The Huntington News March 11, 2022
The independent student newspaper of the Northeastern community
@HuntNewsNU
MARCH FOR UKRAINE IN BOSTON COMMON GATHERS THOUSANDS By Erin Fine News Staff Thousands attended a march Feb. 27 to show support for Ukraine, organized by Ukranian Northeastern student Diana Zlotnikova. The march began in the Boston Common and traveled down Newbury Street, with protestors bearing the blue and yellow of Ukraine’s flag and chanting “hands off Ukraine” and “stop the war.” A group led the march with a large heart made up of dozens of blue and yellow balloons. Since Russia invaded Ukrainian territory Feb. 24, over 2 million Ukrainians have fled the country. The tension between both countries is part of the larger Russo-Ukrainian conflict since 2014. Fourth-year business administration major Zlotnikova said as the invasion approaches its second week, her morale is low. “One of these really difficult moments for me this week is that for most people around me, for my
friends who don’t have a connection with Ukraine, realizing for the rest of them life goes on,” Zlotnikova said. “It’s a hard thing to process. While my world falls apart for some reason, for them nothing has happened.” Zlotnikova said Friday before the march, she expected about 350 participants, but over 5,000 people arrived to show their support. The march lasted for two hours, ending at the Massachusetts State House. “I really appreciate the amount of support we’re getting from around the university and our friends and people we don’t even know,” Zlotnikova said. While planning the march, she reached out to the Ukrainian communities at several colleges around Boston, including Northeastern, Harvard University, Boston University and Tufts University. The news of a march also spread swiftly through Ukrainian Facebook groups. Zlotnikova said the response was a widespread show of unity.
“We’re trying to stick together, to stay together,” Zlotnikova said. “We’re trying to be united. One of the main reasons [for the march is] … to show support to each other is because it’s a shared experience for everyone. Most of the people who are going to be participating in the march, they have family back in Ukraine, friends back in Ukraine.” While Russia continues its military invasion, some marchers with ties to Russia disagree with the actions of their homeland. Many Russians and Ukrainians alike have loved ones in the country that they are now at war with. “It’s painful, and my husband is from Ukraine and I’m from Russia,” said Katya Brezgunova, a writer and co-founder of TurnPark Art Space, who attended the march. “None of my friends wanted this war, and it’s all because of one crazy dictator.” As a Ukrainian, Zlotnikova agrees. “It’s a war between Putin and the rest of the world,” Zlotnikova said.
“A lot of Russian people are showing so much sympathy. … Most of them support the idea that this war is totally pointless.” In many Russian cities, protestors are also taking to the streets in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leading to hundreds of arrests per day.
The unity Zlotnikova brought together on Newbury Street is an echo of the togetherness of Ukraine allies from Boston to across the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. Northeastern students also had a significant presence at the march. TENSIONS, on Page 5
Photo by Erin Fine Ukrainian Northeastern student Diana Zlotnikova organized a march for Ukraine in Boston Common, traveling down Newbury Street Feb. 27.
WISE summit offers learning Northeastern ends opportunities for all mask mandate
Photo courtesy Meghan D’Arcy WISE is holding its second annual summit March 26 in ISEC, organized by several leading members including those pictured.
support each other,” said Ho Yan Ho, a fifth-year international affairs major and director of operations and logistics for the summit. “That’s really what the WISE community is about, we’re all there to support each other and empower each other, so I’m really excited to have the community be able to experience this on the summit.” WISE is a Northeastern student organization that strives to create an equitable environment in which women and nonbinary students from all majors are given the space and resources to develop entrepreneurial skills and foster innovative mindsets. “WISE was founded by two amazing women a few years back with the goal that it would be an entrepreneurial space for women and nonbinary people who may have not seen themselves represented in other Northeastern organizations,” said Meghan D’Arcy, a third-year business administration and design combined major and director of marketing for the summit. ENTREPRENEURSHIP, on Page 3
CITY
SPORTS
MULTIMEDIA
Learn about the people behind the lit-up trees on Commonwealth Avenue.
Read about the women’s fifth straight championship win and the men’s regular season title.
Check out our podcast about this week’s top stories.
By Adessa Jayne News Correspondent The Women’s Interdisciplinary Society of Entrepreneurship, or WISE, will be holding its second annual summit later this month. The event will feature a variety of speakers and workshop sessions centered around ingenuity and positive change within the field of entrepreneurship. Registration is $25 per person and will close March 20th.
The summit, which will be from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. March 26 in the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex, is designed to serve as an opportunity to highlight the resources the organization has to offer while encapsulating the group’s culture of inclusivity and enthusiasm. “The environment that WISE events tend to bring is really invigorating, really energizing and people are there to learn and
Comm. Ave. Mall stays bright through the winter
PAGE 5
By Marta Hill Editor-in-chief Mandatory masks indoors are a thing of the past on Northeastern’s Boston campus. Starting March 5, masks are required in the University Health and Counseling Services building. The change was announced online Tuesday and in an email to students March 2. “The university is marking another milestone in its management of COVID-19 as we move to align our mask policy with recent public health guidance,” wrote Chancellor Ken Henderson and Provost David Madigan in the email. “The decision is guided by scientific data and the latest public health guidelines.” The change came just hours after the city of Boston announced its mask mandate for most indoor settings would lift March 5. The reaction from students has been mixed. Some on Reddit have expressed excitement that masks will no longer be required. Others wish
Hot Off the Press: a recap podcast
Huskies sweep Hockey East titles
Photo by Harriet Rovniak
PAGES 6-7
Northeastern would keep the mask mandate in place longer. Still others think there should be a policy in between, such as requiring masking in certain situations. For fourth-year computer science major Marley Robinson, the change was expected but still disappointing. She said since Northeastern did away with mandatory testing, it has been clear masking was also coming to an end and that the university was just waiting for Boston to change its guidance. Robinson is the president of Diversability, a disability advocacy and education group awaiting club approval at Northeastern. She said the sentiment among club members is that the change doesn’t consider those at higher risk. “In all email announcements about anything related to COVID, they always pivot the story to make it seem like we’re a majority healthy and young community,” Robinson said. “They don’t even really mention any disabled people who are on campus COVID-19, on Page 3
Photo by Kayla Shiao
CAMPUS
Page 2
March 11, 2022
Distilled Harmony advances to semifinals By Renée Abbott News Staff Competing against the Treblemakers, two groups performing the same song, last minute solo replacements, team camaraderie, a capella — one might think that this is the plot to 2012 hit movie “Pitch Perfect,” but this is the story behind the real thing: the ICCA competition. One of Northeastern’s many a cappella groups, Distilled Harmony, placed second in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, or ICCA, quarterfinals and will compete in the semifinals March 27. On Feb. 26, they performed at Berklee Performing Center, competing against nine other a cappella groups from the Northeast. In addition to placing second overall, the group had two members receive individual awards. Second-year computer science and math combined major Eli Thomas won best vocal percussionist and second-year computer science major Neha Prasad won the outstanding solo award. “I’m super happy with it, it was super fun. We went up there, we had a lot of fun and then it turned out pretty good,” Thomas said, “I wasn’t expecting
all of the awards and stuff so that was pretty cool as a plus. After our soundcheck we got a minute to just jam out onstage so that really set the tone for the rest of the day, we had a lot of fun.” Distilled Harmony competed against groups from Boston University, Boston College, Harvard College, Tufts University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of New Hampshire and Simmons College. “Everyone is so talented and some of the groups are just incredibly polished, especially considering everything over the last couple of years, these groups really have pulled themselves together despite all that hardship. They’re excellent,” said audience member Heather Mistretta, who was there supporting her daughter in the Simmons Sirens. Each group had a ten-minute set covering three or four songs. Groups had a color scheme for their outfits and coordinated choreography to align with songs’ emotional moments. “It’s been really awesome to see this live again,” said audience member and fourth-year political science and biology combined major Ben Gossart. “I feel like I am so used to watching everyone do it on Zoom, so I feel like it’s cool to actually watch it
in person again.” Distilled Harmony members wore purple, dark blue, dark green and black outfits. Their set started off with soloist Breanna McClarey, a fourth-year political science and criminal justice combined major, leading “Jaded” by Ms. White. Music director and third-year bioengineering major Sam Prosperi then soloed in a cover of “Georgia” by Phoebe Bridgers and treasurer Neha Prasad soloed in “Erase Me” by Lizzy McAlpine to finish off the set. The pieces are chosen by the group and arranged by professional musician, composer and arranger Isiah Carter. Choreography is done by Prosperi, current member Evan Penn and Northeastern alumna Karizma Kishnani. “Not only are they songs that we really care about and enjoy, but they also showcase our different abilities as a group,” Prosperi said. The competition was emceed by Nina Pelligra, a singer who also does a cappella production and solo a cappella loop tracks. She also did solo a cappella covers of Nirvana, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift songs and played her original work while the judges finalized scores and awards. After all groups had performed, the judges announced winners for
outstanding soloists, outstanding arrangement, outstanding vocal percussionist, outstanding choreo and the winners. The Harvard Lowkeys came in first, followed by Distilled Harmony in second and the BU Treblemakers in third. The Harvard Lowkeys and Distilled Harmony will move on to the semifinals. “The Treblemakers actually scored higher than us, but they did go over the time limit and there is a really strict ten minute time limit, and in the past they have docked groups for going over that time, so I’m not really sure what happened on their end,” said Distilled Harmony president Breanna McClarey, who is a fourth year political science and criminal justice combined major. “It was kind of strange honestly, but I am excited to go over the judges’ notes and see what they said.” Prasad won outstanding soloist for her performance of “Erase Me,” but she was not the original soloist. Third-year bioengineering major Sumedha Rajesh was initially going to perform the solo, but tested positive for COVID-19 before the show. “When I heard the news, I was excited for the opportunity but a little stressed and sad obviously because the original soloist could not make it.
I kind of just had to get in the zone, do what I could do, and make sure that I could get the group to semis, and make sure that we ended off with a bang,” Prasad said. Second-year Thomas, who won outstanding vocal percussionist, or VP, won the award after starting in the role just this semester. “I was super surprised, I had no idea what caliber the other VPs would be at, and I had no gauge for how good they were going to be,” Thomas said. I remember we were sitting in the audience and they said ‘and the award for outstanding VP,’ and everybody in my group looked at me and I’m like ‘it’s just not going to be me,’ and then they said my name and I was like ‘oh my god.’ It makes me feel a little bit more secure about my beatboxing since I’m new to it, so that’s cool.” Distilled Harmony will perform the same set at the semifinals and will continue to enjoy their time together in rehearsals. At the semifinals March 27, they will compete against the Harvard Lowkeys and two Berklee groups. The two teams that place highest at the semifinals will move on to the national finals, held in New York in April.
who teaches the language at Northeastern and the University of New Hampshire, said many of her Russian friends are scared of the potential consequences of the war. “I have a lot of friends from Russian-speaking countries. [I have] friends from Russia, I have friends from Ukraine. So we keep discussing what is going on in our homelands,” Burvikova said. “I, of course, want the war to end very soon. If it doesn’t end soon, it’s very hard to imagine what’s going to happen. Definitely, it’s devastating for Ukraine, because we see all these people dying and suffering.” Other Russian and Ukrainian members of the Northeastern community feel that though the university has sent out emails to ease the tensions on campus, they could do more to spread awareness. Georgy Orlov, a fifth-year journalism major from Russia, said from his perspective the university made Russian and Ukrainian students feel supported and cared for by the community. Orlov said the university’s support could help destigmatize negative feelings toward Russian people. “They did send out an email saying that all the Russian students are welcome to the Office of Global Services given the circumstances and the sanctions,” Orlov said. “Honestly, it might help to just understand that the Russians here, [the] majority of Russians here, don’t support the war.” Burvikova agreed that many Russian citizens, especially those in the United
States, are opposed to the actions of the Russian government. “First, people couldn’t believe what was going on, they felt very ashamed of the governmental actions and propaganda from the state TV. In big cities, Russians started to protest, but they got beaten for openly expressing their disagreement,” she said. “It’s important to remember that not everyone supports Putin, that so many Russians oppose this war, but have no way to express it. Now we all feel a lot of hopelessness and anger over the death and destruction.” Addressing several Russian historical events, Orlov said he believes that people need to observe matters from two perspectives and not merely think about the political ideology. Orlov is not personally worried about the economic sanctions imposed on Russia which limit the country’s access to the U.S. financial system because he saved up some money before the conflict started. However, he has concerns about inflation in Russia. “With the Russian [prices] going through the roof … and with the ruble just going down the drain, I think it will affect me, sooner or later. [The value of Ruble] has fallen like 40% at this point.” Despite the grim situation that Russian students and staff are facing, students from Ukraine also face a difficult and disturbing reality. Diana Zlotnikova, a fourth-year finance and corporate innovation major, organized the peace march for Ukraine in Boston. She said she hopes the university will not just empathize with the Ukrainian community but take action to spread awareness. “Spreading awareness is really important for us,” she said. “The scariest thing for us is just to get forgotten.” Zlotnikova emphasized that spreading awareness within social communities like clubs and organizations would be a valuable contribution to Ukrainian students and staff. “It’s very hard, seeing that for most people on campus and … in the world,
it’s very hard seeing that life goes on for them that nothing really happened to them,” Zlotnikova said. “ It’s very hard to have any kind of meaningful connection with someone outside of the community because right now we don’t have a common tongue. People worry about school as they should be worrying about school. We are worried about life and death situations.” Zlotnikova is not alone in thinking Northeastern should provide more support to Ukrainian students. Deanna Zawadiwsky, Ukrainian Cultural Club president and fifth-year economics and psychology combined major, said she thinks the university should provide mental health support and substantial economic and emotional support. “A lot of the Ukrainian students who live in Ukraine and international students who love Ukraine are both here at Northeastern and have sent a letter asking for three different things,” Zawadiwsky said. Firstly, they ask that tuition for Ukrainian international students be waived: Ukrainian students who haven’t paid their fall tuition yet, should not have to pay under these circumstances. Secondly, they ask that the university ease the academic requirements for Ukrainian students. Lastly, students want to make sure that there is increased awareness around school so that others can help and support. Zlotnikova said she understands people have different political opinions and some will have an unconcerned attitude when they are not directly part of the conflict. “There is a great saying, people are only apolitical while it doesn’t affect them,” she said. “So the moment things start affecting them, that’s when they stop being apolitical. And I saw that a lot in the community. A lot of people would be supporting what’s happening in Ukraine and then the moment all the banks decided to ban Russia from transactions, that’s when they started saying, ‘Oh, what’s been [happening] is horrible.’”
The war between Russia and Ukraine hasn’t weakened the Ukrainian community at Northeastern. Zlotnikova said it’s uniting Ukrainians more than ever. “Before the war happened, I wasn’t even a member of any kind of Russian or Ukrainian … groups at Northeastern. But right now it has become such a strong support system because we are sharing information, we are supporting each other,” Zlotnikova said. “We are telling each other it’s going to be fine, our parents are going to be fine or our homes are going to be fine. It’s all going to be alright. And without this support system, it would be so much harder to function really on a day-to-day basis.” When the war started, Zlotnikova gathered with her Ukrainian roommate and their fellow Ukrainian friends at their apartment. Together, they sat in silence, surrounded by the knowledge that the people who were sitting next to them were going through the exact same thing they were. “It’s so important for every one of us just to feel seen and just to feel like we can deal with this somehow,” Zlotnikova said. As midterms and school work accumulate this time of the year, the Ukrainian community is communicating with the school about the support they can provide. Zawadiwsky said life for Ukrainian students is exceptionally difficult and it is unnecessary for the university to put more burdens on them. Despite the seemingly bleak future, Zawadiwsky said she has faith in the members of the Ukrainian community, but doesn’t want outsiders to ignore the conflict. “When you watch TV, and you turn on the news, and you watch something horrifying, you hear something terrible. Don’t look away,” she said. “There’s always that quote that says, ‘ignorance is bliss,’ but ignorance does not cause change. And right now, we are at a crucial point in history where we are here and able to change the trajectory of what’s going on in Ukraine.”
Russian, Ukrainian community calls for support By Crescent Huang News Staff Merely two months into a brand new year, a war between a global superpower and its neighboring nation has created agitation and turmoil across the world. Russian forces attacked Ukraine Feb. 24. President Vladimir Putin said in a speech earlier that morning that he felt unsafe due to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s, or NATO’s, eastern expansion and military forces nearing the Russian border. “While the North Atlantic alliance continues to expand despite our protest and concern, its military machine is moving and as I said is approaching our very border,” Putin said. Russia’s attack has resulted in international despair. Although Boston is far from the crisis, many within the Northeastern community feel affected by the war. Katya Burvikova, a Russian professor
Photo by Avery Bleichfeld Second-year computer science major Andrew Stelmach joined an on-campus rally in support of Ukraine Feb. 24.
CAMPUS
March 11, 2022
Page 3
Students divided on recent changes to campus pandemic precautions COVID-19, from front or people who are immunocompromised. It really feels like they’re not considering how it’s impacting us.” She said she would feel safer on campus if masking and testing were both still required. Third-year political science and criminal justice combined major Frank Mastroianni was also unsurprised at last week’s announcement and said for him, the high vaccination rate in Massachusetts and the vaccine mandate on campus are enough to keep him comfortable on Northeastern grounds. “I think that it makes sense in the direction that the country is moving,” Mastroianni said. “It seems to be in line with pretty much how governors in the Northeast have been moving this part of the country. I think it was a pretty reasonable time. … With the very high vaccination rates in the Northeast and the vaccine mandate at Northeastern I think it was time.” Northeastern is not the only school to move towards a mask-optional policy in recent weeks. Boston
University announced March 1 that it will no longer require masks in most university spaces, though will continue requiring them in classrooms for the time being. Both the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Emerson College also changed guidelines in February to end indoor mask mandates in some settings. “I will be honest, I was incredibly sad and frustrated,” said first-year international business major Johanna Murdock. “It genuinely was very tough because, although I’m not personally immunocompromised, I know many people who are — many close friends of mine, many people I care about very deeply. To me to see this almost seems like they’re treating their lives as collateral.” Both Murdock, who is the vice president of Diversability, and Robinson said they plan to keep masking on campus. The email from Northeastern administration said the university is “prepared to adapt our campus protocols as needed, keeping the health and wellness of our community at the forefront of our decision making,” and
encouraged understanding of other peoples’ comfort levels. “We understand that people may have different comfort levels when it comes to removing their masks, and we urge everyone to respect the decision of others regarding mask wearing,” the email read. While some students are fully in one camp on the masking debate, for others it is not so simple. Second-year graduate student in the journalism program Lausky Liu said he’s happy to drop the masks, but isn’t sure what the future holds. “I feel excited about it because I do have some COVID fatigue, to be honest. But I also have some concerns about what’s gonna happen next, because I don’t think we have enough real world data or figures to tell us what’s going to happen next,” Liu said. He said he still has some worries about COVID-19, in part because research has shown that vaccine effectiveness drops, but for now, he is happy to lose the mask. “Generally I’m still happy to drop off masks,” Liu said. “I will
Photo by Marta Hill Northeastern announced Tuesday that starting Saturday, masks will no longer be required in most indoor settings on campus. The change came shortly after the city of Boston announced the mask mandate would lift last weekend.
still feel secure to put off my mask because I know Massachusetts is one of the states that has the highest vaccination rate.” Liu said he will decide if he will wear a mask in the classroom on a class-by-class basis, informed mostly on the professor’s choice. Diversability joined other student organizations, including NU Mutual Aid, and hosted a “COVID Town Hall” 7 p.m. March 7 on Zoom. “We just wanted to be able to talk about the reasons we’re concerned about the restrictions going away and also trying to talk about some solutions,” Robinson said. “We understand that Northeastern probably won’t bring back masks or require testing, but at least if they were able to bring back NUflex that would be a huge win for students who are disabled because they may actually have an option to feel safe.” Robinson, who has a form of muscular dystrophy, said she is more nervous about going to classes now that mandated testing and masking are ending. Before Northeastern had a vaccine mandate and vaccines were widely available, Mastroianni said he supported mask mandates. As a political science and criminal justice combined major, he said the politics and divisiveness behind public health mandates has “laid bare the divisions in the country.” “Basically, when one side says one thing, the other side says the complete opposite thing. It’s really interesting to me, that kind of thought experiment,” Mastroianni said. “The other thing that really has to be stressed is just like the supremacy of the vaccine as the only long term solution.” Murdock said she hopes those at higher risk of COVID-19 can get some level of understanding from others in the face of changes like these. She said she feels the reaction has been “very hostile towards disabled students” so far and urges people to see disabled and
“In my opinion, wearing a mask is such a small, simple thing. Getting tested takes 10 minutes. I feel that maybe people are not fully appreciating how little effort you can put in to achieve some very great results.” — Johanna Murdock Northeastern student immunocompromised people not just as “collateral” but real people. “Students should be able to go to class and not be afraid that the person next to them is going to get them very, very sick, possibly to the point where it may be life threatening. Students shouldn’t have to worry about that,” Murdock said. “In my opinion, wearing a mask is such a small, simple thing. Getting tested takes 10 minutes. I feel that maybe people are not fully appreciating how little effort you can put in to achieve some very great results.”
Women-led seminar teaches business skills ENTREPRENEURSHIP, from front This year’s summit will focus on providing an array of resources and encouragement in the interest of helping individuals fulfill their greatest potential, a topic that is especially relevant given the challenges of the pandemic, Ho said. “Our theme is ‘redefine your limits.’ We chose this theme because everyone has been impacted by COVID over the past two years,” Ho said. “In times of crises, you’ll see companies and people pivot and innovate to try to keep pushing forward. We really want to emphasize how we can all use this as an opportunity to innovate, look towards the future and create change in our own lives and in our communities.” The day’s agenda includes 12 workshops teaching a variety of skills, four lightning talks and two keynote speakers — Alexandra Legend Siegel, senior director of equality engagement at Salesforce,
and Emma Bates, co-founder and CEO at Diem. The summit’s speakers will share a common theme of promoting diversity and innovation in entrepreneurship. “We’ll have various women and nonbinary founders and industry professionals come in and talk about how they’re breaking boundaries and redefining their limits,” said Alexandra Stern, a third-year business administration major and head of the summit. “One of our lightning talk speakers is coming from Portland and she started her own digital media platform during COVID for people of color and nonbinary women, breaking the boundaries in the media world.” The workshops will focus on developing either soft skills, which relate to cultivating better interpersonal skills such as communication or leadership, or hard skills, such as data management or proficiency in tech. The varying topics will
correlate to different levels of proficiency in entrepreneurial topics to ensure students of all experience levels can participate and learn from the summit. “You can choose which workshops you’re going to attend,” D’Arcy said. “We’re focusing on how we can cater and bring value to people all the way from freshmen, who maybe want introductory workshops on things like breaking into project management or how to start a career in PR … and then we have other workshops, one of which is health integrations and data in fitness in tech, which are more specific, hard skills.” With a key emphasis on inclusivity, the summit is an event open to all students, irrespective of experience or major, and is valuable even to those whose career goals do not directly lie in business. “Going to a conference for an organization that’s centered around entrepreneurship can seem like
it’s only made for a certain type of person,” D’Arcy said. “But what we’re really trying to do, and what WISE as a whole is trying to do, is show
the student body and Boston that being an entrepreneur can mean a lot of things, and having an innovative mindset can be valuable in any field.”
Photo courtesy WISE This year’s WISE summit will continue the entrepreneurial and educational goals of the first summit, pictured above.
CITY
Page 4
March 11, 2022
Local unions protest Boston Marriott Hotel
By Olivia Becraft News Correspondent
Labor and aviation union members, along with elected leaders, joined the picket line formed by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, or AFACWA, outside Boston Marriott Copley Place March 4 to protest the corporation’s hiring of out-of-state contractors and workers to undertake a renovation project at the hotel, instead of Boston labor union workers. Marriott Copley Place hired Commercial Renovation Service, or CRS, a construction contractor company, to oversee a renovation at the Boston hotel. The Florida-based company is causing outrage among local union laborers by not only employing nonunion workers from out of state, but also paying workers wages below state standards, according to a letter Tuesday signed by the AFA-CWA. Protesters in the picket line chanted “Shame on CRS,” and held signs reading, “The CRS does not conform to community standards for wages and fringe benefits.” Other unions that stood in solidarity with Marriott Copley Place staff in their strike included members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, or Carpenters; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35, or IUPAT DC 35; UNITE HERE Local 26 and Massachusetts Building Trades Council. The protest spanned the width of Huntington Avenue. The AFA-CWA signed letter was in support of the labor unions and reads,
“This is unacceptable. It betrays the working people of Boston and undermines the safety standards ensured by skilled labor.” Sarah Nelson, the president of the AFA-CWA, attended the rally and expressed the organization’s support. “We stay in these hotels, and we expect to have [Boston labor union workers] on the job,” Nelson said in a speech. Within the letter, the union said they will no longer be doing business with the Boston Marriott Copley Place until the corporation agrees to the union’s demands. One hundred eighty thousand flight attendants represented by pilot and flight attendant unions will be moving their flight crews out of Boston Marriott Copley Place, which currently makes up 30% of Marriott Copley Place’s revenue. Once Nelson finished her speech, Mayor Michelle Wu delivered hers. “This is an opportunity for all of us to show what Boston is,” Wu said. “For all of us, what Boston can be. And what we demand for all of our families here: decent wages, benefits that we all deserve and the chance to do the work to keep your family going. That is all we’ve ever asked from the Marriott and they can’t even rise to the occasion in this moment in the pandemic to do the right thing.” This is not the first time Wu has joined forces with Boston’s labor unions to protest the Boston Marriott Copley Place hotel. Wu stood in front of the Marriott on Labor Day 2021 after the hotel fired 230 of its employees in 2020, telling them to reapply for their positions. When the Marriott re-opened in
August 2021 after closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel permanently laid off half of its workforce. After having their jobs terminated, many of the individuals affected received less than half of the severance pay they had expected to receive after decades of work. In response to Wu’s involvement in the movement, Rile Rhodes, the business manager for North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Local Union 327, said in an interview with the news that labor unions need to realize that “[Wu] is going to be great for labor.” Bert Durand, the communications director for the local union of the Carpenters, agreed and said in an interview that having government officials attend the strike and show support
means a lot to union members. “It’s really important when political leaders speak out to protect standards they fight for,” Durand said. After Wu delivered her speech, she participated in the rally alongside some people who also protested in 2020. Jamie McNeil is one of those supporters. McNeil is known to his fellow union members as an individual devoted to seeking change. “The Marriott fired all their workers in the fall of 2020. We are asking them to hire all of the workers on seniority and pay them full severance,” McNeil said. Many of the people taking part in the protest were labor union workers with families in need of support.
Robert Jelley, an organizer for IUPAT DC 35 explained that the wages being supplied to labor union and non-labor union workers are not enough to support a life in Boston. “When you see our signs, and they say ‘community standards,’ that’s what we’re talking about,” Jelley said. “We’re not talking about just union workers, we’re fighting for the rights of nonunion workers as well.” Boston’s average rent is climbing, making it difficult for workers to support their families on lower wages. “How do they expect us to do it?” Jelley said. “Raise the standards, raise the wage, allow people to have a good life. We are not trying to get people anything more than what they deserve.”
Photo by Olivia Becraft Labor and aviation union members joined the picket line outside Boston Marriott Copley Place Friday to protest the corporation’s hiring of out-of-state contractors and workers instead of Boston labor union workers.
Local students react to Supreme Court nominee After Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement from the Supreme Court, President Joe Biden was tasked with finding a successor. On Feb. 25, Biden announced he would nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson, a judge on the District of Columbia circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals. If confirmed, Jackson would be the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, fulfilling one of Biden’s key campaign promises. Ted Park, a Boston College junior double majoring in political science and finance, said this move was important to satisfy those who voted for Biden in 2020. “When politicians make promises, people assume that the promises won’t be kept,” Park said. “[Biden’s] decision to keep with the promise shows his commitment to the voters, and I think that this was as good of a move that he could have made.” Brayden Soffa, a sophomore political science major at Boston University, said making the Supreme Court more diverse is a step in the right direction. “It’s about time to have a Black woman on the Supreme Court,” Soffa said. “It gives diversity of perspectives and that’s exactly what we want from an institution like the Supreme Court. We want it to represent the demographics of America, rather than being skewed white and male as it has been in the past. I’m excited to see the new perspectives that she brings to the court.” However, partisanship is threatening a successful confirmation vote. Jackson
faces a politically-divided senate, and many Republican senators have been hesitant to offer her their support. In a recent statement, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Brown’s nomination “means the radical Left has won President Biden over yet again.” Jackson has a history of advocating for criminal justice reform; her stances have led to mixed opinions from those on both sides of the political spectrum. Emma Cudahy, a freshman political communications major at Emerson College, noted that Jackson’s advocacy work could be controversial in the senate. “A lot of the work [Jackson has] done in the past to [reduce] sentences for drug policy and things like that is a big goal for progressives,”
Cudahy said. “I think that a lot of people think it’s a really good move but a lot of progressives are criticized for [drug policy reform efforts] as well. I think that is going to be a big appeal for some and a big drawback for others on the right.” Park also emphasized the additional challenges that Jackson faced as a woman of color. “[Fox News anchor] Tucker Carlson recently spoke about Brown Jackson and … he raised the question of what Brown Jackson’s LSAT score was,” Park said. “It really shows that when it comes to a person of color in politics, there is an idea that they are unqualified and that they are proof of ‘special treatment.’” Jackson was raised in Miami, Florida, and earned her undergraduate degree in government at Harvard
Ada ted Loeb from “Ke tanji H Brow Har v ouse at ard U H n nive ar vard U Jackson http rsity n s://c is lic iversity (2016 reativ en .” by -2 ecom mon sed u Ros 022) n s.or Grap g/li der CC e Linc at h ic c ol ens by Ave es/b BY 4.0 n, ry B y-sa leic / hfe 4.0 ld /
By Kathyrn Manning Deputy City Editor
University and a law degree at Harvard Law School. For some students, her background brings into question the disproportionate number of Ivy League graduates called to the Supreme Court. “I would hope that they have a range of diverse backgrounds, and I would hope that they consider a variety of schools, not just the elite law schools or Ivy Leagues in the northeast,” Soffa said. But, Cudahy noted, with mounting criticisms of Jackson, her Ivy League background could be a saving grace. “I think it’s important to have diverse perspectives, but because she’s coming from a place of being a very liberal judge, that it gives her an extra safety to be from a big name law school that people trust,” Cudahy said. “If she was coming from a place that the American public didn’t trust to be a strong law school, it would be used as another strike against her.” Before serving on the federal district court and the court of appeals, Jackson also served as a public defender in Washington, D.C., making her the first former public defender to be nominated to the Supreme Court. “Given the nature of her position on the federal courts, she specializes in more technical disputes rather than hot button issues,” Park said. “With high profile cases like [Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health] or the New York State Rifle Organization case, I think Judge Brown Jackson will have the opportunity to state her position and should Democrats get the opportunity to shift the court in the future, I think she will present a strong base to help shift and shape America’s political
thought moving forward.” Though generally supportive of the choice to nominate Jackson, the students who spoke with The News also reported criticisms of Biden’s process in his nomination. Soffa expressed a desire for more transparency in the selection process. “I think I would have liked the process to be more open,” Soffa said. “I would like to see more reasoning as to why the choice was made, but I have no reservations about him choosing Brown Jackson; I just wish that he made the process more open so we could see who else was considered for the role.” Cudahy said as a student of political communications, she was inclined to look at how Biden publicized his decision after the choice was made. “The nomination hasn’t exactly been at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds because it was released on a Friday and it was heavily overshadowed by the war in Ukraine,” Cudahy said. “I think that the public reaction has been very diminished because of the timing … A lot of the controversies and conversations that are happening are from people who are already involved in politics.” Jackson has begun meetings with senators, including the Senate majority and minority leaders. Hearings for her confirmation will begin March 21 and the final vote is scheduled to occur April 8. “Given the current political climate and how much criminal justice reform and lessening sentences is controversial for Republicans, even if she is completely in the right and she has really good credentials, it will be interesting to see if that’s enough to sway people and actually get her confirmed,” Cudahy said.
CITY
March 11, 2022
Page 5
Boston speaks against invasion in city march TENSIONS, from front Ukrainian students led the charge, with other members of the student body showing their support. “Why would it not matter to you?” said Amelia Carlan, a first-year in the Explore Program. “There are people that are suffering.” Stefania Bielkina, a junior at Milton Academy, worked on arranging transportation from her school. Bielkina is from Ukraine and wanted to show high schoolers how they could help.
“When I first found the article saying that there would be a march I honestly didn’t think a lot of people would show up, and I was hesitant to organize transportation from Milton Academy to the march,” Bielkina said. Still, she and the two other Ukrainian students at Milton Academy received overwhelming support from their student body. “Just the solidarity of my peers who weren’t even Ukrainian,” Bielkina said. “I was there with my
Photo by Erin Fine In a march to show support for Ukraine, Ukranian Northeastern student Diana Zlotnikova organized the event in the Boston Common traveling down Newbury Street Feb. 27.
Dominican friend, and she marched with me the entire time. … [Sunday] was Dominican Independence Day and, instead, she chose to go with me to the march.” Even as rallies across the United States and the world rise up in support of Ukraine, the country is still facing an active invasion. Several Ukrainians who spoke with The News said they fear for the safety of their loved ones as the situation abroad changes rapidly, and many are left without ways to communicate. “A very close family friend, she’s been left in Ukraine,” Bielkina said. “She’s been sending me audio messages of [her son] crying out in fear … it’s just this perpetual fear that my loved ones have been experiencing. The word refugee always felt very far away from me. … When Putin attacked my homeland the word refugee became very close to home.” Besides rallying as a show of support, Zlotnikova named two donation sites that those that wish to show financial support to Ukraine’s military can donate to. One is a fund for the Ukrainian armed forces by
Photo by Erin Fine Zlotnikova said Friday before the march she expected about 350 participants, but over 5,000 people arrived to show their support. The march lasted for two hours, ending at the Massachusetts State House. the National Bank of Ukraine. The other is the Return Alive Foundation, which donates to Ukrainian armed forces and veterans. Zlotnikova also arranged a drive for medical supplies with the charity Sunflower of Peace, which they shipped to Ukraine March 2. In the future, Zlotnikova is planning to create a charity event at Northeastern with the proceeds going to Ukrainian charities. She
said she wants professors from colleges around Boston to speak on the invasion. Zlotnikova said that she was grateful for the widespread support from the Northeastern community and all over the world, but she also emphasized the repercussions of the invasion go beyond Ukrainian borders. “It’s a tragedy for everyone,” Zlotnikova said. “It’s a tragedy for the whole world, really.”
The Commonwealth Avenue Mall stays bright every winter through community efforts By Jennifer Suryadjaja City Editor For over 20 years, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, or the Mall, has been lit up every winter. But the bright lights have prompted a mix of opinions from the public, from charming to controversial. After art philanthropist Ted Cutler returned home about 20 years ago from a trip to Paris with his wife, Joan, they were inspired to wrap the trees along sidewalks with lights. Matthew Sidman, current president of Committee to Light the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, continues their legacy to keep the lights on after Ted and Joan Cutler passed away in 2017 and 2010 respectively. “They really deserve the credit for starting this whole process,” Sidman said. Sidman once spoke with Cutler and discovered only a handful of people donated to support the annual project about 15 years ago. That was when Sidman stepped up to keep the Mall lit by reaching out to the community. “Through my thinking, I found out that it needed to be more of a community effort, but [Cutler and I weren’t] going to be around forever … and you need to create organizations and survive people,” Sidman said. Chairman of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee — a joint committee of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay and the Friends of the Public Garden — Margaret Pokorny said the committee sustains the Mall. This includes grass cutting, irrigation system check-ups, tree planting and preventing disease in the trees. When the lights went up 20 years ago, it caused mixed reactions among Back Bay residents.
“A lot of neighbors who lived along Comm. Ave. did not want the lights. They thought it looked too commercial and it was inappropriate and would hurt the trees. One of the important things was that the trees were not damaged by the lights, which turned out not to be a problem,” Pokorny said.
“Here at the Friends, part of our business is to make sure these parks are welcoming and accessible to all,” Flaherty said. “We want people to use the parks, but it also means we have to really work hard to take care of them so that they’re in the condition that the city deserves.”
Photo by Harriet Rovniak Lights have draped trees along Commonwealth Avenue Mall every winter for 20 years. Matthew Sidman, current president of Committee to Light the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, continues Ted and Joan Cutler’s legacy to keep them on. However, the consensus among Boston residents and visitors has changed for the better. “People do love it in the wintertime because it gets dark so early,” Pokorny said. “That’s when it’s really important to have the lights on the Mall for public safety, which is great, and also just so people can use the park more. In the last two years, all parks have gotten a tremendous increase in usage, so they were really appreciated this winter.” Lynn Page Flaherty, vice president of advancement and external affairs at the Friends of the Public Garden, or the Friends, said her organization maintains Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Mall.
Pokorny said the cost to keep the Commonwealth Avenue Mall lights on averages to about $130,000 per year. But this past year in particular, the cost has jumped to almost $200,000 due to necessary upgrades to the underground infrastructure and electrical conduit system after two decades’ worth of wear and tear. “Now we’re using LED lights,” Pokorny said. “Every year, we have to buy new lights and the LEDs are more expensive, which is one of the reasons [the budget has] just gone up.” Sidman said consistent donors have been supporting the lighting of the Mall, but it’s not enough to keep the lights on for future gener-
ations. Originally a group of about 20 donors, it has grown to 300 to 400 donors every year. Sidman’s yearly fundraising campaign starts at the end of October and runs through New Year’s Day. “It really should be even more than that because if you think about how many people live in the Back Bay, we should be even doing a better job of getting more people in the community to be involved,” Sidman said. “When people realize that it’s privately funded, they’re willing to step up because it’s almost their backyard.” The Mall is lit in the first week of December, when the Boston mayor attends the annual Boston Common Tree Lighting to kick off the holiday season. On the same day, the lights surrounding the Public Garden also turn on. Electrical contractor John Lentine and his crew of certified electricians are the ones who manually assemble the wires and lights. Lentine’s work revolves around the lighting schedule, typically starting the project in early November, Pokorny said. Pokorny explained the 600 trees that decorate the Mall have to be pruned on a rotating basis and it is only possible without the presence of the lights. Hence, the lights cannot stay on all year round. After a winter full of lights, Lentine turns off the lights April 15 and removes the infrastructure, pending conducive weather. “People are shocked when we tell them the lights are cut off and they’re not used again,” Pokorny said. “But there really isn’t any other way to safely get them off the trees because in most cases, the trees are already in leaf when they are taking them down.” Lentine has been involved with
sourcing the lights, putting them on the trees and taking them off. “[Lentine] makes the decision in terms of who his suppliers are and how fast he can get [the lights],” Pokorny said. “LEDs come in all kinds of different light quality, though I think he’s trying to make them look as much like the old lights as possible.” New Hampshire-native Flaherty, who works for the Friends, grew up watching the Mall lights glimmer on the trees against the historic brownstones. “We would come down and see the lights with my parents when I was a little girl. I thought it was magic and I honestly don’t feel any different now when I walk out of the office in the dark,” Flaherty said. Flaherty’s team at the Friends are currently completing a $5 million capital campaign to light all nine statues on the Mall. “Every statue has been restored and they’re all on a regular schedule of conservation maintenance,” Flaherty said. “[There is] a memorandum of understanding with the City that empowers us. It empowers us to be the ones who do clean it [and] invest in capital projects in the three parks as well.” Future developments to extend the lights westward of Back Bay are underway, albeit complicated. Pokorny said the lights will feed off of electrical service on the block between Kenmore Street and Charlesgate West, where a new electrical system will be created. For many who walk through the lights or drive past them, it’s a reminder to stay hopeful. “There’s something powerful about lights in the dark, there’s all sorts of ways it touches people,” Flaherty said.
SPORTS
Page 6
March 11, 2022
Northeastern men’s hockey crushes Merrimack 6-1 in their best game of the year
Photo by Kayla Shiao The men’s hockey team won 6-1 March 4 at home with a season-high 47 shots on goal. Northeastern netminder Devon Levi had 30 saves. By Eli Curwin News Staff In the final matchup of the regular season, the Northeastern men’s hockey team eked out a win in a 1-0 nailbiter against Merrimack March 5. With the win, the Huskies secured the Hockey East regular season title for the first time in program history. Saturday’s scrappy game remained scoreless for 59 minutes, but with 10 seconds left junior forward Aidan McDonough scored the gamewinning goal with an assist from freshman forward Jack Hughes. Following their 6-1 win against the Merrimack Warriors the previous day, the Huskies traveled to North Andover in search of another easy win. Instead, they were met with packed stands and a team eager for revenge. Saturday’s game was chippy from the start. With fights on the boards and a rapid pace, neither team was going to score easily. Both sides spent time in the opposing zone, but both goalies, Husky sophomore goalie Devon Levi and Merrimack’s freshman reserve goalie Hugo Ollas, stopped all goals from scoring. The Huskies outshot Merrimack 12-10 in the first, but the period ended scoreless. The second period was more of the same as both teams continued to move the puck well around the zone, but not into the net. Levi kept the Huskies in it all game, making big save after big save. Senior defenseman and captain Jordan Harris also kept Northeastern afloat, blocking several shots and poking the puck free for multiple steals. Midway through the second period, Northeastern and Merrimack were called for penalties; NU for holding and Merrimack for holding the stick. Looking to add the first goal to the scoresheet, both teams skated with four players for two minutes. The Warriors and the Huskies played disciplined
defense during the four-on-four, with neither team getting any real opportunity to score. Northeastern ended the second period with a strong offensive showing, taking five shots in the final two minutes, but solid play from Ollas and the Warrior defense prevented the Huskies from scoring. The Warriors overtook the Huskies in shot attempts, with total shots on goal sitting at 18-21 for Merrimack. Heading into the third period scoreless, it was clear that no goals were going to come easy for either team. Merrimack started the period spending plenty of time in the
zone, but were unable to come away with a score. Halfway through the final period, a Merrimack tripping penalty gave the Huskies a chance at the powerplay. Intense and strong play from the Warriors nearly resulted in a shorthanded goal, but a block at the last second by junior defenseman Jayden Struble kept the game scoreless. The Warriors killed the penalty, and the score remained 0-0 with
seven minutes left in the game. These final minutes felt much longer, with several stoppages of play and faceoffs. Neither team could nor would gain momentum. With 14.7 seconds left in the game, a Merrimack icing penalty brought the faceoff to Merrimack’s zone. Merrimack won the faceoff, but Jack Hughes won a fight for the puck on the boards and made a perfect pass to McDonough. McDonough zipped a one-timer straight into the goal for the 1-0 game-winning goal. For the first time in program history, after 38 years since the Hockey East conference was formed, the Northeastern Huskies won the Hockey East regular season title. McDonough’s goal was his 23rd of the season,making him the third highest scorer in the
NCAA. With one goal and three assists, Jack Hughes’ incredible four-point weekend won him Hockey East’s Rookie of the Week. Rounding out the Huskies’ accomplishments, Levi notched his 10th shutout of the season, second in the NCAA and fourth of all time for Northeastern. As this all played out in North Andover, fans at Matthews Arena watched the women’s hockey team clinch the Hockey East Championship in a 3-1 victory over University of Conneticut. As fans at the women’s game learned of the close score at Merrimack, several pulled out their phones to view the final minutes of men’s play. During the women’s trophy ceremony, McDonough’s shot sent ripples through the DogHouse, with fans jumping out of
their seats, seemingly at random, to celebrate the second Husky victory of the night. Looking ahead, the NU Huskies have their sights on the Hockey East postseason, and then the National Championship. Northeastern will play Boston College at 7:30 Saturday, March 12 in the quarter finals at Matthews Arena. This season, the Huskies are 2-2 against BC, winning the most recent matchup against them 4-1. In the opening round of the Hockey East Tournament, Boston College defeated University of New Hampshire 4-3 in overtime. After this, the winning teams will play in the semifinals and then the finals for the Hockey East conference. The winner of the Hockey East postseason title will automatically make it into the National Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament. This will occur for each of the six conferences in the NCAA, including Hockey East. While these six teams automatically make it in, there are 16 total spots. The other 10 spots are decided by a selection committee, which will have its annual selection show March 20. After this, the 16-team National Championship bracket will be set. For the Huskies, though, it is probably best to take it just one game at a time. And while the team’s sights may be set on bigger things than the Hockey East regular season title, for now, they are champions.
Photo by Kayla Shiao Sophomore forward Sam Colangelo scored twice in the March 4 matchup against Merrimack, his season high in goals scored.
SPORTS
March 11, 2022
Page 7
Northeastern women’s hockey snatches fifth straight Hockey East title By Julia Yohe News Staff Northeastern women’s ice hockey (30-4-2, 21-3-2 HE) secured the Hockey East championship title Saturday in a 3-1 battle against University of Connecticut (24-9-4, 16-7-4 HE), earning a spot in the NCAA national championship for the fifth-straight year. NU and UConn have faced each other in three of the last five Hockey East championship tournaments, with NU coming out on top each time. As NU searched for a fifth consecutive title, UConn hoped for a first in program history. The matchup was the teams’ fourth of the season. The first, Nov. 22, resulted in a 3-2 Northeastern victory. UConn fought back Feb. 18, tying the score 4-4 and forcing Northeastern to fight for its 2-0 shootout win. Feb. 19 saw Northeastern triumph once more — a 5-0 senior night blowout. Both teams began Saturday night’s game with frenzied, inconsistent offensive lines. Neither team maintained control of the puck for long, and despite Northeastern taking shot after shot,
the team was unable to sink the puck into the net, an issue the team does not typically encounter. The scoreless deadlock finally broke in the last minute of the first period when Northeastern graduate student goaltender Aerin Frankel came out of the crease prematurely and failed to skate back in time to stop UConn graduate student forward Morgan Wabick’s unassisted goal — a rare mistake for Frankel. The second period sent three Northeastern Huskies to the penalty box. Freshman defenseman Tory Mariano’s minor for boarding was soon followed by two interference penalties — one on graduate student defenseman Brooke Hobson eight minutes into the period, and the other on senior forward Maureen Murphy 17 minutes into the period. As the end of the second period began to close in, anxiety rose in the Northeastern players. They began to make a push towards the goal, and senior forward Alina Mueller was the hero they needed. Mueller passed the puck to graduate student defenseman Skylar Fontaine, narrowly avoiding the UConn defensemen approaching her — sophomore
defenseman Alex-Anne Boyer and junior defenseman Claire Peterson. Fontaine took a strong shot down the middle of the ice, which was blocked by UConn senior forward Danika Pasqua. Mueller, agile as usual, shoveled the puck into the left side of the net on the rebound with just 17 seconds left in the period. This tied the score at 1-1. Mueller and Fontaine proved to be the dynamic duo of the game, earning a second Northeastern goal together just 22 seconds into the final period. After a powerful downthe-ice pass from Fontaine, Mueller pushed the puck up the left side of the ice, faked UConn’s defense out and drilled the puck through UConn freshman goaltender Megan Warrener’s legs.
With three minutes left in play, Northeastern was determined to increase its lead. Mueller, after protecting the puck from a dense wave of UConn defense, sent a pass up the middle of the ice to a UConn-surrounded Murphy. Murphy got a shot off, but the puck was deflected by Warrener. The puck bounced between players near the net until senior forward Chloé Aurard found the opportunity to shove it under Warrener’s legs and into the net for Northeastern’s third and final goal of the night. Aurard’s goal secured Northeastern’s fifth-straight divisional title, a first in Hockey East history. Thanks to her second assist of the evening, Fontaine became Hockey East’s career tournament point leader. Throughout her five
years on Northeastern’s team, she has earned 25 career Hockey East tournament points — eight goals and 17 assists. Frankel, Fontaine, Hobson, Murphy and Mueller all earned spots on Hockey East’s all-tournament team. Mueller was also given the honor of tournament MVP. Northeastern automatically advances to the NCAA tournament, which begins March 10. The Huskies are the No. 3 seed, getting a bye in the first round. With University of Wisconsin-Madison winning 3-1 against Clarkson University in the first round, Northeastern will face the Badgers Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m. at Matthews Arena. Last year, the Huskies fell in the championship game to Wisconsin in a 2-1 overtime loss. They have yet to win an NCAA title. With the winningest class in program history about to graduate, the pressure to secure the national championship is on.
Photo by Kayla Shiao Northeastern women’s ice hockey snatches their fifth straight Hockey East title, the first time in program history. They will now advance to the NCAA tournament, hoping for a national title. If the Huskies win the quarterfinal game against the Wisconsin Badgers, they will advance to the Frozen Four at Pennsylvania State University.
Photo by Kayla Shiao Forward Alina Mueller had two goals and an assist in Saturday’s championship game. With Mueller in the lineup, the Huskies have not lost a game this season.
LIFESTYLE
Page 8
March 11, 2022
Northeastern singer-songwriter girlsona discusses bedroom pop, diversity in music By Juliana George News Staff Ren Alvero has wanted to dye her hair for two years. She initially felt the urge during quarantine in early 2020, when everyone was looking for a distraction from the mundane repetitiveness of life during lockdown. Unfortunately, her impulse was thwarted by her parents. Frustrated, Alvero channeled all her energy into writing “Chameleon,” a witty tune about resolving an identity crisis with a makeover. Since its July 2, 2021, release, “Chameleon” has garnered over 1,500 streams. Alvero, a first-year music major at Northeastern, self-releases music under the moniker “girlsona” and performs around campus as a member of the NU Songwriting Club. “Chameleon,” Alvero’s debut single, was originally produced her senior year of high school as part of a final project for her Advanced Placement music theory class. Alvero decided to release the song publicly when she realized that it had a much more personal meaning than just a school project. At 18 years old, Alvero has been playing music for more than half of her life. She started piano lessons at 5-years-old, played clarinet in her middle school band, taught herself guitar after one summer’s worth of classes and wrote her first song at 12. Even with an extremely musical background, Alvero never expected “Chameleon” to gain the traction that it did. “I remember this one night, I think Spotify put it on people’s algorithmic playlists, Discover Weekly
and stuff. It was a couple of months after I released it, so it was really random. I was like, ‘Wait, why did 100 people listen to it last night?’ It was insane,” she said. Alvero belongs to a genre called “bedroom pop,” a style of lo-fi music that is recorded at home, produced on a laptop and self-released. “I like the whole bedroom pop thing because anyone can do it and anyone can get big off it,” Alvero said. “I feel like that’s helped a lot of [people], especially teenagers, to get recognized and do what they’re passionate about.” Melissa Ferrick, a professor of the practice in the music industry department, is skeptical that wider opportunities for self-releasing music are making it easier to get famous. “[The internet is] changing the way people get famous,” Ferrick said. “[But] I think it’s the same number of people that are getting famous.” Ferrick explained that artists and repertoire talent scouts use trends on self-release platforms and social media to determine who’s signable, but success in the music industry is still largely based on personal connections and luck. Corinna Parrish, a second-year music and psychology combined major, discovers small, unsigned artists by scrolling through TikTok and attending their local shows. Parrish is president of the NU Songwriting Club and a co-host of the weekly WRBB radio show “breakfast blend,” which seeks to expose listeners to new music from unknown artists. However, she’s concerned that there is a bias within the type of artists the TikTok algorithm decides to boost.
“There’s plenty of artists that [the algorithm] is going to actively choose not to not show me for their race, their gender [or] whatever sort of thing TikTok doesn’t like about them,” Parrish said. Parrish and Ferrick agreed that TikTok and other self-release platforms like Spotify or SoundCloud might not necessarily level the playing field for unknown or marginalized artists. “The gates are a bit easier to open, but let us not be blinded,” Ferrick said. “They are still shut, and they are still being held by white guys.” Alvero, who is of Filipina descent, also noted that the music industry has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity. “It’s definitely harder to get recognition if you’re an artist of color, especially if you’re specifically writing about your experiences as a person of color,” Alvero said. But Ferrick pointed out that the music industry is famously unpredictable. They started their own career playing at open mics in Boston while attending Berklee College of Music, and went on to tour with artists such as Morrissey, Bob Dylan and Ani DiFranco. Ferrick entered the music scene at a time when queer artists like them were in short supply other than the occasional outlier like Elton John, Freddie Mercury and k.d. lang. Ferrick believes that although fame remains a lofty goal, there is more room for diversity in the music industry today than ever before. “I’m really excited about the shift in power in this industry right now. Every day, I see another person of color, or another woman, another
queer person, being put in a position of power. Every single day. It’s unbelievable,” they said. Alvero has similar hopes for the future of music. “[I want to see] more recognition for marginalized people who make music, like people of color, women, non-binary and trans people. Also, fewer economic barriers to putting songs out and getting people to hear them,” she said. What began as an outlet for angst over a forbidden makeover and has since evolved into a passion project representing Alvero’s lifelong love of music. Alvero’s unexpected success with “Chameleon” encouraged her to continue self-releasing on Spotify. Her
second single, “Astronaut,” was soft released Feb. 19 on SoundCloud and is now available to stream on Spotify. “I love a good space-themed song,” Parrish said. “I remember when we first heard [“Astronaut”], we were all like, ‘Whoa, man, that’s going to be a hit.’” “Chameleon” and “Astronaut” will both be featured on girlsona’s upcoming EP, “Character Creator.” Ferrick and Alvero acknowledged that the music industry still has a lot of changing to do, but at least one of Alvero’s wishes has come true: early this February, she finally got the chance to color her hair a deep, cherry red. “Cause the world is gonna keep on changing/ And some control is all I’m craving,” Alvero sings in “Chameleon.”
Photo courtesy Ahmad Shehadeh Alvero performs “Astronaut” in AfterHours. The student musician belongs to a genre called bedroom pop.
Review: ‘The Batman’ revitalizes classic tale By Clara McCourt Managing Editor “The Batman” is a feat of filmmaking that manages to find something new in the tried-and-true superhero saga. After over 80 years of the caped crusader, Warner Bros.’ newest adaptation pits Batman against the villainous Riddler, who leaves a trail of sadistic clues for the world’s greatest detective to uncover. As the Riddler creates a Gotham City full of questions, Batman’s inability to find answers pushes him to question his own morality as he uncovers the ugly truths of a justice system he has defended. The film picks up two years into Bruce Wayne’s Gotham City vigilantism, perfectly suited for an audience sick of origin stories. Marvel tried something similar with “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” leaving a gaping hole in its titular character’s past. But “The Batman” arguably executes this time jump better: Wayne is given enough room for his relationships to exist without tedious character introductions, such as his formal back-and-forth with Commissioner James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) and his father-son dynamic with butler Alfred (Andy Serkis), but he also has room to grow.
“I knew that I wanted to take this iteration of a younger Batman, who was early in his arc that there was room for an awakening, and put him at the center of this mystery that would pull us into the path of all of these characters,” said director Matt Reeves in a Feb. 17 virtual conference for international, college and domestic press.
“The Batman” marks the first superhero outing for Batman actor Robert Pattinson, and his first major franchise since the “Twilight” saga. Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne is significantly less polished than other iterations of the character — his Wayne is highly reclusive and introspective, an emo-adjacent billionaire perfectly suited for his dark academic manor.
Courtesy Warner Bros. via epk.tv. Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz star in “The Batman.”
But Pattinson’s brooding, messyhaired Wayne isn’t reminiscent of his sparkly vampire days — the actor is able to ground the character in something very real and intriguing. “Batman’s always been kind of fallible, he’s just a man in an armored suit. But this [film] really embraces that,” Pattinson said. “I loved all of the frailties he has.” While “The Batman” shines in its heroic moments, the real highlights of the film are its elements of mystery and true crime as Wayne clashes and collaborates with Gotham City’s underground network of powerful criminals, enemies and allies. Among them is Zoë Kravitz’s captivating yet underused Catwoman, John Turturro’s intimidating mob boss Carmine Falcone and Colin Farrell’s unrecognizable turn as the Penguin. Reeves’ Gotham City, lavishly introduced to us before we even meet Wayne, is a dark metropolis with an even darker underbelly. Paul Dano’s Riddler, a bold departure from his fedora-clad comic book counterpart, is a terrifying figure evocative of internet troll terrorists. The Riddler doesn’t feel like a stereotypical supervillain — he feels like a genuine threat. He leaves a blood-stained trail for Batman to follow which is simultaneously fascinating and horrifying — yet his actions aren’t altogether unjustified. The film’s opening shot is a long sequence
from the point of view of the Riddler as he eyes his first target, exemplifying the Riddler’s perspective as a vital piece in this story’s intricate puzzle. “I love the idea that you can’t really have Batman without his villains or his rogues gallery. But I love that you couldn’t have this Riddler without the Batman,” Dano said. “There’s some boundary there that is beautifully explored, … there’s more murkiness in the morality.” The film’s dim, imposing tone is largely thanks to a magnificent score by composer Michael Giacchino. The film’s score is a definitive underline to everything that makes “The Batman” great. “The sound and the music are both totally critical. I mean, that the whole idea was to put you as much as possible in the point of view of the characters and specifically, the point of view of a Batman and the sound is one of the tools to do that,” Reeves said. A key scene near the film’s ending alludes to a major character’s introduction in a future Pattinson-led Batman film, paving the way for a potential sequel. Hopefully “The Batman” is the first of many more outings of the caped crusader led by Matt Reeves. “The Batman” hit theatres March 4.
LIFESTYLE
March 11, 2022
Page 9
‘Helina Metaferia: Generations’ celebrates impact of BIPOC women Calendar compiled by Alyssa Fell &
By Sharon Chen News Correspondent Ethiopian American multidisciplinary artist Helina Metaferia pays homage to ancestry and Black, Indigenous and People of Color, or BIPOC, women activists, in her exhibition, “Generations” at the Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibition, rich with meaning about the strength of women and the tenacity of the oppressed, is part of the 2021 Traveling Fellow exhibition program at Tufts University’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts. In collaboration with the MFA, “Generations” is currently presented in the Edward H. Linde Gallery. While the impact of women — especially those of color — has continuously been overlooked throughout civil rights movements in history, the female story is amplified in “Generations.” Here, women are the vital heroines. Weaving together the strong ties of past and present in her art, Metafaria’s exhibition is made up of three parts: a mixed-media collage series where history literally sits on womens’ heads in the form of headdresses, an installation of protest signs that cry for revolution and a 17-minute film that tells the untold stories of four women’s forgotten foremothers. On the right side of the gallery, a wall is lined with three large portraits of women as part of the “Headdress Series.” Metaferia calls them her “army of women.” The models, femme-identifying students of color from local Boston universities, contrast against the white canvas in splendid hues of pinks, oranges and yellows. On the head of each woman sits a headdress — an indication of dignity and influence — so regal yet heavy with the weight of history women carry on their head. The womens’ headdresses are collages composed of monochromatic images of
newspaper clippings and past BIPOC liberation demonstrations, scanned by Metaferia from the archives at Harvard University and Northeastern University. The collages tell stories of activism at the intersection of race, police brutality, the gender wage gap and LGBTQ+ pride. Protesters in the images hold up signs that say, “End Police Murders in the Black Community,” “WOMEN OFFICE WORKERS” and “What’s Pride Got To Do With It? Everything.” Although these are photos from the past, they depict conflicts that still exist today; BIPOC communities advocate against police brutality and violence among their people, women are still fighting for equal pay and people in the LGBTQ+ community continue to defend their identity and rights.
Photo by Sharon Chen The exhibit exemplifies the strength of BIPOC women through an artistic portrayal of protests. Colorful flowers and bubbles adorn Metaferia’s army of women from head to toe, portraying the tender power of women activists who have profoundly influenced the past and will continue in the future. On a neighboring wall is “The Woke,” a less colorful installation of
black, white and gray painted protest signs. Mounted on wooden sticks, the signs stand tall and resolute. The signs’ big and bold letters are conspicuous and striking. Posters and signs have long served as expressions of outrage and hope in social justice movements throughout history. Metafaria told the MFA that she believes it takes everyone’s participation to make a movement. According to an informational panel at the exhibit, Metaferia asked people to share their “everyday revolutions,” using the statements of anonymous contributors in her installation. Among the modern contributions, Metafaria also incorporates the voice of past femme activists in the slogans of “The Woke.” A large sign reading “I SUMMON THE ANCESTORS TO WALK WITH ME,” leans against a wall, shimmering on silver painted canvas, paying homage to the predecessors of present day activists. Mounted on a wooden stick, a sign says “WE ARE THE HUMAN FAMILY — CHECK YOUR COUSINS.” At the very top of the wall, a small sign emerges that says “EMPATHY ALWAYS;” its arrangement and size imply the overlooked yet overarching values of love and understanding that have powered oppressed people for ages. Alone, a singular protest sign is a small but undeniably significant ripple for change. But among the installation’s sea of signs, change is a powerful, sweeping wave. In the quiet exhibit, an enchanting hum resonates from the distant left. It is the sound of Metaferia’s intergenerational film, “The Call,” playing on a TV fixed on the wall. The screen shows four women — Melani N. Douglass, Asherah A. Douglass, Ayanna Gregory and Paula Whaley — sitting on a loveseat. These four women are descendants of legendary civil rights leaders Frederick Douglass,
Dick Gregory and James Baldwin. But it is the stories of their foremothers that the women tell together. Cherished photographs of Lillian Estelle Gregory, wife of Dick Gregory; Anna Douglass, wife of Fredrick Douglass; and Emma Berdis Jones, mother of James Baldwin, are shared along with their untold stories. Their forgotten narratives of bravery and reliability reveal one truth to the viewers: it is women who quietly change the course of history. “Without the women, the movement would have collapsed,” Gregory said in the film. “It is the same today.” In Metafaria’s captivating film, there is also the sharing of art. The call for social solidarity and strength manifest through Asherah Douglass and Gregory’s singing of “Star People” by George Michael, Melani Douglass’ performance of a spoken word poem and Whaley’s sculptural figures. In one moment, the women all close their eyes. The scene cuts. In the next moment, their eyes open again, gazing directly at the camera. They no longer sit on a loveseat, but instead, on a bench at a former slave port in Fells Point, Maryland. There, they each toss a single-stem rose into the water as a ritual to commemorate their ancestors. Among the silence, there is remembrance. In a mighty combination of inherited histories and femme influence, Metaferia evokes love and power in the space of just three walls. Visually arresting and thought provoking, “Generations” leaves viewers with a newfound understanding of how generational trauma shapes present-day experiences. Above all, they bear witness to the women of color who always have, and always will, significantly change the course of history. “Helina Metaferia: Generations” at the Museum of Fine Arts runs until April 11.
Column: ‘Pam and Tommy’ disappoints viewers, exploits Pamela Anderson By Lily Elwood News Staff What was meant to be a post-#MeToo-era television show about Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s sex tape scandal, “Pam and Tommy,” a biographical drama series on Hulu, only works to further exploit Anderson and fails to even center her in the story. John Corabi, one of Lee’s previous Mötley Crüe band members, took to Twitter to voice his resentment of the show. “Apparently, HULU, and all involved in this crock of [s***] don’t care about how Pam may feel to have to relive this,” Corabi said. The eight-part series, praised for its soundtrack, astounding physical alterations of Sebastian Stan and Lily James and the nostalgic ‘90s representation, has faced a large amount of backlash for its often fictional and consistently disappointing portrayal of Anderson. The series relays the events that occurred after Rand Gaultier, a carpenter played by Seth Rogen, steals Tommy Lee’s safe after not receiving payment for his work on Lee’s house. While raiding the safe, he discovers the
couple’s sex tape and goes on to make copies of the tape and sell them online, a novel idea in the mid-‘90s. The series almost entirely focuses on Gaultier’s experiences rather than those of the show’s namesake. It seems the goal of “Pam and Tommy” was to tell the story of a woman ravaged and exploited by the public after the spread of a stolen tape in what was the first true celebrity sex tape scandal, but ironically, Anderson did not give her consent for the story to be told in the first place. Anderson had absolutely no involvement in any step of the production process of “Pam and Tommy,” and reportedly said that she would not be watching the show upon its release. She has explicitly expressed her discomfort with the show’s production and has said that it brings back extremely painful memories for her. For a series that lauded itself on its empowerment of a woman who had been treated poorly by the media, critics and audiences alike are confused on how empowering it can be if Anderson herself had no hand in the retelling of her own traumatic experience.
The scandal itself was an overwhelming invasion of privacy for both Lee and Anderson, but as Lily James’ Anderson says on the show, the aftermath of the sex tape’s release had more of an effect on her because she is a woman. “Pam and Tommy” did not execute the progressive take it set out to be because, once again, Anderson’s suffering is put on display for mere entertainment. The show characterizes Anderson as an overly sexual, blonde, bimbo stereotype. One scene shows Anderson’s monologue cut from an episode of Baywatch and her attempt to get her lines back as producers say they prefer she remain wordless. But “Pam and Tommy” continues to betray Anderson — barely giving her lines in the series, focusing more on the men in the story like Gaultier and Lee and portraying her as a caricature of the real Pamela Anderson. In a pivotal scene, Anderson leaves her Baywatch trailer and heads to set, only to stumble upon several cameramen and other crew members watching her sex tape together. Humiliated, she removes the tape from the VHS
player and realizes that copies of the tape are selling without her consent. It is a powerful moment where the extreme embarrassment Anderson feels is made clear and she fully understands that her privacy has been breached. The irony, however, is that this is exactly what the show itself is doing: preying on Anderson’s trauma and pain for profit and amusement. In an era where #MeToo revolutionized the culture of discussing sexual assault and harrassment, it feels regressive and unfair that this is the newest narrative assigned to Anderson. With growing backlash against the pornography industry and the way it exploits and humiliates women, a show like “Pam and Tommy” is inappropriate. Even if producers had acquired Anderson’s consent to create the show, many critics think that this was no way to go about it. Lily James’ Anderson describes feeling “violated” in the show upon her discoverance of the tape’s exposition. “Pam and Tommy” recreates such a violation by reopening Anderson’s old wounds and laying them bare for public entertainment.
Karissa Korman Graphics by Kayla Shiao
Now through March 13 ChoreograpHER Attend the ChoreograpHER at the Boston Ballet to view the work of five female choreographers. 1:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 539 Washington St., $39 to $164
Friday, March 11 Gimme Gimme Disco Dance the night away at Big Night Live’s 18+ Gimme Gimme Disco. 8 p.m., 110 Causeway St., $25 or $39
Sunday, March 13 Kevin Garnett’s Jersey Retirement Watch the Celtics play the Dallas Mavericks then retire Kevin Garnett’s No. 5 jersey to the rafters at TD Garden. 3:30 p.m., 100 Legends Way, $157
Monday, March 14 Parks Winter Fitness: Virtual Dance Fit Take part in the free, at-home fitness class sponsored by various Boston and nonprofit organizations. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., virtual, free
Sunday, March 20 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the return of the annual parade in South Boston. 1 p.m., Broadway T Station, free
OPINION
Page 10 The Huntington News EDITORIAL BOARD
Op-ed: Don’t feel guilty slowing down
Editor-in-Chief
Marta Hill
Managing Editor
Avery Bleichfeld Clara McCourt Editor-at-Large
Kelly Chan Campus
Grace Comer Sonel Cutler Jess Silverman City
Jennifer Suryadjaja Kathryn Manning Breaking News
Gwen Egan Sports
Annah Chaya Alex Sumas Lifestyle
Katie Mogg Alyssa Fell Karissa Korman Opinion
Alyssa Endres Ethan Wayne Projects
Cathy Ching Photo
Harriet Rovniak Quillan Anderson Design
Kayla Shiao Jessica Xing Multimedia
Hannah Rosman Anne Zhu Web Manager
Annetta Stogniew Social Media
Antonia Sousa Angie Slater Copy Chief
Alexis Santoro
BUSINESS
Business Manager
Eva Arad
Development and Outreach Coordinator
Matt Yan
Advertising Manager
Ashley Mandel
Photo by Quillan Anderson Similar to many students, my first semester at Northeastern required a lot of adaptation. Throughout my senior year of high school, I expected college to provide me with scarcely any free time, and I predicted that I would find myself drowning in work 24/7. I came to Northeastern with this belief, compelling me to kill most of my time studying in one of Snell Library’s cubicles while barely exploring the sites of Boston that drew me to Northeastern University in the first place. When my friend from Worcester Polytechnic Institute came over one weekend in October, I realized the value of cherishing the free time that I do have. His visit was the first time I truly explored the heart of Boston by venturing to sites such as the Museum of Science, the Prudential Center and other college campuses. Northeastern’s convenient location in the heart of Boston encouraged me to make the most of my free time. It also has led me
Alexa Grayson, Ananya Kulkarni, Brenna Thornton, Christie Ya-Chi Lee, Crescent Huang, Eli Curwin, Erin Fine, Julia Yohe, Juliana George, Julie Sung, Kate Armanini, Lauren Thomas, Leah Cussen, Lily Elwood, Nicholas Tesoriero, Renee Abbott, Rachel Umansky-Castro, Sanjana Sanghani, Srishti Gummaraju, Thomas de Carbonnieres
COPY EDITORS Anne Sedar, Carrie Gilmore, Dayna Archer, Jenna Chin, Kira Eske, Lauren Thomas, Liza Sheehy, Nataly Kaldawy, Rachel Lee, Rachel Mann
DESIGN STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bill Mitchell, Carlene Hempel, Dan Zedek, Gal Tziperman Lotan, Laurel Leff, Lincoln McKie, Mark Gooley, Meredith O’Brien, Rachel Zarrell, Zolan Kanno-Youngs
Opinions expressed in The Huntington News through letters to the editor, cartoons and columns are not necessarily those of The News staff or the Board of Directors. Northeastern University students conduct all operations involved in the production of this publication. For inquiries about the Board of Directors, email outreach@huntnewsnu.com. For general inquiries, email managing@huntnewsnu.com.
The Huntington News 360 Huntington Ave. 102 Lake Hall Boston, MA 02115 huntnewsnu.com
@HuntNewsNU
to realize that taking breaks is essential to our well-being as students. Remembering to rest guarantees that we can enjoy life while also maximizing the quality of our work. Most people agree on the importance of taking a break. Yet, a study conducted by Ohio State University found that, compared to August 2020, the number of students who reported that they had feelings of burnout in April 2021 shot up 40%. The study also discovered that students have been experiencing increased cases of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, omission from physical activity and social isolation. The American Psychological Association describes how, in 2020, 18 to 23-year-olds in college attributed 85% of their stress to education. There is a stigma against taking a break that needs to be addressed. The Life Adjustment Team, which attempts to provide patients with stable and productive lives through recovery methods centered around in-home structures and support systems, states that people avoid taking breaks because they have too many tasks to focus on. It also mentions that people fear that taking a break will cause others to perceive them as less motivated or dedicated. Courtney Seiter from Fast Company, a business magazine centered around design, technology and business, acknowledges that many individuals believe they are too busy for breaks. But, in reality, there is nothing wrong with taking a break. Instead of feeling guilty about pushing off
school work, realize that moments to forget about tasks boost productivity in the long run. Tork, a global hygiene and health company, discovered that skipping breaks can accelerate burnout and heighten stress levels. People who take breaks frequently ultimately benefit from increased productivity, job satisfaction, mental health, well-being and better work engagement. Even though many feel that their schedule is too hectic to accommodate breaks, incorporating stress management activities in our everyday lives is very beneficial. A study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health suggests that physical activities such as stair climbing, physical detachment from work and actions to relax after work lower the likelihood of demanding a long recovery at the end of a day. Another study in the Scandinavian Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology concluded that not only can breaks raise energy levels and diminish exhaustion, but they can also cause energy levels to progress over time. Nivati, a company centered on an app that manages employee mental health and well-being, emphasizes that breaks are also essential in re-assessing our life goals. We need time to process why we are sacrificing most of our time into certain academic activities and whether they align with our aspirations. They note other harmful consequences of the scarce number of breaks in our lives including sitting behind a laptop screen for too long, which promotes muscle tension, headaches and
eye strain. Breaks can lead to creativity boosts and an overall increase in our satisfaction levels. Nivati also suggests taking longer breaks during the day, taking naps, socializing and taking micro-breaks. The company also encourages people to engage in mentally recharging activities such as yoga, reading, washing the dishes and going for walks. Don’t let the fear that others will deem you lazy or that the quality of your work will decline prevent you from resting when needed. Taking breaks is necessary and can especially be done in a city like Boston which has so much to offer. No one can judge you for acknowledging your biological indicators telling you to rest. As Northeastern students, we are so fortunate to be placed in one of the best cities in the United States. In Boston, there is something for people of all walks of life to enjoy. For those engrossed in anime, take a walk down Newbury Street and excite your inner geek in stores such as Anime Zakka and Newbury Comics. For those seeking moments of contemplation, visit the Museum of Fine Arts or gaze at the Christian Science Center reflecting pool and feel your stress dissipate like the sun on a brilliant summer evening. Don’t let your Northeastern experience go to waste. You’re not just a student: you’re a fellow “Bostonian” as well. Jethro Ronald Lee is a first-year data science and psychology combined major with a minor in music. He can be reached at lee.jet@northeastern.edu.
Op-ed: It’s time to change the British monarchy — or completely abolish it
NEWS STAFF
Aubrey Burgess, Jasmine Wong, Liza Sheehy, Sofie Kato
March 11, 2022
Photo by Harriet Rovniak The British monarchy has been a constant fixture throughout the United Kingdom’s long history. While the crown has been handed down to multiple different monarchs, it has prevailed despite the rocky relationship between the royal family and the British public, especially after light has been shed on the abusive, cruel treatment of those within their own circle and the protection they give to those who do not deserve it. However, with the recent news of Queen Elizabeth II contracting COVID-19 and having to postpone multiple duties due to her symptoms, some people are wondering what the future of the British monarchy entails. Is there truly a solid future for this family to survive in the modern world when they have refused to adapt to the rapid changes of society? Due to the royal family’s archaic nature and traditions, the monarchy needs to either adjust to the 21st century or be completely abolished.
The public has witnessed this family ruthlessly do everything within their power to hold on to archaic traditions while rejecting modernity and even driving out members of their own family with bullying tactics. Throughout the last hundred years, they have endured the dissolution of their image as the face of the United Kingdom. Oprah conducted an interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that revealed how the British royal family used hateful racist tactics to drive the Duchess of Sussex’s mental health to a point that it forced her and Prince Harry to step down as senior royals in 2020. Prince Harry said in the interview that his biggest fear was “history repeating itself,” a clear reference to the cruel treatment and fate that was also imposed on his mother, the late Princess Diana. The interview provided a harsh, but truthful glimpse into the archaic views of a family whose internal beliefs and morals have been rooted in prejudice. It became clear to me that with their treatment of Markle, the royal family showed the world that they really have stayed in a whitewashed, elitist bubble. Queen Elizabeth II responded to the interview by stating that they were “saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.” They followed that statement up by mentioning in the next sentence that “some recollections may vary,” which is a way of trying to discredit both The Duke and Duchess’ experiences. The monarchy’s only mode of
defense is when they turn to the press and spread false accusations about the Sussexes in attempts to try and damage Prince Harry and Markle’s reputations while refusing to admit there needs to be some serious changes within their own system. Queen Elizabeth recently celebrated 70 years on the throne, which has prompted speculation about what will happen once her long reign is over. What happens when the crown gets passed down to her son? Public support has wavered throughout the decades for Prince Charles and his wife Camilla with the queen’s recent request that Camilla be crowned queen consort when Charles becomes king, a title that was originally meant for Princess Diana. Some thought it was extremely disrespectful to Princess Diana’s memory and another stunt from the royals to erase Diana’s legacy. The obvious course of action to crown Prince Charles as king might not be the one that the public prefers. Charles seems to have a much lower public approval rating than his mother, and with shows such as The Crown portraying him as the manipulative husband he was to Diana, his reputation would have to be revived to new heights to encourage supporters of the monarchy. Additionally, Prince Andrew’s sexual abuse case shined light on the fact that the monarchy defends the abusers within and shames those who speak out against their flawed practices. There has been immense public distrust of the royal family, and I do not
think that they will ever go back to the old-fashioned way of life that states every monarch is to be respected within their own right. The sexual abuse case, as well as Prince Andrew’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, showed the world that the royals would go to any length to protect the wrong people in their own circle. I find it especially disappointing to see that Prince Andrew is still in line of succession for the crown, further proving that the royals have chosen tradition and silence over decency. The British royal family is ultimately an archaic system that has not changed throughout their many years in power. It is obvious looking at Princess Diana’s treatment, as well as the racism pointed toward Markle, that the royals refuse to acknowledge the cruelty that is endowed on certain members of their family because they strive for an unattainable image of perfection. It is this particular image they have of themselves that serves as their downfall and will perhaps force the public to demand drastic changes to occur when the crown does pass down from the current queen. The monarchy will have to make drastic changes and forgo their rejection of modernity, otherwise they won’t survive. It is clear that this is a family built on the pretense of fear and tradition, and for the sake of their future generations, it cannot keep going on like this. Ava Alaeddini is a second-year English major. She can be reached at alaeddini.a@northeastern.edu.
OPINION
March 11, 2022
Page 11
Op-ed: Everyone should pay attention to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
Photo by Harriet Rovniak Florida lawmakers passed House Bill 1557, or the “Don’t Say Gay bill,” Feb. 24. Florida House Representative Joe Harding sponsored the bill and argues that it is about “empower[ing] parents,” while opponents claim that it is an act of censorship by the government. The bill was passed by the Florida Senate March 8 and is expected to be signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The bill specifically prohibits “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels or in a specific manner.” It later says that “classroom instruction by school personnel or thirdparties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not ocur in kindergarden through grade three or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for student.” It is unlikely that elementary school teachers are teaching kids about sexuality or gender expression unless it is relevant or impacts one of their students. Elementary school teachers are strained enough teaching in this strange COVID-19 world, it is improbable that they have time to devote a lesson to LGBTQ+ identities. The bill is unrealistic because it is addressing something that is not a real issue. With that being said, it will
impact the attitudes of teachers and the way students who know members of the LGBTQ+ community see themselves. A student who has gay parents, who is unable to share family photos or tell happy stories about their parents without anxious glances between Florida teachers, will likely encounter the feeling of “otherness” that they may already face in public spaces. If a student has a gay or transgender sibling, they will likely notice the erasure of the people they love in their school environment. More importantly, if a student themselves is LGBTQ+, the lack of discussion of queer identites and LGBTQ+ existence will likely make it even harder for that student to accept themselves and eventually come out. It is difficult enough for young people who are queer to figure out their sexuality or gender identity and feel comfortable in their own skin, and the added shame and stigma of not discussing it may make the process even more difficult. Young people are impressionable, and if they sense that being gay is wrong because of it is a prohibited subject in their school, that lesson will stick with them for life. Media representation is important for the LGBTQ+ community because it allows kids to feel seen and to imagine a future where they can both be true to themselves and achieve anything. Representation also helps to make LGBTQ+ identities more normalized and accepted, especially if a character is not just the token gay character and their sexuality is instead a small part of who they are as a complex and dynamic character. Representation in children’s books in schools can be a big step toward that. A good way to introduce the subject of gender and sexuality for young audiences is to read a story that has two dads, or has someone who is transgender as a character in the story, without that identity being the focus of the plot.
Additionally, it is not that banning discussions of sex for a first grader is bad, it is that setting a precedent that the government can dictate student discussion is terrifying. Parents already have all the power over their kids. If they really don’t like something the school is doing, they can put their kid in a private school. Frankly, anything that a parent says at home about gay marriage or gay people will stick with the kid a lot more than anything their teacher said. Hatred is learned and if the parents are determined to pass on racist, homophobic or transphobic views, they will. This “Don’t Say Gay bill” is essentially an extension of the ban on critical race theory in classrooms. Critical race theory originated as a legal term that refers to a lens for viewing history where race is at the center, but Republicans claimed that their kids were being taught to hate the United States and to feel ashamed of their skin color. States including Texas, Oklahoma and New Hampshire passed bills that banned the teaching of critical race theory in classrooms. However, critical race theory was never officially taught in schools, it originated as a legal theory and turned into a moral panic where Republicans made white parents fear that their white children would learn to hate themselves for their skin color based on American history. Ideas involved in critical race theory such as the lingering effects of slavery are taught, but students do not have formal lessons on critical race theory, just as elementary schoolers do not have formal lessons on LGBTQ+ identities. A bill that prevents a first grader from learning about a gay couple in school will not stop them from seeing a gay couple on the street or someday identifying as gay. Gay representation does not make kids gay, nor will banning it make kids straight. If Republican lawmakers are afraid that their kids will
be gay someday, limiting discussion of gender and sexuality in school will not ensure that they are cisgender and straight — it will ensure that they will hate themsleves a little bit more. The bill will cause students to feel a little bit more lonely and might make their peers be a little less accepting. This bill also originally included a clause that forced teachers to tell students’ parents if they came out as anything other than straight. This was highly criticized and ultimately removed from the bill. It is appalling, however, that it was almost included. Many LGBTQ+ teenagers and kids fear coming out because they are afraid of being abused or kicked out by their parents. Even if they dont get kicked out after coming out, the fear of being rejected is valid and should be respected. Nobody should ever be outed, even if it is likely that they will be accepted, because it should be ultimately left up to the individual to share that part of themselves. Without active protests and social media pressure to take the second part of the bill off, it may still have been included. Legislation like this will go through unless people resist, which is why it is crucial to pay attention to what is happening not only in your state, but across the country. Staying educated on current events and legal issues is a critical first step in being an active member of our democracy. While the bill has already passed, it is critical that people stay updated on current issues and can advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation, whether that is through social media or petitioning lawmakers. Despite the fact that Northeastern students attend a university in an overwhelming democratic state, some students call states like Florida or Texas home. It is important to remember that while we as students may not be
impacted directly, censorship in another state can set the precedent for spreading a movement to dictate what teachers can and cannot say. First, elementary school teachers cannot address LGBTQ+ rights, but what is next? Limits on middle and high school teachers? While critical race theory has already been banned in some states, it is possible that a more white-washed and ingenuine curriculum will be mandated by some lawmakers. It is important that educators are able to do their job and are not restricted by political agendas. Children are the future and if their education is hindered, we will have a less accepting and knowledgeable world. Additionally, the key distinction about this bill is that discussion is prohibited, not just the curriculum, because the state does and always has had a say on the curriculum itself. To prohibit discussion is to prohibit free thinking and free speech. Students should be encouraged to ask questions and learn through conversations, but if they are discouraged from talking about LGBTQ+ topics, it will perpetuate the stigma surrounding the LGBTQ+ community. Lawmakers should not, and realistically cannot, dictate what students and teachers discuss. Whether or not the bill can realistically or will realistically be followed by all teachers and whether or not the teachers will be held accountable for what they say is not as important as the precedent that this bill is setting and the homophobic attitudes that are being perpetuated. The bill as is will affirm bigoted attitudes and perpetuate the idea that being gay or trans is different and shameful to talk about, which is why the bill is extremely dangerous and should be taken seriously by the rest of the country. Renée Abbott is a first-year journalism and criminal justice major. She can be reached at abbott.re@northeastern.edu.
Op-ed: Overcrowding on campus will continue to hurt Northeastern students
Photo courtesy Rachel UmanskyCastro Northeastern students have noticed the overwhelming number of students on campus this past year. Classes are getting more crowded, dining halls are busier, residence mail takes longer and housing is more cramped than ever before. Though others may feel that having new faces on campus is socially beneficial, for the community as a whole, there is a lot more to consider. Last semester, Northeastern struggled to find enough space to house all the incoming students. The on-campus
housing was not nearly enough for the first-year class, including N.U.in Boston students. Northeastern had to invest in sending students to local hotels: the Sheraton Boston Hotel, the Midtown Hotel and the Westin Copley Place. In doing so, Northeastern is ignoring the first-year experience and proving there is not enough capacity for the entire student population. Housing is required for first and second-year students, yet there is no true guarantee of on-campus housing for even first-year students anymore if they’re living in hotels away from the primary student population. It’s one thing for a program like N.U.in Boston to house an increased amount of students in hotels as a temporary solution to the pandemic. However, it is inconvenient and unacceptable to have students that have enrolled in a university that markets having on-campus housing for first-year students living in hotels, especially ones such a large distance from classes. The housing is not new, however, the pandemic has exacerbated it significantly. Northeastern is recognized for having a campus within the city, which draws the attention of many high school students. In fact, this is one
of the features of our school that the admissions department actively markets. This aspect of Northeastern should therefore be prioritized and honored, which is currently not possible due to this prominent overcrowding. Admissions is a major contributor to this issue. A primary reason for the increased number of applicants may be the very easy application process. Northeastern University requires no supplements and is test-optional; therefore more high school students feel that they have a better chance of being accepted. It is certainly less stressful than other top universities since only submitting the Common Application essay is required. The Scope reported last fall that, “Northeastern received 75,233 applications for Fall 2021, a 17% jump from the 64,428 applications seen the previous year.” With all of these applicants, Northeastern is shifting from a small to midsize university to a larger population. This is a noticeable change. It can take 10 minutes to find a table at the dining hall during dinner, retrieving mail is an arduous process and despite COVID-19 transmission still
being an issue for students, there is no wellness housing. There is still a need for those infected to quarantine, regardless of how an individual feels about the threat of COVID-19. Northeastern, however, is no longer providing this support. According to an article Kayla Shiao wrote for The News, “Instead of the wellness housing used in the past, students who test positive for COVID-19 in the spring will isolate in their dorms or off-campus housing.” This coincides with the return of students abroad for the N.U.in program, creating an even more critical situation. While contracting COVID-19 can obviously be very dangerous for immunocompromised students, missing class can also be a serious consequence if you become sick from a roommate. With limited space, the administration made the call to use every bit of housing available, but this is only a short-term solution to a long-term problem. In addition, as of Feb. 9 Northeastern lifted their no-non-Northeasternguest policy in residence halls. Though many students are thrilled that their friends can now sleepover in their dorms, this only contributes to the overcrowding challenges Northeastern
faces. Students already stressed their concerns that the residential halls are filled to capacity, and are now interacting with people from outside the Northeastern community as well. In addition, the mask mandate was lifted on the Boston campus Saturday, March 5, allowing students, faculty, staff, visitors and contract employees to have the option to not wear masks indoors. Perhaps Northeastern University should take note of the current overcrowding on campus. Hundreds of first-year students are having their experience seriously impacted, as well as upperclassmen who have reduced access to resources because of the growing number of other students on campus. Even though it may seem exciting to have a large campus with a bustling student population, Northeastern will be much safer and be able to offer a more well-rounded, marketable experience to their students if there is a more strategic application process in order to select fewer students. Rachel Umansky-Castro is a first-year combined major in criminal justice and journalism. She can be reached at umansky-castro.r@northeastern.edu.
Page 12
ADVERTISEMENT
March 11, 2022
IT’S ALL HERE FOR THE TAKING Come for the spacious apartments and stay for the incomparable convenience. Church Park is 10 minutes away from not only the Northeastern Campus, but also the hottest spots in Fenway, Back Bay, and South End. Take the elevator down to the street level where necessities like Whole Foods, ZipCar, and your own concierge make for the ultimate stress-free living. Large apartments and a full suite of amenities including garage parking, a penthouse for studying, a business center for working, and a roof deck for relaxing, grilling out or just taking in the best views in town make Church Park the place to be. Church Park has a 99 Walk Score and 92 Bike Score!
Make an appointment today.
221 Massachusetts Avenue - Boston, MA 02115 617.437.7328
n
info@churchpark.com
n
A Boyd/Smith Inc. Property
churchpark.com