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

Illustration by Rachel Choi.

‘I am not incomplete’: living life as an aroace individual

October 25, 2023

Opinion editors are not responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with their writers but rather elevate each individual’s specific voice. I recently...

Courtesy of Maddie Barron.

Do you even want us here?: Attending Emerson as a poor student

October 18, 2023

When Emerson announced its four percent tuition increase, the Emerson Student Union rightfully led the campaign to fight rising costs and lack of aid....

Illustration by Sasha Zirin.

Political extremism is a marketing tactic

October 18, 2023

These days everybody is doing the most. New products aren’t just new: they’re The Best And Most Exciting Thing You’ve Ever Seen With Your Own Two...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

Living in college with POTS (not the kind you smoke)

October 18, 2023

I’m always fighting to stay awake. I try to get a full night’s sleep. I used to preach “8-12 hours” to people but honestly, it makes no difference...

Illustration by Merritt Hughes.

Your ‘Roman Empire’ is Not Mine

October 18, 2023

Princess Diana. The Eras Tour. The War of 1812. Big Trucks. These are all things to think about that are not the Roman Empire—so why do men apparently...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

Hamas’ attack is a tragedy for Israel – and a death knell for Palestine

October 11, 2023

The two-state solution is dead. Hamas has killed it. It lingered for over half a century, sometimes as fantasy, sometimes deliriously close to being...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

‘Pick me, choose me, love me’: Why the villainization of pick-me girls is anti-feminist

October 11, 2023

Is it wrong to want to be loved?  Time and time again I ask myself, is it wrong to want love? It seems like an easy answer: Everyone wants love. So...

Illustration by Hailey Akau

What did you do on National Kink Day last Friday?

October 11, 2023

If you’ve ever had sex, or thought about it, there are likely specific things that really turn you on. Whether you are into missionary or you aced the...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

Mitski’s “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We” is not sad

October 11, 2023

Multi-faceted Japanese-American singer-songwriter Mitski recently released her 7th studio album, “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We.” The record...

Illustration by Rachel Choi.

‘No strings attached’ sex doesn’t exist.

October 4, 2023

Dear sweet generation of sluts, one-night-stands, situationships, hookups, Tinder “dates,” and friends with benefits, I love and appreciate how...

Illustration by Ryan Yau.

Everyone’s a Zen Master

October 4, 2023

It’s no secret that Buddhism regionalizes as it spreads. Before Buddhism became Zen, it was Chan—which combined original Indian Mahāyāna practice...

Illustration by Rachel Choi.

Is there a disconnect between Hispanic international students and Hispanic-American?

October 4, 2023

As I near the end of my college journey, I grapple with the realization that I never truly connected with the Hispanic community at Emerson.  Despite...

Illustration by Rachel Choi.

Before the Eras Tour, there was the Fame Monster Ball

October 4, 2023

I have vivid memories of my nine-year-old self sneaking downstairs every Saturday morning, before anyone else was awake, to watch my VCR taped performance...

Faneuil Hall in Boston. (Annie Zhou for The Beacon)

The dirty money that built Fanueil Hall

September 27, 2023

Boston is home to lauded sports teams, revered educational institutions, and arguably, even the American Revolution. The popular Boston tourist attraction...

Late Paramount security guard leaves legacy of dedication

Late Paramount security guard leaves legacy of dedication

September 27, 2023

John O’Toole, who worked at Emerson College for 14 years, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Tufts Medical Center. He was 59 years old.  O’Toole...

Illustration by Claire Smith

Spoiler alert: Nobody dies in the end

September 27, 2023

“History, huh? Bet we could make some,” (Mcquiston, 2019).  I spent last week reading my friend’s favorite novel: "Red, White & Royal Blue"...

Illustration by Rachel Choi.

American individualism contributes to class division and prevents collective contribution

September 27, 2023

As privileged communities in America continue to advance, class division increases and the collective consciousness is further disrupted. The narrative...

Illustration by Kellyn Taylor

‘Y’all means all’: a Southern queer kid’s take on Dylan Mulvaney’s talk

September 20, 2023

After a 27-hour-car ride from Louisiana, my first steps onto Emerson’s campus three weeks ago were in a rush to meet my roommate for the first time....

Illustration by Rachel Choi

#BiWeek and bisexuality as a cultural comparison

September 20, 2023

I didn’t realize how much I had taken for granted being a queer person in New Zealand until I was forced to contend with my sexual identity for the first...

Photo by Ryli Stoker.

The criminalization of unhoused and impoverished populations in “college towns”

September 20, 2023

A lot of Emerson students act like they have never seen unhoused people before.   The first time I picked up on this was in a dorm with a small group...