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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

The B-Side: “Old Town Road” is a decade-defining yeehaw anthem

The B-Side: “Old Town Road” is a decade-defining yeehaw anthem

By Kyle Bray / January 22, 2020

If there was one song that no one could escape hearing in 2019, it would be Lil Nas X’s country-trap banger “Old Town Road." The song went diamond...

Race and culture are huge parts of me that impact many of my daily decisions and actions. However, sometimes they become the only thing that people care about. Photo credit: Christine Park

Recognize me more than just my nationality

By Xinyan Fu / January 22, 2020

As a person who enjoys meeting new people, I hate introducing myself. To be more specific, I hate telling people where I’m from while doing self-introductions...

Head Over Feels: Navigating hook-up culture as a serial monogamist

Head Over Feels: Navigating hook-up culture as a serial monogamist

By Grace Griffin / January 22, 2020

I am a Taurus sun sign with Cancer moon and Venus placements. Astrologically speaking, that means I’m a clingy little baby when it comes to relationships....

Stop using addiction-related language for comedic effect

Stop using addiction-related language for comedic effect

By Jess Ferguson / January 20, 2020

Last January, Devour Foods, a subdivision of the Kraft Heinz Company, aired a Super Bowl commercial to promote their frozen foods. The commercial focuses...

An Asset Transfer Agreement, signed by Emerson and Marlboro, revealed that Emerson expects to receive just over $20 million from the merger.

An open letter on Marlboro College from former Marlboro faculty, staff, and alumni academics

January 20, 2020
Marlboro College community members send an open letter on the potential closure of the college.
Helping Marlboro students transition through financial support is essential

Helping Marlboro students transition through financial support is essential

By Editorial Board / January 16, 2020

A guide released by the Emerson Office of Undergraduate Admissions to the Marlboro community on Dec. 19 states that Emerson will not pay for cost differences...

Graphic by Christine Park.

Why the holidays are the worst time of year for some international students

By Xinyan Fu / January 15, 2020

It's that time of the year. With tree lights dancing and snowflakes swirling, the holiday hype starts with people shopping for Christmas decorations and...

Graphic by Christine Park.

Fighting climate change should be everyone’s New Year’s resolution

By Melissa Rosales / January 15, 2020

My New Year’s resolution was to take my vitamins every day. I wanted something simple and attainable considering 2020 is the big year I graduate and...

Graphic by Christine Park.

The stigma of moving on from non-monogamous relationships

By Jacob Seitz / January 15, 2020

A few weeks ago, I received a text from a friend. “My man you know I love you,” she began. “But you just got out of a serious long term long-distance...

Melanie Curry - Graphic By Ally Rzesa for The Berkeley Beacon.

Black, Angry, and Female? The consequence of stereotypes

By Melanie Curry / January 15, 2020

I’ve been stereotyped before. Last week, my neighbor told me that I speak like a white person, as if African Americans cannot speak properly. When I...

Letter: Jan Tarlin responds to “Marlboro College Alumni Association disapproves of proposed merger with Emerson”

Letter: Jan Tarlin responds to “Marlboro College Alumni Association disapproves of proposed merger with Emerson”

By Jan Tarlin, Marlboro College '76 / January 15, 2020

To the Editor: Writing as just one of the 500 very different people holding very different views who make up the current membership of the Marlboro...

Editor of The Beacon Chris Van Buskirk.

Letter from the Editor: Incredible journalism isn’t the only thing to be proud of this semester

By Chris Van Buskirk / December 15, 2019
Editor-in-Chief Chris Van Buskirk reflects on the fall 2019 semester, the accomplishments and failures of The Berkeley Beacon, and looks forward to holiday break and spring 2020.
"I was not surprised—rather relieved—when I found out women could yield power over their reproductive rights via birth control."

Don’t let bad sex education affect your decision on birth control

December 14, 2019

After I started dating my boyfriend my second semester of freshman year, I quickly found out the college-provided health insurance covers birth control...

Clarah Grossman / Graphic by Ally Rzesa - Beacon Staff

My drink of choice? Cannabis

By Clarah Grossman / December 14, 2019

My mom peer-pressured me to drink in high school.  When I say peer-pressured, I do not mean she encouraged me to do keg stands or taught me how to...

Melissa Rosales / Graphic by Ally Rzesa - Beacon Staff

Person of Color Column: Filipino food is my love language

By Melissa Rosales / December 14, 2019

This winter break I’m bringing home two suitcases: one full of clothes, one empty.  I'll fill the empty one with frozen Filipino food like sapin-sapin...

Althea Champion / Graphic by Ally Rzesa . -Beacon Staff

Film Column: The fine line between edgy and irresponsible entertainment

By Althea Champion / December 13, 2019

Holding television characters accountable for their actions is a relatively new concept that, when attempted, usually falls flat.  The victim is often...

Sara Pirzada / Graphic by Ally Rzesa - Beacon Staff

Are you writing a trash can resume?

By Sara Pirzada / December 13, 2019

Have you ever been ghosted by an internship?  You start by pouring your heart and soul into a word-vomit cover letter and a resume that exemplifies...

Diti Kohli - Graphic by Ally Rzesa / Beacon Staff

Person of Color Column: Mom, meet my ‘friend’

By Diti Kohli / December 12, 2019

My high school boyfriend’s dreary old minivan was a staple in our driveway. He hugged my mom when they crossed paths in public, watched football games...

Head Over Feels: Where can I show my queer identity?

Head Over Feels: Where can I show my queer identity?

By Grace Griffin / December 12, 2019

During the first semester of my freshman year in 2017, I walked into my suite mates’ room and closed the door behind me. “I think I’m bisexual,”...

"The only thing that seems to help slow my thought process is journaling."

Saying goodbye to ‘Dear Diary’: The reality and benefits of journaling

By Carlota Cano / December 10, 2019

A key figure in English literature, Oscar Wilde, once admitted: “I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read...