The
Charger Bulletin
The student news source for the University of New Haven
Volume 103, Issue 2 | September 14, 2021 West Haven, Connecticut
A time of reflection: What 9/11 means to the Charger nation BY KELLY ADKINS & ELISA D’EGIDIO Student Life Editors All eyes were on New York. Nearly 3,000 people died on Sept. 11, 2001, as the nation watched in horror. While people younger than 20 are reading about the events in textbooks as a historic event, the memory is still raw for those who lived through the tragedy. They remember where they were, what they were doing when they heard. Some watched from nearby office buildings. Some watched screens as the events were broadcast live, and some can describe the sounds and smells near the crash sites because they were there. On the Scene: World Trade Center, New York (9/11/2001) When speaking about his experiences on that day and the subsequent months, world-renowned forensic scientist Henry C. Lee, becomes emotional. Lee once gave speeches about 9/11 regularly, but he said he has not approached the topic in many years because this event was “a scar left in our brain and heart, especially some of those people, they’re my dear friends.” While eyes were peeled to television screens, one of Lee’s
close colleagues and friends, New York City Department (FDNY) Fire Chief Peter J. Ganci Jr, headed straight into the scene, and ultimately died during the tragedy. Ganci and his firefighters saved over 30,000 people on this day. There is now a medal named “Peter J. Ganci Jr. Medal,” which is the highest
medal awarded for bravery to firefighters. For all his years in the field, Lee said, had never seen anything like 9/11. “I think no one ever experienced such a big crime scene; cover[ing] half of Manhattan,” Lee said. He took a team of 18 scien-
tists from his lab to New York, and they began working with the amounts of evidence for DNA extraction. Because of the amount of possible identifiers to distinguish a person such as fingerprints, DNA, dental recognition and facial ID cards, it was difficult to identify who each person was.
Unfortunately, many were misidentified as it was not uncommon for rescue workers, including New York City Police (NYPD) and FDNY, to run into the buildings in coworker’s jackets–with the incorrect names and ID on the uniform–just to get to the scene. K-9 units, special forces, volunteers from state troopers, and other search-andrescue officials helped secure evidence from the crash site and surrounding buildings before working on it at the Connecticut state police forensic laboratory. This was essential to provide relief to families and friends with missing and potentially deceased loved ones. Behind the Scenes: Logan International Airport, Boston, MA (9/11/2001) FBI special agent Russell Dalrymple, University of New Haven professor, was sitting in a routine meeting at his New Haven office when the plans hit the towers. “When we heard that a second plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City the meeting was adjourned,” said Dalrymple. Soon, many of the agents within the division–including Dalrymple–were sent to New
Members of the university ROTC program hold flags before the annual 9/11 ceremony, West Haven, Sept. 11, 2021. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Elisa D’Egidio
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Women’s rugby program takes off in its first season BY KAYLA MUTCHLER
Editor-in-Chief
Varsity women’s rugby opened their first season with a bang on Sept. 6, winning a doubleheader against Manhattanville College. Starting off on a high note, they’re planning to continue the momentum throughout the rest of the season. Rugby is a sport similar to football and soccer that originated in England in 1823. It typically involves groups of seven or 15 players on each team, where the ball is continually passed to score a point, called a try. To gain possession of the ball, a player is tacked, while surrounding players enter a form called a “ruck” to battle for it. And that’s just the basics. Rugby is not an unfamiliar sport to the university, with both men and women’s club teams being offered. Now, women’s rugby steps up as yet another varsity sport for
the Chargers, with 17 players ready to take the field. Emily Record, women’s rugby head coach, said that this is a developmental season. Most of the team is brand new to rugby, and they’re only playing sevens–which is a smaller variation of the traditional game only containing seven players on each team–rather than the typical 15s. This year, the team is not considered as part of a conference. Record said, “We’re playing other schools that are in similar situations that are developmental.” Though this is a smaller game, Record said it will be beneficial to the players. “With sevens, there’s really nowhere to hide,” she said. “Everybody has to tackle, everybody has to pass, everybody has to do everything. So, for skill development, it’s really good for us.” Record said that at practices, the players not only learn about fitness but also about the mechanics of the sport. They start
off with a warmup, play a fun game to get the players ready for practice, then work rugby techniques and plays on the field. “They are really enthusiastic,” Record said. “They just want to learn and the questions that
they’re asking are fantastic. They’re picking things up really quickly.” Record was pleased when she heard that the university was adding women’s rugby as a varsity sport. “The fact that they
added it during the pandemic just speaks volumes of the way that this school’s growing.” Junior business management major Amanee Saucier was part of the club team for two years
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Members of the women’s varsity rugby team practice at DellaCamera Field, West Haven, Sept. 7, 2021. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Lismarie Pabon
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Entertainment
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Looking for something to watch? Stream these movies BY ANDREA ALVERCA Contributing Writer Summer has ended, and fall is upon us, meaning a ton of new movies are coming to streaming platforms for the upcoming season. Here are the best movies to stream in September. Luca: Although it was released in June, “Luca” is a heartwarming story about adventure, friendship and acceptance. Taking place in the Italian Riviera, Luca goes on adventures with his friends, filled with bike rides, and constant spaghetti eating while hiding their secret of being sea monsters. “Luca” was inspired by the experiences of director Enrico Casarosa while growing up in Genoa with his real-life best friend, Alberto. The film stars Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Maya Rudolph and Jim Gaffigan. “Luca” is now streaming on Disney Plus. Vivo: If you want to get ready for Latino Heritage Month, which starts on Sept. 15, “Vivo” is streaming on Netflix. This family-friendly musical starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Gloria Estefan, Zoe Saldana and Michael
Rooker, tells the story of a kinkajou who goes on a journey to deliver a song to the lover of his old friend. Taking place in both Miami and Cuba, the musical features salsa music and all-new original songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, filled with vibrant and stunning locations. Black Widow: Marvel’s “Black Widow” premiered in theaters in June, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great fall movie. Still on Premiere Access on Disney Plus, “Black Widow” is filled with action, adventure, and a surprising amount of comedy. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha Romanoff to confront a dangerous conspiracy from her past. Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz star alongside Johansson as members of Natasha’s non-biological and dysfunctional found-family who help the Avenger bring down the Red Room. “Black Widow” is streaming on Disney Plus. Edge of Seventeen: Woody Harrelson, Hailee Steinfeld and Haley Lu Richardson star in this coming-of-age film that graced theaters in the fall of 2016. Steinfeld plays Nadine, a high-school junior that struggles to fit in at school,
especially when she finds out her best friend (Haley Lu Richardson) begins dating her “perfect” older brother, causing Nadine to feel more isolated than usual. Some teens can relate to Nadine–maybe not with the same exact experiences–but with the struggles of finding their place in school or with themselves, and how it’s alright to feel lost sometimes. “Edge of Seventeen” is streaming on Netflix. Ouija: Origin of Evil: If you want to get into the Halloween spirit early, this paranormal film will be up your alley. Directed by Stiles White, this 2016 supernatural horror film is a sequel to the 2014 film “Ouija.” “Ouija” stars Lin Shaye, Olivia Cooke, and Daren Kagasoff, telling the story about a teen and her group of friends using a Ouija board to summon a fallen friend of theirs, instead summoning a being far more sinister than they believed. In the sequel, “Ouija: Origin of Evil,” a widowed mother who runs a seance scam business unknowingly invites a terrifying evil spirit into her home, which later possesses her youngest daughter. The family must then confront unbelievable fears to save her and send the demonic
spirit back to the other side. The film stars Kate Siegel, Henry Thomas and Elizabeth Reaser, who have also worked together in “The Haunting of Hill House” and “The Haunting of Bly Manor.” “Ouija: Origin of Evil” is streaming on HBO Max. Fear Street: The Netflix original trilogy “Fear Street” are truly terrifying to watch. This three-part horror film is gory and filled with jump-scares, perfect for early Halloween spirit. Loosely based on the Goosebumps book series,
the “Fear Street” trilogy tells the story of a so-called curse on the town of Shadyside, where a girl, her younger brother and their friends must try and stop Sarah Fier, an ancient witch, from killing them by breaking the curse she set on their town. “Fear Street” is broken up into three parts to tell the story of not just the murderers throughout the years in Shadyside, but how they connect with Sarah Fier. The first part takes place in 1996, the second in the summer of 1978 and the third part in 1666.
A promotional photo for Pixar’s “Luca.” Photo courtesy of @pixarluca on Instagram
Marvel’s “Shang-Chi” Review of Kanye West’s DONDA BY SHAYLA does not disappoint HERNANDEZ Contributing Writer BY ELDRICK GREENWAY & EMILY MCDONOUGH Staff Writers “Shang-Chi’’ is something different for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and has sent them down a new path, leaving fans excited for the future. It is perfectly driven by a mixture of action, fantasy and comedy, along with emotional scenes that match the high expectations of fans. There are a wide variety of actors in “Shang-Chi ‘’ that made this one of the best Marvel superhero origin movies in a long time. Simu Liu (ShangChi), Awkwafina (Katy) and Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (Wenwu) all give outstanding and emotional performances. Newcomer Meng’er Zhang, who portrays Xialing, Shang-Chi’s sister, plays an important part in the story of Shang-Chi confronting his past. Xialing may also play an important role later in the MCU. Director Destin Daniel Cretton knew
how to squeeze a huge Marvel superhero story into two hours and 10 minutes, with multiple references of and homages to the martial arts movie genre. This movie has the potential to be on everyone’s Top 5 list of their favorite MCU movies. As of Friday, “Shang-Chi ‘’ has received high praise from audiences, with a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A on CinemaScore. Working alongside Bill Pope, the cinematographer for Spider-Man 2, The Matrix and Baby Driver, Cretton wanted to make this film visually stunning and engaging for the audience. He did just that and much more through the unique style in which the story is told in this film. Since this film focuses on the origin story of Shang-Chi, anyone can enjoy this movie without any prior knowledge of who Shang-Chi is. If you can, go see “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” in theaters on the biggest screen possible. If you can’t watch it in theaters, “Shang-Chi ‘’ will be on Disney+ October 18.
On Aug. 29, 2021, Kanye West’s highly anticipated tenth studio album, “Donda,” was finally released by Universal Music Group. The project is dedicated to the artist’s late mother, Donda West, who passed away on Nov. 10, 2007. Donda contains 27 tracks influenced by trap, alternative R&B and gospel elements. Included are a number of features by some of the most well-known names in modern rap, such as Lil Durk, Pop Smoke, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby and Jay- Z. Although West is notorious for his unpredictable career moves and sometimes questionable behavior, this may be his most influential and innovative album yet. Prior to the release of Donda, West held three wildly-populated listening parties. Though it’s normal for musicians to have listening parties prior to the release of the album, many were confused as to why he would have three back-to-back out of concern for music being leaked. However, by holding these events, he’s collected millions of dollars in ticket revenue. The first listening party was July 22
at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Fans expected the project to be released the following day, yet many were disappointed when that didn’t happen. The next listening party was held on Aug. 5 in the same arena. Again, while not formally addressing his audience, Kanye proceeded to play what sounded like an updated version of his project; with features by Vic Mensa, The Weeknd, Young Thug, Kid Cudi, Chance The Rapper and more who were not previously included. The last listening party for the album was held on Aug. 26 at Soldier Field in Chicago. He shocked this third audience by re-creating a replica of his childhood home in the center of the arena. The event started an hour late and showcased a series of surprising elements of his performance such as lighting himself on fire, having two circles of people walking clockwise and counterclockwise around his childhood home and inviting estranged wife Kim Kardashian West to recreate their wedding. As creative as this party was,the project has received a fair amount of negative feedback. I conducted an impromptu survey of 209 students , and 79% of them said that the album was a flop while 21% said it was a
success. The live showings of “Donda” have been subject of a number of criticisms such as saying the performance had a cult-like ambience. “God Breathed” is the third track from the album. The combination of gospel-like lyrics with the trap production creates a wonderful musical cocktail. “Hurricane” contains features by The Weeknd and Lil Baby. The Weeknd offers soulful silk-like vocals while Kanye and Lil Baby spit about struggles they’ve had to overcome in their personal life and music career. “Jonah” may hit home for those who have lost a loved one. Featured artists Vory and Lil Durk both get sentimental about their experiences. Vory’s verse discusses his past involvement in street-life. Yet, now he is able to provide for himself without any criminal activity. Lil Durk shares many tear-jerking stanzas as he discusses the passing of his best friend King Von. West delivers an impactful verse of conveying his frustration and eagerness to end the gang violence taking place in the city of Chicago. Overall, Kanye West remains to be a topic of discussion in the music industry and further proves the point that if he’s being talked about, he’s doing something right.
Sports
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Field hockey picks up first season win BY JOSEPH KLAUS Sports Editor The rugby team poses after their program debut win, West Haven, CT, Sept. 6, 2021. Photo courtesy of @unewhavenwrugby on Instagram
Women’s rugby victoriously debuts BY JOSEPH KLAUS Sports Editor In February, University of New Haven athletic director Sheahon Zenger announced the addition of women’s rugby as the university’s 18th varsity sport. On Sept. 6, the program made their season and home debut hosting Manhattanville College. It was a battle of first-year coaches. Head coach of the Chargers, Emily Record, made her debut looking to lead her team to victory in front of the home crowd while head coach of the Valiants, Frank Graziano, also made his coaching debut looking for his first win on the road. The Chargers put on an impressive show, defeating the Valiants 17-5 in the first match and 14-10 in the second match. It took only three minutes for
the Chargers to find the tryline and get onto the board to take the lead. Once the Blue and Gold scored their first try, they didn’t look back on their way to the 17-5 match victory. Match two saw the Chargers battling from behind as the Valiants scored first 10-0. Damaris Williams came away with her first try of the season to cut into the lead, followed by a conversion completion by Cynthia Chavez to make it 10-7. Team captain Sydney Dela Cruz finished her second Charger try of the afternoon, followed by a conversion to give the Blue and Gold a 14-10 lead. The defense of the Chargers was called upon after gaining the lead and the team held the Valiants off the tryline to win in match two. On Sept. 18, the Chargers will travel to Yale to face off against Bentley University.
In their conference opener on Saturday, the field hockey team did not disappoint as they defeated the Purple Knights of St. Michael’s College 3-0 to earn their first win of the season. The Chargers dominated the first quarter, forcing the Purple Knights defense and goalkeeper Riley O’Connor to make saves and force corners. It took the Blue and Gold 13 minutes before they found the back of the cage off the stick of midfielder Reilly Bialko. The attacking onslaught
continued throughout the first quarter as the Chargers registered seven shots and with six penalty corners. The second quarter was slower for the Chargers compared to the first as they registered only three shots. The Chargers cashed in another opportunity 13 minutes into the quarter when forward Alexis Rider rattled a shot home from the edge of the arc, making it 2-0 heading into the half. A similarly matched third quarter ended with neither team finding the back of the cages. Goalkeeper Keira Integlia registered her first save in a one-versus-one opportunity to keep the Chargers
Members of the field hockey team hug during the game at DellaCamera Stadium, West Haven, Sept. 11, 2021. Photo courtesy of New Haven Athletics/Clarus Studios
The NFL really doesn’t care Rugby is BY LINDSAY GIOVANNONE Sports Editor
Perspective
Is the National Football League a hotbed of performative activism, or does the trade association actively–and honestly–seek to push social change? After the NFL announced in early September that players would be permitted to wear six social justice messages on their helmets during play, the conversation began yet again about athletes using their platform to publicly show support for different causes. Politics and sports no longer operate in separate spheres. The NFL’s Football Operations has an entire webpage on the League’s social justice initiative. The page highlights milestones in pushing for change in the criminal justice system, promoting economic
NFL footballs lay on a football field. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
advancement, and supporting education. But the NFL hasn’t done any of that. Players have–collectively or individually. The Players Coalition,a nonprofit founded in 2017 by Anquan Boldin and Malcolm Jenkins, seeks to engage communities by working with professional athletes. The NFL has a $90 million social justice partnership with the Players Coalition, which enables them to tout Players’ Coalition initiatives. But any tangible actions taken to end injustice have been enacted by the coalition or individual players. In 2018, the Players Coalition successfully lobbied for voters’ rights, and helped staunch the disenfranchisement of millions in Florida, Louisiana, and California. New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis, a member of the group, started Devoted
lead at two goals to none. In the fourth quarter, the Chargers returned to their first quarter form, dominating possession and putting pressure on the back line of the Purple Knights. After 12 minutes of pressure, Rider cashed in again, scoring her second goal of the game and giving the Chargers a commanding 3-0 lead. The Chargers won with that score and picked up their first win of the season, also snagging their first conference win of the season. The Blue and Gold will return to action Tuesday when they travel to Pace University starting at 4 p.m.
Dreamers Academy “to work with inner city youth to provide academic, athletic, spiritual, and mentorship opportunities not otherwise available.” Even with their recent statements and press releases, prior to 2020, the NFL has scarcely acknowledged racial injustice. Even after being publicly called out for “blatant pandering to public sentiment,” all displays of so-called solidarity are set to continue. Is this a desperate attempt to preserve an audience and seem “woke?” Maybe. But social justice is great for business. Covid-19 took the NFL’s revenue down by $4 billion and television views were at an all-time low. The NFL needs positive press. In 2020, the NFL’s racial demographics report showed that 57.5% of players identified as Back or African American. Without Black players, the NFL has no future. The stickers the players are wearing on their helmets are just stickers. The painted turf behind the end zone is painted turf. Those are empty, performative promises from an organization that exploits brutality, injustice, and anger to maintain its billion-dollar worth.
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Continued from page 1 before she moved onto the varsity team. She said, “[The club team was] talking about how it would be cool to have a varsity team, and here it is now, years later.” Saucier said that her favorite part of being on the team is that it feels like a family. “We’re just so patient with each other even though a lot of us are relatively new... I feel so at home.” Freshman homeland security major Adriana Vargas said that she is brand new to rugby. She said that she was surprised to find out that the university was adding this as a varsity sport. “I’m honestly so grateful for the opportunity just to be here, and just playing a sport at the school,” she said, “so it’s amazing.” Damaris Williams, a sophomore chemical engineering major, said she is excited to be on the team. She didn’t know much about rugby at first, but she has learned a lot since the start of the season. Vargas and Williams said that
the best part of the team is its members. Vargas said, “They’re some of the sweetest people that you’ll ever meet. And the coaches are amazing.” Freshman forensic science major Vanessa Latorelli said that the best part of being on the team is that it is its first year. “Just to be that first year to set the movement going for more players to come in.” Latorelli said the doubleheader win was a great experience. “We’re going to enjoy that, we’re going to work hard, we’re going to keep it going.” Saucier and Vargas encouraged any member of the university to play rugby. The next women’s rugby game will be held on Sept. 18 at Yale. You can follow at @unewhavenwrugby on Instagram for updates.
Rugby practices at DellaCamera. Photo courtesy of Lismarie Pabon
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Student Life
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CAPS and ARC are here to support university students BY KELLY ADKINS
Student Life Editor If the university community has learned anything from the COVID-19 year, it is that mental health is just as serious of a concern as physical health. Even with fall and Thanksgiving breaks re-implemented this semester, self-care is still integral– and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) are available to help. According to the director of CAPS, Paige Bartels, the mission is to support the mental health and well-being of students. “The Counseling and Psychological Services office believes that students are strong, capable and resilient,” said Bartels. She also said that the services offered aim to especially support students in times of need, as they manage an array of mental health challenges. The department is made up of licensed staff clinicians, clinicians-in-training and a part-time advanced practice registered nurse, who manages and writes prescriptions for psychiatric management. Specific opportunities include one-on-one counseling and therapy, group therapy, support groups, medication management, outreaches, psychoeducation, consultations and various specialized campus-wide outreach programs. On Sept. 10 CAPs held one such program, a meditation session in the gazebo outside of the office located in the base-
ment of Sheffield. They also held a progressive muscle-relaxation event on Monday Sept. 13 in Bartels Student Activity Center. Bartels also said that the department is always looking to work towards the needs of students and is open to program and event suggestions. “We utilize students’ own strengths and aid them in being able to function at their highest capacity,” she said. “Our ultimate goal is for students to be able to identify and reach their own goals. Bartels also said that the
department strives to offer each service in an atmosphere that is welcoming to students of all identities regardless of race, gender, ethnic background, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or physical ability. The ARC is another resource for students, particularly those with disabilities or who seek academic accommodations. “The mission of the Accessibility Resources Center,” said director Linda Copney-Okeke, “is to engage students with disabilities in purposeful transformational learning experiences that
prepares them both academically and socially for full integration in a global society, and to lead fulfilling lives.” Specific services through the center include: coordination of reasonable accommodations for permanent and temporary disabilities, parking exceptions, modified housing and accessible van access; notetaker services; auxiliary aides such as readers, scribes, interpreters and closed-captioning services; electronic textbooks and alternate material formats; examination proctoring; academic support
A sign pointing to ARC and CAPS outside of Gerber Hall, West Haven, Sept. 12, 2021. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Kelly Adkins
including coaching, learning assistance and limited tutoring; college transition support; and disability awareness programming, such as Disable the Label Awareness Day. Students who may be eligible for ARC services include any student with a disability, chronic health-related condition or military service-connected disorder– whether domestic or international. Copney-Okeke said, “this is also dependent on the impact of the specific condition on the student’s ability to function in the academic setting.” ARC also co-sponsors several academic workshops with departments such as the Center for Student Success and the Center for Learning Resources. These programs are signified by the title “How Do I…?” and consist of a variety of topics, such as time management, test prep and study planning, textbook reading and skills, apps for academic success and note taking strategies, all of which are weekly series. If students are interested in accessing the resources within CAPs, they are encouraged to contact the department directly at caps@newhaven.edu or (203) 932-7333, and follow their Instagram (@thecownselingcow) to keep up with the latest support groups and events. If a student is unsure if they are eligible for ARC services, they can contact the department directly at ARC@newhaven.edu, calling the office at (203) 9327332 or through the Navigate server.
Students talk importance of National Suicide Awareness Month BY ELISA D’EGIDIO Student Life Editor September is National Suicide Prevention Month and brings together mental health activists, prevention groups, survivors, allies, community members and more to raise suicide prevention awareness. This is a time to acknowledge those who have been affected by suicide, to promote awareness on the topic and to concentrate efforts to get help to people who need it the most. The goal of suicide prevention is to decrease risk variables while increasing those that encourage resilience. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline actively promotes the hashtag #BeThe1To to help spread the word of steps and techniques to prevent suicide. They emphasize the importance of taking action to “promote healing, help and give hope.” This project is in collaboration with many innovative organizations nationwide including The
Trevor Project and the Conneticut Suicide Advisory Board. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) highlighted the trend “Together for Mental Health,” during the month of September to encourage advocates to speak up for better mental health care. During this month it is essential for students to learn and be engaged in effective suicide prevention techniques. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds the Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program. With hopes to reduce suicide rates by 20 percent by the year 2025, the CDC plans to develop a national pro-
gram that will aid in the reversal of rising suicide rates across the United States. Connecticut Department of Public Health is one of their 11 recipients. Bethany Konel, a clinical psychology junior, said it is important that the clubs on campus who revolve around mental health should promote themselves more. “I think that the CAPs should be promoting help and awareness more around campus,” said Konel. “They should reach out to students, seeing where they are at, and offer any help and resources that may be needed.” Noelle Miller, dental hygiene sophomore, said that she is
Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
unaware of any events being hosted by the University of New Haven to bring attention to this situation. As of Sept. 7, ChargerConnection does not have any events being hosting during this month having to relate to suicide prevention. To raise awareness, Miller suggests that the University of New Haven publicize the topic like if it was a club or event on campus, such as sending out emails, informing students and reminding them of what resources are available to them. Miller said that giving students things like journals and allowing them a space to talk reminds them that they are not alone during hard times. Mental health and one’s well-being are far too vital to be overlooked. Sports management senior, Joseph Chermak also said that the school should promote and market events better by bringing in special guest speakers. “It is definitely important for people with problems with mental health
because it is a month for them to be heard and to allow their voice to be heard.” Konel said, “In general, suicide prevention is a huge topic that all ages should be aware of. I think that now more so than ever, suicide rates are highest they have ever been due to the pandemic. Help and prevention should be a prominent topic in every community so people know they are not alone in these struggling times.” Paige Bartels, Director of Counseling & Psychological Services said that although events have not been planned yet, she will share upcoming information with the Charger Bulletin. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number is 1-800-273-8255. Crisis Service New Haven phone number is 211. The university offers counseling and psychological services and are available for crisis alert 24/7 at 203-932-7333. In addition, support groups are available for students along with in person and remote appointments.
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9/11 reflection Continued from page 1 York City and Boston, where the planes took off from Logan International Airport, to assist with the investigation. “For the next few weeks almost every FBI New Haven Division employee worked on nothing but the 9/11 investigation,” said Dalrymple. Since then, said Dalrymple, counterterrorism has been the priority of the FBI. Joint-terrorism task forces were formed, and FBI agents and intelligence analysts were permanently re-assigned to work on counter-terrorism cases. Watching, Waiting: New Haven, CT area (9/11/2001) As a University of New Haven adjunct, now criminal justice professor Daniel Maxwell arrived on campus for his 9:25 AM class, after watching reports of the attacks on the news. “I went to school and everyone was standing outside all of the buildings not sure what to do,” he said. I found my class and sent them home, told them to forget about school for the time being and to make sure their family was OK.” He was scheduled to work at 4 p.m. that day at the Madison Police Department police department. He showed up for work at 11:30 a.m. He said colleagues showed up early, too.
Student Life “We were not called in, we just went because we thought it was the right thing to do,” he said. “We figured if the town saw a large police presence, they would feel safer.” Lisa Dadio, assistant dean of the Henry C. Lee College, was a sergeant at the New Haven police department. “And I have chills sitting here,” Dadio said. She said she was not on patrol but she went into work. Offiers at the department were put on standby, in case of other acts of terrorism. New Haven is home to several federal buildings. “I remember kind of feeling helpless,” said Dadio, “We were all glued to every media source that we could have and wanting to go into New York City to help.” The Aftermath: University of New Haven Community, (Present Day) Dalrymple said the people who died on 9/11 are the important piece of any anniversary, and not just those who died that day. “It is also important to remember the people who have died since 9/11 from cancer and other illnesses because of the 9/11 attacks, and the people who still suffer from 9/11 after effects,” he said. Dadio said that days after the event, she noticed that people were so kind. People held open doors, paid it forward. She said America was united in working together, showing love and support. Patriotism was never more evident as U.S. flags flew on front lawns and buildings. But that wasn’t everyone’s
experience. The Vice President of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) Shahd Omar, said “9/11 changed the lives of many, our safety was in jeapordy. As a muslim living in America I myself have heard many go back to your country comments.” “9/11 gave people an excuse to discriminate against Muslims in an unacceptable manner that is simply unjustifiable,” Omar said. “The downside to that is that we can’t ignore that a certain group in this country was targeted because of their religion or their ethnicity because of who the terrorist ended up coming out being” said Dadio. Lee said the country–divided as it is–can learn from 9/11.
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Henry C. Lee stands with his team of scientists that worked on the 9/11 investigation case. Photo courtesy of Henry C. Lee
“We have to use newer thinking. How do people... communicate and understand each other instead of compete and kill?” He said he hopes this tragedy can teach us: “It doesn’t matter people’s color, if you’re religious. We all have to respect each other and live together.” The University of New Haven hosted its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Sept. 10 in the Maxcy Quad. This event is run by ROTC, Fire Science Club and Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA). “Many of the students today that are studying criminal justice have a desire to protect, honor and serve our country and those who live in it,” said American Criminal Justice Association, Psi Omega chapter President Jillian Fiore. Fiore said that as a nation, we rose up together and overcame the tragedy that occured on 9/11. “We will continue to fly our American flags high with pride and honor.” At the beginning of Fiore’s speech, she referred to al-Qaeda as an “Islamic extremist group.” After the speech, the MSA issued a statement via Instagram which said “As the Muslim Student Association and as Muslims,
we have no relation or ties to terrorist groups.” The statement also said, “Comments such as this, name dropping the peaceful religion of Islam increases islamaphobia and hate crimes.” Fiore apologized via the USGA Instagram saying, “I in no way intended to link the actions of al Qaeda with the Muslim faith. I now understand how this language could be hurtful and harmful to those who identify as Muslims. For that, I am sorry.” USGA President, Sofia Martinez commented under the MSA post saying, “Thank you @unh_msa for bringing this to our attention- I personally went through speeches to proofs read before hand but will look closely at the videos and content to see if anything was miscommunicated, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.” USGA’s Instagram post said, “While I do not believe the speaker intended to denigrate the Muslim community or the Islam faith, we must use this opportunity to recommit ourseleves to fully understanding the impact of our langauge. Micro aggressions and anti-Muslim sentiments are hurtful.” Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
The Charger Bulletin Politics chargerbulletin.com Anti-mask protests are on the rise following statewide regulations
Pg. 6 | Sept. 14, 2021
BY SAMUEL WEINMANN Politics Editor On Aug. 5, 2021, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont issued an executive order allowing municipalities the ability to implement mask requirements. On Aug. 17, Lamont ordered that all Kindergarten through 12th-
grade students wear masks in school to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Since these orders went into effect, a flurry of anti-mask demonstrations appeared across Connecticut. According to CT Mirror, on Aug. 25, Lamont, among other state officials, was interrupted at a back-to-school roundtable by anti-mask protesters. The roundtable, which was
People protest against mask mandates, Vancouver, CA, October 17, 2020. Photo courtesy of Flickr/GoToVan
Political neutrality: The good, the bad, and the evil BY NATALIE JONES Contributing Writer Can someone be neutral in a nation as divided as the United States? Not only are we divided by political issues, but human rights issues have also been made political in these past few years. Every person deserves equal rights, so being neutral during these times can be a dangerous position. Whether this deals with racism, sexism, homophobia or any other form of prejudice, it’s never permissible to stay silent. Neutrality during times of violence or not standing up for the victim is the same as siding with the oppressor. As Joseph Erikson wrote in an article for Medium. com, “The American ethos of ‘thoughts and prayers’ and ‘don’t rock the boat’ in the face of historic suffering isn’t going to help anyone; historically and practically speaking, magical or naive thinking perpetuates harm.” University students had their own perspectives when asked why they don’t like politics. The common answer was that the discussions often make them angry. Jordan Kelly, a criminal justice freshman, said “Everything about it. When it gets brought up it can immediately kill the vibe.” The nation is so divided that it can be hard to find your place, to have a conversation about politics that doesn’t result in a fight. However, university alumni
Donovan Boynton, who earned a bachelors in criminal justice acknowledged this issue by saying, “Every time someone opts out of a political conversation, for every time a voter decides not to research a given subject, they surrender their voices to a louder majority… If you don’t speak up, someone is going to speak for you.” These tough conversations matter and so do the tough stances we have to take as citizens of this nation. In the end, being neutral won’t solve any of these issues. It can be hard to step up but by not stepping up, we can’t solve the climate crisis, poverty, school shootings or even the recent COVID-19 pandemic. As Ian Sacci, a sophomore majoring in sports management, said, “Whether it’s political opinions, or opinions that are made political that shouldn’t be, people’s lives are impacted based on your opinion. In short, having no opinion or being neutral is just as bad as telling someone to their face that they don’t matter. Yes, you can be neutral about someone’s music or films, but when lives are on the line, having a strong opinion matters.”
Republican and Democrat icons. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
hosted at Highland Elementary School in Cheshire, was designed to be a discussion about vaccination and testing requirements, as well as a general COVID-19 forum for panelists. Further on in the forum, protestors started to make an appearance, making remarks comparing mask mandates to living in Nazi Germany before screaming at Lamont as he left the school. This is just one example of the rise in anti-mask protestors since the beginning of August. On Aug. 28, more than 100 anti-mask protesters made an appearance at the Connecticut Capitol, responding to mask mandates in schools. At the event, “unmask our kids” was plastered across dozens of signs, as protestors lined the street near the Capitol. Although these two events are the most prominent examples of recent anti-mask demonstrations, protestors have also taken to social media to amplify their anger and dismay at recent health
measures. One Facebook group titled “Unmask our Kids CT” hosts more than 4,000 supporters and acts as a rendezvous for dismayed parents and community members to discuss their concerns and organize anti-mask demonstrations. The group is hosting a weekly demonstration called “Early Dismissal School Walkout,” where parents pick up their children one hour early from school every Friday until mask mandates end. These protests are widespread, despite overwhelming scientific evidence backing the importance of health measures like mask mandates. According to the University of California San Francisco, extensive scientific evidence has been published to back the use of masks, in addition to a general recommendation for masks from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. One of the studies shown is from the New England Journal of Medicine, which used high-speed
video technology to capture the way that hundreds of droplets can be generated and shot from the mouth just by saying a short phrase. When the participants’ mouths were covered with a washcloth, however, nearly every droplet was contained. Another study, from the British Medical Journal, shows that face masks were 79% effective in preventing COVID-19 transmission among their participants in Beijing. Despite extensive evidence, groups such as Unmask Our Kids CT remain prominent. Additionally, demonstrations invariably surge throughout Connecticut and will continue to as COVID-19 policies and restrictions change. Throughout these demonstrations and protests, it’s important to refer to trusted resources regarding COVID-19 information and policies. For COVID-19 information and global updates, visit CDC. gov.
Texas brings a ban on women’s rights BY NATALIE JONES Contributing Writer Perspective The right to choose is a right not explicitly written in the U.S. Constitution, but one that is important to a majority of women in the nation. A recent poll by NBC News shows that 59% of women believe abortions should remain legal while 39% of women believe they should not be. These numbers did not sway Texas lawmakers from successfully illegalizing abortion. On Sept. 1, Texas legislature, declined to be commented on by the Supreme Court, goes into place that makes it illegal for women to have an abortion after cardiac activity is detected during the pregnancy, which is roughly around six weeks. One of the main reasons this law has been able to pass is because Texas lawmakers shaped it so that women can no longer be punished for getting an abortion; instead, the people helping them are the target. These people include clinic workers, doctors, anyone who helps pay for it, or someone that provides transportation to the procedure. Texas Right to Life member John Seago said, “These lawsuits are not against the women… The lawsuits would be against the individuals making money off of the abortion, the abortion industry itself. So this is not spy on your neighbor and see if they’re having an abortion.” However, if someone does sue an abortion provider and wins,
they could receive up to $10,000. While it may not directly be a law against women, it indirectly is. The resources a woman has access to for an abortion are being cut off by threatening people helping them and offering rewards for doing so. One of the cruelest aspects of this new law is the lack of support it provides for victims of rape or incest. According to the American Pregnancy Organization, most women don’t realize they are pregnant until between four to seven weeks. Women who have been through these traumatic events could, hypothetically, not know about the pregnancy with their abuser’s child until it is too late. Surveys in 1987 and 2004 showed that 1% of women received an abortion because they were raped, and 0.5% received one because of incest. While these numbers may be low, these women still matter. Women should be able to receive an abortion safely and legally for whatever reason they choose, but especially if the baby can be a reminder of their trauma for the rest of their lives. The Texas Tribune says that this abortion law is one of the strictest the U.S. has seen pass and actually remain in legislation. However, it is unlikely that other states will not follow suit. Seago said his “organization is working with activists in multiple states who are eager to replicate this model if it succeeds in blocking access to most abortions in Texas,” according to NPR.
More states will join in; this could also trigger attacks on the 1973 Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade, a landmark case that ruled that pregnant women who choose to have an abortion are protected by the U.S. Constitution. Many pro-life activist groups, including Right to Life and Susan B Anthony List, have fought against this case for years, and now that one strict abortion law has passed and been declined to argue by the Supreme Court, it is likely they will just fight harder. A 36-year-old female from San Juan stated her opinion to Glamour, saying the hypocrisy in the Texas legislation and the anger women feel against the Texas government, “Masks are a violation of the [men’s] “right to choose” and should be banned… that’s the position of the Texas government. But women’s bodies aren’t theirs to control, apparently. Can you believe that? This law reeks of hypocrisy. If the law affected men, there would be no way it would have made it past the legislature.” There is already a women’s march being planned nationwide in October to fight back and rally against this unjust law. The rally will take place October 2, 2021, just two days before the Supreme Court reconvenes. Over 90 organizations will be marching including National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood, SHERO Mississippi, Mississippi in Action, Access Reproductive Care-Southeast, The Frontline, Working Families Party and SisterSong.
Opinions
Pg. 7 | Sept. 14, 2021
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Editor-in-Chief Kayla Mutchler Managing Editor Amanda M. Castro Associate Editor Tyler Wells Entertainment Editor Tiara Starks Opinions Editor Isabelle Hajek Politics Editor Samuel Weinmann Sports Editors Lindsay Giovannone Joseph Klaus Student Life Editors Kelly Adkins Elisa D’Egidio Photography Editor Lismarie Pabon Community Engagement Editor Victoria Cagley Multimedia Editor Jada Clarke Videography Editor Eldrick Greenway Business Manager Kiana White 88.7 WNHU Liasion Carl Gianelli Adviser Susan L. Campbell 300 Boston Post Road | West Haven, CT 06516 chargerbulletin@newhaven.edu | www.chargerbulletin.com Office: 203.932.7182 Printed by Valley Publishing Co. Derby, CT Since 1938, The Charger Bulletin has been the official student news source of the University of New Haven. Recipient of 1st Place - ASPA Annual Contest/Review for Scholastic Yearbooks, Magazines and Newspapers, 2020. The Charger Bulletin staff strives for excellence and accuracy in writing and reporting. We recognize that mistakes may occur and encourage readers to notify the Bulletin f they feel a correction is necesary. Please email the Editor-in-Chief at chargerbulletin@ newhaven.edu. The Charger Bulletin ad rate sheets are available upon request or by emailing chargerbulletinads@gmail.com. The Charger Bulletin reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. Advertisements within The Charger Bulletin are inserted by outside sources identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the University of New Haven. Advertising material printed herein is solely for informational purposes.
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Here’s why you can’t trust the Internet BY FAITH ACURI Contributing Writer “We believe these people are thieves. The big city machines are corrupt. This was a stolen election. Best pollster in Britain wrote this morning that this was clearly a stolen election, that it’s impossible to imagine that Joe Biden outran Obama in some of these states.” “Great. Most corrupt election in history, by far. We won!!!” former President Donald Trump tweeted. Sound familiar? Those are just some of the many tweets that former President Donald Trump posted about the 2020 election. Throughout his career, Trump became notorious for his outlandish posts on social media. Posts ranged from sexist and slanderous remarks about females to discrediting medical professionals. There has been a boom of fake news cluttering the internet and it’s hard to distinguish between fact and fiction. These bits of false information are exploited by businesses, scammers pretending to raise money for a cause and government officials
who want to promote their propaganda. The problem is not only that these people use the internet to harm or manipulate others, but that it’s effortless. Many problems are intensified by companies, governments and outside factors the average internet user cannot control. Fake news is so widespread because readers find it more interesting than regular news. It reaches more people, penetrates further into the social network, and spreads faster. Soroush Vosoughi, a data scientist at MIT who has studied fake news since 2013 and led this study, said that “It seems to be pretty clear that false information outperforms true information... This is not just because of bots; it might have something to do with human nature.” The study has already prompted alarm from social scientists. “We must redesign our information ecosystem in the 21st Century,” wrote a group of 16 political scientists and legal scholars in an essay also published in Science. The only method to remedy this epidemic is for companies
to take responsibility for the content that is posted for public consumption. Simple, right? Not necessarily. Many companies claim to take precautionary actions to filter good content from bad, but their efforts fall short. One reason for this is the bots that patrol the website and evaluate information. Social media bots automatically generate messages, advocate ideas, act as a follower on user accounts and fake accounts to get followers themselves. The same study found that among 3 million Twitter users were investigated by two different bot-detection algorithms, and it was discovered that the automated bots were in fact spreading false information and retweeting it at the same rate as accurate information. Liem Namiot, a senior majoring in English at the university, expressed a different perspective. He believes that “companies should take responsibility for their content and their bot accounts, but there are just too many of them.” “Companies should take responsibility for their content and their bot accounts, but there are
just too many of them.” There is light at the end of the tunnel. Many websites allow users to decipher truth from lies spun on the internet, such as FactCheck.org. This website monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by U.S. politicians in TV ads, debates, speeches and other forms of media. While these sites aren’t the only way readers know their information is accurate, they are part of the steps that can be taken to protect against misinformation. The best thing to do is look at when the article was written, who it was written by, what the evidence is and where did it come from. Question what you read, what you click on and who you give your personal information to. If you’re not going to, who will?
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Climate change has led to an increase in natural disasters BY LILAN NEWTON Contributing Writer Over the past decade, climate change has been a critical issue in political and international discussion. The issue had long been seen as a problem for the next generation–an issue of the future–as the effects of climate change had yet to reveal themselves. The tipping point, an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius in the Earth’s average temperature, was commonly treated as an all-or-nothing scenario by many, a reality that has started to reveal itself in current weather patterns developing today. Scientists have long predicted a connection between climate change and an increase in natural disasters. Climate change specialist Maarten K. van Aalst’s 2006 research paper, “The impacts of climate change on the risk of natural disasters,” is a one example among many. July 2021 ranks as the Earth’s hottest month on record, which supports the exact prediction made years ago. One thing is clear: climate change is here. With hurricanes Henri and Ida being the latest indicators of climate change’s increasing presence, the question must be asked: what will come next? According to the United Nation’s most recent climate
report, “Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis,” scientists expect that the frequency and intensity of hot extremes, marine heatwaves and heavy precipitation will grow. Some regions will see increased agricultural and ecological droughts. Additionally, the report warns of the likelihood of a greater number of intense tropical storms. The surge of increasingly intense natural disasters is connected to the rising average temperatures of the globe. This cycle of rising and falling temperatures is a phenomenon that typically occurs naturally but has been expedited tenfold in recent years by human activity and advancements in technology. Undeniably, humans have moved the timeline up of the Earth’s current warming trend, leading to rapid changes in land, ocean and atmospheric temperatures. As the average temperature slowly increases, heat waves and hotter hot months are anticipated. With the average global temperature climbing, water vapor will more rapidly evaporate into the atmosphere, becoming the fuel needed to generate high-intensity tropical storms. Furthermore, heightened wind speeds in tropical storms will be produced by increased levels of heat trapped in the atmosphere alongside warmer ocean surface temperatures. Since record-keeping began in
1880, sea levels have risen by 8 inches; projections forecast a rise of 1 to 8 feet by the year 2100 with sea levels rising long after 2100. With that rise, intensified storms will result in storm surges and flooding in many regions unaccustomed to such conditions. This change in weather patterns will leave a trail of unimaginable destruction and cost. Researchers have said that the number of major hurricanes, Category 3 or above, just in the Atlantic Ocean has doubled since 1980. Water-related weather patterns are not the only natural disasters provoked by climate change in recent years. Intense heat conditions in many regions, especially as seen along the Western Coast of the United States, have already presented surges in wildfires alongside long-lasting droughts. Wildfires are another developing issue of climate change. Niklas Hagelberg, a climate change expert for the United Na-
tions Environment Programme (UNEP), notes a rapidly warming planet will lead to further record-breaking wildfires, such as those seen in California, Oregon and Washington in late 2020. Similarly, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) details a future of increasing fires, both forest fires and grassland fires, among other repercussions of climate change. Climate change is a problem that must be faced now. As time goes on and the devastating developments of climate change continue to reveal themselves, the number of natural disasters seen as a result will continue to grow. Through increasing temperatures and irreversible shifts in the Earth’s natural homeostasis, the degree of damage of which natural disasters generate will remain out of control. It’s a bleak future to look forward to if nothing is done to reverse the damage.
Damage to buildings from Hurricane Irma, Nanny Cay, Tortola, Sept. 17, 2017. Photo courtesy of Flickr/DFID
Opinions
Pg. 8 | Sept. 14, 2021
The Charger Bulletin chargerbulletin.com
The historically bad parking on campus keeps getting worse BY TYLER WELLS Associate Editor It is a tale as old as cars: everybody complains about parking. Every few years, an article in the Charger Bulletin surfaces about how bad parking is at the University of New Haven. In the early weeks of the fall semester, one thing has become abundantly clear: parking is still a disaster. Commuter students commonly find themselves circling the lots hoping a spot will open up. The clutter is most noticeable during morning classes, when the traffic on campus often causes students to be a few minutes late. This reflects an unforeseen outcome from the COVID-19 pandemic: the reintroduction of in-person courses and free commuter parking passes is a recipe for a traffic jam. University associate vice president of public safety Ronald Quagliani said that parking issues like this typically arise early in the year as students adjust to the campus. “It typically takes a few weeks for everyone to get acclimated to where they can park,” Quagliani said. But is this just an acclimation issue, as the issue persists three weeks into the semester? While the university has expanded in
both square footage and student population, parking has failed to follow. In fact, the addition of new buildings has caused it to become even more congested. Junior dental hygiene major Brooke Ross said that residential students face the same problems. “There are just not enough spots and it’s first come, first serve,” Ross said. “Lots around campus fill up quickly and it can be impossible to find spots on some days.” This is a problem that dates back a few years when construction of the Engineering and Science Magnet School began, which was built on a former parking lot, taking more spaces away from students. The new Bergami Center is another new building replacing parking. Of course, nobody will complain about new buildings, but can we let parking catch up? It seems as though the issues of student parking have lagged behind in the campus’ development. This has spilled over onto North Campus, too, as the large lot has been unusually filled with cars. Much of this can be contributed to construction of the new athletics building, which is taking spots away once again. In response to the expanding campus, the university has adopted the “perimeter parking” model. The Railroad Salvage and
Wade Street lots are perimeter options, but come with a long walk or unreliable shuttle ride. Quagliani said that parking in these lots is typically available all day, with the Courtesy Van servicing students who park there. Though the vans help in those lots, it can be tough for students running late to park there and make it on time. This leads to a difficult decision: be late to class or get a ticket? Ticketing is another aspect of the parking problems. Though, as Quagliani said, this is an
A car receives a parking ticket outside of Winchester Hall, West Haven. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Lismarie Pabon
acclimation period for parkers, the university has remained more than willing to give tickets. This frequently happens in front of the bookstore, where commuters will go in hopes of finding a spot. Even though this lot is usually vacant, commuters are not allowed to park there during the day, and are in jeopardy of facing a $20 ticket if they do. With limited space, these problems are difficult to find a solution to. However, with no construction on the main campus
for the time being, it is time to find a real fix.
Graphic courtesy of Elisa D’Egidio
“White Fragility”is a must-read before you can be “anti-racist” BY ISABELLE HAJEK Opinions Editor It is a rare occurrence that one finds a book where every line is quotable and every chapter makes you reflect; however, sociologist Robin DiAngelo’s “White Fragility: Why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism” achieves both. Answering the question of why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism, sociologist DiAngelo masterfully addresses the reader–who is presumed to be white as connoted by her use of the words “us” and “we”– and challenges a variety of their beliefs, both conscious and unconscious. While Ibram Kendi’s book teaches the reader “How to be Anti-Racist,” DiAngelo’s is a first-step, how-to guide in recognizing your place in a racist society as inherently racist. While I had heard of her book before, I had been dragging my feet when considering reading it, thinking that I was already conscious of my place–a very “this doesn’t apply to me” mentality. DiAngelo is quick to debunk this way of thinking in the first
chapters of her book. She writes, “white progressives cause the most daily damage to people of color” as she calls upon those
claiming not to be racist to reframe their understanding of racism; to think of it not as a character trait but as a foundation
A stack of books, inluding “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo. Photo courtesy of Charger Bulletin/Isabelle Hajek
that our entire society is built upon. It is inescapable to operate within it, making you inherently racist. By first restructuring your way of thinking, then taking you through U.S. history as it pertains to racism (which is its entire history), and finally diving head first into the topic of white fragility, DiAngelo artfully strips bare your preconceived notions and builds back up a foundation of understanding. She achieves this through carefully crafted metaphors that make the ideas she presents accessible and simple, by deliberately selecting outside sources and, perhaps my favorite of her tactics, a cleverly selected diction. The book is meant to make the reader sit and learn to be comfortable with discomfort as they deconstruct internalized biases and preconceptions. As a method of doing this, in conjunction with a clever selection of diction, DiAngelo flips the script when she juxtaposes the term “whites” with “Black people” and “people of color.” This emphasizes the illusion that white people exist as a monolithic identity all while people of color are denoted the
proper respect in the terminology she uses. This is an inversion of the diction used in society today. While DiAngelo’s end goal is to understand all people to be deserving of respect, her word choice subtly provides the reader with only a fraction of the discomfort people of color experience existing within a racist society. DiAngelo’s book and perspective has gained criticism for the homogenization of white people she employs; A U.S. centered perspective and perceived “infantilization” of people of color, among other critiques. These critiques demonstrate how complex the topic is and highlight that no one book is going to be a one stop education, this one included. This book is a must-read regardless of where you think your level of racial justice literacy lies. Gone are the days of just saying “I’m not racist” and stopping there; it’s time to self-reflect and self-educate. I suggest your journey starts with Diangelo’s “White Fragility” and expands from there with pieces like “How to be Anti-Racist,” “The New Jim Crow” and “Locking up Our Own.”