21 April, 2016
thescrippsvoice.com
The Scripps Voice
La Maleta Mexicana
since 1996
Your School. Your Issues. Your Paper.
“Inside the Mexican Suitcase: The Rediscovered Negatives of the Spanish Civil War”
By Layne Wells ‘19 Staff Writer
O
n April 12th, 2016, the Athenaeum was a buzz with Claremont students and community members alike, eager to see the infamous lost photos of “La Maleta Mexicana,” or “the Mexican Suitcase.” Speaker Cynthia Young, curator of the Robert Capa Archive at the International Center of Photography in New York City, was asked to speak on the 4,500 photos found in Mexico in 1975 and the mystery that surrounds them. The event was first open to CMC students interested in pursuing Spanish or Hispanic/Latino/Chicano Studies through the Claremont colleges before it opened to the public. Tickets almost instantaneously sold out, thanks to CMC Spanish professors and retired educators across the Consortium. Guests enjoyed authentic Spanish foods from paella to jamón ibérico and were informed that the photography exhibit would be available in Claremont from April 1 to May 15, 2016 for public viewership. The collection gives the public an opportunity to experience images drawn from the photographic journalism of the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939. Three photographers, Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and Chim (Dawid Szymin), traveled from Western Europe to capture the war in Spain, focusing not only on soldiers and battles but on civilians and families. From countryside to trenches, their photographs show a remarkable variety of perspectives. The end of the war not only decided the fate of the Spanish people but of the Jewish photographers who documented it. At the age of 26, Taro died, crushed by a tank while covering the Battle of Brunette; Capa and Chim fled from Spain at the eve of World War II. Entrusting his darkroom manager with 4.500 negatives from the three photographers, Capa traveled around Europe seeking refuge. Undeveloped 35 mm rolls of film ended in the hands of the current Mexican ambassador, who took them to Mexico, where they lay untouched until 2007. At this time, the three cardboard boxes, affectionately referred to as “The Mexican Suitcase,” were donated to the International Center of Photography. This Ath-talk was especially relevant with 2016 being the eightieth anniversary of the beginning of the war. Claremont McKenna College professor Raquel VegaDurán of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures has curated this exhibit with students in her courses, working to choose and arrange a number of the images found in Mexico City. Featured Scripps
Photo courtesy of the International Center of Photography (2016)
students were Claire Daly and Nora McNeary. For more information on the collection, visit the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum at the following hours during the academic year:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Selected videos are posted online the week following the event.
Where Did Grab n Go...go?
By Margarita Moesch ‘19 Staff Writer
O
lder students may remember the Grab n Go program that was available for a few months last spring: On weekdays from 12-1 p.m., 5C students (as well as staff and faculty) could use meal swipes, Flex, Claremont or regular cash to purchase a prepackaged meal.
Inside This Issue:
These consisted of a salad or sandwich, chips, whole fruit and cookies, and were a way to avoid the long lines at Malott. According to Sophomore Laurel Dickstein, the Grab n Go meals were “more portable than the to-go boxes.” and “easier to take...in a backpack, on a bike or to a lunchtime meeting”. Ranging from “decent [to] good,” this dining option “took all the stress out of those 1-hour lunch breaks that should
Page 3 - Current Events
P h i l i p p a H av e n ‘ 1 7 t a l k s presidential candidates and taxes
be plenty of time but simply are not because of Scripps’ lines and crowds,” Dickstein said. Although many of us can identify with this struggle, especially with the coordinated lunchtimes during Core I, “participation proved to be very low.” according to Tom Adkins (general manager of Malott). Grab n Go was launched by Treasurer Donna Ng as a pilot for a possible program to accompany the opening of
NEW Hall, and was discontinued because of the disproportionate cost of labor to participation. Malott wasn’t able to accommodate the program because of “limited warming capabilities, the lack of dedicated refrigerated cases and proper operation and food display.” according to Adkins, and this resulted in a minimal selection that discouraged many from taking advantage of the portable meals.
Page 9 - Fashion Column
Page 12 - Relay for Life
Meet Francesca Inocentes ‘17 in this week’s column
1030 Columbia Avenue | Claremont, CA 91711 email: scrippsvoice@gmail.com | Volume XIX | Issue Ten
Check out the photos from last weekend’s event
2 • News
by the numbers: candidate tax plans By Philippa Haven ‘17 Staff Writer
W
ith tax season officially behind us, we can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing our W2 forms are filled out and filed away. Taxes are overall an unpleasant entity: for one, it is hard to see deductions from paychecks well earned, and two, the system is so confusing an entire industry is dedicated to helping people decipher what they owe the federal government. Taxes are also a highly politicized and highly debated topic among the remaining four Presidential candidates. Before their tax plans are laid out, a brief summary of the current tax plan should be understood. Individual income taxes account for 47% of federal revenues, by far the largest source of federal revenue (payroll taxes are the second largest source, making up 34% of federal revenue.) The United States has a progressive income tax system, meaning that as your income increases, so does your tax rate. Currently, you are in the bottom bracket if your salary is from $0-$9,275 and you pay the lowest tax rate, 10%. The average starting salary for a college graduate was $45,478 in 2014, and their federal tax rate would be 25%. Hillary Clinton’s tax plan changes these brackets and tax rates very little. She does add a 4% surtax on income over $5 million, and creates a new tax credit of up to $1,200 for caregivers. Bernie Sanders raises every tax rate by at least 2.2%, with the biggest tax rate increases on those who earn the highest incomes. Ted Cruz has the most creative tax plan: he hopes to establish a flat tax rate of 10%, for people of all incomes in order to simplify the 75,000 page tax code and abolish the IRS. Donald Trump establishes 4 brackets of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 25%, the top rate applying to income over $150,000 (currently, the top
rate of 39.6% applies to those with minimum incomes of $415,050.) So while Clinton’s tax plan is very much in line with the current system, her tax increases for those earning seven figure salaries are projected to increase .5% to GDP over a decade. This is minimal compared to Sanders’ tax plan, which by increasing tax rates across all income groups, with the highest earn-
tax plans: Hillary Clinton: would change little from our current tax plan, but increase taxes for very high earners by 4% Bernie Sanders: would raise every tax rate by at least 2.2%, more for the highest incomes Ted Cruz: would tax everybody at 10% and abolish the IRS
Tax plans might seem dry and non-relatable; however, not only do they affect every American, but they also are very valuable in learning how the candidates approach other fiscal policies. For example, both the Republican candidates lower the tax rate because they believe Americans should keep more of their paycheck, and either spend it or save it using their own discretion. Clinton, and particularly Sanders, believe some programs should be public goods, such as college and health care, and therefore paid by the revenue the federal government incurs from individual income taxes. Their views on the role of the government and perception of what is best for Americans are evident in their tax plan. Which tax plan is best for you? It depends on what you value: Trump’s plan would put the most money in your pocket, for his tax plan adds up to $1 trillion in tax savings for workers per year. However if you would spend those savings on college and health care, perhaps Sanders’ tax plan is best.
Sources: taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/current-law-distribution-taxes
Donald Trump: would tax all income over $150,000 at 25%
taxfoundation.org/article/2016-tax-brackets time.com/money/3829776/heres-what-theaverage-grad-makes-right-out-of-college/
ers owing over 40%, would increase GDP by 6.4% ($15 trillion). Cruz’s tax plan benefits the wealthy even more than Trump’s plan, and would also add around $50 to middle class workers’ biweekly paychecks ($1,300 per year). His plan would actually decrease GDP by 3.6%, a little less than Trump’s plan which would decrease GDP by over 4%, about $9.5 trillion.
taxfoundation.org/comparing-2016-presidential-tax-reform-proposals ibtimes.com/paycheck-calculator-how-willpresidential-candidates-change-your-taxbill-2332826 apps.urban.org/features/tpccandidate/
Photo courtesy of 401kcalculator.org
21 April, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Ten
News • 3
The Scripps Voice Staff Editor-in-Chief Elena Pinsker Advisor Sam Haynes
PREPARE THE
SPARTAN PHALANX: WE’RE GOING TO MALOTT
Design Editors Monica Acosta Abigail Gilcrest Jenny Lee Copy Editors Rachel Miller-Haughton Ashley Minnis-Lemley Star Schneider Business Manager Lily Comba Webmaster Jocelyn Gardner Columnists & Staff Writers Ali Bush Melanie Biles Natalie Camrud Maureen Cowhey Sophie Fahey Kandace Fung Taylor Galla Jocelyn Gardner Diva Gattani Evelyn Gonzalez Joelle Leib Erin Matheson Sasha Rivera Sophia Rosenthal Sydney Sibelius Talia Speaker Isobel Whitcomb Photographers Jessica Padover Layne Wells
By Isabel Riddick ‘19 Staff Writer
G
oing to Malott for a meal? More like charging into the Battle of Thermopylae. During rush hour, expect a nearly thirty minutelong wait for food, a lack of free tables and barely being able to navigate the space with the sheer amount of people crammed inside. Malott is the only dining hall at Scripps. It also happens to be one of the more popular ones amongst 5C students. Like all of the dining halls, it is open for all meals to any 5C student; however, it is simply not constructed to hold that many people. Its hecticness unfortunately makes itself inaccessible to many Scripps students, especially those with disabilities. For one, it is simply impossible to navigate Malott in a wheelchair; even with crutches, I imagine it would be very difficult; it is hard enough to navigate as an ablebodied person. Secondly, the clamor and hubbub of so many people make it a very stressful place to be for people with anxiety and panic disorders, agoraphobia or claustrophobia. Even for those without disabilities, the Malott dining
Image courtesy of Mariusz Kozik, www.lacedemon.info
experience is hardly enjoyable. On top of this, the dining hall staff have to work nonstop in order to get everyone fed; as someone who has worked in food service, I know that working so fast and so hard is extremely difficult. The business of the staff enables some students (I’ve seen it happen) sneak into the dining hall without swiping their card, stealing from the school as well as from their fellow classmates. Malott’s current system is simply unacceptable, which is why Malott needs to have Scripps-only hours. There are several steps that could be taken to remedy the current situation. First, Malott could designate certain hours during mealtimes that are Scripps-only (for example, the dining hall closes to non-Scripps students at 6 PM for dinner, 1 for lunch, etc.). Second, Malott could simply close cer tain meals to nonScripps students. Having breakfast and dinner be Scripps-only would greatly facilitate those who cannot eat there under the current circumstances. This would guarantee them meals at Malott, obviously with the option of going to another dining hall. I realize that this would somewhat disrupt the 5C dining hall system, but again, Malott was really never meant to serve the 5Cs.
“Malott’s current system is, in my humble opinion, unacceptable. Malott needs to have Scrippsonly hours.”
Comments and letters can be submitted by emailing scrippsvoice@gmail.com or by visiting our website at www.thescrippsvoice.com. Please review our guidelines online before submitting feedback. The Scripps Voice is a student forum and is not responsible for the opinions expressed in it.
Sometimes going to the Scripps dining hall can feel like gearing up for battle. Photo courtesy of Gamespot.
21 April, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Ten
4 • News
sports
G N I L calendar CAL L L April 23
Men’s Tennis, Claremont-MuddScripps, at The Ojai, All Day Women’s Tennis, ClaremontMudd-Scripps, at Ojai Tournament Women’s Water Polo @ Redlands Baseball, Whittier, 11:00 AM Softball, Whittier, 12:00 PM Women’s Lacrosse, Occidental, 1:00 PM
A ERS T I R W s e d
s t s rti
Women’s Golf vs SCIAC Championships, 12:00 PM Men’s Tennis, Claremont-MuddScripps, at The Ojai, All Day Women’s Tennis, ClaremontMudd-Scripps, at Ojai Tournament Men’s Golf vs SCIAC Championships, All Day Women’s Water Polo @ Redlands
Track & Field vs SCIAC Championships Softball, Chapman, 2:00 PM Softball, Chapman, 4:00 PM
April 30
Track & Fieldvs SCIAC Championships Men’s Tennis, Claremont-MuddScripps, at UC San Diego, 2:30 PM Baseball, SCIAC Round Robin Softball, Occidental, 12:00 PM Softball, Occidental, 2:00 PM
MAY 6
Track & Field, Claremont Classic XIII Men’s Tennis, SCIAC Tournament QF, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Women’s Tennis, ClaremontMudd-Scripps
s r e n g i
t o h
April 24
April 29
h p a
r g o
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s r e
a
&
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m u l
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THE
SCRIPPS VOICE is
HIRING! for more information about joining our team, please email the Editor-in-Chief at: scrippsvoice@gmail.com 21 April, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Ten
Opinion • 5
BROCHELLA
Does Coachella have a gender problem? By Taylor Galla ‘18 Opinion Poll Columnist
T
his year, another group of tens of thousands of teenagers and young adults from across the country are making the annual pilgrimage out into the hot, dry Indio desert just outside of Palm Springs for Coachella. This music festival is one of an ever-increasing number that happen each year in different spots across the U.S, including Outside Lands in San Francisco, Bonnaroo in Tennessee and Lollapalooza in Chicago. They are a unique musical and cultural experience where, with the hefty purchase of one ticket, you have access to food, art, and most importantly music. Each festival has its own unique personality dictated by the type of music, the location, the weather, the audience, and just plain serendipity. However, Coachella has developed a distinctive pattern over its 17 years, where nearly all of the headliners are male — and the audience predominantly female. Through this, it has obtained the nickname of “Brochella” and has drawn scrutiny from music bloggers. One article (www.latimes.com/entertainment/ music/la-et-ms-coachella-women-problem20160415-story.html) from the LA times outlines the problem quite clearly. This year every single headliner at the festival is male, and only 16 per cent of the remaining acts are female. In contrast, much of the audience that pays hundreds of dollars to come to the festival, stay nearby, and purchase clothing, is female. Although there is not a precise breakdown of the Coachella audience by gender, a 2015 Nielson report found that among all music festivals, females edge out males in audience attendance. This festival benefits immensely from the female, festival-goer persona that has become so trendy in recent years- however female artists are not showcased or appreciated by the festival in a significant way. Coachella is also one of the biggest music festivals in the country, and therefore sets the standard for all the others. The article states “Coachella sets the bar for other festivals, and often bands who play there will end up at other festivals around the country… If there aren’t a lot of women at Coachella, there aren’t a lot at other festivals.” Turns out this is largely true — this graphic shows what music festival lineups would look like without men- and the results are very disheartening.
We show up to these festivals and have an amazing time — but are we supporting organizations that discriminate against women in the industry? There is no shortage of female performers who have the success and the music style to headline any number of these festivals- so what’s the problem? Is it that festivals are afraid that ticket sales will dwindle with the addition of more women? Are they just innocent followers of a misogynistic music industry that does not respect nor prioritize female artists?
“This year every single headliner at the festival is male, and only 16% of the remaining acts are female.”
I’m not quite sure what the answer is here. Female artists largely dominate the music scene at this moment- with Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, as well as singers like Sia and Ariana Grande- just paroozing Spotify’s Top US tracks it was not hard to find female artists. At least, not as hard as it is to find them at music festivals. Women are a dynamic and necessary part of the music industry in the United States- as even male artists use them prominently in their lyrics and for musical inspiration- and they should be given credit for what they contribute. Festivals are an extremely important and influential development in the music industry and with women proving themselves on the charts- they should also be given a chance to perform on some of the most popular and trendy stages in the country. What do you think?
CAST YOUR VOTE:
-Women should be an equal part of every festival’s lineup -I like lineups the way they are - and I think everyone has fun at festivals because of the atmosphere and not as much because of the lineup itself -Festivals are too expensive and I would rather spend money on specific artists that I really like at their independent concerts -Other - Comment! Vote now at www.thescrippsvoice.com
Right: Coachella 2016 Reading / Leeds line-up. Left: How it would look if the line-up only included the acts that have a female musician in the band. Photos courtesy of twitter.com/crackintheroad.
Photo courtesy of underthegunreview.net
21 April, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Ten
8 • Features Film Column
By Ali Bush ‘19 Film Columnist
EYE IN THE SKY
F
or a war movie that includes little action, Eye in the Sky (2015) is a nail-biter and a questionraiser that leaves you utterly enraged at the world in general. Set in military bases all over the world, the film depicts the British government’s decision to deploy a drone missile on one house in Nairobi, Kenya where two suicide bombers are gearing up for a large scale attack. The only thing standing in the way of the drone pilot’s trigger and a burning hellfire is an innocent girl that sets up shop to sell her bread outside of the terrorists’ house. Leaving the British government in indecision and chaos, the film ultimately depicts the decision in dropping a bomb or not. The film is a moral thriller, rather than an action filled thriller, bolstered largely by Helen Mirren’s role as a staunch colonel and Alan Rickman’s fantastic last role as a sagacious, weary military official. The film is surprisingly captivating for a war film that includes very little action. The plot is seemingly simple: the British government must come to a consensus as to deploy a deadly missile or not. But as the film progresses, obstacles arise, most importantly, the particular placement of an innocent girl right in the pathway of the drone’s missile. The British government has two options: deploy the missile, thereby preventing nearly 100 deaths in a potential suicide bomb attack, but also taking the life of an innocent civilian or leave the suicide bombers to their suspicious intentions and the innocent girl live, risking a greater number of causalities. Left to wrangle with this intense question are a series of characters, including an inexperienced drone pilot (Aaron Paul), a tough-asnails colonel (Helen Mirren), and a veteran decision maker (Alan Rickman). The situation put forth in this film – taking the life of one girl versus risking a suicide bomb
attack-- seems over simplified and lacks the nuance of real situations, ultimately resulting in a film that borders on a pro-war propagandist film. The mission quickly and quite “logically” moves from being a capture and trial of the alleged suicide bombers to an assassination mission. Compared to the much more controversial missile launches the US deployed in Somalia last week which killed 17 civilians and 12 militants, this situation of risking one civilian life seems to be a pro-war no-brainer. As the film progresses in real-time, the film becomes a border-line propagandist view of pro-drone warfare, portraying the decision-making process extremely agonizing. Similarly, the large amount of surveillance and spying, as suggested in the title, adds to the unsettling idea of a Western big brother keeping tabs on the underdeveloped world. This film raises the question as to how true to real military drone deployments the film is. Although this film may portray drone strikes as essential, particularly in this specific situation, one cannot help but remain skeptical as to the veracity with which Hollywood portrayed these characters and the entire decision making process. As the icy, driven Colonel Katherine Powell, Helen Mirren isn’t hard to dislike. Her performance as an actress is fierce, but her violently-inclined character is unsettling. Mirren perfectly captures the nuances in her role military of international security by manipulating the law and systems in place to achieve her goal of annihilating the house in Nairobi. It is Alan Rickman’s last role as a war weary veteran that demands our attention and respect. As a war weary veteran that acts as a mediator between the British government and military, Rickman’s voice and facial expressions suggest that he has seen the toll of war and has reservations about this institution. His very last line leaves us with a sense of jarring disillusion: “Never tell a soldier that he does not know the cost of war.” Left with no real answer or condolence to the
ethical questions of war put before us, by the end of the film, I was left with a sense of hopelessness and disillusion. While it is extremely important to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by those in defending lives and security in the military, this film fails Maybe it depends on your own standpoint, but this film left me appalled with the military, terrorists, and the world in general. Perhaps this film will convince you of the legitimacy of drone warfare. Ultimately, this film is far too oversimplified and too pro-war for me, but it did keep me at the edge of my seat and shaking my fists.
Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone
GENTRIFICATION:
POSITIVE CHANGE OR DES T R UCT
G
entrification has become an unfortunate trend in most urban areas, such as the Los Angeles area, and has had many socioeconomic consequences for the communities that reside in these spaces. Conflicting views on gentrification signal its importance as a topic of constant discussion and analysis. The arguments on either side illustrate that gentrification has a strong effect on certain communities but whether or not it brings with it positive change or destruction is still being debated. Current perspectives on gentrification in Los Angeles are multifaceted.Many pieces of literature are not focused on further analysis of whether or not gentrification exists within specific urban areas but rather they have moved a step beyond and have begun to argue what its probable effects on these communities are. One of the ways that gentrification signals a changing neighborhood is the alterations made to the demographics of that area. Many communities who reside in these areas come from marginalized and immigrant backgrounds. As gentrification begins to occur
impacts of gentrification on Los Angeles amongst other urban areas, some authors have argued that the term gentrification has undeservedly garnered too much negative attention. According to an article in the LA Downtown News entitled, “The Myth of Downtown Gentrification” the author posits that gentrification also signals the evolution of a community. “In a practical sense, gentrification refers to a run-down or deteriorated area that improves as middle-class or more affluent individuals move in, and in the process displace poor residents, many of whom have long histories in the neighborhood.” However, take for example the usage of the words ‘run-down,’ ‘deteriorated’ and ‘improvement’ in their analysis of what gentrification looks like. The language used to discuss gentrification illustrates a larger societal problem, one that points to racially and classed based ideas about what constitutes betterment and progress. Gentrification signals a changing community but the question of who these developments benefit gives us a lens with which to examine major issues plaguing our communities, that of housing and development as well as issues of income disparity and class based discrimination.
21 April, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Ten
I ON?
By Evelyn Gonzalez ‘18 Feminism Columnist
certain areas see a rise in rent as a result of increasing property values, commercial business displacement, and a lack of affordable housing that results in the forced relocation of many individuals who can no longer afford the skyrocketing prices. According to a report entitled Health Effects of Gentrification, written by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention the real estate aspect of gentrification is defined as “the transformation of neighborhoods from low value to high value. This change has the potential to cause displacement of long-time residents and businesses ... when long-time or original neighborhood residents move from a gentrified area because of higher rents, mortgages, and property taxes”. Apart from the issue of housing and residency , “Gentrification is an economic and health issue that affects a community’s history and culture and reduces social capital. It often shifts a neighbourhood’s characteristics, e.g., racial-ethnic composition and household income, by adding new stores and resources in previously run-down neighbourhoods.” Gentrification puts a large financial and emotional strain on poor communities of color in particular and forces these individuals to try and adapt to these impossibly fast changing circumstances while facing the threat of compulsory displacement. While many have discussed the detrimental
Features • 9
Fashion Column
AN INTERVIEW WITH:
S E T N E C O N I A C S E C N FRA By Natalie Camrud ‘17 & Diva Gattani ‘17 Fashion Columnists
THE SCRIPPS VOICE: How did you become interested in design/fashion? FRANCESCA INOCENTES: I have always being interested in fashion and design my entire life, but I never saw it as more than a pastime before last year! Even though both of my parents are physicians, my mother is also very artistic and also a fashionista. She loves painting! Her style is simple and timeless, and she always stays upto-date with the latest trends in fashion—and so do I! When I was a child, I always used to draw, doodle and play dress up around the house while watching the Disney princesses. As a dancer, I have always been surrounded by hair, makeup and costumes. It is always mind-blowing looking back and seeing how far my passion for art, design, and fashion has come! TSV: We heard you studied abroad at the London College of Fashion. How was your experience? FI: My study abroad experience was beyond my wildest dreams and I still can’t believe it’s over! When I applied to study abroad at the London College of Fashion last year, I had just changed my major from Biology to Art. Working with models, stylists, hair and make-up artists in Fashion & Beauty Photography, using mixed media to make garments come alive on paper in Fashion Drawing and producing both an editorial test shoot and a lookbook that my daunting styling professor actually loved took a lot of hard work, but it was work that I genuinely enjoyed. Looking back on where I was before London, I never thought I would be here nor believed that I could do any or all of these things. For someone who has never formally studied fashion before, I am extremely proud and still shocked of what I have accomplished. Not only did I fall in love with my studies, but my flatmates were some of the best friends I have ever made. We even traveled to Spain, Italy and France together! Our London flat was quite diverse, since we were all from the US, Japan and The Netherlands. The language barriers, cultural differences, and diverse life perspectives in our living space made our experience richer and more meaningful. TSV: What made you design these pieces? What class were they for? FI: This design was actually for my Feminist Art Theory midterm this semester. The prompt was “Feminism in My Life: How I became a Feminist Despite Having Never Witnessed the 70s”. My garment reveals how I reinvented myself as a feminist during my study abroad experience at the London College of Fashion. Like many fashion designers, I am constantly inspired by other designers, artists, their theories, pop-culture, and music and I constantly reflect on how they shape my identity and artwork through fashion. Renee Cox, Kristina Wong and Yoko Ono were the main artists whose theories supported my ideals and experiences of empowerment as an Asian feminist in a Western culture. I chose the transparent fabrics, gold and champagne tones, flower appliques and the unfinished hems to emphasize the importance of appreciating my own beauty and abilities in their natural state regardless if I felt vulnerable,
HOMETOWN: Parkland, FL YEAR: Junior strong, weak or confident in my studies and with my body in sex or relationships. I came back from London feeling that I started to explode the Asian status quo with their perceptions of medicine and fashion as careers and am slowly beginning to free myself from my parents’ gaze. I have gained a better understanding of how to take responsibility to empower myself. TSV: Currently, who are some of your favorite designers? FI: My favorite labels and designers include Givenchy, Alexander Wang, Mary Katrantzou, Gucci, Paolo Sebastian, and Zuhair Muhad and Adriana Degreas. TSV: What is something you haven’t made yet, but want to? FI: I want to make a gown that is more readyto-wear than non-wearable art fashion. I am currently in the process of designing it.
MONSOUR By Jocelyn Gardner ‘17 Mental Health Columnist & Webmaster
S
EXPANDS SERVICES
omewhere within last week’s barrage of Student-L emails, I noticed the subject line “Expanded Services at Monsour.” While this doesn’t seem monumental (especially since students have wanted more services for a long time), I was impressed at the changes described in this email, particularly at those concerning the crisis line. For those of you who don’t know, crisis counselors from Monsour are available 24/7 via Campus Safety’s main line. If you want to be get in touch with this emergency service, you must call Campus Safety and provide information before speaking with the counselor from Monsour. This service is useful in the case of mental health crises, and it allows students to get help at any time of day as well as set up an emergency, in-person appointment for the next day. As vital as this resource is, it may be (bad) to some people to have to call Campus Safety and give information before speaking with the crisis counselor. These couple of minutes can make a huge difference in a crisis situation. Also, many people don’t realize that to whom a student speaks in a crisis makes a huge difference in help-seeking and crisis counseling. Having to call Campus Safety to get psychological help might send the wrong message to students, anyway. They might wonder whether they are going to be forcibly removed from campus or if they are doing something wrong, for example. All of this is important to recognize in Monsour’s new system—to reach a crisis counselor at any time of day, the email tells us, “Instead of calling Campus Safety and waiting for them to page the counselor on call, students can call the MCAPS (Monsour) main line (909-621-8202), and be connected to an on-call counselor within 30 seconds. This will eliminate the need to wait
for a counselor to call them back.” This will also eliminate any possible (ickiness) of calling Campus Safety and giving them your personal information. On the topic of giving personal information, the email also promises “increased confidentiality of all calls” with the elimination of the Campus Safety step. So far, this email tells us we’ll have faster access to crisis counseling that is more confidential and doesn’t go through CampSec. These seemingly-small changes can make a huge difference. It gets even better! Monsour has also added multiple counselors available at one time, so more than one student can talk to a counselor at a time. This means that it is less likely that all counselors will be unavailable when a student calls. Monsour should now be equipped to deal with the unpredictable timing of crises: even if more than one student calls them at one time, they can help these students. The last change is that the crisis line is available continuously year-round. Spring break? They’ll be there. Winter break? Still there. Summer break??? Yes, they are available! This increase in support is a really good sign and a breakthrough in Monsour’s ability to support the growing needs of students. I’m confident that this trend will continue as they receive student and staff feedback. Having used the crisis line more than once for friends on campus, I can say that it is an extremely important resource and that the change to it have the potential to make a huge difference in the mental health care on campus. These changes begin on Monday, Apr. 18. For more information about Monsour or its changes, contact director Dr. Gary DeGroot or Dr. Anneka Busse at Monsour’s main line: (909) 621-8202.
21 April, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Ten
10 • Features
“What does ‘hookup’ even mean???”
...and 4 other questions I have about hookup culture (continued)
By Sophia Rosenthal ‘17 Sex Columnist
I
don’t want this relationship to become stagnant. So let’s spice things up and do something a little different this week, shall we? There have been lots of thoughts and discussions regarding hookup culture after last issue’s article (...at least there have been between
me and the two other people I know…) and it’s a conversation worth continuing. And how do you keep a conversation going? By asking questions of course! (All you guys out there who love to play 20 Questions, I’m looking at you. Use that winky face one more time. Do it. I dare you.) So here totally honest, totally subjective questions that I, personally, would like to offer the universe and anyone else who happens to
think about these things (I know you’re out there and we’ve got to stick together). This might be weird. But I am a strong believer that sometimes one must pass through the valley of the weird and awkward in order to reach the beautiful mountains of possibility on the other side (I don’t have a comment funny enough to apologize sufficiently for that sentence). Let’s do this:
Why is communication in general so complicated? Or in simpler terms, why in-the-name of-all-thatis-friendly-and-decent do people not text you back? Okay that sounds passive aggressive, but apparently it’s an actual problem and possibly an epidemic; this has been the hot button issue lately among many of the two people I know. I don’t mean in “he/she/they are just not that into you” terms, I’m talking about when on a common sense, completely objective level, you know the other person would totally get with you, and yet ignore/flee in terror from a simple “hey.”
What the heck does ‘hookup’ mean and why do we/I keep using it? This is the obvious question, but for real. I’m tired of having to ask “okayyy so you made out and…?”
Why do we (for the most part) only approach people we’re attracted to when we’re not-completelysober? There are dozens of exceptions to this of course, but we’ve all known (or known-someone-who-knew) that person that’s all friendly and engaging and flirty on Thursday night, and then in the light of day is all “yes, hi, how are you ugh yes me too I have so much homework we all have so much homework.” And we’ve all been (or known someone who has been) that person that’s happily tipsy and confident as hell and basically making the whole world fall in love with you--and then at Sunday brunch you’re like “hi! I’m not awkward! This will not be awkward! Is it awkward yet? Why does it have to be awkward?” and all of a sudden become super fascinated with your orange juice glass.
Does anyone actually use Tinder to hookup? I don’t mean that one time you meet up with someone for coffee and they’re not completely awful and so you end up making out in a parking garage. I definitely don’t mean that. I mean does anyone say to themselves, “ah yes. I would like to interact sexually,” go on Tinder, and actually hookup with a match. Does that happen? Seriously? I want to know. I want stories. Tell me.
Why is “hooking up” seen as a game? I know it’s called “scoring” for a reason, but why does going out often feel like a predator/prey situation? There are always those guys at parties or bars who seem to think they’re being super clever about trying to pick up women, and I’m always left wondering (besides “on what planet is that considered subtlety”), why do they need to be clever in the first place?! If “being yourself” isn’t good enough then go pick up a self-help book or five and work on that for goodness sake. And to be fair, there are plenty of nights where friends and I have gotten dressed up and gone out like we’re a pride of lionesses on the hunt. Of course I have no intention of changing that, but again...why?!
I have more. But I’ll save them so I have something to talk about on the weekends with drunk people who probably don’t care. Okay you’re turn. Ask any question. Just don’t use a winky face.
21 April, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Ten
Opinions • 11
el nino
& what it means for california
By Isobel Whitcomb ‘17 Environmental Columnist
I
t a little over one year ago that the first predictions were made of a monster El Niño to come in the winter of 2015-2016. As predicted, El Niño did hit California with an nearly record breaking intensity. March drenched Northern California and reservoirs throughout the state are fuller than they have been in years. However, it doesn’t appear that the winter quite matched up to climatologists hopes. For instance, although the Sierra Nevada are back up to 92% of the historical average snowpack (up from the 5% reported in 2015), that number is still hovering slightly below average. And although this year has certainly given California much needed respite from the drought, climatologists warn that “one average year isn’t enough.” If you didn’t catch my column published back in September on the then upcoming El Niño, here is a primer on the cyclical weather pattern: Occurring every 4-8 years in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (the side of the Pacific nearest to the
“Although this year has certainly given California much needed respite from the drought, climatologists warn that ‘one average year isn’t enough.’ ” Americas), El Niño is triggered by a sudden change in the trade winds that normally blow in from the East. During El Niño these trade winds don’t blow in, and the Eastern Pacific’s normally cool sea surface temperatures increase rapidly, causing adverse weather conditions throughout throughout the west coast of the Americas. These changes in weather patterns typically include drought in the Amazon and heavy rains throughout California. However, not all El Niños are equal in magnitude. The winter of 19971998 broke records as the strongest El Niño on record, bringing monsoon level gales to Southern California and inundating Northern California with floods. It was speculated that this year’s El Niño would break records set by that famous winter. So far, it’s a close call. According to experts, this year’s El Niño has certainly ranked up there as one of the strongest on record. However, there are many different ways of ranking the strength of weather oscillations, from sea temperatures to atmospheric pressure to the force of wind patterns. On top of the complexity of comparing El Niño years, this year’s was very similar to that of 1997-1998. Based on sea surface temperatures, there is a chance that this year’s El Niño was slightly stronger, but even this difference was not statistically significant. The good news is that thanks to El Niño,
California’s landscape has undergone a transformation. The Sierra Nevada have the highest snowpack seen in 10 years. Lake Shasta and Lake Folsom, two of the state’s most
“We are still in a deep
drought”. important reservoirs, are at 105% and 119% of the average recorded water levels, respectively. This is largely thanks to the fact that El Niño struck Northern California with a much greater intensity than Southern California, actually leaving Southern California relatively dry. As I mentioned in my previous column, this scenario was ideal. California relies on the snowpack from the Sierras as its main water source, and Southern California has comparably poor rainwater management techniques. Had El Niño spared Northern California and poured down on Southern California, there might a very different outlook for the coming water year. However, despite this good news, California isn’t out of the woods. We are still in a deep drought. One meteorologist commented that people are so happy to see rain, that they seem to have forgotten that the level of rainfall received this year isn’t as much as it should be. That is, this year’s El Niño brings us to just about average in terms of rainfall and snowpack for the past water year. Although rains have been heavy in February and March, it only just about makes up for the driest, hottest summer on record experienced in 2015. This fact coupled with the possibility of a La Niña event this summer (in which El Niño’s weather patterns reverse themselves, bringing drought to the West Coast) means that California needs to continue its water conservation measures.
“One meteorologist commented that people are so happy to see rain, that they seem to have forgotten that the level of rainfall received this year isn’t as much as it should be. That is, this year’s El Niño brings us to just about average in terms of rainfall and snowpack for the past water year. ” Extreme weather patterns are part of the global warming phenomena. In the future, it’s
likely that we will experience more extremely dry summers followed by very wet winters. Think of this past year of extreme weather as a trial run: California should use the 2015-2016 water year as a model for how to best harvest and conserve water in coming years. After all, it’s unclear whether the California drought is a natural disaster or a more permanent change.
KECK AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS By Erin Matheson ‘18 Science Columnist
I
n early April three juniors, two Scripps students and one Pitzer student, from the Keck Science Department were awarded Barry M. Goldwater Foundation Scholarships to help further their research pursuits. Karen Chan, Lilian Horin, and Rachel Kahn have all earned the scholarship for the 2016-2017 year. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. The Trustees award up to 260 Goldwater Scholarships across the United States. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue research careers in these fields. Rachel Kahn, junior from Scripps College is a Physics major at Keck. Rachel’s career goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in a field related to marine science and to conduct research related to marine exploration and conservation. Karen Chan, Scripps College ‘17, is a Biology and Music (Vocal Performance) double major. Karen’s career goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in Biology, conduct research on vocal folds, and teach at the university level. Lillian Horin, Pitzer College ’17, is a Biology major and her career goal is to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and to conduct research to improve diabetes treatments and prevent its macrovascular and microvascular complications. Marion Preest, professor of biology, serves as the Interim Weinberg Family Dean of the W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges. He is the Goldwater Faculty Representative for the three colleges and nominates students. The application consists of a typed essay of future career goals and research interest, current college transcript, and letter of recommendation. Our fellow Keck students are funded and destined to uncover great findings.
21 April, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Ten
12 • Arts & Entertainment
RElay for life Students participat in raising awareness of cancer through the Relay For Life campaign.
1in950 The Scripps Voice interviews
Maxine Tu ‘17
with Kandace Fung CMC ‘19, Staff Writer
TSV: What is one thing most people don’t know about you? MT: Most people don’t know that I have struggled with very intense anxiety for several years, and it was so bad that this past summer that I was basically bedridden for two to three months. TSV: What makes journaling appealing to you? MT: I journal as a way to be thoughtful throughout the day. I don’t like spending the entire day mindlessly and going to sleep feeling like I haven’t accomplished anything and wasted a day going through the motions. It’s a way for me to remember the things that I have learned and remember the interactions that I’ve had. Yeah, sometimes there are things that happen that are very meaningful to you, but you forget after a few years because there’s no reminder. TSV: Has there ever been an obstacle you’ve had to face that altered your perspective in life? MT: My grandfather got a stroke a few years ago. It really showed me the fragility of life and how even knowledge and intellect are transient in the sense that they are not things you can hold onto, even though some people say that no one can take away what you know. My grandfather he was a very bubbly character, always the center of
attention at the dinners, always made all of us laugh. He was a very intellectual historian. He knew all the history facts. He know what was happening around the world. Then bam... He got a stroke and wasn’t able to talk anymore or communicate anything. And a lot of times, it seems like he cannot remember. It wasn’t just a communication problem but rather he couldn’t remember things anymore. It really shocked me because even knowledge is transient. TSV: What is something you’ve done recently that you’re proud of? MT: Recently, there have been interpersonal conflicts, and I have been able to make peace and seek wisdom in confronting issues in a way that is not passive agressive, in a way that’s sincere. An example is when people do things that hurt you, and they might even know, I have been able to first and foremost be aware and see the ways that I have contributed to the problem and sincerely apologize for it without expecting the other person to see the ways they have contributed to the problem. So basically dealing with my side of the problem and being sincere about it, being okay with the other person not apologizing. I think that has really brought peace to what would have been a volcano explosion. Full story available on scrippsvoice.com.
21 April, 2016 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XIX • Issue Ten