Beacon The
ISSUE DATE 12.11.2018
Lighting our Community
VOLUME XVI NO. 7
SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SMCC Marine Science Drifter By STEPHEN T. LYONS
Dr. James Manning, a physical oceanographer with the National Marine Fisheries Service, started a program called eMOLT to team up with fishermen and academic institutions to place an array of temperature loggers and current drifters in the Gulf of Maine and Northwest Atlantic. Dr. Manning archives the data and has used it to publish several journal articles on the Western Maine Coastal Current and the Gulf Stream. SMCC has participated in that program for over 10 years and has released 20 current drifters, some of which have left the Gulf of Maine and traveled in the Gulf Stream as far as the Grand Banks. The drifters are fitted with satellite transponders that give real-time data on their location. SMCC hopes to work with scallop farmers in Casco Bay to gather current information when they collect their scallop seed. Up-to-date data may help them optimize the location and timing of their collectors. Here, Professor Brian Tarbox and SMCC Marine Science student Abraham Lebel release a current drifter off the coast of Cape Elizabeth while Captain Ben Graffius looks on. Lebel is a marine science major and is
currently studying the effect of nutrients on gers aboard his boat the Elizabeth Grace. Editor’s note: The Beacon staff would like symbiotic algae in tropical jellyfish. These tours can be tailored to your needs to thank Stephen for submitting this article. The Marine Science program at SMCC to include Casco Bay’s islands such as Ea- Stephen began his college career at SMCC is a two-year program of study that leads gle Island State Park, wildlife, lighthouses like many of us have, and even after graduto an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sci- and forts. Captain Graffius can be reached ating from Husson with a BS and then from ence. Graduates can either work as marine at 1-207-200-8691. Boston University with a MS, he hasn’t forgottechnicians or can continue their education ten about his first college. to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. Some SMCC graduates have later Photo courtesy of Stephen T. Lyons earned doctorate degrees and gone into research. This year the drifter was transported out into Casco Bay by Captain Ben Graffius, aboard his boat the “Elizabeth-Grace” of Portland Water Harbor Tours. Captain Graffius is a Maine Maritime Academy graduate and Maine native. Graffius returned to Maine after serving in the merchant marines and military sealift command. Graffius is also part owner of Rwanda Bean Company LLC, a coffee company with two locations in Portland and South Portland. Captain Graffius offers custom tours from June through Octo- SMCC Professor Brian Tarbox, an associate professor of Marine Science at Southern Maine ber for upwards of 37 passen- Community College (SMCC) sets a current drifter out to sea.
Cries to the White Cloud By LIAM WOODWORTH-COOK
home if home still remains, to paraphrase the quote in the refugee zeitgeist. The President of the United States and others have defended the use of tear gas, deeming it necessary, or self-defense, as a small group of migrants attempted to create a hole in the wire fencing of the border. In the beginning of November, President Trump commented that the military ought to “shoot back” if the asylum seekers threw rocks, deeming bullets and stones equitable. He quickly changed tone, stating that migrants would be arrested, not shot. A
Just before the United States celebrated the colonist holiday of Thanksgiving, canisters of tear gas were launched across the United States border into Mexico. The targets of the gas were numerous migrants running toward the border of the United States after being diverted by a Mexican police blockade during a march. The series of migrants traveling together has been labelled the Migrant Caravan, a loose collection of roughly 6,000 Central Americans fleeing their countries of origin to find safety and work elsewhere, mainly the United States. They made it it to Tijuana in mid-November to seek asylum in the U.S. Since then, they’ve made a camp in and around a sports complex. Currently, Mexico is offering a one-year humanitarian visa for the migrants to work in Mexico. At least 100 people have been deported back to their home countries. Others are trying to go around or over the fence and enter the United States. The Tijuana-San Diego border is one of the Illustration by Eden Dyer most heavily guarded border spots. quick change of tone or intent, means, This is not a pilgrimage of jubilance, nor a once again, nothing. It is just wiping the malicious assault on the United States. This smear of his true remarks with a napkin of is the movement of people in danger, of dis- political moderation. placement and suffering. No family leaves The border station closed that day as migrants sought asylum. Border agents have
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been able to take in roughly 100 people per day, in the slow, backlogged process of asylum seeking. The tear gas landed among the children, mothers and fathers. The migrants dispersed away from the wall to seek safety. While tear gas has been prohibited in war by the Chemical Weapons Convention, it is often used for crowd control. Tear gas can burn the mouth and eyes, induce shortness of breath and choking, and inflict burns or rashes. The United States has an infamous history of interfering with other countries’ sovereignty, Central and South America having been frequent targets for the United States’ corporate affairs for decades. This meddling has caused thousands of deaths and displaced people. The CIA and other government officials were involved with the United Fruit Company, a major land-owning corporation that used its political power and resources to influence the government of Guatemala and hold power in the Central American region. In 1954, the U.S. supported a CIA-trained military coup of the Guatemalan government to defend American business interests from the left-leaning elected president, Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán. The U.S. has supported numerous dictatorships and coups, in which severe military rule has led to brutal executions, femicide and poverty. Popularly elected leaders, vot-
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Hypocrisy of Hurricane Religious Right Florence
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From the Desk of the Managing Editors By ZAQ G. & CELINA S.
This is the last edition of The Beacon that is going to be published in 2018. It has been a fantastic semester while tiring at the same time, and like many of you, we are ready for the winter vacation. After the stress of finals, it’s going to be nice to be able to relax a little over break. What’s even better is how we can take advantage of the holiday season while we do so. Present season, lights everywhere and Christmas movies galore. But is this time of year all about gifts and decorations? We feel that it’s always important to have a little reminder this time of year that the holiday season is more than the holidays. Most people are so distracted living their busy lives that there seems to not be enough hours in the day, especially when it comes to seeing family. If you are fortunate enough to spend this offseason with family, take advantage of it. Make sure to eat lots of good food, reminisce with family and friends, and reflect on this past year. What have you learned these past twelve months? Where are you in your life and what do you want to do next semester? The new year is fast approaching and we’ll be back in classes and stressing about how to balance life between work, school, family, and friends before you know it. So use this time off to ruminate on your goals for the new year. Manifest your thoughts and turn them to reality.
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Campus News
May Mayhem Guide Your Way
By LUKE CHAFFEE
Have you ever wanted to make a movie? I don’t mean something you made in high school with your friends and posted on Youtube only to get 30 views (22 of those being the same friend that helped you make it.) I mean an honest to god film, playing up on the silver screen with hundreds of people watching in a crowded theater. It wasn’t mine until about a year ago when I started in the Communications and New Media program here at SMCC. That’s when I learned about the Maine Mayhem program. What is the Maine Mayhem program? It’s a year
Beacon The
MANAGING EDITORS
Celina Simmons, Zachary Guiod ART DIRECTOR
Daniele Amandolini COPY EDITORS
Ben Riggleman, Michelle Kapschull PRODUCTION EDITOR
˘Oguzhan Özkan WEBMASTER
Shukri Adan SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
long marathon that exhausts even the best and the brightest. In the fall I began a class called pre-production, a semester long process of getting everything organized in order to make a movie. From schedules, to hiring actors, to lighting diagrams, everything needs to be planned out or else you can end in total disaster, EVERYTHING. I have my doubts that there is any course harder at SMCC than pre-production. Every week was a new challenge this semester for me. One week I’m scouting locations around Portland to try and figure out where exactly I’m going to film, to the next week having to figure out how I can organize my
schedule so that everyone I need to be on set can be there for all 6 days. So here we are, the end of the semester… and I’m not sure I’m ready for this. As I write this, I have two more days where that class meets. On the final day, I have to get in front of a classroom full of people, a panel of judges and pitch my movie. Four months of work boils down to five minutes. You either make it or you don’t.
Student Senate Your Ticket to Greatness By J.D. PARKS
What do Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and Brad Pitt all have in common? The answer? They were all involved in Student Government. As Public Relations Director for our Student Senate, there is perhaps no greater role I play than a conduit between the Student body and the Student Senate Executive Board. Many people ask me, what does Senate do? Understandably most people would
premmaturely write it off as a boring obligation to an already hectic college schedule. But our Student Senate plays a vital role in the wellbeing of our college. Anybody who is part of a club or organization understands our main function, which is to allocate money towards club events based on a majority vote in our weekly meetings. This is money that comes out of the pocket of every student on this campus. When you pay your tuition, $25 automatically gets taken out and some of it is put into our Senate budget. In any given meeting we could
Michelle Kapschull SECTION EDITORS
Remember the Highlights magazine from the dentist’s waiting room? The hidden picture puzzles were totally the best part. Well, soak in the nostalgia with this winter masterpiece. Soak. It. In.
Zachary Guiod Celina Simmons Liam Woodworth-Cook CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sheri Bell, Magella Cantara, Luke Chaffee, Claire Dodge, Elizabeth Endyke, Zachary Guiod, Quindelynne Hasler, Mohamed Jama, Jeremiah Karass, Stephen T. Lyons, Jonathan McDonald, Aqeel Mohialdeen, J.D. Parks, Celina Simmons, Christine Small, Lindsey Targett, Jeffrey Williams, Liam Woodworth-Cook GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Justin Brady, Anna DesLauriers, Eden Dyer, Michelle Kapschull, Jose Roberto Lemus, Celina Simmons ILLUSTRATIONS
Eden Dyer, Jose Roberto Lemus, Sosanya Pok CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Cassie Marceau, The Beacon Sports Staff, Midcoast photos courtesy of Tori Penney, Stephen T. Lyons ADVISORS
Chuck Ott & Rachel Guthrie
Contact Us beacon@smccme.edu
issuu.com/smccnews @thebeacon.smcc @thesmccbeacon
Solutions to last issue’s sudoku
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The Beacon ◊ December 11, 2018
E a s i e r
H a r d e r
be voting on funding requests ranging from $25 to upwards of $2,000! In the past year, our Student Senate has been hard at work organizing remarkable events for our peers to take part in. Sometimes they have been solemn events, heavy on the heart but fundamentally necessary, such as the candle light vigil in honor of those who lost their lives in the Parkland shooting, or the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. As a matter of fact, SMCC was the only college in the state which had a formal event in his honor. That’s something we, as Seawolves, can be proud of. In the last few months we helped register fellow Students to vote in time for the midterm elections, gave the students on this campus a unique opportunity to have their voices heard by, not one, but two candidates for Governor and organized a food drive for families in the community. Most impressively (strictly in my opinion) endorsing Question 5 on the ballot which passed and will endow our campus with four million dollars. At the risk of sounding like I’m editorializing: I think when you take in the totality of everything our Student Senate has accomplished, you understand that this really is our finest hour. We have some of the best, most dedicated people involved in Student Senate. Every meeting I sit on the Executive Board and I’m proud to be part of a group that continues to make a difference for the betterment of our campus. I highly encourage anyone who wants to contribute to our campus, to join Student Senate. Now if you’re a red-blooded human being who is still exhibiting life signs, I am certain you’re salivating at the opportunity to be a part of such an impressive A-Team of people. Student Senate meets Tuesday at 4:30 in Jewett Auditorium. Everyone is welcome to come, but to become a voting member all you have to do is get 25 signatures from fellow Students, or alternatively represent a club or organization on campus. Remember: when polled, 96% of Fortune 500 companies prioritize hiring applicants with a background in Student Government because it shows commitment. So put yourself on the fast track to success and join Student Senate. You wont regret it. Best wishes, J.D. Parks Director of Public Relations, SMCC Student Senate
Campus News
Philosophy Club Moral Dilemmas and Repercussions By CELINA SIMMONS
The other night at the Philosophy Club, an interesting thought experiment took place. One member set up the scenario of a person who lived on their own in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, detached from society completed. With no motive, repercussions, or consequences you decide you want to kill him. The only person who would ever know of the incident would be you unless you decide to tell someone. The question asked was “is this wrong to do? And why or why not?” Majority of the members sided with yes, this is wrong because of our natural human right to life and potentially devaluing your own rights as a human being. This brought up the question of whether or not there is such a thing as inalienable human rights. Are there any hoops that one must jump through to obtain such rights? An argument as to why this would be okay was the fact that he isn’t contributing to society in any way. This was refuted by the idea that maybe if he wasn’t contributing to society at the time, that is not to say he hadn’t before or never will. But how can we decide for ourselves who does or does not contribute to society. And further, since there are so many people living outside of our societal structure, do we kill all of them? Another point brought up was whether or not you would be able to live with yourself after the fact. Sure, there may be no le-
Cries to the White Cloud (Continued from Page 1)
ed in by the ballot, have died in mysterious plane crashes or have been overthrown by U.S.-backed military operations. It is this upheaval, decades upon decades, that the migrants are fleeing. Honduras had a military coup in 2009, with U.S. support. This destabilization and interference is at the core of the 2,700-mile trek of hundreds of people coming from Central America. These are the effects of colonialism, as perpetuated by the imperialist United States. Borders are invisible lines defined by states. They are arbitrary laws created with sometimes physical markers. They are a construct. Beyond the fences are humans, and inside us all is water. We are vessels of water on a planet that is dying. Dying from colonization, and the global capitalist state. The environment is suffering, and we are in crisis. For some, this crisis is a daily teeter between life and death.
gal consequences but there could be some sort of a conscious repercussion. A similar and less extreme version of this thought experiment would be cheating on your significant other. If you are the only one that knows and no one would ever find out unless you told them and you decide to not tell them, is that a bad thing? The point is that if you perform an act that is deemed wrong, but no one ever found out, did you really do anything wrong? Synonymously, if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, did the tree fall? Now, let’s switch roles. You are the person living in the cabin by yourself. You
have logged off the societal grid for some reason and you have no impact or value in the outside world and someone decides to kill you with no consequences. How have your feelings changed? What are your opinions on this thought experiment? The Beacon would love to know! If you have any feedback on this, send us a short write-up on your point of view and share it with the world! (Or at least your fellow SMCC peers) And if you enjoyed this thought experiment enough to try another, join the Philosophy Club! We meet every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6pm at the Howe Hall Seminar Room.
The Kindness Korner
By THE KINDNESS MAMA
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Holidays! We will all soon be headed out for the winter break and be enjoying time with our family and friends. We will be recharging our mental batteries as well as our physical and spiritual ones too. I wish all of you Beacon readers a restful and stress-free break. Speaking of stress, As, many of you know picking classes, trying to organize your schedule and making sure all the I’s are dotted, t’s are crossed I am sure you have found yourself in the advising office. I have been there repeatedly over the past few years. Stressing about if a class will be held, if the class would be offered the next semester, if I was on the right path for graduation… Those and so many other questions and problems brought me the desks of two most patient men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Patrick Haviland and Travis Lawson have been lifesavers for me and many of you as well I am sure. I have seen these two men work their magic multiple times over the past few years I have been here. These two always have the answers, always know where to go to find just the right information or the right person to contact if they can’t help you. I have waited in line well these two have patiently waited other students in front of me. Always having a smile and always being knowledgeable, friendly, and above all kind. Their focus is always on helping the students. These two know many of us (especially me) by our first names and will always greet us with “Hello…, how can I help you today?” I have spoken to many students over the course of my stay here at SMCC and I have heard the same praise from everyone. Recently a faulty member sent me an email expressing his praise for these two excellent individuals. “Mama Kindness, here is something I see regularly; every time I am in the advis-
Illustration by Sosanya Pok ing office, Patrick Haviland and Travis Lawson greet the students that go into talk with them with a “Hello sir, how can I help you?” or “Hello Ma’am, how can I help you?” When the student leaves they always say something along these lines, “If, there is anything else I can help you with let me know.” Or “Best of luck on that test.” I think this is a wonderful testament to both of those guys as at times they are swamped with a line of students that goes out to the door and down the hall. I also think that it it’s quite empowering for the student to hear Patrick and Travis greet the students with these titles it is a sign of respect. I actually love it, has Patrick and Travis are letting the students or perspective students know that they are respecting their educational journeys.” This faulty member wishes to remain anonymous. This individual is frequently in the office and has seen firsthand what Patrick and Travis are doing on a daily basis. So, the next time your, in the advising office getting help with your classes, schedule, questions, or graduation… Remember to say thank you to two of my superheroes, because without them all of the SMCC students would be totally and utterly lost!
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Available for Romantic Commitment By QUINDELYNNE HASLER
Twenty-year-old female looking for male companion Notable weaknesses: • Self-proclaimed skeptic • Pretentious grammar snob • Amateur film critic • Cliche coffee connoisseur • Fiercely independent isolationist Redeemable strengths: • Adept wielder of irony • Proficient artist in multiple mediums • Entertaining conversationalist • Competent kisser • Innovative thinker Good readers, I am a frustrated romantic reaching out to the literate masses. I have a heart full of love and head full of logic; the resulting feeling is something close to how a dentist with a pocket full of money in a candy store might feel. I have ventured into romantic endeavors in the past and have discovered in the final throes that I was grossly misinformed and underprepared. This unfortunate past and consequent dubiety combined with an inescapable propensity to become emotionally entangled with handsome and/ or personable young men creates an indubitable dilemma. My proposed solution is this: with utmost honesty the prospective responder to this ad and myself present all conceivable pitfalls and damning controversies and decide on the very first meeting if there is even enough similarities and/or compromises suggested to warrant getting to know each other further. Secondly, pending on a favorable outcome to step one, both parties must agree to two things: not to lie to each other and to mean what they say and do. The next logical progression would be to cultivate a mutual practice of social, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional intimacy. Wisdom suggests that an intentional procrastination of physical intimacy promotes the greatest longevity of the relationship. Lastly, when both parties realize they are virtually co-dependent, a contract is signed, a celebration is thrown, and consummation occurs. Repeat steps two and three adding physical intimacy as needed until death. If this proffer seems genuinely agreeable, please contact me at quindelynnerhasler@smccme.edu. If a face-to-face confrontation would be preferable or more convenient, one could most likely identify me as the uncomfortable extrovert posing as an introvert in the corner booth of a coffee shop. I can also be spotted at most social gatherings standing near the exit telling a joke.
The Beacon ◊ December 11, 2018
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Other World
Astrology The One Who I Didn’t Like and The One Who Didn’t Like Me Check By CELINA SIMMONS
‘Tis the season to be jolly and running around to find those last-minute Christmas presents. With all the hustle and bustle that comes along with the holiday season, it may be helpful to prepare yourselves for the hustle and bustle of this time astrologically. It seems to be that there will be a lot happening within the next few weeks, but I would like to highlight a few key points that you should pay attention to. On the 16th of December this year, we see Mars sextile to Pluto. Sextile means that these two planets will be sixty degrees apart from each other. What it means for us is an immense force of determination. If you have anything important that needs your attention, this is the time to give it such. According to our friends at astrologyking. com, these two planets sextiled will provide “a seemingly endless supply of positive energy that can be focused on a particular task. Like a steamroller, you keep going slow and steady with nothing standing in your way.” Since we are still in Sagittarius season and this zodiac is prone to procrastination, use this day wisely and get things done! We will be in Sagittarius season until December 21 and then we find ourselves falling into Capricorn season on the 22nd. Capricorn energy is very determined and tends to map out the simplest route to their goals. Let’s hope that this hardworking Capricorn energy is contagious enough for all of us to catch a hold. The first day of the Capricorn season is more commonly seen as the Winter Solstice. Solstice literally translates to “sun stands still” and that’s exactly what happens that day, the shortest day of the year. On the night of the Winter Solstice, there will be a full moon in Cancer — the last full moon of 2018. If you recall from previous issues, full moons entail completion but also illuminate everything out in the open. This full moon will bring to surface many wounded feelings, so don’t be surprised if you are feeling the pain of the world during this time. Things may strike you more personally than usual at this time, but the Capricorn sign rules over the action of human growth. Tune into this energy and use it to recuperate from what may or may not happen around this time. This Cancer full moon will also highlight the importance of balance between work and home life. Pandoraastrology.com mentions it “symbolizes the importance of understanding how your personal life can greatly affect your career.” I would not recommend reading too deeply into the happenings of the next few weeks. If you are lucky enough to spend this holiday break with family, take advantage of that. Without the sun warming up our spirits, it is vital to spread as much positivity as you can. No matter where you find yourself over break, remember to count your blessings for another healthy and happy year. Happy holidays to all, and enjoy this much-needed time off!
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By AQEEL MOHIALDEEN
While everyone was busy watching the 2016 presidential debates and thinking who deserved to lead the country, or rather who will lead the world, I was busy preparing myself for the United States citizenship test that would give me the right to vote. The election of 2016 meant a lot to me; first, I had become a United States citizen, and second, I would have a role to play in the real democracy and become a part of it, and a voice that can sway the election result, albeit a small part. But I didn’t know that this election would put me in a critical situation within myself, where I realized that hatred is the most dangerous illness in human history. In September 2015, I passed the citizenship exam, and the result of the security investigations came back proving that there was no lawsuit against me; I was not wanted for injustice, I never had violation tickets, and I did not pose a threat to the national security. Then I became a citizen of the United States of America. I was pleased because I’m not an immigrant anymore, and glad to be able to vote in the presidential election of 2016. Hereabouts, the critical moments began when the names of candidates began to vanish one by one until it settled on only two names: Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. My enthusiasm began to decline, and my follow-up to debates and analysis of specialists in political affairs began to confuse me, and I found my-
self no longer interested. A few months only separated me from the event that I had long waited for, but I could not find myself as a part of it. It was a challenging and complex equation to decide between the one who I didn’t like and the other one who didn’t like me. Even though I remained convinced of many of Mr. Trump’s goals and his plans for reform in improving the economy, foreign policy, and protecting our borders from illegal immigrants and smuggling drugs into the country, I couldn’t accept the idea of giving my voice to the one who didn’t a ccept me, and most of his speeches toward refugees and immigrants were harsh and humiliating; all that made me stand on my dignity by not votingfor him. Mrs. Clinton is the one who I didn’t like. I found her lacking my trust to lead the country. She was one of those who voted for the war in Iraq in 2003, the war that destroyed that country and killed many people from both sides. Many children lost their fathers and their mothers as a result of this war. Even those who were not killed by this war have paid a high price. Many of the soldiers who participated are still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. How can I vote for her and be an ally in potential crime that this woman could commit toward humanity if she holds the highest position in power? Days were passing very fast, and the political events were accelerating. The image of the election box returned to show up in my head; I imagined myself in the voting center practic-
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The Beacon ◊ December 11, 2018
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ing the best democracy in the world. Although I tried to find an alternative solution to renew my convictions and reconsider my decision, I found myself entered into the same whirlpool that cost me intellectual and psychological energy, so again, I decided to affirm my position. Just one week before the election, I went out late at night, which is what I usually do when I have to make a fateful decision. I walked until the daylight came and I was still thinking of a way out of this crisis. I asked myself, “What makes the crisis and why is it called “crisis?” I wondered why. Is it because it’s impossible to solve? The questions have led me to use the principle of pragmatism in dealing with the situation, so I divided the issue into parts so I could focus and then find the mechanism that fits. I knew I would not retract my decision about Mr. Trump. The situation with Mrs. Clinton was entirely different because I’m the one who made it look like a crisis, so if I had no negative attitude toward her, there would be no problem. I asked myself, “What if I just forgive her?” How can I forgive? Who am I to grant amnesty to a crime that took lives of hundreds of thousands? My footsteps followed me until I found myself by a museum of Jews in Portland. I remembered the Holocaust, the tragedy that all people know, the killing of 6 million Jews. I wondered how the Jews have overcome this ordeal and how they managed to forgive after all that happened. Maybe I am wrong; maybe they never did forgive. That might be the answer. I decided to find someone who would help me to solve my crisis. I found a man in his fifties wearing a yarmulke over his head, and I started my conversation saying that I was very sorry for what had happened to the Jews during the Nazi atrocity. I shared with him how painful it was when I saw the injustice and destruction during my visit to Berlin in 2012. Then I told him that I needed his help in getting rid of a conflict within myself. I asked him, “How did you manage to overcome the consequences of this ordeal and how did you arrive and achieve forgiveness?” He answered slowly, “Who told you that we had overcome the trial? We will never forget, and we will continue to remind ourselves and recommend that our children remember what happened and encourage them to keep inheriting the stories of the Holocaust for the next generation.” I left the place thinking about what this person had said, wondering how someone can inherit the suffering of someone else, and live in a situation that he never faced? Perhaps my conversation with this person did not give me any solution, but he guided me. I decided not to allow myself to spend the rest of my life carrying hatred, so to get rid of that, I must forgive. I must prove to myself that I could forgive; from that moment, I decided I could vote for Clinton. Forgiveness was my answer. Forgiveness allowed me to move forward, to vote and to celebrate democracy. Never allow hatred to take place in your heart, it will control your brain and drive it to nowhere, and then it will lead you to a dark path where nothing makes sense but illusion and weakness as that hatred is the most dangerous illness in human history. Forgiveness is the only way to get rid of grudges to makes us see things clearly, and so then we can make rational decisions. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Mahatma Gandhi.
Blunt Utility By ELIZABETH ENDYKE
John Stuart Mill, a philosopher and political economist, once said, “The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs,” which along with being a favorite quote of mine is also incredibly applicable to utilitarian ethics. I found it refreshing to know that there’s a form of ethics that does not involve some sort of deep and mysterious intuition in order to decide right from wrong. In 2016 we had to vote on the legalization of marijuana, and although it’s something that I personally enjoy and benefit from, I questioned whether it would bring harm to our society if it became legal. As I weighed out the possibilities, there was little doubt in my mind that it would bring more pleasure than suffering to our society. In order to come to that conclusion, I asked myself, “Is there anyone truly suffering from
the legalization of marijuana?” A few situations came to mind. The first was children and how secondhand smoke can get anyone contact high. Children would be most negatively affected by this. The next thing I thought about was people driving high and potentially harming themselves or others. Along with those two concerns, there are people who are unable to be productive when they smoke (I am usually one of those people), which is fine if you have enough self-control to not let it take over your life. Unfortunately, there are people who cannot stop themselves from smoking all day, unable to be productive or do normal everyday-life things because they are always high. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with smoking throughout the day if it benefits you; it’s that some people do not benefit from marijuana in the same sense as others. However, all of these things are/were already happening before marijuana was legal because it was still incredibly easy to get! And even if
it stayed illegal, people are still going to do it, and all the risks stated above are still going to happen. The benefits that come from legalizing marijuana greatly outweigh the potential sufferings. Marijuana can be used medically to treat a very long list of disorders and diseases, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, etc. Although people suffering from the illnesses stated above could obtain a medical card and access marijuana legally already, legalizing it for recreational purposes makes it even easier for people suffering to get help, especially those with limited resources. The government also benefits from legalizing it because they can now make money through taxing it and also stop using tax money to incarcerate people over possession charges. All in all, it brings pleasure to people who genuinely just have a good time when they smoke. It’s a safe way to make people happy! People who don’t enjoy smoking are not suffering from oth-
er people smoking, and no one should be limited by law from being able to enjoy the benefits. When I went to college was when I really started to smoke weed habitually. As a straight A student who also works full time, it’s really hard for me to relax. I’m the only one in my family who is not on anxiety and/or anti-depressants. Although I do struggle with anxiety, I have never wanted to be medicated for it because I don’t think it’s bad enough that it gets in the way of me living my life. However, when anxiety does feel like it’s influencing my life, marijuana has been incredibly helpful at the end of the day to help me deal. And obviously I enjoy getting high and doing fun, recreational things with my friends as well. No one around me is suffering from my choice to smoke weed, but I would suffer if I weren’t able to. The same goes for many other people, and there’s no doubt that legalizing marijuana is now bringing more pleasure than suffering to citizens in states which it has been legalized.
the ambition needed to implement a Green New Deal to the ambition that was required to land on the moon. “This is going to be the great society, the moon shot, the civil rights movement of our generation. That is the scale of the ambition that this movement is going to require.” She is not wrong. The movement for a Green New Deal is not only facing opposition from a Republican party that is completely owned by the fossil fuel industry, but also from the
Democratic party. Only 22 Congresspeople, all Democrats, support a Green New Deal. While there are some older Democrats who support the plan, such as civil rights legend John Lewis, most of the support is coming from younger and newly elected Democrats. It is easy to get lost in the numbers of how long we have until our world burns and how much carbon we put into the atmosphere. Instead of thinking of that, think of regular people. People in Flint still don’t have clean water.
People in California are losing their homes and their right to clean air. People in Puerto Rico are still suffering from the aftermath of hurricane Maria. A Green New Deal would have an immediate positive impact on Americans’ lives and at the same time would make the United States a global leader on climate change. Also if we don’t implement a green new deal, or a plan like it, our children will grow up in a significantly worse world than we did.
Green New Deal
By ZAQ GUIOD
A recent report from the UN details how climate change will ravage the world, unless we curb carbon emissions by 2030. While most of our elected representatives have either ignored the report or have spoken words without a plan of action, there is a solution out there. A Green New Deal is a series of policies that would revolutionize not only our energy system, but our economy as well. There are severals goals the Green New Deal wants to accomplish. The first is to move to a 100 percent renewable energy system within 10 years. For this to happen there would have to be a massive federal jobs program, which advocates say will give a job paying a living wage to any American who wants it. This is part of the reason why it is called a Green New Deal, it is piggybacking on the popular New Deal passed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which helped Americans get jobs during the worst depression in our country’s history. The jobs that are created won’t just be making and installing solar panels. Think of Flint, Michigan, and how they need new pipes and new water-treatment centers. If the federal government funded a Green New Deal, people would be put to work fixing cities and towns just like Flint that have outdated infrastructure that is hurting people and the environment. Although one of the politicians pushing for a Green New Deal hasn’t even joined her colleagues in the House yet, she has been busy getting the word out. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has joined protestors at soon-to-be House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s office who want the Democratic party to fight for and implement a Green New Deal. Ocasio-Cortez also attended a national town hall hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders, where she compares
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the Reardon Convention Center in Kansas City, 6/20/18
Other World
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KeePassXC
By JEFFREY WILLIAMS
Having the same password across all of your accounts is bad, and makes it so when a hacker compromises one site they can use the password across all of your accounts. Having a password manager is one way to keep track of different passwords. KeePassXC is a cross platform encrypted password manager that has a Windows version, a Mac version, a Linux version, as well as a “portable” version of each. You can find the download for KeePassXC at https://keepassxc.org/. The portable version can be but on anything from a portable flash drive to a portable hard drive. First click “database” then “new database”. Enter your secure password and then create a key file. Name them something descriptive. To create a new folder, right click “root” and then press “add new group”. I have organized all of my passwords into these folders. After you create folders in which to put all your passwords, you can start adding and creating new ones. You will want to name your password entry something descriptive. Put that in the title field. Your
username goes in the username field. The password generator will now help you create a strong password. To bring up the password generator, click the die next on the far end of the space. The special character (/*_...) is not highlighted by default. Click on it to make your password stronger. Sixteen characters is good for a website. For your email, you will want to use more characters. Under that, type in the URL of the page that you login normally as. Remember that you can copy and paste what is in these boxes with either Control-C and Control-V (Command-C and Command-V on Mac) or right clicking and pressing copy and going to the password box and right clicking and pressing paste. If you delete an entry, it will be
moved to the recycling bin. After you enter all of your passwords in, you will be able to save and close out. When you open it again, you will be greeted with a screen what asks for your master password and key file if you created one. Enter your password and then click “browse” to find your key file. It should open up the database where the passwords are stored. Jeffrey Williams is a member of the Information Technology Senior Capstone Project course and is planning on a career in Information Technology.
The Beacon ◊ December 11, 2018
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Opinion
Hypocrisy of the Religious Right
Zaq GUIOD
Christmas is fast approaching, and that means billions around the world will celebrate the birth of their savior, Jesus H. Christ. While many people claim to be religious and love their savior, they don’t do a great job of listening to
him or his father. So I would like to point out the blatant hypocrisy of those who claim to be religious and moral but constantly ignore what their religion teaches and what anyone with a smidgen of empathy knows is moral. Literally 99 percent of the Republicans in Congress identify as Christian. The pres-
Dear Beacon Editors, Comic book legendary writer Stan ‘The Man’ Lee, has passed away at the wise old age of ninety-five. The worlds and characters he created set off an array of color in the comic book and entertainment industry. From acknowledging a fly crawling on his wall, sparking the idea for ‘The Amazing Spider-man’ to the flawed personalities of the Fantastic Four, Stan Lee has brought excitement, realism, and heroism to the forefront of his books. Comic books in general, have gone from being in throwaway magazines to being one of the most respected and well-liked art forms in the world. Graphic novels like ‘Watchmen’ was listed on Time’s ‘List of the 100 best novels’ and was said to be the time comic books ‘grew up’. Jim Lee on his way to pursue a medical career gave himself a year off to study drawing and techniques associated with comic book art. Lee is now the creative director at D.C. Comics and has already left behind an incredible legacy. Yet are we really studying the lives of people like Stan Lee enough? Are their accomplishments and roads to success being acknowledged in the classroom format in due time? A great help to me in some of my lowest times has been following the way motivated people talk and live their lives. I find myself researching what others did to put themselves in the position they want to be. Yet the times have changed, and persistent methods like harassing employers out front of their building like Frank Miller did in his day, might not get you where you want to go in today’s society. It seems to me that study of accomplished individuals in modern times, still competing in their fields, would be enormously helpful. Understanding how things came to be is a very important tool for future success, but what if clung onto whether a young entrepreneur’s business move was the right one or the effects of where an artist took his creative endeavors. What if we cheered on accomplishments and got behind each other and build on each others success? Times are changing and the study of how we can adapt to be ahead of the game should always be in the next class. Respectfully submitted, Jonathan McDonald
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The Beacon ◊ December 11, 2018
ident and his party have done several things this year that go exactly against the words of their lord. For example in Luke 12:33 Jesus said, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.” Pretty simple instructions, but I guess the GOP and their base must have missed it. The tax cuts that give 83 percent of the benefits to the top 1 percent clearly do the exact opposite of what Jesus intended; they hurt the poor for the benefit of the rich. In fact, Jesus has some very strong statements about rich people in Luke 18:25. “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Yikes. If I was Donald Trump or any wealthy “Christian” I would be sweating bullets. Real question: Do you think someone who healed the sick and poor would support kicking three million people off of their health insurance? Because that’s how many people have lost their access to healthcare because of Trump’s policies. The Bible also has something to say about healthcare.“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?” This quote from Jeremiah 8:22 is essentially saying that if there are resources to heal someone, why isn’t that person healed? The Republican position is if you don’t have money or insurance, it’s okay if you die. Because giving you healthcare goes against their free-market principles. Now let’s take a look at what the Bible says about immigrants and how they should be
treated. Deuteronomy 10:18 says, “For the Lord your God... loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger.” Remember, our government recently tear gassed people from Central America seeking refuge. Our president wants to build a wall to stop immigrants from coming into our country. And his Christian base loves his attitude towards immigrants, it’s a big part of the reason why he won. Not only does the president want to stop immigrants from coming here, he doesn’t support immigrants that are already in America. He rescinded DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and is responsible for the deportation of many law-abiding people who have lived here for decades. He also split up immigrant families and put CHILDREN IN CAGES. If the Christian God is real, he’s definitely not happy with our government’s actions. In Leviticus 19:33 there are pretty clear instructions on how to treat immigrants. “When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself.” This Christmas season we will see many politicians speak about their faith and their lord Jesus. Now you’ll know they really don’t care about what their Bible says. Republicans and the president consistently ignore their holy book in their righteous quest to steal from the poor to give to the rich. Happy holidays!
Dear Editor, I am an American citizen and I haven’t seen my parents over 17 years. Like any other child who loves their parents I miss them tremendously. My mother and father are over 60 years old. My mother has had health problems the last couple of years as she has been sick most of the time. My origin country is very poor, there is no medical services and the available services lack quality. quality. My mother has seen many Doctors and medications she has been prescribed only make her sicker. I was hoping to treat my mother to a visit to the US so I could see my parents again. About 2 years ago I started the immigration process for them. After I requested a visa for my parents, I informed them that I wanted to bring them to the United States. More importantly, I reminded my mother that she could receive excellent treatment here in order for her to heal. They were so excited and happy. My hope for seeing my mother and father was high. Unfortunately, my fellow Americans let me down because they elected a hateful man, Donald Trump as our president. In his first months of his presidency, he banned immigration from a handful of countries, including Somalia my home country. This immigration ban hurt me quite hard and I am very disappointed that my wishes were destroyed. My hope to reunite again with my parents and curing my mother here was sabotaged by Trump’s immigration policies. Now I’m crossing my fingers that he will leave the White House in 2020 as I am sure our next president will be sympathetic to families that are separated and wish to unite. I pray to Allah every night for me to see my parents. Hopefully my parents and I will be reunited and I can help my mother regain her health. Isn’t this something that every child who loves their parents would want? Respectfully submitted, Mohamed Jama
Opinion
First-Time Living Situations By REBECCA DOW
Growing up, my mother always taught me to have respect for others, and to demand respect in return. Disrespect, unfortunately, can present itself in a variety of subtle and frustrating ways; one such manner in which a person can be disrespected is by unfair treatment when renting a home. On the third of August, I decided to scour the interwebs for a room to rent. After a bit of searching, I found a room that was nestled quite close to the college. At this time I was attending summer classes preparing for the fall, and subsequent winter ahead of me; I needed a stable place to reside. The room I decided upon seemed like a good fit: I had use of the washer and dryer in-unit, use of the kitchen area including a refrigerator and gas lit stove, use of the bathroom/shower, limited use of the living room and dining room and friends were permitted to visit until 9:30pm or 10pm, depending on when my landlord went to bed (he lived in the room next to mine). He had a small dog, which was no problem (aside from the numerous gifts I found at my door). My landlord? Well, he seemed like a reasonable person… For a while. As the days drug on, I began to learn more about my landlord. The expectations I was given at the start of my stay were beginning to shift. As rules became tighter and personalities began to clash, I was soon asked not to use the living room - it was his “space”, and he really didn’t feel comfortable “hanging out”
with me. I understood to a degree that if I am renting a room, I am not guaranteed certain privileges. So, I obliged. Next came the restrictions on guests. He had told me that friends could be over until a certain time. The first hint of discomfort I received came as a friend and I were leaving
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to get some Thai food at 9pm. My neighbor had seen us leaving and told my landlord, who then messaged me a blunt text telling me that my friend had to be home by 9:30pm. Mind you that my landlord was in a different city that night. With my freedoms slowly being molded to his preference, I began feeling suffocated, disrespected and a bit lied to as, moving in I was told one thing only to later find that, living in
Dear Editor, I would like to address an economical issue that is important to me, the cost of living in Maine. I find it disturbing the cost of living continues to increase year after year, but my paycheck stays the same. In the past 2 years my employer has increased hourly rate by thirty cents this is not helpful for my family of four. I work full time, am a fulltime student at SMMC and mother of two. My husband works forty to sixty hours a week and we still struggle with rent, utilities, groceries and the odds and ends children need. We just about break even every month. When we moved into our apartment 10 years ago our rent was just under nine hundred dollars a month a week of groceries for our family of four was about seventy-five to one hundred dollars a week, and this included diapers, pull ups and diaper wipes. Fast forward to today and my rent has increased to over thirteen-hundred dollars a month, a week of groceries costs anywhere between one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five dollars, this is without the need for baby supplies and my utilities (which are not included) have increased about another hundred dollars. I am frugal and do not spend money on anything we don’t need. We cannot be the only family struggling. I believe if the cost of living is going to increase, then employers are going to need to find a way to increase our pay. If something is not done soon. I honestly believe we are going to see the homeless rate in Maine increase, with many families living on the streets or in shelters. This is not going to help anyone. Respectfully Submitted, Christine Small 29/11/2018
his home offered a very different dynamic than what I was led to believe. To put things simply, we were incompatible, and I should have done more research into suitable places before settling. We had no receipts for rent (save for the first month). I paid $675 in cash every month, which can be a budget-stretcher for a college student and understood by the end of my stay, that my fifty-something year old landlord was not prepared for the busier lifestyle of a youth navigating a social life, full time job, club activity on campus, and college classes. Currently I am moved out with my partner into a two-bedroom which cost less than my prior place for my portion of the rent, and offers a sense of freedom that living under a stranger’s rule just could never allow. My advice for anyone attempting to get out on their own for the first time: Shop around! Explore your options and keep looking even though a place may seem perfect. When you view the place, ask every question you can about rules, payment, what you can and cannot use, and guests. Of course there may be more to consider. As for your own records, legal and otherwise, it would be wise to have some sort of written document detailing all of these things. Be sure to have it signed by you and your landlord. When your living situation becomes incompatible with you and your lifestyle, the best thing to do would be to search for a place you can see yourself living for a while if that is your choice. My best wishes go out to all of those making their first steps towards adulthood!
Response to Letters to the Editors Zaq GUIOD & CELINA SIMMONS
Thank you all for submitting letters to your school newspaper, The Beacon. The paper is meant to be a microphone so students can voice their opinions and be a bigger part of the SMCC community. While we may disagree on certain topics and issues, it’s more important now than ever for us to read and discuss differing opinions. It doesn’t matter if you are on the left or right politically, your voice is important and deserves to be heard. There is a stigma around differing political views these days that has gotten out of hand. It is vital to the growth of our country to realize that you are not going to agree with everyone and that’s okay! What matters the most is the respect you give when hearing their point of view. We think that many people in the political world forget about respect. We try to use our platform as an opportunity for all of you to have that respect. Even if your teacher doesn’t hand out an assignment to reach out to your school’s managing editors, we would welcome your opinions any day.
Dear Editor, The United States President Donald Trump has started to consider an option to stop or prevent school shootings, by arming teachers so they will have the ability to fight back. Donald Trump says, “It only works when you have people very adept at using firearms of which you may have.” I agree with what the president is saying to keep the children and schools safe. People attack schools because they’re a gun free zone. To a psychotic person that is an easy target, they won’t be getting shot at. If they know they possibly could be killed they wouldn’t attempt the act in the first place. As Trump calls them “Cowards”. Airline pilots are able to have a concealed gun permit to help the security and safety of the plane. In 2001 after 9/11 arming pilots became a huge part of the security program. The pilots that were chosen for the program have a law enforcement or military background. The pilots had to pass a background check and only allowed to use the government issued .40 caliber handgun. The pilots had hard training, some got blisters on their trigger finger from shooting off so many rounds. I believe arming professionally trained teachers with a gun could be beneficial for the safely of children in schools. The teachers would have to be trained even with a military or law enforcement background. They would need a background check and a psychological evaluation. Also, everything needs to be monitored regularly to make sure the school stays a safe environment. All precautions will need to be taken to make sure this will only have a positive impact on schools in the United States. Respectfully submitted, Lindsey Targett
The Beacon ◊ December 11, 2018
7
A rts & Features UPCOMING SHOWS Here’s the upcoming show listing at the State Theatre in Portland! Enjoy the break and catch some music!
The Motet Moon Hooch, Jaw Gems Mon 12/31 Doors: 7:30 pm / Show: 8:30 pm State Theatre Kacey Musgraves Natalie Prass Tue 1/15 Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm State Theatre The Wood Brothers Priscilla Renea Fri 1/25 Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm State Theatre Greensky Bluegrass Billy Strings Tue 1/29 Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm State Theatre Walk The Moon Bear Hands Thu 1/31 Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm State Theatre Umphrey’s McGee Robert Walter’s 20th Congress Sat 2/02 Doors: 6:00 pm / Show: 7:00 pm State Theatre The Devil Makes Three Lost Dog Street Band Sat 2/09 Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm State Theatre
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The Chainsmoking Smirker of Sci-Fi: Kurt Vonnegut By LIAM WOODWORTH-COOK
Fiction is an incredibly diverse platform in literature. There are not only many different genres, but several layers within those categories. There are the hundreds of cowboy tales at gas stations and gift shops down south, the romance novels that stretch whole aisles with the repeated images of a damsel looking distressed, a shirtless savior who is a man, and some kind of horse. There are books and books based off canon and non-canon literature from movies and tv shows. There are all sorts of kid books, and “teenage” works. There’re both bizarre and straight laced narratives. We haven’t even hit the Western Classics, sitting thick and musty on the shelf. I’ll mention too, the fan-fiction running on the internet for pages and pages of quirky tales. Historical fiction can stretch from engaging, to dull. Stories are built and repeated throughout genres. Authors find their formula and stick to it, whether that’s horror master Stephen King or Tom Clancy with whatever military drama he writes. There are also sweet timey one-offs, making the best seller list and being wrapped up for gifts that season. A vast amount of work came out of the 20th century that remains in circulation, and discussion. Some of those authors hold space in the loose genre of Americana. Born on November 11th, 1922, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. would be such an author. Vonnegut’s novels deal with America; they express
a reflection of the American experience Vonnegut saw, satirizing and criticizing it. He also goes farther than the shores of the United States, philosophizing the wonders and horrors of the world in a comic fashion. Kurt Vonnegut was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and several of his stories relate
There are both bizarre and straight laced narratives.
to this mid-western experience. Vonnegut broke through to the mainstream with the release of his novel Slaughterhouse-Fivepart memoir, part time-traveling fiction. The story depicts a American POW (prisoner of war) in the German city of Dresden when it was bombed by the allies. Kurt Vonnegut had been there himself, when on February 13, 1945, the Allies dropped more than 3,900 tons of explosive bombs and incendiary devices onto the city. Rough estimates of the death count come to 22,700 - 25,000 people, mostly civilians, as the city became engulfed in flames. Vonnegut cleared rubble and bodies, having survived the attack by being underground in a former meat locker and slaughterhouse.
The bombing has been subject to debate over whether it was justifiable so late in the war. Slaughterhouse-Five, a popular read in high school, has been regarded as one of the greater anti-war novels. Vonnegut was a comedic genius in his use of voice. He pulls us through his books as if a grandmother inviting us for tea and cookies. Vonnegut opens the 4th wall, and strolls in and out of his pages like the narrator of a movie freezing the frame. He pokes fun at himself, and his books contain his own scribbled drawings to help us visualize what he discusses. He takes the frightening and shines a light; not so we miss the horror of it, but that we realize we can be okay and discuss it. Vonnegut has an innate humanness in his writing. It is often a bleak, science fiction-esque dystopia. His characters vary: a salesman, a failing sci-fi writer, himself as a time traveling soldier and more. He grapples with the large world and its machines, while recognizing the tininess of individuals. His essay book, Man Without A Country, is a frank, post 9-11 view on America and the world. He writes about himself, his story, his ideas, and the disappointing place those who survive him are possibly headed. He’s quirky, witty and frank. He tells the audience he’s suing Pall Mall because the cigarettes haven’t killed him yet despite promising him on every pack. His books deal with life and death, what remains and what moves on. He passed on to wherever, April 11th, 2007. So it goes.
Andy Warhol and His Pop Art
By CLAIRE DODGE
I didn’t choose to write about Warhol because of familiarity, I truly love the movement of Pop Art that he specializes in. There is so much character and interpretation within his portraits that really catch my eye. I chose to focus on this portrait of John Lennon because of the colors and markings of how the look was created. The shadows and highlighting show the visual crispness and clarity, which is what we’re really focusing on this semester in Painting 1. To see the likeness of Lennon is very eye catching. I wouldn’t say I strive to paint like Warhol, but his work is very beautiful and the materials he uses to get the outcome of his
The Beacon ◊ December 11, 2018
portraits are amazing. Rather than the big picture, Pop Art was mainly used to show the culture and significant pieces of cultural objects. In the 1950s Pop Art emerged and stuck with people, really capturing the boldness of everyday images to bring a different perspective on culture and the world. A lot of people will recognise Pop Art as seen in comics and pop-styled visuals which were used to keep readers and interpreters interested. This was mainly used to show the ideas of abstract expressionism in relating to how people could see the world through a different perspective.
Poetic
LICENSE
December turns the wheel into the Solstice of Winter. The light shall wane as we plunge into the depths and the waxing sun
By Magella Cantara You know you have to get out of this place So travel Spend your money that makes you move around Don’t stay still, find new scenery look for new poems in all the crevices people overlook Take rebellion in leaps and bounds Don’t play it safe Life wants you to experience risk It only makes you stronger Feeling overwhelmed, light a cigarette, read a book and drink coffee. Rock back and forth in that old chair on the front porch Meet new strangers, cut off all the ones who make you uncomfortable. Don’t waste your time on people you don’t feel anything for, keep traveling. Not knowing what you’re searching for that’s okay. Life will make sure you turn out okay It just starts with the effort you’re willing to give. So get out of this place.
its r i p s t a e r G
A rts & Features will guide us through the cold. Our semester comes to a close, we shall find rebirth in the breath of a break. I hope so. Set forth your intentions and we’ll see what snow falls. I have several poems from myself, a political questioning of our school by Jeremiah Karass, and once again the wondering words of Magella Cantara.
Intersex and Agender, Or, Why I Walked From the Campus Center to Preble Hall in Search of a Bathroom As Genderless As I Am. By Jeremiah Karass.
I approach the world from a different perspective. And I am terminally clumsy.
Leaving By Liam Woodworth-Cook When called to fathom, he looked deep. Into the memory of his muscle fusing with bone, he bit deeper and saw emptiness. Opening his eyelids the colors of the room returned in an unsettling brightness, nonetheless stirring his pulse. And the hard to imagine was found fathomable like the polar caps descent into ocean. No, it would not be a single wave drowning, his sorrow of the physical scape would be in strokes. As one thing and one thing left and one thing would sprout, when he too packed himself in a box relearning and unpacking from the inside. This he knew would be the fathoming. He could imagine the clearing, dusting of sills, tho only by his hand and rag would the clean window appear before him. Only when imagination left him wondering what a dirty sill would look like, then he’d have gone past fathoming, he’d be in the depths in life’s motion of tears, a rummage through belonging.
In the Campus Center, coffee slips from a cup through my fingers. It’s descent leaves a sour/bitter trail of liquid over my clothes. I hold in a bubble of rage, and then resign myself to bemused acceptance. The coffee mocks me from it’s burial ground on my lap. I stand, trying to remember that this is college, not high school. I am twenty six years old and the students around me are not laughing. I trudge up the auditorium steps to clean myself off. I calm the nerves of post traumatic stress from my years of spilled lunches. I round the corner and stand before a fate worse than spilled coffee and laughter. Today, I forgot to shave and I had no time to smear chemical goop on my face.
s d n i m n f o i r t o e i m s r o c m o i p e d p o t n e l o i v d e r e t un o c n e s y a w have al
By Magella Cantara Cobble stone streets. Two more years I’ll spend my time tripping over uneven rocks. Anyone that ever ended up leaving me was another cigarette in between the cracks of a train track. Every rolled sentence from a French woman were the days passing by too quick to catch every moment. When the pigeons claws land into my flesh, they beckon to me this is where you could be if you let the stream keep going without a barrier. All the tiles in the garden are worn, like the graffiti aged into concrete from all who’s lied. Every quick stop on the subway jolted me to a halt, like the times I needed to remember who I was so things wouldn’t swerve the wrong way. As all the lights sparkle at midnight after the sun goes around, a path is lit up in the tunnel underground I found too fascinating to abandon. Except the dome created by the smoke and carbon above the city wasn’t for me. Each new block my bones scraped across taught me how to feel clean while thriving in filth. Two more years and I’ll spend my time tripping over uneven rocks just to keep walking against time.
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- Albert Einstein
By Liam Woodworth-Cook
Development on December’s Ridge By Liam Woodworth-Cook
I’m experiencing the expansion of my organs, these functions Shuffling and crammed, sometimes I tie my intestines too tight. I pinch my lungs, wheezing I hold my heart. All these shapes under my plastic lining, that I as well I pull and stretch. No one looks the same anymore as one of my eyes is bulged and the other Sinks into my skull. These carved shells, they mumble ocean breeze. I can’t see their narratives but I hear their reflections as the Jaws open and close as if shafts of light for me to jump with. I’m in a crevice crawling through pointed and oblong stones This pit and I are falling. This is my expansion. I slide between the sand smoothed mineral teeth, My whole self ripped and tugged and on the other side I wriggle and play digging and soon enough that dirt gives way to another passage in which I plummet And again my tissue is squished. There’s wind like a whistling tea kettle. I’m learning to live with its screams.
When love is many colors Autumn plucks seed for seasons later sowing sunlight is short propheting harvesting hours In which investment procures the self The deadening is not for zombie walk Nor the brisk air a thrown brick to which panes shatter Tho this water is in a frozen state breathing mirrors in which hues declare a solidarity Of a unique loyalty in the splicing of tree’s When of root give room for soil when digging place gentle touch on taproots These hands to tug if need This water is to wrap and feed Keep it Loose in a pouch pocket Dampen as necessary like greying rumble of sky above the salt glazed asphalt Your rivers on pink sunset are windchime words Mantled in tones no longer frenzied from tepid swallowing Of the rutted belly But the weightless sigh of an old coat, tattered Undressed for a mending Within.
I am bestubbled and sans makeup. The men’s room seems like the obvious choice. But I am wearing a dress… And the women’s room sign reflects to me that those wearing dresses belong in her embrace. The skin under my clothes rapidly dampens as the coffee soaks in. I’m still standing here, looking at the signs to the restrooms. Wondering which will get me the least amount of punishment from the social grip on gender. I’m awful at math, the mere sight of numbers nauseates me. Yet I am doing calculations in my brain that I don’t even know the formulas for. Men’s room + Beard + Bare Face = Acceptable - Dress - Breasts + Low pitched voice = X Women’s room + Dress + Breasts = Acceptable - Beard - Low pitched voice = X Other people weave around me, in and out of the restrooms easily. My hands curl around the straps to my backpack as I make a final choice. Anxiety is exploding like firecrackers through my chest. I know what to do… I knock three times on the unisex bathroom door in Preble Hall and enter. At once, I am at peace as I begin the simple act of toweling off my clothes. There’s a knock on the door, but no one can take this away from me. The coffee has stained my dress, but I stain it back with soap and hot water. And then I break down.
The Beacon ◊ December 11, 2018
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Midcoast Students Taylor Rathbun and Maxine Grubb Showing Off their House Pride at the Potter Lock In
Midcoast students participate in Open Mic Night which was also hosted by Activities Committee on November 29th. Students from Mike Branca’s Introduction to Visual Art class pose in front of their recently completed mural of a part of the cosmos which can be found in the MATEC building. Students in the class included: Noelle Bouchard, Caitlyn Carreau, Carolyn Cunningham, Annie Dumont, Sarah Jamison, Jared Morgan, Molly Rackliff, Lily Stratton, Aleksei Vlasov, Jacob Wilson and Leslie Wyman.
Midcoast Students Prepare to Play Black Jack at Condom Casino which took place way back on October 10th in the LL Bean Learning Commons. Midcoast campus students were able to play an assortment of casino games with condoms as their chips.
Captivating Midcoast It’s been a semester full of events at the Midcoast campus. The Activities Committee has relentlessly put their best effort into keeping the small Brunswick campus fun, and students have been participating both by organizing and attending the gatherings. This has resulted in an atmosphere of celebration and togetherness, that will hopefully hint at more to come in the future. Here are some of this semester’s highlights. All photos are courtesy of Tori Penney, Residence Director of Orion Hall and Midcoast Activities Coordinator.
Midcoast students Shelton Thomas and Isabelle Hallagan take a breather at Galactic Bowling which took place on December 7th at Yankee Lanes. The event was hosted by Active Brunswick and Gaming Clubs
Last week, Otto the Bill Dodge Auto Group Moose made a surprise visit to the Midcoast Campus to drop off donuts at the Southern Midcoast Career Center as part of their monthly Donut Drop. Check out the Bill Dodge Auto Group video https:// www.facebook.com/ottothemoose/
Midcoast Students in Costume at the Midcoast Halloween Party
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The Beacon ◊ December 11, 2018
A total of 15 events were hosted on the Midcoast campus between October 15th and 31st to celebrate the spooky season of Halloween. Notable events included Pumpkin Painting examples shown above. Movie Showings, S’mores by the Fire, Potter Lock-In, the Halloween Party, and the Escape Room, which was written by Midcoast student Sarah Camacho! All were a part of the festivities.
Sports On The Courts
Photo by Cassie Marceau
Photo by Cassie Marceau
(Continued from page 12)
Prior to Saturday’s game, the Wolves would drop an overtime heart-breaker in Concord, New Hampshire, when they fell to New Hampshire Technical Institute 101-98. The Wolves would grab a 47-34 halftime lead and maintain the lead throughout the second half. SMCC would grab an 11-point lead on an Atencio Martin layup (84-73) with 3:35 to play. The NHTI Lynx would score 10 straight, pulling within one point (84-83). With 42 seconds left to play, Jacobee Burpee would give SMCC a 3-point lead (86-83), after which the Lynx would hit a three to time the game and send it into overtime. NHTI started the extra time frame with a 5-0 run before the Wolves pulled withLauryn Fagan reaches for a loose ball as the action heats in one of four free throws. up against the Clippers. The Wolves and Lynx would trade buckets until the Lynx built a 5-point In the opening game at NHTI, the Lady lead with seven seconds remaining. Jacobee SeaWolves overpowered the Lynx with Burpee’s layup in the closing seconds pulled an 82-49 the Wolves within three; however, time exwin. SMCC would outscore NHTI in the pired as the Wolves suffered their second first three quarters, scoring an impressive loss of the season. Atencio Martin led all 32 points in the third quarter. Sophomore Photo by Cassie Marceau Amanda Brett dominated the paint, scoring 18 of her 27 points in nine minutes of play. Sophomore captain Abigail Ramirez, junior Nyakuoth Mach and senior captain Adrianna White each added double digits to the scorebook: 10 points apiece. Mach also pulled down 10 rebounds. The Wolf squads would also defeat University of Maine-Machias, as the women would win 67-59 and the men would win 84-66. The men SeaWolves will also Atencio Martin looks to finish off a reverse layup travel to Auburn on Wednesday to against UMaine-Machias. Martin would connect for take on Central Maine Communi23 points while grabbing 10 rebounds. ty College in the second game of the doubleheader. Central Maine scorers with a season-high 30 points and brings a 6-1 conference record into Wednes16 rebounds. Martin also added six assists day night’s contest, as their sole loss (93-91 and two blocks. Senior captain Ryan Clout- double overtime) has come at the hands of ier and Jacobee Burpee set season-highs by Vermont Tech. scoring 27 and 20 respectively. Photo by Cassie Marceau
Abagail Ramirez splits the Clippers’ defense while grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out 8 assists, helping SMCC to a 67-59 win.
Jacobee Burpee drives and dishes the ball back to Anderson Kavutse, who looks to finish off the play. Burpee and Kavutse would score 9 and 14 against the Clippers.
The Beacon Throws Down The Gauntlet By THE BEACON STAFF
If you read the last Beacon, you would have noticed on page 12, in neon colors and an eye- catching design, The Beacon newspaper staff are challenging all SMCC Clubs and organizations to friendly yet competitive “bowl-offs.” The central idea for the challenge is simple and straightforward: Your student newspaper is trying to break down those silos that we find ourselves in at times. It’s a means of generating camaraderie, and (on the practical side of life) the paper is looking at the bowl-offs as a means of generating content. As the spirit of friendly yet competitive challenges would have it, the SMCC Busi-
ness Club is the first club that has accepted The Beacon’s challenge. While the date of the “bowl off” has yet to be nailed down, the faculty advisers for both organizations are staging late-into-the-night negotiations pertaining to location, date and a meaningful and suitable wager to spark the competitive juices. As of this publication, investigative reporting on The Beacon’s behalf has uncovered that Bayside Bowl will be the venue for the “Beacon vs. Business Club Bowl Off.” The Beacon has also uncovered that the negotiations for “a sensible, suitable and meaningful wager” is an ongoing process in which both parties are holding fast to club standards. Sources have stated that The Beacon will hold the line that the Business Club will have to be more active in submitting their own content for The Beacon, while it is being speculated that the Business Club will want The Beacon to foot the bill. Such are the highs and lows of power negotiations.
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The Beacon ◊ December 11, 2018
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SMCC SPORTS
On the Courts SeaWolves Squads Continue Hot Streak
the lead (11-10) at the 3:47 mark on a Brett jumper and finish off the quarter, outscoring the Knights 12-3.
SMCC scorers with 9 points in the second while teaming up with Brett for some beautifully executed interior passing resulting in
jumper off with the defender’s hand in his face, draining the shot for an 8-point lead. Trinidad would follow with another
Photo by Cassie Marceau
By THE BEACON SPORTS STAFF
There are many reasons to be happy about the SeaWolves women’s and men’s basketball programs this season: the return of veteran players from last season or from seasons ago, offenses that push the ball up court and utilize active passing to find the open player, defenses that at times are stifling, and (of course) combined 19-2 overall and 11-1 Yankee Small College Conference records. This past Saturday the SeaWolves hosted the Knights of Vermont Tech in a Saturday afternoon doubleheader, with the women taking to the court first and the men finishing out the day’s contest. The Lady SeaWolves grabbed an 8-point lead after 10 minutes of play, jumping out to a 21-13 lead behind the scoring of Amanda Brett. Brett would find the bottom of the net for 8 points as Abagail Ramirez and Hanna St. Pierre would contribute 4 points apiece. Brett would go on to lead all scorers, hitting for 28 points while pulling down 14 rebounds for a solid double-double. Returning point guard Abagail Ramirez would finish the game with 13 points; grab 12 rebounds, all of which were defensive; and with nine assists, come up one assist shy of finishing the game with a triple-double. The Knights would jump out to a 10-4 lead in the opening minutes of the contest, scoring 10 of their 13 first-quarter points before the 3:45 mark The Wolves would grab
Nyakuoth Mach heads in for a layup against the University of Maine-Machias. Mach finished the game with 20 points and 9 rebounds. The SeaWolves would continue to outscore the Knights in the second quarter, periodically padding their lead to 20-plus points and settling for a 20-point halftime lead. Freshman forward Nyakuoth Mach lead the
layups for Mach. The Lady SeaWolves sport a perfect record (10-0 overall, 6-0 conference) heading into Wednesday’s match with the Mustangs of Central Maine Community College. The Mustangs also sport a clean conferPhoto by Cassie Marceau ence record (6-0), while they have suffered one loss in their overall record (11-1). On the men’s side of the court, Vermont Tech would hang tough throughout the 40 minutes of play before falling to the Wolves 96-85. Saturday’s action featured spurts in which both teams traded three-point bombs and fierce battles under the boards for scoring position and rebounds. The play of the game, hands down and without a doubt, has to be a clutch three-pointer jumper by Gregory Trinidad. With 6:58 left to play, the Wolves called a timeout with 1 second remaining on the shoot clock, in order for Coach Richards to draw up an inbound play for sharp shooter Gregory Trinidad. Trinidad worked his way through a series of picks, springing himself somewhat free on the left side of the Ryan Cloutier finishes off above the rim against UMaine-Machias. Cloutier would finish the basket. After a crisp inbound pass, Trinidad was able to get a three-point contest with 20 points.
three-pointer on the next offensive set, padding SMCC’s lead to 11 (74-63). Two offensive sets later, Atencio Martin would hit for an old- fashioned three-point play, as he would be fouled on a layup and finish the scoring off at the line for a SMCC lead of 15 (78-63). Vermont Tech would cut the lead to nine (78-69) on consecutive three-point shots by Drake Perry, after which Trinidad would hit another three-pointer which was followed by a Ryan Cloutier three-pointer, pushing the Wolves lead back to 13 (84-71). The Knights would cut SMCC’s lead to 10 twice in the closing minutes of play, but it was the Wolves’ outside shooting that would maintain SMCC’s lead, quashing any idea of a road win for Vermont Tech. Trinidad would finish Saturday’s contest, scoring 21 points while shooting 5-11 from three-point land. Ryan Cloutier would hit for 22 points while sporting a solid 10-13 fieldgoal shooting percentage. Antencio Martin would finish the game with another double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, as freshman fireball Ian Regan would contribute 8 points, six of which were from downtown. (Continued to Page 11)