February 23, 2024 • Volume 109 • Issue 21 • nique.

net Design by Christine Lee Student Publications

February 23, 2024 • technique
Envisioning An afrofuturistic institute
KAMAL KORROPATI
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Afrofuturism intertwines
African diaspora culture with
science and technology, envi-
sioning future possibilities. It
is gaining recognition in both
academic and creative circles. At
the forefront of this exploration
is Tech, where scholars delve
into the nuances of Afrofutur-
ism, emphasizing its potential to
reshape societal understandings
of science, technology and race.
“Afrofuturism has been de-
veloping, especially in the Unit-
ed States and the West, but real-
ly throughout much of the world
for the last 200 years,” said Dr.
Lisa Yaszek, a national figure
and Regents Professor of Science
Fiction Studies at the Institute.
This genre has received sig-
nificant public attention over
the last fifty years, finding ro-
bust expression in films, video
games and literature.
Yaszek’s path to becoming a
prominent figure in the study
of Afrofuturism reflects a deep
engagement with science fiction,
literature and a commitment to
highlighting the voices and ex-
periences of the African dias-
pora within these fields.
Her aca-
demic pur-
suits and
persona l
i ntere s t s
naturally
Self determination at osa’s open mic
JESSAMYN M. LOCKETT
LIFE EDITOR
On Feb. 9, the Student Cen-
ter’s Cypress Theater hosted
“Celebrating Black Expresion” a
joint event hosted by the Geor-
gia Tech Organization for Social
Activism (GT OSA), Diversity
Ambassadors and African Amer-
ican Student Union (AASU).
The event, which according
to their Instagram (@GT_OSA),
provided a “safe space during
Black history month to celebrate
Black art as a reflection of re-
silience and unity” and empha-
sized self-determination.
The open mic provided a space
for artists throughout the Black
diaspora across multiple college
campuses including Georgia
State, Kennesaw State Univer-
sity and Tech to be whoever they
wanted for a night: orators, spo-
ken word artists, afrobeat art-
ists, singers, song-writers, lovers,
dreamers and visionaries were
all present on the stage.
Some artists like Deri Barnes,
fourth-year BA, spoke to aid
the transition between past and
future generations with a self-
written piece, “Letter to a Little
Black Girl”. Barnes described
herself as a second generation
writer following in the footsteps
guided her toward Afrofuturism.
With a background in American
literature, her initial focus was
on the intersections of science,
technology and literature.
This interdisciplinary ap-
proach led her to explore how
different voices and perspectives,
particularly those marginalized
in mainstream narratives, engage
with current and past scientific
and technological themes.
Yaszek offered a comprehen-
sive explanation to define afrofu-
turism, “It’s a kind of literature
that blends together the themes
and techniques of the modern
speculative genre science fiction,
fantasy and horror, along with
African and Afro diasporic cos-
mologies,” she said.
This blending serves not only
to entertain but also to challenge
societal assumptions, encourag-
ing diverse visions of the future.
Highlighting the genre’s
unique perspective, Yaszek em-
phasized that Afrofuturism is
“definitely very much about
speaking, Black and especially
African American and Afro dia-
sporic experiences.” This focus
ensures Afrofu-
turism remains a
space where Black
experiences and con-
tributions to science
and technology are
celebrated and ex-
plored in depth.
Yaszek pointed to
several pivotal figures
and works that exemplify
Afrofuturism’s reach and
impact. She ref- erenc e d
of her father. She explained that
she often goes to him for fedback
as she grows as an artist.
“He really pushes a creative
mindset. And like, every single
time I create a little something,
he would be the first person I
would talk to, tell it to and he’d
give me his honest, raw opinion,
so I can improve myself,” Barnes
said on the duo’s dynamic.
The spoken word centered her
experience growing up as a Black
girl and often feeling ostracized
for being different. The letter
was written to revisit that expe-
rience and speak to a younger
generation, as Barnes explained,
“I feel like a lot of people don’t
take enough time to self-reflect
on things that have happened,
[or are] going on in their life. I
feel like we can grow a lot faster
in a quicker mindset if we take
the time to evolve.”
Samantha Bolton, GT OSA
president and second-year BA,
spoke in depth on the goals of
GT OSA’s open mic nights and
what they services provide to the
Institute’s community.
“The purpose of it [GT OSA’s
open mic events] is to spread this
overall compassion for human-
ity because for me, when I define
justice, I think of just that un-
derstanding and having compas-
sion for everyone,” Bolton said.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH EDITION
the mid-20th century jazz mu-
sician Sun Ra and acclaimed
author Octavia Butler as signifi-
cant contributors to shaping the
genre. According to Yaszek, Sun
Ra’s ethereal music and Butler’s
powerful narratives provide pro-
found insights into the African
diasporic experience through
speculative fiction.
Afrofuturism positions tech-
nology as a pivotal tool for lib-
eration and exploration. “It
blends together the themes and
techniques of the modern specu-
lative genre … along with Afri-
can and Afro diasporic cosmolo-
gies,” Yaszek explained.
This approach allows for
unique explorations of how
technology can be used to navi-
gate and transcend limitations
imposed by societal structures.
Yaszek implored students to
explore Afrofuturism. In Af-
rofuturist narratives, science
often serves as a medium of em-
powerment, enabling characters
to redefine their relationship
with the world and the cosmos.
Through Afrofuturism, sci-
ence becomes a way of know-
ing and reimagining the world,
deeply intertwined with African
diasporic traditions and knowl-
edge systems. The speculative
futures envisioned in Afrofu-
turist works are
marked by
Honing in on the night’s
theme, Bolton described want-
ing to create a space for Black
artists to be themselves, free of
societal constraints.
“It’s not always accepted,
you know? To be a Black artist,
especially a Black male artist,
and just to express yourself in a
space where everyone will kind
of understand or where people
are respecting where you’re
coming from,” Bolton said.
Bolton, who is a quarter
Black, took to the mic to perform
a self-written piece, “To a Wom-
an Less White Passing” that she
wrote in honor of her mother.
Bolton explained that the poem
works through her identity as a
white-passing person.
“I started to hide back in a
shell and think like ‘well, if other
people — Black students — don’t
see me as a part of their com-
munity, then I guess I shouldn’t
either,’ but then I realized, my
heritage means a lot to me. My
mom grew up in Crenshaw [Los
Angeles], and she worked really
hard for me to be who I am. I
feel like to not recognize my
Black heritage and that part of
me would be a disservice and a
disrespect to my mom and her
dad and everything that they’ve
been through,” Bolton said on
her family’s history.
profound engagement with sci-
ence and technology.
For instance, Butler’s “Kin-
dred” uses time travel to ex-
plore the historical and ongoing
impacts of slavery, weaving a
complex narrative that connects
past, present and future.
Afrofuturism’s exploration of
science and technology extends
beyond fiction — influencing
perspectives on innovation, de-
sign and societal progress.
By envisioning technologies
integrated with African and
Afro-Diasporic cultures and val-
ues, Afrofuturism “encourages
a more inclusive approach to
technological development and
scientific research,” Yaszek said.
She continued this sentiment by
emphasizing how Atlanta cel-
ebrates Afrofuturism.
Atlanta’s landscape is vibrant
and diverse, reflecting the narra-
tives that originate from its core,
particularly in the Afrofuturism
domain. “The city is not just a
passive backdrop for fictional
worlds like Wakanda in the
Marvel Cinematic Universe; it is
a living, breathing hub of specu-
lative creativity and Afrofutur-
istic exploration,” Yaszek said,
highlighting Atlanta’s dynamic
and contined contribution to
Afrofuturistic art and literature.
The city abounds with sci-
ence fiction producers and cre-
ators, creating an environment
where speculative artists do not
only envision futures but also
actively construct them. Yaszek
remarked that these artists are
“dedicated to celebrating the
rich history of thinking about
the future in Atlanta and build-
ing new futures in Atlanta.” This
dedication manifests in the myr-
iad expressions of Afrofuturism
Departing from identity,
some artists used the night to
perform upbeat numbers like
Lauren Hester, fourth-year
PSYC, who sang “Almost There”
from Disney’s 2009 animated
movie “The Princess and the
Frog”. Students in attendance
like Zoëe Jodesty, first-year
BMED, explained that they
came out to the event to spend
an evening with friends and get a
break from schoolwork. Jodesty
described her support for the
gathering, saying she was “pleas-
antly surprised” at the amount
of talent at the Institute.
Many members of the audi-
ence took to expressing their sup-
port by calling out with words of
encouragement for the night’s
many performers. One such art-
ist who drew much community
support was spoken word artist,
Cupid Valentine, first-year BIS
(Interdisciplinary Studies: Me-
dia Entrepreneurship) at Geor-
gia State University.
Performing two self-written
pieces, “What’s Your Sign?” and
“Pick Your Poison,” Valentine
explored his romantic experi-
ences from two different per-
spectives. He described “What’s
Your Sign?” as the typical love
poem and “Pick Your Poison” as
a reflection of the more chaotic
side of the current dating scene.
Design by Christine Lee Student Publications
across the city, from public art
installations to numerous com-
munity-based collectives.
One of the most visually
striking examples of Afrofutur-
ism in Atlanta is the art along
the Beltline. Here, graffiti artists
and Afrofuturists have turned
the urban environment into a
canvas that honors the city’s his-
tory of Black and women’s activ-
ism. Yaszek pointed out that this
artwork is not only “cool look-
ing” and full of “selfie opportu-
nities” but also serves an educa-
tional role, engaging the public
with the city’s rich cultural his-
tory and speculative futures.
Several collectives and orga-
nizations in Atlanta, according
to Yaszek, “nurture Afrofuturis-
tic creativity”, such as the State
of Black Science Fiction Col-
lective and the Atlanta Futurist
Collective. These groups offer a
venue for science fiction authors
and artists to collaborate, share
their work, and connect with the
community. Yaszek also men-
tioned that Subsume Studios,
an Afrofuturist art incubator by
Dedren Snead, “is vital in this
ecosystem” supporting artists
and fostering partnerships.
The partnership between
Tech and Atlanta’s Afrofuturis-
tic art community further con-
tinues to showcase the city’s ev-
lving and innovative spirit.
Over the past decade,
Yaszek’s collaboration with local
artists and collectives has result-
ed in annual events at Tech that
merge academic inquiry with
creative expression. As Yaszek
concluded, the efforts “not only
enhance the university’s cultural
landscape but also reinforce ties
between Georgia Tech and the
wider Atlanta art community.”
He explained that he began
writing as a child to process
and understand his emotions. “I
was trying to figure out how my
emotions worked and just find-
ing simple and more creative
ways to understand them be-
cause you know, growing up in
the Black household, you don’t
typically have the proper ways to
express yourself,” Valentine said.
GT OSA’s joint “Celebrat-
ing Black Expression” open mic
kicked off Black History Month
with a chance for students to ex-
press themselves in a supportive
environment. Furthering their
mission of spreading compas-
sion, GT OSA will host another
open mic night on Feb 27.

The Sound of migration: houston’s history
CLARE CHUNG
ASSISTANT LIFE EDITOR
On Feb. 12, the School of
History and Sociology (HSOC)
hosted Dr. Tyina Steptoe from
the University of Arizona for
their Black History Month
presentation as a part of their
ongoing speaker series.
Germán Vergara is an assis-
tant professor of history in the
HSOC and serves as the current
chair of the speaker series. He
works with several other faculty
members throughout each se-
mester to decide the topics and
speakers to be invited to present
their research at Tech.
“Every semester [we] bring a
number of scholars from other
universities to come and give a
talk about their research or the
project they’re working on. We
ask faculty members to suggest
names of scholars whose re-
search, for a variety of reasons,
is of interest to them. We have
close to 30 faculty members,
and we do a wide range of dif-
ferent types of research cover-
ing different areas and topics, so
the speakers usually are people
whose research connects in
some way,” Vergara said.
While it is organized by the
HSOC, the speaker series is
open to students and faculty of
all majors and interests at Tech.
Especially as the digital age be-
comes more advanced, there are
increasingly overlapping areas
regarding the relationship be-
tween sociology and technology,
“We have tried to turn the
speakers series into an event that
is attractive to the wider Georgia
Tech community. As you know
it is an engineering school so we
try to make it relevant [when we]
organize the events [about] the
liberal arts and social sciences
in a way that exposes students at
Georgia Tech to a wider number
of viewpoints and fascinating
research,” Vergara said.
This year’s presentation was
focused around Steptoe’s 2015
publication, “Houston Bound:
Culture and Color in a Jim
Crow City” which studied the
transformation of Houston in
the 20th century through the
intersecting lens of racial demo-
graphics and music. Specifically,
she focused on the relationship
of ethnic Mexican and Creole
migra-
tion into the H o u s t o n
area with the Black population
in those areas; both over time
and through genres of music tra-
ditionally observed and respect-
ed in those respective groups.
“I found that I was going to
have to build my own archive if
I wanted to tell a story that was
Black Creole and ethnic Mexi-
can and realized that part of the
collective was going to be based
around partly oral history inter-
views: finding people and sit-
ting down with the recorder and
actually having them tell their
story,” Steptoe said.
Steptoe faced considerable
challenges with her research,
primarily with the lack of ar-
chival material. One trend that
she noticed during her time at
school and into her academic ca-
reer studying African American
history was the lack of discus-
sion and research on East-West
migration, which was part of her
personal story as a Texas native.
There were also challenges
in identifying and establishing
the exact neighborhood at the
center of her story. It was called
Frenchtown; aptly named after
the loose community of Creole
people and their francophone
culture that populated it and
was located by the corner of
Houston’s Fifth ward.
“At first when I started this
project, one of the people on my
dissertation committee told me
that it was going to be impos-
sible to write about Frenchtown
because I couldn’t convince
them that it even existed. There
were no historical markers there
at the time. I just had these sto-
ries of people saying there was a
Frenchtown. I only convinced
them when I was able to lay out
the 1930 census and show all
of these people geographically
located in the northern Prairie
area of Houston who were all
living around each other and all
spoke French,” Steptoe said.
One of the identifiers of his-
tory and presence of a certain
group in a specific area is the
lasting cultural effects. For Dr.
Steptoe, it was music: compar-
ing the traditional music genres
and sounds of each demographic
and observing the changes in
music over time, with overlap-
ping sounds and instruments,
and sometimes the birth of
new genres altogether.
“When I would talk to Cre-
oles in particular and say ‘how
do you define what Creole is?’,
one of the words that I would
hear again and again was ac-
cordion. The sounds of the
accordion became a
marker of differ-
ence at that time.
If you think
about Texas mu-
sic, especially the
music of Black
Texas during the
era of Jim Crow,
it’s the blues. You
had a lot of guitar
styles that were de-
veloping. It seemed to
me that music became
kind of the fabric of what
made Frenchtown and
Fifth Ward no longer two
separate places but one,” Step-
toe said on the musical blending.
Steptoe found that by the
second World War (WWII) ,
the distinctions between Fifth
Ward, a majority Black neigh-
borhood, and Creole-founded
Frenchtown had started to dis-
BLACK HISTORY MONTH EDITION technique • February 23, 2024
sipate, largely due to the shared
proximity and blend of musical
genres. By the 1950s a com-
pletely newfound sound from
the eastern corner of Houston
started to emerge.
“The combination of blues
and lala, [Louisianan Creole],
had merged to the point where
some people thought that it
needed its own name. Matthew
McCormick was a folklorist and
music collector …When he got
to Houston he discovered that
the city had Black populations
all over [and was told to] go to
the north one, Fifth Ward, be-
cause ‘you’re going to hear blues
played like nothing you’ve ever
heard before’,” Steptoe said.
McCormick commercialized
this new genre as zydeco, and
it became the marker of these
new intersections of people,
culture and music in Houston.
Originating from the word “les
haricots” or “beans” in French,
it is characterized by the iden-
tifiable tunes of blues with
hallmark uses of guitar, accor-
dion and washboard sounds,
and its presence in the music
world continues on today.
However, as Steptoe contin-
ued on with her research of the
later decades of the 20th century,
she recognized the beginning of
new musical influence in Hous-
ton. Mexican music, culture and
people are widespread amongst
Houstonians now, but before Photo courtesy of Tyina Steptoe
legal desegregation, Mexicans In her research, Dr. Tyina Steptoe tracked the evolution of Black
were categorized as white. This and Mexican communities in Houston through musical trends.
resulted in a legal and socio-
cultural barrier between those and the communities they repre- a lot of ink spilled over this. It
communities and their African sented during this evolution. also goes back to how people in
American neighbors. “Well into the 21st century Houston are still conceptualiz-
Steptoes provided an anec- you still hear a lot of this going ing these groups as separate but
dote about how this separation on that comes out of Houston also coming together and posi-
manifested itself into the every- music. So much of the music tioning herself [Beyoncé] as the
day parts of peoples’ lives. “I was that comes from that city is a part of that coming together in a
very surprised when I was doing combination of these cultures: a global context,” Steptoe
my research. For example, when little Creole, some ethnic Mexi- said.
I would interview Black Hous- can and some Black East Texas,”
tonians about their contact with Steptoe said on their impact
the Mexican communities, they across different centuries.
[the stories] weren’t starting un- One contemporary artist
til the 70s or 80s. I found out my that is a living example of this
grandmother never tasted a taco combination of cultures and
until 1980 which is very late. I influences is Beyoncé Knowles-
just assumed she would have Carter. As a native Houstonian
grown up with Mexican food with a Black father and Cre-
because I grew up with Mexican ole mother, Knowles-Carter,
food but that was not the case who has cited Selena Quin-
for her. These communities were tanilla as inspiration for her
very separate and by law she career, her music has traces of
would not have even been per- those intersecting influences.
mitted to enter into a Mexican Steptoe played a clip of Be-
restaurant,” Steptoe said. yoncé’s 2007 EP “Irreemplaz-
This started to shift with able”, which consists of re-re-
widespread desegregation and cordings of some of her popular The HSOC speaker series
had a particularly profound ef- singles sang in Spanish. allows students and faculty to
fect in public schools with a new “Beyonce said she wanted to learn about and from academics
generation of increasingly mixed record this as a way of introduc- whose topics and knowledge are
Black and brown schools that ing people to the Houston that not otherwise taught widely on
drew the cultural output and she grew up in. A place where you Tech’s campus. The fall semester
physical space of the communi- would hear the sounds of Mexi- has a wider variety of topics and
ties closer together. can music, you hear zydeco, you speakers that differ from year to
“In Houston, ethnic Mexi- hear soul, and in many cases, all year, while the spring semesters
can youth were a vital part of of these things would come to- have themed presentations. This
what we call the Chitlin Circuit gether,” Steptoe said. is just one aspect of the HSOC’s
… Like with zydeco, the styles She gave another example of extensive curriculum that incor-
were blended. The Houston this visible intersection of iden- porates African American his-
soul bears the imprint of eth- tity and culture in Beyoncé’s tory, contributions, culture and
nic Mexican music, especially a discography. “In 2016 she had impact on American history and
form of music that was known as released a single called “Forma- society. Upcoming events on the
orquesta,” Steptoe said. tion” and in that song, talk- speaker series calendar can be
This cultural fusion expand- ing about herself, she says ‘You found here: hsoc.gatech.edu/
ed to incorporate elements of mix that negro with that Creole speaker-series.
zydeco, which had been created make a Texas bama’ and a lot of Additionally, Dr. Steptoe’s
only a few decades prior. people were confused about this. new book, “Jim Crow: Voices
As a result, Houston’s music They were like ‘What does she from a Century of from a Cen-
scene and cultural background mean mixing creole with negro, tury of Struggle, Part One” is set
would forever be changed by the aren’t creoles Black people who to be published this April.
synergy of these musical genres speak French?’ and there wasDesign by Christine Lee Student Publications
February 23, 2024 • technique
Spotlight: celebrating Black joy at tech
United States from slavery to seg-
JESSAMYN M. LOCKETT regation to voter disenfranchise-
LIFE EDITOR ment, the community remains
resilient. While this resilience is
Despite the centuries of sys- often depicted as strength as seen
temic issues African Americans in classic Black films like “Selma,
have been subjected to in the Lord, Selma” and “Roots,” resil-
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers
The Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers’ execu-
tive board poses for a photo by the Student Center.
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech Creatives
A group of friends enjoying the Georgia Tech Creatives’
collaborative event with Paint N’ Sit on Tech Green.
Photo courtesy of the Delta Kappa chapter of Omega Psi Phi
Ques from multiple lines gather at Tech to celebrate
brotherhood during the 2023 Homecoming season.
Photo courtesy of the Xi Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
Julia Francois is a Spring 2022 initiate who joined
the Xi Alpha sisterhood as a transfer from Emory.
Design by Christine Lee Student Publications
BLACK HISTORY MONTH EDITION
ience can also be shown through
joy in the face of oppression.
We at the Technique want to
showcase this jubilance with a
photojournal of the Black joy on
the Institute’s campus.
Photo courtesy of Sigma Upsilon chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho
The Fall 2023 membership class of Sigma Upsilon pos-
es.. This is the chapter’s first membership since 2019.
Photo courtesy of The African American Student Union
AASU’s executive board leaders pose for a photo. The
syndicate aims to “redefine your Black experience.”
Photo courtesy of the Xi Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
Xi Alpha sisters pose together. They were chartered
in 1978 as Tech’s first Black Greek-lettered sorority.
Photo courtesy of The African Student Association at Georgia Tech
Students perform at the 2023 Taste of Africa. The event
displays African talent through a variety of mediums.

technique
News 2 Opinions 5 Entertainmemnt 8 Sports 14
JACKETS SWEEP RADFORD IN SEASON OPENER p14
SPORTS
Top L: Photo by Nithya Jameshenry Student Publications; Top R: Photo by Sloan Salinas Student Publications; Above: Photo by Tyler Parker Student Publications
Disullusion in Black Greek Life communities
JESSAMYN M. LOCKETT &
PARKER AVERY
LIFE EDITOR & STAFF WRITER
The National Pan-Hellenic
Council (NPHC), commonly
called the Divine Nine, is a col-
laborative council connecting the
nine historically African Ameri-
can sororities and fraternities
across college campuses.
These organizations allow Af-
rican American students to join a
brotherhood or sisterhood, form-
ing a network of support and
developing interpersonal connec-
OPINIONS
. .
Queer and Black at Tech
tions with their classmates and
Tech alumni.
During Black History Month,
the Technique spoke to represen-
tatives of some of the sororities
and fraternity members of NPHC
to better understand the chal-
lenges these organizations face
as part of campus life at Tech.
Representatives of the organiza-
tions told a story of a widespread
lack of knowledge and under-
standing of what their organiza-
tions do for the community and
the ideals they represent.
One concerning topic that
every representative agreed upon
p7 Black artists in Rock
NEWS
was the number of people disre-
specting the recently completed
Divine Nine Plaza by sitting on
one of the benches designated for
a particular fraternity or sorority.
While representing the Lamb-
da Delta chapter of the Kappa
Alpha Psi fraternity, Justin Buck-
les, fourth-year ME, described
an interaction he had with a
member of the public who was
sitting on one of the benches
at the Divine Nine Plaza.
“I saw a student sitting on the
[Alpha Kappa Alpha] plot and
spoke to him. I explained what
the plot was and why we typically
February 23, 2024 • Volume 109, Issue 21 • nique.net
ENTERTAINMENT
don’t want people to be sitting
there. [The student] said, ‘Oh, I
didn’t, I didn’t know anything
about that,’ and he got up to sit
in a different place,” Buckles said.
Buckles said this was one of
the more innocent interactions,
but he had heard of other people
doing a similar thing with worse
results. Representatives described
a Reddit post on r/gatech that
questioned the bench seating.
Adaliah Dunya, fourth-year
BMED, represented the Psi Alpha
chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta
sorority. Dunya read some of the
comments on the Reddit post,
p11
ROHAN RAMAN
SPORTS EDITOR
Baseball finally came back
to the Flats this year — and it
did not disappoint.
The Jackets opened their sea-
son at MacNease Ballpark in
a three-game series against the
Radford Highlanders hoping to
answer questions. They brought
in pitching coach Matt Taylor to
overhaul the ACC’s second-worst
rotation by earned run average
(ERA) and strikeouts while in-
corporating transfer additions at
pivotal spots in the outfield and at
shortstop. However, the early re-
turns look promising — the Jack-
ets hit Radford around the park in
Friday’s 21-8 blowout and cruised
to 7-3 and 6-3 wins on Saturday
and Sunday respectively.
Stalwart junior closer Terry
Busse got the ball to start the
season opener. Tech head coach
Danny Hall clearly wanted to see
if Busse could extend to starter
innings, but Radford jumped all
over him. Highlanders junior out-
fielder Cameron Pittman singled
on Busse’s first pitch and after
three walks, two singles and a
big-time two-RBI (runs batted in)
double, Pittman lined out to mer-
cifully end a 6-0 run by Radford
at the top of the first inning.
Fortunately, Tech’s new-look
batting lineup came through.
Freshman outfielder Drew Burress
— and the former top high school
player in Georgia — got things
rolling in chaotic fashion after
the ball got away from Radford
junior pitcher Scott Rouse and he
made it to first base.
See BASEBALL, page 14
which included remarks such as
“Blacks only benches. I thought
we moved on from Jim Crow
laws,” and “some of you need to
learn more about history before
we have to relive it.”
Buckles explained that the
benches are not about a particu-
lar race or ethnicity being allowed
to gather there. Only members of
the designated Greek organization
are expected to use the space and
benches on their plots regardless
of their race or ethnicity.
“To us, it is about respecting
the plots placed there for us. To
See NPHC, page 3
News
NEWS EDITOR: technique
Alec Grosswald Institute expansion & equity
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR:
Morgan Whittemore
As Tech expands through projects like
Science Square, they take measures to Friday
2
engage with the surrounding community 4 4 February 23, 2024
news@nique.net

SEWB enacts well-being roadmap developments

dress issues of mental health and
MORGAN WHITTEMORE & well-being by only focusing on
KESHAV PRANSHUKHA clinical interventions,” said Lu-
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR & oluo Hong, Vice President for
CONTRIBUTING WRITER SEWB. “We have to get at some
of the root causes and get at the
Since launching in Fall 2022, organizational culture at Georgia
the Cultivate Well-Being Action Tech, and that’s shaped by many,
and Transformation Roadmap many things for students.”
has guided Tech faculty, staff and The Roadmap prioritizes
students on ways to foster health changing the environment of
and well-being over the next few Tech over time and from all
years at the Institute. angles, and Hong elaborated on
Over a year has passed since its some of the programs launched
debut, and the Technique has fol- in its early phases.
lowed up on the progress of the Last fall, the Center for Men-
Roadmap’s initial goals. tal Health Care & Resources
After a year of research and merged the Counseling Center
planning, the Roadmap was and the Center for Assessment,
published to summarize previ- Referral & Education (CARE),
ous well-being indicators at the which Hong said would allow
Institute and outline strategies to students to receive the appropriate
improve these outcomes through resources in a more streamlined
2030. Bounded by four major fashion. Additionally, prevention
goals, the Roadmap lists a variety and outreach efforts have been
of initiatives and campus partners launched in an effort to provide
to contribute to the underlying well-being resources before more
objective of the Student Engage- serious situations arise.
ment and Well-being (SEWB) of- “One area of particular focus
fice: create cultural change. is that we’re trying to do more
“What we wanted to empha- on stress management and also
size is that we’re not going to ad- sexual violence prevention,” Hong
Photo by Alec Grosswald Student Publications
The Center for Mental Health Care and Resources is on the sec-
ond floor of the Flag Building and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
said. Specifically, the Wellness
Empowerment Center was cre-
ated to spearhead these efforts,
enveloping existing resources like
VOICE to provide upstream in-
formation to students.
As more and more initiatives
from the Roadmap begin, Hong
wanted to emphasize how the plan
is curated to Tech and its students.
“I wanted to make sure that
we developed something that was
responsive to Georgia Tech stu-
dents,” she said.
This unfolds through the Road-
map’s continued awareness of dif-
ferent student populations at Tech,
keeping in mind undergraduates,
graduates, commuter students
and more that may have varying
experiences at the Institute.
While the SEWB office is
the predominant executor of the
Roadmap, it also draws on cam-
pus partners to achieve its goals.
“It’s kind of a two-way street.
We have initiatives or ideas
that students are really passion-
ate about, and then we’re like,
‘Where does this fit within the
Roadmap?,’” said Derin Alade-
sanmi, fourth-year PUBP and un-
dergraduate Student Government
Association (SGA) Vice President
of Well-being, about SGA’s in-
volvement in implementing the
Roadmap’s goals. “It also goes the
other way of, ‘These are the pillars
[we] want to focus on. How can
we expand them outside of what
we’re already doing?’”
While Aladesanmi oversees
well-being specifically, she said
all of SGA seeks to incorporate
student well-being into their proj-
ects. Some examples of her com-
mittees’ work includes expanding
the Menstrual Product Program,
raising awareness on sexual vio-
lence prevention and conducting
Narcan administration trainings.
In addition to their previous
work, Aladesanmi spoke on the
targets for future SGA health-
centered initiatives.
“We’ve had a lot of important
conversations on what decreas-
ing loneliness on campus looks
like and creating community,”
she said. Additionally, her com-
mittees have looked at leverag-
ing funding from the Mental
Health Joint Allocation Commit-
tee to host more events centered
around well-being.
While the SEWB office is able
to enact changes over many years,
Aladesanmi spoke to the difficulty
SGA and other student organiza-
tions may face when trying to
contribute to cultural changes.
“Policy change can take a re-
ally long time,” she said about the
limited number of years that stu-
dents are at Tech to contribute to
the well-being landscape. “With
the initiatives I’ve been doing, it’s
very heavy on the programs and
people side of things.”
Both short-term programming
and long-term shifts in culture
shape the student experience at
Tech. These initiatives have had
differing effects on the diverse stu-
dent body at the Institute, meet-
ing the needs of some while lack-
ing for the needs of others.
Speaking on mental health
resources, Divyesh Ved and
Daniel Kuhlman, fourth-year
ME, are content with the help
available to them.
“I appreciate that professors
are very accommodating towards
deadlines and have various men-
tal help resources in the syllabus,”
Kuhlman said.
However, both of them also
shared their discontent with the
lack of infrastructure dedicated to
physical wellness on campus. Ved
wishes that the campus had more
initiatives for physical activities.
“There should be more gyms
and fields on the campus. For peo-
ple on the east campus, the CRC
is quite far, and the gym in North
Ave is not as good,” he said.
As an avid sportsperson, it has
also been difficult for him to en-
gage in different sports on cam-
pus. He suggested that the CRC
should organize pickup games.
“Dedicate a day in the week
to a sport/sports and have open
pickup games supervised by
coaches and student-athletes. This
will encourage interested students
to try new sports and learn from
the best,” Ved said.
Ruth Minda, second-year
CS, thinks that campus has
enough organizations to keep
students engaged.
“There are both career and
social-oriented clubs, so there is
a good balance,” she said. Min-
da is glad that there are enough
events that help her keep in touch
with her ethnic roots, as she
hails from Ethiopia.
However, both Ved and Min-
da echoed that such events have
not been publicized enough.
Both students said that they
would like more outreach and
marketing programs from
those involved with cultivating
student well-being.
“I have friends who did not
know about the existence of cer-
tain clubs, even though they
were connected to the Tech
culture,” Minda said.
While many steps have been
taken to increase well-being at the
Institute, students still anticipate
further changes in the resources
provided and culture fostered in
the Tech community.
However, the office of SEWB
and its partners are still pushing
to implement the Roadmap and
reap its benefits over time.
“Three years ago, I heard much
more of Georgia Tech doesn’t
care,” Hong said about students’
view of the Institute and its in-
volvement with well-being.
She concluded that although
there is much more work to do,
students are “shifting to ‘I do be-
lieve Georgia Tech cares,’” and
this is a good sign for the Road-
map’s current and future success.

sliver // your thoughts

nique.net
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Happy BHM to Jack and Jill survivors, streetlight curfew kids, faculty of the Georgia Institute of Technology or the University System HEAD COPY EDITOR
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// NEWS
NPHC FROM FRONT
other people, they see it as just
another seating place. But to
us, this is our fraternity house
or sorority house — this is
where we can be and should
feel safe,” Buckles said.
Alyssa Wright, fourth-year
BMED, also represented the Psi
Alpha chapter of the Delta Sigma
Theta sorority. She further ex-
plained that she views the bench-
es and plaques on the Divine
Nine Plaza like a monument.
“I feel like the importance of the
plots for me is to honor what my
organization’s members have done
for this country. It is a monument.
When I joined the organization, I
felt like it was my turn to continue
the work that my founders have
done, and I want to showcase this
with the plot,” Wright said.
The group said that the benches
were not the only area on campus
where they felt a lack of respect
for spaces meant to help Black
students. They cite the cramped
Black Student Organization space
in the newly renovated John Lewis
Student Center and the use of the
space by non-Black people as an-
other example of the disrespect of
Black spaces on campus.
Chase Pettiford, third-year
BIOS, also came to the group
discussion on behalf of the Psi
Alpha chapter of the Delta Sig-
ma Theta sorority. She described
another example of disrespect
towards an organization de-
signed to help Black students at
the Office of Minority Educat-
ional Development (OMED).
“That space is so special in a
way that I can’t even describe.
When we are looking for a spot
to study on campus, and there
isn’t anywhere to go, we know
there will be the OMED build-
ing. There will be people there
who look like us and understand
the unique struggle that being a
Georgia Tech student is as a Black
person,” Pettiford said.
Pettiford continued to de-
scribe times when community
events at the OMED building
have been promoted to a group
chat that promotes free food on
campus, even though the of-
fice designed the event to serve
their specific community.
“There’s been times when non-
Black people have come into the
OMED building and seen free
food and texted in the group chat.
And then the food is gone. That’s
a small thing, but still, things like
that are meant for us and are very
The Divine Nine Plaza, located next to the John Lewis Student Center, opened last semester. Its use
is restricted to NPHC fraternity and sorority members, as it is a vital community space for them.
important and special … because
of the problems that Black stu-
dents face on campus,” she said.
The Divine Nine representa-
tives said they have also seen a
lack of understanding outside of
the disrespecting of Black spaces.
All NPHC sororities and frater-
nities have a new member presen-
tation show called a probate. The
probate ceremony involves dances,
strolls and chants that incorporate
the sorority’s or fraternity’s histo-
ry. At the end of the probate, the
organization’s new members are
revealed and celebrated.
To perform a probate, the
existing sorority or fraternity
members must prepare chore-
ography and speaking engage-
ments before the event and re-
hearse the show so that it runs
smoothly on probate day.
According to the representa-
tives, their organizations must
practice for the probate away from
their houses to keep the names
of the new members secret until
revealed at the probate. These re-
quirements mean that sororities
and fraternities often hold rehears-
als in a reserved or public space;
however, representatives told the
Technique that their practices and
rehearsals for probate have been
viewed unfavorably by the public
and even reported to the Georgia
Tech Police Department (GTPD).
Buckles described an in-
cident before his probate in
which a member of the pub-
lic started recording their
rehearsal without permission.
“We had a guy sit in his car, and
he was trying to record. It made
us uncomfortable because, before
the probate, you didn’t want to get
out who the new members were,
and we didn’t know if it was going
to get blasted across social media.
We didn’t know how it would be
perceived by people who weren’t
aware of what we were doing be-
cause, from what they can tell,
it is a bunch of Black people just
standing around, chanting and
standing in a line,” Buckles said.
Buckles also described one in-
stance in which a Reddit poster
questioned a rehearsal they saw on
campus without asking any of the
rehearsal members. According to
the group, GTPD has also shown
up at several probate rehearsals.
Dunya shared her view about in-
volving the police department.
“I feel like it’s okay to have ques-
tions or be curious and ask what’s
going on, but to immediately jump
to getting the authorities involved
The Black Student Organizations Space is located on the third floor of the John Lewis
Student Center, and it is a vital hub for Black students to find community on campus.
or calling attention to it like that
is just so odd. There are a lot of
weirder things that happen on this
campus,” Dunya said.
Additionally, the group de-
scribed a general need for clari-
fication about the standards for
having GTPD officers at their
events. They said that they are
required to have GTPD officers
at convocations and other events
even though they are not required
at other similar public events.
“Convocations are a really fun
event. It’s very positive, like every-
thing typically is for our council,
so we wonder why they feel the
need to have the police at all of
our events. Especially because
nothing ever happens. It’s unclear
if those same rules apply to other
councils,” Buckles said.
Dunya additionally pointed
out the difference between a
convocation event, where there
are generally few problems
that require police involvement
and other high-volume Greek
Life events on campus.
“It’s crazy that it is written in a
clause to have the police at NPHC
events. I wonder if for things like
Wet Weekend, where the entirety
of Greek row is in disarray, there
are people all over the place and
underage drinking, if there’s that
same push to have police in the
area. I don’t think I’ve ever seen
the same sort of security nonsense
for them,” Dunya said.
Photo by Alex Dubé Student Publications
technique • February 23, 2023 • 3
The group disagreed about
whether they would feel comfort-
able calling GTPD if someone
were to aggressively intervene at
a probate rehearsal. Buckles said
he would call GTPD rather than
let any fraternity members handle
the situation, but Pettiford said
that her sorority would probably
just leave a situation rather than
call GTPD if they felt threatened.
Overall, the group did agree
that GTPD has done an inad-
equate job of ensuring fair out-
comes after addressing a situation.
Marvens Cherelus, PSYC ‘23,
represented the Delta Kappa
chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fra-
ternity. He explained his view on
the equality of the outcomes after
GTPD intervention.
“Even in a case where we called
GTPD, in the best case scenario,
when they handle it, they believe
that all parties should remove
themselves from the area. I feel
like that makes us as organiza-
tions feel like we are in the wrong
since we were asked to leave, even
though we weren’t,” Cherelus said.
The lack of action by Tech
administration in responding to
people occupying the benches
and clarifying GTPD policies
to the NPHC fraternities and
sororities has created a sense
of disillusionment among the
group. Many of the representa-
tives said that they do not feel
like the campus has normalized
the idea of Black Greek Life,
and they view some acts by the
Institute as performative rather
than making real change.
“I also wanted to add that there
is this performative look some-
times. The groundbreaking for
the [Divine Nine Plaza] was this
big event for Homecoming. It did
feel special at the time, but at the
moment, I worried that it would
be performative in a way where
they made this big event out of
showcasing that it was done but
not necessarily upholding what
it means to the actual organiza-
tions,” Cherelus said.
Everyone in the group of
NPHC representatives described a
feeling of having to explain their
organization to other people who
either did not know or did not un-
derstand their organization.
Pettiford works with incom-
ing and prospective students,
and she described situations
where people would be surprised
that Black Greek Life existed on
campus. Dunya also explained
Photo by Alec Grosswald Student Publications
that there is a need for under-
standing from other on-campus
organizations to bridge the gap.
“Normalization of Black Greek
Life is the first step. Specifically,
when it comes to the general fra-
ternities and sororities, they are
also not aware of what we do.
I feel like that gap needs to be
closed at some point. They should
know about the NPHC — what
we do and some of our traditions.
It starts there,” Dunya said.
The impact of this gap in un-
derstanding has far-reaching
impacts, even off campus, and it
affects diversity at the Institute.
Wright described a time when
she was working with middle
schoolers, and she asked one
of them what they wanted to
be when they grew up.
“He said he wanted to be an en-
gineer, so I asked if he wanted to
come here. He said no because his
mom thought he should attend a
school with more Black students.
It makes me sad we won’t be able
to have these students come in. It’s
like they’re discouraging potential
Black students by not encourag-
ing Black spaces,” Wright said.
All the representatives agreed
that building up understand-
ing and cooperation of the Black
Greek Life is the first step towards
better campus spaces where Black
students feel safe to exercise their
culture and express themselves.
Cherelus explained that mem-
bers of his fraternity and others
would be happy to explain the im-
portance of the Black spaces and
events, but he feels some people
are not interested in change.
“We have students that choose
to be ignorant rather than have
their questions answered by a pre-
ferred first-party source. Nobody
is opposed to explaining their case;
it’s just that the repetitiveness of it
and it’s bringing about no results
shows that one side doesn’t even
want to change,” Cherelus said.
The group broadly agreed that
the more Black students that do
not find Tech an attractive op-
tion, the worse the problems will
get as Black voices are heard less
and less on campus and diver-
sity decreases. The representa-
tives said that the first step to
moving forward is to spread the
word about Black Greek Life to
encourage understanding be-
tween different cultures. The only
problem is that enough people
have to be willing to listen and
accept something new.
4 • February 23, 2024 • technique
Institute expansion seeks to avoid gentrifictation
TEHREEM HUSSAIN
MANAGING EDITOR
The Institute’s Comprehen-
sive Campus Plan (CCP) is an
ongoing initiative to expand
Tech’s footprint in order to ac-
commodate the needs of its
growing student body.
The CCP aligns with the In-
stitute’s strategic plan and relates
to areas of growth relating to
people, research and teaching as
a means to best utilize existing
campus space, along with new
construction projects.
Despite Tech’s campus be-
ing positioned as an urban oasis
nestled within Midtown Atlanta,
there are neighborhoods and com-
munities that have inhabited the
outskirts of campus for decades.
As the Institute expands its
borders, Tech’s relationship with
the Atlanta community creates
pause for reflection, with the
guiding question being how can
campus growth be directed in a
way that holds the best interests
of the internal campus commu-
nity while preserving off-campus
relationships with community
partners and stakeholders?
In order to learn more about
campus expansion initiatives and
their impact on neighboring com-
munities, the Technique had the
opportunity to interview Tony
Zivalich, Tech’s Associate Vice
President for the real estate office.
According to their website,
the Institute’s real estate team’s
main responsibilities include “the
acquisition, sale, leasing, develop-
ment, encumbrance and strategic
planning of Georgia Tech’s real
property assets, and the manage-
ment, construction and financing
of non-academic real estate.”
Currently, the Institute has
a few big construction projects
in the works. Zivalich expressed
Tech’s desire to create a life sci-
ences cluster, which led to the de-
velopment of Science Square.
The city of Atlanta has never
traditionally had a concentration
of commercial space available
relating to the life sciences and
related startups. Rather, higher
education institutions like Em-
ory and Tech have been bound
Science Square is located at Northside Drive and North Ave, an area of West Midtown — a once
abandoned industrial hub of Atlanta that is now experiencing large amounts of gentrification.
by the property lines of their
existing academic facilities.
With the opening of the ap-
proximately 360,000 square-foot
tower in the first phase opening
of Science Square in April 2024,
Tech hopes to change the narra-
tive regarding the importance
of fostering innovation within
the life sciences on campus.
The residential building in Sci-
ence Square will be named after
Grace Hamilton, the first Black
female legislator in the state of
Georgia, who used to live on the
Westside of Atlanta. It will feature
280 multi-family units.
Science Square is being built
on what is regarded as a Federal
Opportunity Zone, and this dis-
tinction came about due to the
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as a means
to incite economic growth within
low-income communities. This
distinction allows investors to re-
ceive preferential tax treatment
as a means to incentivize inves-
tors to bring economic growth
to low-income neighborhoods.
Additionally, another major
construction project relates to the
Georgia AI Manufacturing (GA-
AIM) coalition that received $65
million from the U.S. Depart-
ment of Commerce’s Economic
Development Administration.
In order to support AI manu-
facturing in Georgia, Zivalich’s
team is responsible for updating
the property on the corner of 14th
St and Northside Drive to allow
the faculty heading the project to
execute on the federal grant.
Another major construction
project under the supervision of
the real estate team is the third
phase of Tech Square, which will
feature a tower dedicated to exec-
utive education programs for the
Scheller College of Business and
another tower dedicated to the H.
Milton Stewart School of Indus-
trial and Systems Engineering.
In terms of what commu-
nity engagement the real estate
office does in order to interact
with existing neighborhoods to
ensure they have a positive re-
lationship with Tech in light of
new expansion projects, Zivalich
explained the process through
which his team approaches
campus expansion.
“As an example, right now,
we’re working through the poten-
tial redevelopment of the Randall
Brothers site, otherwise known as
the new Art Square. And so as a
part of the rezoning process, we
are actually required to engage
with the communities. We have
met with neighborhood planning
units (NPUs). So as a part of the
rezoning process, we actually are
in active engagement with the
neighborhood planning units for
units L, M, and E. So as a part of
that, we meet with their land use
committees,” Zivalich said.
In those meetings, the real
estate team presents the types of
projects that are under develop-
ment and that leads to an approv-
al process. As part of the CCP’s
guidelines, Zivalich’s team con-
ducts outreach to all communities
in and around Tech.
He sits on several land use
committees including the Mid-
town Alliance, where he is a part
of the Design Review Commit-
tee which includes Midtown
residents, architects, engineers
and interested stakeholders as a
means to understand the pulse
of the communities around cam-
pus. Other committees Tech en-
gages with include the Home Park
Neighborhood Association, the
Marietta Street Artery Association
and the Upper Westside Comm-
unity Improvement District.
As for whether Tech’s neigh-
boring communities are being
impacted positively or negatively
by campus expansion initiatives,
Zivalich said, “So if you look
at the Westside communities of
Vine City, English Avenue and
Grove Park, they’re being impact-
ed positively by Science Square.
The demographics — that is one
of the actually poorest parts of
Atlanta. We are purposely do-
ing a lot in terms of outreach in
a few areas. One is the Center for
Education Integrating Science,
Mathematics and Computing
(CEISMC) program, and we do
a lot with the Washington School
District on the Westside, in
terms of helping them with their
STEM programming.”
Another form of outreach,
particularly as part of the Sci-
ence Square redevelopment is the
Photo by Alex Dubé Student Publications
Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech, Designs from Perkins + Will
Science Square’s Phase 1 of construction, which features multi-
family homes and labs, is set to open its doors in April 2024.
assembly of a fund for awarding
scholarships to different students
within the neighboring com-
munities who want to focus on
life sciences, whether that be at
Tech or at a technical college.
The goal of that initiative is to
support and create job opportu-
nities that can excel within the
new life sciences cluster.
Zivalich mentioned that one of
his biggest challenges with com-
munity engagement is that of-
tentimes, “communities may not
have a single spokesperson. What
we have is a lot of voices in the
room. Some of those voices agree
and some of them disagree. So the
challenge is to maintain multiple
touch points within the commu-
nities, and recognize that you’re
dealing with communities of indi-
viduals, rather than an individual
that runs a community.”
Another individual working
closely with local communities
in relation to campus expansion
is Chris Burke, Executive Direc-
tor for Community Relations. He
elaborated on the importance of
creating opportunities for Tech’s
neighboring communities as the
campus continues to grow.
One such program that Burke
chairs is Westside Works, a long-
term initiative focused on em-
ployment growth and opportuni-
ties for members of the Westside
community through a partnership
between the Construction Educa-
tion Foundation of Georgia (CE-
FGA), Integrity Community De-
velopment Corporation (Integrity
CDC), Per Scholas, Invest Atlan-
ta, Metro Atlanta YMCA, Arthur
M. Blank Foundation and Atlanta
Workforce Development Agency.
In terms of his interactions
with the local communities in his
capacity as a representation of the
Institute and their perception of
Tech’s expansion, Burke expressed
the presence of mixed responses
depending on the demographics
of the neighborhoods.
“In Midtown, there’s high
rises and it’s really expensive to
live there. That’s more of a busi-
ness corridor. So their reaction
to our expansion is very positive.
It’s great because we do all this
great research, and we have really
smart people that [tech compa-
nies] could tap into for jobs. It’s
a little more challenging when
you move to the west, which is a
// NEWS
historic low-income Black com-
munity. We don’t get a lot of
students from those areas, so big
projects like Science Square be-
come gentrifying engines. So
you see the research part brings
in high paying jobs. So develop-
ers build expensive housing to
accommodate that,” Burke said.
High paying jobs, such as the
one Science Square hopes to gen-
erate, drives up housing prices.
Developers build housing and
apartments to cater to people with
higher salaries, even when the de-
mographics of the same zip code
has historically included those
who qualify as low-income house-
holds. Gentrification then leads to
displacement for the local commu-
nities, which creates a level of mis-
trust of new construction projects
within the local communities.
One avenue through which
Tech is trying to combat the issue
of gentrification due to new con-
struction is through the Westside
Futures Fund, a tax program fo-
cused on areas where property val-
ues are increasing so that people
do not become displaced.
The fund first came about
during the development of the
Mercedes Benz Stadium in
Downtown Atlanta, when local
community members were con-
cerned about how the construc-
tion was going to create wholesale
gentrification in the area.
The fund is a way through which
affordable housing opportunities
can be explored, along with ensur-
ing that local communities aren’t
priced out of their homes.
“So as you can imagine, [for
those communities] the feeling is
not as warm and fuzzy. So it’s chal-
lenging, right. And so we show a
good faith effort by showing up,
by instituting different programs,
by trying to make a positive differ-
ence, but it’s not without its chal-
lenges and that creates some ten-
sion. And the best thing you can
do in those situations is to keep
showing up. Don’t just write any-
body off. Don’t just stop having
conversations, keep showing up,
keep talking and being authentic.
We’re not just putting up a build-
ing and walking away – we’re
staying engaged. And we’re try-
ing to make sure that people have
chances to get training and op-
portunities for upward mobility.
That’s the goal,” Burke said.
Opinions
OUR VIEWS | Consensus Opinion
Looking into the SWEB Office
What do we want to see from SWEB going forward?
We at the Technique recently had the op-
portunity to speak with Dr. Luoluo Hong, who
serves as the Vice President for the Office of
Student Engagement and Well-Being (SEWB),
and is one of the most accessible administrators
on campus. We wish to discuss the work of the
SEWB and what we would like to see in the fu-
ture. We also wish to revisit the issue of student
death notifications, the policy for which was
drastically altered a few years ago.
There are a few notable new initiatives that the
SEWB is currently instituting or will be in the near
future. The first surrounds freedom of expression.
These initiatives came in part due to HB1 being
signed into law, which required compliance by Fall
2023. The bill mandated that outdoor, public areas
have to be considered public in terms of speech as
well. One question that the office is currently fac-
ing is the balancing act of when hate speech quali-
fies as free speech, versus when it does not.
The second issue of note is filling gaps in stu-
dent services. There are close to 700 registered stu-
dent organizations (RSOs) on campus. However,
leaders often feel frustrated when trying to access
information relating to the suite of resources avail-
able to student organizations. The office endeavors
to centralize the services and information, and en-
act a cadre of professional staff advisors who can
guide student leaders through these processes.
A third notable issue is, in the words of the
office, “enrollment growth.” They emphasized
their desire to spread the message that the In-
stitute cannot build as fast as students can en-
roll, especially being in the heart of Atlanta with
hefty regulations. They did however confirm
the circulating news regarding new student
housing opening up in Fall 2026.
However, it seems remiss to avoid the main is-
sue at hand: the Institute is over-enrolling, caus-
ing the issue in the first place. Further, it is not
just housing that is being impacted. Students
are struggling to get into classes, it is becom-
ing more and more difficult to find study spaces
on campus and off-campus housing is preying
on students. While one may raise the opposition
that Tech is required to comply with the Univer-
The Consensus Opinion reflects the majority opinion of the Editorial Board of the
Technique, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors.
technique editorial board
Yashvini Deva EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Tehreem Hussain MANAGING EDITOR
Alec Grosswald NEWS EDITOR
Jessamyn M. Lockett LIFE EDITOR
Alex Dubé PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Rohan Raman SPORTS EDITOR
Emily Russell HEAD COPY EDITOR
OPINIONS EDITOR: Nithya Jameshenry
Turning a blind eye to our
“
history has not saved us
from its consequences.
- Cicely Tyson
sity System of Georgia, this need to enroll more
students surely did not arise as a surprise.
These are ongoing changes, but one very im-
portant change that was previously spearheaded
by the Office of Student Engagement and Well-
Being is the change in student death notifications.
A few years ago, every student was notified of a
death within Tech’s community, but the notifi-
cation process is now conducted using a concen-
tric circle model. This means that only affiliated
people are notified, whether that is being in the
same class, residence hall,major, etc. While origi-
nally skeptical of this method, we acknowledge
that this change has had a positive impact on
the mental health of students at the school, and
it is a good measure. Some fear that this means
Tech is hiding student deaths from students, but
the Blow the Whistle ceremony at the end of the
year honors the deaths publicly. Students are
also invited to forward the email notifications as
needed.One aspect of this concentric model that
we have concerns about is we do feel this burdens
the student or anyone notified, who then have to
forward the information. It is better to overlap
rather than underlap who is notified, especially
because the Institute should take steps to ensure
the circle is as comprehensive as possible.
One claim Dr. Hong expressed, that we on the
editorial board did not agree with, is “Georgia
Tech is not a mental health clinic.” While this may
be true to an extent, the Institute is indubitably be-
hind comparable schools with mental healthcare
services. Other universities, such as University of
Michigan and Brown University, have compre-
hensive opportunities with full therapy services
and diverse counselors. Anecdotally, this campus
is not happy; many students have grown tired or
given up on accessing mental health services.
Overall, we feel that the Office of Student En-
gagement and Well-Being is doing good work that
ought to be more publicized. It is the responsibility
of the Institute to spread word of the office’s ini-
tiatives, and inform people of the positive change
they are bringing to the campus. While there is a
very long way to go, the Office of Student Engage-
ment and Well-Being is making a good start.
Nithya Jameshenry OPINIONS EDITOR
Rish Desai TECHNOLOGY EDITOR
Cole Murphy ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Sydney Gordon ONLINE EDITOR
Christine Lee DESIGN EDITOR
technique
5
Friday,
February 23, 2024
Diversity in living
they might not have encountered
before. Through the growth and
bonding that happens throughout
the course of a collegiate friend-
ship, empathy is grown for any
differences between yourself and
your friends. On the flip side,
when a person is only friends
with people with the exact same
background as them, their si-
lent biases are confirmed within
them — that the people who
are like them are “normal” and
CAROLINE BETZ everyone else is “other.”
STAFF WRITER Regardless of the extent of a
connection, whether it is sim-
When writing this, I am in no ply being classmates or a lifelong
way trying to speak on behalf of friendship, the people you see in
any community or individual or college become your expectation
experience other than my own as for who you will see in profession-
a white woman from Atlanta. al spaces for the rest of your life.
The importance of representa- For a top institution like Tech,
tion within spaces of higher edu- many graduates will be mak-
cation can often be overlooked. ing decisions that will massively
Beyond the importance of in- impact our world for decades to
creasing diversity within spaces come. If Tech’s students are going
that a college degree is required to into the world with an incomplete
enter, as many engineering indus- vision of who ought to be along-
tries do, the social aspect of col- side them in their field, hiring de-
lege is equally as important. Col- cisions made decades from today
lege is a time when many people’s will undoubtedly reflect biases
worldviews develop and begin to created within the halls of our
solidify, and their view on who Institute. Growing up, there was
they expect their a very noticeable
peers to be in the contrast between
world around who I saw at
them informs “The importance of school and who
how they navi- representation within I saw around At-
gate the world lanta. The K-12
for the rest of spaces of higher school I attended
their lives. In education can often be was a very small
college, you typ- private school
ically spend your overlooked.” that was, espe-
time studying cially at the time,
with those who overwhelmingly
have similar career aspirations as white. Especially when compared
yourself, so logically you imagine to a city as diverse as Atlanta, this
your future workplace to be re- demographic difference was quite
flective of the students and pro- stark. Tech’s student demograph-
fessors that you encounter. When ics are also quite different from the
the students around you look like city of Atlanta. On top of the in-
you, it signals that you belong, but famous 60/40 split between male
when you are noticeably a minor- and female students, Tech’s per-
ity, it can make you feel like you centage of African American stu-
are out of place. It can also in- dents, at 8% compared to Atlan-
form those in the majority to not ta’s 48%, stands out as quite low.
expect to see many people that While Atlanta has a much higher
do not look like them. percentage of African Americans
When the students of today than the country as a whole, they
eventually become the people in- are still underrepresented in the
terviewing new hires in industry, undergraduate student popula-
the decisions that they make are tion at Tech. Diversity is more
inevitably impacted by biases they than numbers, but looking at the
might not even know they have, breakup of a population can re-
and these biases are developed by veal critical gaps that may exist.
their experiences of who they have The students that Tech admits are
seen be successful in their field. the people that industry leaders of
Beyond professional implica- tomorrow believe they should be
tions, the people that one social- hiring, which is a responsibility
izes with impact their opinions that the Institute’s admissions de-
on both different types of people partment should not take lightly.
Write to us: are responses to or commentaries on
content found within the pages of the
opinions@nique.net Technique. Along with these letters,
we are open to receiving letters that
Got something to say? Then let focus on relevant issues that currently
your voice be heard with the Tech- affect Georgia Tech as a university, in-
nique. Sliver at Nique.net, tweet us cluding its campus and student body.
@the_nique or check us out on Face- When submitting letters we ask
book at facebook.com/thenique. We that you include your full name, year
want to hear your opinion and want (1st, 2nd, etc.) and major. We ask that
to make it known to all of campus. letters be thought provoking, well
We also welcome your letters in written and in good taste. We reserve
response to Technique content as well the right to both reject or edit letters
as topics relevant to campus. We will for length and style.
print letters on a timely and space- For questions, comments or con-
available basis. cern, contact the Opinions Editor at
Each week we look for letters that opinions@nique.net.
6 • February 23, 2024 • technique
You gonna finna slay sis: Colloquial use of AAVE
JESSAMYN M. LOCKETT
LIFE EDITOR
Y’all be sayin y’all ate and
left no crumbs. Meanwhile, the
plate was never touched. Y’all
be claimin you “served.” Mean-
while, I’m starved. Ya’ll be sayin
you “ate down.” Meanwhile,
you’ve been ate up. Y’all be say-
ing “period” where there should
be several question marks.
Y’all stay sayin y’all “be doin”
stuff y’all don’t even be doin.
Now that that’s out of the way.
The evolution of language can be
a beautiful thing. However, when
I transferred to Tech, I remember
sitting in a group of maybe seven
or eight students in a circle.
Our research methods pro-
fessor had challenged us with
a particularly difficult problem
set. As we began to make gain-
ful progress, the other students
began calling out in popcorn
fashion to encourage each other
and suddenly I was surrounded
by a chorus of “pur!!... pur queen!
Pur!! Big pur!!” in compulsory
fashion similar to the “MINE”
seagulls in “Finding Nemo.”
I believe you, dear reader,
also see the emerging issue. One
need not look further than last
The triumphs and unity of Black excellence at Tech
Eight, a number that represents
victory, the number of prosperity
and the number of overcoming.
Eight, the number of semesters
it takes to graduate from Tech.
However, what is the real signifi-
cance of eight in this context? Be-
yond its numerical connotation,
the number eight holds a deeper
meaning at Tech, where it mirrors
the percentage of black students
within the Institution.
This dual role of the number
quantifies not only academic pro-
gression but also serves as a nu-
merical representation of the chal-
lenges and achievements faced by
a diverse community at Tech.
In essence, the number eight
becomes a tangible symbol reflect-
ing the institution’s commitment
to diversity, inclusion and the
collective pursuit of excellence.
This is “Black Georgia Tech”
(BGT) — a straightforward rep-
resentation that encapsulates the
triumphs, struggles and diverse
// OPINIONS
fall’s “slay” epidemic to under- and overheard this non-Black girl a tentative guide on how to do day over the summer you could
stand. Words like slay, period(t), telling an anecdote to her friends. so. I’m choosing three words I’ve reasonably say, “no my brother isn’t
ate, gives and the infamous ha- “You right though! But you right heard most abused. You might home right now, you know he be at
bitual “be” are meant to be used though! He crazy!” she yelled, not feel there is a difference in that Golden Glide!” That doesn’t
on rare occasions to emphasize dramatically gesturing her hands the examples provided. However, mean that he is actually there
extreme strength or magnitude, in a knuck-if-you-buck fashion. a lot of it comes down to why right now, but that he was there
but their meanings are rapidly For whatever reason, we recognize you might describe something as many times in the past and likely
being eroded away. Black English when Black people popular instead of cool. Again: will be there in the future.
Honestly, a lot of the time, I use it and demonize them for it. yes, words evolve, but they also I feel like with this one, I most-
don’t think people even realize When non-Black people use it, have their own unique meaning. ly hear it being used as a present
when they’re using it. As such, here we call it “Gen-Z language” or Think about the tense verb. For
is a short list of questions to ask “slang” or “TikTok language,” and difference be- example, my co-
yourself as you evaluate your use of it’s acceptable, often humorous. I tween nervous- worker once told
language. Do you notice a drastic definitely remember being forced ness and angst “My love of linguistics me he “be crying
change in your normal tone/pitch to adopt a new accent growing for example. and etymology aside, today fr.” Devas-
of voice? Do you find yourself us- up because, as it was explained They are words tating.
ing dramatic gestures of the hands to me, I wouldn’t be able to get a that are meant to for me, it’s important Similarly, this
and neck that you otherwise never job “speaking like that.” I’m not describe distinct
employ? Do you find yourself in- really going to get into the weeds situations and
because these words one has most
commonly been
explicably omitting linking and of what an “employable” accent is; feelings. My love are a function of my reduced to mean
helping verbs (including but not I’m just sharing my experience. of linguistics
limited to “am,” “are” and “is”)? I also understand that lan- and etymology culture...” “I like it.” I think
a phrase more
Does the arrangement of words guage is meant to evolve — AAVE aside, for me, it’s people are familiar
in use, seem to be inexplicably certainly does. However, when important be- with that could be
at odds with your natural way of people begin forcing accents and cause these words are a function somewhat of an equivalent could be
speaking? Does the vernacular changing their personalities to of my culture: my upbringing, “knock your socks off.” For some-
in question seem to contain an align with long projected stereo- my experiences, some of my best thing to “go hard” it has to be bet-
unexplainable element of swag? types of the Black community memories — all of which work to ter than good and immediately
If you answered yes to one or while using AAVE, it’s just un- tell a story and represent a com- impactful. For example, while
more questions above, you or a settling. For whatever reason, munity much larger than myself. most classical music is beautiful,
loved one may that experience in So without further ado: inspirational and eye-watering
be using African Tech Square really Okay, so here’s the big one. even, it does not go hard.
American Ver- informed my per- Slay is a word used to empha- “Mo Bamba” by Shack Wes
nacular English “On a more serious note, spective. size extreme strength or magni- goes hard. “m.A.A.d City” by
(AAVE). Bonus: It hit me that if tude. The word also has a con- Kendrick Lamar goes hard. “The
would you drop I think it’s odd because I decided to ran- notation of fierceness and can Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’’ by
this new accent we don’t really do that to domly begin doing be used as a noun, adjective or Lauryn Hill is a beautiful, eye-
like a bad habit an Indian accent most commonly a verb. watering song that deserved every
if your grand- other communities with in casual conversa- A common misuse of this word Grammy, but it does not go hard.
parents walked language.” tion, no one would would equate it to merely mean- If you’re looking for clas-
in the room? tolerate that — as ing “good” or even “great.” For sical music though, the “1812
This is by far the they shouldn’t. example, if you were to say “my Overture” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchai-
most effective Why is it okay teacher canceled class today. Slay.” kovsky (one where they record-
method of deduction. to do it to Black people, then? I That’s not enough. Beyoncé, a ed live cannons as part of the
On a more serious note, I get that we’ve grown accustomed fresh silk press and a well executed melody), absolutely goes hard.
think it’s odd because we don’t to it, but that doesn’t make it vogue routine slay. The habitual So the next time you find your-
really do that to other communi- any more acceptable. “be” is used to describe a state of self about to declare that some-
ties with language. I remember However, if you still insist on consistency. For example, if your thing is “eating,” you should ask
sitting in Tech Square one day attempting to use AAVE, here is brother was at Golden Glide every yourself, did it really?
Tech Society of Black Engineers. ers opened doors I hadn’t imag- so much into me, and for that,
“BGT...is a family that Joining LDR was a game changer ined. These interactions weren’t I’ll always be grateful.
fosters growth, support for me — not only did I get to merely networking events; they As we celebrate Black History
meet a lot of amazing black stu- were genuine conversations where Month, this narrative serves as a
and an unwavering dents, but I also had the chance to I felt seen and valued. testament to the resilience, diver-
sense of belonging.” develop my leadership skills. Be- It was through these encoun- sity and unity within the black
ing part of LDR opened the door ters that I secured my first inter- student community at Tech.
CHRISTIAN ESCARMENT to a whole array of black organiza- view for an Just as eight
CONTRIBUTING WRITER tions at the Institute for me. new intern- can symbol-
Being from Haiti, I natu- ship, marking ize overcom-
rally felt drawn to the Caribbean a pivotal mile- ing, let this be
experiences of its student body. Students Association, where I stone in my “Just as eight can symbolize an inspiration
In the environment of this could connect with others who academic and overcoming, let this be an to embrace
PWI (Predominantly White shared my background. professiona l the richness
Institution), a group of stu- What struck me profoundly journey. inspiration to embrace the of Black his-
dents thrive within what is was realizing that being a Black The sup- richness of Black history tory and con-
affectionately known as BGT. student encompasses more than port, help and tinue the legacy
Here, the tight-knit com- just being African-American. mentorships and continue the legacy of of triumph
munity fosters a sense of be- It includes African students, embedded in against
triumph against all odds.” odds. Spanning all
longing, providing a space Caribbean Students and even BGT played a
for connection and support. Black students from Europe — a crucial role in from the dis-
Within BGT, a plethora of diverse mix of backgrounds. preparing me covery of lead-
organizations, T hroug h for that inter- ership oppor-
events, Divine the numer- view, whether it was participating tunities in organizations to
Nine fraternities ous oppor- in resume workshops or mock building connections that pro-
and sororities “Within BGT, a plethora tunities that interviews organized by organiza- pelled me towards professional
and ethnic com-
munities come of organizations, events, BGT has giv-
en me, I was
tions within BGT. goals, every experience has been
“Black Georgia Tech” isn’t a stepping stone in my academic
together to Divine Nine fraternities able to reach just a place where you find and personal growth.
form a vibrant my goals. your groove; it’s an expan- BGT isn’t just a commu-
and thriving and sororities and ethnic The con- sive, welcoming family with an nity; it is a family that fos-
community. It communities come together nections I’ve abundance of different groups. ters growth, support and an
was through made with Looking back, I am incredibly unwavering sense of belonging.
my roommate to form a vibrant a thriving students be- thankful for how BGT has been a As the number eight sym-
that I discov- community.” came instru- significant part of my journey. bolizes overcoming, let it be
ered an incred- mental in It’s not just about fit- a continuation of the legacy
ible freshman encouraging ting in; it’s about discovering of triumph against all odds.
leadership or- me towards your place and growing together. It echoes the spirit of resilience
ganization called Lambda Delta my professional goals as well. The uplifting BGT com- and perserverence that defines the
Rho (LDR), a part of the Georgia Engaging with various recruit- munity on campus has poured heart of “Black Georgia Tech.”
// OPINIONS technique • February 23, 2024 • 7

Built on “Progress and Service”

Good luck, CEO
Bridgit Mendler, famous Dis-
ney star turned Harvard Law
School alumni and Massachu-
setts Institute of Technology
PhD holder, has now turned
to space law — a field she fell
in love with after her time at
the Federal Communications
Commission’s space bureau.
She is now the CEO of new
startup Northwood Space,
in El Segundo, California.
Futbol Fashion
Atlanta United FC recently
unveiled their Resurgens Kit,
which will function as its
new secondary community
kit, and will be worn in the
2024 and 2025 Major League
Soccer seasons. It is named
after Atlanta’s motto, is in-
spired by the city’s rich his-
tory and has design elements
from the Atlanta seal and flag.
Sandler’s Suggestions
Adam Sandler brought the
dramatics during his speech
during the 2024 People’s
Choice Awards. While accept-
ing his People’s Icon Award,
he offered advice for the “ug-
gos” out there. The speech was
NSFW and jokingly flaunted
himself as a man of sexual
dreams. Some viewers were
displeased with his commen-
taries, taking to social media.
Stage-Crasher!
During the 2024 British Acad-
emy of Film and Artis Awards,
an audience member had to be
removed from the stage by se-
curity. The crasher interrupted
director Christopher Nolan,
producers Emma Thomas and
Charles Roven and actor Cil-
lian Murphy as they accepted
the best film award for their
famous film, “Oppenheimer.”
AZALIA CYPHERS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
1961 is the year the first Black
students set foot on Tech’s cam-
pus, making the Institute the
first in the deep south to ad-
mit African American students
without a court order, a pioneer-
ing moment in history. In 2023,
a little over 62 years later is the
year that the United States Su-
preme Court overturned Affir-
mative Action, thereby establish-
ing another pioneering moment
in the history of higher educa-
tion, but I daresay a decision
that is negatively rewriting it.
To be a Black student at
Tech is no doubt an experience
full of pride, resilience and un-
wavering pursuit of goals, but
it is also one that can be “un-
welcoming” and “isolating” in
the words of a conglomerate of
Black Tech students.
As president of the Georgia
Tech African American Stu-
dent Union (GTAASU), we
do not take lightly the ability
to nurture and continue culti-
vation of an environment and
safe space that combats such
isolation. In fact, we were built
on such a belief: that collec-
tive action and coalition build-
ing are fundamental factors to
define and pour into the Black
student experience here.
It is on such belief, that I
feel that the Black student ex-
perience has stood the test of
time because of the very stu-
dents within it. Our organiza-
tion was founded in 1968 as
the GTAASU immediately fol-
lowing the assassination of Dr.
King, and thereby established
not only a dialog with Tech’s
administration but a precedent
for change and the genuine de-
mand that Black students are
not only granted the right to
attend here on equal terms,
but also the right to remain
and be treated as equals.
Now, in 2024, in a tremulous
period of higher education re-
form, these conversations are be-
ing revisited in light of the very
looming reality that students of
color as a whole, will no longer
feel qualified to attend an insti-
tution such as this. In reality,
students of color have excelled
at this school just as much as all
who are accepted and conferred
degrees once they “get out.”
Georgia Tech’s motto is
“Progress and Service,” and it is
at the core of the institute. As a
senior Black student, GTAASU
has indoctrinated this motto by
not only serving as a beacon of
Black joy in the pursuit of col-
lective progress as we embark
on our respective journeys both
within and out of the Georgia
Tech community, but also one
of service as we serve in organi-
zations, research, athletics, the
arts and numerous capacities in
those very communities.
Make no mistake, attacks on
intelligence, our presence here
at the Institute as Black Stu-
dents and the audacity to label
sacred Black Student spaces on
campus as “discriminatory,”
have all transpired.
But it is in the true be-
lief of “Progress and Ser-
vice” that our resilience can
never be taken away from us.
We are proud to be Jackets,
the same degree of pride that
motivated GTAASU-founder
William Stanley III — who
had to utilize Brittain Din-
ing Hall as one of the only safe
gathering spots for the Afro-
American Alliance on campus
in the late 60s — to then come
back and design the Campus
Recreation Center Swimming
Complex with his wife (also
a pioneering Tech Alum).
I challenge everyone reading
this to respect the experiences of
our peers, because to some de-
gree, we have all been affected by
history and the course of history
being rewritten today.
I believe that such respect,
empathy and understand-
ing will foster a resilient sense
of community rather than
the presently-isolating one.
We stand on the founda-
tion of Giants, and it is now
our time to make a change.

An open letter to the Black community at Tech

This is an open letter to the
Black community at Tech.
It is Black History Month
and I want us to take a criti-
cal look at which stories we
choose not to tell. Does anybody
know who Bayard Rustin is?
He organized the March on
Washington and mentored Mar-
tin Luther King Jr. in nonviolent
activism. How come we don’t hear
about him? Civil rights leaders
wanted him out of the spotlight
due to one fact: he was gay.
I am Black, I am queer. I
am both of those things at the
same time. Being Black signifi-
cantly impacts how I navigate
the queer community, and be-
ing queer significantly impacts
how I navigate Black spaces.
I refuse to ignore one
part of me in favor of anoth-
er, and I reject any demands
that I must pick a side.
I love being Black, but it feels
like the love I have for my com-
munity is unreciprocated.
Let’s put it bluntly: queer
black folks face extreme preju-
dice. We are more likely to have
Worse, it’s from other Black up: look around, everybody’s with the LGBTQIA+ Resource
people. I know what it’s like to on mute. I challenge you to Center and Pride Alliance. They
“Black lives cannot be Black in this country, in the
South, in this Predominantly
at least start a conversation in are more than willing to work
your social circle about it. with us, but we at least have
matter until queer, White Institution, so why would If you are not knowledgeable to be willing and ready to meet
Black lives matter too.” I willingly make life harder for about the barri- them half-
another Black person because of ers queer Black way.
EFIOTU JAGUN theirQueerphobia sexuality or gender identity?
is one thing,
people face, it’s
time to edu-
If you’d
need help in
CONTRIBUTING WRITER but queerphobia from an- cate yourself. “I challenge every Black accomplish-
other Black person hurts me Google is free.
police interactions, face discrimi- on a level I can’t describe. Attend the organization (including ing this, or
are not sure
nation in the workplace, health- In the words of Audre Lorde, training and fraternities and sororities) where to
care and our personal lives, as “...the master’s tool will never events hosted start, talk to
well as experience negative men- dismantle the master’s house. through the to participate in student me.
tal and physical consequences They may allow us temporar- whole year trainings hosted by the A number
from this discrimination. ily to beat him at his own game, by the LG- of you are
On top of that, queer peo- but they will never enable us BTQIA+ Re- LGBTQIA+ Resource Center.” probably not
ple in the Caribbean and Af- to bring about genuine change.” source Center, pleased with
rica are being slaughtered If we truly want to eradicate which is sup- what I’ve
and imprisoned every day. anti-Blackness, we must address ported by the said, and to
Two things can be true at all forms of oppression, such as hard work of its Black Assistant be honest, I don’t care.
once: yes, classism, sex- Director. Queer, Black people have
Black people ism, religious Talk to your queer friends. been here since the beginning
face racism, bigotry and If you don’t have any (that you of time, and we are not going
but we of- queerphobia. know of), come and talk to me, anywhere. Get used to it.
ten turn the “If we truly want to O t h e r w i s e , or just walk into the Resource Here’s another banger from
same spirit eradicate anti-Blackness, we are just slap- Center in the Flag Building. Audre Lorde: “There is no
of bigotry
onto our we must address all forms ping a Black face
on top of White
Lastly, I want to direct- such thing as a single-issue
ly call out the Black Student struggle because we do not
queer coun- of oppression, such as supremacy. Organizations on campus. live single-issue lives.”
terparts. I am using Have you ever made any sort All lives will never matter un-
I per- classicism, sexism, religious this platform of attempt on campus to engage less Black Lives Matter. How-
sonally am bigotry and queerphobia.” to call Tech’s with queer, Black students? ever, your Black life will not
starting to Black commu- You don’t have to become rain- matter until all Black lives mat-
decrease my nity to action. bow warriors, but at least state ter, including the Black people
social media Even if you explicitly that you support us and that don’t go to a fancy school
usage. don’t engage in discriminatory will actively try to welcome us. or have a fancy degree or the
Not because I’m addicted, behavior yourself, your silence I challenge every Black orga- ones you plain don’t like.
but everytime I go on YouTube, speaks loud enough. nization (including fraternities Black life cannot matter until
Tiktok, Instagram or that bird We criticize the Institute’s and sororities) to participate in queer, Black lives matter too.
app and see Black queer people administration for the same be- student trainings hosted by the If you would like to help me
anywhere, the comments are havior, but whenever the top- LGBTQIA+ Resource Center. make a difference, please contact
filled with hatred and bigotry. ic of LGBTQ+ rights comes I want to see Black orgs partner me at ejagun3@gatech.edu.

Entertainment
Royel Otis: new kings of alt rock
JENNA GUIHER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Move out of the way
Tame Impala and Arctic
Monkeys, Australian gui-
tar-pop duo Royel Otis are
the new princes of alterna-
tive music. Vocalist Otis
Pavlovic and guitarist/bass-
ist Royel Maddell debuted
their first full-length album
“PRATTS & PAIN” to
listeners on Feb. 16.
Although they have been
compared to Passion Pit and
MGMT, Royel Otis has cul-
tivated a genre of their own,
drawing inspiration from
the British rock bands of
the 1970s and the modern,
synthesizer-based sound of
the early 2000s. Pavlovic’s
nonchalant, monotone lyric
delivery evokes a sense of in-
die melancholy in their music
while Maddell’s bass drives
each of their songs with a
deep and haunting rhythm.
With more than four mil-
lion monthly listeners on
Spotify, Royel Otis has ac-
cumulated an intense follow-
ing, selling out their entire
Australian tour and most of
their North American tour
this upcoming year.
The band’s most popular
song is the groovy, bass-heavy
“Oysters in My Pocket,”
which originated as an inside
joke between Pavlovic and
Maddell. Additionally, the
band recently covered Sophie
Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the
Dance Floor.” The video went
viral on TikTok, amassing al-
most nine million views.
“PRATTS & PAIN”
was produced by Grammy
Award-winner Dan Carey. In
Gutarist and bassist Royel Maddell and vocalist Otis Pavlovic, who make up duo Royel Otis, sit in front of their
amplifiers. The duo is from Sydney, Australia and just released their first full-length album “PRATTS & PAIN.”
a recent Instagram post, the
band explained Carey’s influ-
ence on the album title, “Dan
would ask us to record vocals,
and we’d say, ‘Just give us
half an hour, we’re popping
to PRATTS & PAYNE,’ and
we’d have a pint, a few shots,
and get some lyrics down.”
Royel Otis kicks off the
album with “Adored,” a fast-
paced, head-bopping song
that elicits an unexplainable
sense of anxiety through
the inescapable tempo and
rushed lyrical execution.
The chorus merges a jan-
gly guitar riff with Pavlovic’s
repeated whines of, “In my
head.” The urgent and unset-
tling indie beats of the song
make it the perfect first taste
of “PRATTS & PAIN.”
“Fried Rice” is a standout
on the duo’s album.
The nostalgic verses con-
trast with an angst-ridden
chorus that was born to
be shouted at summertime
music festivals: “‘Cause I’m
never gonna rust / My blan-
ket’s soaked / My headache’s
gone / Now come on Eileen.”
Pavlovic’s nonsensical lyrics
and off-handed mention of
Dexys Midnight Runners’
“Come On Eileen,” add to
the overarching whimsy and
mystery of the track.
The next song is “Foam,”
which Royel Otis calls
“an ode to all those who
need their mouths washed
out with soap.” Pavlovic
sings, “Think you need to
stay off the prowl / It’s pil-
ing through your crooked
teeth / I’m here to floss it.”
These blatant allusions
to dentistry create an eerie,
psychedelic environment for
listeners to live in.
technique
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR:
8
Cole Murphy
ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR:
Emily Piper Friday,
February 23, 2024
entertainment@nique.net
A WREK and Technique collaboration
SPOTLIGHTING BLACK ARTISTS
Black
Dave
Girl
Photo courtesy of Royel Otis The Internet, KAYTRANADA
Royel Otis’ debut album merges classic rock with X-Wing
modern alternative pop in a fun and psychedelic record. Denzel Curry
Dancing
The band also uses copi- along song for the upcoming bLAck pARty
ous sonic experimentation to summer months. Charcoal Baby
try out different sounds. For Finally, the album’s part- Blood Orange
example, “Sonic Blue” sees ing song is “Big Ciggie.” The Forbidden Fruit
Pavlovic’s vocals reaching a track has a vintage, glam J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar
new level of peculiarity and rock aesthetic, reminiscent Alright
fervor, and “Velvet” uses a of David Bowie’s “Alad- Kendrick Lamar
pounding, old-school piano din Sane.” Maddell’s funky Don’t Touch My Hair
to power the song’s cadence. guitar riff is the life force of Solange, Sampha
This 1960s-esque instrumen- the song, and it bids a classy Doo Wop (That Thing)
tation packs a vigorous punch and confident farewell to the Ms. Lauryn Hill
to the chorus: “I’m suffering, album’s listeners. Bag Lady
I’m suffering, I’m suffering, As a whole, “PRATTS & Erykah Badu
suffering, suffering.” PAIN” is a refreshing take on Keep Ya Head Up
“Sofa King” is the al- the indie rock genre. 2Pac
bum’s dreamy climax. Even Some tracks may feel Father Time
though it was previously repetitive and bizarre, but Kendrick Lamar, Sampha
released in an earlier EP, the album forms a solid Ms.Jackson
the song fits perfectly into base for the band to build Outkast
“PRATTS & PAIN,” con- their empire. Garden (Say It Like Dat)
necting the anxious, hurried It is safe to say that the SZA
energy of the first half of the duo’s success is not fleeting, No Scrubs
album to the calm leisure of and the talented pair will con- TLC
the second half. tinue to grow their unique, Heatwave
The song’s simple, sunny eccentric style. “PRATTS & Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
chorus makes it the per- PAIN” is just the beginning Beating Down Yo Block
fect windows-down, sing- for Royel Otis. Monaleo
Crazy in Love
Beyoncé, Jay-Z
Please Mr.Postman
The Marvelettes
Let Me In
H.E.R.
On My Mama
Victoria Monét
Foolish
Ashanti
New Apartment
Ari Lennox
Smoke
Mary J. Blige
If You Care
Post-Modern Connection
City On A Hill
Mon RovÎa
Purple Haze
Jimi Hendrix
Sweet Life
Frank Ocean
Funny Thing
Thundercat
Social Call
Samara Joy
Celebrate (He Lives)
Fred Hammond
Koroba
Tiwa Savage
Video
India.Arie
HISS
Megan Thee Stallion
Photo courtesy of Vasili Papathanasopoulos
nique.net + wrek.org
// ENTERTAINMENT
School of Music wows with recent performance
YASHVINI DEVA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
On Thursday, Feb. 15, there
were almost no open seats in
sight as the audience waited for
“Romantic Masters VIII: Ein
deutsches Requiem” to begin.
Presented by the Institute’s School
of Music, the performance saw the
GT Symphony Orchestra, Cho-
rale, Treble Choir and Chamber
Choir performing together at the
Ferst Center for the Arts.
The concert began promptly at
7:30 p.m. with an opening perfor-
mance of “Ram Tori Maya”, com-
posed by Reena Esmail. With the
GT Symphony Orchestra playing
the backing music, Aditya Hin-
goo and Dhruv Pargai delivered
a soulful and moving perfor-
mance of the song. Even though
it was introduced in the digital
concert program, many viewers
had still expected a direct launch
into “Ein deutshces Requiem.“
However, the opening perfor-
mance set the stage perfectly for
the main act to come.
After Hinggo and Pargai left
the stage, Chaowen Ting, the
conductor of the GT Symphony
Orchestra, stepped down from the
conductor’s podium and took the
time to say a few words — both
about the opening performance
and the one about to begin.
She spoke about how both
pieces were tributes to those who
live after the dead have left and the
beauty there is in that. Ting high-
lighted how even though “Ram
Tori Maya” and “Ein deutshces
Requiem” may have come from
very different places geographi-
cally (India and Germany, re-
spectively), they both have the
same underlying spirit of being a
tribute to life in the present. She
commented on how beautiful it is
that such concepts can transcend
geographical borders and appear
in the same medium.
The Georgia Tech Symphony Orchestra, Chorale, Treble Choir and Chamber Choir all performed
“Romantic Masters VIII: Ein deutsches Requiem” together at the Ferst Center for the Arts.
The night’s surprises had just
begun as Ting introduced two so-
loists to the stage: Amanda Sher-
iff, a soprano who is currently a
Glynn Studio Artist at the Atlanta
Opera, and Calvin Griffin, a Bass-
Baritone who will be returning to
the Metropolitan Opera for the
2023-2024 season. Both soloists
were clad in concert formal, mir-
roring the sea of concert black
from the students behind them,
and took a seat at the front and
center of the stage.
With this final order of busi-
ness settled, Ting took to the
conductor’s podium to begin “Ein
deutsches Requiem,” or translated
to “A German Requiem.” The
piece consisted of seven move-
ments, which together lasted
slightly more than a hour. The
first movement began with the or-
chestra starting the instrumental
track as the choirs sang the first
line of the piece, which translated
to “Blessed are they that carry sor-
row, for they shall grow consoled.”
The second movement started
with a similar sentiment; the
choir sang a haunting line, which
translates to, “For all flesh, it is as
grass, and all the glory of man-
kind as the grass’s flowers.” This
technique • February 23, 2024 • 9
Photo by Yashvini Deva Student Publications
movement was significantly lon-
ger, but the moment of silence at
its end was captivating. The end
of each movement was poignant;
the abrupt shift from the sym-
phony of music to just the sound
of turning pages served as a di-
vider between movements and a
time for the audience to reflect
before the performers launched
into another emotional act.
Both the soloists, Sheriff and
Griffin, performed separate so-
los with the accompaniment of
the orchestra. The performances
were breathtaking, and it was
amazing to hear the strength
in their individual voices as op-
posed to the power of almost
100 voices singing together. Each
was beautiful in its own way, but
something was especially haunt-
ingly beautiful about hearing
so many voices singing about
the value of grief together.
The choirs had an impres-
sive unity, almost sounding like
a singular voice. This was espe-
cially impressive considering that
Chorale, Treble and Chamber are
three different choirs that usually
meet and rehearse separately.
This idea of grief as a gift
rather than a burden was carried
throughout the entire perfor-
mance. In some parts, the orches-
tra brought the choirs through
the movements — matching
the ebbing and flowing of the
voices. In others, the choirs took
the backseat as the audience was
invited to fully immerse them-
selves in just the instrumental
parts of the composition.
This seamless give-and-take
between the orchestra and the
choirs was a testament to the
time and effort each student had
put into the concert. Orchestrat-
ing a concert that involves almost
non-stop playing and singing for
an hour is no easy feat. Students
spent countless hours outside of
their own organization rehears-
als practicing together to do
Brahms’ composition justice, and
they most definitely did.
Tech is not a school that is
particularly known for its arts
programs, especially its music
programs. It was inspiring to see
so many students on the stage and
so many supporters in the audi-
ence, united by a singular thing:
their passion for music.
To learn about other concerts
happening within the School
of Music in Spring 2024, go to
music.gatech.edu to view the
concert schedule and other ex-
hibits currently being hosted
by the School of Music.
10 • February 23, 2024 • technique // ENTERTAINMENT

Black directors bring different perspective to film

EMILY PIPER
ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Black filmmakers have expertly

used their platform to both show
the tribulations of the past and
present and define a new, inclusive
future. Overcoming the obstacles
of discrimination, these contribu-
tors’ voices have upended the in-
dustry and shone a light on a new
filmmaking perspective.
One of the most well-known
directors to defy classic Holly-
wood tradition is Jordan Peele. As
a famous comedian, filmmaker,
producer and screenwriter, Peele
upended the cinematic indus-
try with a creative eye for social
commentary. His directorial de-
but was in 2017 with the horror
film “Get Out” starring Daniel
Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield and
Allison Williams. This, however,
was not the beginning of his jour-
ney in entertainment.
Peele stepped foot into the
industry through his comedic
stunts on “Mad TV,” a sketch
series competing with “Saturday
Night Live” until its end in 2016.
After leaving, he started the com-
edy show “Key & Peele” with fel-
low comedian Keegan-Michael
Key and founded Monkeypaw
Productions company.
Shortly after, the world saw the
immensity of his talent beyond
the camera as a skilled screenwrit-
er of a new style of horror films.
Beginning with “Get Out” and
continuing with 2019’s “Us” and
2022’s “Nope,” each narrative is
rooted in very real issues. Peele ex-
plained how, “The only way I will
ever attempt to create anything
again is to be vulnerable with my
own emotions, and in some way,
it has to be autobiographical. If
you’re telling a story and you’re
not bearing a part of your soul or
telling part of your truth, I think
you’re not doing that right.”
In an industry built through
the eyes of white men, the ma-
jority of films are brought to life
without an awareness of certain
people and stories. “These fears of
mine, I’ve never seen them por-
trayed in film,” he explained as he
discussed “Get Out.” “On the sur-
Daniel Kaluuya in the Oscar-winning film “Get Out” directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jordan Peele. Peele has directed two
other films, “Us” in 2019 and “Nope” in 2022. He is producing the film “Monkey Man” that will be releasing this year.
face it’s a harmless thing, but what
I wanted to point out with this
film is that it’s connected to the
deep horror of racism.”
Not only are his storylines
unique and camerawork excep-
tional, Peele’s ability to cleverly
foreshadow and build to unex-
pected twists are a large part of
his success. While giving advice
on producing a thrilling script
and narrative, Peele said, “The
process of doing sketch comedy
week after week on ‘Key & Peele’
was very much became about this
idea of jiu jitsu. If you can pre-
dict where an audience is going
to go or what they think you’re
going to do you can use that
momentum against them.”
It comes as no shock that he
became the first African Ameri-
can to win the Academy Award
for Best Original Screenplay
for “Get Out” and continues to
be nominated and win awards
with each new project.
Another force within the film
industry is Spike Lee, an Atlanta
native whose popular works are
“Do The Right Thing,” “Mal-
colm X” and most recently “Da
5 Bloods.” His narratives intro-
duce Black experiences in an
otherwise homogeneous field of
white perspectives.
Lee was born in pre-Civil
Rights Movement Atlanta, with
tensions inciting his family to
move to Brooklyn, N.Y. He re-
turned to Atlanta to study at
Morehouse College until 1979
and traveled back to New York
University (NYU) for film school.
Founding his own produc-
tion company in 1979, Lee built
40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks
to launch his introduction into
cinema. The 1980s were known
as the “new Black film wave” and
marked his success through low
budget, independent films. Begin-
ning in college, he partnered with
Ernest Dickerson, the best cam-
eraman at his school, to shoot all
of his films, from school projects
to his first feature films.
Unlike now, there was not
an easy route to raise money or
publicize films. Lee did not have
the technology to film with his
phone or send clips through so-
cial media. To produce his first
major film, “She’s Gotta Have
It,” Lee had to raise $175,000
himself to remain an indepen-
dent creator and maintain the
essence of his vision. When de-
scribing how he managed this,
he said, “It was a miracle.”
His on-the-ground fundraising
took multiple steps, but the third
stage, getting enough money to
edit the film, was the most critical.
This would allow Lee to put on
screenings for invest. Each stage
took around seven to eight months,
meaning producing his film took
years of continuous effort. “She’s
Gotta Have It” ended up earn-
ing $8.5 million at the box office,
marking his big entrance onto
the entertainment scene.
When fellow Black director
Barry Jenkins’ film “Moonlight”
took home the Oscar for best pic-
ture in 2017, Lee shared a tepid
reaction, feeling that its win had
not corrected from the lack of
diversity among the Oscar win-
ners the year before, known on
social media by #OscarsSoWhite.
Lee acknowledged the win with,
“I’m happy, but I don’t think it’s
[an] indication that the world has
changed…Winning the Oscar,
Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures
that’s not going to change the
landscape. The landscape changes
when we’re in the room.”
Aside from a successful ca-
reer as a filmmaker, Lee began
teaching at NYU’s Tisch School
for the Arts and has continued
in that role for the past 31 years.
He continues his push talented
minority filmmakers to continue
on their path despite the extra
obstacles they will face. “What
I try to instill in my students is
that they have to put the werk
in. W-E-R-K. W-O-R-K is not
gonna get you there,” Lee said.
“That hollywood scenario that
the hand of god’s gonna come out
of the sky and anoint you as the
next motherf*****-don’t go for
that. You have to werk.”
Running from last October
and ending this February, the
Brooklyn Museum welcomed the
“Spike Lee: Creative Sources” in-
stallation as a glimpse into his in-
spirations. Lee wanted the world
to have a look into the many
faces and creators that helped
contribute to where he is to-
day, just as he has paved the way
for filmmakers to come.
// ENTERTAINMENT
Black artists being overlooked in rock industry
SLOAN SALINAS
STAFF WRITER
African American culture and
musicians have always been at
the forefront of musical progress.
In fact, nearly every genre traces
its origins back to the ingenuity
of Black musicians. Such talent,
however, remains largely unac-
knowledged by those outside
communities of color, primarily
due to the institutionalized racism
and discrimination that has been
rampant within the music indus-
try since the very beginning.
Even in today’s seemingly
inclusive society, many Black
musicians face predatory record-
ing contracts, hostile work en-
vironments and significantly
fewer opportunities for suc-
cess in the music industry than
their white counterparts.
Bias against Black musicians
is not hard to spot, either. Con-
sider the Grammy Awards, which,
year after year, pigeonhole artists
of color into particular genres
like “Progressive R&B” (formerly
known as “Urban Contemporary”
before being changed due to con-
troversy), regardless of whether
their music would objectively fit
better into another genre like pop.
Black artists have historically
been discouraged from ventur-
ing into larger, white-dominated
styles of music. Genres such as
R&B pose the highest likelihood
of success for non-white art-
ists. This trend dates back to the
1940s when “Billboard” coined
the term as a replacement for the
problematic genre title of “race
music.” Industry executives be-
lieved that genre was only for
African American listeners.
This systemic restriction of
musicians of color to a limited
assortment of genres leads to
a significant underrepresenta-
tion in others. Even for the few
artists who attempt to make
names for themselves as Black
artists in predominantly white
genres, they often do not get the
recognition they deserve. This
happens often in rock.
Like most other music genres,
rock music’s foundations stand
on the contributions of the Black
community. Still, the industry
fails to give the same praise to
Black artists as they give their
white counterparts.
One could say that “rock and
roll” was born in the 1950s when
popular disc jockey Alan Freed
used the title to describe a mu-
sic style that blended elements of
various genres, including rhythm
and blues, jazz, gospel and coun-
try. Freed was one of the first
white DJs to play music by Black
musicians on a radio station
that had a white audience.
While the term may have
originated with Freed, the char-
acteristics that made the genre
unique were all derived from the
artistry of Black musicians.
Rhythm and blues, arguably
the most significant component
of rock and roll, was also, at its
core, an amalgamation of Afri-
can American culture and mu-
sical stylings. The genre began
taking shape around the 1920s,
when large African American
communities were moving from
the rural areas of the South
to larger cities like Chicago,
Harlem and Los Angeles.
Kele Okereke, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Bloc Party, is pictured above standing with his guitar on stage. Bloc Party
was first formed in 1999, with Russell Lissack playing the lead guitar, Louise Bartle on drums and Harry Deacon on bass.
Though the pioneering artists
behind rock and roll music in-
cluded names like Sister Rosetta
Tharpe, Little Richard, Chuck
Berry and Fats Domino, people
frequently associate the genre
more with white musicians such
as Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and
Buddy Holly, all of whom re-
ceived influence from the Black
musicians who came before them.
Over the years, rock music has
expanded dramatically, branch-
ing into different subgenres and
gaining more popularity than in
the 1950s. Despite their cruciality
to the genre’s birth, overshadow-
ing occurred quickly for African
American artists. Today, though,
numerous Black musicians on the
alternative scene are working to
build a following while simulta-
neously fighting against industry
stereotypes. Listed below are some
of these musicians.
JOSHUA ROBERTS AND JOE
HORSHAM - MAGNOLIA PARK
Magnolia Park is a five-part
alternative rock band from Or-
lando, Fla., made up of Joshua
Roberts (vocals), Tristan Torres
(guitar), Freddie Criales (guitar),
Vincent Ernst (keyboard) and
Joe Horsham (drums). The group
curates their sound by infusing
their music with elements of the
emo, nu-metal, pop-punk and
hardcore subgenres, with dashes
of hip-hop. The resulting instru-
mentals combine with Roberts’
standout vocals to create a sound
unique to Magnolia Park.
Promoting their music
through social media platforms
like TikTok and Instagram, the
band writes about important top-
ics that the members themselves
can personally relate to, such as
mental health struggles and, as
part of the BIPOC (Black, Indig-
enous People of Color) commu-
nity, experiences with police bru-
tality or discrimination based on
their race or ethnicities. Roberts
often talks about his experiences
within the music industry and re-
ceives comments about how, as a
Black man, there are specific
genres that he should “stick to.”
On the band’s website, a quote
from Torres, one of the band’s
founding members, reads, “Our
goal when we’re together is to
make sure the next generation
doesn’t have to face as much ra-
cial backlash for being a rock
band. In the industry, people
look at us a certain way and
try to impose things on us —
and we want to make sure the
next generation of rock bands
don’t have to go through what
we’ve been through.”
KELE OKEREKE - BLOC PARTY
London-based indie rock band
Bloc Party was first formed in
1999, making them veterans of
the alternative music world. Cur-
rently, the band’s official lineup
includes Kele Okereke (lead vo-
cals and rhythm guitar), Russell
Lissack (lead guitar) and Louise
Bartle (drums). In 2023, they
brought on Harry Deacon (bass)
as a touring member.
Critics have categorized Bloc
Party within sub genres ranging
from post-Britpop to art-punk.
Blending impressive guitar riffs
with open and raw lyrics, the
group has the versatility and skill
to move between the laid-back,
nostalgic feeling of indie soft
rock and the racing sound of 90s
punk. Some compare their sound
to bands like Joy Division, The
Pixies, Radiohead and Depeche
Mode. No matter what style they
have embraced, the band has
found success, whether embracing
the emo scene of the early 2000s
or returning to alternative rock
stylings with their newest release,
“The High Life EP.”
Throughout their discogra-
phy, the band has touched on
relevant issues such as personal
traumas, queer relationships and
experiences with racism. While
they may not be as popular as
they were during emo’s heyday,
many emerging Black artists
like Willow Smith, Genesis Owu-
su and KennyHoopla cite Oker-
eke and Bloc Party as a significant
influence, having felt inspired by
seeing a successful musician who
looked like them.
CULLEN MOORE - SLEEP THEORY
The newest of the bands on
this list, Sleep Theory began as a
technique • February 23, 2024 • 11
solo project by retired Army vet-
eran Cullen Moore and became a
duo when he met Paolo Vergara,
a bassist who had moved to the
United States from the Philip-
pines several years prior (2016).
Between 2019 and 2023, the two
musicians found two more band
members, brothers Daniel and
Ben Pruitt (guitar and drums).
The goal of Sleep Theory was
to find a way to create a hard rock
group that incorporated elements
of R&B, hip-hop and a little bit
of pop. The group saw nearly in-
stant success when they posted
a TikTok with a clip of their de-
but single, “Another Way,” and
the views and likes poured in. In
September 2023, they released
their first EP, “Paper Hearts,” a
collection of songs that show-
case just how unique the band’s
multi-genre sound is.
Emphasizing lyrical vulner-
ability and vocal experimentation,
Sleep Theory quickly rose in the
ranks of rock and metal, opening
in amphitheaters on their first-
ever tour. Though Moore is the
principal vocalist — his powerful
vocals communicate their mu-
sic’s emotional intensity — every
band member sings, contributing
harmonies and backing vocals to
the songs. Spurred by such over-
whelming success, Sleep Theory
has plans to continue working on
new music for 2024.
EDITH VICTORIA AND TÉA
CAMPBELL - MEET ME @
THE ALTAR
Not only are rock and its
various subgenres incredibly
white-dominated, but they are
also incredibly male-dominat-
ed. But Meet Me @ the Al-
tar challenges that narrative;
women of color comprise the
three-piece pop punk band.
When Téa Campbell (guitar/
bass) found Ada Juarez’s drum
covers on YouTube in 2015, the
two quickly decided to start a
band despite living in different
states. They hosted online audi-
tions for a vocalist and eventually
welcomed Atlanta-native Edith
Victoria into the band in 2017. All
three young women recognized
that they had not grown up see-
Photo by Sloan Salinas Student Publications
ing artists who looked like them
in the music they loved, so they
decided to be those artists for oth-
ers, no matter what it took.
During an interview with
“Popsugar,” Campbell said, “We
always knew that there was no
one in the scene who looks like us.
There’s no one doing the type of
music that we’re doing that isn’t a
straight white guy. That’s all that
there was. But we always felt very
comfortable with taking on that
role, because we knew that we
would want to have it. And we
were super comfortable with be-
ing that for other people.”
The band utilizes grungy,
early 2000s instrumentals and
Victoria’s cheerfully feminine
vocals to revive the sounds of
MySpace pop punk from the
eyes of BIPOC women in the
LGBTQ+ community.
Through their music, they ad-
dress topics like struggling with
self-esteem, hateful comments
online and allowing yourself to
feel the bad and not just the good.
Though they have met significant
pushback, from aggressive com-
ments on social media to open-
ing for all-white, male bands who
clearly did not want them there,
the women of MM@tA are per-
sistent and determined to carve a
place for themselves in the genre
that they love, even if it does not
always love them back.
Magnolia Park, Bloc Party,
Sleep Theory and Meet Me @
the Altar are all tackling different
areas of rock music and, in do-
ing so, are helping to ensure that
Black musicians and musicians
of color get the recognition they
should have received from the
beginning,inspiring a new genera-
tion of BIPOC kids.
However, it is essential to note
that this list was barely the tip of
the iceberg of Black artists and
artists of color beginning to make
waves in rock music.
Take the time to look into
those artists and similar art-
ists in other genres not listed,
in which people of color do not
see the representation or praise
that white musicians do. Who
knows, your new favorite artist
could be one song away.
12 • February 23, 2024 • technique // COMICS

Sarah’s Scribbles by Sarah Anderson

XKCD by Randall Munroe

// COMICS technique • February 23, 2024 • 13

Moonbeard by James Squires In the Bleachers by Ben Zaehringer

SUDOKU PUZZLES
14 • February 23, 2024 • technique
BASEBALL FROM FRONT
Burress then scored the Jackets’
first run of the season after senior
catcher Matthew Ellis sent a 108
mph double into center field. The
experience in Tech’s lineup con-
tinued to show as the senior trio of
left-fielder Trey Yunger, outfield-
er/designated hitter Bobby Zmar-
zlark and second baseman Mike
Bechetti all produced in their first
career plate appearances as Jack-
ets. Yunger and Bechetti singled
while Zmarzlark forced a walk
through good plate discipline.
Overall, Tech forced four walks in
the inning, allowing them to score
five runs on Ellis’s double and two
singles from Yunger and Bechetti.
Senior pitcher Ben King — the
Jackets’ 2023 leader in ERA —
stabilized the rotation by getting
three outs on only two batters
after an ill-advised steal attempt
from Radford graduate student
infielder Zack Whitacre. Unfor-
tunately, Radford freshman pitch-
er Trey Ludy kept the Jackets off
the board. King forced a particu-
larly impressive strikeout on a six-
pitch battle with Highlanders ju-
nior outfielder Corbin Grantham
to blank Radford in the third.
From there, Bechetti homered at
the bottom of the third to even
the score at 6-6 before Burress
hit a homer of his own to give
the Jackets the lead.
The Jackets drove in three
runs off the bats of a 2-RBI
homer from senior first base-
man/pitcher Cam Jones, double
from senior third baseman John
Giesler and single from Zmar-
zlark. They ended the inning with
a commanding 10-6 lead and
never relinquished it.
Tech softball stumble in Clearwater Invitational
BEN GORNEAU
ASSISTANT DESIGN EDITOR
The Jackets softball team
traveled to Clearwater, Florida,
to take on the annual Shriners
Children’s Clearwater Invita-
tional this past weekend. The
Eddie C. Moore Complex is the
host site for 16 programs includ-
ing ranked No. 2 University of
Tennesee Lady Volunteers, the
No. 4 University of Georgia Bull-
dogs and the No. 5 Florida State
University Seminoles.
Tech’s opponents include the
Lady Volunteers, the No. 8 Okla-
homa State University Cowgirls,
the No. 9 Stanford Cardinal, the
No. 12 Louisiana State University
(LSU) Tigers, the Northwestern
Wildcats and the University of
Minnesota Golden Gophers. De-
feating the Lady Volunteers, the
Cowgirls, the Cardinal or the
Tigers would mark the highest
ranked opponent beaten in head
coach Aileen Morales’ tenure.
The Jackets had the first pitch
of the tournament on the morn-
ing of Thursday, Feb. 15 against
Stanford. A pair of Stanford two-
run homers in the first and third
innings put the Jackets in an early
deficit. Starting right-handed
pitcher junior Sophia Voyles was
relieved by right-handed sopho-
more Jaidyn Studebaker to re-
tire the top of the third. Senior
shortstop Jin Sileo sent a two-run
blast in the bottom of the third
off right-handed Stanford se-
nior Regan Krause, who boasts a
2.33 earned run average (ERA).
// SPORTS
When Radford capitalized on
command issues from King to
make it 10-8, Tech racked up in-
surance runs. Burress hit his sec-
ond homer of the day, a bomb to
right field, to make it 11-8 while
junior shortstop Payton Green
collected his third hit of the game.
Tech freshman pitcher Tate McK-
ee came in to replace King in the
fourth inning and held Radford to
zero runs in his two innings, miti-
gating a scoreless inning for the
Jackets’ batting order. The defense
collected three quick outs off of
Radford at the top of the sixth and
Tech sealed the game in the sixth
and seventh innings. Across two
innings, Tech scored nine runs
on five hits as the Radford bull-
pen had no answers for their bats.
They ended the seventh frame
with a 20-8 lead and put in pinch Photo courtesy of Tyler Parker Student Publications
hitters for the rest of the game. Senior Bobby Zmarzlak (No. 13) celebrates a win with his teammate as Tech continues their
Excitingly, freshman catcher dominant start to the season hot, reaching 4-0 and looking to continue their winning ways.
Vahn Lackey hit an eighth-inning
home run in his first career at-bat largely due to command issues the ninth through a pristine two- fifth innings, giving Tech time
and got swarmed by his team- from the Radford starting pitcher, strikeout appearance. to add insurance runs through a
mates in the locker room after sophomore Dylan Howard, and For the series sweep, Tech gave triple and score from Giesler and
Tech’s program record-setting 21 scoring singles from Green and senior pitcher Mason Patel the Burress’s third homer of the series.
Opening-Day runs to Radford’s Zmarzlark. Green tacked on an starting nod and Radford tagged Hill handed the game over to
eight. Yunger, Green and Burress insurance solo home run to get him early for three runs, hitting redshirt freshman pitcher Carson
all had monster performances at the lead back to three following a right-field single to score Butler Ballard, who carved up the High-
the plate, each collecting four hits an RBI double from Radford grad in the first and two-RBI double in landers’ bats across a scoreless,
or multiple homers. student infielder Conner Butler, the third courtesy of redshirt ju- hitless four innings. The Jackets
Tech’s bats stayed hot on Sat- but Finatieri’s pitching kept the nior catcher Drew Biggerstaff. recorded their first sweep of the
urday in a lower-scoring, but more Highlanders at arm’s length. On a This coincided with a dor- season in the 6-3 win.
complete game on both ends. Ju- single from Ellis, sophomore out- mant stretch from Tech’s of- Tech answered those pre-sea-
nior right-handed pitcher Aeden fielder Parker Brosius scored the fense through three innings and son questions on both the plate
Finateri took the mound for Tech fifth run of the game. it looked like Radford was going and the mound, starting the 2024
and shoved across six innings of Tech iced the game in the sev- to stop the sweep. Fortunately, season off in dominant fashion.
work. He only conceded one run enth in just two plays — a timely Green quieted any worries with They will travel to Allen E.
and four hits on a career-high RBI double from Burress before one swing of his bat - a four-run Paulson Stadium in Statesboro,
eight strikeouts, giving a depleted Zmarzlak forced freshman pitch- RBI homer to deep left field that GA. to take on the local rival
Jackets bullpen some rest and see- er Mason Self to walk him with gave Tech the 4-3 lead. Junior Georgia Southern Eagles before
ing only three batters in four of his the bases loaded. In relief of Fi- pitcher Camron Hill then came returning home to take on Cor-
six frames. At the plate, Tech took natieri, Jones salted away the 7-3 in and held the Highlanders off nell in a weekend series slated to
a three-run lead in the first inning series-clinching win in the top of the scoreboard for the fourth and be held in Atlanta.
The Cardinal’s three-run fourth Makayla Coffield, leaving the scored. Tech rallied in the fourth by Coffield in the third. Cof-
inning ended Studebaker’s two Jackets down by eight points in to cut the 1-6 deficit to 5-6. field only gave up one run in the
strikeout appearance. the bottom of the seventh inning. The next two sides saw the Go- fourth before the Wildcats offense
Tech paced the Cardinal be- Black sent a run home on a single phers and the Jackets trade two piled on nine runs in the fifth in-
hind sophomore catcher Reese before a late three-run homer by runs, one being a two-run homer ning against Coffield, Dennis and
Hunter’s second home run of the Domingue, however Tech fell to by Allen to bring Tech back within Voyles. Graduate student Ashley
season . Fifth-year righty Chan- LSU by four runs, dropping 8-12. a single run, 7-8, in the top of the Miller closed the game for the
dler Dennis took the circle in The Jackets looked to carry fifth inning. Minnesota extended Wildcats, holding Tech to one hit
the fifth to stall Stanford down their strong offensive showing into their lead by three in the bottom and striking out three before the
4-7. Tech scored two runs before their Friday, Feb. 16 game against of the sixth. Junior right fielder game was called at 6-19.
Stanford answered with six runs the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Madison Dobbins stole home off The remaining games against
in the sixth inning. The Jackets Minnesota took a 0-1 lead in the an error and junior pinch hitter the University of Tennessee Lady
were unable to rival the Cardinal’s bottom of the second. Junior cen- Emma Minghini sent an inside Volunteers and the Oklahoma
hot bats behind another Hunter ter fielder Ella Edgmon batted in pitch to the fences to tie the game. State University Cowgirls were
homerun and a double by Sileo Vukadinovich with a single in the The Gophers hit a walkoff single cancelled due to inclement weath-
to score right fielder Paige Vuka- top of the third inning. Stude- to take the game 11-12. er conditions. The Jackets showed
dinovich. The game was called at baker collected a career-high four Saturday, Feb. 17 saw a hot grit and offensive prowess at the
7-15 after the sixth inning. strikeouts in the 2.1 innings of Northwestern Wildcats collect Clearwater Invitational, putting
Right handed junior Kinsey her first start as a Jacket, however their third win in 5 innings this up nine home runs despite stutter-
Norton got the start for the Jack- she surrendered four runs in the season. Tech scored a run in each ing to a 3-7 record. Tech returns
ets in their 2:00 game against the bottom of the third and Coffield of the first four innings with three home to reset and rebound be-
LSU Tigers. Tech retired the top came in to relieve her. Coffield in the fourth but Neleman gave fore hosting the I-75 Tournament
of the first in order. After LSU retired the side with another run up nine runs before being relieved this coming weekend.
committed two errors with the
bases loaded, designated hitter
Sara Beth Allen and third base-
man Mallorie Black scored for
a 2-0 lead. LSU’s right handed
pitcher,3.00 career ERA junior
Raelin Chaffin, stifled the Jack-
ets’ offense through the fifth
inning as she struck out five
Jackets while keeping Tech off
the scoreboard. The Tigers then
tagged Norton, Studebaker and
fifth-year Blake Neleman for nine
unanswered points, putting the
Jackets down 2-9.
This deficit became eight
points before Black went yard for
one run and freshman Gracyn
Tucker drove in graduate student
Tiffany Domingue. The Tigers Photo courtesy of GTAA
returned with two of their own Tech look to hit a critical run against the ninth-ranked Stanford Cardinals during the
against left-handed freshman Clearwater Invitational as they attempt to extend their winning streak to three games.
// SPORTS
Triumph at Clemson; Heartbreak in Raleigh
DANIEL WOOD
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
On Thursday afternoon, Tech
women’s basketball traveled up to
Clemson, S.C. to face off against
the Tigers. The Jackets won the
series’ first game in a nail-biter
at McCamish Pavilion, so the
Tigers definitely wanted to prove
that win was a fluke.
Tech came into this game
needing the win if they were going
to have any chance of an at-large
bid in the National Collegiate
Athletics Associations (NCAA)
tournament next month.
Early on, both teams mostly
traded buckets, but the Jack-
ets then took command of the
game after a 13-2 run in the
second quarter. Three Jackets
scored in double figures during
the game, but a 12 point first
half from freshman guard Rusne
Augustianite gave Tech the early
edge. Even though the Tigers
found themselves in a nine point
deficit heading into the second
half, they were not going to go
away without a fight.
The Tigers lept back in front
in the third quarter, outscor-
ing the Jackets by 15 points due
to shooting woes from the Jack-
ets. Tech shot a mere 19% from
the field in the third quarter and
found themselves down six points
heading into the final quarter.
Throughout the game, the
Jackets got no production from
sophomore guard Kara Dunn, but
in the fourth quarter, she came to
life . Dunn shot 4-6 from the floor
and 7 for 7 from the free throw
line, dropping 15 points in the fi-
nal quarter to put the Jackets on
top. Even a late three from Clem-
son star guard Ruby Whitehorn
Jacket Snap Losing Streak Against The Orange
RISH DESAI
TECHNOLOGY EDITOR
Tech entered the week with
three consecutive losses and were
looking to bounce back in their
road matchup against Notre
Dame. The Fighting Irish entered
the contest against the Jackets
with a 3-10 record in ACC play,
including a win against Tech ear-
lier in the season. Notre Dame
was also coming off of a 74-66
win against Virginia Tech.
The game was going to be a de-
fensive battle as Notre Dame is
last in offensive efficiency across
the ACC, but second in defensive
efficiency during conference play.
The first half was a back-and-
forth affair with neither team
able to get a hold on the game.
Tech held the largest lead of the
first half with a 17-11 advan-
tage with just under 10 minutes
left in the first half.
The Fighting Irish began to
heat up from beyond the arc and
were able to make multiple three-
point shots to take the lead. After
taking this lead, the Jackets went
on a scoring slump and did not
score again until the 6:08 mark in
the first half, leading to a 20-22
Notre Dame lead.
The Fighting Irish kept the
momentum and headed into half-
time with a 31-28 lead. Tech’s
uneven first half has become a
common trend: spurts of strong
Sophomore guard Tonie Morgan (No. 5) looks to find the opening in the NC State defense
during the game as she hopes to find a scoring opportunity in the 86-85 overtime loss.
was not enough as Dunn ended
the game at the free throw line
and Nell Fortner’s squad declawed
the Tigers, 64-63.
Not only did Dunn drop 24
points, sophomore guard Inés
Noguero finished with a double-
double highlighted by 11 points
and 10 rebounds. Tech’s guard
play was too much for the Tigers
to handle and this was the exact
victory the Jackets needed head-
ing into their game against highly
ranked N.C. State.
After defeating Clemson, the
Jackets would have arguably their
hardest game of the season, in
Raleigh against the no. 6 ranked
Senior guard Kyle Sturdivant (No. 1) locks down Syracuse’s Sophomore Judah Mintz (No. 3)
as he looks to make a critical defensive stop in Tech’s 65-60 win against the opposing team.
play on both sides followed by
scoring slumps.
Junior guard Miles Kelly
led the offense out to a strong
start out of the half as he scored
or assisted on the Jackets’ first
nine points. He quickly helped
them turn a 31-28 deficit
into a 37-32 lead.
Freshman forward Ibrahima
Sacko kept the scoring going for
the Jackets and made his presence
NC State Wolfpack. The game
tipped off Sunday at noon and
the Jackets immediately got off to
a hot start. Tech shot 10-13 from
the floor and 2-3 from behind the
arc in the first quarter to secure a
small two-point lead.
Heading into the second quar-
ter, the Jackets continued their
shooting prowess by nailing five
three point jumpers as well as
shooting 50% from the floor. Tech
held the Wolfpack to under 50%
from the floor but struggled to
keep them off the offensive glass.
The Wolfpack grabbed eight more
offensive rebounds than the Jack-
etsh. The third quarter continued
Photo courtesy of Knox Lingenfelter Student Publications
known down under the rim. The
Jackets slowed down on offense,
and Notre Dame was able to re-
gain the lead with just over eight
minutes to play in the game.
Both teams would go on to
trade leads the rest of the way.
With less than two minutes left,
Kelly committed a costly turnover
that the Fighting Irish were able
to turn into points and make it a
56-53 game. With 38 seconds re-
technique • February 23, 2024 • 15
Photo courtesy of Jaylynn Nash GTAA
back and forth as Dunn, Augusti-
naite and sophomore guard Tonie
Morgan continued their strong
play. Morgan finished the game
with 23 points and 11 assists.
Going into the fourth quar-
ter, Tech went up three points
and tried their hardest to hold
on. The Jackets maintained a lead
throughout the quarter despite
stellar offensive play from Wolf-
pack junior guard Aziaha James
who would finish the game with
30 points. Morgan converted a
three-point play with about two
minutes to go, putting the Jackets
up by three points. The Wolfpack
were able to tie it up and after an
maining, Notre Dame got the ball
back with a one-point lead and
missed their shot. Tech was un-
able to come up with the rebound,
and a pair of free throws from the
Fighting Irish closed out the game
58-55 in favor of Notre Dame.
After being swept in the sea-
son series against the Fighting
Irish, the Jackets were look-
ing to snap their losing streak
against the Syracuse Orange.
empty possession for the Jackets,
James and the Wolfpack had a
chance to win it.
James drove to the hoop and
put up a shot that rattled off the
iron and into the hands of her
teammate Saniya Rivers, who fin-
ished an and-one bucket to put
the Wolfpack up by three with
nine seconds to go.
Everyone in the stadium
thought the game was over, but
Dunn still had something to say
about it. Fortner took a time-
out to reset and then the Jackets
inbounded the ball from half
court and Dunn hit a miraculous
three pointer to tie the game and
send it to overtime.
Overtime didn’t start how the
Jackets wanted, as the Wolfpack
took an early six point advantage.
With time fleeting in the game,
junior forward Kayla Blackshear
hit a couple of free throws to
shrink the Wolfpack lead.
Following a Jackets defensive
hold, Dunn made a miracle three
point heave with the shot clock
winding down, stretching the
Jackets within one of the lead.
Needing a stop to take the lead,
the Jackets s had a chance to win
the ballgame. With just a couple
of seconds on the clock, Nogu-
ero passed up an open three and
dished it to Morgan, who took it
to the rack and threw it up for the
win, but the Tech magic had run
out and it missed the net. Tech
fell 85-86 in overtime to number
six ranked N.C. State.
Tech will return back to
McCamish Pavilion to finish
their home season against top
ranked Louisville on Thurs-
day, Feb. 22 and then play
Senior Night against Miami
on Sunday, Feb. 25.
The Orange entered with a 7-7
record in conference play and a
16-9 overall record.
As the game began, Tech got
off to a slow start and fell into a
quick 9-2 deficit. Senior guard
Kyle Sturdivant gave the offense
a spark with his scoring and
playmaking ability. He turned
it into a 13-12 game.
After Syracuse was able to get
an early seven-point lead, no team
was able to establish a big lead.
Throughout the first half, fresh-
man forward Baye Ndongo en-
sured his presence was felt in the
paint on both a scoring and re-
bounding level. The Jackets went
into halftime with a 34-30 lead.
Tech would go on to take a ten
point lead, 48-38, with just under
12 minutes to play. The Orange
fought back to take the lead, 55-
54, with over five minutes left in
the game. Sturdivant made a big
shot to regain the lead, 57-55.
Entering the final minute of
the game, the Jackets led by one
point. Sturdivant found junior
guard Kelly for the bucket to
extend the lead to three points
with 31 seconds left. Both sides
traded free throws to close out
the game, but Tech successfully
ended their losing streak with a
65-60 win over Syracuse. The Or-
ange have been a quality middle-
of-the-pack team in the ACC,
and the win should boost the
confidence of the Jackets.
Sports
UEFA Champions League enter the Round of 16
JOE HENDERSON
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
The early matches of the Union
of European Football Associa-
tions (UEFA) Champions League
Round of 16 have concluded and
many teams have stamped their
claim to the most coveted trophy
in European soccer. As always,
there are a variety of underdogs
looking to etch their name in his-
tory as Cinderella stories while the
veteran stalwarts compete to add
to their storied legacies. Manches-
ter City and Real Madrid have
been favorites for the Champi-
ons League since last year’s edi-
tion ended with Manchester City
hoisting their first Champions
League trophy in team history.
City have continued their
strong form in this year’s com-
petition by winning all six of
their group stage games despite
both legendary midfielder Kevin
De Bruyne and superstar striker
Erling Haaland missing signifi-
cant time due to injury. City car-
ried their excellent group stage
play into the Round of 16, tak-
ing down Copenhagen 3-1 with
goals from midfielders Bernardo
Silva, Phil Foden and De Bruyne.
Their strongest rival, Real Ma-
drid, has also shown great form
thus far, winning four out of their
six group stage games. They are
led by exciting young midfielder
Jude Bellingham, who joined the
club in the summer. Real Madrid
have won the coveted trophy 14
Hank Aaron leaves legacy on and off the pitch
JACOB HAYES
STAFF WRITER
In the annals of baseball his-
tory, few names resonate with the
impact and significance of Hank
Aaron. Beyond his legendary feats
on the field, Aaron’s journey as
an Black player during a tumul-
tuous era of racial segregation
and civil rights struggles defined
his legacy as much as his athletic
prowess. His contributions to the
game transcend statistics, em-
bodying the fight for equality and
the breaking of racial barriers in
America’s favorite pastime.
Born in a segregated Mobile,
Alabama, in 1934, Henry Louis
“Hank” Aaron faced the harsh
realities of segregation-era Jim
Crow laws from a young age.
Despite the societal constraints
of the time, Aaron’s passion for
baseball was unwavering.
His journey to the major
leagues was fraught with a mul-
titude of challenges, starting in
the Negro Leagues with the In-
dianapolis Clowns before mak-
ing the massive leap to the Major
League Baseball (MLB) with the
Milwaukee Braves in 1954.
Aaron’s entry into the majors
was a testament to his extraordi-
nary talent and a sign of slowly
changing times, as the league in-
tegrated only seven years earlier
with Jackie Robinson’s debut.
SPORTS EDITOR:
Rohan Raman
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR:
Joe Henderson
sports@nique.net
Manchester City look to keep their repeat title hopes alive and become the first back-to-back
UEFA Champions League champions since Real Madrid won three straight from 2015 to 2018.
times, the most in Champions
League history. Madrid showed
their pedigree in the competition
by taking down RB Leipzig 1-0
thanks to a deadly strike off the
foot of midfielder Brahim Díaz
to send them to the quarterfinal.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
should also be considered favor-
ites, but their group stage per-
formances have left much to be
desired. They barely qualified for
the Round of 16 on goal differ-
ence. Despite their shaky form,
PSG will always have a chance
thanks to having arguably the
best player on the planet, forward
Kylian Mbappé. Mbappé has per-
formed excellently throughout his
Hank Aaron, a Black athlete, broke societal and baseball barriers to leave an everlasting legacy
for future generations that goes beyond just the records books and statistical accolades.
Aaron’s impact on the field
was immediate and profound.
Over his 23-year career, primarily
with the Braves (who later moved
to Atlanta) and briefly with the
Milwaukee Brewers, he became
one of the game’s greatest hitters.
Aaron’s most celebrated achieve-
ment came on April 8, 1974, when
he hit his 715th home run in front
of a raucous crowd at the Atlanta-
Fulton County Stadium while
Jackets took down Notre Dame and
fought No. 6 NC State in women's
career in the Champions League
since he announced him to the
world at AS Monaco, but he hasn’t
been able to lift the trophy. This
year will be PSG’s last chance to
win the Champions League with
Mbappé thanks to him announc-
ing that he will be joining Real
Madrid after his contract expires
at the end of the season. PSG will
hope to capitalize on their last op-
portunity and finally bring the
premier European trophy to Paris.
Outside of the favorites, many
teams have dreams and the ability
to win the Champions League but
need some help. Leading the pack
in this group are Bayern Munich.
Bayern had championship aspi-
wearing a Braves uniform, break-
ing Babe Ruth’s long-standing
record. This moment was more
than a sporting milestone; it was a
beacon of progress in the ongoing
struggle for racial equality.
Aaron achieved this in the
face of intense racism, receiv-
ing death threats and hate mail
from those who could not accept
a Black man surpassing a white
baseball icon’s record.
Split Ticket
basketball games.415
Photo courtesy of Adam Davy Associated Press
rations heading into the season
but this season has not gone to
plan. Bayern added striker Harry
Kane to an already prominent at-
tacking force, but the team has
failed to show their true quality,
despite Kane securing 35 goals
and assists in just 29 games over
all competitions. Barcelona is
another historical powerhouse
showing signs of not being able to
keep up with the top teams. Bar-
celona has struggled in the league,
falling far behind Real Madrid.
The club has also gone
through a lot of destabilization
due to a lack of financial stabil-
ity and their manager and club
legend Xavi Hernández an-
Photo courtesy of Neil Leifer Sports Illustrated
Beyond the home run re-
cord, Aaron’s contributions to
baseball were manifold. He fin-
ished his career with 755 home
runs, a record that stood for
more than three decades.
He remains the all-time runs
batted in (RBI) leader (2,297)
and is in the top three for career
hits (3,771). His consistency and
excellence earned him 25 All-Star
selections, an MLB record.
technique
16
Friday,
February 23, 2024
nouncing that he will leave the
club at the end of the season.
A new age of teams has
emerged throughout Europe to
challenge the established power-
houses. The younger teams that
have talent but lack the experi-
ence include Napoli, Arsenal and
Borussia Dortmund. Both Napoli
and Arsenal exceeded expecta-
tions last season in their domestic
league, finishing first and second
in the Italian and English leagues
respectively. Dortmund also had
a strong title charge but collapsed
on the final matchday to limp
into the Round of 16. All three
of these teams are exceptionally
talented but lack the experience
that is critical in the competition.
Finally there are the tourna-
ment’s Cinderella stories that can-
not expect to be here next season,
but must capitalize on their op-
portunity to make a deep run in
the premier European competi-
tion. These teams include Lazio,
Atlético Madrid, PSV Eindhoven,
FC Porto, FC Copenhagen, Real
Sociedad and RB Leipzig. All of
these teams performed exception-
ally well to crack the Round of
16 but will be facing an uphill
challenge to make it further.
The Champions League is
one of the most anticipated com-
petitions in the world and will
lead to high-level soccer be-
ing played across the following
rounds. Teams will have to be
at their very best through every
single match to lift one of club
football’s most coveted trophies.
However, Aaron’s influence
extended beyond his on-field
achievements. He was a formida-
ble force for civil rights that used
his platform to advocate for racial
equality and social justice. Aaron’s
dignity and resilience in the face
of racism set a powerful example
for future generations of athletes.
Off the field, Aaron’s legacy
continued through his philan-
thropic efforts and advocacy for
minority hiring in baseball.
He established the Hank Aar-
on Chasing the Dream Founda-
tion to help children develop their
potential. His post-retirement role
in the Braves’ front office further
emphasized his commitment to
opening doors for Black Ameri-
cans in all aspects of baseball, not
just on the diamond.
Although he sadly passed
away in 2021, Aaron’s iconic #44
was retired by Georgia Tech for
the 2021 college football season.
Bobby Dodd was lit up blue in re-
membrance of his life.
Hank Aaron’s contributions to
baseball as a Black man cannot
be overstated. He broke records
and barriers with equal aplomb,
navigating the racial discrimina-
tion of his time in sports with
both grace and strength.
His legacy is not just the sum
of his statistical achievements
in baseball, but also the indel-
ible mark he left on the game
as a Black player.