“So, Max, what are your plans after graduation?” We all know that dreaded question. After all, I’ve been avoiding graduation for four long years. There are countless things I’ll miss—ski racing, my fraternity brothers, trivia Tuesdays and my art studio. But now, as family members prod about my plans, my anxiety has finally dwindled. I can proudly answer that I’m going back to school, but this time as the teacher. More ...
By now, most of the Hamilton community is aware of the discovery and seizure of controlled substances in a student dorm last month. We’ve read the email from the administration as well as the breakdown of the event in The Spectator’s Nov. 3 issue. Now, nearly a month later, there are still many more questions than answers as to what exactly is going on. On our small, isolated campus, news like this spreads quickly and becomes the source of endless gossip. In this case, the relative uniqueness of the situation has prompted many to imagine a Narcos-esque tale of hard drugs and bountiful cash playing out within our humble student body. Speculation abounds, and with only the thinnest straws of factual information available for grasping, there’s no sign of it stopping anytime soon. The administration owes it to us to be as transparent as legally possible about this incident, so as to reduce the proliferation of harmful rumors and ensure that the magnitude and scope of the ongoing investigation is properly realized. More ...
When I first showed up to what we would later call “Group,” I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I had been invited by Melodie Rosen ’18, a friend of mine, who I had met when she directed a subversive play about blow jobs the preceding semester and cast me in one of the roles. I showed up barely on time; everyone else was already there, five other girls I hadn’t met situated in a close circle on beanbags on the floor. Melodie smiled at me warmly. “I’m so glad you came,” she said. More ...
Denouncing Donald Trump was an ap- propriate way to express one’s opinions dur- ing the presidential race. However, Trump has since secured a disappointing yet fair victory. Spreading hateful messages against Donald Trump himself will be insufficient to produce progress for groups of society who felt victimized by his campaign. It is important to note that while Trump did run a campaign founded on the discrimination of immigrants, women, people of color, LG- BTQI members, Muslims and the disabled, it was ultimately individuals in our country (nearly half of theAmerican electorate) who lead his subsequent victory. Hateful mes- sages against our future president, whether they are spread through protest, conversa- tion, or even a post on Facebook, ultimately willunderminetheobjectiveofinclusionthat most non-Trump supporters seek to achieve. More ...
On Nov. 9, I sat down to watch the returns on Nov. 8 knowing that it would be the most consequentialnight of my life. I understood that the progress of the last eight years was on the ballot. I understood that the future of the Supreme Court was on the ballot. I understood that the state of the world I live in, and the world my children will live in, hinged on the out- come of this year’s election. So it’s un- derstandable to feel angry, disappointed, betrayed and confused. But the next four years will be defined by how those emo- tions are channeled. Protesting the results and demonizing Trump supporters is not constructive. More ...
The Democratic Party has been humbled. The disaster of this electiondaywillreverberateacross society for the years to come, and the same holds true for our political sphere. It is tempting—especially given the historic, negative impact this election is likely to have on many members of our nation—to read the result as a single narrative, be it one of nationwide misogyny, racist backlash or voter suppres- sion. It is important to remember two things about this tendency. More ...
I didn’t expect to be writing this. I was confident Hillary Clinton would be elected our next President of the United States on Tuesday, a sentiment I’m sure many others in the Hamilton community shared. The polls, her campaign, her opponent—it all pointed to a decisive victory and a leap forward in the direction President Obama has lead our country. More ...
When the leaves began to change colors in early fall, a part of me was happy and eager to observe the beautiful change of the seasons. Another part of me felt apprehension and an odd sense of dread. I remember during my first year I got so nervous once it was autumn that I couldn’t even enjoy the fall colors and it didn’t make sense to me because I used to really enjoy this time of the year. I was transitioning into college and worrying about midterms at the same time the seasons were in transition, and for some reason that made me feel much more nervous. More ...
I never thought I would be nervous until I found myself standing before a washroom mirror in the Fillius Events Barn last Friday. Before the mirror I saw myself wearing my Hanfu, the Chinese national costume; I ran my fingers through the embroidered collar and felt the silky texture of my long sleeves as well as sweat running down my cheek. I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. More ...
We have no words. More ...