the
Q&A
April 28, 2011 | Issue #239
y o u r. i n d y @ g m a i l . c o m
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
editor-in-chief: Ri l ey Ken ny s mith
When I realized that the Naked Issue cover said 2010 instead of 2011, I felt ridiculous. It seems like such an obvious thing to notice, but I was so caught up in the rush of having finally finished it and being proud of what we had produced, I missed it completely. I spent a good hour adding “+1” on little pieces of tape to a bunch of issues, because I felt the need to fix some of them and didn’t want the sharpie to bleed through the paper. Did it really matter? No, not in the grand scheme of things. What matters is that people are happy with the issue, and that’s about the photos, not a few numbers on the cover. I let most of the issues get distributed with the date unchanged because I wanted them to go out on time, no sense in keeping people waiting. We had a few dozen issues still to be printed so Tara and I set up a new cover with the correct year to go on those. I did what I could. What I couldn’t do was reprint them. It would have been nice, but it’s not within our means right now. The company that supplies our toner had to cut our shipments in half after the disaster in Japan, so we have to make every effort to conserve the ink we use. But that’s okay. If having less ink to print the Indy is the only major effect a disaster has on my life, I count myself lucky. I am grateful to have my life and my home intact, something that can’t be said for Japan right now. A shortage of toner is a small sacrifice to make, and I feel that the least I can do is remind everyone that others are still suffering in the aftermath of the earthquakes and tsunami. Donate to the Red Cross to help Japan; as a global community we have to remember to keep helping those in need.
layout editor: Ta r a C on n elly copy editors: Reb ecca K ap lan writers: A l ex a Dillen b eck H ei d i Du f f y Cl éa G ran d its Ri l ey Ken ny s mith M a da me Q u er y print managers: Ro byn Wilk in s To ny Pon tiu s cover photo by: K a ro l Wer n ek artwork by: Su za n n e Bon an n o web design by: D a n i elle Lemp p
The Purchase Independent is a non-profit news magazine, paid for by the Mandatory Student Activity fee. We welcome and encourage submissions from readers. The Indy is a forum for campus issues and events, to give students the voice they deserve. Letters, articles, comics, ads, event photography and event listings are welcomed. The deadline for submissions is every Friday before midnight, and accepted pieces will be published the following Thursday. Publication of submissions is not guaranteed, but subject to the discretion of the editors. No anonymous submissions will be considered, but we will accept use of pseudonyms on a case-by-case basis. Send all submissions and inquiries to your. indy@gmail.com. Send questions to Madame Query at formspring.me/madamequery. Back page quotes can be submitted to formspring. me/indybackpage or put in the Back Page Box that hangs on the office door. Our office is located on the first floor of Campus Center North, room 1011. Staff meetings are held in the office every Monday night at 9:30; anyone is welcome to join.
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CAMPUS
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT BY HEIDI DUFFY “If you are a victim, what happened to you is a part of your history. It is not a part of you,” said Catherine Van Bommel in the first address to the attendants of Take Back the Night. Van Brommel works in Purchase’s counseling center. The subtext of the evening is how victims of abuse have the ability to use this history to raise awareness about sexual assault. According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2005 National Crime Victimization Study, 60% of sexual assaults aren’t reported to the police. Events like Take Back the Night not only give victims agency to speak of the abuse they’ve experienced, but they can also inform others of the resources available to others who may experience similar abuses. By giving victims this safe space to speak, perhaps this statistic will eventually shrink that percentage. Victims are able to share their experience to not only heal, but also build empathy. One of the people who spoke that evening said that they felt that by vocalizing their abuse, they were giving a voice to the those who may not want to divulge their own experience. Another said that what they experienced informed their studies at Purchase, and that they hoped to help others who had experienced sexual assault. Other people came forward to share what had happened to them, and if they at all faltered while relaying traumatic events, the audience gave an encouraging thumbs up to help them along. This shouldn’t be misconstrued as an obligation to share with the attendees. It was
mentioned more than once that no one needed to speak up, and that it wasn’t for everyone. The evening concluded with a candlelight march, which allowed for expression through solidarity. A small contest was also held during the event, where students were able to relate their stories through various mediums. One person rapped, two people read poems and another sang while playing piano. Although it sounds strange to say that a contest was held at something like Take Back the Night, it was extraordinary to see how the arts can help people overcome horrific events. Cindy Markus-Jones, a campus police officer and R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) instructor, also had past students give impromptu testimonials about the course. They then gave a demonstration of the self-defense techniques learned in the class. Even though taking R.A.D. doesn’t guarantee total protection if ever you’re attacked, it is pretty awesome that a female selfdefense course focusing on sexual assault is offered on campus. It’s also pretty awesome to learn the “seize and squeeze,” but that’s my own personal testimonial. Take Back the Night is a powerful event, simply because of how it gives victims a voice. But, it is also put forth in a way in which it is adaptive. Not everyone who is a victim of sexual assault experiences it or copes with it in the same way. Take Back the Night shows that however varied these experiences are, the ways in which it can be coped with and prevented are varied as well.
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DEAR CHARTWELLS, BY RILEY KENNYSMITH Twice this semester I have gone to the Hub to get myself some soup and found myself without any soup to eat. You see I, like many Purchase students, am a vegetarian and twice now, the “vegetarian” soup has been made with chicken broth. For those of you unaware, chicken broth is made with chicken, chicken is meat, and vegetarians do not eat meat, including meat byproducts like chicken broth. The first time this happened, I complained and the chef told me that the soup was vegetarian because there were no actual pieces of meat in the soup, and that “most vegetarians on campus are the kind that eat chicken broth.” I wrote a formal letter of complaint to Chartwells regarding the soup and the argument, which resulted in apologies from the chef—greatly appreciated— and a promise that anything I needed, I should let him know, but no written response. I don’t think my complaints have been ridiculous. I thought you heard our needs the first time. Apologies are wonderful, but we need action to fix the problem. On April the 22nd of 2011, I found the same problem staring up at me from the ingredients card. I checked the other 3 soups, but all of the soups had meat in them. More than that, the very same soup that masqueraded as “vegetarian” the last time I had this problem was back, doing the exact same thing. Both times, it has been the Mediterranean Pepper (reduced sodium), and the ingredients list provided on the tag (as recorded on the first day I noticed it) reads
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as follows: “Red and Green Peppers are simmered in a Basil scented Chicken Broth with Potatoes, Carrots, Tomatoes, Garlic and plump Brown Lentils.” Bizarre capitalization aside, it’s clear that one of these things is not like the others, and certainly does not belong. A list of vegetables does not a vegetarian soup make. There are many reasons people choose to follow a vegetarian diet. Some do it for moral reasons, others do not eat meat as a religious observance, still others for health reasons. Furthermore, once one has stopped eating meat, the consumption of meat or meat byproducts can make a vegetarian very sick. The Hub is supposed to provide one vegetarian soup at all times, even when Terra Ve is open. Chartwells, I have been told that anything I need, all I have to do is say the word. So here’s what I need: I need you to provide one vegetarian soup per day, sans meat in any form, because that is what you have promised Purchase students you will do. Please respect our dietary needs. Please respect us. Respectfully, Riley Anne Kennysmith PS: The Corn & Green Chili Bisque is delicious and I’m sure many people would love to see it at the Hub more often.
your.indy@gm ai l.com
THINK WIDE OPEN? BY ALEXA DILLENBECK A new study from the Williams Institute shows that 3.8 percent of the United States population is part of the LGBTQ community. This is a large decrease from the Kinsey studies that state that 10 percent of the population is part of the gay community. Most people since the 1960s, when the gay community adopted the percentage, have trusted that the number is accurate. It seemed correct because it wasn’t too much, but it definitely wasn’t too little, but apparently (according to this new study) it was an overestimate. The Williams Institute study includes: • 1.8% bisexual • .3% transgender • 1.8% just lesbian • 1.7% just gay • 8.2% of the population, gay and straight, has been part of same-sex behavior • 11% of Americans having same-sex attraction The U.S. Census would probably have a more accurate reading than the Williams Institute study because it would survey the entire population, but it currently only counts how many same-sex couples live together. Also, the more accepted gays become, the higher the chance we have of having accurate surveys about sexual orientation. The survey had interesting information about Americans having same-sex attractions though not always claiming to be part of the gay community. The statistics may be flawed because it was only one survey, only answered by 18-44 year olds.
A more accurate survey could make the general population better understand the amount of people government policies affect. The study showing only about 4 percent can either help or hurt the fight for more equality. People could think that since the gay community is so small it’s harmless to give them rights, but it could also mean that since the number is so low, it is pointless to give any rights at all. Younger generations, I think, will be less apt to claim a title for their sexual orientation. It seems as though sexuality is seen as too complex to label so definitively. In my experience, I have met more people who just seem to go with their gut. “Gay crushes” are a common experience and topic of conversation for most teenagers. With an acceptance of sexual fluidity, stereotypes may be less believable, leading to less discrimination in general, race and gender included. Maybe the real problem is people claiming identities and limiting themselves to those identities. Acceptance of sexual fluidity might change the way Americans think. This campus is, for the most part, a widely accepting campus focused on “thinking wide open,” which could be taken in many ways, but, for me and many of my peers, it means that people may be more than they seem, and taking a closer look could change opinions.
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MADAME QUERY
HAS YOUR REMEDY
Hey miss, it’s been a week since I’ve gone
There’s this guy I really have a thing
cold turkey off the wacky stuff. It’s not like
for, but the problem is that he’s really
I even smoke that much, but I’ve always
really vague with his sexuality and that’s
smoked socially, and I know as a smoker
confusing me on whether to accelerate or
that it’s weird when there’s a nonsmoker
do a u-turn. How can I find out in a non-
there. You got any tips for this quitter?
creeptastic way?
Madame finds herself caught in the moment at times as though she is in an a/n/t/i/ d/r/u/g commercial when a puppy hands over her brain and then she realizes she is having a bad acid trip. It’s moments like these when Madame realizes she needs to take a breather. Sometimes we all need to step aside and sober up to ourselves. This is no big deal and you aren’t in middle school so no need to worry, “peer pressure” doesn’t have to exist and you should know that by now. Listen to yourself and you won’t have to worry about others and what they think. As a former social smoker—well. occasional smoker—well, it’s all debatable—I can safely say I never minded when a non-smoker stood by me as I had a few drags. It only gets extremely annoying when they start annoying you about your habits. We’re in college we do what is “bad” for us because we’re young, unstoppable, fearless and whatever bullshit that somehow leads to make bad decisions. Straightening yourself out doesn’t mean you have to give others advice they’re not asking for. You don’t have to be an annoying non-smoker just because you quit. Your friends will still hang out with you; in fact they’ll like hanging out with you more because there will be more hits to go around.
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If a guy is not responsive to you or not giving some hints on his attractions to you, even if he is totally definitely confirmed to be one sexuality or the other, then it’s probably not even worth exploring. He could be straight, he could be gay, he could like whomever he likes, but the truth seems to be that he doesn’t like you. This is all assuming that you have not tried anything yet. You’ll never know if you don’t try. So try, put this crush into high gear and see what happens. Find your answer so you can move on to someone who is into your type. Madame is only setting you up for the worst right now, it could also be the case that this guy doesn’t easily show his attractions, so it could very well work out for you in the end. Again I will reiterate: those who never succeed are the ones who never try. So get your ass out there, do some Nancy fucking Drew, Angela Lansbury shit and find out whether you’re someone this guy could like!
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS
TO MADAME QUERY http://www.formspring.me/madamequery
A DV I C E Madame, it’s flip-flop season again, and I’m beginning to think the guy I like has a foot fetish! He’s always touching mine. I really like him, but I’m worried he’s secretly a creep! Is this comparable to how most guys like boobs, or should I be concerned?
Madame has not had too much history with foot fetishes, except for one time when she daringly bared all and stripped her socks off for a guy with that particular fetish on the popular website chatroulette. I would imagine that if it turns a guy on so much then maybe it is like touching a boob is to others. You don’t know if he really does have this attraction though, so maybe he isn’t beimg creepy, but being cute. You won’t know what is up this guy’s sleeve until you hang out with him some more. If you like him you should try asking him on a date. To kill two birds with one stone, maybe try asking him on a date to somewhere where you would definitely have to take your shoes off. Think about going to the beach, it’s a great date setting and it is in a public place so if you take your sandals off and he starts going too goo goo gaga over the structure of your phalanges you’ll have the opportunity to politely address the issue with the protection of the surrounding sunbathers. Give yourself a little credit though! Maybe he noticed that your second toe is taller than your big toe and realized you must be an amazing intelligent person! Or he might just be really attracted to your toes. The real question is, if you like him, do you really care?
PASSAGE GALLERY
BY CLÉA GRANDITS
A team of staff from CTS, the Neuberger, the Performing Arts Center and Purchase students have collaborated to create a professional, interdisciplinary media gallery and exhibition space for students: The Passage Gallery. The gallery is located across from the box office in the PAC, below the underpass. Its close proximity to the PAC will hopefully draw in off-campus crowds before or after attending shows. Originally used for storage, it has become a space where students may display their work in a professional environment. The floors have been polished, the walls repainted and the team even brought in mobile walls to allow flexibility for different exhibitions. The space is designed to accommodate media-based work with data outlets and Wi-Fi throughout the space. “Purchase needed a real gallery for students—not just hallways and back rooms in the Stood. We think that this is a win-win for everybody,” wrote Bill Junor, one of the founders of the gallery. For the rest of the semester the gallery is being used to exhibit graduating students’ shows. The New Media senior show “Force Quit” is on display until April 30. This summer, the founders plan on creating an Exhibition Committee of Arts Management faculty and students to curate and propose shows next year. The gallery is currently open from 2 – 8pm, though times will change depending on the exhibition. There is no admission fee to enter.
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DOWN
1. a way to earn credit and gain work experience over the summer 2. you know you love it when your professors serve you breakfast food 3. not vegetarian 4. the new student gallery across from the pac 6. last day of classes
ACROSS SUBMIT BACK PAGE QUOTES VIA THE BOX OUTSIDE CCN 1011 OR ON THE WEB AT: HTTP://FORMSPRING.ME/INDYBACKPAGE
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5. the only acceptable time of the year to replace sleep with adderall and redbull for seven straight days 7. warm weather brings acoustic guitars and hookah 8. physical education elective that teaches females self defense skills 9. never say never 10. open 24 hours a day during the week starting may 1st
*some quotes have been rewritten for legibility or to preserve the anonymity of the submitter