SINCE 1891
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
VOLUME CLI, ISSUE 108
WWW.BROWNDAILYHERALD.COM
Mobile museum of black history stops at State House Converted bus to tour East coast cities with artifacts ranging from portraits to slave shackles By SARAH WANG STAFF WRITER
Onna Moniz-John, an East Providence resident, kicked off a seven-stop tour of her exhibit, “Mobile Museum of Black Artifacts,” at the Rhode Island State House Nov. 10. For almost 40 years, Moniz-John has been collecting artifacts related to African-American history. Her collection is now on display in her 30-foot long recreational vehicle, which she has converted into a mobile museum. The museum follows the timeline of black history in the United States, beginning with slavery and continuing to trace important events like emancipation and civil rights. The museum also touches on the accomplishments of African-Americans in a variety of fields such as sports and music. To represent all of these topics and accomplishments, Moniz-John has hundreds of artifacts, ranging from paintings of famous African-Americans to shackles worn by slaves. Moniz-John also regularly adds contemporary content to her museum, like references to Trayvon
ARTS & CULTURE
ANITA SHEIH / HERALD
The owner of popular Den Den Café Asiana and Kung Fu Tea, inspired by the success of a temporary menu featuring Korean fried chicken, will add a new eatery to the Thayer dining corridor in January 2017.
Den Den brings Korean street food to Angell New restaurant Korean Fried Chicken to open doors in late January, cater to students By MIA PATTILLO STAFF WRITER
Den Den Hospitality Group, the company that owns Den Den Café Asiana and Kung Fu Tea, will open a new restaurant, Korean Fried Chicken, on the corner of Angell and Thayer streets in
ARTS & CULTURE
late January 2017. Korean Fried Chicken will be a fullservice restaurant that sells primarily Korean street food. But in order to cater to the Brown community, the service will be kept simple so that students can come in and out for lunch. “It’s a totally different menu and a totally different atmosphere from the current Den Den,” said Min Cheung, owner of Den Den Hospitality Group. The dinner menu will offer individual dishes while the lunch menu will include combinations that allow customers to mix and match various dishes. The idea of selling Korean street food
stemmed from a temporary menu that Den Den Café Asiana had last year. This separate menu focused on Korean fried chicken and sold out every night. “Frying chicken takes a lot of time, so we stopped giving out the menu,” Cheung said. “Only people who knew about it could order it.” “But I realized that someday this would work out. We had a great recipe, and I was just looking for the right opportunity.” This opportunity arose earlier this year when Asian Café, an Asian fusion restaurant, went out of business. Den Den » See DEN DEN, page 2
Martin and the 2016 film “The Birth of a Nation.” A local girl scout troop kicked off the museum’s opening stop at the State House. The ceremony was followed by the national anthem and opening words from Moniz-John and Rep. Joseph Almeida, D-Providence. “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done in this country,” Almeida said. “Black folks in our country should not be forgotten.” Afterwards, attendees were given a tour of the bus by Moniz-John herself. Event attendees were drawn to different aspects of the museum, from the immense detail put into the bus to the personal and emotional connection they felt to specific artifacts. “My favorite thing about the bus is the evolution of the timeline and how it starts with slavery and basically goes through all the elements of black history even up until now,” said attendee Bria Washington. “The thing that was most heart wrenching for me was the case that has shackles that (were) actually worn by a slave,” said Rosemarie Santos, another attendee at the event and close friend of Moniz-John. “When you hold them, just the weight of them makes you wonder how they walked with them, never mind worked and traveled,” she said. “It’s a bittersweet experience going through there. I’m so glad that she’s done it.” » See BUS MUSEUM, page 2
U. researchers awarded $2.7 BuDS trains workers for dining hall theft BuDS workers say theftmillion for infection research related training varies Three-year CDC contract focuses on managing microbial balance in nursing homes By JONATHAN DOUGLAS STAFF WRITER
A team of University researchers has been awarded a three-year, $2.7 million contract from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused on research to reduce infections, according to a University press release. Beginning with $500,000 in the first year, the team will investigate how to improve antimicrobial stewardship in nursing homes using the facilities provided by the Center for Long-Term Care Quality and Innovation — also known as the Q&I Center — which is a partnership between Brown and the American Health Care Association. Antimicrobial stewardship is a set of practices that promote a balance of bacteria within the body. These
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practices include standards for timing and dosages of drugs, cleanliness and doctor-patient interaction. Promoting antimicrobial stewardship is especially important as certain bacteria grow resistant, said Terrie Fox Wetle, dean of the School of Public Health. Patients who do not take their drugs as prescribed often create more drug-resistant bacteria within their body, Fox said, and doctors occasionally overprescribe antibiotics, creating an imbalance within one’s immune system. Issues such as these are becoming increasingly important as new drugresistant strains arise, she added. For this specific contract, a team led by Adjunct Professor of Medicine and Health Services Stefan Gravenstein will look into best practices that enforce the core elements of antimicrobial stewardship as outlined by the CDC. The team will be awarded the rest of the money within the contract as it continues to meet the goals put forth by the CDC. » See CDC GRANT, page 2
by unit, Jo’s begins using clear cups to hinder theft By ELENA RENKEN SENIOR STAFF WRITER
While food theft from campus dining halls is a persistent problem, different Brown Dining Services units approach training staffers to deal with stealing in different ways. “Training depends on the unit,” said Randy Biagas-Hill ’17, a supervisor for BuDS. Some trainings instruct workers not to confront those who are stealing food, while others direct them to try to note the person’s name or ask if they want to pay for their food. “You shouldn’t stop somebody. You don’t really want to get in the way,” said Patrick Frame ’17, a BuDS employee who works at Josiah’s and the Barus and Holley cart. The endangerment of a worker from intervening wouldn’t be worth it, he added. But there are “no differences in the
ANITA SHEIH / HERALD
Though Dining Services has not changed its enforcement of policies regarding theft, Jo’s has switched to using clear cups that thwart theft. way we’re enforcing policies regarding theft” this year, wrote Emily Lynch, marketing and communications specialist for Dining Services, in an email to The Herald. There’s somewhat less stealing
now that Jo’s has switched to using clear cups instead of opaque ones that allowed people to conceal food, Biagas-Hill said. Tionne Pete ’17, general manager » See FOOD THEFT, page 2
WEATHER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
ARTS & CULTURE ‘Reading Women’ photography exhibit aims to bridge feminist intergenerational gap
NEWS Off-campus housing remains popular despite lottery hurdles, ResLife shifts lottery timeline
COMMENTARY Paxson P’19, Locke P’17: U. cannot create legal sanctuary for students at risk for deportation
COMMENTARY Mehta ’14 MD’19: In wake of election, future doctors should renew social justice commitments
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THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
» FOOD THEFT, from page 1 of BuDS workers, has been working with BuDS for three years and now trains supervisors and unit managers in addition to other duties. She sees stealing frequently at Jo’s, as well as at the Sharpe Refectory and the VerneyWoolley Dining Hall, she said. Students might be stealing for a variety of reasons. “Some people think that theft is factored into the meal plan, so people are acting on that,” Pete said. And some “feel like they’re being overcharged,” said Dhatri Abeyaratne ’19, a BuDS worker, adding that she believes certain items are overpriced. Yamileth Renteria ’19, a BuDS employee, noted that students may feel the need to conserve points at the end of the semester.
» DEN DEN, from page 1 ROLAND HIGH / HERALD
» CDC GRANT, from page 1 The contract and entry into the CDC pools is significant because it marks the first time that the School of Public Health has been able to access funding from the CDC in a significant way, Fox said. Brown is uniquely positioned for this research due to its methodological expertise and its access to a wide range of data through the Q&I center, she added. The University was able to secure this contract because of its application
and acceptance into a pool of universities and institutions that have the exclusive right to bid on certain contracts with the CDC, which also increases the likelihood that Brown gets chosen for future contracts. The process was spearheaded by Rosa Baier, associate director of the Q&I Center and the principal investigator on the project, and both current and future contracts will be managed by Baier. “The contract is the first opportunity that we have to collaborate with
the CDC on a project” granted to the university from this pool, Baier said. Brown is in two contract pools relating to infections: one on creating research protocols in nursing homes and other peer settings, and another on implementing such protocols, Baier said. Only 12 institutions were accepted into the first pool and four into the second, she added. While the CDC plans on releasing almost $200 million through this mechanism, the specifics of future projects are unknown, Baier said.
Hospitality Group acquired the space and started construction in late September. According to Cheung, about 80 percent of the construction has been completed, and the entire space has been renovated. Those who cherish the current Den Den on Benefit Street need not fear. The restaurant will remain open and continue to serve its current menu, along with their most popular dish — the beloved bibimbap, which consists of rice, vegetables and a choice of meat, all served in a stone bowl to keep its contents warm. “It’s very hearty and fulfilling, which I think represents the quality of our restaurant,” Cheung said. Though Korean
Especially for student athletes, the meal plan may not provide enough food, Pete said. According to Biagas-Hill, stealing is an issue mostly on the weekends, and only then are Department of Public Safety officers necessary. “Drunk party people think they can get away (with) it,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just that they’re privileged, and they can assert that however they want without any consequences.” Pete heard recently that some students had built a game around stealing from Jo’s in the presence of Department of Public Safety officers. “It’s almost disrespecting your peers, making a game of stealing,” she said. “It’s not just a job for the BuDS workers,” Pete said. “They love it so much — it’s like family, it’s like home. It kind of hurts when people steal.”
Fried Chicken will hire new employees, he said, the restaurant’s philosophy will remain the same. Den Den Café Asiana calls itself a fusion of Korean and Japanese, and its casual cafe-like atmosphere makes it a popular spot among Brown students, despite being halfway down College Hill. Roughly 80 percent of Den Den customers are members of the Brown community, Cheung said. “When we first opened this location, we didn’t think the Brown community would come this far down the hill just to eat dinner,” Cheung said. “But now, Brown does so much for us, and we cannot express how thankful we are.”
SARAH WANG / HERALD
Onna Moniz-John’s mobile museum showcases artifacts of black history collected over nearly 40 years and draws attention to modern injustices.
» BUS MUSEUM, from page 1 Moniz-John originally started collecting artifacts tied to African-American history after searching for a black doll as a child. “I grew up looking for a black doll, and when I started seeing all these knickknacks and figurines, I just was drawn to them, so I just started buying them and collecting them,” Moniz-John said. “It got out of control.” Now that her museum has garnered media attention, Moniz-John no longer needs to seek the artifacts out, as people often bring things to her for the exhibit. Moniz-John hopes that her museum will educate both African-Americans and individuals of other races so that everyone can address issues of race. This sentiment is conveyed in her
mantra, “together we can face race.” Furthermore, Moniz-John hopes to bring attention to current injustices. Part of addressing these historic injustices, Moniz-John said, is changing the official name of Rhode Island — “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.” Monitz-John wants to remove “and Providence Plantations.” Moniz-John will next take her mobile museum to Connecticut, followed by stops in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland before finally ending in Washington, D.C. Moniz-John plans on parking her bus in front of the White House since “the first black president is there,” even though she does not have clearance to do so yet. “I don’t see any reason why I can’t take my bus,” Moniz-John said. “I’m going regardless.”
ARTS & CULTURE THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016 • PAGE 3
‘Reading Women’ reflects on role of beauty, womanhood in literature Exhibition hopes to bridge feminist generational divide, boost recognition of female authors By AMY WANG STAFF WRITER
Carrie Schneider’s art exhibition, “Reading Women,” has been on display in the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts since late October. Take a visit to the bottom floor of the building, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by large, framed photographs of women, sitting on couches, chairs and beds, reading books spanning every possible genre. The exhibit “Reading Women” holds true to its name. At its most simple, it is a collection of 102 photos and video clips of women reading books by authors who are also women. But underlying the simplicity of the format is a multitude of complex ideas about beauty, influence, the exchange of knowledge and the power of womanhood. “The influence of women artists and authors was really under-recognized in the canon of art history and literature,” said Schneider, who visited campus Monday to discuss the exhibit. Around the time she began work on “Reading Women,” the Brooklyn-based photographer had read a number of studies detailing the overwhelming maleness of prominent authors. In 2012, the year she started shooting the project, 4 percent of the artwork in New York’s Museum of Modern Art was produced by female artists. “I think (“Reading Women”) was just this really earnest way of responding to that,” Schneider said. Initially Schneider did not foresee the direction her project would take. She began by asking a few of her female friends, mostly artists from Brooklyn, to sit for her while she filmed and photographed them reading literature of their choice. But as the project went on, she found it difficult to find a stopping point. By the time she finished filming in 2014, Schneider had recorded 102 “women reading women,” and
the project had grown far beyond its original scope. The feminist message in Schneider’s work is subtle but undoubtedly present. For example, each portrait was purposefully shot indoors, “underscoring something about interiority,” Schneider said. The artist added she wanted viewers to think “about how interior spaces are viewed as traditionally feminine, and kind of (allow) that to be powerful.” Likewise, the fact that each woman is at ease in her own space, reading something of her own choosing, is significant. “Posing is the enemy of beauty,” Schneider said. “I choose these moments where they’re very relaxed. … They’re totally relinquishing control, and they’re trusting me to represent them.” Through her work, Schneider also hopes to bridge the division she believes has grown between modern-day feminism and its predecessors. She said that she wants to “reconcile some of those generational problems that I see by showing different generations kind of inspiring one another.” “Reading Women” was installed in the bottom floor of the Granoff Center in late October, a location that has proven to be well-suited to the artwork. “The cafe tables and chairs that are often in the gallery space are frequently used by both members of the academic community, as well as the broader community for meetings and a lot of homework,” said Sophia LaCava-Bohanan, program coordinator at the Granoff Center. “To see the projection of reading women in that space — and the act of female artists reading prominent female writers — reflected as Brown University students (are) doing the same thing … (is) particularly interesting.” “My hope is that students will encounter the work in such a way that allows them to reflect on their own participation and development of art history and the way in which females are represented through art,” LaCavaBohanan added. “Reading Women” will be on display in the Granoff Center through Dec. 5.
SHOSHANA SIMMONS / HERALD
Carrie Schneider’s display of photographs and video clips of women reading books by other women seeks to inspire feminists to reflect on the power of womanhood and knowledge.
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NEWS
PAGE 4 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
Off-campus housing in high demand, complicated by lottery process New lottery system introduces uncertainty in signing housing contracts for rising juniors By EDUARD MUÑOZ SUÑÉ STAFF WRITER
As sophomores and juniors seek housing off campus for next fall, the Office of Residential Life has shifted the lottery system for rising juniors. The off-campus lottery system has proven a pressure point in the ResLife experience. By February 2015, ResLife had granted off-campus permission to only 324 out of the 537 rising juniors who applied, according to an article published in The Herald. ResLife’s website states that permission is guaranteed to all rising seniors who apply for off-campus living by the December deadline. The same Herald article reported that in 2015 1,163 seniors were approved to live off campus. Information for this year’s off-campus lottery results has not yet been released as the lotteries remain ongoing. ResLife changed the lottery system for rising juniors by instituting three individual lotteries: one in September, one in November and one in January. Those who do not receive permission in the September lottery can re-apply in November, while those not approved in November can re-apply in January. Those not approved in January are placed on a waitlist and can appeal
ANITA SHEIH / HERALD
The Office of Residential Life shifted the off-campus lottery timeline, instituting three lotteries — one in September, one in November and one in January — so students can re-apply to live off-campus if they do not initially receive off-campus permission. beginning in February. But a large number of rising juniors begin the house search before ResLife announces the lottery results, said Emma Wyke ’17, who lives off campus this year and did the same her junior year. Furthermore, as many of the best houses are taken by rising seniors by the time ResLife announces its results
to rising juniors, some sophomores sign a lease on a house for their junior year months before ResLife announces the winner of the lottery. Despite an order from the top of the ResLife’s website that states, “Do not sign a lease to live off campus until you receive written permission from ResLife via email,” rising juniors who
want the best houses risk signing a lease before ResLife approves their requests. Some sophomores also sign a lease for off-campus housing their senior year in an effort to secure the best housing. Students go about finding housing in a number of ways, including through existing social groups and through online resources. Many varsity teams will attempt to keep houses in the team. Older members of teams who are residents of the house recommend younger members to their landlords. The same occurs for members of many fraternities and sororities. But the majority of students will
reach out to older friends for recommendations or landlords’ contact information, do research online and tour several houses before choosing a place to live. For example, Ryan Simshauser ’18 and his roommates looked at seven houses before finally choosing one. When looking for an off-campus house, Sam Koch ’18 said he made sure to talk to the current residents in addition to realtors. In his experience, “students will give an accurate portrayal of what it’s like living there — the real pluses and minuses,” Koch said.
TODAY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016 • PAGE 5
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
menu
once in a supermoon
SATELLITE DINING ANDREWS COMMONS
Pizza: Mushroom’s Revenge, Spicy Sausage and Garlic, Miss Maple Po’ Boys JOSIAH’S
BLUE ROOM
Make-Your-Own Quesadillas
Beef Chili, Hearty Veggie Soup Burrito Bowls
DINING HALLS SHARPE REFECTORY LUNCH
DINNER
Pork Vindaloo, Breaded Tofu Nuggets, Spinach Casserole, Salted Caramel Eclairs
Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry, Stir Fried Noodles with Tofu, Vegetable Egg Rolls, Cajun Apple Cake
VERNEY-WOOLLEY LUNCH
DINNER
Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Spicy Black Eyed Beans, Spinach Strudel, Pumpkin Cupcakes
Chopped Sirloin, Pastito, Butternut Squash and Leek Risotto, Salted Caramel Eclairs
sudoku
ELI WHITE / HERALD
Skygazers were treated to a supermoon, the largest and brightest in nearly 70 years, on Sunday and Monday nights. Supermoons occur when the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit.
crossword Q U O T E O F T H E D AY
“Posing is the enemy of beauty.” — Carrie Schneider
See reading women on page 3. CORRECTION A headline and summary deck of an article in Tuesday’s Herald (“Bruno secures first win of season in split weekend,” Nov. 15) stated that the men’s ice hockey team scored its first goal of the season this weekend. In fact, the team’s first goal of the season was prior to this weekend. The Herald regrets the error.
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Ethnomusicology in New York Music Business 6:00 P.M. Orwig Music Building, 109
Oil Politics and the Yemeni Civil War 6:00 P.M. Wilson Hall, 309
Homelessness 101 Teach In 7:00 P.M. List Art Center, 110
Classical Sitar Concert 7:30 P.M. 85 Waterman Street, 130
TOMORROW Inclusive Teaching in STEM 12:00 P.M. 201 Thayer Street, 7th Floor
Trans Health Workshop 3:00 P.M. Faunce House, 321
2016 Election Teach In and Conversation 5:00 P.M. Smith-Buonanno Hall, 106
Fall Dance Concert 2016 8:00 P.M. Ashamu Dance Studio
COMMENTARY PAGE 6 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
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comic P-Branes and Bosons | Ricky Oliver
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COMMENTARY WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016 • PAGE 7
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
To the Brown community regarding ‘sanctuary’ CHRISTINA PAXSON & RICHARD LOCKE op-ed contributors In recent days we have received three petitions — from faculty members, alums and graduate students — urging Brown to offer sanctuary to protect undocumented members of the Brown community from deportation. The first of these was published Monday in the The Herald (“Faculty, staff: Make Brown a sanctuary,” Nov. 14). We join our faculty members, students and alums in expressing the feelings of deep empathy and desire to protect members of our community that have motivated these petitions. Many of the statements that the president-elect articulated during the campaign with regard to immigration and undocumented members of communities across the United States have prompted fear and anxiety. Even before the recent election, Brown had taken concrete actions to increase support for undocumented students and students enrolled in the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. These measures have included providing increased guidance and support through a faculty advisor; offering services through the new First-Generation College and Low-income Student Center; and eliminating the dis-
tinction between domestic applicants and undocumented and DACA-status students in the admission process — continuing to meet 100 percent of these students’ demonstrated financial need at Brown. Now, the potential risks to undocumented and DACA-status students are heightened, given possible changes in policy and practice that may
sible while complying with the law. This support includes not taking any actions that could place individual members of our community at risk of deportation. In making a request for Brown to establish a sanctuary protocol, the signatories of the petitions have referenced a 2011 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo that
fer legal sanctuary from members of law enforcement or Immigration and Customs Enforcement. While we wish we could offer absolute protection to members of our community who are threatened by possible changes in policy, it would be irresponsible to promise protections that we cannot legally deliver. The University feels strongly that
Based on consultation with legal counsel, we have come to understand that private universities and colleges do not have such protection to offer legal sanctuary from members of law enforcement or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
come under the new administration. For example, President-Elect Donald Trump has stated that among his first actions as president would be to rescind many executive orders enacted by President Barack Obama’s administration, including the one that established the DACA program. Though we do not know what specific changes may occur, Brown will continue to support members of our community to the fullest extent pos-
contains a discussion of enforcement priorities of the current administration. The petitions suggest that Brown (and other universities and colleges) may have a special ability to prevent law enforcement officials from entering campus to enforce immigration policy. Based on consultation with legal counsel, we have come to understand that private universities and colleges do not have such protection to of-
we must not take any action that would jeopardize the status of undocumented members of our community. We care deeply about the welfare of our community members who are undocumented or hold DACA status and continue to provide them with as much information as we can make available regarding the law and potential outcomes if policies change under the new administration. In the
days and weeks ahead, we will work with elected officials locally and nationally to understand any potential policy changes or legislative efforts, to advocate for maintaining the DACA Program and to promote policies that are fair and supportive of our students and their families. We are bringing legal experts to campus to advise students, faculty members and staff members of their rights, responsibilities and potential options. And provided that DACA continues to be an option, we will assist current students in applying for DACA status or renewal if they choose (including providing financial assistance if needed), allowing them to pursue eligibility for a Social Security Number, a stay of deportation and work authorization. Threats of deportation personally affect many individuals at Brown, their friends and families and — as a result — our entire campus. We are fully dedicated to continuing to work with affected members of our community in the coming months to ensure their safety and security.
Christina Paxson P’19 is the president of Brown University, and Richard M. Locke P’17 is Brown’s provost. They can be reached at christina_paxson@brown.edu and richard_locke@brown.edu, respectively.
Now we heal NIHAAL MEHTA
op-ed contributor Wednesday I woke up, looked at my phone and felt the floor drop beneath me. I felt sick. Many of us now face a harsh reality: The country we thought we knew is not the country we really live in, and the hopes and ideals we felt were so clear are not the hopes and ideals felt by much of the nation. I won’t pretend to fully understand what happened. We’ll spend years dissecting how our expectations were wrong, how so many of us seemed to miss the tidal wave of emotion that swept across the United States. But I’m not ready to think about that. Right now, I’m deeply worried about what happens next. As a medical student, I think a lot about healthcare, and it seems all but certain that the progress we’ve made toward providing affordable care to all Americans will be erased. I worry about my future patients, the ones who can’t afford to pay for the care they need but come anyway — risking bankruptcy. I worry even more about the patients I won’t see, the ones who can’t afford to pay for the care they need and don’t come — risking far more than bankruptcy. And right now, what’s most knotting my insides is the thought of what this election represents. The feeling I can’t shake is that this vote was the voice of millions saying this country is not for people who aren’t like them — people like my family and many, many others. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” So goes the poem, the words on the Statue of Liberty speaking
the same message symbolized by the colossus itself. A beacon of hope, only today the beacon seems to shine just a bit less brightly. But then I remind myself that many who cast their ballots were not, in their minds, actively choosing bigotry, but were disenchanted and wanted to somehow make their voices
the same country it was the day before. This doesn’t mark a sudden overnight change in the attitudes of our nation; it has merely revealed them. When we woke up Wednesday, the sun did indeed still rise, and this is still our country. To my classmates: Yes, many of us now face
As a medical student, I think a lot about healthcare, and it seems all but certain that the progress we’ve made toward providing affordable care to all Americans will be erased.
heard. I remind myself that the majority of our country did not buy into the politics of fear and voted otherwise. And I remind myself that, when we woke up Wednesday morning, the United States was
a reality that we’re not happy with. But we are the generation poised to change that reality. And that is particularly true for us as future physicians. We are responsible for changing that reality. This is not when we give in; this is when we begin.
We go back to work, and we work harder than ever. We listen with a newfound need to better grasp the issues facing the world. We fight with a renewed determination to advance the social justice causes in which we believe. We learn with an emboldened resolve to become great doctors and great leaders. We must remember that our weariness today cannot become an excuse to slow down. We must remember the extra miles to go before we sleep so that the care we will one day deliver is not merely adequate. We must remember the compassion and empathy that led us to this field, even when the nights grow long and the cases routine. We must remember what we’re working toward. We must remember all of this because our training is as important as it has ever been, because the more broken, tired and angry the world seems, the more it needs to heal. Above all, even faced with the clear power of fear and bigotry, we all must continue to push ourselves to be better human beings. If the occasion is piled high with difficulty, we must rise with it. When everything seems at its lowest, we must still go high. Today I remind myself of something Gandhi wrote — amidst an even more tumultuous and trying time, but with a sentiment that stands forever. “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it. Always.”
Nihaal Mehta ’14 MD’19 can be reached at nihaal_mehta@brown.edu.
ARTS & CULTURE THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
LILLY NGUYEN / HERALD
In a visual arts course called “Art of the Book,” undergraduate students created projects that delved into diverse and personal subject matters. The exhibit showcasing the students’ work takes advantage of the unique qualities of the book as a medium, combining the powers of words, images and three-dimensional forms.
Interactive display conveys personal experience through books ‘Art of the Book’ exhibit brings family histories, complex emotions to life through immersive pieces By JUSTIN FERENZI STAFF WRITER
On the second floor of the List Art Center, not too far from the industrial-sized elevator, is a small and unassuming room full of books. It is
not a library, but “Art of the Book” — an exhibit put on by students as part of the Visual Arts course by the same name. The exhibit and the class both explore the form of the book as an art medium, using words, images and bindings to convey a message that neither pen nor paint alone could accomplish. The pieces on display at the group show cover a wide range of topics, emotions and styles. An untitled piece by Kat Chavez ’19 uses muted earth
tones to reflect on deceased grandparents’ belief in heaven. Kearney McDonnell’s ’17 “Dad and Therapy” features bold, charcoal letters and abstract images to narrate a portion of a family’s history. The paper-cut, Tim Burton-esque “The Elephant and The Conductor” by Elodie Freymann ’18 regales with its portrayal of her parents’ quirky anniversary gift-giving tradition. Jake Kuhn’s ’17 “Beach House” uses pastel colors and short phrases to capture the essence of his
grandmother’s oceanside getaway. The interactivity of the exhibit — combining the act of reading a book with the act of viewing an art exhibit — allows for a unique and immersive experience. Devin Graham ’19 is a visual arts concentrator and attended the group show because she has several friends who are in the class. “I would definitely recommend anyone to go check it out,” she said before adding, “Just make sure you have clean hands.”
Tagging along with Graham was Daniel Plaisance ’19. “I don’t know a lot about art,” he said. “But it’s pretty clear that the students are really talented.” Plaisance appreciated the interactive component of the exhibit and was particularly fond of Ryan Miller’s ’19 panoramic “Berlin Composite.” The show, which runs until Thursday, was put together by the course’s instructor, Adjunct Instructor in Visual Art Lara Henderson, who could not be reached for comment.
Sleigh Bells’ new album ‘Jessica Rabbit’ evokes uncertainty Discombobulated content defies categorization, creates confusion, reflects scattered emotions By JACLYN TORRES ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
There’s a period of time between Halloween and Thanksgiving where uncertainty surrounding decorations leaves homes with half-rotting pumpkins on the porch steps and blow-up turkeys in the front yard. It doesn’t help that the weather brings overcast clouds in the morning, a bright burning sun in the afternoon and then a sharp, crisp chill to end the night as the sun sets at 4 p.m. This ultimately begs the ques-
tion: What season even is it? Sleigh Bells’ latest album, “Jessica Rabbit,” released Friday, contains a disjointed, multifaceted sound that begs a similar question: What genre even is it? The band opens up with “It’s Just Us Now,” immediately confusing the listener. The dark, heavy instrumentals signal that Sleigh Bells is a hard rock band, but as soon as the apparent genre maintains some consistency, the song turns to a softer, lighter sound and in the same fashion, turns back to heavy rock in an instant. Along with the unpredictable sound are awkward splices that give the impression that the band revisited the song months or years after initially recording it, confused by its own musical goals and adding in final
elements to lengthen the overall song. This theme of confusion continues throughout the entire album, particularly on tracks like “I Can’t Stand You Anymore,” “As If ” and “Crucible.” The disjointed sound does make sense in some of the band’s tracks. In “Lightning Turns Sawdust Gold,” the mixup of genres works well and gives the overall track a balance between light, softer instrumentals and a backdrop of darker lyrics. “Unlimited Dark Paths” and “Baptism by Fire” immediately hook the listener. The intros to both tracks allow some sense of certainty, mixing instrumentals to create an inviting, intriguing sound. While many tracks on the album are often too aggressive and off-putting at the start, “Unlimited Dark Paths”
and “Baptism by Fire” engage directly with the listener with cool beats and innovative lyrics. The track where innovation reaches its peak is “Rule Number One.” The opening stanza alludes to “The Wizard of Oz,” with the lyrics “Two tornadoes touch down in Kansas / Instinct takes over, instinct commands us.” The listener is hooked, yet the song does not continue along this catastrophic, magical theme. Lead singer Alexis Krauss throws in lyrics that are confusing but humorous. She sings the refrain “Poprocks and coke make your head explode,” and a minute or so later, “Drinking lemonade spinning like a ceiling fan / So haunting, so confusing / Ice cream is goose, Linus and Lucy.” The purpose of the track is
to create a hodgepodge of sentiments and thoughts, like a real snapshot of a person’s thought process at any given moment in time. Sleigh Bells expertly depicts the ever-changing sentiments and thoughts of a given person. No one is ever always happy or always angry. There are moments of joy and moments of utter despair. “Jessica Rabbit” perfectly captures the nature of the human experience. The album is purposefully crafted to bring confusion to the listener because there are never clear-cut answers to any problem in life. “Jessica Rabbit” is one of the most innovative, genuine albums of the year. While it may not include consistency, it embraces truth and uncertainty.
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