APRIL/MAY 2017
&
Senior Reflections The Truth Behind Detoxing The Long, Winding Path to an American Visa In Defense of the Arts
ali mcqueen '18 & claudia levey '19 Editors-in-Chief amanda breen '17 Managing Editor
EVENTS DIRECTOR JUDY LIU '19
FEATURES EDITOR Emma Yee Yick '19 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Nicole blackwood '20
ALUMNAE RELATIONS DIRECTOR DEMME DURRETT '19
POLITICS & OPINION EDITOR Sara Hameed '20
PHOTOSHOOT DIRECTOR judy liu '19
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Allisen Lichtenstein '19
LAYOUT DIRECTOR anna li '19
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR sharon wu '18
NEW YORK CITY LIVING EDITOR katherine leak '19 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Veronica Suchodolski '19 HEALTH & STYLE EDITOR Briana Draguca '18 ASSOCIATE EDITOR carolina gonzalez '19
Thank you to the ruth bayard smith '72 memorial fund for its support of the bulletin BARNARD BULLETIN 3009 Broadway New York, NY 10027 TheBarnardBulletin..Com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: Follow us on instagram:
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A Letter from the Editors
D
ear Readers,
As we hurtle into finals season, here at The Bulletin we’re taking a moment to step back and think about all the wonderful things that this year has brought to us. Honestly, there have been highs and lows across the board, but we think it is important to think about the positive. As we were sitting in class this past week, a senior gave a word of advice to the underclassmen: “Appreciate this place while you are here because there is no place like this. Once we leave this place, we won’t be surrounded by people who are so smart, so inspiring, and so engaged. Appreciate it while you have it.” So here we are, taking a piece of advice, and appreciating all of the incredible and inspiring people who surround us at this school. Our centerpiece for this issue features three graduating seniors who are offering their wisdom to the rest of us - the things they appreciated at Barnard, the things they’ll miss, and the things that they wish they would have known earlier. So take a moment, take a break from finals and studying, to read their words and appreciate their advice, and maybe even take some time to think about the best parts of your Barnard experience. We’re all simultaneously worthy of being here and also lucky to be here, so take advantage of all of the opportunities, friendships, and knowledge that this school provides. Signing off for the year, Ali and Claudia
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3 // Letter from the Editors 5 // Behind the Scenes 6 // Trending & Playlist
Health & Style 8 // THE TRUTH BEHIND DETOXING 9 // MILLENIAL PINK 10 // STEP UP YOUR SPF GAME
Features 11 // SPRING BREAK STORYTIME 12 // CENTERPIECE: SENIOR REFLECTIONS 18 // LOVE, ACTUALLY: UNLUCKY IN LOVE? 20 // ZODIAC: FACT OR WHACK
Politics & Opinion 21 // the long, winding path to an american visa 22 // she said / she said 23 // volunteerism or voluntourism? 24 // what's fake about fake news?
Arts & Entertainment 25 // what we're binge watching 26 // in defense of the arts 28 // upcoming music festivals and concerts 29 // Spring Playlist
New York City Living 30 // bites beyond the bubble 31 // spring cleaning
ehind he cenes Models
Marielle Greenblatt, Ama Kwarteng, & Prianka Jhaveri Photography: sharon wu
Trendy new shades, perfect for a day at the beach
Drunk Elephant Babyfacial half mask, half facial, this product smooths and brightens skin
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Smashbox Be Legendary Liquid Lip a liquid formula with the coverage of a lipstick and the shine of a gloss
Holographic Makeup people are really getting into the glow
1.
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slow down love
humble kendrick lamar
louis the child
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lust for life lana del rey feat.
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don't take the money bleachers
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ummer is coming, it has been a long semester , and the lack of sleep and poor food choices are getting to almost everyone. But when it comes to the idea of the “detox”, many people have no idea what is legitimate and what isn’t. Between ads for things like FitTea, bloggers touting various diets, and the highly popular juice cleanse trend, it can be hard to tell what is actually going to make you feel better and which of these trends are truly healthy. To help you out and get you feeling better and healthier in no time, we’ve written a guide that will answer all of your questions about the mythical detox. And a reminder: detox when you want, if you want, and it is never something you should feel pressured to do to achieve any standard of health (chances are your body is doing just fine without it). Myth: There are fancy tea products like Skinny Me Tea and FitTea that can jump start your metabolism and make you lose weight. Reality: Buying these teas is likely just a waste of money. They may get rid of bloat and water weight for a few days, but it can be dangerous to use them for long periods of time and they provide no lasting results. Furthermore, these types of products usually have no actual health value other than making you look better for a few short days. Long-term use of fitness tea products can actually be dangerous and (here is some necessary TMI) can have really weird effects on your digestive tract… not worth it! Alternative: A cup of green tea with a squeeze of lemon in the morning is a caffeinated, natural kick-start to your metabolism that can actually give you great energy in the morning as an alternative to your cup of coffee. Green tea is one of the healthiest choices you can make! If you are not a fan of tea, lemon water in the morning also can have similar metabolism and wake-up effects, although these are less scientifically proven. I’m a huge fan of both, and starting your day off with hydra-
by Ali McQueen
tion is never a bad thing. Myth: Paleo, veganism, or another diet is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Reality: Any diet plan should be taken with a grain of salt and plenty of research. There are healthy and unhealthy ways to follow any diet: being a vegan who eats oreos and pita chips is not going to get you anywhere in terms of health. If you want to follow a particular methodology of eating that is totally fine, but whatever you do pay attention to the big three: healthy carbs, healthy fats, and protein. Regardless of how you want to eat, all three are completely essential. Remember: following any diet strictly isn’t good if you don’t feel good. If you want to try something out, totally go for it, but pay attention to your body and accept any feedback (positive or negative) it is giving to you. You should never stick with anything that makes you feel tired, weak, continuously hungry, or sad. Alternative: Rather than drastically changing your diet, make a solid effort to include fruits and veggies with every single meal. If you really aren’t feeling it, at least grab whichever you couldn’t fit in with the meal to go and eat it as a snack later on. Including these can have a huge impact on your health because they pack a punch of vitamins and nutrients that you otherwise probably aren’t getting. Myth: The intricate, scheduled, week long juice cleanse. Reality: Not only will you be out a ton of money from purchasing one of these, you will also probably end up hungry, tired, and cranky. Don’t get me wrong - my Pressed Juice loyalty points are off the charts and I absolutely love a Greens 3 whenever I need a pick me up. Juice itself isn’t bad, but forcing yourself to consume nothing but liquid fruits and veggies for days on end is not what your body was built to do. If you are really set on trying a cleanse, be aware that any results you get (feelings or body-wise) won’t last once it is over and you likely won’t feel stellar after the first day or so. If you go for it, THE BULLETIN -
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be aware of your hunger and keep protein bars and snacks on hand for when you inevitably get hungry, and never, ever starve yourself. Alternative: Option one is smoothies. While juice often gets rid of the healthy and filling fiber of fruits and veggies, smoothies keep it in. Easy to make with any blender (throw in kale, almond milk/ soy milk/yogurt, bananas, and all the frozen fruit your heart desires) or easy to buy (try Strokos for a surprisingly great smoothie - my favorite is the Aloe Patcha), smoothies are way more filling and still give you the same healthy benefits of juice. Another healthy addition you can try (as a supplement to your daily food intake, not a replacement) is Kombucha or another probiotic product. Probiotics are fantastic for your digestion and can help kick your metabolism and digestion into gear which can make you feel way better with very little work on your part. cha), smoothies are way more filling and still give you the same healthy benefits of juice. Another healthy addition you can try (as a supplement to your daily food intake, not a replacement) is Kombucha or another probiotic product. Probiotics are fantastic for your digestion and can help kick your metabolism and digestion into gear which can make you feel way better with very little work on your part.
I
n conclusion, most of the myths are just that: exaggerations. If you want to detox, definitely try some things out and see what your body likes, but never force it into something that doesn’t feel good. Chances are, if your body doesn’t feel good whatever you are doing isn’t good for it. When in doubt, the easiest way to flush out your system and feel better can be achieved with a few things: a healthy meal full of fruits, veggies, grains, and proteins, drinking a ton of water (aim for the full 8 glasses a day if not more), getting a full night’s sleep, and throwing in a good workout.
Illustration by Letty DiLeo
H&S S
The Truth Behind Detoxing
Millenial Pink I
by Alicia Simba
was a tomboy in elementary school. I played soccer at break time, stayed away from the girls pretending to be horses, and that was enough to categorize me as a tomboy in the label-obsessed world that is childhood. I wasn’t cool, but being a tomboy was cool, and at that age, all you want to be is cool. So I never admitted to anyone that my favourite colour was pink. Hot pink. The exact shade of my best friend’s Barbie car that we played with in the on the weekend. That bright, vivacious pink. When I turned twelve, I switched schools and joined a boarding school and I was ready to come forward with my secret. My mom bought me my first laptop, and it was a bright pink Sony notebook, and I carried it proudly. When complimented on it, I would exclaim, “Thanks it’s my FAVOURITE COLOR.” However, for the rest of my formative years, I fell prey to other fashion trends. My love of pink fell away as I embraced leopard print, black, and anything see-through. I never really thought about the colour again until recently when it seemed to dominate everywhere that I looked. In August of last year, New York Magazine ran a piece on the return of pink in the lives of millennial women. Ad campaigns and magazines and Instagram became
filled with salmon pinks and rose golds, and the hue became inescapable. At the 2016 MTV Music Video Awards, Rihanna opened the show with a medley of her greatest songs whilst donning a Hood-ByAir t-shirt under a corset and some kneethigh boots, all of which were candy-floss pink, with her stage and back-up dancers in the same tone. Months later, Solange’s “Cranes in the Sky” music video dropped in which she wore five-kilo, powdered pink, memory foam sweater, that took up almost the entire screen. All these instances reflect the adoption of a trend signifying “radical softness” at a time when the world seems to be getting harder and harsher. Women who once stayed away from the colour for fear of appearing “too feminine” are embracing the shade, reflecting today’s particular wave of feminism that supports all women, without forcing them to match up to the patriarchy that is being forced against. Moreover, what is also incredible about the trend is it’s increasing androgyny. Drake’s social media photoshoot in his pink Adidas jersey, rose-tinted shades and glass of rose was lauded as the aspirational summer look by all genders. This move suggests not only that being feminine is nothing to be embarrassed about, but also
questions the legitimacy of gender and the way that we let it dictate things as trivial and clothing and colours. The calm pink of today is not the sharp pink of my childhood. It’s femininity does not embaress me, nor do I feel like I need to aggressively defend it. Millennial pink is laid back, welcoming, and warm. I have come a long way since my pink laptop days, although I do have a hot pink laptop shell because old habits die hard, but my collection is expanding. I wore my salmon Urban Outfitter Mens crewneck sweatshirt for a full month after I bought it, snagged a gorgeous, champagne pink silk bomber on sale at Zara, and my friend brought me a fluffy, baby-pink cross body handbag. I think I’m doing pretty well. As 2017 continues to test our emotional capacities, fashion continues to fight back with positivity. Naomie Harris invented primary colors with her photoshoot for the New York Magazine’s Spring Fashion issue, and Viola Davis slayed in red, yellow, and blue as she picked up her respective Oscars, Critics Choice, and Golden Globe awards, and brightness will only continue to grow. Pink was just the start.
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Step up your SPF H
by Hannah Welles
aving beautiful, healthy skin is an aspect of life that everyone cares about. Some people are born lucky with a constantly clear complexion, but others have to work hard to keep their skin looking its best. But the one thing that everyone should do to keep their skin healthy and youthful for as long as possible, is regularly use sunscreen. Sunscreen is not just for the summer months and incorporating some SPF into your life does not have to be a hassle. Spring is finally here, and the sun is creeping out more and more every day, meaning the UV rays are climbing high. Although the returning warmth is definitely cause to celebrate, it also makes taking care of your skin crucial. Luckily, there are many easy ways to incorporate sunscreen in your everyday skincare routine. Next time you are buying a new moisturizer, check to make sure it has some SPF in it.The same goes for makeup— many foundations and BB creams have sun protection in them.
Illustration by Eno Chen
If you have oily skin, look for a sunscreen that is oil free and lightweight to help you beat the shine that often accompanies this skin type. Try out Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-touch Sunscreen, which comes in a variety of different SPFs and only costs around $10. This sunscreen won’t leave your skin feeling oily and heavy heavy like most sunscreens do. For dry skin, find a sunscreen that also has a moisturizing and hydrating component so that you can mitigate the dryness that sun exposure can cause. For example, M.D.SolarSciences Mineral Crème sunscreen is a good option for $30, with SPF 50. It has enough sun protection to prevent burns and its creamy formula will help with any dryness you experience. Many sunscreens are now formulated so that they will not cause breakouts, so if you have acne prone skin, make sure that your sunscreen (and anything you put on your face) is noncomedogenic, meaning it will not clog your pores. Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunscreen is a good cheap option at $9. It is water and sweat resistant, and is specially made to prevent break outs that come from heavy sunscreens. If you burn easily and are planning to be in strong, direct sunlight for an extended period of time, look for a sunscreen that has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in it for maximum protection. The EltaMD UV Pure sunscreen has clear zinc oxide in it to provide you with full coverage from the sun for $24. Remember, if you are out in strong sunlight, it is best to reapply your sunscreen every two hours or after you skin gets wet. Regularly using sun protection of some kind is the best way to prevent sun-caused skin cancer and signs of aging. Keep your skin beautiful and healthy and step up your SPF game!
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features
Spring Break Storytime by Paraskevi Xenophontos
“P Disclaimer: The Bulletin does not own any images on this page
uerto Vallarta,” “Mexico,” “Miami.” These were the places that students were talking about in every one of my classes the week before Spring Break. New York’s winter had depressed Barnard students enough this semester and so many students’ dreams of sun came true during a longanticipated week off from school. As a native New Yorker, I could not wait to escape the unavoidable freezing weather. I had experienced too many months of wearing layer upon layer of clothing and still feeling cold. My visions for spring break were slightly different than those of my classmates. My dream was to jet to Los Angeles with my mom for a few days, a much more relaxed environment than other spring break destinations. I do not see my mom as much as I see my friends, which was why she was the one I wanted to spend this break with.
The second my 8:40 finished on the Friday before spring break, I quickly ran back to my dorm in the midst of heavily-falling snow, grabbed my suitcases, and hopped on the subway to Penn Station. While extremely excited about my upcoming trip, I was quite nervous that I was not going to make it to LA due to this snowstorm. I was constantly opening the Virgin America app, checking to make sure that the flight was still on time. My mom and I were so nervous about the flight getting cancelled and about making it to the airport in this weather that we got to the airport 4 hours early! There aren’t too many occasions when you get to enjoy a 3-hour lunch! When we finally boarded the plane and took off, we could breathe again! We are still in awe that the flight did not get cancelled from the snow. The best feeling was getting off the plane 6 hours later and being in a place that was as warm as a New York summer. I had only ever been to LA once so it felt so good to be back in one of my favorite cities. I had a long list of things that I
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wanted to do in the three days we would be there—Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Celebrity House Tour, Santa Monica Pier, The Grove, and Universal Studios. The best day by far was the Grove because while my mom and I were dining at an outdoor Italian restaurant, we received an email saying that our flight had been cancelled due to the approaching blizzard in New York. After waiting to speak with an airline representative for nearly 2 hours, we learned that the next available flight to JFK was not until Wednesday afternoon, two days after we were supposed to leave. I was ecstatic that I had two more days to spend in LA! My mom, on the other hand, just wanted to get home. My spring break took an unexpected turn that fortunately allowed me to soak in the sun for an extra 48 hours. Spending spring break in LA with my mom was unforgettable, because I was able to explore a city that is so different from what I am used to. My first spring break as a college student lived up to my expectations and I cannot wait to see what Spring Break 2018 will entail!
Senior R Senior
Reflections Reflections
featuring
Marielle Greenblatt, Ama Kwarteng, & Prianka Jhaveri
photography SHARON WU
“To be quite honest, you will probably never be surrounded by this many intelligent, interesting, compassionate, and confident people ever again.Your peers are going to
change the world. Learn from them and cherish these bonds. I’ve made friendships here that I know will last forever.”
“At Barnard, I’ve had my highest highs and lowest lows. I’ve been challenged and made uncomfortable. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, and I’ve felt every emotion in between.This school has made me into the woman I am today, and for that, I am forever
Ama Kwarteng
grateful.”
“I learned to major in unafraid with every new thing I tried at Barnard, whether it was a super tiring fitbear class, a hard question on a quantum physics test, trying to write an entire research paper overnight or even attempting a double major.”
Prianka Jhaveri
“My favorite part of my Barnard experience is all
the people I met either through clubs or classes or events. I’ve been on SGA since my freshman year and it was a great way for me to interact with students as well as administrators and be a voice for the student body and help make a difference on campus, either through policy or events.”
Marielle Greenblatt “Having professors that believe in me and support me has made Barnard truly my home, and I’m not sure whether I’ll find a community as richly brilliant and articulate and empathetic as this one has been.”
“In retrospect, I wish I were able to foresee how much
I would be able to grow from my time here. I felt deeply overwhelmed by the aggressive pace of the city and of my peers, and it hindered me from pursuing friendships and opportunities I perceived as too competitive. I would like to tell my freshman self to embrace those people and situations despite my wariness, if for no other reason than an opportunity for growth on both sides.”
Love, actually
Unlucky in Love? by Emma Yee Yick of sheer coincidence, now to most seems “meant to be.” But, with Shreya being the only member of our six-gal suite to be in a stable, long-term relationship, we often find ourselves sitting around our dining table, asking “why not us?” While college is not the end all be all of our love lives, a fact we all understand and know to be true, I think in some ways, we just wish it could be something momentous to mark along the way. We don’t expect to come out of our four years with life partners in tow, but we would hope for, at least, a better story to tell than that of lost night’s, failed dates, mismatched wavelengths, and subpar texting abilities. The college-sweetheart story is far too appealing, far too easy to want to call our own, far too seemingly attainable, for us to give up on. A few statistics: we attend a university that in undergraduate numbers alone, hits about 8,000 students, add on the graduate students, and we’re talking THE BULLETIN -
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about an upward working 32,000 people. Specifically between the entirety of Columbia’s undergraduate population, we’re dealing with more than a handful of potential suitors within our same age bracket and level of intelligence, who are living, studying, and really just existing within the closest radius possible. To add on to that, we live in New York, city of almost 1.1 million people alone between the ages of 18-24. So, numbers wise, the opportunity is there; in theory, we should be finding at least one if not multiple people who we are interested in enough to pursue potential relationships with, who we could potentially, maybe, possibly, fall in love with. Not only does it seem like we’re in the perfect place, but now, seems like the perfect time.We are young enough for the recklessness and passion, the fun and adventure, but old enough (hopefully) for the commitment, mature enough for the emotions.
Illustration by Letty DiLeo
T
wo weeks into our first year of college, my next-door-neighborturned-suitemate, Shreya, met her boy-turned-boyfriend, Adi. Their story is one of crossed paths: a shared South Asian acapella group, and as she describes it, the workings of fate. As with all college relationships, specifically ones that start within the first semester of freshman year, none of our friends took their pairing too seriously, and, at first, I don’t think Shreya or Adi did either. But, as the weeks progressed, the way she talked about him, about ‘them’ was different, she used words like “love,” “future,” and “serious,”—words we all knew were reserved for special instances. As her certainty grew, these words started to make sense, even to us. Soon, the utterance of “Shreya” was, by association, followed by “Adi,” and a year and a half (give or take) later, “Shradi” is going strong and Adi even does chores in our suite from time to time. Their meeting, while perhaps out
For me, timing has been everything but perfect—the downfall of most of my romantic encounters. I met Henry in autumn, randomly, and boldly. After a first-year filled with largely unsettling interactions with disappointing boys (clearly not men), this felt different. Different in a way that made me hopeful. “Hopeful.” When it came to him, it was all i was. I always hoped for the best, always hoped he was just clueless, that he would come to his senses, hoped that things he said or conversations we had meant more than they probably did, hoped to see a message from him light up my phone, hoped everything would work out, and near the end, when I knew far too well what came next, hoped that I was wrong—and I guess if we’re being honest, I hoped that he would prove me wrong. How he incited so much ‘hope’ in a girl who had learned to be guarded remains a mystery. Figuratively of course, because I knew exactly how he did it--unknowingly and effortlessly, by (forgive my corniness) simply being himself. In him, I saw so much potential, and in us, I saw even more. This, I believe is why it hurt so much to let him go. In the past, I had never had any trouble letting go of the ‘wrong’ ones— due to my quick-to-know-heart, that boasted precision when deciphering right from wrong; which ultimately was the problem, because in my heart, he felt like the right one. I could bore you with moments, but working against a word count here, what matters most are the feelings that accompanied them. With him, I was always laughing, and I mean always. When I wasn’t laughing, I was smiling, two out of three times, probably like an idiot, but I couldn’t help it, I always felt genuinely happy when he was around, a fact I clearly could not hide. A lot of the time, he left me in disbelief, in a how-the-hell-canthis-be-real-way, a I-can’t-believe-this-is happening, this-is-everything-I’ve-everwanted-way. He kept me guessing, but never seemed to disappoint. The list
goes on, but the next important item to note is that in an instant, this was all over, and there I was back with my suitemates around our dining table, back at square one. Despite what felt like a loss, I walked away from it all knowing a tiny bit more of what this “love” we all so often spoke about was supposed to feel like. While I mope with the rest of them, constantly wondering if there’s more that we should be doing to better our odds—like spending more nights at 1020, more early mornings in EC, or more days on frat row, I’m not convinced that’s how it works. While I am physically capable of doing all of these things, of placing myself in situations that would potentially increase my chances of meeting more people, in my head, love should be more effortless than that, not something to be chased at the heels or scoured for on drunken nights in bars we don’t even like that much. Maybe even saying “love” is going too far, which I acknowledge, but we don’t seem to find anything bearing any resemblance to it either. I am a firm believer that nothing in life should be forced. I am unhappy with mediocrity, as I believe every-o n e should be, there should be no “settling,” no halfhearted decisions, no “cediendo,” as I would say in Spanish. There are far too many mediocre things in life, love should not be one of them. So, until then, I am content, but open, knowing that in due time, everything will make sense once again.
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Zodiac
Fact or Whack? by Haley George
I Illustration by Alice Rowland
was once in a seminar where the conversation turned to astrology, and the professor told the class he was a Taurus. After the astrologically-inclined members of the class agreed – he was such a Taurus – the professor revealed that his real sign was Sagittarius, thus proving that astrology is a bogus science. Joke’s on him, of course, because that was a total Sagittarius move. Despite defying all scientific evidence, belief in astrology has persisted. If anything, astrology has only become more popular. Chances are, you know someone who checks their horoscope regularly – maybe that person is you. Maybe you’re a diehard believer, or you just aren’t sure, or you know it’s pseudoscience but you think it’s fun anyway. Maybe you roll your eyes at that pick-up line – “Hey, baby, what’s your sign?” – but secretly check your astrological compatibility with any potential love interest. (I never date an Aquarius.) According to the American Federation of Astrologers, astrology as we know it began with the Babylonians, who
divided the zodiac into twelve regions in order to measure time and make predictions about the weather and natural phenomena. Though they were onto something with these astronomical discoveries, their belief in the power of the planets to predict terrestrial events – specifically, that the positions of the planets at the time of a person’s birth could be used to make predictions about their life – didn’t really pan out. Astrology was considered a well-respected science up until the 17th century, which brought clashes with science and Christianity. But then, in, the 20th century, astrology made a pop culture comeback with New Age spirituality and newspaper horoscopes. So if there’s no modern science backing them up, why can horoscopes and astrological descriptions of your personality feel so eerily accurate? It’s because astrology relies on a theory widely known as the Barnum effect, first established by psychologist Bertram R. Forer and later named after P. T. Barnum, co-founder of the Barnum and Bailey Circus. The Bar-
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num effect says that people are likely to accept vague information as true when it’s presented as being tailored specifically towards them. Maybe you’re a Virgo, and you really identify with your sign. But if you think about it, your Virgo characteristics can probably just as accurately be used to describe someone else you know. Or maybe there’s another sign of the zodiac that better describes you – maybe you’re a Virgo, but you’re really a Capricorn. But we want to find personal meaning in our sign, and so we do. For the 21st century horoscope reader, the scientific basis of astrology is perhaps less important than that search for meaning. For me, reading my horoscope in the morning is an opportunity to reflect on my day, the choices I make, and the things weighing on my mind. There’s something fun about the mystery and potential of a horoscope, and sometimes it’s alright to put aside the skepticism and believe in a little magic.
The Long, Winding PATH to an American Student Visa
C
oming to the United States as an international student was a dream come true. Actually, that’s not accurate. It’s not a dream that “came true”, it’s a dream that I made come true: made, because it took tremendous effort and thought, above and beyond the considerable energy required to apply and be accepted. When you live outside of the U.S., the very thought of applying to college here isn’t taken for granted. Luckily, I was educated at an international school, and when applying, I received plenty of support from dedicated teachers and one particular guidance counselor. After applying, deciding, and committing to a school, a process that readers here are familiar with, there is a
whole other process to be considered, one of equal if not greater trepidation: applying for a student visa, moving to this country, maintaining your immigration status and being reminded of it every single time you go any considerable distance. You pay a fee to be enrolled in SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. Your school then sends you the venerated I-20, the Certificate for Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. You pay the visa application fee. You set up an interview with the American embassy or consulate in your country of residence.You gather your valid passport, your nonimmigrant visa application, the application fee receipt, your photo, your I-20, and potentially some additional documentation based on your country of citizenship. You make sure you have everything, obsessively re-checking your checklist. You go to the interview, dressed appropriately and well-prepared with the answers you are expected to give.You pass; you wait for them to send you back your passport, with your beautiful, cherished, brand-new visa page. You fly off, and present every single document required, in immigration; you are allowed in. If everything works smoothly. I was so excited for this next chapter of my life was to begin that I researched the entire process over six months in advance, gathered everything
I needed, went over everything with my parents countless times; I had hoped to start the bureaucratic process as soon as possible so as to alleviate some of the nerves that would inevitably be my part closer to my departure. Those concerns came to head when the computer systems of American embassies around the globes crashed all at once, a few weeks before my appointment was to be held. I was beyond myself with worry: even if they managed to fix the systems quickly, it could impact my own timeline and arrival in the US. In the end, I breathed a sigh of relief after my interview went ahead only a day behind schedule. Little did I know that the more frightening obstacle would be when I finally arrived on these supposedly safe shores. Imagine--after setting out at 4am to catch your flight, after spending 12+ hours in the sky, after standing in line for ever so long, to be faced with an immigration officer-- you, practically still a child, and your father next to you, and be told that your papers weren’t in order, that you were to enter a side room while they figured it out. It couldn’t have been more than an hour, the time in that room, but being surrounded by other “suspicious looking” people, and the fear that was raging on in my mind, combined to make it one of the scariest hours of my life. Days later, when we finally had the time to make the uptown trek to my home for the foreseeable future, it was like coming to the promised land: I thought back to the bureaucracy, the uncertainty, the money spent, and the time, and thanked the heavens, and my parents, for bringing me to where I was at that moment-- to my beginning.
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She Said/She Said Unpaid Internships
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by Hadassah Solomson
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o one aspires to be an intern for an entire career. But, to secure dream job offers, students need to take advantage of the priceless -- albeit pay-less -- opportunities with which they are presented. Unpaid internships can be invaluable when building that impeccable resume on a path toward professional actualization, as long as students can afford to swallow the financial expenses (or forgone income). Cultivating a network of connected professionals in a field of choice is vital to laying foundations for future employment prospects. Experienced adults enjoying successful careers possess insightful advice to be shared with young, aspiring professionals. In particular, forming relationships with mentors who can act in advisory capacities and be willing -- if not eager -- to serve as positive references, is undeniably beneficial. Additionally, in a competitive, global market, any advantage to be gained over the competition should be sufficient incentive to accept work without pay that may result in enhanced opportunities -- namely, well-paying job offers -- in the future. Internships allow current college students to sample particular professions and roles in controlled environments. Students may even be exposed to career paths previously unconsidered, allowing them to drastically alter life plans in pursuit of new passions that would otherwise have remained tragically unexplored. Unpaid internships are not exploited labor, but rather investments (or even sacrifices) by employers, as inexperienced interns are often burdensome, particularly if they require extra supervision. Completing an internship without pay also may demonstrate to the employer a pure excitement for the work because ulterior monetary motivations have been dispensed. Admittedly, of course, money is better than no money, so if the choices are equal in all but compensation, take the pay. On the other hand, universities and colleges often grant credit or summer stipends specifically to facilitate student internships, alleviating stress many confront when weighing a standard, paying summer job against a resume enhancing internship. The bottom line is that, complementing the classroom experience, internships serve to demonstrate or cultivate a specific skill set that an average summer job simply does not. Each individual must undertake a cost benefit analysis. If that analysis is done accurately, unpaid internships yield more than enough benefits to make up for the pecuniary deficiency. THE BULLETIN -
by Arlena McClenton
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he question pops up your first semester of college, right alongside which classes to take and which dining halls are the best: Is an unpaid internship worth it? Internships offer you exposure and experience, allowing you to do work in the field and potentially make valuable contacts in your industry. Sadly, it’s not worth it to take on an unpaid internship. Even though you’re a college student, your labor is worth more than “exposure” and “experience.” Your intern responsibilities may or may not be vital to the success of the organization you’re interning for, but your presence makes someone else’s job a little easier. Depending on the company, this convenience can take the form of anything from memorizing coffee orders to working on tangible projects. It’s one thing to be paid to be a coffee gopher, but it’s an entirely different game when you’re doing something with no benefit to you for free. Women are already taught to undervalue ourselves and the work that we do. You only have to look toward the pay gap to see evidence of this truth. A common explanation for the gap is that, when negotiating salaries, women ask and settle for less. This, combined with a myriad of other factors, can lead to women working as hard as (or more than) men, while receiving less. Don’t start this trend in your own life by taking on an unpaid internship. Recruiting talent should be an investment, not a hope for free labor. Some industries realize this; technology and finance particularly are leading the charge in paying their interns well. When a company makes a choice not to pay its interns, it’s saying that your work as a student isn’t valuable. Whether you can afford an unpaid internship or not, it’s a clear statement that you’re willing to invest in the company, but the company isn’t willing to invest in you. Paid internships attract and sustain the interest of all types of students. However, unpaid ones privilege those who already have access. Working for free often isn’t an option for students from low-income backgrounds. They might take on a more practical job instead and lose the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen field. If a company refuses to cover even the cost of your Metrocard, keep looking. There are other organizations out there that actually value your service.
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Volunteerism by Annabella Correa-Maynard
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ow that spring break is long over and students are marking their calendars for final exams, it seems that social media posts and advertisements regarding service trips to underdeveloped locations, particularly in South America and Africa, have increased. Upon first glance, it appears that the primary purpose of these trips is to provide aid to those who are affected. However, many of the volunteers who agree to these service trips often fall victim to the harmful effects of “voluntourism,” where the trip becomes more about a trendy destination vacation rather than altruism - hence the photos that we see with one white girl posing with a host of smiling but emaciated black children. For the most part, volunteerism has a positive connotation, since those who volunteer are giving up time in their day, often without compensation, to help out those in need. Take, for example, feeding the homeless at your local homeless shelter during the holidays, working at an animal rescue shelter to find good homes for rescue dogs, or reading to kids at the local library. Volunteerism relies heavily on two aspects: your willingness as a volunteer to give up your own time, and your ability to accept the fact that you don’t pay to provide this service or expect to receive any compensation in return. “Voluntourism” breaks that cycle. Service trips are not free, and depending on the location, most of them come with a hefty price tag. This raises the ethical issue of volunteerism as a matter of socioeconomic status. AVIVA, a volunteering com-
or
Voluntourism?
pany located in Cape Town, South Africa, boasts “wildlife and conservation volunteer projects” that start at $1,054 for two weeks. Even more well-known volunteering services such as Habitat for Humanity offer “Global Village” trips to countries around the world to help vulnerable populations for $1,900. While
ticket prices may cover basic necessities such as airfare and food, they may also cover various other excursions separate from volunteering. These include, but are not limited to: salsa lessons, white water rafting, bungee jumping, and day trips to nearby cities, essentially none of which will contribute to aiding the intended group, but instead serve the purpose of self-promotion. As a matter of fact, unbeknownst to volunteers, these trips often harm the communities they seek to help. Despite the small successes, without consistent monitoring of these programs after the THE BULLETIN -
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original volunteers have left and before new volunteers come in, there is no way to ensure that those in need of aid are still receiving access to the service that the volunteers provided. Furthermore, in a 2015 study from the University of Pennsylvania, “The Cost of Volunteering: Consequences of Voluntourism,” author Megan Smith found that an increase in tourism brings a burden onto local infrastructure, altering the value of culture or rituals for the purpose of exchange, leaving a longlasting impact on the economies of the communities. This also ensures that these underserved communities are ultimately appropriated at the leisure and pleasure of what Smith calls “the undergraduate students of the ‘rich countries,’” as if the communities are there to serve the volunteers, instead of the other way around. It should be noted that after any act of volunteerism comes the privilege to be able to walk away from the underserved community. While many volunteers feel as though they have accomplished a lot, there is often an incredible amount of work left in order for the project to be considered complete. For those looking to fulfill an act of selfless volunteerism for the upcoming break, or any break, start locally. In a city as big as Manhattan, or a town as small (or large) as your own hometown, consider all of the local shelters, public spaces, and communities that are in need of help. Often considering the long-term impact your volunteering will have on a community accomplishes more than traveling thousands of miles to work on a project that may never be completed.
What's Fake about Fake News? Propaganda,
or the distortion of truth for political gain, has been a principal instrument of governments and politicians alike for centuries. Even ancient Athenian and Greek civilizations were replete with carefully tailored subliminal messaging. With the advance of technology and social media, the propagation of political propaganda has become increasingly prevalent. Today, media consumers are frequently duped, failing to distinguish between actual news and false assertions. The term “fake news” – used to refer to intentionally misleading news stories – has become part of household lexicons. Fake news manifests in two forms: utter fabrication and stories that are based only loosely on actual facts. Commandeered by politicians, the term has increasingly come to refer to the latter. Unfortunately, politicians have also begun to use the term “fake news” to refer to any information they find contrary to particular personal opinions or political agendas. Politicians have found that making extreme, bombastic accusations of falsehood tends to capture the public’s attention far more than the complexities of the actual facts. Fictitious facts disseminated throughout the internet, in addition to pundits’ politicization and simplification of the truth, contribute to the climate of indifference, skepticism, and gullibility rampant throughout the nation. During the 2016 election cycle, both President Trump and Clinton exacerbated this phenomenon by misleading the American people regarding the true nature of pertinent events that transpired. Crisis and cover-up characterized the presidential race. In her article, 2016 Lie of the Year:
Fake News, Angie Drobnic Holan, editor of PolitiFact, insightfully evaluates the fake news phenomena, identifying Trump as an “enabler” and asserting that his “outrageous falsehoods” and “legitimization of made-up reports” along with Clinton’s “lawyerly parsing of facts” contributed to the current climate of mistrust and suspicion. Alarmingly, the 2016 word of the year, according to Oxford Dictionaries, is post-truth, defined as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” In other words, people care less about the accuracy of a statement than its sentiments, which is a direct reaction to the climate of the election and demonstrates the detrimental impact wrought by fake news. If information is purposefully distorted or decontextualized in order to advance a particular political agenda, then it is fake news. However, there are often multiple, legitimate ways in which to analyze or interpret data that spurs real, productive, political debate. Ideological differences often manifest in small, but important, distinctions in interpretative judgements. Discerning truth from falsehood is integral in order to determine which data is subject to personal interpretation and which is indisputably defined. Kellyanne Conway’s infamous “alternative facts” refers to such instances of ambiguity wherein a situation may be perceived through varied analyses. Unfortunately, both the appropriation of truth, and the phrase “fake news,” exist. Accordingly, premeditated deception or honest mistakes, (excluding lack of proper diligence – negligence and incompetence – which should be ap-
propriately condemned) are intrinsically different must be addressed accordingly. Stifling news outlets or restricting media providers, however, is not an appropriate solution. The First Amendment stipulates for the protection of free speech, including the freedom of the press. In the shrewd assessment of founding father Thomas Jefferson, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” Yet, simultaneously, journalists must be held accountable for their claims, without being discredited for inadvertent gaffes that can be retracted and resolved. Mistakes or inaccuracies are not fake news. Bad journalism must not be confused with intellectual dishonesty; such duplicity exists and must be addressed appropriately. Political hyperbole is to be expected, however, a standard that calls for factual accuracy should not be contentious. Elevated journalistic standards must be demanded. Oftentimes, satirical articles or statements are superficially misinterpreted without their intended nuance, instigating an unstoppable tidal wave of erroneous communications. When confronting an outlandish, perturbing claim, individuals should act as personal lie detectors and perform their own fact checking before potentially contributing to the proliferation of a false narrative. If fake news has become synonymous with contrary opinion, the future of journalism and debate is in a particularly dangerous state. Freedom of the press exists to facilitate freedom of expression, which in turn, impacts the state of dialogue and debate. Fake news is intolerable, as is the mislabeling of authentic differences of opinion as such.
Graphic Design by Eno Chen
by Hadassah Solomson
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What We’re Binge Watching This Month
he 100 is a post-apocalyptic show currently airing its 4th season on The CW and renewed for a 5th season to air next year. Seasons 1-3 are available to stream on Netflix. Each episode is approximately 42 minutes in length, and there are 45 total episodes in the series (excluding season 4). The series is loosely based on the novel series of the same name by Kass Morgan, but the TV show does not stick exclusively to the books; instead it reinvents the novels to make the story lines work in a television format. The 100 is set 97 years in the future on the Ark, a spaceship that holds the remainder of humanity after a nuclear apocalypse wiped out life on Earth. Due to scarce resources, all crimes on the Ark, no matter how small, are punishable by death, except for those who are 18 years or younger. The show’s main character, Clarke Griffin, is in prison for helping her father, one of the Ark’s engineers who has already been executed by “floating”—
by Beth Abbott
sending the person into space without a spacesuit—sends out a video warning the people of the Ark that the air systems are failing and that they only have a certain amount of time left before they run out of air. The council, including Clarke’s mother, Abby, that rules the people on the Ark, decides to send all 100 of the prisoners, including Clarke, in a drop ship down to Earth to see if it is inhabitable, at the same time extending the ship’s air supply by several months. Clarke and the other prisoners are sent to Earth, but they land near the former Washington, D.C. instead of at their intended destination, Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center, which is known to have supplies. The teenagers are forced to figure out how to let the Ark know they are alive without a radio, which was destroyed in the crash, as well as fend for themselves on Earth, where there are human survivors after all, who are hostile towards the 100. The 100 is worth giving your time to binge watch because it is not anTHE BULLETIN -
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other ordinary apocalyptic science fiction television show; it is unique and wellacted. Every season of the show is rated “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, which is no easy feat, and it was the runner up for Best Binge-Watch in E! Online’s Best. Ever. TV. Awards in 2015. The 100 appeals to Barnard students in particular because it is both a guilty pleasure and intellectually stimulating. The group dynamics between the 100 prisoners on Earth, as well as the growing crisis on the Ark and division between the council members, are compelling and relevant to Barnard students, especially for Psychology and History majors, because it gives us a unique look at what humanity might do if at the brink of extinction. The show is LGBTQ friendly; the main character, Clarke, is the first bisexual lead on network television. Also, even though there are 3 seasons available to stream and counting, there are only a maximum of 16 episodes per season, so you can both watch the show and do work in one weekend.
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A&E
Grab your paintbrushes, dance shoes, and cameras: the fight for the Arts has begun. In an effort to create a fiscally conservative budget, President Donald Trump has called for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. According to the National Public Radio, such extreme measures against the arts have never before been called for. by Julia Tache
In Defense
T Illustration by Letty DiLeo
he National Endowment for the Arts promotes opportunities for arts participation by providing grants for a number of fields, while the National Endowment for the Humanities is responsible for funding projects that strengthen society’s understanding of culture and history. The NEH is also instrumental in funding research proposals at universities. If these agencies are cut, then the artists, institutions, educators, writers, dancers, painters, historians, and filmmakers who rely on these grants may be unable to have their initiatives realized. “I believe some of these draconian cuts are the administration pandering to their base. The largest arts organizations can weather the storm (i.e., New York City Ballet and The Met), but the smaller organizations will be devastated, many of [whom] work with underserved communities and groups and are an oasis,” says Mary Carpenter, Professor of Dance at Barnard College. Without these agencies, societal advancement through arts and humanities will be greatly hindered. The NEA alone supports 4.8 billion jobs and a $730 billion industry (Americans for the Arts). Along with the insurmountable financial
impact of Trump’s plan, a message is being disseminated by the administration that arts and humanities are not valued. Trump’s proposal undermines the necessity of cultivating creativity and preserving our nation’s culture through the arts. Cutting funds for arts and humanities programs is, unfortunately, nothing new. When it comes to cutting funds in schools, art departments are often seen as disposable. In my own high school experience, an enduring struggle existed within the art and music departments. The year I became the editor of the literary magazine was the year that we had to become entirely self-funded. Our principal reported, in an email, that he simply did not see the publication as a “worthwhile” investment. Our music department was essentially run by two teachers, one of whom directed everything from chorus to the musical, which was cut due to lack of funding. The regressive attitude that arts and humanities can be sacrificed is now being carried out on a national level by our President. Maintaining the arts and humanities is necessary for a society to continue to thrive. The NEA has been crucial in funding art programs for pre-K to 12th
grade students — amongst the many projects achieved by both endowments. Because of these endowments, major historical works of art are able to be preserved. They have allowed the dreams of creators to flourish while providing individuals opportunities to pursue creative endeavors. According to Dee Dickinson of John Hopkins University, studying art allows for a connection between motivation, instruction, assessment, and practical application, develops independence and collaboration, and even improves academic achievement. “The arts are everything. They challenge us to view things in different way. If we as a society do not fund the arts, it speaks volumes about who we are as a people,” stated Professor Carpenter. Through arts and humanities, the stories of our multi-faceted culture can be shared in imaginative ways. Art is both a way to express individuality and a universal language that connects people. Whether you appreciate, create, or do both, arts and humanities are a vital part of all of our lives; we need an administration that will showcase indelible support in these fields.
of the Arts
Upcoming Festivals and Concerts
by Lilly Kallman
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pring is upon us and summer is fast approaching, meaning that in just a matter of weeks many Barnard and Columbia students will be heading back home or fleeing the city to faraway places. However, if you’re staying in NewYork for the summer or won’t be too far away, you are in luck. Nothing beats an amazing summer concert with a few of your best friends, and New York will be hosting some of today’s most talked about musicians. Here’s a round-up of the best acts to look out for and which venues to keep an eye on, featuring small indie groups to breakout rappers, and everything in between.
Not Your Mother's Garden
Madison Square Garden, New York’s most iconic venue for sporting events, live entertainment, and concerts, will find itself home to some of music’s biggest names this spring and summer. Because the big stage attracts big names, you have to be quick to snag a ticket. However, if you don’t have a ticket to one of these gigs, don’t lose hope! Maybe you’ll just so happen to see your favorite star exploring the city; after all, they’re tourists just like us. On June 1st, look out for England’s hottest pop/rock band, The 1975. If you won’t be in New York for the summer, keep an eye out for tickets to see Bruno Mars on his 24K Magic World Tour as he takes the stage on September 22nd and 23rd.
Beats in Brooklyn
While the NY Knicks play at MSG, the Brooklyn Nets call the Barclays Center home. Lucky for you, this large venue will also be home to many concerts this summer and fall, featuring some pretty special artists. On June 6th and 7th, fans will flock to one of New York’s best boroughs to see Grammy Award-winning artist The Weeknd. If you can wait until the fall, Ed Sheeran will be blessing Brooklyn with his English charm and heart-wrenching lyrIcs for three straight nights from September 29th to October 1st. If you’re in search of a more intimate venue but an equally exciting performance, hit up Brooklyn Steel on May 6th to see Catfish and the Bottlemen. Located in East Williamsburg, this venue can be reached by Barnard students in less than an hour. It is fairly new to the NYC music scene, only opening this year, but comes from the creators behind venues such as Terminal 5 and Bowery Ballroom. Despite being a young venue, Brooklyn Steel has many shows coming such as The Decemberists from April 17th-19th and Sylvan Esso on May 18th and 19th.
Catch Us in Queens
Forest Hills Stadium in Queens is a sprawling outdoor arena, making for some unbelievable summer concert experiences. Dance to your favorite electronic duo, The Chainsmokers, on June 9th and 10th, and don’t forget to make your friends jealous with an unbeatable Snapchat story. This venue offers a diverse offering of musical groups, as just a few days later you can enjoy the slightly more mellow, but just as impressive, talents of Jack Johnson on June 14th.
An Unforgettable Festival
Outdoor music festivals have been all the rage the past couple of years, and this June, an especially talented smattering of artists will perform at NYC’S Governor’s Ball. The festival experience is fun and unique, differing from a regular concert as it often spans several days and encompasses numerous artists of all varied genres. Festivals are a great way to spend time with friends as well as meet new people, as typically those who attend them are friendly, outgoing, and there to have an unforgettable weekend. The festival will take place at Randall’s Island Park from June 2nd-4th, and passes can be purchased either for individual days or the entire weekend.The lineup is amazing, featuring big names like Chance the Rapper, Lorde, Childish Gambino,Tove Lo, and Wiz Khalifa. If you haven’t heard of any of the other acts, make sure to check out ones like Flume, The Strumbellas, Local Natives, and Cage the Elephant. And if you’re a true festival fanatic, keep an eye out for the tickets to The Meadows Festival as well as its anticipated lineup (September 15th-17th at Citi-Field in Queens). THE BULLETIN -
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Spring Playlist P
by Mariam Syed
song to roam around the city to. Anticipating the heat of summer, this song will give “you the vibes that you desire” as you stroll through the hotter and more humid days of spring.
Kilo Kish, “Hello, Lakisha”
This is the kind of music you might hear on a warm but windy day at a pleasant carnival that may or may not be haunted. The whole album, Oh! The Grandeur, feels whimsy and eerie, as though you’re traveling through a forest and come across a weird little gremlin who says nonsense words like “a little existentialrangle fangle bang” (which is a line in the song). It’s a jaunty tune carried largely by the fiddle that is fun and wholesome, which is what spring should feel like. (Honorable mentions from the album: “Feetlips,” “Candy Shop,” “Coney Island Shuffle”)
Listening to this song is such a lovely way to start the morning. The second track from Kilo Kish’s album Reflections in Real Time, it is an upbeat and jazzy song in which Kilo Kish embraces the origin of her name, Lakisha, and her identity. It’s an ebullient affirmation of the self that sounds like sunny days and sneakers hitting the pavement.
Lando Chill, “Floating to Nowhere”
You know how when the weather’s finally good enough to amble around the city (assuming you have the time,), and you want to spend the whole day roaming through parks and museums? This is the song you should listen to as you do that. It’s a mellow meditation on ascension from the Earth, with a nod to Edgar Allen Poe in the first verse.
Kari Faux, “Supplier”
From Kari Faux’ album, Lost En Los Angeles, “Supplier” is another great
Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire, “(What’s Your) Angle?”
Willow, “Marceline”
Willow Smith singing about Adventure Time is hardly something anyone could pass up on. Weird, beautiful, and definitely a little melancholic, the song is about romance and its fleeting moments. Willow sings about playing the bass with Marceline and lamenting how she’ll soon go leave to go back to space. I would suggest listening to it on a rainy day. Whether it’s drizzling, pouring, or “raining knives,” this song will suit the weather just fine.
Prateek Kuhad, “Raat THE BULLETIN - 29 - april/may 2017
Raazi”
“Raat Raazi” by Delhi-based artist, Prateek Kuhad, is a nice song to listen to just after sunset, when the world starts to feel warm and sleepy. Sung in Hindi (as is the rest of the eponymous EP) the refrain from the song translates to “The evening is not over yet, and the night is ready.” It captures the essence of the April and May nights, when it feels like you have all the time in the world. (Honorable mention: “Ab Hoga Kya,” the rest of the EP)
Anik Khan, “Too Late Now”
Spring is a time of new pursuits and romance, and Anik Khan expresses that here wonderfully. The song centers around how he suddenly falls in love with someone, and it has completely caught him off-guard. Like the beginning of many romances, “Too Late Now” is fast and fun. This song is perfect to listen to as you’re getting ready to go to a party or any other cool event that might arise in the coming weeks.
Sandunes, “Slybounce ft Nicholson”
This is the song for a private detective slinking through the streets of a city full of intrigue and adventure. It also, more realistically, works for those cool nights when you’re heading back from a party, and your hands are buried deep in the pockets of a leather jacket. By Mumbai-native, Sandunes (Sanaya Ardeshir), “Slybounce” closes out a chill spring night.
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eople experience spring in a lot of different ways: a peaceful transition, a vibrant resurrection, or a fleeting moment before we’re engulfed by the heat of summer. For now, though, we’re just shedding the dregs of a rough winter and appreciating the fact that we can go outside without freezing.The perfect thing to go with this season is a playlist! Hopefully, these songs will compliment your springtime aesthetic with plenty of good vibes:
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B bar and grill Photo Illustration by Art Board | Layout by Juliet Sloane
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by veronica suchodolski
hen I get tired of the food options in the Morningside Heights bubble but do not have the energy to seek out a new food place downtown or—dare I say it—in an outer borough, I turn to my favorite go-to resource: my friends at NYU. While the Columbia bubble is busy getting me down, the bubble around my friend’s apartment in the East Village is completely untapped to me, a whole new ten-block radius of restaurants and delis at my disposal. I came back uptown a changed woman, wise to the ways of the Lower East Side. With my newfound expertise, I recommend that you check our B Bar and Grill the next time that you take your weekend shenanigans downtown. Located at 40 E 4th Street right near the 6, NQR, and BDFM subway lines, B Bar and Grill is a great place to start or end your night with a bang. It is open until
midnight during the weekdays, and on Friday and Saturday it is open until 4AM. B Bar and Grill runs a relatively classy operation. Despite the bland exterior, when you walk in you are greeted with elegant booths lit dimly by lanterns and fairy lights. This is the main dining area of the restaurant and is likely where you will be seated, although they also have event spaces—including an outdoor patio—that are available for reservation. Their menu is eclectic, featuring everything from burgers to roasted duck to a taco bar, so there is something for everyone in your squad to enjoy. They offer brunch, lunch, and dinner, with a similarly expansive menu for each meal. Prices tend to be around 12 to 20 dollars, so definitely come prepared to spend what you might on a typical sit-down meal. Since I was there for a low-key dinner with a friend, I went classic with my orTHE BULLETIN -
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der and got the signature Bowery Burger, which features black diamond cheddar, a brioche bun, and herb fries. The beauty of the wide variety of choices at B Bar is that you can go as low-key or as fancy as you want with your dinner, depending on the occasion. To top off your night, they also offer a selection of desserts for 8 dollars each. Finally, your check comes attached to a sweet little postcard featuring a graphic design of the restaurant’s exterior that is a great addition to any dorm room wall. If you are looking for a hip sit-down dinner spot to fuel your East Village excursions, B Bar and Grill is absolutely worth your while. Its combination of the sleek ambiance of a cool New York City restaurant with an impressive number of options on the menu makes it the perfect crowd-pleaser to make your trip outside the bubble worthwhile.
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Spring Cleaning by Katherine Leak
F
or many Barnard students, the second half of the spring semester is spent trying to balance the rush of end of the year assignments, frantic summer job applications, and an increasing number of social events. All of this balancing often leads to increased stress, during a time when we should be enjoying the warmer temperatures and the countdown to summer. Luckily, we live in a city filled with countless resources for both refreshing ourselves and helping to revitalize our greater community. The following are tips for spring cleaning much more than just your dorm room.
Donating clothes
While packing for summer break, we all come across those sweaters or shoes shoved in the back of our closet that we haven’t worn in 2 years. Rather than just shoving them in a suitcase to be forgotten again, donate them to an organization around the city, like The Bowery Mission. This non-profit organization helps to rebuild the lives of the homeless in New York City and are always looking for clothing donations, particularly jeans, shoes, and professional clothing. Donations are accepted at 227 Bowery in Manhattan, 24/7.
Volunteering at a park
We treasure the green spaces that are sprinkled throughout the city so what better way to embrace spring than help protect and clean these spaces? The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation has numerous volunteer programs on its website, including “Green Neighborhoods” and “It’s My Park.” These programs offer a way to connect with other members of the NYC community and protect the parks with your own hands, whether that means tending to trees on the street or planting flowers and raking leaves. Visit nycgovparks.gov for more information.
THE BULLETIN -
16 - may 2016
Visiting a spa
In times of extra stress, self-care is often pushed aside in favor of late night studying and rushing from commitment to commitment. A visit to a spa like O’live Organic Spa is the perfect opportunity to slow down, take a few breaths, and also treat yourself. This spa in particular prides itself on reducing paper consumption and using handmade, natural products for their treatments, which include facials, massages, and aromatouch. Although a visit can be a bit pricey (with treatments starting at $80), a stop there before finals week - and after saving up can help freshen you up to finish the semester strong.