Misc 11.21.19

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The Miscellany News

Since 1866 | miscellanynews.org

Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY

Volume CLII | Issue 11

November 21, 2019

Italian stereotypes critiqued

Haitian art exhibits heart, will

Leila Raines

Vassar Haiti Project

Guest Reporter

Guest Columnists

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ith last week’s release of the live-action “Lady and the Tramp” alongside the launch of Disney’s new streaming service, Disney+, Disney fans can now witness the iconic spaghetti Photos: Grace Rousell; editing: Juliette Pope/The Miscellany News date from the original 1955 movie come to life. But this beloved At a VOICE event, SJP protested the talk of Zionist activist Hen Mazzig, who spoke about his IDF scene, widely considered one of service and family history. This incited discursive responses from the speaker, College and student body. the most romantic moments in Disney cinematic history, is ridden with ethnic stereotyping of Italian-Americans. The chefs who prepare the spaghetti and meatof personal information with the movement is “about the fact that Olivia Diallo Guest Reporter balls for Lady and Tramp are an intent of intimidation. In her offi- my parents are alive.” He continexample of the caricatured Italn the evening of Thursday, cial statement to the Vassar com- ued, “If anyone has a problem with ian immigrants seen in countless Nov. 14, Students for Justice in munity, President Elizabeth Brad- Zionism, they have a problem with movies and TV shows, including Palestine (SJP) protested a lecture ley condemned the actions of the the fact that my parents are alive.” Approximately 20 attendees the cherished Disney classic. by Zionist activist Hen Mazzig, a protesters as anti-Semitic. Assistant Professor of Italian Stud- speaker invited to campus by VasMazzig is a self-professed “Is- gathered inside the auditorium to ies Sole Anatrone delved into these sar Organizing Israel Conversa- raeli Jewish advocate, writer, [and] hear Mazzig’s lecture. The lecture stereotypes and their political and tions Effectively (VOICE). Mazzig speaker” (Twitter, @HenMazzig). was titled “Forgotten Refugees: Insocial history in film on Wednesday, claims that he was silenced by pro- He also describes himself as a Zion- digenous Jews of the Middle East,” Nov. 13 during a lecture to students in testers. SJP students interviewed ist. Zionism, Mazzig says, is about reflecting Mazzig’s own identity the Italian department titled “Italy and after the event claim that the pro- “Jewish emancipation.” During his as a Mizrahi Jewish person of TuIts Migrations: Fresh Off the Boat and test was recorded for the purpose lecture, he asserted that the term is nisian and Iraqi ancestry, as well See LECTURE on page 6 of doxxing, the online publishing not political, and that the Zionist See SJP PROTEST on page 3

SJP protests recent VOICE talk

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fter spending three days in the First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Arlington, Mass. for an art sale hosted by the Vassar Haiti Project (VHP), one of VHP’s Events Directors, Shuri Oshiro ’22, reflected on the current political upheaval in Haiti and holding an art sale at this critical juncture: “[The PetroCaribe protests] happening in Haiti now has a complex genealogy, and sometimes as student volunteers, we struggle to figure out how to represent the situation. But, the way we try to occupy the space in Arlington is critical to initiate conversations and raise awareness about Haiti by centering the voices of Haitians.” The past few years have indeed been tumultuous for Haiti. Since 2018, more than two billion USD in funds accumulated from an oil deal with Venezuela went missing (TIME, “Why a Venezuelan Oil See HAITI PROJECT on page 8

Lath Luv celebrates house pride Mary Cain exposes Nike’s abusive culture Carissa Clough

and celebrate the titular motto of Lathrop house: Lath Luv. Lathrop’s highly anticipated ith iconic party songs such as “Like a G6,” lively house event was a collaboration blacklights and jubilant Lathrop between Lathrop House Team, residents, 2019’s annual Lath Luv Vassar College Sound System was a memorable night full of (VCSS) and Vice Weekly. Per trahouse pride. Students dressed in dition, Lath Luv was a blacklight pink, Lathrop’s house color, filled party featuring performances the Villard room the evening of from DJ Dirty South Joe and othFriday, Nov. 15 to de-stress from er student DJs. Spirited attendees their mountainous workloads flowed between the dance floor Guest Reporter

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Courtesy of Grace Rousell Guest Columnist Carissa Clough writes, “The phrase ‘Lath Luv’ encapsulates what it feels like to call yourself a Lathropian.”

Inside this issue

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ARTS

Hoodies, moon boots and utility: the philosophy of the ‘Joss goths’

and photo booth, laughing with friends and making memories. The night was particularly memorable for Lathrop residents.“[Lath Luv] was a blast mainly due to the fact that I’m from Lathrop myself and I felt proud to have my house represented for all of Vassar,” Tim Nguyen ‘23 enthused. VCSS’ self-taught DJs’ music selections were impressive and intuitive to the well-loved bops of our generation. Lathrop resident and attendee Celeste Weidemann ‘23 raved about the setlist: “They had great music, from Tyler the Creator to The Chainsmokers. There was a large variety.” Lathrop House Team had been working since August to ensure this yearly event would be a success. Lathrop Program Director Chloe Richards ‘22 elaborated on Lathrop’s side of the process: “At times [it could] be stressful, but it’s also nice to know that the responsibility I feel is just because I love Lathrop so much. I really want to see our house community thrive, and with events like Lath Luv, I feel a lot of pride in both our house and in seeing the bigger Vassar community come together.”

11 HUMOR

Does Jimmy Fallon look like a wax figure in real life? Humor Editor has answers

Doug Cobb

Guest Columnist

[TW: This article discusses disordered eating, self-harm and suicidal ideation.] was the fastest girl in America, until I joined Nike,” reveals Mary Cain, a former high school track superstar, in a disturbing New York Times video op-ed (New York Times, “I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I Joined Nike” 11.07.2019). Cain graduated from Bronxville High School in 2014 with an impressive resume. She holds national high school records in the 800m, 1500m, 3000m and 5000m. She broke the junior world record in the indoor 1000m and won the 3000m world junior championship. She competed at the 2013 IAAF world championships, a professional meet, as a high schooler. Cain was extraordinary. She decided to go pro at the age of 17 with the Nike Oregon Project (NOP), an elite team boasting some of the best distance runners in the world, created and funded by Nike. The head coach of the project, Alberto Salazar,

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was an accomplished marathoner himself, and coached many great athletes during his career, including Olympic medalists Matthew Centrowitz, Galen Rupp and Mo Farah. Joining his team was a no-brainer for the best high school runner in the country. But against everyone’s expectations, Cain did not get faster under Salazar and his team’s oversight. She actually got slower. After running a 4:04.62 1500m and 1:59.51 800m in high school, her times got worse each season she was with the NOP, regressing considerably to 4:10.84 and 2:08.50, respectively, by 2016, the last year she competed for the NOP. This steep drop seems puzzling, considering she had all the resources of a professional runner and was working with a coach that is considered to be one of the best out there. Then, on November 7th this year, the answers fell into place. Cain came forward with her story in a NY Times op-ed. In the piece, she explained that the all-male coaching staff at the project told her “If you want to get See MARY CAIN on page 14

Columnists discuss SJP protest, OPINIONS College’s response

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Misc 11.21.19 by The Miscellany News - Issuu