May 2008
The SPLC's Fall From Benevolence
By Broadside Opinion Columnist Michael Gryboski
It is always heartbreaking when organizations that started out with benevolent intentions turn rotten. Equally troubling are the organizations that still perform a service to the community and, in essence, abuse their reputation for political agendas.
Enter the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization founded in 1971 as a civil rights firm. Their initial mission was benevolent, as their chief enemies were the Ku Klux Klan and Jim Crow-friendly politicians.
Late Game Rally Sparks Mason Win
By Broadside Staff Writer Robert Dongu
The George Mason University baseball team turned their late-inning rally into a win on April 23, defeating Radford, 7-6, in extra innings and reaching the .500 mark for the first time this season.
Life in A. Minor: The Beginners Guide to Hip-Hop
By Broadside Columnist Andy Minor
As time goes by, I find myself forced into little musical stints of two to three weeks where most of the music I listen to is dominated by a particular artist or genre. When I was 16, the Smashing Pumpkins consumed me, at 18, the Smiths, and somewhere in there I discovered Miles Davis. I don't object to my listening becoming pigeonholed into a particular subset as it gives me ample time to really understand a band or artist's musical value. My first obsession was Led Zeppelin in the seventh grade and I have had nothing but great experiences with my musical fixations over the years. This week's article is even fueled by one —- my recent infatuation with the world of hip-hop.
Local Band Shapiro Needs Room To Grow
By Broadside Staff Reporter and Columnist Andy Minor
Photo by Broadside Photography Editor Courtney Erland
Shapiro is a little indie rock outfit from Harrisonburg, Va., and according to their Web site, they want to be your friend. As far as friends go, you can do a lot worse than Shapiro. At the same time, you can do a lot better.
Their new EP, You Are Alone, is a five-song overview with a bonus track that seems to be a very solid showcase of Shapiro's sound and songwriting ability. While the EP has several strong moments and plenty of catchy riffs, the overall feeling I had when I finished listening was that somehow Shapiro has a more room to grow.
RAK Campus Voices Opinion of Provost Stearns
By Connect Mason Asst. News Director Rashad Mulla
The George Mason University Provost Review Committee heard feedback from faculty and staff of the Ras Al Khaimah campus Thursday, May 1 concerning the performance of Provost Peter Stearns.
Emo Animals Question Their Lives' Worth
Student project by Tierney Kain
Mason student Tierney Kain created a gallery of "animals at their saddest" for her Digital Writing in the Genres final project.
See more emo animals here.
'Okami' Brings 'Zelda' to Folklore Japan
By Connect Mason Reporter Daniel Sims
Possibly one of the most tragic stories in the game industry of how art often doesn’t sell, Clover Studio’s (Viewtiful Joe) "Okami was a critical favorite when it hit the PS2 in 2006 and was IGN.com’s game of the year that year. Sadly, it failed financially and Clover Studio was subsequently dissolved. Many gamers may tire of the ported games from other consoles that the Nintendo Wii gets, but if there’s any game deserving of a second chance on the system, it’s "Okami."
Homosexuality is a Mental Illness
By Broadside Opinion Columnist Michael Gryboski
Between Pride Week and the Safe Zone stickers found on windows and doors, it is obvious that homosexuality is accepted by the mainstream of the campus community.
Jimmy Eat World, Paramore Heat Up Bender Arena
By Broadside News Editor Asma Chaudhary and Senior Design Editor Jasmine Lynch
Photo by Broadside Asst. Photo Editor Laura Foltz
Two bands that rocked American University’s Bender Arena last Saturday were Jimmy Eat World and Paramore, who both featured mellow tracks as well as fan favorites to make the crowd go wild.
For the opener, Dear and the Headlights, a band from Phoenix, Ariz. took to the stage to play both acoustic and electric harmonies, which used multiple instruments simultaneously.
Broadway at Mason
By Broadside Staff Writer Laura Hampton
Last Tuesday night, the University Chorale delivered an exciting, high-energy performance in Harris Theatre. The fast costume changes, fantastic dancers and sometimes emotionally stirring pieces had audience members tapping their feet to the beat and humming along to a variety of Broadway classics.