by The Cowl Editor on April 19, 2018

---

Campus

---

 BOP and SHEPARD Host “Tell Your Story”

by Catherine Brewer ’20

News Staff

“We need to educate this campus before we do anything else,” expressed Magnoly Maria ’19 of the mission behind PC’s Proud, a celebratory and educational week of events promoting LGBTQ+ support at Providence College. On Thursday, April 12, students gathered in McPhail’s at 5:30 p.m. for Tell Your Story, the culmination of the collaborative planning effort of the Board of Programmers (BOP) and SHEPARD. The campus hub was decorated with everything rainbow, from balloons to confetti, and students and faculty gathered with anticipation.

Tell Your Story offered a safe space for those who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies to share their personal narratives about challenges they have faced as members of the community. To ensure that all voices were represented, BOP and SHEPARD had options: those interested in sharing their story could hop on stage and share it with the crowd, or they could submit it online for someone else to read, whether that be done with a name attached to it or anonymously. 

Maria, a member of BOP and the Board of Multicultural Student Affairs (BMSA), explained that preparations for the event began long before the bulletin board debate of last month. At the beginning of the year, the BOP Diversity Committee decided that they wanted to plan an event surrounding the LGBTQ+ community because they felt that it was lacking support and inclusion on campus. “Their stories have been out there, but they’ve been pushed aside for a really long time,” Maria explained. Beginning with their hope to make campus feel more like home for students of marginalized communities, PC’s Proud developed over time and with immense passion.

“I feel that this event definitely is a good way to sum up the march,” expressed SHEPARD’s treasurer Sarah Kane ’19 in light of last month’s LGBTQ+ solidarity march. Kane explained that while the story submissions had been trickling in slowly, a flood of them were sent in on Wednesday night, lifting a weight off of the planning committee’s shoulders. Prior to the event, Kane was most excited for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies to be brought together by storytelling in a healthy and supported way.

Keysha Rodriguez ’19, an ally at the event, explained that she felt fostering an inclusive community on campus was a prevalent and pressing issue. “These events allow the campus to see that people are here and deserve respect,” stated Rodriguez as she cut a rainbow-colored ribbon that would soon be folded to create pride pins. In her opinion, exclusion has resulted from a lack of conversation and education, and events like Tell Your Story help to “get the ball rolling.”

According to Kane, the next event that SHEPARD is helping to plan is CarnivALL. This celebration of all identities is set to take place on May 4 from 4 to 8 p.m., and the community can look forward to inflatables, food trucks, and much more.

by The Cowl Editor on April 12, 2018

---

National and Global News

---

Student Activists Travel to D.C. For March Against Gun Violence 

by Catherine Brewer ‘20

News Staff

On Saturday, March 24, students took charge of the fight for tighter gun control by leading the March For Our Lives, both in Washington, D.C., which drew a crowd of over two million, and at sister marches worldwide, including one at the Rhode Island Statehouse in Providence. Beginning at 12 p.m. in Washington and 1 p.m. in Providence, the marches featured youth speakers from a variety of different backgrounds who advocated for an end to gun violence and mourned the loss of victims. The march came just five weeks after the mass shooting that took the lives of 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14.

Several Providence youth organizations worked together to bring local youth to the march, including the Providence Student Union, Providence Youth Student Movement and the Providence Chapter of the NAACP Youth and College Division. As a member of the executive board of Providence College’s NAACP, Stachel Roberts ’18 had the opportunity to spend the day in Washington.

“Although I am confident in the efforts, I fear that the cycle we have been in as a country when these shootings happen has the possibility occur if interest is lost. This movement like others is just seen like a cool thing to be apart of for some, but this is truly a movement for our lives and with the youth that are involved and continue to be empowered by this movement change can happen.”

In the wake of the shooting, MSD students responded quickly to organize a campaign and events to advocate for tighter gun control. The March For Our Lives was announced on Feb. 18. On Feb. 21, student representatives questioned Florida Senator Marco Rubio and National Rifle Association spokeswoman Dana Loesch about their positions on gun control and the relationship between politicians and the NRA at a CNN town hall. 

On March 14, MSD students partnered with Women’s March Youth to organize the #Enough National School Walkout, during which students around the country walked out of their institutions for 17 minutes at 10 a.m. in memory of the MSD shooting and to call for politicians to pass stricter gun laws. According to the #Enough website, the specific demands called for a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines, the expansion of background checks to all gun sales, a new gun violence restraining order law, and to put an end to the militarization of law enforcement. These demands were reinforced by the March. 

To gather funds to finance the march in Washington, MSD student Cameron Kasky created a GoFundMe page that amassed over $3.5 million in one month. The fundraiser attracted celebrity donors such as Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg. New England Patriots CEO Robert Kraft also sponsored MSD students by allowing them to fly with their families on one of his planes to the march. 

At marches worldwide, powerful speakers, many of them not yet teenagers, took the podium to lift up the masses and call for inclusion in the fight against gun violence. “I was truly excited to go to this march because I was excited to see the youth that would be present,” said Roberts. “This is a movement of young people and they have done an amazing job in recognizing that they are following up the work of BLM and other POC movements that are comprised of young people. The diversity of speakers from Chicago to the suburbs of Florida were represented.”

Along with MSD student Emma Gonzalez, Roberts applauded 9-year-old Yolanda Renee King, the granddaughter of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Her presence alone and her chant was such a full circle experience,” explained Roberts. “And to see a young black girl so empowered and motivated to make a difference really struck me.”

In Providence, the march featured speeches from Rhode Island politicians, including Governor Gina Raimondo and Rhode Island Senator, Sheldon Whitehouse, as well as students, such as Halima Ibrahim, a sophomore at the Islamic School of Rhode Island. Her poem “Wake Up” created an uproar of cheers from the crowd. “You are leaving the country in our hands. Soon it’s going to be us calling the shots. And there will be no more shots,” concluded Ibrahim.

Gabriella Lunati ’21 felt uplifted by the enthusiasm and rally signs at the Providence march. She explained how she met two elementary school art teachers bearing signs that read, “Paint brushes not bullets” and “Draw pictures not guns, no fear in my classroom.” “I was especially touched by these two women as their input was so powerful and simplistic,” said Lunati. “Teachers and students are the most involved in these recurring issues of school shootings and it is necessary that their needs and demands are considered first and foremost.”

Reflecting on their experiences at the marches, Roberts and Lunati both advocated for the continued involvement of supporters in the movement, especially students. “The youth stressed the need to vote and to pressure Congress, who would be on recess after the march, to finally make a change,” expressed Roberts. 

The next major demonstration organized by the March for Our Lives committee is the National School Walkout, which will be held across the country at 10 a.m. on April 20. Lunati encourages all to attend and show solidarity. “Our representation is crucial in forming or starting to spark any sort of change,” stated Lunati. “Together, our voices are made stronger and in our own spirits we become positive and exposed to the many other stories that should not go unheard.”

by The Cowl Editor on March 15, 2018

---

Campus

---

Board in St. Joeseph Hall Causes Uproar  Among Students

Catherine Brewer ’20

News Staff

On Thursday, March 2, a bulletin board promoting marriage between one man and one woman was created by Resident Assistant Michael Smalanskas ’18 on the second floor of St. Joseph Hall at Providence College. Soon after, it was photographed and spread across campus via social media.

The bulletin board was taken down that night by students acting on their own accord, but was put up again the Sunday evening that students returned from spring break. However, this time it bore a message stating its approval from Vice President of Student Affairs Kristine Goodwin, despite the lack of any school policy that requires topic approval for bulletin boards, even through Residence Life.

Students reacted quickly to the board’s reappearance, and as a result, Goodwin was invited to speak at an open, weekly meeting for the Board of Multicultural Student Affairs on Monday night in Moore Hall. She was also scheduled to speak at the Student Congress weekly meeting the following night, but it was cancelled due to the snow storm, and may or may not be rescheduled.

The BMSA executive board facilitated questions and comments from students who wanted to voice their opinions on the matter to Goodwin and other administrators in attendance. Dean of Students Steven Sears and Director of Residence Life Jana Valentine were not in attendance due to a meeting with the residence staff of  St. Joseph Hall.

The meeting began with the executives of PC’s LGBTQ+ advocate organization, SHEPARD, addressing the audience. “LGBT students exist on this campus, we are here, we deserve the same respect and rights that every other student has on this campus,” stated President Mallari Bosque ’18. “We are here and we deserve to be supported the same way that every other student is supported.”

After thanking SHEPARD, Goodwin expressed her concern that she and the other administrators would not be capable of fully addressing students’ questions in regard to the incident and further actions of the College because more information was still being gathered.

“I always try to resist reacting,” Goodwin explained. This became a common thread that ran throughout the meeting, as she and Father Gabriel Pivarnik, O.P., vice president for mission and ministry, both encouraged all involved to pause before attacking or growing defensive out of anger.

Hieu “Daniel” Nguyen ’20, a resident of St. Joe’s who reported the incident, was the first to voice concerns. He explained that he took action because he felt the bulletin board did not promote inclusion in St. Joe’s and on campus as a whole. “The first time, I felt really upset. But this time, I just feel angry,” he said, adding that he felt the reinstallation of the board was an effort to create a reaction on campus and that he felt especially angry when he saw the mark of approval from Goodwin on display. However, Nguyen acknowledged his feeling of relief when he found out that the approval was inaccurate.

“You belong here,” Goodwin said. “My answer is complicated, and again I’m not skirting it, but it’s important that I show you the complexity. I can tell you I am not in a position to say that what Michael put up, what the RA put up, is contradictory to what the Church teaching is, and so it’s complicated because I am not going to approve it, but I’m also not in a position to say that it cannot be up.”

Goodwin said that there is currently no policy surrounding the “purpose and function” of the bulletin boards. The Department of Public Safety is following up on all reported incidents, and this involves some level of an investigation. Students voiced their concern for the lack of procedure; however, Goodwin, Sears, and Valentine have all attested that the bulletin boards have not been an issue to this extent in the past, which may point to the lack of policy in place. Community boards, disciplinary action taken for the RA who created the board, and a strategic plan for the College in handling this incident and others moving forward were all suggestions made by those in attendance. Nevertheless, the bulletin board was put up for a third time later Monday night.

“The beliefs I hold are those of the Catholic Church and are consistent with the mission of the College as a Catholic and Dominican school,” Smalanskas explained. “The Church provides us with an account of the human person and sexuality that is good, true, and beautiful. On our campus, we must be committed to protecting the status of these beliefs from being falsely accused as hate speech or bigotry. The question must be put to Fr. Shanley—will Catholic teaching on marriage as one man and one woman be considered hate speech at Providence College or will its free expression be protected by the College?”

After the bulletin board was reinstalled, students flocked to social media to share their opinions. In an email shared on Tuesday evening, Nguyen encouraged students who wanted to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community to print out the attached pride flag and display it on their door. “If you feel uncomfortable putting it on your door, you can write something positive like ‘Love is love’ or ‘Friar Family,’” he added. Residence Life has asked that students who wish to display messages on their door slide it into the door tag in order to abide by the school’s fire policy.

Next Wednesday, March 21, SHEPARD will hold a march against homophobia and transphobia at 6:30 p.m. The march will begin outside of Slavin and conclude at Moore Hall. On Monday, March 19, SHEPARD will provide materials at its open, weekly meeting at 7:00 p.m. in Feinstein for members of the community to create signs for the march. “We asked for allies, and we ask you guys to stand behind SHEPARD,” said Melanie Fricchione ’19. “Coming and showing support for SHEPARD and coming to this walk shows administration that we do care about this as a community and we will stand with our community members that are LGBT identifying. And we need it. We’re here and we’re queer and we’re not going anywhere!”

Goodwin’s first step after the BMSA meeting is to reach a common ground with student leaders, and she sent out an official letter on Wednesday evening. While Goodwin will ultimately take recommendations from Sears, she indicated the administration’s desire to form a task force which aims to collaborate with students to address the purpose of campus bulletin boards. All who are interested in being a part of the team should contact either Sears or Valentine. Support services for students in the wake of the incident are also available from Campus Ministry, the Counseling Center, the Office of the Dean of Students, and SHEPARD.

by The Cowl Editor on March 1, 2018

---

Campus

---

The 50 Acts of Kindness Initiative at PC Kicks Off at Community Teach-In

by Catherine Brewer ’20

News Staff

Once the crowd of roughly 100 attendees settled into their seats at the circular tables assembled throughout ‘64 Hall, the voices of the Providence College Footprints Gospel Choir bellowed through the silent air with sweet sounds of peace and unity. As a continuation of the Dr. Bernice A. King Convocation speech that was held this past January, the Committee for Diversity and Inclusion Implementation facilitated the first of three Community Teach-Ins on Monday, February 26 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The Committee was established in 2015 in response to student demands on campus. As advertised by PC’s Morning Mail, the event was intended to provide a safe space for faculty, staff, and students to discuss the development of inclusion amongst the PC community.

In honor of King’s remarks at the College and the season of Lent, the theme for this specific session was “Toward Becoming a More Beloved Community.” In celebration of the life of her father Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., King encouraged members of the PC community to perform 50 acts of kindness and service by April 4, the date of his assassination. In his opening remarks, Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P., explained that the Committee felt King’s words “inspired and challenged” their thinking. While Sicard acknowledged that inclusion must come “a long way until we can say that PC is what we want it to be,” the community has a responsibility to work towards progress.

One step towards growth is #Friars50Forward, a new campaign spearheaded by the committee. Through on-campus events and social media, the movement encourages all members of the PC community to make an intentional effort to engage in interactions across the real and perceived barriers that they encounter in their everyday lives. Father Brian Shanley, O.P., advocated for further “courageous conversations” and taking the initiative to educate ourselves and others on how to talk through difficult topics. He argued that the first step in the direction of progress is having a courageous conversation with yourself through reflection in order to “know yourself better.” In the spirit of Lent, Fr. Shanley acknowledged that one form of the repentance called upon at Ash Wednesday is to get beyond the mind that you have by broadening your capacity for compassion. “We are all small minded in our own ways,” stated Fr. Shanley.

Theresa Moore, a professor in PC’s MBA, Masters of Urban Education, and School of Continuing Education programs, was the primary facilitator for the teach-in. Moore is also the founder and president of T-Time Productions, where she works to bring diversity, inclusion, and equality to film. She began by explaining the nature of the teach-in model, stating that these events typically focus on topical issues, and include audience participation. She also centered the program on producing action-oriented ideas for creating change.

Moore acknowledged the fracturing and polarization in today’s society, adding that colleges have become microcosms of these qualities. She feels that one way for communities to build bridges across divides is for individuals to take it upon themselves to distinguish between hearing and listening. Moore explained that while we may be hearing our peers and colleagues talking in conversation, we are too often mentally planning out our reply instead of listening and understanding what they have to say, leading to missed opportunities to connect and build relationships with others. To show how listening takes shape in practice, Moore described how her friend remembered her comment that her father sent her a Valentine’s Day card every year, and she continued the tradition after he passed away.

Empirical data that helped spark discussion at the event came from the PC Campus Living, Learning, and Working Environment Survey that was conducted in spring 2017. The survey showed overwhelmingly that community members wanted an increased opportunity for diverse interactions. Concern regarding diversity and inclusion was also generated by the Princeton Review’s report of on-campus socio-economic and racial segregation.

“Purposeful action is not one and done,” said Moore of the change that would respond to this data. “It is not done after Lent and Easter, it is not boastful, and it can be hard and messy.” In discussions facilitated at their respective tables, attendees reflected on their own experiences and observations of marginalization at PC and the greater Providence community and the need for care in all social spheres. They also evaluated programming ideas generated by students prior to the event, such as the Walking School Bus, Board of Multicultural Student Affairs Outreach with the Smith Hill neighborhood, and More Love Letters. New ideas for progress from attendees included better utilization of Moore Hall and a community effort to spread the word and encourage commitment to consistent participation in caring for each other everyday.

An important message that attendees took away from the teach-in is that in order to create the beloved community, everyone has to care. There will be more #Friars50Forward events throughout March and the Lenten season, as well as two more teach-ins. The next session will be held on Monday, April 9 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Peterson Recreation Center.

by The Cowl Editor on February 8, 2018

---

Campus

---

Afro-Am Showcases Exhibit on African American Leaders

by Catherine Brewer ’20

February is Black History Month, and Providence College has only just begun the wide variety of student and staff organized commemorations on campus. At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, the Providence College African-American Society, fondly called Afro Am, hosted the second major event of the month: the annual Black Exposition. The focus for this year’s celebration was the Black Panthers, a militant black rights political organization that was established in 1966. The Black Expo was held in Moore Hall and featured a trivia raffle, as well as refreshments provided by Jersey Mike’s.

“The Black Panthers haven’t been discussed enough, but they were a central part of the Black Rights Movement,” explained event coordinator Acklynn Byamugisha ’20. While Byamugisha currently serves as Afro-Am secretary, she has already been elected as next year’s president. According to Byamugisha, the Afro Am wanted to showcase influential Black Panther figures to provide an inside look at the diversity within the community in order to help end the stigma that the Black Panthers were a purely violent group.

Byamugisha explained that one key aspect of this diversity is the difference in the discrimination that black men and women have faced, adding that it was unique for the group to work through the gender divide to achieve common goals. “Black women were at the very bottom,” Byamugisha firmly stated. She described how in the Black Panther Party, women were able to have their voices heard more easily through the partnership with their male counterparts. Byamugisha added, “It’s time we show a different light of the Black Panthers.”

The choice to hold the event in Moore Hall was strategic, as Byamugisha explained that while it could have been successful in other campus locations, Moore Hall carries the newly cultivated sentiment of students uniting and fighting for a more inclusive campus. “However, we still need to get people more involved in these events,” said Byamugisha. Throughout Black History Month, she recommends attending the NAACP Black History Mobile Museum from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Slavin 112 and ’64 Hall on Feb. 14.

The performance portion of the event was kicked off by Chalayna Smart ’18 of Believers of Word (BOW). Smart delivered an original poem in her trademark style, closing with a powerful message that is central to Black History Month: “Black culture lives on.” After her reading, she elaborated on her motivation to be involved in the event, stating, “I wanted to speak here because while they are often ridiculed, I admire the Black Panthers.” Smart explained that the display of the movement gave her hope and demonstrated that “militant isn’t always violent.”

Kristen Rezuke ’18, a guest at the event, explained why it is critical for us to commemorate the Black Panthers today. “It is important to understand the true purpose of the Black Panther Party, especially in a time where police brutality and the murders of young black men are at the forefront of our minds.”

The next PC sponsored Black History Month event will be the Marshall Movie Screening and Discussion on Feb. 8. Office of Student Activities and Cultural Programing will host the event in the Moore 125 Lounge at 4 p.m.

by The Cowl Editor on February 8, 2018

---

Features

---

New Club On Campus Focuses on Civic Engagement

by Catherine Brewer ’20

“We are an assisted advocacy project that works to break down the root cause of the issue to reach our goals, and our purpose is to teach students to use their voice to reach their representatives,” exclaimed Cara McCluskey ’19 of this week’s Club Spotlight: Generation Citizen (PCGC). McCluskey is one of four GC chapter directors at Providence College, and she shares this role with Emily Conley ’20, Patrick Reynolds ’18, and Caleigh Rockwal ’19. “Our goal is to empower students to make an impact,” McCluskey added.

Although GC is still awaiting official approval from Student Congress, the chapter has been active on campus for a few years, and GC as a national organization is well established. GC was founded by eight Brown University students in 2008 with a mission to “ensure that every student in the United States receives an effective action civics education.” In 10 years, the organization has spread to the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Texas, Massachusetts, New York City, Oklahoma, and throughout Rhode Island.

To reach their goals, each GC chapter enlists student volunteer democracy coaches to bring the program into local schools and create their own lesson plans modeled on the organization’s standard framework. McCluskey explained that in PC’s program, Democracy Coaches are assigned classrooms in pairs by the head of the Providence chapter, Jaretta Konneh. The first two classes provide students with basic civic knowledge before they choose a class a community issue to focus on. “No two GC projects look the same,” said McCluskey. In her own experience, McCluskey worked at a high school in Providence where students felt that there was not enough English learning support. With that concern in mind, McCluskey and her partner democracy coach worked with students to determine two legislative issues to work on: that the school had inadequate English proficiencies required for legislation and that the lack of ESL aids was creating a learning divide among students.

“Though students have total control on what issue they want to work on, popular issues that classes choose are homelessness, bullying, police brutality, and increasing student voice in their schools,” said Konneh of projects in Providence that PCGC students are involved in. She explained that one of the most memorable projects she has worked on is improving the quality of lunch at Roger Williams Middle School.

After discussing the district and state requirements for nutrition with the Sodexo General Manager, the students decided to push for the establishment of a Student Food Advisory board. They created an outline for the purpose of the board, its positions, and meetings with Sodexo, and the students were even able to present their plans to the Health and Wellness sub-committee at the Providence School Board. “It was inspiring to see how motivated and successful the students were in achieving their goal, and also how well their democracy coaches [two PC social work majors] supported them,” praised Konneh.

Rockwal shared that the most rewarding part of her involvement with PCGC has been experiencing student growth. “The two times I have taught in a classroom, my students came in with very little knowledge of the American government and how to engage with it.” She explained that a new sense of confidence accompanied their learning, and that students who were once shy now had the courage to call their public officials. “Knowing that I played a part in that inspiration and that drive is a feeling unlike any I have ever had, and it’s what keeps me coming back to GC,” stated Rockwal.

After finding primary and follow-up tactics, the students work to have their voices heard by lobbying for their cause. “The GC program culminates at Civics Day, which for us is held at the State House,” said McCluskey. Students also prepare to present their work throughout the program to other Rhode Island groups, as well as community members and public officials.

In regard to the success of the student projects, Konneh explained that the results differ based on scale. “For example, if a class chose to work on a school based issue, it will have a high chance of being successful because students have exposure to teachers and administrators,” she stated. Some projects can be more difficult if they require the response of public officials, which can often be time consuming. However, Konneh maintains that the GC experience is ultimately rewarding for both students and DCs. Members of PCGC are surveyed at the end of each semester. “In the fall, 83 percent of participants expressed that GC has developed their leadership, communication, and time management skills, as well as strengthened their ability to effectively engage with people from differing backgrounds and perspectives,” said Konneh.

The PC Chapter of GC will be accepting applications on a rolling basis, but applicants are encouraged to act fast. “We are seeking committed, curious, and passionate college students who have a heart for service and care about social change,” Konneh revealed. Prospective students can apply at https://generationcitizen.formstack.com/forms/dc_application, and work study is also available.

by The Cowl Editor on February 1, 2018

---

Campus

---

by The Cowl Editor on January 25, 2018

---

National and Global News

---

Protestors Rally at State House and Fight for Women’s Rights

by Catherine Brewer ’20

News Staff

“We believe that Women’s Rights are Human Rights and Human Rights are Women’s Rights.” That is the core belief of the founders of the Women’s March, an international movement that claimed the steps of the Rhode Island State House for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 20. As stated on the governing body’s website, this year’s theme was “Power to the Polls,” encouraging voters to use their vote to fight for women’s rights.

The Providence Women’s March was held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and featured art exhibitions, music, food trucks, expo tables, and a wide array of speakers from diverse backgrounds. Standing among the thousands of women, men, and children that came to show their support for the movement were students of Providence College, as well as Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo.

“It’s a really optimistic feeling here,” Raimondo told the Associated Press at the event. “People are coming together to stand up for tolerance, stand up for women’s rights, stand up for equality.” Elected in 2014, Raimondo is the first female governor of the state.

After the success of last year’s inaugural Women’s March, there was a great deal of excitement surrounding the 2018 revival. “Last year I made the last minute decision to attend the march the morning of; this year, I was looking forward to it the entirety of the week leading up to it because I knew just how special it was,” said Maria Johnsen ’20, who cheered on the speakers with her friends in the crowd.

One important theme of the 2018 march was recognizing and promoting intersectionality. “I felt like a wide range of women were represented at the march,” observed Johnsen. “If the speakers themselves did not personally represent a community, they spoke about it. From poor women, to women of color, to transgender women, to women of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Notable speakers of diverse backgrounds included Miss Lesbian Rhode Island Ashley Delgado, Lisa Ranglin of the Rhode Island Black Business Association, Justice Gaines of DARE/PrYSM, and MoniKa Huertas of NoLNGinPVD.

Diversity in age was also a prominent feature, as Johnsen adds, “My favorite part is seeing all of the little girls, and boys for that matter, carrying ‘March Like a Girl’ signs. It makes me feel hopeful and inspired for the future knowing that kids are learning to value each other and themselves at such a young age.”

In front of a podium graced by Master of Ceremonies Jessica Brown, a wall of women stood firm with hands intertwined to display Brick x Brick, a national art exhibit brought to Providence by the project’s senior advisor and systems designer Nikki Juen. According to the organization’s website, Brick x Brick is a “performance” in which the performers wear jumpsuits with a brick design to construct “human ‘walls’ against misogyny.”

Each suit features vibrant, highlighter-hued bricks against a white backdrop that depict “viole[nt]” comments made against women by President Donald Trump. Juen, who donned a jumpsuit of her own on Saturday, is a lecturer and critic at the Rhode Island School of Design.

“I didn’t know what it was at first, but afterwards I looked it up and loved the concept,” said Johnsen. “I think it turns negative and hateful ideas into a way for women to stand up against oppressors.”

The Women’s March also attracted members of the community who happened to see the rally and join the crowd to support the cause. “To be honest, I was on a run to the capitol while it was going on!” said Liz Johns ’19. Johns explained that she enjoyed the lively and empowering environment that the speakers and crowd created. “The march made me inspired. In the beginning, I was expecting the whole march to be towards feminism, but it was definitely about all cases of social justice and intersectionality.”

“Not only were there a lot of wonderful signs, but the overwhelming amount of love that was shown at the march is what made it special,” expressed Julia Gaffney ’20. “It is often easy for political marches or rallies of any sort to be driven by anger or frustration. It was beautiful to see how love, not hate, inspired and fueled the Women’s March. This love and support for one another is what I took away from attending the march, and it has stayed with me since.”

Missed the Women’s March but still want to join the fight for women’s rights? “Get involved on campus!” exclaims Johnsen. “Women Will and Women Empowered are awesome clubs at PC that help foster that same feeling of empowerment that the march gives.”

In the spirit of democracy, another way is to speak with your vote. “After attending the Women’s March, I feel empowered to vote and be more politically active,” said Gaffney. “At times, it is hard to believe that your vote carries any weight, but my advice to those looking to get more involved would be to utilize their votes and their raise their voices in the face of injustice.”

by The Cowl Editor on December 7, 2017

---

Campus

---

Club Promotes Environmental Awareness and Waste Management

by Catherine Brewer  ’20

News Staff

“Frightening.” That is what Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation’s (RIRRC) Education and Outreach Facilitator Carol Bjartmarz has to say about the current state of the Central Landfill. Located 15 minutes away in Johnston, it is the only landfill in the state, and it is almost full. According to Bjartmarz, while phases one through five were filled with waste over a span of 35 years, phase six was opened in Jan. 2016 and is in need of an expansion less than two years later. The worst part? “More than 50 percent could have been composted or recycled,” said Bjartmarz.

Confused about composting and recycling? Stay tuned to Providence College’s club, ECOPC, a student group that advocates for environmental issues, from the local to international level. On Wednesday, November 29, the club hosted PC Recycles Day in Slavin to inform members of the community about current environmental issues and ways that individuals can work to deter the downward spiral. Mitchell Schirch ’18, a club member who was helping run the booth, stated that the club’s mission was to “get the PC community active and educated.”

Representing ECOPC alongside Schirch was Alexandra Duryea ’17, Matthew Lovecchio ’18, Sydney Fontaine ’18, and Samuel Frick ’20. Duryea explained that while the club “didn’t have a lot” of resources in its early stages, she has faith that the dedication of the students involved will push forward despite her December graduation. Earlier in the semester, they held a screening of Food, Inc. The club is looking forward to increasing its reach with more events next semester.

One issue that both ECOPC and RIRRC are working on is the PC and greater RI community’s misconception of recycling. According to Bjartmarz, single stream recycling was enacted five years ago by RI legislation. That means that all recyclable materials can be deposited in the same container. Besides paper products, Bjartmartz claims that containers, like your coffee cup, are some of the easiest consumer wastes to recycle. “Empty at a minimum, rinsed when possible,” she stated, as the materials are all sorted by employees at the plant, which often grows extremely hot and pungent in the summer. However, beware of the materials that cannot be recycled and could potentially lead to a whole bag of recyclable materials being sent to the landfill: styrofoam and straws, among many others. A complete list can be found on RIRRC’s website.

Additionally, both groups advocate for composting; however, PC does not have the systems in place to do so. In an effort to prove the benefits that it would bring to campus, Duryea and her fellow EcoReps held the Clean Plate Challenge on Tuesday, October 24. Collaborating with Michelle Lee Guiney from Waste Management, the team was able to collect a shocking amount of food waste that would have otherwise been sent to the landfill. Duryea exclaims, “We had 351 clean plates and 424 plates with food waste that totaled 95.84 pounds within only two hours from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.!”

ECOPC advocates for buying locally sourced food and dining at restaurants that buy locally grown ingredients as other small ways to live more sustainably. They have compiled a list of markets and restaurants in Providence, including AS220, Flatbread Co., Venda Ravioli, and White Electric Coffee.

Want to get involved? Students who are interested in joining the ECOPC team are welcomed to join the weekly meetings that are held every Monday night from 8-9 p.m. in Feinstein 116. If you would like to be added to the email list, Duryea says that students should direct message the PC Go Green Instagram account with their PC email. “To keep super informed on what the club is doing and to learn various ways to boost your sustainability follow the @pcgogreen on Instagram!”

by The Cowl Editor on November 30, 2017

---

National and Global News

---

Death Toll Hits 305 in Egypt’s Worst Modern Massacre

by Catherine Brewer ’20

News Staff

The death toll hovers at 305, including 27 children, three days after Egypt’s worst modern massacre occurred on Friday, November 24 during the al-Rawdah Sufi mosque’s midday prayer. An additional 128 were injured at the place of worship in Bir al-Abed, located on the Sinai Peninsula.

According to an official statement from Egypt’s state prosecutor, approximately 25 to 30 armed men carried out the attack using bombs and automatic machine guns. They unloaded from five SUVs and arranged themselves in front of the mosque dressed in military uniforms. One eyewitness recalls a distinction amongst the men, stating that some wore masks and spoke Bedouin, while others with long hair and beards showed their faces and had Cairo accents.

Ibrahim Ergany, the chief of the Union of Sinai Tribes, stated, “The massacre that was carried out against the residents of al-Rawdah village will turn into a burning fire that will eliminate [the Islamic State].” The Union is a group that represents the three biggest Bedouin clans in the northern Sinai Peninsula.

While no groups have claimed responsibility for the act, Egypt’s official statement also noted that at least one Islamic State, also known as ISIS, flag was carried into the mosque during the attack. Additionally, CNN asserted that the massacre “bears the hallmarks of a strike by ISIS,” as the terrorist group’s affiliate, called Sinai Province or Wilayat Sinai, continues to be present in the area. British scholar Dr. H.A. Hellyer told CNN that he believes that ISIS will never take ownership of the attack, adding that many ISIS supporters have responded to it online with “shock” and “horror.”

If the al-Rawdah massacre was carried out by Wilayat Sinai, it will be the group’s first attack against a mosque. According to CNN, Wilayat Sinai has instead been known to target northeastern Sinai law enforcement. USA Today reports that Wilayat Sinai is relatively new—only six years old. The group has also claimed responsibility for an attack on a Coptic cathedral in Cairo within the past year. Hellyer asserted, “With the Christian attacks, it seemed aimed at creating some sort of divide within Egyptian society the radical groups could then take advantage of. They failed. Now they’re going after anybody that doesn’t support what they want to do.”

One reason why the al-Rawdah mosque may have been a target for Wilayat Sinai is because it is associated with Jaririya, the Sufi order of the region. “Sufis are Islamic mystics and have traditionally shunned violence,” CNN reports. “ISIS considers Sufis to be heretics, and in Syria and Iraq, they have destroyed Sufi shrines and bulldozed or dynamited the tombs of Sufi saints.”

The conflict between the two groups has persisted for some time. Before the Friday massacre, the Sufi peoples of Bir al-Abed had received threats from the ISIS faction on five different occasions, refusing demands that they stop the Sufi worship practices. The attack may have also been ISIS’s revenge for local Sawarkah tribe cooperation with the  Egyptian government.

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi promised that the government would respond to the attack with “brute force.” As a result, the Egyptian military conducted airstrikes on the locations that they suspected the terror group retreated to. “The airstrikes destroyed hideouts containing weapons, ammunition and explosive material, and law enforcement personnel followed up by combing through the bombed-out areas,” USA Today reported. Sisi also declared three days of national mourning, the construction of a memorial for those who were killed in the attack, and government payouts of $11,000 to every family who lost a loved one.

On the religious front, Ahmed El-Tayyeb, the current grand imam of Al-Azhar, denounced the attack, stating, “The shedding of blood, the violation of the sacred houses of God and the terrorizing of worshippers are acts of corruption on the earth.”