The Miscellany News April 13, 2017
Since 1866 | miscellanynews.org
Volume CXLIX | Issue 19
Student art shines in Palmer
Play delves into time and its fleeting nature Sasha Gopalakrishnan Reporter
“I
Andrea Yang Reporter
Courtesy of Dominique Nabokov
magine an acclaimed Broadway show, but for 20 dollars,” mused Leon Wang ’19, who is directing “Time Long Past,” a Philaletheis theater production. “Time Long Past” will be staged in the Mug on Friday, April 14, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 15 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wang saw such a show in Shanghai four year ago, and expanded on how it inspired him: “[D]espite its low cost, simplistic design and uncomplicated plot, I was completely swept away. I really loved the show, and I felt the need to bring it to Vassar audiences, but I’m not a director or a drama student. I’m an English major. Yet, this past summer, there was this raging debate within me because I saw it several years ago, but it continued to impact me—I still remembered it so clearly.” “I decided I would translate it from Mandarin, localize it to American values and put it on stage,” he continued, explaining his approach to the formation of this project. “I know it was very ambitious of me considering I have no experience but I know how much people love theater at Vassar, and I felt they really needed to see this show.” Wang looked at me and shrugged his shoulders, casually brushing off the incredible feat that he was so
close to pulling off. “Time Long Past,” the show that will be the culmination of Wang’s passionate vision. With a seven-person cast, this show’s central theme is time. The story begins with a young man named Chrono Tickins waking up to find himself dead. His memories are washed away, and he doesn’t know why he is dead—all he knows is that he does not want to be. After begging Death relentlessly for a second chance at life, he is offered a deal: He can get his life back if he is able to find four ghosts lingering in the underworld, hear the stories of each and tend to their unresolved issues so that they can move on to the afterlife. The catch is that he has to do all of this within the span of two hours to avoid a fate of being “buried and forgotten under the indifference of time,” as the event description elucidated. Wang explained, “The original play literally translates to ‘Shouting Against the Time.’ While the plot was simple, what really pulled me in were the four people’s stories. It was incredibly powerful, and I could feel the gravity of their struggles deep within me. The ghosts speak of friendship and betrayal, unrequited love, mutual love that ended on bad terms, and war and family.” He delineated how immensely huSee TIME on page 14
Acclaimed British author Zadie Smith delivered the highly anticipated 2017 Krieger Lecture this past Wednesday, April 5 in the Villard Room.
2017 Krieger Lecture features Zadie Smith Laurel Hennen Vigil News Editor
T
he Villard Room hummed with excitement on the evening of Wednesday, April 5, as hundreds of students, professors and locals crowded in to hear Zadie Smith speak. The turnout was so large that some had arrived an hour early to get a good seat, and the College had to set up a livestream for the overflow crowd shunted into the
adjacent Rose Parlor. As the audience members waited, they chatted animatedly about Smith’s work. “My dad got me ‘White Teeth’ for Christmas one year when I was looking for new things to read,” said Grace Goodwin-Boyd ’20. “I really enjoy her style of writing—she’s witty and insightful about relevant issues, and her character development is impressive.” See SMITH on page 3
Loeb acquisition adds Old schools New in rare object to museum annual showdown Tori Lafon
Guest Reporter
F
or a college museum, the Francis Lehman Loeb Art Center boasts an astounding number of exquisite works comprising numerous time periods, styles and mediums. While the Loeb’s collection has always managed to educate and impress, with its latest acquisition, a 13th-century Limoges
Eucharistic Dove, the Loeb’s medieval arts collection suddenly feels a bit more dazzling. For centuries, art has always been used to express the divine, and this liturgical piece is a prime example. In Catholicism, Eucharistic objects are decorative pieces used to house a symbolic piece of the body of Christ, See DOVE on page 15
Inside this issue
3
NEWS
After a cycle away, Project Period is back in the flow
11
Lindsay Wolk
Guest Reporter With Additional Reporting by
Ellia Bailey, Salihah Cann-Polentz & Niambi Mills
T
he highly anticipated eighth annual Student vs. Faculty Basketball game took place Saturday night April 8 in Vassar’s Athletic and Fitness Center. Despite edging the students out with a phenomenal buzzer beater in the inaugural event in 2010, the faculty has been lagging in the series overall. Coming into this year’s matchup, the student team led the series 5-2 and was on a winning streak for the past three competitions. Fired up and ready to finally show the students who really rules the school, the “Old School” team smashed that record, defeating the students by a whopping 13 points, as the final score was 73-60 in favor of the faculty. The win did not come easy for the Old School though. Each athlete trained extensively in order to take back the “Top Brewers” title that was originally theirs. Dean of the College Chris Roelke stated, “Us old-timers have had to search our attics and basements for our basketball shoes, dust them off and get to the gym. We had to start stretching three weeks ago in order to be limber enough for our one or two minutes of playing time in the contest. Our Coach (Sociology professor) Diane Harriford
Editor enthused about tattoos that are OPINIONS breaking taboos
has been keeping us focused and calls each player at 10 p.m. to make sure we are all adhering to curfew, eating right and keeping our eyes on the prize.” Likewise, while first-time participant Dean of Students Adriana di Bartolo has not yet actually touched a ball since arriving at Vassar, she has been reminiscing on her eighth grade basketball glory days. According to Vassar’s Director of Athletic Communications, Jamie Chagnon, Professor Harriford’s strategy included using the faculty’s age as benefit rather than a hindrance. He commented, “We have to use our years and years of basketball knowledge and intellect to our advantage. While we may not be as athletic at some spots as the students, I think that our depth and basketball IQ could be the difference in getting us this W.” Chagnon’s prophecy fulfilled itself when the obviously less well-led and experienced, yet slightly more athletic team proved unable to keep up with some who were more than double their age. Reflecting on Head Coach of the student team Noah Goldberg’s leadership skills, sophomore Emmett O’Malley stated, “Noah Goldberg made a group chat of everyone who wanted to play in the game. He then made two bad jokes in it and asked to have practice during the Zadie Smith lecture. UnforSee SCHOOLED on page 19
18 SPORTS
A
s students roam the College Center, they’ll pass the exhibition in the Palmer Gallery featuring works by Vassar’s own Studio Art Department. The annual series highlights the fruits of various courses on drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and computer animation video, and will remain on view at the Palmer until the end of the semester. Currently, the exhibit features the vibrant colors of ART 203 Painting I.There’s an open notebook for visitors to leave their comments and encouragements. Adjunct Assistant Professors of Art Gina Ruggeri and Christina Tenaglia were in charge of putting up the drawings. Students personally chose two of their favorites, then professors picked the drawings that best represent the variety and most compelling set of images. Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art Patrick McElnea reflected on his yearlong course, ART 103 Drawing I: Visual Language, saying, “This semester is devoted to figuration, drawing of the body, as opposed to last semester, which is perspective and still life. Each assignment tends to approach a different medium for one or two weeks. We focus on both the body as a whole and in fragments like separate limbs, down to the structure of fingers and all the way to the overall stance and weight distribution, which includes study in contrapposto and pivot points. We explore what the gaze does when there are multiple people looking in different directions and how that speaks to composition, also the body in relation to its architectural context, negative and positive space.” McElnea then went on to discuss the importance of drawing as an art form, “Drawing is like the oldest docSee COLOR on page 8
Andrea Yang/The Miscellany News
Courtesy of Vassar College Communications via Sotheby’s
Depicted here is the Eucharistic Dove that the Loeb Art Center recently acquired. Its medieval collection has now become that much more dazzling.
Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
The Palmer Exhibit in the College Center will feature student work from the Studio Art department from now until the end of the spring semester.
Victories a-plenty: men’s lacrosse breaks into Top 20
The Miscellany News
Page 2
April 13, 2017
Editor-in-Chief Anika Lanser
Senior Editors Emma Jones Elena Schultz
Contributing Editor Yifan Wang
News Features Opinions Humor and Satire Arts Zander Bashaw/The Miscellany News
Spring has arrived in Bologna, Italy, where Zander Bashaw has recently enjoyed visits from his girlfriend, mother and brother. To read more about Zander’s adventures abroad, as well as those of his classmates, check out our blog at farandaway.miscellanynews.org!
The Miscellany News 13
April
Thursday
Music on the Bridge
11:30am | Bridge North Atrium | Music Dept.
Noyce Program Lecture
5:00pm | Rocky 300 | Math Dept.
Late Night at the Loeb
Art Talks by Art Majors
6:30pm | The Loeb Permanent Collection Galleries | The Loeb
14
April
15
Friday
April
Baseball (M) vs. Union College (DH)
Saturday
Throwback Jam
11:00am | Quad | Hip Hop 101
2:00pm | Prentiss Baseball Field | Athletics
Rugby (W) vs. RPI
16
April
Sunday
Paper Critique
9:00pm | Rose Parlor | The Miscellany News
12:00pm | Rugby Field at the Farm | Athletics
Lacrosse (W) vs. Bard College
6:00pm | Prentiss Weinberg Field | Athletics
Blodgett Hide and Seek
Genki Spark: Japanese Drumming
Courtesy of Li Taipo via Flikr
5:00pm | The Loeb Atrium | The Loeb
Weekender_
12:00pm | Taylor 102 | ASA
Rugby (M) vs. St. Lawrence
8:00pm | Blodgett Hall | Big Night In
1:00pm | Prentiss Gordon Field | Athletics
Cross Stitch
8:00pm | Sanders 212 | Philaletheis
Tennis (M) vs. RPI
1:00pm | Joss Tennis Courts | Athletics
Senior Recital: Logan Emmett Fletcher Pitts, Baritone
1:30pm | Skinner Recital Hall | Music Dept.
Sports Design Online Copy
Assistant Copy Assistant Social Media Assistant Features Assistant Photo Web Master & Technical Advisor
Laurel Hennen Vigil Emily Sayer Nick Barone Evelyn Frick Noah Purdy Patrick Tanella Olivia O’Loughlin Talya Phelps Charlotte VarcoeWolfson Sarah Dolan Kelsey Quinn Laila Volpe
Claire Baker Hannah Nice Matt Stein Michael Chung George Witteman
Reporters Sasha Gopalakrishnan Meg Howell Kaitlin Prado Andrea Yang Columnists Jimmy Christon Jesser Horowitz Steven Park Drew Solender Design Scarlett Neuberger Maya Sterling Yoav Yaron Copy Adele Birkenes James Bonanno Gabriela Calderon Leah Cates Jillian Frechette Tanya Kotru Gode Sumiko Neary Jessica Roden
Stop by the Loeb on Thursday, between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to hear Art Talks and A Capella!
Rugby (M) vs. TBA
Cross Stitch
5:00 & 8:00pm | Sanders 212 | Philaletheis
Korean Culture Festival
6:00pm | Villard Room | Vassar Sori
Barefoot Monkeys Spring Fire Show
8:00pm | Quad | Barefoot Monkeys Philaletheis’ full-length production of “Cross Stitch” opens Friday, April 14 in Sanders 212. Tickets are available for reservation at the info desk.
Courtesy of Barefoot Monkeys
Courtesy of Cross Stitch via Facebook
3:00pm | Rugby Field at the Farm | Athletics
Don’t miss the Barefoot Monkeys’ Spring Fire Show on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. on the Residential Quad!
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
CORRECTION POLICY The Miscellany News will only accept corrections for any misquotes, misrepresentations or factual errors for an article within the semester it is printed. The Miscellany News is not responsible for the views presented within its Opinions pages. The weekly staff editorial is the only article which reflects the opinion of the Editorial Board.
April 13, 2017
NEWS
Page 3
Celebrated British novelist gives highly anticipated talk SMITH continued from page 1
Michael Chung/The Miscellany News
At 41, Zadie Smith is a celebrated British novelist, short story writer and essayist. She has penned five novels: “White Teeth,” “The Autograph Man,” “On Beauty,” “NW” and “Swing Time,” the latter of which was released last November. Her novels have been lauded by critics and her first effort, “White Teeth,” was included on Time Magazine’s list of 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005 (Time, “All-TIME 100 Novels,” 1.6.2005). She is currently a professor of creative writing at New York University. Smith is the latest in a long line of distinguished authors to speak at Vassar as part of the annual Krieger Lecture. The lecture is sponsored by the Krieger family in memory of their son Alex Krieger ’95, who was killed in a car accident during his first year at Vassar. Past Krieger lecturers include Tom Wolfe, Wendy Wasserstein, John Irving, P. J. O’Rourke, Calvin Trillin, Jules Fieffer, Oliver Sacks, Tony Kushner, David Sedaris, Michael Chabon, Sarah Vowell and Gail Collins (Vassar College, “Sponsored Programs by Campus Activities”). After Dean of the College Chris Roellke introduced Smith and explained the history of the Krieger Lecture, Smith and Vassar Professor of English Amitava Kumar read Smith’s Proust Questionnaire, published in Vanity Fair in November 2016. The Proust Questionnaire, a series of questions about one’s personality, originated as a parlor game popularized by French author Marcel Proust. “What is your idea of perfect happiness?” Kumar asked. Smith replied, “Reading quietly, in high grass, among loved ones (who are also quietly reading). Followed by a boozy lunch.” “Which living person do you most admire?” “I feel almost certain I don’t know them. It would be one of these types who dedicate their lives to the welfare of others, whereas the people I tend to know are people making stories out of the dramas of themselves.” “What or who is the greatest love of your life?” “The English language.”
At the 2017 Krieger Lecture, “An Evening with Zadie Smith,” Vassar Professor of English Amitava Kumar and Smith read her “Proust Questionnaire,” published in Vanity Fair. “What is your most marked characteristic?” “A certain amount of smarts mixed with total idiocy.” After this witty exchange, Kumar asked Smith to read from her most recent novel, “Swing Time.” Smith chose a short section detailing one of the main character’s experiences working at a London pizza shop during her summer break from university. Smith later said that some of this section draws on her own upbringing in the British capital as the daughter of a Jamaican mother and an English father. In this passage, the shop’s staff watches the June 6, 1994 Wimbledon tennis match between Bryan Shelton and Karim Alami. The narrator’s boss, Bahram, is angry that Shelton wins because he views Black players’ tennis skills as inferior. Smith read, “Bahram walked up to me and put the evening paper in my face. He pointed to a picture of Shelton, his arm swung high in preparation for one of his forceful serves, ball in the air before him, paused at the moment of connection. I
cupped the phone receiver with a hand. “‘What? I’m working.’ “‘Look close. Not black. Brown. Like you.’ “‘I’m working.’ “‘Probably he is half-half, like you. So: this explains.’ “I looked not at Shelton but at Bahram, very closely. He smiled. “‘Half-winner,’ he said. “I put the phone down, took my apron off and walked out.” Next, Kumar questioned Smith about her work and experience as a writer. What was it like, Kumar wondered, to write “White Teeth” when she was so young? (The novel was completed during Smith’s last year at Cambridge University and published when she was just 24 years old.) Smith responded, “It does seem young. But actually, when you look at the history of English writing, I’m not unusual. I’m not unusual historically, and I wasn’t unusual in the very recent past.” Citing
Charles Dickens and E. M. Forster, among others, she continued, “Almost every British writer you can think of, in fact, was about 22 or 24. I think it’s not that unusual because those first novels come out of the university experience. They’re like final theses, basically, [though] it’s not formal, there were no creative writing classes or anything.” When Kumar asked about her reasons for being a writer, Smith replied, “For me there was a simple idea of, ‘What if 19th century novels had had brown people in them?’ It’s not a particularly fascinating project, but it’s satisfying. I think it’s something that you wanted as a child, it’s a way of going backwards and inserting yourself in everything.” Kumar requested that Smith read a page or two from “NW” to demonstrate her remarkable skill at crafting dialogue. Smith commented that a key aspect of her dialogue is not to spell things out too much for readers. “When you listen to people talk, you don’t have dialogue tags,” she said. “You have to use your intelligence to understand if something is said sadly or happily. And it’s possible to discern this from syntax or tone, so I try and dissuade people from adding what’s unnecessary.” Smith then took questions from the audience, many of which were about her writing process. One student asked how she revises her work. Smith answered that when revising, she reads the book from the beginning with each edit because she wants to understand how the reader experiences it. “The thing I fear the most is the ‘writer’s problem’—thinking that, because you wrote it, it’s okay. All that really matters is the reader’s perspective.” She added that she advises her students to consider what they would think of their writing if it was someone else’s and whether it’s truly good or if they just like it because it’s theirs. The question and answer complete, the audience was invited to come to the front of the room to have their books autographed, which many eagerly did. Afterward, Goodwin-Boyd reflected, “This event helped me get a better sense of who [Zadie Smith] is as a person. It would be interesting to read more of her work with the context I gained in mind.”
Project Period promotes menstrual product accessibility Steven Huynh Guest Reporter
S
ulation” (Newsweek, “Free Tampons and Pads Are Making Their Way to U.S. Colleges, High Schools and Middle Schools,” 9.6.2016). Just like Brown’s, Vassar’s goal of supplying products in all bathrooms is an attempt to address the frequent critique that Vassar fails to be trans-inclusive. It helps to ensure that the needs of a population, which many argue has been routinely ignored, are met and heard. However, not every college that has provided this service has found great success. Columbia University started its pilot program in March 2016 only to face a lack of general interest. Between March 21 to the end of the spring semester, just 137 students out of approximately 6000 participated in the program—the lack of traction caused the program to end by fall (Columbia Daily Spectator, “Columbia Health Stops Providing Free Tampons, Pads to Students,”
9.12.2016). Problems included the inadequate dissemination of information, the inconvenience of picking up the products at a different location and concerns about privacy and maintaining anonymity. It seems Project Period has avoided some of these pitfalls through the way that the program is structured. Project Period’s ambitions include expanding its services to incorporate anonymous online ordering and delivery to P.O. boxes by the start of 2018. This would allow members of the community who live off-campus to gain access, but is contingent upon a greater availability of volunteers. As of now, volunteers meet on a bi-weekly basis and receive information through a listserve. For access to the listserve and to confirm interest, email Kopke at nakopke[at]vassar.edu. For all other questions, contact Pober at repober[at] vassar.edu.
Courtesy of VSA
tarting this April, Vassar will be supplying tampons and pads to its students at no cost as part of a movement to make menstrual products more available and accessible. Rebecca Pober ’18 founded the program and currently serves as its leader, with help from both volunteers and members of the VSA Health and Wellness Committee. Project Period aims to supply all dormitory bathrooms and the bathrooms of some of the more popular academic or general buildings. For those who live in the Terrace Apartments and Town Houses, the products will be in the laundry rooms. A wide variety of menstrual products will be packed in clear containers. As Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee Natalie Kopke ’17 explained, “The clear box has two functions: one, normalize the use of menstrual products by making them visible and two, make it easy for those tracking the box to keep stock.” Other schools across the nation have joined the initiative: Emory University in Georgia, Reed College in Oregon and Grinnell College in Iowa (Inside Higher Education, “If Condoms Are Free, Why Aren’t Tampons?,” 3.11.2016). The idea of free menstrual products has grown in popularity across college campuses because many cash-strapped students cannot afford to pay luxury taxes on health products necessary for their physical well-being. In fact, others have argued that paying for menstrual products themselves is unfair—these products should be supplied to public spaces in the same way that toilet paper is. This would relieve financial pressure for the low-income population, encourage sanitary practices and reduce shame surrounding menstruation. Ashley Carey ’18 added, “Access to menstrual products for all low-income students should be a given. Finally being able to provide this service to students across campus is really exciting. Menstruation shouldn’t have to be a stressful and expensive part of life, and any resources that we can provide to menstruating students can make a huge difference.” National organizations like Free the Tampons fight for more accessibility to menstrual
products in public spaces. According to its website, “We think women shouldn’t have to worry about an unexpected physical need becoming an overwhelming emotional ordeal” (Free the Tampons, “About,” 2017). Their efforts have culminated in substantial results. A series of bills introduced in March 2016 by the New York City (NYC) council sought to repeal the luxury tax on all sanitary products within New York state and provide free menstrual products to NYC public schools, prisons and homeless shelters. By June 2016, the council unanimously passed the latter bill, reasoning that menstrual products are a basic necessity (Slate, “New York City Council Approves Free Tampons and Pads in Schools, Prisons, and Shelters,” 7.22.2016). For some, providing free menstrual products at Vassar aligns with the College’s mission to eliminate financial barriers to those who pursue a full liberal arts education. Financially-strained students may find themselves unable to buy sanitary products without compromising other necessities like food or textbooks. Project Period seeks to address this struggle. Kopke agreed, “This project was conceptualized with that goal in mind. As always, we hope students will be mindful of financial need on this campus and access Project Period products accordingly.” Being a pilot program, there will still be limits on the amount of products available in public spaces and the time taken to restock them. Consequently, students are always encouraged to take whatever products they need, keeping in mind that there are others who are in the same situation. Vassar will also be providing products in both gendered and non-gendered bathrooms within academic buildings. Recently, Brown University has faced much scrutiny for supplying menstrual products in men’s bathrooms, with opposers trying to argue that males do not menstruate. However, the leader of this program and student body president, Viet Nguyen, defended his decision on the basis that gender is not physically bound. People who menstruate do not have to identify as women. As Nguyen puts it, “We wanted to set a tone of trans-inclusivity and not forget that they’re an important part of the pop-
Vassar’s Project Period aims to provide free menstrual products from those in need. Boxes of pads and tampons will be placed in bathrooms in dorms and in academic buildings.
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
NEWS
Page 4
April 13, 2017
Green Haven Reunion brings New Jersey Four to campus Emma Jones and Elena Schultz Senior Editors
O
students actively involved in the work that is absolutely needed in Poughkeepsie and around the country.” Featured this year at the Green Haven Reunion were Venice Brown, Terrain Dandridge, Renata Hill and Patreese Johnson, a group of women known collectively as The New Jersey Four. In 2006, seven women were approached by an aggressive man on the street and reacted in self-defense. This event and the following trial incited raucous media coverage and defamation of the women’s character, with three of the women pleading guilty and the others–the New Jersey Four–asserting their innocence, but instead receiving sentences that ranged from three and a half to 11 years long. The tabloids aggressively responded to the event, calling the women a gang of “killer lesbians” and a “wolf pack.” Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology Jasmine Syedullah noted, “It makes their story very unique, but also incredibly exemplary of the times of systemic violence that we are encountering in
Pictured above is the landscape near the Green Haven Correctional Facility. Vassar began bringing students to Green Haven over 35 years ago for discussions with inmates. Every year, the College holds a reunion for partipants, both former inmates and alums.
ADVERTISEMENT
News Briefs U.S. Launches Missile Strike Against Syria U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a targeted missile attack against a Syrian air base on Thursday, April 6. The strike was in response to Syria’s reported use of chemical warfare against rebel forces within that country, as part of its ongoing civil war. President Trump announced the attack in a statement from his Palm Beach, FL estate, Mara-Lago. “Tonight, I ordered a targeted military strike on the air base in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched,” Trump said Thursday. “It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons” (New York Times, “Dozens of U.S. Missiles Hit air Base in Syria,” 4.06.2017). The announcement of the attack came two days after reports that the Syrian government mounted a chemical weapons attack against Syrian citizens in Khan Sheikhoun, located in Syria’s Idlib province. Khan Sheikhoun is known to be a stronghold of Syrian rebels, who oppose current Syrian President Bashar AlAsad. Asad’s government denies the use of chemical weapons. However, U.S. officials have suggested that the rebels were struck with sarin gas, a powerfully potent nerve agent. Sarin can cause paralysis, convulsions and respiratory failure. The death toll of Tuesday’s attack is believed to be 86, though some reports cite a toll of closer to 100. Thursday’s missile strike began at about 8:40 p.m. on Thursday, hitting Syria’s Al Shayrat airfield. 59 Tomahawk cruises were launched at the airbase, targeting Syrian jets and weapons. U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis said Monday that the strike damaged or destroyed twenty percent of Syria’s operational aircraft. “The Syrian government has lost the ability to refuel or re-arm aircraft at Shayrat airfield
all kinds of ways.” Filmmaker and producer Blair Dorosh-Walther was inspired to create a cinematic retelling of the story through “Out in the Night.” Regarding the film, Johnson remarked, “I thought it would be neat if I did [the movie] for women who can’t speak or tell their stories...our voices were quieted in times of trial.” Likewise, Brown commented, “When you’re behind bars, you don’t have access to the basic things you need to be telling your story, nobody wants to be reading your story, nobody cares about your story... people think that if you’re in prison, you’re automatically guilty.” Brown continued, “I felt like it would be a good idea to get my friend’s story out so everybody could find the truth and also, like [Johnson] said, tell this story [on behalf of] me and many of the other women incarcerated who couldn’t speak for themselves or didn’t have a voice or didn’t have an outlet, because we were fortunate enough to have someone care enough about us to tell our story for us.”
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
n Saturday, April 8, students, faculty, former prisoners and their families and members of the larger community congregated in the Aula for the 18th annual Green Haven Reunion. Hanna Stasiuk ’20 did not know what to expect walking into the event. Commenting on the warm reunion, she remarked, “People were hugging and chatting, happy to be reunited with one another. I overheard many say that they attend the lecture every year. The atmosphere was very empathetic. People were nodding and grunting as the women spoke. Clearly, they related to their experiences. I got a real sense of community and understanding. I’ve also never seen a lecture where so many people were eager to participate.” Vassar has had a partnership with Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, NY, since 1979, when former Professor of Sociology Lawrence Mamiya began bringing students to the prison to take part in discussions facilitated by inmates. Professor Mamiya took students participating in the prison program to Green Haven, which is a maximum security prison, for 32 years, and then Otisville, a medium security prison, for eight years after that. “The programs included student-inmate dialogue groups and college courses which I taught,” commented Mamiya. “I created the Reunion to bring together the men who had been released, the Vassar alums who worked with them and current students.” Starting in 1999, Vassar has held an annual reunion that brings together community activists and alumnae/i of both Vassar and Green Haven. The 2017 reunion featured four distinct keynote speakers, a screening of the film “Out in the Night” and two workshops. The purpose of the Vassar-Green Haven alliance is to catalyze meaningful discussions and promote mutual learning, while paying attention to issues of mass incarceration and the criminal justice system. An article in the Vassar Quarterly elaborated, “The purpose of the dialogues is for students to provide information about what is happening in the outside world, and for prisoners to share their experiences of life in prison. Discussion groups initially focused on current
events, but have since taken on topics ranging from domestic violence to fatherhood” (Vassar Quarterly, “The Classroom Inside: Green Haven Prison,” 2002). The discussion groups are organized by the Think Tank, which is an inmate-led program that also runs Green Haven’s Pre-Release Center. Beyond collaborating with Vassar students, “The Think Tank’s philosophy was that inmates could and should provide peer counseling to other inmates in order to help them face the parole board and, ultimately, to transition back into society.” Opportunities for students at Vassar who are interested in tackling the issues surrounding the prison industrial complex have come a long way since 1979. The Africana Studies program now offers a prison studies correlate, which incorporates an experiential learning project, such as taking a course taught within a prison. Director of Africana Studies and Professor of History Quincy Mills elaborated, “I hope to connect some of our students with community organizations and community activists to get
and at this point, use of the runway is of idle military interest,” Mattis reported. “The Syrian government would be ill-advised ever again to use chemical weapons” (Al Jazeera, “US says strike on Syria destroyed fifth of Assad’s jets,” 4.10.2017). Tensions between the United States and Russia, an ally of Asad’s regime, have grown in the days following the missile strike. A senior U.S. official, according to the Associated Press, has alleged that Russia knew about the chemical attacks before they happened. Meanwhile, officials from the Russian government have argued that the United States has no proof that Asad used chemical weapons at all. “We strongly condemn illegitimate actions by the U.S.,” said Russian Deputy U.N. Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov, at a U.N. Security Council session Friday (The Washington Post, “Russia Condemns U.S. missile strike on Syria, suspends key air agreement,” 4.07.2017). Other members of the Security Council, however, are putting pressure on Russia to cut its ties with Asad. Officials from the United States, Italy, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, countries known as the Group of Seven industrialized nations, are meeting in Italy to discuss possible solutions, before U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson meets with Russian officials in Moscow on Tuesday (Al Jazeera, “Russia faces mounting pressure to abandon Syria’s Assad,” 4.11.2017). White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Monday that Russia needs to be a part of the solution. Spicer said, “I think with respect to Syria in particular, I think we need to remind them of the commitments that they’ve made and the commitments that Syria’s made” (USA Today, “White House threatens Syria with more strikes if chemical weapons are used,” 4.10.2017). -Dylan Smith, Guest Reporter
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
NEWS
April 13, 2017
Page 5
Updates from the VSA Spring Elections Voting Now Open! Voting in the Spring Elections will close at 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 13. If you read this before then, there is still time to vote! You can vote at http://vsavote.vassar/edu. The link can also be found in voting emails sent out by VSA President Calvin Lamothe. Results will be announced Thursday evening in the Old Bookstore (exact time TBD, will be announced in an email). Members of the Class of 2017 can vote for all-campus positions! That means if you are a senior, you can still vote for next year’s VSA Executive Board, Committee Chairs and a few other key positions! Don’t forget to vote–Vassar’s voter turnout is usually quite high–let’s shoot for as big a turnout as we can get! This Week’s VSA Senate Meeting
Project Period Project Period is officially back on! For those of you who don’t know, Project Period (aka “P.”) is a VSA initiative dedicated to providing free menstrual products to the Vassar community. The project was conceptualized in Fall of 2015 and has been in the works ever since. The project, at this time, offers menstrual pads and tampons of varying absorbencies. Our products, packed away in clear boxes, are located in each residential bathroom and in a few academic/general bathrooms (ex. Main College Center, Library, Bridge Building, etc.). We will have them stationed at the most popular spots on campus so students will not go without, no matter where they find themselves in the case of an emergency. This project will go live early- to mid-April so keep an eye out for those nifty boxes! In the very near future, we are looking to expand the project to include anonymous ordering and delivery, similar to C.H.O.I.C.E. At this time, Health & Wellness Commit-
tee is recruiting volunteers for Project Period who would be interested in managing the project long-term. If you are interested in being a part of this, please attend our next meeting on Tuesday, April 18 at 6 p.m. in the VSA Office (CC207). Also, please email Natalie Kopke at nakopke[at]vassar.edu to confirm your interest and to get relevant updates.
Save the date: the last VSA-sponsored shuttle to New York City will be Saturday, April 29. As the date approaches, keep an eye out for more information via email and in these Misc updates about ticket sales!
swer any particular question on the survey, or not, is equally voluntary. Links to the survey are individualized (so that the survey may not be taken twice) and can be found in your vassar.edu email inbox until Friday, April 28th. The email containing the link is labeled: “Vassar Sexual Misconduct Survey — your invitation and link.” Survey FAQs, including findings from, and responses to, the 2015 Campus Climate Survey may be found on our survey website! Stay tuned for updates at http://www.vassar.edu/ whathappenshere/ Let’s encourage one another to take this survey so that we have a better understanding of #WhatHappensHere.
VSA Friday Movie Night Series in Blodgett Auditorium Begins FRIDAY
—Calvin Lamothe, VSA President and Natalie Kopke, Chair of Health and Wellness
Final NYC Shuttle of the Year!
The VSA and the Campus Activities Office have revived the Friday Night Movie Series that took place long ago in Blodgett Auditorium every week! This week (Friday, April 14), the movie will be Fences, screening at 8 p.m. in the Blodgett Auditorium. Refreshments will also be provided thanks to our new popcorn machine! Take the What Happens Here Survey! Vassar is conducting the second What Happens Here: Campus Climate survey of all currently enrolled students concerning issues relevant to sexual assault, misconduct and interpersonal violence at Vassar. In order to have reliable information, it is vital that as many Vassar students participate as are comfortable. Your candid answers will be helpful, informative and appreciated. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and completely anonymous. Your decision to an-
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
This week, the VSA Senate invited Charlotte Strauss-Swanson and Nicole Feehan, Director and Violence Prevention Educator, respectively, in the Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention (SAVP) office, for a forum. In the forum, we discussed the upcoming What Happens Here survey, Sexual Assault Awareness Month programming and the potential future use of a website called Callisto, which provides additional reporting resources to survivors of sexual assault. We discussed a number of Finance-related issues at our Senate meeting. First, it was noted that although our bylaws state that orgs cannot purchase alcohol with VSA money, Senior Class Council and Traditions do indirectly purchase alcohol for various events, including Founder’s Day and those during Senior Week. An amendment to the bylaws to clarify this process is expected in the next few weeks. Finance has also begun the annual budget-
ing timeline. If you are a treasurer, you should have received an email from Shahid Naeem, Chair of Finance, detailing this process. Do not forget to fill out your annual budgeting application if you would like your org to have a substantial budget next year! If you are interested in learning more about any of these topics, all VSA Senate minutes, agendas and meeting materials can be found in a folder on Google Drive called “VSA Senate Agendas 2016-17,” to which all students have view access. See the first of this week’s two all-campus emails for a link the folder and add it to your Drive for easy viewing! To follow a live stream of the VSA Senate meetings on Sunday nights at 7 p.m., check out The Miscellany News on Twitter.
The first of VSA’s weekly movie nights will occur on Friday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. in Blodgett.
Dr. Liu Zhen gives lecture on the Dharmadhatustava Anika Lanser
Editor in Chief
T
Courtesy of Wikimedia
his past Monday, April 10, Dr. Liu Zhen gave a lecture titled “On Dharmadhatustava Found in Tibet.” In order to bring such a multidisciplinary scholar, the lecture was sponsored by the Chinese and Japanese Department with additional support from the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, the Asian Studies Program, the Philosophy Department and the Religion Department. The decision to bring Dr. Liu Zhen to campus was initially proposed by Professor of Chinese and Japanese Haoming Liu, who has been a close friend of Dr. Liu Zhen for around ten years now. Professor Haoming Liu said in a written statement, “My then-new book on the Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke’s Duino Elegies (Duineser Elegien) just came out and a famous bookstore in Shanghai that specializes on books of belles lettres and humanities in general held a panel discussion that was free to the public. They invited Dr. Liu as a panelist.” The two professors bonded over their common language of German and have remained in close contact after that, generally meeting up when both were in Shanghai. “The greater benefit of the event for me, greater than the book promotion itself, is that Dr. Liu and I became acquainted and soon friends,” explained Professor Haoming Liu. He continued, “Among other things we both had the experience of studying humanities in Germany and German is one of our common languages. Each time I went to Shanghai we met and talked about a range of things related to our works and academia.” Dr. Liu Zhen’s places of study are as broad as the disciplines his work has touched on. He earned his Masters degree and doctorate in Germany and has served as a Harvard-Yenching Fellow at Harvard since September 2016. Currently, Dr. Liu Zhen is a professor at the National Institute for Advanced Humanistic Studies and Director of the Center for Gandhian and Indian Studies, both at Fudan University located in Shanghai, China.
Professor Haoming explained, “Dr. Liu is a comparative philologist focusing on the Sanskrit language and literature with knowledge in the Tibetan, Tocharian, Pali and other ancient or medieval languages in South and inner Asia. His research focuses especially on Sanskrit literature including Buddhist and Vedic literature in connection to their mostly medieval Tibetan and Chinese translations and receptions.” According to Professor Haoming Liu, Dr. Liu Zhen is part of a small group of Sanskrit/Pali/Tocharian/Tibetan/Chinese linguists and philologists in the world. The focus of Dr. Liu Zhen’s lecture, Dharmadhastutava, is a treatise on the dharmadhatu written by Nagarjuna, the founder of the Buddhist Madhyamika school. The dharmadhatu translates from Sanskrit as realm or sphere. In the Mahayana Buddhist tradition it means realm of phenomena. Professor Haoming Liu noted, “Although China has a long history (almost two thousand years) of Buddhism and translation of Buddhist sutras, modern study of Sanskrit has been very underdeveloped. Even rarer is a study that includes Tibetan literatures. Dr. Liu’s qualifications and research are therefore very unique and will have a great impact on the field not only through his own research but also through teaching.” Dr. Liu Zhen’s remarks served as a brief introduction to the complex topic for many of the Vassar students in attendance. Professor Haoming Liu expressed his hopes for the impact of the lecture: “That the lecture was hosted by the Department of Chinese and Japanese is therefore both appropriate and inspiring for our students in that people should recognize how diverse and rich the Chinese tradition is and how limited and inadequate the more conventional picture of China typically represented by Confucianism, popular culture and Mandarin or Cantonese is.” The lecture dove into a new and complicated topic for many students, presenting them with inspiration for how they might move forward in the field of Chinese and Japanese studies, and the possibilities after graduation.
This past Monday, April 10, Dr. Liu Zhen, a professor at Fudan University in Shanghai, China (pictured above), gave a lecture at Vassar on a Sanskrit text called the Dharmadhastutava.
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
FEATURES
Page 6
April 13, 2017
This khachapur-fect dish will satisfy your carb cravings Penina Remler Guest Reporter
F
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
or college students, the classic “cheesy bread” snack usually screams a 40 second microwave session, delivery from Domino’s or a quick stop to Panera for a bread bowl. But the truth is, it doesn’t have to be this way. Appearing a bit more fixed up and fancy, bread boats are a perfect solution to cure the cheesy bread cravings and happen to provide a more upscale aesthetic to both the eye and the appetite— basically a win-win. This is where khachapuri comes into play. Though a little tricky to spell and pronounce, khachapuri is a dish you do not want to pass up. Originally hailing as a food staple from the country of Georgia, this “cheesy bread” twist reinvents gooey-goodness with nothing more than soft yeasted dough in the form of an oval and endless options for fillings— starting with cheese. While you may not want to share this divine dish, khachapuri is best served as a starter that people pick off to dip the fresh bread into its heavenly cheesy center. But that’s not all— many people like to twist things up by throwing an egg on top to add a second component that seconds this dish as a delicious breakfast option as well. However, when it comes to crafting the center of your bread boat, the options are endless— spices, veggies, cured meats and even figs are bound to take any bite from good to great. While the process does indeed come with several steps, the directions are simple and straightforward. Essentially, the order goes like so: preparing the dough, leaving it time to rise, shaping the unique oval shape, organizing the filling and bringing everything together to finally bake and serve. What makes this bread boat extra special is that the dough is not your average formula. In addition to standard ingredients like flour, yeast, salt and water, many people like to add milk, butter and sugar to heighten each and every bite. Plus, these additional ingredients help to maintain a soft texture for the bread so it serves as perfect bites to dip into your filling.
This brings us to the defining factor of khachapuri— it oval configuration. Depending on whether or not you intend to share this dish will define how you wish to divide the sizing of your dough per serving. No matter what your taste buds desire, be sure to layer flour down before rolling out the dough. Next, use your hands to assemble the original oval shape and finish off with a rolling pin to even everything out. Note: when finished the dough should be approximately 1/3-inch thick (think of it like pizza and a thin crust vs. thick crust). After all steps are completed, move your dough onto a baking sheet with a length that usually reaches both ends. Typically, khachapuri calls for unique Georgian cheese (sulgani), but when it comes to the filling, it is completely your own call. Whether you prefer goat cheese or fresh mozzarella, any thick cheese will make a wonderful base (just be sure to leave at least one inch around the edges when preparing your cheese filling in cut-up cheese chunks). Moreover, if you’re feeling up to it and want to throw in an egg or extra ingredients on top, this step will come right before putting the recipe in to bake. I went ahead and decided to create my own rendition with brie, mushroom and figs which combine perfectly in flavor and crisp up complementary in texture. After filling your bread boat, comes round two of the oval shaping. Simply use your hands to fold the one inch surroundings and fold them into 1-inch-thick edges that create a slight border and fencing for the filled center. While it is not mandatory, you can also go ahead and egg wash your edges to polish off your pie. Just like the beginning, these steps must be followed with some practice wrap, non-stick spray and an additional thirty minutes to allow the dough to continue rising before it hits the oven. At 375 degrees, allow your khacapuri to bake for approximately 40 minutes or until the center is melted and the crust is golden brown. However, if you are topping your dish off with an egg, keep in mind that you may want to stick to a smaller serving size as the egg needs no more than 20 minutes in the oven.
Ingredients Dough: 4 1/3 cups bread flour 1 tablespoon active dry yeast 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon sea salt 10 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup whole milk 1/3 cup warm water Filling: 12 oz brie cheese Egg wash for edges Sliced figs Sautéed mushroom
ADVERTISEMENT
Depression-era cake serves up cheap chocolate dessert Charlotte Varcoe-Wolfson Design Editor
I
’ll admit it, Depression-era cake doesn’t sound nearly as appetizing as rainbow bagels or “freakshakes.” However, while our friends are making trips to New York City to try these crazy food fads, my sister and I are continuing the family cake-baking tradition. This cake may not be as flashy as other desserts you read about today, but I can assure you that it’s just as delicious, and easier and less expensive to make! Although the chocolate-lovers are on my dad’s side of the family, this cake recipe was handed down to me from my mom. She tells the story of how, as a teenager, she would make “crazy cake,” as we call it, at least once a week. Unfortunately for my tastebuds but fortunately for my teeth and overall health, my mom stopped making this cake so frequently. However, I enjoyed sharing it with my friends at numerous birthday parties over the years and delight in making it myself a few times a year. She can’t say why it’s referred to as crazy cake, but the internet community seems to agree with the
Charlotte Varcoe-Wolfson/The Miscellany News
title, so I’ll leave my qualms about it aside. This past December, my sister and I were asked to bake a cake for my grandfather’s birthday. Since he’s on Dad’s-chocolate-loving side of family, we wanted to make chocolate cake, and crazy cake seemed like the clear choice. To make this delicious and simple dessert, you need only adhere to the following instructions. First, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Sift three cups of all-purpose flour, two cups of white sugar, one teaspoon of salt, two teaspoons of baking soda and one-half cup of unsweetened cocoa powder into a 9x13 ungreased cake pan. Next, make three depressions (Intentional or unintentional pun? You decide.) in the dry ingredients. In the first well, pour three-fourths cup vegetable oil. In the second, add two tablespoons distilled white vinegar. The third: two teaspoons vanilla extract. Pour two cups of water over the whole mixture and mix with a fork. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. That’s it! While milk, eggs and butter may be easier to buy nowadays than they were during the Depression, this cake allows you to save time and money by bypassing these ingredients. An added perk is that it can be assembled in one pan! That means fewer dishes; who doesn’t love that? This is the perfect recipe for college students in close-to-empty dorm kitchens and anyone who loves cake but doesn’t have hours to spend baking. When we made the cake in December, we made a simple chocolate buttercream frosting to put between the layers. The cake was topped with a chocolate ganache dripping down the sides, à la Instagram baking videos. To decorate, we added more chocolate buttercream frosting around the rim and sifted powdered sugar overtop. While I’m a strong supporter of all-chocolate desserts, this cake tastes tremendous with any frosting on top: vanilla, cream cheese, or even raspberry buttercream!
Tufts Summer Session 2017
Explore. Prepare. Achieve.
Over 170 Courses Day, Evening, and Online Courses Affordable Tuition Outstanding Tufts Faculty High School, University, and Professional Options
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
Courses Offered May – August Additional SHORT COURSES and WORKSHOPS running throughout the summer!
Sign up today at go.tufts.edu/vassar
April 13, 2017
FEATURES
Page 7
Org spotlight: VCTV encourages hands-on production Matt Stein
outside of Vassar have also sought out VCTV’s services. ilm takes up a lot of our lives. Whether “People from any org can fill out an appliwe’re watching funny videos on Facebook cation of what they want to work on. And our or procrastinating with Netflix, it’s hard to general criterion is that is has to go through deny the role that film plays in our day-tosome form of pre-production with VCTV day activities. But what if you wanted to make and production. They can’t just ask us to film your own? something. We want to actually work on it and Vassar College Television (VCTV) is the help create the idea,” VCTV Head of Directors first student-led production group on campus. Tiarra Rogers ’19 said about the org’s inclusive Established in 2011, the group has created their principles for taking on outside work. own original content as well as produced work VCTV President Kyle Walters ’17 added for other orgs on campus. about the group’s additional projects: “VCTV Besides having an Executive Board, VCTV has a lot of collaboration projects. We do work is divided into several branches: developers, internally within the organization, where the writers, producers, directors and editors. Each members come up with ideas on their own. group meets once a week and no experience is And then we also work with other student necessary to get involved. You aren’t required groups. So if they want a music video or a proto attend every meeting either. It can be your motional video made, they can come to us and first time showing up and you would still have we’ll work with them to create that video.” a voice equal to everyone else in the room. While VCTV is divided into several branchMembers can be part of more than one es, at the core of the org is a solid community branch as well. If anybody is interested, they that shares a passion for film. can contact President of VCTV Kyle Walters Many members are not necessarily film ma’17 for specific meeting times. jors either but it’s in that united cinephilia that First-year Helen Magowan shared that she a VCTV community forms. Besides general High School Memesical Mackenzie Little, Kim Carlson, and has Abigail was able to quickly fill a leadership position body meetings, VCTV a coupleBuhrman hang-outs in VCTV despite being a rookie in the group. where they watch movies, play games and eat She stated, “I directed a music video for Hype pizza. Also, depending on when a project is 32. First identified the 1860s by Johann 2. Spanish name for a small fish known for last semester. I loved the Hype shoot. It ACROSS was completed, they holdinpremiere screenings. Friedrich technically its bite 1. Appropriate very high-energy and very fun. There were Rogers Miescher, commentedthough on thenot unified intermultiple shoots but they were all pretty short. ests of VCTV’s community: “We’re discovered until diverse the 1950s 3. Attach something to the end (2 words) 4. Starship known for "Hot Mess" (2009) I think being around the dancers and music all warm with 33. A typeand of open person or each thingother. We have 4. Like a kayak, but somehow different? 9. Excited beavre was a fun time.” She continued, “VCTV’s goal movie nights. We have dinners. I know we’re 34. Literary term for a face 5. Uncle of Luke Skywalker 14. New York City ride share app in any project is to allow each branch to have really trying to foster a community who want 35. Destructive Wheel of Time 6. The foam that forms on the top of liquor 15. Expect, look forward to, anticipate a role that’s large enough to feel significant.” to collaborate andmagic not befrom competitive.” 36. What a doctor would call a leakyVCTV 7. 2016 game subtitled Wreck, Hack, Die, 16. Feelings that you get when you're VCTV’s production process is particularWalters spoke about the importance ly unique. Developers discuss contenthappy, for has on campus, “We’re really the only film proappendix Retry! alternatively a couple Ryan Murphy the project, like the individual episodes shows in a duction group on campus. So if inter37. Last name of artist rumoredyou’re to have 8. Devoured VCTV web series. Writers formulate scripts ested in film in any way, television, film, web broken up The Beatles 9. Provoke (2 words) 17. Character growth-story based on those ideas and workshop the script. content, or just learning how to work with a 38. Relatedly, common adjective used 10. Language in which Alaska means 18. Hitting one hurts physically and Producers look at the logistical side of the camera, we’re aagreat resource for that. Andto describe The Beatles "mainland" emotionally script, determining shooting locations and VCTV works on various projects at a time, including the Year Long Project (YLP), music videos, also we’re a fun community of people who 11. isDitch, leave behind (3 words) towards or imply (2videos. words) props that might be needed. Directors 19. willReach shorts, and promotional Pictured above a 2016 collaborative project with FlyPeople. 41. loveNot filmthe andTruth television.” Assistant Features Editor
F
shoot the project with an assembled crew. Editors take what the directors shot and create a final cut. All the projects VCTV takes on can be found on their Youtube channel. Also, at the beginning of the fall, VCTV holds an open casting call for actors. From these auditions, they create a casting portfolio that producers and directors rely on for a project. Vice President of VCTV Jamie Maher ’17 has been a member of the org since her first year at Vassar, previously serving as the Head of Writers. On her involvement in the org, Maher stated, “I thought I was going to be a science major but one of the primers when thinking about a college was knowing that they had a film department, so I was interested in doing film on the side. Because it’s really difficult for
underclassmen, especially freshmen, to get involved in production and they had a writers group, I was like, ‘Yes, this is the place.’ I’ve been in it since the very beginning of freshman year.” Each semester, VCTV usually picks two or three projects, including the Year Long Project (YLP), a series they film for the academic year. The current YLP is “Vassar After Dark”, which imagines the adventures of students after nightfall. Last year, VCTV had its first YLP, “Snow Globe”, which followed the hijinks of students snowed in on campus. The group also collaborates on projects with other orgs on campus, doing music videos for Hype and FlyPeople or promos for Vassar Refugee Solidarity. Recently, companies
Courtesy of VCTV via Facebook
12. "Don't worry pal you got this" 20. Song with music video depicting a 13. 7PM CST = 8PM ___ person moving in and out of comic 21. Interpolate, interject (2 words) animation (3 words) 22. Up until now 22. Pleasant & intimate email sign-off 23. Positively charged electrode 24. Slang for military ID worn around the neck (2 words) 24. Teeth yankers 25. Story about a cowboy, an astronaut, and 26. What the phone, or doorbell, did ACROSS 56. State in India bordered by Maharashtra and two up The Beatles different Potato-Heads 27. Poet Thomas Stearns Karnatakapair 1. Appropriate 38. Relatedly, common adjective usedintothis 27. May Danny aDevito offer you one 30. Dynamic Are not (1 word) describe The Beatles 4. Starship known for “Hot Mess” (2009) trying time? 31. A 57. thin border, or a sex thing? 58. East Asian peninsula deviled into 2 distinct 41. Not the Truth 9. Excited beavre 33. Valuable part of elephants, for poachers 28. Aquatic snail with a conical shell sovereign states, North and South 43. Pacific Rim robot fighters 14. New York City ride share app if aspelling gas of common sleep disorder 35. "Edgy" Evanescence song surprisingly 59. Economic integration community created by 29. Noble, 44. British 15. Expect, look forward to, anticipate an alarm clock the Treaty of Rome 1957(4 words) 45. To remove from a letter 16. Feelings that you get when you’re happy, not about 60. Walking -trians 38. Flora's animal pals alternatively a couple Ryan Murphy shows 47. A layer way high up 61. 2005-2006 tattoo 17. Character growth-story 39. Tricks for April 1st themed reality show 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 62. Snitch of a rodent 18. Hitting one hurts - physically and emotionally 40. One mountain out of Europe's largest 19. Reach towards or imply (2 words) rangeDOWN 14 15 1. Aang or Korea 20. Song with music video depicting a person 41. What Elsa does to It 2. Spanish name for a small fish known for its moving in and out of comic animation (3 words) 42. When 18 bite is a door not a door? When it's __ 17 22. Pleasant & intimate email sign-off 46. Musical where 3. Attachnumber something to theZac end Efron (2 words) 23. Positively charged electrode famously jumps around a golf course (3 4. Like a kayak, but somehow different? 24. Teeth yankers 20 21 5. Uncle of Luke Skywalker 26. What the phone, or doorbell, did words) 6. The foam that formslove, on theas topopposed of liquor to 27. Poet Thomas Stearns 49. Unconditional Greek 23 7. 2016 game subtitled Wreck, Hack, Die, Retry! 30. Dynamic pair Eros 8. Devoured 31. A thin border, or a sex thing? 50. __ Wuzee was a bear 26 27 28 29 9. Provoke (2 words) 33. Valuable part of elephants, for poachers 51. When "it doesn't even matter", according 10. Language in which Alaska means “mainland” 35. “Edgy” Evanescence song surprisingly not to Linking Park (3 behind words)(3 words) about an alarm clock (4 words) 11. Ditch, leave 31 32 54. Payment transfers fromgotone bank 38. Flora’s animal pals 12. “Don’t worry pal you this” 39. Tricks for April 1st 40. One mountain out ofaccount 13. 7PM CST = 8PM ___ to another 35 36 Europe’s largest range 41. What Elsa does to It 42. 21. Interpolate, 55. Animal trap interject (2 words) When is a door not a door? When it’s __ 22. Upinuntil now 56. State India bordered by Maharashtra 38 39 46. Musical number where Zac Efron famously 24. Slang for military ID worn around the neck and Karnataka jumps around a golf course (3 words) (2 words) 57. Are not (1 word) 49. Unconditional Greek love, as opposed to Eros 41 25. Story about a cowboy, an astronaut, and two 40 58. East Asian peninsula deviled into 2 50. __ Wuzee was a bear different Potato-Heads North 51. When “it doesn’t even matter”, according todistinct 27.sovereign May Dannystates, Devito offer youand oneSouth in this 46 47 48 Linking Park (3 words) trying time? 59. Economic integration community 54. Payment transfers from one bank account tocreated 28. Aquatic snail with conical1957 shell by the Treaty of aRome 50 51 another 29. Noble, if a gas 60. Walking -trians 55. Animal trap 32. First identified in the 1860s by Johann 61. 2005-2006 tattoo themed reality show 54 55 Friedrich Miescher, though not technically 62. Snitch of a rodent discovered until the 1950s
“High School Memesical”
The Miscellany Crossword by Kim Carlson and Mackenzie Little
Interested in inheriting 33. A type of person or thing the crossword business? DOWN 34. Literary term for a face Email 35. Destructive 1. Aang or Korea magic from Wheel of Time maclittle@vassar.edu or 36. What a doctor would call a leaky appendix kicarlson@vassar.edu!
43. Pacific Rim robot fighters 44. British spelling of common sleep disorder 45. To remove from a letter 47. A layer way high up 48. Where birds sleep 49. An early start Wherewho birdsunderstand sleep 51.48.Those a joke are "__ start __"49.it,An (2early words) Those who understand a joke are “__ __” it, 52.51.Police tattletale (2 words) 53. Holds the place where birds sleep 52. Police tattletale 54.53.Minded, thesleep train Holds thewhile place leaving where birds 55.54.Sledding but standing Minded, while leaving theup... trainand with sticks 55. Sledding but standing up... and with sticks 8
9
10
11
19 22 24
25 30 33
34
37
42
43
44
45
49 52
53 56
58
59
60
61
62
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
13
16
57
37. Last name of artist rumored to have broken
12
© 2017 (Published via Across Lite)
FEATURES
Page 8
April 13, 2017
VC weighs in: classes to consider during preregistration
“International Politics” -Vasundhara Mathur ’18
“Culture and Chemistry of Cuisine” -Rafaela Vega del Castillo ’18
Charlotte Varcoe-Wolfson/The Miscellany News
Emily Sayer/The Miscellany News
“Psych 241: Principles of Physiological Psychology” -Jordan Peyer ’18
Charlotte Varcoe-Wolfson/The Miscellany News
Charlotte Varcoe-Wolfson/The Miscellany News
Emily Sayer/The Miscellany News
“GRST 100: Reinterpreting Greece and Rome, then and now” -Jordy LaForge ’18
“Any class with Paul Russell. He changed my life.” -Drew Hardin ’19
Palmer showcases talents of Studio Art department COLOR continued from page 1
Students discuss the process involved in creating the works exhibited in the Palmer Gallery, as well as their goals in terms of what they’re both striving to achieve and convey.
Andrea Yang/The Miscellany News
be frustrating too but that’s exactly the point— struggling through pain and eventually getting your point across.” She continued speaking of her love for drawing, “I believe artistic creation is all about self-expression. Our individual experiences factors into to our thoughts and designs. I expressed sadness in my drawings during the time of creation. I love this course because it gives me a new perspective of looking and appreciating beauty in the world. It pushes me to think differently and influences my aesthetic appreciation. Now I see lights falling on the shape of things in different ways.” Maggie Chen ’20 said of her experience in Drawing I, “The work I had at the show was an assignment that draws hands interacting with or manipulating face. I had a friend pose for me. I sketched it out with pencil first then used ink wash, decided it looked flat and wanted to try something new so used charcoal on top of that for shadows. The technicality aspect of this class provides ample practice for drawing skills. It’s cool to see our works up.” The artists and their teachers aren’t the only individuals involved in producing this artwork. Models from Vassar and the surrounding Hudson Valley communities also play an important role and are, in turn, invested in the results. Diego Encarnacion ’18 said of the project, “Seeing the drawings of the students reminds me of the vast and diverse talent that my fellow classmates possess, and has even inspired me to spend more time creating art myself...Modeling for art classes for the past couple of years has inspired me to start drawing myself. I can confidently say that I’m happy I’ve started to, and I find it therapeutic to do in my free time.” Unfortunately, due to limited time, many students didn’t get to see their work on display. Each course only has one week in the gallery given the exhibit’s dedication to showcasing the breadth and diversity of each art form. McElnea acknowledged that each aspect of the exhibit has its distinct trajectory and the works deserve to be up there longer. To compensate for the lack of time, he expects there will be another show in the fall to look forward to.
Andrea Yang/The Miscellany News
umented history there is. I think it’s antecedent to any form of critical thinking. No matter what field you go into, any observational drawing forces us to look at the world in an accurate way. So I think drawing is helpful even for people who don’t pursue art. For example, someone in the field of medicine needs to learn to look at x-rays accurately and know how to slowly and carefully look into an image in a way that speaks to what it is.” When asked what, in his opinion, makes a good drawing, McElnea responded, “It varies from student to student. But I look for some kind of progress throughout the semester and that progress is based on accuracy in the portrayal of light and dark (showing where the light source is coming from) or in terms of anatomic proportion. I’m trying to explore in my class some of the most important ways in which we could translate the observed world into two-dimensions. But that space of translation is also one of the experimentation because there’s no one way to draw a body. We try to portray the likeness, meaning how we can capture the state of mind of the model, their personality, their attitude at the given moment and the narrative, the setting of the scene that suggests what’s before and after.” In order to achieve all of this in each work of art, students must strike a balance between concentration to detail and imagination. Austin Han ’19 described his creative process, “I usually have a pencil sketch first. Now I’m using Vassar related things like the Alumni magazine and the Misc to piece together a student. I’m trying to combine the pieces to reflect the whole. I want to best represent the person, but focusing too much on detail can be also detrimental to creativity.” Elinor Qiao ’20 shared, “We use a variety of materials like ink, charcoal, conte crayon and graphite. We have drawn an x-ray look of a person or built the skeleton with blocks. My drawing on display practiced planar analysis, a geometry way of interpreting figure. It took me three nights to finish because I have to break down every pleat of the clothes into planes and dimensions. The process of drawing can sometimes
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art Patrick McElnea told the Miscellany that a good painting, to him, is one that accurately portrays light and dark and is well-proportioned.
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
April 13, 2017
OPINIONS
Page 9
The Miscellany News Staff Editorial
Despite recent objections, VSA must remain political
S
ince its inception as a self-governing body, the VSA has been inherently political. Each year there are calls for the depoliticization of the VSA. This is not a new concept and the argument is always the same: that being apolitical would be returning to the VSA’s “natural” state. Last year, former VSA President Ramy Abbady wrote an op-ed for The Miscellany News in which he soundly refuted this claim. He argued, “Calls for depoliticization are misguided because they fail to take into account that the VSA has never been apolitical because ‘neutrality’ as it relates to politics is the means for upholding the status quo” (The Miscellany News, “Politicization Necessary for Effective VSA,” 04.07.2016). In light of recent calls for depoliticization, as well as the upcoming VSA Elections, we at The Miscellany News want to reiterate our support and commitment to the Vassar Student Association as a political body. First and most fundamentally, it is imperative to clarify what it means for the VSA to be a political body. Those that are opposed to politicization do not seem to have a clear idea of what it entails. Politicization of the VSA does not mean that elected officials will be representing the views of any national political party or organization with which they may be affiliated. Rather, politicization means that the VSA has the ability to make decisions and take action based on their guiding principles of supporting Vassar students of marginalized identities, antiracism and intersectional feminism, among others. Those advocating for an apolitical VSA do not realize that politicization does not mean paying less attention to and investing fewer resources on improving campus life and students’ welfare. The idea of the VSA as a political body is often posited as the opposite of it being a student service body, as if these two functions of the VSA could possibly be separated and exist independently from one another.
However, the College and all students are already situated in broader political contexts in that their lives are constituted, shaped, produced and managed by various systems of power. At a time when many already-marginalized folks are being disenfranchised and experiencing overt acts of violence, it would be nonsensical and simply impossible for the VSA to claim to represent and serve students’ needs and interests without speaking and acting politically. In this sense, then, the ability to argue for the student government of a college to be apolitical comes from a place of privilege. When so many people’s mere existence is deeply affected, impacted and even threatened by political powers, stepping back from politics serves the interests of the few who can afford to ignore and evade such powers. Being apolitical also serves to perpetuate the violence and discrimination inherent in the status quo. Furthermore, many of the commentaries on the supposed harmful and undesirable effects of a political VSA misrepresent relevant issues and situations. Last week, Drew Solender ’20 published an Opinions piece in The Miscellany News arguing that progressive politics at Vassar have led to intolerance toward different views and discouraged political pluralism (The Miscellany News, “Politicization of VSA should be questioned in election,” 4.5.2017). In particular, he expressed concerns that members of “purist progressive groups like Healing to Action (H2A)” who are running for office might put Jewish people at risk by facilitating “the return of the ridiculous Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement.” However, this line of reasoning is hard to defend because not only is there no logical connection between an individual’s progressive politics and the BDS Movement, it is also not valid to infer the positions of the members from H2A on this matter, since most of them were not on campus when the resolutions were
brought before the VSA Senate in 2015-16. The article also mistakenly asserted that, “To those who think that Vassar would serve as a domino in the BDS movement, paving the way for other colleges to participate until a significant dent is made, you can forget that idea too. For many colleges outside the Vassar bubble, the BDS movement would look like a hot potato of ludicrousy that any institution would want to rid itself of as expediently as possible” (The Miscellany News). However, similar discussions have in fact taken place at Brown University, Oberlin College, City University of New York and the University of California, among others (The New York Times, “The B.D.S. movement and anti-semitism on campus,” 03.29.2016). In fact, Tufts University’s student government recently passed a BDS resolution (The Tufts Daily, “TCU Senate passes resolution urging divestment from companies involved in occupied Palestinian territories,” 04.10.2017). But ultimately, it is the author’s belief that political causes and activism are the antithesis of serving students’ needs and improving campus life that we most urgently need to challenge. Arguing that the VSA should be apolitical because of the possibility of a BDS debate resurfacing minimizes the experiences of people of color and other marginalized communities on this campus who need a political student government that can actually improve their lives on campus. Political discussions and actions are an essential part of the VSA to work for and realize students’ interests on this campus which are not isolated from, but are deeply embedded in and influenced by the larger political context of both the U.S. and the world. Moreover, while many have called for the VSA to be apolitical, none have ventured to describe what that means or what an apolitical VSA would look like; perhaps this is because an apolitical VSA would not be able to achieve
nearly as much as it does now. The VSA has been able to facilitate productive discussions and accomplish important work because of the fact that it is a political body. Projects like The Social Consciousness Fund, promoting events discussing the Dakota Access Pipeline and Trump’s travel ban, endorsing the sanctuary campus proposal, Project Period and the Gender Neutral Bathroom Initiative are possible due to the VSA’s endorsement of inherently political practices such as anti-racism and intersectional feminism. Obviously sharing bathrooms with people of any gender and discussing the implications of targeting a group of people from entering the United States should not have to be political, but since there are people in the U.S. that disagree, it is. Providing a formal space for such political discussions to take place, within the context of the VSA or supported and facilitated by the VSA is especially necessary and significant as white nationalists are intensifying their recruiting efforts on college campuses. The Boston Globe reported that after last year’s election, “white nationalist and supremacist groups have become an increasingly visible presence on college campuses, using fliers, posters, and e-mails in an effort to recruit new blood.” According to a study conducted by the Anti-Defamation League, there have been more than 120 cases of white supremacist fliers, posters, or stickers reported on American college campuses since last September (The Boston Globe, “White nationalists are now recruiting at college campuses,” 03.31.2017). Given this situation and the political climate, we at The Miscellany News believe the VSA’s role and function as a political organization is all the more imperative and indisputable. —The Staff Editorial expresses the opinion of at least 2/3 of The Miscellany News Editorial Board.
Origins, function of modesty in fashion warrant critique Emma Jones Senior Editor
I
n a recent article for The New York Times, Fashion Director and Chief Fashion Critic Vanessa Friedman declares modesty to be the defining trend of the decade. She surmises that our era signifies “the end of the naked dress,” which she reads as a sign that women are now truly liberated (The New York Times, ““Women, Fashion Has You Covered,” 4.6.2017). Tying a trend to a specific time period inherently implies that it never achieved notable popularity before that period, and likely never will again. While microtrends such as flared jeans, shoulder pads and mini skirts can be linked to particular decades, overarching concepts such as modesty are impossible to confine to a tenyear, or even 100-year, period. Additionally, the article fails to cite significant historical events that have led to the rise of modesty in Western culture. Friedman’s argument ignores the cyclicality of fashion—as soon as hemlines reach the floor, they start rising again. Modesty has experienced widespread popularity at various points throughout U.S. history, and it will inevitably fall out of vogue in coming years or decades. The conception of fashion expressed in The New York Times article is not only alarmingly narrow, but also incredibly classist. Friedman cites couture runways, the Met Gala, an Upper East Side boutique, and even a previous New York Times piece in order to show the ubiquity and resilience of modest styles in our time, but she is looking for trends in the wrong places: decade-defining trends—grunge, hip hop, punk—usually emerge from the margins, not from couture fashion houses. To add insult to injury, Friedman spends almost 2000 words discussing the rise of modesty and does not once mention the veil. In an op-ed for New Humanist, contributor Angela Saini surmises that modesty has not experienced popularity of this kind since Victorian times, and the global controversy surrounding the hijab is largely responsible for its sudden reemergence (New Humanist, “What is behind the trend for modesty in fashion?” 12.19.2016).
Major fashion brands did not invent the modesty trend, they are simply profiting from it: in the summer of 2015, Uniqlo came out with a line featuring hijabs and long skirts; in the spring of 2016, Dolce & Gabbana released a line of hijabs and abayas; Tommy Hilfiger, Oscar de la Renta and DKNY have all launched Ramadan lines targeted at Muslim women (New Humanist). Saini remarks that although it is important to continue to defend Muslim women’s right to wear the veil, the way that support of the veil drowns out resistance to it is worrying. This could be extended to modesty in general: while women should obviously be free to wear as many layers as they want, the ubiquitous praise of the trend in mainstream and fashion media alike is alarming. Saini explains, “Female modesty has ancient roots. Some anthropologists believe its origins lie in male jealousy and mate-guarding ... By behaving modestly, a woman appears to comply with the demands on her to be virginal or faithful” (New Humanist). Does fashion’s newfound love of high necklines and low hemlines reflect resistance to female objectification, or compliance? Even contemporary European designers’ interpretations of “modesty” reflect a more complex understanding of modesty than that articulated in The New York Times. Miuccia Prada went as far as to dub her spring/summer 2016 resort and men’s collections “post-modest,” explaining, “‘Modesty is no longer for today so it has to be exaggerated’” (i-D, “Prada’s post-modest spring/summer 16,” 6.22.2015). Her menswear collection in particular embodies a sense of false modesty, featuring blazers paired with short shorts, dress shirts with the top several buttons undone and lowcut tank tops dressed up with loafers. Prada elaborates that “post-modesty” is about “excess trying to look basic,” which she demonstrates in the juxtaposition of bold signs and symbols with classic, often boxy silhouettes (i-D). The designer’s tongue-in-cheek reimagining of modesty does not focus on covering up the body, but rather, uses it to critique and interact with the world beyond fashion. Mainstream media that praises the rise of
modesty in women’s fashion often leans heavily toward body shaming, rather than commending women who reinterpret modesty in new and creative ways. Friedman cites the surprise appearance of Nicki Minaj in the front row of the Haider Ackermann show with “her left breast almost entirely exposed” as an example of unimmodest fashion gone too far: she surmises that, “The whole look was still somehow much less seductively relevant than Alek Wek in a perfectly cut black cashmere tuxedo coat, skinny black trousers and a black polo neck sashaying her way down the catwalk in front” (The New York Times).
“Whether or not modesty comes to represent our era (and I doubt it will), its history is far rockier than Friedman acknowledges.” Friedman is not the only one who seems to feel more confident in recent months publicly body shaming women (not to say that this was not an issue pre-Trump era), even in a fairly liberal news source. It is unnecessary to condemn women who choose to dress “immodestly” for the purpose of uplifting those women who uphold the trend. Additionally, in a show featuring a majority white cast of models, Friedman picked out one of the few Black models as a comparison for Nicki Minaj—putting her on a pedestal as what she believes the singer should aspire to. Then again, had she chosen a white model, she would have appeared to uphold whiteness as an ideal; all in all, it is perhaps best to avoid shaming one woman for her clothing choices in order to commend those of another woman altogether. Friedman’s claims spark broader questions about the relationship between constructions
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
of modesty and anti-Blackness, questions that ought to be thoroughly reckoned with. Although later in the article, she declares that fashion is “an integral part of the debate over the freedom to make your own choices,” Friedman’s analysis of women’s clothing choices does not support this statement (The New York Times). The portrayal of contemporary fashion as a reflection of political freedom throughout the article paints a distorted picture of the role that modesty has played in the disempowerment of women. Friedman describes the “new” modesty: “It’s not about power dressing in the old, battering-ram-shoulder sense, but in the sense that when you feel secure and comfortable and protected, you feel stronger” (The New York Times). Women have been covering up their bodies in order to be “secure and comfortable and protected” throughout history; before once again taking credit for a style that originated from the margins, those at the helm of fashion need to consider their own privileged position. The fashion world is dominated primarily by wealthy, cis white women, while those who are more likely to experience harassment and body shaming—women of color, trans women, plussize women—are often shut out. For many, “power dressing” has never been about shoulder pads. To conclude a thoroughly superficial and whitewashed interpretation of modesty’s place in contemporary fashion, Friedman quotes Michael Kors, who enthuses, “I am convinced that there is something far more alluring about women wearing things that give them confidence, that don’t make them feel as if they have to tug at their hemlines or yank at their straps” (The New York Times). In accepting that women’s dress is still about appealing to the male gaze—even if it is modesty rather than immodesty that is currently considered “alluring”—Friedman negates her entire argument. Whether or not modesty comes to represent our era (and I doubt it will), its history is far rockier than Friedman acknowledges.
OPINIONS
Page 10
April 13, 2017
People on the autism spectrum should share their stories Drew Solender Columnist
I
would like to speak out on an issue that has negatively impacted me my entire life. It is the problem of a day-to-day struggle of self and mind that makes it an uphill battle each and every day to function in normal society. The problem I speak of is the that of neurodivergence; more specifically, autism and Asperger’s. Before I proceed, I will first give some context. For those of you who do not know, this month is Autism Awareness Month which is sponsored by the charity Autism Speaks. The purpose of this month is to raise both acceptance and awareness of those on the autism spectrum who often suffer from societal alienation due to misunderstandings, misdiagnoses and the unwillingness of those not on the spectrum to accept difference. I suffer from the developmental disorder known as Asperger’s syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum. I strongly believe that the only way to gain true acceptance is for people on the spectrum to share their stories so people can truly understand the struggle we face. That is why I have decided to share my story today. I am not fond of sharing the fact that I have Asperger’s syndrome, and tend to only do it in therapeutic environments or in dire situations. However, I realized recently that Asperger’s is not a crutch, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It is a difference, and it is something that has caused me to struggle and persevere and has made me a much better person. I would like to share my struggle and make an appeal for neurodivergent people living in neurotypical environments. Despite it’s ridiculous sounding name, Asperger’s syndrome can be very severe. It is characterized by a lack of empathy and an inability to pick up on social cues. Other symptoms include obsessiveness on certain topics or hobbies, an inability to accept change and an inability to make proper eye contact. While these sound like minor differences from what is considered a neurotypical personality, they are actually quite significant. Having one or two Asperger’s behaviors might be harmless and may simply be considered quirky
personality traits, but altogether they create a heavy burden and a significant mental chasm between those with Asperger’s and neurotypicals. Imagine that everybody’s mind is a bucket, and the more weight in this bucket, the harder it is for them to communicate with others. Each Asperger’s behavior is a rock. When there is one rock in the bucket, the weight is manageable, albeit the bucket is a little off balance. However, somebody with Asperger’s does not have just one rock, but more likely five or six which heavily restricts their ability to communicate. I would also like to make the distinction between Aspergers and autism. While Aspergers is on the autism spectrum, and Aspergers and High Functioning autism can often be very similar, Aspergers is not simply another form of autism. Rather, the two share similar symptoms, but differ in that those with autism often have special difficulties with communication while Asperger’s has the unique quality of preoccupation or obsession with certain subjects. For my entire childhood, I tried desperately to function like a normal kid. I struggled to make friends all through elementary, middle and high school. I went through scores of therapists, spent two months in a therapeutic wilderness program and even had a week stay in a mental hospital while my classmates had normal childhoods, going on playdates, hanging out, going on dates and to parties. This was all in the name of “treatment.” For nearly half my life I have been treated to try and remedy, or at least mask, my differences, the traits that make me unique, because they make it difficult for me to live amongst the majority of mankind. I have been, perhaps unintentionally, conditioned to believe that I am not only lesser than most people, but that I am fundamentally flawed. It is not just the treatment by others that gave me this impression, it’s my life experience. I have quarreled with many and bonded with few. I’ve had fallouts and animosities and emotional ordeals that have made me feel unwanted and unnecessary. I have learned much and changed a lot and gone through hardships that many people will never have to face. Every morning I wake up and ask
myself, “What will I do wrong today?” Sometimes I question my own humanity because my mind works so much differently from everybody else’s, and that shows very clearly in my interactions with people. The decision to come to a mainstream college was one that I had to make very carefully, and yet it felt to me like a challenge from the world. It felt like the universe saying, “Can you really survive in the real world alone?” Often times it feels like the answer is no. This is not to say that I am the least fortunate person in the world, far from it. I have been blessed with health, financial safety and a loving family. Yet, my struggle is one that is frustratingly unique. So few people in the world share the burden that I face, and so few can truly help me improve. I often hope that someone will invent a magical cure, but it is unlikely. Aspergers is not seen as something severe enough to invest serious money in. Moreover, it is also something that would be very difficult to “cure” in the traditional sense because, again, it is not a disease, just a disorder. So is the situation improving? The study of Asperger’s has made great strides in recent decades. If you’ve read the books of John Elder Robison, a man with Aspergers who is now in his late 50s, he will tell you that during his childhood he suffered from an undiagnosed case of Asperger’s because the science simply was not there in the ’60s and ’70s. His lack of a proper diagnosis resulted in him being labeled a miscreant and a deviant, and caused him to believe he was those things and to behave as such. Eventually he was able to pull himself up and make a life for himself, but he still attributes many of his difficulties to the misunderstandings that people had back then about those on the autism spectrum. Even in 2010 when I was diagnosed the science was somewhat insufficient, and though it has been gradually improving over time, it is still often difficult to make an early Asperger’s diagnosis. This speaks to one of the key issues with Asperger’s: that those who suffer from the syndrome may face a great deal of pressure to act like neurotypical children and, until a diagnosis is made, may accu-
ADVERTISEMENT
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
mulate additional mental health issues as a result. Some argue that the subtlety of the behaviors associated with Asperger’s is an asset, allowing them to blend into environments and situations with minimal persecution. I would argue that this is also a detriment because it puts us between two worlds, that of the neurotypical and that of the neurodivergent, and causes us to suffer crises of identity. It is also relevant to add here that Asperger’s syndrome is probably the greatest force stopping me from personally achieving my goals. I aspire to be a public servant and an elected official. We as young people are always told to follow our dreams. So I have. I have attempted time and time again to become an elected official in many places; middle school (I tied once with a really good speech), high school (I only won once: I was unopposed) and now college (I have lost every college election I have participated in). Charisma is such an important factor in politics, and not just school elections. While people argue that school elections are just “popularity contests,” they ignore the fact that local, state and national elections are just larger popularity contests with a couple more random factors mixed in. I am the antithesis of ideal to achieve my goals, and winning elections takes a lot more effort, perseverance and failure for me than it does for most because of Aspergers. So when you encounter someone at Vassar who can not seem to empathize with how you are feeling or says something, not offensive, but a bit off, do not label your fellow Brewer an asshole. When you meet someone in your dorm who cannot make eye contact or fidgets, do not call your neighbor crazy or nuts. When you come across an individual in class who has trouble speaking or has slow reaction speed, absolutely do not call them retarded. These people are not lesser, they are different. These people are strong individuals who have spent their entire lives overcoming difficult obstacles. They are brave souls who have not let fear of ostracization hinder their desire to live happy and fulfilling lives. They are neurodivergent people living in a world of neurotypicals, and that’s a damn hard thing to be.
April 13, 2017
OPINIONS
Judaism should resist Christian hegemony Sylvan Calko Perlmutter Guest Columnist
T
his week is the Jewish holiday of Passover, where Jews from all around the world gather at the seder table to celebrate the exodus of the Israelites, led by Moses, from Egypt. Passover follows the standard Jewish holiday formula of “X group tried to kill us. X group failed. Let’s eat!” But the holiday occupies a special place in the hearts of Jews and non-Jews alike for birthing that most wondrous of dishes– Matzo ball soup. I have it on good authority that 50 percent of all minor ailments in the tri-state area are cured through Matzo ball soup. Passover also occupies an important place in the life of Jesus. At the last supper, Jesus and his apostles were celebrating the Passover seder. Executed by Pontius Pilate the next day and resurrected on the following Sunday, this week holds a special place for Christians as well. This is why Easter is usually celebrated right around Passover. This year Passover is from April 10th through April 18 while Easter is on Sunday, April 16. The relationship between Passover and Easter, and by extension the Jewish and Christian traditions as a whole, can be both beautiful and discomforting. Growing up in Texas, I was shocked by how many avowedly devout Christians did not know that Jesus was Jewish. Whenever I would them this fact, and brought up the Last Supper, they looked at me with bewilderment. In those looks I saw time and time again the discomfort that arises when the barriers you erect between yourself and other people to order your world and sense of self are unexpectedly, if only temporarily, breached. American and European Jews on the whole are more comfortable with this knowledge than Christians because as a minority they have had to learn about Christianity to navigate the majority Christian (not necessarily religiously but certainly culturally) societies in which they live. All the same, as a Jew, conceiving of a God
you’re not supposed to believe in as related to you through blood and tradition can be unsettling and even destabilizing. How strange it was for me to walk into certain churches in Europe, built by monarchs who oppressed their Jewish subjects if they had not yet decided to exile them for their realm, and see a Jewish man and his mother sculpted and painted on every wall and ceiling. Thankfully, over the past century this discomfort at connection has often been used to create understanding across faith and create the necessary platform for forgiveness. Many Lutheran churches have distanced themselves from the deeply anti-Semitic writings of their movement’s founder, Martin Luther. Pope John Paul II made massive strides in improving Catholic-Jewish relations by praying at Auschwitz and being the first Pope to visit a synagogue. The relationships between Jews and these branches of Christianity are not perfect, and antisemitism is still present in many ways, but an increasing recognition of their shared history has spurred on efforts to promote inter-faith accord. However, there must be a way to maintain this intimacy and connection without falling for what is one of the more pernicious talking points of our day; The assertion that the civilization we live in is Judeo-christian. This concept has often been employed by Christians to justify the undermining of societal progress. For example, blocking access to abortion and contraception, and fighting for the right to refuse services to LGBTQ individuals. By saying Judeo-Christian instead of Christian, the Christian right has given their rhetoric, almost exclusively rooted in American Christian social and political priorities, a false veneer of pluralist legitimacy. Ohio Governor and ardent Pro-lifer, John Kasich, proposed creating a federal agency “to promote Judeo-Christian values.” This would be the first step in a Christian, not Jewish, theo-
cratic project–a theocratic project that sought to pathetically pander to Evangelists, not Jewish people. Not only do those that use this language not represent the political priorities of American Jews (e.g. most American Jews support gay marriage), but coopts their heritage and misrepresents their traditions. For all the equality between the two traditions implied by the label Judeo-Christian, it is clear that Judaism is conceived of as the junior partner in this civilization. Professor Stephen Feldman states that “the concept of a Judeo-Christian tradition flows from the Christian theology of supersession, whereby the Christian covenant (or Testament) with God supersedes the Jewish one. Christianity, according to this myth, reforms and replaces Judaism ... Modern Judaism remains merely as a ‘relic.’” Therefore, when certain Jewish public figures, like Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, play into the charade by using the word Judeo-Christian, they are unwittingly (and, often, toxically) perpetuating a conceptual framework that undermines, distorts and coopts Judaism. Jews must refute the language of Judeo-Christianity and re-emphasize that Jews have their own civilization that predates and does not fit in the boundaries of Christian civilization. However, they must find a way to do this while retaining an awareness of the intimate connection between the two traditions. To forget this would be to lose a precious treasure. Christians can be an ally in this effort by reexamining the concept of Judeo-Christianity in their own communities and find a way to navigate difference with Jews without treating their heritage as completely alien. Changing these deep societal notions will take time, but the massive advances in religious pluralism and multi-faith understanding in the latter half of the 20th century show that this can be done. And so to all those celebrating this week, I wish you a meaningful and joyous holiday.
Tattoo culture needs radical restructuring Kelsey Quinn Online Editor
O
n March 23, 2017, Amy Bleuel committed suicide after a life full of trauma and struggles with mental health. You may not know Amy Bleuel by name, but you have probably seen a product of her life’s work in the form of a tattoo of a semicolon. The creator of the mental illness awareness organization Project Semicolon, Bleuel is the person who began this tattoo “trend.” I am fascinated by the way that the semicolon tattoo has spread over social media, creating a seemingly contradictory blend of physical permanence and viral communication. Bleuel’s semicolon tattoo is a perfect case study with which to ponder larger questions about what types of tattoos become trends and the way that these trends are received. Tattoo trends, like fashion trends, are nothing new. However, we can look back on fashion trends from a safe distance, with the clothing no longer near our bodies. Tattoo trends go out of style in the same way, with the obvious difference of their permanence. It’s hard to say what makes a tattoo “trendy” and which concepts will endure over time. Often the answer seems to be that you may not realize it’s a trend until it’s no longer cool. Undeniably, though, tattoo trends have a gendered element to them. “Trendy” tattoos are often synonymous with “bad,” “girly” tattoos, even though they take many forms. For example, lower back tattoos are now horrendously deemed “tramp stamps” and conceptualized as a mark of embarrassment. And while “tribal” style tattoos from the same time are definitively no longer cool, I don’t ever hear anyone being made fun of with true animosity for having them. And it’s certainly no coincidence that lower back tattoos are the only one of these two examples that is associated with a woman’s sexuality. Modern tattoo trends for girls like infinity symbols, birds, music notes and arrows are also fodder for gendered ridicule. And though these may not always be the best tattoos in concept or execution, the criticism is often just an excuse to make fun of girls for things they enjoy. We certainly don’t harass men in the same way for getting shitty tattoos of sports logos or crosses at the same frequency. Tattoos are art, and to my personal taste, all of
these tattoos are lazy and often not done with very much skill. It’s more complicated than that, though, and I will always defend girls who choose to get these kinds of tattoos that are deemed “basic” in an expression of misogyny regardless of whether or not I personally enjoy them. There’s definitely an element of class that is constantly at work when it comes to tattooing as well. The tattoos that I see at Vassar and the tattoos that I see in my humble hometown are incredibly different. Lower class people often either do not have access to more skilled tattoo artists or are perfectly happy getting the work that they do. The things that I sneer at as someone who has “moved up” on the cultural ladder from my own roots are things that can mean the world to someone else (so I should probably stop sneering at Phillies tats, to be honest). Tattoos are a reflection of the culture of their recipients, a way to identify oneself with a social group. And besides their value as an art form, this is their social importance. The semicolon tattoo has become popular because it allows the tattooed person to process their pain by empowering themselves through identification with the movement that the tattoo stands for. Tattooing as it currently stands in the U.S. and the West in general is a monopoly of cisgender white men, but this is hopefully beginning to change; tattoo culture is undergoing a revolution as tattoos become more acceptable as a casual body modifications among millennials. Instagram in particular has changed tattooing dramatically. Designs are easily spread on the platform, creating more opportunity for trendy tattoos. Although this results in much art theft, overall, tattoo artists have greatly benefited from Instagram because it allows them to reach potential clients who admire their work. Young people are no longer stuck going to the closest shop and hoping for the best, risking not only getting something completely hideous tattooed on them by an inexperienced artist but also their health in a potentially unsafe shop. The hope is that as tattooing becomes more acceptable and popular, it will become more accessible to more people at a higher-quality and safer rate. Women getting generic infinity symbol tattoos can learn about the further creative options
available to them by good and affordable artists as tattoo shops become more comfortable spaces for women. The development benefits not only patrons, but also artists. More women and queer people are gaining visibility in mainstream tattoo discourse due to social media exposure and an expanded number of potential clients, allowing them to connect with clients who feel connected to their identity and their art. Spirited Tattooing Coalition is a tattoo studio opened about two years ago in Philadelphia that is owned by a non-binary person of color named Jasmine T. Morrell. It is the first queer-owned tattoo studio in Philadelphia and one of the few in the country. The mission of the shop is to provide a comfortable and welcoming space in which to get tattooed, particularly for people who may be made to feel uncomfortable in other shops for aspects of their identity (Spirited Tattooing Coalition Indiegogo page). Spirited Tattooing Coalition’s existence is an incredibly encouraging sign that social dynamics of tattooing are changing. Race, however, remains a huge problem in the tattoo world—and a problem whose future does not seem as optimistic. While female tattoo artists are booming in popularity, it is comparably rare to be able to find an artist who is a person of color, or even examples of an artist’s work on dark skin on their Instagram. Tattooing remains incredibly white-dominated in the west. And while people of color certainly don’t have to be interested in tattoos, representation is incredibly important, and white tattoo artists need to begin to support their fellow artists who are people of color and make clear that they foster a welcoming, safe environment for anyone who may be interested in becoming a client. Amy Bluel will live forever on the skin of those who have found meaning in her Project Semicolon movement. She leaves behind her a legacy that is a perfect example of a tattoo design that resonates with many people becoming a trend as social media allows it to spread. As they spread in popularity, with some work—namely, encouraging conversations that aren’t happening and enacting conscious tattoo-related choices—we will see developments against social structures that are currently being upheld in power dynamics associated with tattooing.
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
Page 11
Word on the street Has spring sprung? “Too suddenly” — Valerie Kerner ’19
“I actually used that in an insta caption yesterday…” — Aditi Chandna ’19
“Unfortunately” — Andrea Ditkoff ’18
“I haven’t seen any bunny around yet, so I can’t say” — Kayleigh Marshall ’18
“There’s probably an erection joke in there somewhere…” — Andy Rutherford ’19
“I don’t know how to respond to this…” — Max CantyHilchey ’19
Evelyn Frick, Humor & Satire Editor
HUMOR & SATIRE
Page 12
April 13, 2017
Breaking News From the desk of Evelyn Frick, Humor & Satire Editor ‘Nailed it!’ says Sean Spicer to himself after every press briefing, oblivious to the repugnancy of his entire being ADVERTISEMENT
JYA-er studying in Italy somehow has complaints Zander Bashaw A Broad
S
tudying abroad in Bologna has been an utterly fantastic experience, and I have also thoroughly enjoyed my visits to other cities. The food and architecture puts America’s strip mall and Taco bell culture to shame. The people could not be nicer. Therefore I have had to live here for almost three months and use all the skills Vassar has instilled in me to find things to complain about. Here they are. My Perceived German Identity
Not a day passes here where I don’t get asked if I am German. When I flew over to Bologna for the first time, since we were connecting in Frankfurt, a man at the airport asked me if I was going home and was shocked at my response. This type of incredulity is pretty typical. When I explain that I am American, I am often met with the response, “But you seem German to me!” One woman who worked at a glass store on the island Murano told me I had a German Italian accent. I’ve never spoken a word of German in my life. Professor-Student Relationships
The classes that we take within our program have tried to ease this transition for us, but the truth of the matter is that professor to student relationship is an ocean apart here in Italy. The one class I took at University of Bologna, Philosophy of Heliocentrism, illustrated that Italian school is much more about the diffusion of information from the experts to the students, and not about discourse or informal relationships. While this particular structure spared my pretentious and brilliant professor from hearing my uninformed and barely coherent thoughts, classes virtually void of discussion are not very engaging. I think that a healthy medium between kids who haven’t done the reading contradicting a professor who has done ALL the reading for the past two decades and “children are meant to be seen not heard” is a good idea. Milanesi
Milanesi, or people from Milan have a universal stereotype in Italy that I can affirm is dead on, not only because I went to Milan for an entire day, but also because I have watched
a Youtube channel that discusses these concepts. The best way to describe the Milanese is the stereotypical Italian swag mixed with New Yorker exceptionalism. A friend on the program sat on a train from Milan with one of these people, decked out in a four figure suit. Every two minutes, he could be heard picking up his phone (that had the “old fashioned ringer” tone) with “Ciao forte!” and swearing profusely. I can only imagine what their Facebook pages are like. Venetian Food
Venice is like no other place in the world with incredible palaces rearing out of the dirtiest yet somehow still beautiful water. However, in addition to the absurdity of taking a boat where you need to go, the prices for food are absolutely eye-popping, and you don’t get the bang for your buck. Perhaps I feel this way because Bologna is known for its food, a couple towers and its food. However, apart from the audacious option to have squid ink pasta and thus ingesting a meal the color of charcoal, I would advise visitors to skip Venetian food if possible. Instead, you should buy ingredients from a supermarket and have a picnic in a square, but prepare yourself for as many pigeons as there are VSA campaign Facebook event invites. Walking through the porticoes
Bologna is a city filled with porticoes, which are structures that cover the sidewalks and consist of beautiful arches and columns in the center of the city and hideous grey pillars in the periphery. Though they provide shade and shelter to pedestrians from nonexistent precipitation, they do present a bit of a problem for my lifestyle. I am approximately 70 percent leg and leave way too late for class, thus I tend to need to “cook it” to make it on time. However, Bolognesi have a very different idea about how fast one should walk. They tend to walk at a very, let’s say “Italian” pace, stopping to look into windows, greet friends and actually window shop. Walking is a much less destination based affair, and though this is a much better way to live life, it drives me insane when I need to rush quickly to class and my own inevitable death.
FALSE ADVERTISING
Courtesy of Public Domain Pictures
This is an advertisement. MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
HUMOR & SATIRE
April 13, 2017
Page 13
Doughn’t leave me: a love ode to bread during Passover Evelyn Frick
Weirdly into Bread
I
HOROSCOPES ARIES
March 21 | April 19
TAURUS
April 20 | May 20
GEMINI
May 21 | June 20
CANCER
June 21 | July 22
LEO
July 23 | August 22
VIRGO
August 23 | September 22
syrup soaked through the stack fairly quickly but the thin, brittleness of the cracker didn’t match with the richness of the syrup. I thought about making pasta with matzah balls instead of meatballs. But then I remembered that pasta isn’t kosher either. So I gave up on that plan. My final recipe idea was to try to make a kosher salad. But then I remembered that I could just eat a normal salad. And then I decided I wasn’t really in the mood to eat vegetables so I didn’t. Through this experience I’ve realized that kosher replacement recipes for Passover can never replace bread in my stomach or my heart. Life is a bit hard for me right now. I have
Courtesy of Creative Commons
love bread. I’ve never been in love with a human man, but I can say with certainty that I trust and love a good piece of bread. Any kind of bread! Wheat, rye, ciabatta, baguette, pita, pumpernickel, challah, you name it, I like it. (Well, except white bread. Fuck white bread.) Every different kind of bread suits my ever-changing needs and moods. It’s kind of like being in a really healthy polyamorous relationship where all your partners are extremely yummy. And so, as you can probably tell, this week, the week of Passover, has been very rough on me. I’ve had to say goodbye to that which is very important to me; that which warms my heart with every doughy, carbohydrate filled bite. At least this year, since I don’t really have food in my room, I didn’t have to participate in the ritualistic burning of chametz. That is always painful to watch. I have memories from childhood of watching bread burn on the family grill. I remember one year I tried to stop it. As the bread toasted into a light golden brown I lurched forward screaming, “It’s done! It’s done! Any longer and it’ll be too burned to eat!” My sister had to hold me back as the bread turned into ash. It was traumatizing to say the least. But I didn’t have to do it this year. Still, the pain of separation burns in my heart. As I walk by the panini station in the deece, I have to ignore the beautiful, fresh piles of bread. Instead as I pass by I whisper, “Soon, my love.” Sometimes I question why I put myself through this every year. I am a Jew, yet I think of myself being more cultural than actually practicing. And yet, I still decide to put myself through the ringer for the full week. I don’t eat chametz, I eat from the weird, special area of the deece, I keep every surface completely kosher. Sometimes I question it, thinking, “What am I
doing this for?” But then, if nothing else, I remind myself that any healthy relationship requires time apart. During this week, I shall define myself without bread. While I may be suffering now without my dear bread, I will become a stronger person because of the separation. Our relationship will be stronger because of it. (Also because I like being Jewish and engaging in Jewish cultural traditions... but also because of the latter.) I’ve been trying out a bunch of different bread replacements, but it’s never quite the same. One morning I thought about trying kosher pancakes. But all I could think of was to use a stack of matzah and pour some syrup on top of it. The
Look at all this delicious bread. Doesn’t it look super delicious? I am seriously craving bread right now but I can power through. Perhaps looking at Google Images of bread wasn’t a great idea...
Confront your enemies. Now’s the time to call out the fuckbois, the haters, and the slow-walkers. Pick a fight with your significant other for that thing they did two months ago. Aries have an interesting tendency to die when they pent up their anger. So embrace your aggression and start drama. It’s good for your heart. Everyone is fawning over you this week. Don’t be surprised if you receive several edible arrangements. Throw an unregistered party, and allow people to bask in your glow. You could probably get away with being a very shitty person because you are so damn objectively attractive —especially this week. So take advantage and show up to meetings late. Ghost them. You have a friend that you don’t want to be friends with. It’s not benefitting either of you to keep this facade going. It’s time to cut the cord. Don’t confront them about it. Just turn on your read receipts and don’t respond to their texts. You’re not an aggressive person. You’re a passive aggressive person. Own it. Hide. Try to stay under the radar this week. Keep your conversations brief. Do not wear bright colors. Sit upstairs at the Deece. Only bad things will come from social interactions. If you go to a Professor’s Office hours, you will leave crying. If you go to the gym, you will leave crying.
Subscribe to Kate Hudson’s athletic wear line, Fabletics. They’re having a great deal this week on leggings —2 for $24! But only if you’re a VIP member which costs $50 a month. Please let us know if you can successfully get the leggings and cancel the membership before being charged. This is our task for you, Leo. Reveal your friends’ secrets. Secrets are no fun. Secrets hurt someone. This is not the week to keep things bottled in. Your friends are loading you with juicy information, and it’s starting to weigh you down. Spill it. Spill it all. Your friends will understand that this is for the greater good.
dreams about floating on clouds made of croissants and biting into their fluffy goodness. My mouth waters with a fervor that can only be quenched by biting into something that has been leavened. There is a hole in my life, but no, it is not a doughnut hole. It is emptiness. For a hot sec I got so sad that I decided to day drink some Manischewitz, but then I thought about the amount of sugar I was consuming and went to the gym immediately. Since we gained an hour, the days are longer and longer; long days with no bread. The next few days will be difficult but I think I can manage. I haven’t decided what my break-fast meal will be. There are so many options I can choose from and I’d like to think I’d prepare a well-thought out meal for myself. I’d like to think I’d go to a nice bakery and buy loaves upon loaves of fresh breads, buns and pies. But in reality, I know that I’ll end up shoving as many pieces of buttered toast in my mouth as possible and hoard them in my cheeks like a squirrel. Since I cannot eat from non-kosher surfaces, I cannot eat deece french fries so I’ll probably end up swimming in the french fry container in the grill section like a swimming pool. Life will be better then. Life will be easier. I feel like I am being tested as if I am Hercules attempting to complete the twelve tasks. I shall be victorious! At the very least, I know that my Jewish friends are in the same boat with me; I am not alone in my separation from sweet, sweet bread. There is a collective people enduring the same cravings that I am; a small group going against all the odds. I can do this. At least I think I can. Check in with me next week to see if I’ve survived. And if you do see me, please do not judge me for this egregious article. I am in a very desperate time without my dear, sweet bread. Normally I wouldn’t make myself so vulnerable in publication. Desperate times call for desperate measures, my sweet dude.
-Natasha Sanchez and Theresa Law
LIBRA
September 23 | October 22
SCORPIO
October 23 | November 21
SAGITTARIUS
November 22 | December 21
CAPRICORN
December 22 | January 19
AQUARIUS
January 20 | February 18
PISCES
February 19 | March 20
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
Redecorate. Sell all of your possessions, and go to Target. Your goal is to impress people with material things. That garish piece suddenly has meaning to you. Add some decorative pillows to your bed or couches. Fill your space with upholstered furniture and thousands of tapestries. Layer your rugs three feet high. Tone down your sexiness. This may be hard for you sensual scorpios. You have an effortless way of seducing people. Stop it. It’s confusing. You are sending a lot of mixed signals towards very impressionable people. They will fantasize about a relationship with you that will never happen and grow to resent you. Be careful of your charm. Wear layers. If you want to fuck on the first date, fuck on the first date. Throw the third date rule out the window. Throw the stigmas and shame out the window. You are a sexual person, and you need to express yourself ~sexually~. Fuck before the first date. Fuck with no date. Fuck yourself.
Eat alone at the Deece. You were really thrown when the quiet side was infiltrated by loud side eaters. Don’t let them disturb your peace. Invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones or just a swarm of angry bees to fly around you to keep others at bay. Just don’t forget the bee keeper suit for yourself. Don’t trust anyone. Guard your heart. Lock it up and let it grow cold. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is only asking for emotional turmoil. If you show your true feelings you will get hurt, so become apathetic. Be wary of alcohol and other substances which will weaken your resolve and make you susceptible to emotional damage. Wear black. Drink water. Water is good for you. It’s easy to forget. Add some lemon for zest, but we aware of the damage it causes to tooth enamel. But don’t just stop at drinking water. Swim in it. Shower in it. Bathe in it. Keep water bottle on you at all times and a squirt bottle, as well, to reprimand the softbois.
ARTS
Page 14
April 13, 2017
Chinese show translated for on-campus production TIME continued from page 1
The most recent Philaletheis production, “Time Long Past” will be performed from April 14-15. Translated by the director from the original Chinese play, it explores the impermanence of life.
Courtesy of Omri Bareket
here to watch the North American premier of what they had initially conceptualized.” He then had to go through the complicated affair of reproducing the script for Vassar, which entailed not only translating the piece from the original Chinese version, but also rewriting it to match both his own style as well as standard cultural norms for a United States audience. “I did not want any possible confusion regarding cultural references to distract audiences from the show itself. So I spent a great deal of time finding equivalent cultural phenomena that could very easily be understood—for example, replacing a sticky bun stand with a hot dog stand,” he mentioned. Wang had to rewrite most of the script, eventually maintaining only the structure of the plot from the original one. It took him roughly a semester. He later showed it to the original producers, and claimed that they really enjoyed the way he adapted it for American audiences. In regards to his directing debut, he explained, “I had no experience, but if I loved the script, I thought there must be someone else who would feel the same way if I showed it to them.” “My team really helped me navigate my way,” he continued. “Some of them have professional theater experience and some are new to it like me. Their input has been invaluable—many a times, the stage manager or the actors will make suggestions because they interpret characters in different ways, and it gives me a very new and interesting perspective. I’ve definitely learned a lot from them.” Rivers spoke about their teamwork as well: “There are a lot of first-timers on the show, which is fun because we all learn together. Its far more collaborative than I’m used to, which I really like.” In parting, Wang responded to finally seeing his dream realized: “I’m excited to see how it turns out. Once it is up, I look forward to just sitting back and watching it as a part of the audience, like I did four years ago in Shanghai.”
Courtesy of The Philaletheis Society
man the theme of time really is, saying, “[What struck me most was] the influence of time on people’s lives, how time must be cherished or you may end up regretful, and very simply, how the way you treat people can really affect them, sometimes for a much longer time than you ever expected.” Stage manager Sarah Rivers ’20 expressed similar views: “The show has a very touching ending, and very sweet aspects that speak to the human experience. It feels different from a lot of the student theater I have done here. There are a lot of subtleties in the show, and I hope that the audience will be able to pick up on many of those nuances.” While the script is deeply moving, it also incorporates flashes of humor. As Matt Stein ’18 [Full disclosure: Stein is the Assistant Features Editor at The Miscellany News], who plays the role of Bobby Weight, explained, “The characters’ names have puns in them, something that was seen in the original show as well. For example, Chrono Tickins is named for the fact that the clock is tickin’.” These puns may just be some of the subtleties Rivers was referring to. Sharing his perspective as an actor, Stein continued, “The plot is structured such that each person’s story is a different act. As a result, each character gets their moment in the limelight. Therefore, nobody is a side character—we are all an ensemble of stars.” Wang’s journey that brought him to this point is one to be reckoned with. Once he decided he wanted to take on this project, he first had to get ahold of the script as well as the copyright from the original producers. “They were extremely supportive, and I didn’t even have to pay them anything!” exclaimed Wang. “They understood that I was a college student who just loved their work and wanted to share it with others. In fact, I’m not sure if this will end up happening, but they may fly out
Director Leon Wang ’19, an English major for whom this production is his directorial debut, highlighted the invaluable collaborative input from his cast, pictured above.
Drama production centers women through mythology Kaitlin Prado Reporter
T
his past week, the Experimental Theatre of Vassar College put on “Huntress,” a senior project in drama. This original play was written by seniors Ariel Atlas, Jenna Doherty and Elizabeth Snyderman. Speaking to the creative process Snyderman recalled, “We started writing it about a year ago, and we were making script changes the Tuesday night before the show went up. We started with a lot of research into Greek and Roman mythology, and then we started developing characters and plotlines, and from there we started fitting things together and reworking it.” Fellow senior project member Karli Bentley ’17 agreed that this creative process was unlike any she’d been a part of. As she recalled, “There were script changes still happening the day of our dress rehearsal, so as actors we really had to be flexible and
ready to roll with the punches. While this was definitely one of the most challenging rehearsal processes I’ve ever experienced, it also gave me the opportunity to have quite a bit of input when it came to developing my character. This was Snyderman’s very first time playing a singular role in a show where she wasn’t also the director. Speaking to her specific character, she said, “Atalanta was often a difficult character to get a handle on because she’s very complex. She’s incredibly fierce and confident, but she’s also very silly and soft and vulnerable.” Bentley has been around the theatrical block during her time here at Vassar, but “Huntress” was a new frontier. As she said, “What’s been great about doing theatre at Vassar is that I’ve been able to perform in so many different kinds of shows. I’ve done classics like Shakespeare and Chekhov, contemporary plays, a devised piece with Idlewild and now with ‘Huntress’ I’ve had the chance to orig-
Courtesy of Martin Nikolov
“Huntress,” an original senior project in the Drama Department performed last week, used a mythological context to present more nuanced and inclusive roles for women in theater.
inate a role in a brand new play. To have had that experience, even given how unorthodox the process has been, has been a huge help to me as an actor as I prepare to leave Vassar and go into the professional world.” Isabelle Bertram ’18, another actress in the production, recollected, “My process I think was very different than other members of the cast because I was playing the only male characters in the show. “It was definitely a challenge for me to play two different characters of different ages and romantic interests. My two characters were Hippomenes, in love with Atalanta and Cephalus married to Procris. And ironically enough it’s difficult to portray a character that doesn’t have much of a voice,” she continued. “Obviously this was intentional to flip the tables a little bit and portray the MALE character as hopelessly in love and unable to really live without a female presence in his life, a bit of a commentary on how women are usually portrayed in art. But my reaction and ability to speak was reliant on my scene partner, this makes memorizing lines pretty simple, and it doesn’t allow for much character growth as the character arc relies totally on my female counterpart. So it was definitely a different process it forced me to make some choices and cling to them,” she concluded. This highly creative piece was both impressive and important to everybody involved. Snyderman asserted, “Any piece of theater about women is an important piece of theater in my book. Women are so complex and interesting and contradictory, and yet there is a real dearth of work about us. This is also the only play I know of that deals with asexuality, and I think it’s great for asexuals to be able to see themselves represented onstage.” Bertram agreed: “While it affirms a lot of opinions and views that are held on this campus, this piece was significant in that it made visible a community of people that are normally just lumped into the LGBT mix. I’m talking about asexuality. While this wasn’t intended to be the focus of the show (I believe) it was a detail that other people can connect to or with. I
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
think this piece is a play about women for EVERYONE to see. In theatre there aren’t a lot of plays that highlight positive attributes of women and female friendships and relationships between friends.” Bertram appreciated that this show portrayed women in a much more complete way, as theater often only grants one-dimensional characterizations to women characters. As Bertram continued, “[T]his was a show that allowed for the growth and development of female characters throughout the piece, and this is very empowering as woman to see onstage, but this multidimensionality of women should be common knowledge to everyone in our society. So by putting it on stage at Vassar it’s bringing awareness to the fact that you don’t see this sort of thing very often in the professional world, and hopefully encourage other similar works or at least an exploration and expansion of more such works!” One of the high-risk, high-reward aspects of theatre is being more or less stuck with the same group of people for long hours–often in high-stress situations. This kind of connection can make or break a play, and the chemistry within this cast was apparent. Due to her specific role, Bertram spent less time at rehearsals, and even, she noted, “Everyone in the cast was a pleasure to be around, very supportive of each other, and fun/funny! All in all it was a great experience, we had a dramatic script change on Tuesday night that caused us to have to re-memorize lines and scenes on Wednesday, the day before the show was to open. But everyone worked really hard and had a great attitude, and that’s really all that matters to make this a wonderful experience.” Bentley assured that she was in great company in this production. As she affirmed, “I’m honestly just so blown away by every single person in this cast and crew. I really can’t say enough about my fellow actors. This project has been an incredibly challenging one and they all brought their A games regardless. As a senior project member, to see people so willing to give their all to help us make this thing actually happen was incredible.”
April 13, 2017
ARTS
Page 15
Ribicoff Lecture champions expanded view of African art Noah Purdy & Patrick Tanella Arts Editors
“T
Courtesy of Vassar College Art Department
he future belongs to Africa, because it seems to have happened everywhere else already.” These thought-provoking words by Nigerian writer, art critic and curator Okwui Enwezor and his optimistic attitude toward African art greatly inspire this year’s leader of the Ribicoff Seminar Carol Thompson, who spoke about her work this past Thursday, April 6. Thompson, who became the first Fred and Rita Richman Curator of African Art at the High Museum in Atlanta after teaching at Vassar until 2001, is responsible for doubling the African art collection at the High. This semester, she is leading the Art Department’s famed Ribicoff Seminar, a special opportunity funded by Vassar alumna Belle Ribicoff ’45 that brings students on weekly trips to New York City along with a curator for a behind-the-scenes look at the staging of a major art exhibition. Enwezor’s words were included in the show for which he served as consulting curator, “Making Africa: A Continent of Contemporary Design,” which was originally installed at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany. The High Museum will become the first U.S. venue to host the show, which includes 120 works by a wide array of contemporary African artists. In her talk, Thompson detailed her interest in African art and her admiration for many other curators’ work in bringing art of the African continent and diaspora to a more public light. Examples included “The Short Century: Independence and Liberation Movements in Africa, 1945-1994” at MoMA PS1 in 2002; “The Divine Comedy: Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell Revisited by Contemporary African Artists” at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art in 2015; and “African Explores: 20th Century African Art” in 1991 at the Center for African Art, where Thompson worked from 1987-1996. Also mentioned was the Met’s hugely popular exhibit in 2015, “China: Through the Looking
Glass,” notable for its exploration of Western fashion’s incorporation of Chinese aesthetics. Thompson, whose specialty is art from Burkina Faso, is currently curating “Modern Days, Ancient Nights: African Art, Music, Cinema, and Fashion.” The exhibition, the early stages with which Ribicoff students get the chance to engage, was named after the first annual NYC African Film Festival from 1993, and it will aim to showcase a holistic view of African art. “The exhibition tackles some of the many questions that arise when considering how to curate and exhibit African art,” expressed Matthew McCardwell ’17, an art history student enrolled in Thompson’s seminar. “What terminology should be used? How can we nuance and detail the culture of an entire continent? How does one create divisions among works: ancient and modern? East and West? Tribe to tribe? Pre-colonization/post-colonization?” The art in show will span major geographical regions of Africa and thousands of years of history up to the present day, with pieces ranging from Neolithic jewelry from Niger to masks from many cultures whose masquerade traditions persist in the 21st century to contemporary painting, photography and fashion. “I was particularly impressed by Professor Thompson’s ability to invest her research in such a vast range of areas, time periods and culture milieu,” continued McCardwell. “I am learning very quickly that to curate ‘African’ art requires not only a vast range of knowledge, but also...a dedication to more accurately representing this region ... [A] curator’s job is at once to exhibit work and to also invest in changing the assumptions around ‘Africa’ and its many communities and cultures.” Toward the end of the lecture, Thompson showed a painting by renowned Congolese artist Chéri Samba bearing the words “Quel avenir pour notre art?” Meaning “what future for our art?,” this was a fitting summary for what Thompson and the curators, artists and thinkers she admires are all trying to do, to celebrate the rich history and vibrant cultures of the African continent.
Curator of African Art at the High Museum in Atlanta Carol Thompson, this year’s Ribicoff Seminar professor, presented her curatorial inspirations in a talk last Thursday.
Loeb Art Center acquires medieval Eucharistic Dove DOVE continued from page 1 typically a wafer. As an emblem of peace and purity in the New Testament, dove imagery is often used in religious ceremonies to represent the Holy Spirit. The meshing of two thirds of the Trinity makes the piece’s symbolic qualities a useful means for understanding religious practices. While the majority of Eucharistic Doves are inherently similar in structure and decoration, each piece has its own unique characteristics. A beautiful example of medieval French metalwork, this particular Eucharistic Dove features Champlevé enamel and parcel gilt crafted to give the appearance of layers of feathers, and it sits on a circular base. On the top of the piece sits a hinged lid, which opens to reveal a small compartment used to hold the wafers. As Associate Professor of Art Andrew Tallon further explained, “Unlike a common reliquary, of which many were produced in Limoges at this
time, this object stands an order above because it is designed not as the container of the relics of this or that saint, but as a container for Jesus Christ himself.” “It functioned as a ciborium, or portable tabernacle,” Tallon continued, “with the exceptional import offered by its iconographical resonance with the dove of the Holy Spirit. This was an object sent on a mission from God above to bear Christ to the altar of Eucharistic sacrifice.” What makes this acquisition particularly exciting is the rarity of the piece. Crafted during a very short period of time, 1213 to 1235, very few of these birds remain. Currently, only five other museums in the United States have any Eucharistic Doves in their possession, all of which possess extensive art collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Boston Museum of Fine Art, National Gallery, Walters Art Museum and Denver Art Museum. Worldwide, only 40 doves are known to still
Courtesy of Vassar College Communications via Sotheby’s
The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center recently acquired a 13th-century Limoges Eucharistic Dove, which is rare in that only 40 of such objects are known to still exist.
be in existence. The last time a Eucharistic Dove has been on the market was 2007, making this a truly novel purchase. “Now that we have a Eucharistic Dove, you don’t have to take a trip to the Met to see one,” said the Anne Hendricks Bass Director of the Art Center James Mundy. “Any time you have an object like this, it makes it easier to teach because suddenly it is all very accessible. It makes it easy on yourself.” According to Mundy, a potential reason for their rarity is the fact that ceremonially they are suspended by a chain high above the altar. Therefore, it is very easy for the bird to be dropped and to lose parts. Mundy points out that the Loeb’s new Eucharistic Dove likely suffered a similar fate, as the stand the bird sits on is a 19th-century addition. As a case study in craftsmanship, the Eucharistic Dove has great merit from a technical perspective. “The mode for creating this bird is not an easy thing to master, especially because we are talking about the years 1212-1235,” said Mundy. “There are so many variables which must be controlled which were particularly hard to control back then. To think of all the care that goes into creating a piece like this is remarkable.” The Eucharistic Dove was crafted by hammering together the two halves of the body and connecting it with pins which run through the material. The wings and tail were then attached, which were filled with enamel. On the wings, small channels were molded. Powdered glass was then heated, turning it to liquid. The channels were then filled with the colored, powdered glass. As it cooled, it solidified. While the dove is likely to be noticed due to its impressive exterior, Eucharistic Doves also come accompanied by their own bit of mystery. Due to their scarcity and the short period of time during which they were popular, not much is known about the purpose of these objects, which is part of what intrigued Tallon about the piece. Thinking the Loeb’s procurement would be the great opportunity for research, he reached out to art history student Meg Foster ’18 to see if she would like to focus her senior thesis on the
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
dove, which she agreed to do. Citing the fact that little is known about these objects would make this an interesting research opportunity, Foster is currently in the early stages of finding answers. “The Eucharistic Doves were produced in such a small pocket,” Foster stated, “that I think the most exciting part of my research is just trying to figure out why people started making them and why they stopped,” said Foster. “I want to know why this form became popular out of the blue and why they stopped using it all of a sudden, and I am excited to see if I can find out.” The dove will also serve as the centerpiece for a spring seminar course called “Object of Devotion, Object of Display: Exhibiting Sacred Art in Secular Space.” While conducting a study of museum architecture, installation and collection, in this course, students will have the opportunity to participate directly in the creation of an exhibition in May 2018 involving the Eucharistic Dove. Potentially, the exhibit will include other Eucharistic Doves on loan. “I think it’s a great object for teaching because you have this really engaging, really cute bird, with so many bright colors,” said Mundy. “Yet, this is also a serious object with a serious purpose. By combining these things, this piece is a great way of gaining access to the medieval period.” An object of great beauty and complexity, it is undeniable that the dove will serve as a valuable asset in the study of art history, medieval studies and religion, both as a conversation starter and a supplemental piece. Making its home amongst the paintings, statues and other works of artistic merit one can find in the Loeb, this source of gilded eye candy is truly a valuable acquisition. While the Eucharistic Dove has only been on display in the Loeb since this past March, it is clear that it will continue to be a defining piece in the space for years to come. “This is a wonderful piece because it very much touches on the key components needed to study art and a time period, and I feel that the Loeb and the Vassar community are very lucky to have it,” says Foster. “It truly is a beautiful addition.”
ARTS
Page 16
April 13, 2017
Mongolian huntress highlighted in heartwarming doc Izzy Braham Columnist
The Eagle Huntress
Otto Bell Kissaki Films
D
Courtesy of Diego Sideburns via Flikr
id you know that “the relationship between man and bird is finite?” Well, according to the Mongolian eagle-hunting world this is fact. This week I watched “The Eagle Huntress,” a documentary directed by Otto Bell about a 13-year-old Mongolian girl who courageously becomes the first and youngest woman eagle hunter. You may be thinking that is an incredibly obscure and possibly pretentious topic for a documentary—however, I can assure you that this was the purest movie I have ever seen. I watched it with my friend Noa Mendoza ’20 and at one point it had us crying, and then at another celebrating and still at others heckling the screen with anger. The documentary had it all—intensity, heartbreak, triumph and an overwhelming sweetness. But first, what is an eagle hunter? In Mongolian culture, it is common for the patriarch of the family to capture an eagle and make it his personal hunting assistant. The hunter rides on a horse with his eagle perched on his arm and then when he spots a fox, he issues a special call or howl that sounds like “aoogahh.” The eagle then goes in for the kill and retrieves the fox for the hunter. (I am not making this up. This really happens, and it is outstanding to watch.) In return for the good work, the eagle is cared for by the hunter, fed and kept warm during the winter months. However, as the movie declares in its opening lines, the relationship between the eagle and hunter is finite, and typically after seven years, the hunter will release his eagle and capture a new one. It is a beautiful interdependent relationship with a tinge of heartbreak at the end.
“The Eagle Huntress,” a must-watch documentary about a young Mongolian girl who infiltrates the male-dominated eagle hunting practice, is both gut-wrenching and heartwarming. The movie begins with the synopsis of this delicate relationship as the camera surveys a landscape of the vast and barren Mongolian mountains and plains. Then we meet the story’s protagonist, 13-yearold Aisholpan. She is humble. She is wise. She is strong. She’s better than you were as a 13-yearold. Noa and I instantly fell in love with her. She is the quintessential modern-day Mulan, and she’s going to stop at nothing to be an eagle hunter like her father. Therein lies the main tension of the documentary. The eagle hunter role is traditionally filled by the man of the house. In Aisholpan’s case, 12 generations of fathers and sons have passed down this tradition of eagle hunting. Not only must Aisholpan elude these gendered standards, but on top of that, as the movie depicts,
the elder eagle hunters of the community are vocal about a woman’s place at home. They are adamant about the fact that women should not eagle hunt because they either “get tired easily” or “aren’t strong enough.” None of this matters, however, to young Aisholpan. The movie traces her beginnings as an eagle huntress from her treacherous capture of her first eaglet to her fist kill of a fox. The climax of the movie centers around the annual eagle hunting competition. Aisholpan is the youngest and only female participant. I won’t give away what happens at the competition, but I’ll just say it left us shouting, “Yass queen!” It is a story of defying tradition and being courageous in the face of naysayers, intermixed with some tender familial love and support. With that said, one of the best qualities of the
movie is the sweet relationship Aisholpan shares with her father. Her father trains her and gives her his sacred blessing to become an eagle huntress, Aisholpan looks up to her father and yearns to be as competent of an eagle hunter as him. There are even moments where her father defends Aisholpan as opponents comment on her youth and gender. This pure relationship made the movie incredibly lovable and brought tears to our eyes. The documentary also shed light on Mongolian culture, which is relatively unknown to outside audiences. It depicts the small, isolated town in which Aisholpan lives and exposed the modest but happy lives the family members lead. Because the family lives in such close quarters in a small community, it becomes obvious how close family members and villagers are to each other. This aspect not only added to the intensity of Aisholpan’s endeavor since it accentuated her backlash, but also heightened her familial support. However, watching her courage and family support prevail colored the movie’s happy tone. Another aspect of the culture that the movie highlighted was the gender roles of family members. Women are expected to stay at home, raise children and cook, while men are expected to hunt for their families. In expressing these standards, some of the village elders who were interviewed expressed a negative view of women, painting them as inherently weaker than men. The documentary does a good job of countering this subtle misogyny, however, by illuminating Aisholpan’s obvious strength and how unstoppable she is. The ending message is that with hard work and some natural talent, anyone can be an eagle hunter. Overall, I have no criticisms of this movie— it is all: heartwarming and gut-wrenching, intense yet light-hearted and overall adorable. It deserves 12 out of five stars, three Oscars, five Golden Globes and a Grammy. Go rent it on Amazon right now and you’ll get to experience the beauty of this documentary.
‘More Life’ is rather lifeless, unbecoming of Drake Jimmy Christon Columnist
More Life
Drake Republic Records
L
where Drake comes through with some really solid tracks. The style of rap in the opener “Free Smoke” is in the vein of Drake’s excellent “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,” and it proves that Drake can still spit verses as if he were the biggest rapper in the game today (although popularity doesn’t always equate to proficiency– Soulja Boy was popular once). And the duo of songs “Nothings Into Somethings” and the J-Lo sampling “Teenage Fever” are both stellar slow tracks. Next, the pop songs. Drake knows that the only way to make more money is to produce more mega-hits à la “Hotline Bling,” and I’d say we get two on this album: “Passionfruit” and “Fake Love.” I love “Passionfruit.” I am infatuated with this song and it’s terrible and wonderful. The song is simple, sad and catchy. It’s my favorite song from the album at the moment, and I have a creeping suspicion that I’m going to be sick of it come summertime like I was with “Ho-
tline Bling.” All this being said, it’s still a very Drake album, which is to say it’s very petty. Drake gets caught up in his feelings all the time over this album and it just kinda festers in his typical rich boy angst. There’s a lot of pointing fingers and talking about invisibles “yous” that Drake is blaming for stuff. And it gets old after 22 tracks (but I like how “Passionfruit” plays with this idea of a relationship falling apart—seriously a stellar track). And yeah, I think there’s a bunch of tracks here that I’m going to come back to, but I feel like I’m going to have the same complaint I had with “Views”: this album is just all hot air. There’s nothing unifying behind these tracks like there was with “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” or “Nothing Was the Same.” The worst part of “More Life” isn’t the subpar features or the bloated track listing. No, the worst part of this album is how shallow it is.
Courtesy of NRK P3 via Flickr
ast year, I reviewed Drake’s last album “Views” for The Miscellany News and I honestly don’t know what I was on when I wrote that review. I gave it four out of five stars for reasons that are dubious to me now. I talked a lot about musicality and whatnot and said that the album would age well. I even went as far as to make a pun about Drake getting better with age because he was cheesy. And I can say, with all the cosmic power vested in me by my columnist status, that that review is wack and that I was thoroughly wrong. The vast majority of that album has not aged well. In fact, only a handful of tracks have—“Hotline Bling,” “Feel No Ways” and “Weston Road Flows,” to name a few. And now not even a year later we have another Drake album, entitled “More Life.” And I’m hoping I can do a review of this album more justice. And yeah, it’s alright. If anything, I think that this album solidifies what style of Drake we are going to be getting for the foreseeable future. The same braggadocious Drake that only has a handful of truly great tracks to backup his claims of greatness. And yeah, I do think that some of this album is really great. At the same time, I don’t want to repeat what I did with “Views” and oversell this album. While there are great tracks on “More Life,” I’m not sure if they’re enough to lift up all 22 songs (which is exactly the same length as “Views”). I also don’t want to undersell this album either. I think Drake gets a lot of hate because he is an (admittedly) easy name to criticize, and I think that these criticisms sometimes cover up aspects of his music that really are stellar. All this being said, I think that “More Life” is better than “Views,” but that it still suffers from many of the same issues that “Views” had. Like
that this album is bloated. Like 22 tracks bloated. Like I’ve listened to ambient drone albums that are shorter than this. But—and this is a big but— there’s a lot on here to like in these 22 tracks. And Drake’s best qualities shine through on “More Life,” more so than they did on “Views.” One thing I’ve heard said about these past two Drake albums that I think is close to the truth is that he is not so much trying to put out concise, dense albums that adhere to a theme, tone or message. Instead, he is trying to put out as much music as he can that flows through vibes and moods. Drake isn’t trying to put out albums for his feelings per se, but is trying to be a DJ for every situation. It seems like Drake tries to capture music for a wide array of emotions that he goes through. This would explain why Drake changes his style and flows so much on a single album. It’s not really experimentation because everything does sound very Drake, but it keeps the listener on their feet to some degree, and some of the album’s best moments come from these changes. At the same time, though, if there’s a style you don’t like, it just sits there taking up too much space. I found this to be true with songs like “No Long Talk,” “Blem” or some of the features on this album (mainly the ones that come from the artist Giggs). By the same measure, this album’s best moments are when Drake falls into a groove that works well. The seven-song stretch from “Lose You” to the closer “Do Not Disturb” is one that I find fantastic despite its shortcomings. You first have Drake calling back to his slower, more laid-back tracks on cuts like “Do Not Disturb” or “Lose You.” These are interspersed with harder tracks packed to the brim with excellent features, like on “Ice Melts” or “Sacrifices,” that work to complement and resonate with the other songs in this stretch (although the best track with multiple features on it is “Portland,” featuring Quavo and Travid Scott, but I have Oregon in my blood so I’m biased). And then there are great one-off moments
Throughout his career, Drake has become more and more of a commercial artist, producing sub-par work that lacks the depth of emotions present in earlier records.
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
ARTS
April 13, 2017
Campus Canvas
A weekly space highlighting the creative pursuits of student-artists
Page 17 submit to misc@vassar.edu
Excuse me, What’s your most unpopular opinion?
“Chicago pizza is better than NY pizza” — Kevin Arce ’20
“Lush makes me hostile” — Vanessa Rosensweet ’19
“I like this picture of Vanessa” — Nicole Lipman ’19
“I don’t like Bohemian Rhapsody. I find it annoying” — Thomas Schindelman ’19
“I think that I’m cool” — Kushin Mukherjee ’19
My memory is awful, so photography for me is a way of preserving the little moments, pockets of light and form where I find beauty. It’s a practice that allows me to remember the complex elements and feelings of a space. I’m still finding my voice/style when it comes to my work and I’m still not completely satisfied with how I capture moments, but I’m excited to continue, to grow and create content that truly captures how I experience slices of time and space. —Dana Chang ’19 (she/her/hers)
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
“I think hamburgers are disgusting” — Evon Shay ’19
Evelyn Frick, Humor & Satire Editor
SPORTS
Page 18
April 13, 2017
Men’s lacrosse named No. 20 in country after historic win Kelly Pushie
Guest Reporter
T
Courtesy of Carlisle Stockton
he Vassar men’s lacrosse team secured yet another win over the Clarkson Golden Knights this past weekend. With this win, VC advanced to a strong 9-2 record and earned a spot in the Division III men’s lacrosse Top 20 for the first time in program history. This squad, who now hold the record for most wins in a single season, beat Clarkson in an incredible fashion, with senior Liam Moriarty dishing out an assist to freshman Mike Mullen who found the back of the net to put the Brewers ahead 10-9 with only four seconds left in regulation. Vassar started off the game strong with three goals spread out among three seniors, Sam Houston-Read, Chris Billups and Brandon DeStasio. Clarkson then answered with two goals, but the Brewers did not let this phase them. They got back on the board with another goal when sophomore Drew Adams found Billups who converted for his second goal of the game. About halfway through the second quarter, DeStasio was able to tack on another unassisted tally and pull the Brewers up to a 5-2 lead. However, the Golden Knights were able to find the back of the net on two more goals, one on a man-down opportunity, to close the gap and enter the third quarter only down by one. The third quarter began in a similar fashion to the start of the game, with Mullen posting his first goal and DeStasio completing his hat trick to put the Brewers up 7-4. Clarkson fought back with another two goals to bring the score back up to 7-6 with 14 minutes left to play in regulation. Sophomore James Thomas then gave the team some relief as he found the back of the net off an assist from Moriarty to give the Brewers a two-goal lead. This lead, however, was short-lived, as both teams exchanged goals and then the Golden Knights to tied it up at 9-9 with 22 seconds remaining. Freshman Matt Lowery won the faceoff for the Brewers and Coach Mark Graham called a timeout with 14 seconds left on the clock to set up a play in the final seconds. The Brewers ran the ball down the field and Mullen converted off an assist from
Moriarty to secure the win. While the offensive effort was incredible, the defensive effort kept the Brewers in the game. Sophomore goalie Matt Boyd had 14 saves to back the Brewers defense. Senior defensemen Eric Prezioso picked up 5 ground balls and caused 4 turnovers, Lowery picked up 4 ground balls and senior Steven Mages picked up 2 ground balls to go along with a caused turnover. Mullen has had a standout freshman season, being a strong offensive force with 24 points off of 16 goals and 8 assists. He attributes a lot of the accomplishments that the team has reached this season to trusting the process. “Trusting our teammates and coaches is the biggest reason for our success. Our seniors have done such a good job setting the example for us. We worked so hard in the off season and know it wasn’t for nothing,” he stated. The Brewers this season are led by a large senior class who, as Mullen describes, are really the backbone of the team. “They have so much experience. Their communication on the field keeps us all on the same page,” Mullen noted. “The high energy they bring to practice forces everyone to give their best effort and the team improves from the top down.” Sophomore standout James Thomas also emphasizes how large of a part the seniors have played in the achievements of the team this season. “The seniors have been an important role with not only their experience but their passion to put everything out on the field their last season,” he explained. Thomas continued on to point out how even those without the formal title of “captain” have positively influenced the team. Thomas was especially excited about the big win over Clarkson this past weekend. All week, the squad had been preparing for the game and developing the type of play needed in order to pull out the victory. “The win of Clarkson was a benchmark win for us, really giving us a great chance for our playoff push. Chris Billups worked his tail off all week playing the role of Clarkson’s best player and gave us a great scout,” Thomas stated. Head Coach Mark Graham, who leads this re-
Senior captain Brandon DeStasio dodges past RPI opponent in recent home match on Saturday, April 1. Seeded at No. 20, the team will next face Saint Lawrence on Saturday, April 15 at home. cord-breaking team, attributes a lot of the team’s success thus far to the ability for all the seniors to be leaders on and off the field. “While we have received strong contributions from a large number of players and our assistant coaches this season, our seniors are the driving force behind our success. While four of them (Matt Altman, Brandon DeStasio (2x), Sam Houston-Read and Liam Moriarty) were chosen as team captains, we truly have 10 senior leaders. They push themselves, and their younger teammates everyday, and set a great example on and off the field. They are also one of the closest class of guys that I have had in more than 20 years of coaching.” Coach Graham was especially proud of the way the team played against RPI and Clarkson these past two weekends. “The way we were able to finish the game against RPI gave us the confidence to overcome a late challenge on the road yesterday at Clarkson. Although they scored two late goals to tie the game 9-9 with 22 seconds left, our guys
never got rattled, and knew we had time to win,” Coach Graham continued. “And the trust that was shown from senior, and three-time All-Conference midfielder, Liam Moriarty to pass the ball to freshman attackman Mike Mullen with five seconds left and the game on the line really says a lot about our team. We have learned how to win, and how to win together, as a team.” With this confidence, Vassar heads into another week of practices before taking on another very strong Liberty League opponent, Saint Lawrence University. Mullen explained that, while the team’s win over Clarkson was enthralling, they need to get back to work and have a great week of practice. “St. Lawrence is a very skilled team,” he mentioned. “We just need to make the most of this upcoming week of practice and can’t take any days off. We know that every team in this league is beatable.” The Brewers hope to continue to prove their dominance as they take on the Saints of St. Lawrence on Saturday, April 17 at home.
Litsky, Solokov lead men’s tennis to close 5-4 victory Fiona MacLeod Guest Reporter
T
his rival 8-5, despite maintaining an even match through seven games. Dissatisfied with their loss to MIT, the Brewers came out of the gates determined to beat Babson College the following morning. Although the team fell behind briefly in the beginning of the day, they were quick to make a strong comeback. Starting the day, Luckmann and Auh faced a 3-8 defeat from their Babson competitors in the opening No. 1 doubles matchup. Directly following this loss, Laso and Sokolov were able to win their doubles with a score of 8-4, evening the score out at one for each team. But Babson once again pulled ahead, pulling out a victory in the last doubles match over No. 3 Litsky and Zuczek. Laso made a quick turnaround in the singles, winning his matches 6-0 and 6-4 respectively to pull Vassar back up to a tie. With more back and forth, Luckmann and Anderson helped lift the Brewers to a one-point lead with respective 6-3, 6-2 and 6-4, 7-5 victories. “After falling behind 2-1 in doubles, we bounced back with four wins in singles,” remarked Laso about the comeback. “It took a team effort to fight and comeback against a tough
Courtesy of Carlisle Stockton
his past Friday, despite its best efforts, the Vassar College men’s tennis team fell to No. 21 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2-7. However, the team bounced back from this downfall to conquer Babson College, ranked No. 20 regionally, the next morning. Despite playing in the poor weather conditions outside, including low temperatures and much wind, the Brewers emerged ready to play, knocking off their opponents in a 5-4 matchup. On Friday, the downpour in the Boston area forced most of the players’ matches to be held indoors. Right before this relocation, senior Nick Litsky and sophomore Nick Zuczek opened the game day with a match at No. 3 doubles. Although the two hindered the efforts of their MIT opponents, the pair eventually lost the matchup 7-9. While the duo was unable to secure the win, they showed great skill and determination throughout the match. “Zuczek and I played a good match in tough conditions against a top 25 nationally ranked team,” Litsky relayed. “So it still gave us a lot of confidence moving forward in the season.” Zuczek seconded this sentiment, noting the monumentality of competing with such a skilled team. “We went up early in the match, but when MIT elevated their level of play, we were not able to do the same. However, the loss revealed that we are right at the same level as nationally ranked teams, like MIT.” MIT continued to show dominance in their doubles matchups as the day progressed. The opposing team overpowered senior Alexander Luckmann and freshman Jeremy Auh with a score of 8-2, and then proceeded to defeat senior Juan Felipe Laso and freshman Allen Sokolov 8-4. But Vassar found a major victory in the singles action of the day. In singles, Litsky paved his way to victory at the No. 1 spot with scores of 6-4, 6-2. “I started off very slowly,” recalled Litsky. “But I picked up my game midway through and played well for the rest of the match. While it could have started off a bit better, a win is a win, so I’m happy about it.” This win was no ordinary win for Litsky however, as it marked his 100th career win as a Brewer. The senior has
shown extraordinary talent in each of his years at Vassar. Since freshman year, Litsky secured the No. 1 position full-time as his track record has grown consistently stronger. “Litsky has always been outstanding for us,” praised Head Coach Alex Wong. “I cannot say enough to express what he has meant to us. He has been our number one player for three years, and that is a very difficult position–not only because you are always playing the other team’s top player, but also because of the leadership responsibilities that the position carries. He has been one of our most winning players and without him, we definitely would not have encountered the success that we have.” As the battle against MIT continued, sophomore Jamie Anderson and his opposition competed in an intense matchup. With scores of 4-6, 6-4, Anderson headed into a third and decisive set. Despite valiant efforts, Anderson ultimately lost 6-10. Within this match, Anderson earned his fifth three-setter in his last six matches, bringing his current season total up to seven. Following this, Luckmann defeated his MIT opponent 8-5 at No. 6, and Auh fell to
Freshman Allen Sokolov winds up to return hit in recent home game. It was a victory from Sokolov that lifted Vassar to a 5-4 win over Babson College on Saturday, April 18.
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
team like Babson.” After Litsky was defeated in singles, Sokolov stepped out for Vassar. Sokolov battled his opponent and the match eventually headed into a tiebreaker to ultimately decide not only the victor of the individual competition, but of the overall team clash as well. Sokolov earned the first two points of the game, and while his opponent attempted to make a comeback, Sokolov pulled away with the win. This marked his 10th personal win of the season, as well as a narrow 5-4 win for Vassar over Babson. “Allen’s performance all of this year has been great, and his performance against Babson was really solid,” declared Coach Wong. “He found himself down 6-5 in the third set, but did a great job getting to the tiebreaker and winning it. As a freshman, to keep that composure showed great maturity. We were immensely grateful that he was on our side.” “We played really well as a team,” Sokolov stated, crediting his teammates for the day’s success against Babson as well. “There were definitely tense times during the match, but we stuck together and fed off of each other’s energy. It was a true team effort, in which every single member of the team was crucial to us coming away with the win.” Head Coach Wong, as well as many of the team’s players, agree that this victory over Babson gives the Brewers huge confidence in their collective ability moving forward in the season. The last time Vassar faced off against Babson in 2014, the Brewers were overpowered decisively 1-8. “This time, it is good to walk away with a tough earned win,” explained Coach Wong. As the fourth 5-4 victory that the team has won this year, the match shows the team’s capability of pulling out wins in extremely competitive, intense matches. Despite the major individualistic components of the game, the members of the team both rely on and push each other in order to reach success collaboratively. “Against Babson, our team really came together,” Zuczek acknowledged. “We not only elevated our level of play, but also our intensity and positive energy altogether.” Now ranked No. 16 regionally, the Brewers will take on the RPI Engineers on Saturday, April 15, in hopes of securing a playoff seed.
April 13, 2017
SPORTS
Page 19
Dutch soccer doomed by Russell Westbrook shatters exits of Cruyff, van Gaal NBA triple-double record Desmond Curran Guest Columnist
I
n international soccer, there are few countries that have a reputation and history as well respected as the Dutch. The contributions that Dutch players and managers have made to the sport of soccer throughout the decades is innumerable. Despite the absence of victories at international tournaments, the Netherlands garners respect from every opponent. Within the rich history of Dutch soccer lies possibly the most influential man in the sport—Johann Cruyff. During his time as a player, Cruyff was awarded the Ballon d’Or in recognition as the world’s best player and even invented a move that is now named “the Cruyff turn.” In club soccer, he won three European Cups and countless domestic league titles with two clubs, Ajax and Barcelona. Cruyff’s impact did not stop after he retired from playing. During his career, he was a famous proponent of a system known as “Total Football”—where any outfield player can seamlessly slide into the role of any of their teammates on the field. Total Football was so successful, in fact, that it continues to shape the style and tactics of soccer managers today. Cruyff was the greatest player on a long list of fantastically gifted players and managers to come out of the Netherlands. And yet in 2017, the Netherlands appears to be on the verge of not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, after failing to qualify for the 2016 European Championships. This squad contains many of the same players who donned the orange jersey for 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments, which saw the Netherlands grab second and third place finishes respectively. For a nation with such pedigree, this is a magnificent collapse and failure for the national team. The departure of manager Louis Van Gaal, who managed the 2014 World Cup squad, was the primary catalyst for the following events. Van Gaal made some critical tactical changes to the lineup
of the team, turning a large weakness in the Dutch team (its defensive capabilities and lack of star defenders) into a very resilient force. Van Gaal struck a good balance between strict management of the team by giving these stars more liberty to operate independently and to discover tactics that best suited the offense. The result was a well-organized squad that played well to its own strengths, and eliminated many of its weaknesses through careful organization and planning. This collapsed just as soon as Van Gaal departed. His replacement Guus Hiddink struggled to maintain the quality of performance after 2014. These struggles were so prolific that Hiddink was released in 2015, and another replacement was introduced: Danny Blind. Under Blind, the team spectacularly failed to qualify for the Euro, and has struggled to in qualify for the next World Cup. The failure to continue the successful style that Van Gaal implemented lies with his two successors. There have been other challenges that Hiddink and Blind have encountered, but the horrendous mismanagement has been the critical weakness that separates the Dutch from qualifying for international tournaments. In their most recent gaffe against Bulgaria, soonto-be-fired manager Danny Blind started a youngster, Matthijs de Ligt, a 17 year-old, as the central defender in the Dutch squad, instead of Wesley Hoedt, a seasoned professional at 23 years of age and starter at a top Italian Club, Lazio. De Ligt made an embarrassing mistake early in the game which led to the Dutch conceding, and was substituted at halftime for his poor performance. The Dutch would go on to lose the match 2-0. Who in their right mind would start a 17 yearold in a crucial qualifying match, when you have an older, more experienced, option? For such a powerhouse in international soccer, the management of the Dutch national team has been spectacularly poor, and there is no excuse for such inept administration.
Robert Pinataro Guest Columnist
T
he triple-double has become increasingly prevalent over the past few NBA seasons. This basketball phenomenon is defined as when a player gets double digits in three of the five major statistical categories. These categories are points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. With one exception, all triple-doubles at the NBA level have been achieved with points, rebounds and assists. This season, for the first time in history, three players have above 10 triple-doubles. LeBron James has 13, James Harden has 21 and Russell Westbrook has 42. Westbrook’s single-season triple-double total has earned him a place in the history books. 55 years ago, Cincinnati Royals point guard Oscar Robertson became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double per game. He did this with 41 triple-doubles in the 1961-1962 season. With 42 triple-doubles this season, Westbrook not only becomes the second player to average a triple-double per game for an entire season, but also sets the single-season record for triple-doubles. It is possible that the cause of Westbrook’s historic season was a change in his style of play. After losing Kevin Durant in the off-season, The 2016-2017 season did not look promising for the Thunder. Westbrook has had to be an exceptional team player in order to lead the team to its current position as the playoff-bound, sixth ranked team in the Western Conference. This team-oriented approach will naturally lead to more assists and rebounds, which are the more difficult two of the three categories in which Westbrook scored double-digit points. To make all of this more impressive, Westbrook has done this while leading the league in scoring. As of Sunday, April 9, Westbrook was averaging 31.9 points per game, an incredible mark. His ability to be so dominant in an individual category while also averaging double-digits in two other categories is phenomenal
and shows his well-roundedness as a player. The game where Westbrook clinched the triple-double per game average was a special one. For several games before it, Westbrook nearly reached the milestone, but came up short in the assist column. Finally, Westbrook got the triple-double he had been waiting for against the Denver Nuggets. Westbrook did not stop there, though. He went on a scoring spree towards the end of the game, helping the Thunder get the comeback win with a shocking 50 points. Clearly, Westbrook is not just breaking a record this year. He is having the best season of his career, and doing something special for his team. Many players never believed this day would come. When asked if he thought anyone would ever average a triple-double per game again when he was growing up as a young player and NBA fan, Westbrook said in an interview with Bleacher Report, “Umm, no. I didn’t know that anybody did it back then.” Others shared this belief, believing that the triple-double records were too great to be broken. Westbrook has received much praise for his outstanding accomplishments this season. When Westbrook broke the record, Robertson said, “I could not be happier for him. Congratulations to Russell Westbrook on a magnificent season.” NBA superstar Lebron James tweeted a video just under two minutes long, congratulating Westbrook on his achievement. It was an all-around wonderful gesture from another all-time greats. Russell Westbrook’s achievements this season have been phenomenal, and he has truly elevated his team to a level not expected of them at the beginning of the season. Look for Westbrook and his Oklahoma City Thunder to make a deep playoff run this 2016-2017 season. Looking to the future, at the age of 28, Westbrook has the potential for several more seasons of stunning statistics like this one. He is far from done dominating the NBA and setting records in the process.
Apparently you can teach an Old (School) new tricks SCHOOLED continued from page 1
Courtesy of Niambi Mills
tunately, the proposed practice time was not one of his two jokes. I’m not saying there is anybody to blame for the loss. I’m just saying that you should blame Noah Goldberg for the loss.” Certainly the blame was not to be placed on O’Malley as he prepared for the game as if it was game seven of the World Series. “I trained with (Vassar Women’s Basketball standout junior) 1,000 point-scorer Ariella Rosenthal for months in advance; I watched LeBron James’ historic performance against the Celtics in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals 23 times in a row leading up to the tip-off; and I watched clips of Winston Bailey missing uncontested layups. Essentially, I was trying to understand what to do, in the form of LeAriella RosenJames, and what not to do, i.e. DJ Airball,” recalled O’Malley. Immediately before tip-off, the entire student team downed kale smoothies with extra chia seeds, picked their jerseys out of an old box and enthusiastically completed their warmup, comprised of a few rounds of hotly-contested knockout. The Miscellany News was able to get insider information from nine-year-old guest reporter Salihah Cann-Polentz. At 7 p.m., the game began with a basket sunk by Old School and a rising crowd of exclamations. But New School made a comeback, tying the score at 3. The referees running the game and motioning signals got boos from people in the crowd who had different opinions on who had been fouled. Nonetheless, shots were taken, and Old School had a varying lead in the first quarter that was taken up by a different but no less determined group in second quarter. New School showed some different colors in the second quarter, but continued to trail behind. It wasn’t until third quarter though, that Old School really started taking the lead. The third quarter was fielded by all women and exampled some whooping girl power that came true from the heart. The score was edging over 50 points for Old School and creeping up into the 40s for New School, when the last quarter of the game was played, accompanied by a somewhat sleepy (because it was late) but still jeering crowd. The
Nine-year-old guest reporter Niambi Mills depicts a play-by-play of the Old School versus New School basketball game that took place on Friday, April 7 in the AFC. The faculty defeated the students by a whopping 13 points, resulting in a final score of 73-60. game was ended and all fates were sealed with a final spectacular shot made by Old School. Following the game, Professor of Education and No. 14 Colette Cann was interviewed by 10 year-old guest reporter Ellia Bailey. When asked about the results of the game, Professor Cann replied, “The game was good because we won.” She also commented on the student team’s style of play stating, “New School played very aggressively, a little too aggressive. Old School played very peacefully.” Some of this agree New School defense might have been carried out by a trio of Vassar women’s soccer stars, sophomores Emma Lavelle, Rebecca Andrews and Dahlia Chroscinski. Their supreme athleticism and competitive drive allowed their defensive skills to shine, ultimately highlighting their team’s play in the third quarter. Chroscinski was awarded the student team’s
MVP title, while former Vassar women’s basketball star and two-time Liberty League Player of the Year Cydni Matsuoka was named the staff’s all-star. Commenting on the notable honor, Chroscinski stated, “I hustled as much as my out of shape body would permit me to and left it all on the floor. But alas I did not have the rare privilege of seeing (Vassar men’s basketball Head Coach) BJ Dunne cry. Maybe next year.” All jokes aside, the Student vs. Old School basketball game is an opportunity to bring Vassar’s diverse campus together for the purpose of cheering on friends, colleagues and mentors in the name of Brewer pride. Dean Roellke, an original creator and player in this tradition stated, “I always have a blast at this game because it brings our diverse community together over something silly, yet competitive and fun. I most look forward to getting to
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
know my colleagues and students in a completely different environment from our day to day routines. Every single year, I have developed a new friendship with someone through basketball, exercising together and through our shared objective of not trying to embarrass ourselves in front of a large crowd.” Roellke continued, “For me, it is really about getting together a wide range of students, faculty, staff and administration to pursue entertainment collectively. We don’t have a lot of opportunities to do that and I am so very, very proud that this healthy, multi-generational tradition lives on!” His motto of the game is “just go out there and have fun, try not to get hurt and go for it!” For now, the Old School and New School will be training tirelessly, while convincing themselves they are the next Stephen Curry, until next year’s much anticipated Old School vs. New School basketball game.
SPORTS
Page 20
April 13, 2017
With tempertures rapidly rising, Vassar athletics heat up Olivia O’Loughlin Sports Editor
Women’s Rowing
Men’s Rowing
Like the women’s side, the men’s rowing team took on the Union Dutchmen on Sunday, April 9. Despite disappointing results, both squads raced well and finished with strong times. First up, the Vassar Varsity 8 with Coxswain faced both the Union 1V and the 2V 8’s. With a time of 7:41, the crew finished in front of Union’s 2V (7:57) but behind Union’s 1V (7:41). Unfortunately, the second race of the day did not prove to be better for VC as the team faced its second loss of the day. Due to a very strong current, the event was cut from a 2000m to 1500m. The men’s novice 4 with Coxswain finished in second place with a time of 6:54, surpassing their previous spring break time significantly. The team will next hit the water on Saturday, March 15 against Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Albany. Women’s Golf
This past weekend, the Brewers hosted the Vassar College Invitational, competing against 12 different colleges. Over the two day affair, VC performed well to finish seventh out of the 12 teams. After day one, freshman Andrea Han was at the top of the leaderboards with an impressive score of 76, just four above par. With this score, Han was tied for first at the end of day one, as Vassar collectively finished tied for sixth with a score of 341, 53 points over par. On the second day of the invitational, the squad finished with 343 for a combined total of 684, just one stroke away from Mount Holyoke. Han continued her strong performance as she posted a score of 83 on Sunday, to finish in seventh place out of 64 players. Freshman Qiwen Tan clinched 29th place overall with a score of 171, followed by Hsu for 35th with a combined total of 174. VC will take on Amherst College again next weekend as the team competes in the Jack Leaman Invitational on April 15 and 16. Baseball
Unfortunately, the road trip to Rochester, NY, turned out to be a difficult one for the baseball team, as VC lost all three games against the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Women’s Lacrosse
Vassar split its road trip to Rochester, NY, 1-1 as the team fell to the University of Rochester, but bounced back to handily defeat the Rochester Institute of Technology. Against Rochester, VC fell into an early deficit as the Yellow Jackets advanced to a 5-0 within the first 20 minutes. The Brewers finally reached the boards with the help of sophomore Fiona MacLeod who was assisted by freshman Kelly Pushie. Next up for the squad was junior Storm Sideleau with an unassisted goal, followed by one from Pushie with an assist from senior Julia Trudell. The Brewers then had a late run within the last 11 minutes, rallying four goals to bring the deficit to one. Goals were scored by freshman Tessa Waters (2), Trudell (1) and Pushie (1). However, this run was not enough and the team fell 7-8 to Rochester. The next day, the Brewers rebounded to earn a strong win over the RIT Tigers 12-7. Pushie continued to dominate as she contributed four goals and one assist against RIT. Sideleau also tallied four goals, followed by Trudell and Waters both with two goals apiece. To help the team score, senior Phoebe Hankins handed out three assists against the Tigers. VC will head into more Liberty League play as the squad takes on Bard College on Friday, April 13 at home. Men’s Volleyball
It’s official, the No. 2 men’s volleyball team cannot stop winning. After defeating both Hunter College and Alvernia University on Saturday, April 8 for their 14th uninterrupted win, the Brewers surpassed program record for most consecutive wins. The team first took down No. 10 Hunter 3-0 with set scores of 25-17, 25-21, 25-22. Junior Matthew Knigge led the team in kills with 12, followed by seniors Quinn Rutledge (11) and Christian Lizana (9). Lizana also contributed 11 digs, an ace and an
Courtesy of Carlisle Stockton
Sophomore Alex Goff and the rest of the rowing team recently competed against Union College on Sunday, April 9. Next weekend, Vassar will compete against Albany on the Hudson River.
assist. Meanwhile, senior Trey Cimorelli led the squad with 13 digs while sophomore George Diehl finished with a team-high six blocks. Later against Alvernia, the Burgundy and Gray did not lose any steam as they earned the win in three sets 25-19, 25-18, 25-14. During this match, the team hosted Senior Day, in which they honored the talented senior class of Lizana, Rutledge and Cimorelli. The team earned this win by forcing the Crusaders to a negative hitting percentage. Knigge continued his strong performance, as he posted 13 kills, followed by Rutledge with 7 and Lizana with 6. Junior Zechariah Lee led the squad with 28 assists, while Ros and Cimorelli each dished out a team-high seven digs. The Brewers will next compete in the United Volleyball Conference finals and semifinals on April 14 and 15 in Kenyon Hall. Courtesy of Carlisle Stockton
After a slight delay due to high water levels, the Vassar women’s rowing team finally raced Union College on Sunday, April 9. The Brewers topped the Dutchwomen in both events of the day, the Varsity 8 with Coxswain and the 2nd Varsity 8 with Coxswain. Vassar handily won the first event of the day in the 1V boat, which was stroked by sophomore Julia Blass and coxed by freshman Elle McKenzie. VC finished the 2000m in 8:42, eight seconds in front of its Union foe. The Brewers continued demonstrating their prowess in the 2V as the team topped Union by five seconds, finishing the event in 9:58. The victory came with the help of freshman Parker Marks, who stroked the race, and McKenzie, who again served as Coxswain. Following this impressive victory, the team will next host Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Albany on Saturday, April 15 on the Hudson River.
On Friday, the RIT Tigers topped the Brewers 14-4, and then swept the Saturday doubleheader 4-11 and 3-6. Nevertheless, there were positive highlights of the weekend. On Friday, Vassar took an early 2-0 lead at the top of the first with freshman Matt Martino bringing in senior Denis Shanagher for a run and freshman Daniel Bonfiglio sending home sophomore Taylor Smach. Then in the top of the sixth inning, sophomore Robert Pinataro scored a home run! On Saturday, during the first game, VC was able to earn one more point against the Tigers during the first game of the day. Bonfiglio was back for more as he singled to bring home sophomore Alex Hartnett. Then another home run for Vassar! Smach hit a homerun to get runs from Martino and freshman Evan Trausch. In the final game of the weekend, the Brewers again took an early 2-0 lead thanks to a single from sophomore Jake Doyle, who brought in junior Bobby Kinne, and Trausch, who earned the third home run for VC. Vassar scored the last run of the day as Smach brought in Martino to make the score 3-6. After this tough weekend and facing the City College of New York University, the Burgundy and Gray will look to earn its first conference win against Union College at home on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15.
Women’s Tennis
The women’s tennis team traveled to Mount Holyoke College to take home a third consecutive Seven Sisters Championship title, the 10th Vassar title in program history. On Saturday, April 8, the Brewers swept both Bryn Mawr College and Smith College 5-0. In their Seven Sisters debut, the freshmen shined. Tara Edwards earned a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles against Bryn Mawr, while clinching three victories at No. 1 doubles with sophomore Morgane Flournoy against Smith, Mount Holyoke and Wellesley. Meanwhile, freshmen Vista Grinde and Ashley Fair earned a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 2 doubles against Bryn Mawr. Grinde also posted a win at No. 3 singles against Smith, and three victories at No. 2 doubles with junior Dasha Ivenitsky versus Smith, Mount Holyoke and Wellesley. Other wins came from juniors Lauren DiFazio and Kate Christensen and seniors Connie Yoo and Shayna Becker. DiFazio posted a win at No. 3 singles against Bryn Mawr, while Christensen, Becker and Yoo all collected multiple victories at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively. With another trophy for the bookshelves, Vassar looks to face the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on Saturday, April 15. Women’s Rugby
Despite St. Michael’s College strong reputation, the women’s rugby team annihilated the Purple Knights 88-5. Senior Mary Margaret McElduff led Vassar’s efforts, contributing an impressive nine conversions and a try. In terms of tries, sophomore Rachel Elson and senior Nathalie Freeman headed the pack with three tries each on the day. Then to add 10 points, freshman Caroline James scored two tries. The remaining points came from senior Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild, juniors Michelle Urrutia, Alicia Menard-Livingston, Kayla Lightner and Andrea Ramsay. Vassar dominated from the start, taking a 57-0 lead in the first half. Therefore, Vassar pulled its seven starters to allow the rest of its roster to play. The Brewers will next head into a match against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on Saturday, April 15. Men’s Rugby
Unfortunately, the men’s rugby team fell 15-53 to St. Michael’s College due to too many turnovers. Nevertheless, the Brewers had some shining moments on the day. Despite strong defense from St. Michael’s, VC was able to score three tries. After the squad fell quickly 0-5, sophomore Louis Brown tied the game with a try, putting the Brewers on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, VC could not hold onto this tie and trailed 19-5 at halftime. St. Michael’s continued its run, increasing its lead to 32-5. Sophomore Dale Lord continued to fight and scored another try for the Burgundy and Gray. Then, junior Kaden Wood scored the third and final try for the Brewers. Vassar hopes to turn things around before the 2017 The Beast of the East Tournament on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23. Men’s Track and Field
The Brewers raced in both the Howell Invitational and the College of New Jersey Invitation on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8. At the Howell Invitational, senior Gabe Fishman started off strong with a first place finish. Fishman clinched first in the 800m with a time of 1:58.69, winning far in front of his competitors. Meanwhile, junior Jared Fishman clinched second
MISCELLANY NEWS | VASSAR COLLEGE
Freshman Andrea Wan celebrates after an impressive shot at the Vassar College Invitational. Wan topped the leaderboards after day one, and finished seventh place overall. place in the 1500m with a 4:02.96. In the long 5000m, freshman Adin Becker took home 24th place, beating out many Division I runners with a 15:11.85. With this time, Becker clinched the third fastest 5000m time in program history as well as qualifying for the ECAC Championships. Close behind, junior Philip Brown registered a time of 15:19.66 for ninth place in his heat and 35th overall, also earning an ECAC qualification. Then on Saturday, the men’s track team raced in the TCNJ Invitational. Junior Kyle Estrada shined as he clinched fifth place in the 400m with a personal-best time of 50.32. Estrada joined Fishman, senior Elijah Winston and freshman Skylar Widman for the 4x400 relay to take home fourth place with a collective time of 3:29.29. Next up, Freedman finished in 11th place in the 800m, while Widman clinched 19th in the 100m dash. Then, freshman Jonah Goldenbird took home 19th place in the pole vault with 3.40 meters. Junior Jesse Schatz finished in 14th in the 3000m as sophomore Ry Blume earned 18th in the 800m. The Vassar men’s track and field team now looks to compete in the Silfin Invitational on April 14 and 15 . Women’s Track and Field
The Vassar women’s track team had two competitions this past weekend: the Sam Howell Invitational and the College of New Jersey Invitational. In both meets, Brewers found success. In the 800m, senior Lucy Balcezak earned 14th place with a time of 2:21.29, while fellow senior Alex Gittens clinched 17th with a 2:23.52. Then in the 1500m, sophomore Acadia DiNardo posted a time of 19:04.42 to earn 24th in the second heat. The next day, the squad returned to the track for the College of New Jersey Invitational. In the 3000m, Matera found success with a personal-best 10:42.35 to clinch third place. Right behind Matera was senior Laura MacDonald, who finished in fourth with a 10:45.91. Next up, junior Katie Voegtlin earned 10th place, sophomore Megan Horn took home 12th and fellow sophomore Kate Lawson finished in 13th place. In field events, freshmen Penelope Mort Ranta, Jackie Cenan and Max Wagh and sophomore Annelise Depman also found success. Mort Ranta earned seventh place in the high jump with height of 4’11”, setting a new school record along the way. Meanwhile, Depman finished in seventh in the triple jump, while Cenan took home fifth place in shot put and 18th in the discus. Wagh finished in 12th in the pole vault. Gittens was back for more as she as she finished in seventh place overall and second place in her heat with a time of 1:01.14. Meanwhile 4x400m relay consisting of Gittens, Balcezak and junior Eliana Marcus-Tyler and senior Saparja Nag clinched third place with a collective time of 4:06.78. VC will next race in the Silfin Invitational at Connecticut College on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15.