Editor’s note: This column contains sensitive content about domestic abuse which may be triggering. The 911 operator knew who my roommate and I were when we called. We’d give them the address and they filled in the rest of the details themselves.
It showed an image of my church, the title reading, “Williamsville church holds Holy Thursday Mass despite stay at home order.” Confusion set in. “This must be a mistake,” I thought. I clicked the link and couldn’t believe my eyes.
Last weekend, the NFL Draft gave us a much-needed break from COVID-19. But after tasting live sports for the first time in over a month, our palate is even stronger for something — anything — to come out of the sports world. I don’t profess to know what comes next, but I do have the advantage of being around — metaphorically now — UB Athletics as a sports editor for The Spectrum. Here’s a brief look at the state of UB Athletics, and answers to some of your questions:
Editor’s note: This was the speech I planned to submit to the College of Arts and Sciences’ student speaker contest before UB moved commencement to a virtual ceremony.
I need a green card. I have never wanted something so desperately in my life. But now, faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, I don’t know if that’s going to be a possibility anymore. As an international student, I feel like I am continuously left in the dark by the school and the government. It is hard to plan my future and feels like I can be thrown into uncertainty at any moment.
States like Georgia and Tennessee plan on reopening businesses and loosening social distancing guidelines by next week. But some athletes are already ahead of the game. Instead of throwing a ball around, a handful of professional athletes are throwing caution to the wind.
My life revolves around sports, so it’s becoming more and more difficult to find things to keep myself occupied. The only TV I watch is sports, the only conversations I have with my dad and my brother are sports (to my mom’s disdain), the only Twitter accounts I follow are sports-related, the only pictures I have in my room are sports memorabilia and I want to pursue a career in sports journalism, so without sports I’m lost.
While the platforms we’re reading about seem incredibly encouraging and a large number of students are hoping to take part in our student government next year, we’ve decided to not endorse candidates for SA president, vice president or treasurer.
"We’re currently facing a situation that was completely unexpected and quite frankly, tremendously disheartening."
Over the last week, the world that we live in has changed considerably from what it was when we started this semester. But I don’t have to tell you that.
Editor's Note: This letter remains in the condition it was sent and has not been edited.
I never anticipated writing this one. Last week, as Gov. Cuomo moved SUNY schools to a “distance-learning” model for the remainder of the semester in response to the coronavirus, our staff had to make a decision.
My friends call me “the mayor.” When they walk around campus with me I stop and say hi to everyone. I get it from my dad: A blind confidence that makes a person feel comfortable so that 10 minutes later, we’re laughing like old friends. It’s what makes me a good journalist, and I like being well known. But I don’t just do it because I’m friendly. It’s also a defense mechanism.
We don’t typically associate rape culture with college athletics. But maybe we should. Harvey Weinstein. Larry Nassar. R. Kelly. Bill Cosby. We have finally turned our ears to the cries of their countless victims. But the #MeToo movement is bigger than the individuals. We ignore the system that allowed these men to commit countless sexual offenses, vandalize the lives of their victims and leave countless people damaged, scarred and traumatized. This same system serves as the foundation of college athletics.
I was kept prisoner by a three-digit number for years. Every morning, the first thing I would do when I got out of bed was step on the scale and allow whatever arbitrary number appeared to dictate my day.
When I walk down the street with my significant other, I know people look at us. Some of them catcall. Some whistle. And I know why. It’s because I’m holding hands with a woman.
*This column contains sensitive content about sexual assault which may be triggering. Harvey Weinstein is sitting in Rikers Island jail right now, awaiting a March 11 sentencing for two felony sex crimes.
Every kid grows up waiting for those big milestone birthdays that define their path to adulthood. Many idolize turning 16 because they can’t wait to get behind the wheel of a car. Others look forward to 21 so they can have their first legal drink. But I always looked forward to 18 so I could finally fulfill my civic duty to vote.
My insurance company hates me. In the last six months, I’ve had two visits with my primary care physician, three with my gastroenterologist, I’ve filled three prescriptions, had two rounds of bloodwork and one surgical procedure.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The UB Foundation has not released its list of current investments and, when asked Wednesday, did not comment on if it is investing in fossil fuels. UBF Executive Director Ed Schneider wrote in a statement that UBF does not comment on “specific investments in its portfolio.” This letter was not edited for grammar.
Solutions by The State News
