Vol. 32 #19 02.27.17
Vol. 30 # #.#.#
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Final frontier or terrifying void? Either way, it sure is beautiful! Cover photo by Jaden Moon // AS Review Viking Union 411 516 High St. Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360.650.6126 Fax: 360.650.6507 Email: as.review@wwu.edu as.wwu.edu/asreview @TheASReview facebook.com/theasreview © 2017. Published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University. The AS Review is an alternative weekly that provides coverage of student interests such as the AS government, activities and student life. The Review seeks to enhance the student experience by shedding light on underrepresented issues, inclusive coverage, informing readers and promoting dialogue.
IN THIS ISSUE 5 Get lost in the
Alternative Library
This little-known library is housed in Bellingham’s storied Karate Church. One reporter dives deep into its shelves.
6 Check out the Planetarium
Western has its own planetarium for students to enjoy! Find out what awaits within its walls.
8 What’s playing at the Pickford?
The Pickford Film Center is a great source of entertainment for those who want a unique offering.
10 Wednesday Night Concert Series
INVICTVS is coming to the Underground Coffeehouse. This rockrap group sometimes defies classification.
11 Classes for fun in the sun
Spring quarter is quickly approaching. Don’t waste it in a stuffy lecture hall. Get ahead with these fun, interactive classes!
12 “Tapped”
screening
This documentary raises awareness of the damage done by the commercial bottled water industry.
We welcome reader submissions, including news articles, literary pieces, photography, artwork, letters to the editor or anything else physically printable. Please limit letters to 300 words, include your name, phone number and year in school. Send all submissions to as.review@wwu. edu. Published letters may have minor edits made to their length or grammar. The AS Review is distributed via electric bicycle, the purchase of which was made possible by the Sustainable Action Fund Grant Program.
Morgan Annable Alexandria Baker Ricky Rath Erasmus Baxter Julia Berkman Josh Hughes Chris Beswetherick Photographers Jaden Moon Janna Bodnar Adviser Jeff Bates
Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Writers
ABOVE: Check out the VU Gallery (VU 507) to see a myriad of art by students in the U.S. and Canada. More photos on page 7. Photo by Ricky Rath // AS Review
02.27. 2017 • 3
EVENTS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS AS Films presents: “Moonlight”
Feb 28 // 6 p.m. // Arntzen 100 // Free
Follow Chiron on his journey from little boy to grown man. Don’t miss this beautiful, Golden Globe-winning film when it comes to campus.
Perception of Self
Mar 1 - 8 // 4th Floor of the VU (Lobby E) // Free
Check out a wide range of artwork by your fellow students that reflects how they see themselves amidst a sea of stereotypes and stigmas.
Success, Failure and Survival on the World’s Highest Peaks
Mar 1 // 7 p.m. // Miller 152 // $5
Western alum Garrett Madison, a highaltitude mountain guide, will share his stories of leadership, business, mountains and dreams.
Wednesday Night Concert Series: “INVICTVS”
Mar 1 // 7 p.m. // Underground Coffeehouse // Free
This three-member hip hop ensemble, including the AS’s own Jonah Falk, will bring a high-energy set to this week’s concert.
Resistance Through Self Care
Mar 2 // 4 -8 p.m. // VU 565 // Free
Enjoy food, reflection and self care with the Social Issues Resource Center. Where else could you make your own stuffed animal on a Thursday night?
Too Good To Waste
Mar 2 // 12:30 - 4 p.m. // Red Square // Free
Learn how to make your own compost bin for your kitchen or dorm room to cut down on waste and save money.
“Tapped” documentary screening
Mar 2 // 6 p.m. // Viking Union 552 // Free This documentary focuses on the sociopolitical and environmental issues surrounding the bottled water industry.
Planetarium show: “Dynamic Earth”
Mar 2 // 7 p.m. // Spanel Planetarium (3rd Floor Haggard Hall) // $10
This award-winning event combines satellite data and simulations to showcase the flow of energy from the sun to the atmosphere, oceans and biosphere. The audience will experience everything from the vastness of outer space to the depths of the ocean. Order tickets at the box office; tickets are not sold at the door.
Top Ten: Feb 27 - March 5 1
Coloring Book Chance the Rapper
2
Manatee Commune Manatee Commune
3
We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service
4
Coast Modern EP Coast Modern
5
Ty Segall Ty Segall
6
The Olympians The Olympians
7
Run the Jewels 3 Run the Jewels
8
Migration Bonobo
9
Oczy Mlody The Flaming Lips
10
A Tribe Called Quest
Two Vines Empire of the Sun KUGS is the Associated Students’ student-run radio station. Listen online at kugs.org. If you’re interested in getting on the waves, pick up a volunteer application in the station’s office on the seventh floor of the VU.
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Western’s bank supports DAPL, has history of predatory practices BY ERASMUS BAXTER
T
he Associated Students in an awkward situation. In November, the Associated Students board of directors issued a resolution of solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. “[The AS] support the efforts of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to preserve Native burial grounds, to maintain cultural heritage and to preserve Treaty Rights against the harmful transport of fossil fuels across vulnerable and protected lands,” the resolution read. However, the university’s current banking situation means that the Associated Student’s funds are held in an account at Wells Fargo, one of the financial backers of the DAPL. Mary Moeller is the AS Vice President for Business and Operations. She says that there is support among the AS board for divesting from Wells Fargo, but they are unable to separate from the university’s bank due to the way that funds are managed. Student fees that fund AS programs are placed into the university’s general fund. From there they are distributed between the AS, Department Related Activities Committee (colloquially known as “DRAC,” this committee covers music, forensics, theatre, dance, publications, and international affairs association), varsity athletics and sports clubs. The AS then distributes their chunk into specific programs. However, the money never actually leaves the university account until it’s spent. Any movement of funds is just an accounting device.
“It seems like it’s impossible for the AS to not use Wells Fargo, because we go through the university [for our banking],” Moeller said. However, she sees room for the AS to push the university to move to a local credit union, like the Whatcom Educational Credit Union instead. “I think now would be a good time to begin pushing for [divestment from Wells Fargo] with the political climate and Seattle divesting from Wells Fargo,” Moeller said. “We have a pretty strong case to make because our money is closely tied to [the fund].” Wells Fargo has been having a rough year. In September of 2016, Wells Fargo was fined $100 million by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for widespread fraud. Employees had been routinely opening fraudulent accounts and credit cards in customers’ names. In addition to the fines, Wells Fargo was required to repay $2.6 million in fees that had been inappropriately charged to customers. Wells Fargo has also been targeted by activists for its financial support of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and investments in private prisons. As a result, the cities of Seattle and Chicago, the states of Illinois and California and the University of California system have all cut ties with Wells Fargo in the last 6 months over a combination of these issues. Even more customers have closed their personal accounts in protest. Currently, Western contracts with Wells Fargo for
banking services. Western’s accounts total $5 million to $6 million, according to Paul Cocke, Western’s director of communications and marketing. “It is important to note that, unlike changing a financial institution for an individual, which can easily be accomplished in a day, changing financial institutions for a large university such as Western is complex and time-consuming,” Cocke said. “In the case of the City of Seattle, according to media reports, the city council ordinance does not end the city’s relationship with Wells Fargo immediately. The ordinance says instead that it will not renew its contract with the bank when it expires at the end of 2018.” Western’s contract with Wells Fargo is up for renewal next year, and the university will undertake a competitive bid process open to all financial institutions, according to Cocke. For her part, Moeller says she plans to meet with WECU to talk about submitting a proposal when the bidding opens. In the meantime, she is considering a resolution by the AS board to ask Western to move away from Wells Fargo. Raquel Wilson is the Business Manager in the Dean of Students Office at the Viking Union. She believes that student input could have an impact on the choice of a bank. “The university responds to students,” Wilson said. As of February 17, university administration had not heard from any student groups about divesting from Wells Fargo, according to Cocke.
22nd annual “Beyond Borders” exhibit graces VU Gallery’s walls
BY MORGAN ANNABLE
A border is a line that separates two things. Most borders in the world, physical or otherwise, are human constructs. The new exhibit in the VU Gallery, called “Beyond Borders,” seeks to reach outside of those boxes of national and cultural isolation and “remind viewers and participants that art has the power to transcend all boundaries,” as the exhibit description states. Upon entrance to the gallery, visitors are greeted by the sight of white tendrils of fiber cascading from the ceiling in the middle of the room. This centerpiece by Renee Cheesman, entitled “Purification of Guilt,” aesthetically represents a waterfall caught in a moment in time, but upon closer inspection the piece yields additional treasures such as buttons, pebbles and paper scrolls. Those familiar with the famous six-word story commonly attributed to Ernest Hemingway should pay particular attention to the details that hang within the strings. Don’t be distracted by the spectacle of Cheesman’s work; the art on the walls is worth your time as well. Jessica Bloom’s archival pigment prints, located just to the right of the entrance, incorporate beautiful swirls of natural colors (primarily greens, blues and browns) that are evocative of bird’s-eye view photographs of a coastline. A plaque on the wall describes each of the three prints as “portraits,” adding an air of mystique to the works, which do not include any literal representations of humans. Rebecca Giordano’s works are equally thought-provoking and detailed. One of Giordano’s pieces, entitled “96 Allergens,” takes on both visual poetry and anatomy; it is filled with small details that keep the viewer searching for more. The other, entitled
“Community,” features several sets of hands. Some of the hands look like they might be communicating in sign language. One pair could be playing the piano. Each pair is separate from the others but nearby, prompting questions about the relationships between one set of hands and the next. Very different from the other works in the exhibit is the pair of drawings by Kameron Peck. These whimsical, comic book-esque scenes are really one in the same. On the right is a pencil and ink version, on the left, the same image with digitally-added color. Natalie Milsap’s “Glitch” is a visual synthesis of physical media and the digital age. This acrylic painting portrays a pixelated scene with bold reds, greens and blues. “Knot #1” and “Knot #2” by Eleanor Ortland share similarities with Botticelli’s renderings of Dante’s “Inferno.” The ink drawings show intertwined humanoid creatures. Some wear animal masks, others wear hoods, and their faces show a range of complicated emotions. The pieces seem to depict the simultaneous crudeness and tenderness of humanity. These pieces and more await visitors to the VU Gallery. Stop by Monday through Friday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. On March 9 the gallery will host a reception from 6 to 8 p.m., at which point the top artists (chosen by a panel) will be announced. The exhibit closes on March 10.
See page 7 for some beautiful photographs of a few of the works in the exhibit. The VU Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Library by day, venue by night BY JULIA BERKMAN
02.27. 2017 • 5
How the Alternative Library is Keeping Bellingham Well-Rounded
Of the many show venues and DIY spaces in Bellingham, the Alternative Library- otherwise known as Karate Church- is one that has a history as famous as its current reputation. The Alternative Library- housed in the landmark otherwise known as Karate Church- was recently renovated this past year, and she looks good. Two twin “tree trunks” extend from the floor up to the second level. The front stage is lined with bookshelves- in fact, the whole place is lined with bookshelves. You see, what once was just a Presbyterian Church became a Karate Dojo, which then became a library. From humble and odd beginnings the Alternative Library sprung up, and with it, another Bellingham music venue was born. The Alternative Library touts itself as a cooperative lending library and community center with a focus on independent works and publications. They have a diverse and contemporary supply of books for you to read. Their shelf labels range from “Mystical Realism” to “Political Drama”. Right now there are over 7,000 books in their private collection that you can rent out for a $5 eternal membership. There are even community spaces you can rent out for classes, events, or shows. If you’ve ever been to the Karate Church for a show, you know that actually, most shows take place in their under-construction basement. However, the show I attended at Karate Church was up in the library, giving it an intimate and casual vibe. “Calm + Chill” was, as the name would suggest, both calm and chill. First up to the stage was Colin Murphy, who gave a soulful acoustic set. Drawing on feelings of summer, close friendships, and even nihilism, Murphy gave an astounding performance. He set the mood of the show as a relaxed and introspective one.
Up after Murphy was Dylan Freeman, under the name Ego Arcadia, who chose the bold move of playing with his back to the audience. Was he nervous? Was it part of his performance? Did he simply have to read his music placed on the stage? Who knows. As perplexing as it was, he still gave a beautiful and harmonious acoustic set. Using nothing but a guitar and some pedals, Freeman layered his own melodies and chords over themselves like a musical pretzel. After Ego Arcadia came Capture Infinity! The musical project of Nathan C. Malik sounded like the type of music you’d hear while driving at night through an empty city. Whining guitar pedal hits layered over looped melodies and soft bass gives Capture Infinity! an Explosions in the Sky sound. His set seemed to hypnotize the crowd with his repetition and steady drum beats. Finally up was Chandler Trey Johnson, a folk singer-songwriter with a lo-fi twist. Much like Murphy, his vocal set ended the evening the way it began. The shared feelings in their songs of love, companionship, and nature were reminiscent of Wilco and Dr. Dog. The Alternative Library put on a great show, one very different from many shows on the scene in Bellingham. There have been complaints recently of the house show scene becoming too hardcore, too full of moshing. It felt as though this show at the Karate Church was a reaction to the all-too-popular aggressive atmosphere that has been prevalent lately. The Alternative Library is definitely a place to check out, day or night.
The Alternative Library is housed in Bellingham’s iconic Karate Church venue. The building has a long and unique history. Photos by Janna Bodnar // AS Review
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Above the library, dazzling shows await at Spanel Planetarium BY JOSH HUGHES
Ever wondered what on earth lies behind the mysterious locked door on the third floor, southwest side of Haggard Hall? If you have, you might want to directing your attention just left of the door, where there is a sign that reads “Spanel Planetarium.” All the same, it does have an air of mystique to it, and it’s easy to miss if you don’t frequent that specific area of the library. So, joking aside, what really happens inside the “Spanel Planetarium” and how can students get involved with what occurs behind its foreboding, locked door? To get to the entire bottom of that, we can start at 1959, when construction on the facility started after Dr. Willard Brown donated a Spitz Model A-2 pinhole star projector to Western. The model could project over a thousand naked-eye stars, the sun and different phases of the moon, as well as both northern and southern skies. While plenty of small changes occurred over the next decades, nothing vital happened to the planetarium until 2004 when the facility got a major upgrade which included a new projector and plenty of nitpicky technological advances. Finally, in 2014, the school installed a Digistar 5 projection system, the “world’s best selling and most advanced fulldome digital theater system,” taking us to where we are now. Renamed in 2013 after Dr. Leslie E. Spanel, a beloved professor of physics at Western who passed away in 2002, the planetarium now hosts weekly public shows from its remote corner in Haggard Hall. Each quarter the presentations change, usually featuring two major shows that play either on Thursday or Saturday. This quarter, the two films playing are “The Secret Lives of Stars” and “Dynamic Earth,” both of which will play until the very end of winter quarter on March 16. “The Secret Life of Stars,” narrated by Sir Patrick Stewart of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and
“X-Men” fame, will be playing only one last time this quarter, on Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m. The film, clocking in at only 30 minutes, focuses on the vast assortment of stars in the universe, and in the planetarium it will take viewers through a dazzling journey of an infinitesimally small portion of some of the varying types of stars. After the show, there will be an additional live astronomer talk with time allotted for a Q&A session. “Dynamic Earth,” the other film featured this quarter, is narrated by Liam Neeson of the “Taken” franchise, and will be playing on Thursday, March 2 at 3 p.m., and Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m. Another (somewhat) self-explanatory film, the show covers some of the peculiar ways that our climate on earth is formed and altered. The film’s website itself reads: “Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into roiling volcanoes.” What more could you possibly ask for? Who ever knew such wildly adrenaline-rushing, Academy-Award Nominee narrated films were shown just feet above the Student Technology Center? “Dynamic Earth” also includes an astronomer talk at the end, and both shows should last about an hour in total. All performances cost $10, and tickets can be bought at the WWU Box Office (tickets are not sold at the door). In addition to the public shows at the Spanel Planetarium, the venue hosts private shows for any sort of group for a fee. While there are only three remaining shows this quarter, be sure to be on the lookout for the spring quarter schedule, which should be getting released to the public in the next few weeks. Check out their website at wwu.edu/planetarium, and finally find an excuse to see what’s on the other side of that intimidating, mysterious door.
ABOVE: Artist rendering of ultra-cool dwarf star Trappist-1 (far left) and its seven planets. Image from JPL-Caltech // NASA
Life beyond Earth?
Seven Earth-size planets discovered BY MORGAN ANNABLE For many years, humans have been fascinated by the prospect of extraterrestrial life. We create and consume stories about aliens large and small, friendly and terrifying, from E.T. to Chewbacca to Zaphod Beeblebrox. On Feb. 22, 2017, a NASA press release announced the discovery of seven Earth-size planets circling the ultra-cool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1; according to the New York Times this is “the first realistic opportunity to search for signs of alien life outside the solar system.” TRAPPIST-1 is located approximately 40 light years away from Earth. This distance (equal to 235 trillion miles) may sound like a lot, but to astronomers it is actually a relatively short distance. In fact, this batch of planets is close enough to study in detail. This discovery is multiple years in the making, and has truly been an international effort. The exoplanet system is named for the acronym of the Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope, which is located in Chile. In May 2016, Michaël Gillon of the University of Liège in Belgium led a team of astronomers to the discovery of three of the planets in the system, using the Chilean telescope. The recent discovery of additional planets was made using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope with the help of ground-based telescopes such as the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, also located in Chile. “We’re definitely all working overtime now,” NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies astrobiologist Nancy Kiang said. There is still substantial debate regarding the possibility of life beyond Earth, and popular opinion within the scientific community continues to swing back and forth. This newest discovery, according to Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA’s D.C. headquarters, might unlock new pieces of the puzzle. “Answering the question ‘are we alone’ is a top science priority and finding so many planets like these for the first time in the habitable zone is a remarkable step forward toward that goal,” Zurbuchen said. Currently, expert opinions are swinging back toward “no” on whether red dwarf planets can sustain life, primarily because red dwarf stars “are extremely active in their early years -- shooting off potentially lethal flares and bursts of radiation,” according to a NASA release. However, some scientists are still optimistic. Tom Barclay, a senior research scientist at the NASA Ames Research Center, suggested that the hypothetical lifeforms on these planets might be able to adapt to stellar radiation. “We certainly see life on Earth capable of hibernating for very extended periods of time,” Barclay said. “We see that life goes into a state where it shuts down, sometimes for years or decades. So I think we shouldn’t, probably, rule it out, but we should put a lot of effort into studying whether this is a place where we think life could thrive.” Long story short: No one knows. Yet.
02.27. 2017 • 7
New VU Gallery exhibit goes “Beyond Borders” The exhibit features work by American and Canadian students. Photos by Ricky Rath // AS Review
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Has the discovery of Earth-like planets sparked your interest in astronomy and you can’t wait until the next Planetarium show? Join students from the Physics & Astronomy department Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. or sunset, whichever is later. For updates, follow “WWU Night Sky Observing” on Facebook. See page 6 for more info on the Planetarium and TRAPPIST-1. Left and middle photos by Janna Bodnar // AS Review. Right photo by Jaden Moon // AS Review
Pickford Film Center features unique cinematic offerings
BY JULIA BERKMAN
T
he Pickford Theater in downtown Bellingham has some choice films coming up on the radar in the next few months! Since I’m not one to keep good news to myself, here are a few upcoming films that look promising. Gone “Gone” is a local film made by a few recent graduates of Fairhaven College. Michael Barone, Madison Njos, Conor O’Keefe, and Nate Sawtell have woven a tale of three strangers brought together by a hit-andrun car accident in Bellingham. The driver, their victim, and a witness all struggle with their own concept of humanity. The trailer for the film ends with one question: “You ask me if I choose to be happy?” That concept is discussed throughout the film. You can catch it playing at the Pickford on March 2nd. After the film there will be a Q&A with the producers. Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action and Animated The Oscar Nominated Shorts are always a great opportunity to see what’s popular in the world of movies. All the live-action short movies are 30 minutes or less, and many are foreign. Most live short films don’t have time to delve into character development or conflict resolution. In such, many films are character studies, or contain darker themes that don’t always resolve at the end of the short period of time allotted. One of the live-action films being shown is “Timecode,” by Spanish director Juanjo Giménez. “Timecode” just won the acclaimed Cannes award of Palme D’Or, or Golden Palm, before being nominated for an
Oscar. The film is centered around two security guard in a parking structure. As you can see, these films don’t seek to tell us a particularly dense story, but rather to make the viewer think after watching. The animated shorts on display at the Pickford are only around seven minutes long. Despite their length, they also touch on subjects like togetherness, humanity, and love. These films are perfect for bringing kids with short attention spans. One of the short animated films this year is “Pear Cider and Cigarettes,” a 35 minute multimedia film by Canadian Robert Valley. Although it may be animated, the Pickford was warned its’ members that this film is not for children. “Pear Cider” is the story of the director’s friend, who gets a liver transplant in China and needs to be brought back to Vancouver. The film, like the animated movie “Sausage Party,” uses a youthful medium to portray a very mature message. Newtown In 2012, Newtown Elementary School was the victim of the deadliest mass shooting of children in history. Now, five years later, director Kim A. Snyder and her crew have painted a picture of just how deeply the town has been effected. With unique access to the town and its’ residents, the crew of “Newtown” was able to get intimate interviews and new information. This movie serves as both a memorial for the victims and a rallying cry for gun control. The townspeople have worked closely with the Children’s Defense Fund to make guns harder to purchase. This film is part of Pickford’s Indie Lens Pop-Up Series,
which shows films from independent production companies. Creepy “Creepy” is a Japanese psychological horror movie from director Kurosawa Kiyoshi. The film follows a police detective who focuses on the psychology of serial killers who is forced to leave his post due to a traumatic event. The event has catastrophic effects on his mental state and that of his family. A neighbor raises the protagonist’s suspicions, but his paranoia dissolves his relationships. “Creepy” is a horror film not for its gore or blood-curdling screams; rather, this film is frightening because one man’s downward spiral seems like it could happen to any one of us. Fences This film, directed by and starring Denzel Washington, is a story about race and baseball. After the Major Leagues decided to make baseball an interracial sport, one man past his prime bemoans the fact that he was relegated to the Negro Leagues during his heyday. His frustration at being born too late causes a rift with his wife, played by the fantastic Viola Davis. This film studies the feeling of just missing something that could have changed your life, and how to deal with that. It also speaks of race relations in the 1950s, and how that relates to sports. All these great films- and more- are being showed at the Pickford in the next few months. Check out all of them online at pickfordfilmcenter.org.
Western through the ages: BY ERASMUS BAXTER
1970
Protests, strikes, invading Canadians, 1970 had it all. We pick up less than a week after our last column. Western was still in uproar over American involvement in Cambodia and the killing of four students at Kent State University by the Ohio National Guard. On the bright side, the next Tuesday was declared “National Funk Day,” with students being encouraged to wear their “funkiest” clothing.
“Canadian Invasion,” Interstate Five Blocked (Again)
In an ironic twist, there was an outbreak of violence at the Blaine Peach Arch. The Front reported that “400 to 600 Canadian youths” crossed the border into the United States. They apparently intended to symbolically “invade” the US in response to American involvement in Cambodia by marching 22.1 miles down Interstate 5, the distance US Troops were going into Cambodia. For some reason the American border patrol did not try to stop the group, raising a lot of questions about what their job actually is. The Canadian invaders then marched into downtown Blaine where they took down the American flag at the post office. The Washington State Patrol responded to support the Whatcom Sheriff ’s office, but perhaps fearing an international incident, neither agency tried to stop the Canadians. This left the defense of the American homeland to the proud people of Blaine, Washington, who responded by throwing rocks, fists and obscenities. After the Canadians blocked Interstate Five, around 100 Americans, including the Blaine Police Department, charged the Maple Syrup Menace, leading to an all-out brawl. Several people were injured on either side, including a Blaine police officer. While the Canadians held their position at the border, the state patrol and sheriff ’s department finally interceded and kept the American crowd 200 yards away from the border. The Canadian mob then went wild. They built a bonfire in the middle of the freeway,
02.27. 2017 • 9
Lecture addresses media misrepresentation of Muslims
BY CHRIS BESWETHERICK
On Feb. 15, the Western Library’s Reading Series featured Assistant Professor of Journalism Brian J. Bowe to give a lecture entitled “Framing Islam: How media coverage shapes perceptions of Muslim overturned monuments in the border park and splashed paint on the peace arch. When a neighbors and Islamic threats.” Bowe earned his Ph.D. in Media and Information Studies from freight train of cars bound for Canada passed Michigan State University. His current research investigates how jourby, they pelted it with rocks, causing subnalists portray their subjects. stantial damage to the cars. Eventually, the In the past decade, a vast amount of journalists have covered events mob dispersed and returned to their cars on in the Middle East as a result of war and terrorism. The information the Canadian side of the border after having that airs then spreads throughout the world and this coverage has a blocked the Interstate for four hours. strong effect on the perception of the Middle East. The next day, over 600 Canadians assemThe media’s role becomes controversial when they share information bled on their side of the Peach Arch for a that misrepresents a group of people, as that leads to stereotypes and peace demonstration. They sang songs and racism. In the context of war and violence, consumers come to associplaced flowers inside the peace arch. On the ate those negatives with the images published by the source and make American side, over 150 Americans, some conclusions based on that combination. armed with bats and pipes, stood watch. They In fact, a poll by Gallup in 2010 reported 43 percent of people in remembered. the United States expressed islamophobia. In a previous paper Bowe participated in, “U.S. Newspapers Provide Nuanced Picture of Islam,” Vietnam Protests Continue he researched how various sources have fostered the increase of islamLess than a week after 500 protesters ophobia among the population. marched from Western’s campus and blocked “One basic assumption of framing theory is that communicators, Interstate Five, around 1,500 protesters journalists and audiences do not simply mirror political events or topmarched through downtown to a rally next to ics,” the paper stated. “Rather, political issues are subject to different the Federal Building. Speakers included Assopatterns of selections and interpretations.” ciated Students legislators, a local TV broadIn his lecture, Bowe discussed the concept of framing, which is a caster, and a member of the Seattle Liberation deliberate process of deciding what content to show in order to convey Front. The march began as 1,200 students and an idea or interpretation of an event. The conveyed idea holds a lot of grew in size as it traveled through downtown influence and can perpetuate negative beliefs toward groups of people. Bellingham. The challenge is to frame something objectively and representatively. Student Congress Vows to Continue Strike. It is difficult to truly mirror a political event or topic exactly. However, Students: “Meh.” it is noticeable when sources do vary with the amount of opinionated The AS president, the Front managing edicontent in their framing. tor, and two AS legislators flew to San Jose to Bowe discussed the building of mosques in the United States and attend the First National Student Congress. how, as a result of an increase in their numbers, others reacted. The The congress was attended by delegates from approaches to the story contain information that vary visibly due to 99 colleges, including 30 from outside of Caliopinion and ideology. fornia. They demanded the immediate withSome news sources took non-objective stances and others were drawal of US Forces from South-East Asia, the objective. The difference between the sources were the quotes and release of all American political prisoners, and questions they included in their reporting. the end of universities cooperation with the One source shared quotes from people saying racist comments Pentagon for research or recruiting purposes. about Muslims, while another asked simple questions, like, “what is a On their return, Western’s delegation vowed mosque?” Bowe noticed the differences in each source’s framing. As a to continue the student strike at Western in former journalist, Bowe uses objectivity to help guide his research so concert with other colleges across the country. he investigated the consequences of poor and biased representation. They also pledged to work with other colleges He also considers sources that express islamophilia; even positivein Washington and Oregon to block a possible ly-spun news can be perceived negatively by those on the other end. It nerve gas shipment. is a difference between opinionated or objective. However, department chairs reported that The lecture successfully demystified and aided in the audience’s class attendance was largely normal, despite knowledge of Muslims, and how stereotypes are created by media the supposed strike. misrepresentations.
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LEFT: In addition to having a stage that hosts musicians, comedians and other performers, the Underground Coffeehouse is a great place to relax with friends, do homework or take in breathtaking views of the bay and the whole city. While enjoying the patterned carpet (almost reminiscent of the Portland Airport’s iconic flooring) or lounging on a comfy couch, pick up a slice of pie or cake and sip on a delicious coffee, tea or Italian soda. This on-campus coffeeshop, located on the 3rd floor of the Viking Union, is just enough off the beaten path that it is not usually too crowded during the day. The Underground Coffeehouse also boasts funky art and a room with a pool table. Photo by Jaden Moon // AS Review
Wednesday Night Concert Series: INVICTVS BY JOSH HUGHES
When I first checked out INVICTVS’ music, the first thirty seconds had me thinking I was in for an EP of jammy, guitar-based psych rock. But then Jonah Falk’s raspy drawl came in, and it still took a few seconds to register that I was listening to a rap group. In 2017, nearly all pejorative connotations of “rap-rock” have gone away, largely because of the rampant genre-meshing that’s occurred over the last decade, so I feel entirely comfortable calling these guys a rap-rock group as a complimentary descriptor, because that’s exactly what they are. Based out of both Seattle and Bellingham, INVICTVS consists of rapper Jonah Falk, bassist and guitarist Shaun Quick and drummer Dallas Quick. They market themselves as a live hip-hop group, which holds pretty true throughout their recently released four track EP “Eudaemonia,” an album that maintains a consistent vibe throughout. While their musical arrangements lend themselves well to the structure of rock songs, Falk committedly (and successfully) raps and yells over the druggy, dark beats. Looking for musical lineage in their work, it’s not hard
to draw immediate comparisons to Rage Against the Machine for Falk’s shell-shocked rapping and the prominent rock guitar in the background. Yet, where Rage represented a more intense, rough-around-the-edges, politically charged group, INVICTVS combines lighter backbeats with more introspective lyrics to create a rather different atmosphere. Just look to Twenty One Pilots, or, on the very other end of the spectrum, Death Grips, to understand the mainstream acceptance of rock and rap intermingling happily with each other. While INVICTVS doesn’t really sound much like any of these bands, it’s a helpful access point for getting into their work. Lyrically, Falk gets pretty meta in his language about appreciating the craft and depth of his artistry. He pulls on tried and true motifs from rap music, like people around him not working as hard/being as talented as him, but his wordplay usually comes off as fresh and exciting. Lines like “it’s like you don’t know what your word’s worth / half an inning then you change your shirt / wearing different hats and all you do is bat” come off well for their originality in the face of an overused theme in rap music.
Elsewhere, one-offs like “but I live for my pocket calendar” add a much needed nuance to INVICTVS’ meaty rock instrumentals. There’s an additional importance to the band self identifying themselves as a “live hip hop group” and not exclusively a rap-rock band. Look at artists like The Roots or Chance the Rapper, who both incorporate live elements into their distinctly rap-flavored music, and compare them to Limp Bizkit -- there’s really not a comparison to be made at all. While INVICTVS comes off as more of a hybrid between styles, their ultimate intention as a group is to create music that they enjoy that encompasses whatever on earth they want to, and it works to their favor. They truly seem to exist outside prominent musical spheres but still sound entirely relevant in 2017. INVICTVS will be performing at the UGCH this coming Wednesday, March 1, with an as of yet unnamed opener. The show starts at 7 p.m., and INVICTVS will start at 8 p.m. and perform for an hour. If you like rock, if you like rap, if you like live rock and live rap, this could indeed be the Wednesday Night Concert for you.
So you forgot that registration was a thing
02.27. 2017 • 11
Check out any of these classes to keep yourself busy next quarter
BY ALEXANDRIA BAKER Ah, spring quarter at Western. A time of warm sunshine, gentle breezes, the sounds of ultimate frisbee being played on Old Main lawn and--wait, you mean classes are still being held, despite the gorgeous weather? If you have been caught unawares by spring quarter registration, then never fear-we’re here to give you some of Western’s most entertaining classes that will keep you riveted in your seat, instead of skipping class in your Chacos. Geology 303: Dinosaurs and Their Environment You may have heard of Western’s infamous class on dinosaurs. Taught by the hilarious Thor Hansen (who is known to frequently bring his dog to classes), this 3-credit class covers the evolution and anatomy of various prehistoric denizens. Never one to disappoint, Hansen (who literally wrote the book on dinosaurs) enjoys sprinkling in short video clips in nearly every lecture. Since the book used for the class was written by Hansen himself, the lectures are fairly easy to follow. The class fulfills the GUR requirement for a non-lab science, and the only prerequisite is Geology 101. It’s being offered as both a large lecture and online next quarter. P.E. 170: Beginning Sailing So maybe lectures aren’t your thing. With the rare sunshine in Bellingham, who would want to miss a chance to get outside? This P.E. class will put you right in the heart of the action, learning the fundamentals of sailing at Western’s property on Lake Whatcom. There are no prerequisites, as this class focuses on the basics of sailing safety. The class is also only 1 credit, so it certainly won’t be a burden on your schedule. The only downside? The class tacks on a $250 Self-Sustaining fee to help fund the activities.
English 364: Intro to Film Studies For anyone who loves movies and has ever considered making your own--this is the class for you! Don’t be deterred by the 300-level bracket, the only prerequisite for this class is English 101, so nearly anyone can take it. The 5 credits includes a weekly film screening as part of the class. Taught by Greg Youmans, the class covers the foundations of film theory, from the earliest silent movies, through the black and white sound era, and into modern masterpieces. The class covers common film techniques and builds vocabulary about cinema. Finally, the major project of the class is the production of your own short film, including writing the script, filming, and editing. Art 101: Glassblowing I You may not have known this, but Western holds classes on glassblowing. This class is a great option if you’re looking for a creative outlet and you have cash to burn! There are no prerequisites, but this class comes with a hefty price tag including the $250 Self-Sustaining fee, on top of a $150 flat fee. At a solid 4 credits a week, it may be worth the extra cost. The class description states that students will learn proficiency of the medium by exploring form and design. Hopefully you’ve got some great ideas for classes to hold your interest spring quarter. Whether you’re undeclared, or nearly done with your major, I highly recommend searching through Classfinder to see what unusual offerings Western has for its students.
When spring quarter hits, it is hard to find anyone inside studying. The key to keeping up in your classes when the sun is calling you is to find subjects you really love--and let yourself take a break every now and then. After all, Bellingham is one of the rainiest cities in Washington! Photos by Ricky Rath // AS Review
12 • as.wwu.edu/asreview
“Tapped” screening will make a splash at Western
BY JOSH HUGHES
W
estern’s Environmental and Sustainability Programs (ESP) will be co-hosting a screening of the 2009 documentary “Tapped” with TAP (Travelers Against Plastic) on March 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. The event, which is free for students and $2 for the general public, will include a discussion once the film is over. “Tapped,” which focuses on the upsetting ins and outs of the bottled water industry, was directed by Stephanie Soechtig and Jason Lindsey, and features interviews and conversations with those both for and against the entire industry and all of its direct and indirect impacts. Opening in the small town of Fryeburg, Maine, the film first addresses the ways that the major bottled water companies (Nestle, Coca Cola and Pepsi) have historically taken advantage of public water across the country in rural America. One of the first integral points made in the documentary is that by 2030, two-thirds of the world will lack access to clean drinking water, and corporations like the ones previously mentioned are currently trying to make
already hard-to-access water a commodity for personal gain. Fryeburg, like hundreds of other towns across the country, has been negatively impacted by the increasingly profitable water bottle industry, and “Tapped” seeks to educate the public so that these exploits will not continue in the future. Beyond the public’s right to clean drinking water, “Tapped” also addresses other monumental issues with the industry such as rampant pollution and unregulated chemicals that go into the water we drink on a daily basis. Segments of the film include interviews with the sickened residents of Corpus Christi, which houses the country’s largest petrochemical plant, and discussions with corporate professionals that advocate for the industry of bottled water. Overall, the film makes its point with a thud, but along the way there are different sides represented, which ultimately gives the film a higher sense of credibility. Instead of playing off as overly self-righteous, Lindsey and Soechtig’s film takes time explaining its points and giving interviewees space to make their cases.
When the message turns somewhat hopeful near the final third of the documentary, there’s something of a sense of uplift, even though the ultimate message is rather disheartening. Along the way, there’s talk of cancer causing chemicals, propaganda against tap water and corporate control over government power, so it’s certainly not an easy watch. TAP is partnering with the Environmental and Sustainability Programs to screen this film in hopes of getting students involved in the ongoing discussion about bottled water. They will be taking TAP pledges to “travel more consciously and sustainably by being prepared to clean your own water,” and those who take the pledge will get entered in a raffle to win one of TAP’s Liberty Bottles, U.S.-made metal water bottles. Again, the event is tailored towards students but open to the public, and will take place from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. in VU 552. In TAP’s own words, “We are very excited for the chance to bring together students who are passionate about this cause.”
Learn the differences between bottled water and tap water at this week’s screening of “Tapped.” Photos by Janna Bodnar // AS Review