The Dartmouth 10/01/2019

VOL. CLXXVI NO. 71

RAINY HIGH 70 LOW 60

OPINION

WOODLAND: A ’70S THROWBACK: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PAGE 4

LEVY: FIXING THE HOUSE SYSTEM: LET’S START SMALL PAGE 4

ARTS

REVIEW: ‘HUSTLERS’ EXEMPLIFIES FEMALE RECLAMATION OF POWER PAGE 7

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: JOELLE PARK ’19 APPLIES HER CREATIVITY IN FILM PAGE 8 FOLLOW US ON

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019

HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

‘Bernie in the pines’: Sanders GLC cuts funding to houses for student rally draws large crowd to Bema group performances B y Joey chong The Dartmouth

The Greek Leadership Council will no longer allocate funds for Greek organizations to host student performance groups, according to GLC president James Park ’20. The nowterminated funding policy used to provide $150 to Greek houses to host student performance groups, Park said.

The change in funding policy follows a shift in financial

responsibility that has increased the GLC’s funding burden, according to Park. He noted that a contributing factor in this budget change has been the GLC’s absorption of existing events, such as Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Yard Show and Alpha Phi Alpha’s Step Show, from other funding bodies. Some of those events, such as Gamma Delta Chi’s Green Key concert, have traditionally been funded SEE GLC PAGE 5

Dartmouth issues cease and desist letter to apparel company B y ioana andrada pantelimon The Dartmouth

The College issued a cease and desist letter on Sept. 25 to Vintage Brand, a company which sells vintage-style college clothing and objects — including some with Dartmouth’s former Indian mascot.

Vintage Brand’s website states that their “product is not affiliated with, licensed, sponsored, or endorsed by any college” and that the artwork incorporated

“has been copied from a work that is in the public domain.”

However, College spokesperson Diana Lawrence wrote in an email statement that Dartmouth has not granted permission for the company to use its name or related images.

Lawrence notified The Dartmouth of the cease and desist letter in response to an inquiry from this newspaper on Vintage Brand’s use of the College’s name in its products.

SEE VINTAGE PAGE 5

ELSA ERICKSEN/THE DARTMOUTH STAFF

Sanders is the last of the major Democratic presidential candidates to have visited Dartmouth in the last year.

B y pierce wilson and soleil gaylord The Dartmouth

A crowd of over 1,000 students and community members flocked to the Bema on Sunday evening to watch Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speak about issues including climate change, gun control, healthcare, taxes and wages.

Sanders, an independent U.S. senator from Vermont, is the last of the major Democratic candidates to visit Dartmouth in the past year.

After being introduced

by Arjun Shreekumar, a campaign field organizer, and Sunpreet Singh ’20, Sanders, stationed amongst statuesque

pines, began with a direct appeal to the audience. “ We need an unprecedented campaign to win, and we need an unprecedented presidency to do what has to be done, and I intend to do all of that and more,” Sanders said.

Sanders briefly touched on President Donald Trump, emphasizing that he didn’t “want to spend a lot of time” on him. However, he also discussed the importance of impeachment, urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and fellow Republicans to “have the courage to stand up to Trump” and to follow through with a Senate trial after House impeachment proceedings conclude. He

also asked his Republican colleagues to “put the future of America ahead of their short-term political interest.”

Sanders expressed concern at the United States’ growing wealth gap and proposed s t r at e g i e s fo r re s o l v i n g growing inequality — a plan he described as “the strongest that any presidential candidate has ever offered.”

Sanders additionally mentioned his support for public funding of elections, increasing the minimum wage, strengthening union membership and overturning the landmark Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

A m i d a p a r t i c u l a rl y SEE SANDERS PAGE 3

PAGE 2

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019

THE DARTMOUTH NEWS

Dartmouth’s endowment growth in line with peer institutions B y JACOB STRIER The Dartmouth

A diverse class of assets and positive private equity returns were key factors in the growth of the College’s endowment to an all-time high of $5.7 billion in the 2019 fiscal year. The endowment returned a net 7.5 percent, marking a small decrease from last fiscal year’s return of 12.2 percent.

According to Board of Trustees member and investment committee chair Rick Kimball ’78, the College has averaged over 10 percent returns for the past decade. “ We v i e w t h e e n d ow m e n t as long-ter m,” he said. “The goal is to generate returns that beat inflation.”

According to Kimball, the target for endowment growth is intergenerational. Kimball said the growing endowment allows the College to fund a variety of programs each year, including robust financial aid packages for students.

Chief financial officer Michael Wagner wrote in an email statement that the College’s endowment is used for a variety of needs including supporting faculty, research, facilities improvement, institutes, professional schools and graduate programs.

Economics professor Bruce Sacerdote ’90 wrote in an email statement that endowment growth is not only correlated to growth in global equity market, but also a result of strong private investments. Sacerdote cited the example of venture capitalist pursuits, which have the potential to outperform public markets in the long-run. Sacerdote said the higher earning potential in these private investments is due to both their illiquidity, as well as successful money managers.

“The investment office is already

as far out on the risk curve as they deem prudent,” Sacerdote wrote.

“The endowment is managed for long run returns, which means the endowment is willing to hold risky assets that have volatility but high expected returns.”

Sacerdote noted that positive returns are a result of the College’s partnership with money managers who can deliver returns within the top quartile of their respective fields, whether it be real estate, commodities or public equity. The benefit for the managers, according to Sacerdote, is a relationship with a well-funded, secure educational institution interested in long-term growth.

Such long-term growth is crucial, as the endowment provides a portion of the operating budget each year for the College. According to a College investment publication from the 2018 fiscal year, distribution from the endowment made up about onequarter of the College’s operating revenue.

Dartmouth’s 7.5 percent return for the 2019 fiscal year appears to be stronger than some peer institutions but lagging behind others. Yale University reported a return of 5.7 percent, while Harvard University’s endowment assets returned 6.5 percent. The University of Pennsylvania also reported a return of 6.5 percent.

Brown University appears to be leading the Ivy League in investment returns with a return of 12.4 percent.

According to Kimball, strategies that peer schools use to manage their endowments vary in some ways.

“Harvard used to do a lot of things in-house,” Kimball said.

“Investors would invest in individual companies, while what we do is find money-managers.”

On the other hand, Sacerdote w ro t e t h a t t h e r e a r e m a ny similarities between Dartmouth’s

CORRECTIONS We welcome corrections. If you believe there is a factual error in a story, please email editor@thedartmouth.com.

ADRIAN RUSSIAN/THE DARTMOUTH STAFF

College officials cite endowment growth as important for future initiatives at Dartmouth.

investment strategies and that of its peer schools.

“The modern growth-oriented, long-run model of endowment investing is often called the Yale model,” he wrote. “There is a lot of communication among the endowments in the search to find

the best managers.”

Additionally, a 1.4 percent excise tax that was passed as part of a large federal tax reform law in 2017 now applies to Dartmouth’s endowment, since the endowment is worth over $500,000 per student and the College has over 500 enrolled

students.

Wagner wrote that the College’s current excise tax estimate was in the range of $5 million, but could be subject to change. Wagner added that the College will not file the first excise tax on investment income for the 2019 fiscal year until May 2020.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019

PAGE 3

THE DARTMOUTH NEWS

Sanders advocates for universal health care, criminal justice reform FROM SANDERS PAGE 1

enthusiastic round of student applause, Sanders described his plans to make public colleges and universities tuition-free and to “cancel all student debt in America.”

An additional cornerstone of the Sanders campaign is single-payer, universal Medicare — a system in which premiums, copayments, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses would be covered by the government.

“Whether you are rich, whether you are poor, whether you are middle-class, you have a right to go to the doctor when you need to, regardless of your income,” Sanders said.

Sanders said that he plans to fund this health care program from a general tax base, a payment method that he said would lead to cheaper health care and a reduction in the strength of the health care industry in the long term.

Sanders also addressed mounting climate change concerns, denouncing Trump for his disregard

of the issue. With environmental policy reform another pivotal aspect of his campaign, Sanders described plans to retrofit buildings, electrify transport systems and invest in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal.

On the issue of criminal justice reform, Sanders urged members of the crowd to “ask [themselves] why we have more people in jail than a communist authority country four times our size like China” and why the people incarcerated were predominantly Black, Latinx and Native American.

To address the issue, Sanders discussed proposals such as investing in education, ending the War on Drugs, abolishing private prisons and legalizing marijuana — which elicited cheers from the crowd.

Sanders added that, in addition to legalizing marijuana, he plans to expunge the criminal records of those incarcerated on marijuana charges.

Continuing on the note of social justice, Sanders once again mentioned Trump, calling him “a

racist president who is trying to demonize the undocumented.”

He then called for “comprehensive immigration reform,” which he said included support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy and the development of a humane border policy.

Sanders then moved to the issue of abortion rights, arguing that many of his Republican colleagues in Congress want to “get the government off of the back of the American people, except when it comes to a woman’s right to control her own body.” He added that he would never nominate anyone to the Supreme Court who was not in favor of the Roe v. Wade decision.

Next, Sanders spoke about the issue of gun control. He assured the crowd there was widespread support across the country for more thorough background checks, bringing an end to ‘loopholes’ and banning assault weapons. He added that this support was not being realized in Congress because Republican leadership is intimidated by the National Rifle Association.

“You’re looking at someone who, as president, will not be scared by the NRA,” he said.

Anna Byrd ’23, who attended the event, described the rally as “fun and informative.” She added that Sanders’ views on gun violence and gun ownership had been inconsistent in the past, but said that hearing his support for gun control was a positive.

Other students expressed similar positive sentiments. Spencer Keating ’23 said that after the rally he was “feeling pretty good about Bernie.”

Bill Bender ’04, a Vermont resident, said that he and his wife were grateful to be in the presence of a politician whom they admire, and that although they hope to vote for Sanders in the general election, they plan to support whomever the Democratic nominee is in next year’s presidential election.

According to a recent poll conducted by Monmouth University, Sanders trails Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and former vice president Joe Biden (D) in support among voters likely to participate in the New

Hampshire Democratic primary.

Before the event, Sanders met with the Dartmouth Community against Gender Harassment and Sexual Violence. In his talk with DCGHSV, Sanders affirmed his support for survivors and policies that would bring an end to sexual harassment and sexual violence, according to DCGHSV founder Diana Whitney ’95.

Dartmouth College Democrats executive director Michael Parsons ’20 said that the Sanders campaign reached out to the College Democrats, who chose the Bema as the event’s location because of the large number of people expected to attend.

According to Carli Stevenson, New Hampshire deputy communications director for Sanders’ campaign, the official recorded attendance for the event was 1,052, which was nearly double the expected turnout of 600. Stevenson said that although previous Sanders events on campus have been held indoors, she thought that the Bema gave the event a sort of “Bernie in the pines feel.”

PAGE 4

THE DARTMOUTH OPINION

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST OPHELIA WOODLAND ‘23

STAFF COLUMNIST GABRIELLE LEVY ‘22

A ’70s Throwback: Domestic Violence

Fixing the House System: Let’s Start Small

The DOJ’s definition of domestic violence will have damaging consequences.

It has been over a year since the Department of Justice drastically changed its official definition of domestic violence — but hardly anyone has heard about it. Although the media did not bring significant attention to this policy change, it will have grave consequences for survivors. Worse than invalidating the experiences of many victims (which, admittedly, is already pretty bad), the change in definition will prevent many legitimate intimate partner violence nonprofits from receiving federal aid. Similarly, we’ve been receiving a fair bit of atention about the way we handle sexual assault at Dartmouth, while discussion on other sorts of abuse is largely ignored. It is imperative that this conversation be held in a manner that reflects the nuances of the issue, but neither the DOJ nor Dartmouth seem to be making progress toward this.

The DOJ’s previous definition of domestic violence was complex, nuanced and perhaps most importantly, vetted by actual experts on intimate partner violence. It included sections on emotional, economic and psychological abuse, as well as the more obvious physical and sexual abuse. Emotional and psychological abuse are often confused with each other due to their seemingly synonymous names. The former involves the abuser systematically breaking down their victim’s self esteem (through name-calling, extreme criticism, etc.), while the latter is hallmarked by scare tactics (threats of violence, destruction of property, etc.).

Economic abuse can be best described as “making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent” by withholding access to funds, intentionally sabotaging the victim at their job and so forth. The inclusion of these less-often spotlighted forms of abuse is vital to effectively defining and

DEBORA HYEMIN HAN, Editor-in-Chief

thereby combating domestic violence.

These types of abuses are very real and very damaging. Nearly half of all women have experienced psychological abuse at least once, and 70 percent of them will display symptoms of PTSD or depression as a result. Victims of economic abuse lose over 8 million billable hours of work every year. Up to 60 percent of victims will lose their job due to abuse. Looking at just this handful of grim statistics, it’s clear that emotional, psychological and economic abuse are relatively common, and that their effects can be extremely damaging in the long term.

On the flip side, the new definition is exclusively crime-focused. It classifies domestic violence as “felony or misdemeanor crimes” committed against a partner (current or previous), whereas the previous definition focused on the actual acts of abuse that might occur day-to-day.

This reframing is rather problematic. As we’ve seen, emotional, psychological and economic abuse have drastic effects on victims. They are also typically how an abusive relationship begins. Unfortunately, domestic abuse cases are almost impossible to prosecute. It is very difficult to prove that an intimate partner has sabotaged their partner in their job, or that they have broken down their partner’s other close relationships or even that they have threatened their partner. In an American court, these claims are usually dismissed immediately because the survivor can’t provide concrete evidence — and even if the survivor could prove these offenses, they should not be obligated to. No victim of any act of violence should be required to “prove” their victimhood through a verdict. A definition of domestic violence SEE WOODLAND PAGE 6

AIDAN SHEINBERG, Publisher

ALEX FREDMAN, Executive Editor PETER CHARALAMBOUS, Managing Editor

ANTHONY ROBLES, Managing Editor

PRODUCTION EDITORS CAROLINE COOK & EOWYN PAK, Opinion Editors

BUSINESS DIRECTORS JONNY FRIED, JASMINE FU, RAIDEN MEYER,

KYLEE SIBILIA, Mirror Editor LILI STERN & BAILY DEETER, Sports Editors LEX KANG & LAUREN SEGAL, Arts Editors DIVYA KOPALLE, Photo Editor SAMANTHA BURACK & BELLA JACOBY, Design Editors HATTIE NEWTON, Templating Editor JESS CAMPANILE, Multimedia Editor

Advertising & Finance Directors HIMADRI NARASIMHAMURTHY & KAI SHERWIN, Business Development Directors ALBERT CHEN & ELEANOR NIEDERMAYER, Strategy Directors VINAY REDDY & ERIC ZHANG, Marketing, Analytics and Technology Directors

ELIZA JANE SCHAEFFER, Engagement Editor WILLIAM CHEN & AARON LEE, Data Visualization Editors

SUBMISSIONS: We welcome letters and guest columns. All submissions must include the author’s name and affiliation with Dartmouth College, and should not exceed 250 words for letters or 700 words for columns. The Dartmouth reserves the right to edit all material before publication. All material submitted becomes property of The Dartmouth. Please email submissions to editor@thedartmouth.com.

Gear can have a huge impact on how students perceive the House system.

Let’s face it: By this point, we are all well connectedness to the House and help spur others aware that Dartmouth’s House system is in dire to embrace their own House communities. It is need of repair. Especially in the wake of the new also a way to find and meet other members of residential access policy preventing students from one’s House community — the people who one accessing dorms outside their House system, it’s might attend House events with and potential hard to enter into a conversation on campus future roommates. Though it may sound like a without hearing some complaint about the House trivial topic, gear is an important way to foster system. Yet, despite the go-getter and self-starter community and feel like one belongs to it. attitudes of Dartmouth students, I haven’t been In that vein, this fall, School House residents hearing many proposed solutions. Of course, received a bright blue crewneck, while members there is the petition to restore students’ access of other Houses did not. Along with its prime to dorms, but what about the deeper problems real estate along Mass Row, this made it hard for perturbing the College’s idealized House system? members of other Houses to deny the circulation We need a way to fight the entrenched inequality of claims I have heard that School House was between the Houses and turn the House system the ‘best’ House. Though I am aware that the into a source of pride among disparity in House gear likely students, instead of an object stems from choices made by “Instead of eradicating the House leadership teams, of ridicule.

Instead of eradicating the the House system the lack of standardization of House system altogether, the the quantity and quality of altogether, the best best compromise between ‘swag’ distributed among the students and the College compromise between Houses unnecessarily plays administration would be to students and the into the informal ranking worktogethertocombatsmall system the has befallen the inequalities from the bottom College administration Houses. And this ranking is up. From discrepancies in would be to work problematic because it makes dorm quality to disparities students less connected to together to combat in school spirit, the Houses their House, which may vary dramatically, but it must inequalities from the make residents less willing to be said that the College is bottom up.” compete in intramural teams taking steps to make the for their House community, Houses more equal. South attend events sponsored by House first-years, for example, are now living their House or visit House professors. Fortunately, in the Fayerweathers before being subjected to this lack of standardization is also an easy the isolation of the Lodge dorm. However, there inequality to remedy. are still many inequalities between Houses that In order to work toward ameliorating this must be addressed. Moreover, the remedies for inequity between the Houses, we should set up these inequalities do not have to be as extensive House-wide guidelines to standardize when gear or time-consuming as reallocating freshmen to a is handed out and what type of gear it is. That better quality dorm to make up for the expected way, instead of swimming in a sea of light blue lesser dorm quality they will experience as an crewnecks emblazoned with the word ‘School,’ upperclassmen. we might get to see some purple, orange or black For example, I’ve often heard my fellow South thrown in the mix.

House students gripe about the disparity in free These guidelines would not only help gear handed out to students. At first, one might to promote a sense of pride in one’s House think it ridiculous and out-of-line for students to community, but also a sense of unity among the complain about receiving free gifts of clothing. But Houses and the Dartmouth student community at the problem extends beyond the material nature large by making sure each student had the same of the gear to feeling disconnected from the House type of crewneck, water bottle or drawstring communities that give away this gear. Carrying a backpack. coffee mug with a House name on it or wearing Of course, clothing can’t turn the House a scarf are simple but visible manifestations of system into a celebrated aspect of Dartmouth a “buy-in” to these communities. Clothing is a culture overnight. Nonetheless, it’s a good first step projection of identity, and regularly donning this on the pathway to ensuring that the Houses are clothing or accesory with a House community perceived equally by students and to encouraging name on it will reinforce this outward display of House pride.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019

PAGE 5

THE DARTMOUTH NEWS

Performance groups criticize policy change in letter to GLC FROM GLC PAGE 1

by the Special Programs and Events Committee.

The financial responsibility for Greek-sponsored events shifted to the GLC following conversations over the past few years, according to SPEC chair Samantha Koreman ’20. Recently SPEC has seen an increase in proposals to fund heritage months and events that celebrate or affirm different identities, Koreman said. She also noted the importance of SPEC’s funding for these events.

“If SPEC doesn’t fund these events, they won’t happen,” Koreman said when comparing SPEC-funded events to Greek-sponsored events. “There is no membership that they can draw from to offset funds.”

Consequently, there have been discussions over the past few years about the GLC receiving more funding to accommodate larger-scale Greek events, Koreman said.

Additionally, for the FY 2019-20, the Undergraduate Finance Committee allocated $61,000 — an increase of over $10,000 from the past fiscal year — to the

GLC, according to a UFC press release.

However, these budgetary shifts were not sudden, according to Koreman.

“This is not new,” she said. “This is something that we’ve all been working on for a really long time in order to accommodate the needs of Dartmouth students.”

Following a internal review of the GLC budget, the council decided to end performance group funding due to the GLC’s new responsibility to cover large-scale Greek events, Park said.

“This wasn’t something that was pushed onto us without us wanting it,” Park said. “It made sense that if Greek organizations are asking for funding, the GLC is responsible.”

In response to this change, the presidents of several Dartmouth performance groups — including the Aires, Brovertones, Casual Thursday, Cords, Decibelles, Dodecaphonics, Dog Day Players, Fusion, Rockapellas, Sheba, Sings, Street Soul, Subtleties, Sugarplum and Ujima — sent a letter to Park and Office of Greek Life director Brian Joyce asking the GLC to reconsider its decision.

“We believe a complete funding cut

ADRIAN RUSSIAN/THE DARTMOUTH STAFF

Greek organizations can no longer receive funding from the GLC to host student performance groups.

will run counter to the goal of inclusivity,” the letter stated, which also noted that performing exclusively in non-Greek spaces would not be viable. “Performance groups foster inclusive environments in otherwise exclusive Greek spaces.”

Indian symbol has a long and complicated history at Dartmouth FROM VINTAGE PAGE 1

Vintage Brand offers “the world’s largest selection of retro college apparel and unique sports gifts designed from historical works of art” made for “history buffs and American sporting culture enthusiasts,” according to the company’s website.

Dartmouth’s Board of Trustees voted to cease the use of Indian names and symbols in 1974, declaring “use of the [Indian] symbol in any form to be inconsistent with present institutional and academic objectives of the College in advancing Native American education,” according to Lawrence.

“The Indian History of an American Institution: Native Americans and Dartmouth,” a book by history professor Colin Calloway, notes that while

Dartmouth never officially adopted the Indian symbol as its mascot, athletics teams were referred to as “the Indians” between the 1920s and 1970s.

In 1928, the Indian symbol began appearing on College athletic uniforms, and in 1965, the “Indian head” began appearing on football jerseys.

In 1971, Native American students at Dartmouth issued a formal policy statement condemning the College’s treatment of Indians, stating the institution had “nourished only a romantic notion of being an ‘Indian’ school through the creation and retention of a Dartmouth Indian’ [sic] mascot and assorted caricatures of Indian Americans.” Subsequent action by the Board of Trustees banned the use of the Indian mascot in 1974.

Stores in Hanover producing goods

related to Dartmouth have exhibited varying attitudes regarding the use of Indian symbols in their merchandise.

The International DVD and Poster store sells some objects displaying such symbols. According to Ken Gorlin, the owner of that store, the goods he sells are antiques with historical value and are not meant to be offensive to anybody.

In his 17 years in Hanover, Gorlin said that he has only received two complaints regarding such objects.

The Dartmouth Co-Op and Traditionally Trendy, apparel stores in Hanover, are both vendors approved by Dartmouth, and thus prohibited from using symbols like the Dartmouth Indian mascot.

Representatives from Vintage Brand were unable to be reached for comment.

The letter also asserts that Greek houses are the “only realistic sources of revenue for all campus performance groups.” According to the letter, the funding policy change may reduce the groups’ incomes almost entirely.

“We’re in a unique position where we don’t have what we’ve been relying on and supported by,” said Decibelles president Allie Banks ’20. “We have to pivot and make some big changes to stay afloat.”

Banks also said that the initial decision led to confusion because the “performance groups didn’t know that this was happening.”

After receiving the letter from the performance group presidents, the GLC invited the performance group presidents to a meeting, Park said.

Cords president and vice president and treasurer of the Interfraternity Council James Flood ’20 said that the meeting was a “very productive conversation” to help understand the GLC’s reasoning behind the decision. Banks echoed this sentiment.

“We came to an understanding of what their budgetary constraints were and why this policy was enforced,” Banks said.

Flood noted that the GLC is concerned that “certain houses carry an undue burden” for hosting shows.

According to Park, of the 26 Greek-letter

organizations recognized by the GLC, one house was receiving approximately 30 percent of the performance group funding.

“We also know that this isn’t a house that’s not financially well off,” Park said.

However, Flood and the other performance group presidents said they are still concerned about the limited avenues for funding. According to Flood, many performance groups rely on “consistent, small payments throughout the term.”

Consequently, Banks explained that the change in the GLC funding policy has prompted discussion about the role of performance groups at Dartmouth.

“A lot of the work that we do for the College is uncompensated,” Banks said.

“Dartmouth relies on these groups to promote inclusivity. We can’t really do that without funding.”

The performance group presidents are exploring other sources of funding, Flood said. According to Banks, the performance groups may turn to the College to create a budget or provide compensation for performances.

The performance group presidents are also trying to form a “performance group council” to advocate for all the groups, Banks said. She added that with performance groups charging different rates for performances, creating a council could form a more “cohesive culture.”

PAGE 6

DARTMOUTHEVENTS TODAY 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Seminar: “Molecular-Level Antibody Repertoire Profiling and Engineering: Implications for Developing Next-Generation Diagnostics,” with Jiwon Lee, Chilcott Auditorium.

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Lecture: “Does Language Limit Women’s Equality?” with Pamela Jakiela, sponsored by the Dickey Center, Haldeman, Room 41.

TOMORROW 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Consortium: “Race, Migration and Sexuality: Key Questions ‘How Have Borders Shaped America?’” with Vicki Ruiz and Monica Muñoz Martinez, sponsored by the LALACS Program and the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Hopkins Center Room 205, Faculty Lounge.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019

THE DARTMOUTH EVENTS

FROM WOODLAND PAGE 4

that is only framed in reference to litigation denies the existence of the subtler, less “provable” forms of abuse and therefore limits the aid that can be given to domestic abuse victims.

These changes introduce new obstacles in properly identifying, preventing and combating domestic abuse cases — something that was already difficult to accomplish. The DOJ’s new definition of domestic violence will limit the organizations the government can send aid to. Any organization that helps victims who have been abused in a non-physical or sexual way, under this new definition, is no longer eligible to receive funding from the government. In turn, any

CHICKEN LEGS

victim of psychological, emotional or economic abuse can no longer be helped by a nonprofit receiving federal aid. Whether this will be true in practice is difficult to say, but the idea of it is certainly scary.

While the Trump administration may be focused on domestic abuse from a legal perspective, it must be understood that many victims of intimate partner violence may not want to press charges against their abusers. There may be a whole host of reasons for this — fear of retaliation, inability to pay legal fees, fear of ridicule, damage to reputation, etc. — but it doesn’t really matter what the reason is. No victim should

be obligated to enter into litigation with their abuser. Court battles force a victim to recount their trauma in close proximity to their abuser, which can be traumatic in its own right.

The actionability of an abuse case is not indicative of the level of trauma borne by victims, and it should not determine if they are able to receive help from organizations using federal aid. The change in the definition is due to a fundamental misunderstanding of domestic violence and the damaging effects that domestic abuse can have on victims.

All types of intimate partner violence are domestic violence, and all victims deserve space to recover.

UUGANZUL TUMURBAATAR ’21

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Workshop: “TuckLAB and DEN West Coast Internship Matchmaking Opportunities Info Session,” sponsored by the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019

THE DARTMOUTH ARTS

PAGE 7

Review: “Hustlers” exemplifies female reclamation of power B y Nicole aboodi

women band together, relishing in the lap of luxury and cherishing the family that they have built.

The film is structured around “Doesn’t money make you horny?” Ramona (portrayed by a jour nalist named Elizabeth Jennifer Lopez) whispers this to (portrayed by Julia Stiles), who newcomer Destiny (portrayed by interviews Destiny and her fellow Constance Wu), as she leaves center stripper friends seven years after stage, bathed in dollar bills. In the film their antics. Destiny’s interview “Hustlers,” Ramona immediately frames the women’s glamorous establishes the primary foundation escapades and scandalous con, of the film: the intertwined web of providing structure to the story, as well as a strong narrative. money and sex.

From Destiny and her friends’ “Hustlers,” directed by Lorene Scafaria, tells the story of Destiny, perspectives, the powerful men of who began stripping to take care the world determine their lives; the women only of herself and get paid based keep her elderly on whether the g r a n d m o t h e r “For example, when men determine out of debt. At preaching her plan to they are sexy a strip club called enough to dance Moves, she meets scam their clients to for them, if the the charismatic Destiny, and thus, the men decide to and captivating audience, Ramona tip well and if the R a m o n a , men buy them wh o t h e f i l m exclaims that the gifts. And therein es tablis h es as Wall Streeters, the lies the root of the leader of the the reason the group early in the investment bankers audience cheers film. “Hustlers” and the CEOs of the on the women. follows the two world stole from Sure, they rob women through men blind, their glory days, everybody and abused and they’re the blossoming the country’s financial technically guilty of their of assault. But friendship and crisis, yet still got off they regain the the hardships scot-free — so why control that they that fall upon shouldn’t the women so desperately them during the need, and 2008 financial do the same?” f r a n k l y, h ave crisis. As their earned. In the entire incomes are funded through their wealthy end, it all comes down to power and Wall Street patrons at Moves, what you would do to get it.

For the clients, their money the crisis nearly shuts down their business. Thus, in order to support and masculinity warrants their the lifestyles to which they have power, and that is what they are grown accustomed, they decide to accustomed to. But in Moves, the women control their customers; the get creative.

In order to reel in new clients, they men are suddenly at their mercy, as start “fishing,” targeting wealthy the women utilize their sex appeal men, drugging them, taking them to to establish dominance. Sex is Moves and racking up charges on the power, and as shown throughout men’s credit cards. The two women “Hustlers,” sex is the most powerful work alongside Mercedes (portrayed tool — even more powerful than

by Keke Palmer) and Annabelle influence and money. Ramona (portrayed by Lili Reinhart), other pertinently declares how the whole strippers that Ramona had taken world is “a strip club … you got under her wing. The group of people tossing the money and people The Dartmouth

doing the dance.” Ultimately, all the women do is make sure that, for once, they are not the people doing the dance. They reclaim their power, their control and their dominance through their sexuality and quick thinking.

Through the catharsis presented by the band of women flipping the typical power dynamic, Ramona’s word becomes gospel to the other strippers and to the audience.

Throughout the film, even the parts in which Ramona shows her flaws, every word that comes out of her mouth seems to make perfect, logical sense, even the statements that are outrageous. In fact, Ramona’s charisma sells all of her ideas — especially the ones that are outrageous.

For example, when preaching her plan to scam their clients to Destiny, and thus, the audience, Ramona exclaims that the Wall Streeters, the investment bankers and the CEOs of the world stole from everybody and caused the country’s financial crisis, yet still got off scot-free — so why shouldn’t the women do the same? Why shouldn’t they just steal from the original thieves themselves?

And something clicks. In that moment, Ramona is queen. I sat there in awe of her every moment that she was on screen — not just because Lopez brings this character to life, not just because she’s amazingly magnetic, but also because Ariana Grande was right: Ramona’s character is proof that God is indeed a woman. And Ramona, Destiny, Mercedes and Annabelle transform themselves into the Wall Streeters of the world, just with less clothing and more freedom. Destiny embodies a Wall Streeter, drunk on victory, as her voice drips with triumph: “I was CFO of my own f—ing corporation.”

Throughout their journey, the women steal, scam and spend.

They’ve successfully transitioned into who they wanted to be: the people tossing the money. Toward the beginning of the film, Scafaria creates a beautiful symmetry of Wall Streeters and strippers through

cross-cutting. As Britney Spears’ are placed in competition with “Gimme More” sounds, the screen each other, “Hustlers” is a breath vividly flashes between women of fresh, female-friendly air. Sure, wearing pasties while giving lap it’s a movie about strippers, and the dances in a nightclub and men feminist point of view might sound donning fancy suits, screaming ridiculous and laughable, but it’s wildly across generic office spaces. true.

The juxtaposition is clear: Who has When Destiny first starts at the real power? The men may have Moves, she struggles to rein in the power in the daylight, but they loyal clients. Ramona, along with willingly surrender it to beautiful Diamond, portrayed by a hilarious women who fulfill their fantasies. Cardi B, help her improve and give And in that scene, you understand her tips to strengthen her sexual how these women, fueled by presence. As the scam picks up, the frustration and ambition, want to women become a family. They take conquer and replace the men on care of each other’s children, spend top. Because at the end of the day, a wonderfully luxurious Christmas for both the men and the women, together and have each other’s it’s just business. backs when things start to become And so the women embody the unstable. At one point, you can see ethos of the businessmen. Detached, Destiny’s daughter refer to Ramona smart thinking, quick-witted and as “Aunt Ramona.” Furthermore, just like the men they loathe and Ramona offers Destiny a place to blame, they reap no consequences. recuperate after traumatic events Through the interviews Elizabeth and takes care of her throughout had with these women, it’s apparent her devastation. that the scam eventually comes to an That being said, there are several end. However, during the interviews points throughout the film where set in 2014, Destiny is shown decked the women get into disagreements; head-to-toe in expensive white and for instance, they disagree on beige clothing how to handle with gold jewelry a certain client to match. Her “Ultimately, the basis or what drugs home is elegant, for ‘Hustlers’ is sex and to slip to a man. and through In other films, t h e w i n d o w money, but its heart these arguments behind her, the lies in the friendship.” might have audience can see been enough the picturesque, to split up the swanky neighborhood in which she friendship, but not in “Hustlers.” resides. The women are bold and The bond that these criminals form smart, so they essentially come out is resilient and a strong exemplary unscathed. Ramona’s words rang for female friendships in Hollywood in my ears: “The game is rigged movies. and it doesn’t reward people who U l t i m a t e l y, t h e b a s i s f o r play by the rules.” These women “Hustlers” is sex and money, but knew that; the system is broken, so its heart lies in the friendship. The rather than trying to repair it, they sex and money are compelling, but chose to benefit from the shattered the friendships make the women not pieces. You kind of have to admire just admirable and interesting, but them for it. also human. Scafaria balances the Although Scafaria paints the intensity of crime with the warmth women as smart and motivated, the of friendship so well that each part that allowed me to root for them character emanates intelligence was not their intelligence or business and power, as well as a persona of acumen; rather, it was their familial someone with whom you would bond. In a world that is starting to want to be friends. You might come recognize how women constantly for the excitement and scandal, but are compared to one another and you’ll stay for the sisterhood.

PAGE 8

THE DARTMOUTH ARTS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019

Student Spotlight: Joelle Park ’19 applies her creativity in film B y lucy turnipseed The Dartmouth Staff

Maybe you have seen her give a tour of her dorm on YouTube or heard about her stint on the red carpet of the Video Music Awards this summer.

Joelle Park ’19, who is in her final term at Dartmouth, is by all accounts zealous and innovative — founding and maintaining her own YouTube channel titled “Joelle,” which has over seven thousand subscribers, is just the start.

“It’s so fun to meet people on campus who watch my videos,” Park said, addressing her notoriety. “But in the grand scheme of YouTube, it’s very small.”

She began her channel in high school in order to practice video production, and she has continued to regularly update her channel during her time at Dartmouth. From the beginning, Park cast herself as the main character in each video and became comfortable on-screen.

“People who do watch all my YouTube videos, they know way more about me than or just as much as a close friend,” Park said. “It’s a much different platform than other forms of social media. People’s attention spans are getting smaller and smaller, so to sit down and watch even a seven-minute video takes a lot of intentionality. And it’s content that people are usually seeking out.”

On top of her personal YouTube channel, Park is also a member of Street Soul, a campus dance group. Charlotte Chui ’20, who is a member of dance troupe Street Soul alongside Park, said that telling stories is what matters to Park.

“She cares about being able to get her views and other people’s views out there

in ways that you might not necessarily be able to see on TV or on the Internet right now,” Chui said.

Furthermore, Park is involved in the film and media studies department and digital arts. She has also worked with the Center for Professional Development on job and internship recruiting in the entertainment industry.

This summer, Park used her skills as an intern for Nickelodeon’s YouTube strategy development team in New York City. Park was given the opportunity, through her internship, to apply to be an interviewer on the red carpet of the VMA. The position was sponsored

by Viacom, the parent company of Nickelodeon.

Park was stationed on the red carpet to ask celebrities about social impact.

She was given a list of questions, to which she added the query: “At the end of your lifetime, what do you want to be remembered for by your friends and family?”

For her VMA application, she submitted a video answering a few required questions while making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

“Each answer to a question was an ingredient of a sandwich, which I think they thought was just funny,” Park said.

“I felt really stupid doing it, but it was just different from standing there and answering the questions.”

Through her work this summer, Park furthered her experience in production but also said she realized that being onscreen could be a viable career option for her.

“It’s something I really enjoy, and I would hate to pursue my passion but not pursue it all the way, especially if I’m already going into a risky industry,” Park said.

During an independent study within

the film department last year, Park began collaborating with the CPD, trying to connect with alumni in the entertainment industry so that students looking for internships and jobs in that area could have more resources.

Park said that the arts community on campus, however small, is quite dedicated.

“Because it is an insecure career path, there is something that drives you to do it,” Park said. “At Dartmouth, as opposed to maybe a big film institution, it is close-knit, and we are willing to fight for each other. There’s a sense of collaboration.”

Although much of Park’s time is spent in the arts, she said, some highlights of her time on campus have been taking the class ENGS 12, “Design Thinking,” for which she is now a teaching assistant, and going on the Dartmouth language study abroad program in Barcelona.

Park said she pushed her boundaries on campus and found different communities to be a part of and different ways of thinking creatively.

“She is super inclusive in terms of who she keeps around her and also the kinds of art forms she interacts with,” Chui said. “She’s always open to trying something new in terms of a style of dance or watching a new type of film or trying new art forms. Like this term, she’s taking Acting I, and that’s something she hasn’t really done before.”

Computer science professor Lorie Loeb, who taught Park in COSC 22, “3D Digital Modeling,” said she was impressed by the commitment Park demonstrated.

“I was just so blown away by her tenacity,” Loeb said.

For one of her course projects, Park created a model of her dining room at

her home and completed every detail of the room, down to the molding on the ceiling and each electrical cord, lamp and window.

“I told her not to worry about those, and she just kept working at it,” Loeb said. “If something was hard, that was just motivation for her to try harder.”

During her COSC 27 “Projects in Digital Arts” class which is the culminating experience for the digital arts minor, Park created an animated

short film with a partner.

“She’s tremendously creative,” said computer science professor James Mahoney, who taught Park in COSC 27. “And she holds herself to a very high standard.”

Mahoney added that the word “grace” comes to mind when thinking of Park.

“Everything she does, there’s a certain elegance to her thinking,” he said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOELLE PARK

Joelle Park soaks up the late afternoon sunshine in New York City.