75th anniversary edition, Nor'easter hits campus

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

Thursday, February 3, 2022 • Volume 75, Issue 18

@berkeleybeacon // @beaconupdate

Boston ‘warm and welcoming’ amid record-breaking blizzard

A 1967 edition of The Berkeley Beacon, the oldest in the newsroom. / Beacon Archives

‘A gateway drug to journalism’: The Beacon celebrates its 75th year Frankie Rowley Beacon Staff Boylston Street was blanketed in snow on Saturday. / Beacon Archives

Bailey Allen Beacon Staff Emerson students witnessed a winter storm of a magnitude not seen in New England in years, dropping nearly two feet of snow over the weekend and enveloping the Boston campus in white-out conditions.

Saturday’s snowfall registered at 23.6 inches, according to the National Weather Service—tying the President’s Day Storm of Feb. 17, 2003 for the oneday snowfall record in Boston. In the nearby towns of Medford and Scituate, winds clocked in at 54 and 65 miles per hour, respectively, having already reached hurricane force on Cape Cod and Nantucket.

The blizzard pounded downtown Boston with high winds and torrential snow, and completely covered Boylston and Tremont Streets despite efforts to plow

them. The extreme conditions prompted the college to cancel all events and close the fitness center Saturday, though a few Emerson students speckled the area— many of them trudging outside to visit the Dining Center and Max Grill, which remained open for normal Saturday hours.

However, many downtown-area businesses did shutter their doors on Saturday. Sophomore visual and media arts major Aaron Baseman braved the storm to go out for food, but said his excursion proved unsuccessful.

“I went to Panera with my friends and it was closed,” Baseman said. “So we went to the dining hall instead.

That was kind of a pain.”

Caitlin Farrell, a sophomore visual and media arts major from Connecticut, did not dare venture into the storm at all on Saturday. Instead, she was able to go to the Max Grill for dinner—only a few floors down from

Blizzard, Pg. 2

Seventy-five years of The Berkeley Beacon.

The Beacon has been Emerson’s only student-run independent newspaper since its first edition of Feb. 1, 1947. It has continuously published print editions since its inception—making it one of the oldest organizations at the college—yet, in those seventy-five years, has evolved into an a bigger beast than your average “college newspaper.”

In its first four-page spread, The Beacon was headlined by the campus visit of Hollywood starlet Janis Paige, as well as a celebratory letter from then-President Boylston Green.

“With its ability to feel the pulse of the community life from day to day, a college newspaper is the most valuable means possible of solidifying student

It’s hell, but it’s worth it The Beacon on The Beacon

opinion, of interpreting the varied facets of college life, and of establishing and fostering college spirit,” Green wrote.

The Beacon has changed drastically since 1947, but its commitment to covering the issues at Emerson has remained true.

In 1968, The Beacon played a role in igniting the first student demonstration at Emerson following a Dean’s mistreatment at the college. It helped express the college’s dissent for the Vietnam War via an open letter to President Richard Nixon, exposed numerous inaccuracies in a college report intended to help secure institutional accreditation and even broke a story on the college’s lack of action Anniversary, Pg. 3

The Girlie Project returns Friday with new rendition of ‘Grease’ Karissa Schaefer Beacon Staff The Girlie Project is back Feb. 4 with another staged performance— this time, with their own comedic read-through of the classic musical “Grease,” uniquely titled “Grace.”

Since senior visual media arts major Isabella Bertram is a sophomore, the troupe has been doing semesterly renditions of well-known shows.

They’ve previously done an episode of Victorious, iCarly, and most recent

Girlie Project, Pg. 6

The exterior of the W Hotel. / Beacon Archives

Students moved to the W in effort to create more isolation spaces Abigail Lee Beacon Staff

Emerson relocated 40 students to the W Boston Hotel at the beginning of the spring semester, in order to free up spaces for on-campus isolation in the face of surging COVID-19 cases.

Students were moved into single-occupancy rooms on the fifth and seventh floors of the W, each fitted with one or two king or queen-sized beds, a TV, minifridge, and desk. The relocation mirrors the outset of the pandemic, when 208 students were housed at the W—occupying floors five through 14—over the course of the 2020-21 academic year.

W Hotel, Pg. 3

Sunset in the Beacon Newsroom. / Beacon Archives

Editorial Staff With The Beacon celebrating its 75th anniversary, we wanted to share our thoughts on the paper. This paper has given us a lot. It has given us a fucked sleep schedule, unrelenting stress, a love for 172 we wouldn’t have had without our lovely office and common view, but most importantly, this paper has given us, well, us. The Beacon brought us all together and after spending probably over 100 hours together, it has made us so much more than “The Berkeley Beacon Editorial Staff.”

So, we thank this paper for giving us clips and each other. Here’s to 75 years and many, many more.

Beacon, Pg. 5

431

positive COVID-19 tests

1.90% positivity rate

22,500+ tests completed

*Accumulated from Spring 2022 Semester

INSIDE THIS EDITION FSL hybrid recruitment Pg. 2 COVID Update Pg. 3 Editorial: Emerson Presidential Search Pg. 4 Opinion: Blood donation is easy and necessary Pg. 5 10 businesses to support in Chinatown Pg. 6 First-years start makeup student organization Pg. 7 Students react to Brady retirment Pg. 8

News

The Berkeley Beacon

Fraternity and sorority life organizations overcome challenges amid hybrid-style recruitment Adri Pray

Beacon Staff Emerson’s spring 2022 Fraternity and Sorority Life recruitment operated through a hybrid integration of events that started Jan. 24.

Junior visual and media arts major Tristan Pon, head of marketing and recruitment for Phi Alpha Tau, said COVID-19 impacted the organization, as face-to-face interaction is a key component of making connections.

“It’s made things a lot tougher to find people who want to come because recruitment is really about making connections and connecting with new potential new members,” Pon said. “It’s hard to connect over Zoom in a way to really get to know someone on a personal and deep level.”

Tau took a step back from their social media, a tool often utilized by the organization to spread recruitment information, after receiving backlash about allegations against a brother in 2020, a move that Pon felt lost them respect among Emerson community members.

“I feel like a lot of our attention was lost because we took a big step back from our social media presence

in our presence on campus,” he said.

“But I think coming back, especially the spring semester, we’re ready to tackle everything on despite low attendance and engagement.”

Pon said he believes the controversy is an important part of Tau’s history adding that current brothers spend time educating prospective members on the fraternity’s past.

“We definitely talked about [the allegations] during our info session about our recent controversy and how we have no tolerance for any Title IX cases,” Pon said. “[The controversies] definitely has pushed potential new members to be skeptical about joining our fraternity and I actually am all for that because it shows bravery when you question authority or an organization when you are considering joining.”

Pon said Tau chose to use an unprecedented hybrid format to host its recruitment events upon updated COVID-19 protocols from the college.

“We’ve been having a lot of online chapters within recruitment.

This semester, we had two events go online just because of Emerson’s COVID policies,” he said. “For the rest of the events, we were able to make them in person, which was really helpful because that’s when we

really started to see a lot of potential new members come in, and we really got to know them on a deeper personal level.”

Pon recognizes Tau’s goal to “foster a brotherhood” and accept those that will improve said brotherhood.

However, he also recognizes the work Tau still needs to do.

“I’m very proud of how far we’ve come and I definitely do not think we’re even close to our goal of being the best we can be,” he said. “It takes time and patience and I am very happy that after my joining these controversies have brought light into what matters, especially within fraternity and sorority life culture.”

Sigma Alpha Epsilon, like Tau, adjusted to a new culture of hybrid-model brotherhood. President Richard Lathrop, junior business of creative enterprises major, said the hybrid model presented several challenges.

“It’s been a strange couple of semesters with COVID and everything and really like in fraternity sorority life, so much of our stuff is based around tradition,” he said. “This was really the first semester where we could like actually do all of our events in person.”

Lathrop reported low numbers at Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s recruitment

this semester, but said that was to be expected considering the state of the pandemic.

“I feel like some people are still kind of hesitant to come out with COVID and I know that like myself personally my social battery now is so much smaller than it was before,” said Lathrop. “But for the times that we’re in, we’re extremely happy with the numbers.”

“We hope to continue growing and really keep connecting with the Emerson community,” Lathrop said.

“We’re really focusing on a lot of philanthropy this semester, going out and trying to raise money for causes that all of us are passionate about as much as possible.”

Delta Kappa Alpha president and junior media arts production major Ben Peterson said he hopes to foster a professional environment among the film-focused fraternity.

“We’re looking to really help all of our members collaborate and develop each other professionally, but also forming social connections and creating sustainable and ethical production practices or when you go off into the industry and stuff,” he said.

Peterson joined in the fall of 2019 and experienced pre-pandemic Delta Kappa Alpha. He says the pre-pandemic graduates of Delta Kappa Alpha took “generational knowledge” with them.

“A lot of our upperclassmen who really knew a lot about how to operate the org graduated…we weren’t having any recruitment or accepting new classes or meeting in person,” he said. “So we lost a lot of generational knowledge in the org of what’s worked in the past and what hasn’t.”

Recruitment Chair and Inner

February 3, 2022

2

Chapter Chair of Delta Kappa Alpha Riley Dewey feels differently, saying that COVID hasn’t taken anything from the organization.

“It feels like we’re not necessarily losing anything because we’re still able to hold our workshops internally and connect with others outside of the chapter and it really is up to the comfort level of the individual what they want to do,” she said. “So sometimes we’ll go on walks or we’ll get lunch with other members and that’s really nice.”

Though she joined Delta Kappa Alpha as a new member just last fall, Dewey already feels as though she’s grown as a person.

“I like having this kind of built in community where I feel really safe creatively and it’s a space where I feel like I can really try new things, which I don’t always feel comfortable [doing] necessarily in other settings,” Dewey said. “The stakes feel low, and everybody is so supportive.”

Though he joined a full two years earlier, Peterson echoed Dewey’s statement and hopes students find a community within Delta Kappa Alpha as he did his freshman year.

“For me, DKA was really a place where I found a community as a freshman,” Peterson said. “Like the feeling when you first joined the school, and you’re really just kind of scrambling to make as many friends as possible because everyone is crammed into the same building and no one knows anyone.”

Gabriel Borges contributed to reporting. adrianna_pray@emerson.edu

Lens: New England pummeled by Nor’easter Cont. from Pg. 1

Marcus Cocova Beacon Staff

Beacon Archives

her suite—to avoid going outside.

“I didn’t have to leave my building all day,” Farrell said. “I could just go to the Max and I was set.”

Farrell said she experienced the storm in her own way.

“I did enjoy watching it,” Farrell said. “I sat in my room with the lights off and just stared out the window. And it was nice.”

For students from warmer climates, like first-year visual and media arts major Quinlan Harper, Saturday’s blizzard proved a breathtaking occasion. Harper, who is from Los Angeles, said he had experienced snow on the ground before, but nothing compared to this torrential barrage.

“My friend has this amazing view of the Common,” Harper said. “I woke up in his room because we were having a sleepover and the entire world just looked white.”

Unlike those who stayed inside, Harper made a beeline for the Common with his friends to experience the blizzard firsthand.

“It was kind of beautiful because there were a ton of people with their sleds and their kids, just all just sliding down the hill,” Harper said. “My favorite part was how I saw so many people.”

“We did penguin dives down the hill because we did not have a sled,” he continued. “I couldn’t see a thing because I wear big glasses; it was very funny because I’ve never not felt my hands and face before. That was a wonderful and weird moment—and I am now buying much better gloves.”

Upon spending time at the hill, Harper noticed the camaraderie of fellow snow-goers, each helping one another sled down.

“It’s kind of sweet,” Harper said.

“I saw a ton of people sharing sleds, which was amazing. I bet if I walked up to them, I could ask, ‘Hey, can I borrow your sled?’ and they would have been like, ‘Of course, it’s blizzard time.’ Even though it was incredibly cold, Boston was very warm and welcoming.” bailey_allen@emerson.edu

Elaina Bolanos Beacon Staff

The Berkeley Beacon

February 3, 2022

3

W Hotel houses students for third semester Cont. from Pg. 1 Following the Omicron-induced record case numbers—431 since Jan. 3 at the time of reporting— Emerson came to a new agreement with the hotel in order to vacate residential spaces for on-campus isolation, said Director of Housing & Residential Education Christie Anglade. HRE emailed select students on Dec. 28 and began the move-in process the first week of January. The college has concluded relocations for the foreseeable future.

“Students were given the choice to select this housing option—if a suite or an individual in a suite declined, they stayed in their current space in campus housing,” Anglade said in email correspondence to The Beacon.

To reduce the number of students who needed to be moved, the college reached out to students who lived in suites with “pre-existing vacancies.”

Those who took up the offer were expected to move into the hotel by Jan. 10 and will move out when residence halls close on Apr. 29.

The moving process involved signing a “hotel-specific addendum” as well as a report on the state of the room upon arrival,

said Anglade. Students are expected to follow certain hotel policies in addition to normal residential hall policies. Two Emerson residential assistants supervise the students.

Jacob Warman, a sophomore visual and media arts major, moved from the Paramount Center to his new “dorm” on Jan. 10. Having previously lived in a six-person suite with two vacancies, he said he has been enjoying his time at the W. “It was like, ‘do I want to?’” he said. “But obviously it’s a hotel, and there are people that don’t have the free space, so it’s kind of the right thing to do.”

Because of the hotel’s proximity, Warman said he didn’t feel alienated from the rest of the on-campus population.

“It’s definitely better than Paramount,” he said. “It’s closer, and I can just walk through the alleyway to get to the dining hall.”

Ava Salti, a sophomore sports communications major, also said she didn’t feel distanced. Her day-to-day activities, like playing on the basketball team or visiting her friends, still allow her to feel a part of campus life.

“I love it because I get my own space, but I also am not isolated,” Salti said. “There’s ways to insert yourself into the campus…I don’t

feel like it’s that big of a deal.”

Parker Gray, a junior visual and media arts major and Warman’s former suitemate, also said he appreciates the private space.

“Having a space to yourself can be important for a lot of students, especially me since I tend to enjoy being alone most of the time,” he said. “The ability to have your own bathroom is definitely my biggest plus since now I don’t have to organize times with my suitemates.”

Nevertheless, Gray said that even with Emerson students occupying the same floors, there is a noticeable difference from the atmosphere of a residential hall.

“The only downside is the lack of the college dorm vibe,” said Gray. “I don’t feel as connected to the other students [who live next to me] as I did living in a dorm building.”

Despite the unexpected nature of the move, some students emphasized the financial benefits of being placed in the W. “We’re even more fortunate because this is essentially like a massive single that I have,” Warman said. “But the cool thing is that we’re still paying for the price of a double.” abigail_lee@emerson.edu

75 years of The Berkeley Beacon Cont. from Pg. 1 regarding an on-campus sexual assault.

The Beacon’s pursuit of the truth helped expose the actions of then-President Allen Koenig, whose controversial attempts to relocate the college to Lawrence, Mass. ended after the faculty vote of no confidence.

“People were telling me I wasn’t going to graduate after walking into [Koenig’s] office and asking the secretary for his tax returns,” said Kim Meadows, a former Beacon staffer, in an emailed statement to The Beacon.

“They wouldn’t release them, but of course, I went after them anyway.”

Meadows said that Beacon staffers “worked tirelessly to make sure we got the story right.” Writing a story exposing Koenig’s “dubious interactions” with developers in an attempt to sell some of Emerson’s properties, Meadows said she focused on his compensation package—noticing it was larger than most presidents at other Universities in the area. The reporting and writing process proved to be difficult, with faculty and staff not wanting to talk, scared of losing their job, but the story was printed and published.

After the expose was published, The Beacon office received a phone call. Though he didn’t identify himself, Meadows said the voice was Koenig—who said “Well, you were fair,” and hung up the phone.

For many students, The Beacon presented a trial by fire. It foreshadowed the storied careers of aspiring journalists, from CBS Evening News anchor Morton Dean ‘57 to Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe editor Brendan McCarthy ‘04. Rachel Layne ‘90, a former Bloomberg reporter— and, once upon a time, The Beacon’s editor-in-chief—said her years spent at the paper were “invaluable.”

“We covered some crazy, tough, important issues and had a blast,” she wrote in an email. “I’m proud of the work I did there, including taking the paper from twice monthly to weekly and growing the staff to about 75 from less than 25.”

Beacon Archives

Dan Bigman ‘92 used to edit the pages of Forbes and The New York Times.

Yet it was The Beacon, he said, that was his “gateway drug to journalism.”

“It was just a wonderful, magical newsroom,” he said. “We had the blessing of real stories to cover, from the inane plan to move the college to Lawrence, Mass., to a murder on Charles Street, to votes of no confidence in the school president—and that was just my freshman year.”

Recent years have proven equally as eventful for The Beacon, if not more so—for better and for worse.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced The Beacon, like many other institutions, to radically restructure its operations. It shut down its print publications for the first time in its history, temporarily moving to remote operations while still publishing online daily.

Later that summer, The Beacon published a story centering a white student’s perspective during the Black Lives Matter movement. The article, tied with organizational mistreatment of non-white staffers and a long history of problematic reporting on diverse issues, caused a storm of controversy.

Almost 20 staffers left the paper in a mass resignation, and relations with several on-campus organizations were seriously damaged.

Since then, The Beacon has taken a series of measures to amend these wrongs, such as implementing mandatory bias training every semester and creating an advisory board full of professional journalists to provide feedback on articles pertaining to sensitive topics.

In October 2020, the paper published an investigation into Emerson’s COVID-19 reporting process, which caused a change in college policy. Its coverage of the 2020 presidential election garnered an EVVY Award, as did its “Baring It All” magazine edition, which told the stories of student sex workers.

For many alums, The Beacon’s relentless commitment to boundary-pushing was central to their experience.

“We were all just thrilled with the idea of crashing deadlines and working every day and staying up all night to get the paper out,” Bigman said.

“School seemed very secondary—it was very secondary—to life at The Beacon.”

Charlie McKenna, Dana Gerber, and Domenic Conte contributed to reporting.

frankie_rowley@emerson.edu

Beacon Archives

Emerson reports seven positive COVID tests Adri Pray

Beacon Staff Emerson reported seven positive COVID-19 cases Wednesday of the 1,163 tests administered Tuesday, setting the daily positivity rate at 0.60 percent.

Four community members were reported to be in on-campus isolation Wednesday, with none reported to be in on-campus quarantine.

Those in quarantine may have been exposed to COVID-19 but aren’t experiencing symptoms. Those in isolation are symptomatic, have produced a positive test, or are “reasonably known to be infected,” according to the college. Off-campus students are not counted in the quarantine and isolation numbers.

Emerson has reported 431 positive cases and administered 22,656 tests as of Jan. 3. The cumulative positivity rate since the commencement of the semester sits at 1.90 percent.

Students are still expected to test twice a week for the foreseeable future.

The state’s COVID-19 cases rose, with Massachusetts reporting 4,973 positive cases on Wednesday—a daily positivity rate of 6.73 percent. The state reported 87 deaths.

Hospitalizations on Wednesday also decreased, as the state reported 1,799. 889 of these hospitalizations occurring in those who are fully vaccinated.

The state of Massachusetts also tracks two kinds of COVID-19 positivity rates—one including higher education testing and one without. The seven-day positive rate without higher education sits at 13.21 percent as of Jan. 26. Including higher education, the rate sits at 6.37 percent as of Feb. 1.

Massachusetts reported 15,935 new vaccinations, including boosters, from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 13,636,275 doses. Wednesday’s daily vaccination update reported that 5,210,215 Mass. residents— according to Mass. Department of Health data, approximately 75 percent of the state’s population—are fully vaccinated, meaning that they have received both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The FDA officially approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for individuals age 18 or over Monday.

The Moderna vaccine is the second FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccination following the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine approved on Aug. 23.

On Tuesday, Pfizer asked the FDA to authorize “extra-low” doses of their vaccination for children under 5. Children under 5 are the only group not yet eligible for any COVID-19 vaccination.

In a communication released to Emerson community members last week, the college reported to have obtained a “limited supply” of KN95 masks made by a CDC-approved manufacturer on Jan. 18 for student use. These masks can be picked up from the information office located at 172 Tremont, or the Campus Life Office, Walker 411.

An email sent by Emerson College’s Chapter of the American Association of University Professors just three days after the college’s announcement reported the masks as “counterfeit,” as the union was unable to confirm the efficacy of the KN95 masks.

Emerson shifted from a manual data reporting process to an automatic one on Oct. 13. The decision followed a Beacon investigation that revealed a string of inaccuracies in the data reported by the college.

The college’s dashboard is updated daily Monday through Friday. When it was first launched in August, the college opted for weekly updates before eventually shifting to twice weekly and then daily updates. Tabs for hospitalizations and the number of “invalid” results received by community members have since been removed from the dashboard after testing began in August. Invalid results are typically a result of user error and require re-testing.

The dashboard is not updated on weekends because Emerson’s testing site at Tufts Medical Center is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Beacon Archives

adrianna_pray@emerson.edu

The Berkeley Beacon

February 3, 2022

4

Opinion

Editorial: Emerson’s next president should serve students, not their pockets.

Editorial Board Beacon Staff

It is well into the spring semester of the 2021-22 academic year, and Emerson College still lacks permanent leadership.

Former President M. Lee Pelton, who took the helm of the college in 2011, left his position in June of last year. Ever since, the college has been on a “relentless” search for a new president, and while the administration has adapted to the pandemic without proper leadership, it begs the question: How different should our next administration truly be?

The current interim president, William Gilligan, was sworn into the office more than eight months ago. The college has had the entirety of the summer and the fall semester to search and confirm a new president—after having promised to hire one by the end of last spring—but has still failed to do so.

Since Pelton’s resignation, the college has faced a myriad of both administrative and social issues including, heightened faculty departure, anti-Asian rhetoric perpetuated by conservative club Turning Point U.S.A., antisemitic behavior both around campus and in the classroom, a COVID-19 surge, and a significant yearly tuition increase.

The college’s treatment of each of these issues has led to widespread student frustration at administrative inaction, lack of accountability, and convoluted communication. At an

Beacon Archives institution notorious for a lack of transparency—or, as students often note, at a communications school bad at communication—the question is why has past leadership been so lacking?

In the midst of a pandemic and other recent social issues happening on Emerson’s campus, we wonder if we will ever see a president actually dedicated to these communities. Or does it go much deeper than that?

Do the issues Emerson students face result from our lack of lead-

ership, or is it that our past leaders have only ever served their image and their pockets? Could it be a bit of both?

In fact, Pelton, in his departure, called for the improvement of the circumstances of those impacted most by the pandemic and the country’s ongoing reckoning with systemic racism. Two years earlier, he even promised a tuition decrease by 2021. But Pelton’s promises went unfulfilled, and his advice went unheeded; the college increased

tuition to a good 2.0 percent, while hateful rhetoric on campus is still rearing its ugly head.

Our next leader cannot allow the privilege of their position to run the show. Instead, they should come here with the intention of helping Emerson students that need actual assistance.

If students are to truly respect the leadership at Emerson, the leadership should act—and not only intend to act—with genuine service, and their work to improve the college

becomes actively felt. The president should not simply be a figurehead that becomes richer and richer every year, while only 9.4 percent of need-based financial aid at Emerson is fully met, and the average alum’s level of debt is close to the average salary of students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree–– about $46,600 a year.

Emerson’s president and board of trustees are paid an insurmountable amount of money, with an average $200,000 salary and above for a trustee, and $754,208 for the president, i.e. Lee Pelton. This makes any sort of improvement—even genuine improvement—seem performative at best, or a bare faced lie at worst, that allows our leaders to make bank, while 63.3 percent of students apply for financial aid and 52 percent take out loans averaging $12,481 a year, according to College Factual.

How are students supposed to feel safe at an institution that continues to increase tuition for a campus where inflammatory organizations like TPUSA only receive a slap on the wrist? Progress means providing for all students, not just those who can afford to ignore all of these inconsistencies.

For whoever ends up holding the torch, it should be clear that their position is not one to take for granted.

Now more than ever, students need financial and social support in order to move Emerson College forward. contact@berkeleybeacon.com

Biden needs to understand that identity politics is not enough Justin Chen

Beacon Staff Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement on Jan. 27, 2022.

In a letter addressed to President Biden, Breyer says that he will retire during the summer reset, which usually takes place between July and August. The liberal justice also expressed his appreciation for serving as part of the high court for the past 28 years by saying that he found the job “challenging and meaningful.”

As the Clinton-appointed justice announced his retirement, President Biden is set to nominate the first Supreme Court Justice in his presidency.

On the same day, President Biden announced that he will nominate the first African American woman justice, which he believes the country is “long overdue” for.

And he’s right. The U.S. Supreme Court is not at all racially diversified. There is only one African American justice that serves at the high court, and only one Latiné justice. The majority are white.

The high court lacks female representation as well, since only three women justices serve on the high court. This does not represent the U.S. demographic at all, and I applaud President Biden’s thoughtfulness on having more representation.

However, the president must remember that identity politics is not enough, especially on nomination for crucial Supreme Court posi-

tions where justices can serve for their entire lives.

To be clear, identity politics can involve any political candidate whose pre-political background adds to their campaign. In the charged environment the U.S. lives in today, identity politics mostly involve conversations of race, class, and gender. Representation is important either way, but it doesn’t always make a candidate.

The values and qualifications of the candidate make the candidate.

The president needs to provide oversight on the qualification of the potential nominee. The high court is so important for the United States because they determine whether certain policies are constitutional or not. They decide the law of the land, and in doing so, they drastically influence our lives.

One promising example that explains the importance of the Supreme Court is the case of Obergefell v. Hodges where the court declared same-sex marriage constitutional and now, I can legally marry my boyfriend and start a family like a heterosexual couple has always been able to. Without the right person, this law would have never been ruled in, and my life would be dramatically different than what it is right now.

We have seen many examples on how identity politics can go wrong.

One prominent example is the result of former President Donald Trump.

President Trump was an attractive candidate to many––and ended up being elected––due to his

identity as an outsider. He vowed to ‘drain’ the D.C. swamp, painting this rosy “Make America Great Again” picture. However, Trump’s lack of qualification, and the fact that he is a terrible person, was ruining the country and pulling people further apart from each other politically.

He constantly attacked “the other side,” the media, and some of the members from his own party.

He drew racist rhetoric more times than we can count by saying there were “good people on both sides” regarding the infamous white-supremacist parade in Charlottesville.

From Trump’s lack of leadership during the initial surge of COVID-19, to his undermining of the 2020 election by claiming the election was “stolen” from him, his ignorance and greediness have kept us divided. These are the results of identity politics.

During Trump’s presidency, Washington turned to chaos and became “swampier” than ever.

However, American voters voted him out, which means we have time to save our political dynamic from toxicity.

Another example is our current Vice President Kamala Harris.

President Biden chose Harris as a running mate and made her become the first Black and Asian American woman to be Vice President of the United States. Although it is a large step for the African American and Asian American communities, Harris failed to address many issues that President Biden assigned her.

Harris has faced criticism from both the left and the right due to her inaction and mishandling of immigration issues at the U.S. southern border, as the southern border is still in critical condition.

Instead of flying to Rio-Grande valley where the epicenter is, the Vice-President flew to El Paso, which made her face much criticism from both sides.

Moreover, American voters disapprove of identity politics as well.

According to an ABC News and Ipsos poll, 76 percent of the voters believe the president should consider all possible nominees. While many recognize the need for diversity, voters are looking for someone with a qualification for the job, not the identity of that person.

The White House must evaluate the qualification of the person on how they understand the constitution in order to sit at the high court.

It is wonderful to have gender and race diversity at the high court to represent the minority population, but qualification of the position will represent our society as a whole.

© 2022 The Berkeley Beacon. All rights reserved.

Editor-in-Chief Lucia Thorne

Karissa Schaefer (Living Arts) Tyler Foy (Sports) Kaitlyn Fehr (Copy)

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.

The U.S. Supreme Court. / Courtesy Wiki Commons

Managing Editors Shannon Garrido (Content) Camilo Fonseca (Content) Marcus Cocova (Multimedia) Campbell Parish (Operations) Section Editors Frankie Rowley (News) Hadera McKay (Opinion)

justin_chen@emerson.edu

Advisor David Dahl (617) 824–8687 berkeleybeacon.com contact@berkeleybeacon.com

The Berkeley Beacon

February 3, 2022

5

Boris Strikes Again: Johnson’s apology won’t get him far Frankie Rowley Beacon Staff

“Everyone has made personal sacrifices, some the most profound, having been unable to see loved ones in their last moments or care for vulnerable family and friends,” writes Susan Gray in her report explaining the findings of her investigation into the multiple “celebrations” that occurred at No. 10 Downing Street, the home of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Johnson hosted a series of parties in his Downing Street home—12 to be exact (or 16 if you go by the alleged amount)— during England’s four-month lockdown, which lasted from March 26 to July 4, 2020. Two of these parties occurred in 2021— one in January when England was in its third national lockdown and the other in April when England entered “Step 2,” when unnecessary gatherings of two or more people indoors were prohibited.

These laws were very clearly laid out by his own party, yet a man who graduated from Oxford, was elected to Parliament after working as a journalist, became the Mayor of London, and then was elected Prime Minister, cannot follow his own bloody rules?

Well, that’s Boris for you. In his apology to the people of England during a Q&A session, Johnson said, “There were things we simply did not get right.” Following that, a series of exclamations rose from those listening, probably because they could all feel the insincerity of it all, just as I did. Actively breaking the rules you set isn’t getting things wrong, it’s bla-

tantly disregarding them.

His sentiment regarding the ordeal caused a bit of a stir in Parliament as well, with members of his own party, the Conservative Party, calling for him to be ousted. This is quite a big deal considering that Johnson is a very well-liked politician. He is the most electorally successful Conservative leader in over 30 years—receiving a majority of 80 seats in his 2019 election.

So how does he manage to, well… fuck it all up? Simple, Johnson lacks a sense of correctness, he is relinquishing his reign over England because he has no moral compass.

While I won’t go into too many specifics about all the ways Boris Johnson lacks morality (for fear of angry spontaneous combustion), I will explain his terrible judgement and ineptitude surrounding these allegations.

The Mirror, a tabloid paper in the UK, published a story on Nov. 30, that accused Johnson and his staff of breaking lockdown rules. The article alleged that around 40 or 50 people attended a going away party for a member of the staff and that other events occurred during the entirety of England’s lockdown. Following this, a video emerged showing none other than Allegra Stratton, Ed Oldfield—the Downing Street special adviser— and other staffers joking about a party that occurred at No. 10 in a mock Q&A session.

Now, if Johnson had any moral compass, he would have owned up to the fact that he broke the rules. But did he? Of course not! Despite there being video evidence of a member of his staff admitting

Donations needed to overcome worst blood shortage in over a decade

Courtesy Harry Bates

Harry Bates

Beacon Correspondent The American Red Cross, an organization that collects and distributes nearly 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, is pleading with the public to help alleviate stress on an exhausted national blood reserve. The non-profit sounded alarms after nearly two years of lulled donation numbers and the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron COVID-19 variant. An estimated 10 percent drop in donations since March 2020 triggered the organization and its counterparts to declare a blood crisis in early January.

I was surprised by the low donor turnout during my visit to the Red Cross in mid-January, so I decided to write this in an attempt to spread awareness of the dire need for blood in this region and country.

After two years of this pandemic, I was hesitant to donate blood, especially with the unnecessary eligibility restrictions placed on queer men by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ultimately, though, I felt that the needs of vulnerable people outweighed my own personal worries and objections.

Blood donation centers are located almost everywhere; the Red Cross’s

Boston Blood Donation Center is only one block away from campus at 274 Tremont Street. I walked in, conversed with a really welcoming nurse, and listened to the Grateful Dead’s “Terrapin Station” throughout the entire donation process (highly recommend).

America’s blood supply depends on young people, as do the millions that require blood services for treating cancers, traumatic injuries, and a wide variety of other life-saving procedures.

In 2019 alone, nearly a quarter of the Red Cross’s donations came from high school and college students – that number now stands at a dismal 10 percent.

The pandemic has led to the cancellation of thousands of student blood donation events, resulting in a weakened blood supply which has left medical professionals, healthcare facilities, and government officials scrambling for ways to collect this liquid of life. According to givingblood.org, nearly 4.5 million people in the United States require blood transfusions annually. As young people, it’s crucial that we put forward motions of mutual aid, and help those who are in desperate need of a resource that most have a natural abundance of.

If you can, please donate. More information can be found at redcross.org. harrison_bates@emerson.edu

to the party, Johnson did not budge. He and his constituents denied it all!

In a country that has been pummeled by the pandemic— for reference, 157,357 people have died from COVID-19 in the UK as of Feb. 1, which accounts for almost 24 percent of the population—the Prime Minister should at least extend the common courtesy to follow his own rules. Especially since his handling of the pandemic has been substandard at best.

Nevertheless, the more Boris denied it, the more evidence rose to the surface, the angrier people got, and an apology was forced out. The apology was more of an attempt at sounding remorseful for things that he alleges were never told were outside of the COVID rules he set.

While admitting to participating in a series of parties, Johnson has the audacity to say, “I know the anguish they have been through, unable to mourn their relatives, unable to live their lives as they want or do the things they love.” I mean are you having a laugh right now Boris? How can you confidently say that you feel the pain of the people when you can’t even abide by the law you set to “protect” them?

For a man who claims to have never told a lie—I wish I was kidding about that—the apology did as well as the Titanic did at avoiding the iceberg. Following his apology, Johnson quite literally almost incited a mutiny. When announcing he would be lifting all remaining COVID-19 restrictions—because this is exactly what a country still battling a pandemic needs—Johnson was met with disarray.

One member of parliament, Christian Wakeford, barged over to the Labour side

Courtesy Wiki Commons of the House of Commons and declared he would be joining the opposing party in response to Johnson’s actions. Another, David Davis, cited a quote that was said to former Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain when he was asked to resign.

“In the name of God, go,” Davis said.

Now, I never thought I would agree with a torie, but in the weeks following his apology, at least 10 torie MP’s have submitted letters of no confidence. If 54 letters were to be submitted, Parliament would have to hold a no-confidence vote for Johnson, which could determine whether or not he remains Prime Minister.

Along with that, according to a YouGov poll conducted on Jan. 13, the torie party’s approval ratings have gone down.

The poll asks if a general election were to happen tomorrow, which party would you vote for? The Labour Party, the UK’s democratic party, has garnered 38 percent of the vote, 10 percentage points above

the Conservative Party. So, not only has Boris ruined his career, he’s ruined his party’s reputation.

So, what happens now? Well, if Boris had any dignity left he would resign, but I doubt that will happen. So, we wait for more letters to file in and hopefully a no-confidence vote ensues. Do I have hope that this will teach anyone a lesson?

No, I do not. After observing the rule of Johnson and Theresa May during my adult life, I have no confidence that this will teach the conservatives or Johnson himself anything.

If anything, this will become another blip in Britain’s history and we’ll still have our mouths agape in five years time, wondering how Johnson got away with it—which is what I predict will happen— as so many Prime Ministers before him have gotten away with their own rotten deeds.

making me hate the news. <3 Bailey Allen, Deputy Enterprise News Editor There’s something so cool about putting hard work into a story and seeing it in print the next morning. With The Beacon, I’ve interviewed so many people with interesting stories and I’ve learned an incredible amount from my fellow editors. Although we spend way too many late nights in the newsroom, I secretly love it. The news never sleeps, right?

Vivi Smilgius, Deputy Express News Editor I had simultaneous introductions to Boston, Emerson, The Beacon and all its lovely staff. I’m so grateful to have met these people and shared this paper. <3 Adri Pray, Assistant Express News Editor Going from correspondent to editor in the span of two semesters was an intense and sudden change. I’m thankful I had a paper full of people to help me realize my potential.

Abigail Lee, Assistant Enterprise News Editor I never know what to expect from The Beacon, and that’s the beauty of it. I’m grateful to learn from everyone, and I look forward to what the future holds.

Karissa Schaefer, Living Arts Editor I don’t know if I’d evolve this far as a journalist without The Beacon. Both as a writer and a collaborative member of a news team, I’m grateful for the oneof-a-kind experience. I will continue to write from LA in the fall—The Beacon cannot get rid of me.

Hannah Nguyen, Deputy Living Arts Editor My experience as a Beacon staff member has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and the people I’ve met so far.

Hadera McKay, Opinion Editor I just started at The Beacon this year but I can honestly say it’s already been a fun, communal, and chaotic experience.

I’m excited to keep learning and grow-

ing as a writer and editor.

Sabine Waldeck, Deputy Opinion Editor The Beacon has been my four-year onagain-off-again relationship that at the end of the day I love so much.

Justin Chen, Assistant Opinion Editor Working for the Beacon is one of the best experiences I have ever had in journalism. Coming from a completely different major, I was hesitant to join because of my lack of experience. But The Beacon embraced me, and I gained so much real-world experiences in journalism. I look forward to more!

Tyler Foy, Sports Editor Joining the Beacon has given me experience that I couldn’t have received at any other student publication. Although the stress and the pressure seem to always be at the maximum level, the people I’ve been able to connect with through this organization make each week worth it!

Jason Tulchin, Deputy Sports Editor No comment.

Kaitlyn Fehr, Chief Copyeditor I will forever be grateful that former EIC Katie Redefer dragged me into this paper. It’s become a second home to me, and I look forward to every Wednesday night. Despite the late nights and the frustrations, I love the Beacon, and I’m going to miss it when I graduate this spring.

Charlie Ambler, Deputy Copy Editor This paper has given me a sense of what it feels like to be a journalist. It’s a chaotic experience, one that will have your mind spinning within seconds of entering the newsroom. But it is also exciting. The people you’re stuck with for hours on end quickly go from being tolerable to being the people you ask for life advice—while trying to figure out when an article will finally reach the copy desk.

frankie_rowley@emerson.edu

Staffers share experiences of college newspaper Cont. from Pg. 1 Lucia Thorne, Editor-in-Chief I can’t say I’m a fan of staying up till 5 a.m. on Wednesday nights, but like, y’all are cool I guess. All jokes aside, I would not have learned or evolved this much as a journalist without this paper and my talented fellow staffers. Love y’all <3 Camilo Fonseca, Content Managing Editor Not only has this paper given me the most hands-on experience in journalism, it’s the whole reason I’m a journalist in the first place. These caffeine-fueled production nights may be long, but there’s nowhere else I’d rather spend them, and no other staff I’d rather spend them with.

Shannon Garrido, Content Managing Editor ​​The Beacon gave me good times with good people, for free.

Campbell Parish, Magazine Editor and Operations Managing Editor All of the many late nights were worth it to meet all of these incredible people.

Being surrounded by individuals who push me has made me the journalist I am today. I have grown and been challenged by this organization and the people involved. So much love to you all <3 Marcus Cocova, Multimedia Managing Editor Most pursuits in life seem pointless and disappointing. Being able to produce journalism is the only good fight there is. I’m glad the Beacon is here to be one of the few things that feels meaningful.

Frankie Rowley, News Editor While The Beacon and I have had our disagreements, I owe so much to this paper. I truly do not think I would be where I am without it. I describe The Beacon as a “mini Boston Globe” when trying to explain what it’s like—this paper will break you. It’s long hours, late nights, and adopting a part-time job that doesn’t pay you. But it’s worth it.

I love you guys, big thanks to The Beacon for you all, and for subtly

contact@berkeleybeacon.com

The Berkeley Beacon

February 3, 2022

6

Living Arts

10 Chinatown businesses to support this Lunar New Year

Abigail Lee and Hannah Nguyen Beacon Staff

Lunar New Year falls on Feb. 1 this year, and Emerson students have the perfect opportunity to support businesses in neighboring Chinatown. This community has a rich and vibrant history, and students can walk a few blocks down from campus and explore what Chinatown has to offer.

Taiwan Cafe Taiwan Cafe is a Chinese restaurant suited for family outings or late-night meals, with operating hours spanning from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily. Some popular menu items include stewed minced pork over rice and House Special fried pork chop on a rice platter. Whether you’re dining in or ordering online, the restaurant offers a reliable combination of hearty and fresh ingredients.

Spicy World For classic Chinese platters with a modern spin, try Spicy World. Firstyear visual and media arts major Olivia Hu said the spiciness of the food reminded her of the dishes she grew up with. “Most importantly the place

Spicy World in Chinatown. / Hannah Nguyen Beacon Staff is super-cheap, the skewers are a dollar each,” said Hu. Spicy World is located at 7 Beach St., and operates from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.

Gong Cha One of the most recognizable boba chains, Gong Cha is a go-to for many Emerson students. Gong Cha offers classic milk teas and slushies at 40-44 Harrison Ave from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. “It’s small and simple, it doesn’t push any boundaries, but it does what it needs to do,” said first-year visual media arts major Brooks Walker.

Hong Kong Eatery

The 30-year staple of Boston’s Chinatown, Hong Kong Eatery, serves Cantonese cuisine. Located at 79 Harrison Ave, the restaurant’s vibrant menu invites Bostonians to enjoy items such as scallion pancakes, wontons, and seafood porridge from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Gourmet Dumpling House Another classic dumpling business in the area, Gourmet Dumpling House offers a vibrant menu alongside its dumplings and buns. We recommend checking out the spicy salt and pepper fried calamari or pan-fried pork buns from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. at 52 Beach St. “It’s a really cute, small place to go with your friends and to enjoy yourself basically,” said first-year creative writing major Elise Guzman.

Tao’s Beauty For all your beauty and care needs, check out Tao’s Beauty at 35 Harrison Ave. According to their website, Tao’s offers “personalized and honest customer service,” and provides Bostonians with makeup, skincare, and hair products. Browse in-store or online and find your next beauty routine, as well as household items, snacks, and gifts.

Jia Ho Supermarket

Chaba Florist in Chinatown. / Hannah Nguyen Beacon Staff As a convenient and accessible grocery store, Jia Ho provides fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, and seafood. Located at 692 Washington St. and operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, Jia Ho can be a crucial supplier for dinners at home with your friends or 3 a.m. snack fuels.

Montien Thai Restaurant Located at 63 Stuart St, Montien Thai Restaurant offers a regular and authentic Thai menu to their customers with an array of options. Montien Thai Restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11:15 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday through Saturday

from 11:15 a.m. to 10 p.m.

My Thai Vegan Cafe For a vegetarian version of Thai cuisine, My Thai Vegan Cafe prepares classic platters with veggie meat substitutes. Enjoy your favorite soups or stir-fried noodles with vegan-chicken, vegan-shrimp, or tofu ingredients. My Thai Vegan Cafe is located at 3 Beach St. and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Saturday.

Chaba Florist Chaba Florist provides the perfect flower arrangements for any occasion ranging from birthdays, weddings, graduations, and anniversaries. Customers can order online for delivery or pick up at 71 Stuart St, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This list is just a glimpse of all the businesses in Chinatown. While we recommend supporting these businesses during Lunar New Year, we hope that more Emerson students continue supporting Chinatown and other Asian-owned businesses even after the holiday. contact@berkeleybeacon.com

Female comedy troupe returning, showcasing new members Cont. from Pg. 1 -ly, an adaptation of “Annie” called “Alaina.”

“Doing these performances is our ultimate bonding at the beginning of a semester because we’re a troupe, we are so close with our writing,” Bertram said. “A lot of trust is required in order to write together, to create together, and we’re a comedy troupe too so it’s important we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We had such a good time doing our first musical last semester, and there’s a theme of singing and dancing in our sketches. It’s something everyone in our group really loves to do.”

Now, as the president whose last semester is this spring, Bertram is especially excited for “Grace.” She’s looking forward to seeing how the group’s dynamic evolves with new roles in leadership, as well as new members, who will be especially featured in the production, which is named after new member sophomore Grace Cameron.

“It’s kind of a fun way to introduce them to the comedy community and showcase and celebrate our new talent,” Bertram said. “I’m very excited to see what the troupe grows into and see what I’m leaving behind. We have a lot of people who have come so far in the group in terms of writing, performance, or whatever.”

Sophomore theater and performance major Annajean Gionta is another new addition to the troupe, and will be playing “Grease”’s very own Sandra Dee. “I cannot wait to share the stage with people I look up to so much,” Gionta said. “It’s just going to be so fun. Performing something silly on stage with cool people is like my life dream.”

Fellow sophomore theater and performance student Lorelei Barcelos is the last recent addition to the group.

“I actually have never seen or heard ‘Grease’ in my life, so I’m really excited to go from not knowing anything about ‘Grease’ to being in ‘Grease,’ and being the titular role of Danny Zuko,” Barcelos said.

Sophomore visual media arts stu-

dent and treasurer Alaina Reyes said the idea to do a “Grease” show originated last semester, keeping the tradition of a musical as the first show of the semester to introduce new talent.

“I know Katie Kendrick has been pushing for it ever since we did ‘ALAINA’ last semester, I specifically remember getting brunch with her and Mason Grammer, and we already had the whole thing casted out in our heads,” Reyes said. “Also we’re The Girlie Project, obviously we would do at least one musical this semester. It’s part of our brand at this point.”

Each rendition requires a pre-existing script, which is condensed to fit into an hour to an hour and a half show. The organization typically has three to five rehearsals for blocking, creating funny bits, and drilling musical numbers and choreography. Performances aren’t memorized, with the group instead reading off scripts on stage, which add to the comedic flare.

“Our sketch shows are so much fun, but Girlie musicals have a special place in my heart,” said Reyes. “I know the whole point is that we do these musicals as a joke, but I know every Girlie has a part of themselves deep down that takes it 100 percent seriously.”

For “Grace,” a “Grease Live” script was utilized and shortened, Bertram’s editing adding memorable moments from the “Grease” movie.

“I watched the movie and I went through and added iconic scenes from the movie that weren’t in the script,” Bertram said. “I changed some lines and dialogue to make it more the movie that we all love.”

The group has been passionately dedicated to rehearsing for the musical, which has been an eight-day turnaround. Reyes says to “prepare your singing voices,” as the show has a total of 13 musical numbers.

“I’ve been listening to only ‘Grease’ for the past 48 hours to memorize the songs,” Reyes said. “We are not playing around. Thankfully, Girlie has MASTER choreographers and good dancers and singers, most, if not all, of us, grew up as theater kids.”

Barcelos also mentioned the hard

Poster for upcoming show, ‘Grace.’ / Courtesy The Girlie Project work that is going into the rehearsals.

“We’re doing a lot more choreo than from what I heard when they did last year’s,” Barcelos said. “The musical numbers are more intense than they have been. I’ve actually been sweating like I’m at an actual rehearsal for ‘Grease’ the musical.”

As a theater and performance major, Gionta is applying her acting experience to the Girlie stage. However, she’s looking forward to expanding her comedy writing skills through a team effort.

“I’m really excited to explore my

writing with Girlie,” Gionta said. “I have been acting for years, but sketch writing is somewhat new to me, so I cannot wait to collaborate with the other girlies and write some amazing comedy.”

With the current state of the world, Gionta finds comedy crucial, and The Girlie Project provides the resources to practice the craft.

“I love doing comedy because 2022 is a hard time to live in and comedy offers me some relief from everything else in the world being so serious,”

Gionta said. “Comedy helps me relax, find joy, and not take things so seriously. All of the other girlies are my favorite part of being in the Girlie Project.

Everyone is truly so kind, welcoming, and hilarious.”

The highlight of The Girlie Project is the supportive community it fosters.

With added characteristics of funny jokes, creating shows, and performing, the creative experience is limitless amongst the intimate group.

“My favorite part about Girlie would just be that experience and that gift of having this space with unlimited creativity where you are unfiltered and you’re able to really just play with each other to explore different ideas,” Bertram said. “Girlie really helps people showcase their individual talents and skills, it’s nice to create a space where everyone can do that and grow as performers and writers.”

Echoing the same idea, Reyes attests working to produce content to make people laugh with not just anyone, but also her friends, is the most rewarding part.

“Finding people who share my sense of humor and then working on something together and riffing off of each other is just such a specific energy,” Reyes said. “I’ve had friends tell me that our shows are fun because they can tell we’re also having fun on stage, which is so true. All we do while we’re up there is try to make each other laugh.

That should always be the number one priority for any kind of comedy show, because if none of the people on stage are having fun, then how will the audience have fun?”

Following “Grace,” the troupe has big plans for the upcoming semester.

They plan to have three sketch shows, presenting their own written and workshopped sketches. One of which is a combined show with acapella group Noteworthy, which Bertram teased will most likely be their last show.

As new member Barcelos sums up the troupe, show, and comedy altogether, “The best part about anything is just making people laugh.” karissa_schaefer@emerson.edu

The Berkeley Beacon

February 3, 2022

7

Emerson Stage puts on Pulitzer Prize winning musical ‘Next to Normal’ Payton Cavanaugh Beacon Staff

Content Warning: This article contains mentions of mental illness.

“They’re the perfect loving family, so adoring,” Senior Roberta Alaman, playing the role of Diana Goodman, sang to open the show.

From the lively musical numbers, emotion-packed scenes, and undeniable stage chemistry between cast members, Emerson Stage put on an unforgettable production of the Pulitzer Prize winning musical, “Next To Normal.”

The first performance was held on Friday, Jan. 28, and the following performances on Sunday Jan. 30 and Monday Jan. 31, were added as a result of Saturday’s show’s cancellation (due to the Nor’easter).

As I sat in the seats and awaited the uniquely impactful experience of this production, I took a moment to take in the set. From the living room chair to the kitchen island, the set was simple in nature, yet it

In the second act, audience members watch as Diana tries to piece together her life and memories again; yet, she falls short as the last thing she can truly recall is the birth of her son. The musical portrays a family who wants nothing more than a “normal” life, yet covers the complexities of yearning for a “normal” that doesn’t exist.

Diana wants to give her daughter, Natalie, a normal life, but who’s to say what normal really is?

Upon first glance, the plethora of empty frames lining the back of the stage made me inquisitive. As the cast performed the final number and the audience leapt to their feet to applaud this remarkable performance, the frames began to make sense to me.

On a surface level, the frames signified Diana’s lost memories and her lack of emotional presence in Natalie’s childhood. Looking deeper, I found these frames portrayed the ways in which we are truly unable to live in and appreciate life’s moments when we are unable to care for our own well being. Mental illness steals the true appreciation and experience of life’s moments from the individuals affected.

The musical has six acting company members and four understudies—a cast of remarkable performers with such interconnectedness and vibrant stage presence.

Senior Isabel Ginsburg played the role of Natalie Goodman, the daughter of Diana and Dan, Gabe’s sister, and Henry’s love interest.

Natalie yearns for the love of her mother, desperately trying to gain her attention in any way she can.

Ginsburg created a character that really connected to the audience emotionally, and portrayed an individual seeking and simultaneously running from love. However, what stuck out to me most was the chemistry and connection between Ginsburg and sophomore Alexander Serino, who played the role of Henry.

Henry is Natalie’s unexpected best friend and love interest.

“Ginsburg created a character that really connected to the audience emotionally, and portrayed an individual “...his seeking and memory simultaneand the ously running idea of the from love.” person he delivered all the expected components of an average family home.

Three tiered platforms served as different settings, but upon first glance, portrayed a simply average, utterly normal home. The most thought-provoking piece of the set, however, was the myriad of empty frames displayed all along the backdrop.

Throughout the production, the audience finds out that Diana, the mother, suffers from bipolar disorder. She has been subconsciously imagining her son, Gabriel, as a fully grown teenage boy to cope with his loss at a mere eight months old. We watch as Diana tries to treat her bipolar disorder which proves ineffective, leading to her and her families ultimate decision for electroshock therapy at the end of the first act.

would be lives on in the minds of his parents’” -Max Conner

He embodied everything Natalie did not believe herself to be, and showed her pure love, compassion, and undivided attention. Something she subconsciously wanted,

but inevitably tried to turn away from. Henry is absolutely infatuated with Natalie, and would do anything to be with her and show her her worth.

Senior Cedrick Ekra played the role of Dan Goodman, Diana’s husband and the father to Gabe and Natalie. Outside of his incredible stage presence and pure talent, Ekra delivered a truly developed character, taking many comedic approaches that really connected Dan to the audience. Thus, leading to a tremendous impact with the character’s development in the second act.

From the moment Dan is introduced, the audience can un-

“Give me pain, if that’s what’s real. It’s the price we pay to feel.” derstand and relate to the character’s motives and experiences.

Dan wants to do everything in his power to make everyone he loves happy, all while neglecting his own happiness and healing until it becomes detrimental to his well being. I think we can all resonate with these complex relationships.

The feeling of loving someone so deeply, knowing all you want is their happiness, but forgetting to prioritize your own.

Sophomore Max Connor played the role of Gabe, the late son of Dan and Diana, and the brother of Natalie. The character of Gabe is arguably the most complex in this production. Gabe passed away at eight months old from an intestinal obstruction, but his memory and the idea of the person he would be lives on in the minds of his parents’.

Despite knowing the plot of this musical, I still couldn’t help but feel the immense grief and emotion that filled the room as I watched Gabe grapple with being left behind in his mother’s memory. The scene left a longer lasting impact paired with Alaman’s brilliant portrayal of Diana’s grief.

The bittersweet nature of this moment was truly the most painful part. Knowing that coming to terms with Gabe’s death meant Diana’s health and the formation of a deeper relationship with Natalie, yet the inevitable healing from grief, is the most complex concept.

When you are no longer consumed by your grief, you lose a constant presence of the person you’re grieving, however overwhelming the presence of their memory may have been. It is a post-loss loss.

So the performance concludes, the audience applauds, and I am left with a new perspective. What is love, what is joy, and what is life, without sorrow? How do we learn to appreciate memories in the making without the memories of the past, no matter how painful?

“Give me pain, if that’s what’s real. It’s the price we pay to feel.” payton_cavanaugh@emerson.edu

First-years start new student makeup organization Karissa Schaefer Beacon Staff

New student organization Makeup Atelier, created by two first-years in the business of creative enterprises major, is the most recent addition to Emerson’s artistic institute.

President Elze Remeikyte is using her professional makeup artist diploma to teach other students. The art of makeup has been a passion of hers since she was 12, and her favorite part of the process is the primary step of applying the base.

“My whole life I’ve been interested in makeup,” Remeikyte said.

“The foundation, the concealer, the contouring, and just sort of the whole layout. You can think of it as a canvas for painting. I just like to prepare that very well so my results can be better.”

Other than Emerson alum and makeup entrepreneur Bobbi Brown, Remeikyte said the inspirations behind Makeup Atelier stems from a notice of student interest and the lack of a preexisting makeup organization. After asking others around

two informational sessions, and their weekly lessons begin this Friday, Feb. 4. Magdziak described the progressing structure of the introductory program, which is open to everyone with as much or as little experience they have.

“We [are having] 10 classes, starting from the basics like foundation, then going into more eyes and details,” Magdziak said.

Mask guidelines prove to be a challenge to the new organization, inhibiting the ability to apply a full face of makeup. Magdziak said that due to COVID restrictions, a compromise to split lessons between in-person and over Zoom was made, depending on the type of skills being taught.

“We’re figuring out the best solutions and ways to still make this club happen, but also help everyone use their faces,” Remeikyte said. “We want everyone to get a full experience of what this club is. For example, when I talked about the base of makeup, we’re going to be in Zoom because that’s when you need to take your mask off. Then when you’re doing something above your

Makeup Atelier organization logo. / Courtesy Makeup Atelier

“We [are having] 10 classes starting from the basics like foundation, then going to more eyes and details” -Julia Magdziak campus about their interest and makeup abilities, Remeikyte saw the perfect opportunity.

Vice President Julia Magdziak brought her marketing skills to the table, contributing the organization’s logo. Both students are eagerly utilizing their BCE major to their advantage.

“We’re kind of treating this student club as a small business, so it’s preparation for our future,” Magdziak said. “It’s very exciting.”

So far, the organization has had

nose, like your eyebrows or eyes, that’s when we meet in person.”

In order to prioritize safety, Makeup Atelier hopes to dedicate its first semester to growing in numbers and becoming officially affiliated with Emerson.

“We hope to expand and just get bigger,” Remeikyte said. ”Right now, we are an independent organization. We do need a lot of funding and all that to prepare for the most professional experience for the people who come into the makeup club.”

The organization plans to use this time to get their bearings and explore different areas that may be of interest to students.

“This semester, we’ll just experiment and see what people want, what people would like, what people would want to find out from us about makeup,” Remeikyte said.

“That’s our biggest goal, to just use this semester as our starting point to make all the plans for next semester and to start these lessons so people would see who we are.”

Both Remeikyte and Magdziak are looking forward to collaborating with each other and their peers with limitless creativity. The space will not only strengthen people’s makeup skills, but also make them feel self-assured.

“Our goal is to teach students about the basics of makeup because we see makeup as a very powerful tool for self-expression and also to boost your confidence,” Magdziak said. “For makeup, we want to help people be the best version of themselves.” karissa_schaefer@emerson.edu

The Berkeley Beacon

Sports

February 3, 2022

8

Women’s basketball falls to Babson in crushing defeat Jason Tulchin Beacon Staff

The Emerson women’s basketball team fell short to Babson College in a hard-fought four quarters that ultimately ended 69-32 at home this Wednesday.

The Lions, now 7-11—and 3-2 in conference play—had their fourgame win streak broken by Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Sunday.

They had a tough opponent in the Beavers, who were 13-5 (4-0 in conference) coming off a close win against Springfield College on Sunday and a resounding defeat to Mount Holyoke College on Wednesday.

The first quarter began 3-2 Babson, with a two-point jumper from sophomore guard Ella Bushee putting the Lions on the board. These would be the only points from Emerson for the next six minutes as Babson went on a 16-point tear only broken by two successful foul shots from sophomore guard Olivia Deslauriers with 2:36 left in the quarter. Seven more points from Emerson, including a three-pointer from junior guard Chelsea Gibbons, would bring the score up to 28-11 by the end of the quarter.

The second quarter saw the Beavers go on another streak, only broken by a two-pointer from first-year

forward Mackenzie Bruno. With 2:23 left in the quarter, the score sat at 1845, a trip to the line from Deslauriers bringing the game to 20-46. A positive 3-2 trade for Emerson in a fierce battle for layups in the final minute of the second quarter would leave the score 23-48.

The third quarter saw only three points tallied by the Lions on account of a free throw and a trey from Bushee. The Beavers scored 13 points over the course of the quarter.

Babson sophomore forward Madison Odam tallied 4 points to narrowly lead ahead of Bushee in points scored for the quarter, which ended 59-23.

The Lions and Beavers’ defenses were evenly matched for the first 1:43 of the final quarter, with the first bucket coming from Babson firstyear guard/forward Meghan Goode.

Two minutes later, Emerson had their scoring drought rejuvenated by sophomore guard Ava Salti with a three. The Lions went down swinging, scoring eight of the next twelve points. Bruno drained a jumper for Emerson’s final points of the game.

Sophomore guard Sydnie Herbert stole the ball from Babson in the final 36 seconds, though after a missed three, the Beavers would regain the ball and hold it until the clock ran out.

Deslauriers and Bushee were tied

at seven points for Emerson’s scoring leaders, while junior guard Chloe Allen led Emerson in rebounds.

Head Coach Bill Gould said he was surprised by the lopsided outcome of the game.

“I knew Babson was good, but Holy Christ, they just made every single shot,” he said after the game. “It wasn’t that we were bad on defense, but they were on fire to start the game. That really threw us through a loop.”

Despite the loss, Gould said he was proud of the work of team captains Katie Beckmann and Gibbons, praising Beckmann for keeping the defense on track and Gibbons for handling the offensive end of the game.

“Everybody contributed a bit,” he added.

Eight out of 11 Lions contributed points. There were two reserve players who were able to shine during the game: Bruno, who came off the bench to score 6 points, and Allen, who led Emerson in rebounds, with 6.

Gould emphasized that the Lions had been competitive all the way through.

For Herbert, the team’s ability to compete successfully was also what made that night.

“We have goals every game, and

Sophomore guard Olivia Deslauriers against Babson. / Sydney Ciardi Beacon Staff

the goals have been the same,” she said. “Be calm, be aggressive, and just play our game.”

Like Gould, Herbert had praise for the performances of Beckmann and Gibbons, as well as junior forward Carla Pelino.

Gould said that the Lions would have to work on their offense and getting points on the board. However, he added that the team showed that they could continue to compete under pressure.

“What we took from this game was the fact that we just competed,” he said. “We withstood this onslaught in the first quarter—I mean, [our players] were just unbelievable.”

“In practice, we have to push each other, and in games against great teams like Mount Babson [sic], we have to know that we can play our game,” he added.

In lieu of the game being played on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Gould reflected on the

importance of the girl’s team as female athletes in basketball.

“The team was playing pickup at an outside court, and there were two little girls walking with their mother through the park, and they stayed to watch,” Gould said. “They were probably six, seven, eight years old.

And I told the team later ... do you realize how important that is? For those little kids to see girls out on the court, playing competitively ... that’s why women in sports are important.”

“I’m glad that girls and women are finally getting that recognition and that amount of support and love.”

Herbert said. “We’re slowly but surely getting equal to men’s sports, so it felt good playing today and being a part of that history.”

The women’s basketball team will have their next game against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Saturday.

jason_tulchin@emerson.edu

Brady’s retirement leaves Patriots fans shocked Tyler Foy Beacon Staff Most Emerson students, sports fans or not, have spent their lives witnessing what is arguably one of the greatest careers in football history. Now, as the seven-time Super Bowl champion hangs up his helmet, the students who grew up in Tom Brady’s shadow are taking time to reflect and reminisce.

“He’s just an iconic figure in New England sports,” said Cooper Sherman, a junior sports communication major. “When you become a Patriots fan, Brady has to be a big part of that.”

Brady’s announcement, long-anticipated but still sensational, sparked a unique controversy when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback confirmed the reports of his retirement on Tuesday. Coming off an MVP caliber season leading the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, the sports world was thrown for a loop.

“The first reaction was shock,” Sherman said. “While you’d think the retirement had to happen sometime, it was a bit of a surprise. After this season, you would think maybe he’d want to go out in a better way.”

In his last game, Brady’s Buccaneers lost to the Los Angeles Rams in dramatic fashion, after coming back from a 24 point deficit in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. The next few days saw extensive media speculation about the possibility of his retirement—something that first-year sports communication major Nick Antonakas said was disrespectful to Brady’s legacy.

“It was kind of ridiculous that journalists were hopping on [the unconfirmed reports,]” he said. “I mean, obviously it’s their job, but he was planning to announce it. It’s just wishy-washy.”

Though many fans felt that the longtime Patriot could have continued to play—something suggested by his own comments—sophomore

business of creative enterprises major Kyle Beebe said that he had already achieved everything he needed to in the NFL. “He could have kept playing, but it’s completely up to him at this point,” Beebe said. “He doesn’t really owe anything to anyone because of all that he’s done for the sport.”

Brady’s announcement also drew controversy for neglecting to mention the Patriots organization—with which he spent twenty seasons and six Super

Bowls—and its fans. For some New England fans, the omission was hard to swallow.

“That was the one thing that, I don’t want to say rubbed me the wrong way, but I was just like ‘why not?’” Beebe said. “I understand mentioning the Bucs because that is the team that he’s on. But I thought if he was looking back on his legacy, he would have to address [the Patriots].”

His history with New England may have not been addressed in his final

A Lions player during Tuesday’s practice. / Courtesy Wikicommons

statements—though he would later acknowledge the fanbase on his social media—but few contend that Brady did anything short of changing the landscape of New England sports.

With the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL draft, New England found gold in a player who was never expected to surmount anything more than to sit behind former quarterback Drew Bledsoe.

“A big part of Tom Brady’s legacy is that this guy was a six-round pick,” Sherman said. “You would never think that a player drafted where he was would come out to be such a fantastic player in the NFL.” His career created countless memories for Patriots fans, who had never seen a Super Bowl victory before Brady’s astounding 2001 campaign.

“Some of the happiest moments as a kid for me were because of the teams that he led to the Super Bowl,” Beebe said. “I just respect the amount of hard work he had; the dedication is what comes to mind when I first think of him.”

Antonakas said Brady was one of the reasons he started to watch football which led to his own career aspirations in sports journalism.

“Tom Brady is not only the leader, but he’s also part of the reason why I got so interested in football,” Antonakas said. “I want to pursue a career in football and one day hopefully cover the Patriots in some sort of fashion.”

Sherman said Brady’s ability to win was one of his best qualities.

“Greatest of all time,” Sherman said. “He was a great passer. He always seemed very poised when he was out there on the field. He was a great competitor and he was a winner.

He knew how to win in all circumstances.”

One of Brady’s most notable victories came in Super Bowl LI, after being down 28-3 against the Atlanta Falcons. The star quarterback stunned

the world with an astonishing comeback—making for one of the best memories for many New England fans.

“That was just amazing to see,” Sherman said. “How it was so improbable, and it was the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.”

By 2020, though, the relationship between Brady and Patriots’ management had become frayed. His eventual move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was polarizing—especially for his supporters—but Sherman said he was ultimately content.

“I didn’t have any bad feelings towards him,” Sherman said. “He gave us 20 great years and New England won six Super Bowls, so I think Pats fans should all be grateful for that.”

“He has done more than enough for the franchise,” said Beebe. “I obviously wanted him to be a Patriot forever, but the more I thought about it, I understood.”

Antonakas said it took him over a year to come to terms with Brady’s move.

“I actually remember the day very clearly,” Antonakas said. “It was the beginning of quarantine. It was pretty cold out and I remember waking up in the morning and seeing that Tom Brady signed to the Bucs—but I still had this hope in the back of my mind that he was going to retire, like ‘he won’t betray us and play somewhere else.’ But he did, and it was just a huge shock to the heart.”

As a Buc, Brady won a Super Bowl, effectively proving his ability, at age 43, to perform without the Belichick system in place in New England.

“Not only was Tom Brady succeeding at a high level, but he was doing it at [43] years old,” Antonakas said.

“The fact that he’s moving the way he’s moving and throwing the ball that far at that age and succeeding is just ridiculous.”

tyler_foy@emerson.edu