College Voice, Vol. 100 No. 9

Connecticut College Digital Commons @ Connecticut College

2016-2017 Student Newspapers

3-6-2017

Connecticut College

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Recommended Citation Connecticut College, "College Voice, Vol. 100 No. 9" (2017). 2016-2017. 9. https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/ccnews_2016_2017/9

This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Newspapers at Digital Commons @ Connecticut College. It has been accepted for inclusion in 2016-2017 by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Connecticut College. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author. NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017 VOLUME XXXIX • ISSUE 9 THE COLLEGE VOICE CONNECTICUT COLLEGE’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1977

Imminent Danger or Meddlesome Distraction? Russian Spy Ship Off Coast of Groton

JOHN SARGENT CONTRIBUTOR Last week, a United States defense official identified the Russian spy ship Viktor Leonov 30 miles off the coast of Southeastern Connecti- cut, prompting a wave of concern that swept Image courtesy of CC Divest - Graphic designed by Mei Reffsin through local residents and reached national politicians. While it is not uncommon for foreign vessels to be spotted along American coasts, this incident comes during a particularly Students Seek sensitive time of growing political tensions be- VIktor Leonov near Havana, Cuba (2015) Photo courtesy of AP/Desmond Boylan tween Russia and the United States. Divestment from Since concerns arose around the possible Shian, an employee at Slice Pizza, voiced hacking of the DNC during the 2016 general similar opinions. “I moved to New London election, Russia has received heavy exposure about 11 months ago from Charleston when Fossil Fuels in the media. In the case of the Viktor Leonov, my husband got transferred. I feel safe here,” however, Russian activity of the sort has roots she explained. Her husband, a member of the LAUREN BARETTA in the not-so-distant political past. Through- Navy currently working at the submarine base CONTRIBUTOR out the Cold War, it was not uncommon to see in Groton, called to reassure her when the news Ethical policy lies at the heart of environmental activism, Soviet Ships lingering off American waters and reported on the Leonov’s proximity to the shore. and Connecticut College reflects this principle through tra- vice versa, but sightings of Russian ships in this “He said that if anything was to go really dition. The College has repeatedly proven itself an environ- particular region is unusual. wrong, the base would have been shut down. mental innovator, with efforts ranging from the revolutionary “Not off the shore of Connecticut,” said Pet- It was just a spy ship, they don’t have anything Goodwin Niering Center for the Environment to our 770-acre ko Ivanov, Professor of Slavic Studies, “It hap- to hurt us with,” Shian reported, continuing: “In arboretum. To continue the College’s historical commitment pens quite often near Florida, but very rarely to protecting the natural world, divestment from fossil fuels all honesty, I think we need to be talking about is a logical next step. A small group of SGA members and en- this close to shore.” healthcare and a way to replace Obamacare. It’s vironmentally conscious individuals have recognized this and The Viktor Leonov, a Vishnya-class intel- too expensive.” taken the leap, dubbing their movement “CC Divest.” ligence ship, is designed for non-violent oper- It soon became clear that many New Lon- Despite a seemingly clear path to progress, other envi- ations that include acquiring information on don residents did not feel too threatened by the ronmentally aware NESCACs—including Tufts, Williams communications and other forms of radio cor- presence of a Russian ship so close to American and Amherst—have continuously advocated for divestment respondence, but Ivanov thinks that the Leonov and failed in their attempts. The narrative here at Conn is not soil, and rather feel that Russia should not be the much different. In 2008, for example, three faculty members has a different objective. focus while there are so many other important proposed a general financial plan for clean investments that “They could be here to look at the sub base, political topics. Ivanov disagrees. aimed to foster justice on campus. The coalition of professors but I don’t know why they would want infor- “In terms of national security, Russia is a brought in high-profile speakers, presented a report to the fac- mation from such dated technology,” Ivanov threat,” said Ivanov, “They are engaging in an- ulty and distributed information to the president for review, added, “This is rather a tactic for scaring us, not ti-American propaganda. We need to focus on but ultimately walked away unsuccessful. Professor of Gov- collecting intelligence.” ernment and Environmental Studies Jane Dawson, a member Russia, but in a different way. Not because of the of the faculty divestment movement, reflected on the short- Local residents of New London feel the Trump administration, but because of Russia comings of the proposal. same way. itself.” “One, it was 2008, so the College was very worried about “The Russians are good people, I’ve met Ivanov, who was born in Bulgaria but has the financial situation and what was going to happen to our them. Putin is just trying to make a splash,” spent significant time in Russia, believes we investments in general,” she said, adding, “A second reason commented Steve, a 60-year-old retired antique need to consider the Russian government a true was that socially responsible investing was fairly new, and the dealer who has traveled across the globe in his third was there were members of the administration, who are threat because Putin and others are not friends no longer here, who strongly opposed bringing these kinds of line of work. He added, “the real issue here is of the U.S. He emphasized that the more Russia principles into our investment decisions, saying that invest- people are trying to make Russia into an enemy is discussed as an asset to Trump, the more the ment decisions have to be made purely on the basis of what we that it’s not. We need to try and give Trump a threat that Russia poses becomes obscured. think will make the most profit for the College.” chance to make things safe for all of us.” Political “In a way, Trump is making everything Dawson referred to a notion that remains unknown to opinion aside, this sentiment recurred among possible to make Russia great again,” Ivanov CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 people who work and live in New London. warned. •

IN THIS ISSUE MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

NEWS PERSPECTIVES ARTS ARTS

Alexander Mintz sheds historical Jennifer Skoglund details the Chloe Ford reviews political and Maia Hibbett profiles light on peace accords in rise and implications of Attorney collaborative efforts by the dance Expressiones’ new artist-in- Colombia on page 4. General Jeff Sessions on page 8. club in “Quick Turnaround” on residence, Carlos Lamothe of page 10. Honduras, on page 12. THE COLLEGE VOICE 2 • Editor’s Desk MARCH 6, 2017

THE COLLEGE VOICE “The views and opinions expressed in The College Voice are strictly those of student authors, and not of Connecticut Col- lege. All content and editorial decisions remain in the hands of Threats too Absurd to Ignore the students; neither the College’s administration nor its faculty exercise control over the content.”

Just when I worry that I’ll run out of things to say, something new and newly absurd happens. On a national scale, there was Donald Trump accusing Barack Obama of wiretapping, Mike Pence using a private email and Jeff Sessions surreptitiously meeting with the Russian ambassador. On a local scale, there was debate over whether Aaron Maia Hibbett ‘18 Carter’s support of Donald Trump makes him condemnable (it does) and whether his Editor in Chief renunciation of said support makes him redeemable (it does not). All of this absurdity means that we, as a press, have a lot to cover. It also makes coverage efforts themselves feel futile, as correcting blatant falsities gets exhausting EDITORIAL STAFF when the figures being corrected invert the truth to say “no, you’re lying.” But if we give up, we allow a crazy spectacle to serve its purpose as a distraction, and we get so caught up in the obfuscation of truth that we lose track of indisputable realities. Hannah Johnston ‘18 One of the realities that seems to have gotten lost in the tangle of headlines is an Allie Marculitis ‘17 inter-state legislative crackdown on civilians’ right to organize. The New York Times News Editors reported on March 2 that “Republican legislators in at least 16 states have filed bills intended to make protests more orderly or to toughen penalties against ones that go awry.” These newly proposed restrictions include classifying the obstruction of a high- Dana Gallagher ‘19 speed road as a felony in Iowa and an allowance for cities to sue demonstrators “for the Jennifer Skoglund ‘18 cost of policing their protests” in Minnesota. Perspectives Editors Since the Times identifies these as Republican-led charges, students who feel cozy in their so-called “liberal bubbles” might not detect an immediate concern, but the article mentions two more states with protest-restricting bills headed for legislative Max Amar-Olkus ‘19 floors: Massachusetts and North Carolina, the former of which some residents regard Chloe Ford ‘20 as a utopian liberal exception. It’s not. Any space, from a nation to a classroom, can Arts Editors foster one sort of perspective or ideology while still giving to influences from another. People can laud or lament ideological isolation all they want, but the exceptions don’t really exist. George Grotheer ‘19 This mentality is dangerous because the illusion of exceptionality can easily lead Sports Correspondent to a lack of concern. In this vein, I remember a snippet from my conversation with Patrisse Cullors, when she made the unforgiving assertion: “There’s no reason why students should be apathetic in this time.” It’s a shame, I should note, that Cullors was not able to come to campus and invigorate the student body, and I look forward to running coverage of her promised eventual visit in the Voice, but whether she was or CREATIVE STAFF will be here or not, Cullors’ words remain true and pertinent. Among all the injustice and absurdity that surrounds us, there’s still a lot of apathy at Conn. There are times when I’m amazed by passionate student efforts, but sometimes, I’m Sophia Angele-Kuehn ‘20 in awe at the apathy on campus. I guess that sense of awe comes out in my writing, as Creative Director Blanche Boyd recently told me that my written voice resembles someone “sarcastic and detached” due to being “surrounded by absurdity, and furious.” Blanche was referring to how I write fiction and creative projects far unlike what you’ll see from me here, where I’m not too sarcastic and almost never detached. But to a degree, Blanche’s comments MANAGING STAFF translate. For the Voice, I keep it together and mostly serious, but not everyone has to. From contributors, we want to see critical and creative work; we want to see hilarious and enraged and above all, passionate work. Send us your tragic stories, your Shatrunjay Mall ‘17 bizarre poems, your cutting satire. Do not send us your screenplays. But do send us your Business Manager insightful essays on the state of the world right now, whether your world fits within this oblong little campus or stretches around the globe. One of the biggest misconceptions I hear about the Voice is that it’s a newspaper focused only on reporting on-campus news Guinivere Feldman ‘20 and events, and that is not the case. We do cover the local stuff—because if we didn’t, Head Copy Editor no one else would, and because hey, sometimes our community is interesting—but we’re really about sharing the voices of students, faculty and staff, whether by reporting Leah Jang ‘17 what they’ve done or displaying their thoughts on a topic. In this editorial, I threw you a piece of bait: your right to organize is in danger. So Social Media Coordinator if you think that or anything else is noteable or question-worthy,—which you should— let us know. In the meantime, read this issue and listen to us think. Saad Haider ‘18 -Maia Web Manager

Thank you for reading & Thank you for writing

CONTACT US CORRECTION: Due to a copy error, the last issue of the Voice incorrectly credited the article and photo spread about the work of Ivan Toth Depeña on page 12. The [email protected] 270 Mohegan Avenue article was written by Voice creative director Sophia Angele-Kuehn ‘20 and the photos New London, CT 06320 were taken by Emma Schlichting ‘17, not vice versa. thecollegevoice.org THE COLLEGE VOICE MARCH 6, 2017 News • 3 Community Bulletin Sports Corner

CSA Holds First “Colors of the Caribbean” Gala An update on the end of the winter season and a first glance at the spring!

The Connecticut College Caribbean Students’ Association capped Women’s Ice Hockey (15-8-3) Caribbean Heritage Week with their inaugural gala, “Colors of the Ca- Williams W 5-2 ribbean,” on March 3. The gala followed a week of events inspired by diverse Caribbean cultures, including a Flag Day celebration on March Amherst L 2-0 1 and a critical discussion on the meaning of culture on Feb. 27. Men’s Lacrosse (0-1) WE Initiative Resurges with “She Is a Tempest” Middlebury L 8-6 Conn students performed an Eve Ensler-inspired but progressive- ly-reformed set of original monologues, “She Is a Tempest,” on March Women’s Lacrosse (0-1) 4. Formerly known as “As Told by Vaginas,” this was the effort’s second @ Middlebury L 19-4 incarnation as the “WE Initiative” and a unique production of “She Is a Tempest.”

Theater Department Performs “The Cradle Will Rock”

Theater students and faculty put on “The Cradle Will Rock,” a critique of capitalism and corporate greed set in the fictional town of “Steeltown, Story Search USA.” The show ran from March 2 to March 5. Do your best to fill in the blanks, then look for the answers scattered throughout the paper! Conn Named Top Fulbright Institution

Using data from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational 1) Originally sentenced nine to 33 years with parole in 2008, and Cultural Affairs, The Chronicle of Higher Educationlisted Connecti- ______will most likely be released from prison for good cut College as a top producer of Fulbright scholars. Conn was ahead of behavior in July. Williams, Vassar and many other colleges on the Chronicle’s annual list. 2) By the year 2030, ______will be the first demographic group to reach an average life expectancy of over 90 years, the World Health Organization predicts. At the same time, the United States Body Pulled from Thames in Groton is expected to have the lowest life expectancy of any other country Behind Puffins Restaurant on Thames St., Groton, local police pulled of the same economic standing. a woman’s body out of the Thames River on March 3. According to a 3) TV comedy writer Patric Verrone sells Trump-themed friend of the deceased, the woman had announced via text that she was ______for $100 each. going to drive into the river just before 2 p.m., and her body and car 4) Tufts University professor Moon Duchin is applying ______were recovered just after 2 p.m. following reports of a car in the water. to critically understand gerrymandering. The woman was taken by ambulance to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, 5) The States of Change project anticipates that the presidential where she was pronounced dead. election set for 2020 will be the first since 1978 in which a majority of voters are not ______. Fire at New London Home

Eight people were displaced by a fire at 47 Summer St., New London, on March 3. The residents of the house included five adults and three children, none of whom were injured.

Federal Protections for Transgender Students Reversed Staff Picks

The federal protections for transgender students put in place by Barack Art, literature and journalism recommendations from the staff of Obama have been reneged by President Donald Trump. The guidelines The College Voice. protected transgender students from discrimination and specifically made it possible for transgender students to use the bathroom best cor- Articles: “Trump, Putin and the New Cold War” by Evan Osnos, responding with their gender identity in school. David Remnick and Joshua Yaffa in The New Yorker—recommended by Dana Gallagher, Perspectives Editor Pence Used Private Email as Governor “Decolonizing Obama” by Aziz Rana in n+ 1—recommended by Maia Hibbett, Editor-in-Chief Vice President Mike Pence was exposed on March 2 for using a per- Book: Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (poetry)—recommended by sonal AOL email to discuss matters including the resettling of Syrian Hannah Johnston, News Editor refugees during his tenure as governor of Indiana. According to CNN, Short story: “Crazy They Call Me” by Zadie Smith in The New Yorker— Pence claims there is “no comparison whatsoever” between his private recommended by Maia Hibbett email use and that of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Art exhibition: “Light Reignfall” by James Turrell at LACMA— recommended by Hannah Johnston

Protestors Fired after a Day Without Immigrants

Following the Feb. 16 Day Without Immigrants protest, many partic- ipating employees were fired for missing work. The protest’s intention was to send a message about the importance of immigrants in the work force by making their temporary absence felt. THE COLLEGE VOICE 4 • News MARCH 6, 2017

Peace Accords Reached in Colombia

ALEXANDER MINTZ culminated in a series of significant accords. The against and 48.8% supporting the agreement. The CONTRIBUTOR ratification of these accords by Congress on Nov. results of the plebiscite represent a clear rural-ur- 24, 2016 seemed to mark a historic achievement: ban divide in the electorate, with many of the cities Colombia is a nation marked by the violent an end to the longest enduring armed conflict in (the capital, Bogotá, being the exception) voting nature of internal conflict. Throughout the 19th the Americas. against the agreement and a majority of the ru- century, Colombia experienced a multitude of After decades of insurgency, armed violence ral municipalities (again with limited exceptions) civil wars, often fought along party lines, that led and terror, the ratification of the peace accords voting in favor of the ceasefire. This has been at- to political, economic and social instability as well brings hope for a long-divided Colombia and tributed primarily to the disproportionate influ- as significant loss of life. While the first half of the enhances prospects of a fully-fledged democrat- ence that guerilla groups such as the FARC have twentieth century was relatively peaceful, the pe- ic regime. However, the process has not been had in rural as opposed to urban areas. Moreover, riod from 1948–1958 was disruptive enough to without extensive criticism. Until April 2015, the less than 40 percent of Colombians voted in the earn the popular moniker la violencia, and sub- FARC had been conducting military operations plebiscite, following a general trend of abstention sequent decades have been characterized by a in the midst of negotiations, facilitating public that has been a characteristic of Colombian po- protracted civil war and the proliferation of leftist backlash. As a result of public pressure, the pace litical competitions over the last few decade, per- guerrilla movements alongside the presence of of negotiations accelerated, with the framework haps indicative of widespread dissatisfaction and vicious right-wing paramilitary groups. The na- of a transitional justice agreement announced in disillusionment with the political system held by tion’s increasingly autonomous military appara- September. The reaction to this agreement was much of the Colombian electorate. tus, millions of internally displaced refugees and varied, with the political right equating the ac- Forced to return to the drawing board, Pres- expansive drug trade have caused Colombia to cords to blanket amnesty for the guerillas. ident Santos and the FARC leadership have, as come under considerable pressure by the interna- Regardless of its various criticisms, this of Nov. 29, pushed a new peace accord through tional community—especially the US—to pursue agreement, the product of lengthy negotiations Congress, this time bypassing a nationwide refer- aggressive anti-drug and economic restructuring earlier in the year, was reached by President Juan endum. With a final agreement officially in place, campaigns. Manuel Santos and FARC commander Timoleon Colombia can now start the lengthy process of Scholars and analysts suggest various reasons Jimenez “Timochenko” in Dec. 2015. Receiving institutional reformation and political restructur- for these issues’ manifestation in Colombia; rang- international acclaim, this agreement on transi- ing as to bolster democracy and ensure a stable ing from the state’s historical weakness and inabil- tional justice paved the way for a final agreement and lasting peace. ity to enforce the rule of law to the entrenchment achieved on June 23, 2016, when the government As always, opposition to the peace process is of the two-party system. Over the years, however, and the FARC signed the historic peace accords fierce, and as such, the process itself remains a sa- many of these issues have been mitigated or be- that officially ended the approximately 50-year lient point of controversy within the nation. At come less of a threat to democratic governance long internal conflict that claimed anywhere from this juncture, however, what is important is that due to the sustained efforts of recent administra- 200,000-300,000 lives, injured 600,000-800,000, Colombia is on the fast track toward a peaceful tions to de-escalate tensions as well as neutralize and displaced 1 million others. The only hurdle and hopefully prosperous future that will allow threats. Beginning in 2012, the Colombian gov- that remained was a plebiscite which would be the nation to heal and overcome its violent past. • ernment and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of utilized for the ratification of the final agreement. Colombia (FARC)—Colombia’s largest guerrilla This plebiscite, however, was narrowly defeat- group—initiated peace talks which have since ed on Oct. 2, 2016, with 50.2% percent of voters 1) O.J. Simpson (USA Today) Calhoun College to be Renamed for Grace Murray Hopper

RILEY MEACHEM on the wrong side of history,” renaming buildings, ensure re- derway since August, when the CONTRIBUTOR Chasan Hall ‘18, a resident of spect for our past, and enable school’s trustees, president and Yale’s nearby Trumbull College, thoughtful review of any future the Witt Committee began talks After decades of dispute and told The College Voice. “I mean, requests for change.” about the efficacy of having a controversy, including a recent he advocated state’s rights, loved Grace Hopper was chosen building dedicated to Calhoun. protest by hundreds of students, slavery, changed the way and the instead of Calhoun, Yale claims, While this change is certainly a faculty and staff, Yale University occasions people could talk about not merely because of her affili- gesture of goodwill and a sign of has finally confirmed the name slavery, and was just generally ation with the university, but be- some national progress, however change of Calhoun College, one bad. I think it’s really cool we got cause she worked on and helped small, on matters of race and tol- of the twelve residential colleges rid of him, and that the building develop one of the earliest pro- erance, this does beg the question on campus. The residential com- is now named after a woman.” totypes of the computer, initially of why Calhoun, a figure widely plex currently known as Calhoun “There’s a huge sense of relief used during World War II by the reviled both presently and during will soon be called Hopper Col- and celebration,” agreed Rianna Navy. “An extraordinary mathe- his lifetime, was given such high lege after Yale graduate and es- Johnson-Levy ‘17. matician and a senior naval of- respect and prestige by the insti- teemed mathematician Grace Previously, Yale’s president ficer, Hopper achieved eminence tution in the first place. Given Murray Hopper. The change displayed reticence about chang- in fields historically dominated Yale’s history as an abolitionist could not come soon enough for ing the building’s name, citing by men,” said Salovey, continu- school and an institution con- many of the students, faculty and the need to understand the coming: “Today, her principal lega- cerned first and foremost with staff, who notably filed a report plexity of history. “At that time, cy is all around us—embodied human dignity, it is troubling against the building with the as now, I was committed to con- in the life-enhancing technology that a rich white male was able to Witt Committee (a Yale honor fronting, not erasing, our histo- she knew would become com- carve his name so indelibly into and conduct organization) and ry. I was concerned about invit- monplace. Grace Murray Hopper the academy—and perhaps more launched a petition last year to ing a series of name changes that College thus honors her spirit troubling that the building was have the building renamed giv- would obscure Yale’s past,” said of innovation and public service given this moniker to begin with. en that it bore the agnomen of President Peter Salovey. “These while looking fearlessly to the fu- It is perhaps most fitting to a prominent white-supremacist concerns remain paramount, but tu re .” end on a quote from Hopper and avid proponent of slavery, we have since established an en- It remains unclear when the herself: “Humans are allergic to former Vice President and Secre- during set of principles that ad- official name change will take change. They love to say, ‘We’ve tary of War John C. Calhoun. dress them. The principles estab- place. The official process has always done it this way.’ I try to “Calhoun was undeniably lish a strong presumption against already begun and has been un- fight that.” • THE COLLEGE VOICE MARCH 6, 2017 News • 5

Catching Up with Ski Team Seniors

ALLIE MARCULITIS NEWS EDITOR

The Connecticut College Ski Team at is defined by long-standing tradition and team mentality. As an alpine ski racing team, the ski team par- ticipates and competes in numerous USSA/USCSA competitions across Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The team is also affiliated with the Thompson Division of the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association. This season, the ski team’s hard work and dedication paid off when it qualified for Regionals at West Mountain. The team is lead by four senior captains: Lexie Volpe ‘17, Matt Lau-Hansen ‘17, Mike Reil- ly ‘17 and Ethan Feldman ‘17. For an in-depth look at the specifics that make the team what it is, The College Voice spoke with the four captains about their personal experiences and perspectives regarding the team.

The College Voice: How long have you been on ski team, and why did you decide to join? Lexie Volpe: I have been on ski team for four years and have been the captain for two. I decided to join because I wanted to try something new when I came to college and had never skied in a competitive setting. Matt Lau-Hansen: I joined ski team my freshman year. I was sailing in the fall and spring and I needed a way to round out my winter. Plus, my brother raced on the ski team when he went to Conn, and I really Photos courtesy of Lexie Vogel wanted to be able to compete against him. LV: Over the years the team has definitely increased in size. However, Mike Reilly: I joined my sophomore year. Coming into college, I our traditions and fun team dynamic have remained the same, which is a hadn’t skied in a long time, and I had certainly never raced. I knew that huge aspect of our continued success. And of course, everyone knows ski ski team would be a great way to get back into skiing, while pushing my team never ends. ability to new heights. ML: I think a significant part of our success comes from not having Ethan Feldman: Four long years. changed very much over the years. We have a strong culture on the team TCV: How do you train for races and how long is your season? that has been in place for longer than any of us have been at Conn, and LV: We have a training week over winter break where we have coaches our ability to stay focused on fundamentals allows us to succeed on the at the mountain who help us with racing and skiing techniques. This year, mountain. we started practicing one night a week during the semester at a nearby MR: Ski team never changes. It’s forever. If we continue to schralp the mountain named Powder Ridge. Our season is usually 5-6 weeks long. way we schralp we will continue to have success. MR: Every year we have a training week over winter break. It’s the first EF: The people have changed, but the team is fairly similar. Ski team thing we do together as a team. By the end of the week we have all grown continues to be a haven away from the social cliches of Connecticut Col- as racers and people. This year we also started training every Wednesday lege. We’re all weirdos. at Powder Ridge, a local ski area. These sessions were a big part of our TCV: What is one of your favorite memories from ski team? winning this year. LV: One of my favorite memories from ski team is probably the team TCV: At which mountains do you usually race? dinners we have in our ski houses every weekend after races. It really LV: We race at Sunday River, Bromley, the Arbo, Dartmouth and Jay brings us all together in a relaxing and cozy setting that is hard to replicate Peak. This year we qualified for regionals, which was held at West Moun- anywhere on campus. tain. ML: I think the memory that will stick with me the most is probably TCV: What made this season such a success? my first race weekend ever. I’d never skied in a competitive setting before, LV: Our success this season had a lot to do with the young talent com- and it was an incredibly intimidating to be in the start gate with almost bined with the new training we incorporated this season. Plus we finally no experience. I crashed that first race, but I still knew immediately that I figured out what kind of wax to use. loved the competition and I loved the rush. MR: We tuned our skis! MR: My last race ever, I cut a gate too close. My ski ejected and I ate TCV: How has ski team changed or grown over the years? What do it. Luckily, Gibbs was able to record the whole thing on his phone. It sums you think it takes to continue to have such success? up my ski racing experience perfectly, and the video evidence we have will show generations of future racers what not to do. EF: My favorite memory of ski team is singing Pistol Peter, a song we wrote [for a teammate] while sitting in the circle of kindness on Peter appreciation night. Be on the lookout, E.P. Is dropping soon.

Considering increased interest in the team and success at competitions, the ski team will likely continue to thrive on campus and on the mountain. Ski team has been able to establish a niche group at Conn while also performing remarkably well at races. New captains will be elected in the coming weeks, and, to use the team vernacular, new members will be able to join in on the “schralping” next year. •

2) women in South Korea (The Guardian) THE COLLEGE VOICE 6 • News MARCH 6, 2017

Club Sports Thrive at Conn

GEORGE GROTHEER is blossoming as another non-varsi- SPORTS CORRESPONDENT ty opportunity for student athletes. “I was recruited by a bunch of From skiing to baseball and different schools for soccer, and I rugby to ultimate, club sports are came here looking to walk onto the flourishing at Connecticut College. varsity team at a good school,” com- While they aren’t touted as highly as mented Brie Duseau ’19. “The coach the school’s varsity programs, club didn’t want walk-ons, so I joined the sports account for a huge part of the club team.” Like with the club hock- campus community and student life ey team, membership in club soccer as a whole. increases along with cuts from the “Conn, as a whole, has an amaz- varsity squad. ing club sports environment, and Of course, those cuts don’t hap- there’s a club sport interest for any pen with teams lacking a varsity sport on such an active campus,” option at Connecticut College. Ul- said Jake Muhlfelder ’17, captain of timate and rugby are offered only as the club baseball team. club sports but still have immense The club baseball team is one appeal. of the lesser-known organizations “We went to nationals last year,” at the College, but it has a close- said Skylar Levey ’19 of the ultimate knit group of players who keep the team. “We didn’t do so well going rich tradition of the team thriving up against some of the best teams throughout their four years on the in the country coming from a small squad. school with not a lot of funding,” he The men’s ultimate team Muhlfelder also described the admitted, adding that “We’re hoping Photos courtesy of Brian Ward environment of a club team as far to do well again this season and to Norbert is totally involved in club to play the sport they love without more relaxed than a varsity team, get back to nationals.” sports, and he’s really taking the ini- having to deal with the rigor of a commenting that “The varsity expe- Ege Sakirt ’19, a member of the tiative to make sure that we’re get- varsity schedule. “There’s definite- rience is far more vicious and com- rugby team, noted the draw of his ting involved and keeping up with ly more involvement from every- petitive, and full of politics and a sport. “The best part of playing on monthly captains’ meetings, main- one, with the club team being less lot of other factors other than who this team is the camaraderie both taining membership, etc.,” Kin- intense,” said Kyle McNamara ’19 puts in the most time and who cares on and off the field,” he said, “It’s month said. of club basketball, “It’s great to be the most, which is what club is all a great sport to play, and everyone Jackie Hiner ’19, a dedicated able to play pickup basketball year- a b out .” who gets involved likes playing it. It member of the ski team, also dis- round, too, without being confined Andrew Godwin ’19 of the club really pulls you in to come to more cussed how interactions with ad- to just winter for a varsity team.” hockey team shared that sentiment. practices. I love the sport.” ministration and the student gov- Maximizing its wide spread of “I think that club teams have a bet- Both Levey and Sakirt agree ernment association have helped players of different backgrounds ter perspective on playing the sport that, while club teams do not oper- her team this year. “We’ve got a and abilities, the club sports envi- for fun, I definitely appreciate being ate on as strict a practice schedule as big team, and with help from SGA, ronment at Conn has improved over on the ice way more often,” he said. varsity organizations, getting people we’re able to get funding for coach- time. With ample opportunities for The Conn club hockey team, to commit to practice strengthens es, housing for meets, and dues for new members to become involved most notable for its recent victory their personal relationships as well lift passes and races.” She also men- and successful seasons, meets and against the Coast Guard Academy, as their athletic performance. tioned how, as such a large team, competitions, the club sports envi- is among the more popular stu- While many of the aforemen- “sometimes it’s hard to take in so ronment at Conn promises to im- dent-run sports teams at the Col- tioned players had former athlet- many new members,” while noting prove moving forward. lege. “We’ve got so many kids that ic experience from high school or that the team is “always looking for “I didn’t want to stop playing we might do two teams next year,” varsity careers, Fiona Kinmonth new members, no matter what the [baseball] after high school,” said Godwin emphasized. ’18, president of the figure skat- race experience is.” Muhlfelder, “Joining the club team Another of Conn’s most popu- ing club, says that the environment Each of these student athletes has allowed me to continue playing lar club sports organizations is club for club sports has improved this agreed that one of the best parts of the sport I love.” • soccer. With several dozen people in year. “[Dean of Student Life] Geoff playing on a club team is being able connection to the team, club soccer THE COLLEGE VOICE MARCH 6, 2017 Perspectives • 7

Concerning Coke at Conn Have a Heart, Harris

MAIA HIBBETT RILEY MEACHEM heroin, which The Washing- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONTRIBUTOR ton Post recently described as Have you ever spotted an open and suitable table in Harris and, upon ap- costing “less than a pack of proaching it, found it to be covered in refuse? Of course you have. While this Rumors regarding the use cigarettes,” and the steep price question has a unanimous answer, the ensuing options offer more variety: do you of cocaine by Conn students might seem a like deterrent to abandon the table in search of another, cleaner one? Do you tentatively reach over have recently been circulating many, but it has in some cases throughout the student body, the mess, pluck a napkin out of the holder and with it, sweep up the collection of had the opposite effect. Partial- crumbs, rice or other hopefully non-liquid items? Do you sigh, sit down, and live making students increasingly ly due to the high price and to amongst the filth? aware of cocaine’s presence on its frequent and public abuse Though cleaning the table yourself is the most proactive option, there’s no campus. Some students have by celebrities and Wall Street right approach to this problem, because the truth is, it shouldn’t be a problem. We become interested in knowing businessmen, cocaine has con- talk a lot about the ignorance that the staggering overall wealth of Conn’s student more about it, how it got here tracted a reputation for being a body generates, but it seems that our institutional efforts toward consciousness are and what it does to users. glamourous “rich man’s drug.” never enough. We recognize that an inability to do laundry or a propensity for gra- Cocaine is extracted from It is then perhaps less surprising tuitous breakage of property are symptoms of overwhelming privilege, but guess the coca leaf and has been then that there has been such what: so are bad table manners. used and abused for millen- an influx of “snow” here, even When a person walks away from a table, the law of inertia ensures that none of nia. Known by many names in during our mild winter, given the objects left on that table will go into motion unless interfered with by another popular culture, including coke, Conn’s history and reputation agent. This translates to: if you leave waste on a table, another person will have to powder, Eric Clapton’s breakfast as an affluent institution and the clean it up. That person will most likely be a dining hall worker who has their own and blow, cocaine is exceedingly considerable wealth possessed life to be tending, a life whose events are just as important as your overdue paper popular and equally addictive. by the student body. or sports practice. According to rehabs.com, many But just how prevalent is I don’t know how to fix this problem, but I do know that we can’t start fixing users become addicted after try- coke use at Conn? This is where it without acknowledging it, so I’ll provide two salient examples of dining hall de- ing the substance only one time. things get tricky. Algorithms struction I’ve witnessed. Cocaine works as a stimu- measuring a drug’s availability First, I watched a boy consume a heaping plate of plain penne—or rather, con- lant, meaning it increases heart exist and operate by weighing sume about half of it. The other half he threw all over table, leaving, upon clearing rate and causes a rush of do- the number of deaths and drug his plate, a halo of naked yellow pasta tubes around the space where the plate had pamine to the user’s brain; it’s arrests against the percent of been. My question: why bother taking the plate? platonic instant gratification. cases unsolved, but this formula Second, I sighted an entire head of lettuce discarded yet mostly intact on a However, this euphoria is much isn’t available to us here. While Harris table. What amazed me about this was the fact that Harris does not, in fact, like Joss Whedon’s Firefly: sub- we could estimate coke use in provide entire heads of lettuce. If a person had gone to the trouble of acquiring that lime, but over way too quickly. New London, there are no re- complete head, why would they abandon it in public? Did they forget? Within 15 minutes to an hour, ported deaths on campus, and In terms of a solution, I have a mere two suggestions to offer. If your dining the energy and ecstasy provided the school does an excellent job companion leaves food or trash on the table, tell them to pick it up. If you leave from cocaine consumption dis- of expunging and concealing food or trash on the table, don’t. • sipates, leaving a pleasant but charges and records of drug-retired sensation that an anony- lated incidents. Thus it is nearly mous Conn user described as impossible to discern how much leaving one with a floppy and enters the school, how much free-form feeling, as if embody- is consumed and how those ing “a boneless chicken tender.” amounts stack up against past Even in the short term, how- years and other schools. People ever, unpleasant consequenc- generally tend not to start clubs es of the drug may manifest and organizations publicly cel- themselves. According to the ebrating illicit drug use, and ever-trustworthy drugabuse. thus these details are necessari- gov, cocaine can cause extreme ly opaque. All we really know is paranoia and terror, as well as that it is on campus and remains irritability and “bizarre, unpre- intrinsically dangerous. dictable, and violent behavior.” How can we stop it? “Death from overdose can We can’t. All we can do as occur on the first use of cocaine a school is focus on individu- or unexpectedly thereafter,” says al cases of addiction and abuse drugabuse.gov. To make mat- and try to provide help and ters worse, many people who support. If you or someone you use cocaine pair it with alcohol, care about uses cocaine, do not increasing the risk of overdose. ignore it. Do not let a user suffer Some of the most frequent and alone. Talk to the person about severe long-term health conse- drug use, and if the behavior quences of an overdose include continues, contact the school increased susceptibility to sei- or the authorities. Avoid plac- zures and strokes. Long-term es where the drug frequently users also frequently develop appears and people who have Parkinson’s disease. access to it as much as possible. So why is it here? Lastly, don’t blame your friend Unlike meth and heroin, or yourself. Instead, find and or its crystallized cousin crack, create a support network made cocaine is extremely expensive, of friends and family. • generally about $60-$80 a gram. Compare this with a gram of THE COLLEGE VOICE 8 • Perspectives MARCH 6, 2017

A History Lesson on CC Divest Jeff Sessions CONTINUED FROM FRONT conspiracy to vote more than once. JENNIFER SKOGLUND some students: colleges, like businesses and private individuals, invest in order to PERSPECTIVES EDITOR They faced over 100 years in jail on criminal charges and felony statutes make money. The College’s funds are not only sourced from tuition, fees and do- Jefferson Beauregard "Jeff" Ses- under the VRA—provisions of the law nations, but also from endowment funds invested with the intention of a profit- sions III emerged as a recent figure of that had scarcely been used to prose- able return, which ideally results in endowment growth. CC Divest hopes that the public attention in Feb. 2016, when he cute the white officials who had disen- College will cease to invest its endowment in the fossil fuel industry, an endeavor became the first sitting US Senator to franchised blacks for so many years. which formerly high profit margins in fossil fuels made difficult. endorse Donald Trump's presidential The trial was held in Selma, of all Despite past challenges and backlash associated with divestment, the students bid. One of Trump's "earliest and most places. The jury of seven blacks and leading the movement remain refreshingly optimistic. Biology and Anthropology loyal supporters," the former Alabama five whites deliberated for less than major Moriah McKenna ’17 distinguished between past divestment attempts and senator served as a crucial link between three hours before returning a not- the current movement by reflecting, “Now is the perfect time to do it.” In addition Trump and the Republican establish- guilty verdict on all counts. to the current financial sense of divestment, she highlighted present administrative ment, galvanizing support from within In 1986, just four months after the support, commenting, “The Vice President of Administration and Finance [Rich- the Party and helping to craft the cam- travesty of that unsuccessful convic- ard Madonna] seems to be on our side, which is kind of a huge deal. I think that paign's national security policy. tion, Ronald Reagan nominated Ses- makes it crucial to take it when we can.” Sessions was described affection- sions for a federal district judgeship—a Student organizers of CC Divest emphasize divestment as a moral issue. McK- ately by Trump as a "highly respect- lifetime appointment requiring Senate enna noted, “There’s a lot of social justice issues surrounding fossil fuels. A lot of ed member of the U.S. Senate" and a confirmation—and was vetoed by the times people who have a lower socioeconomic status basically end up having to "world class legal mind...Jeff is greatly Senate Judiciary Committee due to a live in areas where they’re facing the brunt of fossil fuel waste and toxicity. These admired by legal scholars and virtually history of dubious prosecution of civil low-income areas also tend to be minority neighborhoods, which makes this an is- everyone who knows him." rights activists and testimony by for- sue of race. Divestment goes along with our social values as a school to promote an On Feb. 8, 2017, after 30 hours of mer colleagues as to racially insensitive equal environment for everyone.” The College touts community service, environ- debate, the Senate confirmed Sessions' comments Sessions had made while mental stewardship, equity and diversity as core values, and it has a responsibility appointment to the office of US Attor- US Attorney in Mobile. to demonstrate these principles in action with conscious investment. ney General, which has been contro- Former assistant US Attorney Luckily, the economic circumstances for investment in fossil fuels finally seem versial since it was first announced. In and deputy to Sessions Thomas Fig- to be turning in CC Divest’s favor. The College contracts an investment consulting January of this year, a sit-in in Sessions' ures told Congress that he had been company called Cambridge Associates which directly involves itself in the place- Mobile office protesting his nomina- admonished by Sessions to be careful ment of investments. As a worldwide agency with trillions of dollars in assets, tion ended in the arrest of 6 members about what he said "to white folks" after Cambridge Associates has a financial package available for just about everything, of the NAACP, including its President, he got into an argument with a white including ethical investment. Cornell William Brooks. colleague. According to Dawson, “It is simply smart economically to be working to get During the Senate debate in Feb- Figures also provided details of the fossil fuels out of the system. Even if you look at the Bill and Melinda Gates ruary, Senator Elizabeth Warren read a conversation Sessions had with two Foundation, they have taken everything out of BP, everything out of Exxon Mobil, from a 1986 letter from Coretta Scott fellow prosecutors concerning a bru- and they haven’t done it for principle. They’ve done it because they see them going King, opposing Sessions' appointment tal case: the retributory abduction and downhill in terms of returns. It is pretty arguable that fossil fuels are a dead end to a federal judgeship. lynching of a young black man by two investment.” "'Anyone who has used the power members of the Klu Klux Klan. Upon It is 2017. Ethical investment is becoming increasingly mainstream, and the of his office as United States Attorney finding out that the KKK members had Connecticut College financial administration is open to suggestions. As Environ- to intimidate and chill the free exer- smoked marijuana on the night of the mental Science major Gloria Miller ‘18 said, “I’m not a financial connoisseur or cise of the ballot by citizens should murder, Sessions purportedly said that anything, but it makes more sense to invest in the future than invest in the past.” not be elevated to our courts,'" Warren he thought the KKK was "okay, until I The students have spoken; an ethical standard has been set, and it is Connecticut read. She was accused of impugning found out they smoked pot." College’s responsibility to meet it. To show support for the movement, students can Sessions on the Senate floor and was Gerry Hebert, a colleague of Ses- sign a petition, which is circulating online and will be out in print in the coming forced to sit down. sions' in the Department of Justice’s month. • In order to understand the dan- Voting Section, testified that Sessions ger of putting Jeff Sessions in charge of had called the NAACP and ACLU 3) plastic figurines (The Atlantic) upholding civil rights, and why he has “Communist-inspired” and “un-Amer- consistently received "F" ratings from ican,” and labeled the white civil-rights to Congress. In his Senate confirmation "(That) the top cop in our country civil rights groups like the NAACP, one lawyer Jim Blacksher “a disgrace to his hearings in January, Sessions was asked lied under oath to the people is grounds should to know the history of his ca- race.” what he would do if he was made aware for him to resign," House Minority reer-long opposition to voting rights. Sessions admitted at the Senate of evidence that anyone affiliated with Leader Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday. Indeed our Attorney General has Committee hearing, ''[I] may have said the Trump campaign had contact with "He has proved that he is unqualified done everything in his power to oppose something about the N.A.A.C.P. being the Russians. "I'm not aware of any of and unfit to serve in that position of the Voting Rights Act and to make vot- un-American or Communist, but I those activities," Sessions said. "I have trust." ing more difficult for disenfranchised meant no harm by it.'' been called a surrogate at a time or two Sessions claims he met with the black voters. One of the most notable Sessions has "meant no harm" in in that campaign and I did not have ambassador only in his capacity on the instances of this, and that which King spending his career opposing voting communications with the Russians." Armed Services Committee. He says he refers to in her letter, was a 1985 "vot- rights. That includes cheering when the Sessions met with the Russian am- plans to "submit a supplement" to the ing fraud" case in which Sessions false- VRA was gutted in 2013 and awarding bassador Sergey Kislyak once in July record of his Senate testimony for cor- ly prosecuted black political activists. the Congressional Gold Medal to the at an event at the Republican Nation- rection. In the Democratic primary of Sep. foot soldiers of the Selma movement al Committee and once in September "My response went to the question 1984, FBI agents hid in the bushes at while working to destroy the measures while Sessions worked on the Senate's indicated about the continuing surro- the Perry County post office, waiting many of them died fighting to instate. Armed Services committee. Kislyak, gate relationship that I firmly denied for Albert Turner and fellow activist But it doesn't stop at threatening civ- whom US intelligence considers to be and correctly denied, and I did not Spencer Hogue to mail 500 absentee il rights: Sessions could also pose a "one of Russia's top spies and spy-re- mention in that time that I had met ballots on behalf of elderly black vot- potential threat to national security. cruiters in Washington," has been with the ambassador," Sessions told Fox ers. When Turner and Hogue left, the With rumors about Russian influ- named more than once in connection News on March 2. "So I will definitely feds seized the envelopes from the mail ence in Washington abounding since to Trump's administration. Former Na- make that a part of the record as I think slots. Twenty elderly black voters from the beginning of Trump's presidential tional Security Adviser Michael Flynn is appropriate." Perry County were bused three hours bid, Sessions' decision on Thursday to was already forced to resign because Trump has declared that Sessions to Mobile, where they were interro- recuse himself from a Justice Depart- of revelations of his own conversations "did not say anything wrong. He could gated by law-enforcement officials and ment investigation into the campaign's with Kislyak. have stated his response more accurate- forced to testify before a grand jury. Russian ties raises questions regarding The Attorney General now faces ly, but it was clearly not intentional." Ninety-two-year-old Willie Bright the extent of his involvement and the calls for resignation and criminal inves- Sessions is not the first Trump was so frightened of “the law” that he longevity of his role as Attorney Gen- tigation for lying under oath. As Senate appointee to perjure himself on the wouldn’t even admit he’d voted. eral. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, stand—Betsy DeVos, Scott Pruitt, Steve In January 1985, Jefferson Beaure- The decision to recuse came after "The information reported last night Mnuchin and Tom Price have all been gard Sessions III, the 39-year-old US evidence surfaced of the Attorney Gen- makes it clear, beyond the shadow of a accused of giving false testimony at Attorney for the Southern District of eral twice having met with a US Am- doubt, that Attorney General Sessions their confirmation hearings. It is un- Alabama, charged Turner, his wife Ev- bassador to Russia last year, after de- cannot possibly lead an investigation... clear whether Sessions will continue to elyn, and Hogue with 29 counts of mail nying any such communication while with these revelations, he may very well serve as Attorney General, given an of- fraud, altering absentee ballots, and under oath and in a written statement become the subject of it." fense this serious. • THE COLLEGE VOICE MARCH 6, 2017 Arts • 9

Music for a Restrictive Regime: Shostakovich’s “Leningrad”

SAADYA CHEVAN and some of those who survived even stunningly, yet less impressive were the the intensity of these sounds from the STAFF WRITER resorted to cannibalism. Stalin did not second and third movements, during height of World War II is an experience trust Leningrad due to its decadence which I found my concentration slip- that will linger with me for a long time. as the former tsarist capital of the Rus- ping. Overall, the orchestra seemed If Beethoven can be considered the Beethoven is the only compos- sian Empire and saw the events of the better prepared to handle the concert- timeless revolutionary composer of the er whose name is honored by an in- siege as necessary for the triumph of ed maniacal upward trends of the first past, perhaps Shostakovich might be- scription in Boston’s Symphony Hall. Communism over Fascism. There is an and fourth movements at a broad tem- come the timeless revolutionary com- According to legend, when Sympho- interesting comparison, I should note, po than the almost bipolar highs and poser of the present. ny Hall was built in 1900, the Boston that can be made between Stalin’s views lows of the second and third. The BSO will also be performing Symphony Orchestra’s (BSO) Board of on the people of Leningrad and some I wish to reinforce this was an ex- Shostakovich’s Sixth Symphony in sub- Directors could not agree on featuring current world leaders’ views on refu- emplary performance of the Leningrad scription performances at Symphony any other composer’s name. Perhaps, gees. Symphony, and one that I would not Hall April 27-May 2 and the Suite from if Symphony Hall were being built to- The Leningrad Symphony quickly be surprised might assist with anoth- the Incidental Music to King Lear May day, some might consider the name of gained popularity with performances er Grammy win in the near future. 4-6. • Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich throughout World War II in both the Hearing Symphony Hall ring out with (1906-1975) as meriting an inscription. USSR and the West. It was seen at the Shostakovich has brought great ac- time as a deeply patriotic symphony claim to the BSO in recent years. Under emblematic of the moral superiority A Playlist for Achieving Late-Night the young Latvian music director An- of the Allies over the evils of the Nazis dris Nelsons, now in his third season and Fascism. After the war, as US-So- leading the symphony, the BSO has viet relations decayed, the Leningrad or Early-Morning Bliss embarked on a multi-year recording Symphony began to receive criticism project with Deutsche Grammophon in the U.S., as did much of Shostakov- ich’s work, for its apparent support of HANNAH JOHNSTON to record all fifteen of Shostakovich’s NEWS EDITOR symphonies. The first two releases won the brutal Stalin regime. consecutive Grammy Awards, and in a Since Shostakovich’s death and the recent series of concerts, one of which dissolution of the USSR, the sympho- 1. Lay All Your Love On Me - ABBA: It doesn’t get much more blissful than I was fortunate enough to attend, the ny has again been reinterpreted as a ABBA, and this is by far one of their most exciting songs. Guaranteed to rouse symphony continued its recording protest against all types of totalitarian your spirit. project with performances of Shosta- regimes. The work contains possible 2. 1901 - Phoenix: I understand that this song has been used in half-a-dozen kovich’s monumental Symphony No. 7 parallels to both Hitler and Stalin. For ensembled romantic comedies, but sometimes you have to reclaim really great “Leningrad” (1942). example, the prominent first move- songs from oversaturation. In Shostakovich studies, one of ment invasion theme quotes what was 3. Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons: It has finally been long enough since the most difficult questions to answer allegedly Hitler’s favorite song, Franz this was on the radio every three songs! It’s not constantly stuck in my head is what music the composer would Lehar’s “Da geh ich zu Maxim,” and the anymore! I can enjoy it again! We can all enjoy it again! have written had he not been forced final seemingly-victorious strains of 4. Come Sail Away - Styx: This is a classic sweeping ballad; I recommend to compose according to the political the fourth movement sound inconclu- allowing it to inspire the viewing of the Freaks and Geeks series pilot episode, demands of the Soviet government, sive to my ears and make me wonder which is even better after 11 pm. particularly under Stalin. One exam- whether the symphony is really about 5. With You ft. Drake - Lil Wayne: A pretty, soulful song that still has all of ple of how Shostakovich’s creative out- good versus evil. the usual characteristics of a Lil Wayne number. It will be impossible not to sing put was affected by politics is the fact To a viewer unaware of recent along to the oohs after the first verse. that he never wrote another opera af- events, the BSO’s performances of 6. When a Man Loves a Woman - Percy Sledge: This is romantic. I recom- ter his “Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk the Leningrad Symphony might have mend this song to people who want to have blissful romance. Blissful, late-Sat- District” (1934) was denounced by the seemed like an ordinary subscription urday-night-early-Sunday-morning-at-college romance. Soviet press in 1936, supposedly on concert with masterful playing ending 7. If I Ain’t Got You - Alicia Keys: This is also romantic. So romantic. Also Stalin’s orders. However, I find that the in a lengthy and well-deserved stand- really fun to sing. If there were more karaoke here I would probably be singing power of Shostakovich’s music comes ing ovation. Historically, however, the this. from his creative ways of composing great difficulty of playing Shostakov- 8. Wasting My Young Years - London Grammar: This is one of the slow- under the rules of the Soviet regime. ich’s works in the U.S. has been that er-tempo songs that I think is really joyful; it’s particularly excellent to listen to Much of his work is a great example of most players lack first-hand experience while you’re driving. how in this case “[deadly] restrictions with the atmosphere that the music de- 9. Superstar - Lupe Fiasco: My best friend calls herself Lupe Fiasco’s official breed creativity.” scribes. Nelsons, who grew up in the hype woman because of this song. The Leningrad Symphony was USSR in the years leading to the iron 10. Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader: This one serves you best on tem- composed a few years after the denun- curtain’s fall, has in the past expressed ple green or somewhere else outside where you can actually potentially “dance ciation of Lady Macbeth. By this time, the difficulty he has experienced in in the moonlight.” Shostakovich had been rehabilitated getting the BSO’s players to understand 11. I and Love and You - The Avett Brothers: Okay so, there are songs with with the premiere of his Symphony No. how Shostakovich’s environment plays chords that make it impossible to not feel uplifted and this is one of them, but 5 (1937), an immensely popular work into his music because of their lack The Avett Brothers are entirely not-obnoxious about it. that was billed at the time as “a Soviet of experience with it. One can detect 12. Take a Bow - Rihanna: This song is not romantic. So not romantic. I artist’s response to just criticism.” More similar sentiments in a bonus track of recommend this song to people who want to feel blissful about their break-up. recent critics have suggested it contains a rehearsal from a 2001 recording of Also really fun to sing. If there were more break-up karaoke here I would prob- various subversive elements, including the Eighth Symphony made by fellow ably be singing this. references to then-politically contro- Latvian Mariss Jansons with the Pitts- 13. San Francisco - The Mowgli’s: It’s impossible to listen to this song and not versial lyrics containted in some of burgh Symphony Orchestra. feel the urge to dance, and dancing is scientifically proven (probably, because of Shostakovich’s “desk drawer” composi- This performance seemed like the endorphins, right?) to make you happier. tions, which were not discovered until antithesis of the American Leonard 14. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell: I know after the fall of the Soviet Union. Bernstein’s 1959 recording of the Fifth there doesn’t need to be an explanation for this, but I will say that this is bright Shostakovich composed the Len- Symphony with the New York Phil- and unaffected and the perfect duet. ingrad Symphony between the spring harmonic, in which Bernstein handles 15. Can’t Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon: This song is perfect for when and winter of 1941. In that time, Hitler the deeply passionate third movement you’ve had a few and are trying to decide whether or not to tell that special invaded the USSR and put the com- incredibly but delivers a controversial, someone you have the feelings. poser’s home city of Leningrad (now and in my opinion poor, reading of 16. Oui - Jeremih: This might be the most intimate song I’ve ever heard. I Saint Petersburg) under siege. Shosta- the fourth movement by significantly actually feel like I’m intruding every time I listen to it, but damn, it’s so good. kovich and his family were evacuated increasing the tempo in its final min- 17. Fooled Around and Fell in Love - Elvin Bishop: I know this song is on the from the city, and he wrote the fourth utes. Perhaps the playing of the BSO Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, but there’s a reason: it’s so shiny. I think if movement in cramped conditions in signals a new era of Shostakovich per- songs could display physical properties, this one would be shiny. Kuibyshev (now Samara), but much of formances in the U.S., one in which our 18. Rather Be ft. Jesse Glynne - Clean Bandits: The double beat before the the population of Leningrad was not conductors and orchestral players per- chorus breaks has often proven to create some of the most blissful moments of as lucky as Shostakovich. An estimat- form with a greater understanding of my life. This song is also perfect for driving. ed one million people died in the 900- the meaning of the music. Personally, 19. You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates: This song will make you nostalgic day siege due to exposure, starvation I found that the BSO and Nelsons han- for the 80’s, especially if you were not born before 1990. and constant attacks by Nazi forces, dled the incredibly lengthy crescen- 20. Sunday Candy - Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment: I dare you to dos of the first and fourth movements listen to this song and not become giddy. I dare you. • THE COLLEGE VOICE 10 • Arts MARCH 6, 2017

“You’ve Never Been?” A “Quick Turnaround” with My Engine Room Political Force Encounter

CHLOE FORD dents chose to use dance as a me- as an individual, but because of HANNAH JOHNSTON ARTS EDITOR dium for expressing their political the broader significance of those NEWS EDITOR views. In a country now divided by words and actions for the general Since my first year at Conn, I’ve been chastised The Dance Club presented politics and in a time fraught with public. As a woman, it is chilling to for not having been to the Engine Room, a popu- their show “Quick Turnaround” controversial statements, silence, watch videos of the ‘leader’ of our lar, rustic-hipster-but-actually-fancy restaurant in last weekend at the Myers Dance for many, does not feel like an country using sexist, misogynistic Mystic, CT. This past week, I at last seized my op- Studio. With few seats left open, option. Art is an effective and im- language about beauty standards portunity by undertaking a restaurant review for the space was filled with students, pactful way to make a difference. and gender roles, and boasting the Voice. My friend Phoebe Masterson-Eckart ‘18 faculty and families. It was filled Sophomore Rachael Lieb- of sexually assaulting women… and I traveled to Mystic on a foggy Wednesday eve- also with the excitement and en- lein-Jurbala’s piece, “…and I will I knew I wanted to make a piece ning for an early dinner at the widely recommended ergy that always surfaces before never, ever let you down,” focused in response, as a representation of food hub. The restaurant sits right near the water- a show begins. As Dance Club on female and male roles in so- the emotional and visceral feelings front in Mystic, and if it had been a nicer evening, it shows are stu- that this situ- would have been the perfect occasion to sit on the dent-run and ation has pro- wide, darkly wooded porch and enjoy the view. student-cho- v o ke d .” Upon sitting down, I did what I often do first reographed, This piece at restaurants of a caliber high enough to warrant a few cho- shed light on cloth napkins: order a Shirley Temple. The serv- reographers the power of er brought one in a pretty mason jar, and I wished were seated dance as a I hadn’t taken such a big gulp as I did, because it in the audi- form of protest. did not taste like an average Shirley Temple made ence, waiting Dance can con- of ginger ale, grenadine and cherries. Instead, the to watch their vey inequality drink tasted like some kind of fruit-infused iced tea, dancers car- and injustice; it and while I was bitterly disappointed in the results ry out what can serve as a of my drink order, Phoebe was able to enjoy it by was once means of fight- mixing water in to cut the concentrated flavor. I was merely a vi- ing back against disheartened at first, but the rest of the meal proved sion. Behind multiple forms to be well worth the 15-minute drive to Mystic and the audience of oppression back. lay the light and discrimina- For an appetizer, we ordered the Carolina hush and sound tion. Bodies can puppies with jalapeño mayo, and we were not disap- booth, occu- speak as loudly pointed. The hush puppies were soft and hot on the pied by stu- as voices, and inside and crunchy on the outside, with flecks of ja- lapeño baked into the cornbread balls. The jalapeño dents eager to Above: Kelli Carlson ‘19 (left) and Emily Green ‘18 (right) through dance, demonstrate Below: Ensemble human beings mayo provided the perfect balance between cold to the skills they Photos courtesy of Sydney Bryan are able to ex- offset the heat of the hush puppies and spiciness to have mas- plore ideas too sharpen the mild corn flavor. For our entrees, I had tered over their years at college, ciety, and specifically on the way large to fit into the walls and boxes the buttermilk fried Baffoni farm chicken sandwich and backstage were still more stu- women are treated by men, in- of language. Leiblein-Jurbala stat- and Phoebe had the chicken burger. My sandwich dents, dressed in black, working cluding the 45th President of the ed, “Art can be an incredibly pow- was big and hot and would have been a perfect piece to ensure that the show would run United States. The piece incorpo- erful channel of activism, both as of southern-inspired cuisine if there had been less without glitches or difficulties. rated dialogue, all words of Presi- an emotional outlet and as way of of the chipotle hot sauce, which soaked the bun The lights dimmed, and the dent Donald Trump, and exposed making social change.” and covered the taste of homemade smoked ranch show began with an upbeat num- the cruelty and disrespect alive in The power of this show also dressing. ber choreographed by Augie Sher- his language. When asked about lay in the collaboration involved. Phoebe’s chicken burger was very good, though man ’18 titled her use of verbal communication Students worked also too large a portion to finish, and for our sides “Pink Hava- together, using we chose the tangy potato salad and the macaroni na.” The danc- their bodies and salad. The macaroni salad was excellent. It remind- ers bounced minds to make ed me of elbow macaroni salad from home with its from stage larger state- mayo and cucumbers, but the added spices and sea- right to stage ments which sonings elevated the dish to restaurant-worthy cui- left, stomp- could be shared sine. Likewise, the potato salad was a simple base ing, clapping with peo- with a few extra flavors added in to make it special. and finding ple of all ages I think this is the best way for a trendy restaurant joy in the and from all to tackle comfort food: stay true to the original, movement. backgrounds. but make sure there’s something special that can’t Their joy ra- Through their necessarily be duplicated easily at home or in the diated out to pieces, students supermarket. the audience, told import- By far, my favorite part of the meal was my spreading ant stories and chocolate malt milkshake. Phoebe had a maple even to the asked compli- vanilla milkshake, and they both came at the end back row of cated questions. of our meal in tall, skinny mason-jar style glasses chairs. This They challenged with thick straws. The chocolate malt was rich and piece wel- each other as creamy, and the hand-whipped cream that topped comed the well as the cur- both of our treats had the benefit of freshness while audience in, rent system that still maintaining a settled kind of sweet flavor. To creating an tugs at all of us, cut the intense sweetness of the milkshakes, my atmosphere of warmth and ac- in this piece, Lieblein-Jurbala re- whether we are aware of it or not. chocolate had bits of salty, chocolate chip cookies ceptance. Many dances in the plied, “It was important to me that Being a college student in- and Phoebe’s vanilla had roasted, salted nuts. It was show carried with them this same text was incorporated in this piece; volves purposeful exploration of the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and it was light and warmth—Kelli Carlson there is something incredibly pow- our society’s complex rules and its the perfect serving size. I am very excited to go back ’19 and Emily Green ’18 choreo- erful about hearing words initially impact on human beings. In a sim- to the Engine Room for a second milkshake, and I graphed a humorous piece set to spoken about women re-articu- ilar sense, being a citizen involves highly recommend the restaurant. It’s a great spot to three versions of the song “Croco- lated by women themselves, and I a concern for contemporary po- celebrate something, have dinner with your parents dile Rock,” and Teddy Nguyen ’20 wanted to play with what meaning litical affairs, legislation, and how or even just to get away from Harris for a night with explored the concept of love, and that produced.” government policies threaten basic a good friend, though it’s a few rungs pricier than the many joys and sorrows it car- She went on to say, “Through- human rights. The students in this Groton Townhouse. • ries, through a hip-hop work en- out Trump’s campaign and elec- show not only brought insight and tion, I felt, first and foremost, knowledge to an enraptured audi- titled “One Quick Turn Around.” 4) metric geometry (The Chronicle of Other pieces in the show, how- furious, not only because of the ence, but they also embodied the ever, were a bit heavier. Some stu- words and actions he displayed core values of democracy. • Higher Education) THE COLLEGE VOICE MARCH 6, 2017 Arts • 11

Artist Lecture: Ivan Toth Depeña on “Interconnections”

SOPHIA ANGELE-KUEHN CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ivan Toth Depeña’s ability to seamlessly incorporate the environment, technology and storytelling into his artistic creations was made clear during the lecture he gave to a packed room of students on Feb. 22 in Cummings. Studio art produced by Depeña, a Miami and Char- lotte-based artist holding a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Harvard University, was showcased in Cummings through March 3. The main focus of Depeña’s lecture, however, was not his displayed studio art but rather his public art projects and the interconnections made behind their design. The lecture started with an introduction by Assistant Profes- sor of Art Pamela Marks, who credited the Weissmann Visiting Artist Program for Depeña’s visit. She summed up the artist’s background and achievements, which include being awarded the prestigious Knight Arts Challenge Miami Grant for his augmented reality public art projects throughout Miami. “If you’re not familiar with [augmented reality], it’s essen- tially what Pokémon Go is,” explained Depeña with a smile. The project, called “Lapse,” involves real murals and sites dis- persed throughout Southern Florida, but an app found at www. lapsemiami.com overlays the real scene before the user with artistic technology and supplements it with sounds. For example, Students examine Depeña’s work Photos courtesy of Sophia Angele-Kuehn if a “Lapse” user were to ride Miami’s downtown MetroMover, a musical composition based on GPS location would accompany them. The music from the app should “build and build and crescendo as you get times accompanied by aquatic patterns appearing on the background or ocean to the end.” sounds playing. To capture the sonic and visual transitions, Depeña embarked “Lapse” is a new chapter of “The Fallen Sky Chronicles”—a narrative project on scuba diving excursions and visited science museums, both of which experi- designed by Depeña—which creates a surreal, Matrix-like perspective through ences he recorded for his work. He personally thinks of the phrases as “messages interactive storytelling. The premise it that “The protagonist made a drastic mis- from a secret ship” and, somewhat ironically, “people’s emotions and life after take… data from the web was infused into their perception. All of this info con- drowning.” verged.” One can even read the protagonist’s writings in one component of the A similarly nature-themed project called “Surface” in Cornelius, NC is still tour located in Museum Park called “The Writings.” It’s a virtual walking prose under construction, but when finished will act as a bus stop and art piece in experience where human and machine are melded into one. one. Depeña designed a white, modern building to surround the piece, which Another project that was detailed during Depeña’s lecture was “Towards a he dubbed the “‘jewel box’ for the colored art piece on top.” The piece itself is a Fading Sign”—a nine by 21-foot display board featuring flip-dot technology, as transparent, ocean-colored roof, onto which Depeña mapped a captured section seen on old-school bedside clocks. The piece is part of the Quantum collec- of Lake Norman, a landmark in the area. “Surface” will mimic what happens tion designed for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Printed in blue, Haiku-inspired when a swimmer looks up from underneath the surface of water. phrases meant to poetically capture the natural world—such as “water on my Even more science and nature-oriented is Depeña’s swooping, stainless-steel skin” and “vastness appears”—surface and wash away on the black screen, some- sculpture “Arc,” which he modeled after the wind patterns of Hurricane Wilma, a storm that struck Miami in 2005. That piece sits in front of the newly rebuilt public library that was formerly destroyed by the hurricane, communicating a sense of rebirth after destruction. The sculpture was designed using data from the storm’s speed, direction and duration in a certain timeframe. Additionally, the piece lights up at night and changes color based on local wind speed, which is measured by an anemometer, or wind sensor, on the library’s roof. “If it’s a lighter speed it’ll turn a cooler color, say less than 6 to 8 knots,” noted Depeña during the lecture. Stronger winds equal a warmer spectrum. And “if you look at different angles, the piece sort of folds and unfolds” as one walks around it. This mixing of light and perception defines Depeña’s “Color Field” sculpture in Lakewood, CO as well. The walkway to the town’s train sta- tion curves around the tree-shaped sculpture, forcing passerby to walk around it and witness the merging and unfolding of its transparent colored-glass panels, backlit at night by LEDs. Using parametric modelling software, Depeña strives to make no two light-pieces the same. After Depeña’s talk ended, an audience member asked why he cares so much about preventing repetition in his works. Depeña answered that he wants his pieces to be dynamic, not static. He strives to “create living pieces” and take his “ego out of the process—let [the art] work and live on its own.” With a follow-up question, another attendee asked whether Depeña preferred bigger public art projects over his solitary studio work. He admitted that he often feels doubt as he plans his pieces, as they are never like anything built before. There’s a risk, then, that the whole project might not work. “It’s moments like these where I’m like, ‘Man, I just want to make paintings,’” Depeña sighed. He was met with many nodding heads. Depeña can be found on Instagram @depenastudio. •

5) baby boomers (The Atlantic)

Depeña converses with a student THE COLLEGE VOICE 12 • Arts MARCH 6, 2017

Creating Through Political Turmoil: Honduras to New London-Based MOTHE

MAIA HIBBETT tion of society in the streets, logically, ing something sig- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF architecture as well—and the history nificantly similar. So that there is here.” I think we’re under- Lamothe clarified that observers standing each other Editor’s note: The following article should not look to directly identify more... I see that in was written from an interview con- his themes and influences in his work, the work of local art- ducted in Spanish. All quotations were explaining that “those aren’t specific ists, these political translated by the author. points that are going to print directly or general situations onto my works.” Instead, he elaborat- are directly express- Unsuspecting visitors be fore- ed: “I had some points of artistic and ing themselves.” But, warned: at Expressiones cultural cen- personal curiosity that I wanted to Lamothe clarified, ter in New London, attendees at off bring here, so there are details that I’m the treatment of po- times might be greeted by two English incorporating…experimenting, per- litical turmoil is not Shepherd dogs with voluminous hair, haps, along with the change in space the only concept that one large, young and sourced from and people and all of that.” Latin American art Indiana, the other smaller, older and As Lamothe spoke about the im- has to offer. traveled all the way from Chile. portance of space and society in his “Specifically, col- The dogs belong to Expressiones work, it became clear that he recogniz- or,” Lamothe said executive director José Garayochea, es art as a political concept. On what with a laugh, “Latin who will surely remove them for offi- he hopes to bring to New London, America has so much cial Expressiones events, like the gal- Lamothe said: “perhaps in general, color… I know these lery opening that will welcome Hon- the artistic development that is man- spaces [like Expres- duran artist Carlos Lamothe on March ifesting in my country.” He connected siones] are so devel- 17. For his work, Lamothe goes by the the artistic scene in Honduras to its oped that the notion current political status is more specific and a by noting: “Honduras little more conceptu- is having a political- al [than ‘color’]… but ly difficult moment… it’s always interesting since the coup we lived to present an example through in 2009, the that’s more direct, not society has entered a so minimalist.” state in many ways full Lamothe’s own of intensity, so in the work, he said, has artistic community, art been developing in a more technical his, traveled to Expressiones for a resi- expresses [that].” direction, evidenced as he said that, dency from Tegucigalpa, the capital of While tumultuous, “We can see examples of mine from Honduras, and endorsed the experi- this political energy, past years that perhaps have more ence in casual conversation. according to Lamothe, spontaneity in experimentation. Cur- “[Landa] sent in my information,” has invigorated the ar- rently I have more studies; I have more Lamothe said, “I had faith and confi- tistic community and analysis.” He laughed and added: “I dence and well, Expressiones contact- inspired support for it. have more headaches. Sometimes I e d m e .” For those who wish to learn “I believe and feel very miss being a little more like, ah—there more about Lamothe and his work as positive that currently, it is.” MOTHE, his March 17 gallery will the artistic movement In his artistic concepts and devel- take place at Expressiones at 84 Bank is revealing itself with opment, Lamothe referenced “a per- St., located near Exchange Bar & Grill greater force,” Lamothe sonal investigation of the history of and Hygienic Art Gallery. Anyone explained, “society is Latin American artists,” naming Ru- who cannot attend is invited to view no longer taking it so fino Tamayo (Mexico), Frida Khalo Lamothe’s work on the Facebook page much as something ba- (Mexico), Diego Rivera (Mexico) and MOTHE. • nal; they’re viewing it Oswaldo Guayasamín (Ecuador). Out- as something that truly side of Latin America, must be supported.” he listed Jean-Michel Like Lamothe’s ar- Basquiat, a U.S. artist of tistic concepts, this no- Puerto Rican and Hai-

Above: El Obrero (2016) tion also relates to the tian descent, as well as Top right: Barra Vieja Charter City (2014) Bottom right: Paisajes de la Noctambulidad (2014) idea of space. Lamothe Pablo Picasso (Spain), Photos courtesy of Carlos Lamothe said that while there is Le Corbusier (Switzer- still progress to be made, land and France) and pseudonym “MOTHE” and, having “artistic creators have more bravery to Marc Chagall (Russia arrived in New London just over a leave their creative space and, perhaps and France) as influ- month ago, will be the artist-in-resi- on a public or private wall, put up their ences. But above all, he dence at Expressiones through March. works.” He added that beyond this first referred to the impor- Despite this title, Lamothe told the step, government intervention is still tance of architecture. Voice: “I don’t present myself as an art- needed, as government support could “I always try to ist—more than anything a creator. I’m allow artists to occupy “exposition- [incorporate] archi- an experimenter.” al spaces with specific requirements, tecture at the base of To carry out his experiments in- not just a wall of a bar or a restaurant.” everything, because ternationally, Lamothe came to New That, Lamothe said, is part of why he it’s like life, right? The London from San Pedro Sula, the sec- appreciates Expressiones so much. architecture of life— ond-largest city in Honduras near the “Spaces like this offer themselves we need to know how country’s Caribbean coast. A graduate to [artistic development],” Lamothe to organize ourselves of University of San Pedro Sula’s Fac- noted. He highlighted the difficulty of in order to be able to ulty of Architecture, Lamothe said “making it so that your artistic expres- move,” Lamothe said. that cityscapes and city life inform his sion complements your lifestyle in a Brought to New work, which at the moment largely way that is efficient and not dispropor- London by a fellow consists of painting. tionate.” Latin American artist “First of all, I’m considering the ef- “As an artistic creator,” he re- himself, Lamothe is fect of cohabitation in this new space,” marked, “well, I have to eat, right?” the third artist-in-res- said Lamothe, speaking to how the Regarding the clear relevance idence from Honduras move from San Pedro Sula to New of supporting the arts in the current at Expressiones. La- London is affecting his work. He added U.S. political climate, Lamothe said: mothe explained that that he is influenced by “the observa- “I think in these moments, we’re see- Luis Landa, a friend of