Spring 17 Issue 5

INSIDE Biotope at Gallery 51

Volume 84, Issue 5

ESTaBLISHED 1979

MCLA’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER March 2, 2017

Page 7

PRESIDENT BIRGE RESPONDS

PROTESTS, BACKLASH AND THE ROAD AHEAD

By Mitchell Chapman @mitchapman Editor-in-Chief

Almost halfway through the spring 2017 semester, the MCLA community has seen a Trump presidency, many forms of protests on campus and throughout the city of

North Adams, and initiatives put forth by administration to support those affected by the nation’s political climate.

President James Birge, MCLA’s yet-to-be-inaugurated 12th President, has had a lot on his plate, including the aftermath of the Strategic Planning survey and the

subsequent protests, whose protest materials were allowed to stay up around campus despite breaking school policy.

“By nature, protests clash with protocol,” Birge said. “This group of individuals felt like they were not getting heard. These protests are healthy and good. This is what

makes us frustrated, angry and hurt, and they had a legitimate rationale as to why to protest.”

Birge stressed protest materials such as the survey protests which covered areas of the Science and Campus Center, and later the MCLA sign and even the front door of the President’s Office, should re-

Photographing the

main up despite breaching policy because of the importance of making these groups heard. However, he also stressed the importance on conversation, admitting that many of his initiatives came after conversations revealing the College’s needs.

BIRGE, Page 3

SAC swaps spring concert for comedian

world around us

By Reagan Smith Staff Writer

PHOTO BY RON LEJA — DEPUTY FEATURES AND A & E EDITOR

From Professor Gillian Jones's Advanced Photography class. A grinning, yet macabre skull bathed in the light of the setting sun. To see more photos submitted by the class, check out the Photo Essay on Page 12.

BSU BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The culture behind the month

By Gianna Vigliatura Staff Writer

In honor of Black History Month, MCLA’s Black Student Union has been hosting events focusing on diversity and inclusion.

Every Friday throughout February there have been discussions on race where each session was themed.

The first session was focused on immigration followed by race and the criminal justice system, slavery and religion, and intersections, or “do not divide me.”

“We feel like all those topics are very important to what is really relevant on MCLA’s campus,” said Michael Obasohan, director of the Multicultural Resource Center. “Especially with our students, with faculty, and with our staff. CCR (Campus Conversations on Race) serves

The 2017 spring concert will not be the musician students voted for in the fall. Instead, the College’s Student Activities Council (SAC) has arranged for an “up-scale comedian,” due to a scheduling conflict.

“We found out about circumstances outside of our control that don’t permit the band to tour at all,” Jordan Goyette, SAC’s coordinator for spring concerts said. “By the time we heard from the band, it was too late in our schedule to try for another band.”

SAC will announce the name of the chosen comedian and start ticket sales on March 20. The event will cost $5 for students, and $7 for guests, alumni or students from nearby colleges.

“The spring concert is something students look forward to all year, and now that it’s going to be a comedian I feel like it might not be the same,” senior Kelsey Alfonzo said. “I mean he could definitely be funny, and it’ll probably still be fun. I’m just worried not as many people will go.”

According to Goyette, the other musicians that MCLA students had voted for were booked until after the spring semester. In addition, the most voted-for band had a majority vote of around 52 percent, leaving the other options with little support.

“I feel like we’re losing tradition,” Senior Sychiah Johnson said.

“Things have been a little chaotic here at MCLA lately, and now that we’re having a comedian instead of a concert seems out of touch with our tradition.”

The comedy show will take place in the Church Street Center, as opposed to the Venable Theatre where spring concerts have previously been held. According to Goyette, the venue decision was made based on the comedian’s role as a Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member.

“It [the Church Street Center] holds about the same amount of people as Venable, but this isn’t just a regular comedian,” Goyette said. “We figured it’d be nicer to have it in the Church Street Center theatre.”

Goyette mentioned that because of the performance change, SAC still has a remaining budget of about $6,000. They hope to use this for more student events in the spring.

TRUMP’S BUDGET PROPOSAL

$54b requested for defense

By Nick Tardive @Nick_Tardive Senior News Editor

PHOTO BY TRAMEL GRIFFITH

An ARAMARK worker during the BSU's Soul Food dinner, which took place in the Centennial Room. as a space where you can come and talk about basically anything that’s going on- campus climate and what’s

going on in their everyday lives.”

There also was a week spent cam-

MONTH, Page 4

WASHINGTON — President Trump’s administration sent Congress its first budget proposal requesting an additional $54 billion in military spending. This would be a nine percent increase to what the United States already spends on defense.

The proposal also asks for heavy cuts to non-defense programs, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and foreign aid.

“We’re going to do more with less and make the government lean and accountable to the people,” Trump said.

During the campaign last September, Trump addressed an audience in Philadelphia, Pa., and said he would help “rebuild” the military.

DEFENSE, Page 4

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March 2, 2017

CAMPUS NEWS

SGA: Diversity survey update, club budgets, campus police

By Nick Tardive @Nick_Tardive Senior News Editor Despite two weeks having passed since the last SGA meeting, the gallery was filled with students once more.

Whereas on Feb. 13 the goal was to discuss issues of diversity on campus in an open forum, this meeting was filled with club members anxious about the recommended budgets for the next year.

As opposed to last year, which saw budget cuts to most clubs on campus, many of Treasurer LaVoice’s recommendations included either marginal, or large, increases in club budgets. The process took several weeks of the Budget Finance Committee going over request forms sent in by different clubs and meeting with their executive boards. Recommendations were based on club size, their future ambitions, and expected size of the incoming class for next year.

“It was a long couple of weeks,” LaVoice said, “but it was great.”

Few clubs saw budget recommendations cut from what they received in the ‘16-’17 academic year. Black Student Union, the Cape Verdean Club and Latin American Society were all recommended to get less.

Other clubs, such as the Crafting Club, Dance Company and Anime Club are getting substantial increases.

Some, such as Photography or Slam Poetry, are being re-activated and receiving small budgets for their first years back under the official SGA fold.

LaVoice’s budget presentation was jam-packed in between an update from Vice Presidents Catherine Holbrook and Cindy Brown regarding the diversity survey that closed over ten days ago and a discussion regarding the efficacy of armed campus safety officers at the College, a conversation continued from the last meeting.

“A lot of progress has been made,” Holbrook said.

The survey was extended for about a week, and the number of respondents jumped from 278 to 389 by the time it finally closed. According to Holbrook and Brown, the demographics for respondents are consistent with the overall demographics of the College. SGA President Tim Williams said later on in the meeting that MCLA has around 1,444 students. That is around 27 percent of the total College population, which is considered more than enough in random samples to achieve statistical significance, if the sampled population is reflective of the total population.

Following LaVoice’s budget presentation came the second consecutive discussion regarding police accountability on campus. Senator Avery Woodbury has attempted to make a motion to recommend disarming police on campus, to which there were varying degrees of agreement on the issue. Both Senators LaJuan Allen and Jake Vitali seemed to agree that a major issue with public safety was not just the police being armed, but their use of inherent power structures to possibly intimidate students on campus.

Allen, for the second meeting in a row, suggested a Student Review Council be set up in order to establish a mediator between students and administrators/ public safety on campus as a means of opening up a dialogue to building a safer campus.

Senate Chair Siobhan Greene pointed out that an ad hoc committee had been set up to look at student complaints and comments regarding public safety.

Executive Vice President Shannon Esposito was taking sign ups for committee appointments, of which the public safety committee was one. Although a meeting time has not been set yet, Esposito made clear that the public safety committee would be open to the public in case any student wanted to sit in or be a part of it.

Beyond the Beacon Brief from The Los Angeles Times

Travel ban appeal will proceed

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the Department of Justice’s request to pause proceedings on an appeal of President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

The court in a filing on Monday said its schedule over the federal government’s appeal of a lower court’s halt on Trump’s travel ban will proceed, with the first brief

PHOTOS BY MITCHELL CHAPMAN — EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Top, the Budget Finance Committee recommendations report for the next f iscal year. The presentation will be dispersed to clubs after the budget is approved. Center left, a packed gallery looks at the budget reccomendations. Center right, MCLA Athletics Director Laura Mooney unveils the head of MCLA's new Trailblazer mascot. Bottom left, SGA Treasurer Kayla LaVoice presents the prospective budgets.

due to the court on March 10.

The Justice Department had appealed to the 9th Circuit in early February a Seattle-based federal district judge’s order blocking enforcement of the executive order which established a series of immigration and refugee restrictions aimed at preventing potential terrorists from entering the country.

Last week, government lawyers asked the court to stop proceedings in the case because the president planned to issue a new executive order and rescind the original one.

A three-judge motions panel previously denied a request to reverse a stay on the travel ban.

FINANCIAL AID ANNOUNCEMENT THINKING ABOUT TAKING SUMMER CLASSES? STOP BY THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE FOR INFORMATION ON SUMMER FINANCIAL AID *********************************** FINANCIAL AID REFUNDS WILL BE HAPPENING SOON! CHECK WITH STUDENT ACCOUNTS AND THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE TO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T HAVE ANY HOLDS! *************************** SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN MASS; APPLY AT communityfoundation.org MARCH 31 DEADLINE

CAMPUS NEWS

March 2, 2017

3

Book Club meets two acclaimed fantasy authors

By Hannah Snell Staff Writer The MCLA Book Club made the three hour trek from the Berkshires to Boston to attend acclaimed fantasy author V.E. Schwab’s “A Conjuring of Light” book-signing tour last Monday. The eight student attendees, as well as club adviser and English/Communications Professor Lucinda Bradley, had the opportunity to meet authors Schwab, who penned the “Shades of Magic” trilogy and Susan Dennard, author of the “Witchlands” series at Brookline Booksmith, an independent bookshop in Brookline, Mass.

The club had just finished reading “A Darker Shade of Magic,” the first book in Schwab’s trilogy when they serendipitously found out about Schwab’s book signing tour for “A Conjuring of Light,” the final book in the trilogy.

The first hour of the event consisted of a Q&A session with the two featured authors, where Schwab discussed her writing process, how she writes her first draft at the end, book-specific questions about characters and plot, and her experience with cover art. Schwab also explained the feminist implications of her pen name, “V.E. Schwab.”

This, according to member Victoria Weichel, was a stand-out moment of the Q&A session.

“One thing Schwab had said that stuck out to me was when she was reciting an incident of someone

One thing Schwab had said that stuck out to me was when she was reciting an incident of someone telling her that they wouldn’t have read her book if they knew she was a woman.

Victoria Weichel, club member telling her that they wouldn’t have read her book if they knew she was a woman,” Weichel said. “She said it was reasons like that incident why she uses a pen name on her adult literature.”

Both Book Club President Lauren Levite and Secretary Diana Faulkner felt that the experience of meeting two authors was both enriching and inspiring to them as aspiring writers.

“I talked to Susan Dennard about my own creative writing and she was really cool, I guess she has a whole blog full of writing advice that she’s known for more than her own books,” Levite said. “I think the thing I love the most about these signings is because I want to get published one day, is just hearing their own stories about how they did it.” “[Schwab and Dennard] both spoke really well and were both very relatable people, which was kind of cool,” Faulkner said. “Me being an aspiring writer, I felt like I could really connect with some of the things they were saying and they were really personable.”

On Monday evening during the SGA budget proposal meet-

ing, while some members attended the book signing, the Book Club received hopeful news regarding their budget for the next fiscal year.

It was proposed that the Book Club will receive over $1,100, as opposed to the budget for the last fiscal year, which was $750.

The club, including Levite and Faulkner, hopes that the increase in the budget allows for more similar opportunities in the future.

“We definitely want to do something like this in the future,” Levite said. “I’m happy with the budget because our membership has really increased and we wouldn’t have been able to do this trip if our membership hadn’t increased the way it did this year. . .there’s really a lot of potential for Book Club to go on more fun events.”

The Book Club meets every Monday at 7 p.m. in Bowman 206. The next book that they will be reading this semester is Terry Pratchett’s 1987 fantasy novel “Mort.”

Disclaimer: Book Club President Lauren Levite is also a member of the Beacon staff as Copy Chief.

PHOTOS BY VICTORIA WEICHEL SPECIAL TO THE BEACON

Book Club traveled to Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, Ma. Bottom right, Book Club President Lauren Levite, left met author Victoria Schwab, right. who is responsible for books such as "Vicious" and "A Darker Shade of Magic."

COMPUTER SOCIETY

Aims for bigger events, increased membership

By Mitchell Chapman @mitchapman Editor-in-Chief

As SGA’s Budget Season is under way for the next fiscal year, MCLA’s Computer Society is aiming to deepen its mark on campus.

“The Computer Society is a club dedicated to the discussion and use of technology,” Nate Steward, the Computer Society’s president, said. “It is largely utilized by Computer Science students who already have an interest in the field through their major, though we strongly urge anybody interested in cool tech to check us out.”

Club meetings often have practical discussions ranging from computer hardware to software

BIRGE

From Page 1 “We need to be in dialogue with each other to determine how best to proceed,” Birge said.

Protest backlash and free speech After the initial survey protests, a second wave hit the campus, covering the MCLA sign and the president’s door. On Tuesday, Feb. 7, a third sweep of protest materials appeared featuring swastikas that were up for less than a day. The Beacon archived an image of one of these materials found in the Amsler Campus Center, and reported the incident to Director of Public Safety Daniel Colonno who, when asked about possible punitive measures

version control, but not all of their meetings are technical. The group has recently been experimenting with Virtual Reality (VR) through the HTC Vive, a premium VR headset that might be out of many students’ price range, going for a retail price of $799.99. However, the club’s access does not stop at just the Vive.

“The Computer Society, as a funded club, has access to several pieces of hardware such as Apple and Android phones if members want to program in iOS or Android software languages to make a mobile app,” Steward said. “We periodically have people from companies like Drive Dominion and General Dynamics to come in and talk to the club members about internship opportunities.

If a member wants to know more about a subject, they can talk to us about it and we can set up a presentation on that subject, or if they want to research and present on it themselves, that is fine too.”

Part of the club’s success is its collaboration with the Computer Science Department, which has provided a steady supply of new members.

“The club is introduced to freshman Computer Science students early in every fall semester, so attendance hasn’t been an issue until recently,” Steward said.

“We get at least a small handful of dedicated members every week, but when I started coming here in fall 2014, the room, which used to be in Murdock 120, before Bowman was finished being built, was

regularly filled with over 15 students. We’re discussing changing the date the meeting is held during the week, as well as the possibility of holding meetings every 2 weeks like the average club.”

Computer Society plans to combat the recent drop in attendance by hosting technology-related events to attract members of the campus community.

“The attendance has been down a little but we have a couple cool events and fund raising planned,” Computer Society Treasurer Dan Heinen said. “We are discussing collaborating with MCLA’s innovation lab and SAC to host some cool VR-related events.”

The club is planning for the future, which mostly hinges off

their budget’s approval or modification by SGA. “Next year, for big plans, and assuming the budget is approved, we can look forward to a local Hack-a-thon, a fun competition where people get into teams and try to propose a solution to a complex real-life issue with at least partial implementation plans,” Steward said. “This is complete with food, beverages, and of course, prizes for the best teams.”

Computer Society meets every Friday at 3 p.m. in either Bowman 120 or in the Feigenbaum Science Center’s Innovation Lab depending on the week. Prospective members are encouraged to connect with the group via their Facebook page to receive club updates.

those responsible could face, directed The Beacon to page 11 (Free Speech & Assembly), page 33 (Special Behaviors) and page 38 (The College Student Conduct System) of the MCLA Student Handbook.

When asked about the backlash to the protests, Birge also referenced free speech.

“There’s a national debate as to what constitutes as free speech,” he said. “Speech in any form that calls out threats for any person’s harm is unacceptable. We must always know where that line is. That swastika represents a horrible stain on world history.”

have been on the receiving end of censorship, often times getting shut down in class by their peers and even faculty, but more routinely see their posters and promotional materials, approved by Director of Student Development Celia Norcross’ office, get ripped or taken down.

“I met with the [College] Republicans and it didn’t seem like they felt frustrated that they couldn’t share their views, but rather that they couldn’t share their feelings or ideology,” Birge said. “It’s unfortunate that they can’t share that.”

However, Birge was impressed by the club’s response to the backlash, especially the efforts of club President Kaitlin Wright.

“Her response is to invite those [types of] people to her meetings,” Birge said. “I was impressed by her maturity and invitation to

others.”

In response to Trump supporters and conservatives in general: “We shouldn’t be trying to intimidate people because they support Trump,” he said, stressing communication over individual policy positions, especially those that might threaten others, over broad intimidation and dismissal.

“We ran the risk of survey fatigue,” Birge said. “However, we thought that the issues behind the surveys were pressing enough to take that risk.

Overall, Birge is satisfied with the results of both surveys, citing “really good student returns.”

Other initiatives include the advancement of the Improve Teacher Quality Title III Grant, funding advising software for new professors, filling a vacancy in the advancement office, taking the next step of the Strategic planning process, advertising MCLA’s new design lab, as well as taking advantage of both his inauguration (which is purposefully planned close to the date of the Undergraduate Research Conference) and commencement to “showcase the institution.”

Conservatives on campus

Birge also acknowledged his meeting with the College Republicans chapter on campus, who

The road ahead

Going forward, Birge also revealed his goals and initiatives for this semester, first and foremost of which will be putting the data collected from the Strategic Planning and Climate surveys to good use. Birge also addressed the cognitive dissonance some students faced with the many different task forces and surveys the College has established since he took over the presidency last year.

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March 2, 2017

FORMER IGC TREASURER CHARGED WITH LARCENY

CAMPUS NEWS BWN SPOTLIGHT

Cook-off round 2

By Reagan Smith Staff Writer

Peter Lantz, a senior, was arrested last Monday, according to Campus police Chief Dan Colonno.

He’s been charged with felony larceny over the amount of $250 by way of embezzlement, and a misdemeanor of drug possession.

Colonno confirmed that Lantz was arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on the same day.

Lantz, former treasurer of MCLA’s Intercultural Greek Council (IGC), reportedly stole $700 from the IGC funds and $400 from the treasury of the MCLA chapter of Pi Upsilon Pi, also known as Pines.

“The victim was the IGC,” Colonno commented.

Beta Lambda (Beta), a sorority affiliated with the College that’s sponsored by the IGC, pressed charges against Lantz and launched the initial investigation, said the unnamed source.

The president of Pines, Daniel Schenkle, refused the Beacons invitation to comment on the incident.

The standard punishment for a conviction of felony larceny in Massachusetts is no more than five years in state prison, or a fine of no more than $25,000 and imprisonment in jail for up to two years, according to malegislature.gov.

A misdemeanor conviction of drug possession can lead to no more than one year in state prison and/or a fine of no more than $1,000. Possession, distribution or manufacturing of a Class B drug often results in imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of $10,000 maximum or admittance to a house of correction for two-and-a-half years or less.

“I saw a detective and Campus Police approach him after our class, and they asked him if he was Peter Lantz,” Senior Myles Candelet said. “Then they walked him out of the building. My friend said he saw Peter on campus later that day, so I didn’t think it was that serious.”

PHOTOS BY BEACON WEB NEWS

Top, Freshman Dominique StevensonPope won the second round of the Campus Center Cook-Off. Left, a judge tries one of Setevenson-Pope's dishes. To see The Beacon's coverage of the event, check out this week's edition of Beacon Web News, found on our YouTube channel.

ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS

Rescinds private prisons directive

By Nick Tardive @Nick_Tardive Senior News Editor

WASHINGTON — In a one-paragraph memo sent out Tuesday, Feb. 21, Attorney General Jeff Sessions undid an Obama administration directive halting government’s Bureau of Prisons’ reliance on privately run federal prisons.

The directive came just in time for MCLA’s Global Film Series viewing of “13th,” a film linking the passing of the 13th Amendment with nega-

DEFENSE From Page 1

“I’m gonna build a military that’s gonna be much stronger than it is right now. It’s gonna be so strong, nobody’s gonna mess with us. But you know what? We can do it for a lot less,” Trump said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” in October of 2015.

Part of Trump’s campaign platform would be to boost military spending by $500 billion across the next ten years. He has claimed before that he would like to add 10,000 Marines, 60,000 soldiers, around 75 submarines and 100 new aircraft.

On top of that, President Trump also told Reuters that the United States would get back to the “top of the pack” in regards to nuclear weapon capacity.

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the United States government is already spending $598 billion on its defense as of the 2016 fiscal year. Fourteen countries including China, Russia, Japan, France, Israel and the U.K., spend $664 billion on defense total. The rest of the world spends around $317 billion. Of a total $1.6 trillion spent on the military around the world, the United States spends nearly 40 percent of that total on its own.

tive stereotypes of African-Americans, America’s hyper-incarceration problem, as well as a surging reliance on the private prison industry.

“The memorandum changed long-standing policy and practice, and impaired the Bureau’s ability to meet the future needs of the federal correctional system,” Sessions wrote.

“Therefore, I direct the Bureau to return to its previous approach.”

Under Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, the Obama administration had come to the conclusion that privately operated federal prisons had more safety and security problems than those run by the

China, which spends the second largest amount on its military following the United States, spends around $146 billion.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement via Twitter that blasted Trump’s proposal as a broken promise that is meant to help “the wealthy and special interests while putting further burdens on” middle-class taxpayers.

“A cut this steep almost certainly means cuts to agencies that protect consumers from Wall Street excess and protect clean air and water.” Schumer wrote.

To off-set the imbalance created by the $54 billion addition to military spending, the budget proposes to cut the same amount from domestic institutions, such as the EPA - for which a bill regarding a gutting and eventual dissolution of the EPA has already been proposed in the House of Representatives - the National Endowment for the Arts, whose budget is currently $148 million according to USA Today, and foreign aid, which makes up less than 1 percent of federal budget, according to NPR.

government. One of the companies highlighted by “13th,” CoreCivic – formerly known as the Corrections Corporation of America – saw their stock rise 4 percent in the period following Sessions’s memo. The GEO Group had a 2 percent bump in their stock as well.

According to the “Washington Post,” both GEO and CoreCivic gave around $250,000 to support President Trump’s inauguration celebrations. GEO also donated another $275,000 separately to a pro-Trump Super PAC, Rebuilding America Now – $100,000 of which was given a day after the Obama Justice De-

partment ordered an end to private federal prisons.

President Obama was the first president since before Richard Nixon who saw a decline in federal prison populations. The United States first began to use private facilities to house federal inmates when overcrowding became a major problem in the ’90s. The hope was that, due to that dwindling federal incarceration population (as of 2015 around 12 percent of federal inmates were housed in private facilities), the government simply no longer had to rely on those private facilities.

One aspect that the Yates directive

did not end was the usage of private facilities to detain and house “criminal aliens” – the initial cause of the federal government’s turn to private institutions in the ’90s. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Marshals Service maintain the right to hold persons within the federal system, but outside of the Bureau of Prison’s jurisdiction.

President Trump on the campaign trail was an advocate for private prisons.

“I do think we can do a lot of privatizations and private prisons.

It seems to work a lot better,” Trump told MSNBC in March 2016.

MONTH From Page 1

paigning “My Black is Beautiful” where students were able to express why they are beautiful in the Amsler Campus Center. Pictures of students with their written declarations was made into a collage and displayed in Tuesday’s student art gallery. This gallery also included students’ poems and other artwork, as well as Post-It notes for students who did not yet participate in “My Black is Beautiful and still wanted to, and interactive arts and crafts tables.

Obasohan himself hosted a “Find Your Passions” workshop.

“Basically, it was geared towards ‘Yes, we are going through troubling times right now, but once you find what you are passionate about that will help you thrive and soar in your career and in life,’” he explained. “It’s finding that one niche of passion that really drives you everyday and helping you find that career path.”

Additionally, Academic Affairs and the Communication Resource Center helped BSU show the documentary “13th” last Thursday in Murdock 218, which focuses on the

PHOTO BY TRAMEL GRIFFITH

Aramark workers during the BSU's Soul Food dinner.

13th Amendment.

The hope behind these events is that all students feel welcome on campus, Obasohan said. Most of them were focused towards marginalized groups such as students of color and students who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

“We want to let them know we [the faculty] know what’s going on,” Obasohan said. “These events are an opportunity for them to learn about the culture behind Black History Month and things like that.”

“In my personal opinion, I don’t think we should just limit one month to black history,” he continued. “I feel like black history, whether it’s any history relating to activism or anything that has to do with our marginalized

groups should not only be celebrated in one month, it should be celebrated throughout the year. Because it’s typically not, and we limit it to just one month, you know, take that time to celebrate it to its fullest. . .everyday should be something different.”

Obasohan also stated that the Multicultural Resource Center is open to all students, especially students of color or students of any marginalized groups. He described it as a space for students to mingle with each other or use the resources to learn about different cultures. He is working on having biweekly multicultural talks where different guests will be invited to talk and interact with the students.

He hopes to have one of these talks before spring break.

FEATURES

SPRING TRAVEL COURSE

Seeing San Francisco through a historical lens

By Emily Gabert eg3887@mcla.edu Features Editor San Francisco has been known as a “safe place” for people who were different from mainstream society. Neighborhoods within the city became not only havens for these marginalized people, but also a place for them to come together.

In Dr. Sumi Colligan’s travel course to the city of San Francisco, students will get to explore North Beach, South of Market, and Castro District.

“The students have acquired a lot of background, in terms of thinking about San Francisco as a queer space,” Colligan said, “that has shifted over time in terms of its populations and its significance of the city.”

The goal of course is to connect students with queer activists.

Students will get to meet transgender historian. Suzanne Stryker, who made a documentary about Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, “Screaming Queens.” The riot occurred after police were brutal to transgender persons at their local public hangout, as transgenders were dealing with much persecution. The movie shared stories of those who were involved with the riot and their testimonies. Colligan showed this documentary with her class.

Colligan will also have her students participate in conversations with elderly members of the LGBQT+ community. They will work with the organization Open House and interview seniors using the application “StoryCorps” to record and to use the power of sound to tell these peoples’ stories. It then becomes part of a permanent record for the Library of Congress, so that these stories can be accessed for years to come.

PHOTO FROM SFTRAVELPLANNER.WORDPRESS.COM

Castro Distrct, San Francisco is a historically queer neighborhood in the city.

“We’re [also] going to be meeting with a youth group in Berkeley that is mostly junior high and high school students,” Colligan said.

“Half of the group is transgender and non [gender] conforming, and my students are going to be telling them a little bit about how they think queer communities in the east coast might differ to some extent from queer communities from the west coast, given some of the sort of different histories.”

Not all the students on the trip personally identify as queer, and Colligan said students don’t need to identify in a certain way to go on the trip. They will also discuss what it means to be an ally to the queer community.

Colligan remarked she has al-

ready received feedback from students about the course and that she herself was moved by a group of students’ presentation on the AIDS epidemic that hit San Francisco’s queer community during the 1980s.

She explained that she has structured part of the class so that there are common readings, and with any additional assigned reading she will pair students up together to do a presentation – which they also draw on outside sources to relate to the topic they’re presenting on.

Many of these readings are personal narratives of people who lived during the epidemic. Some of these narratives were accounts by people who had been diagnosed with the disease or even

knew of people dying from the illness.

“Students were really moved by the AIDS history that they learned,” Colligan explained.

Students who had done a presentation on part of the AIDS history, explained that they had never learned about it before.

Many young adults were affected by the outbreak who had lived in the Castro neighborhood Colligan explained. She believes it left such an impact students because they could really identify with these people. To further educate her class, they visit an AIDS hospice center as well.

A friend of Coligan’s will also let students participate in a queer square dance to help students

relax and make connections, through the power of dance.

Colligan finds experimental learning to be valuable, as it helps make what students learned in class much more concrete. She also finds importance in showing students the centers and organizations that give much support to the queer community.

“Part of my motivation for doing this [class] is because I did grow up in San Francisco,” Colligan explained. “This is kind of a new way of becoming connected to the city through a new lens, to view it and experience it. I have a passion for the city, it’s a wonderful and amazingly interesting urban space. It’s nice to be able to share it with people.”

the historical mohawk theater: a beacon of hope

By Ron Leja rl2670@mcla.edu Deputy Features and A&E Editor If one were to take a walk down Main Street of North Adams tonight, chances are they would find only a handful of others doing the same. As the sun begins to set and the cold night air descends, Main Street feels all but deserted.

Still, a handful of storefronts remain aglow, and the red neon lights of the once majestic Mohawk Theater still shine, despite being closed for almost 30 years.

John and Francine Mangano, a retired couple from the Williamstown area who spent much of their lives in Berkshire County, still hold on to wonderful memories of the Mohawk Theater, as well as the Main Street.

“As a kid, I remember the Mohawk would play cartoons every Saturday,” John mentioned. “Kids would line up around the corner, and the Main Street was alive with neon signs and restaurants and stores. People would hang out down there and the city was alive. Now, not so much.”

The Mohawk Theater opened on Nov. 5, 1938. Originally owned by the Loew family, the Mohawk quickly became one

PHOTO BY RON LEJA

The theater stands as a symbol of the city's golden age. of the premiere movie houses in the area, providing a cinematic experience worthy of the city’s golden age.

The theater was designed

by Mowl and Rand of Boston, and featured a decorative interior with Native American motifs. For a mere 20 cents, viewers were treated to a classic movie-going experience in the form of red carpets, velvet chairs, and a bird’s eye view from the balcony.

Unlike the theaters of today, the Mohawk had only a single screen, as well as a seating ca-

pacity of 1,200 viewers. While the lack of choice may be off putting to some, this type of setup also led to packed shows, making every theater experience feel like opening night.

The Mohawk brought the community together, and was notably enjoyed by the public.

Unfortunately, movie theaters began to change in the early ‘80s.

Single screen theaters were quickly being replaced by the more contemporary multiplex cinemas, and the Mohawk fell victim to the changing times.

The theater was sold in 1987 to a private investor, who opened the theater for occasional concerts and films, but efforts to maintain the Mohawk were short lived.

In 1991, its doors were closed for good.

The revitalization of the Mohawk Theater has been a widely sought after endeavor for many of North Adams’ residents for some time.

The theater, located on the corner of Main Street and Eagle Street, has become a memorial of sorts, a distant memory of livelier times and the city’s golden age.

It has also become a beacon of hope, as many believe that its revitalization could potentially bolster tourism for the area.

“I’d like to see it reopened because it’s a steeple of our town, no pun intended,” Angie Choquette, a local who longs to see the theater restored said. “North Adams thrives on its artistic roots and the MASS MoCA tourists, but we haven’t put resources where they really should go, the root of all of that, which is that theater.”

In recent years, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has admitted $500,000 towards revitalization efforts in regards to the Mohawk.

The city of North Adams matched these funds in an ef-

fort to help finance the architectural, design and engineering work needed to restore the theater, and for a while things appeared to be looking up.

Project proposals were sent to nearly 50 firms throughout New England, and the revitalization process was eventually granted firm of Finegold Alexander & Associates, Inc. of Boston, Mass. Phase one of the project, a plan to secure the property, upgrade its systems, and restore its decorative aspects of the theater both inside and out was expected to be complete in the summer of 2009.

However, there appears to be a major disconnection between the project and the general public, leaving many unsure as to whether or not the revitalization plan is still underway.

Despite the Beacon’s efforts, we were unable to acquire a definite answer as to whether or not the restoration process would continue in the years to come.

Despite these uncertainties, Suzy Helme, the city’s events coordinator, has mentioned the desire of town officials to bridge the gap between MASS MoCA and the Main Street Area in recent months.

The re-opening of the theater may not be in the near future, interest from both the community and town officials is certainly as strong as ever.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT "13th" Event Sparks Spirited Discussion

By Emma Monahan A&E Writer Sullivan Lounge was packed, something that isn’t common for school events. Although many professors probably required their students go for class, there were still students who attended of their own accord to watch film director Ava DuVernay’s documentary “13th,” a Netflix original, put on by the Global Film Series.

According to the film’s description on Netflix, the documentary covers “the criminalization of AfricanAmericans and the U.S. prison boom,” and is also based off of Michelle Alexanders novel, “The New Jim Crow.”

Activists, scholars and many more contributed to the film, discussing the country’s racial inequality, including Alexander, Angela Davis and Henry Louis Gates.

The film takes you through history, starting with the Civil War and the 13th Amendment, how although slavery was abolished, there were still loopholes: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall gave been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

The U.S. holds 25 percent of the world’s prisoners, 2.3 million, which the film shows is the highest national rate. As viewers are taken through time, each segment of a new decade shows how rapidly the prison population becomes. In 1970, 357,292 people were in prison.

PHOTO FROM DANNOTT.COM

Incarceration has increased more than 500 percent in 40 years, according to sentencingproThat raised in 1980 to 513,900; by 1985, 759,100; by 1990, 1,179,200; by 2000, 2,015,300; and in 2014, there were 2,306,200 people in jail.

How did this rapid increase happen? Those featured in the documentary took the time to discuss the War on Drugs, a part of the both the Nixon and Reagan presidencies. Instead of focusing on issues of health, it turned into an issue of crime, with Nixon referring to drug abuse as “public enemy number one.”

During Reagan’s presidency, the “Just Say No” campaign was in effect by First Lady Nancy Reagan. Despite this program

there was an increase in poverty and criminalization—instead of helping addicts, people were sentenced to jail.

During the screening of the film, the room felt heavy. Videos surfaced on the screen of Eric Garner yelling “I can’t breathe” as police officers pinned him to the ground. Audio of George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin was played, Zimmerman saying “They always get away” as he followed Martin. Martin yells for help, and the sound of a gun goes off.

The most disturbing piece of the film was a segment of President Donald Trump

speaking during his election campaign. He speaks of Mexican immigrants “bringing drugs, they’re bringing rapists” and how “back in the day” those who opposed him would be removed from protesting and beaten up.

While all of this is playing, video clips of racism and segregation are being played, of an AfricanAmerican man, from what looked like the ‘60s, being pushed off the sidewalk, punches thrown at him, as he’s just walking down the street. White women yelling at women of color, and people yelling at African Americans at Trump rallies.

The room was silent. No one

seemed to look at each other, no one spoke. Murdock 218 sounded empty.

By then the film had ended, and senior Bryanna Bradley opened the floor for those to speak about what students had watched and how they felt. Student Avery Woodbury shot his hand up, standing from his seat and standing in front of the whole room. He drove the meaning of the discussion away from the points made in the film, talking about how we shouldn’t support companies that work with other corporations like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that was mentioned in the film, and how the North Adams Police Department is full of “rapists and pedophiles.”

The outburst then turned to pharmaceutical drugs, and student E.D. Bibbins spoke out over Woodbury, which lead to an argument between the two.

Women’s Studies professor Karen Cardozo stepped in, saying the two students had to give the floor to others in order for them to speak.

Although many students didn’t partake in the discussion, sophomore Lisa Chiclana addressed Woodbury and Bibbins, saying how the students had rudely drove the conversation away from what they were originally discussing, before addressing the room: “Talk is nothing, action is a lot.”

After what was a highly intense discussion forum, the night ended. The next Global Film Series will be on March 22 in Murdock 218, with a showing of “Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise” at 6:30 p.m.

art professor mowinski protests with love and letterpress

By Chris Riemer A&E Editor Melanie Mowinski has been making mantra cards for a long time.

The small, bright pieces of paper are adorned with simple images and quotes. According to Mowinski, they are meant to remind readers of their ideal selves. However, given recent events, platitudes will not suffice—recently these mantra cards have begun to call us higher.

If you’re an art major at MCLA, you know Mowinski. One of the College’s few art instructors, Mowinski is responsible for classes ranging from digital art to bookmaking. On the third floor of Bowman, outside a room filled with letterpress type and machinery, Mowinski spoke to Beacon Web News producer Sam Kniskern about her most recent project, The 50 Card Project, which seeks to address recent political events in America via a positive campaign of shared mantras.

“The cards I’ve made have always been very positive, the kind of thing you might want to put on your refrigerator,” said Mowinski.

“Something that’s a reminder of how you want to be in the world.”

Mowinski has begun a Kickstarter project to pay for shipping, materials for the project, and the eventual publication of a compilation of the cards in book from, although she emphasized that the project would go forward with or without complete funding. She plans to send cards not only to backers of the project, but to prominent politicians as well:

PHOTO FROM MELANIEMOWINSKY.COM

One of Mowinski's first cards included a quote from a traditional South African hymn.

Secretary of Education Betsy Devos, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and President Trump all make the list.

The cards are undoubtedly political statements, but they aren’t designed to offend supporters of the policies Mowinski is protesting.

On the contrary, many of the cards contain phrases that seem so intrinsically truthful that someone who hasn’t kept up with recent news might have to look into what each specifically refers to. Mantras like “Equality has no boundaries,” from Mowinski’s most recent card, are given context by the reader. With this card, Mowinski was referring to the Trump

administration’s withdrawal of federal protection for transgender students.

“Where this comes from is this sense of wanting those daily reminders, that daily affirmation, that daily mantra, that daily thing that helps me reframe my day,” explained Mowinski.

The focus of the project is positivity, and its fuel is love. The only time Mowinski showed signs of discouragement was when she was discussing the recent racially-motivated killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Olathe, Kan., and the silence of President Trump at the rising numbers of racially and religiously-moti-

vated violent acts against minorities since his election.

Trump did release a statement condemning the shooting on the evening of Feb. 28, after the interview with Mowinski, and six days after the shooting. However, his reluctance to condemn white supremacy has been an issue to protesters since before his nomination.

Though the Kickstarter campaign ends on March 7, the project itself will run until the end of 2017. Check out the campaign at kickstarter.com/projects/1192181903/the50-card-project.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

March 2, 2017

7

Gallery 51 opens new multi-artist exhibit “Biotope”

By Chris Riemer A&E Editor It’s my view that Gallery 51 has kind of a tough calling: they have to put together exhibitions by talented, thoughtful artists, these exhibitions should ideally have some relation to North Adams and the College, and finally, the art has to be eye-catching enough to attract visitors from off the street.

Occasionally they miss the mark, whether it’s a good-looking showcase of photos by some artist from several states away, or an installation by a local artist that just doesn’t pop.

One way to avoid this is to recruit a number of local artists as contributors to a single exhibition, which is the premise of the Gallery’s recently-opened Biotope, organized by North Adams local Richard Harrington. The exhibition is comprised of selections by artists from New England (including several from North Adams), New York, Pennsylvania, as well as one from Kentucky.

Harrington was smart to choose a somewhat vague theme—the uniqueness of geography, topography, biology, or simply the unique aesthetic in a certain region of the world.

This idea is explained in an uncredited mission statement, which I assume Harrington authored, and which can be found at the desk at the entrance of

the gallery—although perhaps visitors should explore a little before reading it.

Some pieces, like Martha Rose’s excellent bird’s-eye paintings of the American southwest, adhere quite closely to the theme. From a distance, Rose’s paintings could be pastel-colorized photographs from an airplane window.

For others, the connection is less clear, as in Larry Alice’s “Radiant Bride,” a sculpture of an organic, skeletal humanoid creature with a giant flower for a head. (My mom identified it as a pink orchid, which would make sense given the title.)

There’s also a great degree of variety in terms of size, the largest being Rick Harlow’s massive abstract canvases covered in speckles and curved lines. Though not grand in size, Jennifer Maestre’s colored pencil sculptures stood out, having been prominently placed on pedestals in the center of the room: the rainbow-colored cacti-esque arrangements are striking enough to have landed Maestre a feature on Martha Stewart’s website, among many others, making her one of the more well-known artists in the collection.

In case you’re as curious as I was, the Kentucky artist is one Ron Morris, who contributed three black & white photographs—a Texan longhorn, another cow, and a close-up

PHOTO BY CHRIS RIEMER

Jennifer Maestre's spiny sculptures are immediately noticeable, as are Rick Harlow's dominating canvases (the navy & white ones) and Larry Alive's "Radiant Bride" at the back of the room. photograph of dirt. I had a five-minute argument about the dirt photo with a friend, and my conclusion was this—if someone is asked to submit just three pieces of art, and one of the pieces they choose is a photo of some dirt, it’s probably a really, really good photo of some dirt. (It was, although

I preferred the photo of the Texan Longhorn.)

My favorites were Greg Scheckler’s cryptid-like nighttime trailcam images, and Rachel Cheetham/Dan Rose’s “still life” blend of photographs of what appears to be workers manipulating machinery and disassembling an animal car-

cass in a meat processing plant.

It’s a massive print, rumpled loosely in a way which to me suggested the animal’s skin and entrails depicted upon it—a little rough on the stomach, but a piece you could really spend some time examining.

Biotope is up until midApril.

Say yes! To The “alien porno kings”

By Ron Leja rl2670@mcla.edu Deputy Features and A&E Editor The rolling hills of Berkshire County are home to a vast collection of musical talent.

Not only has it become a home for blue grass and folk music enthusiast, but the local hard rock and heavy metal scene has always managed to be prevalent throughout the region, helping to spawn some of the most regarded bands of the genre, such as Killswitch Engage and The Acacia Strain.

The hip-hop scene on the other hand, has meticulously managed to stay underground.

In Western Massachusetts, artists of the genre have almost ceased to exist.

However, that may be about to change thanks to efforts of the “Alien Porno Kings,” an experimental rap group from Adams, Mass.

“Alien Porno Kings” consists of four members: Levon Hilling, an MCLA biology major, Shawn and Brendon Vincent, and Mike Shey.

For 15 years, members of the group have found themselves interested in music as a whole.

They are self-taught musicians, and currently explore not only their talents in regards to rap

music, but make up the metal band “Cubes” and the folk music group “VG Boys.”

“Alien Porno Kings” is currently their main project, and is the result of a six years of work. The group could be considered out of place given the general personality of the region, but rest assured they fall well into place with the growing arts scene. Their particular flavor of hip-hop encapsulates the artistry of the craft: vivid imagery through spoken word, obscure beats, incredibly diverse rhyme schemes and lore surrounding their hip-hop personalities.

“When it comes to writing lyrics, we really try to stay loose,” Shawn explained. “We sit around in the shack, one of our recording areas, and we talk. We’ll have a beat made, and eventually someone comes up with a mantra, like “WillaDrilla,” then everyone starts to work off that.”

With a name like “Alien Porno Kings,” one can assume that the subject matter of many of their songs leans heavily on adult themes and subject matter, but the hip-hop genre has always presented itself as something gritty and grimy.

The beats, created primarily by both Brendon and Mike, take on an other-worldly tone, falling somewhere between lo-

PHOTO BY ALIEN PORNO KING

The Alien Porno Kings have currently released two full length Albums, "Never Mind the Bannacks.

Here's the Porno Kings, " left. and "Dark and Dangerous," right/ fi music and jazz. They often use various sound samples from sci-fi related media as well. Their track “Willa Drilla” for example, opens with a line from the popular Netflix series “Stranger Things.”

“We do it all ourselves, “ Levon mentioned.

“We’ve learned how to use the different programs, found out what works and what doesn’t by trial and error. We even made our own green screen so we can start making our own music videos.”

The lyricism used throughout their music is notably poetic.

The group often makes up their

own words to string together impressive rhymes. Each track plays like a Dr. Seuss inspired nightmare set in the darkest recesses of the universe. Their style is random, chaotic at times, yet manages to all come together to create something incredible, much like space itself.

“We really like the 90s era of hip hop,” Mike explained.

“I’d say what we do is really a celebration of that type of hip hop. We’re definitely influenced by the lyrical stylings of artists like The Beastie Boys, Wu-Tang Clan, and Rage Against the Machine.”

The group has currently released a four track EP entitled “Frostina,” as well as two full length albums, both of which are self-produced: “Dark and Dangerous” in 2015 and most recently “Never Mind the Bannacks. Here’s the Porno Kings.” They’ve also performed at both Dottie’s Coffee Lounge and The Boom Room in Pittsfield.

If you’re a fan of hip-hop, keep the “Alien Porno Kings” on your radar. Their entire discography can be accessed through their bandcamp page at https://apkapkapk.bandcamp. com.

SPORTS Men's Basketball players set sights on playing in Spain

By Brady Gerow @MCLABeaconSport Sports Editor MCLA Men’s Basketball players Keiland Cross, Joseph Wiggins, and Nolan Bird have been given quite a unique opportunity in the realm of Division III athletics to play alongside other D-III athletes in Spain.

The trio, all juniors, were arguably the best players the Trailblazers had on their roster this year. Not only that, but they were also some of the best players in the MASCAC this year.

Despite the season not ending as they wanted, at 2-22 and 0-12 in the MASCAC, the three Blazers put up solid numbers week in and week out.

The opportunity comes from a program put on by Beyond Sports, an organization that uses sports to help address and bring light to social issues and give opportunities like this to young athletes.

Wiggins and Cross have a long history in athletics. The pair has played together their entire lives, with the exception of high school. “[Wiggins and I] were on the

PHOTO FROM DOMONIQUE ACKLEY — BEACON PHOTO EDITOR MCLA 's Keiland Cross (Left), Joseph Wiggins (Middle), and Nolan Bird (Right, in white) playing defense in a game earlier this season. same all-star teams third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade,” Cross said. “We played on house league teams, we won championships together.”

Wiggins described the opportunity to travel to Spain as “insane.”

“It’s a story that we’ll be able to tell our kids in the future,” he

said.

Bird, on the other hand, played against the duo growing up.

“He was always cool,” Cross said. “We never had any problems,

we always knew who he was, and he knew who we were.”

Wiggins, Cross, and Bird have had solid years as Blazers this year despite the team’s troubles. Cross and Wiggins were tied for second place in points per game across the entire MASCAC this season with 16.0 ppg for both players.

They also tied for fifth in total points scored in the MASCAC, each having recorded 385 points over the season. Cross also led the MASCAC in assists per game with 4.3.

Although Bird did not have a top-of-the-charts season like Wiggins and Cross, he was a solid performer for the Blazers. He recorded 8.9 ppg alongside 4.2 rpg this year with MCLA. The group will be leaving for Spain on June 4 and will stay for ten days, traveling to four different cities and playing four teams. The trip will cost around $4,000 for the players.

For more information on the opportunity the players were given, you can contact them on Facebook, or visit their Go-FundMe page at <a href=”https://www. gofundme.com/trip-to-spainbasketball-tour-2017?r=1440.”>

Women’s Basketball falls short in playoffs

By Brady Gerow @MCLABeaconSport Sports Editor

The Framingham State Rams defeated the MCLA Trailblazers in a 60-59 victory last Wednesday, after Framingham State junior Raegan Mulherin drained a three-pointer in the final seconds of the semifinal match-up.

The Blazers and the Rams played a tight game that boasted ten ties as well as nine lead changes, as well as neither team having led by more than six points in the contest. Despite the Blazers having been the underdogs as the six seed and the Rams the second seed, the Blazers didn’t let that deter them from putting up a good fight.

Despite holding a decent 50-44 lead in the fourth quarter, the Blazers allowed the Rams to put together a solid 12-2 run to put them up 57-52 with only two minutes remaining in the game.

The Blazers then brought themselves back, taking a 59-57 lead after a big three from sophomore Courtney Pingelski with only 34 seconds left to play in the game.

With the lead in the Blazers favor, they then blocked the Rams’ ensuing three-point attempt, but allowed them to get the rebound. The Rams then put up another shot that drew a foul. Rams sophomore Tiphani Harris was sent to the line to potentially tie the game, but was unable to make either shot. After a turnover from the Blazers, Mulherin then stepped up for the Rams and put

the game away for good, sinking the game-winnng three pointer with only two seconds left on the clock. Not having had enough time for a solid shot, the Blazers ended up taking the loss to cap off their impressive run in the MASCAC playoffs.

The Rams received big performances from their seniors; Alycia Rackliffe led all scorers with 17 points and a game-high 11 rebounds to cap off her double-double performance. Sarah Palace recorded 12 points going 2-of4 from beyond the arc, while Monta Connolly added seven points. Mulherin contributed ten points, while Harris added eight boards off the bench for the Rams.

The Blazers were paced by Courtney McLaughlin who led all Blazers with 16 points going 6-for-7 from the charity stripe. Kayla Hotaling added 11 points with a team-high eight rebounds in the loss. The Blazers shot 35 percent from the field and 37 percent from beyond the arc, but struggled with ball control having turned the ball over 20 times.

The Rams shot 34 percent from the floor and an uncharacteristic 15 percent from long-range, after averaging 34.3 percent from beyond the arc on the season.

The Blazers saw their season close at 10-16 after nearly having pulled off two straight upsets in the MASCAC tournament. This game marked the final play for MCLA seniors Kayla Hotaling, Courtney McLaughlin, Ashley Clawson, Anna Despart, Svetlana Morrell and Brayleigh Hanlon.

PHOTO FROM MCLA ATHLETICS MCLA 's Ashley Clawson going up for a lay-up in a game against Framingham St. earlier this year.

The Rams however, took the trip to the finals of the tournament at Westfield State on Saturday, Feb. 25. The Rams were defeated by the Owls 83-74 to

cap off this years season of Division III Women’s Basketball in the MASCAC, having crowned the Westfield State Owls league champions.

SPORTS

Women's Lacrosse ready to start season at Bard College

By Joseph Carew jc2824@mcla.edu Co-Managing Editor

The MCLA women’s lacrosse team will enter their third season this Saturday at Bard College at 3 p.m. The Trailblazers look to improve upon their three wins last year and four in their inaugural season. With five of the 14 games on home field where the Blazers hold a five and eight lifetime record, it seems quite possible.

“I feel like we have a lot to prove this season and I feel that a lot of our opponents are going to be surprised by us,” junior Mackenzie Cutler said.

“People are going to be surprised this year on what we have up our sleeve.”

This year the team will have four seniors including Lauren Sharer at attack, Rachel Green and Natalie Caney at attack and midfield, and Svetlana Morrell on defense.

Coaching the team for their third year will be Coach Maria Bartini, the only coach in the team’s short history. The Blazers won their very first game under Bartini but hold a seven and 20 overall record in their two only seasons.

Highlights in the schedule: Last season’s battle against Southern Vermont University ended in overtime with a win for the Blazers 14-13. The rematch on April 10 will be the first meeting of these teams since that dramatic contest and may shape up to be

all projections listed USC as comfortably joining the NCAA tournament field, heading toward a drama-free finish. Most figured USC would be sitting pretty as it entered the final week of the regular season.

But there was USC on Tuesday at the Galen Center, finishing an abnormally long practice. As it was ending, Coach

SCORE BOARD

9

MCLA Women’s Basketball MCLA (59),Framingham St.(60) Courtney McLaughlin(MCLA) 16 Pts, 5 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk

Alycia Rackliffe (Framingham St.) 17 Pts, 11 Reb, 3 Stl, 2 Blk

NBA Wizards (112), Warriors (108) Markieff Morris (Wash) 22 Pts, 6 Reb, 1 Ast

PHOTO FROM MCLA ATHLETICS MCLA senior Natalie Caney attacking the goal in a game last season. one of the best games of the season.

The home contests for this season will be against: Mt. St. Vincent next Friday, Green Mountain College and Worcester State on March 18, as well as against Mass.

Maritime and Fitchburg State on March 22 and April 8 respectively.

The team will look to Caney to follow up her impressive 33 goals and ten assists

last year for a team high 43 points. She has 59 goals and 26 assists in her career and is on pace to hit the 100 point mark this season. Cutler will also be on the radar to match her 26 goals last season.

The Blazers ended last season 3-11 and 0-7 in the MASCAC but look to build off the growing program here at the College.

USC is still in position to reach the NCAA tournament field, but it ‘better not lose’

By Zach Helfand Los Angeles Times wire service LOS ANGELES — Last week, virtually

March 2, 2017

Andy Enfield said his team had a lot to go over after a collapse in the final four minutes against Arizona State on Sunday.

"Hey, I don't feel sorry for our team," Enfield said. "I don't feel sorry for our program. We just didn't get it done."

If the Trojans were to feel sorry about anything, it would be what has become of their NCAA tournament chances. The loss at Arizona State jolted USC's final homestand which begins Wednesday with Washington State _ transforming it from

a gentle finish to a crucial series.

"It affected them quite a bit," said Shelby Mast, who runs the website Bracket W.A.G. and works as USA Today's bracketologist. "They better not lose."

USC is still in position to enter the field. Of 123 bracket projections listed by the bracketology aggregator Bracket Matrix, 119 kept the Trojans in. Some, like CBS Sports' Jerry Palm, still list USC as secure, at a No. 9 seed.

Randy Levine: the most unprofessional president in major sports Fans of the New that Betances was a York Yankees are victim of his agents, probably mortified essentially blasting right now. the entire arbitration Your team just process. To add found the only way icing onto the cake, possible to lose an he suggested $5 arbitration case that million would be Andrew absurd for Betances they won.

On the surface, it Baillargeon because “Five would seem like a million dollars goes The Call one year, $5 million to elite closers, deal is an amazingly people who pitch team friendly deal the ninth inning and for a three-time all-star have a lot, a lot, and a lot of reliever in Dellin Betances. saves.” The utter hypocrisy There’s not supposed to be in Levine’s statement is a catch here, but President glowing, considering he Randy Levine found a way. handed more than three In a press conference after times that amount of money the arbitration hearing to incoming free agent was settled, Randy Levine closer Aroldis Chapman to absolutely bashed Betances, return to New York. suggesting that Betances It’s disgusting and wanting $5 million for shameful how Randy Levine one year instead of the $3 conducted himself, and million he ended up settling represented his franchise. for was similar to him being Fitting, Betances took to an astronaut. He suggested Twitter to suggest that his

free agent decision next season would be “easy to make.” I absolutely cannot blame him. Randy Levine was extremely disrespectful and unprofessional in this horrendous public display.

The worst part is, the repercussions of this display have likely only just begun.

This public scene is very likely to leave a sour taste in the mouths of future free agents who might’ve otherwise considered coming to the Yankees.

This is a PR nightmare that is far too deep in to recover from. The Yankees will lose Dellin Betances this off-season without question, but if I was Hal Steinbrenner, I would be having a long, drawn out, and somewhat tense discussion with Levine about this public display.

This, to me, would certainly be a fireable offense. That’s

how seriously Randy Levine messed up.

Dellin Betances has probably spent about the last week or so looking into real estate somewhere else in the country.

Andrew Baillargeon is the host of The Call, a weekly program broadcasted by WJJW. Tune in on Sundays from 7-10 p.m.. Listeners can also tune in via 91.1 FM WJJW or our website, hyyp://www.mcla.edu/ Student_Life/studentmedia/ wjjw/.

Draymond Green (Golden State) 14 Pts, 8 Reb, 14 Ast

NBA OKC Thunder (109), Utah Jazz (106) Russell Westbrook (OKC) 43 Pts, 11 Reb, 10 Ast

Gordon Hayward (Jazz) 19 Pts, 2 Reb, 5 Ast

NCAA Men’s Basketball #9 Kentucky (73), Vanderbilt (67) Malik Monk (UK) 27 Pts, 2 Reb, 1 Ast,

Luke Kornet (Vanderbilt) 21 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Stl

NCAA Men’s Basketball

#15 Duke (75), #17 Florida State (70)

Amile Jefferson (Duke) 14 Pts, 11 Reb, 1 Stl

Dwayne Bacon (FS) 19 Pts, 3 Reb, 3 Ast

NCAA Women’s Basketball #1 Connecticut (96), South Florida(109) Napheesa Collier (UCONN) 39 Pts, 12 Reb, 2 Ast

Want a guest column? Contact Mitchell Chapman on Office 365.

Laia Flores (SF) 13 Pts, 4 Reb, 6 Ast

OPINION

CAMPUS COMMENT

EDITORIAL

What would you like to see open downtown?

I have a lot of friends who are photographers, so I’d like to see a camerashop in the main area.

AJ Sabanski, Sophomore

I’d like to see a performance venue. A place student can perform that the public also has access to.

Taylor Doyle, Junior

I want Oh-Crepe back, and more restaurant that aren’t just pizza places.

Shannon Esposito, Junior

PHOTOS BY DOMONIQUE ACKLEY AND RON LEJA

ARAMARK is worth working with As previously reported by The Beacon, ARAMARK’s contract is more than likely to be renewed by the College. A unifying element on campus in a very peculiar way, ARAMARK rolls off the tongue of nearly every student with a meal plan.

It seems to be one of those places people can talk passionately and endlessly about.

Whether it is to complain or complement it can’t be denied that the company is a part of this campus and those who work for it are a part of the community. The critics of the company often openly criticize the quality of food, the options available, and nearly every aspect of the experience that is the cafeteria.

These complaints can be legitimate but can come off as direct criticisms of the workers who serve the chicken patties, assemble the wraps, and cook the French toast for a large portion of the campus.

We must take care not to fight with the employees because they are simply not to blame for the vast majority of the complaints heard on campus.

Instead of targeting employees there is already a system in place to work with ARAMARK and it has already borne fruit with more gluten free options, more vegan options, and even kosher meals upon request. This isn’t to say that ARAMARK is perfect or that they have enough of any

The relationship with the company and the food committee headed by Shannon Esposito, executive vice president of SGA, is well established, effective and underutilized. An overhaul and replacement of a system that is open to change could easily prove to be a disaster in the long run.

of those examples, but it does hint at the real possibility of progress.

The relationship with the company and the food committee headed by Shannon Esposito, executive vice president of SGA, is well established, effective and underutilized. An overhaul and replacement of a system that is open to change could easily prove to be a disaster in the long run.

Starting from the ground up with another company entirely would mean the loss of everything the College has worked to gain with ARAMARK. As hard as it may be to swallow for some students, ARAMARK has become a part of the MCLA experience and to complain endlessly about it or to seek to remove it will result in nothing but negativity and wasted effort.

Opponents to this stance focus on the enormity of the company and the alleged labor law violations and accusations of foreign

objects in their food. Some of these claims have been found credible, but ARAMARK has been making significant improvements in the quality of their food and how ethical their suppliers are. Equally important to note is the lack of competition ARAMARK has.

Criticizing one company without providing a useful alternative doesn’t encourage the College to reconsider their stance. As a small college with close to only 900 meal plan users, MCLA isn’t exactly an attractive option for food service providers.

We are too large for small companies and too small for large companies.

And as previously noted we already have a provider who has been receptive to criticism so long as it is through legitimate channels.

Without any proper alternative and with the College looking to renew it would seem the best option to work with ARAMARK.

Disinterest in film: When intent is vague and problematic I saw this movie from is exactly the point.

1975 called “Jeanne “Jeanne Dielman, 23 Dielman, 23 quai du quai du Commerce, Commerce, 1080 Brux1080 Bruxelles” is elles” that got reprinted laconic and tedious recently and entered back because it’s supposed into larger conversations to be—it’s an extended Jon Hoel metaphor about the about how we watch movFishin With social condition of the ies—moreover how we Jon receive and criticize art. In housewife in contemthis film, the protagonist, porary 20th century Jeanne Dielman played by a Belgium. young Lebanese-French actress So you have this disinternamed Delphine Seyrig, goes est in being entertaining as an about her daily routine, where art form. So when I watch this she mostly cleans her home for movie, I as a critic, cannot simthe majority of the film’s three ply say “I was bored—this film is and a half hour run time. bad,” because the film is meant This all seems fairly dull as to be interpreted this way, it’s an audience; the film is excrusupposed to feel claustrophobic ciating and monotone. But, as and inescapable. It succeeds if pointed out by the many essayyou feel this way. ists and critics who adore it, it That sounds strange at first, a

foreign concept, but really it’s not. Think about rollercoasters or horror films. You wouldn’t feel like George Romero or Hideo Nakata movie served you very well if it didn’t terrify you.

This is not an atypical service you’d expect from entertainment but it’s one of most successful forms of film and always has been.

This makes the idea of film (or art) criticism even more convoluted and vague. How could I rightly write a scathing review for “Jeanne Dielman” when it did what it intended to do as a film? This becomes even more complex in the age of the so-called “Cringe Film”, where films are made with intent to be BAD movies. Films like Neil Breen’s “Fateful Findings” or the

filmography of Lloyd Kaufman.

Lambasting movies for being pretty bad is nothing new (see Mystery Science Theater 3000).

This translates well when we turn the conversation towards music. What we talk about when we talk about noise music becomes considerably more viable for praise and acclaim. Merzbow, the Japanese noise artist or Pharmakon the industrial noise solo project of Margaret Chardiet are both prime examples of this: artists who release albums that are not meant to sound pleasant. Pharmakon’s album “Bestial Burden” from 2014 is an album that is meant to make you nauseous and uncomfortable, not tap your feet like a Temptations single. Consider also the longstanding fascination and ap-

peal of the sincerist music from The Shaggs, often hailed the worst band of all time. They’re poor musicians, technically pathetic but endearing songwriters with passion and zeal.

There is however, a considerable difference between something that is unintentionally atrocious, like Tommy Wiseau’s infamous film “The Room”, versus something that was made TO be bad. The intent matters, and the tongue-in-cheek style often leaves much to be desired.

The intensely poor quality of the “Scary Movie” franchise is fairly evident of this.

I left “Jeanne Dielman” not entirely certain how to feel. I know I was bored, that’s for sure. But I also acknowledge that I wouldn’t call it a boring movie.

OPINION

11

March 2, 2017

Your voice is a powerful tool Each and every one of us was given one of the most powerful tools in the world: our voice. We need to use this tool every chance we get to defend those that are under attack, lift those that are pushed down, and make the change that we want to see in the world. This is the responsibility that we must accept as members of this increasingly interconnected world. Just like in many of the great novels of history, there are those who use this awesome power for good and those that use it to harm others. Make sure you use this powerful tool for good because those who are neutral with this kind of power are a part of those who harm.

We live in a world where we are surrounded by hateful

Letters Driving, parking concerns on campus To the Editor: As a senior commuter here on campus, I have had my share of fighting over a parking space. Even going through the trouble of buying a sticker each semester does not guarantee you a parking spot. I understand that many young men and women come from different parts of the country to be enrolled here on campus and need a place to park. I also understand our educators travel, whether it is from down the street or another state. However, commuters are often put on the back burner.

Residents seem to have better luck since they have multiple lots designated for them to park in. In reality, there are only four areas for commuters to park --shared parking with faculty.

Not only do you fight for a spot with other commuters, but professors as well.

I only pay for a sticker, despite the chance of having to drive around for an open spot, for the safety of my vehicle and the chances of getting to class is greater, or at least, I thought so.

I have lived in the Berkshire County area my entire life, and I have come to learn about the cities carelessness toward the condition of the roads during the wintery months. Unfortunately, this attitude seems to have been passed on to my College. When any amount of snow comes to campus, it seems to be ignored until the last minute and when finally tended to, their process doesn’t make sense.

Recently, I often park in the unpaved lot behind Hoosac Hall. This semester, they pushed the snow in piles almost as tall as me, but they have left it in areas where there was space to park. Due to these piles, my car protrudes out. Lately, I barely manage to park in the lot and I am always nervous that my car will be wrecked when I return.

Also, only maybe half of the amount of cars are now able to fit into this lot compared to when there was no snow at all. Cars are even plowed in with snow as if they appeared to have

language in nearly every form of media that we use and in personal conversations. We have a PresiTim dent that Williams uses his pulSide By Side pit to bully members of our communities, hateful language overpowering social media, and people using vicious words that have no place in a community. When someone uses a slur, misgenders someone, or diminishes the worth of any person, that leaves a lasting effect on that person and has no place in our community.

When surrounded by all this hate and despair it is easy to resign to the idea that things won’t get better. In times of crisis, the great Fred Rogers reminds us to always look for the helpers because “you will always find people who are helping.” While combating prejudices may seem like a daunting task, you’ve been given the greatest tool in that battle--your voice. As a college student, you may not be able to make it to every protest march or donate to every cause that is important to you but you can be a helper. Be the helper that gives someone hope in a world that may seem dark.

Here at MCLA, being a small community means that your voice makes a bigger impact. When you see someone

use a slur used against a friend or classmate, use your voice by educating and helping end the usage of that slur. If someone misgenders a community member, use the correct pronoun and be an ally. Educating someone helps wipe out ignorance and soon prejudices. If something is unjust, use your voice and help change the system to make our community stronger for each and every one of us. Be the change that you want to see. We are all humans and we must stand in opposition to any form of discrimination or hatred by using our voices.

stayed overnight. I thought there was no overnight parking allowed, and if they are residents, why are they not in their designated lots?

Same goes for the resident lot that runs parallel to the lot preciously mentioned. I see many cars that look like they haven’t moved whatsoever in the last few days, at least after the snow storm on Sunday, Feb. 12. They didn’t bother to clean out around their vehicles to go anywhere. A car that sits in a lot with no use is allowed a spot the whole semester, but I have to deal with finding one while spots get taken away by passive attitudes of our plowing? To me, this is starting to sound a little unfair.

Two years ago in a paved lot, I was backed into due to the condition of the lot and negligence of a freshman driver who blamed me. Basic driving: If you are backing out into traffic, you’re at fault. I made no direct complaint to the school, but on a survey I did mention the incident. Since then, I have been extra cautious about where I park. I would not have to be if I was not driving in snowbound lots.

I am sure I am not the only one that faces this difficulty, especially for less experienced drivers. Our location in the middle of North Adams makes it less than easy to add more lots.

However, I did notice more parking was added across the street off Ashland St. for resident and faculty.

Since I have been attending MCLA, I also noticed the amount of commuters has increased, but not accounted for in parking.

However, commuters are the ones dependent on their vehicles to get them from home to school to work or anywhere else. My car is just as important as the resident vehicle that sits in a lot days at a time with barely any purpose.

This is my last semester here and soon it won’t be my fight anymore. Hopefully, any acknowledgement and recognition of this issue can ensure the safety of all students and faculty who attend now and in the future.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jasmin Figueroa Class of 2017 jf1779@mcla.edu

resort to violent self-defense, and to criticize them ignores the actual cause. What would drive them to such acts?

Because Richard Spencer and his allies advocate for violent action against minorities, and because public figures like Milo Yiannopoulos have threatened or already engaged in such violence, they represent a direct and immediate danger not only to free speech but to groups of real human beings, and it is therefore in the best interest of our society to deprive them of the platforms that we so gleefully afford them. Let us, as a campus, extend a hand to both conservatives and liberals in condemning a society that has trampled on its own rights and Constitution.

Thankfully, unlike the powerless groups that the alt-right targets, it is possible for us to accomplish our ends through totally nonviolent means.

How, then, to effectively confront and condemn violent speech? The major strength of the alt-right is that it is alternative—it is an escape from the the stagnant swamp of American politics. Therefore: We must create a constructive, nonviolent alternative to mainstream American politics that addresses the legitimate grievances of those who are vulnerable to the alt-right’s attacks and susceptible to persuasion by their arguments.

It must seek to imbue disenfranchised people with new political power, and recognize Spencer and fascism for the Red Herring that they are.

Fascists are by no means the most powerful intolerant force in our society—they are one of the smallest, and it only drives more adherents towards the fledgling alt-right if we identify them as such. By directing our actions away from the alt-right and towards the forces that most effectively disenfranchise our population (whether you see those forces as acting from the Right or the Left), we deprive the altright of its most vital lifeline: an audience. If we can begin an independent effort to make actual change within our malignant status quo, then Spencer will suffer not only the embarrassment of a black eye, but helplessness and obscurity in the face of a viable political alternative.

Brett Belcastro Class of 2017

Free speech and the alt-right

To the Editor: I would like to respond to the recent columns by Mitchell Chapman and Joseph Carew concerning the right to free speech. First, I would like to express my agreement with the main thrust of their arguments, both of which reach for the claim that violence at the expense of free speech is violence against democracy itself.

This is a deeply American value that I cherish as one of the greatest achievements in human civilization—it is my hope that both conservatives and liberals can rally around it and use this very achievement to recognize how wrong it is to act as though people like Richard Spencer do no harm by continuing their public tirades.

If we are to be infinitely tolerant of speech, we find ourselves trapped in contradiction, because it clearly identifies ideas which free speech should not tolerate: namely, those that do violence to democracy, those that do not respect free speech. Tolerance appears to extend only so far as those who are, themselves, tolerant. Tolerant of what? Tolerance is always the tolerance of, and here we have to take sides, we cannot allow our values to remain infinitely relative to the individual.

Tolerance is the tolerance of human rights, the most important of which is the right to physical safety. If you violate this right, you do so at the risk of losing your own rights. Did the attacker violate Richard Spencer’s right to free speech?

Yes—and although we must be intensely critical of violence, he used the only power at his disposal to do what we as a society neglected to accomplish by peaceable means. I want to emphasize two points: 1) We are sometimes justified in violating the rights of individuals, as our society is now justified in pushing back against the right of fascists to have any kind of platform for public speech which they can use to hurt people.

2) When the dominant classes in any society stay quiet or actively protect the oppressors, it is only natural that the oppressed should

Tim Williams is the President of SGA, which meets every Monday at 7 p.m. in Murdock Hall room 218.

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Photo By Ron Leja A colorful, Egyptian-style mural found along the overpass located by MASS MoCA.

Advanced Photography students capture the World Through different lenses Photos By Brittany Cormier

Snow speckled stairs lead to several religious sculptures in the St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery.

The sun sets behind the Berkshire hills as another day comes to an end at MCLA.

The red, neon sign of Oasis Liquors provides a dab of color to an otherwise dreary winter day.

Photo By Naudia Sanchez