The Justice, February 4, 2025

Brandeis remembers Professor Arthur Holmberg

■ Students and colleagues remember Professor Arthur Holmberg, known for his pedagogy and intellectualism.

By ZOE ZACHARY JUSTICE EDITOR

On Jan. 22, the Brandeis community received an email from Provost Carol Fierke containing the news that Prof. Arthur Holmberg (THA) had passed away at the age of 80. Holmberg was a part of the Brandeis community for 30 years, having joined the Theater Department in 1994 and teaching up until fall 2024.

Holmberg’s career in academia and the theater arts spanned nearly six decades. He received his Ph.D. in comparative literature from Harvard University, where he would go on to teach classes in English, French, comparative literature and drama. Holmberg wrote three books: The Theater of Robert Wilson, David Mamet and American Macho and David Mamet and Male Friendship. He was the U.S. editor of The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theater and wrote several articles and essays, many of which have been published by the New York Times, the Washington Post and several other publications. He also served as the Literary Director and Dramaturg at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard.

As an associate professor at Brandeis, Holmberg was the Laurie Professor of Theater Arts. He headed Brandeis’ graduate program in playwriting for several years and taught classes based on his extensive background in scholarship, theater criticism and professional dramaturgy. Among students, he was known as a captivating and knowledgeable professor whose courses were a must-take before graduating.

In a Jan. 29 interview with The Justice, Professor Dmitry Troyanovsky (THA) spoke on his thirty-year-long relationship with Holmberg. The two met in 1995 when Troyanovsky was pursuing his undergraduate at Brandeis. As a graduate student, he took classes with Holmberg in the American Repertory The-

BRIEF

ater program. The two eventually became colleagues at Brandeis as associate professors of theater.

“[Holmberg] was a tremendous influence,” Troyanovsky described. “The first class I ever took with him changed my direction in life … it expanded my idea of what theater is capable of.” It was Holmberg who encouraged Troyanovsky to pursue his first directing project.

“Arthur suggested that I work on short plays by Italian Futurist playwrights and visual artists,” he remembered. “It went well, and after that, Arthur kept encouraging me to direct more and more.”

Throughout the interview, Troyanovsky highlighted Holmberg’s pedagogy. Holmberg took his students’ intellectual pursuits seriously and would often spend time outside of class considering their thoughts and opinions.

“His pedagogy made us, his students, believe that we are capable of great ideas and brilliant theatrical choices. He made us believe in our own creative strengths,” Troyanvosky stated.

“He made us feel heard and important.” Holmberg would engage in authentic, rigorous discussion with his students — without “kid gloves,” as Troyanovsky put it.

Troyanovasky’s sentiments were echoed by LaRue Vigil ’26, who took Holmberg’s classes nearly 30 years after Troyanovasky. In a Jan. 28 email to The Justice, she described Holmberg as “always open and excited to learn from his students,” “always valued a good discussion” and as someone who “made every student feel seen.” Vigil had taken nearly every course Holmberg had to offer at Brandeis, and her comments speak to Holmberg’s continued excellence in teaching.

James Montaño, another mentee and close colleague of Holmberg's, also spoke on his relationship with Holmberg in a Jan. 30 interview with The Justice. Like Troyanovsky, Montaño first met Holmberg as a graduate student at Harvard University’s American Repertory Theater. At ART, he was hired by Holmberg, and they have since had a close professional relationship. In fall 2024, Montaño stepped in to teach Holmberg’s Masculinity in the Media

Brandeis Celebrates Black History Month

On Feb. 3, the Brandeis University community received an email from the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Lauren Haynie and Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lee Bitsóí, expressing that they are “delighted to honor the heritage, resilience, contributions and scholarship of Black people during Black History Month in February.” Included in the email was a brief history of Black History Month, which began in 1926 when “Historian Carter G. Woodson created ‘Negro History Week’ to acknowledge the myriad of Black peoples’ contributions to our country’s history and culture.” More than four decades later, Kent State University established the first ever month-long celebration of Black History. According to KSU’s website, “Black Negro History Week was celebrated during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of both President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.” Six years later, in 1976, the holiday was nationally recognized by President Gerald Ford. Haynie and Bitsóí add that February is

“designated to inspire us to pause and reflect on how communities of color are constantly striving to build an inclusive community based on mutual understanding and respect.”

In celebrating this month, the email invites the Brandeis community to explore digital and physical collections related to African and African American Studies in the University Archives and Special Collections. Additionally, the email invites the Brandeis community to campus programs that “elevate our Black voices celebrating their communities.”

The events include “Talk About It” on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Shapiro Campus Center hosted by the Brandeis Black Student Organization; “Barbershop Talk: Cutting the Stigma” hosted by the Intercultural Center on Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. and CommUnity Gathering at Heller on Feb. 26, at 12:30 p.m. in the Heller Zinner Forum.

— Lin Lin Hutchinson

FIREARMS TO FARMING

Guns2Gardens MA prepares for spring season

■ Operating out of Prospect Hill Forge in Waltham and the greater Boston area, John Hayden shares his plans to expand his local coalition of volunteer blacksmiths who transform donated guns into gardening and kitchen tools.

By SOPHIA DE LISI JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

At a typical gun buyback, the firearm is turned into the authorities in exchange for a monetary gift. The gun is then taken apart under police supervision and its disembodied metal parts are scrapped, discarding a large amount of serviceable scrap metal with no hope of re-use. Such was the case for Goods for Guns, a gun buyback initiative in Worcester, Massachusetts, until blacksmith John Hayden proposed an alternate solution in 2019. His new initiative, Guns2Gardens MA, aims to transform the scraps of gun metal and repurpose them into gardening tools, which would then be donated to local gardens in the Boston area. He named this organization in recognition of the national organization New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence’s buyback program, named Guns to Gardens.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Hayden’s initiative, he donated 20 tools that spring, giving them to Youth Growth in Worcester and University of Massachusetts Memorial Garden, amongst others. Now, in the weeks leading up to the spring, Hayden intends to create more tools and expand his team.

“We’re a hopeful small organization of me and a few friends,” Hayden explained in a Jan. 31 interview with The Justice. He hopes to recruit experienced and novice blacksmiths in order to begin preparing tools for the upcoming planting season. The blacksmith recently started learning the craft himself, recognizing that he is from

a family of metalworkers going back to his grandfather’s oyster knife business.

At the age of 13, his grandfather and a friend found the money to borrow a boat and purchase used blacksmithing equipment. They created oyster knives for fishermen, a prominent industry in their hometown of Crisfield, Maryland. This practice went on to be the town’s largest employer in the middle century, according to Hayden, and stories from his uncles inspired him to start blacksmithing at the age of 40.

Hayden took significant inspiration from a 2018 New York Times article about Michael Martin’s nonprofit organization, RAWtools. RAWtools — “raw” backwards spells “war,” Hayden pointed out — creates garden tools from gun scraps attained from buybacks, and these tools are available for purchase online. Guns to Gardens, the program New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, took inspiration from Martin’s expertise as well. Hayden emphasized that there are branches under RAWtool across the country, including Philadelphia, Colorado Springs and Asheville.

To Guns2Gardens in the Boston area, Hayden contacted Michael Martin, Dr. Michael Hirsh; the Worcester Department of Public Health and Safety’s Medical Director, Dr. Michael Hirsh and the Deputy Chief of Police, Edward McGinn. Through Dr. Hirsh and Deputy Chief McGinn, Hayden connected with Worcester’s Good for Guns buyback program to take in gun scraps necessary for creating gardening tools. The program has existed for about 20 years at this point and after professionals at City Welding finished dismantling the weapon, the metal would be scrapped. Hayden then distributed the scrap metal between blacksmiths in New England, specifically referencing Reverend Jim Curry at Swords to Plowshares and Stonybrook Metal Arts and Sculpture School. He also connected with Aspen Valley Regional High School — students in a metal shop class created sculptures, and around this time, Hayden started forging gardening tools. Hayden uses designs from

IYLA LICHTENFELD

Mike Martin

TOOLS : Volunteer blacksmiths transform weapons into tools.

GRACE DOH/The Justice

See HOLMBERG, 5

Photo Courtesy of JOHN HAYDEN

Waltham Police Department hosts community workshops around the city

■ Community members are welcomed to free workshops with the police that cover topics such as trust building and procedural justice concepts, police ask for feedback and ideas for the future.

By ANNA MARTIN JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF

The Waltham Police Department has set out to make a difference as they partner with Dedication to Community to host workshops from the end of January through early February. Made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, these workshops are free of charge and open to all above the age of 18.

According to the City of Waltham website, “D2C strives to educate individuals and organizations about developing and sustaining meaningful, safe and mutually supportive rela-

POLICE LOG

Medical Emergency

Jan. 25—A party was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Jan. 25—There was a medical call for an intoxicated party. The patient was treated by BEMCo and transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

Jan. 25—There was a medical call for an intoxicated party. The patient was treated by BEMCo and transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

Jan. 25—There was a medical call for an intoxicated party. The patient was treated by BEMCo and transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

Jan. 25—There was a medical call for a party who had fainted and hit their head. The patient was treated by

tionships, focusing primarily on the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to serve.” These active listening sessions include conversations for all attendees, “aimed to uncover solutions and challenges that divide us.”

As seen on the Waltham Police Department’s event poster, the department’s goal regarding this workshop is to “collaborate to foster a more just [and] unified community by uniting law enforcement and the community served for a session of active listening, learning [and] understanding.” The call to action on the poster is “Your voice matters!,” as the description concludes with the sentence “come [and] participate in important conversations aimed to uncover solutions to the challenges that can divide us, [and] how we can build a more unified community.”

In correspondence with The Justice on Jan. 29, Community Services Division Commander Captain Jeffrey Rodley of the Waltham Police Department explained “We value the entire community’s voice and look forward to having important conversations with community members.” In addition to the conversations held, Rodley explained that “This is an opportunity to share your voice, meet the officers, listen, learn and unders -

tand while working together to resolve issues of importance.”

There are two four hour workshops taking place per day on Jan. 29, Jan. 30, Feb. 5 and Feb. 6. These workshops are taking place at locations across Waltham, including the Waltham Boys and Girls Club, McDevitt Middle School, Clark Government Center and the Napoli Room at the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. According to Rodley, “There have been officers from Brandeis as well as representation from Boston PD. Members from Bentley University PD and Watertown PD will also be attending. The entire Waltham PD and E911 Dispatchers are attending these workshops.

As some of these workshops have already taken place, Rodley explained that he “appreciated the conversations and the engagement that occurred with the community.” He hopes that “these workshops have a positive impact on the Waltham Community and demonstrate our commitment to listening to the community we serve.” In terms of the future of the ideas and conversations that occur during these workshops, Rodley explained that the department “will evaluate the information [and] data obtained after the workshop.” He explained that these conversations will “help to inform decisions on any potential future programming.”

BEMCo and signed a refusal for further medical care.

Jan. 26—There was a medical call for an intoxicated party. The patient was treated by BEMCo and transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

Jan. 26—There was a medical call for a party with an injured wrist. The patient was treated by BEMCo and signed a refusal for further care.

Jan. 27—There was a medical call for a vomiting party. The patient was treated by BEMCo and signed a refusal for further medical care.

Jan. 29—There was a party in need of medical attention. The patient was transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

Southeast New England experiences earthquake tremors

On Jan. 27, a 3.8-magnitude earthquake struck approximately six miles south of York Harbor in Maine. It ran approximately eight miles deep but caused no fatalities or damage. The earthquake was the fifth largest in the state’s history, the strongest being a 4.7 magnitude earthquake in 2012, and the second-strongest a 4.5 magnitude in 1987.

According to Maine’s Geological Survey, the earthquake reached areas throughout southeastern New England including Boston, Worcester and Lowell, Massachusetts; Hanover, New Hampshire and Providence, Rhode Island. Some members of the Waltham community also felt the earthquake tremors, given the city’s proximity to Worcester. The United States Geological Survey’s ShakeMap estimates that the Boston area generally experienced “weak” seismic activity.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

■ A news section jump was labled “7” incorrectly. It was corrected to “5”. (Jan. 28, p. 1)

■ An arts teaser was incorrectly spelled “analyizes.” It was corrected to “analyzes.” (Jan. 28, p. 1)

■ The corrections and clarifications box spelled “spealled” incorrectly. It was corrected to “spelled.” (Jan. 28, p. 2)

■ An arts subheader incorrectly spelled “narrativies.” It was corrected to “narritives.” (Jan. 28, p. 14)

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

USGS’ tectonic summary explains that earthquakes in the central and eastern parts of the United States are less frequent than earthquakes in the west, but they are felt over larger regions. More specifically, an earthquake east of the Rocky Mountains can be experienced over an area “as much as ten times larger” than that of a similar magnitude earthquake on the West Coast. For West Coast earthquakes, experts can typically determine which exact faults are responsible. However, New England and Long Island are not close to the nearest plate boundaries in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea; thus, faults in the east are not well-located and cannot be linked to any earthquake origins.

Earthquakes in the east, particularly in New England, are more widespread due to the region’s type of earth crest.

Miscellaneous

Jan. 26—A party reported hearing screaming in the wooded area between Chapels Field and Goldfarb Library. It ended up being four students sledding down the hill next to the Farber Library.

Jan. 27—A party reported that their AirPods were stolen.

The Justice is the independent student newspaper of Brandeis University. The Justice is published every Tuesday of the academic year with the exception of examination and vacation periods.

New England’s earth crest facilitates a “seismic wave to transmit over really far distances,” Alex Hatem from USGS said. Time reports that this earthquake was felt as far as Pennsylvania. As of press time, two weaker earthquakes have taken place near York Harbor since Jan. 27, each with a magnitude of 2.0. The first took place on Jan 29, six miles southeast of York Harbor, and the second on Feb. 2, eight miles southeast.

— Compiled by Zoe Zachary

— Sophia De Lisi

HONK: A gaggle of geese take over Massell Pond.

BRIAN LUCY/The Justice

Waltham City Council considers cameras on school buses to improve safety

■ A new Massachusetts law allows cities and school districts to implement automated traffic enforcement cameras to deter drivers from passing stopped school buses.

By LIN LIN HUTCHINSON JUSTICE EDITOR

On Jan. 27, during a Waltham City Council meeting, Ward Nine Councilor Robert Logan introduced a resolution that the city council adopt a recently approved state law that allows for school districts to use bus mounted cameras to identify and issue fines against drivers that pass stopped school buses. This Local Option Act requires the City of Waltham to adopt the new law and for the Waltham School Committee to provide consent through a vote of a majority in order for it to be implemented.

In his address to the council, Logan acknowledged the irony of his proposal, given his typically libertarian stance on government surveillance. “It’s a little strange that I’m actually up here being the one proposing this, because when it comes to government surveillance. I’m a bit of a libertarian,” the ward nine counselor said. “I don’t like red light cameras, I don’t like speed cameras, I don’t like the license plate readers the police use, I don’t like this proliferation of surveillance cameras in public areas … But in this case, I’m willing

to make an exception.”

The counselor adds that driving around a school bus that has its stop sign out is a “jerk move.” Logan makes a distinction between school buses and public transportation buses, noting that Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority buses are primarily used by adults, who are “capable of rational thought.” In contrast, he points out, children — whose brains are still developing — can be impulsive and often run in front of traffic when getting off a school bus. This makes the stop signs on school buses a crucial safety measure that needs to be enforced.

Ward Eight Councilor Cathyann Harris voiced support for the proposal, citing a recent bus accident on Jan. 17, in which some of her constituents were involved. The crash, which occurred at the intersection of Lexington and Beaver Street, involved a school bus, a van and another vehicle. Six students from the Waltham Dual Language School and the van driver were taken to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, as reported by Columbia Broadcasting System News.

“I think as we try to manage speed and traffic and control some of those safety concerns in our community, I think that it’s important that we also look at this,” Harris said, referring the new state law that is also known as “An Act concerning the safety of school children embarking and disembarking school buses.” For Harris, “it is not a question of if this will happen” as “it already has happened.” She adds that this step of monitoring is “not necessarily surveillance” but rather “more of a deterrent.”

On Jan. 10, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law, allowing the use of school bus-mounted ca -

meras. If approved by the city council and school committee, school buses equipped with violation detection monitoring systems would be required to post signage indicating that the system is in use. The system must generate evidence files, which would include a live video image, a recorded video of the vehicle’s license plate, and details of the date, time and location of the violation. Recordings that do not show a violation will be destroyed within 30 days, while those that identify a violation will be kept for no more than one year after the final legal disposition.

If a penalty is imposed for a violation, it will not be treated as a criminal conviction or moving violation, but will be noted on the registered owner or operator’s driving record. The fines, which are consistent with existing law under Section 14 of Massachusetts General Laws, will be as follows: no less than $250 for a first offense; between $500 and $1,000 for a second offense and no less than $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense.

Nine city council members have signed on to the resolution, including Robert Logan from Ward Nine; Sean Durkee from Ward Six; Bill Hanley from Ward Three; Cathyann Harris from Ward Eight; Paul S. Katz from Ward Seven; Joseph P. LaCava, the Council Vice President from Ward Five; Thomas M. Stanley, Councillor At Large; Colleen Bradley-MacArthur, Councillor At Large and John J. McLaughlin, the Council President from Ward Four. The resolution has been sent to the Ordinances and Rules Committee for further discussions.

Brandeis’ social justice values stand up to recent Title IX policy shifts

■ Title IX policy shifts have undone federal protections against harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but the University’s anti-discrimination policies remain largely unchanged.

By REBEKAH MARVEL JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

On Jan. 14, Brandeis students, faculty and staff received an email from the Office of Equal Opportunity stating that the University would be rescinding the Title IX policies that were issued on Aug. 1, 2024 and reinstating the policies created by the Trump administration in 2020. Until Aug. 1, the Title IX policies had not changed from 2020, the ones Brandeis was following. In the email, the Office of Equal Opportunity reassured that this change “in no way limits the protections Brandeis extends to our community.”

In August 2024, the Biden administration issued a new set of Title IX guidelines, which provided protections against sex-based discrimination, pregnant people and parents, as well as including the recognition of harassment or exclusion based on sexual orientation and gender identity to be a form of discrimination. However, on Jan. 9, a federal judge ruled against these provisions, claiming that Title IX policies covered sex-based discrimination, saying “throwing gender iden -

tity into the mix eviscerates the statute and renders it largely meaningless.” Any institution receiving federal funds must comply with Title IX policies, therefore all publicly funded universities, including Brandeis, were on the list of institutions that no longer needed to follow the 2024 policies.

The 2020 Title IX policies were created by the Trump administration, and when compared to the 2024 policies, are more lenient on what constitutes sexual harassment and when the school must intervene. The 2024 Biden policy expanded the parameters of what constitutes a school intervening over sexual harassment, saying that if sexual harassment “denies or limits” a person’s ability to participate in a school program or activity, the school must address it. The current legislature details that sexual harassment must be “severe and pervasive” if it “effectively denies” a person equal access to a school or activity. Additionally, Trump’s 2020 policy requires that a school’s response to sexual harassment is not “deliberately indifferent,” while Biden’s 2024 policy states that schools must respond with “prompt and effective action.” Additionally, the 2024 policy requires that all school employees be trained on how to recognize and report sex discrimination, while the 2020 policy has no such rule.

In a Jan. 31 interview with The Justice over email, Jacob Taber, Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, elaborated on how these changes in Title IX policies would affect the Brandeis community, stating, “the language our policy used to describe protected categories changed slightly but the actual scope of the categories did not change at all.” He says Brandeis remains committed to protecting every member of our community from discrimination, and does so by listing the University’s recognized “protected categories.” As stated on the University’s website, these protected categories include “race,

color, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, including transgender identity, religion, disability, age, genetics, active military or veteran status and any other characteristics protected under applicable federal or Massachusetts law.” While the Title IX policy no longer includes harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity in its definition of sex-based discrimination, Brandeis University remains committed to protecting the right against discrimination for everyone on campus. Taber says, “Brandeis was founded because of discrimination in higher education. Our community’s commitment to social justice runs deep.” Beyond Title IX, the Office of Equal Opportunity also complies with other state and federal laws and the Brandeis community values of social justice and equality. Taber explains that Title IX and other federal antidiscrimination laws provide the minimum requirements for Brandeis to follow, but the University strives to go above and beyond. To enforce their policy against Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Violence, the Office of Equal Opportunity works in tandem with the Prevention, Advocacy, and Resource Center to train individuals on how to intervene when they encounter sexual harassment or discrimination.

With a majority of conservative federal courts, including the Supreme Court, there’s the possibility that more regulations regarding the protections of individuals and minorities could be overturned. But, Taber says, “the thing that will not change is the University’s efforts to provide its students, staff and faculty with an environment conducive to learning and working, where all people are treated with respect and dignity.”

HOLMBERG: Remembered for having a long-lasting impact on the Brandeis community

class when he went on medical leave.

Holmberg was an important mentor and guide to Montaño as he navigated his career as a first-generation college student. “Arthur would always ask me, what do you want to do? … No, no, no, what do you want to do do? And he wanted me to be specific,” Montaño described. “It wasn’t until [Holmberg’s] passing that I realized that I was weirdly modeling my career after his career,” he added.

Montaño spoke on Holmberg's intellectualism and rich appreciation for various forms of art. “I was taken aback with not just how thorough he was as a writer, but how much he really loved language,” Montaño stated. He recalled a specific exercise from the first class he took with Holmberg, which was aimed at creating the “perfect sentence.” As Montaño explained, “Eventually you realized, what made the perfect sentence was beyond its grammar and beyond its flow … it was also about the conciseness of an idea and the precision of a word.”

During these exercises, Holmberg would go so far as to take two synonyms and ask his classes to identify the precise difference between them. As Montaño expressed, he was a writer who knew how to carry a point across with a balance of precision and beauty.

Holmberg was also a collector of art. According to Montaño, Holmberg was one of the biggest donors of contemporary Cuban art to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and was one of their benefactors. Formerly an anonymous donor, he asked in 2021 that his donations be described as “gifts from Arthur Holmberg in memory of his late partner Antonio Cal.”

Troyanovsky, Vigil and Montaño’s comments only begin to paint the picture of Holmberg’s impact as a teacher, mentor and artist. All three admired a specific aspect of Holmberg’s character; in Troyanovsky’s words: “He could find something valuable or exciting or precious in practically every artistic endeavor.”

Professor Holmberg’s career has allowed him to inspire generations of students, professors and artists. He will be greatly missed by the Brandeis community.

TOOLS: Scrap material from disassembled guns turned into household items

and Shane Claiborne’s book, “Beating Guns: Hope for People Who Are Weary of Violence,” to create his gardening and kitchen tools. Open forging events display the creation of the book’s classic tool designs, such as a cultivator and a trowel.

“I witnessed one of those [demonstrations] in April 2019, and said, ‘okay, this is doable,’” Hayden recalled.

He explained that the process generally starts with cutting the metal into the necessary shape, and heating it in the forge, careful not to melt it. Instead, the metal only needs to be heated up to the “consistency of stiff clay,” so it can be shaped into the tool easily. However, how much heat each piece of metal requires depends on the type of steel it’s made out of. A piece of steel can be softer or harder. For instance, Hayden explained that the steel made for rifle barrels is intended for toughness, making it harder than other types of steel. With this in mind, blacksmiths use three different types of heating methods — a coal forge, a propane burner or an induction heater. Each has their own set of benefits and drawbacks, depending on the project at hand. For instance, Hayden said that a propane burner heats to an even temperature, but it does not get hot enough to melt steel.

The qualities of steel also impact Hayden’s knifemaking. To make a kitchen chopper, he has to unroll a shotgun out of its cylindrical shape and flatten it, grind the edge of the metal and heat treat it. However, the properties of this metal can change depending on how it is heated and cooled. Hayden emphasized having a “balance between hardness, which you want on the edge to make it sharp and stay sharp, versus toughness, [which] you want on the back so the thing doesn’t shatter.” Further, he explained that the properties of the same piece of metal can vary from one side to the other, depending on how the side is treated.

“Each time we do this, it’s a learning experience,” Hayden said, but provided nothing goes wrong — melting the metal, for example — each tool takes about an hour to create. He will even reuse wooden parts of guns for tools, using a wooden rifle stock and refashioning it to be his trowel’s handle.

Whether Hayden is creating a trowel, cultivator, kitchen chopper or any piece of equipment, he stressed the importance of keeping a visual cue that reminds the user of the tool’s origins.

“You can show that this was a transformation,” he said, showing an angled trowel that retained a decorative rail pattern from the gun’s initial design. Hayden even creates measuring cups by flattening pieces of steel against a swage block, the indentations accurate to the intended measuring size.

“You can see [the steel] has been folded over once, and folded over a second time, tapered and then with a twist and a curl, just for fun,” Hayden said, describing his measuring cups’ unique handles.

Hayden donates each product Gardens2Guns MA creates to gardens. He makes it a point not to keep them because he feels the point of the tools is to “put them in the ground and put them in people’s hands.” Hayden has visited these locations in the summer to watch his tools in action during the garden’s harvest. At UMass Memorial Garden, Hayden led a presentation about the initiative and received suggestions for the next gardening tools to create for this spring.

The other local branches under RAWtool do not necessarily focus on creating gardening and kitchen tools. Hayden said that the RAWtools group in Colorado focuses on art and sculpture, having created a gallery of its work and the Connecticut RAWtools program focuses on jewelry. These groups fashion pendants out of shotgun barrels cut into sections, and bent into heart shapes.

In any case, these helpful and artistic items transform defunct weapons into something new. In doing so, Hayden hopes to further encourage those who possess firearms to turn their guns into these buyback programs who may not have been interested in doing so previously.

“It gives them pause,” Hayden said. “If they hear that the firearm’s material can be recycled into things that are good, beautiful and nourishing, that does motivate some people.”

To expand his cause, Hayden is looking for anyone interested in taking up blacksmithing — not just experienced metal workers. He pointed to his own experience: starting the hobby later in his life at 40, and understanding that it is never too late to learn something new.

“It is never too late to touch fire to those around you and hope you spark something that brings joy, and that’s what this is,” Hayden said.

GARDEN: Volunteers at a local garden in the Boston area pose for a photo.

Photo Courtesy of JOHN HAYDEN

SCRAP: A wood piece from a firearm being processed for a new design

Photo Courtesy of JOHN HAYDEN

Graphics courtesy of CANVA and ELIZABETH LIU/The Justice.

Photo: ELIZABETH LIU/The Justice

features

VERBATIM | JOHN WATERS

Without obsession, life is nothing.

ON THIS DAY…

Facebook was launched as “Thefacebook.com” in 2004.

FUN FACT

Feb. 2, 2025 was Punxsutawney Phil’s first groundhog day as a father.

Boston’s sustainable student fashion designers

Fashion design students at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design are embracing sustainable practices in their work, from sourcing materials secondhand to zero waste patterning.

By GRACE DOH JUSTICE EDITOR

Knora’s hands are soft. With nimble fingers she knits from a spool of copper wire, manipulating it as a spider spins a gauzy web. The knit copper forms the bodice of the dress. The skirt and bust are lined with dried oranges. Once a delicate citrus, the produce has been transformed into a collection of unyielding, shell-like discs. They sit layered in a collage that appears impenetrable. A metal made malleable; a raw fruit made hard — these elements interplay in a way that conjures thoughts of vulnerability and consumption for Knora.

“To be a woman is to be consumed,” reads her artist’s statement for the project.

Production and consumption is a process Knora Connollly knows well,

having spent the greater part of her life sewing, knitting and eventually selling her garments on a small-business scale before deciding to study fashion design and sustainability at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She and her peers at MassArt are more than aware of the perils that arise from overproduction and textile waste, which was being generated at 92 million tons per year by 2023. These burgeoning designers have their choice of courses on sustainability as the university offers a minor in the subject. Here, students are taught to leave little to no waste from their work.

As Knora’s dress tells us, history has required women to make themselves objects of consumption. This is

what womanhood was and continues to be. “Made palatable, made to please and give herself to others,” she writes. But there is another side to this condition that is often overlooked by the developed world, yet it is sewn into the seams of so many polyester purchases. It is the experience of 75 million garment workers — 80% of whom are women — working up to 16 hours a day, seven days a week.

Of these tens of millions of workers, less than two percent of them make a living wage. According to a 2022 report by Earth.org, brands are able to outsource on a massive scale to unregistered vendors who are exempt from legal requirements that would protect factory workers from monetary exploitation, injury and other physical dangers.

Do any of us really know just how much we’re consuming when we indulge in fast fashion?

At MassArt, fashion students are taught that garment designs are not conceived or executed in a vacuum. The implications of their existence are carefully considered, starting at the conceptual stage all the way to the end of their lifespan. People like Jennifer Varekamp — a MassArt professor, chair of the fashion design department and freelance designer — are vocal proponents of sustainable fashion design in the community.

In the past few years, public consciousness of sustainability and ethical consumption has grown considerably, at least from Varekamp’s observations while teaching various sustainability-focused courses. She’s been running the Sustainable Fashion course for over a decade now, but when it was first introduced she didn’t have many students who knew about the topic.

“It’s been a huge turnaround,” she shared, noting a shift towards more engagement across multiple areas of sustainability. According to Varekamp, younger generations are now using social media to place greater emphasis on sustainable practices and demanding transparency from the industry’s major players.

As the conversation around sustainability grows, creative innovations are being implemented on small scales to fight the industry’s consumption problem. Varekamp challenges her students to think outside of the box in making patterns that minimize or

eliminate excess materials. One of the first assignments in her Sustainable Fashion course is to design a zerowaste pattern. It follows a movement that has developed over the years in which designers integrate patterncutting strategies that produce little to no waste.

Per Varekamp’s explanation, when a garment is mapped out on its chosen fabric, typically 15 to 20 percent of the fabric that is cut out is wasted. “And that generally gets put into a landfill, or worse, incinerated,” she noted. “Every time I am taking a piece of fabric to the trash can, I am very aware of the fact that it’s just getting thrown out,” says student Evie Powers, who studies fashion design and sustainability at MassArt. She took a Creative Fashion course where students were only able to use shapes like squares, rectangles and circles in their designs, because their geometric nature maximized how many could be cut from a bolt of cloth with next to zero waste. Knora shared a theory about zero waste patterning. “[It] could be so big in fast fashion,” she explained. “It

Design: GRACE DOH and BRIANNA EARLE/The Justice.

CONSUMPTION: Knora Connolly’s non-textile garment from February 2024.

CHIFFON: A look by student designer Evie Powers.

Photo courtesy of KNORA CONNOLLY

Photo courtesy of ISSAC GLIMKA

would cut costs because they wouldn’t be losing material.” If zero waste patterns can be more efficient and economical, it begs the question — why aren’t major fashion companies doing it?

“Because it’s not easy,” Varekamp responded, explaining that these designs typically produce more seam lines, which can introduce interesting constructions, but ultimately require more effort. “Yes, in the long run, Knora’s totally right,” she continued. However, streamlining an idea like this on a mass-production level would take time to develop and wouldn’t necessarily be successful in its beginning stages.

At the end of the day, profit still sits at the top of companies’ list of priorities. Regardless of how sustainable a design is, if it lacks aesthetic value, fit or comfort, “no one’s going to buy it,” says Varekamp.

While plenty of designers, scientists, activists and consumers are putting in efforts to reduce their environmental impact, the various inhibitors of textile waste that have been discovered so far still exist in theoretical territory for most companies.

One angle of the sustainable fashion movement that intrigues Evie is the emphasis that is placed on consumer responsibility. From her perspective as a designer, she understands that consumers’ habits are never going to change if the production side of the industry does not change. Take H&M for example, a brand that has implemented a clothing recycling program, but has a reputation for overproducing and refreshing its assortment on a weekly basis. “You can’t expect the consumer to stop buying,” says Evie on brands like H&M, who are constantly releasing new collections. With this in mind, she thinks that it also falls on designers, brands and companies to take action, saying that “they need to be changing as much as the consumers are expected to change their habits.”

On the other hand, Varekamp recognizes the power that consumers hold as

a collective force. In her view, the only ways that companies will change is if consumers change their mindsets or if legislation changes everything. “Legislation is the most important piece to holding companies accountable,” she shared. “Consumers can be part of supporting that legislation.”

One piece of legislation that was passed recently is the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, set to take effect on Jan 1. 2026. The law requires textile and clothing companies that are conducting business in California to report their greenhouse gas emissions.

Varekamp recommends consumers adopt a more investigative approach in acquiring new clothing. This includes paying attention to certifications that indicate environmentally safe production such as Global Organic Textile Standard, Oeko-Tex or Bluesign. Other organizations like the Fair Wear Foundation or Fairtrade Foundation focus on ethical production, keeping companies accountable for how their workers are treated.

It’s hard to say who is culpable for

the tons of waste that end up in landfills or the exploitation of garment workers in this interwoven dance of

supply, demand, sales and profit. Is it designers? Fashion company executives? Manufacturers? Consumers?

These young MassArt designers aren’t concerning themselves with these kinds of global corporate machinations. They are instead concerned with what they as individual designers can do in their creative thinking and execution. Questions like “Is [it] transformable? Can it be used in different ways?” are what are on students’ minds, says Varekamp.

On Dec. 6, 2024 Don Magazine, a fashion magazine and club at MassArt, showcased the work of 15 student designers who are producing innovative, sustainable and artful creations. The attendees sat in two back-to-back rows of seats situated in the center of the room while two glaringly white octagonal light fixtures stood on either side.

Duran Duran’s “Girls on Film” queued the show as a percussive camera shutter set the tempo of the event.

A bright guitar riff welcomed Mallory Roy and Sera Begay, co-Editor in Chiefs of Don and designers them-

selves. Following some opening remarks, the models began working their way through the room, one by one, like relay racers passing a baton.

Sera’s look was a modern take of more classical styles. The model wore a ’50s-style black velvet dress reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn peering into Tiffany’s storefront window. The dress bore a satin pink inner lining and was laced up on the sides with black ribbon.

Mallory debuted her first menswear look that night. “I wanted to use a lot of textures,” she said about the piece’s vision. In the style of a cowboy, the look featured a pair of overalls and a matching zippered jacket, made with suede, denim and gingham. One of Evie’s looks was another menswear ensemble and used all secondhand materials. The top consisted of sheer twill and playfully rouched with elastic; the striped herringbone pants were hand-stitched polyester yarn. With a focus on modularity and an element of interchangeability, her second look was a knitwear project using all stretch material. It featured a pair of pants whose legs were tied onto the shorts with ribbon. “You could change out the legs and mix and match and have fun with it,” she explained. Knora’s first piece was the zero waste “Amanita Set,” which was her project for the geometric pattern-making assignment. Highly conceptual and innovative, the fungiform-like silhouette was full of movement as the model snaked throughout the room. Evocative of psychedelic mushrooms, both the bubbled skirt and the sleeves of layered roundels appear to expand and contract as though they were alive. Her second look was a plaid dress made with deadstock natural content jacquard knit whose bustier combined knit copper wire and wool yarn. It paired with a hand-knit copper wire bag filled with cloud-like cotton.

Once each of the 25 looks were showcased on their own, all of the models walked the runway consecutively, sporting a diverse collection of styles for a breathtaking finale.

MODULARITY: Designer Evie Powers’ second look in the Don runway show.

Photo courtesy of ISSAC GLIMKA

LAUNCH SHOW: Don Magazine celebrates its third issue with looks from nine designers. GRACE DOH/The Justice

VELVET: Sera Begay showcases a black velvet and pink satin dress.

Photo courtesy of ISSAC GLIMKA

GEOMETRIC DESIGN: Model sports Knora Connolly’s “Amanita Set.”

GRACE DOH/The Justice

MENSWEAR: Mallory Roy’s design for the runway show mixes and matches textiles.

Photo courtesy of MALLORY ROY

Justicethe

Established 1949

Anna Martin, Editor in Chief Eliza Bier, Managing Editor

Isabel Roseth, Senior Editor

Leah Breakstone, Tibria Brown, Lauryn Williams, Deputy Editors

Sophia De Lisi, Julia Hardy, Dalya Koller, Mina Rowland, Associate Editors

Lil Lin Hutchinson, Zoe Zachary, News Editors

Grace Doh, Features Editor

Ariana Rich, Forum Editor

Nemma Kalra, Arts & Culture Editor

Jonas Kaplin, Bryan Wolfe, Photography Editors

Lily Chafe, Sara Samuel, Copy Editors

Marina Rosenthal, Layout Editor

Elizabeth Liu, Advertising Editor

Amanda Chen, Niámh Mullen, Social Media Editors

EDITORIAL

Message of support: Immigration policies & international students

As the political climate in this country shifts, the futures of many feel uncertain. In moments of socio-political unrest, college campuses have served as both a place of refuge and a reflection of national turmoil, offering a space to seek security while simultaneously echoing the political struggles of the time.

Many students chose to attend Brandeis due to the diverse and inclusive community both on and off campus. We are located in the city of Waltham, a diverse suburb of a progressive city, where people of various backgrounds can find a sense of belonging. However, in light of recent policy changes, the security of our community members is at risk.

School districts across the Greater Boston Area, including Waltham, have stated that they will not allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) to enter their premises without warrants, promising to put the safety of their students first. However, Brandeis administration has yet to make a similar statement. We urge the administration to show your students that you stand behind them, both legally and emotionally. We ask that you share supportive resources for students at this time, just as you did the week following the presidential election; while time has passed, the anxiety felt by many has remained.

This editorial board acknowledges the physical and psychological toll these new policies place on individuals and their futures. Opening the news can cause waves of anxiety for many, as family, friends and futures are impacted. While Brandeis international students are on visas, this does not guarantee their futures will be unaffected by this new administration. Additionally, many who were born in the United States have family members who are currently in harm’s way.

Dealing with this level of anxiety and stress while maintaining academic and extracurricular responsibilities can place an immense strain on an individual — one that should not be taken on alone. Even the strongest of us require support from their communities, and this editorial board is here for everyone in ours. We encourage those affected to reach out to their support networks — whether that’s loved ones, mentors or anyone they trust.

We encourage professors and university administration to remain understanding of students affected by the news and policies of the new administration, and provide them with grace at this time. We also encourage individuals to reach out to available campus resources such as the Brandeis Counseling Center if they need additional support. The Brandeis community is here for you.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Letter to the Editor:

Those academics, politicians, members of the media, and millions of others who support Hamas in their ongoing war against the Jewish people that Hamas continued by breaking a cease fire on October 7 have to recognize that they are supporting the murder of every Jew on earth. The UNREVOKED Article 7 of the Hamas Charter demands that every member and supporter of Hamas murder every Jews on earth. Israel is not mentioned in Article 7. The “ occupation” is not mentioned in Article 7. Zionism is not mentioned in Article 7. Hamas has not revoked Article 7 because the murder of every Jew on earth is its raison d etre.

That is why on October 7 Hamas did

not single out Israeli Jews among the 1200 Jews from all over the world that they savagely murdered.

If you were a Jew -- as Article 7 makes clear -- you were murdered. It is simple - if you are a politician or an academic or a member of the media or anyone else and you do not support the Jewish people’s existential self defense after October 7, the you support Hamas’s documented commitment to murder every Jew on earth. One cannot claim ignorance or nuance. The UNREVOKED Article 7 is explicit. To support Hamas is to support its Charter which demands the murder of every Jew on earth. Hamas has declared it since 1987. Believe it!

Richard Sherman, POB 934853, Margate, Florida 33093(646)267-7904.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To the editor,

As the impacts of climate change become more widely felt and acknowledged, our political leaders should support increased public funding for cultivatedmeat research. For those who don’t know, cultivated meat is grown from livestock cells, without slaughter. The new protein is expected to require a fraction of the greenhouse-gas emissions that traditional meat does.

Many people aren’t aware that animal agriculture is one of the most significant

causes of global warming. While cultivated meat has earned regulatory approval in the United States, it’s currently too expensive to mass produce. This can be rectified with the help of environmentally-conscious politicians backing more government money for cellular-agriculture development.

Jon Hochschartner 41 Salmon Brook Street Granby, CT 06035 (703) 901-1011

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To the editor,

I think most people know, on some level, that the way we treat animals, particularly those we eat, is wrong. What they may not be aware of is an emerging technology that will make aligning our values and actions much easier. I’m talking about cultivated meat, which is grown from livestock cells, without slaughter.

Though the new protein has earned regulatory approval in the United States, it remains too expensive to mass pro-

duce. Compassionate politicians can help change this by supporting increased public funding for cultivated-meat research. Of course, there are environmental and public-health benefits to the protein as well.

Jon Hochschartner 41 Salmon Brook Street Granby, CT 06035 (703) 901-1011

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Where are the Democrats?

By Jon Hochschartner

President Donald Trump is rapidly degrading the United States of America into a fascist hellscape. The nominal opposition leaders are nowhere to be found. As a socialist, I’ve never been overly fond of the Democratic Party, but I’m shocked by how little fight its most prominent members have in them at this crucial historical juncture.

On January 20, Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer posted the following boilerplate nonsense on social media: “It is time to look to the future. The challenges that face America are many and great. The Senate must respond with resolve, bipartisanship, and fidelity to the working and middle class of this country.”

Bipartisanship! Is Schumer out of his mind? That very same day, Republican oligarch Elon Musk repeatedly gave a Nazi salute at a Trump inauguration rally. I’d be more open to the idea this was some kind of awkward faux pas if the richest man on Earth wasn’t simultaneously supporting fascist parties throughout the world.

There can be no bipartisanship with people like this. There can be no bipartisanship with people looking to dismantle what remains of the New Deal or Civil Rights legislation. There can be no bipartisanship with people seeking to force women out of public life and gay people back into the closet. Schumer should resign.

I assumed personal ambition would motivate some Democrats to distinguish themselves in their opposition to fascism, if only to make a name for themselves in advance of the 2028 presidential primary. With a few exceptions, however, that hasn’t been the case. Appeasement seems to be the preferred strategy throughout the party. Representative Alexandria OcasioCortez is one such exception. It should come as little surprise then that Demo-

crats voted for a 74-year-old cancer patient, Representative Gerry Connolly, to serve as the party’s top member on the House Oversight Committee, instead of the 35-year-old rising star with a national profile.

The existing Democratic organization needs to be replaced root and branch. I’d like it to move significantly leftward. I’d like it to champion the development of cellular agriculture, which I view as the most promising means of advancing animal welfare. But, at the very least, the party needs to be one interested in confronting fascism.

The truth is there can be no progress on any of our political priorities under a right-wing authoritarian state. Democratic officials who aren’t willing to fight the Republican administration, like the country depends on their winning, because it does, should step aside for leaders who will. We need wartime consiglieres.

God willing, there will be a free-andfair presidential election in 2028. How prospective Democratic candidates behave now — in this moment of peril — will be front of mind for me as a primary voter. I’d rather eat my shoe than vote for a mealy-mouthed Democrat who was silent in the face of Trumpian terror or made peace with it.

I’m sick of feeling helpless. Part of this is unavoidable in the current circumstances. Republicans control the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. But a significant part comes from being left adrift by Democratic leaders, who won’t use what little power voters have given them, for fear of violating long-forgotten norms.

Jon Hochschartner lives in Connecticut. He is the author of a number of books, including The Animals’ Freedom Fighter: A Biography of Ronnie Lee, Founder of the Animal Liberation Front. Visit his blog at SlaughterFreeAmerica.Substack. com.

Is it over?

By TIBRIA BROWN JUSTICE DEPUTY EDITOR

Guys, is it over? Are we doomed after college? Because graduating in 2025 is starting to feel like stepping off a cliff and hoping the ground will kindly materialize beneath us.

Let’s take stock of our situation, shall we? The economy is on shaky legs and the job market is basically doing the cha-cha between “promising” and “deeply concerning.” In December 2024, the economy added 256,000 jobs (yay?), but now experts predict January will bring a measly 150,000 (oh). Hiring is slowing, layoffs are looming and we’re all about to be thrown into this mess with a diploma in one hand and a LinkedIn profile that somehow still feels underwhelming.

Adding to these concerns, let’s not forget our universally beloved leader, President Donald Trump, has decided — right as we’re entering the workforce — that this is the perfect time to slap tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada. These tariffs include a 25% levy on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on Chinese imports. In response, Mexico and Canada have pledged retaliatory tariffs, increasing fears of a global trade war. Economic analysts predict these measures could lead to higher prices for consumer goods — like groceries — increased inflation and a slight reduction in U.S. Gross Domestic Product, all of which likely have pretty horrifying effects on employment opportunities for new graduates.

Honestly, it’s hard not to feel a little cheated. We already lost a chunk of our high school and college experience to COVID-19 — remember logging onto Zoom university, unmuting

yourself to answer a question and realizing you were actually talking to a frozen screen? Good times. Now, after clawing our way to graduation, we get to enter a job market where companies are either not hiring or pretending their “entry-level” positions require several years of experience. Cool, cool, cool.

But before we start collectively crying into our graduation gowns, let’s talk about the silver linings. For one, we’ve made it here together. Some of us have friendships that have spanned all four years, while others have met people in the last semester who feel like lifelong friends already. The chaos bonded us, and despite everything, I feel like I’m walking away with a pretty decent college experience.

And look, maybe the economy is tanking, but at least we’re up! We’ve survived a pandemic, years of questionable dining hall food, brutal weekly schedules and a University president we ran off campus. We’ve made memories, danced at ... just-okay parties, suffered through all-nighters and still (mostly) kept it together.

Most importantly, we are not the type to roll over and give up. Our generation is full of people who won’t just accept a broken system — we’ll challenge it. We may be stepping into uncertainty, but we’ve already proven we can adapt and push forward.

So here’s to us, the class of 2025. May we find jobs that pay more than experience and pocket lint, may our country not disintegrate and may we somehow figure out how to keep having fun. And if all else fails… there’s always grad school, right?

Klein unrelated: Prime Deli

By AARON KLEIN AND MAX KLEIN JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Hello — Our names are Max Klein and Aaron Klein, and we are writing a column on restaurants around town. While the column may be satirical, our reviews are absolutely not. Please enjoy.

Klein: Good morning, Klein, and welcome to the first-ever Klein: Unrelated.

Klein: So for our new readers — I guess all of our readers — what exactly will we be doing here?

Klein: I’m so glad you asked! Seeing as we are two guys with the last name Klein that happen to be unrelated to each other, it only makes sense that we start a food review section dedicated to local restaurants.

Klein: Yes, it’s very nice to be here. For our first-ever review, we’ll be discussing Prime Deli.

Klein: Right, so let’s get into it. What were your immediate thoughts when you walked in?

Klein: The selection is incredible. It seems like they have everything you could want from sandwiches to calzones to subs to…. other types of sandwiches and everything in between.

Klein: Agreed — they really love their sandwiches. Also, the connection between Prime Deli and Brandeis is remarkable; the back wall is filled with various Brandeis clubs’ shirts.

Klein: Okay, now to the food. You got the cheese pizza, right?

Klein: Yeah, although, admittedly, this was

a rookie move. I’ve heard great things about the calzones and the club sandwiches, and I definitely wish I had the foresight to order one of those instead.

Klein: Yeah, that didn’t seem like the best move. How was it?

Klein: Actually, decent. I was expecting something pretty bad given its customer base being college students, but I was pleasantly surprised. The crust was nice and crunchy, and it was generally just a good pizza.

Klein: I’m glad your decision paid off. I got the Turkey Breast Classic, and I thought it was a very solid option. With a hearty serving of turkey, and a healthy portion of fries as well, I left very satisfied.

Klein: Yeah it’s a good bang for your buck option, and just what you would expect from an above-average college eatery.

Klein: Mr. Klein, that’s what I’ve heard, and I couldn’t agree more.

Klein: Don’t call me Mr. Klein — that’s my father’s name.

Klein: Ah, my sincerest apologies. Send him my regards!

Klein: Will do. Toodle-oo!

Klein: See ya later!

BRYAN WOLFE/The Justice

SNOW: A student walks through the winter night, towards Rosenthal Quad.

Graphics courtesy of CANVA and DINA NAIMARK GOLDBERG/The Justice

JUDGES BY THE NUMBERS

Brandeis: Women, 142-94. Men, 149-93.

STANDOUTS

200-yard butterfly

Chloe Gonzalez '25 with a time of 2:15.70.

200-yard freestyle

Jenna Wild '25 with a time of 2:06.50.

Major milestone achieved during Brandeis men's basketball win

By REMI YOUNG JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

■ Brandeis Men's Basketball works hard to top Carnegie Mellon, with Toby Harris hitting a 1,000 Career Point milestone

On Friday, Jan. 24, Brandeis University men's basketball senior Toby Harris '25 etched his name into the record books, becoming the 36th player in University history to reach the 1,000-point career milestone. Harris' achievement came at a crucial moment, helping the Judges secure a 92-76 victory over Carnegie Mellon University in a hard-fought University Athletic Association road matchup.

A Milestone Moment

The milestone came with just 21 seconds remaining in a game where Harris approached the free-throw line. Harris’s 1,000th point was more than a personal accomplishment; it helped to attain a pivotal win for Brandeis, which improved its record to 12-4 overall and 3-2 in UAA play. Harris, who finished the game with 18 points, played an essential role in the Judges' victory, contributing offensively and defensively to the team's gameplay.

The game began with both teams exchanging leads early. Carnegie Mellon built a seven-point lead midway through the first half, but Brandeis quickly responded with three-pointers, including two from Harris. Sam Adusei MA '25 gave the Judges a brief 33-30 lead with just over a minute remaining in the half. The lead changed hands several times, but Brandeis closed the half strong, taking a 49-48 advantage.

After halftime, the Judges came out with renewed energy, starting the second half with a 6-0 run, including two quick buckets by Elias Rodl '26. From that point on, Brandeis never looked back, holding the lead for the remainder of the game. Rodl, who finished with a teamhigh 20 points, played a pivotal role in the second half, scoring 15 points after the break. His performance helped the Judges stretch their lead to double digits at 65-55 with 13:05 left. Harris, who had contributed heavily in the first half, added critical free throws late, including the 1,000th-point free throw that sealed the victory for the Judges.

The Judges’s victory resulted from a balanced offensive effort, with six players reaching double-digit points for the first time this season. Rodl led all scorers with 20 points, while Harris added 18. Adusei chipped in 15 points and a record eight rebounds, and Aedan Using MA '25 performed well, scoring 10 points, eight assists, and four blocked shots. Matthew Cadogan '26 and Ethan Edwards '26 also contributed 10 points apiece.

The Judges shot 52.5% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, hitting 14 of 28 threepointers. On the other hand, Carnegie Mellon struggled in the second half, shooting just 30.6% from the floor and 23.1% from three-point range after a solid first half in which they shot 55.2%.

Toby Harris’s 1,000-point milestone highlights his accomplishments and importance to the team, as he joins a group of elite players. Harris is the first Brandeis player to reach the 1,000-point mark since Collin Sawyer ’21, M'22 in 2022.

Harris's achievement comes in a season that has seen the Judges play some of their best basketball in recent years. Brandeis has won four of its last five road games, a challenging feat for any team.

Box Score Highlights

• Toby Harris: 18 points, 4-of-14 shooting, 3-of-6 from 3-point range, 7-of-7 from the free throw line (including 1,000th point)

• Elias Rodl: 20 points, 9-of-16 shooting, 2-of6 from 3-point range

• Sam Adusei: 15 points, 8 rebounds

• Aedan Using: 10 points, 8 assists, 4 blocks Matthew Cadogan: 10 points

• Ethan Edwards: 10 points

Brandeis 18, NJIT 9

Brandeis 24, Hunter 3

Brandeis 26, Yeshiva 1

Brandeis 16, Stevens 11 NYU 14, Brandeis 13

Brandeis 17, NJIT 10

Brandeis 24, Hunter 3

Brandeis 24, Yeshiva 3

Brandeis 18, Stevens 9 NYU 22, Brandeis 5

Photo courtesy of BRANDEIS ATHLETICS

Graphics courtesy of CANVA and DINA NAIMARK GOLDBERG/The Justice. Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS.

Basketball: Toby Harris reaches 1000 career point milestone.

ATHLETE ALLY

Brandeis Athletes raise awareness around LGBTQ+ rights in college sports.

Brandeis Tron

Brandeis Tron takes on club ultimate team BAG in a grueling match.

Photos: JONAS KAPLIN/The Justice. Design: MARINA ROSENTHAL/The Justice

Photos courtesy of Brandeis Athletics. Design: MARINA ROSENTHAL/The Justice

Sports just

A preview of next Sunday’s Super Bowl

■ A look into what to expect in the NFL’s annual pinnacle matchup, this one being between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

By EZEKIEL BLOOM JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

While the Pro Bowl provided some fun for many National Football League fans, it was ultimately a filler week gearing up to what is regarded as the highly anticipated finale of the season: the Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs have both experienced dominant seasons, but only one squad can reach the pinnacle of the sport. The Chiefs are vying for the unprecedented feat of achieving a three-peat — three consecutive Super Bowl wins — while the Eagles are attempting to win their second-ever Super Bowl for their rabid fanbase, which would be their first since 2017. Let’s focus in on the strengths and weaknesses of these squads and the key factors that may determine who enjoys the opportunity to lift up that Super Bowl trophy next Sunday. The Eagles come into the season’s ultimate matchup with high spirits, thrashing the surprising Washington Commanders and their rookie phenom quarterback Jayden Daniels with a 55-23 victory. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been stellar under center, leading his team to an impressive 14-3 record. Even though this has not been Hurts’ best season from a statistical perspective, he has only thrown for five interceptions in fifteen games and displayed a maturity and poise rivaled by few others in the league. However, it is extremely likely that Hurts will have to match or exceed the play of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes if the Eagles desire to have a chance of succeeding. His primary targets at receiver are standouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who may potentially get free for some major plays later this week. While the Eagles boast a fantastic wideout duo in Brown and Smith, the vast bulk of the Chiefs’ defensive attention will be paid to superstar Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley has had an otherworldly year, gaining 2,005 yards on the ground, which puts him in rarefied air with all-time NFL greats like Eric Dickerson, Adrian Peterson and Barry Sanders. Barkley’s stats solidify him as having rushed for the eighth most yards in a season. Barkley and the Eagles’ offense is not the sole source of their greatness. In reality, their defense may be more impressive. In the regular season, the Eagles’ defense held opponents to the fewest average yards gained a game, as well as allowing the fewest passing yards per

game out of any team. The Eagles boast a variety of defensive stalwarts, from veterans that include the 36-year-old defensive end/ team legend Brandon Graham and 34-year-old cornerback Darius Slay, to 21-year-old rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean and 23-year-old defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Regardless of the wide age range of the defensive side of the ball, the group works extremely cohesively together as a well-oiled machine of a unit. We will see this Sunday if Mahomes can counter against their pressure effectively. However, with all of this considered, the Chiefs are still my preemptive favorites, as they have demonstrated a level of sustained success never before seen in the NFL. This is despite the fact that they gritted and clawed their way to a 32-29 nailbiter win over an extremely difficult competitor in the Buffalo Bills. Armed with their detailed portfolio of recent Super Bowl victories (2019, 2022 and 2023) and an astonishing 15-2 record, they appear almost destined to reach the NFL’s mountaintop yet again. Patrick Mahomes, their superstar quarterback, has had a down year for his standards. But for Mahomes, his down years are dream seasons for the majority of opposing quarterbacks, finishing in the top ten in passing yards and touchdowns. Additionally, with his ample playoff experience, there should not be too much worry about how he will perform with his season on the line next Sunday. It is important to note that the Chiefs keep achieving the impossible, not only due to Mahomes but also with the aid of his impressive supporting cast. Veteran running back Kareem Hunt has given them much-needed support at running back, and rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy was crucial in their American Football Conference Championship victory over the Bills, catching six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. Household name and veteran tight end Travis Kelce has been able to contribute at times this season as well. Defensively, the Chiefs held their opponents to the fourth fewest points per game during the regular season. Hurts better hope that his pass protection holds up against individuals like Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and edge rusher George Karlaftis.

This upcoming Sunday will be a treat — two fantastic teams facing off in a culminating finale after a whirlwind of a season. Whether you are a fan of one of the respective teams or just someone excited for the Kendrick Lamar and SZA halftime show, this Super Bowl will be one to remember. I sincerely hope you all enjoy it!

Game to watch: Super Bowl LIX – Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA. 6:30 p.m. E.T. on Feb. 9, 2025.

BRANDEIS BASKETBALL RECAP

The Justice Editorial Assistant Remi Young '27 covers the recent men's basketball game and point milestone, p. 10.

Athlete Ally at Brandeis University

■ Students launch an Athlete Ally chapter to enhance LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports at Brandeis, raising awareness in and out of the locker room.

By REMI YOUNG JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

A new wave of advocacy is sweeping through Brandeis University. A group of passionate student-athletes has come together to create the University's chapter of the national advocacy group, Athlete Ally. This movement is part of a larger effort to increase LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, especially college athletics.

The Athlete Ally chapter at Brandeis was officially established in October of 2024, and its roots trace back to an experience at the Athlete Activism Summit in summer 2024. Rani Balakrishna '25, a senior on the Brandeis softball team, was invited to attend the summit by Lynn Dempsey, the University's Associate Director of Athletics. The summit, which Adidas, Gatorade and Gillette support, focuses on queer inclusion in sports and provides athletes with strategies for promoting inclusivity within their teams and institutions.

When asked about the summit, Balakrishna shared that it opened "a world of possibilities.” Tufts University, a softball rival, was recognized as the Campus Chapter of the Year after it gained 100 members in one year, which inspired Balakrishna to get more Brandeis athletes on the same page.

The co-founding members of the Brandeis Athlete Ally chapter include Balakrishna, Anna Kolb '25, Fiona Doiron '25 and Jordan Wallace '28 — all from Brandeis Softball — along with Elle Yung '28 from the Track and Field team. These athletes, diverse in both sport and background, share a common mission: to challenge the systemic issues of homophobia and transphobia that continue to permeate college athletics and beyond.

Yung credited Brandeis for its work so far, saying, "[I] give Brandeis a lot of credit because of how open and inclusive the athlet-

ics are," but both Balakrishna and Yung say that there is still a lot of work to be done.

With the Brandeis chapter up and running, the team is focused on establishing lasting traditions to benefit future student-athlete generations. One of their primary goals is to host Pride Games, where teams wear pride patches on their jerseys to support the LGBTQ+ community.

"We're working to get probationary status from the Student Union," said Yung. "In the future, I hope we can make Pride Games a Brandeis tradition that athletes look forward to every year, like Homecoming."

The group has already begun planning for the next big event: the Pride Basketball Games on Feb. 7. These games are not just about representation but also about fostering understanding and inclusivity within Brandeis athletics.

"We're working to normalize who people are," said Balakrishna. "We're doing this because some athletes are persecuted and discriminated against for simply being who they are. That has to change."

Yung points to Nikki Hiltz, a non-binary Olympic runner, as a source of inspiration. Yung and Balakrishna emphasize the importance of starting small and seeking a supportive team for students at Brandeis and beyond who are looking to spark change in their own communities.

"One email can change everything," Yung advised. Balakrishna echoed this sentiment: "Start small, but ensure you have a team behind you.” Balakrishna and Yung see their involvement in Athlete Ally as a springboard for future advocacy work. Balakrishna hopes to pursue a career in public service post-graduation, inspired by her experiences on campus, including her role as president of the Student Union. Yung, who plans to research the needs of transgender athletes, is determined to ensure that these athletes are supported in the future.

As the Brandeis Athlete Ally chapter continues to grow, it is clear that their work is just beginning. "We are building something that we hope will last," Balakrishna said. Through their work, they are laying the foundation for growth in the future while also making sure all athletes feel comfortable being their true selves, whether inside or outside the locker room.

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

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JONAS KAPLIN/The Justice.

Waltham, Mass.

67 T h G rammy a wards : w omen dominaT e T he ni G h T

By IYLA LICHTENFELD JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

The Grammys returned this Sunday, Feb. 2 after an impressive year filled with nominees such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX and Cowboy Carter herself, Beyoncé. Evidently, 2024 was the restoration of the “Pop Girl” as we were taken to the “Pink Pony Club” this “Brat Summer” with a much needed resurgence of girl power in the mainstream media.

No one emphasized this more than Charli XCX who came back into the limelight after a decade of critical, though not commercial, success. Her album “Brat” was nominated for seven Grammys winning “Best Dance/Electronic Album” and her song “Von Dutch” winning “Best Pop Dance Recording.”At the live show she performed “360” and “Guess,” bringing a party atmosphere to the venue. Overall, her display of musicality and brand proved Charli XCX to be an authentically inauthentic pop-star who shares her deepest emotions to the backdrop of perfectly crafted synthetic loops and autotune.

Perhaps a companion to “Brat’s” confidence is Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” Her meteoric introduction to fame, and transparent difficulties with it, made her music all the more a representation of embracing one’s personal convictions. Nominated for six Grammys, Roan performed the hit “Pink Pony Club” in cowgirl regalia atop a giant horse surrounded by rodeo clowns. A stunning feature of the song’s live performance was when Roan reached the song’s bridge and encouraged the audience to “Sing it!” The chorus of voices joining Roan and the comradery the song made it feel all the more special as the Midwest Princess won the coveted “Best New Artist” award shortly thereafter. Importantly, Roan’s acceptance speech brought to light issues of oppressive record labels and their refusal to provide health insurance and livable wages to up and coming artists. Her own candor about joining the in -

NOVEL NOTIONS

dustry at 17 and being dropped with no alternative job experience showed that artist health deserves to be prioritized just as in any other career with the benefits of insurance.

Another newcomer to the Grammys, Sabrina Carpenter gained six nominations with two wins for “Best Pop Solo Performance” and “Best Pop Vocal Album” for the deliciously caffeinated “Short N’ Sweet.” Proving her performance abilities, she sang “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” in a style reminiscent of 1950s studio musicals with a touch of slapstick humor.

Unsurprisingly, Beyoncé was the star of the show with 11 nominations for her album “Cowboy Carter.” This marked a milestone as she reached 99 career nominations, making Beyoncé the most nominated and awarded artist ever in Grammy history. She continually showed herself to be an intellectual cultural-power-house, winning “Best Country Album” and “Album of the Year.” This was among nominations across genre lines from Americana to melodic rap.

Another artist challenging the bounds of sonic expectations is Doechii. The astounding rapper won “Best Rap Album,” only the third woman to do so, for “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” a retrospective on her life as the Swamp Queen of Tampa, Florida. A highlight of the evening was her performance of “Denial is a River” which has grown in popularity on TikTok thanks to its exaggerated breathing exercise and intriguing narrative.

Lastly, with seven nominations, Billie Eilish went home empty handed. Though her melodious belting for her performance of “Birds of a Feather” at the start of the show was sentimentally set against a backdrop of the Los Angeles’ mountains to honor her hometown. This was one of many tributes to those impacted by the recent wildfires including Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ rendition of “California Dreaming” and host Trevor Noah prompting viewers to

donate to “MusiCares Fire Relief Fund” giving aid to music professionals impacted by the wildfires. All in all, centering the show on philanthropy made the evening spectacularly emotional and a genuine celebration of music in Los Angeles and beyond.

C ar C eral poetry : a de C laration of agen C y

By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE EDITOR

“yes. there is darkness. okay?”

Let that sit. okay?

I realize this feels awfully bleak — especially considering it is the final line of a poem. The last thought left with us as readers. Why would anyone want to cope with that?

The genre of prison writing negotiates a unique, potentially precarious, relationship between the author and the audience. It is no secret that within this specific genre, the audience possesses more social and political capital than the authors. With the prison system stripping incarcerated individuals of many of their legal rights and subjecting them to social death, writing is one of the most accessible mechanisms to assert one’s humanity and validity to the “outside” world. Public favor of an incarcerated individual’s writing is essential.

As readers, we delve into prison anthologies, memoirs and art with the expectation that we may understand something deeper about the carceral experience. An example of this is Matthew Mendoza’s “What’s Prison Like?” in which an outsider repeatedly requests three shackled prisoners to describe the experience of incarceration. In addition to the expectation of answers, there is a hope that these works will affirm that human beings can triumph over oppression. In the anthology “Inside This Place, Not of It,” each individual’s story concludes with an uplifting sentiment about how they improved their mindsets and lives despite incarceration. As these works continue to validate our emotions and curiosity surrounding incarceration, we continue paying closer attention to them, thus fueling and supporting the genre of prison writing. This then begs the question, must prison writers cater their works to appease the world’s thoughts and emotions and, in turn, regain relevance?

Formerly incarcerated writers Carolyn Baxter and Randall Horton suggest otherwise. Both poets experiment with various visual and conceptual components of their works, thus obscuring the true message of their poems. In her collection of works, “Prison Solitary and Other Free Government Services,” Baxter frequently employs fragmentation, line breaks and literary devices such as metaphors and personification to animate her experiences of imprisonment and femininity. Similarly, Horton’s “{#289-128}” manipulates spacing and visual effects to illustrate incarceration’s increasing toll on a person’s mental and physical self. At their core, these poems still negotiate experiences similar to those recounted in other works. However, the artistic liberties taken by Baxter and Horton plant seeds of uncertainty and confusion within their audience’s mind, thus subverting the innate power dynamic between prison authors and readers. Through their poetry’s experimental and surrealist nature, Baxter and Horton invite the audience to serve as spectators to their complex, indescribable experiences of imprisonment while maintaining their authority as authors.

A prominent commonality between Baxter and Horton’s

writing styles is their use of fragmentation and manipulation of spacing. Though these techniques create individual effects unique to the content of each author’s poetry, they generally complicate the pacing and meaning of the poems, exacerbating tension and uncertainty for the reader. In one of the earlier poems within Baxter’s anthology, “Lower Court,” she consistently toys with the reader’s understanding of the text with various line breaks and fragmented phrases. The piece is narrated in the third person, thus automatically suggesting a voyeuristic quality to the text. The first couple of lines provide a surreal description of a woman with a “switchblade [...] .22 automatic, a few shells, crumpled one dollar bills, some change” falling out of her mouth. Already, the imagery within this poem obscures the event’s true nature. However, as Baxter allows the reader to gain more clarity, she also increases the drama of the work. In the following line, Baxter includes a sizable gap between moments when “her pimp steps in,” “slaps her” and “see jugular”. Her manipulation of spacing in this moment intensifies the impact of the poem’s events on the reader. We are forced to wait, sit with the concept of a “pimp,” sit with the “slap.” Baxter takes control of the audience’s mind, meticulously crafting our experience reading her poetry. As the piece continues, she continues to employ such techniques, most notably in the third stanza, isolating the phrase “the light dim / in the courtroom,” before describing how the woman’s body turns into a projector. The imagery of the woman’s body as a vessel of this poem suggests themes of how the justice system can take everything from a woman or the toll incarceration places on womanhood. It is additionally notable that Baxter does not merely manipulate the pacing of her poetry. Baxter interrupts the narration set within the courtroom and brings the audience to “another nite.” The unpredictability of Baxter’s poetry, in terms of language and presentation, draws the reader’s attention while refusing to deliver a clear meaning. This poem’s literal and conceptual fragmentation transforms Baxter’s audience from individuals with the power to rehumanize someone into mere spectators attempting to interpret indescribable and complex experiences of womanhood and imprisonment. Horton accomplishes a similar effect and control over his audience within his poem “: The Making of {#289-128} in Five Parts.” Like many other works within the genre of prison writing, this poem negotiates the psychological toll incarceration gradually places on one’s being. The poem begins by describing how one will be locked up as a result of imprisonment. However, in order to provide further imagery, Horton includes two line breaks that isolate the words “a beetle” and “in a darlingtonia.” The emphasis on this description complicates the reader’s understanding of what imprisonment means for someone. Horton’s shift from simply “you will be arrested & sequestered” to such a specific metaphor challenges the reader to make a deeper effort to understand the text. An incarcerated individual is not merely locked up but defenseless and trapped

in an environment meant to break them down. As the poem continues, Horton continues to play with pacing and the reader’s emotions through visual effects such as writing “day/month/year” to demonstrate how time blends in with itself and “you wait &... wait—” to illustrate how it simultaneously drags on. These artistic techniques exacerbate the emotional toll the poem places on the reader while also navigating the toll it places on incarcerated individuals. We are not left with a work that illustrates the realities of the carceral system while demonstrating a human ability to triumph over such adversity. Rather, Horton’s poem leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty or discomfort surrounding the experience of incarceration. As the poem continues, Horton utilizes more line breaks, slowing down the reader’s thought process and thus forcing us to contend with the prospect of becoming just a number, “{#289-128} / a nonbeing.”

Horton further challenges his readers’ expectations in his subsequent work, “: Sorry This Not That Poem.” Though this poem does not include fragmentation like the aforementioned pieces, Horton experiments with grammar and imagery to explore his own emotions relating to incarceration and refute the reader’s expectations that his writing will placate their own emotions. The poem starts with beautiful naturalistic imagery, describing flowers, the rising sun, “air fragrant with lavender,” etcetera. This leads the reader into a false sense of security surrounding the subject matter and tone of the poem. However, Horton quickly crushes this expectation with the line, “yes, deceit comes to mind— / .a lie. traitor. turncoat. recreant.” Similar to the manipulation of spacing in the earlier poems, this unconventional use of periods disrupts the poem’s flow and increases the impact of each word on the reader. Later, Horton writes, “this is not that poem nor am i / that poet to hold your hand / .or. erase knothole screams / blood on a cement floor .or. / suicide is another form of escape”. Using periods surrounding each “or” helps distinguish the following phrases. Already graphic imagery, such as “knothole screams” and “blood on a cement floor,” are dramatized by the break preceding them. Horton’s manipulation of grammar does not spare the reader any of the horrors he himself had to experience.

Carolyn Baxter and Randall Horton’s unique styles of writing implore their audience to relinquish control to the texts. They toy with the audience’s understanding and emotions, creating a potential uncertainty that never truly gets satisfied. As such, their writings suggest both an internal and external dynamic of prison writing. On the one hand, the psychological toll placed on an incarcerated individual is messy, never-ending and unsatisfying. However, they do not attempt to sugar-coat this toll for their audiences in the hope of creating a more appealing work. Through the artistic liberties taken in their poetry, Baxter and Horton compel their audience to be spectators to their experiences while refusing to cede their authority or voice to the audience.

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