padres. ic collapse against the Dallas on top of the division. All teams adjustments. tom of the National League East While the Marlins dealt with a Cowboys. The game started just have been defined by an utter Baseball resumed on July 23, with a record of 26–34. While delay to the season due to their like it did in the previous week lack of creativity on the offen- but only five days later 17 Miami Juan Soto, 21-year-old breakout early COVID-19 outbreaks, they for the Falcons, with an explo- sive side and inconsistency on Marlins players and coaching star of the team, finished the sea- were already doubted to make sive and efficient three-play drive the defensive side. Whether they staff tested positive for the novel son with a .351 batting average the playoffs due to a low pay- that ended with a touchdown. find their footing remains to be coronavirus. With the entire sea- and became the youngest recip- roll and deficiency in big talent. Trubisky wasn’t necessarily bad unknown, but based off of cur- son in peril and unprecedented ient of the National League bat- However, they completed the reg- to start, not in the way he was rent displays, rosters and histo- scheduling changes that affect- ting title, his performance was ular season with a 31–29 record, against the Detroit Lions in ry, there seems to be no hope ed many teams for weeks, blame not enough to bring the team out finished second in the National Week 1, but long drives without for improvement for all four was assigned all over the place, of their slump. League East and continued to much to show for left Bears Head teams. Each have been masters from young players’ temptations Similarly, the Red Sox con- build a strong farm system. They Coach Matt Nagy to make the in demoralizing its fans, setting to party to poor management tinued to disappoint fans in a will face the Chicago Cubs in the gutsy call and put his Super Bowl up a long, long season for some by MLB. season full of questionable pas- first round of the National League MVP backup into the game, a of the NFL’s biggest teams. The St. Louis Cardinals faced sion from players and abhorrent Wild Card Series. storyline that Foles has come to The weekend started with a similar situation a day later, pitching. Former manager Alex The presence of the White be defined by. its poorest and most irrelevant with mounting cases from per- Cora’s suspension as a result of Sox makes this postseason the Foles entered into the game teams taking the field for losses. sonnel which led to rumors his involvement in the Houston second time that both Chicago in the middle of the third quarter We’ll start in the Midwest where about irresponsible conduct by Astros cheating scandal meant teams have made the playoffs with his Bears down 26–10. But the Washington Football Team players, such as going to casi- the team turned to Ron Roenicke, since 1906. In fact, the White Sox on his first drive, with the Bears lined up against the Cleveland nos. Robert Manfred, commis- who had performed successful- have only played in the post- marching, he threw an intercep- Browns, and despite a big third sioner of MLB, warned that the ly as a bench coach in previ- season six times since 1919, tion right into the endzone, leav- quarter which ended with them season would be shut down if ous years but ultimately proved and they last won the American ing the entire team feeling help- up by three, they gave up a players did not change their unable to connect to many of the League Central title in 2008. First less. However, must we forget the whopping 17 points in the fourth behavior. Contrastingly, players younger players. baseman Jose Abreu and short- sickness that has always plagued to lose 34–20. Meanwhile the voiced concerns that MLB was While the Red Sox’s loss of stop Tim Anderson proved to be the Atlanta Falcons? As if it is the Saquon Barkley-less New York not being strict enough about Chris Sale due to Tommy John essential to their team’s success, only thing they know how to do Giants put on a show on Sunday, policies and therefore putting surgery and Eduardo Rodriguez as both players finished with bat- when holding a lead, the Falcons that is if you are into shows of their health at risk. due to his heart condition cer- ting averages above .280 and per- crumbled, again. A missed field pure disappointment and trag- Regardless of the drama and tainly contributed to their formed well in the field. goal started the demise of the edy. They played the defending health scares earlier in the sum- troubles, their inability to pro- Whether the White Sox will Falcons, with Foles on the next NFC champions San Francisco mer, the regular season ended on duce suitable alternatives and make a deep playoff run remains drive nearly scoring on a fourth 49ers, a team without its three Sunday. All teams were able to oftentimes lack of fiery offense to be seen, but both Chicago and goal from the 17-yard line. biggest players, and still could play, though some were missing exposed major issues in their teams accomplished solid regu- Yes, you read that right. Though only put up nine points. In the key players due to sickness from farm system and team dynamic. lar season performances. If they they came up empty handed, end, the 49ers pummeled them, the coronavirus or opt-outs. Chaim Bloom, chief baseball both make it to the World Series, the momentum was obvious, winning 36–9. Eduardo Rodriguez, starting officer of the Red Sox, was also it would be the first potential proof again of just how disas- We’ll move on to this pitcher for the Red Sox, contract- criticized for a lack of big moves championship appearance of trous the ensuing Falcon collapse week’s Eagles watch where the ed COVID-19 before the season at the trade deadline. While he the White Sox vs. the Cubs since proved to be. A strong defensive defending division champions began and developed myocardi- has only been with the team for 1906. However, the White Sox will stand meant the Bears imme- Philadelphia Eagles are still yet tis, an inflammation of the heart, less than a year, there will be a have to put up a fight against the diately had the ball again. After to be found. Might it be time to as a result. He missed the entire lot of pressure on him to perform Oakland Athletics in the American a massive fourth down conver- hire a rescue party? They were season, adding to the Red Sox’s well during this offseason. League Wild Card Series. sion, in just a matter of min- never-ending pitching ailments. Fans expected a lot from the utes they were down just 10. The see NFL, page 9 Ryan Zimmerman, a veteran first 2020 season, given the expanded see MLB, page 9