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Thursday, October 25, 2018
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GOVERNMENT
Candidates in gov. race face off in final debate MIKE ZLONKEVICZ/Daily
Schuette and Whitmer talk education, immigration, more 13 days before election
Regent candidates Paul Brown, Jordan Acker, and Michigan State Representative Yousef Rabhi answer students’ questions in a forum hosted by the Michigan Affordability and Advocacy Coalition in Weill Hall Wednesday evening.
Regent candidates, State Rep weigh in on campus affordability issues
The event was hosted by the Michigan Affordability and Advocacy Coalition SAYALI AMIN
Daily Staff Reporter
The Michigan Affordability and Advocacy Coalition hosted an Affordability Forum Wednesday night with Democratic University of Michigan Board of Regent candidates Paul
Brownand Jordan Acker along with State Rep. Yousef Rabhi. MAAC Presidents Lauren Schandevel, a Public Policy senior, and Griffin St. Onge, an LSA senior, presented questions and moderated the forum. The discussed topics included finding affordable off-campus housing and dealing with tuition
increases. Brown said the responsibility of the University extends beyond housing for students on campus, encompassing off campus issues as well. “It is the University’s job and therefore the regents’ job to make sure that housing and food is affordable for students
during their whole education period,” Brown said. “For the University or Board of Regents to say, ‘Well, we gave them relatively affordable dorms as freshmen and a meal plan and the last three years are not our responsibility’ – it’s a city issue I think that’s a cop-out.” See REGENTS, Page 3A
CARLY RYAN
Daily News Editor
With 13 days until the general election, tensions were high as Michigan’s gubernatorial hopefuls convened for their final debate Wednesday night. Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, former state Senate minority leader, and Republican Bill Schuette, state attorney general, exchanged blows over immigration, higher education, environmental issues and infrastructure. Whitmer’s campaign frames her as a pragmatist, is currently leading by double digits in the latest polls against Schuette, who has branded himself as the
“jobs governor.” Schuette’s critique of Whitmer centered around her time in the political “establishment.” Schuette repeated Whitmer’s political career in the state Senate multiple times, saying she only passed three bills in 14 years –– a report card “not good enough for Michigan.” He also emphasized he sees Whitmer’s policies as “extreme,” painting her platform as an “economic collapse plan.” Throughout the debate, he circled back to his “Paycheck Plan” for economic growth. “I want Michigan to be a jobs state, a growth state and a paycheck state.” Whitmer focused on her See DEBATE, Page 3A
“High Stakes Culture” panel explores Gutiérrez Title IX continues importance of fostering respect online policy adds
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in his fight for asylum
Speakers and students wrestle with questions of labor in moderating trolls
After a hearing in Texas, Knight-Wallace fellow returns to Ann Arbor
As part of their “High Stakes Culture” series, the Institute of the Humanities and the Humanities Collaboratory hosted an event Wednesday afternoon titled “How Did We Become a Troll Nation and What Can Humanists Do About It?” Four panelists, ranging from an academic to software entrepreneurs, were joined by about 50 students, faculty and other audience members at North Quad Residence Hall for a discussion on the increasing toxicity of online platforms. The event began with moderator Angela Dillard, LSA Undergraduate Education Associate Dean, asking audience members to discuss with people sitting near them about what drew them to the event and what they hoped to learn more about that afternoon. A troll, panelists explained, is a member of a digital community that intentionally mocks or harasses others. Amy Dawson-Andoh, a fifth-year communications study Ph.D. candidate argued despite the opinion that online platforms are neutral, she believes sites are inevitably inf luenced by the bias of the people who use them. In support of her
KATHERINA SOURINE Daily Staff Reporter
On Monday, University of Michigan Knight-Wallace Journalism fellow Emilio Gutiérrez Soto and his son Oscar had an immigration hearing in El Paso, Texas as part of their effort to be granted asylum. Gutiérrez and his son have been seeking asylum in the U.S. for 10 years ever since the journalist received threats from the Mexican military. Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as Gutiérrez’s lead attorney Eduardo Beckett, presented Gutiérrez and his son’s case. Gutiérrez initially began seeking asylum in 2008, f leeing the country upon discovering that his name was on a military hit list after writing an article about soldiers robbing a hotel. After being detained at an immigration center in El Paso for nearly eight months in 2017, Gutiérrez was released a day before the federal judge’s See ASYLUM, Page 3A
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claim, she spoke of her own experiences with trolling in the gaming community. Panel member Kamilah Taylor concurred with Dawson-Andoh, further speaking about trolling in the gaming community and social media. In response to toxic digital culture, Taylor and panel member Daniel Burke co-founded Swaay, an app currently in private
beta meant to foster diverse and civil discussion. The app purposely incentivizes such behavior by asking users to consider whether opinions are thoughtful or not before asking if they agree or disagree. Users are also able to have private conversations with other users who hold different opinions. Burke explained the main goal of the platform as well
as meaningful online activity should not be to convince other people of a point-ofview, but to first listen to how the opposing opinion was formed. “There was a question earlier about the difference between an opinion or an argument. I hope to create a place, a safe place, for both, where someone can just say a See TROLLS, Page 3A
ASHA LEWIS/Daily
Kamilah Taylor, co-founder of Swaay, discusses how her app deters internet trolls in North Quad Wednesday.
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INDEX
Vol. CXXVIII, No. 17 ©2018 The Michigan Daily
in-person questioning
Amendment to sexual misconduct rules arrives after circuit court ruling ELIZABETH LAWRENCE Daily Staff Reporter
The University of Michigan released a statement Wednesday announcing the University will amend its policy on student sexual misconduct to incorporate an in-person hearing where the students involved in the sexual misconduct investigation can ask questions to each other and witnesses. The amendment comes after the recent U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, which states public universities “must give the accused student or his agent an opportunity to crossexamine the accuser.” Following this ruling, the University petitioned for a rehearing from the Sixth Circuit panel that edited the decision to clarify no student has the right to a direct crossexamination. This request for a rehearing was denied. If the University decides not to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, the ruling will apply to all colleges and universities in the Sixth Circuit See POLICY, Page 2A
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Editorial Staff MIKE ZLONKEVICZ/Daily Dr. David Chesney, COE professor, receives the James T. Neubacher Award in the Neubacher Ceremony at Rackham Wednesday morning. Dr. Chesney was recognized for his impact on people with disabilities through his engineering courses based in improving accessibility.
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POLICY From Page 1A including Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, thus requiring them to reconfigure their procedures for sexual assault hearings and investigations In the University’s amended policy, the in-person hearing will be facilitated by a trained officer. The details of the policy expected to be released later this fall are still being ironed out. As of now, officials offer students involved in sexual misconduct cases, as opposed to their advisers, will likely be required to ask questions at their hearing. In the Public Affairs press release detailing this policy revision, Jeffery Frumkin, the new interim Title IX
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coordinator and senior director at the Office for Institutional Equity, said OIE will try to maintain as sensitive and informed of a process as possible while still being in accordance with the ruling. “We believe that an appropriate and lawful hearing model is one in which cross-examination is allowed, but in a less intrusive, more trauma-informed manner that allows parties to submit written questions through a neutral hearing officer to ask of the other party and witnesses,” Frumkin said. “However, we will move forward with the process that best meets the needs of our community as well as adheres to the new requirement.” The changes to this policy will be considered temporary for a period of time while the University determines how
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the community assesses the effectiveness of the policy. The policy was last revised in
Requiring universities to allow crossexamination by counsel will convert disciplinary proceedings into full-scale adversarial hearings, with the university president forced to preside
Februrary to broaden definitions of genderbased harassment and intimate partner violence. In appealing the Sixth Circuit’ original ruling, the University filed a brief argued a crossexamination process could create a hostile environment for both parties. “Requiring universities to allow cross-examination by counsel will convert disciplinary proceedings into full-scale adversarial hearings, with the university forced to preside,” the University’s brief read.
“Moreover, the panel opinion introduces new opportunities for unfairness, with economically advantaged parties likely represented by counsel, and others essentially appearing pro se or with only non-lawyer family members or support persons.” By the end of September, however, another brief filed indicated adminstrators would move forward with the live hearing model. “(The University) is no longer contesting whether the investigative model they have used to date is sufficient, and understand that they must provide students in Title IX cases with a live hearing including cross-examination,” the filing reads. Public Policy senior Lena Dreves told The Daily last month she feels the Sixth Circuit’s decision poses significant issues, especially if students are allowed to bring in a professional advocate. “(T)he University must take the lead when it comes to defending the most financially vulnerable students on campus, especially those who may not be able to hire a lawyer,” Dreves wrote in an email. “It is incorrect to assume that due-process cannot be accomplished by a third party cross examination. These are not full-on judicial proceedings, nor should they be. To allow the accuser the option of hiring a lawyer and directly confronting the accused would not only add complexities for survivors coming forward, but it would give advantages to the ‘financially better off’ student.”
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News
Thursday, October 25, 2018 — 3A
Marching Band alumni raise funds in support of survivors of assault
Following claims of harassment in SMTD, campaign diverts money from school CATHERINE NOUHAN Daily Staff Reporter
After the Michigan Daily published the story of a School of Music, Theatre & Dance student’s experience reporting a Graduate Student Instructor for sexual assault, University of Michigan Marching Band alumni are diverting money from donations to SMTD and MMB towards sexual assault awareness programs instead. A GoFundMe campaign
TROLLS From Page 1A thing,” Burke said. “This is just something that I’m feeling, or to even describe. I’m not going to make a comment right now, but I’m going to tell you how my frame of reference was built. I’m going to tell you where I’m coming from as I enter into this conversation. The intention is not to change someone’s mind. There’s no winning.” Panel member Rachel Rohr, a Knight-Wallace fellow, spoke of her experience with trolls while managing the digital side of a show on National Public Radio. She discussed how her show was unique among others for having a particularly healthy comment section. In order to achieve this, she shared that she dedicated time every day to read every comment. If a commenter violated community guidelines, she would redact or delete their comment in addition to explaining to them
REGENTS From Page 1A One of the questions submitted asked if the University could build new student housing on land the University currently owns, making it environmentally friendly and low cost. Acker responded the University has allowed the private sector to build in parts of campus like S. University Street and students pay a substantial amount to live in a good location. “I think there’s an element of planning that needs to go on,” Acker said. “When I hear the amount that people are paying
DEBATE From Page 1A social policies rather than economic policies and restated Schuette’s ties to the Flint water crisis and lawsuits he filed to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. She promised to work across the aisle, citing a turbulent political climate. “Bill Schuette and I couldn’t be more different.” Environmental Issues Water policy issues such as the Flint water crisis, the Detroit Public Schools water crisis, the Line 5 deal in the Straits of Mackinac, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance issues and the Nestlé water deal saturated the debate on protecting Michigan’s largest natural resource. Whitmer promised to create a department that would oversee contaminants and use of the natural resource and denounced
started last night at 7 p.m., and has already surpassed its goal of raising $1,972 for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center at U-M. The donation total is growing as The Daily writes this update. At the time of publication, there are more than 412 shares on Facebook, 74 donations, and a total of $2,182 raised. The campaign organizers decided the fundraising goal would represent the year that women were first allowed to join the Michigan Marching
Band in 1972. “We have always donated to the MMB hoping that more students will have the life changing experience that we had as members of the MMB,” MMB alumni Donald and Heidi Amadek wrote on the campaign page. “Our experience was not sexual assault. For an organization dedicated to music, a tone deaf response is unacceptable, and we hope that by donating to SAPAC that we can show the victims that we hear them, believe them and
support them.” As the GoFundMe trends, campaign organizers wrote they hope to put pressure on STMD and MMB to act in the best interests of students. “Now, as alumni, we compel the MMB and SMTD to hold themselves to those same high standards and set an example for all members of the University of Michigan community that there is no place for sexual harassment and assault on our campus,” the campaign reads.
why she did so. She spoke of how her presence itself altered behavior, for people knew she was there monitoring the conversation. However, she also noted such an approach had its limitations due to subjectivity. She also spoke of how such a solution was only necessary because the structural features of the comment section could not prevent trolling, and how ultimately it is not ideal because it is not sustainable nor scalable. Overall, much of the discussion referenced ideas raised by fourth panel member Megan Ankerson, a communications studies associate professor. She outlined many of the main difficulties with changing online dialogue relate to questions of labor, or who moderates the exchanges, and architecture or how the design of a platform could prevent trolling. Ankerson concluded solutions must address both
the technological and the human. In the last remarks of the evening, she envisions the kind of common space online environments should be. “I think, as someone that comes from communication studies, that this is a really important connection between community and common, and having a space where we don’t necessarily have our opinions in common, but a space in which we can debate questions of common concern, in order to, you know, communicate,” Ankerson said. Dawson-Andoh said the point that resonated with her the most was the discussion of exactly how online culture can be reshaped. “I think the question of labor, and how you’re to moderate online spaces if you want to, you know, deal with (this) problem with this problem of toxicity, not just trolling, not just individuals, because toxicity is an entire environment – How do we stop that?” DawsonAndoh said.
Event organizer Kristin Hass, the faculty coordinator of the Humanities Collaboratory, explained the event was designed to encourage audience engagement, particularly from undergraduate students. “People in the humanities have a lot to contribute to try and understand the world, and that wouldn’t it be cool to provide a space for undergraduates to get in on the conversation, so that we weren’t just inviting people to come and give a lecture,” Hass said. “The intent (of the event) was to provide an opportunity for undergraduates to talk to, to have a real exchange with faculty and actors in the world who are trying to address a big problem that matters to a lot of us.” Ankerson also mentioned the Humanities Collaboratory is planning to host another High Stakes Culture event next semester and were looking for student input on potential topics.
for housing close to campus, it’s become such a premium that it’s really ridiculous.” Rabhi added the University has land that is underutilized currently in parts of North Campus, especially near Baits. “The University has a considerable amount of land up there,” Rabhi said. “Some of the more underutilized land the University has is some of the Northwood developments where there’s vast swaths of mowed grass that could be potentially utilized for University students that are housed and families.” Another question mentioned a U-M Dearborn survey that collected data on student housing and food insecurity. The question posed whether similar information would
become available for Ann Arbor and whether any action would be taken. Brown said the lack of information on Ann Arbor would make improving or helping these marginalized populations difficult. “I can’t believe there hasn’t been a survey,” Brown said. “How do you understand the group you’re trying to serve if you don’t have the data?” Rabhi added a Washtenaw County perspective, mentioning there is data and information available on homeless populations in the county but not so much for students. “The county Human Service net knows a lot about hunger in the community,” Rabhi said. “But there’s a lot of gaps when it
comes to the student population in particular.” Rabhi also mentioned money the county receives for these populations takes into account low-income students. Many questions brought up also dealt with the changing socioeconomic demographic of the University, including how large parts of the state may view the University as expensive and inaccessible. The median income at the University measures at $154,000. Brown compared the differences of students who attend the University based on county.
the deal with Nestlé Waters North America, which would allow the company to pump 76,000 gallons of water per day from Michigan for $200 a year. She said Schuette is confusing recreational water policy with the fundamental right to clean drinking water –– a right she promised to uphold. “It is appalling the state of water and the lack of safety in our water,” Whitmer said. Whitmer also vowed to enter Michigan into an alternate climate alliance until the Trump administration enters the nation back into the Paris climate accord, and said it’s time for Michigan to lean into renewable energy sources. Schuette said the government needs to make sure “solid science” is being used before formulating policy. Whitmer said Schuette’s views on the legitimacy climate change are different when the “cameras are off,” but Schuette expressed otherwise. “Climate change is real and
Earth is getting warmer and we need to make sure every nation is part of the solution,” she said. Education Schuette said he plans to “grade” schools on a scale of A through F to give families more transparency in school quality, reward schools with incentive grants and create a literacy director to create a “culture of reading in Michigan.” “When I’m governor, Michigan’s children will read,” he said. Whitmer, who Schuette contended is captive to the “education establishment,” said she wants universal early childhood education, improving treatment of educators and to triple the number of literacy coaches. She said Michigan teachers are demoralized. “It’s no wonder teachers support me,” Whitmer said. “You know why? Because I support teachers.” In terms of tuition, both
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ASYLUM From Page 1A deadline to produce documents explaining why he was detained. During this time, the Knight-Wallace Fellowship, a University program managed by Wallace House that allows mid-career journalists to spend an academic year at the University, advocated for his release and accepted him as a fellow for the 20182019 school year. Gutiérrez and his son have been living in Ann Arbor since the beginning of his fellowship in September. Judge Robert Hough, the current presiding judge on the case, denied Gutiérrez’s asylum request in July 2017, but later reinstated the appeal. Wallace House Director Lynette Clemetson said the family should know the results of the case by January. Hough also denied earlier requests to change the hearing venue to Michigan, a mandate that Beckett has taken to indicate an unjust bias against Gutiérrez. Beckett cited the lack of consideration of new material evidence as his first indication of injustice. He described the allegedly ignored evidence filed in the appeals court, such as updatedexpert data on conditions in Mexico that show 47 reporters have been killed in the country since 1992, and letters of support from various prominent news outlets and organizations. “I strongly believe that Judge Hough has prejudged the case. He’s done everything in his power to minimize it. Judges are kind of like the gatekeepers of cases, they admit and exclude evidence, they decide whose credible and who is not,” Beckett said. “Back in May, we won Emilio’s appeal to have the judge review new material evidence that was not available before that was very important to the case. All the evidence that was submitted should’ve been with Judge Hough on Oct 22, and he barely has it. That seems very reckless, that’s never happened to me.” Kathy Kiely, Lee Hills Chair in free press studies at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and National Press Club freedom fellow, spearheaded NPC’s effort to gather evidence of Gutiérrez’s past journalistic work. She tweeted a document detailing letters of support from the NPC, Radio-Television Digital News Association and the
National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Beckett claimed that despite a strong testimony from Clemetson in support Gutiérrez’s asylum request, her efforts were not taken into account. Clemetson joined the two for a hearing in August and on Monday. “When Lynette joined us in August, she came in good faith to introduce herself, to meet the judge, to tell him about her program, and the judge wouldn’t even acknowledge her in the courtroom and told me it was irrelevant. And to me, that was a sign of disrespect, at that moment I told the judge that it was in the interest of justice and Emilio’s fellowship, which is not just some small accomplishment, that this case should no longer be before him, and that it should be moved to Michigan,” Beckett said. “He later said, ‘I don’t care if you turn blue, I’m not letting go of this case.’” Clemetson echoed many of Beckett’s sentiments. “I was able to testify. Emilio was able to testify. It was clear that the judge did not consider our testimony at all,” she said. “After everything that happened, it was our assumption that we were testifying not just to the judge but to the appeals court, because the judge had indicated that our testimonies were not going to change the way he saw the case.” Clemetson said while they are appreciative the two can return to Ann Arbor for the time being, the team still has a long way to go before Gutiérrez and his son will have secure status. “The sad thing is that the judge has always had the power to grant asylum to Emilio and Oscar, and while this further delay means that he can come back to Michigan, a much better outcome would’ve been that the judge look at all of the evidence and grant asylum for this journalist whose life is in danger,” she said. “That was the desired outcome yesterday, and we certainly hope that the ruling in January ref lects that he has gone through all of the evidence presented, which at this point addresses every concern that he expressed in his first ruling. There should be ample evidence to allow him to reach a different conclusion this time, but if he doesn’t and if he denies asylum a second time, I am certain that Emilio’s lawyers are going to pursue the appeal.”
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candidates agreed high education is currently too costly. But while Whitmer proposed solving this issue by creating a scholarship plan that would provide a debtfree two-year degree, Schuette promised to focus on building up trade schools and apprenticeships. He said workers with trade skills are needed in Michigan, and their success can be bolstered by a stronger economy. “The best approach for high school and college is a strong economy,” Schuette said. “We need to make sure that high school graduates are career-ready and workforce-ready.” Whitmer also touched on the lack of workers in skilled trades and said Michigan’s “talent gap” contributed to Detroit not making the short list of locations for Amazon to build a second headquarters. “We have to prioritize meeting the skills gap by making sure everyone has a path to a skill,” she said.
LGBTQ Rights Recently, the Trump administration announced a possible legal definiton of sex that excludes transgender Americans, bolstering the debate regarding whether or not Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act should be expanded to make LGBTQ people a protected class. Schuette said he will make sure Michigan is a state free from discrimination, and that the best way to assist in creating equality is by making sure Michigan has a strong economy, reiterating his economic goals. Whitmer said she supports amending the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Citing lawsuits Schuette brought forth against gay marriage, Whitmer said Schuette would be the “most anti-LGBTQ governor Michigan has ever had.” “I believe that it is time for Michigan to get on the right side of history –– this is 2018,” she
said. Immigration Since the Trump administration took office, Michigan has seen a 75 percent decrease in legal refugee arrivals –– a national low. Whitmer said she sees this statistic as a negative product of fear mongering from Schuette and Trump. She expressed heartbreak over the family separation policy that was in effect over the summer and said she is running to combat the “nasty rhetoric” coming from Schuette. “Michigan was built by immigrants,” she said. “It’s a strength that we have.” Schuette emphasized border security, saying if he were elected, he would not allow sanctuary cities. He said Whitmer’s immigration views are extreme, and that if she were elected, Michigan would become a sanctuary state and that she would work to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Opinion
4A— Thursday, October 25, 2018
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ALEX KUBIE | COLUMN
I
When Trump makes landfall
administration has remember the t weets. the The (almost too f itting) previously moved to limit image of former the rights of transgender individuals, the memo Presidential ser ves as the boldest candidate course of action yet to Donald Trump strip the transgender holding up the communit y — people rainbow f lag who are our neighbors, in front of his who pay taxes, who thousands of ser ve this countr y — supporters, as from their respective if that colored rights and dig nit y. piece of cloth It f urther targets an even knew the ALEX already v ulnerable truth of what KUBIE class of citizens that lay ahead. I even remember the assurances faces both legal and societal of friends and loved ones to discrimination. A transgender student not worr y; Jared and Ivanka were sure to ser ve as a buffer on campus, who wished to bet ween the most powerf ul remain anonymous out of fear man in the world and the for his identit y, spoke about already-frag ile rights that the news of the proposed had just delicately been memo with g rave concern. established. Yet, just like many preceding presidential administrations, a people to fear — to unite against through deep-seated bonds of animus — was needed. While Muslims, those of Mexican descent and even victims of sexual assault were cast aside, a g roup that lawmakers and elected off icials have exploited for the past centur y as a means to elicit political gain once again returned to the forefront of our chief of state’s vitriol: the LGBT communit y. Now, this past week, “I was hopef ul that the reports of a memo by the Trump Administration “to coming election would bring establish a legal def inition some change for transgender of sex under Title IX, the people in the state (of federal civil rights law that Michigan), and now to know bans gender discrimination the federal government is in education prog rams tr ying to completely — and that receive government legally — erase us is just so f inancial assistance” has terrible.” While the upcoming surfaced. This narrow elections may def inition “def ining gender midterm as a biolog ical, immutable not put Trump and his condition determined by administration directly on genitalia at birth,” would the ballot, it can ser ve as a “eradicate federal recog nition f irst step in electing leaders of the estimated 1.4 million who will f ight for the rights Americans who have opted of all people at both the local to recog nize themselves — and national level. Following surg ically or otherwise — as the 2015 Supreme Court a gender other than the one decision that legalized samesex marriage, the sense of they were born into.” While this may not come urgency among gay people as a surprise for many, — and within the national
If this week has not made it apparent enough, the fight for total equality in the eyes of the law is far from settled.
dialog ue as a whole — has seemed to dissipate. If this week has not made it apparent enough, the f ight for total equalit y in the eyes of the law is far from settled. We are now faced with emerg ing fatef ul challenges. The architect of the enshrinement of LGBT rights has departed the Supreme Court. The United States Secretar y of Education ref uses to act on pertinent issues such as transgender bathroom access. The supposed-leader of the free world, when prompted with the issue of gay rights, jokes about his own Vice President “want(ing) to hang them all!” There is now much lef t to wonder where the issue of gay rights proceeds from here. While much prog ress has been realized in the recent past, we cannot g row complacent in our current state of existence. Nor shall we become fearf ul at the sight of such hatred’s re-elevation to our nation’s highest positions. What reverberates in my mind in the face of such g rowing antagonism are the words of former President Barack Obama upon the 2015 ruling of Obergefell v. Hodges in which same-sex marriage was g ranted across the nation: “Prog ress on this journey of ten comes in small increments. Sometimes t wo steps forward, one step back, propelled by the persistent effort of dedicated citizens. And then sometimes there are days like this, when that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt.” Though our brooding storm may be marked with ominous precipitation and despair, through persistence and unwavering solidarit y with the LGBT communit y, out of this same storm can come that unbending thunderbolt of justice once again.
Alex Kubie can be reached at akubie@umich.edu.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONVERSATION Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor and op-eds. Letters should be fewer than 300 words while op-eds should be 550 to 850 words. Send the writer’s full name and University affiliation to tothedaily@michigandaily.com. HANNAH MYERS | CONTACT HANNAH AT HSMYERS@UMICH.EDU
Y
Ann Arbor is preparing for the storm, are you?
ou could go swimming right now, but you didn’t necessarily plan on it. You knew it was going to rain, but did you expect g iant puddles to swallow the sidewalk, the road or your shoes for that matter? In this beautif ully constructed cit y that we call home, the last thing that we think about is its imperfection. Ann Arbor, new and old, consists of aesthetic, impressive architecture and infrastructure that not only meets the log istical demands of the cit y, but also perfectly complements the abundant natural scener y that surrounds it. Nevertheless, what if I told you that’s not good enough? When vast puddles form af ter one mild rain in areas around campus that are frequently occupied by foot traff ic, one consequence, among many, of an ineffective stormwater system becomes completely obvious. The desig n of our current stormwater and sewer systems pertain to past obser vations of precipitation and land use which have evidently shif ted over time with chang ing climate and urbanization. Thus, what we can truly recog nize is that the cit y of Ann Arbor has always considered molding public infrastructure in a way that best suits the needs of the times. Now, it’s time that it continues taking steps toward executing plans to renovate infrastructure in a way that supports the Universit y of Michigan’s goals for sustainabilit y while maintaining strong output in all important economic sectors. Perhaps more importatly, strong infrastructure and the removal of excess stormwater has exponential effects for our environment, particularly when it comes to preventing erosion and water contamination. In order to do this effectively, the cit y has to have a particular mentalit y already ref lected in those who specialize in environmental and urban sustainabilit y. Branko Kerkez, assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Eng ineering, is the leader of a national research team organized under the National Science Foundation’s Smart & Connected Communities prog ram. This team is composed of researchers from various other institutions who are investigating the use of smart stormwater systems in reducing f looding and improving water qualit y. In
essence, Kerkez is looking to improve the f unctionalit y of current stormwater systems by implementing sensors and other autonomous technolog y to enhance system capacit y during large storm events. However, rather than completely replace old infrastructure, Kerkez emphasizes the benef its and practicalit y of implementing g reen infrastructure into existing infrastructure: “Instead of saying new and expensive construction is our only option, can we use what we have in a better way?” The sensors being developed by the research team are multifaceted to account for all aspects of water passing through a stormwater system. In essence, they will run on real-time control systems that allow a stormwater system to enable f lood control with a detention basin as well as to enable water qualit y control with a retention basin based on the precipitation conditions
I believe this closedmindedness is what is undermining our local and global environment.
present. The research team expresses conf idence that the hybridization of these stormwater system sites will benef it the qualit y of the water and the health of the overall surrounding ecosystem, claiming that temporarily converting a detention basin to a retention basin and vice versa can increase the removal eff iciency of total suspended solids by 60 percent. In addition, sensors will control the f unction of above-g round and underg round valves for the system to most effectively reg ulate g roundwater f low and measure moisture and water qualit y at any g iven time. As a result, retrof itting existing stormwater systems with cost-effective smart technolog y will g ive the overall stormwater system an adaptive capabilit y to constantly redesig n itself in response to chang ing weather
conditions. With this newly desig ned system providing clear benef its for water qualit y and several advantages to the f unctionalit y of stormwater systems, it’s natural to ag ree with the efforts of Kerkez and the research team in implementing sensor technolog y to enhance this aspect of the cit y; However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s easy for all of us to ag ree with efforts like these. While we as a generation have come across countless opportunities to improve the qualit y of our surrounding environment, we have always felt some reluctance toward seizing them because they of ten involve a change in lifest yle or an advancement that feels like it could be too advanced for what we’re used to. In other words, while it is natural to pursue in life what is morally correct, it is perhaps even more natural to remain stag nant and live life how we’ve always done it. I believe this closedmindedness is what is undermining our local and global environment as we speak. Thankf ully, the governing bodies of the Universit y have recog nized the importance of adjusting our infrastructure to suit the environmental demands of the times — teams from Facilities & Operations are currently in the process of installing a stormwater inf iltration system on Central Campus near the Diag, where the massive ponds of water collect during rains. However, many institutions and industrial corporations ever y where have failed to take similar strides toward manag ing their infrastructure effectively in relation to the environment. Showing that we care about creating a healthier environment in accordance with a more eff icient infrastructural desig n is only half of the journey, and, for most, it’s the only half that we have control over. So we can leave it to Kerkez and the professionals to execute these ideals that are prog ressing toward sustainabilit y, but it’s important that we instill these ideals into our professionals and authorities with an urgency that makes them prevalent and necessar y to be addressed so that we as a societ y can prog ress our environmental and economic sectors equally.
Kianna Marquez can be reached at kmarquez@umich.edu.
KAYLA CHINITZ | OP-ED
W
An overshadowed opinion on Israel
hen people think about relig ious diversit y on campus, they may not always consider the diversit y that exists within relig ious minorities. Since I arrived at Michigan, there has been one dominant political voice coming from the Jewish communit y: a voice which does not speak for me. As a Jewish student who is relig iously engaged and loves celebrating my cultural roots, I feel distressed by the toxic environment surrounding the debate over Israel. Though a diversit y of opinions exists within the U-M Jewish communit y, I’m saddened by the fact that many of these viewpoints are overshadowed by a vocal, conser vativeleaning perspective. And I am not alone. The polarized political dichotomy on campus excludes the many prog ressive Jews who want Israel to exist as a Jewish homeland, but are appalled by the indifference to the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. I believe calling out the current Israeli government for its humanitarian violations is a political statement, not hate speech against Jews. I
also believe criticizing the government and its policies should not be generalized to imply anti-Semitism, unless these criticisms specif ically negatively target Judaism or Jews in general. We should be quick to condemn anti-Semitism, as
I don’t want the Jewish state to disappear, but I am also not offended by criticism of Israel; in fact, I welcome it. with all forms of relig ious discrimination, but we should not misconstrue political sentiments as anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is real and it exists on this campus, but when people equate political statements to a blind hatred toward Jews, they obstruct the possibilit y for nuanced conversation and joint
productive action. I don’t want the Jewish state to disappear, but I am also not offended by criticism of Israel; in fact, I welcome it. I’m not going to blindly support the Israeli government while it carries out severe human rights violations, and I’m not going to support Israel’s prime minister while he denies these acts. Though politically conser vative voices supporting Israel’s current policies are more prominent on campus, they should not be viewed as more leg itimate than underrepresented voices. The Jewish student body does not speak with one unif ied voice – and that’s ok. As a Jew who is hurt deeply by anti-Semitism, a rig id def inition of anti-Semitism that broadly equates criticism of Israel with hatred toward Jews does not represent me. As I f ind myself caught in escalating campus tensions concerning Israeli politics, I feel a responsibilit y to critique Israel’s policies not in spite of my identit y as a Jewish student, but because of it.
Kayla Chinitz is an LSA sophomore.
Sports
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Thursday, October 25, 2018 — 5A
Hailey Brown is back in action for Michigan For ‘M,’ every weakness ICE HOCKEY
ROHAN KUMAR Daily Sports Writer
Last season, forward Hailey Brown joined the Michigan women’s basketball team as the most promising player of the group’s freshmen class. She was a five-star recruit, had experience with the Canadian National Team program and had started proving her talents early on for the Wolverines. Brown earned her spot in the starting lineup for the first game and stayed put, averaging 25 minutes, nine points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Brown hit full stride in January, shooting 50 percent or better from the field in six straight games. Against Indiana, on Jan. 10th, she converted 10-of12 from the field — including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc — to finish with 23 points and eight rebounds. With that standout
performance, she won both Big Ten and National Freshman of the Week honors. “Really transitioned well into freshman year,” said Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico at the team’s Oct. 10th Media Day, “and had a really, really solid freshman year.” But after starting 27 consecutive games, Brown’s season took a turn in February. During the Wolverines’ game at Michigan State, Brown came off the court with a lower left leg injury near the end of the fourth quarter. Her recovery took time. When Michigan headed for the NCAA Tournament, Brown could have played but rested instead, so not to risk further injury. Though her absence on the court burdened the team, it was not a total loss for Brown. Rather, she gained insights from the change of perspective.
“I feel like by me being out I see the game differently — how I can affect what our team does,” Brown said after practice on Oct. 22. “So, I feel like I have a stronger understanding of what my role is.” During the tournament, Brown took note of what the team was missing and discussed her observations with Barnes Arico. “We were both on the same page for things,” Brown said. “Now, it’s great to be back on the court and applying what I learned from that.” Around early April, Brown finally started playing again. To ease her way back into shape, she focused her time on both anti-gravity and underwater treadmills. As she gained strength, she progressed to running. Brown hopes to be a key contributor on offense this season.
Over the summer, she emphasized pull-up jump shots and drives to the rim in her practice regime. She also wishes to build on and maintain the shooting success she established midway through her freshman year. Without Katelynn Flaherty — the program’s all-time leading scorer, who graduated after last season — Brown’s ability to score could be vital to her team. But Jillian Dunston, who averaged nine rebounds per contest, is gone too. Thus, Brown knows she’ll need to play a more prominent role under the glass. “Rebounding is a huge emphasis,” Brown said. “ … Definitely I’m gonna have to step up and rebound as much as I can and put that effort out there.” And with the season around the corner, Barnes Arico is excited to have her back. “She is back,” Barnes Arico said, “and she is better than ever.”
DARBY STIPE/Daily
Sophomore forward Hailey Brown figures to be a key part of Michigan’s efforts to replace players like Katelynn Flaherty and Jillian Dunston, who both graduated.
Release Date: Thursday, October 25, 2018
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
ACROSS 1 Smudge 5 Splinter group 9 Instagram or Snapchat 12 Past time 13 Union agreements? 14 “Get outta here!” 15 Trying to overcome a late start, say 18 Clemson’s conf. 19 Silicon Valley setting 20 Hoops net holder 22 Deli order 24 New York prison in 1971 headlines 26 Wine glass feature 27 Suffers from 30 Prince Harry’s alma mater 31 “Any minute now” 36 Org. with Jays and Rays 39 Elastic bikini top 40 Org. with an annual Codebreaker Challenge 41 Critical shuttle maneuver 44 Skier’s pick-meup? 45 Summer hrs. 46 Archipelago part 50 Sweater pattern 53 Salieri, to Liszt 55 Streaming delay 56 Spiritual leader of Nizari Ismaili Muslims 60 Actress Mendes 61 NBC soap since 1965 64 Mineral sources 65 Poolroom powder 66 Gimlet garnish 67 ACLU concerns 68 Cross with a top loop 69 Creepy glance
6 Pushing boundaries 7 Soft-drink word since 1886 8 Deposed Russian ruler 9 “That feels good” 10 Pull out all the stops 11 Katy Perry and Mariah Carey 14 “Get outta here!” 16 Watson creator 17 Beverage with dim sum 21 Comics read vertically 23 Montréal mate 25 __ Aviv 27 Perfected 28 Mints brand with mountain peaks in its logo 29 Surgical tube 32 “Speaking frankly,” in texts 33 Armed conflict 34 Home run hitter? 35 Spain’s cont. 36 Like virtually all golf club heads nowadays 37 __ retriever
38 Blowhard 42 Push to the limit 43 Yang’s opposite 47 Memorable guitarist __ Ray Vaughan 48 2009 Justin Bieber hit 49 Correction device 51 Highlands girl 52 Big 38-Down feature
53 Spring time ... or a military procession involving a word sequence hidden in 15-, 31-, 41and 61-Across 54 Bigger photo: Abbr. 57 Mennen lotion 58 Zen question 59 “Incredible” hero 62 “Of course!” 63 Not well
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:
DOWN 1 Go around 2 Humorous feline meme 3 Prophecy source 4 “The Daughter of Time” novelist 5 Six-Day War By C.C. Burnikel peninsula ©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
is a learning experience RIAN RATNAVALE Daily Sports Writer
Just days after the No. 12 Michigan hockey team’s 5-4 loss to Western Michigan, coach Mel Pearson harped on a troubling trend for the Wolverines. On Saturday night against the Broncos, Michigan was plagued with a bad case of turnovers, especially in the defensive zone — three of which resulted in Western Michigan goals. For a team that, at times, looks like it can score at will, Michigan didn’t do its defense and freshman goaltender Strauss Mann any favors. Pearson, though, has three different remedies ready for his players come practice time to iron out wrinkles like turnovers. The first one is just approaching players one-onone, and making sure they know their mistakes, quick and direct. “It’s a game of mistakes,” Pearson said. “You have to understand where you are on the ice, the situations on the ice, and those turnovers were all in bad spots. So we have to continue to work on that.” If that doesn’t work, or if Pearson senses the team could benefit from looking at a player’s mistake, he isn’t afraid to show the mishap on tape in front of the whole team. Pearson breaks down the errors to his players, educating the entire team on how to improve. “We don’t want to embarrass anybody, but the video doesn’t lie,” Pearson said. “It’s right there.” Once the issue is sniffed out, Pearson and Michigan fix those mistakes by playing them out exactly as they happened on the ice. With the turnovers
specifically, the team practiced more full-ice situational drills, which emphasize decisionmaking with the puck. On Michigan’s first turnover that led to a Broncos goal, the Western Michigan defense cornered Michigan’s wings. Rather than quickly clearing the puck, Michigan waited for the support that never came. Naturally, the Broncos stole the puck, forced an odd-man rush and flicked in the first goal. “It’s situational,” said junior forward Jake Slaker. “I think when we do breakouts out of the zone, a lot of our turnovers are in the danger areas, whether that’s the blue line in the offensive zone or the blue line in the defensive zone.” Whether it’s a freshman coughing up the puck or junior forward Will Lockwood — whose game on Saturday was only his third in almost a year after a season-ending shoulder injury — going through the motions of how to better a certain facet of the game helps to fix novice or rust-induced mistakes. “A lot of our daily drills are predicated on in-game situations, so we always show them how to do it and why we do it,” Pearson said. “Practice is practice, but when you get in games, the speed is different, the situation is different.” While mistakes are evident in the Wolverines’ play — resulting in a 1-2 record to start the season — Pearson is confident these problems can be mended. “The beauty of that is that it’s fixable,” Pearson said. “I’ve been around a long time, and some things you see and just go, ‘Wow, we’re just not going to be able to fix that, but other things like this you can fix.’ A bad read or a bad play.”
‘B’ team strong ahead of Big Ten Championships JACOB KOPNICK Daily Sports Writer
As freshman Anne Forsythe lined up at the Hudson Mills Metropark course Friday in Dexter, Mich., she recalled all the ins and outs of the land in front of her. Having raced on the course multiple times throughout her high school career, the Ann Arbor native had plenty of experience to draw on — not to mention world-class talent. In the end, these factors would combine to help Forsythe cross the finish line first at the EMU Fall Classic and faster than she’s ever done it before — almost 63 seconds faster to be exact. Forsythe would finish the race with a time of 16:57.9. While not competing in a Michigan uniform, Forsythe supplemented a stellar Wolverine performance that saw both the men’s and women’s teams dominate. Forsythe is a freshman at Michigan, but ran unaffiliated from the university as to not burn her redshirt status with the team. But after two dominant, unattached
performances in the regular season, coach Mike McGuire has a tough decision make — maintain Forsythe’s redshirt status or find her a spot in an already stacked postseason squad. “Obviously, it’s gonna be my decision, but we’re gonna get input on where she’s at,” McGuire said. “She hasn’t had the luxury of running in uniform up to this point, so there is a bit of an adjustment with all the sudden stepping in the lineup with your teammates, that kinda thing. We want to make sure it’s the right time for the team and the right time for Anne.” If selected to compete at next week’s Big Ten Championships, Forsythe would try to help her team win its third straight Big Ten title amid one of the most competitive conferences in the country. And the Wolverines look poised to do just that. Finishing second at last week’s Pre-National Invitational, only behind last year’s champion New Mexico, Michigan showed its depth and finished first among Big Ten foes. On Friday, though, the focus was
on the Wolverines’ ‘B’ team — a squad that also flexed its muscle in a top finish in Dexter. The women’s team claimed a dominant victory over the likes of Michigan State and Eastern Michigan. Leading the pack for Michigan was fifth-year senior Rachel Coleman who clocked a 17:32.2 on the five-kilometer course. She finished fifth overall in the event and was followed closely by redshirt junior Faith Reynolds, who finished sixth with a time of 17:38.4. Showing drastic improvement from just a season ago, redshirt freshman Raquel Powers finished seventh in 17:43.8. “I’d say of our athletes in uniform, Rachel Coleman ran her best race of the season by far,” McGuire said, “And I thought we had some really solid performances from several others such as Faith Reynolds and Raquel Powers.” As for the men’s race, the Wolverines landed another three runners in the top-10 to show the depth of its team while closing out the regular season. Redshirt freshman Christian Hubaker
crossed the finish line fourth overall and first for Michigan with a time of 15:22.2. A pair of fellow redshirt freshmen, Dominic Dimambro and Lewis Tate, quickly followed Hubaker to come in eighth and ninth with times of 15:33.3 and 15:35.2, respectively. The men’s team trotted out its ‘B’ squad as well on Friday, while both ‘A’ teams rested up for the start of the postseason meets. With a week of rejuvenation under its belts, both the mens’ and women’s teams are poised for continued success ahead of the Big Ten Championships and are embracing the opportunity to take on the conference’s best. “We know it’s gonna be a challenge,” McGuire said. “There are five teams ranked in the top 15, so outside of the two real power conferences at this point in the nation are ourselves and the Pac12. Both meets will be barnburners in their own right. And we’re just excited to be a part of the mix. We’ll be prepared and hopefully set up a race plan to get us on top of the podium.”
10/25/18
10/25/18
ALEXIS RANKIN/Daily
The Michigan cross country teams participated in the EMU Fall Classic on Friday, though many of the top runners sat out ahead of Big Ten Championships.
Sports
6A — Thursday, October 25, 2018
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Michigan players using different methods to improve mental strength ARIA GERSON
Daily Sports Writer
Assistant coach DeAndre Haynes preaches the importance of having a short-term memory on the court. When Isaiah Livers first heard the advice, the sophomore forward found it so striking, he wrote it on his shoe. That way, every time Livers looked down, he would remember to forget, developing an aspect of his game that was largely absent last year. In basketball, the ability to block out noise and remain calm amid distractions is a vital and underrated aspect of the game — a skill many players don’t develop until later in their careers. But in the offseason, when the Michigan men’s basketball team’s practice time is limited, many players worked on their mental games — and they’re beginning to see it pay off. Livers didn’t stop at his shoes. He spent a lot of time reading books by his idol Bruce Lee. “I learned more about, life is gonna happen, you just gotta let it,” Livers said. “ … That sticks with me every day now. Even before practice, I think about it, like if you’re gonna miss a shot, you were supposed to miss a shot because it’s what fate had for you, so I kinda don’t try to control everything as much as I did.” Livers didn’t make a single 3-pointer in the NCAA Tournament. It’s a stat that still sticks with him — a byproduct of not having enough of a shortterm memory last year. A jump shot is all about fluidity and muscle memory, and because of that, being slightly off mentally can have a big impact physically. It’s a lesson Livers now wishes he could have used in every game of the postseason. That’s why the coaches have also been emphasizing the psychological aspect of the sport. Michigan coach John
EVAN AARON/Daily
Sophomore forward Isaiah Livers wrote a message on his shoes to remind himself to have a short memory, especially after he makes a mistake on the court.
Beilein has brought in a person to run guided meditation sessions and help players with the mental side of free-throw shooting. Sometimes, it works almost too well. “We’ve been doing a lot of meditation,” Haynes said. “(Beilein) brought in a guy the other day, and we all was in the media room, and he actually put a lot of people to sleep. He just taught us to relax.” And while meditation can seem soporific to some, many players have discovered its benefits — and credit it with improving their mental game on and off the court.
“It’s done a lot,” said junior guard Zavier Simpson. “At first, I’m not gonna say I wasn’t a fan of it, I just didn’t do it. As I began to mature, so I would probably say beginning of last year, I started doing a lot of meditation amongst myself and just trying to read certain books that dealing with mental health, just trying to make life and basketball and everything around me a lot easier.” Simpson keeps his specific meditation practices to himself, but he’s also happy to give his teammates advice if they ask. After all, as one of the team’s veterans — and one who has
“I kinda don’t try to control everything as much as I did.”
faced his fair share of adversity — he has a lot to offer to younger players beyond his on-court presence. He frequently tells teammates to find little segments of time to relax and take their minds away from everything else going on — even if it’s just a few minutes per night spent reading or doing meditation. Many of the underclassmen are now discovering how much of a difference it can make. “I’ve been doing a lot of yoga and meditation,” said sophomore guard Jordan Poole. “More relax time. I’m saying I used to just want to hurry up and leave and go somewhere last
year.” Poole went beyond just taking time to relax. After a brush with celebrity following his buzzerbeating March Madness shot against Houston, Poole wanted to learn more about himself. He deleted most social media. He went to pumpkin farms. He watched real estate-themed TV shows with his parents. And most of all, he took the time to learn new things and discover everything the world had to offer. Last year, Poole was always moving. Now he knows the importance of slowing down. “(I learned) to be extremely composed, not get overwhelmed
“I’ve been doing a lot of yoga and meditation.”
with things because when so much is getting thrown at you, you can start to … freak out a lot and and start moving too fast and not go back to the basics,” Poole said. “But when things are being thrown at you, and you’re able to just relax and in the moment and calm down and take things slowly, I feel like it helps on the court and off the court.” The mental side of the game is something players often learn from each other, and for no teammates is that more true than Poole and Livers. Over the summer, the two hung out constantly, swapping video games, TV shows and books. Even subconsciously, the best aspects of Poole’s effervescent personality and Livers’ mellower one influenced the other. “I noticed (Poole) was changing and getting more mature. He used to be late to everything. Now he’s more on time,” Livers said. “No matter what it was, he was late, so I was like, ‘Dang!’ I think he’s more, I think I rubbed off more on him. “ … That swag and that chip on his shoulder rubbed off on me a lot because the offseason I was working on my mental game and just hearing his positivity every day helped me a lot.” In theory, the changes are simple. But in a sport where the right frame of mind can be the difference between a flood of shots and a scoring drought, those changes can be monumental. And while every player has a different method of developing confidence and ignoring distractions, everyone has started to see the value in it. “Just finding peace and blocking out all the noise,” said junior center Jon Teske. “ … I think that’s a big part of the game too. “ … I kinda just, kinda clear my mind. I love naps, so I kinda just take a nap.” As long as they’re not during meditation sessions.
Jake Slaker helping Wolverines’ top line of Josh Norris and Will Lockwood TIEN LE
Daily Sports Writer
You saw a taste of it Friday night against No. 19 Western Michigan. Jake Slaker, Josh Norris and Will Lockwood made things happen. However, in the opening game of the season, the No. 11 Michigan hockey team’s top line had a slightly different look. Instead of junior forward Slaker, Michigan head coach Mel Pearson chose to go with sophomore forward Michael Pastujov in his stead, opting for a moderately bigger and more physical option in the crafty, speedy line. And though the line produced a goal, a change was needed after a 5-2 loss against Vermont in the opener. And that change was Slaker. Slaker had been the heir apparent for the first line after the previous year’s top line — the Dancs, Marody, Calderone line — had departed. Of the returning players, Slaker had the second most points and the most goals at 27 and 15, respectively. And more importantly, he did it with Norris as a linemate. So it was a surprise to many when he was put on the third line instead. KATELYN MULCAHY/Daily But upon being promoted Junior forward Jake Slaker has fueled Michigan’s top line since he joined them after the Wolverines’ 5-2 loss to Vermont in the opening game of the season. Slaker and his linemates have improved since. to the first line, Slaker’s performance has justified the sometimes the players don’t the puck to Joseph Cecconi, who take that one tee on that side, strengthen a line. So during the Pearson said. “We’ve seen decision. even have a chance to look and in turn passed to Lockwood. Set and it’s one of those things talk, Norris suggested to Slaker Norris score, we saw Slaker in front of the net, Lockwood where usually the net front guy to fall off and put his stick score, we saw Lockwood score Since his entry into the line, see where their linemates are. this weekend so that’s good. Michigan’s second- falls off back door just to be towards the net. the top-line forwards have “Sometimes, you don’t really scored an option. If he does miss the “Honestly, I didn’t even see We think that can be a really produced three goals and two have a chance to look,” Slaker power play goal of the game. netter or if he the puck,” Slaker said. “It came dominate line, not unlike the run assists. said. “You kinda just know “They’re all does rebound, so fast, I just had my stick and ‘DMC’ line we had last year, with “Last year, Slaker played with where the guy is or you kinda good players,” Dancs, Marody and Calderone. then I’m right placed it and I felt it go off. Norris pretty well the whole sense where the guy is and I Pearson said. “I was just pretty excited. Just We see that they can play against there.” year. I just showed Josh the think that just comes with time “They all can one of those situations where anyone else’s top line.” Having line chart today from last year and situations and we’ve only skate, They all The difference between fought for you kinda get the ball rolling for when we played in the regional,” played two games together can score. They position, Slaker the season, and happy it came Pastujov and Slaker’s top Pearson said. “We had Slaker this year and now we’ve got all can create capitalized after then because it turned out to be line impact is style. Whereas and Warren and Norris together. Lockwood, a new linemate, offense.” a hard battle a pretty big goal as it came down Pastujov has a little bit more And the So Josh and Jake played well so I think once we play a little physical style of play, Slaker for the front of to a 6-5 game.” together and we feel there’s longer together, it’ll really add offensive push And it wasn’t just Slaker who complemented his linemates the net. Earlier some chemistry between Will the chemistry.” continued In Friday’s matchup against minutes later, in the week had the ball rolling. The three with his speed, puck control and and Josh right now. And you’re Western, Norris initiated this time with during practice, linemates and their chemistry puck movement. trying to find that chemistry.” “I think once we get our Norris had approached Slaker displayed potential throughout Chemistry is essential an offensive attack midway Slaker. “It was a power play goal,” to talk about what to do in that the weekend that had Pearson chemistry going, we can really for success in any sport, but through the second period. get something special going,” especially hockey. As Slaker Slipping through the defense, he Slaker said. “Quinn made a nice situation. It was a chemistry- seeing flashes of last season. “We saw some good things,” Slaker said. noted — the game is so fast that drew the defenders and brought pass to Josh, and Josh likes to building moment that can only
“Last year, Slaker played with Norris pretty well...”
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2B —Thursday, October 25, 2018
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FILM NOTEBOOK
BSIDE LEAD
If I hear ‘America First’ in a movie again, I will die JERMIAH VANDERHELM Daily Arts Writer
COURTESY OF AMPLIFIER
What democracy looks like: The intersection of art and activism SAMANTHA DELLA FERA Daily Arts Writer
When politics are brought up, it invokes a series of reactions. Some may jump at the term, desperate for any chance to share their bona fide beliefs. Others will recoil, either because of their discomfort in disclosing their political dispositions or embarrassment at their ignorance of the topic. Politics can ruin friendships, first dates and Thanksgiving dinners — particularly now, at a time during which one’s politics has seemingly become the defining pillar of their character. In this polarized state that too often turns ugly, it may seem ridiculous to try and find any beauty in the chaos. Yet, that it is exactly what many have set out to do. To people of all ages and backgrounds, the tumultuous country they have found themselves living in is not one where they feel defeated, but rather compelled to fight on. With every shocking decision and revolting remark, there is a new protest, a new fundraiser, a new movement looking to help anyone that may need it. In the darkness of prejudice and intolerance comes the fire of activism, and there is no better way to express such passion than through the universal medium of art. The Center for Artistic Activism, based in New York City, defines artistic activism as “a dynamic practice combining the creative power of the arts to move us emotionally with the strategic planning of activism necessary to bring about social change.” Simply put, this form of art is meant to make the viewer feel something powerful; to make them want to promote change. In 2014, during a seemingly unending string of mass shootings, artist Michael Murphy created an installation of toy guns shaped as the the United States. During the Women’s March, news sources hung onto pictures of handwoven pussy hats and personally made signs. These images provoked thought, hope and a desire to make the future different. Amplifier is a design lab based in Seattle. Its specialty is activist art and its mission is to “flip artists into activists, and observers into participants,” according to its website. While you may not have heard of Amplifier, you have definitely seen the work of its artists. The now-iconic image of a woman wearing an American flag hijab was a part of Amplifier’s “We The People” campaign, which its website describes as “a nonpartisan campaign dedicated to igniting a national dialogue about American identity and values through public art and story sharing.” In an email interview with The Daily, Deputy Director of Amplifier, Cleo Barnett explained the “We The Future” campaign as a way of “moving energy and ideas from our streets into our classrooms.” Following the success and impact of “We The People,” Amplifier has moved on to a new project: supplementing education with art. The organization’s latest campaign, titled “We The Future,” looks to replace traditional classroom posters and resources with ones made by more diverse and activist-minded artists. Young leaders from various social movements including gun control, climate protection, immigration and voting rights are being represented through art and stories
to inspire the next generation of activists. The hope is that by seeing activists that more closely align with themselves, rather than old, white presidents or an outdated propaganda poster, students will in turn feel an internalized need to participate. Barnett reiterated the goals of Amplifier as a way to ignite creativity and promote representation. “Our goal is to reclaim and rebuild an American identity rooted in equality, dignity, diversity, truth and beauty,” Barnett wrote, “For young people who are not used to seeing themselves in history books or on the walls of classrooms, what Amplifier and its partners are distributing is more than art.” Bayeté Ross Smith is a multimedia artist, filmmaker and educator who has previously done work with Amplifier. As a photographer, his work often falls under the category of turning observers into participants. “Far too often people will take a very surface approach to (social issues) and won’t dig deeper,” he said in a phone interview with The Daily. “That often means that we’re not getting involved in constructive and productive exchanges of ideas. … You see the work I do and you have a certain reaction to it, my hope is one will question why they had that reaction, the validity of that reaction and why their reaction was different from someone else’s.” When it comes to viewing art, the way one receives and is impacted by a piece comes down to perspective. “I think one’s personal foundation is always the foundation for the lense through which they see the world,” Smith said. “If we were all sitting in the same room and we were to photograph it, all of our photographs would look a bit different. They’ll all technically be truthful, but they’ll still be vastly different. You can see the same thing from different perspectives and see various forms of truth, it’s just important to be aware of how our perspectives impact us.” Using art as a form of activism is not an exclusively contemporary concept. For decades, the voices of the oppressed are most strongly shown in the literature and artwork they create. This creativity has filtered through generations, impacting the modernized form of various historical movements and weaving itself into the public sphere. A controversial example of this is Beyoncé’s use of the style of the Black Panther Party in her 2017 Super Bowl Halftime show to support to the Black Lives Matter movement and the issues facing the Black community. Much of the Black Panther Party’s image and protest was projected in its style,
as it challenged conventional looks of the time. Their daring artistry has stood the test of time, as has the legacy of a magnitude of social movements from American history. On the special collections floor of the Hatcher Graduate Library, the Labadie Collection is housed in hidden stacks. An anthology of pamphlets, posters, buttons, newspapers and other materials from activist movements dating back to the early 20th century, the collection has been a part of University archives since 1911. It was donated by Joseph Labadie, a Mich. native who was active in the anarchist and labor movements of the late 1800s. Julie Herrada has been the curator of the Labadie Collection since 2000. Before that, she was assistant curator for six years. She says while the collection still gathers modern anarchist and labor literature, it has grown into a selection of a variety of activist materials from around the United States and the world. “The original donation from Joseph Labadie was early-19thcentury materials on labor movements, socialist and anarchist movements, then with each curator it grew in size to include those contemporary movements of the day,” Herrada said in an interview with The Daily. “Whatever was happening within the time period of the curator, they could start collecting that and adding so the collection included all forms of social protest and all countries, so it has an international scope as well.” The existence of the Labadie Collection, and particularly its earlier pieces, makes for a vital comparison of activist art from over a century ago to an image created today. While the anarchist and labor movements that started the collection may now seem dormant, that does not diminish its importance. “I think it’s important for people who are in college now to know that these the movements had relevance and were important in their time and how people spread the word about those messages,” Herrada explained. “You can look at something online and you will really not get the same feeling about it as if you’re holding it in your hands. Maybe hundreds of people held it in their hands and maybe the first person who held it in their hands was the person who created it. It gives you a sense of excitement about connecting to the past.” Connections to the past are exactly what viewers of the Labadie Collection are looking for. Herrada said the collection is often visited by classes at the University — three had observed the pieces just on the one day we held our interview —
and students and professors alike generally have the same response. “When they are reading some of the documents from 50 years ago they see how relevant the content is to today,” Herrada noted. “It’s something that could’ve been written yesterday, as opposed to 50 years ago, and I always see them kind of surprised by that. We’ve come so far in our society but yet we are still arguing about these same things.” Whether it is the advancement of labor rights, the recognition of transgender individuals or the continuation of the fight for civil rights, the United States has experienced expansive social crusades for centuries. Though the outright goal of these activists may differ, their core values remain the same throughout movements. Be it laborers campaigning for fair treatment and working conditions or the LGBT community demanding basic human rights, activism grows out of admitting something is wrong and unjust and demanding to live your life — while inspiring others to do the same — in any way that can make a difference. So many people brush aside social issues because they have heard about it but don’t know enough or they think someone else is taking care of it. Art has the power to change this indifference. It transcends language and backgrounds to reach people in a way that transforms the problem into something tangible, something that applies to them. Unlike speeches, news reports and monotonous facts, art conjures emotions and thoughtfulness. As Smith said, “You now feel in your heart that responding to this event or occurrence or dynamic in the world is an important and relevant part of your daily life. Art takes things that we may be able to intellectualize, and makes them actively relevant to our daily experiences in a provocative and compelling way.” According to Amplifier’s Deputy Director, Cleo Barnett, “Art is more than beauty or decoration: It is a weapon and a shield. Art has the power to wake people up and serve as a catalyst for real change. It is a megaphone for important but unheard voices that need amplifying. It is a bridge that can unite movements with shared values in ways other mediums cannot. Art gives us symbols to gather around, builds community, and helps us feel like we are not alone.” To learn more about the work of Amplifier, Cleo Barnett or Bayeté Ross Smith visit amplifier.org and bayeterosssmith.com. The Labadie Collection may be viewed by request on the sixth floor of the Hatcher Graduate Library.
COURTESY OF LABADIE COLLECTION
The next time someone quotes Donald Trump in a movie and tries to pass it off as political satire, I am going to spontaneously combust in the theater. It’s a feeling that began festering inside me this summer when I watched “The First Purge” and bore witness to a scene in which a man in a dollar store demon mask grabs a woman by her nether regions only to be fought off and declared a — ahem — “p*ssy-grabbing motherf*cker.” Since then, it’s only grown, and most recently it reached its climax with my viewing of “Venom,” which saw fit to include a scene where the villain dismisses reports of human experimentation as “fake news.” “It’s going to happen,” I realized then. “My soul will detonate, and it will take my body with it.” To be clear, these are not the words of an angry Trump supporter who can no longer bear the thought of those dastardly Hollywood liberals besmirching the good name of the Donald. Quite the opposite — I believe film and satire are art forms uniquely suited to tackle the problems posed by the current administration and galvanize the public in opposition to them. The problem now is we’re not satirizing Trump. We’re just sarcastically repeating what he says. The foundation of satire is taking an ideology and turning it inside out, whether it’s “Cabin in the Woods” turning horror tropes into a workplace comedy or “The Death of Stalin” turning the murderous powerjockeying of post-Stalin Soviet politics into a Monty Pythonesque farce. Whatever the case, there’s an idea that’s being engaged with and subverted. The problem is we’ve been foregoing this analysis in favor of simply quoting Trump and leaving it at that, shifting the focus away from where it should be both politically and satirically: his actions. Trump could be a thespian of Shakespearean wit and vocabulary, and if he still dehumanizes everyone who isn’t a straight, white, American-born man with his every action, he would remain the worst president we’ve had this side of World War II. We should be able to take stock of what he’s done and build a movie around something. Yet for whatever reason, Hollywood seems reluctant to move away from mere quotes in favor of something more substantial and lasting. Instead, we get Alec Baldwin’s gaudy, inexplicably Emmy Awardwinning Trump caricature. We get “The First Purge” dressing half its cast like Nazis with a leather fetish. We get the aforementioned “fake news” line in “Venom” and any number of other films like it. This doesn’t mean any movie, in order to make a statement, has to be straight political jargon, either. Just look at “Star Wars.” Die-hard saga fans and film history buffs will probably know that the original trilogy is a critique of Nixonera politics, particularly regarding the Vietnam War, in which the technologically advanced Empire stood in for America and the underdog Rebellion took cues from the Viet Cong. Those weren’t the
only influences — Lucas took inspiration from everything from World War II dogfights to western serials to Japanese cinema — but through it all, the framework was kept the same: a hostile, technologically advanced, imperialist force tries and fails to overcome a much smaller opposition. Those political musings continued into the prequels, with Lucas aiming to tell a story of how democracies can be supplanted from within. By the time “Revenge of the Sith” rolled around in 2005, he had updated his real-world targets to include Dick Cheney and George W. Bush. Even the sequels, which began as a what-if scenario on the idea of Nazis regrouping in Argentina, evolved into a commentary on the entitlement and fragile identity politics at the core of the alt-right as time went on and the movement entered the mainstream. Popular entertainment and political analysis don’t need to be kept separate. They just need to be smart about it. As with the Force, there has to be a balance. If Luke had walked into the throne room in “Return of the Jedi” and the Emperor had started belting out Nixon quotes, something magical would have been lost. Likewise, if Lucas hadn’t been so passionate about communicating his political beliefs to the masses, “Star Wars” may not have gotten made, and the landscape of cinema as we know it would be a different — and, I would argue, worse — place. On the other hand, if a film wants to be through-andthrough political, it has its own tightrope to walk: It has to toe the line between resembling a cultural moment enough to be relevant and distanced enough from that moment to continue to be relevant years and even decades down the road. “BlacKkKlansman” comes as close as any film I’ve seen to satirizing Trumpera politics as it presents and combats an ideology, but it then makes the mistake of explicitly tying itself to Trump. Instead of being about the continual reoccurrence of white hate, it becomes about one specific reoccurrence. It will be all too easy for future generations of nationalists to pass over it once the age of Trump has ended: “That’s not about us. It’s about Trump, see?” Compare that to “Wag the Dog,” which follows a Washington spin doctor and a Hollywood producer as they construct a fake war to distract from a presidential sex scandal. The film is based on a book that acted as a critique of Desert Storm, but it was released on Dec. 17, 1997, exactly one month before the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke and about nine months before Clinton was accused of bombing suspected al-Qaeda bases to distract from said scandal. The film was famously brought up then, but in the age of “Look over there!” politics, “Wag the Dog” has stayed relevant, its message adaptable to multiple political climates but never less than incisive. That’s what we should be striving for: Films that can combat Trump, that can show people who may not otherwise realize what he truly is, but which won’t lose their meaning the moment he leaves office. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. But it will, I believe, be worth it.
‘It’s going to happen,’ I realized then. ‘My soul will detonate, and it will take my body with it.’
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
b-side
Thursday, October 25, 2018 — 3B
B-SIDE SECONDARY
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Stop! What’s that sound?: How the Vitnam War changed music forever CLARA SCOTT Daily Arts Writer
A sense of rebellion is woven deeply into the American identity. While the last 250 years have proven that the people of the United States and their government have become experts at maintaining the status quo, there is still a part of our national identity that celebrates the notion that to be “American” is to react against something, sometimes against the institution of America itself. This was especially prevalent during the 20 years of the Vietnam War, a period during which political turmoil directly danced with massive cultural upheaval and rebirth. The center of this change rested squarely in the hands of varied social and political movements of the time, which leaned heavily on artistic expression and colored the Vietnam era with poignant commentary on its realities. In the face of death, confusion and the stagnant trudge of war, American counterculture paved a path through the muck by creating music that would last the test of time. The political background of the Vietnam War was complicated and messy, the combination of a society entrenched in antiCommunist rhetoric and the need to display American strength on an international scale. Lasting from 1955 to 1975, the period during
which Vietnam affected U.S. society spanned two decades and resulted in tens of thousands of American and Vietnamese casualties, leaving the nation at a loss for what the war truly meant in a historical context. To some, it was to establish stable democracy and eliminate Chinese influence in a new and warring nation. To others, the reason for conflict in Vietnam was obscure, a long-lasting fight that had no clear goal or end in sight. Though the older and more conservative generations maintained their belief in the war’s necessity, their voices were largely unrepresented in the artistic movements of the time. Country music artists like Merle Haggard remained supportive of the government throughout much of the war, but in comparison to the popularity of countercultural anthems, its pro-America messages were overshadowed. Initially, the war gained support from a majority of Americans, but as time went on and deaths mounted, the national perspective began to shift toward ambivalence, while the massive population of nearly 80 million young Baby Boomers kicked an anti-war effort into gear. The impetus of anguish for this youth movement was only exacerbated by the military draft, sending college campuses and urban centers across the country into action. With this action, the American tradition of rebellion was represented in their music, a medium by which
communication was possible through the visceral power of song. These tunes would become the face of a generation and a period of time alike, framing the unrest of an era with songs heavy with soul and a timeless message of change against all odds. The spirit of freedom to fight for one’s beliefs continued in the hearts of musicians and fans alike during the Vietnam era, a protest for peace that continues to affect the country’s music today. Before the Vietnam War’s influence truly reached American society, protest music was already in full force in response to the Civil Rights movement of the late ’50s and early ’60s. Artists like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel stood at the forefront of the early folk music revival scene, which grew out of New York City’s Greenwich Village and into the ears of listeners across the country. Baez’s song “Birmingham Sunday,” among others, displayed the struggles of the battle for civil rights in America, while outstretching a hand for others to join the cause through the simplicity and barebones style of folk music itself. The genre at its root was forged in the working man’s toils, so it was only natural for its sound to carry a message of empowerment and social awareness in a time of political uneasiness. When the war’s effects became more and more apparent in folk’s strongholds, the music began to reflect anti-
war sentiment and a painfully true commentary on the war’s effects on both soldiers and those still at home. From this, music like Dylan’s iconic song “Blowin’ in the Wind” was born, stamping a permanent mark in U.S. music history while fueling the debate around the war’s obtuse purpose and seemingly senseless violence. The message of folk music from that time was a clear analysis of what the international destruction of Vietnam meant in the context of already existing domestic turmoil, calling the listener to look deeper into the superficial peace of daily life to see a system in need of change. While folk music colored much of the early ’60s protest songs, the anti-war message began to shift into rock and psychedelia as counterculture merged with many of the time’s youth movements. Protests erupted across the country in areas with high youth populations, only heightened by the massive scale of the Baby Boomer generation. Buffalo Springfield, then Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Creedence Clearwater Revival merged rock with the organic sound of folk, creating music with a direct and piercingly honest core. They highlighted the realities of government oppression in songs like “Ohio,” which commented on the Kent State Massacre of four student protesters in 1970, and “Fortunate Son,” a meditation on the inherent inequalities of the
war’s draft lottery system that became the unofficial anthem of the anti-war effort. The pop rock ‘n’ roll of the ’60s shifted into a darker, grittier version of itself in response to the political and social conflict of popular culture, with bands like The Beatles and the Rolling Stones moving into more experimental territory with albums such as Revolver and Let it Bleed. This edgier side to rock has stayed put since, becoming the standard for the genre as time has gone on. But the image most have of the Vietnam era is of the hippie counterculture, of Woodstock ’69 and Jimi Hendrix smashing guitars. This too was a response to the period’s social discord, as thousands of young, largely white and middle-class Americans joined the movement to embrace free love. They gathered at festivals like Monterey Pop to communally celebrate their music while joining hands against the negativity and confusion of wartime. The hippies were the face of that counterculture, especially in light of the drug culture that wove its way into their art and practices. They were not protesters, but rather purveyors of a peaceful mentality supported by pacifism and a kernel of ignorance. Psychedelic drugs like LSD influenced both the spiritual aspects and creative approach of the hippie movement, producing bands like Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead’s whimsical sound. As the war reached its peak in the early ’70s and devolved, so did the hippie counterculture and its popularity, leaving its style and music behind as many devotees descended into drug abuse or left the movement altogether. The “Summer of Love” in 1967 was arguably the climax of “free love” culture, a community assemblage that celebrated their customs and ideology. From there, hippie neighborhoods like San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district lost their glory quickly, leaving their music and aesthetic appeal as a lasting token of the movement’s ideals and highest achievements. While folk, rock and psychedelia created the sound of an era for white America, black soul and blues artists also continued their own path against the social tumult of the ’60s and ’70s. Artists such as Marvin Gaye brought Motown and other R&B labels into the political sphere with records like 1971 release What’s Going On, the title track of which became a timeless representation of that era and others like it. “Father, father,” Gaye sings, “We don’t need to escalate / You see, war is not the answer / For only love can conquer hate.” These lyrics, among others from the period across every genre, show the universal application of protest and politically conscious art throughout time. “What’s Going
On” could easily have been written today, or post-9/11, or during the HIV / AIDS epidemic in the ’90s. The political tenor of the Vietnam War’s music remains a large part of American pop music today, specifically in the darker, more direct themes seen in rock and folk music of the modern age. The generation that popularized this time’s most lasting music was huge, millions and millions of people born after WWII that brought the spirit of protest from their youth into the future and passed it along to their children. Overall, the themes of Vietnam era music are relevant in any time period, and a combination of poignant messages, truly great arrangement and the commitment of those who loved it to keep the melody in the public eye for decades. It could be argued that the political turmoil of today’s Trump administration could offer the same fodder for musical and artistic development that the Vietnam War did, but the issue is slightly more complex. In the Vietnam era, the anti-war effort was easy to understand even if the purpose of the war wasn’t, and it gave the counterculture the opportunity to unite against a clear force. The Civil Rights Movement and SecondWave Feminism intermingled with this counterculture, but the goal of counterculture’s music was more crystalline than it is today. In 2018’s political climate, the issues with American government and society are increasingly complex and abstract. Activism has burst into the mainstream in response to this, and with it the message of “sticking it to the man” that much of Vietnamage music carried is almost not enough. The messages of that time have become commonplace in rock and folk, an expected edge to each genre that originated in the protests and festivals of the ’60s and ’70s. In its place, the protest music of today looks different, and elicits a different feeling than those songs: artists like Beyoncé, Childish Gambino and Kendrick Lamar have taken political action into rap and pop music, creating a new generation of activists that will hopefully continue the message just as those in the Vietnam era did. But the real question lies in whether the widespread political agendas of today’s musicians will become diluted in their commonality, or present a real chance to make change in America. If the effect of Vietnam’s music is any indication, connecting via art may hold the key to forming a community to flip the script of modern politics. But it is up to the listeners to take it into their own hands: Vietnam changed American music forever. Could the modern struggles of today’s political landscape change it for the better again?
TV NOTEBOOK
What’s the point?: The laziness of late-night satire ALLY OWENS
Daily Arts Writer
For comedy writers and latenight personalities, the Trump presidency seemed to come with a silver lining: It was an unexcavated gold mine of material. Unless the nuclear holocaust arrived faster than expected, his four-year term would be commemorated by hilarious impressions, quotable moments and general buffoonery. The blissful avoidance of the ramifications of Trump’s election that marked the television immediately following Nov. 9, 2016 was a clear indication that nothing had been learned from the election itself. The campaign was treated as a farce — thus the results were what we received. Now, there also seemed to be an underestimation of his ability to implement concrete change that could regress our country. The eagerness with which late-night personalities raced to joke again, in spite of the gravity of our situation, now reminds me in a lot of ways of the joyous, careless send-off marches that preceded World War I. Despite there being an understanding that the soldiers were entering into a war, no one truly knew the hell they were in for. People had survived wars before; as a country, we had endured terrible presidents. We were gonna be fine. Right? Just like the fate of the soldiers, two years later, common Americans still find ourselves fighting the war from the trenches with no clear end
to the madness in sight. However, for those in television, life inside the trenches looks a bit different. A new renaissance of late-night television has dawned. A mere four years ago, “Saturday Night Live” was clinging onto the last strands of relevancy, and people were solely tuning into “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to see Mean Tweets. But in 2018, the world of late night has been completely overturned by the results of the 2016 election. Network ratings are booming and late-night personalities are more relevant and influential than ever before. In the beginning, it was therapeutic to laugh along and marvel at the seemingly golden age of comedy into which we had entered, but two years down the line, my laugh lines have begun to show. As I watch the continuous attacks on marginalized groups and the appointment of more officials armed with the ability to strip away human rights, simply laughing along feels almost hollow. I had to ponder why. Despite the variances for each late-night program — from Jimmy Fallon’s choreographed, tepid shots at Trump to Seth Meyers’s more analytical dissection of his ineptitude to Samantha Bee’s outright, overt assault on the Trump administration — when you distill it down, everyone seems to be saying the same thing. These identical takes become even more troubling when you realize that despite feeling like we’re “sticking it to the man” by laughing, in reality, nothing is being done. Two years later, I have come to wonder what
even is the point anymore? In regards to news satires like “The Daily Show” or “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” the argument could be made that these programs’ “point” is to educate. Through laughter, we learn. I will not refute this point, as I can attest to the fact that I have learned plenty of useful information from these programs. However, this positive effect hinges on the simple question of who is watching — or rather, who wants to watch. While our country is more polarized than ever in terms of liberal versus conservative, there still remains a large sector of the population that considers itself to be moderate. As a leftist Black feminist, I sought out programs like “The Daily Show” or “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.” Frankly, moderates who are too apathetic to even definitively pick a side are not going to seek out these shows because of the very fact that they are, well, apathetic. Thus, the information that could be considered educational for those who do not know it already, or do not know that they should care about it is being presented to the liberals who have already bought the product the writers and personalities are selling. These programs’ “niche-ness” is a double-edged sword: While being able to take a more hardlined stance against the Trump administration, they are too niche to reach the audience that would make them effective. They’re screaming into the void.
On the other hand, network late-night shows face the opposite affliction. Nightly late-night variety shows often fly under the radar of critique because, traditionally, their purpose has been to entertain. Although now the opening monologues more often swing politically, there are still wacky sidekicks, funny bits and celebrity guests. Because of this “entertainment” appeal, the major networks of ABC, NBC and CBS still reach the broadest audience and report the highest ratings. Unlike the more niche cable programming, a vast array of people are watching. However, because of this very fact, they must take a “safer” stance on divisive issues. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that
Seth Meyers, a more open critic of President Trump, receives lower ratings than Jimmy Fallon, who keeps his show as neutral as possible but will sometimes bend to pressure and half-heartedly mock 45. This presents a chickenand-egg conundrum: Are these shows highest rated because they are apolitical? Or rather, are they apolitical because they have the highest ratings? Either way you slice it, it’s the same issue; people are missing out on the opportunity to hear the better, analytical critique of the administration. As much as it hurts me as a TV buff to admit it, our salvation from this administration will not be delivered solely through television personalities and witty monologue one-liners. Despite Trump’s
obsession with what is occurring in the media, in reality, comedians are doing no more than just getting under his skin. Although this is a noble feat (who wouldn’t want to piss the guy off?), it is no substitute for real, substantiated change. While I am not suggesting a temporary hold on all comedy until the regime is ousted, I am suggesting that we do not rely on sharing funny clips of Colbert on Facebook to like-minded friends as our only form of objection to the policies and acts of our current executive branch. It will not be and has never been enough to merely laugh along while the world crumbles, because before you know it, the laughter will subside and you’ll discover a world you no longer recognize.
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4B —Thursday, October 25, 2018
ARTIST
IN
PROFILE
Students from The Improv Project / COURTESY OF JACKSON
Why Marc Evan Jackson teaches kids to ‘Yes, and’ BECKY PORTMAN Senior Arts Editor
Marc Evan Jackson only plays a demon on TV, or so he told me. The man behind the all-knowing judge of all matters in the afterlife is Marc Evan Jackson. Despite his role as the devil in charge Shawn on “The Good Place,” Mr. Jackson is anything but evil and, like me, a self-professed, incurable, devout improv nerd. In a phone call with The Daily, Jackson described his first exposure to improvisational comedy as “life-opening.” He discovered improv by playing piano at rehearsal for River City Improv, a group formed by his former Calvin College classmates. “I was there for 10 minutes,” Jackson explained, “and I was like, ‘Oh man, we got to find someone
else to play piano because I want to do what you’re doing for the rest of my life.’” There was something about improv that drew him in. It was magnetic, it was energetic, it was everything he loved but he didn’t know it yet. He recalled about that first rehearsal: “They were the smartest, funniest, kindest, most empathetic people and I was like, ‘Oh, I would like to be among you please be my friend.’” After his initial introduction to the wonderful world of improv, Jackson went on to join The Second City in Detroit where he spent four years. Although his time in Detroit was short-lived, Jackson said that he was intoxicated by the city and that “Detroit became home far more than Buffalo ever was, or even more than Grand Rapids.” In 2001, he moved to Los Angeles where he joined a long-form improv group
made up of former Detroit residents at Second City Hollywood called “The 313,” named after the area code of the city. The 313 still performs today and includes the likes of Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson (“Detroiters”), Keegan Michael-Key (“Key and Peele”), Larry Joe Campbell (“According to Jim”) and Maribeth Monroe (“Workaholics”). Hanging out in Los Angeles with his cohort of Detroit expatriates, Jackson and his wife Beth Hagenlocker (co-founder and secretary at Detroit Creativity Project) wanted to know what they could do to help revitalize the city they loved. “It became clear immediately,” Jackson said. “The thing that made us all good at what we do, made us all agreeable, nice, interested, interesting people and gave us careers is improvisation and the
TV NOTEBOOK
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tenants of that, the yes and, the collaboration and the agreement.” And so, in 2012, Jackson and Hagenlocker formed The Detroit Creativity Project (DCP), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides improv training to Detroit middle and high schoolers by partnering with schools and community organizations. What does bringing improv into Detroit public schools do? According to two years of research conducted by the University to determine the program’s impact, some really good stuff. Jackson explained that it’s “legit science.” Kids participating in DCP’s flagship program, The Improv Project – a semester-long course and summer workshop series that fosters social and emotional learning – do self-assessments at the beginning and end of the program. Jackson reports that many of the students at the start of the program self-identify for social anxiety, social phobia and even depression. However, at the end of 10 weeks of one hour of improv a week, those numbers were significantly reduced, attendance increased, test scores improved and – Jackson’s personal favorite anecdote –“students who have otherwise skipped school that day are sneaking into the improv classes.” Detroit Public Schools are underperforming and students are constantly reminded that their low
test scores mean they are “at risk.” For most kids, it seems easier to stay under the radar, to not raise their hand, to not get involved. However, Jackson said, “Improvisation is the opposite of that because in order to improvise you have to be involved.” Therefore, these kids who are told again and again that they will fail, that their schools will fail, that they don’t matter are reminded that their voice matters. Improv reinforces positivity, creativity, collaboration and agreement. “Improv teaches such good and respectful give-and-take and language and communication patterns that just makes life go better,” Jackson added. “It makes you a better person.” Improv is not only for wannabe actors or people like me; it is for everyone. “Everyone should do it whether you have any interest in being on any stage of any kind,” Jackson said. “If my family improvised, I’d go home for Thanksgiving.” “Improv is good for everything,” Jackson reiterated. “It truly is great for not only finding one’s voice and finding what you care about and what matters to you but also breaking down that barrier of defensiveness about there being only one answer and it opens you up to hear and to listen to and to accept other people’s points of view as well. Improv is so wonderful in that regard, and I think it can be a launch point for activism and for
getting people involved.” “It’s one little parenthesis in their (the kids’) day where what they say matters and they’re getting laughs, they’re having fun and they are finding their voice,” Jackson added. “And they are being told not only what you say is important, we need you to be here, we need you to participate and it’s your mind, your body, your voice that is creating this work and without it, without working together, without one another, we have nothing.” The Detroit Creativity Project reminds kids that their voices matter, their ideas matter and most importantly, they matter. Because when you create a scene out of thin air, you do the impossible and suddenly, anything is possible. “When you step off the back line in improvisation you enter a white room with nothing in it and then you paint such vivid pictures,” Jackson said. “It’s simply impossible except that it’s not if you do it together.” You can catch Marc Evan Jackson wreaking havoc on “The Good Place” as head demon Shawn or as Captain Ray Holt’s husband Kevin Cozner on “Brooklyn NineNine.” You can also tune into a behind-the-scenes look at “The Good Place” on “The Good Place: The Podcast” hosted by Jackson with guests like show creator Michael Shur and cast members like Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, D’Arcy Carden and more.
Marc Evan Jackson / NBC
MUSIC NOTEBOOK
I tried Trump’s TV diet Politics & Kanye language and it almost killed me DIANA YASSIN For the Daily
take a look at “Fox & Friends,” a MAITREYI ANANTHRAMAN beguiling cultural artifact that’s Daily Arts Writer now the most-watched cable news morning show in America. Donald Trump and I don’t It operates so innocuously, seem to have much in common. with fluttering pop music and He takes his steak well-done, I’m chipper hosts, that it’s easy to a lifelong vegetarian. His father forget what the show really is: a hails from central Queens, mine daily Macy’s Thanksgiving Day from northeastern Queens. He is Parade of conservative talking overseeing the dismantling of our points, all served with a preening democracy, I’m … you know, not. smile. “Hmm, Steve, seems like But one habit we share has been immigrants are going to kill us gnawing at me: Despite having all, doesn’t it? Anyway, next up, better things to do, we’re both Charlotte Pence is here to talk about known to watch an obscene amount her new book!” And despite their of television. millions of viewers, the hosts are The consequences of my TV keenly aware they’re performing watching are — I’d like to think — for an audience of one; a few times pretty minimal (maybe a gratuitous over the course of the week, Trump “Seinfeld” reference here and tweeted out headlines scrolling there). But his is a different beast across the “Fox & Friends” chyron. altogether. It’s now a defining To their credit, the “Fox & feature of his presidency and shapes Friends” gang was very much on top his politics in real, fascinating ways. of the week’s biggest news story. No, What could a medium I love not the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, teach me about a president I don’t? but that Keira Knightley will not let In a quest to better understand her daughter watch “Cinderella.” our enigmatic Commander-inIf Trump’s morning TV is Chief, I challenged myself to an designed to slowly rile him up, his experiment: a week of watching evenings are designed to leave him everything Trump watches on TV seething and stewing. It’s a vicious and nothing else. lineup: “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” Thanks to some shrewd “Hannity” and “The Ingraham reporting (and the president’s own Angle.” Oh, how I long for those tweets), we have a general sense of naïve days when I thought being what Trump’s TV schedule looks subjected to an hour of “Hannity” like — it’s anywhere from four to was the worst thing that could eight hours per day, and heavy befall me. The one thing worse than on morning shows (he watches an hour of “Hannity,” I learned, about three hours of them before is an hour of “Hannity” featuring beginning his official workday at special guest Rush Limbaugh, who 11:00 a.m.) and the Sunday political joined us — oh joy — for the full hour talk shows. Thursday night. My weekdays began with The big story the primetime the 6:00 a.m. hour of MSNBC’s shows were following this week “Morning Joe,” a show that decided was a caravan of Central American what Americans would most like to migrants headed for the southern watch first thing in the morning is border. Never mind that the caravan a bunch of Beltway-types gloating is at least a thousand miles from the about that Red Sox win last night. U.S., Fox News covered it like CNN Guess again, Joe and Mika. covering a hurricane: flustered It’s followed by an hour or two reporters on the ground, ominous of “Fox & Friends,” so notorious breaking news graphics, alarmist for its influence over the president headlines ticking across the screen. that The New York Times TV And it worked. On Thursday, critic James Poniewozik called with a prideful grin, Tucker Carlson it “the most powerful TV show played a clip of a Trump rally in in America.” When the Martian Missoula, Montana. “Remember, anthropologists descend on the it’s going to be an election of the wreckage of our climate-ravaged caravan,” Trump said. “You know planet in 20 years, they should what I’m talking about.” At the same
rally, he presented his slogan for the midterms: “Democrats produce mobs, Republicans produce jobs.” It was a clever line, if a familiar one: Jesse Watters had coined it earlier that afternoon on Fox News’s 5:00 p.m. roundtable show, “The Five.” A week of pandemonium ended tamely. A rerun of “SNL,” some empty punditry on Sunday’s “Meet the Press.” And finally, a low-key “60 Minutes,” which featured segments on genealogy websites, falconry and the shoddy state of the New York City subway system. Ah! Here’s an issue where I’m happy to bash Democratic politicians. President Trump, I’ll even write the tweet for you: “Under Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York (Highest Taxes), the failing NYC subway system (very important) is a disgrace. Totally out of control — BAD deals!” It was a week that left me angry, stressed and anxious. And it was a reminder that, for all the unifying power of television, it has as much power to leave us miserable and outraged. Trump watches television like Jim Harbaugh might watch old game footage, as a measure of past performance and as a playbook for the next week. It’s good to want to improve, and natural to care about what others think. But it’s unhealthy to spend eight hours a day doing so. It makes Trump a worse person and a worse president. And if he’s going to spend all that time watching television, he might as well watch something good. We’re in the golden age of TV! One consequence of my television habit? Plenty of unsolicited recommendations at the ready. The President might try NBC’s “The Good Place,” a chronicle of the frustrating human struggle to be better. Or maybe The CW’s “Jane the Virgin,” full of the twisty backstabbing he seems to relish, and with — fittingly — a hotel business in the backdrop. There’s always Netflix’s sumptuous “The Crown,” about the perils of mixing governing and family. If scripted TV is really a no-go? I’d recommend the delightful rebooted “Queer Eye,” which reminds us of the importance of empathy — and proper tailoring.
Spending most of my childhood in the mid-tolate aughts, Kanye West was perpetually a figure within my peripheral understanding of pop culture. I couldn’t tell you who sang the song “Gold Digger” when it burned up the charts in 2005, but a VHS tape somewhere in my mom’s closet plays to reveal a six-year-old me popping and locking to it at my then 16-year-old cousin’s birthday party. Fast forward to the 2009 VMAs, and I could identify him as the guy who stormed onto the stage and said: “Yo Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’ll let you finish, but Beyoncé has one of the best videos of all time.” From the beginning, I knew people loved him for his music and people hated him for his actions. By the time the internet became an integral part of my daily teen life, West fascinated me not in his creative potential as a musical artist, but in his contributions to meme culture. My brothers and I laughed ourselves to tears, spilling hot popcorn on the floor when he infamously announced his decision to run for president in 2020 at the 2015 VMAS. When he broke into a monologue on “The Ellen Show” in 2016, justifying his appeal to Mark Zuckerberg for $1 billion in funding for creative enterprises by proclaiming “Picasso is dead. Steve Jobs is dead. Walt Disney is dead.” I used the phrase for comical effect in my high school speech class. These events were parallel to my first encounters with rap music on a less-than-radio-single level, as artists like Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott began to pique my interest — in no way could I have envisioned West as these rappers on an artistic level when his antics spoke louder than his music to the public. My relationship with Kanye West has changed since high school. After a semester’s worth of Shazam-ing my roommate’s playlists during my freshman
year, I caved in and downloaded The Life of Pablo, “Highlights” and “Fade” making frequent appearances on my playlists. I then downloaded The College Dropout, and Late Registration, and Graduation and— well, you get the picture. The point is, I saw Kanye for the artist he is for the first time, with his bold storytelling, profound skits and dynamic and influential sound. It is near impossible to find a popular hip-hop artist that has risen after Yeezy who is uninspired by him. It’s for this reason I consider 2018 more the polarizing year for Kanye West than the year of his downfall. His outbursts were unhinged enough for my mother to call me two weeks ago and ask, “Diana, what is wrong with Kone-yee West?” But his three main music projects of 2018 — Daytona, Kids See Ghosts and ye — rank amongst my top 20 albums of the year. I couldn’t care less about what celebrities have to say, even when they are about the president. However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think Kanye being Kanye was a bit too Kanye this time around. His claim that 400 years of slavery “sounds like a choice” is reprehensible, especially given the platform he used to speak on behalf of Black rights in the past. His recent conversation with and in support of President Trump was haphazard and chaotic, to say the least — it struck me that he had a lot to say, but couldn’t coherently communicate it. It’s also eerie how an SNL parody got away with borrowing lines directly from this conversation in their recent skit. Kanye West’s visit to the White House, ostensibly to discuss criminal justice reform, was a hot mess and further defaced his already polarizing image in the media. Several people have spoken out on the meeting, calling it West’s betrayal of a Black community that looked up to him as an artist and does not feel supported by the policies of our 45th. He has faced severe backlash and repercussions: Charlamagne Tha God canceled a discussion
he was meant to have with West on mental illness and its intersection with race. To many people, these antics are perceived as departures from an “Old Kanye” that famously declared “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” following mismanaged relief efforts after Katrina wiped out much of New Orleans. A Kanye that was proud and Black. This was not the same Kanye that rapped “racism is still alive, we just be concealing it” on The College Dropout. Perhaps there is some validity to these claims: Even West says that his opinions have changed over the years. But he perceives it as something more fluid, his thoughts evolving rather than him losing touch with his past. After all, this isn’t Yeezy’s first time flirting with alt-right imagery; in 2013, he unsuccessfully attempted to re-appropriate the Confederate flag by selling it on his Yeezus tour merch. This also isn’t his first time showing support for Trump: In 2016, West announced he would’ve voted for Trump in the presidential election at the tour for an album in which he raps “Hands up we just doing what the cops taught us / Hands up, hands up then the cops shot us.” As ostensible and brash as he may be, Kanye West is more complex than we give him credit for. He shows this in his response to criticism, claiming that the divisive power of political parties doesn’t help to solve racism, hence his acknowledgment of praise for Trump — it’s worth noting his non-album single “Ye vs. The People” explores the same idea. Though far-fetched, the rapper’s ideas by no means stray from nobility to the roots that shaped him. Perhaps things stand out more now than before because they come from a time where we listen to what Kanye says because he’s Kanye, not because The College Dropout is performing well. At a time where his personality earns more critique than his music, it’s not hard to misunderstand the musician.
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STYLE NOTEBOOK
URBAN OUTFITTERS
Graphic tees and wearing your voice on your sleeve MARGARET SHERIDAN Daily Arts Writer
In the 2018 fashion scene, what you’re wearing is either conformity or rebellion. Laws of fashion hold us to this standard, but in wake of changes in political climate, tensions in our government are shaping the fashion world as well. Or rather, the fashion world is contributing to the shape politics are taking today. With primaries under our belts, midterms on the horizon and a new Supreme Court Justice sworn in, among other world altering events, it seems as though we will never be able to keep up with these variations and their effects on our political system. As new movements and conflicts rise and fall, the fashion world follows suit. And although hard to believe, new
trends in everyday fashion are seriously impacting politics and how we share our views, as we can quite literally wear our opinions on our sleeves. The prominence of the t-shirt has been present in fashion since the beginning of time. Its simplicity, practicality and comfort have upheld this iconic design as a staple in style and fashion. But, as fashion has evolved and trends have changed, so has the t-shirt. In recent years, graphic tees have centered themselves as a pinnacle of a very curated, eclectic, carefree aesthetic. Starting in the ’70s with the popularity of repping band logos, the graphic tee has since only evolved to reach corners of all industries beyond just music. They have worked their way into everyday wardrobes, they
can be dressed up or down and there is certainly no limit to content that can be printed on a t-shirt. In just single stores alone, whole sections have become dedicated to the trend of graphic tees. The curated aesthetic created by centering an outfit around a graphic tee is one many teens and young people strive for, sometimes perhaps without even realizing what message they are sending by wearing certain graphics. As graphics have seeped their way into the closets of style gurus everywhere, so they have also headed up many political movements, completely altering the way these movements are viewed. The clearest example has to be the women’s movement. In the 2017 Women’s March on Washington, tees imprinted with “Nasty Woman”, “Raise
I believe Dr. Ford For the Daily
“Let’s cry and watch shitty Netflix shows together,” my best friend texted me on Oct. 6th, the same day that the full Senate voted on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court Justice. Any other day, poking fun at less than average actors and oddly placed camera angles while sobbing into a bowl of Ben and Jerry’s would’ve cured my sadness almost instantly. But as I cuddled next to my best friend, a woman I knew had been a victim to the same type of sexual assault our new Supreme Court Justice was accused of, I could only feel the sadness and anger I held within myself even more viscerally. The days that followed that Oct. 6th nomination were days I spent listening to survivors of sexual assault. I couldn’t believe that nearly all of my female identifying friends had experienced sexual assault in one way or another. Actually, now that I think about, it really isn’t that hard for me to believe. I decided that I wanted to create a space where my friends could talk to one another about their experiences as a woman in the United States of America. On one Friday afternoon, I invited them over to my house for coffee. We sat down and listened to each other, in the way that Dr. Christine Blasey Ford should’ve been listened to. We didn’t just listen —but we believed. We shared stories about our bottoms being grabbed without consent while dancing at parties. We talked about being cat called while walking to lecture. Of our male teachers asking us to stay for a little too long after class, looking too closely at new blouses that had been purchased. My Black friends shared stories about them going on dates with boys who fetishized their Blackness, saying “I’ve only ever dated white girls before. You’re pretty exotic.” We talked to one another for nearly four hours that day, and at the end of the conversation,
Boys and Girls the Same Way” and “This Pussy Grabs Back” made the amount of voice coming from the event almost double, as the presence of these words on shirts serve as a constant visual reminder of these women’s rightfully justified angerwith our government and president in addition to their conversations surrounding gender equality in politics. We see these graphics stating “Black Lives Matter,” “#MeToo,” the LGBTQ movement and even the t-shirt Frank Ocean wore to the Panorama Music festival called on audiences to just be quiet before being racist, sexist or homophobic. These examples don’t cover even half of the political content that graphic tees have begun to cover in recent years. It is a beautiful concept, to have the ability to take ownership over one’s political views and raise awareness about movements for change is an extremely empowering concept, one that is allowing more and more people to be included in the groups represented by these shirts and graphics. To be able to incorporate political views into everyday wardrobe truly combines the best of both politics and fashion, but while this stylish alternative seems oh-so-chic, there’s a fine line
between the intersectionalities that lie within this incorporation of graphics and politics that can make for a challenging difference between representing political views and movements and just wearing certain tops as an accessory rather than for raising actual awareness and culminating change. Graphic tees serve as a great opportunity for raising political awareness, but with so many of them circulating the fashion world, the purpose of this fashion staple has very quickly become more of a solely aesthetic choice or form of bandwagoning as opposed to an actual effort to benefit political movements. The consumer or producer cannot take the blame for this strange cycle; it’s practically impossible to avoid when stores like Urban Outfitters have added “Vote” tees to their graphic tee collection, inviting young people to start purchasing them, with half of them not even sure if they’re registered to vote. Graphic tees make it so easy to get behind a moment, creating a challenging double-edged sword to grapple with. To truly take ownership and proudly wear a “Nasty Woman” t-shirt, be prepared to vote, participate in marches and stay in the loop about current events is completely
different from purchasing the shirt solely because you saw another girl looking cute in it on Instagram. With social media shaping politics, there is a certain vulnerability that comes with sharing political views or rallying behind movements. Sometimes it can make people feel as though they need to prove themselves in a certain way, hence causing over-compensation in items like graphic tees for various movements, even if it isn’t something the person is completely invested or educated in. Both extremely powerful tools in society, fashion and social media are truly influencing the way we perceive politics. With both of these platforms, we as individuals are now, more than ever, more capable of making politics an inclusive topic, one where we can help others learn about things they might not be as familiar with in order to benefit the greater good and truly change our government. So let’s selectively choose those graphic tees, and curate them to things we truly know about, encouraging our friends to become politically aware and create inclusive spaces in a field that can sometimes seem so uninviting and confusing. Let us fashionably make a change in politics.
FILM REVIEW
20TH CENTURY FOX
PERSONAL NOTEBOOK
ALIX CURNOW
Thursday, October 25, 2018 — 5B
the walls of my room seemed to sigh with us in exhaustion after having listened to all we have gone through. We reached one unfortunate conclusion with our discussion: There didn’t seem to be much hope of anything getting better. Especially, when this man, who has publicly been
As women, how are we to believe that we are respected when the men who’ve openly shown blatant disrespect toward us have all of the power in our politics?
accused of committing the same type of violence toward women we experience daily, holds one of the highest and most respected positions in our government. As women, how are we to believe that we are respected when the men who have openly shown blatant disrespect toward us have all of the power in our politics? Often times, I feel that people separate politics and the human condition. I hear a lot that “political views don’t define a person as good or bad.” I believe that in some cases this can be true. However, I find it difficult to look at my older brother, an open supporter of Brett Kavanaugh, and believe that he respects me and my place as a woman in this society. I don’t want to see
my brother, someone I love, as someone who does not see me as a human being worthy of being listened to. But I worry that if I approached him and told him of that one time in high school, when a boy held my thigh for a little too long and that escalated to the boy holding other parts of me for way too long, would my brother believe me when I told him I didn’t want it? Would my brother tell me my skirt was too short? Would he tell me I got too drunk that night? That I had too much beer? Would he follow the same logic that Brett Kavanaugh and the rest of the Republican Party seems to follow when excusing themselves for their actions against women? I’m not sure I want to know the answer. Answers are something I have been looking for a lot since early Oct. One question in particular I wish I could answer was asked to me the very night of the nomination. I tried to make my arms into a fort that would protect my best friend as she quivered beneath my embrace, but I don’t think I have the power to save her from a nation that refuses to even acknowledge she has anything to be saved from. She cried into my shoulder, and the question I wish I could resolve emerged in between her tears: “If they didn’t believe her, when she gave that kind of a speech, when she has those kind of degrees, when all of America is watching, why in the hell would anyone ever believe me?” I believed her, though. That isn’t enough, but, in that moment, it needed to be. The women sitting in my bedroom the following week believed her. And maybe we don’t have any power right now. Maybe we don’t have any voice that people want to hear. Maybe our country doesn’t view us beyond a sexual object. Maybe we aren’t respected, or listened to or believed right now. But we will be. We need to be. This shouldn’t be a battle we have to fight, but it is. We need to believe one another. We need to believe her. I believe her. Do you?
‘The Hate U Give’ makes civil disobedience cool JULIANNA MORANO For the Daily
The most worthwhile aim of director George Tillman, Jr.’s (“Notorious”) ambitious adaption of Angie Thomas’s multifaceted 2017 YA novel “The Hate U Give” is its complex portrayal of modernday activism. Though the film often struggles against the constraints of homage to its source text, the film still succeeds in making this eloquent political statement all its own, and such a statement could not have come at a better time. In an era where the sociopolitical climate ask questions like “What do Americans stand for?” and “Can we believe anything we see or hear?” the film refuses to shy away from them. In its brashness, it works to rebuild the reputation of American civil society and restore needed momentum to truth. Riffing on Tupac’s “Thug Life” — i.e. “The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody” — the film follows Black teenager Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg, “Everything, Everything”) as she reels from this hate with which she has been given since birth. The narrative addresses the range of this hate, from the micro-aggressions Starr endures at the hands of her predominantly white classmates at the elite prep school she attends, to the explicit racism at the turning point of the film: when Starr is the sole witness to the murder of her childhood friend Khalil (Algee Smith, “Detroit”) at the hands of a white cop. The latter trauma forces Starr to undertake an agonizing but vital journey in pursuit of a genuine, productive, justice-centered breed of activism that will be familiar to some audience members but epiphanic to others. Along
the way, she gains exposure to ideal, real and counterfeit activism — alongside the confidence to build her own vision thereof. Lawyer April Ofrah (Issa Rae, “Insecure”), who mentors Starr as she decides whether she will testify before the grand jury that will determine whether the cop who killed Khalil will be indicted, is the representative of ideal activism.
“The Hate U Give” Ann Arbor 20 + IMAX 20th Century Fox
While some characters in the film came across as little more than mouthpieces to articulate themes the storytellers hadn’t the time to convey through characters’ action, Rae’s performance stands out. Her speeches are among the most memorable points in the film’s 2:12 runtime, especially her impassioned defense of nonviolent protest as an ideal protest at Khalil’s funeral. She raises a particularly resonant question in this speech as well: How can Black people ever be seen as unarmed if their skin is considered a weapon? She thus charges the media with the task of deescalating violence, challenging the media to stop weaponizing race. Tillman, Jr. also stresses the oft-distorted realities of activism through ground-level shots of protest scenes. These unmediated scenes reimagine resistance. In one, resistance is chanting the names of the unjustly killed in the streets. In another, resistance is holding up your cell phone — nonviolently policing the police. In a climactic scene
and affirmation of Stenberg’s talent, resistance is standing on the hood of a car, screaming a eulogy of your murdered friend into a megaphone while police ready the tear gas. One constant, heartening variable across these scenes of resistance is the instrumental role youth play in them. Imposter activism appears in two forms. First, we see it in those who selfishly pretend to stand for just causes. Starr’s white classmates embody this treachery in a particularly sickening scene where Starr’s friends reveal that their primary motivation for attending a protest for Khalil’s case is so they can leave school early. The second form appears in those who misrepresent protest efforts to undermine it. Tillman, Jr. carefully juxtaposes the raw scenes of civil disobedience with the media-packaging thereof, exposing the disparities between activism and its imposter dominating television news. Herein lies a weakness in the film, however. While some of its deliberate ambiguities were productive — for instance, the moral ambiguity of every character subverted the mass media’s reliance on simply casting figures as good and evil to neglect the more complex systems of evil which individuals either consent to or resist — others were detrimental. An inordinate number of subplots (the most confounding of which focused on Starr’s white boyfriend) and contrived scenes that served as little more than an homage to Thomas’ novel ate up time, leaving audiences in want of more direct evaluations of the media’s role in systemic issues. Nonetheless, the necessity of the film’s well-argued message about activism renders it a film not only worth seeing but perhaps obligatory if we hope to reinvigorate civil society.
Arts
6B — Thursday, October 25, 2018
NEW MEDIA NOTEBOOK
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Red, white & meme: When politics & Twitter meet SAM ROSENBERG Senior Arts Editor
It’s no secret that social media is a volatile virtual battleground where both ends of the political spectrum clash and converge on hot-button topics. But amid the mucky mess of heated Twitter threads and essay-length Facebook posts, people seem to have found comfort and stability through arguably the greatest postmodern art form produced on the internet: memes. Like most general memes, a political meme can be a source of humor, a comedic avenue that connects and familiarizes us with political figures and social issues that, in a realworld context, aren’t nearly as engaging. They shape the way we understand those who govern our country, either by poking fun at their out-of-touch personalities or championing their ability to identify with the American public. The “meme-ing” of President Obama, in particular, was impactful in how the internet
and American society at large perceived him during his time in office. The relatability of his cool, friendly demeanor translated well online, whether through his goofy facial expressions, his interactions with celebrities or his endearing bromance with former Vice President Joe Biden. His supporters would re-contextualize photos and videos of him as humorous and silly, while his critics would depict him in an offensive and oftentimes racist light. “Thanks Obama,” a common sarcastic critique meant to ridicule Obama’s mistakes, was reclaimed as a satirical, selfdeprecating meme by liberals and even Obama himself. Former First Lady Michelle also garnered quite a bit of internet exposure. Originally used in a video promoting healthy eating, Michelle’s anecdote about her favorite fall vegetable (a sweet potato) and her quip about turnips (“Turnip for What”) quickly circulated on Vine and across the Web. Even after Barack’s second term ended, he and Michelle remain internet
icons; their laid-back postpresidency vacation photos and lavish presidential portraits provoked a series of memes on Twitter, many of which praised the couple for relishing their time away from the chaos of the White House. While political memes like these can be innocuous, they also have the capacity to be simplistic, ruthless and even sinister. In the age of Trump especially, they’ve become weaponized by liberals and conservatives alike to combat one another online, manifesting in the form of tongue-in-cheek and trenchant jabs at Democrats and Republicans, senators and political commentators and, perhaps most of all, the President himself. Because of his political incompetence, frequent factual blunders and general ineptitude at being a normal human person, Trump is an easy target for a lot of negative memes that, though amusing at face value, aren’t very effective long-term takedowns. While meme-ing Trumpian buzzwords like “nasty woman,” “bad hombre,” “covfefe” and
his campaign slogan “Make America Great Again” is meant to be an act of reclamation, the execution leaves something to be desired. In fact, many of these ridiculous soundbites have become commodified into t-shirts, hats and other forms of apparel. When these words are converted into vehicles for corporate exploitation, the value of retaliating against Trump’s malicious words is essentially neutralized and lost. The same goes for Trump supporters trying to reclaim critiques of Trump; during the 2016 presidential race, Hillary Clinton’s comment about Trump supporters being a “basket of deplorables” was reclaimed as a positive label and a literal symbol of pride among Trump’s most loyal advocates. Today’s political memes operate as a frustrating paradox: In one sense, they capture the absurdity of the current administration and American politics as a whole, but simultaneously, they can normalize and enable problematic discourse, granting Trump and other like-minded bigots more exposure and attention. It’s an accessible, yet counterproductive and lazy tactic that only amplifies these dangerous platforms. Political memes may be uplifting as rallying cries at protests, and in
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com some cases, their impact could enlighten and inspire people to get more involved in political discussions. But considering the wider effect modern-day
Despite the smugness underlying today’s political memes, they still have the potential to influence political conversation for the better
political memes engender, they really do nothing but satisfy and reinforce the political selfinterest of the person making the meme and the people they share it with. Despite the smugness underlying today’s political
memes, they still have the potential to influence political conversation for the better. Vic Berger, a video editor for the now-defunct Super Deluxe and an outspoken critic of Trump, juxtaposes real-life interviews and mishaps made by Trump and other members of the GOP with uncomfortable zoom-ins on their faces and jarring sound effects (most notably the sound of an air horn). The result is surreal, strange, hilarious and sometimes harrowing. Instead of merely using Trump’s words against him, Berger brilliantly conveys that American politics is as farcical as it is terrifying. Other online users have capitalized on fabricating celebrity clickbait as a way to get people to vote, a strategy that, while certainly manipulative, deserves some recognition for its cleverness. If memes reflect and dictate the conversation surrounding trends in pop culture, political memes should find a way to do the same with the conversation surrounding trends in politics. And if political memes have the power to change the way we understand politics, then they should at least have the courtesy to communicate an incentive that’s both entertaining and compelling. In other words: meme responsibly.
KNOWYOURMEME
BOOKS EVENT
EMMA RICHTER / DAILY
10,000 books light up Liberty St. on Tuesday night DAILY BOOKS
Daily Arts Writers
This Tuesday Oct. 23, a public art project by the University’s Institute for Humanities called “Literature vs. Traffic” was installed on Liberty St. Over 10,000 books covered the street all day, and pedestrians were invited to walk through the books and pick from them at night. Among the thousands of Ann Arbor residents who experienced the display were three Daily Book Review writers. These are their stories: I went to the “Literature vs. Traffic” installment twice on Tuesday, once in the daylight and once after dark. In the daylight, the books looked like a scene straight from that Russian avant-garde film “The Color of Pomegranates” (you should talk to Emily Yang about it), their sun-dappled pages rustling ever so slightly in the breeze, giving the entire installment a sense of gentle motion — reliable aliveness, like that of an ocean. My daylight visit was before they opened the gates to the rabid bibliophiles, but let me tell you that didn’t stop them. I
witnessed an elderly woman hop the fence and tiptoe out into the sea of novels and pick up one in particular that caught her eye. On the other side of the installment, one of the volunteers noticed and yelled “HEY, HEY, DON’T DO THAT YET! PUT DOWN THAT BOOK!” Pure comedy, heightened by the imagery of the fence around all the books, not unlike the fence penning in the little concrete stack of books statue outside the Clements library, which always just licked my funny bone. Isn’t it massively hypocritical to erect fences around our books, even the representative ones? I stole away from my job for 20 minutes at night to revisit the installment, my interest piqued from all the weird books students were bringing to the Perlman Honors Commons. On my power walk over, I witnessed student after student carrying veritable armfuls of weird, old, LEDilluminated titles, something I doubt I’ll ever see again. The eavesdropping was prime: “Where is everyone getting all these books? The local bookstore?” “No, they’re in the street.” In the thick of the
installment, pawing through these strange, picked-over tomes, I felt the weird sort of urgency one experiences in a crowded store: the need to examine all the items, to find the one you want before someone else does. It’s a slimy feeling. At least in this case, it was cut a little by a collective mirth at the bizarre selection. The guy next to me pondered aloud who would need a volume of homeopathic remedies for maternity pains, and the woman ahead chuckled at a guide to DIY RV maintenance. I left with an ancient copy of W. Somerset Maugham’s “Cakes and Ale” that I had once seen on a postcard, and “Charles Schwab’s Guide to Financial Independence” in Chinese because I’m not sure when I’m ever going to encounter that again.
—Verity Sturm, Daily Arts Writer To me, the best part of the installation was watching people’s feet. It’s rare to see crowds of people collectively handling things gently, but if you looked at the ground at the spaces in between the books, you’d see a lot of fully grown adults carefully making their way through the dark street on their tiptoes. Nobody wanted to damage the books, and if anybody stepped on one accidentally, they would almost instinctively jump back. One guy was tripping over himself, trying to run through the crowd while shouting, “WE WON’T HURT THE BOOKS, WE WON’T HURT THE BOOKS.” Everybody around him instantly cleared a path — a collective agreement that books are at least a little bit
Among the thousands of Ann Arbor residents who experienced the display were three Daily Book Review writers. These are their stories
precious, and we all want to protect precious things. — Asif Becher, Daily Books Editor It’s quarter to 8:00, I’m walking home from The Daily newsroom and about five minutes in I’m very perplexed by the mass of people surrounding the intersection of State and Liberty. Ann Arbor streets only ever get this crowded for big sports victories, but the patient huddle gathered in front of me was quite the polar opposite of a revelrous, drunken mass. I had seen the metric ton of tomes coming back from class earlier in the day, but I thought it was nothing more than a 24-hour art installation — and despite the sheer volume of books on the street, my lasting reaction was “cool.” Yet it just happened that I stumbled into the main event of “Literature vs. Traffic” like I do most good things in my life: accidentally. Albeit what I think is a silly name (if you actually want to pit the two entities against each other then remove the barricades, you cowards) I slyly sauntered my way into the magic of the moment. I heard around me that once the
clock struck 8:00 any book on the pavement was ripe for the picking. My phone read 7:50 but I think the fact kids were allowed to peruse the literary lot early made onlookers a little jumpy, so I dove in when there was enough people in the middle for me to go unnoticed. My first intention was to find “great books” that I had long missed out on and finally get an excuse to read them, but when the first cover I f lipped over was “Heart of Darkness” I realized I wasn’t doing this right. Instead I trounced around looking for the most unwieldy shapes and bizarre illustrations. In a sentence I hope has never been written before, a giddy smile was brought to my face when the cover of a book I picked up read “L. Ron Hubbard: Scientology and the Fundamentals of Thought.” My coffee table is all the weirder now with pickups like “Decorative Victorian Needlework” and a Matlab textbook entirely in Chinese. Street books, thank you for being surreal, mysterious and a reminder of why we love to read in the first place. — Robert Mansuetti, Daily Arts Writer