THE

PublishedC by the Studentsolby of Colby College since 1877 Volume CXXXXIII, No. 8 CHO November 5, 2020 E Waterville, Maine Students host a discussion of anti-Blackness at Colby

By Fiona Huo dealt with the Akon Day inci- tered to attend the Akon Day began by describing the News Reporter dent that occured in the fall discussion. build-up to the Akon Day of 2018. They viewed the purpose incident. That fall, Four On Monday, Oct. 26, the The event, sponsored by of the series as a reckoning Winds, the College’s indige- second segment of a three the Department of Women’s, of the history of anti-Black- neous students club, created As of 12:00 a.m. on Nov. 3, according to the part series of student-led Gender, and Sexuality Stud- ness at Colby, examining the a poster detailing advice on New York Times: discussions on the History ies, was led by Terri Nwanma way the administration has how to avoid offensive Hal- of Anti-Blackness at Colby `22, Faith Nkansah-Siriboe responded to incidents of loween costumes. In the presidential race: College took place in Ostrove `22, and Micaela Duran `21. anti-Blackness, and reflect- Their poster included Auditorium in Diamond. Both Nkansah-Siriboe and ing on how Colby’s campus “Four signs your Halloween Biden Currently Leads with 209 Electoral The event was also streamed Duran work in Special Col- has failed and continues to costume is disrespectful,” Votes from: on Facebook Live by the Col- lections at Colby, from which fail to adequately support which included wearing Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, by Mutual Aid Fund. most of the information for marginalized students. accessories that resemble New Mexico, Illinois, Virginia, Maryland, Del- The series centers around the series was compiled. Nwanma added that they another culture’s sacred ar- ware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Conecticut, instances of anti-Blackness The three students shared felt a responsibility to “[doc- tifacts or any offensive sym- on campus, institutional that the History of An- ument] the stories of people bols. However, controversy New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, failures in responding to ti-Blackness at Colby College not having a good time on arose after an SGA email and Vermont. these racist incidents, and series received substantial campus and people who that reiterated Four Winds student resistance against pushback from the College. are affected by racism all overall message did so with Trump currently holds 118 Electoral Votes anti-Blackness. The discus- However, that did not deter around the world.” much milder language. from: sion on Oct. 26 specifically the 146 students who regis- The Oct. 26 presentation The Akon Day incident itself occurred on Nov. 11, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, North Dakota, South 2018. The event had been Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Mis- an annual tradition, and the souri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississipi, Alam- 2018 event marked the 7th bama, Indiana, Kentuckym, West Virginia, and anniversary of it. South Carolina The party was thrown by the men’s lacrosse team and was predominantly attend- In the competitive Senate races: ed by white students. Par- Republican Roger Marshall wins in Kansas tygoers dressed in orange Republican John Cornyn wins in Texas jumpsuits and wore fake Republican Mitch McConnell wins in teardrop tattoos using rap- per Akon’s Konvicted album Kentucky as inspiration. Female stu- Republican Lindsey Graham wins in South dents braided their hair to Carolina mimic cornrows and wore Democrat John Hickenlooper wins in hoop earrings. Colorado These costumes were rac- ist; students appropriated Republican Kelly Loeffler will face Democrat Black culture through their Raphael Warnock in a January Special Election hair and accessories and in Georgia correlated Blackness with criminality by dressing in jumpsuits imitating prison garb. When these white stu- Photo courtesy of Wendy Wei Student panelists present at a segment of a three part series on the History of Anti-Blackness at Colby Contiued on page 2 Professors present perspective on educated dialogue regarding the election

By Molly George nority racial groups. While has been the evaporation ing have to do the best they Having an audience can ambiguity on the impact Layout Editor socioeconomic status is in- of split-ticket voters. But can to help people consider lead to inflated confidence of deficits in the cur- volved, education does not how has this happened? other perspectives, and bust and unnecessary argumen- rent economic climate On Monday, Nov. 2, facul- explain any difference be- This pop-up discussion will out of the bubble.” tation, rather than con- as spending continues ty from a variety of depart- tween races. confront the role of media, necting to learn. The main to maintain economic ments led discussions and When group size is larger, particularly social media, “Does Debate Matter?” takeaway was that a focus growth in the short term. presented on panels related the Turnout Gap shrinks, re- in creating echo chambers Hosted by: Aaron Hanlon, on better listening creates While some industries to the election. Specifically, gardless of socioeconomic where we are drawn to nar- Assistant Professor of En- more informed arguments. are doing well (Donihue each event focused on a dif- status. This effect is due to ratives that cast the other glish, Director of Science, Hanlon said, “it’s the idea mentioned Amazon as ferent perspective on origi- three determinants: rational side as dangerous and men- Technology, and Society that we should approach an example), most small nal ways to discuss politics. choice, empowerment theo- acing. It will also confront “Pollsters typically find arguments with the goals businesses and individu- ry, and elite mobilization. the stark implications of that presidential debates of learning and connecting, als are struggling, and so “The Racial Turnout Gap: With campaign statistics, this turn.” don’t have much of an im- not winning.” an effort to preserve small Myths and Mobilization” Levan emphasized that In this presentation, Shea pact on how people vote, businesses will be import- Carrie Levan, Assistant closing the gap matters. She summarized the transfor- but what about the smaller “The election of 2020 in a ant in the long run. Professor of Government suggested that the best solu- mation into negative par- debates and discussions in pandemic economy” The professors discussed “Many political pundits tion is mobilizing voters tisanship as a dramatic our day-to-day lives? When Michael Donihue and the ideas for the economy to point to the turnout dispari- through personal canvass- change in American politics. we discuss politics with fam- Economics Department recover as economic and ties between Voters of Color ing with clear instructional “We used to see the oth- ily, friends, on social media, “The coronavirus pan- social tension exacerbate and White voters. But what information. er party as the opposition, and in the classroom, are we demic has had an unprece- each other. Donihue closed role does racism serve as a The reason politicians do mistaken on policy is- changing people’s minds? If dented impact on the global with a possible scenario of source of these disparities? not take advantage of this sues, but also good Amer- not, what’s the value of polit- economy. Faculty from the reform measures, consti- What are the potential con- strategy is their focus on icans, neighbors, friends,” ical debate?” economics department will tutional compromise, in- sequences if these dispar- winning elections rather Shea stated. This informal discussion share their reflections on frastructure investments, ities persist? And perhaps, than mobilizing voters. The Seeing the opposing po- centered around preparing the pandemic and some of and faith in the country – most importantly, what are vicious cycle of campaign litical party as a threat or for the inevitably controver- the accompanying econom- though he admitted it is not potential solutions to clos- audiences and active voters evil is due to the reemer- sial political conversations ic issues that face Americans likely. ing the Racial Turnout Gap impacts the nuanced yet gence of a partisan press. that surround the election. as they head to the polls.” in US elections?” real Racial Turnout Gap. While media companies Participants shared anec- In this conversation be- This Friday, Nov. 6, an- The Racial Turnout Gap can benefit from this busi- dotes of successful and frus- tween five economists, re- other election-focused fac- relates back to the Vot- “How New Media is Re- ness model, Shea claims it trating debates in daily situ- flections and predictions ulty discussion will take er Rights Act but is also a shaping Electrical Politics” is bad for democracy. ations and brainstormed led to a hopeful outlook for place as part of the Histo- mechanism of conventional Daniel M. Shea, Ph.D., To combat this divisive strategies for productive the country. Each contrib- rians Reading the News wisdom and stereotypes, Chair, Department of view on partisanship, citi- and polite political debates. utor shared an overall im- with Friends series of con- amplifying narratives that Government, Professor of zens need to consider an- Preparing for conversa- pression of the economic versations. This Post-Elec- minority groups vote less Government other side’s perspective, lis- tions is important, everyone state of the U.S. in the con- tion Edition will be held because they are disengaged “One of the most signif- ten with an open mind, and in the discussion agreed. text of both the election and over live stream so a large or uninformed. Levan pre- icant transformations in break out from their media Going in intentionally with the pandemic. number of people can tune sented on the real reasons contemporary electoral echo chamber. an open mind and without One focal point was in to the informed perspec- for the turnout gap and led a politics has been the rise of In the past, there weren’t the purpose of trying to defining what debt and tives of John Turner, Asso- discussion on what manag- affect partisanship — also as many media outlets, convince another are help- deficit mean to different ciate Professor of History; ing the Racial Turnout Gap called negative partisan- Shea explained. ful check points. A student presidential candidates. Danae Jacobson, Visiting looks like. ship. Rather than seeing “News used to be centrist, shared that productive con- Associate Professor of Assistant Professor in His- First, to counter an expla- members of the “other” it professed the objective. versation isn’t about chang- Economics and Associ- tory; Arnout H.C. van der nation based solely on so- party as the opposition, You couldn’t search easily to ing someone’s mind: “that’s ate Chair Samara Gunter Meer, Assistant Professor cioeconomic status, Levan we now view them as the find an outlet that matched not our job.” Analogies and claimed, “the carbon pact in History; and Sarah Duff, cited research suggesting enemy, a genuine threat to your ideology.” conscientious explanations is a policy tax economists Assistant Professor of His- that there are higher rates democracy. One empiri- “Places like Colby and can help both parties see would get behind.” tory, on the outcomes of of lower income among mi- cal measure of this change institutions of higher learn- the other side. Donihue explained the the election.

Susan Collins on Election elicits Letter to the ed- New athletic Olympic sports systemic racism anxiety itor training center p. 6 p. 3 p. 4 p. 5 p. 7 Page 2 | The Colby Echo News November 5, 2020 The aftermath of the event dressing bias on campus. her life. The last part of the were called along with own blood. The footage was Contiued from page 1 also led Duran and other stu- The students also called series took place on Nov. 2 Maine State Troopers and widely circulated among dents to start a new group for the College to relook at and was focused on an inci- personnel from the Kenne- the Colby community and dents were told to change by called Students 4 Change, their threshold for bias in dent of police brutality that bec Valley Sheriff’s office. which prompted outrage. A their peers, they refused. which, among many other the student handbook and happened at the College in Another POC student protest was held on April 14 After the event, there was as-yet unrealized demands, the role of the Bias Inci- the Students Organized for Roundtree also had a con- which was attended by over little to no disciplinary action called for President David dence Prevention and Re- Black and Latnix Unity (SOB- frontation with law enforce- 800 students, which was or sanctions applied to the Greene to host a town hall sponse (BIPR) team. LU) meeting room in 2009. ment in the same Pugh Cen- nearly half of Colby’s student organizers and participants for students to address the Nkansah-Siriboe shared The incident took place ter incident. In what could population at the time. of the Akon Day party. This incident. This was frus- that she believed it was im- on April 12, 2009. Following clearly be categorized as As with the aftermath led to student outrage and trating for many students portant to keep the story of a Rave to the Grave Party in excessive force, Roundtree of the Akon Day party that an eventual sit-in in Cotter as President Greene never Akon Day alive. Page Commons, an intoxi- was maced three times would occur nine years lat- Union on Nov. 9, 2018. Hun- agreed to lead the town hall. “As students filter out cated student wandered into while handcuffed. er, many of the demands by dreds of students and staff Duran also outlined in through Colby, some stories the SOBLU room in the Pugh Law enforcement also the students which included dressed in black and sat in the presentation a list of de- get erased. On the same Center where he fell asleep. stopped another student, the suspension of the secu- silence for an hour. A group mands the group had for the note, when incidents are not A security officer passing by Talarico, by Johnson Pond rity officers involved, a pub- of Black students dressed in College that she has yet to addressed outright, it gets came to check on the student for unclear reasons. After lic apology, and financial orange jumpsuits to mimic see be fulfilled by the College erased,” Nkansah-Siriboe with two students who iden- a scuffle, the three, all stu- support for the affected stu- the students at the party. even now, two years later. explained. “For students of tified the sleeping student. A dents of color, were arrest- dents were never realized. To accompany their own Some of the demands color at Colby, they should third student by the name of ed and taken to the police The series shed light on telling the story of Akon included not only making know that their feelings are Ramirez also came into the station in Augusta for crim- the failures of the admin- Day, the three presenters Civil Discourse accessible to validated and they are un- room questioning what the se- inal trespassing and assault. istration when it comes to screened an interview done students but the archives of fortunately not new.” curity officer was doing there. Ramirez, Roundtree, and supporting BIPOC students with an attendee of the sit- past years’ posts as well. Stu- The presenters took many At this point, tensions Talarico received no med- at Colby and how justice still in, Adji Astou Seck `20. dents also called on Colby to questions from the audience. between the student body ical attention for the inju- has not been served for af- “The turnout was amaz- make a one to five year plan The first installment of and Security had been high. ries they sustained from fected students. ing,” Astou Seck recounted. to improve counseling ser- the series took place on Oct. Ramirez was then slammed law enforcement. Students looking to better “Seeing my professors there vices for students of color, 19 and featured the story of onto the ground and put in a One of the critical pieces understand these events can and seeing people I didn’t hire more staff for the Pugh Mayra Diaz, a Puerto Rican butterfly hold. The situation of evidence from that night check out the special collec- think cared showed to me Center, and to create a five Black student at Colby, who escalated and Waterville, was video footage taken on a tions archives for the docu- that as a whole our commu- to ten year plan to create a was falsely accused by a Fairfield, Winslow, and Oak- cellphone showing Ramirez ments and sources used in nity still stands together.” department dedicated to ad- white student for threatening land Police Departments pinned on the ground in his the presentations. Students partake in Colby-sponsored activites during Halloweekend

By Matt Rocha the Waterville area, but ob- up games, and put on a cos- tion that promotes student er,” and “Heart of Glass.” He tightly controlled. Many ea- News Reporter viously that wasn’t possible tume contest, the winner of bands and coordinates mu- thought that the concert was ger concert-goers were un- because of the COVID-19 which received a one hun- sic-related events, organized a great success, as it balanced fortunately turned away at This Halloween was cer- rules, so this year it was just dred dollar gift card. the Halloween concert. For COVID-19 compliance with the door. tainly different from those for Colby students,” Lieblein With her teammates on over four hours, the bands Halloween fun. “It didn’t seem like a lot of in years past. The College’s explained. the field hockey team, Lau- and musicians entertained a “Everyone was wearing people were let in. Probably COVID-19 regulations pre- She was very happy with ryn Nelson `23 participated socially distanced crowd. their masks, which was whatever the limit is for a vented the large gatherings how the haunted house in the Monster Dash. Doug Werner `23 plays sax- good. They wanted everyone room of that size. Maybe fif- characteristic of normal turned out. It surpassed all “One of my teammates ophone and sings for Base- to sit down, which I imagine ty people. There were mobs Halloween celebrations, of her expectations. is in SGA and arranged for ment Picnic, one of the bands had something to do with of people at the top trying to but thanks to some creativ- “I saw the other rooms, my team to walk the event. that headlined the Halloween COVID-19,” Werner said. “It get in, but they had to leave,” ity from student groups, the and they looked really cool. It was very chill and a really concert. Werner and Base- was a success overall. It was Werner said. “The last con- weekend was still a success. It turned out really well!” Li- fun time,” Nelson said. “As a ment Picnic covered songs a great time.” cert was outside, but since On Friday and Saturday, eblein said. team, we wanted to support from a variety of genres, in- Werner noted that be- it’s cold out now, I guess they groups across campus spon- On Halloween, scores Colby Mutual Aid. It was a cluding “Sunday Candy,” “I cause of the limited seat- wanted to do it inside, which sored fun and safe events. of students participated in great way to incentivize our Will Survive,” “Psycho Kill- ing in Foss, the crowd was makes sense.” On the evening before the Monster Dash for Mu- friends to donate toward an Halloween, students staged tual Aid, which the Student awesome cause.” a haunted house in the Love- Government Association Nelson believes that SGA joy academic building. Par- (SGA) hosted. Starting at did a great job setting up the ticipants walked down the Runnals Field, students in Monster Dash and creating a dark hallways and through costume ran a two kilome- fun, inclusive environment. creepily decorated rooms. ter course through the upper “SGA really went all out. Cassie Lieblein `23 helped Arboretum. They decorated the trail with set up the haunted house The Monster Dash was a cobwebs and other Hallow- with the ski team. great opportunity to have fun een-themed decorations. “My team volunteered while enjoying the beautiful They taped off the course, to do it. I helped set up the fall nature around campus, and CER was on stand by haunted house. I did the but it also included an im- just in case,” she said. “We clown room in particular,” portant charitable aspect. dressed up in costumes, Lieblein said. “We put up SGA asked participants to en- and one of my teammates lights and pumped up a courage ten of their friends actually won the costume bunch of scary balloons to donate to the Colby Mutual contest. and displays.” Aid Fund, a student-run fund In the last hours of Hal- This year, the visitors of that supports the College’s loween, seven of the Col- the haunted house were dif- first generation low-income, lege’s most talented bands ferent than normal. BIPOC, Trans, and Queer hosted a concert in Foss “Normally the haunted students. Along with the run, Dining Hall. The Colby Mu- house is for little kids from SGA also provided food, set sic Incubator, an organiza- Photo courtesy of SGA class of 2023 College rejects student petition calling for a holiday on election day

By Donovan Lynch and give the school a little Duff. linois Governor Jay Prtizker in 9th place out of 11. the Colby community will Contributing Writer breathing room. “Practical considerations designated Nov. 3 a state hol- While this could be a take a regularly scheduled “Yeah, people really are were, clearly, the reason for iday just hours before voters result of scant participa- test for COVID, throwing As voters trickle into poll- gonna be in a difficult place the College’s decision” Duff headed to the polls, effec- tion on the platform Mo- another potential snag in ing places across the coun- mentally to varying degrees added. tively closing public schools tivote-responsible for re- voting. try, the Colby community throughout campus,” Brause But this may have been a (those not already shut for cording pledge data-the Brushing off the “nay” on will be experiencing a Tues- told The Colby Echo from his plea heard before by many voting) and some—but not College’s voting record in an election holiday, student day like any other—at least common room in Dana. Colby administrators. all—businesses. the most recent election and faculty voting leaders as far as the official College Colby is hardly alone I know that Colby Votes, Although the College flatly has been similarly low. Col- are onto another flash- schedule goes. Colby admin- in this effort. Brown Uni- one of their big things they rejected an election holiday, byVotes reported a 37.6% point—the post-election istrators this week quietly versity, Colorado College, wanted to be able to get done many original sponsors of Colby student turnout in fallout. Brause, along with rejected a letter signed by and American Universi- from a very early point in the Brause’s letters are pleased the 2018 midterms-roughly student body President ten students and four faculty ty—among others—have all semester, was they wanted with Colby’s civic engage- 36% lower than the number Ashlee Guevara, recently members to suspend all ac- pulled the plug on the Nov. to get us the day off on elec- ment efforts in general. of students registered. formed an ad hoc commit- ademic and extracurricular 3 class day after successful tion day,” said one source “From my vantage point, To Brause and others, tee to explore how best to activities for election day. lobbying from students familiar with the situation. Colby leadership has been this made the demand for address the the results of In a letter addressed to and faculty. President of ColbyVotes, highly supportive of civic en- no school Tuesday all the the election-whatever they President Greene and Dean Many who signed Colby’s Lutie Brown `22, couldn’t be gagement efforts across the more pressing. According may be-with the student of the College Karlene Bu- letter, representing the Stu- reached for comment. board,” Kimberly Flowers, to a Tufts study highlighted body, faculty and staff. rell-Mcrae, the words of the dent Government Admin- Though Colby’s pulse won’t Executive Director of the in the circulated letter to Their decisions are expect- appeal were unequivocal: istration and ColbyVotes, a slow on Tuesday, last-minute Goldfarb Center for public Colby leaders, the second ed in the week ahead. “It is crucial that we protect non-partisan student group changes to the election day affairs, wrote. largest excuse for college Despite the unsuccessful our democracy by making dedicated to increasing turn- schedule have been quickly Despite the uptick in students not voting is a push for an election holi- the voting process as acces- out and registration, agree implemented at other insti- Colby-supported electoral scheduling conflict. day and the general tumult sible as possible for our en- on why it fell short at the Col- tutions. At Swarthmore, Pres- awareness efforts on cam- With the rejiggering of ahead, Brause is proud of tire community.” lege: too little, too late. ident Valerie Smith called a pus some numbers still put the class day to abide by this year’s civic engagement Sophomore SGA co-Pres- “The request was sent out schoolwide election holiday Colby near the bottom of COVID-19 protective mea- on campus. ident Josh Brause, who at the last minute and it is on Oct. 26, just two days be- voter participation among sures, some fifteen classes “I think something this penned the letter and start- an enormous undertaking fore Brause published the peer schools. According to have taken a once weekly election did was [that] it ed an accompanying 300 sig- to close an institution such letter to school leadership on a NESCAC ranking of mem- night slot from 7-9 p.m.-fall- brought awareness to a lot nature petition on Change. as this at short notice,” said the Colby Civil Discourse on- ber schools by pledges to ing in the final hour before of people’s minds and … org, saw the day off as a way Professor of History and line forum. vote in 2020, (posted to Ins- polls close in Maine. Earlier awakened people to civic to increase voter turnout ColbyVotes Advisor Sarah Even closer to the wire, Il- tagram on Oct. 29) Colby sat in the day, about one half of participation.”

Date: Time: Location: Comments: 10/24/20 12:03 a.m. Taylor Gathering Checks 10/24/20 3:03 p.m. Dana Gathering Checks Security 10/24/20 4:28 p.m. Campus Wide Gathering Checks 10/24/20 5:57 p.m. Heights Gathering Checks 10/24/20 10:52 p.m. Cotter Union Student Event Incident 10/24/20 11:58 p.m. Dana Gathering Checks 10/25/20 12:17 a.m. Drummond Gathering Checks Report 10/25/20 12:27 a.m. AMS Gathering Checks 10/25/20 12:33 a.m. West Gathering Checks 10/25/20 8:14 a.m. Lovejoy Student Event Log 10/25/20 8:30 a.m. Mary Low Underage Drinking 10/25/20 9:05 a.m. Lovejoy Student Event Page 3 | The Colby Echo Local News November 5, 2020 Maine rolls out new COVID-19 restrictions, the College responds

By Sarah Warner ings as an alternative to the people. The limit on out- sponded as well. On Nov. cial distancing. COVID-19 safety. Local & Features Editor traditional 2-week quaran- door gatherings remains at 2, Dean of the College Kar- The College’s own CO- “Please continue to com- tine, increasing symptom- 100 people and the limit for lene Burrell-McRae sent an VID-19 numbers have re- plete the CoVerified symp- This past Sunday, the checks at popular tourist retail establishments at 5 email notifying the student mained stable, with only tom tracker every morning, Office of the Governor -Ja locations, and supporting people per 1,000 square feet. body that the administra- 15 positive cases since the fully participate in the test- net Mills rolled out more community-based pre- Mills also announced that tion decided to switch the school year began and only ing program, wear cloth face preventative measures in vention and awareness of the previously anticipated Health Code Level– which 1 positive case currently in coverings, abide by distanc- response to the recent up- COVID-19 safety. reopening of bars and tast- was previously green and isolation. The last positive ing guidelines, and prac- tick in COVID-19 cases both Mills has already allot- ing rooms to indoor seated had been since the start of case was a faculty mem- tice good hygiene,” Burrell- within the state of Maine ted $13 million to the “Keep service on Nov. 2 would be the semester– to yellow. ber on Oct. 29. Kennebec McRae wrote. “We are all and nationwide. Maine Healthy” program delayed, a decision she said “To keep our commu- County currently has 91 in this together and want to According to the press from the Federal CARES she was “deeply sorry” for. nity safe through what positive cases. In her email, be sure we are able to com- release, Maine recorded 103 Act, a $2 trillion dollar COV- “We realize that this deci- the Maine CDC has called Burrell-McRae asked Colby plete the final few weeks of new cases on Friday Oct. 30, ID-19 relief package passed sion will cause hardship,” a surge in Maine, we are students to keep it this way the semester on campus and the highest single-day in- in late March. That money Mills said. “We do not take writing to ask for your in- and continue to practice learning in person.” crease since the pandemic went to 132 municipalities this action lightly, but the creased vigilance,” Burrell- began. Maine’s 7-day posi- and two tribal governments rapid rise in cases in just McRae wrote. “While there tivity rate also doubled over to fund community pre- the past six days means will be few noticeable the past two weeks to 0.92 vention efforts, including that we cannot in good con- changes in daily opera- percent. The United States developing local education science proceed with the tions, this is an important passed nine million total consistent with CDC guide- planned reopening.” moment to recommit to COVID-19 cases and 230,000 lines, installing fences and The states exempt from the health and safety of deaths this weekend. signage to encourage so- Maine’s quarantine or our community.” “If we don’t control this cial distancing, purchasing testing alternative have According to the College’s outbreak, we may never get hand sanitizer and personal also changed. As of Nov. COVID-19 dashboard, the this evil genie back in the bot- protective equipment, and 4, people traveling from move to yellow does indeed tle,” Mills said in the Sunday supporting the purchase New York, New Jersey, and bring with it some notice- press release. of extra cleaning supplies Connecticut are no longer able changes. Classes of 50 The Mills Administration and added staff time for en- exempt and must either or more students will move announced that they will hanced cleaning. produce a recent nega- to remote instruction if they extend the “Keep Maine The Mills Administration tive COVID-19 test upon have not already, seating ca- Healthy” program into De- is also reducing the indoor entry or quarantine for 14 pacities in the dining halls cember. The “Keep Maine gathering limits to 50 people days. New Hampshire, Ver- will be lowered, cleaning Healthy” plan, unveiled in effective Nov. 4. Previously, mont, and Massachusetts measures will be increased, June, relies on three corner- indoor gatherings had been remain exempt. and religious gatherings of stones: requiring visitors to limited to whichever was Soon after Maine’s new over 50 must be conducted obtain a recent negative CO- less between 50 percent of COVID-19 restrictions were outside or in larger venues VID-19 test to stay in lodg- permitted capacity or 100 announced, the College re- with face coverings and so-

Courtesy of Colby College Photo courtesy of Rebecca Hammel

In response to Maine’s recent uptick in cases, the College announced that they would be moving the health code from green to yellow. The code change Governor Janet Mills (D) announced new COVID-19 regulations in a press brings with it new restrictions on campus, including reduced dining hall capacity, increased cleaning, and requiring masks in the dorm hallways. release on Nov. 1 in response to increasing cases in Maine and nationwide.

Susan Collins believes there is no systemic racism in Maine

demic, health care, and sys- rates of poverty, rates of in- According to the U.S. Anti-miscegenation laws up less than 2% of the popu- By Jenna Boling temic racism. carceration.” Census Bureau, Maine’s were also enacted, ban- lation,” said Lodge in an in- Local News Reporter “I do not believe systemic During the debate, Col- population is 94% white, ning interracial marriage terview with The Colby Echo. racism is a problem in the lins acknowledged the pres- and minorities compose in Maine. These laws con- These are not the only Senator Susan Collins, in state of Maine,” stated Col- ence of systemic racism in the other 6%. This statistic tributed immensely to the statistics that suggest her final debate with Senate lins during the debate. our country and the need is questionable, as Maine, at diversity decline in the late there is systemic racism in race challenger and Maine This statement was rath- for reform. However, in her one point, was much more 19th century. Maine. Speaker of the House Sara er bold, and did not sit well eyes, Maine is an anomaly racially diverse. In 1920, the Ku Klux Klan According to the U.S. Gideon, stated that system- with Gideon. because of the state’s “ter- “These patterns don’t established themselves in Census Bureau, 50% of ic racism does not exist in “It doesn’t matter how rific members of law en- emerge on accident. They Maine and worked closely black and 33% of indige- the state of Maine. white our state is, it still ex- forcement.” She never elab- are consequences of de- with the Maine govern- nous Mainers live in pover- During the debate on Oct. ists,” Gideon responded. orated on this statement or sign. The language and cul- ment to marginalize Afri- ty. Collins never discussed 28, the two opposing politi- “We see it in terms of access explained how Maine’s po- ture around saying ‘you’re can Americans. According what she believes causes cians shared their views on to education for people of licing practices differ from from away,’ is riddled with to Mcmahon, this group this, and her statement ig- the handling of the pan- color, access to healthcare, among the forty-nine other prejudice. The state has a sought to elect government nored all data completely. states. sordid history with anti- officials who would support The News Center Maine Government Professor, Black racism in particular,” their effort to keep Black also provided data on how Carrie Lodge, disagrees Lodge stated. people out of Maine. Maine minorities are dispropor- with Collins’ statement and One Smithsonian-em- is now widely known as a tionately affected by CO- believes we should think ployed historian, Kate Mc- “white state,” and very few VID-19 across the United more deeply about why Mahon, traced the decline ask why. States, including Maine. Maine is considered the of racial diversity in the Though Collins’ state- In Maine, Black residents “whitest state.” state of Maine back to the ment was referring to the make up 1.6% of the popu- “Whenever I hear people nineteenth century. In an present, Maine’s history led lation, and yet, 24% are af- deny that systemic racism interview with the Maine up to the state’s current cir- fected by the virus. More- exists in the state of Maine, Public Radio, she discussed cumstances, and statistics over, Maine has the widest I find it absolutely absurd. how during the Civil War do not lie. gap of all states between In general, folks who make many residents in estab- “But it’s not just about Black residents and Black this claim found their be- lished black communities the past. Maine’s chapter coronavirus infection lief on the idea that, ‘Well, were no longer needed in of the ACLU released a re- victims. Collins never ad- there’s really not any black factories. Consequently, port on the state of racial dressed this either and still and brown people in the several Black Mainers were discrimination in Maine’s has some more explaining state; and so, therefore, unemployed and left the public schools. Beyond bul- to do. there can’t really be any rac- state to find work. lying and individual level Ultimately, Collins’ state- ism here,’” she said in an in- “They were excluded be- prejudice, the report found ment was rather controver- terview with The Colby Echo. cause of their race, so there that students of color, espe- sial and left a lot of room “But, I think the fact that this were not African Ameri- cially Black children were for interpretation. History is largely an all white state cans working there,” McMa- significantly more likely to shows that systemic rac- speaks volumes about the hon said in a 2019 interview be suspended. Black stu- ism persists in Maine, and state. Why is it that there are with the Maine Public Ra- dents made up over one- Senator Collins could and so few people of color in the dio. “[Maine] gave prefer- third of the in-school and should have provided more state? Why is the rest of the ence to white immigrants,” out-school suspension even information to support her Photo courtesy of Sarah Warner country diversifying?” she continued. though black people make stance on this issue. A retrospective fromThe Colby Echo Obama wins over Maine and the nation (2008)

By Suzanne Merkelson several projector screens West Coast polls at 11 p.m. who was there to watch ister about 515 voters on in these elections— the Col- Ex Editor-in-Chief as Barack Obama was Immediately afterwards, and dress up in the Colby campus. “The stars are lege’s language assistants, declared President-elect breaking news bulletins Mule costume, interpret- aligning,” she said. “I’m so who sat together watching The excitement in the of the United States. The declared the outcome. ed tonight as the Demo- proud of our generation CNN. “The French think Diamond atrium was pal- crowd gathered seemed “There were open con- cratic Party’s donkey. right now. “ Obama is really sexy,” pable as students, faculty almost entirely pro- tainers, lots of cham- People jumped up and John D. and Catherine French Language Assis- and staff gathered Tues- Obama as they counted pagne—don’t tell Security,” down, cheered, hugged T MacArthur Professor tant Nina Poulier said. All day, Nov. 4, to watch on down the closing of the said Kate Humphrey `09, and cried. Some imme- of Sociology and African- seemed to enjoy the scene, diately shed their clothes American Studies Cheryl joining in the eating of piz- to engage in celebratory Gilkes wore a t-shirt em- za and cheering. streaking. blazoned with Obama’s “These elections are an The Goldfarb Center face on the front and his especially cool time to be hosted the event, which New Hampshire primary in America,” Spanish Lan- included over 40 pizzas, concession speech on the guage Assistant Claudia three large screen pro- back. She talked about her Sanchez said. Kyoko Shin- jectors displaying CNN 89-year old parents in Mas- ga, the Japanese Language and Fox News, and, by sachusetts—her father, a Assistant, agreed. “This is some counts, attendance veteran of World War II very festive. The Ameri- by over 150 members of and Korea, and her moth- can people are very patri- the College community er who brought her to the otic,” she said, a red, white who gathered together voting booth when she was and blue balloon tied to to witness this moment a little girl. Both refused to her hat. in history. send in absentee ballots, All gathered seemed “I’m tired and haven’t instead going to the polls acutely aware of the chal- done laundry in a month, in person They inspired lenge that lie ahead for but I’m just so proud,” her, she said. President-elect Obama. President of the Colby “This is a miracle com- including the financial cri- Democrats Amanda Bur- ing out of the racial wilder- sis, two wars, and a need gess `10 said, as she sat ness,” she said. “Obama to address environmen- on the floor, surrounded mobilized so many people tal and energy concerns. by friends. Burgess joined who worked to engage Still, the celebratory mood the “Obama train” in 2004 with those different from prevailed. According to after seeing him speak at themselves—a conscious Eric Foster-Moore `09, Photo courtesy of Christopher Dilts the Democratic National mobilization across differ- “The energy contained Convention. She and the ent boundaries.” in this space could wean This is an article the Editor-in-Chief of the Colby Echo wrote back in 2008 after President Barack Obama was elect- Colby Democrats have Among those gathered us of our dependence on ed to office. Obama’s vice president and close friend Joe Biden is currently the Democratic candidate in 2020. worked this year to reg- were some unable to vote foreign oil.” Page 4 | The Colby Echo Features November 5, 2020 Senior Spotlight: Justin Alvino just really eye opening, Alvino had the oppor- but the students would By Hae-Jung Kim and a class that I would tunity to do his practi- take it really well. Be- Features Reporter definitely recommend, cum during his study cause they knew it was male or female should abroad in London just friendly banter.” As an Education and take that class.” last spring. Having lived in Classics double ma- Alvino’s club involve- “I was visiting a school East, West, and Aver- jor, Senior Justin Al- ment on campus is cen- for a whole eight hours ill, living in the apart- vino’s academic path tered around the out- one day, and then on ments downtown is is certainly unique, doors. He is involved in another day I would go certainly a breath of especially since Colby the Colby Outing Club, to the after school cur- fresh air. tends to be Finance and the Climbing Club, and riculum and stuff like However, Alvino ad- STEM-centric. the Fly Fishing Club, al- that, so it was super in- mitted that there was Despite the Educa- though he admits that teresting to one, be able something special about tion department being because of COVID-19, to teach in a school and living in West Quad, on the smaller side, they haven’t been doing two, have it be an inter- specifically the sense Alvino appreciates the as much as they have in national school where of community. tight-knit community it the past. the whole curriculum “I’ve got an affin- offers and loves being a and everything is dif- ity towards West — that part of it. ferent, like the styles of place gets a bad rep, but In fact, his favorite teaching and learning I loved living in West. I class that he’s taken at are a lot different than feel like (because I was Colby was in the Edu- the high schools here. It there as a junior) a lot cation department, Justin ap- was super eye-opening.” of it is kids who got low called “Boys to Men” preciates the Unfortunately, due to room picks and they all taught by Professor COVID-19, his global ex- just end up in West,” Al- Mark Tappan. tight-knit perience was cut short, vino said. “They’re all “The Education de- and he was forced to kind of just stuck there partment is probably community return home early. Al- together, especially the 90% women, 10% men, vino reflected on the upperclassmen who so going into a class like [the Education differences between got stuck with such a that made me super in- British and American bad dorm.” trospective of what it department] teaching culture. Alvino also noted that Photo Courtesy of Justin Alvino means to be a man and “I would say the teach- there were many ways masculinity, and the offers and ers in England are way in which Colby could Alvino is a double major in Education and Classics and enjoys hiking and different effects that more candid with their improve its mission of fly-fishing in his free time. He currently is enjoying living downtown for his masculinity can have, loves being students — it would be fostering diversity, eq- last year at Colby, although he sometimes misses living on campus in West. and the power that it like friends talking to uity, and inclusion. into areas they haven’t sophomore that comes holds. It just made me a part of it. each other and they “I know the Dare yet, and give people here should take a re- think a lot about who I would be super nice but Northward fund is the more opportunities, quired diversity class, am as a person,” Alvino also, I don’t want to say biggest endowment give people more fund- but not like the cur- said. “And I know that mean, but [they] could [Colby’s] had, they’ve ing here,” Alvino said. rent diversity require- for the other guys who Besides extracur- be harsh,” Alvino said. hit record highs this “They’re slowly starting ment, I think it needs took that class, they all riculars, through the “They would be really year — they could ex- to improve, but I think to be more of a social say the same thing. It’s Education department harsh to their students, tend their financial aid every freshman and justice class.” Election elicits anxiety, stress from students and faculty

levels among the student Association (SGA) also ac- are also listed on the site, By Sarah Warner body. Director of the Pugh knowledged the burden elec- which is accessible at https:// Local & Features Editor Center Lexie Mucci sent an tion week can put on students election-resources.colby. email out on Monday morn- in an email sent Oct. 28. edu/. SGA is hosting some of This is perhaps one of ing offering support for stu- “A nation’s opportunity to the events, including a post- the most highly-anticipated dents as the election unfolds. exercise democracy is a sig- election processing event on election nights in recent “We know that, for many, nificant and tense moment Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the memory. With not only the this week brings stress, anxi- in which it can be easy to feel Parker Reed room. presidential election at stake ety, sadness, uncertainty, and lost and overwhelmed,” the Several departments have but several critical Senate so many more emotions and SGA wrote. “Therefore, the also sent emails out to their Humidity seats as well — including Su- physical/mental burdens,” mental health and well-be- students regarding the elec- By Anonymous san Collins’ here in Maine Mucci wrote. “As a Pugh ing of students, faculty, and tion, including the English — Colby students and fac- Community, we are dedicat- staff should be of the utmost department, who urged Eng- I show up late to the dinner party ulty are left to grapple with ed to supporting you through importance. It is crucial that lish majors and minors to get wearing a red dress stained in the blood the election’s massive impact these times.” we collectively work to be- out and vote. leaking out of her t-bone. on top of an already busy The Pugh Center is offer- come ‘One Colby,’ where we “This election will shape She hands me a glass and fills it course load. ing a variety of program- respect the differences in our the country for a lifetime,” until the water clings soft and round “I feel very anxious [about ming on Wednesday and community while facilitating Arthur Jeremiah Roberts to the rim, trembling. the election],” Eana Bacchi- Thursday to support vul- a welcoming environment.” Professor of Literature Mary I lift it. I drink. occhi `21 said. “I think the nerable students, including The College has created Ellis Gibson wrote on Mon- She smiles, tender. College needs to make sure several discussion groups a page of election resources day. “It will have a profound they’re accommodating their for LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, that offers volunteeringimpact on our health, the The dinner party is always just students. They need to have Women+, Black, and ally stu- opportunities, processing health of our democracy, and a dinner party. I chat with the mindlessness a plan.” dents. Mucci is also offering spaces, community support the future of the planet.” of a canary, flitting around a cage. The Pugh Center is one of office hours throughout the resources, and links to the Some professors also can- I would like to think of her as the cat, but the campus institutions that week with them and their College’s free speech policies. celled class on Tuesday to she says she’s a dog person. has preemptively responded dog Ellie. Events such as the Pugh encourage students to go out I talk about my job with the paper dolls. to the inevitably high stress The Student Government Center’s discussion groups and vote. In a poll conducted The water lolls in my gut. on The Colby Echo’s Insta- gram, 32% of the 94 students She shows us around the backyard. who responded said they did There’s a peach tree in the far corner and not go to class on Tuesday. many peach-pits below it. I can smell The Colby Echo also asked the sticky decay from the interstate. students via Instagram how It smells of her. I think of pale, pink tendrils they feel about the election. hanging off of her lips. Responses varied, but were centered around a central I stand against the white theme: stress and anxiety. picket fence, knowing how “What makes me nervous is it offsets the umber of my skin. I am that we probably won’t know a siren in a sundress. I am as overripe the results on Tuesday,” Grace as a late summer thunderhead. Dodig `21 said. “That kind Won’t you feel my rain? of open-endedness makes it even more stress-inducing. If I She serves dessert. knew when I would know the It’s peach cobbler, and she eats it, slow. results I would feel better.” She wipes her lips clean. “I’m so nervous about the election,” Sangya Tiwari `22 The dinner party is over, and I said. “It decides my future in am leaving. I wait in line to exchange sugar this country.” and sweetnesses, behind two boys from the office. At the time of publication, I say it’s the wine making me flushed. She laughs, and the results of the 2020 elec- it clings soft and round tion are unknown — but un- to my skin, trembling with tension. doubtedly, as votes roll in, the I touch her, Graphic courtesy of Sarah Warner results will continue to weigh tender. I drink. on the minds of students and The Colby Echo asked 135 students via Instagram whether or not they attended their classes on Tuesday. faculty alike. How students are feel- Issues that matter to ing about the election students this election

“Y’know how Immigration, when a train- racism, and cli- “Anxious” wreck is so hor- Women’s mate change rifying you can’t rights, defund- policies LGBTQ+ “Sweaty” look away?” ing the police, rights! Justice climate change and equal rights for POC!

Katie Lane `24 Jonathan Sangya Taylor `21 Tiwari `22 Colin Alie `21 Sophia Katie Lane `24 Kennedy `24

“Overwhelmed” “not good” Healthcare Russian “f***ing bounties on US Lower taxes Soldiers in Af- and rule of law stressed” ghanistan Katherine Katherine Martinez `21 Saam Rasool `22 Martinez `21 Misia Ben Pickle `21 Jonathan Delgado `24 Taylor `21 Page 5 | The Colby Echo Arts & Entertainment November 5, 2020 CMI’s COVID-friendly Halloween concert By Tanvi Iyer for a virus to spread. ticing for reasons be- it be the elevator or even ent albeit the restrictions seem like there was go- A&E Reporter CMI had previous- yond the music itself. sneaking in from outside. on entrance,” Lynch said. ing to be a music scene ly managed to forgo the However, it was clear It got so out of hand that Walker Benet `23, who this semester, and all of In the spirit of Hal- indoor person limit by that CMI did not account security was called to help was monitoring the peo- a sudden there was, and loween, the Colby Music holding outdoor concerts, for the sheer amount patrol the crowd by try- ple entering and leav- we’re happy despite how Incubator (CMI) put on but as temperatures hit of people that would ing to get people to leave. ing the concert floor, weird this all is that peo- their annual Halloween a nice low of 32˚F/0˚C, want to watch the con- That said, this did not also shared his view. ple want to be out here.” show on Saturday, Oct. 31. it would be asking a lot cert, as numerous peo- stop people from wait- “I think the beginning CMI have had to over- Held in the Foss din- of both performers and ple were turned away at ing for their turn to bands have definitely come quite a few obsta- ing hall with seven viewers to stand out- the stairs heading down go watch their friends brought it and have set a cles this year, from find- different performanc- side and bear the cold. to the concert floor. rock the stage up close. high bar for the rest of the ing COVID-19-friendly es, the show began at CMI managed to follow The entrance to Foss Donavan Lynch `22, night.” Benet said. “There practice spaces to limiting 10:00 p.m. and went COVID-19 guidelines by was flooded with stu- who was among the at- [have] been a lot of peo- their concert attendance. all the way to 2:30 a.m. building strict barricades dents head-to-toe in cos- tendees who managed ple here which has been But even with restric- While the energy was and having “bouncers” tume, ready to sing along to get in, shared his surprising and kind of an tions, it’s clear that CMI intoxicating and the show manage the flow of peo- to a high-energy concert. opinion on his experi- issue but I think we are and the student bands was incredibly entertain- ple who were allowed on Additionally, with the ence during the concert. keeping them back well who are a part of it are ing, it would be a stretch the concert floor, in ad- concert taking place on “It definitely feels very but we have to be strict.” not going to stop do- to say that the entire dition to spacing out the a Saturday, a number of different because con- Another person work- ing what they love. operation was smooth. seating and standing area. these students were in- certs were the time when ing the event, Skye CMI concerts still re- In the midst of an There were even tables credibly intoxicated, everyone would come to- Rhomberg `22, was in- main an integral part of ongoing pandemic, blocking viewers ability to causing rules to go in gether, but at the same credibly pleased that the Colby social expe- one may wonder how get too close to the stage. one ear and out the other. time I feel like that appre- the concert was allowed. rience and I look for- concerts could take The concert also pro- Some even tried to bypass ciation for student bands “Yeah, we’re just glad ward to the next event place. As one might as- vided free kegs for those the regulations by finding is still very there, and I this could happen at all.” that CMI puts together. sume, concerts provide 21+ and snacks for the different ways to get to feel like the spontaneity Rhomberg explained. the perfect grounds audience, making it en- the concert floor, whether of the night is still pres- “You know it didn’t

Crowds were limited at the CMI Halloween concert in Foss as bands performed throughout the night. Photo Courtesy of Wendy Wei ANONYMOUS LETTER TO THE EDITOR The poverty of (liberal opinion piece) philosophy in response to “Why you should vote” by Milo Lani-Caputo The recent opinion piece in either outcome. back and looking at the big- better? Is that not prefera- every election be the most a result of U.S. intervention. published in The Colby Echo If we are all doomed to ger picture? ble to resigning yourself to important in history? People like Joe Biden are di- entitled “Why​ You Should burn in climate-change-hell At this point, most opin- nihilism? This is a common This at minimum fits that rectly responsible for this. Vote​” is a bit eclectic to say no matter what happens, ion pieces from this grow- pro-voting argument. It is definition of insanity often Biden pushed for the inva- the least. It covers a lot of then what reason is left to ing catalogue try to make a a clever isolation of voting misattributed to Einstein, sion of Iraq in 1998, long ground in its dozen or so vote for Biden but to gain policy-based case for Biden: into a discrete act without and more cynically could before the Bush presidency short paragraphs, jumping some brief respite? ‘If you squint your eyes real context. be seen as a way to consis- or 9/11 and voted to invade from lighthearted jokes to In this view Biden is a ​ hard while looking at his When the question of tently rally political support both Iraq and Afghanistan. broad philosophical state- good​ candidate. He’s prob- platform and ignoring his whether you should vote is without making significant Those wars killed over a ments. ably the closest you can get record then Biden is actual- posed as only affecting the change. million civilians, a number The piece belongs to a to bringing back the Obama ly the progressive’s dream!’ immediate future then the This argument is mostly so staggering it defies com- subset of opinion pieces years. This is an unseemly This is usually followed answer is obvious: I’ll take run-of-the-mill but there prehension. He was Vice who’s ranks have inflated thing to admit though. No up with a good old ‘not vot- the one with the marginally are also parts that spit so President when we inter- so rapidly in the past few one wants to say that they’re ing for Biden is a vote for better domestic policy then blatantly in the faces of vened in Libya, prolonging months that it verges on be- voting for Biden in the hope Trump’ (to which I would see what we can do. people who are truly suf- their civil war. He was also coming a genre. that they can stop caring say: “a vote for Biden is a Voting, however, is not a fering that it is practically Vice President when the It is an attempt to rouse about politics. vote for Trump, please stop one time action. It’s habitu- self-satirizing. When mak- U.S. helped Saudi Arabia the disaffected voter into So the case must be made stealing votes from the al, and we have been condi- ing the case that the U.S. is bomb hospitals and wed- dragging themselves to that Biden is a good can- Green Party”). “​Why You tioned to buy the ‘lesser of a pretty decent place to live, dings in Yemen and enforce their polling place and re- didate in a more objective Should Vote” takes a slight- two evils’ argument every the piece remarks that “you a blockade that put 13 mil- luctantly pulling the lever sense. ​“Why You Should ly different approach. time. What happens after don’t usually get killed in a lion people on the brink of for Biden. Vote​” is an acute display of a The piece chides you that four or eight years? bombing or chemical war- starvation. But to what end? It doesn’t tendency within pro-Biden your life may suck, but it Well, given that Obama fare strike” in the United There are no good out- focus on any policy issues opinion pieces: arguments could be a whole lot worse. produced the conditions States. This is correct. The comes to this election, or differences between the based not on the legitimate In fact, the U.S. is a pretty that led to Trump, and United States is not like this. what’s important is that the candidates’ records (in fair- ways in which voting for good place to live compared Biden is promising a return There are quite a few coun- (rightful) anger directed ness, anyone still not plan- Biden might be beneficial, to the rest of the world. Ac- to the Obama years, I’d say tries that are though. Iraq, at the Trump Presidency ning on voting at this point but on warping reality so tually (the piece declares) we’re probably destined for Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, maintains its ferocity under is unlikely to be motivated that Biden is not merely a suffering is the natural hu- another Trump. Yemen, these are countries Biden. To go back to ignor- by policy). But why would “lesser of two evils” but is in man condition! You deserve Unsurprisingly, the pros- that have collapsed, become ing politics if Biden wins is one engage in politics for fact good. to suffer! This is a bold line pect of alternating Russiag- embroiled in civil war, or no better than to have not something other than the This is not meant to be of reasoning to say the least. ate/Benghazi investigations are on the brink of unprece- voted in the first place. sake of policy? a moralizing judgement of Without delving too deeply until the Sun swells into a dented genocidal famine as The simple answer is people who vote for Biden into philosophy I would say red giant and the seas boil self-interest. The aims of the so that they stop having to that “You deserve to suffer away is pretty uninspir- The piece are revealed in its first see Trump’s name in the and you should be grateful ing. But if you ask a vote- two sentences: “It’s easy to headlines. It feels like the for any time at which you for-Biden Editorial writer Colby Echo ignore the political world. only thing left in our pow- are not suffering” is a bit of about this Sisyphean future Attractive, even.” er to change, and is a com- a fringe position. the answer is inevitably: This betrays a pathol- pletely understandable im- This is a jarring thing to ‘Trump is in office right ogy that is frighteningly pulse. read in a college newspaper, now, the Supreme Court Share your opinion! common among liberals: But it is also damaging but it would be dishonest hangs in the balance, and the idea that engaging in in the long run, especially for me to say that “you de- climate change looms can’t Send a letter to politics is undesirable and when it seeps so deeply into serve to suffer” is the central your problems wait?’ that the ideal scenario is a our collective conscious- argument of this op-ed. But if, as “Why​ You [email protected] ‘return to normalcy’ where ness. Where are we headed The core argument fo- Should Vote” has already or comment on an article at we can all simply forget the if we keep voting for the cuses more on what is to be told us, nothing will likely political world exists. The lesser of two evils? If we done in this moment. Will change under Biden, then www.colbyecho.news piece even readily admits prioritize feeling better for you take an hour out of your won’t these immediate is- to make your voice heard. that little will likely change four years over stepping day to try to make the world sues still be present? Won’t Page 6 | The Colby Echo Opinions November 5, 2020 Open list of demands: top 5 sports that deserve a spot in the 2021 Summer Olympics

By Colin Alie all Olympic Games dating with a carousel of various predict with the utmost member of the German According to CNBC (an Opinions Reporter back as far as 1894, the other misandry characters confidence that despite aristocracy, despite not acronymic national news main governing body in to act as a supporting cast, this limitation on what having a single royal bone outlet), by the end of I’ve been meaning charge of the staging of the (bird) seeds of mass genres can be submitted in his body - whereas October, more than 69 to pen this open letter, the Games is the IOC. support for the sport have for competition, people Noah Schimanski `21 is million Americans have best described as a list of Although technically already taken root. worldwide would tune in unmistakably royalled- voted early in the 2020 demands, to the governing the IOC stands for It is a fact at noon on some Thursday boned when it comes to elections. What better body for the 2021 International Olympic that synchronized in the summer to watch a winning Catan. way to ensure expedient Summer Olympic Games Committee, I would better birdwatching was once field of competitors battle We sat down with and accurate tallying directly for months now. describe it as standing for the sports world’s Nibiru it out by reading books. A Schimanski to discuss his of votes than to have, Normally, I would starkly absolutely nothing. Due cataclysm, promising real page-turner, indeed. obsession with the board in theory, the world’s reject such a roundabout to the ill-timed pandemic, to collide with Earth in 3.) Getting tested for game. When asked how best selection of ballot piece of communiqué, most of my ideas that 2012. But London did COVID. This would be a he defends his suggestion counters working on the but seeing as I’ve run would surely have made not end up serving as smart move for the IOC, to add Catan as the next task in their preliminary out of stamps and been the cut last summer have host to America’s future especially considering sport to be featured in the trials? Lesser people may soundly blocked on all been squashed as a result pastime. That’s why how the best athletes in 2021 Summer Games, he have trouble grasping this online forums dedicated of COVID-19 concerns. by 2021, synchronized the world were royally had this to say: concept! to the discussion of Alas, this means that birdwatching should hoodwinked, ran astray, “Catan has a defined, As someone who suggested improvements promising contenders for be given the long- run amuck, and flat-out quick time limit - it can’t is rumored to hold an to the selection of sports the Olympic stage such overdue invitation bamboozled as their 2020 go on forever; first to ten estimated net worth of represented in the as masked swimming, to the Tokyo Games. ambitions were dashed as [victory points], and strict many, many dollars, Olympics, I’ve no choice auctioneer speed-talking, 2.) Speed reading. a result of the pandemic. rules, so there’s no room it should be glaringly left. I have “squeezed the and bean-spitting contests Of course, in Hebrew, Plus, getting tested for a for interpretation and no obvious that I have what last vestige of toothpaste were necessarily trimmed one reads right to left. highly contagious disease need for referees. Besides, some may say a “supreme from my toothpaste tube,” from the voluminous That’s why you never see while staying at the same what’s better than six influence” over the inner in a manner of speaking. list of ideas. Fear not, as a Hebrew mystery novel logements as nearly 4,000 people sitting down and workings of the IOC’s Unfortunately, moving I’ve narrowed down my crack the New York Times other top-tier competitors looking at a table together decision-making process. from digital media to list into a much more Best Sellers list — the seems like an interesting and just, like, people Still, others are saying the printed word means digestible top five, with ending would be spoiled story to follow. being people?” “he’s completely bluffing” that I’m somewhat great consideration right from the get-go. A very basic level of Truly, he once again and “he’s still massively limited in the length having been paid to the Moreover, the motivation science may well entirely makes some good points, in debt.” Irregardlesly, my of my list of suggested health and safety of the for speed reading to contradict the claim that offering up a toothsome hands are deep in the well- demands, though, it athletes. be an Olympic sport is simply testing athletes slice of the choicest quality lined pockets of Olympic could be inferred that 1.)Synchronized more than existent; I’ve without the inclusion of insights. Schimanski governing officials. Little the extraordinary length birdwatching. Similar been informed that the any additional health and stands as a portrait of the does this bevy of prickly of my previous attempts in nature to its aquatic preeminent guide to the safety procedures is good athlete unpolished: a raw, muckrakers and big-name at a repartee with the cousin of competitive sport states that speed enough, but that level of viciously-competitive iconoclasts know, I’ve governing body of fishing, this up-and- reading “is to the mind as science has not yet been phenom turned made a comfortable living the Olympics is what coming sport has a very aerobic training is to the introduced to the IOC. contemporary straight for myself entirely off of prevented me from promising future indeed. body.” I’ve never read it, 4.) Settlers of Catan. shooter. Well said. my three-figure salary via getting through to them With a slew of exhilarating but I believe it. Truly the game of games, 5.) Counting ballots. At The Colby Echo alone. I in the first place. birdwatching pairs As a projected recipient the athlete who takes the time of this piece being march on. The 2020 Summer already well-established, of a Bachelor’s Degree in home gold in the Catan written, there was a very Games, slated to be held such as the celebrity duo a mere matter of months, category is a veritable real possibility for there in Tokyo, Japan for the of Van Morrison and Fidel practically every guess Hercules. The mastermind to be no official result second time ever, were Castro (the de facto “bad I make is an educated behind the game, Klaus by the end of Election postponed to 2021. Like boys” of the league), along guess. Therefore, I Teuber, is practically a Day this past Tuesday. Don’t hate the game, hate the player

By Milo Lani-Caputo when it was announced and boring, and I won’t individual vote counted “Don’t ever take down woke. Meanwhile, you’re Opinions Reporter that Donald Trump would subject you innocent for a larger portion of an a fence until you know living in a trailer and be our next president. readers to that. Today, electoral vote. As a result, why it was put up.” One living off food stamps. People, by the time you The general consensus each state in the United Trump won the race, even of the dangers of direct You probably have a read this, Election Day was that Hillary Clinton States has electors though he received fewer democracy is tyranny family member addicted will have ended and the would win, and she who vote for president individual votes than of the majority. It’s two to opiates. You are the election will be over. Votes would be the first female according to the results Clinton did. wolves and a sheep voting backbone of America. will have been cast, and president. World peace of each state’s presidential Democrats were upset for what is for dinner. The You do the farming, you we may or may not know would ensue, hungry race. Each state has a by this, and a popular idea separation of powers and build the houses, you do who the next President of people would eat, and number of electors in began to emerge: abolish representative nature of the jobs that an educated the United States will be. the Satan-worshipping each state is equal to the the Electoral College! our democracy exists to wealthy urbanite is too I don’t think I am alone CEOs of multinational number of senators and Many progressives now protect the minority from good to do. Rather than in the worry that the corporations would see representatives it has in claim that a popular vote the majority, and prevent trying to help you build fallout from this election, the error of their ways Congress. Every state has would be a more fair way tyrannical rule by the a better life for yourself, regardless of its outcome, and renounce capitalism. two senators regardless of of electing a president. 51%. Democrats respond will be marked with Sadly, that didn’t happen. population. That means And fair enough– that Here’s a minority that with: “It is because of divisiveness, violence, While Trump received that the most populous way, each American’s you might not think rural voters that Trump and hate on all sides. In nearly three million state, California, has vote would count the about very often: rural is here. They are racist attempting to understand fewer individual votes the same amount of same, no matter what Americans. Less than 20% and they like guns too our society and myself than Clinton, he was representation in the state they live in. It is a of the population lives much. They are so stupid in the context of this nevertheless named the senate as Wyoming, which virtuous proclamation. It in rural areas. It might that they don’t realize tumultuous fall, I assumed successor to President is home to fewer than a is less virtuous that ‘twas not surprise you to find they should vote for us.” my usual position of Obama. Pain and outrage million people. only proclaimed once that many states with Then they try to silence pondering: head bowed spread quicker than Clinton received fewer Democrats realized the “unfair” representation in you by removing the one in contemplation, chin COVID-19 through electoral votes than Electoral College didn’t the Electoral College are institution that gives you resting upon closed fist. Liberals and Democrats. Trump because many of give them an advantage. largely rural. (Shoutout the ability to voice the I thought back to a How could this have the states she won were In the haters’ haste to to Maine!) Conversely, issues that city-dwellers dark time, when I still happened? The fingers populous states, where an denounce the EC, they only 6% of New Jersey don’t understand. had to worry about began to point, and they individual vote counted didn’t stop to think about is rural. Rural people Colby students acne and facial hair (or all settled on one culprit: for a lesser portion of an what benefits it might vote conservatively more (Democrats): I know the lack thereof): 2016. the Electoral College. electoral vote. Trump’s lend. frequently than urban you want Biden to win, Millions of hearts were The history of the victories were in more Robert Frost’s famous people do for a variety of and I do too. But I have broken that November, Electoral College is long states for which an quote is pertinent here: reasons, et voila le Trump. a sinking feeling that I’ve lived in rural this race might go the Maine for all of my life. same way as the last Being at Colby, I often one. If you find yourself feel like an anthropologist angry with the results immersed in a population of the election, don’t be of yuppies, trying to so quick to blame rural understand the way they voters. Don’t be so quick see the world. And as well to assume that you are as I can figure, most urban the righteous one. Don’t liberals see rural people be so quick to blame the as racists, inbreds, or system which has allowed gun-toting lunatics. Many for peaceful transfer of people are racist, but these power in America for city-dwellers are also almost 250 years. If you viciously classist. Rich think abolishing the white people refer to poor Electoral College will white people as “white solve the deep economic trash.” They disparage problems ingrained in trailer parks. The list goes our society, you are dead on, but the fact remains: wrong. The only way today’s virtue-signalling to ameliorate them is urban liberals are a little to truly listen to rural more biased than they America, and include might otherwise believe them in your national themselves to be. discussion. Think about Now consider the the 60 million people perspective of a rural who have been hung out voter. You are a minority to dry by Washington in America. Your way of for decades. Don’t blame life is not respected by the the shortcomings of your people in urban areas. The party on the foundation workers’-rights-lift-the- of our republic. poor Democratic party of Don’t hate the game, yesterday has degenerated hate the player. into a bunch of corrupt talking heads arguing about who is the most Page 7 | The Colby Echo Sports November 5, 2020 The new athletic training room is another step in the right direction for Colby Athletics

By Will Bedingfield more space, more peo- until then I recom- ceive any and every Sports Editor ple, more treatments mend everyone enjoys recommended athletic and recovery!” Amjad the serene recovery training service, there The brand new Carl said. treatment combo of are also proud-natural- Nelson Athletic Train- “Some new things the new cold and hot ists who can be found ing Room (AT) in the in the AT room are a whirlpools. brushing through Harold Alfond Ath- boost alter/anti-grav- I expect with the Col- stretches and turning letics and Recreation ity treadmill, blood lege’s investment in down ice baths. For Center is as state-of- flow restriction thera- both athletic training those who are intimi- the-art as the facility py, in-ground cold and and recovery facilities dated by the prospect it’s found in. With up- hot whirlpools, Nor- there will be tangible of athletic treatment, dated equipment and matec recovery chairs payoff in the form of Amjad had some words fantastic trainers to and Normatec muscu- bursting trophy rooms of encouragement. support Colby Athlet- loskeletal ultrasound and NESCAC champi- When asked if all ath- ics, the new athletic diagnostic tool,” Am- onships, but of course letes should check out training room is an- jad added. that is all on hold at the Training Room, other show of dedica- The list goes on and the moment. Amjad Amjad replied, “Abso- tion from the College on with incomprehen- contemplated my the- lutely!” to take the Mules to sibly scientific names ory of imminent ath- “Athletic Training the next level. Sit- of tools that must fix letic success and noted services are not just ting down with Ath- anything and every- how the training staff for those who are in- letic Trainer Mishaal thing. I would love to was impacting athletes jured - we work to help Amjad, The Colby Echo see what a “Normatec in the meantime. decrease risk of inju- discussed the AT’s new musculoskeletal ul- “It’s hard to say this ries, enhance recov- features. trasound diagnostic year with there be- ery and performance, “It’s bigger! There’s tool” is capable of, but ing less practices and and evaluation, treat- competitions. We are ment and rehabilita- working to monitor tion for chronic and recovery and perfor- acute injuries,” Amjad mance using data ana- explained. “We work lytics through force as a part of a collab- plate testing and orative Peak Perfor- health and wellness mance team which surveys.” Amjad said. includes sports psy- “This project is under chology, physical ther- Photo courtesy of Meredith Atwood that Peak Performance apy, sports medicine, team created last year. strength and condi- Morty the Mule `24 supports the new Athletic Training Room We’ve been building tioning and nutrition. upon it and trying it All of these health care with certain teams professionals work out a variety of treatments deliberation, Amjad with the goal of even- of the AT room.” available to improve could hardly come up tually reaching all var- Athletic training is an athlete’s wellness with any shortcomings sity teams”. truly for all, helping and performance in- at all. The new training prevent injury and re- cluding Game Ready She said there could room is complete with ally amplify overall (ice and compres- be,“[more] wall space data analytics to truly athletic performance. sion), Normatec (in- for rehab and suspen- get to know Colby’s While the college has termittent compres- sion training.” athletes and eventu- always had incredibly sion), cold and hot There is no ques- ally how to draw the qualified and skilled whirlpools, dry cup- tion that this training highest level of per- trainers, the College ping, foam rollers and room is another step formance from them. now has a facility to stretch bands.” in the right direction The Peak Performance match. The Colby Echo “Remember- sleep for Colby Athletics. team’s project is more inquired about Am- and nutrition are even With every feature an necessary now than jad’s personal athletic more important to im- athlete can dream of, ever, with teams more recovery preferences prove wellness and and the Athletic and disconnected from and philosophy. performance!” Amjad Recreation Center to teammates and staff “I am a big propo- added. match, athletes can due to space and in- nent of active recov- I was hard-pressed train as hard as possi- door gathering restric- ery- pool workout, to find a single criti- ble knowing they have Photo courtesy of Meredith Atwood tions from COVID-19. light workout, hopping cism of the new AT, treatment and recov- Although every team on a bike and foam which seemed almost ery support akin to a The Carl Nelson Athletic Training Room’s treatment beds has a few treatment- rolling/stretching,” too good to be true. Af- Division 1 athletic pro- junkies, ready to re- Amjad said. “We have ter much thought and gram. Forum Pen to Paper

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SUDOKU We accept all kinds of writing and all subject matter. Length should be 1 4 under 1200 words, if possible. Email any and all submissions to 6 9 2 5 3 The Colby Echo’s Creative Director Sarah Warner at sewarn21@colby. edu. Pieces can be submitted anony- 2 mously, if desired.

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https://sudoku.com/medium/ Page 8 | The Colby Echo Columns November 5, 2020

Sustainability Cam in the Woods Creating a green dorm Navigating election anxiety

By Cam Woods Lifestyle Columnist is possible. If you need a sugges- tion, I recommend The Alchemist Growing up, my family consid- by Paulo Coelho. ered Election Day to be some- Speak with a therapist. The thing of a sacred holiday, a demo- Colby Counseling Services are cratic ritual to be treasured and excellent resources and are free celebrated. Academic tardiness of charge for all Colby students. was inevitable on these crisp No- You can make an appointment by vember mornings as I’d accompa- contacting them at 207-859-4490. ny my parents to the polls—where Practice mindfulness and medi- we would be reminded that fierce tation. This is possible to do on civic engagement manifests in your own in a quiet space or with long lines and even longer con- Colby’s own Jung Ye in the Rose versations with local city council Chapel on Mondays and Tuesdays members passionate about salm- at 4:00 pm. The sessions meet- on ladders or water towers or the ing on Nov. 9 and 10 will focus on latest greatest library renova- election anxiety and civil unrest. tion. Allow yourself to disconnect There was always an unparal- from the current political cli- leled electricity in the autumn mate and turn off the news. It air that endured late into the eve- does not mean that you do not ning, at which point my family care, but rather that you need and I would gather in the living to recharge. Watch a comedy on room with pie and mulled apple Netflix, something that demands Cartoon courtesy of Sarah Warner cider as we watched our democ- minimal brain power. racy flourish with each and every Volunteer for an important By Adrian Visscher tallied vote. cause. We cannot control every- Sustainability Columnist Her point makes sense; by of- It feels different this year, less thing in this world, but we can fering the eco-certification, the like a joyous celebration and control what good we put into it. In October, students had the op- campus’s environmental prob- more like a suspenseful season Regardless of who wins this elec- portunity to “eco-certify” their lems will not just disappear. How- finale chalked full of anxiety and tion, we are individually respon- dorm rooms. Eco-certification is ever, there is great importance utter uncertainty—a season fina- sible for continuing to make our a survey that tests the environ- and meaning within the act of le that will drag on for a least a country a better place through mental aspects of students’ dorm analyzing one’s own relation to few more days. meaningful change. Focus on life. It is exciting to see positive sustainability. At the time of writing this, we what you have control of, let go change on campus. Many stu- The same survey gives readily have no clear indication of who of everything else. dents, including myself, have felt available options where students will serve as Commander and Find solace in the fact that life doomed from the environmen- can see what sustainable prac- Chief of the United States for the will go on, even if it feels dark tal sacrifices, so the outlet that tices in dorms look like. Haynes next four years. We do, however, now. The sun will soon rise, and eco-certification and other dorm continued that this should not be have a collective understanding we will put one foot in front of plans offer is a refreshing one. a singular effort to create more that tension levels will be high the other and continue to try our “Overall, the dorm certifica- environmentally friendly dorms. regardless of the outcome. best. tion process encourages students There are many current and fu- If you are anything like me—in Most importantly, remember to to engage with themselves and ture issues requiring the leader- that election stress permeates support one another. Reach out to their roommates about sustain- ship of both the CA’s and EcoReps, all other facets of your life—this friends and family, particularly able practices that can be imple- so it is essential to evaluate our week will be hard. Next week will those most affected by the results mented into everyday life. It is a environmental presence on cam- be hard. Every day until we know of this election. Many people are way of bringing conversations on pus continually. for certain which direction our experiencing the same whirlwind sustainability back to your dorm Haynes list a recent issue that country is moving in will be hard. of emotions during this time, and and thinking more about individ- has risen in Woodman: an over- We are not capable of mitigat- by reaching out you are simul- ual actions in an accessible way,” flow of trash. This issue occurs ing this anxiety, though; there taneously reassuring them and Lena Hanschka ‘21 mentions, an most intensely during Sundays are a number of healthy coping yourself that we are all in this to- EcoRep herself. after residents find their rooms mechanisms to get us through gether. Put a little more love and The process behind eco-certifi- overflowed with trash and food these trying times. I have consol- empathy into this world. cation is pretty straightforward. waste from dining halls. Due to idated a number of them below. The coming days will be chal- The end goal is to use the data the time we live in, eating out is Take a long walk through the lenging. The strength of our na- collected and compare dormito- sometimes necessary to ensure Arboretum and enjoy the sounds tion will be tested. Our capacity ries across campus. However, the space in the dining halls. This of nature. Turn your phone off for human decency and compas- data collection begins on a more raises the question: how can we for a while. Watch the clouds and sion for all beings will be ques- individual level. Eco-reps start work around to reduce food waste consider what life may be like on tioned. The future of the environ- by reaching out to students. Each and foster emptier trash bins? other planets. ment will be determined. We will roommate is required to fill out a Haynes offered a few sugges- Read a really good book. Not learn a lot about ourselves and survey with various questions re- tions herself. She found great an academic assignment or the our neighbors. garding sustainable living. Then, value in the implementation of newspaper, but a truly phenom- We will mourn, or we will the responses are combined to a compost bin accompanied by enal piece of literature that re- cheer—and then, when the dust see who receives certification proper labeling. For example, the stores your faith in humanity and settles, we will continue to fight and also to see a holistic view of ones you find in the Spa are de- convinces you—even if just for a for a better America. the dorm. liberate in showing what bin to fleeting moment—that anything Some questions that you would throw what in. With this system, find concern themes of waste two goals are simultaneously ac- management, energy usage, and complished: improving living community engagement. The quality and implementing green- questions are attached with a er practices. certain score, like driving a low “We need to be thinking about emissions vehicle results in three this all the time,” remarks Haynes. points. All the questions an- There is importance in longevity. swered “yes” are then added to- Environmental issues are not a gether, creating an overall score. phase or something to be consid- Sarah Haynes ’22, a community ered during an awareness week. advisor (CA) in Woodman, spoke In the dorms, it is vital to make on sustainability in the dorms. sustainability a constant battle.” “A big fear at the start of the In conclusion, from the eco- semester was about all the plas- certification system to Hayne’s tic and single-use containers. So, included perspective, it hopeful- how do you create a sustainable ly is easy to see the importance campus in these times?” she pon- of checking in on your position ders. in the campus’s initiatives for On this issue, there is a level of sustainability. It can be easy to toughness in creating a sustain- lose track of your goals, and the able campus, given the precau- survey was a great way to evalu- tionary COVID-19 measures. A ate your standing. However, as way to partially assuage this fear Haynes and Hanschka note, eco- is through the eco-certification certification is not the end goal, check-up. but rather a start. Whether you “It may not be the most effective filled it out or not, you can still way to make change. Rather, it is think about your future impact on more of a point of reflection and the environment at the College. starting point,” remarks Haynes. Photo courtesy of Wendy Wei COVID-19 update for October 28 to November 3

By Sonia Lachter sive tests (or 1.2% of the total) have been identified since testing began. Cur- News Editor rently, there is one positive case in isolation and 2 students are in quarantine, down from 23 in quarantine last week. The College has changed from the green to the yellow level, where it had been The positive cases are made up of five faculty or staff members and ten stu- since Sept. 9, meaning that classes of 50 or more students will move to remote dents. 14 positive cases have recovered since testing began. learning, dining halls will have lower seating capacities, face coverings will The College’s COVID-19 Health Code and Testing Data page includes data on be required in common spaces of residence halls, and those spaces as well as the active cases in the state of Maine from the Maine Centers for Disease Con- “high-touch areas” in dining halls will be cleaned more. Religious services of trol (CDC). Students can see the number of cases by county. Kennebec County, less than 50 people can be indoors and those above 50 people will be outdoors. where the College is located, has 91 active cases as of Nov. 3, up from 69 cases As of November 3, 68,032 negative tests, 15 positive cases, and 797 inconclu- as of Oct. 26.