The Spectator - Opinion - Hamilton College

Opinion

Better Latin-American relations can only be achieved through cultural education

November 3, 2016

On Oct. 27, Ernesto Domínguez López, associate professor and the director of the Center for the Study of the United States at the University of Havana, gave a lecture at Hamilton College concerning the changing dynamics of the U.S.-Cuba relationship, stressing particularly the Cuban viewpoint in an area of foreign policy that has been marked by tension and mistrust for six decades. The relevance of this talk is exacerbated not just by the racist rhetoric of the Trump campaign, but by the demographic reality that Hispanics are already the second-largest ethnic group in the U.S. behind non-Hispanic whites. Domínguez López placed his analysis of the warming of relations almost entirely in Cuban terms, giving a refreshing viewpoint that is often dominated by American perspectives. He stressed that the start of relations does not imply an immediate normalization of relations, but rather is part of a broader regional realignment. While he hopes for a prompt end to the embargo, he recognized that there is much diplomatic work to be done before American-Cuban trade becomes a reality. He especially praised the direction the Obama administration took regarding the issue, predicting it would win favor among Hispanic voters. More ...

Hamilton’s study abroad language requirements limit options

November 3, 2016

As a sophomore, I have begun my search for a study abroad program for my junior year. Hamilton offers a wide variety of great study-abroad programs, even including domestic options such as Washington D.C., New York City, Boston or the Adirondacks. While reviewing the approved international abroad programs that Hamilton offers, I found a plethora of opportunities, with over 100 different selections. Excited about the possibility of studying in a foreign country, I delved deeper into each program to see which one was the best fit for me. Aimed more specifically at studying in Europe, a number of countries landed on my list: Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Russia. Naturally, I was disappointed when I learned that in order to study in these countries I must have met certain language requirements at the College. All of a sudden my top preferences were gone, some of the most popular countries in Europe had been taken off the table. I was disappointed to find that countries with the language requirements happened to be my favorites. More ...

Study abroad programs are well-facilitated, but are in need of updates

November 3, 2016

I recently edited and compiled a series of short 3-5 second videos I took throughout last semester when I studied abroad in Madrid with the Hamilton College Academic Year in Spain program. It made me extremely nostalgic for the experience that I feel so incredibly lucky to have had. I won’t be cliched and say it changed me, though, because you can’t improve perfection. Since high school, I always knew I was going to study abroad. I’m too restless to have stayed in one place for all of my four years of college. HCAYS (Hamilton College Academic Year in Spain) was just the break I needed from the Hamilton bubble that can get to be more than just a little monotonous. The group was largely made up of Hamilton students, but I hadn’t known most of them personally until we touched down in Spain. I probably wouldn’t have gotten to know most of those fabulous people if it weren’t for the shared experience. More ...

American culture has little interest in restorative social justice

October 27, 2016

Over fall break, I got the chance to catch up on Netflix’s excellent Luke Cage, the latest in a number of series based on lesser-known Marvel heroes produced by that network. The next such series is Iron Fist, scheduled to premiere in spring of next year, which has raised some controversy over its casting decisions. In the comics, Iron Fist is Danny Rand, the son of a New York industrialist who travels to a mystical city in the Himalayas, where he receives martial arts training and superhuman abilities which he then uses to fight crime upon his return to the city. Conceived during the kung-fu craze of the 70s, Iron Fist also carries with it dated conceptions and tropes. The titular character, for example, represents a textbook example of the white protagonist who uses other cultures first as an object of his curiosity, and then as a tool to further his own needs and ends. The culture from which Rand draws his powers appears with all the subtlety and grace that you might expect from 70s martial arts comic book. As such, progressively-minded fans were disappointed by Netflix’s decision to cast Finn Jones, best known for his turn as Loras Tyrell on HBO’s Game of Thrones, as Danny Rand instead of an Asian-American actor. More ...

Will Millenials Vote in 2016?

October 27, 2016

The 2016 election season has demonstrated a variety of ongoing themes, from Trump’s incredibly misogynistic language and Hillary’s email struggles, to a general confusion of where exactly Aleppo is. But the theme that has remained strong through the seemingly endless scandals is a focus garnering support from millennial voters. While past presidential candidates have directed some campaigning towards young voters, the 2016 candidates have shaped their entire campaign to attract this new generation of voters. But why is this new group of 18-25-year-olds suddenly playing such a large role in the campaign? Not only are we new to the official political process, with some people voting in their first presidential election this year, but we also are easily moldable. We’ve grown up hearing the political opinions of our family, teachers and other adults in our lives, often causing us “millennials” to form opinions just based on our surroundings. Now that we’re away from home and (mostly) thinking for ourselves, the candidates see this as a perfect opportunity to shape our young minds to that of an active political participant. More ...

2016 election indicates a regression of tolerance

October 27, 2016

This past Tuesday, Oct. 25, the Bias Incident Report team sent an all campus email describing an incident where a student “was subjected to comments from 8-10 men” who were outside of the Howard Diner. These comments were “sexually and racially harassing in nature.” After reading about this, I felt outraged, angry and sad for the student who had to deal with this treatment. What is even more sad, is that I am used to hearing about incidents similar to this one. The recently-released recording of Donald Trump talking about sexually assaulting women is quite similar. His words are fresh in my mind. My question is, why, in 2016 are these things still happening? Why, in this day and age, are women still subjected to sexual and racial harassment? How is it that this is acceptable in any way shape or form in the United States of America? We are supposed to be a progressive nation that seeks to liberate all those with a history of oppression and all those who have been exploited. Yet today, unarmed black mens’ lives are being systematically ripped away. Our presidential candidate Donald Trump is using rhetoric of racism, islamophobia, sexism, ableism, bigotry and unthinkable hate that is unacceptable for a person who is supposed to represent the United States and run our country. What do other countries think of us, with a presidential candidate such as Donald Trump? What do our youth think? More ...

Trump’s impact on down ballot races

October 27, 2016

Faced with a fairly mediocre choice for President, many Americans are considering skipping the polls this election. Progressives, largely disaffected Bernie Sanders supporters, seem among the most likely to pass on pro-establishment Clinton. What makes this sentiment most unfortunate are the implications of this election reaching far beyond our next president. While Clinton is a less than palatable alternative for many, Trump’s stressing of tensions in America and propensity to embarrass us abroad are developing into a rift in the Republican Party resulting from his continued exposure. This rift could cost the GOP much more than the presidency. Nothing is more indicative of this issue than the actions of Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who recently announced he will abandon the Trump Campaign in order to focus on preserving Republican majorities in Congress. Ryan is worried that a conflict of interest will arise in voters. Many establishment Republicans have renounced support from Trump, creating a deep divide in the GOP between those who support the presidential nominee and those who do not. The fear encompasses the idea that a voting civil war of sorts will result among Republican voters, with Trump supporters refusing to vote for Republican incumbents whom Mr. Trump denounced for refusing to support him. More ...

The 2016 election: a false equivalency

October 20, 2016

The theme of the 2016 election is false equivalency. Its tentacles have found their way into every corner of the national discourse and, as a result, we have been primed to view the faults and scandals of each major party candidate as relatively equal. However, false equivalency is not making its debut in 2016. Rather, it has ascended to a starring role after years of warping and corrupting our perception of pressing issues. Why, for instance, do news programs like CNN cover climate change by having one person who believes in its existance face off against another who doesn’t? Given the overwhelming majority of scientists who accept climate change as a reality, shouldn’t these debates consist of a coalition of hundreds versus the menial single objector? More ...

SMART: what we can do to end sexual violence at Hamilton

October 20, 2016

Thursday of last week, First Lady Michelle Obama addressed Manchester, New Hampshire (for those of you who haven’t watched this speech, you’re missing out. It gave me goosebumps). Her speech came just days after the entire nation listened to Trump privately boast about sexually assaulting women. The First Lady spoke to the audience about “that sick, sinking feeling” she gets when a man makes her feel uncomfortable in her own skin, when these “basic standards of human decency” are cast aside so casually, when a candidate to be the next President of the United States believes women do not have the ability to have a say in what happens to their own bodies. Speaking out against Trump, Michelle Obama said something that should resonate with each and every one of us: “I wanted them to understand that the measure of any society is how it treats its women and girls”. More ...

Trump leak sparks conversation about rape culture

October 20, 2016

“Just kiss. I don’t even wait… And when you’re a star, they let you do it… you can do anything. Grab them by the p***y… you can do anything,” Donald Trump stated in a 2005 video obtained by The Washington Post. In this video, Donald Trump not only explicitly described how he sexually assaulted women in the past, but, as presidential debate moderator Anderson Cooper identified, he bragged about it, too. The most surprising part of this dialogue does not emerge from what was said or done by Donald Trump. He is no stranger to controversy. We have come to expect disrespectful and upsetting behavior from this presidential candidate; these tapes only solidify our preconceived notions of Trump. In the past, he referred to women as “pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals.” He ranked female contestants on his show “The Apprentice” on a 1-10 scale of attractiveness. He blamed debate moderator Megyn Kelly’s tough questioning on her menstrual cycle. Trump contested his scorn for women during the last debate, saying, “nobody has more respect for women than I do.” This is laughable. Trump’s contempt for women has been clear throughout the entirety of his campaign. More ...