Where We Go From Here
&
An Ode to All of Us, Nasty Women Roommate Manifesto Holiday Markets Galore
ali mcqueen '18 & imani randolph '18 Editors-in-Chief amanda breen '17 Managing Editor
EVENTS DIRECTOR JUDY LIU '19 ALUMNAE RELATIONS DIRECTOR DEMME DURRETT '19
FEATURES EDITOR Emma Yee Yick '19 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Nicole blackwood '18 POLITICS & OPINION EDITOR jessica tschida '18 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sara Hameed '20 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR claudia levey '19 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Allisen Lichtenstein '19
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR claudia levey '19 PHOTOSHOOT DIRECTOR judy liu '19 ART DIRECTOR helen guo '17 LAYOUT DIRECTOR anna li '19
NEW YORK CITY LIVING EDITOR katherine leak '19 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Veronica Suchodolski '19 HEALTH & STYLE ASSOCIATE EDITORS Briana Draguca '18 Sophie Kreitzberg '19
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2 - december 2016
A Letter from the Editors
W
hen we set out on this issue of The Bulletin, we thought it was going to be a victory issue, an issue about how women were breaking boundaries and achieving unheard of things. So on Tuesday, November 8th around 11pm when we saw the results coming in from the presidential election, we were completely taken aback. Just as many people on this campus had to do, we had to reconfigure our perspective. As the days went on and we discussed what to do, we decided to take a new perspective, a perspective more focused on moving forward. We were inspired not only by those on social media doing so, but all of the students at Barnard College who had intelligent, valuable, and empowered perspectives on where we go from here, politically and personally. With this in mind, we have produced yet another issue of The Bulletin, and hopefully when you read some of the articles here you too feel empowered to influence your own political future. And if you aren’t there yet - we get it - hopefully this issue can bring a smile, a laugh, or a moment of relaxation among both political and personal struggles. Happy reading, Ali & Imani
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3 // Letter from the Editors 5 // Behind the Scenes 6 // Trending & Playlist
Health & Style 8 // kickin' it 9 // skin deep 10 // wtf is mindfulness?
Features 11 // in her words: when home for the holidays doesn't apply 12 // home; bulletin 13 // an ode to all of us, nasty women 14 // centerpiece: where we go from here 18 // the roommate manifesto
Politics & Opinion 19 // women in politics 20 // a look back at the 2016 election 21 // she's in stem 22 // she said, she said
Arts & Entertainment 23 // what we're binge watching 24 // america's most wanted podcasts 32 // holiday movie match up 26 // a year in music
New York City Living 27 // barnard in the outer boroughs 28 // new york on the stage 29 // holiday markets galore 30 // a nyc christmas 31 // skyline savers
ehind he cenes Model brooke henzell Photography: claudia levey Art Direction: judy liu
this blast from the past brand is the key to looking comfy and cool
Pixel Forrest stop by the new museum to catch this entrancing exhibit
Metalmorphosis 005 Kit pat mcgrath's newest drop will have you feeling like 24k
COMME des GARCONS emojis think: digital designer, it's the future
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Champion Gear
Game of Thrones wine drink the dornish wine tyrion lannister raves about, well if you're 21 and up
Pop and Suki Camera Bags ultra cool, kendall approved denim, p.s. they're cheaper than you think
1.
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dorothy
chill bill rob $tone ft. j.
kevin morby
davis & spooks
2. conversation piece
5.
migos bad and boujee ft.
kings of leon
lil uzi vert
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sidewalks the weeknd ft. kendrick lamar
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H&S C
ollege students are probably fashion’s biggest fans of the athleisure trend. Let’s be honest, we are tired and overworked, and therefore feel justified rolling out of bed and heading to class in our pajamas.When athleisure brands really took off, school hallways and shopping malls were quickly inundated by brightly colored, relaxed hoodies and bedazzled yoga pants. Now, the arrival of numerous streetwear brands and collections have replaced the athleisure trend, increasing the temptation to embrace a combination of comfort and style.Today’s options are both basic and fashionable, allowing one to dress down while also feeling chic. Shoppers can trade in their neon pieces for muted pull-overs, versatile tees, and hip street footwear. If you too feel yourself tempted to see what all the rage is about, here’s a roundup of some pieces to try and where you can snag them.
Top It Off
Out with the Abercrombie graphic t-shirts, and in with today’s equivalent: basic logo tees and contemporary crewneck sweatshirts. The most popular versions are those by Supreme or KITH, which boast their logos loud and proud, but their prices can run high. For an alternative, check out Urban Outfitters or H&M for simple and less pricey tops. While you’re at it, invest in a versatile and sporty bomber jacket, which will help you achieve the rebellious NYC look we’re all secretly trying to attain. To turn the heads of everyone on the street, get yourself a bomber from Zendaya’s new Daya line, available online. Hers comes in a deep blue and features a screen-printed graphic on the back. While you’re at it, take a peek at her patchy anorak jacket and cut off sweatshirts. For cheaper bomber jackets, scope out the scales rack at Zara or order from the online shop Missguided.
No Sequins Necessary
Bedazzled yoga pants aren’t yet extinct, but you can comfortably hit the streets without blinding every taxi driver that passes. If black jeans are the new blue jeans, then black spandex leggings are the new yoga pants. Slip into a pair of these sleek bottoms for a study session, babysitting gig, or a late night trip downtown. High quality options are available from sports retailers such as Nike or upscale brands like Aritzia. However, help your wallet by scoring yourself a pair from Forever 21’s activewear line. If you’re feeling courageous, opt for a pair with mesh cutouts or a colorblock design. Score yourself a few pairs in muted tones for a seasonal yet subtle look, or embrace your sporty side and check out Adidas’ iconic style with three stripes running down the leg.
These Shoes are Made for Walking ...and Fashion
Barnard students consider the entirety of NYC to be our campus. As much as we love our heels and booties, they are not always the most practical when exploring the city. Enter streetwear, and its multitude of stylish and supportive footwear. Purchasing a pair of such sneakers will be one of the best decisions you make this year, I promise. You don’t have to be the millionth person with a pair of black and white Adidas Superstars to participate in this trend. Venture beyond this popular style and try out a pair of Adidas’ NMD or Stan Smith sneakers. The Stan Smiths feature the same retro vibe as the Superstars but are slightly more refreshing, and the NMD sneakers more resemble a running shoe while maintaining a casual everyday look. If you dream to emulate Rihanna, take a peek at her platform Creepers, made by Puma. Although such brands can be on the higher end of the price spectrum, the quality makes them worth the splurge. Trust me, your feet will be thanking you when you’re waiting 3 hours for your favorite band or walking 20 blocks to save yourself the $2.75 subway fare. THE BULLETIN -
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Kickin' It
by Lilly Kallman
“S
Skin by Eleanor Marguia
Disclaimer: The Bulletin does not own any images on this page
kincare isn’t a vanity thing, it’s a self-care thing.” These words are part of the introduction to Korean beauty company Peach & Lily’s #BareItAll campaign. Part of a growing trend of emphasizing skincare over makeup, the campaign encourages customers to spend time getting to know their skin so they can “bare it all.” But is this campaign, and the skincare-first beauty philosophy behind it, actually promoting “self-care”? Selfcare, for most of us, means taking time out of the day to do something purely for the purpose of feeling good — whether it’s skipping class for a mental health day or treating ourselves to a latte. So, yes, a luxurious skincare routine could definitely be self-care, but the idea might not be quite as revolutionary as beauty companies want us to think it is. New York-based Glossier — another leader of this new beauty philosophy — has quotes like “Skin Is In” and
“Skin First. Makeup Second” emblazoned across their website. I might just be some sort of beauty-industry prodigy, but I have been washing my face for the past nineteen years. So, while Glossier founder Emily Weiss and I may disagree on what exactly constitutes a complete skincare routine, it seems that her brand (and others like it) are simply dressing up a concept that has been around for a long time. It could be argued that this “skin first” attitude will prove to be the next great liberator of women from Oppressive Beauty Standards. And, if that’s the case, then paying $80 for Glossier’s Phase 1 skincare set is ultimately in service of the greater good. But glance through Glossier’s Instagram and you will see glowing faces of beautiful models with (yep!) perfect skin. While we’re not exactly expecting to see faces covered with pimples, these photos give me the sense that you can only #BareItAll if you have tiny pores, an even complexion, and not a scar in sight.
Furthermore, companies like Glossier and Peach & Lily are effectively assigning a greater value to women with perfect skin who don’t “need” to wear makeup. The end goal of these intensive skincare routines seems to be to “fix” your skin so you can become one of these women, too. Hopefully, it has been established that people of all genders wear makeup for a variety of different reasons — none of which are because they “need” to. Thus, we must be careful when celebrating skincare over makeup to not fall into the patriarchal trap of expecting women to look effortlessly beautiful or looking down on those who wear makeup. But what if you just want to buy Glossier’s famed cleanser? Go for it. Just remember that, while beauty companies may claim to be selling self-care, they can never sell you self-acceptance. So wash, scrub, exfoliate that skin — you are still the same you.
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WTF is
Mindfulness? O
ver fall break I was having dinner with my family, talking about our absent relatives and their relative absurdities (as family does). When my aunt reported a distant family member was beginning “etiquette and deportment” lessons for their grandchildren, those over forty laughed at the idea, and everyone under forty had to Google the old definition of “deportment” to find out what she meant. “It’s a different time,” my mother said, “Manners don’t matter anymore.” However, I believe that manners are alive, bigger and better than ever. Maybe manners don’t look like knowing which fork is the salad fork anymore, but it’s been rebranded into the phenomenon we now call ‘mindfulness.’ Today is the day to be more mindful. We could call it a fad — from pop magazines to that hippie neighbor guy mansplaining how to be a better, more aware person — but however you understand it, mindfulness is not something easy to practice or achieve in hectic college life. Mindfulness is thinking about the effect you have on yourself, on others, and the world at large. Mindfulness is not only being gracious to other people and making sure your social obligations and civic duties are in order; it’s about being kind to yourself and your environment. Once you’re aware of how you act and your impact on others, you’ve taken a small step in a long journey to improve quality of life for yourself and those around you. One of the biggest questions to ask on your mindfulness journey is, “What impact do I have?” And on what level do your decisions have an effect on your wellbeing?
by Caroline Dolt
Every choice you make has an effect on an aspect of your life or someone else’s. Most times, people make decisions without thinking of their consequences at all, which is the opposite of mindfulness. It takes heavy, conscious thought to be selfaware of all these internal and external decisions people make.
Be Mindful of the Environment
This is probably the easiest of the three most central areas of mindfulness, as most people are open to incorporating small lifestyle changes to help the environment. At college, an easy and mindful thing to do is to recycle as much as possible. Encourage dining hall recycling or composting, and try to use real silverware in place of plastic throwaway versions. Beyond the confines of campus, try to support companies and institutions that have environmentally sustainable business plans, as well as ethically sustainable programs. More than that, be aware of the environment around you. Take the extra time to walk in Central Park and appreciate the trees. Be present around nature. Be aware of what the environment can do for you, and of what you can do it for it— the beautiful symbiosis of nature and humankind!
Be Mindful of Yourself
Yet another way to be mindful is becoming aware of how you treat yourself — inside and out. When you think of you, what are the first adjectives that come to mind? Are they derogatory or kind? We’re often our own toughest critics, which can push our potential to new heights, but it’s THE BULLETIN -
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not always the best path to take to success. There’s a balance out there somewhere where you can be realistic about your workload and limitations while also remembering that you need to take care of yourself to function at a high performing level. This means you have to treat you well by telling yourself (out loud if possible) that you’re trying your best. A great way to get out of some self-destructive habits is to let your friends know what they are and ask for their help at identifying when you do them. You deserve to create an atmosphere that helps you be a better person.
Be Mindful of Others
Now, onto the hard stuff. It’s time to get in touch with your inner empath and think how your lifestyle affects the people around you, in a positive or a negative way. There’s not a lot you can do to change other people; however, there is a lot to be done in how you can treat them. On campus, try to go the extra mile to make someone’s day. Sitting with someone alone at lunch or getting to know some of the Barnard faculty working outside the classroom are great places to start. If a friend is having a bad day, accept it and try to make them feel better by providing snacks, emotional support, or a distraction. Beyond friends, if you see strangers struggling, on the subway for example, is there anything you can do to help? It will make you feel better too, I promise. Your world can expand with kindness, which is wonderfully free, and you can inspire others to become more mindful and empathetic.
In Her Words:
features
When Home for the Holidays Doesn't Apply by Radhikah Shah
N Disclaimer: The Bulletin does not own any images on this page
ot everyone has the luxury of being able to return “home” for the holidays. Whether this be because of financial reasons or otherwise, we often consider our being able to return home to our families a given. This is not the case for many. As lovely as Barnard’s “Thanksgiving with Alums” sounds, I cannot make myself commit to something like that. The idea that I am seemingly alone in this vast country, so much so that I spend the one of the few American holidays based on gathering and family with literal strangers, seems more othering and distant to me than anything else. I often wonder whether the experience would be worth it, or simply a painful reminder of how far away from home I really am. On days that all my American friends are with family, I coop up in my room, resorting to fuzzy FaceTime calls, re-reading books and FRIENDS episodes I now know all the lines to. I am not attempting to paint a lonely picture here, simply an honest one and perhaps, hopefully, a comforting one, to somebody who is separated from home by more than just miles. As my second year in the United States reaches its midway point, I am reminded of how much time I’ve actually spent at home: a pocket of green next to a sea, the very center of Bombay, India. Since last August, I have spent exactly
three months and two weeks at home. I have had the privilege of being able to return home every Christmas and summer-my parents won’t accept any less--but I have several friends who haven’t returned home for at least a year. Perhaps their story is more tellable. I get to go home: be around my two grandmas, eat the food my tongue grew up tasting, see the faces and voices around me reflect mine…and not everybody, especially in today’s warstricken and conflicted world, gets to say that. I spend my time--and increasingly so, my identity--split over countries, continents, seas, and the most tedious of all, airports. Transit flights are the bane of my existence. Amniotic and dream-like, my transit airport surrounds me in my jetlagged stupor as I move from one DutyFree store to another. Sushi and airport bookstores revive me; delays and slowmoving security and immigration lines frustrate me. “Home for the Holidays” sounds like the title of a corny movie I’d watch over fall break, either visiting friends in the U.S. or in my dorm room. The holidays here don’t mean much to me at all; they are excuses to travel, if I can, or to take some time off school. It never means more than a FaceTime call to family and friends back home. For somebody who comes from a culture that celebrates everything, it feels strange to suddenly be THE BULLETIN -
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set adrift during the time when other students reconnect with home. The more time I spend here the more I realise that for now, this IS my home. I spend more time here than anywhere else, and that will be the case for the next few years. Perhaps my discomfort with American, college-sanctioned holidays stems from this: the idea that home, for me, is no longer only a 20-hour flight away. With distance comes detachment; with detachment comes ‘dis’-identity. Does my distance define my sense of self? What does it mean when I feel more up to date with the shambles of American politics as opposed to the shambles of that of my own country, India? It is easy to drown this overreaching, underlying voice out with Black Friday sales, Christmas lights (all year round, because why not?), and spring break plans with high school friends. It becomes easier to ignore calls from home when I’m out with friends. It becomes easier to adapt by pretending “home” means your current dorm room, and not one country or the other. Perhaps next year I might get the courage to have Thanksgiving dinner with alums, strangers or not. Or maybe I might just visit my friend in Boston for the 7th time this year. Either way, I refuse to sit in my dorm room with Chandler Bing.
Home;
by Hadar Tanne
H
ome is a smell. It’s the smell of hot, sugary waffles on a bitingly cold day. Home is the literal warmth you feel when entering a heated house on a freezing evening. Home is the snatch of your parents’ tongue, heard somewhere you weren’t expecting it. Home is your mum’s hug when she sees you again after a long stretch of being apart, a hug that lasts much longer than usual because neither of you wants to let go. Home is speaking to your dad and knowing exactly what joke he’s about to make—and already preparing to roll your eyes. Home is feeling totally at ease walking around the streets of a town because you trust it, you trust that it will take care of you, you trust that you belong there and that you’re safe. Home is memory, a feeling of nostalgia for something that can’t be fully recovered because it’s embedded in a certain time that’s long past. Home is your high school campus, and knowing that it won’t be the same if you go there again, so you keep it treasured in your memories. Home is a memory inspired by old photos, of a child that is sworn to be you but looks too small, with too little hair, to be reconciled with the face you see in the mirror every day.
Home is a complicated notion.
Most everyone I meet asks me
“So where is home?”
and I always struggle with the answer, because for me home isn’t a where, it’s a what.There’s a sort of tyranny of language that happens when the majority believe a word to mean one thing, but that word isn’t quite commensurate with the experience of a few; my definition of home is not the same as that of someone who has lived their whole life in one place, in one country. Third culture kids, those of us who have grown up in multiple nations, integrated in multiple cultures and speaking languages other than those of our parents, tend to be uncomfortable or downright confused by the seemingly simple inquiry. Taiye Selasi captured this
confusion beautifully in her talk, “Don’t ask where I’m from, ask where I’m local.” Where are you local? Where do you feel comfortable, at ease, where can other people picture you going about your daily life? That last question particularly goes to the root of the matter. When we ask “where are you from,” we’re often trying to learn something about the other person, but there is also a subconsciously menacing idea behind that question, Selasi says: countries (states) represent power, and where a person is from is taken to be indicative of their status. Naming one country as your “home” is reductive because it hardly captures who you are, but inquiries rarely go beyond it. More problematic to me is, as Selasi also touches upon, the notion of
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“going back home”: that “home” is your base and the place you must eventually return to. Even as I am writing this, I feel an anxiousness spreading through me, a rebellion against the imperative. I will always have a home where my family is, but having a home is not the same as having one home; assuming that I will “always” or “inevitably” return to the country on my passport goes against my entire life’s ambition--to experience as much as possible, to travel, live, and work in as many parts of the world as I can. We only have one world, but we have one WORLD--there’s an entire world out there to learn about, to immerse yourself in, to experience, and I for one intend to take full advantage of that.
An Ode to All Of Us, “N
asty woman” is a term that Donald Trump uses to intimidate the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the third presidential debate. Instead, women have reclaimed this term and used it to define intelligent, strong, and achieving women. Although high-potential and achieving women like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are considered as “nasty women,” we as women must continue to make men uncomfortable to push and exceed boundaries. The reclamation of the word “nasty woman” by women demonstrates that they have taken semantic authority, which is redefining and renaming the language used by men to gain authority. Women are delegitimizing this negative connotation used towards them and using it as a female empowerment message. Hence, Trump’s usage of the word did not belittle women but uplifted them. Therefore, it is important that every woman who has been called a “nasty woman” to take pride in that word. This term is not an insult, but a compliment to all achieving women. Women are tired of being misrepresented by the terms “bitch” and “nasty woman,” when in fact those terms are used when someone else is un-
comfortable with the determination and achievements by a woman. Even though women are reclaiming the term “nasty woman,” women have suffer from gender bias. Clinton must always remain poised and calm during the debates. She cannot be angry or upset, or else she would seem too emotional. She cannot be too assertive, in fear of looking too aggressive. For women who are tired of this gender biases, it is important to know that we can still overcome that hurdle and achieve our goals with our steadfast and determined attitudes. For example, when Donald Trump interrupted and called Clinton a “nasty woman” during her speech, she did not flinch and continued to give her
speech. Many women are interrupted and ignored by men in professional environments, but Hillary’s ability to not react or become silent shows that she has dealt with this type of behavior before. Her confidence and her intelligence in this debate made Trump uncomfortable and that caused him to make this remark. Women are constantly interrupted by the male colleagues and face gender biases, but it’s women’s unshrinking attitude that proves that we will achieve more. Afterall, a “nasty woman” like Hillary “doesn’t quit. She doesn’t give up, I respect that. She’s a fighter,” described Trump in the second presidential debate. “Nasty women” will continue to persevere through every limitation.
Nasty Women by Xonatia Lee
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Where We Go From Here by Juliana Kaplan
Models // Ali McQueen, Imani Randolph, Elizabeth Hanson, Sara Hameed, Gallant Zhuangli, Esme Ablaza, Corinne Greenblatt, & Blair Li Photography // Claudia Levey Art Direction // Judy Liu
"I know that the environment here is very liberal, but I feel like if we could have more of an open dialogue with people of different opinions we would be able to reach more moderate compromises." -Sara Hameed '20
It hurts to write this piece. It hurts to be a person right now. It hurts to be a woman. It hurts to be someone who thought that she would get four, maybe eight, years to push her woman president more to the left and be assured that her friends, family, and own life was safe. But that’s not the case. I know that I will never forget election night, and not for the reasons I expected. It was a night of pure grief and mourning and terror, and the battle hasn’t even begun.
And yet, I have hope.
"The election was a big wakeup call. I felt deceived by the polls I was reading, and I don't know what to trust anymore in regards to various news networks. Seeing the emotional reaction at Barnard, it struck me how much of an impact the new president elect and his proposed policies have on my friends who identify as minorities." -Gallant Zhuangli '20
“I think the election results have really affected the way I see my future career—I’ve always been interested in politics but this has made me think about going into policy or running for an office. Now that we don’t have as many positive examples for people to look up to, it’s on us to be role models.” --Esme Ablaza ’20
I
think this is a tremendously important wake up call. When you’re a white woman living in NewYork and Boston, my two homes, the many unfortunate realities of our country seem far away. I have never had to fight for my right to exist in the way that so many marginalized groups have. I, like many other East Coast liberals, thought I would have all of the space and time in the world to theorize and critique and be comfortable in my home far away from it all. As of November 7th, I know that is absolutely not the case. To the others in my position: it’s time for us to step up and harness this energy. Since the results of the election, I have seen an outpouring of anger and disbelief. But I have also seen such tremendous love and empathy. In the face of incredible hate, there is still so much love in this world. We are being forced to face the things that we would rather not see and that we have long been able to turn a blind eye to. Not anymore. And that, I think, is a fundamentally good thing. It is the first step in making America what it has never been: equal.
It’s scary and it’s hard. It is much easier to sit at home and share articles on Facebook. But that’s never worked, it didn’t work this time, and it’s not going to work. Shouting into a vacuum is just that: yelling into an abyss that you know will agree with you. Posting articles for brownie points is not going to curb the hate crimes threatening the existence of those we know and love. We are short on time. All around us, people are scrambling. Maybe they are stockpiling birth control, or estrogen, or rushing to marry spouses before January. Maybe they are desperately trying to change documents to reflect their gender, or rushing citizenship applications. It feels like we are all preparing for the end of the world. But we cannot give in to this idea of apocalypse. It is the path of least resistance. We are still here, and perhaps we are exhausted and terrified, but we need to ensure that we, and all of those people we hold dear, are still here. Do not fall into complacency. Take up more space. Show up to protests. Stand up to hatred that you see. To my fellow white people:
engage in dialogues and let people of color “tap out” if they are overwhelmed. Use your platform of power to uplift, not to hide. We are not going anywhere. We will not let intolerance and hatred and misogyny win. We will singlehandedly rewrite the narrative, and when history books describe 2016 they will describe the tremendous movements and mobilization and love that reconceptualized what it meant to be American. It will not be simple and clear cut, but it is the most important thing we can do. I’ll leave you with an anecdote. In Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who, the people of Whoville live on a speck of dust. No one can hear them except for Horton, who has elephant ears, and they are in constant peril and danger because no one believes in them. The Whos debate what they should do and disregard the danger, until the situation reaches a point of no return. At the moment where everything could be lost, they band together, and yell as one: “We are here, we are here, we are here.”
“As an international student, I’m worried about my future in this country. But Trump changes his perspectives every day so I’m still looking ahead to see what will happen.” -Blair Li ’20
To my heartbroken students, to my angry students, to my grieving students, to my students who feel like the world is a hopeless and sad place, know that you are not alone. We are an army of women, we are taking to the streets, and we are ready to fight. Please know:
We are here. We are here. We are here.
“One thing I think about is how mad I am, having lived in places where there was potential political diversity, but instead isolating myself and not taking the opportunity to see others’ perspectives. Being at Barnard, I am isolating myself in some way because my ideas are constantly being affirmed. When I hear degrading thoughts about conservative viewpoints I want to engage and evaluate how people can think about that, not treating liberal viewpoints as the truth that other people should get.” -Corinne Greenblatt ‘20
The Roommate
Manifesto by Erinn Lee
1.
Set Ground Rules – Roommate agreement contracts may seem tedious and unnecessary, but they’re there for a reason.Take time to go through each section and try and hit everything; whether it’s sleeping habits, study habits, ambience levels, friends, weekend guests, or cleanliness, get it all out in the beginning, so that there’s no awkward confrontation later in the year.
2.
It’s honesty or the highway – If something that your roommate does pushes your buttons despite ground rules, let her know sooner rather than later. Bottling up your feelings may seem like a logical option, but as tension
builds up, patience runs thin. Avoid talking about your problems to others and try talking things out with your roommate to nip it in the bud. When confronting your roommate, make sure to use sentences that involve “we” rather than strictly “you.” For example, saying, “I was wondering if we could throw out food outside of the room so that we don’t attract bugs” is a lot better than saying, “There are going to be bugs in this room if you don’t throw out your trash.”
3.
Bring this, not that – Depending on your preferences, it might be that you hate sharing, but your roommate grew up with three sisters. If you’re both people who don’t mind sharing, perhaps you can make an ongoing list of miscellaneous things. Whether that be designating someone to buy snacks for the room or running out to get cleaning supplies, creating an atmosphere of an unified room can make it feel more like home away from home.
4.
Asking never hurts! – No matter how comfortable you might be with your roommate, it never hurts to ask if you can have something before taking it. Even if they explicitly give you a free pass forever to use cerTHE BULLETIN -
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tain things, it’s still not a bad idea to give them a heads up before you do.
5.
Better safe than sorry – For some, an ever-growing pile of clothes is no big deal. For others, it’s important to have everything tidy. If you fall under the former, understand that you’re not the only person living in the room. There will be no one else who will be cleaning up after you, so take extra care to keep your side of the room presentable.
6.
Compromising should be a virtue – In a perfect world, everyone would always win. However, that may never be the case here. Each person has varying habits, so there will be choices made that might not satisfy both parties. Being flexible and embodying the concept of “win some, lose some” will create a much better relationship in the long run. If the stars align and you and your roommate are able to get along well, hurrah! At the end of a long day, they’re the one you’re coming back home to. Use these tips to navigate your way with your roommate and some of the best college experiences might just happen right in the room.
Illustration by Helen Guo
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ollege is all about new experiences and is a time for many firsts. It may be the first time away from home or living with someone new. Everyone has heard of horror stories with roommate experiences, but no one is coming into college to be the worst roommate. If you and your roommate find the happy medium of living together, every day can feel like a sleepover. However, it’s naïve to think that there won’t be bumps in the road. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when maintaining a peaceful coexisting year with your roommate(s).
P&O Women in Politics:
Elizabeth Warren M
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assachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has spent her political career fighting for middle class American families like the one she grew up in. As a child, her family often struggled financially, causing Elizabeth to start working at the age of nine. This sense of hard work became deeply ingrained in her and remains a driving force in her life as she represents the people of Massachusetts in the United States Senate. Senator Warren married at nineteen and had her first child three years later. Though these circumstances may not seem conducive to having an easy path to professional success, Warren remained steadfast in her determination to prosper, and she began law school at the age of twenty-four. After getting her law degree, Warren practiced and taught law. She eventually became a professor at Harvard Law School, a position she kept for twenty years. Warren’s political career began in the wake of the great recession of 2008, when she chaired the Congressional Oversight Panel for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. She worked to correct the affronts that Wall Street executives had committed against Americans and the policies that allowed them to do so. Due
by Hannah Welles
to her success on this panel, Warren decided to run for Senate and was elected in 2012. She ran on a platform that promised economic reform and help for the middle class, a subject that proved deeply personal to her, given her upbringing, and allowed her to relate to her future constituents.
Since her election, Warren has been serving on the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Special Committee on Aging, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Policy. During this time twelve of her twentyfive pieces of sponsored legislation have directly addressed the economy and its impact on middle class Americans. Recently Senator Warren turned her attention to the tumultuous 2016 THE BULLETIN -
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presidential election. Specifically, Warren made it her mission to prevent Donald Trump from being elected. She has engaged in a number of Twitter debates with the businessman and campaigned vigorously for his opponent, Secretary Hillary Clinton. On October 19, Warren tweeted to trump, “[The election’s] not rigged [...].You’re losing fair & square. Put on your big-boy pants because this is what accountability looks like.” Her emphatic, captivating speeches that she used to win over the people of Massachusetts worked in Clinton’s favor as Warren tore apart the Republican nominee in preparation for the election. Elizabeth Warren proves a strong, admirable example for women everywhere looking to attain a balance between their professional and personal lives. She exemplifies an incredible will and determination to succeed in spite of whatever obstacles she may face, as well as demonstrating that a woman can be a working mother without having to compromise on her goals in life. Senator Warren has been an outspoken liberal voice for the middle class of Massachusetts, as well as an excellent role model for all Americans, since coming into the public eye almost eight years ago.
A Look Back at the
2016 Election ally challenged Hillary Clinton and galvanized millennial voters. The competition between the candidates was so tight that NewYork’s primary was important for the first time in over 50 years. Bernie Sanders campaigned on our own campus, bringing celebrities such as Shailene Woodley from The Fault in Our Stars to College Walk to support him. Hillary Clinton ultimately won the New York primary, and although Sanders had multiple victories in May, she clinched the Democratic nomination on June 6, 2016, becoming the first female candidate in American history to secure the presidential nomination for a major party. Sanders did not formally endorse Clinton until July 12th. Throughout June and July, the race between Trump and Clinton tightened. Clinton was under FBI investigation for using a private server to store state secrets while Secretary of State, and, despite being cleared on July 6, the emails haunted her campaign. After the Democratic and Republican National Conventions ended, Clinton gained a huge lead, but by mid-September, Trump rebounded in the polls, setting the stage for three contentious debates. At the first Presidential Debate on September 26, Clinton had an excellent performance, while Trump interrupted Clinton 51 times during the debate, showcasing his sexist tendencies and giving Clinton a large lead in the polls. Then, on October 7, the Washington Post leaked a tape from an Access Hollywood bus in 2005, revealing that Trump and Billy Bush, co-host of Access Hollywood THE BULLETIN -
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at the time, made lewd remarks about women. Trump bragged about committing sexual assault, saying that he grabbed women by the p*ssy without waiting for their consent, and admitted to sexually harassing Bush’s co-host, Nancy O’Dell. The tape, combined with Clinton’s strong second debate performance, strengthened Clinton’s lead. However, Clinton’s lead began to shrink after the third debate and, on October 28, just 11 days before the election, FBI director James Comey delivered an October surprise, sending a public letter to Congress notifying them that the FBI was evaluating potential new emails from Clinton. The investigation was revealed to have stemmed from the computer of Anthony Weiner, the disgraced Congressman who sent explicit messages to a 15 year-old girl, and since he shared it with his estranged wife Huma Abedin, one of Clinton’s top aides, the FBI wanted to examine the emails. Comey’s letter was an unprecedented move, especially since Comey was uncertain of the presence of Clinton’s emails on the laptop. Many people, including high-profile Republicans, viewed Comey as meddling in the election. Comey eventually cleared Clinton of any wrongdoing on November 6. On November 8th, Donald Trump won the election, an event that many did not see coming. It is difficult to decide what the biggest reminder we have gotten from the 2016 Presidential Election is, because there are so many, but perhaps it is this: the popular opinion and expected choice does not always prevail.
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fter what seemed like ages, November 8th has come and gone, and the presidential election is finally over. Most people are probably relieved that we no longer have to listen to non-stop coverage of Hillary Clinton’s emails or Donald Trump’s offensive commentary, but it is important to reflect on this election, which never followed the status quo and frequently challenged norms that many thought would never change. The presidential election began in the spring of 2015, and, by fall, the Democrats had six candidates, while the Republicans had a record-breaking 17 candidates. By mid-March 2016, the Democratic field was narrowed to two candidates, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and the Republican field to three candidates, billionaire businessman Donald J. Trump, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and Ohio Governor John Kasich. Trump distinguished himself early on with his rhetoric of building a wall between Mexico and the United States, his view of black Americans as universally living in poverty, and his bigotry towards people of the Muslim faith. Although Cruz initially remained competitive with Donald Trump, both Cruz and Kasich dropped out of the race in early May, because there was no way for either candidate to win the nomination without a contested convention. Meanwhile, the Democratic primary was competitive until June. Bernie Sanders, at first not taken seriously, actu-
by Beth Abbott
She’s in STEM by Xonatia Lee
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he Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields are critical for advancements and innovations in every nation. However, women are underrepresented in these fields. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s report on women in STEM,
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only 24% of the STEM workforce in the U.S. is comprised of women. There is an urgent need for more equal representation of women in the STEM workforce. Even President Barack Obama seems to agree, “One of the things that I really strongly believe in is that we need to have more girls interested in math, science, and engineering. We’ve got half the population that is way underrepresented in those fields and that means that we’ve got a whole bunch of talent…not being encouraged the way they need to.” Perhaps one of the biggest reasons that the lack of women in STEM persists is that not enough young girls are exposed to or encouraged to continue studying the STEM fields. In schools, young girls are not taught about the women who have greatly influenced the STEM fields, but of the men who have been innovators in this field. Maybe because we do not know
who these women are, or there are such few women in the STEM fields, they go unheard. This lack of representation of women in the STEM fields makes it difficult for young girls to have female role models in this field and to continue striving in the STEM fields. In addition, there are also gender biases that perceive women’s lack of mathematical ability, which limits women in the STEM field. According to Science, a magazine that publishes research across the sciences, three researchers examined people’s gender biases when testing someone’s mathematical abilities. One of the results of the experiment was that when an employer, both male and female, saw only a picture of a candidate, the male candidate was twice as likely to be hired compared to a female candidate. This gender bias not only limits the amount of women in the STEM fields, but it also creates a space where women do not feel they can ever excel in. However, there have been efforts to address these problems. One such example is Barnard’s implementation of a “Thinking Technologically and Digitally” requirement for incoming freshman. This requirement has been described as a means for “students to discover new ways of learning that open up innovative fields of study, including computational science and coding, digital arts THE BULLETIN -
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and humanities, geographic information systems, and digital design.” Another poignant example is a campaign called Black Girls Code, launched by Black Girls Rock, which strives to increase the number of women of color from ages 7 to 17 exposed to and interested in STEM fields. Recently, these young girls went to Google to learn coding skills and to meet Black women professionals. We should be educating the future generations of women at a young age about STEM fields and encourage them to never give up, even when it gets tough. Most importantly, this future generation also needs to be more aware of the technology related jobs with a diverse set of workers. Sheryl Sandberg, the Facebook Chief Operating Officer, and the first woman to sit on Facebook’s board, says “we need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.” Women can make valuable, creative, and innovative contributions in STEM fields and solve everyday problems that men may overlook. The female perspective is an essential perspective for the growth of new technologies.
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She Said/She Said Social Media and Politics
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by Hadassah Solsom
sing social media as a political platform is not only an effective campaign strategy, but an essential component of any candidate’s operation. Additionally, the ability to post, tweet, rant, and reflect on social media is integral to the freedom of speech exercised by the citizens of the United States. An analysis from a Pew research poll suggests that, for the two-thirds of adults who engage in social media, this mode of communication is often their first source for current news. While posting personal political tirades on social media may clutter Facebook feeds, it serves a purpose. The pervasiveness of such posts prevents people from evading the issues, forcing voters to encounter disparate opinions and exposing them to novel ideas. The results of multiple Pew research polls also find a notable increase in people’s political participation, awareness, or understanding of the issues, as a result of posts on social media. A recent study entitled “The Political Environment on Social Media” concluded, “Roughly one-in-five social media users have changed their minds about a political candidate, or a social issue, because of material they encountered on social media.” Often the instigators for debate and discussion, such posts are outgrowths of social media’s factory of thought, serving as forum for individuals to construct and refine opinions. Comments and criticisms ensue and dialogue commences. As long as discourse remains civil and intellectual, the freedom of social media is a priceless privilege, not to be abused. Arguably, the people who engage in social media rhetoric are already indoctrinated with a particular point of view, thereby mitigating the effects of any potential discussion. However, the undecided and uninformed individual, or perhaps even the open-minded one, may inevitably come across a post and be offered a buffet of political views previously unconsidered, continuing to scroll an enlightened constituent.
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THE BUL�
by Julia Tache
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ocial media feeds are like “street corners,” where anyone can hang out and share their views. Often, people take to these streets to “march” and discuss issues that matter. While Internet activism is inherently democratic, this slew of information is what drives online activism into a circle. While the Internet’s “open forum” allows for varying opinions and multi-faceted social movements, it may create a lack of unity. With the amount of activity on the Web, the Internet provides ways to tailor our experience and to click away disagreeing views. The decentralized #OccupyWallStreet movement, for instance, dissolved due to conflicting goals and voices lost in the conversation. The Internet, despite freedom of speech, can silence segments of the population and reinforce inequality. Societal issues such as racism and sexism manifest themselves online, derailing social movements. Worldwide, economic inequality and government censorship prevent individuals from accessing the Internet and taking part in online dialogue. Online activism can also be thwarted due to the Internet’s tracking ability. In Turkey, social media sites were blocked during political protests, preventing online discourse. When Internet activism is free to be expressed, however, its ultimate effect is difficult to quantify. The “success” of social movements is subjective, and when millions may be participating in one online, how is level of success measured? Is it by the amount of likes or shares a public statement gets, or by the real-world impact? The Internet brings issues to light, but activism cannot stop there. Websites are great tools for disseminating information, and people can utilize this information to vote for politicians who support certain movement or to canvass for vital issues, but “Hashtivism” is only the beginning. Activists must use the tools of democracy to mobilize and turn what is distributed online into tangible solutions.
Photo Illustration by Anna Li
PRO
What We’re Binge Watching:
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Gilmore Girls
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here is no better way to spend approximately 6 days and 9 hours than binge watching the expertly crafted classic Gilmore Girls. Ok, maybe you can stretch out the 153 episodes (roughly 40 minutes a piece) over a longer period of time. Either way, this family comedy is an absolute must watch. Grab some pizza, popcorn, ice cream, or any other junk food glorified by Lorelai and Rory, and prepare to become severely committed. I don’t know about you, but it only took one episode for me to know that I was in it for the long haul. Follow Lorelai (Lauren Graham), a young single mother, and Rory (Alexis Bledel) her teenage daughter, as they work together to tackle the exciting, confusing, ridiculously funny adventure that is life in the quirky fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. The cast of wacky characters that populates this picturesque town is charmingly bizarre and will leave you wishing you too were a regular at Luke’s Diner.You will find yourself laughing out loud at the endless stream of absurd statements that come out of Lorelai’s mouth, and her infectious personality will make you wish you were part of the family. As for Rory, you will join her on an
emotional rollercoaster ride as she grows from a naive teenager to a mature and successful young woman. Her storyline is realistic and relatable, and if you’re anything like me, it will become part of your own growing up experience. Honestly, not a day goes by that I don’t reference Gilmore Girls or find my life paralleling some aspect of Lorelai and Rory’s. Don’t let the title dissuade you from watching. Trix might be for kids, but Gilmore Girls is certainly not just for teenage girls. Gilmore Girls is for families, mothers and daughters, sisters, and best friends. It’s for coffee addicts, Pop Tart lovers, movie experts, and literature enthusiasts. I could go on forever about who can identify with this show because its characters and themes are universal. No family, relationship, or friendship is perfect, and this fact is reassuringly portrayed throughout the show’s seven seasons. You will face roadblocks, adversity, self doubt, and that is completely okay. Gilmore Girls encounters all of these issues and deals with them in a comical and uplifting fashion. If you can restrain yourself, I suggest taking your time with this show. One hundred fifty-three episodes may sound THE BULLETIN -
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A&E
by Lilly Kallman
like a lot, but I promise you will find yourself craving more. Over a year has passed since I started Gilmore Girls, yet I frequently return to random episodes when I’m stressed, missing my best friends, or longing for the simple pleasures of small town life. As if you need any more reasons to open up Netflix and press play immediately, the four episode Gilmore Girls revival is now available. Fast forward to present day and check in with Lorelai, Rory, and the rest of Stars Hollow’s greatest inhabitants. Also, don’t forget that Lauren Graham is a Barnard alumna. Every day that you pass through Barnard’s hallowed gates you are quite literally following in her footsteps. I won’t admit that this fact influenced my decision to come to Barnard, not to my parents at least, but it’s surely something I can’t ignore. So when you find yourself completely obsessed with Gilmore Girls, welcome to the family! And if you hear anyone on campus whispering the words to the famous “Where You Lead” theme song under her breath, it’s most likely me so please sing along.
America's Most Wanted Podcasts
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hen it premiered in 2014, Serial became an Internet sensation, amassing millions of listeners every episode. The show, about the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee and the case against her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed, was everyone’s newest obsession. Serial’s popularity sparked the rise of the true crime genre with new shows now dominating the airwaves each week.With so many options, it can be tough to find the right podcast to fill the Serial-sized hole in your heart, but don’t worry, I’ve got some shows that will captivate and terrify you. If you enjoyed Serial’s format – a case broken down episode-by-episode – Up and Vanished is perfect for you. This show follows the disappearance of Tara Grimsted, a teacher in Georgia. For 11 years, police have been unable to find a suspect or her body. This podcast looks at Tara’s life, police evidence, and the different people involved and, as more evidence is uncovered, reveals a lot of twists and turns. Criminal breaks out of the usual true crime podcast routine of investigating murders or kidnappings by featuring some unusual cases. One of them includes the legal battle of a truck stop owner to keep his pet tiger while another is about a mom who opened the first marijuana bakery in San Francisco. Each case is a story, like one lawyer’s work with death row inmates or the legend of a notorious horse thief. This addicting show redefines how we think of crime. Sword and Scale also combines both notorious and lesser-known cases in its episodes. Featuring recorded court footage and expert interviews, this podcast goes beyond headlines with in-depth reporting that leaves no stone unturned. If storytelling isn’t your thing, My Favorite Murder is your new favorTHE BULLETIN -
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ite. MFM is hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, two gals with true crime obsessions of their own. In this podcast, they crack jokes, gush over new discoveries, and share their case theories. But they know when to keep it serious – and they never shy away from details that make you feel squeamish. If you prefer criminal justice, I’ve got two podcasts for you: Detective and Actual Innocence. Each season of Detective is hosted by a retired police officer who answers some of your most compelling murder-related questions, like how a case grows cold or what motivates killings. This is the best look inside police procedure. Actual Innocence tells the stories of people who were wrongfully convicted. In a time of protest and dialogue about injustice, this podcast can be heartbreaking and frustrating to listen to at times, but it’s an important reminder of the shortcomings within our legal system. If you’re looking for some serious sleuthing, Thinking Sideways is a podcast devoted entirely to unsolved cases. From murders to unsolved disappearances to conspiracy theories, Thinking Sideways explores each of these real-life mysteries and tries to explain the seemingly unexplainable. True crime podcasts are the perfect subway companion. Evidence is pieced together like chapters in a book and all you have to do is put on your headphones. That being said, these podcasts aren’t an episode of Law & Order. The killers, the victims, and the crime scenes are all real. Sometimes a case is unsolved for decades, sometimes justice prevails, sometimes we get the wrong guy.True crime podcasts tell some pretty grisly stories, but soon they’ll be your guilty (gruesome) pleasure.
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by Ellie Botoman
Holiday Movie Match-Up by Arianne Siegel
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our theatre group, sports team, sorority, suite mates, etc. have already picked names for secret Santa. There are ads for holiday apparel and gifts, and soon the department stores along Fifth will be lit up and filled with decadent festive displays. You know it’s that time of year again, and with so many holiday movies to choose from, here are our top recommendations for different situations:
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Perfect movie to watch when you're procrastinating from studying for finals: Elf This movie is perfect for the inner Buddy in you. He acts younger than he looks, stuffs his plate high with junk food (resembling a stressed college student), and is easily distracted. This movie follows the story of a young man, raised in the North pole, who believes in Santa Claus and that he is a real elf. His perceptions of the world are shattered, however, when he comes to New York City and discovers an entirely new culture, complicated further by the discovery of his birth father. The comedy is filled with holiday spirit, hilarious interactions, and a sweet storyline that will leave you feeling satisfied that you put off that paper to watch it. Perfect movies to watch with the whole family: It’s a Wonderful Life or Home Alone The first one is a classic (yes, it’s in black and white) that will make you appreciate
your loved ones, and it is a feel-good movie--albeit with some underlying darker themes. If you’re planning on watching a family holiday movie with a slightly younger age group, opt for Home Alone instead. This comedy will be sure to make you laugh at the wild schemes t h a t 8-yearo l d Kevi n Mc-
Callister comes up with to keep local burglars out of his house after his large family goes on vacation for the holidays and accidentally leaves him behind. Best holiday movie for Netflix and Chill: Love Actually or 12 Dates of Christmas If you or your cuffing partner has never seen Love Actually, then you should definitely hold off on the “Chill” part of the night because this holiday rom-com is a must see with a star cast featuring Keira Knightly, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, and Bill Nighy. On the other hand, if you don’t plan on doing much watching, check out 12 Dates of Christmas. A classically bad ABC rom-com, this movie follows the story of Amy, a girl who keeps experiencing Christmas Eve over and over again each day when she wakes up until she can finally get it right with the man with whom she has been set up on a blind date. Best movie for a girls' wine night in: Holiday The key thing to know about this movie is that it has a hot young Jude Law in it...need we say more? This movie follows the story of two women (one from England, the other from LA) who are both fed up with their love lives and decide to do a house swap for the holidays. Seeking to get away from men, however, both unsurprisingly end up with newer, better men while finding themselves and some holiday spirit along the way.
A Year in Music T
by Alicia Simba
he best albums of the year tackled genre norms and social issues, revolutionizing music and society. Each artist has brought his or her own sound to the ever evolving music scene. Artists tackled the issues of the world in their work--leaving their mark in the music industry.
Chance the Rapper, Coloring Book
Kanye’s best prodigy was the golden child of rap this year. On Coloring Book, Chance the Rapper infused jazz horns (“All We Got”), R&B hooks (“Juke Jam”), and high-tempo dance beats (“All Night”) to create a multi-layered love letter to his family, city and God. On the opening track, he loudly proclaims, “Man, I swear my life is perfect” and the Black Boy JoyTM he expresses on the album is hopeful at a time when being black might not always be. Moreover, Chance transformed the music industry when he released his long-anticipated project as a free mixtape and then campaigned for streaming-only releases to be eligible for Grammys. In June, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced the change, and Chance’s role in that saw Coloring Book not only change the sound of music but the industry as well. James Blake released the perfect album for hiding indoors whilst you scroll down your old Tumblr and think about texting your ex. Whilst other artists began releasing their fun, radio-friendly singles, the British singer-songwriter went the other way with The Colour in Anything with his melancholy album. Blake has worked with everyone, from Bon Iver to Kanye West, and the influences are clear in his work, with his echoing syllabic melodies (“Waves Love Shores”) and minimalist bass drops (“Points”). The Colour in Anything is a paralyzingly sad and hauntingly beautiful expression of the human condition that will ring in your ear for years to come.
Frank Ocean, Blond
How many of us thought the day would actually come? Four years after his triumphant Channel Orange debut, Frank Ocean made his quietly triumphant return to music, first with the Endless visual album, but more importantly, with his critically acclaimed Blond LP. On the latter, Ocean has grown up, no longer partying in California mansions, he is lamenting in New York City bars, and doing it gorgeously. When it comes to songwriting, he remains unmatched, delivering subtle and not-sosubtle messages on race and gender through clever wordplay (“Nikes”) and late-night sonnets (“SelfControl”). The release of Blond lacked the fanfare around Frank’s bisexuality, which was a refreshing change, but attention should be paid to his fluidity in describing romantic partners, implicitly challenging heteronormative norms that still dominate music. Blond gently pushes back on our world, changing it, one melody at a time.
Beyonce, Lemonade
Black women dominated music this year. Rihanna provided the soundtrack for the single, liberated woman with Anti, Noname blurred the lines between hip hop and spoken word on Telefone, and Solange gave us the pro-black protest album we had no idea we’d need with A Seat at the Table. However, when it comes to domination, the Queen is the Queen. When Lemonde premiered on HBO, the world was shocked by its unapologetic celebrations of black life and history, its powerful messages on love and infidelity, and of course, the feminist anthems we expect with every Beyonce album. Lemonade was an emotional experience, as we sang loudly about our lack of regrets (“Sorry”), then wept loudly (“Sandcastles”), before falling in love again (“All Night”). Lemonade defied categorization, featuring contemporary rock icon, Jack White, as well as rap superstar, Kendrick Lamar. Queen Bey proved, once again, that she does whatever she wants, and does it well, causing all of that conversation in the meantime. THE BULLETIN -
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James Blake, The Colour in Anything
Barnard in the Outer Boroughs:
NYCL
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
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hough we have the entire city of New York open to us, sometimes it is difficult for students to leave the Morning Heights bubble because they do not know where to begin exploring. Too often, Barnard students are left with touristy places that lost its spark since NSOP, and they feel intimidated to visit the other four boroughs because they simply do not know where to go. Remember, though, that we live in one of the best cities in the world, so make time for yourself on the weekends and seek out the cultural hubs in the other boroughs; most college students across the country do not have the privilege to visit the cultural gems that New York has! By now, you have probably heard of Brooklyn’s most popular yet gentrified neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Bushwick, to name a few. Next time you have the urge to visit Brooklyn, be sure to check out Bay Ridge - a neighborhood tucked away in the southwest corner of Brooklyn. Historically, it had a large Norwegian and Danish presence dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.Yet in the past few decades, it has become known as “The Heart of Brooklyn’s Arab community,” while also being influenced by various other ethnic groups. There are many international restaurants and bars with a wide range of authentic
by Sorah Park
cuisines like Mediterranean, Japanese, and French, especially along 3rd and 5th avenues, which are its main commercial strips. Get ready for some Instagramworthy foodie pictures!
Getting there is ~as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4~
1. Take the 1 train to 96th street 2. Take the 2 or 3 train from 96th street (directly across the platform from the 1) to Atlantic Av - Barclays Ctr 3. Take the D train from Atlantic Av - Barclays Ctr to 36 street 4. Take the R from 36 street to 86 street
Since Brooklyn is an exhausting trek from MoHi, I highly recommend staying there for the entire day. For lunch, grab a bite at Tanoreen - an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant famous for its fresh hummus made daily and lamb dish. Located at 7523 3rd Ave, it will not leave your pockets empty. If you are craving desserts, stop by the Little Cupcake THE BULLETIN -
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Bakeshop (9102 3rd Ave), a cute cupcake shop that is both vegan and glutenfree friendly; your body will thank you for indulging in a cupcake from this popular bakery. Take a quick trip to the Narrows Botanical Gardens in Bay Ridge, a free 4.5 acre botanical garden entirely cared for by NY volunteers. It is located on 7200-7398 Shore Rd. Not only is this garden visually appealing, but there are also free cultural and art events that happen here, like movie viewings or harvest festivals. Your busy mind needs to take a break every now and then, so escape the confines of your dormitory cubicle and enjoy a lovely meditative time at the Narrows Botanical Gardens. If you are the type of student who constantly misses the farmers’ market across from Columbia’s campus on Thursdays, then you are in luck! Go visit the Bay Ridge Greenmarket. It offers a great selection of fresh vegetables, fruits, baked goods, flowers, and fish from residential farmers. Support small and local businesses by buying your groceries here! It is located in 3rd Ave & E 95th St, Brooklyn (in the Walgreens’ Parking Lot). Bay Ridge is truly a hidden oasis in the midst of the bustling city where you can escape from the stress that is Barnard.
New York on the Stage by Eleanor Murguia
piece inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Student rush tickets are available online or by phone for $15 from noon until curtain on the day of each performance.
Holiday Inn
Studio 54, 254W 54th St, NewYork, NY High School Musical favorite Corbin Bleu stars in this revival of the Irving Berlin musical and, spoiler alert: he *does* dance. Filled with flashy dance numbers, feelgood tunes, and all the classic Broadway pizzazz, Holiday Inn is the perfect show for a pick-me-up during finals. While the Alvin Ailey American premise may be a little shaky—an inn that Dance Theater NewYork City Center, 131W 55th St, NewYork, is only open during the holidays—the performance is full of holiday cheer inNY This December, just say no…to the Nut- cluding the Bing Crosby classic, “White cracker. While the Candy Cane dance is Christmas.” If you sign up for Roundabout admittedly pretty lit, why not experience Theater Company’s Hiptix program, $25 another staple of the dance world? Alvin tickets are available for almost every perAiley American Dance Theater’s season formance. runs from November 30 to December 31 and is sure to provide a powerful and The Dead emotional viewing experience. The com- The American Irish Historical Society, 991 pany was founded in 1958 by Alvin AiFifth Avenue NewYork, NY ley, a choreographer who revolutionized Break out your best turn-of-the-century modern American dance and remains one evening wear for this adaptation of the of its most significant figures. Every night James Joyce’s novella. The Irish Repertory of this year’s holiday season includes dif- Production promises to be an incredibly ferent combinations of past pieces, in- unique theatrical experience. In a Victocluding the Ailey classic Revelations and rian mansion on Fifth Avenue, an audience r-Evolution, Dream— a world-premiere of only forty will step into the world of
the play as intimate observers. For a mere $300, you can enjoy a three-course dinner (inspired by the menu in the novella, of course) and watch the play’s action unfold as an attendee of the Morkan sisters’ dinner party. For those of us who do not have a couple Benjamins burning a hole in our Canada Goose, there is still hope: a lottery system will sell at least 35 pairs of premium tickets for $19.04. The show only runs November 19th to January 8th, so I would start praying to the lottery gods now.
Sweet Charity Pershing Square Signature Center, 480W 42nd St, NewYork, NY Two words: Sutton Foster. That is all you need to know. If you need more information, I am judging you, but here we go: This Off Broadway revival of the classic musical is specially timed to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of its original run. Sutton (as her friends call her) stars as Charity, a dancehall hostess naively looking for love everywhere she turns. The musical is presented by The New Group and is playing at the Pershing Square Signature Center in Midtown until December 30th.You can enter to win $35 lottery tickets through the TodayTix app, or send Sutton ten fan letters asking for comps (I am still waiting to hear back).
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hether you are #theatertrash or the name Hercules Mulligan means nothing to you, there is truly nothing like seeing a show in New York. This December—before you completely move into Butler and start reciting Plato in your sleep,—consider taking a step off campus and into the world of theater and dance (at least for night). The following four shows are some of New York’s more unique offerings this holiday season, and most of them will not break the bank!
Holiday Markets Galore T by byKatherine KatherineLeak Leak
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he holiday season is the perfect time to break out that Christmas music, indulge in all things peppermint and eggnog flavored, and, perhaps most importantly, to work on holiday shopping. As students in arguably one of the biggest shopping destinations, we are often expected to return home laden with unique gifts, but the endless options in New York City can seem overwhelming if you do not know where to go. Too often, we resort to shopping at familiar, accessible places without maximizing the unexpected alternatives. This year, ditch shopping at big department stores and chains in favor of artisanal and handcrafted goods from holiday markets across the city, adding a more personal touch to the gifts you give out this winter.
* Columbus Circle Holiday Market *
59th St and Central Park West, November 29th-December 24th 2016 Located directly across from the Columbus Circle subway station exit, this market is incredibly easy to access with the 1 line, yet transports visitors from the bustling Midtown atmosphere to that of a charming holiday market in Europe. With
festive red and white tents, twinkling lights, and garland, this location provides the perfect ambience for perusing locallymade crafts, gifts, and food, from handmade traditional German gingerbread to handcrafted jewelry.
* Winter Village at Bryant Park *
Between 40th and 42nd streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues, October 29th-January 2nd 2017 Branching out from the typical holiday market set-up, this location is quite literally a small village, with glass kiosks for shopping and eating arranged around a central ice skating rink. These “artisanal boutiques” offer locally-made and international goods, everything from accessories for the home to eco-friendly fashion. As an added incentive to shop, all purchases support the maintenance and upkeep of beautiful Bryant Park. Ice skating admission is free, but skate rental is $20, with an additional $10-12 for bag check.
* Grand Central Holiday Fair *
89 E. 42nd Street, November 14th-
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December 24th 2016 This indoor market transforms the historic Vanderbilt Hall of Grand Central Station into a one-stop shop, with a focus on handcrafted, American-made goods for all budgets. Compared to some of the other markets, this holiday fair has more of a feeling of permanency, like an indoor mall with all of the vendors easily accessible, and it also provides an escape from a cold New York City winter.
* Brooklyn Flea Winter Market at Skylight One Hanson *
One Hanson Place, November 5thMarch 2017 Escape the holiday bustle of Manhattan in favor of Brooklyn Flea’s winter location, specializing in vintage and antique items. The backdrop for the market is the elegant interior (with 63 foot ceilings) of Skylight One Hanson, a bank-turnedvenue in Fort Greene. In addition to craft and gift vendors, this market also boasts food vendors from Smorgasburg who have moved inside for the season, so you can keep enjoying big names like Ramen Burger, Home Frite, and Dough through the winter (note: only open on weekends).
A NYC Christmas by Emma Cunningham
8:30 AM: Rise and shine There is so much to do, so get a head start on your day. Make sure to bundle up-it’s chilly out there!
cheeks get too cold, head to a snack booth for a steaming mug of hot cocoa! 1:00 PM: Lunch All that shopping and skating has probably left you hungry, so grab lunch at one of the cozy restaurants surrounding Bryant Park. Highlights include ‘Wichcraft for tasty gourmet sandwiches or Pax for quick eats on the go. 2:00 PM: Window shopping It would not be Christmas in NYC without decadent department store displays. Highlights include Bloomingdale’s on 59th and Lexington, Macy’s in Herald
9:30 AM: Breakfast at the Rock Center Cafe Start your day at breakfast with a view of the famed Rockefeller tree; this year’s tree is the second largest ever. This cozy cafe is decked out for the holidays, so you will feel spirited inside and out. Make sure to chow down on their French toast; it is going to be a busy day! 10:30 AM: Bryant Park Holiday Fair After you have fueled yourself, head over to Bryant Park for their annual holiday fair. With more than 125 shops, you are sure to find something for everyone on your list; from jewelry to decorations to Soxeteer, you cannot go wrong. You can even treat yourself with free samples from Max Brenner Chocolate. While you are in Bryant Park, strap on your skates and hit the rink. The bustle of people gliding across the rink will surely put you in the holiday spirit. When your
3:30 PM: Picture with Santa There is room for everyone on the nice list! While you are at Saks Fifth Avenue, stop in to snap a photo with Santa.You are never too old to have a Christmas list, and it can’t hurt to put in a good word with the boss. If you are tired, stop at Snaks at Saks for a quick boost, and their delicious cappuccinos will give you the energy to continue on your merry way.
5:00 PM: Dinner at Rolf's German Restaurant Grab an early dinner so you have energy to finish your packed day. Keep your spirits high with a bite at one of NYC’s best-decorated restaurants. With the ceiling covered in wreaths and garland hung every which way, even the biggest scrooge will feel jolly! 7:00 PM: Second stop at the Rockefeller Tree Even though you have already enjoyed breakfast here, you cannot miss the tree lit up at night. As you stroll out of dinner, stop and gawk at the beautiful sight of the tree and take a moment to appreciate the magic of NYC during the holidays.
Square, Barney’s on 7th Avenue, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Lord and Taylor on 39th and Fifth, but make sure to give them all a peek. Even though these stores may be out of your price range, just looking at their displays can bring you holiday cheer, especially since some of the displays don’t have clothes, instead having gingerbread houses, moving dolls, and other decorations! If you are interested in these types of displays, Lord and Taylor is by far the best. THE BULLETIN -
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8:00 PM: Radio City Christmas Spectacular Finish your spirit-filled day by celebrating with the Rockettes at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. This classic tradition is the perfect way to end your day of holiday cheer. Though this does not even sum up half the spectacles to see in New York City during Christmas, this fun-filled day will surely bring you a Holly Jolly Christmas!
Illustration by Helen Guo
T
here is nothing like the greatest city in the world at the most wonderful time of the year. No matter where you are from or what you believe in, everyone can enjoy the magical atmosphere that consumes the city during the winter holidays. With endless things to do, it is easy to become overwhelmed, but that does not mean you cannot take advantage of what NYC’s Christmas has to offer. Enjoy this full day of holiday cheer before you go home and collapse by the fireplace!
Skyline Savers F
by Veronica Suchodolski
or the Barnard student with a social media addiction, there are few things more satisfying than posting the perfect photo of New York City to Instagram. It is the cherry on top of going to an amazing school like Barnard—not only are you at a college with world-class academics, but you can also be the envy of all your old friends as you show off your glamorous new life in the big city. Unfortunately, it can be pricey to go up to the top of the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center to snap the iconic city shot of your dreams. However, your Insta game does not have to take a hit just because your wallet cannot afford to. For the social media queen on a budget, here are the top five places to snag that perfect ‘gram:
1. Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges
These adjacent bridges offer gorgeous views of the Financial District. Take the F train to York St and make sure to get on the left side of either bridge heading into Manhattan. The views from both bridges are comparable, although the Manhattan Bridge is a bit noisier because the subway runs across it. However, it also stretches deeper onto land than the Brooklyn Bridge, offering aesthetic multi-level rooftop views all the way into Chinatown.
2. Gantry Plaza State Park Disclaimer: The Bulletin does not own any images on this page
To get to this waterfront park in Queens, take the 7 train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave. There, across the East River, you will get a head-on view of an array of Manhattan skyscrapers, allowing for a dramatic shot showcasing the imposing height of the buildings. This location is especially good for a nighttime photo because the lights from the city cast a cool glow on the water.
3. The Met Roof Garden Cafe
The Metropolitan Museum of Art will provide you with more Insta opportunities than you will know what to do with as soon as you step off the M4 bus at 5th Ave and E 80th St. Especially be sure to check out the rooftop cafe for a view overlooking Central Park and, on the horizon, Midtown. Lighting is key here—mid-afternoon sun will wash out your iPhone photos, so hit this spot earlier in the day if you can. Otherwise, get creative with the black-and-white filters to fix overexposure.
4. The High Line
Take the 1 train down to 28th St and spend an hour walking down the High Line in Chelsea for some unique photo opportunities. While the views from this raised park will not necessarily give you the iconic city skyline, from certain spots you will be able to capture the Empire State Building peeking out from behind the modern apartment buildings that line the walkway.
5. Northwest Corner Building
If you are strapped for time between essays and midterms and you can gain entry into the lab levels of Columbia’s Northwest Corner building, take the elevator all the way to the top and then check out the view of the Upper West Side from the stairwell. If you get the angle right, you can get a shot of the back of Low Library with Midtown on the horizon. THE BULLETIN -
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