During the first century or so of its existence, Hamilton College had a very coherent (if, by our current standards, not very engaging) academic curriculum—a lot of translating from Latin, same for Ancient Greek, plus a smattering of chemistry, mathematics, and bible study. Every single student took the exact same courses in the exact same sequence, for their four years. More ...
Last Tuesday, Sept. 16, on Mexican Independence Day, Miley Cyrus gave a concert in the city of Monterrey, in northern Mexico. During the show, Cyrus twerked against the Mexican flag, effectively flossing her butt with the national icon. As a Mexican, I am incredibly angry about this incident. More ...
Every time I read or hear about Republican Rand Paul’s current political campaign for the 2016 election, all I can remember is the first time I drove on the interstate. I careened in and out of lanes at 35 miles per hour as every other vehicle on the road honked and swerved in a desperate attempt to avoid what probably looked like reckless driving. More ...
Before I start chiding Yik Yak let me begin by saying I think that the Internet is the greatest invention in the history of mankind and that social media in general is one of its best manifestations. I adore the opportunity to engage and express afforded by different platforms, and I think it is a necessary and healthy part of our society. But I have to draw the line somewhere. More ...
When the Gaza-Israel conflict first broke out this summer, it seemed similar to many of the previous conflicts that have happened in the region. The death of three teenage Israelis sparked this latest itineration. Hamas launched Stone Age rockets, and Israel reacted with a full scale military operation. However, this time the war was horrifyingly different. Seven weeks of dehumanizing stupidity from both sides have yielded more than 1,473 civilian losses in Gaza, including 501 children, according to the UN. More ...
In my experience, the best policy in the face of uncertainty and complexity is to listening to people who are smarter than you. This strategy is precisely what Hamilton’s administration is doing in regards to the sexual misconduct policy changes on the Hill. College campuses nationwide face epidemic levels of under-reporting and mishandling of sexual assault and harassment. Statistics back this up, and devastating victim accounts at peer schools truly highlight a deep misunderstanding and carelessness for this issue. More ...
Before even being admitted to college, admissions offices across the country are putting us into categories. They judge us based on test scores, GPAs, disciplinary reports, volunteerism and athleticism, then label us based on these simplified versions of ourselves. The designation of scholar, philanthropist, athlete, author or activist—among many others—is thrust upon each of us, and we are expected to adhere to those titles to fill the mold and play our part. This branding amplifies as we step on campus. Upperclassmen automatically place us into specific cliques: the bookworms, jocks, underachievers, hipsters and many more denominations. At this point, who we claim or yearn to be is deemed insignificant in comparison to the already established caste system. More ...
Although I applaud the ideas behind The Spectator’s “Sex and the Campus” column which promotes a healthy sexual culture, the eradication of slut-shaming, and mutual respect between partners, I take issue with some of the points expressed in its most recent article. The author seems to draw a rigid line between hook-ups and relationships. She claims that in a hook-up situation, your partner only “care[s] about your body, your face and the way you’re dressed” rather than the “interesting parts [of your personality].” More ...
If a group of Hamilton students were to walk into the Glen and chop down 10 trees, they would likely be suspended, or even expelled. But what if no one were around to hear the trees fall? What if no one noticed their absence? There is an old parable that asks, “If a tree falls in the woods but no one is around to hear it, did it really fall?” There are many crimes in this world that are largely invisible to the public eye, but an inconspicuous crime is no better than a bank robbery in broad daylight. We believe Hamilton’s student body has committed a serious, but relatively discreet, environmental crime. More ...
Sometimes when writing, you have to assume your audience doesn’t know as much as you do. However, when dealing with someone face-to-face, that tactic is at best presumptive and, at worst, condescending. This subtle difference between ideas and action, theory and practice, is where I have a problem with certain aspects of the First Year Experience. While the aims and ethos of the program are thoughtful and hopeful, how the administration is choosing to engage with the first-years after orientation is disconcerting. More ...