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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 Bryce Heilmann

Hollywood’s biggest night was … surprisingly small?

By Bryce Heilmann, Beacon Contributor / March 6, 2025

On a night infamous for cultivating many scandalous headlines, and an awards season chock full of them, the 97th Academy Awards remained relatively mundane.  With...

Crooke's Cage: John Cena shocks the world with heel turn in Toronto

Crooke’s Cage: John Cena shocks the world with heel turn in Toronto

By Aidan Crooke, Staff Writer, Sports / March 5, 2025

He’s done it. After nearly twenty years since he won his first WWE Championship, John Cena has finally crossed back into the dark side. “Aidan,...

Illustration Ben Putney

Toxic productivity: Emerson’s most exhausting tradition

By Mariam Tsintsadze, Beacon Contributor / March 5, 2025

Midterm season often finds me running on disturbing amounts of caffeine, staring at blank assignments until 3 a.m. while the cramped to-do list next to...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Maine Gov. Janet Mills set the example—now, other elected figures must follow it

By Ella Duggan and Tess Gleason / March 5, 2025

When Maine Governor Janet Mills stood up to President Donald Trump on Feb. 21 after he demanded Maine comply with his executive order banning transgender...

Pro-Palestine encampment tents line 2B alley at Emerson College on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Iselin Bratz/Beacon Staff)

Letter: From an SJP organizer: Our encampment failed, and we’ve been failing it every day

By Fadwa Bishara, Guest Author / February 26, 2025
It doesn't take much to realize the encampment failed. If you were there, and knew why you were there, you would know it did.
Emerson College signage outside of the WERS studios in Downtown Boston on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Letter: Faculty who demand a blanket student disciplinary pardon must remember the harm that has been done

By Ruth Grossman, Guest Author / February 26, 2025

On Feb. 25, faculty assembly debated a motion for an “immediate end to any and all disciplinary action related to protests, demonstrations, leafleting...

Diablada Ferroviaria in the Carnival de Oruro, Bolivia.

Bolivia is more than its political turmoil

By Josie Arteaga, Dept. Opinion Editor / February 26, 2025

Every February, holiday festivities begin in Bolivia, and my home becomes a different country. Carnival de Oruro, for Bolivians, is the most important...

Illustration Rachel Choi

The AP vs. Trump: Fighting for free press—and the future of the U.S.

By Ella Duggan, Opinion Editor / February 26, 2025

How long will it be before I can no longer write opinion pieces about the Trump administration because I won’t have sufficient evidence to do so? How...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Trump thinks drag performers target youths. He’s the real threat.

By Charlie Desjardins, Beacon Contributor / February 19, 2025

Ben Folds, a masterful pianist and singer-songwriter, has soundtracked my life with his acerbic wit and penchant for singing about losers.  As I’ve...

Illustration Ben Putney

The ex we never dated: Are friendships the real heartbreak?

By Mariam Tsintsadze, Beacon Contributor / February 19, 2025

February is nostalgic. There’s something in the cold air, along with a red heart around Feb. 14 that, if you’re single, makes you question what went...

Illustration Rachel Choi

As international students, we’re living in limbo

By Ella Duggan and Josie Arteaga / February 19, 2025

While most students were out buying last-minute flowers and CVS chocolates for their Valentines last week, international students at Emerson were making...

A person holds a sign with the transgender flag in front of the State House. (Brianna Silva/ File Photo)

Letter: Emerson’s refusal to publicly support its transgender community speaks volumes

By P Carl, Guest Author / February 18, 2025
Several administrators say that Emerson doesn’t want to put a “target” on its back. Let's be clear: Trans students, faculty, and staff are suffering.
Illustration Rachel Choi

Letters from the SGA President: We’re investing in the Emerson community, but we need your help

By Nandan Nair, Guest Author / February 12, 2025
We are so back. After a very productive fall semester and much-needed winter break, it’s so nice to be back on campus for the spring semester, my final one in Boston.
Adam Scott in “Severance,” now streaming on Apple TV+.

Why is ‘Severance’ so underrated?

By Ella Duggan, Opinion Editor / February 12, 2025

“Severance” is a phenomenon. Directed by Ben Stiller, the sci-fi psychological thriller is about employees who undergo a procedure to separate their...

Illustration Molly Boyke

Feeling lonely? You’re not the only one

By Josie Arteaga, Dept. Opinion Editor / February 12, 2025

On Valentine’s Day, I was used to receiving roses and chocolates. Even though they were exclusively from my mom, I always appreciated the gesture and...

Illustration Rachel Choi

It’s survival of the richest on Musk’s colonized Mars

By Bailey Flaherty, Beacon Contributor / February 12, 2025

For the last two decades, Elon Musk—head of the Department of Government Efficiency, owner of SpaceX, Tesla and X, and the wealthiest person in the world—has...

Illustration Rachel Choi

‘Seguimos aqui’: Bad Bunny’s ‘DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS’ calls us to come home

By Josie Arteaga, Dept. Opinion Editor / February 5, 2025

Back home in Bolivia, I’m on aux. As my mom’s co-pilot, I’m preoccupied with curating our drive, and I take great pride in my song choices. It was...

Illustration Rachel Choi

The Brutalist’s biggest problem is perfectionism, not AI

By Charlie Desjardins, Beacon Contributor / February 5, 2025

For better or worse, it’s been impossible to escape “The Brutalist.” Directed by wunderkind Brady Corbet, this mammoth 3.5-hour study of a Hungarian...

Illustration Rachel Choi

Trump’s immigration policies towards non-white groups spike anxiety

By Ari Mei-Dan, Staff Photographer / February 5, 2025

Being an immigrant under President Donald Trump’s new term has sparked complicated emotions for me, ranging from anger to deep concern. As I begin to...

Illustration Helen Armstrong

If you need AI to write, don’t become a writer.

By Helen Armstrong, Beacon Contributor / February 5, 2025

“Every idea ChatGPT came up with (in a few seconds) was good. And original. And fleshed out. Why should writers sit around for months searching for a...