The Bowdoin Orient - Vol. 150 Issue 18 - April 6, 2021
The Bowdoin Orient - Vol. 150 Issue 18 - April 6, 2021
The Bowdoin Orient - Vol. 150 Issue 18 - April 6, 2021
Postage PAID
1st CLASS
U.S. MAIL
The Nation’s Oldest Continuously Published College Weekly Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Volume 150, Number 18 bowdoinorient.com
This newspaper is undergoing talks of renaming. For more information, please visit page 9 to read a letter from the editors in chief about the motiva-
tions and background surronding this conversation.
Lex Horwitz ’19 leads virtual programming series with athletic community
ty, providing insight into how to community and how we can start related [LGBTQ+ topics and is- about Sexuality,” introduced lis- “I felt very comfortable being in
by Josie Tidmore
Orient Staff cultivate a more inclusive and sup- talking about those experiences,” sues] to Bowdoin specifically, as teners to the terminology and those spaces to say, ‘Hey, we need
portive environment for all. Katie Greene, assistant athletic opposed to just this broader topic tools necessary for understanding to start to think critically.’”
In a three-part virtual pro- “We channeled a lot of our director and diversity, equity and that maybe you don’t focus on if the distinction between gender Henry Somerby ’23, a member
gramming series, Lex Horwitz ’19, [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion inclusion coordinator, said in a it’s not right here in front of you,” and sexuality. of the men’s squash team, said he
a queer, non-binary transmascu- (DEI)] efforts into race education Zoom interview with the Orient. Greene said. “There are so many spaces found Horwitz’s first two talks to
line LGBTQ+ educator and activ- in the first semester, and our goal Greene emphasized that Hor- The third and final session of [that] actively—both directly and be a helpful way to engage in con-
ist, and a former member of the moving into the second semester witz’s familiarity with Bowdoin Horwitz’s series, titled “Lex’s Jour- indirectly—uphold cisnormativity versation around queer and trans
Bowdoin men’s squash team, has was to broaden that umbrella and made their contributions especial- ney and Q and A,” was held on and heteronormativity … and it’s topics.
returned to Bowdoin to share their start looking at some wider-rang- ly valuable for the community. March 30. also a really strong, prevalent fac- “I think that [Horwitz] has a
knowledge and experiences with ing topics … one of the topics that “What I really enjoyed about Horwitz’s first two talks, tor in athletics,” Horwitz said in a
the Bowdoin athletic communi- we talked about is the LGBTQ+ [Horwitz’s series] is that it really “What’s Gender?” and “Let’s Talk Zoom interview with the Orient. Please see ATHLETICS, page 3
N SPRING BREAK F BAY BOWLS A SENIOR STUDIO S NOTHING BUT NET O RENAME THE ORIENT
Students discuss the impact of a Looking for a fresh acai bowl? Brunswick’s Spencer Wilkins ’21 will release his Adrienne Shibles, head coach of the women’s Emily Ha’ 21 discusses the Orient’s name
shortened spring break. Page 3. newest business can help you out! Page 4. production, “WALDO,” on April 8. Page 6. basketball, is the new U16 nationals coach. Page 8. and its implications on campus. Page 11.
2
2
PAGE TWO
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
SECURITY REPORT
3/12 to 4/1
Friday, March 12 · After several complaints Brunswick Apartment W was campus trespass warning to abdominal pain was taken to damaged a granite post on
were received, three groups caused by cooking smoke. a local man who had been Mid Coast Hospital. College Street and left the
· A staff member reported that of students on the Bruns- aggressive with security offi- scene. The vehicle has been
a local man was preaching wick quad were asked to · Parents requested a health cers on two occasions this · High winds caused pine tree identified and the matter is
homophobic messages from disperse. and wellness check on their week. Friday, March 26 branches to fall on a parked under investigation.
a public sidewalk on College student whom they were un- car on South Street near
Street. No action was taken. · A fire alarm at Harpswell able to contact. The student · Security responded to Howard Hall. Wednesday, March 31
Apartments was caused by was located and asked to Brunswick Apartments to
· An officer spoke with a cooking smoke. contact parents. assist a student reporting a Tuesday, March 30 · A commercial delivery truck
group of students outside bleeding nose. struck a College vehicle at
Harpswell Apartments about · A student reported finding Tuesday, March 16 · A student requested a the Thorne Hall loading
a noise complaint related to religious solicitation mate- · An officer escorted a student security escort to Mid Coast dock. Damage was minor.
their activities. rials left on a porch at Pine · A student experiencing chest having an allergic reaction Hospital.
Street Apartments. pain was taken to Mid Coast to Mid Coast Hospital. Thursday, April 1
Saturday, March 13 Hospital. · The dean’s office asked
Sunday, March 14 Saturday, March 27 security to checked on the · An officer checked on a man
· Excessive noise was reported · A student with severe neck wellbeing of a student at seen sleeping in a vehicle
at Brunswick Apartment M. · Security and Brunswick police pain was transported to Mid · An officer checked on a Chamberlain Hall. while it was charging at the
worked together to locate Coast Hospital. student’s wellbeing at the Russwurm charging station.
· An honest student reported an off-campus student for request of the dean’s office. · A student in Chamberlain
accidentally scratching a well-being check. The Wednesday, March 17 Hall using a hair straighten- · A tractor-trailer truck maneu-
another student’s car door student was found safe. Sunday, March 28 er accidentally activated a vering in the Druckenmiller
when the wind caught their · At the request of counseling smoke alarm. parking lot collided with a
car door and struck it. The · An officer checked on a stu- and wellness services, a · A fire alarm at the Moulton student’s parked vehicle,
student who owned the car dent who was experiencing student was escorted to Mid Dining kitchen was caused · A student reported being damaging the vehicle’s
was notified, said not to dizziness and nausea. Coast Hospital. by excessive cooking smoke. the victim of incidents of hood. The Brunswick police
worry about it, and thanked bias. The matter is under took an accident report.
the student for letting them Monday, March 15 Thursday, March 18 Monday, March 29 investigation.
know.
· A smoke alarm activation at · Brunswick police issued a · A West Hall student with · A vehicle backed into and
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
GRAB A
B A S S P B S T H A T S
13 14 15 16
A F T E R Y E T R O L E S
17 18 19
N I E C E T A U U R I N E
COPY March 15
20 21 22
G R E T A T H U N B E R G
23 24 25 26 27
S E P L E O A T O N C E
crossword
28 29 30
A M A N D A G O R M A N
31 32 33 34 35
B U R N E S S E N D
48
S
43
T A C
44 45 46 47
E Y A B R A M S
49 50 51 52
RHODES HALL CLOSED FOR THE by Ayub Tahlil comfortable striking because
of certain limits on classes you
within the student body after
BSG had been discussing the
demic started.
“At least for me personally,
WEEKEND AFTER TWO COVID-19 Orient Staff
could miss, which is difficult to break issue at length. I did think that this semester
A College employee who works in Rhodes Hall tested positive for This semester’s academic deal with. One of my professors “I think a lot of times people was going to be a bit more of
COVID-19 in Wednesday’s testing, COVID-19 Resource Coordinator calendar designated two days cancelled class and that helped think that the student govern- a marathon, especially since
Mike Ranen announced in a community-wide email Thursday after- for spring break, rather than the a lot,” Carillo said in a Zoom ment doesn’t try to do things, we weren’t going to have any
noon. traditional two weeks, leading interview with the Orient. and so we had to say that, ‘no, more breaks in it.” Ogunnaike
According to Ranen, this case is the second positive reported in many students and professors Even with her reservations, we’re actively on your side when said. “I wanted to make sure
Rhodes Hall in seven days. As a result, the building, which houses Se- to extend the break themselves. Carillo also signed the petition we’re doing our best to support that [we were] a bit more
curity and Facilities Management, will be closed through the weekend. A letter circulated among to show support. all of us by any way we can,’” laid-back at certain points,
Facilities staff who need to enter other campus buildings over the next students and staff on March 18 Senior Vice President and Williams in a Zoom interview just because I knew it was
two days will receive an antigen test prior to entry. announcing a “Mental Health Dean of Academic Affairs Jen- with the Orient. “So, we want- going to be a wild one. Being
Through contact tracing, the College determined that no additional Strike,” encouraging those who nifer Scanlon acknowledged ed to be transparent, especially on the edge all the time was
employees are required to quarantine. There are now three active stu- participated to extend their that she was aware of the letter about how we feel and that we clearly not going to work for
dent cases and two active employee cases on campus, as numbers rise spring break themselves to the and addressed faculty about it tried [to do something].” anybody—for me, or for stu-
in Maine as well. entire week by not returning to at one of their monthly meet- Organizing any formal dents.”
“Today Maine announced 283 new cases of COVID-19, the highest class on Wednesday. The letter ings. demonstration beforehand Dean Scanlon said she also
one day total since February 4,” Ranen wrote. “We hope that everyone began circulating on an anon- “I thought it was really im- proved challenging, so striking appreciated student feedback
in the community remains committed to physical distancing, using face ymous Instagram page titled portant that I spoke about it at seem like the most feasible op- regarding courses and mat-
coverings, and practicing good hygiene.” “BrunswickIdea.” the faculty meeting, [explaining tion. ters in which her office could
“The Bowdoin community is it to] faculty who I believe have “It was difficult to do any sort directly intervene.
STUDENTS RELOCATED AFTER FIRE struggling and going through been exercising a tremendous of event or public demonstra- “If we heard that an in-
AT BRUNSWICK INN; NONE INJURED a mental health crisis. We de- amount of flexibility this se- tion because of COVID[-19] dividual faculty member
mand a longer break in order to mester,” Scanlon said in a Zoom guidelines and overall exhaus- scheduled an exam during the
Jacob Trachtenberg ’24 was eating lunch early in the afternoon of adequately rest in the face of the interview with the Orient. tion of [students], so when break or something like that,
Monday, March 29, at the Brunswick Inn, where he and a handful of pandemic and in recognition Similarly, the Bowdoin Stu- the break finally came, it was an associate dean reached out
other first-year students are living this semester, when a fire broke out of the fact that this semester dent Government (BSG) sent much-needed time for students to those individual faculty
upstairs. Trachtenberg and other students left the house when they is NOT NORMAL,” state the out a campus-wide email on to just catch up with them- members to have conversa-
heard the fire alarm sound. letter that was signed by 184 March 19, echoing the letter’s selves,” said Williams. “I offered tions,” Scanlon said.
“It was pretty hectic,” Trachtenberg said in a Zoom interview with students. frustration with the College’s to help organize logistically but Kong canceled both of
the Orient. “We sort of watched the fire response from the patio of a Aminata Harley ’23, a stu- actions. it was not feasible.” her classes that week, while
nearby law firm.” dent who signed the letter, “We’re stressed, disappoint- Some professors took issue Ogunnaike canceled one of
Trachtenberg and other students whose personal belongings were highlighted how she felt unsup- ed, exhausted, and, quite frank- with the shortened break, es- his courses and adjusted as-
salvageable were able to retrieve them from inside the building where ported by the college thus far ly, fed up. We’re students too, pecially considering their own signments for the other. Both
they had been staying, but smoke damage rendered the building unin- this semester and thought stu- and we know how draining work. stressed their appreciation for
habitable for the time being. dents deserved a longer break. this semester has been and how “My two classes are broken direct student feedback re-
Some students, including Katalina Echavarri ’24, in whose room the “I think Bowdoin has created frustrating it is that we don’t into smaller sections … some garding workload and stress.
fire occurred, were not as fortunate. an unhealthy culture regarding have a real break this year,” the meet on Monday or Tuesday, “If I feel like a class is com-
“My … room in the Brunswick Inn caught fire due to an electrical working and people are for- BSG wrote in an email to the and others later in the week. fortable with me, then they
accident,” Echavarri wrote in an email to the Orient. “I lost almost all getting how taxing this year student body. “As the BSG we’ve Since the break only cancelled a will tell me, ‘okay, we’re strug-
my belongings including my laptop, all my clothes, and items from my has been to all of us. We’re not reached out to the administra- few of the sections, it only felt gling here,’ and I always am
childhood. Students and professors have been so supportive towards me students first, we’re people and tion and faculty about extend- fair to cancel the others,” Belin- receptive to that,” Kong said.
throughout all this. I am very thankful for these two groups of individ- have to take care of ourselves,” ing the break as well as allevi- da Kong, John F. and Dorothy “But when there’s a slightly
uals.” Harley said in a Zoom inter- ating workload to help general H. Magee Associate Professor larger class and people don’t
The College did offer students beds in Stowe Inn on a temporary view with the Orient. stress levels on campus. Our of Asian Studies and English, feel comfortable with each
basis, but the students were able to move to the Brunswick Inn’s other Similarly, Thais Carrillo ’23, efforts haven’t been met with said. other, it’s hard to gauge how
building, where they are all now staying. shared similar sentiments but an adequate response, but our Ayodeji Ogunnaike, asso- they’re doing, especially over
LECTURE
felt that skipping class didnot work has also been lacking.” ciate professor of Africana Zoom. Sometimes, they’d
experience under-protection of solve the problem. BSG President Marcus Wil- Studies, explained that he’s bring up an article in the Ori-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the law and over-policing of law “I’ve been struggling this se- liams ‘21 said that the email had to be flexible since he be- ent or an editorial asking if I
enforcement,” Purnell said in a mester, and have missed some was intended to facilitate trans- gan at the College in the fall read it to help highlight issues
Bazelon argued that elected of- phone interview with the Orient. classes already so I wasn’t very parency and communication of 2019, just before the pan- which I’ve also appreciated.”
ficials are not only becoming more “In the current system, statistically,
representative of their communi- culturally, politically … [the] war
ties, but also enacting effective and
progressive change.
on crime and [the] war on drugs
[have] been [wars] on Black peo- ATHLETICS understanding of the power of
language.
simple step, Horwitz argued that
gender-inclusive and expansive
ly start to heal.”
Through sharing their story
“These progressive prosecutors ple. Is there such a thing as a good CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “Every single day, hearing signage can go a long way to cre- and providing tangible, progres-
were taking office, [and] incar- prosecutor?” really nice way of kind of starting gendered language and associa- ating an inclusive and safe envi- sive steps, Horwitz hopes to help
ceration was starting to drop in Bazelon emphasized that in with the basics,” Somerby said in tion to myself for a gender that I ronment. Bowdoin Athletics and the Bow-
their cities,” Bazelon said. “They addition to electing progressive a Zoom interview with the Ori- was not a part of really started to Returning to Bowdoin to give doin community at large begin
were doing other really interesting prosecutors, community invest- ent. “The first talk was definitely chip away [at my mental health] educational talks, albeit virtually, thinking critically about how to
things like addressing innocence ment is instrumental to mitigating more about the terminology to in a really disheartening way, and has presented Horwitz with the better cultivate an affirming and
cases from the past and trying to incarceration. However, this effort use for people who didn’t neces- took away from my experience as added opportunity to process and inclusive community for all indi-
come up with diversion programs is not without its challenges, as sarily know or weren’t engaging an athlete,” Horwitz said. heal from some of their experi- viduals.
that bring social work services into alternatives to incarceration are in conversations in the past, [so] After doing their own research ences as a Bowdoin student. “Visibility changes everything.
people’s lives.” difficult to implement. that they had the vocabulary to be on the options available to trans “I still was battling with what If you are in an environment
Associate Professor of Africana In a time where cases relating able to talk about that.” athletes, Horwitz worked with [it means] to love a place that has where people can openly talk
Studies and History Brian Purnell to criminal and racial justice are Somerby found Horwitz’s final Ashmead White Director of Ath- caused me harm,” Horwitz said. about identities and not only
attended the talk on Tuesday eve- drawing national attention, Ba- session to be particularly helpful letics Tim Ryan to join the men’s “What I didn’t know at the time— openly talk, but feel supported
ning and explained that his class zelon encouraged students to act in terms of providing tangible squash team, which most aligned but am beyond grateful to report and affirmed, it’s going to change
“Race, Crime and Law in the Unit- on the sense of urgency they may steps for teams to create a more with their gender identity. now—is that, through producing people’s lives,” Horwitz said. “My
ed States” has also considered the feel in order to implement change. inclusive environment for athletes Horwitz also worked with the series that I gave at Bowdoin goal has always been to just create
role of progressive prosecutors in “It’s one thing to have principles of all identities and experiences. Ryan to create signage in the this year, I was able to start to con- these conversations to be able to
enacting change. and ideas in the abstract, and it’s Horwitz, who joined the squash facilities which mark scious process and work through cultivate safe and judgment free
“[In the class] we examine how another one to lift them out,” she women’s squash team when they the building as safe spaces for a lot of the experiences that I had environments where people feel
Black people in the United States said. arrived at Bowdoin, has a unique all gender identities. Although a at Bowdoin and to be able to real- comfortable asking questions.”
by Sophie Burchell opened the business this past moved to Maine in the midst reception.
Orient Staff January, and while they are of the pandemic and began “We had such a welcome
During the College’s two- new residents of Maine, as planning their new business, from the community,” said
day break, many Bowdoin parents of a recent graduate, from name and store design to Soraia. We [had] a line going
students living on campus they are no strangers to the the menu items. around [the store]. So we were
found a moment of refresh- Brunswick area. They opened The Mataris purchased the very excited! The Brunswick “I know that people have between 500 and 600 bowls
ment while enjoying free Bay Bowls after hearing about location in September and be- community has been abso- a lot of frustrations with ad- before they opened to hand
smoothie bowls sponsored by their daughter’s experience at gan renovations shortly there- lutely amazing. From asking ministrative calendar issues them out to Bowdoin students
the Bowdoin Student Govern- Bowdoin. after. Opening their business ‘how’re you guys doing?’ to around spring break, but throughout the day. At the
ment (BSG). More than 1,000 “The idea [for Bay Bowls] during the pandemic allowed saying ‘we’re so happy you’re hopefully this was just some- end of both days, all the bowls
students picked up a bowl came from my daughter that them to design the layout of here!’” thing that made the short were gone.
from the newly-opened Bay went to Bowdoin. We’ve al- Bay Bowls to accommodate Bowdoin students were first weekend a little bit better,” said Bay Bowls currently has six
Bowls on March 21 and 22, ways loved smoothies and açaí for COVID-19 safety precau- able to come to Bay Bowls BSG Chair of Student Affairs employees, not including the
and the store’s owners are ex- and would make that at home, tions—instead of coming in- when Bowdoin went into cam- Lily Tedford ’22 in a Zoom in- Mataris. Two of them are cur-
cited to continue serving the and while Leah was at Bowdo- side the store, customers order pus status level “yellow.” How- terview with the Orient. “We rent Bowdoin students, and
Brunswick community. in, she craved something like at a counter outside the front ever, most Bowdoin students wanted to give people some- two more are recent Bowdoin
Bay Bowls is located at this,” said Solaria. “But there door. got a taste of Bay Bowls with thing that felt special. And it graduates. The owners hope
210 Maine Street and serves was nothing like [that] here.” On January 30, Bay Bowls a free bowl sponsored by BSG also worked well because we to expand their hours and
bowls of blended açaí or pi- Seeing the opportunity to opened for business. Despite as part of the its Polar Pause wanted to support a new local hire more employees soon,
taya topped with colorful provide Brunswick with what opening day being one of the programing, which was meant business.” and they are already consid-
fruit, granola and syrups. their daughter was missing coldest days of winter, the to help students de-stress over In preparation for Bowdoin ering opening a second loca-
Sal and Soraia Matari P’20 from home, Sal and Soraia Mataris were received a warm the two-day break. students, Bay Bowls pre-made tion.
TALK TO US.
Ranging from lighthearted moments to serious reflections
about life at and beyond Bowdoin, Talks of the Quad feature
the Bowdoin community’s best short-form writing. They are
published every other week and can be written by any member
of the Bowdoin community. Generally 700-1,000 words.
EMAIL ORIENT@BOWDOIN.EDU
7 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Tuesday, April 6, 2021
HIGHLIGHT
REEL
Adrienne Shibles named Head Coach of USA
THE YEAR OF
RETIREMENT
A flurry of retirements
have been announced in
Basketball Women’s U16 National Team
the past month, with three
long-term members of the by Jade Cromwell Shibles expects to confront to them is really important as I Shibles’ coaching philosophy they are young teenage girls,” said
department announcing Orient Staff new obstacles coaching the na- think that builds confidence in has helped the team successfully Shibles. “There’s a lot of pressure
that they plan to step down tional team, but she remains the student athletes.” compete with and win against on them, and I want to develop
from their roles at the end On March 17, USA Basket- optimistic. In addition to her experience most Division III schools across them not only as players but again
of this academic year. ball announced that Adrienne “I’ll be dealing with a diverse at the national-level, Shibles the country, regardless of their as leaders and to be resilient and
Head Coach of Men’s and Shibles, head coach of Bowdoin group of student athletes, and coached at Babson College for a size. bring all those qualities to the
Women’s Cross Country women’s basketball, will serve so really bringing that mindset year, at Colby for two years and at Shibles emphasized the im- floor that are going to also help
and Men’s Track and Field as the 2021 head coach of the to the table and being present to Swarthmore for nine, all of which portance of working with players them in life.”
Peter Slovenski announced U16 National Team. Shibles will support them is going to be really honed her coaching abilities and who share the team’s values as Shibles also sees the opportu-
on March 23 that he will
step down after coaching be responsible for developing important,” Shibles said. “There shaped her coaching philosophy. one of the keys to success. nity to coach the U16 national
for 102 consecutive the team throughout the year will be pressure, and so manag- As the current head coach for “There’s definitely an element team as a chance for professional
seasons. He has been at and will take a month off from ing the pressure as a staff but also women’s basketball at Bowdoin, of hard work, both from the play- growth. And, with the help from
Bowdoin since 1987 and Bowdoin women’s basketball to for the student athletes is going to Shibles has focused her efforts ers and recruiting, with myself Assistant Coach Megan Phelps,
coached 122 All-Americans lead the national team in a tour- be really important.” on developing her players on and and my assistant coach,” Shibles Bowdoin women’s basketball
during that tenure. Lynn nament run by the Federal Inter- Shibles spent time as a court off the court as both athletes and said. “Most importantly, we look will remain under great leader-
Ruddy, the current assistant national Basketball Association coach for the USA Women’s U16 young women. “My coaching for the right people who share ship during Shibles’ month away
coach for track and field (FIBA). National Team in 2019, which philosophy is really centered our team values, and we are really with the national team.
and swimming and diving “We start competition June 20 gave her a base understanding around the notion that coaches intentional about that.” “Even though it will be chal-
and former
ormer coach for in Santiago, Chile,” Shibles said in of what to expect going forward are educators and that basketball Shibles also hopes to build lenging to have me gone for one
women’s volleyball and a Zoom interview with the Ori- with this new team. is a tool to teach women lessons strong relationships with the month, and that will all fall on
softball, announced on ent. “It’s about a ten-day to two- “I learned that even though about themselves and how to rise young women on the national [Phelps], I do think that in the
March 25 that she will
week competition, which I’m these are the top players in the as leaders,” said Shibles. “Every team like she has with her team long run it’s really going to pay
also be stepping down.
She is the longest tenured really looking forward to. There country for their age, they are day I’m showing up looking to at Bowdoin. off,” Shibles said. “I will learn
member of the Bowdoin are still some question marks young women who come from a develop the players as far more “I think it will be even more and grow from this process, and
Athletics Department and with regards to COVID[-19] and wide range of backgrounds,” said than just basketball players.” important that we as the staff work I know that [Phelps] and I can
is the associate director how it’s all going to happen, but Shibles. “Keeping things really Bringing Bowdoin to two Di- to make those connections to sup- balance this load together while
of athletics. Finally, USA Basketball is confident that simple and not skipping ahead vision III national championship port them because as much as I’m gone, and I’m just again so
Head Coach of Men’s it will happen.” to teach more intricate concepts games in the past three years, they’re the top talent in the nation, blessed to have her here.”
Basketball Tim Gilbride
OPINION
from the Editors:
Reflecting on our name As a Korean American woman,
To Bowdoin students, alumni, faculty and staff; Orient staff members past and pres-
ent and members of the Brunswick community:
When we joined the Orient nearly four years ago, we, along with many other then-
first-year staff members, had questions about the name of the paper. When we asked
what happened in Atlanta hurts bility is often belittled into something parodied in South Park and hurled in
upperclassmen, we heard that the name came from the Latin word “oriens,” for sunrise, by Kyubin Kim negligible by virtue of our race and middle school hallways at Asian fe-
Op Ed Contributer
and that the paper was given this name because the College is one of the easternmost gender. We’re a racial minority, and male classmates. Maybe you’ve even
institutions in the United States (although the University of Maine in Orono and Colby On Tuesday evening on March we’re the subjects of the patriarchy. said it or had it said to you. “Me love
College had already been established at the inception of the Orient). We were also told 16, eight people were shot in three We are part of the demographic tar- you long time” has been defiled and
that the name was connected to the sun on the College’s seal, as the term “orient” was massage parlors in the “red-light geted by “Kung Flu,” and we, too, are mimicked so many times that it has
more widely used to describe the rising sun; daybreak, dawn—a definition now labeled districts” of Atlanta, Georgia. Six part of the demographic targeted by lost its seductive meaning when spo-
“obsolete” by the Oxford English Dictionary. of those murdered were Asian—all “me love you long time.” This is not to ken by the Asian female sex worker.
Since the paper’s establishment in 1871, the connotations surrounding the term “ori- of whom were women—and two frame the narrative of Asian women Because we know there is no seduc-
ent” have changed drastically. According to the Washington Post, the term “oriental” were white. Four of the women were as one primarily associated with vic- tion in this power dynamic; Asian
was used to describe people of Asian descent by mainstream media up until the 1960s confirmed to be of Korean descent. timhood but to recognize that there’s women are the sexual conquests of
and ’70s. But since the start of the 21st century, both state and federal governments have The suspect in custody, Robert Aar- a multiplicity of structures that force the American patriarchy. Its com-
begun outlawing the use of the term to refer to individuals in official documents, recog- on Long, is white, and he’s 21 years us to occupy a position of smallness. bined racist and sexual fantasies pen-
nizing its association with America’s extensive history of anti-Asian racism, including old—the same age as I am. But Rob- There’s a whole sleuth of Asian male etrate our bodies. They prey on our
imperialism, the Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese internment camps and racial quotas. ert Aaron Long is a white, churchgo- keyboard war- exotic non-whiteness, our vulnera-
As members of the Orient’s staff, we had access to the story of how the paper got its ing man who shoots six Asian women riors dedi- bilities, our policed-until-it’s-self-po-
name. But, as the experiences of other Bowdoin students clearly demonstrate, many dead, and I am a Korean American cated liced silence. We are both the danger
never have the opportunity to have such conversations. With the problematic and oth- woman writing this essay in Cali- to of the Yellow Peril and the foreign al-
ering connotations the term has accrued, some may spend all four years on Bowdoin’s fornia, trembling and feeling as lure of Yellow Fever. “Love” does not
campus encountering the name “the Orient” multiple times every day, wondering what if a bullet is tearing my heart exist in “me love you long time”; only
justification could exist for the college newspaper at a predominantly-white institution to shreds. the thrill of dominance by men like
with a wealthy, male history to be named “the Orient.” When news of the Atlanta Robert Aaron Long.
It is not the responsibility of students outside our organization to seek out these jus- shooting first broke, people, It’s not time, it’s been long over-
tifications. And even if they did, the term carries too much weight for many to ever specifically Asian Amer- due, to start an ongoing conver-
comfortably identify with it. Students have a right to exist on their own campus without icans, began connecting sation on anti-Asian racism and
the additional emotional labor imposed by the fact that their school newspaper’s name the dots, even when initial sexism in the Bowdoin commu-
could be said to normalize the language of anti-Asian discrimination. reports were reluctant to nity. I’ve been so used to silencing
As a staff, we have begun having internal conversations about the history of the condemn the shootings as and minimizing myself as an Asian
name, the weight a name carries and our role in working toward racial equity within “racially-motivated.” Why? woman at Bowdoin that it almost
our own organization and on campus. We have continued conversations started by staff Because this hit too close to feels unnatural to have an audience
members well before us about how the connotations surrounding the term “orient” home. The shooter targeted for thoughts I’ve been grappling
have changed since 1871. On the near eve of our 150th anniversary, we are talking three Asian-owned spas, one with for a long time—ever since my
about what the next 150 years may look like and how our institution will reflect the of which included “Asian” in first-year move-in day. So listen and
values of our staff and the broader Bowdoin community. its name. Thirty-eight hundred check in with your AAPI friends, and
IZ
More often than not, we are proud of the newspaper’s commitment to serving as an anti-Asian racist incidents have RT be open about mistakes made in the
NAO
open forum for thought and discussion on issues of interest to the community, as well been reported this year (reported; SHO past, “jokes” that shouldn’t have been
as its history of reflecting diverse opinions of students, alumni, faculty and staff. We meaning this number is not inclu- laughed off and comments you’ve
hope to continue to serve these roles as we engage in this conversation. We understand sive of incidents that have not been calling us race made toward Asian women during
the nostalgia that many members of our community feel as they read the Orient from documented). We’ve witnessed the traitors if we date non-Asian men. parties. Anti-Asian attitudes have
wherever they are in the world, and we hope that conversations about our name both aftermath of U.S. President Trump’s I’ve been told that we should feel been normalized, so the first step is to
honor these connections and signal towards a future that reflects the current values of mockery of the coronavirus as “Kung lucky to be fetishized and to be cat- learn to notice them.
the community, namely a commitment to racial equity and inclusion. Flu,” fueling existing Sinophobia in called, even when it’s not just because But most of all, I wrote this to hon-
So, as we continue these conversations internally and with you, and as we move the United States. We’ve seen and re- we’re sexy women but because the or the victims of the Atlanta shootings
forward with the next steps of this process, we invite you to do the same. Talk amongst peatedly condemned white suprema- man on the street wants to pay for a on March 16. Learn why they came
your community, educate yourself on the history of the term and share your thoughts cists’ refusal to differentiate biolog- “Chinese girlfriend.” I often silenced to America and know why they died
through an Op-Ed or a letter to the editor. ical viruses from personhood. We myself because I was conditioned to at the hands of a white terrorist. Put
We sincerely hope we can all learn together in the coming months. continue the same conversations over doubt and feel shameful of my own the most vulnerable Asian women—
Best, and over again about how grouping truths. So let’s unpack that. Because Asian undocumented workers, min-
Kate Lusignan and Nina McKay Asians as a monolith is reductive, God forbid we can’t handle racism imum-wage laborers, non-English
Volume 150 Editors in Chief classist and East Asia-centric. But and sexism at once. speaking immigrants and refugees—
what was missing from the analysis The phrase “Me love you long time” at the center of your anti-Asian rac-
was the public media attention grant- originated from Stanley Kubrick’s ism awareness and reeducation. I’m
ed to the treatment of the most invis- 1987 film “Full Metal Jacket,” where a sending prayers out to Atlanta and the
ible yet hypervisible demographic of Vietnamese prostitute solicits Amer- grieving families, love and support to
ESTABLISHED 1871 Asian women. Sixty-eight percent of ican GI-s with promises that she will the tireless organizers and gratitude to
the past year’s racial incidents were serve her john beyond a “short time” BIPOC communities who have been
bowdoinorient.com orient@bowdoin.edu 6200 College Station Brunswick, ME 04011 reported by Asian women, and 29 one night stand. It perpetuates the supporting us since day one. Like
The Bowdoin Orient is a student-run weekly publication dedicated to providing news and information percent by Asian men. As an Asian fantasy of a submissive Asian woman many of you, I’m still angry, I still cry
relevant to the Bowdoin community. Editorially independent of the College and its administrators, woman, I felt angry and powerless and the history of American impe- at night when I crawl into my thoughts
the Orient pursues such content freely and thoroughly, following professional journalistic standards in and embittered. rialism with soldiers bringing Asian too much, I still think I’m insignifi-
writing and reporting. The Orient is committed to serving as an open forum for thoughtful and diverse Asian women are hypervisible by wives home from war. cant at times. But, I’m also becoming
discussion and debate on issues of interest to the College community. virtue of our race and our gender; But, like racism, sexism spreads more clear-headed and open-minded,
Kate Lusignan Nina McKay we are fetishized and objectified and contagiously until it is normalized and I’m learning from my mistakes to
Editor in Chief Editor in Chief even desired. We’re a lucrative Porn- into a funny pick-up line. “Me love find ways to move this forward. This
hub category for straight men and you long time” has now become a rite op-ed is flawed and incomplete, but it
Managing Editor can become wives of powerful white of passage for white men when they exists and it’s my start.
Digital Director Sabrina Lin News Editor men (check out the alt-right’s Asian travel to Asian countries for sex tour- Kyubin Kim is a member of the
Steven Xu Dylan Sloan Halina Bennet fetish). But at the same time, our visi- ism; it is now repeated in rap lyrics, Class of 2022.
Emily Staten
Ayub Tahlil Rebecca Norden Bright
Photo Editor
Mindy Leder Features Editor
Mackey O’Keefe Associate Editor
Sophie Burchell Tianyi Xu LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Layout Editor Julia Jennings
Answer at bowdoinorient.com/poll.
unconventional approaches to research adjustments, both physically and mental-
colleges and athletic programs. When be- ly. Can things change? I won’t speak for
coming involved in the Bowdoin football the entire recruitment class or team, but I
recruitment process, one way I attempted would not have even considered Bowdoin
to learn more about the program was to as an option if I didn’t believe things will
read articles from The Bowdoin Orient.
Recent team history is what it is, so I
change.
Change takes effort and support from Last issue’s response:
found the articles fair and informative but an entire community, so I hope The Bow-
25% YES
minds of this team. The concept of having Sincerely,
a short-term memory when it comes to
75% NO
losses and bad plays sounds easy in the- Austin Hiscoe ’25
ory, but it can be challenging when the
pressure to win grows heavier.
MARCH 9-16