VOLUME X ISSUE I

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2013

Letter from the Board

In addition to serving as a creative outlet for the JCU community, one of The Matthew's other goals is to respect the environment. One of the ways we are trying to do this is by limiting the amount of copies we print and making each issue of The Matthew availableonline. Even in these stressful times with midterms and paper deadlines, be sure that you're not neglecting your responsibilities as a student to keep our campus green and clean. Good luck!

Vatican Media Frenzy Following Pope Benedict XIVs Shocking Announcement

By Lauren Cater Contributing Writer After Pope Benedict XIV announced his shocking decision to resign from what was to be a life-long role, St. Peters Square transformed from a tourist attraction and sacred Catholic capitol into a political hotbox for the international media. Priests and nuns were interviewed in English, French, Spanish and Italian. Dozens of tourists crowded around the gates and fountain photographing the crowds. Off to the side, a group of students gathered on a school trip, their cameras pointed toward the legendary architecture and away from the commotion. The people, lights, and cameras combined resembled a celebration, but it was apparent that the pontiffs announcement left many perplexed and saddened. The resignation of a pope is a great anomaly. Benedict XIV will be the rst to resign in 600 years. He leaves the Vatican with less than eight years served of his original lifelong commitment. The pope was elected to the papacy in April 2005.

Assad, the Reformer

By Micayla Burrows Contributing Writer Many nations have demanded that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad resign. Its apparent the conict is partly about the religion of Assads regime, which only 11 percent of the population practices. The protestors want democracy and have elected Moaz al-Khatib President of the National Coalition for Opposition Forces and the Syrian Revolution who is recognized by most of the world as the sole representative of the Syrian people. Khatib is a Sunni Muslim along with the majority of Syrias population, an estimated 74 percent. He said he would implement Sharia Continued on Page 2

Italians Vote for Change

By Asia Colombo Contributing Writer In Italy the same people are usually elected over and over again, such as Silvio Berlusconi who has served as prime minister three times since 1994, and who ran again this year. This election brought many of the same leaders to the forefront but also many unknowns. Beppe Grillo's MoVimento 5 Stelle was the big surprise this year capturing about a third of the Italian vote. Grillo is not part of a party, but a movement. Italians believe he is revolutionary. Professor Andrea Lanzone, adjunct assistant professor of history and assistant dean of student academic affairs, said that Grillos form of communication may not always be appropriate, but his ideas are certainly refreshing. The Partito Democratico, led by Pierluigi Bersani and the Popolo della Libert, led by Berlusconi were the other big winners. When Berlusconis government fell last year and Mario Monti was selected to lead the government there was hope for change. Lanzone said, Monti helped to improve Italy's image abroad and his experience in the European Union commission was invaluable. Italy is a country with culture, history and knowledge, but the state simply has not invested much in education. Education means redening, modernizing and evolving; moving on from the past, starting from the politicians. In Italy everyone ghts for survival. The absurdity of it all is that Italy has accepted this as a "normal" lifestyle with no hope for change. Italy must follow what its Continued on Page 2 1

Index Page 2..........Politics / Opinions Page 3..........Opinions / Fiction Page 4..........Campus Life / Travel Page 5-6......Observing Rome

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POLITICS / OPINIONS

Assad Continued From Page 1 Vote for Change Continued From Page 1
Law if he was the countrie new leader. The world grieves at the death toll now reported at over 60,000 since the start of the Syrian uprising in March 2011. However, the outcome of Assad stepping down may not be the solution. The Syrian uprising following the Arab Springs movement, which started in Tunisia and Egypt has been chaotic and has left all of these countries in a states of political instability. President Assad has been running a secular dictatorship, much reformed from his father, since taking over in 2000. While Assad supports freedom of religion, freedom of speech is completely infringed upon; hence the uprising and the use of force against peaceful protesters. Its no wonder the United States has not intervened; in conjunction with the fact the U.S. isnt signicantly impacted by loss of Syrian oil. If the choice is between secular dictatorship and religious democracy, who do you side with? constitution says, forget about its image and focus more on the true issues, such as the government. It is time that Italians become aware of this, and start to become prouder of the great nation that hides behind the image of a nation that does not exist. Italy is not only made out of politicians, much more is there to be discovered and be proud of.

Power Over Justice: A Voice for Women

By Diane Bayeux Contributing Writer At the age of 15, when most teenagers are focused on schoolwork, dates and parties, my mother was the victim of a vilent act in Istanbul. Her rst time was not special, it was rape, it was awful and she was left to deal with the emotional, physical and psychological burdens of the violence. Her attackers were between the ages of 16 and 18 and came from wealthy families. In Turkey, as in most Middle and Far Eastern countries, reputation, wealth and power prevail over justice, so my mother never told anyone about her rape. Stories like my mother's are not uncommon in Turkey. Two years ago, Turkeys highest court ruled that a 20-year-old woman consented to the sexual abuse that she endured when she was just 13-years-old. She was sold by two individuals to a group of 26 men, who consisted of a gendarmerie captain and village guards who raped her repeatedly during a seven-month period. The trial was rst held in a Southeastern province of Turkey. The accused were given short sentences, from one to four months for good behavior in court. Statistics published by the Turkish Ministry of Justice found that the number of women killed has increased by 1,400 percent between 2002 and 2009, showing, according to human right activist Leman Yurtsever, the willingness of women to report abuse, but as well as an increase in violence. Yurtsever, who along with human rights lawyer Erik Keskin has been a foster mother to the woman, said, "Men in Turkey, be it husbands, fathers or politicians, cannot bear that women demand equal rights and make their voices heard." Another example is the 2012 gang rape of a medical student in New Delhi, India. Six suspects attackeda 23-year-old woman and brutally raped her while she was with her male friend on a bus. The attackers also robbed them and dumped them on the side of the road. The woman who was badly injured in the attack, suffered from an infection and died in December after being own to Singapore for treatment. Her attackers have pleaded not guilty and Continued on Page 3

SORREASY for Madagascar Charity Concert a Great Success

The JCU STAND Chapter hosted the SORREASY For Madagascar benet concert in February to help raise funds for local artist and JCU Alumni Riccardo Vitalones upcoming trip to Madagascar. The concert included a number of performances by Vitalone, current JCU students and even professors. The event successfully raised over $500 euros that will also be used to purchase medical supplies. STAND would like to thank everyone who attended and participated in the event!

In the photo: Riccardo Vitalone (left), Christine Modafferi (center), Professor Michael Driessen (right). Photo by Matthew Carlebach.
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Power Over Justice Continued From Page 2

their trial started at the end of January. Protestors have taken to the streets and demanded that ve of the men receive the death penalty. If tried as a minor, the sixth attacker, who was 17years-old at the time of the rape, will be tried as a juvenile and the maximum sentence he will receive is three years in a reform facility. The manner in which these cases will end is still unknown - justice might be overshadowed by power. Nonetheless the fact that they are being spoken about means that more womenaretelling their storiesand, unlike my mother, they are not suffering in silence.

The Girl On Cobblestones by Maheen Humayun

She entered Rome, the city of seven hills, in search of color and passion. In Trastevere, she saw the beauty of the city, history, art and literature all together in one neighborhood. She was lled with energy when she awoke the next morning. It could be described as the thrill of a new city or maybe a new life that was calling, but she knew it was something. There was something in the air that morning, there was something greater, something bigger surrounding her as she put on her boots and her coat and set out to explore the city. She began the day in Piazza Trilussa, sitting there soaking in the sun that seemed so rare at this time of the year, looking out at the Tiber and then deciding to cross the bridge for the rst time. She began her journey afraid of the overwhelming trafc, but at the same time bursting with excitement for what was to come. She looked out at the Tiber, remembering the myth of Romulus and Remus and the she-wolf that reminded her so much of Mowgli's life from the Jungle Book. Each moment seemed to be a fairytale. She walked by the maple trees, still a gorgeous crimson from the fall, awestruck. Then there were the fascinating people on the streets - playing music, painting and sketching. Then she came across a woman sitting by a makeshift stall of drawings. She stopped and was charmed by this woman's ability to capture Rome on a tiny piece of paper. The woman began conversing with her in Italian, and from her limited knowledge of the language she responded bene, bene, as that was all she could come up with. But then, the woman began speaking in English. She spoke about her live for drawing and her passion for art. She spoke about the hard of artists today, even in a city like Rome where art prevails. She said that the money was limited, but when someone truly appreciative stops by. It makes up for it. She said when someone admires art for what it really is that's when she feels like she's accomplished something. The girl was speechless. Here she was in a new city, talking to a stranger on a bridge, yet this stranger understood, she understood more than anyone had in her entire life. That was why she decided that this was the place for her. Rome, the city of seven hills, the city of lost artists, the city of life.

I Love You

by Diane Bayeux
I love you. Anna waited her teenage years to hear these three words. She would practice every day after school in front of her mirror. A mirror was convenient. If the answer was not the expected one, she could see how she would react during the fatal moment and eventually master in the art of indifference and bravery, not the misery hidden deep inside. Never did it occur to her why she anticipated this moment so much. Never did it occur to her why it was so important to tell him that I love you. Was it his hair (blond and messy, but beautifully soft), the way that he spoke (always adding gestures to his words), the way he ordered everything precisely (chocolate on the side please, not on top of the

cake)? She asked herself the same questions she had at the age of ve. Ten years have passed and the questions remained unanswered. Do you know how much I love you? Her mother was the rst to daunt her with these inexplicable words. Her mother constantly repeated that she loved her all the time: when Anna woke up, before she left the house, when she went into the living room to take a pen, when she took a break during her piano study, when they sat on the couch to watch a movie. So much that sometimes Anna would forget the meaning of those words and lose the appreciation of pronouncing them. So much that it became a habit rather than a declaration. So much that it bothered her to say these three words. I love you. Three simple words, only eight letters. A

simple subject-verb sentence, nothing too complex or too reective, nothing to be alarmed of, nothing too grammatically challenging. It felt emotionally smothering though. Before moving her lips, before even forming the words in her head, she imagined herself drowning in an ocean, barely seeing the light of the sun, moving her body, but never being able to reach the surface. When she was ve-years-old, her best friend decided that she would be the love of his life. She quivered at the sound of these three words. I love you. She knew what they meant, but she loathed the expectations and symbol they held. She practically loved everything: the pink bike with purple ribbons on the pink basket her father offered her, the grass, jumping on the Continued on Page 4 3

THE MATTHEW

CAMPUS LIFE / TRAVEL seemed like we were walking through a hurricane. The wind whipped, the rain destroyed the cheap umbrellas we were armed with and wind burned the skin on our faces. Once we returned to Mestre in the evening, we were convinced that we would not experience a sunny Venice as we had to return to Rome the following day. But when we woke up in the morning and opened the curtains, the bright yellow rays blinded our eyes and quickly our bodies were energized with excitement. Packing as fast as possible, we giddily prepared to get to Venice to experience the nice weather. Venice was a ghost town the previous day, barely anyone or any Carnevale masks could be seen. Yet, getting off the bus that morning, it became hard to walk down the tiny sidewalks as long-nosed masks stuck out from left to right. Men, women and children were all dressed in elegant attire. Masked visitors posed for photos and children ran around the streets showering one another in confetti. The sun glistened off the canals and gondolas inched newlyweds and young lovers across the water. Walking as fast as we could through the crowds, we tried to take in as much of Venice as we could in our limited time. After catching the gorgeous view from Rialto Bridge and taking a few photos we said goodbye to the masked celebrators and made our way back home. second half saw four substitutions and three more goals for JCU. Claudio Passalacqua replaced the yellow carded Zyad Masoud in the center mideld role. The substitution brought about an attacking mentality and an unstoppable momentum. Cesare Cacciapuotis eye for a goal was as good as ever as the center back headed in the teams third goal off a corner kick. Sergio Romano scored the fourth goal as EUR started to fall apart. Ricardo Escobar and Josh Hernandez made appearances throughout the game while Alfonso "Poncho" Salvatore had an unusually uneventful evening as he recovered from the u. Baranyanka secured the obvious win with his second goal of the match and JCUs fourth. The long distance effort found its way over the goalkeeper and into the net. A sideline celebration followed. The Gladiators have since played two games and are now 2nd in the rankings. More to come!

Venice in the Winter

By Daniel Karambelas Contributing Writer When we arrived in Venice, it was a cold and wet February evening. The rain steadily fell from the dark Italian sky as we asked for directions to our hostel in broken Italian. The hostel was located in Mestre, a neighborhood just a short 15-minute bus ride away from Venice. The following day, the weather was just as terrible, if not worse. We tried to make the best of it as we got lost on the winding side roads that align green canals with parked gondolas. After taking in the old city and being taken aback by the Madonna della Salute, we were in desperate need of warmth and hospitality and we ducked into the rst restaurant we came across. Our mistake was expecting good food from a restaurant called "Pizza and Pasta Every Time". It was easily the worst pizza we had ever eaten in Italy, maybe the worst in our lives, and the pasta, offered with the pizza every time was also subpar. We did, however, nd good food later that night. It was a nice restaurant along the Grand Canal called "Ai Scalzi". We ordered bruschetta and calamari. Atop the toasted bread of the bruschetta sat a surplus of diced, juicy, red tomatoes that were hard to gather in one bite. The calamari were fried to a perfect crisp and with the squirt of lemon, they tasted unbelievable. The weather continued to have its effect. It

Gladiators Season Underway

By Zyad Masoud Contributing Writer The Gladiators picked up their swords and took to the pitch once again for the second half of the 2012-13 Campionati delle Universit di Roma. John Cabot University (JCU) hosted the eighth seeded Universita Europea di Roma (EUR) at Vittorio Bachelet, their homeeld. The Gladiators conceded no shots, but scored ve goals that helped them place fourth in the overall standings. Pierre Baranyanka opened the scoring minutes of the match with a sneaky shot past the goalkeeper to the far post. Baranyanka served as captain during the game for the second time this season as Sergio Romano sat on the bench. Ethan Zertucha made his rst appearance since suffering from an ankle injury last semester. He chased a long pass at around the 18th minute to sweep the ball past the goalkeeper and score for the rst time this season. The rst half whistle blew and JCU already had a 2-0 advantage. The

I Love You Continued From Page 3

grass, laying on the grass, sleeping on the grass, painting owers on every piece of paper she found, being pulled up by her grandfather and her mother in the streets. She never fancied the idea of loving a boy. Her best friends love attered her. She thought she began to feel butteries in her stomach when it hit her: she didnt love him back and she was certainly not ready to love him back or even pronounce the fatal words. She was not interested in holding hands or sitting on the bench with him during breaks while her friends played. These three words imprisoned her in a world she was not ready to be in yet. Ten years later, she realized she was still not ready. The butteries she felt were the aftermath of being introduced to an unraveled world, to a different world from the one her mother cocooned her in. Looking at her mirror, she decided to wait and view the world as it is: unexpected moments interconnecting between each other. 4

OBSERVING ROME

THE MATTHEW

Life in Tiber Cafe

By Katherine Frazier Contributing Writer The atmosphere is light. There are students everywhere just relaxing while they wait for their next class to start. The smell of pasta, pizza and every kind of Italian cafeteria food is in the air as lunch is being served here in the Tiber Cafe. Everyone looks dressed to impress, which is usually the case at the beginning of the semester. The girls look cute with their fashionable boots accompanied by either a trendy sweater or dress. The guys just seem to know how to dress. They rock pea coats, leather jackets, sweaters, scarves and every other fashionable thing a male can wear. Some students sit, while others laugh and talk with friends. The hot topic seems to be what the plans are for this upcoming weekend. Just like English, the Italian language can be heard across tables everywhere - it's such a beautiful language to hear, even if you do not understand every word of it. Soon, lunch hour will hit and the cafeteria will buzz. It reminds me of a beehive with students who hurry past each other to get their cappuccino or any kind of food they can get their hands on. As soon as they get their trays of goodies, they sit with their friends, adding to the hum of voices around. It creates a sort of a melody. Then, just as quick as they come, they depart to their various classrooms leaving only the echo of their voices behind.

Cold Ponte Sisto

By Abigail Lewis Contributing Writer The frigid winter breeze pushes pedestrians along Ponte Sisto bridge. Only a few stop and gaze into the river watching the murky water eddy and swirl, as they listen to the trickling sounds caused by the wind. Some couples hop up onto the bridge wall and huddle closely together as they engage in amorous conversations and caresses. The air, however, is devoid of life. Its cold and still. The trees that line the banks are like gray skeletons, dangling their bony limbs downwards into the water. This bridge that connects Trastevere with the bustling nightlife of Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navona is eerily beautiful, even on this cold, winter day.

Fontana di Trevi's Magical Atmosphere

By Alexa Shearer Contributing Writer There is a slight breeze in the air. It blows little droplets of water off the fountain and spraying me with mist in the face. All of my senses are illuminated. Its much different being here at night, when the crowds of tourists have gone back to their hotels, and all that remains are some local young people, two or three romantic couples, and of course those persistent salesmen who ask if they can take my picture. I say no thank you and go back to my peaceful duty of sitting, relaxing and observing. Its midnight, and its a different place, yet it is still Rome: the Eternal City. It is so quiet, so peaceful, yet somehow, so alive. I look around, I suddenly realize that all the sounds of the city, all the chatter has been mufed. The sound of water owing from this enormous fountain makes me feel as if I am sitting under a waterfall. But when I listen closely, the sounds of the city still exist. I hear a burst of careless laughter emerge from a couple sitting next to me. In the distance, a Vespas motor roars as it picks up speed and drives off. Nearby the sound of clanging dishes inform me that the local restaurants are closing for the night. I am so pleased to be here. I forget about reality for these brief moments and rest my chin in the palm of my hand and curiously wonder what the Carabinieri men across the way are discussing as they suspiciously eye their surroundings. I turn my head and look down. I see crushed rose petals, a broken bottle, an old receipt and the remains of a cigarette still smoking. I ponder the possibilities of who could have left these items here and make up a story in my mind of what could have happened just a few moments before I arrived and sat in this very spot. My imagination gets the best of me and I lose track of time, just staring off into the rock, marble and clear waters. I look at my watch and decide it would be best to go home and get some rest, so I stand for the rst time in an hour and stretch my arms and legs. I start to walk away, and take it all in one last time. Taking a deep breath I smell cigarette smoke and fountain water, but somehow to me this feels like fresh air. I exhale; it feels so good to be here. I turn around, take one last good look and begin my journey home. Until next time, Fontana di Trevi. 5

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Sunny Trastevere
By Jennifer Samson Contributing Writer The day has nally come: a break in the clouds and a glimpse of sunshine. Rome has been plagued with constant rainfall for weeks and it seemed as if these long, dreary days would never end. But hope is just over the horizon and spirits are beginning to lift. The smell of rain is still oating through the air, but the birds are chirping away as the streets of Trastevere are bustling. This rare occurrence is being thoroughly enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Small groups of children are gallivanting all over the playground as their parents watch on cautiously. Natives take their dogs on daily walks, a task that is much more comfortable under clear skies. Street vendors try to entice buyers to come over and look at their extensive inventory of good for sale. Tents lled with boots, jewelry, sweaters, handbags and other miscellaneous items line the street. The farmers market around the corner is stocked and full of fresh fruits and vegetables just begging to be taken home and enjoyed - apples, oranges, green beans, potatoes, sh and red meat. For now, everything in Rome is back to normal, or so it appears to be, during this bright, sunny day.

EDITORIAL BOARD
Advisor - Rosamaria Mancini
By Lauren Cater Contributing Writer

Enchanting Piazza

Editor-In-Chief - Matthew Carlebach Managing / Layout Editor Anna Prosvetova Copy Editors - Tariro Mzezewa, Daniel Karambelas, Serena Zippo

This morning, the picturesque Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere was lled with charm that only Rome can offer. Piazza Santa Maria was crowded with people enjoying a surprisingly warm winter day. After days of downpour, the square was bathed in sunlight and a stir of fresh activity. The piazza is home to the historic Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere. The 12th century basilica, one of the oldest in Rome, is characterized by its majestic portico entrance and striking clock tower to match. Atop the campanile is a statue of the Madonna and Child. Construction of the basilica was started by Pope Calixtus I and completed under Pope Julius I's reign. Santa Maria in Trastevere is believed by many Romans to be the rst place Mass was openly celebrated. Piazza Santa Maria has always been a long-celebrated part of Trasteverian life among natives and visitors alike. Though historians and art lovers admire the piazza for its architectural splendor, it's best known around Trastevere as a popular, friendly place to meet up and enjoy the day. Today was no exception. While passers-by stopped to appreciate the scene and tourists gathered to photograph the famous basilica, locals also stepped out to relish in the new sunshine. A group of elderly Roman women sat outside a cafe in the corner of the piazza, playing cards and laughing as they enjoyed their late morning brunch. With winter coats draped on the backs of their chairs and cappuccinos half full, the ladies' rendezvous did not resemble a typical winter morning, but rather a warm spring afternoon. As the Roman women continued their fun, children chased each other around the piazza's iconic octagonal fountain. Their mothers, with cigarettes in hand, sat on the steps of the fountain chatting and watching the children play. Rome was lled with joy this morning as Piazza Santa Maria welcomed, perhaps, the rst glimpse of spring.

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