Mount Hood

Guardians of Marvel’s Reputation

Written by:  Gretchen Sims

The most recent installment of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise was released in theaters on May 5, as part of Marvel’s Phase Five project. The film, which was written and directed by James Gunn, starred many fan favorites including Chris Pratt as Peter Quill AKA Star-lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax, Vin Diesel as Groot, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Karen Gillan as Nebula and Bradley Cooper as Rocket. 

Besides the classic crew, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” also cast some new faces. Will Poulter, best known for his roles as Eustace Scrubb in “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” and as Gally from “The Maze Runner,” made a spectacular appearance as Adam Warlock — an all-powerful being with a little bit lacking upstairs. Sean Gunn, best known as Kirk from “Gilmore Girls,” played Kraglin — Yondu Udonta’s incompetent replacement. Possibly most surprisingly, Sylvester Stallone made a brief cameo as a Ravager. 

The story follows Rocket’s origin story as he fights for his life after being attacked by Adam Warlock. The Guardians soon notice that Rocket has a killswitch inside him that prevents them from reviving him. The remaining Guardians must locate Rocket’s inventor and steal a code that can deactivate the killswitch that will certainly spell his doom. 

This movie encompasses all the stuff Marvel used to be made of. The cinematography and CGI are certainly some of the best out of the recent Marvel Phases. But despite beautiful displays, this movie is able to take Marvel fans back to their roots — the good times when Marvel movies were more than just an obvious cash grab. 

From the constant heartbreaks to the beautiful, heartwarming resolution, this film is a rollercoaster of emotions that is sure to delight fans everywhere. Every time the audience was served with a flashback from Rocket’s childhood, I was nearly on the verge of crying — and I don’t cry while watching movies. It was a real tearjerker, so be sure to grab a box of tissues before going to give this movie a watch.

9/10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Entertainment Editor wanted

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Ever wanted to express one’s passions for the arts? The Western Howl is hiring for the 2023-24 school year. Nine positions are currently open on Handshake and will close for consideration on May 22 at 5 p.m. Working for the Howl is a wonderful opportunity where one will learn how to work in a professional environment, write in newsroom standard Associated Press style and have their work published. 

This position looks amazing on a resume and helps expand one’s portfolio in writing and photography. Working for the Howl will be an opportunity to form friendships and connections across campus that will be beneficial, not only for the rest of one’s time on campus, but also for the jobs or internships that may come next.

Being the Entertainment Editor, in particular, is a rewarding job. Instead of the mundane writing one would often write in  class, writing for the Entertainment section allows one to compose pieces about subjects that they are passionate about. 

Some topics that are often included in the section are music, art, movies, TV shows, popular streaming services, video games and celebrity hot topics. There is such a large range of writing prompts that fall under the Entertainment section that whatever one is interested in, one can implement it into this section. 

So, be sure to check out Handshake if becoming the next Entertainment Editor is something that peaks one’s interests.  

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Beau is afraid, and so am I

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

“Beau Is Afraid” — Ari Aster’s third full length feature film running just under three hours — has a beast of a storyline. Attempting to explain anything about this film can be an enormous challenge and those who have seen it will understand. 

The film follows the tumultuous relationship between Beau, played by Joaquin Phoenix, and his mother, Mona Wassermann, played by Patti LuPone. 

After a visit with his therapist, Beau is set to leave for a trip to see his mother. However, a set of unfortunate circumstances prevents Beau from leaving on time. As his home and neighborhood evolve into a terrifying hellscape filled with odd characters with a tendency toward stabbing strangers on the street, Beau learns of the death of his beloved mother he was just meant to visit. In a hurried struggle to go lay her to rest immediately, Beau is struck by a car. 

This movie does a wonderful job at simulating what it can be like to have anxiety. The soundscape, visuals and symbolism are absolutely saturated with paranoia. Through exploring Beau’s warped world, one is able to understand and empathize with his fear that everyone in his life is playing a fixed part in the journey to unveiling his guiltiness and his ultimate demise. 

The film has a unique way of pulling the rug from underneath its viewers — every time that one thinks to themselves that they could possibly have a grip on what is actually going on or what may be coming next, it takes a massive turn into the unexpected.

Along with the film’s long run time comes multiple different acts, differing from one another greatly in all aspects. It takes a multimedia approach, with animated portions, flashback scenes, another entirely constructed timeline in which Beau has a family and is separated from them and many, many more twists and turns. 

This movie was beautiful, heartbreaking, cathartic and terrifying. It may have been how long the movie was, or simply the subject matter, but I felt disoriented for days after watching “Beau is Afraid” — trying to piece together what it was supposed to mean and debating what parts could have been tangible or dramatized by the unreliable narration of Beau. 

The only way to know how one will feel about this film is for them to experience it themselves. It is something no one can prepare one for. 

7/10.

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

All for one, one for all

Written by: Dakota Gange

Finding what is conducive to one’s success as a student can be challenging. Western has a plethora of resources available for students, many of which are located in the Werner University Center — a central campus location that is full of student aid. 

From Abby’s House assisting students with basic needs, to the Center for Professional Pathways helping students to navigate possible careers and internships, to the Non-Traditional Student Lounge, there’s help where Wolves need it. 

Next to Caffé Allegro lies the Freedom Center — a room that is nearly impossible to miss upon entering the WUC. Their atmosphere is bright and welcoming, offering a casual lounge and living room setting with T.V., music, snacks and drinks; a study table, test-taking resources and most imperative, immediate drop-in student-led advisory that can be an aid for everyone in answering questions one may have. This includes basic questions about how to navigate DegreeTracks, all the way up to helping students with their DACA — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — paperwork. 

The Freedom Center was founded by minorities and established as a safe place for BIPOC students to gather; all ethnicities are welcome. 

If one were to walk into the Freedom Center today, they’d find a recently rearranged, calming and welcoming atmosphere — while visiting I felt comfortable, welcomed and confident. 

However, recently circulating among various campus departments, including ASWOU, is a letter suggesting the closure of the Freedom Center. 

In a Western Howl “Letter to the Editor,” a person the Howl will not be naming, wrote: 

The majority of faculty and students at WOU are white females. This is not surprising as it is a teachers’ college in Oregon and females are historically the majority in education and Oregon is overwhelmingly white.

Society would benefit in many ways if more males from ethnic minorities became teachers (Black males are particularly underrepresented in the teaching profession) and WOU should lead in recruitment.

Unfortunately WOU’s creation of a ‘Freedom Center’ as ‘a safe space for BIPOC students’ and ‘to provide a refuge for People of Color’ is counterproductive. It is based on patronizing assumptions by white women and was not requested by any minority student.

BIPOC is a term created by white academics who mistakenly think their concern for ending oppression of Blacks automatically gives them enough of an understanding of Black experience as to qualify them to speak for Blacks.

This is pretentious and patronizing and in some cases (such as Rachel Dolezal, Jessica A. Krug, CV Vitolo-Haddad et al) leads to a fraudulent claim that an affinity for Blacks qualifies as identification as Black.

WOU needs to shut down the Freedom Center because it sends the wrong messages. It implies that minority students are not safe on campus and need a refuge. It officially divides the student body into two distinct groups: white and People-of-Color (which is plain racism).

WOU must hire minorities to represent and speak for minority interests and end this damaging patronization by unqualified white women,this individual wrote.  

Reitorized, the Freedom Center was founded by minority students. According to Western’s Institutional Research, as of fall 2022, 57.6% of students are White, with the next leading percentage of 23.8% for Hispanic/Latino students. 

After receiving the letter, I spoke to Western student and Co-Director of the Freedom Center Aneli Godinez-Martinez. 

“I know that the person that sent (the letter), after talking with our supervisors, is probably someone that hasn’t come to the center, and/or doesn’t know how it was brought up. I think the letter was pulled out of context a little bit right off the bat, as it pulls pieces of our mission statement into the letter,” said Martinez. 

The Freedom Center’s mission statement, which can be found on Western’s website, states, “The Freedom Center strives to serve as a safe space for all students, especially those who are BIPOC and their intersectional identities. We welcome every unique individual here at Western Oregon University as we provide resources, connections, and education for our campus.” 

This is where Martinez wants to clarify that though the mission statement says that it’s a “safe space,” it’s not to be taken out of context — the statement is not implying that any part of campus is unsafe, but rather that the Freedom Center is a place that welcomes tough questions for students who have additional hurdles, like how to renew one’s DACA paperwork, as well as a place for immediate advising help, even for what may seem like a simple question, such as how to register for classes.  

While there are non-student staff members, it’s important that the Freedom Center is primarily run by students. 

“We do mention that we are a space for BIPOC students and intersectional identities, but any student that comes in here — we love that we have students in here and that they like to hang out. Our resources are provided for everybody. But you know, minority students sometimes need a little extra help because maybe they’re first-generation students, and so they might not know how to go about college.” 

While the center is actively expanding its ability to provide various resources to students, it can still aid in finding out any information a student may need. 

“It’s (the Freedom Center) definitely to bring the school together, definitely not to separate us even more. I love that all races, sexual identities and orientations are welcome here. Everyone’s welcome here,” said Martinez.  

“It’s always been a center that was worked on by minority students, and we wanted to create a space for students to feel welcome — but it’s not that we want to create a space that only minority students can go to, or the only place they feel safe, it’s more so just to be a space where students can get a peer to peer perspective — everyone that works here are students, so it’s student-led for a reason.” 

Martinez expresses that if there’s any misunderstanding or curiosity about what the center is, the best way to get an understanding of it is to come in and meet with the students that work at the center. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come “see what they’re about.”

Contact the author at howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu

Gov. Tina Kotek signs ban on Styrofoam food containers into law

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Beginning in 2025, restaurants and food vendors in Oregon will be required to ditch the use of styrofoam takeout containers under a new law passed by the Oregon Legislature. 

On Monday, May 8, Gov. Tina Kotek signed a ban on plastic polystyrene foam containers into law — making Oregon the ninth state in the United States to ban the usage, sale and distribution of the plastic foam containers.

The fight towards the ban on polystyrene foam containers was a long time coming, according to  lawmakers. On Wednesday, Apr. 26, Senate Bill 543 cleared the House with a 40-18 vote. On Monday, Apr. 3, the bill was passed by the Oregon Senate with a 20-9 vote. 

The recently signed Senate Bill 543 would phase out the common polystyrene foam used for takeout containers, which advocates claim is quick to break down into small particles and pollute the ecosystem. The new law would equally prohibit businesses from using and selling foam packing peanuts, as well as single-use foam coolers. 

The new law joins Oregon with the likes of Colorado, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia and Washington in outlawing the use of polystyrene. Meanwhile, the cities of Ashland, Eugene, Florence, Lincoln City, Medford, Milwaukie, Newport, Portland and Silverton have already passed ordinances prohibiting the sale of polystyrene foam for prepared meals.

The history of bans outlining environmental concerns have been abundant throughout the state. 

A similar bill suggesting a ban on styrofoam takeout containers was rejected by the Oregon Senate in 2019, with a 15-14 vote out of the 16 votes required. In 2020, stores and restaurants became strictly barred from providing single-use plastic bags, replacing them with paper bags and the option for a more ecological form of a plastic bag for a small charge. In 2019, an additional law was imposed that forbade restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless requested by the customer. 

Over the years, both environmental activists and advocates of the ban have brought up a multitude of issues surrounding the use of single-use styrofoam takeout containers. For one, styrofoam containers are not accepted in curbside recycling. 

Furthermore, styrofoam containers contain poly-fluorinated substances — known as “forever chemicals” — which are used by restaurants and food vendors for grease and waterproofing. These chemicals accumulate in abundance in the environment and have been linked to reproductive issues, cancer, high cholesterol and immune system suppression

“Polystyrene is a threat to the health of our communities and our land,” said Senator Janeen Sollman, a chief sponsor of Senate Bill 543. “This is a step towards a more sustainable and mindful approach to consumption and a commitment to preserving the health, beauty, and diversity of Oregon for generations to come.” 

Senate Bill 545 was signed by Gov. Tina Kotek alongside Senate Bill 543, which directs the Oregon Health Authority to create rules and regulations for vendors regarding personal reusable food containers for takeout and leftover meals. This second law makes it legal for the public to utilize their own reusable takeout containers.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Peacock Festivities

Written by:  Mikayla Coleman

The first annual Monmouth Peacock Festival will be held May 20, at Monmouth Main Street Park from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The city will be coming together to celebrate the wild peacocks present in Monmouth’s residential neighborhoods. Admission to the festival is free. 

The purpose of the festival is stated on their website, “The Peacock festival is an opportunity to celebrate Monmouth Oregon’s uniqueness and to bring enjoyment to the attendees through art, craft, entertainment and education.” 

The festival will have live entertainment and demonstrations, arts & crafts vendors, community groups and children’s activities — as well as a Finders Keepers art rock hunt.

The festival will also include The Running of the Peacocks — a 5k and 1k fun run for all ages and abilities. The run will begin and end at the Main Street Park Amphitheater, circling through Western’s campus. Registration is required and costs $10 per person, children under 12 are free of charge as long as they are accompanied by a paying parent or guardian. Each participant will be given a commemorative pair of peacock-themed socks, while supplies last. 

There will also be a Peacock Calling Contest at 2:00 p.m. on the amphitheater stage. Peacock calls will be judged on tone, cadence, pitch, volume and overall accuracy. Participants are encouraged to pre-register online and there is no cost to enter. The winner will be awarded a prize. 

The Peacock Festival seeks to appreciate the area’s natural resources and celebrate community engagement. 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

Be Our Guest

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

The Etiquette Dinner is back, reigning annual tradition at Western, now returning after its brief hiatus in 2020-2021. The Center for Professional Pathways has brought it back with a new fashion twist. This event is provided for all Western students and sponsored professionals. Bring enrolled friends, family and even a date to this wonderful night. 

On May 22, attendees will enter the Werner University Centers’ Pacific Room to be greeted with a mocktail and the opportunity to find a seat at an elaborately decorated table. Attendees will then watch a fashion show hosted by Stitch Closet, to give ideas and inspiration for professional attire. On each place setting there will be a card to provide an opportunity to win a gift by matching each model to the provided professional settings before the etiquette dinner begins. 

Once the show concludes, Sabra Jewell, the Communications Coordinator for the City of Monmouth, will lead the audience through a three-course dinner. The french inspired meal will include a salad, an entree and dessert all with vegan and gluten-free options. Each member will learn proper dining etiquette for each course, conversation cues and anything else that would come up during a work dinner. 

This event is for those who want to learn more about how to conduct themselves at a formal dinner with their future boss and colleagues. Everyone will be dressed in formal attire, ready to learn and have a great evening with the Western community. There will be professionals to sit with as well as ones friends, fellow classmates and enrolled guests. Every student is welcome to attend free of charge. 

For more information, follow @woucpp or @stitchcloset.wou on Instagram for the menu, updates and polls. The event is filling up fast, make sure to register. Use the QR code provided in the newspaper, the student email or on a poster around campus. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu