2024-2025 BC In the News Compilation

‘Superheroesarenotborninquiettimes’:BC graduatesenteraturbulentworldwithacallto lead

May19,2025|RitaChandler

CHESTNUTHILL AsshelookedoutontoawindsweptAlumniStadium,DameLouiseRichardsonoftheCarnegie CorporationissuedamightychallengetothousandsofproudBostonCollege“Eagles”

“Flyoutofthegatesofthecollegeandsavetheworld,”sheurgedthe4,512graduateswhofilledthestadiumforthe university’s149thcommencementonMonday

“Youlookresplendentinyourbrightly-coloredmaroonandgoldrobes,ratherlikesuperheroeswithcapes,”theIrish-born scholarandphilanthropisttoldthegraduatesseatedbeneathbrightskies,theirgownsbillowingbehindthem

“Thisisnotanidlecomparison,”saidRichardson,thefirstwomantoleadtheNewYork-basedphilanthropicfoundation “ Asfreshly-mintedgraduates,youarethenewguardiansofthisgalaxy”

Richardson,aterrorismexpert,wasthefirstwomanvicechancelloratOxfordUniversityinEnglandandatSt.Andrews UniversityinScotland BCawardedheranhonorarydoctorateonMonday

Thestudentsarepoisedtostarttheircareersinaneraofunprecedenteduncertainty Inrecentmonths,theTrump

administrationhasmovedtoslashscientificresearchfunding,shrinkthefederalworkforce,andprovokeaglobaltrade war

Inheraddress,Richardsonpointedtobroaderinternationalconcerns,suchas“cloudsofmisinformation”andthe mountingchallengesofclimatechange

“Superheroesarenotborninquiettimes,”Richardsonsaid “Asnewgraduatesgoingoutintoadifficultworld,unstable anddivisiveandinneedoffreshideas...withyouliestheburdenofdifficultresponsibility.Withyouamarvelous universeofinfinitepossibility”

Duringthenearly90minuteceremony,familiescheeredasgraduates’facesappearedonthejumbotron,brightwith excitementastheywavedandembracedoneanother.

BC,runbytheSocietyofJesus,isthelargestCatholicuniversityinNewEngland.Theschool,whosesportsteamsare knownastheEagles,haslonginstilledinitsstudentsamissionofservice

Theuniversity’spresident,theRev WilliamP Leahy,calledontheclassof2025tobecome“engagedcitizensandtouse theirtalentstohelptransformexistingissues,”fromage-oldproblemslikeviolenceandpovertytocontemporaryconflicts inUkraine,Gaza,Haiti,andSudan

“YougraduatesofBostonCollegearemoreneededtodaythanever,”hesaid “Ipraythatyoustrivetobeforcesforgood andpowerfulexamplesforthosearoundyou.”

AbbyDuffy,21,ofWellesley,whograduatedMondaywithadegreeincriminalandsocialjustice,saidtheJesuit philosophyof“menandwomenforothers” resonatedwithher

“It’saboutreachingout,bridgingdivides,andsupportingthoseinneed,”saidDuffy,whoplanstoattendlawschoolat theUniversityofCalifornia-Irvineinthefall

MeghanHeckelman,22,ofMineola,NY,whoearneddegreesinpoliticalscienceandappliedpsychologyandhuman development,saidBC“inspiredmetoalwaysputpeopleatthecenterofmywork”

“AtBC,theJesuitidealsarereallyinfusedineverything,”Heckelmansaid.“Eveninthebusinessschool,there’san intenseemphasisonethicsandunderstandingthehumancondition

HonorarydegreeswerealsoawardedtoRichardson,Boston’sArchbishopRichardG Henning,presidentialhistorian DorisKearnsGoodwin,educatorandactivistGeoffreyCanada,andSalimDaccache,S.J.,rectorofSaintJoseph UniversityofBeirut,Lebanon

Speakingaftertheceremony,HenningdescribedthehonorasatestamenttoBostonCollege’sstatusasa“worldclass university,”dedicatednotonlytoprofessionaltrainingbutalsotonurturingstudents’spiritualgrowthandcompassionfor others

“Iamstillverynewtothecity,”addedHenning,whowasinstalledasArchbishopofBostonlastOctoberfollowing CardinalSeánO’Malley’s20-yeartenure.“SoI’matthebeginning,too,ofalongjourneyofmakingmycontributions.”

Inaseparateinterview,Goodwin knownforherbiographiesoftheKennedyfamilyandpresidentsincludingLincoln, Roosevelt,andJohnson-offeredherownadvicetothegraduates

“Ihopetheycanfindasensethatthey’repartofsomethingthat’slargerthanthemselves,andthey’reabletocontribute andmakeadifference,”saidGoodwin,wholivesinBoston.

“Historyshowsthatleadersmatter,butcitizensmatteraswell Wecan’tjustdependrightnowontheleaders,wehaveto dependonus,”Goodwinsaid

“ThisgenerationhaswhatFDRsaidaboutanearliergeneration arendezvouswithdestiny Andweoldpeopleare dependingonthem,”shelaughed “SoI’llbegladtoseethembattlefortheirvalues”

BostonCollegeteamsupwithNHL,MLBplayers associationsondegreeprogramsforpros

May19,2025|JonChesto

IfyounoticeanyproathleteshangingoutaroundChestnutHillthissummer,MartyWalshmayhavehadsomethingtodo withit

TheformerBostonmayorisnowheadoftheNationalHockeyLeaguePlayers’Association,soit’sonlynaturalhewould betryingtoimprovetheprospectsforplayers’post-NHLcareers ThroughaprogramcalledNHLPAUNLMT,theplayers associationhassignedpartnershipswithseveralschools,suchastheUniversityofFlorida,tohelpplayersearntheir bachelor’sdegrees

BostonCollege,Walsh’salmamater,recentlybecamethelatesttosignon

AndtheworkthatBC’sWoodsCollegeofAdvancingStudiesdidtocrafttheirpartnershiphelpedpavethewayforBCto reachanagreementwiththeMajorLeagueBaseballPlayersAlumniAssociationforasimilardegreecompletion program

TheWoodsCollegeprogramiswhereWalshobtainedhisdegree15yearsago,bystudyingpart-timewhileworkingasa staterepresentative.SeveralNHLplayershavealreadycompletedBCdegreesthroughWoodsCollege,includingBrooks Orpik,formerlyofthePittsburghPenguinsandWashingtonCapitals,andChrisKreideroftheNewYorkRangers;this newagreementputsaformalrelationshipinplacebetweentheNHLPAandBC.

Specifically,WoodsCollegedeanDavidGoodmansaid,BCpreviouslywouldallowWoodsCollegestudentstotransfer upto60credits,tobeusedtowardtheBCgraduationrequirementof120.Butnow,throughthisprogram,BChasupped thatnumberto90 (UndergraduatestudentsatBCtypicallyearnaround30creditsperyear)

“WithMartyhavinggoneintothisnewrole[attheNHLPA],itwasjustanaturalopportunityto...getthewordoutand attractmoreplayers,”Goodmansaid “HislifewaschangedbyWoodsCollege Heclaimsitreallysavedhislife Thefact thathegetstobeamouthpiecefortheworkwe’retryingtodointheworld...issuchagift.”

Theathleteswillmostlytakeclassesonline,thoughGoodmanexpectssomewillbeoncampusduringthesummerbreak toattendclassesinperson

OftheNHLplayerswhoattendcollege,mostleavefortheprosbeforecompletingtheirdegrees.ButWalshsaidthata collegedegreewilllikelyprovepivotaloncetheircareersareover,particularlybyestablishingcontactsinthenextfields theywanttopursue.

Walsh,whomentionedtheproathleteprogramwhenspeakingataWoodsCollegealumnieventonApril28,should know:HegothisdegreethroughtheWoodsprogramlateinlife,attheageof43.(He’snow58.)

“Noteveryonecanbeasportscaster,coach,orscout,”Walshsaidinaninterview “Someofthemwanttogointofinance Someofthemwanttogointobusiness.Iftheydon’thavetheconnectionswhenthey’replaying,it’sreallydifficulttoget there”

WhenWalshwasbalancinghisjobasastaterepandhisstudiesatBC,hewouldwonderifhereallyneededsucha gruelingschedule Now,afterleavingtheStateHouseandCityHalltobecomeUSlaborsecretaryintheBiden administration,andthenexecutivedirectorofNHLPA,Walshsaidheiscertainallthatextraworkwasworthit.

WhatCollegeGraduatesNeedMostintheAgeof AI

May,2025|MichaelSerazio

Commencementseasoninvitesself-reflection Honoraryspeakersaskitofhalf-awake,partied-out,graduatingseniors Butcollegesandschools,too,aregazinginthemirror:What’sthepoint the medium,moreprecisely ofeducation nowadaysamidsttechupheaval?

Asawriterandteacher,I’madmittedlybaffledbythisquestion (ButIsuspectthetextileweaversofearly19th-century Britainwereaswell,whentheysawindustrialfactoriesspringtolife.)

What’scleartomeisthatgenerativeAIhasbegotten Generation AI.

Sincedebutingasthefastest-growingplatformininternethistory,ChatGPThasbecomeametonymforallthatAIails Withintwomonthsofitslaunch,asurveyfound90%ofcollegestudentswereusingitforhomework Morerecently,a massivestudybyAIcompanyAnthropicconfirmsthatstudentsoutsource“higher-ordercognitivefunctions”like creativityandanalysis We’veseenobituariespennedfortheout-of-classessay;writingteachersthrowuptheirhandsand quit;andthehumanitiesendureyetonemoreexistentialpunch

Asoneundergraddevastatinglysummarized,“CollegeisjusthowwellIcanuseChatGPTatthispoint”Suchsarcasm ridiculessix-figuretuition,room,andboard.Butpedagogically,afalseforkintheroadispresented:Educationsurelyhas toworkboth with and against artificialintelligence,evenasquestionsvexeitherway

Thelattercallsforanalogretreat:bluebooks,oralexams,andthelike Itclingstothecalculatorcomparison thatits inventiondidn’tinvalidatetheneedtolearnlogicofbasicmath,byhand and(correctly)placesfaithinthecultivationof intellectualmusclesratherthanacceptingtheirinevitableAI-augmentedatrophy

Someofourstudentsfalselyassumethat product afinalpaper iswhatweseek,becausehigh-stakestestinghastrained themtransactionally,andthat’swhatgradingtallies But,ofcourse, process iswhatweultimatelyaimtosharpen:The stepsandlessonslearnedalongtheway AIrewiresthatrelationship,short-circuitingeffortfromoutput

Howmightwebettermeasureprocess?Mustitinvolvestudents anxiousofAIaccusations absurdlyuploading hours-longscreen-recordingsthatself-surveiltheircompositions?

Thisistheaskofthe“workagainstAI”caucus,onethatlookstothepracticeoftraditionforanswers:notjustthewisdom oftheancients,butthetechniquesbywhichtheywerehandicapped theconditionsoftheirtimethatgaverisetothat wisdom We’velivedwithandbenefitedfromthecalculator,forinstance muchlikeotherdisruptive,suspicion-inducing technologiesofknowledgebefore(writing)andafter(theinternet).

Thus,forthe“workwithAI”evangelists,adifferentcounterpoint:Ifreadingandwritingarenowsupposedtobe outsourcedtothemachinesforthesakeofefficiency,whatareeducatorssupposedtoassign,assess,andindeed, idealize astheproxyforthinking?

Literacyhadaprettygood5,000-yearrun,ifyou’reafanofhumanadvancement.AnditmaywellbethatGenerationAI isonthecutting-edgeofsomeradicalnewmeansofthinking,ratherthanitslazyreplacement Butthat’sfored-techto prove,notforustotakeonblindfaith.

Educators’suspicionofartificialintelligenceiswell-warrantedbecauseAIisanepistemologicalprovocationwrappedin atechadvance It’salsoamassive,ongoingsalespitch UnholysumsofcapitalarebeingsunkintoSiliconValley Those betsonlypayoutifwealladoptAIinourdailylives,bothpersonallyandprofessionally.

Thattrainingmuststartearly:hence,OpenAIofferingtheir“Plus”tierfreethroughfinalsseason It’sperpetuatedbythe peskyswarmofAIassistantsthatwanttohelpreadandwriteforyouacrossappsandplatforms Outsourcingnurtures dependencyanddeskilling

Techcompaniesracetoestablishfirst-moveradvantageinthisspace:battlingtobecomemonopolisticallysynonymous withAIlikeGooglewithsearch,Amazonwithonlineretail,andMetawithsocialnetworking ForOpenAI valuedat $300billionbutburningthrough$5billionayear that’sacan’t-losebet.

Hence,theclichéincreasinglyheard(andcertainlybyourover-indebtedundergrads):“AIwon’ttakeyourjob;theperson whoknowshowtouseAIwill”Butthatsoundsmorelikeacorporatecost-cuttingthreatjustmasqueradingashistorical inevitability.Notechnologyisinevitable,howeverfaithfullytheevangelistssermonizetomakeitso.

Intellectualhumilitydemandsthateducationhedgeboth“with”and“against”AI,becausewecan’tknowwhich technologieswilltriumphandwhichwillcollectdust SomebecomeFacebook;others,theMetaverse

WhilecollegessortoutChatGPT’spreciseplaceinmatterscurricular,wecandoubledownondeliveringwhat GenerationAIequallyneeds:theexperienceofhumanity,aqualitythemachinescanneverknowandmustnever supplant Thisincludestheexperientiallearningthataccompaniesvolunteerservice, immersingstudents, three-dimensionally,inthelivesandworldsofsociety’smarginalized.

Italsoincludesthesocialandcommunaldimensionsofcampuslifethatmightoffsetourcripplingnationalcrisisof alienationandloneliness Yet,here,we’llneedtoguardagainstcollegebecomingevenmoreofalifestyleproject, reducibleto“dayinthelife”TikToks.

Andthat,intheend,mightbe exactly whatGenerationAIneedsthemost,beyondlargelanguagemodels:aspaceto unplug;aspacetothink,tofindoneself;aspacetostrengthenthosemusclesoffocus

Yourattentionisthemostvaluablethingyou’lleverhave,collegegraduate Knowthatit’syoursuperpower thepurest andmostgenerousexpressionoflove Neversquanderthatonanyoneoranythingwhodoesn’tdeserveit leastofall,a machine

Michael Serazio is a professor of communication at Boston College and the author, most recently, of “The Authenticity Industries: Keeping it ‘Real’ in Media, Culture, and Politics.”

What’sinaname?

PopeLeoXIIIisknownasthefatherofCatholicSocialTeaching,buttheauthor ofRerumNovarumleftanunexpectedlycomplexandambivalentlegacy.

May17,2025|

OliverRafferty,S.J.

Whatshouldwereadintothefactthatafterbeingelectedpope,CardinalRobertFrancisPrevostchosethenameLeo XIV?CommentatorshaveeagerlyfixedonLeoXIII’scelebrated1891encyclicaldecryingtheevilsofuntrammelled capitalism,RerumNovarum,asasignalthatLeoXIVwillsharePopeFrancis’protectivenesstowardsthepoorand distasteforneo-liberaleconomics

SpeakingtothecollegeofcardinalslastSaturday,Leosaidthereweredifferentreasonsforhischoiceofname,butitwas mainlybecauseLeoXIIIhadaddressedsocialquestionsinthecontextofthefirstgreatindustrialrevolution “Inourown day,”hetoldthem,“theChurchofferstoeveryonethetreasuryofhersocialteachinginresponsetoanotherindustrial revolutionandtodevelopmentsinthefieldofartificialintelligencethatposenewchallengesforthedefenceofhuman dignity,justiceandlabour”

GioacchinoVincenzoPecci,ofcourse,washardlyaconventionalliberal.Hemightmoreaccuratelybedescribedasan Ultramontanewithaliberalface.Hisrisethroughthehierarchywasfraughtwithambiguities.HewasremovedbyPope GregoryXVIfromthepostofnunciotoBelgiumin1846becausehehadinvolvedhimselfinadisputewiththe governmentoverCatholiceducation HewasappointedArchbishopofPerugiaandmadeacardinalin1853 Hewasleft tooverseethisrelativelyobscurediocese;theonlyjobhewasgivenintheVaticanwasascamerlengo.Theholderofthat post–theIrish-AmericanCardinalKevinFarrellduringtheinterregnumbetweenFrancisandLeo–runstheVaticanafter thedeathorresignationofapope,andisrarelyconsideredpapabilehimself CardinalPeccibuckedthetrendbybeing electedonthethirdballotintheconclaveofFebruary1878.Onereasonforhiselectionmayhavebeenthat,thoughhe wasonly67,hewasthoughttobeinbadhealth Havingjusthadthelongestpontificateinhistory–PiusIXhadreigned nearly32years–thecardinalswerelookingforastopgap LeoXIIIlivedforanother25years

PreciselywhereRerumNovarumstoodontherelativerightsofcapitalandlabour,andonsocialism,privatepropertyand tradeunionsisstillcontestedbutitwascertainlysomethingofaworkers’charter Nevertheless,atitsheartwasthe convictionthatevenintheprocessofthesocialbettermentofworkers,specialattentionmustbepaidtothedemandsof religion.Thisfromapopewhosought,withtheencyclicalAeterniPatris(1879),tomakearenewedthirteenth-century ThomismthephilosophicalandtheologicalbasisfortheChurch’sengagementwithmodernity

OneareaofLeoXIII’spolicywhichcertainlychimeswithFrancis’legacywashisdetermi-nationtousetheHolySee’s diplomaticinfluencetodemonstratetherelevanceandsoftpoweroftheChurch,eveninanincreasinglysecularworldof realpolitik HeencouragedFrenchCatholicstoreconcilethemselvestotheThirdRepublicandheleanedonBismarckto reininthecruderanti-clericalismoftheKulturkampf.SuchwashisdiplomaticfinessethatatBismarck’ssuggestionhe wasappointedmediatorinadisputebetweenSpainandGermanyovertheCarolineIslandsinthePacific Flattered,Leo awardedBismarck–theChurch’stormentor–theSupremeOrderofChrist,thehighestorderofchivalrythatpopescould thenconfer.

OtheraspectsofLeo’spontificateareequallyambiguous Heissuedarecord11papalencyclicalsontherosary,earning himthetitle“theRosaryPope” TheencyclicalProvidentissimusDeus(1893)allowedCatholicscholarstomakestrictly circumscribeduseofcriticaltechniquesinscripturestudies(ArchbishopBensonofCanterburysniffedthat“whileitwas writteninbeautifulLatin,itwas50yearsoutofdate”) In1896LeoissuedthedecreeApostolicaeCuraedeclaring Anglicanordinationsinvalid

Ontheotherhand,heencouragedthestudyofthenaturalsciences,heestablishedtheVaticanObservatory,andhis openingupoftheVaticanarchivestoreputablescholarswasamilestoneinthehistoryofthepapacy.Heremindedthe Churchofitsuniversal,missionaryvocation,inaseriesofencyclicalsincludingAdExtremas,whichdealtwiththe educationof“nativeclergy”,andhedevotedmuchattentiontoEasternChristianswithaviewtoreconciliationand reunionwiththeOrthodoxChurches.InelevatingJohnHenryNewmantotheofficeofcardinalhebroughtinfromthe coldamanwhoseorthodoxyandloyaltyhadbeenundersuspicion ThankstoLeo,Newmancoulddeclare,“Thecloudis liftedfrommeforever”

Leocondemnedthesomewhatblurryheresyof“Americanism”,assertingthattheprinciplesandproceduresofAmerican democracycannotbeappliedtotheChurch,which,heinsisted,functionedaccordingtoitsowninnatehierarchical paradigm.Leowasnot,tosaytheleast,eithercollegialorsynodalinhisapproach.HisfavouritepopewasInnocentIII, whouponhiselectionin

1198announced,quotingJeremiah,“Wehavebeensetoverprincesandoverkingdoms,touprootandteardown,to destroyandtooverthrow,tobuildandtoplant,”addingthatthesovereignpontiffisjudgedbynoonebutjudgesall No shadesthereofFrancis’“WhoamItojudge?”

PopeLeoXIIIwassomethingofamixedbagtheologically,andtosome extentsocially,rootedintraditionbutseekingtoengagewithmodernity, oftencriticalofthe“disordersoftheage”butsometimestaking surprisingleapsoftheimagination Indisclosingthathehadbeen “mainly”thinkingofLeoXIII,theChicago-bornLeohintsthathemight alsohavehadinmindBrotherLeo,StFrancis’closestcompanion:his secretary,hisconfessor,hiscompanionwhenhereceivedthestigmata, andhiscompaniontohisdeath OreventhefirstPopeLeo,Leothe Great,thefifth-centurypopewhoconsolidatedtheplaceofRomeasthe heartofCatholicism–spirituallyaswellastopographically–whichin spiteofallFrancis’outreachtotheperipheriesitstillis

Nopopeissimplygoingtobeacloneofhisnamesake,anymorethanof hispredecessor OnethingLeoXIVdidsayinhisaddressfromthe loggiaofStPeter’swhichportendsgreathopewas,“Youhelpustobuild bridgeswithdialogueandencountersowecanallbeonepeoplealways inpeace”CardinalsVincentNicholsandTimothyRadcliffebothspoke inthedaysafterLeo’selectionofhisgiftforresolvingdisputes“inaway thatdidn’tleaveenemiesbehindhim”andforhelpingpeopleget “beyondconflict” ThatissurelythegreatestneedintheChurchandintheworldofourday

Oliver Rafferty, S.J. is professor of modern Irish and ecclesiastical history at Boston College.

HowChronicDiseaseBecametheBiggest ScourgeinAmericanHealth

Americansliveshorterandsickerlivesthanpeopleinotherhigh-income countries.

May14,2025| BriannaAbbott

HealthandHumanServicesSecretaryRobertF.KennedyJr.hasmadecombatingchronicdiseasearallyingcryashe lookstooverhaulthehealthdepartmentand“MakeAmericaHealthyAgain”

SohowhealthyisAmerica,historically?Itisn’tthatweusedtobehealthier,datashow,butthebiggestthreatshave changed

ThedeadliestscourgesintheUS wereonceinfectious,withinfluenzaandtuberculosistoppingthelistatthestartofthe 20thcentury.Bettersanitationandadvancesinantibioticsandvaccinesmuzzledthem,transformingAmericans’ well-being Medicalinnovationsandantismokingcampaignsthenspurreddecadesofprogressagainstheartdiseaseand cancer.

Butchronicdiseases,persistentorlong-lastinghealthconditions,areunderminingthatmomentum,contributingtoour stalledlifeexpectancyoverthepastdecadethattrailsbehindthatofotherwealthynations.

Muchofthegapinlifeexpectancyisduetodeathsamongworking-ageadults,saysDr StevenWoolf,alife-expectancy researcherattheVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity

“Americansdieearlierandaresickerthanpeopleinotherhigh-incomecountries,”hesaid.“Thishasbeentrueforalong time,andthetrendisgettingworse”

Drugoverdosesfromopioids,alcohol,suicideandchronicdiseasesdrivemostofthoseearlydeaths,researcherssaid.The US alsotookabiggerhitfromCovid-19,evenamongyoungeradultswhowereatlowerrisk

ThatwasinpartbecauseAmericanswerealreadyinworsehealthandmorevulnerabletothevirus’stoll TheUS obesity rateisnearlydoubletheaverageofpeernations,disruptingpriordecadesofprogressagainstheartdisease.Aroundathird ofUS adultshavehadmultiplechronicconditions,thehighestrateamongourpeers,accordingtotheCommonwealth Fund.

Ratesforconditionsincludinghypertensionandchronicobstructivepulmonarydiseasehaveheldrelativelysteadyin recentdecades,andtherisingprevalenceofdiabetesisinpartbecausepeoplearelivinglongerwiththedisease, researcherssay ButtheUS stillhashigherratesoftheseconditionscomparedwithpeernations

Manypreventablechronicdiseasesarerelatedtofourmajorriskfactors:cigarettesmoking,excessivealcoholuse, physicalinactivityandpoornutrition

ThefracturedUS healthsystemalsocontributestoourlagginghealth,researcherssay Unlikeotherpeernations,the U.S.doesn’tguaranteehealthcarecoverage.Wespendmoreperpersonbecausepricesarehigher,andAmericansare morelikelytoreportskippingcarebecauseofcost Wealsohavefewerdoctorspercapitathanmanypeercountries,data show.

TheU.S.isarguablythebestintheworldattreatingcomplexdiseases,saysDr.PhilipLandrigan,directorofthe globalpublichealthprogramatBostonCollege.Butitisworseatprovidingaccesstocareandservicesthathelp manageorpreventillness,hesays.

‘PeaceBeWithYou’:PopeLeoXIVStepsOnto theWorldStage

May9,2025|ArynBaker

"Peacebewithallofyou!"ThosewerethefirstwordsofPopeLeoXIV,thenewlyanointedleaderoftheCatholic Church

AsCardinalRobertFrancisPrevostaddressedtheecstaticcrowdgatheredinSt Peter’ssquare,heusedtheworld’smost famouspulpittopromoteavisionthat,oflate,hasbeenmoreofawishthanreality.

“Toallpeople,wherevertheyare,toallthepeopleoftheearth,”hecontinued,influentItalian,“maypeacebewithyou” Heisnowtaskedwithdeliveringit

Prevost’sappearanceonthebalconyofSt Peter’sBasilicawastheculminationofacenturies-oldelectionritualinwhich speciallyselectedcardinals,sworntosecrecy,gatheredbehindthecloseddoorsoftheSistineChapeltodecidewhocould bestleadthechurchthroughaperiodofimmensechange HesucceedsPopeFrancis,whodiedonApril21,ontothe worldstage,andwillbeexpectedtocontinueinthegloballybelovedleader’spathtowardamoreopen,inclusivechurch thatadvocatesforthepoorandthemarginalized.

ThevotingbeganonWednesdaynightwithaninconclusiveresult.AnotherthreeroundswereheldonThursday,before CardinalPrevostobtainedtherequiredtwo-thirdsmajority Thefactthatthevotingtooklessthantwodays,onparwith theselectionofFrancisin2013,showsthatthecardinal-electorswerelargelyunitedintheirchoiceofamanknownfor hissolidjudgment,hissharpinsight,andasteadyhandtoleadthechurchthroughatumultuoustime

Anewnameandanoldcape

Thepapaltraditionofacardinaltakinganewnameasheisannouncedpopesymbolizeshisrebirthascustodianofthe church ThechosennameoftensignalsthedirectionthenewPopeintendstotake BychoosingthenameLeo,Prevost wasmakingapowerfulstatement.PopeLeoXIII,whoseturn-of-the-20thcenturypontificatestraddledaperiodofglobal upheavaldefinedbytheindustrialrevolution,wasknownforhisdefenceoftherightsofworkers,hisadvocacyfor immigrantsandhiscareforthepoor.

“Inmanyways,PopeLeoXIIIwasveryconservative,butonsocialissues,hewasverystrong.I'mguessingthatCardinal PrevostwantedtosignalhiscommitmenttosocialjusticeinthetraditionofPopeFrancis,”saysBrettC Hoover,a theologyprofessoratLoyolaMarymountUniversityinCalifornia

ThepowerofthepapacyextendsfarbeyondCatholicism’s14billionfollowers Thepopemaynothavethemilitaryor economicpowerofotherleaders,buthehasthemoralauthoritythatmostgloballeaderslack.“Whateverits weaknesses,thechurchhasalways atleastoverthepast150years givenprioritytopeopleonthemargins.And weneedthatmorethaneverinaneraofAmericafirstandFortressEurope,”saysRichardLennan,aprofessorof TheologyatBostonCollege.“Weneedsomeonewhocanspeakupforthepoor,themarginalized,thedisplacedon theworldstage.Evenifpeoplejustnodpolitelyandmoveon,westillneedthatvoice.”Withhisstated commitmenttobuilda“unitedchurch,alwaysseekingpeaceandjustice,"Prevostmadeitclearthathewouldbe thatvoice.

TheChurch’sneedforacountertoTrump’sbrandofAmerica-firstglobalrealignmentlikelyplayedarolein Prevost’sselection,saysLennan.“He’stheleastAmericanAmerican.Itwouldn'tsurprisemeatallifthatwaspart ofthethinkingoftheCardinals,thattheywantedsomeonewhocouldkeepchallengingattitudesandactionsthat disregardthevalueofhumanlives.”

ChurchmemberswillpressurePrevosttoofferclarityontheseandotherpressingissuesfacingthemodern

church.Howheleansisabitofamystery,saysLennan.Asamissionarywhospentmostofhislifeoutsideofthe UnitedStates,hewasabletostayoutoftheculturewarsthatdefineAmericanCatholicism.“Ontheseissues,he’s thegreatunknown.There'sadifferencebetweenthepersonyouarethedayyougetelectedandwhoyouareas pope.”HowherespondstothesequestionswilleithercementFrancis’progressivelegacyordemonstratethatit wasatemporaryaberration.

Still,thefactthatPrevostdonnedthetraditionalerminefringedredcapethatFrancis inasignofhiscommitmentto humility refusedtowearathisownanointmentin2013,signalsthatLeoXIVplanstotakeamoreconciliatory approachtochurchconventions,evenasheexpandsonotheraspectsofFrancis’legacy

Inhisshortaddresstothefaithful,PrevostpraisedFrancis’commitmenttooutreachandinclusivityandlaidouthisown plansforcontinueddialogueandachurch“aChurchthatalwaysseekspeace,thatalwaysseekscharity,thatalwaysseeks tobeclose,especiallytothosewhosuffer”

Prevost’spublicembraceofpontificaltraditionalongsideFrancis’provocativeagendabalancestheconcernsofachurch leadershipsplitoverissuesofdoctrinalpurity Acalmandthoughtfulleader,accordingtothosewhoknowhim,heisa Franciswithsandeddownedges.

BorninChicagotoafamilywithItalian,French,andSpanishroots,Prevost,69,willbethefirstPopefromtheUnited StatestheCatholicChurchhaseverseen,andonlythesecondPopefromtheAmericas,afterFrancis,whowasfrom Argentina.

HeattendedahighschoolrunbyanAugustinianseminary,thenwentontogetadegreeinmathematicsatPhiladelphia’s VillanovaUniversity HehasspentmostofhislifeoutsideoftheUnitedStates Ordainedin1982attheageof27,he wentontoserveasanAugustinianmissionary,parishpriestandeventuallyabishopinPeru,wherehespentmorethan twodecades FrancismadehimaCardinalin2023

AsanAmericanwithPeruviancitizenshipwhospentmostofhiscareerservingtheworld,heisuniquelypoisedto balancethedemandsofaglobalchurchagainsttheworstimpulsesofanisolationistAmerica.

AfteraddressingthecrowdsgatheredinfrontofSt Peter’sBasilicainflawlessItalian,hethankedmembersofhis PeruviandioceseinperfectSpanish.Notably,hedidnotsayawordinEnglish,thankthepeopleofChicago,orreferto hisAmericanoriginsinanyway Thatwasdeliberate,saysHoover “Hewassaying,‘I'manAmerican,butI'madifferent kindofAmerican.I'mnotanationalist;I'mapersonthatcaresabouttheentireworld.”

Thatdidn’tstopUS PresidentDonaldTrumpfromcongratulatingthenewlymintedPopeinasocialmediapostsoon aftertheannouncement “ItissuchanhonortorealizethatheistheFirstAmericanPope,”Trumpwrote “What excitement,andwhataGreatHonorforourcountry IlookforwardtomeetingPopeLeoXIV Itwillbeavery meaningfulmoment”

CloseconfidantsdescribePrevostasreserved,almostshy Buttheyuniformlylaudhisabilitytolisten “Inmeetingshe waslikeasponge,”saysFatherAndrewSmall,whohasworkedwithPrevostonseveralhigh-levelchurchcommissions “He’salistenerandhisquestionstellyouhe’sprocessingwhatyou’resaying.Itdoesn’tmeanyouknowwhathe’s thinking,butyouknowthatyou’vebeenheard”

PopeLeoXIVcomestoprominenceatapivotaltime,whenprincipledleadershipismorevitalthanever Hefaces ongoingconflictsinUkraine,theMiddleEast,AfricaandSouthAsia,alongwiththepoliticallydivisive,butmorally urgent,issuesofmigration,religiousfreedom,humanrightsandtheclimatecrisis Hewillhavetonavigateasurgein right-wingnationalism,aswellasapotentialeconomicslumpthatthreatenstheworld’smostvulnerable.

PopeLeoalsofaceschallengesofamorepracticalnature,suchastheVatican’sparlousfinancialstateanditsdiplomatic ties OneofthehallmarksoftheFrancispontificatewasagroundbreakingagreementwithBeijingthatallowedthe ChineseCommunistPartyleadershiptoweighinonchurchappointmentswithinthecountry.AfewdaysafterFrancis’ death aninterregnumknownassedevacante,theemptyseat,whenallleadershipdecisionsareputonhold Beijing unilaterallynamedtwobishops,includingonetoreplaceaVaticanfavorite.Leo'sresponsewillsetthetoneforhis approachtoBeijing’sincreasinglyovertchallengestoVaticanauthority,aswellasitspersecutionofunderground Catholicclergyinacountrythatishometoapproximately20millionCatholics.

WarmAmericanwelcomefornewpopemasks

USchurch'sdeepdivide

May9,2025|BradBrooks,AndrewHay,andAlexandraUlmer

AsPopeLeoXIVcelebratedhisfirstMassaspontiffattheSistineChapelonFriday,hespokeafewwordsinEnglish It wasareminder-ifanyoneneededone-thatabaseballfanwhohailsfromChicagowasnowleaderoftheRoman CatholicChurch

ForAmericanCatholics,theelevationofRobertPrevosttothepapacywasashock,acauseforcelebrationandachance forsomefun Aftertheannouncement,socialmedialitupwithmemesaboutLeoeatinghotdogs,bringingdeepdishpizza totheVaticanandswitchingoutthePopemobileforapickuptruck

Butdespitethewarmembraceofhiscountrymenandwomen,thedeeplydividedU.S.CatholicChurchmayultimately posesomeofthemostseriouschallengesforthenewpope

Thosedivisions,whichmirrormoregeneralizedpoliticalpolarizationintheUS,areevidentinahostofissues: immigration,same-sexcouples,climatechangeandtheroleofwomenintheChurch,amongotherissues

ThesplithasgrownwiderinrecentyearsasagrowingsegmentofconservativeCatholicsbecomesincreasinglyvocaland assertive.PopeFrancis-whowasseenasmoreprogressive-mindedthankstohisviewsonclimatechangeandmigration -sawhispopularitydeclineintheUS overtimeastheconservativeinfluencehelpedshapeopinions:In2024,about 75%ofU.S.CatholicsviewedFrancisfavorably,downfromabout90%in2015,accordingtoaPewResearchPoll.

CathleenKaveny,atheologyandlawprofessoratBostonCollegewhohascloselytrackedthesplitbetween conservativesandprogressives,saidthenewpontiffcouldsalvesomewoundsbetweenthesideswhiledeepening others.

KavenyexpectsLeo,withhisexpertiseincanonlawandadministrationattheVatican,toembracehis predecessor'svisionofachurchdedicatedtothepoorandopentoall,whatshedescribedasa“trickle-uptheoryof payingattentiontopeopleandwhattheythink.”

IfKavenyprovesright,traditionalistsandconservativesmaybalk.“PopeLeoXIVisaninstitutionbuilderandhe willinstitutionalizePopeFrancis’visions-or,atleast,certainaspectsofthem,”shesaid.

SteveBannon,theconservativestrategistandCatholicwhoadvisedPresidentDonaldTrumpduringhisfirstterm,also expectscontinuity."He’sanideologicaltwintoFrancis,"hesaidinaninterviewwithReuters.

PRESIDENTASPOPE

Thatsaid,Americanconservativesmayappreciatethatthenewpontiffwilllikelyshowmorediscretionthan Francis,Kavenysaid,perhapsshiftingfocusawayfromsomeofthemorecontentiousissuessuchoutreachtothe gayandtransgenderfaithful.

Intheirpolitics,U.S.Catholicshaveswungmoreconservative,withright-wingmediaandTrump-eraculturewars combiningaspowerfulinfluencewithinthechurch CatholicsvotedforTrump59%-39%overDemocratKamalaHarris intheNovemberpresidentialelection,a12percentagepointswingfrom2020,accordingtoexitpollingbyEdison Research

Trump,whosecabinetisaboutone-thirdCatholic,expressedprideathavinganAmericaninchargeattheVatican An AI-generatedimageofTrumpdressedaspopewaspostedonaWhiteHousesocialmediaaccountlastweekend;the presidenttoldreportershehadnothingtodowiththeimage

DespiteTrump'swelcome,LeomayalsofindhimselfinthecrosshairsofTrumpsupporters,someofwhomhave describedhimasaglobalist,liberalandwoke-minded LeohasahandfulofdisapprovingpostsabouttheRepublican leaders'policiesontheXaccountofRobertPrevost AmongthepostsareonequestioningTrump'smigrationpoliciesand anotherrepostinganarticleheadlined,"JDVanceiswrong:Jesusdoesn'taskustorankourloveforothers"

"He’sgotthatsameLatinAmericanliberationtheologyradicalnesstohim,"Bannonsaid,referringtoLeo "He’s virulentlyanti-Trump."

TheshareofAmericanswhodescribethemselvesasCatholichaschangedlittleoverthelastdecade,hoveringaround 20%,accordingtoPewResearch Duringthattime,theChurchhasbeenrockedbysexabusescandalsthathaveresulted incostlylegalsettlementsandbankruptcies,whiledraggingonchurchattendanceanddonations.

AnumberofU.S.dioceses,includinginLeo'shometownofChicago,havebeenforcedtoclosechurches,whileothers havefallenintodisrepair

DespiteFrancis'cost-cuttingeffortsandfinancialmanagement,theVaticanfacesan$9422millionbudgetshortfall,two sourceshavetoldReuters,andamuchlargerfundinggapinitspensionfund.

'NOPLACETOGO'

DavidGibson,directoroftheCenteronReligionandCultureatFordhamUniversity,saidthatLeo’sascensioncements themovementignitedbyFrancistobroadentheappealofthechurchandmakeitaccessibletomorepeople Attimesthat hascomeattheexpenseoftradition,suchasthemovebyFrancistorestrictthecelebrationoftheLatinMass,which enragedhisconservativecritics

"Theconservativeshavenoplacetogo Leois69andcouldbearoundfor15to20years,”Gibsonsaid “Thisisthe churchnow-findinghowtopreachtheGospelinmoderntimes Theconservativeswillhavetofigureouthowthey’re goingtoliveinthatchurch”

Still,LeoisanAmerican,andexpertssaiditremainedtobeseenhowthenoveltyofthefirstU.S.-bornpope-andhis understandingofUS Catholics-couldplayout

"There'sacertainkindofopportunityhehasinthismomenttoappealandtobeasymbolthatcanuniteandthatcouldgo awayinpullingustogether,"saidNancyPineda-Madrid,associateprofessoroftheologyatBostonCollege.

"IthinkinmanywayshecanstretchushereintheUnitedStatesinwaysthatarewonderfulandrich,"shesaid.

WhatYourEstatePlanMayBeMissing

May3,2025|TammyLaGorce

BeforeZygmundFurmaniuk’sauntMarydiedin2023,shesetupatrusttoholdherassetsandtodistributeherestate, whichwasvaluedatnearly$1million

Aretiredchemistryteacher,MaryFurmaniukwassingleandhadnochildren Creatingthetrust,Mr Furmaniuksaid,was herwayofmakingsureherassetsendedupwhereshewantedthem withhimandthreeotherniecesandnephews.But eventhoughhisaunthadawill,thearrangementcausedconsiderablefrustrationforMr Furmaniuk,ofBelmont,Mass, andoneofhiscousins,whowereco-executors.

Thehardpartwasn’tfiguringoutthesaleofherhouseandwhattodowithhervaluables Themorecomplicatedpartwas distributingthemoneyinherindividualretirementaccounts,whichhadbeenplacedwithinthetrust butwithout designatedbeneficiaries

“Ifshehadmadeuseach25percentbeneficiariesdirectlyonherIRAsatFidelity,notfromwithinthetrust,”Mr Furmaniuksaid,“themonthlongdurationofpaperworkIhadtogothrough,whichendedupthesizeofasmallphone book,wouldhavebeenunnecessary”

MajorbrokeragefirmslikeVanguardandFidelityasksaverstonamedesignatedbeneficiaries thepeopletheywantto inheritthemoneywhentheydie whentheyopenindividualretirementaccountsor401(k)s.Butevenhavingthemin placedoesn’tcovertheassetsthatwillsdo Hereiswhyyoushouldhaveboth

Willsarelegaldocumentsthatlaythegroundworkfordividingvaluablepossessions,likerealestate,inadditionto investmentsandcashwhenapersondies Ifyoudiewithoutone,thestatewhereyouwerealegalresidentwilltakeover distributingthoseassets.Andthatcanbecomeacomplicatedweb.

Everystatehasitsownlawsgoverningwhoinheritsyourpropertyifyoudiewithoutawill.Often,it’stheperson’sclosest livingrelatives,suchasaspouse,parentsorsiblings Butdefaultingtostatelawsinvolvesrulingsfromprobatecourts, whichhandlelegaldecisionswhensomeonedies.Gettingthoserulingsoftenrequiresheirstoinvesttheirtimeand money,andcansignificantlydelaythesettlementofanestate

“Whenitcomestodyingwithoutawill,there’sthisidea,andit’snotcrazy,thatthedefaultsthatstatesadoptare broadlyinlinewithwhatpeoplewouldwanttodoanyway,”saidGalWettstein,aseniorresearcheconomistat BostonCollege.

Astatemaydistributehouses,accountsandcarstoaspousefirst,forexample.Ifthespousehasdied,thoseassets maybesplitamongchildren.Butwithpropertylikerealestate,forexample,thedivisioncangetcomplicated.A deedtoahouseorlandhastobeclearbeforetheheirscansellit,Dr.Wettsteinsaid.Ifthereisadisaster,suchasa fireorflood,beforethepropertyissold,heirsmayalsohavetroublefilinganinsuranceclaimtomakerepairs.

Animportantconsideration,Dr.Wettsteinsaid,isthatstatedefaultsdon’ttakeintoaccounthowAmerican familiesandhouseholdshaveevolved.Defaults“arenotwellsuitedtonontraditionalfamilystructures,”hesaid. Forexample,ifaparenthasn’tformallyadoptedastepchild,thechildmaynotreceiveanythingwhentheparent dies.

Whilewillsmustbeadministeredbyacourt,designatedbeneficiariesmayneedonlytoshowtheiridentificationandthe accountowner’sdeathcertificatetoaninstitutionlikeVanguardtoreceiveapayout buteachinstitutionwillhaveits ownprocedures,sobecomefamiliarwiththem Thekeyisthatnamingbeneficiarieswillhelpyourheirsbypassprobate courtanditscosts.

Keepinmind,though:“Oneofthemisconceptionsthatsometimescomesupis:‘IfIhavedesignatedbeneficiarieslisted, Idon’tneedawill,’”saidSabinoVargas,acertifiedfinancialplannerandseniorfinancialadviseratVanguard “That’sa greatopportunitytoprovidesomeeducation,becauseawilldoessomuchmorethanpeoplethink.”

Forexample,thosewhohaveminorchildrenorpetscannameguardiansforthemintheirwills “Youcanalsoimagine therearesituationsinvolvingart,jewelry,collectibles,”Mr Vargassaid “Unlessyouwanttoturnoverwhathappensto yourassetsandtheguardianshipofyourchildrentothestate,wethinkawillisacriticalpieceofanoverallestateplan”

“Ideally,everyoneshouldwriteupawill,includingyoungpeople,eachindividualspouseandpeoplelivingwithpartners, evenifyouthinkyoudon’thavemuchtopasson,”saidMarciaMantell,aretirementconsultantinPlymouth,Mass. “Evenacomputer,cellphoneandothertechshouldbepassedtosomeoneyoupersonallyname Thishelpssettleyour estateoutsideoftheprobatecourts.”

Twoofthemostcommonwaysofdrawingupawillarehiringanestatelawyerandusinganonlinetemplate,Ms.Mantell said ForthosegoingtheDIY route,it’simportanttonoteafewtechnicaldetails First,becausewillsaresubjecttostate laws,makesuretoincludeelementsyourstaterequires.Sometimesthatmeansrecruitingawitnessortwotosignthewill.

Also,“moststatesrequirethatyouincludecertainlanguagemakingclearthatyouarenotbeingforcedintothetermsof thewill” forexample,thatyouareofsoundmind,Ms Mantellsaid

Gettingstartediseasy,shesaid andnotnecessarilycostprohibitive.“Ifyoucan’taffordtoseealawyer,downloada PDFandfillitinandsignaccordingtoyourstate’slaws,”shewroteinanemail “Googlesomethinglike,‘makingawill in[nameofyourstate],’andoptionswillpopup.”

ForanintroductiontoastudybytheCenterforRetirementResearchatBostonCollege,Dr.Wettsteinandhis co-authorsoutlinedthewaysinwhichwillscanbetransformative,especiallyforBlackandHispanicfamilies.

“Despitetheadvantagesofhavingawill,onlyabouttwo-thirdsofhouseholdswithheadsages70andolderhada willin2020,andtheshareofwhitehouseholdswithawillwasmorethantwicethatforBlackandHispanic households,”theywrote.Peoplewhoreceiveaninheritance,theyadded,aremorelikelytoleaveabequestforthe nextgeneration,andpeopleofcolorarelesslikelytoreportreceivinganinheritance.

Buttransferringwealthoftenlaysthefoundationforthekindoffuturefamiliesstrivefor.Thetransferofwealth viainheritancecanpropelafamilyintohomeownershiporabetterschooldistrict,forexample.Reachingthose goalssolelythroughearnedincomemaybemoreofachallenge,thestudy’sauthorsnoted.

“Wealthcanprovideabuffer,”Dr.Wettsteinsaid.Howitreachesheirs whetherthroughatrust,awillora beneficiarydesignation doesn’tmatter,aslongasitreachesthem.

Still,fromMr Furmaniuk’sperspective,it’sworthunderstandingeverylineoffineprintonestatedocuments,whether theyareissuedbyabank,aninsurancecompanyoralawyer.

Whenthedustsettledonhisaunt’sestate,“shegottheoutcomeshedesired,andthingsworkedoutfairlyforall concerned,”hesaid Butifeveryoneinvolvedhadhadabetterunderstandingoftheintersectionofdesignated beneficiariesandtrusts,“itcouldhavebeenawholeloteasier.”

Tariff-induceduncertaintyseencurbingUSjob growthinApril

May2,2025|LuciaMutikani

U.S.jobgrowthlikelyslowedinAprilamidheightenedeconomicuncertaintybecauseofPresidentDonaldTrump's aggressivetariffpolicy,thoughcompaniescontinuedtohoardworkers,keepingthelabormarkethummingfornow

TheLaborDepartment'scloselywatchedemploymentreportonFridayis,however,likelytobedismissedas backward-lookingandprobablywillnotofferaclearpulseoftheeconomyaftergrossdomesticproductcontractedinthe firstquarterundertheweightofadelugeofimportsasbusinessestriedtogetaheadoftariffs

Trump'sApril2"LiberationDay"tariffannouncementusheredinsweepingdutiesonmostimportsfromtheUnited States'tradepartners,includingraisingdutiesonChinesegoodsto145%,sparkingatradewarwithBeijingand tighteningfinancialconditions Trumplaterdelayedhigherreciprocaltariffsfor90days,whicheconomistssaidwas essentiallyapauseonthewholeeconomyasitleftbusinessesinastateofparalysisandriskedarecessioniftherewasno claritysoon

"Thisisasituationwheretheairintheballoonisslowlydissipatingout,"saidBrianBethune,aneconomics professoratBostonCollege."There'sacertainamountoflaborhoardingthat'sgoingondespitetheuncertainty acrosssomanydifferentdimensions,ontheanticipationthatsomehowtherewillbesomeclarityintermsof directionofpolicy."

Nonfarmpayrollslikelyincreasedby130,000jobslastmonthafterrisingby228,000inMarch,aReuterssurveyof economistsshowed Estimatesrangedfrom25,000to195,000jobsadded Partoftheanticipatedstep-downinpayrolls wouldbeduetothefadingboostfromwarmerweather

Thepaceofjobgainswouldbemorethanthe100,000thateconomistssayareneededtokeepupwithgrowthinthe working-agepopulation.Theunemploymentrateisforecasttohavebeenunchangedat4.2%lastmonth.Whilethelabor marketcontinuestoshowresilienceamidareluctancebyemployerstoletgoofworkersafterstrugglingtofindlabor duringandaftertheCOVID-19pandemic,warningsignsareaccumulating.

Businesssentimentcontinuestoplummet,whicheconomistsexpectwillatsomepointgivewaytolayoffs.Already, airlineshavepulledtheir2025financialforecasts,citinguncertaintyoverspendingonnonessentialtravelbecauseof tariffs

GeneralMotors(GMN),opensnewtabcutits2025profitforecastonThursdayandsaiditexpecteda$4-$5billiontariff hit.

ChinahasordereditsairlinesnottotakefurtherdeliveriesofBoeing(BA.N),opensnewtabplaneswhileRyanair (RYAI),opensnewtab,Europe'slargestlow-costcarrier,onThursdaythreatenedtocancelordersforhundredsofBoeing aircraftifthetariffwarleadstomateriallyhigherprices.

Amidtheuncertainty,theFederalReserveisexpectedtokeepitsbenchmarkovernightinterestrateinthe4.25%-4.50% rangenextweek

Economistsexpectcompanieswillreducehoursbeforeresortingtolayoffs.Theaverageworkweekhasbeensteadily decliningsince2023andheldsteadyat342hoursinMarch

"Howmuchcanthelabormarketabsorbandhandlethisuncertaintythattheadministrationhasinjectedintothe economy?"askedMarthaGimbel,executivedirectoroftheBudgetLabatYale."Americanbusinessesareresilient,and there'salotthattheycanovercome,buttheycan'tovercomeeverything,andatsomepointthepolicyenvironmentis goingtoreallystarttobite."

Mosteconomistsexpectthetariffdragcouldbecomeevidentintheso-calledharddata,includingemploymentand inflationreports,bysummer Surveys,includingfromtheInstituteforSupplyManagement,theConferenceBoardand UniversityofMichigan,haveuniformlypaintedadireeconomicpicture

TheTrumpadministration'sunprecedentedandoftenchaoticcampaignspearheadedbytechbillionaireElonMusk's DepartmentofGovernmentEfficiency,orDOGE,todrasticallyshrinkthefederalgovernmentthroughmasslayoffsand deepfundingcutsisaddingtotherisinglabormarketrisks

Someofthespendingcutshaveaffectedschoolsandmedicalresearch Thegovernmentandthehealthcaresectorshave beenthekeydriversofemploymentgrowth.Thelabormarket'sresilienceislikelytobeunderscoredbysolidwage growth

Averagehourlyearningsareforecasttohaverisenby03%,matchingMarch'sgain Thatwouldraisetheannualincrease inwagesto39%from38% Thishasleftsomeeconomistsoptimisticthattheeconomycouldavoidthedreaded stagflation-tepidgrowthandhighinflation-orworsearecession

"Generallywhenthereisstagflation,wehaven'tseenthelabormarketbeasresilientasitistoday,"saidElizabeth Crofoot,asenioreconomistatLightcast "Aslongaspeoplehavejobs,aslongastheirincomesarenotnecessarilyrising, butsteady,andtheyfeelliketheycanabsorbsomeofthepriceincreasesthat'sgoingtoallowtheeconomytobe resilient"

MH improved

May1,2025|LorieKonish

MillionsofolderworkerslosttheirjobsduringtheCovid-19recession.

BetweenMarchandApril2020,5.7millionworkersages55anduplosttheirjobs,accordingtotheEconomicPolicy Institute’sanalysisoffederaldata

Now,fiveyearssincetheonsetofthepandemic,someolderworkersmaybebenefittingfrompoliciesthathelpthem extendtheircareers.

“We’reseeingmoreandmoreemployersputtinginbenefitsandprogramsthathelpretainsomeofthatolderworkforce,” saidCarlyRoszkowski,vicepresidentoffinancialresilienceprogrammingatAARP

Theseprogramsincludephasedretirementplans,part-timeschedulesandremoteorhybridworkoptions,Roszkowski said.

Moneyisstillthemainreasonwhypeoplewanttostayintheworkforcelonger,particularlyasinflationhaspushedprices higher,accordingtoRoszkowski Buttherearealsoothermotivators,includingsocialconnections,asenseofpurposeor meaningfulworkthatmayhelpinspireindividualstocontinuetowork

Onelastingimpactofthepandemic increasedflexibilitytoworkremotely maybehelpingsomeolderworkers delayretirement,accordingtonewresearchfromtheCenterforRetirementResearchatBostonCollege.

Theresearchfindsthatanindividualwhoisworkingremotelyis1.4percentagepointslesslikelytoretirethana workerinanotherwisecomparablesituation.

Basedonthoseresults,thatcouldenableworkerstoextendtheircareersbyalmostafullyear.

“IftheydelayclaimingSocialSecurityforthatyear,ordelaydiggingintotheir401(k)forthatyear,orcontribute totheir401(k)forthatyear,that’sallgoingtobegoodfortheirfinances,”saidGeoffreySanzenbacher,aresearch fellowattheCenterforRetirementResearchandprofessorofthepracticeofeconomicsatBostonCollege.

Whetherornotindividualscanworkremotelycomesdowntoemployerpreference Forexample,somecompanies JPMorgan,AT&T,AmazonandDell havemovedtofive-dayin-officepolicies.Thefederalgovernment,whichhasa workforcethatskewsolder,hasalsomovedtoenforcein-personworkpoliciesunderPresidentDonaldTrump Researchsuggestsolderworkersbenefitfromremotework.Inparticular,theemploymentrateofolderworkers whohaveadisabilityincreasedby10%followingthepandemic,accordingtotheCenterforRetirementResearch.

Tobesure,notallcareersmayallowforremotework.

Whatcareerexpertssaytodonow

Careerexpertssaytherearecertainwaysolderworkerscanhelpextendthelongevityoftheirworkingyears

Olderworkersshouldfocusonupscaling gainingnewskillsorboostingtheircurrentskillset tohelpshowofftheir skillstoemployers,saidVickiSalemi,careerexpertatMonster Thatmaybethroughacertification,onlineclassor volunteering,shesaid.

Havingafoundational,basicunderstandingoftechnologytoolsusedintheworkplaceisalsoessential,saidKyleM.K.,a talentstrategyadvisoratIndeedcom

Olderworkersmayalsowanttoshowofftheirrelationshipbuildingskills,whichcansetthemapartfromyounger generationsthataremoredigitallyinclined,accordingtoSalemi.

Mentoring,conflictresolutionorotherinterpersonalskillsarehighlysoughtafterskillsthatshouldbehighlighted,where possible,MK said

Bykeepingdigitalprofilesuptodateonjobsearchsites,olderworkerscanemphasizetheirskillsandexperience,hesaid “Digitalpresenceissometimestheveryfirstintroductionthattheemployerwillhavewithyou,”MK said

HowTrump'slitanyofexecutiveorderstest250 yearsofAmericangovernment

April30,2025|BartJansen

PresidentDonaldTrump'sfirst100dayshaveledtoarecordnumberoflegalfightsthatareheadedtotheUS Supreme Courtandwherethejusticeswillbeaskedtoaddressquestionsthatdefinethe250-yearoldrelationshipbetweenthethree branchesoffederalgovernment

ThesearebattlesofTrump'sownmaking:Thesecondtermpresidenthasbeensigningexecutiveordersatarecordpace, with139throughApril24,thateachtesttheboundariesofpresidentialpowerinareassuchasgovernmentspendingand immigrationenforcement Morethan200federallawsuitshavechallengedTrump'snewpolicies,withmultiplejudges temporarilyblockinghispriorities

Trumphasalreadyfiled11emergencyrequestswiththeSupremeCourt morethanduringthecombined16yearsofthe GeorgeW.BushandBarackObamaadministrations.Legalexpertssaythosecases'eventualresolutionscouldbring profoundchangestotherelationshipsbetweentheexecutive,legislativeandjudicialbranchesofgovernmentandon Trump'schancesofsuccessinadvancinghisagenda.

“Itcertainlyappearslikethisadministrationistestingtheboundsofthelawandtryingtoseehowmuchtheycanget awaywithnotfollowingtherequirementsthatCongressandtheConstitutionhaveestablishedforthewaytheexecutive doestheirwork,”TobiasWolff,alawprofessorattheUniversityofPennsylvania,toldUSATODAY.“Thatisavery alarmingfact”

Theimmigrationissuesaremomentousbecausesomeofthedisputedquestionshavelongbeenseenassettled

Considerthe1798AlienEnemiesAct,whichallowsforswifterremovalofnoncitizensandwasneverreallytested incourtoutsideawartimecontext,accordingtoDanielKanstroom,alawprofessoratBostonCollegewhois directoroftheInternationalHumanRightsProgram.

TheSupremeCourtin1898alsoupheldbirthrightcitizenship,whichTrumporderedchangedduringanOvalOffice ceremonyhoursafterhisinauguration WhetherUS lawcanreachintoanElSalvadorprisonisafundamentalquestion abouttheseparationofpowersbetweenthepresidentandcourts.

“Ithinkthisispossiblythemostimportanteraofimmigrationlawlitigationthatwe’veseensincethebeginningof thecountry,”KanstroomtoldUSATODAY.“Idon’tthinkyoucanoverstatetheimportanceofallofthecases takenasagroupthatarebeforethecourt.”

OneofthefirstexecutiveordersTrumpsignedafterreturningtotheWhiteHouseaimedtoendbirthrightcitizenshipfor thechildrenofimmigrantswithoutauthorizationtobeinthecountry.Thelegaldisputeovertheorderwillbethefirstto getafull-blownhearingattheSupremeCourtonMay15 weeksaftertheterm'sendofregularlyscheduledhearings

The14thAmendmenttotheConstitution,ratifiedin1868,says:“AllpersonsbornornaturalizedintheUnitedStatesand subjecttothejurisdictionthereof,arecitizensoftheUnitedStatesandoftheStatewhereintheyreside.”ButTrump contendsitwasonlymeanttocoverformerslavesandnotthemoderninfluxofimmigrants

TwofederaljudgesareinvestigatingwhethertheTrumpadministrationhasdefiedtheirorders,anotherpathtoa constitutionalcrisisifthejudgesorderanindependentprosecutortopursuecriminalcontemptcharges Butlegalexperts saidacriminalcontemptfindingwouldbeaserioussteptobeavoided.

US DistrictJudgeJamesBoasberginWashington,whowasfirsttopausedeportationsundertheAlienEnemiesAct, ruledApril16thegovernmentdemonstrateda“willfuldisregard”forhisorderfornotturningaroundtheflightsor orderingtheirreturnfromElSalvador “Noneoftheirresponseshasbeensatisfactory,”hewrote

AdividedDC CircuitCourtofAppealspausedhisinquiryonApril18andcalledforwrittenargumentsaboutwhetherto stoptheinquiry.

JoshBlackman,alawprofessoratSouthTexasCollegeofLawinHouston,calledita"linethatmaybeshouldn'tbe crossed"BlackmansaidtheSupremeCourtcouldinterveneisBoasbergfindscontempt

AnotheroptionwouldbethatTrumpcouldpardonanyonechargedwithcontempt "Onehopesthatwedon'thavetogettothatbrinkinthiscase,"Kanstroomsaid.

Inanothercase,U.S.DistrictJudgePaulaXinisinMarylandhasdemandedupdatesaboutreturningKilmarAbrego GarciafromElSalvadorafterwhatadministrationofficialsacknowledgedwashismistakenremoval TheSupremeCourt backedherupambiguously,sayingthegovernmentshould“facilitate”hisreturn.

ButBondisaidduringanOvalOfficemeetingApril14itwasuptoElSalvadortoreturnGarcia Xinispostponeda demandforthegovernmenttoshareevidenceinthecaseuntilApril30

“Ihopewedon’tfindourselvesinthatsituation,”Wolff,thelawprofessor,saidofpotentialcontemptproceedings. “Certainly,Ithinkthepopularresponsetothisadministrationsaying‘wecanoperateoutsidetheboundariesofthecourts’ wouldnotbeafavorableone.”

‘RejoiceandBeGlad’

April28,2025|StephenJ.Pope

Thebeatitudes(Matthew5:1–12,Luke6:20–26)areamongthemosttreasuredpassagesinthegospels Thebeatitudesare bothdescriptive(truedisciplesarepoorinspirit,meek,pureofheart,etc)andnormative(cultivatetheseattitudes) While counter-intuitivetotheworldly,boththenandnow,theypointtowhatDietrichBonhoefferoncecalled“thecostof discipleship”Finally,thebeatitudesaredisplayedbyJesushimself

Inmanyways,PopeFrancis’swholelifecanbedescribedasstrivingtoliveinaccordwiththebeatitudes Ratherthana world-historicalfigurelikePopeJohnPaulIIorareservedscholarlikeBenedictXVI,PopeFranciswas,ascollege studentsliketosay,“relatable”Hemadeseriousmistakesofjudgment(asintheChileansex-abusecrisis),offered ill-informedadvice(aswhenhesuggestedthatUkraineprovokedPutin),andmanifestedgenerationalblindspots (especiallyregardinggender) Atthesametime,hewaswellservedbyhishumblewillingnesstoadmithisownflaws,to listentoothers(includingthoseoutsidetheclericalworld),andtogrowasahumanbeingandChristian.

Inaseriesoftalksonthebeatitudesgivenin2020,PopeFrancisurgedhisaudiencetoviewthebeatitudesasa hermeneuticalkeytowhatitmeanstobeaChristian Takentogether,theseeightlapidarywisdomteachingsinformhis piety,pastoralactivity,andmoralsensibility

Blessedarethepoorinspirit,fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven(Matthew5:3) Tobe“poorinspirit”isneitherthe automaticresultofmaterialdeprivationnorreducibletothesinner’sspiritualhumilitybeforeGod.Asarchbishopof BuenosAires,thefuturepopecametoknowthe“poorinspirit”amongthosewhodwellintheshantytownsofBuenos Aires.Theyare“thosewhoareandfeelpoor,beggars,inthedepthsoftheirbeing”(GeneralAudienceonMay20,2020). Biblicalscholarsidentifythe“poorinspirit”withtheanawim anAramaictermreferringtopeoplewhosematerial destitutionandvulnerabilityleadsthemtoplacealltheirtrustintheboundlessandunconditionalloveofGod.Tobe “poorinspirit”istorealizethatthekingdomofheaven thestateinwhichtheworldisincompleteharmonywiththe absolutelylovingwillofGod isacompletelygratuitousgiftratherthansomethingwecanearn.

Ratherthanmere“objects”ofeithermoderncharityorsocial-justiceadvocacy,the“poorinspirit”teachuswhatitmeans tobetrulyChristian WhatthepopeaskedofyoungpeopleinthePhilippinesappliestoallofus:“Youwholiveby alwaysgiving,andthinkthatyouneednothing,doyourealizethatyouarepooryourself?Doyourealizethatyouare verypoorandthatyouneedwhattheycangiveyou?Doyouletyourselfbeevangelizedbythepoor,bythesick,bythose youassist?”

Jesusisthustheconcreteembodimentofwhatitmeanstobe“poorinspirit,”andtheChurchmuststrivetogrowinthis spiritaswell.ThiswasthemotivationforPopeFrancis’scommitmenttosynodalityand“accompaniment.”Wemust attendtothosewhoareattunedtothevoiceofGodbecausetheyhavebeenforcedtotheperipheriesoftheirsocieties

Blessedarethosewhomourn,fortheywillbecomforted(Matthew5:4) PopeFrancis’sinterpretationofthispassage revolvesaroundthedistinctionbetweentwokindsof“tears.”Thefirstarethekindweshedwhenwearemovedbythe sufferingordeathofthosewhomwelove Christiansshouldprayforthecouragetofacesuchsufferingwithoneanother ratherthanrunawayfromit.Thesecondkindoftearsarethoseproducedbytheheartfeltrealizationofourown sinfulness Whenasked“WhoisJorgeBergolio?”hesimplysaid,“Iamasinner”Realizingone’ssinfulnessisitselfa greatgracebecauseitallowsustorepentandacceptGod’sforgiveness Acknowledgementofone’sownsinfulnessis painful,butwecanendureitwhenwerealizewhatPopeFrancisnevertiredofproclaiming:“Godalwaysforgives”This iswhythepopeinsistedthattheconfessionalisaplaceforreceivingGod’smercyandnotatorturechamber

Blessedarethemeek,fortheywillinherittheearth(Matthew5:4) ThethirdbeatituderemindsusofJesus’invitation: “Learnfromme,forIammeekandhumbleofheart”(Matthew11:20).“Meekness”canrefertogentleness,kindness,and humility Inaneschatologicalsense,Godwillgrantthe“meek”whoarenowdispossessedajustworldattheendtimes ThosewhoarefaithfultoGod’sreignwillnotseizethelandbyforcebutrathertrustthatGodwillmakegoodonhis promisetocreateaworldmarkedbyshalomratherthanmutualenmity PopeFrancisunderstoodmeeknessasthe

antithesisofdominationandviolence Marxistshavecriticizedthisvalorizationofmeeknessforsuggestingthatthepoor shouldpassivelyaccepttheirfate ButFrancisalwaysinsistedthatmeeknessisconsistentwithdemandingjusticeand respectforhumanrights Hethusendorsed“communityresilienceandempowerment”initiatives(goal7ofLaudatosi’), thegrassrootsmobilizationoffarmworkers,laborers,andIndigenouspeopleinLatinAmericaandcommunityorganizing intheUnitedStates Themeekwillinherittheearthattheendhistory,butthisdoesnotmeanthatnow,inthemiddleof history,theyshouldpassivelyaccepttheirdispossession.

Blessedarethosewhohungerandthirstforrighteousness,fortheywillbefilled(Matt5:6).Psalm107declaresthatGod “satisfiesthethirstyandfillsupthehungry,”butthefourthbeatitudespecifiestheimportanceofyearning“for righteousness.”JesustellsthedisciplestheirrighteousnessmustexceedthatofthescribesandPharisees(Matthew5:20). Hislifeandteachingsshowusthemeaningoftruerighteousness,includingfidelity,compassion,hope,patience,andthe otherChristianvirtues.PopeFrancisconnectsthefourthbeatitudetohisIgnatianconvictionthateveryperson,eventhose mostdistantfromGod,havea“hiddenyearningforthelight somedesirefortruthandgoodness rootedinhuman natureandquietlyevokedbytheHolySpirit.Whethertheyusereligiouslanguageornot,thepopewasconfidentthat thosewholeadlivesofintegrityandjusticeareinfactcooperatingwithGod

Notethatblessednessisnotavailableonlytothosewhoareperfectlyrighteous(iftherearesuchpeople),butmore broadlytothosewhohungerandthirstforrighteousness bothinthemselvesandintheworld PopeFrancis’sown hungerandthirstforrighteousnesswasdisplayedinhiswillingnesstofaceandrepentforhisownshortcomings Hunger andthirstforrighteousnesscansometimesbeconfusedwithself-righteousness,fanaticism,andjudgmentalism Francis cametorepentoftheharshnessofdecisionshemadeduringhissixyearsasJesuitprovincialandlearnedgreaterhumility andcompassion HeneverstoppedtakingtoheartJesus’denunciationofthePharisees:“Youwhoalsoontheoutsidelook righteoustoothers,butinsideyouarefullofhypocrisyandlawlessness”(Matthew23:28).

ConsiderafewexamplesofPopeFrancis’spathtowardgreaterrighteousness.AfterinitiallyaccusingChileansurvivors ofclericalsexualabuseof“calumny,”hecametoacknowledgethetruth,admittedtohisown“seriouserrorsofjudgment andperception,”anddideverythinghecouldtocorrectthesituation.HedemonstratedwhatitmeansfortheChurchto hungerandthirstforrighteousnessinJuly2022whenheflewtoCanadatomeetwithIndigenouspeoplewhoseancestors hadbeensubjectedtophysicalabuse,sexualviolation,and“culturalgenocide”inresidentialschoolsrunbytheChurch. RatherthanminimizingthedamagetheChurchhaddone,hesaid,“Ihumblybegforgiveness”

Blessedarethemerciful,fortheywillreceivemercy(Matthew5:7) ThefifthbeatituderesonateswithHosea’siconic proclamation,“Idesiresteadfastloveandnotsacrifice,theknowledgeofGodratherthanburntofferings”(Hosea6:6) Matthew’slaterdepictionofJesus’declarationof“justiceandmercyandfaith”as“theweightiermattersofthelaw” (Matthew23:23)touchestheheartofPopeFrancis’spontificate HispapalmottowastakenfromSt Bede:“miserando atqueeligendo”(“havingmercyonandchoosing[him]).PopeFrancisdescribesGodnotonlyas“boundlessandunfailing love”butalsoas“closeness,mercy,andtenderness”Theprimacyofmercyaccountsforwhyhecaredsodeeplyabout thehomeless,thedisabled,thefrailelderly,andprisoners.Mercyliesattheheartofwhatitmeanstohungerandthirstfor righteousness ThisiswhyFrancisdescribedtheChurchasa“fieldhospital”andtheEucharistnotasa“prizeforthe perfect”butas“apowerfulmedicineandnourishmentfortheweak.”Mercyalsoliesattheheartofhistirelessadvocacy formigrants

Gaudeteetexsultateinterpretedthisblessingasencompassingallthosewhoareridiculedandpunishedforstandingup forjusticeinaworldthatworshipsmoney,status,andpower.Ofcourse,PopeFrancishimselfcannotreallybedescribed ashavingbeenpersecuted,buthewascertainlyreviledbysome Hisattempttoleadthe Churchtowardbecomingmorewelcoming,egalitarian,outward-facing,andpastorally sensitivedrewnotonlyfiercecriticismbutalsopersonalattacksfromsocialmediaand thetraditionalistpress.

Theimperativeinthisbeatitude “Rejoiceandbeglad” isespeciallyappropriatefor PopeFrancis Wemighteventakemercyandjoytobetheunifyingthemesofhiswork Theyappearthroughouthispontificate,fromhisearlyapostolicexhortationEvangelii gaudiumtothroughhisfinalEasteraddressonthejoyoftheResurrection.Boththemes areexpressionsoflove:mercyislovedirectedatthosewhosuffer,andjoyisthe fruitionoflove.PopeFrancisconstantlydrewourattentiontothebeatitudessothatwe mightbecomemoremercifulandjoyfulChristians

Stephen J. Pope is a professor of theological ethics at Boston College. He is the author of A Step Along the Way: Models of Christian Service (Orbis, 2015).

BetweenWorlds:AnInterviewwith“Kinship”

AuthorMaximD.Shrayer

April25,2025|LaurenRoyce

MaximD.Shrayerfrequentlytravelsbetweentheinnerworldsthatconstitutehisidentity.Inhislatestcollectionof poems,“Kinship,”Shrayeroffersmanyaglimpseintowhatit’sliketobelivingwithineachofhisworlds.Thereis thescholarlysideofhim,asaprofessorofRussian,EnglishandJewishStudiesatBostonCollege,wherehedoes notshyawayfromtoughquestions.Thereistheliterarysideofhimasanauthor:apoetcommittedtospeaking outagainstantisemitismandIsrael-hate,anddecryingtheviolenceRussia,thecountryofhisbirth,commits againsthisancestralland,Ukraine.ShrayerwasraisedinaliteraryfamilyinMoscow,andintimateconnectionsto theartofpoetryflowthroughhisveins.Thenthereisthepartofhimasatranslatorusingpoetrytokeephim connectedtohisJewishandEastEuropeanroots,writinginRussianandEnglish whiletheRussia-Ukrainewar threatenstoerasevestigesofhispast.

Shrayergrewupasarefusenik aSovietJewdeniedemigration andeventuallyenteredtheUnitedStatesasa politicalrefugeein1987.HehasauthoredandeditedthirtybooksinEnglishandRussian,amongthemthe internationallyacclaimedmemoirs“LeavingRussia:AJewishStory”and“WaitingforAmerica:AStoryof Emigration,”thecollectionofnovellas“ARussianImmigrant,”and,morerecently,theliterarymemoir “ImmigrantBaggage.”ShrayeristherecipientofaNationalJewishBookAwardandaGuggenheimFellowship. Hisworkshavebeentranslatedintothirteenlanguages.

Shrayer’snewcollection,“Kinship”(FinishingLinePress),isadeeplypersonalbodyofworkdedicatedtosharing hisexperiencesofhisethnic,religious,andculturalidentitiesasaJew,anex-Soviet,andanimmigranttoAmerica inatimewhenallpartsofhisidentityarepulledindifferentdirections.

Shrayergenerouslyagreedtodiscuss“Kinship” itsmakingandwhathishopesareforthebook.

LaurenRoyce:AsIreadthepoem“Tired,”Ifelthowclearlyyouspokeofemotionalexhaustionthroughthelines“AJew istiredofbeingweird/AJewistiredoffeelingadmired.”Ofthemanyfeelingsthroughout“Kinship”thatcomewiththe Jewishidentity,howdidyoudecideonplacing“weird”and“admired”together?

MaximD Shrayer:“Inpoetry,alotisdecidedbythemagicalconfrontationofsounds Choicesthatpoetsmakearein someinstancesdeliberate,butinotherscomeoutofhearingacertainmeaningfulconnection simplybecausewords shareapattern Thepoem‘Tired’camefromwhatIfeelalmostallthetime:thatprettymucheverypersonhasanopinion aboutbeingJewish Theinitialemotionalimpulsebehindthepoemcamefromfeelingtiredofconstantlybeing configuredbyeverybodyelse,withoutnecessarilytakingthetimetounderstandwhataJewishpersonactuallyrepresents asahumanbeing Thenthepoemtookmeinvariousdirections,bothpositiveandnegative,bothsecularandreligious It eventuallybringsyoutothequestionofwaitingfortheMessiah…Iguessthecouplingof‘weird’and‘admired’inmy poemsuggeststhatinterpretingJewsissomesortofamorbiduniversalobsession,whichcomes,ontheonehand,from prejudice,but,ontheotherhand,fromastrangeadmiration,andtheprejudicefeedsontheadmirationandtheadmiration onprejudice It’sprobablynotaveryhealthydynamic”

LR:Ibelieve“Tired”isalsotheoneyoushapedinanexclamationpoint

MDS:“Yes,I’mgladyoupickedthatup,butalsothedotattheverybottomisshapedasaStarofDavid Soit’san exclamationthathasaparticularconfiguration AndIdon’tknowwhatpoemIwouldwriteifIwerewritingthispoem aftertheHamasattackonIsrael,becauseIthinkbeingJewishisnotjustfeelingtired;it’smortallyexhausting”

“Insomecases,IchoosetheparticularformbecauseIfinditespeciallyadvantageous,butinothercases,Ithinkit’sjust anorganicprocess;versecomestomeinacertainshape,andthenIperfectit There’salotofdisciplineinworkingwith form…andIthinkthatcertainsubjectmattersinpoetrydemandaparticularintentionalityofformandstructure.Thetitle poem,forinstance,isreallyaboutthefightinginUkraine Iwantedthepoemtofeelalmostlikeafuneralprocessionwith aheavy,thunderousstep.”

LR:Thefirstandlastpoemsofthecollection,“Kinship”and“Homecoming,”aresimilarlystyledintheirtextureandline length

MDS:“That’sintentional,andthereisacertainhistoricallogictoit There’salsoalogicthathastodowithhowthisbook recordsmychangedrelationship,ontheonehand,withmyrootsintheformerSovietUnion,andontheotherhand,with Russian,myfirstlanguage,stilloneofthetwolanguagesinwhichIwrite WhenRussiainvadedUkraine,Iremember,I wokeupfeelingthatitwastheendofmypreviousrelationshipwithRussia,andalsowithRussianlanguageandculture Thetitlepoem,‘Kinship,’isinmanywaysaboutthat.It’saboutthisnewdemarcationline.ForaslongasPutinisin power,Icouldnevergoback Atthesametime imagine,ifInevergettogotoRussiaagain,forhowlongwillIbe sustainedbyjustwhatIhavewithme,inme?WilltherebeapointwhenIwillfeellikeI’moutofoxygenofRussian culture?Thecollection’sfinallongpoemenvisionsanémigréartistwholeftmany,manydecadesagoandstillthinks aboutreturn.AndhereturnsbecauseherealizesthattheonlywayhecanpunishPutin’sregimeisbymiraculouslytaking allhiswordsoutofhisbooksinRussia’slibraries TheprototypeofthepersonwhomIcall‘theComposer’isthegreat Russian-AmericanwriterVladimirNabokov,theauthorof‘Lolita.’NabokovleftRussiawhenhewas19andspenthis literarycareerabroad,firstininterwarEuropeandtheninAmericaandSwitzerland Andheneverwentbacktothe SovietUnion.InthebookIcallhimtheComposerbecauseinthehighestsense,allwritingiscomposition.Butalso,Iwas thinkingthatthisémigrécannotgobacktotheplacethatusedtobehishome,andsoheimaginesallhiswordsashis troops.

Maxim D. Shrayer is a Professor at Boston College. Born in Moscow in 1967 to a writer’s family, Shrayer grew up as a refusenik. He has authored and edited thirty books, most recently the literary memoir “Immigrant Baggage” and the poetry collection “Kinship.” Shrayer is the recipient of a National Jewish Book Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship.

BostonArchbishopRichardHenning,historian

DorisKearnsGoodwintobehonoredatBC

commencement

April25,2025|NickStoico

BostonArchbishopRichardG. Henningandpresidential historianandauthorDoris KearnsGoodwinwillreceive honorarydegreesatBoston College’scommencement ceremonyinMay,theuniversity recentlyannounced.

Thecommencementaddresswill bedeliveredbyDameLouise Richardson,presidentofthe CarnegieCorporationofNew York.Richardson,educatorand socialactivistGeoffreyCanada, andSalimDaccache,S.J.,rectorof SaintJosephUniversityofBeirut, Lebanon,willalsoreceive honorarydegrees,theuniversity saidinastatement.

BostonCollege’s149thcommencementisscheduledforMay19atAlumniStadiuminChestnutHill.

HenningwasinstalledasBoston’sseventharchbishopinOctober,followingtheretirementofCardinalSeanO’Malley, wholedthechurchfor21years.HenningpreviouslyservedasBishopofProvidenceandwasanauxiliarybishopinthe DioceseofRockvilleCentreonLongIsland,NY

Goodwin,thePulitzer-prizewinningauthorofmultiplebest-sellingbooksonUSpresidentsandAmericanhistory,livesin BostonandwasalongtimeresidentofConcord.Herlatestbook,publishedlastyear,is“AnUnfinishedLoveStory:A PersonalHistoryofthe1960s,”anhomagetoherlatehusband,Richard(Dick)Goodwin,whowasaspeechwriterfor PresidentsJohnF.KennedyandLyndonB.Johnson.

RichardsonisthefirstwomantobepresidentoftheCarnegieCorporation,afoundationfoundedbyAndrewCarnegiein 1911 ShewaspreviouslythevicechancelloratOxfordUniversityandprincipalandvicechancellorofScotland’s UniversityatSt Andrews,accordingtotheannouncement

CanadaisthefounderandboardpresidentoftheHarlemChildren’szone,anetworkofprogramsfocusedonraisinghigh schoolandcollegegraduationratesamongat-riskstudentsintheupperManhattanneighborhood,theannouncementsaid.

FatherDaccachehasbeenpresidentofSaintJosephUniversityofBeirutinLebanon,theonlyJesuituniversityinthe Arabworld,since2012,accordingtotheannouncement Hehasledtheuniversity“inthefaceofinstabilitycausedby ongoingregionalconflict,thecountry’sfinancialcrisis,andtheaftermathofadeadlyportexplosionthatdamagedUSJ’s fivecampusesinBeirut,”thestatementsaid

AreYourDataPrivateAnymore?

April22,2025|A.A.Cristi

Editor’snote:InthisFutureView,studentsdiscussdataprivacy Nextwe’llask:“AstheWhiteHouselooksfora birth-rateincrease,howshouldtheadministrationencourageanewbabyboom?”Studentsshouldclickheretosubmit opinionsoffewerthan250wordsbyApril28 ThebestresponseswillbepublishedTuesdaynight

ManymembersofGenerationZhaveawidespreadmisconceptionthatwehavenothingtohide Butthisassumption missesthepoint.Itoverlooksthegapbetweenhowdatasystemsareintendedtofunctionandhowtheyactuallydo.While personalizedsocial-mediaexperiencesmaybeconvenientandentertaining,theycomeatamisunderstoodandsignificant cost.

Personaldataaresoldtobrokers,andtheconsequencescanbedevastating In1999AmyBoyerwasmurderedbyLiam Youens,alongtimestalkerwholocatedherusingpersonalinformationhepurchasedfromDocusearch Morerecently,in 2020and2021,brokersknowinglysolddatatoscammers,despitebeingawarethattheseclientsintendedtoexploit “elderlyandvulnerable”Americans.

Databrokersgetthisinformationfromtheappsweuseandtrust.A2021studyfoundthatInstagramshares79%ofuser datawiththirdparties MaybethosedatahelpsomeoneseeaNikeadwhenlookingfornewsneakers,butthosesamedata couldbeusedfordiscriminatorypractices.Sure,it’snicetohavealgorithmicallycuratedInstagramReelsthatarefunny andrelevant ButI’mincreasinglyunsurewhetherthat’sworthbeingacoginamachinethatenablesdiscrimination,fraud andharm.

CharlieNovember,DukeUniversity,economicsandpoliticalscience

Theproliferationofdatabreachesandunevenregulatoryenforcementmeanthattryingtoprotectyourdata onlineislikeplayingaconstantgameofwhack-a-mole.Social-mediaprivacypreferencesareagreatexampleof theillusionofcontrolthattechnologycompaniesimposeuponconsumers.Unfortunately,yourresponsetowhether ornotyouwantasocial-mediaapplicationtocollectyourinformationdoesn’tchangethefactthatthereare services databrokers,adtechcompanies,marketingfirms thatexisttofindwaystogetdatathatdon’trely solelyonuseropt-insanddeterminehowtomarkettoyou.

Thiscanleavepeoplefeelingpowerless,butitdoesn’thavetobethisway.Continuedpushesforconsumerrightsin boththeEuropeanUnionandCaliforniahavebeeneffectivebysettingstandardsfortransparencyandgiving userstherighttoknowwhatdataarecollected.It’simportantthatappsandservicesaresmoothandvaluablefor consumers,butthiscanbedonewithoutprivacyoverreach.It’suptothelawtofigureoutwhatthatlookslike.

HunterScheppat,BostonCollege,financeandcomputerscience

Privacyfeelslikealostcause,especiallywiththeamountofpersonaldatacollectedbyappsandplatformsbeforewe evenbecomeusers Evenifyouhaven’tjoinedMetaservices,they’velikelybuiltashadowprofileofyou,gathering everythingfromyouraddresstoyourshoppinghabits.Mostofusskipovertermsandconditions,unknowinglyagreeing tosharemorethanwerealizeandaddingfueltothefire Bythetimewebecomeaware,theprivacylinehasalreadybeen crossed.

Ratherthanresistingthisreality,weshouldacceptitandenjoythepersonalizationtheseplatformsoffer.Thecommon argumentfocusesonwhatwe’relosing,butthetruthis,wegaveupourprivacythemomentweagreedtothoseterms Now,wecanmakethemostofit.Personalizationsavestimeandeffort it’swhywedon’thavetosearchendlesslyfor clotheswemightlikeorscrollforeverforafunnyvideo Inexchangeforourdata,wegetconvenienceandrelevance, improvingouronlineexperience

AnyonewhoknowsmeknowsIlovemyTikTok“ForYou”page,tailoredexactlytomytastes Ialwayssayit’slikeI’ve builtitbrick-by-brick.We’vealreadytradedourdatafortailoredexperiences,sowhynotenjoytheperks?

NatalieAucompaugh,BaylorUniversity,managementandmarketing

I’mcomfortablewithplatformssuchasNetflixorYouTubeanalyzingmyviewinghabitstorecommendcontent They don’tneedmymaritalstatus,birthdateorothersensitivedetails justmypreferences ButplatformssuchasInstagram, whichcollectandinferdeeplypersonalinformationundertheguiseofpersonalization,crossaline It’slikeinvitinga strangerintoyourprivatelife Worse,suchdatacanbeexploited enablingpasswordbreaches,socialengineering, stalkingoridentitytheft Thatisn’tjustintrusive;it’sdangerous

Asacybersecurityresearcher,Idesignartificial-intelligencemodelsthatdeliverpersonalizedhealthcare recommendationswithoutstoringpersonallyidentifiableinformation.WeuseanonymizedIDs recordingonlyage,ZIP Codeandprescriptionreminders tosuggesthospitalsormedicalservices Butifacompanystartsstoringnames, medicalhistoriesorSocialSecuritynumbers,theethicalcostoutweighsanybenefit.Truepersonalizationshouldn’t requiresacrificingprivacy There’saresponsiblewaytotailorexperiences andthenthere’sexploitation

YusufUsman,QuinnipiacUniversity,cybersecurity

Whathappenswhenapopedies?Explainingthe protocolsteepedinancientrituals.

April21,2025|BrianMacQuarrie

ThedeathonMondayofPopeFrancis,thespiritualleaderoftheworld’s13billionCatholics,setinmotionanelaborate andhighlyorchestratedseriesofancientritualstopreparehisbodyforburialandelectasuccessor.

It’saprotocolsteepedinscrupulouslyscriptedceremony,butonethatthe88-year-oldpontiffalteredbeforehisdeathto reflectthehumilitypreachedbyhismedievalnamesake,St.FrancisofAssisi.Aspartofthepope’swishes,Francis’s bodywillrestinawoodencoffinlinedwithzincforpublicviewinginSt Peter’sBasilicainRome,wherethrongsofthe faithfulwillpasshisremainsatadateandtimesetbytheCollegeofCardinals.

Forcenturies,thedeceasedpope’sbodyhadbeenplacedoutsideofacoffinatopahigh,raisedpedestaltiltedforwardin thebasilica Inthepast,threeinterlockingcoffins ofcypress,lead,andelm,frominnertoouter hadbeenusedto buryapope.

ForFrancis,thecoffinwillbeplacedonthefloorforviewing,amovethattheRev.JamesWeiss,aBostonCollege theologyprofessor,called“astunningmarkofsimplicity.”

Accordingtotradition,aprivateceremonyattendedbythepope’sfamilyandsomemembersoftheVaticanhierarchyis heldshortlyafterapope’sdeath Thecardinalchamberlainaffirmsthepontiff’sdeath,sealshisapartments,andarranges forthedestructionofthepope’sfisherman’sring,hisofficialseal.

Franciswillbedressedinred,withhismitreandthewhite,woolenvestmentknownasapalliumlaidbesidehiminthe coffin Thepope’sfuneralandburialusuallyoccurwithinaweekofhisdeath

ThecoffinwillbeclosedthenightbeforehisburialintheBasilicaofSantaMariaMaggiore,oneofthefourmajor papalbasilicas,whereFranciswouldprayinthanksgivingafterreturningfrominternationaltrips,Weisssaid.Ina breakwithmostofhispredecessors,thepopechosenottobeburiedinSt Peter’s,whereallbuttwootherpontiffshave beenburiedforthelast250years

Followingapope’sdeath,thechurch’scardinalsaresummonedtotheVaticanfromaroundtheglobetoselectanew pontiff.Althoughtheofficial,secretvotingoccursinanassemblycalledaconclave,heldwithintwotothreeweeks ofthepope’sdeath,Weisssaidthatsomecardinalsbeginmeetinginformallyalmostimmediatelytodiscussthe succession.

“Onebyone,alotofthemwillgetupandgivespeechesandgivecluesaboutwhattheybelievethechurchneeds. Theymakeveryclearwhoiselectable,”Weisssaid.

OnceinconclaveintheSistineChapel,atwo-thirdsmajorityisrequiredforelection.Thechurchcurrentlyhas252 cardinals,butonlythe135cardinalsunder80yearsoldareallowedtovote,meaningthat91voteswillbeneeded forelection,Weisssaid.

CardinalSeanP.O’Malley,Boston’sformerarchbishop,whoturned80inJuneandretiredinAugust,cannotcastaballot. Becauseofthesubstantive,informaldiscussionsthatprecedetheofficialconclave,Weisssaid,heexpectsapopeto bechoseninthefirstdayofformalballoting,whichincludestwovotesinthemorningandtwointheafternoon. BlacksmokewillrisefromaVaticanchimneyeachtimeavotefallsshortofthetwo-thirdsthreshold.Onceanewpope hasbeenelected,whitesmokewillrise

Francis’ssuccessorwillbedressedinawhitecassockandwalktoabalconyfacingSt.Peter’sSquare.Toanexpectant, overflowcrowd,acardinalwillannouncethewords“Habemuspapam,”whichinLatinmean,“Wehaveapope”

LeadingMassachusetts:MassLive’s8higher educationleaders

April17,2025|JulietSchulman-Hall

Massachusettsisknownforitshighereducation.

Filledwithhighlyregardedprivateandpubliceducationandrenownedscholars,thestateisbrimmingwithpeoplewho areforgingourfuture

BelowareMassLive’spicksfortophighereducationleadersacrossthestatewhoareonthegroundandcontendingwith turbulentanduncertaintimes

Theyincludepresidentsleadingrenownedpublicandprivateinstitutions,researchersandprofessors MassLive’steam, ledbyhighereducationreporterJulietSchulman-Hall,chosetheseleadersbasedonresearchandinterviews.

ErickBerrelleza

Inahighereducationlandscapewherecollegesareclosing,thecreationof MessinaCollegelastyearwasnew andunique

Thetwo-yearcollegeservesfirst-generationhigh-financial-needstudentsat theformerPineManorCollegecampusinBrookline Itsinauguralclassis 110studentsanditisrecruitingforitssecondclass.

AtthehelmofthenewcollegeisErickBerrelleza,41,thefoundingdeanof theinstitution Asafirst-generationstudenthimself,hesaidheunderstands the“sink-or-swimmodel“thatfirst-generationstudentsfacewhenentering highereducation

IfMessinastudentsmaintaina34GPAorhigherduringtheirtwoyears there,theycanenrollinBostonCollegeasresidentialstudents

Studentscanalsoliveoff-campusbyjoiningtheWoodsCollegeprogram, whichallowsstudentstotakeclassespart-timeoratnightiftheywork duringtheday

MessinaCollegeisalsocreatingfour-yearinstitutionpartnershipagreements forstudentstotransfertoiftheydecideagainstenteringtheworkforce full-timeorcontinuingtheireducationatBostonCollege

Berrellezaisworkingtosupportstudentsfromthemomenttheystepintocollege,especiallybylettingtheirvoicesbe heardtohelpshapetheearlystagesoftheprogram

“Itellthemthatwearesortofco-creatinginalotofways,”Berrellezasaid

WhiteHousemovestorevokeHarvard’s tax-exemptstatus,newsreportssay

April17,2025|JimPuzzanghera,NickStoicoandTonyaAlanez

PresidentTrumpisescalatinghisbattleagainstHarvardUniversityasnewsreportsWednesdaysaidtheadministrationis pushingtheInternalRevenueServicetorevoketheschool’stax-exemptstatus.

PresidentTrumphadthreatenedthemoveonsocialmediaonTuesdayafterHarvardrefusedtocomplywith administrationdemandstomakepolicychangesandagreetofederaloversightamidtensionsovertheschool’sdiversity, equity,andinclusionpoliciesandthehandlingofGazawarprotests

“PerhapsHarvardshouldloseitsTaxExemptStatusandbeTaxedasaPoliticalEntityifitkeepspushingpolitical, ideological,andterroristinspired/supporting“Sickness?””Trumpwroteonhissocialmediasite.“Remember,Tax ExemptStatusistotallycontingentonactinginthePUBLICINTEREST!”

TheWashingtonPostandCNNreportedthatTrumpwasmovingaheadwiththethreat

Citingthreeunnamedpeoplefamiliarwiththesituation,thePostsaidtheTreasuryDepartmenthasaskedtheIRS’stop attorneytotakeawayHarvard’staxexemption Theexemptionmeanstherearenofederalincometaxesondonationsto theuniversityandonincomefrominvestmentsinitsmorethan$50billionendowmentfund.

AlsoonWednesday,HomelandSecuritySecretaryKristiNoemsaidshewascanceling$2.7millioningrantstoHarvard. Shealsodemanded“detailedrecordsonHarvard’sforeignstudentvisaholders’illegalandviolentactivities”byApril30 ortheuniversitywouldloseitscertificationfortheStudentandExchangeVisitorProgram,whichwouldpreventitfrom enrollingforeignstudents Harvardhassome6,800internationalstudents,about27percentofitsenrollment

WhiteHousespokespersonHarrisonFieldssaidthat“anyforthcomingactionsbytheIRSwillbeconducted independentlyofthepresident,andinvestigationsintoanyinstitution’sviolationsofitstaxstatuswereinitiatedpriorto thepresident’s”socialmediapost AnIRSspokespersondidnotrespondtoanemailrequestforcomment

Inastatement,HarvardspokespersonJasonNewtonsaid,“ThereisnolegalbasistorescindHarvard’stax-exempt status”

“Suchanunprecedentedactionwouldendangerourabilitytocarryoutoureducationalmission Itwouldresultin diminishedfinancialaidforstudents,abandonmentofcriticalmedicalresearchprograms,andlostopportunitiesfor innovation,”Newtonadded “Theunlawfuluseofthisinstrumentmorebroadlywouldhavegraveconsequencesforthe futureofhighereducationinAmerica.”

JamesRepetti,aBostonCollegelawprofessor,saidlosingitstax-exemptstatus“wouldbecatastrophicfor Harvard.”

“Theirincomewouldbecometaxable,theirdonationstoHarvardwouldnolongerbetaxdeductible,”hesaid. “OneoftheincentivesforpeopletomakecontributionstoHarvardisthatitreducestheirtaxliability,soitwould beverydifficultforthem.”

JohnKoskinen,whoservedasIRScommissionerfrom2013to2017underPresidentBarackObama,decriedthemove andsaiditwasunlikelytowithstandjudicialreview

“It’stroublingthattheadministrationandthepresidentwouldbe,ineffect,instructingtheIRStoevenlookintothis,”he said

A1998lawmakesitillegalforthepresident,vicepresident,oranyoftheiremployees“torequest,directlyorindirectly, anyofficeroremployeeoftheInternalRevenueServicetoconductorterminateanauditorotherinvestigationofany particulartaxpayerwithrespecttothetaxliabilityofsuchtaxpayer”

KoskinensaiddirectingtheIRStorevokeHarvard’staxexemptstatuswouldrunafoulofthatstatute,whichwasenacted inresponsetoPresidentRichardNixon’suseoftheagencytopunishpoliticalopponents

Heandotherexpertssaidtheonlytimeauniversity’staxexemptionhasbeenrevokedwasin1976,whentheagencytook theactionagainstBobJonesUniversity,aprivateChristianinstitutioninSouthCarolinathathadapolicyforbidding interracialdatingbyitsstudents.TheSupremeCourtupheldtheIRSactionin1983.

“Idon’tthinkthatanypresidentorvicepresidentshouldsingleoutanyinstitutioninAmericathattheydislikeby threateningtheirtaxexemptstatusandordemandinganauditofthem,”saidRepresentativeRichardNealof Massachusetts.HeisthetopDemocratontheHouseWaysandMeansCommittee,whichoverseestheIRS.

InresponsetoTrump’sthreat,formerHarvardpresidentLarrySummerspostedonXTuesdaythat“threateningtheuseof thetaxsystemagainstyouradversariesisthestuffofPutin-likedictatorships Shame”

LawrenceGibbs,whoservedasIRScommissionerunderPresidentRonaldReagan,saiditisnotunusualforelected officialsfromeitherpartytoasktheIRStorevoketaxexemptionsforcertainorganizations,butthefinaldecisionhas traditionallybeenlefttotheIRSalone.

“Whatissomewhatunusual,althoughthereisprecedentforit,istohaveapoliticianwhoattemptstoinfluencethe InternalRevenueServiceaboutwhetherornottoconsidertherequestandwhetherornottorevoketheexemption,” GibbssaidWednesdaynight.

ThatprecedentcameunderNixon GibbssaidheneverreceivedsucharequestfromtheReaganWhiteHouseduringhis timeasIRScommissioner Ifsucharequesthadcomethrough,hesaid,hewouldhavereferredittothetaxexemption wingoftheIRS“andtellthemtohandleitastheyseefit”

IftheIRStakesactionagainstHarvard,theuniversitywouldhaveseveralavenuesofappeal,startingwiththeagency’s ownprocess,Koskinensaid.

“Usuallyastayisputinplaceuntilthecaseisresolved,”hesaid.“Clearlyyouhavearighttoobjecttoanarbitrary decisionbytheagency,andespeciallyonethat’sbeendictatedillegallybythepresident,sotheywouldn’tlosetheirtax exemptstatusovernightwithoutwarning.”

TheWhiteHousehasrampedupitsfightagainstHarvardafteritdefiedtheadministration’sdemands OnMondaynight, theTrumpadministrationfroze$2.2billioninfederalfundingfortheuniversity.

AskedaboutthetaxthreatonTuesday,WhiteHousepresssecretaryKarolineLeavittreferredreporterstotheIRS.But shealsoblastedHarvardforwhatshecalledillegalharassmentanddiscriminationagainstJewishstudents

“Unfortunately,Harvardhasnottakenthepresidentortheadministration’sdemandsseriously Allthepresidentisasking [is]don’tbreakfederallawandthenyoucanhaveyourfederalfunding,”shesaid.

LeavittalsosuggestedHarvardshouldnotbereceivingsomuchfederalfundinginthefirstplace

“Ithinkthepresidentisalsobeggingagoodquestion:morethan$2billionoutthedoortoHarvardwhentheyhavea morethan$50billionendowment,”Leavittsaid.“WhyaretheAmericantaxpayerssubsidizingauniversitythathas billionsofdollarsinthebankalready?Andwecertainlyshouldnotbefundingaplacewheresuchgraveantisemitism exists.”

RepettiofBostonCollegesaidHarvard’stax-exemptstatusshouldnotberevoked.

Theuniversity,“isdoingeverythingthatisconsistentwiththeunderlyingrationaleforexemptingnonprofit educationalinstitutionsfromincometax,”Repettisaid.“Ithinkit’sshockingthatwe’vecometothispointinour nation’shistorythatwe’reactuallyhavingtoseesomethinglikethisthreatened....It’saverysadmomentforour country.”

Brexit-styleapproachneededtoconfront ‘AmericaFirst’agenda

April9,2025|MaryCMurphy

AsUSpresidentDonaldTrump’sassaultontheglobaleconomyintensifies,theneedtocommunicateandadvocatefor IrishinterestsintheUShasneverbeenmoreurgentormorepressing

PreviousexperienceoftheBrexitnegotiatingperiodprovidessomeusefulpointersabouthowIrishinfluencemightbe wieldedinahighlychallengingandhostileUSsetting

Trump’s‘AmericaFirst’policyisbeingpursuedwithvigourandatspeed,andtherisksthisposesforIrelandare substantialandcomparabletotheBrexitperiod.

LessonsfromtheBrexitera,however,caninformwaysandmeansofapproachingthecurrentperiodofintense internationalturbulence

SuchanapproachessentiallyrestsonensuringthatIrishinterestsareeffectivelycommunicatedwithaswideanAmerican audienceaspossible AstheeffectsofTrump'stradewarplayout,theopportunitytoengagewithimpactedstakeholders, industries,andinterestsformsacriticalmeansofsecuringalliesandcreatingpushback.

ToachievethisrequiresstrategicallyresourcingIreland’sdiplomaticfootprintintheUS,proactivelyprojectingastrong andclearnationalmessage,engaginginextensiveministerialnetworkingacrossAmerica,andencouragingcivilsociety effortswhicharesupportiveofIreland’skeypolicypriorities.

However,thisdoesnotnegatethevitalimportanceofIreland’sdiplomaticanddiasporicnetworksonthegroundinthe US.

DuringtheBrexitperiod,theIrishdiplomaticcorpsplayedacriticallyimportantroleinpersuadingandpressurisingthe EUtopositionitselfinsupportofIreland Thiswasachievedonthebackofstrategicmobilizationandincreased diplomaticresources.Critically,theseeffortsproducedafavorableoutcomeforcorepoliticalandeconomicinterests.

Ireland’sdiplomaticcorpsareonthefrontlineintermsofconfrontingtherisksposedbythenewUSadministration.

TheIrishembassyinWashingtonDChas40personnel Itsworkissupportedbyanetworkofconsulatesspanningeight majorUScitiesandemployinganadditional90staff TherearealsoanumberofStateagenciesincludingEnterprise Ireland,theIndustrialDevelopmentAgency(IDA),andTourismIrelandwithapresenceintheUS

Althoughthenumberofpersonnelhasincreasedinrecentyears,IrelandcontinuestolagbehindintermsofitsUSstaffing levelsanditsdiplomaticfootprintintheUSremainsconsiderablylowerthanitspresenceacrossEurope.

TakingheedfromitsexperienceofnavigatingBrexit,Irelandmustnowactivelyfindnewalliesandcultivatenew avenuesofinfluenceintheUS Todothis,itneedsagreaterdiplomaticpresenceintheUS

ThismeansstrategicallyincreasingitsstaffinginWashingtonDCandacrosstheUS,andsupplementingthismovewitha programmeoftargetedcivilservicesecondmentwhichcanaddadditionaldetailedpolicyexpertisetothediplomatic effort.

Itrequirestargetingandlobbying notjusttheTrumpadministrationitselfbutalsocongress,theRepublicanParty,the DemocraticParty,statelegislatures,foreignpolicycircles,thinktanks,educationalinstitutions,andthemedia

TheTrumperademandsareplication,ifnotanescalationofthesameapproach

TheBrexitperiodalsosawIrishgovernmentministersproactivelyengagewiththeircounterpartsacrossEurope an approachwhichpaiddividendsintermsofinfluencingothermemberstatestorallyinsupportofIrelandduringthe subsequentnegotiations.

IntheUSsetting,theStPatrick’sDayeventsprovideIrelandwithauniqueopportunityforvisibilityandvoice.

Ministerialengagement,however,mustbesustainedbeyondthisbriefperiodviaalonger-termprogramofstrategicvisits, extensivenetworkingandtargetedlobbyingwhichconnectswithkeypoliticalfigures,outletsandaudiences

MuchliketheBrexitperiod,thereisalsoanimportantopportunityforrepresentativesofoppositionparties,business, industry,tradeandotherintereststobuttressthemessagingoftheGovernmentthroughtheirownnetworking,lobbying efforts,andtargetedengagementwithinfluentialfiguresandgroupsintheUS.

ThiswasdonetopositiveeffectbythewiderIrishbodypoliticandbyleadingIrishinterestgroups,whoengagedwith keydebatesandfiguresinBrusselsandelsewhereduringtheBrexitnegotiations

Similarly,Irish-AmericanorganisationsacrosstheUSformanimportantpartofthiseffort Althoughthissectoris becomingmoregenerationallydistantfromIreland,itspromotionofkeyIrishinterestsandconstituenciesremains significant Offeringendorsementandsupport(financialandfigurative)tothoserepresentingIrelandandIrish-American interestscanhelpinbroadeningthenetworkofIreland’sinfluenceacrosstheUS

AstheTrumpadministrationimplementsits‘AmericaFirst’agendaandasserioustradedisruptionbeckons,Tánaiste SimonHarrisisrighttosuggestthatan"all-outdiplomaticoffensive"iswarranted.

BrexitdemonstratedhowasmallstatelikeIrelandcanapproachandnavigateahighlycomplexinternationalpolitical, economic,anddiplomaticsituation TheTrumppresidencymaynotbeareadycomparator,butitneverthelessdemandsa similarlytargetedandmulti-prongeddiplomaticblitzwhichmobilisesargumentsandalliessupportiveofcoreIrish interests

C Murphy is a professor and the director of the Irish Institute at Boston College

Mary

Trump’sStudentVisaRevocationsJeopardize H-1BTalentPipeline

April8,2025|AndrewKreighbaum

AspreeofvisacancellationsbytheTrumpadministrationimperilsenrollmentofforeignstudentsacrossthecountryand threatensthelong-terminternationalrecruitmentthatiscriticaltocollegesandemployersintheUS.

TheStateDepartmentinrecentweeksbeganquietlyrevokinghundredsofF-1studentvisas.Manyofthoseterminations werelinkedtostudents’participationincampusprotestsorpro-Palestinianactivism,butothersmaybebasedonavariety ofinfractions eveniftheywereneverconvictedofacrime.That’sbeenfollowedbyHomelandSecurityofficials deletingrecordsintheStudentExchangeVisitorProgram,attorneysandcollegeofficialssay,effectivelyendingtheirF-1 status.

Collegesandforeignstudents,whomaynotevenbedirectlynotifiedoftheterminations,arescramblingtofigureout theiroptions HighereducationassociationsarepressingtheTrumpadministrationforclarityonitsstudentvisapolicies Theuncertaintystudentssuddenlyfacecouldstymiegrowthininternationalenrollmentthathadslowedevenbefore Trump’selection,threateningthebottomlineofschoolsthatrelyontheirtuitionmoney

“Theywantcertaintythatthey’llbeabletostayhereandfinishtheirdegree,”saidSarahSpreitzer,vicepresidentand chiefofstaffforgovernmentrelationsattheAmericanCouncilonEducation

Terminationofstudents’status alreadysubjecttolitigation willhaveimplicationsforbusinesses,makingstudents workingintheUSnowimmediatelyineligibleforemployment.ItwillalsocomplicateeffortsbyotherstosecureH-1B visasusedtomeethiringneedsinscience,tech,andengineeringfieldsjustafteremployerssponsoredthemintheannual lotteryforthevisas.ManyforeignworkersinSTEMfieldsstartcareersintheUSonastudentstatuswhilepursuingan H-1Bvisa

Thosestudentsarekeytothecountry’sscientificinfrastructure,saidChrisGlass,aprofessoratBostonCollege’s SchoolofEducationandHumanDevelopment.

“Thisisaboutwaymorethantuitiondollars,”hesaid.“ThisisaboutthecapacityoftheUStocontinuebeinga leaderinscienceandforuniversitiestobeabletoserveindustries.”

SecretaryofStateMarcoRubiomadeheadlinesbyinvokingararelyusedprovisionofimmigrationlawtodesignate individualstudents includingformerColumbiaUniversityprotestleaderMahmoudKhalil fordeportation

ButhisagencyhastargetedamuchbroaderswatheofstudentsonF-1visas,theprogramthatmostH-1Bworkersuseto pursuedegreesintheUS Inapressconferencelastmonth,hesaidmorethan300visashadbeenrevokedsofar That numberappearstohavegrownbasedonreportsfromuniversitiesalthoughtheStateDepartmentdeclinedtosharenew numbers

Discussionsamongattorneyssuggestthenumberofstudentswithaterminatedstatusiswellnorthof1,000already,said JonathanWasden,managingattorneyatWasdenLaw.

“We’reseeingthemfortrafficviolations,speedingtickets somepeoplehavenoideabecausetheyhaven’thadany interactionwiththecriminaljusticesystem,”hesaid “ThecommonthemewithallthepeopleI’vetalkedtoisthereisno conviction”

Aspokespersonfortheagencysaidinanemailthatitrevokesvisas“everydayinordertosecureAmerica’sbordersand keepourcommunitiessafe–andwillcontinuetodoso.“

Avisarevocationonitsowndoesn’tmeanastudenthastoleavetheUS ButHomelandSecurityofficialshavealso removedrecordsfromtheUSImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementdatabase,knownasSEVIS,thattrackscompliance withtheF-1program Thatrecordisastudent’s“lifelineintheUnitedStates,”saidKseniaMaiorova,apartnerat immigrationlawfirmGreenandSpiegel

Theterminationofstudents’statusbyHomelandSecurityofficialsunilaterallywithoutaconvictionortheinvolvementof schoolofficialsmarksasharpdeparturefrompreviouspracticesandraisesdueprocessconcerns,immigrationattorneys say.

“Terminatingrecordsisprettymuchunheardof,”saidAdamCohen,apartneratSiskindSusserPC.

Immigrationattorneyssayrevocationofavisaonitsownshouldn’tleadtoremovalwithoutnoticetothestudentandan opportunityforjudicialreview MultiplelawsuitshavebeenfiledinthepastweekchallengingthebasisofanF-1visa termination,includingsuitsfromstudentsinCalifornia,Pennsylvania,andNewHampshire Anotherlawsuitfiled MondaybyasoftwareengineerintheNorthernDistrictofCaliforniasaidtheterminationoftheirSEVISrecord jeopardizedtheiremployment

Collegesinmanycasesarehavingtoidentifythoseterminationsthemselves TheAmericanCouncilonEducationand otherhigheredgroupsrequestedabriefingonvisapoliciesinanApril4lettertoRubioandDHSSecretaryKristiNoem.

“Rightnowwehavemorequestionsthanwehaveanswers,”ACE’sSpreitzersaid.“Numberone,ishowmany internationalstudentsisthisimpacting”

AterminatedstatusmeansstudentsloseeligibilityfortheOptionalPracticalTrainingprogramthatmorethan276,000 studentsandrecentgraduatesusedinfiscal2023 Theprogramoffersawindowofuptothreeyearsofpost-graduation workeligibilityforinternationalstudentshopingtowintheH-1Blottery.

Iftheiremployersponsorsthemforoneofthespecialtyoccupationvisas,theymightberejectedforfailingtomaintain statusintheUSafterremovaloftheirF-1record Thatcouldpotentiallyaffectwinnersofthisyear’sjustcompleted lottery,Wasdensaid.

“Somehavealreadyspentmoneyonvisapetitions,”hesaid.

AfterreboundingfromaCovid-19fueledswoon,BostonCollege’sGlassfoundinternationalenrollmentfellby 130,000studentsoverallthisspring.Thatdropoffwasdrivenprimarilybydeclinesamongnewenrollmentfrom Indiaandenrollmentinmaster’sprograms.

InternationalstudentsstillaccountforamajorityofPhDsincriticaltechnologyfieldslikecomputerscience, mathematics,andengineering,Glasssaid.Butchaosfromvisacancellationsonmanycampuseswilladdto headwindscollegeswerealreadyfacing,hesaid.

“Thishasareallypowerfulsignalingeffectforotherinternationalstudents,”hesaid.

Most ange

isrea

April7,2025

Amammot yof human-ind

However,thesesameleadersaretypicallysilentintheirbeliefsandfailtosharethatunderstandingwiththeir congregants,accordingtothestudy,recentlypublishedintheProceedingsoftheNationalAcademyofSciences

“Becauseofleadership’ssilenceonthematter,rank-and-fileChristiansthinkmostoftheirleadersdonotbelieve,” seniorauthorGreggSparkman,anassistantprofessoratBostonCollege,saidinastatement.

Asaresult,Sparkmanexplained,thosesamecongregants“feelhesitanttoevendiscussclimatechangewiththeir fellowchurchgoers.”

SparkmanandauthorStylianosSyropoulos,nowanassistantprofessoratArizonaStateUniversity,drewtheir conclusionsbasedonasurveyof1,600Christianleadersacrossthecountry.

Oftheseleaders,theyfoundthatnearly90percentsaidtheybelievedinanthropogenicclimatechangetoatleastsome degree.

Some60percentoftheleadersrepliedthathumansplayamajorrole,while30percentsaidtheyfeltthatpeoplehavehad moreminorimpacts,accordingtothesurvey

Breakingthedatadownfurther,theresearchersobservedthatmorethan80percentofevangelicalorfundamentalist Christianleadersbelievethathumanshavecontributedtoclimatechange

Nonetheless,theauthorsalsofoundthatabouthalfoftherespondentshaveneverdiscussedthisissuewiththeir congregants andthatonlyaquarterhavementioneditmorethanonceortwice.

AsecondsurveyincludedinthestudyshowedthatU.S.Christiansbroadlyunderestimatetheprevalenceoftheirleaders whobelieveinclimatechange Althoughtheseparticipantsguessedthatabouthalfoftheirleaderswereclimate-change deniers,onlyabout10percenttrulyfellintothatcategory,perthestudy.

Inathirdsetofsurveyresults,abouthalfof1,000respondentswereinformedthat90percentofChristianleadersbelieve inmanmadeclimatechange Thatnewfoundawarenessthenincreasedtheirperceptionthatotherchurchmembersbelieve inorareopeningtodiscussingthisfraughtissue

Assuch,morerespondentsansweredthattakingclimateactionwouldbeconsistentwithchurchvalues,whilevotingfor politicianswhoopposedoingsoisnot,accordingtothefindings.

“WefindthatinformingChristiansthatthemajorityoftheirreligiousleadersbelieveinman-madeclimatechange leadsthemtorealizethatclimateactionisinlinewiththeirmorals,andvotingforpoliticianswhodenyclimate changemaybeatoddswiththeirfaith,”Sparkmansaid.

Notingthateveryyear,droughts,fires,floodsandotherextremeweathereventsbecomemorecommon,hestressedthat9 outof10Christianleadersalreadybelievethathumanshavearoletoplayinthesephenomena

“Ifthistruthgetsoutandtheybreaktheirsilence,itwillhelpChristianAmericanscometofaithonthisdire issue,”Sparkmanadded.

ResearchshowsthatamajorityofChristian religiousleadersaccepttherealityofclimate changebuthavenevermentionedittotheir congregations

April2,2025|StylianosSyropoulosand

GreggSparkman

Nearly90%ofU.S.Christianreligiousleadersbelievehumansaredrivingclimatechange.Whenchurchgoerslearnhow widespreadthisbeliefis,theyreporttakingstepstoreduceitseffects,aswefoundinourresearchpublishedinthe ProceedingsoftheNationalAcademyofSciences.

Weexamineddatacollectedin2023and2024fromanationwidesurveyof1,600religiousleadersintheUnitedStates. Thesampleincludedreligiousleadersfromfundamentalistandevangelicalchurches,Baptists,Methodists,Black protestants,RomanCatholicdenominationsandmore–allrecruitedtomatchtheproportionsofchurchesacrossthe country Thesurveyassessedreligiousleaders’beliefsaboutclimatechangeandwhethertheydiscussclimatechange withtheircongregations

Accordingtothatdata,whiletheoverwhelmingmajorityofChristianreligiousleadersacceptthehuman-drivenrealityof climatechange,nearlyhalfhavenevermentionedclimatechangeorhumans’roleinittotheircongregations.Further, onlyaquarterhavespokenaboutitmorethanonceortwice

Whenitcomestoclimatechange,faithcommunitiesareoftenseenasdivided Thereisanassumptionthatreligious conservatismandclimateskepticismgohandinhand.ThisassumptionisbasedonreligiousbeliefssuchasthattheEarth wascreatedbyGodandthereforehumanscannotandshouldnotalterit,alongwithrejectionofclimatescienceand diminishedconcernaboutclimatechange.

WethensurveyedasampleofChristianAmericansfrommajordenominationsacrossthecountryandfoundtheythink roughlyhalfofChristianleadersintheUS,andinchurchesliketheirown,denythathumanscauseclimatechange Giventheactualnumberiscloserto1in10basedonthedataweexamined,itappearsChristiansoverestimatethe prevalenceofclimatedenialamongtheirleadersbyaroundfivetimesthelevelfoundinpolling.

Churchgoerswhothinktheirreligiousleadersdon’tbelievehumanscauseclimatechangereportbeinglesslikelyto discussitwithfellowcongregantsandlessinterestedinattendingeventsthataimtoaddressclimatechangeorraise awarenessoftheissue.

Theresearchalsotestedwhatwouldhappenifweinformedchurchgoersofthetruelevelofconsensusamongtheir religiousleaderswhoacceptthatclimatechangeisdrivenbyhumans Inabriefsurvey,Christiansweretoldthe percentageofChristianleadersnationally,andamongtheirdenominationspecifically,whoacceptedthathumanactivities causeclimatechange Asaresult,wefound,theirperceptionsandattitudestowardclimatechangeshiftedinavarietyof ways

Specifically,churchgoerswhowereinformedabouttheactualconsensusamongreligiousleadersinacceptingclimate changeweremorelikelytostatethat“takingactiontoreduceclimatechange”wasconsistentwiththeirchurch’svalues.

Churchgoerswhoreceivedthisinformationwerealsomorelikelytofeelitwouldbeinconsistentwiththeirchurch’s valuestovoteforapoliticalcandidatewhoopposesactionsthatcouldslowclimatechange

Thesefindingshighlightthatreligiousleadershaveauniquepowertoinfluenceclimateaction–butonlyiftheylettheir beliefsbeknown

Thesefindingsarenotfocusingonwhatisgoingoninspecificchurchesanddenominations Weprovidedchurchgoers onlywithinformationontheconsensusofacceptanceofhuman-madeclimatechangeamongChristianreligiousleaders acrosstheUS Anaturalnextstepistoconductresearchwithreligiousleaderstoexaminetheimpactoftheir communicationdirectlywiththeircongregations,includingiftheyconveytheconsensusdescribedinthiswork.

Religiousleaders,oftenviewedasmoralguides,havetheabilitytoreshapeclimatediscoursewithinfaithcommunities If theyvocalizetheiracceptanceofhuman-madeclimatechange,webelievetheycancorrectwidespreadmisperceptions, fosterdialogueandencourageactioninwaysthatsecularauthoritiesmaystruggletoachieve

Gregg Sparkman is and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Boston College

Legalscholarseesimmigrantarrestsasa 'struggleforthesoulofthecountry'

April2,2025|TonyaMosley

OnMarch25,RumeysaÖztürk,a30-year-oldTurkishdoctoralstudentatTuftsUniversity,hadjuststeppedoutfordinner whenshewasarrestedonthestreetbysixfederalagentsinmasksandplainclothes ThoughÖztürkheldavalidF-1 studentvisa,ithadbeenrevoked,reportedlywithoutwarning.AjudgeorderedhertobedetainedinMassachusetts,but authoritiesmovedhertoadetentioncenterinaremotepartofLouisiana

Öztürk'scaseisnotanisolatedone.Afterlastyear'sprotestsoverthewarinGaza,theTrumpadministrationsaiditwould crackdownon"Hamassympathizersoncollegecampuses"AndICEagentshavedescendedoncollegetownsacrossthe countryinrecentweeks.StudentshavebeenarrestedatColumbia,theUniversityofMinnesotaandtheUniversityof Alabama

BostonCollegelawprofessorDanielKanstroomhasstudiedtheimpactofimmigrationpolicyoverthelast25 years.Hesaysthattheroundingupofstudentswhoareherelegallyisdesignedto"sendamessage,...toscare people."

"Thisisahorriblethingtosee,"KanstroomsaysofÖztürk'sarrest."Onewouldthinkthattacticslikethiswould belimitedtothemostextremecases SWATteamsorhostagesituations buttoseeagraduatestudentin Somerville,Mass.,pulledoffthestreet;ithadtobeterrifying."

KanstroomisthefounderoftheBostonCollegeImmigrationandAsylumClinic,wherelawstudentsadvocatefor indigentnoncitizensandasylum-seekers.HealsodirectsthePost-DeportationHumanRightsProject,which exploresthelong-termimpactsofdeportationonfamiliesandcommunities.Hesaysthatwhilethegovernmenthas therighttocontrolitsborders,whenthatpowerisexercised,"ithastorespectthedignityofthepersonwhoisthe objectof[thegovernment's]exerciseofmassivepower."

And,headds,whilethismomentisparticularlyfraughtformany,it'shelpfultorememberthat"wehaveseen momentslikethisinU.S.historybefore."

"[Thesemoments]tendtoinspiregreatsolidarityandgreatformsofactivismandresistance,whichultimately haveledtolegalreforms,importantcourtdecisionsandagreaterunderstandingoftherightsofallofus,"hesays. "Nottobetoograndaboutit,butIdothinkit'sarecurringstruggleforthesoulofthecountry.Theseissuesare reallyfundamental.Whatkindofacountryarewe?"

OnthecaseofKilmarArmandoAbregoGarcia,aMarylandmanwhotheTrumpadministrationmistakenlysenttoa prisoninElSalvador

[AbregoGarcia]hadbeenunderanorderfromanimmigrationjudgespecificallynottobesenttoElSalvador. Thegovernmenthasadmittedthatitwasamistake.Andyettheysay,well,butthere'snothingwecanreallydo aboutitbecausenowhe'sinthecustodyofElSalvador.It'shardtoimagineamoreterrifyingsetoffactsthanthat.

Andagain,althoughwehaveseenepisodesofmassivedeportationenforcementthroughoutthehistoryofthis country...itishardtothinkofanepisodethathasbeenmarkedbythiskindofintimidationand,asIsay,needless cruelty.Thesethingscanbedoneinanorderlyway.Theycanbedonewithrespectforhumandignityandwith respectforthelaw andthey'renotbeingdonethatwaynow.

Onthepoliticalstrategytotargetdocumentedimmigrants

Itwouldbebasicallyimpossibletoroundupanddeport10to15millionpeoplewithoutestablishingamassiveand extremelyexpensiveandextremelybrutalpolicestate.Youwouldhavetohavemassiveraids,youwouldhavetobe stoppingpeoplealloveronthestreets.Imean,thatsortofenforcementisexceptionallydifficult,inlargepart,

becausepeopledon'tcomewiththeirimmigrationstatusstampedontheirforeheads.Andmanyofthepeoplewho havebeenlivinginthiscountryundocumentedhavebeenherefordecades,orcertainlymanyyears.…

Butwhatwe'reactuallyseeingissomethingquitedifferent....Thegoalshereseemtobepolitical,notreallyaimed atimmigrationenforcementfortheundocumented.It'saimedatthedocumented.It'saimedatpeopleherewho arestudents,peopleherewithgreencards.Iwouldexpectthatthenextstepwillbepeoplewhohavebeen naturalizedcitizens.Inthissense,italsodovetailswiththeexecutiveorderthatwasdesignedtotrytooverturnthe 14thAmendmentgrantofbirthrightcitizenship.Soyouwouldseeatremendousexpansionofgovernmentpower overthebodiesandthemindsandthewordsandthewritingsofmany,manymillionsofpeople.

Onwhetherornotnon-citizenshaveFirstAmendmentrights

Itisbothyesandno.Andtheprovisionatissueheregoesbackquitealongwayandgivesspecificauthoritytothe secretaryofstatewithaveryvaguesetofstandards[if]thenon-citizens'activitiesoractionsorspeechinthe UnitedStateswouldhavepotentiallyseriousforeignpolicyconsequences,andthenthere'sanevenhigherstandard ifthey'retryingtodeportsomebodyforthingsthatwouldbeprotectedundertheConstitutionifdonebyaU.S. citizen.Soithasn'tbeeninvokedmuch,preciselybecausethecourtshaveneverreallyclarifiedtheexact relationshiphere.Buttotheextentthatthereisprecedentforthis,Ithinktheprecedentisratherstrongthatthe FirstAmendmentdoesnotusetheword"citizen."

Ontheprotectionsforpeoplewithgreencards

Igetcallsfrompeopleallthetimeaskingiftheyshouldleavethecountry.Idon'tthinkwe'reatamomentwhere I'madvisingpeopletoleavethecountry…ButI'mcertainlyadvisingpeopletothinkhardbeforetraveling,and thatincludespeoplewithgreencards,whichisprettyuniqueinmyexperience....Peoplewhohavegreencards... havelawfulpermanentresidentstatus,which,bytheway,isstatusthatapersoniscompletelyentitledtoholdfor theirwholelife,iftheywantto,orforsomereasontheycan'tnaturalizeandbecomeaU.S.citizen.Thatwas designedtobeastable,protectedstatus,anditisextremelyunusualforthegovernmenttostartdiggingaroundin aperson'spasttofindreasonstodeportapersonwithagreencard.

Onwhyadeportationmistakeishardtofix

Thesystemissetupinsuchawaythatifonceapersonisdeported,it'sextremelydifficulttoquestionthator challengeit.Andthat'swhyjudgestrytopreventwhattheythinkmaybewrongfuldeportationsbeforethey happen.That'swhatallthesetemporaryrestrainingordersandinjunctionsareabout.Thecourtsaresaying,we needtopreservejurisdiction.There'sanentitycalledtheBoardofImmigrationAppealsthatformanyyearstook thepositionthatonceapersonhasbeendeported,theysaidthisinonemajorcase,"theyhavepassedbeyondour aid."Now,forahumanrightslawyer,that'saverydifficultpropositiontoaccept.

Ontherecurringimmigrationdebate,goingbacktothenation'sfounding

Thisdebateisveryoldinthiscountry.Itgoesbacktothefoundinggeneration.Oneofthelawsthat'sbeingused nowbytheTrumpadministration again,Iwouldargueinwaysthatwillultimatelybechallenged,ifnot overruledcompletelybycourts wassomethingcalledtheAlienEnemiesAct.Andthatcamefromatimewhen thegovernment,inthatcase,itwastheJohnAdamsadministration,hadgreatfearaboutFrenchrevolutionaries andIrishrevolutionaries.…

Butevenatthattime,ThomasJefferson,whoopposedthissortofenforcement,saidandwrotethat"thefriendless alienhasbeenselectedasthesafestsubjectofafirstexperiment,butthecitizenwillsoonfollow,"or,infact,has alreadyfollowedbecausetheywereusingtheso-calledSeditionActagainstcitizens.Andeverytimewe'veseen theseepisodes,theytendtohaveametastaticquality.Theyexpandindangerouswaysbecauseonceyouletthis sortofgovernmentpowertakeroot,itcanbeveryhardtouprootit.

KarenReadisbackontrialformurder.Here’s whattoknow.

April1,2025|AmberFergusonandKimBellware

AbitterlycontestedmurdercaseisreturningtocourtinMassachusetts,reignitingalegalbattlethathascaptivatedtrue crimeenthusiastsandplacedasmall-townpoliceforceunderamicroscope

KarenRead,45,issettostandtrial again onchargesthatshestruckandkilledherboyfriend,Bostonpoliceofficer JohnO’Keefe,withherSUVafteranightofdrinkingonJan 29,2022 Herfirsttrialendedinadeadlockedjurylast summer.

Acasethatinitiallydrewoutsizenationalattentionhasonlygrownmoredramaticaheadoftheretrial.Afterhermistrial, ReadparticipatedinalengthyVanityFairinterviewandadocuseries Analternatejurorfromthefirsttrialhassignedon toRead’sretrialdefenseteam.Meanwhile,thejudgehasextendedthebufferzoneoutsidethecourthouseinanticipation ofevenmorefansanddemonstratorsoutside

TheretrialissettobeginApril1withjuryselection

O’KeefeandRead,aformerequityanalystandadjunctprofessoratBentleyCollege,hadbeendrinkingatvariousbarson thenightofJan 28,2022,accordingtocourtrecords Justaftermidnight,ReaddroppedoffO’Keefeatapartyinthe Canton,Massachusetts,homeofBrianAlbert,anotherBostonpoliceofficer.

O’Keefe,46,wasfoundunresponsiveoutsideAlbert’shousebyReadatabout6a.m.Jan.29andlaterpronounceddeadat ahospital Anautopsydeterminedhehaddiedofacombinationofhypothermiaandbluntforcetrauma

ProsecutorsallegedthatRead,hisgirlfriendoftwoyears,struckhimwithherSUVwhileturningaroundafterdropping himoff Duringthetrial,theypointedtofirstresponderscalledtothescenewhoclaimedtheyheardheryell,“Ihithim I hithim OhmyGod Ihithim,”aswellasangrymessagessheallegedlysentO’Keefebeforehisdeathandvehicledata fromtheSUV

ThedefensearguedthatO’KeefewasassaultedduringapartyinsideAlbert’shouseandwasleftoutsideinasnowstorm withhisinjuriesstagedtosuggesthewasstruckbyacar.Theysaidauthoritiesfailedtosearchthehouseforevidenceofa struggleandhighlightedpotentialconflictsofinterestbetweeninvestigatorsandothermembersandassociatesoflaw enforcementwhowereatthepartythatnight.Prosecutorsrejectedtheirclaims.

Thetheoriesputforwardbytheprosecutionanddefensedon’tnormallychangemuchafteramistrial but strategiesdo,accordingtoMichaelCassidy,acriminallawprofessoratBostonCollegeLawSchoolandaformer stateandlocalprosecutorinMassachusetts.

Cassidysaidheexpectsprosecutorstoparedowntheircaseandcallfewerwitnesses.

Thedefensewillprobablytrytosignalasstronglyaspossibletojurorsthattherewasaprevioustrial(jurorsare nottoldtheyareataretrial).Thejury’sawarenessthere’saretrialcanhelpthedefense,Cassidysaid:“They mightthink,‘Someoneelsehadreasonabledoubtaboutthiscase,whyshouldn’tI?’”

ProsecutorsmightleveragetheextensivemediaparticipationbyReadandotherwitnessestotheiradvantage,whichgives prosecutorsabroaderpoolofstatementstodrawfrominanefforttocatchinconsistenciesinasworntestimony.

“Themoretimeadefendanttalkstothemedia,thatgivestheprosecutorsmoreinstancestotripherup,”Cassidy said.

Cassidysaidjurymakeupwillbeakeychangetowatch.Hesuggestedthedefensewillpursueyoungerjurorsor thosemoreopentoideasaboutconspiraciesorgovernmentcorruption,whileprosecutorsmightwantolder,more conservativejurorswhodisapproveofRead’sallegedheavydrinkingandfightingwithherpartner.

Readwaschargedwithsecond-degreemurder,manslaughterwhileoperatingundertheinfluenceofalcohol,andleaving thesceneofpersonalinjuryanddeath Morethan70witnessestestifiedduringthenine-weektrialandjurorssifted throughmorethan600piecesofevidence onlytoremaindeadlocked,leadingJudgeBeverlyCannonetodeclarea mistrialonJuly1

Twoexpertwitnesses,broughtinbytheU.S.DepartmentofJusticetoreviewlawenforcement’shandlingofthecase, testifiedthatO’Keefe’sinjuriesandthephysicalevidencedidnotalignwiththeprosecution’stheorythatRead’sSUV struckhim.

Theleadinvestigator,MassachusettsStatePoliceTrooperMichaelProctor,admittedonthewitnessstandtosendingtexts inwhichhemockedRead’shealthcondition,usedcrudeinsultstodescribeherandjokedwithcolleaguesaboutsearching herphonefornudephotos.Inonemessage,hewrotethathewishedshewould“killherself.”Proctorsaidhiscomments had“zeroimpact”ontheinvestigation Afterthemistrial,MassachusettsStatePoliceremovedhimfromthedetective unit.

OnMarch19,theMassachusettsStatePoliceTrialBoardvotedtodishonorablydischargeProctor Hewasfoundguiltyof threechargesofunsatisfactoryperformanceandonechargeofconsumingalcoholwhileonduty.

ThefamilyofO’Keefefiledawrongful-deathlawsuitlastAugustagainstKarenReadaswellastwoCantonbarsthe couplevisitedthenighthedied AjudgeorderedastayinthecasetoallowRead’ssecondcriminaltrialtoproceed True-crimefans,conspiracytheoristsandcablenewswatchersweredrawntothecase,thankstotheswirlingnarrativesof atelegenicfemalemurdersuspect,arockyromanceandanallegedcover-up.

Thefirsttrialwasmarkedbyduelinggroupsofdemonstratorsoutsidethecourthouse SupportersofReadgatheredin pinkshirtsandheldsignsreading“FreeKarenRead.”Groupsofdetractorsheld“JusticeforJohn”placardsandchanted “Ihithim!Ihithim!”inreferencetowhatReadallegedlysaidafterfindingO’Keefe’sbody AidanKearney,alocalbloggerknownas“Turtleboy”andvocalsupporterofRead’sinnocence,wasorderedoutofthe courtroomduringsomewitnessappearances.Hehadbeenchargedwithwitnessharassment,accusedofpostingpersonal informationaboutaninvestigatorandfilmingconfrontationswithwitnesses Kearneydeniedanywrongdoingandargued hisactionswereprotectedundertheFirstAmendment.Hiscaseisstillongoing.

TheFulbrightfreezeisimmoraland self-destructive

March31,2025|MarisaLallyand

GerardoBlanco

TheexclusionoftheFulbrightProgramfromaninitiallistofover10,000federalprogramsslatedforcutsbyDonald Trump’sDepartmentforGovernmentEfficiency(Doge)wasashort-livedrayofhope.Fulbright’ssubsequentaddition dashedanyhopesthatsomemeasureofrationalitymightbeguidingtheadministration’sreviewoffederalspending SenatorJ WilliamFulbrightwasaRhodesscholarandsoughttoemulatethatprogrambyprovidingtheUSwithitsown softpowerinstrument.Inthatsense,theprogramhefoundedin1946(withfundingraisedfromthesaleofsurpluswar equipment)hasoftenbeentoutedasa“beaconofhope”inUSforeignpolicy,allowingAmericanstudentsandscholarsto serveascitizendiplomatsabroad.

Supportfortheprogramhasbeenconsistentandbipartisansinceitsinceptionbecauseithasalwaysbeenflexibleand alignedwithUSnationalinterestsfirstandforemost.FollowingthedecolonisationandindependenceofmanyAfrican nationsinthelate1960s,forinstance,exchangeswereestablishedwithnationsofgeopoliticalrelevance,suchasNigeria, Ghana,Uganda,LiberiaandZambia.

PrevioustargetedfreezesofFulbrightfundinghavecoincidedwithconflictsandothergeopoliticalconcerns.Duringthe firstTrumpadministration,forinstance,theprograminChinawasindefinitelysuspended Thiscausedoutrageinthe internationaleducationcommunity,butatleastitcouldbeexplainedasapolicyinstrumentdesignedtoseekconcessions ortopunishadversarialregimes

Thefundingfreezeisanewfrontierandentirelyself-destructive Althoughsuspendinginternationalexchangeprograms isconsistentwiththeisolationistthrustofrecentexecutiveorders,itisnotconducivetoTrump’s“Americafirst”position asdefundingFulbrightcompletelyrelinquishesthegeopoliticalleveragethatacademicexchangecanprovide

NorisitinlinewithTrump’santi-DEIdrive.UnlikeitscounterparttheGilmanScholarship(alsosuspended),Fulbrightis notspecificallyaimedatbroadeningparticipation Rather,ithasconsistentlyaimedtofacilitateexchangesbetweenthe “bestandbrightest”oftheUSandpartnernations.Itiscompetitiveandhighlyselective,anditsalumniinclude42heads ofstate,62Nobellaureates,96PulitzerPrizewinnersand82MacArthurgeniuses

IfoneacceptstheTrumpadministration’spurportedconceptualoppositionbetweenDEIandmerit,thenFulbrightisas opposedasitcanbetoDEIselection.Moreover,theUSinstitutionsthatreceivethelargestnumberofFulbrightscholar andstudentawardstendtobeprivate,predominantlyWhiteinstitutions

Althoughthemajorityofthefrozenpaymentshavereportedlynowbeenreleased,thefutureofFulbrightremainsunclear and,attheveryleast,applicationsinthecomingyearsarelikelytobewaydown

ThepauseindisbursingfundingalreadyallocatedtoFulbrightbytheUSCongressisaviolationofthenew administration’smandateandofthemissionoftheStateDepartmentto“protectandpromoteUSsecurity,prosperity,and democraticvalues” Moreover,removingtheabilityofUScitizenstohouseandfeedthemselvesabroadconstitutesa derelictionofagovernment’sdutiestoitspeoplethatnotevenMAGAideologycanjustify.

StrandingforeignstudentsandscholarsisequallyreprehensibleandperhapsevenmoredamagingtotheUS.Asformer Fulbrightawardeesourselves,andasresearchersinthefieldofhighereducation,webelievethatallcurrentFulbright studentsandscholarshaveamoralrighttodignityandprotection Thatincludesthefreedomtocompletetheacademic pursuitsproposedintheirapplications,whichhaveundergonepeer-reviewandapprovalbytheFulbrightForeign

ScholarshipBoard Failingtopayforeignstudents’andscholars’promisedstipendsinfullisakintotheUSdefaultingon itsdebt Whocantrustacountry,whetherfriendorfoe,thatdoesn’tpayitsbills?

Whilethepurposeofanyforeignpolicyinstrumentcanchangeovertime,thedisruptionandpossibledestructionof Fulbrightcontradictsreason Duringhistimeassenator,secretaryofstateMarcoRubiousedtowritetoconstituentswho receivedFulbrightawardscongratulatingthemonthe“exceptionalopportunity”theywerebeinggiventoparticipateinan “impactfulprogram”thatishighlyeffectiveat“buildingarelationshipbetweenourgreatnationandanothercountry”

WecalluponhimtoheedhisownwordsandremovethedarkcloudofuncertaintyhoveringoverFulbrightandallthe outstandingprofessionalsrunningit–employeesbothoftheStateDepartmentandoflong-termpartneredorganisations liketheInstituteofInternationalEducation HeshoulddosoevenifthismeansstandinguptoDoge Otherwise,theUS riskstossingawayallthesoftpowerthatittooktheFulbrightProgram80yearstoaccrue.

Gerardo Blanco is an associate professor and the academic director of the Center for International Higher Education at Boston College.

‘ItIsHardtoImagineaMoreSweepingAgenda toMakeAmericansLessHealthy’

March25,2025|ThomasB.Edsall

InhisaddresstoajointsessionofCongressonMarch4,PresidentTrumpdeclared,“Ourgoalistogettoxinsoutofour environment,poisonsoutofourfoodsupply,andkeepourchildrenhealthyandstrong”

ButthatdoesnotappeartobeTrump’sprimarygoal

PhilipJ.Landriganisapediatricianandanepidemiologist.Heisthedirectoroftheprogramforglobalpublic healthatBostonCollegeandwasthechairmanofaNationalAcademyofSciencescommitteeonpesticidesand childrenthatdocumentedtheextraordinaryvulnerabilityofchildrentopesticides.Herepliedbyemailtomy inquiriesconcerningtheconsequencesofTrump’sactualpolicies,asopposedtohissoaringlanguage:

ThereisnoquestionthatchildreninAmericatodayaresurroundedbythousandsoftoxicchemicalsandthatthese chemicalsarecontributingtoincreasedincidenceandprevalenceofmultiplechronicdiseasesinchildren, includingasthma,cancer,learningdisabilities,obesity,birthdefectsanddiabetes.Theattachedarticlethat colleaguesandIpublishedinJanuaryinTheNewEnglandJournalofMedicinepresentsthisbodyofevidence.

Asapediatrician,parentandgrandparent,IamdelightedthatPresidentTrumpproposesto“gettoxinsoutofour environment,poisonsoutofourfoodsupplyandkeepourchildrenhealthyandstrong.”Thoseareexcellentwords.

However,manyofPresidentTrump’sactionsbeliehisstatedintentions Theseactionswillresultinunnecessarydisease, disabilityanddeathinAmericanchildren.

ScottFaber,anadjunctprofessoratGeorgetownUniversityLawCenterandtheseniorvicepresidentforgovernment affairsattheEnvironmentalWorkingGroup,wasjustasdirectinhisemailedreply:

Incombination,thestepstheadministrationistakingtosloworevenreversethetransitionfromfossilenergyto renewableenergywillnotonlyincreasethefrequencyandseverityofextremeweatherbutwillalsoincreasepollution thatwillresultsintensofthousandsofpreventabledeaths

Noonecanclaimtobe‘makingAmericanhealthier’whilesimultaneouslyincreasingthetoxinsinourair,foodand water OncethepollutersarefullyensconcedinsideEPA andotheragencies,allourbasicprotectionswillbein jeopardy,rangingfromrecentlimitsonPFAS(widelyused,long-lastingchemicals)intapwatertorecentbansofTCE (trichloroethylene,whichtheEPA linkstohealthrisks,includinglivercancer,kidneycancerandnon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma)andasbestos.

AskedaboutthediscrepancybetweenTrump’sspeechontoxicchemicalsandtheactionstakenbytheadministration, TaylorRogers,aWhiteHousespokesman,toldTheHill:

PresidentTrump’sagendaisproofthatwecanrestoreAmericanenergydominancewhileadvancingenvironmental stewardship.PresidentTrumpiscommittedtoreplacinguncleanforeignenergywiththeliquidgoldunderourfeetwhile makingAmericahealthyagainbyriddingourenvironment,waterandfoodsupplyofdangeroustoxins

InaconcreteexampleofTrumpderegulatorypolicy,theJusticeDepartmentannouncedonMarch7thedismissalofa 2023lawsuit“againstDenkaPerformanceElastomerLLC concerningitsneoprenemanufacturingfacilityinLaPlace, La ThedismissalfulfillsTrump’sDay1executiveorder,EndingRadicalandWastefulGovernmentDEI Programsand Preferencing,designedtoeliminateideologicaloverreachandrestoreimpartialenforcementoffederallaws”

TheBidenadministrationfiledsuitagainstDenkatwoyearsago,chargingthatthefactorypresentedanunacceptable cancerrisktothenearbymajority-Blackcommunity

AccordingtofindingspostedontheEPA website:

Chloropreneisachemicalusedintheproductionofneoprene

Chloropreneisclassifiedasalikelycarcinogenbyseveral agencies,includingEPA In2010EPA’sIntegratedRiskInformationSystemassessmentidentifiedchloropreneasa likelyhumancarcinogen

AbigailDillen,thepresidentofEarthjustice,emailedmeinresponsetomyqueries “Itishardtoimagineamore sweepingagendatomakeAmericanslesshealthy,”shewrote

IaskedDillenwhichpolicyconcernedherthemost Shereplied:

Themostimportantthingtounderstandisthatweareseeingawholesaleapproachtoeradicatingenvironmental protections.Thisisthehatchet,notthescalpel.Soit’severythingfromthewateryoudrinkandtheairyoubreathetothe foodyoueatandthebasicproductsyoubuy

IftheTrumpadministrationissuccessfulinrollingbackthatprogress,wewillpayenormouscosts,someofthem measurableintermsofhealthcareandmanyofthemincalculableintermsofhumansufferingandloss

DillenpointedtospecificTrumpinitiativesthatwereunderwayoronthenearhorizon:

Revokelimitsonmercuryandothertoxicpollutionfrompowerplants Revokeairpollutionstandards,forexample,for sootorfineparticulatepollutionandcross-statepollution.Revokenewstandardsforchemicalplantsthatwouldreduce surroundingcommunitycancerriskby96percent Revokestandardsformanagingcoalashwasteandwastewater includingthesprawlingashdumpsandpondsoftoxicsludgethatareleachingintogroundwateraroundthecountryand breachinginextremeweather

Turningtotheissueofmedicalresearch:DukeUniversityprovidesacasestudyoftheproblemsfacinghighereducation institutionsthatarestrugglingtomaintainresearchbudgetsundertheTrumpadministration

In2024,Dukereceived$580millioningrantsfromtheNationalInstitutesofHealth.(Intheuniversity’saccounting, about61percentisaddedtograntrequestsforsuchindirectcostsasutilitiesandbuildings)In2025,Dukesuffereda dropinthenumberofgrants,to64from166inJanuaryandFebruary2024,accordingtoTheAssociatedPress.

DonaldMcDonnell,aprofessorofmolecularcancerbiologyatDukewhoselaboratoryhasreceived$40millionfromthe N.I.H.over30years,toldTheA.P.thathislabislikelytogointotheredbecauseoftheuncertaintyofN.I.H.grants, forcinghimtoorderlayoffs:“Thebottomlineis,Ican’tlive,Ican’tthinkinthischaos,”McDonnellsaid

Todayisthegreatestdayofderegulationournationhasseen.Wearedrivingadaggerstraightintotheheartoftheclimate changereligiontodrivedowncostoflivingforAmericanfamilies,tounleashAmericanenergy,tobringautojobsbackto theU.S.andmore.

AlongsidePresidentTrump,wearelivinguptoourpromisestounleashAmericanenergy,lowercostsforAmericans, revitalizetheAmericanautoindustryandworkhandinhandwithourstatepartnerstoadvanceoursharedmission

Inhisemail,LandrigandescribedtheprobableconsequencesofsomeofthespecificproposalsintheTrump-Zeldin agenda:

TheplantoreconsiderMercuryandAirToxicStandardsforcoal-firedpowerplants,ifimplemented,willresultin increasedatmosphericemissionsofparticulateairpollutantsandmercury.Theparticulatepollutantswillincrease riskofstillbirths,lowbirthweightandasthmainAmericanchildrenandincreaseriskofheartdiseaseandstroke inAmericanadults.TheincreasedmercuryemissionswillcausebraininjuryinAmericanchildren,including childrenstillinthewombwhoareaffectedthroughtheirmothers’mercuryexposure,andwillresultindecreased intelligence,shorteningofattentionspan,andbehavioraldisruption.

ReconsiderationofNationalAmbientAirQualityStandardsforparticulatematter(PM2.5)pollution,relaxation ofvehicleemissionstandardsanddismantlingofeffortstoproducemoreelectricvehicleswillallincreaselevelsof airpollution.Likeairborneemissionsfrompowerplants,theseemissionswillincreaseriskofstillbirths,lowbirth weightandasthmainchildrenandofheartdiseaseandstrokeinAmericanadults.

PresidentTrump’sundoingofPresidentBideninitiativestoreducegreenhousegasemissionswillresultin increasedglobalwarmingandacceleratethepaceofclimatechange.Moreviolentstorms,moredroughts,more firesandmorefloodswillresult.Allofthoseeventswillincreaseriskofdiseaseanddeaththatwillbemosthighly concentratedinvulnerablepopulations.Theseclimate-relatedhealthimpactsarealreadyoccurringnowand,if notchecked,willworseninthefuture.

March

Fordecades,theUnitedStateshasbeenamagnetfortalent,attractingsomeoftheworld sbestscientificmindstoits universitiesandlaboratories.

ButdeepcutstoresearchfundingandthecancellationofgrantsthattheTrumpadministrationfindsobjectionablecould weakenAmericanhighereducation’sstanding,dealingablowtoitsabilitytoattractandretaintopgraduatestudents Already,anumberofcollegeshavereducedorpausedadmissiontodoctoralprogramsbecauseoftheuncertainty

Becauseacademeandscienceinthiscountryaresubstantiallydependentonasteadyinfluxofbrightyoungscholarsfrom aroundtheglobe,PresidentTrump’spoliciescouldhaveadisproportionateimpactonoverseasrecruitmentofPh.D. students Forty-threepercentoffull-timedoctoralstudentsinSTEMfieldsareonstudentvisas

ThereductioninforeignPhD studentscouldhaveacascadingeffect:About6in10postdoctoralfellowsarefrom abroad.AndthevastmajorityofinternationalgraduatesofAmericanscienceandengineeringdoctoralprogramsstayin thiscountry,buildingcareersinhighereducationandintheprivatesector

Thefundingfreezeisnottheonlypotentialheadwind TheTrumpadministrationisexpectedtoblockorseverelyrestrict traveltotheUnitedStatesbycitizensofmorethan40countries,includingsomethatarekeysourcesforPhD programs CongressisconsideringabanonallChinesestudents,revivingthescrutinyofChinesestudentsandscholarsthatmarked PresidentTrump’sfirstterm

ExpertswerealreadyconcernedthattheUnitedStates’establisheddominanceinresearchandinnovationwasatriskof eroding.Lastmonth,justweeksafterthefundingcutswereannounced,acommissionof70academic,business,and publicleadersreleasedareportwarningthatAmericanscience“wasatacrossroads”Amongthegroup’s recommendations:TheU.S.mustdoabetterjobofdrawingoverseastalentandreformitsimmigrationsystemtokeep outstandingscientistsandengineers

Thecurrentturmoilcouldhavelong-termconsequencesfortheAmericanresearchecosystem.“Thesecuts,ifthey stand,poseasystemicrisktoAmericanscientificleadershipandeconomiccompetitiveness,”saidChrisR.Glass,a professorofeducationalleadershipandhighereducationatBostonCollege.“Thisisself-inflictedbraindrain.”

“We’rewitnessingtheworld’spremierscientificpowervoluntarilydismantlingitsinternationaltalentpipeline.”

WhentheNationalInstitutesofHealth thelargestsourceoffederalfundingforAmericanresearchuniversitiesandthe biggestpublicfunderofbiomedicalresearchintheworld announcedinearlyFebruarythatitwouldmakefar-reaching changestoitsgrantmakingpolicy,therewasnomentionofinternationalstudentsorPh.D.programs.Instead,theTrump administrationcastthecaponindirectfunding moniesprovidedtouniversities,hospitals,andmedicalcenterstocover thecostsoffacilities,equipment,andstaff asahugesavingsfortaxpayers.

Butgovernmentgrantsanddoctoraleducationarecloselyintertwined,particularlyinthesciences Unlikeforeign undergraduateandmaster’sstudents,whosetuitiondollarshavebecomeanincreasinglyimportantsourceofrevenueto Americancolleges,universitiespayPhD studentstoliveandstudyhere,oftenusingfederalawards TheUnitedStates investsbetweenaquarterandahalfmilliondollarsineachSTEMdoctoralstudent,saidMarkA Barteau,aprofessorof chemistryatTexasA&MUniversity

Inexchange,studentsworkinresearchgroupsorlabs Alongwithpostdocs,theyarethebackboneofscientificresearch

Thosepopulationshavegrownmoreinternational Overthepasttwodecades,thenumberofscienceandengineering doctoratesawardedtotemporary-visaholdershasrisenby114percent,accordingtotheNationalScienceFoundation. Duringthesameperiod,degreestoUS citizensandpermanentresidentsincreasedby59percent

Inanumberofcriticalfields,internationalstudentsarethemajority:Theyaccountfor64percentofdoctoralrecipientsin computerandinformationsciences,57percentinengineering,and54percentmathematicsandstatistics

“They’reaverylargepartofthePh.D.ecosystem,”saidSuzanneOrtega,presidentoftheCouncilofGraduateSchools.

Partofthesolution,ofcourse,istointerestmoreAmericansinSTEM.Lastmonth’scommissionreport,calledtheVision forAmericanScienceandTechnology,callsfor“concertedaction”tobuildahomegrownhigh-techworkforce,beginning inelementaryandsecondaryschools.

Cutstoresearchfunding,however,meanfewergraduateopportunitiesfordomesticandinternationalstudents alike.Fornow,thepipelineflowsfromoverseasintoAmericanlabsandclassrooms.Glass,theBostonCollege professor,estimatesthatifthecurrentcuts,whicharebeingchallengedincourt,hold,theycouldleadtoa15-to 20-percentdropininternationalSTEMenrollments.

Anyfundingthatremainsmightnotbeastrongenoughdrawtoforeignstudentsandscholars.TheTrump administration’sthreatstodeportthosewhotakepartincampusprotestscouldhaveachillingeffect Widespread reductionsinpublicspendingcouldmeanfewergovernmentworkerstoprocessvisas.Lawmakershaveexpressed concernaboutthenational-securityrisksofscientificengagementwithChina,thetopcountryoforiginforforeign recipientsofAmericanPh.D.sinscienceandengineering.ThechairmanofaU.S.HouseselectcommitteeonChina recentlysentalettertosixmajorresearchuniversitiesaskingforalistofallChinesegraduatestudentsandtheir involvementinfederallyfundedresearch.

TheproposedtravelbanincludesIranona“redlist”ofcountriesthatcouldbecompletelybarredfromtheUnitedStates. Despitegeopoliticaltensions,IraniansearnmorescienceandengineeringdoctoratesintheUnitedStatesthanallbutthree othernations Theresearch-fundingdeclineplustravelrestrictionscouldbeadoublewhammy

Muchofthefocusisontheimpactonongoingresearchprojectsandthecurrentadmissionscycle Butifthecutsremain inplace,thefalloutcouldbelong-term.“Iworryabouthowtoday’sheadlineswillreverberatein10years,in20years,” saidBarteau,theTexasA&Mprofessor

BarteauchairedaNationalAcademiesofSciences,Engineering,andMedicinecommitteethatlastyearissuedareporton theinternationalcompetitionforscientificandtechnologicaltalent.Somecountries,likeChina,haveformalgovernment talent-recruitmentprogramsthatofferincentivesforoverseas-trainedacademicstoleadtheirlabsandresearchprograms IntheUnitedStates,thetalent-recruitmentprogram“iscalledgraduateschool,”Barteausaid.

Manyofthosestudentsthenstayonaspostdoctoralscholars Theworkofinternationalpostdocsdoesn’t“takeawayjobs fromnative-bornAmericansbutcomplement[s]theirworkbybuildingatalentpoolinAmericaunmatchedglobally,”said ThomasP Kimbis,executivedirectoroftheNationalPostdoctoralAssociation Hesaiditwouldbea“sadday”ifthe UnitedStatesputinplacepoliciesthatdeterredinternationalpostdocs

ArecentsurveybytheNationalPostdoctoralAssociationfoundthatbothdomesticandinternationalpostdocswere worriedabouttheimpactoffundingcutsandexecutiveordersontheirresearch,with43percentsayingtheirpositions werethreatened.

ApostdocisoftenawaystationinanAmericanresearchcareer.Three-quartersofinternationalPh.D.graduatestypically remainintheUnitedStatesafterearningtheirdegree,farhigherthanthe20-percentretentionrateforforeign bachelor’s-degreerecipients.

WhentheCenterforSecurityandEmergingTechnologyatGeorgetownUniversityexaminedthecareersofinternational STEMdoctoralgraduatesoverthelastquarter-century,itfoundthatnearlyhalfofthosewhoearnedtheirdegreesbefore 2004hadbecomeAmericancitizens

Manyremaininacademe,butothersgointotheprivatesector Morethan40percentoftheAmericanSTEMworkforce withadoctorateisforeign-born.Aquarterofthebillion-dollarstartupcompaniesintheUnitedStateshaveafounderwho firstcametoAmericaasaninternationalstudent

“Thepipelineoftalentcanberedirected,”saidGlass,ofBostonCollege.

AndscholarsworrythatAmericanleadershipininnovation,alreadyinneedofreinvestmentandreinvigoration,could slip

“Oncethesepatternsgetset,it’slikeaballrollingdownahill,”saidMarieLynnMiranda,chancelloroftheUniversityof IllinoisatChicagoandamemberofthecommissioncallingforanewsciencestrategyfortheUnitedStates.“Oncewe havetopushitbackupthehill,thelongerittakesandtheharderitistorecover”

The“freespeech”facadefrontingpolitical censorship

March18,2025|

MichaelSerazio

Asadjectivesgo,“Orwellian”tendstobeprematurelyinvoked andhyperbolically,ifofteningoodfaith.Itwarnsof languagebeinghijackedtowardantitheticalmeansandauthoritarianends It’salsousuallyabitmoresubtlethan PresidentTrump’srecentcongressionaladdress,butsubtletydoesn’tdefinehispolicyformulationsorhisgaudy architecturalaesthetic

“I’vestoppedallgovernmentcensorshipandI’vebroughtbackfreespeechinAmerica,”hedeclaredfromthedais Then, meremomentslater,tothunderousapplausefromtheRepublicanchamber,headded,“Irenamedthe‘GulfofMexico’the ‘GulfofAmerica’”

Thisisafairlydumbdetail Butshouldthefreemediawishtocontinuereferringtothe“GulfofMexico,”asthe AssociatedPressdid–andothershavefor,oh,400years–itwouldbebannedfromcoveringTrumpintheWhiteHouse presspool

Thepoliticsoffreespeech,itseems,stopsatthewater’sedge.

TheAPsuedonFirstAmendmentgroundsand,thoughaTrump-appointedfederaljudgedidn’tyetlifttheban,he indicatedthatthepolicysmackedof“viewpointdiscrimination,”whereinthegovernmentprecludesspeechbaseduponits content.

Asforthatcontent,themagic andemptiness ofbrandingisthatitcreatesnothingfromsomething Hence,renaming aninternationalbodyofwater:asymbolicallyhollowmovethatchangeslittleofmaterialconditions,yetisbefittinga mind(andculture)ever-obsessedwithappearanceattheexpenseofreality

Foranadministrationwhosefirst-dayexecutiveordersincludedaproclamationrestoring“therightoftheAmerican peopletospeakfreelyinthepublicsquarewithoutGovernmentinterference,”onemightassumethisincludesthe freedomofcopyeditingexercisedbyjournalists

Itdoesn’t,ofcourse,becauseTrump’scommitmentto“freespeech”haslongbeenfraudulentdoublespeak,toborrow oncemorefromOrwell,evenasthemediafrequentlyindulgesthatframing.Adecadeago,thecanaryinthiscoalmine wasNFLquarterbackColinKaepernick

Kaepernick,youmightrecall,kneeledduringpre-gamenationalanthemsduringthe2016seasontocallattentiontothe BlackLivesMattercauseandpoliceviolence Itwasarguablythemostexplicit andexplosive politicalactinhalfa centuryofsportsculture.ItalsogaveTrumpawinning,Apprentice-stylerallyline:“Wouldn’tyoulovetoseeoneof theseNFLowners,whensomebodydisrespectsourflag,tosay,‘Getthatsonofabitchoffthefield,rightnow,he’sout? He’sfired.He’sfired!’”

LeavingasidethesubstanceofKaepernick’sgrievance,asa“freespeech”issue,italwaysseemedprettycut-and-dry.If onebelievedthatthestar-spangledbannerflapped“o’erthelandofthefree,”thenprotestduringitsveneration–not againstit,aswasdeliberatelymisconstrued–ispreciselytheaffordancethattheritualsymbolizes.

Kaepernickcouldn’thavekneeledinPyongyangorHavanaoranynumberofcountriesthattheright-wingfreespeech brigadewantedtodeporthimto–andthat’sthepointoftheflag Moreover,that’sthepointofuncensoredexpressionand classicliberalism Freespeechisthevehicleforepistemichumilityandtheguarantorofdemocraticefficacy:thatwecan’t knowwho’srightunlesswecanallargueitout,unfettered

Allthisseemswildlyobvioustothepointofunremarkable,introductorycivics-classcliché,but,asanyenduringwisdom, itgetsrelearnedasconditionschange Likethefilibuster’sfabledpower,freespeechistreasuredmostwhenyou’rethe minorityparty,shutoutofpower

Tobesure,neithersidehasshownamonopolyonthiswisdom Theleftsuddenlyrediscoveredthevirtuesofcampusfree speechamidsttheGazaprotestsofthelastacademicyear–atpreciselythemomenttherightsuddenlysoughttocurtailit.

Ifonedoesn’tsupportaperson’sright notrighteousness,mindyou tochant“fromtherivertothesea”orweara shirtthatsays“thereareonlytwogenders,”thenonedoesn’treallybelieveinfreespeech Mostofus includingme,to saynothingofPresidentTrump lackthatepistemichumility.Butthat’swhy,asprinciple,theFirstAmendmentneeds only45wordstouncomplicatethingsandrelievetheburdenofadjudicatingcontentparameters

Don’tmistakethisforafalseequivalencyofideologicaloffenders

Inhisfirstmonthbackinoffice,Trump’seffortshaveincludedcrackingdownonDEIlanguageatuniversitiesand corporations,forbiddingteachingaboutraceandgenderinlocalschools,banningthedisplayofprideflagsatVA facilities,vowingtoexpelordeportprotestingstudents,andseizingcontroloftheWhiteHousepresspoolaccess.

Allthehallmarksofwhatonewouldhopeforfromacommitted“freespeech”president.

Inthatfirst-dayexecutiveorder,TrumpcastigatedtheBidenadministrationforcoercingsocialmediacompaniesto suppressmisinformation YetElonMuskandMarkZuckerberg’scapitulationwhenitcomestocontentmoderationisalso butananti-censorshipfeint Theynomorebelievein“freespeech”ontheirplatformsthantheydodemocraticinputor transparentdisclosureoftheiralgorithmicdesigns

PostwhateveryoulikeonXorFacebook.Theycontrolwhoseesit.Theiralgorithmsarewheretherealpowerliesin today’sdigitalpublicsquare Freedomofexpressioncan’tbeconfusedforfreedomofdistribution Ofcourse,asowners ofprivatecompanies,that’sentirelywithintheirrighttoprecludewhoseeswhat.Itisnot,however,PresidentTrump’s. Themorecensorshipthat’spursuedbyhisadministration,thelouderthatboastsabout“freespeech”willneedtopersist. That’showpowerobfuscatesunseemlymachinations:byclaimingtobedoingtheopposite Hopefully,we’llstillbe allowedtocallitOrwellian.

Michael Serazio is a professor of communication at Boston College and the author, most recently, of “The Authenticity Industries: Keeping it ‘Real’ in Media, Culture, and Politics.”

ChiefJusticeRoberts’sstatementshows‘thereis aline...andTrumpcrossedit,’legalexpertssay March18,2025|NickStoico

SupremeCourtChiefJusticeJohnRoberts’sextraordinaryrebukeofPresidentTrumponTuesdayforcallingtoremovea federaljudgewhoruledagainsthisdeportationplanmarkedastrikingdefenseofthejudicialsystemagainstan administrationthathassoughttoundermineitsauthority

“Formorethantwocenturies,ithasbeenestablishedthatimpeachmentisnotanappropriateresponsetodisagreement concerningajudicialdecision,”Robertssaidinastatement “Thenormalappellatereviewprocessexistsforthat purpose.”

NortheasternUniversitylawprofessorDanielUrmansaidtherarestepofissuingapublicstatement“showsthatthereisa lineforChiefJusticeRoberts,andPresidentTrumpcrosseditbycallingforthejudge’simpeachments”

“Robertsandhiscolleaguesmightevensupportthedeportationsonthemerits,butjudgesandlawyersbelieveinusing thetraditionallegalprocess,includingappeals,toresolvedisputes,”Urmansaidbyemail Roberts’sstatementcamejusthoursafterTrumpcalledfortheimpeachmentofafederaljudgewhoorderedflights deportingmorethan200migrantstoElSalvadorbeturnedaroundwhileenroute.

InasocialmediapostTuesday,TrumpdescribedUSDistrictJudgeJamesE Boasbergasanunelected“troublemakerand agitator”Boasbergrecentlyissuedanorderblockingdeportationflightsunderwartimeauthoritiesfroman18thcentury lawthatTrumpinvokedtocarryouthisplans

“HEDIDN’TWINANYTHING!IWONFORMANYREASONS,INANOVERWHELMINGMANDATE,BUT FIGHTINGILLEGALIMMIGRATIONMAYHAVEBEENTHENUMBERONEREASONFORTHISHISTORIC VICTORY,”Trumpwroteonhissocialmediaplatform,TruthSocial “I’mjustdoingwhattheVOTERSwantedmeto do.Thisjudge,likemanyoftheCrookedJudges’Iamforcedtoappearbefore,shouldbeIMPEACHED!!!”

Fifteenjudgeshavebeenimpeachedinthenation’shistory,accordingtothefederalcourtsystem’sgoverningbody,and justeighthavebeenremoved Thelastjudicialimpeachmentwasin2010,whenG ThomasPorteousJr ofNewOrleans wasimpeachedonchargesthatheacceptedbribesandthenliedaboutit.HewasconvictedbytheSenateandremoved fromoffice

KentGreenfield,alawprofessoratBostonCollegeLawSchool,saidjudicialimpeachmentshavehistorically involvedjudgeswhodisplayed“reallyhorriblebehaviororcorruption.”

GreenfieldcharacterizedTrump’smovetosingleoutafederaljudgehedisagreeswithas“atravestyand dangeroustodemocracy.”HesaidhebelievesTrump’sgoalisto“essentiallyintimidate,ortrytointimidate,sitting federaljudges.”

“We’reinadangerousmomentnotonlybecausetheadministrationisincreasinglyshowingawillingnessto disregardanddisobeyjudicialorders,butalsodoingitinawaythatisopeningthesejudgesuptosomepersonal risk,”hesaid.

“WhenyouhavethepresidentoftheUnitedStatesusinghisbullypulpittotargetspecificjudges,specificcourts, it’sreallydangerous.I’mhappythechiefjusticespokeupinthisway,”headded.

SuffolkUniversitylawprofessorRenéeLanderssaidRoberts'publicdefenseofthejudiciarywas“alongtimecoming”

“Justbecausesomebodywinsanelectiondoesn’tmeantheygettodowhatevertheywant,”shesaid “Therearestilllaws andprocessesthathavetobefollowed,andsometimesitappearsthattheTrumpadministrationisnotdoingthat And that’stheroleofthejudiciary,tomakethemfollowthelaw”

MichaelMeltsner,aretiredprofessorofconstitutionallawatNortheastern,saiditis“certainlyunusualforachiefjustice tointervene”butgiventhecircumstances,“hecouldhardlynotdoit.”

“Whatthechiefjusticehassaidissomethingimportant,butit’salsoprettyobvious,”hesaid.“Theconstitutionisasclear asabellthatyoucannotimpeachajudgebecauseyoudon’tlikehisdecisions”

LegalscholarsagreedthatRoberts’sstatementmarkedarareinstanceinAmericanhistorywhenachiefjusticehas publiclychallengedapresident’sactions,butitisnotthefirsttimeRobertshasspokenoutagainstTrump

In2018,duringTrump’sfirsttermintheWhiteHouse,Robertstookissuewithhisdescriptionofajudgewhorejectedhis migrantasylumpolicyasan“Obamajudge.”Inastronglywordedstatement,hedeclaredthere’snosuchthing.

“WedonothaveObamajudgesorTrumpjudges,BushjudgesorClintonjudges.Whatwehaveisanextraordinarygroup ofdedicatedjudgesdoingtheirlevelbesttodoequalrighttothoseappearingbeforethem,”Robertssaidatthetime Landersrecalledthe2018clashbetweenRobertsandTrump,sayingRoberts’snewstatementsuggestshestillholdsthis position

“Thechiefjustice’sstatementsaysitall:Ifyoudon’tliketheruling,thisiswhatappealsarefor,”shesaid

HowSt.Patrick’sDaybecametheraucous celebrationAmericansknow

March16,2025|DeeptiHajela

Ifit’sMarch,andit’sgreen,itmustbeSt.Patrick’sDay.

ThedayhonoringthepatronsaintofIrelandisaglobalcelebrationofIrishheritage.Andnowhereisthatmoresothanin theUnitedStates,whereparadestakeplaceincitiesaroundthecountryandallkindsoffoodsanddrinksaregivenan emeraldhue.

Infact,itwasamongIrishAmericancommunitiesthatthedaybecamethecelebrationitis,fromitsrootsasamore solemndaywithareligiousobservanceinIreland

ButeveninAmerica,itwasaboutmorethanachancetodyearivergreen(lookingatyou,Chicago)orjustbustouta favoritepieceofgreenclothing,itwasaboutputtingdownrootsandclaimingapieceofthecountry’scalendar

PatrickwasnotactuallyIrish,accordingtoexperts Borninthelatefourthcentury,hewascapturedasanadolescentand endedupenslavedinIreland.HeescapedtoanotherpartofEuropewherehewastrainedasapriestandreturnedto IrelandinthefifthcenturytopromotethespreadofChristianity

Severalcenturieslater,hewasmadeasaintbytheCatholicChurchandlikeothersaintshadadaydedicatedto him,whichwasMarch17.HebecameIreland’spatronsaint,andevenwhenreligiousstrifebrokeoutbetween CatholicsandProtestants,wasclaimedbyboth,saysMikeCronin,historianandacademicdirectorofBoston CollegeDublin.

Theshortanswer:IrishpeoplecametoAmericaandbroughttheirculturewiththem St Patrick’sDayobservancesdate backtobeforethefoundingoftheU.S.,inplaceslikeBostonandNewYorkCity.ThefirstparadewasheldinManhattan in1762

WhilethedaywasmarkedwithmoreofareligiousframingandsolemnityinIrelanduntilwellintothe20thcentury,in Americaitbecametheculturalandboisterouscelebrationitistoday,markedbyplentyofpeoplewithoutatraceofIrish heritage

ItwasbecausepeopleinIrelandstartedseeinghowthedaywasmarkedintheU.S.thatitbecamemoreofa festivalinthecountryofitsoriginratherthanstrictlyareligiousobservance,Croninsays,pointingtotheparades, partiesandotherfestivitiesthatareheld.

Oh,andbytheway,forthosewholiketoshortennames:UseSt.Paddy’sDay,notSt.Patty’sDay.Paddyisanickname forPádraig,whichistheIrishspellingofPatrick

Holidaysaren’tsimplydaystowatchbandsgoby,orwearaspecificoutfitorcostume

Beingabletomarkaholiday,andhaveothersmarkit,isawayof“puttingdownroots,showingthatyou’vemadeitin Americanculture,”saysLeighSchmidt,professorintheDanforthCenteronReligionandPoliticsatWashington University.“You’vemadeyourclaimonthatAmericancalendar,inAmericanciviclife,byhavingtheseholidayswidely recognized”

ThespreadofSt Patrick’sDaycelebrationsintheUS wasawayforIrishimmigrantcommunities,whointhe19th centuryfaceddiscriminationandopposition,tostakethatground,hesays:“It’sakindofimmigrantIrishwayof combatingnativistantagonismagainstthem”

Apopularsightaroundtheholidayistheshamrock,orthree-leafclover,linkedtoIrelandandSt Patrick

Theluckyones,though,comeacrosssomethingthat’shardertofind:afour-leafclover That’sbecauseittakesarecessive traitortraitsintheclover’sgeneticsfortheretobemorethanthenormal3leaves,saysVincentPennetti,whohasbeen fascinatedbytheplantssincehighschool

Four-leafclovers“arereal Theyarerare,”hesays

Thatdoesn’tmeantheycan’tbefound Peoplejusthavetokeeptheireyesopenand“getreallygoodatnoticingpatterns andbreaksinthepatterns,andtheyjuststartjumpingoutatyou,”hesays.

KatieGlerumfindsthem Shesaysit’snotunheardofforhertobesomewherelikeoutinaparkandseeone Sheusually scoopsitupandoftengivesittosomeoneelse,toapositiveresponse

“Ifithappenedeveryday,thenIprobablywouldbelessexcitedaboutit,”shesays.“Butyeah,whenithappens,itis exciting”

WhereisGodintheliturgy?Awayforwardfor reformandrenewal

March13,2025|

JohnF.Baldovin

Some60yearson,thereformoftheliturgyfollowingtheSecondVaticanCouncilisataninflectionpoint.Atthiscritical juncture,howshallwefindawayforwardthatwillhelptheCatholicliturgytofulfillitsmissionofhelpingustolivethe Gospel?UnderstandinghowGodbringsustogetherinworship inotherwords,thepriorityofGod’sactionand invitation canhelp ThesynodalandliturgicalvisionofPopeFrancisisalsokey

LetmebeginbyoutliningwhatIseetobefivedifferentapproachesthatCatholicstakewhenseekingtounderstandthe liturgytoday (IconfessIamwritingfromaNorthAmericanperspectiveandcannotspeakforotherareas,liketheGlobal South,whichbringwiththemanumberofdifferentissues,especiallywithregardtopopularpiety)So,whatarethese fiveapproaches?

1 SupportthecurrentreformedliturgiesoftheRomanRite ThereformsoftheMassandotherliturgiesbyandlargehave beenenthusiasticallyreceived.Theymayhavetakensomegettingusedto,especiallythechangetothevernacularandthe changeofthepositionofthepriestatthealtar,whichwereindeedradical Thereformsalsoincludedthevastenrichment ofthereadingsatMassandafairlysignificantrestructuringoftheliturgicalyear.

Thiswasnottheonlyimportantreform.Othersincludedthetransformationoftheriteofbaptismofchildrenintoonethat paidattentiontotheconditionofchildrenandtheresponsibilityoftheparents Further,anorderfortheChristian initiationofadultswasintroduced.Itwasnowpossibletocelebratepenanceinthreedifferentforms,withcommunal penancebecomingperhapsthemostpopular Andfinally,theriteofanointingofthesickwasnolongerreservedforthe deathbedbutcouldbeusedinthecircumstancesofanylife-threateningillness,aswellasadvancedage

2 Rejectthereforms PopeBenedictXVI,inhis2007apostolicletter“SummorumPontificum,”explicitlygranted permissionforthewideruseofthepre-VaticanIIliturgytothoserelativelyraregroupsthatwereattachedtoit.That liturgyisoftenreferredtoasthetraditionalLatinMassortheextraordinaryform(orsometimes,byaficionados,theusus antiquior[olderrite]).Theextraordinaryformreceivedanenthusiasticreceptionbyanumberofgroups,particularly youngerpriestsandyoungerpeopleingeneral

3 Reformthereforms Thisapproachrepresentssomewhatofamediatingposition Itcanbecharacterizedasa“strict constructionist”readingof“SacrosanctumConcilium,”theVaticanII“ConstitutionontheSacredLiturgy.”An examinationofthewritingsonliturgybyJosephRatzinger,laterPopeBenedictXVI,showsthatthiswasthepositionhe favored.

Proponentsofthe“reformofthereform”objecttomanyofthechangesfoundinthe1970MissalofPopePaulVI Not everyproponentwantsallofthesamethings,butmostwouldliketoseearestoredentranceritetotheMasswithprayers atthefootofthealtar Mostproponentsfavorhavingthereadingsinthevernacular,butmanyamongthemwouldlikea returntoaone-yearcycleofreadings,asinthepre-VaticanIIMissal.Mostwouldliketoseechantastheonlymusic allowedatMass MostwanttherestorationofthePentecostoctaveandtheseasonofSeptuagesima(ie,theformer calendar’sthreeSundaysprecedingLent).

Further,mostseemtoargueforhavingonlyoneEucharisticprayer,theRomanCanon,whichiscurrentlyEucharistic PrayerNo 1 SomewouldliketoseethatprayersaidinLatinandrecitedquietly Manywouldliketoseethereturnof CommunionrailsandreceivingCommuniononthetonguewhilekneeling.Somewouldclaimthatthisisexactlywhat PopeBenedictXVIwasreferringtoinhisletteraccompanying“SummorumPontificum,”inwhichhestatedthathe hopedthattheordinaryandextraordinaryformsoftheliturgywouldmutuallyinfluenceeachother.

4 Pickupthepace Manyinthiscategoryshowimpatiencewiththepaceofinculturatingtheliturgy,includingshowinga gooddealofdissatisfactionwiththecurrentEnglishtranslationsoftheliturgicalrites Asiswellknown,thefifth instruction“FortheRightImplementationoftheConstitutionontheSacredLiturgyoftheSecondVaticanCouncil,”titled “LiturgiamAuthenticam,”reversedtheapproachtotranslationadvocatedbythereformersthatischaracterizedby

“dynamicequivalence,”whichgivespreferencetomakingtheoriginalintelligibleinthereceiverlanguage “Liturgiam Authenticam”representsawholesalerejectionofthattranslationstrategyinfavorofwhatcanbecalled“formal correspondence”ThelatterrequiresthateverylexicalandsyntacticalelementoftheoriginalLatinbeaccountedforina translation,asopposedtogivingprioritytorenderingthethoughtofaprayerinawaythatpeoplecaneasilyunderstand

ManywhofavorfurtherinculturationappealtoParagraph40of“SacrosanctumConcilium,”whichallowsforamore robustculturaladaptationoftherites Agoodexample(althoughnotveryradical)istheRomanMissalforUseinthe DiocesesofZaire(nowcalledtheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo)thatwasapprovedbytheVaticanin1988.Recently theVaticanapprovedseveralotheradaptationsforliturgicalusebycertaindiocesesintheYucatanPeninsulaofMexico SomeCatholicswerequicktocondemnthisrite ofteninappropriatelycalledtheMayanRite asacapitulationtopagan practices However,thisviewpointfailstoaccountforthemanyadaptationsoftheliturgymadeinChristianantiquityin accordancewiththesurroundingculturesofthetime.

AnotherexampleofsignificantculturaladaptationistheMissaTerraSpiritusSancti,whichincorporatescertainelements ofAboriginalculture,approvedbytheAustralianCatholicBishopsConferencefortheDioceseofBroomeinNorthwest AustraliainMay2024 ThisMassawaitsapprovalbytheVatican

5 Rejecttherules ThisapproachisreallymoreofaseriesofpracticesatvariancewiththeofficialbooksoftheRoman Rite.Iwouldcharacterizethesepracticesasprioritizinginformalityand“creativity.”Itisnosecretthatattheendofthe 1960sandthroughthe’70s,theofficialliturgicalreformwastakenasalicensetoexerciseagreatdealoffreedomwith theliturgy.Thisisunsurprisingfortworeasons.

First,thereformwasexperiencedlikeopeningthegasketofapressurecooker.Itletoffalotofsteam.Second,some flexibility(“intheseorotherwords”andvariousintroductions)wasbuiltintothevariousrites Forexample,some freedomcouldbeusedintheintroductiontotheliturgy;somecommentarycouldbegivenatthebeginningofthe readings;thepriestwas/isallowedtointroducetheEucharisticprayer;andcomments/announcementscouldbegivenafter thepost-Communionprayer.Thesewereallintendedtobeverybriefandinthespiritoftheliturgyitself.

Butbrevityisintheeyesofthebeholder Oftenenough,priestsofferdescriptionsoftheweatherorsomeotherformof cheerfulintroductionintendedtowarmuptheassembly Suchpractices,wellintendedastheymightbe,arenothelpfulin acommunalritualactliketheliturgy ThetheologianM FrancisMannionastutelypointedthisoutina1988essayin Worship,titled“LiturgyandthePresentCrisisofCulture.”OneofthechallengesthatMonsignorMannionidentifiedwas the“intimizationofsociety” inotherwords(asheputit),“warmthisGod”Onlyintimacyisauthentic Butitisa misunderstandingoracategorymistaketothinkthataritualactivitylikeliturgyshouldbeintimate.

Inadditiontothismisconstrualoftheintentofthepost-VaticanIIreform,therewerealsounfortunateattemptstomake theliturgymorerelevant ExampleswouldincludereplacingtheScripturereadingswithnon-scripturaltexts, idiosyncraticallycomposedEucharisticprayers(ofdubiousvalueandquestionabletheology)andtheuseofpopular music Therewerealsowell-intendedbutill-conceivedattemptstoreplacepartsoftheroleoftheordainedminister,notto mentionsubstitutingmore“relevant”foodanddrinkfortherequiredbreadandwine.

Manyofthepracticesofthislastapproacharerelativelyraretoday,buttheydopersistinsomesmallcircles AsIasserted attheoutset,thefirstapproach supportfortheVaticanII“ConstitutionontheSacredLiturgy”andsubsequent reform predominatestoday,buttheotherapproachescertainlyexist Itseems,atleastanecdotally,thatthetraditionalist approachisgrowing,especiallyamongtheyoungwhohavebeentoldthatVaticanIIwas amistakeandthatweneedtoreturnto“realCatholicism”Onecanfindthisattitudein theoccasionaldisparagementofsynodality.

John F. Baldovin, S.J., is a professor of historical and liturgical theology at the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry. This essay is adapted from a talk originally delivered at Fairfield University on Feb. 27, 2025.

BostonCollegelaunchesnurse-midwiferydegree program

March13,2025|IsabelHart

BostonCollegeislaunchinganewmaster’sdegreeprograminnurse-midwifery,whichtheschoolsaidistheonlysuch programinBostonandeasternMassachusetts.

Themaster’sprogramwillberunbytheConnellSchoolofNursingatBC,andwillenrollitsfirststudentsinMay, accordingtoanannouncementfromtheuniversity.Itwillberunfullyin-personandisaroughlytwo-yearprogram.

Nurse-midwivescarefor patientsduringpregnancy, childbirthandthepostpartum period Nurse-midwivesare documentedashavinga positiveimpactonpatient outcomeswhentheyarepartof themedicalteam

“Nurse-midwivesarecrucialto addressingthecrisisof maternalmortalitywehavein thiscountry,”Katharine Hutchinson,directorofBC’s nurse-midwiferyprogram,said intheannouncement

Theprogramhasreceived pre-accreditationfrom AccreditationCommissionfor MidwiferyEducation,accordingtoBC.Therearelessthan50accreditednurse-midwiferyprogramsintheU.S., accordingtotheuniversity.

BCwillpartnerwithMountAuburnHospitalinCambridgeandMattapanCommunityHealthCenterasclinicalpartner sitesforstudentplacements,accordingtotheannouncement.

TheMassachusettsDepartmentofPublicHealthhasgrantedthenursingschool$1milliontoestablishaBirthworker EquityinEducationCollaborative,whichhasthegoalofimprovingbirthoutcomesbyfocusingonhealthequity.

HowtoStopHatingTrumpSupporters

March3,2025|StephenJ.Pope

AfewweeksagomywifeandIwenttodinneratalocalpubwithsomegoodfriends Atonepoint,“Joan,”apracticing Catholic,askedme,“HowcanIstophatingTrumpsupporters?Ineedhelpwiththatone”Shenoddedherheadinthe directionofpatronswhoshehadreasontobelievesupportTrump.

VersionsofthisquestionarebeingaskedthesedaysbyseriousChristiansbaffledbythefactthatsomanyAmericans couldvoteforapoliticianwhoissogreedy,cruel,andnarcissistic Joanisparticularlydismayedbythefactthat54 percentofCatholics and60percentofwhiteCatholics votedforTrump,amanwhomsheregardsastheantithesisof whatChristisallabout HowcanbelieversinaGodoflovevoteforsomeonewhoscapegoatsmigrants,denigrates women,andmockspeoplewithdisabilities?Onapersonallevel,Joanwantstoknowhowsheisreallysupposedtolove peoplewhoendorseapoliticianwhoshowsnothingbutcontemptforwhatsheholdsmostdear

WeshouldnottakeJoan’sworryasimplyingthatshebelievesthateitherJoeBidenorKamalaHarrisareimmunefrom seriouscriticism,orthattheDemocraticPartyisinnowaymorallyproblematic farfromit Sheisawarethatmany sincerepeopleoffaithmightturnthetablesonherandaskhowanyCatholiccouldtakethesideofapoliticalpartythat supportsanunrestrictedrighttoabortion,showslittleregardforfamilies,seemstocaremoreaboutspottedowlsthan loggers,anddoesnoteventrytohideitsobviousdisdainfortheChristianfaith Whateveryouthinkoftheseaccusations, thereislittledoubtthatseriousChristiansfrombothsidescanaskhowtheyareexpectedtolovepeoplewhosupport politicalfigures,movements,ororganizationsthattheyperceivetobenotjustcompromisedandflawedbutcorrupt, brutal,inhumane,andanti-Christian

OnewaytotrytosoftenJoan’ssenseofoutragemightbetopointoutthatthecategoryof“Trumpsupporters”isnot monolithic.ItcomprisesabroadandcomplexspectrumthatrunsfromthefanaticalandviolentStewartRhodesandhis OathKeepersto“lowinformation”citizenswhovotedforTrumponlybecausetheydon’twant“moreofthesame”One groupofTrumpsupporterssaytheydon’tlikehimpersonallybutthinkhispoliciesmighthelplowerinflation,generate better-payingjobs,andcontrolimmigration AnothergroupvotedforTrumpbutdonotapproveofthespecificwayshe hasbeenpursuinghisagendasincehetookoffice e.g.,thepardonsforJanuary6rioters,ICEraidsonschools,revenge firings,andfreezinginternationalaideventodesperatelypoorcommunities Yetdifferentiatingamongthevariouskinds ofTrumpsupportersdoesnotreallynegatethefactthattheyalleitherexplicitlyendorsehisleadershipandbroadagenda oratleastdon’tcareenoughaboutthemanypeoplehewillharmtowithholdtheirsupport

Inanycase,Joan’squandaryisn’tmainlyaboutTrump’sbadcharacteranddepravedvalues Joan’sdismayisnotallayed bythosewhosaytheydon’tlikeTrumppersonallybutvotedforhispolicies Thislinetriestosevertherealconnection betweenthekindofpersonheisandthekindofpolicieshepromotes.Weseehiscallousnessinmassivefiringsof governmentofficialsworkingforthepublicgoodandhiswholesaleeliminationofUSAIDfundingforthemostmarginal andpowerlesspeopleintheglobalSouth.Christiansshouldbedeeplydisturbedbythisradicalabandonmentofconcern fortheleastofourbrothersandsisters butmillionsarenot

Therelentlessbullyinghewasknownforinhisreal-estatecareerisofapiecewithhisadmirationforthepredatory VladimirPutinandhiscontemptfortheheroicVolodymyrZelensky.Joancannotgethermindaroundhowsomany AmericanChristians andespeciallyAmericanCatholics cancontinuetostandbyapoliticalleaderwhosewordsand deedsleavenodoubtabouthisfundamentalbeliefthatmightmakesright.Trump’sremainingsupportersseemuntroubled bythisbeliefanditsimplicationsforthetraditionalAmericancommitmenttotheruleoflaw,humanrights,andliberal democracy.ThisheedlessrejectionofouridealsiswhatmostdisturbsJoan.

Joan’smainconcerncanbeputlikethis:ifyoubelievealeaderispromotingprofoundlydestructivepublicpolicies,you willmorallycondemnwhatheorsheisdoing Yourobjections,moreover,willbedirectednotonlyatthepolitician

himselfbutalso,tosomedegreeorother,athisadvisors,apologists,donors,campaignstaff,andtensofmillionsof supporters allthosewho,inminorormajorways,havemadeitpossibleforhimtowreakhavoconourinstitutionsand tohurtagreatmanyvulnerablepeoplebothintheUnitedStatesandabroad

WecanonlybegintoanswerJoan’squestionafteridentifyingwhatwemeanby“loveofneighbor”Unlikeourordinary useoftheterm,“love”heredoesnotrefertoaffection,approval,orattraction.Toavoidmisunderstanding,Christian writersoftenusetheNewTestamentGreektermagape(or,lessoften,itsLatintranslation,caritas)tosignalits distinctivelyChristianmeaning.CatholicwritersfromSt.ThomasAquinastoPopeBenedictXVIdescribeagapeasa “loveofbenevolence”thatwillsthegoodtoothers Thinkingalongsimilarlines,MartinLutherKingJr describedagape as“redemptivegoodwill”foreverypersonandnotonlythoseinone’s“neighborhood.”

Itisallwellandgoodtolovepeoplewhobeargoodwilltousandwhatwecareabout,butwhataboutthosewhoshowa depravedlackofrespectforcertainclassesofpeopleandwhoopposeprinciplesandnormsweholddear?Oneclassic wayofrespondingtothisquestiondrawsonSt.Augustine’sadvice:“Lovethesinner,hatethesin.”Forourpurposes,we cantake“sin”inthiscontexttomean“materiallysinful”or“objectivelywrong”ratherthan“formallysinful”or“morally culpable”(Politicaldecisionsbyvoterscanobviouslyfallintobothcategories,butwedon’tneedtogetintothat discussionhere)Augustine’smaximencouragesustothinkaboutwhatitmeanstolovesomeonewhoseattitudes,views, andactionsoneregardsasmorallyreprehensible Inthecaseofrealandsustainedharm,however,itcanbequiteafeatof moralgymnasticstohatethesinsofcorruption,domination,andcrueltywithoutalsohatingthosewhomanifest,justify, andprofitfromthem Thisprecept,Gandhipointsoutinhisautobiography,is“easyenoughtounderstand[but]rarely practiced,thatthisiswhythepoisonofhatredspreadsintheworld”

Thegoodwewilltootherstypicallycorrespondstoourperceptionoftheirparticularneeds.Wewillthegoodofhealthto thesick,knowledgetostudents,andfreedomforcaptives Thegoodswegenerallywilltoalltheothersmembersofour politicalcommunityinclude,amongothersthings,honesty,fairness,andcompassion.

AsPopeFrancisremindsus,oneimportantexpressionofgoodwillisawillingnesstoenterintodialoguewithour politicaladversaries Thepurposeofdialogueistocometosomedegreeofmutualunderstandingratherthanto“win”a debate.Butevenwithinfamilies,realdialoguehasbeenmadeverydifficultbyideologicallydrivensocialmedia, politicallyextremecablenews,anddemagogicpoliticians Intensepolarizationdrivespeopleintohomogeneousspaces whereeveryoneagreeswithoneanotherabouttheirgrievancesandtheirversionofthetruth Whenopponentsdomanage toengageinconversation,moreover,itoftenrevealsevenmorefundamentaldisagreementsthatcanintensifyratherthan reducedivisions Dialogueisclearlynotacure-allforwhatailsus

TheChurchshouldplayaconstructiveroleherebut,atleastinmyexperience,itusuallydoesnot Catholicparishesand schoolsshouldbeplaceswherepeoplebuildbridgestoovercomealienation weare,afterall,integralmembersofthe BodyofChrist Unfortunately,theydonotoftenfunctionascommunitiesofmoraldiscoursethatdrawtheirparticipants intogreatersocialandpoliticalawareness.PastorstendeithertotacitlysupportTrumpbyfocusingexclusivelyonthe pro-lifeagendaortoavoidbringingupthemes(suchas“socialjustice”or“humanrights”)thattheyfeararetoo “political”anddivisive.Pastorsshouldbeabletodomorethanrecommendthattheirparishionersconsultthelatest editionoftheUSCCB’s“FormingConsciencesforFaithfulCitizenship”

Joan’squestion“HowcanIstophatingTrumpsupporters?”implicitlyacknowledgesthatloveofneighborbeginswiththe renunciationofbadwill.Thequestionofhowonemightdothiscanbeapproachedasatherapeuticandpsychological matter,butforCatholicsitalsopertainstomoralandspiritualgrowth

Stephen J. Pope is a professor of theological ethics at Boston College. He is the author of A Step Along the Way: Models of Christian Service (Orbis, 2015).

Perce ic declin

March1,2025| g

ArecentstudyonreligioninAmericashowsthatwhilethepercentageofthewhite,Black,andAsianadultsintheUnited StateswhoidentifyasCatholichasremainedrelativelysteadysince2007,thepercentageofHispanicadultswhoidentify asCatholichassteeplydeclined

The2023-24PewResearchCenterReligiousLandscapeStudyfoundthatbetween2007and2023-24thepercentageof whiteadultsintheUnitedStateswhoidentifyasCatholichasgonefrom22to17,thepercentageofBlackadultsfrom fivetofour,andthepercentageofAsianadultsfrom17to14.

Meanwhile,thepercentageofHispanicadultswhoidentifyasCatholichasfallenfrom58to42.

“TheCatholicshareoftheHispanicpopulationintheUnitedStateshasbeendecliningrapidlyforalongtime,”said GregoryA Smith,aseniorassociatedirectorofresearchatPew,whohaslongledstudiesonreligioninAmericanlife

“Therewasatimewhenwefirstdidthereligiouslandscapestudywhenwecouldlookatthedataandwecouldsaythat wemaybeontracktoadaywheretheCatholicpopulationintheUnitedStatesismostlyHispanic,eventhoughmost HispanicsintheUnitedStatesarenotCatholic,andnow,wehavenotreachedthepointwheremostCatholicsare Hispanic,butwehavereachedthepointwheremostHispanicsarenotCatholic,andwe’vebeenthereforsometime now,”hetoldCrux.

Forcontext,36percentofCatholicsintheUnitedStatesareHispanic.

“It’snotsurprisingtoseethosenumbers,”HosffmanOspino,aprofessorofHispanicMinistryandReligious EducationatBostonCollege,toldCrux.“ThelargertheHispanicpopulationis,andthelargertheportionthatis U.S.-born,U.S.-raised,themoreofadecreasewewillcontinuetosee.”

Ospinoexplainedthatnolongerisitthe1990swhenmorethanhalfoftheHispanicpopulationintheUnitedStates wereimmigrants,whoaremorelikelytobereligious–58percentofU.S.immigrantsareChristian,accordingto thePewstudy.

Todayroughly64percentofHispanicsarebornandraisedintheUnitedStates,Ospinonoted.Heexpectsthat numberwillcontinuetogrow,aswell,whichmeansmoreHispanicswillbebornintothenation’spluralisticand secularizedculture,andthereforenotbeCatholic.

Theotherfactor,Ospinosaid,ismoresowheretheChurchbearstheblame.HehighlightedHispanicsaredrifting awayfromthefaithintheUnitedStatesinlargepartbecause“alotofourpastoraloutreachisinadequate,” meaning,thesecondgeneration–thosebornintheUnitedStates–areleftbehind.

“MosteffortsinHispanicministryintheUnitedStatesofAmericaaregearedtowardstheimmigrantpopulation–MassesinSpanish,andsacramentsinSpanish,socialservicestoservetheimmigrantcommunity.Allofthatis veryimportantandverynecessary,”Ospinosaid.

“However,wehaven’tfiguredouthowtoaccompanythosetwo-thirdsofLatinoswhoareU.S.-born,U.S.-raised,” Ospinosaid.“Manypastoralleaderseitherassumethattheywilllivetheirfaithastheirimmigrantparentsand grandparentsandsiblingsandsoon,orthattheywillAmericanizeandjustsimplybecomepartoftheregular,the largerEuro,American,white,EnglishspeakingCatholicbody,andthetruthisthatneitherofthoseare happening.”

“Weneedbetterwaysofreachingouttothiscommunity,”hesaid.

Tomakeprogressinthisarea,OspinosaidtheChurchneedstofocusonthelocallevel,withparishesbetter supportingtheyouthandfamilies.Andonthenationallevel,hesaidwhat’sneededareless“overarching”pastoral plans,andmorepastoralplansthatsupporttheeffortsatthelocallevel–apostolicmovements,parishes, catechesis,andfamilyministry.

BeyondtheHispanicaspect,theoverarchingheadlineforCatholicismoutofthestudywasthattheprecipitousdeclinein theCatholicshareofthepopulationthatwasexperiencedintheearly2000s,andearly2010shasmoreorlessleveledoff overthelastdecade.

In2014,Catholicsmadeup21percentofthepopulation In2023-24,Catholicsmakeup19percentofthepopulation

Still,Smithsaidpeopleshouldbecarefultoassumethatthisstabilitywillremain Infact,forthestabilitytobecome lastinghesaidthatsomethingwouldhavetochange.

“WeknowthattheoldestAmericans,whoarehighlyreligiousonaverage,willconstituteashrinkingportionofthe populationgoingforwardbecausetheoldestmembersofthatgroupwillpassaway,andweknowthattoday’syoung adultsarewaylessreligiousthantoday’soldestadults,soweknowthatifnothingchangesthenthelongtermdeclinesin Americanreligionwillresume,”Smithexplained

“Forthestabilitytoprovelasting,somethingwouldhavetochange,”hesaid “Eithertoday’syoungestadultswouldhave tobecomemorereligiousastheygetolder,orwe’dhavetohavenewgenerationsofyoungadultscomealongwholook moreliketoday’solderadultsthanliketoday’syoungestadults”

ThequestionishowdoestheU.S.CatholicChurchevangelizethoseyoungpeople?FromArchbishopCharles Thompson’sperspective,it’sessentialtocontinuethesynodalpath

“AsIlookatthesenumbersIthink‘howdoestheChurchtransformtheculturebyaddressingtheseissues?’Not necessarilycounteringthem,butasPopeFrancishassaidtheintentional,synodalwayofdialogue,oflistening,or accompanying,ofwalkingwithoneanotheronthisjourneytowardsalvation,”Thompson,chairmanoftheUnitedStates ConferenceofCatholicBishopsCommitteeonEvangelizationandCatechesis,toldCrux.

TimGlemkowski,theformerCEOoftheNationalEucharisticCongresswhonowleadsAmazingParish,anorganization thathelpsparishesevangelize,toldCruxthateffortstogrowthefaithhavetoberootedinthelocalrealityoftheparish, andthat’swherethenationalChurchshouldfocusitsefforts,aswell

“WhatisthebestwayforthenationalChurch,bywhichwemeantheUSCCB,howdotheybestsupportevangelization that’shappeningindiocesesandthenultimatelydiocesessupportingwhat’shappeninginparishes?”Glemkowskiasked. “Idon’thavealltheanswerstothat,butIthinkthat’stherightwayoflookingatit”

NHLunion,BostonCollegeannounceprogramto helpplayersgobacktoschoolandfinishtheir degree

February27,2025|JimmyGolen

NHLplayerswhowanttocompletetheircollegedegreeswillhaveasmootherpathwaythankstoanagreement announcedWednesdaybetweentheirunionandBostonCollege.

ThedealwouldeasethewayforcurrentandformerplayerstograduatefromBC’sWoodsCollegeofAdvancing Studies,anarmoftheuniversitythatoffersflexibleroutestocertificatesanddegreesfornon-traditionalstudents. Amongthealums:NHLPlayersAssociationexecutivedirectorMartyWalsh.

“Itallowedmetheopportunitytogetacollegedegree,”theformerBostonmayorandU.S.secretaryoflaborsaid inaninterviewwithTheAssociatedPress.“Iwenttoschoolwithpeoplethatwereundergrads,thatwenttoschool atBC,takingclassatnight.AndIwas(also)inclasswithpeopleintheir70s.Whichisamazing.”

WoodsCollegeDeanDavidGoodmansaidtheagreementis“thenextevolutionofarelationshipthatwasalready there,”byremoving"someofthefriction"thatmighthavepreventedplayersfromgoingbacktoschool.Itwill makeiteasierforpotentialstudentstotransferpreviouslyearnedcredits,asoneexample,hesaid.

JoshJooris,whoplayedthreeyearsatUnionCollegebeforeearninghisfirstNHLcontractwiththeCalgaryFlames,is currentlyenrolled BrooksOrpik,whoplayedthreeyearsfortheEaglesbeforeanNHLcareerinwhichhewontwo StanleyCupchampionshipswiththePittsburghPenguins,returnedtoschoolafterheretiredandearnedhisdegreein 2022

“Ihadpromisedalotofpeople,includingmyparentsandformerBChockeycoachJerryYork,thatIwouldfinish collegeatsomepoint,”Orpiksaid.“ThefeelingofprideIhadwasjustsodifferentthananything,athletically,I haveaccomplished.”

Goodmansaidthestudentscanstudyonline,on-campusorhybrid.Thenewagreementdoesn’thavealimitonthe numberofplayersitcanaccept,butGoodmansaidheexpects“acoupleofdozen”;iftherearemore,theschool wouldaddsectionstoaccommodatethem,hesaid.

TheNHLPAagreementwithBCcomesthesameweekastheMajorLeagueBaseballPlayersAssociationannounceda similardealwithSyracuse Walshsaidhehadn'ttalkedtohisbaseballcounterpartsaboutit

“Weallhaveprograms,”saidNHLPAhead,whoneededmorethan10years,takingoneortwoclassespersemester,to gethisdegreewhilehewasworkingfull-time,includingasamemberoftheMassachusettsHouseofRepresentatives

“We’reaunionthatrepresentsourworkersontheiceandthroughtocollectivebargaining,”hesaid “Butwealsowantto makesurethatwe’repreparingtheseplayers,thatwhentheircareersareover,thatthey'resetupforsuccessgoing forward,too”

TheNHLsaysmorethanathirdofitsplayersplayedcollegehockeyintheUS orCanada,withthemajorityofthose leavingschoolbeforegettingtheirdegrees BothGoodmanandWalshnotedthatevenplayerswhogoontoasuccessful NHLcareerwouldlikelyretireintheir30s,leavingalongworklifeaheadofthem.

“Theseplayersaretypicallyscoopedupintheirfirsttwoyears,”Goodmansaid.“Whentheycomebackafterhavingbeen successful,comingbacktoone’seducationisnotnecessarilyasexymove Butit’sfinishingsomethingtheyonce started.”

‘FatherJack,’apopularJesuitoncampus,

chosenasBostonCollege’snewpresident February18,2025|TonyaAlanez

BostonCollege,thelargestCatholicuniversityinNewEngland,electeditsnewpresidentonTuesday,choosingapriest whohasworkedattheGothiccampusfor23years,andmaintainingatraditionofJesuitleadershipsinceitsfoundingin 1863,predominantlytoeducateIrishimmigrants.

TheRev JohnT “Jack”Butler,theuniversity’svicepresidentofmissionandministry,willsucceedtheRev WilliamP Leahy,whoannouncedlastyearhewouldstepdownin2026afterleadingBCfor28years,itslongestpresidentialtenure InaninterviewwiththeGlobe,ButlersaidheviewstheChestnutHillcampusas“afamily,”andwillstrivetomaintain theschool’s“momentum,continuity,andstability,”establishedunderLeahy,whosepresidencywasmarkedbyrobust growthinfacilities,enrollment,andendowment.

“Todayisaspecialdayforme,”saidButler,61,whoisknownaroundcampussimplyas“FatherJack.”“Ifeelluckyand fortunate”

“Thisisn’tsomethingIwasexpecting,”headded “I’vebeenatBCfor23years,andI’vebeengreatlylovedinthis community I’vetriedtoloveitback,andnowit’smyjobtoloveitback”

BCannouncedinJunethatitwouldconductasearchforanewpresident,itsfirstinnearlythreedecades Leahy succeededtheRev J DonaldMonan,theleaderwidelycreditedwithtransformingBCfromastrugglingcommuter schooltoaneliteCatholicuniversityrenownedforitsphilosophyandtheologydepartments

InselectinganewleadertooverseeBC,trusteesaimedtofindadynamicleaderandscholarwhocouldmaintainthe university’sCatholicidentityandgrowth.Withanenrollmentofmorethan15,000undergradsandgradstudents,trustees werelookingforacandidatedevotedtoBC’sacademicandathleticsuccess

TheyfounditinapopularJesuitwhosecareerstartedintheuniversity’scampusministry

JohnFish,chairofthecollege’sboardoftrustees,saidButlerhas“thevision,leadership,andrelationalskills”neededto steertheinstitutionforward

“Afteranextensivesearchprocessandmuchcarefulconsiderationbythesearchcommittee,theBoardofTrusteeshas enthusiasticallyselectedFr.JackButlertobethenextpresidentofBostonCollege,”Fishsaidintheuniversity’s announcement “Heisadynamicleader,provenbridgebuilder,andproblem-solverwhounderstandstheUniversity’s strengthsandaspirationsandisfullycommittedtoitsmission.WeareveryexcitedforhimandthefutureofBoston College”

Butlerwasordainedin2000andtookhisfinalvowsasaJesuitin2015 Hehasservedasaneducationaladministrator,a trainedcounselor,andspiritualdirector Twoyearsago,hetoldthestudentnewspaperathisalmamater,St Thomas UniversityinMiami,thathehadworkedinprisonministryforthreedecades.

Withsuchalongrun-upuntilheassumesthepresidencyinthesummerof2026,Butlerdeclinedtospecifyhisplansfor theschoolotherthanmaintainits“momentum,continuity,andstability”andcontinuetocultivateBC’sstandingas“a proudJesuitCatholicUniversity.”

Leahy,75,willremainasthepresidentthroughthe2025-2026year.

“Forthenexttwoyears,IintendtokeepworkingasalwaysonadvancingBC,especiallythroughourfundraising campaign,SoaringHigher,”LeahysaidinastatementinJuneannouncinghisretirementplan.

Butlercurrentlyservesasthecollege’sHaubVicePresidentforUniversityMissionandMinistry,whichoverseesthe OfficeofCampusMinistry,whichorganizescampuswideMasses,retreats,andserviceprograms Hehasbeenamember ofthepresident’sseniorleadershipteamsince2010

Butleris“oneofthearchitectsofformativeeducationatBostonCollege,”notedforhisinteractionwithstudents providingcounselingandguidanceonpersonalissuesandcareergoals,accordingtotheannouncement.

“Agiftedspeakerandhomilist,hehasinspiredmanyBCstudentstofindtheircalling,withtheultimateformativegoalof helpingthemtoleadlivesofmeaningandpurpose,”theannouncementsaid

ButlerhasalsoservedaschaplainfortheBCfootballteamsince2010,accordingtotheannouncement

ButlerplayedlinebackeratMaristHighSchoolinAtlanta,Ga.,andhadhisheartsetonplayingincollegebutgot sidelinedbyaninjury,accordingtoaprofileofButlerpublishedinhiscollegealmamater’snewspaper,theSt Thomas UniversityNews.

Butler’sfamilymovedfromAtlantatoMiamiandthat’showButlercametoattendSTU,thencalledBiscayneCollege andrunbyAugustinians ThereButlerearnedabachelor’sdegreeinreligiousstudiesin1985

Butler’sparentswerefromProvidence,RI,andhereturnedtheretoearnagraduatedegreeintheologyatProvidence College,Butlersaid

ButlerwentontoearnaPhD inpastoralcounselingatLoyolaUniversityMarylandin1995

OverhisyearsatBC,Butlerhasplayedaninfluentialroleinupdatingtheuniversity’scorecurriculum,expanding mission-basedoutreachprograms,andhelpingraise$40millionforinitiativessupportingacademicsandstudentlife,the college’sannouncementsaid

Butlersaidhewantsstudents,alumni,faculty,andstafftoknow“thatI’mcommittedtowhoweareandourvalues”

Priortobeingnamedauniversityvicepresident,ButlerwasdirectorofvocationsfortheformerNewEnglandProvince ofJesuitsanddirectorofManresaHouseoncampus,whichguidesstudentsconsideringthepriesthoodorreligiouslife

HealsoworkedasateacherandadministratorataCatholicschoolforgradesK-8andalsotaughtathighschooland collegelevels.

“Ihavebeeninvolvedineducationasateacherandadministratorsincemyearly20s,soitiswithgreathumilityand gratitudethatIpreparetoembarkonthisnewroleofleadingoneofthenation’sbestinstitutionsofhigherlearning,” Butlersaid

Tesla d

salvageMuskpaypackage

February18,2025|LoraKolodny

AlawfirmthatrepresentsTeslaandElonMuskhaswrittenproposedlegislationthatwouldalterDelawarecorporatelaw, accordingtoapersondirectlyfamiliarwiththedraftingofthebillwhoaskedtoremainunnamedinordertospeakabout thematter.

Theproposedlegislation,draftedbyRichards,Layton&Finger,orRLF,wouldamendDelawareGeneralCorporation Law,andifadopted,couldpavethewayforthereinstatementofMusk’s2018CEOpaypackageatTesla,worthtensof billionsofdollarsinoptions.

RLFconfirmeditsinvolvementtoCNBC

“StatutorychangesarenecessarytorestorethecoreprinciplesthathavebeenthehallmarkofDelawareforoveracentury andensurethatDelawareremainsthepreeminentjurisdictionforincorporation,”LisaSchmidt,presidentofRLF,saidina statement

AspokespersonforthelawfirmsaidRLF’sroleinthelegislationdraftwasnotdoneonbehalfofanyspecificclient

ThebillwasintroducedintheDelawareGeneralAssemblyonMondayandwouldrequireapprovalbythestate’stwo chambersaswellasGov MattMeyerbeforeitcouldbecomelaw

ThebilldidnotgothroughthenormalproceduresforlegislationthatseekstochangeDelawarecorporatelaw, accordingtoBostonCollegecorporatelawprofessorBrianJMQuinn.Fordecades,suchlegislationhasbeen drafted,debatedandreviewedbytheDelawareStateBarAssociation’sCorporationLawCouncilbeforeitgoesto thelegislature,hesaid.Thecouncil,whichincludesattorneyswithawiderangeofclientsandinterests,wasnot consultedonthisbillbeforeitwasfiled,Quinnsaid.

AfterCNBCpublishedthisstory,DelawareSecretaryofStateCharuniPatibanda-Sanchezsaidinane-mailedstatement thatMeyerhasrequestedareviewoftheproposedlegislationand“looksforwardtoviewingafinalproductthatmeetsthe evolvingneedsofallourstakeholders”

Sen.ElizabethWarren,rankingmemberoftheSenateBankingCommittee,calledthedraftedlegislationMusk’s“latest plantoripofftheAmericanpeopletomakehimselfandhisfellowbillionairesricher”

“MuskwantstowritehisownlawstotaketensofbillionsofdollarsfromTeslashareholdersafterthecourtssaidhe couldn’t,”Warren,D-MA,toldCNBCinastatementonWednesday.“Corporatelawprotectsminorityshareholders’ rightssothatgreedycontrollingshareholderslikeMuskcan’ttakeawaysafeguardsforMainStreetinvestors”

ThepaypackageTeslagrantedtoMuskin2018wasthelargestCEOcompensationplaninpubliccorporatehistory,with apotential$558billionmaximumvalue,buttheDelawareCourtofChanceryinearly2024orderedittoberescinded Inherruling,ChancellorKathaleenMcCormickwrotethatthepayplanwasinappropriatelysetbyTesla’sboard,which wascontrolledbyMusk,andthatitwasapprovedbyshareholderswhoweremisledbyTesla’sproxymaterialsbefore theywereaskedtovoteonit

Undertheproposedlegislation,Muskmightnolongerbeconsidereda“controller”ofTesla,Quinnsaid.That’s becauseMuskdoesnotcurrentlyholdone-thirdofTesla’svotingsecurities,whichwouldbetherequirementunder

theproposedlegislation.Thosetransactionsrangefromgoing-privatedeals,tomergersandacquisitions,toboard andexecutivecompensationdecisions.

“Therealroleofcorporatelawistoprotectminorityinvestors,”Quinnsaid.“Withthisbill,thelegislatureis saying,‘Now,youknowwhat?Protectthemless.’”

Theproposedlegislationwouldalsolimitthekindsofdocumentsthatminoritystakeholdersareabletoobtain through“booksandrecords”inspectionrequests,Quinnsaid.Thosestakeholderswouldbelimitedtoformalitems suchasacertificateofincorporationorminutesofstockholdermeetingsbutthey’dloseaccesstoinformal communicationssuchasemailsorothermessagesbetweenboardmembersandexecutives,Quinnsaid.

AftertheCourtofChancery’srulinglastyear,Muskstartedacampaigntopersuadecompaniesnottoincorporatein Delawareandmovedthesiteofincorporationforhisbusinessesoutofthestate HehasaimedhisireatMcCormickwith repeatedanddisparagingpostsaboutheronX,hissocialnetwork

OtherbusinessleadershavealsocriticizedtheDelawarejudiciary PershingSquareCEOBillAckmanandCoinbase CEOBrianArmstrongbothcomplainedaboutDelaware’s“activistjudges”earlierthismonthonX

“Delawarehastakensomeheatforsupposedlybeingtoohardoncontrollertransactions,”saidReneeZaytsev,partnerat BoiesSchillerandco-chairofthefirm’ssecuritiesandshareholderdisputepractice

“Theseamendmentsseemtobeacoursecorrectionthatwouldmakeitsignificantlyeasierforboardsandcontrollersto avoidjudicialscrutinyoftheirtransactions,”shesaid.

TeslaandMuskdidnotrespondtorequestsforcomment.

TheproblemwithJDVance’stheologyof‘ordo amoris’—anditsimpactonpolicy

February13,2025|

StephenJ.Pope

ItisnotoftenthattermsfrommoraltheologyliketheordoamorismakeitintotheU.S.newscycle butwelivein extraordinarytimes InarecentFoxNewsinterview,VicePresidentJDVanceinvokedthetraditionaltheologicalnotion ofthe“orderoflove”tojustifytheTrumpadministration’saggressivecancellationorsuspensionofalmostallU.S. foreignaidprograms Othercommentators,includingFirstThingseditorR R Reno,publiclyendorsedMr Vance’sway ofscalingourmoralresponsibilities.

Mr VancearguedthattheTrumpadministrationisfollowing“theChristianview”ofourresponsibilitiesbasedonhis readingofThomasAquinas’s“orderoflove”Thevicepresidentputitthisway:“Weshouldloveourfamilyfirst,then ourneighbors,thenloveourcommunity,thenourcountry,andonlythenconsidertheinterestsoftherestoftheworld”

Thismoralvisionhasenormousreal-worldconsequences,aswearebeginningtoseealready Thevicepresident maintainsthatweoughttoresolveourdomesticproblemsbeforeworryingaboutdistantnationsandtheirpeople.Many Americansagreewiththisview,andseemuntroubledbythefactthatmanywhoadvocatethepolicyof“charitybeginsat home”arehappytohaveitremainthere.

Mr.VancetriestouseAquinas’sorderoflovetosupporthispoliticalideology,butistheethicalorderheproposes actuallyconsistentwiththeethicofAquinasor,morebroadly,withtheprinciplesofCatholicsocialteaching?

TheinterpretationMr Vanceproposesseemsmorefocusedonsettinglimitstolovethanonorderingitproperly Inhis telling,theordoamorisisabouthowourlimitedcapacityforloveshouldbeparceledout,suggestinganalmost metaphysicalinevitabilitythatitwillrunoutwithoutanythingleftoverforvulnerablepeopleatthemarginsofsociety. Thisamountstolittlemorethanwindowdressingforacramped,self-interestedin-groupmoralitythatfallsdrastically shortoftheaccountoftheorderofloveproposedbyAquinasandexpandedbyCatholicsocialteachings.

WhatdidThomasAquinasmeanwhenhewroteofthe“orderoflove”?

Initsmostbasicsense,“love”iswillingthegoodtosomeone.Whilewearerequiredtowillthegoodtoeveryone,we cannotasfinitecreaturesactivelydothegoodtoeveryone,sowehavetobeselective Thegoodweoughtconcretelyto willtoothersisshapedbyourparticularrelationshiptothem.Yourdutytodothegoodtothoseinsomewayorother connectedtoyoutakesprecedenceoveryourresponsibilitytomoreremoteothers,atleastwhenitcomestothegoodthat isthebasisofyourconnection

Aquinasbalancesloveamongfamilymemberswithresponsibilitiesthatpertaintootherkindsofrelationships Healthy andrightfamilialloveisgenerally“ordered”inthesensethat(undernormalcircumstances)weoughttohonorour parentsmorethanotherelders,careforourownchildrenmorethanotherchildrenandcommitourselvestoanexclusive physicalandemotionalintimacywithaspousethatisdifferentinkindfromotherformsofintimacy.Theorderoflove providesabroadframeworkforthinkingaboutthegeneralshapeofourresponsibilities,butitdoesnotignorethefactthat attimesthecontingenciesoflifecanrequireustooverrideourusualpriorities.

ThereareseveralproblemswithMr.Vanceandhisdefenders’conceptionoftheorderoflove.First,theiraccounttendsto viewlove,atleastbeyondthefamily,assomethinglikemoderncharity donatingresourcesoutofthekindnessofyour heart.Aquinas,ontheotherhand,thoughtofcaritasinfundamentallyrelationalterms asakindofbond,friendshipor communioninChrist Moderncharitygivesfromasafedistance,butcaritasseeksunionbornoflove

Second,Mr.Vance andMr.Renoandothersfollowing doesnotfollowAquinasinacknowledgingthattheloveof Godisthefoundation,thefocusandtheanimatingheartoftheChristianorderingoflove(theordocaritatis,tobemore precise).Godlovesthewholeoftheentirecreatedorderandhumanbeingsasparticipantsinthatwiderworld.Sinceall personsarecreatedintheimageofGod,weshareafundamentalequalityofintrinsicdignity Theuniversalityofdivine

loveanditsexpressioninthecreationofthehumanpersonprovidesthebasisoftheChristiancommitmenttowillingthe goodofeveryneighborwithoutexception

Third,Mr.Vanceandhissupportersholdthatweshouldfirstloveourfamiliesandthenloveourneighbors.Theyseemto bethinkingof“neighbors”inaliteralsense,asparticularpeoplewholiveinourvicinity Theirnarrowusagedoesnot comportwithJesus’ownexpansionofthetermtoincludenotjustthe“nearones”livinginour“neighborhood”butall humanbeings Jesusconsideredallthefollowingasneighbors:widowsandorphans,thepoor,sickanddisabled,social outcastsand,yes,alienworkers.

InalettertotheU.S.bishopsonFeb.10,PopeFrancisnotedthat“[T]hetrueordoamoristhatmustbepromotedisthat whichwediscoverbymeditatingconstantlyontheparableofthe‘GoodSamaritan’(cf Lk10:25-37),thatis,by meditatingonthelovethatbuildsafraternityopentoall,withoutexception.”

Fourth,intheCatholictradition,wecareforthecommunityinpartbyfulfillingourresponsibilitiestoourfamilies, friends,co-workers,fellowcitizensandmore FollowingAristotle,Aquinasarguesthatjustasthewholehaspriorityover itsparts,sothecommongoodofthecommunityis“moreperfect”anda“greatergood”thantheprivategoodofits members.

Fifth,itisimportanttonotethatMr.Vance’sorderingofobligationinvolvesloveofone’scountry.Countryasnation-state isnotanitemofloveinAquinas’sorderoflove(Italydidnotbecomeaunifiedcountryuntil1861),buthedidrespectties anddutiestoone’sprincipality,city,stateorking.Catholicethicstodaydoesvalueahealthyloveofone’scountry,butnot thefurtherclaimthatwehavenoresponsibilitiestocitizensofothercountries

ItisnotpossibletosquareAquinas’snotionoftheordoamoriswithapositionthatsharplyseparatesloveofourfellow Americansfromanyconcernforoutsiders,whetherornottheyresideinourmidst Mr Vancesupportsapolicythatdoes notallowmigrantsforcedtoleavetheirhomesbyviolenceandextremehardshipeventoapplyforasylum,arightlegally enshrinedintheUS RefugeeActof1980 Catholicethicsvaluesanorderedpatrioticloveofone’scountry,yes,butnota nationalisticxenophobiathatrefusestoseefellowhumanbeingsinextremeneedasone’sneighbors

Sixth,Mr.Vance’spositionconcedesthatAmericansmighthavesomeminimalresponsibilitytopeopleofothercountries, butthissuggestionappearsonlyasagrudgingtheoreticalconcession Untilwehaveourownhousecompletelyinorder, theargumentruns,weshouldnoteven“considertheinterestsoftherestoftheworld,”letalonedoanythingthatmight helpregionsthataresufferingthemost,sometimesduetoourownpolicies unlessofcoursedoingsocontributes directlytotheprosperityoftheUnitedStates.Sincethepoorwillalwaysbewithus,thisprovisoineffectindefinitely postpones andfunctionallydenies anymoralresponsibilityourgovernmentmighthaveforpeopleintheglobalSouth caughtinterriblehumanitariancrises,includingfamine,epidemicsandcivilwars.

NotrueCatholicethicrelegatesmassnumbersofdistantsufferingneighborstotheouterperipheryofourmoralconcern. Thefactthatwecannotloveeveryneighbor“inthesamewayandtothesamedegree,”asMr Renorightlynotes,does notjustifylovingonlyourownpeopleandignoringtherestofhumanity whichisexactlywhatMr Vance’sreadingof theorderingofloveproposes Suchalove,inChristianterms,isanythingbutproperly“ordered”

Weareallsurelymorepronetofocusnarrowlyoncaringforfamilyandfriendsratherthanonshowinghospitalityto strangersandreachingouttothe“wretchedoftheearth”ButwefindacorrectivevisioninPopeJohnPaulII’surgingus tocultivatethevirtueofsolidarity,PopeBenedictXVI’sconcernforthe“universalcommongood”andPopeFrancis’ promotionofaccompanimentandfraternity

Weshouldnotallowloveforourselves,ourfamilies,communityandcountrytoobscureourresponsibilitytoaddressthe graveandurgentneedsofourbrothersandsistersforcedtodwellonthemarginsofourworld.Strivingtoliveoutthis kindoflovedoesnotmakeonea“liberal,”letalonepartofthe“radicalleft” justaChristian

Stephen J. Pope is a professor of theological ethics at Boston College.

IsAIgoingtohelporhurtmostworkers?ASam Altmanrivalmayhaveananswer.

February11,2025|AaronPressman

WhileElonMusktriestothrowawrenchinrivalAIcompanyOpenAI’splansandPresidentTrumphasrescindedallof hispredecessor’sAIsafetyrestrictions,thepaceofprogressinAIapplicationsmovesrelentlesslyforward.

Lastweek,OpenAIunveiledanewtool,dubbeddeepresearch,thatcanassemblecomprehensiveresearchreportsfrom infoontheinternet AndAmazonaddedaccesstolow-costChineseAIappDeepSeekviaitswebservicesplatform, promptingsomepoliticiansinWashingtontocallforbanningtheappfromgovernmentdevices

Amidallthehypeandheadlines,AIfirmAnthropicquietlyreleasedastudyonMondayabouthowmillionsofpeople haveactuallybeenusingitsClaudechatbottoperformallkindsofwork-relatedtasks,rangingfromwritingsoftwarecode torevisingthestyleofablogpost

Thestudy,thoughwithsomelimitations,couldhelpswaythedebateovertheimpactofAIonjobsandtheeconomy On oneside,optimistshavebeenpredictingthatAIwillmakemostpeoplemoreproductiveandhelpgrowtheeconomy. PessimistsseeAIwreakinghavoconwhitecollarjobsthathavepreviouslybeenimmunetothedisruptionsofcomputer automation.

AnthropicresearcherscatalogedwhatkindsoftaskspeoplewereaskingClaudetoperformandmappedthosetasksto variousjobs.Theconclusionswerereassuring,withonlyaboutonein25jobs,suchasforeignlanguageteachers, dramaticallyaffectedbythetasksAIcoulddo

Inanotherkeyfinding,thestudyconcludedthatabout57percentofrequeststoClaudewerefromusersseekingto augmentorimproveatask.Forexample,someusersaskedClaudetohelpmodifythecodeunderlyingawebpage, leadingtoback-and-forthconversationsbetweentheusersandtheapp But43percentwereusingClaudetofully automateorcompletetasks.Forexample,usersaskedClaudetosolvegeometryproblemsandshowallcalculationsand proofsrequired

Thestudyis“addinglittlepiecestoourunderstandingaboutwhat’sgoingon,”saidSamRansbotham,professorof businessanalyticsatBostonCollegeCarrollSchoolofManagement.

“Therewillbejobsthatgoawayandtherewillbepeoplethatbecomemoreproductive.Whatgetsharderis figuringoutexactlywhoandwhere.”

TherearesomelimitationstotheAnthropicstudy,whichhasnotbeenpeer-reviewedorpublishedinanindependent journal,andAnthropichasaninterestinpromotingapositiveviewofAI Thesurveywaslimitedtoindividualusersof Claude’sfreeandproversions.Businessuserswhosecompaniespaidforteamorenterpriseaccesswereexcluded a majorshortcominginastudylookingatthefutureofwork

Still,theconclusionssuggestallkindsofknowledgeworkersshouldbeinvestigatinghowAImighthelpthem, Ransbothamsaid.

“It’snot,ohmygosh,thisthingcandomyjob,”hesaid.“But,ohmygosh,howcanthisthinghelpmegetbetterat doingmyjob.”

IntersectionsofIslamicartandscience: GroundbreakingMcMullenexhibition

February9,2025

TheMcMullenMuseumofArtatBostonCollegeexploressourcesofwonderintheupcomingexhibition,Wondersof Creation:Art,Science,andInnovationintheIslamicWorld.OrganizedincollaborationwiththeSanDiegoMuseumof Art(SDMA),theexhibitionexaminesintersectionsofscienceandcraftinIslamicmaterialcultureandcontemporaryart throughtheframeworkofathirteenth-centurytextbyZakariyyaibnMuhammadal-Qazwini(1202–83)describingthe wondersoftheuniverse

WondersofCreationwillbeonviewfromFebruary9throughJune1,2025intheMcMullenMuseum’sDaleyFamily andMonanGalleries,thesecondandfinalvenuefortheexhibition,whichdebutedthisfallattheSDMA

“TheMcMullenispleasedtopresent,incollaborationwiththeSanDiegoMuseumofArt,thislandmarkinterdisciplinary exhibitionthatexploresthecomplex,entwinedrelationshipbetweenartandscienceinthemedievalIslamicworldand howthatrelationshiphascontinuedtoenhanceglobalinnovationandculturetothepresentday,”saidInauguralRobertL andJudithT.WinstonDirectoroftheMcMullenMuseumNancyNetzer,aprofessorofarthistory,BostonCollege.

“WehopethatWondersofCreationwillsparkconversationsandnewresearchleadingtofutureinnovationsamonga receptiveaudienceinNewEngland,wheretheartsandscienceshaveflourishedforcenturies,especiallyinourcolleges anduniversities.”

Thistrailblazingexhibition,organizedbyLadanAkbarnia,curatorofSouthAsianandIslamicartatSDMA,showcases morethan170extraordinaryworksofartandobjectsfromtheninthcenturytothepresent includingsomeondisplay forthefirsttimeintheUnitedStates Usingwonderasavehicle,WondersofCreationilluminatestheglobalimpactof scienceandartisticproductionfromtheIslamicworldanditsdiversegeographiesandmultifacetedvisualcultures. Treasures includingillustratedmanuscriptsandpaintings,maps,scientificinstruments,magicbowls,lusterdishes, architecturalelements,andcontemporaryart evokewonderthroughavisualjourney.

IntegratingmedievalandearlymodernartfromtheIslamicworldwithcontemporaryworks,theexhibitionallowsvisitors togainadeeperappreciationofingenuityandcraftsmanshipspanningtwelvecenturies

TheexhibitionbeginswithanexaminationofQazwini’stext TheWondersofCreationandtheRaritiesof Existence anditsimpact Sectionsonthecelestialrealm,terrestrialsphere,andhumankindexaminetopicssuchas astronomy,astrology,naturalhistory,mineralogy,alchemy,medicine,geometry,andarchitecturethroughobjectsfrom Spain,NorthAfrica,theMiddleEasttoCentral,South,andSoutheastAsiaaswellmoderndiasporicregions

“WondersofCreationusestheframeworkofaninfluentialthirteenth-centuryIslamictexttoexploreintersectionsof Islam,art,andscienceoverseveralcenturiesacrossadiversespectrumofworksandculturaltraditions,”saidAkbarnia. “InthewakeoftheMongolinvasions,Qazwini’sTheWondersofCreationandtheRaritiesofExistenceoffereda portabledescriptionoftheuniversedesignedtoinformaswellastoentertainitsreaders,encouragingthemto contemplatethemarvelsofdivinecreation

“Today,throughthisimportantexhibition,itremindsusofourinherentcuriosityashumanbeings,offeringafresh perspectivetointerpretingartandmaterialculturethroughQazwini’slensofwonderandshowcasingtheIslamicworld throughhistoricworks,contemporaryart,livingtraditionsandpreservationefforts,andasubstantialpresencefrom collectionsinKuwaitandMalaysia.IamthrilledforWondersofCreationtoopenattheMcMullenMuseumofArtto audiencesatauniversityandcitylongknownforembracingthepursuitofknowledge,”sheadded WritteninArabicandPersian,Qazwini’srevolutionarycosmographymeticulouslydetailstheuniverse,blending scientificknowledgewithpopularanecdotes,portrayingallphenomenaassignsofdivinecreation Hisrichlyillustrated workremainsinfluentialtoday,offeringinsightsintoIslamiccultureandinspiringcuriosityaboutnaturalphenomena. Theauthor,anIslamicjudgeandprofessor,emphasizedwonderasapathtoknowledge,urgingreaderstocontemplate naturalmarvelstodeepentheirunderstandingofGodandthecosmos.Qazwini’sencyclopedictextservesasthe frameworkaccompanyingexhibitionvisitorsthroughtheorbitsofthecosmosfromtheheavenstotheearth

“WondersofCreationprovidesanincredibleopportunitytobringrenownedartworksfrompremiercollectionsaroundthe worldtoBostonCollege,andtothinkabouthowartandsciencehaveshapedtheworldinwhichwelive,”saidEmine Fetvacı,NormaJeanCalderwoodUniversityProfessorofIslamicandAsianArtatBostonCollege “Iamdelightedthat theMcMullenMuseumwillhostthisinnovativeexhibitionthatshowcasesimportantartworks,scientificinstruments,and treatisesfromtheIslamicworld

“Qazwini’sbookoffersawonderfullensthroughwhichtoexploretheintersectionsofartandscienceinthepastaswell astoday,”sheadded.“Theoverlapofartandscienceareexaminedthroughallthematerialsintheexhibition,whether lusterpaintedbowls,paintingsillustratingamusingstories,orastrolabestocharttheskies Itisfascinatingtoseethe continuingexplorationofthesethemesviaartworksandexamplesofmaterialculturethroughthecenturies,andevenby contemporaryartists”

WondersofCreationiscomplementedbyafull-colorcataloguewithcontributionsfromleadinginternationalscholars

AtBostonsupermarkets,shoppersbracefor Trumptariffstospikeprices

February2,2025|DanGlaunandAlexaCoultoff

DorchesterresidentDesireeAcostastoodbaggingonionsSundayintheFenwayStarMarket,bracingforstickershock

Acosta,39,shopsforherfamilyofsixonabudgetof$200-$300perweek,shesaid Hershoppinglistincludesplentyof produceandinternationalproductslikebeans productssheexpectswillspikeinpriceoncePresidentTrump’snew tariffsgointoeffect

“It’sunfortunate,becausewearetheoneswhoaregoingtobepayingforit,”shesaid.“Eventhoughmybudgetwillhave togoup,mysalarywillstaythesame”

OnSaturday,TrumpannouncedtheimpositionofsweepingtariffsongoodsfromMexico,China,andCanada,totake effectonTuesday.MexicanandCanadianimportswillbesubjecttoa25percenttariff,withalower10percenttariffon energyresourcesfromCanada AllproductsfromChinawillbehitwitha10percenttariff

ThetariffsfulfillpromisesmadebyTrumponthecampaigntrail,andtheTrumpadministrationsaystheyareintendedto pressureCanada,Mexico,andChinatocrackdownonfentanylproductionandtrafficking Butexpertssaytheimmediate effectswillbefeltbyconsumers,asthetariffsandretaliatorymeasuresfromthetargetedcountriesraisethepricesof importedgoods

CanErbil,aprofessorofeconomicsatBostonCollege,saidmosteconomists eventhosewhosupportedTrump didnotthinkhewouldactuallycarryouthispledgeontariffsonceinoffice.

“Everyonewasagreeingthatthiswasabadidea,”Erbilsaid.“Theargumentwasyeah,thisisnotgoingtohappen. He’susingthisasabargainingchip,it’satactic.”

OnTuesdaythattacticwillbecomeareality,andErbilsaidgroceryshopperscanexpectpricestoincreaseona rangeofgoodsfrequentlyimportedfromMexicoandCanada.Morethan50percentoffreshvegetablesin AmericanstoresareimportedfromMexico,Erbilsaid.TheUnitedStatesislessdependentonCanadaforfood stock,butsomenicheproductswillbeaffected,accordingtoErbil.Morethanthreequartersoffrozenfriessoldin AmericaareimportedfromCanada,Erbilsaid.

FormerpresidentJoeBiden’sadministrationalsoraisedtariffsonChina.Butthoseincreasesweremoresurgical andtargetedspecificsectorslikeelectricvehiclesandsolarcells.Trump’stariffs,bycontrast,areablunt instrument onethatcouldhavelongtermeffectsifnotswiftlyundone,accordingtoErbil.

“Ithinkthisisgoingtohaveanimpact,andtheimpactmaybeprettyquick,”hesaid.

Priceincreasesforspecificproductswilldependonhowmuchdemandthereisforthemasthecostrises,Erbilsaid aconceptineconomicsknownaselasticity.Luxurygoods,orthosewitheasytofindsubstitutes,willseelower increases;necessitiesandproductsdifficulttoreplacewilllikelyseeincreasesclosertothefull25percenttariff, Erbilsaid.

NancySobelsaidsherarelyshopsatlargegrocerystores,butwenttotheFenwayStarMarketSundaymorningtostock uponbagsofcatfoodandbulkieritemsliketoiletpaperthatshecan’thaulhomewithouttheassistanceofherfriend’s car.

The70-year-oldlikestobuyherproduceattheHaymarketfarmers’market,findingitlessexpensiveandeasiertoaccess fromherhomeindowntownBoston There,the10headsoflettuceshebuysfor$1fromlocalfarmerswon’tbeimpacted byTrump’sordertoimposeheftytariffsonproductsoriginatingfromMexico,Canada,andChina

LikeseveralothersshoppingatStarMarketSunday,Sobelwasfrustratedbythepresident’sorderthatwillpresent financialhurdlesforthoseshoppingforeverydaynecessitieslikeeggs,poultry,andproduce

“I’mnotapoliticalperson,butyoucan’thelpbuttopayattentiontothis,especiallywithhowquicklyit’sgoingon,”she said

KentonJacobs,a75-year-oldretireefromRoxbury,wasshoppingattheneighborhood’sPriceRitesupermarketSunday afternoon.Jacobssaidhelivesalone,andtypicallyspendsabout$50perweekongroceries afigurethat’sjumped significantlyoverthelastfewyears Hesaidthetariffswillmakethingsdifficultforfamilies,andheisworriedthatprices maynotreturntonormalevenifthepolicyisreversed.

“It’sgonnabealotofgouging,”Jacobssaid “Oncetheycomeup,theydon’tgobackdown”

KathyGuild,aRoxburymotherofseven,exitedthePriceRitewithaheftycartofgroceries Inflationhaspushedher weeklygrocerybillto$400,shesaid,andsheexpectsTrump’stariffswillleadtofurtherincreases.

“Themancameheresayingthathe’sgoingtolowerthings,andallIseeisariseinprices,”Guildsaid.“Thisisamanof brokenpromises”

ChadReddandhisfiancéebuyallfoodproductsfortheirfamilyoffiveatStarMarket,andcarefullycraftgrocerylists beforetheyheadtothestorefortheirweeklyshopping,hopingtokeeptheirbillbelow$150

“Ithinkit’sridiculous,”ReddsaidofTrump’sorder,addingthathe’salreadyalarmedbytherisingpriceofeggsdueto thespreadofavianfluthreateningthecountry’spoultryflocks.

Reddpointednotonlytoeggs,whichthestorecurrentlypricesatnearly$7adozen,butalsotoproducelikeavocados, whichareshippedinfromMexico

RebeccaAdefeltsimilarlyaboutTrump’sactions,thoughshewasn’tassurprisedassomeoftheothershoppers

“It’snotunexpectedgiveneverythinghe’sdone,”shesaid.“Hesaidhewasgoingtodoallthisandthisisthe consequenceofelectinghim”

Ade,30,isfromNigeriaandstudiesatHarvardwhileworkingpart-timeininternationaldevelopment Thoughshe doesn’tplanhershoppingaheadoftimeandtendstopayattentiontonutritionalvalueoverprices,shesaidthatpractice willchangewhenher2-year-oldsonsooncomestolivewithher

“Whenmykidisaround,I’mgoingtoshopmoreoftenandbemorecautiousaboutprices,”shesaid

WhattheCatholicChurchdoes(anddoesn’t) teachaboutdeportingmigrants

January29,2025|J.D.LongGarcía

Just10daysintohissecondterm,PresidentDonaldJ TrumpsignedtheLakenRileyActintolaw AccordingtoThe AssociatedPress,thelawwillrequirelawenforcementtodetainundocumentedimmigrantsaccusedoftheftandviolent crimes

Thelaw,whichwonbipartisansupportinCongress,broadensthelistofchargesthatwouldleadtodeportation Itis namedafterLakenRiley,a22-year-oldAugustaUniversitynursingstudentwhowasviolentlymurderedbyan undocumentedimmigrant

“Shewasalightofwarmthandkindness,”Mr TrumpsaidduringasigningceremonythatincludedMs Riley’sparents andsister.“It’satremendoustributetoyourdaughterwhat’stakingplacetoday,that’sallIcansay.It’ssosadwehaveto bedoingit”

Inhisfirstweekinoffice,theTrumpadministrationdeportedmorethan4,000peopletoMexico Colombiaagreedto acceptdeportedmigrantsafterMr Trumpthreatenedthecountrywithcripplingtariffs ImmigrationandCustoms Enforcementhasinitiatedanationwideimmigrationcrackdown

PopeFranciscalledMr.Trump’splanstocarryoutmassdeportationadisgrace.“Itdoesn’twork,”thepopesaidina televisioninterviewonJan 20 “Problemsarenotresolvedthisway”CatholicleadersintheUnitedStateshavelikewise criticizedMr.Trump’sexecutiveactionstargetingmigrants.

ButwhatdoestheCatholicChurchteachaboutdeportation?Tobeginwith,thechurchrecognizestherightofsovereign nationstodefendtheirborders Insomecases,thatmayincludedeportations

“Thechurchisnotagainstdeportationsperse,butthereareseveralconditionsthatneedtobeinplace,”accordingto KevinAppleby,aseniorfellowforpolicyandcommunicationsattheCenterforMigrationStudiesinNewYork Forexample,thechurchinsistsondueprocess,Mr Applebysaid,andtheproceedingsshouldbetransparent

“Animmigrantshouldhavetheabilitytodefendtheirpresenceinthecountry,andtheycanappealawrongfuldecision againstthem,”hesaid.“Theyshouldalsobeabletoaccesslegalrepresentationtonavigatethesystem.”

Expeditedremoval,whichhadbeeninforceintheborderregionsbutwhichtheTrumpadministrationexpandedtocover theentirecountry,allowsmigrantstobedeportedwithoutfirstseeinganimmigrationjudge AccordingtoMr Appleby, thislimitstheabilityofmigrantstofightdeportation

“Itgiveslawenforcementtheabilitytobypassthecourtsandsendsomeonehomebasedontheirownjudgment,”hesaid

Further,Mr Applebysaid,migrantsshouldnotbeundulydetained,oftenneednotbeshackled,andfamilyshouldbe givennoticeandopportunitytofindlegalrepresentation.

“Catholicteachingholdsthatimmigrationenforcementeffortsshouldbetargeted,proportionalandhumane,” KristinE.Heyer,atheologyprofessoratBostonCollege,saidinanemailtoAmerica.Bothmigrantsandcitizens shouldbesubjecttothelegalconsequencesoftheircrimes.

“Enforcementmechanisms,includingdeportations,shouldfocusongenuinedangersandattendtoresponsibilities toupholdtheGod-givendignityofallhumanpersons,”shesaid.“Evenincasesofthedeportationofmigrantswho mayposewell-foundedthreatstosociety,itisimportanttobearinmindtheCatholictraditionupholdsa preferentialoptionforthevulnerable,notapreferentialoptionfortheinnocent.”

Inimmigrantcommunities,shesaid,fearsofdeportationoftendeterimmigrantsfromattendingmedical appointmentsorreportingdomesticviolence.Ms.HeyerpointedtothepreviousTrumpadministration,during whichthen-AttorneyGeneralJeffSessions“framedexpandedprosecutionproceduresforimmigrantsintermsof threatsoflawandorder.”

Theadministration’sdiscoursefocusedondrugcartels,humansmugglingnetworksanddocumentforgery,shesaid,a focusthatlinkedimmigrantpresencetoviolenceinsuburbanareas

“Depravityandviolencearetheircallingcards,includingbrutalmacheteattacksandbeheadings,”Mr Sessionssaidin remarksinthebordercityofNogales,Ariz.,in2017.“Itishere,onthissliverofland,wherewefirsttakeourstand againstthisfilth”

Americansseemmoreinfluencedbyfearthanbyfactsaboutimmigrants’positivecontributionstosociety,Ms. Heyersaid.

“Law-and-orderrhetoric,hyperbolizedanddecontextualizedcrimereports,andasecurity-firstphilosophycast migrantsasdangerousthreatsinwaysthatdistortrealityanddehumanizeimmigrants,”shesaid.“Using deportationpracticesasmeansofinfluencingtradeandotherinternationalrelationsreducesmigrantstopawnson achessboard,asPopeFrancishasdecried.Pursuingthecommongood includingjusticeforcitizensandmigrants alike demandscomprehensiveattentiontorootcauses,asylumrights,porousbordersandhumanrightsthatdo notdependoncitizenshipstatus.”

InaninterviewonJesuitical,KellyRyan,theexecutivedirectorofJesuitRefugeeServicesUSA,expressedherhopethat ICE would“prioritizeterrorismandveryseriouscrimes”undertheleadershipofborderczarTomHoman

“ThosepeopleshouldberemovedfromtheUnitedStates.IthinkallAmericanswouldagreeonthat,”shesaid.“Ifwecan keepwith[deporting]those[whohavecommittedcrimes],IthinkthatwouldmaketheAmericanpublichappier Theidea thatthesortofpeoplewhooverstayedavisa20yearsagoandaredeeplyembeddedinthecommunity,paytaxesandso on Ithinkthere’slesssympathyforremovingthosepeople”

Still,thedeportationofviolentcriminalshasattimesledtogreaterproblems MaraSalvatrucha,knownsimplyas “MS-13,”isagangthattracesitsoriginstoLosAngeles.TheMS-13rivalgang,“18thStreet,”or“Barrio-18,”also originatedinLA ThedeportationofgangmemberstoElSalvador,ithasbeenargued,furtherdestabilizedthecountry

“Deportingaviolentgangmemberwho’scommittedamurderoraviolentcrimeisnotinconsistentwithCatholic teaching,”Mr Appleysaid “Thechurchwouldn’tsayit’swrongtodothat Butthechurchalsohasthepositionthatwe havetolookatothercountriestohelpstabilizethem Howcanweaddresssomeoftheseissuesinasendingcountry wherethereisalackofajusticesystemandrampantcorruptionandtheruleoflawisweak?”

Foryears,theUS bishopshavedeploredalackoflegalavenuesforlegalmigrationandhavecalledforcomprehensive reform.ThechurchiswellpositionedtoofferalternativestotheTrumpadministration’splansformassdeportation.

“You’realwaysgoingtohavesituationswhereanillegalimmigrantcommitsaviolentcrime,”Appleysaid,noting statisticsindicatingimmigrantcommunitiesaresafer “Andinthosesituations,thechurchwouldsay,provideddue process,thatpersonneedstoberemovedfromsociety.”

Mr Applebysaidthattherightofasovereignnationtoservethecommongoodofitspopulationcanattimesbein tensionwiththeuniversalcommongood,whichthechurchrecognizesfortheglobalcommunity Butthereareotherpaths forward

Mr Applebyadmittedthatthecontinuedpresenceofundocumentedimmigrantsisproblematic,butthechurchdoesnot focusondeportationasthesolution.

“ThechurchwouldsupportlegalizingalargenumberoftheimmigrantsthatTrumpwantstodeport,”hesaid.“The church’sansweris,‘Let’sintegrateimmigrants,makethempaytheirdebttosocietythroughafine,andputthemona pathtocitizenship.’”

CouldNewEngland’s3.8earthquaketrigger aftershocks?

January28,2025|ChrisGloningerandAmandaGokee

Monday’smagnitude38earthquakewasfeltfromDowneastMainetoNewYorkCityandwesttotheHudsonValleyfor afewshortseconds.ByTuesdayevening,noaftershocksweredetectedbyseismographsorpeople.

Thoselivinginmoreearthquake-proneareas,suchasCalifornia,havecometoexpectaftershocksasmatter-of-factafter majorearthquakesstrike

ButcouldthequaketriggeraftershocksmorethanadayafterMonday’searthquakeabout6milesoffthecoastofsouthern Maine?Andalthoughthisquakestruckat10:22am,rumblingthroughhomesandofficebuildingsandrattlingthe nervesofNewEnglanderswhofeltthevibrations,evensecondslaterinsomelocations–manywonderifwewillbe jostledagain

Expertssayoneormoreaftershocksarenotoutoftherealmofpossibility

JohnEbel,aseniorresearchscientistatWestonObservatorywhostudiesseismicactivityinNewEngland,said thatwhileMonday’seventwasn’talargeearthquake,thereisawindowforafewmorejoltstosurface.

“Thelargertheearthquake,thelargerthewindowforaftershocks.Foramagnitude4.0,it’sliketwoweeks;fora magnitude7.0,it’safewyears,”saidEbel,whohasanalyzedaftershocksfromCaliforniaquakes.

Aftershocksareasequenceofearthquakesthatoccurneartheepicenterofaquakeorinproximitytowherethemain “rupture”inafaultlineoccurred,andarepartofthereadjustmentprocessafterthefaultinitiallygivesway,accordingto theUSGeologicalSurvey.

Notonlycanaftershocksoccur,butthechancesofonehappeningdecreaseovertimefromtheinitialrumble,accordingto experts

Inits“aftershockforecast,”theUSGSnotedthatchancesareratherslim,abouta9percentshot,thatthisYorkHarbor tremorwillproduceamagnitude3orhigheraftershockthatwouldbefelt

TheUSGSsaid:“Typically,thereareaftershockswithearthquakes,eveninNewEngland,butthey’lllikelystayator slightlybelowthethresholdforpeopletofeeltheshake,whichisaround2.5or2.8orless,”asmeasuredontheRichter scale,whichrangesfrom1toamagnitudeof10,acatastrophicquake

SophieCoulson,assistantprofessorinEarthScienceattheUniversityofNewHampshire,saidaftershocksareusually weakerthantheinitialevent,soanyaftershockresultingfromthisrecentearthquakewouldbelessthana38magnitude andratherindiscernible

“Certainly,[aftershocks]couldbehappeningoverthenextcoupledays,butthesewouldlikelybemuchsmallerevents thatwewouldn’tevennecessarilyfeel,”Coulsonsaid

TashaDunn,ageologyprofessoratColbyCollege,saidtheNortheastexperiencesearthquakes“onafairlyregularbasis thatarereally,reallyteenytiny.So,itmighthonestlybedifficulttodistinguishaftershocksofthisearthquakefromother earthquakesthatare,youknow,justgoingononaregularbasis”

DuringMonday’s38quake,Coulsonsaidherstudentssawprojectorsshakingandpicturesonthewallsmovingslightly Inherlectureclassofabout80students,shesaidmostfeltthetremor

EbelbelievesthatbecauseofourlimitedseismicactivityacrossNewEngland,wearebetterabletokeeptrackof aftershockscomparedwithourneighborsoutwest.

“Herethatactivityissolow,weprobablycanobserveaftershocksformanyyearsaftermoderate-size earthquakes,”hesaid.

SomeexpertsbelievetheYorkHarborquakemostlikelyoccurredinanareaknownastheNorumbegaFaultZone,a major“strike-slipfault”areaalongcoastalMaine

Ebel,however,suspectstheearthquake’sepicenterhappenedinaregionmoreoffshorethathasbeenseismically activesincethe1970s.

“IfyougotoCapeAnn,andyougototheeastmaybe20or30miles,andfromthereyougonorthtowardYork, Maine,overthelastfivedecadesorso,therehavebeenanumberofearthquakesdetectedinthatzone.”

Whilethereisnotenoughevidencetoconvinceallseismologiststhatitisanactivefault,Ebelsaid,“myopinionis, actuallyitprobablyis.”

“TherearethreeorfourfaultsintheNewburyportareathatare400millionyearsold,”saidEbel.Whilescientists havenoevidencethatthosefaultsareactive,therearestillalotofmysterieswhenitcomestoancientfaults.

“Figuringouthowthemodernearthquakerelatestotheoldfaultsisaconundrumthatwearetryingtoworkout,” hesaid.

TrumpsignsactionstopullUSoutofParis climateagreement,intendstopromotefossilfuels andmineralmining

January20,2025|EllaNilsen,MattEganandChrisIsidore

PresidentDonaldTrumpsignedexecutiveactionsMondayandcementedhisintenttodoubledownonfossilfuelsand reverseAmerica’sprogressonclimatechangeandcleanenergy,includingsigningorderstopullUnitedStatesoutofthe Parisclimateagreement.

Trump’sday-oneactionscomeasclimatechange-fueledfiresravageSouthernCalifornia,followingtheglobe’shottest yearonrecordduringwhichtwomajorhurricanes–HeleneandMilton–devastatedtheSoutheast

Inhisinaugurationspeech,Trumpsaidhewilldeclarea“nationalenergyemergency,”thoughUnitedStatesisproducing moreoilnowthananyothercountryatanyothertime Heintendstostreamlinepermittingandreviewregulationsthat “imposeundueburdensonenergyproductionanduse,includingminingandprocessingofnon-fuelminerals,”according toalistofprioritiesfromTrump’spressoffice

Healsointendstotakeactiontoendlandandwaterleasingforwindenergy,andundotheBidenadministration’sactions thatpromoteelectricvehicles.

Trumpviewsenergypricesascentraltohismissiontoaddresswidespreadfrustrationswiththecostofliving,andhas arguedthatslashingredtapewillhelpdrivedownenergypricesandfightoverallinflation

“Theinflationcrisiswascausedbymassiveoverspendingandescalatingenergyprices,”Trumpsaidduringhisinaugural address “That’swhytodayIwillalsodeclareanationalenergyemergency Wewilldrill,baby,drill”

Scientistsdeclaredearlierthismonththeplanetforthefirsttimebreached15degreesCelsiusofglobalwarminglastyear asignificantbenchmarkthatexpertsresearchingEarth’stippingpointshavewarnedhumanitytoavoid,andthegoal worldleadersaspiredtowhentheysignedtheParisAgreementin2015

Beyond15degrees,thehuman-causedclimatecrisis fueledbyheat-trapping,fossilfuelpollution startstoexceed theabilityofhumanityandthenaturalworldtoadapt.

TherollercoasterofUSparticipationininternationalclimatetalkscoulditselfbeharmful,saidDavidWirth,a professoratBostonCollegeLawSchoolandpublicinternationallawexpert.

“TheintegrityoftheUnitedStates’commitmenttothisissuewouldbedrawnintoquestion,also(its)reliabilityas atreatypartner,”WirthtoldCNN.

TrumphasvowedtoreverseBiden’sordertobanoffshoreoildrillingin625millionacresofocean,butundoingitmay requireanactofCongress.HehasoftentalkedaboutopeningupAlaska’sArcticNationalWildlifeRefugetomore drilling,butrecentauctionsinthispristineregion,whichishometothreatenedspecies,havefloppedduetoalackof interestfromtheoilindustryitself.

“Wewillbearichnationagain,anditisthatliquidgoldunderourfeetthatwillhelptodoit,”TrumpsaidMonday AnalystsareskepticalthatTrump’smoves iftheysurviveinevitablelegalchallenges willincreaseUSoil productionorpushgasolinepricestobelow$2pergallon,asthepresidentpreviouslypromised.

AlthoughTrumpislaser-focusedonkeepinggaspriceslow,therealityiseventheWhiteHousehaslimiteddirectpower.

“WhenIworkedforPresidentBush,Ilookedveryhardforthemagicwandthatloweredoilpricesrightaway Itdoesn’t exist,”saidBobMcNally,presidentofconsultingfirmRapidanEnergyGroupandaformerBushenergyofficial “A presidentcan’tcutoilprices”

TheUnitedStatesisalreadyproducingmoreoilthananycountryinworldhistory AndunlikeinOPECnations,USoil productionissetbythefreemarket,notthegovernment.Governmentpolicyplaysaroleininfluencingsupplydecisions, butultimatelyit’suptotheprivatesectortodecidehowmuchtodrill

Sofar,oilcompanieshavesignaledthey’reinnorushtodramaticallyrampupproduction ManyoilCEOshavelearned thelessonsoftherecentpastwhenexcessivedrillingcausedasupplyglutthatcrashedprices.

Just14%ofoilandgasexecutivesplantosignificantlyincreasecapitalspendingthisyear,accordingtoaFederalReserve BankofDallassurveyof132firms Infact,moreoilexecutivesindicatedtheyplantoscalebackspendingthanincrease it

Trumpinhisspeechvowedthatoneofhisfirstactionsinofficewouldbetorepealanelectricvehiclemandate

“ThroughmyactiontodaywewillendtheGreenNewDealandwewillrevoketheelectricvehiclemandate,savingour autoindustryandkeepingmysacredpledgetoourgreatAmericanautoworkers,”hesaid.“Inotherwords,you’llbeable tobuythecarofyourchoice”

However,thereisnosuchmandate

TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyinMarchrolledoutthenewtailpipeemissionrulesthattargeted35%to56%ofall newcarsalesbeEVsby2032

Americansareabletobuytraditionalgasoline-poweredvehiclesandhavecontinuedtodoso Electricvehiclesalesinthe USroseabout7%in2024to1.3millionvehicles,accordingtofiguresfromCoxAutomotive,butthatmadeuponly8% ofpassengervehiclessalesof16millionduringtheyear

ElonMusk,akeysupporterofTrumpandtheCEOofTesla,theworld’slargestEVmaker,hassaidonhissocialmedia platformXthathesupportsendingtaxcreditsforEVbuyers

AutoanalystsbelievethatendingthetaxcreditwouldbenefitTesla,eventhoughitmakesTeslacarsmoreprice competitivewithgasoline-poweredvehicles.ButendingthecreditislikelytoreducecompetitionTeslanowfacesfrom legacyautomakerswhoarerollingoutmoreEVmodelsoftheirown

TwoDemocraticgovernorsthatco-chairthebipartisanUSClimateAlliance agroupof24statesandterritories said theywouldleadanAmericandelegationtotheannualUNclimatenegotiations,slatedtotakeplaceinBrazilinlate2025.

“It’scriticalfortheinternationalcommunitytoknowthatclimateactionwillcontinueintheUS,”NewYorkGov Kathy HochulandNewMexicoGov MichelleLujanGrishamsaidinastatement “Thealliancewillbringthismessageto COP30”

AUnitedNationsofficialwhooverseesclimatechangenegotiationsreiterated“thedoorremainsopentotheParis Agreement”afterPresidentDonaldTrumpwithdrewtheUSfromthelandmarkclimateagreementforthesecondtime.

“Wewelcomeconstructiveengagementfromanyandallcountries,”UNClimateChangeexecutivesecretarySimonStiell saidinastatement

Stiellemphasizedtheimportanceofthecleanenergyboomaroundtheworld,valuedat$2trillionlastyearandrising andwarnedthatcountriesthatdon’tembraceitwillbeleftbehind Hewasechoedbyotherclimategroups

“Thereisnoenergyemergency Thereisaclimateemergency,”NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncilpresidentManish Bapnasaidinastatement.“TheUnitedStatesisproducingmoreoilandgasthananycountryinhistory.Onthetailwinds ofsuccessfulclimateandenergypolicy,thenationisproducingmorecleanpowerthanever”

Pleasekeeptalkingaboutfamouswildfirevictims

January16,2025|AjaRomano

InthecoverageofthewildfiresthathavetornthroughtheLosAngelesareathismonth,youmayhaveseensomefamiliar facesamongthesurvivors Prominentcelebrities,includingBillyCrystal,AdamBrodyandLeightonMeester,andMel Gibson,havehadtheirhousesandinsomecasestheirsourcesoflivelihooddestroyed Howtherichandfamous,in additiontoregularAngelenos,havehadtheirlivesupendedbythisnaturaldisasterhavebeenanintegralpartofthe media’scoverageofthefires

Mediacoveragehaspointedtoalitanyofreasonsforthefires’intensedestructivity,rangingfromitspotentialpointsof origintomanmadefactorslikeincreasedurbandevelopment.There’salsobeenarevolutioninattributionscience the abilitytoconnectclimatechangetoacuteextreme-weatherevents Infact,anewscientificanalysisoutoftheUniversity ofCaliforniaLosAngelespublishedthisweekconcludedthatclimatechangeintensifiedthecity’sdevastatingwildfires. Atthesametime,it’sunclearifAmericansaremakingtheconnectionbetweenthedevastationofthefiresandclimate change:AlthougharecentpollconductedbyEmersonCollegefoundthatamajorityofrespondentsidentifiedclimate changeasamajorcauseofthefires,CNNreportedAmericans’overallconcernaboutclimatechangehasn’tbudgedin decades.

SomeofthepublichaveexpressedacertainamountofschadenfreudeabouttheplightofwealthyPalisadesresidents,but overall,mostcelebritieshavebeenmetwithoutpouringsofsympathy aswellassometimesunconventionalassistance (thisishowa2010albumfromformerHillsstarHeidiMontagreachedthetopoftheiTuneschartaftersheandhusband SpencerPrattweredisplacedafterthefires)

Isthefocusoncelebritiesagiantmessydistraction,ordoesithelphighlighthowevenenormouswealthandresources cannotshieldyoufromtheimpactofclimatechange?Shouldwebefocusingmoreonthevictimswhoarepoorand marginalized,liketheruralpopulationsofEastTennesseeandWesternNorthCarolinawhowerebatteredbyHurricane Helenelastyear?Shouldwebetalkingmoreaboutthelong-termimpactsoftheseevents,suchas,forexample,howthe fireswillincreasetheongoingproblemofwaterscarcityforallCalifornians?

Theanswermaysurpriseyou:Infact,thecurrentfocusoncelebritiesandthewealthiestvictimsmaybeexactlywhatwe needtodeliveramuch-neededwake-upcallaboutclimatechangetopeoplewhohaven’tbeenpayingthatmuchattention

BettyLai,anassociateprofessorofpsychologyatBostonCollegewhoresearchesthepsychologicalimpactsof naturaldisastersandotherclimate-relatedeffects,saidthattherearethreeinterlockingcomponentsthataffect people’sengagementonclimatechange:theirexistingbeliefsontheissue,theirperceptionsoftheirownrisk,and theiremotionalinvestment.

Laiexplainedthatformanypeople,climatechangeissomethingthathappenssomewhereelse.“Tomanypeople, climatechangefeelslikeanabstractconcept,”shetoldVox.“Theydon’tbelieveit’sanimminentthreat.”

“Whenyoucanconnecttopeople’sexperiences,itmakesitfeelmorereal,moretangible.”

Whobetterthantoconnecttothanacelebritywithwhomyoumayalreadyhaveacomfortingparasocial relationship?Thisidentificationwithindividualvictimsofthewildfires,Laisaid,willlikelyincreasethepublic’s awarenessoftheriskaroundclimatechange whichshouldalsoraisepeople’semotionalinvestmentintheissue. “Thesearepeoplethatyouhaveconnectedwithandyouunderstandwhotheyare,”shesaid.Moreover,theclose associationofLosAngeleswithHollywood,anditshugeinfluenceoverbothournationalimageandourcollective culturalheritage,arguablymakesthedevastationhitclosertohomethanadisasterthatimpactsotherregionsof Californiamight.

SteveWestlake,aCardiffUniversityresearchfellowwhostudiesbehavioralshiftsrelatedtoclimatechange,arguedthata majorevent likearaginginferno canjoltpeopleoutoftheirclimatecomplacency atleastforawhile.Healso saidthatthebehaviorofcelebritiesduringandintheaftermathofthesedisasterscanbehugelyconsequentialforthe public.

Westlakepointedtothelong-debatedtheoryofcredibilityinleadershipandpeoplewithinfluence;hisrecentlypublished researchfoundthat“visibleleadingbyexamplefrompoliticiansandcelebritiessignificantlyincreasesthewillingnessof membersoftheUKpublic”tochangetheirlifestylestopromotesustainabilityandreducecarbonemissions

Youcanimaginewhatwouldhappenifyouappliedthattheorytosomeonewiththeinfluence,say,ofTaylorSwift Indeed,herfansrecognizethisonsomelevel;asthewildfiresragedon,manyofthemwerespottedonsocialmedia, deliberatelyspreadingtheuntruerumorthatSwifthaddonated$10milliontowildfirerelief

“Ifyoucareaboutclimatechangeandyoubelievethesepeopleareinfluential,andclearlytheyare,”Westlakesaid,“then thereisthepotentialtheretosendaverystrongsignaliftheychangetheirbehavior.”

Heemphasizedtheimportanceofprominentpublicfiguresvisiblyreducingtheircarbonfootprints achangethatmay domoretoactuallysendamessagethanmerelytalkingaboutclimatechange(lookingatyou,LeonardoDiCaprio)or expressingsympathyforvictimsofthewildfires Ontheotherhand,“ifhigh-profilecelebsandbusinessleadersfailto changetheirownbehaviorwhenconfrontedbytheclimatecrisis,”Westlakesays,“thenthatcementsthe[idea]thatthings won’tchange”

Oneaddedbenefitofthemedia’scurrentcoverageofthewildfiresisthattheinclusionofthedramaticnarrativesofsome high-profilevictimsmeansthatthenewscyclehasyettomoveawayfromthecrisis.That,inturn,givesusararechance toseeapartofthestorythatrarelymakesheadlines:therecoveryperiod

Laipointedoutthatfocusedattentiononthedisasteritselffadesovertime,andwhenattentionfades,sodoes financialaid,volunteerattention,andhelpfromthepublicandsocialaidprograms.Thelongerthemediafocus remainsontherecovery,themoreallofthatattentionconvertstoactual,crucialassistance.Notonlythat,but moremediacoverageoftheaftermathmeansthatthepublicmaygainabetterunderstandingofthelong-term impactsofthesedisasters.

“There’saperceptionthateveryonehasanequalchanceofbeingaffectedbyadisaster,”Laisaid.“There’sthis ideathatthiscouldhappentoanyone.”It’stherecoveryperiod,however,wherethecracksinthisideabeginto show.

“Forthosewithmeans,recoverycanbeeasier,”Laisaid.“It’samyththatdisastersaffectallpeopleequally, becausewhenyouhavefewermeans,it’shardertoreturntotheplaceyouwereliving.Youmightnothave insuranceorrecoveryfunds,oremergencyfundsforchildcare,forinstance.”

Additionally,naturaldisastersandotherclimate-relateddisastersimpactvictimsmentally,psychologically,emotionally, andevenphysically;PTSD,anxiety,increasedsmoking,andincreaseddrinkingareallcommonlyobservedeffects and manyoftheseeffectsimpactmarginalizedpeopleandthosewithlimitedresourcesdifferentlythantheydowealthier survivors

“Thereisfatiguefromhearingthesestories,”Laisaid.“Butit’sthebuildupofthesestressorsthatputspeopleat riskfornegativeimpactsafteradisaster.”Mediacoveragediesdown,buttherecoveryperiodwillgoonforyears forthevictims.

BothWestlakeandLaiemphasizedtheneedforjournaliststobeclearaboutnamingtheproblem.Laiobserved thatthere’sapushintheresearchfieldtonotcalltheseevents“natural”disastersbutrather“human-related disasters.”

“Oneofthekeythingsistosaytheproblem,”Westlakesaid “Theproblemisfossilfuelconsumptionandburning That’s thekeytoincludeinstoriesifyoucan.Andmakethatconnection.”

Identifyingtheprimaryproblemoffossilfuelconsumptioncanhopefullyincreasetheonustocutdownconsumption, bothamongconsumersandamonglargerentities This,hestressed,iswherecelebrityinfluencereallycomesintoplay

“Sacrificeisabitofadirtywordinclimatechange,”Westlakesaid “Butinourculture,itreallyindicateswhatwe value.”

“Ifwe’rewillingtochangeourconsumptiveexperiencesforastableclimate,alivableplanet,itdoesn’tseemsuchan extremethingtodo.”Ifthatchangecanhappenonecelebrityatatime,somuchthebetter evenifit’sjustasmall, step-by-stepprocess

“Itdoesn’thavetobeswitchedoffovernight,”Westlakesaid “Itdoesn’thavetobeperfection”

At82,theheadofBostonCollege’scenterfor retirementresearchisreadyforherown

January13,2025|JonChestoandDanaGerber

kethestartofabadjoke:Whathappenswhentheheadofa researchcenterretires?

tonCollege,it’smoreliketheculminationofalife’swork liciaMunnell,82,whohasbeenatthehelmoftheCenterfor tResearchsinceshefoundeditin1998,steppeddownonDec. gthereinstoherNo.2,AndrewEschtruth,whojoinedthe 999.

dthink,givenmybusiness,thatIwouldhavethoughtalot Iwasgoingtospendmytime,whatIwasgoingtodo,andall fstuff.ButIhaven’t,”saidMunnell.“I’mgoingtotry andmaybeworkalittlebit,playbridgesomemore,and erythingelseandseewhatIlike.”

on’tbegoingfar.She’sstayingonatthegrant-funded onasasenioradvisor,supportingitsfocuson“anythingthat affectstheeconomicwellbeingofpeopleinretirement,”assheputsit, fromSocialSecuritytostatepensionstoMedicare.

Butthejury’sstillout,shesaid,onwhatherowngoldenyearswilllooklike

“Ifyouretireat65,thenpeopledolookearnestlyatyouandsay,‘Whatareyougoingtodonext?’”shesaid.“I thinkwhenyouretireat82,that’saless-pressingquestion.”

Eschtruth,forhispart,knowshehasbigshoestofill.Alongsideastaffofabout22,includingaquartetofsenior researchers,Eschtruthwantsthecentertodigfurtherintothetopicsoflong-termcareandtheexpansionof workplace-basedretirementplansunderhistenure WithbabyboomersfuelingaswiftlyagingpopulationintheUS,he knowstheworkisnearingacriticaljuncture

“Themissionofthecenteristobeveryrelevanttopolicymakers,”hesaid.“Theideaistoinformdecision making.”

It’saworldbothEschtruthandMunnellbecamefamiliarbeforearrivingattheCenter EschtruthspenttimeattheUS GovernmentAccountabilityOffice,whileMunnellservedintheCouncilofEconomicAdvisersintheClinton administration,andbeforethatintheFederalReserveBankofBoston

Whilesuccessionplanningisoftenadifficultpartoftheretirementprocess,Munnellsaidthatinthiscase,her replacementwasano-brainer “Hehasalwaysseemedliketheheirapparent,”shesaidofEschtruth “He’snotonlya reallygoodadministrator calmandlevel-headedandsmart buthe’salsoapolicywonkatheart Sohe’stheperfect combinationforsomebodytoleadthistypeoforganization”

Butleaditforhowlong,exactly?

Eschtruth,57,saidretirementisfarfromhisradar “I’mnotfocusedonthatrightnow,”hesaid “Callmebackinacouple ofyears,andwecantalkmore.”

WhatPeopleWithAutismCanTeachUsAbout MentalResilience

January9,2025|

TrystanLoustauandLianeYoung

Scrollingthroughsocialmediawearebombardedbypicturesofourfriends’vacationsandfancybrunches,theircareer milestones,happyfamilies,andfitnessachievements Whilewemaybehappyforthem,thesesocialcomparisons (evaluationsofoneselfrelativetoothers)canleaveusfeelinginadequateanddissatisfied.Thismaybeespeciallytruefor youngpeople recentstudieshavefoundthatsocialmediauseisassociatedwithnegativesocialcomparisons–leading toreducedwell-being,moreenvy,andgreaterdepressivesymptoms.Somescholars,suchasProfessorJonathanHaidt, linkthedetrimentsofsocialmediaandits“poisonous”socialcomparisontoamentalhealthcrisisinadolescents,arguing foracellphonebaninschools.

Socialmediaisallbutunavoidableinmanypeople’slives,andit,ofcourse,alsohasitsbenefits.This,then,begsthe question:Isthereawaythatwecanbetternavigatesocialmediawithoutincurringitspossibletollonmentalhealth?

Associalscientistswhostudyhowpeoplethinkaboutandinteractwithothers,we’verecentlyfoundsomepromising cluesinourresearchonpeoplewithautism Becauseautisticpeopledonotprocesssocialexchangesinthesamewayas neurotypicalindividuals,theirresponsestosocialcomparisonmaybeausefulguidefortherestofus.

Inaseriesofstudies,publishedinAugust2024inthejournalSocialCognition,ourresearchteamexaminedindividuals’ emotionalresponsestosocialcomparisons Wecomparedthedegreetowhichautisticandneurotypicalparticipants expressedsocialcomparisonemotions,likeenvy.Participantsinourstudyreadaboutahypotheticalsituationdescribinga peerwhowasmuchbetteroffthantheparticipants theylivedinanicerhouse,hadmoreromanticsuccess,andwere moreaccomplishedintheircareer.Afterreadingaboutthisperson,participantsreportedhowmuchenvytheyfelt.Our findingswerestriking Onaverage,autisticparticipantsreported24%lessenvythanneurotypicalparticipants

So,whatisitaboutautismthatappearstobufferagainstthenegativeimpactofsocialcomparisons?

Onepossibleexplanationisrelatedtosocialcognitivedifferencesoftenobservedinautisticindividuals.Autisticspectrum disordersareoftencharacterizedbydifficultieswithsocialcommunication,reciprocalsocialinteraction,and understandingothers’intentionsandmentalstatesmoregenerally.Autisticpeoplemaybelesslikelytofeelbadaftera negativesocialcomparisonbecausetheyarelesslikelytoconsiderwhatisgoingoninotherpeople’sminds,a psychologicalprocessknownasperspective-takingor“TheoryofMind.”Butwhywouldthisreducedattentiontoothers’ mentalstatesprotectthemfromfeelingenviousordissatisfied?

Itmaybethatenvyisdrivennotonlybyseeingwhatothershave,butbyimagininghowhappyorsatisfiedtheyfeelin thatgivenmoment.A2012studyshowedthatcertainbrainregionsinvolvedinunderstandingothers'mentalstatesmay functiondifferentlyinautisticindividualscomparedtoneurotypicalindividuals Thesedifferencesinneuralactivity suggestthatautisticindividualsmayrelylessonmentalstateinformation,whichisunobservableandabstract,when processingsocialinteractionsandmoreontangible,concretedetails Inthisway,theymaybelesslikelytoconsider whetherothersarehappierthantheyare,whichcouldexplainwhytheyreportfeelinglessbadinresponsetosocial comparisons

Furthersupportingthislogic,a2014studyexaminedresponsestosocialcomparisoninautisticandneurotypicalpeople usingagameinwhichparticipantsreceivedmonetaryrewards Theresearchersassignedparticipantstotwoconditions In thesocialcomparisoncondition,participantscomparedtheamounttheywontothelargerrewardofanotherparticipant. Intheprivatecomparisoncondition,theycomparedtheamounttheywontoalargeramountthattheycouldhavewon Whileneurotypicalparticipantsweremuchlesssatisfiedwiththeirrewardinthesocialcomparisoncondition,autistic participants’satisfactiondidnotdependasmuchonwhichconditiontheywerein Togetherwithourfindings,these resultspointtoacriticaldifferenceinhowsocialcomparisonscanbeexperienced:Whilesomepeople’shappiness dependsonwhethertheycomparefavorablytoothers,othersfocusmoreontheirownoutcomeswithoutfactoringin socialcomparisons.

Whatcanthisteachusabouthowtoprotectourselvesfromthepotentiallydamagingeffectsofsocialmediacomparisons onourmentalwell-being?

Whileitmaybedifficulttoavoidcomparingourselvestoothersonsocialmedia,thewaywerespondtothesesocial comparisonsisfortunatelynotsetinstone Adoptingstrategiesthatshiftourfocusawayfromothersandontoourselves perhaps(anapproachthatmaycomemorenaturallytoautisticpeople)mayhelpreducethenegativefeelingslinkedto adversementalhealthoutcomes Forinstance,keepingagratitudejournalordedicatingourtimetohobbiesandpassions thatbringusjoycanhelpusredirectourenergyandbetterappreciateourownlives.

Whilesocialmediacomparisonsmaypromptustothinkaboutwhatwedon’thave,theycanalsoprovideuswithnew ideasandperspectives,motivatingustoimproveourselves,andsetandaccomplishgoals Inlinewiththisoptimism,a 2018paperfindsthat,whilecomparisonsonInstagramcanleadtoenvy,theycanalsobringinspiration,underscoringthe positivemotivationalpotentialofsocialmedia

Althoughourexperiencesonsocialmediacanleadustofeellikethegrassisgreenerontheotherside,wemaydowellto cultivateaself-improvementmindset,andtendtoourownemotionallandscapesand,ultimately,ourpersonalgrowth

Loustau is a Ph.D. student in social psychology at Boston College, studying social identity, moral judgment, and intergroup bias. She is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and research consultant for nonprofit organizations, focusing on initiatives that promote social cohesion. Young is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College and director of the Morality Lab, which investigates human moral psychology. Her recent projects focus on people’s perceptions of virtue signals, concepts of truth, interactions with AI, and intuitions about obligation, impartiality, and empathy

PopeFrancishasnamedthefirstwomantohead amajorVaticanoffice,choosinganItaliannun

January8,2025|NicoleWinfield

PopeFrancisonMondaynamedthefirstwomantoheadamajorVaticanoffice,appointinganItaliannun,SisterSimona Brambilla,tobecomeprefectofthedepartmentresponsibleforalltheCatholicChurch’sreligiousorders

TheappointmentmarksamajorstepinFrancis’aimtogivewomenmoreleadershiprolesingoverningthechurch While womenhavebeennamedtoNo 2spotsinsomeVaticanoffices,neverbeforehasawomanbeennamedprefectofa dicasteryorcongregationoftheHolySeeCuria,thecentralgoverningorganoftheCatholicChurch

ThehistoricnatureofBrambilla’sappointmentwasconfirmedbyVaticanMedia,whichheadlineditsreport“Sister SimonaBrambillaisthefirstwomanprefectintheVatican”

TheofficeisoneofthemostimportantintheVatican KnownofficiallyastheDicasteryfortheInstitutesofConsecrated LifeandSocietiesofApostolicLife,itisresponsibleforeveryreligiousorder,fromtheJesuitsandFranciscanstothe Mercynunsandsmallernewermovements

Theappointmentmeansthatawomanisnowresponsibleforthewomenwhodomuchofthechurch’swork the world’s600,000Catholicnuns aswellasthe129,000Catholicpriestswhobelongtoreligiousorders

“Itshouldbeawoman.Longagoitshouldhavebeen,butthankGod,”saidThomasGroome,aseniorprofessorof theologyandreligiouseducationatBostonCollegewhohaslongcalledfortheordinationofwomenpriests.“It’sa smallstepalongthewaybutsymbolically,itshowsanopennessandanewhorizonorpossibility.”

GroomenotedthatnothingtheologicallywouldnowpreventFrancisfromnamingBrambillaacardinal,since cardinalsdon’ttechnicallyhavetobeordainedpriests.

Namingasacardinal“wouldbeautomaticfortheheadofadicasteryifshewasaman,”hesaid.

ButinanindicationofthenoveltyoftheappointmentandthatperhapsFranciswasnotreadytogothatfar,thepope simultaneouslynamedasaco-leader,or“pro-prefect,”acardinal:ÁngelFernándezArtime,aSalesian

Theappointment,announcedintheVaticandailybulletin,listsBrambillafirstas“prefect”andFernándezsecondasher co-leader Theologically,itappearsFrancisbelievedthesecondappointmentwasnecessarysincetheheadoftheoffice mustbeabletocelebrateMassandperformothersacramentalfunctionsthatcurrentlycanonlybedonebymen

NataliaImperatori-Lee,chairofthereligionandphilosophydepartmentatManhattanUniversity,wasinitiallyexcitedby Brambilla’sappointment,onlytolearnthatFrancishadnamedamaleco-prefect

“Oneday,Ipray,thechurchwillseewomenforthecapableleaderstheyalreadyare,”shesaid “It’sridiculoustothink sheneedshelprunningaVaticandicastery Moreover,foraslongasmenhavebeeninchargeofthisdivisionofVatican governance,theyhavegovernedmen’sandwomen’sreligiouscommunities”

Brambilla,59,isamemberoftheConsolataMissionariesreligiousorderandhadservedastheNo 2inthereligious ordersdepartmentsince2023 ShetakesoverfromtheretiringCardinalJoaoBrazdeAviz,77

FrancismadeBrambilla’sappointmentpossiblewithhis2022reformoftheHolySee’sfoundingconstitution,which allowedlaypeople,includingwomen,toheadadicasteryandbecomeprefects

Brambilla,anurse,workedasamissionaryinMozambiqueandledherConsolataorderassuperiorfrom2011-2023, whenFrancismadehersecretaryofthereligiousordersdepartment

Onemajorchallengeshewillfaceistheplummetingnumberofnunsworldwide Ithasfallenbyaround10,000ayearfor thepastseveralyears,fromaround750,000in2010to600,000lastyear,accordingtoVaticanstatistics.

Brambilla’sappointmentisthelatestmovebyFrancistoshowbyexamplehowwomencantakeleadershiproleswithin theCatholichierarchy,albeitwithoutallowingthemtobeordainedaspriests.

Catholicwomenhavelongcomplainedofsecond-classstatusinaninstitutionthatreservesthepriesthoodformen Francishasupheldthebanonfemalepriestsandtampeddownhopesthatwomencouldbeordainedasdeacons.

ButtherehasbeenamarkedincreaseinthepercentageofwomenworkingintheVaticanduringhispapacy,includingin leadershippositions,from19.3%in2013to23.4%today,accordingtostatisticsreportedbyVaticanNews.IntheCuria alone,thepercentageofwomenis26%

AmongthewomenholdingleadershippositionsareSisterRaffaellaPetrini,thefirst-everfemalesecretarygeneralofthe VaticanCityState,responsiblefortheterritory’shealthcaresystem,policeforceandmainsourceofrevenue,theVatican Museums,whichareledbyalaywoman,BarbaraJatta.

Anothernun,SisterAlessandraSmerilli,istheNo 2intheVaticandevelopmentofficewhileseveralwomenhavebeen appointedtounder-secretarypositions,includingtheFrenchnun,SisterNathalieBecquart,inthesynodofbishops’ office

Thebrilliant,uniqueworldofchildprodigies

January5,2025|SusanSpencer

Watchinghimplaybadmintonwithhisdad,you'dprobablyfigureSubornoBariforyourtypical12-year-oldkid You'dbe verywrong.Mathematicsishispassion."Yeah,mostofthetimeI'mhavingthemostfunwhenI'mdoingmathand physics,"hesaid.

Indecipherablehomeworkassignmentsthatwouldmystifymeremortalsare,well,child'splaytoSuborno,somethinghis parentsmarveledatearlyon."Hefellinlovewithmath,"saidhisfather,RashidulBari,alsoamathematician.Hesaid thatbytheageoffour,hissonwasstumping him withmathproblems "HereadallthebooksthatIhad,"hesaid "Andhe waschallengingmefromthebook,thatIwasn'tabletogivehimasatisfactoryanswer"

So,it'snosurprisetodaytofindSubornodeliveringuniversitylecturesinIndia,somethinghestarteddoingatageseven That'sright:seven!

Sincethen,Subornohasskippedmultiplegrades,scoreda1500onhisSAT,andattheripeoldageof12,startedcollege thispastSeptemberatNewYorkUniversity "Itfeelslikejustthenextnaturalstep,"hesaid "Mostkidsgotocollege afterhighschool,soIsaid,'Whynotme?'"

Despitehisprogression,Subornoseemstohaveaprettybalancedpointofview "Iknowitsoundsstrange,becauseit soundslikeyou'retalkingtosomebusinessCEOon'60Minutes,'that's,like,35yearsold,"helaughed."ButinsteadI'm only12 Itfeelslikethevoiceisn'tmatchingupwiththepersonrightinfrontofyou"

Iasked,"Doyousometimeswonderatthefactthatyou'reonly12?"

"Notreally,"Subornoreplied "I'veseenmybirthcertificate"

PsychologistEllenWinner,aprofessoremeritaatBostonCollege,andaleadingauthorityonchildprodigies,said Subornodemonstratesthehallmarksofachildprodigy.Shesaysvirtuallyallexhibitsomethingshecallsa"rageto master."

"Thisisallthechildwantstodoallthetime,"Winnersaid."Notevenwantingtogooutandplay.Thekidwants tostayinsideandworkonwhateveritisthatthatchildisgiftedin.Thesearekidsthatreallyliveintheirown minds."

"Isthisfairlyobviouswhenyoutalktothesekids?"

"Yes,itisvery,veryclear,especiallyincertaindomains–inmusicperformance,inmathematics,indrawing realistically,"Winnersaid.

Butthereisoneareawhereshethinksprodigiesareoverlooked,becausetheyexcelatsomethingalotmurkier: Abstractart."It'smuchhardertodetect,becausetheworkdoesn'tlooktotallydifferentfromtypicalkids," Winnersaid."Butitdoesn'tlooktotallythesame,either.It'smorecomplex,it'smorestructured."

So,whilewe'veallmarveledattheobviousskillsofmathprodigieslikeSubornoBari,musicprodigies,orchess prodigies,whataboutyoungartistswhoseemtobefollowinginthefootstepsof,say,JacksonPollock?

Meetfour-year-oldAugustGardener,ProfessorWinner'sgrandson,whohasbeenobsessedwithabstractartformostof hisyounglife.He'sdonehundredsofpaintings,drawings,sculptures,andmixedmediaartworks.

Askedhowwhathe'sdoingcomparestothescribblingoftheaveragefour-year-old,August'sfather,AndrewGardener,a formerschoolteacher,replied,"It'sthedrive.It'sthedesiretocontinuedoingit,andkeepworking,andthe top-of-mindnessofit"

August'smother,VanessaGardener,said,"He'softenincrediblydeliberateforafour-year-oldboywho,like,whenhe's notdoingthat,youknow,herunsaroundlikeamaniac,likealotoffour-year-oldboys Butwhenhe'sworkingonhisart, everythingisverythoughtoutand,youknow,particular"

Thatdeliberateprocessisthehallmarkofanabstractartprodigy,saysJenDrake,apsychologyprofessoratBrooklyn CollegeoftheCityUniversityofNewYork Drake(who'sworkedwithWinnerinthepast)isnowconductingamajor studyofartprodigies,andAugustispartofit.

SpeakingofAugust,Drakesaid,"I'mreallystruckbyhisfocus Thatonedrawinghespentseveraldaysworkingon,that isdefinitelya'ragetomaster,'[demonstrating]theirwillingnesstogobacktothedrawingtoaddsomethingtoit."

Butwhatoftheendresult?Isthatart?"That'sareallygoodquestion,"saidDrake "AndIthinkbecausehisworkis abstract,itmaybedifficulttoassesstheskillinthere.Butthereisauseofcolorandlineandformthat'snotfoundin typicalpreschoolers"

AndnomatterwhatyouthinkofAugust'sart,Drakesayshisfocusinmakingitiswhatreallysetshimapart.

"Arewetalkingprodigy?"Iasked

"Iwouldsayyes Definitely,"Drakereplied

AndAugustisingoodcompany:PabloPicassowasachildprodigy.Infact,fromMozarttoEinsteintoStevieWonder, thelistofbrilliantpeoplewhostartedyoungislong Butbeingaprodigydoesn'tguaranteefuturegreatness Accordingto EllenWinner,"Mostprodigiesdonotgoontobemajoradultcreatorsintheirareaofgiftedness Thereasonisthatbeing achildprodigymeansyouaremasteringsomethingthat'salreadybeeninvented.Andtobeamajoradultcreator,you havetogobeyondwhat'salreadybeendone,anddevelopsomethingreallynew."

So,howoftendowegetaPicassooraMozart?"Very,veryrare,"Winnersaid.

Butdon'ttellthattoAugustjustyet andcertainlynottomathwhizSubornoBari He'sgothiseyeonaPhD by16 Andthenwhat?"Imean,Idon'twanttojustbe,like,asuperstarforfiveyearsandthencompletelyvanishandhave videosmadeonme10yearslatersaying,'WhathappenedtoSubornoBari?'Iwanttoactuallyleaveamarkthatpeople willremembermefor"

NoLaughingMatter:LiberalsNeedMoreThan Late-NightComics

January3,2025|NickMarxand

MattSienkiewicz

TheTrumpcampaignknewithadaproblemwithvoterswhowereturnedoffbyextremeanti-abortionpositions.Sothe formerpresidenttriedanunexpectedstrategy:humor

AmonthbeforeElectionDay,DonaldTrumpappearedoncomedianAndrewSchulz’spodcast“Flagrant”andplayed alongwiththehostashemadeanoff-colorjokeaboutTrump’syoungestson,who’sastudentatNewYorkUniversity.

“Barronis18 He’sunleashedinNewYorkCity AreyousureyouwanttoreverseRoev Wadenow?”askedSchulz, referringtotheSupremeCourtcasethatlegalizedabortion.Afterabeat,Trumplaughed,Schulzlaughed–andthen, presumably,thousandsofyoungmalelistenersjoinedinlaughing,too

SchulzhadhelpedTrumpturnanunpopularpositionintoafratboypunchline Trumpwonthatmediacycle,and ultimatelyhewonamajorityofyoungwhitemenonhiswaytoasecondWhiteHousevictory.

VicePresidentKamalaHarris,bycontrast,seemstohavegottenlittlepayofffromherpunchlines,whichcamefrom appearancesonmainstreamcomedyshowswithaging,liberalaudiences,suchas“TheLateShowWithStephenColbert” Punditscriticizedherfailuretoengageyoungmalevotersviaonlineplatforms–andurgedliberalstodevelopanewcrop ofpoliticalcomedianstomatchtheinfluenceofSchulzandJoeRogan,themostpopularpodcasterinAmerica

Whatthesecriticismstapintoisthefailureofliberalcomedianstoevolvewithchangingmediaandpoliticaltrends. LiberalcomedyandpoliticalsatirehavestuckwiththesameformulathatJonStewartpioneeredon“TheDailyShow” nearlythreedecadesagoin1996,andwhicharguablyhasreacheditspinnacleon“LastWeekTonightwithJohnOliver,” whichlaunchedin2015 Thatstyleofsatirehascometoprioritizepoliticalpreachingoverlaughs

Forliberalstoreconnectwithyoungvoters–especiallyyoungwhitemen–theyhavetoreinventpoliticalcomedy Doing sowillmeanmovingbeyondtheharanguingthathaslongbeenitsprimarydeliverystyle.Thiswillbeachallenge, however,astherightfortifiestherelationshipbetweenitsowncomediansandpoliticalpower

Thecurrentstyleontheleftgoessomethinglikethis:Asarcastic,eloquenthostusesmeticulouslyresearcheddatato describeapressingsocialissueandthendeliversapunchlinedirectedatright-winghypocrisy Theresultantpairingof righteouslaughterandangerhasbeenemployedby“TheColbertReport,”“FullFrontalwithSamanthaBee”and“Patriot ActwithHasanMinhaj,”amongothercomedyprograms

PerhapsStewart’smostsuccessfulsuccessor–andthebestexampleofliberalsatire’spatronizingtone–isHBO’s“Last WeekTonightwithJohnOliver.”Becausetheshowappearsonprestigecable,Oliverhasabiggerbudgettotackle controversialtopicsindepth Journalistsandacademicsalikehavecelebratedthe“JohnOlivereffect,”inwhichviewers mobilizebehindacauseshortlyafterthehostdevotesanepisodetoit,whetherit’svaccinesorinternetregulation.

Oliver’slong-formlecturescanbecompelling.However,hisgreatestappealisnottoyoungundecidedvoterswhocan’t affordHBObuttocollege-educatedliberalspredisposedtosupportprogressivereformsanyway

Twiceinarecentelectionpostmortemepisode,Oliverremindedviewersoftopicshisshowhascoveredindepth,much likeaprofessorchidingstudentsfornotrememberingrecentlessons InonesegmentaboutTrump’sdisingenuous economicmessage,Oliverstressedthathisshowhadalready“explainedinflationfor24humanminutes.”

WhileOliver’sexasperationcanbeamusing,he’sclearlymoreupsetat–andevendisdainfulof–theAmerican electorate,chastisingthemfor,inhisview,failingthefinalexamonelectionnight

SowhileJimmyKimmelchokesbacktearsaboutTrump’svictoryandJonStewartrantsaboutit,therightwinginthe US hasdepicteditselfasthenewhomeforfreespeechandcutting-edgecomedy,somethingwewroteaboutinour2024 book,“That’sNotFunny:HowtheRightMakesComedyWorkforThem”Partofthisstemsfromthenewrelationship betweendigitalmediaandthebusinessofjoking

Fordecades,liberalswerethoughttoholdamonopolyoncomedy,anditseemedthattherewaslittlemoneytobemadein comedyactsdevotedtoright-wingpolitics Since2016,however,afreshcropofright-wingcomedianshastakento digitalplatformsandtoalgorithmicallydrivenaudience-targetinginordertochangethisreality.

LibertarianpodcasterRoganhaslongdancedaroundthepoliticalspectrum,findingdiversepositionsthatintriguehis primarilymalelisteners Heroutinelylendhisplatformtoright-leaningculturalandcomedicvoices,featuringthemas guestsandpromotingtheirshowsandproducts.Indoingso,hehashelpedcreateadefactoright-wingcomedynetwork.

Althoughindividualcomediansorshowsinthisnetworkdon’thavetheaudienceandimpactof,say,“TheDailyShow”in itsprime,theiraggregatestrengthispreciselytargetedatcovetedyoung,andlargelymale,consumers–andpotential voters

ItisnocoincidencethatthemostheraldedstopsonTrump’sOctoberpodcasttourwereshowshostedbythreeregularson “TheJoeRoganExperience:”Schulz,comedianTheoVonandlibertarianscientistLexFridman.Trumpalsoappearedon Rogan’sshowitselfforathree-hourepisode10daysbeforetheelection

Importantly,thetypeofpoliticalcomedyfeaturedontheseprogramsisdistinctfromtheliberalsatireofthepasttwo decades.

“TheDailyShow,”“LastWeekTonight”andtheirilkdazzleviewersin30-minuteepisodesusingintricateargumentsand sardonicpunchlines.Roganandhisaffiliateshangoutforhours,andaudiencescanlistenastheygoabouttheirdaily routines Intheprocess,podcasthostsshapetheiraudience’stasteinculture,technologyandrecreationinwhat’sknown asparasocialbonding,wherebyanaudience’sone-wayconnectionwithamediapersonalitycomestofeellikean authentictwo-wayrelationship

Trump’sAugustappearanceonVon’spodcast,“ThisPastWeekend,”forexample,featuredlittleinthewayofbitingjokes androllickinglaughter.Instead,VonandTrumpheldameanderingconversationfulloffunny,personalanecdotesabout druguseinterspersedwithgesturestopoliticaltopics

Comedystyleshavealwaysbeencyclical Inthe1950s,stand-upcomedianMortSahlwouldreadanewspaperonstage, pepperinginsarcasticobservationsabouttheday’sheadlines Inthe1960s,theSmothersBrothersplayedwithyo-yos beforetheyintroducedprotestsongs TheapoliticalobservationalhumorofJerrySeinfeldreignedsupremeinthe1980s and’90s

The2000s-eraliberalsatireofStewartandOliverwasdrivenbythecabletelevisionindustry’smandatetocourtyoung men.Thetastesandmediahabitsofthisaudiencehavemovedon,butliberalcomedyhasfailedtofollowthem.It’stime tostartanewcycle

Nick Marx is an associate professor of film and media studies at Colorado State University Matt Sienkiewicz is a professor of communication and international studies at Boston College. They are the co-authors of the 2024 book, “That’s Not Funny: How the Right Makes Comedy Work for Them.”

ARetirementExpertIsGivingHerNotice

December27,2024|BrianJ.O’Connor

Ifthere’sanyonereadyforretirement,it’sAliciaMunnell.ShefoundedandhasbeenrunningtheCenterfor RetirementResearchatBostonCollegesince1998,makingitoneoftheleadingnonpartisanthinktanksexamining howAmericanworkerscanthriveaftertheyleavetheirjobs.

“I’mveryproudofthiscenter,”Ms.Munnellsaid.“Wehavegreatpeopleandreallygoodacademicswhoreally care.”

SheservedonformerPresidentBillClinton’sCouncilofEconomicAdvisersandwasassistantsecretaryoftheTreasury foreconomicpolicyinhisadministration.Previously,shespent20yearsattheFederalReserveBankofBoston,where sherosetobecomeseniorvicepresidentanddirectorofresearch

Ms.Munnell,82,isretiringattheendofDecember,whenAndrewEschtruth,thecenter’sdeputydirector,willtakeover. Beforeshedeparts,shetalkedabouthercareerandtheprojectedshortfallthatwouldleaveSocialSecurity,the cornerstoneoftheAmericanretirementsystem,unabletopayfullscheduledbenefitsafter2033 Theseareeditedexcerpts fromtheconversation.

PeoplesuggestfixingtheshortfallinfundingforSocialSecuritybenefitsbygettingridofthewagecap thecaplimits theamountofearningssubjecttotheSocialSecuritytax(in2025thelimitwillbe$176,100).You’vewrittenthat wouldn’tbeenough.Why?

IworrythatyoungpeoplethinkSocialSecuritywon’tbethereforthem,andnothingcouldbefurtherfromthe truth.Wehaveasystemwherethecostsarehigherthantherevenues,andifnothingisdone,benefitswouldhave tobecutby21percent.Butthegoodsideofthatisthatalmostenoughmoneyiscomingintopay80percentofthe benefits.Thiswholeargumentiswhetherwekeepthebenefitsat100percentandraisemorerevenues,orshould wecutbenefits.

I’mverymuchonthesideofkeepingbenefitsatthecurrentlevel,whichmeansyouhavetogetmoremoney.It soundseasytoask,“Whynothaverichpeoplepayfortheshortfall?”Butthelinkbetweencontributionsand benefitsisreallyimportant.

Istheproblemthatwealthierpeoplewouldpaysignificantlymoreintothesystemwithoutgettingincreasedbenefits?

ThereasonSocialSecurityhassurvivedisthateverybodybuysintoit,andeverybodygetssomethingfromit.You couldsay,“WewantBillGatestopaythepayrolltaxonallhisearningsuptomultimilliondollars,”butthenwe’re notgoingtogiveanythinginreturn.Iworrythatbreakingthatlinkchangesthefundamentalnatureofthesystem. Raisingthecaptoaround$300,000capturesabout90percentoftotalearnings,andthenyouneedsomeother changestomaintainthecurrentbenefitlevels.

AnothersuggestiontocopewiththeprojectedshortfallistoraisetheageforcollectingSocialSecurity Wouldthatwork?

Proposalstodelaythefullretirementagearebasedonthenotionthatlifeexpectancyhasincreased.Life expectancyhasincreased,butprimarilyforthoseinthetophalfoftheincomedistribution.Peoplewithlower levelsofeducation,minorities,particularlyBlacksandothervulnerablegroups,haven’tseenthegainsinlife expectancyoverthelasttwo,threeorfourdecades.

I’mactuallyforincreasingthefullretirementageforthosewhocanworklonger.Forpeopleinthetophalfofthe incomedistribution,youcouldfigureoutwhattheirbenefitswouldaverageandindexittotheirmonthlyearnings, thenphaseinabigincreaseintheretirementageforpeopleinthetop10percentofearnings,asmallerincrease forpeopleinthenext10percent,graduatedondownsotherewouldbenoincreaseforpeoplebelowtheaverage.It wouldmakebenefitsmoreprogressiveandmakethesystemfairer.

SocialSecurityiscalledthe“thirdrail”ofAmericanpolitics,andretireesarepotentandactivevoters Isitrealisticto thinkthatsometimeafter2033Congresswouldcutretirementbenefits?

Raisingrevenuewouldbepoliticallyaveryhardthingtodo,becauseitmeansraisingtaxesnowforsomethingthat won’thappenuntil2033.ButIthinkit’shardertoconceiveofthesituationwhereCongresswouldallow across-the-boardcutstoretirementbenefits.

Peoplelovethisprogramandarewillingtopayforit.IthinkifyoujustbestraightwiththeAmericanpeople aboutwhatneedstobedone,therewouldbesupportforfixingit.Thistendencytopostponesolvingtheproblem makesalotofpeoplenervousaboutasourceofsupportthattheyrelyonverystrongly.

Whilenearlytwo-thirdsofallworkerscanaccessaworkplaceretirementsavingsplan,just45percentofthemparticipate And10yearsorlessbeforeretirement,theaverage401(k)balanceislessthan$250,000,whichwon’tprovidemuch retirementincome.Shouldwereturntoemployer-backedpensions?

Thedebateaboutold-fashionedpensionsversus401(k)plansissomewhatofadiversion.Ifyoutakeasnapshotof theprivatesectoratanymomentintime,halfthepeopleworkingdonothaveanyretirementplanatwork.Soin myview,coverageisthemostseriousissue.Forpeoplewhodohavecoverageandcontinuouscoverage,the401(k) systemworksfine.Theold-fashionedones,whereyourbenefitswerebasedonyourhighestfinalfiveyearsof earnings,arenotaverysatisfactorywaytoconstructapensioninanenvironmentwhereyouhaveaverymobile workforce.

Thekeypointisthatweneedtomakesureeveryworkerhasawaytosaveforretirementintheworkplace. Otherwise,peopledon’tsave.Whenwelookatpeopleaged55to64,whoarerightinthemiddleoftheincome distribution,themoneyintheir401(k)sandI.R.A.siscloseto$240,000onahouseholdbasis.Thatisnotenough.

December19,2024|KevinClarke

ArecentmissivefromCardinalBlaseCupichtoparishionersintheArchdioceseofChicagoprovokedanunusually vitriolicresponsethisweekafterthecardinaladdressedissuesregardingproperliturgicalpracticeonCommunionlines

“ItisimportanttorecallthatprocessionshavebeenpartoftheliturgyfromtheearliestdaysofChristianpractice,” CardinalCupichwroteonDec 11inacommentaryforChicagoCatholic “Theygiveusasensibleexperienceofwhatit meanstobeapilgrimpeople....Thisiswhyweprocessintothechurch,processuptobringthegifts,processtoreceive HolyCommunionandprocessoutattheendofMasstocarrytheLordintotheworld

“Nothingshouldbedonetoimpedeanyoftheseprocessions,”hesaid,“particularlytheonethattakesplaceduringthe sacredCommunionritual.Disruptingthismomentonlydiminishesthispowerfulsymbolicexpression,bywhichthe faithfulinprocessingtogetherexpresstheirfaiththattheyarecalledtobecometheveryBodyofChristtheyreceive”

HisbriefliturgicalredirectionprovokedahailofcriticismfromCatholiccommentatorsassociatedwithpolitically conservativeandliturgicallytraditionalistmedia,whoaccusedhimofthwartingpersonalreligiosityandalsoofmuch, muchworse Someofthecritics,amongthemcommentatorsnotexactlyknowntobefansofthechurch’sglobalsynodal process,threwthecardinal’sallegedlackofsynodal“listening”intotheirgrab-bagofecclesialcensure

Catholicsnotaswellversedinthechurch’sliturgywarsmayhavefoundthemselveswonderingwhatthislatest contretempswasabout.ManyCatholicsmaynothaveexperiencedthephenomenon,butatchurchesaroundthecountry, someMassgoersdroptotheirkneestoreceivetheEucharistontheirtonguesasagestureofreverencebeyondthebow encouragedwhilereceivingCommunion.

ThepracticecanmakeforungainlymomentsontheCommunionlineinanerabereftoftherailsandkneelersthatmost Catholicchurchesusedtoinclude IsthenouveauCommunionkneelmereperformativepiety,andtherebyintrusive,ora sincereexpressionofreverence,andtherebyunderstandableandperhapsworthyofaparishaccommodation?Thatis impossibletoknowandperhapsthecruxoftheproblem

JohnBaldovin,S.J.,professorofHistoricalandLiturgicalTheologyatBostonCollege,haspersonallyexperienced thesuddenkneelersashedistributesCommunion.“There’ssomepeoplewhobelievethat[kneeling]iswhatit meanstobereverentwhenreceivingHolyCommunion,butwhattheydon’trealizeisthattheyreallydointerrupt theflow,”hesaidinaconversationwithAmericaonDec.17.

Inhiscommentaryforthearchdiocese,CardinalCupich“talksaboutthenatureofthe…Communionprocession,” FatherBaldovinsaid.“Thisisamovementtogether[duringwhich]wereceivetheLord,andthat’swhatit’s about.”

ThecardinaldoesnotexplicitlyprohibitkneelingatCommunion,andmanyofthecriticsofthecardinal’sinstruction, citingtheGeneralInstructionoftheRomanMissal,arguehecannotdoso Thegeneralinstructionteaches:“Thenorm establishedfortheDiocesesoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaisthatHolyCommunionistobereceivedstanding,unlessan individualmemberofthefaithfulwishestoreceiveCommunionwhilekneeling”(160)

Othersventuredintothedebatelessreadytotakeoffenseatthecardinal’seucharisticsensibilitiesbutwellawarethey wereenteringintopotentiallytoxicturf.PaulJoseph,Catholicpodcasterandcontributortothe“WherePeterIs”blog, wroteonX,inathreadhepromisedwould“makenoonehappy,”thathedidnotdiscountthecardinal’sinterpretationof liturgicalnormsbutfoundhisdiocesaninstruction“discordantwithPopeFrancis’teachingaboutpopularpietyandwith synodality”

“Ithinkthere’srealvalueinlocalcommunitiesbeingabletoexpresstheiraffectionanddesireforChristinthe Eucharist,”hesaid

FatherBaldovinbelievesatsomeparishesindividualpriestsmaybeencouragingsuchadditionalshowsof eucharisticreverencewhileatotherchurchescommunicantsarespontaneouslypresentingthemselvesontheir knees.HeseesthesuddencontroversyaboutthepracticeandCardinalCupich’sefforttodiscourageitasperhaps onlythelatestskirmishinthechurch’songoingculturewar.

“ThereisakindofadesiretogobacktoanolderformofCatholicism,”FatherBaldovinsaid.“Myunderstanding ofallthisisthatthepeoplewhoarepromoting[kneelingatCommunion]reallybelievethatwe’vegoneinthe wrongdirectioninthelast60yearsinmanyways.

“It’sawholepackage.It’snotjustabouttheliturgy,butliturgyiskindoftheflashpoint….It’saboutmoralityand howtolivelifeingeneraland[live]amuchmoredisciplinedformofCatholicism,”hesaid.“There’ssomegood thingsaboutit,butit’spartofawholeworldview.”

SomecontemporaryCatholicsarelookingforwhattheyperceiveasexpressionsofdeeperreverencetotheEucharist. “Andthat’simportant.Theyneedliturgiesthatarereverent,andsometimestheonlywaythattheycanfindthatin waysthatmakessensetothem[arethrough]thesetraditionalistpractices,”FatherBaldovinsaid.

“SoIwanttobesympathetictothem,butatthesametime,Ialsowanttobevery,verycarefulaboutthis,”hesaid. Hesuspectssuchappealstotraditionareoftenexpressionsofdistrustandresistancetopreceptsthatemerged fromVaticanII notjustitsliturgicalreformsandadaptationsbut“allthingsaboutthecouncil:ecumenism, interreligiousdialog,religiousfreedom,etc.”

Inanincreasinglysecularworld,“peoplewhoareinterestedinreligion,whotendtobefewerandfewer,[are] attractedtoamuchmoreconservativeoramuchmoreclearlydefinedformofRomanCatholicism.”Manyare seekingasenseofgreatermoralandspiritualcertitudeandsecurity,attractedtothemanyhardrulesand regulationstheyassociatewiththepre-VaticanIIchurch.

Ironically,FatherBaldovinisnotencounteringmanyolderCatholicsengaginginthesegesturesasanexpressionof anostalgicyearning.Itismostlyyoungpeoplewhoareindependentlyrecreatingolderliturgicalpractices.

NowbereftofaCommunionrail,somesimplydropoutofprocessionstokneelandreceiveCommunionontheir tongues.FatherBaldovinwondersifthedegreeofsocialandsexualchaosthatyoungadultsexperiencecomingof ageinthecontemporaryUnitedStatesinsomewayscontributestotheirembraceofolderforms.

ButwhogetstodecidewhichpracticesreflecttraditionandreverencefortheEucharistinthemostappropriate way?ReceivingCommuniononthehand,FatherBalvodinpointsout,isareturntoaliturgicalformpracticedfor 10centuriesbythechurch,datingbacktoitsearliestdays.(Formore,read:“Handsortongue,kneelingor standing:There’sno‘bestway’toreceiveCommunion.”)

Butifthekneelingcontroversyisonlythelatestskirmishintheculturewar,isitreallyworthjoining?Wouldpastorsand bishopsdoagreaterservicetothechurchbyseekingpracticalwaystoaccommodatetheneo-kneelers?

FatherBaldovinbelievesCardinalCupichgetsitright,arguinghisinstructionswereappropriateandsensitiveto therequirementsofliturgy.“There’sadifferencebetweenliturgicalpietyandpersonalpiety,”hesaid.“WhatIdo intermsofmyownindividual,personalpietyI’mveryfree[todo],butintheliturgy,I’mpartofthebodyof Christ,andIthinkthat’swhatCardinalCupichisgettingat.Thisisacorporateactivity.”

“We’redoingthisasonebody,”hesaid,citing1Cor10:6-17:“Thecupofblessingthatwebless,isitnota participationinthebloodofChrist?Thebreadthatwebreak,isitnotaparticipationinthebodyofChrist?/ Becausetheloafofbreadisone,we,thoughmany,areonebody,forweallpartakeoftheoneloaf.”

Whenweareparticipatinginliturgy,wejoinacommunalexpressionofthatmysticaltruththatgovernsour physicaldeportmentatMass,FatherBalvodinargues.“NotonlyreceivingthebodyofChrist,”hesaid,“it’s becomingthebodyofChrist.”

Whydosomedriversfleeafteracrash?The psychologybehindhit-and-runs

December17,2024|GabrielaSzymanowska

Aconfidentialpoliceinformant.Amotherdistractedbyherchild.An80-year-oldretiredwomanfromMichigan.A formerparamedic Amanwithamurdercharge Theyspanallages,racesandgenders Drivingeverythingfrom MercedestoChevyMalibues.Theyareamongmorethan100,000Floridianseachyearwhohaveleftthesceneofacrash. Butwhywouldtheydoit?

Thepsychologybehindwhysomanywouldrunfromacrash,letalonegotothesometimesextraordinarylengthstohide evidence,canbedifficultforevenexpertstosynthesize

Alcohol,poorvisibilityandfearofarrestoftenplayarole.Inasplitsecond,eventhosewhoneverthoughtthey’dleave afteracrashstrugglewithrationaldecisionmaking

Instead,otherpsychologicalmechanismsaretriggeredbythesuddenspikeofadrenalinethatcaneithersharpenthemind orcreateahaze.

“Thisissuchabriefsequenceofevents,”saidEricZillmer,whohastaughtneuropsychologyatDrexelUniversityin Philadelphiaformorethan30years “It’susuallywithin20seconds,right?Youthinkthataperson’soveralldispositionas ahumanwouldplayamajorroleinthatbehavior?Idon’tthinkso”

Inthelastsixyears,excluding2020duetoshelterinplaceordersthatlimitedtravelbecauseofCOVID-19,hitandrun crashesinFloridahaveexceeded103,000annually.Mostoftheseincidentswerenotfatalordidn’tinvolveinjuries.

Butnearly280Floridiansdiedduringhitandruncrasheslastyearalone.Morethan22,600wereinjured.

AstudybytheInsuranceInstituteforHighwaySafetyfoundaquarterofallpedestriandeathsin2022werefrom hit-and-runs

Researchonhitandrunsislimited.Manystudiesfocusontrendsfromlargeaccidentdatabasestoidentifycommon factors,butfewincludeinterviewswithmotoristsinvolved

LianeYoung,aprofessorofpsychologyandneuroscienceandtheprincipalinvestigatorwithBostonCollege’s MoralityLab,isn’tquitesurejusthowmuchone’smoralsmightplayintothedecisiontofleeacrashsinceit'sso quick.

TheMoralityLabispartofBostonCollege’sdepartmentofpsychologyandneuroscienceandlookstounderstand moraljudgmentandsocialcognition.

Youngsaidthereareallsortsoffactorsthatimpactaperson’smoraljudgmentandmoraldecisionfromthe environmentthey’reintointerpersonalconnections.

Herperspectiveisthatoftentimeswhenpeopledosomethingwrong,theywanttoavoidpunishment.It’sa tendencyoftenseeninchildhoodwhereachild’sbehaviorislargelydrivenbyadesiretoavoidbeingpunished.

Insituationswhereindividualsdon’tfeeltheyhaveanobligationtopeopletheydon’tknow,itbecomeseasierto notownupandtakeresponsibility.

OnestudybyMattHopkinsandSallyChiversin2019foundthatmostoftheotherstudiesdoneonthetopicsuggestedhit andrunoffenderswerelikelymen,whohadpreviousdriving-relatedconvictions,anddidnothaveavalidlicense The localcasesreviewedbytheHerald-Tribuneseemtobuckthatnotion

Thoseotherstudiesalsofoundalcoholconsumptionwasacommonfactor,andthatdriverswerelesslikelytoleavethe sceneifthevictimwasachildorelderlyperson.

Zillmersaidthereisnosimpleexplanationforwhysomeonewouldflee.Instead,researcherscanexaminethesedecisions basedondifferentmindframeworks

Thefirstlenslooksataperson-centricview,focusingonwhetherthereissomethinginaperson’spersonalitythatwould premeditatetheirdecisiontorun

Thesewouldbethetypesofindividualsmorelikelytoengageincriminalactivityandmightbedescribedashavinglow self-control,lessempathy,atendencyforimpulsivebehavior,andaremorereckless.

Zillmeracknowledgedthatwhilepersonalitymightplaysomerole,it’snotreallyknownhowmuch.

Thesecondexplanationistheevolutionaryparadigmoffightversusflight

That’stheinstinctthatkicksinwherepeoplequicklydecidewhethertheyshouldstickaroundafteranunexpected situationarisesorwhethertheyshould“getthehelloutofthere,”Zillmersaid.

Headdedthathumansseemedtobewiredtogetawaywhensomethingstressfuloccurs,whichcouldbeanexplanationof whypeoplechoosetofleeafteracrash

TheframeworkZillmerthinksisthebesttoanalyzethepsychologybehindthedecisiontorunisthecognitive problem-solvingparadigm

Picturethescenario:Whenadriverisinvolvedinahit-and-run,theyhaveafewsecondsuponimpact,aneventtheywere notanticipating,wheretheyhavetomakeadecisionweighinganumberofvariables likeanalyzingwhatjust happened,lookingatthefactorsatplayincludingiftheywerespeeding,impaired,drivingwithoutalicenseora suspendedone,weretheytheoneatfault,andalsoweighingtheprosandconsofstayingversusfleeing allwhile underanextremepressureandstress

“It’salmostlikebydefault,wouldn’tyoujustmoveon,right,”Zillmersaid

Individualswhoarelikelytoactonimpulseandleaveascenemostlikelyhaveadifferentcognitivestyleofthinking, Zillmeradded They’regoingtobeinefficientatplanningquickly,havelimiteddeliberationskills,they’regoingtobe non-strategicwiththeirdecisionsandnotfollowrulesverywell

Thesearethetypesofdrivers,Zillmersaid,whodon’tthinkthesituationthroughandaremorelikelytomakeanexcuse liketheydidn’tknowtheyhadhitsomeoneortheythoughttheyhitananimal

Withinthescopeofunderstandingthepsychologybehindhitandruncrashes,therealsoneedstobeafocusonthefact thatit’sachallengingsocietalproblemaswell,accordingtoJuliaGriswold,thedirectorofUCBerkeley’sSafe TransportationResearchandEducationCenterorSafeTREC Griswoldfirststartedwiththelabasastudentresearcher andfocusedonpedestrianhitandrunfatalities.

Thereisresearchthatindicatestherearelowerratesofhitandrunsinothercountries InSingapore,whichhasa surveillancestatewheretherearecameraseverywhere,driverswhofleeacrasharemuchmorelikelytobecaught, Griswoldsaid

GriswoldalsoreferredtoaUK studyfrom2019,whentheresearcherswentastepfurtherandinterviewed52drivers involvedinfleeingthesceneofacrashtobetteridentifywhytheymightrun.Ofthe52driversChiversandHopkins interviewed,12wereinvolvedincrashesthatinjuredapedestrianorcyclist,includingonecasewhereapedestrian sustainedlife-threateninginjuries.

Theresearchersstatedtheywereabletocomeupwithwhyadriverdecidestoleaveacrashscenebasedoninterviews with52drivers Ineightinterviews,driversclaimedtheydidn’tknowthey’dbeeninacrash,adefenseoftenusedinhit andruncases.

ACatholicguidetomigrationethicsinthe Trumpera

December12,2024|

KristinE.Heyer

Ondayoneofhisnewterm,President-electDonaldJ.Trumphaspledgedtoenactsweepingchangesthatwilldirectly endangermigrantsandrefugees

Heplanstolaunch“thelargestmassdeportationprograminAmericanhistory,”haltrefugeeresettlement,revoke humanitarianparolegrantsandendbirthrightcitizenship.Hisagendathereafteralsoincludesendingfamily-based immigration,completingtheconstructionoftheborderwall,invokingtheAlienEnemiesAct(awartimeauthoritythat allowsthepresidenttodetainanddeportthenativesandcitizensofan“enemynation”withoutahearing)and implementingideologicalvettingforadmissiontotheUnitedStates(to“keepforeignChristian-hatingCommunists, Marxists,andSocialistsoutofAmerica,”accordingtotheRepublicanParty’s2024platform).

FromaCatholicperspective,theseplansraisedeepmoralconcernsaboutundermininghumandignityandtherightto seekasylum,harmingfamilyunityandthecommongood,andriskingapolicestate Theyinvite(further)demonization ofracial,ethnicandreligiousminorities,astructuralsinthathasharmedhumandignityandsolidarityaswellas malformedourcollectiveimaginationonimmigrationandnationalidentityalike.

HowmightCatholicimaginationhelptoclarifyourvisionamidtheseductionsofextremismandpolarization?How mightwebridgetheinternalizedbordersthatdivideusinthefaceofnewthreats?

Theyearaftertheinstallationofthemagnificent“AngelsUnawares”sculptureinSt Peter’sSquarein2019,Boston Collegehostedareplicaofthework,bytheCanadianartistTimothyP.Schmalz.Featuringimmigrantsfromacrosstime andlocationsforgingaheadonacommonship,itevokedformePopeFrancis’firstjourneyoutsideRomeafterhis election.

Onthattrip,hecelebratedMassontheItalianislandofLampedusa,whichhasbecomeasafehavenformigrantsseeking passagefromNorthAfricatoEurope.Priortomakinganypublicstatement,heblessedawreathofflowersandtossedit intothesea,commemoratingtheestimated20,000Africanmigrantswhohaddiedovertheprevious25yearstryingto reachanewlifeinEurope.

ThepopecelebratedMasswithinsightofthe“graveyardofwrecks,”wherefishingboatscarryingasylumseekersendup aftertheydriftashore OtherremindersthatLampedusaissynonymouswithdangerousattemptstoreachEurope abounded:Thealtarwasbuiltoverasmallboat;thelecternandthechalicewerecarvedfromthewoodofshipwrecks. PopeFrancislamentedinhishomilyourindifferencetotheplightofthesevulnerablebrothersandsistersandprayedfor thegracetoweepoverouranesthesiaoftheheart.

Intheencyclical“FratelliTutti,”PopeFrancisagaindrawsattentiontothesebroaderforcesaffectingsomanyonthe movetoday;heexpandsthemigrationquestiontoconsidertheimpactofpopulistdiscourse,neoliberaleconomicsand virulentindividualism Thisscopeoffersawelcomereorientationtodiscussionsthatoftenfocusonnation-states’rightsor bordercrossersalone muchlikehisattentivenesstosinfulindifferencedidonLampedusa

Thesebroaderemphasesrevealhowbarrierstoreceptionarenotlimitedtomattersofborderfortificationandrefugee policiesalone,butalsoincludepervasivetendenciestowardisolationismandpopulistideologies Recentyearshave witnessedariseinnativistpopulism,fueledinpartbyanxietiesabouttheimpactofglobalization.Aswehaveseeninthe US context,thesetrendscontinuetoplayoutviaanopportunisticpoliticsofexclusion Wemayencounterthese tendenciesinourchurchesandfamiliesaswell.

Ourimmigrationdebateshavelongbeenframedbynarrativesemphasizingsecuritythreatsandsocialcosts,despite rhetoricaboutlibertyandhospitality Atthesametime,studiesregularlyindicatethathigherratesofimmigration correlatewithlowerratesofviolentandpropertycrime TheruleoflawrightlyoccupiesaprivilegedplaceintheUnited

States,yetthelackofaccountabilitythatmarksBorderPatrolproceduresandthedenialofdueprocesstoimmigrant detaineesbeliethisrationale

Anotherpopulistscriptcastsnewcomersaseconomicthreats,aperceptionhistoricallyfueledintimesofeconomic downturn Infact,studiesshowthatimmigrantlaborersprovideanetbenefittotheUS economyandhavehelpedto increasejobsinrecentyears;allthewhile,thedetentionindustryhasprofitedfromirregularmigrants,further confoundingtheframeofeconomicthreat Themultibillion-dollartransnational“immigrantindustrialcomplex”raises seriousquestionsaboutthefinancialstakesinthebrokenimmigrationsystem,aswellasdiminishedpublicoversightand accountability StockpricesforCoreCivicandGeoGroup,twoprivateprisoncompanies,soaredafterMr Trump’s re-election.Estimatessuggesthismassdeportationplanwouldcostatleast$500billiontoimplement,withannuallosses of$126billionintaxesandareductioninthegrossdomesticproductof$5trillionover10years

Finally,anti-immigrantsentimentdemonizesracial,ethnicandreligiousminorities Representationsoftheoutsiderasa socialmenacesignalthesalienceofracismandxenophobiainournationalimagination.Portrayalsofimmigrantsas publicchargesoradangerouslyporousborderhavealsolongshapedourcollectiveself-understanding Thispastelection cycle,weheardthepresident-electrefertoundocumentedmigrantsassubhuman“animals”whoare“poisoningtheblood ofourcountry”

Thesediversionarytacticsgenerallyignorestructuralrelationshipsaffectingmigration.Reducingimmigrationmattersto thebordercrossersintheMediterraneanorintheAmericanSouthwesteclipsestransnationalactorsfromview,muchless blame.Itrefusestoconsiderthoseresponsiblefor“pushfactors”likeviolentconflict,economicinstabilityorclimate change Moreover,fearofdifferenceisrelativelyeasytomass-marketandshapesimaginationinpowerfulways

Asweallwellknow,actualencounterswithreluctantordesperatemigrants andevocativeartworklike“Angels Unawares” canhelpunmaskoperativenarratives.Catholicsocialteachingoffersacontrastingvisionmarkedbyhuman dignity,regardlessofcitizenshipstatus,andsolidaritythatcrossesborders

ThestoryoftheJewishandChristianpilgrimcommunitiesisoneofmigration,diasporaandthecalltoliveinmemoryof thoseexperiences Indeed,asthetheologianWilliamO’Neill,SJ,hasnoted,afterthecommandmenttoworshipone God,nomoralimperativeisrepeatedmorefrequentlyintheHebrewScripturesthanthecommandtocareforthestranger And,asPopePiusXIInotedin“ExsulFamilia”in1952,theflightofJoseph,MaryandJesustoEgyptintheNew TestamentestablishestheémigréHolyFamilyasthearchetypeforeveryrefugeefamily.Further,Jesus’praxisof hospitalitytooutsidersrecursthroughouttheGospels

OneofthemostpersistentlyrecurrentthemesinScriptureisjusticeandcompassionforthevulnerable Theprophets repeatedlyconnectbringingjusticeforthepoortoexperiencingGod.Concernfortheeconomicallyvulnerableechoes throughouttheNewTestamentaswell,particularlyintheGospelofLuke,whichdepictsJesusbeingborninastable amongmereshepherdsandinauguratinghispublicministryintermsthatemphasizehismissiontobringgoodnewstothe poorandreleasetotheoppressed

TheNewTestamentscholarDonaldSenior,CP,hasnotedthatin“theoveralllandscapeofthegospelstories,therich andpowerfulareoften‘inplace’ recliningattable,calculatingtheirharvest,standingcomfortablyinthefrontofthe sanctuary,orseatedonthejudgmentseatpassingjudgmentonthecrimesofothers”Thepoor,however,are“often mobileorrootless:thesickcomingfromthefourcornersofthecompassseekinghealing;thecrowdsdesperatetohear Jesus,roaminglostandhungry;thelepercrouchedoutsidethedoorofDives” FatherSeniorsuggeststhatexperiencesofpeopleonthemove“reveala profounddimensionofallhumanexperience”and“challengefalseideologies ofunlimitedresources[or]ofunconditionalnationalsovereignty”that“plague ourcontemporaryworld,chokingitsspiritualcapacity.”

Thispopehascalledattentiontotheurgencyofthisformationtask,from Lampedusato“AngelsUnawares”HisusesofScriptureaswellashisappeal toencountersacrossdifferenceilluminateapathtowardtheworkfor conversionandstructuraljustice Theseapproachestowelcomingmigrants springfrom,andmoveustoward,an“everwiderwe.”

Kristin E. Heyer is the Joseph Chair in Theology at Boston College. This article is adapted from a keynote address at the “Church at the Borders: Best Practices, Promises, and Aspirations for New York” conference at the Center for Migration Studies, New York, N.Y., on Sept. 12, 2024.

AstheFedcuts,somelong-terminterestratesare

rising

December12,2024|JakeSafane

Inphysics,whatgoesupmustcomedown Butinfinance,that'snotalwaysthecase

Withinterestrates,forexample,someshort-termrateshavebeentrendingdownward,suchaswiththeFederalReserve startingtocutthefederalfundsrate Meanwhilelong-termonessuchas10-yearTreasuriesor30-yearmortgageshave remainedrelativelyhighorevenincreasedinrecentmonths

Typically,differenttypesandtermsofinterestratesarecorrelated.Theymightnotmoveinlockstep,butthegeneral directionisoftenconsistent Lately,however,there'sbeenasplit

InSeptember,theFederalReservecutthefederalfundsrate(thecostforbankstoborrowfromoneanother,often overnight)by50basispoints,followedbya25basispointscutinNovember,asittriestoloosenthestringsthatwere tightenedtofightinflation

"ItseemsliketheFed'sdoneaprettygoodjobofmaintainingapathtoslowlyandsteadilylowerinterestrateswithout havingtoomuchofa[negative]impactontheeconomyoverall,"said JonathanErnest,assistantprofessorofeconomics atCaseWesternReserveUniversity "Intheshortrun,there'salittlebitmorecertaintyinthatsense,whichmeansthat aswetypicallysee otherrateshavefollowedalongwiththeFedforthingslikeborrowingtostartabusiness,to purchaseacar,togeta12-monthCD,byfallingaswell

Still,whenshort-termratesdrop,thatoftenaffectslong-termrates,too.That'spartlybecauseifitcostslesstoborrow moneyintheshortterm,there'slessincentivetopayhigherinterestratesforlong-termlending Ifthegapgetstoolarge, borrowerswouldbemoreinclinedtochoosethelower-cost,shorter-termrateandrenewloanslaterifneeded.

Also,long-termratesgenerallyreflectfutureexpectations.Ifshort-termratesarefallingbecauseinflationisdown,that's notnecessarilyatemporaryphenomenon;instead,investorsmightexpectlowinflationtofollowforthenextseveral years,causinglong-termbondratestofall.

Yetthat'snotwhat'shappeningnow The10-yearTreasuryyield,forexample,didfallfromaround46%inApril2024to 3.6%inSeptemberrightbeforetheFedcut.However,itclimbedbacktonearly4.5%shortlyaftertheelectionin November,duetouncertaintyaroundtheUS economy'sfuture

"Forlonger-termratesthatarefor10,20,30years,there'sjustmoreuncertainty,morepotentialforchange,for instability,"saidErnest.

PartoftheconcernisthatpolicychangesfromtheincomingTrumpadministrationcouldaffectthelong-termeconomic outlook

"IfwedoseethetariffsthatTrumpwastalkingaboutonthecampaigntrail 10%acrosstheboard,60%on everythingfromChina thatwilldefinitelyhaveinflationaryeffectsintheUnitedStates,"saidAleksandar (Sasha)Tomic,associatedeanforstrategy,innovation,andtechnologyatBostonCollege."Itwillalsoslowdown theeconomyatthesametime."

Ifthathappens,itcouldpromptfurtherFedcutstotrytospureconomicdemand Yetcuttingshort-termratescouldthen leadtomoreinflation,therebyaffectinglong-termrates.

Meanwhile,ifTrump'spoliciesaroundcuttingincometaxescometofruition,thatcouldsignificantlyincreasethefederal deficit OneestimatebytheTaxFoundationsuggeststhatTrump'staxproposalscouldcostnearly$6trillioninlost revenueover10years,evenafteraccountingfortariffrevenue

Ifthathappens,"eventually,weneedtopayforthatinsomeway Alotoftimesthewaythat'sbeendonetoanextentis inflatingthecurrencyinordertopaybackcreditors,"saidErnest

Plus,iftheTreasuryhastoissuesubstantiallymoredebttofundthegovernment,thatcancauseyieldstoincreaseinorder totrytoattractmoredemandtokeepupwiththeincreasedsupplyofthesesecurities

There'salsotheriskthatpricesrisefasterthanwages,which"affectspeople'sabilityandwillingnesstosave,"saidErnest Ratherthanthinking"I'llputthismoneyasideinanesteggfor10yearsdowntheroad,you'relikelytothinkthatyou needtouseitprettysoon Andtherefore,atbest,you'retryingtogetsomekindofshort-termreturnonit"

Soifdemandforlong-termbondsorCDsdecreases,forinstance,thatcausesyieldstogouptoattractinvestors

Still,muchdependsontheactualimplementationofanyproposedpolicies.Forexample,long-termbondyieldsfellina positivereactiontoTrump'sproposedTreasurySecretarynominee,ScottBessent,ahedgefundmanagerwho'sexpected totakeamoremoderateapproachonissuesliketariffs.

Withshort-termratesfallingandlong-termratesstayinghighorrising,individualsmightfeelconfusedaboutwhattodo.

Forone,30-yearfixed-ratemortgageratesfellfromover7%inMay2024tojustover6%aroundthetimeoftheFed's Septemberratecut Now,however,they'veclimbedbacktonearly7%,accordingtoFreddieMacdata

So,prospectivehomebuyerswhowerewaitingforratestofallbeforebuyingahomemaybefrustratedwiththese developments Thereality,though,isthatmortgageratesmightnotbefallingdramaticallyanytimesoon "Idon'texpectanythingmovinghugelyonewayortheotherwithmortgagesforatleastayearortwo,"said Tomic.So,borrowersmoresohavetoaskthemselvesquestionslikehowmuchcantheyafford,howlongdothey plantoliveinthathouse,howdoesbuyingcomparetorenting,etc.,headds.

Borrowers whetherformortgagesorothertypesofloans shouldalsoconsiderbeingalittlemorediscerninginthis environment

"Ithinkshoppingaroundrightnowwherethere'salittlebitofuncertaintymakesalotmoresense,notjustgoingwiththe firstofferthatyoureceive,"asdifferentlendersmayhavedifferentmodelspredictingthefuture,saidErnest.

"Ifit'savariableloan,beverycarefulandknowhowcostlyitcouldbeiftheratedoesincrease,"headded.

Butforthemostpart,youdon'tnecessarilyneedtodoanythingdrasticallydifferent Manybestpracticesremainuseful amidstuncertainty

"Thebiggestthingistotrytobeasresponsibleaspossible,"saidTomic.

Whetherit'smortgages,creditcards,etc.,"theinterestratesarereallykindofsecondary,"headded.Instead,it's moreimportanttomakesure"youarenotfinancingthingsthatyoucannotafford,becausewhenyoufallintothat trap,that'sprettydramaticnomatterwhattheinterestratesare."

Similarly,investorstryingtocapitalizeinthisenvironmentmightnotwanttodoanythingdrasticeither.Smallmoveslike diversifyingacrossshort-andlong-termratescouldmakesense,notesErnest,whileunderstandingthattheFed'sexpected pathistocutratesfurther,soyou'reprobablynotgoingtogetbetteroffersonshort-termratesinacouplemonths comparedtotoday

Butforthemostpart,tryingtospeculateonwhatwillhappenisill-advised,especiallyfornon-professionalinvestors.

"EverythingthatIhaveobservedoverthelastfewbusinessandinvestmentcyclesisthatthebasicstrategiestend toworkmostofthetime,whichbasicallymeansyouwanttohavediversificationbasedonyourinvestment objectives,"saidTomic.

Artificialintelligenceandtheefficiencytrap

December5,2024|

MichaelSerazio

Formuchofthisyear,MadisonAvenuehashadatoughtask:preventatrillion-dollarinvestmentbubblefromburstingby sellingusnewwaysoflivingthroughartificialintelligence.

Arecent30-secondspotfromApple forevervyingwithothertechbehemothstocolonizeandmonopolizeourfuture centersonafundamentalhumanpractice:fakingittillwemakeit.Inthead,aTVactressshowsupforaHollywood meetingunprepared,havingnotreadthepitch Inmereseconds,“AppleIntelligence”boilsalongemaildowntoafew lines,allowinghertofeignthenecessaryknowledge.

Theadisn’tjustsellingthelatestiPhone.It’ssellingwhatSiliconValleyseesasanapparentideal:tohavereadwithout everhavingtoread Asuiteofproductsofferingsummaryshortcuts “metareading,”youmightcallit,thoughnotin theZuckerbergiansense symbolizesthisAIcultofefficiency.

Whyeverengagewithatextdirectlywhenarobotcanjustcuttothechaseonyourbehalf?

Google’sNotebookLMheraldsmuchthesameefficiency:YoucanuploaddozensoffilesthatitsAIsystemwillreadfor youandthenquerythatcontentforsynopses,answers,andlinkedpassages.It’sa“democratizedCliffNotes”thatcanbe appliedtoanytextevercreated

Because“hallucination” incorrectormisleadinginformationgeneratedbyAI isanongoingglitchbedevilingAI accuracyand,therefore,trustworthinessandadoption,ItestedNotebookLMoutonasourceIknowwell:100,000words frommylastbook,whichisaboutAmerica’sobsessionwithauthenticityinmedia,culture,andpolitics

Iposedquerieslike:“Howdoessocialmediacreatethedesireforauthenticitywhilesimultaneouslyfostering inauthenticity?”“Howdoestheinfluencerindustryidealizeordinariness?”And“Explainthestrategiesthatcampaign consultantsusetocreatetheimpressionofgenuinepoliticians”

Thesystem’soutputwasflawless.Itcapturedmybook’sbroadthemesandsynthesizedtheminoutlineform.

AndifevenNotebookLM’sbullet-pointedoutlinesofatextremaintooheavyalift,thesystemcanalsowhipyouupan eight-minutepodcastdistillationofthecontentfeaturingchipperchatbotvoiceswithNPR-stylecadencesbanteringabout whatyoudidn’thavetoread.

AsfarasIcouldtellfrommyfirstforayintoNotebookLM,therewasnoreasontoreadmybook Oranybook Ever again

Automatedsummaryshortcutsareproliferating.OtterandZoomapplythemtomeetingtranscripts;Facebooktouser commentssections;andAmazontobuyerreviewhighlights NewspaperchainGannettevenpilotedAI-generated“key points”atoparticles,precludingtheneedtoreadtheworkoftheirreportersinfull.

SuchtoolsportendaninformationlandscapewhereeverythingisreducedtoTL;DR shorthandfor“toolong;didn’t read”Perhapsthisisaninevitabledevelopmentinaworldawashindatathat’sexponentiallyexpanding Partofthe challengeofcontemporarylifeisnotjustfiguringoutwhattopayattentiontobutcultivatinghabitsofmindtoscreenout whatnottopayattentionto

Andnotallsourcetextsarecreatedequal Weloseconsiderablyless,intellectuallyspeaking,byshovelingthe60,000 customeropinionsaboutAmazon’ssmartplugintotheinsatiablemawofAIthan,say,feedingitthe120,000linesof prosecomposingShakespeare’scanon Yetbothexamplesabidethesamelogic:Tosavetimeand“know”more,onemust readless

Thatcultofefficiencyisnotanewideal WhentheIndustrialRevolutionunfoldedcenturiesago,itredefinednotjust laborbutvirtueaswell Machineryforetoldwhatcouldbedoneandthereforeshouldbedone whichisthesamesales pitchthatAIadsspintoday

SociologistMaxWeberdiagnosedthisastheprincipleofrationalization,anethoswhereinthemostefficient,instrumental meanstoanendmustgovernallhumanbehaviorandwherenothingislefttochance.Thispoweredcapitalism if factoryassemblylinescouldchurnoutwidgetsinhalfthetime,ownerswouldreaptwicetheprofit

Theinvisiblealgorithmicbureaucraciesshapingtoday’sinformationlandscapeserveananalogousideal Ifyoucanpower throughatextinhalfthetime(orless),youcanconsumetwiceasmuch(ormore).Yethasthattext,initsemaciated form,stillleftitsmarkonyou?What’slostwiththesegains?

Reading notunlikeitsintellectualcousins,learningandwriting isnotalwaysanefficientprocess Unlikean assemblyline,itcan’tbeTaylorized atheoryofmanagementnamedforFrederickTaylor,oneofitsleading proponents,thatanalyzesandsynthesizesworkflowsformaximumproductivity Withreading,therearelotsofdeadends andcul-de-sacsofthought Yetweonlyfigurethatoutinretrospect,aprocessIconsideroneofthemanymessy, sometimesinefficientjoysoflearning.

AIwantstostripoutallthatinefficiency.Itpresumestoknowwhatwe’relookingfor,evenwhenwemightnotyetknow. Itempowersthepower-browse Itseekstoeliminatethewastefulnessofdigressivedetail Google’sproductmanagerfor NotebookLMmightassureus,“Thereisnoreplacementforreadingtheactualthing,”evenasthesystemseeksprecisely that:replacingaslowerapproachtoansweringaquestionwithamechanizedonethatisfasterandmorepredictable

Destroyreadingandyoumightalsodestroywriting Thenewsbusinessstandstoloseupwardof25percentofwebtraffic and$2billioninadrevenueifreaderssettleforGoogle’sAIsummariesthatdominatesearchresultsratherthanclicking throughpublisherlinks Aftertwodecadesofslow-motionimplosion withfallingrevenues,dwindlingsubscribers,and guttednewsrooms thenewspaperindustrydoesnotseempoisedtosurviveonemoredigitalinnovation

WhowillpopulatetheAIsummarysourceswhencontentcreatorscan’tmakealiving?

Fifteenyearsago,techwriterNicholasCarrprescientlyobservedthattheinternetwasturningusinto“pancakepeople,” ourbrainsflattenedbythehabitofsuperficiallyzippingalongthesurfaceofinformationlikedigitaljet-skierszooming acrosshyperlinks Whitherthescubadivers,divingintodeepfocusandbecomingimmersedinaprintedtext?

Tobesure,aworldlackinganyefficiencywouldbeamaddeningplace Efficiencyenabledhumanevolutionacross millenniaandunderpinnedcountlessfacetsofgrowth Butit’snotthemostimportant,muchlesstheonly,valueof importanceinaculture Andhighereducation,whereknowledgeisvaluedforitsownsake,oughttobeaspecialspaceof resistanceagainsttheunsparingdominanceofthetyrannyofefficiency

Sure,Icouldteachaclassroomof1,000students Itwouldn’tbeasgoodasmyclassescappedat30 forthemorfor me.Perhapsforemost,we’dlosehumanconnection.Readingremainsanot-insignificantsparkforthathumanconnection.

WhatwegaininAI’smeta-readingquantity,weloseinquality.Algorithmiccultureidealizesaworldinwhichyouget onlytheinformationyouwant,becauseanythingmorewouldbeawasteoftime Astechcompaniesseektoconvertusto theirproducts,don’tforgettoreadbetweenthelinesaboutwhat’sbeingmadeobsolete.

Michael Serazio is a professor of communication at Boston College and the author of “The Authenticity Industries: Keeping It ‘Real’ in Media, Culture, and Politics.”

U.S.StudentsPostedDireMathDeclinesonan InternationalTest

December4,2024|DanaGoldstein

Americanstudentsturnedingrimresultsonthelatestinternationaltestofmathskills addingtoalargebodyof researchshowingsignificantacademicdeclinessincetheCovid-19pandemicbegan

Theexam,theTrendsinInternationalMathematicsandScienceStudy,knownasTIMSS,wasgivenlastyeartofourth andeighthgradersfromdozensofeducationsystemsacrosstheglobe Theresults,releasedonWednesday,foundthat since2019,Americanfourthgradershavedeclined18pointsinmath,whileeighthgradershavedeclined27points.

Infourthgrade,thosedeclinesweredrivenbythestrugglesofstudentsatthebottomendoftheachievementspectrum Whilefourthgradersinthe75thpercentileandabovedidnotdeclinesince2019,thoseinthe25thpercentileandbelow declinedsignificantly In16othercountries,fourthgradersperformedbetterinmathin2023thanin2019

AmongAmericaneighthgraders,bothhigh-performingandlow-performingstudentslostgroundinmath.

Overall,Americanstudents’performanceinmathwassimilartotheirperformancein1995,whenTIMSSwasfirstgiven anotablestagnation,giventheenergeticmovementtoimproveAmericanschoolsoverthelastthreedecades.That movementhaspushedaflurryofbipartisanlawsintendedtoenacttougheraccountabilitystandardsforschools,more schoolchoiceforparentsandmorerigorousacademicstandards

Whilesomeofthosechangesmighthaveresultedinpreviouslearninggains,muchoftheprogressappearstohavebeen erased,particularlyforlow-incomestudentsandotherswhostruggleacademically,saidPeggyCarr,commissionerofthe NationalCenterforEducationStatistics,partofthefederalDepartmentofEducation.

“Thisisalarming,”Dr Carrsaid “Thesearesharp,steepdeclines”

Expertsaredebatingpotentialcauses ThestudentswhotooktheTIMSSexamwereinthefirstandfifthgradeswhenthe pandemicdisruptededucationallaroundtheworld ManychildrenintheUnitedStatesexperiencedlonger-than-average periodsofonlineschoolingcomparedwiththeirinternationalpeers.

Still,thepandemicisnottheonlycause IntheUnitedStates,academicdeclines andwideninggapsbetweenstronger andweakerstudents wereapparentbeforethepandemic.

TheUnitedStatesdiffersfrommanyoftheothernationsthatparticipateinTIMSSinthatitlacksnationalcurriculum standardsandhasnotalignedmathinstructiontotheexpectationsoftheinternationaltest

Despitethedisappointingresults,theUnitedStatesperformedslightlyaboveaverageinmathcomparedwithallofits internationalpeers

MatthiasvonDavier,aprofessoratBostonCollegeandexecutivedirectorofthecenterthatconductstheTIMSS exam,saidhewouldconsidertheoverall,long-termresultsfortheUnitedStatesastoryof“glasshalffull,glass halfempty.”

Hepointedoutthatlarger,wealthiernationsliketheUnitedStatestypicallyseesloweracademicachievement growthovertime,comparedwithsmallerordevelopingnationsthatmakebig,fasteducationinvestmentsrelative totheirpopulationsize.

Thetop-performingeducationsystemsonTIMSSinmathincludedSingapore;Taipei,Taiwan;SouthKorea;HongKong; andJapan.SeveralEuropeancountriesalsosignificantlyoutperformedtheUnitedStates,includingBritain,Polandand Ireland

AmericanfourthgradersperformedsimilarlytothoseinHungary,PortugalandQuebec.

Theexamalsotestedscience Inthatsubject,Americanstudentsperformedsimilarlyin2023tohowtheyhadin2019, thoughfourthgraders’scoreshaddeclinedsince1995.

Americaneffortstoimproveeducationhavetendedtofocusonbasicreadingandmathskills,downplayingsubjectslike scienceandsocialstudies.

AndinboththescienceandmathportionsofTIMSS,boysperformedbetterthangirls,reopeningagendergapthathad previouslyclosed.

typesofforgettingarecommonand whetheryouare18or81 thereareskillsyoucanlearntoreducethem.

Beforewetellyouabouttheseskills,itwillhelptofirstunderstandsomebasicprinciplesofhowmemoryworks.The particulartypeofmemorythatwe’regoingtofocusoninthisGuideisepisodicmemory,meaningitisamemorytiedtoa particulareventorepisodeofyourlife.Youuseepisodicmemorywhenyourememberwhowasatyourholidaydinner lastyear,orwhenyouwerelastataparticularmuseum Forgettingwhereyouplacedabusinesscardandforgettingthe nameofsomeoneyourecentlymetarebothepisodicmemoryfailures.

Whenyousucceedatrecallingadetailfromanevent,suchaswhereyouplacedthebusinesscard,itisbecausea three-stepcyclehastakenplace First,theinformationhasbeenencodedintomemory:thatis,putintoacodeof connectionsbetweenbraincells Youcanimagineencodinglikebuildingamemorystructureoutofblocks Second,the informationhasbeenstored,sothatitdoesn’tfadeassoonasyourmindwanders Thiscanbelikenedtowriting blueprintsofthememorystructureyouhavebuilt,sothatyoucanputtheblocksaway Yourmindisthenfreetowander tosomethingelseandyouwillstillbeabletoputtheblocksbacktogetheragainlatertoformthememorystructure Third,theinformationhasbeenretrievedattheappropriatemoment,sothatitcomestomindwhendesired Youcanthink ofthisretrievalassuccessfullyusingtheblueprintstorebuildthememorystructure.

Memoryfailurescanarisewhenanypartofthethree-stepcycleisdisrupted.Disruptionsarecommonbecause,asthis buildingmetaphoremphasises,memoryisaprocessthattakeseffort Wheneveryouputinsufficienteffortintocreating, storingorretrievingamemory,thenafailureinrecallislikelytooccur.

Importantly,ifyousuccessfullyrepeatthiscycleenoughtimesforthesameevent,youcaneventuallytransitionan episodicmemory,whichtakeseffortandrequiresrebuilding,intoaformofsemantic(orfactual)memorythatrequires lessefforttoberetrieved It’sbecauseofthistransitionprocessthat,solongasyourbrainishealthy,youwon’tforget yoursibling’snameorthattigershavestripes Throughmanyrepetitionsofthememorycycle,thisinformationhas transitionedfromepisodicmemorytosemanticknowledge

Whetheratworkorinyourpersonallife,frompeople’snamestoshoppinglists,ifyouwouldliketogetbetterat rememberingthings,thisGuidewillhelpbyteachingyouexercisesandmethodstoimproveyourmemory.Havinga bettermemorycanbeadvantageousintheworkplaceandmakeeverydaytaskseasier Inthenextsection,we’veincluded somegeneraltipsforbettermemorisingandrecall,andtherearealsosomemoreadvancedstrategiestohelpyou remembernewfacesandmemorisealonglistofinformation

We’llbeginbysharingsomegeneraltipsformoresuccessfulmemorisingandrecall,startingwiththeencodingphase, thenstorage,andfinallyretrieval. TakeFOURstepstoencodemoreeffectively

Youcan’trememberinformationthatyoudon’tencodeproperlyinthefirstplace Toencodeeffectively,youneedtodo fourthings:Focus,Organise,UnderstandandRelate

Let’srevisitthatsituationatthenetworkingeventwhenausefulcontacttoldyoutheirname:

First,focusyourattentiononit–thinkaboutitasyouhearitandrepeatittoyourself.Youmightspelltheirnameinyour headorimaginehandwritingtheirnameonanenvelope

Next,organisehowthatpersonandtheirnamefitintoyourworld Thinkforamomentaboutwhotheyworkfor,where theycomefromandwhereyoumightseethemagain Consideringthisinformationwillleadtoamoredetailedencoding

Next,makesureyouunderstandhowtopronouncethenameandthatyoucanpicturehowit’sspelled Ifyoucan’t,askto hearitagainoraskhowit’sspelled.

Then,relatethenametosomethingyoualreadyknow–perhapsafriendoranactorsharesthenameorperhapsitreminds youofsomethingelse Notetheassociationandyourreasonforit Forexample,ifhisnameisDavid,youmightpicture himwithaslingshotfightingGoliath.Thiswillfurtherdeepenandstrengthentheencodingprocess.

Thismayseemlikealotofwork,butthat’sthepoint!Durablememoriesdon’tcomeeasily Puttinginthiseffortto remembertheperson’snametellsthebrainthatthiscontentisimportanttocommittomemory

Likewithmostthings,practicewillhelpyoudothesestepsmoreeasily.Youmightfinditusefultopractiseina low-stakessituation,suchaswhilewatchingamovieorTVshow–usethesestepstoseehowquicklyyoucanmemorise characters’names,pausingtheshowafterafewscenestotestyourmemory.

Youwillprobablyalsofindthatyoudon’thavetoexecutethesestepsperfectlytoseelargeimprovementsinyour memory Ifthereisanametagorbadge,itmaynotbeappropriatetoaskhowtospellsomeone’sname,andperhapsyou reallycan’tthinkofsomethingtorelatethenameto;still,ifyoucanthinkaboutthename’spronunciation,silently repeatingthenametoyourselfafewtimes,thinkingaboutsomethingitrhymeswithornotingwhichsyllablesare accented,thereisagoodchanceyouwillbeabletobringthenametomindlater.

TheseFOURstepsareusefulforrememberingalltypesofcontent Wanttorememberwhereyouleftyourphone?Focus onyouractionsasyousetitdown,organiseyourmemoryforitslocationbylookingatwhatelseisaroundit,understand whyyouchosetosetitinthatlocation,whichmayalsoincluderelatingittosomethingelse Perhapsyouwillnotethat youaresettingyourphoneonthetablenearthecouchbecausethatiswhereyou’llbesittingwhenyouuseyourphonein afewminutestocallyourfriend Orperhapsyouwillnotethatyouareputtingyourphoneinyourbagratherthanyour pocketbecauseyouareabouttogooutsideintherainandyouthinkitwillstaydrierinyourbag.

Whenchoosingwhattooffloadfrommemory,itisimportanttoconsiderwhetherthereisanybenefittohavingthe contentstoredwithinyourownmemory Ifit’slikelyyoumightneedtoaccesstheinformationunexpectedly,anditmight beinconvenientorinappropriatetorefertoyourto-dolistorcalendar(suchasaclosefriend’sbirthdayorthelocationof yourboss’supcomingtrip),thenperhapsit’sbettertomemoriseityourself Ifnot,andyoucaneasilylookuptheinfo whenyouneedit(suchasthetimeofThursday’sdinnerreservationorthenumberofmeetingsonyourcalendar tomorrow),thenperhapsit’sworthsavingyourmentalenergyandoffloadingtheinformation Inshort,wesuggestusing apps,calendarsandplannersliberally,butalsothoughtfully.

Elizabeth Kensingeris professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College. She has published more than 200 articles and received several awards for her research on human memory, including from the Association for Psychological Science and the Cognitive Neuroscience Society.

TomHollandandZendayaswingbyBoston

CollegeandtheNewburyStreetfordatenight

November25,2024|LaurenDaley

HasanyonecheckedtoseeiftheTomHollandlook-alikewinneronBostonCommonwastherealHolland?Because Spider-ManwasoutandaboutinBostonthisweekend.

“I’mheadedouttoabartohavemyfirstBerointhewild.I’llletyouknowhowitgoes.Woo-eeee!,”Holland,28,said whilewalkingdownacitystreet,inanInstagramstorypostedSunday

Holland whohastalkedopenlyabouthisstruggleswithalcohol launchedthenonalcoholicbrewlastmonththrough hiscompany,Bero(tagline:“BorninLondon,craftedinAmerica,enjoyedworldwide”)

Heandgirlfriend,Zendaya,also28,havebeenspottedaroundBostonwhileshe’sfilmingamoviewithRobertPattinson, “TheDrama.”

OtherpostsintheInstagramstoryshowthepairarrivingatNewburyStreetbarFoxhole,alongwithalogoforthejoint (youcan’tbuyadslikethat!)andHollandgulpingfromapintglasswhileawoman we’regoingoutonalimband guessingZendaya says“oooh!”

“Firstoneinthewild,baby!”hesays,beforethestorycutstoZendayamakingathumb’supsignnearcansofBeroanda pintglass Holland’scaption?Astringofheartemojis

AccordingtoPeoplemagazine,thecouplewasspottedbreakfastinginBostonatNewbury’sTridentBooksellers&Cafe onNov 22

Meanwhile,some200college-agespectatorsgatheredinBostonCommononSundayfortheTomHollandlook-alike contest.

HollandrecentlyvisitedtheCampusSchoolatBostonCollege.AccordingtoBostonCollege,theBritishactormet studentsanddonated$25,000.Theschooloffers“personalizededucationforstudentsages3to22withextensive supportneeds,includingcomplexmedicalneeds,”accordingtoitswebsite.

H i experts

November20,2024|MarcoQuiroz-Gutierrez

AstheyearslongRussia-Ukrainewarintensifies,expertssaysomekeycomponentsofthemoderneconomycouldbeat risk,andmarketsarestillguessingastowhattheconflictcouldbringnext

OnSunday,PresidentBidengaveUkrainepermissiontouseUS-madelong-rangemissilestostrikedeepintoRussian territory,amovemarkingastarkreversalfromtheadministrationameretwomonthsbeforeleavingoffice Ukraine quicklyseizedonthenewfoundpermissiontostrikeafacilityintheBryanskregionTuesdayusingUS-mademissiles, Russia’sDefenseMinistrysaid Inresponse,RussianPresidentVladimirPutinloweredthecountry’sthresholdforusing nuclearweapons,aclearwarningtotheWest.

Owinginparttotheescalatingaggression,allthreemajorindexesfellearlyTuesday,withtheDowdroppingabout450 pointsandtheS&P500dropping05%soonaftermarketopen Yetbytheendoftheday,marketsweremixed,withthe Nasdaqjumping1%,fueledinpartbyNvidiaearnings,andtheS&Pnotchinga0.3%advance.Meanwhile,theDowfell about03%,or12066points

FuelingthemarketwhipsawwastheuncertaintyofRussia’sresponsetoUkraine’slateststrike,economist AleksandarTomic,theassociatedeanforstrategy,innovation,andtechnologyatBostonCollege’sWoodsCollege ofAdvancingStudies,tellsFortune.WhilestockshavebeenontheupswinginrecentweekssincePresident-elect DonaldTrumpwontheWhiteHouse,therehasbeensomevolatilityrecently,saysTomic,andgeopoliticalissues areaddingtotheuncertainty.

“TheUkrainiansdidwhattheydid.Now,thequestionis,whatdotheRussiansdotoretaliate?”Tomicsays.“And Ithinkwhatitis,isthatnobodyknows,sothatbreedsuncertainty,andthenmarketsreacttouncertainty.”

AnotherwaythatanescalatedconflictinUkrainecouldaffectmarketsisthroughthethreattonaturalresourcesthatmake upsemiconductors,whicharealreadyfacingashortage,saysUshaHaley,aninternationalbusinessprofessoratWichita StateUniversity Keycomponentsofsemiconductors,suchaspalladiumandneon,arefoundeitherinRussiaorUkraine, HaleytellsFortune.

“SemiconductorsarecentraltomanyUS industries,sotheseshortagesandresultingproductiondelayswilllikelyhave broadeconomicimpactthroughsupplychainsandleadtomoreinflation,”Haleysays

Still,Tomicnotes,theriskoftheRussia-Ukrainewarhavingamajorimpactonmarketsislikelyoverblown becauseinvestorshavealreadypricedintherisksduringthenearlyfour-year-longconflict.Othergeopolitical concernssuchasTrump’sproposedtariffsonimportedforeignproductsaremorelikelytohaveanimpact,Tomic says.

“Idon’texpectthatthis[conflict]wouldbeabigdriverforanykindofmarketactivity,barring,again,something likeRussialaunchingmissilesintoGermany,orsomethingsillylikethat.Then,ofcourse,itwouldbeawholenew reality.”

Still,inpartbecauseofgeopoliticalinstabilityandthethreatoftariffsandinflationresurgence,goldsawa06%increase whileBitcoinreachedanall-timehighof$94,000beforeretreating WiththestrikesTuesday,Ukrainemaybetryingto

gainanadvantageaheadofanypossiblepolicychangesmadebyTrumpasregardsUkraineinJanuary,Tomicsays TrumphaspreviouslysaidhecouldendtheRussia-Ukrainewarin“24hours”

Earlierthismonth,aformeradvisortothepresident-electsaidTrumpwouldprioritizeendingtheconflictoverregaining Russia-heldterritoriessuchasCrimeaforUkraine,theBBCreported OnthepredictionmarketPolymarket,which predictedTrump’selectionvictory,theoddsofhimendingthewarinUkraineinhisfirst90dayssatat38%asof Tuesday

WhiletheconflictmaynothaveanoutsizeeffectonUS markets,Europemaybeadifferentstory Germany’sforeign minister,AnnalenaBaerbock,saidTuesdaythatthecountrywouldnotbeintimidatedbyPutin’sloweringofRussia’s nuclearthreshold

Yetbecauseoftheirproximitytotheconflict,countriessuchasGermanymaybemoreaffectedbyanescalation, especiallyifnuclearweaponsareinvolved Partlybecauseofthisrisk,indexesinGermany,France,andSpainallclosed downmorethan05%Tuesday

Intheworst-casescenario,PutincouldexpandtheconflictintoPolandorGermanyandgetNATOtoengageor evenlaunchacyberattackontheU.S.,notesTomic.

“Thequestionis,whatexactlyaretheycapableof?”hesays.

HowDemocratsCanRegaintheUpperHand

November20,2024|ThomasB.Edsall

TherehavebeenrepeatedclashesbetweentheleftandthecenteroftheDemocraticPartyoverthepast50-plusyears, especiallyinthepresidentialnominationcontestsof1968,1972,1984,1992,2016and2020.Thepost-electiondebateis nowinfullflower,withleft-wingandcentristDemocratsblamingeachotherfortheloss

TheselectionofKamalaHarris,awomanofBlackandSouthAsianancestryasthenominee,mighthaveaccentuatedthe perceptionoftheDemocraticPartyasmoreprogressiveonraceandgenderandmadesomevotersfeelalienatedor concernedaboutthedirectionoftheparty

AsmyTimescolleaguesEricaL GreenandMayaKingwroteonNov 7,in“ForBlackWomen,AmericaHasRevealed toUsHerTrueSelf”:

TheworstofwhatmanyBlackwomenbelievedabouttheircountry:thatitwouldratherchooseamanwhowasconvicted of34felonies,hasspewedliesandfalsehoods,disparagedwomenandpeopleofcolorandpledgedtousethepowersof thefederalgovernmenttopunishhispoliticalopponentsthansendawomanofcolortotheWhiteHouse.

TheascendancewithintheDemocraticPartyofwell-educatedwhitepeopleholdingveryliberalviewshas,infact,pushed thepartytotheleftofthemainstream.Thisintrapartyideologicalshiftraisesanotherquestionfor2026and2028:Have theforcessupportingunpopularprogressivepoliciesinthegeneralelectoratebecomestrongenoughtosuccessfullypush backagainstthecallscomingfromDemocraticpragmatistsforcentristretrenchmentonsuchissuesasimmigration, policingandthepromotionofdiversity,equityandinclusion?

InaNov 15article,“TrumpBroketheDemocrats’Thermostat,”JohnBurn-MurdochofTheFinancialTimeswrote:

ThedatashowsDemocratstakingasharpturnleftwardonsocialissuesoverthepastdecade Thishasdistancedthem fromthemedianvoter WeseethisnotonlyinDemocraticvoters’self-reportedideologybutintheirviewsonissues, includingimmigrationandwhetherornotminoritiesneedextrahelptosucceedinsociety.Notably,theshiftbeganin 2016.ThissuggeststhatTrump’selectionradicalizedtheleft,nottheright.

Theshifttotheleftwasmostpronouncedamongthosewhoidentifythemselvesas“strongDemocrats,”thosewho dominatetheactivistandagenda-settingwingoftheparty.Burn-MurdochcitedGeneralSocialSurveydatatoshowthat theseDemocratsreactedmostintenselytotheelectionofDonaldTrump,whichwasmanifestedintheirshiftonsuch issuesasaffirmativeactionandimmigration

OneoftheearlytestsofthestrengthofthecenterandtheleftoftheDemocraticPartywillbetheselectionofanewchair oftheDemocraticNationalCommittee,whichisexpectedtotakeplaceinJanuaryorFebruary

Itisdoubtful,however,whetherthenewD.N.C.chairandotherpartyofficialscandeterminetheideological directionoftheparty.DavidHopkins,apoliticalscientistatBostonCollege,pointedoutinanemail:

Partiesarenotentirelythemastersoftheirownfate.Therisingcentralityofconflictsoversocialidentity,D.E.I. initiatives,transgenderrights,languagepolicing,toleranceofillegalimmigration,“fightingthepatriarchy”and othersimilartopicsoverthepastdecadeorsowasnotprincipallydrivenbythepreferencesorchoicesof Democraticpoliticiansandprofessionalstrategists.

Instead,itmostlyreflectedtheprioritiesofotherinfluentialsocialactors someactivistsandinterestgroups withintheparty,forsure,butalsoalargepopulationofjournalists,intellectuals,educators,nonprofitand corporateexecutivesandcelebritieswhorepresentliberalisminthepubliceye,eveniftheydon’tholdformal positionswithintheDemocraticParty.

Democraticpoliticians,Hopkinsargued,

cantrytopickuglypublicfightswiththesepeopletodemonstratetheirindependencefromthepuristleft,asBill Clintondidinthe1990s,butthat’sariskymovesuretobeinternallydivisiveandwhichmightevenfeed abstentionsordefectionstotheGreenPartyamongcommittedprogressives.

Alessdangerouspath,Hopkinscontinued,“wouldbefortheprominentfiguresandsocialinstitutionsthathave moststronglypromotedculturallyprogressiveideasinrecentyearstomutetheiraggressiveadvocacyof controversialvaluesandpractices.”

Alongsimilarlines,NolanMcCarty,apoliticalscientistatPrinceton,wrotebyemailthatleftideologicalorthodoxyis mostlypolicedbyactivistsandinterestgroupsratherthanbytheelectorate Pollingindicatesthatthereisfarmore diversityofopiniononissuesofsexuality,immigrationandracewithinDemocraticPartyidentifiersthanthereisamong theactivists.

IthinkcandidatesespousingsomewhatmoderatepositionsonsuchissuescouldstillwinDemocraticprimariesifthey couldwithstandtheoppositionofprogressivegroups.Sothekeygoingforwardiswhethersuchgroupswillexercisejust abitofforbearancetocandidatesinredandpurplestates

NoahSmith,aformerprofessoroffinanceatStonyBrookUniversitywhonowwritesatNoahpinion,hasproducedan optimisticanalysisforthefutureoftheDemocraticPartyandliberalismgenerally.OnNov.15,Smithposted“Liberalism IstheRebellionNow”:

WhenIwasgrowingupinthe1990s,liberalism theideathatsocietyshouldbebasedaroundtherights,freedomsand dignityofindividualhumanbeings wasascendant HereintheUS andinotherrichdemocraticnations,therewas littlequestionthatweweremorefreeandourrightsbetterprotectedthanatanypointinourhistory

Now,threedecadeslater,Smithargued:

youcanfeelthedeclineofliberalismhereintheUnitedStates.Veryfewleadersoneithersideoftheaisletalkabout freedomanymore Progressivestendtocouchtheirappealsintermsofjustice,conservativesintermsofgreatness Americansstillpaylipservicetofreedomofspeech,butnooneseemstoreallywantit ElonMuskhasincreasedX’s censorshiponbehalfofforeigngovernmentsandsuppressedcontenthedoesn’tlike,whileDemocraticleaderslikeTim WalzandJohnKerryhavecalledforlegalcrackdownson“hatespeech”and“misinformation”

Thesignificance,Smithcontinued,

isthatliberalism thedominantglobalideologyofmyyouth isnowanundergroundrebellion Ifyoubelievethat individualhumanfreedomanddignityareparamount,you’renowfacingaworldthatwantstocrushyouridealsand enslaveyoutothewillofvariousauthoritarians InAmericayou’rewatchingpowerlesslyasTrumpremakesthecountry’s institutions,whileinEurasiayou’rewarilyeyeingthesuddenlyuncheckedpowerofChinaandRussia

Ofallthepostshehaswritten,Smithcontended,“thisonescaresmethemost,”adding,“Iwishitwasjustabaddream”

Infact,fewthingscouldreinvigoratethecenter-leftandtheDemocraticPartymorethancomingtotherealizationthat liberalismincontemporaryAmericaistheunderdogandthatitisinafightforitssurvival

WhyKennedySeesan‘Epidemic’ofChronic DiseaseAmongChildren

November15,2024|RoniCarynRabin

RobertF KennedyJr,nowPresident-electDonaldJ Trump’spicktoleadtheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices, hasforyearscalledattentiontowhatheconsidersan“epidemic”ofchronicdiseasethathasleftAmerica’schildren amongthesickestinthedevelopedworld.

Mr Kennedyblamesenvironmentaltoxinsandabrokenfoodsystem Buthealsopointstosomeofthemostwidely acclaimedadvancesofthelastcentury:fluoridatedwaterandvaccinesthathavenearlyeradicateddiseaseslikepolio.

Mostchildhealthexpertsareadamantlyopposedtoscalingbackfluoridationorimmunizations,sayingsuchchanges wouldharmhealthandtriggeroutbreaksofdeadlyinfectiousdiseases.

ButmanydonotrejectMr Kennedy’sprimarydiagnosis:ThereisachildhealthcrisisinAmerica

“Onthisparticularpointhe’sright,”saidDr.PhilipLandrigan,apediatricianandepidemiologistwhodirectsthe ProgramforGlobalPublicHealthandtheCommonGoodatBostonCollege.

Evenasinfectiousdiseasesandchildmortalityplummetedinthe20thcentury,headded:“Thereisnoquestion noncommunicablediseasesinchildrenareup.Idisagreewithhimthatvaccinesarethecause.”

ManyscientistslikeDr.LandriganacknowledgethattherearedisturbingtrendsinchildhoodhealthintheUnited States,andtheywelcomeMr.Kennedy’sfocusonfoodsandchemicalsintheenvironment.

Atthesametime,theysay,thesolutionsarenotassimpleasMr.Kennedyhassometimessuggested.“It’svery clearthatthere’snosingleonefactorthat’sdrivingincreasesinallofthesenoncommunicablediseasesacrossthe board,”Dr.Landrigansaid.

AspokeswomanforMr Kennedydidnotrespondtorequestsforaninterview

ChronicdiseaseaffectsthemajorityofAmericanadults:60percenthaveatleastonecondition,likehighbloodpressure ordiabetes,and42percenthavemorethanone,accordingtoawidelycitedRANDCorporationstudy

Childhoodisusuallythehealthiestperiodoflife Yetsome40percentofchildrenalsohaveachronichealthcondition, accordingtotheNationalSurveyofChildren’sHealth Anearlierstudyfoundthefigurewashigheramongadolescents, andwhenoverweightandobesityareincluded.

Itcanbedifficulttotracktheprevalenceofachronicillnessovertimebecausedefinitionsandsurveytoolshaveevolved Someincreasesinconditionslikeautismdisorders,oranxietyanddepression,reflectenhancedawarenessandimproved diagnosis.

Amongtheillnessesthathavegrownmorecommonamongchildrenareobesityandoverweight,respiratorydiseaseslike asthma,mentalhealthproblems,andneurodevelopmentalconditions,abroadcategorythatincludesboththeautism spectrumandattentiondeficitdisorders

About20percentofchildrenaged6to11wereobesein2018,accordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControland Prevention,upfrom4percentintheearly1960s Overall,morethanoneinthreechildrenareoverweightorobese, accordingtoanewstudy

Mr Kennedyalsosaidhewouldalsowarnthepublicaboutwhathebelievedtobethepotentialsideeffectsandrisksof vaccines,which,alongwithimprovedsanitationandwater,dramaticallyloweredinfantandchildmortalityduringthe 20thcentury.

Inpastinterviews,hehassaidthathewantstosubjectvaccinestothesamerigorousrandomizedclinicaltrialsthatare usedtotestdrugs,andtorequiremandatoryreportingoftheirsideeffectsandcomplicationsandtracktheirlong-term effects

“Mypositionisthatifyouwantavaccine,yououghttobeabletogetavaccine,”Mr.Kennedysaidinarecentinterview. “Butyououghttoknowthesafetyprofileandtheriskprofileandtheefficacyofthatvaccine”

Scientistssaytheallegedlinksbetweenvaccinesandautismhavebeenthoroughlydebunked,andmanyhavedenounced hisideasasdangerous,warningthatdiscouraginguseofvaccineswillleadtoepidemicsthatkillchildrenandbabies

Makingimmunizationsoptionalforschoolattendanceinsomestateswillleadtopiecemealuptakeofvaccination,they fear,weakeningpopulation-wideprotectionagainstinfectiousdiseasesandleavingcommunitiesvulnerabletooutbreaks

YetMr.Kennedy’sdeclarationsofwaragainstprocessedfood,unsafepesticidesandman-madechemicalshave beenwelcomedbyscientistslikeDr.Landrigan.

Amountingbodyofevidencehaslinkedearly-lifeexposuretochemicalssuchasphthalates,brominatedflameretardants andcertaininsecticides,alongwithtoxinslikeleadandmercury,toimpairedcognitivefunction,lowerIQsand neurodevelopmentaldisorders

“Ifhelooksatevidencethattoxicchemicalsareimportantdriversoftheepidemicofnoncommunicablediseases, thenthatpavesthewayforimprovingchemicallegislationinthiscountry,whichisreallyamess,”Dr.Landrigan said.

“Thefundamentalproblemisthatchemicalsarestillpresumedinnocentuntilprovenguilty,”headded,“which meanstheycanbebroughtontothemarketwithlittleornopremarkettesting.”

Chemicalslikephthalatesandbisphenolsinplastics,knownasendocrinedisrupters substancesinfood,personalcare productsandtheenvironmentthatcanmimicorblockhormonesandthrowthebody’shormonesoutofkilter have beenlinkedtoanincreasedriskformetabolicdisordersandobesity,saidTraceyWoodruff,directoroftheProgramon ReproductiveHealthandtheEnvironmentattheUniversityofCalifornia,SanFrancisco

“Corporationshavehadundueinfluenceonscienceandontheregulatoryprocess,”Dr.Woodruffsaid.

“Federalagencieshavenotusedthemostup-to-datescience Theyhaveallowedpollutedscience,”sheadded “They havenotremovedfinancialconflictsofinterestfromthescientificreviewprocess.”

Butshe,likeotherscientists,expressedskepticismthatMr Kennedywouldbeallowedfreereintoridgovernment agenciesofcorporateinfluenceintheincomingTrumpadministration.

Mr Kennedycouldbegintomakeadifferencebygettingprocessedfoodsoutofschoollunches,whichhelpfeedmillions ofAmericanchildren,andaddingmorefruitsandvegetables,Dr.Bessersuggested.

“ThatwouldaddressoneofthebiggestdriversofpoorchildhealthinAmerica,whichispoverty,”Dr Bessersaid

Remarkablyresilientrefugees:Ateenonhisown, awomanwhowasraped

November12,2024|FatmaTanis

WhenImeethim,14-year-oldMahamatDjoumaisdoingwhatmanyteenagersdointheirsparetime:dribblingasoccer ballwithhisfoot

Butwhenhe'sdone,tiredandhungry,hedoesn'thaveanyonetowelcomehimhomewithawarmplateoffood Instead, hehasaworldofresponsibilities:He'sthesolecaregiverforhis5-year-oldtwinbrothers,HassanandHissein,whoare waitingforhimintheirmudbrickhomeinarefugeecampineasternChad.

MahamatandhisbrothersarerefugeesfromSudan amongthe10millionwho'vebeendisplacedbytheviolenceofthe civilwarthatbrokeoutinApril2023.TheU.N.callsittheworld'slargesthumanitariancrisis.Bothaidexpertsandthe refugeesthemselvesbemoanalackofsupportduetofundingshortfallsanddifficultyinreachingthoseinneedoffood, shelter,healthcareandotherassistance WhenIspentaweekvisitingcampsinChadinSeptember,onerefugeeelder, YahyaAdamNadhif,askedme:DoAmericansknowwhatishappeningtous?

Inthishugeandunfoldingcrisis,therearecertaingroupswhoseemthemostvulnerableandyetareoverlookedbythe systemsmeanttohelpthem

"Nobody'slookingout,really,forpeoplewhofallthroughthecracksofassistancebecausetherearetoomanynewpeople comingin,"saysSashaChanoff,theexecutivedirectorofRefugePoint,whichhasoperationsinChad

UnaccompaniedminorslikeMahamatandhisbrothersareonesuchpopulation

AccordingtoUNICEF,whichtrackschildrefugees,thereare3,310unaccompaniedandseparatedrefugeechildrenin Chad EithertheycameontheirownorlosttouchwiththeirparentsinChad,whichisthecountrywiththelargestnumber ofSudaneserefugees Over600,000havecomesincethecivilwarbegan;thosewho'vefledpreviousconflictsbringthe numbertoover1million.

Someoftheseyoungstersaretakeninbyotherrefugeesorfriendsoftheirfamilywho'vemadethetrek Otherslike Mahamatfendlargelyforthemselves,oftenwhilecaringforyoungersiblings.

"[Mahamat]iscarryingtheweightoftheworldonhisshoulders,veryvaliantly.Buthowlongcanyouexpecta 14-year-oldtodothat?"saysTheresaS.Betancourt,directoroftheresearchprogramonchildrenandadversityat BostonCollege.Shesaysthatinherstudiesofrefugeesshehasseenchildreninsituationslikehiswhoeventually getanopportunitytogobacktoschoolandarecaredforbyafosterfamily.

"Thisisthekindofpersonwhowouldreallyflourish,Ithink,ifgiventhatopportunity,"Betancourtsays."What's concerningistohearhowunder-resourcedthisenvironmentis.It'sreallyneglected,andthereisn'tatargeted solutiontotriagekidsfacingadversityinthatsetting,whichreallypaintsagrimpictureforthelongterm prospectsforayoungmanlikethat."

Therearen'tmanyjobopportunitiesforrefugees especiallya14-year-old OccasionallyMahamatfindsworkmaking bricksoutofclay.Heandafriendtogethercanmakeabout1,000bricksover4days,earningtheequivalentofabout $650 Theysplitthepay Mahamatspendsmostofthatmoneyonflourandothergrainstomakeaporridgeheandhis brotherseattwiceadayforaslongasitlasts Hesayshetriestostretchsuppliessotheywilllastaround15days

IsawMahamatandhisbrotherstwodaysinarow Onbothdayshetoldmethey'deachhadasmallbowlofporridgefor breakfastbutthattherewasnolunchordinner.Ithadbeenafewweekssincehelastmadebricks,hesays,andbreakfast wasallhecouldafford He'dhavetofindworksoonorborrowmoney,headds,orelsethey'dgowithouteating

Thenthere'sthematterofwater.FetchingwaterisMahamat'sleastfavoritechore.Thenearestsource astreamina valley isa30-minutewalkaway Sometimeshecanborrowadonkeyfromotherrefugeestomakethetripbutmostly hastocarrytheheavyjerrycanbyhimself Thewaterhegetsfromonetriplaststhemonlyaday

WhenMahamatisnothometowatchhisbrothers,theyspendtimeinasectionofthecampthataidgroupslikeWorld VisionandUNICEFhaveturnedintoaplayareaforkids there'sevenplaygroundequipment Othertimes,thetwins hangoutwithotherchildrenneartheirhut.

Therearefewthingsinhislifethatbringhimjoy,Mahamatsays Heloveshisbrothersandteasesthemwitha compassionatecheekysmile.He'sgiventhemnicknames:"Doctor"forHassan,becausetheirmomsaidhetookhistime comingoutofthewombduringbirth,and"Azak"forHissein,whichmeansintelligentinArabic "Becausehe'ssmart," Mahamataddsproudly

Andofcourse there'ssoccer MahamatlightsupwhenhetalksaboutBarcelona,hisfavoriteteam,andLionelMessi andLamineYamal,hisfavoriteplayers Ifhehadmoremoney,hesayshewouldfirstfixtheirleakingroof,thenbuy clothesforhisbrothers,soccercleatsforhimselfandasoccerjerseytoo.

"I'mokwithanyteam'ssoccerjersey,"hesayslaughing "ExceptforRealMadrid(Barcelona'srivalteam),Iwouldn't wearthatone"

Thelaughterfadesasheremembersplayinginasoccertournamentattherefugeecamplastyear He'dsigneduptojoin thisyearaswellbutnowhesayshe'llhavetodropout

"Ican'taffordtoplayanymore,"hesays "Ihavetofindwork"

ButoverthefourhoursIspentwithhim,hedidnotcomplain.Hejustsays:"Ihavenochoice,Ihavenochoice."

"Iknowtheyaresufferinghere,"saysMaqboulaAhmadAdam,aSudaneserefugeewhovolunteerswithWorldVision ShesaysshechecksinonMahamatandhisbrothersafewtimesaweek."Buttheonlythingwecandoiscallthemtothe child-friendlyspacesandprovidecounselingandadviceonhowtobesafefromtherainandthecollapsinghuts"

PartoftheproblemforunaccompaniedminorsinChad oneofthepoorestcountriesintheworld istheoveralllack ofresourcesandsystemsinthecountry,evenforthelocalpopulation

"Whatwereallyneedistocontinuetoinvest,tohavemorefunding,notjusttofocusontheemergency,"saysUNICEF's FrancescaCazzato "Butalsoreallytoworkonwhatwecallthehumanitariannexus,toenforcethelocalsystem,to integratethosekidswithinthelocalstructure,likehelpingthemtogetfood,helpingthemtohaveaccesstohealth providers,havingasocialservicesnetworkstrongenoughtosupportandtofollowuponthosekids."

"Idon'twanttoraisemybrothershereinthisenvironment,Ijustwanttotakethemsomewherebetterandsafer, somewheretheycangotoschool,"Mahamatsays."Theproblemisthatiftheygrowupheretheywillbeinthesame situationasme,andIdon'twantthemtobelikeme"

TheonlypersonMahamatknowswhomanagedtoleavethecampisafriendwhomovedtotheUnitedStateswithhis parentsunderarefugeeresettlementprogramearlierthisyear

"TheU.S.doesactuallyhaveaprogramspecificallyforunaccompaniedminors,wherechildrenareidentified,referredfor resettlementandareceivingfamilyintheUS essentiallytakesthemin,andthey'refosteredintothatfamily,"saysSasha ChanoffwithRefugePoint "Andit'sbeenlargelysuccessful Butthat'salsoprettyrareandchallengingforpeopleto accessthat."

Exhibitionexploresforcesofrelocationand assimilationthroughworksofseventeenAfrican Diasporicartists

October29,2024

TheMcMullenMuseumofArtatBostonCollegeispresentingStatesofBecoming,anexhibitioncuratedby FitsumShebesheandproducedbyIndependentCuratorsInternational.Itexaminesthedynamicforcesofrelocation, resettling,andassimilationthatshapetheartisticpracticesofagroupofseventeencontemporaryAfricanartists,and informsthediscourseonidentityconstructionwithintheAfricandiaspora Theartists,whoeitherrelocatedtotheUnited Statesorarefirst-generationborn,havelivedandworkedherewithinthelastthreedecades

ThetravelingexhibitionisonviewfromSeptember9toDecember8,2024.TheMcMullenisthefirstNewEngland venuetohostStatesofBecoming,whichpresentstwenty-eightworksacrossmediumsincludingpainting, photography,sculpture,installation,andvideo,whichexpressthedifferentwaysinwhichidentityisremadeand reimagined.

ItfeaturesworksbynotableartistsChukwudumebiGabrielAmadi-Emina,KearraAmayaGopee,KibromAraya,Nadia Ayari,VambaBility,ElshafeiDafalla,MasimbaHwati,ChidoJohnson,MiattaKawinzi,DoraKing,HelinaMetaferia, NontsikeleloMutiti,YvonneOsei,KernSamuel,AmareSelfu,TarikuShiferaw,andYacineTilalaFall

TheartistsrelocatedfromtwelvecountriesinAfricaandoneintheCaribbean Ethiopia,Ghana,IvoryCoast,Kenya, Liberia,Mauritania,Nigeria,Senegal,SierraLeone,Sudan,TrinidadandTobago,Tunisia,andZimbabwe withrootsin citiesacrosstheUS,includingDetroit,LosAngeles,NewHaven,NewYork,andWashington,DC.

“TheMcMullenMuseumandBostonCollege’sAfricanandAfricanDiasporaStudiesProgram[AADS]are pleasedtopresenttherecentworkofseventeenoutstandingartists,allofwhomhavebeenmembersoftheAfrican diasporaintheUnitedStates,”saidNancyNetzer,InauguralRobertL.andJudithT.WinstonDirectorofthe McMullenMuseumofArt,andaBCprofessorofarthistory.

“Althoughpracticinginawidevarietyofmediums,theseartistsareunitedintheimportantquestionstheirworks probeabouttheroleofrelocationinreimagininghybrididentitiesandasenseofbelonging.Suchquestionsare fundamentaltotheliberalartseducationatBostonCollegeand,especially,tothepedagogyandresearchofour facultyinAfricanandAfricanDiasporaStudies.Welookforwardtoengagingthecommunityinproductive dialoguesparkedbytheseinspiredworksofart.”

Theexhibitionisarrangedinthreegroups:artistswhoserelocationpromptedaesthetictransformationsbyincorporating hybridelementsintotheirwork;artistswhosharetheirexperiencesfromtheircountryoforiginwithintheircurrent communities;andartistswhobuildbridgesconnectingtheAfricandiasporatotheUnitedStatesintheirpractice Statesof Becomingaimstocontributetoconversationsonidentityconstructioninthefaceofrelocationandresettling, exemplifyinghowdiasporaartistsnavigatetheinterplaybetweenancestralAfricanheritagesandprevailingAmerican culturalparadigms

“TheAfricanandAfricanDiasporaStudiesProgramwasparticularlydrawntothewaytheexhibitionshowcases coreelementsofourprogram,”saidBCprofessorofhistoryandAADSdirectorLorelleSemley.“Likeourcourses, theseworksrevealtheglobalnatureoftheAfricandiaspora.Thetensionbetweentransformationandbelonging emergesbecausetheAfricandiasporais‘everywhere’yetoftenerased,”sheadded.

“Theartistsapproachthisphenomenonbyengagingacrossmultiplesubjectsincludinghistory,sociology,politics, visualandperformingarts,literature,etc.Similarly,Africandiasporastudiesputsdifferentdisciplinesinto

dialogue,oftenthroughthecreativeuseofmaterialsandmethods.Wecertainlyhopethatstudentsmakethose deeperconnectionsbetweenAfricandiasporastudiescoursesandthethemesoftheexhibition.However,wethink itismoreimportantforourstudentsandthebroaderBCcommunitytotakethetimetoexperiencethisartwork, withtheirheartsandtheirminds.”

“StatesofBecomingwasbornoutofmyownprocessofrelocatingtotheUnitedStates,”saidFitsumShebeshe,who movedfromAddisAbaba,Ethiopia,toBaltimore,Maryland,in2016 “Thisexhibitionallowsforfurtherunderstanding ofnotonlymyownexperiences,butthoseoftheartists.Byanalyzingboththeuniqueaspectsandcommonalitiestogether withBostonCollege’sglobalandlocalcommunities,wecanreimaginetogetherhowwethinkabouthowidentityis continuallyshapedandreshaped”

AccordingtoShebeshe,throughrelocationhegainedfirsthandknowledgeoftheweightofculturalassimilationand encounteredarangeofexistentialquestionsthatshapedhisrelationshiptoinstitutionsandculture Healsorealizedhe wasviewedasbelongingtoaminorityanddevelopedanewfoundawarenessoftheprofoundimpactEthiopia’straditional andconservativeculturehadonhissenseofindividuality.

HefoundkinshipamongculturalpractitionersfromtheAfricandiasporawhosharedhisexperience,andunitedthese artistsinStatesofBecoming.Althoughtheirindividualartisticmethodologiesandexperiencesvary,eachseeksto reconceptualizeahybridcultureformedfromrealandimaginedgenealogies:cultural,racial,national,andgeographical belonging StatesofBecomingexplorestheartists’processofidentifying,redefining,andbecomingthemselvesinboth localandglobalcontexts,openingupperspectivesintomultiplestatesbothgeographicandemotionalinaconstantfluxof socialandculturaladaptations

“InStatesofBecoming,curatorFitsumShebeshecontributesasignificantandpersonalviewofcontemporaryartofthe Africandiaspora,andreassertstheimportanceofacurator’slivedexperienceinexhibition-making,”saidRenaudProch, ICI’sExecutive&ArtisticDirector

StatesofBecomingisproducedbyIndependentCuratorsInternational(ICI),NewYork Leadfundingisprovidedbythe HartfieldFoundationtosupportICI’scommitmenttonewcuratorialvoicesthatwillshapethefutureofthefieldandICI’s CuratorialIntensiveAlumniastheymovethroughtheircareers.StatesofBecomingismadepossiblewiththegenerous supportofICI’sBoardofTrusteesandInternationalForum CrozierFineArtsisthePreferredArtLogisticsPartner

TheMcMullenMuseumpresentationhasbeenorganizedincollaborationwithfacultyfromBostonCollege’s AfricanandAfricanDiasporaStudiesProgram.AdditionalfundinghasbeenprovidedbyBostonCollege,the PatronsoftheMcMullenMuseum,andRobert’63andAnnMarieReardonP’91.

Ontourthrough2027,StatesofBecomingwasonviewattheAfricaCenter,NewYork;theCenterforArtDesignand VisualCulture,UniversityofMaryland,BaltimoreCounty;andtheDesMoinesArtCenter ItwilltraveltotheKnoxville MuseumofArtinJanuary2025

abortionasaseriousmoralissue,notsimplyamedicalorlegalone

Thisbeingsaid,Irecognizethatsome80%ofAmericansfavorallowingabortion,atleastincertaincircumstances.The greatCatholictheologian,ThomasAquinas,insistedthatcivillawsmustreflect"theconsensusofthegoverned"So,until thegreatmajorityofAmericansgenerallyopposeabortion,whileallowingforrareexceptions,Catholicscannotimpose ourmoralnormsontherestofsociety.

EvenasIembracethepositionofbeingpro-life,Imustrespectthemoraldiscernmentofthosewhoarepro-choice;untila majorityagrees,Icannotinsistonmyminorityviewasifitisthewillofthepeople.

Thankfully,theUS ConferenceofCatholicBishops,echoingtheteachingofPopeFrancisandPopeBenedict,have repeatedlytaughtthatCatholicsshouldnotbe"single-issue"voters.Inparticular,PopeFrancisrepeatsoftenthat"equally sacred"arethelivesofthosealreadyborn Indeed,theUS Catholicbishopsportraytheirholisticpositionas"defending lifewheneveritisthreatenedordiminished"

Inthislight,faithfulCatholicswhotakeatraditionalpositiononabortionshouldnotallowthisalonetodecideourvote Onthecontrary,wemustvotefortheticketmostlikelytopromoteadignifiedqualityoflifeforallandtheworksof socialjusticethroughoutoursociety. Insuchabroadenedview,thisCatholic,atleast,mustvotefortheHarris-Walz ticket.

WhileVicePresidentKamalaHarrisspeaksrepeatedlyofreproductiverights,herpolicies,inkeepingwiththe Democraticplatform,willalsomirroranarrayofreproductiveresponsibilities.Forexample,wecanagainexpectbetter prenatal,natalandpostnatalhealthcare,especiallyforpoorfamilies Addchildcareandpreschoolforallinneed, loweringgrocerycosts,anduniversalhealthcare Herplanstohelplow-incomepeopletobuytheirfirsthomeisan eminentinstanceofhercommitmenttofamilylifeandvalues.

Andbeyondfamilyfocusedissues,thesocialcommitmentswecanexpectofaHarris-Walzadministrationamplyreflect coreCatholicvaluesandmoralprinciples.ThedeepCatholiccommitmenttothepoorandneedy,reflectedsoexplicitlyin the168diocesanprogramsofCatholicsocialservicesthroughoutourcountry,willbefarbettersupportedbythesocial ethicofHarris-Walzthantherich-favoringpoliciesofanotherTrumpadministration

AdefiningCatholicvalueacrossitstwothousandyearshasbeento"welcomethestranger";indeed,itwillbeoneofthe criteriabywhichwewillbejudged(Matthew25:35) TheracistandtoxiclanguagewithwhichTrumpdescribesmigrants atoursouthernborders,portrayingpoorrefugeepeopleascriminalsandheighteningimmigrantfears,istheantithesisof Catholicsocialvalues

Note,too,thegrowingteachingoftheCatholicChurch,andparticularlyunderPopeFrancis'leadership,tocareforand protectourenvironment;Trumpdismissestheglobalwarmingissueastrivial.

AndcontrastthemoralpromiseofaHarris-WalzadministrationwiththesocialethicsofTrump'spreviouspresidency, mostlikelytoberepeatedshouldhegainasecondterm.So,hewouldrefusetoaddressthe400-year-oldpandemicof racisminourcountry,lendapprovalofNazi-likehategroups,practiceblatantmisogyny,exploittheenvironment, encourageaneconomythatfavorstherich,threatenourdemocracy,punishresponsiblecritics,andthelistgoeson Asfor personalethics,notehisincessantlying,his34legalconvictionsoffalsifyingbusinessrecords,andbeingfoundliablefor sexualabusebyajury

Itisnotformetodictatetheconscience-baseddecisionsofotherCatholics.Butspeakingfromthedepthsofmyown soul,notonlymayIvoteforHarris-Walz,butIbelieveImustdoso TodootherwisewouldbecontrarytomyCatholic conscience

Thomas Groome is professor of theology and religious education at Boston College.

TOctober

Asseniornationalhealthleaders,wehaveseenfirsthandthedevastationofhealthcrisesunaddressed.Thecoronavirus pandemic,oneofthegreatestpublichealthchallengesinmodernhistory,costmorethanamillionAmericanlives Yet undertheleadershipofformerPresidentDonaldTrump,thecountrywasmetwithdenial,chaosandatotallackof empathy,resultingintheneedlesslossofhundredsofthousandsoflives.

That’swhywefeelcompelledtoraisethealarmaboutthegraveconsequencesforAmerica’shealthandsafety preparednessshouldTrumpreturntotheWhiteHouse.Wewritenowtoshareourviewsandthoseofmanytophealth leaderswhohaveservedournationwithhonoranddistinction Wehaveworkedformorethanhalfacenturyatthe CentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionandinleadinguniversitiesacrossthenation,addressingurgentenvironmental andoccupationalhealththreatstoourcountry.

Trump’smismanagementofthepandemicshowedhecannotbetrustedtoprotectAmericans Fromtheoutset,Trump downplayedtheseverityofthevirusandsuggesteditwould“disappear”likea“miracle.”Trumprepeatedlydelayed takingdecisiveaction,spreadingmisinformationthatleftthenationvulnerableandturnedtheUnitedStatesintothe globalepicenterofthepandemic

Thepandemicdidn’tjustharmAmericans’health;itcompromisedoureconomyandnationalsecurity.His administration’sfailuretoactonearlywarningsmadethecrisisworse Heunderminedpublichealthofficials,promoted unproventreatmentssuchashydroxychloroquineandcontradictedhisownguidelines Thiscreatedconfusionanderoded trustinthegovernment’sresponse,worseningthecrisis.Further,Trumpsystematicallydismantledthenation’sresearch andprotectionagainstclimatechange,contributingtothehealthdisasterswenowseewithunparalleledfrequency, includingmassivehurricanes,tornadoes,wildfiresandfloods

Ultimately,Trumpfailedthebasictestofleadership:toprotectthehealthandwell-beingoftheAmericanpeople

Althoughwedon’tknowexactlywhatthefuturewillhold,wecanbesurethattheCOVIDpandemicwon’tbethelast globalhealthcrisisweface Anotherpandemicisinevitable Ournationmustbepreparedtopreventitfrombecoming anotherdisasterforpublichealthandnationalsecurity Further,wewillcontinuetofacearangeofothermajorhealth threatsforwhichastrongpublichealthinfrastructureisessential.

IncontrasttothemanyfailuresoftheTrumpadministration,oncetheBiden-Harrisadministrationwasswornin,they tookdecisiveactiontocontrolthepandemic.Afterinheritingabrokensystem,theyledacomprehensiveimmunization campaignthatrestoredlifetonear-normality,savedlivesandstrengthenednationalsecurity Theydidn’tstopat immediatesolutions;theyalsobeganpreparingforfuturepandemics

TheBiden-Harrisadministrationisnowleadingeffortstomodernizethenation’spublichealthinfrastructure,improving datasystems,strengtheningnationallaboratories,andincreasingvaccineanddrugproduction Theyrecognizethegravity ofthethreatandarecommittedtoensuringthecountryisreadyforthenextpublichealthcrisis

VicePresidentKamalaHarris’approachtoanotherpandemicwillfocusonscientificguidance,internationalcollaboration andimprovingtheequityandreadinessoftheUS publichealthsystem Shehasshownanunwaveringcommitmentto publichealthandlistenedtoexpertsandwilltakethenecessarystepstoprepareforfuturethreats.

Herleadership,groundedinscienceandcompassion,isexactlywhatweneedintimesofcrisis Sheknowshowtoprotect Americaandisreadytocontinueleadingusthroughfuturechallenges.Aswespeakwithotherpublichealthleaders acrossthenation,manyrecognizetheurgentpublichealthimplicationsofthiselection Indevelopingthisessay,wewere joinedbyadistinguishedcadreof healthleaders,including19formerassistantsurgeonsgeneralfromtheUS Public HealthServiceandtheU.S.Navywhoshareourviews(seebit.ly/3C2EKoUforthefulllistofnames).

AsweapproachElectionDay,thechoicecouldnotbeclearer Weneedaleaderwhowillprioritizethehealthandsafety ofallAmericans,notapresidentwhofailedthenationinitstimeofneed.Thefutureofourcountry,ourhealthandour securitydependsonchoosingleadershipwecantrust KamalaHarrisisthatleader

RearAdmiralEdwardL.BakerJr.,aphysician,isretiredfromtheU.S.PublicHealthServiceandservesasaprofessorin theSchoolsofPublicHealthattheUniversityofNorthCarolinaandHarvard Capt

RearAdmiralMarkL.Rosenberg,aphysician,isretiredfromtheU.S.PublicHealthService.HewasanassistantU.S. SurgeonGeneralandthefoundingdirectoroftheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention’sNationalCenterforInjury PreventionandControl HeispresidentemeritusoftheTaskForceforGlobalHealth

Philip J. Landrigan, a pediatrician, is retired from the U.S. Navy and is director, Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good, Boston College.

Peopleintheir30sand40sarefacingan unprecedentedwaveofmemoryproblems

October21,2024|FeliceJ.Freyer

Sometimesinthemiddleofaconversation,NoreneBraunlosesthewordshewasabouttosay Shehastotalkaroundit, describingordinaryobjectsshecannolongeridentify.Once,shesignedhermaidennameonadocument,eventhough she’dchangedityearsearlierwhenshegotmarried Shehastroublekeepingtrackofthenamesofparentsandchildrenin thepediatricpalliativecareprograminPittsfieldwheresheworksasamusictherapist.

“Mybrainjustdoesn’tseemtofunctionright,”shesays.“Anditwasn’talwayslikethat.”

Braunisonly30yearsold andshe’sbeenstrugglingwithhermemoryforseveralyears Herproblemsarefarfrom unusual

Memorylapsesareexpectedasweage,butthere’sevidencethatmanyyoungerpeople intheprimeoflife,ages20to 50 arelosingtheirgriponthoughts,strugglingtoretainnewinformationandretrieveoldknowledge Expertsblame thewayweliveandtheworldwelivein,abuzzwithdistractingtechnologiesamidendlessdemandsonourtimeand minds

Dr AndrewE Budson,aBostonUniversityneurologistwhospecializesinmemorydisordersinolderadults,runsinto youngerpeoplewheneverhegivesatalk.Inevitably,someoneintheir30sor40swillapproachhimafterwardwith:My memoryisterrible IknowI’myoung,butI’mconcernedI’mgettingAlzheimer’sdisease

Lastyear,aNewYorkTimesanalysisofCensusBureaudatafoundthatthepercentageofworking-ageadultsreporting “seriousdifficulty”remembering,concentrating,ormakingdecisionsincreasedfromjustunder3percenttojustunder4 percentsincethestartofthepandemic.Thosenumbersmaynotseemshocking,untilyoupeerdeeper:Thespikecomes after15yearsoflittlechangeandrepresents1millionmoreyoungerpeopleages18to44whosaytheyhavetrouble thinkingandremembering.

Andthecensusnumbersprobablydon’tincludepeoplewhosememorylapsescausemoreroutineannoyances.Backin 2013,Dr GarySmallworkedwithGalluptosurvey18,500adults,andfoundthat14percentofthoseages18to39 answered“yes”whenaskediftheyhadanyproblemswiththeirmemory.

Small,whoischairofpsychiatryatHackensackUniversityMedicalCenterinNewJersey,sayshedoesn’tknowifthe incidencehasincreasedsincethen Butifheweretoconductastudynow,hesays,hishypothesiswouldbethatmemory problemsamongtheyounghaveindeedgrown drivenbyrisingstress,explodingtechnologyuse,lackofexercise,and poordiet,amongotherlifestylefactors “There’salotofdatathatsuggestthathowwebehaveeverydayhasabigimpact onhowmuchweremember,”Smallsays

Stress,inparticular,takesatollonthebrain,impairingconcentrationandfocus Smallpointstoexperimentsinwhich youngvolunteersinjectedwithcortisol,thestresshormone,sufferedtemporarymemoryimpairment.“Thegoodnewsis thatit’stemporary,andotherstudieshaveshownthatmeditation,taichi,relaxationexercises,notonlycanimprove moods,buttheycanalsoimprovecognitivefunction,”hesays.

ElizabethKensinger,aBostonCollegepsychologyprofessorwhostudiesmemory,doubtsthatmemoryskillshave actuallydeclined;instead,shesays,youngmindsmaybeinundatedwith“junk”suchassocialmediapostsand emails.“It’sallprovidingnoiseandclutter,andit’smakingourbrainshavetoworkthatmuchhardertokeep trackoftheoneactuallyimportantemailthatwasinthislongsetofemails.”

Focusingonwhat’smostimportanttakesaconsciouseffort.“Rememberingisn’tsomethingthatjusthappens automatically,”Kensingersays.“It’ssomethingthathappensbecausewe’redevotingefforttoit.”

Butintheabsenceofsuchmeasures,“Chronicstresscanhavealong-termeffect,”saysCharanRanganath,amemory specialistattheUniversityofCaliforniaatDavis “You’rebasicallybathingyourbraininstresshormones Inthemost extremecase,itcanactuallycausebraindamage”

Anotherpossiblefactorinthiswaveofforgetting:longCOVID Brainfogandmemorylossarekeyfeaturesofthe syndrome,inwhichsymptomspersistforweeksoryearsafteraninfectionwithCOVID-19.

ButDr.ZeinaChemali,aMassachusettsGeneralHospitalneuropsychiatrist,estimatesthatlongCOVIDaccountsforonly about10percentofmemorycomplaints WhichisnottosaythatCOVID-19isirrelevant Rather,Chemalinotes,the pandemicassaultedourbrainsinotherways:Theincidenceofdepressionandanxietyhassoared,especiallyamongthe young,ashaveheavydrinkinganddruguse allofwhichcanaffectmemoryandconcentration

It’spartofamorenebulousmalaise “Peopleareshowingupafterthepandemicwithcomplaintstosay,‘Hey,we’renot doingwell We’renotasweusedtobe,’”Chemalisays

Sheadvisesavisittoaprimarycaredoctor,toseewhetherastraightforward,treatablemedicalcause,suchasthyroid insufficiency,vitamindeficiency,oranemia,canexplainmemoryproblems.It’salsoimportanttoruleoutdire possibilitiessuchasearly-onsetAlzheimer’s,sheadds,which,tobeclear,isuncommon Thevastmajorityof Alzheimer’scasesoccurafterage65.

WhenRose(whoaskedtobeidentifiedonlybyhermiddlename,forprivacyreasons)wasworkingonherPhDin molecularpharmacology,shewassoforgetfulsheneededajournalwithremindersforthesimplesttasks,suchasbuying groceriesoreatinglunch.Unabletoplan,shereliedonhersistertopickoutherdresstoweartotheirmother’swedding. “Everythingjusthadtohappenlike20minutesbefore,becausetherewasjustnot,Iguess,thebraincapacitytothink ahead,”shesays “Therewastoomuch‘now’stresstothinkforthefuture”

EveryoneinherPhDprogram,Rosesays,was“inthesameboat,”witheverywakinghourdevotedtomeetingthe expectationsoftheirequallystressed-outadvisers.Tohersurprise,withinaboutsixmonthsofcompletinghergraduate degreein2021andtakingajobataBostonbiotech,hermemoryfeltfullyrestored

Now,at32,RoseisattentivetoherdietandcomfortableinherQuincyhome,wheresheandherwifefeelaccepted, unlikewheretheylivedbefore.Herbossisadamant,shesays,that“at6o’clockyougohomeandyoustopandyoudon’t thinkaboutwork”Withthereducedstress,Rosehasnotroubleconductingmultipleexperimentsatatimeandkeeping trackofappointments.

Technologychallengesthebraininnewways Throughouthistory,storiesandnarrativeshavehelpedembedmemories, saysBU’sBudson “Nowwe’reaskedtorememberallsortsofrandomthings websitesandusernamesandpasswords andsecuritycodesandPINnumbers”Ourmemorysystems,perhaps,didnotevolveforsuchtasks,hesays

That2013studybySmall,theonethatfoundmemoryproblemsamongtheyoung,offeredanotherinterestingfinding: “Regardlessofyourage,themorehealthylifestylebehaviorsyouengagedin,thebetteryourmemory,”hesays.“Clearly, thesekindsofbehaviorsthatweknowmitigatememoryproblemsareimportantthroughoutthelifespan”

That’salotofbehaviorstochange Tofigureoutwheretobegin,ChemalirecommendsfillingouttheBrainCareScore developedbyMass General’sMcCanceCenterforBrainHealth Abriefquestionnaireasksquestionsaboutyour physicalhealth(suchasbloodpressureandweight),yourlifestyle(howmuchyouexercise,whatyoueat),andyour socialandemotionalwell-being,includingwhetheryoufeelasenseofpurpose Apointvalueisassignedtoeachitem, andyou’llgetascorerangingupto21points.

Theideaisn’ttoreach21 nobody’sperfect.Instead,thescorecardcanhelpyouchooseoneaspectofyourlifeto change,followedperhapsbyanother,sothatyoucanstarttickingthescoreupward

Thisadviceallsoundsgreat Butthedemandsofreallifecaninterfere,especiallyforparents Braun,themusictherapist, wouldlovetotakewalksbyherselforfindaquietspottomeditate.Butherhusbandworkslate,theirhouseinupstate NewYorkissmall,andherkids,ages1and4,requireherattention

Still,whenBrauncanslipawaytoenjoynatureormeditate,oreventakealongshower,shereapsthebenefits.

“Afterward,”shesays,“I’mlike,‘Oh,wow,IsortoffeelmorelikethemethatIwanttobe’”

WhatHappenstoStudentsWhoBackOutof EarlyDecisionOffers

October16,2024|SarahWood

Forsomepeople,decidingwheretoapplytocollegeisano-brainer.Theymayhavehadtheirheartsetononecollegefor yearsduetoapersonalconnection,orbecameattachedafteracampusvisit

Whileit'simportantforapplicantstoincludeothercollegesontheirlist,thosewithatop-choiceschoolmaywantto considerapplyingearlydecision,whichcangivethemalegupinadmissions Butdoingsocomeswithaso-called "binding"commitment

"Oneofthecriticismsofearlydecisionprogramsisthattheytendtobenefitfamiliesthatdon'thavetoworry aboutcost,"saysGrantGosselin,deanofundergraduateadmissionandfinancialaidatBostonCollegein Massachusetts,whichisneed-blindandmeetsthefulldemonstratedfinancialneedofallacceptedstudents."For thosecollegesthatarenotabletomeetneed,Ithinkstudentsoughttoproceedwithcautionsothattheydon'tfind themselvesinapositionofnotbeingabletoaccepttheofferthatwasextended."

Unlikeotheradmissionsdeadlines–includingearlyaction,regulardecisionandrollingadmissions–earlydecisionis binding Thismeansthat,ifaccepted,anearlydecisionapplicantisrequiredtoattendthecollege

MostearlydecisiondeadlinesareinNovember,withsomeasearlyasmid-October.Otherapplicationsaretypicallydue betweenDecemberandFebruary,whiletherollingadmissionsdeadlinewindowisopenaslateasthespringorevenupto thefirstweekofclasses

Studentscanapplyearlydecisiontoonlyoneschool,butcanusuallysubmitapplicationsconcurrentlytoothercolleges underless-restrictiveearlyactionandregulardecisiondeadlines Comparedtootheradmissionsdeadlines,whichgive studentsuntilMay1toclaimtheirspotatacollege,earlydecisionrequiresacceptedapplicantstoconfirmtheirintention toenrollwithinafewweeksofacceptanceandtorejectanyoffersreceivedfromotherschools

You'rethendonewiththeadmissionsprocessearly,saysRonneP.Turner,viceprovostofadmissionsandfinancialaidat WashingtonUniversityinSt Louis

"Ittakessomeofthatstressoffanditallowsthestudenttobeabletospendthetimecontinuingtolearnintheirsenior year,"shesays "Youalsogettoexperiencebeingaseniorinyourlastsemesterofhighschoolandareabletoenjoythat timewithouttheworryofthecollegechoice"

Applyingearlydecisionisawayforstudentstoshowtheirinterestinandcommitmenttoacollege,whichisoften beneficialintheadmissionsprocess

Ifyoucompareacceptancesatmanycolleges,there'sameasurabledifferencebetweenearlydecisionadmissionratesand regulardecisionadmissionrates DukeUniversityinNorthCarolina,forinstance,accepted129%ofearlydecision applicantsfortheclassof2028,while41%wereadmittedduringregulardecision–recordlowsforbothrates,according totheDukeChronicle,astudentnewspaper.

Fromthecollege'sperspective,earlydecisionhelpsidentifystudentswhoarethebestfit,Gosselinsays."We're alwaystryingtofindagoodmatch.WhenstudentshavedonehalftheworktoidentifyBCasreallyaligningwith theirvaluesandwhatthey'relookingforintheircollegeexperience,itgivesusthatmuchmoreconfidencethatthe matchmightbeagoodone."

Butearlydecisionisnotforeveryapplicant,especiallyforthosewhowantmorechoicesinthecollegedecisionprocess Studentswhoareunsureifthecollegemeetstheiracademicorpersonalneedsshouldnotapplyearlydecision,experts say.

Costcanbeamajorroadblockforstudentstoattendcollege,soapplicantsmustalsobesurethattheirfinancialneedcan bemet.Meritaidscholarships,forinstance,maynotbegivenoutuntilwellaftertheearlydecisiondeadline.

"Occasionally,Iwillhearstudentssay,'Well,IcanhonormyearlydecisioncommitmentifIgetascholarship,'"Turner says."Andthenwehavetoexplainthatourscholarshipselectionprocessisverydifferentandisonaverydifferent timeline Andifyouarecountingonascholarshiptobeabletomakeourinstitutionaffordableandthetimingdoesn't coincide,thenyoushouldnotapplyearlydecision"

Earlydecisionapplicationstypicallyrequirethesignatureofthestudent,parentandcounselorverifyingthecommitment Theagreementisnotlegallybinding,soacollegewouldnotgoafterastudentfortuition Butdependingontheschool, therecanbeconsequencesifastudentdoesn'tacceptanoffer.

Forexample,ifitisdiscoveredthatastudentappliedearlydecisiontotwodifferentcolleges–breakingtheagreement–a studentriskslosingbothacceptances

"Idon'tthinkit'sverycommonthatstudentsaregoingaboutthisinamanipulativeway,butthereareserious consequencesiftheychoosetodothat,"Gosselinsays.

Thereareexceptions,however Somefamiliesmayreceiveafinancialaidpackagethat'sdifferentthananticipated, makingitdifficulttoaffordthecostofattendance

"Wewanttomakesurethatfamiliesunderstandthatneedisaformulathatthefederalgovernmentand institutionsestablish,"Gosselinsays."Collegesprovidenetpricecalculatorsontheirwebsitesforfamiliestobe abletopreviewwhatfinancialaidmightlooklikeifthey'readmitted.Thoseareprettyaccurateformulas....Butin thoseinstanceswherethey'rejustnotgoingtobeableto(affordaschool)forwhateverreason,wewouldrelease thestudentforfinancialreasons.Butthat'sgenerallytheonlyviablereasontobowoutofthecontract."

Admissionsofficersunderstandifextenuatingcircumstancespreventastudentfromhonoringtheircommitment, includinganillnessordeathinthefamilythatleadsastudenttodeferenrollingforasemesteroryear,expertssay Ifthat's thecase,theyadvisestudentstoreachouttotheinstitutionassoonaspossible.

"Havesomeconversationswiththeadmissionsofficerstotalkthroughyourissuesandconcernstoseeifthere's somethingthattheinstitutioncandotohelp,"Turnersays."Studentsshouldn'tbeafraidtotalkwiththeadmissions officers That'swhatwe'reherefor"

She’saRetirementAuthority andStillMade Mistakes.Here’sWhatShe’dDoDifferently. October12,2024|AnneTergesen

AliciaMunnellspentdecadestryingtoimprovehowAmericansretire.Evenshemademistakesinherretirement planning.

The82-year-oldeconomistannouncedThursdaythatshewillstepdownatyear-endasdirectorofBostonCollege’s CenterforRetirementResearch,athinktankshefoundedin1998.

MunnellalsoservedasanassistantsecretaryattheTreasuryDepartmentunderPresidentBillClinton,following20years attheFederalReserveBankofBoston.Whenshemadethattransition,shetookherpensionearly.Thatdecisionisnow oneofhermajorregrets

Likemanypeople,shelacksthetimeandinteresttomanagemoney,shesays.Shereliesonoccasionaladvicefromher son,whoworksatafinancialfirm

“Everynowandthen,hetellsmetosendhimmyassetallocationandthenhetellsmehowtoadjustit.IfIhadto figureoutwhattoinvestin,I’dhavenoclue,”saidMunnell.“Peoplehavebusylives.Retirementplanningshould notbesomethingtheyhavetoputalotofeffortinto.”

Herworkcoverseverythingfromimprovingthe401(k)towhethertheUS facesaretirementcrisis (Answer:Probably yes,sincesheandhercolleaguescalculateabout40%oftheworkingpopulationisn’tsavingenoughtomaintaintheir lifestylethroughoutretirement)

TheWallStreetJournalspokewithMunnellaboutherpersonalandprofessionalretirementjourney Hereareedited excerptsfromtheconversation:

WSJ:Howdidyouknowthetimewasright?

Munnell:Thisisnotaprematureretirement.Youwanttostopwhileyou’reatthetopofyourgame,ratherthan havepeoplerollingtheireyeswhenyoustarttomakeapoint.Mychildrensaid,“Wethoughtyou’dworkforever.” Myresponsewas,“Idid.”

WSJ:Doyouhaveaplanforhowyouwanttospendyourtime?

Munnell:Forthefirstyear,Iwillworksomeasasenioradvisertothecenter.

Iplaybridgecompetitivelyandwouldliketogobacktotournaments.IfIhaveachancetoattendlecturesorlearn ballroomdancingorhowtobeabettercook,I’lldoitandseewhatIlike.

OnethingIdidn’tplanwellistothinkaboutwhetherwewanttoliveinaretirementcommunity.Ialwaysthought theideaofcommutingbetweenaretirementcommunityandajobdidn’tmakesense.

WSJ:Aretherefinancialdecisionsyouregret?

Munnell:WhenIlefttheFederalReserveatage50,IlistenedtosomeonewhosaidIshouldtakemymonthly pensionbenefitearlybecauseI’dbesomuchbetteratinvestingthemoneythantheFed.SoItookmymonthly checksstartingat50anddidn’tinvestapenny.Veryquickly,mypensioncheckbecamepartofmyspending.The monthlypaymentwouldhavebeenmeaningfullyhigherhadInottakenitearly.

AnotherbaddecisionisthatIdidn’tmoveanyofmymoneyfromatraditional401(k)toaRoth401(k).Neither didmyhusband.Sowehavetotakemorewithdrawalsthanweneedrightnowandpaythetaxes.Someoneshould havesaid,“Ifyou’regoingtoworkuntil82,youmightnotwanttoputallyoursavingsintoatraditional401(k). PutsomeintoaRoth.”

Yearsago,Ialsotooksomeafter-taxmoneyoutofaretirementaccounttohelpwithachild’swedding,whichwas probablynotasmartthingtodo.

WSJ:Whatdecisionsworkedespeciallywellforyou?

Munnell:OnegoodthingIdidwastolookatourbudgetinthe1990s.MyhusbandandIweregoingtoretireat65, butthehouseweownedwastoobigandtooexpensive.Wedownsizedtoaco-op.Workinglongerhelpedtoo,both financiallyandbecauseIlovewhatIdo.

WSJ:ThecenterestimatesmanyAmericansareatriskofendingupwithasavingsshortfallinretirement Haveyoudone themathonyourownsituation?

Munnell:Yes.Wecanmaintainourlifestyleinretirement.Butifwehadretiredat65,wewouldhavehadtobe morecareful.

WSJ:HowshouldtheUS improveitsretirementsavingssystem?

Munnell:Thewholedebateaboutpensionsversus401(k)sisnotveryproductive.Forone-thirdofthepopulation whohavecontinuousaccesstoaretirementplan,itseemslikethe401(k),withautomaticenrollmentinto target-datefunds,worksfine.

Thebiggestissueisthatalotofworkersaren’tcoveredbyaretirementplan.Weneedtodesignanationwide systemwhereallworkersareautomaticallyenrolled,sothesystemprovidesuniversalcoverage.

WhatIlearnedfromeditingtheJesuit Constitutions

October4,2024|

BartonT.Geger,S.J.

EdgarAllanPoemaintainedthatthekeytowritingagoodstoryistowriteitbackward.Hesaid,ineffect:Knowexactly howyouwantyourstorytoend Whatimpactdoyouwantittohaveonyourreaders?Doyouwantthemtofeelhope? Delight?Horror?Onceyouhavethatendinview,itwilldetermineeverythingelse:thecharactersyoucreate,their surroundings,theirwords,theiractions Notasinglesentenceshouldbewasted

“Itisonlywiththe[end]constantlyinview,”Poewrote,“thatwecangiveaplotitsindispensableairofconsequence,or causation,bymakingtheincidents,andespeciallythetoneatallpoints,tendtothedevelopmentoftheintention.”

St IgnatiuswouldhavelikedPoe AsthefirstsuperiorgeneraloftheSocietyofJesus,St Ignatiuswroteabookinwhich hedescribedtheSociety’smission,internalstructuresandwayofproceeding Initsintroduction,henotedthatallthe content,andeventheformat,weredecidedwithonlyonethinginview:howtheSocietycanservethegreatergloryof Godasaunifiedbodydedicatedtoapostolicservice Fromstarttofinish,St Ignatiusdecidedeverything howtoselect candidatesfortheSociety,howtoformthem,howtomissionthem solelybasedonwhatis“conducive” [“conveniente”]tothatend.EverysentenceinthebookpointstothegreatergloryofGodinsomeway,andnosentence canbeunderstoodcorrectlyapartfromit

ThebookiscalledtheConstitutionsoftheSocietyofJesus In2016,theJesuitConferenceofCanadaandtheUnited StatescommissionedtheInstituteofJesuitSourcesatBostonCollegetoproduceaneweditionfortheformationof Jesuitsandcollaborators Thiswouldrequiremanyexplanatorynotestohelpreadersunderstandthebookinitshistorical andtheologicalcontext.TheinstituteassignedmetothatprojectbecauseIhadwrittenmydissertationonthe Constitutions Itwasagreathonor andmorethanalittlefrightening tobeentrustedwithaprojectthat,forbetteror worse,couldshapehowthousandsofpeopleviewtheSocietyofJesus.

WhenpeopleaskwhatstruckmemostabouttheConstitutions,Isaytwothings:Ignatius’unwaveringfocusonserving thegreatergloryofGod(whichisevidentalsointheSpiritualExercises,hisearlierbook),andtheastonishinginternal coherenceoftheJesuitwayofproceedingthatresultsfromthatfocus

Toillustrate,IgnatiusgavethisexampleintheExercises:Itoftenhappensthatcouplesdecidetomarry,andthentheyask howtheycanglorifyGodasmuchaspossiblewithinthatmarriage.Tobesure,thisisaholythingtoask.Butmarriageis ameans,notanend TheendistoglorifyGod Ifthecouplerealizes,giventheparticularitiesoftheirsituation,thatthey canserveGod’sgreaterglorybynotgettingmarriedinthefirstplace,thendotheyhavetheinteriorfreedom(Ignatius callsit“indifference”)toletthatgoodoptiongo,asbeautifulasitis?

IntheConstitutions,IgnatiusappliedthisideawithrelentlessconsistencytoeveryaspectoftheSociety’swayof proceeding,leadingtomanycontroversialresults.Forexample,intheMiddleAges,theconventionalwisdomwasthat longhoursofprayerandasceticismwerethesurestwaytosaveone’ssoulandthatjoiningamonasterywasthebestway todothesewithoutdistractions Consequently,abbotsandabbessesgenerallyerredonthesideofacceptinganyonewho requestedadmissionbecausetheybelievedtheyhadadutytogivethemachancetosavetheirsouls Ifnewcomershad physicalinfirmitiesordifficultpersonalities,wellthensobeit;Godwasgivingtheothermonksandnunsanopportunity topracticepatience

Ignatiuscouldnotaffordtoadoptthatattitude.HewantedJesuitstobeworkingintheworldforalltosee.Itwas necessarythatmenbephysicallyfitforapostoliclaborsandhavethepersonality,socialgracesandintellectualcapacityto workwithbothsociety’selitesandthecommonpeople.InPartOneoftheConstitutions,therefore,hewrotethatifmen whoseekadmissiontotheSocietyarelackinganyofthosethings,nomatterhowdevoutandsinceretheymightbe,they shouldbetoldgentlytoseektheirsalvationelsewhere,perhapsinamonasteryormendicantinstitute.Hispolicyshocked andoffendedmanyofhiscontemporaries,bothforitslackofprecedentandforitsimpliedelitism

HereisanotherexampleofIgnatius’consistencyintheConstitutions:IfJesuitsarededicatedtomissionsthatservea greatergood,thelogicalimplicationistheexistenceofmissionsthatservelessergoods Ignatiuswaskeenlyawarethat whenJesuitschoosethefirstoverthesecond,theyincurtheresentmentofgoodpeoplewhoareinvestedinthesecond andwhowillnotlikebeingcalledlessergoods Thus,inPartNineoftheConstitutions,Ignatiusdescribestheneeded qualitiesofasuperiorgeneral:

Magnanimityandfortitudeofsoularelikewisehighlynecessaryforhim,sothathemaybeartheweaknessesof many,initiategreatundertakingsintheserviceofGodourLord,andpersevereinthemwiththeneeded constancy,neitherlosingcourageinthefaceofthecontradictions,evenfrompersonsofhighrankandpower, norallowinghimselftobedeflectedbytheirentreatiesorthreatsfromwhatreasonandthedivineservicerequire (No 728)

AcaseinpointiswhenIgnatiusreassignedabelovedparishpastorinthenameofthegreatergood Theincensed townspeoplewroteletterstoIgnatius,accusinghimofcallousnessandhypocrisyandthreateningtobecomeProtestantif hedidnotchangehismind Ignatiusheldhisground Hewrotetoonehigh-rankingcritic:

Modestyandindeedprudencerequirethatsomeone[likeyou]shouldapprove oratleastnotdisapprove withoutmuchconsideration whatisdonewithrationalforethoughtandsystembypeople[likeme]whofix theirgazesolelyonthewillofGod.Nevertheless,Iwillputagoodinterpretationonyourletter,convincedthatit ispromptedbyyourpietyandcharitytowardyourownpeople

NoteIgnatius’referenceto“rationalforethoughtandsystem”Hewasquiteconsciousofthefactthateveryaspectofthe JesuitwayofproceedingfollowedlogicallyfromtheSociety’scommitmenttothegreatergloryofGod.

TheConstitutionsmakeclear,then,whysomanygoodpeoplefoundtheJesuitwayofproceedingoffensive,even scandalous Ignatiuseasilycouldhavemollifiedhiscriticsbycompromisingontheimplicationsofhisspirituality,buthe neverdid Tobesure,hewaswillingtomakeexceptions,butifandonlyif hewritesthisexplicitlythe Constitutions thecircumstancesweresuchthataparticularexceptionclearlyservedthegreateraidofsouls Hedidnot makeexceptionstoplacatesomeone’sfeelingsortoavoidacrimony

ThatiswhyItellmystudents,“It’sOK nottolikeIgnatius”Anyspiritualityinthechurch Benedictine,Franciscan, Carmelite emphasizescertainvirtues,principlesandministriesmorethanothers.Thatiswhydifferentspiritualities existinthefirstplace,andwhyallfounders,notjustIgnatius,havetheircriticsiftheyremainconsistentwiththeirown waysofproceeding.IfoneweretoexplainIgnatianspiritualityortheJesuitmissioninsuchawaythatallChristians founditattractive,itwouldnolongerbeworthitssalt

IbelievethatthisiswhatmakestheConstitutionssofascinating,sopowerfulandstillsorelevanttoday Iamnotsaying thebookisarivetingread.Itis,afterall,abookofrulesandpolicies.Butforreaderswillingtostudythetextclosely,its consistentfocusonthefinalendhasmuchtocontributetoJesuitsandtheir collaboratorsinthe21stcentury

Hereisonlyoneexample In1995,thelateSuperiorGeneralPeter-Hans KolvenbachassertedthatJesuitsarelookingforanewlanguagetoarticulate theirmission ModernJesuitshavecoinedmanyexpressionslike“cura personalis,”“creativefidelity,”“faiththatdoesjustice,”“menandwomen forandwithothers”and“universalapostolicpreferences”Jesuitshavealso resurrectedlong-forgottenexpressionsfromtheearlySocietylike“ourway ofproceeding,”“contemplativeinaction”and“unionofmindsandhearts”

Barton T. Geger, S.J., is a research scholar at the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies and assistant professor of the practice at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College.

InmajorLatinAmericancountries,Catholicsupportforordainingwomenaspriestshasrisensignificantlyinthelast decade,whilePopeFrancis’popularityhasdeclinedsomewhat,accordingtoasurveyreleasedThursday(Sept 26)by PewResearchCenter.

TheRev.GustavoMorello,aJesuitandprofessorofsociologyatBostonCollegewhostudiesLatinAmerica,said thatdespitesomedeclinestherelativepopularityofFrancis,alsoaJesuit,surprisedhim.

"Icouldn’tfindanyotherrankingofaleaderwhohasbeeninchargeforthelast10yearsthathasabetterimage thanthepope,"MorellotoldRNS,notingthatonlysomedeadU.S.presidentsdidbetterinopinionpolls."It’sa signofthelackofgloballeadership,"Morellosaid.

Morellobelieveslocalexperiencesimpacteachcountry’sviewofFrancis,pointingtobothpoliticsandchurch scandalsinthevariouscountries.

InChile,whichhasseenrecentpoliticalturmoiloverproposalsforconstitutionalreform,thechurchhasalso experiencedasignificantclergyabusecrisis.In2018,Francisprovokedangryprotestswhenhedefendedabishop accusedofparticipatinginacover-up,beforeeventuallyacceptingthebishop’sresignation.Theseeventsmay impactFrancis’lowfavorability,Morellosaid.

InColombia,FrancisbackedapeacedealbetweenthegovernmentandtheRevolutionaryArmedForcesof Colombiaguerrillagroup,ortheFARC,whichmayhavecontributedtohispopularity,Morellosaid.

FrancissawhisgreatestdropinpopularityinArgentina,hishomecountry,goingfrom98%favorabilityamong Catholicsadecadeagoto74%favorabilityin2024.Hisfavorabilityinthegeneralpopulationisat64%,down from91%adecadeago.

Morellosaidthathisresearchfrom2015and2016inArgentinashowsthatsupportforthepopeisnuanced.

IntervieweeshavetoldhimtheysupportedFrancis’interventionattheinternationallevelwithinstitutionssuchas theInternationalMonetaryFund,theWorldBankandtheWorldEconomicForumbecausetheyfeltvoicelessin thoseplaces.(TheIMFhasheldasubstantialamountofArgentinedebt.)

However,theytoldMorellotheydislikedwhenthepopeweighedinonnationalpoliticsinArgentina,wherethey couldvoteandfelthewastakingpowerawayfromthem.

Perusawthehighestincreaseamongthesurveyedcountries whichalsoincludedArgentina,Chile,Brazil,Colombia andMexico with65%ofPeruvianCatholicssupportingtheordinationofwomenpriests,upfromthe42%average acrossthreesurveystakenbetween2013and2015.Brazilsawthesmallestjumpbutalsomaintainsthehighestoverall support,withmorethan8in10BrazilianCatholicsinfavor

Pew’spoll,whichsurveyedCatholicsfromacrosssixcountriesthattogetheraccountforroughlythree-quartersofLatin America’sCatholics,gaugedattitudesonPopeFrancis,women’sordinationandahostofotherchurchreforms Italso comparedthoseresponsestotheresultsofaFebruarysurveyofU.S.Catholics.

AfterPeru,Mexicosawthehighestjumpinsupportforwomen’sordination,withanincreaseof16percentagepoints (31%to47%) Supportwentup13pointsinColombia(43%to56%),20pointsinArgentina(51%to71%),6pointsin Chile(63%to69%)and5pointsinBrazil(78%to83%).IntheU.S.,supportforwomen’sordinationwasstableacross thedecade,at62%and64%,accordingtotheFebruarysurvey.

YoungerCatholicsacrossLatinAmericaaremorelikelytosupportwomen’sordinationtothepriesthood exceptin Brazil,wheresupportisequallyhighacrossgenerations whereasintheUS,Catholicsoverage40aremorelikely (66%)thantheiryoungercounterparts(57%)tosupportwomen’sordination.ThelargestgenerationalgapisinMexico, where64%of18-to39-year-oldssupportwomen’sordinationcomparedwith34%ofthose40andolder

ThesurveyalsofoundthatFrancis’popularityhasdroppedthroughoutLatinAmericainthelastdecade,though significantmajoritiesofLatinAmericanCatholicsstillviewhimfavorably Currently,Francisenjoysthehighest popularityinColombia,where88%ofCatholicsviewhimfavorably,downfrom93%adecadeago.Heisleastpopularin Chile,wherehisfavorabilityamongCatholicshasfallen15percentagepointsoverthepastdecade(from79%to64%)

ThemajorityofthegeneralpopulationintheLatinAmericancountriessurveyed,whichincludesnon-Catholics,continue toviewFrancisfavorably withtheexceptionoftheChileanpopulation,amongwhomhisfavorabilityhoversaroundor justbelowhalf(48%).

Morellocautionedthatdoor-to-doormethodsmaymissthewealthiest,giventhattheymayliveingated communities,andthepoorest,whomayliveinareashardtoaccess.Nevertheless,hepraisedPew’smethods."I don’thaveanyfearaboutthemethodology.Inanycase,iftheycouldn’tdothis,nobodycan,"thepriestand sociologistsaid.Thesurveycollectedresponsesfrom3,655CatholicsinLatinAmericafromJanuarytoAprilof thisyear.InthesixLatinAmericancountries,themarginoferrorrangedfromplusorminus4.9percentage pointsto6.0percentagepoints.

BostonCollege’sMcMullenMuseumOfArt’s ‘StatesOfBecoming’ExploresForcesOf RelocationAndAssimilation

September29,2024

TheMcMullenMuseumofArtatBostonCollegepresents“StatesofBecoming,”anexhibitioncuratedbyFitsum ShebesheandproducedbyIndependentCuratorsInternational(ICI).Itexaminesthedynamicforcesofrelocation, resettlingandassimilation thatshapetheartisticpracticesofagroupof17contemporaryAfricanartistsandinformsthe discourseonidentityconstructionwithintheAfricandiaspora Theartists,whoeitherrelocatedtotheUnitedStatesorare first-generationborn,havelivedandworkedherewithinthelastthreedecades

ThetravelingexhibitionisonviewthroughDecember8.TheMcMullenisthefirstNewEnglandvenuetohost “StatesofBecoming,”whichpresents28worksacrossmediumsincludingpainting,photography,sculpture, installationandvideo,whichexpressthedifferentwaysinwhichidentityisremadeandreimagined.

“TheMcMullenMuseumandBostonCollege’sAfricanandAfricanDiasporaStudiesProgram[AADS]are pleasedtopresenttherecentworkof17 outstandingartists,allofwhomhavebeenmembersoftheAfrican diasporaintheUnitedStates,”saidNancyNetzer,InauguralRobertL.andJudithT.Winstondirectorofthe McMullenMuseumofArt,andaBostonCollegeprofessorofarthistory.

Theexhibitionisarrangedinthreegroups:artistswhoserelocationpromptedaesthetictransformationsbyincorporating hybridelementsintotheirwork;artistswhosharetheirexperiencesfromtheircountryoforiginwithintheircurrent communities;andartistswhobuildbridgesconnectingtheAfricandiasporatotheUnitedStatesintheirpractice “States ofBecoming”aimstocontributetoconversationsonidentityconstructioninthefaceofrelocationandresettling, exemplifyinghowdiasporaartistsnavigatetheinterplaybetweenancestralAfricanheritagesandprevailingAmerican culturalparadigms

TheMcMullenMuseumofArtatBostonCollegeisat2101CommonwealthAvenue Forinformation,617-552-8587or wwwmcmullenmuseumbcedu

Searchingformyfather’sstory,findinga tantalizinggrandfather

September25,2024|ElizabethGraver

Igolookingformygrandfather,LouisGraver,whodiedin1944,twentyyearsbeforeIwasborn HewentbyLou,which isalsomyparents’nicknameforme,thoughit’sonlynow,afewweeksaftermysixtiethbirthdayandlongaftermy father’sdeath,thatInoticethetwinningofthename

ThestorygoesthatLouGravercamehomefromworkonedaycomplainingofaheadache,laydownonthebedanddied. Acerebralhemorrhage,supposedly,thoughmyfatherhadamemoryofblood(maybeLoufellduringtheevent?)andof hismothercallingsavehim,Larry,savehim!,butmydadwasonlytwelve,askinny,smartboywithcurlyblackhairand earsthatstuckoutandacommunistshoesalesmanfatherheadoredbutwhocouldn’tkeepajob,andtherewasnosaving tobehad

I’mlookingformygrandfatherinordertowriteabout myfather,inordertoalsowrite(ifIdare)aboutmyself. Iwon’treallyknowwhatIhavetosayuntilIsayit,and ifmypriorexperienceisanyindication,theroadwill havemanytwistsandturns.Doingresearchasawriter isn’tnewtome BeforetheInternet,itmostlyhappened inthelibrary Formyfirstnovel,“Unravelling,”set partlyinruralNewHampshire,Iremembergoingtothe stackstoresearchhowtoslaughterapig,butthe temptationsweremany,andIstumbleduponabook thatdescribedhowtoinsulateahousebysurroundingit withabankofdeadleaves Iwasearlyintheprocess butknewthatthis thenestofleavesrisingup,damp andfecund,insect-filled,rotting,protecting would setthescenefortheendofmynovel.Ittookmeyearstogetthere,butIdid.

Earlyon,Iresearchedworlds,notrealpeople,butovertimeIbegantoinvestigatemyownfamilyhistory,whichfeels evermorefleetingasIage.Mylastbook,“Kantika,”imaginesthemigrationjourneyofmymaternalgrandmother,a SephardicJewishwomanborninTurkey ThoughIwroteitasanovel,itreliesheavilyonfact,beginningwithrecorded interviewsIdidwithmygrandmotherwhenIwas21andshewasclosetotheendofherlife Iincludefamily photographsandsomerealnames,alongwithinventedcharactersandscenes.It’sa“truenovel,”or“romanvrai,”to borrowatermfromFrenchwriterAnneBerest,whosepowerfulnovel“ThePostcard”straddlesgenresinsimilarways Thistime,Imighttrynonfiction,ormaybenot.I’monlyjustbeginning;muchcanchange.Itbeing2024,IlookforLouis ontheInternet Ancestrycom,withitsjauntygreenleafclues,turnsupcensuseswithaddressesintheSouthBronx,as wellasinBridgeport,Connecticut,whereLoudied IgoonapilgrimagewithmynephewJacob(middlenameLouis)to severaladdresses.OnFaileStreetintheBronx,wheremydadlivedwithhisparentsandmaternalgrandparentsasalittle boy,wefindonlyamodernbasketballcourtattheaddress,butdownthestreet,wecomeuponaFellowshipBaptist churchwithaStarofDavidpeekingfaintlyoutfrombehindapaneofglassaboveitsfadedbluesign Thecensustoldme thatmyfather’sgrandfather,BenjaminPearlstein,wasaHebrewteacher Maybeheclimbedthesefivestairstoteachin thisshul,cominghome(oneofjustahandfulofthingsmyfathertoldmeabouthischildhood)toarguebitterlywithhis son-in-lawLou,thecommunistThroughtheFreedomofInformationAct,Iobtainmygrandfather’sFBIfile,wherean informant,whosenameisredacted,describestrackingLouisGraverinthemonthsbeforehisdeath IlearnthatLou

joinedacommunistbookgroup,andthathefiguredoutthelocationof theundercovercommunistpartyheadquartersinBridgeportbecausehe sawawhitemantalkingtoaBlackmaninanupperstorywindow anunusualsightatthetimethatledhimtoinvestigate IlearnthatLou, whonevergraduatedhighschool,wroteforleftwingandJewish publications,thoughwhenIsearchforhisnameinTheDailyWorker andTheForward,Ifindonly“graverdanger”and“graverisk”Iwrite toanhistorian,whotellsmethatLouisprobablywroteunderanalias toprotecthimself JustwhenI’mabouttogiveup,Ifindonebrief mentionofhimintheDailyWorkerina1936articleaboutaBootand ShoeWorkersunionprotest,wherehewasarrestedfor“loudtalking” byPatrolmanGreen.

Foreveryhole,Ifindanugget,andanotherhole Italktotwosecond cousinsImeetonlinethroughAncestry,whosharesomethingsabout thefamilythatfeelprivateandpainfulenoughthatImustwrestlewith whethertoputtheminorleavethemout Slowly,apersonstartsto forminmymind,thoughthelinebetweenfactandimagination remainsblurred LouisGraver,Ilearnfromhisdraftcard,wasaslight man 5′6′',120pounds Hehadbrowneyes,brownhair,lightbrown skin.Hewasrejectedfromthedraft;Ihaven’tyetfiguredoutwhy.The “G”inhissignaturelookslikemydad’s

I’vebeenmissingmybelovedfatherforfourteenlongyears,butnow, weirdly,IalsomisshisfatherLou,whosename,inacertainway,Ibear Didmyfathernoticetheecho?Iwillnever know,andsoIwonder,ponder,research Write

Elizabeth Graver’s fifth novel, “Kantika,” was awarded the Edward Lewis Wallant Award, the Julia Ward Howe Award, the Massachusetts Book Award for Fiction, and a National Jewish Book Award. She teaches at Boston College.

Diplomasbehindbarsprovideopportunitiesfor rethinkingincarceration

September20,2024|PatrickConway

AsthousandsofstudentssettleintothefallsemesteratcollegesanduniversitiesaroundBoston,anothergroupis preparingforanimportantmilestoneatamedium-securityprisoninShirley OnSept.23thefirstcohortofstudents fromtheBostonCollegePrisonEducationProgramwilldontheircapsandgownsandbegreetedbyabrassband playingthefamiliarrefrainsof“PompandCircumstance”beforecrossingthestagetoreceivetheirbachelorof artsdegrees.

Theceremonymarksasignificantachievement,notonlyforstudentsbutalsoforBostonCollege Ourinitialgraduating classissmall:Threestudentswillbeearningtheirdiplomas.Buttheceremonywillstartanannualtradition.Soon,our programwillseegroupsof10to15studentsgraduate

Havingworkedwithinthecriminaljusticesystemfornearlytwodecades,andwithincollege-in-prisonprogramsforthe past10years,Ibelieveinitiativeslikeoursdomorethanprovideaccesstohigh-qualityeducation theyalsoprovidea pathwayforreimaginingmoreeffective,meaningful,andhumaneresponsestocrimeandincarceration.

Theuniversity’sinvestment financialandadministrative hasbeensubstantial,withcollege-in-prisonaligning particularlywellwiththeJesuitdimensionsofBC’smission Foundedin2019,ourprograminitiallyadmittedagroupof

16students,themajorityofwhomhavesincebeenreleasedthankstocriminaljusticereform Nowhavingadmitteda totalof80students,we’veenrolledanewcohorteveryyear(withtheexceptionoftheheightoftheCOVID-19 pandemic),quicklygrowingtobecomethelargestbachelorofartscollege-in-prisonprograminMassachusettsandoneof thelargestnationally

Ourstudentsstudytheartsandsciencesalongwithemployment-orientedcourseworkinentrepreneurship,strategic leadership,andpersonalfinance Ifstudentsarereleasedpriortograduating,theuniversitysupportsthembothoncampus andonline,helpingthemtocompletetheirdegree.OurfirststudentgraduatingonthemaincampusinChestnutHillwill dosothiscomingspring,twoyearsafterhisreleasefromprisonin2023

Thisprogrambenefitsallwhoparticipate.Istartedmycareerasacriminaldefenseinvestigatoratpublicdefenderoffices inWashington,DC,andthenlaterworkedattheCommitteeforPublicCounselServicesinMassachusetts Frommy timeobservingthecourtsandprisonsystemsupclose,whatstruckmewasjusthowdehumanizingtheycanbe

Respondingtocrimeatasocietallevelisacomplexchallenge,andItendtobewaryofeasysolutionsorsweeping claims Thecriminaljusticesystemoftenneglectsthatitisdealingwithhumanlives MostclientsIrepresentedfoundthe experienceofprisoneitherchaoticandnoisyorisolatingandlonely Itisalwayseasiertodiscardorignoreratherthanto engage.

College-in-prisonprogramshavethepotentialtoprovideadifferentapproach Withnewfederallegislationsupporting accesstoPellGrantsforincarceratedstudents,programsaresproutingthroughoutthecountry Ourssharesanaffiliation withtheBardPrisonInitiative,aleadinginternationalnetworkofliberalartsprogramsinprison.

Manyjustifytheirprogramsthroughthelensofrecidivism,therateatwhichpeoplereturntoprisonafterbeingreleased Theargumentisthatmoreeducationequatestofewerpeoplereturning Thisisimportantandsomethingprogramsshould aimtoachieve.Butitalsofailstocapturethefullscopeofwhatisbeingaccomplished.

Programslikeoursprovidenotonlyeconomicandemploymenttoolsbutalsoopportunitiesforstudentstodevelopand pursueinterests;toengageincommunitiesofmutualityandmentorship;andtoreflectontheirlives notinacoercive orprescriptivefashionbutontheirowntermsandwithinsocialandhistoricalcontexts.Asastudentoncetoldme,“To makeahumanlifeinprison,thatisthetask”

Whiletheworkofcultivatingone’sowninnerlifeisdifficult(perhapsevenimpossible)toquantify,itisnonethelessa knownexperience,andonethatcanbedeepenedbyexposuretothebreadthanddepthofaqualityliberalartseducation.

Formanyinprison,incarcerationitselfrepresentsamajorlowpointintheirlives College-in-prisonprogramscanhelp studentsbegintorewritethatnarrative Itcanhelpthemreconstructtheirownidentitiesinawaythathelpsthemreflect onpasttraumas(and,perhaps,personalfailings)andbuildhealthierself-conceptions,onesthatarenotmerelytiedtotheir criminalrecordortheirhistoryofincarceration.Thestudentsinourprogramarefarmorethantheirpastcrimesand traumas Theyaretalented,insightful,andreadytocontributetosociety

ForourthreestudentsreceivingtheirdegreesandofficiallybecomingBostonCollegealumni,theaccomplishmentis morethanjustpersonal.Theyarethefirstofmanytofollow.Theirsuccessdemonstrateswhatispossiblewhensociety shiftsitseffortsfrombeingpurelypunitivetoadoptingamorehumanizingresponsetocrime,onethatensures incarceratedpeopleremainwithinthefoldofourbroadercommunities

Patrick Conway M.A.’12, Ph.D. ’22, is the program director and inaugural Ignacio Chair of Boston College’s Prison Education Program.

September

Almost45%ofCatholicsintheUnitedStatesself-identifyasHispanic anumberthatwillcontinuegrowinginthe comingdecades ThismeanstheCatholicChurchinAmericawillbecomeincreasinglyHispanic Undoubtedly,thisisthe timetostepintoa"NuevoMomento"("newmoment")toservetheHispaniccommunityinthiscountry.

TopromoteandstrengthenministrytoHispanicsintheU.S.,BostonCollegelaunchedanationalprojectcalled NuevoMomento:LeadershipandCapacityBuildingforMinisterialOrganizationsServingHispanicCatholics. Thisinitiative,developedbytheBostonCollegeCloughSchoolofTheologyandMinistry,issupportedbya$15 millionLillyEndowmentgrantandledbyLatinotheologianandBostonCollegeprofessorHosffmanOspino.

NuevoMomentoisauniqueinitiativedesignedtostrengthentheworkandleadershipof15Catholicorganizationsthat havehadahighministerialimpactatthelocalornationallevel Itisafive-yearprojectduringwhichsomeprofessors, researchersandministerswillalsoconductcarefulresearchonU.S.HispanicCatholicministry.

Officially,weinauguratedtheNuevoMomentofirstphasewithabusinessmeetingheldAug.25-28atBoston College'sTheConnorsCenterinDover,Massachusetts.Thirtyexecutiveleadersandmembersoftheorganizations, morethanadozenexpertcollaboratorsandconsultants,andtheNuevoMomentoteamgatheredtoprayandcelebrateour faithanddialogueanddiscerntogetheraboutthevisiondrivingtheprojectaswellasitslogistics

EachorganizationparticipatinginNuevoMomentohasbeencarefullyselectedafteraperiodofdiscernmentandstudy Theyallworkindiverseandmulti-ministerialareas Agoodnumberofthemspecializeintheeducationandformationof youthandyoungadultlayecclesialministers,suchasCorazónPuro,InstitutoFeyVida,Inc,Iskali,LaREDNacionalde PastoralJuvenilHispana,theNationalFederationforCatholicYouthMinistryandtheSoutheastPastoralInstitute Some dedicatetheireffortstoadvocacyandempowermentofvulnerablepopulations,asinthecaseofPastoralMigratoria

OthersprovideeducationalandprofessionalsupporttoHispanicministryentitiesandorganizations,oftenbringingthem togethertostrategizeandimplementnationalinitiatives,suchastheFederacióndeInstitutosPastorales,theMexican AmericanCatholicCollege,theNationalCatholicCouncilforHispanicMinistryandtheNorthwestRegionalOfficefor HispanicAffairs

Somearemembershiporganizationsthatconvene,supportandformHispanicCatholicecclesialleaderssuchasthe AsociacióndeHermanasLatinasMisionerasenAmérica,theAsociaciónNacionaldeSacerdotesHispanos,the FederationforCatechesiswithHispanicsandtheNationalCatholicAssociationofDiocesanDirectorsofHispanic Ministry

EachoftheseorganizationshasemergedtosharethejoyoftheGospel,healwoundsandaddressthemanyneedsof Hispanicsnationwide.ThesegroupsarereachinghundredsofthousandsofHispanicCatholicsthroughtheirwork.

"Theseorganizationsarelookingtoinnovate,torespondtothemosturgentneedsofGod'speople,"Ospinosaid duringtheNuevoMomentomeeting.Thisinitiativeisanopportunityforallofthemtowork"enconjunto"or together,asremarkedbytheRev.TitoMadrazo,programdirectorinthereligiondivisionatLillyEndowmentInc.

Startingwiththemeeting,the15organizationshaveenteredareadinessphase,somethingsimilartoaprocessofspiritual preparationtotakethenextstepinassessingtheirstructuresandstrengtheningtheircapacity

Oneofthisinitiative'smainobjectivesistoprovidehigh-qualityresources,professionalmentoringandgenerous financialsupporttoeachorganizationinvolved.Inthisway,theywillbeabletogrowinsustainabilityand effectiveness."Itiscrucialtoprovideorganizationswiththeecclesial,academic,organizationalandleadership

toolssotheycancontinuegrowing,"saidBrendaNoriega-Flores,BostonCollegedoctoralcandidateandaproject coordinatorinNuevoMomento.

However,wealsoknowthattheresourcesneededtodaytorenewministryamongHispanicCatholicsgobeyond theologicalreflection TheGospeldynamicsalsocallforcourageanddialoguewithlarealidadorthecurrentcontext "Weneedafreshlookandstrongersenseofsustainability,"SoutheastPastoralInstitute'sexecutivedirectorOlgaLucía Villarpointedout

Tomoveforwardandprovidetheresourcesneededtosupporttheministerialorganizations,NuevoMomentohas developeddirectpartnershipswiththeLeadershipRoundtable,ForImpact,CorresponsablesdeDiosandIndiana University'sLakeInstituteonFaith&Giving Thesefourhighlyprestigiousandsuccessfulinstitutionswilloffer expertise,mentorshipandguidancetotheleadersinvolvedinthisproject.Inaddition,NuevoMomentohasconveneda selectgroupofexpertconsultantsinleadership,administration,theologyandministry

Investmentintheacademicformationoffuturechurchleadersandministersisessentialtorespondingtothe questionsandaddressingthechallengesthatministerialorganizationswillfaceinthenearfuture.Hence,oneof thehighlightsofNuevoMomentoisthatBostonCollegeisdesigningandlaunchingahybrid-modality(onlineand in-person)master'sdegreeinministerialleadershipinthesummerof2025.

ThisacademicprogramwillbehousedattheBCCloughSchoolofTheologyandMinistry,providecreative formationinministryandfaith-based,nonprofitorganizationalmanagement,andintegrateexpertmentorshipat theacademicandprofessionallevels.Theprogram'sfirstthreecohortswilldrawsolelyfromleadersrecommendedby the15organizationsparticipatinginNuevoMomento.Eachstudentenrolledinthismaster'sdegreeprogramwillreceive ascholarshipcoveringallstudy-relatedexpenses "Thisisawaytohaveaformationforourleaderswhoarealready working,"saidChristopherLeach,NationalFederationforCatholicYouthMinistry'sdirectorofstrategy.

"Itistimetoworkontheeffectiveleadershipoforganizations,"saidNoriega-Floresduringthemeeting "Wewantto prepareleadingministerscapableoffacingrealityandattendingtothecurrentculture"

Itisverycleartomethathavingprofessionallypreparedleaderstoguideministerialorganizationsisalsokeytothecall tosynodalityPopeFrancishasmadeandweneedintheCatholicChurch

"Timesaredifferent,andwecannolongeractlikeweusedto,"BishopEmeritusGeraldBarnesofSanBernardino, California,highlightedduringhiskeynote.

Today,itisnotonlynecessarybuturgenttoinvestinLatinoecclesialleadershipandtheministerialorganizationsledby HispanicCatholicsattheserviceofthelargerchurch,especiallybyempoweringyoungHispanicCatholicstobe architectsofafuturebeingforgedinourdiversecommunities

"TheseministerialorganizationsinNuevoMomentotrulygivemehopeandconfirmthattheHolySpiritismoving amongus,"Ospinosaid.Thecurrentleadersoftheseministerialorganizations,andthosewhowillbeformed throughtheinitiative,togetherareseedsofecclesialrenewal.

Thefantasticworkofthese15organizationsdemonstratesclearlythatHispanicministryinvolvesmuchmorethan offeringworshipservicesinSpanishandtranslatingbrochures.Theirbraverywillmarkhistoryandopenthepossibilityof speakingofanewecclesiologicalunderstanding,alwaysgroundedintheGospelandaspiritofserviceandrenewal

NuevoMomentohasemergedasacreativeinitiativetopromoteandstrengthencurrentministerialeffortsandtopreparea newgenerationofHispanicCatholicpastoralleaders Itisaninvitationforthoseofuswhoexerciseanykindofministry withHispanicsorLatinostorenewourownleadershipandnotbeafraidtobeanIglesiaensalidaorachurchwhichgoes forth Itistimetolistenand"walkinallkindsofways,"asCharityoftheIncarnateWordSr TeresaMayastatedduring themeeting.

Arewereadytojourneywiththefast-growingHispanicCatholicsintheUnitedStates?WithGod'shelp,letusjointhis movementtoempowerministerialorganizationsandHispanicleaders ANuevoMomentoisemerging

BC’sCarrollschoolreceiveslargest-ever donation

September2,2024|GrantWelker

BostonCollege’sCarrollSchoolofManagementhas receivedthelargestfinancialgiftinitshistory.While BCisn’tdisclosingtheamount,it’senoughthatthe schoolisnaminganacademicdivisionaftersomeone forthefirsttime

TheCarrollSchool’sfinancedepartmentwillnowbe knownastheSeidnerDepartmentofFinancefollowing thegiftfromMarcSeidner,analumnusandtrustee who’samanagingdirectorforthePacificInvestment ManagementCo,orPIMCO

BCsaidthegiftwillgotowardscholarship,researchandteachingintheSeidnerDepartmentofFinance.BC,which announcedthegiftonThursday,saiditisoneoffewendoweddepartmentsamongAmericancolleges

SeidnersaidinBC’sannouncementhemadethegiftinrecognitionforthe educationthatBCprovidedtohimandhisdaughter,Alexis,a2024graduate

“OurphilanthropyisathankyoutoBostonCollegefortakingachanceon measastudentandequippingmewiththetoolkittosucceedpersonallyand professionally,”Seidnersaidinastatement

A1988graduate,Seidneristhechiefinvestmentofficerfornontraditional strategiesatPIMCO,whichoverseesnearly$19trillioninassetsunder management HebeganhiscareeratanarmofFidelityInvestmentsandlater workedatBoston-basedHarvardManagementCo.,whichoverseesHarvard University’sendowment,thelargestinthenation

BCsaiditisalsonearlyhalfwaytowarda$3billiongoalinitsSoaring Higherfundraisingcampaign

TheImperialJudiciary

August28,2024|

CathleenKaveny

AccordingtoourConstitution,Congressmakesthelaw,thepresidentenforcesthelaw,andjudgesinterpretthelaw.But intheUnitedStatestoday,administrativeagenciesrunthelaw.LegalscholarSusanDudleyhasdonethecalculations:she pointsoutthattheCodeofFederalRegulations,largelydraftedbytheseagencies,consumesmorethan185,000pages TheregulationsaremorethanfourtimesaslongastheUS legalcodeuponwhichtheyarebased Takentogether,these regulationsreflecttheextensivereachofwhatcriticscallthe“administrativestate.”

WehaveallheardoftheFoodandDrugAdministration,HomelandSecurity,andtheSecuritiesandExchange Commission.Buttherearemorethanfourhundredotherfederalagenciesrunningnearlyeveryaspectofmodernlifefrom AtoZ oratleastAtoW TheAbilityOneCommissionhelpspeoplewithdisabilitiesfindfederaljobs,whilethe WoodrowWilsonInternationalCenterforScholarsconductsnonpartisanresearchtoinformpolicymakers Inbetween,we havetheCivilRightsDivisionoftheDepartmentofJustice,theEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,andtheSocial SecurityAdministration

Dothesefederalagencieshavetoomuchpower?Theconservativelegalmovement,spearheadedbytheFederalist Society,haslongbelievedthattheydo Now,withafirmsix-threemajorityontheSupremeCourt,conservativesareina positiontoactonthatbelief Attheendofthe2023–2024term,theCourtissuedfouropinionsthatsignificantlyimpeded thepoweroffederalagencies:LoperBrightEnterprisesv.Raimondo,SECv.Jarkesy,CornerPost,Inc.v.Boardof GovernorsoftheFederalReserveSystem,andOhiov.EPA.

Thefirstcase,Loper,receivedthemostattentionfromthemediabecauseitoverruledafoundationalcasein contemporaryadministrativelaw,ChevronU.S.A.,Inc.v.NRDC(1984).Toconveyasenseofitsimportance and controversialnature youmightsaythatChevronisadministrativelaw’sRoev Wade(1973)

Chevronrequiredcourtstodefertoanagency’sinterpretationofambiguousprovisionsinthefederalstatuteitwas responsibleforimplementing,providedthattheinterpretationwasreasonable Fromapracticalperspective,Chevron madeiteasierforagenciesliketheEPAandtheFDAtomakeandenforceregulations,becauseitsignaledthatmost attemptsbyregulatedentitiestochallengetheregulators’interpretationofthegoverninglawwouldbefutile.Loperends Chevrondeference,holdingthatjudgesarenotrequiredtodefertoanyreasonableagencyinterpretations,butmust proceedwiththeirownbestinterpretationofthelaw

HowpracticallysignificantisLoper?AdministrativelawexpertRichardJ PierceJr maintainsthatitssignificanceis overrated,inpartbecausecourtsarestillrequiredtogive“mostrespectfulconsideration”toagencyinterpretations The CourtmadeitclearthatitwasnotlikelytodisturbpastdecisionsunderChevron.Moreover,bothlitigantsandagencies havelongbeenpreparingforChevron’sdemise,whicheveryonesawcoming Consequently,PierceclaimsthatLoper“is unlikelytochangetheoutcomeofmanydisputesaboutthemeaningofregulatorystatutes” Piercearguesthatthethreeothercasesinthelisthavegreaterpotentialto“cripple”theworkofadministrativeagencies. JarkesyhamperedtheabilityoftheSECtopunishsecuritiesfraudbyholdingthatdefendantsareentitledtojurytrials, ratherthanmerelythein-housedisciplinaryproceduresusedbytheSECandotheragencies CornerPostinterpreteda statuteoflimitationsinawaythatmadeitmucheasierforcorporateentitiestoobjecttolongstandinggovernmentrules

andregulations AndinOhiov EPA,whichPierceviewsasthemostworrisomeprecedent,theSupremeCourtusedits emergencydockettostaytheenforcementofanEPArule,which,fromapracticalperspective,substantiallydecreasedthe likelihooditwouldeverbeenforced Itessentiallyamountedtoajudicialpocketveto

PiercemaywellberightabouttherelativepragmaticimportanceofJarkesy,CornerPost,andOhiov.EPA.ButIthinkhe underestimatesthebroaderimpactoftheLopermajorityopinion,whichlaysbaretheaggressiveagendaoftheTrump Court Inanutshell,itsignalstheascendencyoftheimperialjudiciary,thinlycloakingitsambitionsinthreehighly misleadingtropesabouthowthelawoperates.

First,themajorityopinion,writtenbyChiefJusticeJohnRoberts,setsforthastaticaccountoflaw’smeaning Inhisview, thelaw,whetherfoundintheConstitutionorastatute,meanswhatitmeantwhenitwasenacted.Thelegaltextistobe decodedbyreferringtothepresuppositionsoperativeatthetime Themeaningofthelawdoesnotevolveordevelop dependinguponchangingsocialcircumstances Robertsacknowledgesthatthe“facts”towhichthelawdirectsour attentionmightchangeovertime,buthesuggeststhatthemeaningoflegalnormsremainsconstant.

Thisdifferentiationbetweenunchanginglawandchangingfactsresonateswiththecommon,layunderstandingoflaw Butthereality,aslawyersknow,isverydifferent.Legalnormsandfactsareintertwined andtheirinterpretationpoints tothecommunityweliveintoday,nottheonethatgeneratedthelawdecadesago.Itistruethatthemeaningofthelaw developsinadisciplinedway,oftenbyanalogy Itdoesnotchangewilly-nilly Butitdoesdevelop,becauselawhastobe flexibleenoughtoguidethebehavioroftheliving,notmerelythelongdead Totakesomebasiclegalexamples,what countsas“reasonable”and“prudent”behaviorcannotbeunpackedwithoutreferencetotoday’ssocialcontext.Lawand factmaybedistinguished,butneverseparated

Second,theopinionadoptsarigid andinmyview,untenable accountofhowlawshouldbeinterpreted.Roberts assertsthatthereisalwaysoneclearlyidentifiable“best”meaningofanambiguousstatutoryprovision,whichcanbe uncoveredsolelybyusingtoolsoflegalinterpretationfirmlyensconcedinthejudicialtoolbox Thetaskofthejudgeisto usethosetoolsandarticulatethebestmeaning,whichmayormaynotcorrespondtothemeaninggivenitbytheagency.

AsthelegaltheoristandliteraturescholarJamesBoydWhitehasshown,manytexts,includinglegaltexts,aresubjecttoa numberofplausiblereadings.Whatmakesonethe“best”reading?Thereisnoclearanswer,especiallywithrespectto law,becauseinterpretationisoftenabalancingofpolicyconcerns,asthedissentpointsout Howwellwillaparticular readingachievethepurposesofthestatuteliketheEnvironmentalProtectionAct?Howimportantarethoseparticular purposes?Whatarethecostsofenforcement,giventhatreadingofthestatute?Discerningtheproperbalanceisnotan “objective”activity,butrequiresgraspingthepointofthestatuteandtheregulationsfromaninternal,practical perspective Inotherwords,itrequiresthekindofprudencedemonstratedbythosewhohavededicatedtheirlivesto bringingthestatutetolife Chevrondeferencewasbasedonrespectforthevirtueofpracticalwisdom

Inmyview,thepracticaleffectofthesefourdecisionswillbeaslowdeclinein Americans’qualityoflife FDAregulationskeepingourdrugssafeorEPA regulationssafeguardingourdrinkingwaterandtheairwebreathewillbe neutralizedbecausethey’llbetiedupinendlesslitigation Andwhencancerrates rise,peoplewillblameCongressorthepresident Butthepeopleactuallyatfault arehidingbehindtheirbigblackrobes.

TograspthenettleoftheTrumpCourt,weneedtoturnawayfromitsmythsabout itselfandviewitsdecisionsinthecoldlightoflegalrealism.AsJusticeRobert Jacksonsaidin1953,“Wearenotfinalbecauseweareinfallible,butweare infallibleonlybecausewearefinal”

Cathleen Kaveny teaches law and theology at Boston College.

Everyoneisafirst-generationstudentatBC’s newMessinaCollege

August27,2024|JulietSchulman-Hall

ToMessinaCollegestudentRyanPina,goingtocollegeisn’tsomethinghe wantstodojustforhimself It’ssomethinghewantstoachieveforhisentire family somethingtomakethemproud.

“MymomisanimmigrantfromtheDominicanRepublic,soshecamehere foropportunityandtogiveherkidsanopportunity.SoIwantedtomakethe mostoutofthatandIwanttomakeherhappy,”said17-year-oldPina,who attendedtheAcademyofthePacificRimCharterPublicSchoolinBoston.

Pina’soutlookissimilartomanyoftheincomingclassofstudentsatthe newlyformedMessinaCollege,atwo-yearassociatedegreeprogrambornout ofBostonCollege.Thecollegeservesfirst-generationhigh-financial-need studentsattheformerPineManorCollegecampusinBrookline

ThecollegeopeneditsdoorsinJulytoitsinauguralclassof110students Thesummerclassesareintendedtohelp studentsadjusttotheexpectationsofhighereducationandallowthemtotakefewerclassesduringtheacademicyear

MessinaCollege’sformationcomesaboutamidatumultuoustimeinhighereducation

Asthepricetagofcollegesmounts,manycollegesanduniversitiesarefacingdownwardenrollmenttrendsinpart becauseofdecliningbirthrates meaningfewerpeopleareapplyingtoandenrollingincollege.

HampshireCollege,BrandeisUniversityandEmersonCollegehaveannouncedfinancialissuesstemmingfromlow enrollment resultingincutsandlayoffs EasternNazareneCollegeinQuincyannounceditwouldbeclosingitsdoors dueto“significantfinancialheadwinds”

From2014to2022,24collegesanduniversitiesinthe Commonwealthclosed,mergedorwounddownoperations, accordingtothestateDepartmentofHigherEducation

“It’snoteverydaythatanewschoolisbeingfounded,right?” saidErickBerrelleza,Messina’sfoundingdean.“Moreoften thannot,weseeschoolsbeingshuttered”

Highereducationhasalsobeeninthepubliceyeforconflictson campusincludingoverantisemitismandthewarinGaza Some ofthiscontroversyhasledtotheresignationsofpresidentsat Harvard,ColumbiaandtheUniversityofPennsylvania

Nearly300studentsappliedtotheMessinaCollegeand117 wereaccepted.Thecollegeexpectstohaveanundergraduate populationofaround200studentsonitsBrooklinecampusonce thesecondclassbeginsinayear.Theapplicationprocessforthe secondcohortbeginsthisfall

ThefirstclassofstudentscomelargelyfromGreaterBoston,Framingham,Worcester,Lawrence,Lowell,Brockton,Fall RiverandSpringfield Tenstudentsarefromoutofstate

Moststudentstakeona$2,000loanandareofferedacampusjobtohelppayfortheireducation.BostonCollegemeets thefulldemonstratedneedofallitsundergraduatestudents,includingMessinaCollegestudents

ForPina,thefinancialaidofferedthroughBostonCollegewasoneofthedecidingfactorsinchoosingtheinstitution

“NomatterwhatschoolIgotinto Ihadtoputmyfamilyfirstandthisschool ithelpedmeandmyfamilyoutso much,”Pinasaid

OnaThursdaymorninginAugust,assomestudentssitinclassrooms,cricketandconstructionnoisessoftlyrumbleas BostonCollegecontinuestotinkerwithitsnewcampus.

Brightorangeladdersandconstructionvehiclesarescatteredthroughoutpartsofcampus,contrastingwiththeelegant architectureofbuildings TheGreatHall,formerlyknownastheDaneEstate,awaitsvisitorswhomakeitpastthe securitybooth.

Thepurpleandorangemansion repletewithroundedtowers,stone columnsandintricatewindowdormers isnowhometoadministrative offices,asmalllibraryandworkroomandacoupleofclassrooms Peekingout ofacorner,there’sapiano Ifyoulookhardenoughatthefloor-to-ceiling carvedwoodwalls,thereareconcealeddoorsleadingtohiddensafesthatnow holdofficesupplies

Seventeen-year-oldMessinaCollegestudentStacyJeansaidshecan’thelp butcomparethemansionwithabuildingfromHarryPotter’sHogwarts

NowTheGreatHallandMessina’scampusisbecomingaplaceshecancall home.

Jeansaidbeingsurroundedbyfirst-generationstudentsandadministratorshas madeherfeelsupported

“Thatgavemeasenseof,ohwow,I’mnotaloneinthisjourney thatthere’sotherpeoplethatunderstandwhatI’m goingthroughtoo,andtheyhavemybacktosupportme,”saidJean,whoattendedTechBostonAcademy

Jeansaidtheprofessorstaketheirtimetogettoknowthestudentsandlearnalloftheirnameswithintheseconddayof beingthere.

ThegradualtransitionintocollegeduringthesummerissomethingJeansaidhasallowedherandotherfirst-generation Messinastudentstograspbeingincollegewithoutit“blowingupinyourface” Pinaagreed,sayingheknewMessinawasuniqueuponhisfirstvisit.

“TheyknewmynameassoonasIwalkedin. Anditwassurprising It’sliketheytooktheir timeoutoftheirdaytoknowwhoIam personally,”Pinasaid,addingthat“thoselittle thingsjustdosomuchtoaperson.”

ThemissionandenvironmentatMessina Collegeisabigdrawtolow-income, first-generationstudentsacrossthestateand beyond.

MaxGeorge,BostonCollegiateCharter School’sdirectorofcollegeprogramming,said MessinaCollege’stimingwasperfectfollowing theUS SupremeCourt’sJune2023ruling againsttheuseofaffirmativeactioninhigher education

Affirmativeactionwascreatedtoincreaseaccessforunderrepresentedpeoplebyallowinginstitutionstoconsidertherace orethnicityofanapplicantintheadmissionsprocess Followingthedecision,collegesanduniversitiescannolonger considerthosefactorsforstudentadmissions

“Wedefinitelyhadstudentswho,goingthroughtheapplicationprocess,werekindofshookbythat[decision] Notinthe sensethatitcausedthemtodoubttheirpreparationorthequalityoftheirapplication,butitjustkindofseemedalmost likeastatementagainsttheirrighttobelong,”Georgesaid

Threestudentsoutofarounda60-personclassatBostonCollegiateCharterSchoolcommittedtoMessina,Georgesaid Around90%ofgraduatingstudentscommittedtocollege,withmostattendingfour-yearinstitutions.

Messina’sformationshowedmanystudentsatBostonCollegiateCharterSchool mostofwhomcomefrom low-incomefamilieswherefewattendedcollege thathighereducationstillcaresaboutdiversity,Georgesaid MessinaCollege’sfoundingdeanBerrellezasaidthereisa“hiddencurriculum”thatexistsinhighereducation.

The“curriculum”encompassesthenorms,valuesandexperiencesthatfirst-generationstudentsoftendon’thaveaccessto becausetheirfamilydidn’tattendcollege

HewantstobreakdownthosebarriersatMessinaCollege

“Noonecalledusfirst-genstudentswhenIwasgoingthroughcollege.Andthereweren’tverymanyresourcesatthat time I’mtalking20yearsago itwassortofasink-or-swimmodel,Iliketosay,whereyouwerethrownintothe largepopulationanditwassortofassumedthatyouwouldsortofacclimate,adapttothenewenvironment,”Berrelleza said

Beyondrunningeventsandhavingacommunityofadministratorsandstudentswhoarefirst-generation,thecollegehas alsoimplementedprogramstoreinforcestudyhabitswiththestudentsandamentorshipprograminthefallforMessina studentstobepairedwithBostonCollegepeers

Inadditiontothementorshipprogram,thecollegeisattemptingtobuildarelationshipbetweenitsBrooklineand ChestnutHillcampusesbyprovidingashuttlebussystembetweenthetwoandallowingMessinaCollegestudentstotake someclassesatBostonCollege

BostonCollegeagreedtoassumethedebtsofPineManorCollegeafterPineManorCollegeintegratedwithBoston Collegein2020 BostonCollegealsoputup$50millionofitsendowmenttocreatethePineManorInstituteforStudent Success,whichincludesMessinaCollege.

Theinitiativealsoincludesasummerprogramformiddleandhighschoolstudentsandacademicsupportforthose studentsandMessinaCollegestudents

Whileothertwo-yearprogramsinhighereducationoftenhaveasignificantfirst-generationpopulation,Berrellezapoints toMessina’sdistinctivenessininvestingsolelyinthepopulation

BerrellezasaidMessinaisalsouniquebecausethereisasmallerstudentbody,studentsmustbetraditionally college-aged,theprogramisbornoutofaselectiveJesuitliberalartscollegeanditrequiresstudentstoliveoncampus.

“WhyIthinktheresidentialcomponentisimportantisit’sgoingto increaseoursuccessforthesestudents,”Berrellezasaid,addingthat theresidentialmodelallowsstudentstofocusmoreontheir schoolworkandbalancetheirworkwithsocializing

Becauseofthesedifferences,Berrellezasaidcommunitycolleges whichrecentlybecameuniversallyfree shouldn’tbeseenas competitionforcommunitycolleges.

“Theycarrythelion’sshareofprovidingaccesstohigher education,”Berrellezasaid

MessinaCollegealsodivergesfromotherprogramsinthatit narrowlylimitsthemajorsastudentcanchoosefrom.

Messinastudentscanpickfromfourmajors:datascience,generalbusiness,healthsciences,andappliedpsychologyand humandevelopment EachofthemajorsarepopularatBostonCollege’sChestnutHillcampusandarein-demand workforceareas,accordingtoBerrelleza

EachmajoralsooffersaseamlesstransitionintooneofBostonCollege’sundergraduateprogramssuchastheirschoolsof management,nursing,educationandartsandsciences.

“Iseethatasourprimarygoal thatwe’reapathwayprogramforbachelor’scompletion,”Berrellezasaid.

Attheendofthesecondyear,ifstudentsmaintaina34GPAorhigher,theycanenrollinBostonCollegeasresidential students Studentscanalsoliveoff-campusbyjoiningtheWoodsCollegeprogramwhichallowsstudentstotakeclasses part-timeorduringthenightwhileworking

Messinaisalsoworkingtopartnerwithotherstateandprivatecollegestoexpandstudents’optionsfortransferring

MessinaCollegebiologyprofessorAntonioSerrato-Capuchinasaidthereisarangeofhowpreparedstudentsarewhen comingtoMessina.

Serrato-CapuchinasaidheunderstandstheresponsibilityofassigninggradestostudentsdependentonacertainGPAto advanceoutofMessinatoreceiveafour-yeardegree Atthesametime,hesaidhewon’tchangegradeswiththatinmind

Hewantstousethe3.4GPAgoalpointasamotivatorforstudents.

“Anyworryaboutloweringthestandards,itwouldonlyhurtusinthelongterm.Andwe’rehereforthelongterm,”he said

Serrato-Capuchinahasbeenusinghisstorytomotivateandconnectwithstudents HecametotheUnitedStatesat12 yearsoldfromMexicoandworkedfull-timetohelphisfamilyduringhissenioryearofhighschoolandintocollege

Whilehewasoneofthetopstudentsinhishighschool,hesaidhechosetogotocommunitycollegebecauseheneeded tocontinuetoworktosupporthisfamily.Hewasthefirstinhisfamilytogotocollegeandlaterobtainedhisdoctorate degree

Serrato-CapuchinasaidtheopportunitytoteachatMessinaisuniquebecauseitallowshimtoconnecthismissionof supportingmarginalizedstudentstohisprofessionofworkinginscience.

“Studentsinteractbetterwhentheyfeellikethey’resomewhatunderstood,”Serrato-Capuchinasaid

ForPinaandJean,thegoaloftheirtimeatMessinaCollegeistotransfertoBostonCollege PinasaidhewantstotransfertoBostonCollegefor entrepreneurship.

Hehasbigplans:frombecomingarealestateagentto investinginstocksandbondstoopeningarestaurantin Miamifeaturinghisfavoritefoodsfromchildhood

“I’vealwayslovedfoodgrowingup likealot soit’s beeneasyformetothinkofideas.SometimesIwrite downinmynoteswhatIwouldwantonmymenuorwhat Iwanttonameit,”Pinasaid.Heislookingforwardtothe requiredcredit-bearinginternshipprogramduringhis secondyearatMessina.

“I’veneverdoneaninternshipbeforesothat’ssomethingI reallywanttolookintoanddosomethingmoreinthe businessrealmofthingsandjustseewhatIlikeandwhatI don’tlike,”Pinasaid

Jean,ahealthsciencesmajor,wantstohelpotherslikeshe hasbeenatMessinaCollegeShehopestotransfertoBostonCollegetobecomeaveterinaryanesthesiologist

”Ifeellikeeducationisreallyimportant AndIfeellikecollege,it’saresource It’slike,whyignoretheopportunitythat youhavetolearnsomethingnewandlearnfromotherpeople’sexperiences?Soyoumightaswellgotocollege,attend, learnthethingsthatthey’retryingtoteachyou,andusethatforthegreatergood,”Jeansaid

BostonCollegeAssociateDegreeCultivates

SuccessforUnderrepresentedStudents

August19,2024

ThisJuly,ACEmemberBostonCollege(BC)welcomedaninauguralclassof110studentstoMessinaCollege,an associatedegreeprogramforlow-incomeandfirst-generationstudents.

UniversityleaderssaythatMessinaembodiesBC’sfoundingmissionofeducatingstudents,primarilyfromimmigrant communities,whootherinstitutionsoverlooked.Messinatargetsambitiousstudentswhomayneedextrastructureand academicandfinancialsupporttothriveincollege

“Whileweunderstandwhatthebarriersare,it’sthestudentsthemselveswho’lltearthebarriersdown,”ErickBerrelleza, Messina’sfoundingdean,toldTheHeights,BC’sstudentnewspaper “Sowewanttomakesurethatthey’retheagentsof theirownjourney,butwe’resettingitupsothattheycandoreallywellhere”

Unlikemosttwo-yearcolleges,Messinaisfullyresidential Studentsliveandlearnonits50-acrecampusinBrookline, Mass,abouttwomilesfromBC’smaincampus Messina’sleadersbelievethatbeingsecludedontheirowncampus, alongwithnothavingtoworryaboutcommuting,willhelpstudentsbelessoverwhelmedbytheadjustmenttocollege andlesslikelytodropout

Messinastudentsreceivegenerousfinancialaidpackagesthatcovertheirfulldemonstratedneed.Betweengrantsand work-study,moststudentswillpayjust$200peryeartoattend BCalsocoversthecostofhealthinsurance,mealplans, andlaptopsforthosewhocannotaffordthem

RochelliSilverio,afreshmanatMessina,toldBCshewasgratefultofindaprogramdedicatedtostudentslikeher

“WhenIheardaboutMessinaCollege,itwasgreatthatitwaspartofBC,butalsoforpeoplelikemewhoare first-generation,immigrants,peoplewhomightbedefinedas‘other’”

Messinaoffersfourmajors:applieddatascience,appliedpsychologyandhumandevelopment,generalbusiness,and healthsciences Students’non-majorclassesalignwithBC’scorecurriculumtomaketransferringsimple Thosewho graduateMessinawitha34GPAcanautomaticallytransfertoBC

StudentsstarttheirfirsttwoclassesinJuly Thisallowsthemtotakeonefewerclassduringthefallandspringsemesters, easingthetransitiontocollege OneofthesummercoursesisaseminarthatteachesstudentsaboutMessina’scurriculum andpreparesthemforcollegelife.

BerrellezatoldTheBostonGlobehehopestocreateacommunitywherestudentsfeelsupportedand“developaswhole people.”

Messina’smentorshipprogramisonepieceofthis Duringorientation,thecollegeconnectseachstudentwithaBC upperclassmanwhohasasimilarbackground.

Relationshipswithfacultyareanotherpiece With15-20studentsperclass,Berrellezaexpectsthatstudentswillgrow closewiththeirprofessorsandthatprofessorswilllookoutforsignsthatstudentsarestruggling

StudentscanmeetwithavarietyofsupportstaffonMessina’scampus,whethertheyneedacademichelp,careeradvice, orspiritualguidance.TheyalsohaveaccesstoallresourcesandfacilitiesonBC’smaincampus,whichtheycanreachby shuttle

Astheyprogressthroughtheprogram,studentswilltakeonmoreresponsibilities.Intheirsecondyear,theywillcomplete aninternshiporclinicalrotation,dependingontheirmajor Atthesametime,theywilltakeacoursetohelpthem articulatetheconnectionbetweentheskillstheyaregainingandtheircareergoals

Programleadershopestudentswillgoontoearntheirbachelor’sdegreesbutwanttoequipthemtoentertheworkforce whetherornottheydo

“I’mveryproudoftheinstitution,”Berrellezasaid “Thatwe’redoingthisinsuchanintentionalwayforagroupof studentsthatweknowfacesortofanuphillbattletogetthere”

4TipsforCollegeSuccess

August19,2024|A.R.Cabral

Collegecanbeintimidating,andearninganassociateorbachelor’sdegreecanbeadauntingtaskthatrequirescertain skillsdevelopedduringthecollegeyears.

Althoughthetransitionfromhighschooltocollegecanbeoverwhelming,soundadviceisavailable

Considerthefollowingtipstosucceedincollege Thesefourtipsarenotjustforfirst-yearstudents–theycanprovide guidanceregardlessofwherestudentsareintheiracademiccareer

Successincollegetakesdifferentformsdependingonthestudent However,aconstantamongsuccessfulstudentsisthe abilitytotakecontroloftheireducation

Studentsshouldunderstandthatcollegecanbeatransformativeexperience,soit'simportanttobethe“primaryarchitect ofthatexperience,"saysTomMullaney,aprofessorofhistoryatStanfordUniversityinCaliforniaandanacademic influencerwhogivesadviceonsocialmediaplatforms.

Thecollegeexperienceislikeapearlnecklace,headds Theschool,professorsandcurriculumofferstudentsthepearlsof asuccessfuleducation,butit’seachstudent'sresponsibilitytothreadthestringandcreatesomethinggreat.

Studentswhoaregroundedintheireducationandhaveanideaofhowtomakethemostoftheirtimeincollegewillfind themostsuccess,expertssay.Herearefourtipsforsuccessincollege.

Astudent'sroleistolearn,sobecurious Adoptinganinquisitivemindsetlaysthefoundationforasuccessfulcollege experience,expertssay.

SaraBeakley-Mercill,afull-timeresidentfacultymemberandchairofthecomputerinformationsystemsdepartmentat ScottsdaleCommunityCollegeinArizona,saysstudentsshouldask“why?”

Expertssayasenseofwonderhelpsstudentsactivelyparticipateintheireducation

“Beingcurious,askingquestions,tryingtounderstand,Ifeellikethat’soneofthemindsetsIwantstudentstohave,” Beakley-Mercillsays “It’snottheonlything,(but)thataloneletsthemtrythingsthattheyhaven’ttriedbefore”

Tryingnewthingsinanewenvironmentopensthedoortoarealmofpossibilitiesforcollegestudents.Forinstance, takingcoursesyoumaynotordinarilychoosecoulduncovernewinterestsandpassions

DavidQuigley,provostanddeanoffacultiesatBostonCollegeinMassachusetts,recommends“leaningintothe possibilitiesandnotonlydefaultingtosomethingoneisgoodatorknows.Takingthosechancesandrisksearlyon incollegehasawayofoutsized,positiveresultsinthelongterm.”

Collegestudentscanfeeloverwhelmedwiththeirnewschedulesandlifestyles,causingthemtofeelthattimeispassing tooquickly

“Thosefirstmonthsandweeksoncampus,yourealizeyou’reinchargeoftime,"Quigleysays."It’suptoyouto figureouthowtotakeadvantageofallthattime.”

Timemanagementisessentialtobeingsuccessfulincollege Balancingtimeforyoureducationandforyourselfis imperative.

“Getsleep.Getrest.Takesometimeforself-care,”Quigleysays.“Ithinkthatdesiretokeepburningthecandleat bothendshasawayofnotworkingouttoooften.”

Notonlyisitimportanttoconsidertimeintheday-to-dayhustleofcollege,butalsooverthecourseofanundergraduate experience,expertssay.

“Ifsomeonejustpassivelyassumesthatthis10-weekexperienceor15-weekexperienceisgoingtotransform(them), theyarereallynotsettingthemselvesupforsuccess,"Mullaneysays."Instead,thetransformativeexperiencescantake time”

Masteringtimemanagementincollegemeansfindingaconsistentfocusinyoureducation.Workingonalong-term researchstudyorproject,orpursuingapassion,cancreateaholisticcollegeexperienceratherthandividingupyour educationbasedpurelyonthesemesterorquartersystem,Mullaneysays

“Therehastobesomething,sometissue,someconnectivethread,thatrunsacrossspringbreakandThanksgivingbreak andwinterbreakandsummerbreak,"Mullaneysays "Thatisthetissuethatisthearchitectureof(acollege)experience”

Collegeprofessorsstronglyurgestudentstotakeadvantageofhourswhentheywillbeavailableintheirofficesfor studentstovisit It'seachstudent'sresponsibilitytofollowthrough

“Makesureyougotoofficehours,"Mullaneyadvises "Go30%ofthetime,soifit’s10weeksofclasses,gothree times”

Thirtypercentisa"sweetspot"betweenseeingyourprofessortoofewtimesandtakingtoomuchtimefrombothpeople's schedules,headds

Officehourscanbebeneficialnotjustinbuildingrelationshipswithprofessors,butinimprovingthestudent'slearning ability,expertssay Mullaneysaysthatwhenstudentstelltheirprofessorswhattheydon'tknow,goodadviceshould follow

Somedescribecollegeasamarathon,notasprint Collegecanalsobecomparedtoarelayrace,sostudentsshouldbuild agreatteam,expertssay

Therelationshipsandconnectionsstudentsbuildincollegecanenhancetheireducationalexperienceandwell-being whileinschool Thisnetworkcanactasasupportsystem,expertsadd

Seekingfacultymemberswhofityouracademicgoalsisonewaytobuildastrongnetwork Mullaneyrecommends takingclasses“basedonsomeresearchofwhotheinstructorisandwhetherornotyouwantthemtohelpyou”

Beyondclasses,personalrelationshipscanhelpinsulatestudentsfromthelowpoints,whenstresscreepsupon them.Quigleyrecallstherelationshipshefosteredincollegeduringhisjobatthecollegeswitchboard,callingthem “lastingconversationpartners”whosupportedhiminvariousways.

“Veryoftencollegestudents,duringthemomentsofburnout,closeinonthemselves,”hesays.“Finding conversationpartnersacross(the)generation-spectrumonacollegecampusIfoundtobeincrediblyhelpful.”

It'salsoimportanttoremembertherelationshipsandconnectionsthathelpedyougetintocollegeinthefirstplace, includingyourfamily,expertssay.

“Familyshouldalwayscomefirst,”Beakley-Mercillsays Heradvicetostudentswhohavetodropaclassforfamily reasonsis,"don’tapologize.Youcan’tcomehereandbesuccessfulifallthoseotherthingsareonyourmind."

ProposedBillAmendmentinIraqCouldAllow GirlsasYoungas9toMarry.WhattoKnow

August16,2024|AnnaGordon

AnamendmenttoIraq’s1959PersonalStatuslawwasofficiallyproposedintheIraqiparliamentonAug 4 Thedraftlaw couldtheoreticallymakeitlegalforgirlsasyoungasnineyearsoldtogetmarried

ThebillwasproposedbyIraqiMPRa’adal-Maliki,andissupportedbyconservativeShi’itefactionswithinthe government.Manycivilsocietyandwomen’sgroupshavemobilizedagainstthelaw,protestingonthestreetsofBaghdad andothercitiesacrossthecountry

Thelawwouldaddtheoptionofhavingmattersoffamilylaw–suchasmarriage–adjudicatedbyreligiousauthorities. "Civilcourtsthatfilemarriageanddivorcemaybecomeobsolete,andwillnolongerdefendwomen'srightstoalimony, custodyofchildren,orotherrights,"saidYanarMohammed,presidentoftheOrganizationofWomen'sFreedominIraq, accordingtotheMiddleEastEye

TheMPwhoproposedthebill,al-Maliki,hasdeniedthatitcouldleadtochildmarriage,sayingthatsuchimplicationsare "liesfabricatedbysomeoutofhatredforapplyingtheprovisionsofGod’slawtothosewhowantthem,"pertheMiddle EastEye.

Iraq’s1959PersonalStatuslawprohibitsmarriageforindividualsundertheageof18.Exceptionscanbemadefor womenasyoungas15iftheyhavepermissionfrombothajudgeandtheparents,accordingtoMarsinAlshamary, ascholarofMiddleEasternpoliticsandanassistantprofessoratBostonCollege.

Iraq’s1959lawwasheavilyinfluencedbytheIraqiWomen’sLeagueandisoneofthemostprogressivelawsinthe region,accordingtoNadjeAl-Ali,aprofessorofanthropologyandMiddleEaststudiesatBrownUniversity

“Thereasonitisperceivedtobeoneofthemostprogressivelawsofthetimeandevenlateron,isbecauseitmadeit muchmoredifficultforamantomarryasecond,third,orfourthwife Heactuallyhadtohavethepermissionofthefirst wife,”Al-AlitellsTIME “Italsomadedivorcepossibleforwomen,itpushedthemarriageageto18,andverycrucially, itwasaunifiedsetoflawsthatappliedtobothShiaandSunniMuslims.”

Intheaftermathofthe2003invasionofIraqbytheU.S.,therehavebeenvariousattemptsbyIslamistfactionsin thecountrytorepealorchangethelawsothatreligiousauthoritiescanhavemoreinfluenceoverfamilymatters. Inthepast,attemptstorepealordramaticallyalterthelawhavefailed.However,Alshamarysaysthatthistime, thingsaredifferent.

“Thisistheclosestwe'vecometoactuallyseeingthisthrough,andifthishappensit'sprobablygoingtobeoneof themostimpactfuleventsinIraq'spost-2003history,withhugerepercussionsgoingforward,”shetellsTIME.

Theamendmentwouldalterthe1959lawsothatMuslimfamiliescouldchoosewhethertheywanttogetmarriedunder civillaworreligiouslaw Currently,marriagesanddivorcesmustgothroughsecularcivilcourtsinordertoberecognized bythegovernment Iftheamendmentpasses,Muslimfamiliescouldchoosetomarryundersecularlaworreligiouslaw ThosewhochoosetomarryunderreligiouslawmustpickbetweenSunniorShi’itelegalsystems.

OneschoolofShi’iteIslamistthought,knownastheJa’farischoolofIslam,isinterpretedbysomeclericsasallowingfor themarriageofgirlsasyoungasagenine.WhilesomeShi’iteclericsdisagreewiththisinterpretation,someactivistsare concernedthatthelawcouldeffectivelylegalizechildmarriageforShi’iteMuslimgirls Shi’iteMuslimsmakeup between55-60%ofIraq’spopulation,accordingtotheUS DepartmentofState

Evenwiththelegalprotectionscurrentlyinplace,childmarriageremainsprevalantinIraq,withapproximately28%of girlsmarryingbeforetheageof18,accordingtoa2023UNICEFreport Expertsandactivistsareconcernedthatthe proposedlawwillfurthererodetherightsofwomenandchildreninthecountry.

“Justthepossibilityof[legalizingchildmarriage]isalarmingenough,becausewealreadyseesignificantunderage marriageinIraq,”saysAlshamary.

Expertssaythatthisalsohasariskofcreatingfurtherdivisioninacountrythatisstilltryingtohealfromthesectarian divisionsthatwereexacerbatedintheaftermathofthe2003invasion.

“Thisproposaltakesaway[power]fromthestateandgivesittothereligiousestablishment,”saysNidaAlahmad,a lecturerattheUniversityofEdinburghwhospecializesinpoliticsandinternationalrelationsoftheMiddleEast.She worriesthatcreatingseparatelegalframeworksforSunniandShi’iteMuslimswouldfurtherdividethecountry “[It] makesthestatefragmentedandfurtherinstitutionalizedalongsectariangroups”

Beforetheamendmentcanbevotedon,itmustbedebatedinparliament,accordingtoexpertswhospokewithTIME. Afterithasbeendebated,itcanthenbescheduledforavote Asimplemajorityinparliamentwouldmeanthatthe amendmentpasses,andthebillcouldbeenforcedaslaw Asofnow,anofficialdebatehasyettobescheduled

TheBaggageofExile:AReviewofMaximD.

Shrayer’s“ImmigrantBaggage”

August14,2024|MonicaOsborne

Inaworldthatgrowssmallereachday withtherelativeeaseofmigrationand theblessingandburdenoftechnology, it’snotparticularlyuncommonfora writertoseehimselfasinhabiting multipleidentitiessimultaneously We arenolongerconfinedtooneplaceonly Infact,ithasneverbeeneasierfor peopletoleavetheirhomecountryin searchofanewlife Forwritersand thinkersofthetwentiethandtwenty-first centuriesespecially,themarksof migrationandmovementarehallmarks ofwhatitmeanstohavethefullest understandingofbeingintheworldat thisparticularmoment InMaximD Shrayer’snewbook“Immigrant Baggage:Morticians,PurloinedDiaries, andOtherTheatricsofExile,”Shrayer countshimselfamongthosewhohave hadtheblessingorcurseofbeingforcedtotradeoneidentityforanother.Butthequestionisalwayswhetheroneever trulyleavestheremnantsofapastidentitybehind ForShrayer,theanswerseemstobe:no,onedoesnot Andforthe reader,theevidenceofthisisclearanditsimprintcanbefoundineachofthestoriesinthiscollection

Shrayerisnostrangertonarrativesofexileandmigration Andwhiletheeaseoftravelandmovementmaybeasignof ourtimes,itwasnoteasethatcharacterizedtheemigrationoftheyoungShrayerandhisfamilyfromSovietRussia They spenteightyearsasrefuseniksbeforefinallyimmigratingtotheUS in1987 Inhis2007literarymemoir,“Waitingfor America,”whichwasthefirstbookwritteninEnglishtoexploretheexperiencesofSovietJewswaitingtoenterAmerica afterbeingreleasedfromRussia,hetellsthestoryofhisowncoming-of-age It’satransitionnotjustintoadulthoodbut alsointoanunderstandingofwhatitwillmeantocarrythebaggagethatallexilescarrywiththemintotheirnewlives It’snotuncommontowriteaboutthebalancingofdualorhyphenatedidentities;norisitunheardoftowriteabout leavingoneplaceforanotherandlearningtoexistthereasakindofperpetualforeigner ButShrayer’stakeisuniquein thatheseeshisexperiences fromhisoriginsasaRussian-JewishchildinSovietRussiatohistimeinthe pre-immigrationholdingspaceofItalyto,finally,hislifeasanaccomplishedscholarandprofessorintheUnited States notastheultimatedefiningfactorinhisidentitybutratherasatouchstonetosomethingmorecritical For Shrayer,“writersarenotonlyproductsoftheiroriginsbutalsocreativeremakersoftheiridentities.”It’saninsightthat thewarinUkraine“broughtintodevastatinglysharpfocus,”giventhatthreeofhisgrandparentswerebornthere, althoughit’ssomethinghesayshehasalwaysknownandtriedtopracticeinhiswork

AcentralquestiontoShrayer’sbookisthequestionofwhatitmeanstowrite“translingualy,”whichmeanstoexistinor operatebetweenmultiplelanguages “There’smoretotranslingualism,”hewrites,“thanworkingnotjustinonelanguage butintwoormore,simultaneouslyorconsecutively”ThatShrayerdidnotsimplytradeoneidentityforanotheris apparentthroughouthisstories.Ifit’snottheAmericanyears“tuckedunderhisSoviet-madebelt”it’sthequestion implicitineachofthereturntripshemakestohisnativeRussiawithhisdaughters:Howcanonebecomesomethingelse

entirely,takingonanewculturalornationalidentity,whenone’smostformativeyearstranspiredinanaltogether differentplace?Shrayer’sidentity,then,isoneofmovement,ofpushingandpulling.Shrayer’smother,forinstance, questionswhyhewouldreturnyearafteryeartotheplacetheirfamilyworkedtoescape,butforShrayer,it’s”areturnto [his]ownchildhoodandyouth thelostjoyofpurefriendship Inthewrongplaceyetattherighttime”Onedoesn’t simplyabandonone’schildhooditordiscarditbecauseofitsgeographicalcontext.“Iwasstillheldcaptivebymemories ofmySovietyears,”hewrites

Translingualwritingisnotsomethingstaticandstillbutabodyfullofmovement.Itisthemodebywhichonedescribesa lifespent“livingintransit”

Shrayerisafullyself-awarewriter.Atthebeginningof“YeletsWomen’sHighSchool”hewrites:“Bloodvesselsof Russianclassicalliteraturesaturatethisstorythewaycapillariesdothevermillionborderofhumanlips Andyetthe Americaninmeishavingtroublewithatraditionalstructure,”butasitturnsout,“life’srawmaterialdictatesitsown rulesofstorytelling.”Awriter’soriginsandliterarylanguageareinseparable:yetanothernewlanguagecreatedtoaddto thetranslingualroster.Butalifespent“livingintransit”isstillalifesubjecttothepassageoftime.AndyetShrayer muses:“Onlytimewillshowwhetherwe’reboundtoloseourRussian-AmericanandRussian-Canadianvoicestinged withaJewishaccent”

It’sthisaccent,alongwiththemergingofmultiplelanguages,thatultimatelycomprisesthe“immigrantbaggage”referred tointhebook’stitle ButJewsarenottheonlyoneswithsuchbaggage,asacarefulreadingofShrayer’sstoriesreveals Shrayermaywaxpoeticabout“thepleasureofwritingintongues,”butit’snosurprisegiventhatinnearlyallofhis storieshebetraysafascinationfordetailingthelanguagesandaccentsofeveryonewithwhomheinteracts Thetongue,it turnsout,tellsall.Inonestory,awomanspeaksa“richbeautifulslightlyoldfashionedRussian,”whileinanotherthe appearanceandaccentofaGermandoctorwhowitnessesasnowboardingaccidentinwhichShrayerishit,coincidentally, byanotherGermandoctorcausesShrayertoimaginethatheisan“SSmaninretirement”

Thisparticularstory,“RibsofEden,”isinfactmyfavoriteinthecollection,notleastbecauseIhavespentagooddealof timeintheDolomitesandtheautonomousregionofItalycalledSüdtirolinGermanandTrentino-AltoAldigeinItalian, wherethemaineventsofthestorytakeplace.Inthisregiontherearethreeofficiallanguages:Italian,German,andLadin. ButthesenseIalwaysgetisthatGermanisthepreferredlanguageinthispartofItaly Therestaurantmenusarea testamenttothispreference RatherthantheexpectedpizzaandpastatouristsinItalydreamof,Germanand Austrian-inspiredfoodslikespaezliandgoulasharemoretypicalhere.Nottomentiontheapplestrudel,whichistrulythe bestintheworldaccordingtomyson.ThesettingisallalpineDeutschland-esque,butwhenIspeakItaliantherenoone batsaneye,whileeverynowandthenarestaurantservercanbeheardspeakingalanguageIcan’tmakeoutatall (Ladin):astrangeandunsettlingplaceindeed

It’salmostironicthatthisisthesettingforanaccidentinwhichShrayerishitontheslopesbyaGermansnowboarder,a manwitha“frogskinface,shavedsocleanthatitlookedasifithadbeensplashedwithsulfuricacid”Shrayernotesthat theGermanspeaksEnglishimmediately:“Youmadethewrongturn.”Whentheelderly“SSmaninretirement”(whoit turnsoutisacompletelydecentperson)skisover,hespeaksinGermantotheoffendingGermansnowboarder:“Isaw everything Entirelyyourfault”TherestofthestoryisaboutShrayer’slongingfor“universaljustice”andhisdealings withGermaninsurancecompanieswhichareultimatelyfruitlessbecauseofa“lackofevidence.”

Butwhatremainsclearinthisstory,whichisjustoneoftheseveralsnapshotsinthebook,isthe“hiddentextureof exile,”thatsenseofbeinginsideandoutsideofplacesatonce.Andwhatofthebaggage?IntheprefaceShrayerremarks onthefewmaterialitemsthatweretakenwiththemwhentheyleftSovietRussia,butotherthantypewritersandafew booksfromtheMoscowlibrarylittleremainsofthe“materialbaggage”But“astothememoryofourlivesbefore emigration,it’stakenmuchlongertodisposeoftheimmaterialbaggageofexile.”

TheBetrayalofAmericanBorderPolicy

August8,2024|JackHerrera

OnthedayPresidentJoeBidenflewintoBrownsville,Texas,todeliveraspeechataborder-patrolstation,FatherBrian Strassburgerwokeupinhistwinbedinthecity,gotintoaminivan,andleft.Itwasagray,windymorning,andstray dogswanderedthroughthestreets Onthepriest’sphoneweretextsfromfriendsaskinghimifhewouldtrytoseeBiden Strassburgertoldthemthathehaddecidednotto “Ididn’twanttochangemydayaround,”hesaid Instead,hewould keephisThursdayritual:driveanhourwesttoamigrantshelterinthecityofReynosa,innorthernMexico,distributeaid, performaCatholicMass,andthencrossbackintotheUS andgiveasecondMassatashelterinTexas Strassburgeris forty,andBrownsvilleishisfirstassignmentinthepriesthood Astructuredweekhasbeenusefultohim,inthesameway thathisvowsofpoverty,chastity,andobediencehavebeenusefultohim.Everyday,hewakesupandknowsexactly whathe’ssupposedtodo.

GrowingupinDenverinthenineties,Strassburgerneverplannedtobecomeapriest Hehadthenotionthathe’dteach high-schoolmath,whichwouldlethimpursuehistrueambition:coachingbasketball Hehastwosiblings,abrotheranda sister,andhisbrotherrecalledthat,asachild,StrassburgerlovedGod,buthealsolovedtheDenverNuggets.Thoughhe lookedforwardtochurcheverySunday,StrassburgerhadtheimpressionthatmenwhoweredestinedtobeCatholic priestsreceivedaclearsign “Ialwaysthoughtthepriesthoodwasthisgiantcross,and,ifyou’recalledtocarryit,you carryit,”hesaid.“Imean,youdon’thaveafamily,youdon’thaveaspouse,youcan’thavesexfortherestofyour life whywouldyoupossiblychoosethatunlessyouhadto?”

StrassburgerstudiedmathatSt.LouisUniversity,wherehewasthepresidentofhisfraternity.Aftercollege,hejoinedthe AugustinianVolunteers,whichranaserviceprograminSouthAfricainwhichmenandwomenlivedinafaith-based communitywhileworkingtoservelocals Atthattime,“missionarywork”and“colonialism”werestillseparateconcepts inStrassburger’smind.“Iwenttherewiththisnaïvesenseofpurpose I’mgoingtobepartofchangingpeople’slives,” hesaid Sincethen,hehaslearnedmoreabouttheChurch’shistoryintheAmericas thehundredsofIndigenouschildren whodiedinCatholicresidentialschools,thetensofthousandsofAfricanswhowereenslavedbyJesuitmissionaries He thinksreconcilingthat“terriblescar”shouldincludenotjustapologiesbutreparations.Still,healsobelievesthatmodern missionarywork,ifdoneconscientiously,canbesalvagedfromthishistory.

StrassburgerleftArizonatocontinuehisformationatBostonCollege,wherehefocussedhisstudiesonmigration andtheborder.HewasreadingtheworkofSt.ThomasAquinas,whobelievedthatsomevirtueslikecharityarenot naturaltothehumanspiritandthatwecannotachievegoodnessthroughrawwillpower Thesolutionwastocultivatea practiceofgoodness toworktobecomeabitmorehonest,abitmorecharitable untiltherighteousactcomes naturally.Initssimplestinterpretation,Aquinas’sphilosophyholdsthatonecancultivateapracticeofvirtueinthesame manneronecanlearntorunamarathon or,say,speakSpanish Onesimplypracticesuntiltheactnotonlystopsbeing onerousbutbecomeseasy,evenjoyful ReadingthistheologyalongsidethehistoryofNicaraguanmigrationandthelatest newsontheTrumpAdministration,Strassburgercametoaconclusion:“Hospitalityisahabit.”

NowwhenStrassburgergoestoconfession,hethinks,WhatwerethemomentswhenIfailedtobother?Whoare thepeoplewhomIignored,ordidn’tofferhelpto?Thatphrase failuretobother isfromJamesF.Keenan,a theologianatBostonCollege.Inamoral-philosophyseminarthatStrassburgerhadtaken,Keenannotedthat,in theBible,Jesusrarelycriticizespeoplewhohavedonebadthings;herefusestocondemnadulterersandshares mealswithavaricioustaxcollectors.Butheisscathingtowardthosewhodecidenottodogood:thepriestand LevitewhowalkpasttheinjuredmanonthesideoftheroadinthestoryoftheGoodSamaritan,ortherichman whostepsoverLazarusasheleaveshishouse.ForKeenan,this“failuretobothertolove”istheverydefinitionof sin.TheconceptmovedStrassburger,andtroubledhim.Ifsinisafailuretobothertolove,whatwerethe

boundariesofhisobligation?“Insomeways,youknow,wehavetodrawlimitsandparameters,”Strassburger said.InBoston,hewasthousandsofmilesfrommigrantsontheborder,buthewonderedif,foreachmomentthat hefailedtohelpthem,hewassurrenderingtosin.

InSouthAfrica,StrassburgerworkedinahospiceclinicforAIDSpatients.Oneday,apatienthadamiraculousrecovery, regainingherstrengthtothepointthatherdoctorsdecidedshecouldgohome,andtheyaskedStrassburgertodriveher Upondroppingheroff,Strassburgerwatchedherfamilycelebratingindisbelief “Therewasasenseofresurrection,”he said.Beforegoingbacktothehospice,hewenttopickupamanwhomhehadheardneededtreatment.Hefoundhim nearlydead,lyingsweatyandagonizedinhisbed,coveredinhisownfeces Strassburgerstruggledwiththenumberof deathshewitnessed,and,finally,heaskedapriestforhiscounsel TheAugustiniansatdownandlookedathim “Why haveyousoughtoutspiritualdirection?”heasked.Strassburgerdidn’texpecttheanswerhegavehim:“I’mthinking aboutbeingapriest.”

Afterward,Strassburgerfeltconfused.“Iwas,like,WhydidIjustsaythat?”herecalled.Butsomethinghadbegunto crystallizeforhim.“Thosewerethehardestdaysofmylife,buttheywerealsothetimewhenitwaseasiesttowakeupin themorning,”hesaid Strassburgerwassingleatthetime,and,inaway,hewasalreadylivingapriestlylife:service, communion,purpose “Ibegantothink,Whatifthepriesthoodissomethingyoudobecauseithelpsyoubeyourbest self?”hesaid.

In2011,StrassburgerenteredtheJesuitnovitiateinGrandCoteau,Louisiana Hispriestlyeducationcontinuedwith graduate-levelstudyinphilosophy,theology,andinternationaldevelopmentatFordham.Thentheordertoldhimit wantedtosendhimtoNicaraguaforthreeyearsofon-the-jobtraining,orregency “Inever,everwouldhavechosento go,”Strassburgersaid Hedidn’tspeakSpanish,and,becausehewasinhisthirties,heassumedthatitwastoolatefor himtolearn.HisfearswereseeminglyconfirmedwhenhelandedinManagua;hewasquicklymoreisolatedthanhehad everbeen Duringthatfirstyear,helookedforwardtodaysonalagoonoutsidethecapital,wheretheJesuitsowneda smallshackforreflectionandprayer

Aftertwolongyears,Stassburgergotmorecomfortablewiththelanguage,buthedidn’tseemuchuseinit hisdream thenwastoreturntoSouthAfricaaftertakinghisfinalvowsThatdidn’tchangeuntilhegotbacktotheStates Soonafter hereturned,StrassburgerflewtoNogales,Arizona,wherehecrossedthebordertovisitaCatholicsoupkitchen.Joking withMexicannuns,andthentranslatingforAmericanvolunteers,hehadtherealization helaughsathowshockedhe was thatknowingSpanishmadehimuseful

Strassburgerfellinlovewiththeborderlands,withitsslewofculturesandagileSpanglish.Butwhathesawinthesoup kitchendisturbedhim Thiswas2018,theheightoffamilyseparationandICEraids Strassburgermetdozensofmigrants whohadbeendeported One,amiddle-agedwoman,satinacorner,staringblanklyatawall Strassburgerlearnedthat shehadmovedtotheU.S.inthenineties,boughtahouse,andraisedchildren.Thenthepolicecametoherhome, respondingtoadomesticdispute Threedayslater,shewasdeported “Ihadthesensethatsomethingisdeeplywrong here somethingisbroken,”Strassburgersaid HikingintotheSonoranDesertwithaidworkersandvolunteers,hesaw migrants’abandonedbelongingslyingalongsidethesaguaroandbrittlebush,bakedrigidinthesun.

Hewouldsoonlosetheinsulationofgeography Inthefallof2020,Strassburgerreceivedacallfromhisprovincial,who saidthathewantedtosendhimonamissiontoSouthTexas,alongthelastgreatsweepoftheRioGrande.Thenewly ordainedFatherBrianStrassburgerandtwootherclergymenwouldbecomethefirstAmericanJesuitpriestsbasedin Brownsville

OnecouldspeculatethattheJesuits’choicetosendStrassburgertotheborderreflectedabeliefthatTrumpwouldbe reëlected UndertheTrumpAdministration’sMigrantProtectionProtocols,tensofthousandsofasylumseekershadbeen forcedtoremaininMexicoastheircaseswoundslowlythroughthecourtsystem.IncitiessuchasMatamoros,downthe riverfromReynosa,enormouscampshadsprungup,filledwiththosewaitingtocross.Duringthewinter,floodwaters wouldwashthetarpsintotheRioGrande,and,inthehundred-degreeheatofsummer,tentsbecamegreenhouses

SuccessProgramLaunch:Wraparound2-Year ProgramforFirst-GenLearners

August6,2024|AshleyMowreader

Thissummer,BostonCollegewelcomed110 studentstoitsbrand-newassociatedegree programs,partoftheinstitution’slarger programmingtosupportunderrepresented students

Thetwo-yearresidentialcollege,Messina College,willprovidelearnerswithholistic resourcesincludingasummerlaunchcourse, internshipexperienceandsupportivestaffand facultymembers Studentscanalsoenjoyallof BostonCollege’sfacilitiesandprogramswhile enrolled

In2020,BostonCollegemergedwiththesmallliberalartscollegePineManorCollege,creatingthePineManorInstitute forStudentSuccess Theinstitutehasa$100millionendowment,halfofwhichwascommittedbyBC,tofundacademic supportsandprogrammingforunderrepresentedfirst-generationstudents

AmajorityoftheinauguralcohortarefromtheBostonareaorothercitiesinMassachusetts,accordingtoauniversity release

PineManor’scampus,aboutamileandahalffromthemaincampus,wasrenovatedoverthepastyearplusto accommodatethestudents,withAshbyHallreceivingthegreatestface-lift:newclassrooms,learningcommons,kitchen andservingcounter,achapel,andofficesforstudentservices

WithMessina,BostonCollegejoinsagrowingnumberofprivatereligiousuniversitiesthatoffertwo-yearcolleges, includingtheUniversityofSt ThomasandLoyolaUniversityChicago

Thecollegeaimstoenrollaround100studentseachyear,foratotalenrollmentof200learners

Studentscanpursueanassociatedegreeinoneoffourprograms:applieddatascience,appliedpsychologyandhuman development,generalbusiness,andhealthservices Eachdegreeis60credits,or20courses Courseswillbetaughtby existingBCfacultymembers,aswellasnewprofessors,manywithapassionforfirst-generationstudentsuccess

Throughouttheexperience,studentsarehousedinPineManor’ssuite-styledormsandcanengageinallBostonCollege extracurricularactivitiesincludingstudentorganizations,campusrecreation,campusministry,librariesandsporting events.Duringthefinalsemesteroftheirsecondyear,studentswillalsocompleteaclassonthemaincampus(whichis accessibleviapublictransportation,asstudentsarenotallowedtohavecarsoncampus)

Studentsstartclassesearlierintheyear,in July,aswell,allowingthemtospaceout coursesthroughouttheterm,lightening theircourseload

Thecollegewillalsoprovideinternship experiencestolearnersthrough partnershipswithvariousbusinessesand non-profits Studentswillwork10to12 hoursaweekintheirinternships,andthey willcompleteathree-creditseminar coursetohelpthemconnecttheir internshipexperiencetoacademicand professionalgoals

InApril,thecollegeannouncedithad partneredwithLibertyMutualInsurance toprovidepaidinternshipstoMessina studentsduringtheirsecondyear

Messinaalsooffersa30-credit FoundationsProgramforaround10BC applicants,givingthemaone-yeartransitionalprogramandwraparoundsupportsbutaguaranteedtransfertothecollege iftheymaintaina3.4GPAorrecommendationfromthedean.Offersofadmissionareextendedtoaselectgroupof candidates thereisnoapplicationprocess

PartofMessina’smissionistoserveunderrepresentedstudents,includingthosefromlow-incomebackgrounds,so affordabilityiskeytothecollege

Thepostedtuitionandfeesforoneyearis$54,600($30,000cheaperthanBostonCollege’straditionalundergraduate program),butMessina’sneed-basedscholarshipcoversaround$50,000ofthosecosts,withstudentsagreeingtotakeon $2,000inloanseachyear Forafamilywithatotalincomeof$40,000,forexample,studentswillpaynothingoutof pocketupfront.

FoundationsProgramstudentspayBostonCollegetuition(around$69,000)andhousingrates

There’snoapplicationfeeforMessina,furtherreducingcostsassociatedwiththeprogram.Therearealsowork-study positionsavailableforlearnersonceenrolled

Forthosewhocannotaffordlaptops,healthinsuranceortheirmealplans,thecollegewillcoverthosecosts,aswell.

StudentsarrivedoncampusJuly7andspenttheirfirstfewweeksintheFirst-YearDiscoverySeminar,ledbyfaculty members,helpingthemsuccessfullytransitionandpreparefortheircoursesatBoston.

AftercompletingtheirdegreeatMessina,anystudentwitha3.4GPAorhighercantransferintoabachelor’sdegree programatBostonCollege.Thosewhodecidetotransfertoadifferentinstitutionwillbesupportedbythecollege’s alumninetwork

HundredsattendfuneralforJackConnorsatSt.

July30,2024|SeanCotterandStellaTannenbaum

JackConnors'sgrandchildren,whowerepallbearersathisfuneralMass,stoodbyhiscasketatSaintIgnatiusofLoyolaChurchinChestnutHillDAVID L RYAN/GLOBESTAFF

EveryonehadaJackConnorsstory,fromthemayorsandgovernorswhosoughthisaidtothechildrenwhoattendedthe islandsummercamphecreated

“EveryoneinthischurchcouldwritetheirownJackeulogy,”hiseldestson,JohnConnorsIII,saidashebadefarewellto hisfather.“Dadlovedhelpingpeople.Heworkedtohelppeopleeverydayofhislife.”

About500peoplepackedtheSaintIgnatiusofLoyolaCatholicChurchinChestnutHillonTuesdaymorningforthe funeralofJohn“Jack”ConnorsJr.,thelocallyrenownedbusinessman,philanthropist,andpoliticaloperatorwhodied July23ofcanceratage82 ConnorswasamongthelastofagenerationofacertaintypeofBostonpoliticalbrokerwho wieldedakindofsoftpower,thesortbuiltfromyearsofbusinessconnections,charitableendeavors,exchangedfavors, andaskillatworkingthephonesforcausesandpeoplehebelievedin

Theextentofhisinfluencewasvisibleinthechurch’spews,whichwerenearlyfullanhourbeforethefuneralbegan OrganmusicwaftedoverrowsofmournersthatincludedGovernorMauraHealey,formergovernorCharlieBaker,Mayor MichelleWu,formermayorMartinJ Walsh,formersenatorJohnKerry,severalmembersofCongress,andvarious CEOs

Intheeulogy,JohnConnorsdescribedhisfatherasamasterschmoozerwholovedtoworkaroom,shakehands,andexert influence

“HelovedbeingJack,”JohnConnorssaid,drawinglaughterfromthecrowd

Hewasamanofbadjokes,fastexits,notesonhisownimpendingeulogy,andanimpishvengefulstreak,hissonsaid He wasthetypeofguywhoalwayskeptscoreoffavorsandslightsalike,JohnConnorssaid,butyoucouldalwayscounton afairtally

TheelderConnors’schmoozingwasunderpinnedbyagenuinekindness,JohnConnorssaid,andabeliefthatpeople, whoevertheyare,shouldbetreatedright

“NoonewasinvisibletoDad,”hesaid.Connors“wasonamissiontobenicetoeverybody.”

Therefore,JohnConnorssaid,he’sbeendelightedbyhowmanygoodstorieshe’sheardoverthepastweekabouthis father.

GregKeating,whoattendedthefuneral,hadthattypeofstory Whenhewasa21-year-old6th-gradeteacherdreamingof goingtolawschool,KeatingconnectedwithJackConnorsthroughamutualfriend.Herecalledsittingacrossfrom Connorsintheolderman’sgiant60th-flooroffice Connorsaskedhimsomequestionsandthenofferedtohelp but onlyifKeatingdidhimafavorinreturn.

“Irememberthinking,‘WhatonearthcouldIdoforJackConnors?’”Keatingsaid

ConnorstoldhimtherewouldcomeadaywhenKeatingwouldbesittingontheothersideofthetable,theonewiththe powertosayyes

“Promisethatifyoubelieveinsomeone,you’lldoeverythinginyourpowertohelpthem,”KeatingrecalledConnors saying

BorntoapoorIrishimmigrantfamily,ConnorsworkedhiswaythroughBostonCollege,andthenrosetoprominence afterheandthreefriendsopenedtheadvertisingagencyHill,Holliday,Connors,Cosmopulosin1968

ChairingsomeofBoston’smostsignificantboards,includingPartnersHealthCare,Connorshelpedshapeamerger betweenMassachusettsGeneralHospitalandBrighamandWomen’shospitalsandshepherdtheevolutionofBoston Collegefromacommuterschooltoanationallyregardedinstitution.

Connorsbecameaskilledfund-raiser,buthealsodonatednearly$100millionofhisownearnings Connorsconceivedandhelpedcreatehislastgreatventure,CampHarborView,17yearsagoinapartnershipwith then-MayorThomasMenino ThecampbeganasasummerretreatonLongIslandinBostonHarbortohelp middle-schoolchildrenfromthecity’spoorestareas.

JailenPierremetConnorswhenhewas11andattendingthecamp Nowat24,heworksforit,doingfund-raising Afew yearsago,ConnorstookhimtoSullivan’sonCastleIslandforhotdogs.

“HewantedtomakesureIwasdoingtherightthingsformycareer andalsohelpingothers,”Pierresaidafterthe service.

Baker,theformergovernorwhoispresidentoftheNCAA,hadasimilarstory HefirstmetConnorswhenhewasan18, tryingtofund-raiseforBigBrothersBigSisters.Thedrivewasn’treallyworking,butpeoplekepttellinghimnottoworry theyshouldjustcallJackConnors Theydid,andtheygotthemoney

Connorswouldn’thavebeenmucholderthan30,Bakerfigures

“Hewasraisingmoneyforandsupportingthecommunitysincehewasveryyoung,”Bakersaid

ConnorsfitcomfortablyintothepredominantlyCatholicpowerstructureofIrish-andItalian-Americanswhoranthecity duringthe20thcentury ButhesoughttoembracecomingchangeandsupportedWu,thefirstwomanandpersonofcolor tobeelectedmayor.

Speakingaftertheservice,WusaidshegottoknowConnorswhensheranfortheofficein2021

ThetwobondedoverawalkaroundRoslindale,wherethemayorlivesandbothknewwell.

“JackConnorshadtimeforeveryone,”shesaid

CardinalSeánO’Malley,thearchbishopoftheBostonarchdiocese,toldmourners:“Jackwasnotacelebrity hewasa hero Hewasamanofdeeds”

Duringtheeulogy,JohnConnorsmadereferencetoaquestionthat’salreadybeenmakingtheroundsinthemedia:Who willbethenextJackConnors,theoneworkingbothpubliclyandbehindthescenestogetthosedeedsdone?

“Todaythetorchispassed,”hesaid.“It’spassedtothenextgenerationofyouintheroomtoday.”

Headded,“Thereisstillmoreworktobedone”

“Todaythetorchispassed,”hesaid.“It’spassedtothenextgenerationofyouintheroomtoday.”Headded,“Thereis stillmoreworktobedone”

ChatGPT’suncannyvalleyofthemind

Thewayartificialintelligencewritesisalmosthuman.Almost. July28,2024|MichaelSerazio

Likecountlessfacultythispost-ChatGPTacademicyear,Ihadtheeeriesensationofoccasionallyreadingpapersthat soundedoff

Tobesure,theyweren’toffinthewaysaprofessor’sgradingbrainistrainedtoscanfor:conceptsmisconstrued,non sequiturparagraphs,typoscarelesslylurking.Quitetheopposite.Thesewerecompetent,articulate,polished,andyet not-quite-humanpapers

GenerativeAIstyle,ifitcanbesaidthereissuchathing,feelsWikipedian:Earlyon,itwascalled“beige”;a“generic cakemix.”LikethesimilarlycrowdsourcedWikipedia,itsoundslikeeveryoneandnooneatthesametime.And,says NaomiBaron,alinguistwhostudiescomputer-mediatedcommunication,justaswhenWikipediafirstcamealongand “Peoplesaid,‘Waitasecond,doyoutrustwhatisthere?Becausewhoknowswhoactuallywroteit?’”AI-generatedtext sparkssuspicion

Astextthat’sprobabilisticallyformulated,AI’sproseisaproductofaseriesofsafebets Humanwriting,incontrast,is definedbyinconsistency:beitthelyricalvariationofasavvystylistorthesloppyhasteofanundergradfumblingtheir andthere

Whattroubledmeinmystudents’essayswasnottheplagiarism Thatmightnotevenbetherightwordforthisoffense Indeed,saysAnnaMills,aCalifornia-basedcommunitycollegeteacherwhoadvocatesforAIliteracyincollege classrooms,“Plagiarismdoesn’tquitefit,becauseAIisnotahumanauthoryoucanstealfrom”Thebetteranalogymight betothoseonlinemillsthathavelonghawkedtermpapers

No,whattroubledmewasthefeelingthatwe’rearrivingatwhatAIscholarKarlMacDormancallsthe“uncannyvalley ofthemind,”notunlikehighlyrealisticrobotsthatcreepusout.

Asachild,JapaneseroboticistMasahiroMorigotthatuneasytinglewhenhevisitedwaxmuseumsorsawprosthetic limbs In1970,theTokyoInstituteofTechnologyprofessorpublishedinanobscureJapanesejournalanessaythat nonethelessbecameoneofthemostinfluentialideasinthefieldofhuman-robotinteraction.Hisconceptoftheuncanny valleyholdsthatthemorehumanarobotappears,themorelikableitis butonlyuptoapoint Toohuman-seemingand arobottriggersthesamerevulsionwemightfeelwhenseeingacorpseorazombie.Thatfeelingmaystemfromsome confusionburieddeepinourconsciousnessaboutwhetheranentityisanimateorlifeless

WhenIqueryChatGPTabouttheuncannyvalley,itknowswhereI’mcomingfrom:“IfanAIgeneratestextthatishighly convincingintermsofcontentandcoherence,butlacksemotionaldepthorgenuineunderstanding...thetextmayseem almosthuman-like,buttheabsenceofauthenticemotionorempathycancreateasenseofdissonance,”ittellsme,itstone radiatingHAL9000-likecalm.

Chatbotshavebeenaroundsincethe1960s,buttheyweren’twidespread.YoshuaBengio,theso-calledgodfatherofAI, haspredictedthatonedayAItextwillbecome“almostindistinguishable”fromhuman-writtentext

Atthatpoint,theperceptualeerinessmightwearoff Theexistentialeerinesswilllikelyremain UniversitieshavebyandlargerespondedtotheadventofgenerativeAItoolswiththepolicyequivalentofanemoji shrug Accordingtosomesurveys,onlyabout15to20percentofschoolsandinstructorshavedevelopedguidelineson AIuse

TherearefacultywhothinkweshouldintegrateandencouragetheuseofChatGPTinacademia,andofcoursethereare justasmanywhothinktheopposite.Butmostarejuststrugglingtofigureouthowtoaddressquestionsliketheonewe havejustconsidered:IsusingChatGPTplagiarism?

Whileuniversityadministrationswranglewiththisquestion,70percentofcollege-boundseniorshaveananswer:Yes, usingAIisaformofcheatingandplagiarism YetonequarterofthemarealreadyusingAItocompleteessaysand assignments

Anundergraduate-authoredpieceintheChronicleofHigherEducationwithaclickbaitheadlinetailor-madefor professors,“YouHaveNoIdeaHowMuchWe’reUsingChatGPT,”wastheChronicle’smost-readarticlelastyear. GPTZero,apopularAIdetector,scanstextfor“perplexity,”orrandomwordchoice;and“burstiness,”orsentence complexityandvariation structuralfeaturesthatseemtoseparatehumansfromrobotprose.

OnetricktomakewrittentextappearhumanistosprinklesometyposintoapieceofAI-generatedwriting,gummingup theevidencewithabitofsloppiness Anothertactic,moresubtle,involvesinsertingaspecialcharacter,azero-width space,beforesomeletters:Thespacescanslikeanerrortothesoftware andthereforetheproductofaflawedhuman butisinvisibletohumaneyes

NeweriterationsofGPTaregettingsubtler.OneliteratureprofessoratBerkeleyhadapparentlynotcomeacrosswords like“delve”and“multifaceted”in30yearsofteachingDostoevskybeforeseeingthemsuddenlypopulatehisstudents’ compositionslastfall.Suchgenericismscontributetothelifelessnessoftheprose.Theyareadeadgiveawaythata studenthashadanAIassist Butthesavvier,spicieroutputofnewergenerativeAIsystemsmaybeabletoemulatethe humanvoicemoreeffectively.

Wehavebeenherebefore:Theinternetwould“weakenthetraditionalmajorinstitutionsoflearning,”oneeconomist announcedinSciencein1995 “Manyofthetraditionalfunctionsofuniversitieswillbesuperseded theirrolein intellectualinquiryreduced.”

TheSiliconValleyhypemachinewouldcertainlylovetoconvinceusthatoureraistheAIequivalentoftheearly1990s internet Facultydon’tbegrudgeorpolicestudentsusingGoogleinacademicresearchandspell-checkisarudimentaryAI weexpectthey’llemploy.Somethingissurelylost,though,whenthetoolstofixstyleareallowedtoformulatesubstance aswell This,then,isthechallengeofusinggenerativeAIinhighereducation:Howdoweteachandpracticethinking andcreativity preciselytheskillsthesetoolsencourageustooutsourceforthesakeofefficiency?

Writingisnotjustameanstoanend:Itisameansofself-discovery Findingone’svoiceisnotjustaboutwhatendsupon thepage thejourneymattersmorethanthedestination

Michael Serazio is a professor of communication at Boston College and the author of, most recently, “The Authenticity Industries: Keeping It ‘Real’ in Media, Culture, and Politics.”

BC’snewschoolforfirst-generationcollege studentsbeginssummersession

“Nooneisreallyanonymousinaprogramlikethis,”FoundingDeanErick BerrellezasaidaboutMessinaCollege.

July24,2024|MollyFarrar

StudentsandfamiliesarriveatBostonCollege'snewMessinaCollegecampusinBrooklineonJuly7fororientationand thestartofclasses. Frank Curran for Boston College

Morethan100first-generationcollegestudentsmovedintotheirnewdormsthismonthatMessinaCollege,anewschool runbyBostonCollegethataimstohelpunderprivilegedstudentsaccesscollegedegrees

“Thishasbeenlonginourhistory.Workingwithfirst-genandalsoimmigrantstudents,oftenwithhighfinancialneed, waseventheveryfoundationofBostonCollege,”foundingDeanErickBerrellezasaid

Theschool,locatedinBrookline,offerstwo-yearassociate’sdegreesinfourfields:applieddatascience,healthsciences, generalbusiness,andappliedpsychologyandhumandevelopment

The“majority”ofthe110studentswillpayupto$200outofpocketinadditiontoayearly$2,000loan,Berrellezasaid

Theschool’sinauguralclassmovedinonJuly7tobegintwosummercourses Berrellezacalledthesummerclassesan “on-ramp”forthestudents,allowingthemtotakeonelessclassinthefallandspringthanatraditionalstudent

“Ialwaysthinkaboutnotsacrificingtherestofthecollegeexperience,”hesaid.“Thishelpsreducethatloadandallow themtobealittlemorebalancedasstudents”

Theschool’sresidentialmodelsetsitapartfromothertwo-yearinstitutions,whicharegenerallycommuterschools, Berrellezasaid.

Berrelleza,whowasafirst-generationcollegestudenthimself,saidwhenhewasinschoolitwas“asinkorswimmodel” HeemphasizedthatMessinawillofferadditionalsupport.

“Itdoesn’tmatterthattheydon’thavesomeofthisculturalcapital,someoftheknowledgeof,throughtheirfamily,of attendingschool,”Berrellezasaid “We’rehelpingthemwithsomeofthatcurriculum,someofthatculture,tomakesure thattheirexperienceisrich,thatthey’resuccessfulhere.”

Messina’s$50millionendowmentcomesafterBC’s2020acquisitionoftheformerPineManorCollegeinBrookline PineManorCollege’sformercampusisnowthelocationofMessinaCollege.Fromthere,Berrellezasaid,ashuttleruns toconnectMessinastudentswithBC’sChestnutHillcampus

Workingwithfirst-genandimmigrantstudentstiesintoBC’smission

In1863,BCstartedasacommuterschool,ora“smallstreetcarcollege,”predominantlyfortheIrish,Catholicimmigrant community

“MessinaCollegeisjustacontinuationofothereffortsthatwe’vedoneinthepast,”Berrellezasaid

MessinastudentswilltaketwoclassesonBC’sChestnutHillcampusduringtheirsecondyear Berrellezatoutedthenew school’ssmallclasssizes,itsmentorshipprogram,andcloserelationshipsbetweenstudentandfacultymembers.

“Nooneisreallyanonymousinaprogramlikethis,”hesaid

Messinasharedmove-inactivitiesonInstagram,wherestudentssaidtheywereexcitedtogrowwithinaclose-knit communityoverthenexttwoyears.

“I’mexcitedonbuildingconnectionswiththestudentsandbeingarolemodelforthenextyear’supcomingstudentsand justmakinganameforthisschool,”onestudentsaid

Afterthestudentsgettheirassociate’s,theycangointotheworkforceorenterabachelor’sprogram,Berrellezasaid.The fourmajorsatMessinaaredesignedtoalignwithfour-yearprogramsatBC,butstudentswouldneedtoapplyfortransfer totheschooloranotherfour-yearinstitution.

“WhetheratBCoranotherinstitution,they’regoingtohaveamuchbetterexperience Theyalreadyhaveagreat foundation,”hesaid “ThetwoyearMessinaCollegeprogramistheBCexperience Weprovidethemwiththefull, enrichingexperienceofbeingcollegestudents”

RealEstateCrisis?SmallBanksSayTheirLoans AreFine.

Communitybanksarebigcommercialreal-estatelenders.Buttheysaytheir loansaretosturdylocalbusinesses,notthosefacingvacantofficespace.

July24,2024|MatthewGoldsteinandEmilyFlitter

Smallbanksarefeelingmisunderstood

Theyseethemselvesasintegraltoneighborhoodsacrossthecountry:backersoflocaldrycleaners,dentistsandsandwich shops Investorsworrythatthosebankscouldbeacrisiswaitingtohappen

Theprideandtheanxietybothreflectthefactthatcommunitybanksarebiglendersinthecommercialreal-estatemarket, whichhasbeenrockedbyfallingpropertyvaluesaslargeofficebuildingssitempty.

Butexecutivesatthesefirms whichnumberabout4,100intotal saythereisanimportantdistinction,andsome industryanalystsconcur.Theycautionthatsmallbanksarebeinglumpedinwithlenderstotheownersofhalf-empty towersinManhattan,SanFranciscoandChicago,whichareinthemosttrouble

Instead,amajorityofcommercialbuildingloansbycommunitybanksareforsmallerbuildings likethosehousing doctorsandlocalbusinesses thattendtobefullyleased Andwhilethereareconcernsaboutfinancialpressureon apartmentbuildinglandlordsifinterestratesremainhigh,missedpaymentsonthosetypesofmortgageshavenotrisen substantially

“Thefocushasbeenonofficeasthatistheweakcategory,”saidJohnBuran,thechiefexecutiveofficerofFlushing Financial,basedinUniondale,N.Y.,whichoperatesbranchesasFlushingBankinQueens,ManhattanandBrooklynand onLongIsland “Mostcommunitybanksdon’thavethetypeofexposure”

Mr Buransaidloanstoofficebuildinglandlordswere4percentofFlushingFinancial’sportfolio,comparedwithroughly 38percentforloanstoapartmentbuildingowners Allofitsloansareperformingwell,hesaid Butitsstock,atabout $1620ashare,isslightlylowerfortheyear evenafterasharprallythismonth

Sharesofothersmalllendershavelaggedbehindstocksofbigbanksandthebroadermarketthisyear.Regulatorsare watchingthemcloselyafterbeingburnedlastyearbytheunexpectedfailureofthreelargerregionalbanks Evenifsmall banksaresoundrightnow,thereisuneaseoverwhatmayhappenifthereisasurgeinloandefaults

Nearly40percentofthe$3trillionincommercialreal-estateloansheldbybanksareinsmallinstitutions thosewith lessthan$15billioninassets accordingtoS&PGlobalMarketIntelligence.Regulatorsconsideritawarningsign whenabank’scommercialreal-estateloanportfolioismorethan300percentgreaterthanthecapitalrequiredtocoverits financialobligationsduringacrisis Roughly400smallbankscurrentlyexceedthatthreshold,accordingtoS&P

PatriciaA.McCoy,aprofessoratBostonCollegeLawSchoolwhofocusesonfinancialservicesregulation,said FirstSun’smovecouldinspireothercommunitybanksconsideringdealstodothesame.

ButshesaidtheO.C.C.wasrighttolookathowsmallbankswerehandlinghighconcentrationsofcommercial real-estateloans.Theconcernisthatinvestorsanddepositorswillsmellweaknessinbanksthatarenotmoving fastenoughtoaddresstheissue settingoffanothercrisisinwhichtroubleatonebankspreadsacrossthe industry.

“Whatweworryaboutiscontagion,”Ms.McCoysaid.“Rightnow,regulatorsareinawatch-closelymode.”

Manysmallbanksroutinelyoperatewithloanexposuresbeyondtheregulatorythresholdbecausetheydependheavilyon lendingtogeneraterevenue,saidNathanStovall,thedirectoroffinancialinstitutionsresearchforS&PGlobalMarket Intelligence ButMr Stovallsaidbanksweren’tgettingcreditforprudentlending

“Youarehavingalotofinvestorswithashoot-firstmentality,”hesaid.“Notallcommercialrealestateiscreatedequal.”

FlushingFinancial,with$9billioninassets,isamongthebanksthathaveexceededthethreshold Itscommercial real-estateportfolioisaround477percentofitsrisk-basedcapital,accordingtoS&PGlobalMarketIntelligence.

Mr Buranacknowledgedthis,butsaidthemetricdidn’treflectthebank’sloanquality

“Thedevilisinthedetails,”hesaid.“Weareverycarefulaboutourgrowthandconservativeaboutourlending.”

Therehasbeenonebankfailurethisyear:RepublicFirstBancorp,acommunitybankbasedinPhiladelphiathathad$6 billioninassets,including$17billionincommercialreal-estateloans Andthetroublethatstruckthebankingsectora yearago andledtothefailuresofFirstRepublicBank,SiliconValleyBankandSignatureBank,withover$100 billioninassetsamongthem wasn’tdirectlycausedbyalarmovercommercialreal-estateloans Itwaspromptedbya dropinthevalueofthebanks’owninvestments,aresultofrisinginterestratesandthehighpercentageofcustomerswith uninsureddepositswhopanickedandpulledtheirmoneyout

Somesmallbankshavetakenstepstoshoreuptheircapital

FirstFoundation,abankbasedinDallaswith$13.6billioninassets,announcedthismonththatithadraised$228million bysellingsharesatasteepdiscounttoagroupofbiginvestmentfirms,includingFortressInvestmentGroup Thebank, whichhas30branchesinfivestates,saiditplannedtousetheadditionalcapitaltoincreaseitsloanlossreserves.Italso saiditwouldselloffsomeofitslargeportfolioofloanstoapartmentbuildinglandlords

ScottF.Kavanaugh,thechiefexecutiveofFirstFoundation,saidonaninvestorcallthatthemovetoraisecapitalhadnot beenpromptedbyregulatoryconsiderations,butthatithadbeenthe“prudentthingtodo”

Beforethen,FirstFoundation’scommercialreal-estateportfoliowasroughly500percentofitsriskcapital,accordingto S&PGlobalMarketIntelligence SharesofFirstFoundationplungedaftertheannouncementbuthaverecoveredthose lossesandarenowtradingslightlyhigher.

Someanalystssaytherearereasonstoremainwatchful,especiallyiftheeconomyfalters Bankregulators,inparticular theOfficeoftheComptrolleroftheCurrency,arelookingatcommunitybanksandsmallregionallenderstomakesure thoseinstitutionsaremovingtoreducetheiroverallloanexposureorareraisingmorecapitaltocoveranylosses

Thecomptroller’sofficeseeslittledownsideintakinganaggressiveapproachwiththesmallbanks,saidDougLandy, whoistheco-headofthefinancialinstitutionspracticeatWhite&Case,alawfirmbasedinNewYork.

“TheOCC andtheotherregulatorsarelookingatthisandsaying,‘Let’sprepareforabadsituationinthefutureandifit doesn’thappen,noharm,nofoul,’”hesaid.

TheOCC scrutinyisparticularlyevidentwhencommunitybanksseektomerge Oneresponsehasbeentosidestepthe regulator.

InApril,FirstSunCapital,whichisbasedinDenver,saidthatitwasbecomingaTexas-charteredfinancialinstitutionand thatitwouldnolongerberegulatedbytheO.C.C.Thebanksaidtheswitchwasnecessarytospeedupthecompletionof itsplannedmergerwithHomeStreetBank,basedinSeattle,whichhasaheavyconcentrationofcommercialreal-estate loans.

NealArnold,theC.E.O.ofFirstSun,saidthebankdecidedtoundertaketheregulatoryshiftafterconversationswiththe comptroller’soffice “TheOCC wasnotgoingtoapprovethisdealanytimesoon,”hesaid StephanieCollins,anO.C.C.spokeswoman,saidtheregulator“examinesbanksonacase-by-casebasistoensuretheir riskmanagementpracticesareappropriate”

CouldMessinaCollegeboostcollegecompletion forlow-incomestudents?

BostonCollege’sassociate’sdegreeprogramisapromisingmodel. July21,2024|TheEditorialBoard

MessinaCollege'sfoundingdean,theRev.ErickBerrelleza.Messinaisatwo-yearassociate'sdegreeprogramforfirst-generationcollege studentsfromlow-incomefamilies Ifstudentsmaintaininga34GPAtheycanautomaticallytransfertotheBostonCollegeundergradprogram afterwardsDAVIDL RYAN/GLOBESTAFF

AtMessinaCollege’sBrooklinecampusrecently,around15studentssatinaseminar-styleEnglishclass,whileothers studiedindependentlyincommonareas WithclassesstartinginJulyforasummerterm,studentswereadjustingtodorm livingandcafeteriafood.

WhatmakesMessinaCollege whichisrunbyBostonCollege differentisvirtuallyallitsstudentsarelow-income andthefirstgenerationintheirfamilytoattendcollege TheschoolishousedontheformercampusofPineManor College,afour-yearschoolBCacquiredin2020.Initsinauguralyear,Messinaaccepted110studentsoutofaround300 applicantsintoitstwo-yearassociate’sdegreeprogram Iftheykeeptheirgradesup,theyhaveaguaranteedtransferto BostonCollegeasjuniors.

“We’reattemptingtoensurethatwecreategreatersuccessforstudentswhomightotherwisehavelimitedoptionsin highereducation,”saidfoundingdeantheRev ErickBerrelleza

Sixty-fiveofMessina’sstudentsgraduatedfromBostonhighschools,includingdistrict,charter,andCatholicschools,and mostarefromMassachusetts AllmaintainedatleastaBaverageinhighschool Messinafocuseditsrecruitingonhigh schoolsinurbanareasincludingBoston,Worcester,Springfield,Brockton,Lowell,andLawrence,aswellasProvidence

MessinaCollegeisuniqueinMassachusettsandatthecuttingedgeofanew buttiny nationaltrend Selective four-yearcolleges,generallywithreligiousroots,areopeningtwo-yearschoolswherestudentswhomightnototherwise gainadmissionintoaselectiveschoolcanreceiveanassociate’sdegreetheneitherbeginworkingorcontinuetoa bachelor’sdegree Messinaisoneoftheonlysuchschoolshousingstudentsindorms,adecisionBerrellezacalledkeyto creatingcommunityandhelpingstudentssucceed

It’sapromisingmodel Ifsuccessful,theschoolcouldopenneweducationandcareerpathsfordisadvantagedstudents If itsgraduationandtransferratesarehigherthanatthecommunitycollegesstudentsmayhaveattendedinstead,theremay belessonspublic andotherprivate schoolscanlearnabouthowtobettersupportthesestudents Meanwhile,student diversityatBostonCollegewillprobablyincreaseasitacceptsMessinagraduates.

Ofcourse,MessinaCollegewillneedtoprovethatitcanachievehighergraduationandtransferratesthanotherschools withcomparablepopulations Assignificantly,itwillhavetoprovethemodelisfinanciallysustainable achallengefor privateschoolsservingstudentswhocannotpayhightuitionandthatdonotgetthetaxpayermoneyavailabletopublic institutions OnereasonBostonCollegecanpioneerthisprogramisa$100millionendowmentearmarkedforhelping first-generationstudentsstemmingfromitsmergeragreementwithPineManor.BostonCollegeinvested$35millionin capitalexpensestogettheschoolopen,withanother$10millionplannedfornextyear

Earlyindicationsfromsimilarschoolsinotherstatessuggesttheeducationoptioncanhelpstudents Ifotherelite Massachusettsschoolswithstrongendowmentsvaluehelpingstudentsofallbackgroundssucceed,it’samodelworth considering

Messinaoffersfourmajors,allofwhichfeeddirectlyintotheworkforceandaBCbachelor’sprogram:datascience, business,healthsciences,andpsychologyandhumandevelopment.Studentstakecoreliberalartsclasses,likewriting andphilosophy,andhaveasophomore-yearinternship Messinaofferssmallclasses,mentoring,andacademicadvising ShuttlebusesruntoBC’sothercampuses,wherestudentscanusethegymorlibraries,gettutoring,orjoinclubs.While theannualcostofattendanceisnominally$54,600includinghousingandfood,BostonCollegepaysallbutastudent’s “expectedfamilycontribution”(calculatedbythefederalgovernmentbasedontheirfinancialaidapplication)withgrants anda$2,000loan Studentscanearnpocketmoneythroughwork-study

MessinaappealstostudentslikeLynnresidentDanielleParkinson,whomovedfromJamaicathreeyearsagoandwantsto bealawyer Whenshewasapplyingtocollege,herfather,ahotelworker,wasthefamily’ssoleearner “Iwashaving anxietyattacksandjustdepressionabouthowI’mgoingtopaytogotocollege,andatonepointIthoughtIwasn’tgoing tobeabletogobecauseIcouldn’taffordit,”Parkinsonsaid Parkinsonsaidsheisgratefultoattendaninstitution affiliatedwithaprestigiousschoolwhereshefeelscomfortablewithadiverse,nonjudgmentalstudentbody.

Today,mosttwo-yearprogramsinMassachusettsareatcommunitycolleges,whichacceptallapplicantsandofferan affordablepathtoanassociate’sdegree (Tuitionandfeesaverage$7,000)Butfour-yearcompletionratesatstate communitycollegesaveragedjust22.5percentin2021,accordingtodatatheDepartmentofHigherEducationprovided totheeditorialboard Only18percentofthosewhostartedcommunitycollegein2019transferredtoafour-yearcollege by2023.

Therearealsofor-profittwo-yearschools,butthosetendtohaveamongtheworstoutcomesforstudents.Somefour-year privateinstitutionsalsoofferassociate’sdegrees

Therearealsoafewnonprofit,two-yeartechnicalschools,whichsuccessfullysteerstudentsintojobs,likeBenjamin FranklinCummingsInstituteofTechnology,whichteachestradeslikeconstructionandautomotivetechnology,and UrbanCollegeofBoston,whichfocusesonearlychildhoodeducationandhumanservices

MessinaCollegeisuniqueinofferingatwo-yearresidentialexperienceandliberalartseducationtoaselectivegroupof low-income,post-highschoolstudents.

It’samodelsimilartoLoyolaUniversity’sArrupeCollegeinChicago,anassociate’sdegreeprogramthatopenedin 2015 TheRev SteveKatsouros,foundingdeanofArrupeCollege,saidbyprovidingfinancialsupport,academic advising,mentalhealthservices,andemployerconnections,theschoolgraduatedover60percentofstudents all first-generationandlow-income inthreeyears Around80percentofgraduatescontinuedtoafour-yearinstitution KatsourosnowrunstheNewYork-basedCometoBelieveNetwork,whichhelpsotherschoolsreplicateArrupeCollege NewschoolsareabouttolaunchatButlerUniversityinIndianapolisandUniversityofMountSaintVincentintheBronx

Messinastudentswillgraduatewithanassociate’sdegree.Whilealiberalartsassociate’sdegreedoesnotnecessarily havehighvalueinthelabormarket,thereisenormousvalueifstudentswhowouldotherwisenotbeadmittedtoBoston Collegecansuccessfullytransferthere.JoshWyner,executivedirectoroftheAspenInstitute’sCollegeExcellence

Program,saidlower-incomestudentsnationwidearefarlesslikelytogetabachelor’sdegreethanwealthierstudents “If BCcanusethisasawayofbringinginlower-incomestudentsatalowerpricepoint,thenenablingthemtotransfertoBC orfour-yearcollegesatahigherratethanwhathappensnationally,thatwouldbeanimportantmodeltosharewiththe restofthecountry,”Wynersaid

ItwilltakethreeorfouryearstobegintomeasureMessina’srecordinstudentoutcomes.Butanyprestigiousschool willingtoputtheirmoneybehindeducatinglow-income,first-generationstudentsdeservesapplause

‘Mastermind:ToThinkLikeaKiller’Review: Nurse,Mother,Super-Sleuth

DirectorAbigailFuller’sdocumentaryfocusesonBostonCollege’sAnn Burgess,aforensicnursewhopioneeredthescienceofcriminalprofilingand inspiredNetflix’shitdrama‘Mindhunter’.

July9,2024|JohnAnderson

Bornin1936,AnnBurgessgrewupatatimewhenthecareerchoiceforwomenwasteacherornurse Soshebecame both,akindofsuperwoman aprofessorofpsychiatricnursingwhowasalsoawife,motherand,asitturnedout,a hunterofserialmurderers.

“Mastermind:ToThinkLikeaKiller,”athree-partHuludocumentarydirectedbyAbigailFuller,isbasedon“AKillerby Design:Murderers,Mindhunters,andMyQuesttoDeciphertheCriminalMind,”co-writtenbyDr Burgess,aprincipal pioneerinthescienceofcriminalprofiling.Awomanwhointheearly’70sbeganhelpingtheFBI’sinfantBehavioral SciencesUnitattainthestatusithastoday,sheandherstoriedcareerhavecrossedpathswiththoseoftheSki-Mask Rapistofthe’80s,theMenendezbrothersinthe’90sandevenBillCosbyin2005.Ms.Fuller’spositionisthatDr. Burgessneverquitegotthecreditshewasdue:Nobodyplayedherin“TheSilenceoftheLambs,”asScottGlenn essentiallydidherlongtimeFBIcollaboratorJohnE.Douglas(thoughshedid,apparently,inspiretheWendyCarr characteronTV’s“Mindhunter”) Herworkwasnotcloak-and-daggerorcops-and-robbers:Dr Burgessfocusedearlyin heracademiccareerontheexperiencesandtraumaofrapevictims.ItwasasubjecttheFBIhadn’tthoughtalotabout. Butthroughvictims,Dr Burgessfound,criminalscouldbeidentifiedandcaught

AndtheperiodduringwhichDr Burgesswasmakinghermarkwasasortofgoldenageofserialmurder:TheGreen RiverKiller,theBTKKiller,JohnWayneGacy,SonofSam.Makinguseoftapedinterviewsthathadbeendonewiththe likesofTedBundy,CharlesMansonandEdmundKemper,Dr Burgesslistenedforcluestotheirmodusoperandi,justas shelistenedtoOpalHorton,an8-year-oldgirlwhoin1985hadmanagedtoescapefromkillerBrianDuganandwhose gentlyteased-outrecollectionsledtoDugan’sarrest Dr Burgess’sinstincts,unlikethoseofsomeinvestigators,were sound:SeeingthetwinsetoffootprintsnearwhereoneofJohnJoubert’smurderedvictimshadbeenfoundin1983,Dr. Burgessdeducedthatthekillerhadrefrainedfromcarryinghisvictim,perhapsbecausehewastoosmalltohavedone so whichwastrueofJoubert,executedinNebraskain1996.

Amongthoseinterviewedarethesubject’sadultchildren,whorecallgood-naturedlygrowingupinahousewithbookson sexualassault,criminalpsychologyandchildmolestationandhavingamomwhocooked,cleanedandsolvedcrime Also appearingis“KillerbyDesign”co-authorStevenMatthewConstantine,whoisthekindofwillingaccompliceand first-ratesourceoffundamentalinformationthatDr Burgessisnot Shedoesn’tseemfiredupaboutamoviebeingmade abouther;shemayeventhinkit’ssilly.Sheisthekindofinterviewsubjectwhocangiveone-wordanswers,whichisa nightmarefortheinterviewer,andonlyaddstoMs Fuller’sdilemmaofmakingamoviethatisn’tnaturallyamovie:The action,sotospeak,hastakenplaceinthemindofthesubjectandallthearchivalmaterialintheworldisn’tgoingtomake itcinematic

Where“Mastermind”reallypicksupmomentum,though,isinepisode3,whichrecallsmorerecentchaptersinthe Burgesshistory herdecisiontobackuptheMenendezbrothers’abusedefensein1993,andhermemoryworkwith CosbyaccuserAndreaConstand,whosettledoutofcourtforareported$338million

Unlikewithherearlierefforts,Dr Burgesscameunderfireforbothcases,butthatmaybewhytheyprovetobemore interesting theconflict,therelativelyrecenthistoryandtheconsistencyofDr.Burgess:Foralltheirguilt,LyleandErik Menendezweren’tserialkillers;Cosby,accordingtohismanyaccusers,wasaserialrapist “Mastermind”isn’tjustabout thementalityofcriminals,butaboutthatoftheirpursuer.

Amidrisingtuitionandinflationarypressures,a

newcollegerunbyBCopensitsdoorsto low-incomestudents

July5,2024|MikeDamianoandHilaryBurns

BROOKLINE OnSunday,110teenagers,almostallofthemlow-income,first-generationcollegestudents,willmove intorenovateddormsonagrassyhillsidecampushere.TheyarethefirstclasstoenrollatMessinaCollege,anew two-yearundergraduateschoolrunbyBostonCollegeontheformerPineManorCollegecampus

AmongthemisMichaelMelo,aRoxburyteenwholivesinpublichousingwithhissisterandsupportshimselfwithlong shiftsservingfoodatMassGeneralBrigham HeisexactlythekindofstudentMessinaaimstoserve:drivenbut disadvantaged.Hegotmiddlinggradesinhighschoolwhileworking20to30hoursaweek.“IneverthoughtIwouldsee myselfgoingtocollege,”hesaid

Messina’smissionistogivestudentslikeMeloatraditional,liberalartscollegeexperience,withtheacademicandsocial benefitsthatcomewithcommunallifeandstudy Theschoolisopeningatatimewhenrisingtuitionandinflationary pressuresareturningtheon-campuscollegeexperienceintoaluxurymanystudentscan’tafford,especiallythosewho aren’tstraight-Ahighschoolstudentswhocanwinadmissiontothecountry’smostselectiveinstitutionsandaccessthe moregenerousfinancialaidthoseschoolsusuallyoffer.

“Wecannotaffordtohavesomanystudentsnotdeveloptheirgiftsandaddressthetoughissuesfacingoursociety,”BC presidentWilliamP.Leahysaidwhenplansfortheschoolwereannouncedtwoyearsago.“Educationistheladderto success”

BCisspending$35milliontorevampthecampus,whichittookoverinthespringof2020followingamergerwithPine Manor Onarecentmorning,thecampuswasbuzzingwiththesoundsofpowertoolsandconstructionvehiclesas workersrushedtogetreadyformove-inday “There’sguysthatareworkingdoubleshiftsrightnowtofinish,”saidthe Rev ErickBerrelleza,Messina’sfoundingdean

Berrelleza,41,isasociologistfromCaliforniawhomovedtoMassachusettstoleadtheschool ThesonofMexican immigrants,hewasafirst-generationcollegestudenthimself

Hisparents,hesaid,instilledthevalueofeducationintheirchildren “ButwhenIwasgoingthroughcollege,theydidn’t havealotofculturalcapitaltoexplainhowtodothat,”hesaid “Isortofhadtopaveapath”

AtMessina,Berrellezaistryingtomakethatpatheasiertonavigate

StudentswillstartclassesinJuly,insteadofSeptember,sotheycancompletetwocoursesbeforetheregularacademic yearbegins.Thatwilllightentheircourseloads.

EverystudentwillbepairedwithamentorfromBC’sstudentbody Thementorsaremeanttobejuniorsorseniorswith similarbackgrounds.

Messinawillprovidelaptops,andalsohealthinsuranceandmealplansforanyonewhocan’taffordthem

Aspartoftheirfinancialaidpackages,allstudentswillhavework-studyjobsbecause,Berrellezasaid,evidenceshows thatstudentswithcampusjobsdobetteracademically “Itexpandstheirnetworksandteachesthemaboutscheduling,”he said.

Attendancewillalsobeapriority Professorswillbeencouragedtokeeptrackofmissedclasses,sothat“ifweseea pattern,wecanatleastintervene,”Berrellezasaid.(Atthehighschoollevel,absenteeismhasspikedsincethepandemic.)

Messina’stargetstudentshaveaboutaBaverageinhighschool,Berrellezasaid They’dbeunlikelytogetintoBCor otherhighlyselectiveschoolsthatoffergenerousfinancialaid.Theiroptionswouldbetakingonsignificantdebttoattend alessselectiveliberalartscollegeorgoingtopublicinstitutionsliketheUniversityofMassachusettsBostonor FraminghamState,hesaid.

“Thoseschoolsmightnotcreatethetypesofopportunitieswe’retryingtocreatehere,”hesaid “Thatholisticstudent formation.”InlinewithBC’sJesuit,liberalartseducation,hesaid,“Wewantourstudentstodevelopaswholepeople.”

AnthonyAbrahamJack,aBostonUniversityprofessorandtheauthorof“ThePrivilegedPoor:HowEliteCollegesAre FailingDisadvantagedStudents,”saidMessinahas“thepotentialtoopenBostonCollegetoamuchwider,andmuch morediverse,groupofstudentsnotonlywithrespecttoclass,butrace,age,andparentalstatus”Hesaidsupportservices andextraresourcesarecriticalforensuringlow-incomestudentspersisttograduation,especiallythosewithfamily responsibilities

“Youhavetosupportthemfromdayone,andnotaftertheystruggletobelong,”hesaid.“Thisprogramhastheabilityto createanon-rampforstudentswhohavebeenleftbythewaysideforfartoolong”

Melo,theRoxburyteen,saidheprobablywouldhavegonetotradeschoolifnotforaguidancecounseloratCristoRey BostonHighSchoolwhotoldhimaboutMessina

He’dbeenmorefocusedongettingbythanongettinggoodgrades,hesaid,eversincehismotherdiedwhenhewasin eighthgrade (Hisfatherisnotinthepicture)AfterhelearnedaboutMessina,hestartedfocusingmoreonacademicsand liftedhisGPA.

Nowhehopestoearnabachelor’sdegreeafterfinishinghistwoyearsatMessina BCsaysthatanyMessinastudentwho maintainsa3.4GPAcanautomaticallytransfertoBCasajuniorandcompleteabachelor’sdegreethere.Melosaidheis contemplatingpursuingagraduatedegreeaswell

“Theendgoalistobecomeatherapist,orsometypeofsocialworker,”hesaid “Iwentthroughalotofmentaldistress aftermymompassedaway,soit’skindofmywayofthinkingIcantrytogivebacktoothers”

ThereareahandfulofotherprogramssimilartoMessina FairfieldUniversityinConnecticutandLoyolaUniversityin Chicagohavetwo-yearassociate’sdegreeprograms

Butonlyahandfuloftheirstudentsliveoncampus.

Bycontrast,allMessinastudentswillliveincampusdorms Berrellezahopestheywillfeelasenseofownershipofthe school.“Someofthemtalkabouthowthisisaschoolthat’sdesignedforme,”hesaid.“Ithinktheyalsoseethe investment”(Theschoolnowhasa$100millionendowmentaftera$50millioncontributionfromBC’sendowment,a $25millionanonymouspledge,andinvestmentreturns)

Thecampusneededaninfusionofcapital,Berrellezasaid,becauseithaddeterioratedasPineManorgraduallyranoutof money.IntheyearsbeforethemergerwithBC,itsenrollmenthaddeclinedtojust335studentsonacampuswithdorm spaceforabout600 Itsendowmentwasonly$10million TheschoolhadasimilarmissiontoMessina’s:Itserved first-generation,low-incomestudents ThomasO’Reilly,thefinalpresidentofPineManor,saidthemergerwithBChad kepttheschool’sspiritalive

“MessinaisthenextiterationofPineManor,”hesaidinarecentinterview

OneofPineManor’slegaciesisthecampus’scenterpiecebuilding,amansiononceownedbyanearly20th-century Bostonbankerandsetatopasmallhillsurroundedbygrassandtrees.Thebuildingwillhouseadministrativeoffices, classrooms,andastudyhallinwhatwasoncetheballroom Thewallsarepaneledinwalnut There’sagrandfatherclock, apiano,andbuttonsonceusedtosummonservants.Thegrounds,whicharenowMessina’scampus,encompass50acres.

BerrellezasaidsomefriendshadaskedhimifthesettingwouldbewrongforMessina’sstudents“becauseit’ssodifferent fromthesettingsthey’recomingfrom.”

Melodoesnotsharethatconcern “It’sreallymyvibe,”hesaid “Ruralandreallyquiet”

Thegreatreligiousfailure:notrecognizinga personinneed

June17,2024|JamesF.Keenan,S.J.

Whatisthepre-eminentformofmoralandreligiousfailure?AccordingtoJesusofNazareth,itwouldbefailingto recognizeanotherinneed AtleastitappearsthatwayintheBible,whereJesuspresentsparablesinvolvingpeoplewho donotfailafterhavingresponded;rather,theyfailbeforehand.Theyfailtobothertorecognizetheotherinneedinthe firstplace

ThepriestandLevitepassbythemanontheroadinLuke10:30-37,thegoatsdonotseethehungryandthenakedin Matthew25:31-46,andtherichmanstepsoverLazarusinLuke16:19-31 Noneofthemrecognizetheneighborin need andthereforenoneofthemisaneighbor

LetusreturntotheparableofthegoodSamaritan TheSamaritan’sfirstrecognitionoftheinjuredmangivesevidenceof hisvulnerabilitytothewoundedman.Then,afterherecognizesthemanasbeinginneed,heconscientiouslygoesabout whatheneededtodo:cleanhiswounds,gethimtoasafeplace,makeinquiriesabouttheappropriateplaceinwhichto leavehim,negotiateandsecurefromtheinnkeeperhisoversightoftheinjuredman,dispensewithhisfunds,redesignhis returnsothathecouldstopatthisparticularinnandtakethemanwithhim,thentoproceedtobringhimtohisownplace

TheSamaritan’sconsciencegotaworkout,buttheworkofconsciencewasnottheparticularreflectionofwhetherto respond,butwhattodo.Whethertorespondhappenedwhenhisvulnerabledispositionrecognizedtheman;the recognitionledthentothequestionofconscience:NowwhatdoIdo?

Recognitionissoimportantbecauseitisbasicallythethresholdofethics.Onceyourecognize,youarehooked.

ThisiswhytheenergyofBlackLivesMatterwassotangible.Thoseinthemovementrealizedthattheywerecalling peopletorecognizewhattheyhadnotrecognizedbefore thesimplerealitythatBlacklivesmatter Themovementwoke manywhitepeopleupfromourpassive(oractive)toleranceofthekillingofBlackmenandwomenbypoliceofficers. WewouldseeonthenewsyetanotherstoryofaBlackpersonkilledbypolice,butwewouldnotrecognizeitaswrong, butratherassomethingthatjust“happened.”Wherewastheanger,therage,atsuchwrongfulkilling?Wedidnot recognizethesedeathsas“grievable”thewaywesawotherdeathsassuch

BLM calledustoaccount,torememberthenames:GeorgeFloyd,AhmaudArbery,BreonnaTaylor Callingusto recognizethesekillingsandtorememberthenameswereexercisesinwakingusuptowhatweearlierfailedtorecognize: thattheselivesmattered,thatthesepeopleshouldnothavebeenkilled,thattheyshouldbegrieved Themovement providedanewsummonsofrecognition(notthatallofwhiteAmericarespondedtothesummonsofBLM),awayof awakeningourconsciencestobevulnerabletoBlacklives

Indeed,ifyoudonotrecognize,youdonotact.Recognitionisthebeginningofthemorallife.Ourvulnerableselves,our capacityformoralresponsiveness,becomesactualizedoncewerecognize Untilthen,ourvulnerabilityisdormant And onceweact,ourconsciencesalsogointoaction.

SometimesourconsciencesarelikethatofthegoodSamaritan:Werecognizeanotherinneedandstop.Thenwestartthe questions,asking,“NowwhatdoIdo?”Butsometimesourconsciencesareengagedbyothers,likeBLM,soastoindict us,soastogetustorecognizenotwhatweneedtodo,buttorecognizewhatwehavefailedtosee.“Disturbingour consciences”ispreciselywhatBLM hasbeguntodo

WhenweturntothehistoryofconscienceinWesternthought,wediscoverthatfortheJews,GreeksandRomans, consciencebasicallyfunctionedtojudgeone’sactions Forinstance,inmostofancientphilosophythefunctionof consciencewastodistressusoverourwrongdoing.Theancientnotionofconscienceawakenedthewrongdoerwiththeir guiltbecauseconscience’sfunctionwastoforceustorecognizeourownmisdeeds Inthatrudeawakening,many encounterconscienceforthefirsttime.Effectively,tohaveaconsciencewastorecognizeone’sownguilt.

Thebirthofconsciencethroughremorsebecameacommontheme;Cicero,JuliusCaesarandQuintillian,forinstance, referustothewaysconsciencepromptsustorecognizethesemisdeeds InhisConscience:AVeryShortIntroduction,the literatureprofessorPaulStrohmremarksthatthisideaofconsciencewassoevidentthatinthepopularrhetoricalwork fromthefirstcentury,RhetoricaadHerennium,prosecutorswereadvisedtolookandseewhethertheiradversary’sclient shows“signsofconscience”Iftheydid,theyknewtheiradversarywasguilty Thus,theywereinstructedtolookforthe faceofapersonofconscience:“blushed,grownpale,stammered,spokeninconsistently,displayeduncertainty, compromisedhimself”Ifyoulookedguilty,youhadaconscience

Itisherethattheword“remorse”develops ThehistorianandphilosopherRichardSorabjinotesinhisMoralConscience ThroughtheAgesthattheRomansreferredtothisexperienceasthe“bites”ofconscience,comingfromthewordmorsus, therootoftheword“remorse”

Justasconsciencemadeitsappearanceinhistorybyfirstbeingrecognizedforthewayitdisturbedtheancients,sotoo doesitfirstappearthatwayintheindividuallivesofmostpeople.Oftenenough,aperson’sfirstexperienceofconscience istroubling Itspangsnotonlyawakenustoourmisdeeds;theyawakenustoconscienceitself Asweenteradultlife, throughthesepangswebegintorealizethatwecarrywithinourselvesamoralbeaconthattroublesuswhenwearewrong and,withtime,wealsolearnthatitcanvalidateuswhenweareright Aguiltyconscienceispreciselyonethatrecognizes adisconnectbetweenwhatwethoughtwasacceptableorwantedtobeacceptableandtheguiltwefeelafterwards Iinviteyouheretothinkofthedisquietingintroductionyouexperiencedtoyourownconscience,whenasayoungperson youfirstfoundyourselfveryuneasyaboutsomethingyoudidandnoonewasthereaccusingyoubutyou!Mostoften,our firstintroductiontoconscienceiswhenremorsetriestoemerge

Yetbyrecognizingourguilt,werecognizeconscience Thereasonwhyweacknowledgethatconscienceisbornthrough theawarenessofguiltisbecauseonlyifithasthefreedomtoindicttheagentcanithavethepowertoguidetheagent.If conscienceisallowedtodisturbtheagent,andiftheagentrecognizesthatauthority,thenithasthefreedomitneedsto discernthetruth.

Indeed,conscienceisthatwhichdoesnotletustrytooperatewithoutsurrenderingtothetruth Inouradolescence,we thinkwecanescapetheoversightofothersandgetawaywithmischief,butwehavewithinusanotherguardian,onethat wantsustobeaccountabletothetruth Itappearswithinusasadisturbingact,remindingusevenwhennooneelseis theretobeaccountabletothetruth.

Afinalword,fornow,onrecognitionandconscience.Yearsago,inabrilliantwork,FundamentalMoralTheology,the GermantheologianFranzBöcklewroteabouttheintrinsiceffectivenessofconfessingone’ssin Hearguedthatuntilone actuallyconfessesone’ssin,onedoesnotfullyappreciatethescopeandimpactofthatsin.Recognizingthatthevery natureofsininvolvesdeception,itisnotuntilweacknowledgeoursinandconfessitthatweareabletofullyrecognize whatoursinactuallyentails.Thus,itisbyconfessingsinthatweareliberatedfromit anduntilwedo,itcontinuesto haveitsholdonus

Recognitionisoftendisturbing,whetheritentailsfindinganotherinneedordiscoveringwearenotasexcellentaswe thought Yetitispreciselythesedisturbances,theserecognitions,thatkeepourconsciencesvigilantandalive

James F. Keenan, S.J., is Canisius Professor and Vice Provost of Global Engagement at Boston College.

The$25BillionFootnoteintheTeslaPayVote

June8,2024|TheoFrancis

IfTeslawinsshareholdersupportforrevivingElonMusk’s2018paypackageatitsannualmeetingthisweek,itraisesa $25billionquestion:Willthecompany’sprofittakeabighit?

Teslasaysno Theelectric-carmanufactureralreadybookedthecostoftheoriginalaward,soitarguesthatreinstatingthe samepaypackageshouldn’taddanyexpense Otherssaythatapproachdoesn’treflectthefacts:Acourtfoundthe originalawardwasadoptedimproperly,andanyreinstatementamountstogivingMuskthestockoptionsanew afar costlierpropositiongiventherun-upinTesla’sshares

Thepricetagonanyre-evaluationoftheawardcouldsurpass$25billion,atleastonpaper Thatamountis10timeswhat Teslaoriginallyreportedandmorethanthecompany’slasttwoyearsofpretaxprofitscombined,saidShivaramRajgopal, aColumbiaUniversityaccountingprofessorwhostudiesexecutivepay

“Teslawillhavetobookthatnumberascompensationexpense,”Rajgopalsaid

Howtheaccountingplaysoutmightdependonalittle-testedcornerofDelawarecorporatelaw,andonhowDelaware courtsviewashareholdervotetoreapprovethepackage:Isitafixgoingforward,orado-overthatreachesbackintime?

Tesla’seventualaccountingforMusk’spaypackage andthepotentialforasignificantone-time,noncashcharge is anotherfactorforshareholderstoconsiderastheypreparetovoteontheproposalthisweek.

Acrossnearly200pagesofsecuritiesdisclosuresonthevote,Teslaarguesayesvotewouldbebeneficialtothecompany. Teslasaysvotingwiththeboardwouldletthecompanyavoid$25billionormoreincompensationexpensefrom adoptinganewpaypackageofsimilarsize.

“Thenotionthatanewaccountingchargewouldberequiredwithratificationmisunderstandswhatratificationis,”Robyn Denholm,Tesla’sboardchairandtheheadofitsauditcommittee,saidinastatement.“Thecompanyhasalreadytaken theexpensefortheseoptions,andtherealityisthatratificationsavesstockholdersfromanewchargeforanew compensationplan.”

Thepaypackageatissue,datingto2018,gaveMusktheopportunitytoreceiveoptionsonabout303millionshares (adjustedforsubsequentstocksplits)ifTesla’smarketvalueandmeasuresofsalesandprofithitaseriesoftargetsover thefollowingdecade.

Atthetime,Teslavaluedtheoptionsat$2.3billion tothisdaytherichestpaypackagereportedforaCEOofaU.S. publiclytradedcompany,accordingtocompensation-datafirmEquilar Bakedintothatfigurewereprojectionsofhow likelyTeslawastomeetthetargets,andwhen

Bylastyear afterleadingtheelectric-vehicleboom thecompanyhadhitallthemarks Theoptionshadvested, becomingfullyMusk’sproperty,withtheunderlyingstockvaluedmultipletimestheinitialfigure.

IfDelawarecourtstreatmajoritysupportfromTesla’sshareholdersasfixingthecompany’sdisclosureproblems goingforward butleavingtheJanuarycourtdecisionintact Teslalikelywouldhavetobookbillionsinnew compensationexpenseforreinstatingtheoldoptions,saidMaryEllenCarter,aBostonCollegeaccounting professor.

“Ifyoutakethose300millionsharesandyougrantthemwiththeoriginalstrikepriceof$23andthestockisnow worth$175 thatvaluationblowsupintocrazy,ridiculousamounts,”Cartersaid.

If,instead,thecourtreversesitspreviousdecision,findingthatshareholderreapprovalcurestheoriginalflaws retroactively,itmightamounttoturningbacktheclockandavoidinganaccountinghit,shesaid.“Ithinkit’sa legalquestionastowhattheyesvotecouldmean.”

Atabout$23asharetoexercisetheoptions,convertingthemintostock,Muskcouldhavereceivedmorethan$50billion beforetaxesinsharesearlierthisyear Heexercisednone,andtodaytheywouldnetcloserto$47billion,afteraretreatin Tesla’sshareprice

InJanuary,ChancellorKathaleenMcCormickofDelaware’sChanceryCourtthrewoutthepaypackageinalawsuit broughtbyashareholder.

ShefoundtheboardwasinsufficientlyindependentandTeslafailedtoadequatelydiscloseimportantdetailsofthepay packagetoshareholders

Teslahaspromisedanappeal InlateApril,italsoaskedshareholderstovotetoreapprovethepaypackageatitsJune13 annualmeeting Doingso,thecompanysaidinsecuritiesfilings,wouldensureMuskkeepstheoptionsanddoesn’tgo unpaidforsixyearsofsuccessatthecompany

Rajgopalsaysreapprovingtheawardwon’tleavethingsastheyseemedtobepreviouslybyunwindingthecourt’sruling.

Rather,TeslawouldlikelyhavetobookthecostofissuingtheoptionstoMuskasiftheywerenew,offsetbythe$2.3 billionincompensationexpensebookedsince2018,orasamodificationoftheoriginal

Eitherwouldcarryaheftyaccountingcost Payinganexecutivewithvested,in-the-moneystockoptions onesthat wouldgenerateagainifexercisedimmediately incurscompensationexpenseatornearthe“intrinsic”valueofthe award:whattherecipientcouldrealizebyexercisingimmediately

Thatexpenseisparticularlybigwhenthecosttoexercisetheoptionsiswellbelowthecurrentshareprice,asitisfor Musk Hemustholdtheresultingsharesforatleastfiveyears,butthefigurelikelyliesbetween$25billionandthe options’valuewhenthejudgeinvalidatedthem,orabout$51billion,Rajgopalestimates.

Someexpertssaysuchanaccountingchargecouldbenecessary,butmightdependontheinterplaybetweenaccounting andDelawarelaw

ThecompanysaystwoelementsofDelawarecorporatelawgiveitavenuestoretroactivelyfixproblemswiththe2018 shareholdervotebyholdinganewballot,whilealsoleavingthedooropentoother,unspecifiedroutes

Thereisnoprecedentunderthoseprovisionsforresolvingsomethingsosignificantwithashareholdervote,saidEric Talley,aColumbiaUniversitylawprofessorwhospecializesincorporategovernanceandfinance.

OneprovisionTeslaciteswasadoptedtofixtechnicalerrors,thoughnothinginthelanguagerestrictsittothatuse,said Talley,whoholdsTeslasharesandplanstoattendtheannualmeetingonlinetocasthisvotes “It’scertainlynotwhatthe sectionwasintendedtodo.”

TheotherelementofDelawarecorporatelawlikelydependsonpersuadingthecourtsthattheboarddeservesasecond chance,eventhoughitwasresponsibleforthefailuresinthefirstvote,Talleysaid Thatargumentistoughbutnot impossible

“They’vegotafightingchance,”TalleysaidofTesla’soverallapproach “It’sakindofathread-the-needlestrategy”

Stockanalystsandinvestorsroutinelyignoreone-offadjustmentsoffinancialresults,evenbigones,whenassessinga company’sunderlyinghealthandprospects.

“Theaccountingforstockcompensationisallabout:Whatwerethesethingsworthwhentheyweregranted?”saidDavid Zion,alongtimeaccountingandtaxanalystwhoheadsZionResearchGroup “AsaninvestorwhatIcareaboutis:What arethesepeopleactuallypaid?TheaccountinghereIdon’tthinkchangestheeconomics”

CanWeAllAgreetoDignity?

June7,2024|CathleenKaveny

WheneverIopenabook,ajournalarticle,oranimportantChurchdocument,thefirstthingIdoischeckthefootnotes. Thispracticequicklygivesmeasenseoftheauthor’sconversationpartners Italsogivesmeanideaofthediscussionin whichtheauthoraimstoparticipate.Knowingtheintendedaudiencehelpsmeinterpretthedocumentmoreaccurately, andoftenmorecharitably,thanIotherwisemighthave

ThispracticestoodmeingoodsteadwhenIfinallysatdowntoreadDignitasInfinita,theDeclarationonHumanDignity promulgatedbytheDicasteryfortheDoctrineoftheFaithinApril2024.AsIperusedthenotes,Isawseveralprominent citationsofthe1948UNUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights,aswellassubsequentdocumentsexplicatingthose rights.IalsoobservedreferencestovariousVaticanmissivestothediplomaticcorps,aswellasnotestosecular philosophersandthinkersrepresentingotherreligioustraditions Ididnotfindmanynotesreferringtodocumentsfocused primarilyontheinteriorlifeoftheChurch,orcitationsofargumentsthatreliedprimarilyontechnicalinterpretationsof Catholicmoraltheology Instead,thesourcescited,includingofficialVaticandocuments,werebyandlargeaddressedto allmenandwomenofgoodwillandpertainedtoourglobalcommonlifetogether

ThesecitationsleadmetosituatethedocumentnotwithinintramuralCatholicconversationsbutinsteadwithinthe broaderdebateabouttheground,nature,andscopeofhumanrightstakingplacewithinthecommunityofinternational lawandpolicy Indeed,theUNDeclarationbookendsthedocument;itisprominentlymentionedinthesecondparagraph ofthedocument’sintroduction,andthefirstparagraphoftheconclusion.TheHolySeehaslongbeenanactive participantinthatdebate,andwasgrantedpermanent-observerstatusattheUnitedNationsin1964 Ifwelookatthe Vaticandocumentthroughthisframework,itiseasiertomakesenseofitsgeneralapproachaswellastoappreciatethe limitationsofitsgenre

Vaticaninterventionsinsecularhuman-rightsdiscoursehavegenerallyhadtwopurposes Thefirstistorebutthosewho critiquetheUNDeclarationandthehuman-rightsregimeitgeneratedasalienimpositionsofaWesterncolonial frameworkonnon-Westerncultures ThisisachargesometimesraisedbyArabandAsiancountriesthathavevery differentunderstandingsoftheroleandrightsofwomenorthenatureofacceptablepunishment.Itisalsomountedby Africancountriesthathavedifferentunderstandingsofthebasicstructureofthefamily,includingpolygamy

TheVatican’ssecondpurposeistoresisttheinterpretationorexpansionofuniversalrightsinapurelyindividualisticor constructivistway whichwould,initsview,beanunjustifiedimpositionofcertainelementsofaWesternworld-view IntheVatican’sview,rightsarenotdeterminedbyindividualdesires,nomatterhowstrongtheyare.Norarethey designedtoprotectanindividual’srighttoconstructhisorherownidentitywithoutreferencetoobjectivegoods,likethe normsofbiology,thewell-beingofotherpeople,orawell-functioningcommunity.

TheDeclarationidentifiesthirteenpracticesthatviolatehumandignity.Ratherthanviewingthesepracticesasamotley paradeofhorribles,itisworthanalyzingtheminfourgroups,eachwithadistinctiveoverarchingpoint Thefirstgroup includestheissuesthatdefineFrancis’spapacy:thedramaofpoverty,war,andthetravailofmigrants.Takentogether, theyproclaimthatsocialrights,includingpositiverightstoeconomicaid,areinseparablefromindividualrights

Thesecondgroup,comprisinghumantrafficking,sexualabuse,andviolenceagainstwomen,demonstratesthe interconnectionsbetweenthesocialandpersonaldimensionsofhumanlife,andbetweenthebodyandsoulinhuman well-being Vulnerablemigrantsareoftensubjecttohumantrafficking,sexualabuse,andviolence Stronglyrejectingthe ideathattheequaldignityofwomenisaformofWesterncolonialism,theVaticanDeclarationrepudiates femicide whichwouldincludebothfemaleinfanticidepracticedinChinaaswellashonorkillingspracticedinsome Muslimcultures Thedocumentalsodenouncespolygamyasinconsistentwiththeequaldignityofwomenandmenas spouses.

Thethirdgroup,abortion,surrogacy,assistedsuicideandeuthanasia,andthemarginalizationofpeoplewithdisabilities, addressesthelongstandingconcernsofJohnPaulIIandBenedictXVI Yettheseconcernsaredecidedlycastinthekeyof

Francis,whoframesthepracticesvariouslyasindicativeofa“throwawayculture”orarefusalofnaturalhuman relationshipsof“fraternityandsocialfriendship”Thedocumentdoesnotfocusnarrowlyonthemoralityofindividual acts(eg,separatingtheunitiveandprocreativegoodsofmarriageinsurrogacy) Instead,itemphasizesthedeleterious socialandrelationalconsequencesofthepracticesitcondemns

Thefourthandfinalgroup,gendertheory,sexchange,anddigitalviolence,defendsanon-dualistichumananthropology thataffirmsthedignityofhumanbeingsintheunityofbodyandsoul Fromthisperspective,gendertheorywrongly impliesthataperson’ssexualidentityasaman,woman,orothercategoryispurelyamatterofself-determination,andis notnormativelytiedtoone’sgivenembodimentasmaleorfemale Sex-changeproceduresdonotgivesufficient normativestatustohumanembodiment,becausetheytreatthebodyassomethingtobereshapedaccordingtoone’sinner senseofoneself Digitalviolencealsodestructivelyseparatesmindandbodybyperpetuatingtheillusionthatwhatwedo online,nomatterhowdegrading,hasnoramificationsinthereal,physicalworld.

HowdothesegroupingshelpusplaceDignitasInfinitawithinthebroaderhermeneuticoftheVatican’scharacteristic approachtohumanrights?AsInotedearlier,onelongstandingconcernhasbeentodefendthecorerightsprotectedinthe UNDeclarationagainstthechargeofWesternculturalimperialism Thisisanoverarchingpurposeofthesecondgroupof condemnations,whichprominentlyprotestsassaultsagainstthedignityandequalityofwomen

Thecondemnationsinthefourthgrouparedesignedtoachievetheotherlongstandingpurpose:preventingthe proliferationofrightsbasedonanexclusivelyWesternframework Thedocumentitselfmakesthispointexplicitly:

PopeFrancishasremindedusthat“thepathtopeacecallsforrespectforhumanrights,inaccordancewiththesimpleyet clearformulationcontainedintheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights,whoseseventy-fifthanniversarywerecently celebrated Theseprinciplesareself-evidentandcommonlyaccepted Regrettably,inrecentdecades,attemptshavebeen madetointroducenewrightsthatareneitherfullyconsistentwiththoseoriginallydefinednoralwaysacceptable.

Focusingonthesectionsongenderideologyandsexchange,manyprogressiveCatholicshavehotlycriticizedDignitas Infinita Inmyview,someofthesecriticismsaremisplaced,becausetheymisunderstandthenature,context,andintended audienceofthedocument Forexample,tosaythatthedocumentdoesnotattendtothelivedexperienceoftranspeopleis tomistakeitsgenre,whichistheoretical,notpracticalorpastoral.Forthatmatter,theexperiencesofthosewhohave obtainedabortions,orwhohaveservedassurrogatemothers,arealsomissing

Othershavepointedoutthatthedocumentdoesnotwadeintothelatestdebatesaboutgenderandsexchange True enough.Butitalsodoesnotaddressconflictingargumentsaboutmigrationpolicyorwar-makinginthefaceofterrorism. Thedocumentisnotmakingadetailedmoralargumentaboutanyone,muchlessall,ofthespecificissuesitaddresses

Sohow,then,shouldweviewthecondemnationsarticulatedinDignitasInfinita?Inmyview,theyfunctionas boundaries,warningsignals,andchallengesformoralistsandpublic-policyleaders.Forexample,itmaybepossibleto defendadefensivewar butdoingsowillrequirecontendinghonestlywiththeimmensesufferingcausedbysuchawar Itisnolongerpermissibletooccludethesufferingbyassertingthatitis“proportionate”tothegoodobtainedin accordancewithjust-wartheory

Similarly,itisessentialtohonortheequaldignityoftranspeopleandtoaccompanythemintheirlifejourneysandtheir relationshipwithGod Butitisnotsufficient ForCatholicswhowishtodeveloptheChurch’straditionongender,itwill alsobenecessarytoshowhowthatdevelopmentcanbeconsistentwiththetradition’sfundamentaloppositionto mind-bodydualismanditsrejectionoftheviewthatthebodyissimplyatoolofthemind SomeCatholicsmaythinkthat thesetasksarenotnecessary.Othersmaythinkthattheyhavealreadybeenachieved.Butas theexperiencesofJohnCourtneyMurrayreveal,authenticdevelopmentoftheChurch’s teachingisnevereasyorquick.Ifitistobesuccessful,itrequiresfacinghead-onthe strongestargumentsagainstdevelopment Murrayneededtoshowhowdefendingreligious freedomdidnotmeanendorsingreligiousindifferentism.Tomeettheconcernsofthe Vatican,LGBTQactivistswillneedtohelppeopleunderstandhowtheirpositiondoesnot entailanewformofdualism.

Cathleen Kaveny teaches law and theology at Boston College.

FJune

J

fathertothecolorfulpaperbutterfliescraftedbyhisstudentsthathungfromtheceiling

Hecheerfullygreetedeachchildbynameashepassedthem.Thenhestuckhisheadintoaclassroom,wherethestudents addressedhiminunison,“Goodafternoon,Mr McCann!”

TheschoolisinthelargelyCatholicFallsRoadareaofwestBelfast,whichwasengulfedfordecadesbythebloody sectarianstruggleinNorthernIrelandknownastheTroubles.Outside,wheremulticoloredfencingprovidesabright backdroptochildrenplayingsoccerintheyard,gunfireoncericocheted,witharmysnipersperchedonrooftopsand armoredvehiclesrollingby.

Butsincepeacetookholdhere25yearsago,theneighborhoodfeelsworldsawayfromthatpast ToMr McCann,68,the transformationmirrorshisownevolution

Thenow-viceprincipalspentdecadesinvolvedintheIrishRepublicanArmy,orI.R.A.,aparamilitaryorganizationthat usedviolencetotrytoendBritishruleintheregion Hewasconvictedofattemptedmurderandspentnearly18yearsin prison.

Likemanyofhisgeneration,Mr.McCann’slifewasshapednotonlybytheTroubles,butalsobythepeaceprocessthat eventuallyendedtheconflict

“Thereisnoneedforviolencewhatsoevernow,andthosewhoarestillinvolvedinitaren’tdoinganybodyanyfavors theyareholdingprogressback,”hesaid,inhisofficeattheschoolearlierthisyear

ManyCatholicsinNorthernIrelandhaveheldanationalistandrepublicandreamformorethanacentury:undoingthe 1921partitionthatkeptNorthernIrelandunderBritishruleandreunitingtheterritorywiththeRepublicofIreland.That visionhasattimeslefttheminviolentconflictwiththemostlyProtestantunionistsandloyalistswhobelievethearea shouldremainpartoftheUnitedKingdom.

Mr.McCann’stiestotherepublicanmovementbeganafteraseriesofdeadlycrackdownsinthelate1960sandearly 1970soncivilrightsmarchesinBelfastandDerry Atthosemarches,Catholicsprotestedagainstdiscriminationbythe Protestant-controlledgovernmentandpoliceforces.

Asthetensionsdeepened,communitiesdividedalongsectarianlines,andparamilitariesspranguponbothsides Stilla teenager,Mr.McCannwatchedasthecityaroundhimbecameawarzone.Ignoringhisparent’sprotests,hejoinedthe IRA

“Itwasaverystrongsenseofcommunity,beingpartofthatandthecommunityassertingitself,”hesaid “Andyouknew therewasnogoingback.”

RobertJ.Savage,aprofessoratBostonCollegeandanexpertinmodernIrishhistory,saidthattosomeunionists, “thenotionofaformerI.R.A.prisonerworkinginaschoolwithyoungchildrenwouldnotbeacceptable.Itwould beupsetting.”

Whilepeacehasfirmlytakenhold,memoriesoftheTroubleshaven’tfullyfaded

“Theviolencemightbeover,butthereisstillthistraumabelowthesurfaceformanypeople,”ProfessorSavage said.“AndtheI.R.A.waspartofthatviolence,andsocietyremainsdivided.”

Therehasbeen“areallackofaccountability,”intheyearssincethepeaceaccords,hesaid,adding,“That’sbeena bitterpillforpeopletoswallow,andnotjustforvictimsoftheI.R.A.butforvictimsoftheBritish-backedsecurity forces.”

In1976,whenhewas19,hewasarrestedwhileonanI.R.A.operation,drivingastolenmotorcycleasanothermanfired offthebackatapoliceofficer Theofficerwasinjuredbutsurvived AfterMr McCann’sconvictionofattemptedmurder, hewassentencedto25yearsinprison.Hewasreleasedin1994.

BythetimethepeaceaccordsknownastheGoodFridayAgreementweresignedin1998,some3,600peoplehaddiedin theconflict

WhileMr.McCanndoesn’tglorifytheviolenceoftheTroubles,hebelievesitwasanecessarypartofastrugglefora moreequalsociety

“Inever,never,never,everregretteditandhavealwaysbeenproudofwhatIwasinvolvedin,”hesaid “I’veledavery fulfillinglifeeventhoughIwasinjail.”

In2021,Mr McCannpublished“6,000Days,”amemoirofhistimeinNorthernIreland’snotoriousMazePrison The bookchroniclesthedailyexperiencesofthehundredsofIRA prisonerswhoprotestedthroughaseriesofincreasingly extreme,sometimesfatal,measures,likehungerstrikes Italsodescribesahigh-stakesprisonbreakthatsaw38men escape Mr McCannand18otherswererecapturedwithin24hours

Thedetailshesharesarestark.Foryears,themen,includingMr.McCann,refusedtowearprisonuniformsinanactof defiance,becomingknownasthe“blanketmen”Theystageda“dirtyprotest,”smearingtheirexcrementonthewalls Theywerebeatenbyguardswhoturnedfirehosesonthem.

Mr.McCannwroteofthegriefofwatching10fellowI.R.A.prisonersdieinthehungerstrikesof1981.Forthose sympathetictotherepublicanmovement,eventhosewhodisavowedtheviolenceoftheIRA,thedeathsdrewgreat sympathyandwouldmarkaturningpoint.

Laterthatyear,theprotestswerecalledoffandacompromiseallowedprisonerstoweartheirownclothes

Inprison,Mr McCannstruckupadeepfriendshipwithanotherIRA member,JoeMcDonnell,thefifthmantodiein thehungerstrike.Mr.McDonnellattendedSt.Joseph’sasaboyandisseenasaherointheneighborhood’slargely republicancommunity Aplaqueneartheschoolgatesbearshisname It’sadailyremindertoMr McCannofhisfriend, thearea’sviolenthistoryandthehopesforaconflict-freefuture.

Mr.McCannwas38whenhewasreleasedfromprisonaspartofthepeaceprocess.Hesoonbecameafatherofthree,got marriedandthen,afterearninghiscollegedegreewhileimprisoned,becameateacher

“Myfatherwasateacher,andfromayoungage,Ialwaysknewthat’swhatIwantedtodo,”hesaid.“Forallthoseyears, itwaswhatIknewIwanted”

OnanafternooninearlyFebruary,Mr McCannwenttotheGreatHallofStormont,NorthernIreland’sgovernment building,toseeMichelleO’Neill,aSinnFéinpolitician,makehistorywhenshebecamethefirstrepublicanFirstMinister ofNorthernIreland,thetopjobinthepower-sharinggovernment

Ms.O’Neillhasdescribedherselfassomeonewho,likeMr.McCann,represents“theGoodFridaygeneration”committed tocooperationandpeace

ItwasamomentMr McCannthoughthemightneversee

“Itwasgoodtobewithpeoplewhohavespentthevastmajorityoftheirlife,certainlytheirteenageandadultlives, strugglingnotjusttogetusintoStormont,buttohelpusprogresstowardourultimateobjective,whichisaunited Ireland,”hesaidoftheothermembersoftherepublicanmovementhestoodalongsidethatday

“Butintheinterim,tomakethisaplacewhereeveryonecanlivereasonablyhappy,thatisaplaceofequality,thatisa placeofopportunity,”hesaid “That’swhatmatters”

ThemomentfortheHispanicCatholicChurchin theUnitedStatesisnow

June3,2024|HosffmanOspino

Weareapproachingtheendofthefirstquarterofthe21stcentury,andturn-of-the-centurypredictionsthattheUS CatholicexperienceatthishistoricaljuncturewouldbemoreHispanichavenotonlymaterializedbutalsoaccelerated NearlyhalfofallCatholicsinthecountry(about45percent,perhapsmore)andmorethanhalfofallCatholicsunder30 self-identifyasHispanic TheHispanicizationofUS Catholicismmarchesforwardatasteadypace Inmanypartsofthe UnitedStates,ministrywithHispanicCatholicsissimplyCatholicministry.

Duringtheselast25years,whatchurchleaderscallHispanicministryhasevolvedsignificantly,thankstodemographic andculturalchanges Bythemiddleofthe1990s,mostHispanicpeopleintheUnitedStateswereimmigrants Today, morethantwo-thirdsofallHispanicsareU.S.-born(68percent).TheyaremainlyEnglish-speaking,althoughmostalso communicatecomfortablyinSpanish Culturally,theyareAmericanandHispanic Politically,theyarediscerningcitizens inapolarizednation.TheratioofimmigranttoU.S.-bornamongHispanicCatholicsisabout50/50.

PastoralleadersdoingHispanicministryaremuchmoreconsciousoftheurgencytobetteraccompany,formandservethe fastest-growingsectoroftheCatholiccommunity ie,second-andthird-generationyoungHispanics Thesearethe childrenandgrandchildrenofimmigrantsfromLatinAmericaandtheSpanish-speakingCaribbean

Ithasnotbeeneasy Formorethanhalfacentury,mostministerialstructuresservingHispanicCatholicshavefocusedon addressingthepastoralandspiritualneedsofimmigrants inSpanish.Suchstructureshavealsotakenitalmostfor grantedthatUS-borngenerationsofHispanicCatholicswouldstayinthefaithandjusttakecareofthemselves Both expectationshavegoneunfulfilled.MillionsofyoungHispanicshavesimplystoppedself-identifyingasCatholic.The majoritymadethedecisionearlyintheirlives

Hispanicministryleadersarerecalibratingtheirapproachestobemoreintentionalaboutaccompanyingtheseyounger, mostlyU.S.-borngenerationsofCatholics.ThatmeansmoreministerialeffortsinEnglish sometimesin Spanglish withoutlosingthe“Hispanicflavor”Italsomeansshiftingfromaministryfocusedalmostexclusivelyon ritualsandsocialassistance,whichiscommoninmanyparisheswithHispanicministry,toaministryalsofocusedon empoweringHispanicstoformstrongfamilies,becomeengagedcitizens,andassumeleadershipinchurchandsociety Theyhavetodoallthiswithoutabandoningthestrongimmigrantbasethatfillschurcheseveryweekandremainsa lifelineformanyparishes

Alongsidealargenetworkofparishes,U.S.Catholicshavelongbenefitedfromalargeinfrastructureofministerial organizations,Catholiceducationalinstitutionsandadvocacygroupsthathavesucceededinadvancingthechurch’s evangelizingmissionatvariouslevels.Muchofthatministerialinfrastructureemergedatatimewhenthemajorityof CatholicsinthecountrywerewhiteandEuro-American,andithashistoricallyservedthisgroupquitewell

Hispanicministryleadersacknowledgethepoweroftheseorganizations,educationalinstitutionsandadvocacygroups Manyhaveworkedtirelesslytoensurethatjustastheysupportedthespirituallifeofandempoweredwhite, Euro-AmericanCatholicstobefaithfulChristiandisciplesandengagedcitizens,theywoulddolikewisewiththe fast-growingHispanicpopulation andCatholicsfromotherculturalgroups.Therecordofsuccessachievingthatgoalis mixed

Callitbadluckorsimplybadtiming.ThefactisthatastheHispanicCatholicpopulationgrowsswiftly,theoverall Catholicministerialinfrastructureinthecountryisexperiencingseverecontraction Therehaveneverbeenmore school-ageCatholicchildreninthiscountryastherearetoday mostofthemHispanic butwehaveclosedmorethan halfofourCatholicschools AsmillionsofHispanicsseekfaithcommunitiesinwhichtoworshipandgrowintheirfaith, somediocesesareclosingtheirparishes,manyofthemwithHispanicministry,whileothersdonothaveresourcesto buildnewones Thelistgoeson

WemustacknowledgetheeffortsofexistingCatholicorganizations,educationalinstitutionsandadvocacygroupsdoing theirbesttoplacetheirresourcesattheserviceoftheburgeoningHispanicCatholicpopulation However,serving HispanicCatholicsrequirescertainadjustments Thosethatseemtobedoingratherwellarethosethathavewelcomed Hispanicstoleadandhavebuiltorganizationalculturesthatgobeyond“translating,”linguisticallyorculturally Thishas beenanopportunityalsoforHispanicCatholicleaderstobringourgiftsandenergytobuild,transformandevenredefine existingCatholicministerialstructures,whiledrawingfromourownculturalandspiritualwells.

ThisdoesnotmeanthatonlyHispanicscanserveHispanics.ButtrustingHispanicleaderstobeatthehelmofmajor ministerialeffortswiththeabilitytoconnectnaturallywithHispanicpopulationsmakesamajordifference

Suchleadershiptransitionsandtheembraceofdifferentculturalparadigmsdonothappenwithoutresistance Afterall, wholikeschange?Noonewantstolosecontrolofwhattheyperceiveastheirs.Agoodnumberoforganizations, educationalinstitutionsandadvocacygroupsinourchurchstillresistornaïvelyrefusetoembracethefactthatwelivein anincreasinglyHispanicchurch.Othersdonotseemtofindawaytoadjustandsointheprocesstheydwindle;some becomeirrelevantinthefaceoftheemergingCatholicpopulations Meanwhile,theHispanicpopulationgrowsand eagerlymakespastoraldemands

Tempusfugit,andthefastgrowthofHispanicCatholicsinourchurchrequiresimmediatepastoralaction Awell-known Catholicmantraisthatourinstitutionsandorganizationschangeslowly,thereforewemustwaitpatiently.Butweliveina fast-movingworld,andasagrowingchurchweneedtobenimbleinrespondingtothepastoralandspiritualneedsofthe HispanicCatholicpopulation,especiallythoseofyoungHispanics.IfwefailtoengagetheHispanicadolescentnow,four orfiveyearsfromnowwewillhavelosttheyoungadult andmostlikelyanentirefuturefamily Ifwedonotform, affirmandempowertheyoungHispanicCatholicchildtoday,howcanweexpecttomorrow’syoungadulttoconsidera vocationtoecclesialministryoreventosupportanyofourpastoralefforts?

Inrecentdecades,ourchurchhasseentheriseofacoregroupofCatholicministerialorganizationsthatunderstandthe urgencyofaddressingdirectlytheneedsofHispanicCatholics.Theyhaveatleastthreethingsincommon.One,they specializeinservingtheimmediatepastoral,spiritualandintellectualneedsofHispanicCatholics Two,theyoperatewith asenseofurgency,knowingthatwaitingtoolongforcurrentministerialstructurestochangeormerelysettlingon lukewarmcommitmentstoHispanicministryarenotviableoptions Three,manywereinspiredbytherecommendations emergingfrommajormeetingsdiscussingCatholicHispanicministry,especiallythenationalEncuentros

Someoftheseministerialorganizationsrosetofillapastoralvacuum In1972,theMexicanAmericanCulturalCenter wasestablishedinSanAntonio,Tex.,asthefirstCatholiccenterintheUnitedStatesdedicatedtodevelopingresourcesto serveHispanicCatholics,preparepastoralleaderstoserveSpanish-speakingCatholics,andserveasacenterofpastoral theologicalreflection.In2008,thecenterbecametheMexicanAmericanCatholicCollege.

Othersemergedtosupporttheworkofdiocesesandparishesinaparticularregion.In1979,theSoutheastPastoral InstitutewasestablishedinMiamiinresponsetothefastgrowthoftheHispanicpopulationinthatpartofthecountry, fueledbytheCubandiasporaandlargenumbersofmigrantsfromCentralAmerica,SouthAmericaandtheCaribbean. Fromitsearlydays,SEPIhasfocuseditsenergyonaccompanyingyoungHispanicCatholics Todayitalsooffersalarge varietyofpastoralservicesto30diocesesintheSoutheast.

Thereisnopredefinedoutcome EachorganizationinNuevoMomentoisinadifferentplace,andgrowthwillbe determinedbyeachorganization’sabilitytomaximizetheresourcesprovidedbytheinitiative The15organizationswill worktogetherforfiveyears,withaccesstotopqualitycapacity-buildingprograms,professionalmentorshipandgenerous financialsupport.Theywillbeengagedinanunprecedentedexerciseofpastoraldeconjunto,acategorywellknown amongHispanicCatholicsthatpointstocoordinatedcollaborationinministrywithasharedsenseofmission,adesirefor inclusionofmanyvoicesandexperiences,andacommitmenttoecclesialcommunion.

Ishareintheexcitementoftheseministerialorganizationsandlookforwardto journeyingwiththem Idreamwiththeirleaderswiththeconvictionthatwe liveinanewmoment,unNuevoMomento.

Hosffman Ospino is professor of Hispanic ministry and religious education at Boston College in the Clough School of Theology and Ministry. He is also the chair of the Department of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry.

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1, 2024 - MAY 30, 2025

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Clough/Fr. Baldovin on God in the liturgy

Connell/launches new nurse-midwifery degree program

BC student Holden Williamson runs Boston Marathon for charity

Law/Quinn on new Delaware corporate law

PoliSci/Hopkins on Democratic response to Trump

Law/Greenfield on recent Supreme Court actions

Law/Kanstroom on possible deportation of Columbia protestor

Law/Olson on impact of Google antitrust suit on AI

Theology/Law/Kaveny on sexual abuse case in the church

Economics/Bethune on increasing economic uncertainty

McMullen Museum/Review/“Wonders of Creation”

Economics/Bethune on Canada tariff impact on liquor

Theology/Pope on how to give Christian love to Trump voters

Clough/Ospino on Hispanic Catholicism

Woods/NHL collaboration for players to finish degrees

Woods/NHL collaboration for players to finish degrees

Woods/NHL collaboration for players to finish degrees

Law/Quinn on Trump suing Paramount

BC Announcement/Interview/President-Elect Fr. Jack Butler

Carroll/Carter on FBI director Patel’s Shein payout

BC Announcement/Fr. John ‘Jack’ Butler as next president

BC Announcement/Fr. John ‘Jack’ Butler as next president

BC Announcement/Fr. John ‘Jack’ Butler as next president

BC Announcement/Fr. John ‘Jack’ Butler as next president

Law/Quinn on changing corporate laws in Delaware

English/Lewis on social impact of satire

Theology/Pope on Vance’s understanding of ordo amori

Theology/Law/Kaveny on immigrant arrests in churches

Carroll/Ransbotham on AI’s workforce impact

McMullen Museum/hosts “Wonders of Creation”

McMullen Museum/hosts “Wonders of Creation”

Economics/Bethune on U.S. economy, growing trade deficit

Economics/Bethune on interest rate impact of Trump tariffs

Economics/Erbil on expected grocery price rise from tariffs

CRR/Wettstein on cost of long-term care for seniors

Theology/Heyer on Catholic view on deportation

Law/Wirth on Trump’s decision to leave the WHO

Earth & Environmental Sciences/Ebel on Maine earthquake

Earth & Environmental Sciences/Ebel on Maine earthquake

Psychology/Lai on importance of school after natural disasters

Law/Wirth on Trump pulling U.S. out of climate agreements

Lynch/Lai on empathy for Cal. fire victims

Law/Quinn on Musk’s legal battle with SEC

Biology/Landrigan on dangers of chemicals to children

Clough/Groome on diplomatic efforts of Cardinal O'Malley

Law/Olson on possibility of Musk buying TikTok

CRR/Munnell, Eschtruth on center’s leadership transition

Economics/Bethune on current rate of job growth

Biology/Landrigan on danger of chemicals to children's health

Psychology/Young on autism, mental resilience

Biology/Landrigan on danger of chemicals to children’s health

Biology/Landrigan on danger of chemicals to children’s health

Biology/Landrigan on danger of chemicals to children’s health

Biology/Landrigan on danger of chemicals to children’s health

Philosophy/Fr. Larrey on possible dangers of AI

Communication/Sienkiewicz on wave of republican comedy

Art History/Wunsch on trademarking color

CRR/Munnell gives parting thoughts before retirement

Clough/Fr. Baldovin on standing vs kneeling for communion

Law/McCoy on Trump’s plan to abolish FDIC

Economics/Bethune on first-quarter policy changes

Psychology/Young on reasons people hit and run

CEO Club/Visa CEO speaks

Theology/Heyer on migration ethics under Trump

12-12-24

12-12-24

12-12-24

12-12-24

12-11-24

12-06-24

12-05-24

12-05-24

12-05-24

12-04-24

12-03-24

12-02-24

11-30-24

11-26-24

11-21-24

11-20-24

11-20-24

11-20-24

11-19-24

11-15-24

11-14-24

11-14-24

11-11-24

11-09-24

11-08-24

11-07-24

11-06-24

11-06-24

11-01-24

10-31-24

10-29-24

10-29-24

10-28-24

10-25-24

10-25-24

10-24-24

10-24-24

10-23-24

10-21-24

10-20-24

10-19-24

10-18-24

10-16-24

10-15-24

10-12-24

10-12-24

10-11-24

10-11-24

10-10-24

10-10-24

10-07-24

10-04-24

10-04-24

09-30-24

09-27-24

09-26-24

09-22-24

09-20-24

09-06-24

09-05-24

09-05-24

09-05-24

09-03-24

09-02-24

09-01-24

08-28-24

08-28-24

08-27-24

08-25-24

08-25-24

08-25-24

08-24-24

America

America

National Catholic Reporter

MarketWatch

Yahoo News

Fortune

National Catholic Reporter

Boston Globe

Jewish News Syndicate

New York Times

Christian Science Monitor

Wall Street Journal

Boston Globe

New York Times

Boston Globe

Fortune

New York Times

New York Times

Boston Globe

New York Times

New York Times

Christian Science Monitor

Houston Chronicle

Boston Globe

New York Times

Christian Science Monitor

Yahoo News

The Guardian (UK)

Wall Street Journal

Bloomberg News

Art Daily.com

Boston Globe

National Catholic Reporter

Boston Globe

Boston Globe

New York Times

Boston.com

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Boston Globe

Washington Post

Boston Globe

Boston Globe

U.S. News & World Report

Boston Globe

Times of London (UK)

Wall Street Journal

Broadway World

New York Post

Boston Globe

Boston Globe

New York Times

CNN

America

National Catholic Reporter

Antiques and the Arts Weekly

The Guardian (UK)

Popular Science

Boston Globe

National Catholic Reporter

New York Times

Yahoo News

New York Times

America

Boston Business Journal

Boston Globe

Commonweal

Boston Globe

MassLive

Boston Globe

CNN

Boston Globe

Christian Scholar’s Review

Global Engagement/Fr. Keenan on takeaways post-election

Clough/Daly on the ethics of celebrating Luigi Mangione

Theology/Clough/Frs. Massa, Baldovin on Pelosi’s communion ban

Economics/Bethune on Biden tariffs, inflation

Law/Olson on Chinese antitrust case against Nvidia

Carroll/Ransbotham on AI use in organizational learning

Biology/Landrigan on need for plastic manufacturing limits

Communication/Serazio on what is lost using AI summaries

Russian, English, and Jewish Studies/Shrayer on Kafka

Lynch/von Davier on U.S. students’ falling test scores

Law/Cohen on Biden pardoning his son

Law/Quinn on second ruling against Musk compensation plan

Athletics/Profile/“BC’s Biggest Superfan” Ron Saloman

Law/Cohen on end of Trump investigation case

Economics/Bethune on inflation, U.S. economy

Woods/Tomic on market impact of escalating Russian conflict

Tribute/BC grad, hockey player Matthew Gaudreau

PoliSci/Hopkins on Democratic Party divides

Earth & Environmental Sciences/Ebel on earthquake in central Mass.

Biology/Landrigan on RFK Jr.’s stance on child health crisis

CRR/Munnell on SS policy under Trump

Law/Cohen on Trump’s cabinet picks

Lynch/Boatman on student loans in Trump era

Carroll/Chemmanur on antitrust laws under Trump

CRR/Chen on new “catch-up” retirement savings tax code

Law/Cohen on impact of Trump’s victory in court cases

Carroll/Kisgen on economic impact of Trump, Biden

Law/Quinn on possible Musk cabinet position

Economics/Bethune on job loss in leisure industries

Law/Wirth on Trump pulling U.S. out of Paris agreement

McMullen Museum/hosts “States of Becoming”

Carroll/Ladge on women taking career breaks

Clough/Groome on why he will vote for Harris, Waltz

Woods/Powers on new ways hackers try to take data

Woods/Powers on steps to take when data is hacked

CRR/Munnell on Boeing strike over benefits

BC student Dansreau on her perfect day in Brighton

Od-ed: Biology/Landrigan on Trump’s danger to public health

Psychology & Neuroscience/Kensinger on memory decline

Lynch/Lai on impact of natural disasters on children

Carroll/Duchin on departure of CVS CEO

Economics/Bethune on Mass. unemployment rate

Admission/Gosselin on early decision applications

CEO Club/McDonald's CEO speaks

Communication/Serazio on rise of fantasy sports leagues

CRR/Munnell on her retirement plan

Theatre/Dawn Meredith Simmons is Monan prof.

CEO Club/McDonalds’ CEO speaks

Lynch/Altbach higher ed expansion in developing countries

CEO Club/Preview: McDonald's CEO to speak

Lynch/Lai on impact of natural disasters on children

Economics/Bethune on job growth in September

Clough/Fr. Geger on editing the Jesuit Constitutions

Sociology/Fr. Morello on pope’s popularity in Latin America

McMullen Museum/hosts “States of Becoming”

Law/Quinn on profitability of OpenAI

Biology/Landrigan on danger of microwaving food in plastic

Prison Education Program/Conway on graduate cohort

Clough/Ospino to lead Nuevo Momento, new national project

Law/Quinn on Larry Ellison’s future control of Paramount

Law/Quinn on Trump media’s falling stock prices

Carroll/Duchin on Starbucks CEO’s commute via private jet

Op-ed/Theology/Law/Kaveny hell in modern Catholicism

Carroll/largest donation in school’s history

Carroll/Fr. McGowan on sports betting in Mass.

Op-ed/Theology/Law/Kaveny on SC ruling on regulations

Law/Lyons on French case against Telegram CEO

Messina College/profile of BC’s newest college

Lynch/Lai on long-term trauma from natural disasters

Biology/Landrigan on possible dangers of microplastics

Carroll/Ransbotham on future of AI in cosmetic industry

Theology/Law/Kaveny on interdisciplinary scholarship

08-23-24

08-19-24

08-16-24

08-14-24

08-14-24

08-13-24

08-12-24

08-11-24

08-11-24

08-08-24

08-06-24

08-06-24

08-06-24

08-06-24

08-05-24

08-05-24

08-05-24

08-05-24

08-05-24

07-31-24

07-30-24

07-30-24

07-28-24

07-28-24

07-26-24

07-25-24

07-25-24

07-24-24

07-24-24

07-23-24

07-22-24

07-22-24

07-21-24

07-21-24

07-18-24

07-17-24

07-17-24

07-15-24

07-13-24

07-13-24

07-12-24

07-11-24

07-11-24

07-11-24

07-10-24

07-09-24

07-09-24

07-08-24

07-07-24

07-07-24

07-05-24

07-05-24

07-05-24

07-03-24

07-03-24

07-02-24

06-25-24

06-25-24

06-24-24

06-24-24

06-22-24

06-21-24

06-17-24

06-17-24

06-14-24

06-14-24

06-13-24

06-11-25

06-11-24

06-11-24

06-08-24

06-07-24

Boston Globe

U S News & World Report

TIME

Jewish Journal

CNN

Vox

PBS

Wall Street Journal

Boston Globe

The New Yorker

Inside Higher Ed

Yahoo News

The Tablet

Crux

MarketWatch

Reuters

Boston Globe

Yahoo News

Associated Press

Le Monde

Catholic News Agency

Boston Globe

Boston Globe

The Hill

Economics/Bethune on readjusted job market growth reports

Provost/Quigley gives advice to freshmen

PoliSci/Alshamary on marriage in Iraq

Russian, English, and Jewish Studies/Review/Shrayer’s book

Economics/Bethune on slowing inflation rate

Communication/Serazio on modern authenticity

CRR/Munnell on SS

Law/Quinn on Tesla shareholder lawsuit

Law/Cohen on newly discovered evidence in murder case

BC grad Strassburger sites Fr. Keenan as inspiration

Messina College/profile of BC’s newest college

Law/Olson on Google antitrust case

Clough/Ospino on new Archbishop of Boston

Clough/Ospino on new Archbishop of Boston

CRR/Munnell on benefits of taxing SS

Law/McCoy on when best to refinance a mortgage

Clough/Ospino on new Archbishop of Boston

Clough/Ospino on new Archbishop of Boston

Biology/Landrigan on dangers of microplastics

Biology/Kenaley on new dragonfish discovery

Clough/Fr. Baldovin on change in Catholic liturgy

Tribute/Hundreds honor Jack Connors at St. Ignatius Church

Op-ed/Communication/Serazio on AI’s human-like writing

PoliSci/Hopkins on Trump’s calls for unity

The Pilot St. Ignatius Church/75th anniversary

MarketWatch

Harvard Business Review

Boston.com

New York Times

America

Forbes

Wall Street Journal

CommonWealth

Boston Globe

America

National Catholic Reporter

USA Today

MarketWatch

Boston Globe

New York Times

Yahoo News

Reuters

TIME

Independent

MarketPlace

The Guardian (UK)

Wall Street Journal

The Guardian (UK)

Boston Herald

The Hill

Newsweek

Boston Globe

Reuters

TIME

Associated Press

CNN

National Catholic Reporter

National Catholic Reporter

National Catholic Reporter

USA Today

Wall Street Journal

Boston Globe

Discover Magazine

America

The Guardian (UK)

CNN

Reuters

Delaware Business Times

Wall Street Journal

Boston Globe

Wall Street Journal

Commonweal

Economics/Bethune on second quarter GDP labor productivity

Carroll/Ransbotham on how AI can help companies innovate

Messina College/first cohort of students

Law/McCoy on regulatory oversight of small banks, loans

Op-ed/Clough/Fr. Clifford writes on history of Catholic antisemitism

CRR/statistics on saving rates among those in U.S.

CRR/financial savings weaknesses among young boomers

Op-ed/Biology/Landrigan writes on energy justice legislation

Messina College/promising model for low-income students

Op-ed/Clough/Fr. Arx writes on lessons for Catholics

Clough/Fr. Baldovin on National Eucharistic Congress

CRR/retirement savings statistics for single men, women

Op-ed/CRR/Munnell writes on retirement crisis

Law/Martin on bankruptcy code, Steward Health Care

CRR/Munnell on lack of savings by retirement-age individuals

Connell/Burgess on Hulu documentary Mastermind

Economics/Bethune on U.S. consumer prices, inflation

Connell/Burgess on Hulu documentary Mastermind

Connell/Burgess on Hulu documentary Mastermind

CRR/Chen on Gen Z vs. Gen X retirement surveys

Biology/Landrigan on containing plastics crisis

Connell/Burgess inspires Hulu documentary Mastermind

Connell/Burgess inspires Hulu documentary Mastermind

Connell/Burgess inspires Hulu documentary Mastermind

Law/Cohen on Trump’s conviction

History/Cox Richardson on Heritage Foundation plan

Messina College/first cohort of students

Economics/Bethune on steady economic growth

Biology/Landrigan on new study of microplastics

Law/Greenfield on Trump immunity

History/Cox Richardson on Supreme Court immunity decision

Clough/Mendoza-Álvarez on social salvation

Clough/Ospino on Hispanic Catholics in U.S.

Clough/Fr. Baldovin on Catholic group holding Mass for Trump

CRR/on number of Americans with 401(k) accounts

CRR/on retiring with real estate assets

BC grad Claire Rogers on career in golf journalism

Earth & Environmental Sciences/Tian on nitrous oxide

Theology/Fr. Keenan on recognizing need

Law/Quinn on Musk-Tesla pay package suit

CWF/Harrington on importance of fatherhood for men

Law/Quinn on Musk-Tesla pay package suit

Law/Quinn on proposed new Delaware business law

Law/Quinn on Musk withdrawing OpenAI suit

Communication/Serazio on popularity of pickleball

Carroll/Carter on implications of Musk Delaware decision

Theology/Law/Kaveny on finding common human dignity

06-07-24

06-04-24

06-03-24

06-02-24

06-01-24

New York Times

Entertainment Weekly

America

Boston Globe

National Review

History/Savage on former IRA member working in schools

Connell/Burgess inspires Hulu documentary Mastermind

Clough/Ospino on Hispanic Catholics in U.S.

Global Boston project on immigration in the city

PoliSci/Skerry on U.S. immigration crisis

SAMPLING OF BROADCAST OUTLET APPEARANCES

(June 1, 2024 – May 30, 2025)

5-22-25 NPR

Global Public Health/Philip Landrigan re pros and cons of MAHA report.

5-21-25 CBC Manitoba (radio and video)

Lynch/Karen Arnold re life after college for new graduates.

5-19-25 NBC 10 News

Commencement/Coverage of BC’s 149th Commencement Exercises.

5-18-25 CBS Boston

Connell/Ann Burgess interviewed; subject of Hulu documentary “Mastermind.”

5-16-25 NBC 10 Boston

Law School/Jack Lu re commentary in-studio on Karen Read trial.

5-13-25 WBUR “Cognoscenti”

Law/Kent Greenfield’s last lecture of semester is published.

5-13-25 GBH News

Ctr for International Higher Ed/Gerardo L. Blanco re colleges and international students.

5-9-25 WBUR Morning Edition

Theology/Lisa Sowle Cahill re election of Leo XIV, the first American pope.

5-9-25 WJLA/ABC News (Washington, DC)

C21 Center/Peter Martin re election of Leo XIV, the first American pope.

5-8-25 NBC 10 Boston, WCVB-TV Boston, CBS News Boston, WBZ Radio Nightside with Dan Rea

Clough School/Thomas Groome re election of Leo XIV, the first American pope

5-8-25 WCVB-TV News

Woods College/Gregory Noone re election of Leo XIV, the first American pope.

5-8-25 WHDH 7 News Boston

Theology/Rev. James Weiss re election of Leo XIV, the first American pope.

5-7-25 MSNBC, WBZ Radio NightSide with Dan Rea, NBC 10 Boston

Clough School/Thomas Groome re aspects of the papal conclave.

5-7-25 7 News Boston

Theology/Rev. James Weiss re the papal conclave.

5-7-25 CNBC

Economics/Brian Bethune re Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady.

5-6-25 Marketplace Radio

Economics/Robert Murphy re what’s next for trade.

5-6-25 GBH News

Clough School/Thomas Groome re no Boston voters in papal conclave.

5-2-25 NPR

Global Public Health/Philip Landrigan re hazards of Trump cuts to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

5-1-25 GBH News, CNBC

Center for Retirement Research/re report on older adults’ struggles in retirement.

5-1-25 NBC 10 Boston

Law School/Jack Lu re commentary in-studio on Karen Read trial.

4-24-25 WHDH News

Theology/Rev. James Weiss re accuracy of the film “Conclave.”

4-24-25 NBC 10 Boston

Law School/Jack Lu re commentary in-studio on Karen Read trial.

4-21-25 MSNBC

Sociology/Gustavo Morello, S.J., re life and legacy of Pope Francis.

4-21-25 WCVB-TV News, GBH News

Clough School/Michael McCarthy, S.J., re life and legacy of Pope Francis.

4-21-25 CBS Boston, WBUR Morning Edition, CBS Boston

Clough School/Thomas Groome re life and legacy of Pope Francis.

4-21-25 CBC News (Canada)

Clough School/Hosffman Ospino re life and legacy of Pope Francis.

4-21-25 GBH News

Theology/Stephen Pope re life and legacy of Pope Francis.

4-21-25 Boston Globe

Theology/Rev. James Weiss re life and legacy of Pope Francis.

4-20-25 NPR (via KQED News, Cal.)

History/Arissa Oh re factors contributing to the phenomenon of noncitizen adoptees

4-11-25 CBS Boston

Economics/Peter Ireland re impact of new tariffs, related surcharges.

4-7-25 GBH News

Lynch School/Gerardo L. Blanco re international student detentions, visa cancellations.

4-3-25 NPR “Fresh Air”

Law School/Daniel Kanstroom re ongoing deportation efforts.

4-2-25 CBS Boston

Political Science/Marc Landy re prospect of a third term for Donald Trump.

3-26-25 WCVB-TV News

Law School/Daniel Lyons re Supreme Court’s legality review of the Universal Service Fund.

3-10-25 WBUR News

Center for Retirement Research/Yimeng Yin re effect of stock market slump on retirement.

2-28-25 WBUR News

Law School/Daniel Kanstroom re legal challenges of shifting immigration law.

2-29-25 WBZ News Radio

BC Libraries/Burns Library houses John Adams 1796 campaign song

2-26-25 ABC News, ESPN, Fox Sports

Woods College/Academic partnership established between the Woods College and National Hockey League Players’ Association.

2-24-25 CNBC

Law School/Brian Quinn re Delaware corporate law bill.

2-19-25 WBUR News

Law School/Daniel Kanstroom re complexities surrounding immigration policies.

2-19-25 ABC News.com

Law School/Brian Quinn re Delaware corporate law bill.

2-7-25 WBUR “Cognoscenti”

Environmental Studies/Courtney Humphries writes on the increasing unpredictability of climate change

2-3-25 Boston 25 News

Earth and Environmental Sciences/John Ebel re New England earthquake.

1-27-25 7 News Boston, CBS Boston, WCVB-TV News, WGME Portland, Boston 25 News, WBUR News, News Center Maine, WBZ Radio Nightside with Dan Rea Earth and Environmental Sciences/John Ebel re Maine earthquake, aftershocks.

1-22-25 WBUR “Here and Now”

Global Public Health/Philip Landrigan re NEJM report, BC researchers’ call for more oversight of chemicals harmful to children.

1-20-25 CNN.com, KCBS radio (Cal.)

Law School/David Wirth re Trump's executive orders to remove U.S. from the Paris climate agreement.

1-20-25 Boston 25 News

Political Science/Marc Landy provides live inaugural day commentary on presidential transition.

1-9-25 Boston 25 News

Political Science/Marc Landy provides live commentary during the funeral of President Jimmy Carter.

1-8-25 WBUR News

Global Public Health/Philip Landrigan co-authors NE Journal of Medicine paper with BC researchers; calls for stricter regulation of chemicals endangering children's health.

1-5-25 CBS “Sunday Morning”

Psychology and Neuroscience/Ellen Winner re gifted children.

12-18-24 CNN.com

Law School/Patricia McCoy re risks of Trump possibly dismantling the FDIC.

12-17-24 Marketplace Radio

Law School/Brian Quinn re mergers and acquisitions

12-16-24 NBC Boston

Communication/Michael Serazio re need for parental awareness of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on children.

12-12-24 Marketplace Radio

Economics/Robert Murphy re outlook for inflation.

12-9-24 WHDH News

Connell School/Ann Burgess re criminal profile of UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter.

11-27-24 NPR News

Law School/Daniel Lyons re whether Trump strikes a deal to save TikTok.

11-26-24 WBUR “On Point”

Center for Retirement Research/Alicia Munnell re Trump promise of tax-free Social Security.

11-23-24

NBC Boston, WHDH News, Boston 25 News

Campus School/Actor Tom Holland visits; school will receive new adaptive equipment via a grant from a nonprofit run by his family

11-22-24 WBUR “On Point”

History/Heather Cox Richardson re making sense of politics today.

11-18-24 WCVB-TV, CBS Boston

Earth and Environmental Sciences/John Ebel re Mass. earthquake.

11-12-24 NPR

Social Work/Theresa Betancourt re resiliency refugees at risk.

10-25-24 The World (public radio)

Sociology/Gustavo Morello, S.J., re late Peruvian priest known as "father of liberation theology."

10-24-24 WBUR News

Law School/Daniel Kanstroom re Trump's plans for mass deportations if elected.

10-10-24 7 News Boston

Woods College/Kevin Powers re U.S. should ban TikTok.

10-4-24 CNN.com

Economics/Brian Bethune re U.S. Labor Department report.

10-3-24 Boston 25 News

Law School/Thomas Kohler re deal to suspend dockworkers’ strike.

9-25-24 Boston 25 News

Prison Education Program/coverage of first graduation ceremony.

9-6-24 GBH News

Political Science/Jennifer Erickson re evolution of national security since 9/11.

8-30-24 CBS Boston

Athletics/Tribute/former Hockey Coach Jerry York re late alumni, former players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

8-29-24 GBH News

Carroll School/Sam Ransbotham re use of AI in colleges and universities.

8-23-24 WBUR News

Carroll School/Mary Ellen Carter re former Mass. Lt. Gov. Healey, Steward Hospital fight.

8-14-24 CNBC

Center for Retirement Research/Alicia Munnell re possible 2025 Social Security COLA.

8-14-24 CNN.com

Economics/Brian Bethune re inflation milestone.

8-12-24 PBS NewsHour

Center for Retirement Research/Alicia Munnell re Social Security funding gap

8-6-24 NPR “All Things Considered”

Biology/Emrah Altindis re his cancer research, study of viral insulins.

8-5-24 NECN, NBC Boston

Clough School/John Baldovin, S.J., re appointment of new Boston archbishop

8-5-24 CBS Boston, Boston 25 News

Clough School/Thomas Groome re appointment of new Boston archbishop

7-30-24 CBS Boston, WCVB-TV Boston, 7 News Boston

Tribute/Thousands gather at St. Ignatius Church to honor the life, legacy of John M. (Jack) Connors Jr. ’63, H’07.

7-25-24 Marketplace Radio

Center for Retirement Research/Alicia Munnell re Americans’ plans to retire early.

7-18-24 Marketplace Radio

Center for Retirement Research/Alicia Munnell re GOP short on details despite promise to preserve retiree benefits

7-16-24 CBS Boston

Carroll School/Sam Ransbotham re AI's impact on jobs

7-11-24 News Talk Radio, Ireland

Woods College/Erin Baumann re NATO’s milestone 75th summit.

7-10-24 Marketplace Radio

Center for Retirement Research/Anqi Chen re generations and retirement savings.

7-10-24 CBS Mornings

Connell School/”Mastermind” docuseries explores groundbreaking work by forensic nurse Ann Burgess.

7-7-24 CNN.com

History/Heather Cox Richardson re SCOTUS immunity ruling

7-6-24 NBC News

Law School/Jeffrey Cohen re SCOTUS immunity ruling

7-2-24 ABC News

Law School/Jeffrey Cohen re SCOTUS immunity ruling

7-1-24 BBC News

Law School/Jeffrey Cohen re SCOTUS immunity ruling.

7-2-24 PBS NewsHour

History/Heather Cox Richardson re SCOTUS immunity ruling.

7-1-24 NBC Boston

Woods College/Patty Raube Keller re sale of Boston Celtics.

6-27-24 NPR “All Things Considered”

Global Public Health/Philip Landrigan re health effects of microplastics.

6-24-24 Marketplace Radio

Economics/Brian Bethune re interest rates.

6-25-24 1 News (New Zealand)

Global Public Health/Philip Landrigan re health effects of microplastics.

6-14-24 CNN.com

Center for Work & Family/Brad Harrington re men’s attitudes toward parenting.

6-13-24 PBS NewsHour

Social Work/Christina Matz, Psychology and Neuroscience/Elizabeth Kensinger re Congressional age limits.

6-3-24 WBUR News

Law School/Ross Martin re Steward Healthcare bankruptcy process.

6-3-24 WBUR News

Law School/Jeffrey Cohen re Trump prosecution.

Boston College Social Media Report 2024-25

The Office of University Communications maintains all of BC's primary social channels, which reach 627,000 followers The following is a snapshot of the audience for the channels during the past academic year SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNEL

7K followers

followers

followers

1K followers

views, 22.9K subscribers

1% followers

followers

1% followers

subscribers

OUC also recently 'soft-launched' Threads (21K followers) and Bluesky (1.2K followers).

DEMOGRAPHICS: GENDER & AGE Facebook

YouTube

TikTok