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ISSUEAmerican Studies Magazine Fall 2017, No. 1, Vol. 4

Quiz: Canadian Politics and Guns: Album Review: Which member of Keeping the Concrete and the Donald Trump Safety Switch On Gold cabinet are you? Colophon

Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim Alaoui

Contributors Ibrahim Alaoui Matthijs Koster This Issue Loïs Machelessen Catherine Mastebroek Rindert Oost Wouter Peer Vincent Veerbeek Pip van der Zanden 4 Canadian Politics and Guns: Keeping the Safety Switch On Design Bregje van der Sommen Rindert Oost

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2 | The Issue | Fall 2017 editorial State of Word from the Union the Board

It’s autumn, which is also known as fall, and for a good reason; leaves, temperatures, rain (maybe even a bit of snow), the Trump administration, they’re all falling down.

Looking back at the last 10 months, it seems impossible that Trump is still in office (on his non-golfing days anyway). Although many cabinet members and White House officials have been let go, the administration as a whole is still standing for now. If you ever wondered which of the remaining cabinet members is the most like you, wonder no more! Pip van der Zanden’s quiz determines once and for all which of Donnie’s “best people” you are. The day you all have been waiting for so desperately In dark days like these, it’s tempting to look has finally come. What lies in front of you is the work back with nostalgia at the relative stability of a lot of dedicated and passionate people, who have and competence of previous administrations. summoned all their creative powers to make this mas- However, 45 is not the first morally bankrupt terpiece happen. The first Issue of the study year. president. Indeed, Trump’s own favorite former president, Andrew Jackson, left behind a As Chair of our fabulous study association, I will have legacy that can be called questionable to say the great honor to wright the quarterly “Word from the the least. Vincent Veerbeek takes a look at Board”, even though I probably can’t compete with the the actions of the 7th president and discusses lyrical genius of our authors, I will certainly do my best why Trump would want to identify himself to keep y’all informed and entertained. with such a controversial figure. So to hook into my ambition of keeping you “informed One of the main(e) articles is about The Pine and entertained”, there is a certain curious thing that Tree State in New England. Our foreign cor- immediately pops to my mind, a thing that couldn’t respondent and former Editor-in-Chief Loïs be more representative of the word “entertainment”, Machelessen explains what’s so great about that I need to inform you about. For some of you this this state. curious thing will undoubtedly spark some memories of long nights, sweetened by the consumption of an Enjoy, (un)reasonable amount of alcoholic beverages. This curious thing is called a “discodel”. Ibrahim Alaoui Editor-in-Chief A “discodel” is the perfectly balanced combination of sweet and savory, soft and crunchy, hot and cold. A dish that will blow your taste buds right out of your mouth, in all the right ways. However, as complex as it might sound, to create the unique experience of eating a “discodel” you only need three ingredients. A classic Dutch “frikandel” topped off by a blob of mayonnaise and some “disco dip”.

And that’s about it, now you can consider yourselves informed, and maybe even entertained.

On behalf of the XVth Board of USA Nijmegen,

Ina Holzapfel Chairwoman 2017-2018

The Issue | Fall 2017 | 3 canadian politics

Canadian Politics and Guns: Keeping the Safety Switch On In the United States, gun restrictions and Second Amendment rights have been an issue of debate for the last couple of decades. With Trump in the White House and a Republican Congress, gun laws are likely not going to change for the coming years. Since many Americans threatened to move to Canada when Trump was elected, we should ask ourselves the question: “How does Canada deal with guns?”

Rindert Oost On October 1, 2017, 58 people were shot dead included that said that men had the right at a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada. One year to defend themselves. However, this part before that, on June 12, 2016, 49 were killed was excluded from the Canadian Charter at a club in Orlando, Florida, one year before of Rights, which is a part similar to the that, there was the San Bernardino shooting American Bill of Rights in the Constitution, in California and that list goes on and on because if they granted the right to own with an average of more than three-hun- weapons to their citizens, it would mean dred mass shootings a year (a mass shooting that the aboriginal people of Canada would is defined as a shooting with four or more also have that right. I think it is safe to deaths). In Canada, that number is down to say that everyone knows how much white, less than one per year, the last one being Christian men were in favor of giving Native at the beginning of this year at a mosque Americans weapons. in Montreal. The question that arises with these statistics is, “why are there not as GUN REGULATIONS: many shootings in Canada as in the United So, if gun laws are not in Canada’s consti- States?” To answer that question, we must tution, is it legal for people to own firearms look at Canada’s gun policy and politics in Canada? The short answer to this would from different angles. be “yes,” the long one, “yes, with a lot of difficulties.” Unlike the United States, THE SECOND AMENDMENT: where apart from the Second Amendment The first angle is the Canadian Constitu- right to own guns, the different states do tional right to bear arms because Canadian the regulation of guns, with some restric- citizens do not have that right. As we all tions determined from a federal level. Thus, know, the United States has the infamous there are only a handful of states that have Second Amendment right, which gives U.S. regulation on long guns, handguns, and citizens “the right (…) to keep and bear magazine capacity and even less that allow Arms.” Politicians and other anti-gun law background checks. Worse than that, there activists who tried to get rid of this Second are twelve states (you may guess which Amendment are met with heavy resistance ones) that allow for the open carrying of a from gun owner and lobbyists, like the firearm. Canada has everything regulated National Rifle Association (N.R.A.). This is on a federal level, which means that every- an uninfringeable for American citizens, where in Canada, there is the same limita- yet the gun restrictions differ from state to tion for magazines (maximum of ten rounds state. Yet, Canada has a different approach in a handgun), legal and illegal weapons etc. to this American Second amendment. Only seven states in the entire USA have the same rules regarding gun regulation, as Canada does. CANADA’S CONSTITUTION AND GUN RIGHTS: GUN PERMIT: Canada became a self-governing dominion This does not mean, however, that it is easy within the British Empire in 1867, and at to get a gun permit or a gun in Canada. To that same time, Canadian politicians also own a gun in Canada, one must get a license drafted their own constitution. Yet, because first, kind of like taking a driver’s test in the they were part of the British Empire, Can- Netherlands before you are allowed to drive, ada had to adopt the British Bill of Rights which seems reasonable for everyone’s as well. This Bill of Rights did have a part safety. This license consists of a theoretical

4 | The Issue | Fall 2017 course and exam, as well as a safety course which takes in total, if you pass at all, up to two months (and two-hundred dollars). The government also runs through your criminal record, whether you have a court-ordered prohibition or if you have a mental illness. This does not happen in most American states, where you can sometimes just buy a gun without any I.D.

CANADA’S POLITICANS AND GUNS: Fortunately for Canadians, it is highly unlikely that their gun laws will change anytime soon. Unlike the previous, more conservative government of Prime Min- ister (P.M.) Stephen Harper, who believed in a more moderate gun control policy. He taught that law enforcement could not always respond fast enough and that it would be the duty of a citizen to act, even if nec- essary with a gun. The current P.M., Justin Trudeau, advocates for a broader control and ban of larger weapons. Moreover, most Ca- nadians, both politicians, and citizens, favor the current system of gun regulation, rather than the American system.

In short, the Canadian gun policy has more regulation than the United States, who only have the Second Amendment on a federal level. There is no constitutional right for Canadians to own a gun, but they can own one by the law. It does take a lot of time to get a permit and background checks, like criminal record and mental illness. This does help to prevent mass shootings, which happen often with legally bought guns, not with illegal ones. Gun policy will not change anytime soon and if it does, it will likely be more regulations to buy a gun. Like one of the first Canadian Prime Ministers, John MacDonald, said, probably the only reason to weaken gun restriction in Canada is “to keep out those American criminals.”

The Issue | Fall 2017 | 5 How to get away with murder Vincent Veerbeek After Donald Trump won the 2016 election, lackeys like Rudy Giuliani and Newt Gringich were quick to compare his victory to that of Andrew Jackson in 1828. As a champion of the common man, Trump himself, too, has not shied away from praising Jackson, even hanging a portrait of him in the Oval Office. This admiration is not altogether surprising, considering that Andrew Jackson is a well-known president who did lots of things during his eight-year term. In fact, his face is dis- played prominently on the 20 dollar bill (for now) and there are countless statues of him across the United States, including one opposite the White House. Never- theless, there are plenty of reasons to be hesitant about celebrating Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson, as his ‘accomplish- ments’ included being a war criminal, slave owner and mass murderer of Native people.

6 | The Issue | Fall 2017 Andrew Jackson was born to Scotch-Irish v. Georgia that states could not infringe parents in the border area between North upon Native rights. This decision essen- and South Carolina in 1767. After a fairly tially established the concept of tribal uneventful childhood, he became a lawyer sovereignty, the notion that state and in Tennessee and quickly worked his way federal government have limited control up in the world. Jackson served time in over Indigenous tribes. Of course, Jack- both houses of Congress, was a member son could not care less. Legend has it that of the Tennessee Supreme Court, and he replied, ‘John Marshall has made his soon accumulated enough wealth to buy decision; now let him enforce it’, after himself a big plantation with, you guessed which he carried on undisturbed. One by it, slaves. He then went on to pursue a one, despite legal and military resistance, military career, in which he got to show- the tribes were violently removed from case his penchant for going after Indig- their homelands. Thankfully, groups from enous peoples, playing a significant role some tribes, like the Cherokee, managed in the 1813-1814 Creek War and the First to stay and later rebuild a community on Seminole War, between 1816 and 1819. He their traditional homeland. Others, who also fought against the British during the survived the death marches, carried on War of 1812, winning a massive victory at as best they could in Oklahoma. It is hard the Battle of New Orleans that made him to grasp just how brutal and horrendous quite popular. After he was done killing these removals were, but the name ‘Trail people himself, Jackson decided to return of tears’ is apt. Over 51,000 Indigenous to politics and was elected to the Senate in people were taken from their homes and 1823. In the presidential election of 1824, around 15,500 of them died of disease, he came real close to being president, but starvation and exposure to extreme tem- the House of Representatives got to pick peratures along the way. These practices the next president and chose John Quincy did not stop with Andrew Jackson either, Adams over Jackson. In 1828, however, because the policy carried on well beyond the Democratic Party had begun to take his presidency. Not only were the last shape, and incumbent John Quincy Adams removals enacted under his successor was no match for Andrew Jackson. One Martin van Buren, it also set a precedent reason for this is that he directly appealed for later large-scale removal, such as to the common man in his campaign. This 1864 Navajo Long Walk. In America’s long way, he attracted a large number of low- history of genocide against its Indigenous er-class white men who had never voted people, the removal era is a particularly before, which is why Jackson has been dark page, and although not the sole per- credited with significantly expanding the petrator, Andrew Jackson had a big hand electorate. Although that is true to some in it. extent, this fact should not be overstated, given that it was still only white men who All in all, Andrew Jackson’s election in could vote. 1828 may have been a minor victory for democracy, but his presidency came at a Once this nineteenth-century Frank great cost for everyone who did not fit his Underwood had what he wanted, he could vision of “progress”. His record in and out get to work on his evil schemes. Sure, he of office is so abysmal that nobody should did some good things over the eight years be proud to be compared to him, let alone that he was president, like paying off the praise him. The story of Andrew Jack- national debt and making some reforms son is a good example of why we should to combat corruption (though not very look to the past and learn from it, but successfully). At the same time, howev- not glorify its villains. There may be few er, he messed up the economy, the bank prominent leaders from early American system and promoted slavery. Worst of history with a spotless record, but despite all, Andrew Jackson was to a large extent their flaws, most still had some virtues the mastermind behind the genocid- that are worth remembering. Not Andrew al removal policies that characterized Jackson though. So in case you ever won- federal policy toward Natives during the dered whether Trump is really as much of eighteen-thirties. In 1830, he signed the a white supremacist as he appears to be, Indian Removal Act into law, allowing for look no further than his admiration for the removal of the five largest tribes of the seventh president, who was not only the American Southeast, known as the a slave-owner, but a genocidal maniac. civilized tribes: the Choctaw, the Semi- And contrary to what Trump believes, noles, the Muscogee, the Chickasaw and Andrew Jackson definitely could not have the Cherokee. They were to leave their stopped the Civil War from happening. ancestral homelands and start a new life Not only did he die fifteen years before out west, usually in what is now Oklaho- the war started, he most certainly would ma. Tragically, Chief Justice Marshall of have been on the wrong side of history, as the Supreme Court did the right thing for Andrew Jackson always was. once, ruling in the 1832 case Worcester

The Issue | Fall 2017 | 7 Hollywood and sexual misconduct

The Weinstein Company Ibrahim Alaoui It has been more than a month since the New Harvey Weinstein, together with his brother York Times broke the story that Hollywood Bob, started Miramax production studios in mogul Harvey Weinstein has been sexually ha- 1979. Its first projects were small successes but rassing and assaulting women for decades. The by the late 90s the company had grown into initial shock was huge, but for many women, one of the most powerful forces in Hollywood. there was no sense of disbelief. Rumors and Strict oversight by the Weinsteins and rigor- warnings of Weinstein’s despicable behavior ous Oscar campaigns made sure that many of had been going around Hollywood for years the Miramax’s projects became critical and box and in the days and weeks following the NYT office successes. Many actors, like Ben Affleck publication it became clear how many had in and Matt Damon, have stated publicly in the fact been a victim of the Hollywood executive. past that Harvey Weinstein was the reason they On twitter, the hashtag “me too” became a broke through in the acting world and Weinstein became one of the most thanked persons in Os- way for women to speak out, initially about car speeches (behind God and Steven Spielberg). Weinstein but it quickly turned into a global Clearly, the business model of the Weinsteins way for men and women everywhere to share was working, but the revelations of the New what they had been through and a way to sup- York Times and of the actresses that followed port other victims. showed that the methods through which Wein- stein made sure he could continue to harass and assault young actresses were equally rigorous. Threats, intimidations, an aggressive legal team and employees and colleagues looking the other way were all used to protect this professional predator.

8 | The Issue | Fall 2017 nity. The TV show 30 Rock featured a joke about Weinstein’s predatory behavior in a 2012 episode and so did Seth Macfarlane at a 2013 award show. But these satirical remarks were not enough to cause a change in the power dynamics that enabled the systematic abuse in the Hollywood community. When the women mentioned in the New York Times article got the ball rolling, most vocally Rose Mcgowan, many others felt sup- ported to speak out too. In the weeks following the Weinstein revelations, hundreds of allegations against dozens of actors and directors started to come forward. The public outrage on social media, from actresses and the public alike, has played a major role in this shift. For once, it seems like it’s more detrimental to the careers of male directors and actors to stay silent about the allegations than it is for the victims to speak out.

This past year has been somewhat of a turning point with multiple public figures having been fired because of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Fox News CEO Roger Ailes stepped down last year after multiple allegations and in April of this year Bill O’Reilly, Fox News’ biggest star, was fired after revelations of years of sexual harassment and the multiple subsequent set- tlements that totaled tens of millions of dollars. Sadly the more than 16 sexual harassment and assault allegations against Donald Trump have not yielded any consequences, not even after the release of the disgusting “Access Hollywood” tape in which he admits to sexual assaulting women.

The widespread public damnation of Harvey Weinstein and his removal from the Academy is a good thing; however it’s just the first step. As long as Hollywood movies keep promoting movies full of toxic masculinity, it will continue the normalization of this sort of behavior. In order for this to happen, the small percentage (around 20%) of directors, writers and producers who are women need increase significantly. It’s ridicu- lous that only 33 of the top 50 movies released Hollywood and in 2016 passed the Bechdel test. To pass this test, movies must have “more than two named female characters”, those two named characters must “have a conversation at any point”, and that conversation must be about “literally any- sexual misconduct thing other than a man”. These standards are depressingly low, yet apparently still not achiev- able. There seems to be some progress. Until Hollywood 2014, only half of top movies passed the Bechdel Harvey Weinstein isn’t the only certified test. Movies like Wonder Woman, a superhero creep in Hollywood. The list of male actors movie directed by a woman (Patty Jenkins) and and directors who have been accused of sexual starring a woman (Gal Gadot) which became a harassment and/or sexual assault is too long to critical and box office success, are a sign that repeat here, yet certainly not complete. The list things might finally be getting better. of actors and actresses who have continued to work with directors who have been repeatedly Hollywood’s expulsion of Weinstein is hopeful- accused (like Woody Allen) or even convicted of ly also a sign that the days of sexual predators sexual assault (Roman Polanski) is also baffling. in power are limited. Despite what Fox News Since the early days of Hollywood, male direc- claimed after the scope of the Weinstein scandal tors and producers have had so much power and became public, this is not just a Hollywood issue. influence that trying to speak out about sexual Nor is it just a Fox News issue. For anyone whose assault was to say goodbye to your career. No head is not stuck in the sand it is clear that this one would believe you, your colleagues and the is a global issue. There are Harvey Weinsteins in public would turn against you, claiming you every line of work and almost every woman has were only seeking attention, and you would experienced sexual harassment in her life. The be silenced while the assaulters would hardly only way to change this is for these men to be receive any backlash and their careers would subjected to the same fate as Harvey Weinstein. remain largely unaffected. After the Weinstein Other men must stop condoning their behavior allegations were released, this dam finally and realize the flaws in society and in their own seemed to break. Within a week Weinstein was behavior. We must listen to the victims who fired from his own company and a few days later come forward and take them seriously. In the he was removed from the Academy. What had words of human rights activist Ginetta Sagan: changed? Weinstein’s treatment of women was “Silence in the face of injustice is complicity certainly known within the Hollywood commu- with the oppressor.”

The Issue | Fall 2017 | 9 So, a hiatus was announced for an undis- closed period of time. Still recovering from his broken leg, Dave reportedly went through a Album Review: depressed phase during which he did not even feel like picking up a guitar. Fortunately, over time music started creeping into his life again, as the urge to record new music returned only after the first three months. These early dem- Concrete and os were the basis for the Foos’ ninth studio album Concrete and Gold. After announcing a hiatus for an unknown period of time after their last tour, the Foo Motörhead’s version of Sgt. Pepper Fighters laid low for a while. Fortunately, this Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins de- Gold was all a cover, as recordings had soon started scribed Concrete and Gold as “the weirdest Matthijs Koster again, and on June 1st 2017, the Foos sur- sounding Foo Fighters album so far.” This is prised everyone when they suddenly dropped due to the completely different approach the their new single Run, accompanied by an band took while recording this album. One of incredible music video directed by Dave Grohl the biggest influences is most likely that of himself. Soon after, the Foo Fighters website producer Greg Kurstin, one of today’s most announced a new album, to be released on popular producers in the music industry. To September 15th, titled Concrete and Gold. give a few examples, he played most instru- ments on Adele’s Hello, and has produced “Break a leg!” music by people like Sia, Ellie Goulding and During the Foo Fighter’s last tour in 2015 in Pink. Kurstin is a pop music producer, and support of their album Sonic Highways, front- had never recorded heavy rock music, which man Dave Grohl broke his leg at a show in made him initially seem like a weird choice Sweden after falling off the stage. In true Foo for the Foo Fighters. This was exactly what Fighter-style, Dave decided to continue the Dave Grohl wanted though, as he had been show after having his leg inspected, letting convinced of Kurstin’s musical genius after someone from the medical staff keep his hearing Again and Again by his band The Bird leg in place for the rest of the concert. After and the Bee. Dave Grohl said the following this legendary moment in rock history, Dave about Greg Kurstin’s role in Concrete and Gold. played guitar and sang the rest of the tour “I wanted it to be the biggest sounding Foo from a throne placed on stage, although there Fighters record ever. To make a gigantic rock are recordings that show him getting up to record but with Greg Kurstin’s sense of melo- dance. Having finished the tour, the band was dy and arrangement… Motörhead’s version of ready for a well-deserved break in order to Sgt. Pepper... or something like that.” rest, heal and be away from music for a while.

10 | The Issue | Fall 2017 music And this is exactly what this album sounds Trump like. In fact, Sir Paul McCartney played drums Grohl has made comments in various inter- on Sunday Rain. Starting out with the opening views about the political dimension of this song T-Shirt, the listener is eased into it with album, which for instance is present in Run. Dave singing calmly while playing guitar. Then In an interview with ET Canada, Dave ex- after the first thirty seconds, the true nature plained that he was writing lyrics just when of this record is revealed when the band kicks Trump became the Republican nominee. This in and you are treated to everything you ever inspired a feeling of hopelessness and de- desired from a new Foo Fighters album. And spair, which reportedly reminded him of his that’s just the first minute and twenty-two teenage years of punk music in Virginia. He seconds of the record! has also expressed concern with regard to his two daughters, who, as a side note, star in the When you listen to Concrete and Gold it soon music video for The Sky is a Neighborhood. “I’m becomes clear Kurstin’s genius in melody and looking at a candidate that has blatant disre- composition perfectly fit the style of the Foo gard for the future environmentally, when it Fighters. Ever since the Foo Fighters’ first al- comes to women’s rights, diplomatically… I bum in 1995, this band has expanded its capa- have three daughters that are going to survive bilities, and produced music with a vast range me for decades – how are they going to get on in terms of genre and mood. As with any Foo unless there’s some positive and progressive Fighters album, this is also present in Concrete change?” Therefore, Trump’s nomination and Gold. For example, people who do not like inspired Grohl to write Run, which is about loud rock music would be surprised to hear running away from it all, to find freedom the song Happy After Ever (Zero Hour), which and peace. However, the album also offers a is completely free of distortion or scream- more positive note, for example in the lyrics ing. How about that?! If we then move on to of Concrete and Gold: “Our roots are stronger a slightly louder, bigger-sounding song (see than you know. Up through the concrete we where this is going?), The Sky is a Neighborhood will grow.” This conveys a strong sense of is one of the highlights of this album. It starts resistance. The title Concrete and Gold indeed out with a beautiful choir, only to build up to really captures the album’s theme of hope and an enormously sounding chorus filled with desperation. guitars and synthesizers. Finally, La Dee Da, featuring Alison Mosshart on vocals, as well as Concluding, Concrete and Gold is an immensely Concrete and Gold have that Foo Fighters-sound varied album, which does justice to the band’s of fuzzy guitars with Dave Grohl screaming musical range. Whether you like or even over them, reminiscent of the older songs, remotely care about the political dimension, such as Alone + Easy Target and Weenie Beenie the Foo Fighters produced a fresh-sounding, from their 1995 debut album. excellent album of solid, heavy rock ‘n’ roll songs.

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Orientation The Issue | Fall 2017 | 13 Hamilton: Why wait for it? Do not throw away your shot! Wouter Peer How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman become the subject of a musical that has taken over the world? How is it possible to make a fight about financial Casting problems one of the most exciting climaxes of Even before the off-Broadway debut, Hamilton a story? Why is the musical sold out non-stop? already got a lot of attention because of their The hit musical Hamilton did it all, and did it casting choices. Lin-Manuel Miranda wanted with success. to break the old-fashioned ways and adopt- ed a different rule: color-conscious casting. It all began eight years ago, in 2009, at a Only people of color could apply for the roles, night of poetry, music and spoken word at the whose counterparts were typically white White House. Lin-Manuel Miranda, famous people: the founding fathers. As you could for his earlier hit musical In the Heights, was imagine, this caused a lot of controversy. so inspired by the founding father Alexander Mostly, white people were mad because they Hamilton after reading a biography by Ron were discriminated, which was a bit hypocrit- Chernow, he wrote a rap song about it which ical Miranda got asked a lot about it and his has received much acclaim from President answer has always been like this: “This is the Obama. However, this wasn’t enough for Mi- story of America then, told by America now. randa. The next couple of years he would ded- This is what our country looks like now, so icate his spare time to write a whole musical we’re allowed to tell the story because it’s the about the first Secretary of the Treasury, a hip story of our country too.” He argues that the hop musical. Immediately the whole show was American nation was built by immigrants, so sold out, the cast-recording was immense- it has to be played by immigrants of our time. ly famous, and after receiving a whopping That way the viewers will fully understand the sixteen Tony Award nominations, winning situation in which the United States of Amer- 11 (including best musical) it will go down in ica were created: “By casting our founders history as one of the most famous and game the same way our country looks now, I think changing musicals of all time. But what’s so it helps eliminate distance between those special about it? Why did it become so famous? perspectives and gets you to hear them in a What’s so interesting about Hamilton? new way.”

14 | The Issue | Fall 2017 musicals

On the other hand, critics say, even though epiphany.” Miranda feels a close bond be- it’s played by people of color, the story you get tween Alexander Hamilton and current hip told is essentially the same white-washed sto- hop artists. In some way you could say that ry which is getting a bit unpopular in higher Hamilton ultimately is the hip hop artist of his ranks of education. There is no room for black time. heroes. White people are at the center of the story. Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr) tries to de- Even the cast album is a musical achievement. bunk this by saying: “I think this show is go- Hip hop fans appraise the music for the poly- ing to hopefully make hundreds of thousands syllabic and complicated rhyme schemes. It of people of color feel a part of something that reached number 3 in the rap charts, and num- we don’t often feel a part of.” ber 12 on the Billboard 200. The music has clear influences from R&B and hip hop artists. You could say Hamilton created quite a stir Take the song The Schuyler Sisters for example. within the acting business. A whole new world This song about the three Dutch American of possibilities became available to include sisters Angelica (Renee Elise Goldberry), Eliza people of color in the theater industry, whom (Phillippa Soo) and Peggy (Jasmine Cephas are clearly discriminated in this field of work Jones) closely resembles the music of the R&B as shown in the Comprehensive Annenberg band Destiny’s Child, of which Beyoncé is the Report on Diversity. This is partially the rea- best known member. A person with a keen son of the fame of the musical. ear for music could find all kinds of nudges

Music and Easter eggs like this in the music from As mentioned before, Hamilton is a hip hop Hamilton. musical. This sounds a bit weird at first, but somehow Lin-Manuel Miranda merged the In conclusion we could say that the hit musical genres of hip hop and musical together, and Hamilton isn’t a hit for nothing. Lin-Man- it worked! There were other hip hop musicals uel Miranda did not just write a musical, he before like Holler If Ya Hear Me about the life of has written a musical that has changed the Tupac, but Hamilton sets itself apart by using musical-world as we know it. It reshaped the hip hop in a complete different context and casting industry, but it has also shown the subject. Describing one of the most, if not the wide range of genres to which a musical can most, important event in American history conform. So even if it’s overrated, according with the language of today was revolutionary to our President Trump, it will surely leave a itself. It turned out to be a really effective way mark in history. “History has its eyes on you” of telling a well-known story. It appeals to is a big theme in the musical, and that surely young listeners, and even experienced mu- packed out well. sical-viewers get to see something they’ve never seen before. If you really are convinced to see it, the nearest production is in London, which is Miranda states in an interview with Harvard relatively close considering at first it was only University: “Hamilton writes an essay, and performed in New York. However, if you don’t the essay is so good people pick up a collec- have the money to go there, don’t be de- tion to get him of the island. That’s the most spaired because the cast recording is on Spoti- hip hop thing I’ve ever heard. That’s what my fy and YouTube. The entire musical is sung, so favorite hip hop artists do. (…) That notion you don’t have to worry about missing crucial of writing your way out, that was sort of an plot points.

The Issue | Fall 2017 | 15 Be as cool as a moose The state of Maine is not a place that comes to mind when people travel to the United States. They are often attracted to New York City, Boston, or Los Angeles. Maine, however, is an undiscovered treasure, seemingly outside the realm of President Trump. A safe haven that has an equal amount of American and Canadian flags. This piece is my love for a state I have only been to once. Loïs Machelessen Maine, the largest of the six New England states, lies at the northeastern corner of the Maine’s coastline, none of them are the same. country. Maine became the 23rd state on There is plenty of water, which makes Maine March 15, 1820, as part of the Missouri Com- the perfect state for activities like jet skiing, promise, which allowed Missouri to enter paddle boarding and kayaking. A good way to the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free explore the coast line is by boat, and a har- state. There are around 1.5 million people liv- bor is a common sight in this coast state. The ing in Maine. The chickadee, a small but very water is also an amazing way to see dolphins, vocal songbird, is the official state animal, harbor seals, and whales. But there is more to with the moose following as a close second. Maine than just an immense coastline. Maine Every three miles you can spot a sign saying has the (in my opinion) most beautiful trees in “Brake for moose, it could save your life”. On the world: Pine trees, and they are everywhere an unrelated note: there are also a lot of signs (90% of Maine is covered in forest). Acadia that warn you for people on snow scooters. National Park, the second most visited national park in the US, has pine trees, but also There is a reason the state is also known as mountains, waterfalls, and lakes. The colors Vacation State or Vacationland. Maine has are amazing, and if you ever want to see the more of a coastline than California does and fall foliage, Maine is the place to be. Hidden different kinds of nature that makes you feel in the forests are moose, black bears, and bald like you are visiting multiple countries at eagles, America’s national animal. But even once. The coast has sandy beaches that make outside this national park there are beautiful for perfect surfing places and rugged, rocky sights in regards to landscape. Up north, close cliffs, where the sea smashes into. Light- to the border with Canada, you can experience houses are also present on the coast but even the gorgeous Attean View Overlook, giving you though there are more than 60 of them along a memory you will cherish.

16 | The Issue | Fall 2017 While the nature is impressive, Maine is more than just its beautiful landscapes. Hidden between trees and the inland harbors are quaint little towns that give off the most relaxed vibe you will experience in the US. Located next to the beach, Oqunquit has the finest home-made hot chocolate and a small but super cute harbor. The bigger cities are also worth exploring. Bangor, the home of Stephen King, has a lot to offer and Brunswick gives off a relaxed and hipster-y vibe and has a lot of good restaurants. But the real beauty, city-wise, is Portland. While the whole state gives off a sort of hipster vibe, Portland seems to radiate it. In downtown Portland, a.k.a. Old Port, old factories are now the home of beer breweries, small dinner places, independent stores, and galleries. Cobblestone streets give the city a more European vibe and seemingly straight out of a book. The harbor side is one if its main tourist attractions, where seaweed is drying on racks and gulls poke around in nets and lobster pots. And do not forget to check out the local music scene since there’s a wide variety of bands playing blues or rock covers. An absolute plus to this city is the availability of bikes and the presence of bicycle lanes. It is the best way to explore the city. The city is famous for its amazing food but the sur- roundings are certainly not bad either. Just 15 minutes outside of the city, the Portland Lighthouse is located, the most photographed lighthouse of the United States. Then there is Eastport, the most eastern city of the U.S. and from where you can be the first to see the sunrise in the United States.

What really makes these cities and towns are the people, for sure. They are unhurried, relaxed, and extremely friendly. People often talk about Southern hospitality but the people in Maine are surely no less hospitable then Southerners. Everybody loves to give you tips on where to go, what to see, where to eat, or offer you a place to stay. There are a lot of young people in their twenties and thirties, pride flags everywhere, a lot of dogs, and everybody seems happy.

Every year about 40 million pounds of lobster is caught off the coast, which is 90 percent of the nation’s supply. It is thus no wonder that Maine is famous for its lobster. In every city, in every small town, on the beach and along- side the road you see signs that tell you to get your lobster there. But that’s not all. Maine also has more than 90% of the nation’s blueberry crop. Of course, you can also find your normal food like pizza and sushi there but if you ever find yourself in Maine, please try some lobster or blueberry pancakes (or both).

Maine really is an awesome state. The people are welcoming, the towns are quaint and perfect for young people to visit, and if you are an outdoorsy person, Maine has everything you could ever wish for. When entering Maine, you will be greeted with a sign “The Way Life Should be”, and ain’t that the truth.

The Issue | Fall 2017 | 17 Which member of the Donald Trump Cabinet are you? Pip van der Zanden As President Donald Trump has told us many times, he has the best people. We couldn’t possibly question this, so instead, the question we’re asking is: which one are you? 1. What is your favorite food?

A Steak and ketchup C Truffle caviar

B Buttered popcorn D Popeye’s

2. How do you prefer to travel?

A Golf kart In the back of my C Lamborghini limousine

B The governmental jet D Trauma helicopter

Mostly A Mostly B Mike Pence Steve Mnuchin You’re Mike Pence! You’re Steve Mnuchin! You want to be every- You love movies, and thing your best friend you would pay a lot of is. You always get money to see them. stuck with their hand- Preferably when that me-downs. You love money is coming your friend, but secret- from the tax payers’ ly, you keep hoping pockets. The poor tax something bad hap- payers’ pockets, that pens to them, so you is. You wouldn’t want can be in the spotlight your rich buddies to for once. Just like you pay too much! keep hoping homosex- uality is something you can “cure”.

18 | The Issue | Fall 2017 quiz

3. What do you like to do on a Friday night?

A Plot a friend’s demise Drink a cocktail of gin mixed with C students’ tears

B Watch Lego Batman D Watch TLC: Doctors behind closed doors

4. What do you hate the most?

A Gender neutral bathrooms When people expect you to know C what you’re doing

B Taxing the rich When people don’t confront gunmen D head on 5. Who would you never talk to?

A Women other than my wife C Harvard students

B Every day Americans D Historians

6. What is your favorite color?

A Orange C Gold

B Green D Blood red

7. What is your favorite drink?

Now you know what Like I said, a cocktail of gin mixed A I don’t drink, I have self-control cabinet member you are! C with students’ tears Just a word of advice, though, don’t get settled in too much. As Scara- B Champagne Brain fluids D mucci can testify, you’ll be gone in no time.

Mostly C Mostly D Betsy DeVos You’re Betsy DeVos! Ben Carson You’re Ben Carson! Everyone knows You used to be a very you’re only here talented neurosurgeon, because you’re rich. and you should have You know nothing, stuck with your pro- except how to give fession. Even though money to the people you’re super smart, that will give you you have a distorted power. Who cares vision of reality and anyway? It’s not like history. Apart from education is actually their brains, you don’t important. You can know how people just pay your teach- work. On top of that, ers to let you pass. you’ve always had a violent personality. A brick for a pebble, am I right?

The Issue | Fall 2017 | 19 Insomnia Catherine Mastebroek Some people say that the most deaths occur in were devastated. Heartbroken that the person the early hours of the morning. Why? Because they loved had to go through the final stage of of the stage of sleep you’re in then. Your body dying by themselves. They hadn’t been able to is at its weakest and death comes easily. say goodbye in the last moments and it killed them. I can’t imagine that their dying loved When I started working at a hospice, I believed ones would rather have them feel horribly this too. I worked the day shift for the first few guilty than have them be there while they die. months I worked there, and we had around This, too, I told my coworker. He shrugged it two people dying every week. There were off, said I was thinking too much. always around sixty patients, as we worked at full capacity. Some needed more help than A few more months passed during which others, of course. But who died seemed to be I observed the same phenomenon. Family entirely random. You could have a patient be- members would leave and loved ones would ing chatty and cheerful one day and dead the suddenly be gone, even if they had been next, while there were also patients you had completely lucid before. Due to reorganization to help with everything and who were barely within the hospice I was home for a few weeks responsive who stayed alive for weeks after then. I was still on their payroll, but there being admitted. were no shifts for me to work. The situation seemed hopeless. I just started looking for a After working for some months I realized new job when I got a call that they had time something. When these people died, there slots for me to work. The night shift. Eager to was rarely ever anyone in the room with them. start working again, I accepted immediately. They died alone. I asked a coworker about this. He told me that most people can’t find peace It was rough, changing from working the before their family members leave because days to working the nights. It wasn’t that we they know how hard it would be to see the had more work to do, if anything we usual- light leave someone’s eyes. They don’t want ly worked less. The change in my sleeping their family members to witness them slip schedule was what drove me to the edge. away because of that. That’s why I didn’t really register it the first time I saw it. Just a shadow in the corner out That seemed weird to me. I had to deal with of my eye, nothing unusual. There were fewer those family members who just left for a few lights on at night, my brain had just been moments and then came back to hear their playing a trick on me. loved one had died while they were out. They

20 | The Issue | Fall 2017 short story

That night, a patient died. I didn’t think would die shortly after. Of course this wasn’t anything of it. She hadn’t been doing too well enough for me. I wanted to know exactly what all week, her time had come. I started getting happened in those moments before the people more into the rhythm of sleeping during the died, why it only happened when they were day and working during the night. I didn’t alone. have a partner at the time, I only had my pet cat, and she loved that I was up during her I wish I hadn’t. favorite hours of the day too. The night came four months into my new Then it happened again. I was walking the behavior of obsessively walking by every room two feet from the monitoring room to the and looking in the window on the door to see bathroom and I just happened to look into the patient. I got lucky. Right place, right time. the hallway. I saw it. A shadow, taller than It was a male patient. I had gotten him a cup any person I had seen before and solid. It was of tea not even an hour earlier. The shadow standing there, right under the light by some- stood over him. I thought it watched him. I hid one’s door. Then I blinked and it was gone. I myself and watched. Then it reached out with remember it clearly, even now. It was room 20 something. Like an arm, or a hand. It touched that the shadow had been standing in front of. his chest. I saw my patient twitch a little and Miss Chadwick. A bright and cheerful woman then the shadow stood upright again. It came in her late seventies with metastasized cancer towards me and then it stopped. It had no and the request not to be resuscitated. I still eyes, but I knew it saw me. I bolted for my car went to the toilet and returned to my moni- immediately. toring office then. As I walked in, my coworker got up and looked at me sadly. “Marie’s ECG The next day I quit my job, but I was already went flat.” Marie. Marie Chadwick. Room 20. too late. I had been seen. Desperate, I fled the My heart dropped. country. But the shadows followed me. They are everywhere. Even in broad daylight I will In retrospect, I should have quit my job then. catch glimpses of them from the corner of my Go work someplace safe. In a mall, during eyes. I can’t hide. I can’t sleep without some- the day. Lots of people there. We are safer in one watching over me, but I’m so tired… My numbers. roommate just went to the store. I didn’t see the shadows today. Not yet. Maybe they have Instead I stayed on. Stupid decision. But I was given up. I can close my eyes now… Just a few naïve. I wanted to know where those shadows moments… came from and what they were. I thought at first that they were the spirits of the departed Just as I close my eyes I see it, right there in themselves. So I started roaming the hallways front of me. I try opening my eyes but I’m at night, trying my best to catch them. I got too late. Then everything grows cold. A voice better at this. And sure enough, every time whispers to me. “I don’t like being watched I saw a shadow near someone’s room, they when I’m working…”

The Issue | Fall 2017 | 21 OpCo Hello there! You probably have all found your way around the university again, and our well-deserved summer break has long been forgotten. Most of you have seen the student members of the OpCo in the first few weeks of classes, but we will quickly refresh your memory by telling you who is in it. This year, the student delegation consists of Pleun Wei- jers (AM), Diede Sars (ETC), Allysha Humphrey (ETC), Boukje van den Eijnden (ETC), and Maud Beljon (AM), and the staff members in- volved in the committee are Dr. Chris Louttit, drs. Nicole Verberkt, Dr. Sanne van Vuuren, Prof. Frank Mehring, and Sybrine Bultena.

Every 6 to 8 weeks we will meet and discuss all the issues that concern the quality of the study program, but we definitely need your input in order to be effective! Therefore, we are setting up a First Year Council and panelboards (for second and third year students), in which you can directly give us your opinion on certain topics to be discussed during several sessions over the course of the year. It is an excellent opportunity to let your voice be heard! If you are interested in joining the First Year Council or the panelboards, or if you have a remark that concerns the study program, you can send an email to [email protected]. Feel free to talk to us in person as well!

We are very much looking forward to safeguard the quality of the study program this academic year, and we hope to get lots of help with this from you guys too!

Best regards,

The OpCo

22 | The Issue | Fall 2017 Horoscope

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) Taurus (April 20-May 20) Wouter Peer As a true Scorpio you can’t help Lately you haven’t been feeling if your charm puts you in weird very well, but that isn’t such a situations. It isn’t that unusual surprise when you take on so for you to wake up in a stranger’s much! Learn to take a step back bed after a good night out for example. Try not and set priorities. Take time for the things you to be overwhelmed by these situations and find most important to you. Do this and soon just go with the flow. Something good may you will hit bullseye! come out of it. Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Gemini (May 21-June 20) You don’t know what you’re doing This month was your month! You wrong, but everything you do were kicking it in class, at home will end in disaster this month. and in your social life. Don’t take Don’t be surprised if a couple of this for granted, because some- things you (or others) love break in this period. times life gives you lemons. If that happens, Attempt to push on through and survive this don’t make lemonade; let life take those lem- period, because you have gained a lot of good ons back! As such life will be going your way. karma, and this will pay off.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) You are very annoyed your zo- This month there will be a big job diac is always mentioned last in opportunity coming your way. horoscopes. This is a sign of your At first, it’s going to seem like a insecurity getting the better of stupid idea, but you really should you. Please know that you are a good, special, take it! Your life will change for the better and talented person who is capable of doing a lot. you will finally have some money to spend on If you can survive university, you can survive fun things! (I know, very hard to imagine) anything!

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) Leo (July 23-Aug 22) You are going through some As the second period has com- hard times at the moment. You menced, you are finally begin- may find yourself in a bad place ning to settle down in Nijmegen because of physical or mental (again). However, just as you illness (or both). The exam week may seem thought you could relax, tensions have grown to trouble you, but as a true Aquarius you will and you can’t seem to find a way to get out of fight your way through it and emerge victori- them. Try not to let your pride stand in your ous from the battlefield! way and these tensions will fix themselves.

Pisces (Feb 19-March 20) Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Let this be a wake-up call to you. All these new subjects seem like For the last couple of weeks you virgin land to you, but as you get seem to have been complaining in contact with your fellow stu- a lot about a lot of things. Try dents, you notice that everyone to let a bit of positivity stream into your life, seems to have had the same struggles as you. it’s all around you. The last thing a fish would This might come as a bit of a disappointment ever notice is water; try to be aware of that and to you because you thought you were a special virtue will come your way. little snowflake. Don’t worry about this

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) Chaos has been the key word of While your fellow students are your life the last couple of weeks. working very hard to keep up, you It seems to be taking over your seem to be going through this life so much that it interferes period very smoothly. You wake up before the alarm goes off, your homework with your academic, but also your social life. seems to be done in a minute and for once you Try to take a step back to make order out of actually know the answers to the exam ques- chaos and you will notice your life getting back tions. Keep this up, and your whole year will on track.

The Issue | Fall 2017 | 23 Upcoming Events

November 16th Pub Crawl 23th Thanksgiving Dinner & ThomTom Night 28th Lustrum: Crash Bash Party

December 4th Mario Kart Tournament 14th Ugly Christmas Sweater Party 19th Pub Lecture

For the latest info, go to usanijmegen.nl/events