In Honor of Amherst Uprising

A few days ago, I walked into Frost to start my homework for the night. As I walked through the doors, I was surprised to find myself remembering Amherst Uprising for the first time in a few years. I had forgotten that Nov. 12 marked the third anniversary of Amherst Uprising, a sit-in at Frost Library organized by three black women who are alumnae now. While it started as an hour-long moment of solidarity with black students facing violence at Yale and the University of Missouri, it expanded int

Director Tells Stories of Athletes and Dancers

When asked to describe her work, Bess Kargman ’04 compared the experience of documentary filmmaking to “an intoxicating high, and just the most amazing feeling ever.” With a charming laugh, she explained, “It is the best feeling when a day’s filming goes as planned and you get to capture meaningful content.” As a graduating senior who is still unsure of her future, I was inspired by Kargman’s dedication to her passion for documenting sports and dance. Thanks to her resilience, hard work and an e

Brett Kavanaugh and the Myth of the Cool Girl

In a scene in the movie “Gone Girl,” the protagonist (and antagonist) Amy explains the archetype of the Cool Girl: “Men always saying that as the defining compliment, don’t they? ‘She’s a cool girl’ … Cool Girls never get angry; they only smile in the chagrined, loving manner and let their men do whatever they want. ‘Go ahead, sh*t on me, I don’t mind, I’m the Cool Girl.’ Men actually think this girl exists. Maybe they’re fooled because so many women are willing to pretend to be this girl.” I f

Know Thyself: Confessions of #abroad

There are key moments that define the Amherst experience: living on the first-year quad, taking Intro to Econ, hating on Noodle Bar, etc. With close to half of Amherst students studying abroad during their junior year, a semester away from Amherst has joined the ranks of our hallowed traditions. Before I went abroad, I believed that placing someone’s body in a new space made that person, themselves, new. Perhaps this is how we think of study abroad collectively, especially given the ever-abund

"To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before": Minorities Out of the Margin

“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is a teenage romantic comedy that Netflix released on its streaming service in August 2018. The plot of the movie doesn’t stray too far from its rom-com predecessors — think “10 Things I Hate About You,” “A Cinderella Story” or “13 Going on 30.” It follows your average high school girl, Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), who writes secret love letters to the five boys she’s ever loved. Without her knowledge, her letters are mailed out, and Lara Jean must deal with