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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

Thoughts

Don’t stuff your animals; team anti taxidermy

Don’t stuff your animals; team anti taxidermy

By Campbell Parish / November 18, 2021

Don’t taxidermy your precious pet. After all, there's a reason why the vet doesn't tell you you’ll get your pet back in good shape if it dies. As...

It’s OK to get attached after sex

It’s OK to get attached after sex

By Mariyam Quaisar, Managing Editor / November 18, 2021

Losing one’s virginity is usually a powerful moment in one’s life, and it often results in feeling a strong connection to whomever they lost it to....

Is Taylor Swift revolutionary or is she just white?

Is Taylor Swift revolutionary or is she just white?

By Hadera McKay, Content Managing Editor / November 11, 2021

With the upcoming re-release of Taylor Swift’s award-winning album Red on Friday, it’s about time to investigate exactly why we love this white woman...

Vaccine mandates aren't fascism; they're a public health imperative

Vaccine mandates aren’t fascism; they’re a public health imperative

By Shannon Garrido and Lucia Thorne / November 11, 2021

Life gets you down sometimes, and that’s understandable. But if you ever feel worthless or unwanted, just remember this past Sunday, a group of what...

Travis Scott fans need to re-evaluate their relationship with the artist

Travis Scott fans need to re-evaluate their relationship with the artist

By Vivi Smilgius / November 11, 2021

A year ago, or even a few weeks ago, believing people shouldn’t die at concerts wouldn’t be considered remotely controversial. But after eight people...

Stop kink shaming: all types of sex are valid

Stop kink shaming: all types of sex are valid

By Mariyam Quaisar, Managing Editor / November 11, 2021

People have sex. That is a concept that society has come a long way in wrapping its head around, which is great. Now, society needs to wrap its head around...

Democrats could lose electoral power if they don't unite

Democrats could lose electoral power if they don’t unite

By Justin Chen, Podcast Host / November 4, 2021

“The honeymoon is over,” according to CNN political commentator Van Jones. That is indeed the case as democrats are heading towards ugly midterm elections....

Super stoked to get super soaked;  We should all buy a vibrator

Super stoked to get super soaked; We should all buy a vibrator

By Mariyam Quaisar, Managing Editor / November 4, 2021

Sept. 26. That’s the day my life changed, the day I met the best friend any girl could ever ask for.  From that first day I met him, Gavin has been...

We can't continue to ignore the toxicity of fraternities

We can’t continue to ignore the toxicity of fraternities

By Shannon Garrido, Editor-in-chief / November 4, 2021

Since moving to this country and dipping my toes into what is considered the “American college experience,” there is one thing I still can't wrap my...

Students sit in a computer lab.

Grad students must overcome the barrier of age and program differences to thrive

By Charlie Brian Ambler / October 28, 2021

As post-undergraduate programs increase exponentially in enrollment, according to a report from the United States Census Bureau, the social division between...

One month isn’t enough to recognize the strength of those fighting breast cancer

One month isn’t enough to recognize the strength of those fighting breast cancer

By Mariyam Quaisar, Managing Editor / October 28, 2021

On Oct. 17, I lost my aunt, Nafisa, to breast cancer. After 16 years of fighting, she was forced to give up because her body gave in, even if her conscience...

Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox—hope for weird couples everywhere

Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox—hope for weird couples everywhere

By Kaitlyn Fehr, Chief Copyeditor / October 28, 2021

It’s official—Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox have become the celebrity equivalent of that gross high school couple that would make out under the stairwell...

Down with the drinking age

Down with the drinking age

By Shannon Garrido, Editor-in-chief / October 28, 2021

As an immigrant, I’ve found a long list of things that don’t make sense in the U.S., but the drinking age being 21 might take the cake.  Since...

Keemstar, The Bogeyman of YouTube

Keemstar, The Bogeyman of YouTube

By Kaitlyn Fehr, Chief Copyeditor / October 21, 2021

Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of racism, homophobia, sexual assault, suicide, and pedophilia. YouTube drama trending on Twitter can...

Fraternities and Colleges perpetuating a culture of abuse

Fraternities and Colleges perpetuating a culture of abuse

By Mariyam Quaisar, Managing Editor / October 21, 2021

Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault and rape. On Friday, Oct. 8, a female student at the University of Delaware was kidnapped,...

American exceptionalism foreshadowed our pandemic response

American exceptionalism foreshadowed our pandemic response

By Lucia Thorne / October 21, 2021

As Americans, we have been taught to believe that the U.S. is the pinnacle of what a nation should be. To question the authority of our nation would be...

The phrase ‘pick me’ has added fuel to the fire that is internalized misogyny.

The phrase ‘pick me’ has added fuel to the fire that is internalized misogyny.

By Sabine Waldeck, Deputy Opinion Editor / October 21, 2021

If you’re a frequent TikTok user, there’s no doubt you’ve seen the term “pick me” flooding the comment sections of girls’ TikTok accounts.  For...

Harassment of journalists in Kashmir is getting worse every day

Harassment of journalists in Kashmir is getting worse every day

By Mariyam Quaisar, Managing Editor / October 14, 2021

India’s government is treating journalists in Kashmir as terrorists, and it is disproportionately affecting Muslims. From being unnecessarily arrested...

Texas should look to other countries before stripping away women’s rights

Texas should look to other countries before stripping away women’s rights

By Shannon Garrido, Editor-in-chief / October 14, 2021

Over the course of my life, I feel like I have been watching women’s rights walk a tightrope across a giant canyon. But, when I was home in the Dominican...

Get the vaccine, your lack of sympathy is showing

Get the vaccine, your lack of sympathy is showing

By Lucia Thorne / October 14, 2021

When the general population became eligible for the vaccine on April 19, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths drastically declined, providing the much-needed...