The Justice, April 25, 2023

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Brandeis community participates in Sexual Assault Awareness Month

■ Brandeis community partakes in 9th annual "Take Back the Night" march across campus.

By GRACE DOH JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

On Thursday April 20 student organizers and Brandeis community members gathered at the Rabb steps to commence the annual “Take Back the Night” march through campus — an event “intended to raise awareness about sexual violence, [empower] one another, and [show] solidarity with, or as, individuals impacted by violence,” as explained by event facilitator Priya Sashti ’24. This event was organized by students of the Prevention, Advocacy, and Resource Center, the Department of Sociology, the Jewish Feminist Association at Brandeis, and other affiliated groups. The TBTN movement is the oldest global effort to stand against

Students protest unsuitable housing accommodation offers

■ After popularizing their petition, students protested housing in front of visitors on Admitted Students Day.

By SOPHIA DE LISI JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Students and their families coming to tour Brandeis on Admitted Students Day, April 21, were prepared to walk through campus and learn more about what the University has to offer. However, they could not have anticipated a group of students waiting for them outside the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center with the goal of conveying how the University’s Department of Community Living has wronged students with disabilities by failing to offer them housing that meets their accommodations, as previously promised.

The group was a silent though conspicuous presence, having waited nearly two hours for the tours to start leaving Gosman. Maintaining a conscious distance from the moving tour groups, a student offered fliers to those interested while the rest of the group held signs that spoke for them with short, yet potent sayings including but not limited to:

“Stop Housing Discrimination!”

“The President Makes $1,000,000, We Don’t Get Roofs.”

“Dirty, Crummy, Liars,” in reference to DCL.

“Where Do We Get To Live?”

The Justice interviewed protesters Lyric Siragu-

sa ’24 and Samkyu Yaffe ’24 to learn more about the group’s intent and hopes for their long-standing advocacy — this protest being the aftermath of the group’s widespread petition going unacknowledged by DCL, despite being signed by “more than 1 in 12 current Brandeis students,” as noted by the advocates’ website.

“We want to make sure that incoming students are aware of what’s going on, that Brandeis can’t hide this from them,” Yaffe explained why the group decided to protest on Admitted Students Day, and in front of prospective students no less. “[Students with disabilities] are not Brandeis’ biggest priority, and we’re not going to be who they listen to. But incoming students, [their] parents, current students, [their] parents, donors — these are the groups that the University is likely to listen to,” they said.

Siragusa added that the group chose to protest to show their commitment to the movement. “We have a Discord, we have a website, we have an Instagram, [we have] a petition. But admin can ignore all that stuff … they can’t ignore this [protest],” she said, adding that housing equity is an issue that the students are willing to give time out of their day to advocate for. “This is not something that [administration] is going to placate us with a simple email, and we’re going to drop it. We’re in this for the long run,” Siragusa explained.

The students outlined several demands for both DCL and the University to fulfill: Build more housing to accommodate the growing student population and emergency housing on campus to support disabled students’ needs, promise adequate housing for students with disabilities in writing, create full transparency about the

sexual violence in any and all forms. It has a rich history of women who have stood together and demanded justice for those who do not have the privilege of feeling safe in public spaces. In the evening’s opening remarks, co-organizer Rachel Judson ’23 delineated some of the movement’s history, explaining that some records suggest that this tradition can be traced as far back as the 1800s when women in England marched together in protest against sexual violence in the nighttime. Judson acknowledged that the tradition originates from the era of Second Wave Feminism, a period of the feminist movement that largely neglected women of color and otherwise-affected individuals. Today, the constituents of this global effort have expanded, now welcoming people of all identities.

In honor of the historic stand taken by those who first advocated for the right to be able to exist without fear of physical danger, Brandeis survivors and allies rallied together Thursday evening and marched

See MARCH, 7 ☛

BCC end of semester and summer resources

In an April 18 email sent to Brandeis students, Gilbert Hinga, interim director at the Brandeis Counseling Center, provided information regarding the BCC’s services for the last few weeks of the semester and during the summer vacation.

With finals coming around the corner, the 2022-23 academic year coming to a close, and the transition away from college beginning for seniors, Hinga emphasized the importance of a “short-term stabilization model in order to provide services to as many students as we can.”

In his email, Hinga asked students to call the BCC at the main number — 781-736-3730 — to schedule appointments. New students are welcomed but are required to complete an intake that includes a series of questions required for clinicians to better understand treatments for students. Currently, the BCC will not be able to provide full assessments for new students but encourages them to schedule brief consultations. It will also continue to offer 24/7 services with an oncall counselor during after hours.

For long term and/or out-of-state summer services, the BCC has a

Poetry on the apocalypse

 Mina reviews Franny Choi's poetry collection ‘The World Keeps Ending and the World Goes On.’

By LEA ZAHARONI

By MINA ROWLAND

partnership with Thriving Campus, a referral resource that allows for students to find providers who are not on campus based on their insurance and mental health needs. For more information and assistance, Hinga writes that there is a BCC case manager that could be reached by calling the BCC at the same number used to schedule appointments.

Lastly, students are encouraged to check out Stressbuster, happening from May 1-16. Events range from dog therapy, grab’n go care packges, walk’n talks, to crafts and meditation. A more detailed schedule and description of what, where, and when specific events are happening can be found on BCC’s website under “Spotlight Events.” Videos, music playlists, podcasts, and other resources to help students with stress management can be found under the Brandeis Virtual Stressbusters website.

Lin Lin Hutchinson

Brandeis' artificial gravity room

By RIVER SIMARD

Sexual assault on campus

BOARD

By THE EDITORIAL

Brandeis Baseball

By ANNA MARTIN

"WE'RE IN THIS FOR THE LONG RUN"

SOPHIA DE LISI/the Justice

COMMUNITY ACTIVISM : Student protesters walk from Gosman to the SCC to draw attention to housing injustice on campus.

Student Union Senate overturns budget veto, confirms new director of accessibility

The Student Union Senate voted to overturn President Peyton Gillespie’s ’25 veto of the Student Union budget for the 2023-24 academic year at its final meeting of the semester on April 23. The Senate also signed onto a resolution condemning the Brandeis Committee on Strategy and Planning for failing to make the softball field Title IX compliant.

Allocations board co-Chair Elisha Gordon ’25 spoke to the Senate on why the budget which the president vetoed was smaller than in recent years. Gordon said that because of the COVID-19 pandemic clubs stopped hosting events, so they had a surplus of funds which were redistributed last year and last semester. However, Gordon said that the excess has run out and clubs are back to receiving the usual amount of funding.

It was this smaller budget that Gillespie vetoed.

Executive Sen. Eamonn Golden ’24 said that vetoing the Student Union’s proposed budget was unnecessary and a conflict of interest. “Other secured clubs had their budgets cut more than [the] Student Union, and yet the only veto is for [the] Student Union’s budget,” Golden said.

The senate voted by roll call to overturn the veto, with 20 senators voting in favor. Only Sen. Koby Gottlieb ’26 voted not to overturn, and only Senate Rep. to the A-Board Rachel Gao ’25 abstained.

Undergraduate Diversity and Inclusion Officer Rani Balakrishna ’25, who is also on the Brandeis Softball team, presented a resolution to the senate to condemn the Brandeis Committee on Strategy and Planning, of which University President Ron

LOG

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Apr. 2—There was a medical emergency in East Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Apr. 2—There was a medical emergency on Loop Road. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Apr. 2—A party was having a mental health crisis in East Quad.

Apr. 2—The on-duty community advisor reported that a party was locked in the bathroom and not responding in Massell Quad. Brandeis Public Safety unlocked the door and requested BEMCo for the unconscious party.

Apr. 4—There was a medical emergency in Ziv Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Apr. 6—A party sprained their ankle in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center.

Apr. 11—A reporting party stated that they heard banging and screaming in Ridgewood Quad and observed a broken window. The party was transported to a local hospital via ambulance. The area coordinator on-call was on the scene and was notified.

Apr. 16—There was a medical emergency in North Quad. The party was treated and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Apr. 18—A party fell in the Shapiro Life Sciences Center and requested medical assistance.

Apr. 18—There was a medical emergency in the Usdan Student Center. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and signed a refusal for further care.

Apr. 18—There was a medical emergency in North Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Apr. 19—There was a medical emergency in the Goldman Schwartz building. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and signed a refusal for further care.

Apr. 19—There was a medical emergency in Ziv Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital by a friend.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

■ A news article incorrectly attributed an activist’s photo to Phebean Ogunsanwo. The photo was taken by Cydney Scott (March 28, pg. 5).

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

Liebowitz is the chair, for failing to address the softball team’s concerns that the field was not up to the Title IX requirements that men’s and women’s sports have equivalent facilities.

Balakrishna said that the field has “horrible drainage,” no press box, and is not up to regulations. This limits the extent to which the Brandeis team can host opponents for competitions.

She also said that the softball dugout is inferior to the baseball dugout due to its lack of a real concrete wall.

“This is what [other schools] see when they come to our dugouts,” Balakrishna said, gesturing to a photo of the softball dugout.

The Senate voted by acclamation to sign the resolution.

The Senate also discussed making David Cahn ’26 the new director of accessibility to replace Hana Miller ’25, who resigned earlier this week. The Senate did not discuss the reason for her resignation, but several senators remarked on her work this past year.

“Chana has worked incredibly hard this year,” Gillespie said. “[She] has put forward some great initiatives.”

Golden said he was “confused” as to why the Union would be replacing an executive board member with only eight days left in the term.

Associate Justice Zachary Miller ’25 explained that executive board positions can be reappointed at any time at the discretion of the president.

The Senate voted by acclamation, though not unanimously, to confirm Cahn.

The Senate also voted by acclamation to charter the Guitar and Bass Club. The club’s president Joshua Silbersweig ’25 said that the club’s purpose is to “create an inclusive, welcoming environment for music fans.”

Golden also presented Senate Bill 12, which changes many of the ways the Brandeis Sustainability Fund operates. In an April 24 email to The Justice, Golden wrote that the bill ensures that “only undergraduate students have voting power on the board,” whereas that power is currently split between students and faculty. According to Golden, this split has allowed Director of Sustainability Mary Fischer to approve Brandeis Sustainability Funds that only benefit facilities, such as the purchase of an electric lawnmower.

Golden also wrote that the bill would require that the BSF report its funding decisions to the Senate in a public session. Students will vote on the bill in an upcoming election.

Sen. Sherry Tao ’25 presented Senate Bill 11, which would remove redundant terms from the bylaws in reference to club levels. Previously, recognized clubs were also called “tier 1,” chartered clubs were called “tier 2,” and secured clubs were called “tier 3.” The bill, which the senate passed by acclamation, removes uses of the word tier from the bylaws.

Apr. 19—There was a medical emergency in the Sherman Dining Hall. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and signed a refusal for further care.

Apr. 20—There was a medical emergency in Skyline Residence Hall. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Apr. 20—There was a medical emergency in Ziv Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Apr. 20—There was a medical emergency in North Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and signed a refusal for further care.

Apr. 20—There was a medical emergency in the Rose Art Museum. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and signed a refusal for further care.

Apr. 20—There was a medical emergency in North Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Apr. 21—There was a medical emergency in Skyline Residence Hall. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Apr. 21—There was a medical emergency in Skyline Residence Hall. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Apr. 21—There was a medical emergency at the Charles River Apartments. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and signed a refusal for further care.

Apr. 21—There was a medical emergency in Ziv Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and signed a refusal for further care.

Apr. 21—There was a medical emergency in East Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and signed a refusal for further care.

Apr. 21—There was a medical emergency in Massell Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and signed a refusal for further care.

Apr. 22—There was a medical emergency in Ziv Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and signed a refusal for further care.

ACCIDENTS

Apr. 13—A caller reported a motor vehicle accident with no injury at the entrance of the Lower Library Lot.

Apr. 15—Department of Community Living staff reported a minor collision with a parked vehicle while operating a university vehicle at the Charles River Apartments. There were no injuries.

Apr. 21—A party reported that the BEMCo truck was left in gear when the crew exited after arriving for a medical car and struck another vehicle. The officer in charge was notified.

MISCELLANEOUS

Apr. 3—There was a report of a party trying to steal yogurt in the Shapiro Campus Center. A report was filed.

Apr. 14—There was a report of two catalytic converters stolen from Brandeis trash trucks.

Apr. 16—There was a report of two “naked” people in Rosenthal Quad.

Apr. 17—A reporting party stated that the people above his residence at the Charles River Apartment were being loud. The area coordinator on call was notified.

Apr. 17—There was a Suspicious Persons Report at the Epstein Building. The caller stated a tall, skinny male was inside the dumpster in the rear of the Epstein Building and would like the area to be checked out. Officers responded and found that it was an art student who had permission to dumpster dive from faculty and staff. No police action taken.

Apr. 17—Suspicious activity in the Goldfarb Library was reported to a staff member. Police responded and determined that the individual had already left the area.

Apr. 18—There was a suspicious motor vehicle by the Chapels Field gate.

Apr. 18—A BranVan caller stated that the lights are out in the Usdan Student Center area. An electrician was notified.

Apr. 21—A reporting party stated that they received concerning emails to report. An investigation is to follow.

Max Feigelson

— Compiled by Leah Breakstone

Photo courtesy of Eitan Marks

Elliot Bachrach ’25, explained, “In honor of Yom HaShoah, Rabbi Joseph Polak spoke at the Berlin Chapel on April 17 for an event sponsored by Hillel’s Holocaust Remembrance Committee. Rabbi Polak is a child survivor of the Holocaust. His memoir, ‘After the Holocaust the Bells Still Ring,’ won the 2015 National Jewish Book Award. During the event, Rabbi Polak spoke of the struggles survivors face for the rest of their lives after being liberated.” Bachrach co-organized the event with Aeryn Rowe ’25.

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion holds town hall

■ The town hall included remarks from the ODEI’s five constituent offices and shared initial insights from the climate survey conducted last semester.

By HEDY YANG JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

On Friday, April 21, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion held its first-ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Town Hall in the International Lounge where it detailed the University’s commitment to furthering DEI.

The event began with remarks from Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lee Bitsóí, who explained Brandeis’ history as an institution devoted to the inclusion of marginalized identities and the ODEI’s commitment to expanding DEI “in its visible and invisible dimensions.”

Bitsóí’s remarks were followed by short presentations from representatives in the ODEI’s five constituent offices — the Intercultural Center, the Gender and Sexuality Center, University Ombuds, the Office of DEI Education and Learning Initiatives, and the Office of Equal Opportunity. Each office provided updates on its accomplishments and highlights from the past few years, as well as outlined opportunities for improvement.

ICC Program Administrator Tara Whitehurst identified the ICC’s formation of the ICC Coalition — a group made up of representatives from all 16 cultural clubs at Brandeis — and space renovations facilitating greater levels of community engagement as the ICC’s highlights from the past year. She also discussed the challenges of having limited personnel to carry out the ICC’s initiatives and concerns about accessibility and visibility resulting from the ICC’s location.

Julián Cancino, inaugural director of the GSC, shared statistics about LGBTQ+ life at Brandeis and explained that while the University exhibits diversity in gender identity and sexual orientation, it falls short in the equity and inclusion part of the work. He also highlighted the GSC’s recent accomplishments, which included the implementation of an inclusive data collection process on Workday and the formation of the Pride Reps Program, a peer-to-peer mentorship program “designed to help undergraduate students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective peer mentors on matters of gender and sexuality.” The GSC was also involved in the creation and approval of an inclusive policy for transgender athletes in 2021. The policy differs from NCAA policies in allowing trans students to participate in athletic programs in accordance with their gender identity, regardless of any medical treatment they may be receiving.

Don Greenstein of University Ombuds described his office’s role as the “place to go when you don’t know where to

go.” He emphasized that Ombuds seeks to empower people to solve problems in a way that works for them. The support that Ombuds can provide includes addressing concerns about harassment and discrimination, providing career coaching, and working through academic difficulties.

Charles Chip McNeal, director of the Office of DEI Education and Learning Initiatives, emphasized his office’s work in helping Brandeis become an anti-racist institution by providing optional training to student club leaders, assisting professors in revamping syllabi and becoming trauma-sensitive educators, collaborating with the Office of Human Resources to improve practices in inclusive hiring, and more. McNeal emphasized the importance of continued DEI education beyond one-time trainings and programs. “Learning to be anti-racist, learning to be conscious, and learning to be a contributor to building a cooperative atmosphere of belonging is an ongoing process,” he said.

Finally, Jacob Tabor from the OEO shared information about their role in investigative processes and providing forms of support like no-contact orders and housing changes. Tabor stressed that anyone who experiences discrimination and harassment based on membership in a protected category can come to OEO. Protected categories include race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and caste, among others. Brandeis is the first higher education institution in the U.S. to list caste as a protected category, largely resulting from the efforts of staff and students at the Heller School.

Following updates from the five offices, Cecilia Sirigos, a representative and institutional research analyst from the Office of Institutional Research, shared initial highlights from the climate survey conducted last semester about the Brandeis community’s attitudes towards and experiences with DEI.

In terms of general attitudes around campus climate satisfaction, Sirigos shared that the survey found a generally high level of satisfaction, indicated by a mean score of 3.74 on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates that a respondent is “very dissatisfied” with the campus climate and 5 indicates that the respondent is “very satisfied.” Sirigos also pointed out that, interestingly, respondents seemed to “feel better about their own sense of belonging than the extent to which they believe all members experience a sense of belonging,” something she said the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion would explore further in its full analysis of the survey results.

However, the survey also found that many students felt challenged by the campus climate at Brandeis. In particular, Sirigos noted from responses to the open-ended questions in the survey that respondents across many demographics and identities felt that a sense of community on campus was “somewhat, if not fully, conditional.”

A response from an undergraduate student who identifies as Black and nonbinary exemplified this idea. “I feel that this school wears a self-righteous veil of equity and progress while still functioning as a white institution that doesn’t value non-

Gosman student faculty advocates for an improved weight room

■ The student petition to renovate the Gosman general weight room has reached a large audience of students, faculty, and alumni.

By ANNA MARTIN JUSTICE EDITOR

Brandeis students have been exercising in a gym filled with unsafe and broken equipment.

On Feb. 21, personal trainers in the Gosman weight room at the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center released a petition to the Brandeis community, calling for refurbishment of the space.

This petition states that the weight room needs new equipment and renovations. It lists examples of features that need to be improved or replaced and provides solutions to each problem.

As of April 24, the petition has 670 signatures from Brandeis students, faculty, and alumni. The organizers of this project have been spreading the word around campus, through placement of posters, social media, and word of mouth.

“As a personal trainer I’ve worked at Brandeis for around two or so years. At this point, when you end up using the common weight room area, you notice that a lot of the equipment is very old,” personal trainer Mo Re Kim ’24 said in an April 20 Zoom interview with the Justice.

Kim confirmed with Fitness Coordinator Kat Page that the equipment in the weight room has been there for 10-20 years. All equipment exhibits signs of wear and tear and should be replaced after this amount of time if heavy maintenance is not performed.

“You have a hundred pound load, and it breaks, and you go flying forward. That’s

not the most ideal situation,” Kim said. He explained that the equipment does break, and this unreliable equipment can become a health hazard as well as a significant liability for all students and staff that utilize this campus resource.

Kim noted that it is not just students who use the gym facility; it is common to see professors and other Brandeis faculty members in the space as well. He explained that the condition of the weight room is a community issue, not just something that affects a small portion of the University population.

The ultimate goal of this project is to completely replace all equipment in the Gosman weight room. The organizers would also love to move equipment to other parts of campus, making working out more accessible.

They have received funding to revamp the gym located in the Village, which will allow community members to complete full body workouts at times when the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center is closed.

“We are hoping to get details finalized and switch out all weight room equipment by the end of the fall 2023 semester. If not, by the end of the spring 2024 semester,” Kim said.

The organizers of this project are hoping to receive the funds they require for this renovation from the Community Emergency and Enhancement Fund. The petition has been put into place so that if the organizers do not receive enough funding, they will be able to request further funding from the University with the support of the community.

“The Student Union is also getting involved. Right now, there are discussions with the director of Athletics and the future Student Union President, Noah Risley ’24, so that they can see if they can potentially start a fundraiser during the 75th anniversary of the University,” Kim said.

The team is determined to find the funding that they need to create a safe weight room for all who wish to use it.

white, disabled, or queer students and faculty,” the student wrote.

The survey also asked questions about areas of interest for future programming to improve DEI on campus. Respondents provided suggestions like continuing support for ICC club events, facilitating discussion panels and teach-ins, creating compulsory DEI courses, and improving inclusive hiring and recruitment efforts. A complete report of the survey with recommendations for further practices will be released in the near future.

The town hall concluded with a brief Q&A session, which discussed questions about how the five constituent offices planned to work together to ensure cohesive planning and implementation, as well as evaluating metrics for DEI and critical work for the upcoming academic year.

One attendee posed a question suggesting that DEI initiatives may cause white cisgender male students to feel uncomfortable from experiencing a loss of opportunity and asked how ODEI planned to address this possibility.

Representatives from each constituent office took different approaches to answering the question. Tabor from OEO emphasized that everyone belongs to some protected category and can come to OEO if they believe they have experienced discrimination and harassment. Cancino provided a similar response, suggesting that while the GSC centers marginalized communities like LGBTQ+ students and staff, they welcome conversations with anyone, including people who may be encountering these diverse identities for the first time. Greenstein emphasized that Ombuds values differences and the understanding that everyone has something to contribute. “DEI would love to work itself out of a job. That day will come when we all accept each other, and [when] our differences are welcomed here,” he said.

McNeal from the Office of DEI Education and Learning Initiatives clarified the misconceptions in the attendee’s question. “The notion that focusing on DEI empowers people of color or those at the margins at the expense of those who are part of the dominant culture is an illusion,” he said. “Diversity does not mean eliminating white cisgender men. They are included in that picture. What we are doing … is making sure those groups of people who have been on the margin, who have been disempowered, who have been oppressed, and who are experiencing unnoticed and unnamed aggressions on a regular basis, have an opportunity to have that remedied.”

Bitsóí concluded the event by emphasizing the importance of DEI at Brandeis and in the larger community, stating: “When you creatwe an environment for the most underserved, for the most underrepresented … if you create a successful and supportive environment for those people, then you create a successful environment for all.”

Why have there been so many Student Union elections?

■ Brandeis students constantly get emails about Student Union elections. Why are there so many and what do they accomplish?

By ANNA MARTIN JUSTICE EDITOR

The Brandeis Student Union is made up of five executive branches: the Executive Board, the Allocations Board, the Senate, the Treasury, and the Judiciary. The Student Union serves as the student government, as well as community organizers and student advocates. The students elected must follow the Undergraduate Constitution during the time they spend serving. The Bylaws define all Union operations and are carefully maintained by the Student Union Senate.

The Student Union plays a large role on the Brandeis campus, as they are the point of contact for community members with complaints and concerns. They are also in charge of club funding, which has a big impact on all students because it determines each club’s budget.

All Student Union positions are open for election annually. The Union is constitutionally required to hold four elections every academic year. These elections include one in the fall, one in the winter, and two in the spring. If not all positions are filled after each election, the Union is required to hold another election for all seats available within 15 days of the previous election.

Holding extra elections ensures that the Student Union is complete, providing the community with a full student government.

“Usually, we have an info session two days before the candidate bios are sent to the student body. These sessions are led by the

Chief of Elections, where all rules and questions are answered and discussed,” Student Union Secretary Carol Kornworcel ’26 told the Justice in an April 23 interview.

Once the biographies of all students running for positions are released to the student body over email, there is a week of campaigning before the ballot opens.

The biographies sent out by Student Union usually contain a photograph of the candidate and a short paragraph detailing what they hope to accomplish if they are chosen to serve a term in office.

This campaigning is often seen in the forms of social media marketing and in-person office hours, where students are invited to meet and talk with these potential student representatives.

Many students create Instagram pages to share personal information and campaign platforms in the hopes of connecting with voters.

“According to the most recent election report from the March Presidential election, about 36% of the Brandeis undergraduates voted in that election,” Student Union President Peyton Gillespie ’25 said.

The Student Union heavily relies on the involvement of students, as they are required to both run for and fill all positions as well as vote for the candidates that they support.

“I encourage anyone with ideas, concerns, or the like to run for Student Union — people running for office also ensures that we have less seats to fill and thus conduct less elections. I also encourage students to speak with candidates, read candidate bios, and vote for those candidates you believe to best represent your needs,” Gillespie said.

Brandeis’ not-so-secret buried treasure is a research lab

■ A look at the history of the Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation Lab and how it has changed over the years.

By RIVER SIMARD JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

The hike up the Rabb steps is a notable part of nearly every Brandeis student’s daily commute to class. But seldom known is that, as they climb the steps, under their feet and in the basement of the Rabb Graduate Center is the Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation Lab, one unlike any other in the world.

Hidden behind a locked door that requires a pin for entry is a series of rooms brightly lit by LEDs. On the concrete walls of the lab, there are homages to space, such as an abstract painting of a rocket launching and photos of astronauts that formerly hung in the lab’s namesake Ashton Graybiel’s office. Above the lab is the desk of Prof. Jim Lackner (NPSY), the lab’s founder. The desk is littered with images of astronauts and sketches of space-related machinery. Throughout the lab is equipment such as an optokinetic drum; robotic arms; a multi-axes rotation and tilt device one of three rotating litter chairs in the world; and the world’s largest rotating room. Although the tilt device and rotating litter chair seem similar, they are different because the rotating chair measures the effect of long duration space missions, whereas the MART measures reaction to gravitational pull.

Spatial orientation is the way in which we orient our bodies in regard to the space around us. Factors that can impact spatial orientation include gravitational pull, impact on the vestibular system in your inner ear, or vestibular illusions. The role of the lab is to observe the different ways in which a person’s spatial orientation operates and is affected.

The lab’s history begins long before its opening in 1982. When Lackner completed his Ph.D., he went on to work at Brandeis while also continuing work with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since he accessed resources from both universities, both schools were listed in the academic papers he published. While his startup funding was only $2000, he was able to still use his lab at MIT and the MIT machine shop to build equipment.

Lackner had met Ann Graybiel during graduate school, and the two were married by August of his final year of study. “Her father was sort of a formidable guy, very disciplined, very nice, [had] a great sense of humor. But we never talked about work,” Lackener said in a March 31 interview with the Justice. Nearly half a decade after his marriage, Lackner’s father-in-law, Ashton Graybiel, asked to see a series of optical illusions caused by vibrations that Lackner was working on. This was the start of their professional relationship.

Graybiel worked for the U.S. Navy in their lab in Pensacola, Florida. During the span of his career, he conducted important research and played a key role in the advancement of U.S. spaceflight, including examining John Glenn after his 1962 Mercury-Atlas 6 mission. “He’s probably the greatest pioneer of space medicine, and he was my father-in-law,” Lackner said. Over the next several years, Lackner would spend about six weeks a year with Graybiel working together at the lab in Pensacola. Lackner later became affiliated with NASA and soon after received a $70,000 grant which went to conducting research at Brandeis.

When Graybiel retired, NASA knew of his work with Lackner and gave all the equipment they had funded to Lackner. Lackner had decided the laboratory should be named after his father-in-law and partner. Lackner recalled with a smile across his face, “He was thrilled. And then we had a symposium where people attended from all over.” With the influx of new equipment, the Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation lab was opened in 1982.

To celebrate the opening of the laboratory, speakers ranging from Brandeis administrators and professors to NASA scientists gave a series of talks on October 20 and 21, 1982. A poster for the event was brought by astronaut Bill Thoroton on the space shuttle “Columbia.” This was Columbia’s final flight before it crashed in 2003. The poster now hangs in Lackner’s office.

One speaker, Charles Stark Draper, whose lab is associated with national defense, was met with protests from the student body. A poet visiting campus had seen his name on the posters advertising the opening of the lab and wrongful-

ly assumed that the lab was helping with weapons research for the military. While some of the lab’s research helped military pilots, it didn’t have anything to do with weapons. Photos from the Brandeis archives show about a dozen students standing at the entrance to the Usdan Student Center, which faces Rabb. The student protestors are pictured holding long banners that read “10.9 billion dollars in space shuttle development, how independent is NASA?” and “Draper Labs’ Defense contracts 86 million dollars.”

Despite attempts by Lackner to explain the research being done, the students didn’t initially listen. It wasn’t until former neuroscience chair John Lisman asked them to listen to Lackner that they stopped protesting. “If it hadn’t been for Draper, the chances of nuclear warfare would have been much greater,” Lackner explained.

Throughout the last 41 years, the lab has continued to conduct experiments that impact both NASA and the private sector. “I think our success is that we’re on the edge,” expressed the lab’s associate director Prof. Paul DiZio (PSYC) in a March 17 interview with the Justice. Since the 1960s, Lackner and researchers at the lab have published 235 papers, 15 of which are from the last 13 years. The research has ranged from complex experiments in zero gravity to simple optical illusions that the subject to guess how high off the ground a tiny light is while the room is dark and rotating. “We have it all here in the sense that I went in the basement the week before and made a discovery,” Lackner said.

While Brandeis provides a home for the lab, the University does not provide any funding to the laboratory itself. In fact, DiZio explained that 63.5% of the funding they receive goes back to Brandeis to pay for the lab space. Initially, the lab was funded by NASA, but around the mid-90s the agency decided to prioritize funding a moon flyby project, rather than spatial orientation. The funding that the lab had relied on began to disappear. The lack of funding meant Lackner and DiZio had to find new ways to fund the lab’s research by relying on other agencies and private companies for funding. Equipment such as the multi-axes rotation and tilt device were funded by the Air Force and cost approximately $300,000. After attending a conference on spatial orientation during the week of March 20, Lackner believes that there will be many opportunities down the road to continue to fund their research. “The future is very bright,” Lackner explained.

While the lab has been conducting important work, the campus culture has made the lab look like a different place. “The University is in sort of a static state at this point in time, partly because of COVID and other issues. But there was a time in the 90s and early 2000s where it was really a very, very exciting place,” Lackner said. He accredits much of that excitement to former Brandeis President Jehuda Reinharz.

Although the lab is a state-of-the-art facility, most Brandeis students are unaware of its existence. The lab has received attention from media outlets such as PBS, the YouTuber Tom Scott, and even frequently in BrandeisNow; however, this coverage has had little impact on Brandeis students’ knowledge of the lab. “The students don’t really know about it, but the administration doesn’t either,” Lackner said. “It used to be the case that every president would get a tour, and we’d show the facilities. None of the current senior administration has a clue what we have because they haven’t ever bothered to visit.”

While the campus culture around the lab isn’t the same, the lab’s work culture hasn’t changed. After all, the lab has researchers that love what they do — such as Avijit Bakshi and Alberto Pierobon — who Dr. Lackner described as “geniuses.” Pierobon was a part of Tom Scott’s Youtube video about the lab. They work alongside Lackner, DiZio, and a team of other researchers and graduate students to advance the world’s knowledge about spatial orientation. The equipment is integral to the research being conducted, but it’s the researchers that are the lifeblood of the lab’s success. Without their knowledge and passion, there would be no Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation Lab.

Politics event contemplates the U.S. justice system

should have that much public power for too long,” Waldman said. He recognized George Washington as the one who originally encouraged that philosophy back when he committed to only serving two presidential terms.

By ANIKA JAIN JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

On April 19, Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice, participated in a discussion in Rapaporte Treasure Hall with Brandeis students, faculty, and the larger Waltham community about the growing need for judicial reform to check the power of the courts. In addition to being president of the Brennan Center, Waldman also served as speechwriter to Bill Clinton for four State of the Union and two inaugural addresses. He talked about his upcoming book, “The Supermajority: How the Supreme Court Divided America,” which analyzes how the conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court has the potential to undo decades of laws and redirect the future of American democracy.

Since 2005, Waldman has led the Brennan Center, a nonpartisan law and policy institute affiliated with the New York University School of Law, as they investigate what improvements are necessary and feasible for America’s current systems of democracy and justice. One demand for judicial reform favored by many Democrats and progressives is increasing the number of justices on the Supreme Court, or “court-packing.” Waldman is against this proposal because it would be “massively unpopular” and “risks undermining the legitimacy of the Court” since courtpacking could cause a retaliatory spiral and restrict pushes for change in the courts. However, during the Q&A, he said he is in favor of lower court expansion, not only because Congress could accomplish it by simply passing a law, but also because it would enable the inclusion of more people of color and women on the bench.

Currently, the Brennan Center is researching and advocating two major reforms: an ethics code and term limits. The Supreme Court is the only federal or state court in the United States with no binding ethics code. On April 11, the Brennan Center published an analysis and opinion written by Waldman explaining why justices cannot police themselves. “There is a reason why nobody should be the judge in their own case,” Waldman said during the discussion, citing recent examples of abuses of power by Justice Clarence Thomas. While lower courts enforce recusals, which is when a judge is disqualified from a case due to a conflict of interest or lack of impartiality, no such standard is upheld at the Supreme Court, explained Waldman.

For instance, last year, Justice Thomas heard a case before the Supreme Court involving the January 6 Committee. In an 8-1 majority vote, Thomas was the only justice who ruled against accessing presidential documents from January 6. Waldman explained that Thomas dissented because those records included texts from his wife, Virginia Thomas, to the White House Chief of Staff urging on the insurrection. Both Thomas and his wife have been aligned with supporting QAnon conspiracy theories.

While Democrats in the Senate are holding hearings about implementing an ethics code in the Supreme Court, Waldman explained he was “not holding his breath” about the outcome due to Justice Thomas’s extensive connections. On April 6, ProPublica revealed that Justice Thomas accepted luxury trips from Harlan Crow, a billionaire Republican donor, for over 20 years. Crow sent Thomas and his wife on luxury vacations, expensive flights around the world, free resort trips, and more. The article includes a picture of the two men smoking cigars at a resort with Leonard Leo, the president of The Federalist Society, the organization that provided the names of conservative judges to President Donald Trump to nominate to the Supreme Court. According to Waldman, their network is part of an extreme legal faction that “never existed before in U.S. history.” Although the immediate implementation of an ethics code may not be likely, there is strong bipartisan national consensus for an 18-year term limit for Supreme Court justices, with each president allowed two appointments per presidential term. “Nobody

Waldman explained why these reforms are especially important in light of three major Supreme Court cases from June 2022, which he analyzes extensively in his upcoming book. “There were three cases in three days, which crammed decades of social justice in those three days,” he said. The cases he refers to are Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, and West Virginia v. EPA.

Most well-known is Dobbs v. Jackson, which overruled both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey thus granting individual states the power to regulate any aspect of abortion not protected by federal law. Waldman explained how the Dobbs decision is largely due to the trend towards originalism amongst Supreme Court justices. Originalists believe that the definition of the Constitution is fixed and must be interpreted based on what the Founding Fathers intended. What this looks like in practice, Waldman said, is that “the moral views of propertyowning white men in the 1700’s should govern us now.”

For example, Matthew Hale, the former lord chief justice of England and Wales who sentenced women to death for witchcraft, is cited six times in the Dobbs case as the authority for how the United States should regulate abortion. According to The New York Times, Hale’s decisions became part of the British common law and, by extension, the common law of the United States, India, and other British colonies.

Originalism also played a role in the Bruen case, which Waldman described as “by far the most radical Second Amendment case.” Prior to District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court believed that the Second Amendment protected the right to a militia. However, in the Heller case, the Court reinterpreted the amendment to mean an individual right to gun ownership and enabled thousands of gun laws to be struck down around the country, Waldman said. Based on the precedent established by the aforementioned Heller case, the Court ruled in the Bruen case that the ability to carry a pistol in public is a constitutional right.

The last case that Waldman analyzed in his book is West Virginia v. EPA, which curbs the power of regulatory agencies to address climate change. Unlike Dobbs and Bruen, this case did not use originalism, but rather textualism to interpret the Constitution based on the literal meaning of the words instead of what the writers intended the words to mean. The Supreme Court ruled that agencies cannot take action unless Congress specifically instructs them, said Waldman. As a result, judges can now decide what regulations to enforce based on what they like and don’t like, especially in lower courts.

Waldman explained that theories such as originalism and textualism are not suitable bases for Supreme Court decisions because the country and people’s needs are constantly evolving, especially due to social media and digital innovation.

“It’s okay to have a Constitution that evolves with the country,” he said. “It turns out that there is a cycle of overreach by the Supreme Court and backlash. When the Supreme Court is partisan or extreme or unduly activist, the public responds.” This response, he explained, is what will eventually lead to a reevaluation of the political system and judicial reform.

■ The Legal Studies Department hosted a discussion with Michael Waldman, a constiutional lawyer and writer.

PROTEST: Students fight for the end of housing discrimination

DCL lottery system, and create a student representative position to give input during planning processes. Yaffe outlined the danger of failing to give a student housing that meets their accommodations. For instance, they mentioned that giving a student a room on the third floor in a building with elevator access when they were initially promised a ground floor accommodation can endanger their life in an emergency situation if they are unable to access the elevator.

Yaffe and Siragusa also called for communication from DCL in response to the group’s efforts. While Siragusa acknowledged that DCL held a webinar and responded to students who have directly reached out to them about the situation, both she and Yaffe agreed that more needs to be done.

“[DCL needs] to make a message to the entire student body, including to people who were ejected from the housing accommodations process, who have not reached out to them … the burden should not be on us. We did our share. We talked to our medical practitioners, we submitted everything, we have scrambled to find alternate housing … the burden of communication should not be on us at this point,” Siragusa said.

The students emphasized that their main focus was to ensure that the 29 students whose housing accomodations were rejected received consistent with their requests. “Housing accommodations is what enables disabled students to actually be students and now [they] have to spend all their time dealing with the issues of simply living where they were told to live,” Siragusa explained. She also mentioned that the group’s broader goals are to improve all housing on campus and make it more accessible through renovations in East Quad and Grad, as well as new housing construction altogether.

“This isn’t a one time thing. The fact that this happened at all is indicative of a much larger systemic issue that we need to address now,” Siragusa said, “there were 29 students this year, how many students will it be next year or the year after that? How many students will it be in 10 years?”

Yaffe stressed that if housing issues can impact disabled students, limited housing options can affect anyone and that is also

MARCH: Community gathers for annual

"Take Back the Night" demonstration

CONTINUED FROM 1

part of what the group was trying to convey to the prospective students. “These [firstyears] need to know that if [the University runs] out of housing, they can take theirs too. And we’re not going to let DCL just hide that under the rug and pretend that’s not a thing on the tours. And until they fix that and make this campus somewhere where disabled people can be proud to go and proud to graduate, this is what we will be doing,” they said.

After the tour groups left Gosman, they interacted with the protesters with varying degrees of interest — from approaching and accepting a flier, flashing a quick thumbsup, to watching neutrally and walking past. Passing cars honked and waved in support as the group transitioned from Gosman to the Great Lawn, moving locations to take a break and create new signs in preparation for the tours ending at the Shapiro Campus Center. They wanted to demonstrate housing realities to the visitors at the conclusion of their campus tours, as well.

As they did at Gosman, the students silently held their signs for all concluding tours and current students to see and approach if they were interested. Their silence ensured that the visitors would still be able to focus on their tours without disruption. They remained outside with their signs until 5 p.m. The website estimated that they handed out between 75 to 100 individual fliers to visiting students, those accompanying them, and current students.

“As disabled students, we need your support as members of the larger student body because there’s not a lot of disabled students on campus,” Yaffe urged, “We can’t do this alone. We need your support. We’re your colleagues during your classes, we’ve worked [on] your group projects, we run your clubs, we run your events, we sing in your acapella groups. We are everywhere, and we need your help.”

To learn more about the issue and keep up to date with the students’ housing advocacy, Siragusa suggested anyone interested should subscribe to the Reform Brandeis Housing’s Linktree, as it serves as the group’s “main hub” of information, housing everything from links to their website, Instagram, Discord, and other news articles.

Brandeis Division of Student Affairs announces initial SCC reimagination plans for the next year

In an April 18 press release, the Division of Student Affairs at Brandeis University announced a multi-phase enhancement project to the Shapiro Campus Center.

As stated in the press release, the initial phase — which is expected to be completed by the beginning of the fall 2023 semester — will focus on reallocating and improving spaces for student organizations. They also plan to introduce additional amenities in common spaces, such as new furniture in the Multipurpose Room and TV Lounge. Food insecurity resources will be relocated from inside the game room in lower Usdan to the SCC as well.

“We are excited to give a refresh to one of most utilized, student-focused buildings on campus after two decades of use,” Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Shelby Harris said in the press release. “From our review, we know that students spend a great deal of time in the Shapiro Campus Center and we are making these changes so that the space better meets their needs.”

The Student Affairs Division also plans to form an “SCC Advisory Board” during the 2023-2024 academic year. The board is to consist of students, faculty, and staff “to ensure representation in the ongoing assessment and planning of SCC use.” During the school year, additional aesthetic and functionality upgrades will take place, such as updated signage, increased club and organization storage, furniture revampment, centralized resources, and moving the game room into the campus center, where it is more accessible.

According to the SCC website, Student Affairs initiated a review of the SCC earlier in the semester to better understand how “current programs, services and spaces align with best practices as identified by the

Association of College Unions International and the College Union principles outlined by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, the University’s Framework for the Future, and the needs of today’s students.”

652 stakeholders, including but not limited to students, the Student Union, and Student Affairs staff responded to a survey sent out on Feb. 13 by Harris. The survey expressed desires for upgraded food options, independent and collaborative study spaces, and flexible meeting and event spaces in the SCC.

“These updates will modernize and energize the Shapiro Campus Center, making the building the true living room of campus,” Matt Galewski, director of student engagement, said in the press release. “We are excited to bring together a broader variety of student interests, organizations, and resources into a key central hub of student life at Brandeis."

More information can be found in the executive summary on the SCC website.

through campus. The march began at the base of the Rabb steps, where students were able to take fidget toys and water bottles, which is an aspect of the event advocated for by the Disabled Students Network. Participants also carried LED candlesticks, teal awareness ribbons, and posters as they walked together. After looping around the Shapiro Campus Center, participants reached the end of their route at the Light of Reason.

TBTN facilitators placed great emphasis on participants staying vigilant about their emotional wellness throughout the course of the event and being unafraid to do whatever suits their needs. Three trained and confidential peer advocates of PARC were present to walk students to the PARC office and provide support either during or after the march if need be. Organizer Maya Ungar ’24 encouraged participants to march in silence to foster a sense of reflection, community, and safety in reclaiming the night.

After the protesters reached the Light of Reason, attendees were given the option to follow the event coordinators to the Hassenfeld Conference Center for a private, attendee-only space focused on self-preservation and education on activism. The self-preservation space was dedicated to personal reflection, with tables of art supplies as well as supplies for self-care bags. The activism space comprised different tables where attendees could learn about the various avenues of activism, along with information and resources that can get them involved with the anti-sexual violence movement.

In their introductory speech, student organizers stressed the importance of recognizing intersectionality within the anti-violence

movement, especially given the fact that at Brandeis Black women, students of color, trans folks, students with disabilities, and gender-nonconforming students experience sexual violence at disproportionately higher rates, according to the 2022 Campus Climate Survey. The team expressed their commitment to holding space for those disproportionately affected by sexual violence and the ways in which their intersecting identities place them under greater risk.

They proceeded to note that known data does not reflect the actual number of those who have experienced sexual assault, as survivors often choose not to report their experiences for reasons that include, but are not limited to, “fear of retaliation, of not being believed, and distrust of institutions that have continuously perpetrated violence.”

Some students may want to report their assault but do not have access to the necessary resources or are unable to speak out on their own terms. For instance, the student speakers explained that the Office of Equal Opportunity was previously located in East Quad, which used to be a hindrance to many students because the quad is highly inaccessible to students with disabilities. The speakers also emphasized that the OEO is currently located in the Bernstein-Marcus Administration Center, which presents its own set of complications — Berstein-Marcus also houses many upperlevel administrators’ offices, which might discourage students from visiting OEO and thus restricting overall accessibility to this resource.

The community members that took part in the 2023 TBTN marched and gathered together to recognize the prevalence of sexual violence on campus and the importance of all the student activists working to combat it.

Lin Lin Hutchinson

TIANCHENG THOMAS ZHENG/the Justice

Michael Waldman, the president of the Brennan Center, talked to the Brandeis and larger Waltham community about the increasing need for judicial reform and an evolving interpretation of the Constitution.

I have a master’s degree in fierce.

ON THIS DAY…

In 1917, jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald was born.

FUN FACT

The Mona Lisa has her own mailbox at the Lourve for the quantity of letters she recieves.

Returning Zorn to Boston: An Anders Zorn talk with Dr. Johan Cederlund

Zorn Museum Director Johan Cederlund delivered a lecture on renowned 19th Century Painter Anders Leonard Zorn at the Scandinavian Cultural Center in Newton, MA.

By MEGAN LIAO JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Reaching the end of the grandeur of Renaissance Italian masters in the Raphael Room of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, one will find the Short Gallery. Amongst the various contemporary paintings displayed is a glowing portrait of Isabella Gardner in her trademark string of pearls. Portrayed in front of the renowned Venetian Grand Canal at night, the obscure background heightens the luminosity of Isabella in her white dress, which in turn accentuates her soft facial features, the dramatic effect of the flunging-open of the doors, and her elegant composure.

The noticeable fireworks at a distance provides the spectators context to her excitement. The creator of this piece was Anders Leonard Zorn, a Swedish artist and friend of Gardner’s whom she remained in correspondence with until his death in 1920.

On April 11, Dr. John Cederlund from Sweden’s Zorn Museum delivered an animated lecture called “Anders Zorn Sweden’s Master Painter” to local art lovers in the Newton area. The event was hosted by the Scandinavian Cultural Center in Newton in partnership with the New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art and Swedish Womens’ Educational Association.

Dr. Cederlund has been the Director at the Zorn Museum in Mora, Sweden since 2006. Prior to taking the position, he was Chief Curator at the Uppsala University Art Collections. He also serves the position as a Royal Chamberlain to the King of Sweden, a role he has held since 2016. Many of his books have been translated into English, including “Anders Zorn — Sweden’s Master Painter” (2013) and “Classical Swedish Architecture and Interiors” (2007). With this lecture, he hoped to bring Zorn’s popularity back to the States.

At the turn of the century, Anders Zorn was one of the most well-known Swedish artists in the United States and around the world. He was not only a talented craftsman, but also a calculating businessman, never neglecting chances for commercial success. When his paintings garnered massive attention in Chicago, his first response was to call home to Sweden to ask for more of his paintings to be sent to the States to be commercialized. Today, greater attention is placed on Zorn’s contemporary, Carl Larsson, for the latter’s tranquil pastoral images featuring folk cultures better fit the stereotypes of the Swedish identity. Thanks to popular culture depictions, one’s impression of Sweden can hardly stray from a Larsson-esque country house of pastel hues in the midst of vibrant plants. Nonetheless, Zorn’s influence on art can still be seen omnipresently. Frida Kahlo was known for collecting Zorn’s etchings, and Zorn’s own works are still widely exhibited across the east of the United States.

Born 1860 in a pastoral village of Mora, located in the midwest of Sweden, Anders Zorn was raised by his grandparents on a farm. Though the artist traveled around the world, the rural scenes had remained an omnipresent mo-

tif in his craftsmanship, like many of his contemporaries. He was artistically trained at the Royal Academy of Arts in Stockholm where he was known by his peers and instructors as an immensely talented prodigy with incredible potential.

In 1885, he married Emma Lamm, the daughter of a Jewish merchant family in Stockholm. Despite his artistic success in Stockholm, Zorn was troubled by the disparity between their respective social classes; therefore, most of the four-year engagement was hidden from the public. After their marriage, the Zorns traveled extensively around the world, well-funded by Emma’s family. In Europe, Zorn quickly made a name as a portrait painter. In Paris, he painted portraits for wealthy Jewish families, introduced through the Lamm’s connections. Their stay in Paris inspired Zorn in two ways, initiating oil painting and Impressionism.

Like other artists in Paris, Zorn began to experiment with oil painting. While Zorn’s watercolor pieces depict sophisticated illumination — almost resembling the effect of oil colors in its opacity — oil painting allowed him to dramatize the contrast of light and dark. In France, the experimental style of impressionism began making its way to Parisian salons through expressive strokes and bold use of colors, pioneered by Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh. Nonetheless, they were yet to gain mainstream success. “I wouldn’t say that [Zorn] was an impressionist.

No,” Dr. Cederlund pointed out, “he is more of a Naturalist. Juste-Milieu.” “Juste-milieu,” meaning “middle way” in French, refers to the artistic style that found the middle ground between the radicality of impressionism and the traditional. The “juste-milieu” artists experienced the most commercial success, and Zorn was one of them.

Zorn thrived artistically, socially and financially in Paris. “Talent like Mozart, success like Napoleon,” Cedurlund said of the artist. As he garnered more success internationally while in France, Zorn became the envy of many other Swedish painters. Nonetheless, Zorn’s name and work did not reach the United States until his encounter with Isabella Stewart Gardner at the 1893 Chicago World Fair. Zorn’s 1892 work “Omnibus,” depicting a Parisian metro crowded with people, attracted the attention of the renowned Boston art collector.

After becoming fast friends, Gardner invited the Zorns to join her on her trip to Venice. “Like many female tourists to Venice, Isabella fell for a good-looking gondolier,” Cederlund joked, “and she asked Zorn to paint him.” Zorn did, “but only from the behind.” The majority of the image is dominated by the back of a gondolier; at the far end, another gondolier lifts up his head towards the direction of the first gondolier, seemingly creating a correspondence. “Perfect composition of a dialogue,” described Cederlund of this painting.

In the United States, Zorn’s name was heavily publi-

cized due to his friendship with Gardner. In a total of seven visits to America, Zorn received commissions to create etchings of three US presidents —Taft, Cleveland, and Roosevelt — and multiple influential figures in the American upper-class social circles. Today, “Omnibus II” is displayed in the Gardner Museum.

Dr. Cederlund was keen to stress that Zorn employed a variety of mediums for his artistic creations, including oil painting, watercolor, etchings, and sculptures. The watercolor and oil paintings of Zorn capture fleeting moments, appearing to be done in an uninhibited manner, as was the fashion of the time. Nonetheless, x-ray scans revealed that underneath the watercolor pigments of his paintings were in fact careful outlines of thin oil paint strokes as well as layered remnants of painting — suggesting corrections — overthrowing the notion that the paintings were completely without any drafting.

One tale Cederlund brought up to underscore Zorn’s unconventional process was an 1886 painting, “Törnsnåret” (The Thornbush), currently on display in the Zorn Museum in Mora. The Zorns were traversing through the woods on the island of Dalarö in the Stockholm archipelago when his wife’s dress got caught in a thorn bush. Rather than helping his wife free herself, Zorn sprinted home to grab his water paint and materials to depict the moment. Emma complained of being bored, stuck in the thorn bush as Zorn carefully and slowly painted the scene, so Zorn returned with a girl for Emma to talk to to keep her company, whose figure is visible at the far left of the scene. Take it from poor Emma’s personal experience, the appearance of a rapid completion of Zorn’s paintings through expressive, bald strokes is a mere illusion.

“Etching” is a production technique that consists mainly of designing illustrations on a waxed metal plate which later inked to be compressed onto wet paper — a lengthy and tedious process. While having learned to manufacture etchings in his schooling years at the Royal Academy, Zorn did not put it into use until very late in his artistic career. He showed a natural talent and immense passion for the practice, collecting and finding inspirations from the etchings of Rembrandt. Nonetheless, he was ambivalent when it came to a preferred medium to work with. Cederlund concluded as he showcased a number of masterpieces completed in different mediums on the displayed slide, “He believed that ‘All good art is about craftsmanship.’”

From the Zorn Museum of Mora, Dr. Cederlund’s lecture “Anders Zorn – Sweden’s Master Painter” returns not “Zorn” to Boston, but context to his pioneering reputation as a Swedish artist abroad and the retelling of stories that made him a significant master of art in this city. One hundred years after his death, the name of Anders Zorn is remembered in the city of Boston as a friend of Mrs. Gardner, but the talk reminds us that at the turn of the previous century, he was a national pride of Sweden. Like Dr. Cederlund remarked at the beginning of his talk, “He was damn good. Absolutely the star.”

Photo courtesy of JOHAN CEDERLUND THE THORN BUSH: Zorn often worked with watercolors.

Photo courtesy of JOHAN CEDERLUND LIGHTING: Zorn was known for his experimentation with contrast.

“Dirt Shrine” brings martyrs down to Earth

On April 26, Astrid Schneider ’23 and Juliette Lillywhite ’23 will culminate their honors studio art theses in a joint gallery opening, placing their distinct works in conversation to highlight themes of community and humility.

Neither Astrid Schneider ‘23 nor Juliette Lillywhite ‘23 entered Brandeis as Studio Art majors — both found the program by means of pure exploration. “During my freshman year I took ‘Drawing Under the Influence’; it was the only class I cared about,” said Schneider during an April 20 interview with the Justice in the Epstein art studios, as they prepared their work for their and Lillywhite’s upcoming exhibit “Dirt Shrine.”

Rather than just taking the yearlong Senior Studio course required of all Studio Art majors, Lillywhite and Schneider both chose to simultaneously do a thesis, which requires students to create a thematically cohesive body of work, complete with curatorial statements.

The two saw the thesis program as one last push, both for their artistic sensibilities and their resumes, before applying for graduate art degree programs later in their careers. The thesis route also gives them access to more grants used to buy materials, which are sorely needed in the exceedingly small art program, whose budget spends a mere $75 on materials per student per semester for Senior Studio.

As for their projects, Lillywhite contributes the “dirt” portion of “Dirt Shrine,” working to redefine her notions of play as a former urbanite child growing up in New York City. “A child who grew up in a forest has a completely different experience of playing than someone who grew up in a city. I can’t experience these things as a child would, but I’m trying to let myself have that,” she said. Her workspace in the Epstein Building where all Senior Studio students store their work does indeed look like a forest, with live plants, tall beige tarps splattered with footprints, and, yes, dirt. Different materials and fabrics adorn the space like different plant species populating a grove. For Lillywhite, the pieces are invitations to herself to let go of ties to obsolete rigidity and embrace nature. She described one terrestrial experience that inspired her: “I saw a waterfall and it just changed everything. This thing is so powerful and I am nothing compared to it — we are all nothing compared to it — and I am so humbled.”

This humility draws a thematic line to Schneider’s workspace about ten paces away: the “shrine” element, filled with tall stacks of drawings and walled with printouts of religious writings and imagery. Their thesis concerns martyrdom — a concept they deem harmful.

“Religion has upheld this idea of the individual carrying the weight of the community, but that just isolates the individual,” said Schneider. Instead, they place value in socio-cultural practices that prioritize the collective. This means recontextualizing Abrahamic stories through illustration and sculpture — the most noticeable of which is an approximately six-foot-tall wooden Saint Andrew’s cross, a common feature of BDSM dungeons. Schneider’s exploration of sexual boundaries as they intersect with religious martyrdom manifests in this interactive piece, where the audience member can literally place themself on the cross using the restraints attached to it, and then remove themself. “It’s demartyrization; taking yourself off this high place of suffering to lean on your community.”

For the gallery, it was very important to Schneider and Lillywhite that the two theses be in dialogue with one another, rather than simply sharing a space. Fortunately, they easily found a throughline in the abject humility of their projects. “Both of us are talking about things way larger than ourselves,” Lilywhite said. “Nature is religion. There is nothing stronger than the force that keeps the waterfall going,” with Schneider adding, “You look at that waterfall and you lose a self-identity as it’s larger than any concept of yourself.” Both see the self as only valuable in conjunction with a sense of something larger, be it a secular community or a rotating planet. “It’s not about erasing yourself,” Schneider said. “It’s about finding a balance.”

With the opening date quickly approaching, the two are working quite literally around the clock — they were interviewed at midnight, still awake and laboring over their pieces. “In my mind, this is the beginning of my career,” Lillywhite said. Schneider echoed, “It’s definitely the culmination of everything we’ve done at Brandeis.” The pressure is mounting, but as two of only three students creat-

ing Studio Art theses, Schneider and Lillywhite have had access to integral guidance from their instructors. Prof. Sheida Soleimani (FA) told the Justice, “[Schneider and Lillywhite] have both been so thoughtful and articulate in considering their own practices, as well as the overlaps and intersections of their processes. It’s been a pleasure getting to know them both as well as seeing their work evolve.”

“We sat together for almost four hours just trying to think of the title — we want it to be fun, not pretentious,” Lilywhite said. Schneider added, “The goal is to have more of an install than a gallery — we want it to be a real shrine to the earth.”

Both artists feel an intense pull to create, exhibiting those creations is purely secondary. When it comes to making art, Schneider said, “It’s not an option — it doesn’t feel like there’s an alternative.”

See “Dirt Shrine” on April 26 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Kniznick Gallery in the Women’s Studies Research Center, with refreshments provided.

By LEA ZAHARONI JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

LEA ZAHARONI/the Justice

BALANCE: “We want it to be a real shrine to the earth,” Schneider said of the install.

LEA ZAHARONI/the Justice MULTIMEDIA: The show includes many different artistic mediums.

LEA ZAHARONI/the Justice

RELIGION: Schneider’s work acts as the titular “shrine.”

Jen Crystal, Editor in Chief

Smiley Huynh, Managing Editor

Cameron Cushing, Jane Flautt, Sofia Gonzalez, Senior Editors

Isabel Roseth, Lauryn Williams , Deputy Editor

Juliana Giacone, Samantha Goldman, Megan Liao, Natalie Kahn, Jack Yuanwei Cheng, Ariella Weiss, Associate Editors

Dalya Koller, Leah Breakstone, News Editors

Cayenn Landau, Features Editor

Tibria Brown, Forum Editor

Aiden Guthro, Sports Editor

Mina Rowland, Arts Editor

Owen Chan, Ceci Xilei Chen, Photography Editors

Julia Hardy, Jenna Lewis, Madison Sirois, Copy Editors

Anna Martin, Layout Editor

Maddy Dulong, Ads Editor

Zachary Goldstein, Eden Osiason, Online Editors

It’s time to

Content warning: This editorial discusses instancesofsexualassault.

In light of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the editorial board is addressing Brandeis’ inadequate administrative support for student survivors. As tour groups move through campus, prospective and admitted students questioning on-campus safety are assured that “the vast majority of our students, faculty, staff and visitors do not experience crime here,” which Brandeis’ public safety website reads.

However, outdated statistics touted in the University’s 2022 crime report, a revolving door of Office of Equal Opportunity leaders, and a 10,000-plus-square-foot Title IX violation sitting in plain sight, students are questioning the University’s commitment to protecting those facing gender-based violence and discrimination.

The 1990 Clery Act is a federal statute that requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data to students and community members, support people impacted by violence, and publicly outline policies and procedures put into place to improve campus safety. Although Brandeis does have a crime log that details day-to-day reports made to Brandeis Police, as required by the Clery Act, Brandeis’ data collection regarding instances of sexual assault is inconsistent.

The Campus Climate Survey is one of the most extensive repositories that reports student satisfaction and safety. Yet, it’s only been administered in 2015, 2019, and 2022. Of these iterations, data is only publicly available from the 2015 and 2019 surveys.

talk about sexual violence on campus

According to the 2019 survey report, the Campus Climate Survey is based on “elective responses” and contains a “relatively small data collection pool as compared with the student population at Brandeis.” In 2019, a self-reported 10% of men, 21% of women, and 36% of gender non-conforming participants experienced sexual assault. This is up from the 2015 responses: 5% male, 22% female and 35% “trans*/other.”

This information, along with the rise in sexual assault from 2015 to 2019 is startling,. However, it’s likely not painting the full picture. According to the 2019 report, “Given the low response rates in both of these surveys, the results do not necessarily reflect the experience of all students but rather only that of the respondents.”

The Clery Act does not require confidential resources to report data to community members. OEO is not a confidential resource and is thereby required to report extensive data including time, date, and locations of reported instances of violence. Yet, OEO’s “Data” page on their website is empty and only contains the words “Coming Soon.” This is unacceptable and does not uphold the spirit of the 1990 Clery Act.

Per a previous Justice editorial, “Brandeis has routinely hidden behind the claim that the University is not affiliated with Greek life and has even advertised this on their websites, claiming that 0% of women joined sororities and 0% of men joined fraternities every year since 2016, which is untrue. Because of this, any Brandeis students assaulted or roofied by other Brandeis students off-campus have been routinely told this is somehow not a campus issue.”

On-campus resources

Prevention, Advocacy & Resource Center:

A trained advocate is always available via the 24/7 counseling and rape crisis hotline: 781-736-3370. PARC Peer Advocates offer confidential advocacy to those impacted by many forms of violence, including domestic violence, and those supporting them, and are available Monday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m. PARC also provides training for Safe(r) Party and Event Toolkit Workshop for “planning the safest events possible.” For non-emergency questions, presentation requests or appointment scheduling, you can email parc@brandeis.edu.

Office of Equal Opportunity:

• Student Sexuality Information Services: SSIS is a student-run organization that promotes sexual health through peer counseling, outreach, products, referrals and a resource librar located in room 328 of the SCC.

• Students Talking About Relationships: STAR is a student-led support group — trained in LGBTQIA+, sexual assault, food sensitivities, stress, as well as relationships and domestic violence. They offer in-person, confidential, one-on-one support in the SCC, room 324, and has an anonymous and confidential text line offered during most nights of the week.

• Brandeis 6TALK: Brandeis 6TALK is an anonymous peer hotline run by dedicated peer listeners. You can reach them at 781-736-TALK (781-736-8255) from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday through Wednesday nights.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: The Hotline provides 24/7 support via their hotline (1-800-799-7233) and resources for prevention, crisis intervention and safety planning.

The Clery Act should prevent the University from circulating this misrepresentative data; however, the act stipulates that universities are only responsible for “any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution.”

Since the University continues to hide behind Greek life’s unaffiliated position, roofying — which has allegedly occurred at Brandeis this year — and other forms of violence do not fall under University jurisdiction if they happen at an off-campus Greek life sponsored event.

OEO and the Brandeis Police are two of the primary avenues that the administration urges students to take after misconduct has been perpetuated. For some, engaging with police is an uncomfortable and unsafe experience, which leaves OEO as the only resource staffed by full-time University employees that students can rely on.

Even then, that reporting process is often drawn-out and difficult; if action is taken by the University the burden falls on survivors to protect themselves from perpetrators. One example of this is that survivors are forced to adjust their class schedules to avoid being in the same class as perpetrators, or to adjust their housing plans to avoid living near their assaulters.

The inefficiency in reporting, resolving and responding to issues of violence on and off campus, works well for Brandeis’ image and public relations making it so that they can tout claims of a safe campus and low violence statistics, but this does not serve current or prospective students. Students deserve to know what is happening on their

campus, and they deserve to feel confident that they will be cared for should they encounter violence of any kind.

Pertinent data is difficult to find, data collection is inconsistently carried out, and the data available to students is not representative of the real experiences of students on this campus. We are calling for more transparency and more data related to sexual violence; however, we want to ensure that this data collection should never come at the expense of survivor support and resources.

We also call on the University to invest more into sexual assault resources, especially at a therapeutic level. Brandeis doesn’t provide long term mental health resources for its students. Sexual assault and sexual violence are incredibly traumatic, often requiring long term mental health care.

Feeling safe on Brandeis’ campus is a right, not a privilege. This board is grateful to the students that have taken it upon themselves to recognize this and have stepped up to support their peers when administration has failed to.

We recognize and acknowledge the extensive, trauma-informed, and peer-to-peer spaces groups including, but not limited, to PARC, SSIS and 6Talk have provided the Brandeis community; we also recognize that sexual violence is an enormous issue on college campuses across the country and is something that has been primarily tackled by students.

Across the board and here at Brandeis, it should not solely be on the shoulders of undergraduates to keep our university communities safe.

Survivor recommended resources

Sexual violence is devastating, and with so many differences between individual experiences, it can feel impossible to know what to do or where to turn when it happens. Thankfully, there are an abundance of resources to help survivors, and the people who love them, access information about support services to navigate through this trauma. I’ve listed several of them below, but please note this list is not exhaustive, for more information you can always contact the student counseling center at Brandeis or call 1-800-656-4673 to access the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

• This is a resource guide for anyone aware of the creation, distribution or ownership of child sexual exploitation materials (CSEM), through the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children.

• The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) publishes a resource guide for survivors of sexual violence to access support through every step of the experience including where to get help, about sexual

assault, what you can do, after sexual assault.

• The National Sexual Violence Resource Center also has a resource guide specifically for friends & family of survivors of sexual assault.

• If you have been the victim of nonconsensual porn (AKA “revenge porn”) please use this resource guide to find out what you can do to have the images removed from the internet, call 844-878-CCRI (2274) for support.

Dear Editor,

I’m writing to express my concern about the current state of mental health services at Brandeis University (and to offer a possible solution to address some of these issues). For context, the recent article published by The Justice, “Brandeis Counseling: We Need Better Help”, highlighted the critical importance of accessible and affordable mental health services for Brandeis students, and how the Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC) is unfortunately falling short of meeting its students’ needs. This is very disheartening to hear!

The piece outlined several areas in which the BCC could improve, such as addressing understaffing, offering long-term care, easing the consultation process, and implementing additional training for therapists on gender and sexuality. As the authors state, “If Brandeis is going to advertise itself as an institution

that is safe for and supportive of all of its students, then the mental health resources offered need to be significantly improved moving forward.”

However, what concerns me most is that students seeking help right now aren’t receiving the support they absolutely need to ensure their health and safety on campus. In the interim, as the BCC (hopefully) works to implement these necessary changes, I’d like to suggest a solution for Brandeis students seeking therapists that cater to their specific needs, such as long-term or LGBTQ+ providers. Online therapy providers may help “fill the gap” where the BCC is currently lacking, especially where understaffing is concerned. Some online providers offer financial assistance for those who qualify, as well.

It’s my hope that the BCC will take the suggestions

made by The Justice to heart and act swiftly to make necessary improvements. By doing so, they can ensure the mental health services offered at Brandeis University are truly accessible and supportive for all students. This will not only benefit the students themselves but also create a more inclusive and nurturing campus environment.

Thank you to The Justice Editorial Board for bringing attention to this important issue - I believe that, with the right actions, we can work together to make Brandeis University a place where all students can thrive, both academically and emotionally.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Advocate for Accessible Mental Health Resources

Prevention is better than cure: A survivor’s story

By MARIAH MASSE JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Content warning: This article discusses instances of violence and sexual assault.

I could see my intake form on the clipboard in her lap — she was fidgeting with the pen attached to it, trying to not make eye contact. When she finally looked up, I could see the tears in her eyes. She was the first therapist I saw, and being a psychology student myself, I knew that a clinician crying during a session is a cardinal sin. I thought, how fucked up must I be to make her cry in our first session?

I wasn’t comfortable with being vulnerable, and I didn’t like the idea of sharing the darkest parts of myself that I hated the most with someone I didn’t even know. Her tears felt like a betrayal since I had worked up enough courage to finally open up and ask for help, and it was too much, even for a professional.

Walking back to my dorm, my rage settled into numbness as my mind recalled the moment this all came out in the first place, a memory that I had shoved deep down and compartmentalized for three years. This time, though, I knew I was too triggered to block it out, so I sighed and allowed it to begin replaying in my head, knowing full well it would feel more like reliving it than just remembering it.

My throat hurt from screaming, but my body was locked in a fetal position, and I couldn’t stop crying. I could move my eyes, and I could see the terrified expression on my mother’s face. She cried, almost as hard as I did, while I explained to her that the trauma of being molested as a child had finally caught up to me after holding it in

as an opportunity for learning what we can do differently to protect children from this trauma.

When stories of child sexual abuse come out, it’s inevitable for the “Why didn’t you tell anyone sooner?” questions to crop up. For many survivors, like myself, the answers are often complex and multifaceted. The statistics of child sexual abuse are startling and unsettling: 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience child sexual abuse in the US.

Given what I now know from being involved in this subfield of psychology, I have identified several protective measures that could’ve helped me and certainly may help others.

Like many, I received the standard “stranger danger” talk from my parents, so I knew to report if a stranger tried hurting me. However, 90% of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone that the child or child’s family knows and trusts. Conversely, not every child sex offender is an adult, with more than 70% of children being sexually abused by a peer. The reality is that abusers can be neighbors, friends, other children, or family members.

My case aligns with each of these statistics as I was repeatedly molested by someone that my family and I knew and trusted when I was around 8 years old. This often leads to immense confusion, as we all like to believe the people we trust would never hurt us. Emphasizing consent and body boundaries is critical in eliminating this confusion, as it’s far easier for a child to identify if someone, regardless if it’s a stranger or if they know them, is violating their consent.

Perpetrators of child sexual abuse will often dedicate “special” nicknames for

more difficult for a child to communicate what’s happening to them if they’re unable to label where they’re being victimized. Educating kids about their bodies in an anatomically accurate way can eliminate this barrier.

The traditional awkward “sex talk” needs a significant update. As sexual development is ongoing, it’s time to move away from a one-off awkward conversation and towards continuous conversations about sexuality. Treating these conversations with openness, honesty, and security encourages healthy attitudes and relationships with sexuality.

However, a common misconception is that talking to kids about sexuality will make them engage in sexual behavior sooner and more frequently, however, this is a myth, much like the misconception that asking someone if they’re suicidal will put the idea in their head.

Education equals prevention, so the rule of thumb in this field is the sooner these conversations happen, the better. Fostering safe and supportive dialogue surrounding sexual development can make all the difference.

Iwish I was more forgiving and empathetic to myself for the child molesting. I was a kid, I didn’t know any better. I was angry at my parents, and I felt that they failed me when each time they had an opportunity to put me in therapy following each of my disclosures they didn’t. It’s taken two therapists and three years of weekly sessions for me to let most of my anger go. I have forgiven the people who have abused me, but as I say in my sessions, “I can forgive it, but my body will never forget it.”

I’ve learned, practiced and built a toolbox of skills to help me navigate my PTSD,

mindfulness techniques, prioritizing self-care, establishing boundaries, and strengthening my mind-body connection through physical activity and daily positive affirmations. Thankfully, after many years of self-growth and hard work, I am able to both remember and talk about these events with no stress response reaction, which helps me function on a daily basis.

Since August of 2022 I have been lucky enough to work with Dr. Emeritus of the Psychology depertment as Brandeis University, in his sexual violence lab. My master’s thesis is on identifying characteristics of child sex offenders with the hopes of exposing commonalities of behavior and traits.

The clinical application of this research is to educate communities on developing prevention and intervention efforts to reduce child sexual abuse. After all, “child sexual abuse is preventable, not inevitable,” according to the Johns Hopkins Moore Center for Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse.

It’s taken several years of self-growth, empathy, forgiveness, acceptance and countless hours of therapy for me to feel healed enough to pursue a career in this field. It’s an indescribable burden to bear as a survivor; the weight of responsibility to heal from these experiences.

My diagnosis of PTSD, which still gets triggered to this day nearly 20 years later, has forced me to learn a multitude of coping skills that I utilize on a daily basis.

As I say to my therapist, “I’ve forgiven it, but my body will never forget it.” The reason I decided to finally share my story publicly is the same reason why I still show up and work on myself in therapy every week: because there is so much strength in

UEFA: Madrid hope to repeat last year heroics

CONTINUED FROM 16

16 with a resounding 5-0 aggregate win over Eintracht Frankfurt, whilst AC Milan narrowly squeaked past a broken Tottenham Hotspur team 1-0. However, Milan has had Napoli’s number this season, highlighted by a 4-0 away victory three weeks ago. Historically, they are the second most successful team in the competition — winning the coveted trophy seven times. Milan scraped past Napoli 1-0 in the home first leg, with it all to play for in the second. The second was an instant classic, with a missed penalty kick on both sides. Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for Milan before Victor Osimhen equalized in the dying moments. This was not enough, as Milan pulled out an unlikely aggregate victory, setting up a battle for the ages, between two sides that split a city and a stadium, accompanied by an undying hatred for one another.

And then there were four. The favorites are on one side, between Manchester City and Real Madrid. Man City is widely regarded as the best team in the world at the moment. They have the world’s best goalscorer in Norwegian robot Erling Haaland, the best midfielder in Belgian magician Kevin de Bruyne, and the best manager in Pep Guardiola. Real Madrid are the kings of this competition and seemingly win trophies for fun. Though they are not quite as bolstered as the blues, they can always get the job done. They are in for a grudge match of last season, when heavily favored

Man City choked away a two goal advantage in the dying moments of the second leg. They had led 5-3 on aggregate in the 90th minute, when substitute Rodrygo scored twice to equalize, setting up a Real Madrid extra time winner. Manchester City will seek revenge en route to its first Champions League title.

Now to Milan. Italy’s richest city with a population of 1.35 million people, Milan is home to an abundance of history, but is also known for its intense soccer culture. Particularly, it is home to the iconic San Siro Stadium, which houses both Inter and AC Milan, and is planned to be replaced by a new arena. This has split the million people that reside in the city, and caused everlasting tension between the two fanbases. Inter most recently won the Champions League in 200910, three years after AC Milan did. Both sides have come a long way since then, through a down period over the past decade to get back to this point. This is the biggest Milan derby in recent memory and not a matchup to be missed.

So far it has been a riveting UEFA Champions League season that almost seems scripted. Manchester City may be the favorites, but you can never count out Real Madrid.

The Milan sides are riding a Cinderella story and will hope to cap off the tournament in glory. No matter what happens, it will be a semifinal to remember. We’ll see what the script writers have up their sleeves for this one.

BASEBALL: Brandeis loses last UAA series

CONTINUED FROM 16

hits. Catcher Justin Keeler ’25 and outfielder Nugent each recorded a hit in both games. Brandeis’ ace Asher Kaplan ’23 took the mound for game two and also took the loss, falling to 3-4 on his season starts.

Following two difficult results from the previous day, Brandeis was hoping to flip the script on the visiting Spartans. The start of the third game looked promising — after five innings the Spartan held on to a 1-0 lead. With two outs in the top of the sixth, the Spartans went on a scoring rampage to pull away — scoring eight runs on seven hits, including three doubles and a pair of triples. Case tacked on one more run in the seventh to enact the ten-run rule and end the game. Again, the offense couldn’t match Case’s power, only recording two hits through game three.

In their final game of the weekend, the bats came alive for Brandeis. After giving up one run in the top of the first, the Judges responded by scoring two of their own — Drew Michaud ’23 knocked a double to left field, bringing in Mike DiCenso ’24 and Nugent to score. Case took the lead again in the top of the second, putting up three more runs in the frame. But,

FOOTBALL’S FINEST

NBA: Brogdon and White provide valuable experience from the bench

CONTINUED FROM 16

once again, Brandeis responded — DiCenso and King each got an RBI to level the game at four apiece. In the next inning, Josh Liu ’26 pumped double to score Michaud and restore the Brandeis lead. However, a strong fourth-inning performance put the Spartan back in the driver's seat — 8-5. The rest of the game was a backand-forth affair, until the bottom of the eight when Brandeis took its final lead of the game at 12-11. Sadly, a four run ninth inning put the Spartans up three heading into the final frame. Even though the team lost 15-12, there were more positives than negatives to their performance. They recorded 15 hits against one of the nation’s best teams. Case may have taken the series 4-0, but Brandeis showed its resilience throughout the whole weekend.

The team will return to action tomorrow, April 26 to host the Tufts University Jumbos in a highly anticipated New England rivalry. With only five games remaining, the Judges will look to end their season on the best note possible. The season has not been a storybook one, but the team has the opportunity to write the ending.

in good shape for another run to the NBA Finals. “The Jays” have stayed consistently productive throughout the season. While new Head Coach Joe Mazzulla remains cautious managing William III’s minutes on the hardwood, Horford does not disappoint as a starter as he does a decent job defensively containing smaller guards after pickand-roll actions and facilitating the offense with his vision and veteran experience. Smart, with his size and lengthy wingspan, continues to excel in every defensive matchup, averaging 2.3 steals per game in this series so far — proving why he was named Defensive Player of the Year last season.

What makes the Celtics a scary match-up this year is the abundance of scoring options. The decision last summer to sign Brogdon has proven to be a great success, as Brogdon was just honored with the Sixth-Manof-the-Year Award for his regular

season performance. Coming off the bench in all 67 games played, Brogdon averaged 14.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 4.2 rebounds in only 26 minutes of average game time. Although Brogdon is easily qualified for a starting position, playing him from the bench and pairing him with one of “the Jays” ensures constant scoring energy for all 48 minutes.

Another unsung hero that stepped up during the early playoff run is White, who averages almost 20 points with unbelievable efficiency. He is currently shooting 52% from downtown with a 58 overall field-goal percentage. Combined with his 89% free-throw strike, White is currently a premium member of the 180 club — a combined 180% in all three major shooting stats — and approaching a 200-club level performance. If White can stay hot in the upcoming series on the Celtics’ road to the finals, it should be safe to say that nothing could stop Boston this postseason.

The only problem the Celtics face, in my opinion, is the turnovers. When the Celtics have good control of the ball on offense and are able to set up their defense, their game has always been a nightmare for the opponents. However, when they allow fastbreak points or simply do not take care of the ball, they lose grasp of the outcome of the game. This has been reflected by the late Tatum turnover, which he took personally in the game three loss and the 16 team turnovers in the close game four. Impatience remains to be the sole enemy of the Boston squad.

As the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers swept the Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics have a sense of urgency to advance as soon as possible. Today, April 25, the Celtics will host the Hawks as they hope to close out the series. The Celtics’ fans are keeping their eyes on Joel Embiid’s injury updates, while the Celtics shall focus and take care of business tonight in the TD Garden.

WONDER KID: At just 22 years old, Erling Haaland has cemented himself as one of the world's best soccer players this year.

BLEEDING GREEN: Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics have taken a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Atlanta Hawks.

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

BRANDEIS BASEBALL LOSES AGAIN

Brandeis Baseball lost their final University Athletic Association series game to the Case Western Spartans.

Photos: Thomas Tiancheng Zheng/the Justice. Design: Anna Martin/the Justice.

Sports just

Brandeis drops games to Colby and Case Western

■ This past week, Brandeis Baseball hosted games between Colby College and Case Western Reserve University but failed to protect their home turf.

By AIDEN GUTHRO JUSTICE EDITOR

Luck has not favored the Brandeis Baseball team this season. Sitting with a record of 5-27, the team has struggled to compete both in conference and out. In their University Athletic Association match-up versus Emory University, the Eagles scored a combined 62 runs in their Saturday, April 8 doubleheader — 31 runs in each game. The margin of difference — 4-31 and 7-31 in game one and two, respectively — were so great that the MLB website ran a story on its account. With 12 first-year players on the roster, the Judges have certainly felt the growing pains this season. This past week the Judges welcomed Colby College to Waltham for a non-conference match-up on April 19. Unfortunately, the team continued their heartbreak tour and extended their losing streak to 12 games. In the bottom of the first, Brian King ’23 ripped a single and brought in captain Steve Simon ’23 for the early 1-0 lead. However, at the top of the second frame, the Mules

NBA

responded with four runs of their own. Other than the fourth and ninth inning — three scored in the fourth and five in the ninth — the game was relatively competitive. Reid Latham ’23 got the start on the rubber for the first time this season and took the loss with two innings pitched, six hits, four earned runs, one walk, and one strikeout.

After a disappointing mid-week game, the team was hoping to turn the tides in their UAA weekend vs. the Case Western Reserve University Spartans. Case came into the series with an impressive 18-12 record — 7-5 in conference. Looking to secure an NCAA playoff bid, the Spartan needed to leave Waltham with four wins.

In their first match-up of the weekend, Case showed up and showed out — scoring 27 runs on the road to their dominant victory.

Sean Decker-Jacoby ’24 was the Judges’ starting pitcher for the day, giving up 12 hits and 12 runs in the performance. King and Sam Nugent ’23 each notched an RBI in the contest — both in the bottom of the sixth inning. Trying to put the first game behind them, Brandeis geared up for their second game of Friday’s doubleheader. Sad to say, the next game wasn’t too much better than the first. While the Judges were able to keep the Spartans to 13 runs on 15 hits, their offense wasn’t up to snuff — recording two runs on six

See BASEBALL, 13 ☛

Tatum and Celtics take commanding 3-1 series lead over Atlanta Hawks

■ Great performances from Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon helped the Celtics take a dominant series lead.

By JACKSON WU JUSTICE SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Troubled by some late-season injuries, the Boston Celtics marched into the 2023 National Basketball Association postseason as the second seed of the Eastern Conference. They are squaring off against the Atlanta Hawks, who fended off the Miami Heat to secure the seventh-seed spot in the play-in tournament, in the first round of playoffs.

The Hawks came away with the win in Miami thanks to excellent rebounding and a 26–6 run on second-chance baskets, but their size advantage disappeared against

BRANDEIS BASEBALL PHOTO RECAP

The Brandeis Baseball team failed to get their second UAA win of the season this past weekend vs Case Western Reserve University, pg. 15.

Man City and Erling Haaland look to capture elusive trophy

the Celtics. With big men Al Horford and Robert Williams III in the paint, “the Jays” — Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — on the wings, and taller guards Marcus Smart, Derrick White, and Malcolm Brogdon, the Celtics have a mismatch in every single position on the court. There was, therefore, no surprise that many analysts predicted a Celtics sweep in this first-round matchup.

A sweep was seemingly in sight as the Celtics won by 13 in both of their first games at home, but the Hawks fought back last Friday and defended their home court in Atlanta. Despite outstanding three-point shooting from the Celtics, a tough corner trifecta from Dejounte Murray and clutch-time Trae Young floater helped the Hawks pull through in game three. The Celtics bounced back on Sunday with masterclass scoring from Brown and Tatum, who both tallied 31 points for the win, and 15 rebounds from Williams III. The Celtics are now 3–1 in the series, and just one win away from advancing to the second round.

For the most part, the Celtics are

See NBA, 13 ☛

■

An

English

superteam,

a Spanish powerhouse, and two dark horses from Milan. Who will prevail?

By JOSH GANS JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

With only four teams left in the 2022-23 Union of European Football Associations Champions League campaign, there are many captivating storylines to discuss.

One side of the bracket sees the dominant Real Madrid squaring off with powerhouse Manchester City in a rematch of last year’s iconic semifinal. The other side features two teams from Milan fighting for the pride of the city on top of a spot in the final.

The quarterfinal eliminated some gigantic names from the pool. Perhaps the biggest of these was Bayern Munich — one of the favorites to win the whole

tournament. They were wiped out in the first leg 3-0 at the hands of Manchester City. It showcased some of the world's best talent with evenly matched teams, but the English side broke away in the second half to make a potential second leg comeback insurmountable. The second leg in Munich was not as intense as the first, considering Bayern had it all to play for. The most riveting headline of that match was the dominant Erling Haaland skying a penalty, but he inevitably made up for it by scoring later in a 1-1 draw, giving him an inconceivable 48 goals across all competitions in his first season with the Blues.

Speaking of inevitability, Real Madrid is still in the mix. 14-time European champions and current holders of the trophy, the Spanish giants were always destined to make it back to the final four. They easily handled Chelsea, who did not have the same fate as their English counterparts in Manchester. The first leg in Madrid was a 2-0 cruise, with Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell receiving a red card for taking down Rodrygo as the last man back. Chelsea still had hope entering the second leg, but Los Blancos cruised

again with two second half goals capping off a 4-0 aggregate win. Chelsea continues its nightmarish season, confirming it will not win a trophy or be back in the Champions League next season. The other side of the bracket had less coverage, but still had great storylines. It was a tale of underdogs compared to the first side of the bracket with three Italian teams and one Portuguese. In Lisbon, Italian giants Inter Milan took a commanding 2-0 aggregate lead. Back in Milan for the second leg, Inter failed to win at home for the fourth consecutive match, drawing 3-3 in a thriller. However, this was enough to push them through, 5-3 in aggregate.

AC Milan versus Napoli was the most enticing, evenly matched affair in the quarterfinals. Two massive Italian clubs with a historic rivalry, Napoli was favored to pull through. They have been dominant in the Italian Serie A league this season, currently sitting 17 points clear at the summit, while Milan fights for a top four spot and a place in next season’s Champions League. Napoli also cruised through their round of

Photo: Eliza Bier/the Justice. Design: Owen Chan/the Justice.

Waltham, Mass.

On dystopia, apocalypse and society; A review on Franny Choi’s newest book

By MINA ROWLAND JUSTICE EDITOR

I enjoy reading poetry, but I am absolutely obsessed with spokenword poetry and the intersection of theater and poetry; I often end up binge-watching poet performances on Button Poetry or TEDx. Since taking a poetry class this semester, I have had the opportunity to read poetry collections and engage with them in a new way. Recently, I read Franny Choi’s fourth poetry collection titled “The World Keeps Ending and the World Goes On.” The collection does not argue that the world is dying, but instead very explicitly proves that the world has died so many times already. She beautifully articulates all the pain that several groups of marginalized people have faced and explains how the several wars, crimes and violent atrocities committed have created the imminent end of the world. Before diving into her book, I decided to read and learn a little more about Franny Choi: She is a Korean American poet, performer, playwright, and editor. While she has authored several books, she is also an educator for project VOICE, an initiative that allows a collective of poets to do live performances and helps students through workshops and professional development. She has also offered educational resources through her poetry, particularly in the pieces “Teaching the Museum of Human History” and “A new species of beautiful.”

Choi received her B.A at Brown University and attended the University of Michigan’s Helen Zell Writer’s Program where she earned her MFA. Her work lends itself to tackling issues that are pervasive in Asian Diaspora, but I appreciate how inclusive she is of other races, specifically the Black community. I enjoyed listening to

MOVIE REVIEW

her piece on Button Poetry called “Whiteness Walks into a Bar” — its balance of humor is so cleverly written. Her collection does much the same, balancing contemporary social issues while finding dignity and beauty in life. Her use of rhythm, alliterations, and exploring the boundaries of form allowed me to reflect even more deeply. Her collection is separated into five sections: The first is focused on the science of dystopia and historical events , and the second part focuses most closely on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The third section consists of one single poem called “How to Let Go of the World,” and the last two sections focus on Black life, police brutality, and climate change. All of them discuss violence against women and generational trauma in an incredibly uncomfortable, yet intimate way. She delicately uncovers the idea of being a bystander to history and the violence that we see repeating itself in our society that we consider ‘modern.’ The manner in which Choi exposes us all and our complacency to the dystopia that exist all around is striking. In her poem “Disaster Means Without A Star” she writes:“I clicked on an emergency go-bag from Amazon. When it arrives, I’ll use my teeth / to tear open the plastic, unzip the pack stitched by girls who look like me / but for their N95s, half a judgment day away, no evacuation plan in sigh” This is such a powerful statement. Not only does it directly juxtapose privilege with pain but Choi allows us to see into her life and her brilliant exposition tells us stories not only about her but about ourselves. We can ask ourselves how complacent we are when we support systems of oppression, buying from companies who do not treat employees like

humans and somehow manage to feel good about ourselves. She shatters our world and our ideas about what being a good American means. Redefining “American” is something Choi does throughout her collection especially from the perspective of a woman of color and a child of immigrants. She discusses the duality in her identities in her piece “Coalitional Cento,” which is essentially made up of quotes and sayings from other works. She questions, “am I the colonization or the reparations?” to which she later responds confidently, “I choose to be the reparations” at the end. Some of the poems that stood out to me were “The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On”, “Science Fiction Poetry,” and “On How and Toward Grace.” The piece titled after her collection actually appears before the opening of the first section immediately following the table of contents. “The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On” begins by retelling us of histories atrocities. She addresses several issues without ever naming them explicitly. “There was the apocalypse of the pipelines / legislating their way through sacred water, and the apocalypse of the dogs. Before which was / the apocalypse of the dogs and the hoses.”

She is able to identify all of these massive historical events that were essentially crimes in an incredibly concise manner but we still know what she is talking about; the apocalypse of the pipeline referring to Standing Rock and the Sioux and Dakota Access pipeline and the apocalypse of the dogs and hoses referring to the Civil Right Movement of the late 60s. The poem “Science Fiction Poetry” is much the same though her use of repetition is alarmingly brilliant, as she not only questions and redefines what dystopia or apocalypse might mean but also

juxtaposes first world problems with extreme and serious problems. The poem pushes the boundaries of form as it is double spaces and seems to be one extremely long run-on sentence that is unfinished. Each line is capitalized as it defines dystopia once more but it never really ends. There is also this exploration of what survival means if the bad things have already happened or are happening. Some of the most gut-punching lines were:“Dystopia of falling out of love with God;/Dystopia of houseless people and boarded-up houses on the same city block;”

This is very powerful as she describes the truths of many experiences. Those who no longer believe the theologies they grew up on. She also vividly describes the irony of homelessness as she says, “houseless people” and directly juxtaposes this with “boarded-up houses.” Throughout her piece, she does this juxtaposition of a problem and what would seem the solution. Overall the piece covers a vast expanse of experiences such

as sexual harassment, water pollution, and inhumane treatment within prisons. Much like the end of the poem aforementioned, the end of Choi’s collection does not really feel like the end. Despite the seemingly dreary poems, she does seem to find hope in the future. Through her analysis of the past trauma and the ones that are still in existence, she warns us to fight, to protest and to survive. She also shows the resilience and perseverance of the many people who have come before us and survived their apocalypse and dystopian worlds. The poem that ends the collection is titled “Protest Poem” and though it is derived very explicitly from the protests in 2020, it is also reminiscent of the several movements for women’s rights and civil rights before. It allows us all to reflect and hope for what change could look like for all of us.

‘Evil Dead Rise’ is not your average horror

By ETHAN GERSTMAN JUSTICE EDITOR

In 1981, Sam Raimi, a Michigan State University student quit college to make a film for $350,000. That movie was “Evil Dead.” It ended up grossing millions, jumpstarting both his career and the careers of Bruce Campbell and his brothers. The sequel, “Evil Dead II,” would become a cult hit and a tremendous box office success. Together, they elicited a moral panic in both the United States and Great Britain over both the violence and goriness of the films. Those debates faded as the films grew more popular. And ever since, the Necronomicon and its Deadite creations have plagued the silver screen. Traditional horror comedies, the “Evil Dead” films — and television show for that matter — have spawned a large cult following that is probably larger than any other horror fanbase. Today, our standards for horror and gore are much lower. This film is by far the most intense and disgusting “Evil Dead” movie. There are stabbings, “cheese gratings,” eyeball eating, decapitations, and definitely more similarly gruesome things that I cannot recall. Yet, I enjoyed it, but probably only because I have become nearly completely desensitized at this point, having seen as many horror films as I have. Directed by Lee Cronin, creator of the critically acclaimed film “The Hole in the Ground,” “Evil Dead Rise” is

a gruesomely entertaining horror flick that will inevitably scar people that wander into this film expecting anything similar to its comedic predecessors. Yet, for those that have a strong stomach and are not dissuaded by a bit of violent gore, this film will be a fun ride.

As with “Evil Dead”, this cast is primarily unknown to most audiences. Alyssa Sutherland, playing the mother figure, Ellie, gives the strongest performance of the film. Her role as the main Deadite, the flesh possessing demon raised by the Necronomicon, is physically fantastic. If you have seen any of the “Evil Dead” films so far, you will not be surprised to see some of the physical acrobatics that the Deadite Ellie has to perform. She jumps, leaps, climbs, and contorts herself in a desperate grab to kill and torture. The other charactersturned-Deadite were also great, but none gave as a convincing performance as Sutherland, probably because they had to play the somewhat more mundane nonvillain roles. Nell Fisher, the young actress who played the little girl, did a good job. Although I would have liked her to turn Deadite at some point. Often the best Deadite performances are from either kids or similarly innocent characters. From a camera and editing perspective, the film is equally as physically active. The camerawork takes on a life of its own in a weird sense. Even before the action begins each scene is edited and shot like a horror

scene. The camera moves quickly and erratically, creating a sort of palpable unease. It reminds me of Cronin’s work in “The Hole in the Ground.” Make no mistake, “Evil Dead Rise” is not elevated horror. There are no commentaries on society or human behavior. Honestly, that is sort of refreshing. Not every horror film needs to be a philosophical treatise. Cronin and Raimi understand that. Sometimes people do not want to think about these things. There is always a place for elevated horror; some of the best horror of the last decade falls into that cat-

egory. However, “Evil Dead Rise” is just a scary movie, and there is nothing wrong with that.

In the “Evil Dead” rankings, I would put this one solidly third, between “Evil Dead” (1981) and “Army of Darkness” (1992). It is difficult to really compare this one or the 2013 movie for that matter, with the originals because they are essentially different genres. “Evil Dead Rise” is straight horror. There is a bit of the hallmark deadpan humor sprinkled throughout, but the movie is at its most potent when it is a gorefest. Cronin’s creation

is, in that sense, a shock and awe campaign with each sequence of the film scaling up in intensity. As both a horror fan and “Evil Dead” supporter, I came out of the film satisfied and exhilarated. But for those with a more queasy attitude when it comes to gore, they might have an uncomfortable time. If you are the latter type of film-goer, watch it at your peril. I hope you do end up seeing it — it is worth it. Exposing oneself to different forms of art outside of the comfort zone is always a valuable exercise. “Evil Dead Rise” is a good way to start.

Design: Mina Rowland/the Justice

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

TSA FORMOSA 2023

IGNITE THE NIGHT

By ANNA MARTIN JUSTICE EDITOR

The Brandeis Taiwanese Student Association held their anual culture show on April 15. The theme of their show was Ignite the Night, focusing on the hopes, passions, and dreams of students. This event included performances by club members and other Brandeis groups including XL Girls and Bloom. Outside groups included Nova Diablo, Cambridge Chinese Choral Society and, IMIX Dance Crew, and Penn Yo. Food was served at the end of this event

JSAI 2023

HARAJUKU

By ANNA MARTIN JUSTICE EDITOR

The Brandeis Japanese Student Association presented their anual JSAI culture show on April 21. This event was Harajuku themed, celebrating the district on Shibuya, Tokyo, famous for its pop culture of fashion, music, botiques, and food. This event featured a fashion show, Brandeis performing arts groups including Brandeis Bloom, Blah*3, and XL Girls. Outside groups included Odaiko New England, Showa Boston, and Rice Paddy Heros. Food was served, and event atendees were given opportunities to play games and win prizes.

Design: Anna Martin/the Justice.

Photos: Eliza Bier/the Justice.

STAFF’S Top Ten

OWEN CHAN/the Justice

By XAVIER WILSON JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Top 10 albums

I, like many of us, can not live without music. I enjoy all genres and I have to admit that these albums truly have my heart. While these are in no particular order it is important to note that they are the only correct answer.

STUDENT ART SPOTLIGHT

Megan Liao is an illustrator and photographer. She likes birds, flowers, traveling, books, and coffee, which are all frequent motifs in her works. If you can’t find her in the Justice office battling her thesis, she’s probably taking photos in the gym. Her favorite color is cobalt blue.

HOROSCOPES

By MADDY DULONG JUSTICE EDITOR

Aries, it’s time to embrace your passions and share your successes with everyone in your life! On Thursday, April 27, the quarter moon in Leo will land in your fifth house of romance. This is an opportunity to step into a leadership role or potentially reignite your love life. However, be mindful of impulsive purchases, as Mercury spends its first full week in retrograde in your second house of finances. Take time to review your finances and upcoming expenses. Use this week to balance stability and experimentation to achieve a healthy return on investment!

The quarter moon in Leo on April 27 will land in your sixth house and encourage you to potentially evaluate your living space and consider making small changes to create a more calming atmosphere. This energy also highlights the importance of spending quality time with friends and family. With Mercury retrograde in Taurus until May 14, you could reconnect with people from your past to rediscover forgotten parts of yourself. Some Taureans may also want to focus on their personal brand and ensure that their message is clear across all platforms.

Gemini, the quarter moon in Leo on April 27 activates your third house of friendship. You may have high expectations for your friends and may have recently discovered some unsavory traits in some of them. This may be a nudge for you to expand your social circle and meet new people whose schedules mesh better with yours. Mercury is also in retrograde from April 21 to May 14, reminding you to listen to your own inner voice and not rely too much on feedback from others. Creatively, your imagination will be firing on all cylinders, so make time to be alone with your thoughts and record your potential ideas.

Take a look at your finances this week! Since the quarter moon in Leo lands in your second house of finances, try to create a budget that balances your savings with room for spending as well. If you’re not attracting the cash you deserve, invest in your professional image by updating your work wardrobe and online bios. With Mercury in retrograde in your eleventh house of teamwork, make sure to get in touch with your colleagues and check for misaligned objectives or duplicated efforts. Look through your existing contacts for people you could reconnect with before seeking those outside your circle.

The Leo quarter moon landing in your eleventh house of community this Thursday suggests being more selective about how you spend your spare time. Organize a small gathering for your inner circle and set up a few one-on-ones. If you’ve hit a wall with a project, embrace the spirit of teamwork! This week is also an excellent time to widen your reach by networking. On the other hand, with Mercury in retrograde through Taurus and your eighth house of intensity and revenge, fighting back may make you the bad guy, and withdrawing yourself from conflict temporarily could be your best course of action.

Capricorn, the quarter moon in Leo on April 27 will encourage you to dig deeper and not just take things at surface value. Investigate a little more than usual and you may uncover hidden things that you might have missed before. However, be prepared for some potentially shocking revelations. Take the time to run background checks and double check everything before making commitments. Mercury is also in retrograde, giving you firepower behind your words, but timing is crucial in having powerful conversations. Make sure you have safe outlets for your emotions to release your internal pressure valve.

The quarter moon in Leo on April 27 may inspire a spring cleaning for you, but with Mercury in retrograde until May 14, it’s best to make smaller upgrades rather than dramatic changes. Take the time to review your calendar and make sure you have enough spare time for your personal projects. Stick to your boundaries and avoid reactive plans that drain your energy. This is also a good time to review your long-term plans and make adjustments as necessary. Don’t let others pressure you to move at a faster pace and consider calling for backup if necessary to meet your metrics.

The quarter moon in Leo this week can urge you to pause and assess your goals, making sure things are on the right track! This is an excellent time to review future objectives and set up a self-review to allow yourself to best succeed in the coming weeks and months. You should also consider whether you are truly passionate about the work you’re doing and make adjustments accordingly, including potentially relocating or switching your focus. With Mercury in retrograde, you may also question the state of your close relationships, but it’s best to take this as an internal process and ponder every possibility before bringing it up for discussion.

The quarter moon on April 27 will prompt you to examine your relationships and where they may be headed. Instead of focusing on the ultimate future, you should focus on restoring equilibrium and the things you can control, such as your attitude and energy. If issues arise, you should diplomatically address them to find a solution that works for everyone. Mercury’s retrograde in Taurus and your fourth house of security and family may prompt you to focus on resolving minor issues at home and creating a comfortable environment for yourself to process any feelings that come up.

The quarter moon in Leo on April 27 may inspire you to declutter your home as well as your emotional baggage, consider donating old items you no longer need so they can be reused! Emotionally, you may need to have tough conversations with loved ones who have destructive tendencies and set boundaries to prevent enabling during this time. During Mercury retrograde in your ninth house this week, you may receive some exciting travel opportunities and should use this time to plan your journey and take note of interesting opportunities.

The quarter moon in Leo on April 27 may urge you to pause and prioritize your energy, and be hesitant to scatter it off in different directions. With FOMO, you may feel like you’re being stretched in all directions this week. But don’t worry, photosynthesize those lunar beams to help restore equilibrium and finish any projects in motion. You are also advised to network with people you may not be close to normally. Mercury in retrograde from April 21 to May 14, backing up through Taurus, provides a laser focus energy that could be empowering to you.

Pisces, the quarter moon in Leo on Thursday, April 27, encourages you to declutter and be more efficient in your daily routine. Take this opportunity to get a spring clean through your home, get organized, and catch up on schoolwork. Use this hardworking energy to dress professionally, tweak your LinkedIn profile and apply for jobs. Avoid giving unsolicited advice to others during this Mercury retrograde period and focus on processing your own thoughts. Find an appropriate listener to vent to and channel your emotions into creative endeavors.

1. “Lioness: Hidden Treasures” by Amy Winehouse

2. “Young, Gifted and Black” by Aretha Franklin

3. “Mamma Mia Soundtrack” The Movie Soundtrack”

4. “Renaissance” by Beyonce

5. “First Band on the Moon” by The Cardigans

6. “Flying” by Cody Fry

7. “Typical of Me” by Laufey

8. “Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves

9. “Flower Boy” by Tyler, The Creator

10.“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” by Lauryn Hill

MEGAN LIAO/the Justice

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI

CANCER LEO VIRGO

LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES