3 March, 2016
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scripps presents brings nancy pelosi By Maureen Cowhey ‘19 Staff Writer
O
n February 18, the new Scripps Presents speaker series hosted a conversation with House of Representatives Minority Leader and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. The event welcomed Scripps students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the Claremont Colleges and the community to hear Pelosi address issues such as women in politics, reaching across the aisle and immigration policies. Moderated by Scripps Assistant Professor of Politics, Vanessa Tyson, the highly anticipated talk had mixed reviews across the Scripps and greater Claremont community. Holding the highest political position of any woman in American history, Pelosi is an advocate for gender equality. When addressed with a question regarding the sexism that female candidates encounter, Pelosi recounted her own experience in fighting comments such as, “who said she could run?” Pelosi further stated her support for eliminating big money in politics in order to increase the involvement of “women and minorities.” Pelosi mainly addressed her push for paid sick leave, increased involvement of women in the economy, environmental justice, and immigration reform. Her policies and comments were geared towards her predominantly liberal, female audience. Addressing the anti-immigration protesters outside of the venue, Pelosi reaffirmed her position on the good of sanctuary cities and confirmed that “there is not any reason to undo the sense of community of the sanctuary
Courtesy of Scripps College
As part of the new Scripps Presents speaker series, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited Scripps College on Feb. 18 and discussed the importance of women in politics.
city.” As speaker of the House from 2007 to 2011, Pelosi was faced with the task of reaching across the aisle to work with a Republicans on many issues. However, when moderator Professor Tyson asked Pelosi to address the pushback of policies by the Republican Party, she merely concluded that there are fundamental differences in the party’s beliefs and “it is what it is.” Speaking on the topic of women and children below the poverty line, Pelosi elicited applause when she stated, “When women succeed, America succeeds.” Not everyone in the crowd, however, was
enthusiastic about this response. “[Pelosi] spoke on how America would succeed if women succeeded,” Bemnet Gebrechirstos ‘19 said. Gebrechirstos said, “but there was no critical analysis that acknowledged the ways in which different identities and communities are and her role within that.” said. Krithika Rao ‘19 had the opportunity to introduce Pelosi. She described the experience as “unreal.” “As a young female millennial from the Bay Area and as an immigrant, I really did feel like I could relate to her policies,” Rao explained. Rao said, “she is a strong proponent for helping immigrant families settle into this
laspa center awards “we act” grants By Jocelyn Gardner ‘16 Mental Health Columnist
Last year, the newly-launched Laspa Center for Leadership awarded six Scripps students generous grants, called “We Act” Grants. Over the summer of 2015, these six students went into different communities—ranging from a local high school to Vietnam—to implement their self-designed social change projects in coordination with an organization. This year, Scripps students can apply for a We Act Grant of between $2,000 and $4,500.
Inside This Issue:
Last year, the We Act Grant applications were submitted in video format. This year, the application, due Sunday, Mar. 20 at 11 p.m., is a written application that involves a description of the project, budget proposal and justification and a “letter of support from partner organization.” The Laspa Center for Leadership has specific goals for the We Act grants, which are one of many programs implemented by their student employees, the Scholars in Action. The goals for these grants are to: “(1) transform knowledge, passion, and ideas into action; (2) demonstrate creative and effective problem-solving; (3) create partnership(s) in the public or private sector; and (4) produce outcomes that make a positive impact. Areas of focus include but are not limited to government, politics, the arts, STEM, non-profits and NGO’s, the cor-
Page 4 - Energy
Learn more about sustainable energy in this week’s column
new country and for building equality regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, etc.” Rao further explained how struck she was by Pelosi’s genuine attitude towards both herself and her fellow audience. Staying to take pictures after the event and asking Rao about her life, Rao said “[Pelosi] really seemed to care.” Gebrechirstos, on the other hand, was less impressed. “Her answers to a lot of the thoughtful questions asked by Professor Tyson and the audience,” Gebrechirstos said, “seemed superficial and carefully crafted answers to appeal to the crowd.” Pelosi seem to elicit positive responses from students on the other side of the political spectrum as well. Claremont McKenna first-year and political writer, Zach Wong expressed his appreciation for Pelosi’s talk despite disagreeing with her policies. Wong stated, “I appreciated her focus on our generation and the imperative she placed on us to address the biggest issues facing us.” Wong also spoke highly of her ability to address the generational gap that existed between herself and her audience. Despite many positive reviews, Gebrechirstos challenged students to ask themselves what the reality of the situation is. “I think when people see her as paving the way for women, I also want them to ask themselves who Pelosi has paved the way for,” Gebrechirstos stated. Gebrechirstos further explained, “With her successful career in her field, if she had truly been working for “all women” that would mean centering who is most vulnerable to the systems of violence that the US government perpetuates.”
porate sector, technology, and education,” according to the We Act Grant description. The Laspa Center, located to the left of CP&R in Seal Court, will hold open hours for students to drop in for application questions and help on Monday, Mar. 7 from 3-5 p.m. For more information, students should contact Scholars in Action Sydney Sibelius (‘18) at ssibeliu8496@scrippscollege.edu or Reyna McKinnon (‘16) at rmckinno9456@scrippscollege.edu, or stop in at the Laspa Center office in Seal Court. Applications are available for pick-up in the Laspa office. In late March, semifinalists will be selected, and they “will be asked to participate in Facebook campaign to promote their project as well as a 30 minute interview with the Laspa Center We Act Grant decision panel. Finalists will be notified in mid-April.” For the duration of the projects, which is a minimum of eight weeks over the summer, grant recipients will post to the We Act Grant blog on Laspa’s website. Upon return in the fall, We Act grant recipients will present at the Fall Symposium along with students who also completed projects or research over the summer.
Page 9 - Kesha’s Lawsuit
Read about the artist’s lawsuit against her producer
1030 Columbia Avenue | Claremont, CA 91711 email: scrippsvoice@gmail.com | Volume XIX | Issue Eight
Page 11 - Fashion Column This week’s column shines a spotlight on Maddie Wilson ‘18
2 • News
FAREWELL LETTER TO THE SCRIPPS VOICE increased need to focus on my personal and academic needs at this time (law school, here I come!), I look forward to seeing what the papers that arrive at my door every two weeks will have in store. I leave The Scripps Voice in the hands of a phenomenal team of phenomenal people, and know that with them, the paper cannot fail. For news of who my now-ex-co-Editor in Chief, Elena Pinsker ‘17, will select to fill my now-vacant post, stay tuned for Issue 9! Finally, a huge thank you TSV’s supportive and compassionate advisor, Dean Sam Haynes, and to you, the readers. I know that I speak on behalf of the entire TSV staff when I say that the paper is for the people—it truly is a voice of and for Scripps College, and it has been an honor serving you. Until next time, Lucienne Altman-Newell ‘17
Dear readership of The Scripps Voice, It is with mixed emotions that I write to tell you that as of Feb. 22, 2016, I have resigned from my position as your co-Editor in Chief. During my time in this post, The Scripps Voice has seen an increase in readership, a new high in number of staff members, the introduction of The Scripps Voice Vlogs, and a staff—for the first time ever—from three campuses (Scripps, CMC, and Mudd). We have won awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, have gained financial support from new organizations (special thank you to the Laspa Center for Leadership!), and seen both the visual and written quality of the paper skyrocket. The Scripps Voice now has over 50 people from the U.S. to China on its mailing list, and has a phenomenal website with brand new features (shoutout to TSV’s webmaster, Jocelyn Gardner ’17). We have forged new relationships with new printing companies, new organizations, and new friends and community members. The team has accomplished a lot, and I am grateful to have been part of such a fantastic group for the past two and a half years—one year as a writer, and one and a half as your co-Editor in Chief. While I will no longer be on the staff of The Scripps Voice due to an
peer health educators:
mindfulness * Trigger Warning: disordered eating
By The TFH Peer Health Educator Team
I
n the process of food becoming more accessible (i.e. fast food restaurants) and processed “ready-meals” we have begun to sacrifice the experience of eating for convenience and efficiency. I will notice myself scarfing down lunch or dinner rather than taking the time to enjoy the food. As someone who hopes to be a sustainable farmer, I want to connect people back to the way that food is supposed to taste. Sure, a strawberry is nice in the middle of winter on the East coast, but can you taste the difference between that imported berry and an organic one from the farmer’s market during the peak of strawberry season? While getting back in touch with the way food is meant to taste might seem easy, it’s much more complicated than that. Our bodies have been trained by heightened sensory-pleasing foods (high in sugar or salt), making “regular” or whole foods seem bland. But, trust me, there is nothing bland about a simply roasted beet. A great place to start learning about the way our bodies interact with food is the documentary Fed Up, available on Netflix. Understanding how our bodies interact with food is one step to mindful eating. The biggest problem with achieving mindful eating habits is all the misinformation thrown at us through social media, magazines, blogs, etc. Everyone is telling us the “secrets” to a “healthy” lifestyle, but, we don’t even need these resources because our greatest resource of all is our own body. Listening to what your body says during a meal like “I’ve had a plenty,” or “I’m still hungry,” is key. I will admit, respecting what our bodies are saying so clearly is no easy feat. I have struggled with disordered binge-eating since age thirteen, where I constantly fight
for control during meals. I can feel the sensation of being satiated, but that doesn’t stop me from pushing my limits. Getting back in touch with my body’s needs, what makes me feel good, what feeds my soul, is how I do my best to live a “healthy” lifestyle. Returning to the way food is supposed to taste and savoring that food more seriously is the truly the first step to mindful eating. Appreciation means slowing down during meals. We can slowly back away from the idea that eating is a chore, a responsibility, and come to enjoy the experience. The second step is understanding the internal processes of how our body interacts with certain nutrients and substances. Rather than just eating vegetables because someone told you it’s healthy, discover the nutrients that are found in salad and many other foods (like sweet things, too!) that our body wants, making our meals more purposeful. Finally, listening to what our bodies are saying is the last step in mindful eating. In fact, this step is the true definition of mindful eating. Building a loving relationship with food, for me, is the end goal. Eating mindfully is the way that I get to love food more, and it’s the way that I can respect food more because food is wholly and completely the most awesome thing in this world, which deserves some serious respect.
For more information or a free consultation on wellness, you can contact Angela Armijo, Master of Public Health, at aarmijo@scrippscollege.edu
19 November, 2015 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Five
Features • 3
The Scripps Voice Staff Editor-in-Chief Elena Pinsker Advisor Sam Haynes Design Editors Monica Acosta Abigail Gilcrest Jenny Lee Copy Editors Rachel Miller-Haughton Ashley Minnis-Lemley Star Schneider Business Manager Lily Comba Webmaster Jocelyn Gardner Columnists & Staff Writers Ali Bush Melanie Biles Natalie Camrud Maureen Cowhey Sophie Fahey Kandace Fung Taylor Galla Jocelyn Gardner Diva Gattani Evelyn Gonzalez Joelle Leib Erin Matheson Sasha Rivera Sophia Rosenthal Sydney Sibelius Talia Speaker Isobel Whitcomb Vloggers Abigail Metsch Caroline Nelson Lily Yang - Director Photographers Tyra Abraham Jessica Eu Suzette Guzman Anita Ho Annalise Ko Jessica Padover Layne Wells Comments and letters can be submitted by emailing scrippsvoice@gmail.com or by visiting our website at www.thescrippsvoice.com. Please review our guidelines online before submitting feedback. The Scripps Voice is a student forum and is not responsible for the opinions expressed in it.
ATHLETE PROFILE: MEREDITH NIX By Kandace Fung (CMC) ‘19 Staff Writer
THE SCRIPPS VOICE: When did you start liking running? MEREDITH NIX: I think I started to like running in elementary school. In third grade, I would participate in the school walk-a-thons, and they were really fun for me. Also, there are a lot of trails near my house that I liked to go on, just to go on runs. TSV: Was running the sport you’ve always like the most/ enjoyed? MN: I started out first grade through sophomore year of high school playing soccer, but I always wanted to get involved in running. There wasn’t a team in my middle school or elementary school so I didn’t start running until high school, but I always really liked running, and I kind of ran on my own until then. TSV: If you can do any other sport and be great at it, which sport would it be? MN: I’ve always wanted to try swimming, I just never got around to it. TSV: What do you run? (like category?) MN: I’m a distance runner so I run for cross-country. The women run the 5k, and then for track, I’m a middle distance, distance runner. I do the 15hundred - that’s my main event. TSV: Do you enjoy running in a college setting versus a high school setting? How is it different? Similar? MN: They’re both really fun. College is definitely more “working for the goal”, definitely it requires a bit more commitment and dedication than in high school. The workouts are more intense. But for me it’s kind of different because the team in college is a lot bigger, so that’s pretty fun. TSV: How does the consortium add or/and detract from the sports team? MN: Oh, I really like how I get to meet people from Harvey Mudd and Claremont Mckenna, and also from Scripps, but it’s nice to have teammates from all different schools. TSV: Do you think you’d continue running after college? MN: I’ll definitely keep running on my own because I really like running. TSV: Has it been difficult balancing academics and athletics in college? MN: It’s definitely always challenging to balance that, but it also keeps you focused. It kind of makes me really set my schedule and be more focused on work when I’m not running. It’s actually kind of nice because I’ll be doing work at two in the afternoon, then two hours run, then go back to work, so it’s a nice break in the middle. It helps me refocus on academics afterwards. TSV: Do you have any routines or rituals you do before a competition or run or anything? MN: I like listening to some of my
Photo courtesy of Meredith Nix ‘19
favorite songs TSV: Do you have a role model that you look up to? MN: I’m inspired by my grandma. She’s pretty cool because she’s seventy seven and in nursing school, even though she already has another degree, she still wants to be a nurse. It’s inspiring that at her age, she’s still doing things to help people. TSV: Has there been a challenge/ situation that made you almost quit/thought about quitting? MN: I’ve never considered quitting, but I’ve had a lot of injuries. In high school, I had an ankle injury that led to knee injuries. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with my knees which was pretty frustrating, and so I think there were definitely periods of time when it was difficult to stay focused on athletics. But eventually, I overcame my injuries and continued on. TSV:Favorite running environment? MN: I really like running on trails between trees.There are some trails behind my house in Redwood Park! I love my trails. There’s this one trail called French trail; I like really narrow trails that weave around curves and are on dirt. The French trail weaves around Redwood Forest for about five miles, and it’s kind of up and down it reminds me of a video game. This may be a little weird, but I like runs that are twisting through the hills, like I’m in a video game. TSV: Favorite thing to eat/drink before and after running? MN: Before races, I try to eat a lot of plain foods and some fruit, about three hours before my race. But after...I’m all about the after. I really like eating a lot of dessert after my races. I usually eat ice cream, and I like pasta. I don’t have a particular ice cream that I eat afterwards, but I really like banana-flavored ice cream or bubble-gum flavored ice cream. I also really like pie! Bananacream pie, chocolate-cream pie, and the Scripps bread pudding, but they usually don’t have that after races. TSV: What would you compare running to? MN: I don’t know if I can compare it to anything. It’s very unique. I really like running because I like pushing myself physically and mentally, and I also like the teamaspect of it and how there is a community.
TSV:Do you prefer running alone/ with people? Why? MN: I like running with other people. On Sundays when we do long runs, usually somewhere offcampus on trails. I really like those because we run in a group and talk a lot. Running with people is always fun because you get to have really interesting conversations on runs, and you kind of forget that you’re running sometimes. TSV: Is there a certain place you’ve been recently on these Sundays that you really enjoyed? MN: Ooh! Two weeks ago we got together at Pacific Crest Trail, that was really cool, because I watched the movie Wild. I really just like that trail, it’s pretty cool. TSV: Do you have a interesting/ funny running story? MN: I don’t know..I have some embarrassing stories..I’m not going to tell you those. Oh, I have one that’s kinda funny, well it’s not that funny, it’s kind of unfortunate. It was at the State meet, and I fell and caused everybody else to fall because they all fell on top of me. So then they had to restart the race because of me. Ooh! And one time I saw a tarantula! It was just in the middle of the path, and my friend picked it up with a stick and put it on the side. TSV: Do you run to think? MN:Running definitely helps me take my mind off of things. And if there is something going on, running can help me think through things and feel less stressed. TSV: What has running given you in life? What does it mean to you? MN: Running has definitely given me a community of people. It’s something I always go to because it soothes me. TSV: In what ways has running changed you? Impacted your life? What do you think would’ve been you if you never started running? MN: Running just makes me really happy. It’s really fun. Also, when you finish a run or once I do a race, I feel satisfied that I’m working towards pushing myself to get stronger and faster. The aspect of pushing yourself to reach the goal helps me stay focused in life. Running has given me a community of really awesome teammates. When workouts gets really hard, my teammates are always there to support me. It has also taught me how to persevere and be dedicated.
3 March, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Eight
4 • Features
RENEWABLE ENERGY THE GROWTH OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT By Isobel Whitcomb ’17 Environmental Columnist
I
n recent years, due to increasing awareness about the threat fossil fuels pose to both our climate and our communities, there has been an increasing urgency to increase reliance on more sustainable forms of energy. For example, in this year’s presidential race, as I outlined in the last issue of The Scripps Voice, both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have emphasized the importance of growing a thriving green energy sector as well as the potential for economic growth presented by this scientific frontier. Many options already exist for potential new sources of energy. However, not all “green” energies are created equal. Contrary to popular belief, just because an energy is renewable doesn’t mean it has zero impact on the environment. In addition, some technologies are well-researched, widely available, and relatively low cost while newer sources of energy require a greater investment of time and resources in order to make them more economically feasible. Here are the energy sources at the currently forefront of engineering and their potential to help or harm the environment.
WIND POWER:
Wind power is currently the most widely used form of sustainable energy. Already, wind turbines generate over 1.5 per cent of the world’s electricity. In Europe, these numbers are much higher — Denmark, for instance, uses wind power to generate over 20 per cent of its energy. Wind power is a wellresearched and widely understood technology. These qualities are important, but undervalued, especially since emphasis is so often placed on the newest, most exciting technologies. As scientists
realize that the most dangerous effects of climate change could potentially occur much sooner than previously realized, a sustainable, low-emissions technology that we can use now, as opposed to in 20 or 30 years, is an important asset. That said, wind power has its own problems. The turbines are huge, and are often described as a “blight” upon landscapes. Just drive east towards the Coachella valley and you’ll understand this description. The turbines are also more than just an aesthetic problem. The construction of the turbines disrupts ecosystems. The most famous example of this effect is the detrimental impact wind turbines have had on birds, particularly raptors and other bird of prey, who tend to fly into the 300 foot long, quicklyrotating blades.
SOLAR POWER:
Another well-researched technology, solar power, is currently enjoying its heyday. However, this technology has many more downsides than most people realize. First, to build enough solar panels to power a community requires vast swaths of land. The land most often picked for these projects is the desert, due to the abundance of sunlight and the misconception that deserts are lifeless wastelands. As a result, the construction of solar panels has contributed to the degradation of some of the most unique ecosystems on earth. The second, least understood problem with solar power are the materials required to build the panels. Currently, the cheapest, most common solar panels require rare earth metals which are difficult to extract from the earth’s crust and are not renewable. In addition to environmental threat, this is a major human rights issue. These rare earth minerals are most commonly produced in Central America and Africa, where miners work in dangerous conditions for low wages. But don’t give up hope on solar
power- research is being conducted on ways to cheaply produce solar panels without depending on rare earth minerals.
ARTIFICIAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS:
A brand new, emerging technology, artificial photosynthesis is the more-environmentally friendly grandchild of solar power. Artificial photosynthesis harvests sunlight in order to utilize the same pathways of electron transport as plants. In 2011, researchers at MIT discovered how to use this technology to split water into clean oxygen and hydrogen fuels. This technology is exciting, but because it is brand new it is expensive and still requires extensive research in order to implement widely. In addition, it is important to realize that while many brand new systems of energy production seem to be harmless, this perception is partially due to limited research and understanding.
OCEAN POWER:
Perhaps most promising out of the newest forms of sustainable energy production is ocean power. Unlike hydropower, ocean power production facilities don’t require the flooding of river valleys or the construction of huge dams that harm fish and other wildlife. These plants use the motion of waves or the ocean tides in order to spin slow-moving rotors that produce huge amounts of energy. For example, the first tide power plant was opened in Ireland in 2007 and produces enough electricity to power 1000 homes. In addition, it is relatively unobtrusive, and as far as scientists can see, has no discernable impact on ocean wildlife.
CHEMISTRY PROFESSOR AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS grant By Erin Matheson ‘18 Science Columnist
T
he W.M. Keck Science Department is home to both brilliant and dedicated students and staff. One of those dedicated staff members, Dr. Aaron Leconte, was nationally recognized by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA) by becoming a 2016 Cottrell Scholar this February. The designation comes with a $100,000 award for research and teaching. Leconte is one of eight faculty member from undergraduate institutions to be awarded the prestigious award. Dr. Leconte is a professor of chemistry and has been studying bioluminescence and the specific protein, luciferase Bioluminescence can be observed in jellyfish and fireflies, and once the
luciferase is extracted, it can be used to track biological reactions. The grant supports both work in Leconte’s lab and supports incorporating research on luciferase into a freshman classroom setting. While Leconte’s group is performing the protein engineering in his research lab, introductory chemistry students will be performing foundational biochemical experiments to better understand this versatile enzyme. “Bioluminescence is very useful, but it could definitely be improved to create even more sensitive, precise and reliable imaging techniques,” Leconte said in a Keck Science press release on February 26, 2016. “There are a long list of enzyme properties that scientists would love to be able to tweak, but proteins are incredibly complex
machines. We are working hard to think creatively about how to best tune these proteins to the needs of the field”. The award will grant first-year Claremont students the opportunity to participate in research and will fund interactions with other groups focusing on luciferase. It is a great time to be a Keck student.
3 March, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Eight
Opinion • 5
opinion poll 5C alcohol policies
By Taylor Galla ‘18 Opinion Poll Columnist
A
couple of weeks ago, I asked about the 5C party culture. However, due to recent news of new regulations in addition to the already-transforming policies at all the schools, I thought I would inquire about the schools’ responses to our weekend shenanigans. Each school is different, some more lenient than others. How these discrepancies came to be is interesting to me, as you would think that they would all want some sort of consistency amongst them, because there is immense overlap between the schools on weekend nights. Instead, the students are asked to simultaneously abide by the rules set by their own college as well as the college they are visiting for the party. Currently the policy at Scripps is that it is a dry campus — drinking in any public spaces is off limits even if you are 21. The only time when this is allowed is at a school-sponsored event where IDs have been checked. The punishment for being written up for unlawful alcohol possession or consumption (for lack of a better description) is a meeting with an area coordinator to talk about safe habits for the future and a mark on your record At Harvey Mudd their policy is centered around the prevention of bingedrinking, and the health of students first and foremost — secondar y is whether an infraction has been committed. The college does not allow unlawful consumption and/or possession of drugs or alcohol. However, punishments for these infractions range from participating in a substance-abuse program to expulsion and referral to government authorities. In theory, this is how the situation is handled at HMC. However, based upon my own experience with the school and sense of its environment I would say it handles its party scene the best of any of the schools. Although its party culture is a bit different from other schools due to the baseline personality type of its student body, the college’s prioritization of students’ safety and wellbeing — and the evident action played out in accordance with that value — creates an atmosphere of trust and safety. At Pitzer College the policy is very similar to Scripps, where drinking is allowed by those of legal age and in their rooms or at registered events. For everyone else, consumption and possession of alcohol and drugs as well as any related paraphernalia is not allowed. Punishment for this behavior is not explicitly stated within the alcohol and drug policy, which is strange, however I can imagine this is similar to the other schools. Pitzer’s policy also mentions that the containers themselves can’t be obvious in public, alluding to the ever-elusive “red cup policy,” where if a substance is in a red cup, nobody can get you in trouble for it. More on that later. CMC’s approach, a policy that has received the most publicity since I’ve been at these schools, has been loosely thrown around amongst student discussions as something that is changing or becoming more strict. This is not the case, CMC’s policies have not shifted that much, they have just become more enforced recently. As to why this is the case, I’m not entirely sure. Pressure from alums? Fear amongst the administration that things are all of a sudden getting too out of hand? All we know is that the big masses of people standing around in North Quad or at the senior apartments are becoming less tolerable by the administration, and are getting shut down more often. Lastly, Pomona’s new policy is why I decided to write this article in the first place. Recently, Pomona has issued a new “point” policy, where various
infractions award students with point that count towards a total that amounts to punishments of varying degrees. 16 points gets you thrown off campus, 12 points means you can’t go abroad. Now this policy may sound reasonable, like 12 points would be hard to acquire- but one night and one suite party can easily amount to this many. A keg, having too many people in your room, noise, etc., all amount to one point. All of these things put together and you’re racking up the points quickly. Now, the fact of the matter is is that no matter what restrictions these schools put on their students, they are going to engage in this behavior one way or another. The delicate balance that a school must set is between enabling its students to do whatever they want in a laissez-faire policy, while also making sure that their policies don’t pigeonhole them into dangerous situations. A closed-door drinking policy is not safe — it actually promotes binge drinking behind closed doors rather than in an open environment where someone can get help if he/she goes overboard. CMC’s policy does the best with what it’s given. The parties at CMC are the biggest and rowdiest of those at any of the schools, and having campus security there to not necessarily intervene, but rather make sure no one is in serious d a n g e r, i s t h e p r i m e response in my opinion. If students feel that they have to hide or sneak around, their decisions will be less safe and more detrimental to themselves and others. This is also why I feel that Pomona’s policy is incredibly misguided and clearly driven by some outside source, possibly an alum or board member, rather than someone who knows these schools and the students who attend them. Having such strict ramifications for illegal behavior is pointless as students are just going to engage in it anyway — but on other campuses with people and in an environment that they are less comfortable with. While I understand that the ultimate underlying goal of these policies is to protect students, there has to be a balance between acceptance of a campus culture and enablement of students’ healthy growth and choices, while also restrictions that keep everything from falling apart. As to whether any of these schools, or schools in the country, have struck this balance, the jury is still out. What do you think???
-I think the policies are totally fine at each school and that students need to handle themselves better -I think that overall the policies are fine and that minor revisions wouldn’t make too much of a difference -I have fun and don’t care about the policies -I think they are detrimentally restrictive and don’t enable students to have fun and be safe
Go to thescrippsvoice.com to vote now!
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By Melanie Biles ‘18 Staff Writer
H
ello, friends. It’s been a minute. In fact, it’s been so long that I feel like I need to rebrand myself. You know, create a new reputation and all that. I’ve grown a lot in the last year. Changed. Become more mature. Now I only spend half of my time watching Netflix in bed, instead of all of it. Thus, I request that you please view this entire piece as similar to that episode of New Girl in which Schmidt decides to reinvent his image and ends up juggling torches while glistening with some kind of oil - season 2, episode 1, if my endless marathoning of useless television has taught me anything. Although I do not glisten, these words are my juggling torches. So many things have changed and developed since I last appeared on these hallowed pages. We’ve seen the rise and fall of trends, conversation topics, friends’ hairstyles and friends in general. Taylor Swift cut her hair. Again. The word “bae” disappeared off the face of the planet entirely. (That one is a little bit of wishful thinking, I suppose, but if it did happen I would certainly not be disappointed.)
I learned how to needlepoint, which is not a valuable or marketable skill in any way. Most dramatically and most recently,
Pitzer has stopped serving my favorite vegetarian sausage at breakfast. This is, of course, a true tragedy - what else am I supposed to gently perch atop my bagel for an excellent mix of protein and texture? Nothing else delivers that feeling
of true satisfaction gained from a wellconstructed breakfast bagel.
I think the sense of betrayal bestowed by a dining hall that changes its menu is an emotion far more deeply felt than most. In fact, I would like to take a moment here and now to mourn the loss of all of my favorites. For example, Mediterranean flatbread wraps, also at Pitzer. Never again will my Wednesday nights be punctuated with a perfectly formed flatbread wrap, filled with all sorts of delicious vegetables and easier to eat than a falafel pita. Few combinations measure up to the combination of Mediterranean wraps and Wednesday night. Taylor Swift could only dream of writing a love song that captured my truly deep adoration of those nights in McConnell, shoving a wrap into my face as quickly as humanly possible. But alas, someone out there decided that falafel night was a better idea. And though I grieve, I understand. In all seriousness, though, a lot can change in a year. The last time I wrote for this publication was as a second-semester first-year. Not to say that I suddenly understand the secrets of the universe, but I definitely feel a little less lost. The most important thing that has changed, apart from the vegetarian sausages, is the fact that I now understand that literally nobody has any clue
what they’re doing.
Nobody knows where they want their life to go or to what kind of job their major will lead. Few people are even really sure of the major itself. So don’t worry about who’s doing what, or where, or with whom. Don’t stress about which dining hall to choose now that Mediterranean wraps aren’t on the table. Nobody is sure of what they’re doing; you don’t have to be either.
3 March, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Eight
6
Sexual health a Birth control By Sophia Rosenthal ‘17 Staff Writer Spread by Jenny Lee
Things to think about when choosing a birth control method
We live in a world of options, and birth control is no different. iPhone or Android, white or blue, grad school or work, the pill or an IUD. Thankfully, in many (but not all) places, birth control carries far less stigma than it has in the past, and there are many safe and even convenient options. If you have a uterus and you have sex that involves sperm (to be as poetic as possible), you’ve probably already put some thought into your birth control. But if not then, yay you can start now!
1 in 2 Americans will have contracted an STI by the time they reach the age of 25
56-65 million people living in the US have an STI
hormonal or nonhormonal method?
• How does your body react to hormones? • Are you only looking to prevent pregnancy, or do you want to address other issues i.e. acne, menstrual flow, cramps, etc.?
• Some meth speak. If you pill. If you’re you have sex • Other met no effort exc 3-12 years. T lasts for up t • Bedsider h also a fun bir by Bedsider,
1 in 4
at least Americans will contract an STI at some point in their lives
STI
Res
• Hea • Plan • Bed • Scar
2/3 of all STI’s occur in people 25 years of age or younger
WHAT THIS MEANS:
Statistics like these aren’t meant to scare you (ok, sometimes they are, but not in this case). If anything, they should point out how common and--dare I say it--normal it is to have an STI at some point. That isn’t to say STIs shouldn’t be taken seriously; like any medical issue, they absolutely should. But fear and stigma won’t prevent them, and it certainly won’t encourage anyone to get tested or share honest, helpful information. The CDC recommends that people of all bodies and genders who engage in physical sexy time should get tested every six months to a year at least (their words were paraphrased just a bit) or more frequently if you have unprotected sex (yes, oral sex counts). You can get tested at your doctor’s office, at the student health center, at Health Education Outreach (HEO), and at Planned Parenthood, and you can pick up free (yes, free) condoms and dental dams at HEO. Knowledge is power (no matter what the test results are), and you are so powerful.
Resources
Ho on
• Health Education Outreach (HEO): http://www.cuc.claremont.edu/healtheducation/ • CUC Student Health: http://www.cuc.claremont.edu/shs/ • Planned Parenthood, Los Angeles Area: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthoodlos-angeles • Planned Parenthood Sexual Health Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) • The STD Project: http://www.thestdproject.com/ • Scarleteen Sex Ed: http://www.scarleteen.com/
k p q o
3 March, 2016 • The Scripps V
7
awareness month Mental health
ow involved do you want to be nce you’ve picked your method?
hods require you to be on top of things, so to u’re on the pill, you have to remember to take the e using a diaphragm, you have to insert it before x. thods are more get-it-and-forget-it. IUDs require cept a monthly string-check and can be good for The Implant also requires no daily reminder and to 3 years. has a great tool to compare various methods, and rth-control reminder service (this isn’t sponsored , they’re just really great…)
sources
√
alth Education Outreach (HEO): http://www.cuc.claremont.edu/healtheducation/ nned Parenthood, Los Angeles Area: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-par enthood-los-angeles dsider, Birth Control Support Network: https://bedsider.org/ rleteen Sex Ed: http://www.scarleteen.com/
Be sexy, Be safe, be smart.
√ √ √
kinky, poly, queer-oh,yes!
Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Eight
Because sex is as much about the brain as it is the body. Knowing yourself, being aware of how you feel, and being able to ask for the help--or the space--that you need is a crucial aspect of sexual health that isn’t addressed nearly enough. Questions to inspire self-inquiry/self-awareness (adapted from Scarleteen’s “Sex Readiness Checklist”):
Do I want to have this kind/these kinds of sex for myself, physically, emotionally and intellectually? Do the other person’s physical, emotional and intellectual wants also seem in alignment?
Do I want to do this at this time, in this setting, with this particular person? Does the other person want to do what we’re going to now and with me?
Do I have a good sense of what possible wanted and unwanted experiences and outcomes this can entail? Do I feel prettvy prepared for them? Do I feel safe? What needs to change in order for me to feel safe?
Resources
EmPOWER Center: 909-607-2689 Project Sister 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline: 909-626-HELP (909-6264357)/http://projectsister.org Sexuality & Disability: http://sexualityanddisability.org
You know that box of acceptable sexualities and practices we all fit into? Me neither. Unfortunately, many people still think that box is a thing (including many professionals and, in past decades, the entire psychiatric community. Grrr). It can be difficult to find communities you vibe with and people you’re compatible with on a personal and/or sexual level. But the good ol’ internet comes to the rescue, because there are many resources available for everything from queer identities, to BDSM 101, to how to host a swingers party. The world is a magical place: • Queer Resource Center: http://colleges.claremont.edu/qrc • National Coalition for Sexual Freedom: https://ncsfreedom.org/ • Open List (non-monogamy friendly mental health professionals): http://openingup.net/open-list/ • FetLife, Social Network for Kinksters (18+/NSFW): http://fetlife.com
8 • Features
porn
: be a critical consumer
By Sophia Rosenthal ‘17 Sex Columnist
While I was studying abroad, I took a human sexuality class that was all about porn. As one might expect, we read a lot of Foucault and watched a lot of porn. A lot. Of. Porn. At least more than I, personally, would typically choose to watch in the middle of a Tuesday. But that’s just me. Our purposes in watching porn as a class certainly deviated from the stereotypical circumstances of pornographic viewing. That is to say, we were analyzing the various narratives and discourses (thanks, Michel) that appear throughout mainstream (and occasionally queer) pornography — we weren’t in our bedrooms with a lock on the door and a bottle of lotion on the dresser (seriously people, buy some real lube). So, twenty American students and one Danish professor sat in a semi-circle and watched hardcore porn scenes, on a large projector screen no less. It was surreal. On the one hand, I was examining critically, analyzing as a detached viewer, taking notes and sharing snarky comments and academic chuckles with my classmates. Then there were these moments like waking up from a
Lotion: not actually lube. Photo courtesy of Consume Halal.
dream where I would look up at the screen and my brain would register: “Oh my gosh… this is sex. We’re watching sex!! Why are they having sex?! Why are we watching them have sex?!” (Despite what one might now believe, my brain is not that of an eleven year-old, she just gets excited very easily). By the end of the semester, I still had those realizations, but they occurred less frequently. Nothing shocked me anymore; I was desensitized. It really hit me just how desensitized I had become while I was surfing through porn clips on my computer to select a scene to include in my final project (yes, I watched porn for homework. This is not a joke). I clicked through various scenes absentmindedly with a bored, glazed expression. “These are all the same,” I thought over and over. There are two problems here: one, sex and boring should never go together in my humble opinion. And two, that detached, desensitized response I had built up to sexual material is not conducive to healthy and fun sexuality. Granted, I was doing research, not watching for, um, personal use. But still — sex. Porn is obviously a loaded subject, so to speak, and it’s been both criticized and endorsed for many reasons and from many different perspectives, some of which naturally contradict each other. Therefore it’s nearly impossible to be comprehensive when talking about porn, and I’m not about to try. At least for now, this isn’t about the porn industry, the politics of objectification, the role of the internet, or sex worker’s rights — all of which are too important to try to address in one short piece. This is about figuring out and celebrating your own sexuality and finding enjoyment and balance in an over-stimulating, over-sexed world. I realize that sounds very “new age old lady worried about the cyber-addicted millennials,” but it’s true that sex is everywhere (literally available at the click of a button), and it can be difficult to navigate your own desires, limits, and relationships when you’re influenced by so many outside sources. Thus, this isn’t about porn, it’s about how we watch porn. It seems naive to say “don’t watch porn” and it’s certainly ignorant to suggest that all porn is the same or that all porn is inherently harmful (check out “The Feminist Porn Book,” edited by Tristan Taormino). However, it is reasonable to suggest that we all be critical
A feminist critique of pornography. Photo courtesy of TheFeministPornBook.com
consumers. If you watch porn, what role does it play in your life? No really, besides the obvious, what are you looking to get from it and what are you getting from it? Why do you like what you like? These are questions that you can ask yourself, not in a self-interrogative way, but in a self-explorative way. Because then you’re processing and learning something about yourself and your sexuality, and not just being a passive receptacle for Chuck McPornProducer’s version of sex. No more finishing and quickly shutting the computer; no more shame, but no more pretending that the things we see in porn have no effect on us. I’m convinced that someday in the future they’ll laugh at the fact that some of us are paying upwards of $60 a month to get our asses waxed. Was that too much information? Good. We need too much information.
whole foods fails abuse survivors By Evelyn Gonzalez ‘18 Feminism Columnist Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault
T
he personal stories and accounts of survivors get lost under the weight of a heavy silence when we, as a society, allow those in power to have so much influence over the relevancy and importance of our words. As a result of our reliance on a capitalist system that often survives on the exploitation of society’s most vulnerable, there exist very few mechanisms at the present to protect survivors of abuse if it means that the image of corporations might be damaged in the process. In allowing this to continue, we have created a culture that forces survivors of abuse to speak up and then refuses to listen thereby reinforcing a damaging culture of violence and injustice. On January 12, 2016, approximately one year after The New York Times released their piece on the connection between Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey and sex offender and creator of the nonprofit Center for Integral Wisdom, Sara Kabakov submitted an exclusive to Forward’s online website detailing her personal account of the sexual and spiritual violation and molestation she faced under the hands of Marc Gafni during the 80s. Along with Kabakov, several other women, including one of Gafni’s ex-wives chose to come forward with their own descriptions of the violence enacted on them. The similarities in the stories written by these women were striking in that they highlighted the varying ways they were forced into silence by Gafni himself and from their very own communities. In this current society speaking out about your past experiences especially against people in positions of power can often result in a high degree of danger and vulnerability but Gafni’s ex wife, who chose to stay anonymous when she published her story in The Times of Israel about Gafni’s abuses said, “there is also a risk to staying silent, staying safe. 20 years and untold numbers of victims later, I have learned that
Whole Foods ally Marc Gafni was accused of sexual abuse. Photo courtesy of Seattle Times.
staying safe can also be risky business.” In exposing the connection between Whole Foods and Gafni the voices of those who are most at risk can be brought to the forefront of the conversation. The involvement of John Mackey, the co-founder of Whole Foods Market, with a known manipulator and sex offender poses a question of ethics that reaches far beyond the idea of “conscious capitalism,” one of the main ideologies that link both companies. On December 29, 2015 John Mackey created a blog post on the Whole Foods Market website that tried to absolve his company from the consequences of being affiliated with child molester Marc Gafni by stating that “My involvement with Marc Gafni and the Center for Integral Wisdom is conducted strictly in my personal
life and does not represent an endorsement or support for either Mr. Gafni or the Center for Integral Wisdom by Whole Foods Market.” John Mackey understood that a tarnished personal image meant nothing for someone who already carried a lot of influence and leverage as a result of owning a $13 billion Fortune 500 company but that a damaged reputation concerning his Whole Foods business meant a loss of corporate value and profit. Both Mackey’s actions and words up to this point have illustrated his blatant disregard for the safety and well being of Gafni’s victims. His notion too of exclusive personal acquaintanceship holds very little truth and illustrates his calculated attempt to distance himself as one of Gafni’s business partners. Mackey has conveniently left out that he has a stake in Gafni’s company as one of the directors of Gafni’s Center for Integral Wisdom. As Brad Hecht wrote in the Epic Times earlier this year, “As the founder of, primary spokesman for, and emotional leader of Whole Foods Market, John Mackey has a responsibility to immediately and directly address this issue.... Whether he is willing to admit it or not, Mackey’s personal actions and associations will have a direct impact on the reputation of Whole Foods Market, and therefore the willingness of customers to support the company he leads.’” Beyond the simple negative consequences for his continued relationship with the Center for Integral Wisdom in terms of his business, John Mackey and the multitude of others who continue to support Gafni, need to be held accountable for their deliberate complicity in Gafni’s long and possibly continued history of abuse. In keeping individuals like Gafni and Mackey culpable for their actions we make certain that when survivors speak out we are actively listening. *is it possible to include this call to action link to the petition authored by more than 100 rabbis directed towards Whole Foods? www.change.org/p/whole-foods-www-esalen-comstop-marc-gafni-from-abusing-again
3 March, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Eight
court rules against
Features • 9
fashion spotlight Maddie Wilson
years, the industry has seemed to teach models that their body measurements, and the way they walk down the runway can make or break their chance at succeeding. Too often, young women in the industry shrink under the insecurity and pressure to maintain an ideal that isn’t realistic for their own bodies, especially as they mature. There seems to be an undercurrent of suggestive and insidious behavior and obsession with weight, which I would argue is incredibly unhealthy. I don’t want to be a pessimist and say that this ideal won’t change, but I do think that even though there are strides that have been made to increase body positivity on the runway, it’s going to take a lot to change the way that body image is represented in the fashion industry.
By Sasha Rivera ‘19 Staff Writer
O
ne of the biggest news stories trending on the internet lately has been the court’s ruling in favor of Dr. Luke in the case of Kesha and her lawsuit against him. Images of Kesha breaking down after the decision and the public support she has received from many other female singers, including a $250,000 donation from Taylor Swift, have sparked public attention and discussion of the situation and of sexism in the music industry. According to Billboard, “the lawsuit filed on her behalf by Mark Geragos asserts causes of action of sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, civil harassment, unfair business, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.” Kesha’s goal was to have the contract changed so that she could record with other companies and not be forced to work with Dr. Luke, who she has accused of sexually, mentally, and verbally abusing her multiple times by contributing to her eating disorder and forcing her to do illegal substances. She claims that he convinced her to drop out of high school and has since then completely controlled her life and career, so she has been scared of speaking out about the abuse. Kesha also detailed Dr. Luke’s “despicable conduct” which included getting young women drunk in order to have sex with them and threatening to leave his wife unless she had an abortion. When she went to rehab for her eating disorder, her doctors allegedly warned her that continuing her contract with Dr. Luke could be “life-threatening.” According to Rolling Stone, Dr. Luke however has filed a lawsuit of his own against Kesha, stating that her claims of physical and mental abuse are false and slanderous. After all, no abuser is going to willingly confess his deeds or acknowledge his wrongdoing. His lawyer stated, “We understand that Kesha has filed a lawsuit of her own against Dr. Luke, though we have not yet seen it. Undoubtedly, Kesha’s lawsuit is nothing more than a continuation of her bad and offensive acts. We are confident that Dr. Luke will prevail in all matters, and that our client will be awarded substantial damages for this malicious conduct.” Supporters of Dr. Luke claim that Kesha is using the situation for publicity and to take advantage of the producer, citing that in 2011 she testified in a deposition that he had never made any advances towards her. Yet, one must remember that he has more power than she does, therefore she could have been afraid of the consequences of revealing the abuse and therefore lied out of fear; this is a common scenario in the cases of many abuse victims who fear their more powerful abuser. In a society plagued by rape culture, it is not uncommon for the justice system to take the side of the abuser and call the woman a liar. After all, people like Chris Brown continue to be successful artists despite known incidents of domestic violence, while victims like Kesha are faced with a downfall in their careers when confronting their abusers. Since 2013, her fans have had a “Free Kesha” petition to sever her contract with Dr. Luke, and there is currently a GoFundMe campaign to buy her out of her contract with Sony. I stand with Kesha.
Maddie Wilson Hometown: Chicago, IL Year: 2018 By Natalie Camrud ‘17 & Diva Gattani ‘17 Fashion Columnists THE SCRIPPS VOICE: How/When did you become interested in fashion? MADDIE WILSON: My mom has always had incredible style. When I was six, I would always go into her closet and imagine what it would be like to wear every piece of clothing she owned. Whenever she would take me to the playground, I would wear pink tutus and multicolored leggings, and she wouldn’t even bat an eye. From a young age, she let me define what fashion meant to me, and let me explore the creative side of fashion on my own terms. In middle school, I really started coming into my own, and my style started to evolve. I dressed differently than my peers did; I was different, but that didn’t bother me at all. By ninth grade, I was obsessed with fashion; I would read fashion magazine after fashion magazine, and eventually started my own fashion blog. Since then, I have continued to devour anything and everything fashion related. TSV: How did misfit start? MW: A good friend of mine messaged me over the summer, and we started talking about the possibility of creating an on-campus fashion blog. We both share a deep love and appreciation for fashion, and wanted to bring our knowledge of fashion to the 5Cs — something that had never been done before on campus. We quickly began brainstorming blog name ideas, and a couple weeks later, the word “misfit” popped into my head. It’s a simple word, but it had a catch to it… an edge that I loved. Shortly after school started, my friend and I started to recruit staff writers through Facebook, by posting a brief summary of who we were and our overall goal for what we wanted our blog to be. Once we were satisfied with the amount of staff writers on our team, we started to hold meetings and build our website from the ground up. Ever since then, we have gotten such good reception from our readers, and we are constantly in awe of how talented and knowledgeable our staff writers are about the ins and outs of style and more importantly, fashion. Unfortunately, my friend is no longer running misfit with me, but he was wonderful to work with and taught me about areas of fashion that I hadn’t yet explored, and I am very grateful for that. Currently, my good friend, Marielle Meyer (PZ ’18) is my Co-Editor-in-Chief for misfit, and we are in the process of making some big changes, so stay tuned. We are very excited for what is to come of the blog in the future. TSV: If there is one aspect of the fashion industry you could change what would it be? MW: While there are many glamorous aspects of the fashion industry, there is one thing that I have consistently had a problem with: body image. For
TSV: Tell us about the misfit blog! MW: Misfit, also known as “the 5C collaboration,” is an on-campus fashion blog that is centered solely around the 5Cs. Our goal is to write with the idea of the typical Claremont College student in mind; we want to connect with the 5C community through our knowledge of fashion, and build ourselves up as a reliable source that students can rely on for any kind of advice regarding fashion and personal style. Because our staff writers represent different schools on campus, and because they each hold different definitions of what true fashion means to them, our mission is to write about all styles and aesthetics that students identify with. I have always argued that the beauty of fashion lies in its diversification: each person will approach fashion from a completely different angle, and with a completely different perspective than the next. So, as a collective blog, we try to center our articles around the idea of approaching true fashion from all angles. TSV: What is your favorite current trend? MW: I have loved seeing the reemergence of fringe on the runway this season, particularly in Diane Von Furstenberg’s and Prabal Gurung’s Spring Collections at New York Fashion Week. It adds a kind of texture and movement to your outfit, and I love the 70s, boho vibe that it gives off. I will definitely be rocking it this spring. TSV: What’s one piece of clothing you cannot live without? MW: I have always been a big fan of jackets; they have the power to pull any kind of outfit together. I have a leather jacket that was given to me by mom as a Christmas present two years ago, and I wear it with anything and everything I own. While I would consider my style to be girly, I love adding a hint of edge to throw off the balance a bit. I am also an avid wearer of anything black because it’s a color that goes with virtually anything. Black + leather = heaven. TSV: Do you have any favorite designers or fashion bloggers? MW: My favorite designers are Alice + Olivia, Joie, Theory, Zaldig + Voltaire, and Céline. In terms of fashion bloggers, I follow so many, but I would have to say my top three are The Blonde Salad, Front Rowe, and Who What Wear. They all have their separate styles, but their blogs are incredibly well polished and they are knowledgeable about their specific fashion interests. Definitely check them out. TSV: Any advice for bloggers or people wanting to start a blog? MW: I am a big believer in getting yourself out there, and if there is something you are passionate about, then you have every right to pursue it. I started my own fashion blog in ninth grade, and while I no longer post on it, I’m glad that I started it, because it not only gave me a sense of my own fashion sense, but it allowed me to explore different areas of fashion that I had not before. I would say overall, that the most important advice that I can give is consistency. If you have a blog, especially a blog that you are just starting, consistency in posting is imperative. Your blog will be more organized if you have a consistent schedule of posting, it will only increase the readership for your blog and through this you will be able to build a stable platform for your blog as well.
3 March, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Eight
10 • Features
Eating Disorders: By Jocelyn Gardner ‘17 Mental Health Columnist & Webmaster
TW: eating disorders, including descriptions
B
y the time this is published and you are reading it, NEDAwareness week 2016 will be a thing of the past, but I still have a lot I could say on the topic. Each year, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has an Eating Disorder awareness week—I wrote an article for last year’s NEDAwareness week, too. That article has been one of my most engaged-with and read articles since I started writing this column in the beginning of last year. (Thanks, everyone!) This year, I’d like to devote my NEDA article to the topics that people tend not to know about when it comes to eating disorders, disordered eating and the like. A brief distinction before we get started—eating disorders are specific diagnostic categories (I’ll discuss diagnostic categories in-depth further on) while disordered eating is more of a description. Disordered eating isn’t necessarily an eating disorder—often, disordered eating describes behaviors that don’t strictly fit into diagnostic categories of eating disorders. There will be a section unpacking these ideas of diagnoses and categories—don’t worry. I think it is fair to say that most people at Scripps know about eating disorders to some extent. Of course, there is much more information out there, and having a basic understanding is sometimes not enough. Basic understandings can lead to generalizations, and I’ve found that nuance is vital when it comes to people’s minds and mental health. An example of a basic understanding is how people recognize that media and the critical way society views bodies, health, exercise and food contribute extensively to body shaming and sizeism. However, it is nowhere near accurate to say that this is the source of eating disorders. Can it be a source? Certainly. And that’s disgusting and alarming. There are a lot of other reasons that eating disorders develop, such as trauma and other mental illnesses. I have on many occasions heard someone talking about another person suffering from an eating disorder and using language like, “Why would she do that? She’s already so thin!” The generalization here is that eating disorders start when a person wants to look thinner. This is not always true! By the way, we all need to stop saying that people “choose” to have eating disorders. Even if a person starts down that path seemingly voluntarily, there is still something “off” about the thought processes that go into eating disorders and disordered eating. Disordered eating is NOT a choice. If someone “c h o o s e s ” a n e a t i n g disorder, this person is already under the influence of the thoughts that can snowball into one. More on this in my example: Recently, I saw that “All About That Bass” (a supposedly body-positive song that actually shames other people instead) singer Meghan Trainor said that she “wasn’t strong enough” to have an eating disorder. Just…no. “Having an eating disorder doesn’t show ‘strength,’” responds singer Demi Lovato, who is open about her own experiences with mental illness including eating disorders. “Strength is when [you] are able to overcome your demons after being sick and tired for so long. There’s a wide misconception that anorexia and/or bulimia is a choice and you often
the conversation
isn’t over
hear people say things like ‘why doesn’t she just start eating?’ Or even ‘just stop throwing up.’ It’s the ignorance and lack of education on mental illnesses that continues to put mental health care on the back burner to congress even though this is an epidemic that is sweeping our nation, and causing more and more tragedy every day. Starving is not a ‘diet’ and throwing up isn’t something that only extremely thin men or women do. Eating disorders do not discriminate. Neither does any other mental illness. These are deadly diseases that are taking lives daily. So please, let’s be cautious of the words we use when discussing ED’s and other mental illnesses.” Now that we’re all on the same page, agreeing that mental illnesses have many causes and are not choices or fads, I want to talk about some of the lesserknown aspects of eating disorders. Basically, I want to add some nuance to the eating disorder conversation. In her response above, Demi Lovato mentioned, “Eating disorders do not discriminate.” Usually, people stereotype eating disorders as a “young, rich, white girl mental illness.” Again, this is a harmful generalization. According to NEDA, “Eating disorders were once thought to affect only a narrow portion of the population in the teens and early twenties, but we now know that they affect people of every age, race, gender and socio-economic status.” Maybe the existence of this stereotype means that we as a society need to think about visibility. Acknowledgement or even just awareness is the first (and possibly biggest) step to getting people help; once people know something, they can take action. We need to close the information gap, and this goes two ways: we need to get information to people, and we have to understand that problems exist whether they are visible to us or not. If we can accomplish these two things, we can raise awareness and promote prevention. In summary, we need to be aware that eating disorders can and do affect all types of people. But, even keeping this in mind, there is still a lot of information hidden beneath generalizations. When people think of eating disorders, they think about two categories: anorexia and bulimia. This is a problem because eating disorders and disordered eating range greatly, and many of them don’t fall under those categories (which are actually in themselves more complex). NEDA, following DSM-V, lists three major and many lesser-known eating disorders. Again, you’ve probably already heard of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Before I talk about the aforementioned lesserknown disorders, I want to make a note of our following of DSM-V, a diagnostic tool that uses a lot of statistics and helps mental health practitioners determine treatments. A diagnosis is just a tool, basically, so we have to be careful not to pigeonhole people into outlined/common symptoms and dismiss or otherize people who don’t fit those descriptions. In other words, DSM-V generalizes,
We all need to stop saying that people “choose” to have eating disorders. Even if a person starts down that path seemingly voluntarily...disordered eating is NOT a choice.
so we should proceed with caution. Other than the two well-known eating disorders, NEDA lists binge-eating disorder, purge-eating disorder, night eating syndrome, avoidant/ restrictive food intake disorder, pica, rumination disorder, and other unspecified disorders. Just because these “other” disorders are not as common does not mean that they are insignificant. Specified or unspecified, eating disorders are mental illnesses, and they should be taken seriously. I want to include brief descriptions of these lesser-known disorders for the sake of awareness. Binge-Eating disorder: “Frequent episodes of consuming very large amounts of food but without behaviors to prevent weight gain… A feeling of being out of control during the binge eating episodes… Feelings of strong shame or guilt regarding the binge eating…Indications that the binge eating is out of control, such as eating when not hungry, eating to the point of discomfort, or eating alone because of shame about the behavior.” Purge-Eating disorder: purging behaviors without binges. Night eating syndrome: “excessive nighttime food consumption.” Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: “Failure to consume adequate amounts of food, with serious nutritional consequences, but without the psychological features of Anorexia Nervosa. Reasons for the avoidance of food include fear of vomiting or dislike of the textures of the food.” Pica: “The persistent eating of non-food items when it is not a part of cultural or social norms.” Rumination Disorder: “Regurgitation of food that has already been swallowed. The regurgitated food is often re-swallowed or spit out.” These are very, very short descriptions, which goes against my idea of minimizing generalizations, but I think that it is still important to have information about these disorders. In that spirit, I hope that you take them as such. In conclusion, as glad as I am that there are events for NEDAwareness Week, I know that there is still a lot of work to be done to combat lack of awareness and generalization alike. When we witness something that doesn’t feel right, like Meghan Trainor’s comment, we know what stereotypes feed into her words. (Also, I personally love how Demi Lovato responded without simply bashing Trainor.) Information is the antidote to this kind of damage, as Lovato observed. An awareness week is great, but being open all the time to the fact that stereotypes play into our concepts of mental illness is even better. So, even though NEDAwareness Week is over and far in the back of the public’s attention, the awareness itself should not need an occasion.
Just because a disorder is not as common does not mean that it is insignificant. Specified or unspecified, eating disorders are mental illnesses, and they should be taken seriously.
Visit National Eating Disorder Association’s website for information, resources and more: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
3 March, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Eight
Opinions • 11
film review ********** By Ali Bush ‘19 Film Columnist
C
arol (2015) is a poem of a film, complete with forbidden passion, velvety, blurred shots, and a sense of melodramatic doom. Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 novel “The Price of Salt,” the film tells the story of soon-to-be divorced, self-assured Carol Aird (Cate Blanchette) who is fighting off the tight grip of her abusive husband (Kyle Chandler) and is eventually thrust into a fight for the custody of her child. Her love interest is Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a younger woman with aspirations of becoming a photographer, but unable to free herself of her overeager boyfriend (Jake lacy). When the two women miraculously manage to find each other among the bustle and commotion of Cold War era New York City, a story of passion, devastation, and hope ensues. The two women’s story begins when Carol encounters a naïve, yet bold Therese, who works at a department store. What appears to be an unassuming conversation between saleswoman and customer about Christmas gifts and train sets, is revealed to be something much more for both characters. An electric moment occurs when the confident housewife turns to leave, looks over her mink-clad shoulder, and compliments Therese’s Santa hat. It’s a refreshing case of love at first sight, something that is often avoided in many contemporary films. Therese gives off the impression that she has never been looked at and understood in such a way before, and is entranced by Carol’s sense of confidence and elegance. The two are instantly absorbed with each other, and so begins a secret relationship of passion and
Rooney Mara plays Therese Belivet, a shopgirl and photographer who falls for Carol. Photo courtesy of Daily Motion.
tension. After various innocent visits together, the two aimlessly head out west in a dream-like search of peace and seclusion. Told through the perspective of Therese, we see a story of not only two star-crossed lovers, but the story of Therese coming to understand herself more and more in each scene. Set in the age of conformity, they of course encounter devastation and endless pain, but director Todd Haynes beautifully tells these women’s breathtaking story during a time when their love was unspeakable. Set in the height of the Cold War, the beauty and glamour of their midcentury surroundings distracts from the inherent conformity of the 1950s to which both women are subjected, and makes their relationship hopelessly impossible. Both women are constantly (and admirably) at odds with their stifling expectations, not only because of their illicit love, but because of their thirst for independence and careers of their own. The film perfectly illustrates the two lives that the women must maintain: being passionately immersed in one another while innocently sipping cocktails together at fashionable New York lounges. This is a film in which its actors must act as characters who themselves are acting and wearing masks, and Blanchette and Mara are clearly capable of this demanding task. Hayne’s talent as a director shines through in the first and last scenes of the film, which are essentially the same scene with the same dialogue, but with entirely different meaning. We first see the two lovers having lunch in
Ellie Taw ‘18
with Kandace Fung CMC ‘19, Staff Writer Tell me about yourself. My name is Ellie, and I’m from La Canada, California, about 35 minutes away. I’m an only child, but my grandma helped raise me, so I did have company while growing up. My family is just me, my parents, and my grandma who still lives with us. I grew up in a pretty small town where everyone knew each other. The schools were also pretty small, and I really enjoyed that. That’s why I chose Scripps because of intimate size and that community. What do you like most about going to school close to home? I love going to school close to home just because I don’t go home that often, but it’s nice to know
Cate Blanchett plays Carol Aird, who struggles with a divorce and custody battle with her husband. Photo courtesy of the LA Times.
a flashback. The women are seen from the perspective of an anonymous outsider and acquaintance of Therese, and although their relationship is ambiguous, it seems innocent and amiable. At the end of the film, after gaining context of the lovers’ passionately painful journey together, we return the exact same scene from the perspective of Therese, and finally understand the gravity of the situation and the women’s incredible ability to act composed while being inwardly devastated at the same time. These scenes masterfully give us insight to the agonizing charade that many queers had to maintain in this era and throughout nearly all of history to simply spend time in public with one another. Though the film lacks action and may move too slowly for many, the subtly of the character’s glances are an art all of their own. The scarcity of the dialogue makes us cling to every word all the more. Although director Todd Haynes, like all great movie makers, doesn’t exactly give us the satisfaction of knowing the end of the lovers’ story, there is a tentative hint of a happy ending, which was revolutionary for lesbians during this time period. This film refuses to be simply a pitiful look at what queer life was like among the intolerance of the 1950’s; it is much more than that. It confirms the age-old cliché that love between two people (no matter what gender identity) can endure society’s disapproval.
that I can have that support immediately. Also just because when I was choosing Scripps, I don’t know, there were a lot of factors: just what Scripps had to offer, but also considering the fact that my parents are growing older and that after college I’m probably going to move out and who knows where I’m going to be. I came to thinking, “Wow I don’t have a lot of time to spend with my family, and my grandma is also growing really old so I also want to be able to see her as much as I can. I just like getting to see them and spending time because time is short and precious. What are important core values in your life? My faith in Christianity is the biggest grounder in my life. My faith has taught me the importance of loving people,not only loving people but also forgiveness. Because loving is hard, and I’m learning how hard it is right now. Love in any situation, not just romantically but also with friendship and family - it’s just something I’m really learning right now. Forgiveness is also another value. Forgiving other people is actually easier for me than forgiving myself because it’s
hard to be easy on myself ,and I really need to do that. Another thing I’m learning right now is saying no to things, and not limiting myself, but just knowing when I’ve reached my limit and when I can’t take on more responsibilities and anymore added relationships or things that will negatively impact my life. I think honesty is something that I value, but also I’m trying to put into action. Oh, I struggle with being vulnerable, that’s a huge thing. That goes along with honesty, especially when I’m struggling because I feel that here at SCripps and in the Claremont Colleges, when people ask “Hey, how are you?”, people respond, “I’m good.” That’s just a normal response. That goes along with my last value of being intentional. I’m really learning in being intentional with your actions and in words, for example, “How are you?” Like actually intentionally meaning what you’re saying and genuinely mean what you offer to people, like your promises and staying true to that. Because a lot of people just say “Hey, how are you?” as a common greeting. Story continued on page 12.
3 March, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Eight
12 • Arts & Entertainment
Ellie Taw ‘18
with Kandace Fung CMC ‘19, Staff Writer
piano perspectives Photos by Layne Wells ‘19
How has college affected your journey in Christianity? Well, if you would’ve asked me a question a year ago, I would’ve said that it negatively impacted my journey in Christianity. It’s pushed me away because here, as a Christian in the Claremont Colleges, I feel like the minority. Because we learn a lot about the historical violence attached to Christianity, a lot of the stereotyping that’s attached to Christianity, and I don’t know, it’s just so different. Christian and my faith are just so personal to me, and I feel that when sharing that with other people, I feel I was carrying a lot of those historical violent connections stereotypes, and I didn’t want people to perceive me that way, so I wouldn’t talk about my religion - I wouldn’t share that with people my first year here. That led me to close that door and walk further away from it. I also felt that there were so many world views I was exposed to with people I was meeting with different cultures. I was like “Woah, I didn’t those these things existed!” There are just so many other world views that I got to explore because I didn’t see any of it at home. Also just growing into myself, that growing process. And because i’m a science major, learning about how the world is created and evolutionary processes, biological and cellular processes, it just made me question all my values strangely. Because when I was taking AISS, it was my life all I thought about was AISS. It made me question a lot of the basic values I had in faith and how I was created. But now looking back, I think that it was important that I was challenged and questioned when I took a Feminist Interpretation of the Bible class, thinking it would help me return and center myself back on my faith, but it was actually so so so so challenging. The course just blew my mind out of the water. It was really amazing to take but it just challenged everything I ever knew. IT was just so hard. but now if you ask me, I think that it was important that I was challenged and I had to question the basic parts of what I believed in because that really pushed me to really ask myself if this was what I really believed in, instead of just blindly follow what I was raised to believe. I think it’s wrong to blindly follow things and not question what you’re being preached and what you’re being taught - that’s also what Scripps has taught me. [continue Ellie’s full story can be found online on thescrippsvoice.com.
3 March, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Eight