11 March 2022
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Introducing SCORE’s New Hires: Elba Mandujo and Ge-Yao Liu and larger Scripps community, serving as an advisor for the identitybased clubs and organizations and the coordinator for First Gen. Now that we are able to be present in a face-to-face environment, I am looking forward to the opportunity to nourish more impactful and positive relationships with students and a sense of belonging in the SCORE build collaborations across the 7Cs to foster a larger community network and support system for our students. TSV: What has struck you most about SCORE and the SCORE community over the past few weeks you’ve been with us? EM: It has been amazing to meet so many students and student leaders that want to create spaces and programs, that want to bond over their experiences in the last year and a half, that want to make up the time that they have been away from campus, and that just want to exist with and in community. Photo courtesy of Ge-Yao Liu
By Ellen Hu '24
cerns, such as F-1 student visa.
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TSV: What are you hoping to accomplish this semester? GL: For this semester, I am hoping to help them with their tax return between now and April 18 and OPT/ CPT – Optional Practical Training for post-graduation and Curricular Practical Training for their majors if required – as some international students are approaching their graduation.
Editor-in-Chief
rior to Scripps students’ return to campus in January, two new staff members joined the Scripps Communities of Resources and Empowerment (SCORE) team. International Student Advisor Ge-Yao Liu comes from San Francisco State University where he acted as the Associate Director of the Center for Global Engagement. Elba Mandujo, the new Assistant Director of SCORE, joined Scripps from California State University Northridge where she acted as Senior Community Director. The Scripps Voice (TSV): How has your experience working as the International Student Coordinator been so far? Ge-Yao Liu: It has been great, though I am still trying to settle in the campus community. I have met most of the international students and all the key counterparts both at Scripps and the 5Cs. TSV: Tell me a little more about your role as the International Student Coordinator and why it’s important for the Scripps community. GL: My role mainly focuses on assisting international students with their immigration matters or con-
TSV: What are you most excited about working here? EM: Coming from large public institutions, I am excited to experience the tight-knit community in a small liberal arts college. As someone that loves building intentional relationships with students, faculty, staff
and campus partners, I am looking forward to being part of a space where there is more accessibility and opportunity to connect with one another. TSV: Are there any programs you are hoping that SCORE puts on this semester? EM: In every conversation I’ve had with students so far, their favorite event has been the community dinners. I recognize we are still in the middle of a pandemic and safety is our number one priority. Nonethetowards the end of the spring semester we will be in a much better place and, if restrictions are lifted or changed, we are able to bring back such a popular space that made so many students feel connected and brought them so much joy. TSV: What should the Scripps community know about you as you enter this new space? EM: As I continue transitioning into SCORE and the Scripps community, I recognize that much has happened prior and during this pandemic. I believe in the importance of to best cater to the needs and as I enter this new space, my intention is to build trust within the community so students feel comfortable in expressing and sharing those needs.
TSV: Why did you join the SCORE team? tion, working-class, bilingual, queer Chicana from South Central Los Anportance of spaces like SCORE in a college student’s personal and academic life. I am excited to transition into a role that allows me to create and sustain an environment of learning, growth, awareness, advocacy and empowerment for all students of different identities. TSV: Tell me a little more about your role as the Assistant Director of SCORE. EM: My primary focus is the day to day operation of the SCORE ofprogramming efforts of SCORE staff
Photo by Ellen Hu '24
IN THIS ISSUE Poets Talk with PEN Out Loud
The Fashion Grind
La Luz De Mi Vida y La Voz Que Me Calma: Mi Verdad y Mi Mama
The Suprising History of Joshua Tree
1030 Columbia Avenue | Claremont, CA 91711 | Box 839 | scrippsvoice@gmail.com | Volume XXX | Issue Five
2 • News
5C Women’s Speed Team to Compete in Nationals By Alyssa Wend ’24 Copy Editor
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n Feb. 8, the 5C women’s ski speed team qualified for nationals. This is the first time that the women’s group has qualified as a team. The 5C women’s ski speed team is a part of the 5C Ski and Snowboard organization that was established in 2018 by 5C students. They focus on training members from all the 5Cs for ski competitions. This year, the women’s speed team was led by Zoe Hancock ’22, who won both the slalom and giant slalom events, followed by Nevada Lee ’22 and Claire Campbell ’24 who placed in the top 10. As the team had three athletes in the top 10 for both events, the team had a high enough score to beat the other women’s speed teams and qualify for the 2022 nationals. Nationals is taking place from March 6 to March 12 in Lake Placid, New York. This was an exciting chance for skiers new to racing to compete against the top teams from each state. The 5C ski team
has 11 racers competing with five of the members competing as a part of the women’s alpine team. While this was Campbell’s first season racing with the ski team, she has been an active member of the ski club since her freshman year and now has taken on an executive leadership role in the team. The 5C women’s ski club and the 5C women’s ski team are separate but closely related entities. “[They’re] run by the same folks — we’re a club-team that right now is completely self-supported … ski club tends to focus more on running events and putting on accessibility initiatives, and the team does competitions,” said Campbell. “So the team runs trainings and goes to race events, but the people between the two are pretty much the same.” Other members of the team who competed at qualifiers weren’t new to skiing, but this was their first time racing. “I think our team is almost entirely made up of Scripps folks who have skied in the past but don’t necessarily have racing experience,” said
Campbell. While the team qualified together, not everyone attended nationals. The top five athletes were flown to New York to compete. These athletes included Zoe Hancock ’22, Claire Campbell ’24, Nevada Lee ’22, Ella Thunen ’24, and Haley Morton CMC ’25. Not only did qualifying for nationals make history for the team, but this year brought other new changes such as bringing new students to the team, specifically Scripps students. “We’re psyched,” said Campbell. “It’s really exciting, I think it’s rare that you see a team where our women’s turnout is so high…What’s also exciting is what’s changed this year in comparison to other years is our team is almost entirely made up of Scripps folks, which is a really new change in our team demographic.” This new involvement is due to a new push for outreach directly towards Scripps students. “Historically the club was founded and organized by Pomona students,” said Campbell. “So there’s
been a lot of great outreach and folks participating from Pomona but there hasn’t been a lot of executive leadership coming from Scripps.” The group of students that went to nationals, composed of mostly Scripps students, gave the team the ability to apply to Scripps for funding. However, because the many events for nationals were spread over a few days, the team members that attended stayed for a few days and received full funding from Scripps Associated Students to do so. The team departed for nationals on March 5 and are currently competing in the competition. On March 9, Hancock placed third in ski cross. “Ski team and ski club have open arms for whoever wants to join and we have so much excitement for anyone at any level who wants to come join in any capacity,” said Campbell. For those interested in joining either the club or team, reach out to 5c.ski.snowboard.club@gmail.com for more information.
Poets Talk with PEN Out Loud By Eleanor Dunn ’24 Staff Writer
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n Mar. 3, Scripps Presents hosted the PEN Out Loud event: Solmaz Sharif and Kaveh Akbar in conversation. These two young Iranian American poets joined virtually to discuss Sharif’s newest book, a collection of poems titled “Customs,” which is currently available for pre-order at The Huntley Bookstore. Sharif and Akbar discussed what it means to write today, the moments where language fails, and shared their favorite pieces and themes from “Customs.” Sharif is the author of two books, “Look” and “Customs,” a professor of English and Creative Writing at Arizona State University, and was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2016. Akbar has three published collections: “Pilgrim Bell,” “Calling a Wolf a Wolf,” and “Portrait of the Alcoholic.” He is also a Poetry Editor of The Nation and an MFA professor at Purdue University. The conversation began with event facilitators offering a dedication and call for justice for the Iranian writer Baktash Abtin who died of preventable COVID-19 complications while detained in Evin prison in Tehran. This facility continues to hold other writers. PEN America calls for their release and an independent investigation into the death of Abtin. Sharif began by reading two poems from “Customs:” “America,” and “The Master’s House.” Her voice brought a human quality and depth of feeling that a silent, isolated reading had not. Following the reading, Akbar joined the virtual stage. The two
contemporaries seemed to be friends. They shared stilted greetings, compliments, and laughter, the interruptions characteristic of life on Zoom. Akbar congratulated Sharif on her new book. “When I got my first box of books in the mail, I felt a little less afraid to die,” said Akbar. “[“Customs”] will touch people you will never meet and illuminate and complicate their living.” Sharif continued to explain what it was like to create this collection in the midst of the pandemic and a unique period of American politics, and noted that she wrote her first book in the Obama era. “In this post-Trump era… everything is out in the open and loud and noisy,” said Sharif. In response, she has made her work quieter as she seeks to name the more subtle “violences and foreclosures” of her life in this country. Akbar said he felt desire for touch foregrounded in “Collections” and wondered if this was a symptom of the pandemic. Interestingly, Sharif said that many of those pieces were actually written pre-pandemic. “[My work is] moving into that space where language falls apart — touching is one of the central parts of that,” said Sharif. However, she was interested to see how these pieces landed differently after the pandemic. Later in the conversation, Akbar asked Sharif to talk about coming up against the limitations of language, to which she replied, “That’s almost impossible.” This impossibility brought us to my favorite part of the conversation. Sharif offered a visualization of her job as a writer and the impossibilities within that job: there is
a wall. She sits on one side, “just kind of scratching”. And though she doesn’t know what lies beyond the wall, she continues to scratch. Maybe someone is standing nearby, so she says, “Can you hear that? Did you just hear that?” She’ll never know if either of them did, but there is something in that moment of quiet between them as they try to see if they caught it. “Why not do that?” she said with a shrug and a smile. “Thank you,” said Akbar. “You heard it,” Sharif replied. Their respective zoom frames appeared a bit less dissonant with this image in mind. Further in the conversation, Sharif explained that she chose poetry as her medium because of the intimate and immediate
registers it hits upon. She has always craved that feeling of a poet speaking to her from the isolation of their inner world. Akbar praised her for cultivating this poetic, deep intimacy in her writing without “revealing all of the worst shit that’s ever happened to [her],” perhaps this is the power of the un-language of poetry. For what felt very much like an informal conversation between friends, marked by humor and shared frustrations, the metaphors and rhythm of their impromptu responses made it clear that Sharif and Akbar spend a lot of time with words. I learned much from sitting in on their musings, not least of all the difficulty of paraphrasing a poet.
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five
Photo Courtesy of Solmaz Sharif
Feature • 3
A Key to Queggers By Lauren Marler ’24 Staff Writer
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ueggers have been a quintessential part of Scripps College’s nightlife since 2017. T h e n a m e c o m b i n e s “q u e e r ” and “kegger,” and these parties celebrate queer identities and community. Zavi Feldstein ’20 was the creative mind behind the creation of the Queggers; they their second year at Scripps and continued to plan 13 more until their graduation.
The name combines “queer” and “kegger,” and these parties celebrate queer identities and community. Feldstein explained that inspiration struck after talking with a friend at another liberal arts school, which had frequent events for queer women and nonbinary people. Considering that Scripps is historically a women’s college with a large queer community, Feldstein thought: “There are so many queer people around me, why aren’t we doing something similar?” The first ever Quegger took place on Browning tower. It was a massive success, evidenced by the way campus security had to shut it down. Someone in the crowd who lived in CMC senior apartments offered to relocate the party to their apartment. So, the sea of Queggergoers marched down to CMC.
“I did the logistics, but Queggers wouldn’t have existed if the community wasn’t there, or there wasn’t a need and want, and a willingness to participate -Zavi Feldstein ‘20 “We were just parading with everything from the party down to CMC and that was how Queggers started,” said Feldstein. Since
then, the Queggers have become infamous. Feldstein shared that during their time at Scripps, the parties ranged from around 80 to 120 people.
“There is a want for queer, empowering, non-gendered community.” -Zavi Feldstein ‘20 Queggers have always been community based, and all of the parties that Feldstein planned were crowdfunded. People volunteered to host in apartments or on balconies via Facebook. Fun cover photos were posted, sharing times and dates as well as creative themes. “I did the logistics, but Queggers wouldn’t have existed if the community wasn’t there, or there wasn’t a need and want, and a willingness to participate said. Feldstein spoke about how coming to college can make us lose sight of why we chose Scripps, and the kind of community we wanted to be a part of. “There is a want for a queer, empowering, non-gendered community,” said Feldstein. They described Queggers as “social settings where there are no requirements,” which the Scripps community has consistently demonstrated a need for.
As a result of this amazing community, the Queggers have been the start to many queer relationships and friendships. They also discussed how, though Queggers are intended for Queer women and nonbinary folks, everyone is invited. “Cis men are welcome to come as long as they are respectful of the space. It’s never been exclusive, it has been purposefully inclusive,” they said. Queggers help to fill the need for queer nightlife on campus. For queer women and nonbinary people, 5C parties are often not
comfortable or welcoming spaces. “Going to these 5C parties and just getting hit on by men are very uncomfortable situations,” Feldstein said. “I thought that for myself and others, there could and should be a safe space to have a party and not have all of that energy.” T h e fe e l i n g o f s a fe t y s e t s Queggers apart from other 5C parties, as in Queggers, “You were surrounded by people who were not threatening, and part of your community. It’s supportive and a place of exploration,” Feldstein said. As a result of this amazing community, the Queggers have been the start to many queer relationships and friendships. “I think that’s really important,” Feldstein said.
“I didn’t expect it to become a tradition and I am just amazed and so happy that it has been, because it -Zavi Feldstein‘20 With the Motley’s reopening on the horizon, Feldstein discussed the Quegger’s connections to the cafe. They worked at the Motley, which served as a convenient space for word of mouth Quegger invitations. “There is a relationship between the institutions on campus, that have motives of being inclusive and empowering the success of
“This year, the name has been sort of adopted as, like, any queer party. The name has taken on its own meaning.” -Annika Ragnartz ‘22 When Feldstein was graduating, they wondered, “Who do I hand the baton to? How is this going to continue?” However, Queggers continued naturally, with upperclassmen taking over the tradition. “I didn’t expect it to become a tradition and I am just
amazed and so happy that it has been, because it definitely was Annika Ragnartz ’22, who year and sophomore student, is one of the current seniors who is often involved in planning Queggers. Ragnar tz and her suitemates wanted to continue the Quegger tradition after the interruption caused by the pandemic. “We decided that it was a tradition that deserved to live on, so we started them up again this year,” Ragnartz said.
“ queer nightlife, is really important because there is such a large queer community at the 5Cs.” -Annika Ragnartz ‘22 Ragnartz also discussed how the Quegger has adapted over time, and become more widespread across the 5Cs. “I think, this year, the name has been sort of adopted as like, any queer party. The name has sor t of taken on its own meaning, beyond what it maybe was before this year,” she said. Similarly to Feldstein, Ragnartz felt that there is still a need for Queggers in the 5C community. “It’s honestly a really important part of the queer community at Scripps. A lot of the parties that are thrown are majority straight people. The parties themselves bleed into that heterosexual culture,” she said. There have also been par ty themes, such as wedding party, that Ragnartz described as quintessentially heterosexual. “I think having specifically queer is really important because there is such a large queer community at the 5Cs,” she said. The Queggers have become a unique aspect of the Scripps College experience, and a place of wondering what to do on a Friday or Saturday night, give a Quegger a try!
Graphic courtesy of Anaga Srinivas
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five
4 • Arts and Entertainment
“Movie Lovers Unite By Jihae Oh CMC ’24 & Belen Yudess ’25 Staff Writers The Oscars. A time for asking, “have you ever heard of that actress?” Or “how was that movie even nominated?” In other words, a magical time to be constantly confused by names you have never heard of and enamored with the one movie you actually watched. Whether you are totally out of the Oscars loop or are a devoted fan who has been predicting winners on various websites and platforms since the day nominations came out, take a look at our opinionated and *thoroughly* researched expectations vs. the probable reality of the results.
Best Picture: Expectation: Coda “CODA,” standing for Child of Deaf a girl torn between her love of music and her family. This movie took great leaps in the industry by having as many scenes in American Sign Language (with subtitles) as in English, and also consisting of three deaf leads. In fact, actor Troy Kotsur who plays the deaf father of the protagonist, Ruby, Academy Award nominee. The movie encapsulates so much emotion, making it easy for the audience to empathize with each character. There is humor, soul, passion, and the relatability of the teenage mind. It is even more impactful that Ruby wants to go to college for singing – a love that is difficult for her deaf family to understand. It is
important to note, however, that some people in the deaf community thought the deaf characters were pitied and reliant on a hearing counterpart to have a functional role in society. As a result, the movie could be seen as the opposite of empowering. Nevertheless, the film is a beautiful portrayal of family and adolescence, and deserves to win for both its strides in the deaf community and also its unforgettable audience effect. Reality: Dune Best Leading Actor Let’s “stop the clock” to talk about in “tick tick… BOOM.” I will flat out state that I am extremely biased in this decision since I have repeatedly watched “tick tick… BOOM” and listened to the soundtrack ever since I watched
transition from performing hilarious and whimsical numbers such as “30/90” and “Bo-Ho Days,” to manic ditties as seen with “Therapy” and scenes, such as “Why,” encapsulates Johnathan Larson’s (the creator of “tick tick… BOOM” and another little show called “Rent”), tumultuous yet fantastical life and creativity. For someone who had never played piano or taken a singing lesson before, happens only once in your life.” Reality: Will Smith
Best Supporting Actor
Nonetheless, after watching the movie, Jessica Chastain captures her audience right off the bat with her strikingly similar Betty Boop appearance, nasally
deaf male actor to be nominated for an Academy Award. His role in “CODA” is crucial to the success and emotion
authority in which she delivers every line. Tammy Faye Bakker was a devoted Christian and evangelist who preached the Word on national television with her later disgraced husband Jim Bakker
brought to tears by his performance in the two minute trailer, so one could only imagine the humanity of his character in a two hour film. In an interview with the New York Times, Kotsur spoke about having wanted to work with hearing people for years and the reservations in Hollywood about the ability of deaf people. He said, however, that this fear is beginning to fade. “That’s why it’s so important to not think of deaf actors from a perspective of limitations, because as a deaf person, I can drive, I can cook, I can have sex, I can do all of these things,” said Kotsur in the interview with The New York Times. “The only thing where there’s a barrier is a communication barrier, and that’s it.” Reality: Troy Kotsur
Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Courtesy of IMBD
Expectation: Troy Kotsur Troy Kotsur is a deaf actor who played the father of a teenage girl in the movie “CODA.” As mentioned in
Best Leading Actress Expectation: Jessica Chastain I had never heard of Chastain’s character before I saw the brief clip of “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” during the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards.
Faye was considered a radical for her time due to her public support for the LGBTQ+ community. Chastain’s uplifting tone never wavers throughout theatrical puppet show or trying to gain the approval and attention of her mother, husband, and other preachers who did not believe women deserved a seat at the table. Following the scene with Bakker’s several accusations of fraud and adultery, Chastain brilliantly allows minuscule facial contortions or inflections to portray Tammy Faye’s deep-rooted pain and isolation. Chastain also succeeds in delivering some incredible musical performances that showed the wide-eyed faith of the late Tammy Faye Bakker. Reality: Jessica Chastain
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five
Best Supporting Actress Expectation: Ariana DeBose
Arts and Entertainment • 5
e:” Oscar Predictions! Ms. Ariana DeBose does it again. A stellar performance that not only showcases her range and ability as a dancer and vocalist, but also as a who played Anita in Spielberg’s newest rendition of “West Side Story,” had some pretty big shoes to fill when taking on this role. Following Rita Moreno is no easy feat. Not only did DeBose do Moreno justice through her ability to deliver witty one liners, putting Bernardo and the Sharks in place, portrays in both her facial expressions and tone following the climatic rumble, she has also made history for the queer Afro-Latina community. Recently winning a SAG award in the same actress to win a SAG award, as well as be recognized for her talent. DeBose’s passion and love for her art is clearly evident throughout the film, y me encantó su interpretación de Anita mas que ella se amó a la isla de Manhattan. Reality: Ariana DeBose
Best Original Song Expectation: Dos Oruguitas – Lin Manuel Miranda (Encanto) Like I was really not going to talk about Bruno. Although I have nothing but admiration, respect and many tear and its beautiful message about the pain and power of family, growth, and love, I think many people were shocked about the absence of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from the nomination list. Therefore, I would like to take a moment to thank Miranda for the two songs on my “Try not to run into a person, tree or the sidewalk while I ride my bike” playlist, since I always end up singing “Dos Orugitas” and “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” every time I clumsily soar down the hill from Scripps to Roberts. Reality: “No Time to Die” - Billie Eilish/ Phineas Best Animated Feature Film Expectation: Encanto I am sorry to report that many tears were lost this day. I am pretty sure that I was somewhat dehydrated after watching this movie. First, I need to flat out say that “Encanto” was truly included the right amount of comedic and catchy lyrics, stunning animation, giving depth and emotional honesty to its characters and arc. Unlike other Disney or Pixar films, “Encanto” did not have a formal villain. Although audiences were led to believe that Bruno, with his supposed “seven foot frame with rats along his back” would be the stereotypical prodigal son back for revenge by destroying the magic within La Casa Madrigal, we could not have been more wrong. The root
problem of the film was not some devious Disney villain with a ridiculous name and classic evil smile, but the generational pressures and unrealistic expectations that Mirabel’s abuela held the family up too. Abuela’s desire to provide for her family and give them a better life than her own, caused her and her grandchildren (Mirabel, Luisa, and Isabella) to forget that the true magic of the family did not lie in their powers but in themselves and their love for one another, a message and storyline that many families can relate to. Not only does Encanto deliver a plot and characters that address the importance of representation, community, and familial struggles, it also gives us some epic lyrics as found in the song “Surface Pressure.” “Was Hercules ever like ‘yo I don’t want to legendary than that? Reality: Encanto Costume Design Expectation: Cruella The exploration of counterculture fashion in ’70s London is amazing. The costumes that Cruella wears are all so original and groundbreaking that it is inspiring to watch. As I was watching the movie, I found myself wanting to dress differently, to break the norms of fashion, and think beyond the conforming mindset in order to utilize clothing as a form of self-expression and creativity. Costume designer Jenny Beavan does just that. She plays with materials, such as trash, that would not typically be worn by the average person in modern times – let alone in the ’70s – and creates something truly beautiful. I believe there is something to be said about turning literal trash into
Photo Courtesy of IMBD
listen to all the collaborators, and to really understand what was going to be important for them and what they wanted to get across.” Reality: Belfast
The Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 27 at 5 p.m. PST.
Reality: Dune Best Original Screenplay Expectation: King Richard “King Richard” focuses on the upbringing of the famous Williams sisters. Writer Zach Berlin depicts the story as a family drama, rather than focusing on only Serena and Venus. He interviewed the entire family including the siblings in order to capture a wellrounded and accurate story. According to Outtake Magazine, Berlin wanted it to “feel like a family on the screen.” Berlin also claims that the Williams family did not try to “sand the edges” of their story, but were actually very additive and willing to produce a truly soulful movie. I produce deep characters that could depict the emotion and turbulence of the story. Although it may seem questionable for a white man to be writing the story of a Black family, Berlin took the time to really understand his responsibility in writing an intrinsically also that my job and responsibility at a certain point was going to be to just Photo Courtesy of Disney
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five
6 • Features
The Fashion Grind By Maddie Moore ‘22
at the Motley is the community. She loves connecting with new people, meeting new people, and supporting her fellow baristas.
Fashion Columnist
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n April 1, the Motley Coffeehouse will open. And I will officially be back on my bullsh*t. You see, I based most of my personality on being that one cute barista behind the bar with the funky earrings who doesn’t make drinks but will draw cute animals on your to-go cup. April 1 marks the day I return to my full power. Since I last went behind the bar, I’ve undergone a bit of a butterfly moment. My aesthetic has been refined, and my clothing rack is full of garments I would rather not get coffee on. You see, much of what I wear these days would not be conducive to a three hour, ourespresso-machine-isn’t-workingand-it’s-parent’s-weekend shift at the Mot. Pink plastic Barbie shoes are, unfortunately, not up to health code. The Unofficial Motley Barista Dress Guide: hair must be up. You must wear closed-toe shoes. And you will spill coffee, milk, syrup, and more on yourself during a shift. To get some help figuring out how to adapt my style to the Unofficial Motley Barista Dress Guide, I met with some of the most fashionable baristas I know. Diya Pereira ’22 has been working at the Motley for four years. She is a barista lead, which means she works as a “liaison between [the] barista team and manager team” or is, as she lovingly likes to call it, a “barista mom.” Pereira’s favorite thing about working as a barista
When asked how she would describe her aesthetic, she told me it changes based on her mood. “Some days I have a very androgenous vibe going on, with big shirts, big pants, and big boots,” she said. “And then there are days when I want to be more feminine, and I wear cute little dresses or flowy skirts.” However, one facet remains constant: Pereira is always decked out in gold jewelry. Today she sports a combination of the two styles which she dubs: neutrals & femininity. Katherine Ward ’22 has worked at the Motley since fall 2018. She too is a Barista Lead, and also my shift buddy of four years. When asked about her favorite aspects of the Motley, she responded enthusiastically with, “everything!” Ward’s style is more minimal; her go-to’s being “jeans or trousers and a fun top.” She mostly dresses in earthy neutrals and has been obsessed with sneakers lately — she wore a quintessential Ward pair to our interview: Nike Dunks in a pastel palette. On a typical shift, you will find Pereira in a sleeveless top; due to the hot climate and the ability to display her sick arm tattoos (the latest: a beautiful grand piano), as well as long pants or a long skirt because of the amount of movement required on the job. Her primar y suggestion for
Diya Pereira ‘22
barista fashion: prioritize comfort. Ward usually wears jeans and a t-shirt or tank top, also emphasizing the importance of comfort behind the bar. Skirts, however, are a nono; lots of bending is required to reach our stash of oat milk. In terms of modifying her aesthetic to working at a coffeehouse, Ward finds that her “style is pretty health code.” However, she does love wearing something fun and flirty underneath our black, coffeestained aprons, and makes sure to always adorn shoes she is okay getting milk on. Pereira loves to get creative with her hair — since we must wear it up — and also keeps her favorite shoes at home. A fun fact about me is that I am also the Co-Head of the Motley Coffeehouse (despite not actually liking coffee). My amazing Co-Head Manager is Camila Mejia ’22 — a wondrous human that not only actually likes coffee but also has an incredible fashion sense. Mejia has been working at the Motley since fall 2019, and her favorite thing about the coffeehouse is the community it has brought her at Scripps. “Before I started working there I didn’t feel a huge sense of community and through the Motley I’ve gotten that,” reflected Camila. “Not only in the sense of having a team of people I get to work with but also in a more broad sense… the space we get to cultivate all together.” Mejia mostly buys second hand, so her aesthetic can be described as a mix of “unique/colorful/ interesting pieces with basics.” Some of her favorite clothing items
right now include “my loafers, my friend’s black & white sneakers I’ve stolen for the past month, or this t-shirt with 2000s vibe animated fish on it.” Behind the bar, Mejia likes to wear “a comfy pair of shoes, probably a pair of pants or shorts, and a cool shirt.” She lets her style shine at work: “I really like to wear fun outfits but I also keep in mind that coffee can stain, so I do a mix of clothes I have from working in the food service industry and fun pieces,” said Mejia. “With the health code, I always wear close toed shoes of course, and throw my hair up in a classic low pony or claw clip.” Thanks to these lovely baristas, I’ve learned not to wear my ballgown to work — unless I think it looks better covered in coffee grounds. Oh, and also that Motley baristas will single-handedly be keeping claw-clip companies in business for the next century. XOXO, That One Pink Girl P.S. See you at the Motley opening April 1! I’ll be the one in the pink ;)
Katherine Ward ‘22
Camilia Mejia ‘22 Photos by Maddie Moore ‘22
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five
7 • Opinion
It’s Never Too Late to Make a Tumblr Account vides me with an endless stream of artistic and aesthetic inspiration. Following a recent resurgence in Tumblr blogs and aesthetics due to Gen Z users, my peers recently recommended that I make a Tumblr account. However, I have to admit that I was initially reluctant. I wasn’t sure what I would use it for and whether there would be con-
Photo Courtesy of Pixabay
By Isabel Li ’25 Staff Writer Tumblr isn’t your average social media outlet. After all, when you think of social media, you’d probably think of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Reddit, and Pinterest instead — all of which are popular and ubiquitous platforms across the country. However, Tumblr, often deemed irrelevant or obscure due to its non-mainstream status, is actually an extremely versatile platform that harbors all sorts of communities and underrated gems of the Internet. My phone’s home screen presents my carefully curated collection of social media apps, each serving a distinct purpose. Instagram, where I follow all of my favorite artists and post my own art, is the ever-expanding platform for photos and cleverly tailored capnections with real-life friends and family, is where I keep in touch with people I’ve met over the years and contribute to online community groups. Pinterest is the colorful algorithmic moodboard that pro-
since it is largely overshadowed by other media platforms. Among the array of features in Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, my primary social media apps, what distinct functions would Tumblr serve? Nevertheless, I decided to create an account and try it out, which, despite my initial hesitancy, proved to be worth it. I was pleasantly surprised with Tumblr’s unique functions and unconventional algouser experience. other social media accounts, the ones on Tumblr involve fully customizable multi-page blog websites with unique templates and atmospheres surrounding their stagram and Facebook conform to a singular, standardized formation, Tumblr allows its bloggers to express themselves beyond their posts, from font to layout. And because many artists are attracted to derrated artists from all over the world that are not on mainstream social media. I’m constantly impressed by each Tumblr’s distinctive style, with my two favorites being a newspaper-styled art blog and a minimalist literary maga-
On The Abuse of Athletes By Sam Ryan ‘25 Guest Contributor
zine. Seeing many emerging artists and their personalized Tumblr portfolios has inspired me to create one of my own — it’s still a work in progress, though! blr provides for new accounts are the suggestions for what communities to follow based on the user’s interests. Instead of immediately encourages users to follow general tags. This feature prevents already popular accounts from monopolizing the attention of new users, and instead allows the users themselves to discover new and community of interest. Tumblr’s unusual algorithm is something else that has allowed posts; unlike more popular platforms, it does not rank posts strictly by recency. In fact, on my explore page, I discover share-worthy posts that are weeks, months, or sometimes several years old — a nonchronological feed driven by the absence of dates indicated directly on the posts. On the other hand, when I’m using Instagram or
cial measures of popularity sway my opinion about a certain post or blog. Most of all, Tumblr isn’t a conventionally addicting app. Unlike the spontaneous nature of Instagram stories or the continuous stream of content from Pinterest, Tumblr’s characteristics allow the app to feel more relaxing and creative, which is what distinguishes itself from all the other media I consume on a daily basis. With the lack of numbers involved, its environment feels more communal and noncompetitive, an atmowhere online. During such busy college months, turning to Tumblr
refreshing the home screen for the newest, most up-to-date content, quickly overlooking the content that has been posted mere minutes ago. Essentially, Tumblr takes the focus off novelty and allows users to linger and enjoy posts of the past, which could help slow and bring relaxation to our hectic lives. I also appreciate that Tumblr bers of likes or followers, unlike the sometimes anxiety-inducing number-based systems of Insta-
both schoolwork and normal social media outlets. Although it may seem antiquated in comparison to the mainmend the medium for anyone who is looking to wind down while being entertained by the vast array of art, photos, and memes that Tumblr has in store. It is certainly a platform calmer than Instagram, more personalized than Facebook, and more communal than Pinterest. For the many of us who are trapped in the busy loop of school and work, Tumblr is an overall amazing app for relaxation, creativity, and inspiration.
3 Palms
Waiting
By Rebecca Allen ‘25 Staff Writer
I look at them and say, “But I’m just an instrument.” “Don’t be silly,” they respond. “You’re the conductor.” But at the end of the day, they play you just the same. And so I come to you and I say, “Look how they played me. See how my strings are broken, see how I am scratched, see how I no longer sound the same.” And you, bless your soul, say it hurts to see how I was played. You say you could only do so much. That your hands were tied. But here’s the thing: When you leave us instruments alone in the dark, we cannot see who is playing us. We cannot see their claws, ready to scratch our paint. We cannot see their massive hands, ready to break us in half. We can only hear their voices, those words so sweetly promising us a chance to play in the orchestra. We needed you to turn on the light, and you left us in the dark. And when we come to you with all our scars, you weep for what was. But still you neglect to turn on the light. Because apparently there are rules, rules that keep you from illuminating our plight. Rules are such a funny thing. They’re meant to protect, aren’t they? And now we must ask; who are you trying to protect? Us instruments, who lie scratched and broken in the dark? Or those monsters with the honeyed voices and gleeful smiles? Your words favor us instruments; but your actions support the monsters, and for that you are no better. We may have broken, but we are still so very capable of producing sound. And we are no longer the finely tuned instruments we once were. No more will we please the outside world with our music. No more will we play in the dark. We will simply make our discordant noise until you do your job and turn on the light.
gram or Facebook. Nowhere on lower count — a feature that highlights the essence of the blog itself rather than the popularity. In an era when our opinions of online content are often shaped by the number of likes, views, or com-
I stare At the palm trees And think of you. I watch them was they Twist and twirl In the sunshine Above me. I think about last Night and our time Together and it Makes me happy Even though you Broke a small piece Of my heart. I think of your ribs Poking mine And how the Only thing that remains Of you Is the bruise you left, Blooming, As I watch Planes fly overhead.
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five
By Aviva Maxon ‘23 Staff Writer
Your soul needs to be nourished The emptiness seems to grow And bring your brain into the fog Your heart feels heavy, And your shoulders and legs too Days went great, And so now, You sit waiting for the world to slow up For you to catch down
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
8 • Crossword
Scripps Voice Crossword: Spring Edition
Across: 1 April ____ bring May Flowers 5 This weather phenomenon occurs more in the spring than any other season 7 Largest Easter egg in the world; ____, Canada 8 St. ___’s Day: Boston gets alcohol poisoning 11 Roman Goddess of Spring 12 This rodent predicts the weather 15 Spring bird; blue eggs 16 March birth flower 17 Workers of the World Unite! on the first of ___; ___ Day 20 A Spring pastry; you
probably learned to play this on the recorder 22 This composer has a piece for all “Seasons” 23 “equal night” 25 On the first day of spring, where on Earth would one see the Sun passing directly overhead? 27 What health issues account for approximately 17 million outpatient office visits each year?(Spring/Fall) 28 Southern Hemisphere Spring begins in this month
Down: 2 The first story of this seasonal creature was published in 1680 3 Who Framed ___ Rabbit? 4 The southern hemisphere experiences this season when the northern has spring 6 Extreme fondness for flowers 9 Another name for Spring Equinox 10 These pink blossoms are a sight to see 13 Many people start planting in this patch of land during this season 14 First day of spring:
20th of ____ 18 36% of Americans say this season is their favorite 19 “Hope springs eternal...” Alexander ___ 21 The nation that Easter Island is a part of 24 Spring ends in ___ 26 Canadian Spring Flower Festival; The Netherlands is also known for this flower
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five
Arts and Entertainment • 9
2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show: The Only Part I Watched By Jihae Oh CMC ‘24 Staff Writer
T
he 2022 Super Bowl halftime show was one word – incredible. Making history as the first all hiphop/rap performance, the show featured artists Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar. Each artist brought the empowering, soulful, and smooth elements of hip-hop to the stage. The show began with the anticipating beat of Dr. Dre’s “In The Club” featuring Snoop Dogg. The two artists took opposite sides of the stage. The set had a neighborhood feel to it with Los Angeles landmarks and dancers dressed in street clothes. According to The New Yorker, “The field was laid out to resemble the Compton city grid, with an all-white set including Tam’s Burgers, the night club Eve After Dark, and a sculptural recreation of the M.L.K. memorial that sits in front of the Compton courthouse.” The artists were on top of the set, interacting with it as the song progressed. The second song this duo performed was “California Love.” So much great energy came from the two as they hyped each other up and joined in on lyrics together. At the end of the song, they kneeled down, pointing to 50 Cent who was hanging upside down from the ceiling of a set resembling a club. 50 Cent performed the infamous “In Da Club.” I think it’s important to note that whenever there is a straight man surrounded by an assemblage pick up on misogynistic undertones. However, these dancers were giving lots of empowering female energy that I found uplifting rather than degrading, and made me also want
Photo Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly
to get up and dance. 50 Cent’s song ended as the performance moved on top of the set with Mary J. Blige standing in thighhigh silver boots with long blond hair. She performed “Family Affair” and “No and elegance. Backup dancers in all set. Blige joined in on some moves, showing her amazing performing skills and vivacity. Kendrick Lamar’s performance of “m.A.A.d City’’ and “Alright” featured Black male dancers with blond hair wearing black suits and green sashes that said “Dre Day.” With all black this performance had a powerful aesthetic. The internet did have things to say, however, about Lamar leaving out the phrase “And we hate the po-po”
in his song “Alright.” It is possible that the network asked Lamar to censor the phrase because, according to The New Yorker, there were rumors that the NFL had asked Dr. Dre to not perform the line “still not loving the police” (he rapped it anyways), but the question of why still remains unclear. The audience was again directed to the top of the set where Eminem stepped in to perform “Lose Yourself.” There was a surprise appearance of Anderson .Paak with big smiles and great energy on the drums. Dr. Dre was in the background of the performance playing with what appeared to be a soundboard – only fitting because he was Eminem’s producer and mentor. At the end of his performance, Eminem took a knee as an homage to Colin Kaepernick. Dr. Dre then hopped on the piano and played an interlude to his song
“Still D.R.E.” He and Snoop Dogg ended the show with a performance of this song. All artists took center stage as the song concluded and the backup dancers formed a circle around them. This halftime show brought a sense of nostalgia along with racial pride that produced a coherent and moving performance. Dre. Dre and Snoop Dogg had a chill demeanor that only comes from their experience, talent, and according to The New Yorker, maybe some good weed. Mary J. Blige’s voice reverberated through the stadium with a power and lilt that only she has. Each artist brought something unique and integral to the perfect execution of this performance. From the choreography of the dancers, to the set, to Snoop Dogg crip walking on stage, this halftime show was certainly one for the books.
Datamatch: The Path to a Soulmate? can match them with a future soulmate. When asked why she signed up for Datamatch, an anonymous student, who will be referred to as Ryan, said, “I thought, why not? I saw that the questions looked funny, so felt I might
Photo Courtesy of Datamatch
By Lindsay Ravetz ’25 Staff Writer
A
is your love language?”, “If you could
fter watching seasons and seasons of “The Bachelor,” “Love Island,” and “Too Hot To Handle,” some of us — most of us — are waiting for our own love story. The 5Cs’ satirical news publication, The Golden Antlers, gives students the opportunity to meet “the one” each Valentine’s Day through Datamatch. When entering the Datamatch website, students are presented with a survey created by The Golden Antlers. Questions this year included: “What
why would it be James Madison?”, and “Favorite type of Scripps dad?” After answering the survey, users are section, students decide whether they are in search of love, friendship, or both. They specify gender preferences and are able to add a photograph and bio. Lastly, students have the opportunity to in-the-blank questions such as “Swipe right if…” or “My favorite party trick is…” Some people doubt whether or not answering “What’s your favorite letter” from the options “B, C, D, E, and F” really
happens.” She does not believe any of the matches could be potential relationships, but said, “If I meet them in person someday, it could be a good conversation starter.” Datamatch’s messaging platform also formed a barrier when interacting with matches. “It was quite funny that someone messaged you, so I would forget about it and… check it one time a day,” Ryan said. “I guess it’s like snail mail.” Ryan concludes that she is still unsure whether or not Datamatch paired her with people she is compatible with. Faith in love through Datamatch, however, should not be completely lost. Katie Hansen ’23 is still dating one of her matches from the 2021 cycle. “I think that Datamatch is always kind of a joke,” said Hansen. “We were all at home, so we were bored and I wasn’t really expecting anything going into it.” Hansen recalls matching with her
between them after reading his bio. “Even if nothing happens, he could be a cool friend,” she said. After messaging within the Datamatch portal, they exchanged numbers and moved their communication to text, then decided to meet through FaceTime. “We ended up FaceTiming every night over spring break for a couple of hours,” Hansen said. “Because of school and the pandemic, we were both living at home, so we FaceTimed for four months without meeting in person.” They were finally able to meet in person while Hansen was completing summer research. “He happened to be going on this epic road trip and was like, ‘I’ll just stop in Claremont’,” said Hansen. After meeting in person, they were certain there was a connection. “It was easier for me that we started she said. “Meeting somebody in person is so much scarier…I think it worked out better this way.” Despite Hansen’s feelings about her own Datamatch experience, she still does not believe in the power of its algorithm. Sorry to disappoint the hopeless romantics, but this survey may not be the way to meet the love of your life. “I think it was 100% luck,” her Datamatch experience.
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five
Feature • 10
Get to know Matilde Grandberry! and they called me to work a little part-time and later she told me my time is done. But her supervisor from housekeeping, she liked how I did my job. And she told me maybe she would call me back when the person they had retired soon. And then she called me back, and that's when I got that job.
By Belen Yudess ’25 Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of Scripps College
A
nyone who currently resides in GJW knows Matilde Grandberry as the hard-working, kind, and genuine caretaker of the dorm. Not only does she keep GJW spotless, but she is always willing to strike up a conversation with anyone who needs to talk about a problem or worry, or wants to chat about their family or day. Matilde has been an integral part of the Scripps community for many decades and is truly a bright light on campus! Read on to hear more about Matilde’s career and personal life. The Scripps Voice (TSV): How long have you been working here at Scripps? Matilde Grandberry: I've been working 33 years. TSV: 33 years? Wow. That’s a long time. How did you get involved here? MG: One of my co workers, she work[ed] in the botany garden. She told me about this college having the open spot … to apply for housekeeping. I said, “yeah.” I went for the application and everything,
TSV: Wow. MG: I worked in Clark for 20 years and Toll for 14 years. And [they moved everyone again], and I moved to Frankel-Routt. I have Froutt and GJW, by the time before the COVID, she changed again, everybody and she had one of us stay over here [GJW]. [I have been here] two years by myself. But I like it. I like my job. I like the area. TSV: Which dorm has been your favorite? MG: I think it's Clark. Yeah. I stay[ed] over there for a long time. Most of all the dorm. I like it. I like to work. I worked in all the dorms. I worked in Browning, I worked in Dorsey, in Kimberly, Wilbur for a little while. I also worked in Revelle house. TSV: What's your favorite thing about working at Scripps? MG: I like the students, [and how] everybody communicated, everybody talked, and everybody help[ed] do business. It’s so nice. TSV: Now that we've covered work, let’s do some fun questions! What's your favorite color? MG: My favorite color is blue. TSV: How come? MG: Jeans and I like blue. My clothes are blue. Blue and white.
TSV: That is such a good color combination. So I know you have two kids. Do you want to talk about them? MG: Yeah. I have a daughter and a son. TSV: What is your daughter's name? MG: My daughter’s name is Lilia. TSV: Beautiful. What's your son's name? MG: My son’s name is Willie. TSV: That's amazing. Do you want to talk about your kids? MG: My son went to school. He went to college, he finished high school and then culinary school. And he's working in his own business. And my daughter finished school last year for accounting. … And she's happy. That's all that matters. TSV: What about your grandkids? What were their names? MG: My grandkids, one is six years [old]. He's in school. Atreo. He plays piano. My other grandson, Bastian, is one year and three months. I told my son, you need to get them to start speaking Spanish. My daughter loves to practice. TSV: That's awesome. What is your favorite season? MG: The summer, it’s my favorite's time to plant. I like to plant tomato. TSV: Do you like to cook? MG: I like to cook. Before I started working here, I was a chef in Mexico. For that, my son wants to be a chef. TSV: So will you and your son
cook together when he comes? MG: Yeah. I [also like to] travel a lot. TSV: What was your favorite place to travel? MG: In Mexico I went to Bela Cruz, and Cancun. TSV: What was your favorite part about traveling? MG: The tourism and communications over there. [When I came to the U.S.] I went to Sacramento and New York. I like to travel to see more places and have conversations with the people. And the food is different. TSV: What's your favorite thing to cook? My or your favorite? Like food? MG: Pork. I like to cook barbecue, and gumbo the gum for salad. TSV: What about dessert? MG: I make pancakes, cake and Chocoflan. TSV:What about your favorite TV show or movie? MG: I like “Chicago Medical.” I like to watch a lot of kids' movies. I like the “Lion King.” TSV: What about music? MG: Mariachi and country music. If you ever come across Grandberry, I highly encourage you to take some time and get to know her! Some of my favorite memories on campus have been hearing Grandberry talk about her holiday plans or saying a quick good morning as she chuckles while I frantically run off to class. Her kindness and sincerity is sure to brighten your day!
Crossword Answers Across Answers: 1 SHOWERS 5 TORNADO 7 ALBERTA 8 PATRICK 11 FLORA 12 GROUNDHOG 15 ROBIN 16 DAFFODIL 17 MAY 20 HOT CROSS BUNS 22 VIVALDI 23 EQUINOX 25 EQUATOR 27 ALLERGIES 28 SEPTEMBER
Down Answers: 2 EASTER BUNNY 3 PETER 4 FALL 6 ANTHOPHILE 9 VERNAL 10 CHERRY 13 GARDEN 14 MARCH 18 SPRING 19 POPE 21 CHILE 24 JUNE 26 TULIP
Photo Courtesy of Tomoko Uji via Unsplash
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five
Feature • 11
La Luz de Mi Vida y la Voz que Me Calma: Mi Verdad y Mi Mama (The Light of My Life and the Voice that Calms Me: My Truth and My Mom) By Belen Yudess ’25 Staff Writer
C
hilaquiles, sugar cookies, and Noah’s Arc. When I remember my early childhood, those three wonders encapsulate my mother. She was the one who made me countless plates of chilaquiles: toasted tortillas, marinated in medium salsa roja, a pinch of salt, a kiss (the most important ingredient) with a side of Sargento’s Monterey jack and cheddar shredded cheese. The cheese was always on the side, never on top of the plate. I have been eating her chilaquiles since before I was born. A recipe that she learned from her aunt, my Tia Yoli. A recipe born out of love and tradition. She was the one who woke up at 5 a.m. every morning to get to school on time. An academic coach for LAUSD, she would spend hours on end helping students and teachers — who are sometimes more hectic than the kids potential as learners and educators. Even after an exhausting week, she never missed our ritual mall trips. Where, in her words, she would throw me in a stroller and take me to the small cookie stand in the mall. The home of the legendary blush pink frosted sugar cookie that I would devour in a minute. Although the cookie was the epitome of sweetness and energy, it could never match her smile while she watched me stuff a ball of sugar in my face. She was the one who would take me home after the sugar cookie to make me more chilaquiles while we watched my favorite program, “Baby Einstein’s Noah’s Arc,” A show for infants that introduced them to different aspects of the world. The “Noah’s Arc” episode featured the animals of the world using puppets
and in my four year old mind, mesmerizing footage of these beautiful creatures. It was here that I developed my love for wombats, dolphins, and giant sea turtles. It was an obsession that my mother nurtured. She continues to nurture and support all my unique interests (such as my love for the As I got older, the ways in which I new heights. She was no longer just the person who fed and provided me entertainment, even though we still have pizza and “The Masked Singer” nights, but so much more. She was my nurse who would rub lavender Vicks VapoRub on my head, neck, chest, and feet every time I had a cold. She was my designer who sent me to picture days in a navy blue polo shirt that clashed with my Twinkle Toes and the mop, also known as my ridiculously curly hair, that sat on my head. She is the deejay who sat through ing migraine) listening to nothing but the “Backyardigans” and “Imagination Movers” soundtracks (at least my dad got Meat Loaf and The Beach Boys).
“Although the cookie was the epitome of sweetness and energy, it could never match her smile while she watched me stuff a ball of sugar in my face.” But above all, she was my first teacher who taught me the importance of reading and writing through “Biscuit the Dog” books and my Lakeshore Etch A Sketch where I learned how to write my name before I even knew what it meant. I am now 18 years old. I am no longer the three year old who can get tossed in a stroller which is both a natural, yet terrifying, thing. It means that even though my mother is my sun, the person whose
light I need to grow and thrive, just like the sun, there are eclipses and storms that create divisions and overshadow the warmth. We have quarreled about my inability to listen to her advice because my seven-year-old brain assumed that I was right about wearing my class picture dress to kickball Tuesday. We argued on the way to school because of my constant tendency to get up and get ready late because I didn’t fully realize the ripple effect it had on her schedule. And there have been a handful of times where we have given each other the silent treatment because of a disagreement in what the other considers more important or relevant at the time. But I am very fortunate that those minor matches were the most extreme of our problems. Although, I am not naive enough to think that other scuffles won’t arise in the future. Being 18 years old has also taken the blinders off of the picture I paint of my mother, who is so much more than my mom. She is the daughter of a Mexican mother and Cuban father. A daughter of immigrants. She has been a transseamstress and business woman since she was a teenager.
“Relationships are not stagnant. They mature with time, and they never stop surprising us” She is a big sister who gave up her high school and college experiences to help her mom provide for the family so her siblings could have their own high school and college memories. She is a fighter who constantly battles through several autoimmune diseases to ensure that she can be the best version of herself, partly for
her own well-being but mostly for my family and me. Ultimately, she is a kind, selfless, hard-working, flawed, and endlessly loving person. She’s my best friend. When I am sick, I follow her Vicks healing regimen, one that I recently taught my roommate. I still love wearing blue, such as my blue sun flower headband that she bought me my sophomore year of high school, but now my wardrobe is also adorned with Snoopy and “Peanuts” characters that my mother has carefully curated for me. Although we may not listen to Uniqua sing about the Lady in Pink anymore, we sing out loud to Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” and Mana’s “Mi Verdad”. And I am an English major with a love for writing who would one day Relationships are not stagnant. They mature with time, and they never stop surprising us. Some days it is a step forward, and other days it’s two steps back. You can have the most thought out game plan, but one event or tiny stumble can derail everything. I am not sure what my relationship with my mother will look like in 10 years or even tomorrow, but I have faith in who she is as a person and as a mother, to hope that when I am 48 sugar cookies, and Noah’s Arc. *During Winter break, my mother and I made chilaquiles with cheese on the side, ate sugar cookies from Sprouts, and watched “Baby Einstein’s Noah’s Arc” while my dog tried to take over the whole bed.* “Ultimately, she is a kind, selfless, hard-working, flawed, and endlessly loving person. “
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five
Features • 12 Energy Vortices, The Institute of Mentalphysics, and a Spiritual Woodstock: The Surprising History of Joshua Tree By Ella Boyd ‘22 Guest Writer
J
oshua Tree, a national park located about two hours east of Claremont, is a popular weekend destination for college students, climbers, van lifers, and visiting campers alike. The park is aptly named after the many Joshua trees that line the roads and dot the jagged hills — when driving through the park, there is an eerie, open effect subdued only by the few other visitors hauling crash pads through the desert trails. The Joshua trees don’t remind one much of trees at all. There is even a song called “Secret Enchanted Broccoli Forest” which, to be honest, is the best description of the park I can give to anyone who hasn’t had the chance to see it in person for themselves. I say in person because there is a difference between places you see and places you experience. Joshua Tree is the latter. There is a distinct, inescapable feeling of both alienation and intense serenity inside the park. Again, it’s not so much explainable as relatable to other park visitors.
Joshua Tree is a place for reflection, a place for transcendence.
When sitting on a classic Joshua Tree boulder, perhaps near a full-grown, bushy Joshua tree, you are simultaneously aware of your proximity to other people, and yet, you are fully alone with your thoughts. Joshua Tree is a place for reflection, a place for transcendence. I thought I was the only one who felt this way. I was wrong. The desert itself is spiritual: in the words of Italian spiritual writer Carlo Caretto, “The desert does not mean the absence of men, it means the presence of God.” And though Joshua trees are often described as “grotesque” or “the most repulsive tree in the vegetable kingdom,” they are also often referred to as
Photo Courtesy of Ella Boyd
comforting. There is a strange, unexplainable pull to the area. Perhaps that is why so many spiritual retreats occur in the park, such as the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, also known as the Institute of Mental Physics. It is the oldest and largest retreat center in the Western United States.
There is a difference between places you see and places you experience. Joshua Tree is the latter. My initial reaction was that it must be some kind of scam, but it seems that it is not. The JTRC is a non-profit organization. The Institute operates on the teachings of Ding Le Mei, or Edwin J. Dingle (wonder why he changed his name, right?), a journalist in China who explored Asia in a quest for spiritual knowledge, ultimately combining eastern and western philosophies to form the Mentalphysics Spiritual Teaching and Retreat center in 1941. Interestingly, though, Mei, or Dingle, was a world-renowned
geographer. In fact, his “New Map of China” became China’s standard map. I bring this up because this man, clearly, had seen a good chunk of the world before landing in Southern California. He’d seen places that are considered spiritual, even. So why did he found his school in Joshua Tree? Ding Le Mei chose the location because it sat on 19 energy vortices which were thought to draw in intense energy and an ideal place for personal exploration. Mei also believed Yucca Valley was “sacred desert land,” and he built the school in harmony with the lines of earth energy in the area, as well as employing Frank Lloyd Wright and his son, both architects, to design a building that would act as an energy vortex. Famous speakers, such as Ram Dass and Deepak Chopra have presented at the Institute. Festivals at the institute, such as Bhakti Fest, also known as a “Spiritual Woodstock,” have received massive g a t h e r i n g s o f d evo t e e s , w i t h thousands of people practicing yoga and meditating in the crisp
Photo Courtesy of Ella Boyd
desert air. Joshua Tree is known for its spiritual elements. With spirituality, the tricky thing is that there are only stories. But Joshua Tree has stories. Some believe the Joshua Tree is a symbol of Christian spirituality: the silhouette of Joshua raising his hands towards the sky in prayer. Others see the Joshua Tree as a historical sign for the Jews to go to
But while we come and go, off the famous highway and into the sacred park, we all leave with one thing in common: the transformative experience of visiting Joshua Tree. Jericho, a city in Palestine. The park is also home to many indigenous tribes, such as the Serrano, Chemehuevi, Mojave Cahuilla, and the Mojave. Who better to look to for a historical perspective on the land and the feeling one gets from the land? For thousands of years, these groups embraced the tree as a spiritual resource. The Cahuilla referred to the land as “magical,”and the Chemehuevi had a rich culture of sharing spiritual stories. These stories often involve incorporating aspects of the local people, animals, and land around them. These aspects make up what we now know as Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree. Ultimately, we’ll never know for sure if energy vortices with special powers exist on this desert land. But we do know that this area continues to draw people in for many reasons: to find themselves, to lose themselves, to do drugs, to meditate, to take photos, to climb, to hear spiritual leaders share ideas, and to explore. But while we come and go, off the famous highway and into the sacred park, we all leave with one thing in common: the transformative experience of visiting Joshua Tree.
11 March 2022 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XXX • Issue Five