The backlash against Marie Kondo comes from a place of prejudice

BY NINA LARBI ’22

“Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” has taken the world by storm. In the series, Marie Kondo, a Japanese author and organizing consultant, travels to the homes of disorganized Americans and aids them in cleaning their homes using her Shinto-inspired Kon-Mari method. Kondo has faced backlash for her methods, and this negative reaction is not only incurred from random individuals on the internet; prominent figures like Jimmy Kimmel and Ellen DeGeneres are also treating her with disrespect. The hatred directed towards Kondo is rooted in racism and a sense of American superiority, and this prejudice is coming from both sides of the political spectrum.

“Non-Western” and “Western” names deserve equal respect

BY PRERNA CHAUDHARY ’22

I first saw South Asian American political commentator and comedian Hasan Minhaj on “The Daily Show” as a senior correspondent in 2014. He introduced himself then as “has-AHN min-AJ.” When he said his name on his own Net ix special, “Hasan Min- haj: Homecoming King,” he pronounced it “HUS-un.” Now, four years later, when I watch his Net ix show, “Patriot Act,” he says “I’m HUS-un meen-AAJ,” which is the actual pronunciation of his name.

Unhealthy drinking habits are too normalized on college campuses

Unhealthy drinking habits are too normalized on college campuses

BY NINA LARBI ’22

Being new to college, I still find it jarring when I go on social media and see people I have known since we were seven years old posting pictures of themselves completely plastered in their white-brick dorm rooms, complete with cheap IPA. Maybe it is because I was part of the overachiever clique in high school, so the most risky thing that any of us did was watch an R-rated movie when we were 15, but it’s just plain weird to see your old friends become social alcoholics, all documented by Instagram and Snapchat.

College rankings do not matter

On the list titled “2019 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News, Mount Holyoke College ranks at No. 30. Niche ranked it at No. 33, and Forbes said it was No. 49. Why does our college ranking vary so widely on different lists? Different rankings are based on different criteria, and between the lists, the same criteria is weighted differently. While some ranking systems measure “reputation, resources and selectivity,” others measure “student satisfaction” and “post graduate success.” There is little agreement or standardization between the lists that far too many young students use to determine their future schools.

Say no to Joe! The danger of romanticizing fictional stalkers

Say no to Joe! The danger of romanticizing fictional stalkers

BY SRISHTI MUKHERJEE ’21

Many of us have already squandered a couple of hours in the past month to binge on Netflix’s latest viral offering: the original thriller “You.” In true American fashion, “You” features an exceedingly attractive cast. Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley, “Gossip Girl”), is a stalker who incessantly pursues his blonde love interest, Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail, “Once Upon a Time”). Joe’s peculiar and distasteful personality is made apparent to viewers from the get-go. And yet, an alarming number of people seem to be attracted to his character.

Staying in touch is still an option: Why “cutting people off” may be too extreme

Staying in touch is still an option: Why “cutting people off” may be too extreme

BY MIMI HUCKINS ’21

It’s 2019 and we are all cutting toxic people out of our lives. Suddenly, because of the ‘self-care’ and ‘no bad vibes’ ideology, it has become okay to thoughtlessly destroy carefully constructed relationships.

Our largely affluent student body reflects Mount Holyoke’s privileged roots

BY PRERNA CHAUDHARY ’22

When Mount Holyoke College was founded, one of the institution’s goals was to create a place where women would remain “pure,” drawing from Mary Lyon’s strictly Christian values. The student body was mostly homogeneous in the beginning, predominantly made up of cisgender white women who came from evangelical families.

Rebranding makeup as “self-expression” perpetuates conformity

Rebranding makeup as “self-expression” perpetuates conformity

BY NINA LARBI ’22

This year, I succumbed to capitalist America and went Black Friday shopping at a local mall in my hometown. Although I left the hellscape that is the Willow Grove Mall’s Sephora empty-handed and with my pitiful $20 bill still tucked into my wallet, I could not stop thinking about the advertisements, the environment, the staff and the store itself. Advertisements in the store displayed bright makeup looks, from red eyeshadow to purple highlighter, and showcased a diverse cast of models.

A Christian Vespers misrepresents Mount Holyoke’s religious diversity

BY MARA KLEINBERG ’22

Each year, Mount Holyoke students look forward to the Vespers concert. Performed by members of the Glee Club, Chamber Choir, Chorale and other musical groups on campus, the performances aim to celebrate the dawning of the winter season. This year’s theme was “On a Winter’s Night.”

Friendships across social boundaries are difficult but essential

BY PRERNA CHAUDHARY ’22

I began to think critically about the role of race in friendship during my firstyear seminar, The Meaning of Friendship. Our Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students, Marcella Runell Hall, is the professor for this class. We learned about social identities, which are the groups a person identifies with that shape their daily experiences. In Hall’s book, “UnCommon Bonds,” women of various social identities tell stories about friendships that bridge various social divides. Professor Sonia Nieto from UMass Amherst wrote that it is “not easy” to be friends with people different than you.

Being substance-free should be more accepted on campus

Being substance-free should be more accepted on campus

BY OLIVIA MARBLE ’21

When I went to Spain right after my 18th birthday, I was so excited to drink for the first time. My friend group in high school wasn’t particularly reckless (the only illegal thing we ever did together was pirate “Frozen” the day after its release), so I had never even had a sip of alcohol before then. Lucky for me, I tried my first alcoholic beverage in a country with some of the best wine in the world. It tasted so good that I would have a glass almost every time we went out to dinner.

Paving the path for a representative Congress

Paving the path for a representative Congress

BY NINA LARBI ’22

Last Tuesday’s election saw many historic successes for women of color, including the election of the first NativeAmerican and Muslim women to Congress. These results have garnered support and celebration, as we, women of color, are finally seeing ourselves represented in legislative bodies.

Ending birthright citizenship is unethical (and unconstitutional)

Ending birthright citizenship is unethical (and unconstitutional)

BY NINA LARBI ’22

In late October, Donald Trump informed the nation of an executive order he was preparing that would eliminate birthright citizenship, the amendment that currently grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. territory. His reasoning was simple: that America is the only country to have birthright citizenship (this is false; around 30 other countries share this law).

Our bodies are not for the male gaze, especially on Mountain Day

BY MEI FUJIMORI-HENDERSON ’22

“Oh my God, you guys look so great!”

Peals of laughter erupted from my four shirtless friends as they posed with their naked backs to the camera, fronts facing the beautiful landscape of the valley below. I couldn’t help but smile as they continued to pose in different angles, careful not to flash the camera.

Restricting inmate voting furthers disenfranchisement in communities of color

Restricting inmate voting furthers disenfranchisement in communities of color

BY CHLOE JENSEN ’20

This November, Democrats have the chance to vote out the Republican majority in Congress. For many liberals, this is an important opportunity to elect officials who will overturn many of the policies that Republican lawmakers have passed and replace them with their own more progressive legislation. An unrepresented voice in these elections will be inmates and former inmates, many of whom are affected by these very policies.

Sociopolitical themes and messages define the horror genre

BY EMILY ROLES-FOTSO ’21

Few film genres have as much cultural significance and power as horror. That is why it’s rare to find someone who feels ambivalent towards the genre; most people are either enthusiastic fans or vehement opponents. Some are afraid, some can’t stomach the violence and disturbing imagery that characterize the genre, but others simply don’t take it seriously, dismissing horror as shallow or sensational. What they fail to see is that horror movies speak to the most fundamental fears of humanity, and often have deep roots in both pop culture and the political sphere.

Donald Trump, get my neighborhood out of your damn mouth

BY MADDY RITTER ’20

Jewish people make up about 2 percent of the U.S. population. Though a tiny minority of the overall United States, we typically exist in clusters in and around cities, both for our survival and for a sense of community. One of these clusters is Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — this is where I was raised as a secular Jew.

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