All posts by Chelsea Daigle, Correspondent

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Last call: Parnassus submissions due Monday, March 21

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The submissions deadline for NECC’s Literary Magazine is Monday, March 21 – so if you needed a sign to jump on the train at the very last second, here it is.

 

The only criteria are to be a member of NECC, whether student or staff, and to share something you’ve created. Whether that creation is a painting, a photograph, a poem, a short story, or anything in-between.

 

The worst that happens is that your work is not selected for the magazine – so there’s literally nothing to lose. You can even submit up to 10 pieces total to increase your chances.

 

To submit, use the link here:

http://www.parnassuslitmag.com/contactinfo.html

 

So, give your art a shot! Because… why not?

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Student leaders advocate for free college bill

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Whether you’re into local politics or not – college students across Massachusetts are looking towards a particular bill heading to the State House soon.
Student advocates say we have a very real possibility of passing “an act to guarantee debt-free public higher education.” This bill (H.1339) proposes exactly what it sounds like: no more costly tuition to attend public MA colleges. The Board of Education would cover mandatory fees of students. Any Massachusetts resident with a high school diploma (or equivalent, like a GED) could be financially covered in any university program, certificate, or otherwise. It would be applicable regardless of full-time or part-time course commitments, and would not be restricted based on the area of study.
The state representative championing this motion is Natalie M. Higgins. Dozens more are petitioning for it as well, including more local representatives like 18th Essex District Rep. Tram T. Nguyen of Andover and Third Essex District Rep. Andy X. Vargas of Haverhill. Ultimately, proponents of this act take the stance that the Commonwealth should “guarantee free public higher education as a right for all residents.”
The bill details that eligible students and new graduates would be annually notified. There is also mention that mandatory fees like textbooks and materials could be covered as well. Some questions remain to be ironed out regarding its limits and restrictions. Is there a cap on semesters or credits? Are additional costs like transportation, technology, and access to the internet secured as well? How much of this is still up to negotiation?
The description of this bill is offered to the public online: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1339
Student leaders here at NECC are eager to support this bill’s movement and petition for its growth and success. Andrew Venditti, last year’s Newman Civic Fellow and current Student Government member, is taking the lead in making the NECC student body aware of this great opportunity they could support in helping themselves and future college students.
Interested in learning more and advocating for this potential bill? You can sign the student-run petition in the C-Spurk Building on Tuesday (Feb 22) and Wednesday (Feb 23) from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Nuclear debate: Mutually assured stalemate

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Professor Steve Slaner in a zoom meeting
Professor Stephen Slaner and other participants take part in a discussion on zoom.

“If I point a gun to your head and not fire it, it is still using the gun.” Professor Slaner

Professor Stephen Slaner and Professor Andrew Morse debated on Dec. 1 on the ratification of the Treaty of Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. More than a dozen viewers tuned into the public zoom that ran for a little over an hour. Slaner and Morse are leaders of the student groups Amnesty International and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) respectively, the two groups working together. Each professor received about 20 minutes to explain their opening stances; Slaner arguing for the ratification and Morse arguing against the treaty. After some back and forth rebuttals and counter arguments, the floor was open to viewer input and questions.
Slaner expressed the great concern of a potential crisis, saying that “luck is not a policy we can depend upon.” America has not yet signed the Treaty, maintaining thousands of nuclear arms, hundreds on hair trigger alert. We also don’t have a ‘no first use’ policy: a protocol that would restrict the United States to only launch nuclear attacks in response.
“Weapons of mass destruction are weapons of mass destruction. If we can abolish two categories, being chemical and biological, we can abolish another.” – Slaner
Morse, while obviously not advocating for a nuclear winter, doesn’t see the treaty as practical or useful. He points out that the only signers of the Treaty are small countries that wouldn’t even have the resources to attempt nuclearization. Nuclear powers comparable to the United States haven’t signed the Treaty. The most rational steps would involve reducing the numbers of atomic warheads, non-proliferation agreements, procedures for escalation prevention, etc; it’s not wise to trust nations’ promises when there is no global enforcing policy.
“While it’s possible to convince a government to abolish nuclear weapons, it is not possible to abolish the knowledge of how to build them.” – Morse
Ultimately, there is a consensus to some degree between the two professors that co-lead the student group SDS. “I don’t think anyone wants nuclear war,” Morse said. “They want protection…They want protection from the United States.” Slaner and guest viewer Stephen Russell agreed that America could still assert dominance with far less than half of the current nuclear firepower.
The viewer submitted questions fueled the lively conversation for the last portion of the zoom.  Matthew Sherman asked “Is the threat of mutually assured destruction realistic for long term peace?” The moderator Andrew Venditti asked “Why would we ever retaliate if we’d hurt the world and ourselves in the process?”
As the debate wrapped up, SDS member and viewer April Richer chimed in.
“This is an opportunity where something should be done…If we had even half the money that is being spent on maintaining and modernizing nuclear weapons, we really would be able to make it a safer, better world. Encouraging education, investing in poverty…”
Arts and Entertainment, Slider

Haverhill Art Walk

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As vaccines are flying and progress is being made to set quarantine-reality behind us, it’s time to remember what it’s like to live again! What better tools to help with that than community and art?

The perfect, lively aid is coming to Haverhill in the form of an Art Walk.

The event runs from 3:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m. on May 8. A partnership between local businesses and local artists, the Art Walk invites the community to travel along a mapped route to visit restaurants, studios, and more with accompanied artists. Anyone interested can view the information online with the resources provided below.

An artist yourself? Perhaps a local business-owner? Feel free to reach out to the organizers’ contacts to join a future Art Walk route! Whether you want to do some live painting like Michael D. LaBranche or open a creative activity to the public like the Lisa Hartel Studio, demonstrations of all kinds are welcome! The energetic plan aims to not only bring amusement and a breath of fresh air for those stopping by, but to raise publicity for those skillful and valuable participants of the Haverhill community.

If you can’t make it next week on the 8th, not to worry! The Art Walk will come back every 2nd Saturday of the month until September (dates provided on website).

As we all itch for the day when we can throw away our masks, step outside on May 8th and smell some roses, see someone painting roses, or maybe even someone selling roses!

Creative Haverhill Website:

https://www.creativehaverhill.org/

Art Walk Page:

https://www.creativehaverhill.org/haverhill-art-walk

Contact:

haverhillartwalk@gmail.com

 

 

Opinion, Slider

Not too young to have a race

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The conversation of race is a difficult one.

It is near impossible to engage in one without an element of pain or discomfort. It often requires the participants to show a high level of vulnerability. With the growing publicity and tension over police brutality and institutional racism, it is a thought that has crossed most minds. And for some, it is simply a reminder of their everyday struggles.

Sometimes, that regular reminder involves children as well. It is a common reality of black families and other people of color to educate their youth on discrimination. Children are taught to be polite, to avoid situations, to act appropriately with authority; however, in families of color, these lessons are enforced and emphasized because of their race.

It is a wildly disconnecting perspective to recall that about 60% of Americans have white privilege, and therefore typically don’t go out of their way to address the impactful conversation. In fact, some attitudes encourage avoiding the conversation as long as possible.

Are we able to maintain that innocence in children? If children of color are old enough to experience racism, aren’t they old enough to be given better understandings of it? And if children of color can acknowledge its role in their lives, can’t children of white families also understand themselves and their peers better than we give credit for?

In my personal experience working with youth on various topics in presentation formats, there have been more than one occasion where there have been chills and tears. There are few things more profoundly eye-opening than an ‘innocent’ child’s struggles.

One activity I’ve facilitated more times than I can count is called “Crossing the Line.” A silent activity in which students take a step over a line if a statement read aloud applies to them.

To witness an entire class of kids step together in silence upon hearing, “If you have ever been discriminated against because of a group you belong to,” takes the words from your lips.

I surely wish we lived in a society that didn’t add such a negative aspect to children’s lives. And to confront such tear-jerking things certainly feels negative. On the contrary, It is the most positive thing one can do for that child’s reality.

Dismissal to a kid’s perspective won’t dismiss the world’s.

Across America, the message Speak Up has rippled across all victims who have been disadvantaged and discriminated against by our nation. Whether it’s a little sibling, a cousin, a child, a friend… let their voice be heard as well. The voice that acknowledges insults, bullying, and differences in treatment.

Let those young minds know their experiences are valid. That if anything, the acknowledgement of hate and hurt should lead to empathy, compassion, and healing.

As we advocate for the stories of people of color, remember to include the next generation into the conversation. Not only can it help us break the perpetuating cycles of malice and racism, but it can give life to a fundamental understanding of its effects on all individuals involved–and most importantly how to reverse those effects.

The conversation of race is a difficult one because of the pain. But willing it away won’t protect our kids from the harm of racism. The best hope is to fight hate with love. To prevent the internalization of discrimination. To fight ignorance with education.

 

 

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Celebrate diversity with Haverhill Youth Council

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“Raise your card… If you have ever witnessed someone in school or work being discriminated against for their race, gender, religion, ethnicity, economic status, or sexuality.”

Each of the nine panelists raises their card in agreement.

On the 27th of March, HCMedia aired the City of Haverhill’s Youth Council’s Diversity Celebration through Facebook, YAC, and Channel 99. Through performances and a panel, this youth-led event captures culture, celebration, and consciousness through local perspectives.

Along with the conversations presented, the event featured inspired pieces of artーranging from poetry and danceーby local artists. I had the privilege to not only hear the panel discussion before the live release, but actually contribute as a guest panelist.

The panel started off with a demonstrative activity in which the participants were asked questions related to their personal experiences, and responded by displaying a card with either “Yes” or “No.” The ten questions explored various situations, from “If you ever felt stereotyped because of a group you belong to,” to “If English isn’t your first language.”

“Everyone’s coming from diverse backgrounds, but we have similar experiences.” Haverhill High School’s NHS President, Nicholas Leung, reflected in an interview after the event. The visualization struck him. And as one of the many youth leaders who have been working on this project since last fall, he feels inspired. “It helped me understand more perspectives rather than my personal experience. It helped relate to others more.”

“How can we reduce cultural misunderstandings and discrimination?”

Ambriel Mayhew, a Haverhill High junior and student activist spoke as one of many youth panelists. “This event really reminded me of my passion.” Last year, Mayhew was one of the three youth leaders that organized the BlackLivesMatter protest in Haverhill. It was her first-ever initiative. “It drives me to incite change.”

As the discussion emphasized, maintaining a platform for voices to be heard and conversations to be shared is vital. Mayhew is continuing to brainstorm plans to bring positive change to the high school. “We have to set up these conversations for generations to comeーfor when the issues change.”

Another youth panelist, Ajmain Zahid, also found the conversation inspiring. “It was my first time and I really enjoyed it. It was a diverse group of people physically as well as mentally. Everyone’s responses were so intellectual and the responses were so thoughtful.” Zahid is the STEM Career Awareness Student Body Coordinator at Haverhill High School. She not only contributed to the panel, but performed a Bollywood-inspired dance with her sister to celebrate their Bangladesh roots. “They were super supporting… Everyone would hype each other up after they answered.”

Zahid also notes how this experience will influence her projects and initiatives down the road. “Being exposed to the different experiences… Will let me better cater to communities I’m not a part of. After everything I heardーI feel like I have a better understanding of what I have to do as an ally.”

I myself realized how much life something like this breathes. A feeling that’s been lacking lately with continued reports of violence and inaction across the nation.

“How can we better teach and emphasize the power/importance of diversity to youth?”

“It’s a breath of fresh air.” Miguel Quinones, the C.O.O. of Quinones Culture Consultants, has dedicated 15 years of work to the Haverhill Area through various organizations including UTEC, Center for Hope and Healing, POSE, and even afterschool middle school clubs. “I often feel that young people are excluded in conversation when it includes movement work… We never really see them as leaders… I want my projects to be youth-led.” Multiple panelists reinforced this notion during the discussion, promoting attention towards young people. 

With an extensive background involving working with students, Quinones couldn’t agree more. He reasons how the youth already have to deal with these worries and thoughts at a young age; that the best response is to validate their experiences and help them early, in theme with his prevention-focused youth violence work.

“The conversation around code-switching… We can’t be comfortable in our own skin and we have to appear different in different spaces. We feel we might not be accepted… Are we teaching our young people how to survive or how to be complacent?”

The panel frequently went back to the roots of education.

Zahid summarizes her feelings: “We focus on minority history too much in the context of white supremacy.”

The Chair of the Youth Council, Robin DelNegro, reflects on why the focus of youth voice in this event was so instrumental to its success. “It requires a level of humility… But it’s so powerful. All the time, you see legislation making decisions for groups of people without the input of that group of people.”

DelNegro was impressed by the selection of the panelists and how comfortable and connected everyone soon became. “I was so blown away by how articulate and honest everyone was. They did it in such a way that it was meaningful and credible and impactful.” As one of the organizers, she was esatic for the release, and participated in the live chat along with several other panelists.

“What are your hopes for Haverhill?”

“What pushed us the most was the summer and everything happening with BlackLivesMatter. Even right now with the Asian community. So many minorities have been under attack, and there’s been a drive for education. We wanted to provide that education in the form of a panel… but add celebration as well.”

Gabriela Vargas, a lead organizer and Youth Council member, put her heart and energy into making this event happen. “In reality, we should all celebrate and be proud of who we are.”

Even with all the planning that went into this, the council members were pleasantly surprised by every turn. “It was unusual how open and relaxed we were. How supportive we were. Snapping and clapping. That’s unusual for a panel. It was an open and honest conversation, and it was focused on positivity.” Vargas moderated parts of the discussion along with sharing a poem.

This special panel was not only an environment for sharing experiences and perspectives, but one of new visions and ideas as well.

“Where there are people there is power,” Mayhew says. “We should connect with like-minded people who might also want to be the change in Haverhill.”

“Focus on Celebration and Education,” Leung says.

“It’s an opportunity to hear other people’s voices. And if we can hear them, it opens up our understanding and compassion. And that is a catalyst towards change.” DelNegro says.

“Further elevate our voices,” Zahid says.

“Honestly, just having other people talk about this. Being culturally conscious and willing to understand and educate. Whether you’re a panelist or a viewer.” Vargas says.

“At the end of the day, we all impact each other,” Quinones says. “We need to have these conversations much more. The solutions you want to see are right in front of youーwe’re it!”

“The first step is conversation,” I said during the panel. And everyone can be a part of the conversation.

Here’s one you can join now; To hear more from the Diversity Panel’s conversation, use the link below to view the full event.

Facebook Recording Link:

https://www.facebook.com/hcmediahaverhill/videos/204767540979836

 

 

Features, Slider

Trying not to burst: Relationships inside the bubble

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Sometimes ‘okay’ is the best we got. And for surviving 2020, ‘okay’ is pretty good.

As we come upon the one-year mark of quarantine, Americans couldn’t be more eager to head out and get back our personal space — especially with the increasing rollout of vaccinations.

For better and worse, we have gotten to know our families and quarantine-partners very well. Not just your parent, sibling, child, or significant other; but their working-mode as well, as many professions are still mostly (if not entirely) virtual.

The natural circumstances of quarantine’s restrictions have applied stress to our personal and physical spaces. “

The beginning was a struggle,” said Owen Devlin, 21 year old communications student at NECC. Devlin describes the obstacles he’s overcome alongside his parents. “We had our own separate spaces but we’d get in the way of each other… We’ve learned to adapt,” he said.

With limited space forcing many of us to share work and personal environments, Devlin says he’s found the most positive success in addressing that exact issue.

“It helps to have more space to yourself,” he said.

Devlin has made the effort after struggling in the beginning of quarantine to create his own separate area to work. “I’m trying to respect my personal space and my family’s,” he said. Though it’s obviously easier said than done, as Devlin explains the difficulty of staying productive while on his comfortable bed.

Overall, there haven’t been many dramatic changes. They’re still the same individuals. “We’ve kept our ground,”he said.

Also enduring the Cabin Fever experience with his parents and dog Kipper is Leo Wellock, 20 year old NECC communications student. “It’s been hectic with all the compression,” he said.

Devlin and Wellock both express their effort in looking for the silver lining.

Devlin and his family focus on working efficiently throughout the week, and dedicating the weekends to quality, family time.  This includes staying connected with his brother, who moved out not long ago.

“I appreciate those moments as best as I can,” he said.

Instead of waiting for the day he can escape, Devlin looks forward to being able to share the experiences he’s missed for the past year with those he cares about.

For others, connections have grown stronger in the trying conditions. “We’ve grown more of a ‘best friend’ relationship than a ‘mother and daughter’ one,” says Kylie Stewart, 19 year old NECC student.

“I’ve learned that [my mom] had gone through a lot more that I never knew, that I’m also going through.”

Stewart has been quarantining with her parents, younger brother, and boyfriend. Her boyfriend came into the household several months into quarantine when his previous housing was no longer available. As with many homes, quarantine has emphasized the everyday stress and strain of life.

And boundaries can be much harder to set. “We’re all trying to do our own thing.” Stewart says that some days are ‘hit and miss,’ but that she will “always look at the positives.”

For the remaining days stuck inside, and the much brighter ones down the road, Stewart appreciates the simple constants of her life. “Besides my mom, my relationship with everyone else has been neutral. I at least hope it stays neutral.”

Sometimes ‘okay’ is the best we got. And for surviving 2020, ‘OK’ is pretty good.

 

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NECC Police Academy aims to promote culture of quality

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Joshua Stokel is dedicated to supporting solid training for student officers in his first year as Director of NECC’s Police Academy, aiming to equip local officers with all the skills they need to properly serve their communities.

Joining the college this past November, Stokel entered a position with several challenges facing him. Most of the college campus remains empty with virtual learning being the new norm for safe education. While that option is available for training officers who are unable to risk their health or have come in close contact with COVID-19, the academy has organized a safe environment to maintain the close relationships that are essential to providing effective learning experiences for these young officers.

Staff instructor Sean Daley notes that vital skills such as de-escalation, empathy, respect, and emotional intelligence are important for effective policing. Daley and Stokel both remark on the importance in the profession of listening to other perspectives when working to understand and resolve conflicts, and the program works to instill the same mindset in the student officers.  Daley says the academy’s goal is to provide “quality candidates and quality training” for local community police forces. Stokel adds, “If you have lousy people and good training, it doesn’t matter. You can have the best people and lousy training, and it won’t work.”

For the local communities, Stokel and Daley share their pride in this year’s graduating group. They commend the departments’ selections for the academy’s student officers. Continuing to move forward with a strong focus on culture, Stokel knows that character is a deciding factor in this profession. He says the student officers need a solid foundation to foster their values. They need to be thoughtful and courteous listeners to interact appropriately with their communities.

Stokel states that the academy’s training is built around these high standards and does not require significant changes in response to the social outcry against police brutality corruption. The only additional pressure stems from the need to “get ahead of the problem.” Daley emphasizes that is important for police training to recruit “the best people we can get,” and then provide professional training that prepares officers to communicate, de-escalate, and deal effectively with complicated situations.

Overall, the Police Academy isn’t wary of calls for police reform. As Sean Ward, Amesbury Department student officer, puts it, “You don’t have anything to worry about if you’re doing [the job] for the right reasons.”

The mission is evidently to foster honest officers. And they believe that honest officers don’t need to resist police reform. Ward and his peer Desiray Caracoglia, a Haverhill Department student officer, look forward to their careers. They don’t want to lose trust with those they swear to protect. “

We don’t want to lose our connection with the community,” Caracoglia says. Both she and Ward hope to reach out more to the individuals they’re protecting when emergencies aren’t present. Negative publicity is easier to gather than positive, so the two student officers want to represent their departments with friendliness and communication in the future.

Overall, the Police Academy is committed to continuing its work.

“At times, the profession is resistant to change,” Stokel says. “And I think that’s a mistake. We need to be ready to sit at the table and listen. We have to be ready to change. Change is a part of progress.”

Joshua Stokel can be contacted with his email jstokel@necc.mass.edu or office phone 978-241-4729 for more information.