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Beginning December 18, 2024, Beacon staff will be away from the newsroom for the Emerson College winter break. Daily news coverage will resume on January 13, 2025.
Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Op-Ed

Illustration Rachel Choi

Emerson isn’t doing enough for its students in recovery

By Max Morin, Beacon Contributor / December 11, 2024

It is safe to say that Emerson College has rather lax rules when it comes to drug and alcohol use. As long as you are 21 and living on campus, given...

Illustration Rachel Choi

‘Wicked’ shows us the importance of female friendships

By Hannah Hughes, Beacon Contributor / December 4, 2024
Cynthia Erivo rises on the screen to deliver her final, triumphant high note in “Defying Gravity.” My roommates and I are holding hands, squeezing tight.
Illustration Rachel Choi

Putting the ‘I’ back in holidays

By MacKenzie Zwillman, Beacon Contributor / December 4, 2024

As we enter the holiday season, annual festivities like baking cookies with loved ones and filling the house with decorative knick-knacks are in full...

Illustration Rachel Choi

An ode to Emerson Friendsgiving

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion Co-Editor / November 21, 2024
If this is your first fall at Emerson—whether you’re a freshman, transfer, or just weren’t here last November—you HAVE to go to the dining hall tonight from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. for Emerson’s annual Friendsgiving.
Illustration Rachel Choi

Speaking Spanish is essential to the Hispanic identity

By Josefina Arteaga, Beacon Contributor / November 20, 2024

Speaking Spanish, in any capacity, is essential to the existence of Hispanic identity. Connecting with one’s cultural roots begins by adopting the...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Go vegan, save a turkey!

By Daphne F. Chandler, Beacon Contributor / November 20, 2024

Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing—oh my! Food is an integral part of American culture, and with the holidays fast approaching, the Thanksgiving feast...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Why are women always the punchline for male comedians?

By Emma Siebold, Beacon Contributor / November 20, 2024

If there’s one thing Emerson College does well, it’s promote famous alumni: the most frequently advertised are Jennifer Coolidge ’85, the Daniels—Daniel...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Comment culture: Who even are you?

By Madison McMahon, Beacon Contributor / November 20, 2024

“I hope you white liberal women never procreate” - @j_lucero.21 on TikTok “You’re so ignorant and uneducated” - @twinmamarock on TikTok “Eat...

Illustration Rachel Choi

The media doesn’t give Ilona Maher the coverage she deserves

By Tess Gleason, Beacon Contributor / November 19, 2024

In this harmful social media age of parasocial relationships and performative influencers, I try my best not to get attached to celebrities. However,...

Illustration Rachel Choi

They never cared about us anyway.

By Pilialoha Gaudiello, Beacon Contributor / November 13, 2024

“Voting is your civic duty.” It’s a phrase we’ve heard ever since we were in elementary school. From a young age, we are taught to participate...

Kellyn Taylor

Episodic television and the man I met on the T

By Nate Ruttenberg, Beacon Contributor / November 13, 2024

I was recently on Boston public transportation wearing a “Twin Peaks” T-shirt when a middle-aged man approached me. His forwardness was a bit jarring,...

Rachel Choi

Slushy Ryan Murphy now!

By Bailey Flaherty, Beacon Contributor / November 13, 2024

If the 2009 musical comedy-drama “Glee” was around today, it would not be as much of a hit as it was back then. The show includes a vast amount of...

Boston, MA: December 8, 2021 – 2B Alley in the snow.

No neutrality in a fist fight

By Peter Medeiros, Guest Author / November 7, 2024

As a martial arts instructor, one question I get is: When is it okay to fight?  There is a legal answer to that, but the real question I hear is:...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Trump won: America and the future of journalism may have lost

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion co-Editor / November 7, 2024

My friend woke me up Wednesday at 5:45 a.m. I knew from her face that Kamala Harris lost the election before I could even check my phone for the time,...

Graphic Rachel Choi

What’s really behind college students’ election anxiety?

By Hannah Hughes, Beacon Contributor / November 7, 2024

It’s hard to believe that Election Day came so quickly, after months of waiting. As proud as I am to have voted, I can’t help but feel this pit in...

Illustration Rachel Choi

‘My vote does not matter.’ Except it does. Now, more than ever.

By Tess Gleason, Beacon Contributor / November 4, 2024
“My vote does not matter.” This sentiment is often present in political discourse, especially as we approach the presidential election. It’s a phrase I heard my own boyfriend say on the phone the other day.
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance addresses journalists in the spin room after the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in Philadelphia on September 10, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff)

Trump is not the scariest candidate on the ballot: Vance is

By Ella Duggan, Opinion Co-Editor / October 30, 2024
If I saw JD Vance on the street, I wouldn’t cower. I wouldn’t avert my eyes, and I certainly wouldn’t step out of his way. But rest assured, I am afraid of Vance.
Illustration Kellyn Taylor

Cancel culture is a joke

By Bailey Flaherty, Beacon Contributor / October 30, 2024
“Have you heard about what [insert controversial public figure] did?” is a phrase I hear far too often. 
Illustration Rachel Choi

Every day’s a catwalk, and it’s a good thing

By Daphne F. Chandler, Beacon Contributor / October 30, 2024
Everyone knows Jenny Humphrey’s iconic line from “Gossip Girl”: “But Dad! I want to go to fashion school!” For me, Emerson is my fashion school.
Illustration Rachel Choi

DO watch v.s. DON’T watch: horror movies this spooky season

By Nate Ruttenberg, Beacon Contributor / October 23, 2024
With Halloween approaching, scary movies are in fashion this week.