Vol. 32 #30 05.22.17
Vol. 30 # #.#.#
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This is just one of many of Carrie Lingscheit’s works on display in the VU Gallery. By Carrie Lingscheit, photo by Janna Bodnar // 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.
IN THIS ISSUE 4
“Mementos”
The VU Gallery is currently hosting pieces from artist Carrie Lingscheit.
Check out the
5 DMC
The Digital Media Center has all the tools to make you movie come to life!
6 “Tchindas”
documentary
This film follows a transgender woman in remote Cape Verde.
Lecture from Pres.
6 Cladoosby
Chairman of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community will speak about historical trauma.
7 Discussing Turban Awareness Day
Sikh and Punjabi students discuss their perspectives on this event from a few weeks ago.
Why science
8 matters
Speaker Tracy Johnson came to campus to promote the importance of scientific research.
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. 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 Josh Hughes Julia Berkman Gwen Frost Photographers Jaden Moon Janna Bodnar Adviser Jeff Bates
Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Writers
With summer break on the horizon, now is a great time to get outside and take in the sights around Bellingham. Photos by Jaden Moon // AS Review.
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EVENTS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS “Momentos”
May 15 - Jun 2 // Mon - Fri 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. // VU Gallery // Free
The latest exhibit in the VU Gallery features the work of Carrie Lingscheit. Her work focuses on the malleable nature of human memory and recall. See images from this exhibit on page 4!
Intro to Mountaineering pre-trip meeting May 23 & 25 // 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. // Outdoor Center // $180
Get ready to scale Mt. Baker with this mountaineering course. There will be two classroom sessions May 23 & 25, with the actual climb taking place from May 27 - 29. This is not a course for beginners!
Outdoor Movie Night: Lego Batman Movie
May 23 // 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. // Comm Lawn // Free
AS Films is bringing Gotham to Western! Watch as the dark knight fights his oldest enemy, the Joker -- Lego style.
6th Annual Green Tie Gala
May 23 // 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. // VU MPR // Admission by donation Hosted by the environmentally-
focused clubs on campus, the theme for this year’s gala is “Understanding the Salish Sea.” The event will feature speakers from the Lummi Nation, live music, and a raffle.
Chinchilla and Chill: A Petting Zoo May 24 // 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. // Comm Lawn // Free
Need a break from class? The petting zoo is returning to campus, with chinchillas, wallabies and more furry friends to meet! Make sure you don’t miss this one!
Hall of the Year 2017
May 24 // 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. // Hotel Bellwether Ballroom // Free (please register)
This celebration marks the announcement of Hall of the Year for 2017. All on-campus residence halls are invited to participate. There will be a shuttle to the location, and you can find a link to register on the Facebook event.
Acro-yoga Beginner Jams
May 25 // 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. // VU 464 // Free The Acrobatic Yoga Club would like to invite beginners to get a taste of acro-yoga. Unleash your inner acrobat!
Top Ten: May 22 - 28 1
This Old Dog Mac Demarco
2
Humanz Gorillaz
3
Heartworms The Shins
4
The Bob’s Burgers Music Album Various Artists
5
Pure Comedy Father John Misty
6
Sincerely, Future Pollution Timbre Timbre
7
Tuxedo II Tuxedo
8
Sincerely Ddue York
9
Hot Thoughts Spoon
10
In Mind Real Estate 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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“Momentos”
Stop by and enjoy Carrie Lingscheit’s work in the VU Gallery. See page 6 to learn a bit about her technique. Photos by Janna Bodnar // AS Review
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Make some magic at the Digital Media Center
Western is proud to offer students the chance to work with what the Digital Media Center has to offer. Located in Haggard Hall 246, this new tool offers features such as a greenscreen, teleprompters and student technicians to assist with any filming needs. In the back, the DMC has an impressive control room, from which they broadcast Western’s cable TV show, “Western Window”. Western is one of the few universities to offer such advanced technology to the student body. The DMC is open to any student, regardless of major. Simply book an appointment and make some movie magic!
Photos by Jaden Moon // AS Review
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“Tchindas” documentary a whirlwind celebration of culture and queerness in Cape Verde, Africa
BY MORGAN ANNABLE
Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde, is a small archipelago nation composed of ten volcanic islands and is the setting of the last Reel World Film Series event of the year. This week, the Institute of Global Engagement is showing “Tchindas” on May 24 in Miller Hall 138 at 6 p.m. This will be a free event. “Tchindas” is a documentary that tells the story of a Cape Verdean of the same name. Tchinda Andrade is a well-known and well-loved member of the Cape Verde community who gained even more recognition and support after coming out as a transgender woman in the newspaper in 1998. All LGBTQ people were in the closet at that time, Tchinda states in the documentary. According to an i-D Magazine article about the film there weren’t even words in Cape Verdean Creole for concepts such as non-cisgender, non-straight genders and sexualities.
"People didn't know the words [for gay or trans],” Tchinda said in an interview with i-D. “So when they saw [a gay or trans person] they'd say 'There's a tchinda.'" Now, the name Tchinda is synonymous with the LGBTQ community, hence the pluralization in the title of the film. The documentary follows Tchinda and her friends as they prepare for the annual Carnival. Each February the island makes a transformation from its low-key island pace to the hectic atmosphere more associated with a big city. The annual Carnival (in 2013 the theme was “under the sea”) is a crucial part of Cape Verde life, and the tchindas (the original one as well as her friends) are an integral part of making the Carnival happen. Join the Institute of Global Engagement on May 24 to learn about this celebration of Cape Verdean culture and the people behind it.
Spend a ‘moment’ in the VU Gallery Pres. Cladoosby returns to Preview the new Carrie Lingscheit exhibit on page 4 campus for powerful lecture BY JOSH HUGHES Brian Cladoosby, President of the Association of Washington Tribes and Chairman of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, will be speaking on historical trauma on Thursday, May 25. Hosted by The Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity, Cladoosby will be giving this lecture for free in Arntzen Hall 100 at 3 p.m. One of the most senior tribal political leaders in the state of Washington, Cladoosby comes to Western every few months to give this or a similar lecture that addresses concepts of historical trauma throughout different races and cultures. In the past, Cladoosby has been awarded the American Indian Tribal Leader Award for his achievements in the political and social sphere, and for his pervading influence as a voice for Native American communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Ray Wolpow Institute, the host of the event, is an organization created to “provide Western students with a global education rooted in the liberal arts that investigates the Holocaust, genocide, and crimes against humanity from various perspectives and academic disciplines.” The institute has worked with Western to create classes for an upcoming academic minor in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. The institute additionally hosts events throughout the year such as this and other lectures. Tickets, while free, may be reserved via Eventbrite through the Facebook event page, or at www.eventbrite.com/e/president-brian-cladoosby-historical-trauma-tickets-34144995601
BY JULIA BERKMAN
Carrie Lingscheit’s exhibit Momentos is up in the VU gallery right now, and the series of intaglio prints is sure to pull at the heartstrings of anyone, art lover or otherwise. Intaglio printing looks a lot like pencil or pen work, but it’s very different. The artist etches the design into the paper and then the sunken areas of the paper hold the pigmentation. That means that Lingscheit’s work was all done blind and then filled in after. Lingscheit’s work, developed as part of her MFA, entitled “twenty thousand moments.” Prints from the series Momentos represent a lens pointed on human behavior and “the malleable nature of memory formation,” according to her artist’s statement. “We rarely remember neutral moments, only those that register as significantly positive or negative,” Lingscheit states. “I am fascinated by the notion of the gaps left by these absences of information, these holes within the structure of our past and present lives.” Her work is as interesting in the deep shading of her figures as the deliberate absences of pigment. Many of her subjects are women and children, most embroiled in seemingly irrelevant points of their life, like buttoning up a jacket or walking down the street with their partner. Lingscheit is part of a larger coalition of artists who work with intaglio/mezzotint. Her work was recently featured in The 2nd International Mezzotint Festival in Ekaterinburg, Russia as well as Fusion - International Contemporary Intaglio Print Exhibition in Guanlan, China. You can catch this exhibit now in the VU Gallery until Friday, June 2.
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Sikh, Punjabi students discuss Turban Awareness Day BY JULIA BERKMAN In case you missed it, or were maybe a little confused, a few weeks ago students on campus hosted “Turban Awareness Day” in Red Square. The event invited people of all creeds and colors to try on a Sikh turban for themselves and to learn a little bit about the history behind the headwrap. Bellingham hasn’t always had an extraordinary track record with tolerance. As many know, there is even a memorial in Fairhaven devoted to Chinese immigrants who were shot if they passed a certain street. In September of 1907, members of Bellingham group Asiatic Exclusion League (predominantly white men), descended in droves to attack the homes of East Indian immigrants in the area. These residents were pushed out to neighboring areas, where most of them still received similar treatment. So, as you can see, Bellingham has come a decent way from it’s pitchfork-wielding days, but many point out that it still has pretty far to go. There has recently been dissent among the community following the racial tension at recent Marches. People of color (a scarce 20% of the total Bellingham populus) feel increasingly isolated and less connected with their own heritage. That’s why Sukh Singh, a Western student and member of the Sikh community, decided to educate campus about his culture through the most visually identifiable factor of Sikhism: the turban. “This was a good opportunity for people to have some fun and get educated at the same time,” Turban Awareness Day volunteer Fahren Mansour said. “While you are getting your turban tied, you learn all about it.” The Dastaar (aka turban) worn by Sikh people, signifies their commitment to their religion, as well as courage and self-respect. Dastaar are often shared
between friends, in an event called Pag Vatauni. Much like the hijab of Islam, visual cues of a religion are helpful in forming a tight-knit community of like-minded individuals. However, for some Sikh and/or Punjabi members of the Western community, the outreach was difficult to interpret. One Punjabi student--who wished to remain anonymous--felt that too many events on campus have been not a celebration of culture, but more of an education for white students. “This event was organized so white people wouldn't be afraid of turbans,” the student said. “Was this event really a cultural rising of the Sikh population? Or was it another event for white people to feel like they are gaining a cultural understanding? I think it's awesome they want to educate others, but where is the support within our own community? Do all our cultural events as PoC [People of Color] on campus have to teach white people?” Raji Gill, a Sikh student, agreed. “I do wish a little more focus was brought upon reaching out to PoC,” Gill said. “As a mixed woman of color, I often feel as if I don't fit in on campus since I don't tend to see a lot of people like me--especially when it comes to knowing other Sikhs.” Gill also felt that non-Sikh students wouldn’t quite grasp the significance of the turban once they left the event. “This kind of education is really important in combating the stigma and stereotypes behind turbans,” she said. “However, I did feel a bit wary seeing others (especially non-PoC) wearing turbans. Turbans hold a lot of identity and meaning to me as an Indian/Sikh.” Gill said that visual indicators of culture garner a variety of responses.
“Growing up, my family members, myself included, were discriminated against because of misconceptions behind our culture and religion,” she said. “Specifically, after 9/11, many of my family members feared to continue wearing turbans in public. So to see non-Sikhs and non-PoC easily walk around with turbans on, not knowing the Sikh experience, made me a bit uncomfortable.” For many it was a bit jarring to see white people walking around wearing a turban. Non-Sikh students may not have been able to answer the difficult questions they would receive about their choice of garment. And it’s just that: a choice. Similar to cultural appropriation, white people have the ability to put on an identity like an accessory and then take it off again when they’re done with it. However, outreach and exposure are essential to helping people understand other cultures. Every person seen on campus that day wearing a turban also knew a lot more about Sikhism than they did that morning was encouraging. “Many people with whom I have shared that I am Sikh often do not know what Sikhism even is,” Gill said. “I'm always having to explain it as ‘the religion with the turban,’ but our turbans and culture are much more than that!” Hopefully, after learning more about a new culture and even trying it on for size, Western students will be around to respect and raise the voices of Sikh students of campus. Mansour had this to say: “One of the most important things you can do during your years at a university is to reach out to those that have a completely different life than you and learn about them.”
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Western hosts lecture on why scientific research matters BY GWEN FROST
O
“Corporeal”
n May 16 in AW 204, Western hosted speaker Tracy L. Johnson to address the idea of “Why does science (and who does it) matter?” Tracy L. Johnson (PhD) is the Maria Rowena Ross chair of cell biology and biochemistry at UCLA, in the department of molecular cell and developmental biology. She generally focuses on gene regulation and gene expression, but emphasized that in relation to this event, “tonight is special”. Johnson said that science matters for three main reasons. Firstly, that science is an approach that provides a critical framework for decision-making. Johnson asked the audience the following question. “Without scientific methodology, what are our methodologies based on?” Johnson asked. She went on to illustrate how our biases, assumptions and prejudices can inaccurately determine our conclusions for us. When we are without scientific methodology, we are often left with only “ignorance, and its dangerous first cousin, fear” to help us make our decisions. Johnson emphasized that for democracy to function correctly, science is critical (especially given the moment we are in now). The present is critical due to the growing power of polarizing ideological extremes, a fractured media landscape which allows “anyone with a twitter feed” to speak directly to its most fervent supporters and the echo chambers we allow ourselves to live in. The current global landscape of information that connects us all can be a slippery platform where misinformation can be rapidly widespread, with catastrophic consequences. How can we determine what are actual or fake facts? Johnson seems to think that the ultimate authority should be given to scientific methodology. Secondly, science matters because it proffers the opportunity to make the world a better place. The creation of Penicillin, which fundamentally changed medicine, came not
from a desire to create medicine but rather “from a thirst to understand the natural world”. Similarly, the invention of the microwave oven was stimulated by Percy Spencer’s discovery when he walked past a microwave radar transmitter that was in use during WWII. Working for a company called Raytheon, he discovered that his proximity to the machines made the chocolate in his pocket melt. Within the scientific field, both applied research and basic fundamental research invoke curiosity that can lead to making the world a better place, even if it leads us to a place that we could never have predicted. Thirdly, Johnson proclaimed that “science can elevate the human spirit”: in our efforts to put human into space, we furthered the desire that we could move beyond what we could see, and ultimately gave all humanity the hope and relief of the infinite possibilities of where humanity could (quite literally) go. The correlation of this movement to get man into space furthered the empowerment of the civil rights movement, notably used by civil rights activist Martin Luther King, who said if the US can spend “twenty billion dollars to put a man on the moon, it can spend billions of dollars to put God’s children on their own two feet right here on earth” (August, 16th 1967 in King’s speech “Where Do We Go From Here?” delivered at the 11th Annual SCLC Convention in Atlanta, Ga). In the past, and in the future, science can inspire us to see beyond what we are faced with in our now. Johnson told us that it definitely matters who does science. Pure scientific objectivity is a myth, and all research has inherent subjective influences. Who does the research dictates what questions get asked, how we interpret those observations, and what do we do with this information. In fact, science was infused with morality prior to the 19th century. Scientific objectivity is a more recent notion, instigated by the emergence of technology (microphotography, x-ray) which altered our
New Western Gallery exhibit honors current BFA students’ work examining the concept of bodies. Photos by Janna Bodnar // AS Review
perception and gave us the possibility of objectivity. Johnson argues that there is a value of having a broader participation in science in order to understand the world in all of it’s complexities. One example is the contemporary struggle of rethinking female biology. Previously, menstruation was framed from a place of loss, a mechanism of discarding of unfertilized/useless eggs, or a monthly discarding of uterine lining (whose purpose goes unfulfilled). Margie Profet (UC Berkeley, evolutionary biologist) challenged this concept with a set of analyses that described the process as one that evolved as a mechanism for protecting the uterus and fallopian tubes against harmful microbes delivered by sperm. Profet said the “body kills potentially infected tissue and eliminates it.” Johnson offered us the quote by Walter Lippman “where all men think alike, no one thinks very much.” Despite the ignorant exclusion of anyone who is not a man, I think Lippman’s quote illustrates Johnson’s argument fairly well. Diversity must have both communication and inclusion to be effective--as we have seen, miscommunication across diverse perspectives can have dire consequences. The $125 million Mars orbiter was destroyed when some of the programmers thought the units in use were pounds, while the others thought the units were Newtons. Johnson advised that scientists must become politically and socially engaged; they should work with technology and social media to generate interest and awareness of scientific findings and questions. Professor Johnson’s eloquent talk on the necessity of science and the pertinence of diversity of scientists was inspiring, motivational, and persuasive. She was engaging and definitely made me recognize how much scientific endeavors have given to all of our individual lives, and also the extent that science will be all we have in the coming years facing climate change.