Woodlief McCabe

Trans visibility means nothing without action

Trans visibility means nothing without action

Thursday, March 31, was the 13th International Trans Day of Visibility. The holiday was started by activist Rachel Crandall as a response to Trans Day of Remembrance in acknowledgment of living trans people. The day also emphasizes that we deserve to be seen and recognized for our presence. This past Thursday was the first to receive federal recognition, as President Joe Biden issued a proclamation declaring March 31 the nationwide Transgender Day of Visibility. But as protective bills hang with uncertainty in the House and Senate, states rush to pass anti-trans bills and trans people continue to be disproportionate victims of violence, it is increasingly clear that visibility will do nothing to protect trans people. What we need instead is action.

Good cinema and white cinema are not the same

Good cinema and white cinema are not the same

At the first meeting of Mount Holyoke’s Film Society, we discussed our plan for the semester’s screenings. I created a screening schedule featuring Black-centered films in February to honor Black History Month. It was also important that the club continue to show films led by people of color throughout the semester. The world of film criticism disproportionately recognizes white-centric cinema as the pinnacle of quality, even though filmmakers of color consistently produce remarkable work.

Embrace train travel: public transit should be supported within the United State

Embrace train travel: public transit should be supported within the United State

As my Amtrak train rumbled through the striking East Coast fall landscape, I wondered why I’d never traveled by rail before and questioned why train travel isn’t more ubiquitous across the country.

The U.S. is so vast, and air travel only lets us touch down in travel hubs. From my window, I got to see swamps and woods.

Juniors and seniors talk growing pains as they return to campus

At the beginning of September, Mount Holyoke students re-introduced themselves to campus. Freshmen and sophomores got their first taste of in-person learning, while juniors and seniors found themselves adjusting to being on campus for the first time in a year and a half. Those who went home as first years in 2020 returned as juniors while 2020’s sophomores are now completing their final year. The leap forward has left some Mount Holyoke upperclassmen unsure of where they stand. I spoke with several students who talked about feeling like they’d lost part of the “Mount Holyoke experience.”

California’s special election was bad politics

California’s special election was bad politics

On Wednesday, Sept. 14, Californians will vote in a special election with just two questions on the ballot. Should the state of California recall Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom? If so, who should replace him? On Wednesday, Sept. 14, Californians will vote in a special election with just two questions on the ballot. Should the state of California recall Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom? If so, who should replace him?

No, the pandemic is not over, and nothing is back to normal

No, the pandemic is not over, and nothing is back to normal

In just two weeks, from July 8-22, the number of new U.S. COVID-19 cases jumped from roughly 23,000 to over 63,000, in a trend mirroring July 2020. (These numbers go up when we consider infections among populations in prisons are unreported in many states). Yet, just by looking at the measures taken by state governments, you would think COVID-19 has been all but eradicated.

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