THE MEREDITH
HERALD
Have a great fall break!
Inside This Issue Attractivism: A Society Obsessed with Appearances NEWS Impeachment Inquiry Election Results Women Running for Congress Area 51 A&E Faculty Distinguished Lecture 1 in 3 Review Choral Concert Review No Exit Review MORE Crossword Job Opportunity
History of the Onyx
By Savi Swiggard, Associate Editor Public image is an important aspect of our lives and culture. From celebrities to politicians, there is an underlying theme: what looks good is good. This concept can help or hurt us, and it lends itself to new forms of political and social activism. âAttractivismâ is a newer word, notably used by former Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch, and is used to describe activism through positivity and interest. Rather than being an aggressive activist, attractivism is about being engaging, interesting, positive and, most importantly, eyecatching. Attractivism is gaining speed in multiple ways. Celebrities are likely the main source of modern attractivism; those who are famous for their appearances in movies, tv shows or concert stages use their public image to gain attention for
By Rachel Van Horne, Staff Writer The Onyx ring is a symbol of unity and sisterhood cherished by those who attend Meredith College. The much beloved ring was designed by a committee that included Jean Dula Fletcher, Class of 1953, and Anne Lovell from the Class of 1954. Encased by either silver or gold, the Onyx displays Meredith's emblem. The emblem includes Meredith Col-
legeâs Lux (which means light). The Meredith College Onyx is a special symbol of tradition and loyalty that is rooted in the Collegeâs 128-year history. The class of 1954 was the first class to wear the Onyx ring, but the first Ring Dinner wasn't held until 1991. The Onyx can be worn by third- and fourth-year undergraduate students, students with 60 credits
issues they care about. Figures like Laverne Cox and Taylor Swift have used their popularity and visibility in the media to speak about oppression and social issues. This theme has morphed as social media has become a prominent way for consumers to get their news and world updates, and more and more activists turn to new ways of promoting the issues they care about. Following the nationwide Read more on page 4...
Illustration by Savi Swiggard
or more and alumnae. The oval onyx stone embodies the strength of the entire Meredith community and has played a part in Meredith Collegeâs history for 64 years. The ring is meant to encompass the values of the Honor Code, the traditions of Meredith College and the sisterhood that is shared among all Meredith students past, present and future.
Rating the Academic Building Lounges By Staff
Business Lounge (1st Harris) ïȘïȘïȘïȘïȘ ïCoffee-maker ïNice chairs ïNot easy to find Dance Lounge (1st Weatherspoon) ïȘïȘ ïCluttered, small ïCandy Honors Lounge (1st Joyner) ïȘïȘïȘ ïMany seating and table options ïConvenient location ïFoot traffic ïMicrowave and fridge Joyner Lounge (1st Joyner) ïȘ ïNext to the bathroom ïOften too warm ïComfortable seating Secret Ledford Spot (3rd Ledford) ïȘïȘïȘ ïSecluded, not crowded ïTables and couches
Music Lounge (1st Wainwright) ïȘïȘ ïMini-fridge and microwave ïNoise pollution ïPretty view ïFew seating options
Secret SMB spot (3rd SMB) ïȘïȘïȘïȘ ïNot as cold as other SMB areas ïBenches, whiteboard ïNot crowded ïNext to elevator room (noisy)
Rotunda Lounge (1st Martin) ïȘïȘïȘïȘ ïLots of table and chair space ïWell lit, pretty ïVending machines ïFoot traffic, near bathrooms
Theatre Lounge (1st Jones) ïȘ ïSmall ïFew seating options ïSometimes locked
SMB Lounge (2nd SMB) ïȘïȘïȘïȘ ïAlways cold ïNice couches and tables ïChalkboards and whiteboard
Ledford Lounge (1st Ledford) ïȘïȘïȘ ïSmall, cramped ïComfortable couch ïVending machine ïMagazines
Sociology Lounge (2nd floor Joyner) ïȘïȘïȘïȘïȘ ïSmall ïSometimes used by teachers ïChargers, computers, printer ïTV on mute ïSeating options ïMicrowave and fridge
What do you think of our lounge ratings? Check our social media to tell us about your favorite lounging spots. Check our next issue for reviews of study spaces in non-academic buildings!
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October 9, 2019
A POP OF CULTURE
Pop-culture column by Staff Writer Hannah Davis Johns
Still Not Ready to Make Nice
On March 10, 2003, at a concert in London, Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines took a moment to speak to the audience and admonish the invasion of Iraq by then-sitting president George W. Bush. The Texas native stated, âWe don't want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.â These words set off a metaphorical bomb in the countrymusic world. The backlash was immediate: the Dixie Chicksâ music was pulled from every radio station after thousands of phone calls were made demanding that the stations take action. The âChicksâ received death threats. Some country music stations helped lobby for a boycott of their upcoming album and tour, and country artist Toby Keith went as far as performing in front of a backdrop that featured gigantic images of Maines and Saddam Hussein. The retaliation this unstoppable country music group received trialed what future generations would refer to as âcancel culture.â The group responded to this backlash in the way they knew best: putting it into music. On June 5, 2006, after three years of their music being ignored and undercut, the Dixie Chicks released their most well known song to date, âNot Ready to Make Nice,â which addressed Mainesâ comments and the impact they had on their career. But it was by no means an apology; âNot Ready to Make Niceâ doubled down on Mainesâ comments. The song would go on to reach the top five in the Billboard top 100 and win the band a total of five Grammys. However, as the group doubled down, so did the radio stations, and âNot Ready to Make Niceâ was only played on 14 of 123 radio stations. Now the year is 2019: the Dixie Chicks are being introduced to a new audience through a collaboration with the bandâs number-one fan, Taylor Swift. It appears that this audience might not be old enough to remember the summer of 2003, particularly because radio stations seem to have no hold-ups about playing the emotional âSoon Youâll Get Better.â On the heels of this triumph, the band has decided that there is no time like the present to announce their first album in 13 years, with a title that reads in todayâs climate as both a political and personal declaration: Gaslighter.