September 26, 2019, Vol. 90 Issue 2 by MCLA Beacon

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Thursday, September 26, 2019

Trustees Discuss Renovations

Volume 90 • Issue 2

President’s Fall 2019 Ice Cream Social and Club Fair

Board Mulls $30 Million Project for Eldridge, Mark Hopkins BY BRIAN RHODES STAFF WRITER Last Thursday, Sept. 19, MCLA’s Board of Trustees discussed a potential renovation project for Mark Hopkins and Eldridge Hall. The “Connector” project, as described by Trustee Susan Gold and President James Birge, would bring significant upgrades to both Mark Hopkins and Eldrige and create a connecting building between the two. According to Gold, the approximated cost of the project currently stands at $30 million. Gold said that MCLA would raise $5 million of the estimated cost, with the College requesting the

remaining funds from the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), a state body that oversees building projects for state colleges. “To improve the chances of receiving funds, MCLA will need to match a portion [of funding],” Gold said in the meeting. The board unanimously approved the use of up to $1.5 million of MCLA’s reserve funds to support the $5 million the College would need to raise. Birge said they were still not clear where the remaining $3.5 million would come from. “We’re approaching a couple of

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PHOTO BY JAKE VITALI

Celia Norcross, assistant dean of students, (center) and Catherine Holbrook, vice president of student affairs, (right) helped serve cold treats for students Thursday, Sept. 19, surrounded by campus clubs.

New Cell Tower to Boost Signal for Verizon Users BY NATHAN BIRON SENIOR NEWS EDITOR Verizon is nearing completion of the installation of a cell tower on the roof of the Amsler Campus Center which will improve Verizon cell service in the area. The installation will be scheduled for completio by the end of this week. Seth Bean, administrator of networks and telecommunications, is very pleased to have a better system put in on campus. “Three years ago, I tried approaching several cell phone companies to see if there was interest in putting a cell tower or some solution,” Bean said. “The cell phone coverage will be taking it in from the outside and bringing it inside.” “The current cell coverage on campus is pretty poor considering the location and where the towers are already,” he continued. “The improved coverage not only will help the students and faculty for their cell service, but the service available for emergency responses.” Bean also mentioned that the cell phone system coverage in place at the

PHOTO BY NICHOLAS WEBB

MCLA’s new Verizon Cell tower, located on the roof of the Amsler Campus Center, should greatly boost cellular service for all their users moment needs to be maintained constantly and has very limited range. Before the MCLA tower project, cell phone signals were weak because of a hill behind Berkshire Towers blocking a signal from a

tower on the western summit on Route 2. Ian Bergeron, associate dean of information technology, was also in connection with the planning on this project. “The addition of this new

tower is basically bringing the outside reception inside,” Bergeron said. “We had bid this out to other services including Sprint, AT&T and all had turned it down, Verizon seemed like the only ones who wanted

to participate.” Bergeron added that MCLA will not be paying for any of the installation fees or annual repairs. Bean also elaborated on the fact that Verizon was the only company to respond and want to be involved on campus. “Verizon made it very clear that the only way they would get involved is if there was a full scale project on the property,” Bean said. “The only downside to the project is the cell tower will only benefit phones who’s carrier is Verizon,” he explained. “Which means people who have Sprint, AT&T will not get any changes in their cell one service.” With the system only having capabilities to boost Verizon users, there was no mention of possible outlets for other cell carriers on campus. “Since the service is so bad, most students have to use Wi-Fi calling on their phones but even then the internet can be an issue as well depending on your location,” Bean said. Bergeron is also looking

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MacDonald-Dennis Talks Diversity With SGA BY NATHAN BIRON SENIOR NEWS EDITOR On Monday, SGA discussed upcoming elections and Chirstpoher Mac-Donald Dennis’s DEI presentation. The SGA elections were the main focus of the night place. There are 11 new candidates running for positions. Last year, SGA had a difficult time getting students to run in the elections. President Dean Little ’21 is thrilled to have more students wanting to be a part of SGA. “It will be good to have those positions filled and to see that people want to be a part of SGA,” Little said. He also mentioned that since there are only a few senators on SGA, there are more students running to help out and get more organized. “Having more people on the senator spots, there will be more involvement with the clubs,” Little added. “There will be more weekly discussions on what the clubs need and what could be fixed or changed for the future classes at MCLA.” Last semester. the SGA

operating budget was affected by salary changes which now has forced SGA to budget their money more precisely. Chief Diversity Officer Christopher MacDonald-Dennis, who was also in attendance as the guest speaker for the evening, had a PowerPoint presentation on diversity, equity, and inclusion at MCLA. The main goal of the presentation was to educate and connect with students more. “My main concern was that in the past, I have not connected with students so much so now it is one of my top priorities to talk and connect more with our students,” MacDonald-Dennis said. “People are much more honest here than where I was before.” MacDonald-Dennis also mentioned that he would like to take some students onto his advisory board. “I want to become more accessible with everyone and be more closer with students to help them more efficiently,” he continued. The past initiatives that were in place that didnt work out was the “Equity Action Plan.” MacDon-

ald-Dennis also added that the reason why these initiatives don’t work is due to the fact they aren’t institutionalized. Little liked the idea of having SGA work with the department. There will be a follow up meeting at SGA with MacDonald-Dennis about this initiative and where to go to get more information. Student Trustee Jake Vitali had recently attended the Board of Trustees meeting which discussed future renovations and improvements to the campus. One of which is the update on the fitness center that will not be complete until May 2020. Vitali also mentioned that the trustees wanted to fix Mark Hopkins, Eldridge Hall, and a few other small buildings. “The trustees estimated that the cost of the renovations for all their plans would be around 30 million,” Vitali said. SGA would also like to have people come down to vote at their elections. The primaries are starting Thursday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tables will be set up in the marketplace.

10th Annual Fall Community Day of Service this Saturday BY COREY MITCHELL-LABRIE MANAGING EDITOR This Saturday, Sept. 28, marks the Fall Community Day of Service’s 10th year in operation and shows no signs of stopping. Originally taking place only once a year in the spring, this past spring marking its 27th, it was decided between MCLA, the mayor of North Adams, and various community partners that Community Days of Service would be extended to the fall as well. After a few opening remarks, volunteers are sent across North Adams for their projects. Typically, these projects include planting trees in varying sites around the city, services for the Berkshire Food Project like taking inventory or washing dishes, and forming clean-up crews for areas around Windsor Lake and the surrounding forest. Organizing the activities for the day has been a regular part of MCLA’s Volunteer Center working in close coordination with Christopher Hantman, coordinator for civic engagement and volunteer programs, and Spencer Moser, director for civic engagement and volunteer programs. In the past, both have enthusiastically encouraged members of MCLA to join them in the day’s events and to improve the lives of North Adams

community as a whole. Consistently, the volunteer center works with community partners around the Berkshires to have a successful and productive day. In the past, MCLA has worked alongside Louison House, the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, the UNO Community Center and Habitat for Humanity for a myriad of different tasks volunteers can dig into. Over the past few years, the event has consistently had over 100 participants including students, faculty and residents of North Adams. Mayor Tom Bernard and President James Birge are both influential and expected participants in the event. Students have reacted very positively towards the Community Days of Service with representatives and volunteer groups forming from clubs, athletic teams, and the greek life houses. Transportation is provided for the event and afterwards Hantman mentioned in an email that, “This year, instead of having pizza back in Venable Gym, we will be shuttling people up to Fish pond after service, to partake in Black Student Unions BBQ event! The shuttle will be available to bring people back as well!” Participants can register online through the MCLA Volunteer Center’s Facebook page or simply walk into the opening breakfast set to begin at 8:30 a.m. in Venable Gym.

PHOTO BY NATHAN BIRON

Christopher MacDonald-Dennis explans to SGA and the board about his future plans and wanting to connect closerto students.

Women’s Center Looks to Curb Low Attendance BY NATALIA GIACOMOZZI STAFF WRITER The Women’s Center, located on the third floor of the Campus Center, held its first Women’s Center Wednesday with Coffee and Conversation of the semester Wednesday, Sept. 25. The Center invited Celia Norcross, assistant dean of students and interim student conduct coordinator, to talk with students and give them advice on juggling work, family, and balance. Norcross, who served on the Women’s Center Board during her first years at MCLA, appreciates what the Women’s Center stands for and values in relation to the College. “I deeply value its connection to the college mission.” Norcross said in an email. Unlike previous semesters, this event will occur on a monthly basis due to low attendance, according to Amanda Beckwith, the coordinator of the Women’s Center and the Identity & Gender Equality Resource Center (IGE). “It used to be weekly, now it is monthly to try to grow more attendance and make it a little more special,” Beckwith explained. According to Beckwith, the idea of holding this tradition came from a former student ap-

proximately four years ago. Along with a decline in event attendance, the Women’s Center is also experiencing a shortage in students with work study. “Each year is a little slow to fill some work study positions,” Beckwith said. She is hopeful that more students will reach out once they are accustomed to their class schedules. In attempting to solve the issue of low attendance, the Women’s Center announced several fall events at its annual open house Wednesday, Sept. 18. Madison Longley ‘23, an attendee of the open house, plans on utilizing the Women’s Center and its resources in the near future. “I’m a feminist, so I am a big believer in the Women’s Center,” Longley said. The Women’s Center started off the semester with a co-sponsored movie night with the Identity and Gender Equality Center (IGE) and the Freel Library, screening “Fire & Flood: Queer Resilience in the Era of Climate Change” Friday, Sept. 20. Unfortunately, only two students came to the movie night. Beckwith said in an email that

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Sept. 26, 2019

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MCLA’s Alumni and Homecoming Weekend is Coming Oct. 4-6 BY TESSA SESTITO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MCLA will host its annual Alumni and Homecoming Weekend next weekend for three days, starting festivities Oct. 4 and concluding Oct. 6. “[The purpose of this weekend is] to bring alumni back to the place where it all started – MCLA,” said Kate Gigliotti, director of alumni engagement and donor relations, in an email. “I hope that we create an opportunity for alumni to reconnect with the MCLA community and have fun.” According to Gigliotti, this year’s Homecoming Weekend already has over 240 alumni signed up to attend, surpassing last year’s attendance of 100. “This year, we’re offering more programming during the weekend,” Gigliotti continued. “We plan a variety of events to appeal to alumni – yoga, book talks, karaoke, live WJJW radio show, an art walk of downtown’s murals, alumni baseball and softball games – as well as a Distinguished Alumni Award program, Women’s Soccer game, and the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction. This year, we will also honor recently deceased alumnus and former

MCLA alumni and students will have a chance to mingle during homecoming weekend Oct. 4-6. athletic director, Joseph Zavattaro, in a celebration of life.” MCLA’s alumni network is extensive, according to Gigliotti, with “over 19,000 alumni in every state as well as internationally.” “This [weekend] is an opportunity for students and alumni to mingle in an informal setting,” Gigliotti stated in an email. “We’ve hosted more formal events – the September networking program for example – but Homecoming Weekend

is just a fun series of events for students to connect with alumni on campus.” “We work closely with Career Development to help identify alumni who can hire our students both after graduation and through internships and other placements,” she explained. The alumni network is also prevalent on campus, with approximately 95 of them as faculty and staff currently working at the College. Out of MCLA’s graduates,

93% are hired or enrolled in graduate school within six months post-graduation. “That’s a pretty impressive statistic, and alumni are committed to supporting current students through that process,” Gigliotti added. According to Gigliotti, last year was the first year in a long time that the weekend was hosted and the College hopes to make it a tradition. Gigliotti added that the College celebrating its

125th anniversary only “adds to the celebratory nature of the weekend!” “We’ll be honoring our history by partnering with the Freel Library Archives,” she said. “Kate Flower will be pulling items from the College’s history from the archives to display throughout the weekend.” Alums have also continued to show their support for the institution through their philanthropy. According to Gigliotti, for the fiscal year ending in June 2019, 940 alumni made contributions to the College. “This is a significant increase from the previous year,” she explained. “Alumni also are very supportive of the College in non-financial ways as well – providing internships, mentoring students, serving as volunteers. These contributions are significant and directly impact students in tangible ways.” Gigliotti emphasized that the weekend’s events aren’t just for alumni, but also for students. Current students are invited to attend Homecoming Weekend activities. Advance registration is appreciated, but not required to attend. https://alumni. mcla.edu/fy20-homecom-

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IGE Kicks Off Year with Lavender Reception BY TAYLOR SCARVER STAFF WRITER

On September 19th, 2019, IGE held a Lavender Reception where those a part of the LGBTQ+ community came together to reintroduce IGE and its clubs to the MCLA community, learn about what they do and upcoming events the resource center is putting on. The reception was held in

Murdock 218 and food was served as students, faculty and administrators conversed throughout the room. The event was led by Chief Diversity Officer Chris MacDonald-Dennis and Women’s Center and IGE coordinator Amanda Beckwith. Student Lily Broman opened up the meeting with an introduction to the club and its members. Broman has been with

PHOTO BY TAYLOR SCARVER

Lily Broman ‘20, lead office assistant in the IGE department sits down to chat about her experinces working in that department.

IGE since her freshman year and IGE’s start in Fall of 2016. Beckwith began setting up the club in summer of 2016 and Broman has dedicated her time to IGE throughout her college career to help build the center along with others. She is now the Lead Office Assistant of the resource center, helping students daily that come into the office wanting to volunteer or are looking for support. IGE has many upcoming events such as a movie night screening of “Were the World Mine” on September 27th, and many more awareness and learning events throughout October. National Coming Out Day is October 11, 2019 and IGE will be tabling from 11am to 2pm to celebrate. For 2018’s National Coming Out Day, the resource center set up a doorway next to their table to help students be fulfilled with the idea of coming out. On Tuesday, October 1, the resource center is tabling in the Campus Center Marketplace to encourage students to learn about milestones in the LGBTQ+ history. The Identity and Gender Equality Resource Center supports students who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community by creating a safe space to speak with others and talk about how to

overcome personal or community-based issues regarding gender, sexual and romantic identities. While also the MCLA Women’s Volleyball Coach, Amanda Beckwith is the coordinator of the Women’s Center and IGE. “Student Affairs Resource Center us home to 2 clubs, QSU (Queer Student Union) and TAG (Transgender Affinity Group). IGE is run by 7 people, who are all work study students who are working hard to create a safe space for students.”“What we do is we get out into the community and try to educate everybody. That’s why we have things like the Lavender Reception to get people talking about LGBTQIA+ stuff.” said Broman. “I wish I had something like this when I was a student. It’s a great way to build community between students, faculty and staff.” said Dayne Wahl ’09. Dayne graduated from MCLA in 2009 and is now an Assistant Director of Admission in MCLA’s Admissions Office. To get involved with IGE and the clubs a part of it, email Amanda Beckwith to be able to help volunteer with events or suggest any events that could benefit IGE. Queer Student Union meets Thursdays at 7:30 and the Trans Affinity Group meets every other Thursday at 8:30.

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Sept. 26, 2019

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Greta Thunberg Admonishes Leaders as U.N. Climate Summit Fails to Deliver Action BY TONY BARBOZA STAFF WRITER LOS ANGELES TIMES UNITED NATIONS — Dozens of world leaders touted their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the United Nations Climate Action Summit on Monday, but they were largely upstaged by youth activists angry at officials for not doing enough to prevent a catastrophic heating of the planet. The summit failed to produce new commitments from the world’s largest countries to cut carbon pollution. As it got underway, 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg delivered a blunt and emotional speech excoriating leaders for their “empty words” and insufficient steps to drive down emissions while temperatures continue to rise. “We are in the beginning of a mass extinction. And all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you,” Thunberg added. “If you choose to fail us, I say we will never forgive you. The gathering came at a critical time, as climate change accelerates and its impacts hit harder than expected with deadly heat waves, rising seas and more intense and destructive fires, ranging from the Amazon to California. At the same time, President Trump and other world leaders have backed away from climate action and also worked to encourage more oil and gas extraction, coal mining, clearing of tropical forests and looser

pollution limits for automobiles. While organizers had pitched the gathering as a display of momentum to counter U.S. inaction, a series of largely incremental announcements from presidents, prime ministers and corporate executives on Monday appeared to dash those hopes. Some 70 small and medium-sized countries, a minority of the nearly 200 that are part of the Paris agreement, pledged to boost their pollution reduction targets beyond what they agreed to under the landmark 2015 pact. Dozens more promised to slash emissions to carbon-neutral levels over the long term. Other leaders pledged to set aside billions in climate funding for developing countries. There were commitments to shift away from coal and to get to net-zero emissions from shipping, cement production and other heavy industries. But none of the major economies most responsible for global warming delivered new plans to cut carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to ramp up his nation’s adoption of renewable energy, but did not mention any changes in India’s reliance on coal, the overwhelming contributor to its carbon emissions. The country currently emitting the most greenhouse gases, China, also disappointed many at the summit by sending a representative who said the country would meet its Paris pledge but detailed no plans to

update it with more ambitious targets next year. “The withdrawal of certain parties will not shake the will of the international community,” said Wang Yi, state councilor and special representative of President Xi Jinping, alluding to Trump’s intention to pull out of the Paris agreement. Laurence Tubiana, a French economist who was a key negotiator of the 2015 Paris agreement and heads the European Climate Foundation, found a measure of progress at Monday’s summit in the growing ranks of countries and companies pledging to move toward a carbon-free economy. But political leaders’ response to youth protesters “is so weak that I am distressed,” she said. “Their response is ‘we are listening,’ but I think they are tone deaf.” The summit took place at a United Nations complex that was awash with symbols of environmental action. Commemorative mugs with the U.N. logo said “Go Green,” and water was sold in small paper boxes instead of plastic bottles. An art installation of pollution pods allowed visitors to feel what it’s like to breathe the air in some of the world’s most polluted cities. Despite a number of promising pledges, the gathering clearly fell short of the outpouring of decisive action U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had sought. “Young people, rightly fearful for their futures, have called this moment a line in the sand, the moment for lead-

ers to unite behind the science,” said Christiana Figueres, former executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. “We saw some progress today, but most governments are still in the paradigm of incrementalism.” In one indication of the frayed state of leadership, several world powers were absent from the summit stage, including Brazil, Australia and Japan. Guterres had asked leaders “not to come with fancy speeches, but with concrete commitments,” and had offered speaking time only to those countries taking the most ambitious actions in line with the science, which dictates a 45% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by midcentury to stave off catastrophe. “It is my obligation, our obligation to do everything to stop the climate crisis before it stops us,” Guterres told world leaders at the opening of the summit. By the end of the day, he had declared the summit a success, at least in showing signs of momentum. “Action by action, the tide is turning,” Guterres said. The lack of participation by the United States, the world’s largest economy and the one responsible for spewing the most planet-warming emissions over time, was a major setback. Trump made a brief, unexpected appearance at the summit. He did not speak, but listened to remarks from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and and India’s Modi. Former New York Mayor and U.N. special envoy for climate action Michael R. Bloomberg thanked Trump for his attendance. “Hopefully, our discussions here will be useful for you when you formulate climate policy,” he said, prompting laughter and applause. Trump quickly departed to host a smaller event focused on religious freedom. Asked during another meeting later in the day why he had stopped by the climate summit, he gave a puzzling explanation. “I believe in clean air and clean water. Very simple,” he said. “We have the cleanest air, we have the cleanest water, cleaner than it’s ever been before in our country.” In the latest sign of the gravity of the problem, the U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization released a new report Sunday showing an acceleration of global warming, sea level rise and the carbon emissions driving them. The report found that 2015 to 2019 is on track to be the hottest such period on record. Temperatures are already 1.1 degrees Celsius

higher than in preindustrial times, with no peak in emissions in sight. The 2015 Paris agreement aims to keep global warming “well below” 2 degrees Celsius, and within 1.5 degrees if possible, to avert the most devastating effects of climate change. But without dramatically stronger action to slash emissions, the planet is likely to warm a disastrous 3 degrees or more. The gathering revealed the gulf between young people and government leaders on the breadth and urgency of the problem. “World leaders failed to show that they fully understand the crisis and that they stand with young people around the world calling for stronger climate action right now,” said Jake Schmidt, managing director of the international program at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Their words must be followed by deeds.” For now, that means attention will shift to what more than 100 nations decide to do by next year, when countries face a deadline to set more ambitious targets than the modest ones they agreed to in Paris. Youth activists wasted no time in pursuing other tactics. After her remarks Thunberg, with fifteen other young people, filed a formal U.N. complaint against five of the world’s most powerful countries, alleging the nations’ failure to tackle climate change is a violation of their rights as children. “After students have been striking we still haven’t gotten the sufficient action we need, so we are going to the next step,” said Alexandria Villaseñor, 14, of New York, who became a climate activist after experiencing heavy smoke from the Paradise fire that inflamed her asthma while she was visiting family in Northern California. The failure to make a breakthrough at the summit may also mark only the beginning of a more enduring climate fight, with its center outside of the halls of power. Activists staged protests Monday outside the U.N., with some unfurling colorful banners criticizing the involvement of oil companies. Washington, D.C., climate action demonstrators shut down several intersections, with some chaining themselves to a boat. Demonstrators also blocked traffic in Hollywood. More youth-led protests are planned for this Friday, making it clear their push to hold officials accountable will not end soon. Times staff writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report.

Features

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Street Law Series

Students Learn Stop and Frisk Law BY LISE MANSARAY FEATURES WRITER Public defender Arnie Lucinda Stewart spoke to MCLA students and staff Monday, Sept. 23, on “Stop and Frisk” in an interactive and educational discussion. “It’s like Maya Angelou said, ‘If you know better, you do better,’” said Stewart. Stewart is one of six speakers who are a part of the week-long Street Law Series event. The purpose is to inform students on important and relevant issues in our world today, while giving students the chance to develop and practice leadership skills. “It’s just a nice opportunity for students to students to meet with professionals on a personal level,” said Theresa O’Bryant, Dean of Student Success and Engagement. “Some of our students may have an interest working in these fields and this gives them an opportunity like now you know a lawyer.” O’Bryant, along with Chief Diversity Officer Christopher MacDonald-Dennis, organized the event. MacDonaldDennis believes it is important to bring these kinds of discussions to campus. “I think what’s nice about this is that we have so many years of experience working with students and are always hearing what kind of things students come to us with,” MacDonald-Dennis said. “It’s about educating our student community but also all of too. It’s really important to learn about this kind of stuff when we are in a public institution.” During Stewart’s discussion, she shared her experience about what led her to her current field. “I started off as a police officer in a city up grew up in,” Stewart said. “I don’t know if I mentioned this already

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THERESA O’BRYANT

This series was organized in direct response to students interest in activism and law. Students are provided with pocket-sized U.S Consitutions at the close of each speakers lecture to keep. but my nickname in the streets was Harriet Tubman because I freed more people than I arrested.” Attending law school in 1984 and becoming a public defender in 1997, she focused on the importance of good people being in power and how that

can contribute to battling injustice in our law enforcement. “Remember always to use your power for good,” she said. In addition to her advice, Stewart’s session on “Stop and Frisk” informed the audience on knowing their rights

and appropriate questions to ask when dealing with law enforcement. Stewart illustrated the importance of these discussions through modern-day examples such as a scene from the 2017 movie, “Get Out.” She referenced when the main black character is unjustly questioned by police. Although it is a movie, Stewart made a point that the scene is a close reference to real-life incidents. Stewart’s discussion also spoke on issues surrounding our current political climate and racial profiling. “There is 100 percent injustice in the law and in the current political climate,” Stewart said. “We have a leader who promotes racist injustice.” Stewart said she continues to try her best to prevent issues of injustice in her field of work and encourages others who plan on working in law to do the same. “One thing you can do is challenge injustice as you see them,” Stewart said. “You challenge laws, you also challenge behaviors and the system. Allowing you to chip away at this system one case at a time.” This week also featured talks from Rahsaan Hall, Director of the Racial Justice Program for the American Civil Liberties Union on Massachusetts, on “Criminal Justice Reform and Voting Rights” Tuesday, Sept. 24, and Sara Lowry, an attorney for the U.S. committee for refugees and immigrants, with a talk entitled “Immigration” that occurred Wednesday, Sept. 25. Tonight’s talk is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. with Andrea Harrington, the Berkshire County District Attorney, entitled “Prosecutorial and Police Discretion” in Murdock 218. The series will end with a talk entitled “Right to Due Process” Monday, Sept. 30, at 3:30 p.m. with Denise Regan, renowned criminal defense attorney, in Murdock 218.

Issa Jalloh Strives for Medical School BY MAYA MCFADDEN FEATURES EDITOR This summer, Issa Jalloh ’20, a biology major with a pre-medical professions concentration, shadowed Brandon Gilvey, a physician’s assistant (PA) with a specialty in cardiology, from Berkshire Medical Center. “The first few days were awkward but by the end of the month I learned a lot about his personal life and we shared a lot with each other,” Jalloh said. Once he graduates, Jalloh is looking to attend medical school. From this summer experience, he learned that he wants to become a doctor one day. He also intends to shadow an orthopedic surgeon as well for further experience in the medical field. Jalloh was connected with the opportunity by his advisor Ann Billetz, professor of biology. “After the experience, I was able to narrow down my interest,” Jalloh said. During the summer, Jalloh also took three MCLA courses including general physics one and two, and introduction to community and public health. He said his public health course overlapped with much of the biology and anatomy terms used while he shadowed Gilvey. For three days a week, Jalloh said he was able to learn something new every day. He shad-

owed the PA for about four hours each day. While shadowing, Jalloh would listen to the PA’s diagnosis reports for their patients and discuss any observations he made during checkups. “It was really in-depth which I wasn’t expecting,” he said. “I not only learned the medical things but also the little things like how to personally make patients feel more comfortable and respected during check-ups.” Jalloh saw first-hand the many close daily interactions PA’s have with all of the staff members that make up the hospital and by the end of the summer experience, he was able to take away how vital each staff members is to a doctors work. “Even though I am still learning, the doctors treated me with a lot of respect and gave me very useful advice,” Jalloh said. One doctor spoke with Jalloh about how he graduated from college with a history degree. Now a doctor, he advised Jalloh that he has time to seek out many different experiences whether in the medical field or not. This semester Jalloh will be turning a personal experience of his into an academic research project. After suffering from a bacterial foot infection from a soccer injury, he decided he wants to do research on some of the common microorganisms found on soccer fields. The

project combines both his passions: science and soccer. From the summer experience, Jalloh said he learned to be more appreciative of his life. Many of the patients Jalloh interacted with were seniors and had a variety of health issues. “I love to help people but this work also motivates me to make healthy choices for myself,” he said.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ISSA JALLOH

Issa Jalloh (right) with advisor Ann Billetz (left).

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Comedian Lauren Faber to Perform at SAC’s Comedy Show on Sept. 28 BY SABRINA DAMMS A&E WRITER Comedian Lauren Faber will be performing Saturday, Sept. 28, at 8 p.m. in Sullivan Lounge for an event organized by MCLA’s Student Activities Council (SAC), bringing people together for an enjoyable night of laughter and fun. Faber is a well-known openly-queer, female comedian who has performed in festivals including: “Laugh Your Asheville Off,” in Asheville, North Carolina, in 2017; “Highlarious Comedy Festival,” in Seattle, Washington, in 2016; and more recently, “Laughing Skull Comedy Festival,” in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2018; among many others. She also has been a semi-finalist for StandUp NBC and has won the titles of New York City’s “She-Devil,” and Carolina’s “Funniest Comic.” When asked what makes Faber different as a comedian, SAC Entertainment Chair Paula Kingsbury-Evans said in an email, “Lauren identifies as a woman, which already makes her different. It’s hard to find a female-identifying comedian that is also still funny.” Her comedy plays off of sexuality, mental health, and politics. Faber’s website describes her comedy as “thoughtful comedy and storytelling touches on sexuality, mental health, politics and her own very, very bad decisions.” When discussing the topics she cares about professionally to the Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, Faber says she cares about topics that are sensitive.

PHOTO FROM SAC FACEBOOK PAGE

Comedian Lauren Faber is set to perform at SAC’s Comedy Show on Saturday. “But I do it in a way that’s conscious of history, power dynamics, and people who have been historically victimized,” Faber added. “A lot of comics—who often happen to be white men—complain about being forced to be PC. But I think they’re punching down. I think I manage not to do that.”

On top of being a comedian, Faber is a research administration manager in the Duke University Office of Research Support. Until 2019, Faber managed the international development research lab in the Duke University Department of Economics. Faber graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2007 with a BA after double majoring in economics and political science. In 2011 Faber graduated with a Master’s degree in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania. In her bio, Faber writes that she “was raised in a basement by the 90’s comedy specials of Ellen Degeneres, Paula Poundstone and Elvira Kurt,” a clever nod at the fact that when she was a child she would sneak into the basement to watch Ellen DeGeneres on the Tonight Show which she told Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin in 2007. Like Ellen DeGeneres, Faber demonstrates that openly-queer women continue to succeed in the entertainment business. Faber’s comedy could influence future artist, entertainers, or other queer women in other professions the same way Ellen DeGeneres inspired her. “I hope that the audience, specifically students that identify in the LGBTQIA+ community, that it is very much possible for them to become something great,” Kingsbury-Evans said. “Also, I hope that any audience member that is interested in comedy can see that they can also become something great, and they can start by opening for the next comedian we bring!” Lauren Faber will be in the Sullivan Lounge at 8 p.m. Sept. 28. For more information can be found on her website www.laurenfabercomedy.com, or the Lauren Faber YouTube channel.

Berkshire Short Film Fes val Coming to Pi sﬁeld BY JENNIFER VANBRAMER A&E EDITOR The Berkshire Short Film Festival, which showcases 43 short films in 90-minute block periods at both the Berkshire Museum and Berkshire Community College, will be coming to Pittsfield Saturday, Sept. 28. Each film will be under 22 minutes long, with genres ranging from comedies to documentaries, science-fiction to horror, as well as animation to mini-shorts. Jennifer Lyon, founder of the Berkshire Short Film Festival, found the Berkshires to be an excellent location for a film festival. “I used to live closer to New York City and I was looking to start a film festival within the city, but it was really difficult trying to find a venue down there,” Lyon said in a phone interview. “[The Berkshires] is where I grew up and when I was back here I thought ‘wouldn’t this be the ideal place to have a film festival?’” The Festival will feature a “Berkshire Block,” showcas-

ing films shot within Berkshire County, as well as projects made by filmmakers who are from the Berkshires. “I know that for the area there’s so much local pride and it’s such an art-heavy neighborhood,” Lyon said. “Even if you aren’t here physically, I feel like you take that with you. I really wanted that to reflect in the festival.” Other blocks of the Festival will incorporate movies made by filmmakers from all over the world, including submissions from England, the Bahamas, and more. For a filmmaker to get involved, they would have to submit their film and hope that their project is picked. Both the Berkshire Museum and Berkshire Community College will display the same films but at different times, both allowing filmmakers the opportunity to speak and answer audience questions for 30 minutes after their movie is played. “You might see a film and you might find out that that was your neighbor [who] shot it,” Lyon said. “As I talked to everyone to find out if they

would be interested in even going to a film festival, everyone was so excited and they just didn’t realize how many local filmmakers there were. So I think that shining a light on that is something I’m very excited about.” When asked why someone should come to the Festival, Lyon said, “I think we all bond over movies, it’s such a common thread for all of us. No matter where you are or what you’re doing you could turn to the person next to you and [say] ‘Hey! Did you see...?’’ [Watching movies] is just something we all enjoy.” Tickets for the Festival cost $25 for a full day of films with entry into both venues and $10 for one 90-minute block session. To purchase tickets visit their website, www.berkshireshortfilm.com. The Berkshire Short Film Festival begins at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Sept. 28 and will run until 6:30 p.m. An awards ceremony for the filmmakers involved in the Festival will take place at 7 p.m. at Berkshire Community College.

* THURSDAY, SEPT. 26

- DOWNSTREET ART MAIN STREET, NORTH ADAMS 5 TO 8 P.M. - WOMEN OF COLOR KARAOKE NIGHT EMPOWERMENT LOUNGE, VENABLE 7 P.M. - COMEDIAN MONROE MARTIN HI-LO, NORTH ADAMS 8 P.M.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER VANBRAMER

Over 40 films will be shown at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield for the Berkshire Short Film Festival happening on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m.

* FRIDAY, SEPT. 27

- LAUREN FABER COMEDY SULLIVAN LOUNGE 8 P.M.

* SATURDAY, SEPT. 28

- WOMEN’S CENTER TABLING

- IGE MOVIE NIGHT SULLIVAN LOUNGE 7 P.M.

- FALL COMMUNITY DAY OF

*TUESDAY, OCT. 1 FOR BREAST CANCER

SERVICE

AWARENESS MONTH

VENABLE GYM

CAMPUS CENTER MARKETPLACE 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

8:30 A.M. TO 1:30 P.M.

Sept. 26, 2019

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TheOnlineBeacon.com

Gallery 51’s ‘5 Women Artists You Should Know’ Exhibit to Open Tonight BY JENNIFER VANBRAMER A&E EDITOR Gallery 51 will host its opening reception of the show “5 Women Artists You Should Know” tonight, Thursday, Sept. 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibition shines a light on underappreciated regional female artists and raises awareness of their work. The show will feature works from Laura Christensen, Sara Farrell Okamura, Diane Sullivan, Karin Stack, and Galen Cheney. “It’s a show with the concept that female artists have not been given this sort of attention that male artists have been [given] in the past,” Gallery 51 interim Curator Tammara Leminen said in a phone interview. “This is the twenty-first century and this is the generation that that stops being a thing.” “Moving on, that’s not going to be true anymore,” Leminen continued. “Women are going to take their fair share of the sunlight as every-

body else.” A wide range of artwork will be showcased in the exhibit including paintings, photography, and even ceramic work. “These are five women who are local artists and have distinguished themselves very well over the course of their careers,” Leminen said. “They’re from several different forms of artistic media.” Artists like Cheney and Okamura, who are both painters, take on different forms of abstraction. Okamura is more figurative in her work, whereas Cheney is looser. As for Christensen, she is a mixed media assemblage artist who hand-paints and alters Victorian photographs. Conversely, Sullivan creates sculptures and works with other local ceramists in the area. Stack’s work, at first glance looks like landscape photography, but turns out to be hand-created landscape models she photographs. “It’s very interesting and groundbreaking work,” Leminen said. “The women will be

there on hand at the opening and they are just local women you should know!” Leminen had previously worked under former Gallery 51 Curator Arthur De Bow for a year, and is excited to carry this show through that he originally created. When asked why someone should come see the show, Leminen said, “It’s going to be a beautiful show [that gives you the opportunity] to meet the artists. Gallery 51 isn’t just a place you walk through and look at art, it is a genuine classroom where you will learn a lot about art, the art community and everyone that works there will be happy to answer any [kind of] questions you have.” “Gallery 51 looks forward every opening to being a big part of the vibrant North Adams cultural community,” Leminen added. “In terms of this show we [want] to get the idea of gender neutrality, tolerance and respect across.” The opening of Gallery 51’s “5 Women Artists You Should

PHOTO COURTESY OF TAMMARA LEMINEN

“Take a Girl to China,” an oil on canvas painting by artist Galen Cheney. Know” exhibit happens tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown North Adams. The show will be on display until Nov. 23.

“We hope everybody shows up,” Leminen emphasized. “It’s shaping up to be a really exciting show and I’m very happy to be a part of it.”

Sept. 26, 2019

RENOVATION From Page 1

different individuals right now,” he said in the meeting. “Our hope is that we will have people who will help us fund that.” He explained in the past MCLA has used reserve funding for projects such as strategic planning and balancing the budget. After subtracting the $1.5 million for the Connector project, the amount remaining in the reserve fund will be about $10 million. When asked about how reserve funds are handled,

CENTER

From Page 2 the Center hopes “with more advertising, word of mouth, and social media that we will be able to get more people to attend our upcoming events.” With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Center will be tabling in the Marketplace Oct. 1 and Oct. 15. In the past, the Center has handed out cards explaining a breast self-exam, paper ribbons to write on, and a fake breast with bumps of different sizes for people to feel them. “There is a lot of education around it,” Beckwith said. “We partner with Health Services on it.” October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On Oct. 18, the Center will

Birge explained that it “is essentially unrestricted money that the board controls. Every year, when we have surpluses from the operations, those surpluses would then repopulate the reserve fund.” The Connector project comes after the College’s attempt last year to obtain funding for renovations to Mark Hopkins. This proposal, which was denied by DCAMM, would have cost an estimated $15 million and added several new features to Mark Hopkins, including an elevator to the be raising awareness and educating individuals about it in the Marketplace from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In light of the #MeToo Movement, Beckwith believes there is more of an open discussion on domestic violence. “I think we are talking about it more, which breaks the silence around domestic violence and sexual assault,” Beckwith said. Beckwith also thinks it’s important for students to have resources like MCLA Counseling Services and the Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield to confide in about any abuse they are experiencing. Hours for the Center will be posted outside of it, or anyone interesting in finding out more information can email womenscenter@ mcla.edu.

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News

second floor, helping the building become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Larry Behan, vice president of administration and finance, said in an email that along with connecting the two buildings, the project will “address accessibility issues in both buildings, and create spaces for innovation connecting all programs on the MCLA campus and throughout the region.” Paul LeSage, chairperson of the English/Communications department

TheOnlineBeacon.com located in Mark Hopkins, mentioned the need for renovations to the building and the positive impact it would have on the college. “It’s a good idea that you can renovate anything about the campus, including the grammar school my department is in,” LeSage said. “For recruiting we need to renovate our facilities.” Birge shared a similar sentiment, noting that improving Mark Hopkins along with Eldridge Hall, and equipping both with the smart technology pres-

ent in other buildings on campus would have a positive impact on enrollment. “One of the reasons students don’t enroll at the institution is because the conditions of our facilities,” Birge said in the meeting. “That primarily being the facility they don’t like, a 1930’s elementary school that’s never been renovated.” According to Behan, the final proposal submission for the Connector project is due in late December and accepted proposals will be announced in June of 2020.

Woman Chops Victim with Tomahawk, Police Say BY MANUEL GAMIZ JR. THE MORNING CALL A 55-year-old woman was arrested Sunday after she allegedly chopped her friend with a tomahawk, causing a lacerated liver, according to court records. Allentown police said the stabbing happened at 11:35 p.m. Saturday at a party in the apartment of Carol Lofland in the 700 block of Dixon Street. Police learned of the stabbing after they were dispatched to St. Luke’s

ALUMNI

From Page 3 mcla.edu/fy20-homecoming-weekend-registration. “Events are open to students and I’d like to invite each of you to attend at least one event during the weekend!” Gigliotti added. In addition to Homecoming Weekend, the Alumni Office is partnering with Career Development to plan a series of career panels for students.

Check out this week’s episode of Beacon Web News on YouTube or MCLA-TV on Philo!

Hospital in Allentown, where the victim was reportedly dropped off in the emergency room by two friends. The victim had a 2-inch cut on the right side of her chest, police said. The injury lacerated her liver and caused internal bleeding, police said. The victim said she was at a party at Lofland’s apartment. At the party, she got into an argument with another woman and “her friend,” Lofland, hit her with what she described as a “Native Amer-

ican scalpel,” an ax-type edged weapon like a tomahawk, court records say. The victim was taken to the trauma center at St. Luke’s University Hospital for further treatment. Police took Lofland into custody at her apartment. Lofland was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment. She was arraigned by District Judge Michael Faulkner and sent to Lehigh County Jail under $75,000 bail.

“If you’re wondering what types of careers exist within your discipline, I’d invite you to check out one of the panels,” Gigliotti said in an email. “We’ll host more of these on other disciplines this spring.” For students interested in such panels or any upcoming events coming from the Alumni Office, more information can be found at https://alumni. mcla.edu/event-calendar.

CELL TOWER From Page 1

use Wi-Fi calling on their phones but even then the internet can be an issue as well depending on your location,” Bean said. Bergeron is also looking forward to new things that could be added to the campus. “I hope that this cell tower project will improve our communications with Verizon and hopefully we could get some better internet or something else down the line,” Bergeron said.

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Sports

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Men’s Soccer

Team Remains Hopeful Despite Recent Losses

MCLA (6), SUNY Delhi (3) Sept. 17

@ Northern Vermont-Johnson Sept. 28, 1:00 p.m. @ Northern Vermont-Lyndon 12:00 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball

MCLA (3), New England College (2)

PHOTO BY COREY MITHCELL-LABRIE

Jason Yanes ‘23 charges towards the ball in Friday’s game against Bridgewater State. MCLA’s Edge making five saves throughout the game comparatively to Bridgewater’s goalkeeper Nate Morgado ’20. Bridgewater’s Kevin Roberts ’21 scored the game’s one and only goal halfway into the second half, securing their win with an assist from David Nelson ’23. Nevertheless, the Trailblazers doesn’t seem to have lost any fighting spirit as they go onto the rest of the season.

“I would say going a goal down is something we gotta work on,” Hildabrand said. “We sort of lost our plan a little bit when we went a goal down. It’s just [about] still playing the same way no matter what the situation is within the match.” The next game men’s soccer is scheduled to play is home against Fitchburg State University at the Zavattaro Athletics Complex Friday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m.

MCLA Leads Pilgrimage Against New England College in Five Sets MCLA prevailed over the New England College Pilgrims to win 3-2 in a back and forth match Tuesday, Sept. 24. The Trailblazers were led once again by the stellar play of Kelly Moczulski ’23 who was recognized for the third straight week as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletics Conference (MASCAC) Rookie of the Week. Tuesday night’s win added to wins over Farmingdale State 3-1 and Dehli 3-0 Sunday, Sept. 22, leaving the team sitting atop the rest of their conference with 8 wins. Moczulski has been a consistent force for the

MCLA (4), Lesley (5) Sept. 21

vs. Worcester State Sept. 26, 3:00 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball

BY JOHN MORRISSEY SPORTS WRITER

Women’s Tennis

BY COREY MITCHELL-LABRIE MANAGING EDITOR MCLA men’s soccer saw hard competition in their past two matches, narrowly losing in two home games against Bridgewater State University Friday, Sept. 20, and Tuesday, Sept. 24, against Sage, each game ending in 0-1 score. The Trailblazer’s game against Sage saw a very even match. Both teams seemed on even footings, with MCLA’s goalkeeper Sam Edge ’23 and Sage’s Lucas Bourdeau ’22 both pulling off five saves in the match. Throughout the game, the teams kept up a fight, leading to a possible tie game, until Sage’s Christian Vaalstuen ’22 pulled off an unassisted goal in the final five minutes of the second half. Despite the loss, MCLA Coach Adam Hildabrand believed his team did well with their intensity. “The intensity of the groups really good,” Hildabrand said. “They’re up for the match, they’re not scared.” Friday night’s match saw the Trailblazers facing a hard Bridgewater controlling offense, with

SCORE BOARD

Trailblazers and this past week was no different. She compiled 19 kills Tuesday night along with 22 digs, 15 kills with 16 digs in Sunday’s early game against Farmingdale, and 11 kills and 14 digs in the late game against SUNY Delhi. After snapping their 5 game win streak with a loss last week, the team has returned to its winning ways compiling another three victories in a row with the help of team captain Tessa Sestito ’20, who returned from injury on Sunday. Sestito led the team with 31 assists and 30 assists in the two games on Sunday and followed with another strong performance Tuesday recording a dou-

Read more about Trailblazers! Featuring all 9 sports athletics.mcla.edu

ble double with 23 assists and 15 digs. Sestito, who has been with the team through some tough times, explained to the Beacon what she believes has been the key to their recent success. “This season, there’s a lot more positivity and effort, and all-around great talent. No one is catty, no one has a bad attitude on court, everyone tries for every ball – it’s a family,” Sestito said. “I’m confident that this season, we’ll go far.” MCLA has been on quite the roll the past few weeks losing only once in their last nine games and have positioned themselves well as they get ready to play MASCAC rival Mass Mar-

Kelly Moczulski (MCLA) 13 Kills, 22 Digs

Dreka Griffin (New England) 2-4, 2 Runs, 3 RBIs

vs. Mass. Maritime Sept. 27 , 6:00 p.m. @ Amherst College Sept. 28, 1:00 p.m. @ Fitchburg State Oct. 2, 6:00 p.m.

Men’s Soccer

MCLA (0), Sage (1)

Rafael Castro (MCLA) 4 SOG

Christian Vaalstuen (Sage) 1 Goal, 3 SOG

vs. Fitchburg State Sept. 27, 6:00 p.m.

Women’s Soccer MCLA (1), Becker (1) Cetera Moore (MCLA) PHOTO PROVIDED BY MCLA ATHLETICS

Sestito ‘20 led the team with 31 assists and 30 assists in Sunday’s double-header.

itime Friday, Sept. 27, at the Amsler Campus Center Gym at 6 p.m, and then travel to play Amherst College on their home court Saturday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m.

1 Goal, 2 Shots

Kyra Teixeira (Becker) 1 Goal, 7 Shots

Next: vs. Fitchburg State Sept. 28, 5:00 p.m. vs. New England College Oct. 1, 4:00 p.m.

Men’s Golf MCLA Invitational, 7th place

Opinion

TheOnlineBeacon.com

The Spirit of Soul is Alive and Well

JAKE VITALI A SLICE OF AMERICANA If you’re a young person who fancies themselves an “old soul,” then good news – there’s hope for you. While the days of Sam and Dave, Sam Cooke, James Brown, and Ottis Redding may be gone, their legacy they left behind is still a major influence for artists today. See if Americana is where you find the castoffs considered too country for Nashville, it’s also where you find the stuff collecting dust in your father’s, or maybe even grandfather’s, attic. It’s a musical pie, each slice containing some of the same ingredients, but each with a dominant primary flavor. One of those flavors is soul music—60’s soul music. Over the past few years, several

artists who embody the same styles and trappings of the older generation have emerged and created a very strong following for themselves. Dominant horn sections come together with piano, organ, percussion, guitars, and deeply emotional vocals that range from reflective to energetic. It was a genre whose distinct sound helped lead to the birth of mo-town and paved way for artists including Marvin Gaye. And unlike other genres who have become carbon copies of pop music, soul has very much evolved in a way that pays homage to its history, while continuing to incorporate new sounds and new influences. Artists like D’Angelo, Maxwell, and Mary J. Blige exemplify this. However, it is refreshing to hear the sounds of old being reintroduced to a younger generation, and comforting to know that this music is still as important as it’s always been. While many remember the genre as being apolitical, soul music was used as a commentary for numerous social issues. Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues” was a call to fix issues faced on a daily basis in inner-city communities, while Arthea Franklin’s “Respect” was a powerful women’s rights anthem. The fact that these songs were sonically pleasing

increased their effectiveness. Other genres have taken the mantle as platforms to address political issues being faced today and while the “new, old soul” movement largely is apolitical now, it is not unreasonable to think that the platform could be used for social commentary as it gains in popularity. However, looking beyond politics – soul music of old also brought us powerful and memorable love songs that are staples of American music today, including “Let’s Get Together” by Al Greene and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. Love songs are where new, old soul acts shine at their brightest. Look no further than St. Paul and the Broken Bones hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, and their song “Call Me” which is the classic tale of a man who is desperate for love, so desperate in fact he puts (part of) his phone number in the song in hopes that his love interest calls him. Meanwhile, their song “Half the City” loosely tells the story of a man who’s sunk everything into a dream and still hasn’t succeeded. St. Paul and the Broken Bones received significant attention before they even played a live gig together after releasing their debut EP “Greetings From St. Paul and the Broken Bones”, proving that there

is indeed an appetite for this kind of music, and that labels see the potential that it holds. But while St. Paul and the Broken Bones continue to maintain their lane as having a very-traditionalist sound in their music, other innovators in the movement are proving that reviving a distinct old-soul sound and incorporating other influences is brilliantly effective. On his 2018 release “Good Thing,” Leon Bridges has begun introducing hip-hop elements into his songs with thumping bass, elements of pop with more dance beats, while also introducing elements of jazz and funk – but staying true to his roots as a soul musician. This after his 2015 record “River” leaned more heavily on gospel, blues, and doo-wop. Also worth mentioning is the 10-piece soul and funk group from South Carolina, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. As the powerful frontwoman for the group, Jones was compared to James Brown, and the group was nominated for a Grammy in 2014 for their album “Give People What They Want.” While Jones unfortunately passed away in 2016, her music lives on as an example for what the “new, old soul” movement is all about. Her music was passionate, moving, and she should be credited for the rebirth of old school soul music.

Yes, We Need Ethnic Studies in Our Schools If you are surprised that a minor like American Ethnic Studies wasn’t officially introduced to MCLA until 2019, you shouldn’t be. Though the phrase, “Really? It’s 2019!” seems to be a fan favorite nowadays in an attempt to remind people something is outdated or inappropriate. Unfortunately, we must remember that the year does not matter when it comes to looking at the historical establishments of America’s education systems. According to a recent New York Times story, a draft for a K-12 ethnic studies curriculum in California public schools was put on the back burner. The reasoning was that the suggested lesson plans and drafts as a whole were not inclusive enough. The article shares some of the arguments that were used to oppose to the proposed curriculum which includes questions of its inclusivity of all ethnic groups, its “veer into left-wing propaganda,” and its

place in the classroom as the majority of California teachers are white and therefore would have to teach an unfamiliar discipline. This current lack of ethnic studies by educators and people in power is primarily why this argument continues. Without ethnic studies, there remains no real understanding in the value of historically significant social movements and nonwhite history. This fight was fought once before in the 1960s at San Francisco State University and the University of California. Ethnic studies was born from the fight for inclusion and validation of nonwhite histories, and yet here we are again. We cannot forget that ethnic studies is an important component that makes up American history. The country’s history cannot be accurately taught without incorporating it and hasn’t been accurately or completely taught throughout

MAYA MCFADDEN THE VOICE OF ACTIVISM many of the country’s K-12 schools. Ethnic studies goes beyond race and ethnicity, it is an intersectional history of many marginalized groups. Youth should not have to wait until the non-guaranteed possibility at secondary education to learn and understand these inter-

sections that can vitally make up one’s identity and roots. It is contradictory for any education system to deny an ethnic studies curriculum on the basis of inclusivity when our current history curriculums are whitewashed and cherry-picked. Proposed ethnic studies curriculums should not be invalidated because more “material” needs to be added. Since it’s labeled as “material” that’s “controversial,” according to the Times article. MCLA’s American Ethnic Studies minor is a great contribution to the College’s mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion within its academic values, which not all institutions in the country offer. However, this is not at all surprising — one thing we did learn in America history is that this country’s education systems are purposefully designed to continuously oppress.

Want to write a guest column for The Beacon? If you’re interested in writing a guest column, contact Tessa Sestito at ts5422@mcla.edu or Corey Mitchell-Labrie at cm5449@mcla.edu

Sept. 26, 2019

Opinion

TheOnlineBeacon.com

Editorial

Finally Addressing Climate Change Problems Did it really have to take a sixteen year old girl from Sweden to get the talk on climate change started? It’s rather ridiculous that climate change has been a topic that’s rather insignificant in the minds of political leaders, especially our own. Climate change is a various serious problem. The world is already facing life-threatening effects of global warming through larger and more powerful storms, droughts and flooding. Species are under threat — including humans, who are being displaced by severe weather and killing droughts. Glaciers and the polar ice caps are melting faster than anticipated, and thawing tundra in the Arctic may be fueling a feedback loop that could release unfathomable amounts of heat-trapping methane currently locked under ice into the atmosphere. Greta Thunberg, the teenage climate activist from Sweden, delivered a power speech at the United Nations Monday, Sept. 23. Not only did President Trump not stay for the entire time (only catching about 15 minutes of the session before leaving to host a smaller event focused on religious freedom), but he even went so far as to chastise Thunberg over Twitter, calling her “She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future,” he wrote. “So nice to see!” Obviously, climate change is not on a major con-

Editorial Cartoons

cern for the Trump administration, as he can’t be bothered to show respect towards the U.N. (by staying the entirety of the summit) or towards Thunberg and the fact that what she is saying is truth. The president sees global climate devastation as a simple side effect to the oil and gas industry, and his ill-conceived and ill-advised drive to make the U.S. the world’s dominant supplier of fossil fuels. Thunberg’s message from her powerful speech on Monday rings true: the world’s leaders are not doing enough to save us from ourselves. We don’t have time to ignore this problem anymore. Climate change can’t be pushed to the back burner and dealt with later. The more we push this problem to the side, the worse it’s going to continue getting. According to the Los Angeles Times, “at least 16 small nations have pledged to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050, and others upped their donation to the green Climate Fund to help smaller countries with the transition,” but these efforts won’t be enough. Hopefully Thunberg’s passion and intensity will be a wakeup call for our world leaders, and inspire more and more rallies to push us in the right direction.

The Beacon is published Thursdays during the academic year and is distributed to the MCLA community. The Beacon is a designated public forum and content is determined by student staff members. The Beacon is funded by the Student Government Association, the English/Communications department and ad revenue. Single copies are free and additional copies can be purchased at 50 cents each. If you wish to purchase additional copies, please contact a staff member.

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Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Tessa Sestito

Managing Editor Corey Mitchell-Labrie

Senior News Editor Nathan Biron

A & E Editor Jennifer VanBramer

Features Editor Maya McFadden

Editor-at-Large Jake Vitali

BWN Executive Producer Julia Teixeira

Staff Staff Writers Natalia Giacomozzi Taylor Scarver

Brian Rhodes Hans Resignac

Features Writer

A&E Writer

Lise Mansaray

Sabrina Damms

Sports Writers John Morrisey

Frank Hodo

BWN Reporters Symantha Kehr Jabari Shakir

Robert Wehry Rosedolphe Ambroise

Advisers Shawn McIntosh Jim Niedbalski

Sept. 26, 2019

IN OTHER BEACON NEWS

MASS MoCA’s FreshGrass Festival Amy Helm (right, and below) was one of many popular acts at this year’s FreshGrass Festival that included Mavis Staples, Greensky Bluegrass, The Mammals, and Jade Bird, among more than 20 performers. The Berklee College of Music American Roots Music Program (bottom) appears every year at FreshGrass, offering performance and workshops.

Photos by Nathan Biron