library construction • bela fleck concert • buffer zone law • and more inside
volume xciii, no. 12 • january 30, 2014 | clarkscarlet.tumblr.com |
Inaugural poet Richard Blanco comes to Clark Shares his journey through poetry
photo by steve king
By Sarah Cramer editor-in-chief
“If there is some kind of emergency, please try to leave in an orderly fashion,” Professor Tobin said only half jokingly to the more than four hundred people crowded into Jefferson 320 on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to hear Richard Blanco speak. The appearance of the fifth inaugural poet, who was also the first Latino,
immigrant, and gay inaugural poet caused such a stir on Clark’s campus that the horde of eager attendees had to be transferred from Razzo Hall to Jefferson 320 in what Blanco called a “poetry stampede.” As Blanco ascended the podium and began to speak about his lifelong struggle to understand his identity and find a sense of belonging, he effortlessly commanded everyone’s attention, even those sprawled on the floor. With candor and humor, Blanco walked the audience through his life by interweaving poems with personal stories and pictures of his family. He began his presentation by explaining that he often says he was “made in Cuba, assembled in Spain, and imported to the USA.” He was in fact conceived in Cuba, born in Madrid after his parents fled there as Cuban exiles, and then raised in Micontinued on page 4
the.clark.scarlet
Cougars return home Clark athletes celebrate the success of their service trip
Richard Blanco: Gay but not Queer The trouble with normal and the challenge of queer politics By Keitaro Okura opinions editor
courtesy of clark athletic service trip
By Ethan Giles scarlet staff
For an openly gay inaugural poet, Richard Blanco took a while to mention his homosexuality. By the time he finally referenced it— thirty minutes and halfway into his speech—some in the audience may have even forgotten that Blanco was a gay man. By my own count, Blanco continued on page ?
From January third through the twelfth, several members of Clark’s athletic teams traveled to Loma Linda, Guatemala to help get the local kids active and on their feet. The trip was set up by fifth year student Harris Rollinger, who when looking back on the trip said it was “life changing,”
and that he “wouldn’t change a thing about it.” The number of children that participated surprised both Harris and Advisor of Sport. Developer Hana Chamoun, for example, described the children as “pouring out of the hills.” While they only expected about 30 kids per day, between 60-90 children came every day. continued on page PB
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The Scarlet
The Scarlet
january 30, 2014
UPCOMING EVENTS
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF CLARK UNIVERSITY CONTACT scarlet@clarku.edu | clarkscarlet.tumblr.com
EDITORS Interim Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Cramer News Editor: Claire Tierney Layout Editor: Rose Gallogly Web Editor: Pooja Patel Opinions Editor: Keitaro Okura Living Arts Editor: Matt Emmer Sports Editor: Brian Kane Photo Editor & Social Media Manager: Anna Spack Managing Editor: Jenna Lewis
SCARLET STAFF Ethan Giles Hannah Rosenblum Jonah Naghi Maria Rotelli Ronald Gerber Scott Levine Senegal Carty Tyler Terriault Will Heikes Alicja Ganacarz Fileona Dkhar Savannah Cohen
[ Friday, January 31] The Ballroom Dance Winter Social Tilton 7-11 p.m.
[ Saturday, February 1] Open Jazz Jam Session The Grind 4-6 p.m.
[ Tuesday, February 4] “The Anthropocene and Its Discontents: Climate Change and the Future of the Earth System” Tilton at 7:30 p.m.
[ Wednesday, February 5] LEEP Center Hosts Goal-Setting Workshop Fuller Music Room at 5 p.m.
LAYOUT STAFF Cami Ferreol Hannah Jaffe
PHOTO STAFF Cora Torton Jonathan Edelman Nainika Grover
CORRECTIONS In our November 21 issue in the article “Dancing the night away,” we neglected to name all the choreographers of the Dance Society and Variant dances. I Kissed a Girl was choreographed by Theresa Reish, Truth was choreographed by Kate Gummoe, Dirrty was choreographed by Hillary Plumb, and Love is a Four Letter Word was choreographed by Nicole Koppel. There was also a conflict of interest with the reporter. We have now enforced a policy that no reporter who has a history with an organization can write an article about that organization. In our December 5 issue in the article “Alumni and Student Engagement Center in development,” we mistakenly stated that the LEEP Center was formerly known as Dana Commons. In fact, Dana Commons is still the name of the building.
The Scarlet
january 30, 2014
news | 3
The Scarlet/News Fetally Wounded Worcester woman murders friend, steals fetus
Broken water line in front of Goddard Repair work slowed by cold
By Jenna Lewis managering editor
A Worcester woman accused of murdering eight-months-pregnant Darlene Haynes and stealing her fetus was finally brought to trial last week, nearly five years after the initial arrest took place. Haynes’ body was found stuffed into a bedroom closet in her home at 94 Southgate Street in Worcester on July 27, 2009. Julie Corey, who remains the prime suspect in the murder, allegedly beat and strangled Haynes before cutting a nine-inch incision into Haynes’ abdomen to deliver the fetus. Corey attempted to pass off the newborn, which survived the trauma, as her own child when located by police in a homeless shelter in Plymouth, New Hampshire. It was determined through further DNA testing that the child was that of Haynes and her boyfriend Roberto Rodriguez. The child, now four years old, currently resides with her father. Corey’s attorneys attempted to have all charges dropped two years ago due to a lack of “sufficient evidence”. However, Judge Janet Kenton-Walker, who is presiding over the case, found the evidence presented to a grand jury compelling enough to warrant a trial. Corey was the last person seen with Haynes while she was alive, and her fingerprints were found in Haynes’ bedroom.
photo by anna spack
courtesy of texarkanagazette.com
For several months, Corey had been telling both her family and her boyfriend Alex Dion that she was expecting a child, but refused to let any party accompany her to doctor’s appointments for fear that they would take the baby after its birth. On the night of the murder, Corey allegedly called her boyfriend and told him that her water had broken, and she was set to deliver a child at a Framingham hospital. Area hospitals have no record of Corey’s delivery or pregnancy. Corey has been charged with murder in the first degree, to which she has plead “not guilty”. Her lawyers remain steadfast in
the argument that she was in no way involved with the murder, and only came to possess the child through “lawful means”. Opening statements began Monday, and the trial is expected to last for approximately 12 days. The jury consists of eight men and eight women including alternates. Defense lawyers have continued to argue for Corey’s innocence. “‘The defense is she didn’t do it. Others did it. She had nothing to do with the homicide at all,” Attorney Louise Aloise told the Telegram & Gazette. The defense argues that Corey was not continued on page 4
By Senegal N. Carty scarlet staff
Shortly before the end of Clark’s winter break, a break in a water line in front of the Goddard Library was discovered. Physical Plant is currently working to repair the damage. According to Physical Plant director Michael Dawley, the cause of the leak is uncertain – age or settling ground might be the cause. The area where the repairs need to be made poses a special challenge due to the presence of utility lines from when Woodland Street used to run through the school. Dawley tells The Scarlet that a house used to stand
in that area, and that the front of the Academic Commons was actually only added to the library “about eight years ago.” As a result, says Dawley, “the water line actually ran underneath part of the elevator opening.” In addition, all of the electricity supplied to Clark buildings passes through the library, and there is a duct bank that will have to be tunneled under before the water line leakage may be repaired. The work was scheduled to be completed the week that classes began, but was delayed by the extremely inclement weather. Dawley said the repairs are expected to be finished ‘by the end of [this] week.’
The Scarlet
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WPI names woman president Former NASA geochemist becomes WPI’s first female president By Jonah Naghi scarlet staff
Dr. Laurie Leshin, former NASA geochemist and space scientist, has been named Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) 16th and first-ever female president. She will be stepping into office on July 1, 2014, taking Dennis Berkey’s place. Berkey stepped down last May after serving as the engineer school’s president for nine years. After evaluating two hundred candidates for six months, school officials said Dr. Leshin was “unanimously” chosen by university trustees to be the next president. Warner Fletcher, the chairman of WPI’s board of trustees, said to the Boston Globe that “Laurie Leshin is impressive by any measure. She is an academic who understands the role of... academia in the larger world. She is well positioned to take WPI to an even higher level of excellence and prominence.” Dr. Leshin has had experience in the academic environment before. Before joining NASA, she was a professor at Arizona State University, where she focused on the geochemical analysis of meteorites, the origin of the solar system, water on Mars, and astrobiology. She has recently served as a dean at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. Leshin’s passion for space started when she was ten years old. She said she read a copy of TIME Magazine on her mother’s kitchen table that showed pictures taken by NASA of the surface of Mars. Having grown up in a state like Arizona, Leshin said the surface of Mars looked a lot like her native desert landscape. Dr. Leshin has made her dream a reality since that moment when she was ten. Not only is it interesting enough that she shares the same
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Fetus Murder cont. continued on page 3
the perpetrator of the crime, but rather that Haynes’ ex-boyfriend Rodriguez committed the heinous act. Haynes previously issued a restraining order against Rodriguez, citing threats and a history of domestic violence as the reasons. Thus far, Rodriguez has not been
formally accused. The grisly case has garnered international attention despite having taken upwards of five years to go to trial. When asked why the case has taken so long to come to trial, Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr claimed, “It’s just a complicated case.”
Richard Blanco cont. continued on page 1
courtesy of bostonglobe.com
birthday with the first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong, but she also served six years at NASA as a senior leader, during which she helped supervise human spaceflight activities. She was first the director of science and exploration at the Goddard Space Flight Center, where NASA conducted research on space and built spacecrafts, instruments, and new technology. In fact, some of the spacecrafts she helped built have reached Mars. Later on, she also became the deputy director for science and technology at Goddard. Perhaps her most impressive achievement of all is that an asteroid was named in her honor. In recognition of her contributions for the planetary sciences, the International Astronomical Union named a patch of asteroids “4922 Leshin.” 4922 Leshin is a strip of matter that is several miles long and is in the main belt of asteroids that are approximately located between Mars and Jupiter. Of course, she has quite a legacy to preserve at WPI. In December, WPI ranked seventh in a prestigious robot competition held by the Pen-
tagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Nevertheless, Leshin seems motivated to take on the challenge. “I look forward to many productive years of collaboration, and I can’t wait to get started,” she said in an interview with the Boston Herald. Clark University President David Angel wanted to “congratulate” his new counterpart at WPI on her appointment as president. President Angel expressed optimism for the selection of Dr. Leshin as president not just for WPI, but for all of Worcester and its colleges. He says, “I have no doubt that this appointment will be great for WPI and great for Worcester. One of the strengths of Worcester is the array of...universities in the city...who work together to promote the success of our community.” On a final note, President Angel also said he looks “forward to working with Dr. Leshin to explore ways in which we can deepen our collaboration and strengthen our positive impact.” Congratulations and good luck to WPI and their newly appointed president.
ami. From the beginning, his sense of identity was understandably jumbled. During his childhood in the highly Cuban-populated Miami, Blanco admitted that his idea of the “real” America came from TV shows such as “The Brady Bunch.” He recounted his failed attempts to celebrate a traditional American Thanksgiving in his poem titled “Thanksgiving,” and talked about the surreal experience of watching the Miss America Pageant with his family in “Betting on America.” The disconnect between his own life in America and what he saw on TV was too big to ignore, and consequently he felt that he did not entirely belong in either Cuba or America. As he discussed his quest to navigate his identity, family was an important theme that resurfaced. With “Mother Picking Produce,” he described the moment he realized that his mother was an actual human being with whom he could empathize. In “Papa’s Bridge,” he wrote about “a father and son secretly in love,” as their Cuban culture did not encourage men to show their feelings. Leading off of that, he wrote the poem “Queer Theory According to my Grandmother” about the long list of things his grandmother discouraged him from doing so that he
would not appear gay, even though they both knew he was. Moving on from his adolescence, Blanco revealed that he did not actually start writing until his mid-twenties after he had already become a civil engineer. He then traveled the world, writing poetry along the way and hoping to understand more about identity and belonging. His return to Miami inspired him to write “Looking for the Gulf Motel” when he saw that nothing was as he remembered. His trip to Cuba led him to a similar conclusion, and through his poem “Varadero en Alba” he realized that the Cuba he was trying to find was the Cuba his parents remembered, which was now long in the past. His presentation culminated in “One Today,” the poem he read at last year’s inauguration. Perhaps even more important than the poem he read to all of America was the personal consequence of the inauguration for him. Blanco said that after spending his whole life questioning where he belonged, the inauguration “gave me a home… [and] helped me get closer to the answer.” With those final words, all of Jefferson 320 rose to their feet and gave Blanco a standing ovation. Although Blanco may still feel some uncertainty about where he belongs, the crowd certainly felt he was right where he was supposed to be.
The Scarlet
january 30, 2014
Petition could prompt ban of circus animals A request to prohibit the use of exotic animals for entertainment purposes may change Worcester’s animal welfare legislature By Raquel Doucette contributing writer
“The Greatest Show on Earth?” Not in everyone’s book. At their meeting on September 9 of last year, the city’s Public Health and Human Services Committee addressed a petition requested by Rosalie Tirella that called for a ban on “the use of exotic animals for entertainment purposes in the city of Worcester.” She made the request soon before the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus came to the city in October, according to Telegram.com. Tirella is the founding editor and publisher of InCity Times, a local newspaper which works with PETA and writes a cover story almost annually regarding circus animals. At the Committee meeting, she explained how other areas of Massachusetts, such as Revere and Northampton, have already banned “exotic animal acts” from their townships. The entire UK, she added, has done so as well; their “ban on all wild animals in circuses” will go into effect by the end of 2015, according to Express.Co. Tirella clarified that she and other supporters of the ban were not opposed to all aspects of the circus; in fact, she had no problem with their use of “farm animals” and dogs. She argued that taking exotic animals, like “lions, tigers, elephants, [and] cheetahs,” out of their natural habitats leads to the “accidents” that occur, such as elephants stampeding and having “mental breakdowns” that result in human fatalities. “Who wouldn’t [kill people]?” Tirella continued, “If they were forced to perform in a tutu instead of roaming the hun-
courtesy of raleighdurham.about.com
dreds of thousands of miles that they roam a year as elephants, in Africa or India.” She also cited “abusive treatment” to further encourage the ban. Her examples included that, elephants are pulled by hooks on their sensitive ears. Some animals have even been “cooked to death” and “frozen to death” while being transported in carts, which lack air conditioning and heating considerations. According to Tirella, the city of Worcester has cited “economic development” as a reason for continuing to allow circuses with exotic animals to pass through—that is, because these circuses bring people into the city. Tirella said that the city no longer needs these kinds of circuses as a source of capital, saying, “We’re pro-
gressive,” so “let’s be pro-family.” Concluding her request, Tirella added that circuses like the Ringling Bros. sell elephants and other exotic animals that have become “too old, or too ugly, or too whatever” to circuses that are “a couple of notches down,” such as the ones that travel around to state fairs. According to Tirella, these circuses have worse conditions than the larger-scale ones and “know nothing at all about animals.” After hearing Tirella’s request, the Public Health and Human Services Committee discussed Worcester’s current laws regarding exotic animals, specifically a board of health regulation allowing residents to possess non-domestic animals on their property if they obtain a permit. Such animals include poultry, reptiles, and
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CUSC in brief By Hannah Rosenblum scarlet staff
This week’s CUSC meeting was efficient, organized, and concise. $640 was allocated to the ONE Campus Challenge so they can send four members to the ONE Power Summit in Washington, D.C. $288 was allocated to the Making a Difference (MAD) Scholars for their dodgeball tournament, a fundraiser for Opportunities for Communities, which is Amanda Mundt’s organization. On February 14, members of Student Council will be giving out chocolate kisses in the University Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On February 20, Clark Athletics Service Learning Trip (CAST) will host a Pictorial Journey and reception from 6:30-8 p.m in the Bassett Admissions Center. Dale Watt was appointed as Clark’s Worcester Transportation Committee representative. He will be attending the committee’s meetings with other Worcester community members to create a plan to improve the city’s public transportation. The 2014 Spree Day Chairs are Sami Noor and Brendan Toussaint, and the Spree Day Advisory Committee representatives are Tyler Rosati, Leo Bayless-Hall, Aksheya Sridhar, and Emma Binder. Brittany Klug was appointed to an ad hoc “Bathrooms Committee,” and will attempt to fulfill Becca Liebman’s former goal of ensuring that students can use the bathrooms behind the dining hall. The Council also addressed Clark Confession #1508. They do their best and admitted that they make mistakes, and ask that in the future constructive criticism be directed to the Executive Board.
arachnids. The Committee members determined the need for the Worcester City Council to “review permitting and enforcement” of the ordinance. The Council has yet to make a decision regarding the ban, having tabled the issue at the last meeting. The report, which is as follows, is on the agenda for the next meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, January 28: Upon the Chairman’s Order from the Committee on Public Health & Human Services - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor review the Model Ordinance prohibiting the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling shows and circuses…and present to City Council a proposed ordinance for the city of Worcester
relative to the same. Further, request City Manager develop a protocol involving an interdisciplinary process or oversight for implementation of the proposed ordinance to include Animal Control, Board of Health and Inspectional Services: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order as depicted above. Members of the Council are anxious to resolve the matter, as they recently received photographs “comparing lions in a cage to children at a concentration camp, or tigers to slavery.” Will “The Greatest Show on Earth” return to Worcester, or will the ban on exotic animals pass? Stay tuned for the Council’s decision.
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january 30, 2014
CLARKIE of the WEEK
Matt Thompson Matt Thompson is a senior from Oxford, MA double majoring in Biology and Psychology. With a passion for music, he plays leadership roles in both Jazz Band and Concert Band. He also shared an interesting fact about his childhood. Scarlet: What activities are you involved in on campus? Matt: I’m the president of Jazz Band, I’m the vice president of Concert Band, and I’m also an RA. Scarlet: What instrument do you play? Matt: I play trombone in Jazz Band and euphonium in Concert Band. I also play piano. Scarlet: What is a euphonium? Matt: I get that [question] a lot. It’s like a small tuba. Scarlet: How did you start playing those instruments? Matt: When I was younger, [around] eight, my aunt gave me a toy piano. I played it all the time; I loved it - it was like the best gift I ever got. My grandmother saw that, and she heard from a friend that there was a piano for sale, so she bought it for our house. I started playing piano all the time, and my parents saved up and got me some lessons.
I started officially taking lessons when I was [about] 10. I started playing trombone around the same time, because that’s when we started doing band in school. I started playing euphonium in college actually, because the [previous] player graduated and they didn’t have anyone [to take over].
and Curtains - and one more that I can’t remember. I usually do them as I’m needed – a lot of times parts involve [playing] multiple instruments, so usually they ask me if they need someone who can play [both] trombone and euphonium or something like that.
Scarlet: How did you become the president and vice president of those groups? Matt: Well I guess I got elected [laughs]. I was always really involved in both of the groups; I just wanted to see them both do better. I’m always drawn to the administrative side of things, and I think people saw that. I also have a passion for making music and it [seemed like] a great opportunity to work with excellent musicians.
Scarlet: Do you have any other hobbies or interests? Matt: I intern at UMass [Medical School], and I really like that. I don’t know if that’s a hobby.
Scarlet: How big are the bands? Matt: Jazz Band is pretty big this year – we have about 30 members. Concert Band is probably around 30 also. Scarlet: Have you played in the orchestra for any plays or musicals at Clark? Matt: Yeah, I’ve done a few of them. I did Urinetown, Assassins,
Scarlet: What do you do there? Matt: I work at the Center for Comparative NeuroImaging. I study how nicotine affects the brain. Scarlet: Do you have any fun facts about yourself? Matt: When I was little I was on The Discovery Channel. Scarlet: Whoa! How come? Matt: I used to take an acting class. One day this guy came and he was like, “We need some kids for this thing that we’re doing,” and I was like, “All right I’ll try.” So I auditioned and [got the part]. You know how on The Discovery Channel they’ll talk
by Anna Spack
about things and show little clips of [what they’re talking about]? It was a show about cavemen, so they had people talking and then they’d show me and some guy doing cavemen things. [The clip] only ended up airing for like a minute, but it was still really cool. I was nine and I got paid; I was so pumped. Scarlet: What is your favorite spot on campus? Matt: I really like going on roofs, so I’d say the roof of Sackler where the observatory is. Scarlet: Is there anything else you would like to add? Matt: On Saturday the Jazz Band is having a jam session, which will be cool. Scarlet: What does that involve exactly? Matt: It’s almost like an open mic but for jazz. We’ll have a rhythm section set up, and then other players can join as they want and play whatever jazz songs they know. Thanks for the interview, Matt!
january 30, 2014
The Scarlet
news | 7
Philly “Swiss Cheese Pervert” out on bail Allegedly used cheese in sexual harassment
By Sénégal N. Carty scarlet staff
(NBC) - Christopher Pagano has been linked to several reports concerning a middle-aged man driving up to women in the Philadelphia area and offering to pay them to watch him put Swiss cheese on his genitals. The alleged “Swiss Cheese Pervert” has been arrested on charges of stalking, indecent exposure, and harassment, but is currently out on bail.
Launch your international career through Peace Corps service. PEACE CORPS AT CLARK UNIVERSITY Wednesday, Februar y 12 OFFICE HOURS
French crime reporter tries to rob department store
German town planning new nude hiking trail
Caught with $12,300
Route will be country’s third nude trail
(UPI) - A 63-year-old former French crime reporter was arrested last week after holding up a department store. He is now suspected in several other robberies. The suspect claimed to be recently divorced and in need of money for his son’s college tuition.
(UPI) - Officials in the German town of Trebbin are currently trying to find a route that would be suitable for nude hiking. The trail, which may not be chosen until 2015, will be Germany’s third.
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Library, Lower Level Cafe
SERVICE PANEL DISCUSSION
5:00 p.m. Higgins Campus Center
Visit our table at the Spring Job and Internship Fair! Learn more from Clark University Peace Corps recruiter Kathryn Fidler kfidler@peacecorps.gov
Peace Corps
peacecorps.gov - 855.855.1961
Lottery winner flushes prize Destroyed money “so no one else could have it” (METRO) - Angela Maier of Germany recently tore up £330,000 worth of winnings from the German national lottery and flushed it down the toilet. After news of her winnings spread, the nursing home facility where her late husband died sent her a bill. Maier was so angered by this that she decided to destroy the money “so no one else could have it.” She reportedly drank five bottles of champagne before opening the bill.
Conjoined twin whales found in Mexico First recorded case in nearly 20 years (BBC) - Mexican fishermen recently found conjoined gray whale calves in the Ojo de Liembre Lagoon in Baja California. The young whales, conjoined at the waist, survived for only a short time after they were born. They were the first documented case of their kind since 1985.
The Scarlet
8 | opinions
january 30, 2014
The Scarlet/Opinions The opinions enumerated in this section represent those of the author and the author alone. They do not reflect the opinions of the editorial board, The Scarlet, or Clark University.
Richard Blanco cont. continued from page 1
ended up uttering the word “gay” only once throughout his entire presentation, while only one of his nine poems had anything remotely to do with the topic of sexuality. To be sure, the invisibility of Blanco’s homosexuality was in many ways understandable. For Blanco, the struggle of negotiating between two cultures, of existing in a paradox of belonging to both but neither of two worlds, took center stage importance in his life. His profound longing for a place to call home, of becoming a true American, was palpable through the reading of his poems. Being gay, by contrast, was evidently something of periphery interest – it was meaningful and embraced insofar as others labelled Blanco as such, but his sexual identity wasn’t presented as something that really defined him. This ambivalence is perhaps analogous to a person selfidentifying as a “Cuban American who is gay” rather than a “gay Cuban American.” Although this semantic difference seems trivial and inconsequential, it should give us pause. Blanco’s silence regarding his sexuality is at least partly symptomatic of a significant movement within contemporary gay and lesbian politics: the advocacy to normalize homosexuality. Romanticized is a world where an openly gay poet would not be expected to discuss his homosexuality any more than an openly left-handed poet would be expected to discuss his left-handedness. Homosexuality, in short, would become virtually normal. It is with this in mind that I spec-
ulate that Richard Blanco is gay but not queer. Queerness, which should not be confused with homosexuality, is necessarily at odds with the normal. In at least one important sense, to be queer is to reject the quest for belonging, of becoming a perpetual outsider. It goes without saying that there are many gays and lesbians who could not be regarded as queer. Take Richard Blanco for example. His enduring search for a place to call home makes evident his desire to assimilate and belong. Far from using his position as an inaugural poet to queer the United States, it may reasonably be inferred that Blanco desires gays and lesbians to become part of the normalized American mainstream. To which you may reasonably wonder: what is the trouble with normal? Certainly, the normalization of homosexuality sounds like a positive development. Gays and lesbians would no longer be discriminated, ostracized, or harassed solely because of their sexual orientation. They would be allowed to marry, adopt kids, and later divorce if they so desire. The push for gay and lesbian normalcy, however, is not without significant consequences. For one thing, it would signal the end of the historic alliance between LGBT advocacy and the demands for sexual freedom and social justice. In exchange for a ticket to normality, gays and lesbians would abandon their transformative visions of a freer, more equitable society. The trouble with normal is even more fundamental. It is impossible to construct the category of the normal
without simultaneously establishing the category of the abnormal. In affirming their normality, gays and lesbians are simply transferring to others the burden and stigma of being the deviant, the abnormal, and the queer. Consider, for instance, the silent ‘T’ in LGBT. The new gay and lesbian politics reaffirms the marginalized status of the transgender community by consenting to uphold traditional gender roles, gender binaries, and normative family structures. In fact, many gays and lesbians are actively pushing to separate their movement from transgender advocacy in an attempt to better argue for their own normality. Is this what LGBT advocacy has been reduced to? Intoxicated by the rhetoric of marriage equality, gays and lesbians have embraced the idea of gay normality without giving second thought to their shameless betrayal. Willfully they have appropriated the legacy of Stonewall as the defining moment of their cause, conveniently forgetting that those who bravely championed the riots – drag queens, transgender individuals, the homeless youth, and LGBT people of color – are now ridiculed by the gay community as the wretched and abnormal. In the blind pursuit of normality, it appears as though gays and lesbians have become shameless rather than proud, parochial rather than enlightened, shackled rather than liberated. At some point or another, it is probably worth pondering the question: are there viable queer alternatives to conformity and normality?
Buffer zones Harassing women is not freedom of speech
courtesy of npr.org
By Clark Jackson contributing writer
Despite the fact that abortion is a legal and safe medical procedure in the United States, abortion providers and reproductive health clinics have been the subject of both legal and individual attacks on their ability to provide this care. Now, just after the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme court has begun hearing arguments regarding the “Buffer Zone,” a Massachusetts state law designed to protect patients seeking care at reproductive health clinics. This zone mandates a 35-foot buffer zone outside of the entrance
to clinics, inside which no protestors are allowed. There is a big difference between exercising the right to free speech and engaging in harassment. Anti-abortion protesters who choose to picket outside of clinics fall squarely in the latter category. These protestors often use incredibly charged, angry language designed to intimidate patients, and before the Buffer Zone law was enacted, they could stand right outside the door and physically block patients from entering clinics. For two years, I have served as continued on page 11
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opinions | 9
Our debt to Edward Snowden In defense of a whistleblower By Alexander Caro contributing writer
To mark the new year, The New York Times published an op-ed calling for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to, at a minimum, receive clemency from the U.S. government. Snowden is accused of revealing classified documents that implicated the National Security Agency (NSA) for conducting mass surveillance on the majority of the American population and, in fact, much of the entire world. One of the most troubling aspects of this controversy is that many feel apathetic about these revelations. Even more troubling is the amount of misinformation people have uncritically accepted about these programs. The latter can be explained by our government’s misinformation campaign since this controversy began. The Obama administration and intelligence officials have repeatedly shown they have no qualms about lying to the American people or even to Congresspeople. For example, James Clapper lied under oath to Senator Ron Wyden, falsely claiming that the NSA unwittingly collected data on hundreds of millions of Americans. Another lie propagated by NSA apologists is that these programs have never been abused. Like other lies about the NSA’s sweeping powers, newspapers almost immediately rebutted these claims, something that they would not have been able to do if not for Snowden. They revealed thousands of abuses and occasional instances of stalking by NSA analysts who used these tools to listen in on the conversations of their love interests. The agency even has an Orwellian name for this, LOVEINT. That is not even the worst part. In each instance, the abuses were self-reported, meaning the NSA did not discover the abuses independently. President Obama was not even
aware that the NSA had been spying on foreign heads of state, like German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Even more disturbing is the fact that the NSA repeatedly lied to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, FISC, the secret court responsible for overseeing the agency. The FISC, like members of Congress, relies on the NSA to be truthful about its activities. Yet oversight simply cannot be effective if those responsible are forced to rely upon the truthfulness of those being overseen. The NSA has also gone to great lengths to avoid Congressional oversight. Furthermore, NSA apologists have repeatedly accused Snowden of working with China or Russia, conveniently glossing over the fact that Snowden was originally heading to Iceland. He also stopped in Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous region of China known for its commitment to freedom of expression. He even taught a course on Chinese cybercounterintelligence while at the NSA. In fact, the State Department forced him to go to Russia when it revoked his passport. Our government even went so far as to forcibly ground Bolivian President Evo Morales because they believed Snowden was on his plane. While this explains why so many are misinformed, it does not explain why they are apathetic. Perhaps some feel that because these programs are run by a Democratic administration they needn’t (or shouldn’t) criticize them, never mind that they were started under the Bush administration. A member of the panel Obama appointed to review these programs drove this point home, “The point we made to [Obama] was, ‘We’re not really concerned about you, Barack, but God forbid some other guy’s in the office five years from now and there’s another 9/11.” However, as Obama advisor Da-
vid Axelrod put it, “Whatever reforms he makes, you can be sure if there’s another incident -- and the odds are there will be in our history -- there’ll be someone on CNN within seconds saying if the president hadn’t hamstrung the intelligence community, this wouldn’t have happened.” This is the crux of why Snowden’s revelations are so important. Since 9/11, there has little political will to rein in the mass surveillance powers of our intelligence agencies because doing what is right has little benefit to politicians in the face of the public hysteria. Our elected officials have for far too long been terrified of openly acknowledging that in a free society that holds civil liberties sacrosanct, there will always be the risk of being attacked. Snowden gave our elected officials the rare chance to fix this problem before another J. Edgar Hoover takes power. For those who may not recall, Hoover used the FBI’s surveillance powers through programs like COINTELPRO to discredit civil rights activists (termed “subversives” at the time) like Martin Luther King, Jr. and to intimidate elected officials who sought to investigate these programs, like Senator Frank Church. Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon are all known to have abused the government’s surveillance powers to attack political dissidents and monitor their private correspondence. That was prior to the 1980s. Today, in a world where electronic communications are so ubiquitous, it is of immense importance that we have robust protections for private correspondence. We simply cannot afford to be apathetic about these issues any longer, and we do so at our own peril. For exposing these programs, we are all deeply indebted to Edward Snowden, but now it is up to all of us to demand change.
By Sarah Cramer editor-in-chief
In eighth grade my middle school principal called me to her office and wrongly accused me of starting a water fight. Ever since that fateful day, I have felt uncomfortable around school administrators. Then last Sunday I got a text from Jeremy Levine, our editor-in-chief who is studying abroad this semester, suggesting that The Scarlet investigate President David Angel’s office hours. I wasn’t sure if I was up to the task. What would I say to the president of the University? I swear I didn’t start any water fights! But, being the wise man that he is, Jeremy pointed out that the President’s office hours are “a really interesting and important service that a lot of other schools probably don’t have.” So in the spirit of journalism and in an attempt to overcome my childhood fear, I ascended the semi-hidden stairs of the geography building. After a brief wait, I found myself sitting across from President Angel in his picturesque office. President Angel quickly shared with me his driving idea behind holding office hours: he desired to develop a culture at Clark where “the idea is to get to ‘yes.’” This means that instead of turning students down when they come to him with proposals, he sees it as his duty to help them “actually get things done,” or at least point them in the right direction; his goal is to ultimately be able to say “yes” to their proposals. While his explanation was clearly rehearsed, it was no doubt sincere. Leaving his office, I realized the significance of having a president who not only voluntarily deviates from the bureaucratic model to which most universities adhere, but also does so every month in an attempt to serve and guide students. This is a rare find in an age where higher education has become so commodified that universities resemble businesses much more than institutions that genuinely care about the individuals within their walls. As I went back down the stairs, senior Liz Webber entered President Angel’s office, prepared to express her concern that students living off campus cannot swipe into Goddard Library after hours. Knowing that our president actually cares about those students who have to wait outside in the cold reaffirmed my pride to be at Clark, and my pride to be a part of a publication that represents such a university. I am excited to serve as Interim Editor-in-Chief of The Scarlet this semester, and I hope that you continue to read our paper as we continue to work hard to improve our quality and keep you informed.
The Scarlet
10 | opinions
january 30, 2014
The ethics of capital punishment What if we kill the innocent? By Andrew Collins contributing writer
On January 17, Dennis McGuire, a man condemned to death in Ohio, was injected with a lethal combination of drugs that had not been tested before. Witnesses say that the execution lasted nearly thirty minutes in total, and described how Dennis appeared to be choking, gasping, and convulsing for ten to thirteen minutes as he died. McGuire’s death has generated controversy because Ohio has recently been required to find new drug protocols after European manufacturers banned U.S prisons from using their products in executions. McGuire was a criminal who raped and murdered a 22-year-old woman who was seven months preg-
nant. Though most of the controversy surrounding McGuire’s death rests on the fact that he died slowly and painfully, the notoriety of the case also raises questions about the ethicality of a criminal justice system that permits execution of inmates. For many, it is easy to support capital punishment by saying that people like McGuire deserve death, and that society is better off without them. But how would we feel if there were an innocent man in McGuire’s place? It is a fact that over the decades, thousands of people have been wrongly convicted of crimes. The Huffington Post reports that in the last 23 years alone, over 2000 people have been wrongfully convicted of crimes, only to be exonerated after spending years or decades in prison. This is largely thanks to the invention
of DNA testing. However, not every inmate gets the chance to have their case reexamined. It is unknown how many innocent people are in American prisons today, or how many are on death row for crimes they did not commit. Northwestern University School of Law’s Centre on Wrongful Convictions documented at least 38 executions that have taken place since the 1970s in spite of significant evidence of innocence or reasonable doubt about guilt. While it is not certain how many of these 38 people were innocent, it would be unreasonable to assume that they were all guilty. Our criminal justice system has failed and executed innocent people before, and there is little reason to assume that it will not continue to do so in the future. Capital punishment is an insti-
tution that rests on the graves of both the innocent and the guilty. With this in mind, any ethical person must ask: is it worth it? Punitive laws are established in society in order to prevent crimes from happening. The criminal justice system serves as a safeguard to protect the citizens within a society. However, research shows that justice systems that condone capital punishment do not have less crime or murder. Research indicates that there are no fewer murders taking place in the United States than there are in nations that have abolished capital punishment. In fact, many countries that do not have capital punishment laws have rates of homicide far lower than the U.S. The threat of the death penalty is not saving anyone, nor is it deterring forms of criminal activity.
If anything, it would seem that capital punishment simply satisfies the victim’s loved ones’ feelings of wrath and vengeance. Every time we execute a man as heinous and terrible as McGuire, we are inevitably saying that it is acceptable and justifiable to take the risk of executing an innocent man or woman sometime in the future. Is a system that has taken innocent people and sentenced them to death any better than a man such as McGuire simply because it also executes the guilty? I would argue that it is not. The fact is, innocent people do get charged with crimes they have not committed. Every innocent person who is put to death is simply an extra victim of an unnecessary crime, murdered in grim irony by an institution that was established for his or her protection.
In defense of McDonalds, I do feel that sitting in a restaurant all day can be unhealthy for anyone. Not just physically, but mentally. It is not uncommon for elderly individuals to feel that they are in need of new outside world experiences because they are lonely and depressed in their homes. According to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation, depression affects fifteen out of every one hundred adults over the age of sixty five in the United States. This might be what led the group of elderly Koreans into the McDonalds restaurant. I do not believe that any res-
taurant, including McDonalds, is the right place to find freedom from a locked-up life that seniors commonly experience. A different approach is needed to turn their lives around so that they do not feel the constant need to go to McDonald’s for the sole reason of leaving their boring homes. Finally, it is worth noting that a truce was struck between the group of elderly Koreans and the McDonalds store manager. The group is now allowed to socialize in the restaurant during all hours except busy lunch hours, 11AM to 3PM.
McDonald’s vs. the elderly Challenging the time limit By Alicja Gancarz scarlet staff
A McDonalds in Queens, New York seems to be at war with an elderly group of Koreans in their restaurant. For several months now these seniors have gathered into the fast-food restaurant and bought french fries and coffee only to take up seats for longer than they are allowed to. Most days, they sit and chat from dawn until dusk. Police officers have intervened on several occasions,, ordering the elderly group to leave McDonalds. Their visits have made no differ-
ence, however. The group comes walking and sliding right back into their chairs. McDonalds argues that the elderly group discourages other potential customers from entering the restaurant because they leave little open seats available. This reduces the profit that the McDonalds store would otherwise generate. On the other hand, the elderly Koreans argue that they should be treated with respect and be allowed to sit for however long they want. They ignore the sign in the restaurant that orders all customers to sit for no longer than twenty minutes. I find the conflict to be silly.
There are no reports of the elderly Koreans harassing anyone or causing any trouble in the restaurant. These harmless seniors only want to want to eat, chat, and sit. McDonald’s is already known as one of the world’s largest chain restaurant, making billions of dollars in revenue while also ducking the blame for the increasing obesity rate in America. What more could the filthy rich company ask for? How dare the company attack the seniors. This is a case we have seen multiple times in America: the case of a greedy multi-million dollar company attempting to control our people.
january 30, 2014
The Scarlet
opinions | 11
Buffer zones cont. continued from page 12
Dear Sigmund, It turns out my closest friend here at Clark isn’t coming back to school this semester. I’m a freshman and do know other people on campus, but I wouldn’t really consider them friends. I spent most of my time last semester with this one friend and now she’s gone. How do I make new friends without seeming like a loser? A Clarkie
Dear Clarkie, I’m sorry to hear that your friend is no longer at school with you. I can imagine that you’re feeling somewhat lonely right now. The good news is that it is never too late to make new friends; in fact most college students are constantly meeting new people and developing new friendships throughout their college career. And I can guarantee you that there are many other first years in the same boat as you – looking for new friends or looking for more friends. One of the best places to develop new friendships is in your dorm. This is because these are the people that you are seeing the most often throughout the week, and especially on the weekends. If there are a few people who you are friendly with, don’t be shy about talking to them morwe or even gradually spending more time with them. Asking someone to grab a quick lunch or coffee is a great way to start forming a friendship, or at the very least help determine if you want to put energy into a friendship with that person.
If there seems to be no one whom you want to get to know more in your dorm, then try looking at other of campus life, for instance classes or clubs on campus. Forming study groups with classmates is a great way to meet people, and it takes the pressure off being social because the primary focus is studying. Joining a club or group on campus can provide just enough structure to meet people easily without the situation feeling awkward. There are so many clubs and groups, and new members are always welcome, so it won’t look strange if you suddenly start showing up. You can even go to a few different meetings to try some groups on for size. Often times friendships develop over common interests, and if you find a club or group that you like chances are those common interests are going to be built in. Unfortunately, to make new friends you have to do the legwork yourself. So that means you have to keep creating opportunities to meet and interact with new people. This process can be difficult so try not to feel frustrated by your lack of life-long pals, just remember that patience is key. True friendships take time to develop. Plus, you never know — that acquaintance from down the hall might turn out to be one of your best friends in the future. If you stay persistent and be patient, friendships will come your way. Sigmund
If you have a question for Sigmund, email SigmundSays@clarku.edu, and keep checking to see if your question appears in a future column. Please remember that the advice given here is not meant to act as, or replace, therapy or emergency care.
a Patient Escort at the Worcester Planned Parenthood. Contrary to the claims that employees are pushing the Planned Parenthood’s agenda, we are limited in what we can say. We are forbidden from speaking about politics inside the barrier. We only serve to provide directions and a neutral voice to those who need it. From my position on the front lines of the Buffer Zone debate, I have witnessed firsthand the impact these “compassionate” protesters have on the women who seek services at Planned Parenthood. Often they use emotionally-charged language to intimidate people who appear to be entering the clinic. Once, a woman was blocked and subjected to angry anti-choice language and graphic posters from a group of elderly men. Another time, protesters surrounded a women on the sidewalk just before the barrier and, after determining that she was going to Planned Parenthood, reduced her to tears by calling her a “baby murderer.” Trust me: the protesters’ right to free speech is not hindered by a thin, white line. Even when reactions to the protestors are not as intense, many patients ask us to walk in with them because the protestors make them feel intimidated and uncomfortable. They feel unsafe being confronted by a large, often loud crowd of people approaching them as they try to access the clinic. Even I felt unsafe when confronted by protesters. They try to gather our personal information, take pictures, and generally try to make us feel as uncomfortable
and unsafe as possible. Without the barrier, protesters would be able to follow patients up to the doors, able to even physically block their entrance into the clinic. This presents a huge safety concern, especially in situations where physical protest measures could potentially escalate. Buffer Zones serve as protection for all people seeking services at clinics like Planned Parenthood. They provide a space between protesters and the door, a necessary step considering that not long ago it was commonplace for clinic protestors to physically block entrances to clinics and hurl hurtful rhetoric at patients trying to enter. Buffer Zones also strike a balance between the protesters’ right to assemble and speech and the patients’ right to privacy and access to healthcare. Overturning the Buffer Zone law would remove protections for patients and have serious adverse effects on Massachusetts women’s ability to access reproductive care services. Opponents claim that that the zones violate the protesters’ right to free speech. However, while the U.S. Constitution does protect the right to free speech, it does not protect the right to verbally harass others, and it certainly does not guarantee a right to a captive audience. The protestors outside of reproductive health clinics are not concerned with helping women - their goal is to intimidate and shame women and their reproductive choices. The Supreme Court has a responsibility to protect the rights of people seeking health care and the right to do so without facing harassment.
12 | living arts
The Scarlet
january 30, 2014
The Scarlet/Living Arts Folk hero Béla Fleck and Brooklyn Rider perform at Worcester’s Mechanics Hall
by Tyler Terriault I technically have time to get seven hours of sleep… but I won’t
By Matt Emmer
I wouldn’t know what to do if we were both on an elevator…
living arts editor
It is always a rare and special occasion when you get to see someone do something at which they are the best in the world. Béla Fleck’s performance with Brooklyn Rider at Mechanics Hall on Wednesday was one such opportunity. Fleck is arguably the best banjo player alive today. As a member of Newgrass Revival and the Flecktones he exploded bluegrass into a spaceage modernity. His vibrant solo career has explored uncharted levels of virtuosity and composition on the banjo, including a recent concerto with the Nashville Symphony and a trip to Africa to explore the instrument’s roots. Wednesday’s concert was the first stop of his tour with Brooklyn Rider, a New York-based string quartet. In the distributed program, Fleck praised the group for its openness towards new and experimental music. On stage he described them as “the coolest string quartet he could find.” Indeed, the band, including Johnny Gandelsman and Colin Jacobsen on violin, Nicholas Cords on viola, and Eric Jacobsen on cello, played their instruments with heightened expertise and a willingness to take musical risks. Nestled between Hanover The-
How cold does it have to be in my room before open fire is cool? The clock ticks by with taunting hands; daunting deadlines ruin all my plans
photo by matt emmer
atre and The Palladium in Worcester’s diminutive theater district, Mechanics Hall is a hidden gem of the city. Local ensembles played jazz and chamber music before the show and at intermission while guests mingled in the ground-floor social hall. The theater itself is acoustically pristine and lined with neoclassical American portraiture, with cozy and intimate seating. The five musicians strode onstage at 7:45 and proceeded to play the most progressive, expansive piece of the evening, inducting the audience into the strange and wonderful musical journey that was about to unfold. The first set was highlighted by the interlocking mastery of the players, each showcasing the full extent
of their instrumental wizardry. Surprisingly, Fleck’s banjo fit seamlessly into the mix of traditional strings, occasionally floating above the lush counterpoints. The group mixed traditionally classical pieces with a rearranged Flecktones tune and pieces from Brooklyn Rider’s repertoire, as well as original compositions. A clear standout from the first half was a reinterpretation of the second movement of Béla Fleck’s symphonic collaboration with famed double bass player Edgar Meyer. After a brief intermission, the quartet returned without Fleck to perform violinist Colin Jacobsen’s “Three Miniatures for String Quartet.” Inspired by a previous collabora-
tion with Persian musician Kayhan Kalhor and traditional Middle Eastern art, the composition blurred lines of East and West in a suite of experimental interpretations. Then Fleck took his place, as Brooklyn Rider stepped back to allow him some solo time with the audience. Wordlessly, he began an extended selection from “The Imposter,” his recent concerto for solo banjo. Needless to say, the piece showcased the full range of the banjo as a piece of American artistry and musical achievement. What came next was, at least for me, the most emotional moment of the evening. Fleck took a moment to reflect of the recent death of Pete Seeger. In a career that spanned over seven decades, Seeger reintroduced
America to the banjo and used folk music as a tool for social change and environmental activism. His death on Monday was difficult to say the least. Fleck dedicated the performance, as well as the remainder of the tour, to Pete’s memory. He then played an improvised and emotionally charged medley of classic Seeger songs. The suite wove together “If I Had a Hammer,” “Guantanamera,” “Where Have all the Flowers Gone,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” and “We Shall Overcome” with connecting melodic flourishes. Afterwards, the full ensemble launched into the centerpiece of the continued on page 13
The Scarlet
january 30, 2014
living arts | 13
Let the laughs begin
Her Review High art, high pants, and high hopes
New sketch comedy troupe at Clark
By Ronald Gerber
By Andrea Moniz
scarlet staff
scarlet staff
Her is a remarkably optimistic film. How intriguing is it for a film to take place in a world in which men and women have been trained to live through technology, rather than with it, and spend only so much time involved with themselves. Spike Jonze has given us some timely social commentary through a deceptively bright love story that is simultaneously unusual and perfectly ordinary. Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) lives in a futuristic city in which technology is highly personalized and omnipresent. Despite the fact that he is in the process of finalizing a divorce from his wife, Catherine (Rooney Mara), Theodore spends his days writing beautiful and articulate love letters for clients that can’t be bothered. At the same time, Theodore is becoming attached to a new technology, an operating system - simply called by its brand name “OS”- which assumes the mentality, voice, and decision-making abilities of a human. Theodore’s OS Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) proves to be a great friend in his time of need, and the relationship soon turns romantic. The movie is both exhilarating and trying as Theodore attempts to understand whether or not the love he feels is “real,” while Samantha develops and explores her own identity. It is rare to see a film set in such a believable future. The office and apartment buildings in the nameless city seem as sanitized, gentrified, and falsely colorful, as one might expect Los Angeles to be in about 20 years. The technology is the most realis-
The Visual & Performing Arts Department brings the Clark community many laughs, tears, and enjoyment. They create humorous and heart-felt plays and share all their characters with us. Clark University puts a tremendous amount of effort in trying to provide its students with a variety of performances and activities of all sorts. Emma Mitchell, a sophomore, also hopes to add to all the amusement. Emma, one of the many creative minds in the VPA Department, has created a new comedy club this semester with hopes of bringing more talent into the Arts. This new Sketch Comedy Club has a lot of talented and visionary minds behind its creation, as the team is made up of comedic writers, actors, directors and musicians. “I thought we needed a club that connects all the talented artistic students at Clark,” Emma added. With the help of Ben Zaa Galla-
courtesy of cdn3.sbnation.com
rating: tic, and thus the most frightening aspect of the film. I am not referring to the idea of realistically capturing human beings’ thought processes in computer form, but rather the day to day lives of the people in Her; they constantly talk to earpierces rather than speaking to each other. It is this aspect of modern life, rather than the divorce, that makes Theodore so lonely, an emotion that Joaquin Phoenix plays with a subtle desperation that reminds us why he’s one of the best film actors of his generation. Few around him seem to be as alienated, which is perhaps the most surprising thing about the film; Theodore’s loneliness is constantly juxtaposed by functional relationships. At the same time, these relationships are often shallow. In
a sense, Theodore’s relationship with Samantha - one in which his partner has been developed and personalized especially for him - exceeds the marriage of his friend Amy in terms of depth and meaning. His relationship is conceptually imitative of a real one, but seeing as the real has become a series of distractions, it seems more real to us much of the time. It is in this sense that Her is optimistic; it tells us that technology will not be the death of us, but rather a learning experience, something through which we can live and love without completely losing ourselves or others. Whether or not I agree, I can’t say, but I can say that I enjoyed the film and it will certainly make for a good conversation afterwards.
gher, Emma and the rest of the team are working to help make their visions for this club come alive. All the ideas, sketches and performances that the Sketch Comedy Club produces are original. Another great aspect to this club is the amount of support and contributions they receive throughout the community. CCN is one of those contributors, as they will help the Sketch Comedy Club with their filming. Many students have already shown an incredible amount of support and interest becoming a part of the club. Connecting all these prolific ideas from all these writers and performers calls for a huge amount of upcoming success for the Sketch Comedy Club. “Collaboration is the most important part of the creative process, and working with different mediums of film, theatre, writing, and music really helps us become well rounded artists,” Emma stated. The addition of this Sketch Comedy Club will not only bring tons of laughs, but will also create a bigger community for the Arts.
Béla Fleck cont. continued on page 12
evening, Fleck’s new composition for string quartet and banjo. Entitled “Night Flight Over Water,” the piece was the logical conclusion of the program’s eclectic showcase of music from across the world. Its three movements spanned the universe of tonal and atonal music, reminiscent of everything from Earl Scruggs to Philip Glass while forging its own unparalleled identity. Following a thunderous standing ovation, the group returned for a rearranged Newgrass Revival
piece, which Fleck noted he may have played when the now-legendary revolutionary roots group came to Mechanics Hall in the 1980’s. The evening concluded with another ovation, as the decidedly diverse crowd sprawled out into the Worcester night. I stayed back for a moment, only to find the musicians mingling in the mostly empty social hall. Fleck and I briefly shared stories of our experiences with Pete Seeger and the indelible impact he had on all lovers of pure music.
The Scarlet
14 | sports
january 30, 2014
The Scarlet/Sports Service trip cont. continued from page 1
Chamoun was also delighted to note that a lot of girls showed up, even though they were worried about female participation before the trip. Rollinger added that Pasqual, the leader of the village, said it was the first time the girls had played with the boys. While the trip was a definite success, currently there are no future trips planned. Interim Athletic Director Trish Cronin called the trip “The essence of LEEP and what Clark is about,” and said that the administration is “seeing if it can move forward,” while noting that the trip is “not inexpensive.” Rollinger hopes that the University views the trip as “part of Clark and not just a student driven
initiative. If we really are dedicated to global citizenship and social change we can’t just go somewhere and then leave and never go back,” he said. “Social change and sustainable change comes from a long lasting partnership and I think that needs to be a step. I think it would be a real shame for future Clark athletes to not have this opportunity.” Before leaving for the trip, Rollinger hoped to bridge the gap between Clark athletics and the community, but thinks it is “too early to tell” if that was successful. He does, however, feel that the trip “broke down barriers between teams. There were people who were hanging out and became very close friends who wouldn’t have had that opportunity if it wasn’t for this trip.”
While Rollinger and Chamoun planned to set up structured activities, the number of kids limited the opportunities to do so. “It ended up being a very unstructured environment,” Chamoun said. “The kids just wanted the joy of playing with [us].” Rollinger described the trip as “living in a documentary” and felt that it was equally beneficial to the Clark students and the children of Lomo Linda. Rollinger noted that they will be hosting a pictorial journey, where every athlete who participated on the trip will present three or four pictures, on February 20th from 6:30-8:00 at the Basset Admissions Center.
By Ethan Giles scarlet staff
Men’s Swimming and Diving: Over the past few weeks, the guys finished third at the Worcester City Championships by collecting 91 points, and lost to the Coast Guard Academy 145-75. Their next meet is Saturday at Brandeis. Women’s Swimming and Diving: Over the past few weeks, the girls finished fourth at the Worcester City Championships by collecting 520 points, and lost to the Coast Guard 142-89. Their next meet is Saturday at Brandeis.
One Last Swim
Men’s Basketball
Swimming and diving seniors honored in final home meet
By Scott Levine scarlet staff
The Men’s Basketball team turned around their lack of inner conference success on Wednesday with a nail biting 71-70 win against Babson. The Beavers staged a comeback with a few minutes to go, cutting Clark’s comfortable lead to one point. However, Clark ultimately prevailed with the help of timely three pointers from seniors Andrew Musler and Jake Gubitose. The Cougars will look to continue their newfound NEWMAC success at home against MIT on February 1 and against Coast Guard Academy on February 5.
Men’s And Women’s Swimming And Diving Recap
By Ethan Giles scarlet staff
courtesy of clarkathletics.com
In their final home meet of their swimming and diving careers, Clark seniors were honored for their years of commitment to the program. Coach Paul Phillips called the seniors
“relentless” after the meet, and wrote a pamphlet in which he congratulated every one of them. This year’s class of senior swimmers are Max Anderson, Clive Green, Leah Guliasi, Michkey Howe, Gaby Jijon-Nemalceff, Josh Kent, Holly Palardy, Emma Pierson, Alex Santos, Brooke Tasse, and Granite Huang. Congratulations, Seniors!
january 30, 2014
The Scarlet
sports | 15
COUGAR of the WEEK
by Scott Levine
Last week was full of mixed emotions for the women’s basketball team. They started the week with two emphatic wins against Smith and WPI, and lost in a close battle to Mount Holyoke. Senior Emily Reilly has consistently helped lead the offense, highlighted by her layup against WPI that gave the Cougars a two point lead with less than a minute to go. She is currently averaging 15.3 points per game which puts her at third in the NEWMAC.
courtesy of clarkathletics.com
Emily Reilly basketball
Scarlet: You guys were down to WPI, and then somehow crawled back. What do you think helped you get back into that game? Emily: Well we didn’t really play our best in the first half, and during halftime, we just kind of all looked at each other and realized that. And just like that, it kind of just clicked for us. We were like, “we have to go out there and play together”, and that’s exactly what we did to win.
Scarlet: That’s a good way to look at it. I don’t like it when my shot gets blocked and everyone goes, “Ohhhhhhh!” Emily: Yeah, I hate that part. But I’m 5’6 and if a 6’2 person does block my shot, well that’s what [they’re] supposed to do.
Scarlet: It’s the last minute of the game. You have the ball, you decide to go into the paint. There are three defenders in the paint, but you make the layup. What’s going through your head in that moment? Emily: I don’t really even know. When it comes down to it, I take layups. So it’s just kind of simple.
Scarlet: You have a lot of responsibility with the ball at the end of games. When you had the ball at the end of the WPI game, it turned out really well. Unfortunately, Mount Holyoke was able to take the ball from you in the second game. Are turnovers something that your coach gets on your case about, or does she just understand that you have a lot of responsibility? Emily: A little bit of both. Some of them [are] totally avoidable. Other ones, she sees that I’m working as hard as I can. So it’s kind of both ways.
Scarlet: It didn’t look simple. Emily: (Laughs) I mean I don’t know. I can’t really tell you. Scarlet: So you’re playing more on instinct in that situation? Emily: Yeah. Definitely. Scarlet: You’ve been very good about driving to the hoop, and I understand you’re one of the shorter players on the team. Emily: Yeah. I am. Scarlet: Have you ever been discouraged from going into the lane because of your height? Emily: Oh, absolutely. A lot of the times when I do drive in, I go up against six foot tall people. So my shot gets blocked all the time, but it’s kind of how I play: to always drive. I could get blocked so many times, but I’m still going to try to keep driving.
Scarlet: It’s not even that good of a play for the opponent. They just swat it out of bounds. Emily: And then we get the ball back.
Scarlet: Do you get on your case when you give up the ball? Emily: Oh yeah. I mean I’ve led the NEWMAC in turnovers since freshman year. It’s always something I’ve kind of struggled with and tried to work on. It’s just kind of part of the game now. Scarlet: You’re also close to leading the NEWMAC in points, though. Emily: Yeah, that’s true (laughs). So there’s that. Emily and the rest of the women’s basketball team will play in the Kneller on February 5. They will face Springfield College in what is sure to be an intense inner-conference matchup.
The Scarlet
16 | puzzles
january 30, 2014
The Scarlet/Puzzles CROSSWORD
SUDOKU
Sudoku Puzzle - Medium
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1. Public transport (5) 6. Possibly (7) 8. Learner (7) 9. Very skilled person (3) 10. Untidy condition (4) 12. Coarse file (4) 15. Organ of hearing (3) 16. Tread underfoot (7) 18. Glitter (7) 19. Trials (5)
1. Immeasurably deep (10) 2. Couch (4) 3. Slap (5) 4. Lasting a short time (5) 5. Nation in North America (6) 7. Lovesick glances (6,4) 11. Flowing water (6) 13. Tend a fire (5) 14. Male servant (5) 17. Career golfers (4)
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what happens in The Scarlet office at 1:57 a.m. stays in the The Scarlet office... sort of “Are you from See-owwl?” -Sarah “You mean Seoul?” -Keitaro “So when is it?” -Anna “It’s all the time.” -Claire “Get over yourself, you have sweaty hands.” -Claire “What’s another word for ‘oversees?’” -Jenna “Across the pond.” -Celine “I thought that was an okay movie but then they ate poop.” -Claire