THE MEREDITH
HERALD
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December 4, 2019
Iris Ball on Thin Ice Inside This Issue White By Olivia Slack, Online Editor, and Mimi Mays, Editor in Chief
NEWS
Managing Seasonal Depression MCBB Winter Update Kamala Harris A&E Mister Rogers Women of Country Music Pop of Culture: Real Housewives OPINION Holiday Charities "Ok, Boomer"
Decorations; photo by Mimi Mays
On Saturday, Nov. 23, Meredith College held the White Iris Ball, the school’s annual semi-formal dance. This year’s theme was Alice in Wonderland, with the tagline “Join Us For a Trip Down the Rabbit Hole.” Students danced the night away at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley, which has been the venue for Meredith events for many years. This time, however, the certainty of this venue was in question. As with most large college events, there is drinking involved, and along with drinking there tend to be conflicts and disorder. According to Paola Cira, one of the White Iris co-chairs, the Marriott was tired of the instances of vomiting, stealing and broken property, so they put Meredith on “probation.” This meant that if these incidents continued to occur with the same frequency as they had in prior years, the Marriott would no longer host Meredith events like semi-formal and spring formal. In lieu of this new ultimatum,
the Meredith Activities Board (MAB) took extra precautions. First, attendees had to enter through the rear of the property instead of the front entrance. Second, attendees were not permitted to drink from the hotel bar nor were they allowed near it. The College paid for more Raleigh police officers to be at the event in order to reinforce a higher standard of security, and anyone found responsible for property damage would have to cover any fees associated. “All these new policies were not just things MAB put in place to prevent more incidents,” says Cira; “they were also things mandated by the hotel.” The reason guests could not enter through the front, for example, was because the hotel didn’t want them in the lobby potentially disturbing guests. Fortunately, Meredith isn’t yet banned from the hotel property,
Students at the photo booth; photo by Mimi Mays
as there were fewer incidents this year than in the past. This does not mean that Meredith is off probation, but it is a step in the right direction. Cira cited having to deal with some instances of students stealing tabletop decorations, and there was one alleged observed case of vomiting inside the ballroom, but the Marriott has not expressed any wishes to disband from the partnership with Meredith. Cira says that, all things considered, she and her fellow organizers consider the event a success.
Books to Read This Holiday Break By Staff
The Secret History and The Little Friend by Donna Tartt Once you read Donna Tartt’s writing, it’s hard to forget. The Secret History is about six college kids who study the Greek Classics, and it focuses on this elusive, academic group of students through the eyes of the newcomer from California: Richard. The six characters spent much of the booked shrouded in the beautifully aesthetic surroundings of Hampden, Vermont, and slowly succumb to the dangerously wild teachings of their Classics teacher, eventually falling into the spiral of evil. If you choose to pick up this novel, beware! It is very theme-heavy and originates from many influences of Faulkner and F.
Scott Fitzgerald, but if you decide to take the plunge into this novel, you will be rewarded by the amazingly descriptive writing that Donna Tartt brings to this story. The Little Friend is a little different from Tartt’s other two novels, taking large influence from the author’s childhood. Set in Alexandria, Mississippi, The Little Friend tackles murder, racism, innocence and prejudice from a child’s perspective, quite similar to the classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird. If you enjoy mystery and themes similar to classic Southern literature of the 20th century set deep into the plot of the story, this book is definitely for you. – Emma Fry
The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty are Used Against Women by Naomi Wolf While this nonfiction book was originally published in 1990, it is still incredibly relevant. It addresses the various aspects of society that affect a woman’s impression of her own physical appearance, and that of others. Naomi Wolf writes to appeal to all audiences, but this nonfiction book is geared specifically toward women and focuses on how they interact with society. This book is an important reflection on these aspects of life and is a good educational read for your time off, especially for us Strong women of Meredith College. – Ell Shelp-Peck
The Raven Cycle, a series by Maggie Stiefvater If you’re looking for a more time-consuming reading endeavor over break, check out the Raven Cycle. Starting with book one, The Raven Boys, the series tells the magical story of an alternate world and the search for an ancient Welsh king. The main characters in the series are some of the most lifelike out there, and the writing style will make you wish this world were real. A sequel series is just beginning too, with the first book, Call Down the Hawk, having just come out. If you didn’t read this stunning YA series back when it first was published, it’s certainly perfect to have beside you over break. – Olivia Slack
Recess This series takes place at an elementary school, where the adults always seem to be changing the rules. The six main characters are T.J., the leader and schemer of the group; Spinelli, a bully with a heart of gold; Vince, the jock of the group; Gretchen, the science genius; Mikey, the drama king; and Gus, the wimp. This unlikely group of friends works daily to overcome different problems that occur during recess. If you are looking to relive some light-hearted childhood nostalgia, Disney+ offers all 127 episodes, as well as the four movies in this franchise. – Rachel Van Horne
Purl This new animated short film opens on its main character: a stereotypically feminine anthropomorphic yarn ball named Purl. Purl has gotten a job at an unmistakably masculine firm called B.R.O. Capital, and it’s painfully obvious how much Purl has been made to stand out in her new environment. To no surprise, she becomes alienated by her human, masculine coworkers. Then, Purl figures out how to fit in at work: cracking dirty jokes, putting on a suit, redecorating her girly desk, being more assertive...just becoming one of the boys. I wanted to slam my laptop shut; what kind of misogy-
nistic attempt at a feminist narrative is this?? But ultimately Purl realizes that all she’s doing is perpetuating the community’s sexism, and film's end reveals a freshly inclusive workplace. Purl tackles tough topics and is sure to resonate with audiences, but, in my opinion, it isn’t as victoriously feminist and all-encompasing as it could be. Purl gets her coworkers to like her by being more outspoken, for example; but the creators forget that women are often disproportionately characterized as being “too aggressive” when exhibiting the same behaviors as men. You'll have to watch it yourself to see how it measures up. – Mimi Mays
Disney+ Hidden Gems By Staff
Ice Princess I absolutely loved the movie when I was younger, and rewatching it didn't let me down. It not only brings in those winter vibes but also shows female perseverance. In all Disney movies, there is an underlying theme; this one was no different. It tells the story of a girl who gives figure skating a try for a science project she is working on. She then learns that she has a passion for it. The movie follows her through her troubles with her mother and the troubles she faces on the ice. – Hannah Brittain-Du Bois
News
How to Manage Seasonal Depression By Yajaira Ramos-Ramirez, Staff Writer Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), commonly referred to as seasonal depression, is often not discussed and left unacknowledged during the winter months. SAD typically begins during late fall and early winter as the weather becomes colder and the days become shorter. It is important to be aware of this type of depression as we enter finals season and the holidays to better understand those around us who suffer from this condition, especially as it is four times more often diagnosed in women. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, about 4 to 6% of Americans suffer from SAD, and about 20% suffer from mild symptoms that affect their daily lives during the winter months. Symptoms of SAD coincide mostly with the typical symptoms of major depression, such as low energy, loss of sleep, difficulty concentrating, frequent thoughts of death, loss of interest in usual activities and a feeling of hopelessness. Additionally, SAD can include symptoms of hypersomnia, overeating, weight gain, a craving for carbohydrates and a social withdrawal that has been nicknamed “hibernation.” It is widely unknown what exactly causes SAD. However, certain biological symptoms have been observed, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. For example, people with SAD tend to create less serotonin during the winter months. Serotonin is in charge of regulating mood and social behavior. During the winter months, our melatonin levels naturally increase as the days become shorter; however, people with SAD tend to overproduce melatonin, which causes increased sleepiness. Additionally, people with SAD lack sufficient Vitamin D, which is linked to the production of serotonin. It is always important to meet with a mental health professional to determine whether or not you have SAD; however, it is usually self-diagnosable. Here are some treatments and tips to manage seasonal depression:
1. Medication: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat SAD. Antidepressants are also available, such as bupropion. Make sure to visit your doctor to find the medication that works best for you. 2. Light therapy: This form of therapy works to create an environment in which artificial light mimics the sunlight patterns of spring and summer to offset the detriments of diminished natural sunlight. 3. Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in helping people with SAD work towards positive thoughts and behaviors that will help them deal with the winter months. 4. Vitamin D: Taking Vitamin D supplements is not a direct treatment of SAD but is suspected to be helpful, as lower levels of Vitamin D have been found among people with SAD. 5. Exercise: Working out is a way to alleviate depression, and it has the same effect on SAD. Outdoor exercise is the most helpful; however, as the weather gets colder, it is not a bad idea to try some indoor exercises. It is also helpful in preventing the weight gain that is a common side-effect of SAD. 6. Going outside: Try to take advantage of the sunlight that is available during these short days. A brief stroll makes a big difference. 7. Giving yourself a schedule: This can be easier said than done, but it is important to create your personal system to ensure you have consistency. It also allows for you to receive predictable sunlight and helps keep your diet in check. Regardless of if you suffer from SAD or not, the waning winter days can have a significant effect on many. It is important to take care of our mental health. Remember to surround yourself with friends and those you love, and don’t be afraid to talk to someone when you are feeling down. It is especially important to us college students to take care of ourselves as we enter finals, as the stress can be overwhelming. Grades may be important, but so is our well-being.
Kamala Harris Ends White House Bid Associated Press, Dec. 3, 2019
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Sen. Kamala Harris told supporters on Tuesday that she was ending her bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, an abrupt close to a candidacy that held historic potential. “I’ve taken stock and looked at this from every angle, and over the last few days have come to one of the hardest decisions of my life,” the California Democrat said. “My campaign for president simply doesn’t have the financial resources we need to continue.”
A senior campaign aide said Harris made the decision Monday after discussing the path forward with family and other top officials over the Thanksgiving holiday. Harris ultimately could not craft a message that resonated with voters or secure the money to continue her run. She raised an impressive $12 million in the first three months of her campaign and quickly locked down major endorsements meant to show her dominance in her home
state. But as the field grew, Harris’ fundraising remained flat. “I’m not a billionaire,” she said. “I can’t fund my own campaign. And as the campaign has gone on, it’s become harder and harder to raise the money we need to compete.” Harris and her aides believe she faced an uphill battle—and unfair expectations for perfection— from the start as a woman of color. Her campaign speech included a line
about what Harris called the “donkey in the room,” a reference to the thought that Americans wouldn’t elect a woman of color. With Harris’ exit, 15 Democrats remain in the race for the nomination. Her departure erodes the diversity of the Democratic field, which is dominated at the moment by a top tier that is white and mostly male. Read the full story of Harris's abrupt campaign end via AP News.
Arts & Entertainment
The Search for Genuine Kindness in Everyday Life: Mister Rogers By Emma Fry, News Editor
For decades, Mister Rogers has been a guiding presence and a source of comfort and kindness for children everywhere, welcoming everyone, no matter who they are or what they look like, into the host's neighborhood with a simple “Hello, neighbor.” The new motion picture, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, analyzes the origins and mystery that existed behind Mr. Rogers and his saint-like reputation. The movie sets out to uncover the behind-the-scenes, real-life personality of Fred Rogers, played by Tom Hanks, through the lens of writer Lloyd Vogel, a stand-in for real-life writer Tom Junod. In the early 1990s, Tom Junod conducted an interview with Fred Rogers and wrote an article in Esquire magazine entitled “Can You Say… Hero?”. The film has a few criticisms, but one of its biggest is the fact that the plot mainly follows Lloyd Vogel, giving more screen time to the interviewer than to his interviewee, Rogers himself. However, in response to the criticism, I believe Lloyd’s internal struggles dealing with the remnants of his neglectful father and his past contrast very interestingly with the way that Mr. Rogers is analyzed. Lloyd seems to go into his article research project with a jaded state of mind following his prejudices from childhood and wonders aloud many times throughout the movie about how a person can be so genuinely kind and caring of others. How-
ever, unlike Lloyd, many children who grew up watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood really do believe in the kindness and love that Mr. Rogers embodies and have often fallen into the trap of unwillingness to see his more human flaws and characteristics. His girlfriend echoes this belief in Mr. Rogers’ inherent goodness after learning that he will be conducting observations and interviews on Rogers, saying, “Loyd, please don’t ruin my childhood.” When the movie first made its debut, I had several family members discuss their dislike for Tom Hanks being cast in the role of the Presbyterian church minister and neighborhood saint, Mr. Rogers. One even said, “I don’t think he can pull it off; no one measures up.” But what is it about Mr. Rogers that makes him so special? Ever since the movie press first began, people were praising Tom Hanks and how perfect he was for this role. After all, he is seen by many as Hollywood’s celebrity darling. Forrest Gump is one of the most iconic roles he ever played, and is quoted by almost everyone. For many kids who grew up too late to watch Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on TV, Tom Hanks is Fred Rogers’ equal in terms of lovability and iconic status in film and television history and has always been rumored and spoken about as a wonderfully kind person. But, as I learned from A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,
and as Loyd Vogel discovered as he interviewed and spent time with Fred Rogers off-camera, even the most wonderful humans are still just…human. They have flaws, and, most of all, they shouldn’t be put on pedestals. Tom Hanks in particular has recently been brought to the public’s attention in a few obscure media outlets for bad fan experiences or the occasional arrogant “Hollywood diva” attitude, and though many older fans may not want to admit it, Mr. Rogers was also simply human: a very good human, but a human being with flaws nonetheless. Many people analyzed and questioned the true Fred Rogers in the same way that Lloyd Vogel does. They wondered, was he really as good of a person as his TV show made him out to be? In the movie, Fred Rogers is seen in moments of everyday life, and his wife has recently said, regarding A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, that Rogers “was only human.” No one can live up to the ideals of a perfect person, and they shouldn’t be expected to. Mister Rogers even said this himself: “Love isn't a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.”
Women of Country Music Stand up to Inequality By Katelyn Wiszowaty, Staff Writer
Lately there has been a lot of Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton and controversy in the music industry reCarrie Underwood, opened the pergarding female artists. Female artists formance and featured other female in country music have been standing country stars like Jennifer Nettles up and demanding equal playing of Sugarland, Maren Morris, Tanya time on the radio and equal represen- Tucker, Terrie Clark, Crystal Gayle tation on Spotify. According to Rolling and Sara Evans, singing their most Stone, the percentage of country radio famous songs. They also paid tribute playing time that belonged to female by singing iconic songs by Loretta artists in 2018 was only 11.3%, and Lynn and Tammy Wynette. judging from the amount of female The opening performance artists still speaking up about it, it is ended with the female artists joinclear that substantial improvements ing together with Martina McBride have not been made. This is strange, considering that the past couple of years seemed to be so successful for female artists like Maren Morris and Kacey Musgraves, whose music has been raved about by fans in and out of country music. Here’s what female artists are doing about it. On Nov. 13, 2019, at The opening CMA performance, photo courtesy the CMA Awards, female of hercampus.com artists made a statement about unequal playing time on coun- in singing her famous and powerful try music radio by opening the show song “Independence Day.” in tribute to the legendary women Recently, Martina McBride of country music. The female hosts, opened up about the unequal rep-
resentation she noticed on Spotify. McBride claimed that when trying to make a playlist on Spotify simply called “Country Music,” the automated recommendations were all songs by male artists. She also noted that she had to click refresh 14 times before one song by a female artist popped up. In addition to this, Rolling Stone also pointed out around the same time that Spotify’s “Hot Country” playlist of 61 songs only had 13 by female artists, which isn’t even half. Spotify responded with a statement about how they were “very disappointed” and that they “have a lot of work to do to ensure gender parity.” Female artists standing up and calling out injustices in the music industry has certainly been getting publicity, but until real change happens, spreading the word about unequal radio playing time and unequal representation on Spotify needs to continue. Every music fan should be aware of the unequal representation in the music industry and promote their favorite female artists.
A POP OF CULTURE
Pop-culture column by Staff Writer Hannah Davis Johns
Who Gonna Check Them, Boo?
On March 21, 2006, The Real Housewives of Orange County premiered on the Bravo network and was an inside look at the women who lived in the gated community of Coto de Caza. Flash forward 13 years and, in addition to RHOOC’s 14 extremely popular seasons, The Real Housewives has become a franchise that now follows the lives of women all over the country. The Real Housewives of New York premiered after two seasons of RHOOC, and the franchise has since expanded to Atlanta, New Jersey, Beverly Hills, Potomac and Dalla. For almost 13 years, the Housewives have pulled back the curtain to reveal the scandalous lives of rich women across the country with reunion walk-offs, table flips, product placements and iconic tag-lines, and they have established themselves as a pillar of reality TV and created a popculture dynasty. For people who don’t watch the Housewives, the show may come across as an unrealistic, barely relatable look at the lives of the rich and famous, but taking a deeper look, it’s clear the Housewives are showing a far more real and relatable life than first expected. The show has followed the rise and fall of careers, the breaking of marriages, mothers parenting difficult children, the consequences of addiction and through all of it the audience has been able to get to know and relate to these women on some level. Housewife Bethenny Frankel quickly became a fan favorite during her time on RHONY, going from single and childless with no steady flow of income to a milliondollar business mogul and single mother struggling through a turbulent divorce. Over the years, audiences saw Frankel’s relationships with friends crumble and her husband go from seemingly supportive to emotionally abusive, all as she worked to establish her company. Bethenny experienced real-life situations millions of people go through, and watching her on TV helped destigmatize struggle. What the Real Housewives shows’ success comes down to is their ability to capture real women in real situations. In a media landscape where we are bombarded with amazing images of fantastic, badass, fantasy women, it’s nice to also see women who are badass like I am. I’m not saying it isn’t nice to see the resistance leaders, Wonder Women and Targaryens princesses of this world depicted on screen, but not all of us are Diana Prince; some of us are Vicki Gunvulson or Bethenny Frankel, and that’s nice to see too.
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Opinion Are Holiday Charities Worth the Money? By Lilly R. Wood, A&E Editor
In this time of holiday cheer, charity and donations tend to occupy many minds. Unfortunately, not all charities are as clear-cut as they seem; some are even counter to what you may think they are. The Salvation Army goes out in force during the holiday season, with the bell-ringers standing outside store doors to gain any loose change to support them and their mission to help unfortunate individuals down on their luck. The Salvation Army works with the poor to provide shelter, gifts and groceries during Christmas, daycare services, after-school tutoring, job training for displaced individuals, Bible classes for prison inmates, summer camps for children, disaster relief and more, according to give.org. On the surface, it would appear that William Booth's organization is doing a fantastic job; digging a little deeper reveals something else. The Salvation Army isn’t actually a charity organization; it’s an
Evangelical Protestant church started by William Booth in an effort to get rid of “the three ‘A’s: alcohol, atheism and anarchy” from the lower class. Within America, the Salvation Army has a history of running homeless shelters whose management disagree with LGBTQ+ lifestyles, leading to discrimination and abuse within shelters and flat out refusal to help LGBTQ+ individuals. According to the Washington Blade, the Salvation Army has gone on a campaign to assure the public that this is not the case anymore, but only time and surveillance will tell if this is true. The Kids Wish Network, which operates out of Florida, aims to gather donations in order to grant wishes to children with terminal illnesses. According to a recent CNN report, in the past decade alone, Kids Wish Network had funneled nearly $110 million donated to corporate solicitors and $4.8 million to its founder. This was reported in 2013
and the charity is still operating and in business. Many groups will ask for money during this holiday season, and giving is always a positive, but everyone considering donatSalvation Army bell-ringer; photo courtesy of the Philly Voice ing should research the (https://www.consumerreports.org/ organization to find out exactly what charities/best-charities-for-yourpercentage of the money goes to donations/) along with some general charitable works. By law, nonprofits guidelines to wiser donating. Here must release their tax information to is a more comprehensive guideline the public so that interested donors article to help you ask the best quescan see exactly where their money is tions of charities: https://ncdoj.gov/ going. Chances are, if you can’t find protecting-consumers/charity/. There the tax information, it’s not a repuare plenty of great charities supporttable charity. ing excellent causes. You just need to Consumer Reports recently double-check any information you released an article documenting the find. highest and lowest rated charities
The Significance of the Short-Lived “Ok, Boomer” By Huma Hashmi, Staff Writer The meme “Ok, boomer” has eased itself into what seems to be a staple of modern language. Countless TikTok videos, t-shirts and now even, unfortunately, news networks like Fox News are in on the trend. Though “Ok, boomer” seems to have run most of its course now, why did this saying catch on among youth? The petri dish that is the internet is a huge reason that generational memes are in existence. Whether we like it or not, members of all generations interact on Instagram explore pages and Facebook and Twitter feeds. On social media, comics written by Baby Boomers seem to be fixated on two things: onedimensional jokes about how much they hate their wives and one-dimensional jokes about how younger generations don’t understand how books work and are addicted to their iPhones. Between the crisis of student loan debt and financial instability even a decade after the 2008 recession, younger generations are tired of being publicly maligned by media as lazy, jobless and entitled especially because of situations created by the Baby Boomer generation. The outlandish claim that Millenials are killing all the industries, whether it’s napkins or golf, has just become a running joke among young people. Thousands of teens and late 20 year olds, tired of debating and
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writing think pieces, have taken to Conventional wisdom suggests that TikTok to put a humorous twist on a Baby Boomer is someone born their woes. The scene really exploded between 1946 and 1964 in America; on TikTok after Peter Kuli and Jonahowever, the difference between a than Williams, aka Jedwill, released Baby Boomer and a "boomer" is what the TikTok audio “Ok, boomer” with makes this meme so funny. Being a the exact purpose of mocking these "boomer" is much more of a mindset Boomers. than an age group. The majority of While Baby Boomers Boomers are "boomers," think “OK, but 35-year-old boomer” is trust fund Harabout ageism vard centrists, and entitle20-year-olds ment of young who believe people, it’s you’re poor really about because you economic don’t work anxiety, the hard enough threat of and 87-year-old environmenfascist sheriffs tal collapse are in the same and fighting camp. While for a society generations are that supports important, they "Ok, boomer" meme; author unknown something don’t tell the for everyone. Everyone knows that complete picture. Class consciousAmerican Baby Boomers grew up in ness should be kept in mind. a time of accessible education, cheap Assata Shakur is a Baby housing and boundless new comBoomer but she’s not a “boomer.” In modities. While this might have been the midst of our generational strugthe norm for Baby Boomers, this gles, we should remember that the confidence in the economy simply "boomers" who made the decisions hasn’t been there for later generathat hurt us today were harming poor tions, certainly not after the Great and underprivileged Baby Boomers Recession in 2008. at their peak too, through redlining But what is a boomer? and mindless consumption, to oil
STAFF
spills and unnecessary wars. Being a “boomer” is based on a level of entitlement that wouldn’t be possible without centuries of racism, sexism and manifest destiny. True “boomers” have resources that privilege them but do everything in their power to dismiss and disempower those not born into similar circumstances, out of fear that they might encroach on the immense privilege that the “boomers” only used to enrich themselves at everyone else's expense. That’s why, when conservative radio host Bob Lonsberry tweeted out that “boomer” is “the n-word of ageism,” it only added insult to the painful history of American slavery and the lack of opportunity offered to the older generation’s non-white (especially black) counterparts. That’s why when teens of color coined the term “Ok, colonizer” and Native American teens started responding with “Ok, settler” to “boomer” positions that counter their existence, this term worked so well. The beginning of the end for “Ok, boomer” came in midNovember when it was reported that Fox production company has been trying to trademark the phrase for a TV show. The corporate attempt to overtake a humorous homegrown critique is a sure sign that the meme, like many others, is on its way to its grave.
Mimi Mays, Editor in Chief. Savi Swiggard, Associate Editor. Lilly R. Wood, A&E Editor. Emma Fry, News Editor. Olivia Slack, Online Editor. Copy Editors: Amelia Bryant, Sofia Mazzola. Staff Writers: Hannah Davis Johns, Hannah Flood, Huma Hashmi, Yajaira Ramos-Ramirez, Ell Shelp-Peck, Rachel Van Horne, Katelyn Wiszowaty. Contributing Writers: Gabby Axner, Hannah Brittain-Du Bois, Angela Cowo, Karli Keller, Sarah Powell.