V o l u m e I V, N u m b e r V C e l e b r a t i n g T h e P r e c i o u s H u m a n T a p e s t r y S e p t e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 0 9 Justice Brandeis of the Peace

PHOTOS BY Max Shay/The Hoot MEDITATIONS: Members of Sangha, a non-denominational Buddhist club, discuss the Peace of Mind event, an activity for Monday’s International Day of Peace.

BY MAXWELL PRICE Contributor addressed the group with san- nonviolence. This session includ- guine words on the power indi- ed breakout groups and hypo- Peace is a very Brandeisian viduals have in promoting peace, thetical scenarios to help students ideal. Founded in the aftermath and Alex Kern, Protestant chap- understand ways of tackling of and partially in response to the lain, led the assembled in a song. real-life campus issues. atrocities of World War II, the Professor Gordie Fellman, “The objective of this university had peacemaking on its head of the PAX Department, exercise was to provide mind from the outset. Over sixty shared some words about the participants perspec- “It is my hope that people years later, the university car- international and historical tive on how a com- took away from these events ries that torch proudly, through implications for this day, offer- munity can become such organizations as the Student ing Gen. MacChrystal’s plea for empowered to a different definition of peace. Peace Alliance (which two years more troops in Afghanistan as face conflict in a Peace as a practice. As some- ago hosted a national conference), an example of the challenges to constructive and STAND (anti-genocide coali- peace in our time. Yet the event nonviolent man- thing you do, not something tion), and the Peace, Conflict, maintained a decidedly apoliti- ner,” explained you believe in.” and Coexistence Studies (PAX) cal tone, emphasizing instead Ned Crowley - Jessica Stearns ‘10 program. On Monday, Brandeis the spiritual and interpersonal ’10. celebrated the International Day aspects of peacebuilding. The turnout of Peace, proving once again that “I hope that people don’t think for both events we don’t find anything particu- of International Day of Peace as was modest, but larly funny about peace, love, and some idealistic time for all the the general accep- understanding. hippies to come on stage and tance of and inter- The United Nations established preach peace,” explained Miriam est in peace sparked September 21 as the International von Guggenberg ’10, “but I hope by the day’s events Day of Peace in 1981 as a way of it is a day that triggered a compas- demonstrated that drawing attention to the need for sionate and/or thought of grati- Brandeis is still full of a concerted action in pursuit of tude in each person who walked bunch of peaceniks. And the elusive ideal. Brandeis latched through the bustling Shapiro that’s not such a bad thing. onto this commemoration and Campus Atrium." has celebrated it for several years. “It is my hope,” said Jessica Monday’s main events included Stearns ’10, one of the Peace of Mind, a gathering in the organizers of Peace Shapiro Campus Center Atrium of Mind, “that people to help develop inner peace, and took away from these Nonviolence Training, the first events a different in a series of sessions intended to definition of peace. teach Kingian non-violence strat- Peace as a practice. egies (as in Martin Luther King, As something you do, Jr.). Both events focused on prac- not something you tical, hands-on methods for pro- believe in.” moting harmony and compassion The Nonviolence in a time where such initiatives Training, organized are sorely needed. by the Student Peace Peace of Mind, put on by Alliance, took a dif- Sangha, a non-denomination- ferent approach in al Buddhist community and pursuit of the same the PAX program, gave stu- ends. Members of dents a forum to express their SPA attended a non- beliefs about how to transform violence certification the world by transforming our- program last year and selves. Students took turns shar- decided to use their ing inspiring quotes, personal skills to educate the reflections, and stories. Reverend Brandeis community Walter Cuenin, Coordinator about principles and of the Interfaith Chaplaincy, concrete methods of September 25, 2009 Diverse City 9 VOICES The Helmand Restaurant: Comfort cuisine with an Afghani flavor

BY AMI SPIWAK Special to Diverse City

Cuisine: Afghan Meals Served: Dinner Address: 143 First Street, Cambridge, MA Location: Minutes walking from CambridgeSide Galleria Mall Transportation: Take T Green line to Lechmere Station Reservations: Recommended Phone: 617-492-4646 Prices: $15-$25 Credit Cards: Accepts Major Credit Cards

Conveniently located just a few blocks away from the CambridgeSide Galleria mall, The Helmand Restaurant serves Afghani food in an elegant atmosphere that conjures images of your grandmoth- er’s living room—if you’re grandmother PHOTO from Internet Source happens to be from Afghanistan. The moment you step in, you notice that wine list is extensive, and the bottles are the “Afghani raviolis”, and for those veg- for example, which consists of sautéed the dining area is laid out differently than kept in an exquisite dark-wood wine rack etarian diners out there, fear not because chunks of leg of lamb in a thick yogurt that of most other restaurants. All the tables that is both classy and unassuming. But Helmand has plenty of options. I also sauce that more closely resembles curry, are located in a single room that is free of my favorite part has to be the fireplace: highly suggest the eggplant dishes, and accompanied with sautéed spinach and columns, walls, or any other sort of spatial flaming wooden logs crackle and pop dur- make sure not to miss the mouthwatering seasoned rice. For dessert, definitely try the dividers—a feature that creates an intimate ing the winter, which adds coziness to an desserts. Afghan version of baklava. dining experience. With this unique lay- already warm ambience. To start, you might try the pan-fried Overall, Helmand serves Afghani com- out, every table has an unobstructed view The food, with its mix of Middle Eastern, spiced eggplant that’s baked with fresh fort food in what is by no means your of everyone else in the restaurant. Indian, and Afghani influences, is abso- tomatoes and then served on a garlic-and- typical mom-and-pop diner (although pop As for the decoration, the cheerful yel- lutely delicious. Relying heavily on typi- mint yogurt sauce, or Aushak, "Afghan is sometimes there). The service varies lowish walls are peppered with knick- cally Asian spices like cardamom, cumin, ravioli" filled with leeks or potatoes and considerably between visits and it could knacks and framed photographs that and a variety of curries, the seasonings are buried under a sauce of either meat or split be more attentive, but with food this good, evoke scenes and landscapes of traditional phenomenal. And although the menu is a peas and carrots. Main courses include that's a minor quibble. Afghani life. Large and strikingly beautiful bit limited in its variety, the relatively short grilled meats, poultry, and fish, plus sev- If you want to eat something different Persian rugs lay under most tables, and a list of plates means that each one has prac- eral versions of what Americans would this weekend and don’t want to put that wood-fired brick oven near the entrance tically become a specialty. call stew. deep of a dent in your wallet, head over to constantly churns out artisanal bread. The Customer favorites include the lamb and But lamb is king. Try the Lamb Lawand, The Helmand Restaurant in Cambridge. Be a doll, make some dal (and smoky tomato soup)

BY ANNA JURSIK SIMPLE DAL AND RICE 1. Put onto boil: yellow split peas with 4 cups of water, Staff rice with 2 cups of water. Simmer the peas for 30 min- utes and the rice for about an hour. What do you do with excess tomatoes? 1 cup yellow split peas 2. While the dry ingredients are cooking, mince the They spoil so quickly, but this time of year 1 cup dry brown rice garlic and basil. Chop the onions, tomatoes, and it’s tempting to buy them in bulk. This 4 cloves garlic spinach. week’s meal is easy to throw together in 1 large or 2 small onions 3. As soon as the split peas are tender and the rice is an hour or two, and, more importantly, 3 large tomatoes fluffy, heat the olive oil and cumin seeds in a large, features fresh tomatoes. Even though the 1 tablespoon fresh basil non-stick pan. Let fry for about 30 seconds, then add soup and dal share a main ingredient, you 3 cups fresh spinach the onion and garlic. Cook over high heat until the can serve them together. They compliment 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon cumin seeds onions are brown and fragrant. each other nicely; the tomatoes take on a PHOTOS BY Anna Jursik/The Hoot 4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the tomatoes, distinct character in each dish. ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes basil, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and curry powder. The soup doesn’t contain any dairy prod- 1 tablespoon soy sauce When the tomatoes are soft, usually after 4-5 minutes, ucts, but it’s still filling and full of flavor. It 2 teaspoons curry powder add the spinach. freezes nicely, but if you plan on storing it 5. After about a minute, the spinach should start to in a communal fridge, guard it well! The wilt. Stir in the rice and lentils, and turn the heat to dal and rice dish will satisfy even the most low. Simmer for a few minutes and serve warm. dedicated carnivore in your life. If you double the recipe, your leftovers are great cold for lunch. SMOKY TOMATO SOUP 1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. 2. Wash and quarter the tomatoes. Chop the onions 5 pounds fresh tomatoes and mince the garlic. Spread over two cookie sheets ½ cup olive oil and drizzle with the olive oil. 2 large onions 3. Bake for about 45 minutes, stirring every 10 min- 6 cloves garlic utes or so, until the tomatoes start the brown and the 1 bunch fresh basil onions caramelize. 2 teaspoons paprika 4. Let the vegetables sit on the counter for 5 to 10 salt and red pepper flakes to taste minutes, until they are cool enough to handle. Tear or chop the basil into small pieces. 5. Fill a blender about ½ full with the roasted tomato mixture and some of the basil pieces. Add about 1 cup of warm water. Puree, then pour the soup into a huge bowl or pot. 6. Repeat until all the vegetables are blended. Stir in the paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes. Taste test! Adjust seasonings, heat, and eat! 10 Diverse City September 25, 2009 CHORUS Chef serves up some killer rhymes in new album

BY DANIELLE GEWURZ brought down to earth in “Pyrex Vision” Editor where Raekwon destroys the conventional rap narrative of crack as easily, skillfully, The hip-hop world received its “Chinese and quickly made by explicitly detailing Democracy” this month, when Raekwon the process of producing it: “Trying to finally released the followup to his debut form a rock up and double it…All I see is album, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. II.” white stuff, suds in it/It’s on, get the baking The return of a Wu-Tang member is not soda, dump it.” This attention to detail, the only appreciated, but the album itself is verse style, is what makes this a worthy a triumph and a Wu-Tang Clan reunion, follow-up, even if it’s not a classic. packed with guest spots. “House of Flying Daggers” is a clas- The album, first announced in 2005, fea- sic posse cut, opening the album with a tures executive production from RZA, as menacing chorus equaled by the strings well as work from the now-deceased J Dilla and stomp in “Cold Outside.” But the and Dr. Dre, though none of the produc- Ghostface/Raekwon interplay is at its peak tion is especially groundbreaking. It’s Dre in “Penitentiary,” one of many notable who struggles the most to fit in, his tracks Ghostface lines on the album. sounding far too clean and neat compared Ghostface’s best moment is truly “Gihad,” to the rest of the production. where he describes having sex with a But that’s irrelevant, because Raekwon friend’s girlfriend with “Pyrex in one hand, and associates are in top form. Wu-Tang’s large amount of grams and it rocked up/ style has always been far more organized And she pregnant, my little man got her and composed than, say, Lil Wayne, and knocked up.” Though it may not sound after “The Blueprint 3” turned out to be it, it’s in fact one of the most lighthearted less than classic, here’s an album that lives moments on the album (and it still ends up to its promise as a sequel to one of rap’s with someone pulling a gun out). But best and most beloved albums. that’s Raekwon and Ghostface’s MO: find- Much like the original “Only Built For ing the details, both sad and humorous, in Cuban Linx” Ghostface is the most fre- what otherwise might be a far too familiar quent guest, although every remaining PHOTO from Internet Source crime-mob rap. Wu-Tang member except U-God makes It’s worthwhile to remember that “Only an appearance and there’s also work The album isn’t quite a concept album, MC who pioneered some of the narrative Built For Cuban Linx” almost singlehand- from, among others, Jadakiss and Styles but it’s a loose narrative about drug deal- style that’s proved to be Wu-Tang Clan’s edly brought about this mob/Mafioso, P. Ghostface Killah remains in top form, ing, criminal enterprise, and street life that trademark. New York centric drug empire that Jay-Z, playing off Raekwon as well as the two did Raekwon navigates with ease and insouci- Raekwon mourns the passing of Ol’ Nas, and others have continued to explore. on Raekwon’s debut. The difference here is ance. Masta Killa sums up the numerous Dirty Bastard, sampling “Brooklyn Zoo” Because it’s a narrative style so common- that Raekwon walks away from a majority threads in “Kiss the Ring;” “Now he's an and humanizing a man who seemed larger place now, “Cuban Linx Pt 2” obviously of these tracks the clear champion, having old Mafia don, from back when/He man- than life and far too comic. There’s some- lacks the same impact, but that doesn’t honed his verses to sharp points. aged to survive the game, ducking fame… thing deeply moving in Raekwon’s simple mean it’s not a worthy sequel. It’s an album Raekwon’s talent is in evocative narra- Ya'll rap cats had your last win, toast the honesty about their friendship, a respect whose incessant delays are clearly a func- tives, and while he hasn’t quite got coke rap kings.” that extends far beyond any bluster or tion of Raekwon the Chef’s willingness down, his broader focus greatly benefits On “We Will Rob You,” Slick Rick shows mafia narratives and feels intensely reveal- to keep returning to the kitchen to adjust the album, which feels slightly bloated at up for the hook’s obvious Queen bite, ing of both men. the seasoning levels. Thankfully, the dish 22 tracks but is worth the listen. appreciated though a bit of a waste of an Clipse see their trademark coke rap style turned out quite well. Fads: Friends or foes? Not aMUSEd: “The Resistance” album disappoints BY ANDREA FISHMAN Special to DiverseCity BY SAMANTHA SHOKIN Although fads in literature, style, music Editor and so on traverse across boundaries, allowing for at least one set of shared inter- For years I have been drowning my ests, these fads may or may not be viewed thoughts to the sound of Mathew Bellamy’s as homogenizing the varied trends that are stirring yet poetic conspiracy theories. supposed to be the hallmark of any culture When feeling particularly riveted, I would or sub-culture. To be persuaded into a fad play “Apocalypse Please” on a loop, or, of literature and faux pop-culture, let’s say if I felt like starting a revolution that into the books and movies of the popular day, I would blast “Stockholm Syndrome” Twilight series, is to believe that it is neces- through my speakers at full force. So when sary to be a part of the craze and that one I first heard that my favorite band, the must relish in it. multi-award winning English rock group While not completely bashing the vam- Muse, was coming out with a new album, pire-science fiction fad that is known as well—to say I was merely excited would be Twilight and other such literary and cin- a tremendous understatement. ematic “eye-candy” for the masses, it is Muse has always stood out from the still necessary to realize that the historical crowd with a unique sound that blends notions of vampires have been twisted into alternative rock, electronica, and classical a sensational world that masses feel they music. Their sweeping overtures, “apoca- must try to escape into. Most importantly, lyptic” melodies and generally epic pieces literary fads, more often than not, prove to established a worldwide fan base that now be ever-changing and tied down to present runs in the millions. Their latest album, trends. The Resistance, was released on Sept. 7. Therefore, I must ask why the youth and I listened through the album and was left subsequent generations continually jump unsatisfied. The “epic” sound that I had on the bandwagon rather than decide what known and loved before was absent and PHOTO from Internet Source novels and interests are more stationary replaced by songs that sound poppy, radio- and time-worthy for the individual. Fads friendly, and geared towards an audience “United States of Eurasia” is more Muse- fans that want pulsing guitar riffs but are in style and music are also ever-chang- that appreciates catchiness as opposed to esque in that it has a bit of that grandiose met instead by fluttery piano concertos. ing and “keeping up” with the times may originality and soul-wrenching brilliance. sound I’d expect. It gradually builds to a It was completely unnecessary to devote a deter one’s own journey to self-discovery A few songs on the album sound like climax in typical Muse fashion, but then fourth of the album to this. through his or her own unique stylistic corny Muse imitations. There are only falls flat and is basically unmemorable. I’m pretty disappointed. The hype for and musical tastes. While these fads are out two half-decent songs that I would listen The last three songs on the album are part this album was blown way out of propor- there and can be the friends to many look- to more than once. “Uprising,” which was of an “Exogenesis Symphony” that has tion, just like many of the songs build up ing for a way to fit-in and stay in-tuned to released as a teaser prior to the album, is the makings of an epic piece, but they feel to a lot of fluff with no meaning. I am the popular youth culture of the times, I kind of catchy and foot-tapping but the somehow schmaltzy, dramatized and artifi- going to go grumble about this in my believe they are foes to the individual try- lyrics are lame, repetitive, and unprofound. cial. It is all hype with pointless execution, room to some real tunage: Black Holes and ing to steer away from the mainstream and “Undisclosed Desires” is the same story. and will be vastly unappreciated by Muse Revelations (their 2006 album, no less). simply be their fad-less selves. September 25, 2009 Diverse City 12 ENDNOTE Ask the Queer Resource Center! Who wears the pants? BY RACHAEL BARR Staff jeans I want Do you have questions about gender, sexuality, diversity, or acceptance? and need, Would you like anonymous advice from friendly peer counselors? Ironically, when the pant sizes started to even though, Check out the Queer Resource Center, the educational branch of Triskelion, drop off, so did the amount of men in my as I said, I the Brandeis LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual/ life. I always used to dream I was skinny. am not really ally) group. We provide free, confidential peer counseling to people of all My mom once told me, “Go for your looking for identities, in Shapiro Campus Center room 328, Mondays through Fridays dreams.” So I did. them. I cre- form 1 to 5 PM. And here I am today. With this whole ate my own new wardrobe to accommodate my slightly Catch-22 in Now you can have your questions answered anonymously in print! Submit smaller, yet not small enough, frame. But which I still a question to “Ask the QRC” at [email protected]. Put “Hoot” in the subject clothes, like men, are never what they seem have no pants line, and you’ll see your question addressed anonymously in next week’s to be. They usually look better on the rack. on and am not paper! And that girl over there who looks so good even supposed in her pants I had to try them on? Yeah, to be looking Dear QRC, Dear QRC, she looks much better in them than I do. for any. The clothes I pick out are always too small When I’m not or too tight or too big or too short or, well, engulfed in not Is it true that gay people have a So is gender neutral housing a never too long. Let’s be honest here. But looking for the smaller hypothalamus? new thing? How does this affect my they are oftentimes too expensive or made pants I’m look- life here at ‘Deis? of really cheap material or have been tried ing for, I some- Sincerely, on so many times, they’ve lost all their times think of Biologically Bamboozled Sincerely, appeal. (Just to be clear, I’m only partially those pants that Hesitantly Housed talking about clothes now.) I know I out- Experiments and tests have been I always want the clothes every one else grew that were has: I want to keep up with the trends. But itchy and tight performed, mostly on men, over While some other schools have PHOTO from Internet Source the course of many years in an had Gender Neutral Housing for a I am not a very trendy person. I’m more of and unforgiv- attempt to discern a biological dif- while, it is a new thing for Brandeis. a baseball hat, shorts, t-shirt, muscles…I ing but seem to mean, sorry. I was describing my clothes. remember as comfortable and stylish and ference between homosexual and This is actually the first year we’ve I always like the ones that are never right my favorite color. I remember the good heterosexual people. For example, had it! Gender Neutral Housing for me. They either don’t fit, are completely times we had, the crotch holes we suffered three researchers named Swaab, is essentially gender blind. Living out of style, or scream at the innocent pass- together, the snow through which we tra- LeVay, and Allen have investigated in Gender Neutral Housing means ersby, “I’M TRYING TOO HARD TO FIT versed, the summer months that forced me the differences in the hypothalamus that your gender is not declared IN!” Which, of course, causes everyone to roll the cuffs…oh the good days! They between homosexual and hetero- to Community Living. Here’s in the near vicinity, clothes on and off the start to outnumber the memories of the sexual men. They each came to dif- how it works: GNH exists only rack, to run away and lock their doors. bad ones and now, to quote an appropri- fering conclusions, and the medi- on sophomore housing and above I see the shirts and pants and big belts ate book, “I just want my pants back.” This cal community has yet to make a and is available by request on cer- you’re supposed to be wearing, and the thinking has led me down the dangerous definitive statement on the issue. tain floors. You can contact the men you’re supposed to be wearing them path of searching the lost and found, the with, splashed across magazines, taunting trash, the bowels of my closet to find that If you want more information, you Department of Community Living me. And I know I will never wear these pair of pants I’d decided long ago were can check out the AllPsych jour- for a map of which buildings and clothes, nor will I ever see them in real no longer right for me in the hopes that nal’s article called “Homosexuality: floors contain gender neutral life. What’s more is that the dress I’ve been they’ve either changed since I last saw them Nature or Nurture” online at http:// areas. If you would like Gender saving up for since last winter is no longer or that I was too hasty in getting rid of allpsych.com/journal/homosexual- Neutral Housing, you can request worth the price. Or I’ve saved up so long, them. But once I find them, and put them ity.html. it. Brandeis will not force anyone it’s now too cold out to wear it. Better yet, I on, the true memories come back, and I It is important to note that these into a living situation they don’t seem to like to pay full price when the next start to scratch and they squeeze in all the studies looked at the difference want, and as such Gender Neutral day it goes on sale. wrong places and I realize that they are far between homosexual and het- Housing will affect your life only to I’m not saying I have bad luck, per se, I’m too critical. So once again, I am forced to erosexual people, not any other the degree that you want it to! just saying that if I had to pick half empty ditch them. Once again, I did not really or half full, I already spilled the glass on want my pants back. members of the queer community. my new white shirt so I don’t know if it was I think sometimes the idea of the perfect Moreover, these studies represent a Love, empty or full. I just know it stains. pair of pants is far more enticing than single hypothesis of biological dif- The QRC We’ve all heard that old saying which acquiring them or searching for them. I ference between homosexual and claims that once we stop looking, the per- have perfectly good dresses, tights, shirts, heterosexual people. The results so fect pair of pants will come strolling along? skirts, leggings, and shorts to get me far haven’t shown convincing evi- Dear QRC, Well, I can’t go into a store and just not look through at least another few months. And dence, but even if an answer was at the pants in the hopes that one will hop if that doesn’t work, hopefully Brandeis found to this particular question, A lot of my friends are gay and I off the hanger and come charging down the will have another “The Less You Wear” there are other topics within the want them to know I support them. aisle at me, screaming, “Wear me!” I have dance and I won’t have to worry about connection of biology and sexual- What’s the best way for me to do to look. I have to. It’s in my nature. If I do what I have on. Or don’t have on. Maybe stop looking, it’s with the hyperawareness those pants will find me somewhere, some- ity to be studied. The implications this? that I am ACTIVELY NOT LOOKING how. Until then, I guess I won’t be button- of these studies are perhaps more for that perfect pair of jeans while instead ing anything up, or down, anytime soon. complex than the question itself, Enthusiastic Ally I look at everyone else’s jeans trying to In fact, maybe I’ll learn how to stop com- as it brings up debates of nature convince myself that my jeans are waiting paring what I have on to what others have. vs. nurture, choice, equality, and There are several ways to be a somewhere for me, hoping I’ll run into And by virtue of this, I can strip away my human rights. good ally! Some include stepping them in a dark alley or a check-out line. naked discomfort and clothe myself in the in when offensive language is used, Instead, I find myself walking into every knowledge that someday my prince will Love, not assuming people’s sexuality store, wondering if this store holds the come. And I’ll borrow his pants. The QRC and/or gender identity/expression, and always refraining from label- ing someone until they tell you the Want to report on the newest music, term they prefer. Of course, with friends you can ask them about movies and entertainment? ways you can be more accepting Looking to explore issues related to and supportive of their sexuality! Remember, not everyone will want diversity and culture? or need the same things; the most Interested in creative writing? supportive thing you can do is be available! Come and write for Diverse City! Love, The QRC E-mail [email protected]