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The Nation’s Oldest Continuously Published College Weekly Friday, November 30, 2018 Volume 148, Number 11 bowdoinorient.com
‘Dawnland’
confronts brutality
toward Wabanaki
to advancing the cultural and
by Alyce McFadden social well-being of indigenous
Orient Staff
people in Maine.
Bowdoin College sits on sto- Following the afternoon dis-
len land. The area campus occu- cussion, Mazo and Burns an-
pies today was once part of the swered questions from students
Wabanaki Confederacy and was and community members in
integral to the cultural identity Kresge Auditorium at an evening
and survival of a network of screening of “Dawnland,” which
indigenous tribes. When Eu- was released earlier this year. The
ropeans colonists arrived, they documentary details the work of
embarked on a program of era- the Truth and Reconciliation
sure and cultural genocide that Commission (TRC), a board of
continues today. five commissioners established
Adam Mazo, the co-director by the Maine State government
and producer of the documen- in 2012 to gather information
tary film “Dawnland,” explained about the separation of Wabana-
this history to a room of students ki children from their families
MINDY LEDER, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
and community members in a and tribal heritage.
discussion on Thursday after-
noon.
Records from the TRC are
housed at Bowdoin in Haw-
Western African Music Ensemble performs in Kanbar Auditorium. SEE PAGE 7.
“It’s especially important for thorne Longfellow Library in
people in Wabanaki territory the George J. Mitchell Special
onate with others in the same ten sent to prison, while their translation services,” Dave said. Please see RAICES, page 3
N CHANGES TO TITLE IX A LAUGHING OUT LOUD F STORIES IN STOWE S FOOTBALL COACH FIRED O SLIPPERY SLOPES
The College reviews sexual assault policies Alums’ documetary spotlights vernacular A historic residence is fostering new and J.B. Wells will not return for the 2019 season. Lowell Ruck ’21 explains how climate
after new guidelines. Page 3. comedy in South Africa. Page 7. collaborative student writing. Page 9. He leaves with a 3-31 record. Page 12. change affects Maine’s skiing. Page 15.
2 Friday, November 30, 2018
2 PAGE TWO
SECURITY REPORT
11/16 to 11/29 STUDENT SPEAK:
Have you ever had an imaginary friend?
Friday, November 16 Saturday, November 24
• An intoxicated minor was transported to Mid Coast • A fire alarm at Stowe Inn was triggered by carbon
Hospital.
• The dean’s office requested a wellness checks for
monoxide detection.
• An officer recovered a bike that a student had re-
Elise Morano ’20
two students. Both were fine.
• A student reported the theft of a black Genesis
ported stolen.
“Sometimes I read books or papers in
mountain bike, Bowdoin reg: 04901. The bike had
been left unlocked near Chamberlain Hall.
Monday, November 26
• Loud music at Stowe Inn generated a late-night com- my professors’ voices. Does that count?
• Two local residents were asked to leave campus
after they appeared at a
plaint of noise.
• A student with flu-like Or are they just haunting me?”
registered event at Mac- symptoms was transported to
Millan House. Mid Coast Hospital.
Word-Up!
CREATED BY AUGUST RICE
DAWNLAND
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
December Dance Concert DYNAMIC DECEMBER: Over 60 students will REUBEN SCHAFIR, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
perform a large variety of compositions, from modern
dance to cultural choreography, dancing to iconic
tunes such as “Can You Feel It” by The Jacksons.
to showcase department’s
successful semester
choreography, especially in the individual voices.”
by Brianna Cunliffe duets that form the center of one Gwyneth Jones enjoys watch-
Orient Staff
of the pieces. ing the students grow into
A semester’s worth of work by “Some of the movement be- performance and leadership
Bowdoin dancers will come to longs to them, and we work with roles. Not just dancers, but also
life in Pickard Theater tonight. it, and they teach each other,” the people behind the curtain.
Six unique pieces will represent said Gwyneth Jones. “And then Lights and staging have been
nearly every dance class from some of the movement I’ve an integral part of bringing this
the department, as over 60 stu- made. But the dance would be performance to life, and staff
dents grace the stage at the De- different if there was another and student techs have been
cember Dance Concert. person instead of the dancer working hard since well before
Produced by Senior Lectur- there originally.” Thanksgiving.
er in Dance and Performance Dancers come to the stage “It’s terrific to see what
Gwyneth Jones and featuring with vastly different back- people thought they couldn’t
choreography by her, Assistant grounds, from first-time per- do and then realize that they
Professor of Dance Adanna formers in Gwyneth Jones’ In- can, that they are doing it, you
Jones and Assistant Professor of troduction to Modern Dance to know—and that takes a while
Dance Aretha Aoki, the annual Bowdoin’s first and thus far only to see that in yourself. It’s eas-
concert is the product of a dy- dance major, Lucia Gagliardone ier to see it when you’re on the
namic, growing department. ’20. But for students like Brooke outside,” Gwyneth Jones said.
Courses like Adanna Jones’ Wrubel ’21, the most remarkable “We think we don’t change, but
“Cultural Choreographies” bring end product is the community we do.”
together cultural histories and that has formed. Dance concerts always draw
movements, which will be show- “It truly does not matter how out the community, she added.
cased at the concert. At the same much dance experience some- “People bring their kids!”
time, repertoire focused courses, one has or hasn’t had—we are Gwyneth Jones said. “And I
such as “Advanced Repertory and all sharing the stage and dancing think, partially, it’s because the
Performance” taught by Gwyneth together,” she said. work is strong. But also because
Jones, have performance at their As part of the “Modern II: it’s free!”
epicenter. Repertory and Performance” “I think any time that you’re
Between four weekly hours of class, Wrubel has experienced exposed to any type of art, it
class and lengthy tech rehearsals, firsthand the collaborative, changes the way you look at
Gwyneth Jones says it’s always hands-on nature of the creation things and provokes conversa-
a privilege to watch the dances of these dances. tion,” she added. “I think that’s
take shape. She says the dances “Gwyneth Jones blended our just a win all the way around.”
are formed around the dancers phrases while also infusing her The December Dance Con-
themselves—their identity, per- own choreography,” said Wrubel. cert will be in Pickard Theater
sonality, quantity and capacity. “There’s something really power- at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Satur-
Jones designs around music, and ful about performing a piece that day night and at 2:00 p.m. on
students play an active role in is reflective of the five of us as Sunday.
Friday, November 30, 2018 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 7
F FEATURES
Historic house
fosters new writing
hopes that in future years other
by Lucas Weitzenberg students and writing groups
Orient Staff
will begin to utilize the space
There is no single leader of for their own programs and
the Stowe Writers House, a new projects.
writing collective on Bowdoin’s The Stowe Writer’s House
campus. It is a purely collabora- Instagram account describes
tive space, devoid of hierarchy, the group as non-academic and
deadlines and judgement. non-judgmental.
Loosely modelled off of “I think that it’s hard to
the Kelly Writers House at do creative writing on this
the University of Pennsylva- campus in a place that isn’t
nia, the Stowe Writers House where you’re also doing work
group was conceived last year or learning in some way or in
through a collaboration be- the library or in Smith [Union] REUBEN SCHAFIR, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
tween students and Professor or in your dorm,” said Weed. CREATIVE COLLECTIVE: Students, like Aida Muratoglu ’21 (above), work in the
of Africana Studies and En- “This is a problem for a lot same space where Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote parts of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
glish Tess Chakkalakal. The of the people that we’ve been
choice of this space is import- working with, who say they students share is entirely up to To ensure the collective’s
ant to both Chakkalakal and can’t write creatively in these them. The goal of these hours, longevity, these students are
the students involved, as it is places.” explained Weed, is to block out currently drafting a sustainable
the same residence in which it’s She went on to describe how a chunk of time from students’ leadership model that will es-
namesake, the famous aboli- writing can be a fantastic way to busy schedules to come, write tablish quotas for members of
tionist, Harriet Beecher Stowe, destress from academic and ex- and collaborate with fellow each grade to fill positions that
is said to have composed parts tracurricular experiences and writers. Additionally, the group will later become necessary. On
of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” how the nonjudgmental aspect has hosted a day-long retreat top of this, the group will con-
Aida Muratoglu ’21, Franny of the group makes the Stowe and is holding a storytelling tinue to work with faculty ad-
Weed ’21, Aisha Rickford ’20 Writer’s House a place where hour this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. visors who oversee larger-scale
and Bridget Hoke ’20 took over students can come to get shelter “We hope that the house be- programming. They currently
the project this fall. from the stresses of academic comes a home for other writers’ meet informally with Chakka-
“All of us found ourselves judgment. groups on campus, such as the lakal and Director of Writing
frustrated that there isn’t a “It can be really positive to Poetry Society or the Quill,” and Rhetoric Meredith McCar-
space for students to come to- create something that isn’t be- said Muratoglu. roll for these larger scale proj-
gether and be writers on cam- ing criticized by other people,” Muratoglu added that she ects. They are also sponsored
pus,” said Muratoglu. Weed said. hopes that having this collabo- by the Writing and Rhetoric
But, the four clarified, they The group currently hosts rative writing space on campus Program.
don’t want to be thought of as open writing hours on Wednes- will encourage more writing “Everyone is a writer, and
the leaders of the group. The days from 7 to 8 p.m .and Fri- groups to form. Weed, too, writing should never be a sol-
house is a safe space where days from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednes- emphasized how vital it is that itary activity,” said Muratoglu.
those interested in creative days are a free writing period, the collective remains connect- “Regardless of writing ability
writing can go to write and col- while on Fridays writers are ed to many writing groups, so or level of interest in creative
laborate. They are simply initi- given a prompt. The group then that the nonjudgmental group writing, the Stowe Writers
ating the house’s writing-based workshops these pieces togeth- mentality of the Stowe Writers House will welcome everyone,
programming this year with the er, though the degree to which House remains intact. free of judgment.”
Airport and left on my 48- I wanted was to call my mom Maine, my true home by Home is my happy place. It fortable. Whether it be the
DOWN UNDER: A HOME hour voyage to New Zealand and ask her to come up for definition, five months later, is the things, the places and Southern Alps of New Zea-
AWAY FROM HOME with tears in my eyes as I said dinner. Instead, I slumped into I now understand home is a the people that have brought land or our little cottage in
I’ve always been a home- goodbye to my family. my brown sheets and for the lot of things. Home isn’t just a me true elation. Home keeps Falmouth, home to me now
body. I grew up in Falmouth, It felt weird. Unpacking, first time in my college career, physical place where my fam- me grounded and sane. Home extends its boundaries to
Maine and coincidentally that is. I lugged my suitcases I was truly homesick. ily and I reside. Home isn’t makes me feel safe and com- many different places and
decided to go to school just down the stairs of my new My feelings started to just the ability for family to people throughout the world.
thirty minutes up the road in home in Dunedin and ripped change when three other come up to school on the Hannah Donovan is
Brunswick. To some folks, my open my bags that were burst- friends and I purchased a weekends. Home is a member of the
college decision seemed crazy. ing at the seams. Something 1998 Toyota Caldina. This so much more Class of 2020.
Why go to school so close? about taking my belongings car allowed us freedom to than that.
Don’t you want to get out of out of my suitcase and putting explore. No longer were we
there? To answer these ques- them in these new spaces felt stuck in the boundaries of
tions, I’ve always ended up wrong. When I moved into Dunedin. We went from the
giving some long-winded ex- Bowdoin the process was a East Coast to the West Coast,
planation about how I’ve man- celebration. Bowdoin wel- studying the differing, yet
aged to make Bowdoin feel as comes all its first years with magnificent landscapes. We
far away or close to home as open arms and excitement. camped in caves where little
I’ve wanted. But in reality, I That was the only move-in blue penguins lived, on the
just love Maine, my town and I knew. For the first time, I shores of glacial lakes and
my family—it wasn’t a place I found myself entirely on my in huts overlooking the
wanted to leave just yet. own—there was no “meet the Southern Alps. Along
With the whirlwind of parents” or orientation trip to these many adventures
schoolwork, club activities look forward to. we met a host of new
and social events at Bowdoin, I lived in an apartment, people—fire spinners,
I hardly ever take the 30-min- which natives to the island retired grandparents
ute drive to Falmouth. But the (known as kiwis) call a flat, who enjoy hiking and
ability to go home, or have my where I had my own room silly ski patrol staff
parents and sister come up has with a full-sized bed. I shared members.
always been readily accessible. the flat with three other stu- With each excursion
Unlike most college students, dents, one of whom was a kiwi we set out on, I began
I have had the privilege of in graduate school. My bed laying my roots in these
rarely feeling homesick—and sheets were brown and my car- unique places and ex-
until I travelled abroad I pet was a burnt, unsettling red, periences. Home was no
didn’t understand how fortu- much like the couches first longer defined by a familiar
nate I am. years at Bowdoin have in their and comfortable living space,
This past July, the security dorms. Not only was the decor but instead by the people with
and comfort I had consistent- cold and uninviting, but I also whom I was sharing these new
ly felt at Bowdoin and in Fal- hadn’t brought anything to put and exciting trips. The dis-
mouth were taken from me. on my walls—my suitcases comfort of my flat faded into
I embarked on a five month were filled to the brim and the the background as it became
journey to the South Island of astronomical fees associated a place I used for sleeping and
New Zealand for a semester with travelling abroad made storing my belongings—noth- SYDNEY REAPER
abroad. On June 28, I checked space and weight precious. I ing more.
my bags at Boston Logan felt uneasy. In that moment, all Having arrived back in
Friday, November 30, 2018 11
12 Friday, November 30, 2018
S SPORTS
HIGHLIGHT Men’s basketball looks to improve defensive strategy
REEL
by Benjamin Mason
CREAM OF THE CROP: Orient Staff
Moctar Niang ’19 was With five games under its belt
named an All-American by (2-3), the men’s basketball team
the United Soccer Coaches is in full swing with high expec-
this week. He ends his tations for the season. Coming
college career with a First off a 83-70 loss against Colby (5-
Team All-New England 1) yesterday, the team will face
selection and his third Pine Manor (1-6) on Saturday in
Morell Gym at 1 p.m.
First Team All-NESCAC
“We are guardedly optimis-
selection. In addition, Julia tic about this season,” said Head
Patterson ’19, Morgen Coach Tim Gilbride.
Gallagher ’20, Drake Byrd Gilbride acknowledged that
’21 and Matty McColl ’19 the NESCAC is a competitive
also earned All-Region conference, but he has faith in
awards. Patterson has been his team.
named to the First-Team “We’re just going to take
All-NESCAC three things one game at a time, but
I think we are capable of com-
times, while Gallagher was
peting with the top teams in our
Rookie of the Year in 2016. conference,” said Gilbride. “So
Byrd and McColl both that’s certainly going to be our
left their mark by scoring goal—to try to win it.”
game-winning goals in key The team’s dynamic is a key
matches. component to meeting these
high expectations. EZRA SUNSHINE, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
TOP OF THE CLASS: “We have a nice balance H-O-R-S-E: Zavier Rucker ’21 leaps over a Colby opponent in the team’s home opener on Thursday. The Polar Bears lost 83-70, bringing their record to 2-5.
This week, 82 Bowdoin of guys that are coming back
that are experienced and some In their wins, the Polar Bears for other teams to score and conference games in the second petitive, it usually sends mul-
student-athletes were
newcomer players that we have averaged a stellar 102 whether we can take away what semester. While these games are tiple teams to the NCAA tour-
recognized with NESCAC think can contribute as well,” points per game. they like to do best [dictates non-conference, they are still nament.
All-Academic and All- Gilbride said. “We’re a good offensive our success].” important to the team’s success. “There is an automatic bid
Sportsmanship honors. He also noted particularly team, and shoot the ball well However, the team has Even if Bowdoin does not for the conference winner for
All-Academic honorees strong play by Zavier Rucker when we’re executing,” said showed promise due to a new finish the season as the Men’s the NCAA tournament, and
must have reached ’21, the starting point guard, Gilbride. “We’re very unselfish; defensive strategy. The team Basketball NESCAC cham- usually our conference gets
sophomore standing and and Sam Grad ’21, one of the it’s always a team effort and plans to mix up its defensive pions, there is still a hope for three or four and, sometimes,
maintained a GPA of at team’s forwards. guys move the ball to find bet- schemes, switching between them to get the prized bid to the even five [bids],” said Gilbride.
least 3.5. All-Sportsmanship After a 2-2 start to the sea- ter shooters, to get them a lot of man-to-man coverage and zone NCAA DIII tournament. But it The NESCAC league consists
son, including wins against shots when they can. So that’s coverage in hopes of keeping all comes down to non-confer- of 11 teams, and the top eight
recipients are commended
Worcester State (3-4) and the when we are at our best—on opponents off balance. ence games. teams proceed to playoffs at the
for the respect they University of New England (1- the offensive end.” The team is currently in the “You want to have a good year’s end. So, as long as Bow-
show their team, coaches 5) and losses to Albertus Mag- At the same time, Bowdoin middle of its non-conference overall record, strength of doin is able to maintain a spot
and opponents. Three nus (5-2) and Babson (4-2), the has run into some difficulties. schedule, which consists a to- schedule and all that kind of in the first eight spots in the
students, Connor Rockett team has learned its strengths “Defense is the biggest chal- tal of 14 games that take place stuff to help you get a bid,” said conference, it will have a chance
’19, Anna Barnes ’20 and and the aspects of the game that lenge for us. Whether we can throughout the first semester, Gilbride. at achieving its goal of finishing
Johna Cook ’19 received it needs to address. consistently make it difficult and will be mixed in with the 10 Since the NESCAC is com- at the top.
both All-Academic and
All-Sportsmanship awards.
Rockett and Barnes run
cross country, and Cook is
on the field hockey team. Head football coach leaves College with 3-31 record
have in the program.” love Coach Wells for every-
NO.1 ON THE COURT: Two by Ian Ward Wells was midway through thing he’s done for us,” said
Orient Staff
NCAA DIII polls ranked the fourth year of his five- Roshaun Christopher ’22.
women’s basketball (4-0, J.B. Wells will not return year contract, which extends “Even though the wins may
0-0 NESCAC) first in as head coach of the football through the end of the 2020 not be there, who he is as a
the nation. After losing to team, the College announced academic year. Although his person—we’ll never forget
in a November 15 press release. oversight of football opera- that.”
Amherst in the NCAA DIII
Wells, who led the Polar Bears tions has ceased, he will be However, players under-
championship last winter, to a 1-8 record in his fourth compensated for the remain- stand that, at the end of the
the Polar Bears started season as head coach, will fin- der of his contract period. day, business is business, and
their 2018-19 season ranked ish his career with an overall Of the team’s seven assis- the program is looking for
second. Undefeated thus record of 3-31, having led the tant coaches, five will remain wins.
far, the team rose to the top team through the longest losing on staff, while two may be re- “You look back at the re-
spot after Amherst (3-1, 0-0 streak in program history of 24 placed at the new head coach’s cord, and it’s 3-31 over four
NESCAC) lost to Eastern games between November of discretion. Ryan declined to years. That speaks for itself,”
Connecticut. 2015 and November of 2018. specify further which coaches said Gowetski. “Wells took all
Wells’ four years with the this arrangement affects. the right steps except for get-
team will mark the shortest Despite the team’s poor ting wins in the wins column.”
HATS OFF TO YOU: Albert tenure of any head football performance during Wells’ Wells’ dismissal leaves the
Washco ’22 led the men’s coach since Peter Kostaco- tenure, his dismissal caught team in a temporary period of
hockey team (2-3) last poulos’ three-year run be- players off guard. limbo until the College names
Sunday in a game against tween 1965 and 1967. Bow- “Everyone was a little a replacement, which it aims
SUNY Potsdam (5-4). doin’s last three head coaches surprised,” said Captain Joe to do by mid-January, barring
Although the Polar Bears served respectively 15, 16 and Gowetski ’20. “I was definitely logistical setbacks. The Col-
lost 6-4, Washco scored the 16 seasons. expecting one more year, just lege has retained the services
first hat trick of his college According to the Ashmead the way I was talking with the of the Atlanta-based Parker
White Director of Athletics coaches after the season. No Executive Search to oversee
career. The team heads
Tim Ryan, the team’s poor re- one really seemed like they the search process.
to Colby tomorrow for its cord under Wells’ leadership were on their way out, least of Regardless of personnel COURTESY OF BRIAN BEARD
first confrontation with its necessitated a change. all Wells.” changes, the new head coach PASSING ON THE PLAYBOOK: Head Football Coach J.B. Wells on the side-
long-time rival. Colby will “We made some progress Moreover, after a rocky will have to surmount many lines. Last week, the College announced Wells will not be returning for next season.
then travel to Brunswick to with J.B. as our head coach, transition following Coach of the same barriers that
face the Polar Bears once but we just haven’t seen quite Dave Caputi’s departure in stood between Wells’ staff and face the additional challenge is going about business as
again in Watson Arena on as much progress as we would 2014, Wells had come to earn success, including an unfa- of ingratiating themself with usual, having begun its typ-
January 26. have liked to have seen after the respect and admiration of vorable recruiting landscape, four recruiting-classes’ worth ical off-season strength and
four years,” said Ryan. “Un- much of the team, especially a lengthy history of gridiron of players who they did not conditioning program. As
COMPILED BY KATHRYN MCGINNIS fortunately, we just hadn’t had its younger players. struggles and an alumni base recruit. Gowetski concluded, “Same
the success that we aspire to “All the guys on the team itching for success. They will In the meantime, the team game, new coach.”
Friday, November 30, 2018 SPORTS 13
Men’s and women’s squash teams kick off the season together
upcoming season. The women,
by Sophie Friedman led by Natasha Belsky ’19, has a
Orient Staff
notably young roster with only six
Sitting in the Lubin Family upperclassmen out of 13 players.
Squash Center, you can hear the Having lost five players from last
pop of a squash ball hitting the year, this year’s main focus is de-
wall and the sharp turn of sneak- veloping the skills of newcomers.
er on wood. The glass spans the “We are lucky to have a lot of
room, encasing the seven squash freshmen and a lot of freshman
courts on which the Bowdoin beginners,” Fortson said. “With
men’s and women’s teams both the women’s team traditionally,
practice. we’ve invited athletes who’ve nev-
While Head Coach Tomas er played before. And within a
Fortson has been coaching at year or so they can become good
Bowdoin for 18 years, the wom- enough to compete.”
en’s tennis coach Paul Holbach, Unlike many varsity sports,
known as Hobie to his players, both the men’s and women’s
joined the squash team as an as- squash teams not only welcome
sistant coach only two years ago. but depend on walk-on players.
Although he maintains that his Players possess a range of skills
tennis skills don’t transfer per- and experience: a handful are
fectly, he’s still able to assist with recruited, some played in high
strategy and mental game. school and a few had never played
The men’s and women’s teams squash before arriving at Bowdo-
practice separately, but travel to in. Both the coaches and experi-
matches together, developing a enced players support newcom-
sense of camaraderie. Both teams ers, bringing them up to speed.
have approached their pre-sea- Fortson believes in “apply- MINDY LEDER, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
son training with a strong work ing the same standards” to all RICOCHET: Lex Horwitz ’19 rallies on the squash court. Both the men’s and women’s team began their seasons on Wednesday, falling to Bates 8-1 and 9-0 respectively.
ethic and motivation, occasion- players, offering lots of technical
ally shedding their characteristic skill support at the beginning ter and working on the things has four experienced freshman Tomorrow, the team will take And that was because they sat
seriousness for goofy costumes of the season. Jeannie Davis ’20 I needed to improve on,” she who Captain Satya Butler ’19 on Trinity, renowned not only some people,” said Fortson.
when they come together for joint said that the more experienced said. “And I think this year that’s thinks will “make an immediate within the squash world, but Fortson, who began playing
“High Tin” practices. On these players tend to teach their new going to be a really important impact.” in the world of College sports in Mexico, says there are excel-
special occasions, players attempt teammates about the “etiquette mentality for all of us.” Going into this season, Butler at large. The Bantam’s boast the lent squash players in England,
to compete dressed as bananas, of squash—the sportsmanship Last year, the women’s team is hopeful about the team’s sched- longest consecutive winning Egypt, Australia, Pakistan, In-
Christmas trees or whatever else and the attitude.” made the finals in the Epps ule and is itching to beat Colby. streak in all college sports. dia, and other parts of Europe
they wish. However, as the sea- Davis, who began playing division. With some of that “We are certainly looking for- About half of Trinity’s players and South America. Many of
son began for both teams with a squash as a first year, believes momentum and with the support ward to playing Colby because are international, while Bowdo- these players hope to play in
loss against Bates on Wednesday, this supportive aspect is import- of veteran players, they hope to that’s always a good match,” in focuses its recruiting resourc- the States and get an American
they opted for their traditional ant. She strives to focus on small present a united, cohesive front Butler said. “Especially this year, es nationally. education.
uniforms. goals. “Like when I play tough this season. because it seems like they’re go- “If we ever win a match, or The Polar Bears will be playing
Both teams have different teams, not necessarily focusing The men’s team, however, ing to be a weaker team, so we lose 8-1, which I think has hap- Trinity at the Lubin Family Squash
approaches and goals for this on winning, but on getting bet- only graduated one senior and could [beat them].” pened twice, that’s a big party. Center on Saturday at 3 p.m.
14 Friday, November 30, 2018
O OPINION
Local alliance
Before email existed, on Thursday nights the Orient staff would create pages
by pasting words and images onto boards and hand delivering them to the
press room of Alliance Press in Brunswick, our printer of more than thirty
years. Soon, however, we will be extremely grateful that we now submit pages
as emailed PDFs, because Alliance Press is moving to South Portland.
The Orient isn’t the only small-town newspaper that’s been published in
Brunswick over the last few years. The Brunswick Times Record prints there,
along with other local and college papers, and this move will likely require
changes for each of these papers’ production processes.
Alliance Press is doing all that they can to make sure that the Orient can still
be published in a timely fashion every Friday without significant cost increas-
es, and we’re still figuring out exactly how the move will affect us. Whatever
happens, we want to acknowledge that this is not Alliance Press’s fault—they’re
making the best of this situation, and we are grateful for that. However, for
another college or local paper, a move like this could be the final straw that
forces them to significantly alter their publication process or prevents them
from publishing altogether.
This is but one small stab in a larger attack on local journalism. The number
of daily newspapers in the United States has dropped 26 percent since 1970.
According to the Columbia Journalism Review, local newspaper circulation
numbers have dropped by roughly 30 percent over the past 15 years. In the past
decade, overall newspaper newsroom employment has dropped by 45 percent.
What happens when newsrooms shrink? It becomes harder for reporters
to meaningfully cover their communities on a daily basis. A study out of the
University of Illinois earlier this year found that local governments become
less fiscally responsible. A 2015 study from researchers at American University
and George Washington University found that a diminished news environment
DY
decreases political engagement, too.
NNE
As journalists, we’re particularly interested in this aspect of the issue, but
LY KE
similar phenomena are occurring in many other industries as well. Local busi-
MOL
nesses are forced to move out or shut down when their rents go up. Jobs are
becoming increasingly concentrated in major cities, and rural and suburban
communities are left behind.
This editorial represents the majority view of the Bowdoin Orient’s editorial board, secret. The white people are doing this as lives. Other articles have taken this tack to
which is composed of Nell Fitzgerald, Dakota Griffin, George Grimbilas, Calder a sort of ritual designed to make the gods contextualize “cargo cults” within modern
Beyond Belief
McHugh, Devin McKinney and Jessica Piper. send the goods to them, the cargo.” American materialism.
by Emma Newbery
In this 1960 documentary, the island- A second angle, however, perhaps pres-
ers are limited to a ritual lens through ents a more nuanced conclusion than direct
As a documentary and irony enthusi- which to see the world. The implication is, comparison. For as Melton also acknowl-
ast, I spent Black Friday watching “Waiting moreover, that this is a less sophisticated edges in his 1985 article, messianic proph-
for John: An Island Cult Worships Amer- worldview. As Attenborough suggests, ecy is not the sole tenet of any one religion.
ican Materialism.” The 2015 documentary the only way the islanders can conceive Though it is certainly a facet of worship,
ESTABLISHED 1871 centers on the John Frum movement on of American military practice is through a given movement “must also develop a
Tanna, an island in the archipelago of a potential communication with the gods. group life within which ritual can be per-
bowdoinorient.com orient@bowdoin.edu 6200 College Station Brunswick, ME 04011 Vanuatu. More commonly known as a And while this certainly was one facet of formed and individual interaction occur.”
“cargo cult,” this minority religion revolves their initial belief, the reality of American The John Frum Movement must be taken
The Bowdoin Orient is a student-run weekly publication dedicated to providing news and information around the figure John Frum, said to be a presence in 1942—following the first John for more than its prophetic component.
relevant to the Bowdoin community. Editorially independent of the College and its administrators, soldier who visited Tanna during World Frum prediction in 1940—lends this belief As one village member, August, explains,
the Orient pursues such content freely and thoroughly, following professional journalistic standards in War II bringing promises of American to historical and colonial legitimacy. For “We live here in Lamakara a very peaceful
writing and reporting. The Orient is committed to serving as an open forum for thoughtful and diverse materials, or “cargo.” Belief in his immi- John Frum believers, their belief is based life. Chief Isak leads us all. He has rules
discussion and debate on issues of interest to the College community. nent return sparked the performance of in fact—to some extent, they are correct. for many things so that we live according
U.S. military rituals, including drills and What’s more, with the arrival of coloniz- to our traditions.” Brothers Naunoun and
flag raising ceremonies to maintain belief ers in 1774, Western influence has been Joseph cite similar traditions and the im-
Calder McHugh Jessica Piper in John’s return. The connection between present on the island for a very long time. portance of living “as our ancestors lived.”
Editor in Chief Editor in Chief this near-extinct religious practice and While it is important to assess these be- The weekly worship, daily flag-raising and
“Black Friday” is obvious. In this article, liefs as primarily spiritual and religious, as orderly marching lend structure and coher-
I am more interested in teasing out the practitioners themselves view the move- ence to village life in their present iterations,
Digital Director Managing Editor News Editor latent stereotypes about religion and ritual ment, it is also important to note that the even as they are oriented towards a future
James Little Anjulee Bhalla Nina McKay that come to the fore in depictions of these “spirit of John Frum” is closely intertwined of prosperity that may never come. “John
Nell Fitzgerald “cargo cults.” with the specter of colonialism that, while told us: ‘OK. One day something will come
Photo Editor Dakota Griffin The John Frum movement has its no longer physically occupying the island, to our people,’” says Chief Isak Wan. This
Ezra Sunshine Alyce McFadden Features Editor
greatest stronghold in the village of La- certainly maintains a firm grip even from promise, left vague and entirely without
Mindy Leder (asst.) Mitchel Jurasek
Associate Editor makara, in southern Tanna. Though oceans away. temporal or material specification, works to
Chief Isak Wan maintains a firm belief in There are two angles of analysis for sustain the present as much as it does belief
Layout Editor Maia Coleman Sports Editor John’s return, many villagers have left the the material presented above. The first, in the future.
Emma Bezilla Amanda Newman
Lucia Ryan Kathryn McGinnis movement for Christian alternatives on perhaps more intuitively, is comparative. Internal fissures and external pres-
Ian Stewart
the southeast coast. “Waiting for John” This line of analysis links the belief in Je- sures from Christian movements in Port
Jaret Skonieczny (asst.) Copy Editor highlights a hierarchy of legitimacy for sus Christ the messiah and the belief in Resolution and Sulphur Bay threaten to
Sam Adler A&E Editor
religious groups that extends far beyond the return of John Frum. Theorist John extinguish the John Frum Movement.
Data Desk Editor Sydney Benjamin Sabrina Lin
Tanna to our own Western conceptions of G. Melton has identified the processes of Moreover, the emphasis on “tradition” and
Drew Macdonald Conrad Li religious practice. “spiritualization” as a crucial mediating “custom,” reveal not only the belief in John
Gideon Moore Devin McKinney
George Grimbilas (asst.) Opinion Editor The John Frum movement entails a cu- factor for religious movements whose Frum’s return, but also attests to the consti-
Nimra Siddiqui (asst.) Multimedia Editor Kate Lusignan rious appropriation of Western practices. prophecies are subject to doubt. Recon- tutive nature of religion and its undeniable
Surya Milner From footage of a 1960 docuseries, “The ceptualizing an anticipated physical or social function. As Sherry’s film suggests,
People of Paradise,” voice-over favorite material act as a spiritual occurrence can the John Frum movement can tell us a
Business Manager Calendar Editor
Avery Wolfe Coordinating Editor David Attenborough explains early Amer- work to reaffirm the belief in the prophecy lot about the way we construct legitimacy,
Cole van Miltenburg
Molly Kennedy Gwen Davidson ican rationale for these cults. With Amer- and its fulfillment. As filmmaker Jessica history and most importantly religion and
ica using the island as a military base in Sherry notes, all believers of the John ritual. Rather than tied to a fictional realm
Digital Strategist Head Illustrator Page 2 Editor battles against the Japanese, Attenborough Frum movement maintain that “John is or spiritual realm, it is clearly the product
Sophie Washington Phoebe Zipper Diego Lasarte points out that islanders could not help but a spirit.” This rationale holds true for the and process of real, historical encounters.
marvel at the very “cargo” that has come to messianic elements in Christianity as well. As Melton puts it: religion and ritual
form the basis of their religion. Imploring In a more secular sense, the movement’s operate “within a complex set of beliefs
The material contained herein is the property of The Bowdoin Orient and appears at the sole discretion of the his Western audience to place themselves replication of American national rituals and interpersonal relationships.” I would
editors. The editors reserve the right to edit all material. Other than in regard to the above editorial, the opinions in the islanders’ shoes, he argues that, highlights the overwhelming, almost “re- strongly recommend “Waiting for John”
expressed in the Orient do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors. eventually, “it dawns on you: this is the ligious” hold material culture has on our as a thought-provoking watch.
Friday, November 30, 2018 OPINION 15
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
FRIDAY 30
PERFORMANCE
December Dance Concert
Students will perform choreography by Dance Faculty Aretha
Aoki, Adanna Jones and Gwyneth Jones. The
Association of Bowdoin Friends will sponsor a reception
following the performance.
Pickard Theater, Memorial Hall. 7:30 p.m.
PERFORMANCE
Dear Nora
WBOR, Bowdoin Queer-Straight Alliance and MacMillan
House will host Dear Nora, an indie pop band revitalized in
2017 by guitarist Katy Davidson. The group is known for its
experimental and far-reaching contributions to rock music,
covering topics including nature, technology and politics.
MacMillan House. 8 p.m.
MINDY LEDER, THE BOWDOIN ORIENT
PERFORMANCE TEARING UP THE ICE: On November 16, Bowdoin men’s ice hockey (2-3) suffered a 4-1 loss against Williams (3-1) in its first game of the season.
Racer X The team will face Colby (1-2-1) at the Alfond Arena in Waterville on December 1st.
The cover band, including Assistant Professor of English
Aaron Kitch on the keyboard and Assistant Professor of
Music Vineet Shende on vocals and guitar, will perform 80s hits.
Ladd House. 10 p.m.
MONDAY 3 WEDNESDAY 5
EVENT PERFORMANCE
L.L. Bean Northern Lights Celebration End of Semester Dance Show
L.L. Bean will host various themed events and festivities All of Bowdoin’s student dance groups will have an end-of-
DISCUSSION
All of Bowdoin’s a capella groups will have an end-of-
semester performance at Pickard Theater.
Pickard Theater. 7:30 p.m.
EVENT A Community Title IX Discussion
Write Now, Write-Here, Write-In! Benje Douglas, director of gender violence prevention and PERFORMANCE
Writing assistants and research librarians will be present at education and Title IX coordinator, will host an open forum Bowdoin Orchestra
the Center for Learning and Teaching to assist students with for students to ask questions and share concerns about The Bowdoin Orchestra will perform works including the
final essays and assignments. Space is limited and sign-ups Bowdoin’s Title IX policy. This follows U.S. Secretary of tone poem Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korskakov at its
are available on the CLT website. Education Betsy DeVos’ proposed changes on November 16. annual concert.
The Center for Learning and Teaching. 3 p.m. The Pickering Room, Hubbard Hall. 8 p.m. Kanbar Auditorium, Studzinski Recital Hall. 7:30 p.m.