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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

Emerson Alumna Cerise Castle

Emerson alum Cerise Castle awarded American Mosaic Journalism Prize

By Quinn O'Connor / March 2, 2023

After Cerise Castle was struck by a rubber bullet while reporting on Black Lives Matter protests in Los Angeles on May 30, 2020, her doctors advised her...

The Beacon documented campus life in a year that brought a pandemic, presidential election, and nationwide civil rights movement.

2020 in review: The biggest Beacon stories from a year marked by tumult

By Diti Kohli / December 31, 2020

Call 2020 unprecedented. Isolating. Terrifying. But it’s one year no one will soon forget.  Emerson operated as normal for a few short months, abruptly...

The Lincoln Statue is set to be taken down in the wake of the recent Black Lives Matter protests.

Artists, activists come together for “Memorials: As Monuments Fall” webinar

By Joshua Sokol / October 17, 2020

Historical monuments and who they seek to memorialize have come under harsh scrutiny in 2020. Emerson Contemporary, along with a team of professors and...

Protesters carry a banner that read "Justice for Breonna Taylor" on Friday.

Protesters marched to Boston City Hall over Breonna Taylor case

By Andrew Brinker and Diti Kohli / September 26, 2020

Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Boston Friday evening to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old Louisville woman fatally shot...

NOTE: ‘My father decided to cut ties with me for standing in solidarity’ with #BLM

NOTE: ‘My father decided to cut ties with me for standing in solidarity’ with #BLM

September 2, 2020

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: The Beacon removed this story, titled “‘My father decided to cut ties with me for standing in solidarity’ with #BLM,” after...

Jilly Towson is one of hundreds of Emerson students taking to social media to promote Black Lives Matter.

How social media fueled a renewed outlook on activism at Emerson

By Katiana Hoefle / August 30, 2020

Jilly Towson never questioned whether or not she should post online about the Black Lives Matter movement. “It’s my life, so it is impossible for...

Class of 2021 and EBONI President Naomi Jones plans to use her leadership platforms to build a sense of community for her class and the Black student population at Emerson.

‘What kind of community work can you do?’: Senior class president Naomi Jones

By Shruti Rajkumar / August 13, 2020

Months before the Black Lives Matter movement received a nationwide push in May, senior Naomi Jones stepped into two major roles on campus. She was elected...

I have learned that as a white person, it is my responsibility to have these discussions no matter how uncomfortable they may feel.

Difficult conversations are one step toward racial equity

By Sophia Speciale / July 23, 2020

Sophia Speciale is a rising senior studying visual and media arts. Like many young couples these days, my ex-boyfriend and I met on the dating app Bumble....

"It’s sad, really, that I’m numb to these things. So numb that when I saw the video of George Floyd’s murder, I didn’t feel surprised, angry, frustrated, or sad."

POC Column: Dear White People

By Melanie Curry / July 3, 2020

I once had a small, insignificant, ten-minute conversation with my high school friend Kelis that my mind will never let me forget.  One day, Kelis...

An Emerson College Police car.

Emerson to review role of ECPD on campus after students start “Defund ECPD” initiative

By Charlie McKenna / June 29, 2020

The college plans to review the role of the Emerson College Police Department on campus after a “Defund ECPD” initiative garnered support from students,...

Protesters and counter protesters exchanged shouted insults from across the street.

Protesters square off in front of State House

By Parker Purifoy and Abigail Hadfield / June 27, 2020

Beacon Street became a no man's land between two conflicting rallies on Saturday, separated by metal barriers and rows of police. On one side, a local...

A protestor is arrested during last August's Straight Pride Parade. The group that organized the parade, Super Happy Fun America, is set to clash with counter-protestors Saturday afternoon at a pro-police rally.

Dueling protests to clash on Boston Common

By Andrew Brinker / June 27, 2020

The organizers of last summer’s Straight Pride Parade that erupted into violence, will hold a pro-police rally at the Massachusetts State House Saturday...

The Emerson Staff Union is hoping to have some of their sacrificed benefits reinstated, especially for some of the at-risk staff members.

Staff Union launches fundraiser in support of Black communities in Boston

By Charlie McKenna / June 19, 2020

The Emerson College Staff Union launched a fundraising campaign Friday for two local charities led by Black Americans.  The union is focusing on Violence...

Black Lives Matter protestors chant as they walked up Bowdoin St. approaching the State House.

For a more equitable community (and newsroom)

By Editorial Board / June 19, 2020

On June 1, as inklings of warm summer air crept in, a massive protest overtook the streets of Boston, just steps from Emerson’s campus. Demonstrators...

President M. Lee Pelton speaking to students who were forced to evacuate the Netherlands during the Spring 2020 semester after COVID-19 spread rapidly around the world. Pelton expressed support for the "Defund the Police" initiative Tuesday, saying that the police are overly militarized and the system needs overhauled, in a virtual panel with Commonwealth Magazine.

Pelton voices support for “Defund the Police” initiative in virtual panel

By Diana Bravo / June 18, 2020

President M. Lee Pelton joined mounting numbers nationwide in voicing support for the “Defund the Police” initiative that calls for police department...

Hundreds of protestors on Wednesday laid face-down for a die-in on Boston Common for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, in solidarity with the time officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd, resulting in his death.

Photos: Violence gives way to peace in Boston

By Lizzie Heintz and Parker Purifoy / June 4, 2020

Thousands converged on Boston Common Wednesday afternoon for a third day of protests following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who...

A woman holding an inflated red heart at Boston's third day of protests in response to the police killing of George Floyd.

Demonstrators crowd Boston Common during third day of protests

By Domenic Conte / June 3, 2020

Boston joined cities nationwide for a third day of protests Wednesday in response to the police killing of George Floyd, with organizers remaining peaceful...

Journalism faculty released a statement in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and in solidarity with Black students, faculty, staff, and alumni Wednesday.

Journalism faculty release statement supporting Black Lives Matter

By Diana Bravo / June 3, 2020

Members of the journalism faculty expressed support Wednesday for the Black Lives Matter movement in a statement released on Twitter. “We recognize...

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh speaking at a press conference on June 1, 2020.

City officials praise peaceful protests and denounce violence

By Diana Bravo / June 1, 2020

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh thanked protesters who remained peaceful during Sunday’s Black Lives Matter protest during a press conference Monday and...

The Temple Place bus stop sat quietly after the protesters were pushed onto Tremont Street.

Photos: A night of unrest in Boston

By Parker Purifoy and Lizzie Heintz / June 1, 2020

Thousands converged on the State House in Boston Sunday evening for a peaceful protest over the killing of George Floyd, a Black man from Minneapolis...