Earlier this month, members of the Skidmore community gathered virtually to hear from Professors Winston Grady-Willis and Terry Diggory along with Jason Golub, one of the Co-Chairs of the task force. The task force, composed of 13 members – 8 of whom identify as people of color – is charged with reviewing the policies of the Saratoga Springs Police Department (SSPD).
Read moreOp-Ed: On the Accusation of Critiques of Israel Being Anti-Semitic
There is an entire history’s worth of politics and beliefs to consider when assessing the Israel-Palestine conflict because colonialism in Palestine did not begin with Zionism. When making educated, accurate critiques of the Israeli government’s policies, whether past or present, it’s not attacking Judaism or the faith of its people. It is our duty as part of this world system to understand all of its intricacies, and we cannot do that if we intentionally exclude the Israel-Palestine situation.
Read moreIntroduction to "Finger Snaps," A Haiku Series
Robin Jones
Dianna Mason,
Doing well I hope? Thank you
For your note today.
Dianna Mason
Hello Robin Jones,
What a treat to see you here.
Together at last.
If I may ask you,
Do you still watch the sunrise
Near that mossy bench?
Empty table series, Haikus
Alone at the table
Read moreToilets/Latrines, Haikus
Toilets in Ancient Rome
Read moreHannah Continues Homework / Hannah (finally) Finishes Homework, Haikus
Josh Ridenhour on His Senior Season and Not Returning for the Semester
Beginning soccer at the age of 10, Josh Ridenhour 21’ knew he wanted to play sports in college. After being put into almost every sport when he was younger to see what he was good at, Ridenhour finally landed on soccer. Now a senior on the Skidmore Men’s Soccer team, Ridenhour reflects on his time playing at Skidmore and what it was like to miss his senior season because of the pandemic.
Read moreSpeech at Skidmore: A Conversation with Dr. Sigal Ben-Porath About the Role of Free Speech on Campus
On the morning of a tumultuous and uncertain election day, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Sigal Ben-Porath, who gave the keynote address at this year's “Skidmore Speaks” lecture series. In response to the incidents of doxing over the semester, Skidmore virtually brought to campus Dr. Ben-Porath and experts on social media safety to inform students on how to protect themselves online and foster a discussion about free speech on campus.
Read moreWhat’s Said / What Should be Said
It’s not about race. Don’t bring race into it. Not everything is about race. Show me the proof. This fox-eye trend isn’t racist; it’s just makeup. Stop being so insensitive—hands to their face, pulling their eyes upward. Mocking before, now it’s beauty because they said it was. Too small. Can you see it?
Read morePlaying in the Pandemic: Sarah Winters On Her Unexpected Senior Season
Starting field hockey in the third grade, Sarah Winters 21’ has always considered the sport a big part of her life. Winters knew she wanted to play at the collegiate level because of her immediate love for the sport. Now a senior on the Skidmore Field Hockey team, Winters reflects on her experience playing at Skidmore and how the pandemic changed her senior season.
Read moreHannah Does Homework, A Haiku
Bubble aesthetics
Read moreRooted Inside
Making the Internet a Diverse and More Equitable Place: How to Become an Effective Online Ally
Online abuse is real, harmful, and it is growing each day as technology becomes more advanced and as our society becomes more divided. It is important, now more than ever, that we are equipped to stand up for others and commit towards ending online abuse.
You Promised
On my tenth birthday, you promised me you would be here for my 100th.
I wasn’t dumb.
I knew what death was,
but somehow I thought you were more powerful than it.
Read moreDía de los Muertos Event: Celebration of Loved Ones
In Latin America, Día de los Muertos, “Day of the Dead” is a holiday celebrated by many as a day to remember loved ones. Skidmore celebrated this year in a special and memorable way.
Read moreA Guide to Protecting Yourself Online
On Wednesay October 28th, Skidmore partnered with PEN America and the Freedom of the Press Foundation to deliver a digital safety self defense workshop as an installment of the second annual Skidmore Speaks event. With this in mind, I created the following guide to protecting yourself online, in the hopes of relaying the knowledgeable advice of Vilk and Holmes.
“Conversation” with President Conner: A Recap
Watchful eyes from all over searched their emails or their feeds for a chance to watch Monday’s inaugural “Conversation with Conner”, where President Conner aimed to devote time to speak with the community. Many of the Skidmore student body, previously indifferent, may have found recent interest in President Conner’s address due to the troubling events of Halloweekend. A normal conversation was now seemingly colored by the effects of the outside world.
Read moreThe Futility of Words
Grief is a curious thing.
You disappear inside an ocean of get well soons
And what can I do for you?
But what do you say when you can’t see the body
When elbow bumps replace hugs
And hand sanitizer is more common than flowers.
What do you say
when you say good-bye through video chat?
Those pixels can’t capture the stench of dried sweat
And the rhythmic hum of the ventilator,
A drumbeat in a sterile room.
You are left to ponder your existence on a screen.
What do you say
To unimaginable loss
Shrouded in the indignities of politics.
With 32,972 dead
What do you say?
I love you could suffice
But the cotton of the mask traps the words
And leaves you unmoored,
Drifting,
Alone.
In 2020, Skidmore’s Storytellers Shift
Stories without words. History without pages. A roomless exhibit.
Read moreSocially Distant Activities
With all the risks that come with interacting with others, many of the activities we are all used to doing have unfortunately become impossible, and now that the weather is starting to get cooler, it can be harder to find socially distant ways to hang out with people. Here are a few ideas for ways to stay connected while staying safe!
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