Whitman College Pioneer - Spring 09 Issue 05 by Whitman College Wire

seeing beauty as religion pg 13

march 05, 2009 Volume CXXIV / Issue 5 Walla Walla, WAshington whitmanpioneer.com

Finding the right path: Jogging

exploring male feminism

pg 22

pg 18

secondhand treasures pg 29

WhitmanCollegePioneer Activities staff reduction to come Cuts cause Ramirez’s role to be left unfilled by Kim Sommers Editor-in-Chief

During the month of February, Andrea Ramirez, Director of Student Activities

and adviser to ASWC, worked every day, including weekends. Ramirez’s extended work hours were due to the great number of programs put on by ASWC and other clubs. Ramirez’s position made her presence at events necessary. “[I’m] here not just 8-5, but on the

weekends and in the evenings as well,” said Ramirez. Students who have worked with Ramirez expressed appreciation for her dedication to her position. “Andrea has been a guiding light to this organization for some time,” said

ACTIVITIES, see page 2

klein

From top, clockwise: Christie Seyfort, ‘09, Carole Wilson, ‘09, Katelyn Sorensen, ‘12, and Kristin Coverdale, ‘11, rehearse the “Cat in the Hat” skit before children arrive for their Dr. Seuss Day celebration.

Kappas, kids celebrate annual Dr. Seuss Day by Jamie Soukup Editor-in-Chief

When local Walla Walla youth read the book, “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” they might not have realized that one of those places was Whitman College. Last Sunday, March 1, the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority (KKG) put on their fifth annual Dr. Seuss Day

at Reid Campus Center, in conjunction with the Walla Walla Public Library. The event, which lasted from 2-3:30 p.m., honored the birthday of the children’s book author Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodore Geisel. As part of the sorority’s philanthropy project, the event was free and open to the public and focused on promoting literacy. DR. SEUSS, see page 2

Ayaan Hirsi Ali delivers a provocative speech on Islam and women’s rights to the Whitman community on Wed., March 4.

KIM

Controversial speech prompts heated response by Elana Congress Reporter

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a woman’s rights activist and outspoken critic of Islam, spoke at Whitman on Wed., March

4 at 7 p.m. Her lecture was part of ASWC’s Public Speakers series. Hirsi Ali’s lecture sparked controversy on campus, as evidenced by a slip of paper handed out with every program, entitled “What Ayaan Hirsi

Ali Will NOT Tell You Tonight.” Distributed by a group of concerned faculty and students, it listed statistics arguing that Americans Muslims are “overwhelmingly mainstream HIRSI ALI, see page 6

News

Whitman College Pio neer

Decrease in student services expected ACTIVITIES, from cover

ASWC Vice President and Chairman of Student Affairs Roman Goerss. Ramirez, who has filled the Director of Student Activities role for the past three semesters, will not return next semester for personal reasons. The Whitman administration, feeling pressure to reduce operating costs, has chosen to postpone the start of the search to fill the director position. The postponement of this search was not included in President George Bridges’ Feb. 19 letter to the community, which said the College would reduce staff levels by five full time equivalencies. “It would be a substantial blow to student life on campus on a very basic level for that position to go away,” Goerss said. The decision to postpone the search was made by the college’s budget officers. According to ASWC Finance Chair junior David Changa-Moon, none of ASWC’s Executive Council members were consulted in the decision, despite the impact the loss is expected to have on student activities and the operations of ASWC. “There will be less that students can do and less that the students activities office can do,” said Assistant Director of Student Activities Leann White, of the decision to not replace Ramirez. Dean of Students Chuck Cleveland, one of the College’s budget officers, met with the Executive Council on Monday, March 2 to discuss the search’s postponement. During the meeting, he emphasized that many decisions regarding how the position’s duties will be fulfilled have not been

Corrections

made. Cleveland and the associate deans have started meeting weekly on Thursdays to discuss how to manage budget cuts, including the Director of Student Activities role. Their first meeting was last week. “The first meeting was all over the map,” Cleveland said. “It was the first time that the reality [of the budget cuts] had really hit.” Their second meeting was held this morning, March 5. In a statement earlier this week, Cleveland hoped it would be more productive than the first. “I have to get buy-in from my staff to do things differently,” said Cleveland. He said he hoped that his personnel could come together to work across boundaries and offices to accomplish the necessary duties, such as providing extra assistance to the student activities office. The director position fulfills a variety of duties, from sitting in on ASWC meetings, meeting with Executive Council members, ensuring clubs have a clear directive and that they are following policy, contracting almost every band, speaker or entertainer that is brought to campus and helping ASWC to oversee its two full-time employees. “I’m worried about the absence that this is going to have on students. I’m actively worried about what the student activities office only being staffed by one person is going to do to ASWC,” said ASWC President Elliot Okantey, of the lack of position renewal. Senior Rachel Stein, ASWC Programming

Inside the Pioneer News.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7 Opinion.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-18 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-24 A&E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-29 Humor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-31 Perspectives.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Page

VOICES “The move to not fill the position shows an extreme lack of foresight from the administration. Sure this is a tough economy and everyone has to make cuts, but the role Andrea (and courtesy of whitman George her predecessor) plays on this campus is invaluable to students...I am not exaggerating in saying that I frankly don't know what the future of this campus will look like without her, or without anyone else in her role.” –Nadim Damluji, ‘10, ASWC Senator “Needless to say things will be changing in Student Activities. I understand that the college will not be filling this position however, I feel that they are lessening courtesy of whitman opportunities to students by reducing their support in leadership positions as well as decreasing the effectiveness of student programming.” –Kali Stoehr, ‘10, CAB Chair

Sorority celebration encourages literacy DR. SEUSS, from cover

Notice a mistake? Submit a correction to the editors by e-mailing editors@whitmanpioneer.com.

Chair, anticipated the effect a reduction in staff would have, saying, “Even if our [ASWC] budget stays the same, if our support staff decreases, then we can’t put on the events without someone to help us through the process.” Changa-Moon said he believed if the position is not filled, ASWC may only be able to host three or four events next year because of the time associated with planning and contracting visitors. “I don’t know how they [the budget officers] weighed the decisions that they made, but I feel as though maybe they didn’t have a full understanding of all the services the director provides, and how many of ASWC’s resources that she helps facilitate to get to students,” Changa-Moon said. “I’m a little disappointed. I think this is a pretty critical position on our campus, and it also facilitates the flow of around $200,000 of services that is provided to student through programs and events,” he added. Ramirez echoed Changa-Moon’s fear that the number of events would decrease in the future. “Events will be affected. You can’t have an event if you don’t have the support staff to do it… There’s going to be less programs and involvement opportunities,” Ramirez said. Changa-Moon summed up the Executive Councils sentiments, saying, “The EC is very anxious and nervous about what the future of student services is going to be. There is also a sense of disappointment, but more of a sense of anxiety about what are we going to do next and how are we going to cover our bases.”

March 05, 2009

The activities for children at the event included paper-hat decorating, kite making, pretend-fishing and fish-decorating, making paper bag puppets and designing birthday cards for Dr. Seuss. KKG Philanthropy Chair Leah Wheeler, a sophomore, spearheaded the event. She said that planning for the event had been going on for two to three months, and estimated about 75 sorority members volunteered. Wheeler also estimated that around 300 kids, mostly between the ages of 4 and 6, attended Dr. Seuss day with their families this year—an increase from last year’s attendance, which was around 200. “We got about 100 more kids than we usually do, and I think that constitutes great success,” said senior Christie Seyfort. Seyfort acted as the character “Thing 2” in the

Cat in the Hat skit that KKG performed. She described the skit as a winner with the children. “There were kids all over the ground, and they’d run up for pictures and hugs—it was really cute. And then all days, the kids were making puppets of the characters and coming up to us and getting their faces painted,” Seyfort said, of her favorite moments of the day. The Center for Community Service also helped out with the event. Storytime Project Intern and senior Souk Thongdymanyvong organized the event’s Master Project. The Master Project was a college, comprised of 5 by 5 inch paper squares for children to decorate. They were encouraged to decorate with Dr. Seuss characters or objects, or in any way they wished. Once compiled by Thongdymanyvong, the collage will be donated to the local library. Thongdymanyvong estimated that she made

100-150 squares, and all that all but four squares were decorated. “It was a big success, and all the kids loved it,” Thongdymanyvong said. “It was really cute to watch the kids draw… and some of those kids had some really good art skills!” Thongdymanyvong emphasized the importance of the event and literacy advocacy. She said one of her favorite things about the event was that children each received a free Dr. Seuss book to take with them as they left. “I think that’s really important for kids to be exposed to books and reading. It’s a really great gift for them to have,” Thongdymanyvong said. Overall, Wheeler was pleased with the day. “I got a lot of positive feedback from the community. The volunteers really enjoyed it and the kids had fun—they were walking out with their books and big smiles,” Wheeler said.

News

March 05, 2009

Whitman College Pio neer

Peer listeners conduct survey to assess needed changes by Libby Watkins Reporter

Many Whitman students delete the plethora of emails inundating their inboxes, thinking they do not pertain to them; some emails, however, can contribute to a student’s life more than they realize. Whitman’s Peer Listeners group has been administering a confidential survey about student health at Whitman, asking students about how they’re dealing with certain issues like depression, stress, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, discrimination, ideals and resources. “The purpose of the survey is to help our group assess the needs of the student body,” said senior Justin Daigneault, co-chair of Whitman Peer Listeners. “If we have information on campus health, we will be able to target certain issues that are affecting certain groups of students.” Once the survey closes, the Peer Listeners analyze the responses and look for trends in data. With these trends, they find groups to

target and brainstorm ways to counter the issues prevalent in the groups. “We have taken a quick once-over with the results of the survey, but have yet to dive in and really pick at the nitty-gritty and go through all the writein responses,” said Daigneault. The results will be used during the rest of the semester and for next fall. The survey, conducted online, took students 5-10 minutes to complete, and asked questions not only for students who had dealt directly with these issues but also those who had friends or family members going through them. Daigneault says the survey was greatly

improved from the one conducted last year, which was formatted in a way that made responding to it difficult. “The results were very inconclusive giv-

mitchell

New printing system successful, follow up discussion held today Senior Reporter

As a follow up to the new printing quota system, an all-campus forum was held at noon today, Thursday, Mar. 5 in the Reid ballroom to discuss the GoPrint system. “The campus community will be able to openly provide and discuss feedback, which will help the College to fine-tune the program,” said Whitman College Technology Services (WCTS) Middleware Analyst Mike Osterman. One of the changes made due to early feedback was the incentive to print double-sided, which would cost $0.01 less per two pages. “The key thing is that we want to encourage conservation of printing ad so we just want some general feedback on the system,” said Associate to the

President and Chair of the Conservation and Recycling Committee. Jed Schwendiman. “We would also love to make adjustments and fix things that aren’t working. If there are changes that need to be made, we want to do those pro-actively.” “This is the first time we’ve seen a dramatic change in behavior which is pretty exciting,” said Schwendiman. “Compared to the same point in time last semester, we’ve seen a 42 percent reduction in printing in general access facilities,” said Osterman. There also used to be a substantial amount of abandoned print jobs, where people would forget to pick up what they printed. “Now that students must consciously release a print job, there has been a drastic reduction in abandoned jobs,” said Osterman. “This has resulted in 46 reams, which is 500 hundred sheets

Journalist William Murray, ‘92, to present Hosokawa Lecture Where: Young Ballroom B, Reid Campus Center When:

Monday, March 9 at 7:00 PM

Speaker: Journalist who was embedded in

of paper, being saved that would have otherwise been wasted, either because students have decided to cancel a job or because it has been automatically cleared from the system after not being claimed for 24 hours.” Most importantly, the system will not undergo any fundamental changes, like changing the $60 amount, until the system has run for an entire semester. “It’s important that students report problems they encounter not only so we can resolve the issues, but so we can credit their free printing account if they were charged for an unsuccessful print job,” said Osterman. “Since the start of the semester, we’ve issued 34 credits.” Today’s forum will be followed by a second one later in the semester.

Iraq for three months

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en that a lot of the responses were faulty in the way they were asked and compiled,” Daigneault said. We were unable to make many correlations between the survey and the student body and so it was not very useful at all, besides allowing us to see what we needed to do better.” Remaking the survey and reformatting it led to dramatically heightened participation. Last year, roughly 130 students took the survey; this year, more than 300 students responded. “We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout,” said Daigneault. He hopes that students will continue to express interest in events put on by Peer Listeners, particularly now that they will be working with their new results. The group plans to have more displays at Reid Campus Center, like the Valentine’s Day board expressing the advantages of being single and being in a relationship. Ultimately, Daigneault wants people to know that they have somewhere to turn if they need to deal with issues.

Whitman College Pio neer

News

March 05, 2009

Local citizens gather to discuss Community Gardens E by Elana Congress Reporter

Community members met at the First Congregational Church on the corner of S. Palouse St. and E. Alder St. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 to discuss creating Community Gardens in Walla Walla. The meeting can best be described as a collaborative effort. A diverse crowd of more than 70 people gathered to learn about Community Gardens and discuss their potential within Walla Walla. Emily Deitzman of Welcome Table Farm, Dan Clark of Faith Communities for Sustainability and Ann Finan, a Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology at Whitman, organized the meeting. Two local organizations dedicated to sustainability, Sustainable Walla Walla and Walla Walla Valley Faith Communities for Sustainability, sponsored the meeting. Deitzman is a seasoned veteran in establishing and running Community Gardens. She serves as a great resource for locals interested in participating in the local Community Garden effort. According to Deitzman, the meeting’s goal was to figure out “how to make all of our ideas into some sort of a tangible reality.” Deitzman also emphasized the wide-reaching effects that Community Gardens can have

Following the students’ presentations, se- communicate and work together to support lonior Page Taliaferro discussed the need for cal Community Gardens? Who is going to head up this effort? Community Gardens in Walla Walla. TaliaWhat’s the next step? ferro is involved with Faith Communities for Meeting participants decided to compile a Sustainability, plus, she’s writing her thesis master e-mail list of interested community on Community Gardens. “This type of project would be greatly ap- members. Alice Bagley of West End Farm preciated and a wonderful contribution to the volunteered to serve as a sort of communicaWalla Walla food banks and community,” tion coordinator for the Community Garden effort. Other meeting participants volunteered Taliaferro concluded. For a large chunk of the meeting, Dietzman to find a meeting spot and time for a follow-up planning meeting. and Clark mediated In addition, the an open discussion One of the next steps Sustainable Living among attendants. for the Garden is to Center is working Some participants requested help with have an ongoing relationship to transform their website into an intheir existing gar- with the community.” formation database dens: others offered -Jesse Phillips, ‘09 of sorts. The website to share their gardenwill enable interested ing expertise with becommunity members to share information ginning gardeners. Lina Menard, the Coordinator of the Center in a sort of Craig’s list format. In the future, for Community Service, reminded meeting there may even be maps of Walla Walla on attendants that many Whitman students are the website on which residents can mark their eager to help. gardens. This could be used to locate empty “If you want strong backs, get in touch,” plots of land or surplus produce for hungry she said. community members. After a while, the discussion morphed into Whitman has its very own Community Garone big brainstorming session. den: the Organic Garden, located on the corHow can interested Walla Walla residents ner of Pacific St. and Penrose Ave. Although the Organic Garden remains rather separate from the Walla Walla community, leaders of the Garden are eager to involve non-Whitman students. advertisements According to Jesse Phillips, a leader of the Garden, “One of the next steps for the Garden is to have an ongoing relationship with the community. We really need to get connectSAVINGS UP TO ed—this past summer we had to advertise to O give our produce away.” F Sophomore Naomi Gibbs, another leader of the Garden, echoed Phillips’ desire to forge F a connection between the Walla Walla comSaager’s Shoe Shop is munity and the Organic Garden. consolidating and closing “We would welcome local families who Walla Walla Saager’s Rack. wanted to come garden and would definitely Shoe repair drop-off and pick-up is be more than happy to share what we produce no longer available in Walla Walla, please bring to with them if they were to come help,” said Saager’s Shoe Shop Gibbs. in Milton-Freewater. Gibbs also mentioned that neighborhood kids sometimes come and garden alongside 111 E. Main Street, Walla Walla • (509) 522-5255 Whitman students. Open Tues-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-3pm If you have questions about the meeting or are interested in helping other Walla Walla 613 N. Main Street, Milton-Freewater • (541) 938-5162 residents create Community Gardens, you can Open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm e-mail Alice Bagley at alice.bagley@gmail. com.

on a community. “This is how we can make a difference,” she said. “Not only by learning how to grow good food, but also how to grow good relations.” The evening began with a series of presentations by Whitman students in Ann Finan’s “Sustainable Food and Agriculture Class.” Finan hopes to use the community as a classroom by requiring her students to volunteer with or research a Community Garden in Walla Walla. Finan’s students shared information about the different types of Community Gardens in order to help residents determine which type best suits their needs and abilities. In a Charity Garden, participants donate grown produce to food banks or other charities. In an Edible Garden, participants grow produce for their own consumption. Schoolyard Gardens are implemented as an educational tool for students, and often double as Charity Gardens. In a Neighborhood Garden, neighborhood residents share the responsibilities of the garden and also share the produce. Alyssa Breetwor, a first-year in Finan’s class, enjoyed researching the different types of Community Gardens. “It was interesting to compare the differences and see which ones would be most beneficial to the community members,” she said.

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March 05, 2009

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Whitman College Pio neer

Early degree candidacy deadline fast approaching by Cindy Chen Senior Reporter

The deadline for current juniors hoping to complete their degree by December is coming up, but there are a few stipulations regarding the actual graduation date. Students who complete all necessary credits by December of their senior year still cannot graduate until May or September, the only two official commencement dates. The September commencement date is typically convenient for seniors who need to complete a few extra credits over the summer, because Whitman allows seniors to walk in commencement even with eight credits to go. “Typically, we have accommodated students, primarily in geology, who have requirements to fulfill over the summer, like a field experience that they have to do over the summer at another school. That’s why we have a September graduation to accommodate those folks,” said Registrar

Ron Urban. “Over the years, it’s been expanded to include other majors as well, for people who just can’t finish in time. They’ll go to summer school and finish their degree credits and participate in commencement in September. There really VANDERBILT is no commencement but it’s just a date that is arbitrarily set as a ritual of transition,” said Urban. Commencement is a graduation requirement, according to the college catalog. Even students who finish their credits by December will not officially be considered college graduates. While this could pose a problem for students looking

to get a head start in the job market or graduate school applications, the college takes steps to help students. “It’s scary for them because they’ve finished but they’re not official graduates until May,” said Urban. “But if someone needs proof that they are a college graduate, we will send out a letter to the employer or the graduate school saying that due to special circumstances at Whitman, we don’t actually confer degrees until commencement, but they have completed all the requirements.” The practice of sending a letter often helps, and getting an early start in difficult economic times never hurts. A potential disadvantage of completing requirements by December is being off-campus for getting faculty recommendations. There are only about a dozen or so December

completers a year, and the Board of Review can be petitioned to waive the requirement that one must attend commencement in order to graduate. Another option for seniors who want to take a lighter load during their second semester is the pay-per-credit option. With more first-years bringing in more transfer credits from Running Start, AP or IB, they can afford to take a lighter load in the spring. “They have all the rights and responsibilities of regular students but if they take fewer than 12 credits, they can save money,” said Urban. “The Dean of Students t l i authorizes this, and b der van students have to provide a compelling case.” “Especially in these dire economic times, this policy may challenge the economic integrity of the school and might be changed,” said Urban.

Embedded Iraq journalist to visit campus on endowment by Hanna Ory Associate News Editor

Whitman Alumnus and freelance journalist William Murray, will present the college’s annual Hosokawa Lecture on journalism on Monday, March 9. Murray, who spent the summer of 2008 imbedded in Iraq, will present on, “The Problem with Today’s Media (Or Why News Coverage of Iraq Was so Poor) and What We Can Do about It.” The Lecture will be held in the Young Ballroom at 7 p.m. The lecture is part of the Hosokawa endowment, a generous gift in honor of Robert R. Hosokawa intended to finance annual journalism awards and bring accomplished journalists to the college for lectures and workshops. “The Hosokawa endowment is one of many very valuable memorable programs that Whitman offers thanks to the generosity of visionary donors who love this place,” said Ruth Wardwell, director of communications. Wardwell is in charge of selecting the speaker for the Hosokawa lecture. She first learned of Murray through Tony Cabasco, Dean of Admis-

sion and Financial Aid a classmate of Murray’s, graduating from Whitman two years prior in 1990. “I started thinking, wouldn’t it be fascinating to hear from a journalist who has been embedded [in Iraq]. Here you have a journalist who is supposed to be impartial. How great would it be to hear him talk about that experience and the media coverage there,” said Wardwell. Though Wardwell had the initial idea, she made sure to gather student feedback before finalizing her selection. “I don’t want the Hosokawa award to be a prescribed thing for me, what is most important to me is that the speaker is useful for students and attendees,” said Wardwell. After learning of Murray’s accomplishments, expressed overwhelming support for his visit. Upon his graduation from Whitman in 1992, Murray worked in Alaska as a public radio news director before entering a graduate degree program at Columbia University’s School of Journalism. In the following years, he worked for Bloomberg News in both Washington D.C. and London, covering a variety of issues. In July 2008, Murray spent three-months em-

bedded in Iraq as a freelance journalist. Most recently, Murray has returned to Capital Hill as a correspondent for an energy intelligence organization. Murray’s experiences offer the Whitman community a perspective on the shortcomings of the media, and insightful suggestions as to how such deficiencies can be improved. “The media is a powerful, powerful aspect of society. Many of us have perceptions about journalists and media; some are valid, some without merit, and getting the opportunity to hear from someone from the inside of it can increase understanding of how it works,” said Wardwell. Murray’s published articles from his time in Iraq can be viewed atlongwarjournal. org or on his

own website, which includes an exclusive interview with fellow Whitman graduate and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, at billiniraq.com.

O. Johnson

Whitman College Pio neer

News

March 05, 2009

Bluewood Ski Bus deals with no-shows Reporter

Throughout this semester, Whitties have benefitted from a Saturday morning ski bus to the Bluewood ski area, a service made possible by left over ASWC funds from previous years. To take advantage of this opportunity, all one has to do is find the sign-up list in the OP office, write their name down, and show up at 8:30 am on Saturday. This seemingly simple task, however, has proven difficult for many. Many students sign up for the ski bus and then fail to attend. Whether this is a result of late Friday nights, poor memory, or plain apathy, one thing is clear: signing up for the ski bus does not entail a lot of commitment. First-year Hannah Sieracki cited a number of reasons for missing the ski bus on Saturday, February 21st, even though she had signed up in advance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a really tough week with lots of studying and almost no free time, and I wanted to stay out late on Friday, so I decided to take a lazy Saturday and skip skiing,â&#x20AC;? Sieracki said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Money is also an

issue. The cost can really add up when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re paying for a lift ticket, ski rentals, and food.â&#x20AC;? Lish Riley, Whitmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OP Rental Shop Manager, confirmed this trend. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you sign up for the first week, you can sign up for any week, because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free. So, people sign up for all 4 weeks, and by the time it gets to the 4th week they forget about it,â&#x20AC;? said Riley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a whole lot of commitment, so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh, I just want to do whatever the night before and sleep in, and who cares [if I miss it]?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Despite the significant number of students sleeping through the ski busâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8:30 am departure, people from the waiting list tend to fill their vacancies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Typically, around twelve people sign up and a couple more sign up on the wait list,â&#x20AC;? said Sophomore Carson Burns, an ASWC senator who helped initiate the ski bus program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the time, the bus gets filled because the wait-listers fill the extra spots from the noshows.â&#x20AC;? After considering implementing a five dollar sign up fee to better ensure participation, the managers of the program decided against it.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We decided against [a fee] because the bus is funded by the Student Development Fundâ&#x20AC;Ś If the students already paid for [the ski bus] indirectly through their ASWC fee, it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make sense charging them again. We were hoping that people wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sign up unless they actually planned on going,â&#x20AC;? Burns said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the time, this has been true, and students have followed through.â&#x20AC;? Regardless of participation levels, the ski bus program does not seem like a waste of money to ASWC President Elliott Okantey. For Okantey, the quality experience provided for those who actually do participate is priority number one. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If ASWC were an investment house, it would invest in one commodity: the student experience,â&#x20AC;? Okantey said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ski bus was never a for-profit venture. ASWC seeks to use the one-time Student Development Fund to sponsor student ideas and initiatives that develop student interests and skills in a way that Whitman has never seen before.â&#x20AC;? According to Okantey, the future of the ski bus program, and all other programs of the Student Development Fund, are in the hands of those who participate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of these ideas are so new that it would

Strong feelings voiced at lecture Q&A

not be inaccurate to refer to them as experimental,â&#x20AC;? said Okantey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes experiments yield the expected results, sometimes they do not. ASWC has invested in adding a safe, dependable ride to and from Bluewood to the Whitman student experience. It is up to students ourselves whether our money will be well spent.â&#x20AC;?

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and moderate.â&#x20AC;? In her talk, Hirsi Ali presented two schools of thought about the clash between Western values and Islamic practices. The first school of thought holds that Islam is a religion of peace and that a small group of extremists distorts the Quran, misinterpreting the words of the Prophet Muhammad. The other school of thought, the one to which Hirsi Ali subscribes, argues that Islam is inherently at odds with the values of Western liberal democracies like the United States and the European Union. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more Islam you practice, the more intolerant you are,â&#x20AC;? Hirsi Ali said, her words provoking an audible response from the crowd. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more Islam you practice, the more youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find yourself in company with Al Qaeda.â&#x20AC;? At the end of her lecture, Ali held a question and answer session. Senior Chad Brizendine was one of the more than a dozen students, faculty and community members that posed questions after Hirsi Aliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presentation. He said he found Hirsi Aliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responses to audience membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

KIM

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by Alex Jeffers

News

March 05, 2009

Whitman College Pio neer

Scholarships make D.C. trip possible for Campus Climate Challenge by Shannon Buckham Reporter

This past weekend, Washington, D.C. was a hot spot for student activists seeking ways that they could positively influence the environment. Members of Whitman’s Campus Climate Challenge (CCC) accounted for 15 out of the more than 11,000 college students and youth from across the nation and around the world who converged on the nation’s capitol for Power Shift ’09, a youth conference aimed at solving the pressing climate crisis. Whitman CCC was able to send more members to this year’s conference than to the first Power Shift held in 2007 thanks to scholarships from the Sierra Student Coalition and funding from ASWC and the Environmental Studies Department. The variety of speakers, workshops, panels and a concert by the Roots kept participants busy throughout the weekend. Regional net-

Lobby requests made by Power Shift participants •

Cut carbon dramatically and immediately

•

Invest in a green economy

•

Power the future with clean energy

•

Lead the world to a clean and equitable energy future

working sessions provided CCC members the opportunity to connect with other schools in the region and find any collaboration within their projects. “This historical conference provided us a great opportunity to see what students are doing on their campuses across the country in terms of sustainability,” said CCC Co-President sophomore Gary Wang.

Participants also had the opportunity to participate in the largest act of civil disobedience related to climate issues in a protest at the Capital coal plant. Prominent environmental activists and leaders Visionaries such as Bill McKibben, Wendell Berry, Terry Tempest Williams and Mike Tidwell peacefully blockaded with hundreds of youth the dirty plant, just a few blocks from the capital building. “Students with green hard hats were everywhere on the capital. As a whole we met with over 350 representatives. Whitman students all met with Representative McMorris from Walla Walla’s district, and we’ve invited her to a town hall in April. Whitman students also went to meetings with people from their home states,” said junior Elena Gustafson. In their arrival back at Whitman CCC Power Shift ’09 attendees plan to stay involved in the effort to protect our environment. They will be speaking for a few minutes at Terry

Tempest Williams’ talk on Thursday evening and will have a Power Shift presentation on Apr. 1 for Whitman and the Walla Walla community. The students plan to involve Walla Walla political leaders in their plans for the near future. “Essentially, we want to create a constructive dialogue with the College and the wider community on what the appropriate measures for people to take, not as students, faculty, or business leaders, but as human beings, on preventing catastrophic climate change,” said Wang.

Whitman College Visiting Writers’ Series: Terry Tempest Williams Thursday, March 5, 7 p.m. in Cordiner Hall

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op-ed

Whitman College Pio neer

Letter from the Editors

A response to feedback on ‘greek shirts’ column We were inundated with Letters to the Editor this past week. We were excited to see the constructive dialogue that has been started by these letters, and appreciated the thoughtfulness of the responses that we received. Unfortunately, we did not have enough space to accommodate all of the letters we received. We have selected to print those letters which we felt best represented the opinions of the ones submitted. However, we recognize that each of the letters we received had value in its individual opinion, and have chosen to publish all of them online at our Web site (whitmanpioneer.com). The majority of the letters we received responded to one particular piece, “Greek shirts fittingly convey conformity culture,” which was published as an opinion piece in last week’s issue on Feb. 26. Much of the criticism we heard on and around campus regarding the greek shirt piece was similar to: “The Pio hates the greeks.” We’d like to emphasize that The Pio does not hate any campus group and strives to maintain objectivity in all of its reporting. All opinion columns are only reflections of individuals’ opinions about their subject matter, and not reflective of The Pioneer as a whole. The only pieces that are reflective of the Pioneer editorial staff are our semi-regular Board Editorials. It is not important nor relevant what the editors’ opinions on this column, or any column,

are. As editors, we often disagree with columns we publish. We are proud to boast a staff who encompass varying viewpoints–our staff members are of all four years, of different majors; they are both greeks and independents, and both liberals and conservatives. The nature of our staff makes it impossible for us to agree with all pieces that come before us. We think it is important that we do not pick and choose pieces for publications based on their stances. Regardless of what we think of their opinions, our columnists have the right to those opinions, and the right to publish them. We support them in this. In the same vein, as readers, you have the right to disagree with those opinions. We want to thank those people who took the time to compose a response and submit a letter–especially those who were angered by a piece. We recognize that it is easy to be angry at something you read, and to simply dismiss and insult it. Those of you who took the time to respond: again, thank you. By contributing your responses to pieces you read, you are adding to the array of viewpoints that we strive to represent, and opening up the avenue for productive and respectful dialogue. Kim Sommers and Jamie Soukup Editors-in-Chief

March 05, 2009

WhitmanCollegePioneer S P RING 2 0 0 9 Editors-in-Chief: Kim Sommers, Jamie Soukup Director of Writing: Gillian Frew Business Director: Megan McIntire

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c o l u m n i s t s Russ Caditz-Peck, Lisa Curtis, Bryant Fong, Spencer Janyk, Alex Kerr, William Lawrence, Miles Pengilly, Sophia Sady, Caitlin Tortorici, Jesús Vásquez, Gary Wang Contributing Columnists: Connor Guy, Margaux Cameron Reviewers: Corey Feinstein, Andrew Hall, Becquer Medak-Seguin

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Editorial Policy The Whitman College Pioneer is published under the auspices of the Associated Students of Whitman College. The purpose of The Pioneer is to provide pertinent, timely information and entertainment for Whitman students, alumni, faculty, staff and parents, as well as the Walla Walla community. In addition, The Pioneer strives to act as a catalyst and forum for communication within the Whitman community. To do so, The Pioneer publishes weekly Board Editorials. These opinion pieces reflect the views of The Pioneer, and not necessarily the views of each individual associated with the newspaper. The Pioneer welcomes letters to the Editor or any contradicting opinion pieces.

SUBMISSION Policy Letters and Opinion articles may be submitted to The Pioneer editors, Jamie Soukup and Kim Sommers, via e-mail at editors@whitmanpioneer.com; or sent to The Pioneer, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA, 99362. All submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on Saturday prior to the week that they are intended to appear. All submissions must be signed and may be cut for space and edited for journalistic style.

Op-ed

March 05, 2009

Whitman College Pio neer

letters to the editor EDITOR, I went into the Keystone Regional Leadership Conference—for executive members of Beta Theta Pi—with a fairly open mind, hoping to learn something about a culture I’m not familiar with by normal standards: the culture of fraternal brotherhood. Ironically, a Dungeons and Dragons conference was being held in the same hotel at the same time, creating a cultural spectacle of mages and paladins with wands, face-paint, and swords walking amongst super bro’d out, clean-cut athletic men. On multiple occasions I heard the D & D gamers talk about how many “shallow, egotistical meatheads” there were walking around, while at the same time, the frat bros harped on the gamers for being “overweight, lazy, and weird.” Here’s what strikes me as interesting: I bet some of these gelled-up tough guys enjoy a good role playing game every now and then, and some of these gamers probably like to bro-out every once in a while. One of the facilitators for our Whitman

EDITOR, Bryant Fong thinks that lowering the minimum wage will help “save the economy.” He’s certainly not the first person to make that claim nor, as long as conservative economists continue to publish textbooks, will he be the last. But he’s dead wrong. Fong’s analysis derives from the old laissezfaire fallacy that economic growth requires forgetting the dignity of work and of workers. We should see past this false choice—living wages are not obstacles to growth. In fact, they’re the true measure of a healthy and equitable economy. Take my home state: Oregon has one of the highest minimum wages in the country and in 2002 enacted a law ensuring that the minimum wage rises annually with the cost of living. Businesses, particularly restaurants and farms, predicted disaster. Since 2002, Oregon has had

EDITOR, As a first-year I was baffled by how many Whitman students wore Whitman sweatshirts! Everyone here is the same! They all attend Whitman parties, they all wear Whitman sweatshirts, and they all live together! Paying for a hierarchical organization that determines how you will socialize, contribute to your community and dress

Chapter, Tricia, introduced herself as a proud AWOB: an Awesome Wife of Beta! On the first day of the weekend-long conference, we tried to be completely serious when discussing brotherhood in order to fit in with the rest of our brothers from the region. But, Tricia would soon realize that we were not serious at all. On the contrary, as my fellow brother Kai Tamulonis put it, we are “cripplingly sarcastic.” But, honestly, it’s hard to be serious when there is a giant screen that says “Betas go into business, politics, and ‘the other professions,’” while at the same time a corny, brainwashing pop song (about how awesome Beta is), reminiscent of the movie “Jesus Camp” is playing on the loud speakers. Friendship, brotherhood, and meaningful experiences are all good things--yes--but the problem is that the whole general fraternity is fake in a lot of ways. I am technically “brothers” with people I don’t know a single thing about, other than we know the same Beta songs (which our chapter doesn’t really sing) and practice the same Beta rituals

(which our chapter doesn’t really do). But, I am glad that we don’t practice these rituals because I’d rather spend my time some other way than memorizing song lyrics to “Good Betas Sing Forever” or studying the names of the founding fathers and the years they graduated from college. I’d like to think that people become friends because they like each other, they respect each other, and they share valuable memories, rather than simply sharing a fraternal title. I’ll credit the Keystone Conference in inspiring us to improve our house in a lot of ways regarding philanthropy, recruitment, and alumni relations etc., and helping us realize that although we love to joke, we can be serious too (maybe). Most importantly, the conference reinforced my belief that scrawny dudes who are smart, funny, kind, artistic, and cultural can be “men of principle” too, even if they don’t kick ass in the weight room and gel their hair up into bleached tips.

more non-farm job growth, more increases in farm income, and lower menu price inflation than the national average (Oregon Center for Public Policy 2007). The lesson? Businesses don’t rise and fall based upon the extent to which they can exploit their workers through lower wages and duck their societal obligations through lower taxes. The economy is way more complicated than that. If you need further evidence, see the encyclopedia entry under “Bush, George W.; economic policies of.” Who does the minimum wage help? Fong claims that most minimum wage recipients are high school and college students. Tell that to the people who serve you at the restaurants and bars around town or to the people who work at Wal-Mart over in College Place or to the people who plant and harvest the wheat, corn, beans, asparagus, tomatoes, berries, and potatoes that grow all over the state of Washington. And what about high school and college students?

Fong seems to be under the assumption that students don’t need the money. Tell that to the many Whitman students for whom a few cents an hour is the difference between paying rent and not, between paying tuition and not, between eating vegetables and eating ramen. Taking from workers and giving to corporations is not a short cut to saving the economy. In this economic downturn—caused in part by policies that helped bankers and CEOs instead of average Americans—we should be talking about building a fairer economy which recognizes that low and middle income workers are the engine of real growth; about fixing a broken health care system that burdens both employees and employers; about building a world in which all workers earn a decent, living wage; not about getting a late start chasing China in the race to the bottom.

undermines the formidable, but character-building project of grappling with those challenges independently. Whitman students are stunting their growth through such conformity and at the end of the day are really just paying for friends. This argument can be made for every kind of social group. Social groups are made to bring people together, whether it be a Church, a community service organization, a college or a soror-

ity. And yep, they usually make a shirt out of it. Sorry Gabriela, but your argument has been made before and I daresay it conforms to the indie culture of stereotyping greek groups. Perhaps if you stepped outside of your own social bubble and talked to a few members of the greek system yourself, you would see that we aren’t all mindless conformists who feel pressured to take jello shots in our jammies.

- Joe Wheeler, ‘11

- Nick Dollar, ‘09

EDITOR, I was shocked and saddened by the editorial, “Greek Shirts fittingly convey conformity culture.” As a member of the greek community, but more importantly, as a member of the Whitman community, I am constantly fighting the stereotypes associated with greek life. From the article, I gathered that the author must think of me and my “paid for” friends as some type of sheep, mindlessly following one another, eagerly dressing alike as we go off to take jello shots. The cavalier way in which the author suggested that these t-shirts are a form of “self-branding” is frustrating as I have been shown countless times that matching t-shirts are imperative when putting on all-campus events such as Dr. Seuss Day and Mr. Whitman. In terms of actual facts regarding these t-shirts, we, as a group, vote on the design of the shirts (this expression of democracy must be shocking), and then anyone who is interested can purchase one. The author’s reference to the “Hooters” shirts, created in 2005, were designed by the then senior class to be a play on word referencing the owl, which is a Kappa symbol. Although I personally am not in support of that shirt, I find it far more problematic to censor each other’s ideas. I would also like to point out that while there may not be “pio shirts” there are shirts for Youth Development Initiatives (YDI), Campus Activities Board (CAB), freshman residence sections and various IM sports teams. Each of these groups is an important addition to the Whitman community, and why should I be bothered by their purchasing of t-shirts? Are we suggesting that any group who wants a t-shirt is in some way giving up their individuality, becoming “prey of hegemonic corporations.” I would hope not. I would also hope that each time I wear a kappa t-shirt, I am not faced with the stereotypes outlined in the article. I am truly disappointed that the content of my character would be assumed by the writing on my chest.

- Carole Wilson, ‘09

p.s. And wait? I don’t NEED to be in a sorority to drink or sing degrading songs about myself? OMG I had noooooo idea. Although those are my two favorite things, maybe I shouldn’t be in a sorority? I don’t know, I don’t have a brain, you tell me.

- Ellie Klein, ‘10

Op-ED

Whitman College Pio neer

March 05, 2009

letters to the editor EDITOR,

EDITOR,

Gabriela’s recent opinion piece on conformity in the greek system was a provocative article, and it is not surprising that it has generated some strong reactions. Underlying her conformity critique is her fairly explicit opinion that the greek system at Whitman is at best redundant and at worst antithetical to the college’s mission. It is this sentiment that I think has caused the most unrest, which I think is unfortunate as it obscures the potential for some interesting conversations. My hope is that responses to it can move beyond defensiveness, as I think that Gabriela makes many more interesting points beyond mere greek-bashing. Some greek friends have expressed that they felt attacked personally. I suggest that this concern may be misguided; Gabriela clearly attacks the greek system as an institution, but I see no specific references to individual greeks, even in the abstract. I also wonder if, when individual members see a critique of their institution as personal attack, they help to reinforce common perceptions of greek conformity. Another common response is that other organizations, clubs, sports teams, social groups and even the college selection process itself also have their own levels of inherent conformity. Fair enough, but I think the point Gabriela was trying to make is that the greek system is more conformist than the general Whitman community and more restrictive of individual growth. I make no claims about the second point, but I think that the greek system at least visually represents a higher level of conformity than most other groups at Whitman; whether this influences individual members I do not know. As symbols, the trappings of the greek system (yes, including the shirts) seem conformist, at least to me. This is not to say that greek individuals “do not mature or are not unique,” to quote Gabriela, but only to point out how things appear from the outside. The greek system is certainly a convenient and obvious punching bag for opinion pieces, and the conformity argument is, as Gabriela admits, hardly new. But I think that this and previous pieces provide an opportunity for constructive and intelligent discourse. Some issues and responses that I have not heard discussed include: Are sororities comfortable with the messages and implications of adapting and displaying corporate logos? Is the conformity of the greek system even a problem? What benefits does the system provide for individual growth and individuality? I believe there are good answers to these questions. Instead of writing off these sorts of articles, we should consider these perspectives on their own merits and respond.

I appreciate the concerns some independents present regarding the conformity the greek system fosters on campus. However, I’d like to remind the substantial majority of the campus not affiliated with a greek organization that they fall subject to the same normalizing pressures facing Whitman’s greeks. Ms. Salvidea argues that by “uniformly outfitting its members in corporate logos, the greek system cultivates conformity more than any other force on campus.” Look around: you will see more North Face logos on students’ jackets than on Kappa Alpha Theta sweatshirts. If Ms. Salvidea believes college students shouldn’t submit to hegemonic corporations, she should demand that campus independents stop wearing North Face, Chacos, Carhartts, Chuck Taylors, American Apparel, Nike, Levi’s, and Vans. The biggest force for conformity at Whitman College is the campus itself, and the problems of gender, class and race facing the greek system also face Whitman as a whole. Every student was an independent upon being accepted

- Tristan Grau, ‘11

EDITOR, I agree whole-heartedly with Gabriela Salvidea’s statement that the greek system enforces conformity. In last week’s column she wrote that “College as a breeding ground for such conformity is an unfortunate paradox.” In fact, all organizations and groups (even the ones in college) foster conformity. Many Whitman “Indies” are fiercely proud of their independent status. This label insinuates that unlike greek-members, who are completely dependent on each other and the greek system, non-greeks are free from the ties of social membership. In attending Whitman College, you enter a community. Communities foster conformity. Whitman students are programmed in a certain way—we’re “taught.” I am here to learn how to think, to learn to approach my surroundings with a critical and analytical perspective that enriches my daily interactions. I am learning to conform to a supposed intellectual ideal. Furthermore, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to conform. It’s easy to be self-righteous as an independent. You can be proud of your supposed social success in avoiding the greek system. You’ve managed to find friends and have fun without paying semester dues! Perhaps you’ve avoided the greek system, but you haven’t avoided the undeniable other systems that you’re a part of. Every gathering of people has the potential to

to Whitman, and both greeks and independents face similar social pressures as a result. It would be absurd to suggest that independents don’t conform to any patterns of fashion (see the recent increase of skinny jeans and keffiyehs on campus), or socialization (see weekly off-campus parties), and while the conformity of the greek system appears under institutional headings, it is no more potent than the pressures facing any young man or woman at a predominantly white, straight, upper middle-class liberal arts college. Furthermore, Ms. Salvidea’s assessments of greek life are either deliberately humorous or comically ignorant. She can’t seriously think Whitman greeks spend their time as she describes, given how many of them take classes with her, edit the newspaper she works for, or sit in prominent positions of campus government. If she actually knew the individuals who comprise the greek system, she would understand how diverse (by Whitman’s standards) these groups are, and how powerful the bonds forged by these groups can be. Contrary to Ms. Salvidea’s belief, Whitman greeks are not

formally required to live with each other, attend greek parties, or wear greek clothing, and many greeks on campus refrain from some or all of these activities. But while Ms. Salvidea feels fortunate not to live with the Pio staff, most greeks at Whitman DO choose to live with each other, a testament to the tolerance and friendship these groups foster. Quite frankly, I have never felt more free to express my individuality than I do with members of my fraternity. The safety and comfort I find in my home on campus has made me a more caring, confident individual, and has given me a greater appreciation of individuality and personal expression in others. For that, I am gratefully indebted to Whitman’s greek system, however purposeless Ms. Salvidea deems it to be. Author’s Note: I took a lot of time out of my daily routine of binge drinking and violently asserting my masculinity to write this, so thanks for reading, dear brothers and sisters (you know who you are).

be a community. Community members choose to unite in solidarity, usually for a common purpose or goal. As far as I can tell, the common purpose of sorority and fraternity members is to have fun and meet other like-minded people. There’s nothing wrong with this purpose. It’s a rare and sad individual who joins a group and hopes to isolate himself and avoid enjoyment. Like Salvidea, I disagree that the greek system’s main purpose is to create well-rounded citizens. According to the Whitman College Web site, the purpose of the greek system “is to promote the pursuit of academic excellence, enrich the personal lives, and further the ability of their members to serve society.” It’s not that fraternities or sororities don’t uphold these values. I would imagine that you don’t join Kappa Kappa Gamma just because you want to read to kids. If that’s your motive, you join the Storytime Project. If you want to read to kids, meet other Whitties, participate in fun social events and be a part of a community, though, then you might choose to join the sorority. I have a hard time criticizing greeks for turning to fraternities or sororities for social security. I think it’s great to get e-mails every week from upperclassmen, inviting you to their parties, inviting you to dinner, making you feel included and wanted. Who wouldn’t want that? The greek system just gets criticized because it has such a blatant social purpose.

As a member of the ultimate frisbee team at Whitman, I enjoy many of the same benefits as greeks. I get e-mails about weekend parties, meet new friends, and have fun. I feel included and I feel liked. It’s a nice feeling. Wearing a shirt with an angry-looking onion makes others associate me with the frisbee team. In that respect, I am “conforming” to the culture of the team. Is that really such a bad thing? Sorority members aren’t forced to sing demeaning songs or wear logo-imitating sweatshirts. Yes, these things are part of the sorority culture, but members aren’t brainwashed into following this culture if they don’t want to. In the same way, wearing sweet onion gear, drinking at parties and singing “Wanna be a Baller” is a part of the frisbee culture. When you join a community, it’s because you like the community’s culture and want to conform to abide by it. Conformity is only natural, and we’re kidding ourselves if we think that our independent status excludes us from this phenomenon. As a community of independents, let’s eliminate any feelings of superiority and realize that we too are socially dependent conformists. Maybe then we can bridge the gap between the greeks and Independents and foster an even stronger Whitman community.

- Ned Schaumberg, ‘09

- Elana Congress, ‘12

Op-Ed

March 05, 2009

Whitman College Pio neer

That’s So Deep Sororities plan to colonize Whitman Editor’s Note: This column is a satirical column and should be viewed as such.

Lisa CURTIS and Alex KERR

While sipping wine and texting on their matching red blackberries, two soColumnists rority women confessed their plans to colonize Whitman. Apparently, Whitman has been violating international greek law (not the country) and has entirely too many girls for Whitman’s three sororities to handle. “If the fire department ever saw how many girls we squeeze into our chapter room, shit would go down,” said Kappa Kappa Gamma Recruitment Chair Sarah Deming. Pan-Hellenic chair Rachel Wallace has decided to take the matter into her own hands, forming a committee to find sororities interested in starting a chapter at Whitman, a process she refers to as “colonizing.” “If they’re interested in colonizing us they will send us sorority propaganda,” said Wallace. Alex and I are intrigued by the idea of new greeks on campus and, having scoured some sorority home pages, have concluded that we will be creating a new sorority ourselves. Here are some things that set our sorority apart. While it may be true that Delta Gamma was the first sorority to receive recognition from the American Academy of Opthamology, our sorority will recognize that Opthamology is not a thing. Our sorority, whose Web editors will know how to use spell checker, will be the first to receive an award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Douglas

Although Kappa Kappa Gamma embraces ancient Greek values of beauty and ethical living, Alex believes that the old apple cores sitting in his room are both ethical and beautiful. We’re strongly considering embracing them as our mascot. Like KKG, we’d probably make our deceased members return their apple cores to Headquarters (aka Alex’s closet-like room). Kappa Alpha Theta got all technologically advanced and decided to password protect secret documents advertised publicly on their Web site such as “How to Make Greek Great Again.” We have protected our sorority’s Web site so much that none of you can even find it. Yea that’s right, I bet you can’t find alexandlisaalphagamma.com However, were you to find our Web site, you would discover that instead of a “philosophy,” we have straight up rules that all members must adhere to. Rule One: You must travel as a pack. In order to ensure this, we have purchased brightly colored pink child leashes, similar to the ones that you might find on hyperactive children at amusement parks. These leashes should especially be worn at frat parties as certain basements offer particularly sticky floors that do not mix well with heels. Rule Two: All sweatshirts must carry the logo of a brand that has absolutely nothing to do with our sorority. This will ensure the confusion of the rest of the school when they look at us. Rule Three: Everyone must wear a bangsin-front-haircut Rule Four: If this is your first time in a sorority, you MUST sorority. We’re making sorority a verb. Clearly it’s only a matter of time before we’re throwing our own formals in the basement of Macy’s. You’re welcome.

“Dude, that is so deep.” another column bashing materialism, capi“Dude, I know.” talism and all the things I like. That’s so And whatever that boring or even worse, cliché. Right? “deep” statement was, Yeah, you’re right but so am I. Dismissit’s forgotten and never ing the idea that “deep” conversation is brought up again. dead because it’s been said over and over Whitman College again just reinforces the point. Instead of Gary prides itself as a top lib- talking about “deep” things, we talk about WANG eral arts college in the cheap things. By making people into conColumnist country. Here is where sumers, we reduce the possibility for this students are taught to think critically, to “deep” conversation to take place. question their assumptions and to become For many students here, including me, our lives are the product of incredible privglobal citizens. It sure reads well on a broilege, at least compared people our age in chure, but is it true? Instead, after something is labeled “deep” other countries. We don’t have to deal with it’s often buried and forgotten. In conversa- hunger, dirty water, or a civil war. Wait, I tion, it’s enough to just say that something just made another hippie, cliché and idealis profound and then change the subject. istic point. Now why is that the case? If we students So, I must be wrong? No. But, what I say bring a plethora of beliefs and experiences must not matter right? Because it’s cliché to this small campus in order to make us because it’s been said before. tolerant, open minded and diverse, then The strangest thing about this whole phewhy does the act of nomenon of dismisslabeling an idea proing ideas as “too The strangest thing found or deep often deep” or too “cliché” about this whole phe- is that this very dissilence it? It’s because we nomenon of dismissing ideas missal reinforces the status quo; it keeps are too comfortable as “too deep” or to “cliché” us comfortable in with the present. is that this very dismissal our bubble of belief Life’s pretty good reinforces the status quo; it right now so let’s and banality. Isn’t not talk about some- keeps us comfortable in our it bizarre that when thing that unsettles bubble of belief and banalsomeone questions it. We’ve got a good ity.” something like our education, healthy materialism, our reorganic food, and all liance on technology the fun in the world; or some other hippie mantra, we don’t argue that it’s not true but why run the risk of ruining that life? Instead, that “deep” conversation never con- rather say that it’s “too deep” or too “clitinues once it’s labeled deep precisely be- ché” or that it’s too “naïve”. We don’t let that “deep” idea implicate us. cause it is “too deep.” That “deep” idea is dead on arrival, it never Our culture emphasizes one thing above changes us because we don’t want it to. We all else: what you buy, what you have, what you wear, what you possess is an expression may know that we’re privileged and that we of your individuality. Tobacco companies, are not responsible for that privilege and so after they stopped talking about smoking’s we should be grateful and socially responhealth benefits in the 60s started talking sible, but that knowledge doesn’t stop us about how “cool” it is to smoke. What a from enjoying that privilege with no concern for those who were unlucky enough to stroke of advertising genius. Associate your product with a lifestyle, not have it. This way of thinking, or not thinking, is with an image, with a fantasy and you associate it with a particular identity. Custom- responsible for our forgetfulness. I have a ize the color of your Ipod to reflect the true hard time remembering the last “deep” conyou. versation I had. Have I ever had one? Have Now, what you’re probably thinking is you? the following: Oh no, the Pio is publishing

Op-Ed

Whitman College Pio neer

March 05, 2009

Obama has a Latin American obligation Becquer Medak-Seguin Guest Columnist

Jesús Vásquez forlornly wrote last week that “all we (the U.S.) have is the audacity of hope that freedom will survive in Venezuela.” This contentious statement, like the rest of his article, falsely assumes two things: that the U.S. has little, if anything, to do with Hugo Chávez’ rise to power in Venezuela and that the U.S. can do little to preserve Venezuelan democracy. The United States should not write off Venezuelan democracy. Nor should the U.S. exculpate itself from having anything to do with Chávez’ rise or the durability of his regime. But in order to understand why Venezuelans approved Hugo Chávez’ referendum to abolish term limits, one must remember her contentious history with Latin America. Only then will the U.S. have the capacity to revise its policy towards Latin America and help preserve democracy.

The U.S. is effectively still inebriated from the patriarchal binge of the Monroe Doctrine. Enacted in 1823, the doctrine declared the Western hemisphere closed to recolonization and emphasized that the U.S. would view any attack on Latin America as an attack against the U.S. The doctrine (perhaps) had good intentions initially, but soon became a sorry excuse for unwarranted U.S. intervention in the region. In the nearly two centuries since the doctrine, the U.S. has illegitimately occupied Mexico (1848), Cuba (1898), Puerto Rico (1898), part of Panama/ Columbia (1903), Nicaragua (1912), Haiti (1915) and the Dominican Republic (1916) and impelled military coup d’états in Brazil (1964), Chile (1973) and Argentina (1976), among others. These coups have wrought as much political damage as they have mortal damage upon Latin America. Argentina’s euphemistically labeled “Dirty War,” for example, resulted in between 22,000 and 30,000 deaths, according to Argentine Military Intel-

ligence and several human rights organizations, respectively. And, after all this, the U.S. somehow remains bewildered that Latin Americans would elect antiAmerican, leftist leaders. I don’t get it. President Barack Obama told Mexican President Felipe Calderón in January that he would “turn the page” on the U.S.’s relationship with Latin America. Though it went largely unnoticed by the press, this statement will be one of Obama’s most difficult promises to keep: not because of the difficulty of changing the policy, but because it goes against nearly two hundred years of history. The U.S. can begin preserving Venezuelan democracy by supporting all democratically elected Latin American leaders regardless of ideology and not allow the C.I.A. to spy and intervene in countries whose ideology is not in line with ours. Obama should speak to his Latin American ‘enemies,’ notably Raul Castro and Hugo Chávez, without any preconditions. He should talk to Latin Americans

about economics. He should push to include Brazil in major global economic conferences such as the G-8, lift the nonsensical U.S. embargo on Cuba and pardon many Latin American countries’ debt to the World Bank before they default on it. Above all, the U.S. should listen. The U.S. and Latin America need each other. One cannot function without the other and, thus, a policy of ignorance will lead to more harm. The U.S. has an imperative role to play in Latin America’s politics. It can help preserve the already existing democracies and keep several governments from falling into the authoritarian trap by merely listening to them rather than using them as media through which the U.S. can uphold its interests. A new administration that wishes to be the world’s CEO (rather than the world’s owner) cannot turn its back on its Latin American neighbors without risking its own political wellbeing. Obama took the first positive step of talking the talk, soon he should begin to walk the walk.

Obama needs a student movement

Let us be honeybees

The “Change” has begun. Last week President Obama announced his budget proposal. It is visionary, necessary and historic. As young Americans with an inRuss CADITZ-PECK terest in our nation’s Columnist future, now is the time to fight. For the past thirty years, conservative policy and global economic forces have eaten away at the American middle class. If our generation is to preserve widespread prosperity in a global economy, a renewed public social contract is necessary. Obama has shown his commitment to this—his support for health care, education and the environment is unprecedented. Now the President needs a movement. If the only outspoken support from the left is Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman, we are in serious trouble. We cannot sit back and assume Obama will magically fix everything. His electoral victory only just a step—now the battle begins. Obama’s budget will face intense, well-funded opposition from corporate interests. Their opposition will stem less from conservative principles than from knee-jerk protectionism of bottom-line profits. Even conservatives such as David Brooks and William Irving are now be-

I’m writing from the sacrificed, suffered, risked arrest and death Powershift ‘09 confer- for their causes. The climate movement ence, a congregation hasn’t seen anything like this, right? For of 11,000 students and the general population of the United States, young people from climate change is a “petition problem” and across the country to nothing more. At Whitman, some students address the problem of still won’t even bother to sign a petition. But here’s the dirty truth: people are alclimate change. It is at William ready dying for climate change. once inspiring to witLAWRENCE Columnist Around the world, rising temperatures are ness the passion shared by so many youth and increasing the range of malarial mosquitoes. sobering to obtain a clearer perspective of Floods and droughts are increasing in severthe sheer amount of work needed. A palpable ity, causing mass casualties. The systemic failanxiety fills the air, ure of our energy 11,000 minds desI used to think just system has wreaked perately hoping that caring about the enhavoc aside from clithe energy created mate change, too. The here will translate vironment was enough. No into real action rath- longer. Only action will bring oil addiction which contributes to global er than dissipating. the necessary change.” warming has generThe self-congratuated wars and coups latory zeitgeist of for most of a century. the event—“We are the ones we have been waiting for!!”—will And right here under the red white and blue, amount to nothing if nobody brings the mes- coal plants dramatically increase lung cancer rates in the low-income neighborhoods sage home. So, here’s a start: On Saturday night, Congressman Ed Mar- where they are situated. Make no mistake: climate change kills. key drew a comparison between the environmental movement and the civil rights moveOn a human scale, the severity of this isment as well as the termination of apartheid. sue meets and surpasses the precedent set At first glance, the analogy seems a little skewed; activists in these other campaigns HONEYBEES, see page 14

hind massive public investment. Nevertheless, insurance agencies, oil companies, banks, big student lenders etc. will now spend millions on lobbying and propaganda. Obama alone cannot be the voice of progress. Social change requires more than politicians. The President must have a loud, committed progressive movement to free his hands. Those who form public opinion—from journalists to politicians—rely on the notion of “the center” to decide what is reasonable, responsible and moderate. He needs a multitude of voices and pressures demanding his budget be enacted, and more. The core of this movement should be students—those with the passion, the time and most importantly a vested interest in a prosperous future. Read the news, read some blogs and talk to your friends. Organize! Get involved in Campus Climate Challenge, Young Democrats, or start your own group. Coordinate events and petitions. Write letters and Op-Eds. Attract media coverage and make your own media. Build coalitions. In order to pass the New Deal, Franklin Roosevelt required a strong movement demanding sweeping change. Today we have a social safety net and middle class to thank for it. President Obama now needs his movement. Let’s get to work.

March 05, 2009

op-ed

Whitman College Pio neer

Beauty as a religion: Put away that iPod, and reflecting on life’s wonders pick up a garden spade

I’ve never really had a concrete belief system with which to view the world. My parents are agnostic, and they’ve always tried to expose me to a variety of religious Miles ideas without emphasizPengilly ing a particular ideColumnist ology. Their n o n prescriptive approach has forced me to scrutinize the teachings of various religions and choose what works for me. I’m not suggesting that most people who are born into religious h families uncritit cally adopt the relir gion of their parents. , However, I do think d it’s easy for someone s to continue following a set of principles - instilled in childhood and constantly reinforced by their e parents and other fellow believ. ers. - My college education—both inside and outside the classroom— - has forced me to contemplate the y purpose of existence. As I’ve strugd gled to reconcile the many conflicting phi- losophies I’ve been exposed to over the years, e I sometimes find myself wishing for the kind h of concrete guiding principles that faith in a l religion can provide. - On some level everyone wants to know that s they are taking advantage of the precious, mi. raculous gift of life. Without a belief system , that affirms the things you deem worthwhile, - it’s easy to become frustrated and dissatiss fied with the endless minutia—paying bills, checking e-mail or doing laundry—that eats up so much of our time on Earth. - Last spring I finally began to develop a cot herent life philosophy of my own. The inspiration didn’t come in a religious text or house of worship, but in an assigned text for my Eng-

lish class. In the conclusion of his work The Renaissance: Studies in Art and Poetry, the obscure literary critic/philosopher Walter Pater outlines his view on the meaning of life. Don’t worry, I won’t torture you with a sample of his verbose, convoluted prose. His argument is essentially that life is composed of a series of perpetually fleeting moments. There is beauty to be found in each one of these moments but you must be able to recognize it. According to Pater, the purpose of existence is to experience as many of these beautiful moments as possible. Supposedly, if you can resist the blinders of familiarity, you can experience beautiful moments in even the most mundane circumstances. Everyone can find beauty in a sunset, but the ultimate goal is to be able experiDouglas ence beauty even when you’re doing something as distasteful as slaving away in the library. Pater’s ideas speak to me in a way that no religious dogma ever has. Nobody knows for sure what happens when we die, and I simply can’t justify basing my actions on a system of reward and punishment that takes effect in the afterlife. I want to experience life’s myriad sensations and phenomena to the greatest possible extent. It seems to me that searching for beauty in every moment is the most worthwhile use of our incredibly brief, precious lives. To that end, each week I’m going to describe a moment and explain why it’s beautiful. We privileged Whitties take a lot for granted. All of us could benefit from taking a little time to reflect on the wonders that surround us.

Americans are in a pickle er eco-conscious European countries are even right now—economically planning to convert their oil plants to coal-fired and environmentally— plants—the dirtiest fuel on earth. Wait … so, why are we resting our fate in the and the pressure is on to find a solution. hands of uninvented technology that may or may With the passage of not actually work? his stimulus plan, Obama I’ll tell you why. As long as technology is the urged Congress and the solution, humans aren’t. It’s too easy to say that Sophia American people to invest there’s no point in buying a hybrid now because SADY Columnist in ourselves to invent the the future model will be way more efficient. And technology that will save don’t forget that it’s that scientist guy’s job to us. I don’t disagree, but in our rush to avert our figure out how to clean up technology, not your impending doom, let’s not forget the role that problem. Maybe our reliance on technology is the probtechnology has already played in how we got this desperate. lem. It allows people to shift the burden of the If Americans weren’t reliant on the newest climate crisis from themselves and their social technologies for convenience, old generation iP- responsibility to the smart guys who can make ods, laptops, and cell-phones would not be fill- the big difference. The big differences may be really important in ing up our landfills and leaching pollutants into the long run, but the little differences are the ones aquifers. If mining technology had not advanced, our that we will benefit from in our lifetimes. This is the message that Terry Tempest Wilnatural minerals and precious metals would not liams and other authors are trying to spread be overexploited. across the nation. They If a saw blade did urge Americans to look not spin, loggers Maybe our reliance closer at their surroundwould not be able to on technology is the ings and enjoy and apdeplete natural forests problem. It allows people to preciate the bounty of and rainforests faster shift the burden of the clithe land. than they can grow. mate crisis from themselves Williams writes that If chemicals had not if we listen to the land, been engineered, they and their social responsibiliwe will know what to would not pollute ecoty to the smart guys who can do … cryptic. But that’s systems. make the big difference.” just how it is with naIf the engine did not burn, there would be ture writers. On Sunday no emissions. evening in Washington Don’t get me wrong, without technological ad- D.C. she also said that our power lies in the love vancements in renewable energy options, things of our homelands … a little more to the point. would be much worse. I’m just saying that maybe If one appreciates the land, they will want to we shouldn’t put all our eggs in one basket. protect it—adamantly. Love of our land is one Remember how when we rely on one solu- of the biggest motivators for dramatic action and tion—like, oh, I dunno, coal energy—and don’t change; and was seen on Monday when over diversify our options, we get screwed in the long 2,000 passionate people rallied in D.C. to protest run? energy from coal and lobby their legislators to Not only have technological advances histori- help make a difference. cally harmed the environment, we’re not even We need to invest ourselves in the land and sure if new ones will work. As technology “im- not just throw money at technology. We cannot proves” and becomes “cleaner,” no tangible replace the burden on anyone but ourselves to find sults have been reported. solutions to climate change. Many of the world’s leading nations in “greenPolitical will and motivation combined with ing” are reporting equal if not higher emissions technological advancements that will help solve from international energy auditors. In response the climate crisis will help each person stay into ever rising demand for energy, Italy and oth- volved and motivated.

Whitman College Pio neer

Op-ed

March 05, 2009

If you do not care, we Food recall and the could really care less executive privilege What does it mean to get in a way that reproduced dominant political idecrunk? To many, crunk ology in the United States. Artists like R.Kelly is an advanced state of and Sisqó helped shift the discourse of popular intoxication from alco- rap music to being about cash, cars and ho’s. This isn’t to diminish the important and hol, to others, it’s a musical genre. Some people beautiful work of artists like L’il Kim and Miswant to live and die sy Elliot, but rather to suggest that they did not Spencer crunk and this is where significantly alter the prevailing discourses and JANYK things start to get really often contributed to them. Columnist interesting. The latest stage of rap is exemplified in L’il I think crunk can be Jon’s “D***” when he says “If you don’t give much more than music. Crunk can be a design a d***, we don’t give a f***.” Rather than focusing on making revolutionary change or inchoice, a lifestyle, a philosophy.* What does a crunk philosophy look like? tegrating into dominant societal structures, L’il To answer that question I want to broadly di- Jon just wants to be crunk. Being crunk means vide hip-hop music much more than sipinto three conceptual pin’ Patrón: It means Being crunk means movements. that we have already giving a nod to those Most, if not all, won. Crunk is compopular hip-hop has who came before and the munity. It strips down originated focusing way they thought, but reprethe beat and has no reon identifying areas spect for its elders. sents a desire to formulate of oppression in sociCrunk is frequently ety and speaking out one’s own community and criticized by highabout that oppression. sense of reality.” minded Whitties and Groups like Public Enothers as degenerate, emy and Grandmaster inarticulate and vioFlash developed nuanced and powerful criti- lent. Well, if you don’t give a damn, I don’t give cisms of systemic forms of white supremacy a fuck. Crunk is a voice that is oriented towards that often functioned invisibly. the future; towards friends and family; towards This is not to say that revolutionary rap mu- having a good time; towards gettin’ low. sic is gone. Far from it; there are still excellent Being crunk means giving a nod to those who came before and the way they thought, but groups like Dead Prez or The Coup that continue the legacy of PE and KRS and formulate represents a desire to formulate one’s own community and sense of reality. incisive criticisms of traditional politics. So awrite Whitman: let’s get crunk. Dominant forms of hip-hop shifted rapidly from the Public Enemy model. In the early *Thanks to Nicholas Brady, a friend I have nineties, rap went mainstream. Many artists yet to meet. abandoned a focus on social justice and rapped

Most Americans still do not know the full extent of the recent peanut food recall. I ask you: what is the role of government in a society? Recent events Bryant have brought to attention FONG the contamination of difColumnist ferent foods. Before, the outbreak concerned spinach, then cows and now it’s salmonella-ridden peanuts. Many Americans still do not know the full range of products affected by the recent recalls of products from the National Peanut Corporation. As the NPC makes everything from pet foods to ice cream, the outbreak goes beyond peanuts. Now what does this say about government? It could be that there is too much bureaucracy or perhaps not enough. However, there needs to be a balance since too much intervention might cause inefficiency. This means that the problem here is not the system and administration. The problem lies in the guidelines and procedures. It might seem obvious that the government should mandate food recalls whenever they want. This seems that the government is getting itself too deeply involved in corporate situations. When the government becomes too involved in a certain business sector, it makes that sector inefficient, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The goal of the government is to protect the

rights of the people. This goal can be achieved through the effectiveness and expediency of executive privilege. Obama should be able to make decisions that respect and respond to what the public needs without the hassle of congressional approval, or lobbyist interests. Currently the rules and wording of the recalls have to be approved by the company before the FDA can publish the warning. The FDA relies on cooperation from vendors even if they are under criminal investigation. In the case of the most recent salmonella outbreak, the government knew about the affected products before they were recalled by the NPC. Tests in January 2007 showed traces of salmonella. However, nothing could be done until the peanut cooperation decided to recall (injuryboard.com). With the application of the executive privilege, Obama will be able to mandate a recall without consent from the company, or companies and make operations more efficient. The contaminated products will be off the store shelves faster and not become an escalating problem. As seen in previous situations of spinach and beef, a quick response saves more hassle and eliminates other procedures, such as company approval, that might delay the recall of a product. Obama needs to learn from former president Bush that the effective usage of the executive privilege can make government operations much more efficient. If you are concerned that your foods might be related in any way to this recent outbreak, please check ( www.fda.gov ).

Whitman should get more involved in environment HONEYBEES, from page 12

by the civil rights movement and apartheid struggle. Further, from the holistic perspective of global biodiversity, no challenge has ever even remotely resembled global climate change. During civil rights movement, ordinary people reexamined their beliefs and changed their habits. They suffered and sacrificed. To win this unprecedented fight against climate

change, we all must sacrifice as well. Our compatriots around the world are already dying for the struggle; it’s the least we can do. This means sacrificing time and energy: write letters to your Congressperson and energy company, educate yourself about the causes and solutions of climate change, perform direct actions, and inform others of the necessity to get involved. This means sacrificing old habits: turn off your lights when-

ever you don’t need them, eat local food even when it costs more, and think twice before buying another worthless piece of plastic. The wonderful thing about the climate movement is its breadth. It intersects so many fields—biology, chemistry, engineering, human rights, architecture, social organization, education, geopolitics—that absolutely nobody reading this has an excuse not to participate. I used to think just caring about the envi-

ronment was enough. No longer. Only action will bring the necessary change. Our collective sacrifices can and will fuel a progressive, equitable and sustainable future. So, Whitman, please get involved. We live on a self-aware, liberal campus, but there is still much work to be done (remember our C on the environmental report card)? As green jobs crusader Van Jones says, the human race faces a choice. Will we be locusts or honeybees?

FEATURES

MARCH 05, 2009

15%

N O

WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER POLL DATA AND QUOTATIONS ON

I K N OW A FACT O R T WO

17, 18 COLLECTED BY S HANNON B UCKHAM

N O

27%

20%

V E RY W E L L INFORMED

25% S L I G H T LY INFORMED Y ES

do you think

men can be feminists?

wellinformed about

73%

are you

Y ES

97%

feminist issues?

40%

do you consider yourself a feminist ?

M O D E R AT E LY INFORMED

FEMINISM: E X P L O R I N G

the s e c o n d S

MARCH 05, 2009

t s i n i m G e f N I D N R S TA

FEATURES

co m m entary:

UN DEm i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g s

Gabriela Salvidea

t a place like Whitman I can begin to understand why feminism may seem passé: all the hyphenated last names and students with high-powered mothers present the façade of egalitarianism as cultural norm. This campus norm betrays my own background and I’m sure the background of many others here—but most important, it betrays the background of most other women in the U.S., not to mention the world. My last name is my father’s, though he played no role in raising me, and my mom was always primarily a housewife, who now, postdivorce, is finding it nearly impossible to get a career off the ground. Some people snicker at feminists, wondering what women really have t o

ALD

complain about now that they can vote, abort and work. But such a view presupposes that feminism is just the domain of white and affluent or middle-class women. “Feminism,” for college students, invokes images of women marching indignantly in the 60s. In other words, it invokes images of the experiences of their own privileged mothers, protesting at a college or fiercely choosing a career in law instead of teaching, and leads to the conclusion that the work is done. Of course, even when feminism is conflated with whiteness and privilege, critiqued narrowly, the work, indeed, is not done. “The need for feminism is not over in developed countries. Even in the United States we still have women making 70 cents on the male dollar, approximately,” said Professor of Religion Melissa Wilcox. “I was just told yesterday about some research that’s come out confirming that advertising encourages men to view women as objects. We still have huge problems with eating disorders, especially in college-aged women. There are all kinds of reasons why feminism still is very relevant.” A quick glance at feminist blogs like Salon’s Broadsheet or Feministing makes clear there’s enough daily sexism to offer an overabundance of fodder for feminism critique. Despite that I come to feminism from a different place than many college students, I still recognize the value of feminism even when it doesn’t completely speak to my background. Those who suggest that it’s third world, not first world, women who face legitimate sexist battles, citing genital mutilation for instance, are misguided. “We really do have women and children living in third world conditions here in the U.S., this is so much more difficult to admit. It is easy to otherize and say, look

how backwards that country is! We’re all set in America! Let’s go help those backwards people out! Then to say, holy shit. We have a lot of problems here in the states, and we’re not dealing with them,” said junior Amelia Rose-Singer. “I know that sounds awful in a lot of ways, because I am supposed to be a liberal, worldly, open-minded person who cares about human rights around the world. but while Whitman students (or insert any college campus or community) are raising money for children in Africa, there are really fucked up problems just a few blocks away that people can be helping with. By highlighting oppressions countries away, are you helping or just furthering oppression of that population by inserting your own value system of right and wrong,” she said. “I find the presuppositions of this exercise itself offensive. I am not sure why your purpose cannot be served by simply debating whether the battle for feminism in the West has been won without juxtaposing ‘our progress’ with ‘their backwardness,’ wrote Professor of Politics Shampa Biswas in an e-mail. A rift exists between first world and third world feminists because of first world feminists’ well-meaning but clumsy and insensitive attempts to “save” or help third world feminists by imposing their values on them. “First world feminists should not be dictating to third world feminists what feminism is or what a feminist issue is, but rather should be listening to and hearing third world feminists on that question,” said Wilcox. It is important to recognize that many people who use the word feminism are using it narrowly. “So if you define it that way, that makes it clear that what you mean by feminism when you use it as an unmarked term—that in itself is interesting—you do mean white and middle or upper class. But even then, feminism is still not irrelevant,” said Wilcox.

WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER

know what you’re thinking when you read the title. A rant about how working women have destroyed the nuclear family. Or as Pat Buchanan wrote in a 1983 syndicated column, “Rail as they will about ‘discrimination,’ women are simply not endowed by nature with the same measures of single-minded ambition and the will to succeed in the !ercely competitive world of Western capitalism.” This is not what I am saying. I fully support feminism and its impact on the world. I appreciate the fact that I am not expected to pop out kids and cook a pot roast for my husband. However, the oppression of women is not the only form of oppression that exists. How could it be? Social problems ranging from gender bias, racism, religious intolerance, poor education or socio-economic inequality are interconnected. To privilege one over another is a mistake. It is so easy for white, af"uent women, in which I include myself, to overlook this. I have the gift of cultural capital. Literacy, access to information and a supportive environment all contribute to my ability to understand that oppression of white, af"uent women is still alive and that even something as simple as thinking my vagina smells bad is a type of oppression. As a result, I am able to stand up in room full of strangers and declare that my vagina smells like roses, as is done in “The Vagina Monologues” of which I participated in my !rst-year. I think that “white girl feminism” is still relevant. Eating disorders and rape still occur regardless of class or race, thus feminism cannot die. Yet, identity and ideology don’t exist in a vacuum. I am a feminist because I have cultural capital, not because feminism is the highest and most true ideology. Don’t assume your support of feminism, or any belief for that matter, for this reason. There is always a reason. Here is my challenge to you: self-examine. Understand yourself and where you’ve come from. When you start see why you believe the things you do, identifying other forms of oppression in your life will be easier. Your feminist attitudes are a great place to start.

Autumn m ccartan

T O W A R D S

I don’t feel safe wa lking around at night in a short ski rt. ...If I stil l feel less safe at night in a city tha n a ma n does, we haven’t reached our goa l.

I am a woman, but I am not a feminist.

cha l leng e y o u r AT T co m m e ntar y:

I T U DES

Feminism

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male feminism: T

he face of feminism has changed dramatically since its conception. The age of second-wave feminism, an age of bra burning, “The Feminine Mystique,” and most importantly the exclusion of men, has transformed into a complex and inclusive movement. The most dramatic inclusion of that movement? Men. While men have taken part in each “wave” of the movement, criticism towards these men have followed. Men involved were viewed, particularly in the second-wave movement by both feminists and non- feminists alike, as either attempting to “get into the pants” of women participants or join out of sexual self-hatred. Even today, men who consider themselves feminists !nd themselves criticized, though mostly by people outside of the movement. Texas Technical University “The Daily Toreador” columnist and self- proclaimed feminist James Hershberger addresses these issues in his article “Fight for her rights: Male feminism is no oxymoron.” Questions such as “did you join just to meet women?” and jabs hinting at his “emasculation” frequently bombard him. However, he maintains that his interest in women’s issues stem from a !rm belief and admiration of feminist causes. “The long, impressive history of the feminist has earned respect,”

commentary By CJ Wisler

com mon g rou nd even in controversy

men. Male feminists seek to educate other men about the feminist movement and advocate the feminist principles of freedom, love, unity, cooperation, harmony, equality, and compassion. While it still holds on to its traditional notions of equality for women, the addition of the Y chromosome helps push feminism to a more inclusive and stronger movement than ever. That is positive progress.

For a woman to be “equal” to a man, it would necessitate her complete negation of her feminine sexuality, of the differences in her life that make her acceptance not just a simple gesture of inclusion in a patriarchal society.

ALDEN

We still receive lower pay than our male counterparts and are judged as being weak, overemotional, and incapable of thinking rationally. Even places like Whitman still don’t offer maternity leave. Having a child shouldn’t prevent a woman from advancing her career.

writes Hershberger. “Because of the brave female and male feminists, the antiquated notion of submissive roles has been disposed of.” Students across the Whitman campus responded that male feminism is a positive development and, in fact, one that is necessary to achieving gender equality. “I certainly hope men can be feminists,” said senior gender studies major and male feminist Gus O’Malley in an e-mail response. “My understanding of feminism is that it promotes equality between genders… If men aren’t allowed to be feminists [then] I think that really misses the point. Men should be encouraged to be feminists if any change is going to happen towards gender equality.” “Of course men can be feminists,” said junior Stephanie Silver, who is currently on a leave of absence from Whitman and responded via e-mail. “Feminism is for those who believe in gender equality, not the dominance or superiority of females and female traits. Men can support the cause for gender equality out of a belief that justice bene!ts all; we all know that causes that don’t seem to directly bene!t ourselves are often still worthy to support.” Men and women gave an overwhelming verbal nod at male feminists and the hope that men would, as senior Anastasia Zamkinos said in her e-mail, “wear the title ‘feminist’ with pride.” The title of “male feminist” does not try to reinforce the patriarchal notion that “the little women must be helped.” Rather, male feminists attempt to sympathize with women, seeing them as human equals rather than damsels in distress. It is not a movement for emasculated, self-hating

MARCH 05, 2009

Sports

T H ROUGH T H EI R EY ES:

the starting pitcher

When a pitcher winds up and throws—his jaw hard-set, his eyes bearing down on the opponent, his instant burst from stillness to rearing back and firing—it brings to mind the image of a gunslinger from the wild west. And in fans’ minds as well as theirs, the experience can be just as intense. Set at both the literal and figurative center of a baseball game, starting pitchers establish the tone for an entire team. They face a unique challenge in dictating every play of every inning while on the mound. The ball, and thus the game, will always start in their hands. Naturally the position brings with it a great deal of pressure. But it is exactly this aspect of taking charge and controlling the action that starters find so energizing. “The most enjoyable thing is being in control,” said junior Blaine Mercado, a pitcher on the Whitman varsity squad. “I set the tone for the intensity, the pace of the game.” Starters, though, must also attempt to pitch for most or all of a game. Thus, part of the job description asks them to maintain this energy for an extended period of time. “The biggest challenge of being a starter is that you have to make sure you’re efficient with your pitches,” said Pete Stadmeyer, a senior Whitman pitcher. “You have to make sure you’re not out of gas by the fourth inning.” To possess this type of stamina requires a substantial amount of training, some of which occurs before a starter even laces up his cleats. In addition to rehearsing the mechanics and accuracy that pitching so highly demands, Stadmeyer and Mercado each noted that they spend time between starts running, weightlifting and working out. All this physical training leads up to game day, upon which mental and emotional preparation, including combating nervousness,

Reporter

takes as much of a precedent as the physical aspect. “A few hours before the start is when I begin to feel the butterflies,” said Stadmeyer. “I’ve been doing this forever, but I still get that nervous feeling and the adrenaline rush when I take the field.” “I prepare mentally before the start by thinking about things I need to do: attacking the strike zone, getting ahead of hitters and locating pitches,” said Stadmeyer. But getting onto the mound and into the groove can create an outlet for a starter’s tension to be released. Mercado sees the actual game as an active, freeing experience after his introverted pre-game habits. “Once the game starts I can let my energy go,” said Mercado. “I don’t iso-

by Noah Moskat

by J. Staten Hudson

loss. At the time, Washington (St. Louis) was ranked Reporter ninth in the nation. They would go onto win the Despite a valiant effort, the Whitman women’s University Athletic Association (UAA) champibasketball team suffered a thrashing at the hands onship and receive an automatic bid to the NCAA of George Fox in their first playoff game since the tournament. “My favorite game, and I’m sure most girls 05-06 season. Losing 85-47, the game put an end on the team agree, was against Washington Unito an otherwise solid season. The game was never really close, with George versity in preseason,” said junior Michelle Krall. Fox surging to a 10-point lead in the opening min- “They were ranked and we all came out with enutes and maintaining a cushion of no less than 26 ergy to play the game we know how to play and we beat them.” points throughout the game. Midway through the season, the team hit a few “George Fox was not one of our best games,” said first-year player Jennifer Keyes. “I think we speed bumps, dropping three consecutive games were all a little disappointed with the way the to conference rivals Lewis and Clark, Pacific, and game turned out and the way our season ended. George Fox. The team reI think we all bebounded, winning lieved we could five of their next compete with six conference them and even beat games to finish the them. They are unseason at 18-8. defeated and they “I think we just are a good team but reached a point I think they were where we were all definitely beatable getting tired and —we just weren’t we lost a little bit the team to beat of the continuity them.” that we started the With the loss, season with,” said the players were Keyes about the able to reflect on string of losses. “It the season. took us a couple of In a preseason weeks, a couple of coaches’ poll, the games to get back Whitman women on track, but we were picked to eventually did.” finish first in the Looking ahead Northwest Conferto next season, the ence, ahead of both team is excited to George Fox and riget into the weight val UPS. “It was flattering kim room and to improve on their to be picked num- Jenele Peterson, ‘11, pictured above, joins Rebecca Sexton, ‘11, on the All-NWC Second-Team. Hilary White, ‘10, earned game. ber one but we all All-NWC First-Team honors. All three return next season. “What’s done is knew that we still done,” said Keyes, had to prove ourselves to the rest of the league,” said Keyes. “I “Now we’ll just have to get back in the gym and think it gave us some confidence to start the sea- the weight room in the off-season to get better for son with but it also put a little bit of a target on us next year.” With no seniors, Whitman will return every going into it as the team to beat.” In a preseason game against Washington Uni- player on this year’s roster. That continuity will versity Whitman proved they deserved their be an advantage for the Missionaries come next number one ranking, handing the Bears a 72-60 season.

Disappointing loss ends women’s basketball season

Whitman College Pio neer

March 05, 2009

late myself. I try to b e part of the game.” That said, it is also critical to maintain firm concentration on the task at hand. “I try to keep the same approach throughout the game,” Stadmeyer said. “[Whether] things are going well or against me I still try to execute one pitch at a time. It’s when you lose focus and start thinking a few pitches ahead that things can get away from you.” In the midst of this very singular experience, starters remember that they have a team around them, that they have not been abandoned on the mound. But being the pitchers they are, their eyes ultimately hone in on the individual matchup—the duel from which only one, themselves or the batter, emerges victorious. “Each pitch is a ‘mano a mano’ battle with the hitter,” Stadmeyer said. “And to win that battle is a great feeling of satisfaction.” Gunslinger, indeed.

sports

Whitman College Pio neer

The

FullCourt Press

commentary

Andy Jobanek and Billy Low Sports Editor & Reporter

Andy: Several major league players will not be joining their respective ball clubs. It’s not due to lack of talent or a steroid scandal, but rather due to their participation in the second World Baseball Classic ever. In the inaugural classic in 2006, Japan triumphed 10-6 over Cuba in the championship game. As a result, Daisuke Matsuzaka introduced the gyro ball to the American media and soon entered the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox. Still, while the classic benefited Dice-K’s pockets and added fodder to the eternal Yankees-Red Sox debate, the success of the first tournament remains questionable. The purpose of the classic, according to the official Web site, was to expand the global interest of the game. However, while television ratings in the United States were strong, the tournament did nothing in the regions of the world that don’t currently play baseball. Soccer is a global sport with every livable continent represented at the World Cup and Basketball has already expanded across the globe as well. However, at the World Baseball Classic,

March 05, 2009

world baseball classic begins

only three regions have genuine interest in baseball. Teams from the Netherlands, Italy, South Africa and Australia will compete this year, but East Asia, North and Central America will always dominate the world of baseball. While I’m excited for more competitive baseball then spring training ball, I’ll take my brand new Oregon Duck baseball team over a wannabe world cup. Billy: The World Baseball Classic is struggling to reach the status of soccer’s World Cup, but it would be unfair to dismiss the Classic as a failure to promote baseball in only its second year. That countries such as the Netherlands and Italy are participating suggests they now have a greater interest in baseball than they have in years past. In countries that do not have well-established pro leagues, the Classic gives players a chance to compete at a high level. Whether or not it earns prestige, it still provides baseball with a model to refine in the future. Fear of embarrassing itself or waiting for the perfect tournament will only restrict baseball from ever starting a global campaign like the NBA’s. Because the Classic takes place during the MLB’s spring training, it also doesn’t require

The 2009 World Baseball Classic begins Thursday, March 5. 16 nations are competing in the tournament, which holds games in Toronto, Tokyo, Mexico City, Puerto Rico and the United States. The Classic ends with the finals on March 23.

MLB players to play significantly more baseball than they normally would. The Classic requires players to decide between their commitment to their pro team and their country. But with baseball eliminated from the Olympics, the Classic is the only chance for players to represent their country in a worldwide tournament. Andy: Billy, there’s just something about baseball that’s not going to make it an international game. First of all, there’s no such thing as pick-up baseball. Sure, we’ve all seen “The Sandlot,” but generally, playing baseball is a costly event. You need a bat, a ball, mitts and a diamond. For soccer and basketball, all you need is the ball and the goals/hoops. That ease builds an infrastructure of talent that feeds into the national teams that baseball will never copy. Baseball’s required space and equipment already precipitated a decline in

the sports within large urban centers in America and will prevent the growth of the game abroad. All that said, however, I’m still going to follow the classic, so let’s talk about the United States’ chances in the tournament. The United States will play a double round robin against Canada, Italy and Venezuela and the top two teams at the end will advance to the elite eight. Of the four teams in the pool, the United States and Venezuela advanced in 2006, while Canada and Italy went home. I predict that the same two teams will advance again this year, but Canada did beat the U.S. 8-6 in opening round of classic in 2006, so they’d be a team to watch out for early on. Ultimately, I see the United States making it into the final four due to their relatively weak side of the bracket. Japan, South Korea and Cuba—all final four teams in 2006—are all on the other side of the bracket. However, that’ll be the end for the United States in the tournament when their serious lack of pitching depth behind ace Roy Oswalt will catch up to them. Even in the early rounds, the United States will have to rely on the bats of Derek Jeter, David Wright, Jimmy Rollins and Dustin Pedroia to survive.

Game of the week: women’s tennis v. Linfield by Rachel Hoar Reporter

Linfield carries a 102-match conference winning streak into their game against Whitman this weekend. Linfield has won the past seven conference championships, and is one of the two undefeated teams this season in the Northwest Conference, the other is Whitworth. “I think it’s going to be one of the toughest matches of our season,” said first-year tennis player Charlotte Scott. In the past Whitman has been a strong competitor in the conference, but has fallen short of beating Linfield. “For the team, there’s this big mental block… teams in the past have had this idea that Linfield is going to win,” said new women’s tennis coach John Hein. New coaching has added a new element to the season as Hein has fit in well and helped develop the team. “John’s a great guy, and also a really phenomenal motivator,” said sophomore tennis

player Elise Otto. Hein has implemented a new training regimen, which includes motivation sessions, increased on-court fitness training, and weight lifting. It has produced notable improvements in the team’s playing. “Our first weekend of matches I had one of my toughest matches of the season and I really felt faster, I felt a lot stronger throughout the match,” said Otto. Another difference this year is the team’s depth. The women’s tennis team did not graduate any seniors, and has gained three firstyears, among other players. The talent is widespread throughout the team. “We’ve probably got the most experienced team up and down the lineup in the conference,” said Hein. “A lot of the other teams, their talent is in the freshmen and sophomores.” Linfield is one of these teams, having lost a few talented seniors this year. “They [Linfield] are strong at the top, but we’re really deep,” said Otto. “[The match] really could go either way.” The team’s preparation this year and their

jacobson

Competing at a variety of singles and doubles seeds, Divneet Kaur, ‘10, will be a key contributor behind singles No. 1 Elise Otto, 11.

new training regimen should help the Whitman women to overcome what they perceived

as poor sportsmanship from Linfield players in matches last season. “Last year I could not have been more disappointed in Linfield’s sportsmanship and team dynamics,” said Otto. “They’re a really hard team to play emotionally as well as tennis-wise.” Whitman is still developing early in the season, and is working hard to improve. “We’re still trying to figure out our lineup,” said Hein. “From last year, we [also] need to be more confident and play better doubles.” “There’s a lot riding on it, but also it’s not the end of the world [if we lose],” said Otto. Whitman will have a chance to play Linfield again at the end of the season when the Wildcats travel to Whitman on Friday, April 3. While this match is important, the women are focusing on peaking at the end of the season, going into the conference championships. Conference matches place teams in the championships, but it’s their playing within the championship matches that place them in nationals.

sports

March 05, 2009

Whitman College Pio neer 21

Chasing the dream: soccer pair go to England by Jamie Soukup Editor-in-Chief

Unlike many Whitman students hitting the road next week for spring break, when seniors Brett Axelrod and Stephen Phillips leave campus, their “vacations” will be anything but relaxing. Last season’s two soccer captains will be spending the two-week break in England, training with different British soccer teams, as a first step to a potential professional career. On the trip, Axelrod and Phillips will stay in Newcastle Town, near Manchester. They will train with three teams: Newcastle Town Football Club, a semi-pro team, Crewe Alexandra, a professional team and Stoke City Football Club, an English Premier League team. The Premier League is the top-ranked league in Britain and arguably the best soccer league in the world. The training is a special opportunity for Axel-

kim

Stephen Phillips, ‘09, on Brett Axelrod, ‘09: “Brett is a pretty intense guy. He is definitely dedicated to things he really wants. He’s a really loyal friend and a really good goalkeeper. I hope he makes something.”

by th

umbers en

rod and Phillips, who will leave March 15 and return March 23. They will train with the hope of being invited back for the summer and eventually asked to sign with a team. “It’s pretty cool that we can get this opportunity at a liberal arts school. It’s not like the first priority

Even if nothing more came of it, how can you regret doing something like this?” -Mike Washington, men’s soccer head coach

at Whitman is to go play soccer,” said Phillips. “I’ve always wanted to play professional soccer, but it’s one of those things that you just have to get lucky about—it’s not something you can really count on,” Phillips added. Phillips and Axelrod led Whitman to a second place finish in the Northwest Conference (NWC) and to the brink of a berth into the NCAA tournaments this fall. Axelrod, a goalkeeper, was named the NWC Defensive Player of the Year. He is the first Whitman player to have received the Player of the Year honor for either offense or defense. Phillips, a midfielder and the team’s leading scorer for the past three seasons, was also named to the All-Conference First-Team with Axelrod. Men’s head soccer coach Mike Washington and Washington’s friend and former English professional soccer player, Ray Evans, organized the trip. Washington began looking into possible postgraduation opportunities for the two before the season ended. He had taken the men’s soccer team to England in previous years, most recently in 2007, and contacted Evans about possibilities for the two players. “I made a call to him, and he made a call to someone, and it kind of snowballed from there,” Washington said. Beginning plans for the trip were mapped out before Christmas. Since the season ended, Axelrod and Phillips, who are friends and housemates, have been busy training. “I actually had the flu and pneumonia in Janu-

ary, and that knocked out a lot of my playing time over the winter break. As a result, my stamina is really low and my energy level is still pretty low. So I’m not playing as well as I could be playing right now, but we’re doing a lot of training just try to be as prepared as we can,” said Axelrod. On top of training, both men are also working on their senior-year major requirements. Axelrod, a sociology major, and Phillips, a studio art major, are working to meet their thesis deadlines of mid-April. “A lot of the art majors are spending spring break here, so I’m trying to get a lot of work done before we go,” said Phillips. Washington admires Phillips and Axelrod for balancing sports with their studies. “I’m very blessed to do what I do with coaching. And in coaching at this level, you just get to appreciate the difficulties involved in education at Whitman and athletics. It takes a lot of dedication,” said Washington. Washington is optimistic about Phillips’ and Axelrod’s impending trip. “I think what you have to do is follow your dream a little bit. If something happens while they’re over there, even better. My hope is that they can just find out what level they’re at. Even if nothing more came of it, how can you regret doing something like this?” Washington said. While both men are excited about the opportunity, they were also cautious about getting hopes up. “Hopefully we just won’t get our butts kicked too much,” Axelrod said, with a laugh, of the upcoming trip. “I would say I expect it to be really, really intense.” “Most likely nothing will come of it. If something happens, it’d be sweet, but being realistic I’m sure it’s pretty competitive. … I just have no idea. Anything could happen,” Phillips said. Depending on how the trip goes, the two will consider other options. Phillips has trained with a soccer team in Utah, and Brett has looked into other U.S. teams, including a Portland squad that he trained with last weekend. Both are keeping other options open for their future, however, and are considering going into a Master of Fine Arts

kim

Brett Axelrod, ‘09, on Stephen Phillips, ‘09: “He’s a great soccer player. He works incredibly hard. I believe in myself completely, but out of the two of us, I would not be surprised in the least if he ends up being invited back over the summer and I didn’t. Just because he’s that kind of a hard worker. You can just sense it when he plays how hard he’s working and how talented he is.”

programs. “I’m going to miss them, because of their leadership,” said Washington of Axelrod and Phillips. “I think both of those two will be great coaches also later on.”

8-10

Number of training sessions Axelrod and Phillips will have in England, with three different teams.

Number of hours estimated Axelrod and Phillips train per week.

Age at which Phillips started playing soccer.

Number of shut-outs Axelrod has posted as a goalkeeper.

Number of goals Phillips has scored.

Whitman College Pio neer

Sports

March 05, 2009

YMCA jogging club offers ‘support group’ to runners by Shannon Buckham

know the specifics of why they Reporter did not succeed, she said that the When life gets a little hectic, it might be time running culture to go running. At Whitman, physical activity in Walla Walla is is a common thing for many students. Finding certainly not as the motivation to get out and actually particiactive as in her pate in that physical activity, however, is difhometown of Euficult when papers and studying for test seems gene, Oregon. more important. Heather Hakes, an employee Despite a lack at the local YMCA has recently started a jogof trails in the ging club that could provide the perfect opcity, the group portunity for students to meet members of the has the potencommunity with similar interests and enjoy tial to increase a good run. and expand the The club is open to all ages, but is targeted outdoor running at this time toward individuals who are racculture in Walla ing the 7.4 mile Bloomsday Race in Spokane. klein Walla. Since the Hakes says that if people want to come run A group of runners jog together in Walla Walla. Heather Hakes started a jogging group has a backthey should have a good base mileage and be club in Walla Walla to offer support for joggers, making it easier to sustain a pace. ground of runable to run for at least 30 minutes. Though the ning knowledge, runs are at an easy to moderate pace, sustainIn the past, Hakes says the YMCA has tried ability for four to eight miles is important. to start up running groups. Though she did not participation would provide a good way to find

some good outdoor runs of various lengths. The group setting provides both inspiration and organization to the sport. “When training for something it is always good to have the support group and the sense of being accommodated,” said Hakes. “In training for a longer race, one long run a week is the hurdle. It is easier to get over the hurdle with the support of others.” Though Hakes does not see herself has the permanent leader of the group, she says that she really enjoys the group setting and will keep the group going if enough people come out. Additionally, she encourages Whitman students to come join them bright and early (for a Saturday) and start the day off right. The club meets: When: Saturdays at 10 a.m. Where: YMCA

Wa-Hi boys’ and girls’ basketball march to state by Elsbeth Otto Guest Contributor

The last time the Walla Walla High School boys’ basketball team went to state, most of the players and their screaming fans were still in elementary school. When the Wa-Hi Blue Devils assured themselves a spot at state with a 50-35 victory over Lewis and Clark High School, players and fans alike responded with appropriate enthusiasm. “Wow! Amazing. We’re ecstatic right now,” said senior guard Mac Richards, describing his feelings to the Union-Bulletin with understandable glee in the immediate aftermath of the victory. While the story for the Wa-Hi girls had a different ending—they were one game shy of a state berth—this season has told an exciting tale for Wa-Hi basketball. The scene in the Blue Devils’ gym on Tuesday, February 24 best exemplifies what the Wa-Hi varsity basketball teams have accomplished this season. On that chilly school night, the line to watch the high school basketball game continued out of the building and spilled into the parking

lot. Parents, siblings, teachers, students, and a few grandparents who were carrying cushy stadium seats, crowded in long before the 6 p.m. tip-off of the girls’ game. In the hot Wa-Hi gym, the pep band clanged their way through the requisite “Tequila” and “Smoke on the Water.” The cheerleaders, meanwhile, screamed the slightly sinistersounding “De-vil pow-er” cheer every chance they got. But on the hardwood, it was all business. The lady Blue Devils were up against threetime, 4A defending state champion Lewis and Clark High. L&C came in 22-1 (103-7 over the past four years), and before the week preceding this match-up with Wa-Hi, they had not lost a game in two years. Clearly, this meant little to the majority of spectators in the WaHi gym who cheered and chanted as the Blue Devils silenced the L&C offense with stifling defense, ultimately upsetting L&C 45-23 on the scoreboard. The sea of blue in the stands came to watch some good basketball and wear out their vocal chords. In return, they witnessed a resounding 70-52 dismantling of arguably the best team in the state, and, of course, a dance

team performance to pop music played at ear-shattering decibel levels. They also got a glimpse of the future in Jamie Weisner. Weisner, a scrappy, blonde freshman spent a large portion of the night popping her bright blue mouth guard in and out, in and out, and the rest of the night scoring 28 points and grabbing 19 rebounds. Sophomore Mikeala Rivard added 23 points. By the time the boys took the floor, the gym was nearly full; the gym’s occupants undoubtedly counted for a measurable percentage of the Walla Walla population. The sizable Wa-Hi boys—most of whom look like they spend their free time lifting combines—made life difficult for the undersized Davis boys, but oh-so-good for the blue in the bleachers. When junior Gary Winston dunked the ball in the second half en route to a 55-44 Wa-Hi victory, even the gaggle of girls in the back, consumed with their furious texting, looked up at the resulting roar. Kids in blue body paint high-fived each other, others in blue capes and gold spandex danced around while the parents clapped enthusiastically from their seats. The Blue Devil teams took different paths

the following weekend: the Wa-Hi boys toppled the L&C boys to earn their first trip to state since 2004; tables turned on the girls as their season ended with a 48-65 loss in a rematch with rival L&C. But the real story for Wa-Hi basketball was Tuesday night--the last home games of the year--when resounding basketball cheers filled every corner of the gym. The Wa-Hi girls end their season with a 22-6 record. The boys improved to 20-7 in the first round of the state tournament by beating Todd Beamer High School on March 4. The boys’ team intends to get one step closer to a championship in the coming days. Wa-Hi girls took home a league championship to hang in the gym while the boys are district champions – only a few wins a way from a state championship. Both teams put two players on the alldistrict teams, and Gary Winston, defensive player of the year, and four of the five starters for the lady Blue Devils will be back next year. As the girls turn in their uniforms and prepare for next season, the story continues for Wa-Hi basketball as the boys suit up for the biggest game yet.

March 05, 2009

SPORTS

Whitman College Pio neer

Hot Bike, Hot club

by Mallory Peterson

Walla Walla University invites you to attend an information meeting for

Master of Social Work {M.S.W.}

c.s.w.e accredited

Walla Walla University

Havstad Alumni Boardroom (upstairs)

5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 8, 2009

Corner of 4th Street and College Ave., College Place Snacks and refreshments will be served Program Features Spiritual Atmosphere 2-day ﬂexible schedule Clinical practice

Areas of Emphasis Children and Families Child Welfare Medical Social Work Mental Health Addictions

79575

“HOTbike was really fun,” said sophomore cyclist Ethan Mansfield. “We had a bunch of Associate Sports Editor really neat costumes like Dorothy and the From daily bike rides to bike fashion shows, Witch, Little Red Riding Hood and a cow. I the festivities of ‘Cycling Week’ reminded basically just rode a bike around in a cow suit. students and community members of the We even had a local band called ‘Pause for EfWhitman Cycling Club’s presence on campus fect’ play. It turned out great considering we sort of threw it together in the last minutes.” and in the community. While Whitman cyclists such as Aldredge An annual celebration, ‘Cycling Week’ events included intensive games of bike polo, and Mansfield agreed that the intention bedaily team rides that were open to community hind the “Cycling Week” festivities was to members and the HOTbike fashion on Thurs- spread awareness of their presence in the day, February 26. Club members also showed community, events also gave club members appreciation for their sport on Sunday, Feb- the opportunity to bond as a team. “Overall, cycling week brought the team ruary 22, by going on a trash pickup ride on their usual routes. They collected around 200 together and also brought a greater awareness [of the cycling team’s presence] to campus,” pounds of garbage. According to sophomore Josh Meuth All- said Mansfield. Jensen agreed. dredge, “the idea behind ‘Cycling Week’ was “From my perspective as a veteran of the to get the campus really excited about cycling […] to expose the Cycling Club to Whitman team, whether this is their intention or not, students and community members in the most [‘Cycling Week’] seemed like a good way to spread cycling love around campus,” said positive light.” Coordinated in part by current Whitman Jensen. “It’s also a really good time to pull cyclists and 2007 Whitman graduate Rebecca the team together. During the fall and winJensen, the HOTbike fashion show provided ter, other sports interfere with attendance; the team solidifies in an opportunity for the Spring.” the Whitman Cy‘Cycling cling Club to express Week’ ultimately their interest in the provided a concommunity. A cyduit to heighten cling activist, Jensen awareness of the teamed up with the cycling culture club on campus to on campus and host the fashion around the comshow as a benefit munity. “[The for the Community goal was to] get Center for Youth. our club’s name After a successout there, to ful fund-raiser for spread awarecommunity cycling, ness, to introJensen and the duce ourselves Whitman Cycling to the commuClub plan to make nity, and make the HOTbike fash[cycling] an acion show an annual cessible sport,” event. They raised said Aldredge. approximately $300. jacobson “People prob“People had a Rachel Hoar, ‘12, models her bike at cycling club’s ably think we are hard time wrapping inaugural HOTbike fashion show. The show helped really exclusive their head around a gain exposure in the community for the club. because we look bike fashion show, but now that people know what it is, more will go so intimidating in our spandex kits, but we really aren’t. By getting more involved with in the future,“ said Jensen. By participating in the bike fashion show, the community this week, we are trying to get Whitman cyclists were able to unwind and the community more involved in us.“ reconnect with their comical side.

Please contact the School of Social Work & Sociology: call {509.527.2590} toll free {800.854.8678} online {socialwork.wallawalla.edu} e-mail {socialwork@wallawalla.edu}

Sports

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Doubles #1: Elise Otto/Margo Lentz (Whitman) def. Madison Holtz/Sam Taylor (UPS) 8-3

Sunday, march 1, 2009

Women’s Tennis: Whitworth University vs Whitman College in Spokane, Wash. Teams Matches Whitworth (9-2, 8-0 NWC) 8 Whitman (6-2, 6-1 NWC) 1 Singles #1: Elise Otto (Whitman) def. Rachel Burns (Whitworth) 6-1, 6-1 Doubles #1: Alli Marshall/Rachel Burns (Whitworth) def. Elise Otto/Margo Lentz (Whitman) 8-3

Elise Otto, ‘11, is the No. 4 rated singles player in the west region after her win at the ITA Northwest Fall Championship.

Whitman Athlete of the Week Elise Otto

kim

SCOREBOARD of the Week

Each week, the sports staff will pick one Whitman athlete who performed exceptionally during the previous weekend. The distinction will be judged both on the individual’s performance and his or her impact on the team.

thursday, february 26, 2009

The Whitman Women’s tennis team played three matches over the weekend, winning two and losing the other to undefeated Whitworth. Sophomore Elise Otto was a large part of the team’s success, winning three matches and losing one in singles and doubles.

Top Scorer: Keisha Gordon, George Fox, 20 points

In Whitman’s first loss of the conference season, Otto was the lone winner at No. 1 singles, triumphing over Whitworth’s Rachel Burns. Otto, rated the No. 4 singles player in the Division III west region, defeated the No. 16 Burns 6-1, 6-1 on Sunday, March 1.

Women’s Basketball: George Fox University vs Whitman College in Newberg, Ore. Score by Periods 1st 2nd Total George Fox (26-0) 53 32 85 Whitman (18-8, 10-7 NWC) 26 21 47

Top Rebounders: Michelle Krall, Whitman, and Kristen Shielee, George Fox, 7 rebounds each

Men’s Tennis: University of Montana (Division 1) vs Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. Teams Matches University of Montana (2-1) 6 #20 Whitman (6-2, 4-0 NWC) 1 Singles #1: Etienne Moshevich (Whitman) def. Colin Dektar (UM) 6-1, 6-7, 13-11 Doubles #1: Mikolaj Borkowshi/Carl Mikolaj (UM) def. Christoph Fuchs/Quin Miller (Whitman) 8-3 Men’s Tennis: Whitman College vs University of Puget Sound in Walla Walla, Wash. Teams Matches #20 Whitman (6-1, 5-0 NWC) 8 Puget Sound (0-8, 0-8 NWC) 1

Top in Assists: B. B. Gardner and Sage Indendi, George Fox, 5 assists each

friday, february 27, 2009 Women’s Tennis: Whitman College vs Pacific Lutheran University in Walla Walla, Wash. Teams Matches #11 Whitman (5-1, 5-0 NWC) 9 Pacific Lutheran (0-5 NWC) 0 Singles #1: Elise Otto (Whitman) def. Ashley Brooks (PLU) 6-0, 6-1 Doubles #1: Katie Oost/Divneet Kaur (Whitman) def. Ashley Brooks/Ashley Coats (PLU) 8-2

A week before last weekend, Otto led Whitman to two blow out wins with two victories in singles and doubles. Her success won her Northwest Conference StudentAthlete of the week honors in women’s tennis.

Saturday, february 28, 2009

by Andy Jobanek

Singles #1: Hadley Debree (Whitman) def. Sam Taylor (UPS) 6-1, 6-1

Women’s Tennis: Whitman College vs University of Puget Sound in Walla Walla, Wash. Teams Matches #11 Whitman (6-1, 6-0 NWC) 9 Pacific Lutheran (1-5 NWC) 0

Singles #1: Adriel Borshanksky (Whitman) def. Jamie Hosmer (UPS) 6-3, 6-2 Doubles #1: Adriel Borshanksky/Jasper Follows (Whitman) def. Jamie Hosmer/Nick Kelly (UPS) 8-6

SCHEDULE for Next Week

Friday, march 6, 2009 Men’s Tennis: Linfield College versus Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., 3 p.m. Game Notes: This will be Whitman’s first real test since their early season victory against Pacific Lutheran University 8-1, February 7. Linfield is the only other undefeated team in conference. Comparatively, Linfield beat last year’s second place team PLU 6-3 earlier this season and took third place themselves. So far, Whitman has only dropped two individual games out of the 45 games in the five matches Whitman

March 05, 2009

has won. Women’s Tennis: Whitman College at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., 3:30 p.m. Game Notes: See game of the week article.

Saturday, march 7, 2009 Baseball: University of Puget Sound versus Whitman College at Borleske Stadium (2 9 inning games), 12 p.m. Game Notes: The Missionaries will open their conference schedule against Puget Sound, last year’s sixth-place team. This game could also be the first appearance of Whitman basketball star Chris Faidley in a baseball uniform. Whitman, with only 16 players at last weekend’s scrimmage, struggled during their non-conference schedule, going 1-5 and giving up an average of over ten runs a game. The Missionaries and Loggers will play the second game of their double header thirty minutes after the completion of their first game.

Sunday, march 8, 2009 Baseball: University of Puget Sound versus Whitman College at Borleske Stadium (2 7 inning games), 11 a.m. Game Notes: For the second straight season, the conference schedule will play two double headers over one weekend. To battle fatigue, however, every game each Sunday will be only seven innings long. In addition to the four games over this weekend, Whitman and Puget Sound also played a non-conference game on February 22. UPS took the game 9-8 after scoring a run in the bottom of the eighth after Whitman led 8-7 heading into the bottom of the sixth. Again, the second game of the double header will be played thirty minutes after the end of the first game. Whitman ace Pete Stadmeyer will start the first game of the double header after going 0-1 in two non-conference starts.

tuesday, march 10, 2009 Women’s Tennis: George Fox University versus Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., 2 p.m. Game Notes: After facing undefeated Whitworth and undefeated Linfield in their last two matches, the Missionaries face 1-5 George Fox. The two teams have already faced each other once before this season with Whitman winning 8-1. The Bruins will likely offer little trouble to Whitman again this time around.

Scoreboard and Schedule courtesy of Dave Holden, Sports Information Director

March 05, 2009

A&E

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‘Knowing’ is half the battle for director Alex Proyas by Mike Sado

as possible.” so far,” he said. The grittier look of Digital filmmaking, with its low cost A&E Editor the film allowed Proyas and accessibility for younger filmmakers will “make film better,” said Proyas. Alex Proyas is not a filmmaker known to to tell the story visually As for working with the actor best known churn out one film after the other, year after in a way that was “unstructured and not confor his Academy Award-winning role in year. “Leaving Las Vegas,” Proyas felt that he In fact, his latest project—“Knowing”— trived.” He cited an experience had found his character in Cage. was a labor of love that took four years to rehe had while watching “[Nicolas Cage] is someone that I’ve rewrite, cast and shoot. ally wanted to work with for a long time The Egyptian-born, Australian director’s Steven Spielberg’s “Savand we’ve almost worked together in the last movie was 2004’s sci-fi thriller “I, Ro- ing Private Ryan” in the theater as an inspiration past but it was obviously about people’s bot.” schedules,” Proyas said. “In this instance, “I like to be involved with the story we’re for the visual style of Nic read the script and loved it, and he too telling as much as possible,” he said in a con- “Knowing.” During the Normandy was very interested in working with me so ference call last Wednesday with the Pioinvasion sequence of it was a great marriage in that respect.” neer. Academy In the film, Cage’s character, John Koes“I just believe it’s an integral part of the Spielberg’s film, tler, believes that there is no meaning in process, and it’s why I take so long getting Award-winning life, and that the universe functions in movies going because I really tinker with the Proyas looked around chaos. screenplay until I’m really satisfied with it,” the theater to see the audience’s reactions to the But as the disasters happen as predicted, he said. Koestler discovers that there may be some In the case of “Knowing,” in which a pro- violence occurring on grand design in the universe after all. fessor played by Nicolas Cage finds that the screen. “I’ve never seen a The theme Proyas said he wanted to contents of a time capsule at his son’s eltouch on with “Knowing” was not environementary school predicts all future events, bunch of stunned faces mental, as demonstrated by other disaster Proyas came in at a later stage around Feb. who were absolutely rivfilms such as “The Day After Tomorrow,” 2005 when the project went into turnaround eted to the horror they were seeing, and I absobut spiritual. at Columbia Pictures. “What I found refreshing about ‘KnowThe rights were sold to Summit Entertain- lutely thought that [film], ing’ is that there’s a course it takes that I ment, and Proyas helped rewrite the spec for me, captured the horreally do believe will take people by surscript by novelist Ryne Pearson with screen- ror of being in that conprise and [hopefully take them to] a very writers Stuart Hazeldine and Juliet Snowden. flict in a way that people satisfying conclusion both dramatically “I like to have as much involvement with haven’t seen at that COURTESY OF Sitges-International film festival and philosophically,” he said. the script as possible. I like to be involved stage,” said Proyas. The horror that Proyas Alex Proyas, 45, directed cult classics “The Crow” and “Dark City” before Proyas hopes that audiences will conwith every aspect of the process really. I like graduating to the big-budget, science fiction hit “I, Robot.” Proyas’ new film, nect with what he calls Koestler’s “spirito have a unique voice. It has to come from wanted to convey can “Knowing,” stars Nicolas Cage. tual quest” throughout the film. someone, so it might as well be me,” said be seen in the trailer of “Knowing.” A plane descends on Cage’s set-up and shoot the plane crash. The scene With “Knowing” being released in theaters Proyas. on March 20, 2009, Proyas is already making The director is typically known for his character before crashing in a field, a se- lasts two-and-a-half minutes. unique visuals, from the grimy, noir-like quence that, Proyas said, caused “no end of “Knowing” also marks another significant plans for his next project. Titled “Dracula: world of cult-hit “Dark City” to the sleek ul- headaches and nightmares” because he shot it change to Proyas’ filmmaking: The entire Year Zero,” the film will trace the origins of in one continuous shot. tra-scientific stylings of “I, Robot.” film was shot digitally using the Red One, a the Dracula legend from Prince Vlad the Im“When you don’t high-resolution digital cinematography cam- paler. For “Knowing,” But Proyas admitted that he’s taking the however, Proyas I like to have a unique have the luxury of era known for its relatively low price in relastopping a shot, and tion to other traditional film cameras. time off to spend it with his baby daughter. ditched his signature, voice. It has to come resetting and doing ultra-stylized directIn addition to driving down the cost of “[It] may be next or may be not, but I can’t tell ing for a more realis- from someone, so it might as it again in easy bite- “Knowing,” shooting on digital film allowed you at this point,” he said. well be me.” sized pieces, you en- Proyas to learn new tricks and shortened the tic look. counter all sorts of production time. “The one thing I -Alex Proyas, film director Knowing issues trying to cowanted to do from “Technically, it’s already revolutionizStarring: Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne ordinate multiple ex- ing [the business], and there’s so many new day one was that I Directed by: Alex Proyas Written by: Alex Proyas, Juliet was aware of the set pieces that were going plosions, multiple stunt people on fire, rain, formats that Red in particular have in the Snowden, Stuart Hazeldine, Stiles to happen, obviously, and I wanted to avoid a a camera that’s pointing 360 degrees [at all pipeline […] that you virtually will be able White sort-of glamorizing of the events [that occur times]. All this stuff makes it particularly to shoot your wide shot on the set and then In theaters March 20, 2009 in the film],” he explained. “I wanted to make difficult to achieve [the shot],” he said. create all your close-ups later on in post-proIt took two days for Proyas and the crew to duction because you can zoom into the image them as visceral and as real and as unsettling

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A&E

March 05, 2009

Ibsen would be displeased with Whedon’s ‘Dollhouse’ Commentary by Mike Sado A&E Editor

Like its main character, Echo (Eliza Dushku), “Dollhouse” is damaged goods. After facing production shutdowns, a retooled pilot, and placement in the Friday night “death slot,” Joss Whedon’s (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Firefly”) latest show has finally hit the air. You can almost hear the Whedonites creating “Dollhouse” fansites and already declaring it the best show on network television. Yet three episodes in, and I’m already fatigued with the “everything-but-the-kitchen-sink” approach applied by Whedon and company. Take the premise, for example: Dushku’s Echo is an “Active,” a sexy (but kick-ass) operative who joins other sexy (but kick-ass) operatives in the top-secret, hush-hush Dollhouse. As an Active, Echo is whored out to powerful clients for various jobs, everything from hostage negotiation to back-up singing to, well, kinky sex. Echo and all the other Actives are able to perform these assignments since their personalities have been erased, allowing their blank minds to be filled with new personalities and memories tailored to their missions. In addition to the A-plot, the show throws in the B-plot of an unscrupulous FBI agent (played

by “Battlestar Galactica’s” Tahmoh Penikett) sense of the world outside of the Dollhouse, but determined to find the elusive Dollhouse by any Penikett is so hard-boiled and tightly wound that means necessary. Did I mention the C-plot which it borders on parody. Then there’s the matron of Dollhouse, Adelle DeWitt (Olivia Williams), involves a rogue Active by the name of Alpha? “Dollhouse” has an interesting idea—a dash of “Alias” here, a bit of “Eternal Sunshine” there—but there’s a lot of front-loading of plot threads that feel like they should be introduced some episodes (or seasons) down when we’re more acclimated to the show’s concept. It’s ambitious, but right now, it lacks cohesion. Echo is supposed to be our entry point Courtesy of ain’t it cool news into the show’s con- Eliza Dushku and the rest of the cast on “Dollhouse,” the new show from “Buffy” cepts, but it’s difficult creator Joss Whedon. New episodes are shown Friday nights at 9 p.m. on Fox. to sympathize with a character that’s essentially a blank slate. Dushku whose notable character quirks so far are icy and isn’t very fun to watch in her different disguises, British-to-the-nth-degree. Often times, too Britand her curvy physique conveys more than her ish (She’s ruthless, you know?). I’d say Echo’s handler, Boyd (Harry Lennix), is ability to emote. Ballard’s side plot adds some

probably the one character that manages to stand out from a cast of unlikable characters. He questions his line of work even though he still takes the paycheck, and he acts as a father-figure for Echo whenever she’s in the line of duty. And of course there’s the Dollhouse itself, a creepy “Logan’s Run”-esque utopia where Actives do tai chi, paint and shower together all day. Self-avowed feminist Whedon explores the exploitation of young, sexy women (and sometimes men) by... exploiting young, sexy women. One scene will have Boyd commenting on the morality of Dollhouse’s operations before flashing to the opening credits, where a nearly naked Echo slips on some leggings set to a Skinemax-like theme. All of these can be easily fixed and expanded upon because, after all, the show just started. But it worries me when star and producer Dushku, whom in a Feb. 27 interview with the Onion’s A.V. Club, says that the show really starts around episode six. To that I ask, “Why not now?” Sci-fi television has come a long way, with shows like “Battlestar Galactica” and “Lost” weaving important themes with their labyrinth storytelling successfully (almost). All of which makes “Dollhouse’s” entry to the genre even less significant. It has as much of an identity crisis about its themes as Echo has with her personality (or lack thereof).

ASWC Monday Night Film Series makes going out to the movies more like a night at home by Rebecca MacFife Reporter

Although Kimball Theater may not have the same smell of buttery popcorn or a long line of previews before each showing like a traditional cinema, it still tries to offer the same social atmosphere of sitting in the dark with friends. ASWC Films screened “Cadillac Records” on Monday, March 2 as part of its Monday night film series. “I was super excited when I found out they were bringing [‘Cadillac Records’],” said senior Shayna Tivona. “I felt like ASWC was listening to what I said when I wrote that I wanted to see more recent, modern movies,” she said.

The films chosen for this semester’s Monday Night Film Series are especially current, many of which, like “Man on Wire” and “Vicky Christina Barcelona,” are screening before their DVD release dates. The ASWC Films Chair is responsible for choosing these films. “Prior to each semester I create a list of films I think would be good to show on campus,” said senior Ben Kegan, this year’s ASWC Films Chair. “I look for films that first and most importantly are good,” he said. “I also look for films that students may not have seen, or may have heard about but did not get a chance to see on the big screen because they did not play in large multiplexes or in Walla Walla.” Kimball Theatre is located at the heart of campus in the Hunter Conservatory, and the films

there are free for Whitman students. The only local multiplex, Walla Walla Grand Cinemas, is located two miles off campus and accepts only cash payment. While Oscar season brought some politically-charged films, such as “Milk” and “The Reader” to Walla Walla, the local cinema tends to show primarily mainstream movies. Whitman film buffs, including Professor of Rhetoric and Film Studies Robert Sickels, have noted the persistent lack of small-scale independent films at Walla Walla Grand Cinemas. Film studies classes taught by Sickels have had to adapt their end-of-semester field trips to whatever film happens to be playing in Walla Walla at the time. Eight years ago, at the request of former college president Thomas Cronin, there was an investiga-

tion into the possibility of Whitman starting its own art house-style cinema. Yet Sickels, who led the investigation, quickly concluded that it was implausible. “There just isn’t a big enough audience in Walla Walla to support an art house movie theatre,” said Sickels. “There was no way an art theatre could make the money required to be self-sufficient.” The ASWC Monday Night Films series isn’t art house experience, but on the plus side, it doesn’t charge students. “Otherwise I would wait until it came out on DVD,” said Tivona. “Or I would wait until summer, and get it at home” The district manager for Hallett Enterprises, who is in charge of movie selection for Walla Walla Grand Cinemas, could not be reached for comment at the time of this writing.

A&E

March 05, 2009

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Art for sake of art Who knew these buttons by Iris Alden Reporter

Nearly two years ago, Walla Walla artist Squire Broel contacted other local artists with the prospect of forming a cooperative gallery. With the commitment of five other members and an office space located at 13 ½ East Main Street, Art Space 1 was born. Currently, Art Space 1 is operated by three artists, two of which are Whitman professors: Broel, visiting professor Mare Blocker and adjunct assistant professor Charly Bloomquist. Walla Walla has a rich community of practicing artists, but there are relatively few spaces to exhibit work. “It’s a pretty thriving art community as far as people who make art, but the venues to show art aren’t so prolific,” said Bloomquist. For its three active members, Art Space 1 fills this need. “I joined because I wanted to contribute to my local arts community and I wanted to have a public space to show my work on a regular basis,” said Blocker. While the Walla Walla wine industry has provided more opportunities for artists to display their work, the wineries typically want to decorate their walls with art that is sure to sell. “It tends to be a little more commercial,” said Bloomquist of the art in the winery galleries. Art Space 1 was founded on the principle not of making money, but of simply showing art. Broel, who is responsible for bringing to Whitman the ever-popular fish sculpture located on Ankeny Field, said, “We are not a gallery whose main purpose is

to generate income, so we are able to take greater risks with our work and can broaden the scope of the viewer’s interaction with the work.” “In a co-op you have more control over what you want to do—you don’t have a gallery saying they can’t show your work because they don’t think they can sell it since it doesn’t go with anyone’s sofa,” said Blocker. Bloomquist’s latest installation, which is having its official opening Saturday, March 7 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., is a fitting example of what Broel described as “work that may not bode well in a more commercialized setting.” “Soul Survivor,” as Bloomquist has titled his piece, is a sparse room with a row of socks pinned to the walls. Each sock is from a pair that lost its partner in the laundry. “Humor can make you aware. That awareness is released in laughter,” said Bloomquist. Bloomquist said he received “tremendous support” from Blocker and Broel for the installation. In some ways, Art Space 1 provides a bridge between the artistic community of Whitman and that of greater Walla Walla. “The relationship is based on the end-goal of an environment for ongoing creativity,” said Broel. “Having faculty show regularly in a local venue makes us seem more integrated into our community…having a place were tourists and locals can meet artists is a good thing,” said Blocker. The exhibition of less commercial and more conceptual art is perhaps the greatest contribution of the Art Space 1 group to the Walla Walla community. “It’s about putting art on the walls. Hopefully people will look at and re-contextualize their lives,” said Bloomquist.

Kim

MUSIC. MERCHANTS. MALAWI. Musicians strum their guitars at a benefit hosted by Walla Walla University’s Amnesty International Club at Merchants Delicatessen on Feb. 25. Donations from the event will go to the renovation of Malamulo Hospital and Medical Arts College in Malawi, Africa.

could be so creepy? Movie Review

by Becquer Medak-Seguin Movie Reviewer

There is something inherently creepy about Tim Burton’s brand of stop-motion animation. Lanky, rag-doll caricatures with unsettling smiles are psychologically much more twisted than the ineffectual “Chucky” trademark, revealing wherein our true fear of dolls lies. We fear that they will tempt us until we become quixotic to the point of no return. We fear that we will begin to love them more than we love humans. And, we fear that they will eventually turn us into one of them. Henry Selick’s (“The Nightmare Before Christmas” “James and the Giant Peach”) new film “Coraline” remarkably taps into these very fears, requiring the audience to let go of that manufactured amnesia toward its childhood years. Childhood, especially for those who had a bad one, makes a vivid return. Better yet, it’s three-dimensional. This was my first 3-D movie and I really had no idea what to expect. I didn’t expect, however, to become nauseous by the end of the movie because of my own optical shortcomings. The 3-D effect is cute, but woefully unnecessary. Especially for a movie like “Coraline,” which only really used the effects to its advantage several times: to make a tunnel, to make a web, and to show a needle. Besides those key scenes, the 3-D effect was a nuisance, so don’t think you’ve lost that pivotal visual “something” if you see this movie without that extra dimension. To my joy, this film was eerily reminiscent of Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Selick and del Toro are doggedly concerned with the nature of children in the intersection between real and fantastical environments. Children, thus, are not innocent bystanders of their enjoyable, flowery world, but active and conscious beings whose mind can be the habitat of painfully astonishing, real dramas. The film follows the story of Coraline (whose name is frequently mispronounced at the consequence of a grunt or two). She is 11 years-old and has recently moved to the Oregon country-

side (not the most entertaining place for a lonely, yet curious girl). To make matters worse, she soon meets a boy named Wybie (the only character who is not in the children’s novella by the same name), who she immediately begins to despise, and her parents are almost always busy and fail to care for her, adding to rampant loneliness. Coraline (played by a slightly unbelievable Dakota Fanning) soon finds a trapdoor that leads to into a parallel world that is far too similar to her own real one. The one difference is that everyone has buttons for eyes. The trope (the buttons) only increases in creepiness as the movie progresses, but don’t let that discourage you from giving this film a chance. To go with the plot, the film revels in social commentary that is far too accurate to go unmentioned. The parents, unfortunately, reminded me of some of my friends’ parents back in high school. I effortlessly saw the girl as a mirror into my own childhood, when I would wander, think and engage in seemingly innocent mischief. And the colors – the blues and their derivatives – frequently textured my own child fantasies as well as nightmares. While “Coraline” is not a superlative flick (though it will Johnson unquestionably contend with Pixar’s “Up” for next year’s Best Animated Feature Oscar), it is a good one, provided your eyes can adjust to the awkwardly clunky 3-D glasses. The ending reminds us that as real as this film may have become, we are still watching a children’s movie. Fanning does an O.K. job as the protagonist’s voice, but, really, it is the story above all that will pull you in, twist you around, and spit you out. Indeed, it is like a button being sewn into a jacket: the oscillation of the thread through each buttonhole, the coming together of the two and, finally, the cutting of the string.

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March 05, 2009

Walla Walla’s ‘Pho Sho’ serves quality food at reasonable prices restaurant review by Elana Congress Senior Reporter

My first exposure to pho, a type of Vietnamese noodle soup, was at Pho Sho, Walla Walla’s only Vietnamese pho shop. I enjoyed it tremendously. The meal was reasonably priced and of high quality. My friends and I agreed that the food was delicious. We were hoping for a sit-down meal with waiters and waitresses, a meal quite different from our usual Prentiss and Jewett encounters. Unfortunately, the restaurant has more of a deli format. Diners order at the counter and then seat themselves. Condiments, cutlery and water are self-serve, like in the dining halls. We went on a Wednesday night at 8 p.m., an hour before closing. Besides a single diner, we were the only people in the restaurant. The “waitress” continued to wipe down the tables when we entered. We were caught off guard—should we seat ourselves? She looked up at us, still bent over the table, and invited us to take a seat at the only table that sat more than three people. So the four of us obliged and sat awkwardly at a table for 12—a very cafe-

teria-like table, I might add. When a member of our group refrained from ordering, the waitress informed us that loitering is prohibited. She was nice enough to allow us to stay, but we felt uncomfortable. The “waiter” (or was he the chef?) was much friendlier, and tried to improve our meal. He joked around with us and offered to help us with the menu. The only physical menus are in the form of neon-green take-out menus at the entrance. Otherwise, meal options are conveyed in chalk board style. The menu is small but not limited. Choices include pho, chili-garlic chicken wings, and a variety of buns and rolls. Additional items, such as homemade meatballs and rice noodles, are available at a nominal cost. I ordered the Chicken pho and was delighted to discover its resemblance to Japanese udon soup. The chicken was tender and abundant, with only a few fatty pieces. The waitress served the soup with a plate of garnishes of jalapeño peppers, bean sprouts, onions, and “love” (according to the menu). The chicken pho, complete with chicken, vermicelli noodles and a flavorful broth, cost $8.95.

veloped fresh vegetables, spring salad and vermicelli noodles. At three rolls for $4.50 (for an average of $1.50 per roll and a free side of peanut sauce!) they were well priced. The egg rolls weren’t quite as popular with the group. Perhaps more-seasoned Vietnamese cuisine consumers would’ve appreciated their distinct taste, but we were disappointed that they differed from Chinese egg rolls. At least they were deep-fried, though! An order of three costs $3.75 and is served with nouc mam dressing. The fruit juices were by far the most praised part of the meal. At $2.25 to $2.80 a pop, they cost more than an average soda. They were also tastier than an average soda—I would especialPho Sho offers affordable Vietnamese cuisine. Klein ly recommend the Mangosteen juice. All in all, our dining experience could best be described as awkward, chiefly because of the STAR RATING: waitress. One seasoned group member assured Pho Sho us of the rarity of the staff’s inhospitality. DurVietnamese Noodle Shop ing her previous visits, she has always found them www.phoshowallawalla.com friendly and helpful. 509-525-9794 (they deliver!) The meal wasn’t exactly a bargain, but the 123 West Alder Street (between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue) prices fit the high food quality—and the food was Open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9p.m. definitely of high quality. I will return to Pho Sho “fo’ sho’.”

My dining partners ordered spring rolls, egg rolls and various Vietnamese fruit juices. The spring rolls really are “spring” rolls: They feel springy to the touch and consist of rice paper en-

Kegan partners with Cartwright for Web series ‘Dry Creek’

by Alethea Buchal Reporter

Benjamin Kegan was born to do film. Since 2004, he has created numerous films and television pilots including “Betrayal in a Briefcase,” which won best drama in the 2004 Chicago Youth Media Festival, “From the Ashes,” which won best documentary of 2007 in the Poppy Jasper Film Fest, “Eighteen Down,” “Castle Academy,” and his latest piece “Team Taliban.” “Team Taliban” is a documentary that explores terrorism and the War on Terror in American culture through the world of wrestling. Kegan was inspired to use the concept of wrestling, because he wished to dismiss the popular views of wrestling as entertainment. “I wanted to create a reflection of the culture of wrestling and the ongoing play between performance and reality. I was interested in the space between the face of wrestling and what actually occurs there such as the play between masculinity and violence,” said Kegan. Kegan filmed “Team Taliban” last summer by following professional wrestlers all over the country including Canada and New York City.

The main focus of “Team Taliban” is Adeel Alam, a Muslim wrestler who feels conflicted between his passion, wrestling, and his faith. Kegan plans to screen “Team Taliban” later in the term. That was just Kegan’s summer project. Since January 2009, Kegan teamed with theater and music major Evan Cartwright to write a new Web series called “Dry Creek.” “Dry Creek” will be a collection of nine distinct three to five minute episodes following the story of a son and daughter who uncover the secrets left behind by their dead father in a Western setting. Kegan and Cartwright plan to shoot “Creek” this spring. When asked what inspired the genre of webseries, Kegan said it was about convenience. “It allows people to watch whatever episodes we create again and again. So future Whitman students can also enjoy it as well as our friends who attend other schools in different locations and can never come to our performances. Plus if anyone ever needs a study break they can check out the web-series,” said Kegan. “Dry Creek” allowed both Cartwright and Kegan to add their creativity to a relatively new

media. “[W]e wanted to create something in a genre that was not explored, a deconstructed western theme. We think there has never been a web-series in that genre before and we think we’re the first to do it,” said Cartwright. Kegan and Cartwright claimed they were drawn by Whitman’s surrounding Western landscape, which prompted them to ask questions that sparked a story. “How does a land hold a legend or a story? How can a physical place hold a secret? The land that surrounds us in Eastern Washington was a large inspiration,” said Kegan. Most of the scenes for “Dry Creek” will be shot in the wheat fields. Cartwright emphasized that they will avoid shooting on campus whenever possible. “We don’t want to have a scene shot in front of Olin and then everyone in the audience immediately point at it and say, ‘Hey it’s Olin!’ We want to maintain that suspension of disbelief,” said Cartwright. Though not filmed on campus, the main actors in “Dry Creek” include Whitman students Kevin Moore ’09, Finn Straley ’11, Eliza Young ‘11

and professor of rhetoric and film studies Robert “Bob” Withycombe. Additional students helping with the production include Bryan Sonderman ‘10, Carly Spiering ‘10, Sarah Trowbridge ‘10, Sarah Hatheway ‘09 and Sam Alden ’12. Overall, the main theme of “Dry Creek” is the secrets of the past and present. To Cartwright, the power of the past is unshakable. “The past has an effect on you, whether you leave it behind or not […] it’s always kinda there,” said Cartwright. For Kegan, “‘Dry Creek’ is about the mysteries of the present and the unanswered questions the past can hold over us. In the series we explore the idea that every house holds clues to the lives lived within its walls.”

More on Dry Creek! Dry Creek will be screened in a 2 day sequence in Kimball Theater in early May. The Web site for the series www.drycreekseries.com is currently under construction.

March 05, 2009

A&E

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Students find affordable Beyoncé not very welcome at Antony show treasures at Goodwill by Sara Levy Reporter

Local Goodwill store manager Holli Davis said that although all employees make close to minimum wage, the job is very rewarding because of what it does for the community. The seven stores in the Industries of Columbia are 100 percent non-profit, with all proceeds going into employment. Davis says their store has hired ex-prisoners, people who got hurt in their old jobs and don’t have alternate skills, moms on

Where do you go if you want to find twin cowboy outfits, a reversible ‘80s style ski-jacket, and a red corduroy blazer? These are all items currently in the possession of first year Erik Lyon, and they all came from Goodwill. “I’ve worn a jacket that I’ve gotten at Goodwill to two of my High School Winter Formals…and a Goodwill Tie,” Lyon said. “Since things are cheaper there, you can buy things you wouldn’t normally buy. You can go out on a limb.” First-year Simi Singh shops at Goodwill because she feels that the store is in concordance with the vibe of Whitman College. “I feel like Goodwill is keeping up with the recycled style that’s in Klein right now,” she said. “The Cristine Tennant ‘10 picks out a plaid shirt at Walla Walla’s Goodwill. majority of the clothes I’ve bought have been from the men’s section because welfare and people who have disabilities. “Someone with disabilities may not even know it always has racks of flannel, which for Whitman is a necessity. And the whole androgynous dress- how to tear tickets, and to see them within two or three weeks being able to do it by themselves, ing is really in right now.” Sophomore Anna Sky said, “There are a lot of or to have someone with cerebral palsy utilizing things [at Goodwill] that, because they’re cheap, their hands well enough to get their job done, it’s I’ll try them out and make them work. If I had to just very rewarding,” Davis said. “We had a client pay more money, I probably wouldn’t have given who didn’t speak, and now he’s saying names. It’s amazing to watch people change.” them a second glance.” Currently, the local Goodwill helps sponsor the In 2008, Sky decided to go a whole year purchasing only second-hand clothes, the exception Walla Walla Balloon Festival so that it can remain free to the public. It also sponsors the Mac-High being socks and underwear. “My idea behind it was not that I didn’t want to Pioneer Softball team, so that all members can spend money, but that I didn’t want to contribute have team apparel no matter their financial situto this idea of just buying something and then dis- ation. “We try to help out with events that put a good posing of it later,” she said. “I wanted to be part of face to Goodwill. As our sales grow, the more we the reusing process.” Sky said she supports Goodwill because it dis- will be able to do for the community,” Davis said. Whether shopping at Goodwill for fun, practicourages consumerism, but also because it hires cality or to support its mission, it is never possible people who otherwise might not find work. A sign inside the store reads, “The mission of to know exactly how the visit will turn out. “It’s a treasure hunt. And that’s much more fun Goodwill Industries of the Columbia is to provide services that help people with disabilities and dis- than going someplace and knowing exactly what advantaging conditions achieve their highest level you’ll find,” said Sky. of employment.”

Music Review by Andrew Hall Music Reviewer

Courtesy of Don Felix cervantes

Antony & the johnsons Moore theater Seattle, Wa Feb. 28, 2009 I wasn’t really sure what to expect with a performance from Antony and the Johnsons. The androgynous English-Irish, New York-based singer-songwriter— whose otherworldly, vibrato-heavy voice is among the most polarizing in modern pop music—according to cokemachineglow contributor Joel Elliott, “requires the listener to be in such a state of emotional reception and vulnerability” for his songs to succeed. Finding that place on demand, as conforming to his schedule would require, seemed like a daunting task. I don’t know if I ever really got there. Given that half the crowd appeared to be crying over the course of the sixteen-song set, I’m assuming I didn’t. Fortunately, I didn’t need to. In person, Antony and his six-piece backing band are certainly intense, and the whole performance felt heart-on-sleeve sincere, as I expected. Yet there was a humor, even an optimism, persistent throughout that transformed songs from this year’s The Crying Light and left me convinced that there was more to this music thank the stark, brutal black-and-white photos that adorn his records would suggest.

Despite the reduction of personnel brought about by touring orchestral material with only limited strings, horns, and percussion, the songs’ new arrangements sounded bigger, warmer, and even joyous at times. More than anywhere else, this happened on set-closer “Aeon,” where full-volume percussion yielded a stunning affirmation I couldn’t have possibly seen coming. A baroque-tinged cover of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” probably helped, too, as did Antony’s extended conversation with the guy who shouted “Fuck Beyoncé!” afterward: “Oh, really, I know you’re joking,” followed by a short, probably improvised, song in which he asked why Beyoncé was sacred. Given that this was Antony Hegarty, who I can’t help but associate with the dead-of-winter, I was taken aback in the best way possible. There’s also the fact that his current backing band is excellent. The six-piece ensemble, consisting of cellist Julia Kent, drummer Parker Kindred, bassist Jeff Langston, violinist Maxim Moston and multi-instrumentalists Rob Moose and Doug Wieselman, who handled guitars, additional violin parts, and horns, matched the singer-pianist almost perfectly. “Another World” benefited from the atmospheric violin drones that carried throughout, and Moose’s playing on the traditional “I Was Young When I Left Home,” on which only he accompanied Hegarty, was understated and near-perfect. The evening was, in fact, largely defined by its almost total lack of irony. The crowd was completely silent for opener Johanna Constantine, who performed two aggressive experimental dance pieces over the course of twenty minutes, and Antony seemed to respond to everyone who felt the need to tell him either to come back soon, or that they loved him, or that he sang better than Beyoncé, which he didn’t agree with. Encore “Hope This Someone” howled toward its conclusion and the band left. I saw the faces of everyone around me and was more than slightly convinced that I’d just missed a gut-punch.

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NS A M U H VS. ES I B M ZO VAL I V R SU Y DI AR

HUMOR

March 05, 2009

Rejected applications for student development fund compiled by Peter Richards and Finn Straley

From the secret files of the ASWC finance committee –

While scrounging for pennies in the ASWC offices last month, David Changa-Moon found a great deal of money underneath the office couch cushions. With this money, ASWC has decided to establish a fund for students Sunday, March 1 who want to better the Whitman campus through enormously expensive projects. Unfortunately, in this economy we can’t afford to fund everybody. In less than 12 hours, the war begins. According to DormWire, there’s Here are a few of the projects that didn’t make the cut:

like 62 people signed up to play! Campus is going to be SWARMING with the revenant hordes, and it’ll be up to a brave few souls to hold them off and keep the infection from spreading! I’m ready. Monday, March 2

Woke up at 5:30 a.m. this morning to secure the path to the bathroom – no rotting zombie is going to catch me unawares. Got my Nerf arsenal and my balled-up sock bandolier ready and made it to the dining hall safely. Sorry, zombies, I have no plans on changing my morning bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch to BRAINS anytime soon. Tuesday, March 3 Saw my first zombie today. I was kind of surprised I didn’t see any of them yesterday, but I guess the infection probably spreads pretty slowly in the early stages. Anyway, I was going to Bio 112 when I saw this guy wearing a bandana around his head across Ankeny. Instantly I got my weapons ready, but I guess he didn’t see me or something because he just kept on walking. Stupid zombies. Wednesday, March 4

Money Printing Press Reason for rejection for rejection: Too expensive. Construction of a Time Machine Reason for rejection: “But what would they ‘bring back’ to the community?” - Junior Senator Jordan Clark ‘10 Replace Pioneer Park with a “Jurassic” Park Reason for rejection: Not on campus. Also, velociraptors are ‘clever girls’. Wu Tang Animatronics Museum, adjoining the Reid mail room. Reason for Rejection: Too menacing. Also, not something to f**k with. A “Robocop” (in light of recent assaults on campus) Reason for rejection: Shipping and handling on slain Detroit police officer too expensive. Also, Kanye has the rights. More High School Debate tournaments Reason for Rejection: Presented argument not persuasive. More Sexy Parties! Reason for Rejection: We wanted to…but Elliot couldn’t find the money for it!

So I bagged my first undead today. She must not have been very Wiretap, proposed by Detective James McNulty of the Baltimore Police hungry, because she just kind of jogged up towards me. I hit her with a Department Nerf gun and instantly checked my six, because obviously there were Reason for rejection: No probable cause. Also, Rawls doesn’t think it’s a good more about and she was just the start of something serious. But nobody idea. else was there, and she just kind of shrugged and walked away. Thursday, March 5 I must be really good at survival or something – I guess I just instinctively stay out of the main zombie thoroughfares. That’s got to be the only explanation for why I don’t see any of them around most of the day. People are starting to give me funny looks, but I guess they’re just grateful for me protecting their precious craniums and don’t know how to express it. Friday, March 6 Apparently the game’s over now. I guess I’m the only person who survived, because everyone else got turned into zombies and then starved to death. I never thought people would be so apathetic about matters of life and death. I wonder if there’s some sort of prize for winning? Oh well. I probably should start writing that Core paper.

Bring Heath Ledger to Whitman Reason for rejection: Pending time machine funding. Renting a D.G. Reason for rejection: Whitman doesn’t fund charities Bay Of Pigs Re-enactment Reason for rejection: Campus is landlocked. Request to bring Mrs. Frizzle & magic school bus (2) as sabbatical replacement for science department Reason for rejection: Fictional Whitman Ultimate Frisbee requests the “Ultimate” Frisbee Reason for Rejection: Campus not ready enough for that level of “frolf.”

March 05, 2009

HUMOR

Controversy surrounds “selfbranding” of greek students

by Evelyn Windsor

Debate continues to rage across campus over what some view as the enforced conformity of the Whitman Greek system. Dissenters question in particular the tradition of “self-branding,” in which new initiates to a fraternity or sorority use hot irons to mark their bodies with their choice of logos and slogans, reinforcing their commitment to the chapter. “It’s inhumane,” read one e-mail to the student listserv. “These students are sacrificing their integrity for the sake of fitting into the larger group. They’re becoming carriers of corporate symbols rather than individuals.” For the students, however, it’s about finding a group identity. “I don’t feel like this takes away from who I am at all,” said senior and member of Kappa Alpha Theta Alison Martin, displaying the leaping “Puma” cat across her shoul-

derblades. “It makes me a part of something bigger, really a part of the sisterhood.” Other members of the Greek community agreed. “This makes it a real commitment, you know?” said first-year Ben Browder, recent initiate into Sigma Chi. “I like having this shared experience with my brothers. Besides, these brands make me look like a total badass.” Greek students also have exThis student pressed resentment at the judgchose his ments passed upon them by indebranding to pendent students. “Our choices are our own, and reflect both his commitment to I think people need to learn to the brotherhood mind their own stupid business,” of Phi Delta said Browder. “Besides, attackGamma and ing the Greeks about this is competely hypocritical. Everyone his intention to major in Pure knows CAB, ResLife, and the ultiMathematics. mate team have been branding for years.”

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One of the more controversial brands chosen by students. It has also been rumored that some WCTS employees sport this brand as well.

by Sam Alden

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PERSPECTIVES

March 053, 2009

2 Hong ‘11

3 Jacobson ‘12

4 Zipparo ‘11

1 Norman ‘12

Perspectives:

THE M US I C S C ENE Perspectives takes a look at Whitman life from a new angle each week. 1. Aisha Fukushima, ‘09, the lead singer of The Raptiv-

ists, performs at the Reid Ballroom as part of the opening act for Devin the Dude last Saturday, Feb. 28. 2. A Whitman College Department of Music string quartet played at the Chism Recital Hall last weekend. Pictured are Geneva Faulkner, ‘11, Clare Tochilin, ‘10, and Alixandra Bowman, ‘11. 3. Senior Alex Abrams performs at the Student Composers Concert that took place last month. 4. Sam Epstein, ‘12, plays with Jack Mountjoy and the Jazz Sex at last Friday, Feb. 27 night’s Coffeehouse. 5. The band Red Light Blue Light at a house party last weekend. 5 Norman ‘12