The Gavel Magazine May 2012

vel The Ga n tur will re ber. em in Sept

May 2012

om cgavel.c s! b k c e h C te er upda m m u s r o f

HOW TO

get an A in a Humanities class

TRAYVON MARTIN Questions about media objectivity

YOUTUBE UN-CELEBRITY: My Drunk Kitchen

Volume IV, Issue 4

Dear Reader, I am happy to see that you have chosen to read the final installment of The Gavel for the year.

Hopefully, it will provide a pleasant distraction from the stress of finals. As always, more procrastination tools can be found via the website, www.bcgavel.com.

Over the summer, Gavel Media will be creating and maintaining a number of interesting blogs.

Please make sure to stay updated with the latest over the summer. During the holiday, we will focus less on gripping news and more on entertainment-quality topics.

Finally, I hope that you have a great summer holiday! Make sure to look for us when you arrive back at Boston College. We are always looking for new writers, business people and videographers. The Gavel is continually seeking to develop more creative content.

For those who will be graduating, we wish you good luck and extend an offer of congratulations. Please keep us in mind even after you leave Boston College. We will continue to update and hope that you take the time to look at the website from time to time.

Editoral Board Mason LendE ROB ROSSI OLIVIA SIMONE Jasmine Uduma Meidema Sanchez GEENA DEROSE Cal Greene III Allison Riccato Maggie Lawrence JENNA LACONTE JILLIAN TIMKO Kenny St. John Jonathan Dame FRANK RIZZO Yanira Revan Marion Halftermeyer Sofia Martinez KAYLIN WALKER KELLIE LIU

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Print Manager News Editor Assoc. News Editor Assoc. News Editor Features Editor Assoc. Features Editor Culture Editor Assoc. Culture Editor Assoc. Culture Editor Opinions Editor Assoc. Opinions Editor Assoc. Opinions Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Photo Editor Design Director Design Asst.

Video Department

Meghana Kuthyar Video Manager LAUREN REVER Ass’t Video Manager Katie Yao Ass’t Video Manager

Business and Operations

Christian Fiedler Aruem Shin Taylor McEldowney DAPHNE WANG GABBY MYASKOVSKAYA KIAH STERLING

Finance Director Marketing Director Marketing Director Advertising Director Ass’t Advertising Director Ass’t Advertising Director

Happy reading,

Mason S. Lende Editor-in-Chief

@bcgavel facebook.com/bcgavel

www.bcgavel.com 2

the GAVEL / April 2012

The Gavel / May 2012 Volume IV, Issue 4

04 News

between BC and 4 Communication student body discussed Kennedy booted from 5 Victoria commencement

how the illness became the 6 Addicted: norm 8 #DontDoubleMyRate 11 Edwards trial date set

24 Opinions

Martin: questions about media 24 Trayvon objectivity 25 How to get an A in a humanities class 26 Anti-union interest group spews lies 27 Syrian Civil War: Assad must step down tensions should be solved through 28 Iran diplomacy 29 Feminism from the male perspective

Features 12 Culture 30 12 30 BC professor writes book about students

14 Hunger Games craze 16 Stuff BC Likes: Springtime in Chestnut Hill 17 Procrastination Nation Overheard at BC 18 The best beers of summer 20 Looking onward to the real world

Editorials 22 22

Race and the arrest of George Zimmerman

23 Summer jobs: increasingly hard to find

www.bcgavel.com

Starbucks opens in Cleveland Circle

32 School’s out for Summer: Festival preview 34 Netflix Queue: Portlandia 35 Blog of the Month: Dear Photograph 36 Boston Nightlife 38 Profile: BC Irish Dance 39 YouTube Un-celebrity: My Drunk Kitchen 40 Plex Class Playlist www.bcgavel.com 3

INSIDE: Addicted: How the illness became the norm / #DontDoubleMyRate / John Edwards Trial Date Set

May 2012

Communication between BC and student body discussed

By Itzel Ayala Gavel Media Staff A recent article in The Boston Globe brought light to an issue Boston College has yet to fully address.

Several members of the Boston College community have voiced their discontent with the university upon finding out that there was no immediate action taken against Rev. Bradley M. Schaeffer.

Schaeffer, a former school board trustee, failed to “stop a predator priest associated with Mother Teresa of Calcutta during the 1990s,” according to the Boston Globe article. Shaeffer was responsible for reviewing sexual abuse allegations but allowed the predator to continue to work with young children. The article reports that “a judge has found that Schaeffer could have prevented years of abuse if he had taken stronger action against the Rev. Donald J. McGuire.”

When the troubled father of a young boy came to Schaeffer, he sent McGuire to receive treatment for a sexual disorder but doubted that the treatment would have had any lasting effectiveness. Schaeffer banned McGuire from traveling with anyone under 21 but did no further investigation into the matter, and took no action against him. McGuire went on to later commit more offenses and has since been incarcerated, serving a 25-

re e h e l t i T

4

year sentence.

Schaeffer has resigned from the Boston College Board of Trustees but remains a prominent member of the Jesuit society, still serving in several administrative boards. Lack of an official response from Boston College administrators has left many frustrated.

Many called for Schaeffer’s resignation while others, like alumna, Kristen, says, “I am shocked and saddened to see that, even after the despicable actions and consequences of Schaeffer’s poor decision-making have been brought to light by numerous reliable sources, BC has not only neglected to take action but has praised Schaeffer’s contribution to the university.”

It is hard to gauge whether or not the student and faculty response to the issue encouraged Schaeffer to step down, but this incident and many others have called into question administrators’ response time to serious problems on campus.

On April 18, a group of faculty members met to discuss some of the bigger issues with communication.

These professors discussed teachers’ rights, academic freedom and the less than efficient faculty handbook. They also described a climate of fear, saying that most professors are afraid of being penalized for the things they say

or do, keeping them from speaking out against head administators.

Professor Susan Michalczyk said, “that’s the issue with academic freedom, because statutes aren’t set in stone, and they are constantly being changed.” This change refers to rules for professors and students being constantly re-written, leaving faculty unaware of what is a conflict of interest, and what is permitted by the university.

The biggest issue of all seemed to be the lack of communication between the administration and students and faculty. There is no doubt that there is tension between some groups on campus and the university, but most people do not know how to go about addressing these problems in the hopes of getting something done. Petitions are not always accepted and, most of the time, students have no idea how to initiate a solution.

Michalczyk met with students and emphasized repeatedly that if there is an inefficiency with a system on campus, something must be done.

When it directly effects student life, the administration, Michalczyk said, will listen to the people who are invested in the continuity of Boston College’s good name.

the GAVEL / May 2012

Victoria Kennedy, widow of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, was recently uninvited to be the commencement speaker at a nearby Catholic college due to her political views.

Ana Maria College, a small college in Paxton, Mass., invited Kennedy to speak at the May 19 ceremony but was then forced to cancel the arrangement in late March after facing opposition from the Fr. Robert McManus Bishop of Worchester.

According to the Catholic Church, hiring Kennedy to speak could be considered an act of defiance because her positions on social issues are not supported by the Church. Inviting Kenney to speak would have, therefore, negatively impacted the small school’s tight funding income.

With only 1,100 students, Ana Maria relies heavily upon the bishop and the Catholic community to finance its operations. The college made clear in a statement that, were it not for this fiscal dependence, the school would have welcomed Kennedy with open arms.

McManus, who pressured the school to drop Kennedy from its commencement lineup, was acting in accordance with diocese protocol.

Diocese spokesman Ray Delisle has confirmed that McManus was only upholding the US Conferences of Catholic Bishops’ ruling that Catholic institutions avoid honoring “Catholics who take positions publicly which are contrary to the Catholic faith’s most fundamental principles, particularly on the dignity of life from conception and the sanctity of marriage.”

It is important to note that Kennedy is not a politician and is not known for her political views. Although she does support gay rights and is prochoice, this dismissal due to peripheral political beliefs points to a larger www.bcgavel.com

Victoria Kennedy booted from commencement invitation at Catholic college ideological entwinement of politics and religion that is troubling to some.

Congressman James McGovern (D-MA), a Catholic from Worchester, expressed his concern over the issue and was quick to defend Kennedy.

After praising her as an individual, he added, “I feel bad for her and for Ana Maria College for being put in this position. And I’m really puzzled by it.

Vicki is not an elected official. She’s not a member of Congress.”

Kennedy has also expressed confusion over this conflation of her political preferences and her piety. “He has not consulted with my pastor to learn more about me or my faith...he has made a judgment about my worthiness as a Catholic. This is a sad day for me and an even sadder one for the Church I love,” she said of the bishop in a statement.

Still, the bishop did not act out of line. His decision to dissuade Ana Maria College from accepting Kennedy as commencement speaker follows standard procedure for bishops in the US. A similar instance arose in 2009 when a quarter of the nation’s bishops protested University of Notre Dame’s invitation to Barack Obama for its commencement address.

These recent examples of severe ideological dissonance and bitter exchange between politics and religion may be a sign of issues in both institutions. Increased political polariza-

By Geena De Rose Assoc. News Editor

tion and fractures within the Catholic Church may be the catalysts for such explosive confrontations.

This mutual mistrust and tension between politics and religion negatively impacts their social interaction. National director for Catholic Democrats, Steve Krueger, pointed to this mistrust in a Boston.com article.

“Increasingly, we see more and more bishops playing the role of enforcers of the faith rather than shepherds of souls,” he said.

Fortunately for Ana Maria College, Kennedy replied to the decision with grace and aplomb. Kennedy will not be without a platform this May as it was announced on April 11 that she will be the key speaker at the 2012 Boston College Law School Commencement.

Although ultimately positive for Boston College, the increasing tensions and blurred boundaries between politics and religion are a disturbing trend which has damaging consequences for public discourse throughout the nation.

5

ADDICTED

How the illness became the norm

By Jasmine Uduma News Editor

Addiction has, for many people, become an intrinsic facet of a lifestyle spiraled out of control. Sex, drugs, alcohol and the other many forms of addiction are so intertwined with American culture that seeing the warning signs is becoming more difficult. This normalization of substance abuse has many wondering how younger generations are internalizing what they see as normal.

In the fight against prescription pill abuse, a new nationwide survey singles out the home as the primary source for people to start misusing painkillers. “Drugs left in home medicine cabinets are prime targets for prescription drug abuse,” Michele Leonhart, administrator of the U.S. Drug

re e h e l t i T

6

Enforcement Administration, said in a conference call with reporters.

According to data released in 2009 and 2010 by the Office of National Drug Control Policy in Washington, D.C., 68 percent of new abusers are supplied by friends or relatives for free, sometimes by taking them without asking. Another 66 percent of occasional abusers obtained the pills in the same way from family or friends.

Through doctors’ prescriptions 17 percent were supplied. Of chronic abusers of pain relievers, 41 percent took pills for free or without asking from friends or relatives, while 26 percent got doctors’ prescriptions.

Skyrocketing addiction to pre-

scription drugs in the U.S. is now being considered a “public health epidemic” said White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske. A federal crack-down on “pill mill” clinics that dispense mass amounts of painkillers is being executed as part of a new drug policy. The Drug Enforement Agency has planned its fourth “National Take Back Day” and more than 5,000 collection sites will be available nationwide for people to dispose of unused or expired medications.

But not everyone believes that law enforcement is the best route to take when combating addiction. Addiction treated as a health problem rather than a criminal matter, comedian Russell Brand has often said, is the best way

the GAVEL / May 2012

a patron of the charity in 2005 after seeking help for his drug problem there.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that cocaine is used by up to 21 million individuals worldwide, with about 1 percent of these individuals becoming addicted.

Cocaine, which is a purified extract from the leaves of coca plant, has adverse long term negative effects on the heart, brain and emotions.

A new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge suggests that people who are addicted to cocaine age dramatically faster than their nondrug using peers. The results of the

www.bcgavel.com

study show that the brains of people with similar age, gender and verbal IQ were scanned, the cocaine users lost about 3.08 ml brain volume per year, compared to only about 1.69 ml brain volume lost per year by healthy volunteers. Of the 120 people enrolled in the study, 60 were dependent on cocaine while the other 60 had no history of substance abuse disorders.

Grey matter is usually lost as we age and loss is linked to memory function, attention, decision-making and selfregulation.

All Photos by Cal Greene/Features Editor

of fixing the problem. The 36-year-old former heroin addict described addiction as an “illness” and said that those suffering from it should be treated with “compassion.”

Brand said he thinks the money spent on arresting drug addicts could be more useful on treating them. He testified at Britain’s Home Affairs Committee on April 24, as part of its inquiry into drugs policy. Chip Somers, chief executive of drug rehab charity Focus 12, runs an abstinence-based rehabilitation program and Brand became

Signs of drug or alcohol addiction • use of drugs or alcohol as a way to relax • loss of interest in activities that used to be important • problems with schoolwork, such as slipping grades or absences • stealing or selling belongings to be able to afford drugs • failed attempts to stop taking drugs or drinking • changes in sleeping habits • feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop • needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect

7

#DontDoubleMyRate gains steam as student debt crisis reaches DC

By Emyr Remy Gavel Media Staff Student loan debt is rising at an alarming rate. The total outstanding student debt is estimated at $870 billion for 2011. With student debt approaching the $1 trillion mark, there is speculation that student debt may lead to the next American debt crisis.

Concerns that student debt will have profoundy negative effects on American society are being seriously discussed.

In 2010, student loan debt surpassed credit card debt in America which led to further study of the statistics, demographics, and eventual implications of growing student

“

“ Right now, the unemployment rate for Americans with a college degree or more is about half the national average. The incomes of folks with a college degree are twice as high as those who don’t have a high school diploma.”

- President Obama at University of North Carolina

re e h e l t i T

loan debt.

Estimates suggest that the average borrower exits school with approximately $12,800 of debt. While

8

this greatly affects young adults just out of college, only one third of this debt belongs to them. Another third of the debt belongs to adults aged 30 to 39 and the last third is debt owned by adults 35 to 49 years of age, the fastest growing category of debtors.

Reasons for these statistics include a slowed job market and increased demand for new skills in the workplace.

“

“I appreciate the President’s focus on this critical issue for middle class families and hope Republicans will join Democrats to provide relief to 7.4 million students in a responsible way, which is especially important in this tough job market for recent graduates and for our long-term economic recovery.”

- Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY)

Both of these factors are causing older working-aged adults to return to school and borrow the money needed to do it .

Although the average debt hovers around $13,000, approximately 1 percent of borrowers owe upwards of $150,000 in loans after four years of

college. High-debt borrowers attribute their massive amount of loan debt to poor or uninformed decision-making and to a misunderstanding

“

“Democrats are committed to putting a college education in reach for all of our nation’s students and keeping college affordable for America’s middle class. Our legislation meets those goals: preventing a devastating increase in the student loan rate and averting higher costs for young people, parents, and working families.

- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

of their loan agreements. Only after graduation do many of these borrowers realize the scope of their debt and the trouble they will have with repaying their loans.

While student debt is fast approaching $1 trillion, many believe that the increasing rate of student loan debt will not have a crisis effect on the American economy. The student debt crisis is not expected to resemble the housing crisis of the late 2000s because student debt only accounts for about 8 percent of household debt.

the GAVEL / May 2012

“

Some argue it would be virtually impossible for student debt to have the same resounding effect that other debt crises have had on the American economy.

On the other side of the student debt debate, the most significant effect that the student debt crisis will Because we don’t want Congress to double the interest rates on so many students. We need to reward hard work and responsibility. And part of that is keeping interest rates on student loans low so more Americans get a fair shot at an affordable college education, the skills they need to find a good job, a clear path to the middle class that’s not blocked by a mountain of debt. And the time to act is right now, and I’m going to need your help getting that message out.

- President Obama to college reporters have is a negative one on the American middle class. Student loans postpone many college graduates’ plans of settling down, getting married, starting a family, and buying a home. Having to use part of their wages in order to repay loans makes it difficult for some college graduates to enter the middle class. It is equally as difficult for those in the middle class to remain middle class without making lifestyle changes.

While student loan debt is not viewed as the next serious American debt crisis in most think-tanks, its negative effects have drawn increased attention thanks to President Obama’s campaign. The harmful impact of a shrinking middle class on the US economy has recently become the political weapon of the Democratic party.

President Obama has taken his arguement on tour the past few weeks, visiting college campuses around the nation. The president has utilized many www.bcgavel.com

#TopNewsApril Dick Clark Apr. 18 radio and television host #DickClark died. Cremated 2 days l8r & ashes put in the Pacific Ocean.

Republican Party @MittRomney wins DC MD WI primaries @RickSantorum ends campaign leaving @NewtGingrich @RonPaul Boston Sports #Fenway celebrates 100 b-Day apr.

20 with @RedSox @Yankees game. #Yankeeswin 6-2

George Zimmerman On apr. 12 Zimmerman was indicted on the 2nd degree murder charge of #TrayvonMartin.

Hide photo

North Korea Apr. 23 N. Korea threatens to destroy S Korea “in three or four minutes.” #fiveminuteslater... #awkward 9

Fact Box: Massachusetts is expected to have around

161,102

students borrowing money for the 2012-

2013 school year.

The average impact per

$1,026.

borrower is Nationwide, nearly

7.5 million

students are expected to take out loans for school. The average im-

social media outlets in order to spread the message to the young voter block.

In a conference call on Air Force One to student journalists April 24, the president talked about the “critical importance” the possible doubling of loan rates on students this summer.

In 2007, Congress passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act and reduced the interest rate of subsidized undergraduate Stafford Loans by fifty percent. The interest rate cut established by the 2007 Act is set to expire on July 1st of this year.

In a statement from College Democrats of Boston College, they noted that “government-subsidized loans have been instrumental in helping young Americans finance their college education...If Congress does not act, Stafford Loan interest rates will revert “Now, I believe that college isn’t just the best investment that you can make in your future - it’s the best investment you can make in your country’s future. And I’m proud of all of you for making that investment - because it’s never been more important.”

- President Obama at University of Iowa

pact per borrower is $1,041.

to 6.8 percent, costing a student who takes out the maximum $23,000 loan up to $4,598 when paid back over 10 years.”

President Obama is contesting that “in America, higher education can’t be a luxury” and that an investment in education is the best option of the country’s progress.

“I’ve always believed that we should be doing everything we can to help put higher education within reach for every single American student - because the unemployment rate for Americans with at least a college degree is about half the national average. And it’s never been more important.”

But because education has also never been as expensive, there is concern over whether or not the country can actually afford investing in it right now. “The bottom line here,” the president said “is we can’t just cut our way to prosperity. Making it harder for our young people to afford higher education, allowing them to earn their degrees -- that’s nothing more than cutting our own future off at the knees.

And Congress has to keep interest rates on student loans from doubling, and they need to do it now.”

Yum! We got that! Free drink with order.

Soft-Served Frozen Yogurt

re e h e l t i T We Deliver Panini Grilled Sandwiches

Smoothies

Carb-Control Vegetarian Wraps

Flatbread Pizzas

Mediterranean Specials

Made-to-Order Salads

Make-your-Own Roll-Ups

(617) 232-1757 Order on-line!

angoracafe.com

1024 Commonwealth Ave. (at Babcock St.) One free cold drink per order. Cannot be combined with any other coupons. Expires 4/30/2012.

10

the GAVEL / May 2012

Edwards’ trial date set

By Meidema Sanchez Assoc. News Editor John Edwards, former senator of North Carolina and presidential candidate, is headed to court on charges of alleged campaign finance violations. The federal case is a political mix of sex and money that has resulted in Edwards’ very public fall from grace.

Opening arguments were scheduled to begin April 23 and the whole trial is expected to last at least six weeks.

Edwards is accused of using more than $900,000 in illegal contributions during his 2008 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination to pay for his mistress, Rielle Hunter, and hide their extramarital affair in an attempt to keep his campaign from being disgraced. Edwards had painted the image of being a devoted family man to voters.

Edwards pled not guilty to six criminal counts of campaign finance violations but if convicted, Edwards could face up to 30 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines.

Justice Department prosecutors are arguing that bills paid by two Edwards’ campaign contributors, Rachel Mellon and the late Fred Baron, actually were unreported campaign donations meant to cover up his affair with Hunter, Edwards’ campaign videographer.

Prosecutors say this case is a straightforward example of broken www.bcgavel.com

campaign finance laws. “A federal candidate may only accept and receive a limited amount of money from any one individual during an election cycle, and he must truthfully report the money he accepts and receives,’’ prosecutors said in a trial brief.

Edwards’ defense team contends that the payments were not political donations, but gifts from wealthy friends to help address a personal issue unrelated to the campaign. Edwards, his lawyers said, did not know about the money from Mellon and Baron.

The jury will have to agree with prosecution’s untried interpretation of a campaign finance law in order to find Edwards guilty on all counts, in the defense’s opinion.

Though the defense thinks the Justice Department is reaching, campaign finance experts like Kenneth Gross, a Washington ethics lawyer, have said that the violations are similar to prior ones and the prosecutors have a good argument in this case.

A watchdog group known for supporting the Justice Department in cases against politicians charged with corruption decided instead to support the Edwards’ defense. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington argues that the payments were gifts,

not campaign contributions.

The group noted that the payments continued well after Edwards ended his campaign. “Sen. Edwards’ conduct was despicable and deserves society’s condemnation, but that alone does not provide solid grounds for a criminal case,” they said in a statement last year.

In 2002, six members of a Federal Election Commission unanimously decided that a loan made to a congressman to help defray the costs of his divorce was not a campaign contribution because the donor and the politician “had a preexisting personal relationship.” The same precedent can arguably be applied to the Edwards’ defense.

The witness list so far includes Andrew Young, a former Edwards’ campaign aide who falsely claimed he was the father of Hunter’s child to protect his boss, Hunter, and possibly Mellon’s attorney. No one knows yet if Edwards will also take the stand on his own behalf though his eldest daughter, Cate, is on the defense witness list.

The defense is expected to attack Young, author of the tell-all book The Politician, saying in a trial brief that the payments made by Mellon and Baron covered Young’s personal expenses, such as construction of his dream home, not Mr. Edwards’ expenses.

11

F e at u r e s

May 2012

BC Professor Writes Book About His Students Professor Kaplan-Maxfield has just published an exciting new novel

By Alison Ricciato Photo courtesy of Alison Ricciato Assoc. Features editor

Boston College’s Professor Thomas Kapan-Maxfield of the English department has just published a novel based on actual BC students, with a plot concerning the campus. Entitled “Grail Mysterium: An Adventure on The Heights,” it concerns a couple fighting evil Jesuits and vicious dragons atop of Gasson Hall, searching for a legendary treasure. Professor KaplanMaxfield has mixed themes of love and the adventure of the Holy 12

Grail with a surprising “Harry Potter” twist. Following is an interview with the author, which will pique any BC student’s interest.

Q: So the book is based on two BC students you met — what about them caught your eye and inspired you to include them in your novel?

A: I had in mind for a few years the idea of writing a novel that takes place on the BC campus, for a bunch of reasons: it’s scenic (all the

Gothic architecture), it’s got a rich history behind it, and I spend a lot of my life here. Further, it’s fun to turn a place you know in “real” life into fiction.

Then two or three years ago two students (who were dating) came for a visit in my office. I heard them coming down the hall and talking to each other in that low, familiar way that couples do, and I was intrigued and charmed simply by their tone of familiarity.

the GAVEL / May 2012

Q: This novel has been compared to “Harry Potter”—why did you decide to connect that series with Boston College?

A: As it turned out, one of the students played Quidditch at BC at some point and wrote an essay about it for a class of mine, so I thought in order to get to know my characters better I should read a “Harry Potter” book. I loved it, or would have loved it had I been twelve, and it occurred to me that a lot of students at BC love those books but have long since read them. And so I thought maybe I should write a kind of “Harry Potter” sor of book for college-age people.

Q: Do students need background knowledge about the Holy Grail and other Jesuit traditions to appreciate this book?

A: You don’t need to know anything much about the Grail legend since the characters in the book don’t know a whole lot about it, and when they realize they are being sucked into a hunt for the Grail and that it might be at BC, they wiki it of course (I did for research for the book) and so the reader learns along with the students.

Q: You’ve got some pretty intimate knowledge of the BC social scene in the book (the Mods, hook ups, etc.). Are these true stories? Does this student culture play a big part within the plot?

A: As any good fiction writer, I did a ton of research for the book, www.bcgavel.com

part of which was learning from all of you what you do, how you talk, what your values, fears, hopes, concerns are. I made lists of slang terms and collected anecdotes to put in the book, all of course to make it more realistic and recognizable to everyone here. So student culture in general plays a huge part in the book.

Q: What is the biggest reason you think a BC student should pick this novel up and read it?

A: The book is about love, and I know how difficult BC students may find dating and finding meaningful connections. I hear stories all the time from my students of broken hearts, longing for love, dismay at the hookup culture. But

“It’s a ‘Harry Potter — like adventure, with magic and dragons and incantations to open secret doors!”

“Grail Mysterium” is not one more lecture (yawn) about how dating is good for you; it’s a “Harry Potter” — like adventure, with magic and dragons and incantations to open secret doors!

Q: Is this just one book, or can we expect a series?

A: There are a lot more places to

write about (the Newton Campus figures prominently in the second book, “Satanis Mysterium” which should be ready next year), and of course there are always students with new ideas and new concerns and new slang! So excited--I just learned “YOLO” from my students!

So I’m already busy on the next adventure, and I’m hoping the books become welcomed as part of the BC community.

Interested students can purchase “Grail Mysterium: An Adventure on The Heights” by Thomas Kaplan-Maxfield on Amazon online.

Students searching for adventure outside of literature should remember the professor’s famed treasure hunt: anyone who can solve his list of clues and locate the brooch pictured above, which is hidden somewhere on campus, will receive a reward of $2000 (roughly the wages of a camp counselor for an entire summer). So whether you are interested in phantasmagoric stories or thrilling treasure hunts, check out “tkaplanmaxfield.com” for more information.

13

The H UN G ER ga m es c ra z e

Photo by Murray Close

Why everyone is obsessed with Katniss Everdeen

By Itzel Ayala

Gavel media staff If you have not seen “The Hunger Games” by now, you might just be the only one. Whether you were an avid reader of “The Hunger Games” trilogy or just recently saw the movie, it is quite obvious that Katniss Everdeen deserves high praise. Anyone can tell you that “The Hunger Games” is not a love story. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, lives in a post-apocalyptic world in which she must fight to the death against 23 other contestants in an artificial arena. But this is not her first battle for survival. Since her father died, she has taken on the role of 14

breadwinner for her mother and sister.

Armed with a bow and arrow, she is lethal. But Katniss Everdeen is not attracting crowds of thousands and selling out showings because of her ability to shoot an arrow. Katniss is a very different kind of protagonist. She is a completely new character that audiences have never experienced.

A.O.Scott of the New York Times said, “[Katniss is] the synthesis of Harry Potter and Bella Swan — the Boy Who Lived and the Girl Who Must Choose.”

There are of course similarities between Harry Potter and Katniss, what

with their bravery and determination in the face of evil. Her only connection with the often-criticized, whiny Bella Swan is the classic love triangle. Katniss is constantly under attack, but unlike the other characters, she has more control over her fate. She volunteers for her sister in the reaping and willingly goes into the arena that is built to kill her.

For this and many other reasons, audiences have taken a liking to Katniss. She is both fragile and empowering. Her fate is never predictable and she takes on every challenge armed

the GAVEL / May 2012

with a death glare and an unbelievable determination to survive. She is in every sense of the word, a badass.

In the same article, Scott went on to say, “Katniss is carrying the burden of multiple symbolic identities. She’s an athlete, a media celebrity and a warrior as well as a sister, a daughter, a loyal friend and (potential) girlfriend.

In genre terms she is a western hero, an action hero, a romantic heroine and a tween idol.” She is a female character who is not reduced to a gender role or stereotype. She is a fighter who doesn’t need help from anyone. This is not the story of a young girl coming of age and learning who she is and what she wants in life. Katniss is pretty sure

www.bcgavel.com

of herself by the first page of the book (or the first frame of the movie). She is first and foremost there to protect her family. Her priorities are set and she is willing to do anything to survive.

As you read the books, you almost cringe waiting for the silly love scenes and awkward moments that are synonymous with such novels. But they never come, because this is not your typical young adult novel. Katniss is a powerful young woman and the books are one Spartan away from the gore of “300.” There are no meadows filled with sparkly vampires here. The great thing about Katniss is that she’s a female character caught in a “love” triangle and she is not annoying.

Though she may not be relatable to most girls her age (not many girls can say they battled for their lives against deadly mutations in a futuristic arena while simultaneously trying to keep up a good appearance for the audience), she is definitely a character of the twenty-first century. Katniss embodies female power without overdoing it.

Katniss is like all of us: confident and self-conscious, protective and concerned, and encountering love in the unlikeliest of situations. For those of you looking for a sweet romance film, “The Hunger Games “is not it. The arena is a fantasy, but the characters and their love are realistic.

15

Stuff BC Likes:

Springtime in Chestnut Hill

By Cal Greene III Photos courtesy of Cal Greene III Features Editor Finally! Springtime is always the best part of the year in Boston. The warm temperatures, birds chirping and clear skies are back for our enjoyment and BC students are wasting no time in getting out to enjoy the weather. Though winter was milder than normal, the longer days and moderate breeze are being appropriately taken advantage of: darty-ing, d-raging, mod-grilling, fun runs, Marathon Monday, Hemp-fest, lax pinnies, Arts Fest and the spring concert are all great activities for this time of year.

So BC, it is finally here. Enjoy the nice weather until you have to start hibernating in the library during study days!

Time to break out the Nantucket Reds and rock your Sperrys sans socks.

I hope you made your trip to Vineyard Vines or the Ralph Lauren boutiques in Copley already to get some proper spring attire. Yes, I know it is not Memorial Day yet, but whip out that collection of J. Crew pastel shirts and shorts, the more unusual the better; and ladies, dust off those light pink and blue sundresses and rock them in the quad.

Nothing says springtime more than our crisp, breezy outfits.

It is time to start doing everything outside that can possibly be done there, 16

which includes schoolwork, napping, watching TV, listening to music, whatever. Many mod residents have been utilizing their backyards already. Some are using the hills outside of Voute and Ignacio to sunbathe and throw around the old pig skin on a nice Saturday afternoon. Other clever seniors decided to take over the Bapst Lawn and set up a friendly “bro-quet” game (in proper croquet attire of course). At last we can all play outside and stop dressing like we live in Canada!

Easily the best part of spring is the “darty” which the urban dictionary defines as a “daytime party.” For those who have not experienced a proper darty, it is very similar to tailgating for a sports game, minus the sporting event, stadium and parking premiums. The darty is an essential part of every college experience and the best part about it is that for every type of person there is a way to darty it up. For the theatre kids, try practicing some lines outside: go old-school and set up a stage outside like the Greeks did. For the campus culture groups: follow the Hawaii club’s example and sponsor a luau on the lawn.

For the more athletic students: get out of the gym and have fun. For most stu-

dents there is no better place than the mods to play some ladder ball and canjam, and do so with an ice cold Natty in hand.

The classic spring holiday is, of course, Marathon Monday. There is no good reason why one of the most physically challenging activities that raises millions of dollars for various charities became a bigger drinking holiday than St. Patrick’s Day, but everyone in Boston is glad it did. Since Patriots’ Day is a state holiday, everyone can enjoy it. There is usually nice weather, this year being especially hot, with the runners testing their strength and endurance all while raising money for charities. Everyone is out cheering the runners on, and since the festivities are over by about four P.M., there is time to catch up on sleep or work.

Springtime will always be the best part of Boston College. Students appreciate it more in New England than other places that always have warm weather.

Now that ski season is over, students are anticipating the end of the semester and the good Cape weather to enjoy. So break out the pastels, short skirts and lax pinnies because springtime is in its prime!

the GAVEL / May 2012

Procrastination Nation

By Emily Akin gavel media staff

1. Leave Campus!

Want to put as much distance as possible between that Calculus final and yourself? Go explore a new part of the city! If you’re looking to be adventurous, head on over to Chinatown and try some unusual but delicious food. Our recommendations: fried milk at Jade Garden. It’s fried milk! What more can we say?

2. Start a Protest!

Are you mad about something? A professor’s subjective grading? The disappointing food at Mac? The endless construction on campus? DON’T TAKE THAT NONSENSE SITTING DOWN! Find some equally enraged and bored friends, go make some signs, and camp out in O’Neill plaza.

3. Meditate!

Get those pesky finals off your mind with a little Zen Meditation! Check out the Cambridge Zen Center at 199 Auburn Street Cambridge, Ma. Or call them at (617) 355-4378. Namaste.

4. Make a new Faculty Friend!

Not a professor, how very cliché of you. Start a philosophical conversation with a groundskeeper, ask the cafeteria worker how his or her day is going, or chat with the cleaning staff in your dorm. It’ll be entertaining, and we promise you’ll make new friends!

5. Poke Around Burns Library!

Not sure where Burns Library is? It’s the tiny rare books collection library connected to Bapst Library. Peruse the replica of the Book of Kells which cost BC $30,000, or just chill in the secluded study space and revel in the fact that you are SO much more cultured than most of your peers.

6. Wear crazy clothes around campus!

Try your absolute hardest to out-hipster the rest of campus and grab a coveted spot in the BC Sartorialist fashion blog. Wear every single printed or patterned article of clothing you own and sit in the quad for a few hours with some rad sunglasses, a fedora, and a pipe.

7. Skype your middle school friends!

Hey, remember that girl you talked to everyday in pre-algebra in eighth grade? No? You’re such a horrible friend! It’s time the two of you reconnected, and what better time than now?

8. SHOP! Are you familiar with Etsy? How about Wanelo? They just happen to be two fabulous websites which sell strange, strange junk you do NOT need but you HAVE to have. I-phone case that reads “I’d get Sleazy for Ron Weasley” anyone? Bright red statue of a mermaid? Banana wine bottle stopper? Yes. 9. The Classic: Texts From Last Night It’s a standard go-to procrastinator haven that never gets old. NEVER. ex: (419): we can be functional adults and still think pizza lunchables are the sh*t.

10. Rent a Movie from O’Neill!

Or two. Or three. Or four. Or five. Or six. However many it takes.

www.bcgavel.com

OVERHEARD AT BC :-)

:/

:(

:P

Overheard conversation between two students at the marathon: Guy 1: Don’t know how those runners are doing it today bro..it’s so hot out.

Guy 2: Are you kidding man this is like winter for the Kenyans...they’ll probably be wearing sweatshirts.

Overheard at Hillside: Girl 1: Wait, how did you not get into the bar?

Girl 2: I thought it was my fake but it was actually just my Boloco card.

Overheard in the mods: Guy: Dude I don’t want to wear a tank top tomorrow I need to save them for Avicii this week!

Overheard cheering at the marathon: Girl 1: Oh that runner has a flag! Is it Brazil? He’s from Brazil?

Girl 2: No that’s a Colombian flag.

Girl 1: He’s Colombian? YES! MY LAB PARTNER IS MEXICAN! Overheard in the Quad: Guy: Dude have you noticed that the birds aren’t scared of us anymore?

Overheard on the Comm Ave bus: Girl 1: It’s ok you don’t need him! He has a girlfriend!

Girl 2: Do you know what a tapeworm is? A girlfriend is a tapeworm. She eats up your stomach!

Girl 1: Ok sweetie.

17

The Best Beers of Summer

By Christian Fiedler Gavel Media Staff

Sam Adams Summer Ale – 4.5 out of 5 – 5.3% ABV Sam Adams Summer Ale is a wheat beer brewed with lemon zest, coriander, and a traditional brewing spice called “Grains of Paradise.” Pouring a hazy orange, Summer Ale’s spices carry through the beer’s aroma, providing a floral, citrusy bouquet. Our reviewers noted this beer’s complexity; it starts off sweet and light like a wheat beer should, takes a turn toward lemony and peppery flavors, then finishes with a lingering bitterness. Despite its complexity, Summer Ale is easy to drink and can be enjoyed by everyone.

Summer is right around the corner, along with sunny days at the beach, family picnics, and outdoor bacchanalia. For our summer beer review, we picked a few mainstays of the season – wheat beers and light lagers – and rated them with an eye for summertime drinkability.

We based our comparison for the beers based on four criteria: clarity and colour, smell, taste and complexity, and mouthfeel, then we gave it an overall score, 1 being poor and 5 being the best.

Dogfish Head Namaste – 4.5 out of 5 – 5.0% ABV Dogfish Head is known for some bizarre beers, and we were not sure what to expect when we picked up a 750 mL bottle of Namaste (their take on the Belgian witbier style). We were all pleasantly surprised. Namaste was the lightest in color of our selection for the day and poured with a tall, long-lasting head. The aroma was spicy, citrusy, and estery from the distinctive Belgian yeast, and the taste was similar: waves of lemongrass, citrus, restrained pepper notes, and tartness from the yeast. On the whole, Namaste is a refreshing and flavorful brew, and is would be a great choice for fans of Blue Moon or Hoegaarden.

18

the GAVEL / May 2012

All Photos by Cal Greene III/Gavel Media

Corona Extra – 2.5 out of 5 – 4.6% ABV Corona is a legend among summer beers. A straw-colored, crystal-clear beer, our reviewers described Corona’s aroma as muted and a bit skunky. There is a reason why Corona is marketed with limes; the flavor was clean and boring, described as the “plain” of beer by one of our reviewers. Mouth-feel was light and prickly, typical for a summer guzzler. Overall, there is not much going on with Corona, but its low price point and linear, clean flavor make it ideal for the beach. Just do not forget the lime.

Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy – 4 out of 5 - 4.2% ABV Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy received a lot of publicity last summer and will likely make a big splash this season too.

Described on the label as a “weiss beer brewed with lemonade,” it was more aptly described by one of our reviewers as “fruity like a bowl of fresh lemonade with just a dip of beer.” Summer Shandy is a cloudy, bright yellow brew that screams “lemons” in both aroma and flavor; its faint malt sweetness is perfectly balanced by the tart lemonade. While some of us did not think it was a great beer per se, we all agreed that it would make a great beverage for non-beer-drinkers and a welcome alternative for fans of Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

Longboard Island Lager – 3 out of 5 – 4.6% ABV Kona Brewing Company’s Longboard Island Lager is a worthy competitor to Corona. Longboard pours with a fluffy white head and a grainy, sweet aroma. Taste-wise, Longboard is more balanced than Corona, with a slightly bitter, spicy hop-kick to offset the sweetness. Our reviewers felt that it was a step up from Corona, but unremarkable compared to other summer offerings.

Please take note: all persons who participated in the review are of legal drinking age. Please remember to DRINK RESPONSIBLY. www.bcgavel.com

19

Looking onward “When I was five years old, my mom told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said, ‘happy’. They told me that I didn’t understand the question. I told them they didn’t understand life (and to go f*** themselves).” – Anonymous It is hard to believe that my BC experience is coming to a n end. As I look back over the last four years it is sometimes hard to see that anxious and excited kid that walked into an empty room in Fitzpatrick Hall on my first move-in. Most kids are scared or nervous about moving, but for me I knew that a few hundred miles between my high school life and myself were necessary and desirable. In high school I was a kind of chubby, nerdy kid who took way too many AP classes. I was in a box. As an African-American, nonCatholic, and homosexual I always felt like an outsider. Coming to BC was my chance to start over and be the person I wanted to be. My days here had their highs and lows, some heartbreaks and sometimes a place where I found love. Now that the finish line is in sight I look back with nostalgia and love for this place.

I was really lucky in my four years here. I never had to live on Newton Campus, never was forced to beg for a Natty in the mods, never experienced too many racial problems, and found a great group of friends whom I have lived with all four years. I was so funny as a freshman. I knew exactly what I was going to do, what clubs I was going to join, what job I was going to have after graduation, etc. My mom always said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” In looking back, wow, was she right.

Most people come to college with the goal of learning a subject, getting good grades and getting a job, or going to grad school afterward. My goal was simple, to catch up on the 18 years of life that was wasted, to get all of those nostalgic memories you see portrayed in the movies. I wanted to be able to say, “College was the best time of my life.”

Hell, at that point I wanted to say that any day was the best time of my life. I got what I asked for, sometimes at the expense of my GPA, but I cannot say I will ever regret my decisions, as bad as some of them were, because life is a journey. You cannot see what is in front of you. You cannot know what lies ahead. Life is like a poker game mixed with Russian Roulette. You can only play with the hands you are dealt and sometimes you are just the unlucky one to get that loaded chamber. All you can do is enjoy it while it lasts and not bet too heavily on your first few hands.

When it comes down to it, Boston College and the friends I made here helped me love myself. They alleviated my biggest fears: of being abandoned, having a stagnant career, and never finding someone to spend the rest of my life with, and showed me that at the end of the day I was still the same person. Before, I felt that I could not escape my fate and I thought that all of the pillars I built my life and goals on were made of sand, only to be washed away by a reality I could not accept. This place taught me so much more than finance and philosophy. I am sad to leave this place but I am glad that I do not have to be a broke college student anymore. I am looking forward to starting my career, being financially independent and enjoying my life.

My advice to the classes that follow: allow yourself to be relieved; you are the only thing standing in your way.

- Collace Greene III, BC CSOM, Class of 2012

20

the GAVEL / May 2012

to the real world As much as I cringe to think that I am already reflecting on my undergraduate experience at Boston College, I am grateful to take the opportunity to consider my time here.

I first came to BC as a transfer student from The College of New Jersey, an excellent institution that just did not seem to be a great fit for me. I met some lifelong friends and studied hard but had a nagging feeling that something was missing. I desperately wanted to get to know a new city and yearned to step out of my comfort zone, and TCNJ could not do that for me. Though I was impressed with the academic opportunities available at Boston College, it was the dedication and genuine love that BC students had for their school that inspired me to join the class of 2012.

As a transfer, it took some time to grow accustomed to a new place. I participated in a freshman orientation and immediately took an off-campus job in Brookline at an art studio. Many new things I tried seemed to be exclusive and further isolating to someone who already felt a bit left out. Yet, as an Art History-turned-Economics major, I had incredible experiences getting to know my professors and challenging myself in the classroom in a variety of disciplines. Feeling like I could come to office hours and build relationships with people who once seemed intimidating was a great source of confidence and reinforced a sense of belonging in an unfamiliar place.

Joining the Gavel staff at the end of my second year at BC changed my perspective and helped me settle into a niche that I am very grateful to have found. I was immediately drawn to the other staff members, smart and dedicated students who had something to say in our college environment that can be censored and homogeneous at times.

Since the Gavel is a relatively young publication, there was not an established bureaucracy or “rule book� that seemed to limit its potential. Though it was not always easy, I had a great time working with fellow staff members to gain readership and recruit new members. I was also exposed to a great deal of other clubs and organizations on campus as a result like ALC, GLC, and BSSH, among others. I only regret not joining sooner because I realized that many of these groups fostered the same sense of community among students.

The switch to a magazine format this semester has marked considerable growth for our publication. Working with design-minded people and experimenting with more creative layouts has been especially rewarding. The content has always been high quality, and the magazine has proved to be a perfect representation of the hard work that goes into the Gavel. Thank you to the culture crew for your support and inspiration! I am so excited to have been a part of this transition, and I cannot wait to see what these talented kids come up with next.

- Margaret Lawrence, BC A&S, Class of 2012

www.bcgavel.com

21

May 2012

played a role in the delay to arrest

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

George Zimmerman

22

On April 11, 2012, George Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin and turned himself in to police. However, it took a month and a half for charges to be filed against George Zimmerman to begin with, despite evidence that he should have been arrested and charged immediately after Martin’s death.

We are not passing judgement on Zimmerman. He is innocent until proven guilty, and a court of law will ultimately decide his fate. However, Chris Serino, the lead homicide investigator in the case, recommended charging Zimmerman with manslaughter following his initial interrogation, but his affidavit was denied by the State Attorney’s Office, citing insufficient evidence.

In addition, the Sanford Police Department as a whole was negligent in

their handling of the case, not administering a routine drug and alcohol test on Zimmerman, and failing to run a background check, which would have

It took a month and a half for charges to be filed despite evidence that he should have been arrested and charged immediately. revealed his past offenses of assault and battery on a police officer, and domes-

tic violence. The Police Department for breaking another standard procedure in not taking possession of Zimmerman’s clothes for forensic evidence.

By all accounts, Zimmerman is not a racist. He reportedly has mentored black youths, has black relatives and friends, and protested the beating of a homeless black man by the son of a Sanford police officer.

However, we believe that the Sanford Police Department showed racial bias in its poor handling of the case.

Similar high-profile cases, such as the stillunsolved murder of Jon-Benet Ramsey and the kidnapping case of Elizabeth Smart, were adequately handled by law enforcement with attention to detail.

The negligence shown by the Sanford Police Department in what should have been a cut and dry booking of Zimmerman was a miscarriage of justice.

the GAVEL / May 2012

becoming increasingly hard to find for college students Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

For college students, summertime brings great weather and the need to find a summer job. In the current economic climate, the latter proposition is difficult. Even though the unemployment rate de creased from 10 percent in late 2009 to the current 8.3 percent, it is still higher than normal.

With the unemployment rate this high, many people with college degrees that normally would be working fulltime jobs are looking for work. As a result, many overqualified applicants are being accepted to work at places where college students would normally find a summer job. This trickle -down effect leaves many people with col-

www.bcgavel.com

This trickle-down effect leaves many people with college degrees underpaid (despite their qualifications) and students without a job for the summer. lege degrees getting underpaid (despite their qualifications) and leaves college students without a job for the summer.

However, lowering the unemployment rate will not happen overnight. It takes time and is determined by numerous factors. However, the good news is that the unemployment rate is trending down, partly due to the sound economic policies of the Obama administration, which include small business tax credits and using tax incentives to encourage businesses to create jobs in America.

Ultimately, jobs need to be created in the public and private sectors. Only then will unemployment be alleviated, college students have summer job opportunities, and the economy get back on track.

23

INSIDE: Solving Iran tensions through diplomacy/ Syrian Civil War/ Feminism from the male perspective

Opinions

May 2012

Trayvon Martin:

Questions raised about media objectivity

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

By Natalie Roy Gavel Media Staff

24

The past few years have brought numerous major changes to the field of journalism. Newspapers have been forced to adjust to digital formats as their main source of readership, and many have struggled to bridge the gap between free and paid service. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange brought us back to the days of the Pentagon Papers, asking us to question what the public deserves to know from their government.

Now in the wake of the Trayvon Martin case, we not only have a question about racial tension in America, but also about the role of the interviewer in presenting information to the audience.

During the March 30 episode of Piers Morgan Tonight, Morgan and his guest Touré got into a heated argument about the interviewer’s responsibility to present the truth to the viewing audience.

Touré began with a 14-minute tirade, condescendingly spitting at Morgan, “Let me explain to you what’s at stake here.” Touré was upset over Morgan’s interview of George Zimmerman’s brother from previous night, as he believed that Morgan had allowed the brother, Robert, to spread “misinformation” and “obfuscation” about the Tray-

von Martin case. He believed that this misrepresentation of the facts would confuse the viewing audience and would contribute to the overall problem instead of the solution.

Morgan disagreed with Touré’s characterization of the interview, stating, “Anybody with a dispassionate mind who saw that interview saw me challenge [Robert Zimmerman] repeatedly,” following the remark with a supporting clip.

As time went on, it became clear that neither side was going to concede and pretty soon the argument descended into a shouting match over journalistic professionalism.

And that’s really what the whole argument boils down to: who had the

more professional take on the issue.

Morgan took a more traditional view on the subject, believing that the interviewer needs to ask challenging questions, but needs to allow the answers to speak for themselves.

Touré on the other hand believed that all the facts of the Trayvon Martin case were out, and was basically calling for Morgan to question and challenge every remark Robert Zimmerman made as untrue.

I tend to agree with Morgan on the matter for one reason: George Zimmerman has not seen his day in court. It is not the role of the interviewer to decide whether or not a defendant is guilty or innocent. Yet it is extremely clear from watching the debate that Touré is more than ready to hang George Zimmerman.

The media exists to present the facts and allow the audience to make a decision based on the informtion. Yet it seems that we are constantly moving in a direction where opinion is allowed to cloud those facts. Touré, who decried Morgan for allowing “misinformation” and “obfuscation,” was automatically writing off all of Robert Zimmerman’s remarks as untrue simply because he believes George Zimmerman is guilty.

There is nothing fair and balanced about that approach.

the GAVEL / May 2012

By Mike Natalie Gavel Media Staff

Last semester I had been a Biology major. I hated it, not only because I had felt my talents lay elsewhere, but also because I had wanted a major which would allow me to engage more directly with the faculty here at Boston College. There is, however, something I miss from the sciences: what you put in is always, without fail, what you get out. In the sciences, everything is treated as “fact” until proven otherwise: for instance, even the word “theory” has a more concrete value in the sciences than it does anywhere else. With rare exception (probably less rare in the higherlevel classes I never quite got around to) this means that you will mostly answer objective questions. The “A” is elusive but there but when you’ve got it, nobody can contest that you’ve got it. The same can unfortunately also be said for the “F.” The humanities sing a different song.

In these classes, the quality of your work can be contested. The criticism-to-praise ratio for individual professors, as well as their expectations, preferences, and grading styles will vary pretty wildly. In my experience, they are all good at what they do. But are they always good for your grades? As I have just said, it varies; but as a general rule nobody—professor, TA, student, people outside our community (yes they exist)—wants to be too open-handed with either their praise or criticism. Too much praise, and you leave no room for improvement, which breeds complacence and can—and this is probably one of a professor’s worst nightmares—cause your www.bcgavel.com

students’ skills to deteriorate rather than improve. Too much criticism, and your students will be too crestfallen (or outright angry) to care about your class anymore.

So what does this mean for your grades?

Survey says: it generally means no Fs (barring failure to complete assignments, disrespect, and other things B.C. should theoretically be above) or As. A-, possibly.

C if something is blatantly substandard.

In high school I was very used to seeing “As” in English, Philosophy, etc. Now, as an English major, that is no longer a certainty.

I know how horribly nerdy this sounds, but the first time I saw a B+ on a paper I more or less cringed. I was mad,: then I realized that your professors want you to leave the class a stronger student than when you entered. There is no curve in the strict sense, but you ARE being compared to smarter people than you were compared to in high school. I personally prefer a cooperative attitude to a competitive one; I feel it leads to a more fruitful life in general (not just as a student) but this is something to bear in mind. Your expectations and those of your professors will not, in most cases, be the same. This does happen. Similar to the above: your view of what a grade means and your professor’s view of what it means will also rarely align.

The B+ I’d mentioned above did not come with much criticism; some, certainly, but the attitude behind the grade was basically “you did this pretty much exactly right.

Now do something that impresses me.”

Well, now what? Most of us here are

ambitious people. Sure, getting mad at your professors and TAs will not improve the situation. If you want higher grades, you should first show that you are responding to their criticisms in a direct and obvious way. Take English, for example: suppose your professor comments that some of your word choices are strange.

The easy thing to do would be to tone down your vocabulary and use words that come more readily to you; the “A” thing to do would be to use more difficult words in an appropriate context. Both approaches are “valid” but one is more obvious to the grader.

More importantly: reach out. Using English as an example again (sorry, it’s just what I know) say you have a paper. Instead of doing it the night before (I just heard a large, collective “yeah, right” in the back of my imagination) start it early and take that early draft to your professor or TA for critique. This does a few things: it demonstrates effort, builds a relationship, and (more cynically) leaves you less open to criticism on the final draft.

Lastly and most obviously, put in the time. I had started my English journey hoping that this major would make less of an imposition on my personal time than my last: in some ways, this fantasy was realized—it’s far easier to scrape an “adequate” grade here than it is in the sciences, at least for me. But a “good” grade requires a comparable time investment. The work is different, but the effort shouldn’t be.

25

By Kenny St. John Opinions Editor Throughout this great country’s history, unions have fought for many benefits that workers currently enjoy, such as a 40 hour work week, a minimum wage, safe working conditions, and the weekend. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that union members earn 29 percent more than non-union workers, while having greater access to healthcare, sick leave, and retirement benefits.

Granted, in this tough economic climate, sacrifices in terms of salary and benefits need to be made across the board. Admittedly

That is why I was curious when I heard that the anti-union interest group, the Center for Union Facts, was pushing for the so-called Employee Rights Act. Granted, there are a few provisions in the proposed Act that I support, like giving employees the right to a secret ballot when choosing whether or not to join a union, or deciding whether or not to strike. However, as a whole I have numerous misgivings about the Act, and in a greater sense, the Center for Union Facts. For instance, the Center ran an ad during this year’s Super Bowl that claimed that only 10 percent of workers in a union actually voted to join the union. This claim was debunked by the Washington Post, and an economist with the Center on Budget and

hind the Italian gangster wannabe, with one looking like a Mafioso in a white t-shirt with a leather jacket with his arms crossed, and another one in an outfit that looks like it was taken straight out of Little Italy at the turn of the century.

Even though I am an Italian-American, I am not easily offended by negative portrayals of Italians in the media. “The Godfather”, “The Godfather Part II” and “Goodfellas” are three of my favorite movies. Some may criticize them as promoting anti-Italian stereotypes, but I disagree. The three movies I mentioned are universally acclaimed, were deemed “culturally significant” by the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress and are accurate and historical depictions of the Italian Mafia.

there are some unions that are too strong, and as a result, refuse to make compromises with employers for the greater good of all involved.

Unions that are too powerful diminish the ability of weaker unions to negotiate new contracts. For example, my mother is the Vice President of a Secretary’s Union at a school district on Long Island. The teacher’s union there is extremely powerful, and received their usual pay increase in last year’s negotiations with the school district. The school district was therefore unable to afford to meet the Secretary’s Union halfway, and as a result the union was forced to take a two year pay freeze. With the cost of living going up immensely due to inflation and gas prices, it is unfair for one union to reap benefits while another union is unable to negotiate a fair contract for its members.

26

Policy Priorities stated, “It is a bit like saying Virginia isn’t a state because none of its current residents voted for statehood.” In addition, the Center in 2006 received $2.5 million in funding, but refused to disclose their donors.

Furthermore, as an Italian-American, I was offended by one of the Center’s most recent ads, which pushes anti-Italian stereotypes. In this ad, entitled “Classroom Elections,” a boy in a black shirt with rolled up sleeves, sunglasses and greased hair, is coercing his classmates to vote for him in a class election by saying “there ain’t gonna be any secret vote,” in a stereotypical Brooklynese accent. He then says that his “campaign committee” will collect and count the class’s votes.

The shot then zooms out to show the “campaign committee” of three boys standing be-

Why I am offended by the “Classroom Elections” ad is because it is exploiting antiItalian stereotypes for political gain. The Italian Mafia has been accused of controlling a number of unions in the past, most notably the Teamsters Union of Jimmy Hoffa fame.

However, stereotypes have no place in political discourse.

Ultimately, both the Employee Rights Act and the Center for Union Facts are misnomers. The Act doesn’t protect the rights of employees; rather, it only limits the rights of employees and their ability to collectively bargain. This leads me to believe that the ultimate objective of the Center of Union Facts is to increase corporate profits by means of anything but the facts. And if the use of racist ethnic stereotypes is deemed to further their own cause, then full speed ahead.

the GAVEL / May 2012

Courtesy of plus.google.com

Anti-union interest group spews lies, racist anti-Italian stereotypes

By Paul Boboc Gavel Media Staff

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Assad must step down to prevent further bloodshed When Hasan Ali Akleh set himself on fire after pouring gasoline on himself on January 26, 2011, no one would have guessed that, within two months, 100,000 protesters would gather in Daraa to protest the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad. By mid-2010, Homs, Syria’s third-largest municipal area was under siege by rebel forces. Over the course of the conflict, more than 40 thousand men have defected from Assad’s army to form the Free Syrian Army, which has carried out guerrilla operations against Assad’s forces. The rebels have demanded the abolition of Syria’s ‘emergency law,’ which severely limits Syrian citizens’ rights, the equal rights of Kurds, whose rights have been curtailed for decades, cut-downs in taxes, the eradication of the Supreme State Security Council, increased financial opportunities and the emancipation of the working poor, and, most importantly, the abdication of Assad’s title.

Concessions have been made. Several thousand Kurds have been released from prison (and several thousands have not),

www.bcgavel.com

and the Council was abolished. Since the United Nations’ pledge to protect Syrian civilians a week ago, violence has allayed, although Assad’s armies kept fighting until April 12th. More than ten thousand people, the greater number of them civilians, have died so far.

It is difficult for us, as comfortable Americans, to understand the intricate nuances and the sociological subtleties of how such internal conflicts can spring to life so abruptly. The reasons are varied, but they’re all subsidiary to an obvious explanation: because no matter how bloody the means, the end is justified. These ends are simple: the freedom to work and earn money, the freedom to speak without fearing that secret service agents are listening in the other room with loaded AK-47s, ready to shoot down every family member if you dare to say a bad word about the regime, the freedom to worship openly without being threatened by militant extremists; and the freedom to live without being humiliated, beaten, and despised merely

because a private part happens to be uncircumcised or a great grand-uncle thrice removed happens to be 2 percent Jewish.

In short, unless Assad steps down, there will be no peace in Syria. There is too much collective hatred brewing against him after decades of servility under his autocratic regime. Individual concessions are meaningless; they merely leave the populace longing for more. Unfortunately the United Nations ceasefire is a temporary measure that is sure to disintegrate shortly. Also, peace treaties do not feed starving children. Either Assad steps down within a year and some relative measure of peace is achieved, or Assad does not step down, the rebels become fragmented, and Assad stays in power over a population that wants his head. To appease them, he will grant some economic concessions, but nothing serious in the way of human rights. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that the latter might very well come to be.

27

Iran tensions need to be solved through diplomacy

By Ricardo Sanchez Gavel Media Contributor

28

Even if the US and Israel were successful in delaying Iran’s nuclear program, it could never do away with Iran’s nucelar ambitions completely. region, the last thing the world needs is for Middle Eastern leaders who hate each other—and Israel—to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons at their disposal. This would bring even more instability to an already volatile region ripe with religious and ethnic feuds.

It is therefore without question that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon—the matter at hand is how to go about preventing them. A preemptive strike, as supported by Israel and many of its Republican allies in Congress, is not the answer to the Iran problem. An Israel-led attack would have many undesirable consequences. Iran could always retaliate, either directly or through its proxies Hezbollah or Hamas, which are both located closer to Israel. This

might also put Americans and Jews across the world at risk, as it would certainly intensify anti-American/anti-Semitic sentiment by terror groups around the world. Iran, with its ability to raise oil prices, may also retaliate by hurting the world economy.

Then there is the question of whether or not a pre-emptive strike is worth the trouble.

The entire purpose of an attack would be to set Iran’s nuclear program back at least two years. However, the chances of that happening are slim, as Iran’s nuclear sites are now more spread out, many of them having gone underground, making it far more difficult for an attack to have any noticeable impact to the nuclear program. Even if an attack by the United States and Israel were successful in delaying Iran’s nuclear program, it could never do away with Iran’s nuclear ambitions completely.

An attack on Iran, therefore, would certainly be the wrong course of action by Israel or the United States. It would make Iran more aggressive towards its enemies (e.g. Israel) and would only strengthen the regime by rallying its people around its leaders—at a time in which the Iranian government is struggling to maintain the little popular support it has. Thus, the best course of action for the United States and Israel to take is to continue diplomacy through all channels and continue to monitor the situation for opportunities that may arise. The United States has already put a number of burdensome sanctions on Iran, depriving its government of tax revenues, cutting off its financial system from the global economy, and plummeting the value of its currency.

With little popular support and a divided government, it is only a matter of time before the Arab Spring reaches Iran and a new regime is put in place. It is essential, however, that this be allowed to happen on its own, without reckless instigation.

the GAVEL / May 2012

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

There has been much discussion surrounding Iran and it’s nuclear program. Israel and the rest of the world have become extremely suspicious of what they consider to be Iran’s attempt to obtain a nuclear weapon, and are determined to stop them by any means necessary, including military intervention. Iran, on the other hand, has repeatedly asserted that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful and that its much scrutinized uranium enrichment program is meant solely to produce energy and medical isotopes for the Iranian people. Although Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb would pose a major threat to Israel as well as to the stability of the Middle East in general, resorting to military force— though never to be ruled out completely—is by all measures the wrong approach towards Iran.

The world’s global powers have taken various diplomatic measures to hurt and discourage Iran ‘s efforts to develop their nuclear program. Despite numerous crippling sanctions by the United States and the international community, Iran has continued to enrich uranium, and has been gradually acquiring the technology necessary to produce a weapon. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has stressed the dangers posed by the prospect of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon, and has maintained his country’s right to defend itself should it feel threatened by Iran. This Israeli unease is not unwarranted, as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently described Israel as being a “cancerous tumor that must be cut out.” This leaves the global community, the United States especially, with the dilemma of how to deal with Iran and curb its nuclear ambitions without aggravating the situation

in the process.

For President Barack Obama, going to war in an election year is not the most prudent idea, but that is by far the least concerning problem at hand. If Iran were to acquire a weapon, even if it were simply to defend itself, the surrounding nations such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, or Egypt would then feel the need to arm themselves with nuclear weapons as well. Given the instability of the

Feminism from the male perspective

By Jon Dame Assoc. Opinions Editor Racism and sexism operate in surprisingly similar ways; although many people believe that such institutions are close to eradicated from our social fabric, they are still extant, albeit in a more latent form. We have entered an age, in which we perceive racial and gender equality—or at least equality of opportunity—to have been achieved. For the most part, legal impediments to the social mobility and freedom of women and minorities have been dissolved, and thus, the major fight is supposedly won.

These views have incurred the development of a new form of racism and sexism, in which the continued economic and social inequities of our country are now subconsciously associated with the inherent deviance of these “previously-oppressed” groups.

In an age where a woman or a minority can become a doctor or a CEO if they want, the reason that we do not see more of these people in positions of power must be the fault of these people themselves. As a result, movements like feminism or affirmative action are met with staunch opposition because people fail to recognize the cultural norms that continue to perpetuate oppression and hinder social mobility and freedom. For this reason, “consciousness raising” among men is equally important to the feminist movement as is consciousness raising among women.

Consciousness raising involves simply talking with others about sexism or any system of oppression in an attempt to broaden one’s understanding of how that system actually functions in society. In my experience, the biggest impediment to the feminist movement is not apathy on the behalf of women, but opposition on the behalf of men, who do not realize the need for such a movement.

www.bcgavel.com

Sexism is very complex and social constructions of gender are so engrained in our culture that it can be difficult to detach oneself from them. In my experience, men actually believe that women have more freedom and benefits in life then men in some cases. Many questions often arise, such as why can women wear men’s clothing but men can’t wear women’s clothing? Why is it acceptable for women to be tomboys, but men can’t be sissies? Why can women say a man is an asshole, but men can’t call a girl a bitch? Why can women go into any field that they want, but men can’t go into fields like nursing without there being a sigma associated with it? All of these types of question unfortunately fail to see the subliminal issues at play. Men don’t recognize that the pressure of women to dress in a certain way is an example of sexism in a very basic form; men don’t recognize that women can be tomboys and men can’t be sissies because masculine qualities are valued and desired and feminine qualities are not; men don’t recognize that bitch is a gendered word of which there is no male equivalent and which holds very negative and oppressive connotations. Most importantly, men fail to see how they are prisoners of their gendered identities as well.

Men hold the power in today’s society, meaning that any attempts at social change will be extremely difficult without their support and understanding of the issue. With the right efforts to make men see how they themselves are playing into socially constructed gender roles, this support can be won. Therefore, we should be sure not to solely focus on female consciousness raising, but also on male consciousness raising.

Men need to understand that feminism is a movement for liberation of all people.

29

INSIDE: 2012 Summer Music Festivals / Boston’s favorite bars / BC Irish Dance

May 2012

By Emily Akin Gavel Media Staff

It’s here. It’s here. It’s finally here! No, I’m not talking about the national championship trophy, or spring, or the hordes of sunbathing students in front of Bapst.

STARBUCKS is finally in Cleveland Circle, people! It’s a way of life, a language beyond standard English. Don’t even think about trying to order a “small” or “medium”; those sizes do not exist at Starbucks. It’s a Tall, Grande or Venti, and Starbucks employees reserve the right to shoot you condemning looks if you pull a newbie move and order a “large coffee.”

Good grief, get it right.

As I type this article in the Government Center Starbucks, I will admit that I have a bit of a problem. Sure, Dunkins’ or Peet’s will do in a pinch, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING, keeps my caffeine-addled brain going better than a Starbucks Venti Iced Coffee

30

with four pumps of the Vanilla NoSugar Sweetener.

I’ve worked long and hard to perfect that order — if you don’t specify, they arbitrarily give you six pumps of the sweetener, and that just won’t do, now will it? However, in comparison with some of the more seasoned ‘Bucks veterans, my order is relatively tame. Now that we have our own personal Starbucks in Cleveland Circle, we at the Gavel think it would be fun to mess around a bit with our soon-to-be BFF baristas.

We trekked around the city asking different baristas and customers about their longest, most intricate drink orders and compiled a handy-dandy list for you here. Feel free to drive the Cleveland Circle baristas crazy with some of these doozies.

Disclaimer: I did not order every one of these drinks and cannot attest to how they taste. What do you people think, I’m made of money?

the GAVEL / May 2012

THE ANNOYING: 1. Double tall decaf, semi-skimmed, one pump peppermint, one shot valencia, extra hot, extra wet mocha, no whipped cream.

2. Grande hot decaf, triple five-pump vanilla, non-fat, no foam, whipped cream, extra hot, extra caramel, upside-down caramel Machiatto.

Note: Do NOT shake. “Nothing kills a barista’s soul more than when you

order an upside-down caramel macchiato and then proceed to shake it

up. Like honestly, you just ruined my sandcastle.” -An anonymous, sassy

downtown Barista — we’ll just call him Bob. 3. Half-skinny, half-one percent, extra hot split quad shot (two shots decaf, two shots regular) latte with whipped cream.

4. Venti five shot, two and a half-pump toffee nut, skim, no whip, extra foam, extra hot, two and a half-pump mocha. (Yeah, that’s right: half pumps.)

5. Triple venti non-fat, extra-extra dry Cappuccino.

6. Venti Vanilla Bean Cream Frappuccino with heavy cream instead of milk, six pumps of peppermint, and three scoops of matcha powder.

THE MOST ANNOYING ORDER EVER: Venti Iced Soy Matcha Green Tea Latte: No ice, one banana, 16 scoops matcha, 16 scoops chocolate chip, double-blended with whipped cream, mocha drizzle and chocolate curls

45 syllables. “Excuse me, what?” -Bob

THE WEIRD:

Note: We cannot guarantee the yumminess of any of the following 1. Grande Caramel Apple Spice with a shot of espresso.

“Like, what the hell?” -Bob 2. Strawberry Smoothie, no-milk, eight scoops of protein.

3. Strawberries and Cream with a shot of espresso.

4. Peppermint Coffee

“I don’t get it.” -Bob 5. Skinny Vanilla Lattes with Whip Cream

“I just don’t get it. Like, what’s the point?” -Bob 6. Half-caff, triple grande, quarter sweet, sugar-free vanilla, non-fat lactaid, extra hot, extra foamy caramel Macchiato.

7. Any extra-hot non-foam soy drink.

“It’s naturally foamy. Good Lord, people.” -A similarly disgruntled barista. Let’s

call her Sarah.

THE FATTENING: 1. Venti Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino: 520 calories 2. Venti Mocha Coconut Blended Frappuccino: 550 calories—and as much sugar as a two-liter bottle of Coke.

3. Venti Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with Whole Milk: 700 calories, 95 grams of sugar.

“Would you like to roll over and die? No? Then don’t order this crap.” -Bob

After hoofing it around to different Starbucks all over downtown Boston for two hours, I swung by the newlyopened Cleveland Circle Starbucks to let them know about our little project. I talked with one barista named Bryan, who issued a general challenge to the students “Bring it on BC... do your worst.”

Photos courtesy of Jillian Timko, Assoc. Culture Editor and Wikimedia Commons

www.bcgavel.com

31

Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

School’s out for

SUMMER

Broken Social Scene at Bonnaroo Music Festival, 2008

Kickin’ it at the most awaited 2012 Summer Music Festivals

By Olivia Simone, Print Manager

Electric Forest Music Festival Electric Daisy Carnival, 2010

Bonnaroo Music Festival WHERE: Manchester, TN WHEN: June 7-10 TICKETS: $259.50 4-day pass CAMPING: Yes

WHERE: Rothbury, MI WHEN: June 28-July 1 TICKETS: $242.50 4-day pass CAMPING: Yes TOP ARTISTS: The String Cheese Incident, STS9, Bassnectar, Steve Aoki, Beats Antique, Big Gigantic, Major Lazer

TOP ARTISTS: Phish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, The Beach Boys, Bon Iver, Foster the People, Dispatch, The Shins, Flogging Molly, Umphrey’s Mcgee, Two Door Cinema Club, The Roots, Skrillex, Ludacris, Mac Miller

Electric Daisy Carnival WHERE: Las Vegas, NV WHEN: June 8-10 TICKETS: $275 3-day pass CAMPING: No TOP ARTISTS: Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, Avicii, Bassnectar, Benny Benassi, Blue Man Group, Calvin Harris, Pretty Lights 32

Electric Daisy Carnival, 2011 Electric Forest Music Festival 2011 photo by Eric Paluch

the GAVEL / May 2012

The Peach Music Festival WHERE: Scranton, PA WHEN: August 10-12 TICKETS: $165 3-day pass CAMPING: Yes TOP ARTISTS: The Allman Brothers Band, Zac Brown Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, O.A.R., Toubab Krewe

Abbey Road on the River DC The Flaming Lips at Lollapalooza, 2006

Lollapalooza WHERE: Chicago, IL WHEN: August 3-5 TICKETS: $230 3-day pass CAMPING: No TOP ARTISTS: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Black Keys, Black Sabbath, Jack White, Florence + The Machine, At The Drive-In, The Shins, Justice, Passion Pit, J. Cole, Childish Gambino, Avicii, Calvin Harris, Nero, Wale

WE Fest WHERE: Detroit Lakes, MN WHEN: August 2-4 TICKETS: $119 3-day pass CAMPING: Yes TOP ARTISTS: Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, John Anderson, Alabama

WHERE: Washington, DC WHEN: August 30-September 3 TICKETS: $199.95 5-day pass CAMPING: No TOP ARTISTS: (Side note: this festival is a celebration of the Beatles’ music and all acts are Beatles tribute bands). Meet the Beetles USA, Meet the Beatles: The Ultimate Fab Forgery UK, Drew Harrison, Hal Bruce, All You Need is Love

Outside Lands WHERE: San Francisco, CA WHEN: August 10-12 TICKETS: $165 3-day pass CAMPING: No TOP ARTISTS: Stevie Wonder, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Skrillex, Justice, Regina Spektor, Jack White, Mimosa

Gathering of the Vibes WHERE: Bridgeport, CT WHEN: July 19-22 TICKETS: $185 4-day pass CAMPING: Yes TOP ARTISTS: Phil Lesh & Friends, Bob Weir & Bruce Hornsby, Primus, Keller Williams, Yonder Mountain String Band, STS9, Dark Star Orchestra Electric Forest Festival Photo Courtesy of Chicago Jam Scene

www.bcgavel.com

33

Netflix: What’s in Your Queue?

Portlandia

By Jenna LaConte Assoc. culture editor If you are looking to escape to a city “where young people go to retire,” log into Netflix and find your escape through the budding Independent Film Channel series “Portlandia.” Fred Armisen of “Saturday Night Live” and Carrie Brownstein are both the creators and the stars of this sketch-based comedy, which satirizes the laid-back, hipster lifestyles of the citizens of Portland, Oregon. The independent show, which ran only six episodes in its first season, is currently airing its second season and is planning for a third season in 2013.

Armisen brings the same comedic edge to “Portlandia” that has brought him so much success on “Saturday Night Live.” Surprisingly enough, Brownstein is a musician by profession — she plays guitar and sings for the band Wild Flag — but her lack of experience in the field does not show.

As a native of the area, she has a solid grasp on the city, which Yahoo! re-

cently named the second best place in America for hipsters to live.

The first season of “Portlandia” features a wide range of guest stars alongside Armisen and Brownstein, both of whom play versatile roles from sketch to sketch. Certain sketches recur from episode to episode, including one in which Armisen and Brownstein play a pair of hyper-feminist owners of the bookstore “Women & Women First.” Acclaimed actors Steve Buscemi, Heather Graham and Aubrey Plaza each pay a visit to the bookstore, only to find that the staff is too absorbed in promoting its femi-

nist agenda to effectively run a business.

Another notable sketch takes place in a restaurant, in which Armisen and Brownstein are pestering their waitress about whether or not the chicken on the menu is optimally organic — to the point where the waitress must show them a photograph of the chicken in its prime, living on the farm. A trip to the actual farm brings them face-to-face with guest star Jason Sudeikis, who plays a glowingly manipulative cult leader.

The first season also features appearances by Sarah McLachlan, Selma Blair, Tim Robbins, Kyle MacLachlan and Aimee Mann.

“Portlandia” is just the show to get into right before finals because only having six episodes available on Netflix is a practical means of self control during study days, which are easy to procrastinate away. The first season is short but sweet, and leaves viewers excited for the Netflix premiere of season two’s 10 episodes.

Photos Courtesy of Jenna LaConte / Assoc. Culture Editor

34

the GAVEL / May 2012

Blog of the Month:

Dear Photograph A juxtaposition of past and present

By Christine Park gavel media contributor A unique portal for digital nostalgia, “Dear Photograph” is a highly successful blog that features entries of two overlapping pictures of the same object/scenery at different times, followed by a short blurb about the sentimental meaning of the photographs to the entry writer.

Started by Taylor Jones, author of the book, “Dear Photograph,” the blog finds a way to connect past memories to present experiences through showcasing a current, unchanged environment or object in one picture, mounted with an older image of the same scenery with the addition of a person or people in that environment years earlier.

“Dear Photgraph” succeeds at pulling at the heartstrings of many who view the blog, as well as inspires blog readers to submit their own work and reminisce or marvel at the changes and growth that human nature is subject to, amidst a relatively stable and constant environ-

www.bcgavel.com

ment.

At 22 years old, Taylor Jones thought of the idea for “Dear Photograph” when he was flipping through old family photos, and caught a picture of his parents sitting at the same table that his brother was sitting at. He lifted up the older image to match the present view he had of the table, and snapped a photo of a photo, with the same table in the present peeking out behind the old photo.

With this concept in mind, Jones found several more old photos of objects or environments that still existed, and did the same thing, posting his photographs on the Internet. In a span of six weeks, Jones had started an Internet phenomenon, with hundreds of people submitting their own photographs, and millions of site visitors and viewers.

Anyone can submit photographs: Just hold up an old photo in front of the place it was originally shot, take a picture

of the photo (leaving space around it to show the new scenery matched up with the old), and write a short message starting with “Dear Photograph,” about what the picture signifies to you and what nostalgic meaning it holds in your life.

According to Neil Pasricha, author of “The Book of Awesome,” DearPhotograph.com is “a nostalgia bomb-bursting, brain cell-twisting, heart pulling roller coaster ride into the emotional unknown. Taylor Jones taps into our secret fears, quiet dreams, and loving pasts.

These photos remind us that we’re human and remind us that’s okay.” A great idea, making for a huge success. Frank Warren, founder of PostSecret says the blog will “make you smile, maybe cry, and go find your family photos…Taylor Jones has found a new way to tell our stories.”

Photos Courtesy of Dear Photograph Blog

35

For anyone over 21, take a look at what The Gavel has to say about Boston’s bars, restaurants and clubs , and try to break out of your MaryAnn’s bubble.

36

the GAVEL / May 2012

Bars 1.

Union Street Bar and Grill: Right around the corner in Newton Center, Union Street offers great appetizers, pub grub and live music but only eight beers on tap while its sister grill (Tavern) boast 48.

2.

Joshua Tree: Cheap drinks, dancing and DJs keep collegiate crowds content on the weekends, while sports games, pool and darts keep weekdays entertaining with a more laidback atmosphere.

3.

4.

5.

7.

9.

Tavern in the Square (also known as TITS): known for its Sunday all-you-can-eat brunch complete mimosa, bromosas, executive mimosas and tall Bloody Mary’s and its 48 beers on tap.

White Horse Tavern: Good service, drink specials, jumbo screens broadcasting games, DJ music, and reasonable prices while staying open till 2 AM 7 nights a week, what could be a better jump off?

Jillian’s Boston: A three story lounge with a bar and dancing on the first floor, 35 billiard tables, 12 plasma screens and a lounge on the second floor, and finally Lucky Strike bowling lanes on the third.

Whiskey’s Food and Spirits: With its $3 bar bites Monday-Friday from 4-7 PM and reasonable food and drink prices not to mention cheap breakfast deals, this bar is a perfect post up for college students.

Clerys Bar and Restaurant: A Back Bay bistro, bar, and restaurant with first floor bar and booths for chatting and a downstairs bar and floor for dancing. The Friday happy hour is always poppin’.

Clubs The Estate: Slightly smaller than

11. Royale, The Estate offers great

energy with a variety of genres so you don’t get stuck fist pumping all night. Sidenote: there is usually a cover and a line.

a dance lounge and with their 12. Cure: “Victorian Chic” interior decorations, it’s all about the aura. Includes DJ. Downside: drinks are a bit pricey.

Sophisticated restaurant and 13. GEM: lounge with beers on tap and classy drinks for Boston’s club goers not to mention interesting food including an Ahi Tuna Burger.

14. and bar near the Garden with great

West End Johnnies: Bro restaurant Sunday “Reggae Brunch”—great Bloody Mary’s and live music is a plus.

Splash: Lots of house music and an

15. accompanying dance area and a roof

deck. Also includes an array of burgers in case your stomach is growling.

Restaurants/Pregame Destinations 6.

Sonsie: International cuisine located right on Newbury Street serving Carpaccio, calamari, and even duck.

8.

Lolita Cocina and Tequila Bar: The brick interior, reasonably priced Mexican food and an assortment of sangria flavors and mojitos on the drink menu make this a prime place to begin the night.

10. restaurant and lounge

Red Lantern: An Asian featuring an open kitchen, sushi counter and custom wok station.

Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

www.bcgavel.com

37

Dance Profile: BC Irish Dance

By Jillian Timko, Assoc. Culture Editor Boston College Irish Dance is on the rise. Founded in 2006, the group has evolved from a small, tight-knit group of dancers into an ensemble of 34 dancers that come from a range of backgrounds. Many members continue to compete at the regional, national and world championship level. BC Irish Dance has been featured twice in “Irish Dance” magazine and is now considered to be a top collegiate Irish Dance group. The group also performed in the ALC Showdown for the first time this past March, and presented its 5th Spring Showcase in Robsham Theater on April 14.

BC Irish Dance has incredible strength and precision. At their two most recent BC performances, their dancing displayed their amazing technique and intense passion. For its first performance in the ALC Showdown, BC Irish Dance created a memorable presence in Conte Forum with a mix of traditional and modern Irish Dance music and the ensuing applause ensured that they would again be in the running for a spot in next year’s Showdown.

After weeks of grueling practice, the dance groups put on an impressive Spring Showcase. Each dancer

38

performed in multiple fast-paced, high-energy dance routines. The routines included a number of traditional dances to songs called “Explosive,” “The Hunt,” “Blind Monkey,” “High Cauled Cap,” “South of Madrid,” “Mister Molly” and “Victory,” the finale of the show.

The group also performed more modern routines to songs such as “Come on Eileen,” Coldplay’s “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall,” “Hello” by Martin Solveig and Dragonette and “Shipping Up To Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys. Notable dances included a fun, upbeat dance to “Nancy Whiskey,” an Irish drinking song, a dance that mixed in hip-hop to Pitbull’s “Something for the DJ’s,” a military themed dance to Beyonce’s “Run the World,” and a representation of the movie “Step Up,” to the song “Show Me the Money.”

Additionally, the officers performed with surprise guest F.I.S.T.S. and some dancers performed an a capella routine.

The show was impressive because of the dancers’ technique and stage presence, as well as their stamina. Each dancer was in multiple routines in the show but still managed to jump and

leap through the air in every single dance, maintaining energy and smiles throughout the entire performance.

When asked about how much she loves BC Irish Dance, Erin Hoover, A&S ’14, said, “So much! I couldn’t imagine having to give up dancing after high school and I’m so happy to have found BCID to be able to continue my dancing. Everyone on the team is great and we have so much fun doing something we love.”

Overall, students should stay on the lookout for the BC Irish Dance.

The group is growing in number and prestige every year, and an opportunity to see them perform should not be passed up.

the GAVEL / May 2012

The

Un-celebrity:

Hannah Hart of “My Drunk Kitchen”

By Jenna LaConte Assoc. culture editor Meet Hannah Hart. Hart is just like any other twenty-something “adultolescent” living in New York City. She spends her time hanging out in friends’ apartments. She refuses to submit to the real world and she loves her alcohol. Unlike most twenty-somethings, however, Hart has found a means of avoiding the harsh realities of the professional world by creating the brilliant YouTube series, “My Drunk Kitchen.”

Each episode of “My Drunk Kitchen” begins with Hart popping open a bottle of some form of alcohol. As she pours herself numerous drinks, she delivers a quick monologue about what she plans to make. By the time

she actually gets around to cooking, she is quite inebriated — and extremely hilarious. Luckily, she always has a chaperone and tends to travel from kitchen to kitchen based on which friend is willing to babysit her as she attempts to balance the fun of drinking with the dangers of cooking.

What makes Hart so endearing is her utter inability to cook. Case in point: in one episode, she decides to return to her Jewish roots and make latkes. Several glasses of straight vodka later, Hart is chewing on a raw potato and wondering why the shredded potato bits in the pan have not turned into latkes. Furthermore, she loathes the concept of having to bake, and spends most of the bakingrelated episodes complaining about

her high levels of boredom. She looks up recipes on the spot, and does not own many of the pans and utensils required for the majority of her endeavors.

Each episode is littered with hilarious puns and moments of sheer confusion on Hart’s end. Occasionally, she will throw in little philosophical lessons. Pizza, she decides, is simply a vehicle for cheese, because all anyone really ever wants is to eat cheese.

“You know how that’s like life?” she asks. “Because we think we’re going after something, but really we’re just hiding from ourselves the thing we actually want. And that is to bite into the cheese.” She is quite the inspiration.

Hart has launched herself into un-celebrity stardom through “My Drunk Kitchen,” and for this we raise a glass to her. Each of her videos has hundreds of thousands, if not over a million views, and she sells merchandise including T-shirts and oven mitts.

She also has quite possibly the most enviable job out there. If anything, you have to respect her for not fearing what future employers might think of her if they run a Google search on her name — she makes the occasional “picture with a beer can” look like child’s play.

No matter what the future has in store for this “My Drunk Kitchen” uncelebrity, her ability to amuse both herself and millions of viewers with a bottle of wine and a handful of ingredients should keep her entertained for at least a few more years.

Screen shot by Jenna LaConte / Assoc. Culture Editor

www.bcgavel.com

39

Plex Class Playlists Borrowed from your favorite plex class teachers

Pilates

Spinning

1. Home Edward Sharpe 2. First Day of My Life Bright Eyes 3. Young Blood The Naked and FA 4. Life in Technicolor II Coldplay 5. Call Me Maybe Carly Rae Jepsen 6. Take A Back Road Rodney Atkins 7. Bubble Toes Jack Johnson 8. Why Can’t I? Liz Phair 9. Tongue Tied Grouplove 10. All Your Life The Band Perry 11. Naked Kids Grouplove 12. Feel So Close (Radio Edit) Calvin Harris 13. Paradise Coldplay 14. Little Talks Of Monsters and Men 15. We Are Young (feat.

Janelle Monáe) Fun.

1. A Thousand Miles Vanessa Carlton 2. Check It Out Will.i.am and Nicki Minaj 3. Wave Your Flag K’Naan 4. Starships Nicki Minaj 5. Figure 8 Outasight 6. Story Of Us Taylor Swift 7. Still Not Over You Mike Posner 8. The Fighter Gym Class Heros 9. Domino Jessie J 10. You Belong Right Above it Taylor Swift and Lil Wayne Mashup 11. Dirt Road Anthem Jason Aldean 12. Innocent Our Lady Peace 13. Hometown Glory Kanye West and Adele Mashup 14. Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) Kelly Clarkson 15. Where Are You Going Dave Matthews Band 16. Skinny Love Bon Iver

Logan Coffin

Brittany Martin

Cycling

James Hurlbert 1. Spaceman Hardwell 2. Greyhound Swedish House Mafia 3. Ladi Dadi (Tommy Trash Mix) Steve Aoki 4. Call on Me Eric Prydz vs.

Retarded Funk 5. We Own the Night Tiesto & Luciana 6. Sweet Dreams Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso 7. Glad You Came (Bassonova and Moradzo Bootleg) The Wanted 8. Can’t Stop Me Afrojack & Shermanology