asreview
2.21.12 Vol. 27 #19
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STICKS & STONES
Giving new meaning to words that hurt Lauren Simmons • AS Review
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ticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt. Whoever coined that phrase was never referred to with a slur or labeled with a derogatory phrase. Even though words can have hurtful origins and connotations, the act of reclaiming words in various communities has become a practice. Reclaiming, also known as reappropriation, is the cultural process by which a group reclaims terms or artifacts that were previously used in a way disparaging a group, according to the article “Slurs” by Adam M. Croom in the linguistics journal, “Language Sciences.” “What’s powerful about word reclamation is that it does not leave words to exist forever with a negative connotation,” Taneum Bambrick, Associated Students Women’s Center program support staff, said. “Although we sort of outlaw words and say it’s bad to use them, that doesn’t do as much as taking them and changing them, because the words still exist.” In the queer community, the primary taboo words are fag, faggot or tranny, said Jordan Deal, AS Queer Resource Center coordinator. While certain sects of the community deem such words as taboo, others choose to use them. For example, some drag queens and transgender men use the term “tranny,” but other individuals in the trans-gender population do not think it is appropriate for them to reclaim the word since it does not apply to them, Deal said. Tranny, in its original usage, referred to transgender women of color who were in the sex-work industry, Deal said.
“Tranny is one [term] that we avoid using at all costs, especially with the trans representation on campus being very minimal,” Deal said. “It’s important for us to watch that word and be an advocate and ally to those students.” Deal does not use the term at all. Fag, or faggot, is also a taboo term, but within in the queer community it is sometimes used. “Fag and faggot get a ‘no, this is not okay ever to say’ rap at Western specifically, but personally and with [specific groups of friends], we look at the word as something that can be used as something among friends,” Deal said. The term is one of the more common slurs still used today, much like the term “gay,” However, fag has a different history. “[People] use ‘gay’ to mean stupid and that’s hurtful, but the origins of fag and faggot, I feel, are more violent, so the use of it as a slur hits harder,” Deal said. “I think, for a lot of people, it definitely can create an unsafe space in terms of residence halls and areas where students are living, particularly in their early years at Western.” Deal, who does not use the term in all circumstances, has recently come to identify with it and does not see the word as offensive. “[I have] internally identified with it and decided where I stand with the term,” Deal said. “But I haven’t had a lot of outside connection with it with other people besides close friends.” One reclaimed word in the queer community is the word queer itself. The shift in the word’s connotation began in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, Deal said. It was reclaimed with the idea
of members of the community identifying as queer individuals instead of identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, Deal said. “You could queer something [by] looking at something through a queer lens, like you could look at something through a feminist lens,” Deal said. “So it is more of a political identity than just a category for describing a sector of people.” Straight people could also be considered queer with this connotation of the word, Deal said. Reclaiming words for any community is a difficult task, Deal said. There will always be the issue of who can and cannot reclaim certain words, as shown with the term tranny. “[For example], with the Slut Walk [a nationally occurring march of participants protesting against rape and its connection to a woman’s appearance], is it okay for predominantly white, middle-class women to reclaim ‘slut’ or is it not their place?” Deal said. A word cannot be erased once it’s in the language, Bambrick said. People remember that it once existed, and they remember the connotation it had, she said. Words in general have their own meanings and connotations, but the power and impact behind them is only present when allowed, Deal said. “Words only have power if I give them power,” Deal said. “It’s important for me to reclaim all terminology that can be used against me, because I would rather use it as I see fit than let somebody manipulate me with it.” The ability to reclaim a word lies with the community it is affiliated with, Deal said
See WORDS on page 11
S , The A ce Center sour wn as e R r , Quee ally kno Bisexual form n, Gay, nce, sbia der Allia e e L e th am gen Trans nged it’s n rt to cha 11 in pa r.” in 20 im “quee recla Photo illustration by Cade Schmidt//AS Review
February 21, 2012• 11
The AS Queer Resource Center’s 20th annual Drag Show
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TRUTH from page 4
posting a Facebook status, to find out what stereotypes people cast her in. Even with their input, Maute-Gibson found something unexpected. “Asking people what they thought challenged me to come up with answers for myself,” Maute-Gibson said. “I thought finding my stereotype and truth would be easy by asking others, but it wasn’t.” Over one weekend following the selection process, the cast and facilitators went through workshops to find their stereotypes. Hazelrigg, who still produces and directs every “Naked Truth” show at Western, always looks forward two the workshops. It is her favorite part about the production, she said. “I am so excited to meet with everyone and begin to see the entirety of our truths unfold, Maute-Gibson said. “I hope I’m not the only one that feels absolutely terrified still.” the
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ABOVE: Roxy Roulette aka Lance Rodgers leaves the crowd reeling with a closing performance of “Till the World Ends.” yBOTTOM LEFT: QRC staff members Ben Crowther, Jordan Deal and Brianna Fitzapatrick at the Drag Show on Feb. 10. BOTTOM RIGHT: Matthew Norris performs “World, Hold On.” Photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review.
“Speak Now: An evening of spoken word poetry”
people and sending out resumes without any real connection to people and it’s not effective,” Motto said. “It doesn’t get you work or find you a job. It’s really tough for someone who doesn’t even know you to give you the time of day when all of these people are getting 8,000 emails a day.” The conference will conclude with, “Getting Your In: Internships and Entry-Level Positions in the Music Industry.” For this panel, all attendees and panelists will congregate into one room to discuss some of the opportunities to gain entry into the safeguarded world of the music industry. “I think this is huge for students who are looking to get into [the music industry] because it is so inclusive it seems that there aren’t many opportunities, especially for students, to get their foot in the door,” GallagherBurkholder said. “I think it’s huge. It’s not something that you see many places.” the
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NET from page 8 anyone, I think I’d definitely try to repair any damage that had been done.” For students who have been affected by online impersonation, whether a victim or – sadly – an impersonator, there are a few important points the bill brings up. The legislation is complicated because it gives individuals only civil liability, Hughes said. This means that in order to take action, they would have to find an attorney, take them to court, etc – something most students do not have the time and money to do. the
WORDS from page 10
Minority groups come together because they have faced oppression, and to be able to share in the terminology that has oppressed you is a powerful symbol of kinship, Deal said. “All these terms have been used against us, they’ve all been used hurtfully,” Deal said. “Let’s use them for ourselves, and let’s define them in our way.” the
World famous slam poet Anis Mojgani performs at “Speak Now: An Evening of Spoken Word Poetry,” on Feb. 15. Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review.
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SIMPLY DELICIOUS
This week: Goodness gracious great balls of meat Megan Thompson • AS Review
I’m not a meat fan. I occasionally will eat a steak, and of course I love burgers, but when I set out to make something, I don’t think it needs meat. Actually, I generally avoid making dishes featuring meat. My dad, a steak-and-potatoes kind of guy, does not like me to cook for this reason. Of course, he enjoys the food, but at the end of the meal I always hear the same question: So, why didn’t this have meat in it? This dish is a little different because it is my dad’s recipe, and he loves meat. My dad makes these meatballs whenever I ask him to make his famous spaghetti. The spaghetti is a full-day affair, and is something he says you can’t learn from a recipe. Growing up he made this dish a few times a year. The meatballs were, and continue to be, my favorite part of the spaghetti. I know he’ll never give me the spaghetti recipe, but last weekend I called my father to procure the meatball recipe. Something I love about my dad is he doesn’t create a recipe, he creates an experience. That’s what I’m told when I ask for the spaghetti recipe: I can’t make it, it’s an experience. Asking him for the meatball recipe was odd because all the ingredients had loose ends. While explaining he said, “Eh, one egg—but I do two. You can do one.” When I asked about the croutons his response was, “Well I use Italian flavor, but these are your meatballs. You can use whatever flavor you want.” Every ingredient, except for the meat, was modified by “about” or “at least.” At least a cup of Parmesan cheese or about a cup of parsley. I guess that’s my dad for you: food experiencer. Recipes in his mind are useless. Last week a friend, whose parents happen to be chefs, helped me make the meatballs. He told me that my dad’s recipe is superior to all other meatball recipes. That claim validated my childhood love for them.
Gene Thompson’s Italian Meatballs Prep time: 5 to 10 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Servings: about 20 1 pound ground beef 1 pound ground Italian sausage 1 bag of croutons, crushed 1 cup of fresh parsley, chopped 1 cup of parmesan cheese 1/2 a sweet onion, chopped 2 eggs
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and mix them with your hands. Do not be afraid to get dirty. Make balls about the size of golf balls and place them on a baking sheet. Bake the meatballs for 25 minutes or until they are well done. Enjoy them in a pasta dish or just by themselves. the
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Photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review
A poster for the Vagina Memoirs. The Memoirs will be performed Feb. 22-25. Illustration by Guillermo Earreto. Designed by Alan Hussey//AS Publicity Center
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Viking Union 411 516 High St. Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360.650.6126 Fax: 360.650.6507 Email: as.review@wwu.edu Online: as.wwu.edu/asreview @theasreview facebook.com/theasreview
©2012. Published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University. We are a student-produced, alternative campus weekly covering news and events that are of interest to the Western community. We support all programs, offices and clubs affiliated with the AS. We have a direct connection to the AS board of directors, and although we report on board actions objectively, our relationship should be made clear. Submissions: We welcome reader submissions, including news articles, literary pieces, photography, artwork or anything else physically printable. Email submissions, or send them to the mailing address above. They will be returned as long as you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Letters: We also welcome letters to the editor. Please limit your letter to 300 words and include your name and phone number. Published letters may have minor edits made to their length or grammar, if necessary. Calendar/Ads: We don’t sell ad space. Sorry. Email as.review@ wwu.edu to have an event listed in the calendar.
Editor in Chief
Assistant Editor
Lead Photographer
Staff Writers
Kirsten O’Brien
Cade Schmidt
Copy Editor
Evan Marczynski
Adrienne Woods
Anna Atkinson Eriver Eugenio Nick Markman Lauren Simmons Megan Thompson
In This Issue:
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NAKED TRUTH Breaking the stereotypes DON’T FRET ABOUT CREDIT Making the most of your credit card
IF IT’S TOO LOUD, YOU’RE TOO OLD The Bellingham hardcore scene
VAGINA MEMOIRS The popular production returns
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DIRTY POP Giving students an inside look at the music industry
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A WORD ON WORDS Reclaiming hurtful phrases PHOTO RECAP The QRC Drag Show and Speak Now SIMPLY DELICIOUS This week: meatballs
E-IMPOSTERS Legislation may make it possible to take action against fake online profiles
CALLING ALL APPLICANTS AS Personnel to host hiring discussion panel Anna Atkinson • AS Review The Associated Students is preparing to hire more than 100 new employees for the 2012-2013 school year, said Hannah Cooley, AS Personnel Office assistant director. For the first time, the AS will host a hiring discussion panel in residence halls to target students who may not be familiar with the AS hiring process. The panel will be held in Nash Hall and the Ridge Lounge at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The panel comes just before AS hiring week, which consists of workshops and a job fair to help prepare potential candidates for AS jobs. The panel consists of current AS employees who will answer questions about the employment and the
Adviser
Jeff Bates
Poster by Nathan Shigeta//AS Publicity Center
hiring process. It will be organized by freshman Nidia Hernandez, Personnel Office project assistant, who is more connected with the dorm community, said Cooley. The hiring process will officially begin April 5, at which point online applications will be available. Cooley said it’s a long process because many people will apply and there are many positions to fill. Students will be selected for interviews, which will continue through March, she said. Candidates will be notified if they are selected for positions in mid-May, Cooley said. Students who are interested or have questions should contact the Personnel Office at 360-650-6113.
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February 21, 2012• 3
EVENTS
FEB 20 - FEB 25 Monday Feb 20
Presidents Day: No classes!
Thursday Feb 23
Tuesday Feb 21
4 to 5 p.m., Communication Facility 110
The Naked Truth On Stereotypes 6:30 p.m., Viking Union MPR Free
This production, led by Western alumna Stephany Hazelrigg, will have cast members revealing their truths from behind the shadows of racial stereotypes. It is aimed to recognize the ever-present need to put theory into practice.
Wednesday Feb 22 The Vagina Memoirs
Feb. 22-24, 7 p.m., Viking Union MPR Feb. 25, 7 p.m. Performing Arts Center Free
“The Vagina Memoirs” is an original production put on by the Associated Students Women’s Center that features Western students telling their own stories, speaking their truths and educating the community. All donations will go to the Lummi Victims of Crime.
AS Spring Hiring Panel
7 p.m., Nash Hall and Ridge Lounge Free
The AS will be hosting its first hiring discussion panel in the dorms to target those who may not be familiar with the AS hiring process. The panel will consist of current AS employees who will answer questions about AS employment and the hiring process.
A Common History in Music: Canadian Contributions to Jazz
Patrick Lane and Lorna Crozier, honored Canadian poets and writers will perform readings from their works and reflect on the relationships formed by language, memory and writing genres. The event is hosted by the Center for Canadian-American Studies and the Department of English.
Friday Feb 24
Beyond Borders Call for Submissions Accepting submissions through March 2, VU Gallery Free
“Beyond Borders” is an exhibition presented by the Viking Union Gallery that is designed to showcase artwork created by fine art students in the western United States and Canada, in order to stimulate dialogue among new artists, their peers and the established art community. The title, “Beyond Borders,” exemplifies the dedication to encourage communication across community, national, international and social borders. The title also serves to remind viewers and participants that art has the power to transcend all boundaries.
Saturday Feb 25
Pop Music Industry Conference 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Viking Union $10 for students, $20 for general
Associated Students Productions is hosting the third annual Pop Music Industry Conference. It will provide a rare opportunity for students and community members to get a glimpse of the music network. “Battle of the Bay,” will take place after the conference at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Foundry on 100 E. Maple St. The battle is jointly organized by ASP Pop Music and the Old Foundry.
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REVEALING THE TRUTH
“Naked Truth on Stereotypes” returns to Western on Feb. 21 Megan Thompson • AS Review
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espite all the events focused on representing identity and truth on campus in 2004, Stephany Hazelrigg felt marginalized. Though she participated in the “Vagina Monologues,” she felt that none of these identity-truth events displayed racial truths through people of color’s experiences. So she created “The Naked Truth on Stereotypes,” a production focused on revealing truths of all stereotypes. “I was in the ‘Vagina Monologues’ that year and the lack of minority representation was problematic,” Hazelrigg said. “We wanted to create a safe space where could talk about marginalized groups.” “The Naked Truth on Stereotypes” continues, and Hazelrigg now teaches other universities, high schools and middle schools how to adopt this production all over the country. Western’s “Naked Truth” is at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room. It is free for students with ID. This year, the “Naked Truth” and the “Vagina Memoirs,” Western’s adaptation of the “Vagina Monologues,” are co-dependent and publicizing together. The weekend before the performances, the two production casts met for a potluck. Next quarter, the sponsors of the events plan to collaborate for a Tribute to Truth week, said Daniel Espinoza-Gonzalez, the Associated Students Ethnic Student Center program coordinator. “The ‘Naked Truth’ and the ‘Vagina Memoirs’ are both revealing truths. It can be intimidating and scary, but you go through the process with a group of people and you feel empowered by their support,” Espinoza-
Gonzalez said. Iris Maute-Gibson, a cast member in the “Naked Truth,” remembered attending Hazelrigg’s first production with her mother in spring 2005. She was 14 at the time, and the production affected her immensely. “I distinctly remember [realizing] I wanted to work on social justice issues. In a lot of ways it made me who I am today,” Maute-Gibson said. Espinoza-Gonzalez participated in a previous “Naked Truth,” embodying machismo, a Latino cultural stereotype that exaggerates masculinity. He remembers the process of sharing his truth. “You feel so healthy after you let it all out,” EspinozaGonzalez said. Cast members are selected through an application and open casting call process. This year, the “Naked Truth” accepted all 14 of the people who tried out. In previous years, as many as 30 participants applied. All applicants being accepted is rare, EspinozaGonzalez said. The upcoming show ranges on a broad set of issues. Racial, ethnic, gender, survivor, immigrant and relationship stereotypes will all be portrayed. “There’s not two people in the cast that you could put side by side and say their stereotypes are the same,” Espinoza-Gonzalez said. “Everyone is tackling their own.” Facilitators for the production asked cast members to talk to their friends and family and ask what their stereotypes were, Maute-Gibson said. She asked people during in-depth conversations as well as casually, including
Poster by Robel Paguio//AS Ethnic Student Center
See TRUTH on page 11
BEYOND THE BODY A review of the newest VU Gallery exhibit
t s Review by Alexander Kramer e n u o i G iss There is one week The release party is free. left until the Viking The gallery’s theme is focused on women’s identity m b Union Gallery exhibit, and empowerment, said VU Gallery Director Ashley u s “Labyrinth: Beyond the Hollender.
Body” wraps up on Friday, March 2. “Labyrinth” is an identityfocused journal on campus, and this year, the release of the newest issue will coincide with the end of the gallery’s run. The journal release party will be hosted in the gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 1. At the event will be live readings of written pieces, as well as Starbucks coffee, Mallard ice cream and even live music.
During the call for artwork, there were no exclusions. Men and women, as well as students and community members, were allowed to enter. A team of judges voted on the pieces anonymously to create an unbiased collection to showcase. All of the pieces have been selected to reflect and challenge conventional ideas about feminism and being a woman. Through the pieces there is a mix of themes, including beauty, innocence, fragility, strength and
mystery. There is a variety of works present; everything from a cotton weaving, lithography, digital photography, acrylic paint, mixed media on panels, a miniature model, woodcut print, perforated pigment print, to even a painted mannequin. The show does a good job of creating an atmosphere to get the viewer thinking about all the ideas and common conceptions of what defines a woman. It is about the subtle influences on our perceptions--whether it is our past experiences or internal moods--and bringing those out from the walls of the gallery, and into the community’s conversation.
February 21, 2012• 5
BUILDING CREDIT The credit card isn’t evil!
Nick Markman • AS Review
Whether it affects students directly through growing loan debts and credit card bills or indirectly through annoyingly catchy commercial jingles and advertisements, students are regularly confronted with the terms: credit, credit score and credit report. Although these terms are important, some may not fully understand what these aspects of credit mean. Jim DeWilde, associate director of Westerns’s financial aid department and Reid Frederick, social responsibility representative for Whatcom Educational Credit Union, have experience dealing with credit. They provide many pointers and cautions that college students should consider when venturing into the financial realm of credit. Frederick, who will be a guest speaker at the student financial club Money Sense’s seminar about credit at 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 29 in Communications Facility 120, said that students should wait until they have a source of income before attempting to get a credit card. He said that when first getting a card, the credit limit on the card should be equal to or less than the individual’s two-week income so that there is never a chance that they could charge more than they could afford. Credit is essentially borrowing money to cover current expenses. While individuals with student loans are already experiencing one aspect of credit, DeWilde and Frederick both said that the most common instrument of credit amongst college students is the credit card. “Credit cards should be looked at for emergencies. They’re a tool for payments,” Frederick said. “Looking at it as a tool for buying stuff that you couldn’t buy otherwise is a frame of mind that gets people in the most trouble.” The credit limit on a card is the maximum amount allowed to be charged before additional fines kick in. Frederick said that students should aim to only charge fixed payments, such as gas, insurance and utilities, and try not to use a credit card for recreational fees or to splurge on unnecessary costs. By covering only fixed costs and staying under 50 percent of the
credit limit, individuals ensure that they are not overcharging their card, which is detrimental to one’s credit history and score. “If you have a credit card and you’re using it wisely and you’re able to charge but pay for everything that you charge each month in full, you’re not running a balance on your credit card,” DeWilde said. “Then, you’re responsibly using it and establishing good credit history.” While it is not necessary to pay a credit balance in full each month, doing so ensures there are no interest charges—the cost of borrowing money—on the balance that is carried over each month. These interest charges are usually variable depending on one’s credit history and can be steep. The various interest rates a lender can charge are expressed in the terms and conditions for that credit card, a thing that DeWilde said is absolutely critical to read when applying for credit. “We’re so used to, in the Internet age, any time we sign up for a new Internet service and we see that ‘Terms and Conditions’ button, we never read it, we just don’t,” DeWilde said. “For financial products, I want to stress to students: Read the terms and conditions, because they really make a difference.” Credit history and credit scores stay with people once they begin charging expenses. These two things are the biggest determinants in interest rates and insurance premiums. Landlords also typically take an individuals credit report into consideration before leasing out a property. The credit score is one of the most mysterious aspects of credit. While there are many different types of credit scores reported by different credit agencies, the most common is the FICO score. Founded in 1956 by engineer Bill Flair and mathematician Earl Isaac, the Fair Isaac Company designed a complex mathematical model to apply to one’s credit history to determine a FICO score that summarizes credit risk to potential lenders. A FICO score is based on five aspects of the credit history: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit and types of credit used. The two most important parts that comprise 65 percent of the FICO calculation are payment history and amounts owed. By not missing payments and keeping a small or zero credit
See CREDIT on page 9
“M The on ne s 5:4 emin ey Se xt a in C5 p.m r beg nse” om . on ins Fac mun Feb at ility icat . 29 12 ions 0
Photo illustration by Cade Schmidt//AS Review
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CELEBRATING IDENTITY
2,000 students expected to attend this year’s “Vagina Memoirs” Lauren Simmons• AS Review
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estern senior Shane Malone’s goal last year after attending the “Vagina Memoirs” was to be a part of the cast the following year. She had not heard about the show until her sophomore year at Western and attended her first performance alone. After seeing her friends in the cast and learning what the process is all about, she knew she wanted to be a part of it. She is now a performer. The “Vagina Memoirs” is an original production put on by the Associated Students Women’s Center that features Western students telling their own stories, speaking their truths and educating the community as a whole, Sasha Parsley, the center’s assistant coordinator, said. This year the “Vagina Memoirs” will be at 7 p.m., with showings every night from Wednesday, Feb. 22, to Saturday, Feb. 25. The performances Wednesday through Friday will be held in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room, and the performance Saturday will be held in the Performing Arts Center. The show is free to the public, and all donations will go to the Lummi Victims of Crime. The “Vagina Memoirs” evolved from the play the “Vagina Monologues” by Eve Ensler. The Women’s Center used to put on Ensler’s play, which was a collection of stories about women discussing topics such as sexual assault and queer relationships. About eight years ago, the Western community decided that there was a lot in the “Vagina Monologues” that was problematic and not necessarily representative of the broad range of experiences that occur among women, Parsley said. “The Women’s Center decided they would transition to doing the ‘Vagina Memoirs’, where people on campus would audition and write their own stories,” Parsley said. The subject matter of the featured memoirs includes rape, incest, sexual assault, immigrant experiences and gender identity. These topics are not usually talked about because they are uncomfortable and often harsh to discuss, Parsley said. “We all have our own stories, and unfortunately because of the patriarchal society we live in, some of the stories are silenced,” Malone said. “This event really gives women a chance to tell their own story with no apprehension, no holding back. It’s really exciting.” Event organizers expect 2,000 students to attend this year, Chris Chatburn, AS Resource and Outreach Programs director, said. It stands as a tremendous community-building event, he said. “Anytime you get 2,000 people in one room showing emotionally impactful stories, it creates a sense of community on campus,” Chatburn said. “I would go as far to
say that if people don’t participate, they are really missing out on a huge opportunity that Western has to offer.” The 17 performers in the “Vagina Memoirs” started meeting before winter break, Malone said. Their facilitators give them prompts at their weekly meetings to encourage daily journal writing. It was not until earlier in February when facilitators urged performers to start writing memoirs. One misconception about the “Vagina Memoirs” is that all of them have to be sad, tragic tales, Parsley said. That is not the case at all. “The process of the memoirs is that everyone carries things within them regardless of what it is,” Parsley said. “We all have something in us and we all have a truth to tell, so the production is about individuals growing and
telling their truth, whatever it may be.” Each year after the “Vagina Memoirs,” the Women’s Center blossoms and gains a new group of individuals coming in looking for support or just wanting to talk, Parsley said. The performances have such an impact on audience members that people come back night after night to gain something new, she said. Everyone attending the “Vagina Memoirs” is there to celebrate women, but it is not only a celebration of the women performing, it is also a celebration of their truths and experiences, Malone said. “You’re going to cry, I guarantee that,” Malone said. “But you’re going to laugh, you’re going to hoot and holler, and it’s just a big party.”
Illustration by Guillermo Earreto. Designed by Alan Hussey//AS Publicity Center
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It’s all about POP
February 21, 2012• 7
Want to break into the music industry? Here’s how Nick Markman • AS Review
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usic is more than just an art form; it is an intricate, ever-changing business and industry. Behind all the concerts, albums and artists there lies a complex and inclusive network of marketers, promoters, agents, talents buyers and other nprofessions that make the music world run. The Associated Students Productions Pop Music Industry Conference is designed to give students and community members a glimpse of that netswork. The third annual Pop Music Industry Conference will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, -Feb. 25, in the Viking Union. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for general admission. “Battle of the Bay,” will take place after the conference at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Foundry on 100 E. Maple St. The battle is jointly organized by ASP
ing experience,” said Craig Gorder, ASP assistant director for marketing and assessment. Among the panels, ones such as “Rising Above The Rest: How to Make your Blog Stand Out” and “Dive Bars and Broken Cars: Planning a Successful Tour on a Budget” provide insight for artists and musicians wishing to advance their music career, while panels such as “Risky Business: Talent Buying and Promotion” and “Put a Label on it: Behind the Scenes of Working for a Label” gives prospective attendees a feeling for the business end of the music industry spectrum. “It’s great to see what a wide variety we have and how it really is all encompassing of the music industry,” said Ryan Gallagher-Burkholder, ASP marketing coordinator for music and entertainment. Some notable panelists attending the event
Putting yourself out there and getting to know people of a particular scene is critical. How do you interact and work in a particular industry if you don’t know the people and how they work and what they’re like? The conference achieves that in a way. It gets you to shake hands with people. - Hunter Motto, conference panelist and talent buyer for The Crocodile are Chris Porter, the programming director for Bumbershoot, Seattle musicians Kris Orlowski and Scribes, and Hunter Motto, former Pop Music coordinator and current talent buyer for The Crocodile in Seattle. “Putting yourself out there and getting to know people of a particular scene is critical,” Motto said. “How do you interact and work in a particular industry if you don’t know the people and how they work and what they’re like? The conference achieves that in a way. It gets you to shake hands with people.” Motto said the most beneficial aspect of the event is the possibility for networking with the professionals and panelists face-to-face; an opportunity he said is a rare one. “I’ve spent time cold emailing and cold calling
See POP on page 11
Poster by Brian Ralphs//AS Publicity Center
Pop Music and the Old Foundry, and features local bands Heist, Eagle Teeth, Prime Time Band, The Vonvettas, CandySound and The Endorfins. Tickets for the show are $3. The conference will begin with a brunch provided for the first 80 attendees. After brunch, B.J. Olin, manager for Seattle-based soul musician Allen Stone, will present a keynote speech to kick off the conference. The next four hours will consist of three sessions of panels that will be in various VU conference rooms. The 13 panels make up the heart of the event. Attendees will be able to choose a panel of interest for each session from a multitude of different topics paneled by music industry professionals. “We try to bring together a bunch of music industry professionals and give students the opportunity to get some insight from them, to network with them and just overall have a really beneficial learn-
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INTERNET IMPOSTERS
New bill in Washington could make it possible to sue for fake online profiles Lauren Simmons• AS Review In the age of omnipresent social media, individuals tend to put every aspect of their lives on their Facebook pages and Twitter feeds. Imagine if one day, upon signing on Facebook, an impersonator had created a page and was pretending to be you. On Jan. 23, the state House passed House Bill 1652, which would make it easier for people to sue those who impersonate them online. The bill is currently moving through state Senate. It must pass the Senate and be signed by the governor before becoming law. The law is designed to provide recourse for someone who has been impersonated and wants to take civil action against whoever impersonated them, Associated Students Representation and Engagement Programs Associate Director Jenn Hughes said. Current state laws dealing with defamation are not strong enough to handle online impersonation, she said. “The reason they are enacting this bill is because libel and slander laws don’t go far enough to cover it,” Hughes said. Slander and libel are both types of defamation.
Slander refers to defamatory spoken statements, while libel is defined as defamatory statements that are written, broadcasted or published in any way. The bill has attracted controversy among media law experts and First Amendment advocates. Hughes said she thought the bill did not infringe on free-speech rights due to provisions exempting electronic impersonation used for matters of cultural, historical, political, religious, educational, newsworthy or public interest. It also exempts mediums such as works of art, commentary, satire and parody. In terms of the bill’s effect on students, if it passes people need to be more careful what they say on social networking sites, who has your password and what information you put on the internet, Sterling said. “Something that you think is ‘just a joke’ can actually have legal ramifications if this [bill] is passed,” Bobby Sterling, AS legal information center coordinator, said. Peggy Watt, a Western journalism professor who teaches mass media law, said she thought it was not necessary to create regulation for a relatively new medium, such as social media and other online interaction. “I’m not a fan of making a new law for a new medium
A similar bill in California went into effect January 2011, making malicious digital impersonation a misdemeanor that results in fines up to $1,000 and possibly up to a year in jail.
Photo illustration by Cade Schmidt//AS Review
[just] because it’s a new medium,” Watt said. The bill, which sponsors and proponents say will protect individuals from being harassed, slandered and libeled, is a rehashing of already present laws, Watt said. Even though the original laws against those offenses were not created specifically for the Internet, they still apply, she said. A similar bill in California went into effect January 2011, making malicious digital impersonation a misdemeanor that results in fines up to $1,000 and possibly up to a year in jail, according to a ZDNet.com article. In protest of the California bill being passed, the Electronic Frontier Foundation thought the legislation was unnecessary because of the already present laws. “Laws against fraud and defamation are already in the books, and they apply online as well as offline,” the EFF said in an article from their website. “Moreover, judges and juries applying those laws have the benefit of an extensive body of jurisprudence aimed at limiting their impact on legitimate free speech.” The Electronic Frontier Foundation, founded in 1990, is a donor-funded nonprofit group that defends digital rights. In contrast, Sterling feels as though the bill does not impose on individual’s rights, but protects them. “I have trouble viewing this as going against people’s civil liberties, I think it’s protecting people,” Sterling said. “You wouldn’t want someone impersonating you on the phone or any other way to damage you, and I think this allows more protection on the internet.” Jamin Agosti, a senior at Western, has experienced eimpersonation first-hand. He was on Facebook recently and under the “People You May Know” section, there was a person with his photo and his name. The Facebook page looked like a spam account, Agosti said. The only posts made by the impersonator were seeing iPhone 5. The profile had also friended a good amount of Agosti’s friends. It was a simple to get rid of. “I just clicked ‘report this person’ and Facebook actually has an option that says ‘this person is impersonating me, and it took about 24 hours for Facebook to remove the profile,” Agosti said. Thankfully, Agosti did not need to take any legal action on the impersonator, who is unknown. But hypothetically, if House Bill 1652 was currently in place, he probably would not have sued the impersonator. “I can see how a person creating a fake Facebook and taking social security numbers or really important information that would negatively affect me in the future would be a big deal,” Agosti said. “I don’t think I’d sue
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February 21, 2012• 9
PRETTY IN PUNK
A look at the hardcore and punk scene in Bellingham Eriver Eugenio • AS Review
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ellingham is home to a large and active hardcore and punk rock scene, which has allowed many bands and fans to enjoy the music in the
area. Zach Wise, KUGS marketing and development director, said what makes the hardcore and punk scene so alive and active is the sense of community those involved in the scene have. “Everybody has the same ethos about music or similar notion that music should be seen as something everyone should be able to do,” Wise said. “It’s all about having fun and being able to see your friend’s band play.” Josh Holland, guitarist of the local band Dog Shredder, said the sense of community isn’t just felt by fans of the genre but also by the bands themselves. “I was extremely intimidated by the talent of my peers when I first moved here and figured out pretty quickly
that we were all on the same team and just wanted to play some good shows,” Holland said, in an email. “That hasn’t really changed much over the years, and I love it.” Holland not only loves how bands enjoy playing music in the area, but he also appreciates the increasing amount of venues willing to hold shows for hardcore and punk bands, he said. “Punk and hardcore are not always the most tolerable forms of music for the majority to deal with and having places like Jinx, the Cabin, The Shakedown, Western, the Wild Buffalo and countless living rooms encourages bands by saying, ‘You are welcome here. Please be yourself,’” Holland said. Punk rock originated in the 1970s with the Ramones and migrated to the United States. It was a simple form of music that counteracted many over-produced rock bands at the time, Wise said. The focus of punk music
at that time was to be rebellious and go against societal norms with raw, passionatemusic, Wise said. Hardcore rock branched off from punk rock when the music become faster, heavier and created a more aggressive and larger presence, Wise said. “The core of hardcore is focused on the immediacy and the aggression, whereas punk is sort of a nebula thing on its own,” Wise said. “Some people would argue punk doesn’t exist in its original state anymore; it’s just an idea that’s permeated.” While Wise would like music listeners in the Bellingham community to give hardcore and punk rock a try, he believes Bellingham has plenty of different music scenes for people to enjoy, he said. “It’s not for everyone, but go to any event in town and see what you like,” Wise said. “Maybe if it’s not punk or hardcore, there is something there for people to like.” the
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LEFT: Dog Shredder bassist Jeff Johnson with the band at the Comet in Seattle on March 24, 2011. CENTER: Drummer Noah Burns at the Re-Bar in Seattle on Jan. 5, 2012. RIGHT: Vocalist and Guitarist Josh Holland at the Comet on Jan. 26, 2012. Photos taken by Matt Koroulis. See more at flickr.com/people/truth_in_noise.
CREDIT from page 5
balance, an individual can improve their credit score e which will lead to lower interest rates and greater ease when applying for loans, rentals or insurance. DeWilde said that annualcreditreport.com is a free, government-sponsored website that provides every eperson the right to have their credit report disclosed to them once a year for free through one of three major credit reporting agencies, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. He said that other frequently advertised free credit
reporting sites are such as freecreditreport.com are not usually free at all and are usually a scheme to try and solicit money from users. “I’d like students to start checking their credit history, even to see if there’s nothing there,” DeWilde Said. “I recommend that students stagger when they ask for their reports. So in September they asked from Transunion, January from another and May another so they’re continually getting a view of their credit report.” DeWilde said that while it is a good idea to start build-
ing a credit history in college, it should be taken on a case-to-case basis depending on the individual. “My own asterisk is yes it’s a good idea only if a student can responsibly manage that credit card. If they get themselves in trouble and they don’t use it responsibly then it’s awful I’d say don’t do it,” DeWilde said. “If you’re responsible, you know how to manage money and you’re not going to go out and charge unnecessarily, I think it’s a great way to begin learning the financial planning lesson now.” the
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