The Justice, March 31, 2026

ICE SCARE

Brandeis Public Safety dispels circulating ICE vehicle rumors

 Last week, various student organizations circulated rumors of a “confirmed” ICE vehicle on campus. In an exchange with The Justice, Chief Matthew Rushton verified that the vehicle belongs to Brandeis’ Public Safety team.

By SOPHIA

EDITOR IN CHIEF

On March 24, multiple student organizations reposted posted warnings of a “confirmed [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] vehicle on Brandeis campus” on their Instagram stories. The post described a black Ford Interceptor, its license plate reading, “2MVP48.” The Justice confirmed that the Ford vehicle is a Brandeis University Public Safety vehicle in an March 26 email exchange with the Associate Vice President of Operations and Chief Safety Officer, Matthew Rushton. As of press time, The Justice has not been able to verify the rumor’s origins nor who was said to have “confirmed” the sighting.

“[The vehicle] belongs to our department, and it has no connection to ICE or any federal immigration agency,” Rushton wrote. His statement corroborated the Student Union’s March 24 Instagram story that first discredited the rumor. The post referenced a private statement from the Vice President of Student Affairs, Andrea Dine. The Student Union has not responded to The Justice’s March 25 and March 30 requests for comment regarding the rumor’s source and questions regarding the Student Union’s preparedness for supporting students. In addition, the Department of Student Affairs has not responded to The Justice’s media request.

Rushton shared, “The Department of Public Safety does not detain or question community members solely based on their immigration status.” He confirmed that the department does not participate in civil immigration enforcement, which is the department’s long-standing policy, rather than a response to recent events. Brandeis’ position is aligned with guidance from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Lunn v. Commonwealth in 2017.

Chief Rushton also highlighted his Feb. 2 “statement on ICE agents” to further clarify the Department of Public Safety’s stance. The statement confirms that “ICE agents are not permitted to enter non-public areas of our campus, such as dormitories,

By BRIANNA EARLE

offices and classrooms, without a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge.” The statement delineates that “administrative warrants issued by ICE do not grant authorization to these areas,” and Rushton added that a warrant signed by the Department of Homeland Security would not meet that standard. Additionally, he said the University would require a subpoena or judicial warrant before it would consent to sharing non-public personal information with outside law enforcement.

If ICE officers were to come to campus, Rushton explained that University officers would immediately notify Brandeis’ leadership. "We would communicate with the community as quickly and as transparently as we possibly could,” he wrote. Rushton stressed that if any Brandeis community member believes they are being approached by an immigration agent, they should call Public Safety immediately at 781-736-3333. They should not accept any documentation from agents without first contacting the department, according to Ruston. He concluded, “I want the Brandeis community to feel safe, and part of that is making sure accurate information gets out quickly when rumors start.”

Concerns of ICE presence at the University are not unfounded, considering there have been instances of ICE agents wrongfully detaining students on university property across the country. For instance, in a Feb. 27 article, The New York Times reported that ICE agents entered Elmina Aghayeva’s “universityowned apartment and detained her.” Aghayeva is a senior at Columbia University from Azerbaijan. Further, a Feb. 28 CNN article claims that the agents misrepresented themselves, entering the apartment building under the pretense of searching for a missing child. There have also been wrongful ICE detainments taking place off university campuses. Last year, Tufts University doctoral candidate Rümeysa Öztürk was detained outside an off-campus apartment building. ICE did not release Öztürk from her detention until last May.

Recently, several instances of graffiti have also been seen on campus. The graffiti, which reads "Deis drop ICE," refers to the University's partnership with Enterprise Rent-a-Car, which provides vehicles to ICE. The Brandeis chapter of the American Association of University Professors has recently called upon the University administration to cease working with Enterprise, in addition to starting a petition.

In this time of uncertainty and mistrust in the government, Rushton has affirmed the University’s commitment to protecting its students’ rights. However, student anxieties remain high as nationwide and campus tensions surrounding immigration persist.

PROTEST

180,000 people rally in Boston Common for March 28 "No Kings" protest

 Eight million protesters nationwide marched in unison against the Trump administration as part of the largest peaceful protests in U.S. history.

By SKYE ENTWOOD JUSTICE DEPUTY EDITOR

On Saturday, March 18, protesters gathered in the Boston Common to raise their voices under one simple message: “No Kings.” Protesters united under views of anti-authoritarianism and against the alleged consolidation of power by the Trump administration. Fueled by the development of the war in Iran, “No Kings Day” saw 180,000 attendants in Boston and over 8 million protesters nationwide. This is an estimated one million more protesters than the previous No Kings Day that took place on Oct. 18.

In Boston, the Common were crowded with people, activist organizations had information tables set up for their various causes, live bands played and speakers addressed the crowd. Security from the Boston Police Department was present, alongside additional protection from event organizers including metal detectors for the closest viewing section of the stage. Protesters held

signs with anti-Trump messages, calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, condemning the war in Iran and advocating for immigrant rights. Notable speakers included Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Governor Maura Healey and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.

Governor Healey opened her speech with the statement, “Basically, the bottom line here is that for 250 years we haven’t had kings in Massachusetts and we’re not going backwards.” Healey reminded the crowd of all the times both the citizens and government of Massachusetts have resisted the Trump administration. She asked everyone to keep fighting and to fight harder because “We know that Donald Trump is going to weaponize every agency in the federal government to steal this election.” She told the crowd that everyone needs to speak out and everyone needs to use their platform to raise their voice. In her final message to vote, she implored attendees to “get out and vote … We’ve gotta get young people voting who’ve given up on government and politicians.”

Senator Warren delivered an impassioned speech encouraging protesters to keep raising their voices and resisting the Trump administration. She condemned the war in Iran, Trump's tax cuts, ICE deployment and alleged misconduct and

A seat at the table: inside the ICC's "Be Curious Dinner"

 On March 25, the Intercultural Center, collaborated with the Gender and Sexuality Center and the Center for Spiritual Life, to host its fifth “Be Curious Dinner."

By ALLIE LADJEVA JUSTICE COPY EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

On March 25, members of the Brandeis community gathered in the International Lounge for the fifth “Be Curious Dinner” — an event designed to spark conversations on complex topics. Academic settings can involve difficult conversations, which

By LUKE BENANAV

is why the Be Curious Dinner created a more informal space for dialogue outside the classroom. The event focuses on a specific topic which is revealed to participants at the beginning of the dinner. The Justice reached out to members of the organizing committee and the attendees to gauge the event’s impact. Peter Rojas, Director of the Intercultural Center, explained to The Justice in a March 25 interview that the Be Curious Dinner was created in the fall of 2024 as an opportunity for students to discuss topics they felt were not being addressed in the community. He emphasized that the event fosters a space for the student body to engage with faculty and staff. This approach helps bridge gaps between students and staff, creating opportunities for open and effective dialogue.

“I think the cool part about the event is that although it is an inclusive type of environment, it’s exclusive in the sense that, based on the topic, we

POLICE LOG

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Mar. 13—There was a medical emergency for a party complaining of stomach pain. The patient refused medical treatment. Mar. 14—There was a medical emergency for an intoxicated party. The patient was transported to a local hospital. Mar. 14—There was a medical emergency for an intoxicated party. The patient refused medical treatment.

Mar. 16—There was a medical emergency regarding a cut to a party’s hand. The patient was transported to a local hospital.

Mar. 17—There was a medical emergency for a party who voluntarily admitted themselves to an emergency psychiatric facility. The patient was transported to a local hospital.

Mar. 18—A party was voluntarily transported to a psychiatric facility. The patient was transported to a local hospital.

Mar. 18—There was a medical emergency for a party who reported a tingling sensation in their leg. The patient refused medical treatment.

Mar. 21—There was a medical emergency for a party who reported feeling light-headed, dizzy, nauseous and having a headache. The patient was transported to a local hospital.

Mar. 23—There was a medical emergency for a party reporting a possible concussion. The patient was transported to a local hospital.

Mar. 23—There was a medical emergency for a party reporting a sore throat, headache and blurry vision. The patient refused medical treatment.

Mar. 26—There was a medical emergency for a party reporting a urinary tract infection. The patient was transported to a local hospital.

Mar. 26—There was a medical emergency for a party experiencing vertigo. The patient refused medical treatment.

NOISE COMPLAINT

Mar. 14—There was a report of parties causing a disturbance in a lounge. The situation was cleared.

Mar. 15—A party called reporting a noise complaint. The Department of Community Living was notified to respond.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mar. 20—A party reported that a science gate was broken. The-

re will be an investigation to follow.

Mar. 22—There was a suspicious persons report. The party was found and escorted from the building.

Mar. 23—A party reported vandalism on the blue booths. The area had been cleaned prior to officer arrival. There will be an investigation to follow.

Mar. 23—A party reported littering near propane tanks. There will be an investigation to follow.

Mar. 24—A party reported slippery walkways. Maintenance was notified to respond.

Mar. 26—A party reported pencil graffiti inside a building. There will be an investigation to follow.

“Who Owns the News?”: Former Washington Post editors warn that billionaire owners are eroding media integrity

 Four former editors of The Washington Post denounced Jeff Bezos’ ownership of the paper following significant financial losses and mass employee layoffs.

By ALLISON KETTLE JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

On March 24, the Brandeis Journalism program hosted “Who Owns the News?” a panel that featured four former Washington Post journalists to discuss the effects of billionaire ownership of media outlets. The event, held in Rapaporte Treasure Hall, was fully packed with students, alumni, news reporters and local journalists. The panel included Kainaz Amaria, former senior visuals editor for the Post’s investigative unit and Marty Baron, who spent 22 years at the Washington Post and led both the Post and The Boston Globe to Pulitzer Prizes during his tenure. They were joined by Kevin Merida, former executive editor of The Los Angeles Times and former managing editor at the Post, as well as Janice Page, the Post’s former arts editor.

In 2013, Bezos purchased The Washington Post from the Graham family for $250 million. Bezos’ ownership marked a new era for the Post, which had garnered massive support through its coverage of the Watergate scandal and the Pentagon Papers under the Graham family. Although Bezos initially described himself as a “hands-off” owner, he has taken a more active role in the paper since 2023, noting that he intended to transform the Post into an international news power. Bezos was the second billionaire to buy a U.S. newspaper in 2013, following Red Sox owner John Henry’s purchase of The Boston Globe for $70 million. Other notable billionaire owners of media outlets include Rupert Murdoch of The Wall Street Journal and Fox News, Patrick Soon-Shiong of the Los Angeles Times and Elon Musk of X.

The speakers discussed the aftermath of Jeff Bezos’ takeover of the paper and how this resulted in mass employee layoffs. Page explained that employees were sent an email, either with the subject “Your job has been eliminated” or “Your job has not been eliminated.” Her department was especially affected, as only two arts critics and news writers were spared. Marty Baron, author of “Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos, and THE WASHINGTON POST” confessed that while he initially trusted Bezos, he believed that Bezos was distracted by other pursuits such as the Blue Origin astronautics company and his various philanthropies. “Obviously the book needs a sequel,” he joked, referencing

AND CLARIFICATIONS

 A features photo story incorrectly spelled “Acappelooza.” It should’ve read “Acappellooza.” (March 24, 6).

 The jump title for a sports article incorrectly wrote “College Football.” It should’ve read “Baseball.” (March 24, 10).

 A photo for a sports article was incorrrectly captioned “A World Baseball Classic game kicks off at San Francisco’s Oracle Park.” It should’ve read “The AFCON championship game kicks off at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.” (March 24, 12)

 An arts title incorrectly spelled “A Capella.” It should’ve read “A Cappella.” (March 24, 15).

 An arts article incorrectly spelled “Remi Wolfe.” It should’ve read “Remi Wolf.” (March 24, 15).

 An arts article incorrectly stated Val Boyington’s class year. It should’ve read Val Boyington ‘26. (March 24, 15).

 An arts photo caption incorrectly spelled “Acapellooza.” It should’ve read “Acappellooza.” (March 24, 15).

 The staff Top 10 incorrectly wrote “Letterboard.” It should’ve read “Letter Boxed.” (March 24, 16).

The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. Send an email to editor@thejustice. org

his positive first impression of Bezos. Baron argued that Bezos’ failure to supervise the paper was “negligence, or even malpractice.”

Merida emphasized that the nature of journalism requires transparency and trust in media outlets, which was not achieved under Bezos’ ownership. “Our profession is written into the Constitution” he argued, stressing the importance of holding powerful leaders accountable under law.

The panelists continued to discuss failures of the Post under Bezos’ leadership. Amaria argued that Bezos wasted money on technological advancements, including an artificial intelligence assistant meant to summarize articles. This AI robot, however, was often inaccurate and “mangled journalism,” Amaria said. Baron compared the Post to The New York Times, arguing that the Times has remained successful because they have been able to diversify outside of political news, noting the NYT games initiative and cooking app. By contrast, the Post owners “did not have a strategy of diversification,” which led to a loss of subscriptions and financial burdens. Amaria added to Baron’s point, claiming “This was not a failure of journalism or journalists. This was a failure of leadership. where they made mistakes was on the business side.”

The panel ended on an optimistic note, with Merida saying that “it’s a great time” for journalism students interested in the field. During the question and answer session, Page responded to a journalist’s ques -

tion about the future of journalism and explained that “arts are one of the few things that separate us as a species.” Amaria also added that she has “always known a tumultuous industry” and that recent events should not let writers shy away from the field. River Simard ’26 asked the panelists how new journalists should prepare for the field given its “dynamic growth.” Amaria answered that knowing the pillars and values of journalism is the most important thing a journalist can do. She described journalism as a “t-shaped” profession, where the vertical represents a deep understanding of journalism and the horizontal reflects a willingness to collaborate and apply that knowledge to the world around you. Another student asked the panelists how they would restructure ownership of newsrooms given the need to sustain a business while serving the greater population. Baron recommended that in order to restore journalistic integrity, a possible solution could be to place outlets under a public trust system of ownership.

The speakers concluded that if the practice of journalism is to remain trustworthy, the owners of each enterprise must remember the central tenets of the profession and focus on the needs of their audiences. “In any field the person in charge has to have integrity, “ said Baron. “People who join a news organization need to look at what their ethics are. Any institution has a right to set down the standards. If folks don’t agree with them, then they don’t have to work there.”

Professors from Brandeis and MIT discuss possibility of nuclear disarmament amid high political tensions in U.S.

 The event, held by the Alexander Hamilton Society and the Brandeis Peace Club, focused on ongoing nuclear proliferation as the war in Iran continues.

By CHAVA THIELL JUSTICE NEWS EDITOR

On Saturday, March 28 the Brandeis chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society, in collaboration with Brandeis Peace Club, held a speaker event titled “Nuclear Disarmament: Strategic Realities & Constraints.” The discussion was moderated by Benjamin Starr ’27, president of the Alexander Hamilton Society, featuring Prof. Gary Samore (POL) and Prof. Areg Danagoulian, an associate professor of nuclear science and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Alexander Hamilton Society is a non-partisan organization dedicated to facilitating student discussions about foreign policy and affairs and has over 80 campus chapters across the United States. According to the AHS website, the group’s mission is to “identify, educate, and launch young men and women into foreign policy and national security careers imbued with the Hamiltonian perspective of strong and principled leadership in global affairs.”

The event began with an introduction by Ali Arshad ’28, president of the Peace Club. Arshad stated that it wasn’t until he spoke with Prof. Samore that he began to consider the seriousness of an issue like nuclear disarmament. “Why are we okay with these weapons of mass destruction?” Arshad asked. He also emphasized the importance of community when attempting to combat issues as large as nuclear disarmament. “Peacebuilding doesn’t happen in isolation,” Arshad asserted. As such, the Alexander Hamilton Society and Peace Club partnered together to host the event, with the goal of educating students about the issue.

Prof. Samore holds over 20 years of experience as a public servant. Between 1996-2000, Samore served as a Special Assistant to President Clinton, as well as the Senior Director for Nonproliferation and Export Controls at the National Security Council. From 2009-2013, Samore served as President Obama’s Coordinator for Arms Control and Weapons of Mass Destruction, which involved advising the president on matters of nuclear security and preventing global proliferation of WMDs. Starr began the discussion by asking Samore what he considers to be the most significant challenge in preventing nuclear proliferation today. Samore began by touching on his own experiences working on “the hard cases,” those in which he was tasked with working alongside countries that were strongly motivated to develop nuclear weapons, such as Iran, North Korea, Pakistan and Iraq. Samore noted that in the instance of Pakistan and North Korea, the U.S. failed to prevent nuclear

proliferation. As such, he believes that “you have to be a bit humble about what the U.S. can achieve.” He also explained that efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation have been much more successful when the U.S. worked with allies such as Italy, Japan, Germany and South Korea. Speaking to the current moment, Samore said, “dealing with Iran is a big challenge” and he believes the current war will further motivate the Iranian government to produce nuclear weapons.

The next question moved into Samore’s experience under the Clinton and Obama administrations. “In some ways, working for Obama was very satisfying,” Samore described about his four years working under the former president. Under the Clinton administration, the U.S. had been working to prevent nuclear proliferation in South Asia and North Korea, while during Obama’s term, the U.S. had already failed at doing so and was “managing” the situation. During the Obama years, much of Samore’s work was also focused on Iran, which he described as “an issue of war and peace.” Samore cited a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, “which I think was quite an effective agreement.” However, he noted uncertainty about the future of U.S.-Iran relations as the Trump administration withdrew from the agreement during the president’s first term, which led Iran to expand its nuclear program.

After the question, Prof. Danagoulian arrived to joined the panel and discussed the current state of nuclear affairs in Iran. Samore noted that “until Trump, presidents were not prepared to use military force” in Iran. Instead, presidents opted to use sabotage, sanctions and diplomacy to negotiate with the country. He described the June 2025 war in Iran as “very effective” in destroying Iran’s key enrichment facilities. Samore believes that if the current war ends, it will be the result of intense negotiations, and the United States may need to use military force to slow the Iranian nuclear program down. Danagoulian offered a similar perspective, believing that the use of military force would do little to eradicate the Iranian nuclear program. “You cannot bomb nuclear knowledge,” he said. “Iranians have the knowledge [to build nuclear weapons], it’s not going to go away.” As such, he acknowledged the importance of empathizing with foreign adversaries.

Starr asked both professors how they would go about convincing Iran that nuclear restraint is in its best interest. Samore noted that the Iranian government has viewed the United States and Israel as enemies since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, during which the Islamic Republic took control of the Iranian government. As long as the Islamic Republic remains in power, Samore said, the country’s motivation to develop a strong nuclear program will persist.

The discussion transitioned to the U.S.’s past non-proliferation efforts during the arms race with the former Soviet Union. Danagoulian mentioned South Africa’s decision to give up its nuclear weapons. Afterwards, “South Africa has done fairly well,” he said. Samore pointed to the notion that the idea of mutually-assured destruction at the time was “suicidal” and helped prevent proliferation. He also discussed China’s ongoing nuclear buildup initiative. The U.S. “is not looking to

Ballots and Boba: Student Union Elections Kicks Off

On Tuesday, March 30, the Student Union held its spring elections. To promote student participation, Student Union hosted an event in the Shapiro Campus Center, offering boba from Kung Fu Tea to students who showed that they voted in the election. The ballot included positions on the executive board, open Senatorial seats and spots on the Allocations Board.

Daniel Shin ’27 is running for Student Union President alongside his running mate for Vice President, Monica Lopez Hernandez ’28. Shin currently serves as the Student Union Vice President, while Lopez Hernandez is currently the Student Union’s Secretary. Fairooz Abida ’28 and Valentino Dzul are running for the Chief Judicial Officer position, while the Head Treasurer position is contested between Amaima Awais ’27, Aamna Tirmazi ’27 and Ariana Abhishek Agarwal ’27. Davian Pagan, Jenene Hall ’29 and Tristam Hines ’29 are running for Board of Trustees, Alumni Association and Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Representative. Daniel Liang ’28, Sirrone Ray ’29 and Sree Dharmaraj ’27 are running for Allocations Board positions. Ellie Ji ’28 and Luke Farberman ’27 are running for the Senator-at-Large position. Notably, five positions are open for

this seat, with only two candidates running. Alexa Johnson ’29, Anna Zhu ’29 and Sonia Chhibber ’29 are running for Class of 2029 Senator, and Emily Cristales Guevara ’28 is running for Multicultural Senator. Finally, Hailey Son ’29 is running for International Student Senator.

No one opted to run for the Secretary, Multicultural Senator, Class of 2027 Senator and Class of 2028 Senator positions, so students were encouraged to write in potential candidates.

Students were also allowed to vote on potential amendments to the Student Union Constitution. The first amendment moved to change the Brandeis Mountain Club to secured status. Another question asked if the Constitution should be amended to explicitly reference Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps, The Justice, Brandeis Radio Service, Student Sexuality Information Service, Campus Activities Board, Club Sports and the Waltham Group as secured clubs formally recognized by the Constitution. The final amendment proposed to change the name of the “Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” position to “Director of Access and Opportunity.” One student who attended the event, Madeline Joyce ’29, said it was a “good way to en-

accept China as an equal nuclear power” and as such, we will likely see greater U.S. nuclear buildup in coming years.

Danagoulian responded to this by discussing the U.S. response to China and Russia’s nuclear proliferation. He mentioned new “super-fuze” technology which nearly triples the U.S. warhead killing ability and has become “extremely worrisome” for the Chinese. He added that during the Korean War, the United States had accumulated enough nuclear weapons to credibly attack 24 Chinese cities, whereas comparatively, China could attack 10 major U.S. cities. He reinforced the notion that nuclear buildup will likely continue in the next decade or so. “As much as we might regret it, nuclear weapons are here to stay.” Danagoulian also pointed to the idea of a “proportional response” during wartime, and how this has long been a principle of countries with nuclear powers. Samore noted that the U.S. also holds a small force of bombs in Europe to counter Russian nuclear attacks, if need be.

Starr asked about how they believed the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence would affect nuclear proliferation. Danagoulian responded that we must acknowledge “how horrifyingly destructive these weapons are” and that the prospect of accidental nuclear war as a result of new technology was incredibly distressing. Samore noted he was surprised by the amount of nuclear deterrence among world leaders. He stated that he does not believe artificial intelligence will add much reliability to nuclear management and “we will not allow AI to determine nuclear decision-making.”

Both professors were also asked about their motivations for working in the field. Samore described his time working at a lab and how he began to learn more about nuclear technology, and eventually wanted to work in public service. Danagoulian shared his background in physics and how, after the events of Sept. 11, he began to learn more about concerns of nuclear terrorism.

The event moved into a question and answer section. The first question came from Lucas Thompson ’28, who asked about investing money and resources into a problem that may not be preventable. Samore shared that he believes sometimes the best option in such important situations is managing and delaying. “We do want to prevent nuclear war.” Danagoulian emphasized the importance of differentiating an entire country and its population from its government. As such, he explained that nuclear developments often change when new governments take power, such as the case of the Islamic Republic in Iran.

Cati Alexandru ’27 asked about how the U.S. can continue to discourage other countries from nuclear proliferation while it possesses nuclear weapons of its own. “I don’t view nuclear policy through a moral lens,” Samore said. He addedthat “there’s no moral basis for the U.S. to lecture other countries.” The best the United States can do, he believes, is encourage other countries that developing nuclear weapons is not in their best interest. Danagoulian noted his agreement about the issue of morality in nuclear proliferation.

courage students to be more civically engaged with campus life,” in a March 30 interview with The Justice. The ballot closed at 11:59 on March 30 and results are to be announced soon.

Editor’s Note: The Justice News Editor Ashhwika Soni ’29 is a member of the Student Union Senate and did not edit or contribute to this article.

Editor’s Note: The Justice Layout Editor Ellie Ji ’28 is a member of Student Union Senate and did not edit or contribute to this article.

Editor’s Note: The Justice Staff Writer Allie Ladjeva ’27 is a running for Student Union elections and did not edit or contribute to this article.

NO KINGS: Thousands gather in Boston Commons to protest U.S. authoritarianism

asked the crowd to fight back against the Trump Administration. Sending a message to Trump, she yelled into the crowd, “We don’t give up. We fight back.” Warren offered protesters hope and reassurance that their voices are being heard. She urged hopefulness and said that their work will result in change, saying, “We are winning at the ballot box, and we’re just getting started.” Warren closed her speech by saying, “The people have the power, not Donald Trump. We’re gonna do this together. Stay in the fight.”

The Boston protest remained completely peaceful. Among 180,000 demonstrators, no arrests were made.

The Boston Common held 80,000 more people than the last “No Kings Day” in October. This increase marks significant growth in the “No Kings” movement over the last five months. In Chicago, roughly 200,000 demonstrators marched through the downtown area, which is 50,000 fewer people than the Oct. 18 “No Kings Day.” While the protests were largely non-violent, after the protests were mostly over in Los Angeles, a violent clash between demonstrators and the LAPD outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center led to the arrest of 74 protesters.

NO KINGS DAY

By REUBEN GARTENBACH

pick individuals who might be passionate about that topic,” Rojas explained.

Jamie Wire, the director of the Gender and Sexuality Center, also emphasized the importance of bringing together members of the Brandeis community to discuss sensitive topics and create a safe space for them to engage in these conversations. Wire reported that students have been talking about how hard it is to connect with others on topics that are challenging to discuss.

“So we thought, why don’t we encourage that type of dialogue, especially over the dinner table? Get staff together, mixed with faculty, mixed with students, so everyone from all levels of the university comes together and has some kind of structure around the dialogue, so people don’t feel a little too out of place,” Wire said.

Beyond its structure, the event’s theme is carefully selected. The topic of the March 25 event was gender. When asked about how the topic was chosen, Lara Ericson, director of the Center for Spiritual Life, said that gender was one of the “hot topics” that had not yet been discussed at previous events.

“So we started with some of the really obvious ones, like race, politics and religion, and then felt like gender was the obvious one that we hadn’t touched. And then in the feedback form, we also heard from people that they were excited to talk about gender,” Ericson said.

Additionally, choosing gender as the event’s focus felt topical during the month of March. “It was a perfect time, perfect moment to have that during Women’s History Month, to emphasize gender, especially the polarization of gender in the United States,” Rojas explained.

The name of the event is also significant. It was inspired by a quote from one of Rojas’ favorite shows, Ted Lasso: “Be curious, not judgmental.” Rojas also believes that higher education often prioritizes outcomes over opportunities for critical thinking and dialogue, making events like the dinner especially valuable.

“We try to shift people’s perception into perspective and understand that people come from different stories, different backgrounds and different ideologies, which doesn’t make them right or wrong. It’s just about understanding where they are coming from and seeing how we can collaboratively work together as individuals, but also as a community,” Rojas explained.

The Be Curious Dinner welcomed attendees and randomly sat them at a table, mixing students, staff and faculty. On the tables, guests could find dinner menus as well as definitions of some key terms connected to the event’s topic. By structuring the event around the familiarity of dinner, guests felt more comfortable engaging openly in difficult conversations. The attendees were unaware of the event's topic until the opening remarks. At the event, students reported being excited to learn new perspectives and engage in conversations with staff and faculty.

“I was invited here by the ICC and I am part of the South East Asia Club. I am here today because I think this is a great opportunity to get to know new people and learn new perspectives, especially beyond the ones I interact with in my daily life,” stated

Laura Tran ’26.

“I am here because one, I like to eat, and two, I like to hear different opinions across campus. There is this stigma where you can’t really speak your mind

on campus, and here, I would be curious. It feels like a safe space for you just to say what you want about a certain topic,” Destinee Ponder ’29 shared.

“I am here as the Director of DEI for the Student Union’s executive board. I think this event will allow me to gain more insights on what’s happening around the school, and possibly, bring a tangible change through the conversations,” Jimin Geum ’29 said.

The students’ comments suggested that the Be Curious Dinner has worked to provide the Brandeis community with a space to participate in conversations that may feel challenging or stigmatized elsewhere.

Zaire Simmonds ’26, an ICC ambassador, recalled that the conversations during the event followed a three-course structure that people often see at the dinner table. The appetizer was light, featuring getto-know-you questions and some insights into the event’s topic. Then, people move to the main course, which sets the focus for the remainder of the discussion.

“They will have the option to choose between two envelopes, which will have two completely different sets of questions regarding the topic. Groups will together decide which envelope they are going to take strictly based on the name,” Simmonds said.

Attendees shared their thoughts with The Justice on this dinner’s topic. Many of them reported that the topic is extremely relevant this month, and some connected it to class material.

“Gender is obviously like a big topic, and there is this kind of taboo to talk about it most of the time at dinner. So last year, we did politics and race. So gender seems like the natural segue,” Sanjay Robles

’28 said.

“I think the topic fits perfectly with Women’s History Month. So I think it’s great that we have this topic and time to have this conversation. I feel like not in all of our classes we are able to incorporate what’s going on in the world into the discipline of our class. So having an outside-of-class place to talk about these things, I think, is really cool,” Saniah Best ’29 shared.

As the conversations can be sensitive, the organizers always attempt to foster a safe and supportive environment where everyone can freely express their opinions. Mutual learning and understanding are some of the key aspects of the Be Curious Dinner.

“I think, right now, we live in a world where it’s quite hard to voice your opinion, especially when it is not that popular on certain things. And this is an opportunity to learn, collaborate, to be educated, but most importantly, this is an opportunity to understand each other,” Simmonds said.

The Be Curious Dinner is one of the highlights of ICC’s event schedule for the year. The ICC recently celebrated its 34th anniversary, honoring its rich history. In 1991, a group of students known as the “Push Committee” petitioned to turn the former athletics facilities into an intercultural center. Following student efforts, the Usdan Student Center Advisory Board recommended that the Swig Student Center become the new location for the ICC, which celebrated its opening on March 4, 1992. As a result of student activism, the ICC was founded as a space for students to share and celebrate their diverse cultural identities — a mission that is reflected in events like the Be Curious Dinner.

just features

VERBATIM | FRANK BORMAN

Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.

ON THIS DAY…

The Eiffel Tower officially opened for dignitaries and an award ceremony in Paris, France.

FUN FACT

True pearls are the only jewel created by a living animal.

HIDDEN GEMS

Brandeis professors shared course registration recommendations for the fall 2026 semester.

By ASHHWIKA SONI JUSTICE NEWS EDITOR

The Brandeis Roosevelt Fellows hosted their “Hidden Gems” event on March 25 in Skyline Commons. The event was organized to help students discover unique courses or “hidden” courses for the fall 2026 registration period. The speakers urged students to explore interdisciplinary paths and take courses outside from their major. The event brought together faculty and students from different fields of study, featuring Prof. Gowri Vijayakumar (SOC/WGS), Prof. Sarah Curi (LGS/HSSP), Prof. lan Roy (ENGR/BUS) and Prof. William Chalmus (CAST/THA).

Prof. Vijayakumar started the conversation by sharing her experiences in the field of sociology as a lens through which students can better understand social change, identity and globalization. She presented a list of courses that she is teaching this semester and introduced the courses for fall ’26 as well. She highlighted her course titled “Protest, Politics and Change” as well as “Sociology of Love,” both of which examine human experience. She discussed how sociology encourages students to critically analyze the world around them.

Echoing similar ideas, Prof. Curi introduced her specialization in the Legal Studies and Health: Science, Society and Policy program. She mentioned that the Legal Studies program is not limited to those pursuing pre-law and is relevant across various careers including government, healthcare, public policy and sociology. Prof. Curi encouraged students to broaden their academic

interests, noting that law schools value applicants with a diverse educational background. Prof. Roy elaborated on science, technology, engineering and math opportunities, discussing engineering and digital innovation. He

stating that “mistakes drive learning.” He also highlighted entrepreneurship courses where students would be able to develop prototypes and pitch business ideas. Prof. Roy believes learning extends beyond the classroom. His approach showcased the way

Brandeis offers in the space of engineering.

Next, Prof. Chalmus discussed courses in theater and the arts, introducing concepts of playback theater. He broke into a rap to explain the importance of art in life and how it can be used to represent

encouraged students to bring their personal experiences into the classroom and battle with questions about how art can influence social change.

One of the central themes that emerged throughout the event was the idea that all academic disciplines are

introduced students to the Brandeis Design Innovation labs on campus including the MakersLab and the Automation Lab. Prof. Roy emphasized the importance of being able to learn through experimentation and failure,

LEARNING: Course registration is an integral part of the college experience.

engineering can act as an intersection between business and innovation, paving the way for students to engage with technological problemsolving. Prof. Roy also mentioned the robotics program and other opportunities that

real issues that we face today. Prof. Chalmus used this form of expression to depict that art can be provocative and unexpected, challenging students’ current notion of it and allowing them to express their identity through it. He

connected. The professors encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and explore courses that may not directly align with their major but would help them develop the skills needed for the real world. Each speaker

highlighted the value of approaching problems from different angles and perspectives. This helps students’ academic experiences and gives them insight into the real life practice of their areas. Moreover, the event emphasized the importance of experimental and hands-on learning. These courses aim to offer exactly what Brandeis as a liberal arts college provides: a gateway to exploring areas that an individual can envelop themselves in. These professors highlighted the true liberal arts spirit on which Brandeis prides itself. The event was followed by lunch from Chipotle where the atmosphere fostered a sense of community among the students. It gave them an opportunity to engage directly with the faculty, ask questions and reflect on their own academic journeys. This setting was an accessible forum for students to converse with these professors and think about their course selections in alignment with their future goals.

Overall, this event served as an introduction to the fall ’26 registration for students and allowed them to reflect on their courses and explore new ones that enhance their skills. The event encouraged students to take action and ownership of their learning. It called for individuals to seek out opportunities, challenge them, fail and get back up again. The insights shared by faculty will likely influence students to consider new paths, embrace interdisciplinary learning and uncover the hidden gems that Brandeis offers.

Re/Chic: Threading together clothing and community

How a Waltham consignment store is attempting to fill gaps in affordability and community.

In a line of metal scaffolding and fairly bleak brick storefronts on Waltham’s Main Street, one stoop stands out. With its plum colored window awnings and the bright pink sign perched above double glass doors, it’s become increasingly hard to miss “Re/ Chic,” a boutique-style second-hand consignment store.

“Re/Chic” opened for business in August 2025, but the consignment store isn’t necessarily a new addition to the community. Before Re/Chic, the local non-profit “Neighbors Who Care,” whose mission was to alleviate isolation and loneliness among Waltham-area seniors, owned the shop to help fund their cause. When NWC had to close the shop after 10 years of business, one of their former volunteers decided to keep their vision of supporting the community alive.

“It was very serendipitous,” explained Re/Chic owner Cassandra Falone in a March 28 interview with The Justice. “I used to volunteer [for NWC] as a social media manager to help promote the store and unfortunately last year they had to shut down the nonprofit and the executive director decided to retire.”

When the former director mentioned that she was looking for someone to take over the storefront, Falone went home that evening and proposed the idea of opening her own store to her husband. Enthusiastically, he answered: “Why not?”

By BRIANNA EARLE JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Although the store was a new adventure for Falone, whose full time job is in medical communications, she explained that it has always been a dream for her to own a clothing shop. She said, “Secondhand shopping has kind of been a second love for me, and I knew what this store was to the community that it served.”

In recent years, thrifting and second hand shopping have skyrocketed in popularity, particularly among younger generations.

According to an article published by National Public Radio in 2021, the rise in sustainable shopping is symptomatic of heightened consciousness surrounding the environmental impacts of mass-produced clothing, also referred to as fast fashion.

The term “fast fashion” was first used in a 1989 New York Times article titled, “Two New Stores That Cruise Fashion’s Fast Lane,” which explored how two New York City stores were creating fashionable and affordable clothing that took just 15 days from design to retail. The two stores featured in the article were Zara and Express, which are now both massively popular worldwide and also major contributors to the growing global environmental crisis.

For Falone, sustainability is one of the several reasons that she and many others have become so invested in shopping secondhand.

“I think I learn from a lot of thrifters here,” she said. “They’ve just become very intentional with how they spend their money, and

thrifting is just a fun adventure … It’s the thrill of the hunt.”

Beyond the fun wall ornaments and the carefully curated decor of Re/Chic, Falone does not want to lose sight of the original store’s mission: Accessibility for the entire community. “I wanted this store to be approachable to anyone who walked through the doors,” she said. “Accessibility is a big factor. I love that we serve a variety of demographics here in our store and I try to be really respectful of everyone’s budget.”

Falone explained that most consignment stores have items on the retail floor for about three to six months, and then the items are disposed of or donated elsewhere. In an attempt to prevent these items from going to waste, Re/Chic established partnerships with consignment stores in the area, allowing her to receive donations that are perfectly wearable but have surpassed their shelf life at second-hand stores elsewhere.

Additionally, Falone still offers a senior discount on Wednesdays and has recently begun implementing a 20% off student discount on Thursdays in order to bring in new people and retain old customers. Shopping aside, Re/Chic has also hosted community events in the past to help Waltham residents forge connections with one another. “We’re excited to create and develop nice partnerships with local

community groups,” Falone emphasized. “We’ve hosted three craft events already, we’re hosting a swap event at the end of April and we’re just thinking of new ideas to engage with other like minded people who love thrifting as much as I do.”

Fashion may be the fun of Re/Chic, but at the forefront of the business is its dedication to community. According to Falone, a portion of each purchase is donated directly to Waltham based groups which in the past have included the Waltham Boys and Girls Club, which provides children with supervised after school care, The Community Day center, which supports unhoused individuals in Waltham including providing them with free clothing and many more organizations.

As a lifelong Waltham resident, Falone stressed that the community has been the reason that she’s been able to live her dream, which is why she has made it her mission to continue to give back to those who have supported her. “We’re juggling a lot, but it’s wonderful to have a very supportive ecosystem within the community who can kind of keep the doors open for people,” said Falone. In the future, Falone hopes to expand her inventory and her hours of operation. Most importantly, however, she hopes that the community will continue to believe in her and engage meaningfully not only with the store but also with each other.

Sophia De Lisi, Editor in Chief

Julia Hardy, Managing Editor

Eliza Bier, Anna Martin, Senior Editors

Grace Doh, Nemma Kalra, Skye Entwood, Nawal Irfani, Zoe Zachary, Deputy Editors

Lily Chafe, Xilei Ceci Chen, Joan Cogliano, Brianna Earle, Anika Jain, Sara Samuel, Lucia Thomas, Bryan Wolfe, Associate Editors

Ashhwika Soni, Chava Thiel, News Editor

Alyssa Wu, Features Editor

Esther Balaban, Forum Editor

Luca D. Jordan, Ben Khayat, Sports Editors

Sophia Garcia, Arts & Culture Editor

Reuben Gartenbach, Photography Editor

Rivka Resnick, Copy Editors

Ellie Ji, Layout Editor

Keira Shear, Advertising Editor

Ellie Harris, Online Editor

EDITORIAL

Unnecessary obstacles: Cumbersome club regulations

Brandeis’ over 200 student-run clubs and organizations are pivotal to the Brandeis experience for many students on campus, providing a sense of community and a connection to one’s culture. They also plan countless events for students to take part in. Currently, many clubs are experiencing issues regarding registering events on Campus Groups, specifically with how far in advance clubs must register events. This editorial board chose not to name specific clubs to use as examples for these issues in order to protect their privacy.

Regular events and day trips must be submitted for approval three weeks ahead of time, whereas events requiring contracts, involving minors, extended trips and overnight trips must be registered a month ahead of time. International trips understandably take the longest amount of time, as they must be registered four months in advance. However, these policies can cause inconveniences, as they allow little to no leeway for events that respond to certain occasions — such as a political or cultural event — or impromptu club collaborations that hope to fill a niche on campus.

If a cultural club is hoping to host an event fundraising for an unexpected political happening, there would be a three-week waiting period, regardless of how long the event actually takes to plan. Informal tabling now takes weeks to approve, discouraging clubs from any type of tabling to raise money or awareness. In addition to having to register events weeks in advance, there are many forms clubs must fill out, resulting in clubs with significant amounts of programming taking additional time to do needless administrative work on top of already busy student schedules. For a university focused on social justice, these

bureaucratic barriers stand in students’ way more often than they help them.

For clubs that hold regular meetings or open club hours, registering every “event” is nearly impossible, and if they were to follow this policy, students would find their Campus Groups flooded with general meetings from a handful of clubs, making it hard to find events they would be interested in. Campus Groups, generally, is a poorly-functioning platform on top of being challenging to navigate. Additionally, it seems these policies are not completely being upheld on the part of the Department of Student Engagement, as students have often experienced long waits for a response, and scheduling meetings with the DSE team has been difficult for many. There have also been various issues with booking spaces, whether events happen in spaces that are unable to be reserved or with spaces being double-booked for events, causing both clubs to struggle for an otherwise fully planned out event.

The Justice Editorial Board calls for more leniency for event planning timelines on the part of the DSE, with understanding that every club functions differently and sweeping policies prohibit clubs from properly serving the Brandeis community. The waiting period should be different for impromptu events and events should be categorized by type, whether it is a one-off or a regularly occurring event, with regulations around forms and space reservations being adjusted accordingly. The current system can be inconvenient for clubs and can discourage student activity on campus — something we can’t afford as a campus with a diminished sense of school pride.

Forum, Unfiltered

East isn’t that bad

As someone who lived in Pomerantz-Rubenstein East Quad for two years, I believe I am more than qualified to speak to the quality and reality of the campus residence. I was put in East my first year at Brandeis, and despite being initially disappointed, it quickly became home. I watched my friends struggle with their forced triples while I got to spread out all my books and belongings across a spacious double. I will concede that the hallways are narrow, but the rooms themselves are large and clean. While the brick is different, it isn’t unpleasant and adds character to the rooms. Additionally, I have heard many reports from other students about a weird smell, flooding and bugs. However, my bathrooms never flooded during my two years living in

East — in fact, I rarely even had to wait for a shower to be free. Additionally, there are no strange smells, and I only saw two bugs during my entire time at East. I have also heard many people complain about the heat, but most Brandeis housing doesn’t have air conditioning so East is no different. I will admit, the location is not ideal and living in East will require you to become comfortable with stairs, but that’s a small price to pay for a spacious room and uncrowded bathrooms. I loved my time in East, so if you are slated to live there next year, I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s not that bad.

To the editor,

Most people aren’t aware animal agrculture is one of the leading causes of climate change. To help counteract this, forward-thinking politicians should support state and federal funding of cultivated-meat research. For readers who are unfamiliar, the new protein is grown from livestock cells, without killing. Scientists believe cultivated meat will eventually require a fraction of the greenhouse-gas emissions that slaughtered options do. The basic science of making cultivated meat is already known. How-

To the editor, While pandemics have receded from public discourse, their potential threat very much remains. Animal agriculture in general, and factory farming in particular, drastically increases the risk of zoonotic viruses making the jump to humans. Politicians interested in advancing public health should support government funding for cultivated-meat research. For those who don’t know, cultivated meat is grown from livestock cells, without raising and slaughtering animals. The new protein is identical to slaughtered meat at a cellular level, however

in further study. For the sake of the environment, let’s build facilities like the Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture at schools across the country.

Jon Hochschartner 41 Salmon Brook Street Granby, CT 06035 (703) 901-1011

the need for sick livestock to come in contact with human workers is eliminated. Widespread adoption of cultivated meat would significantly reduce the threat of pandemics. While there are technological hurdles to mass production, these can be overcome with public investment in cellular-agriculture development. Government leaders should back this effort to create a safer, healthier world.

Jon Hochschartner 41 Salmon Brook Street Granby, CT 06035 (703) 901-1011

Horses aren’t real: A philosophical argument

By ASHRAM BHATTARAI JUSTICE FORUM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

At some point in life, we humans indubitably accept things as facts. Believing is seeing, seeing is believing. Humans take many things we see for granted; the sky is blue, grass is green, kittens drink milk. Horses follow this. Throughout childhood, many children are exposed to countless tales of horses in literature and film. While I unfortunately have to admit that horses do exist as a biological entity, our perception of them is generally far more shaped by culture, media and collective belief rather than direct first-hand experience. The belief in horses as a complete being that is “real” reveals limits of human perception, considering that what we experience is not reality itself but rather a constructed version shaped by the brain and culture.

After reading such an insane statement, you must be indubitably confused. To clarify, even though I am a self-proclaimed “horse denier” — as shown by the bumper sticker on my car — I do not completely deny the fact that horses exist. I am more so expressing a philosophical argument and truth that our ideas of reality are affected by our perceptions rather than first-hand experience. Objective truths gained through experience are paramount, especially in an age of social media where we spend more time gaining information from memes and funny TikToks than knowledge from reliable news sources.

To begin, if our ideas surrounding horses are shaped more from our perception than first-hand experience, this poses a question: How much of our perceived reality is real? Philosophers like René Descartes have grappled with this question for centuries. In “Meditations on First Philosophy,” Descartes argues that our senses cannot be trusted. This concept is evident in optical illusions, where human consciousness is deceived in a multitude of ways. This idea can be applied to my favorite nonexistent four-legged creature and maintain relevance. Most people have not spent extensive time interacting with horses. Instead, they rely on brief encounters, distant observations and secondhand knowledge. If our senses are limited and coupled with shallow experience, then our certainty about an animal as “real” as horses weakens. This truth does not completely deny their existence, but proves a limitation in human perception and consciousness, establishing the fact that our knowledge of them is inherently uncertain. Descartes’ argument proves that what we understand as real may stray further away from objective truth and rely significantly more on how convinced we are by their appearance.

A glimpse into Plato’s philosophy, particularly his famous piece, “Allegory of the Cave,” clarifies this idea. In his allegory, there are prisoners who live in the cave. These prisoners experience their reality in utter darkness, and they mistake moving shadows which are cast along the wall as reality. These shadows are not reality itself, but rather representations of it. To the prisoners, it becomes their reality, while our perceptions mark it as false or illusory. In the same way, I argue that our own reality is not based upon true reality, but rather the repeated exposure to certain things over time. From our childhood, horses appear in books and stories, and we develop our own images about what a “horse” is before we have ever set our eyes on one. These images become the “shadow.” As a result, we do not recognize the animal itself but rather a simple, human-constructed iteration of horses. We have strayed further from the

animalistic horse and have been brought closer to a mental image that possesses a mane and that Paul Revere allegedly rode on.

This idea is not just a remnant of ancient philosophy, but continues into modern thought as well. In “Simulacra and Simulation,” French philosopher Jean Baudrillard introduces the idea of hyperreality. Hyperreality is a concept in a postmodernist world where reality is blurred through technology and media. To be clear, this example is a simplified version of this abstract idea. Nevertheless, applying this hyperreality concept to horses, the horse is once again no longer just an animal, but an idea. It symbolizes freedom, power, beauty and propaganda, depending on who you ask. However, hyperreality suggests an extreme of this idea where the existence of a horse becomes irrelevant. Whether one has come to interact with a horse does not matter, but what matters is if it has become part of the system of the mind. In that way, the horse needs not to be understood, but rather become integrated into our perceived reality in our mind. In this way, the idea of a horse is less of a thing to be discovered and more of a thing to be decided.

Ultimately, everything loops back full circle to the same philosophical question: What does it actually mean for something to exist? Is existence about being physically and objectively present in the natural world, or does it require direct experience that is not shaped by the world around us? Once again, most of our primary perceptions come from secondhand interactions through social media, reputation, brief encounters and word of mouth. As human beings, we also follow this principle. From a distance, people appear a lot more put-together, attractive and “normal” than they actually are. However, as we get closer and closer to people, those walls break down. We get to see the ugly in people — wounds in people that were covered up, flaws, contradictions and previously hidden complexities. This process is not negative, but rather a beautifully-integrated human experience. To experience a person is to move past the filters and experience them in a raw, real and meaningful way. Imperfections are what shape personas into something authentic and real. It is in this way that we move past the illusion and closer to truth.

However, this is where horses differ. Unlike people, it is impossible for most people to maintain relationships with horses that have the same level of depth that human relationships do. Our interactions with horses remain distant, limited and closed off, which allows for our idealized versions of horses to remain unblemished and as smooth as the fur growing wildly on its mane. We never break the surface, and horses remain preserved. Horses exist biologically. But at the same time, the version of horses that exist for us humans is shaped through perception, culture and human interpretation rather than an experience of the natural animal. Our experiences are more so a construction of the reality surrounding us than our own independent experiences. Our belief in horses’ existence reveals larger societal truths that show how the limits of human perception shape what we believe to exist. Reality is not what exists, but what we have agreed upon. Especially in a world where things move far quicker than the process of verifying their legitimacy, the strangest part of this process isn’t horses, but our own certainty. Horses aren’t real.

The Reality of reality television

By SOPHIA GARCIA JUSTICE ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Reality television really is everywhere now. People can’t stop talking — or arguing — about dating shows, survival games or a bunch of strangers locked in a house. They say they’re depicting “real life,” but come on, we all know it’s mostly for show. These programs don’t just highlight real relationships — they twist them, sometimes making us see them in a bizarre way that feels a million miles from honest. You always hear about how “authentic” it all is, claiming to show raw emotion and real people. Behind the curtain, however, producers curate who gets screen time. Everything gets set up in advance, and then hours of footage get chopped into an hour-long “story” guaranteed to pull you in with love triangles, fights and wild turning points. You’re not seeing reality. You’re watching a carefully curated, dramafilled highlight reel.

The concept that really gets under my skin is how much these shows lean on conflict. Screaming matches, betrayals, breakdowns — they’re not just part of the formula, they define it. Take “Big Brother,” for example: toss a group of people into a house, trap them under endless surveillance and just wait for things to implode. Combine no privacy and constant pressure, and sooner or later someone snaps. Then the editors jump in and turn even the tiniest spat into a major meltdown. Instead of showing people resolving their conflicts, the shows make toxic outbursts look normal, maybe even appealing. And here’s another issue: the junk reality TV pumps into our heads about what truly matters. So many of these series make it seem like looking good, being rich or getting attention is all that counts. Contestants win by scheming, forming alliances or just being outrageous — not by being genuine or kind. The inauthenticity of this message is especially concerning considering the scope of reality television’s audience: young adults, adults and children all absorb information from reality shows. The message they’re communicating is loud: if you want to stand out, you’ve got to play to the cameras.

People often forget about the folks who actually sign up for these shows. Sure, a few snag fame or cash, but for loads of them, it gets ugly fast. They deal with online hate, nasty comments and the stress of trying to live up to their edited TV persona. Since everything’s edited to portray maximum drama, some contestants end up looking like total villains. Reality TV can wreck reputations and mental health, all for a shot at ratings. Still, there’s a reason it works. These shows are easy to binge and make viewers feel included. The “stars” seem like ordinary people you might actually

know, so it’s easier to root for — or against — them. Plus, the drama and laughs come in quick, snack-sized chunks. People turn to online spheres to argue about their favorites, trade memes or vent about their lives. But there’s another camp too: folks who are just tired of the superficial stories, who want real depth and something fresh. For them, reality TV feels hollow, like a shallow echo of proper storytelling. For audiences that prefer scripted television, rates of production are falling as reality television viewership keeps rising. That being said, there’s a reason reality TV is so popular. Every so often, these shows surprise you. You get a real, honest moment, and you have the honor of witnessing someone facing their fears or the opportunity to watch a story that widens your perspective on life, perhaps even changing how you view the world. It happens. But let’s face it — those flashes of emotional depth are rare. Most of the time, these shows just want to keep you glued to the screen, completely ignoring the prospect of educating their viewers for the more appealing alternative: constant engagement. The thing that bothers me most is how much space reality TV takes up in our culture. Creative, original shows get overshadowed because reality TV is cheap and reliable when it comes to ratings. Networks would rather churn out yet another “real” series than risk money on something daring or innovative. We aren’t entirely blameless either however, since networks listen to their audiences. If audiences keep reality TV engagement at record high levels, then networks will provide more shows to occupy our time with. In short, it all comes down to what we choose to watch. The audience has the final say on what survives and what sinks. If you enjoy reality TV, fine — just know it’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Don’t let network executives sell you on the idea that it’s all honest or “real;” though these shows are a perfect soundtrack for a relaxing night in, that’s all they’re good for. It takes some thinking to see through the spectacle of gorgeous sandy beaches and muscled, bikini-wearing contestants. Reality TV is a mixed bag. It’s fun and addictive at times, but it comes with a lot of baggage — a history of exclusion, perpetuation of harmful relationship standards and superficial storytelling. It entertains, but usually at the expense of authenticity, decency and sometimes the well-being of the people involved. As reality TV keeps growing, maybe it’s worth thinking about why we’ve been watching, why we keep watching and what we’re actually getting out of it in the future.

Sports just F1 CRASH

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INTERNATIONAL SOCCER

Justice Features Editor Alyssa Wu '29 calls for better safety regulations from the FIA following the Japanese Grand Prix.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Setting the Champions League record straight

■ Europe’s biggest teams are facing off, but fans should keep an eye on some of the small things.

By ELIJAH ROTH JUSTICE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Champions League quarter-final matchups have just been determined, all through blowout wins. The contending teams are exceptionally strong, and many of the next matchups could be slated as final-equivalent in terms of team ability. The strongest match based on league tables is Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid. Real Madrid is coming off a 5-1 aggregate massacre of Manchester City, a team that’s second in the Premier League with a top-10 offense in Europe. They have won 10 of their last 12 matches and have the experience and talent to win it all. If Kylian Mbappé stays healthy and Federico Valverde keeps playing at a world-class level, Madrid is set for glory. Unfortunately, Madrid must first get through Bayern Munich. Munich looks disgusting — in a good way. They’re precise and destructive without sacrificing playmaking flair. Bayern dominated a defensive Atalanta team 10-2 in the last round, sending a signal that no defense is safe from them. Michael Olise, a winger for Bayern, is performing extremely well. He’s like a more efficient version of prime Antoine Griezmann. Their striker, Harry Kane, is the slowest,

oldest and most destructive scorer in European football. He’s closer to my dad’s age than my own, yet he remains the shoo-in for the Golden Boot and will likely make up the catalyst for a Munich win over Madrid. In a vacuum, I would say Munich edges out Madrid. However, Munich has not defeated Madrid since 2012, so Madrid may sneak through with experience and confidence alone. Whatever the outcome, these matches will be historic.

The other Madrid team, of the Atletico variety, is also in the quarterfinals. Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona will be the scrappiest and most violent game of the bunch without a doubt. We’ve already seen how this matchup plays out. Atleti and Barca played two legs in the Copa Del Rey semi-final about a month ago. Atleti won 4-0 in the first leg at home, and despite a three-goal “Hail Mary,” Barca couldn’t close the gap in the second. Barcelona later protested with a complaint over Video Assisted Referee (VAR) decisions they considered unjust.

In my opinion, the reason the first leg was so one-sided was that Atleti flooded their field beforehand to nullify Barca’s pacey and technical playstyle. Atleti had a tactical and physical advantage on the slippery terrain and broke down Barca’s inhibited high line again and again.

In the second leg, the quality gap between the two became apparent. Barca’s world-class attack led them to a 3-0 win, just barely missing out on a comeback victory. In this matchup, the question

isn’t which team is better. The winner will be determined by whether Barca can out-talent the creative genius of the Atleti manager, Diego Simeone. Simeone utilizes stellar attackers Antoine Griezmann, Julián Alvarez and Ademola Lookman. At the time of writing, Griezmann has transferred to the American Major League Soccer (MLS) team Orlando City SC. While Lookman and Julián are skilled, Atletico will struggle without his veteran captainship and playmaking. Atleti will try to outwit them, but Barcelona is too strong to lose.

Meanwhile, the no-brainer of the quarters is backing Arsenal, the favorite to win the tournament, against Sporting CP. I’m not so sure. I’d be crazy if I didn’t think Arsenal would win, but I think Sporting have a better chance than analysts give them credit for. They came back from being down 0-3 against Bodo/Glimt to win 5-3. Bodo was looking like a true Cinderella story, defeating a monstrous Internazionale Milano 5-2 through the first two legs. In group play, Bodo beat both Atleti and Manchester City, tying against Slavia Prague and Tottenham. When Sporting was backed into a corner after a three-goal Bodo performance, they locked in and demolished Bodo in their next game. So, Sporting is a capable team. But what makes them good enough to beat Arsenal?

Nothing. However, the rigor of the Premier League’s schedule may inhibit Arsenal enough for Sporting to sneak by them. Arsenal plays Southampton before the first game,

The Los Ratones experiment

By LUCA D. JORDAN JUSTICE SPORTS EDITOR

Esports can be a complicated subject when discussed in relation to other sports. Most people would not even define esports events as a sporting event, given the general lack of physical exertion. What gives esports credibility is the competitive integrity that supports the structure of various tournaments. “League of Legends” stands alone as the pinnacle of this competitive integrity, with leagues spanning six continents and a year-round tournament bracket ending in the world championship, “Worlds,” every November. Unfortunately, the competitive integrity comes in a package deal with formality, which can make the sport hard to watch for some. A large draw of most sports is having favorite players and being able to latch on to their personalities. League players are often depicted as unfeeling machines with the all time greatest player, Lee “Faker” Sang-Hyeok being the blueprint for the stone-cold archetype. This lack of personality is where Los Ratones was born.

Marc “Caedrel” Lamont began his League career as a pro-

fessional player, but quickly pivoted to casting after his retirement. Caedrel had a meteoric rise to popularity as a caster; even his live streams from his home commentating on matches would rival the viewership of the actual live stream of the match, sometimes even having double the online views. The reason for Caedrel’s popularity is simple: He shows his personality. A match being cast by Caedrel is a rollercoaster, where viewers get a vicarious experience of high highs and low lows, not a straightforward play-by-play of the obvious. So, when Caedrel brought up the idea of starting his own competitive team on one of his streams, fans showed an immediate interest. Shortly after, he announced that his team would be entering the Northern League of Legends Championship for the 2025 competitive season, with Caedrel as the head coach. Caedrel was not the only appeal for fans as the rest of the roster was composed of very popular players. Jungler, Veljko “Velja” Camdzic and bot-laner Jus “Crownie” Marusic, were both players who had been in and out of the competitive scene but were both popular for their livestreams of solo climbing the ranked ladder. Then there’s midlaner Tim “Nemesis” Lipovsek and support Carl Martin Erik “Rekkles” Larsson, both content

creators who are also renowned European players. Rekkles himself was coming off of a victory at Worlds as a member of the most decorated esports team of all time, South Korea Telecom 1, or T1, which is of course led by none other than Faker. Arguably the biggest draw for fans was Los Ratones’ top-laner, Simon “Thebausffs” Hofverberg, or, as he’s known among the League community, Baus. Explaining the phenomenon of Baus to those who are unfamiliar with League is incredibly difficult because he finds his success by taking the rules that define the game and throwing them out the window. To win a game of League, you have to destroy the enemy’s base — that’s it. What many players focus on is achieving this mission through killing the opponent as many times as possible; however, fighting is not a mandatory part of League. In fact, you could win without even killing your opponent once. Baus became famous as a top-laner for winning his matches in an unconventional way: by dying over and over again. Normally, dying is considered a setback in League, as you have a set amount of time where you are away from the match where the opponent has time to get a lead in gold and experience. However, Baus played Sion, a character that has a brief revival on death where they can freely

then Bournemouth between games. Arsenal is nine points clear of second place in the Premier League table, meaning that they can’t fully rest their players over the weekend. Their on-field product during the week will suffer a little. Arsenal also wasn’t commanding the last round against an underperforming Bayer Leverkusen. The betting odds suggest Sporting has a 20% chance of winning. I’d put it closer to 30%. I’d still put my mother-in-law's house on Arsenal winning, though. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs. Liverpool will be insane. Liverpool is currently fifth in the Premier League, but is a consensus top-10 team talent-wise. Liverpool is chock full of famous players, who are famous for a reason. Unfortunately, their best player for the last decade, Mohamed Salah, has experienced a notable decline in the eye-test. Salah is still a solid player, but he wasted one too many chances against a weak Galatasaray in the last match. I worry that manager Arne Slot won’t be able to make the hard decision and bench the legend for at least one start against PSG. However, sad about the decline, his production has been successfully replaced by Hugo Ekitiké, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai, all undeniable difference-makers. Just like Arsenal, there are questions to ask about how the rigor of the Premier League season will affect player performance. Liverpool is playing in the FA Cup Final against giant Man City just four days before the first leg in Paris. Because

of that match’s congestion, Liverpool will likely lose big in game one, and must pray for a miracle comeback in the second leg. Now, let’s talk about PSG. The winners of the last Champions League, PSG, are my favorites to win the competition again. Liverpool is solid and star-studded, but PSG is organized, technical and murderous. They are just better than you. Try to hold possession and Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé, the last Balon d’Or winner, will press your players like rabid dogs. You can’t outscore them when Hakimi, Mendes and Vitinha will counter and punish reckless play. All teams can do is what Inter Milan did in the last CL final: park the team bus in front of the goal and pray for goals on counterattacks.

Unfortunately, Inter still lost that game 5-0. Liverpool could still find success in this strategy, though, because they’re younger, faster and more technical than Inter. I’m getting lost in the weeds here. The important thing is that Liverpool is great, but PSG is greater. I’m predicting a PSG blowout in game one and a tie in game two.

move and attack, and he would use this time to push his wave as far in as possible, meaning the enemy laner was often stuck under their own tower despite getting a kill. Baus would also use an extremely finicky technique called proxy-farming, where he would go past the enemy’s tower and farm for gold in the middle of the lane, which leaves him open to being killed by the enemy jungler and toplaner, but Baus planned on that. He would be able to get a lot of farm, and his presence between the enemy’s towers would distract both the top-laner and the jungler, meaning they would both miss out on farm and kills. The enemy team would be able to kill him, but the more you die in League the less gold you’re worth, so at a certain point he would get more gold for dying than the people who killed him. Much more could be said about Baus and his various playstyles, but what’s important is that he broke the game in

ways that even the developers did not know how to fix. Many updates and balance patches were even specifically targeted at his “win by dying” playstyle, but he always adapted because he is not just a lucky person who figured out a glitch in the system, he is a genuinely mechanically gifted player. Naturally, fans were excited when they heard Baus was going to start playing on a competitive stage, since his playstyle seemed like everything that the competitive scene was not. Given his constant jovial personality and sneaky tactics, many said that Baus played just like a rat, giving the team their name “Los Ratones” which actually translates to “the mice” — but Caedrel said that “Las Ratas” didn’t sound as good. The idea of a League of Legends team that exists purely for the enjoyment of fans sounds like a fantastic idea for community engagement, but critics were skeptical as to whether

or not this team could actually win games. Baus had never played competitively before, and Crownie and Velja were also relatively untested. Los Ratones had their first ever game as an exhibition match against T1 at the “Red Bull League of Its Own” event in Paris, and they didn’t disappoint. Despite the fact that T1 players, including Faker, played in off roles and were missing their main support player, Los Ratones still gave a convincing victory that displayed the talent of the team, even as all of the players still used their usual shenanigans. At one point in the game, Baus was even able to kill Faker, a moment of irony given Faker’s nickname “The Unkillable Demon King” and Baus’ parodied nickname “The Very Killable Demon King.” This moment quickly went viral as it was one of the only times fans had ever seen Faker make an actual facial expression.

On March 29, Brandeis men's tennis competed against Bridgewater State University in the Gosman Convocation and Sports Center's tennis courts. Brandeis won every singles and doubles match without dropping a set, winning the meet 7-0.

BRANDEIS MEN'S TENNIS

JUDGES BY THE NUMBERS

Crash at Suzuka raises safety concerns under new F1 regulations

■ Drivers call for changes as FIA reviews regulations following high-speed Safety Car incident.

By ALYSSA WU JUSTICE FEATURES EDITOR

The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka ended with Kimi Antonelli securing his second consecutive victory, a result that also made him the youngest championship leader in Formula One history.

On lap 22 of the 53-lap race, a heavy crash from Haas driver Oliver Bearman brought out the Safety Car. The impact was severe, with the car hitting the barriers at high speed. Bearman limped out of his Haas car before collapsing to the ground as marshals assisted him. He was unable to put weight on his right leg, and an X-ray at the circuit confirmed bruising and swelling in his knee. The team confirmed that Bearman had avoided any bone fractures but had suffered a right knee contusion.

Bearman drove off the track at nearly 190 mph, and his car was sent flying into the barriers, where

he sustained a 50G impact. Under this season’s new hybrid regulations, Formula One introduced a greater reliance on electrical power, including a “boost mode” that drivers can deploy for extra speed, particularly when attempting overtakes. In this case, Bearman’s use of the boost button made him around 50 kph faster than Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, the car he was pursuing, creating a significant speed difference.

Many had warned that this scenario was likely as a result of the new regulations. Current world champion Lando Norris raised concerns at the opening round in Australia, pointing out the risks of the new regulations. After the incident at Suzuka, Williams driver and director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, Carlos Sainz, agreed that a better solution was needed, adding to growing pressure on the FIA. As Sainz stated in post-race interviews, the incident was fortunate to occur at Suzuka, a track with enough space and run-off. However, if a similar incident occurred at high-speed circuits such as Baku, Singapore, or Las Vegas, the result could have been much

more severe. These are just some of the criticisms and warnings that have already been raised about the new regulations throughout this season. The FIA issued a statement confirming that the regulations will be reviewed before the next round in Miami in five weeks. The statement noted that several meetings are scheduled in April to assess the current system and determine whether refinements are needed to prevent similar incidents.

Despite the widespread call for a solution, it will be incredibly difficult to reach one that satisfies everyone. These concerns do not exist in a vacuum, and there are causeand-effect complications in all approaches to managing energy and distributing power. At the center of the issue is the increased use of electrical energy and the changes designed to make racing more “competitive.”

With the result, Antonelli rose to the top of the drivers’ standings early in the season, signaling a potential championship fight between the Mercedes drivers. tential championship fight between the Mercedes drivers.

ESPORTS: A team made for fans

Next, Los Ratones competed in both the Northern League of Legends Championship (NLC) and the EMEA Masters, both smaller European leagues compared to the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), Europe’s top league. They would go on to dominate both leagues, going undefeated in every split of the NLC and only losing in one split of the Masters, meaning they won four titles in their tenure of both leagues. Given these surprising results, fans began to believe that this could translate to the next level of competitive play, and Caedrel soon announced that given their record, they had qualified to join the first split of the LEC in 2026. The team additionally started a new trend that was soon adopted by other teams: live streaming scrimmage games, often called “scrims.” By showcasing their live communications during games and also inviting popular creators to play against them, fans were able to join in on the team's chemistry and the viewership reflected the popularity. It was not long before other teams copied the trend to try to boost the popularity and

personality of their own players. The team had now entered the highest form of competition in their region, but they could not just run through the teams they played anymore. They emerged from the main season with a five and six record, not a winning season, but still impressive given their rookie status. The unfortunate controversy came during the group stage, where Los Ratones had a four and five record, meaning they would’ve had a spot in the playoffs, as long as the other teams below them did not perform exceptionally well. Unfortunately, they were knocked out after three teams below them, G2 Esports, Movistar Koi and GIANTX won their matches and rose above Los Ratones in the rankings. However, all of the teams they faced, Karmine Corp, Natus Vincere and Team Heretics, went under fire for intentionally losing the games to knock Los Ratones out of the tournament. It’s true that these teams were high seeded so they could afford a loss and still have a guaranteed spot in the tournament, and that players and staff on some of the teams had been previously out-

spoken about how they consider Los Ratones an embarrassment to the LEC, but no teams were penalized for intentionally losing.

Shortly after their untimely exit, Baus and Caedrel announced that they would be leaving the team. They have since rebranded from Los Ratones to Team Witchcraft, but without the two main draws of Caedrel and Baus the viewership has declined. The team still seemed to have the last laugh, given that LEC viewership decreased to almost a third of its peak when Los Ratones was still in the tournament. Caedrel announced that he was overjoyed with the team's success, as he never thought he would make it to the LEC. The team may have burned out, but comets don’t fly forever and there’s something to admire about a seemingly impossible idea finding success, even if just for a moment.

— Editors Note: Due to technological restraints, Tim Lipovsek, Veljko Camdzic and Jus Marusic are missing special accents in their names.

but the team started the playoffs as the fifth seed. For some, this makes the playoff run more impressive, but the voters decide MVP before the playoffs start, and team success is a big part of their process. I’m sure Doncic would’ve won MVP if the voters were able to see his playoff run first. Without it, the team's success wasn’t expected to play out the way it did. As for this season, it seemed like it was between Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but recent MVP polls have put Victor Wembanyama as the top choice. I believe Doncic is putting up more impressive stats than both players and is more integral to his team. He is currently averaging just under 34 points and now has an above-average field goal percentage, a previous critique of his playstyle. Many say his defense is too lackluster, but among all players in the NBA, he leads in points made vs. points let up, showing that his underwhelming defense doesn’t matter as long as his offense is greater. Doncic’s supporting cast is also not nearly as good as either Gilgeous-Alexander or Wembanyama, given that his front court consists of Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, two centers who have been underperforming during their tenure on the Los Angeles Lakers. I think it’s more than clear that Doncic deserves MVP. I only hope the voters agree. — Editors Note: Due to technological restraints, the Cs in Luka Doncic's name are missing

HOLI just

The UTC’S “AliCe By heArT”: A ChAoTiC eSCApe From reAliTy’S ChAoS

By LUKE BENANAV JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

For the first time in five years, the Undergraduate Theater Collective put on an open cast musical “Alice By Heart.” Anyone who auditioned was guaranteed to at least be in the ensemble, which lowers the initial stakes and creates a fun way for people to get involved in musical theater on campus. “Alice By Heart” was a great choice for the return of open-cast. The musical has a wacky yet deep story, following Alice Spencer played by Erin Morton ’29 as she attempts to comfort her dying friend, Alfred played by Tessa Srebnik ’29 by retelling “Alice in Wonderland” as they hide in a bunker during a blitz in England. Of course, as with any story a person recites by heart, parts are skipped or altered, and all the characters from Wonderland become quite upset as their world gets altered by this retelling. Through impossibly fast costume changes, mystical lighting, a set that merged reality with wonderland and an excited cast, it did not take long for the audience to go down the rabbit hole and forget about reality for a moment.

Morton gave a stupendous performance as Alice. Her singing and acting grounded every scene, and she filled every moment with natural reactions, even when she was not the primary character speaking. Her desperation to stay in the fantasy world where Alfred was not dying came across clearly, but Morton did a good job of adding other layers to her character as well. Srebnik’s Alfred contrasted nicely with Alice, with the character accepting the inevitability of his death and trying to get Alice to do the same. Whenever Srebnik shared the stage with Morton, the two had an excellent dynamic and exquisite harmonies, which made it easy for the audience to sympathize with Alice’s desire to stay on the pages with the White Rabbit who was also Alfred and not move on with the story.

Another notable performance was that of Isla Edwards ’28 as the Mad Hatter. Edwards took every opportunity to use physical comedy and capture the audience’s eyes. From the moment Edwards walked on stage as Harold Pudding, she chose a distinctly off-putting walk and put her all into it. During the tea party scene, where Alfred is convincing Alice to let go and move on with the story, Edwards jumped onto and off of the table, walked around and laughed maniacally, simultaneously making the audience laugh and feel a little uncomfortable. Along with the Hatter, Alfred and Alice, Patrick White ’29 played the Dormouse at the tea party. White had several funny oneliners throughout the show and he received many laughs from the audience for his commitment to every joke.

Hannah Chuh ’29 brought the mysterious and helpful Cheshire Cat to life with a calm performance that brought the show back to Earth, gently supporting Alice through the realization that time is an unstoppable force. Chuh’s singing during the Cheshire Cat’s solo was wonderful, and reverted the otherwise fast-paced show to a more relaxed speed. Chuh also brought out a more devious character when she played a part of the caterpillar with Emily Caissie ’28. Caissie and Chuh brought the conniving caterpillar to life, convincing Alice that the best way to stop time was to puff some shrooms. The caterpillar’s song was the moment it became clear “Alice By Heart” may go on a different journey than “Wonderland,” and the pair’s interactions with Alice were both funny and foreboding. Cassie also hit and held a stunning high note during one of the later songs, causing the entire audience to cheer. On the more dramatic end of characters, Adam Wolf ’29 as The Duchess was hysterical, with a killer monologue that left everyone in the audience howling. He crafted a character that seemed to understand Alice’s troubles while holding nothing but disdain for her, which was very entertaining to watch.

Wonderland’s royalty was phenomenal. Natalie Espinal-Reyes ’28 took on the role of the

Queen of Diamonds, with some great one-liners and moments interacting with other characters that really made her character feel alive. Cole Simmons ’26 played a multitude of roles in the show, including the King of Hearts, the Mock Turtle and the Doctor. Simmons did an excellent job differentiating his characters, bringing different levels of energy to each part.

Unfortunately, on the night when I was able to attend “Alice By Heart,” Juliahna Falciglia-Mattes ’28 had unexpectedly come down with a fever and was unable to perform the critical role of the Queen of Hearts Wonderland’s head-hunting villain. I was disappointed I did not have the chance to see Falciglia-Mattes’ performance, as everything I have heard from both people who saw the show on other days and people close to the production was that she was phenomenal. The Queen of Hearts’ song during the trial scene near the end of the show is one of the most lively and captivating of the entire performance, and from what others have said, I am sure that FalcigliaMattes met the challenge with grace and the necessary power to make the scene memorable. In the production I saw, however, co-directors Franny Gindi-Chiafullo ’28 and Jae Fioribello ’28 took the role and split it in half, with Gindi-Chiafullo taking on some of the ensemble scenes and the Red Cross Nurse and Fioribello playing the Queen of Hearts. The co-directors smoothly took over the parts, and after the show I heard audience members asking who had filled in for FalcigliaMattes, showing how seamless the substitution was. Both directors were practically off-book for their scenes, with Gindi-Chiafullo performing the Red Cross Nurse and Fioribello singing the trial song as though they had each been rehearsing the parts for weeks on end.

“Alice By Heart” only works because of its ensemble. Many of the named characters, plus a few smaller parts played by Mei Wang ’29, Natalie Lewis ’29, Ava Schaul ’26 and Daniel Liang ’28, along with what seemed like 100 costume changes for the said characters put the final touches into bringing Wonderland to life. The cohesion of the ensemble during dances and scenes showed how much fun everyone involved seemed to be having on stage, which made the show more fun for the audience as well.

There were some rougher parts to the show as well, with my biggest complaint being the audibility of the cast. Unfortunately, it was difficult to hear the words being sung over the pit band for the majority of the show. As superb as the music was, enough of the words were lost and muddled that the first half of the show felt disconnected, as the audience lost track of what they were being told. However, by the trial scene and the ending of the show, the leveling had mostly been adjusted and the critical parts were clearly audible. The return of an open cast musical was a hit people poured into the audience to see a great cast bring to life a world unlike our own, distracting us from some of the challenges of day-to-day life. Between the acting, the unique set, outstanding costumes and enchanting songs, “Alice By Heart” was a strong return for the opencast and a wildly entertaining show.

—

SPEAKING LIQUID LATEX’S TRUTH

By ELIZA ROTHFELD JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

What really is Liquid Latex? Although often reduced to a group known for nude performance, this characterization does not fully capture what Liquid Latex represents. In 2000, when the show was originally named “Body Art Fashion Show,” it was intended as a onetime event. In its inaugural year, the show received mass attention, transforming it into a long-standing Brandeis tradition. The show was then renamed “Liquid Latex,” and a whole club and board was created to facilitate the production of the show every year since. Since then, Liquid Latex has continued to amass attention not only on Brandeis campus, but from the media, published April 16, 2016 feature article in the New York Times. The show features a handful of dancers who transformed their skin into canvases, wearing liquid latex painting. The derogatory myth surrounding this group is that all dancers must and will be completely naked with paint. This simply is not true. During an interview with Dalya Sezercan ’28, who performed in the number “Freaks Need Love” of this year’s show she explains that, “the stigma and the myths of liquid latex, I fear, make people not want to do it. You fully choose how modest you want to be and that is a really important aspect. It is your body, and you choose what you want to do with it, and how to treat it.” Over time, the messaging of Liquid Latex has become lost. It was created as a platform to celebrate all bodies of all shapes and sizes. Performers’ bodies were painted to highlight the works of art they truly are. To dance “naked,” where in this sense we mean minimally clothed, empowers every individual who participates, instilling a freedom and confidence you can’t get anywhere else. Liquid Latex is not only a performance, but it is a message saying that bodies were meant to be valued and treated with respect. The beauty standards that have been imposed on women’s bodies since the dawn of time were made to diminish and demean us. To own your body like that takes an immense amount of confidence, trust and respect for yourself.

Sezercan’s story exemplifies this message. As a first-year, she had many friends dancing in the showcase and was asked to help paint them. Although she did not dance, she felt the freedom and confidence radiating from every individual who took part in Liquid Latex. By painting her friends, she watched bodies transform into artistic masterpieces, watch the run-through up close and gain an intimate understanding of what the show stands for. She came back from the night feeling empowered and knew the subsequent year she would dance in the show. After struggling with body image issues for years, this process was “genuinely inspiring” for her.

This year’s performance centered around the theme of “Circus,” emceed by Greg Roitbourd ’26 and Trisha Roy ’26. There were seven pieces: “Center of the Ring,” “Freaks Need Love,” “Oh So Quiet,” “Strings, Freaks-How?,” “Feelin’ Hella Good” and “Showgirls.” For each number, the dancers were painted in a unique style to reflect the aura of the piece. Where the dancers in “Freaks Need Love” were painted as different animals, “Strings” was to represent puppeteers, emanating a vintage carnivalesque aesthetic. The finale, “Showgirls,” was performed by — Brandeis’ Students of the Caribbean Association. This performance demonstrated technique in dance, and with each dancer’s confidence radiating into the audience, Liquid Latex’s message was successfully driven home.

SASA DANCE NIGHT AT BRANDEIS

As someone who attended South Asian Student Association’s Dance Night, having gone to a few of their and Namaskar’s events. I believe the event helps for people who want to connect with others within the same culture but also want low-stakes. The venue SASA chose Cholmondeley’s in the castle had enough space for people to mingle and socialize. Compared to other campus events, SASA clearly wrote where and when the event was, instead of making it confusing. I had not been to Chum’s previously, and I was easily able to find it as a result of SASA’s advertising.

I also met members of SASA who organized the event, namely Mahirah Hasan ’27 Co-president of SASA and the club’s executive board, and they were all friendly and welcoming. They explained that this event was great for new members to meet other people, which in my opinion seems to be working well. When attendees entered, they were offered leis and glasses that lit up if you pressed a button. They had a DJ playing music. The music choice itself, as someone identifies as Desi, was very good and definitely fit for Dance Night. They had balloons, a dance floor and decorations. They had a refreshment area

By PALLAVI MENON JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

for people to eat and drink. My main suggestion for anyone who is considering going is that more people tend to arrive later compared to the start time listed. If you do end up going early, I would recommend waiting to see if more people are coming. Within the time that I stayed at this event, it’s clear that a lot of effort was put into organizing this event and it was a great success.

Top 10 Hobbies To Stop Your Doomscrolling

By KIERA SHEAR JUSTICE ADS EDITOR

SUDOKU

By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE DEPUTY EDITOR