Nov. 7, 2013

November 7, 2013

voice.scrippscollege.edu

The Scripps Voice your scripps admits unusually meet scripps large first-year class associated students treasury

By Madeline Ripley ‘14 SAS Co-Treasurer

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regarding other applicants. Zero students were accepted off of the wait list to join the Class of 2017. In addition, no transfer students will be admitted for the Spring of 2013.

Two major concerns arose from the reality of sharing resources among a larger student body: class size and housing. Happily, the first concern seems unnecessary; not one of the Scripps students interviewed noticed a difference in the quality or size of the classes. Scripps avoided this potential problem by adding extra classes and sections, and by allowing more first years to take more classes at the other colleges than has been traditionally allowed. In these ways, class sizes have remained small and students still have ample means to take the classes they want to despite the larger-than-expected Scripps student body.

The second problem—that of housing—is a substantial issue. Most first-years are in forced doubles or triples—a few have even been placed in the senior apartments due to lack of space—and many upperclasswomen have been pushed off campus to Smiley residence hall on Pomona’s campus or to off-campus housing. Sophomores especially are getting the short end of the stick, as they often do not receive Hall Draw numbers as good as those of the upperclasswomen.

While the first years do not generally seem upset about their housing situations—many in forced doubles and triples have said that the space is workable, in some cases even roomy—upperclasswomen who have something with which to compare the current housing situation are outraged. Understand-

ello, Scripps! My name is Maddie Ripley (but you can find me under GroupWise as Madeline), and I am proud to serve with Casey Maas as Scripps Associated Students Co-Treasurer. Wonder where that $214 “student body fee” goes? One hundred percent of all student fees go under the care and keeping of SAS, and Casey and I are the main point-people for the allocation of these funds. The student fee money is allocated between Scripps clubs and organizations, 5C clubs and organizations, SAS members, and an ad hoc fund managed by the Funding Advisory Committee (FAC). The budgets for CLORGs and SAS positions come under review every spring. Though Casey and I oversee the student fees during the school year, we get lots of input from other SAS members on how the funds should be allocated (plug: pay attention to SAS elections! These people matter—they are spending your money! RUN for SAS if you feel inspired to take on leadership and responsibility and make a difference on campus!).

In the spring, CLORGs and SAS members have to advocate for the funds they receive based on their budget, projected expenses, and campus influence. A sub-group of SAS members then deliberates and grants the CLORG or SAS position a sum of money for the coming academic year. CLORGs and SAS members get the majority of their funding during this spring budgeting process, but if a special event or initiative comes up during the year, the club or SAS member can apply to the Funding Advisory Committee for extra-budget money.

Casey and I sit on the Funding Advisory Committee with SAS CLORGs Chair Mia Pecora, Motley Assistant Head Manager Eden Olsen, and Scripps Student Investment Fund Officer at Large Molly Lin. The FAC meets every week and reviews applications for funds from Scripps and 5C CLORGs, SAS members, and individual Scripps students. That’s right!

If you are attending a conference or writing a thesis, the FAC can cover up to $100 of your expenses. All you need to do is apply!

The FAC funding request forms can be found in the Student Union: they’re purple and in the wire rack on the left as you enter.

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photo courtesy of youvisit.com

By Lucy Altman-Newell ‘17 Staff Writer It’s no secret that the Class of 2017 is the largest in the history of Scripps College.

These 272 first-years have brought with them a plethora of experiences, interests, and talents, and are already having a positive impact on the Scripps community. Yet while some view the arrival of the largest incoming class as an exciting moment in the history of the college, others are concerned and even angry by issues created by overenrollment.

Although the official numbers have yet to be published, the Office of Admission was able to provide some rough, unofficial numbers. Over the past three years, Scripps College has welcomed between 230 and 245 students to campus in the fall; this year, 272 arrived. But why? There are quite a few theories floating around campus. One is that Scripps is trying to over-enroll in order to justify building a new dorm. Acting Dean of Students and Interim Director of Residential Life Sam Haynes—whose statements do not necessarily reflect the views of the college or administration—does say that “the College has previously identified the need for a new building (residential hall) in its long range plans, I am certain the charge will be a part of the college’s next fund raising campaign.” However, the rumor that over-enrollment was a means of justifying the construction of a new residence hall has been rejected. Laura Stratton, Director of Admission, asserts that over-enrollment was not done purposefully to advance any

Inside This Issue:

particular agenda. In fact, there was not even a change in recruitment tactics to attract more prospective students. Stratton explains that the Office of Admission plays a guessing game each year; although the Office has control over the amount of students admitted, the number of those who actually choose to attend Scripps College (the number formally known as the “yield”) is out of their hands. Stratton emphasizes that Scripps College is very proud of the Class of 2017 and all of its outstanding accomplishments, and assures all that the quality of the class was not sacrificed. The fact that more students are attending than usual does not mean that Admission has at all deviated from its commitment to a holistic approach to admissions, nor does it mean that it has lowered its expectations in selecting the best future Scripps students.

If a more comprehensive recruitment campaign was not involved, what caused such a high yield? A dramatic increase in interest, apparently—perhaps caused by the increased attention that the Claremont Colleges have received over the past year or so. Says Haynes, “Increased enrollment happened as a direct result of a nation recognizing the value among the colleges in our community.” This analysis seems right in line with the numbers; during the 2012 application cycle that selected the class of 2017, there was a dramatic increase in Early Decision (ED) applications. While in 2010, 142 ED applications were received, Scripps College received 179 last year.

Over-enrollment at Scripps College was and will continue to be taken into account

News: page 2

Read about Sheryl Sandberg and her new book “Lean In”

Op-Ed: page 4

Stephanie Huang ‘16 takes you inside Beacon’s Closet

1030 Columbia Avenue | Claremont, CA 91711 | Box 386 email: scrippsvoice@gmail.com | Volume XVII | Issue Five

TV: page 4

A look at the portrayal of lesbians in “Orange is the new Black”

2 • News

scripps sheryl sandberg admits lean in: women, work, unusually and the will to lead large firstyear class continued from page 1

ably, those who have been forced off campus are the most upset of all.

Perhaps some of this anger may be dissipated by acknowledging Stratton’s assertion that those in administration are “painfully aware” of the limited room on landlocked Scripps. Students are extremely fortunate, however, that although they might not be guaranteed convenient housing, Scripps College housing is guaranteed for all four years—a relatively uncommon policy among American colleges and universities.

“I am happy to report that we accommodated most rising juniors’, seniors’, and new students’ (and many sophomores’) housing requests [from the] Hall Draw. I along with the Hall Directors and staff in the DOS office worked hard to make sure students received the Scripps Housing they expected and/or wanted. It is true that some did not get their first or second choice; but in the end, all were placed in Scripps housing on and off campus,” said Haynes. “Currently, I along with others in the Residential Life office, DOS office alongside with various offices across the College are working to make it better and prepare better in the future if we should experience high enrollment again. I anticipate a better experience in the future for all Scripps students and we will have viable housing options Scripps students have come to expect and enjoy,” he concluded.

The historically large class size of the Class of 2017 has certainly affected the campus and student body as a whole.

Yet this is not entirely a bad thing. Stratton asserts that the presence of a “vibrant, academically well-prepared class” is a very positive thing which keeps the high number of students from making the situation of over-enrollment anything worse than neutral. Said Haynes, “Scripps is a wonderful place. It is always a benefit to come together and be together no matter the number of students in any given year.”

Photos courtsey of Makers.com and Selene Hsu ‘15

By Julia Thomas ‘17 Staff Writer “Close your eyes. Imagine what you would do if there were no limits. Now, go do it,” said Sheryl Sandberg on Oct. 28 during a live videoconference to Scripps College and many other universities around the world. In a silent auditorium, I sat alongside my fellow Scripps students, momentarily dreaming of the possibilities waiting in the future. However uncertain the future may have seemed then, many of us were united in that brief moment of contemplation. Scripps students tend to embrace the challenge of hard work and support each other in reaching for their goals: in many ways, Scripps functions as a microcosm of the supportive, go-get-em attitude that Sandberg promotes in her Lean In campaign.

In March 2013, Sandberg released her first novel, “Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead.” In her book, Sandberg uses personal experiences and anecdotes to discuss the barriers facing women in the work place, and the severe underrepresentation of women in leadership roles in the professional world. She attributes this to gender bias, societal structures and women’s tendency to shy away from high-achieving careers. She argues that in order to move toward a more gender equitable society, women must “lean into” their careers and believe in their ability to lead in the work place.

To hear this coming from Sandberg is both inspiring and slightly intimidating, to say the least. Sandberg holds dou-

ble degrees from Harvard and served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Secretary of the Treasury during the Clinton Presidency and for six years as the Vice President of Google’s Global Online Sales and Operations. In August, she was appointed the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, becoming the first woman to serve on Facebook’s board.

However, Sandberg has faced criticism for her novel.

Much of the criticism for the novel points at Sandberg’s position as a highly successful, white woman encouraging others to be more ambitious. This criticism is undoubtedly valid, as lower class and non-elite women may not have the opportunity to “lean in” as Sandberg describes. Still, Sandberg’s idea reaches wide as an inspiring movement: she believes men and women should share an equal role in work and parenting. The novel goes beyond success in the work place to a central idea of gender equality, in both the work place and at home. Sandberg’s Lean In movement, following in the wake of the book, encourages women to form support groups based off of shared interest and career goals, which meet to network and share experiences. At Scripps, we see this happening before us, often informally, every day. We are in a place where, as a whole, we have already committed to leaning in.

On Nov. 15, the Scripps College Economics Society will host a book club on Lean In, opening up the discussion on Sandberg’s movement to Scripps students and faculty.

Whether or not you choose to read the book, the club welcomes all students to come and participate in a discussion on “leaning in” at Scripps.

scripps associated students treasury

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In addition to the Funding Advisory Committee, I am pleased to announce that the Student Investment Fund is beginning their annual distribution process this week! The Student Investment Fund actively manages over $200,000 and distributes 4-6% of their funds every year to student clubs and organizations. APPLY! The application is a Google Form, and the link can be found on the SIF distribution Facebook event (or, you can get the link by emailing Molly Lin, SIF Officer at Large, directly).

Thank you for taking the time to read a bit about how your student fees are distributed and what CLORGs and individuals can do to access additional funding. If you ever have any questions about the above information or about Treasurer procedures, please do not hesitate to reach out to Casey and me via scrippstreasurer@gmail.com.

Be sure to check out the Economic Society website at http://community.scrippscollege.edu/econ/. The society is looking for writers to post econ-related articles and will be offering Motley gift cards as payment! If you are looking to become more involved in the economics community at Scripps, writing for the blog is a great way to start!

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVII • Issue Five

Opinions and Editorials • 3

The redrawing the lines of consent Scripps Voice I

By Kayon James ‘16 Feminism Columnist

This article may be triggering for survivors of sexual assault and/or harassment.

Editors-in-Chief Megan Petersen Aidan Harley Advisor Sam Haynes Design Editors Selene Hsu Jessica Lin Elena Pinsker Copy Editors Ashley Minnis-Lemley Star Schneider Alexandra Vallas Photo Editor Emily Morris Business Manager Lily Comba Webmaster Sophie Saouma Columnists and Staff Writers Lucy Altman-Newell Noor Asif Natalie Camrud Katie Girvan Stephanie Huang Kayon James Anissa Joonas Elizabeth Lee Meagan McIntyre Caroline Miller Caroline Nelson Kara Odum Bailee Pelham

have often heard the phrase “nonverbal consent,” and I find it to be entirely misleading. If we lived in a world where telepathic communication existed, non-verbal consent would be possible.

Unfortunately, we live in a reality where we cannot read each other’s minds, and thus verbal consent is a necessary precedent to sexual acts. In this light, there is no such thing as “non-verbal consent,” but rather “non-verbal submission.” It is in the silent moments when a hand is placed on an uncomfortable spot and there is a lack of resistance, an acquiescence that it is often deemed “non-verbal consent.”

One speaker described non-verbal consent as gradual “reciprocation” with each stage; but who “makes the first move” is often explicitly gendered and marked by the sense of entitlement that our society bestows on men to women’s bodies. This is further complicated when alcohol enters the mix. Non-verbal cues are much less likely to be understood when participants are intoxicated (and the chance of misunderstanding is already so high while sober). While in everyday life, most people will describe matters of consent while drunk as a “gray” area, California Penal Code Section 261a[3] draws a clear line: “sex without consent is rape, and no one can give consent while drunk”.

While discussing this line with classmates in my Intro to Gender and Women’s Studies

redefining beauty in

By Elizabeth Lee ‘16 Film Columnist

class, one student commented “By that themselves, thinking “they should have standard, then every drunk hookup on known better than to get in bed with this weekends is rape.” That statement guided person”. my teammate and I as we planned the Sober IT IS NEVER THE SURVIVOR’S FAULT. Sex event this past spring. The turnout was Rape culture simultaneously produces somewhat dismal, but the dialogue was both perpetrators and victims: the rather productive. One student described participants who do not ask for sexual how her boyfriend stated that the penal consent, and those who are rendered silent code was “B.S. because consent is implied and submissive in a non-consensual way whenever someone participates in party (let us not conflate this form of submission culture”. with those present in BDDSSM, Bondage & Such a statement itself immediately Discipline/Domination & Submission/Sadism highlights the & Masochism, sexualization of however). It is a Rape culture alcohol consumption system in which (particularly when we believe silence simultaneously produces women drink). is sexy and verbal both perpetrators and Within the context of consent will “ruin party culture, there the mood”. victimes: the participants is a silent consensus At the Sober Sex who do not ask for sexual that drinking is event, students also consent, and those who often a precedent drew from their to a drunk hookup. personal experiences are rendered silent and It’s revealed in how and made insightful submissive in a nonoften alcohol is a comments on the part of our sexual contrast between consentual way. narratives and even the penal code songs like “Shots” and college party

by LMFAO feature lines like “The ladies culture. One student said “it’s important love us/When we pour shots/They need an to remember that whenever you don’t excuse/To suck our cocks.” Even at more explicitly ask for consent, you run the risk casual parties, there’s a sense that once two of hurting someone… and even traumatizing people are drunk and slip away together, them.” This is why we must move towards sex will occur. But what if one person not only promoting “consent” as a vague simply wants to cuddle? What if they only concept, but explicitly advocating acts of want to experience non-penetrative sex verbal consent. When explicit “yes” or “no” acts? Without verbal consent, non-verbal questions are asked and lines are drawn, submission is often the course of action. new realms of pleasure can be explored Guilty and ashamed, one participant may within those boundaries and risks of trauma not want to “be a tease”, or chastise minimized.

“biutiful”

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Staff Photographers Noor Asif Tianna Sheih Nicole Zwiener Comments and letters can be sent to Scripps College The Scripps Voice, 1030 Columbia Ave, Box 386, Claremont, CA, 91711.

You can also email The Scripps Voice at scrippsvoice@gmail. com or visit our website at voice. scrippscollege.edu.

The Scripps Voice is a student forum and is not responsible for the opinions expressed in it.

his week’s pick is perhaps more somber than previous ones. I’ve been on a roll with the “feel-good” movies, but more often, my favorite films tend to be on the darker, more solemn side, and cinema, much like life in general, is anything but one-dimensional. “Biutiful” is the 2010 Spanish drama directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. Nominated for Academy Awards in both Best Foreign Film and Best Leading Actor categories, the movie truly belongs to Javier Bardem, who stars in one of his greatest performances as Uxbal. Uxbal is a man living in the criminal underbelly of Barcelona with his two children and dysfunctional ex-wife when he is diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.

Uxbal makes his humble living by finding work for illegal immigrants and by being a medium, communicating messages from the deceased as they move onwards. His world is rough and dirty, and in it you do what you must to survive and provide for your children. It’s a world we experience through the unsteady vision of a handheld camera and simultaneous focus of predominately diegetic sound rather than music. These techniques effectively highlight the perfect realness of the protagonist’s, the film’s, and general life’s imperfection. To keep up with the feeling of genuine reality and emotional sincerity, the film was shot in chronological order.

Throughout the film, it becomes clear that, although he is a good and compassionate man, Uxbal is not without his flaws and sins.

One moment he’s playing make-believe while feeding his children, the next he is slamming his fists on the table and yelling

Photo courtesy of Biutiful-themovie.com

at his son for tapping his foot. One moment he’s looking out for his workers’ well-being, the next they’re all dead because of a momentary lapse in judgment on his part.

It’s almost as if goodness seems to evade him, that no matter how hard he tries to do good he is always knocked down by life and its many complications.

As Uxbal’s health deteriorates, he becomes increasingly distressed at the thought of not having done any good in his life for which to be honored after he is gone.

For all the souls he has helped peacefully transition into ultimate death, he remains fearful and unready for his own death. What will happen to his children? Will they be provided for? Will he be forgiven for all his crimes and moments of impatience? Will his daughter, portrayed in a strikingly mature

and poignant performance by young Hanaa Bouchaib, remember him?

Still, despite the sheer messiness of his life, it is hard not to feel sympathetic towards him, because we all understand that life is never easy or simple. The incongruity of his love for his children, his desire to be remembered as a good man versus his life as a criminal and imperfect human being, is in itself a thing of beauty.

Like the title, the Spanish phonological spelling of “beautiful,” the term “beauty” is redefined. It doesn’t exclude but rather identifies the profound significance in the reality of our imperfections that make our moments of good all the more beautiful.

It may not be the correct way to spell the word, but in the end is there truly a wrong way to make something beautiful?

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVII • Issue Five

4 • Opinions and Editorials

orange is the new black: the l-word

By Caroline Nelson ‘16 TV Columnist

T

he representation of romantic and sexual relations between women on television has always been frustratingly paradoxical.

The contradiction stems from it frequently sending the message that most women aren’t actually lesbian while failing to do justice to bisexuality or the notion that sexual attraction can often be a rather fluid and slippery entity.

To speak in generalizations, the most common form of romantic interaction between two women on television is

The most common form of romantic interaction between two women on television is when two girls who are often straight and conventionally feminine kiss. when two girls who are often straight and conventionally feminine kiss. It is a phenomenon so common that the wiki TVTropes has dubbed this particular ratings stunt the “Sweeps Week Lesbian Kiss”. This is usually done either to get male attention or for the viewing pleasure of a male involved with one or both of the women. This way

Photo courtsey of Netflix

a show can be titillating and edgy without worrying about alienating anyone the way a lasting homosexual relationship would.

If these girls actually did fall in love for real it might give men the disturbing notion that women are perfectly capable of attaining sexual fulfillment without them. This is why queer women on television are almost always bisexual or experimenting. If they do identify as lesbian, males watching are often reassured by their falling in love with a man.

This focus on femme or lipstick lesbians serves to further marginalize their more butch or masculine counterparts without

really doing anything positive for the first category, instead sending the message that lesbians who dress and act more in keeping with gender norms aren’t really homosexual and bisexuals are just indecisive or looking for attention.

I realize that this whole piece does “Orange is the New Black” a disservice by defining it negatively. It is not these other shows; there are a wide variety of characters across sexual orientations. For all the talk of Piper no longer being a lesbian or turning gay again the show makes it very clear that this isn’t how her inclinations actually work

in regards to Alex. Alex, by the way, is very much a lesbian even though she sports long hair and an epic cat eye.

But I think that the distinction between “Orange is the New Black” and shows with two girls who kiss once needs to be mentioned, not because the latter is offensive but because it is bad art. It’s cynical, without vision or conviction, and fails to explore dramatic possibilities. “Orange is the New Black,” on the other hand, is generous, earnest, and understands that the complexities of sexual and romantic attraction make for a much better story.

a look inside beacon’s closet

By Stephanie Huang ‘16 Fashion Columnist

W

ith three locations, one in downtown Manhattan and two in Brooklyn, the widely acclaimed and somewhat glorified Beacon’s Closet has long been the Holy Grail of thrifting in New York. I was lucky enough to visit the main location in Williamsburg this past October and get a taste of thrifting, East-Coast style.

In terms of area, the Williamsburg Beacon’s closet is most likely double or triple the size of Wasteland, what I would call the closest L.A. equivalent of Beacon’s Closet. For those of you who are familiar with the thrift shops in Claremont, the Williamsburg location probably had as much stuff as all the thrift stores in The Village combined.

Due to its size, I’d say a thorough dig through the warehouse-like store is most definitely a cultural experience that requires effort and time. With barely any space to squeeze past, it will take over an hour to browse through the color-coordinated racks of clothing, grouped by article.

What I particularly liked about the store was its wide variety of items, from vintage, to high-end, to the occasional “What is this used Urban Outfitters top doing here for $12?”

While I’m a fan of only a margin of the styles presented in the racks, Beacon’s Closet caters

Photos courtsey of Beacon’s Closet

to a wide repertoire of its predominantlyBrooklynite audience.

I, personally, was able to find the comfiest Raiders sweatshirt (in my defense, it was the ideal shade of worn-out black and supersoft) for around ten bucks, as well as a pair of dl1961 designer pants that typically retail for nearly $300 for $35. Finding high-end pieces in your size for a steal is probably the highlight of Beacon’s closet, for me.

While the one to two hours I spent there only produced two purchases, I found the

shopping experience to be a calming and entertaining escape. I would like to note, though, that I went on a Monday morning around opening time, which would explain the lack of people that I had to deal with.

Many people do complain about the overabundance of eager shoppers, the unfriendly staff, prices, and the overwhelming amount of clothing, but I’d say if you’re patient and go at a good time, you are bound to enjoy your time there.

That being said, prices at Beacon’s Closet

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVII • Issue Five

do not always make the most logical sense (why pay $25 for a men’s brandless sweater with a giant hole in the elbow?), but I think the prices for thrift-store items has increased overall in the last half-decade. Thanks for that, Macklemore.

Ultimately, I’d say my final verdict is a yes to Beacon’s Closet, because even if you don’t manage to find anything, you now have a reason to explore the rest of Williamsburg and its perfect little coffee shops.

Opinions and Editorials • 5

trigger Warnings: “This article makes reference to subject matters that some may find disturbing and/or triggering.”

By Elizabeth Lee ‘16 Staff Writer

I

n beginning with that one simple sentence, you, the reader, have been made aware of any potential distress this article may cause and have been given the option to either continue or cease reading at your own will.

It is a sign of respect that allows our society to maintain a balance between censorship and freedom of speech. It is not a matter of measuring maturity or even of political correctness, but rather about the practice of basic human sensitivity and understanding.

When it comes to a student’s educational experience, it is about respecting their rights to feel safe in an academic environment and express autonomy over their course of study.

During a recent film screening for one of my classes I became uncomfortable when all of a sudden the anti-hero protagonist, a middle-aged man struggling to assert power over his own life, began chasing two teenage girls around his apartment and aggressively undressing them. Although there was no blood nor shrieking, I felt my heart rate begin to rise in anticipation of what might happen and in horror of what it all meant. Initially, because of my concern of being perceived as oversensitive and annoyingly nit-picky, I did not feel I should say anything. After a second and then a third similar experience in the same class, I finally decided to bring it up with a fellow classmate who revealed to me that she had similar feelings. I couldn’t help but wonder why we had not been warned in advance and if the professor was even aware of what seemed to have become a regular pattern of displays of sexual aggression in our screenings.

These issues were never addressed in our discussions or readings and they were unessential to the course curriculum, an introductory film class focused on the moving image. Having these scenes of sexual violence and exploitation (generally of women) presented with such casualness trivialized the real life concepts in ways that could potentially be very uncomfortable and even deeply disturbing to not just students or victims of sexual assault but any kind of viewer.

Though I felt compelled to formally express my concerns to the professor, I struggled for quite some time to decide whether I should do so anonymously. I wanted to make sure it was clear I was not ashamed of expressing my thoughts. As a young woman, and furthermore as a Scripps woman, however, I was worried that by attaching my name, and thus my gender, to my message, the issues surrounding trigger warnings and the media portrayals of sexual violence would be reduced to a “women’s issue” or even worse a “feminist issue:” one that in the minds of others applied to only a small group of people and was therefore of lesser significance. However, even if the majority of people who are affected by sexual violence are women, the importance

of implementing systems that take into consideration individual sensitivity, such as trigger warnings, applies to all human beings.

Perhaps it is true, with today’s emphasis on political correctness, that someone can nowadays consider almost anything as offensive or triggering. We cannot (and should not) simply eliminate potentially disturbing material from existence or even from academic study. However, when showing such material, it should be preceded by a warning and, when necessary, offered in conjunction with an alternative assignment.

This applies specifically to Scripps’ recently revised Core Curriculum in Interdisciplinary Humanities — “Histories of the Present: Violence.” While I would be interested in participating in the new Core program, I find it insensitive and inappropriate that a three-semester course centered on the subject of violence be required for an entire class of students.

According to Julia Black ‘17, who is currently participating in the program, the majority of lectures thus far have begun with trigger warnings. These warnings, however, mean nothing if students are unable to refuse to participate and engage with the material.

A student’s grades and ability to participate in class should never be dependent on something that could potentially make them feel in any way uncomfortable. Even if there were no specific students who would be bothered by the subject matter, it should not be up to the others—especially people in positions of power over their educational experience—to make any assumptions. In the case of the Core program, a student could not reject the curriculum without drawing individual attention to themselves or their situations, including personal histories and issues that they should not be forced to share.

It is of vital importance that the classroom be maintained as a safe and productive learning environment. I would like to stress, however, the fact that I do not think explicit material should be eliminated from all courses of study. Violence, sexual aggression, and other subjects which merit trigger warnings can be portrayed in very productive ways to make a point and serve as the basis for extremely meaningful and important intellectual discussion. The problem arises when these sensitive topics are not treated with appropriate gravity or when those viewing them are denied the ability to consciously decide to engage with them. These issues are important to address not just for the sake of an individual student, but because they have potential to profoundly affect any student.

If films and readings containing potentially disturbing content are going to be featured in a classroom setting it should be done so only with the understanding and consent of the students

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVII • Issue Five

6 • Features

Features • 7

p h o t o EXHIBITION at Williamson gallery:

race is not a costume

A look through the lens at travel and portraiture

By Elena Pinsker ‘17 Design Editor

H

umor has always been a very personal, subjective thing. Countless comedians have pushed the boundaries of what is appropriate in standup comedy, yielding varied responses from those offended and entertained alike. When Halloween rolls around, some use the holiday as a way of making a statement, whether it be to assert fashion and style or to prompt a laugh from others. However, many people, professional comedians or not, have crossed the line, leaving the territory of what is funny and entering an area that is downright wrong. There are a few popular costume trends that blatantly cross this line, whether they be racist, hyper-sexualized, or both.

At the Harwood Halloween party, I saw a male student wearing a poncho and a fake, Chevys-esque sombrero as his costume. I don’t know who he is, but I assume someone will read this and think, “Hey! That’s my friend,” or perhaps he’ll stumble upon this himself. So I want to preface what I am about to say by saying that I don’t intend to offend this student. I can’t assume he was intending to do or be any of the things I’m going to talk about. But I also feel it is important to acknowledge that racism, whether intended or not, exists among the 5C student body.

I acknowledge that, because I am white, I was born with privileges I may never be able to fully realize. I will never be followed in a store for fear of me stealing something, I will never be pulled aside for “random” checking at an airport, and I will never be stopped by the police for suspicious loitering. I will never truly understand the position a minority is put in every single day, and Halloween is not an excuse to make light of the racist attitudes that, at the moment, color this country. Many people (who are, let’s face it, mostly white) do not always understand what it means to put on a “Mexican” costume and parade around, because they do not have to face these stereotypes on a daily basis. Not only are costumes like this an inaccurate representation of a culture, but the joking manner in which privileged people wear these outfits only highlights the deeply-ingrained racism that perpetuates it. These costumes strip away the richness of entire cultures and reduce them to these misguided stereotypes. An entire group of people become nothing more than a farce, or a source of entertainment to those who will never understand what it truly feels like to be marginalized.

On a similar note, the abundance of Sexy *Insert Race/Culture Here* costumes is appalling. Not only do these costumes embody the racism described above, they sexualize an entire group of people. Minorities are already hyper-sexualized by the media, with an abundance of music videos featuring women of color in demeaning and objectifying roles. These costumes only add to the idea that non-white women are nothing more than objects of desire, whose culture is a fetishized stereotype of the privileged, racists fantasies.

Another trend that seems to be popular on the 5C campus is the appropriation of Día de los Muertos, or painting a sugar skull design on one’s face for Halloween. Halloween has (relatively) recently become an extremely commercialized holiday, and has lost any cultural meaning that it once had.

However, Día de los Muertos is a Mexican (not Hispanic, not Latino) celebration of the dead, and has remained an important cultural celebration to this day.

The appropriation of this holiday strips it of its cultural significance, turning it into something that is on par with the rest of Halloween attire—sexy cats, goblins, and the like. Día de los Muertos is a rich and important celebration of life and death, and its calendar coincidence with Halloween does not make it an appropriate costume choice. It is inappropriate and offensive to see people adorning this makeup as their costume, and it reduces a deeply cultural celebration to a fashion trend.

These costumes may be funny for the person wearing them, but to have one’s culture reduced to a sexualized, inaccurate stereotype, or to strip it of its historical and cultural meaning, is an extremely dehumanizing thing. It shows the privilege that is taken for granted, and the cultures that are being disrespected. It perpetuates inaccurate representations of minorities who already face disdain and racism on a daily basis and shows the ingrained belief that other cultures are nothing more than a fashion statement. In short, it is no laughing matter.

Courtesy of Kat Attack Photography

The Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College showcases its new photography collection, including work by Barbara Morgan (right), “Martha Graham, Letter to the World, the Kick,” 1940. Photos by Tianna Sheih ‘16.

By Noor Asif ‘16 Staff Writer

A

Courtesy of gender-focus.com

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVII • Issue Five

gallery full of photographs, a majority of which are black and white and precede the new millennium, creates an aura of beauty and nostalgia mingled with depth. The intensity of simplicity pervades the gallery. The Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College has created such an atmosphere quite successfully with its current exhibition titled “Focus on Photographs: Building a Collection at Scripps.”

The photographs that make up this collection have been accumulated over the years, beginning in early 20th century.

Many of the photographs are extremely valuable, including works by Edward Weston and Ansel Adams. Prior to this exhibition, the photographs were put in storage, hidden from the public eye, according to Chrysanna Daley ‘16. Now, they are finally mounted on the walls of the gallery with great care so that they may leave an impression on the viewers with their artistic energy.

The gallery has separated the photographs by two major sections:

portraiture and travel. The portraiture gallery was the more striking. It featured some familiar faces, like A.F. Bradley’s photograph of Mark Twain, his bright eyes shining beneath his wisps of illuminated white hair. There are also several photographs of Ruth St. Denis, a modern dancer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who introduced Eastern themes into her performances. Arthur Kales photographed her in American attire, while Edward Weston photographed her posed as a Geisha. It is fascinating to see how the same person can appear so different according to the style of the various photographers. Perhaps the most familiar photograph is the one of Friday Kahlo leaning against a mural, photographed by Lucienne Bloch.

The travel section does not have as much variety as does the portraiture section, yet the works are still remarkable.

There are several pieces by Francis Frith from his travels to Egypt that depict the architecture of the area. Some photos feature people, including women clad in burkas (the veil that covers a woman’s face and body). There is an image of a grand mosque, next to which is an image of a more decrepit stone building. The

photographs succeed in absorbing the viewers and allowing them to get a feeling of the place being photographed, despite their monochromatic color scheme.

The gallery also has several books on display that have photographs printed onto them. One of the books featured a photo taken of the Toll browsing room in the 20th century. It has students in the picture, with one girl standing in front of the mirror with her back to the photographer. Her outline is illuminated with the white light from outside that seeps in through the window.

The delicate black and white colors work to the photograph’s advantage.

Throughout the gallery there are various other works that do not quite fit into themes of portraiture or travel. There is one photograph taken by Diane Arbus of a young couple sitting on a bench in Washington Square Park in New York City, circa 1965. Although it is a simple image of a boy and girl, there is significance to the image in its starkness and honesty; the subjects in the photograph are not really posing so much as being captured in a candid shot. To contrast with this piece, there is also a work by Margrethe Mather called “Two Nudes” which is much older than Arbus’s work and has a

more dreamy, soft quality to its imagery.

Again, this shows how photography has developed over the years and how different photographers give works their own unique feel.

There is an Ansel Adams piece in the gallery called “Winter Sunrise, Sierra Nevada, From Lone Pine, 1944.” The photograph is beautiful in that it shows the vastness of a mountain half cast over with shadow, half entirely illuminated from up to. Yet the photograph has such detail that the small size does not even matter.

Even the thin branches of the trees, which closely resemble bristles of a brush in size, seem touchable and real. There is a quality of truthfulness and respect to nature that is apparent in Adams’ work. The work was donated to the Scripps College Collection

by Adams’ widow, Virginia Adams, along with 21 others.

Lastly, the gallery also includes works done by faculty. For example, there is a black and white portrait by Susan Rankaitis, and a large colored photograph of a tree by Ken Gonzales-Day in the gallery.

The exhibition is ongoing until December 15, 2013 at Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery.

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVII • Issue Five

8 • Features

humans vs. zombies pro

con

By Beckah Manikowski ‘16 Guest Contributor

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s much as I love my fellow Scripps students, we often undervalue our relations with the other Claremont Colleges. Perhaps the most perceptible effect of these friendships is their translation into real world connections. The Claremont network is an invaluable network for graduates entering their chosen field. As a film major, I know that the link this network provides may at times be the only thing that sets me apart from other equally qualified young persons seeking the same entry level job.

A less recognizable and underemphasized benefit of these friendships is the immediate impact on our 5C campus. Friendly interactions between campuses are underemphasized as one of the keys to a happier, safer, and thus more productive campus. We share resources and meals and yet at times seem incapable of perceiving each other apart from the projected masks of stereotypes. We live literally across the street from each other and are more apt to act like rivals than siblings. This is a shame, because we are clearly a stronger force for change when united. Recent 5C discussions on sexual assault have shown how much more effective we are when combining resources and minds. This cohesion and discussion helps us create a campus environment we can be proud of. We are capable of creating a space where everyone feels safe and respected.

I firmly believe these positive effects of a cohesive community are reachable through the activity known as Humans versus Zombies, also known as HvZ. HvZ allows for a positive campus crossover like no other 5C event or organization. Primarily, this is because HvZ has a decent representation from each school. As much as we like to think that we are able to branch out to other schools, we are actually relatively contained in our spheres of activity. For example, although I was involved in multiple 5C organizations, classes, and events, I almost never had the opportunity to interact with Mudd students. All of these supposed “5C” events and organizations only furthered my interest in making solid Scripps contacts. Perhaps this is solely my experience, but it seems particularly difficult at times to make lasting connections with individuals from alternate schools. HvZ is an incredible solution to this dilemma. It was the only organization I was involved with last year in which there was not only joint participation from all five colleges but also direct interaction between students of all five colleges.

Although school representation is important, it is the environment of these relationships that truly makes HvZ worthwhile. The associations formed during night missions, day missions, and the general camaraderie of passing players are established in a manner that is arguably healthier than our typical interactions. These connections are usually made without the barrier of school association. Nobody cares which school you go to as long as you’re paying attention and looking out for the team. This leads to my next point. These associations are being made in an environment specifically conducive to revealing and encouraging different teamwork and communication strategies. Because of the communication exchanges, the connections made are more likely to skip past the artificiality of the typical primary interactions and move into a territory more suitable for lasting friendships. Oh, and survival, of course.

By Megan Petersen ‘15 Editor-in-Chief

H

umans v. Zombies is often thought to be harmless and playful: Nerf guns, socks, camaraderie. Good, clean fun.

But it isn’t. I wanted to put it lightly, but it flat-out isn’t. It’s toxic, it’s hypocritical, and it’s one of many blatant and insensitive expressions of privilege that haunt the 5Cs. Humans v. Zombies (HvZ) is toxic and counterproductive because it fails to address the huge problem of gun violence in America. It has been argued many times that, in order to curb the gun violence that we see in our society — from high-profile mass shootings to everyday violence — we need to bring about systematic, social change, not just new legislation. People have been expressing concern about violent video games and movies for a while now. I’m not about to go on that tirade, though, or talk here about what people do in their private homes. What I will say about HvZ, though, is that it conveniently allows us, collectively, to neglect that struggle. HvZ week forces us to pretend that gun violence isn’t problematic or scary or triggering.

It forces us to pretend that guns are toys or that shooting at people is okay in some situations, that some people aren’t REALLY people. And, in my opinion, anything that isn’t part of a solution to the problem of society-wide gun violence is part of the problem.

To make matters worse, this willful ignorance is very uncharacteristic for the majority of Claremont students. I know many students who participate in HvZ who, based on their general political views, would probably support tougher gun laws or other actions to help bring down the number of people affected by this problem.

I’m disturbed by the number of people at Scripps who identify as feminists, even as intersectional feminists, and participate in HvZ regardless of the number of women and minorities who are victims and survivors of gun violence in America and around the world.

I’m most frustrated, though, that HvZ completely ignores the realities of anybody who’s ever been affected by gun violence. Unlike games like paintballing or laser tag which, in theory, happen among consensual individuals in a designated, private space, HvZ invades public spaces on campus every semester, forcing even those who find it triggering or hurtful to watch it happen. After my home community was rocked by uncharacteristic, tragic gun violence last winter, seeing and hearing about the spring installment of HvZ made me sick to my stomach. I can’t imagine what HvZ might trigger for students, staff, and professors who hail from communities where shootings are a daily reality. Thousands of people die every year in this country from gun violence—Chicago alone sees hundreds.

I recognize that many Claremont students are not from areas that have been affected by systematic violence, that many of us have the convenience of being able to pick up certain struggles when it’s convenient rather than living them ourselves, that many of us have always been and always will be on the “winning” side of a game of Cops and Robbers or Cowboys and Indians.

But just because you can do something and not find it problematic or triggering doesn’t mean you should.

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVIII • Issue Five

Student Life • 9

So, you’re trying out a L - o - n - g Distance

Relationship– now What?

By Ashlee Achee ‘16 Staff Writer

E

ntering a long distance relationship can be intimidating, especially when you don’t know when you’ll see your significant other next. It can be financially and emotionally taxing to experience such uncertainty, but it can also be incredibly rewarding when you do get to see them again.

Here are some tips to keep the spark going when you’re experiencing a long time apart: 1) Set up weekly (or biweekly) Skype dates. This will give you something to look forward to and provide security so you’re not wondering about the next time you’ll see them. Personally, my partner and I always have a Skype conversation on Fridays and a movie night on Saturdays.

Usually, we try to find one other time during the week to Skype, but if it doesn’t work out, we always have those two days to be excited about. In between, make sure you text or phone call each day. It’s really important to keep up the communication.

Unlike most relationships, you can’t rely on the physical aspect of the relationship, so it’s important to communicate frequently and build emotional intimacy with each other. In the era of new technological developments, there are plenty of ways to connect with each other.

2) A long-distance relationship has its benefits! Personally, I enjoy the freedom

and lack of distraction that comes with having my partner live over a thousand miles away. I feel as though if he were here, I would spend most of my time with him, rather than in the library. At times it is incredibly difficult, but it also provides an opportunity to have independence. If things start to get too hard, talk to your significant other! More than anything, you should be able to trust them and go to them if you are having trouble with the distance.

3) Experience common interests, even if this means doing them apart. Long distance relationships are an opportunity to get creative with your partner! You can read books, watch television series, and even try new recipes together. This will give you plenty to discuss and allow you to try new things. Make a goal for each week: watch one episode of “Doctor Who” or send your partner a new cookie recipe you’ve just tried out. There are lots of

ways to create normalcy in a nontraditional relationship.

4) Try not to be a control freak! This can be hard when you don’t see the person every day, but it’s important to maintain a sense of trust and open communication with each other. If you have agreed to be exclusive, go through your days as if your significant other was with you.

Just because you are living apart doesn’t mean that you should think of yourself (or your partner) as single. If you start to feel yourself getting clingy, talk to your partner about your concerns and make sure they know that you are not trying to control them.

There’s no denying that long distance relationships are difficult, but by communicating frequently, getting creative on dates, and remembering to trust your partner (and yourself!), there’s no reason why you can’t have a happy, healthy, and fun relationship.

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVIII • Issue Five

10 • Student Life

B R O -C ho ic e

Choice USA Launches new Campaign on campus

By Kara Odum ‘15 Columnist

T

he fight for reproductive justice has been waged for decades, from celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade to more recent happenings such as Wendy Davis’ stand against oppressive anti-choice legislation in Texas. According to Choice, USA, reproductive justice is when “all people have the economic, social and political power and resources to make healthy decisions about their bodies, sexuality and reproduction for themselves, their families and their communities, in all areas of their lives.” Historically, women have been a major driving force behind the pro-choice movement, which seeks to secure reproductive justice for everyone, but recently men have been getting more involved in this discussion.

The Scripps College chapter of Choice USA is launching the Bro-Choice campaign to offer a framework for including more men in the reproductive justice discussion by engaging, educating, and mobilizing hundreds of young men to be more than passive allies and to be vocal advocates for sexual and reproductive justice. Bro-Choice encourages men to challenge traditional ideas of masculinity, incorporate queerness into the pro-choice movement, and create more vocal advocates for women. So

far, the Bro-Choice movement has been Association, “men who idealize traditional successful nationally with varying stages masculinity are 50% less likely to seek of implementation at colleges across the out preventive health care services, which country. For clarification, the term men put them at risk for more major medical includes men, young men, men of color, problems later on.” This carries over to and male-identified people who are prosexual health as well: according to the choice. It recognizes that men experience Health and Human Services Department, gender privilege and oppression very men with these views are less likely differently based on their race, class, to use condoms, more likely to get sexuality, location, etc. and that this is not someone pregnant, and are more at risk of just a women’s issue. By opening up the contracting an STI. Bro-choice encourages conversation, Bro-Choice men to challenge the challenges the notion that notion that women are being masculine must responsible for safe sex “Bro-Choice encourages perpetuate reproductive and that sexual assault men to challenge traditional oppression and gendered is a result of “hyper ideas of masculinity, violence. masculine men not incorporate queerness into Men have their own being able to control the pro-choice movement, varied experiences themselves.” According and create more vocal with oppression and to Pandora’s Project, men advocates for women.” identity, and Bro-Choice are the least likely to is not generalizing men’s report or disclose sexual experiences. Living Bro-Choice means assault, even though it is estimated that having the courage to speak out against they make up 10 percent of all victims. injustice, being a vocal advocate for Bro-Choice is trying to implement this reproductive justice, an authentic ally to conversation via a pledge drive that asks women, and working on creating broad, men to challenge negative stereotypes and equitable and inclusive definitions of representations of men and masculinity in masculinity. Living Bro-Choice means being the media, call out sexism when they see a part of the solution. it, challenge themselves and interrogate What’s in it for the men? Right now, their personal privileges, and to be an men are negatively impacted by gender outspoken champion for reproductive roles as shown in several research studies. justice. The Scripps College chapter of According to the American Sociological Choice USA will launch the Bro-Choice

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVII • Issue Five

campaign in the Claremont community this month. We will ask male identified people to sign the Bro Choice pledge. We are partnering with student clubs and organizations across the 5-Cs and asking folks of all genders to engage in an art/ activism project. We will ask folks to write, draw, decorate a response to one of two questions: “Why is reproductive justice more than just a woman’s issue?” and “How can I be a reproductive justice ally?” These statement strips will be used to construct a collage, or some other art piece, that will be displayed at five different sites across the Claremont College communities in December.

This may seem like a lot but the consequences of not challenging the status quo are staggering. Men protesting Texas’ new anti-choice laws this summer clearly laid out what’s at stake. Bill Lambert commented, “I want society to be better than it is today and I wouldn’t have the right to hope for such a thing if women were still not fully emancipated and equal partners in that process.”

To get involved with the Bro-Choice campaign and/or the Scripps College chapter of Choice USA, please contact Elizabeth McElvein at emcelvei8722@ scrippscollege.edu. Member meetings are every other Monday in the Browning living room at 8:30, and new faces are always welcome.

Student Life • 11

An Honest

Conversation About

Mental Illness: Break the Stigma

By Aidan Harley Editor-in-Chief

A

s a student and ally at a liberal arts college known for its liberal leanings, I hear and learn a lot about people’s identities. I try my best as a white and straight ally to correct people when they say or do something insensitive and also educate myself about the systematic ways in which people are denied expression of their identities and rights and privileges.

And the majority of people that I interact with here at Scripps are really open talk to these ideas and try their best at understanding what it is like to live in another person’s shoes. But one realm of identity that I never hear anyone openly about or try to understand is mental illness.

A quarter to a third of people in the world will experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime, yet there are still some states in the U.S. that don’t have laws requiring insurance companies to cover treatment for mental illnesses. People feel the need to hide their mental illnesses from employers and friends because people will treat them as incapable or volatile, or because their jobs will be in jeopardy. One of the first discourses that pops up whenever there is a multi-victim shooting incident is how to get guns out of the hands of mentally ill individuals, even though it has been proven that mentally ill people are no more likely to commit acts of violence than people without mental illness. People classify others with mental illnesses as lazy, violent, crazy, evil, etc. because they don’t understand how mental illness works. Others who are a bit more informed are still guilty of looking down on those with mental illness, distancing themselves from those who are mentally ill because they are “unstable,” and discounting the toll mental illness takes on the individuals it affects. This stigma associated with mental illness is incredibly harmful because not only does it work

to demonize those with mental illness, it also belittles their suffering, which work in tandem to prevent and discourage people from seeking treatment.

Scripps and the 5Cs, usually spaces that are critical of discourses that alienate and subjugate groups of people, are just as complicit as many other mainstream spaces in the perpetuation of the demonization/discounting discourse. As someone diagnosed with depression, anxiety disorder, and an eating disorder, I in no way feel supported by the 5C or Scripps community. While I have encountered specific people who have been helpful and supportive, the culture of this school and the discussions I hear around me in no way indicate the community is willing to try and understand the complexities of these disorders. I hear people talk all the time about how one just needs to look at beauty of the world, cheer up, do XYZ and be grateful in order to be happy. My happiness depends on my levels of brain chemicals like serotonin, the health of my neurotransmitters, and genetics, not whether I am being reflective enough. This is offensive because I can’t help that I feel depressed. Am I grateful for all the wonderful things I have in my life and the awesome experiences I get to have? Yeah, I am. Am I often awe-struck at the beautiful things that I encounter?

Hell, yeah. Does that change that fact that sometimes I want to stop existing and can’t find a reason to get out of bed in the morning? No, it doesn’t. When I hear things like this, I never feel like I can disclose to people what goes on for me because their solution to my problems will be to “cheer up.” You should know that if I could just “cheer up,” I would have tried that by now.

As a person with an eating disorder on the Scripps’ campus in general, not only do I feel unsupported in the disclosure of my diagnosis, I am constantly battling situations and images that encourage eating disorder behavior. I hear students all the time saying they didn’t have lunch

today because they didn’t have enough time. I hear them talk about depriving themselves of sleep, food, bathroom breaks, and other bodily functions, all in the name of school work. The nature of eating disorders is often one that encourages the affected person they are not worth the basic function of eating. I constantly have to tune my classmates out when they talk like this. I am not saying the solution to my eating disorder is for others to stop talking to me like that. What I am saying is that Scripps culture is very skewed towards disordered eating and this is very toxic environment for people with eating disorders, those who are in recovery and those who have not sought treatment, as well as people who are not affected by mental illness at all.

At the Malott Commons, for the first part of the year I was greeted with posters urging me to “Get the skinny on fats” and aiming to teach me how to make “healthy choices.” While this can appear to most as innocuous, discourses about portion control and making “healthy choices” both at their core assume that some food is good and other food is bad, and it is good if you don’t eat a lot. This also relies on the assumption that skinny people are inherently good and healthy, and fat people are bad, lazy, and unhealthy. These are also ideas central to fat shaming.

Additionally, these discourses are at their core very sexist ones that encourage women to always be unsatisfied with how they look and critical of their food choices. Because of my disorder, I am hypersensitive to ways in which Scripps culture, which is usually pretty feminist, conforms to these mainstream ideas about “healthy eating.” A healthy relationship to food does not include core beliefs like the ones described above. If I was not so vigilant about keeping my eating disorder thoughts in check, I could easily talk about and engage in eating disorder behaviors on campus without any notice. I would go as far as to say that I would receive

encouragement and praise from many of my classmates. This concerns me further because I wonder how many of my fellow classmates suffer from eating disorders, but their behaviors are so reinforced here on campus that their self hate, starvation, and meal skipping seem normal to them, and goes untreated.

Overall, I am disappointed at the lack of awareness that Scripps and the 5Cs have about mental illness. At a school that encourages sensitivity and pride about many other identities, I was surprised that this is an issue people know little to nothing about. Students here are not inclined to talk about mental illness, yet college is a time when stress and life changes reach their peak and can wreck havoc on many students’ mental well-being and mood. Additionally, a lot of serious mental illnesses don’t begin to show their faces until people are in their early 20s. This makes colleges the perfect place to deal with these issues, as they often have a higher proportion of people with undiagnosed mental illness because of these factors. Yet I see very little effort towards making the 5Cs mental-health friendly, encouragement of discourses counter to the demonization/ discounting conversation the rest of the country has, or even conversations about how many people mental illness affects.

When I disclose my diagnosis to others, I often hear that I don’t look like I have depression/an eating disorder/anxiety disorder. What are people with mental illness supposed to look like? They look more “normal” than you think. In fact, mental illness is more “normal” than everyone here seems to think. We need to stop pretending that this affects people in faraway places and start dealing with the reality that people with mental illness exist here, at Scripps, and at the 5Cs. I challenge the Scripps community to begin having an honest and productive conversation about mental illness, because we seriously need it.

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVII • Issue Five

12 • Student Life

Halloween CANDLELIGHT DINNER Costume Contest Photos courtesy of Selene Hsu

A table fit for a ghoul: students were treated to festive table settings and delicious food.

Best Pop Culture Reference: Beatrice Prior (Divergent), the Polite Leader (The Purge), Alice, Kim Possible, Minion, Minnie Mouse, CMS Athena, and Peter Pan

Funniest Costume: McDonald’s Employee and “Cactus Evergreen” Best Handmade Costume: X-Mas Tree, Enjolras (Les Mis), and Cinderella

Scariest Costume: Dead Belle, the Polite Leader (The Purge), Senior Thesis Best Group: The Hunger Games, Ladies of the Scooby Gang, and the Three Blind Mice

Best Overall Costume: the Polite Leader (The Purge), Alice, CMS Athena, pirate, Frong Pond, CMS Athena, and Peter Pan

Best Makeup and Hair: Beatrice Prior (Divergent), hippie, Tinkerbell, princess, Metal Concert fan, and witch.

November 7, 2013 • The Scripps Voice • Volume XVII • Issue Five