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Former Ford Dean named temporary ‘U’ provost

Susan Collins takes position after Martin Philbert placed on leave ALEX HARRING Daily News Editor

President Donald Trump speaks at DANA in regard to the new USMCA agreement Thursday afternoon in Warren, Michigan.

ALEXIS RANKIN/Daily

President Trump promotes trade agreement at Warren MI auto-plant

Trump boasts of newly signed USMCA at Dana Corporation warehouse JULIA FORREST Daily Staff Reporter

Chants of “Four more years” and “U-S-A” filled the warehouse of Dana Incorporated, an auto parts manufacturing company located in Warren, Mich., from hundreds of employees and Trump supporters. The crowd gathered to hear President Donald Trump discuss trade in his second visit to Michigan in the last two months. Trump’s visit to the manufacturing plant comes a day after signing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement into law. The

deal is considered a revised and updated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and its passing fulfills one of Trump’s biggest 2016 campaign promises. The newly signed deal was the main reason for Trump’s visit to Dana Incorporated, he said. “The USMCA is the most fairest, balanced and beneficial trade deal we’ve ever signed into law,” Trump said in his speech to the warehouse. “We’re bringing jobs back to America, better jobs are coming back, and they’re coming back fast and they’re coming right here to Michigan.”

A revision in the updated pact requires that 75 percent of a vehicle must be made in North America, in an effort to help the U.S. automotive industry. This is an increase from 62.5 percent in NAFTA. . The deal also contains a provision that mandates 70 percent of a vehicle’s metal and aluminum to come from a country in North America. Trump’s visit to Dana Inc. in Warren is his first visit to the state in 2020, and the first since holding a rally in Battle Creek on Dec. 18. Warren is in Macomb County, Michigan’s third-largest county and an

area Trump won in 2016. Dana Inc. is a manufacturing company that supplies various parts for conventional, hybrid and electric-powered vehicles, including axles, transmissions, sealing and digital equipment among other products geared towards the production of electric-powered vehicles. The event opened with remarks from Dana Inc. CEO James Kamsickas, who talked about Dana’s long history of producing auto parts for various types of cars and U.S. military tanks. See TRUMP, Page 3

Susan M. Collins, former dean of the Ford School of Public Policy, was named acting provost of the University of Michigan Thursday morning. This announcement comes after Martin Philbert was placed on leave last week following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Collins, who currently serves as a professor in the Ford School and LSA, will assume the post immediately. In an email to The Daily, Collins said she was eager to take on the new role. “I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the university community,” Collins wrote. “My immediate focus will be supporting the important academic-focus of the Office of the Provost, which touches the lives of all our students, members of the faculty and those who support our academic enterprise.” University President Mark Schlissel told The University Record he was grateful to

Collins for agreeing to fill the position. “I’m incredibly appreciative of Dr. Collins and her willingness to accept this crucial appointment,” Schlissel said. “With a decade of service as the Ford School’s dean and experience partnering with the Office of the Provost, she is well positioned to lead the office at this challenging time.” In an interview with The Daily on Tuesday, Schlissel noted the importance of ensuring University hires do not have a history of sexual misconduct. He shared a need to have someone with an understanding of the role and previous experience in higher education. “In terms of moving forward, the University, you know, really has to have a provost in place,” Schlissel said on Tuesday. “Right now, I’m in the process of looking at people who have administrative experience and familiarity, because they sort of have to take over all at once, although I’ll be working with them very closely.” See PROVOST, Page 3

Lead attorney in Korematsu talks Wesleyan Members of UAAO lasting legacy of SCOTUS case president CAMPUS LIFE

challenge standards

ADMINISTRATION

Defendant’s daughter highlights impact of Japanese discrimination in speech

A/PIA womxn reflect on discrimination in society, stereotypes of community members

examines higher ed Michael Roth looks at demonstrations, free speech on college campuses nationwide

JASMIN LEE

SONIA LEE

Daily Staff Reporter

More than 50 Asian and Pacific Islander American-identifying students convened for A/ PIA Womxn: Stereotypes and Double Standards, a discussion about topics surrounding issues facing the A/PIA identities. Sponsored by United Asian Americans Organizations and alpha Kappa Delta Phi, an Asian-interest sorority, the event was held in the Yuri Kochiyama Lounge in South Quad Residence Hall and featured informational slides to supplement the dialogue. The use of the word “womxn” was included to make the event inclusive to women who identify as transgender and non-binary. Attendees were split up into six groups and asked to share their opinions and experiences about A/PIA identity. UAAO Co-Chair Cristina Guytingco, an LSA junior, said the event was valuable for creating a safe space for different perspectives. See A/PIA, Page 3

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OLIVIA CELL/Daily Speakers discuss “Continuing Korematsu: Our fight in the Trump era” accompanied by a screening of the documentary “ALTERNATIVE FACTS” at the Law School Thursday Evening.

SOFIA URBAN

Daily Staff Reporter

Fred Korematsu Day commemorates Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American who was one of the many victims of anti-Japanese sentiments during and after World War II. In honor of this day, the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission and Stop Repeating History organized a screening of the documentary, “Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066,” and a panel at the University of Michigan Law School Thursday evening. About 75 people attended the event. President Roosevelt signed

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Executive Order 9066 in 1942, which authorized the incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans in internment camps. The basis of that order was partial evidence that Japanese Americans were committing espionage to benefit wartime enemies, which was later proven false. Fred Korematsu was arrested after resisting incarceration. He appealed his case in the Supreme Court. While he originally lost his case, his conviction was overturned in 1983. On Thursday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared Jan. 30, 2020 Fred Korematsu Day in Michigan, following the

example of other states. Donald Tamaki, a partner at Minami Tamaki LLP and attorney for Fred Korematsu during the hearings, explained in an interview with The Daily that events leading up to the Korematsu case mirror modern-day events, such as Trump’s Muslim Ban and the border crisis. “If no one will check the president … then (the president) can do anything it wants with respect to immigration by invoking national security,” Tamaki said. “Whether it is separating children from their families or locking people for an indeterminate sentence, refusing to consider valid

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asylum claims.” Karen Korematsu, founder and executive director of the Fred T. Korematsu Institute and daughter of Fred Korematsu, said it’s important to hold the government accountable to end the cycle of fear that has led to so many instances of targeted discrimination. “These are the kind of issues we want the general public to be aware of,” Korematsu said. “If people do not participate in making a change in this country by not voting and not being a part of the census then we are going to still keep making the same mistakes.”

Wesleyan University President Michael S. Roth visited the Michigan Union Thursday morning to discuss controversial college campus topics, including free speech, affirmative action and political correctness. Approximately 100 administrators, faculty and graduate and doctoral students attended the event. The lecture, “Safe Enough Spaces: A Pragmatist’s Approach to Inclusion, Free Speech, and Political Correctness on College Campuses,” was named after Roth’s newest book. The event was part of the National Center for Institutional Diversity Research and Scholarship Seminar Series featuring academics who focus on historical and contemporary social issues surrounding identity, representation and inequality, and how research and scholarship can address these issues. Alford Young, sociology and African-American studies professor, introduced Roth and his new book, praising his ability to present current issues at Wesleyan in his books.

See KOREMATSU, Page 3

NEWS.........................2 OPINION.....................4 CLASSIFIEDS................6

See WESLEYAN, Page 3

SUDOKU.....................6 ARTS...................5 SPORTS.................7

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MONDAY: Looking at the Numbers

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University President Mark Schlissel in an interview with The Daily Tuesday ERIN WHITE Managing Editor

City holds sustainability forum discussing carbon neutrality plan ‘A2Zero’ community meeting talks combatting climate change in the energy sector ANGELINA LITTLE Daily Staff Reporter

Thursday night kicked off the ninth annual Sustainable Ann Arbor forum, a series of monthly events from January to April focused on the city’s Sustainability Framework hosted by the Ann Arbor District Library.

This month’s forum focused on the energy sector, with a panel of five experts in the field of sustainable energy each presenting on their respective areas of focus. About 60 community members attended the event. Josh MacDonald, the city’s energy coordinator, moderated the panel and began with a presentation about A2Zero, an initiative by

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the city of Ann Arbor to work towards the city’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. MacDonald explained how the group plans to combine community feedback, technology advisory committees and partner organizations to develop a finalized plan that will be presented to City Council in March. “This involves the community directly, so we want to make sure that whatever we’re doing, we’re constantly getting feedback from the community,” MacDonald said. “It not only helps us to get a sense of what you all are thinking as far as greenhouse gas reductions, it also helps us to introduce these ideas to you and get feedback as to what you think about them.” A2Zero hosted a town hall in November and has put out two surveys so far for community feedback. The second town hall and final survey will take place in February. Following MacDonald’s introduction, each panelist gave a presentation on their work with A2Zero and explained their individual efforts to reduce carbon neutrality. Panelists represented a variety of interests related to the energy sector from the state, DTE Energy and the University of Michigan. Chuck Hookham, a member of the Ann Arbor Energy Commission and the Michigan Board of Professional Engineers, presented on viable steps the energy sector can take to move toward carbon neutrality. He discussed the obstacles posed by the design

of the infrastructure of Ann Arbor’s current energy system and the difficulties of adapting that system to more renewable energy. “We’re trying to move as quick as we can,” Hookham said. “We have to keep your rates low — I don’t think anyone wants twice the electric bill, do you? I don’t think anybody wants interruption of heating in their house. These transitions we take on have to be done prudently but quickly, because we all know we don’t have much time.” Susan Fancy, program manager for research and commercialization at the University’s Global CO2 Initiative, spoke about what institutions can do to reduce their carbon footprint, giving examples of initiatives at the University and other colleges nationwide. Fancy’s recommendations included forgoing fossil fuels, upgrading buildings to low-emissions standards and creating a culture of sustainability. She also spoke to the importance of restructuring energy systems with social justice in mind. “Our current energy systems are really regressive, at least historically they have been; unfortunately, the emissions and what-haveyou tend to hit the people with the smallest voice and the smallest pocketbook,” Fancy said. “And so as we reinvent the emissions systems, it’s really important to do that through the lens of social justice so that we don’t repeat that mistake.”

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PROVOST From Page 1 Collins was the Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of Public Policy for 10 years. When she left her post in 2017, Collins described her efforts to improve the school’s visibility in a farewell letter. “I was a really staunch supporter that you don’t talk until you have something to say — you don’t want to be known as the wind bag; you want to be known for having done the analysis, for having depth of understanding of what the challenges are,” Collins wrote. “It’s one of the reasons I’ve always cared about having a foot in academia, because that’s one of the things academics stand for.” Collins also sits on the Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and is a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. She is also a member of the Council on

A/PIA From Page 1 “We thought it was important to have a dialogue surrounding A/PIA women in the community,” Guytingco said. “Coming from an intersectional context and viewpoint, we thought it’d be cool to have this dialogue about stereotypes and what it is to be an A/PIA woman within these contexts.” Co-Chair Michelle Byun, an LSA freshman, moderated the event and set the norms for everyone to follow when discussing sensitive topics. Presentation topics included racism, sexism, historical stereotypes, discrimination and colorism. During the group discussions, students discussed the “model minority” myth surrounding the A/PIA community. Other experiences brought up include being asked “Where are you from?”, racialized catcalling and fetishizing of multiracial babies. Byun talked about colorism, specifically mentioning skin lightening products and beauty stereotypes. Other attendees brought up the

WESLEYAN From Page 1 “What I find particularly important is President Roth, as he has done consistently throughout his career, writes to his audiences, not about problems that are solved, but issues that he serves in realtime,” Young said. Roth began his talk by explaining the title of his book and lecture, defining what “safe enough” spaces were to him as a university president. “A safe enough space at a college or university is a space in which students are going to not be subject to harassment and intimidation,” Roth said. “But not so safe that you go to class and you never contribute.” Roth wrote his book as a defense of students who protest speakers on campus, who critique professors with differing opinions and who serve as activists on college campuses fighting for marginalized groups. He said these students are often criticized for placing too much emphasis on political correctness and social justice, but he disagrees with this characterization. “People like to make fun of this stuff,” Roth said. “I’ve read so many books that criticize college students, especially this generation of students, and they criticize them in such a way that the picture is unrecognizable to me … I see a lot of students in my class when they come to protest my decisions or my lack of decisions. Even when they came to protest, I just didn’t recognize this caricature of the ‘snowflake’ or the ‘intolerant social justice warrior.’” Roth also criticized professors

Foreign Relations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has taught at Harvard and Georgetown University, during which time she was also a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. Currently, Collins oversees a global engagement seminar that takes 15 undergraduates to Costa Rica to study prevalent policy issues in the Central American country. In a message to students, she confirmed she will continue to teach the course and will still travel with the class to Costa Rica over spring break. Public Policy senior Brianna Wells took the course with Collins last year. Wells said she found Collins to be personable and is excited for her to take on the role. “She definitely pushes you to be a better student and has really high standards for quality,” Wells said. “For part of the class we went to Costa

different beauty standards in America compared to Asia and how the differences of skin color between siblings has impacted their experiences as an A/PIA. Students who were A/ PIA and also identified with another identity discussed the intersectionality that exists within their cultures and how this impacts their experience as a person of color. Business sophomore Sarah Morgan said she was able to share her perspective as a biracial Black and Filipino woman, which was unique compared to the majority of the attendees at the event. “As a bi-racial Asian woman, I decided to come because I knew this would be a good opportunity to speak on my experiences with my Filipino background,” Morgan said. “I really enjoyed talking about the stereotypes because as a Black person, I was able to talk about the model minority myth as well as colorism that I’ve seen in the Filipino community. I was able to bring that perspective into the group dialogue tonight.” During the presentation, many examples of

Rica over spring break and she’s a really great professor in the classroom, but then I just realized how good of a person she is on a personal level. She’s very kind, very understanding and cares about students.” As acting provost, Collins fills the position Philbert vacated earlier this month. Philbert was placed on administrative leave Jan. 21 after multiple allegations of sexual assault were reported to the University on Jan. 16-17. An investigation is currently underway. The provost is the secondhighest ranking official at the University and the chief academic officer. The provost works with the president to determine the University’s academic goals and distribute resources to achieve these goals. The provost previously oversaw the Office of Institutional Equity, which investigates sexual misconduct allegations, though this duty has been moved to Richard S. Holcomb, associate vice president for Human Resources.

misrepresentation of A/PIA womxn were shared with the audience. One example was the dragon lady stereotype and lotus f lower stereotype, depicting that womxn were either seductive or easily seduced. Students shared examples of discriminatory incidents within a personal, professional and academic setting. Co-Chair Dim Mang, an LSA senior, said the event was not meant to represent all perspectives within the A/ PIA community, but rather to start a dialogue among those who have something to share. “I think the event went really well. We tried to be very aware of the fact that especially when you’re talking about a community as diverse as Asian Americans, you can’t cover every topic well and you can’t cover every facet well,” Mang said. “Something that we wanted to be really conscious of was using our own experiences and not trying to speak for other voices and experiences. In those terms, I think it went really well and we’re really trying to improve as the semester goes.”

who feel threatened by students protesting their courses or protesting university decisions, pointing out professors have a duty to work with and teach all students no matter their opinions. “I do think when you start complaining about students as a professor, you’ve got to start planning your retirement,” Roth said. “Because you get the cards you get, you don’t get to complain about your students. You figure out how to teach them.” He also dove into political correctness on campuses. Roth noted all presidents from the President George H.W. Bush forward gave speeches on political correctness, using the concept as a weapon. “It’s just something you use against your enemies,” he said. “It’s weaponized. Trump brought that forward in a really dramatic way during the primary campaign. When there was a question he didn’t like, he’d say political correctness was killing our country, and this seems to work because there is a view … that what happens to colleges and universities is a kind of hothouse environment where professors can indoctrinate their students.” In response to this view, Roth said he has yet to meet one professor aiming to indoctrinate their students in a course. At the same time, he said professors want to have the freedom and right to teach what they want in their courses. “There is a tension there because, after all, professors should have academic freedom to teach their courses in the way they want to,” Roth said. “They certainly react to pressure from students to change courses, sometimes from pressure from

administrators... but they do insist that even if someone has an intention, they have the right to teach their course a certain way.” To end his talk, Roth emphasized higher education as a public good, encouraging faculty, educators and administrators to widen their lenses, particularly in intellectual diversity. “If we take diversity of ideas that we cultivate on campus and increase the ability of our

Friday, January 31, 2020 — 3

TRUMP From Page 1 He also expressed his excitement with both the USMCA and Trump’s choice of the warehouse as his first stop after signing the deal into law yesterday. “Many are aware that we are a strong supporter of USMCA,” Kamsickas said. “We’re excited to host President Trump and the first official White House event following signing (USMCA) into law, and to hear from him directly on a topic that is important for our company and for our industry.” Trump began his speech by promoting the newly signed trade deal and continued to boast about it throughout the approximately 30-minute speech. He noted the deal’s projected ability to create approximately 80,000 auto manufacturing jobs. “The USMCA is an especially big win for American auto workers,” Trump said. “We’re producing jobs like we’ve never seen before. We’re producing jobs. So I just want to say that I’ve kept my promise.” Trump also mentioned other provisions of the deal that are aimed to create more auto industry jobs in North America, strengthen labor laws in Mexico and allow for more trade between Mexican, Canadian and American wine

and cheese products. He wrapped up his speech by sharing why he felt the Dana Inc. warehouse was the perfect place for him to speak. “Dana Corp. is the perfect place to honor the immortal legacy of the American worker,” Trump said. “I just want to congratulate all of the people at Dana. You have all been outstanding and it really is the great people right now — the great people that work here — those people that can do such precision work. You’re the ones that are doing

longtime Dana Inc. employee, spoke to The Daily after the event about his excitement for USMCA and Trump’s choice to come to Dana to talk about the new trade deal. “I was excited about (USMCA) because I’ve been a manufacturer for over 42 years and to see ( jobs) come back to Michigan and the United States, really makes me excited,” Arrowsmith said. “The biggest challenge was getting workers back in here because manufacturing was almost a lost trade where people didn’t want to do it, but more people now seem like they want to get back into it. Dana has a history with building tanks, so I think this was a good setting for him to talk about the trade (deal).” LSA freshman Nicholas Schuler, freshman chair of the University’s chapter of College Republicans, said he was happy with Trump’s decisions to leave NAFTA and visit Michigan, though he did not attend the speech. “He is keeping in touch with the people who got him elected — they love him, he loves them,” Schuler said. “The trade deal was so important because NAFTA was an American job killer. Plain and simple. It made our labor market less competitive and a more America friendly trade agreement was needed.”

The biggest challenge was getting workers back in here because manufacturing was almost a lost trade where people didn’t want to do it, but more people now seem like they want to get back into it.

KOREMATSU From Page 1

it, and you’re the ones in our country and the people who we have great respect for.” Congressman Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, posted a video to his Facebook page criticizing Trump’s policies prior to his visit, saying the policies negatively affect the working class. “I’ve looked at this in great detail,” Levin said in the video. “I wish I were wrong, but I’m afraid to tell you that the USMCA is gonna continue the stream of U.S. jobs, middle class jobs, good paying jobs in manufacturing, down to Mexico where they’re turned into super low-wage jobs.” Mark Arrowsmith,

In an interview with The Daily, Korematsu spoke on the legacy of her father and the message she hopes Fred Korematsu Day will impart to the public. “You have to say something in order to make that difference,” Korematsu said. “It’s about courage. It took courage for the coram nobis legal team to reopen the case. It’s about upholding and

abiding by the civil liberties in the constitution. Our democracy is at risk.” LSA freshman Haneen Tout said her biggest takeaway from the event was how necessary it is to look back. “All these things that have happened in the past are there for us to see and learn from,” Tout said. “The Supreme Court and the government seem like they are choosing to look back on these things.” LSA freshman Grace Stephan also commented

neighbors, and others who live in this country, to work together to solve more problems, I think we’d be doing a great service to the country,” Roth said. Rackham student Jeffrey Grim attended the lecture as an affiliate of NCID to hear a university president’s perspective on free speech on college campuses. “From a scholarly and practical standpoint, and I thought it’d be interesting to hear,” Grim said.

“I’ve heard scholars talk about it, I’ve heard practitioners … it was helpful to hear a perspective from a college president who is intellectually interested in this, but also has to manage an institution.” Grim said he appreciated Roth’s discussion of the impact outside forces can have on on-campus issues. “His overall speech kind of talked about institutional

on what students can do regarding the issues brought up during the event. “As students, we should stay educated about issues,” Stephan said. “Going out of your way and learning things from people who have different experiences than you and maybe that’s novels, movies or attending events like these. People who have had these experiences and have lived them, which I think is the most meaningful way of getting involved.”

context matters, how political climate and personal background matters,” Grim said. “When we’re thinking about the impact it has on people, the impact speech has on people. Another takeaway was thinking about the role of executive leaders or leaders on college campuses and promoting different types of views and perspectives and the structures that come along with that.”

DOMINICK SOKOTOFF/Daily President of Wesleyan University Michael Roth discusses his new book, “Safe Enough Spaces: A Pragmatist’s Approach to Inclusion, Free Speech, and Political Correctness on College Campuses,” Thursday morning at the Michigan Union.

Opinion

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FROM THE DAILY

Our Provost and sexual misconduct

n a sudden and surprising email sent to University of Michigan students on Jan. 22, President Mark Schlissel announced that Provost Martin Philbert had been placed on administrative leave after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him. This news came just a day after state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, filed a sexual misconduct complaint against state Sen. Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Twp., for an encounter in November 2018 where Lucido inappropriately touched her very low on her back and made suggestive remarks.

hat filing came in the wake of Lucido’s inappropriate comments toward a young reporter, 22-year-old Allison Donahue, on Jan. 14. In this interaction Lucidio said a group of high school boys “could have a lot of fun” with Donahue. These stories serve as a glaring reminder of the pervasive issue of sexual harassment by men in positions of power against the women around them. The Michigan Daily Editorial Board stands in solidarity with those who have come forward over the past two weeks, and continue to encourage others to speak out when necessary. Coming from a newsroom comprised mostly of young, female, aspiring journalists, we support Donahue for her bravery in deciding to speak up about the incident. Too often, young women remain silent for fear of backlash or professional repercussions. Even McMorrow, an elected state official, felt at risk of losing her constituents’ support by coming forward, but was moved to speak out after hearing Donahue’s story. Unfortunately, we at the University are not immune to this systemic problem. In 2018, ABC 7 disclosed that reported cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment were up 61 and 37 percent respectively on the U-M campus. The details of the claims against Philbert have not been made public, but from Schlissel’s email, we know that an investigation was immediately opened after the allegations were made, bringing in outside legal counsel. Three

days later, Philbert was placed on paid leave. The Editorial Board commends Schlissel for the swift response and hopes this sets a new precedent, while also reiterating the importance of transparency in the proceedings. Since activist Tarana Burke began the #MeToo movement in 2006 and it later saturated the mainstream with Alyssa Milano and the Harvey Weinstein scandal, more women have been empowered to speak out. Equally as important is the need for unbiased tribunals to evaluate evidence in these cases, weighing this against personal claims. But beyond judicial bodies, this is an issue of culture. How do we instill the treatment of women into the minds of our young men? How does this treatment undermine our universal values or prop up our definitions of masculinity? Where is the line between friendly socialization and workplace harassment? It is our job as a community to continuously ask ourselves these questions. To change our culture, we will need empathetic thinkers who set their sights on communal well-being, even at the cost of social convenience. We will need courageous men and women who are ready to self-analyze the social constructions they have built around themselves. We will need leaders and the best. Though instances of sexual harassment predominantly impact women, these behaviors and institutions exist at men’s expense as well. According to a 2018 report from the Institute of Women’s Policy Research,

men were the victims in 20 percent of all sexual harassment charges. To change the culture we must encourage those who face sexual misconduct to speak up and reassure them that they will be heard and given the opportunity to support their case. Another imperative step is promoting female representation in positions of power to disrupt traditionally male dominated hierarchies. If a woman — instead of Harvey Weinstein — chaired one of the largest film studios in America, it’s likely many of these industry workers would have not fallen prey to Weinstein’s persecution. We’d like to highlight the resources available to our readers in the event they are needed. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) provides free and confidential crisis intervention, advocacy and support for University students, faculty and staff survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and sexual harassment. SAPAC can be found on the fourth floor of the newly renovated Michigan Union. In addition, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free counseling services to all University of Michigan-Ann Arbor students. Finally, we’d like to remind our readers that the The Daily has a tip line for these types of stories: tipline@michigandaily. com. This is a private tip line viewable by a small team of reporters committed to responsible reporting on sexual misconduct and its allegations. The Michigan Daily is listening.

POLICY TALKS @ THE FORD SCHOOL

MICHAEL COPPS Former FCC Commissioner

Photo by Steve Rhodes

STPP LECTURE SERIES

Media, big tech, and democracy: What happened? Wednesday, February 5, 2020 4:00 - 5:20 pm Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy Annenberg Auditorium, 1120 Weill Hall 735 S. State Street

Free and open to the public. Reception to follow. Information: 734-615-7545 or fspp-events@umich.edu

@fordschool #policytalks

Your Canada Goose is uglier than it looks

love Nicholas Cage. From his melodramatic performance alongside Cher in “Moonstruck” to his laughable screaming of “not the bees!” in “The Wicker Man,” his movies are iconic. While I am excited to see his new film, based on H.P. Lovecraft’s “Colours Out of Space,” at the State Theatre, I highly doubt it will surpass the brilliance of 2004’s “National Treasure.” Like “The Da Vinci Code” for fifth graders, it’s two hours of dumb fun that begin with Sean Bean and Cage, in all his mouthbreathing glory, riding across a sea of snow. As I watched the movie over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend for the first time in a decade, I was surprised to see Cage and Bean (who somehow survives the movie) wearing bright red Canada Goose parkas. Founded in 1957 as a jacket for Northern Canadians, Canada Goose’s parkas are designed to keep a person alive in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius. In the 1980s, it became the iconic jacket of Antarctic researchers and the first Canadian to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Now, it’s the jacket of the rich and famous. The blue and red logo has been seen on dozens of celebrities, ranging from Kevin Bacon and Aubrey Plaza to a topless Kate Upton, who donned one of their parkas on a cover of Sports Illustrated magazine to the delight of teenage boys everywhere. Their parkas not only look like sleeping bags, but are described as “like wearing a sleeping bag” on elite fashion blogs. Even so, the lack of style hasn’t hindered them from becoming the new status symbol among America’s upper class. Most versions are priced at over $1,000 if you get it from a certified seller, the only way to ensure it isn’t a fake stuffed with German Shepard hair. Their increasing popularity has been to the financial gain of past presidential candidate Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Ut., whose former private equity firm, Bain Capital, owns a majority of stock in the company. While I could go on endlessly about these implications alone, the jackets are most infamous for their coyote fur hoods. Predictably, people unabashedly wearing fur has brought the ire

of PETA, who released a video of distressed coyotes in traps, protesting the company’s fur use. Canada Goose has fired back by saying their trapping of coyotes is in accordance with Canada’s misleadingly named Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). This agreement allows coyotes to be captured using Duke No. 3 Rubber Jaws, which are banned in the EU for clamping down on the legs of animals, usually breaking them in the process. In the western United States, coyotes are then either shot in the head or bludgeoned to death, usually with a hammer, in accordance with state laws that vary greatly in what they consider humane. Most require a coyote to be trapped and killed within 24 hours, but states like Wyoming only require traps to be checked once every three days. “It’s horrible, to put it mildly,” says wildlife expert Stanley Gehrt in a Newsweek article regarding the controversy around the jackets. The coyotes often experience a mix of muscle damage and dehydration until their eventual death due to exposure to the elements or blood loss. Coyotes, which may form monogamous mating pairs like people, are also not subject to a hunting season in most western states, where Canada Goose gets their fur. This is done in most other fur-bearing species to reduce pup deaths, but this courtesy hasn’t been extended to these highly intelligent and social animals. Mother coyotes have even been known to chew their legs off in desperation to get back to their pups. With no way of knowing where the fur comes from, it can only be left to speculation how each jacket hood met its final moments. Some environmentalists have thrown their weight behind Canada Goose, citing the Western Coyote’s status as an overpopulated, native invader, thriving in new ranges where humans have extirpated wolves. This is posing an ecological threat to many North American biomes, as coyotes inhabit every single contiguous state in America. Even so, studies have found that areas with two-year coyote removal programs are back at pre-removal numbers within only eight months,

indicating that hunting may be nothing more than a nonsense solution with unknown ecological implications. This isn’t the only thing that puts the company’s claims of “ethical sourcing” in question. The reason their jackets can sustain such low temperatures is due to the fine Canadian Hutterite goose down in the jackets. According to Canada Goose, “Each ounce of down has approximately two million fluffy filaments that interlock and overlap to create insulating pockets of air, which is what keeps you warm.” PETA released another video, showing one of their supplier farms crushing and suffocating its geese as they sent them to a slaughterhouse. Canada Goose says there is no other way to make a jacket that endures arctic temperatures without making synthetic furs and feathers. While cruel, animal fur and feathers are relatively carbonneutral compared to manufacturing synthetic alternatives. In order to keep people warm in the coldest places on Earth, the company’s use of animal products may be acceptable. This argument, however, merely justifies the use of animal products in the jackets for Arctic explorers and researchers, not Hollywood celebrities. Sure, researchers and Nicholas Cage need them on their Antarctic expeditions, but do the students that populate the streets outside South University Avenue’s luxury condos? While Michigan winters are known for their harshness, they don’t compare to the places where the jackets are necessary. At the University of Michigan, they are status symbols that happen to keep you warm. With ample ethical ways to stay warm in Michigan, there is no excuse to have a fur hood dangling over your face in 2020. At best, wearing Canada Goose supports Mitt Romney and the needless killing of coyotes and geese, and at worst, it supports unspeakable and inexcusable cruelty, making you look less like Kate Upton and more like Cruella De Vil. Riley Dehr can be reached at rdehr@umich.edu.

VARNA KODOTH | COLUMN

“

Serving the underserved

No matter where you’re from, increasing equity for nontraditional you belong here.” This is student populations. An example the powerful message with of this is the opportunity for U-M undergraduate student which University of organizations to apply Michigan students are for $5,000 in funding welcomed upon arrival through the Frances to the Center for the and Sydney Lewis Education of Women Visiting Leaders Fund. (CEW+) website, or the Through the Frances respective building. and Sydney Lewis Fund, The first time I heard CEW+ partners with of CEW+ was at the end student organizations to of the winter semester bring women leaders to of my junior year, and VARNA campus. while unknown to KODOTH From my work as many, CEW+ is an incredible resource available to a research assistant to Dr. Tiffany provide the space and support for Marra, the director of CEW+, it is advocacy initiatives to grow at the clear that CEW+ is committed to University. After learning more creating inclusive, accessible and safe about the program, I took steps to educationalspacesforundergraduate and marginalized involve myself with other strong and women progressive women. This led me to community members. Engaging conduct a focus group on women in the classroom and attaining a and marginalized communities productive learning experience is in STEM departments at U-M crucial to degree completion and with the support and guidance of student success. CEW+ is a resource CEW+. The results of this study that undergraduate students should will ultimately be incorporated into be well-acquainted with, and the the COUNTS Toolkit for student work that is accomplished here is success. COUNTS, the Council of high impact in the U-M campus for Nontraditional Students, is community. CEW+ works to empower women responsible for addressing the importance of a strong community and underserved students at U-M by for nontraditional and underserved serving as an advocate and providing students at the University which resources to help them reach their includes, and is not limited to, academic, financial and professional potential. During my junior year, a student parents and caregivers. COUNTS is an online Canvas close friend of mine informed me that module dedicated to increasing she had received emergency financial awareness about social identities assistance from CEW+. Through in the classroom and educating the CEW+ counseling program, University students about the we are able to award Emergency nontraditional student population. Funds to assist with “unexpected CEW+’s upcoming initiative is a financial emergencies that threaten Toolkit meant to teach members to derail degree progress.” The intent of the U-M community how to here is to enable individuals to act navigate different student identities. independently and take control of By engaging with this Toolkit, their path. By way of workshops and University staff are eligible to events oriented around promoting receive funding in support of any leadership, career and personal new endeavors or attempts to better development, CEW+ generates a support and include nontraditional safe and uplifting atmosphere for students in their courses and accomplishing goals and solving problems. Dr. Marra recommends programs. CEW+ passionately supports that students attend a Midweek student-led efforts with the goal Mindfulness sit if they don’t feel of improving the campus climate comfortable pausing and reflecting for all identities. The center even on their experiences. Mindfulness offers students the opportunity meditations are 30 minute events to apply for funding to implement designed to help people practice programs or events geared toward recentering themselves in the

present. CEW+ also leads events and workshops to address the needs of students, including a workshop coming up on Feb. 5 titled, “‘Am I Good Enough?’ Yes, You Are!”, which will focus on self-doubt and impostor syndrome. These are the types of workshops that exist to uplift and motivate students to chase after their ambitions. CEW+ is committed to ensuring that student identities are a positive influence in the path to success at U-M rather than a hindrance or burden. Dr. Marra has discussed her passion for working and learning from the U-M community of women and nontraditional students. “Whether it be a student working full-time while taking 15 credits or a student caring for a loved one or a student fighting for the rights of DACA students knowing it may not lead to better results for himself, I am continually amazed by the grit and determination of students as they trail blaze their path through U-M,” said Marra. CEW+ redefines what it is that professional development means to U-M students. Professional development events at CEW+ involve stepping outside of your comfort zone as a component of growth. Taking a risk to be slightly uncomfortable can lead to a greater understanding of something that students may have felt to be unknown or intimidating initially. CEW+ is a resource that exists to serve U-M undergraduate students in the form of events, professional development and guidance — and it’s right at the disposal of your fingertips! To the U-M student population identifying with marginalized communities: CEW+ is here to foster that sense of belonging at Michigan and to support you in your educational endeavors. To student allies: take the challenge to diversify your perspectives and better your understanding of social identities on campus during Winter 2020 through CEW+ events and opportunities. Embody what CEW+ represents and ask yourself, what can I do better to support, include and celebrate the diversity of my peers? Varna Kodoth can be reached at vkodoth@umich.edu.

Arts

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

Friday, January 31, 2020 — 5

SUNDANCE SPECIAL EDITION

‘Uncle Frank’ HP’s ‘Wake Up’ ‘Never Rarely’ is fails to take even is one giant yawn a moving look at teen pregnancy itself seriously EMMA CHANG Daily Arts Writer

impressive performance could not compensate for the poorly-written character he had to portray, and I was left

SAM DELLA FERA Daily Arts Writer

I make a habit of avoiding movie theaters. Among other more important reasons, I really don’t enjoy other people telling me how and when to react. Misplaced laughter and overzealous reactions ruin a movie experience for me, almost as must as cliches and far-fetched storylines. The experience of watching “Uncle Frank” was an unfortunate mix of all of begging him to please take these. “Uncle Frank” is the type something seriously. of movie that is sure to bring Actully, the entire cast gave in crowds. It boasts big-name director Alan Ball (“True a magnificent performance Blood”) and main lead Paul that the film’s plot does not Bettany, pulled straight from do justice to. Bettany plays Frank with the Marvel a restrained Cinematic ferocity that Universe. “Uncle Frank” conveys Even the plot a million is enticing: a thoughts closeted gay Dir. Alan Ball with the f lick NYU professor of a cigarette. from the South And his must confront wide-eyed his past and his January 25, 2020 niece Beth identity when (Sophia he and his Lillis, “It”) niece at NYU Sundance Film Festival is a breath of take a roadtrip fresh air on back home for this road trip his father’s to rebirth. funeral. At But, without face value the film promises to be touching, giving too much away, this riveting and profound. film asks us to believe things that are pretty hard to accept, Instead, it is disappointing. For a movie featuring all in the name of tying up the heavy topics such as suicide story in a pretty, feel-good and sexuality in the ’70s, bow. Still, I have no doubt that “Uncle Frank” barely lets a poignant moment go by “Uncle Frank” will be a box without punctuating the office hit. Its biggest f law suspense with a laugh. Most is also its biggest draw to of this humor comes from the public — it’s a movie you Peter Macdissi (“Six Feet feel like you’ve seen before. Though there are some twists and shocking scenes, you can count down the minutes to exactly when you’re supposed to cry next, and be assured that a laugh is just around the corner. “Uncle Frank” has a lot to say, I just wish it had the courage to say it. Though they explode in the occasional outburst, the real, crushing emotions of “Uncle Frank” are kept at bay, with nearly every disagreement ending with a “hey you know what? It’s okay.” In the world of “Uncle Frank”’, disapproval consists of whispers around the corner and fights that are Under”), who nails his role resolved with a mere hug. It as Wally, Frank’s partner would be quite a nice world to of 10 years. But Macdissi’s live in, but it isn’t the truth.

“Uncle Frank” has a lot to say, I just wish it had the courage to say it

“Uncle Frank” is the type of movie that is sure to bring in crowds

how every single story about “disconnecting” goes. And this might hit hard for a minute,

We all know technology is going to be the end of us. We live in an age in which we all ignore the fact that TikTok is a vehicle for the Chinese government to collect our information, while covering a laptop’s camera with a band-aid is becoming an increasingly popular practice. But does any of this paranoia mean that we’re going to stop using our technology altogether? Will the f lip phone make a comeback in 2020? Doubtful. And even as it becomes increasingly clear that technology is an integral part of our lives whether we like it or not, Olivia Wilde’s (“Booksmart”) newest short, “Wake Up,” follows an unnamed woman in a world “where people are more engaged with screens and devices than but then whoever is scrolling is with each other,” according to going to keep scrolling with only a vague feeling a press email that maybe they from Wilde’s should get off publicist. “Wake Up” their phone. Despite its As an avid fan visual appeal, of “Booksmart,” I “Wake Up” does Dir. Olivia Wilde was disappointed nothing for the to see such a conversation contrite idea it attempts to come from create. The January 24, 2020 Wilde. There was short film, as nothing new to posited by the this concept — we filmmakers at Sundance Film Festival all know we spend the premiere, too much time is meant to on our phones, encourage a but if you’re not balance between willing to toss humans and technology that is supposedly out the iPhone for a Motorola missing from this day and age. In Razor or get rid of your phone this regard, the Sundance event altogether, the conversation was supposedly “phone-free” “Wake Up” tries to spark is all and, hypothetically, everyone but over. Eventually, though, would have their phones in a it became clear in the postlocked case that would only be film fireside chat that this idea opened when leaving the event. didn’t come from Wilde herself. But despite the coordinators’ Instead, the concept itself came best efforts, phones were still out from HP, a fact that restored and documenting the premiere my faith in Wilde’s ability as a of a film meant to discourage director. And so, none of this is to say that exact behavior. The 10 and a half minute film that Wilde and Qualley didn’t failed to realize its audience and do a good job with what they reach — the general public won’t had — it’s just that what they see “Wake Up” at the Sundance had was a cliché, irrelevant Film Festival, with Olivia corporate message from HP. The Wilde there to explain what it’s fireside chat further revealed supposed to be telling you. No, the questionable nature of this the short is going to be consumed short film. It could be argued on Twitter, passed around by the that HP is doing a good thing in very thing it claims to denounce, supporting the arts, in trying to with the sole message that we’re “start” a conversation around going to end up bleeding on the our technology use. But when ground if we don’t “wake up.” the director of the film asks Without the introduction by the us to consider who exactly is director or the ruminations of controlling what technology a panel following the film, this we use, after producing a film nuance is lost. It isn’t a spoiler commissioned by those same for me to tell you that Margaret people, the irony is clear. Those Qualley’s (“Once Upon a Time in power don’t even know they in Hollywood”) character ends hold the power or, if they do, up in the hospital for her they’re desperately trying to phone addiction because that’s convince us otherwise.

Despite its visual appeal, “Wake Up” does nothing for the conversation it attempts to create

than if she had said a single word. After a post-concert Daily Arts Writer dinner with her supportive mother and sister and notThe description of Eliza so-supportive father, Autumn Hittman’s follow-up to runs home, and the camera 2017’s “Beach Rats” is pans down to the growing fairly simple: A teenage girl bump on her abdomen. When it becomes clear that from rural Pennsylvania travels to New York City to the parental consent laws get an abortion. The film of rural Pennsylvania won’t mirrors its descriptor’s allow for Autumn to get an straightforwardness — there abortion, she and her cousin/ is little dialogue, and nearly best friend Skylar (Talia all of the scenes take place Ryder) pocket some money in a f luorescent-lit doctor’s from their pervy groceryoffice, on sickly public store boss and head to New transportation or the rainy York City. It quickly becomes streets of New York City. apparent that even in a But in its simplicity is where pro-choice city, getting an the film is most captivating, abortion is incredibly difficult seizing the emotion of the and expensive, and the girls occasion so perfectly you feel are left in NYC with no money the protagonist’s desperation for food or shelter, with men preying on in every them around footstep. “Never Rarely every corner. Autumn In a year (Sidney Sometimes when abortion Flanigan) is Always” rights are a reserved, under attack, unassuming “Never 17-year-old Dir. Eliza Hittman Rarely” girl who captures the we first see crushing performing March 13, 2020 isolation and a folksy trauma of rendition of the process The Exciters Sundance Film Festival poignantly. “He’s Got The Though it is Power” with technically an silver glitter “issue” film, it painted heavily onto her sad eyelids. doesn’t feel like a PSA, though In the midst of lyrics like “He you may feel obliged to donate makes me do things I don’t to Planned Parenthood after want to do, he makes me say watching it. The most remarkable scene things I don’t want to say,” Autumn is interrupted by a involves the titular phrase being used in Autumn’s preprocedure interview. The counselor asks a series of questions about Autumn’s relationships and sexual history, requesting that she answer either never, rarely, sometimes, always. Though Autumn obliges at first, the biggest revelations come from the questions she leaves unanswered, demonstrating a brilliance in filmmaking where the most important moments are disclosed in silence. Between the beautifully comfortable relationship between Autumn and Skylar and the suppressed agony that both girls are experiencing, “Never Rarely” is a film that makes a powerful call to action with very few words at all. It is overwhelming boy yelling “slut!” Though and ravishing, leaning on the she falters for a second, talents of two young breakout she continues, showing us stars to tell a story that is more about our protagonist yearning to be heard. SAM DELLA FERA

It doesn’t feel like a PSA, though you may feel obliged to donate to Planned Parenthood after watching it

Elizabeth Moss and Odessa Young shine in ‘Shirley’ EMMA CHANG Daily Arts Writer

I’ve been thinking about dating a lot recently. In theory, the point of dating is to find the person with whom you’re eventually going to spend the rest of your life. In practice, though, dating seems, especially in college, more about conquests and gaining experience than finding a lifelong partner. This isn’t an issue, but it does make me wonder how our relationships change as we get older. “Shirley” takes this question and creates a thrilling film in which two couples spiral into each other, pushing themselves in and out of reality. “Shirley” is rooted in comparisons that strategically reveal the flaws of the two relationships. The young Fred (Logan Lerman, “Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief”) and Rose (Odessa Young, “The Professor”) are bright-eyed newlyweds who have yet to experience the emotional rollercoaster of a long-term relationship. Rose has a naïve, blind trust in Fred, the kind of trust we all want to have in a relationship and the trust that’s missing in Stanley (Michael Stuhlbarg, “Call Me By Your Name”) and Shirley’s (Elisabeth Moss, “The Kitchen”) relationship. It’s this initial difference in timeline that sets the two couples up for the dramatic flair of the film — when Fred and Rose move in with Stanley and Shirley, the established habits of the older couple have a strong influence on the budding marriage and we watch as Fred and Rose slowly fall out of sync, only to see Rose grow closer and closer to Shirley. And as Rose and Shirley’s relationship develops, it becomes clear that neither of their husbands are capable of bringing out the best in either character. Shirley is tethered to a cheating and sexist professor, a man who can’t stand the fact that his wife is smarter than him. Rose, on the other hand, has yet to find her voice. She is mousey and barely even secure in her role as Fred’s wife. Neither woman fully reaches their potential until they meet the other. As “Shirley” unfolds we watch Rose grow into a powerful woman, and eventually mother, and leave behind her insecurities as a “little wifey.” The film creates an atmosphere ripe with feminism without

ever raising a picket sign. To watch these couples dance around each other is like seeing two very strange courtships — Fred and Stanley perform with the awkward gaits of two males unwilling to bow to the other. In contrast, Shirley and Rose create a symbiotic relationship — Shirley’s eccentricity brings Rose’s confidence to the surface while Rose’s burgeoning self-discovery motivates Shirley to return to her work; neither of which would have ever been accomplished in their relationship with their respective husbands. “Shirley” is a strange film. Jump cuts and shaky camera work often made it hard to follow, but the film creates rich, emotionally driven scenes that explore the parallels of relationships in a way that is often muddled in other pieces. As “Shirley” comes to a close, it’s obvious that what we watched was not just two couples living together, but the origin story of how Stanley and Shirley’s relationship came to be. These are no longer coincidental parallels in their relationship, but intentional patterns that occur in committed partnerships. This film answered one of my burning life questions: what is it like to be married to Logan Lerman, our resident white boy of the decade? Disappointing, to say the least. But after “Shirley” I realized we’ve been dreaming about the wrong person; Elisabeth Moss takes the life of a suburban wife, working from home, and makes it an adventure. A scary one, but an adventure nonetheless. It’s this reevaluation of our longheld expectations, both about Logan Lerman and marriage, that make “Shirley” such an impactful film.

“Shirley” Dir. Josephine Decker January 25, 2020 Sundance Film Festival

Arts

6 — Friday, January 31, 2020

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

SUNDANCE SPECIAL EDITION

‘Herself’ is a painful, needed look at domestic violence EMMA CHANG Daily Arts Writer

“Black widow.” This is what Sandra (Clare Dunne, “Cynthia”) whispers to her eldest daughter Emma (Ruby Rose O’Hara, “The Secret Market”) right before Sandra’s husband Gary (Ian Lloyd Anderson, “Love/Hate”) throws her to the ground and beats her until her face is bloodied and her wrist is shattered. In between shots of Gary’s vicious aggression, Emma is shown running to a nearby store with an ornate container. Inside is a note which reads, “Call 999, my life is in danger.” Directed by Phyllida Lloyd (“Mamma Mia!”), “Herself” is a story co-written by Dunne and framed in the context of Dublin’s domestic abuse and housing crises. The film follows Sandra as she transforms from a wife and mother of 10 years to a woman living in a hotel room with her children to avoid her abuser. Though free from sharing the same space as Gary, Sandra grapples with suffocating anxiety as she relives her abuse and has to drop her daughters off every weekend at the home where it occurred. To finally feel emancipated, Sandra decides that she is going to build a house for her and her daughters and, as a result, reclaim her life. Though “Herself” incorporates a magnitude of social issues — family

court, housing availability, domestic abuse and anxiety, just to name a few — it does so in a way that is more empathetic and harmonious than it is preachy or disjointed. Dunne, in one of her first major roles, is captivating as her self-written character. She is able to flawlessly swing between joy and pain, desperation and hope, telling the story of trauma hidden behind a mother trying to do what’s best for her kids. Dunne’s defining performance is bolstered by supporting actress Harriet Walter (“Succession”). Walter plays Peggy, an old doctor that Sandra’s late mother used to work for, who offers up her large backyard to be the site of Sandra’s DIY home. Peggy is sharp-witted and tough, but never fails to be a comforting presence when Sandra breaks down. At some points, the plot does seem relatively predictable. Secretly building a house to escape your abusive partner is no easy feat, as we come to see. But the occasional foreseeable moments of the movie did not take away from the trance it put me in, and any feeling that one knows what’s coming next is blown apart when the final “black widow” of the film is uttered. Needless to say, the ending is not a happy one — it reaches inside you and freezes your heart, as you pray you’re not seeing what you think you are. But even if it is not happy, it is hopeful, and no one will leave the movie feeling completely devastated.

it is the auditory elements of the film. Some song choices are truly bizarre, and the uneven sound mixing made Sia’s “Titanium” blasting through my skull all the more unpleasant. And though it seems legally required that any Irish piece of media use “Dreams” by The Cranberries, the hazy song was forced awkwardly in, cut off right when you needed it to get good. Poor music choice aside, “Herself” is a film that follows you well after you leave the theater. It is painful, yet necessary. It is an exceptional film that gracefully touches upon devastating and sensitive topics through a remarkable actress who is bound for continued greatness.

“Herself” Dir. Phyllida Lloyd January 24, 2020 Sundance Film Festival

If there is anything to complain about — and really, there is very little —

Youth in ‘The 40-Year-Old-Version’ ‘Luxor’ on age, nostalgia, love EMMA CHANG Daily Arts Writer

Age and mortality are concepts we all struggle with. There is not a day when I don’t have an existential crisis about the futility of my future because of the impending threat of climate change. But the iron willpower that helps me survive the incessant pressures of completing medical school applications and maintaining my sanity ebbed away during the glorious two hours of Radha Blank’s “The 40-Year-Old-Version.” The film places Blank in a future where the worst could have happened: nothing. Blank’s self-named title character was once an up-andcoming playwright, but ten years have passed and, as she approaches 40, she has little to show for it, except an award from her early thirties and a classroom full of teenagers that may or may not hate her. The film opens like most coming-of-age stories — Blank is shown getting ready for her day, late for work, establishing the fact that her life has stalled. And while these opening

scenes are common tropes in such films, the comedic tone that they set for the rest of the film is anything but generic. From jokes about “white men with Black lady butts” to awkward moments of silence following an explanation of why soy milk is an important theme in her play, “The 40-Year-Old-Version” proves that not only is it a fantastic drama, but that its director has a deep understanding of comedic timing. In no other movie would I expect a joke about almost underage kids making advances on a 40-yearold woman to be funny. On the surface, “The 40-Year-Old-Version” is like most stories that try and reconcile our obsession with youth with the inevitable aging process. Blank creates a down-on-her-luck character who, when she finally decides to go out on a limb and try something new, eventually finds herself in a wreckage of her previous life. While this is an incredibly predictable trope, the film’s details transforms it into something deeply personal. And it’s this balance between individuality and universal themes that makes “The 40-Year-Old-Version” special. Blank connects with her audience and gets them

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invested in her story but keeps them in their seats with offering a new perspective on the world. “The 40-Year-Old-Version” explores a variety of themes, but one that it addresses particularly well is how we’re perceived in the world, especially as we age. The film consistently breaks away from its professionally shot atmosphere to what seem like iPhone videos of people that exist in Blank’s world — an Asian bodega owner around the corner, a Spanish salesclerk and a hilariously sassy older Black woman. These three characters serve as sounding boards for Blank’s experiences; we hear their thoughts about turning forty and their reactions to her decision to rap. All three provide interesting perspectives that help Blank explore what it means to do something for yourself even as the people in your life, whose opinions shouldn’t really matter but that we care about anyways, seem to scoff at your choices.

Read more online at MichiganDaily.com

Wildcats, everywhere Wolverines unable to contain Northwestern stars, drop game in Evanston, 81-73, to go below .500 in Big Ten play KENT SCHWARTZ Daily Sports Writer

EVANSTON — WelshRyan Arena exploded, again. The Wolverines’ work on the offensive end quickly forgotten, the Wildcats answered in a resounding, soul sucking move. It was a torturous pattern in Thursday night’s 81-73 loss to No. 23 Northwestern (18-3 overall, 8-2 Big Ten) for the Michigan women’s basketball team (13-7, 4-5). The Wolverines continuously found themselves in a five-tosix point hole, occasionally poking their heads up and snagging a lead, but every time they fought back the Wildcats hammered them back down. Early in the first quarter, though, the match seemed on its way for a repeat of Michigan’s last match against a ranked opponent. Michigan’s starting lineup could barely handle defending senior Abbie Wolf. Northwestern’s switches off the ball left sophomore guard Amy Dilk, and at times sophomore guard Danielle Rauch, on the much larger center. There were easy shots for her, until Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico made a quick switch by putting her own center in — freshman Izabel Varejão. Her introduction stopped the bleeding on the inside, while also offering an offensive spark. She gave the Wolverines its first true sign of offense in the first quarter, scoring a quick four points and gathering another assist. “Our best is when we’re playing zone with our hands up,” Dilk said. “(Varejão), she’s the biggest one on the court with her wingspan and I think tonight she finally realized ‘if I play with my hands up I’m gonna get tips,’ and she did a great job of that. Our two guards up top were doing a great job of that. It was making them change the angles of

passes which slowed them down just a half second.” Unfortunately, she could do nothing to help the emergence of the Wildcats’ outside shooters. Senior Abi Scheid drained two threes, and after the second Barnes Arico was livid — the shooter was Varejão’s to close out on, but she didn’t. At the end of the first quarter, it looked like the game would go down as another culmination of turnovers and poor defending of the 3-point line for Michigan. It committed eight turnovers in the first quarter, Northwestern shot 60 percent from three. A fiery Barnes Arico leaned into her players in between quarters, but the results were elusive for the first five minutes of the second quarter. “We were just definitely trying to pick each other up,” sophomore forward Naz Hillmon said. “And talking about how we still have the opportunity to get out there and hustle, and play really hard and we all need to focus in and make sure that we’re playing hard from start to finish.” Added Barnes Arico: “We need to regroup, we had just talked about it in the locker room, we just need to regroup and we just need to settle in and we gotta chip away. And I thought we did, I thought our focus after that first quarter was really good and we were able to regroup and make it a game down the stretch.” And then, down 30-21 with five minutes to go in the half, Varejão came back in. The offense opened up, and the defense locked down. A 14-6 run ensued, giving Michigan its first lead of the game with 1:04 left in the half after freshman guard Michelle Sidor stole the ball and Varejão drained a layup. “I thought our post really could take advantage of them and that’s why we went with that big lineup of (Varejão),

(senior forward) Hailey Brown and Naz Hillmon,” Barnes Arico said. “I thought that really helped take advantage of the inside and I thought (Hillmon) did a really great job inside as well.” After forcing a bad buzzerbeater shot from Northwestern to end the half, the bench — and Barnes Arico — erupted, ending the quarter on a much different note than the last one. Neck and neck for most of the third quarter, Michigan let the Wildcats pull away for a quick six-point lead at the end of the quarter. They wouldn’t look back, and the distance was stretched in the fourth quarter. Wolf couldn’t be defended and neither could junior guard Lindsey Pulliam, who pulled up for jumpers from every corner of the court. She muscled Sidor under the basket, made corner threes and drained fadeaways all over. Unlike the first quarter, it wasn’t the Wolverines’ mistakes that gave Northwestern the lead. It was two unstoppable players.

JACK KINGSLEY Daily Sports Writer

EVANSTON — Down nine midway through the second quarter, and with sloppy play preventing any sort of rhythm, the Michigan women’s basketball team needed a spark. Amy Dilk had been at the forefront of the Wolverines’ ugly first quarter. After turning the ball over twice in the first two minutes of the game, it looked like it might be a lost night for the sophomore guard. But rather than letting her work out the kinks on the court, Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico took her out four minutes into the game and talked to her. And the message resonated. “She knows I can put more effort than what I’m putting in,” Dilk said. “I need to be more dialed in from the start and that’s obviously on me. Basically I just need to play harder.” With 6:21 left in the second quarter, Dilk saw her chance to be that spark. She poked the ball out of Northwestern guard Lindsey Pulliam’s hands at the 3-point

line, and as it was rolling out of bounds, Dilk dove to the floor to save it. The Wolverines called a timeout to keep possession, and despite the nine-point deficit, they were fired up. “I think I owed it to my team to get some hustle plays, and I think I got some tonight,” Dilk said. “Obviously, when any of our teammates dive on the floor, it brings the momentum and energy up on the bench, on the court. So, just being able to do that and bringing the momentum up was huge for us.” While Michigan’s play improved out of the timeout, it couldn’t overcome its firstquarter struggles, leading to an 81-73 loss. But Dilk wouldn’t let the Wolverines go down so easily. At the top of a 2-3 zone, she continued to give the Wildcats trouble, deflecting passes and forcing Northwestern to reset its offense and settle for tough shots. She logged three steals in the quarter. Offensively, she settled down. While the Wildcats continued to press, Dilk didn’t try to force

EMMA MATI/Daily

Sophomore forward Naz Hillmon scored 27 points but it wasn’t enough as Michigan fell to Northwestern, 81-73.

passes upcourt to avoid it. Instead, she trusted her ability as a ball handler and only passed the ball when she was stifled by Northwestern defenders. As Dilk’s play improved, so did Michigan’s. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. After her steal, the Wolverines grabbed a one-point lead with a 16-6 run — during which Dilk scored four points and assisted on the go-ahead basket — but they couldn’t extend it any further, leaving the door open for the Wildcats. “I thought that she just started to … really take care of the ball a lot better and handle pressure a lot better,” Barnes Arico said. “She also moved extremely well without the ball and was making some cuts and … making herself available and finish plays around the rim.” In the third quarter, Dilk showed no signs of slowing down. She continued to give the Wildcats problems defensively, and offensively, she only improved. When Dilk is at her best, she is driving with confidence and going up strong, qualities on full display Thursday night. But the Wolverines struggled from the floor in the third — shooting just 4-of-14 and missing layups and open 3-pointers — and Northwestern got hot, shooting over 50 percent. Dilk gave Michigan much-needed baskets and kept them in the game, scoring eight of her 15 points in the third, and the Wolverines led with 2:36 left. Though, the Wildcats ended the quarter on a 9-2 run, and there wasn’t much Dilk could do to keep the game from slipping away. “She’s such a great passer that as soon as you bring through two or three at her, she’s dropping it off to me, or dropping it off to (freshman center Izabel Varejão),” sophomore forward Naz Hillmon said. “She’s very unselfish, but it does help us a lot when she’s able to get into the paint and get those buckets.” Dilk got those buckets, but the rest of the Wolverines couldn’t follow suit.

Sports

8 — Friday, January 31, 2020

michigandaily.com

HOW MEL PEARSON FOUND A

SECOND

FAMILY MICHIGAN COACH MADE A HOME AWAY FROM HOME WITH BILLET FAMILY TIEN LE Daily Sports Writer It was supposed to be a routine favor, a short and simple task for Mel Pearson. The Andersons, his billet family, were preoccupied and asked Pearson, then 16, to pick up one of their daughters for them. Naturally, Pearson borrowed one of their cars. His parents had taken most things, cars included, when they moved back to Flin Flon, Manitoba two years prior. Despite his inexperience driving, he didn’t shy away from the opportunity to use the car, nor did the Andersons feel deterred from letting him use it. It was the family’s car, and he was, by all means, family. Pearson hopped in the driver’s seat of the blue Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, glanced in the rearview mirror and started backing down the driveway, a straight path to the road. It was a simple exit. But before he knew it, he came to a halting stop. As he started to turn, the car jerked with resistance. Maybe he heard the grating sound of metal first. Or maybe he felt the ever so slight recoil first. But he certainly didn’t see it coming at all — an oak tree. One he had passed thousands of times before. One that laid so idly to the side. And he misjudged it. “You’re trying to be careful,” Pearson joked. “But that tree just jumped out at me.” A big dent on the front passenger-side fender of the car was residual evidence of his slip-up. Forty-four years later, Pearson understands the safety of the driver is the main concern. Cars can be replaced. People can’t be. The Andersons shared that sentiment, too. But at the time, when Pearson rushed out of the car to survey the damage, insecurities that lingered from his last billet family resurfaced. After complications with that family arose, the Andersons had taken Pearson into their home in Edina, Minn. with open arms, ensuring he wouldn’t have to go back to Canada — leaving behind his friends, his hockey team and the education his mother pushed so hard for. Now, bark torn off their tree, car dented, Pearson couldn’t help but feel this was the end of the world. For the first time since moving in, he felt that he had really done something wrong. It was a sinking feeling, especially knowing what was at stake. “I didn’t know if I was gonna get kicked out of the house, kicked out of the country,” Pearson said. “No, I’m serious. It’s one of those things, you feel so bad.” Neither ended up happening. Families aren’t perfect. Mistakes are bound to happen, and part of being family is forgiveness. So the Andersons forgave Pearson. Even though he thought he was an outsider, they didn’t consider him one. “It’s the nicest compliment you can give anybody,” John Anderson, Pearson’s billet brother, said. “He’s one of our family.” Pearson lugged a suitcase and a hockey bag up to the porch leading to the Andersons’ traditional colonial house. As autumn leaves fell all around him, he cradled the bags around his arms and shoulders as he started to scale the stone stairs. He’d been up the walkway before, but in much different circumstances. Before, he was just a visiting friend, a close neighbor. Now, he was a full-time resident. John followed behind him, carrying the remainder of his stuff. The move-in would only take one trip. Pearson didn’t have much to bring. His back was turned away from the O’Brien’s house directly across the street — a place that Pearson once called home. A year prior, when Mel’s father, Melvin, got cut from the Minnesota Fighting Saints, the Pearsons decided it was time to go home to Flin Flon. But Mel’s mother, Ruby, was adamant on giving her son an opportunity to earn a college scholarship and get an education. She believed letting Mel stay

in Edina was the best bet for that. So she turned to her good friends, the O’Briens, and arranged for him to stay with them. The O’Briens had children themselves, so they were used to the responsibility. But the age differences were the problem. Mel was in high school, and their children weren’t even teenagers yet. Late curfews, hosting rowdy teens, giving up their car when needed — these were things they didn’t have to worry about yet with their own children. They thought they knew what to expect, but they didn’t expect it to be so hard. The O’Briens kept in touch with Mel’s parents, but Mel saw the writing on the wall. When his parents reached out to him and told him the O’Briens couldn’t host him anymore, he had already felt the same way. So while he was in the process of packing, Mel’s parents began the search for other possibilities. As the window was closing, John, his friend and teammate, reached out to his parents and probed the possibility to billet him. “He was probably gonna have to go back to Canada because nobody was going to take him at that point in time,” John said. “And I said to my parents, ‘Well, why don’t we take him?’ ” With each step he took toward the Andersons, he added distance from the O’Briens, a place he liked but knew didn’t really fit him. It was the small things. When bands such as Blue Oyster Cult, Marshall Tucker and the Eagles came to town, all of Pearson’s high school buddies went. Sixteen was a reasonable age to go. But when Pearson appealed to the O’Briens, they pointedly said “no.” They just weren’t comfortable with stuff like that yet. And that discomfort only grew. The Andersons were asked and said yes with little hesitation. Mel was happy with the new arrangement. The O’Briens were as well. The Andersons had similar activities and interests. It was for the best, they thought. So Pearson, his life with the O’Briens behind him, walked into his new house. Upon seeing him, Pearson could only recall the Andersons saying one thing. “Oh yeah, here comes this kid.” *** Pearson dropped his things into his new bedroom upstairs — a couple suitcases, a full backpack and his hockey bag. He didn’t decorate it too much, there was no need. John, his new roommate, had his fair share of decorations. One of which was a Farrah Fawcett swimsuit poster that Pearson was in disbelief his parents let him hang. If it was Pearson, he’d have slapped on a hockey poster. But Pearson started unpacking. While he did so, he asked John questions, things on his mind about the rest of the family and how he fit in. How were things going to be? He asked about John’s mom, dad, the two sisters. He was nervous, and he wanted to know. After Pearson finished, he crept down the stairs and into the foyer, where he could see the entire house. The slate floor felt cold against his feet. It was awkward. This was the second time in under a year Pearson had to move in with strangers. Of course, he had met both families before, but outside of John, neither family knew him particularly well. “I think that was the biggest thing,” Pearson said. “I knew them, but I didn’t know them.” Getting to know a new set of parents, a new set of rules, a new lifestyle, it was all weird to Pearson. This time, though, he had one of his good friends with him. Pearson walked through the hallway and to the kitchen, where Margaret — John’s mom — had just finished making dinner. As Pearson took his place around the table with the other kids — the parents would eat after they finished — he started to recognize

one of the dishes, tomato and split pea soup. Margaret, normally called Margie, didn’t know at the time, nor would she learn until years later, but split pea soup was one of Pearson’s leastfavorite meals. He hated it. But it was his first day, and he wasn’t about to be ungrateful. The jean jacket he had on was already rolled up from when he had moved his things, so he went straight to digging in. He ate as much of what was served to him as he could handle, and when Margie looked away, he rushed to pour the rest down the drain. When she looked back and saw the quickly emptied bowl, she mistook it for how much he loved the soup, and asked him, “Oh, how was the soup?” “I said, ‘Haha, Mrs. Anderson. That was the best split pea soup I’ve ever had.’ ” Pearson said. “How could you tell her it’s lousy, right? “So the joke was every Sunday for quite a while, she made split pea soup. Just because she thought I loved it so much, and she wanted to welcome me into the family.” It was different than what he had left behind at the O’Briens. “Easygoing, fun, loving, relaxed, that was her role. Caring, all those things,” Pearson said. “A good mother.” And even though Pearson had just met her as a family member and not as a guest, that’s what she was. “Like a second mother,” Pearson said. “Appreciate her taking somebody like me and treating me like one of her kids.” The Andersons wanted people to stop by, guests to stay, people to enjoy their time when they visited. It came from their upbringing, and they were just trying to carry it over to the next generation. That extended to Pearson. They would try their hardest to include him in whatever family activity they had going on. Family trips, he came along. Family traditions, he took part. Family holidays, he celebrated. When Christmas rolled around and the kids rushed out of bed and to the tree, he joined. “He was considered part of the family, he got presents just like everybody else,” John said. “My parents were really good about not making him feel like an outsider.” But there was a lingering feeling that never went away — at least not immediately. Despite all their best efforts, there were times when Mel couldn’t help but feel like the odd one out. And it was never obvious. It was as simple as going through the kitchen late at night for a snack and hesitating to open the refrigerator. “It’s weird moving into a house and going into somebody else’s refrigerator,” Pearson said. “Doesn’t seem like it’s yours.” Nor did turning on the television. Or staying out late at night beyond curfew. Or being able to just say no. “If they were going somewhere, ‘Oh, we’re going to (wherever). Let’s all go along,’ and you know you’d rather just stay home and relax or something,” Pearson said. “OK, but you’re just trying to accommodate them, and because you know they’re going out of their way to make room for you and whatnot in the house.” And for a long time, whatever they did, he would do. If they didn’t offer, he would “just stay to (himself ) and not screw up.” But within a year, when the hospitality became the norm and the household became family, he grew more comfortable. After a year, he could help himself to the fridge. “ ‘Do I have to do my own wash?’ I didn’t feel like making Mrs. Anderson have to do my laundry,” Pearson said. “I mean just little different things until you feel comfortable. ‘Okay, she can do it. She’s doing the rest of the group’s.’ “It’s a process, so I think after a year then, yeah, you know them. They know you. You feel comfortable with them.” Comfortability, though, was a two-way

street. As Pearson started to see the Andersons more as a family, they saw him as more than a guest and started treating him as such — even more than before. At the start, he would get away with some small pet peeves, but after a year, they were more than willing to lay down the law — Glenn Anderson, John’s dad, in

particular. Glenn was a by-the-book, militant parent. As a well-respected businessman, he carried himself with high regards and held others to the same standards. As a father, he knew the things he had to do to raise his sons. So when Pearson rushed down to the base of the stairs one Monday morning his senior year, Glenn stopped him. The door was within arm’s reach, and Pearson would have been free to go to school. But Pearson had gone the full weekend without shaving and looked scruffy. He didn’t think there was much hair, but Glenn disagreed. Glenn wasn’t going to let Pearson go to school looking like that. “Pearson,” Glenn called. Pearson loosened his sights from the door, turned and lowered his head to meet his billet dad’s eyes. He was taller than Glenn, but the 5-foot-9 frame felt large in the moment. “Get upstairs and shave,” Glenn told him. When Pearson first met him, he thought Glenn was a hardass. He had a presence about him — powerful, but not overpowering. “My dad didn’t say a lot of words, but when he did, you probably should be listening,” John said. But Pearson grew comfortable with him, or at least, comfortable enough to argue back. The bus was coming, he countered, and if he missed it, he would be late for school. “I don’t care. I’ll drive you to school,” Glenn told him. “Get your ass upstairs and shave.” “And I’m going, ‘Come on man, like I hardly have anything. Big deal.’ ” Pearson said. But it was a big deal — at least to Glenn. He doesn’t go unshaven. A respectable image goes a long way, and so Pearson went back upstairs, shaved and Glenn drove him to school that day. “He was like that,” Pearson said. “He wasn’t afraid to lay down the law and sort of be a true dad, not just let me float.” That’s not how Pearson’s dad would have done it. Mel claims his dad would have said, “Hey, go ahead,” and let him leave unshaven, but Glenn was different. “I think he knew the responsibility of being a father,” Pearson said. “And I was just like another one (of his) sons or daughters, and I was going to get treated that way.” ***

In large part, staying with the Andersons helped Pearson stay out of trouble. “It’s like having a guest in

your house for eight years. You have to be on your best behavior,” John said. “There’s your family and then there’s guests.” But the line got blurred. Pearson became both a guest and family. And that’s when Pearson’s devious nature started to show, with the jokester in him jumping out. When Pearson took part in Senior Skip Day, it was John who tried to cover for him when the homeroom teacher confronted him. “I tried to steer him away from trouble in school and stuff like that,” John said. “But there’s only so much you can do.” It was a friend looking out for a friend. A brother showing some love to another going out of line. That bond would stick with them through the years. No matter how far they were, no matter if Pearson eventually left for Michigan Tech in Houghton or moved to Ann Arbor to coach the Wolverines, he would stay in touch. Every break, he would come back to the Andersons. After he graduated, he didn’t go home to Flin Flon. He came back to Edina. “If you need to call him, you know, he’s always been there,” John said. “And I know that he always will be there. Just because we shared eight years being family together. “He’s like a brother to me.” Years later, after Glenn had passed, and Margie was sick in a hospital in Minnesota, Pearson was by her side with the rest of the family before she passed away. Pearson still talks to John’s two sisters on occasion. He even asks his younger sister, Mary Beth, questions every now and then in regards to raising his own daughters. And he keeps in touch with John to this day. In the past seven days, he has already reached out twice. When either have struggles or successes or just anything on their minds, they’ll let the other know. There were few words Pearson had to describe what John meant to him, but two would always come up. A brother. Family. The moment he stepped foot on that stone porch, arms full of bags and suitcases, Pearson became so much more than the neighbor next door. “I wish everybody could have an experience like that,” Pearson said. “Have another family.”

Top photo: File Photo / Daily | All other photos courtesy of John Anderson | Design by Jack Silberman