The Oldest College Weekly in America. Founded 1868.

The Colgate Maroon-News

The Oldest College Weekly in America. Founded 1868.

The Colgate Maroon-News

The Oldest College Weekly in America. Founded 1868.

The Colgate Maroon-News

The Guy Who Does Stuff

Luke Parauda, News Editor April 2, 2015

I don’t have a job. In April of my senior year, saying that to myself is scary. However, I find it way scarier to admit to myself that I only have four or five more real weeks at Colgate. It makes the...

Normalizing Relations With Cuba: No Right Answer

Normalizing Relations With Cuba: No Right Answer

Jacob Wasserman, Maroon-News Staff March 26, 2015

The Obama administration has recently made a push to normalize relations with Cuba. The Cuban government seems to have evolved little, but American policy toward its close neighbor to the south is changing. One reason is that a main goal of the U.S.-Cuba trade embargo – to spur Cubans to rebel against the Castro regime and overthrow the government – has not been realized, even 55 years after the embargo began. I agree with the White House on this matter; the embargo has been largely unsuccessful. 

Now could be a critical time for Cuba’s economy to collapse on its own, where its major allies are weak and its leadership is growing old. According to Ann Louise Bardach who spoke about U.S.-Cuba relations at Colgate on March 11, Cuba is in a much worse position politically and economically than it was during the Cold War since Russia gives significantly less support to the struggling country than the Soviet Union did before its collapse. In addition, Cuba has received less aid from its ally, Venezuela, since Hugo Chavez’s death in 2013. 

For these reasons, one could argue, it is a poor time for the United States to intervene in Cuba’s economy. The United States may be closer to achieving the goals of the embargo now than it had been in the past. 

A second reason that the United States would refrain from conducting business with Cuba is that Cuba’s government has vastly different values than the U.S. government. Generally speaking, the U.S. allows for an open and free marketplace where capitalism can thrive. The U.S. government wants its people to be healthy, physically and economically. In Cuba, citizens have few economic rights and have little choice in terms of how to conduct business and where to shop. The United States also keeps Cuba on its list of state sponsors of terrorism, along with Iran, Syria and Sudan. If the United States believes that Cuba sponsors terrorism, it would be in its best interest to continue the embargo or sanctions to prevent the nation from indirectly causing harm to the U.S. 

Earlier this month at the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington D.C., Congressman Ruben Gallego reminded me of why it is acceptable for the United States to conduct business with countries like Cuba. Even though America can justify the embargo due to Cuba’s position on the list of state sponsors of terror and how it lacks shared values with the U.S., the United States has numerous similar complex relations with other countries with which it also disagrees. 

Former President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger opened relations with China in the early 1970s even though the two countries had drastically different economic and political goals. The U.S. could have always refused to deal with China. Instead, it opened up trade, boosting its economy and making China a crucial trading partner to this day. 

More recently, the Obama administration has opened up negotiations with Iran, a country it had no formal diplomacy with since the Iranian Hostage Crisis in 1979. Iran funds and gives rockets to terror organizations, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, to use against U.S. allies. It contributes to regional destabilization, especially in aiding the Assad regime during the Syrian Civil War. Now, the United States cannot afford to ignore Iran due to the threat is nuclear program poses to the U.S. and its allies. 

Though normalizing relations with Cuba is not as important to U.S. interests as is preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, this should teach that the United States has been and should be willing to deal with its enemies due to the complexity of global economics and politics. 

For the time being, the United States does not need to rush into Cuba. It can afford to wait a few more years to observe how the post-Raul Cuba develops. Perhaps the only obstacle to a liberated, Castro-free Cuba was not normalizing relations sooner.

An End To Styrofoam

An End To Styrofoam

Sara Reese & Breanna Giovanniello, Maroon-News Staff March 26, 2015

On March 10th, the Colgate University Student Government Association (SGA) unanimously passed both a resolution and bill against Styrofoam. The bill, acting to change bylaws pertaining to the Budget Allocation Committee, prohibits BAC-funded student groups from using BAC-funding to purchase Styrofoam. This means when student groups host events and order pizza and drinks for pickup or delivery, there has to be explicit notice given to the vendor that Styrofoam cups or plates should not be provided. The resolution informs all Colgate departments and offices that the student body dissuades the use of Styrofoam and suggests action to reduce Styrofoam purchasing.

Why should we be excited about this? This is an exciting step our SGA has taken because Styrofoam is identified as the fifth largest contributor to waste in the environment. Styrofoam is a non-biodegradable substance, meaning that it is able to last in a landfill forever. Unfortunately, it is believed that an estimated 30 percent of our nation’s landfills are made up of this material. Not only does Styrofoam have negative impacts on our environment, but it also negatively impacts our bodies. A major component of Styrofoam is styrene, which was identified as a potential carcinogen and neurotoxin by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) several decades ago. Additional chemicals found in Styrofoam have been known to leach into food and beverages as it is heated up in the Styrofoam leading to the human ingestion of these chemicals. According to EPA studies, Styrene is now found in 100 percent of the fat tissues sampled from every U.S. citizen, including children. 

This bill and resolution builds momentum towards the ultimate action that should be taken: a campus-wide Styrofoam ban and ban within the town of Hamilton itself. With reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable offered at comparable prices, there is no need for Styrofoam anymore. There are many colleges, universities, cities, counties and even states that have already banned Styrofoam. New York City, for example announced a ban that will go into effect July 1, 2015. Stores, food service establishments and manufacturers will no longer be able to possess, sell or offer single-use Styrofoam containers, cups or packing peanuts. We should follow NYC’s lead and institute a similar ban; however, we are proud SGA has taken such an action to reduce Styrofoam consumption on campus.

Alumni Column: Lifelong Learning

Christian Teeter, Class if 1995 March 26, 2015

A Colgate education provides invaluable opportunities to foster critical thinking and lifelong learning through challenging assignments, insightful faculty discussion and lectures and through a myriad...

Is Your Professor on Medicaid?

Is Your Professor on Medicaid?

Jasmine Bailey '05, Lecturer in University Studies March 26, 2015

Queer Corner: Datemate

Kris Pfister, Maroon-News Staff March 26, 2015

Datemate. It’s an alternative to saying “boyfriend” or “girlfriend,” and here are three reasons why you should start using it, even if you or the person you’re dating don’t identify as LGBTQ.I’ve...

Rap Music Is Poetry:  Finding Meaning in Rhyme

Rap Music Is Poetry: Finding Meaning in Rhyme

André Stephenson, Assistant News Editor March 26, 2015

Rap music is poetry. Now that you’ve finished rolling your eyes I think it’s time to refine my statement; good rap music is poetry. It’s been my own humble opinion since my junior year of high school, the very first time I heard the music of the late, great Notorious B.I.G. But I think this opinion is relevant now more than ever with the recent release of Kendrick Lamar’s album To Pimp a Butterfly.

This opinion might be a hard pill to swallow if your knowledge of rap music stops at the occasional popular party-rap song like the god-awful “Coco” by O.T Genesis. Judging rap music by songs like “Coco” is like judging all TV by shows like TLC’s “Honey Boo Boo”; it’s enjoyable at the right time but is by no means a standard.

When I say rap music is poetry I’m talking about the very best the genre has produced, “NY State of Mind” by Nas comes to mind.  If “Coco” is “Honey Boo Boo,” then surely “NY State of Mind” is rap’s “Breaking Bad.” In “NY State of Mind,” Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones spends five glorious minutes describing the urban struggle that is life in Queensbridge, New York. Dare I say, it is the best five minutes of rap music you will find. That’s definitely not to say that every rap song has to be some form of social commentary or deal with serious topics. I’m not that guy who’s arguing for rap music to “get back to its roots,” which in actuality are more based in party than in any type of social commentary. I’m arguing for an end to the perception that the genre is all about money and self-indulgence because while that is definitely a part of rap music it is by no means the only part. Recognizing this is integral in creating the distinction between popular, catchy songs and poetic, meaningful songs.

This takes me back to my original point: rap albums like the recent To Pimp a Butterfly and 2014 Forest Hills Drive by J. Cole or even classics such as Ready to Die by Notorious B.I.G and 2pacalypse Now by Tupac Shakur are more than just rap albums – they are urban poetry. Remove the beats in the background and all the fancy musical effects and you hear a poem about the struggle for existence that is life in the urban world. It forces you to think deeply and appreciate the very fact that these individuals were not only able to survive their experiences but also that their stories unite; they tell the stories of hundreds maybe even thousands, who share similar experiences but are unable to express them in such a pleasant manner. Rap is a broad genre that encompasses various sub-genres which differ in topic, approach, style and even location. My familiarity lies primarily with East Coast rap, which has a tendency to be centered around the struggle of life in New York City. One of my favorite East Coast rap albums, arguably the most poetic of all, is the aforementioned Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G. 

Ready to Die by Notorious B.I.G is essentially an autobiography. The album tells the story of his life growing up poor, his transition into becoming a drug dealer, and the toll this life took. In songs such as “Ready To Die,” “Everyday Struggle” and “Suicidal Thoughts,” he sees no way to improve his current condition and struggles to find meaning in life. 

Other songs, such as “Juicy,” tell about what has given him a purpose, what has stopped him from taking his own life when he has seen nothing but struggle, his childhood love and method of self-expression: rap music. This album has special significance for me because of the story it tells; it is a shift from the self-aggrandizement that has come to characterize rappers and drug dealers. Ready to Die is a cry for help from a tortured soul.

There is no formula for what makes a particular rap song a poem, but good rap music is poetry. Good rap music, like a good poem, conveys meaning to its audience, tells a story and has the power to ignite strong feelings. Tupac Shakur, considered by some to be the greatest rapper of all time, was in fact a poet before he became a rapper and had a book of poetry published posthumously titled “The Rose That Grew From Concrete.” In fact, an excerpt from that book’s most popular poem also titled “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” is heavily featured in PowerAde’s new “Just a Kid” ad campaign. It’s a poem well worth a read, and it makes for an ad well worth watching.

What’s Left, Being Right: Foreign Policy in the Middle East

James Goldin & Olivia Detato, Maroon-New Staff March 26, 2015

What’s LeftHawks In CongressNuclear talks with Iran, and the numerous surrounding controversies, are part of a hotly contested debate in American politics right now. The lethal nature and possible catastrophic...

The Woes Of Weather And Work

Caroline Main, Managing Editor March 26, 2015

Now that everyone has returned from their Spring Breaks in various corners of the world (realistically, mostly just Punta Cana, Cabo and Florida), the top conversation topics have quickly returned to pre-spring...

Speaking Up For Silence

Emily Haines, Class of 2017 March 5, 2015

The Chapel House is a unique and special place, as those who have been to visit will know. The quiet spirit of meditative thoughtfulness and silence is almost tangible. It is open to all people regardless...

Small Towels, Big Impact

Small Towels, Big Impact

Breanna Giovanniello, Class of 2016 & Grace Dennis March 5, 2015

Have you ever thought about how many paper towels you use each day? We all know that it’s important to wash our hands to prevent the spread of germs, but what do all those disposable paper towels mean for the environment? Most people use about 3,000 disposable paper towels outside of their homes each year, and all these paper towels make up about 35-40 percent of waste from college campuses. While one solution may be to simply recycle these used paper towels, the material out of which they are made is actually not recyclable so they still go to the landfill. Another possible solution is the use of hand dryers over disposable paper towels. While this would significantly decrease the amount of waste we produce, hand dryers are often extremely noisy and still leave major carbon footprint from their manufacturing process and energy use. 

The easiest solution to this wasteful problem can be found by looking at other cultures. In Japan, there are no disposable paper towels available in public restrooms. As a result, everybody carries a reusable hand towel around with them. This widespread use of reusable towels comes from a societal mindset very different from what is seen in the United States. Japanese culture does not place the same value on disposable products that American culture does. This difference in values likely comes from the minimal land area available in Japan for landfills. While the United States may have more space in which to put waste, we are filling up landfills at an alarming and unsustainable rate. 

So how can the Colgate community begin to reduce our reliance on disposable paper towels? The easiest way to make a difference is to bring a hand towel with you when using the bathroom in your dorm. You likely already have a towel hanging on the back of your door so just grab it on the way out. To go a step further, a small hand towel can easily be kept in your backpack for use around campus. When making new changes like these, it can be easy to forget at first. However, after about three weeks new habits will form, and you’ll be amazed by how many paper towels you previously used. 

Despite our widespread societal valuing of disposable products, some colleges are taking major steps to decrease the amount of paper towels in their waste stream. University of California (UC), Santa Cruz went paper towel free in 2013 after a successful pilot program in one of their dorms the year before. UC Santa Barbara also recently removed paper towel dispensers and provided all students with a small reusable hand towel. 

Here at Colgate, the Office of Sustainability is working with the reusable hand towel company PeopleTowels to determine the feasibility of college students accepting this shift away from disposable towels. Since disposable paper towels make up so much of waste streams on college campuses, a shift towards reusable solutions may significantly decrease environmental impact. According to PeopleTowels, after one year of implementing reusable towels each person can “save a quarter of a tree, reduce landfill waste by 23 lbs, conserve 250 gallons of water, and cut carbon emissions by 34 lbs.” Hopefully, seeing what a big impact such a small change can have will inspire all of us in the Colgate community to think twice before using disposable paper towels.  

Minus the City: The Hook-Up Hello: Why Caring Less Does Not Mean You Win

Minus the City: The Hook-Up Hello: Why Caring Less Does Not Mean You Win

Erin Mincer, Class of 2017 March 5, 2015

We all know this scenario a little too well. You can text someone for a booty call or drunk dial them with no problem, yet for some reason making eye-contact and offering a simple smile and hello while up the hill seems like too much of a hassle. Is that really what the problem is? Are students at Colgate too afraid to show basic acts of kindness towards hookups during the daytime hours, or is it something completely different? While some people may just be extremely shy or can only gain the courage to talk with their crush through the help of liquid courage, another potential reason for this lack of affection may be due to the fear of appearing too interested. 

While Colgate’s hookup culture may have many underlying problems, this fear of appearing overly-attached is definitely one of its main faults. It seems that in today’s hookup culture, there is the mentality that “whoever cares less, wins.” While I will admit that I have fallen into this mindset one time too many, I now find myself asking, “Why?” Call me crazy, but I kind of thought that the whole point of hooking up with someone is because you have a least an ounce of interest in them, or potentially even see them as a full-fledged person. Now that this present laissez-faire mentality has taken hold of college campuses across the country, it appears that participants are becoming more like players within the hookup culture and less like individual people. 

According to these current dynamics, there is a constant power struggle in every hookup, fling and even relationship. I truly think that it is harder than ever for college-age students to express any sense of emotion or attachments for fear of being judged. No matter how much things are meant to be equal, someone always falls harder than the other person. Let’s be honest, breakups are never truly mutual and the course of the relationship (no matter how casual it may be) always has some sort of power struggle. As stoic as college students may appear, they are just as afraid (if not more so) of rejection as everyone else. As a result, people use defense mechanisms in order to avoid being hurt. No girl wants to be labeled as clingy, and likewise while guys often times like the chase, they do not like being blown off. And so the notion that whoever is less emotionally invested in the relationship (or fling or one night stand or whatever it may be, because honestly who even uses labels nowadays) wins. 

According to a study done by New York University Sociologist Paula England, men and women on college campuses share about equal hopes that a hookup will turn into something more. And yet, there seems to be an epidemic occurring in which no one wants to be labeled the “emotional” or “overly-attached” party. If you have been on Yik Yak lately (and I would honestly suggest this app as a great way to procrastinate, especially during midterms) you’ll have, without a doubt, seen a handful of yaks ranting about wanting a significant other. Yet, very few people seem willing, or possibly mature enough, to break down this perceived barrier and stop with the mind games.

I cannot even begin to express (at least for girls) how much time is spent agonizing over what to respond to a guy’s text. It really should not be that hard to just type the first few sentences that come to mind and hit send. But instead we agonize over waiting just the right amount of time – to let the other person know that we’re busy – before responding with a short, vague answer to try and cover the fact that you actually rewrote that same message about four times. And to establish that you are obviously the one that cares less. But in the end what’s the point? 

Through Ginnifer Goodwin’s character Gigi in the movie He’s Just Not That Into You thoroughly explains the importance of taking romantic risks when she exclaims, “You’ve think you won because women are expendable to you. You may not get hurt or make an a** of yourself that way but you don’t fall in love that way either. You have not won. You’re alone. I may do a lot of stupid s*** but I’m still a lot closer to love than you are.” 

Goodwin sums up exactly what needs to be said. If you never put yourself out there, you’ll never experience anything greater than what you already have. So maybe next time you see a hookup, stop and chat. Show some interest. Instead of the Colgate Hello, we should really consider instating the Hookup Hello as a valuable alternative. 

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