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Identifier
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cpj_20170515
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Title
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The Cooper Point Journal (May 15, 2017)
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Date
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15 May 2017
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The Evergreen State College Student Newspaper
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J O LJ . R N , A L
May 15, 2017
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ALLEGEDHARRASMENT ANDREANDBRYSON
KA BB Y MITCHELL
INCIDENT BRINGS DISCUSSION OF
RACISM ON CAMPUS TO THE FLOOR
MEMORIES OF FACULTY MEMBER
3
TRIAL ENDS, JURY DILIBERAT/ON
CONTINUES
4
11
..,
T
STAFF
HOW WE WORK
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Felix Chrome
MANAGING EDITOR
The Cooper Point Journal is produced by students at The Evergreen State College,
with funding from student fees and advertising from local businesses. The Journal
is published for free every other Wednesday during the school year and distributed
throughout the Olympia area. Our content is also available online at www.cooperpointjournal.com.
·
Jasmine Kozak-Gilroy · COMMUNITY EDITOR
ARTS
Sylvie Chace
& CULTURE EDITOR
Ruby Love
i
COMICS EDITOR
Our mission is to provide an outlet for student voices, and to inform and entertain
the Evergreen'community and the Olympia-area m6re broadly, as well as to provide
a platform for students to learn about operating a news publication.
River Gates
\
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Joe Sullam
Our office is located on the third floor Q.f the Campus Activities Building (CAB) at
The Evergreen State College~ room 33.2 and we have open student meetings from
4 to 5 p.m every Wednesday. · •
WRITERS
Georgie Hicks
Tari Gunstone
WRITE FOR ·US
..
.
'
We accept submissions from any student ~,,t The Evergreen State College, and also
from former students, faculty, and staff. ·we also •hire some students onto our staff,
who ~te articles for each issue and receive a learning stipend.
C·ONTACT
Have-an exciting news topic? Know about some weird community happening? Enjoy
that new hardcore band? Come talk to us and write about it.
OFFICE
The Evergreen State College
CAB 332
2700 Evergreen Pkwy NW
Olympia, WA
-We will also consider submissions from non-Evergreen people, particularly if they
have special knowledge on the topic. We prioritize current student content first, followed by former students, faculty ands~ and then general community submissions.
Within that, we prioritize content related to Evergreen first, followed by Olympia, the
state of Washington, the Pacific Northwest, etc.
News
(360) 867-6213
cooperpointjournal@gmail.com
BUSINESS
To su}>mit an article, reach us at cooperp?intjournal@gmail.com.
.
(360) 86 7-6054 ·
business@cooperpointjournal.com.
WEEKLY MEETING
Wed 4 to 5 p.m.
Bv
Sarah Gluck & Rae Lesinski
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·LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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We want to hear from you! If you have an opinion on anything we've reported in the
· paper, or goings-on in Olympia or at Evergreen, drop us a line with a paragraph or
two (100 - 300 words) for us to publish in the paper. Make sure to include your full
name, and your relationship to the college--are you a student, staff; graduate, community member, etc. We reserve the right to edit anything submitted to us before
publishing, but we'll do our best to consult with you about any major changes. Thank
· you!
~
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News
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Students gathered Monday to air grievances at a student forum with VP of Diversity and Equity . FELIX CHROME.
Students Questioned
About Alleged Harassment
ALLEGATIONS OF ANJI-BLACK RACISM
ENSUE
By Georgie Hicks
n Sunday May 14 a student called the Evergreen Police on two
Black students, after a May IO post in the "The Evergreen State
College Class of 2020" Facebook group sparked intense debate
and allegations of racism, leading to an 9.flline· confrontation among involved students. The two Black students, Jamil and Timeko, were woken up by the campus police and taken to police services to be questioned and remained there from around 11 p.m. til 2 a.m. on May 14-1 5.
0
On Sunday May 14 a student called the Evergreen Police on two Black students, after
a May 10 post in the "The Evergreen State College Class of
2020" Facebook group sparked
intense debate and allegations
of racism, leading to an ofHine
confrontation among involved
students. A student ended up
-calling the Evergreen Police,
leading to two Black students,
T~eko Williams Jr andJamil,
who prefers we do not use their
last name, being woken up by
the police and taken to police services to be questioned,
where they remained from
around 11 p.m. til 2 a.m. on
May 14-15.
The students were under the
impression they could face negative repercussions if they left
or refused to answer questions. constituted reverse racism, deIsiah Montejano, a student spite the original poster stating
who went to the police station, that-°ibey did not mean white
stated that "these two Black stu- people shouldn't be permitted
dents were not allowed to leave to take the class. Douvia made
or use the restroom." Al~ough a post in response that repeatthey legally had the right to ed Jamil's words but replaced
leave, it appears this was not "PoC" and ''black/brown"
made clear to the students se- with "white". The original post
ing questioned nor the many and Douvia's follow up incited
a near constant flow of debate
witnesses and bystanders.
The Facebook pos~ that and controversy on the page
sparked the incident w.as a call from May 10-14, with many
by Jamil for People of Color Students of Color expressing
(PoC) to sign up for the Ever- discomfort with how race was
green program ''Mediaworks: being addressed in comments
Re/Presenting Power and Dif- and on campus, and many
ference" in an attempt to make white students, as well as some
the class majority "Black/ PoC, discussing their discomBrown". One student, Kai- fort at the way in which the
Ave Douvia, took particular grievances of PoC were being
issue with the call for PoC in aired.
Mediaworks and alleged that it
These online conversations
culminated in a confrontation
in the Greenery Sunday evening involving Douvia and Williams, leading Douvia to call
the Evergreen Police, claiming
he felt threatened and unsafe.
Marissa Parker, a student who
witnessed much of the Sunday night incident told the CPJ
that Douvia's claim of harassment was false. Williams himself also refutes the claims that
the Greenery confrontation
was harassment. The witness
to the situation continued by
saying that in fact Douvia was
harassing Williams, yelling at
him from outside of his dorm
room prior to the confrontation at the Greenery. They explained, "Tamiko [then] goes
to the Greenery and' he sees
Kai-Ave and he's like you know
'I want to talk to this dude and
see where he's coming from
ana see what's up because ... all
his friends have been bothering us on the internet and irl.'
He goes up to K"ai-ave and is
like 'liey what's up do you plan
on stopping \ :Iisrespecting my_
friends do you plan to stop doing that' and Kai-ave says no."
Around 6 p.m. on May 14,
·Douvia and Williams got into
an argument, and as one student describes "There is more
yelling going on because at
this point [Douvia had] called
the cops who in turn called
[Tamiko's] mom, so he's allowed to be angry." The student elaborated on the context
of the situation, saying, "Black
people are allowed to be angry.
You're harassing them on social
media, you're harassing them
in real life." However, they
clarify, "no one came to blows
and no was even close [to fighting] but whenever [people] see
a tall 6'3-6'4 Black man yelling
at someone it's like, 'oh there's
gonna be an altercation."'
Douvia describe the incident and alleged threats made
against him saying, "I felt
threatened and proceeded to
go to the police. I reported the
first time about the Facebook
messages and the second time
about the Greenery confrontation."
Another student statea, "I
don't think I would even consider [the Greenery confrontation] an incident, as it was not
a violent encounter under any
circumstances."
Following the argument in
the Greenery, both Williams
and Jamil were brought for
questioning, and videos circulating on Facebook show that a
swarm of students "occupied"
the Police Services lobby waiting for their release. Many students present were upset with
the handling of the situation by
police.
Stacy Brown, Evergreen's
Chief of Police, defended police actions, stating, "Our main
goal is to ensure safety for all
students--no matter what time
of day or-night it is.'' She asserts that students "came to
the police department, without
police escort and told us what
happened and their part in the
matter, voluntarily," then goes
on to say, "We determined no
crime was committed by any
parties involved in the incident
and we have concluded our involvement in this matter."
AlthoughJamil and Williams
were not escorted by the police,
witnesses report that they were
escorted from the dorms to Po' Services by Residential Diliee
rector Hanna Smith. Reports
also aledge that while being
questioned by police, Williams
asked to use the bathroom and
was denied permission.
On Monday May 15,
around 5 p.m. approximately
100 students gathered in the
library to respond to a call to
action in regards to the the police treatment and holding of
the students. Students involved
cited the general distrust and
dislike for police services, administration, and the general
treatment of PoC on campus
as reasons for gathering.
The
assembled
group
walked to the Campus Activities Building where a question
forum for a candidate for Vice
President and Provost of Equity and Inclusion was being
held. The candidate said she
wanted to hear from students
and the meeting became a
discussion about racism, antiBlackness, · and cfui::rimination
on campus, as well as the previous night's events.
Douvia, despite recent controversy, attended this gathering, attempting to make a
MAY 17, 2017 /THE COOPER POINT JOURNAL 03
lll
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Communi
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statement about individualism
before being asked to leave.
A student who was involved
in the earlier online controversy said, "We already knew
[Douvia's] M.O. but we didn't
think that we would expose
them [Douvia and his friends]
for the racist, sexist group that
they are."
Douvia responded to the anger about the situation and allegations of anti-Black racism,
stating, "I, Kai-Ave Douvia,
am a person of color who does
not support racism or sexism of
any sort."
Another student had this to
say, "insistence that you do not
support racism does not actually mean that you are not racist
or anti-black. Anti-Blackness is
an issue even among PoC."
Douvia claims that this incident comes in the midst of
a hostile atmosphere toward
some on campus saying, "I
have witnessed students cry
due to the blatant disrespect
given to them because of
physical aspects that they can't
change. I have witnessed hate
speech towards white students,
cis students, straight students,
and male students just for being that."
Others involved feel that this
reality of our campus environment is quite blatantly the opposite, that, as one student said
in a meeting after the incident,
"there is a lot of anti-Blackness
here... anti-Blackness is so
rampant, it affects every facet
of our experience [at Evergreen]"
This story is still unfolding,
and some facts remain unclear.
We felt it was important to report the information that was
available to us, but the incident
will be further investigated for
a follow up article in the next
issue of the CPJ.
This story -is still unfolding,
but we felt it was important to
report the information that was
available to us. The incident
will be further investigated
in the next issue of the CPJ.
If you have any information
involving the events in question, please send us an email at
[cooperpointjournal@gmail.
com] with the title of this article as the subject.
-I
The shooting of brothm Andre and Bryson by Olympia PD Officer Donald in May 2015 sparked large protests. BLAINE EWIG.
~dre & Bryson's.Trial Ends
JURY DELIBERATION BEGAN FRIDAY, MAY 12
By Felix Chrome
T
he trial for brothers Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin, which began Monday, April 10, has finally drawn to a close. Closing arguments
wrapped up Thursday, May 11, andjury deliberation began Friday morning. As of the morning of Tuesday, May 16, no verdict has been announced.
Thompson and Chaplin
are on trial after being shot by
Olympia Police Department
Officer Ryan Donald in May
of 2015. The Thurston County Prosecutor did not p~ue
charges against Officer Donald
and he was not fired or reprimanded by the OPD. Because
Donald alleges~that Thompson
and Chaplin assaulted him and
the shooting was in self defense
the brothers are -now facing
multiple counts of second-degree assault, a Class B Felony.
Although they survived the
shooting, Chaplin is now partially paralyzed and must rely
on a wheelchair.
A verdict is still forthcoming- on Monday, May 15, the
jury emerged from deliberation
to request they be allowed to
listen to the dispatch recording
of Officer Donald at the time
of the incident again. This recording of Donald's calls at the
04 WWW.COOPERPOINTJOURNAL.COM
time of the alleged altercation nonsensical."
between him and the brothMany community members
ers is a key piece of evidence, turned out to support Thompespecially since there were no son and Chaplin throughout
bystanders who witnessed the the trial. During closing arincident.
guments the court room was
During
closing
argu- especially full as many police
ments, Prosecuting Attorney officers, in full uniform, attendScott Jackson tried to portray ing the trial to support Officer
Thompson and Chaplin's be- Donald, as well as the activists
havior on the night in question. and supporters who has been
Scott is quoted in the Olympi- more consistently present.
an describing the night saying,
An Evergreen student who
"They are drunk. And they was present for closing arguwant to fight. And they want to ments described the scene
hide. And that's what they did, saying, "Support turned out
and that's what the evidence in numbers for the afternoon
has shown ... They started this session of the final day of the
and [Donald] had to defend trial. I had heard that earlier in
himself and he used deadly the day uniformed police offiforce because he ~ought his cers lined the back row of the
life was in jeopardy." Chap- court, adding an intimidating
lin's defense attorney, George presence to the proceedings."
Trejo, countered this, assertRyan Donald was present
ing, "Officer Donald's story is along with this group of offinot credible. The investigation cers, ''At one point, some bold
was abysmal, and his story was individual went up to· Officer
Donald, who was seated in th
back eating a muffin and re
minded him that there was n,
food allowed in the courtroom
then asked him if he though
that rules did not apply to · ·
just because he was a cop."
Sam Miller, another com
munity member who was present for some of the trial, sh~e,
his impression of Officer Don
ald's testimony, writing, "Don
ald just said in court 'I woul,
of shot them in the face if I w,
trying to kill them' in referenc1
to his shooting of Andre andl
Bryson. He strikes me as an
intensely sad and angry man:
who would be dangerous even
when not armed. I feel for this
family and I'm disgusted at this
society for creating an arena
for this man to be allowed to
make life or death decisions."
Miller was also there for
closing arguments and commented on the intimidating
presence of poli,ce, "There
are 18 fully_armed, uniformed
Olympia police officers m the
courtroom today for closing
arguments. They obviously
felt it was necessary to make a
'show of force'. Officer Donald is in the middle of them."
But added, "They're still vastly
outnumbered by the supporters of Andre and Bryson."
Community members who
· have been attending trial dates
and organizing protests to
show support for the brothers. The family of Andre and
Bryson have called for people
to gather in Heritage park at
7 p.m. after the verdict is announced, "Either in celebration or in anger, whether they
are deemed 'guilty' or 'innocent,' show up ·to express your
love for and solidarity with Andre & Bryson."
Organizers have requested
attendees wear red and purple,
Chaplin and Thompson's favorite colors, and bring banners, signs, and noisemakers.
Organizers have also shared
the family's wishes for a peaceful, healing event. The Olympia chapter of Showing Up for
Racial Justice (SURJ) has also
called for community members to come to the courtroom
when it appears that the verdict may be announced.
r:
Communi~
Olympia Free Herbal Clinic·
A PEEK INSIDE THE LOCAL CLINIC MAKING HERBAL
MEDICINE MORE ACCESSIBLE
By Tari Gunstone
lants hav~ a long history of being used medicinally and therapeutically to improve m ood, well being, and ailments thataffectmentalhealth. With May beingMentalHealthAwareness Month, the Cooper PointJournal
.
is focusing on a resource for free herbal consultation and medicine right in downtown Olympia. The Olympia Community Herbal Clinic has been in operation since 2008 wor~gtoprovide free herbal health and education
to its local community through consultations, workshops, and education. They operate by either walk-in or appointments and offer sliding scale donation options with the promi;§e that no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
P
Plants have a long history
of being used medicinally
and therapeutically to improve mood, well being, and
ailments that affect mental
health. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month,
the Cooper Point Journal is
focusing on a resource for free
herbal consultation and medicine right in downtown Olympia. The Olympia Community Herbal Clinic has been in
operation since 2008 working
to provide free herbal health
and education to its local community through consultations,
workshops, and education.
They operate by either walkin or appointments and offer
sliding scale donation options source commercially and pro- in hand for more immediate
with the promise that no one vide fresh material for making conditions like a cold, patients
with more chronic or comwill be turned away for lack of medicine.
All of the practitioners plex conditions should expect
funds.
Completely volunteer-run guarantee judgment free and to wait for their practitioner
consultations to formulate a plan and even
(they pay an accountant), tlie confidential
clinic is currently run by four with their patients. While make medicine specifically for
practiti_oners and a few recep- herbalists don't prescribe or them.
Practitioner Rose Opal
tionists. The materials that diagnose like a physician, they
make up their surprisingly can offer suggestions for a plan brings their personal praclarge apothecary are contrib- to support personal health tice of exploring their ancesuted by community support- goals while providing helpful tral roots of Germanic and
ers and herbal organization aides from the apothecary. A Western European witchcraft
donors like Mountain Rose new pap.ent consultation is into their consultations with
Herbs and the American 85 minutes with a suggested patients. Understanding anHerbalists Guild. The practi- $5-90 donation and follow- cestral relationships to piants
tioners tend herb gardens at up appointments are sched- helps Opal, "reconnect with
their personal properties to uled at 25 minutes for $5-70. my sense of belonging in the
· help contribute plants to the While some walk-in patients natural world." In their pracapothecary that are difficult to can walk out with medicine tice they encourage their pa-
tients to experience the interconnected web of the world
around them by fostering
relationships with plant allies through harvesting and
spending time with the plants
themselves. "Using plants as
medicine helps people see the
world as alive and magical,
rather than this dead, oppressive thing, says Opal." In addition to medicine, Opal practices relationship with plants
in a myriad of different ways.
They incorporate wild plants
into their diet and create exciting seasonal food experiences. Nature offers an abundance. of craft and art supplies
that Opal uses to create things
like baskets, cordage, wreaths,
and sculptures. They also recently taught a workshop on
using plants for sexual health
and
making
homemade
plant-based lubes. "People
and plants evolved together,
there's so many ways we support each othei;" Opal tells
me, "They remind me ·that I
don't have to buy everything I
need and teach me ways I can
honor them as a resource."
Both Opal and fellow practitioner Mary Sackley expressed that they were drawn
to move to Olympia to be
part of the herbal free clinic.
Its recognition in the herbal
community is widespread because there are so few places
offering free access to herbal
medicine. With the rising cost
of healthcare and the current
changes underway that threaten affordability and access
to healthcare for those with
preexisting conditions that include mental health issues like
depression, anxiety, and mental disorders, this resource is
radical in its commitment to
being free and accessible to all
individuals regardless of income or health history.
The clinic operates under
a philosophy of community
activism that seeks to push
against capitalism, patriarchy, and racism while providing support for marginalized
communities including youth,
houseless people, drug users, minorities, transgender
and genderqueer folks. Two
MAY 17, 2017 /THE COOPER POINT JOURNAL 05
_;£__. ,I.
eommuriitt_
of their pracnnoners, Mary
Sacliley and Salix Scoresby,
went to Standing Rod to
jQin the herbal medic team
working in the midwifery
yurt. Last winter they offered
weekly consultations and hot
tea at the warming center
downtown. They established
a lot of connections with
the houseless community in
Olympia to expand their patient demographics beyond
Evergreen
students. This sum,
mer, most of the practitioners .
will be going up to Campbell
River in B.C. to be part of the ·
, herbal medicine healer space
for the annual Tribal Canoe
Journey. The event has always
had a western medical tent,
but this year the practitioners
are working with members
of the Cowlitz tribe to . educate and empower indigenous
leaders to replace herbalist
white settlers and establish an
indigenous-run plant . medicine healing space. They have
encouraged Olympia's community of protesting activists
by sharing the use of herbs for
dealing with trauma from police violence.
The clinic also makes up
the Dandelion Seed Collective, "a collectively run grassroots community organization
dedicated to empowering our
community to make sustainable and informed choices in
regards to individual health."
The collective· hosts the annual Dandelion Seed Conference at the Evergreen
Longhouse each Autumn
that brings together plant
medicine teachers and activists across the country. In line
with the clinic's priorities, the
Dandelion Seed Conference
sets itself apart from other
herbal gatherings through its
reputation for emphasizing .
accessible and communitydriven herbalism that focuses
on social justice and socially
responsible practices. It aims
to highlight bringing in presenters that come from more
marginalized communities or
provide services to people in
marginalized
commumnes.
Their priority in planning
for this year's conference is to
provide space for queer, trans,
and POC presenters:' In fact,
they are currently calling out
for presenters to submit their
application for leading workshops by June 1st. They are
also interested in volunteers
that would like to help with
organizing for the conference
taking place this October
13th-15th.
Other ways that interested
individuals can support the
clinic is by donating money
or supplies to the apothecary.
They are in need of salves
and tinctures from people
that have experience making
medicine. Fresh and dried
herbs from anyone's garden
or foraging trips are always
Naomi Klein ponders climate change, globalization. Flicker User IO ERROR via Wtkipedia Commons.
welcome. They accept tinc,.
ture bottles that are cleaned
with labels removed. If you
take a tincture and decide it's
not right for you, feel free to
donate it used. Common supplements like magnesium, vitamin D,..-and Iron are always
in high demand.
~ . By Sylvie Chace
Keep updated on the
clinic's facebook page (www.
n Thursday, May 18, author of "This Changes Everything" and "The Shock
facebook.com/OlympiaCommunityHerbalClinic) to learn
Doctrine", Naomi Klein will speak at the Costantino Recreation Center.
about other possibilities for
Naomi Klein is a Canadian journalist and climate justic activist well-known
involvement that the clinic for being critical of corporate globalization in relation to climate change and other
commonly offers like garden
social justice issues. Her books dis~uss capitalism and its role in this greater globharvesting parties or-medicine
making workshops. For stu- al issue and her writings have often served as crucial program text at Evergreen.
dents interested in connecting
In 2016, Klein delivered the brands."
will focus on the diverse layers of
with healing plants, Evergreen
Sydney Peace Prize Lecture in .
The aim of this new work is Genius and Courage, ·featu.ring
has two plant medicine gar- Sydney, Australia upon being to explain how we got into the keynotes Vanjones, Kirsti Luke,
dens on campus; the Ethno- awarded the Peace Prize for ex- political state we are currently in. and Naomi Klein."
botanical Native Plants Gar- posing truths behind climate Klein reveals the corporate takeKlein's appearance at Everden at the Longhouse, a.o'd justice politics and encouraging over of Trump's election and the green will be a lecture and with
the European Medicinal Herb activism and awareness. Her shock tactics instilled to generate time allotted for students and
work aims to encourage transfor- radical policies that, as the web- community members to ask
garden at the Organic Farm.
The Olympia Community mative justice through revealing site states, "will destroy people, Klein about "This Changes EvHerbal Clinic i s located in these truths, and her appearance the environment, the economy erything" and her other works.
the Security B~ding kitty- at Evergreen is anticipated to be and national security." This book It is anticipated that the focus on
is available on the website for Klein's lecture will be in relation
corner to Cafe Vita at 203 4th a popular and exciting event.
Klein's new book is titled pre-order, whereas Klein's other to her talk in Seattle on climate
Ave E, Suite 401 (4th floor,
"No is Not Enough, Resisting works are popularly available on- justice and globalization.
wheelchair accessible) . . Walk- Trump's Shock Politics and Wm- line or in book stores near you.
This is an all-ages event, tickin hours are 5-8 pm Tuesdays ning the World We Need" and is
After her appearance at Ev- ets are $7 in advance or $10 at
and Wednesdays. They ask scheduled for release onjune 13. ergreen, Klein will speak on her the door with a faculty or student
that patients please arrive as
A quote from this book, stat- book, "This Changes Eyery- identification. General admisearly as possible during walk- ed on the promotional website thing", at a larger conference in sion is set at $15 in advance, or
in hours to be seen and that for the book .reads, "Trump, ex- Seattle, the Llving Future Con- $20 at the door. Doors open at 7
new clients arrive before 6pm. treme as he is, is not an aberra- ference '1 7 at Westin Seattle on p.m. and the lecture is scheduled
Cash and card are ·~ccepted tion but the logical ext,ension of May 19 at 8:30 p.m. The event to start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are
for donations. Contact them the worst and most dangerous states, "Llving Future is the fo- available online at ticketswest.
with questions or to make an . trends of the past half-century. rum for leading minds in the com. This event is sponsored by
He is the personification of the green building movement seek- Evergreen Student Activities,
appointment at (202) 854merger of humans and ·corpo- ing _solutions to the most daunt- and they are available for any
9350 or olycommunityherb·rations- ~ one-man megabrand ing global issues of our time. questions or concerns about this
clinic@gmail.com.
with wife and children as spin-off This year's three-day conference event.
06 w_ww.COOPERP.OINJ.J?,WR-NALC,OM.
..
Naomi Klein Speaks
FAMED AUTHOR VISITS CAMPUS TO
. DISCL:JSS TRYING TIMES
0
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Communi~ODIN COLEMAN.
'
New Positions Aim for
Equity and Diversity
.~
ey guys and welcome to POC Talk, this issue we're talking about potential Vice President and Provost of Equity and Inclusion c~didates. The
Vice Provost of Equity and Inclusion will serve as chair for the Equity
and Inclusion Council, which was created by George_Bridges in 2016 and is responisble for the Stratigic Equity Plan and the allotment of the President's Equity Fund, which provides grants to students, staff, and faculty for projects that
promote equity. The hiring section of the Strategic Equity Plan were the center
of a seires of contraversial emails that I am sure we are all by now framiliar with.
H
There are three candidates ther attend the student forums
with three separate presentations or send George Bridges an email
and student forums. The first with your thoughts. More inforpresentation, that of Chassity ·mation can be found on the EvHolliman-Douglas will happen ergreen website.
prior to this article's publication,
The website indicate~ that
but we haev included informa- "The position will advance an
tion about all three canidates.
equity mindset in all collegeMichael Benitez Jr's presinta- wide initiatives, including skation will take place Monday May tegic planning, budgeting, and
22 from 3: 15-5 in the Recital hall resource allocation." and It is
with a student forum to follow important for those of us who
from 5:30 to 6:15 in CAB 301. care about equity to go to these
John P. Hopkin's presentation meeting and see who will be
will take place Wednesday May incharge of equity at this school
24 from 1:15-3 with the student for the foreseeable future.
forum taking place from 5-5:45
Here is an overview of the
in LlB 1005.
three candidates;
I know we're all very busy as
this school year wraps up but the Chassity Holliman l)ouglas
future Vice Provost of Equity
Doctorate of Education, Edand Inclusion will play a big role ucational Leadership and Policy
in shaping what equity looks like Studies Eastern Kentucky Union campus, so take some get to versity, Richmond, KY Dwertaknow these candidates, and ei- tion Tide: The Impact of Inter-
group Dialogue on the Cultural
Serisil:>ility Outcomes of Health
Protession Students
'½s a Diversity Educator, I
develop, coordinate, and deliver
cultural competency training for
students, faculty, and staff across
campus as a part of the President's Institution-wide Unconscious Bias Training Initiative."
"My philosophy on leading
institutional change toward equity and inclusion involves an
intentional focus on cultivating a
learning centered environment.
Effective change management
requires a commitment to ongoing learning at all levels and
within all groups of stakehold.:
ers. It is common for colleges
and universities to express commitment to creating and maintaining student-centered environments, but my philosophy is
steeped in the belief that creat-
ing more equitable outcomes
across the institution, requires
a deliberate focus on. learning
that encompasses the continued
development of all students, faculty, and staff. By aligning our
goals with becoming learning
centered, we're acknowledging
that change cannot and should
not only be addressed with our
students. Sustainable change involves the ongoing learning, engagement, and development of
our faculty and staff alike."
. Her presentation went forward as planned, but in light
of the recent events discussed
in which Black students were
called for questioning by _Police
Services, alledging harrasment,
students gathered to discuss both
over arching trends • in rasism
and anti-Black behavior at Evergreen and the specific events in
)question.The candidate Chas·:sity Douglass- was warned by
many Black students and other
students of color that the administration would do its utmost to
make her job difficult. . Several
peopte exp;essed worry for her
as Black wmµan who may be
coming into 'this institution.
Michael Benitez Jr
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.),
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Concentration: Socialjustice in Higher Education,
School of Education, College
of Human Sciences. Iowa State
University. 2015 Dissertation
Topic: Latin@ identity politics
in higher education: Unveiling
representations of whiteness in
Latin@ culture.
"I believe ... [m] the need to
be deliberate and strategic about
seeking diversity in faculty, students and staff in order to create
a diverse presence necessary for
rigorous intellectual exchange,
teaching,_and learning. Further,
having a diverse presence provides opportunities for all students to see themselves reflected
in in the campus community. "
"The second is the salient
consideration of .critical research, contextual issues, and diverse voices and perspectives as
central to guiding and informing
institutional policy and praxis.
This includes weaving into the
praxis, campus wide and culturally relevant processes that ~hepherd full participation of its campus members with particularity
towards students, in courageous
dialogues necessary to develop
intcrcultural competencies, com-
munication, and learning"
"Staff and faculty members
at any given-institution of higher
education must exemplify what
the institution puts forward as
its mission and core values, in
practice, so that all students will
endorse and adopt through their
gaze and learning, an ethos of
equity and inclusion, critical to
their success."
John P. Hopkins Ph.D.
Social and Cultural Foundations of Education, University
of Washington, Seattle, 2015
Dissertation:
Conversations
That Matter: Decolonizing the
Inclusive•Discourse of American
Indian Education Reform
"Institutional change requires
more than recognizing our individual and group differences.
We need to become explicitly
and intentionally anti-racist and
anti-oppressive. That is, we need
to deepen our practice of diversity by promoting social justice in
all aspects of institutional life. A
social justice approach promotes
equity to achieve inclusion. It
recognises that our student, faculty, and staff exist within a structural hierarchy, as agents...and
targets within an oppressive social and political, and economic
system"
'½n essential skill that I bring
to promoting institutional change
is the ability to facilitate critical
dialogue with those whose beliefs
and understandings of inclusion,
equity, and social justice differ
in significant ways.... On my
account, inclusion is not simply
related to opening doors to diverse persons and groups. rather,
inclusion requires that we each
commit to grappling with complex and challenging ideas with
each other where we are positioned in society."
POC Talk is a space to focus
on the unique experiences people of color face at Evergreen
and in Olympia. It is written by
Evergreen Student of Color in
an effort to specifically discuss
POC issues. We want to center
and boost POC voices so if you
have something to add you can
submit your questions, comments, concerns, or ideas for
what you ·would like POC Talk
to cover to poctalk@cooper- .
pointjournal.com
IIAY 17; . .7 /THE COOPER POINT JOURNAL fl1
_.., _+
Arts & Culture
UP
coMiN'G
WED. MAY 17
*
Evergreen State College
SEMI/ D1105. 6pm
Blessed Is the Flame:
Concentration Camp
Resistance and AnarchoNihilism
SA RA H
G L UC K
artist interview by ruby love
Evergreen State College
Red Square. 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
~eoduck Student Union
Canidae Meet and Greet
Le Voyeur
4041-th Ave W 9pm.
Vomity 132: "The Sound of
Spewsic" with Robert Pidde
THUR. MAY 18
Last Word Books
111 Cherry St NE. 3pm.
Olympia IWW One Year
Anniversary
Evergreen State College
CRC Gym. 7:30pm. $7- $10.
Naomi Klein Speaks
FRI. MAY 19
Evergreen State College
The Flaming Eggplant. 3:30pm.
In-depth Consent Convos:
Housing and Boundaries
*
Evergreen State College
Lecture Rall 1. 6pm.
Between Worlds: Nightmares
of Fascism, Dreams of
Liberation
Obsidian
414 4th Ave E. 8pm. $7. 21+
OHMME, Alina Bea, Squill
Le Voyeur
404 4th Ave W 10pm. $7
Allergy, Franky, Cyberplasm,
Physique
Sarah Gluck and Rae __Lesinski created the series "Luxury" as a photographic collaboration for their
program "Narrative Tableau: Conceptual Strategies in Studio Photography. "Shot on medium format
filui in Evergreen's photo studios, the series is an homage to classical still life paintings. The series came
about as part of an assignment for Narrative Tableau, where the class was tasked with creating a series
of still life images. Inspired by both "original still life paintings" and "reflecting on our culture now," the
two came up with "Luxury".
·
SAT. MAY 20
Obsidian
414 4th Ave E. 2pm.
Olympia Acoustic Festival
Olympia Elks Lodge
1818 4th Ave E. 3pm. $3
Olympia Record Show
Presented By Rainy Day
Records
Evergreen State College
Organic Farmhouse. 6 p.m.
The Nest Performance Art
Ritual
•=Staff Recommended
08 WWW.COOPERPOINtJOURNAL.COM
AND RAE
LE 'S INS KI
+
Arts & Culture
Speaking of their seires
they explain, "The fast food
series came about when
studying and learning about
Still Life paintings, specifically ones that included the
circle of life with food. Capturing something that that
could be dead soon, but lives
in a image forever. A lot of
our inspiration was drawn
from our surroundings including the very so popular
and, over consumed, Ronald
McDonalds fast food . . . "
The program focuses ·o n
studio . photography, with
new topics and prompts every other week. "The class
also has an emphasis on using medium format cameras
with color film...so color
definitely went into our decision-making with our subjects." This was Sarah's first
time shooting in the studio,
and the pair struggled at
first with lighting, but they
eventually got the hang of it:
"working in unison and five
or so hours later, our shoot
was complete!"
While Sarah and Rae
have collaborated on . artwork before, it was only on
"little side projects." Both
experienced photographers,
the two ended up working
well together as they learned
the ropes of studio photography and color darkroom
work.
"Lighting was surely difficult because if the light isn't
set perfectly your images may
come out completely over
exposed or completely underexposed. We used a nice
glazed-over Vaseline glass
in front of the lens to create a look that would make
the imjl.ges look a little more
vintage and old agey to get
an old advertisement type of
look. Working with film is always tricky because you are.
unable to see what you are
producing until after the set
you created is done and the
film is developed. "
Sarah said she learned a
lot with the help of Rae (they
had used the darkrooms before, and had some experience with medium format
film) and other classmates,
but that "m9st of the learning is with the hands on material and working through
the lens."
Sarah is from Lake Stevens, WA and is a senior:
"Graduating so soon, woqp
woop!" She has been shoot-•
ing since she was fifteen years
old. "I was really inspired by
my high school photography
,teacher. Mrs Gurnillo you
are missedi Couldn't put a
camera down since." You
can find more of her work
UP ~
COMlNG
on lnstagram (@sarotoninn)
where she posts "personal
and art projects along with
other artists' images I find
inspiring and collaborations
of work I have done. It's nice
to use to see what others are
working on and maybe future projects and people you
want to work with ... "
Rae is from Los Angeles,
and is a junior - they transferred to Evergreen this year
and are planning on graduating with a BA. They got
interested in photography
in high school: "I worked in
the ph~to lab at my school
and loved working in the
darkroom. I originally was
attracte?, to photography because I loved working in the
darkroom, it made me feel
ltke a scien~t while being an
artist a! the same time."
SUN. MAY 21
*
The Green Haus
7:30. $5.
Mommy Long Legs, I Dream
of Witches, Napper, Cedar
Sap
Obsidian
414 4th Ave E. 9pm. $7. 21+
Strangeweather, Organelle,
Serac
O'Malleys
2200 Garfield Ave NE. 9pm. 21 +
Los Honey Rockets, Las
Cruxes, Wellness
MON. MAY 22
Evergreen State College
Recita1 Hall. 3pm.
Presentation and Q&A for
VP of Equity and Diversity
canidate Michael Benitez Jr.
TUE. MAY 23
1 Le Voyeur
i'
404 4th Ave W 6pm. ALLAGES.
Washboard Abs, Pools, Cedar
Sap, Sac
WED. MAY 24
Evergreen State College
Recita1 Hall. 1pm.
Presentation and Q&A for VP/
VP of Equity and Diversity
canidate John P. Hopkins
Obsidian
414 4th Ave E. 9pm. $5. 21+
Animyst, Silver Saturn, Acid
Smoker
THUR. MAY 25
Evergreen State College
CRC 117. 6pm.
.
1
Spring Quarter SeH Defense
Workshop Series
Ben Moore's Restaurant
112 4th Ave W 6pm.
Olympia People's Mic
*=
Staff Recommended
THE
brotherhood
LOUNGE
DAILY I-IAPPV /./OUR 3-7
119 CAPITOL WAV
ll'/1 111'.thRht10f/2p7/2r,or//o1Ill
gr,.(•om
MAY 17, 2017 /THE COOPER POINT JOURNAL
09
"4-
··Arts & Culture
STUFF 2 DO
By Sylvie Chace & Felix Chrome
Joshih Nguyenl)reforming courtesy of the event Facebook page. OLD GROWTH POETRY
WEDNESDAY 5/17
.
.
THURSDAY' 5/25
BLESSED IS THE FLAME:
CONCENTRATION CAMP RESISTANCE & (A)NIHILISM
·
Sem II D1105. 6 p.m. Free.
Author of the recent book "Blessed Is The Flame" is coming to Evergreen
to facilitate a workshop and discussion about the relation between nihilism and
resistance. The event will look at examples of the often forgotten, and largely
unsuccessfi..tl, instances of resistance· and struggle within Nazi concentration
camps to ask the question, ''What does it take to resist in absolutely futile and
overwhelming situations?" Blessed is the Flame author argues that, "Wiurin each
of these mostly overlooked stories we can find a simmering spirit of anarchonihilism, a tendency that challenges us to translate our feelings of hopelessness
into wild and joyous forms of attack." This not to find an optimistic spin for _
terrible situations but to ground our continued struggles in son_iething stronger
than optimism. The event is sponsored by anti-authoritarian student group Black
Cottonwood Collective.
OLYMPIA PEOPLE'S MIC FEAT. JOSHUA NGUYEN
GORDON
Ben Moore's. 6 p.m. Free. All ages.
A night of poetry will be held at Ben Moore's downtown, featuring
accomplished poet Joshua Nguyen. The facebook page states info on· Nguyen,
"[He] began writing with the Meta-Four Houston Youth Slam Team from 20082012 and competed in Brave New Voices. He is an alumnus of the University of
Texas at Austin and was part of the UT Spitshine slam team from 2014-2016.
He placed #I in the nation in 2014, ·won 'Best Writing as a Team' in 2015, and
was the 2015 CUPSI Haiku Champ. In 2016, he traveled to Washington D.C. as
a member of Future Corp to organize the 2016 Brave New Voices International
Poetry Festival. He has been published in Freezeray Poetry and Button Poetry. In
2015, he was part of the Word Around Town Poetry Tour (WAT) in Houston,
Texas." If poetry is your thing, then head down to support the artist!
FRIDAY 5/19
SUNDAY 5/28
BETWEEN WORLDS: NIGHTMARES ·oF FASCISM,
DREAMS OF LIBERATION
Purce Lecture Hall/. 6 p.m. Free.
MAY MAKER'S MARKET
A long running anarchist news, information, and propaganda cite, Crimethlnc.
is presenting a workshop on resistance to fascism in the current era. This event
will ask the questions, ''When fascism was gaining momentum nearly a century
ago, what strategies were effective against it---or could have been? Where are
today's movements succeeding against Trump and the far right? How do we build
inner and interpersonal resilience in the midst of these conflicts? And what is the
alternative to a world of nationalist violence?" and use examples of resistance
to consider what tactics can be best employed for ongoing struggles against
nationalism, fascism, and the far-right.
Be sure to get down to this marketplace filled with local goodies! Maker's Market is a regular monthly market held at Obsidian, the facebook page for the event
says that the market is "a local craft f* in the back of Obsidian. We want to
help micro businesses find an audience and get started. We have an emphasis on
handmade, organic, or locally sourced products." There are 10 vendors in total
and cool stuff to expect includes jewelry, herbs, crystals, patches, pins and more!
Be sure to get there by noon because ·free gift bags .w ith handmade products will
be given out to the lucky first few at the door once the market opens!
10 WWW.COOPERP.OINTJ0UANAt..COM
Obsidian. 12 p.m. Free. All ages.
j~~
,...,,r_•
i
-
t-
Arts~~Cilltore
Award, becoming the city's Cul- trauung for young dancers in
tural Ambassador. As Ambas- Tacoma." TUPAC is set to open
sador, he focused his attention July 8, carrying Mitchell's legaon "programs that support the cy forward. The following day,
development of young urban July 9, a memorial service will
dancers, and [supporting] lo- be held at Seattle's Paramount
cal art and theatre companies Theater to celebrate Mitchell's
whose goals are to serve the un- life and legacy. Evergreen is also
derserved community through hosting two events to celebrate
the arts."
Mitchell's life, "in Olympia and
Before his death, Mitchell Tacoma on June 2, at 3 p.m."
was working to help open the and 6:30 p.m. respectively."
Tacoma Urban Performing
Arts Center which will "provide
0
Students protest the Keystone XL Pipeline at graduation in 2012. RILEY SIDERY.
Kabby Mitchell
REMEMBERING A BELOVED EVERGREEN
FACULTY & LOCAL CULTURAL ICON
By Ruby Love
abby Mitchell, ID, celebrated performer, choreographer, mentor, and Ever.
green faculty member passeel away last week, T hursday, May 4, at the age
of sixty. A member of the faculty since 1998, 'Mitchell taught interdisciplinary programs in Performing Arts and AfricariAmerican Studies. An acclaimed ballet performer and choreographer, Mitchell taught across many genres, from ballet
to Afro-Haitian dance. His career as a teacher spanned more than thirty five years,
as he taught in schools and dance academies in Washington, Iowa, and Mexico.
K
According to Evergreen's
memorial
page,
Mitchell
"also taught at a number of
other Seattle-area institutions
throughout his career, including Cornish College of the
Arts, University of Washington,
Seattle Academy of Arts and
Sciences, Spectrum and Ewajo
Dance Workshop."
The first African American
male soloist to join Seattle's Pacific Northwest Ballet, Mitchell
saw the importance of working
to break down social and economic barriers. While he is remembered as a talented dancer
and choreographer, Mitchell
also dedicated himself to studying African and African American History as well as the rise of
white supremacy movements in
the United States. Faculty mem-
ber and friend of Mitchell's, !Il his presence feeling good.
Liza Rognas, remembers him JJ.ist a couple of weeks ago we
as "always pushing to confront sat down together and cackled
and dismantle racism;" just as about getting older and being
passionate · about social justice able to see our dreams come
as he was about performance. true, shaking our heads at the
Combining the two came natu- changing world and the pain
rally to Mitchell, who worked to on our campus these days. He
empower students of all abilities shared the deep connection he
to express themselves through felt for Moonlight and its interdance. This spring, Mitchell was sectional portrayal of growing
teaching the interdisciplinary up black and gay and a man.
program Dancing Molecules, We could have sat all day, but
Dancing Bodies, which com- each had to head off to class.... "
Mitchell never stopped workbined social justice, community
studies, biology, chemistry, and ing to empower young dancers
dance.
and performers. Mitchell was an
Faculty member Cynthia "incredibly student-centered"
Kennedy remembers Mitchell professor, remembered for his
as someone who always "saw dedication to his students' sucthe basic goodness in each of cess both in- and outside the
us. That was one of his many classroom. In 2016 he won a
gifts. I came away from being prestigious Seattle Mayor's Arts
Kabby Mitchell performmg for the Evergreen community in 1999. MARTIN KANE.
MAY 17, 2017 / THE COOPER l?OINT JOURNAL
11
I
-+
Letters & Opinion
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Massage ~ Jewelry ~ Books
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12 WWW.COOPERPOINTJOURNAL.COM
Marine Life Spotted
·l.:·".
.'
•
•
By Val Arias
Having such easy access to the biodiverse ecosystem that is the Puget
Sound allows ivergreei:rprograms the ability to spot and research
emerging epidemics 'that struck the area, especially the marine life
that inhabits the many beaches, tide poois and inlets of Washington.
Recently, a program at Evergreen took ,ildvantage of all that our local nviroment has to offer and stumbled upon a lucky find: a sun
flower sea star, increasingly rare thanks to a recent epidemic of sea
star wasting disease.
The Evergreen program Marine Biodiversity recently went on a four day-long
field trip through the Olympic Peninsula,
aTid went to various tide pool sites for their
fieldwork along the Washington coast, including Clallam Bay, Neah Bay, and Cape
Flattery. The last site they visited was
Tongue Point, which is located right outside of Port Angeles, right across the sound
from the Canadian island Victoria. vVhile
searching the vast tide pools for various
marine organisms they've been studying,
students in the program were able to spot
a juvenile Pycnopodia helianthoideshas in
one of the pools, which was a very rare
sight and a huge reassurance that there is
still hope of survival for this species of sea
star, which is more commonly knovm as
the sunflower star. The students were able
to gently pick up the star and photograph
it, before immediately putting it back in its
home, ,vhere it very quickly scurried away
in the pool. The star was a mix of orange,
red and light brmvn colors, Vvith seventeen
legs, healthy tube feet, and no sign of a
new epidemic called sea star wasting disease. It ¼·as about 11.5 cm in diameter, and
as mentioned, quite young (they grow tp
be one meter long, \vith 16-24 arms), and
thankfully very healthy and active.
Since 2013, sea stars in the Puget Sound
have been struck by a recent disease (sea
star wasting disease, or SS\\TD), which has
affected in not only 20+ species of sea stars,
but entire marine communities as a whole.
SSWD essentially melts and deteriorates
sea stars' bodies, unabling them to grow
back their legs and tube feet -- sea stars
and other echinoderms are able to regrow
their limbs when wounded -- and wiping
out many keystone species to near extinction. The sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia
helianthoideshas, been rarely sighted the
past three to four years as a result of this,
and though they can thrive in the benthos
environment and has been spotted by deep
sea divers, it has not been spotted in tidepools where it used to thrive, from northern Washington to the San Juan Islands.
!vfarine communities have been affected
by the absence of this keystone predator as
they maintain the food chain balanced by
eating various sorts of molluscs (California
mussels, Mytilus californianus, and various
species of chitons).
On their field trip, the program also was
able to spot and photograph a giant pacific
octopus, which was camouflaged in a bed
of kelp, and many other species of marine
invertebrates, some of which they collected
and are now keeping in the Lab I aquarium
for their research and further marine biology instruction. The sea stars, especially
those endangered, ,vere not collected and
will hopefully rebuild their numbers in the
years to come.
~Letters & OQinion
RCBY THOMPSOr,;
,l'BY THOHPSO:\"
ADVICE ON SEX, REtATIONSHIPS, & MORE
Greetings. Welcome to Wasted Advice, wherein you ask for advice and I continue to get drunk and advise you. We both win.
You can ask me the questions you can't ask your resident advisor.
Can you whittle wood? Liberal arts students swarm to that
\'\'hat!!?!?!??????!??!!!!!!! This is what shit.
you ask a drunk person? To play
with sharp knives? No.
Wheruio y u soyourhomework
when you want to have sex
What is your favorite hip hop with your partner, and give
song and why? Hip hop and rap them love and affection,
have been so mixed together that go to parties, study, AND
I'm not sure what you're asking me sleep? YA DONT. Welcome to
right now but I really wanna listen college. We have all given up sleep
to Please Don't Go by Mike Posner FOREVERRR !!!!!! There is no
so I hope that's a good because idk light at the end of the tunnel except
· ·
where I'm at right now Thats my graduation.
sugstion 2kl 7.
How important is it to wash
I found a weed pipe at my your hands after you use the
house after the riot party at bathroom? Like how often
my house, is it yours? No. should you do that? Ew. Wash
My job is to answer questions for your hands all· the tim~·-I mean I
a newspaper. I don't go to all y'all don't but I don't talk about it. So like
parties. You don't know who I am do it enough to where people aren't
and I don't know who you are, what like "did you ~ash your hands?"
kinda question is this?
What is the deal with george
bridges? what's thde deaaal?
As a light skinned pocleftist I wouldn't be surprised if I heard
how can I possibly make him singing, You gotta pay the troll
friends in Olympia? Step one: toll to get into that boys soul, you
Go to Mccoys at about 8pm on a gotta pay the troll toll to get in.
Thursday. Arder the most librel Baby boy soul = college tuition
arts student drink you can think
of Something along the lines of
an A.1Vl:F or a Long Island iced tea.
Carry your Sylvia plath book to the
Got problems? \Ve can help! You ca.71
smokers section and wait. (May be
submit questions anonymously to ask.fm/
switched out with anything written
\Vastedadvice or email wastedadvice@
by Foucault or anything tJ:1at has
cooperpointjournal.com.
to do with anthropathesteicism".
Dear Body Party,
It's been a rough year- all I tan seem to muster the energy to do is masturbate constantly becailse I hate myself and feeling lonely. I can't seem to
meet anyone1fn this god forsaken town to sooth my existential shit, I just
want to meet nt!w nice folks who are kind and cute and will hang out and
make out with me. How do I fix th_is! How do I meet people queer people in
this goddamn town?
Thanks,
Queer Cutie Seeking Kin
'
..
Hey Queer Curie Seeking Kin,
Life gets rough sometimes/ life is rough all the time, ,but don't fret- one day these days
will all be bad memories. Let's go in order.
Chronic mastrabation can be a real problem. Mistrabation, like anything that feels
good (or produces any kind of sensation), can be really adictive. Orgasm releases many
happy hormones like oxytocin, which lowers your body's levels of cortisol, a hormone
produced by stress that can have negative impacts on your health and mood. Thus,
orgasm can have a really healthy impact on your body, but can also have a negative
impact on your mental health, if you're not getting out of bed and instead getting of£
I'd recomend trying some other activities that take you outside of the bedroom that also
decrease cortisol levels, like decreaing your intake of caffine or sugar, going on a bike ride,
or eating less meat.
Keep in mind, though, that is is okay to be sad and it is okay to have to spend time just
laying around in bed. But if you are going to wallow, it is best to wallow analog-- If you
can manage, read a book instead and leave both your phone and your computer outside.
If you want to watch something, try choosing a movie instead of television, as television's
serial nature lends itself to spiralling and an overwhelming need to' consume more and
more content. At the very least, ditch your phone and just focus on one tlring, as multi
tasking and over stimulatin are major causes of both anxiety and depression. Seeking
relationships to quell your sorrow is a double edged svvord. Relationships can make or
break us, and solid relationships are bard to come by, but real heavy beautiful friendships
(and a lil self love) are the only things that will ever make this world worth existing in. And
they go hand and hand! v\Then self l6ve is hard to come by, your friends will be there to
love you for you.
Maybe friends aren't really what you're looking for? Just curies to kiss? But I would
recommend considering them one in the same- quality curies over quantity curies. As
for how to find them 1 I have some recommendations. In general, my best advice is to
make pals the way grandparents make pals. Consider taking more frequent trips to the
grocery store. Hang out in morf parks. Carry lots of Snacks and offer them freely. Attend
local community events. Volunteer -with charities that resonate ,vith you (hO\v to find the
vvholesomc curies). Find something you love to do and do it often and in public.
Stay safe & have fun 1
-Party!
Body Party is a positive) open-minded column about everything bodics 1 sex, relationships,
and self love. This column is not written by a doctor but done by a person who has.
researd1ed the topic and looked into your questions thoroughly If you have any questions
or problems and '>·t?...nt advice about sex, medication, love, STD's ect. please submit them
to bodyparty@coopcrpointjournal.com
MAY 17, 2017 /THE COOPER POINT JOURNAL
13
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By Sylvie Chace
.
With the passing of the Scorpio full moon that happened on the May 10, we find ourselves in a transitional period. You may find yourself reflecting on how far you've come, yet facing a great abyss of what is iri store next. With Taurus season soon transitioning into Gemini, there is a sense
of urgency in the air, something big feels as though it's waiting on the horizon, but whether this something is positive or negative is up in the air.
We can choose to spiral downward or spiral upward.
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ARIES
3121 -4119
You are quite the impatient one, Aries! You may find yourself tending to the garden of
your needs, however you keep pulling everything up and out of the ground every minute
to check to make sure everything is growing as it should! Sit back. Change takes time and
you may not see immediate results. Keep tending to yourself, the seeds are planted and
soon they will grow. .
LIBRA. 9/23- Jo122
Slow and st~3.dy wins the ·ra:ce, Llbra, and of all the signs you are the most competent at
keeping level-headed during challenges. However, right now the challenge is staying committed. vVhile you may feel totally at peace with your goals, you need to make sure you
follow everything through u_ntil the very end. Settiug intention is only step one.
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SCORPIO 10.123-11121
While change is something that's suppasedly 'scary' to some, you laugh in the face of
4120-5120
these challenges. You are the sign that embodief all transformation, and through it all
You are not one to be trifled with right now, and it's not because of anger but because you. you're finding yourself having fun. Each wave, each shift is just another opportunity to
have such iminense personal power! Their is a field of energy around you and you may bloom into a fresh version of yourself. Be open to these waves, let them crash over you
have noticed it's causing a flow of fulfillment. Good things do happen, and when the bad and turn stone into sand.
things also happen, you're handling it with grace and ease. Nothing can take you down.
TAURUS
GEMINI 5121 -6120
For someone who's known for their adaptability this 1:rJUlSitional period is bitting you in a
hard spot. It's different than just knowing all the right things to say, or feeling like you can
fit in anywhere. There's a deeper change that must be made. There is something in you
that needs to be cut off. Sometimes it's hard to know ourselves without the pain, but you
are more than what holds you back.
CANCER 6121 - 7122
One of your less favorable traits is your habit of not knowing how to~tell someone how
you truly feel. You just don't want to hurt their feelings! But you're hurting yourself by denying your emotions and making yourself uncomfortable. Speak up and be unashamed of
your emotions. Think of this as a fresh start to be direct avd vocalize how you really feel.
LEO 7123-8122
Sitting still and keeping quiet are not things that come naturally to such a bold person
like you. However, contemplation is necessary for growth! Being alone isn't scary because
you can keep yourself good company. Spend time with you and get to know the deeper
innermost parts of yourself. It's not going to hurt to recharge your batt~ries.
VIRGO 8/23-9122
You have been feeling the shift and you're prepping for great change as if a natural disaster.is in th~_ forecast! To-do lists, planning, and teamwork are kind of your thing, but
don't fret, Vrrgo. You have always had the tools within you to handle this. You've handled
everything tha.t's ever happened to you, so just take a deep breath and feel confident in
your strengths.
14 WWW.COOPERPOINTJOURNALCOM,
SAGITTARIUS 11122-12121
You 'are feeling an ending come on. Maybe someone isn't prioritizing you like they used
to, or something that you thought could be good for you just isn't working out. Change
is hardest when we-q.on't have control over it. You may find yourself feeling restless and
anxious about what Comes next now that an ending is in sight. You are a natural optimist,
so find the good in each ending as it brings a new beginning.
CAPRICORN 12122-1n9
There's two sides to every coin~ and right now you're confident to the point of coming off
angry. While on one side, having a passionate and wilder energy is fun and can be healthy,
on the other side you may be using this wild energy as a mask so no one assumes that
there's something underneath you're trying to cover. It's showing, Capricorn. You can't
hide a fire, you just need to let it burn, for better or for worse.
AQUARIUS 1120-2118
You are known to be a little bit of a contradiction at times, while you are a naturally social
creature you are also _one to feel like an alien. Right now is the time to harness your observant nature and retrieve. This is your time to sit with yourself and get all those things
you said you were going to do, done. Sometimes we have to withdraw in order to get our
work finished and this is your opportunity.
PISCES 2119-3120
Something's got a hold of you, Pisces! It mayjust be one little thing that's throwing everything else in your life off. You've tried all your old methods to fix it but nothing is working.
There is a transformative energy in the air, and you need to breathe it in. You can't fix
anything with your old tricks now, you have to respond in new ways and develop a deeper
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FACE FACTORY #12
I often felt isolated from my friends,
coworkers, coll~ues, and family. I
wanted to understand them
be understood in return.
by Lortz
In all honesty, as corny as it is,
I just want to be a
genderless, sexless entity,
in love with the world instead of
just one person.
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•Y 17,
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817/THE COOPER POINT JOURNAL 15
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cpj_20170515.pdf