by The Cowl Editor on November 16, 2017
Opinion
Is Thanksgiving Really a Break?
With bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-95 stretching endlessly into the horizon, last year’s Thanksgiving break was already off to a poor start. A symphony of car horns and angry New York drivers blared outside my car window, yet home was still hours away.
Once I pulled into my driveway, my jam-packed backpack slammed into the side of my car’s trunk, living proof that rest was a ways away. Instead of rushing inside to spend time with my family, I hauled my backpack to my room, plopping a mountain of books and papers onto my desk.
After spending a little time relaxing with my family, it was back to my desk, typing away at a paper that should have never been assigned. So much for a “break” from the busy semester.
With finals week fast approaching and semester burnout setting in with a vengeance, homesick freshmen and overworked upperclassmen deserve a real Thanksgiving break.
Yet every semester, a few well-meaning professors assign plenty of work over the holiday, trapping students at their desks. In fact, this especially hurts students who live far away from Rhode Island, as many have not seen their family and hometown friends since August.
Let students escape the onslaught of papers and exams for a weekend. Let them enjoy food, family, and Thanksgiving football.
-Nicholas Moran ’19
Eleven Thrives in Chapter Seven
Fans of the popular Netflix original series Stranger Things binge-watched the second season faster than you could say, “Justice for Barb.” The nine-episode arc, which was released on Oct. 27, received rave reviews from fans and critics alike. Eighties references and Steve Harrington’s hair aside, one episode is highly disputed by viewers. The episode “Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister,” explores the character of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her relationship with Kali (Linnea Berthelsen), another girl with supernatural powers.
Some critics have called the episode a “filler” as it neglects other established story lines to focus solely on Eleven and Kali. While the episode’s relationship with the rest of the season is questionable, it is important in Eleven’s development as a strong female character. The Duffer Brothers, the creators, writers, directors, and producers of the show, have defended their choice, saying it was necessary for the storyline of Eleven: “Eleven is trying to figure out where she belongs in this world…Basically, it’s her looking for a home.”
Despite significant progress, women still often have one-dimensional roles in the media. Chapter seven allows viewers to see Eleven’s dynamic nature as she shifts from a naïve “freak” to a heroine with morals, flaws, and a self- assured strength. This transformation is a great example of a female character who is not static.
Likewise, it shows how a girl can be the driving force of a compelling storyline. Additionally, the distancing of Eleven from her usual male companions helps to illustrate the point that a female character can evolve without the help of men. Although it might seem random, chapter seven shows another step in the right direction for women on television.
-Gabrielle Bianco ’21
PC Needs More Art
I am going to take us a few weeks back for a second and talk about Calabria Plaza. Do you realize that this is really the only work of art around the Providence College campus we have on display, besides religious statues?
It is time for a change. PC should be a community that celebrates all kinds of art. It is clear that we are a Dominican campus, but other art forms should be represented in some way. It is time for us to have a statue of a strong independent woman who reflects our beliefs and is on the right side of history, such as Rosa Parks.
This really could be an opportunity to express different cultures, beliefs, and values that bring our campus closer together. Beyond statues, paintings and murals are also great forms of artistic expression.
We have walls filled with black and white photos of our basketball players, hockey players, and many other sports teams. Even though this expresses our strong school spirit, there is more to life than that!
There are plenty of paintings and statues in both Harkins and Ruane, and it would be great to see this kind of art all over campus.
How about we do a mural of our current students to celebrate togetherness and community?
These are only a few ideas that could go a long way in showcasing the arts, while also celebrating Friartown. We are currently making so many changes to our campus, and I think this should be added to the agenda. Sorry to add more to your to-do list, PC.
-McKenzie Tavella ’18