The current call-out culture on campus is unproductive

BY NINA LARBI ’22

Between studying for upcoming midterms and writing uninspiring papers, I spent my fall break watching MTV’s “Daria.” Since the show’s end in 2002, the character has been turned into an icon of absolute apathy, which is odd because the series clearly attempted to do more than exhibit her emotionlessness. Although Daria is presented as somewhat apathetic, with an “I’m surrounded by idiots” sort of mentality, she works to address the issues she sees in a constructive manner. If your animated hero does not recommend misanthropy, why should you?

Theft on campus creates distrust

Theft on campus creates distrust

BY MIMI HUCKINS ’21

Mount Holyoke’s students are supposed to abide by the Honor Code, which should allow them to trust their peers. This doesn’t mean their peers are always trustworthy. Among the recent rain spell, students’ umbrellas have been stolen left and right. Seemingly, the only solution is to post in a Facebook group and pray that someone may find or return it.

Why does the Senate refuse to believe women like Dr. Ford?

Why does the Senate refuse to believe women like Dr. Ford?

BY SRISHTI MUKHERJEE ’21

People both in the U.S. and abroad fixated on their TV screens as the chilling testimonials of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh aired on Thursday, Sept. 27. This hearing is one of the main deciding factors in whether an alleged perpetrator of sexual violence will earn a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.

You cannot separate the art from the artist

BY CASEY ROEPKE ’21

There has always been tension surrounding the question of whether one can separate the “art” from the “artist.” I don’t feel comfortable with ignoring, excusing or condoning sexual abuse and harassment simply because the abuser is important to society in a different sphere.

A box of tampons shouldn’t be five dollars — it should be free

A box of tampons shouldn’t be five dollars — it should be free

BY MIMI HUCKINS ’21

When I walk into the new Grab ’n Go in Blanchard, there are plenty of items for purchase besides the full meal included with my meal plan. But what catches my eye is a tiny box of tampons for almost $5. I would think a historically women’s college would be progressive enough to provide pads and tampons, a necessity for many students on campus, for free.

India's legalization of gay sex is not an act of westernization

India's legalization of gay sex is not an act of westernization

BY SRISHTI MUKHERJEE ’21

This week has been an important one for Indians, both at Mount Holyoke and across the world, thanks to India’s legalization of gay sex. As India reels from the acts of intolerance performed in the name of religion, caste and gender within the country, the warm light of forbearance has embraced us at a time when we least expected it. On Sept. 6, the Supreme Court of India rolled back the colonial-era law Section 377 (a law that criminalized “unnatural” sex between men or women, which could lead to a maximum sentence of life in prison),  thereby allowing 18 percent of the world’s LGBTQ+ population a chance to reclaim their humanity. 

The Mount Holyoke Parents and Family group encourages “helicopter parenting”

The Mount Holyoke Parents and Family group encourages “helicopter parenting”

BY MIMI HUCKINS ’21

When arriving at Mount Holyoke my first year, I finally felt truly independent. It was a time for me to have more responsibility and be more confident in my own abilities. I have always been taught the importance of advocating for myself, but I have come to realize that not everyone has this experience. 

The Pratt basement should be accessible to all students

The Pratt basement should be accessible to all students

BY OLIVIA MARBLE ’21

The day before my friend and I planned to audition for a cappella, we decided to rehearse together. We went to Pratt to use one of the practice rooms, but when we got there, all of the rooms on the first floor were full. For most students, this would not be a problem because there are plenty of other practice rooms in the basement of the building. But my friend had ankle surgery, leaving him unable to use stairs — the only way to access the basement.

Students and alums should not donate to Mount Holyoke College until it divests from fossil fuels

Students and alums should not donate to Mount Holyoke College until it divests from fossil fuels

BY JULIA KLUKOFF ’21,  ANNA BAYNTON ’21, RAVEN GEIGER ’18 AND JOSS CHILDS ’21 

The Mount Holyoke Climate Justice Coalition is an organization dedicated to fossil fuel divestment activism. Our ultimate goal is that Mount Holyoke College remove its money from the fossil fuel industry, and it is around this goal that our activism is centered. However, we have noticed that many students hold misconceptions about our cause and methods.

Exclusionary politics have international implications

Exclusionary politics have international implications

BY CASEY ROEPKE ’21

In a speech on April 27, 2016, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump addressed his foreign policy as making decisions to “put the interests of the American people and American security above all else … ‘America First’ [would] be the major and overriding theme of [his] administration,” according to the Washington Post. Although his statement rallied a large base of support, its nationalist rhetoric is extremely destructive to the international system of collaboration and collective security. 

Paul Ryan should never have become Speaker of the House

Paul Ryan should never have become Speaker of the House

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

Paul Ryan’s April 11 announcement that he will not seek re-election is indicative of a much larger problem — Ryan should never have been elected to Speaker of the House. In allowing him to even reach that position, the GOP has bitten off more than it can chew, and the effects are becoming increasingly obvious with the approaching midterm elections. 

If the E.U. stands for anything it must stand against Hungary

BY MADELINE FITZGERALD ’21

Too often, the most noble of institutions and the most admirable of ideas are the ones which, when instituted, quickly become the most disappointing and meaningless. Today, the EU clearly illustrates this phenomenon. Their website states that the EU aims to “combat social exclusion and discrimination” and claims that values such as equality and respect for human dignity “are common to the member countries in a society in which inclusion, tolerance, justice, solidarity and non-discrimination prevail.” These goals, however, belie a major issue. Hungary is a member country. Hungary, where a quasi-state-owned media promotes bigotry. Hungary, where the prime minister brags about his “illiberal democracy.” Hungary, where the government erodes liberty, in all its forms. If the EU truly stands for its claimed values, it cannot continue to stand with Hungary.

We need the College Republicans, but not like this

We need the College Republicans, but not like this

BY SABRINA EDWARDS ’20

 Sitting in Blanch, waiting to meet a staff writer, I overheard a group of students cold-calling community members to advertise The Conservative Women’s Summit. Another student approached them and began arguing with the group. Being both journalistically obsessed with a good story and super nosy, I listened in. The student who approached the group was initially met with respectful challenges to her ideas. This, I thought, was what campus discourse should be: multiple voices bouncing ideas around. However, as the conversation continued, the questions became more personal, the tone more biting. After that student left, the table joked for a bit and continued making calls. One student reached a caller and began to chat with them, complaining loudly about the “liberals” on campus. “They just don’t like confrontation,” she said. “They’d rather just cry.” 

Technology presents a danger in everyone’s daily life

Technology presents a danger in everyone’s daily life

BY SRISHTI MUKHERJEE ’21

I was one of the last people in my age group to get a Facebook account — or so I felt, at the age of 16 --— a fact that I felt greatly hindered my placement on the scale of coolness. I joined Instagram only a month before graduating high school, and I still only have 4,601 snap points on Snapchat. Despite this, I can no longer remember a time when I didn’t turn to these same social media platforms at the slightest boredom — for example, the boredom encountered while sitting on the toilet. I have begun to wonder whether it is time to delete my Facebook page entirely and relearn how to turn the lights on using a thumb and a switch, without any help from Alexa. 

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