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Brandeis University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1949 | Waltham, MA

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Gloria Estefan: The epitome of strength and unity

(12/05/23 11:00am)

Gloria Estefan is a Cuban American woman who broke down boundaries and changed the music industry forever. Both her music and her story have deeply impacted me, inspiring me to give 100% of myself to both my art and everything else in my life. I have always been amazed with her ability to balance motherhood, a successful career, and the challenges that life has thrown her way; I aspire to one day hold some of these qualities myself.


Waltham plans to renovate the Fernald Developmental Center

(12/05/23 11:00am)

 On Dec. 3, city councilors Colleen Bradley-MacArthur, George Darcy, and Jonathan Paz held a town hall meeting at First Parish Church in Waltham to discuss their thoughts about renovating the Walter E. Fernald Developmental Center in a way that represents the public’s concerns about memorializing the institution. Residents spoke about the plans to renovate Fernald, modeling public disagreement over what changes should take place. A common theme that residents agreed on was that they expect more communication from the Waltham City Council, with some stressing how the renovations ignore the institution’s history.


Two state solution: Using history to explore common ground for peace

(12/05/23 11:00am)

Let me begin by stating that I am aware my perspective is idealistic. Solutions are not black and white and are certainly not as simple as I may make them sound. As a Jewish student, I often feel as though I am expected to either be ardently pro-Israel and blindly defend all of their actions or be on the other end of the spectrum and condemn the country’s existence altogether. 



Faculty take action on free speech regulations at emergency meeting

(11/21/23 11:00am)

Faculty members held an emergency meeting on Nov. 17 to further discuss the ideas that were brought up during the emergency faculty meeting last Friday, which met to discuss the derecognition of Students for Justice in Palestine. There was also an informal faculty discussion on the night of Sunday, Nov. 12 that had approximately 150 attendees. The purpose of this meeting was to consider the motions that groups of faculty members developed in response to these meetings and to decide if the motions needed any amendments to put to a faculty-wide vote next week.


The Myth of Meritocracy: Understanding its meaning and impact

(11/21/23 11:00am)

My eyes strained to focus as I looked at my computer screen. I became so disengaged by the rhetoric of the literature I was reading that I developed an urge to just throw the computer out of the window. Maybe that was a bit overdramatic. I actually ended up taking a break and then started studying for a different class. One look at LATTE and I was actually excited for the first time in weeks. I was excited because the topic directly critiqued meritocracy. Meritocracy is considered the foundation of the “American Dream,” but what is it exactly?   Merriam-Webster defines meritocracy as a system where success is based on demonstrated abilities.




“This should’ve happened earlier”: Liebowitz on decision to decharter SJP

(11/14/23 11:00am)

On Friday Nov. 10, Brandeis held a special Faculty Meeting and Listening Session with President Ron Liebowitz and Provost Carol Fierke to address the dechartering of the Students for Justice in Palestine organization, the meaning of free speech, and the best approach to support students during this time. The meeting was moderated by Prof. Jody Gittell (Heller), the faculty chair of the Senate. Motions were not able to be made during this meeting, as none were submitted in advance. 



Demonstrators arrested at rally protesting the derecognition of SJP

(11/14/23 11:00am)

On Friday afternoon, students gathered in the November cold on the Great Lawn to protest the University’s continued support of Israel and the derecognition of the Brandeis chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Dressed in green, red, black, and white, the colors of the Palestinian flag, many left in shock and disbelief — and others left in handcuffs. 




If you want to prevent genocide, protest China’s

(11/14/23 11:00am)

On Oct 7, Hamas terrorists launched a progrom against Israelis, intentionally killing over 1,200 civilians, mutilating bodies, raping women, and taking over 200 civilians hostage. Hamas’ atrocities represented the most heinous and murderous attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Israel, as any other nation in similar circumstances would and should, has responded with an invasion into Gaza with the goal of rescuing its hostages and destroying Hamas. In recent weeks, anti-Israel  activists, politician, and some Brandeis students have claimed that Israel is waging a genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. Such claims are false, and they demonstrate one of two things: an ignorance about the meaning of genocide or an intentional desire to spread blood libels about the Jewish State. Or perhaps both — of course, it is a profound tragedy that innocent Palestinians in Gaza are being injured and killed as a result of Israel’s just war against Hamas, who controls the Gaza Strip. I say this not as an afterthought but as someone religiously dedicated to the protection, to the best extent possible, of every innocent life. It is my belief, as an Orthodox Jew, that all humans are created in the image of God regardless of their nationality. The first response to any such tragedies ought to be sympathy and pain. However, because Israel’s detractors seek to exploit that pain to level Israel with accusations of genocide, it has become necessary to show how incorrect, backwards, and offensive that accusation is. 


I’m an Israeli-American who attended Brandeis: The censorship of Palestinian students betrays everything I was taught

(11/14/23 11:00am)

As an alumnus of Brandeis, I am heartbroken over the recent announcement that the school will be the first private university in America to ban its Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. And I say this as an Israeli-American descendant of Holocaust survivors. 


Taylor Swift's '1989 (Taylor's Version)' will never go out of style

(11/07/23 11:00am)

Taylor Swift just released her re-record of her album “1989,”  and as a major Taylor Swift fan, I was so excited to listen to 1989’s “From the Vault” tracks, which are brand new songs added to the original “1989” album. The first release of “1989” was released on Oct. 27, 2014 and the re-recorded version was released on Oct. 27, 2023. As many “Swifties” know, Swift started re-recording her songs so she would own her own work, meaning she would own the masters of the re-recorded songs. She has six albums that were originally owned by the recording company Big Machine. Swift has re-recorded “Fearless,” “Red,” “Speak Now,” and most recently “1989.” These re-recordings were a huge power move on Swift’s part, and I have a lot of respect for her as she continues to build her brand. She’s an incredible business woman, even though some people hate her — “haters gonna hate, hate, hate,” I suppose. With each re-recorded album, Swift adds brand new songs — From the Vault tracks — that she didn’t include in the original album. As the re-release of “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” approached, I couldn’t wait to hear the From the Vault tracks and they did not disappoint! As a disclaimer, I am not the type of Swiftie who obsessively scrolls through Twitter trying to find the most up to date conspiracy theories or updates. With that in mind I’m so excited to share my opinions and commentaries on the From the Vault tracks. 





From Passion to Performance: Marco Ferral Hernandez's Journey with Olas de Surya

(11/07/23 11:00am)

After having spent the day driving to Rhode Island from Waltham, Massachusetts, setting up their instruments and mics, and prepping for the show,  the members of Olas de Surya sit in the greenroom of Fete Music Hall and scramble to complete their homework before their set begins at 7 p.m. Though this night’s performance is a huge step for the band, they can’t forget to study for their upcoming midterm exams. Despite their academic commitments, the members of the band make the time to play together.