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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

Opinion

During quarantine I had to come to terms with my own negative thoughts.

Being OK with not feeling OK

By Taina Millsap / October 14, 2020

As a Latina woman, I’ve always been surrounded by happiness and the mindset that everything is fine. Even my grandma, who fought depression all her life,...

For me, traveling offers a time to disconnect from my hectic daily routine and allows my mind to focus on the beauty surrounding me. This year, however, the summer was different for most of us.

Secure the remote control, not your luggage. The “new” way to travel during pandemic

By Carlota Cano / October 13, 2020

Although my luggage now collects dust and remains hidden in the depths of my closet, I often think back to the days when I traveled around Spain with my...

When it comes to COVID testing, where’s the accountability?

When it comes to COVID testing, where’s the accountability?

By Editorial Board / October 13, 2020

Since the start of the fall semester, Emerson has taken considerable action to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and prevent outbreaks on campus. Unlike...

Searching for a resemblance between 2016 polls and the current moment isn’t an effective way to determine who is ahead in this race. After the public outrage from the first presidential debate, we need to compare how they are different and why that matters.

2020 is not 2016. Here’s why that matters

By Shannon Garrido / October 13, 2020

Donald Trump supporters and Democrats have one similar perception of this year’s election: that it will follow in the steps of 2016.  Though it appears...

A poster within Little Building asking students to practice safe sex.

Go solo or go home: The only way to have sex during a pandemic

By Mariyam Quaisar / October 8, 2020

“If you’re not going to wear a mask, at least wear a condom,” posters around Emerson dorm buildings read. However, safe sex means a lot more than...

President Joe Biden

Navigating the U.S. election season as an international student

By Jocelyn Yang / October 6, 2020

“How’s the U.S. election vibe? Who do you think will win? Does any candidate pose policies that hurt China or international students?" I received this...

Three students on navigating a college social life during a pandemic

Three students on navigating a college social life during a pandemic

October 6, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly transformed our college's culture and the way we interact with others. After classes resumed in the fall, students...

My birthday present this year? Stories.

My birthday present this year? Stories.

By Dana Gerber / October 1, 2020

Almost nothing about my 21st birthday will be how I imagined. It won’t take place in a crowded bar. My friends won’t buy me frozen margaritas and toast...

Gary Sowder writes about love and sex.

‘On the DL’: The sexual politics of sleeping with closeted guys

By Gary Sowder / October 1, 2020

My mom lives in Westchester County, New York, a place that is most known for being the home of the Clintons', and the last place Robert Durst’s wife...

As a student with a history of suicidal thoughts, I posed a liability to the school. But when these issues arise, the college should handle them with more flexibility and compassion.

Emerson made me fight for the mental health care I needed. But I shouldn’t have had to

By Cat Bixler / September 29, 2020

*Content Warning: This article heavily references suicide and depression.  The American Psychiatric Association defines mental illness as a medical...

"I’m devastated by her passing, terrified for who will replace her, and doubtful that they will uphold Ginsburg’s views and legacy."

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s fight for women’s rights lives on

By Sabine Waldeck / September 28, 2020

When I first heard the news of the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, I was in disbelief. I was aware that Ginsburg had been battling pancreatic...

"Far fetched as my expectations were, none of us pictured freshman year this way, with me logging onto Zoom to attend classes, professors' office hours, and student organizations’ meetings."

We were never getting the college experience we expected

By Shannon Garrido / September 23, 2020

For those of you who spent too much of your childhood obsessing over Legally Blonde and Beverly Hills, 90210, like me, you probably had an inflated image...

Mail-in voting is still not accessible for everyone

Mail-in voting is still not accessible for everyone

By Jacob Seitz / September 19, 2020

This election season, a vast majority of the American population is likely going to vote by mail. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended just about everything...

"When anyone casts their ballot in a normal year, they are fulfilling their civic responsibility as an American citizen. But this November, for the first time in a long time, there is a pandemic plaguing the U.S. during a presidential election." Illustration by Laura King

Mail-in voting is easy. Here’s why you should do it.

By Robbie Shinder / September 15, 2020

What does it mean to vote? When anyone casts their ballot in a normal year, they are fulfilling their civic responsibility as an American citizen. But...

The Max is laid out in a one-way format, utilizing the traditional back exit as an entrance to accommodate for social distancing in the age of the coronavirus pandemic.

My love letter to The Max that is no more

By Robby Gessel / September 9, 2020

Obviously, a lot has changed on campus because of the pandemic. But what bothers me the most is not the online classes, nor is it the frequent testing,...

Letter: OneEmerson?

Letter: OneEmerson?

By Diego Torres / September 6, 2020

When I see OneEmerson plastered on walls and headlining emails, all I do is think. I think of the students who live through police brutality and racial...

Letter: Ruthanne Madsen, VP of Enrollment, responds to Gina Martin article

Letter: Ruthanne Madsen, VP of Enrollment, responds to Gina Martin article

By Ruthanne Madsen / September 4, 2020

The Office of Financial Aid at Emerson College is devoted to providing access to education for all students with financial need. Unfortunately, inaccurate...

Letter: POWER responds to Gina Martin article

Letter: POWER responds to Gina Martin article

By Emily Cardona, Shruti Rajkumar, Noah Adaikkalam, Jehan Ayesha-Wirasto, Amali Dunmore, Nina Khosla, Max Boone, Eryn McCallum, Lia Kim, Sydney Logan, Jilly Towson, Brittany Adames, Rocío Perez, Sonali Anand, Evonne Johnson, and Marissa Cardenas / September 3, 2020

As members of Protesting Oppression With Educational Reform (POWER), a group working to advocate for BIPOC students, we have a vested interest...

If the college chooses to have people attending classes in Boston and acknowledges its responsibility to provide testing, it must also bear the burden of the danger this puts our homeless and low-income community members in.

Don’t ignore our “invisible” community as classes resume this fall

By Billy Brodeur / September 2, 2020

Billy Brodeur is a senior studying comedic arts. On a walk to Paramount my sophomore year, I turned a corner and saw my friend Paul slumped on the ground....

"I don’t think I’ll ever not love fantasy, but I’m excited for my literary taste to grow with me and read about different experiences."

In quarantine, I revisited my taste in books—and it changed for the better

By Taina Millsap / September 2, 2020

Throughout my entire childhood, I always loved books. I forced my grandma to take me to the bookstore after my Friday classes every week, so that I could...