How to avoid the hostile political talk at the dinner table this holiday season
November 23, 2020
As the fall semester slowly comes to its end, many students across the country are preparing to return home for
As the fall semester slowly comes to its end, many students across the country are preparing to return home for
As inauguration day approaches, leaders of Caribbean countries are coming together to congratulate the newly elected president, Joe Biden. As
The Beacon’s first print issue of the semester in early September initiated a wave of resignations from almost 20 staff
Back in March, it was easy to chalk up the changes in my mental state and my struggles with online classes to the fact that every CNN notification felt like it came straight out of Stephen King’s The Stand. Following
Why are the doors to the dining hall so heavy? My noodle arms absolutely cannot handle so much weight. Why does it always smell so funky in the dining hall? Where is the normal food? Talking through a mask is
Embed from Getty Images Saturday became a record-breaking day as Joe Biden defeated incumbent President Donald Trump in the election—the first time a sitting leader only lasted one term since George H.W Bush was just known as George Bush back
Four years ago, I had just turned seventeen. I was balancing the stress of school at Medford Area Senior High in Wisconsin, a social life, and the mental toll from losing three grandfathers within the year. But all those emotions
Embed from Getty Images Basketball superstar LeBron James’ nonprofit voting organization More Than A Vote played an integral role in last week’s election by helping drive the record turnout of Black voters—a move that boosted former Vice President Joe Biden
On Election Day, before Joe Biden’s final stops on the campaign trail, he paid a stop to Greenville, Delaware. He attended Mass at Saint Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church. After the service, he visited his son, Beau, at
Around four years ago, I became a citizen of these “United” States. I was reluctant to become a citizen because of the reputation Americans had cultivated to outsiders—selfish people who did what they wanted and did everything gluttonously. With that,
The whole world has been waiting for this victory — for four years. As soon as The Associated Press called that Democratic nominee Joe Biden won the electoral vote of his native Pennsylvania, pushing him over the 270 electoral-vote threshold
This October, I celebrated the birthday of an emo icon. My Chemical Romance’s third album, The Black Parade, officially turned 14 years old in October 2020, meaning the album beloved by angsty teenagers everywhere is old enough to be an
Tags related to America have only trended once a while on the Chinese Twitter-like social media platform Weibo since the pandemic began. I remember seeing trending terms like “U.S. COVID-19 cases climb,” “Trump blamed China for coronavirus outbreak,” “Trump tested
My stomach has been in knots all day. I have already gotten into multiple arguments with my family members and peers regarding the presidential election. The sheer thought of another four years of this administration makes me feel as though
Tension is in the air on Election Day. Even across the world, people are anxious to know what lies ahead for the United States and how it will affect them for the next four years. Here in the Dominican Republic,
While I am cautiously optimistic about the outcome of this year’s election, I am not optimistic about the potential fallout. No matter what the results are, a lot of heavily-armed people may be really angry, and anger plus ammunition is
Several countries around the world are highly reliant on tourism for generating foreign exchange, attracting international investments, increasing tax revenue, and providing job opportunities. Many have had to slow down or completely shut down these sectors in order to control
Many people highly anticipate Election Day. Each and every voter sits staring at their TV screen, hoping they did enough for their candidate to win. This election is no different, and it carries even more weight and importance than previous
I’d give the Paramount Hotel three stars following my brief stay in the college’s on-campus quarantine residence hall. After showing symptoms of COVID-19 but receiving a negative test last week, I was advised by the college’s Center for Health and
Temperatures have started to dip below the sixties. The leaves in the Common are fluttering off the trees. The pumpkin spice latte is back. It’s official: fall is here. Yet there is a much more sinister season creeping up on
English poet Alexander Pope, once said “To err is human,” alluding to the fact that all people make mistakes. Some of these mistakes are more serious than others, like knocking over the coffee mug onto your expensive computer or accidentally
As a Latina woman, I’ve always been surrounded by happiness and the mindset that everything is fine. Even my grandma, who fought depression all her life, always put up a positive front. My mom—a single mother—never showed signs of weakness.
Although my luggage now collects dust and remains hidden in the depths of my closet, I often think back to the days when I traveled around Spain with my family. My parents are originally from Spain, but I was born
Donald Trump supporters and Democrats have one similar perception of this year’s election: that it will follow in the steps of 2016. Though it appears America is heavily divided on almost every important issue on the ballot, there is similar
“If you’re not going to wear a mask, at least wear a condom,” posters around Emerson dorm buildings read. However, safe sex means a lot more than just wearing a condom. Just because there’s a pandemic happening doesn’t mean people
“How’s the U.S. election vibe? Who do you think will win? Does any candidate pose policies that hurt China or international students?” I received this list of questions from family and close friends back home during the first presidential debate
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly transformed our college’s culture and the way we interact with others. After classes resumed in the fall, students adapted to their altered social lives — on and off-campus or remotely. We asked students to tell
Almost nothing about my 21st birthday will be how I imagined. It won’t take place in a crowded bar. My friends won’t buy me frozen margaritas and toast to another year in the books. I won’t celebrate in a nice
My mom lives in Westchester County, New York, a place that is most known for being the home of the Clintons’, and the last place Robert Durst’s wife was seen alive. After COVID-19 touched down in America, I was forced
*Content Warning: This article heavily references suicide and depression. The American Psychiatric Association defines mental illness as a medical condition, just like heart disease or diabetes. From my experience, however, it is usually treated as something else altogether. Earlier this September,
When I first heard the news of the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, I was in disbelief. I was aware that Ginsburg had been battling pancreatic cancer, but contemplating the possibility of her passing was too scary
For those of you who spent too much of your childhood obsessing over Legally Blonde and Beverly Hills, 90210, like me, you probably had an inflated image of what college life would be like when you got here. I imagined
This election season, a vast majority of the American population is likely going to vote by mail. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended just about everything in our American way of life, including the way we vote. Like anything else, voting
What does it mean to vote? When anyone casts their ballot in a normal year, they are fulfilling their civic responsibility as an American citizen. But this November, for the first time in a long time, there is a pandemic
Obviously, a lot has changed on campus because of the pandemic. But what bothers me the most is not the online classes, nor is it the frequent testing, social distancing, or mask-wearing. What I miss most is The Max. “But
Billy Brodeur is a senior studying comedic arts. On a walk to Paramount my sophomore year, I turned a corner and saw my friend Paul slumped on the ground. Paul is a homeless man in his late 60s who sports
Throughout my entire childhood, I always loved books. I forced my grandma to take me to the bookstore after my Friday classes every week, so that I could spend hours upon hours browsing the shelfs. In my literary journey, I’ve
In a room full of pessimists, I am the first to say that the world is going to hell. Nowadays, I cannot believe I am alone in that assertion, especially among my Gen Z peers who also attend Emerson College.
Jillian Kay is a middle blocker for the Emerson women’s volleyball team. Kay is a rising sophomore studying broadcast journalism. When COVID-19 cases first surged in March, I had no idea how much the virus would challenge my athletic identity.
When I first landed in the U.S. during high school, the customs officer asked me what I wanted to pursue as a career. When I told him journalism, his immediate reaction was to ask me, “So you want to work
Around this time each year since I officially entered Emerson, I’ve always found myself coming to campus with a certain worry. As an incoming first-year student two years ago, my biggest concern was if students and faculty thought I was
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. We connected quickly while text messaging and clicked on our first date. We
My boyfriend texted me right after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Monday that international students would need to leave the U.S. if their university transitions to online-only learning this fall. My first thought was, “Maybe this is a
Ever since I first became invested in sports, especially football, I have experienced situations where I wasn’t taken seriously due to my gender. As a young woman, I don’t look like someone who could easily name every Super Bowl champion
Maxx Carr created the Instagram account @blackatemerson, which presents Black students at Emerson with a platform to anonymously discuss the injustices they’ve experienced on campus. Carr is a second-year student majoring in creative writing. I grew up in New York
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 walked into a Georgian Nordstrom to window shop, and a white sales associate approached and
When I was a sophomore in high school, one of my classmates asked for donations through a GoFundMe link on her Facebook page. When I clicked on the link, I expected her fundraiser to cover the cost of family medical
When I am slated to waitress my restaurant’s closing shift, suggesting new appetizers and giving wine recommendations is something I usually look forward to. Dining at a restaurant is meant to be a relaxing night without the responsibility of cooking.
Claire Rodenbush is the Student Government Association Executive President for the 2020–21 academic year. Rodenbush is a third-year student studying creative writing. The following is a message to the Emerson Board of Trustees: You have a moral obligation to significantly
I didn’t even notice the heavy blanket that formed on my body at first. I didn’t even notice my depression and anxiety were triggered. I never thought I would have to leave campus without emotional preparation, I thought I had
I started writing love columns by accident. One Wednesday during the first semester of my sophomore year, my boyfriend at the time broke up with me at approximately 5:30 p.m. I had a Beacon production meeting at 6 p.m. So,
Last semester posed an interesting dilemma for my love life. I had just emerged from a serious, long-term relationship in October 2019, and I planned on studying abroad at Kasteel Well the following semester. I approached my dating life very
Kaitlyn Bryson is a senior at Emerson College and serves as a student representative on the Title IX working group created by President M. Lee Pelton in the summer of 2019. She is also a contributing Op-Ed writer. Last spring,
After multiple rips from a bong and eating a whole package of cookies, I found myself sprawled on the floor of my freshman year dorm, full. I had just made my way through four episodes of Face/Off and one package
Today, I did something I hadn’t done in a while. I went outside to meet up with some friends—except, I didn’t leave my sofa. My friends and I went fishing, visited a few shops, and even took a trip to the
On March 6, all 81 Kasteel Well students were brought back to Boston by the college due to rising concerns about the spread of COVID-19. We were told this decision was made out of the best interest for our safety—yet
Recently, my dad told me on the phone that after 70 days of home quarantine, he was finally able to go out following China’s ease on their lockdown. I almost screamed when hearing this good news. COVID-19 had forced him
In an email to the Class of 2020, President M. Lee Pelton announced that Commencement on May 9 and 10 will be postponed. “No doubt, this news comes to you already anticipated,” he said. Maybe I’m an unwavering optimist, but
On Friday, March 13, Emerson College announced it would close its residence halls, effectively kicking us all out of our dorms. Across campus, students cried, raided The Max, and frantically texted their parents. Only the night before, in 172 Tremont,
The view from the third floor of 172 Tremont St. may not look different from only a week ago but the tone and anxiety permeating Boston is tangible. Excuse the cliche, but one could cut through the stress and distraught
A few weekends ago, I went bar hopping with my friends in Amsterdam. You would probably expect me to be dancing and singing to the reggaeton music playing at the bar, living my best life abroad. Instead, my mind was
On Tuesday, I followed along on my phone as I flew back to Boston and watched school after school announce their plans to address the COVID-19 outbreak. My boyfriend received the notification that his school, Suffolk University, would be moving
A few weeks ago, I scrolled on my TikTok “For You” page and stumbled across a video of a white girl claiming that every race can be racist. I stared in shock for a few seconds before reading the comment
The quote “put yourself in someone else’s shoes” takes a hard look at empathy. Whenever I see a “Masshole” driving in Boston, I just remember my mom telling me, “they probably just really need to poop.” While I chuckle on
Every year when October rolls around, I dread filling out the application for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA. It takes me weeks to complete over 100 questions while I walk my mom through
A major winter storm raged across northern Europe, Feb. 9 and delayed transport back to the Netherlands as Kasteel Well students wrapped up their first independent travel weekend.
2020 marks the 110-year anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. This year will also mark the first time in history a Scouting organization announced bankruptcy after several hundred sexual abuse lawsuits were filed against the BSA. Other branches of
It was 2007, and I distinctly remember opening up my seventh birthday present: a black SanDisk MP3 player. At the time, I thought I was the coolest first-grader in the world. I blew out my candles and immediately ran downstairs
When I look in the mirror, I don’t recognize the face that looks back at me as completely “mine.” Of course, I know it’s my face. I’ve never undergone any sort of cosmetic surgery nor do I want to. When
The ‘college triangle’ states that students can only have two of the following: good grades, a social life, and enough sleep. The first time I saw this triangle years ago, I chose to prioritize “good grades” and “social life” without
As a college student studying in a new city, finding relationships isn’t as easy as it seems. There are nightclubs, parties, and dating apps, but in my experience, none of those ever lead to anything serious. From what I realized,
‘Tis the season—The Bachelor season. While I’m excited about The Bachelor, Peter Weber’s fantasy suite dates, and glad the drama of stolen champagne bottles are behind us, I’m worried about watching next Monday night’s episode. I’m especially worried for Victoria
In my sophomore year of high school, I was excited to find out about a course called Asian Studies. The popular course focused on the significance of Indian religion, traditions, holidays, food, traditional clothing, and music, and incorporated field trips
Texts are an ineffective means of resolving conflict. I was frustrated by one of my friends’ actions. She said mean things about me behind my back, and I needed to confront her about it. I spent 15 minutes crafting the
Every year, Feb. 14 represents a day of love. Valentine’s Day. But this year, and for every year of the rest of their lives, many people will not celebrate love and instead mourn the deaths caused by this hateful act
Last summer, a clip of U.S. Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez went viral on Twitter. Standing alongside fellow Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley, she shouts into the camera, “Experience doesn’t pay the bills!” Ocasio-Cortez is highlighting the challenge I and so
In my five years spent studying in the U.S., I’ve never been so worried about my family in China as I have now. When my dad recently said over the phone it was fortunate for me to return to the
In 2009, Spread the Word gained traction in the public school system of Colchester, Connecticut, my hometown, as well as in schools across the country. The campaign spread awareness about the derogatory and negative connotations that the “R-word” holds towards
When I was around ten years old, I watched a miniseries titled Roots that explored generations upon generations of slavery. At such a young age, I never connected the characters of Roots and their suffering with my ancestors. As I
It’s been more than a month since the first report of the novel coronavirus from Wuhan, China. According to the World Health Organization’s latest Novel Coronavirus Situation Report, as of Feb. 3, there have been 17,391 cases confirmed, of which
The first time I tried sushi in a Boston restaurant, I noticed something was off — it didn’t taste like the sushi I grew up eating in the Philippines. There was a lack of something but I couldn’t put my
Sometimes, binge watching is your only hinge.
I arrived at Emerson in fall 2018 where I quickly noticed my environment consisted of mostly white students and people. While I never mind being taught by a white professor, I never noticed the impact of learning under a professor
Like most pre-teens and teenagers, I looked to TV shows, movies, and books to figure out who I was and who I wanted to be when I was younger. Middle school is when I started to struggle with my identity
“You’re being held on Section 12 involuntary hospitalization,” the psychiatrist said in a calm and collected manner, seemingly unfazed by the unnerving shrieks of the patient in the adjacent unit. It was 9:30 p.m. and I had been waiting in
If there was one song that no one could escape hearing in 2019, it would be Lil Nas X’s country-trap banger “Old Town Road.” The song went diamond in the U.S., and holds the record for most time spent at
As a person who enjoys meeting new people, I hate introducing myself. To be more specific, I hate telling people where I’m from while doing self-introductions because some people are only interested in the fact that I am from China
I am a Taurus sun sign with Cancer moon and Venus placements. Astrologically speaking, that means I’m a clingy little baby when it comes to relationships. It means I get attached to people too easily and I break my own
Last January, Devour Foods, a subdivision of the Kraft Heinz Company, aired a Super Bowl commercial to promote their frozen foods. The commercial focuses on a wife who reveals that her husband suffers from frozen food porn addiction. With somber
It’s that time of the year. With tree lights dancing and snowflakes swirling, the holiday hype starts with people shopping for Christmas decorations and gifts. College students are getting ready to go home for a long cozy break with their
My New Year’s resolution was to take my vitamins every day. I wanted something simple and attainable considering 2020 is the big year I graduate and start my career. However, my boyfriend said it was lame and I shouldn’t be
A few weeks ago, I received a text from a friend. “My man you know I love you,” she began. “But you just got out of a serious long term long-distance relationship. I know you are infatuated with this girl
I’ve been stereotyped before. Last week, my neighbor told me that I speak like a white person, as if African Americans cannot speak properly. When I was around the age of ten, a counselor at a Girl Scout camp complimented
The print redesign. The new flag. A new office. Increased metro coverage. The Marlboro acquisition. The deaths of Daniel Hollis and Moses Shumow. Controversial legislation from the SGA Treasurer. The removal of WEBN’s advisor. The list goes on and on
After I started dating my boyfriend my second semester of freshman year, I quickly found out the college-provided health insurance covers birth control pills. I immediately went to the Health and Wellness Center and started myself on Larissa, a hormone
My mom peer-pressured me to drink in high school. When I say peer-pressured, I do not mean she encouraged me to do keg stands or taught me how to play flip cup while downing as many beers as possible. With
This winter break I’m bringing home two suitcases: one full of clothes, one empty. I’ll fill the empty one with frozen Filipino food like sapin-sapin (layered glutinous rice and coconut dessert), Mama Sita’s special Filipino marinades, silvanas (two frozen cashew-meringue
Holding television characters accountable for their actions is a relatively new concept that, when attempted, usually falls flat. The victim is often left as nothing more than just that, and the perpetrator is considered redeemable. Despite the ground we have covered
Have you ever been ghosted by an internship? You start by pouring your heart and soul into a word-vomit cover letter and a resume that exemplifies your can-do spirit and your superior efficiency in Microsoft Office. Finally, you press “send” on the
My high school boyfriend’s dreary old minivan was a staple in our driveway. He hugged my mom when they crossed paths in public, watched football games with my brother, and lovingly tackled my dog when he came through the front
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