(03/22/05 5:00am)
Can you picture a Brandeis student in Cancun? I didn't think so.One of my friends transferred to Tufts this January after three semesters here at Brandeis. I was perturbed, as she seemed happy and had a lot of friends. I asked her best friend about the transfer, and the friend replied to me, "She wanted more of a typical, all-American type of experience at college."Brandeis isn't exactly what you think of when you talk about the typical American college, but her simple remark got me thinking. Why isn't Brandeis an all-American school? March is the month of two essential all-American collegiate experiences, spring break and March madness. Why can't we picture Brandeis students in Cancun downing shots, flashing crowds, and being featured on a "Girls Gone Wild" video? How about thousands of Brandeis students traveling across the country for the NCAA tournament, jumping up and down, painting their faces and storming the court?Brandeis, spring break and March madness could never co-exist, due to the academic calendar and the fact that Brandeis is a Division III school. But most students would say that the answer lies in something more. It is not because one speaks Spanish in Cancun instead of Yiddish, or because hot dogs aren't kosher at many basketball arenas. It is not because Brandeis students would condemn wet T-shirt contests due to their misogynistic nature, or because our mascot is an Owl. It is some mysterious factor that separates us from the annoying, hypothetical and non-existent "average college student." What makes us different? It's not location-see BU or BC-or our emphasis on academics-see Duke or Stanford. It may be the fact that Brandeis has no traditions or rivalries, which are key components in perpetuating school spirit. Or it could be the fact that many students here are serious and driven, causing the extinction of "Thirsty Thursdays" and the invention of "Study Saturdays." It could be the lack of Greek life or the presence of religious life. Whatever the reason, I often feel that Brandeis' lackluster social life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. As my mother warned me when I was stricken with a quacking epidemic in third-okay, tenth-grade, "if you quack like a duck enough, you will become one." If Brandeis students keep complaining about poor social life and the reputation remains, then students looking for a social life will go elsewhere, and, if they end up here, they will immediately buy into the attitude surrounding them. Although Brandeis is light-years from the all-American experience in some people's minds, I don't really believe that we are so atypical. I'm positive that, if you placed a typical Brandeisan in an atmosphere like Ohio State, a monster-sized public university, he could definitely be a loud proponent of school spirit. It's just his fellow students' indifference to Brandeis spirit that perpetuates his own apathy.Some students are working hard, doing everything they can. They are holding forums, they are giving away free pizza at basketball games, and they brought the dreamy John Mayer to perform at Gosman. There are dances, events, speakers and plays every weekend. To be honest, I actually can picture Brandeis students painting their chests, cheering enthusiastically, and roaring in unison at a great basket, because I saw a flash of it at the ECAC final. I can picture Brandeis students downing jello shots, because I see plenty of it in Rosenthal, let alone the wet quads. At this point, it is up to the students to stop complaining that Brandeis is atypical and to start contributing to its typicality.
(03/22/05 5:00am)
I am writing in response to Dan Hirschhorn's article, "Two Swimmers Suspended From Nationals," published in this week's Justice. Unfortunately, it seems that Hirschhorn has abandoned the journalistic ideals of objectivity and truth, opting instead for a gossipy article based on a loose narrative. Though I am not a student of journalism, it seems reasonable to me that a campus newspaper has an obligation to respect the personal integrity and privacy of every student which the newspaper serves. Hirschhorn fails glaringly on several counts.First, he relies only on a single source of information, swimmer Matt Christian. While Chris Pai and Coach Zotz are given quotations, they are reaction to the story, rather than an account of it. In fact, the article states that Coach Zotz and team captains refused to comment on the alleged events. The article further states that there has been past conflict between the accused, Pai and Leon Rosefigura; and the source, Christian. In this light, a responsible reporter would try to ascertain both sides of a story rather than allow one party to assassinate the characters of the other. And this article is nothing less, and nothing more, than character assassination. On account of his lack of comprehensive research, Hirschhorn allows his subjects to be falsely villified. Christian is quoted as calling Pai and Rosefigura "infectious disease," citing incidents of illicit drinking and physical confrontation. The Justice apparently did not fact-check these allegations. Why is The Justice letting itself be used at the personal whim of a disgruntled athlete? If the team's own coach and captains refuse comment, why is the word of a swim team member, an equal to those he slanders, accepted as gospel? Pai and Rosefigura likely face a lengthy process of restoring their reputations. In the interest of the student body and journalistic integrity, I request that The Justice refrain from further speculative accounts of student misdoings and focus instead on actual stories-- which should include a spectrum of testimonials, as well as objective facts. Then the paper will continue to serve the interests of all students, rather than providing a public forum for personal vendettas.
(03/08/05 5:00am)
Eager students may have preferred the seated position, but standing erect was the order of the day last Thursday as a crowd of more than 100 packed the International Lounge in Usdan for a seminar on female orgasm and enjoyment. Sponsored by the Vagina Club and the the dean of arts and sciences, this titillating and provocative forum was one of the five events comprising Vagina Week at Brandeis. Some students hesitated bashfully outside the room, gazing in through the large windows at their friends sitting in front of a table stocked with colorful sex toys. Some of those who had already entered showed their nervousness with frequent giggling and jokes in an atmosphere resembling the first day of junior high sex education class. The evening seemed to promise excitement, and indeed it delivered.The forum was led by Megan Andelloux, a gynecological teaching assistant at Planned Parenthood. Also a specialist in sex education and enjoyment, Andelloux works at a feminist-run sexuality shop in Connecticut.In the two hours that followed, the mixed-gender crowd overcame any initial shyness and listened with rapt attention. Participation was welcome and questions were frequent. Most of the content was not about orgasms themselves, but rather on sexual enjoyment in general. Main talking points included: common myths about sex, safety issues, the best sex books, recommended stimulation techniques and of course, an introduction to each of the dozens of sex toys, vibrators and lubricants that covered the front table. Passing around these devices, it was definitely an odd experience, particularly the three-dimensional rubber model of a female pelvis.The presentation proved to be more than talk though, as Andelloux gave some graphic demonstrations, such as on proper and safe oral sex technique, which she demonstrated on one of the many phallic instruments she brought with her.Among some of the important points that Andelloux stressed were: n Proper sexual technique should never be painful. Pain is a warning of impending tissue damage.n The right lubricant is a must. There is little to no regulation on what can be sold as lubricant, and some ingredients can do great harm. For instance, glycerine can trigger yeast infections, jelly latex is carcinogenic, and oil-based lubricants will eat right through condoms. n Many are ignorant about their own anatomy, she said, and grow up believing their organs are abnormal. Some have even sought unnecessary genital surgery as a remedy. One video offered close-up views of the vulva region and how markedly it varies among women. It proved a memorable lesson.Perhaps the most shocking presentation was a video showing a close-up view of female ejaculation. All stood on tiptoe, waiting. When that moment finally came, some startled people giggled and flinched. It was, literally and figuratively, the climax of the event. The program was educationally valuable, highlighting important issues and presenting them in a relaxed atmosphere. I hope that it served as a model for the teaching of sexuality in a more positive light. We owe it to ourselves to learn about the positive, wholesome aspects of our sexuality, a point Andelloux tried to convey.Editor's note: Abra Lyons-Warren '07, features editor of the Justice, is the Events Coordinator for VaginaFest.
(03/08/05 5:00am)
Around 20 students, staff and faculty members gathered at the Student Union's first Town Hall Forum on campus life on Feb. 16 in the Shapiro Center Atrium to discuss the quality of social life at Brandeis.According to student director of academic affairs Alan Tannenwald '05, the forum's moderator, the event was designed to allow students an opportunity to voice their opinions on issues connected to campus life."We thought it best to serve the community if we hear what everybody wants," Union Vice President Erica Lemansky '05 said. The discussion focused largely on the widely-reported sentiment of social life as lackluster. Students attribute this perception to an overly packed calendar and a fragmented student body. "We have so many events going on, no person has time to go to all of them," Josh Simmons '06 said, ascribing poor attendance to students overwhelmed by the multitude of activities. Senator for the Class of 2007 Jennifer Feinberg attributed social problems to students' individual commitments, saying that "a lot of people's social life starts at their clubs." Feinberg said since many students go to club-sponsored events, more co-sponsorship might encourage "more people to do different things."Other suggestions for improving the quality of student life ranged from increased publicity of events to more large-scale events, like Louis Louis and Bronstein Week, which are known to attract many participants.The meeting also discussed alcohol in regard to social life."People do want to drink and I think we haven't embraced that fully," Senator for the Class of 2006 Donnie Phillips said. Other students said alcohol appeals to a small segment of the student body, to which it is readily available. "Our problem is not that there are no places to drink," Josh Brandfon '05 said. "Our problem is that there are no places for underage people to drink.
(02/15/05 5:00am)
To the Editor,What upsets me the most about Stephen Heyman's '06 article ("Coming to terms (with my term)," Feb. 8) is that after 16 months of the community trying to move forward, he would selfishly re-open old wounds and reignite the whole controversy. His snide comments and condescending remarks clearly show that he has learned nothing from October 2003 and that any apology given or remorse shown meant nothing. It also bothers me that he would cowardly use a student newspaper as a forum to settle a personal vendetta against me, even after I have already graduated. By using the Justice in this unprofessional manner, his lack of leadership is even more apparent. With regard to my book, Just-Us, it doesn't surprise me that Heyman took offense to what I wrote. He was the one who was wrong. As much as he likes to paint himself as a "victim," as editor in chief a lot of the blame for the "Justice Incident" falls on his shoulders. All I did was write about what happened during that week. I never denied the fact that it represents my perspective, and that it captures the feelings of BBSO and its supporters. Heyman would lead you to believe that I was unfair and it was ill-informed, but he failed to mention that I never demonized the Justice and I even gave Heyman respect for fighting to the end. I encourage everyone that reads this to get a copy of Just-Us and decide for yourself. I guess what pleases me the most about what Heyman wrote is that this will be the last that we hear from him, and maybe with him gone, we can truly move forward and become a more united community.Justin Moore '04Waltham
(02/08/05 5:00am)
To the Editor,What upsets me the most about Stephen Heyman's '06 article ("Coming to terms (with my term)," Feb. 8) is that after 16 months of the community trying to move forward, he would selfishly re-open old wounds and reignite the whole controversy. His snide comments and condescending remarks clearly show that he has learned nothing from October 2003 and that any apology given or remorse shown meant nothing. It also bothers me that he would cowardly use a student newspaper as a forum to settle a personal vendetta against me, even after I have already graduated. By using the Justice in this unprofessional manner, his lack of leadership is even more apparent. With regard to my book, Just-Us, it doesn't surprise me that Heyman took offense to what I wrote. He was the one who was wrong. As much as he likes to paint himself as a "victim," as editor-in-chief a lot of the blame for the "Justice Incident" falls on his shoulders. All I did was write about what happened during that week. I never denied the fact that it represents my perspective, and that it captures the feelings of BBSO and its supporters. Heyman would lead you to believe that I was unfair and it was ill-informed, but he failed to mention that I never demonized the Justice and I even gave Heyman respect for fighting to the end. I encourage everyone that reads this to get a copy of Just-Us and decide for yourself. I guess what pleases me the most about what Heyman wrote is that this will be the last that we hear from him, and maybe with him gone, we can truly move forward and become a more united community.-Justin Moore '06Waltham, MA
(02/08/05 5:00am)
Put yourself in my shoes...It's October 2003. You're in your third week as editor in chief of the flagship campus publication (don't flatter yourself, we don't have many other publications). An allusion to a racial epithet just appeared in the sports section. The Black Student Organization wants your head on a pike for the paper's less-than-alacritous response to their demands. Meanwhile, division has already started within the editorial board about how to assume accountability for the incorrigible epithet, while separating it from the paper in general - and its dedicated staff. The University president has called you into his office. Wary to act sluggishly after criticism following the last racial controversy with the campus radio station, he is quick to denounce you and the paper in sweeping fashion, broadcasting a lie that will likely sink you in the days to come: that three editors, including you, read the article in question and saw no issues with it. He says you should resign. You're nervous. You probably appear now even younger than 19, slouching on the sofa in Bernstein-Marcus. And as you realize that your career playacting a hot-shot editor is careening into a tailspin, you see something remarkable. University President Jehuda Reinharz is balancing a Daffy Duck coffee mug on his lap as he talks to you. Absurd. He's got Daffy by the beak, and you by the balls.Writing 'The Dusty Baker Incident'Admittedly, the title we gave this controversy, "The Dusty Baker Incident," which refers to an allusion to the word "nigger" in an Oct. 21 sports column and the subsequent firestorm of opinion, protest and resignations it prompted-was crafted with popular memory in mind. After all, calling the event, "The Justice Incident" would forever tie up the paper's name with scandal. And naming in every reference its author, Daniel Passner '06, would only intensify the cloud that currently surrounds his name; few mistakes made in youth should follow you forever. "The Dusty Baker Incident" pegs the controversy to the Chicago Cubs' manager for whom the epithet was intended. While this saga now has a title, no one has yet succeeded in writing a full, unbiased account of the event. What has been written about the Dusty Baker Incident, though, is not insignificant: a series of articles and editorials in this newspaper, a blurb in the Chronicle of Higher Education, two brief stories in The Boston Globe, a piece by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and a fiery poem in Free Your Voice, a campus literary magazine.But the most ambitious attempt at capturing those frenzied moments which roiled this campus was made by Justin L. Moore '04, a former president of the Brandeis Black Student Organization and a key player in the controversy. In his manifesto, Just-Us, Moore recounts the fallout from October.His piece had all the simplicity of a Hollywood movie, where the unambiguously correct triumphs over the unambiguously incorrect. And it made no attempts at sparing us the requisite good-guy bravado. Here's an excerpt from "Down With The Justice," Moore's chapter on the night of the Oct. 27 protest outside of the newsroom in the Shapiro Campus Center: "While people were still arriving, I decided to walk up to the first floor and scout out the area where we would be protesting ... Coincidentally, while walking down the hallway, I ran into a member of the Justice walking in the other direction. He looked like he had just seen a ghost. The look of surprise was hilarious because I knew that I was the absolute last person that he wanted to see. I stared right at him and screamed, 'oh yeah.' Powerful couldn't even describe half of how I felt when I saw him run away. The stage was set for our final confrontation." Moore's 71-page document amounts to little more than a self-righteous and ill-informed ramble of the events. But while Just-Us was ill-informed, it was not ill-conceived. The monumental reaction mounted by BBSO, other clubs in the Intercultural Center and community members warranted historical documentation. As Moore writes, "This was our Ford Hall," referring to the 1969 takeover of what was then Brandeis' administrative building to encourage the hiring of minority faculty members and the creation of the Afro- and African-American Studies department. Moore isn't that far off. In some circles, this is regarded as Ford Hall "part deux." But that idea, I think, is another tragedy of The Dusty Baker Incident. It should not be recorded in the annals of Brandeis history as a "movement," as an act of civil disobedience that was as justified as the peacenik protests it imitated in form. Those who saw the tumult up close knew it had no hope of even intimating these protests in purpose.A FarewellThis is my last issue as editor in chief. My term is up. My time at the top of this paper was marked by so many memorable moments; I certainly didn't need to trudge up the most painful one. But as I sat down at one of Boston's few all-night diners to think of what to write in this obligatory farewell note, I couldn't get past the event that really inaugurated my term. Daniel Passner's column appeared in my second issue as editor in chief. By the next issue-which was published on Friday instead of Tuesday-I had resigned. Four other editors left with me. Some of us, however, never really left, ascending back to the masthead in the weeks and months following the incident. Some resigned in protest and some to appease the forces that were besieging us. With what seemed to be the entire campus pitted against us, public relations became our only method of salvaging the paper's reputation. We did everything we could to isolate the event, to separate all of the Justice's editors, contributors and the paper's history from what I regarded as a tragic confluence of conditions that vaulted an all-too-common editorial slip-up to the level of deadly sin. I don't mean this to be a polemic. And I write it with much trepidation. The events of October left me daunted; they shook me down to my bones. But I think I have a story that, even after all this time and all that's been written, still deserves to be told. The BeginningI have always derived a tremendous sense of joy from seeing students read the Justice on Tuesdays. And, at first, the reception of the Oct. 21, 2003 issue seemed to be no different. Our issue had gone to press smoothly, and in the early afternoon it appeared to be well received. Looking back, however, there were warning signs that something was amiss. I remember a pretty girl in lower Usdan, flipping the Justice around on two fingers so her lunchmate could see, "this column by Dan Passner." And when I got home to my East Quad single, I remember a black hallmate of mine arguing passionately about something with her friend. I spent the next three hours on the phone. I honestly can't remember who I called first-BBSO or Passner (or even if they called me), but I suppose it doesn't much matter. It's now clear to me that during our first conversation both Passner and I were incapable of imagining the hurt and rage his words were causing the campus at that very moment.Many of our detractors couldn't understand why Passner wasn't canned instantly. It was difficult for me to assign blame to him, though, because if Passner's column had been afforded the treatment we gave every other article in that issue, the odious quotation would have been stricken, and, for better or worse, Passner would probably still be writing for the Justice. I naavely thought that because his column ran unedited, punishing him for writing something "stupid," as Reinharz later called it in my meeting with him, was unfair. Of course, after my first conversation with BBSO, such thoughts were quickly rendered quaint. And, as the days passed and editors began to drop like flies, Passner's departure from the staff became undoubtedly the most deserved exit. Playing the blame game and stickballThere are few words that manage to evoke such a painful history as the one alluded to in this newspaper. But that the allusion made it to press represents an editorial gaffe for which we will never cease to apologize. Who was really to blame? This is a question I've grappled with since that October. I do know the people who were punished exceeded in number those who were culpable. First, there was obviously Passner, the writer, who resigned and admitted full responsibility less than 24 hours after our phone conversation. If Passner hadn't written "Dusty Baker Exposed," I'd be writing about something else now. Not blaming him, therefore, is an impossibility. Then there's the sports editor, Rob Siegel, who was responsible for editing every story in his section. Passner's late-arriving column wasn't edited by Siegel, a doubtless source of much regret for the sports editor, one of the Justice's most dedicated and eloquent contributors. But the blame for this started and ended with me. It started with me because the editor in chief is both initially and ultimately responsible for everything printed in the paper; having someone around to stick his neck out if things get messy is so important, in fact, that we designate a "hit-by-the-bus editor" to step up if the editor in chief is incapacitated. It ended with me because the ordeal was only settled with my resignation. Before the column printed, the paper was accustomed to making journalistically "bad" mistakes. We had misspelled headlines, cut stories off short, attributed quotations to the wrong individuals, misquoted sources and published numerous photos taken by someone named "ALLCAPS." It was difficult to imagine having one of our section editors not read a story. But it was not impossible. College newspaper editors are typically unpaid and overworked, bound together by some as-of-yet-undetermined level of interest in some aspect of journalism. But we get the pleasure of delivering news to an insulated audience with a vested interest in reading the news of the school. But with this, come weighty expectations. While we don't see a dime, the paper is rewarded handsomely -both in advertising revenue and in funds from an activities fee attached to the undergraduate tuition bill. So you can think of the Justice as a pick-up game of stickball held in a stadium filled with 4,000 people, all of whom paid for admission. You play ball, but it's notoriously difficult to please the fans. Reasoning with BBSOI first heard from BBSO shortly after talking to Passner. Shalwah Evans called me to give me her group's list of demands. "First, Passner-gone," she said. "Next, Rob, the sports editor-he's gone." These two demands were coupled with some real estate on the front page for a BBSO column, later penned by Moore and titled in his distinct style, "Unbreakable." They also wanted an apology from us on the front page. Evans was a triumph of composure in conversation, walking all over my stuttering entreaties and ignoring my attempts at contrition. She said that if the Justice did not meet each of BBSO's demands by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, "We're going to come after your job." Passner's lightning-fast resignation gave the community's mounting anger nowhere else to go but onto the shoulders of the editorial board. While their first demand-Passner's resignation-was now irrelevant, we were foolish in essentially fighting BBSO on every other point. We wanted the news story about what happened to go on page 1 and our apology to be in the editorial space, in the Forum section. We also wanted BBSO's piece there, and not on the front page, which we thought should be reserved always and only for news. Most damnably, we decided as an editorial board not to encourage the sports editor to resign. We would stand together, united, and try desperately to assume accountability as a board.This last error was one of pragmatism-a principle woefully lost on the entire editorial board and on me personally during the initial days of the controversy. We reasoned that because none of us was perfect, because we've all had the experience of having our eyes gloss over late on a Monday night, we couldn't hold Siegel to a different standard. That it was racism he missed, instead of a dangling participle, was just bad luck, we said.The rest is history: the public forum in the Shapiro Campus Center which devolved into a circus. The ostentatious walkout that ensued. The resignation of Siegel from the editorial board. And, finally, with some encouragement from senior members of the administration, my own resignation. But most notable of all was the turbulent protest on in the early morning hours of Oct 28.The Protest"We're not niggers! We're not niggers! We're not niggers!" was a protest chant that Justin Moore failed to mention in his manifesto. But I'll remember it forever.The protest started because negotiations between the Justice and BBSO came to a halt. By far the most significant concession we had made was to delay our print date to allow BBSO time to compose a collaborative letter-which we had agreed to print on our front page. This was anathema to our cause: A newspaper exists to go to press regularly. But we were between a rock and a hard place, where there is very little room for grasping on to principles.The night before the protest, relations between our groups reached an all-time low, and communication was cut off completely. Given that our sole reason for the print delay was to accommodate BBSO's letter, there no longer seemed to be a purpose to holding off.While we went into production Monday night in good faith, our utter lack of contact with BBSO led to this being interpreted as an act of defiance. We were accused of going behind their backs and those of the administration.Many students arrived to protest the Justice in hopes of getting us to stop printing; no one knows exactly, and the numbers fluctuated through the night. I would say it was about 60 people at the height of the protest who filled the hallway, pounding on the glass windows and taunting editors. Imagine the explosion of noise which occurs when a circuit breaker goes ka-boom. Imagine that noise outside of a preschool. That was our soundtrack. And everyone was in tears at one point or another. It just took a panicky phone call to a parent or a glance from across the newsroom to get there. But these were not tears of guilt. We weren't lamenting Passner's column. Instead, we were shocked by how disfigured and complex the situation had become. This was a room primarily of young, excessively active liberals-the kind of people who fought for social progress, and who advocated for underrepresented students in the editorials of this newspaper. So when we heard the chant, "We're not niggers!" the prevailing reaction on the minds of people in the newsroom would've been "duh"-if only the moment wasn't so grave. The tragedy of October, a tragedy of competing good intentions, resulted from immaturity. We were still playing stickball, but so was everyone else. BBSO thought is was in Birmingham. The Student Union regarded itself as the U.N. We were stuck in the New York Times newsroom. BBSO realized that the legitimate pain had legs, and they ran with them to an illegitimate destination. The Justice, meanwhile, underestimated the anger and mismanaged the situation until it spun out of control. And once the heat was turned up, our contrition lagged, making our regret about what happened unclear.In the end, all it took was a petite administrator in a black parka to bring it to end.The UpshotThe final effect the Dusty Baker Incident will have on my life remains unseen. At a dinner with family friends six months after the event, I mentioned I went to Brandeis, to which a member of our party replied, "Didn't something happen with the newspaper there?" I had never met him before. The incident was also not lost on a high-ranking editor of The Boston Globe, who mentioned it in an internship interview. (I didn't get that job.)To my friends and family, the idea that I was tied up in such an affair is laughable. My mother, in particular, has often said I'm not intended for such business - that I'm "too sweet." Aside from the sweetness bit, she's probably right; the experience has made all politics, even the politics of journalism on the college level, highly undesirable.I didn't write about October, 2003 because it defined my term as editor-in-chief of the Justice but because it was a good story. After all, writing a good story is what made me join this paper in the first place. I think we've written many good stories since then. With our trust shorn down to almost nothing, we were given the chance to reinvent ourselves. The paper you read today takes itself seriously. It still makes stupid mistakes. But it has come to reflect accurately and fully the contributions of its talented staff and editors - their imagination, curiosity and passion. In a very real sense, we've grown up a bit since then, and I hope it shows.
(02/01/05 5:00am)
Put yourself in my shoes... It's October 2003. You're in your third week as editor in chief of the flagship campus publication (don't flatter yourself, we don't have many other publications). An allusion to a racial epithet just appeared in the sports section. The Black Student Organization wants your head on a pike for the paper's less-than-alacritous response to their demands. Meanwhile, division has already started within the editorial board about how to assume accountability for the incorrigible epithet, while separating it from the paper in general - and its dedicated staff. The University president has called you into his office. Wary to act sluggishly after criticism following the last racial controversy with the campus radio station, he is quick to denounce you and the paper in sweeping fashion, broadcasting a lie that will likely sink you in the days to come: that three editors, including you, read the article in question and saw no issues with it. He says you should resign. You're nervous. You probably appear now even younger than 19, slouching on the sofa in Bernstein-Marcus. And as you realize that your career playacting a hot-shot editor is careening into a tailspin, you see something remarkable. University President Jehuda Reinharz is balancing a Daffy Duck coffee mug on his lap as he talks to you. Absurd. He's got Daffy by the beak, and you by the balls.Writing 'The Dusty Baker Incident'Admittedly, the title we gave this controversy, "The Dusty Baker Incident," which refers to an allusion to the word "nigger" in an Oct. 21 sports column and the subsequent firestorm of opinion, protest and resignations it prompted-was crafted with popular memory in mind. After all, calling the event, "The Justice Incident" would forever tie up the paper's name with scandal. And naming in every reference its author, Daniel Passner '06, would only intensify the cloud that currently surrounds his name; few mistakes made in youth should follow you forever. "The Dusty Baker Incident" pegs the controversy to the Chicago Cubs' manager for whom the epithet was intended. While this saga now has a title, no one has yet succeeded in writing a full, unbiased account of the event. What has been written about the Dusty Baker Incident, though, is not insignificant: a series of articles and editorials in this newspaper, a blurb in the Chronicle of Higher Education, two brief stories in The Boston Globe, a piece by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and a fiery poem in Free Your Voice, a campus literary magazine.But the most ambitious attempt at capturing those frenzied moments which roiled this campus was made by Justin L. Moore '04, a former president of the Brandeis Black Student Organization and a key player in the controversy. In his manifesto, Just-Us, Moore recounts the fallout from October.Moore's manifesto had all the simplicity of a Hollywood movie, where the unambiguously correct triumphs over the unambiguously incorrect. And it made no attempts at sparing us the requisite good-guy bravado. Here's an excerpt from "Down With The Justice," Moore's chapter on the night of the Oct. 27 protest outside of the newsroom in the Shapiro Campus Center: "While people were still arriving, I decided to walk up to the first floor and scout out the area where we would be protesting ... Coincidentally, while walking down the hallway, I ran into a member of the Justice walking in the other direction. He looked like he had just seen a ghost. The look of surprise was hilarious because I knew that I was the absolute last person that he wanted to see. I stared right at him and screamed, 'oh yeah.' Powerful couldn't even describe half of how I felt when I saw him run away. The stage was set for our final confrontation." Moore's 71-page document amounts to little more than a self-righteous and ill-informed ramble of the events. But while Just-Us was ill-informed, it was not ill-conceived. The monumental reaction mounted by BBSO, other clubs in the Intercultural Center and community members warranted historical documentation. As Moore writes, "This was our Ford Hall," referring to the 1969 takeover of what was then Brandeis' administrative building to encourage the hiring of minority faculty members and the creation of the Afro- and African-American Studies department. Moore isn't that far off. In some circles, this is regarded as Ford Hall "part deux." But that idea, I think, is another tragedy of The Dusty Baker Incident. It should not be recorded in the annals of Brandeis history as a "movement," as an act of civil disobedience that was as justified as the peacenik protests it imitated in form. Those who saw the tumult up close knew it had no hope of even intimating these protests in purpose.A FarewellThis is my last issue as editor in chief. My term is up. My time at the top of this paper was marked by so many memorable moments; I certainly didn't need to trudge up the most painful one. But as I sat down at one of Boston's few all-night diners to think of what to write in this obligatory farewell note, I couldn't get past the event that really inaugurated my term. Daniel Passner's column appeared in my second issue as editor in chief. By the next issue-which was published on Friday instead of Tuesday-I had resigned. Four other editors left with me. Some of us, however, never really left, ascending back to the masthead in the weeks and months following the incident. Some resigned in protest and some to appease the forces that were besieging us. With what seemed to be the entire campus pitted against us, public relations became our only method of salvaging the paper's reputation. We did everything we could to isolate the event, to separate all of the Justice's editors, contributors and the paper's history from what I regarded as a tragic confluence of conditions that vaulted an all-too-common editorial slip-up to the level of deadly sin. I don't mean this to be a polemic. And I write it with much trepidation. The events of October left me daunted; they shook me down to my bones. But I think I have a story that, even after all this time and all that's been written, still deserves to be told. The BeginningI have always derived a tremendous sense of joy from seeing students read the Justice on Tuesdays. And, at first, the reception of the Oct. 21, 2003 issue seemed to be no different. Our issue had gone to press smoothly, and in the early afternoon it appeared to be well received. Looking back, however, there were warning signs that something was amiss. I remember a pretty girl in lower Usdan, flipping the Justice around on two fingers so her lunchmate could see, "this column by Dan Passner." And when I got home to my East Quad single, I remember a black hallmate of mine arguing passionately about something with her friend. I spent the next three hours on the phone. I honestly can't remember who I called first-BBSO or Passner (or even if they called me), but I suppose it doesn't much matter. It's now clear to me that during our first conversation both Passner and I were incapable of imagining the hurt and rage his words were causing the campus at that very moment.Many of our detractors couldn't understand why Passner wasn't canned instantly. It was difficult for me to assign blame to him, though, because if Passner's column had been afforded the treatment we gave every other article in that issue, the odious quotation would have been stricken, and, for better or worse, Passner would probably still be writing for the Justice. I naavely thought that because his column ran unedited, punishing him for writing something "stupid," as Reinharz later called it in my meeting with him, was unfair. Of course, after my first conversation with BBSO, such thoughts were quickly rendered quaint. And, as the days passed and editors began to drop like flies, Passner's departure from the staff became undoubtedly the most deserved exit. Playing the blame game and stickballThere are few words that manage to evoke such a painful history as the one alluded to in this newspaper. But that the allusion made it to press represents an editorial gaffe for which we will never cease to apologize. Who was really to blame? This is a question I've grappled with since that October. I do know the people who were punished exceeded in number those who were culpable. First, there was obviously Passner, the writer, who resigned and admitted full responsibility less than 24 hours after our phone conversation. If Passner hadn't written "Dusty Baker Exposed," I'd be writing about something else now. Not blaming him, therefore, is an impossibility. Then there's the sports editor, Rob Siegel, who was responsible for editing every story in his section. Passner's late-arriving column wasn't edited by Siegel, a doubtless source of much regret for the sports editor, one of the Justice's most dedicated and eloquent contributors. But the blame for this started and ended with me. It started with me because the editor in chief is both initially and ultimately responsible for everything printed in the paper; having someone around to stick his neck out if things get messy is so important, in fact, that we designate a "hit-by-the-bus editor" to step up if the editor in chief is incapacitated. It ended with me because the brouhaha was only settled with my resignation. Before the column printed, the paper was accustomed to making journalistically "bad" mistakes. We had misspelled headlines, cut stories off short, attributed quotations to the wrong individuals, misquoted sources and published numerous photos taken by someone named "ALLCAPS." It was difficult to imagine having one of our section editors not read a story. But it was not impossible. College newspaper editors are typically unpaid and overworked, bound together by some as-of-yet-undetermined level of interest in some aspect of journalism. But we get the pleasure of delivering news to an insulated audience with a vested interest in reading the news of the school. But with this, come weighty expectations. While we don't see a dime, the paper is rewarded handsomely -both in advertising revenue and in funds from an activities fee attached to the undergraduate tuition bill. So you can think of the Justice as a pick-up game of stickball held in a stadium filled with 4,000 people, all of whom paid for admission. You play ball, but it's notoriously difficult to please the fans. Reasoning with BBSOI first heard from BBSO shortly after talking to Passner. Shalwah Evans called me to give me her group's list of demands. "First, Passner-gone," she said. "Next, Rob, the sports editor-he's gone." These two demands were coupled with some real estate on the front page for a BBSO column, later penned by Moore and titled in his distinct style, "Unbreakable." They also wanted an apology from us on the front page. Evans was a triumph of composure in conversation, walking all over my stuttering entreaties and ignoring my attempts at contrition. She said that if the Justice did not meet each of BBSO's demands by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, "We're going to come after your job." Passner's lightning-fast resignation gave the community's mounting anger nowhere else to go but onto the shoulders of the editorial board. While their first demand-Passner's resignation-was now irrelevant, we were foolish in essentially fighting BBSO on every other point. We wanted the news story about what happened to go on page 1 and our apology to be in the editorial space, in the Forum section. We also wanted BBSO's piece there, and not on the front page, which we thought should be reserved always and only for news. Most damnably, we decided as an editorial board not to encourage the sports editor to resign. We would stand together, united, and try desperately to assume accountability as a board.This last error was one of pragmatism-a principle woefully lost on the entire editorial board and on me personally during the initial days of the controversy. We reasoned that because none of us was perfect, because we've all had the experience of having our eyes gloss over late on a Monday night, we couldn't hold Siegel to a different standard. That it was racism he missed, instead of a dangling participle, was just bad luck, we said.The rest is history: the public forum in the Shapiro Campus Center which devolved into a circus. The ostentatious walkout that ensued. The resignation of Siegel from the editorial board. And, finally, with some encouragement from senior members of the administration, my own resignation. But most notable of all was the turbulent protest on in the early morning hours of Oct 28.The Protest"We're not niggers! We're not niggers! We're not niggers!" was a protest chant that Justin Moore failed to mention in his manifesto. But I'll remember it forever.The protest started because negotiations between the Justice and BBSO came to a halt. By far the most significant concession we had made was to delay our print date to allow BBSO time to compose a collaborative letter-which we had agreed to print on our front page. This was anathema to our cause: A newspaper exists to go to press regularly. But we were between a rock and a hard place, where there is very little room for grasping on to principles.The night before the protest, relations between our groups reached an all-time low, and communication was cut off completely. Given that our sole reason for the print delay was to accommodate BBSO's letter, there no longer seemed to be a purpose to holding off.While we went into production Monday night in good faith, our utter lack of contact with BBSO led to this being interpreted as an act of defiance. We were accused of going behind their backs and those of the administration.Many students arrived to protest the Justice in hopes of getting us to stop printing; no one knows exactly, and the numbers fluctuated through the night. I would say it was about 60 people at the height of the protest who filled the hallway, pounding on the glass windows and taunting editors. Imagine the explosion of noise which occurs when a circuit breaker goes ka-boom. Imagine that noise outside of a preschool. That was our soundtrack. And everyone was in tears at one point or another. It just took a panicky phone call to a parent or a glance from across the newsroom to get there. But these were not tears of guilt. We weren't lamenting Passner's column. Instead, we were shocked by how disfigured and complex the situation had become. This was a room primarily of young, excessively active liberals-the kind of people who fought for social progress, and who advocated for underrepresented students in the editorials of this newspaper. So when we heard the chant, "We're not niggers!" the prevailing reaction on the minds of people in the newsroom would've been "duh"-if only the moment wasn't so grave. The tragedy of October, a tragedy of competing good intentions, resulted from immaturity. We were still playing stickball, but so was everyone else. BBSO thought is was in Birmingham. The Student Union regarded itself as the U.N. We were stuck in the New York Times newsroom. BBSO realized that the legitimate pain had legs, and they ran with them to an illegitimate destination. The Justice, meanwhile, underestimated the anger and mismanaged the situation until it spun out of control. And once the heat was turned up, our contrition lagged, making our regret about what happened unclear.In the end, all it took was a petite administrator in a black parka to bring it to end.The UpshotThe final effect the Dusty Baker Incident will have on my life remains unseen. At a dinner with family friends six months after the event, I mentioned I went to Brandeis, to which a member of our party replied, "Didn't something happen with the newspaper there?" I had never met him before. The incident was also not lost on a high-ranking editor of The Boston Globe, who mentioned it in an internship interview. (I didn't get that job.)To my friends and family, the idea that I was tied up in such an affair is laughable. My mother, in particular, has often said I'm not intended for such business - that I'm "too sweet." Aside from the sweetness bit, she's probably right; the experience has made all politics, even the politics of journalism on the college level, highly undesirable.I didn't write about October, 2003 because it defined my term as editor-in-chief of the Justice but because it was a good story. After all, writing a good story is what made me join this paper in the first place. I think we've written many good stories since then. With our trust shorn down to almost nothing, we were given the chance to reinvent ourselves. The paper you read today takes itself seriously. It still makes stupid mistakes. But it has come to reflect accurately and fully the contributions of its talented staff and editors - their imagination, curiosity and passion. In a very real sense, we've grown up a bit since then, and I hope it shows.
(01/25/05 5:00am)
The Mad Raven841 Main StreetThe Mad Raven is the place to be Wednesday nights to enjoy some drinks and some pre-weekend socializing. The bar is small, so it appears to be full without having a lot of customers, with no room for dancing or even much milling around. The music is pretty random, as one can hear anything from hip hop to Jamiroquai on a given night. However, its convenient location makes it, along with neighbor Joe Sent Me, a choice place to get over that middle-of-the-week hump. Located across from Victory Supermarket, the Raven is pretty fair with its pricing, and a thriftier customer-who doesn't care what he or she is drinking as long as it "does the trick"-can enjoy Pabst Blue Ribbon drafts for $2 or pitchers for $7, which yield four to five beers. On Tuesday nights, a patron will often find him or herself in the midst of a Bentley crowd, and, on weekends, a smattering of Waltham residents.Joe Sent Me849 Main StreetLocated right next door to the Mad Raven, Joe Sent Me seems to be the underdog competitor. Joe's is actually much more spacious and has a better set-up, with more seating, bigger and better TVs and an area more conducive to socializing and moving around. Additionally, the redesigned wall dcor makes for a laid-back atmosphere, a drink menu boasts different types of martinis and specialty drinks and Busch Lite drafts are typically offered for only $1. Yet, somehow Joe's still seems to struggle compared to the Mad Raven for Wednesday night debauchery, although in the past, and during certain weeks, Joe's will be more crowded instead. For some Brandeis students, it's less about where and more about who will be there. Monica Asher '05 frequents both Main Street bars, and has no real preference of one over the other. "I just go where everyone else goes," she said. However, others do actually have a preference for the Raven over Joe's. "It's crowded, there's no music and it just feels like a local townie bar rather than a college bar," said Brian Snyder '05. According to a Joe Sent Me bartender, Wednesdays tend to be Brandeis nights, while Bentley students come out on Tuesdays for their weekly alcohol fix. Margaritas227 Moody StreetThere are two main attractions at Margaritas: its namesake drinks and free chips and salsa. While a customer can certainly order a Corona, or any other popular beer or drink, the margaritas themselves are a must-try. An entire page of the drink menu is devoted to various flavors, and the bar also offers other frozen specialty alcoholic drinks as another delicious option. These drinks are not only among the best you can get north of the border, but they're also decently priced, costing between $5.50 and $6.50. The free munchies make up for what the service sometimes lacks, and Margarita's sit-down atmosphere make it a great choice to just catch up with friends or for an introductory drink before a long night of revelry.The Skellig240 Moody StreetThe Skellig is an Irish bar that boasts 18 beers on tap, dozens of bottled choices, cider and wine in addition to standard alcoholic beverages-all with standard prices. Live Irish music is frequent, and the bar has live cover bands on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Brandeisians sometimes go on Monday nights for Trivia Night where teams of five pay $5 to enter, rack their brains and compete against other teams for the pool of money and a round of drinks. Justin Gelfand '05 is a frequenter of these trivia nights. "It's fun pretending you're intellectual while intoxicated," he said. Two rooms leave a lot of space to move around and socialize, although during certain weekdays and on slower nights it can leave the establishment looking bare. The crowd is random, and it's anyone's guess what type of clientele the Skellig will attract on a given night.Iguana Cantina313 Moody StreetThis Mexican restaurant draws a drinking crowd on nights with a full bar and an extensive specialty drink menu offering modestly priced, strong and tasty drinks. Iguana Cantina also offers a few drinks meant for two which cost about $12 for a massive bowl of alcoholic fun. One fun promotion is free tacos on Thursdays from 10:15 p.m to midnight, which frequently lures students in the fine college tradition of always coming out for free food. Although the tacos themselves leave a little something to be desired, the hope is that by close to midnight no one will care. The bar at Iguana Cantina is very small, but a small crowd makes it appear full and lively. Watch City Brewing Company256 Moody StreetWatch City is rarely patronized by students, but for beer lovers it offers the best brew around. A full restaurant by day, the bar is sparsely populated at night but is a perfect place to grab a drink or two in a quiet, low-key atmosphere. They brew their own beer in the restaurant and offer five flagship choices such as Moody Street Stout and Tick-Tock Ale, in addition to seasonal brews. Descriptions of the different beers are available at the bar, and the bartenders are happy to provide guidance. "I like the beer a lot," said Greg Sasso '05. "I'm going to buy some to bring home." Watch City sells sampler packs as well as large jugs of your choice brew called growlers. Other Waltham bars or pubs in the immediate area that draw students from time to time are John Brewers Tavern at 39 Main Street, Dos Amigos at 139 Felton Street and Shoppers at 725 Moody Street.Overall, Waltham bars are pretty standard, although generally described as "sketchy" or "lame." While indeed there is no dancing, no trendy or upscale establishment and nothing particularly unique, the drinks are of high quality and priced well almost across the board. "Although I usually drink in Boston...Waltham is definitely cheaper," said Diana Yarmovich '05. And while Waltham bars may seem at times unremarkable, they can provide a forum to chat with friends or maybe even the chance to meet someone new. In general, a patron looking for some fun and alcohol in Waltham will find him or herself in an occasionally awkward, yet always amusing, mix of students and Waltham residents, with weekends drawing an almost entirely older crowd as students remain on campus or flee to Beantown. In a college town, students want to go somewhere crowded, upbeat and lively, so drawing a young crowd is a vital, yet difficult, task. "Waltham bars need to cater more to the college students by having dancing," said Adam Goldstein '05. According to Snyder, special promotions aimed at college students are needed to make the bars more popular. "Things like one dollar shots, beer pong tournaments or wet T-shirt contests would definitely get more people to go out," he said.
(01/25/05 5:00am)
As a citizen of this country and a great believer in its values and purpose I love the first amendment. I love that it protects speech in any form, and I love that we hold this right more dear than any other. I applaud those who protect this right, whether here at home or abroad, and I applaud those that exercise it. What I cannot stomach, what bothers me to no end, and what makes me question the actions of my ideological opponents is when the "right to free speech" becomes the "right to free obnoxiousness." It occurred to me after watching my first college protest at Brandeis that not only was a loud, angry, and sometimes abusive use of free speech impolite, it was almost always ineffective. I have been for several months now a republican Capitol Hill staffer (which believe me was no easy picnic at Brandeis.) At the inauguration I had what were probably the best seats one could have without being related to or best friends with a Congressman. I could see W pretty clearly and certainly hear him well. As CJ Rehnquist began administering the oath, 3 people stood up from about 10 feet from me and started screaming "NOT OUR WAR, YOU ARE A CRIMINAL, BRING THE TROOPS HOME" so loud that we missed the entire oath. Now I had been sitting out for 4 hours in the cold at that point pretty much just to witness that, and I missed it. When does it become right that free speech interrupts my freedom to enjoy a historic moment. Why must it be that way, why must some people ruin a good moment for everyone else?I do not pretend to think that we should legislate against some kinds of free speech. This would be wrong. But in the fight for a political voice we must begin to show some restraint. Partisan politics in Congress is not nearly as bad today as partisan politics on the street. The first step that would go a long way to repairing the rift in this country is to start practicing respect. You want to protest the war? Please, I applaud your effort. But don't take away me right to show support to a person I look up to. Don't take away my right to watch what I believe to be a piece of history.Ari Stein '04
(01/18/05 5:00am)
The Humanities Council wrote a letter of recommendation to the administration during the break about Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe's strategic planning analyses and proposals, saying that some of his ideas would be beneficial while others "extremely harmful" to the university.In the letter, the council writes that it is "delighted that the dean is undertaking a systematic review of the arts and sciences as part of the University's integrated plan." The council also states that they are supportive of leaves for junior and contract faculty and appreciative of efforts for more competitive stipends for graduate students.But the letter expresses apprehension that Jaffe's proposals may harm the core of a liberal arts education.The council acts as the oversight body for the humanities at Brandeis, approving courses in the humanities by considering syllabi and the purposes of instruction. The letter argues that multiple cuts in Near Eastern Judaic Studies would "either close down or very adversely affect a strong graduate area," and that the creation of additional tenure-track positions in other departments should not hinder the availablity of foreign language faculty."I believe that the Humanities Council statement is a constructive contribution to the ongoing discussions," Jaffe said in an e-mail to the Justice. He could not be reached for further commentProvost Marty Krauss said that while she does not wish to comment on the letter at this time, she does not expect complete agreement from the community in regards to the dean's proposals. She also said that it is "healthy" for the community to scrutinize the issues. "I don't want to be naive about the pain and the upsetedness that a lot of the faculty members very legitimately and understandably feel," Krauss said. "I mean, I'm not underestimating that at all and I would feel the same way if my program was on the block."The letter states that "some savings might accrue by reconsidering the USEM requirements" and that Prof. Richard Lansing's (ROCL) proposal on reforming the program deserves serious discussion (see related article, this page).The elimination of the teaching of ancient Greek would make Brandeis "anomalous among our peers," the letter argues. According to Prof. Ann Koloski-Ostrow, chair of classical studies, every major university with a classical studies department offers this language because of its importance to understanding and appreciating large amounts of scholarly material.Koloski-Ostrow said that her colleagues felt the retention of ancient Greek was the most important aspect of the letter, and that she was delighted by the act of support."This was not because I wanted it, but because my colleagues wanted it," Koloski-Ostrow said of the council making the teaching of ancient Greek a priority in the letter.Prof. Leonard Muellner, who teaches ancient Greek and has taught at Brandeis since 1970, said that he continues to be thankful for those inside and outside of the community who offer him and the department their support. He said that he is also pleased with how the Faculty Review Committee for the arts and sciences portion of the Integrated Plan are conducting their duties.But Muellner is still worried."We will see what happens," he said. "I would like to be fully confident. I think I've tried as vigorously and in as many ways as possible to [retain] the teaching of ancient Greek."Provost Marty Krauss said she created the committee in collaboration with the faculty senate to review Jaffe's proposals for the arts and sciences. The report is expected to be submitted by Feb. 15 and will be posted on University President Jehuda Reinharz's Integrated Planning Web site. (See related story, this page).Many students and professors questioned the dean's proposals about the elimination of teaching ancient Greek, linguistics and the graduate program in music composition during a forum on Dec. 9 in which faculty and students gathered in the Levin Ballroom,"It's vitally important that students at Brandeis have the opportunity to be prepared the best they can in their fields of concentration and I was wondering how you would respond to this if ancient Greek was not taught in classical studies," one student said.Jaffe said he had no direct response to this question at the forum. But he later said that he respects that people are willing to share their feelings and that he wanted to assure the audience that he is "listening very carefully."
(01/18/05 5:00am)
David Elwell, the director of the International Students and Scholars Office, said that according to available information, none of the 86 Brandeis students from South Asia were directly impacted by the deadly earthquake and ensuing tsunami that struck Dec. 26 and claimed the lives of at least 175,000 people.Since the disaster occurred during break, Elwell said that it was incredibly difficult for his staff not to hear from students who live near the affected areas."We are still trying to figure out the impact on the community, both direct, with effects on their own lives and families, or indirect, with impact on their friends and countries of origin," Elwell said. "For us, it's indicative that we really are a global community at Brandeis."According to a CNN report, the lethal waves devastated 12 countries in South Asia, most severely of which were Indonesia with casualties mounting to approximately 115,000 by some counts. The Sri Lankan death toll is around 30,000.Elwell said that most of the students from the region come from central and northern India, which is far from the affected areas.According to Director of Student Life Alwina Bennett, no students postponed their arrival time to campus. But she said that the administration is "respecting the privacy of those profoundly affected and are not releasing information about individual students, alumni or their families at this time."Jackie Suckhontarut '07, a native of Thailand, was in Bangkok when the event occurred. He was not affected because the tsunami was limited to the southern portion of the country."I went back [to Thailand] to visit my family and we planned to go down to the islands that were affected but luckily we didn't go down," he said.Since the disaster, Suckhontarut has been helping with donation management in Thailand.Jin Kim '07, who lived in Thailand for 10 years, said that he was shocked by the magnitude of the disaster. Like Suckhontarut, his plans to travel to the country were canceled just before the earthquake."I don't have friends who passed away but some of my friends stayed on top of the mountain on Phi Phi Island where they saw it with their own eyes, but were not affected by it," Kim said.Kim said that his friend's father was directly impacted by the tsunami, so he is currently donating money, clothing and food to help his friend's family.The University held a vigil on Jan. 14 in the Carl J. Shapiro Theater which around 50 people attended. The service was comprised of speeches from members of the Brandeis community, including University President Jehuda Reinharz and Elwell. Several departments and student groups are currently organizing fundraising campaigns and events to promote awareness about the tsunami and relief efforts.Vanita Neelakanta, president of the Graduate Student Association, was among several people who spoke at the vigil last Friday. She was in India when the tsunami struck."I was in South India at the time, celebrating Christmas with my family," Neelakanta said. "We felt the tremor, but it was mild and we thought little of it until we turned on our television sets a few hours later and saw the face of death. We were the lucky ones. It was only on a screen."Milanga Abeysuriya, a graduate student at the Heller School, is originally from Sri Lanka. She was in the United States when the tsunami occurred. "I was not physically affected by what happened but I have family who live in Sri Lanka and they were not directly affected by the tsunami," she said. "But I think anybody from Sri Lanka has been impacted-either directly or indirectly-by what happened," Abeysuriya said.There will be an event held in the Heller School on Jan. 18. Members of the community are invited to discuss different points of view and specific American response to the tragedy.The Intercultural Center will hold a tsunami relief effort program with a forum on Jan. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium and an open meeting on Jan. 21 to discuss plans to help raise money and unify the community."I look forward to working with other administrators, staff, faculty and students to explore ideas on how to meaningfully contribute to Tsunami Relief," Talukdar said. "I am thankful that, as far as I know, there are no students who have been directly impacted by this tragedy.
(01/18/05 5:00am)
Brandeis' new and, according to many, improved Web site debuted on Dec. 17.Senior Vice President of Communications Lorna Whalen said that the initial decision to redesign the site was made in response to a vast number of unsolicited requests for such a project received since coming to Brandeis just over a year ago.Whalen described the prior home page's lifespan of four years as "a long time in today's world."According to Whalen, the bulk of the complaints she received about the old Web site were targeted at difficulties in page navigation and trouble searching for information. "We found repeatedly that the old design could not accommodate multiple news stories in a way that was dramatic or easy to navigate," Whalen said.The new Web site was designed at Brandeis and is the culmination of 10 months of comparative research, discussion and design revisions. The concepts and specific graphics were considered by a committee of students and professors. In an e-mail to the University sent on Dec. 17, Whalen explained the redesign process. "The group studied the latest trends and patterns in website design and met almost every week for several months to discuss their findings," the e-mail read. Whalen said that the contributions of Dave Wisniewski and Zack Shaw from the Office of Communications as well as Danny Silverman '06 were especially important in the implementation of the redesign. Whalen said it was important for the new Web site to be able to highlight the achievements of alumni and to attract prospective students."When Brandeis grad Rod MacKinnon received the Nobel Prize, we wanted to shout it from the rooftops on the home page, but the old design would not allow it," Whalen said.Whalen said that the activities page is designed to give visitors more information on what is happening at Brandeis during any given week. An online forum for comments on the site's redesign, available at my.brandeis.edu, was launched the same day as the Web page. According to Whalen, this forum has generated a great deal of feedback and constructive criticism. Some students, though, aren't happy with the redesign."The problem is that the site is way too functional." Alexander Toplansky '07 said. "There is no attempt to capitalize on Brandeis' aesthetic potential, like the castle and the view from Rabb steps...our sense of community." Other students are bothered by basic aesthetic elements, like the color scheme.Barri Yanowitz '06 said there is an "80s feel to the startling disjointed styles used throughout the page...none of which are really pleasing, slick, or easy to use."But Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs and First Year Services Michele Rosenthal said the Web site is aesthetically much more pleasing and will be developed with further community input. "I see the new page as a wonderful beginning-easier to navigate, more accessible, and no more black or dark home page.
(12/07/04 5:00am)
While the building's exterior appears drab, a cursory glance indoors suggests the incredible diversity of the people who meet there. A colorful world map delineating each of the countries adorns the back wall, posted behind a seemingly out-of-place piano. Seating areas are scattered throughout the room, with brochures about scholarship opportunities and introductions to Asian cultures strewn all over the tables. Though the building blends seamlessly next to its red-brick neighbor of East Quad, the Intercultural Center is actually Brandeis' locus for cultural collision.Created in 1992, the ICC serves as a bridge between Brandeis students and various cultures. The ICC's essence is its 14 clubs and organizations, each with its own cultural, political and social goals and ideals. "Not a lot of people have a chance to see what the ICC is about-it's not only for minorities," said Brandon Luk '06, co-chair of the Student Programming Board It's an open place for people to hang out and learn about different cultures and ideologies. It's not limited by skin color."The South Asian Student Association (SASA)SASA co-president Arnab Mukherkee '06 said that their role on campus is to provide a place for south Asian students to meet and mingle.SASA's main event is its annual cultural show MELA, held every November. The show places the limelight on SASA, allowing the group to educate its audience about Asian customs, including traditional dances and songs.SASA also works to attract attention toward political issues occurring throughout the seven country that make up Southeast Asia, such as religious conflicts within the region and women's rights in Pakistan. Mukherjee said onlookers have viewed the organization as acting as its own entity within the ICC, so they want to work with and increase their involvement with other clubs. They will also be working on intercollegiate activities in the spring. SASA also looks forward to celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage month, a joint effort by all of the ICC's Asian clubs. This event is similar to Black History and Hispanic Heritage months. Brandeis Asian American Student Association (BAASA)According to Janet Kim '06, president of BAASA, this group attempts to "create a sense of family for the Asian-American community and further promote Asian-American awareness on campus through social or political means."In order to achieve their goal, Kim said, BAASA addresses issues like the Asian-American model minority myth and the lack of Asian-Americans in U.S. politics. Through discussions and forums, BAASA promotes an active dialogue surrounding these issues. Kim said that BAASA focuses on the American aspect of the ICC's other Asian groups, embracing student diversity while also encouraging "unity and solidarity"."We try to define what 'Asian-American' means to us, to define our identity," Kim said.Students for a Free Tibet (SFT)Both a political and cultural organization, SFT performs three major tasks: raising awareness on the political state of Tibet, working toward inciting change for Tibet and introducing Tibetan culture to Brandeis, club president Len Pader '05 said. Through films, forums and discussions, SFT informs the Brandeis community about Tibet's political situation and the religious persecution throughout the country. To encourage change, SFT writes petitions to private American corporations, the Chinese government and human rights organizations urging them to stay aware of Tibetan issues. "Freeing Tibet is a very daunting task that's hard to accomplish on a large scale, so we focus on a smaller scale," Pader said. Culturally, SFT offers events like Tibetan poetry readings, discussions on Tibetan Buddhism, and Tibetan dancers. The club also looks forward to introducing a group of Tibetan nuns to campus in March. The South East Asia Club (SEAC)As SEAC president Jackie Sukhontarug '07 explained, this smaller club is a merger of the former Vietnamese and Cambodian clubs. "Our purpose is to promote and increase awareness of South East Asian culture, which is very diverse, through celebration and education," Sukhontarug said. SEAC instructs people about well-known South Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand, as well as lesser-known regions such as Burma and Brunei. The club's most anticipated event is SEAC week, held the last week of January. It includes instruction about the colonization of Asia and the internal issues and culture clashes faced within its nations. The Brandeis Black Student Organization (BBSO)According to co-president Kyle Turner '06, BBSO, brings black American culture to Brandeis. This includes the cultures of both Africa and western India.Two of BBSO's main events are its Kwanzaa celebration in December and Black History month in February, which involve active participation by both members and non-members. BBSO also hosts black American speakers and promotes discussion on black culture."We have had speakers in the past. We try to be as creative as possible with our events so that people are constantly learning new things about black culture," Turner said.According to Turner, their goal for this year is to incorporate more of the Brandeis community into BBSO activities, whether or not they identify with black culture. "The more people we have, the better we can achieve the educational goals we aspire to," Turner said.Editor's Note: Kyle Turner is an arts writer for the Justice.The International Club (I-Club)"We try to unite international and American students and provide a place where they can talk and ask questions," said co-President Katie Zelenka '05. The I-Club's past events include "International days," like this semester's African day that highlighted African speakers and dancers. Other past events include wine and cheese tastings, cultural films and dances."The Purpose of the I-club is to raise awareness of the world's different cultures, whether [they] be Latin, Asian, European or African," said Mara Minski '06 the co-president. "We don't have a lot of members in our club, but people learn a lot from our events."I-Club's most widely-known event is Pachanga, a popular all-school dance featuring international music. Minski added that organizing I-Club events sometimes proves difficult because of the club's broad scope. "It's hard because we cover such a broad community," she said. "We're the club that covers all the others together, and it's difficult to do [that] effectively."The Hispanic and Latino Student Association (Ahora!)Because Latin America is such a large and diverse region, Ahora! is responsible for a large subject area. "We try to shed light on a lot of [Latin America's] different customs," said co-President Claudia Martinez '07.Ahora!'s biggest events are held in September and October, which is acknowledged as Hispanic Heritage Month. The club holds different events every year during this time, from dancing shows to cooking lessons on arroz con pollo-a rice and chicken dish.The theme of this year's Hispanic Heritage Month was "Making History: Ahora, MaSana y Siempre (Now, Tomorrow and Always)." "To us, this theme conveys ideas of diversity already present within the Latino culture," said co-president Jasmin Salcedo. "[This includes] the status of our Latino culture now, the positive changes we hope to see for tomorrow and empowering our youth for the future." Salcedo said that Ahora! will continue to foster Latino awareness on campus, but especially focus on social issues facing the Latino community as they grow into the largest minority group in America.The Korean Student Association (KSA)" KSA's goal is to promote a better understanding [of] Korean and Korean-American culture, history, language, social concerns," said vice president Yein Lee '05 said.KSA's paths to this goal focus on urging and facilitating discussions facing the South Korean and Korean-American communities. These range from sexuality and image to conflicts within North Korea and between Korea and Japan. The KSA also encourages discussion of life as a Korean-American. They also hold an annual culture show to represent Korean culture at Brandeis.Brandeis Chinese Cultural Connection (BC3)Stacey Chan '06, a co-president, said that BC3 originally began as a literary club and has since expanded to educate the Brandeis community about Chinese culture. This semester's events have included a dumpling night with the culinary arts club and a celebration of the Chinese moon festival. "We want to create political awareness of the Chinese-American experience," Chan said. "While our main focus is cultural awareness, we also try to address political issues since they are a part of culture," Chan said. "We see importance in finding our Chinese roots or identity. Whether we live in China or America, we share common roots that go back in history."Students Organized Against Racism (SOAR)In the past, SOAR has held forums or meetings addressing topics related to racism. Now, in an effort to increase membership, SOAR is modifying the program. New workshops will bring in facilitators from off campus who will initiate dialogue about racism."We're not just dealing with the white race as the oppressors," co-president Ashley Hill '06 said. "We will address the fact that every group is potentially racist."SOAR's workshops attempt to show Brandeis students about racism in the working world, as well as serve as a forum for discussion on mitigating racial discrimination on campus.The Caribbean ConneXion (CC)The Caribbean ConneXion explores the social, political and cultural customs of the Caribbean region."Because of the [large number of] resulting cultural interactions, we have to try hard to portray all different aspects of the culture," co-president Genielle Salazar '05 said.A typical CC get-together features discussions over matches of dominoes, a popular game in the Caribbean region.CC members host several fundraisers throughout the year, and donate proceeds to non-profit organizations based in the Caribbean region, East Africa and West Africa. This year, the CC donated profits from their fall dance to the island of Grenada, which was devastated by hurricane Ivan in September. The CC is also promoting a Grenada spring break trip for students interested in helping to restore its infrastructure. Additional annual CC fundraisers include live reggae and salsa concerts as well as dance parties. Other activities planned by the CC include film screenings, which will be featured alongside dancing, art and theater productions in this April's Caribbean week. The Japanese Student Association (JSA) Ryushi Shinagawa '07 called the JSA "an introduction to the true Japan." Shinagawa said that Japanese and American cultures are more similar than most people realize. He believes that Japanese culture is misrepresented in America, and aims to introduce its accurate form to the Brandeis campus. According to Shinagawa, despite the club's low membership, it remains dedicated to introducing students to Japanese culture. Their favorite medium is Japanese films. Shinagawa said that more widely viewed American films poorly depict Japanese society. Japanese films offer a more truthful representation and contribute greatly to cultural awareness.Next semester, the JSA will host a dinner of "shabu shabu," a common Japanese dish of various meats and vegetables cooked in hot broth. Each diner will choose their preferred ingredients to boil a personalized concoction.The Taiwanese American Student Association (TASA)TASA concentrates on introducing Taiwanese food, which Shinagawa said differs from that of other Asian countries. They present foods unique to Taiwanese cooking such as port fish. TASA's fall event celebrated the Taiwanese Moon Festival. They gathered in celebration of the annual harvest moon, the largest and brightest of the year. They prepared and shared moon cakes-round pastries filled with treats like bean paste, nuts and dried fruit. TASA also runs films that introduce the daily life of Taiwanese citizens.The Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA)The CSSA exists for the benefit of Chinese graduate students and alumni, but focuses on current Brandeis students. According to doctoral student and CSSA president Zhipeng Yan, its objective is to make life in the United States easier and happier for its members. The club organizes activities for CSSA students to meet one another and to promote their joint outreach to other parts of the Brandeis community. They aid the transition for new international students through various means, such as transportation from the airport and to the grocery store. Activities organized by the CSSA include various team sport activities, such as hiking trips or tennis matches, as well as parties to celebrate Chinese holidays.The ICC's members exert effort and time to promote acceptance on the Brandeis campus. With its eclectic mix of cultures, the ICC ushers in and embraces the diversity of the world outside of Brandeis. Through candid discussion and the co-hosting of events, the individual clubs espouse each culture's uniqueness while allowing comparison and fusion with others.
(12/07/04 5:00am)
We applaud the birth of Lies magazine and hope the publication will fill a needed niche of edgy, stimulating media at Brandeis. However, we must note that the Lies editors tainted their debut by including an article titled "The Lies Guide to Banging Sorority Girls." Assuming more discretion in the future, we are glad the Union senate did not follow through with their threat to de-charter the magazine, and we look forward to seeing what Lies can produce. There is a dearth of general interest magazines on this campus, and those that do exist publish too erratically. In their opening note, the Lies editors pledged to provide a "music based forum on cultural critique," a broad territory that includes comments on college life in general. This is what people want to read.Still, we must not ignore the contentious sorority article, which pushed the limits just a bit too far. There is a delicate line between writing that is clever or thought-provoking and writing that is downright offensive. This article described various ways that college boys could get sorority girls in bed. Admittedly, the piece was meant in jest, but the attempt at satire failed. Too few people found the article funny. Despite this article's nature, we are relieved that the senate ultimately decided not to de-charter the magazine. This would have been rash and unconstructive. A new organization is bound to make mistakes as it gets off the ground. Last year at Harvard, two students battled for months to launch a magazine called H Bomb that would contain nude photography. They eventually succeeded, and the magazine is a tasteful collection of portraits and ruminations on sex, drugs, the body, and life. Though Brandeis approval for nudity might be a long shot, we do need something in this vein on campus.Lies currently stands alone as the only incisive, witty publication on campus. We hope it fine-tunes the art of satire before trying this genre again. Otherwise, we are eager to read future issues, and hope they will inspire existing publications to shape up or even perhaps lead new publications to be developed.
(12/07/04 5:00am)
Last Tuesday, Miri Eisin, a spokeswoman for the Israeli government and a former intelligence agent for the Israel Defense Force, addressed the Brandeis campus on issues surrounding the Middle East after the death of Yasser Arafat.The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Brandeis-Israel Public Affairs Committee, Zionists for Historical Veracity and the Middle East Forum at Brandeis sponsored the event.Eisin discussed the political results of the death of Palestinian Authority leader and Palestine Liberation Organization chair Yasser Arafat. She said that Arafat's death may prove less significant than some believe in aiding the peace process.The crux of the problem, Eisin said, lies in "the issue of mutual recognition"-each state must acknowledge the other's right to exist.Eisin moved to Israel from her birthplace of California at the age of eight. She began a military career in her late teens, serving in various posts within the army.As a colonel in the IDF, she served as an army spokesperson and was valued for her fluid, accent-free speech in both Hebrew and English. At the pinnacle of her career, she served as official spokeswoman of the Israeli government during Operation Defense Shield, a 2002 military effort intended to destroy Palestinian terrorist strongholds.According to Eisin, the Israeli and Palestinian views of Arafat's death and its implications are diametrically opposed.She said that while Arafat's death gave Israeli's hope for peace, Palestinians still deeply mourn his loss. She said that Palestinians view him as a "deity" whose footsteps are impossible to fill. "While Arafat represented many different Palestinian factions, from left to right, all the other candidates for the upcoming election represent more specific political groups," Eisin said.As a result, according to Eisin, Palestinians are "apprehensive" rather than "excited" about their upcoming presidential elections. She said the country wonders who would replace the leader who so aptly represented their fractious nation.
(11/23/04 5:00am)
The senate recognized the Linguistics Society of Brandeis, a chapter of the Linguistics Society of America. According to their approved constitution, their purpose is to promote the fields of Linguistics and Cognitive Science through activities such as lectures by students and prominent experts, films, and games.The Anti-War Coalition asked the senate for permission to change its name to Students for Peace. They also wished to change their objectives. The senate approved the request.The senate chartered the Hindu Students Council. The club hopes to provide educational opportunities for all students, as well as cultural events for Hindu celebrations and prayer.The Middle East Forum at Brandeis requested $800 to help pay for an honorarium for Soner Cagaptay, the Director of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy , which the senate approved. He will speak on Nov. 29 at Brandeis.The senate granted an amended total of $347.40 to the Women's Ultimate Frisbee team for a tournament they attended in mid-November.The senate tabled a money request that would help fund Modfest, now set for Dec. 10.The senate tabled a money request from Students Talking About Relationships.The Brandeis Chinese Cultural Connection requested $630 for unforeseen expenses incurred at the MELA after-party on Nov. 20. The senate encouraged the group to seek additional sources of funding before returning.The senate tabled a money request for $4,000 by the Volunteer Vacations club for their planned "alternative spring break" trip to Harrisburg, Pa. with Habitat for Humanity to build houses for low-income families.-Compiled by Joshua Adland
(11/23/04 5:00am)
Poetry readings are largely hit-and-miss affairs; some of the classic great poets have proved to be the worst readers of poetry. E.E. Cummings mumbled and spoke as slowly as possible, leaving large gaps between individual words and sentences. Robert Pinsky, on the other hand, has the richest, most welcoming voice in poetry today, and he speaks often, too. The popular recent forum for poetry readings, the poetry slam, seeks to change the sporadic nature of poetry readings by emphasizing the musicality and sound of the words. Overall, poetry slams have brought an excitement and enthusiasm that seems to often be lacking in poetry readings. However, it also has seemed to de-emphasize the importance of the poetry, creating poetry that is more immature and less substantive. It is a rare feat to find a poetry reading that caters to both sound and meaning.This past Wednesday, eminent American poet Robert Creeley read poetry that he composed in response to the paintings of artist Francesco Clemente, whose work is now being displayed at the Rose Art Museum. Although there were some sound difficulties with the choice of room and the large amount of people attending, Creeley did an excellent job of performing poetry with vast meaning while engaging the audience through a combination of his humor, geniality and warmth. It was not an intimate poetry reading, but it was a successful one.Creeley started the talk very humbly, relating some stories about his first coincidental encounters with Clemente in New York and Finland in the '80s. Creeley discussed his larger themes and ideas relating to the art, mainly that works are "places to be entered...places not just to respond to, but places to be." He noted that these were places that were "not distracted with description...hidden places." The main themes of his poetry revolved around space, the gaps between peoples, echoes and circles. He seemed very concerned with resonance as well and attempted to transfer his impressions of the paintings without stressing the imagery too much.The real charm in the reading was Creeley's careful voice. He picked apart lines without slowing up the natural rhythm of the words, and his voice had a sad, salty sound that was perpetually on the brink of some tortured truth. Creeley let his voice-scratchy and real-tremble at times, the quality of his age coming across proudly yet very particularly. He is able to mix and transpose the intellectual to the audience, regardless of their background. He seemed to be an approachable, human poet-a rare feat indeed. He often stopped abruptly in the middle of reading poems to elucidate what he just said, or explain his intentions when he wrote. Then he would read a poem all over again so the audience could appreciate it even more. It was in this off-handed presence that he seemed most comfortable. In this refreshing mutual appreciation and respect by poet and audience, a superior atmosphere was forged; everyone together was thinking about, pontificating on and trying to understand the wonderful paintings of Clemente.
(11/23/04 5:00am)
Recently, a surprising trend has developed among Republicans on this campus: a dire case of sore-winnerism. Republicans complain that Brandeis is "sorely lacking the most important kind of diversity, the diversity of ideas." In article after article, they denounce the "terrible manners and lack of character" of campus liberals, accusing them of tearing down posters, attacking Republican supporters and deliberately stopping their voices from being heard.For those of us who have been involved in political dialogue on campus this past semester, these claims come as a bit of a shock. After all, the same Republicans who urge "diversity" and a commitment to "character" in civic dialogue have time and again represented themselves in characteristically undignified ways. Before the election, vitriolic fliers with quotes from the vicious right wing pundit Ann Coulter were smeared all over campus, accusing John Kerry of-among other things--serving dishonorably in Vietnam and hating America. After Bush won, a new batch of posters went up, mocking Democrats for their losses and triumphantly congratulating President Bush on his "mandate from the people." They ignored the fact that 55 million Americans went to the polls on Election Day urging for change in our country's leadership.Sadly, not one single poster was put up actually addressing the fundamental issues in this campaign: the President's choice to take us to war in Iraq, an economy still in recession, millions of people continuing to lose needed healthcare and issues of concern to college students, such as the environment, women's rights, gay rights, civil liberties and the rising cost of higher education. In light of their scornful and partisan content, it is not surprising that the posters were poorly received by students on this campus. While the Brandeis Democrats certainly do not condone the destruction of other people's property and respect all forms of free speech on this campus, I believe it is not unfair to claim that the display of obnoxious, deliberatively inciting posters before the election and triumphant, demeaning posters after the election was won is not the best way to create a climate of respectful dialogue and exchange of ideas on campus. They do not promote the "diversity of ideas" Republicans claim to desire. One might even say that they are a gross display "terrible manners and lack of character."As a lifelong Democrat and strong believer in liberty and social justice, I am legitimately afraid for the future of our country now that all three branches are controlled by a single, conservative party. It goes against the transparency and accountability of American government, our checks and balances. Therefore, while I concede that the Republicans have legitimately won (this year), my sincere hope is that those now in power will realize that Democrats love this country, too. We Democrats want to see America's best interests defended. The best way to craft policies that will aid all of America's citizens is to appreciate our thoughts and concerns as well.But enough partisan rhetoric. The plain truth is that in the past semester, liberals on this campus have made many attempts to reach out to the Republicans. Most notably, the Democrats participated in the Senate-sponsored debate prior to the election which featured Republicans prominently; a Brandeis Israel Public Affair Committee event in which both sides were given equal opportunity to represent their views; on Brandeis TV, with programming that showed both sides of the political spectrum; and in the Justice, where opinions from both sides of the political spectrum were printed. Of course, Republicans are going to have a harder time here than they would at another school. This is the unfortunate result of attending a traditionally liberal school founded on liberal principles and composed largely of people with Democratic political leanings. However, Brandeis also prides itself on being an institution where anyone with an informed voice can make himself heard. Therefore, I encourage the Republicans to move past the "whining, moaning and screaming insults" for which they blast their fellow students, and instead join the Brandeis Democrats in working together in a spirit of bipartisanship to focus on what is the best course for our country and the world. One way we can begin accomplishing this goal is by making groups from across the political spectrum come together to create programming that allows for the expression and open debate of multiple points of view. Our upcoming event "What's Next? A Discussion of Bush's Second Term," a panel discussion the Democrats are holding on Dec. 1 with four Brandeis professors, is an opportunity for this type of open debate. We welcome the Republicans to encourage their members to show up, ready to engage in frank, respectful dialogue.However, I do not believe that a single event is enough to bridge the partisan divide on this campus. This is why I have been personally working on a proposal with the Student Union to create the Political Advocacy Forum-a group comprised of the club leaders from all the politically affiliated groups on campus-that can meet a few times a semester to work on programming reflective of the great diversity of opinion of this campus and create an open space where people who feel discouraged from voicing their opinions can speak out and be listened to in a dignified way. Editor's note: Adam Schwartzbaum '07 is vice president of the Brandeis Democrats.
(11/23/04 5:00am)
In its first issue published last week, Lies, a new student magazine, printed an article about members of sororities, which some readers found offensive toward women. The article, "The Lies Guide to Banging Sorority Girls," was written by Stephen Chang '06. According to Chang, a member of the Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternity, the article was intended as a satire. "It was a satire article written for Lies magazine and it's clearly meant to be satire at which it succeeds," Chang said. "Clearly the tone of the article is satire and it's abundantly clear it is funny and not meant to be taken seriously."The most contentious section is titled, "Don't Respect Her!" It opens with, "The worst thing you can ever do with a sorority girl is show her any respect at all." The article continues describing how to treat sorority girls.Lena Katsnelson '05, a member of the sorority Delta Phi Epsilon, said that she was appalled upon reading the article, not only for its attack on sorority members but also its broader statement on women."I was in utter and complete shock," Katsnelson said. "Because I'm in a sorority, it caught my eye and I'm offended not as part of Greek life, but as a woman and by the slanderous remarks about women."ZBT member Eli Wolfhagen '05 said the incident reminded him of the "Mens' Room" incident on WBRS several years ago where a program ridiculed Asian women and the thought of the repetition of such an event amazed him."I'm sort of dismayed," Wolfhagen said. "I'm all for freedom of speech but you don't call a group of women sluts and you don't represent a group of guys as just wanting to get laid and mistreating women. There was no point to this article and that's my take, even if it was in jest."The fraternity released a statement last night stating that Chang's opinions do not represent those of his fraternity. Chang was also placed under a "brotherhood review" last night - a process that will determine the appropriate action to take based on his merits as a member of the organization."ZBT sincerely apologizes to those who, like us, were offended by the statements of Mr. Chang and does not endorse the statements of this horrendous article," the statement read. "We are dismayed that these misogynistic statements, as well as a gross misrepresentation of the Brandeis University Greek Life system, have found haven in a student publication at Brandeis."Zach Reff '05, an editor-in-chief of Lies, said that when they selected the article, the editors were aware of its controversial content. They printed it because, according to Reff, it was important for the magazine to be the only publication that would print material other publications would not. (Reff is a staff writer for the Justice.)"I think people have every right to be offended by what we've printed but I also think we've every right to print such an article," Reff said. Assistant Dean of Student Life Alwina Bennett said she was shocked by the material printed in the publication and said that humor, especially when dealing with issues of gender and race, is a very sensitive and subjective issue."I think it's difficult to write humor about offensive things," Bennett said. "I don't think it's a matter of being politically correct but that satire is written based on how the audience responds to it and so [Chang] misjudged his audience." Bennett also said that such material as racial and gender-related humor would involve a community-wide discussion to resolve it.Katsnelson, who is also off-campus senator, raised the issue during the open forum part of the last weeks Union senate meeting. She said that this article was only one indication of the publication's "misogynistic" content.According to Katsnelson, the cover and several photographs in the issue portray women in a negative light. She cited the cover image with a woman with her eyes censored sitting on a subway with exposed legs and the inside picture of a woman behind bars.Another problem Katsnelson found with the magazine was printing unattributed photographs on the pages containing the disputed article, which she said were taken from Victoria's Secret advertisements.Jen Goldberg '05, Lies' other editor-in-chief, said that the article's aim was not to mock sororities or women, but rather college misconceptions. (Goldberg is also a staff writer for the Justice.)"When I read the piece, I saw it as laughing at men and the preconceived notions that people come into college with, the idea like in Animal House and Revenge of the Nerds," Goldberg said. "I'm a little surprised that the people are so outraged. I read it. I thought it was funny. I see it as satirizing through hyperbole instruction magazines such as Cosmo, Maxim, FHM and the fact that that is accepted in our culture, this piece uses the medium in the same form to satirize that."Dilip Sidhu '05, senator for the Foster Mods, said a major issue for the Union is its affiliation with the magazine because of the senate-controlled money that funds it.Katsnelson said that though the senate has not yet determined a formal response to the article, at this point those offended would like to see recognition that their feelings were hurt.She said that should the senate consider de-chartering Lies, it would most probably occur on broader critiques of the magazine.
