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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

Illustration Mia McDermott

Bad luck isn’t the devil we want it to be

By Josie Arteaga, Opinion Editor / October 1, 2025

After a long, brutal summer, Boston felt like a much-needed clean slate. After all, I was moving into the dorm I wanted with my best friends, taking classes...

Graphic Charlie Desjardins

‘The Hunting Wives’ isn’t just a drama—it’s a timely political satire

By Brooke Leila, Beacon Contributor / October 1, 2025

I was late to watching Netflix’s new hit show “The Hunting Wives” for a few reasons, but mostly because I was skeptical of its quality. I assumed...

Graphic Editorial Board

Unraveling social media’s performative outrage

By Pranati Kotamraju, Beacon Contributor / October 1, 2025

If there is one thing I’ve learned from being on social media, it’s that jokes are no longer tolerated in this society.  A simple video about a...

Illustration Mia McDermott

People aren’t talking about Gen Z’s ableism enough

By Tess Gleason, Senior Opinion Columnist / October 1, 2025

If your social media algorithm mainly consists of breaking news stories, book reviews, and cute dog videos, then chances are, like me, you probably use...

(Arthur Mansavage/Beacon Staff)

Editorial: The gun doesn’t care who pulls the trigger

By Editorial Board / September 24, 2025

Walking down Boylston Street in between classes, the last thing you expect to see is a gun on someone’s hip. In Massachusetts, we benefit from gun restrictions...

(Sam Shipman/Beacon Staff)

Kimmel is back. The First Amendment isn’t.

By Tyler Gelman, Beacon Contributor / September 24, 2025

In a country where free speech is enshrined in our Constitution and has been fiercely protected for almost 250 years, we have reached an impasse that will...

Graphic Iselin Bratz

Fashion forward this fall

By Daphne F. Chandler, Beacon Contributor / September 24, 2025

“Clean Girl is Out, Wired Headphones are IN!,” “Olsen Twins Style Guide,” “5 New Things to Add to Your Wardrobe Now!”  With the change...

Illustration Molly Boyke

Why is Gen Z staring at me?

By Bethany Storey, Beacon Contributor / September 24, 2025

If you're chronically online, you may have heard a newly coined term circulating on TikTok and Instagram: the “Gen Z stare.” It refers to a blank or...

(Arthur Mansavage/Beacon Staff)

Letter from an Editor: In my opinion…

By Charlie Desjardins, Dept. Opinion Editor / September 17, 2025

Some time ago, a professor told me not to waste my time with writing opinion pieces for The Berkeley Beacon. So here I am… writing this opinion piece…...

Illustration Lila Reimels

Do opposites attract? Not when it comes to politics

By Adelaide Brown, Beacon Contributor / September 17, 2025

The sexiest thing about a new relationship is the mystery. Nothing beats the anticipation and inability to predict your partner's thoughts or their next...

Graphic Ella Duggan & Josie Arteaga

Striving for heroin chic: Skinny culture has sickly side effects

By Pranati Kotamraju, Beacon Contributor / September 17, 2025

“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” These were the famous words of Kate Moss, one of the most celebrated models of the ‘90s. Known for her...

Illustration Lila Reimels

Social media is ruining the college move-in experience

By Tess Gleason, Senior Opinion Columnist / September 17, 2025

College move-in has come and gone with the start of the new semester, and students across the country have settled into their new classes, dorms, and campus...

People crossing the street outside the Little Building at the corner of Boylston and Tremont streets. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Letter to the Editor: Advice from an ‘audience’ member

By Richard West, Guest Author / September 10, 2025

The fall semester has arrived as sure as the stench of weed from the Common! But unlike the smell, your time at Emerson is more than a temporary high. Whether...

Courtesy Pete Souza

Why Hamilton continues to ‘Blow Us All Away’

By Mer Hughes, Multimedia Managing Editor / September 10, 2025

How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore sell out theaters after being on streaming for five years? Why did former President Barack Obama record a remix...

Graphic by Charlie Desjardins

Spotify stinks. What now?

By Charlie Desjardins, Dept. Opinion Editor / September 10, 2025

Following the announcement of Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek’s $693.6 million investment in AI military drone company Helsing, I can’t say I’m too...

Graphic Madalyn Jimiera

All the world’s a stage, and today, so is your TV

By Madalyn Jimiera, Dept. Campus Editor / September 10, 2025

With the stress of schoolwork off my shoulders over the summer, I was able to dive back into one of my lifelong pleasures: theater. While I tend to stay...

Photo Jakob Menendez

Editorial: What happened to the alley happened to all of us

By Editorial Board / April 23, 2025

The alley is a thoroughfare. A shortcut through the block, two minutes shaved off your Dunkin’ or CVS trip, a direct route from point A to B. But it...

Photo Alec Klusza

As a freshman, Emerson’s silence about the encampment is deafening

By Josie Arteaga, Opinion Editor / April 23, 2025

It’s been a year since the Emerson encampment made national news, and it continues to haunt the college to this day. Last April, students were arrested,...

Illustration Kellyn Taylor

There are no online spaces for kids anymore

By Bella Nordman, Senior Opinion Columnist / April 23, 2025

Lately, I have been reflecting on my relationship with the internet: From fandoms to reaction videos and subsequently trying to get offline, but I really...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Letters from the SGA President: My farewell address—reflecting on my presidency and one parting request

By Nandan Nair, Guest Author / April 23, 2025

Well, this is it.  As crazy as it sounds, we're at the end of the academic year, and as well as my term as SGA President.  Reflecting on this year,...