The Miscellany News
Volume CXLVII | Issue 6
October 31, 2013
Since 1866 | miscellanynews.com
Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
Feminism adapts to digital world Local children see the magic of science at VC O Elizabeth Dean and Debbie Altman GuEst rEpOrtErs
n October 24, 2013, the ALANA Center hosted an event titled “A Discussion of Race and Digital Feminism.” The ALANA Center is a place on campus for events, resources, and support for Vassar’s many students of color. It is located near the Old Laundry Building and provides space for events hosted by its many students groups and employees. The program also drew on the expertise of members of the Women’s Center here at Vassar. It was led
by ALANA Center Program Intern Brittani Skyers-White ’16, a women’s studies major. Skyers-White wrote in an emailed statement, “ [I] wanted to promote discussion about using digital media as [a] means to discuss feminism and issues of inclusivity in mainstream feminism.” Skyers-White continued, “The majority of people on campus are involved in some sort of social media and use social media to prompt discussion about social justice issues; it seems fitting to talk openly about inclusivity. The reason I want-
ed to talk specifically about digital feminism was because of the Hugo Schwyzer controversy (a person who touts himself as a ‘male feminist’ and openly admitted via Twitter purposefully putting down feminists of color).” She continued, “Though that controversy is a more blatant example of female-identified persons of color not being included in feminist conversation, it’s extremely important to realize who and what issues are being represented repeatedly See DIGITAL on page 4
Eloy Bleifuss Prados
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assistant FEaturEs EditOr
agic is scientifically impossible. But can science sometimes be magical? The Chemistry Department tested this hypothesis last week in a “Magic Show” where Vassar student volunteers performed fun and flashy chemistry experiments for children. Held annually to celebrate the National Foundation for Science’s Chemistry Week, the event on Oct. 23 in Sanders Auditorium hoped to instill in the young children a lifelong interest in chemistry. Lab Technician and organizer
Jenn Jackson described the magic show as having one simple goal: “To show kids that science is fun and exciting.” She introduced the show telling the invited class from Whimpfheimer Nursery School and Toddler Centerthat they were about to witness what she said were “A few things we can do with chemistry that seem a lot like magic.” The magic tricks themselves were less acts of misdirection or deception than demonstrations of straightforward but dramatic chemical processes, the type of experiSee MAGIC on page 6
RSL reestablishes the Library Quiet Room Jacob Gorski/The Miscellany News
Women’s studies major Brittani Skyers-White ‘16 hosted an event on Thursday, October 24 in the ALANA Center. The event included a discussion of the intersectionality of race, gender, class and feminism online.
Noble Ingram and Palak Patel nEWs EditOr and dEsiGn EditOr
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n Sunday, Oct. 27, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) hosted the first event of a series of events in the Quiet Room of the library called “Soul Sundays.” At 8 p.m., several students gathered on the third floor of the Library for an hour of contemplative practices including meditation, poetry, song and interactive activities that fostered thought and discussion. The main voice behind this pro-
gram’s conception was RSL intern Gabe Dunsmith ’15. He came together with Director of the RSL Office Sam Speers in order to provide an opportunity for students to be introduced to contemplative practices in a space that is not often used for this purpose. The first Soul Sunday meeting involved an introduction to contemplative practices. The night began with a silent meditation practice and then moved to a discussion about a See SOULon page 4
Field hockey earns its Soulful Solange to serenade Vassar first ever playoff spot W Jack Owen arts EditOr
Jacob Gorski/The Miscellany News
Chris Brown spOrts EditOr
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ith a winning record of 11 wins and only five losses, this year marks the first time in history that the Vassar College field hockey team has made it to post season play. In a momentous season for the Vassar Brewer women, the team will seek to move on in the
playoffs and claim their first Liberty League title in the program’s history. And their most recent win against Scranton University only bolsters the team’s standings in the league. Field hockey has been dominate during home conference games, winning three out of three of them, See HOCKEY on page 20
Inside this issue
9
Students should share costs of dorm OPINIONS damages
17 ARTS
McQueen’s 12 Years reveals horrors of 19th-century South
courtesy of Carlton Jordan
Senior halfback Rachel Waldman led the team on the defensive end vs the University of Scranton. The Vassar team defeated Scranton in overtime 2-1.
ith her velvety voice, inventive lyrics, funky dance moves and impossibly cool style, it is no wonder that Solange Knowles is one of the most anticipated performers to hit Vassar in years. Her most recent EP, “True,” has been met with nearly universal critical acclaim, spawning hits such as “Losing You,” and “Lovers in the Parking Lot,” and her performances and music videos have been highly praised. Knowles, brought by ViCE Music and the Council of Black Seniors, will perform in the Chapel on Friday at 8 p.m. with special guest Iman Omari. Knowles’ visit to Vassar is part of a series of sporadic college concerts. “I had her on the back of my mind for a while, but when her agency approached us about her having availability in our area, it just made it that much more of a reality,” wrote ViCE Music Director Maya Toler ’16 in an emailed statement. “Solange is known by many as her sister, Beyoncé’s antithesis. However, in the last few years she has been coming into her own and making a name for herself as more than the talented little sis.” Since her musical debut as the lead vocalist of the Proud Family theme song in 2001 and debut album Solo Star, Knowles has worked to establish her own musical style and voice. A prolific songwriter—she began See SOLANGE on page 16
Fashion icon and eclectic musician Solange Knowles will grace the Chapel stage on Friday at 8 p.m. for ViCE’s annual fall concert, opened by guest Iman Omar.
18 SPORTS
NFL should focus on issues at home, not across the pond