My last relationship ended a few months before the pandemic started. Just as I decided to “put myself back out there,” suddenly there was nowhere to go. But now, as the “unprecedented times” excuse looks increasingly flimsy, I am forced to confront the harsh reality that if I want to date someone again I need to do the unthinkable: go on dates.
The Sophian
In mid-September, more than 10,000 Haitians appeared at the U.S.-Mexico border to seek refuge in the U.S. from their unstable country. Images circulated online of U.S. border agents on horseback, whipping migrants as if they are herding cattle. As they attempt to ward off and punish the refugees for presuming that they have any right to belong on American land, it enrages me to see such a horrifying and irredeemable act of violence directed towards migrants who are simply searching for safety and stability.
On Sept. 12, protestors once again descended upon Northampton, this time to protest Senator Elizabeth Warren. Senator Warren held a town hall at Forbes Library. As attendees waited on folding chairs and blankets on Forbes Lawn, protestors competed with Senator Warren’s pre-event playlist. Indistinct chants echoed over the sounds of ‘9 to 5’ by Dolly Parton turned up to full blast.
R&B music star R. Kelly was finally convicted for sexual assault, sex trafficking and sexual abuse of underage women Sept. 27 of this year. He faces life in prison and although it appears some justice has been served, I’m still skeptical. If this case is like so many others, the reality of this sentence will probably be a short period of public punishment before he’s given an ankle bracelet and sent home.
There is much to criticize about Zoom classes. The intense screen time, the constant distractions and the lack of social interaction make it harder to learn for many students. There is one advantage to online classes however, that students might be reminded of when returning to campus: they reduce social pressure.
On campus for the first time after a year of online classes and activities, Smith College Class of 2024 expressed varying levels of comfort with the social life of the campus.
“I thought, my path is calling me, and I couldn’t refuse it,” mused Tiana Clark, on her realization that she was meant to be a poet while she worked at the Schomburg Center for Black Culture, en route to being a historian.
The Tell It Slant Poetry Festival 2021, a week-long collection of virtual events, ranging from poetry readings to workshops, raised money for The Emily Dickinson Museum and honored the Amherst local herself.
“I’ve gotta break up sincerity with humor every now and again,” said Julien Baker after making her audience laugh and moments before launching into her devastating song “Sprained Ankle” at a sold-out but intimate show at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke, on tour for her 2021 album “Little Oblivions.”
On Sept. 16, Dean of the College, Baishaki Taylor, announced that UMass Amherst reported 371 positive COVID-19 cases in the week of Sept. 8-14. Hampshire County has since been designated very high risk for COVID-19 by Covid Act Now.