THE GATEPOST Volume 90 • Issue 5
FSUgatepost.com
October 15, 2021
‘Boston, Boston, we missed you’
Leighah Beausoleil / THE GATEPOST (Left) Boston Marathon runners making their way through downtown Framingham as a radio DJ encourages them, “Boston, Boston, we missed you.” See the back photos spread for the DJ and more. By Leighah Beausoleil Associate Editor Once again, bells rang and people cheered as participants in the 125th Boston Marathon made their way through downtown Framingham, Massachusetts Oct. 11 after the race’s year-and-a-half in-person absence. With participants from all 50 states and 87 countries, the race was limited to 20,000 people - 10,000 fewer than its regular field size, according to the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) website. A virtual race took place Oct. 8-10, allowing for an additional 70,000 people to participate in the year’s event, according to the B.A.A.
Hundreds of people lined themselves down Waverly Street in Framingham to cheer on the competitors. The excitement of the day was apparent as people clanged bells and waved colorful signs. Some of those in the crowd waited with anticipation for their loved ones to pass through, with 46 of the race’s participants being Framingham residents, according to the B.A.A. Signs swayed with cut outs of people’s faces, words of encouragement, racing puns, and in memory of the Boston Marathon Bombing in 2013, the slogan “Boston Strong.” At the sixth-mile mark, volunteers stationed themselves along the road armed with cups of water and Gato-
rade to refuel the racers. The sheer size of the day’s event was clear as hundreds of paper cups covered the street. SGA pg. 3 Further along Waverly Street, music rang loudly as a radio DJ energized COVID-19 BY THE NUMBERS pg. 6 the crowd. Reaching out for high fives and speaking words of motivation, he said, “Boston, Boston, we missed you.” This year’s marathon winners include Marcel Hug and Manuela Schär, both of Switzerland, for the men’s and women’s wheelchair categories, respectively, as well as Benson Kipruto and Diana Chemtai Kipyogei, both of Kenya, for the men’s and women’s elite categories, respectively, accordTOXIC MEDIA pg. 7 ing to The Boston Globe.
News
Opinions
The study abroad program relaunches at FSU By Haley Hadge Asst. News Editor The Office of International Programs (OIP) has restarted its studyabroad program for students but has not yet approved faculty-led study tours. Jane Decatur, director of the OIP, said there are currently six students studying abroad. Her office estimates 14 students will participate in Spring 2022. The OIP has suspended faculty-led study tours this year due to the short length of these trips and the increase of unknown variables COVID-19 creates, said Decatur. According to the FSU website,
faculty-led programs “combine experiential learning with academics” to provide students “a fast-paced, unique course abroad.” Decatur said these tours take place during the shorter intersessions of the school year, such as spring and winter break, and range from one to four weeks. She added these shorter trips could create logistical challenges and result in a student missing part of the semester if they were to test positive for COVID-19 and needed to quarantine. According to Decatur, none of the students currently studying abroad has contracted COVID-19. She said the OIP’s protocols are based on the recommendations and
WONDERFUL PEOPLE pg. 8
Sports
research compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.S. Department of State. She added the OIP “pays very close attention” to these official updates in order to best advise students and prioritize their health and well-being. Gatepost Archives “If the State Department is saying, MEN’S SOCCER pg. 9 ‘Do not travel to this country,’ then we wouldn’t send a student to that WOMEN’S SOCCER pg.10 country,” she said. Decatur said part of the program’s preparation process now involves educating students about intercultural HOCUS POCUS pg. 11
Arts & Features
See STUDY ABROAD page 6
BILLY JOEL pg. 13
INSIDE: OP/ED 7 • SPORTS 9 • ARTS & FEATURES 11
NEWS
2 | OCTOBER 15, 2021
Editorial Board
Gatepost Interview
Editor-in-Chief Donald Halsing
Eric Nguyen
Associate Editors Leighah Beausoleil Kathleen Moore
Director of the Center for Inclusive Excellence
News Editors Steven Bonini Ashlyn Kelly
By Steven Bonini News Editor
Interim News Editor Haley Hadge Opinions Editor McKenzie Ward Sports Editor Danielle Achin Interim Asst. Sports Editor Mikey Alves Arts & Features Editors Caroline Gordon Emily Rosenberg Asst. Arts & Features Editor Patrick Brady Interim Asst. Design Editors Maddison Behringer Emma Lyons Staff Writers James Barraford Sean Cabot Jasmine Castillo Jackson Clyde Josh Colburn Olivia Copeland Dan Fuentes Dallas Gagnon Sophia Harris Stefano Hernandez Branden LaCroix Sage Lorenzo Jack McLaughlin Ryan O’Connell Austin Riffelmacher Nathan Rogers Ryan Schreiber Tyler Wahl Advisor Desmond McCarthy
TH E G A N T PE
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Asst. Advisor Elizabeth Banks
What is your role here at FSU and what does your job entail? I’m the director of the Center for Inclusive Excellence. Our center is the student-facing branch of the Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement. We are really charged with forging the institution’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. I see us doing that in three broad ways - creating programming related to the identity and heritage awareness months, offering workshops and trainings for students who want to develop and expand their capacities within the movement for social justice, and then advising our identity-based affinity groups. What is your professional and educational background? My undergraduate degree was in psychology and neuroscience, and then I eventually went and got a master’s in education leadership. I spent about 15 years or so teaching middle school and high school math and science, and then also working with Boston Public School students - offering academic enrichment programs, really thinking about persistence in high school, and then access to college. And it was there that I began to realize that we were doing a lot of work to help students get into college - students of color, first-generation students, low-income students - but I found that a lot of institutions were not always doing the work that was necessary to help the students succeed once they’re on campus. So, that’s really what drove me to explore working on the other side, to be in higher ed and to be in roles where I am directly supporting students that we’ve admitted to the institution. Three years ago, I joined Northeastern University in their Opportunity Scholarship Office, where I was providing academic and scholarship advising to first-generation low-income students of color. And that work also involves a lot of diversity, equity, inclusion work@directly with students and T THaround the with colleagues EGATEPOSUniversity. And now here I am. What would you say your goals are as the new director of the CIE? I would say my biggest goal is to continue to center student voices and narratives in the work that we do here at Framingham State. I think a lot of times institutions of higher education create policies and practices with good intentions in mind, but don’t always take
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T TH EGATEPOS
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Courtesy of Framingham State University into account what the impact on student experience might be, especially as we think about students who hold marginalized identities and the disparate impacts of policies that have been created within systems of white supremacy and broad racism. So, ‘How do we bring students to the table?’ ‘How do we make sure that we are centering our students in the work that we do?’ I would say that’s one big goal of mine, I think to break that down. A lot of that is, like I mentioned earlier, creating educational opportunities for our students, for our staff and our faculty. And then beyond that - helping folks really begin to examine the work that they do, sort of do a deep dive into, ‘What are our practices?’ ‘What are our policies?’ ‘What have we taken for granted?’ and ‘What are the impacts on students?’ ‘Are there different ways to do the work that we want to do, potentially with better outcomes for our students?’ So, to really hold that lens over the work that we do - that’s some of the goals that I have. What do you anticipate will be the best part of your job? That’s easy. It’s getting to know students. I think our students come from lots of really different backgrounds and experiences. They bring incredible strengths and perspectives and values to the table, and nothing excites me more than just getting to sit down with our students, getting to hear their stories, getting to think about their many successes, the goals that they have, and then thinking about how I can, in my own role, using the influence that I have, the experience I have, helping them accomplish the goals that they have.
Do you have any hobbies that you’d like to tell the community about? I am an avid outdoors person. I spent a lot of time rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, and I do that yearround. Folks think in the winter you can’t do any of that stuff, but I do a lot of winter hiking and camping as well. So, the outdoors piece is something that’s really important to me. And that’s something I do with my wife, and we have a new baby who just arrived about seven weeks ago. We’re looking forward to taking her out and sharing our love of the outdoors with her as well. Beyond that, I am a pretty avid photographer and birdwatcher. I really like to do crossword puzzles, too. Do you have any advice for campus students? I do. One is to find your community. A lot of times, these universities can feel really big - you can feel really alone. And so, just taking the time to find people who share your interests, your hobbies, your values - taking advantage of our clubs and organizations, our affinity groups, and really putting yourself out there to find those folks. The other is to ask questions. There is a lot about these places that may be foreign to us. And I say that as somebody who identifies as a first-generation college student as well, you know, that these places may not have been designed with you in mind. And so, ask the questions so that you can get the answers and move closer towards the goals that you have for yourself.
CONNECT WITH STEVEN BONINI sbonini@student.framingham.edu
Police Logs Saturday, Oct. 09 01:51 Psychiatric Emergency Horace Mann Hall Transported to Hospital
Monday, Oct. 11 18:57 Motorvehicle Accident State at High Street Services Rendered
Wednesday, Oct. 13 18:55 Suspicious Activity Police Department Report Taken
Thursday, Oct. 14 13:10 Medical Foster Hall Transported to Hospital
NEWS
OCTOBER 15, 2021 | 3
SGA approves funding request by Comic Book Club
By Branden LaCroix Staff Writer
SGA approved the Comic Book Club’s request for funding a trip to Rhode Island Comic Con during the Oct. 12 meeting. Ryan Feinblatt, president of the Comic Book Club, and Jacob Sergeant, the group’s vice president, attended the meeting to ask for approval of the funding. Sergeant explained the funding will be used to purchase 40 tickets and fund a bus to bring students to the convention. He said each ticket is $64 and each student who wants to attend will pay $12.80 - 20% of the ticket price - which will then be added back into the SGA budget. Dara Barros, diversity and inclusion officer, objected to the funding. Barros said, “I understand having it open to the whole community. I just feel that 40 is a lot.” Barros said the event may not draw enough interest from students. “I think maybe we should [have fewer] tickets … so instead of 40, maybe 30 or 25 tickets,” she said. Secretary Samuel Houle said, “I don’t think we should reduce it this year - the year after COVID. I think if anything, interest will be higher because we didn’t get to go last year.” Senator Raffi Elkhoury said SGA should adjust the funding based on student interest. President McKenzie Ward said other student organizations, including the English Club and the Gaming Club, have expressed interest in attending the event. Ward added, “They usually never have any issues with filling the spots, and Comic Con is such a huge thing for the gaming community. … We’re finally getting back to in-person events and supporting student organizations that are holding these events.” SGA Advisor Sara Gallegos said, “All of the events we’ve had thus far have had higher attendance for everything this semester than we’ve had in the past. “The students want it. The students need it. You have the funding - put it towards where they need it,” she said. Feinblatt responded to the discussion by emphasizing how “valuable” the Comic Book Club is to students and how important the trip to Com-
Weather
ic Con is, especially to freshmen and “students who have never been on campus. “This is a great opportunity for them to go to a fun event off campus and be part of an organization on campus that allows them to express their own personal interests,” he said. The request for $3,560 was approved by all but one member of SGA. Yumi Park Huntington, professor of art history and chair of Arts & Ideas, attended the meeting to speak about the screening of the film “The Hate U Give” in the McCarthy Center Forum Nov. 8. Park Huntington said she hopes “we have a lot of student participation to watch this movie and have a discussion about the Black Lives Matter movement” and also about police brutality and systemic racism. Park Huntington added prizes will be given out to students after the event. She encouraged SGA to help spread awareness of the event, as well as collaborate with Arts & Ideas for future events. Emily Rosenberg, outreach and events coordinator, discussed the annual retreat on Oct. 23, at which the members will look over the SGA constitution and by-laws, funding, as well as questions for the administrators’ forum. During her president’s report, Ward said Jennifer DeFronzo, director of alumni relations, reached out to her to discuss student emergency funding and “why students are not applying as much as they thought they would be.” Ward also said she is speaking with Patricia Whitney, director of facilities, and Meg Nowak Borrego, dean of students, about unisex bathrooms on campus and “finding better ways to promote them so students are aware of them, as well as faculty and staff.” Vice President Emma Sullivan said she attended the Committee for Student Affairs and discussed bringing back the “Got a Concern? Tell SGA” tables. Sullivan said the tables are set up “so anyone can come up to us and tell us any concerns they have or just to find out what SGA does. “It’s like an open forum-type thing, but we’re going to them instead of them coming to us,” she added. The first table will be in the May-
Leighah Beausoleil / THE GATEPOST Vice President Emma Sullivan and Secretary Samuel Houle at the Oct. 12 meeting.
Leighah Beausoleil / THE GATEPOST Senator Jon Finkle and Diversity and Inclusion Officer Dara Barros at the Oct. 12 meeting. nard Lot Nov. 9 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The second will be located outside the McCarthy Center Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sullivan said the committee also discussed putting together bags for community members with housing insecurities which will be donated to the Rams Resource Center (RRC). Sullivan added they are also going to see if the RRC needs volunteers. Rosenberg said the Week of Kindness is Nov. 22 and 23 and SGA members will need to help set up and staff the tables at the event. During the Diversity and Inclusion Officer’s Report, Barros said she is working with Eric Nguyen, director of the Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE), to find a way “to have the community groups come together” and work collaboratively.
“We’re building the first connection by telling them how to use the CIE as student organizations, as well as utilizing each other,” she said. During the Advisor’s Report, Sara Gallegos said any trips that student organizations are planning need to be communicated to SGA by Oct. 29. Ward also reminded the members about the campus safety walk Nov. 8 from 5 to 6 p.m. Emma Sullivan was awarded the “U-Rock” by senator Emma Laurie. [Editor’s note: McKenzie Ward is Opinions Editor of The Gatepost. Emily Rosenberg is an Arts & Features Editor of The Gatepost.]
CONNECT WITH BRANDEN LACROIX blacroix@student.framingham.edu
Forecast provided by the National Weather Service www.weather.gov
Sunday night Oct. 17 Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Wind around 5 mph.
Monday night Oct. 18 Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday night Oct. 19 Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday night Oct. 20 Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Wind around 5 mph.
Monday Oct. 18 Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Oct. 19 Sunny, with a high near 60. Wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Oct. 20 Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Oct. 21 Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Wind around 5 mph.
FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1932 | FSUGATEPOST.COM
4 | OCTOBER 15, 2021
NEWS
Student Game Room closed due to mask non-compliance By James Barraford Staff Writer
The Game Room in the McCarthy Center was temporarily closed Sept. 29 and Oct. 7 due to mask policy non-compliance. Sara Gallegos, director of Student Involvement & Leadership Development (SILD), sent an email to all students announcing the closure Sept. 29. Gallegos said she and her staff warned students about mask compliance, supplied masks for students who did not have one, and posted signs reminding them to mask up in the Game Room. Two reports were submitted to University Police about students disregarding mask guidelines. Gallegos said it was the second report “that was the impetus of the shutdown. “It could be shut back down again if people aren’t complying” with mask guidelines, Gallegos said. President F. Javier Cevallos said this decision was necessary to con-
trol the spread of COVID-19, in an Oct. 1 email. “We only do this as a last resort when reminders on the policy are ignored,” Cevallos said. The Athletic Center, another communal space, was closed from Sept. 3 to 13 due to mask policy non-compliance. The Game Room, which offers video games, ping pong, and pool for students to enjoy, was locked for the week and the lights were shut off. Sophie Fitzgerald, a senior math major, said it was a good place to “just talk with people. “I think it’s a pretty good place for blowing off steam, and being with your friends, and you can go there and mess around,” Fitzgerald said. Nicholas Ribeiro, a senior computer science major, said before the Game Room closed he and his friends would play video games there. “We can enjoy things we all did during the pandemic in person - kind of reunite and just socialize,” Ribeiro said.
He added it was not uncommon to gy major, said despite University Posee some people wearing masks in- lice and SILD members warning stucorrectly or not at all. dents about the mask policy, “Some Ribeiro said he “wasn’t complete- people still didn’t use them properly surprised” when he found out the ly.” Game Room was closed. Gallegos said SILD currently does Eddy Olu, a senior computer sci- not plan to employ an attendant in ence major, said he felt “cheated” the Game Room. because he and his friends followed She added the attendant was rethe rules. He said the closure wasn’t moved due to budget cuts. surprising, but it felt wrong to make Wearing masks indoors is importthe room inaccessible to those who ant to lower COVID-19 infection complied with guidelines. rates, Gallegos said. He said while many students were She added, “If students cannot “mature” enough to follow the rules, continue to comply with the mask others were not. mandate, leaving spaces open - like Olu added University Police and the Game Room - will have to be seSILD members would enter the Game riously evaluated,” and lead to possiRoom to enforce the mask mandate. ble closure for the remainder of the However, some students took their semester. masks off after officers and staff left. Gallegos said students should tell He said he doesn’t think students those who aren’t complying to wear can fix the issue. He said bring- masks. ing back an attendant for the Game “The students should be holding Room, like in previous years, might each other accountable,” she said. curb mask non-compliance more effectively than student pressure. CONNECT WITH JAMES BARRAFORD Catherine Soto, a junior psycholo- jbarraford@student.framingham.edu
Childhood education centers adapt to changing COVID-19 regulations By Dallas Gagnon Staff Writer Mr. Potato Head stood on a table with a singular pair of child’s eyes looking at him. His own eyes could have been on his chin, or where his ears should have been, but Mr. Potato Head could see that the next, nearest preschooler sat six feet away from him and his companion. Until Massachusetts reopened on May 29, Mr. Potato Head and the children at the University Childhood Education Centers functioned within strict COVID-19 guidelines. Since reopening, social distancing guidelines and sanitation protocols have relaxed. University field study students have been reintroduced into the classrooms, along with communal sharing. Classroom enrollment levels have also increased. Now, Mr. Potato Head has many more eyes looking at him. According to Julie Bettencourt, the assistant director of the Child Development Center, this year, Mr. Potato Head “might be out on the table now and everyone is using him and then we will wash him after.” However, last school year, there were three Mr. Potato Head bins and only one child could use that bin at a time. When a student was done playing with Mr. Potato Head, the toy would be placed into a “dirty monkey bin.” If another child wanted to use a toy that was in the dirty bin, they would have to wait until an educator cleaned it. Valerie Hytholt, director of the centers for early childhood education, said, “When Governor Baker said the restrictions were all done,
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the department of early education also went along. “After research found COVID-19 wasn’t transmitted by items or objects as much as was first expected, the children can now share materials. … We have learning centers back where we are encouraging more sharing, playing together, and doing activities together,” she added. Last year, the children had to be taught separately. They had all their own materials and individual desks. Any item a child came in contact with would have to be cleaned after they were finished playing, said Hytholt. Cara Chase, assistant director of the Early Childhood Center, said, “It was a big change for us to individualize the learning and playing. “Children just don’t innately play alone, so having them back in a center-based play where they are in groups and working on projects and playing with manipulatives and building together and all that kind of fun learning experiences they have is nice to have back,” said Chase. According to Bettencourt, though there is still “a significant amount of cleaning, it feels like less because not everything is so individualized.” Last year, if a child was playing with a puzzle or “shared manipulative,” said Chase, “that entire bin or puzzle would need to be cleaned.” Chase added, “I think it [the extra cleaning] took us away from what we are really trained to do, which is to teach the children and be with the children.” The children at the centers range in age from 2 years 9 months to 5 years old. Though the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) does not require children to wear masks
until the age of 5, the early childhood centers enforce a strict mask-wearing policy, said Hytholt. According to Chase, the mask-wearing policy “was a team decision” and “was what we felt was safest, not only for the children, but ourselves.” The students take off their masks when they are outside, napping, or eating. Hytholt said young children don’t wear masks in other programs, but FSU requires them because college students work at the centers. Though physical-distancing guidelines have decreased from 6 to 3 feet, Hytholt said, “That’s one thing we could never enforce. Children just play together and developmentally, they should play together. That’s why we definitely keep masks on inside.” Andrea Pizzotti, an FSU fieldstudy student at the Early Childhood Center, said, “I know social distancing is an effective practice, but in order to create a socially developmental environment, 6 feet apart isn’t going to give them that.” Last year, the centers’ enrollment decreased by nearly 50%. Hytholt said the classrooms’ full enrollment capacities are 17 for the Early Childhood Center, and 19 for the Child Development Lab. During the height of the pandemic, both classrooms were only allowed to enroll 10 students per center. She added, this year, “There are parents who have brought their children into the centers, who last year, because everything was much more cautious, preferred not to come to the center. “This year and last year are different levels of comfort,” Hytholt said. Chase said people are staying in-
formed and know “what we are doing here to keep children safe.” Many enrollees are children of professors and students associated with the University who all must be vaccinated per University mandate. Pizzotti said, “The vaccinated protect the unvaccinated, so I don’t see a big concern.” Hytholt said if a child were to show COVID-19 like symptoms they would have to produce a negative COVID test before returning to campus. If symptoms persisted, they would have to produce another negative test. “EEC provides any child or staff member enrolled or connected to an early childhood center free testing by the state,” she said. If a child, staff member, or college student were to test positive, Hytholt said she would have to “report it to the Department of Public Health and Framingham Public Health.” The Department of Public Health would then decide who is considered a close contact and when and how long the centers would be closed. “Those are firm guidelines and dates we have to follow to keep everyone safe and healthy,” said Hytholt. However, even after introducing new children and field-study students into the classrooms, the centers haven’t had any COVID-19 cases or closures. Pizzotti said, “One thing I will say about the Early Childhood Center is that all of the guidelines that they take … make me feel really secure. I don’t feel worried when I’m there.”
CONNECT WITH DALLAS GAGNON dgagnon@student.framingham.edu
NEWS
OCTOBER 15, 2021 | 5
The English Department p res en ts
T he A la n Fe ld ma n We ek of Po e t r y
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Poetry Reading by Daniel Tobin October 19, 2021 at 7 p.m. – Heineman Ecumenical Center The English Department kicks off its annual Alan Feldman Week of Poetry with a reading by award-winning poet, Daniel Tobin. Tobin is the author of eight books of poems, most recently From Nothing (Four Way Books, 2016), and Blood Labors (Four Way Books, 2018), as well as The Stone in the Air, his suite of versions from the German of Paul Celan (Salmon Poetry, 2018). The New York Times named Blood Labors one of the Best Poetry Books of the year for 2018. Tobin will be reading poems from his latest books, along with new work.
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Faculty Poetry Reading October 21, 2021 at 7 p.m. – Zoom Meeting Please use the QR code to access this meeting or use the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89926802638
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Student Poetry Slam October 22, 2021 at 7 p.m. – Sandella’s
For more information, please contact Dr. Lisa Eck via email at leck@framingham.edu. Learn about disability accommodations for university events at: www.framingham.edu/accessibility. Learn about FSU’s COVID-19 protocols: www.framingham.edu/reopening-safely.
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6 | OCTOBER 15, 2021
Study abroad
NEWS
Continued from page 1 variances in COVID-19 safety measures. She said students must be fully vaccinated in order to travel abroad. According to the CDC, a person is fully vaccinated two weeks after their final dose in a “two-dose series” or “single-dose” vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna are “two-dose series” vaccines, and Johnson & Johnson is a “single-dose” vaccine. Although fully vaccinated travelers are “less likely” to contract and spread COVID-19, according to the CDC, international travel “poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some COVID-19 variants.” CDC guidelines also suggest the spread of “new” and “concerning” variants call for all travelers to be vigilant of the “conditions at their destination.” Decatur said prior to traveling, it is vital to understand and abide by the outlined requirements of the airline and destination regarding mask wearing, testing, and quarantine protocols. She added her office stresses that students update themselves on this information throughout their stay. The State Department’s website contains links to resources that keep travelers informed about the day-today changes of their region. Decatur said, “The situation in the world is still so fluid. [It’s] tough to pin anything down.
Courtesy of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A map of the world showing the four different levels of COVID-19 risk. from COVID-19 to avoid nonessential travel” to these countries. Craig McDonald, assistant director of the OIP, said, “Thankfully, many parts of the world where students are interested in going have access to vaccines and vaccination is widespread.” Therefore, the study-abroad team has a “reasonable level of confidence” that students can count on
“I don’t want to make plans and then have them be shattered.” -Olivia Copeland, Sophomore English Major
“What is true today may not be true in another week or two,” she added. The CDC website provides COVID-19 travel recommendations by destination, including a risk-assessment key composed of five levels. The levels are “Very High,” “High,” “Moderate,” “Low,” and “Unknown.” Currently, 83 countries are classified as “very high” risk, 76 are “high” risk, and 40 are “unknown” risk. The CDC recommends avoiding these destinations. The U.S. is classified as a “very high” risk destination, according to the CDC. Twenty one countries are classified at “moderate” risk, and 25 at “low” risk. The CDC recommends unvaccinated travelers who are at an “increased risk for severe illness
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the trips they plan to be possible, said McDonald. He added they are always “keeping in mind that things could change. “If it appears likely that something’s not going to work out - that the location they’re intending to go to is not going to be possible - then we would work with them to find an alternative arrangement,” McDonald said. He added this may mean “identifying another program,” or postponing their study abroad plans and remaining on campus until international travel is “safe and responsible” for the student. Decatur said, “Study abroad is never one-size-fits-all.” She added COVID-19 further complicates these crucial variables that
need to be considered on an individual basis. Madison Herries, a sophomore early childhood education major, said she is considering studying abroad while at FSU, but will hold off until COVID-19 calms down. She added, “Until more people get vaccinated, I feel like it’s better to stay put.” Hilary Lincoln, a sophomore biology major, said she is not planning on studying abroad. However, if she were to, she said she “would feel fine with it given that everyone has to wear masks and we’re vaccinated.” She added, considering how much COVID-19 restrictions have been eased, studying abroad feels like a feasible option. “The world has opened up enough that that wouldn’t make a difference compared to other things that we’re doing daily,” she said. Ainslee Caton, a freshman environmental science and policy major, said she has “not looked too much into the program yet,” but would “love” to learn more about it. She added it is “unsettling” to think she could bring COVID-19 back home to her friends and family. Olivia Copeland, a sophomore English major, said, “Everything is so up in the air that it’s hard to plan for anything, which is why I haven’t really looked into it further.” She added, “I don’t want to make plans and then have them be shattered.” Avry Guilbert, a freshman psychology major, said she is “definitely” thinking about taking part in the program. She added if she were traveling right now, she would be mindful of the “positivity rates.” “I don’t [want to] bring anything back or get anyone else sick,” she
said. Though studying abroad is a personalized endeavor, Decatur said it is important students are “flexible,” and enter their planning meetings with an open mind, and are ready to adjust as they navigate a new country and culture. She added when students study abroad they will often travel to nearby countries. “Going from England to Germany might not be possible at that particular point in time,” she said. Checking in with their host university is essential in order to understand any current ground restrictions. McDonald said in order to best serve student health and educational needs, “honest conversations” need to be cultivated. Decatur said communication is “the key to anybody who’s going abroad this year, and maybe into the foreseeable future.” She said, “If you look at the wider world - it’s going to be several more years before significant numbers of people worldwide are vaccinated.” The OIP is constantly reevaluating the situation, she said. “Frankly, I don’t see our numbers coming back to normal levels until the world situation improves significantly.” Despite the challenges, McDonald said, “It is still possible to study abroad responsibly and safely. “If this is something you wanted to do when you came to college or if it is something you’re thinking about … the world is still there,” he said. [Editor’s note: Olivia Copeland is a staff writer of The Gatepost.]
CONNECT WITH HALEY HADGE hhadge@student.framingham.edu
OP/ED
OP/ED
THE GATEPOST EDITORIAL
The age of toxic media On Oct. 4, social media users across the globe attempted to sign onto Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, but were instead faced with “lost connection” messages. Many users thought the problem was a poor Wi-Fi connection on their end. However, their internet connection was functioning just fine. The actual problem was with the platforms themselves. Facebook, which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, temporarily shut down all of its platforms after a whistleblower exposed unsettling details about the company’s operations. Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee, recently revealed her identity as the whistleblower who uncovered “conflicts of interest” involving the social media giant’s profit margin and the customers it serves. The documents Haugen released formed the basis of “The Facebook Files,” a Wall Street Journal investigation into the company’s missteps and shifting priorities. Testifying before Congress last week, Haugen described internal research the company conducted. She said Facebook employees simulated a young person following healthy food recipe accounts. As a result of “engagement-based ranking” and “amplification of interests,” content that includes extreme dieting and pro-anorexia posts was pushed into the test user’s suggested feed. Facebook’s content designers chose to push negative content into the suggested feeds of vulnerable users - all to maintain unhealthy viewership behaviors. In an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Haugen explained the social media giant’s own research found teen girls’ body-image issues were worsened by using Instagram. The research found teen girls’ mental health worsened after viewing eating disorder-focused content, resulting in them using Instagram more. As they scrolled Instagram, teen girls absorbed more damaging content, creating a negative feedback cycle causing them to “hate their bodies more and more.” Haugen exposed Facebook’s leaders’ negligence as they continued allowing harmful content and misinformation to toxify their platforms. The company chose to maintain viewership - and revenue from advertisements and sponsored posts people scrolled past - by exposing their users to content that targeted their insecurities. We don’t have control over social media corporations’ decisions. Nor do we currently have the power to hold them accountable for their negligence. They will continue to employ harmful tactics that prioritize viewership at the expense of their viewers’ mental health until Congressional action curbs the power of social media corporations. However, we do have methods available to
cope with toxic social media. Being completely removed from social media is not always an option for those who need the platforms for work, school, or connecting with friends and family. There is also a fear that by not engaging in social media content, a person could put themselves at risk of being ostracized by a community. However, users can limit the time they spend on these applications and view content in a healthier manner. Take a step back from your everyday social media perusal. Consider how the content truly makes you feel and evaluate what you may be able to do differently to counteract the messaging these companies are targeting you with. See which applications have the most effect on your mental health on a day-to-day basis and track which platforms you tend to use the most. Some smartphones have features that allow users to track their screen times, showing which apps they use and which sites they visit the most. There are also features that can set up blocks or limitations to the amount of time spent on an application daily. For example, a user could limit themselves to 30 minutes of Instagram a day. Limits may help prevent social media users from diving down rabbit holes of harmful social media content, allowing for a better, healthier experience online. Counseling is also an outlet you can consider to address your anxiety about social media. Framingham State’s Counseling Center is free for students, and a place where you can discuss any problems, not just social media-related concerns. One way to contribute to a healthier online environment is by being kind. It is important for producers and consumers of social media to spread positivity online, and not be unnecessarily hurtful to others. As content creators, it is our responsibility to share kind, positive, and uplifting posts on social media, rather than negative posts that put others down. As consumers of social media, we can take the initiative to follow accounts that make us feel good, and unfollow or block accounts that are harmful or toxic to us. As a real-world community, made up of people with feelings, we need to ensure we are there for one another when these big companies are wreaking havoc on the internet and in our lives. These companies are already making the platforms toxic environments - there’s no need to amplify the negativity. We cannot control these companies, but we can control ourselves and the words and the images we choose to put out there to others.
Have an opinion? Feel free to email it to: gatepost@framingham.edu Opinions should be about 500 words. Anyone can submit. We look forward to hearing from you!
OCTOBER 15, 2021 | 7
You’re laughing, but should you? By Austin Riffelmacher Staff Writer Dave Chappelle’s new Netflix special “The Closer” has come under scrutiny for comments about the LGBTQIA+ community. Activists have called the comments transphobic and have demanded Netflix cut ties with the comedian. In a bizarre statement, Netflix doubled down on its support of Chappelle and implied cancel culture was irresponsible. Chappelle has created controversy before, especially in his rhetoric around the trans community. This installment doesn’t include anything that wasn’t really said before. Chappelle is known for being crass, no holds barred, and every so often saying something quite prolific about the Black experience. I believe for many African Americans, his stand-up seems to have an extraordinary finger on what contributes to racial tension, whilst being “funny.” However, it’s inescapable how he drops the n-word like an adjective, describes gay men as feminine caricatures and lesbians as “Rosie the Riveter” architypes. In regards to the trans movement, Roxanne Gay said in Wednesday’s The New York Times that Chappelle suggests, “trans people are performing the gender equivalent of blackface.” I think what’s most upsetting to people about Chappelle’s comments is his conviction that he was being progressive in his stance. Chappelle concluded with the story of a trans comedian Daphne Dorman. Dorman, a major fan of his, apparently remained unfazed about his trans jokes. Dorman had little to no experience in stand up, but Chappelle allowed her to open for him at an act in San Francisco. Allegedly, Dorman bombed. But in a moment toward the end of headliner’s act when a more open-ended conversation between pro and newcomer happened, Dorman yelled back to Chappelle, “I don’t need you to understand me. I need you to understand I’m having a human experience.” “I believe you,” he said, “because it takes one to know one,” no doubt referencing the struggles of Black Americans. Less than a week later, Dorman committed suicide. When I was originally going to write this piece, I was going to say how I thought the last 20 minutes of the special were incredibly nuanced and intellectually transcendent brilliance on Chappelle’s part. And then I started thinking: That was Chappelle’s point, and Dorman’s story, however heartbreaking, was cynically repurposed for his own hollow argument. My theory is his transphobia comes from his anger against continued systematic racism. Chappelle looks at it, as did I, that race, unlike contemporary gender, is not interchangeable. People of color know too well how to recognize when they’re being treated differently. You can’t hide skin color from ignorant people. I always assumed that when people transitioned, they were finally free and their discomfort vanished. I personally do not understand the feeling that I was born the wrong sex. However, I understand fighting to be comfortable in the body of a Black man in America. It is still a process of truly being comfortable in my own skin. “I can’t change my race to make my life easier, so how can you change your gender” was the thought I kept to myself as media increasingly demanded the world to be more trans tolerant. I now recognize my thoughts are of someone in need of sitting with that concept of empathy that Chappelle was shallowly promoting. I learned this week you can’t preach about tearing down walls while you construct others. So, I would like to use this space to do what Chappelle failed to do in “The Closer.” It’s never OK to laugh at the expense of someone’s pain. No one’s hardships are above anyone else’s. There’s no winner in the game of social intolerance. We all have room for compassionate growth.
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OP/ED
8 | OCTOBER 15, 2021
Fill your life with wonderful people By Emily Rosenberg Editorial Board Three years ago, I left the most toxic friend I ever had. We had been friends since freshman year of high school. In our senior cast circle, a theater tradition where we complimented the people who impacted our lives, I announced I found a best friend for life. I couldn’t have been more wrong. She made ableist jokes about my friends and picked fights with me when I got better grades than her in class. She frequently shared rumors and made cruel, harmful comments about our friends both in person and on her “finsta.” But if I ever tried to confront her about it, she turned herself into the victim, made nasty comments about me, and told me “friends are supposed to support each other.” When she got together with her fantasy crush, she started spending every day with him. Luckily I had other people to hang out with. I spent at least three or four days a week at my friend Dale’s house who lived two blocks down the street from me. Dale and I met at the literary magazine club, which I was the assistant editor of at the time. He mainly was the DJ for our should-be quiet writing ses-
sions and wrote food metaphor poems about his crushes. I’m not going to lie, I kinda thought he was boyfriend material, until our editor-in-chief blurted out something about how gay she was and he went “sameeeeeee.” In case you’re wondering, my gaydar has improved by a lot since. That summer, my twin sister, Dale, and I became an inseparable trio. Dale made me watch Britbox and “Twin Peaks,” and sent me pictures of the Virgin Mary in response to my rants. His little brother is like my little brother, waking me up at 6 a.m. to serve tea and toast with jam. One time, Dale bought checkered scarves and we walked from his house to mine with them draped over our shoulders like queens in the hot summer. Another time we invited our friend, Laura, to play Club Penguin with us when his brother set up a tent. We rode our bikes across Beverly, telling stories about our least favorite high school teachers. I have a list of “people who aren’t Dale who watched Cinderella III with me” because of the number of times we sat down to watch a movie and he denied my privilege to watch the cinematic masterpiece, and instead put on something ridiculous like “Loving Vincent” or “The Malia family.”
Every minute I didn’t spend with my former best friend was another minute I spent with someone else who valued my time and filled it with memories I will cherish forever - with someone who values me. When the pandemic forced Dale and me apart, there weren’t as many movie nights, and our everyday texts turned into weekly. I moved to college, and it has been almost a year without seeing each other. Although we hardly see each other in person anymore, I have no doubt the bond we share will never fracture. I’m already planning play dates for our children and picking out outfits for his wedding. The parent gossip is going to be juicy - I guarantee it. I also have an amazing group of people who I met at FSU who every day remind me how fun life can be. They lift me up when I’m stressed, dance to Taylor Swift with me, and make me feel validated. It’s through these relationships that the pain my former best friend caused will heal. I realize it is not I who is not worthy of love. It was she who did not deserve my time. A friendship is a two-way commitment, but it is not bound by legal doc-
uments. For all those years, I thought I had to deal with my friend’s damaging behavior because if I didn’t, no one else would like me. I thought that was just what friends were like. I was doomed to bad people because I wasn’t cut out for the good ones. It is because I allowed myself to get to know Dale that he’s shown me that a real friend is kind, supportive, and caring. Everyone deserves to be surrounded by wonderful people. You just have to believe you deserve it.
Campus Conversations
How do you think social media impacts the mental health of young people?
By Maddison Behringer, Interim Asst. Design Editor, and Emma Lyons, Interim Asst. Design Editor
“I think a lot of times with young people especially, social media makes them feel like they might be missing out on something or that everyone else’s lives might be put together as opposed to their own. Other times it can be helpful, but I think it can also be harmful for that very reason. It can be a negative thing.” - Alyssa MacDougall, sophomore
“I guess it depends on the person, but I think overall usually we hear about it impacting people in a negative way. I personally don’t have any problems because of it, but I know that tends to be a common topic that people bring up when they talk about social media.”
“I think it’s negative because there’s this preconceived notion that everybody should be happy.”
“I think it affects young people because they’re not learning enough. People are usually on social media a lot and they rely on social media for news. They’re not paying attention in class and stuff.” -Ashley Bunch, freshman
-Alex Morais, junior
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-Hilary Lincoln, sophomore
“I see it as a lot of people try to live up to what they see on social media. Let’s say one kid goes on vacation to the Dominican Republic or something. And then their friend is wicked jealous about it. It can make people feel crummy about the lives that they have. I see that as the main influence on how it can affect young kids.”
-Garrett Hayes, sophomore
“Nowadays, we are all trying to compare ourselves to each other. When we see somebody and what they look like, you want to try to do everything to look like them.” -Jessica Goncalves, sophomore
SPORTS
SPORTS
OCTOBER 15, 2021 | 9
Men’s Soccer ties 0-0 in double overtime By Tyler Wahl Staff Writer Framingham State’s Men’s Soccer faced off against Emerson in an intense conference game Sept. 12, tying 0-0 in double overtime. Both the Rams and the Lions played with impressive defensive coordination - neither side letting the other get the upper hand at the start of the match. The ball was continuously sent back and forth through the midfield, yet both teams had trouble producing a counter-attack. The first good scoring opportunity came from Lions #14, Aaron Tyler. An opening in the Rams’ defense left a clear hole for Tyler to shoot. Luckily, the shot barely skimmed over the top of the goal post, allowing the Rams to regroup and mount an offensive attack of their own. In the 31st minute of the first half, Rams midfielder and junior Sherak Ayamga rifled a shot at the opposing team’s net, barely whizzing by the right goal post. While the shot wasn’t on net, it set the precedent for the Rams’ aggressive shot-taking for the rest of the game. The Rams outshot Emerson 27-13. Despite getting pulled out of the game early due to a leg tweak, team captain Kunphel Sinha, junior, had a lot to say about the team’s shooting performance. “We had 27 shots and not a single one of them went in the goal - we’ve got to start scoring more. We just have to be more aggressive from the start to the end,” he explained. Directly after Ayamga’s first scoring opportunity, another well-placed shot from the Rams was saved by Emerson goalkeeper Jacob Ramer. The scoring opportunities were limited for the rest of the half, as both teams’ defensive strategies halted any offensive momentum. As the second half closed, both teams seemed eager to pull ahead. That intensity would carry on into both overtimes as well. In the second half, the Rams’ offensive pressure resulted in a plethora of scoring opportunities. Despite the number of quality shots on net, the Rams still couldn’t take the advantage. The Lions also found themselves in foul trouble, finishing the game with 22 overall penalties compared to only seven for the Rams. That foul trouble led to a few great scoring chances in the second half for Ayamga and Rams senior forward Giovanni Green. The Rams offensive plays were well executed, but Ramer continuously kept the net locked down. The game headed into overtime after two physically demanding halves. The physical playstyle of both teams resulted in more penalties in overtime, allowing the Rams more perfect opportunities to capitalize upon. Five minutes into overtime, it finally seemed the seal on the net had broken, and it looked as if the Rams had scored off great positioning due to an Emerson penalty. The goal was reversed, however, due to an offside penalty call.
FRAMINGHAM STATE EMERSON
Giovanni Green making a quick offensive pass to teammate Kunphel Sinha. The rest of the overtime went scoreless, as both the Rams and Lions stepped up their defense in the second overtime. Rams goalkeeper Jake Hartshorn, junior, had a few incredible leaping saves at the end to keep the game a draw. Sinha added, “Our boys gave it all we had from the start to the end. It was a tough match and I
Bryce Borletto-McCray sweeping past the defense.
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Tyler Wahl / THE GATEPOST
honestly thought we should’ve won, but we just couldn’t capitalize.” The Rams look to capitalize on their next opponents when they play Mass Maritime at 7 p.m. Oct. 15.
Tyler Wahl / THE GATEPOST
CONNECT WITH TYLER WAHL twahl1@student.framingham.edu
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SPORTS
10 | OCTOBER 15, 2021
Women’s Soccer shut out at home yet again against Lesley 3-0 By Mikey Alves Interim Asst. Sports Editor Framingham State Women’s Soccer was shut out yet again in back-to-back games at home. The Rams struggled yet again to develop any scoring opportunities for themselves, despite having home-field advantage. Every time the Rams drove towards the Lynxes’ goal, the ball was cleared out with no hesitation. Early and abruptly into the first half, FSU Rams freshman goalkeeper Sarah Lutsic went down with an injury. Forward junior Calen Frongillo unexpectedly took over in goal for the rest of the night. The Lynx did nothing but capitalize on the given opportunity when junior forward Macey Merlo netted her second goal of the season on an assist from freshman defender Isabella Danna to make it a 1-0 game. Regardless of the Lesley University Lynx outshooting the Rams 12-2 in the first half, they went without another goal for the remaining 40 minutes. The Lynx would come back with more firepower only seven minutes into the second half when senior Julianna Rossini would put up another goal for Lesley on an exceptional pass from junior Calli Masters to make it 2-0. Graduate forward Courtney McCluskey would later contribute to the shooting frenzy when she sent one into the back of the net on a pass from Rossini to make it 3-0 in the waning six minutes of the match. Mikey Alves / THE GATEPOST Lesley ended up bombarding Framingham State with shots 22-3, but only Junior Abbie Kurtzer blocking a pass from the defensive team. eight shots went on net for the Lynx. In spite of the inaccuracy of the Lynxes’ shots, the Rams yet again struggled to create any scoring chance for themselves, while they also could not seem to maintain possession of the ball over midfield for much time at all. Despite the outcome of the game, Frongillo undoubtedly stepped up to the plate big time for the FSU Rams, as the forward made an impressive five stops in goal. Freshman forward Megan Ethier said the team has had “really good energy coming off some wins” and their “team chemistry has come together towards the end of the season.” Ethier said the team’s ultimate achievement for the rest of the season is to “win some more games, finish some more of those balls and get our scoring percentage up. I think that’d be great.” Freshman Abby Savard said that the team overall needs to improve on “crashing the net more after shooting because that was a big thing all game. Their goalie dropped the ball a lot and if we were right there, we could’ve gotten the rebound.” Savard added that “just being back to normal and regular rules” this season after the hiatus of COVID-19 was the best part about competing again. “With COVID, there were a lot of different rules. There was no contact and no air balls, so just actually being able to play the game normally - that’s fun.” Framingham State Women’s Soccer team advances to 4-9-1 on the season, and they will next take on Mass. Maritime, who is on a three-game losing streak, at home Saturday, Oct. 16 at 11 a.m.
Mikey Alves /THE GATEPOST Captain Jasmine Lees leading the ball down the field to the net.
LESLEY UNIVERSITY FRAMINGHAM STATE
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ARTS & FEATURES
OCTOBER 15, 2021 | 11
ARTS & FEATURES
It’s all a bunch of hocus pocus! By Emily Rosenberg Arts & Features Editor By Ryan O’Connell Staff Writer By Emily Rosenberg, Arts & Features Editor, and Ryan O’Connell Staff Writer Last year, FSAB had to put a lot of their in-person events on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic - now they are back with attendance soaring. On Oct.13 they hosted a “Hocus Pocus” movie night on Miles Bibb lawn. Senior Olivia Leahy said she was excited to see the movie because she’d never seen the film before. She added another FSAB event she went to was apple picking at Honey Pot Hill Orchards, in Stow, which she found fun because in the United Kingdom where she is from, it is not a common activity. Freshman Kalie Ryan said she was looking forward to watching “Hocus
of the year. Senior and FSAB President Annalisa Marzeotti said while planning the event, she picked “Hocus Pocus’’ because it was applicable to a wide audience. She said they were considering the “Halloweentown” series, but thought “Hocus Pocus” was “less for younger kids.” Senior member Abby Guardado added the movie was a “classic.” Senior Tanisha Jean, publicity coordinator, said attendance at their most recent events, such as the succulent give away and apple picking, was really high. Senior Celia Marchese, traditions coordinator, added their upcoming event where students can pay a reduced price to go to ScreamFest at Canobie Lake Park was sold out within two hours. Also, a trip to a Red Sox game in September was sold out. That trip was canceled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Students watch “Hocus Pocus” on Miles Bibb lawn. Pocus” because she hadn’t seen it in a long time and didn’t remember a lot of the plot. She added she had a lot of fun with friends at the apple picking event. Sophomore Kirsten Leblanc said her favorite scene in the film was when the characters thought they were safe from the witches, before they revealed they weren’t dead and scared them. Freshman Meghan Banghert said “Hocus Pocus” was one of her favorite movies and she loves the way that witches shake their heads when they walk. She added her favorite witch was Sara. Banghert said her aunt used to live in Salem, where the film takes place and she went there every year for Halloween. She said the film portrays the congestion of Salem on Halloween accurately, but not how it’s like the rest
Nathan Rogers/THE GATEPOST
Marchese said a bingo game they hosted during Black and Gold Beginnings had attendance of over 100 people. Jean and Marchese agreed the event they are most excited about planning is Sandbox. Sandbox is an end-ofthe-year party held on the last day of school organized by FSAB. Marchese said last year’s Sandbox was tough to plan because of COVID-19 and a short timeframe. “Last year, it was very last minute,” she said. “We didn’t know what to do with COVID-19.” She added due to the number of COVID-19 cases, there was uncertainty as to whether they could hold Sandbox and there was not a lot of time to plan the event. This year, cases are much lower and they hope to “go all out.” Marchese speculated she hopes
Nathan Rogers/THE GATEPOST FSAB President Annalisa Marzeotti passes out candy to students. to have attractions such as rides and food trucks for the students to enjoy this year, but she can’t guarantee it. She said the pandemic has the number of outdoor events they have because students do not have to wear masks. She added they haven’t been able to give out as much free food at their events due to indoor masks mandates. When asked about their favorite aspect of being on eBoard, Marchese said that it was being able to see students enjoying something FSAB members put so much work into. “We put a lot of effort into these events, and the best thing to see after really planning is people coming in and actually enjoying it.” Marzeotti mentioned her highlights were working with others and
“It’s fun being at your events and seeing the joy - it sounds so cheesy - seeing how happy it makes people, especially during COVID-19 … somebody told us ‘this is what makes my entire day.’ It’s nice to hear,” Marchese said. Jean mentioned that one part of in-person events they missed was the energy in the room. Jean added the energy toward their Black and Gold beginnings bingo was “so good to see in-person again.” Last year, she said their bingos were virtual and “everyone was muted. You don’t get that same energy.” “The best thing to see after planning … we put so much effort into these events and to see people actually coming and enjoying it,” she said. “It’s really rewarding.”
Nathan Rogers/THE GATEPOST Senior FSAB members Tanisha Jean, Alicia Donoue and Abby Guardado. collaborating on the events. Marchese said she liked seeing the smiles brought on by their event planning.
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12 | OCTOBER 15, 2021
ARTS & FEATURES
Have you seen ‘Squid Game’? By Ryan O’Connell Staff Writer Have you seen ‘Squid Game’? Bet you’ve heard that one by now. “Squid Game” was recently released on Netflix this past September, and was written and created by director Hwang Dong-hyuk. The show primarily follows Seong Gi-hun, a South Korean chauffeur and gambler who is still living with his mother well into his adult life. It initially showcases his struggles - starting promptly with an ever-growing debt. Soon, however, a seemingly random twist of fate leads Gi-hun to the hands of a strange and well-dressed businessman, who offers him hundreds of dollars for playing a simple children’s game. If he wins, he goes home as a richer man. If he loses, he gets slapped across the face. “Squid Game” has already made itself out to be a colossal hit with Netflix’s audience, both domestically and abroad. It has comfortably maintained the number one position on the platform for the two weeks immediately following its release. Gi-hun is later presented with an ultimatum: He has to show that he’s capable of being someone who can support his daughter, or he has to accept that she and her mother are going to leave for the United States, without him. With trouble piling on,
and nowhere else to escape, Gi-hun turns to the business card he was given. Afterwards, he finds himself in a strange and unfamiliar world - reduced to a three digit number on a standardized uniform, and surrounded by masked men in pink suits wielding machine guns. The particpants are told they’ll play six games for a chance at $47 million, but it isn’t long before it’s obvious to Gi-hun and several other debtors what’s going on play along or die trying. The concept of a game show where the consequences are fatal is nothing new. In fact, during my entire first watch of the show, I found myself comparing it to Netflix’s own “Black Mirror,” another show with a famous focus on gorish deaths, class warfare, and human misery, which ran from 2011 to 2017. Not only that, but keen viewers might recognize the stark similarity to Kinji Fukasaku’s 2000 action-thriller - “Battle Royale” - and the harsh environment for competitors brought about by the reality that only one person can claim the prize. “Squid Game” goes on to tell an intricate plot revolving around the relationships of different participants of the game. It showcases how they grow to like or hate one another, that people will do anything to get ahead, and overall provides a clear and thought provoking commentary on the growing subject of wealth inequality in our
society. It’s obvious that the game represents a capitalist society - one in which backstabbing is encouraged and it’s expected there can only be one winner. The show points out just how many times the contestants push, trick, and kill one another - and how they are rewarded for doing so - under a system with such inconsistent and unclear rules. Not only does the show have a message to tell about our flawed society, but it truly is entertaining, sporting a perfectly reactive cast of characters, multiple subplots to keep the flow swift, and an intriguing mystery about the nature of the Squid Games. One of my favorite aspects of the show, however, might be the insistence on character development throughout the season, despite it only being nine episodes long. The change in Gi-hun, specifically, is a truly interesting one as we see him develop from a deadbeat dad and a lousy, uncaring son, into a man who is almost forgivable. This happens many times through his bond and protection of the oldest man participating in the games. Even still, throughout the true friendships with weaker contestants and the father-son bond he fostered with Player 001, it’s unclear by the end of the season whether or not he has truly changed his outlook on life. Overall, “Squid Game” is an incred-
ibly deep story told in an entertaining and thought-provoking way, and is one of the only shows on Netflix to have caught - and held - my attention in recent memory. While it isn’t perfect, especially in the later end of the first season, I’d still recommend you take the time to enjoy it now before people start saying you only watched it because it was popular. Who am I kidding, it’s already too late for that!
ADMIT ONE
Grade: A Everyone who told you to watch it was right.
ADMIT ONE
CONNECT WITH RYAN O’CONNELL roconnell1@student.framingham.edu
Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji By Sean Cabot Staff Writer
Nobuyuki Fukumoto’s award-winning comic “Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji,” follows the story of a destitute man participating in a deceptively simple game with high-stakes twists in order to escape poverty. If that premise sounds familiar, it’s because “Kaiji”- first published in 1996 and still running today - directly inspired Hwang Dong-hyuk to write and direct Netflix’s new smash-hit series “Squid Game.” The similarities are apparent, but while “Squid Game” focuses on children’s games, “Kaiji” focuses on games of chance. Ultimately, it would do no good to excessively compare the two - “Kaiji” is best examined in its own context. Nobuyuki Fukumoto established himself by writing several comics centered on talented mahjong players in the 1980s, a time of great prosperity for Japan. His work around this time reflects an idealistic notion of economic opulence represented by the sheer talent and enthusiasm of his heroes. Then the ’90s hit - the “Lost Decade” - as it’s known in Japan. The dreamlike bubble economy burst into a harsh new reality of recession and malaise that many insist plagues the
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nation to this day. Kaiji’s “gambling apocalypse” is that reality. Gone are the romantic high rollers, replaced with scathing indictments of the gambling industry. Protagonists who were so talented as to deflate the tension of Fukumoto’s high-stakes gambles are substituted with a shiftless - albeit crafty, loser. The result is, without hyperbole, one of the greatest comics ever written. The series follows high-school graduate Kaiji Ito, who has struggled to find employment in light of the recession. Furious and depressed, he vents his frustrations by drinking, losing petty gambles, and vandalizing expensive cars. This lifestyle is upended when a loan shark comes knocking to collect on an unpaid cosigned loan that has been accruing interest for 14 months. Suddenly, Kaiji is struck with a debt approximately equal to $35,000. His only chance to be rid of it is by attending a large-scale gamble held by his creditors on the cruise ship “Espoir,” at the risk of worsening his debt. That gamble is a 100-man rock-paper-scissors battle royale. Each person must use up 12 cards, four of each possible hand, while also competing to earn enough star medals
to avoid being spirited away by organizers. This game lasts almost a thousand horrifyingly tense pages worth of comics - twice the length of “Watchmen.” It is also only the first of many gambles, with rigged Cee-lo, an impossible pachinko machine, and minefield mahjong not far behind. The art that highlights those gambles is rough - especially early on - but what it lacks in visual polish, it makes up for with unmatched dread. Kaiji is forced to devise elaborate strategies to survive these gambles, with intense focus placed on the mind games he plays with his competitors. And not only does he often lose, he loses bad. But, even worse than his losses are the questions he’s forced to grapple with. The series opines that the way society is organized forces those of limited means to prioritize themselves at any and all costs - even the lives of others. Kaiji’s own peers often seem like worse enemies than the game’s organizers. But its ultimate takeaway is hopeful. Kaiji realizes the cruelty of these systems and resolves to fight them while saving and trusting others even when it seems that doing so will get him killed.
Even the lowliest of human life is still precious. “Kaiji” is a superlative comic, but if comics aren’t your thing, it has received multiple screen adaptations. Netflix’s Chinese-produced “Animal World,” starring Michael Douglas, is rather faithful save for some bafflingly shoehorned action scenes. The definitive adaptation is ultimately Yuzo Sato’s 2007 animated version. It translates Fukumoto’s art into a more refined style while retaining its distinctive edge and features a career defining performance by Masato Hagiwara as Kaiji. However you experience “Kaiji,” you will not miss out. With a new release from Denpa, there is no better time to begin this all-time classic comic.
Grade: A+
Take a gamble on it. You’re guaranteed to win.
CONNECT WITH SEAN CABOT scabot@student.framingham.edu
ARTS & FEATURES
OCTOBER 15, 2021 | 13
What to celebrate in Billy Joel’s 50 years of artistry A look at the release of a new vinyl record collection
By Leaighah Beausoleil Associate Editor William “Billy” Martin Joel is set to celebrate 50 years of artistry with the release of a new record collection Nov. 5. This volume one collection will contain Joel’s first six studio albums, his first live album, and a never-before-released record of a live concert at the Great American Music Hall from 1975, according to the Billy Joel official website. The website states, “All titles have been sourced from the original album tapes and prepared by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound. The box set includes a 50+ page booklet highlighting Billy’s early career through archival photos, an essay by Anthony DeCurtis, Billy’s personal observations and insights on his songs and albums, and tributes from his fellow musicians, artists and celebrities.” Though this “Piano Man” has been playing music since he was a young boy, his first recorded album wasn’t released until Nov. 1, 1971, according to the website. Joel had many difficulties in recording this first album. “Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography,” by Fred Schruebers, describes the listening party that first took place when Joel got his hands on the album. With his friends all gathered around, he placed the record on the turntable, and due to the album being recorded at the wrong speed, the music came out high-pitched and he was laughed at, according to Schruebers. Embarrassed and enraged, Joel took the record out, ran outside, and threw it on the street - after a couple
of skips the album shattered, acing to Schruebers. Despite these setbacks, “Cold Spring Harbor” features many notable titles, including “Everybody Loves You Now” and “She’s Got a Way.” The tone of the album is much slower and softer than the music he would later write, but it captures much of the hardships Joel had faced up to that point in his life. Included on the album is a song titled, “Tomorrow is Today,” which was originally a suicide note Joel wrote before an attempt, according to Schruebers. The song has a melancholy sound to it with lyrics that describe the constant depression he found himself in day after day, “I don’t care to know the hour / ‘Cause it’s passing anyway / I don’t have to see tomorrow / ‘Cause I saw it yesterday.” This softer sound carries onto the next album he would release in 1973 titled, “Piano Man.” Though this album is home to Joel’s most well known song, “Piano Man,” the rest of the songs don’t quite live up to his name. Some of the tracks have more of a country tone, making them difficult to listen to. The album is not the worst, but knowing the kind of music Joel would go on to write, it’s hard to appreciate any of it. The third studio album to be re-released is “Streetlife Serenade” from 1974. This album also carries on the softer tone and it is still clear Joel has not exactly found his sound. However, the album holds one of my favorite tracks, “Los Angelenos.” The rhythm of this song gives a hint of the style Joel would grow into in his future albums. The lyrics are catchy with a great beat.
Joel’s sound changed in 1976, with the release of “Turnstiles” - his fourth studio album. This album saw the formation of the original Billy Joel band, including members Doug Stegmeyer on bass, Liberty DeVitto on drums, Russell Javers on guitar, and Richie Cannata on saxophone. The combination of these musical geniuses were the key to Joel’s sound. The album opens with “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,” which was a tribute to the New York girl group, “The Ronettes,” according to the Billy Joel official website. Immediately, the connections are clear within the first couple seconds of the track mirroring the start to “Be My Baby.” The album was Joel’s return to New York, with two more tracks referencing his home state. Joel and his band out did themselves with this album, notably the work of Cannata. There is nothing more iconic than the sound of the saxophone in Joel’s tracks, especially “New York State of Mind” with its classic sax solo. Joel’s sound only got better from there, with the release of his fifth album in 1977, “The Stranger.” Every single song on this album is a masterpiece in itself. “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” is the first track on the album and tells the story of a grocery store worker who dreams of making it big. The way Joel tells Anthony’s story makes the listener feel like they know him personally and that’s easy when the story is such a common one that people deal with. The album’s title track is one of Joel’s most well known and one of his most beautiful. It opens quietly with its iconic whistling done by Joel himself. The pace of the song picks up when the lyrics begin, “Well we all have a face / That we hide away forever / And we take them out / And show ourselves / When everyone has gone.” Though Joel said in an interview with the Today Show that the song has no intended meaning and is up for interpretation by its listeners, he did say the song could be about a man dealing with schizophrenia. No matter its meaning, everyone should listen to this song at least once in their life. The sixth and final studio album in the collection is my all time favorite by Joel. Starting my personal vinyl record collection, “52nd Street” saw yet another instance of the fantastic work of the Billy Joel Band with the addition of some jazz musicians as well. Released in 1978 with songs like “Big Shot” and “Zanzibar” - there is a lot to love.
One of my favorites from the album, “Stiletto,” opens with Cannata’s fantastic saxophone playing - a key element of the song. The track describes a woman who is tricking a man into believing she is good and then causing him pain when he least expects it, but she causes this pain in such a way that the man can’t help but still love her. Joel describes her as being “so good with her stiletto” that you don’t notice it is actually a blade. His first live album, “Songs In the Attic,” released in 1981, will also be included in the collection. Joel is an amazing live performer and each song sounds even more incredible than its original recording. This album is able to captivate its audience almost as if they were actually there in concert. He chose some of his best songs from his first four studio albums and I couldn’t be happier with how it came out. The last record included in this collection is the unreleased live performance at the Great American Music Hall in 1975. Though I’ve never heard it myself, the concert’s set list does not look the greatest. All of the songs sang at this concert came from the albums where Joel was still working on finding his sound. However, none of the songs are outright bad and Joel has proven himself as a live performer, so perhaps the record will be an unexpected hit. So what can we celebrate in Joel’s 50 years of artistry? A whole lot. Though his beginning albums saw him still getting his footing as a musician, it is amazing to see how he has grown into the iconic artist he is today. His songs still find their way into TikTok trends. He plays an important role and influence in modern day music, with Olivia Rodrigo name dropping him and his song “Uptown Girl” on her latest hit album. The Billy Joel Band broke up many decades ago, but still found themselves being inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2014 for their work with Joel, including Stegmeyer posthumously. Following their induction, DeVitto, Javors, and Cannata came together with a few other musicians as the “Lords of 52nd Street” and continue to perform today. Fifty years later, Joel’s music is still impacting people’s lives and I’m sure it will for another 50. This collection holds so much history, beautiful artistry, and growth that people should not pass up on.
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ARTS & FEATURES
The fight for education By Caroline Gordon Arts & Features Editor Arts & Ideas hosted the lecture, “Democratizing Schools: The African American Fight for Educational Justice in Massachusetts,” in person and on Zoom, featuring author Kabria Baumgartner Oct 13. Baumgartner is an associate professor of history and Africana Studies and associate director of public history at Northeastern University. She is the author of the book, “In Pursuit of Knowledge,” which is about Black women and educational activism in the Antebellum South. “In Pursuit of Knowledge” has won three book prizes including the 2020 Outstanding Book Award from the History of Education Society. Baumgartner opened the lecture by discussing the importance of the fight for educational justice in the 19th century and its relevance today. “I find that it is forgotten history that needs to be recovered and discussed,” she said. She said there are four education movements historians often talk about. The first is the common school movement, which was the expansion of public, primary, and grammar schools. The second is the female seminary movement, which was when over 300 female institutions were established. The third is the rise of colleges and universities. The fourth is the state normal school movement, which was when institutions made for
teacher training. She said abolitionist and educator Mary E. Bibb attended Framingham State and that “her story is absolutely part of this history of normal schools.” Baumgartner said African Americans were excluded from common schools and barred from seminaries. She noted in addition to race, gender was a barrier to college. “Where were Black girls and women in this educational landscape during these educational movements?” she asked. Baumgartner said her book concerns the education of Black women in the northeast, such as New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine. She said one of the main themes of her book is Black women’s pursuit of knowledge was not led by a particular leader. “I found that this was collective and dynamic. A group of Black educational activists women and their allies created a network to reform education,” she said. Baumgartner added, “While tracing this network, I show that Black women modeled this vision of purposeful womanhood. This meant they were resilient, resourceful, and forward thinking as they fought to live with purpose in severe forms of oppression and opposition.” Baumgartner discussed the destruction of the first seminary for Black women in New England. The seminary opened in Canterbury, Connecticut and closed 17 month later. “This is often not taught as the his-
Food as activism By Caroline Gordon Arts & Features Editor Arts & Ideas hosted “Food as Activism,” both live and on Zoom, featuring Jessica B. Harris and Boston’s Eastie Farm Oct. 5. Harris is a journalist and food historian with an expertise in African diaspora cooking. She has been featured in The New York Times and The New Yorker. Additionally, she has appeared on The Today Show and Good Morning America. She holds Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Southern Foodways Alliance and the James Beard Foundation. Eastie Farm is a local urban farm driven to improve climate justice, community resilience and food access. Harris and the Eastie Farm community share the same goal - using food activism to unite. Harris began the lecture by asking the audience a question, “What is activism?” She noted people add the title activist to their names as if it was “some advanced degree. “Joe Shmoe - activist. Betty Boop -
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social activist,” she said. Harris said while teaching at Queens College, she researched the word activist. “Activist is defined as a person who campaigns to bring about political or social change. Now, what degree of campaigning is also often left undefined? Are we talking about someone who goes on marches, someone who sets policy, someone who risks life and limb to bring about social change?” she asked. Harris continued, “These questions are unanswered and often open-ended.” She discussed the first acts of culinary activism within the Black community. During the transatlantic slave trade, slaves refused food as a way to assert control. “The power of no gave them control over a situation in which they had no control at all,” Harris said. Harris added Black people were allowed to work behind the counter in diners. However, they could not be served. She discussed the instance of Black freshmen from North Carolina Technical College, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, Ezell Blair Jr., and David Richmond, seating themselves at a
tory of New England,” she said. Baumgartner touched upon Sarah Mapps Douglas, a Black teacher and abolitionist. She said Douglas encouraged Black women and girls to attend school despite the oppression and violence they would face. Baumgartner read a quote by Douglas - “Be courageous. Put your trust in the good of the oppressed and go forward.” She said Black female students wrote editorials where they expressed their gratitude for education. The editorials were published in anti-slavery newspapers. Baumgartner read a line from an editorial by a Black student. “It is not until the present moment until we have gotten to enjoy that which our minds have greatly desired.” She discussed Sarah Remond, an abolitionist. Remond and her two younger sisters attended public primary schools in Salem. Baumgartner said they attended school in the late 1820s and during this time, Salem’s public schools were not racially segregated. She said some white residents “recoiled” at the presence of the Remond sisters attending their public high school. The residents petitioned the Salem School Committee to expel the girls and create a separate school for African American students. Baumgartner said the Salem School Committee then created a separate school for African Americans in 1834. She posed the question, “Why did
Woolworth’s lunch counter, requesting service. Eventually others, including white students, joined the young men and protested for equality. By the fifth day of the protest, hundreds of other students joined. “Lunch counters rapidly became a symbol of the south’s inequity,” Harris said. The protests resulted in the desegregation of the lunch counters in Greensboro, North Carolina, which led to the desegregation of lunch counters nationally. Furthermore, African Americans advocating for their right to be served, led to the creation of the Civil Rights Act, which banned discrimination in public places. Then, she discussed the Black Panther Party, an organization created to protect members of the Black community. Harris said the Black Panther Party developed numerous community-based programs such as free breakfasts for preschool African American children in the inner city. “The program acknowledged the connection between being well nourished and academic achievement. The breakfast program was the first in the country to recognize and combat
residents move from racial integration to racial segregation in Salem?” Baumgartner said racial segregation was implemented because the Remond sisters, particularly Sarah, stood out as they excelled academically. “They didn’t want their daughters to compete with her,” she said. She discussed the Boston School Committee and their decision to keep racially segregated schools despite petitions to desegregate. Baumgartner closed the event by discussing lawyer Robert Morris and a case he took on, Sarah Roberts v. the City of Boston. Sarah Roberts was a 5-year-old Black girl who was required to go to a Black public elementary school. Her father challenged the Boston School Committee by requesting she go to a school closer to home despite the school being desegregated. She said the Roberts case was dismissed, but the case’s attention and Morris’ perseverance aided the eventual desegregation of schools. “No matter the form of their activism, there were two common principles that drove them. First, they refused to accept the idea that the existing system of schooling was the best possible. Second, they were inspired to pursue knowledge to reform American schooling and teaching in ways that were inclusive and transformative.”
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food injustice. It garnered community goodwill,” she said. Roberto Gomez, site manager at Eastie Farm, discussed the development of Eastie Farm noting the idea started with the observations of the then deserted and weed ridden 294 Sumner St. “Once people started digging and cleaning the area, people started to take notice,” Gomez said. He said once Eastie Farm partnered with restaurants, they were able to provide 5,000 meals per week. After they reached 5,000 meals per week, the organization received grants and access to other food sources, which enabled them to help more people. He said the farm has been “slowly piecing the community together.” Gomez wrapped up the discussion by touching upon Dr. Harris’ definition of activism. “You can just be anybody who wants to help, make a change, or make a political statement. That is the beauty of this.”
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ARTS & FEATURES
Puzzles
ACROSS 1. Unlike a green tomato 5. It can be crunched or massaged 9. Hoppy beer, briefly 12. Do as commanded 13. ___ borealis (northern lights) 15. Apple computer 16. Solemn ceremonies that may require Froot Loops? 18. Rocks, at the bar 19. Fight roughly 20. Not external 22. Column beside a decimal point 23. Alternative to a convertible 25. Book introduction written by singer Mariah? 30. Scares off 31. Part of UCLA 32. Part of UCLA? 33. “Woe is me!” 34. All the rage 35. Ga. neighbor 36. Confession subject 37. Balloon filler 38. Wheeled stretcher 40. Where Mozart’s mentor would’ve kept his jet, if flying had been around? 44. It’s a snap 45. “Tosca” solo 46. Monte ___ 48. Dig like a mole 51. French for “yes” 52. Decelerating wildebeests? 57. “Yada, yada, yada”: Abbr. 58.“Delicious!” 59. Connect 60. Anonymous John 61. Completely exhaust 62. Trendsetting
DOWN 1. Big bird in legends 2. “A likely story” 3. Andean land 4. You hate to see them 5. Coercion 6. MSNBC host Melber 7. “Sesame Street” watcher 8. “What ___ you waiting for?” 9. “Don’t blame me!” 10. Runner’s speed 11. Big name in computers 13. Side ways? 14. Comment to the audience 17. Late actor Ed 21. Opposite of “yep” 23. Chimney residue 24. Triage sites, briefly 25. Salsa singer Cruz 26. No matter what the cost 27. Plant life 28. Zellweger of “Jerry Maguire” 29. Refuse to accept 30. 100-meter race, e.g. 34. Hawaii County’s seat 35. Strongest architectural shape 37. Like a well-chosen name 38. Coming or going? 39. By means of 41. FedEx rival 42. Inexperienced gamers 43. Mali or Somalia 46. Like many dorms 47. Coupe, for example 49. Name hidden in “teen idol” 50. Breather? 53. Bar sometimes made of steel 54. Back in time 55. Ornamental fish in a pond 56. It’s blue on a clear day
OCTOBER 15, 2021 | 15
Puzzle solutions are now exclusively online.
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PHOTOS
Forever Boston Strong
A Boston Marathon handcyclist makes his way through downtown Framingham, Massachusetts waving the American and state flags Oct. 11.
Boston Marathon wheelchair running duo make their way through downtown Framingham, Massachusetts Oct. 11.
Volunteers pass out water and Gatorade to Boston Marathon runners at the six-mile mark in downtown Framingham, Massachusetts Oct. 11.
A radio DJ playing music and shouting out words of encouragement to Boston Marathon runners reaches for a high five Oct. 11.
Boston Marathon runners make their way past the Waverly and Winthrop streets intersection in downtown Framingham, Massachusetts Oct. 11. Photos and Spread by Leighah Beausoleil/THE GATEPOST
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