TPUSA 'kinda sus' ads, Phi Alpha Tau

Emerson College’s student newspaper since 1947 • berkeleybeacon.com

Thursday, January 27, 2022 • Volume 75, Issue 17

@berkeleybeacon // @beaconupdate

Phi Alpha Tau hopes to change culture after 18-month hiatus Vivi Smilgius Beacon Staff Content Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.

Phi Alpha Tau will return to action this semester, marking the end of the fraternity’s 18-month hiatus in response to a series of sexual assault allegations made against a former member.

The accusations made against Jackson Davis, who worked as a Resident Assistant at Emerson before graduating in 2017, made national news in July 2020 after the Tau alum—who worked as a producer at NowThis at the time—was quote-tweeted by New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Since then, Phi Alpha Tau has ceased recruitment and gone silent on social media.

Emerson senior Cameron Carleton, a business of creative enterprises major who serves on the fraternity’s marketing team, said the allegations leveled against Davis shed light on a “culture of secrecy” among the fraternity. Older members of the fraternity were aware of Davis’s actions, he said, but did nothing to hold him accountable.

“There was a lot of negative behavior that was being swept under the rug,” said Carleton. “We had no idea these things were happening. We’ve been trying to establish a culture of transparency and accountability.”

Part of Phi Alpha Tau’s shift in culture comes with an updated code of conduct, as well as a Standards Board charged with investigating brothers accused of violating said code. Brothers under investigation will be put on probation and barred from interacting with other members of the fraternity.

Most crucially, the standards board and code of conduct will allow the fraternity to internally investigate and expel brothers not complying with its Phi Alpha Tau, Pg. 3

FIRE’s ‘Emerson Kinda Sus’ truck ad for TPUSA Emerson. Lucia Thorne / Beacon Staff

Turning Point launches ‘kinda sus’ ad campaign against Emerson Vivi Smilgius & Adri Pray Beacon Staff

Months after being accused of propagating anti-Chinese rhetoric, Emerson’s chapter of Turning Point USA has mounted an advertising campaign targeting the college for “abandoning its promise of free speech.”

Emerson’s chapter of the conservative organization was briefly suspended for several weeks last fall, after community members alleged that the club’s promotional stickers reading “China Kinda Sus”—in reference to the popular multiplayer game “Among Us”— played into Sinophobic tropes. The controversy drew national headlines, even after the group’s on-campus status was restored weeks later. For its part, TPUSA continues to argue it was treated unfairly.

chusetts Bay Transit Authority stops, including the Green Line’s Boylston Street station.

Emerson’s chapter of TPUSA did not respond to The Beacon’s request for comment.

However, Adam Steinbaugh, the director of FIRE’s Individual Rights program, said the campaign sought to protest the college’s free speech policies.

“Emerson, in taking action against its TPUSA chapter, broke its promises of freedom of expression,” Steinbaugh said.“The display itself is intended to draw attention to the fact that Emerson made this decision knowingly. They were reminded of their free speech promises and decided to abandon them. That requires a response.”

Steinbaugh pushed back against the characterization of FIRE as a conservative organization, stating that the foundation’s mission is to TPUSA, Pg. 3

“[The sticker] has the symbol of the Chinese Communist Party on it, which should make it obvious it was referring to the Chinese government and not the Chinese people,” said Sam Neves, president of Emerson’s TPUSA chapter, in a video posted online. “After passing out the stickers, we were suspended the next day, without even contacting us first, or talking to us, without asking us for explanation.”

“When this all started we were just David against Goliath,” he said. “It was just us two random students against Emerson College.”

In response, TPUSA partnered with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education to launch a campaign attacking the college’s perceived abuses. FIRE hired a billboard truck to circle the Boston campus with the slogan “Emerson Kinda Sus”—satirizing the college’s response to their own promotional material— and paid for advertisements at several Massa-

College masks could be ‘counterfeit,’ warns union Bailey Allen Beacon Staff

Mural in Chinatown. / Abigail Lee Beacon Staff

Asian students embrace Lunar New Year celebrations Hannah Nguyen Beacon Staff For many Asian Emersonians, the approaching Lunar New Year is a chance to embrace their cultural identities in a predominantly white environment.

“Lunar New Year is such a big part of my life,” said senior journalism major Eliza Fu. “It’s a time that I most look forward to, [It’s a time where] I get to see all my family from all around the country (China), the ones I don’t usually see.”

Despite its cultural significance among Asian American populations, the holiday is not recognized as a federal holiday in the United States—meaning that Asian students at Emerson are not afforded a day

off. Nevertheless, students like Fu are taking it upon themselves to celebrate the holiday, even if it means not attending class.

“I feel that Lunar New Year needs more recognition,” Fu said. “Most professors are pretty nice about it, but they don’t really understand the concept of it. It’s hard when you have to explain it to them, because [they could just] Google it. It needs more recognition on campus because it’s not like [only] two people on campus are celebrating it. I’m sure there’s a good amount of people who do want to celebrate Lunar New Year.”

In previous years, Fu and her friends celebrated Lunar New Year by making traditional and family-style Sichuan dishes in the kitchen of their Lunar New Year, Pg.7

Emerson community members are raising concerns about the efficacy of the KN95 masks distributed by the college last week, citing a lack of proper authenticity markings.

The college announced on Jan. 17 that faculty members would be provided with two KN95 masks each, in order to comply with recent guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only three days later, though, the Emerson College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors warned faculty that the union was unable to certify the efficacy of the masks.

“An industry of counterfeit masks plagues all efforts to purchase N95, KN95, and KF94 style masks,” read the email from ECCAAUP President Russell Newman. “In general, these masks should clearly have their standard stamped upon them—for KN95 masks, one clearly wants ‘KN95’ and a ‘GB2626’ followed by either ‘2006’ or ‘2019’

Masks, Pg. 3

404 positive COVID-19 tests

2.35% positivity rate

17,000+ tests completed

*Accumulated from Spring 2022 Semester

INSIDE THIS EDITION International students face travel restrictions Pg. 2 Students in Isolation Pg. 3 Fast fashion and performative activism Pg. 4 Op-Ed: Girlbossing is toxic Pg. 5 Bright Lights Film Lineup Pg. 6 Soundtracks of 2021 Pg. 7 Men’s volleyball returns to court for first time since 2020 Pg. 8

News

The Berkeley Beacon

January 27, 2022

2

International students face travel restrictions, unclear protocols Gabriel Borges & Adri Pray

them.”

Itoh’s return to Boston was much easier, she said—though she acknowledged running into difficulties when the college released its updated COVID protocol in order to return to campus.

“One thing I would have appreciated is being a bit more flexible with international students coming back to Boston,” she said. “When I heard it was going to be online, I was contemplating whether I should just stay home for a bit instead of coming back and doing online classes here, because COVID cases are way scarier [in Boston] than in Japan.”

Massachusetts reported 7,918 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, and

Beacon Staff

Kevin Wang hasn’t visited his family in China since August. If he wants to return, he’ll have to first endure three weeks in quarantine before spending time with them.

“I wanted to go back home,” said the first-year business of creative enterprises major. “But the thing is, in Mainland China, it’s mandatory that people from outside Mainland China have to participate in this super, long quarantine.”

All international travelers entering China are required to isolate in a government-designated hotel for the first 14 days of their stay in the country— regardless of the result of their latest PCR or rapid test—and quarantine at home for another seven days.

China is not the only country to have tightened travel restrictions in response to the latest surge of the COVID-19 pandemic—making for an unhappy tradeoff for many Emersonians with family abroad.

Some international students have been left scrambling for feasible travel options. Others, like Wang, have to decide whether to travel at all, grappling with the choice of either going home only to be quarantined for an unknown number of days, or going much longer without seeing their family and friends.

For Wang, trying to get home would have been almost impossible in the time frame of the college’s winter break, which was just under a month long. Instead, he opted to stay with his roommate in San Francisco.

“Emerson’s winter break isn’t that long, like 20-ish days,” he said. “It’s basically not an option for me to [go home] even if I really want to, so that’s kind of a bummer.”

Ryunosuke Watanabe, a first-year business of creative enterprises major from Osaka, Japan, elected to go home over the break, despite a similar three-day isolation period for international travelers. However, he ran into an unexpected situation when somebody on his flight tested positive for COVID. “They told me I had two options,” he said. “[Firstly] go home and continue my self-quarantine there, and somebody from the government [would] visit my house every two days to test me wearing this astronaut-like

Courtesy Kevin Wang

suit. My family was really concerned about that.”

When confronted with the other option, though—which would have entailed moving to a government facility to continue his isolation until New Year’s Eve—Wantanabe chose the self-quarantine.

Coming back to Boston also proved challenging. While Watanabe was in Japan, the United States changed its COVID policy for international travelers—now requiring proof of a negative test 24 hours before returning.

“I had to get proof online that I tested negative from a center, [written] in English, and that was hard,” he said.

“It’s like finding some clinic here in Boston where they write [results] in Japanese. It’s challenging to find such a thing. I had to do that in Japan, and it really cost a fortune.”

Kyoko Itoh, a first-year visual and media arts major also from Japan, also had someone on her flight home test positive from the initial test done at the airport. Unlike Watanabe, she decided to isolate for three days in the government facility, then went home for the remaining 14 days and allowed government officials to test her at her door.

“I had to wait at the airport for like five or six hours,” she said. “During that time they made me install apps so they could keep track of where I was for the two weeks that I had to quarantine. [The officials would be outside] in a car waiting and would put a little testing kit in front of my door … I’d quickly do the test and then give it to

Courtesy Pete Sevikul

a seven-day positivity rate of 10.37 percent.

In response to rising cases on-campus, Emerson announced at the beginning of the New Year that it was moving its first week of classes online. Itoh said she felt the decision was made at the last-minute, and feared that indefinite online classes would be especially difficult for international students.

Elena Viennet, a first-year business of creative enterprises major holding American and French citizenship, echoed Itoh’s concerns about the updated policy.

“It was a little bit difficult for me with how late we were told about meeting those boosters [requirements],” she said. “At the same time, the French government mandated by 24th of January, people would not be able to go into restaurants anymore without their boosters.”

Students who test positive experience disorganized isolation periods Abigail Lee

Beacon Staff With COVID-19 cases on campus reaching their highest levels since the outbreak of the pandemic, a high volume of students have been admitted into Emerson’s on-campus isolation. For some, the college’s communication and isolation protocols have only complicated the situation.

Since Jan. 3, dozens of on-campus students have entered quarantine or isolation. Following new— and controversial—guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the college implemented a five-day isolation period, after which asymptomatic students may be released. However, with COVID-19 disrupting campus life, students in isolation reported communication issues with the college regarding the protocol after testing positive.

Sofia Attaway, a first-year writ-

ing, literature and publishing major tested positive on Jan. 9 but didn’t receive instructions on what to do when she got her result back the next day.

“I actually started calling [the Center for Health and Wellness],” said Attaway. “They didn’t call me for maybe like an hour after I got my results back.”

When she reached a CHW staffer, they said they had no instructions available for her and would call her back, prompting her to panic.

“I was like ‘How much later?’” she said. “I need to know today.”

Attaway said she then called the Resident Assistant on duty in the Little Building who directed her to “contact trace” by notifying people she saw recently that she tested positive. These instructions were later confirmed by the Housing and Residential Education Department when they emailed her about moving into an isolation suite.

Although students are usually given 90 minutes for the move-in process, Attaway told the HRE staffer on the phone that she would do it in 10 minutes, given that the process had already been delayed.

“There’s not a set timeline—if there are multiple students testing positive at once, it may take some time to reach all of the students and arrange for their move,” HRE Director Christie Anglade said in email correspondence to The Beacon.

Other students have reported straightforward directions, but a stressful move-in process. “[The school] was clear,” said Nue Galato Marcos Faltamo, a junior creative writing major. “It was just a lot to ask.”

Faltamo described the isolation experience as generally “numb” because of a sense of crampedness and lack of privacy when sharing a unit with a roommate.

Both Attaway and Faltamo stated

Courtesy Kyoko Itoh

As a result of the increased demand in France, Viennet said she had trouble obtaining an appointment for a booster shot before returning to Boston.

“There were no appointments in France to get vaccinated, and the day I had to get on my plane I had to run to the vaccine center,” Viennet said. “I had to wait in line for two hours and I almost missed my plane because I was trying to get my booster before I got back on campus.”

Despite her struggles, Viennet said she felt Emerson’s decision to require boosters was justified.

“I definitely think the vaccination boosters are an important part of actually being able to all live together,” said Viennet.

When the college decided to require students to be fully vaccinated by the beginning of the fall semester, Emerson decided to accept all vaccinations approved by the World Health Organization—not just the three (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson) commercially available in the U.S.—as they recognized “a larger global list of available vaccines.”

“The college knows that not every student in every country has the same access to vaccinations,” said Andrea Popa, director of international student affairs. “Both last fall and summer when we made the policy that students were going to need to be vaccinated, there was [a] discussion about how that would impact international students and accommodations made for students that weren’t able to, or didn’t have access to, the same levels of vaccinations.”

that some of the obstacles they faced in isolation were due to insufficient supplies, like not being provided soap in the bathroom or receiving enough water.

“We only got like one bottle of water, maybe two bottles of water a day, and that sucked,” Attaway said.

“Especially when there were some people that were feeling kind of sick and you need liquids to recover.”

Anglade noted that students were encouraged to refill the water bottles in the sink “as needed.”

Faltamo also said there was one instance where his food had been mixed-up, despite having informed HRE about his dietary restrictions.

“I have a dietary restriction and they switched up the labels on the bags that they give to me and my roommate,” he said. “I actually picked the bag with food that I literally couldn’t eat.” The meal he was assigned contained pork, which Faltamo does not eat.

Maggie Lu, a junior writing, literature and publishing major, arrived on campus early for her resident’s assistant duties and tested positive Jan. 3. She, like Faltamo, thought the school’s directions for isolation were easy to understand. “[The isolation protocols] all came in one mass email so it wasn’t real-

Watanabe said he thought of changing his flight because the strict Japanese isolation-quarantine policy took so much time from him and his family.

“My family and I were thinking of changing my flight to the 15th, so I could wait for some sort of announcement from Emerson if the whole semester would be online, or if we’d be going back to in-person,” Watanabe said. “But I cannot wake up at three in the morning, because of the time difference, to do online [classes].”

Popa said the college made certain accommodations for students that “needed a different path.” She sits on the future planning committee, and her supervisor, Anthony Pinto, sits on

Courtesy Ryunosuke Watanabe

COVID-related committees that discuss updated travel policies for international students.

“What we make sure of is that communication goes both ways,” she said. “We’re asked for input and we also make sure to keep administrators in the loop when there’s something that we think is going to significantly impact travel or disrupt the ability of students to travel freely.”

“We’re still requiring the same end goal for all students,” Popa said. “But we recognize that there are going to be students who need either a different timeline or a little bit of different handling.”

Payton Cavanaugh contributed reporting. contact@berkeleybeacon.com

ly throughout, just at the beginning [when they] contact you,” said Lu. “Like ‘here’s all the stuff you have to know, all the stuff you have to do.’ From there wasn’t really a lot… you’re expected to stay in and just follow the rules.”

Yet, at least one student, a firstyear visual and media arts major who requested anonymity, described a dire situation over winter break brought on by the school’s communication.

After testing positive on Dec. 14, the student described the set of instructions received over the phone and through email as “confusing” and “contradictory.”

Once they were situated in the Emerson Colonial Building, the student said they experienced vomiting and fatigue, which impacted their ability to take care of themselves—a reaction worsened by the isolation meals delivered daily.

In the beginning, the student contacted school officials for contact tracing and temperature updates, but said that outreach slowly waned as time went on.

“By the end when I started to get really sick, no one was really talking to me and asking me if I was okay,” they said. abigail_lee@emerson.edu

The Berkeley Beacon

January 27, 2022

3

First batch of college’s masks are ‘probably not certified’ Cont. from Pg. 1

clearly visible. Often, a brand is clearly indicated on the mask.”

Steve Yarbrough, a writing, literature and publishing professor at Emerson, said he was told he would receive N95 masks— which are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health—and thus, began using the college’s masks instead of his own surgical mask.

“I took the elevator in the Ansin building down with about eight or nine students,” he said. “And then I taught my graduate class in the writing of the novel that night. It’s about a three and a half hour class, so I wore that mask in the classroom.”

Yarbrough said that Newman’s email prompted him to take a second look at the masks he received to see if they had any writing or approval stamps on them.

“In fact, the masks that we had been given were plain white masks that didn’t say anything,” Yarbrough said. “They didn’t say N95 or KN95. They didn’t have any approval number … It seems pretty clear that it’s not an N95 mask. I don’t know what it is.”

The same masks have been provided to students over the past week at the Campus Life Office and the information desk at 172 Tremont. Beacon staff obtained a pack of five from the information desk on the first floor of 172 Tremont on Jan. 25. None had any sort of certification—all

were blank, white masks in the typical shape of KN95s.

According to Dr. Jamie Lichtenstein, an epidemiologist and senior affiliated faculty member at Emerson, there is a distinct way to tell if an N95, KN95, KF94, or FFP is authentic.

“With KN95 masks, the standard includes the markings that say who the manufacturer is, which is supposed to be printed on the mask,” Lichtenstein said.

“So, if someone has a KN95, and it doesn’t have the manufacturer, the standard it’s tested against, and KN95 labeled on the mask, then it’s probably not a certified KN95.”

Associate Vice President of Campus Life Erik Müürisepp, who serves as the college’s “COVID Lead,” wrote in an emailed statement to The Beacon that the masks ordered by the college were made by a CDC-approved manufacturer listed on the CDC website. He added that they were purchased through a “trusted vendor” that was previously used for personal protective equipment for the Emerson community during the pandemic.

“We have no information to suggest the masks received are not what the college ordered,” he said. “However, the college has ordered another supply of KN95 masks manufactured by a different CDC-approved company for use by community members if they choose.”

According to Lichtenstein, Müürisepp claimed that the col-

Phi Alha Tau Fraternity Crest. / Courtesy Phi Alpha Tau

Tau pledges institutional reform, accountability Cont. from Pg. 1 and code of conduct will allow the fraternity to internally investigate and expel brothers not complying with its standards, including those with open Title IX investigations—an ability the fraternity did not have during Davis’s time at Emerson.

“The Title IX office at Emerson has historically let us down in terms of holding people accountable for their actions,” said Phi Alpha Tau Standards Chair Lex Torrington. “The code of conduct is a way for us to hold ourselves internally accountable.”

Torrington, an Emerson senior who is also a member of the men’s lacrosse

team, noted that all NCAA sports teams undergo mandatory Title IX training. He advocated for Greek life organizations across the country to do the same training, adding that he plans to set up annual workshops for Greek life organizations at Emerson.

“It’s been really helpful to learn from the Title IX office and start conversations about these things,” he said.

“Eliminating secrecy through transparency and conversation and explicitly referencing these issues is a big goal of ours in the wake of what we just learned about our history.”

Phi Alpha Tau also plans to donate to the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center following a period of fundraising. The

Masks provided by the college (right), verified certified KN95 mask. / Camilo Fonseca Beacon Staff

“It seems pretty clear that it’s not an N95 mask.

I don’t know what it is.”

- Steve Yarbrough fraternity has adopted ending sexual violence as one of its “core issues,” as stated in an Instagram post on Jan. 10.

Sophomore Chapter President Zach Bennett said new members would help shift the fraternity culture.

“We want to bring in a lot of people and have these ideals and terminology thrown out so the people joining know there’s no secrecy and we’re very up front,” said Bennett.

When the Davis allegations broke, Torrington said, many of Phi Alpha Tau’s younger members felt surprised and betrayed—feelings he says will not be part of the fraternity’s culture any longer.

“None of the people who had these active investigations or allegations were active when we were, but some of the older members in our fraternity… were present when this history was happening,” he said. “And they never talked about it and never told us about it.”

“I felt really betrayed by the organization and by these other older members of our fraternity for never being explicit about this history and letting it get swept under the rug,” he added.

The fraternity’s steps forward are a step in the right direction, said Casey Corcoran of the the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center—though he noted that the organization needed to not only be reactive, but proactive.

“Any individual organization that’s done harm has to acknowledge that harm and has to work to regain the trust of those that have been impacted by that harm,” he said. “That goes beyond just saying the right things. It’s showing through actions that there’s a change and that there’s accountability.” vivi_smilgius@emerson.edu

lege was distributing Greencare branded KN95 respirators—tested and approved by the CDC. However, the masks obtained

by The Beacon from faculty are visibly distinct from Greencare masks.

KN95 masks come from China, which has a standard but not a certification agency, Lichtenstein said; as a result, many fake KN95 masks come out of the country.

The “95” indicates 95 percent filtration, but if the masks do not have any approval markings on them, they are most likely not filtering 95 percent.

“The lowest [level of filtration] I’ve seen from [false] KN95s is about 60 percent filtration, all the way up to 90 percent or 93 percent,” she said. “So they’re not meeting that 95 percent standard, but they’re coming awfully close.”

According to Lichtenstein, a typical three-layered cloth mask filters about 20 to 30 percent of the air—meaning that even if the KN95 masks the college has been giving out are indeed not genuine, they are still better to wear than cloth masks. She added that surgical masks often filter 90 to

95 percent of air, but because of how loosely surgical masks typically fit to the face, they filter about 50 percent of what one breathes in, on average.

In an email statement to The Beacon, Newman reiterated that the union leadership does not doubt the administration’s commitment to keeping the community safe. However, he said that faculty were, but are also not satisfied with the answers—or lack thereof—to their questions regarding the quality of the masks.

He encouraged the union members to continue wearing their own masks.

“Upon receipt of the masks, we contacted them with some simple questions about the provenance of the masks, and we did not receive any direct answers to these questions,” Newman wrote.

bailey_allen@emerson.edu

Emerson TPUSA targets college with truck, T ads

Cont. from Pg. 1

protect free speech regardless of viewpoint.

“We’ve supported chapters of TPUSA and we’ve also supported people who got in trouble for flipping off members of TPUSA,” he said. “To us, it’s not about what is said, it’s about the right to say it.”

Nevertheless, many students saw the truck as nothing more than a childish response.

“The way [TPUSA] spread their message is immature,” said Emma Blanchet, a first-year visual media arts major, in a statement to The Beacon. “I’m not positive they deserved suspension, but I think they are being obnoxious and stupid with their decisions on what to act out upon. They need to be calmed down.”

The organization’s rash messaging, she added, was bound to be taken incorrectly.

Even with the targeted campaign, many Emerson students do not regret the college’s actions last fall.

“TPUSA is just a bully in a suit, so you have to treat it like one,” Emerson student Julia Federing wrote. “The worst thing you can do is inflate [the rhetoric] and cause it to trend. Then you’re

“The way [TPUSA] spread their message is immature. I’m not positive they deserved suspension, but I think they are being obnoxious and stupid with their decisions on what to act out upon.”

- Emma Blanchet

feeding into the spectacle of it all instead of giving it the correct punishment and moving forward.”

Emerson Vice President and Dean for Campus Life Jim Hoppe declined to comment.

vivi_smilgius@emerson.edu

The Berkeley Beacon

January 27, 2022

4

Opinion

Illustration Lucia Thorne

Performative activism can’t change fast fashion Stephanie Wallace

Beacon Correspondent People love to feel like they are doing some noble thing for the greater good while in reality, they are accomplishing the bare minimum. This usually takes place through “performative activism,” the idea that pretending to do something is better than doing nothing.

Sustainable fashion has become a re-

cent example of this trend. Thrifting has gone from an easy way to save money to a status symbol for activism. While more people are learning about how harmful clothing production can be, there have been large miscommunications about how to solve the problem.

Last October, a group of protestors disrupted a Louis Vuitton runway show by walking along the runway with the models, most notably a woman who jumped on the runway holding a sign that said

“OVERCONSUMPTION = EXTINCTION.” It’s fair to say that high-end fashion brands contribute to a long-standing issue in classist consumption. They dictate fashion trends in all spheres yet aren’t affordable to most. However, fighting high-end fashion companies such as Chanel and Versace is not the way to go about slowing down the environmental impacts that fashion has.

People have higher expectations for luxury brands than they do for fast fash-

ion. Due to public image and the higher standards their companies are held to, luxury brands tend to be more conscientious about their impact on the environment, as well as society.

However, fast fashion brands such as Zara and Forever 21, who use mass production to create products, are the companies that should be receiving criticism for their environmental impact. E-commerce brands such as Shein and Fashion Nova are in the same boat and should also be addressed when it comes to holding brands accountable for their production processes.

Fast fashion gained popularity due to the inexpensive prices of their products and the large array of options they offer.

These companies also promote themselves heavily on social media platforms, making them even more noticable and enticing. Their social media presence–– being the most talked-about brands on TikTok and YouTube––leads consumers to these fast-fashion retailers, making them the most visited fashion and apparel sites in the world, according to the web analytics platform Similarweb.

When calling for sustainable fashion, we must take into consideration that it is the clothes we are most likely to consume that contribute a considerable amount to the problem.

Reuters reported that Shein has yet to disclose information about the working conditions of its factory employees to the British government, which the retailer is required to do under U.K. law. Shein had also previously falsely stated that its factories were certified by international labor standard bodies, according to Reuters.

However, because they have become such an influential company, it’s easy for that to get swept under the rug.

Protesting fast fashion means discussing the layers of class and interconnect-

It’s okay to put your orgasm first Mariyam Quaisar Beacon Staff

The other night, I came to the realization that every time I’ve ever told a guy that I orgasmed, it’s been a lie. While these lies were never meant to be hurtful or disrespectful, the truth came as an intense shock.

Since becoming sexually active, my perception of what an orgasm is has been warped, leading me to believe that the pleasurable sensations I was feeling were of an orgasm, not just something that felt good, hence my dishonesty. Other times, I was just too scared to say, “no I didn’t finish, you weren’t doing it right.”

Guess what friends, women are meant to orgasm, too… Sorry, I thought I had to reiterate it for the people in the back who seem to forget that.

Too often I’ve heard stories about women who are denied their climax because a partner does not prioritize it or tries to, but fails miserably.

There are several reports proving the imbalance between the experiences of men and women during sexual activity.

Ladies, two things: don’t be afraid to tell a guy when they’re doing something wrong, and know that it’s okay to put your orgasm first.

The idea of what sex should be must be reinvented as the exchange of intimacy, trust, and pleasure to counteract the dominant male culture that fails to respect mutual benefits from sexual activity. The female orgasm is just as important as the male’s—it should not be ignored, by neither men nor women.

To accomplish this, partners should start by exploring a variety

of erogenous zones—common ones are the neck, inner thigh, ears, and breasts. From there, gently build up the sensations. Figure out what feels good to your partner, and ladies, make sure to verbalize what you enjoy.

It is very rare for women to orgasm from penetration (the insertion of a penis or other objects into a vagina), but sex is more than that anyway—it is a ceremony. Start with exploring the female body to understand all its sensitive spots and then, hit the jackpot: the clitoris. Of course, some women can experience an orgasm with vaginal penetration, but, according to the Mayo Clinic, most women climax from clitoral stimulation.

After exploring the female body, partners should start their sexcapade with oral sex or fingering, or better yet, women take initiative and bring your own or your partner’s hand downtown. Either way, make sure that you orgasm before, during, or after intercourse… or all three times. Sex isn’t meant to be a one man talent show.

It is important for women to expect their pleasure to be taken seriously and to not be ashamed of demanding it.

I understand it may be difficult to effectively communicate with your partner and express your dislike with what they’re doing, but it’s necessary to do so. What’s the point in laying there and waiting for them to actually find your clit? Sometimes they just need some guidance, literally, to where the sweet spot is. If you’re already butt naked and sweaty, then what’s the shame in saying, “Hey kiddo, a little to the left.”

Most importantly, if your partner

reacts in a negative or disrespectful way when you comment on their “work ethic,” then they shouldn’t be anywhere near your vagina. It’s as simple as that.

Sex is about both (or all) parties’ enjoyment, not just the male.

We all know a guy can finish, but that doesn’t mean fun time is over because their penis goes back to hibernation.

And to those who have the honor of pleasuring a vagina: get your head in the game. I’m not saying

that all men ignore the female orgasm, but from the stories I’ve heard––and unfortunately from personal experience––way too many don’t. But guess what, watching your girl finish will make you feel tingly as well.

According to Women’s Health Magazine, men feel a different type of high after making a girl come.

They feel accomplished, but also tend to feel closer to their partner.

After all parties orgasm, the bonding hormone—oxytocin—floods

© 2022 The Berkeley Beacon. All rights reserved.

Editor-in-Chief Lucia Thorne

The Beacon is published weekly.

Anything submitted to the Beacon becomes the sole property of the newspaper. No part of the publication may be reproduced by any means without the express written permission of the editor.

Managing Editors Shannon Garrido (Content) Camilo Fonseca (Content) Marcus Cocova (Multimedia) Campbell Parish (Operations) Section Editors Frankie Rowley (News) Karissa Schaefer (Living Arts)

edness. After all, those living on normal paychecks benefit from a clothing outlet where there are many different options every few weeks. This gives people the financial power to replace clothes as soon as they are bought. Instead of waiting until a shirt is too small or old, stores like H&M make it easier to simply buy a new clothing item instead of replacing an old one.

If we are to create tangible change, we need to do it in a way that benefits those that consume fast and cheap clothing.

That mostly starts with brands targeted towards women, like Shein, seeing as more than 70 percent of the world’s poorest people are women.

The good news is that there is a growing general knowledge of the fact that the fashion industry has to change for the betterment of the environment and human rights. However, there is more to it than buying a second-hand item.

With the increase in thrifting, two problems have risen. The first one being that thrift shops such as Goodwill have increased their prices making it harder for low-income people to afford clothing from stores they could rely on for cheap style options, which can lead to an increase of shopping at Shein or Fashion Nova as an alternative. Secondly, more people are donating their clothes, and oftentimes these clothes don’t get sold and are thrown away.

The real solution, and one that is much more inconvenient, is working with politicians in order to create laws that hold fashion companies accountable, however, this is necessary. Placing an emphasis on companies’ impacts on climate change as well as humanitarian rights are ways to make strong impacts on the fashion industry. stephanie_wallace@emerson.edu

Illustration Lucia Thorne through their brains to make them feel more connected. Also, watching a girl come is hot. Watching her lose control will get you going, so why not do it?

The female orgasm is sexy, and it can happen over and over again.

The person you are with should want that pleasure for you, ladies.

So claim it and show ‘em what you got. mariyam_quaisar@emerson.edu Tyler Foy (Sports) Kaitlyn Fehr (Copy) Advisor David Dahl

(617) 824–8687 berkeleybeacon.com contact@berkeleybeacon.com

The Berkeley Beacon

January 27, 2022

5

The toxicity of ‘girlbossing’ Sabine Waldeck Beacon Staff

Let’s discuss the nauseating term put forth by millennials: “Girlbossing.” People started praising the allmighty girlboss in the early 2000s, ala The Devil Wears Prada.

However, at that time we had yet to name this strong successful woman, she just existed as a feminist icon that my preceding generation admired. Millennial women saw and wanted to be her. Once Sophia Amoruso, founder of NastyGal, gave her a title in her book #Girlboss it was, as many current girlbosses say, “over for you bitches.”

The best definition of a girlboss I can find on the internet is from Keith A. Spencer, a journalist for the Salon, critiquing the film I Care A Lot, as a woman “whose success is defined in opposition to the masculine business world in which she swims upstream.”

Girlbossing began as an empowering movement for women by women that focused on leveling up in the workforce and taking positions of power that have historically been held by men. In Amoruso’s book, she tells her story on how she created her clothing business by working her way to the top and embodying girlboss energy.

Today, the more popular definition of a girlboss is to work your ass off to get a job other women will be jealous of. You must take over typically male-dominated jobs by working twice as hard as the man who had the job before you. You must have all your shit together.

The girlboss is a character of what a successful woman is meant to look and act like, and therefore, if you do not fit this stereotype, you are not successful. The caricature is a woman wearing stiletto pumps while drinking black coffee walking down the mean streets of New York City to their executive position in a skyscraper.

While the term initially held an empowering meaning, girlbossing intersects with sexist stereotypes when these so-called “girlbosses” value themselves, and other women, based on their job title. A constant drive for a better position causes one’s self-worth to be tied to it.

When women link their self-worth to their job, it creates a value system among us. If you do not have as good of a job as these girlbosses, then you are not working hard enough. You are not a “strong woman,” and are therefore not as respected. This mimics the hierarchy that has already been put into place for generations by the patriarchy and is replaced with fake feminist rhetoric.

This way of acting takes something that was once empowering and turns it into just another thing that pits women against one another.

Then, if you are living the girlboss lifestyle and are finally deemed successful, often what you are left with is insane amounts of work and a system in which you quantify your worth based on your work achievements. You are not respected as a woman unless you meet the girlboss requirements.

This generates a toxic perception of your value as a person and benefits a capitalistic society that has

Illustration Sarah Curiel been set in place by the patriarchal system that actual feminists work hard to take down.

“Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss” has also been a common phrase over the past few months. It is meant as an ironic statement of the three toxic G words. Gaslight is to confuse someone of their realities, gatekeep is to keep things to oneself to benefit from them, and to girlboss? Well, that’s what this whole article is about.

As funny as this phrase is, it represents a kind of binary, mostly a white performative kind of feminism

that convinces women that if they simply work in the systems created by white men they are worthy.

The concept of working hard and taking over the jobs of men seems like the picture of a perfect feminist. However, therein lies the issue.

There is no perfect feminist. Feminism is not about chalking up your achievement to quantifiable actions.

When we manufacture this girlboss woman it only creates more pressure to live up to yet another standard, but this time, we as women are creating it for ourselves.

We need to dismantle all ideas of what women are “meant” to be. In a corporate system that is working against us, we created strong praise for the women who made it. By doing so, we leave behind the women who either do not make it or do not want that path, and in turn, are telling them they are not good enough.

Let’s put an end to imitating the toxic behaviors of men and calling it feminism. sabine_waldeck@emerson.edu

‘Twee style’ is making a comeback; we can’t let fatphobia return with it Vivi Smilgius Beacon Staff

In today’s environment of social media and fast fashion, trends come and go faster than ever. But fashion isn’t the only thing that can be trendy— body types, societal attitudes, and morals all fall into line on an ever-growing list of what’s in style and what isn’t.

Recent reboots in the fashion world include 2000s footwear— think Uggs and Moon Boots— as well as low-waisted ‘90s-style jeans, the big hair of the ‘80s, and the classic ‘70s bell-bottoms.

“Vogue went as far as calling twee the put-together sister of the infamous grungy Tumblr girl of 2014— a phrase that left some readers gagging.”

These recycled trends also decide which body types are “in”— the ‘90s and 2000s favor the ultra-skinny, while the ‘70s and ‘80s cater to a curvier physique.

“Twee style,” a camp-prep hybrid popularized around 2010, is one of the many trends making a comeback. This distinct style includes shorts with tights, fit-and-flare

dresses, ballet flats, cardigans and collared shirts under everything.

(Think Zooey Deschanel— or any of the characters she’s played, like Jess from New Girl.) Vogue went as far as calling twee the put-together sister of the infamous grungy Tumblr girl of 2014— a phrase that left some readers gagging.

Twee became especially popular during an era of social media that equated thinness with beauty. Before it was sold to Verizon in 2017, Tumblr was a hub for a range of trends, including fashion to humor. Much of the app’s popular outfits sought-after styles were centered around a degree of beauty built on unhealthy and unattainable standards. Tumblr alone played a large role in the popularization and fetishization of extreme skinniness, often to the point of disordered eating.

Since the app’s “downfall,” former users have shared how being chronically online when being thin was so favorable affected them, with many admitting to having eating disorders or feeling extreme negativity about their weight.

Now, a new wave of social media is popularizing the same styles that negatively affected users years ago. Some of those experiencing the second wave of twee were around for the first wave— and this time, we can’t let a fashion trend impact our self-image and determine our self-worth.

It’s no secret that different clothing styles flatter different bodies.

For centuries, people have used clothes to accentuate— or hide— parts of themselves. There’s no shame in wearing what looks best on you, or what makes you feel

ing generation. While skinniness is still valued in society (it’s been rebranded as fitness, self-care, and diet culture), there’s another side of social media dedicated to educating users on the importance of prioritizing mental health.

It is this generation’s responsibility to change the narrative writ-

Courtesy Vivi Smilgius most confident. But the clothes that make you feel and look your best aren’t always the ones that become popular.

Society tends to decide what’s fashionable and what isn’t based on the model rather than the outfit. Take celebrities like Kendall Jenner or Anya Taylor-Joy, for example. Outfits that pop culture outlets and fan accounts call “effortlessly chic” or “model off-duty” might be redefined as sloppy or lazy if worn by a larger person.

Plenty of people have pointed this out, too. Several series on TikTok and YouTube beg the question, “is it a fit or is she just skinny?” In these videos, people who wear larger sizes replicate outfits deemed fashionable when worn by the ultra-skinny. Sometimes, the outfits pass the test, but more often than not, they fail.

Today’s society has begun scrap-

ing the tip of the iceberg of body positivity and fatphobia, with campaigns like body neutrality trending on social media and popping up in stores and online. But there’s a whole lot of progress left to be made, and rebooting trends that fit ultra-thin bodies best is not healthy or helpful.

A 2018 study by Racked found that 68 percent of American women wear a size 14 or above and weigh almost 170 pounds on average. This means that well over half of women in the U.S. don’t meet the beauty standards popularized in the ‘90s, 2000s, and 2010s. The study also sheds light on how a new cycle of trends, and twee in particular, could be harmful to the body positivity movement.

This generation of social media users is the youngest and most impressionable, but we also have more experience than any preced-

“It is this generation’s responsibility to change the narrative written by those before it— the narrative that tells us we are meant to fit clothes and not the other way around.”

ten by those before it— the narrative that tells us we are meant to fit clothes and not the other way around. It starts not just with a rejection of trends, but with an acceptance of body types and an appreciation for confidence and fashion on an objective scale.

vivi_smilgius@emerson.edu

The Berkeley Beacon

January 27, 2022

6

Living Arts

Courtesy Bright Lights Instagram

Bright Lights announces spring 2022 lineup Karissa Schaefer Beacon Staff Bright Lights Film Series recently announced their spring-2022 lineup, returning to in-person screenings on Jan. 27 for Fanny: Right to Rock.

This season features 12 films, each premiering every Thursday at 7 p.m. until April 21. Bright Lights’ screenings are free to all Emerson members and the general public.

In an effort to foster community through film, the Department of Visual and Media Arts is holding discussions with directors and Emerson faculty after viewings.

Fanny: Right to Rock (Jan. 27) — Directed by Bobbi Jo Krals, this documentary focuses on the first all-women band to release an LP with a major record label. Founded by two Filipina-American sisters joined by other teen girls, the rock group Fanny fought barriers of gender, sexuality, and race. Seemingly erased from rock music history, the band reunites 50 years later under a new record deal. Co-founder and guitarist June Millington will take part in a post-screening discussion.

Lamb (Feb. 3) — A new age horror film directed by Valdimar Johansson, takes place in Iceland where a couple finds an unusual newborn in their sheep barn. When

they take her in, strange things start to occur that call her back to the wilderness. The A24 film is a dark, atmospheric folktale. Emerson professor Sarah Zaidan will lead the following discussion.

The Wolf of Snow Hollow (Feb. 10) — Directed by Jim Cummings ‘09, this dramatic comedy explores the fears of a small town when dead bodies begin to appear after every full moon. While Officer Marshall deals with the stress of insomnia and caring for his family, he tries not to give in to the rumors about werewolves. A discussion with director, writer, and actor Cummings and producer Ben Wiessner ‘08 is to follow.

Bulletproof (Feb. 17) — This documentary dives into the strategies used to prevent school violence in America and its intricacies. Paralleled are the happenings of a school’s everyday life with precautionary measures taken to ensure safety. The film reflects on these events and the U.S. culture of violence. Director Todd Chandler will be taking part in the post-screening discussion.

Spencer (Feb. 24) — Starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, the film directed by Pablo Larrain explores the tragic and cold relationship Diana had with Prince Charles and the royal family in the wake of Charles’ affair as well as Diana’s mental health struggles. As Christmas time comes amidst the whirlwind of rumors surrounding the affair, Diana pushes to make the festivities different this year.

Faithful (March 3) — Over the span of 20 years, director Annie Berman profiles some of the biggest fans of pop culture icons like Princess Diana, Elvis Presley, and Pope John Paul II. The film shows some of their collected and cherished pieces of memorabilia, which defines their most devoted fans. Berman’s identity becomes intermixed with the film as time goes on and a discussion with her is to follow.

Tahara (March 17) — When a former Hebrew school classmate commits suicide, two best friends, Carrie and Hannah, are given a chance to work through their grief through their faith. However, after Carrie’s world is turned inside out, the girls get distracted by teenage social status, desire, and fluctuating faith. A discussion following the screening of the drama, directed by Olivia Peace, will be led by Emerson faculty.

Inhabitants: An Indigenous Perspective (March 24) — The film follows five Native American tribes across forests, grasslands, deserts, and coasts while they restore land management traditions, which have been disrupted by centuries of colonization. These

traditions are essential in today’s climate crisis. Directed by Costa Boutsikaris and Anna Palmer, the documentary sees Native communities restore ancient relationships.

Post-screening discussion if applicable C’mon C’mon (March 31) — An emotionally stunted radio journalist travels across the country to interview kids about their world perspective and concerns about the future. He is suddenly put in charge of his nephew who travels with him, shedding a new light on emotional stakes for the journalist.

Directed by Mike Mills, the drama stars Joaquin Phoenix. A discussion with Emerson faculty will follow.

Golden Arm (April 7) — A baker, Melanie, starts in the comedy as she gets sucked into taking her friend Danny’s spot in an arm-wrestling competition. To win the big prize, she must compete against the reigning champion.

Director Maureen Bharoocha will take part in the following discussion.

Rebel Dykes (April 14) — Directed by Harri Shanahan, the documentary focuses on a 1980s London group of women who share interests of sex, politics, and the arts. The story follows their influence around the world as activists, artists, and performers. A post-screening discussion will be facilitated by film scholar Rox Samer and historian Rachel Corbman.

Flee (April 21) — In an animated documentary, director Jonas Poher Rasmussen tells the true story of his high school friend Amin and his journey as a refugee from Afghanistan. Amin deals with a 20-year-old secret that raises tensions in his life that he created with his soon-to-be husband. Emerson professor Yasser Munif will lead the discussion.

Tickets to attend each film screening go on sale the day of the event. Follow their Instagram, @ brightlightsemerson for updates.

karissa_schaefer@emerson.edu

‘World’s Hottest Tour’ causing climate change Shannon Garrido Beacon Staff

To all my Spanish-speaking readers who enjoy reggaeton, Bad Bunny’s Instagram announcement should have had you at the edge of your seat. Benito announced on Jan. 24 that he was going on a stadium tour starting August of this year and putting out a new album.

El Último Tour del Mundo or the World’s Hottest Tour is set to be his biggest one yet, and with five albums under his belt and one on the way, there is no telling how hot these shows will be. He sold out his arena tour with over 480,000 tickets sold, however, his popularity has since skyrocketed around the world. This announcement trended on Twitter almost immediately with distressed fans threatening to sell their homes and unborn babies, so they can attend these shows.

Prominent Latin artists rarely gain enough traction to fill stadiums all around the United States singing Spanish, so for those who don’t speak the language but enjoy the music, this is your lucky year.

You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to shake your ass to “Yo Perreo Sola” and scream at the top of your lungs to “Amorfoda.” For newer fans, not only will you get to hear club favorites like “La Canción” and “Dakiti” booming through a crowd as God intended, but you get to appreciate his upcoming music in person for the first time. DJ Alesso and Diplo will also join the Puerto Rican musician on tour for select dates, which will no doubt resonate with other fans.

As someone who has seen him twice in concert, I can say that he puts on amazing shows. There is a lot of attention to detail in audio and visual production that feels interactive to the audience. His voice has the same distinct hum that makes his music so unique and gives me the urge to scream violently. I can only imagine how insane his concert would be at Fenway Park, which is arguably a much bigger stage than the ones I saw him perform when he was more known amongst Latin American countries.

Now a Grammy award-winning artist and God knows how many other awards, there is no doubt

Artwork for Bad Bunny’s latest tour. / Courtesy worldshottesttour.com that Bad Bunny has established himself as an artist amongst the American music industry. Luckily, he has yet to abandon his roots as he continues to make music that resonates the most with his boricua fans. For anyone who lives in Latin America or amongst Latinx people, you know Bad Bunny’s music is meant to be enjoyed in a crowd of sweaty bodies with the loudest speaker possible.

Whether that means at the club, a party, or just a few friends, Bad Bunny is meant to be enjoyed in a community of fun, loud, and sexy people. So, Boston residents who used to sing “Sweet Caroline” at any given concert, this is not that kind of event. Nevertheless, there is little argument that this tour will be anything short of incredible—anyone at Fenway Park on Aug. 18 that sees me lose my

mind, voice, and dignity, mind your business.

Tickets for Bad Bunny’s World’s Hottest Tour will go on sale on Jan. 28 at 12 p.m. local time via the tour’s website and through VividSeats. A pre-sale will begin on Jan. 26 at 12 p.m. local time. shannon_garrido@emerson.edu

The Berkeley Beacon

January 27, 2022

7

Illustration Lucia Thorne

The soundtracks of 2021 Payton Cavanaugh Beacon Staff

As we look back on the past year, let’s take the time to reflect on all that was brought into our lives. Music is a universal language and a unifying art form. It’s a source of happiness and healing, something needed and much appreciated over the past couple of years. Whatever music may be to you, this past year gave us some of the best. So, let’s rewind and reflect, in no particular order, on the albums of 2021.

Red (Taylor’s Version) It’s no secret that Taylor Swift has been climbing the charts and breaking records in the music industry for years, and this past year she made significant strides. In order to take back the legal rights to her art, Swift has been rerecording all of her earlier albums. Most notably, Red. Red (Taylor’s Version) was much different than Fearless (Taylor’s Version).

In this re-recording, she did release new songs “from the vault,” but she also released a new version of one of her hit songs, “All Too Well,” something that fans had requested for years. The new 10 minute version was met with immediate praise, officially becoming the longest number one hit of all time, surpassing Don McLean’s “American Pie.” “This song became the fan’s favorite on its own. My favorite song, and their favorite song, aligned,” said Swift on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Alongside the 10 minute version came the release of the “All Too Well” short film, written and directed by Swift, featuring actor Dylan O’Brien and actress Sadie Sink. Both of these releases brought more attention to the new version of the song and album.

Red (Taylor’s Version) delivered so much nostalgia while putting a

unique new spin onto fan favorites, featuring artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Ed Sheeran, and Chris Stapleton.

Sour Up and coming artist Olivia Rodrigo made her debut into the pop music world this year, releasing her first album SOUR. The album combined many musical pieces of Rodrigo’s favorite artists’, attributing the inspiration to Alanis Morissette, Kacey Musgraves, and Taylor Swift.

“She’s obviously such a personal songwriter,” Rodrigo said about Swift in an interview with Zane Lowe. “I think I am a really personal songwriter too. I draw a lot of inspiration from my personal life.”

SOUR climbed the charts, winning Rodrigo a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Album, the American Music Award for New Artist of the Year, and Song Of The Year at the MTV Music awards for “Driver’s License.” Rodrigo has been nominated for seven grammys, including album of the year.

“This has been the most magical year of my life,” said Rodrigo when giving her award’s speech. “I want to dedicate this award to all of the other girls who write songs on their bedroom floor. There are a lot of people who will try to dim your light, but speaking your mind and sharing your heart are the most beautiful things in the world.”

30 Adele released her first album after a six year break on November 19, 2021, where she explored many new aspects of life and relationships in her music.

The album, 30, ensured that all four of Adele’s albums have reached number one. One of the songs featured on this album, “Easy on Me,” reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles. All of Adeles’ past albums were titled the age she was when writing them, so the jump from her prior album, 25, to 30, portrayed her

comeback. This album differs from her previous works because it explores more mature ideas and dynamics that Adele had come to explore in her personal life.

“I really think that some of the songs on this album could really help people, really change people’s lives,” said Adele during an interview with Zane Lowe.

Montero Lil Nas X released Montero in September 2021, which has gone on to win many awards as well as received several other nominations, such as grammy nominations for song of the year, record of the year, and best music video. Montero won the MTV music award for Video of the Year, MTV Europe Music Award for Best Video, among many others.

The album provided a new layer to the artist, allowing listeners to connect with Lil Nas X on a deeper level than what they are used to and proved a new perspective on his journey of self-discovery.

“I was able to unleash a lot of feelings I didn’t even know I had pent up in some cases,” said Lil Nas X in an interview with Sirius XM. “Some things I just wanted to say, that I wasn’t able to get across to my fans because I didn’t know how to put it into my music, but I found a way.”

Lil Nas X went on to depict the ways that isolation from the ongoing pandemic allowed him to really think and dig deeper emotionally, which was reflected in this album.

Planet Her Doja Cat released Planet Her in June 2021, winning her the American Music Award for Favorite Album Soul/R&B. Doja Cat is nominated for multiple grammys including, pop vocal album, pop duo performance, and record, among others.

The album explored many different topics and themes; specifically, the empowerment through anthems such as her song, “Woman.” These past few years social media has be-

come a vital piece of our everyday lives, and among these growing platforms TikTok has become arguably one of the most influential.

Doja Cat’s music gained her an influx of fans and popularity as “Get into It (Yuh)” and “Woman,” among others, became increasingly popular sounds on the app and social media in general. Curating a larger following, many content creators made creative TikTok dances and videos to her songs. Doja Cat left a huge mark in the world of social media this past year.

“I get a rush and I just feel good that people are listening,” said Doja Cat in an interview with 102.7 KissFM after performing her newly released music.

Happier Than Ever Billie Eilish released Happier Than Ever in July 2021. The album portrays the hardships of adulthood, maturing, relationships, and growing up in general. Eilish sheds light on struggles that many young adults are faced with, which adds to this relatability factor and connection to her audience.

Happier Than Ever has received several Grammy nominations, including best music video and best music film.

“I wanted to make a very timeless record that wasn’t just timeless in terms of what other people thought but really just timeless for myself,” said Eilish in an interview with Vevo.

Inside Bo Burnham released Inside, a Neflix special inspired by the pandemic, in May 2021. The special as well as the album encompassed many powerful pieces, while remaining quite satirical in nature. One example would be Burnham’s song, “That Funny Feeling,” which explores raw emotions, feelings of anxiety and dread, but does so by incorporating many examples of that funny feeling. Burnham analyzes anxiety in all its forms, the good and the bad, in this piece.

“That unapparent summer air in early fall, The quiet comprehending of the ending of it all,” wrote Burnham in “That Funny Feeling.”

Inside won three awards at the Creative Arts Emmys: Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special, Outstanding Music Direction, and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special.

“Thank you to everyone who has watched inside. I am incredibly grateful,” wrote Burham on his Twitter page.

In These Silent Days Brandi Carlile released her newest album In These Silent Days, in October 2021, featuring Lucius. Carlile’s album is raw and truly connects to the emotions of listeners, much like many of her past releases such as The Story, By The Way I Forgive You,

and her works with The Highwomen.

Carlile presents her experiences from these silent days through her music.

In These Silent Days debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart. From songs like, “Right On Time,” that explored love despite frustration amidst these trying times, to the remainder of the album’s tracks, Carlile conveyed the emotional complexities of the past year.

“It’s me sort of saying with the album, this is what I did in these silent days, and also, what did you do in these silent days,” said Carlile in an interview with Zane Lowe. “I always want to engage the listener in a question instead of an answer.”

Joyful Motherfuckers Allison Russell released her debut solo album, Joyful Motherfuckers, which explored her life journey. Russell was proclaimed as one of the best new artists this past year by NPR after her release that delved deep into particular moments and pieces of herself that made her feel like an outsider to her own life.

“I’ve been involved in solo work and band work for many years now, but I have finally made a solo record,” said Russell on Sundance ASCAP Music Café.

The Lockdown Sessions Elton John is, without a doubt an icon in the music industry. John released his newest album, The Lockdown Sessions, this past October.

On this album, John collaborated with many new artists, and a few others with whom he has collaborated before. Among these names, John collaborated with Brandi Carlile and Lil Nas X, and created new and exciting music for younger and older generations alike. John’s lockdown sessions explored classics and new pieces in a way that captured the essence of his performing and art.

“Because of my years of experience as a session musician you have to know, they want a certain thing, they want a bit of Elton on it, but they also want a certain thing to fit in with the song,” said John in a recent interview.

Sling Clairo released Sling in July 2021, which in comparison to her past work effectively portrays a newfound maturity in her writing.

Sling debuted at number 17 on the U.S. Billboard’s Top 200, and officially made this Clairo’s first top 20 album.

“Sling is moreso the direction I’ve dreamt of making music in and the kind of headspace I wanna continue down,” said Clairo in an interview with Vogue. payton_cavanaugh@emerson.edu

Lunar New Year celebrations provide cultural, social comfort Cont. from Pg. 1 2 Boylston Place residence hall. “[In previous years, I’ve taken] the time to have dinner with my friend,” Fu said. “Before COVID, we used to make Lunar New Year dinner together in the kitchen.

We just eat dinner because classes [are] still going on, and I can’t take much time off.”

Other students go to Chinatown to eat dim sum, a traditional Chinese meal made up of small dishes typically served on carts. Lunar New Year has also been an opportunity for many Emerson students to introduce their culture to nonAsians. Sophomore theatre and performance major Qiyue Zhang helped introduce her non-Asian friends to dim sum one year.

“The dinner is important for Asians, so even if we don’t celebrate like we did when I was at home, I feel like eating with friends would be a good way to celebrate it,” Zhang said. “This is an opportunity to introduce a lot of Asian dishes that [non-Asian]

people might be skeptical of. It’s always fun to introduce people to new cultures and to talk about our traditions.”

Lunar New Year has also provided a way for Asian students of different backgrounds to connect. “[My non-Chinese friends] also celebrate Lunar New Year, but they eat different foods,” Zhang said. “[I have friends] who are Korean, so they [celebrate it differently than me]. They have their own special dishes that they eat. It’s just really fun to talk to friends about it.”

Rosamond Chung, a sophomore journalism major, is celebrating Lunar New Year for the first time on campus, after spending her freshman year online in Hong Kong. When she arrived at Emerson, a predominantly white institution (PWI), for the first time, she said it was important for her to make friends who shared the same culture as her.

“I’m not used to not having everyone around me celebrating holidays that I’m very used to celebrating during every school year

back in Hong Kong,” Chung said.

“Chinese New Year is about being with friends and family. It’s about the culture and celebrating the start of a new year, but it’s also about getting to do that with your friends.”

Due to the Omicron variant, many students are refraining from large gatherings to prevent spreading COVID. “I was going to have a Lunar New Year’s dinner with my friend at her place in Malden because we all live off-campus, but it just doesn’t really seem like something we still want to do,” Fu said. “I’m mostly going to spend my time in my room ordering takeout and having a little celebration. I’ll call my family and just call it a day.”

Businesses in Chinatown have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and the anti-Asian sentiment within the past year. Chung plans to go to Chinatown to get dinner with her friends to support local businesses, especially during the special holiday.

“My friends and I [may get] hotpot to celebrate and are prob-

ably going to the ASIA meeting,” Chung said. “I’ll probably call my family and wish them ‘Happy Chinese New Year.’

Cultural organizations like Emerson’s Asian Students In Alliance also participate in the celebration of Lunar New Year, hosting a decorating session in the lobby of Piano Row. Emerson’s Office of International Student Affairs has also held special events in recent years.

Chung mentioned how many Asian people are taught early on they can’t assert their identities.

“When I came to Emerson, I realized that I can’t do that,” Chung said. “Asians make up a pretty decent-sized group at Emerson, but we’re definitely the most low-key group here. You need to take up that space.”

For students of color attending predominantly white institutions like Emerson, it can be difficult for them to preserve their culture when many students around them don’t come from the same backgrounds.

“As an international student,

it’s been even more difficult transitioning to a PWI just because so much of my culture is already whitewashed since I went to an [American] international school,” Chung said. “Coming to a PWI means I have to hold on to that culture so hard—because if I lose it, I lose it. There’s no one around me to force me to talk in my native tongue or eat my native food.

That’s why celebrating holidays is really important.”

At home, Chung’s family didn’t make Lunar New Year a huge celebration; however, since coming to Emerson, she’s been making it a priority to celebrate and practice Chinese culture to keep it alive— especially since she may not return to Hong Kong this summer.

“Now that I’m gone, I realize I really miss [celebrating Lunar New Year] just because of how lively it was [back home],” she said. “It’s something that I want to bring to the community, but that’s going to be too hard to do as an individual, it has to be a group effort.” hannah_nguyen@emerson.edu

The Berkeley Beacon

Sports

January 27, 2022

8

Men’s basketball extends win streak to four against Springfield Jason Tulchin Beacon Staff

Emerson’s men’s basketball team defeated Springfield College on Wednesday night with a season-high score of 98-77, increasing their record to 5-2 in conference games and 12-4 overall.

The team entered the game coming off a 79-72 win over Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Saturday.

Prior to the match-up against Springfield, senior center Jarred Houston, who registered 21 rebounds against MIT, was awarded his fourth Defensive Player of The Week by the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference.

The Lions built an eleven-point lead early in the first half on Wednesday; a two-pointer from senior guard Zach Waterhouse and a three from senior guard Nate Martin bumping the score to 19-10. A foul allowed Springfield to briefly catch up, but two three-pointers sank by junior shooting guard Max Davis lengthening the gap to 30-19. Emerson continued their scoring by going on

a 10-point streak finished by a layup from Houston which brought the score to 40-19. The Lions entered the locker room at halftime leading 4939.

Houston led the Lions into the second half with three layups. A three-pointer from Waterhouse brought the game to 59-53. Davis sank two more three-pointers, bringing the score to 68-56 with 11:30 left in the game. The Pride snuck back into the 10-point range, but the Lions banked another 20 points in the final stretch of the second half.

Junior guard James Beckwith made two free throws following a foul, extending the Lions’ lead to 20 points. Martin also took a trip to the line to score the final Emerson points of the game, with 43 seconds left in regulation. Following a layup from Springfield, the game would close at 98-77, a season-high points tally for the Lions.

Five Emerson athletes recorded double-digits in the game. Houston led the team in scoring and rebounds, going 28-21, respectively. He also tallied 4 assists and 6 blocks.

Zach Waterhouse scores a second-quarter layup against Springfield College to make the score 35-19. / Sydney Ciardi “He’s one of those guys you can trust with the balls in his hands,” Davis said to The Beacon. “He’s gonna make the right play.

Martin also praised teammate Houston, adding that he was not surprised by his high performance.

“It was just another day for Jarred,” he said. “He’s the most dominant player in the league, easily.”

Another spectacular performance came from Davis, who, despite starting on the bench, tallied 23 points and 4 assists in 27 minutes played.

“Max is an electric player,” Martin said. “He can do a lot of things on the floor. He’s really good for us.”

Houston also had plenty of praise for Davis.

“He’s a phenomenal three-point shooter,” he said. “He sees the floor really well, and he’s just a special talent.”

Wednesday night’s game was Emerson’s fourth consecutive NEWMAC win. Houston attributed the winning streak to a stacked roster.

“We have so many guys that are really, really good basketball players—guys that start, guys that come off the bench, and even guys that don’t necessarily play a lot of minutes,” he said. “We’re pushing each other every day.”

Davis said that preparation was a vital plan to the team’s success; maintaining their competitiveness in practice helped make sure that, when

game time came, “everyone was on the right page.”

The men’s basketball team is set to take on Babson College this Saturday, Jan. 29th at home and Worcester Polytechnic Institute on February 2.

Emerson lost to Babson last season and WPI this season. Martin says that the team is looking to tie the record up. “[Head Coach Bill] Curley really doesn’t have to do a thing.” He joked.

“We’re really excited for these next two games. It’s the biggest stretch of the season, we just feel really confident and excited to play.”

jason_tulchin@emerson.edu

Men’s volleyball team looking for win in first game since abridged 2020 season Tyler Foy Beacon Staff The men’s volleyball team is preparing to take on Nichols College on Thursday night for its season opener— which, incidentally, will be the team’s first match since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago.

Preseason preparations began on Jan. 11, with the team gears up for its first game in 699 days. Head Coach Benjamin Read said the team is lack-

ing in depth due to its small roster size, which made early sessions difficult.

“The first week and a half we had four to six kids in each practice because people [couldn’t] return to play and [because of] COVID and everything else,” Read said.

Read said the team’s limited depth challenged its ability to play practice scrimmages. Instead, it adapted to the circumstances and started focusing on developing individual players.

“We’ve got a serve machine that can serve the ball somewhere 60 something

miles per hour, which is about as fast as you’re going to see at the conference,” Read said. “We get creative [with] what we’re doing.”

The first practices were centered around building chemistry—a difficult task for a team split up by sickness and travel concerns. Nevertheless, senior setter Josh Elliot is confident in the team’s competitive mindset. “[Practice has] just been trying different lineups and getting the team to gel,” Elliot said. “I’m not worried about the talent and the skill of everybody.

A Lions player during Tuesday’s practice. / Sydney Ciardi Beacon Staff

They’re all really good. It’s just we haven’t really played together.”

“And a lot of them haven’t played in a college game yet,” he added.

The 2020 men’s volleyball season was shut down due to the pandemic; the team’s last game was a loss to Lasell University on Feb. 28, 2020, ending the season with a 5-7 record.

Players from the class of 2020 and 2021 effectively lost their seasons. The team had a short-lived group of practices last winter before being put on hold due to COVID-19 concerns.

Elliot, who saw his second season disappear and his collegiate career shortened, said he worried about losing it completely.

“Two of my closest friends in the past on the team were Lucas Raagas, who was a senior my sophomore year, and Sam Willinger, who was a senior last year,” he said. “I saw them lose their seasons. I completely understand how crushing it is. I was pretty worried about it, especially with Omicron and everything.”

Years of pandemic-related season postponements and cancellations mean many teams across the nations are young and inexperienced. With only three players returning from previous years, Emerson is no different.

“It’s a new group of guys for the most part,” Read said. “It’s going to be really interesting because pretty much 90 percent of the guys on the court when we play on Thursday have never represented Emerson before in a game.

It’ll be a little weird—but pretty cool too.”

Elliot, who was named team captain, has been working to help new players adapt to the sport at the collegiate level.

“The biggest difference with volleyball from playing in high school and playing in college is the speed of the

game,” Elliot said. “Everything speeds up. Everybody’s pretty big and athletic.

You have to really get a lot smarter.”

Sophomore middle and opposite Neiko Pittman will make his Emerson debut alongside seven other Lions on Thursday night. He said he will rely on his previous volleyball experience while trying to create a positive presence on the court.

“I’m a little nervous because I haven’t played in two years,” Pittman said.

“At the same time, I’ve been doing this forever. I know how to play volleyball.

It’s the same strategies, same things you have to do on the court—it’s just a different team. It’s a different environment. I’m just going to do my best to keep the energy up for the team.”

The young talent on the team has also created a more dynamic squad, Read said.

“They’re working hard,” Read said.

“We make it enjoyable, but they’re a competitive group and they really want to go ahead and show they belong near the top of the conference.”

The team hopes to start its season on the right foot with a win. The team, which plays in the Great Northwest Athletic League, made the playoff semi-finals once under Read, who hopes to make history in the league again this season.

“We’re looking to go in and do the best we can,” Read said. “We’ve come out with a winning record for the first time in a long time and talked about expectations coming to the season, and we would like to host a playoff game.

We’ve never done that before.”

tyler_foy@emerson.edu