The Justice, November 12, 2024

ENTRANCE INTERVIEW

Former student returns as President

On Nov. 8, Interim President Arthur Levine ’70 sat down with The Justice to discuss his personal ties to the University and his goals for its future. Levine graduated from Brandeis in 1970, with a Bachelor of Arts in biology. Brandeis gave Levine a love for higher education, resulting in his pursuit of a successful career in academia including presidencies at Teachers College, Columbia University and Bedford College.

In addition to professional successes, Levine made several lifelong connections at Brandeis. These include some of his dearest friends, such as the co-author of one of his 13 books and the professor to who the book was dedicated, Prof. William Goldsmith (AMST). The fast friends were even best men at each other's weddings. Additionally, a Brandeis friend introduced Levine to his wife, Linda Fentiman.

Levine noted that one thing that makes Brandeis unique is the commitment to social justice held by the students. He explained that this state of mind has not changed over the years, stating it as one of the most prominent memories of his undergraduate experience. Levine added that while the students' commitment to social justice has not changed, the way that they go about it has evolved over time. When he was at Brandeis, Levine explained that some of the most popular protest topics were the United States’ participation in the Vietnam War and civil rights. Instead of spreading the word via social media, flyers were printed out and placed in all student mailboxes in the mailroom, which back then was the Mailman House. Levine explained that he is in support of student protests as long as they do not cause harm to anyone.

In addition to a commitment to social justice, Levine made an impact on campus as the Student Union treasurer when he was an undergraduate. He enjoyed being involved in student government and met with Student Union President Rani Balakrishna ’25 and Vice President Ria Escamilla-Gill ’27 during his first week in office. Since his arrival on campus on Nov. 1, Levine has made an effort to connect with students, visiting the dining halls to share meals and attending on-campus events. He expressed that he has enjoyed connecting with current students and found them all to be welcoming. Levine has been seen at all sorts of events, from basketball games to an event celebrating first generation students. He is a

■ Arthur Levine ’70 returns as interim president with goals to improve the state of the University. Northern Renaissance

first generation college graduate himself, explaining that he chose Brandeis after looking through college flyers with his mom.

Levine cites his Jewish background as a reason for attending the University. As he explained, he grew up in an area with predominant Catholic and Jewish populations. The Catholic population thought that Notre Dame was the best school in the world, while the Jewish population championed Brandeis. Growing up, the two schools seemed like the only ones in existence.

While speaking with The Justice, Levine shared that the Board of Trustees sought him out for this position. He explained that he doesn’t believe he would’ve been offered this position if Brandeis was in a good state, referring to himself as a “fixer-upper.”

Levine is looking to work with community members in his plans to improve the University, with an emphasis on including faculty in the problem solving process. He hopes that he can work with faculty to come to agreements together. Levine is also planning to take on a more active role in terms of enrollment.

In addition to University departments, Levine has already started thinking about future moves for Brandeis, placing an emphasis on the potential addition of a micro-certification program similar to the one found at Harvard University. The implementation of a program such as this one would allow students to take skills that they learn in classes and on campus and add them to their resumes. He advocated for further integration and expansion of career services and thinks that such a program would increase the success and resumes of students.

Levine expressed a need for the University to remain neutral as an entity, explaining that personal opinions should remain separate from the institution. He explained that he has had some unpopular opinions and stances before, but has kept the line between the school and himself clear, never associating a school with his own beliefs.

Levine expressed gratitude to those who have helped him with his transition to presidency and those who will continue to support him, thanking specifically the Board of Trustees for providing him with a golf cart as he navigates the campus with muscular dystrophy. He also shouted out all of the members of his team for their work, highlighting in particular Meredith Ainbinder, chief of staff and Senior Advisor to the President.

Levine is no stranger to small endowments, as Teachers College has an even smaller endowment than Brandeis. He is ready to jump into fundraising, with the goal of presenting a plan for a Capital Campaign to the Board of Trustees within two weeks. Levine is also excited to start working with his fellow alumni, but admitted that the thing he is most nervous about is speaking at his upcoming class

 Walk through the visual elements of Rogier van der Weyden's painting, "Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin." By LILIANA

FACULTY MEETING

‘Brandeis is at the edge of a cliff’: Interim President addresses faculty

■ Interim President Arthur Levine ’70 attended the November faculty meeting, giving a speech and addressing faculty questions.

By ANNA MARTIN JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF

On Nov. 8, faculty gathered for their monthly meeting, eagerly anticipating the introduction of new University Interim President Arthur Levine ’70. The meeting began with comments from Chair of the Faculty Senate Jeffery Lenowitz (POL), who introduced a speech and moment of silence for the passing of Professor Emeritus Graham Campbell (FA). Following this remembrance, Wellington Prize winner Prof. Emilie Connolly (HIST) gave a presentation on her trip to Lisbon.

After Connolly’s remarks, Interim President Arthur Levine ’70 took the floor to address the faculty of the University for the first time. He began his speech with a joke, commenting on the location of Rapaporte Treasure Hall and expressing his “disappointment” in the treasure, sharing that it would unfortunately not be the answer to the University's “budget problems.” Levine expressed his love of retirement, but that his love for Brandeis brought him back.

Levine made it clear that the decisions made before he stepped into this position were not his and reiterated that he is not looking for another job after this one. He also explained that he is not doing this for the sake of his resume, as he is satisfied with it as it is — instead citing love for the University as his main motivation for taking the job.

Levine then acknowledged the situation that Brandeis currently is in, highlighting deferred maintenance, declining enrollment and budget cuts. However, he also mentioned the University’s great students and faculty. Levine stated, “I don’t know any University that was made great by budget cuts,” expressing a need to repair the current financial situation of the University. He explained that enrollment management will be reporting directly to him from now on, utilizing his past experience with a goal of regrowing enrollment. He also stated that he has asked Institutional Advancement to immediately launch a Capital Campaign that focuses on “faculty, students, programming, staffing and infrastructure.” Levine explained that if both of these things go well, this would be a short term solution to the budget-related problems that Brandeis is facing. However, he cited a need to improve operations, with the hope of expanding and moving with new trends in the academic spaces.

Levine continued, discussing the changing digital landscape by citing pages like Coursera that offer a wider range of online courses than those available at any one university for much lower prices. He explained that this shift will affect every college — from community colleges to Ivy Leagues in one way or another. Levine stated “Covid was not an interruption, it was an accelerator. You all know that.” He explained that he and his co-author, which he did not identify, visited 70 institutions recently, trying to decide what made an institution stand out amongst the rest, and took away valuable information.

Levine told the faculty, “My assignment from the Board is to develop a plan for the future of Brandeis and write a job description for my successor to translate that plan into reality. I want to do that

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together. I can’t do that alone.” He explained that his plan before winter break is to talk to as many people as possible, asking members of the faculty to come and talk to him. He wants to hear from community members about what they hope to see change at Brandeis, and he will then come back in January and “suggest a path forward.”

Following this conclusion, members of the faculty were invited to participate in a question and answer session with Levine. The first speaker to approach the microphone was Prof. Sabine von Mering (GER/WGS), who expressed concerns regarding the comparison between Northeastern and the future of Brandeis, explaining “We need to plan, we need to have our own guiding stars instead of trying to copy what Northeastern does.” She continued by broaching the topic of the elimination of the Lydian String Quartet, which was discussed in the October faculty meeting. She expressed that the quartet is one of the things that makes Brandeis unique. Levine responded by explaining that the quartet was eliminated before he entered office and therefore, was not his fault. Although, he did express that it was not eliminated for no reason: “We have to have priorities.” Von Mering, who had returned to her seat, yelled from the audience to encourage Levine to take a pay cut. He explained that it is not just about finding the money this year, it’s about finding the money every year. Levine called on the faculty, stating “Help me! People are complaining about cuts. Help me figure out an alternative that would be healthier for this institution.”

Levine went on to share that he was a candidate for this position in the 80s, explaining that he had a lot of criticism and ultimately decided that he was not interested in the role. He stated “What we need to know is we’re a family. We solve our problems as a family. We don’t go to the press and tell them we have a problem … I’ll be very honest with you. I’ll work on any issue — I’ll work on any problem — but I won’t after a person goes to The Globe.”

The next speaker was Prof. Nina Kammerer (ANTH), who emphasized the importance of rebuilding community, stating “The onslaught of damage to our sense of community that we have had under the previous administration, and I feel that community is one of the essential as a founding of the institution,” asking Levine to keep community in mind moving forward.

Levine responded by sharing that he has spent much time in the dining halls, at student gatherings and in meetings with the community during his first week back at Brandeis. He stated that “this remains a warm and welcoming campus.” He then asks for the faculty’s trust, stating “I’m asking you to trust me. I get nothing out of this. I’m going to leave. If I’m the worst president in Brandeis history, and I leave when my tenure is over. If I’m the best president in Brandeis history I leave when my tenure is over. I have nothing to prove. I am satisfied with my existing resume.” Levine concluded this answer with the call for action of creating community, comparing Brandeis to larger schools such as Arizona State University and sharing that “this place is too small” to neglect community.

The next speaker was Prof. Thomas King (ENG), who asked for further elaboration on the possible inclusion of digital landscapes and expressed concerns regarding the harmful rhetoric of the word “family.” He spoke about his 32 years at this institution and explained that Brandeis has caused harm to himself and others, “based upon our various differences.” King continued by calling out

See MEETING, 5 ☛

MEETING : Brandeis Interim President Arthur Levine '70 giving remarks at Nov. 8 faculty meeting.

Photo courtesy of STEVEN ZUCKER/Flickr

By ANNA MARTIN JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHEIF

ELIZA BIER/The Justice

SENATE LOG

Brandeis Rebelle, Botanical Club and Lifting Club granted provisional status

On Nov. 10, the Student Union had their weekly 7 p.m. meeting. The meeting started with a presentation from Brandeis Rebelle, a multicultural dance group seeking provisional status as a club. Rebelle’s mission is to empower students through dance and cultural expression and, in doing so, foster inclusivity on campus. Brandeis Rebelle plans to focus on community engagement and planning events such as multicultural dance workshops open to all students. The club was granted provisional status.

Presenting next was the Brandeis Botanical Society, also seeking provisional status. The club aims to create a platform for students interested in botany to learn and grow together. Additionally, it is a chartered member of the Botanical Society of America, which gives botany-related benefits and opportunities to its members. The club was granted provisional status.

The Brandeis Lifting Club then presented, seeking provisional status. They seek to reins-

POLICE LOG

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Nov. 1—A party was reported to have fallen down the stairs outside the Village Residence Hall and hit their head. The patient refused medical treatment.

Nov. 1—A party was stung by a bee or hornet. The patient refused medical treatment.

Nov. 1—Medical emergency for a party having an asthma attack. The patient was seen by BEMCo and refused further medical treatment.

Nov. 2—Medical emergency for a party having chest pain. The patient was seen by BEMCo and refused further medical treatment.

Nov. 3—Medical emergency for a party experiencing severe stomach pain.

Nov. 3—Medical emergency for a party having a sickle cell crisis.

Nov. 3—Medical emergency for a party feeling dizzy and experiencing chest pain. The patient was transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

Nov. 4—Medical emergency for a party with a twisted ankle. The patient refused medical treatment.

Nov. 4—There was a voluntary Section 12 procedure for a party. The patient was transported for medical treatment.

Nov. 5—A Community Advisor believed a party might harm themself. The patient was transported for further care.

Nov. 5—Medical call for a student having difficulty breathing. The patient was transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

Nov. 6—A male sustained an injury to the groin area and passed out. The patient was transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

Nov. 7—Medical emergency for a student with flu-like symptoms. The patient was transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

■ A news byline incorrectly spelled a name as “Kia Holmstrom.” It was corrected to “Kiah Holmstrom.” (Nov. 6, Page 2).

■ A news byline incorrectly spelled a name as “LuLu Olm”. It was corrected to “Lulu Ohm.” (Nov. 6, Page 2).

The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. Send an email to editor@ thejustice.org

tate a lifting club on Brandeis, as it had existed previously. They aim to create a welcoming space for people to learn about weightlifting and working out, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the process. The club was granted provisional club status.

The Union then reviewed their plans for a self-care day, a Student Union gala and their committee reports. One member reported that sorbet is now a permanent feature in Sherman Dining Hall. The meeting concluded at 7:33 p.m.

The Student Union is scheduled to convene next on Nov. 17

PARTIES & INTOXICATION

Nov. 1—Medical emergency for an intoxicated diabetic party. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

Nov. 2—A reporting party called to complain about a party in Foster Mods. The Area Coordinator on Call was notified.

Nov. 2—A reporting party requested assistance breaking up a party in Foster Mods due to the number of people in attendance.

Nov. 3—Medical call for an intoxicated party. The patient was treated by BEMCo and refused further care.

Nov. 3—Medical emergency for an intoxicated party. The patient was treated by BEMCo and refused further treatment.

MISCELLANEOUS

Nov. 3—A party reported someone yelling and screaming within Ziv Quad. The Area Coordinator on Call was notified.

Nov. 5—Harassment by email was reported. Investigation to follow.

Nov. 5—There was a minor motor vehicle accident on South Street.

Nov. 6—There was a report of suspicious activity at 415 South Street. Investigation to follow.

Nov. 7—A party reported several people smoking class C drugs in the roadway where their children were present. Parties were gone on arrival of police.

Nov. 7—A party reported harassment by mail. Investigation to follow.

Nov. 7—Offensive language was left on a whiteboard.

— Compiled by Zoe Zachary

Autumn : Bright red and orange leaves compliment the

— Zoe Zachary

ELIZA

Graphics courtesy of CANVA and DINA NAIMARK GOLDBERG/The Justice

Study-in for Palestine hosted by Brandeis Jewish Bund reported to police

■ A silent study hosted by Brandeis Jewish Bund was reported to the police, who determined no wrongdoing.

By ZOE ZACHARY JUSTICE EDITOR

On Nov. 7, the Brandeis Jewish Bund hosted a Study-in For Palestine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A promotional poster for the event encouraged students to “Join the Jewish Bund as we sit and study in honor of Palestine.” The event, which was attended by a small crowd of students, took place on the first floor of Farber library, around the corner from Starbucks. Organizers offered pro-Palestine reading material for attendees, though most chose to silently do their own work.

Brandeis Jewish Bund is an antifascist Jewish organization dedi-

cated to Bundist history and cause. Their study-in follows an Oct. 21 vigil held for lives lost in Palestine and Lebanon since Oct. 7, 2023.

The organizers of the study-in displayed small posters on the desks depicting statistics from the war between Israel and Palestine. They contained messages such as “The equivalent of two nuclear bombs have been dropped on Gaza,” “186,000 murdered in Gaza,” and “Every day more than 10 children lose a limb in Gaza.”

At around 11:30 a.m., the event aroused attention from students who believed the study-in was antisemitic. According to a Nov. 7 interview with The Justice, with two Jewish members of the Bund, explained there were a few “agitators” who had attempted to take their signs down. Additionally, according to the organizers, a group of students were attempting to “dox and record” the event, which the Bund members pointed out was not permitted in the library.

At around 1:00 p.m., Brandeis Police Officer Rose and Sergeant Beltz arrived at the sit-in after a student reported it on the day of the event. After observing the event and speaking with the organizers, they decided to allow it to continue. According to the interview, the officers only asked the Bund members to take down posters which had been taped to the wall, as they could have damaged the paint.

BRIEF

The group complied, and the event was deemed peaceful and non-antisemitic.

Though the exact details of why the event was reported to the police are unknown as of press time, the Brandeis Jewish Bund believe they were wrongfully accused of antisemitism. In the interview with The Justice, the organizers emphasized that they wanted to host a peaceful and non-confrontational event meant to raise awareness of the casualties of the war.

The event sparked discussion on the Brandeis page of the anonymous chat forum, Sidechat. Anonymous members of the Brandeis community called the sit-in “disgusting” and “obnoxious.” Another user wrote sarcastically, “Good job, protestors, you totally ‘freed’ Palestine.” Other Sidechat users praised members of The Bund for being respectful and non-disruptive, arguing against more inflammatory comments directed toward the sit-in.

Though the majority of the Jewish Bund’s sit-in was uneventful, the controversy it managed to spark is emblematic of the broad range of student opinions regarding the war. As these perspectives prove, the war continues to be a highly discussed and often sensitive topic on campus.

Massachusetts ballot question 6 available in select districts

Last week, America voted on the future of national, state and local governance. In Massachusetts, voters were tasked with the responsibility of terminating the fate of five ballot questions on state auditing, transport unions, standardized testing, psychedelics and minimum wage for tipped workers. One question, however, flew under the radar — Question 6 — which appeared only in 11 state representative districts, including the 10th Middlesex district which is a part of Waltham, Massachusetts. The question did not appear on the November 2024 Massachusetts voter guide.

BRIEF

The question asked: “Shall the Representative for this District be instructed to vote for legislation to create a single-payer system of universal health care that provides all Massachusetts residents with comprehensive health care coverage including the freedom to choose doctors and other health care professionals, facilities, and services and eliminates the role of insurance companies in health care by creating an insurance trust fund that is publicly administered?” In Waltham, the question received major support with 4,255 “Yes” votes, with only 1,789 votes were cast

Interim President Arthur Levine ‘70 addresses student body in email

On Wednesday Nov. 6 at 5:53 p.m. Brandeis’ Interim President, Arthur Levine ’70 addressed the Brandeis community for the first time since taking office on Nov. 1, with an email titled “Greeting from Interim President Levine.” Levine began his email by reflecting on the positive memories he made during his time at Brandeis. Most notable of these being meeting his “closest friends who later introduced [him] to [his] wife, Linda Fenitman.” He also shared that Brandeis is the place where he found his vocation and realized he wanted a career in higher education.

The interim president revealed that through returning to the Brandeis campus he has been reminded of his “roots” and how his experiences at Brandeis have guided him through life. He then went on to share his top three reasons that he believes that Brandeis will continue to excel.

First, Levine points out that Brandeis is both an “outstanding liberal arts college” and an “eminent research university” simultaneously. He notes that

while typically a research university will dominate and determine an “institution’s character and priorities” Brandeis is unique, or a “unicorn,” in that both are able to thrive. In his words, at Brandeis “the integrity of both is sustained, and enriches the other.”

Levine’s second reason is that Brandeis is “a nonsectarian institution established by the Jewish community, is imbued with the values of its founders — a love of learning, a dedication to academic excellence, an antipathy to discrimination, and a commitment to social justice and social action.”

Third, Levine asserts that Brandeis is a trailblazer, both “intellectually and socially.” Brandeis, since its beginning, has led the way as an “elite” university for those who might be discriminated against by traditional higher education. This spirit of diversity has attracted “renowned scholars and promising academics early in their careers to the Brandeis faculty,” the email said. He details that from Brandeis’ very first graduating class in

in opposition. Question 6, is a non-binding question, meaning that, although passed by Massachusetts voters, the proposed legislation is not law. Non-binding question allows for voters to voice their opinions and publicly instruct their representatives on how to vote should a Medicare for All legislation put up for a vote.

1952, affectionately known as “the pioneers,” Brandeis’ environment has fostered and attracted students who strive to “study with society’s greatest and most innovative minds.” He stated that these great minds have taught — and continue to teach — Brandeis students how to “think critically, creatively, ethically, and out of the box. Levine concluded his email by saying that, especially after the presidential election, he is excited to return to the Brandeis campus and be a part of a community that rejects hate and is committed to repairing the world.

Eliza Bier

ZOE ZACHARY/The Justice

FUNGI : A clump of ringless honey mushrooms grows under an oak tree, parasitically using its roots as an energy source.

Lin Lin Hutchinson

Graphics courtesy of CANVA and ELIZABETH LIU/The Justice

MEETING: Levine pushes back at urges to reinstate the Lydian String Quartet

Levine for the use of intimidation against those who could potentially air their grievances to the Globe.

In an email correspondence with The Justice on Nov. 8, King elaborated by stating “The purpose of the phrase [family] is to obfuscate problems and to suggest that those who bring problems to light voluntarily exclude themselves from the family. Feminists taught us decades ago that this very phrase has been used systematically to cover over abuses within the family, to excuse abusers, and intimidate victims from coming forward.” He explained that he does not believe this is what Levine meant. However, Brandeis was founded on the values of truth. King added to his statement, explaining that “these internal conflicts are opaque. We often learn only about systematic abuses at the university through the excellent reporting of the student newspapers.” He explained that key issues are also often learned about through student-circulated petitions: “Our students do the wonderful work of bringing things to light for us faculty. We faculty are always lagging behind our students.”

Levine responded to the concern by telling the faculty about his own family. He stated that this includes his “Korean son-in-law, his Protestant son-in-law, his gay sister-in-law,” and more. He explained that to him, family is “used in the sense of people who care about each other.” Levine stated, “I’m an academic. You get three of us in the room and you hear twelve opinions,” and explained that that is

the kind of community he is trying to build.

Levine then began to discuss micro-credentials, stating “Students have told me they want us to do more to give them practical skills.”

The next speaker was Prof. Donald Shepard (HELLER), who explained that he has a background in cost analysis. He asked Levine about the financial challenges of the University. Levine responded by stating, “What I’m going to ask you to do is to join me and help me think about it. When I come back to you in January my suggested pathway will not be the answer unless you all agree."

Prof. Aida Yuen Wong (FA), head of Fine Arts at Brandeis, was next at the microphone. She circled back around to the topic of the Lydian String Quartet, highlighting the petition signed by more than 260 faculty members to bring them back. She stated, “I urge you to reverse this decision — this is something that clearly means a lot to us.” She explained that the members of the Lydian did more than play in concerts, emphasizing that they also teach string instrument lessons to Brandeis students. Wong concluded her statement by saying “I urge President Levine to reverse this mistake. There is a Chinese saying that states: ‘reign in the horse at the edge of the cliff.’”

Levine responded by saying, “Brandeis is at the edge of the cliff.” He explained that he loves music and enjoyed attending musical events while he lived in New York City. However, he said “I would be fiscally irre -

sponsible if what I did was respond to a petition without the money to fund it, and I told you the matter of priorities. Don’t send me an invitation, send me a statement of where we get $350,000, not just once but every year.” He went on to say that he would love to put the Lydian back in place. He stated, “Don’t you think I’d like to walk in the door and get a victory?”

The next speaker was Prof. John Plotz (ENG). Plotz expressed his pleasure surrounding the classification of Brandeis as a unicorn, saying “In terms of your characterization of the place where liberal arts college meets research university, I think you nailed it.” Plotz continued on, emphasizing the importance of Brandeis as a research university, a place of social justice and a liberal arts institution. He stated, “We have a lot of strengths, and I understand we’re going to change, but I just don’t want us to change in ways that undercut the strength of what’s already here.”

The next speaker brought back the topic of the Lydian Quartet, asking whether or not the money could come out of the tuition of students in the music program who benefit from their teachings. The point he made is that the Quartet brings students to the school, and the loss of it could potentially deter potential applicants. He raised the question of whether this decision could potentially fiscally hurt the University more than help it. Dean of the Arts and Sciences Jeffrey Shoulson clarified that string instruction

will still be offered. Next, Prof. William Flesch (ENG) requested more financial transparency from the administration moving forward. He explained that “a lot of faculty feel that we don’t have a transparent sense of the University’s finances, of where the money is going.” He explained that they had gotten some information in the past, but the missing information was notable. He also called for keeping the Brandeis alumni email addresses, suggesting that they could come up with a forwarding system or something similar. Levine responded by sharing he will do what he can, stating “I really have no reason to lie to you. Think of the worst you could do to me, vote no confidence in me? What’s gonna happen? I don’t care.”

Prof. Amy Singer (HIST) and Prof. Michael Willrich (HIST) spoke about the future of Brandeis as a Research 1 institution, and they highlighted both the importance of liberal arts studies, such as history, and the need for future fundraising. Singer asked if the donors Brandeis will target will be diversified, citing the large number of Jewish donors. Levine responded by explaining “I do not care about the diversity of our donors. I care that they give.”

After this question, the meeting was concluded by Lenowitz as time had run out.

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A visual analysis of ‘Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin’

A walk-through of the elements that make this Northern Renaissance piece by Rogier van der Weyden.

The painting “Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin” by Rogier van der Weyden is an exemplary sample of artwork from the Northern Renaissance. Rogier van der Weyden was a Northern Renaissance artist who took inspiration from other masters like Jan van Eyck and Robert Campin. Van der Weyden shows mastery of the oil medium with a focus on his figures, his skillful ability to create a narrative painting and his novel and adept naturalism.

The vast background of the painting allows a view into a modern-day city in Flanders. Then turning to the interior scene, it feels narrow, and although this interior portrait contains a plethora of defined details, it does not feel miniature or compacted because the viewer is invited to look beyond the intimate biblical moment in the forefront to the expansive outside world. The pictorial composition is deliberately created to guide the onlooker through the narrative.

In the foreground of the painting, the viewers are immediately presented with the key characters of this painting: the Virgin Mary, Jesus and Saint Luke. The composition then allows an opening into the outside world from the interior point of view, creating an illusion of expansive distance. Beyond the room where the event is taking place, we see an enclosed garden — a common theme associated with the Virgin — and two small figures in the very center midground of the painting. Placing these unknown observers in the courtyard at a lower position than the raised appearance of the main figures, van der Weyden creates a flawless transition into the outside world, naturally steering the viewers’ eyes in the direction of the onlookers.

The figures are situated logically to suggest proper proportions within the space. Mary and Saint Luke are the figures in the foreground, placed on both sides of the composition, while the two more miniature figures balance the space in the midground and center of the scene. The composition of this painting focuses on placing these two largest figures to split the painting symmetrically. There is a focus on symmetry throughout the painting, as there are two columns placed in the backdrop to create a more deliberate separation between Luke and the otherworldly Christ child and Mary.

The emphasis of this painting focuses on naturalistic lighting rather than a gothic and dramatic style of lighting. Van der Weyden demonstrates his abilities with the oil medium, and the brush strokes are meticulously small to create a blended and seamless painting, bringing the scene to life. The color

By LILIANA ASPROMONTE JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

palette is more subdued than previous representations from early periods, as the blue of Mary’s dress appears less artificial than in the previous works of artists like Giotto or Cimabue. This palette is meant to be naturalistic, a key feature of this period.

The color choices made by van der Weyden are deliberately chosen to express the thematic goals of the work.

The Virgin Mary wears her traditional deep blue, however, it is covert and not gaudy as the entirety of the garment

smokey layer added to create intense lighting. Instead, we see a closed-off interior which is backlit by the exterior natural lighting coming from outside. An aerial perspective is also used in creating a backdrop that is less precise than the foreground. The interior scene also suggests Van der Weyden’s mastery of architectural symmetry and accuracy in creating a space that is linear and exact, showing off the use of mathematical calculations to create naturalism.

is not a one noted shade. Saint Luke on the other hand is adorned with a bright and opulent red garment that drapes over his body. There is also the detailed gold cloth in the background, showing a detailed and masterful use of paint to create a luxurious and silky texture. The use of colors is elegant and refined, and van der Weyden steers away from a garish color palette to contribute to a more naturalistic scene.

In regards to the lighting of the painting, there is not a shadowy or

Naturalism in this work is also pervasive when looking at the expressions of the figures. First, Saint Luke is ruminative and deeply engrossed in the task of painting his subjects. Mary tenderly looks upon Jesus as she feeds him. He is painted as a high-spirited and endearing infant, wriggling in his mother’s arms, and his life force is captured superbly by van der Weyden. When looking at earlier works from van der Weyden’s predecessors like Robert Campin, in whose workshop van der Weyden had worked, there

are patterns that show up as constants of the era. In Campin’s Annunciation Triptych, the middle panel features the archangel Gabriel about to deliver the news to Mary that she will become pregnant with Jesus. In this painting, we also see a detailed approach to creating a religious scene that is happening in a modern-day, earthly setting. While Campin’s work is laden with detailed and precise brushwork and highly specific religious symbolism, van der Weyden creates a more naturalistic state of being in his figures. Van der Weyden masters the attentive and realistic expressions of his figures to make the holy characters feel more tangibly real than Campin is able to. This painting also conforms to some of the elements that artist Leon Battista Alberti’s treatise “De Pictura” considers essential for creating a narrative painting or a “Historia” painting. Alberti outlines all of the components that make art truly good. One focus he points out is a figure in the Historia painting which is purposely inserted into the painting in a meta way to inform the viewer of how they are meant to interpret the scene. In this painting, van der Weyden places himself within the painting as Saint Luke himself. In biblical tradition Saint Luke was the first to paint the Virgin and Jesus, so he was the patron saint of artists and often of painters’ guilds. By making Saint Luke a self-portrait van der Weyden commemorates himself as a virtuoso artist whose craft is invaluable, another theme outlined in “De Pictura.”

The distinct style of van der Weyden is apparent throughout this artwork as well as the distinctive style of the early Northern Renaissance. During this period in the prosperous cities of Northern Europe, artists gravitated towards a more extensive form of realism than ever before. Representing the innate and unaffected contemporary world was a popular trend. With the prevailing of realism also came the preeminence of extremely detailed works of art, with methodical brush strokes and intricate devotional imagery.

The Northern Renaissance also tended towards this devotional imagery being more naturalistic to convey that the transcendental and sacred are undisputedly involved in earthly life. The focuses and tendencies of this period is exemplified in van der Weyden’s “Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin,” making it a quintessential representation of the early Northern Renaissance artistic movement. This painting is a prime example of the artistic advances made during this period in creating more naturalistic and detailed work than ever before.

VAN DER WEYDEN: Depicted above are the Virgin Mary, Jesus and Saint Luke.

‘Star Image,’ celebrItIeS and the OScarS

How do award ceremonies, celebrities and the media work together to sustain the entertainment industry and its major players?

The night my nephew was born was the night of the 89th Academy Awards — the night when “La La Land” was mistakenly called for best picture instead of “Moonlight,” shocking viewers everywhere. To this day, whenever I mention that my nephew was born when “La La Land” was called, I’m met with knowing head nods. Everyone knows about the Oscars, and how “La La Land” was nominated for best picture. They likely also know that Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling were the leading actors. The Oscars is a night filled with prestige as the public eye scrutinizes every move the celebrities in the audience make. While it’s highly unlikely that the viewers at home have seen every movie nominated, millions tune in to see who wins best actor or to judge the glamorous gowns. Celebrities — whether through their achievements as an actor, their innate style or something intangible — are a huge selling point for movies. The Oscars is a manifestation of the power celebrities have to promote movies to the public by way of their visual appearance, press interviews and speeches. As the Oscars demonstrate, celebrities serve to bring enormous amounts of attention to movies, which results in the audience engaging with the celebrities, films and the accompanying media.

While it’s true that there are fewer people viewing movies in theaters, films continue to be watched and enjoyed at home on a number of streaming services. Celebrities are crucial components of the movie industry as a whole, with the Oscars as the ultimate representation of celebrities’ influence in generating buzz for movies. The Oscars would not exist in the way it does without universally acknowledged ce-

By JULIA HARDY JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

lebrities and the prestige associated with their stardom.

The Oscars provide a space where celebrities can create and reinforce their “star image,” or the persona created through media about a person, as Richard Dyer terms in his 1979 book “Stars.”

The Oscars is the epicenter for media coverage of celebrities. The star image is created through the interviews and appearances of the movie celebrities that showcase who they are beyond the characters they play. With actress Zendaya’s appearances in “Challengers,” “Dune,” the Spider-Man movies and “Euphoria,” she’s become “the most in-demand actor in the US and worldwide,” according to data from Parrot Analytics. With her rise in prevalence in the industry, she’s also gained a greater influence on the public, which manifests from fashion to activism. By being public about dating “Spiderman”

co-star Tom Holland, she’s bolstered by her star image, which mixes the fictional “Spiderman” dynamic with a level of reality that’s accessible to consumers.

In 2023, nearly 20 million people tuned into the Oscars, marking it a monumental night for garnering attention for movies and celebrities. However, even if people do not watch the Oscars live there is still an enormous industry that goes beyond the red carpet. A Variety article reads: “On social media, the show managed 27.4 million total social interactions across Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.” With countless best dressed lists and Tweets about celebrity couples, the Oscars is a place that allows celebrities to shine, which subsequently attracts viewers and brings attention to films.

As mentioned, the Oscars encompass more than just the actual show and seeps into various other forms of me-

dia. Not only do celebrities play a role in generating attraction for the Oscars, the awards also aid celebrities in building their star image and maintaining their status. In her novel “The Drama of Celebrity,” Sharon Marcus writes, “In the drama of celebrity, all three entities — publics, media producers, and stars themselves have power, and all three compete and cooperate to assign value and meaning to celebrities.” It’s a two way street, where the award ceremony benefits the celebrities in the form of exposure and prestige for nominees and winners — adding to their achieved status — and the network that runs the show receives viewership from fans of those public figures.

Take the example of social media, where celebrities are active in curating their star image by way of presentational media. Marcus writes that “platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube expanded astronomically after pop stars Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Adele, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift began to use them.” With this, the social media platforms gained popularity because of celebrity use, just as celebrity participation draws viewership to award ceremonies.

As mentioned previously, celebrities form or develop their star image partially through their public appearances, and the Oscars allow many opportunities for this. As Professor P. David Marshall puts it, “Celebrities perform in their primary art form — as actors, musicians, singers, athlete[s] — as well as the extra-textual dimensions of interviews, advertisements/commercial endorsements, award nights and premieres.” It is through this media coverage of the Oscars that the public can engage with celebrities and their social performance.

Marshall attempts to tackle this question of why celebrities are so fascinating to ordinaries. He comes to the loose conclusion that the “[c]elebrity taught generations how to engage and use consumer culture to ‘make’ oneself.” In other words, celebrities are a way for the public to view themselves in the world. This is seen in relation to the Oscars in the form of watch parties that people throw in their homes. Some parties even mimic the aesthetic of the Oscars with details like black and gold themed decorations, a red carpet, fancy outfits and paparazzi booths. This mimicry of the Oscars, particularly the red carpet and the paparazzi booth, is an example of consumers immersing themselves in this celebrity spectacle, even turning it into a social event. As Marshall would say, ordinary people are engaging with the media and then they “make oneself” from their observation. While these watch parties are a small-scale way of looking at Marshall’s general commentary, it speaks to how consumers tend to replicate a little bit of the perceived celebrity lifestyle.

The Oscars represent the role that celebrities play in the movie industry, namely their glamor and attraction to the public. Celebrities draw the public’s attention by exhibiting their star image, which audiences can engage with on an increasingly personal level. Even if one does not watch the Oscars live, there is an enormous amount of related programming and media that demonstrate its cultural impact.

RED CARPET: About 20 million people tuned into the Oscars last year.

Photo courtesy of ltenney1225/Flicker

SPECTACLE: The Oscars is the epicenter for celebrity media coverage.

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

AWARDS: Award ceremonies play a major role in shaping a celebrity’s image.

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

Established

Anna Martin, Editor in Chief Eliza Bier, Managing Editor

Isabel Roseth, Senior Editor

Leah Breakstone, Tibria Brown, Lauryn Williams, Deputy Editors

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Lil Lin Hutchinson, Zoe Zachary, News Editors

Grace Doh, Features Editor

Ariana Rich, Forum Editor

Diane Meyer, Sports Editor

Nemma Kalra, Arts & Culture Editor

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Amanda Chen, Niámh Mullen, Social Media Editors

EDITORIAL

A compassionate campus: Post-election reflection

In the wake of a presidential election, the atmosphere on a college campus can feel charged. Regardless of the elected candidate or what policies prevail, each election cycle impacts students uniquely. This time can feel complicated and isolating for many, as a period of emotional processing and reflection. Now, more than ever, our collective well-being depends on offering support and understanding to one another, and taking care of ourselves is essential.

After election day, a professor of a member of the editorial board did something so simple yet so impactful: they gave us the first five minutes of class to check in on loved ones. A quick text, a reassuring phone call or even just a chance to center ourselves before launching into academics felt like a recognition of our need for connection. Whether it’s a moment of quiet reflection or a friendly “How are you?” from a professor, small acts of acknowledgment and kindness can make a big difference. At Brandeis, we’re fortunate to have a community that understands this — and it’s worth recognizing all the ways our school supports us during challenging times.

Following the election, Brandeis offered resources for students to find comfort and camaraderie on campus. Across departments, emails arrived in our inboxes, encouraging us to reach out, drop by or even just take a moment for ourselves. Faculty and staff reminded us that they’re here for us and emphasized that this campus is not just a place for academics; it’s a support system, too. It’s easy to take these gestures for granted, but these communications are more than just words — they’re a tangible reminder that our community cares.

Brandeis also facilitated spaces for relaxation and stress relief, like the therapy dog event hosted by the Student Union, where students could play with dogs and take a break from the intensity of campus life. After the election, Kutz Hall and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies building offered free food, letting students come together in a relaxed environment. These gatherings may seem small, but they offer moments of connection that remind us we’re not alone. Taking time to eat and share space in a lowpressure environment provides a sense of community, reminding us that we’re all going through this experience together.

We also owe our professors a thank you for the ways they showed up for us. Some canceled classes, understanding that processing emotions and taking time to reflect on a significant national event could be just as valuable as a lecture. Others kept their doors open, letting students know they’re available to talk, offer advice or even just listen.

Professors have been some of our greatest supporters, and their willingness to adapt to our needs deserves appreciation. While we’re thanking them, it’s also important to acknowledge that they’re likely feeling the weight of this time, too. Just as we need support, they do as well. Professors are members of our community who bring both their expertise and their empathy to campus, and they deserve our gratitude. In moments like these, students need different things: some might look for distraction, while others might crave meaningful conversation about the election. Brandeis offers room for

both, creating spaces where students can come together or seek solace on their own terms. This flexibility to choose how we process our emotions is crucial, as it acknowledges the variety of responses and coping mechanisms we all have. If you’re finding yourself needing space, take advantage of these resources. If you’re feeling ready to re-engage, reach out to a friend, stop by offices like the Center of Spiritual Life, Gender and Sexuality Center or Brandeis Counseling Center or join one of the events on campus. No matter what, remember that there’s no “right” way to feel after an election — there’s just your way, and it’s valid.

It’s also important to extend our compassion beyond campus. Elections are emotional not just for students but for our families and communities. Our loved ones may have different responses and perspectives, but checking in with them can provide comfort for everyone involved. That initial five-minute pause from this professor, letting us text or call someone who needed it, was a powerful reminder that we all have networks of people who may need our support just as much as we need theirs.

This editorial board recognizes that elections affect us all, regardless of political affiliation. Our Brandeis community exemplifies what it means to take care of one another, offering spaces to feel safe, supported and seen. These gestures — small as they may seem — demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of students and remind us why a supportive campus environment is invaluable. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the care and dedication Brandeis has shown us, from the professors who made space for our emotions to the departments that organized events and shared resources.

To our professors, faculty and the Brandeis community: Thank you for your compassion, your understanding and your efforts to make this a place where we feel supported. As we move forward, let’s carry this spirit with us. Whether it’s checking in on a friend, reaching out to family or taking advantage of the resources around us, we can continue to foster a community of care and resilience. Remember, it’s okay to take a pause, to reach out and to hold space for one another in the days that follow. Our community is strong, and it’s in moments like these that we truly feel its impact.

Beyond the efforts of faculty and administration, much of the warmth and resilience in our community comes from the students themselves. In times of heightened emotion, like an election cycle, students lean on each other in countless ways — from casual conversations in the dining hall to late-night study sessions that turn into spaces for mutual support. Student clubs and organizations often become informal support networks, hosting gatherings, discussions and activities that encourage open dialogue and understanding. These interactions might seem small, but they create bonds that deepen our sense of belonging. At Brandeis, we’re reminded that we’re not just individuals navigating our own journeys; we’re part of a collective that shows up for each other, demonstrating compassion, camaraderie and resilience. It’s the small, everyday kindnesses shared between students that make Brandeis a place where we feel genuinely connected.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Where We Go From Here

One week ago, former President Trump defied odds and expectations, flawed polls and false prophets, to lead the biggest Republican presidential landslide in decades. Already, what is likely to be four years or more of finger-pointing has begun. Eight years ago, it was simple enough to underscore the faults of the Clinton campaign: ignorance of midwestern voters, dismissal of various elements of the changing Obama coalition, and of course, the hubris of the candidate. Today, the new taglines have already begun to roll out.

The fact is, the momentum behind Republicans was dramatic. Voters rejected what they perceived as an ailing economy, which stimulus had pushed to inflation in the Biden Administration’s attempt to claw out of the Covid recession. Their sweep across the country suggests that there could have been little done to defeat them. Vice President Harris attempted to concoct a broad coalition across the American people, and a platform that would appeal to them. It’s unlikely a reconfiguration of priorities or an alternative standard bearer could have fared much better. Yet now, there are many across the spectrum of Harris’s supporters who would point the finger at the prominence of the other side within this coalition. This is how we lose in 2028.

It’s unreasonable and unrealistic to assume that the presidency and Congress will slip into our grasp if we stand by and tear our allies apart. The opposition must unify, and focus on the prize of rebuilding an option palatable for Americans across demographics and localities for 2026, 2028, and beyond, or face the consequences of further marginalization.

We were routed. The next four years will be rough for many of us, and far from without consequences. Americans embraced a candidate who posed a clear and present threat to democracy. For this new opposition, acceptance of those who chose this future, who have elected to condemn the world to its consequences, does not seem an easy proposition. The hatred and zealotry of the new Trump agenda is terrifying. But his voters are our neighbors. There is no sense in pledging unity behind a man who has worked relentlessly to annihilate our institutions and divide us by fear, but abandoning those with whom we staunchly disagree is not an option. We must continue to engage with each other because this land, and this world, are ours together, and because there is no alternative. Hating each other and shunning ideological opponents will bring no solace, and no progress. We can only take what we have and move on.

-Stephen R. Gaughan

Graphics courtesy of CANVA and ELIZABETH LIU/The Justice

My frustrations with the college experience

By GONNY NIR JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In our time, we are urged to attend university for the so-called “college experience.” A concept so nebulous, abstract and utterly drenched in middle-class euphemisms that it lulls budding students into accepting the ridiculous notion that it is perfectly reasonable to drop a sum equivalent to that of a new car every year on an “experience.”

Allow me to bring us back down to planet Earth: this is not normal. all me old-fashioned, but aren’t universities supposed to be dedicated to the creation of new knowledge and the uncovering and eventual dissemination of truth? When did these institutions become annual, nine-month-long camps for parents to send their overgrown children?

Speaking strictly for myself, I have no clear conception of what this “college experience” is supposed to be. Yet, judging from the pages of this paper and word-of-mouth around campus, one can quite quickly discern that whatever the experience is supposed to be, students on this campus don’t believe they’re receiving it. And they’re mad about it. I think that we undergraduates tend to complain far more than is often called for, but in this instance, I think our collective frustration is warranted. But in the name of the nuance that is so often lost when we air our grievances about this place, I wish to channel this frustration into a genuine discussion about expectations and business models.

As indicated above, it is no secret that students at Brandeis are not satisfied with their experience on campus. I think the root of this dissatisfaction can be understood to emanate from a weariness students feel toward “Brandeis” (The Public Relations Version). I think students are waking up to the reality that the Brandeis they enrolled in is not the “Brandeis” that the University is becoming. “Brandeis,” the smallish liberal arts university with an in-the-works engineering program, bustling student life and state-school-like sporting events is decidedly not the Brandeis students thought they were getting.

Why are we fatigued by this version of “Brandeis?” Because it is inauthentic, and everyone who knows the school for its legacy can recognize this. My own experience and the ones of fellow students in my circle have led me to recognize that most professionals who are familiar with Brandeis off-campus have a certain concept of it in their minds: that of a small, rigorous liberal arts school with a slightly radical bend. It’s collectively recognized for being an unpretentious yet topnotch institution due to its collection of faculty who could easily teach at the Ivy League level and students who were probably rejected by it. This is the legacy Brandeis has benefited from for most of its existence.

This has been the model for much of Brandeis’ existence: hire great faculty and make them stay, take on the students Columbia University rejected and by the grace of God try to stay on top of the finances. That third tenet — as we’ve been made aware — wasn’t always realized with as much success as the first two, but somehow the university overlords managed to keep the lights on, the faculty and staff paid, all while providing students with a sound education. And enough downtime to protest for an African and African American Studies department. What more could you ask for, really?

Somewhere in the long, uninterrupted reign of neoliberal hegemony, Brandeis restructured. Due to a series of fiscal pressures, it added a business school (much to the chagrin of many) and began thinking of itself as a seller of an experience and its students (and their parents) as customers. And it was not the only campus that did so. Most universities, especially smaller ones without endowments as large as Harvard University’s or Northwestern University’s — except for a privileged few, such as St. John’s University in Annapolis and Santa Fe University — had to restructure their business models (lest you forget that a university is a business first and a provider of higher education second) to suit a quickly changing marketplace.

We can point the finger at Reagan, the Bushes or Clinton for advancing the deceitful idea that higher education should essentially serve as a

credential dressed up in booze-bender-smelling “experience,” but the damage is already done, and pointing fingers is not a trade I think particularly highly of. So, let’s just go back to the particularly abysmal job Brandeis is doing at trying to be “Brandeis.” Judging by how (sometimes justifiably) displeased students seem to be with this institution, I think it’s worth taking seriously how inauthenticity is perceived by students. And to take the financial considerations of running an operation the size and scope of a university seriously, let’s call students (and their parents, who, let’s face it, are the ones likely paying for this overpriced year-long camp) consumers.

Consumers don’t like perceivable inauthenticity. We especially see this in celebrity culture; the instant a celebrity is perceived to be acting inauthentically, the moment they appear “fake,” they are ridiculed by the public. Even if their authenticity produces a social good, celebrities with the misfortune of being called “fake” are thrown out like spoiled milk. We even see this in fiction. Recall the insult Holden Caulfield reaches for as soon as he doesn’t like someone: “phony.” “Phony” appears 48 times in J.D. Salinger’s classic, The Catcher in the Rye, often dropped by Caulfield to suggest the shallow inauthenticity of another character in the novel.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to understand some of the students’ dissatisfaction with “Brandeis” (The PR Version) as fatigue toward the University’s desperate attempt to market itself as something that it’s not (and was never intended to be). This is not a massive state school (Baruch Ha’Shem); let’s stop pretending that it is, with absurd events staffed by people who’d look like they’d rather eat crushed glass than serve another scoop of mediocre ice cream into an ungrateful student’s bowl. I genuinely don’t believe that people come here for a stateschool experience, and if they do, I suggest they go elsewhere.

Admittedly, it is neither sexy nor ultraprofitable to market a university as a safe haven for dorky Ivy rejects who don’t want to settle for their safety schools, but to be frank, that’s exactly what Brandeis has historically been. And it’s enjoyed a kickass legacy from this kind of image. I mean, c’mon, Marcuse taught here and James Baldwin literally visited campus! How sick is that? Bob Dylan played a great show here literally weeks before he blew up and changed the music scene with the release of The Free Wheelin’ Bob Dylan and David Hackett Fischer wrote many of his best books here. That’s exactly the Brandeis many of us thought we were signing up for but is increasingly that Brandeis that is being lost.

I’m not a financier, nor do I pretend to know the first thing about running an institution the size and scope of a university. But if I have learned anything from brief stints in political economy, it is that you cannot hope to grow and shrink simultaneously. We can either choose to immediately cut costs and focus on making what already exists here as outstanding as possible, or we can sink ourselves further into a deficit with the hope that those investments will return on their cost later down the line. We cannot do both. And you can look at the conundrum centrist parties in Europe find themselves in right now to support my judgment.

I think everyone involved in academia in any way — meaning students, their parents, faculty and administrations — has to get comfortable with the idea that experience is something that has to be formed organically. No matter how many bureaucrats you hire to staff the Department of Student Affairs, experience is not genuine (and therefore meaningful) unless it is forged organically. It can’t be created in a controlled environment of corny events with SWAG that will be thrown out or donated by the semester’s end. Experience will be created by interactions between students, staff and faculty organically. We don’t need these expensive and, frankly, phony bells and whistles to have a meaningful, enjoyable and overall positive attitude towards this institution.

Many of my peers and I sought out a modest, small liberal arts university that offers a top-notch education without the hellish

environment of an Ivy League campus when we began our college applications. We do not need ludicrous events (whatever happened to teach-ins and picnics?), phony SWAG, or God forbid, another D-list performer that no one’s ever heard of to headline Springfest to make our “college experience.”

Meaningful experiences need not be grossly financed. Most of my most treasured life experiences have been on family hikes in my hometown, runs along run-down highways, conversations shared with my favorite faculty in the simple comfort of their offices and homecooked dinners shared with my closest of friends. These experiences aren’t extravagant. What makes them significant is the feeling they filled me with. College needs to be thought of in the same way. We should not expect a business, a university, to provide us with an experience. It should provide us with a framework for experience, for its infrastructure. But the

actual making of experience is something only persons can create among each other. Brandeis has been and can continue to be a place where genuine, meaningful experiences are forged, and it does not need to be anything other than itself to do so. Despite my ignorance of the University’s finances, I appreciate the gravity of the situation. It is not easy running a successful young, small liberal arts university in these times. And I say all of this because I want this place to be successful; I have a lot of love for Brandeis University, and I want it to thrive for many years to come. It is precisely for this reason that I hold these views. In a superficially shallow world, young people want the real. We want the actual, the authentic — this place is special, and that uniqueness is exactly why people have been and continue to be drawn to it. We ought not to abandon what makes this place special in the hope that doing so will keep the lights on.

Closing the Office of Sustainability was a mistake — it’s time to fix it

By LUKAS GORDON JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After a lengthy search to replace Brandeis’ former Director of Sustainability, Mary Fischer, Brandeis’ administration decided not to proceed with hiring a successor and shuttered the Office of Sustainability over the summer of 2024. The administration justified its decision by stating that it was a necessary cost-saving measure, considering Brandeis’ financial difficulties. However, in the context of severe flooding, hurricanes, droughts and natural disasters increasing in frequency due to the climate crisis, the administration’s decision couldn’t have come at a worse time.

The climate crisis is a crisis of our own making. Universities like Brandeis are among the wealthiest institutions in the world, and our carbon emissions are likewise exceptional. The administration’s decision to close the Office of Sustainability was a short-sighted measure and an affront to Brandeis’ foundation as a beacon of social justice. I encourage you all to sign the petition to reopen the Office of Sustainability.

Brandeis wasn’t always on the wrong side of history. In 2016, Brandeis published its first Climate Action Plan, which set a goal of a 10% reduction in electricity-related carbon emissions by 2018 and 15% by 2020 compared to 2015. The administration put solar panels on the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center and the Goldfarb and Farber libraries, installed a campus-wide building automation system and installed new windows in residence halls. In 2018, President Emeritus Ronald Liebowitz said, “Brandeis is fully focused on adopting an orientation toward personal accountability” and that by “increasing our efforts in sustainability and helping Brandeis act responsibly … we can make a difference and set an example.”

By October 2018, Brandeis decreased carbon emissions from electricity by 13%, surpassing its goal. A new climate action plan, called Vision 2030, was in the works with a planned adoption date sometime in 2020 but was pushed back indefinitely by the pandemic. Nonetheless, administration began work on several of the recommendations the action plan outlined. A successful “Year of Climate Action” from 2022-23 reaffirmed Brandeis’ commitment to meaningful environmental action.

However, Vision 2030 was never adopted. This past summer, one line in an email from the administration quietly stated that the Office of Sustainability would be closed. The website that listed our sustainability goals ceased to exist.

Other schools in the Boston area are doing what we promised to do. Bentley University, our neighbor in Waltham, has reduced its annual greenhouse gas emissions by 70% since 2008 and will be carbon neutral by 2030. Boston University agreed to purchase 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, and Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are taking similar steps to become more sustainable. Climate change is a social issue with implications that touch every

part of the world, and Brandeis, the so-called social justice school, has washed its hands of this issue. We’ve fallen behind our peers and strayed from what sets our community apart from all others. Our net greenhouse gas emissions have only fallen 8% since 2015, and without the Office of Sustainability, it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to catch up. No one will be there to ensure that the administration makes decisions with sustainability in mind. Yes, our razor-thin operating surplus, heavily supported by the endowment, is too small for comfort at just $1.9 million. Closing the Office of Sustainability, however, will not help our financial situation. The money saved by the work of the Office of Sustainability has the potential to far exceed its expense, considering it consisted of one full-time employee and a few student hires. If the administration is concerned about long-term financial stability, it should focus on making buildings more efficient, using less energy and investing in renewable energy. When Brandeis entered a 20-year purchase agreement for solar energy in 2017, we saved $70,000 in energy costs in the first year and will save $2 million over the course of the agreement. However, this agreement only covered 3.5% of Brandeis’ electricity use. It’s clear that if we continued to move toward renewable energy and make our buildings more efficient, we’d put Brandeis in a better financial position. And who pushed for that agreement? It was the Office of Sustainability. Without it, we’re no longer focused on entering into these money-saving agreements. Other initiatives spearheaded by the Office of Sustainability, such as the replacement of windows with better insulating ones, paid for themselves in a matter of years and are now saving us money. Environmental sustainability is financial responsibility — and it has an added benefit of helping those who are suffering from the effects of climate change.

I chose Brandeis for the commitment to social justice it proudly expresses, and I’ve seen that, unlike many other universities, people here have a strong desire to help others and shape the future for the better. I’ve been fortunate to have been given opportunities here that I wouldn’t have had anywhere else, and I credit the administration, faculty, staff and my fellow students for those opportunities. I also know for a fact that the vast majority of our community cares about our commitment to sustainability and to the future of the planet. We’re a school built on tackling issues that harm those who don’t have the opportunities we have. It’s not too late for the administration to reaffirm its commitment to a more sustainable future by reopening the Office of Sustainability. I encourage all of you to sign the petition to do so and put Brandeis back on a track that aligns with our core values. I also remind the administration that it can resolve an issue, even one as pressing as the budget crisis, without sacrificing the values that have guided us since our foundation.

Brandeis Women’s Basketball Wins Season

Opener at Home vs. Framingham State University

The Brandeis women’s basketball team played their first game under new head coach Julie Prichett on Friday, Nov. 8. Senior guard Lulu Ohm ’25 broke the Judges’ single-game scoring record with 37 points. The previous record stood at 36 and was set by new Brandeis Athletics Director Jessica Chapin ’10 in 2010. A good omen for the Judges, who hope to start a new era with a fresh 2024-2025 season, Ohm’s performance included an impressive 7-of-8 shots made from 3-point range. Katherine Vaughn ’26 contributed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Jessica Maina ’28 had an impressive first game for the Judges with 19 points and seven rebounds.

By DIANE MEYER JUSTICE EDITOR

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The Brandeis swim team

war of Waltham, Brandeis swam away with losses on both the men’s and women’s sides, but not without some individual wins. The men’s score was 164-94 in favor of the Falcons and the women’s score was 180-74, also in favor of Bentley.

By SOPHIA STEWART

On Friday, Nov. 8 the Brandeis Swim and Dive team took on the Bentley University Falcons. Taking place at Bentley University to continue the

Mid-distance specialist Benjamin Lee ’26 won the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 5:11.41 and was close to first place in the 200 yard free with a time of 1:47.14. As for other mid-distance highlights, Sam Bundy ’26 narrowly won the 200 yard butterfly in 2:02.48.

Anastasia Bekou ’25 placed second in both the 100 and 200 yard backstroke races with times of 1:02.22 and 2:19.75 respectively. To highlight a first-year, Daniyal Nabi ’28 placed sec-

ond in the 200 yard breaststroke with a time of 2:25.50.

Chloe Gonzalez ’25 won the 100, 200 and 500 yard freestyle events. Also sweeping the 50 and 100 freestyle events was first-year sprinter Peter Mou ’28. Third year sprinter Eric Xiao ’26 won the 100 yard butterfly in 53.66 seconds, just 19 hundredths of a second faster than the second place finisher.

This week, the Judges are preparing for their swim meet against Tufts University on Nov. 24. Following that is the annual Gompei Invitational — the team’s annual mid-season meet at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which is set for Dec. 6-8.

Recapping Week 10 of the National Football League season

■ Chronicling the action from Week 10, which was filled with hotly contested matchups.

By EZEKIEL BLOOM JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

Week 10 of the National Football League was a particularly exciting one for lovers of nail-biting contests, as eight of the 13 matchups this past week featured final scores with a separation of five points or fewer between winner and loser. Games like this showcase highly entertaining finishes where the best players have the opportunity to exhibit their “clutch gene,” leading their squads to hard-fought victories. Some flourished in these high pressure moments while others struggled under the bright lights.

Sunday, Nov. 10 featured an early morning matchup between the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers that took place in Munich, Germany. While both teams have had abysmal performances this season, the Giants’ especially incompetent offensive attack was on full display in a disheartening 20-17 defeat. Their record now stands at a woeful 2-8. Although it is true that running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s fumble in overtime fully sealed the defeat, the Giants have much larger personnel issues in other areas, most particularly at quarterback. Giants head coach Brian Daboll was noncommittal about keeping struggling quarterback Daniel Jones as the team’s starter. Jones’

performance has drawn the ire of Giants fans, as he is in the midst of a season where he has massively underperformed. He has currently thrown for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in his ten games thus far, which is not even close to the level required to contribute to his squad’s success. This has been a particularly frustrating season for the Giants because not even the emergence of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers as the perfect target for Jones can alleviate his woes. There were specific instances during their latest defeat where Jones could not even locate an open Nabers to throw him the ball. This lack of awareness is not acceptable for a sixth year quarterback. Only time will tell if the Giants move on from Jones: his six seasons at the helm having only yielded one playoff appearance. This year will certainly not change these prospects as they are already all but eliminated from playoff contention already. Meanwhile, quarterback Lamar Jackson is further solidifying his case to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, with his superb play leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 35-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. An electric contest, the game culminated in the Bengals failing to convert on a two point conversion attempt even after quarterback Joe Burrow led an aweinspiring drive down the field to score. Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase arguably had the individual player performance of the season, finishing with an absurd 264 yards gained on 11 catches. In addition, he scored three touchdowns. However, these monstrous efforts were not enough as

a poised Jackson threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns to spearhead the efforts of the victorious Ravens.

The Kansas City Chiefs bettered their unblemished record to a perfect 9-0 after a miraculous 16-14 victory against the Denver Broncos that saw the game end as Broncos kicker Wil Lutz’s potential game winning 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked as time expired. This increases the Chiefs’ winning streak to fifteen games when counting last season. Such success is made all the more shocking when considering that they have frankly escaped with many of their victories by the skin of their teeth. Even quarterback Patrick Mahomes criticized his own performance earlier in the season. Despite all of this, the Chiefs look primed to repeat their Super Bowl success from last year. It is difficult to remain highly critical of a squad that essentially is unwilling to lose even a single game.

While these close matchups can be exhausting for players, coaching staffs and organizations, they are exhilarating for us fans, who intently follow sports to be on hand for those moments. Anticipation for the NFL’s postseason only ramps up more if the remaining weeks of the regular season continue to promise this level of intrigue and suspense.

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

UNBEATABLE: The Kansas City Chiefs improved their record to 9-0 after their win against the Denver Broncos.

Boston Celtics preseason recap

■ Veteran players show consistent strength and new players surprise with exciting statistics.

By TYLER DEVERE JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After the Boston Celtics won the 2024 National Basketball Association Championship this past June, all eyes are on the team as they are expected to dominate the upcoming season once more. Given that no team has won back-to-back championships since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, it will be no easy feat to replicate the historic season the Celtics had last year. Of course, the preseason does not count towards anything, but it is a time to see if players have improved over the summer. The preseason also allows younger players to have the opportunity to show coaches that they can provide beneficial talent and depth to the roster.

The Celtics did not need to boost their roster much in preparation for this season. In fact, they cut the only new player of note, Lonnie Walker IV, who had proved himself a solid guard. Especially capable of slicing through opposition, he is incredibly difficult to defend and played very well for the Celtics in the preseason. Walker IV was easily the best bench guard besides rookie Baylor Scheierman, who was selected as the 30th pick in the 2024 NBA

draft, but he was let go due to budget cuts before the regular season started.

In the preseason, the Celtics won four out of their five games played. Forward Jayson Tatum garnered substantial attention as he aspires to win the Most Valuable Player award this year. Tatum showcased his new and improved shooting form, which was noticeably less wonky. Playing an average of 24.8 minutes, he also averaged 17.3 points per game and 3.5 threepoint shots made per night, with a 39% shooting average overall.

Payton Pritchard earned considerable playing time during the preseason as well, and he demonstrated the ability to be a solid guard not only in the NBA but also on the best team in the league. In my opinion, he could be an early candidate for sixth man of the year. Pritchard played about 22.1 minutes per game, the third most on the Celtics. He averaged 16 points per game and 8.6 three-pointers made on 49% shooting — phenomenal stats.

The last player worth mentioning for this preseason is Drew Peterson, a somewhat underwhelming player out of the University of Southern California who did not get any notable playing time during the last year’s regular season as he was on a two-way contract with the Maine Celtics. He averaged 12.7 points per game in an average of 15.8 minutes.

The Celtics have a lot to look forward to in the coming season. If there was anything the preseason showed us, it is that there are a lot of bench players capable of much more than what people may expect.

BRANDEIS ATHLETE SUCCESS

The Justice Staff Writer Sophia Stewart'26 gives an overview of the Brandeis University swim and dive team's recent meet versus Bentley University, p. 11.

UNIVERSITY ATHETICS ASSOCIATION SOCCER

Brandeis men’s and women’s soccer play final home games

■ The Judges put up convincing fights against another University Athletics Association rival in the build up to the postseason.

By DIANE MEYER JUSTICE EDITOR

It was a bittersweet end to the 2024 soccer season on Saturday, Nov. 9. The women’s team lost their seventh and final game of the season to University Athletics Association opponent New York University. Of their seven losses, six were disappointing defeats at the hands of UAA rivals.

The men’s team prevailed against NYU in the doubleheader, however, and earned second place in the UAA. This was the Judges’ best finish since the 2019 season and their 5-2-0 conference record included the most wins against other UAA teams since 2017.

The women started the day off on a high note as the Brandeis University Athletics Department recognized seven players who were about to lace up their cleats for their final home game: midfielder Elspeth Harker ’26, forward Dominique Paglia ’25, forward Sydney Lenhart MA’25, back Rachel Watler ’25, goaltender Hannah Bassan ’25, goaltender Rachel Ross MA’25 and forward Aki Yamaguchi ’25.

Fittingly, it was a senior who scored the Judges’ only goal of the game to close out the season. An initial shot from Laurene Cretau ’28 was blocked before finding its way to Lenhart, who capitalized on a wide open net to score her second goal of the season in the 23rd minute. This was the 16th goal of Lenhart’s career at Brandeis.

Although the Judges were able

to protect their early lead heading into halftime, thanks to five saves from senior goalie Bassan, the second half saw the Violets find their strength.

NYU amped up their offense: they outshot the Judges 10-5 in the first half, but opened up an even greater imbalance of control in the second, improving to outshoot Brandeis 15-2. And the Judges felt the pressure, letting in a goal in the 52nd minute as NYU’s Kelli Keady beat Ross in a one on one face off in front of the net.

The Violets sealed their victory with another goal at 79:32 and the game ended 2-1.

Looking back on the fall, the Judges can be diagnosed as suffering from a late season slump. They opened their 2024 campaign with their best start since 2018 and an impressive 9-1 record, earning a ranking in the United Soccer Coaches’ Division III Top 25 standings for 10 weeks in a row. They fought their way to the 20th spot after losing an admirable 1-0 game to the No. 1 team in the country, Washington University in St. Louis, on Oct. 11.

The season also included stellar performances from individuals, notably graduate student Ross and senior Watler. Ross led the team in the net, saving a career best 11 shots on goal on Oct. 25 during Brandeis’ loss to Emory University. Watler won Defensive Player of the Week honors and Offensive Player of the Week honors — showcasing incredible range as a defensive back.

Although graduating seven players, including Ross and Watler, the women will look to next season to redeem this season’s early success and late decline. They ended their season with a 9–7-1, 0-6-1 record.

Following the women’s face off versus NYU at noon, the men took the field at 2:30, also honoring graduating seniors. Nine players

for the men’s team played in their last home game: goaltender Quintin Wrabley ’25, back Ethan WoolLewis ’25, back Christian Godhino ’25, midfielder Toby Marwell ’25, forward Gabe Haithcock ’25, midfielder Yannick Rihs ’25, midfielder Rafa Pedro ’25, back Andres Gonzalez ’25 and forward Eli Mones ’25.

The UAA title was on the line for the Judges as the final standings would materialize as the dust settled from Brandeis’ match versus NYU and another Nov. 9 match versus Emory University and the University of Rochester.

The first half was heavily contested and neither team was able to convert as Brandeis had a 8-5 overall shooting advantage but NYU had three shots on goal to the Judges’ two. The Judges almost got a valuable opportunity when a penalty kick was awarded to Brandeis at the end of the first half, but it was ultimately reversed by the referees.

It was in the 63rd minute that the Judges secured their victory — Rainer Osselmann-Chai ’26 placed a corner kick into the box, finding the head of Kaden Collins ’28 who sent it straight into the middle of the net. The game ended as Wrabley pulled off his fourth shutout of the season and the eighth of his career at Brandeis.

The clash between Emory and Rochester, meanwhile, ended in a draw, which gave Emory the UAA title. Still, the day ended on a high note as Judges can be proud of their hard-fought second place finish and their 9-5-2 overall, 5-2-0 conference record. Their season included Defensive UAA Player of the Week honors for Wrabley and Offensive Player of the Week honors for Nico Benida ’26.

Both women’s and men’s soccer teams placed 16 players each on the Fall Academic All-UAA team this fall.

SEASON COMPLETE: The Brandeis University Judges faced off against New York University at home for the final game of the 2024 season.

JAMES LI/The Justice

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS: The Boston Celtics aim to defend their 2024 National Basketball Association Championship title.

ARTS and

CULTURE

>> Pg. 15

Photos courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS and VAUGHN ALNOT/The Justice. Design: JONAS KAPLIN/The Justice. Waltham, Mass.

T he unseen poli T ics of grief :

‘

h igh M ain T enance ’ and T he

privilege of M ourning

We’re not strangers to grief. It’s inevitable that we will all stumble through the five stages at one point or another, likely on numerous occasions. While loss is most commonly associated with physical loss — such as that of a loved one — it can also apply to more ideological dimensions. Political grief became a widely recognized phenomena in the wake of the 2016 U.S. presidential election when Donald Trump’s victory sent shockwaves through the nation. For millions of Americans, Trump’s victory wasn’t just a political loss — it was the loss of societal values, moral compasses, and, for many, the very idea of a future they had once hoped for. And now, on Nov. 6, 2024, those very same feelings of loss were echoed, if not intensified. This new form of grief — identified as political grief — has since become a common response to moments of perceived political catastrophe, whether it be an election, a Supreme Court ruling, or evidence of broader shifts in societal values. While the emotional responses to these events may resemble the mourning process we associate with personal loss, political grief differs in one key way: it is shared on a collective scale yet often experienced in deeply individualized ways. This tension between the public and private aspects of political grief has been skillfully explored in the television show “High Maintenance’s” season two premiere episode “Globo.” Through a series of brief narratives strung together by a marijuana dealer named “The Guy” in New York City, “Globo” offers an unfiltered peek inside society’s political grief in response to an unnamed political catastrophe. As the audience’s attention bounces between the actions and conversations of various individuals, the episode fabricates a superficial sense of unity or connectedness among those physically and emotionally immobilized in light of this undefined catastrophe. Yet, beneath its portrayal of solidarity and shared suffering, the episode also uncovers the deeply uneven experience of grief in the modern world — one that is often divided by class, privilege, and the ability to “opt-out” of the pain.

The episode “Globo” begins when The Guy checks his phone in the morning to a series of notifications and the comment: “I think I’m gonna go to work early.” The following sequence is a montage of him running all over the city, catering to customers asking him to be there “ASAP” or sending crying emojis, all to a fast-paced techno song. The first real conversation

The Guy has is with one customer who exclaims, “Oh, thank god you’re working cause I woke up to an email that was like, ‘Hey, Brian, we really need you to come in today.’ And I was like, ‘Did you read the fucking news?’ It’s like a phantasmagoria of despair out there. Let me get my wallet.” Swaddled in a blanket on his couch, Brian is so incapacitated by the day’s news that he cannot even fathom going to work. There’s a hint of irony to this sentiment,

By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE EDITOR

considering it is intertwined with a sense of relief that The Guy did “come in today.”

Even as Brian seeks solace in getting high, his emotional state remains largely disconnected from those around him, reinforcing a key point: grief, while universally felt, can also be an intensely self-involved process.

This sense of personal paralysis, of retreating into one’s own world as a means of coping, echoes through much of the episode. Yet, there are also moments of supposed collective solidarity, such as when The Guy reassures Brian that despite the chaos outside, people are “really nice to each other.” “It’s kind of like ‘We’re all in this together,’” he says, trying to instill a sense of hope. But even here, the narrative of unity begins to fray, as Brian responds: “Okay, well I’m not able to be ‘in this together’ with anyone until I calm the fuck down.”

The unevenness within the various experiences of political grief is further demonstrated as the episode continues. At one point, the audience’s attention is shifted away from The Guy’s trip through NYC and towards the patrons of an upscale restaurant in Manhattan, with their various conversations strung together by a waiter serving them. First, we hear a man tell his friend, “you’re lucky though, I mean… you’ve got a British passport,” only for her to respond, “Yeah, but Brexit. What’s happening here, like, where—where is safe?

Where in the world is safe and sane anymore?” Their conversation is then interrupted by a man experiencing homelessness coming to their table exclaiming, “Oh muscles! I love muscles. Can I have some?”

The minute his hand touches the plate, a hostess runs over and frantically hands the plate to the waiter, saying, “Excuse me, sir. You absolutely cannot do that!” As the dish is swept away and the waiter refills another table’s water, a businessman tells his colleagues, “Everything’s upside down right now [...] I mean, the market’s so much more volatile.” At the waiter’s final table before the kitchen, a woman complains to her friend, “...saying she’s too devastated to see patients today.’ ‘Okay, that’s fucked. She’s a therapist.’ “I know.’” Her rant is briefly interrupted by the waiter asking, “‘Excuse me, miss, are you done with this?’

‘Yeah. I didn’t know they were truffle fries. So yeah. If you’re not available when shit’s bad, how the fuck…”. Though just snippets, these conversations highlight the greater discrepancy between the expectation of care in light of disaster and individuals’ own concerns and mourning processes. Despite The Guy’s prior notion that everyone is united and kind to each other, this short but significant scene demonstrates how idiosyncratic political grief can be. The diners are only concerned about the political turmoil in relation to how it impacts their own specific existence. This is not to say that these individuals are at fault or morally inferior for reacting the way they do,

but rather it shows that mourning is an incredibly human process and is imperfect in many ways. However, it is necessary to acknowledge the self-involved nature of grief — the show represents an inability to foster substantial solidarity and empathy for others because there is no clear “ingroup” of those suffering. The restaurant scene suggests that people may default to turning inward when there is no blatant reason or pressure to look outwards.

“Globo” also demonstrates how it is often the upper class who have the privilege to best manage political grief at an individual level. However, as The Guy and the waiter, whose name is later revealed to be “Luiz,” depicted in the show, lower-class individuals must facilitate the well-being of those in the upper class. As the dialogue in the restaurant showed, many of the customers were able to dodge their responsibilities due to their socioeconomic status. Thus, the sidelined existence of those in the service industry within the show’s narrative points to a potential broader social issue: notions of grieving and self-care often only extend to those who have the time, money, and privilege to buy into them. Sociologists exploring grief note that the ability to process grief, especially something as intangible and nebulous as political grief, is often tied to one’s resources. For those without the privilege to retreat from the world, the experience of grief can feel less like a communal process and more like a solitary struggle.

As more of Luiz’s experience is revealed, this dissonance in mourning processes further developed. “Globo” takes place over the course of a singular day, with its final minutes showing Luiz leaving the bar he works at. After leaving, he is seen picking up his young son, Luca, and beginning his long commute back home. Having to work multiple hours and care for a child, he simply is not given the same space to actively grieve. Luiz never converses with anyone

about his fears or anxieties surrounding the day’s news, nor does he take additional time off to process.

“Globo” provides a powerful commentary not only on the nature of political grief but also on the ways in which class divides shape the mourning process. The episode illustrates that while we may all be touched by political catastrophe, the ways in which we experience and cope with that grief are shaped by factors far beyond our control. For some, grief is an opportunity to take space and time; for others, it is yet another task to be managed amidst the chaos of daily life.

However, “Globo” is not, in my opinion, a fantastic exploration of the human experience because of its striking critique on class consciousness and grief. Rather, I find its beauty to lie in the final moment in which Luiz and Luca are taking the subway home. In the wee hours of the morning, with only a few stragglers present on the train — a tired couple, a set of nurses, and a waiter and his toddler — we see a true demonstration of the solidarity we so desperately hope for in the face of such painful events. As Luiz tries to entertain his son with a “globo” (Spanish for “balloon”), the entire train car joins in, laughing as they bat the balloon around. This simple but poignant moment offers a glimmer of hope in the face of the otherwise self-involved nature of the rest of the episode. The passengers transcend their inner struggles and anxieties in response to the day’s news and simply partake in a moment of innocent communal joy. So, if there is anything to learn from “Globo” and its increasing relevance in our daily lives, it’s perhaps to find that community. The episode does not critique the inherent act or need to mourn, nor does it condemn anyone who does so. Instead, it emphasizes that even in the midst of grief and hardship, there is room for those shared moments of levity and compassion.

YUM CHA

By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE EDITOR

Photos: VAUGHN ALNOT/The Justice. Design: MARINA ROSENTHAL/The Justice.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, Brandeis’ Club Cantonese held their annual culture show, “Yum Cha” in Levin Ballroom. “Yum Cha” literally translates to ‘drink tea,’ though the show itself offers much more than a comforting cup of tea. C2B curated an exciting night of festivities celebrating Cantonese and East Asian culture. Filled with songs, dances and delicious eats, the night was a celebration to remember.

Top Ten

Top 10 School Breaks

By LEAH BREAKSTONE JUSTICE DEPUTY EDITOR

I’m sure we are all counting down the days until Thanksgiving, so here are my top 10 school breaks, based solely on vibes and how desperate the student body needs that time off.

1. Winter and summer break (we don’t need to use Moodle)

2. Thanksgiving break — the only indication to professors that midterms are over and finals are in two weeks

3. Passover break for one last power-up

4. February break — who doesn’t love being on a flight home with all of the public school families going on vacation?

5. Yom Kippur (it’s not fun)

6. Veteran’s Day (just kidding!)

7. Martin Luther King Junior Day since it’s right after winter break and we aren’t on the verge of a mental breakdown warranting a day off yet

8. When it’s a Brandeis Tuesday multiple weeks in a row and your Tuesday schedule is superior

9. That random wellness day in March

10. Study days (is that even a break?)

By DAHLIA RAMIREZ JUSTICE STAFF ARTIST

SUDOKU

By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE EDITOR

JONAS KAPLIN/The Justice