Mount Hood

La reciente polémica de la compañía Disney

The company that brought you the “happiest place on Earth” is worse than you thought

Camille Lenning | Editor de entretenimiento

 

Póngase en contacto con el autor en howlentertainment@wou.edu

We’ve all enjoyed a Disney movie or two. How could we not? They own everything from Star Wars to Marvel to Pixar, and cornered the market on fairytale princesses. Disney is everywhere, and that’s the problem.

The company has faced numerous controversies since its founding in 1923 by Walt and his brother Roy O. Disney. Allegations of perpetuating harmful stereotypes, sexism and even plagiarism have plagued the company for decades. Most recently, the actions of the company’s CEO, Bob Chapek, in the case of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act has thrown the company into further scandal. 

The bill, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by opponents, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28. If it remains unchallenged until July 1, it will ban elementary classrooms from having discussions about LGBTQ+ issues and gender expression. 

Disney World dominates Florida’s economy by bringing in billions per year in tourism, so the corporation’s political power is unmatched in the state. With this in mind, supporters of the Disney Company expected to hear a denouncement of the bill when it passed in the Florida Senate on March 8. Disney was vocal about making strides in producing more diverse entertainment, so surely they would disapprove of this seemingly anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. 

Yet the company made no public response, and only passed internal memos to shareholders informing them of the situation. That was, at least, until public outcry forced their hand. On March 11, Chapek released a statement apologizing for their silence, saying he and the company now understood the detrimental effects the bill could have, and that they were “pausing all political donations in the state of Florida pending this review.”

Disney so far has kept up with that promise. However, their existing contributions to the Florida GOP this quarter, totaling $125,000, remain as a glaring reminder that Chapek and the Disney Company seem to only adhere to progressive values when they’re forced to. 

Similarly, in 2020, the same year they released such works as “Out” — a short film about a boy coming out to his parents — individuals within Disney donated $10,500,030 to the America First Action super PAC, which backed the Donald Trump campaign in the election. While the company made donations to Democratic campaigns as well, the amount was far less substantial. 

The fact that Disney higher ups were funding these Republican campaigns and interest groups at all is telling of where the company really stands. While they are slowly introducing diverse characters in their shows and movies, they support politicians who intend to limit how LGBTQ+ people are represented in real life. 

It’s important to remain informed of the decisions the Disney Company makes. They play a bigger role in our lives than many realize. Their political contributions alone can greatly affect who we see on the ballot, and their power in Florida, a prominent battleground state, cannot be ignored. 

That being said, you are not a bad person if you watch Disney movies. What the multi-billion dollar corporation does with their money isn’t your fault. They have a monopoly on entertainment, and we as consumers should not be faulted for existing in the system they created.

ASWOU voter guide

Western students answer the question: “What is your favorite season and why?”

Camille Lenning | Editor de entretenimiento

Póngase en contacto con el autor en howlentertainment@wou.edu

Spring term is election season for the Associated Students of Western Oregon University — Western’s student government. Campaign Week began on Monday, April 18 with a “meet the candidate” event in the Werner University Center Summit. On Thursday, April 21, there will be a candidate forum on Zoom at 5 p.m. Students will be able to vote starting April 25 until April 29 on Presence, through their Student Portal. 

In preparation for Campaign Week, candidates were asked why they decided to run and what they plan to do if elected, find their answers below: 

 

Candidates for ASWOU President:

 

Gheraldy Bobadilla-Cruz (he/him/his/el)

Major: education 

Current class standing: sophomore

 

A current ASWOU Senator, Cruz has wanted to run for President since he arrived at Western, and wants to give a voice to all students. 

“I’m running for ASWOU President because I believe (Western) is at a pivotal turning point when considering its future. I want to come in and work alongside our new President to help (Western) flourish in this new era… I will make sure that more support is given to all clubs and organizations here on campus. I will ensure that students are being fully appreciated and acknowledged for all the work they do to make (Western) a campus full of diversity and inclusion. It’s time to hold (Western) responsible as an institution to follow through and act on its statements of being a welcoming campus for all. It’s time to make (Western) more than just a school.”

 

Kodee Harwood (she/her/hers)

Major: communication studies 

Current class standing: junior 

 

Harwood has been interested in ASWOU since 2019, and hopes to bring clubs back in full force, while also working to improve accessibility. 

“I want to improve campus and campus culture. … There’s always room for improvement and I’d like to start improving (Western) and make students feel safe on campus and proud that they go to (Western). … If I get elected ASWOU president my office will always be open to any student(s) that have concerns or questions and I will try my best to make change happen and try to support you as best I can.”

 

Candidates for ASWOU Vice President:

 

Hunter Hall (he/him/his)

Major: mathematics

Current class standing: senior

 

As a student government veteran, Hall aims to use his skills to amplify student voices, with an emphasis on safety. 

“I’m running for ASWOU Vice President for a couple of reasons. The first and most important to me is I want to find ways to improve the safety of our campus. I want to do this while also addressing accessibility issues that students face here. … I have (four) years of experience within student government where I’ve worked in various leadership positions. During that time I have been able to learn a lot about what it means to be the student voice. I plan to use my experience to act as that bridge that connects the (Western) staff and students (together).”

 

Owen Hubers (he/him/his)

Major: business 

Current class standing: junior 

 

Passionate about club engagement, Hubers (pictured left) hopes to connect students through Discord and improve event planning. 

“I want voters to know that I am listening to literally everything they say and will work my very hardest to make sure college life at (Western) is the best it can possibly be. I will use every last resource we have to help students here thrive. I will always want to and be willing to talk with any student or anybody at all who is willing to provide me with feedback. I will do the best I can to work with the various members of ASWOU and (Western) as a community. I will do my best … to solve current or future problems and implement new resources or improve existing resources.”

 

Candidate for Senate President:

 

Connor Goehring (he/him/his)

Major: ASL studies and education

Current class standing: sophomore

 

As Residence Hall Association President, Goehring aims to use his leadership skills to improve communication and make campus better for students. 

“There is so much inequity here at (Western) and I don’t plan on trying to fix the broken system we have in place right now, but to rewrite the whole system entirely to make a better, working system that supports our students. … I’m qualified to make a difference and be the advocate you need to make (Western) a safe and inclusive environment for the (campus’s) diverse community.”

 

Candidate for Senate:

 

Samy Reyes (he/him/his)

Major: business

Current class standing: sophomore 

 

As a new student at Western, Reyes hopes to use the Senate position to gain experience in student government. 

“I would like to be further involved in our school and the community of our students. I believe it is a civic responsibility as students to be engaged and involved in our school’s topics and issues. I seek to hear student’s thoughts and concerns on our campus, as I am going to be a voice that represents them. I run for the senate not only to gain experience, but to work towards new policies that will benefit the interests of our fellow students.”

 

Candidate for Judicial Administrator:

 

Coral Davis (she/they)

Major: education 

Current class standing: first-year

 

A PLUS Team member and WOU Ambassador, Davis is excited to bring leadership experience to ASWOU and work with the Justices. 

“My goal for when I am elected for Judicial Administrator is to create a more inclusive campus. I feel that accommodations for students are not being followed through. I also want to try and bring more awareness to all of the clubs that we have on campus as well as bring light to all (of) what our university has to offer to its new and current students.” 

 

Candidate for Incidental Fee Committee Member:

 

Dennis Long (he/him/his)

Major: information systems 

Current class standing: senior 

 

As an IFC Chair, Long was able to work on the IFC Funded Areas web page, allowing anyone to see who received funding and why. 

“I hope to help organize a better training schedule so that new IFC members can feel prepared to make these difficult decisions. There are changes to be made in the bylaws to make this process smoother, and I hope to actively engage in supporting the future of IFC and (Western)! After serving as IFC Chair this year, I discovered that there were many different student voices feeling left out or ignored. As the IFC, we did what we could to ensure that those voices were heard through anonymous forms and Open Hearings. I did my best to reach out to students and tried to forward their feedback to IFC.” 

Las mejores películas del Día de la Tierra

Una lista de películas y documentales para celebrar el Día de la Tierra

Camille Lenning | Editor de entretenimiento

 

Póngase en contacto con el autor en howlentertainment@wou.edu

Documentales sobre cómo salvar la Tierra:

  • "Kiss the Ground" - Científicos, agricultores y políticos se unen a famosos activistas en un esfuerzo por salvar la capa superficial del suelo, narrado por Woody Harrelson. 
  • "Hielo en llamas" - Explora cómo prevenir sucesos de nivel de extinción reduciendo e invirtiendo nuestra huella de carbono, narrado por Leonardo DiCaprio. 
  • "Misión Azul" - Sigue el viaje de la Dra. Sylvia Earle, bióloga marina, oceanógrafa y ecologista, en su lucha por la creación de santuarios marinos. 
  • "David Attenborough: Una vida en nuestro planeta" - Attenborough expone lo que ha observado del impacto de la humanidad en el planeta a lo largo de su prolífica carrera, y detalla soluciones a estos problemas. 
  • "Chasing Coral" - Científicos y buceadores se embarcan en un viaje para descubrir por qué están muriendo los arrecifes de coral. 

Documentales sobre las pequeñas maravillas del mundo: 

  • "Bailando con los pájaros" - Las aves del paraíso muestran sus movimientos de cortejo más impresionantes en un colorido despliegue de plumas. 
  • "Fantastic Fungi" - Una visión visualmente impresionante de cómo los hongos pueden curar y mantener la vida en la Tierra, narrada por Brie Larson. 
  • "My Octopus Teacher" - Sigue el singular vínculo entre el submarinista Craig Foster y una curiosa cría de pulpo a lo largo de meses de visitas a su madriguera. 
  • "La vida en colores con David Attenborough": una serie de tres capítulos que muestra los cautivadores colores que utilizan los animales para sobrevivir y prosperar. 
  • "Animal" (2022) - Una docuserie que sigue a las criaturas de la Tierra en sus hábitats naturales, narrada por invitados famosos como Pedro Pascal y Rebel Wilson.   

Películas sobre el apocalipsis:

  • "2012" - Durante una serie de catastróficas catástrofes naturales, un hombre y su familia huyen a la seguridad de una flota secreta de arcas del gobierno destinada a salvar a la élite.
  • "El día de mañana" - Un climatólogo intenta encontrar a su hijo y a su amigo mientras una supertormenta global asola el mundo. 

Películas sobre vivir después del apocalipsis:

  • "El día que la Tierra se detuvo" (2008) - Un alienígena y su homólogo robot son enviados a la Tierra para decidir si la humanidad es digna de vivir en el planeta. 
  • "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015) - En un mundo donde el agua y la gasolina escasean, un guerrero libera a las cinco esposas de un caudillo tiránico y forma equipo con otra antigua cautiva para llevarlas a la libertad. 
  • "Snowpiercer" (2013) - Durante una edad de hielo provocada por el hombre, los últimos restos de la humanidad viven en un tren organizado por clases sociales, donde los más ricos viven en el lujo y los más pobres en la miseria bajo vigilancia armada. 
  • "Io" - La atmósfera de la Tierra es tóxica, y la mayoría de la gente vive ahora en una estación espacial cerca de una de las lunas de Júpiter, pero un científico que se quedó atrás espera limpiar el aire y hacer que la Tierra vuelva a ser habitable. 

Películas sobre la codicia empresarial, las malas intenciones y la Tierra:

  • "Avatar" (2009) - En una luna alienígena, un marine encargado de infiltrarse entre la población indígena para descubrir sus recursos explotables debe cuestionarse si está luchando en el bando correcto.  
  • "Okja" - Una joven debe embarcarse en una misión para salvar a su mejor amiga, una supercerda modificada genéticamente, que fue embargada por la empresa que la creó para impulsar la industria alimentaria. 
  • "Kingsman: El servicio secreto" - Un nuevo recluta de una organización secreta de espionaje debe impedir que un multimillonario ponga en marcha su complot para acabar con el cambio climático matando a todos los habitantes del planeta que considera indignos.  

Películas de animación sobre cómo salvar el planeta: 

  • "Wall-E" - Un solitario robot de asignación de residuos que vive solo en la Tierra se enamora de una sonda enviada por los humanos que viven en el espacio, que le conduce a la aventura de su vida. 
  • "El Lorax" - Tras toparse con un desconocido mientras buscaba un arbolito, objeto de los deseos de su enamorado, un niño escucha su historia sobre la codicia que destruyó la naturaleza. 
  • "FernGully: La última selva tropical" - Cuando la deforestación humana y los que prosperan en ella amenazan la tierra natal de un hada, ella y su amigo humano deben trabajar juntos para detenerlos.

 

The sea of sexualities: Western’s 25th drag show

Entertainment Editor reviews the 25th annual drag show

Camille Lenning | Editor de entretenimiento

Póngase en contacto con el autor en howlentertainment@wou.edu 

April 2022 brought Western’s 25th annual drag show, “Down Where It’s Wetter,” a nonstop celebration of all Queer identities. The Triangle Alliance sponsored show explored sexuality and relationships through the stories of multiple characters finding and accepting themselves under the sea.

Narrated by the aptly named “Rainbow Fish,” the performance was far more story-oriented than the average drag show. It followed our main character, a human named Quinn, who knows she isn’t straight but doesn’t know what her label is. She is approached by lesbian mermaid princess Leah, who offers to help guide Quinn on her journey of self exploration by turning her into a mermaid. 

This transformation was marked with the iconic “H2O” theme song “No Ordinary Girl” by Indiana Evans — which was not only a fitting choice for such an event but also enjoyable for those who grew up with the show, like myself. 

Honestly, all the music choices were fantastic. Songs ranged from “Call Me Mother” by RuPaul to “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse, covering a wide array of genres and all choreographed to perfection. 

One thing I didn’t expect from this drag show was to be brought to tears by the story of a polyamorous relationship who’s third partner has to be kept a secret. 

Trey, a shark, is in a polyamorous relationship with mermaid Kai and jellyfish Noni, but can’t tell anyone because they’re afraid of judgment. In a dance choreographed to Harry Styles’ “Falling,” Trey pines after the two as they are forced to ignore him in public. I was a mess throughout the whole song. 

The story made a point to acknowledge the many gender expressions, relationships and sexualities out there, with special emphasis on the validity of polyamorous relationships and Queer, aromantic and genderfluid individuals. 

Throughout the show, the energy in the room was immaculate — I’ve never heard an audience scream so loudly. The performers gave it their all, and I left Rice Auditorium with a scratchy voice and ringing ears.

This was my first drag show, so I walked in not knowing what to expect, and I was blown away by the effort that was so clearly put into this performance. Altogether, it’s clear the 25th annual drag show was a resounding success. 9.5/10. 

Debut de estudiantes de dirección

Vuelve el festival Student Directed One Acts para el programa de teatro de Western

Camille Lenning | Editor de entretenimiento

Póngase en contacto con el autor en howlentertainment@wou.edu 

El Student Directed One Acts Festival vuelve del 14 al 16 de abril y mostrará los talentos de dirección del programa de teatro de Western. La amplia gama de géneros que se exhiben este año es un testimonio de la creatividad de estos siete estudiantes directores y actores. 

El jueves por la noche dará comienzo el festival de un solo acto, en el que se estrenarán cuatro de las siete obras de los estudiantes.

La estudiante de teatro Grace Porter es una de las que estrenarán sus obras la noche del estreno. "Hiding in Flowers", escrita por el dramaturgo Roni Ragone, contará con un personaje femenino y otro no binario, y la representación se centra en su relación cuando "un personaje sale del armario, pero no como uno pensaría", dijo Porter. 

Otra de las obras del jueves es "Rough Edge", de Sara Jean Accuardi, dirigida por Braden Pippert, estudiante de último curso de educación y teatro. Ambientada en 1994 en el centro comercial Clackamas Town Center, meses después del escándalo de Tonya Harding, dos empleados de una tienda de yogur helado hablan del infame crimen. 

"Me entusiasma mostrar lo que (el reparto) ha hecho y lo que yo he montado", dijo Pippert sobre el espectáculo. 

Wyatt R. King, estudiante de segundo curso de teatro, se unirá a Porter y Pippert el jueves por la noche, con la obra de Julia Specht, "Creo en una República en la que el dinero tiene mucho que decir". Este espectáculo es una sátira de la clase económica en Estados Unidos.

"Existe la idea de salir adelante con las botas puestas, y esta obra se burla de esta idea porque se supone que gente que ni siquiera tiene botas debe salir adelante con las botas puestas", afirma King.

El jueves también se estrena la obra de Pendleton King, titulada "Cocaína" y dirigida por Andrés Ávila, estudiante de último curso de teatro. La trama se centra en dos personajes, un ex boxeador y una prostituta, que se enfrentan a la pobreza, el síndrome de abstinencia y la amenaza de quedarse sin hogar. 

La función del viernes por la noche estará protagonizada por los tres estudiantes restantes, entre ellos Ally Warner, estudiante de segundo curso de pedagogía teatral, que dirigirá "Overtones", de la dramaturga Alice Gerstenberg. En esta obra, dos gentiles mujeres deben moderar sus agresivos alter-egos, o pensamientos internos en forma física, mientras interactúan entre sí. 

También el viernes, la estudiante de educación teatral Mere Butler dirige "Novia antes de la caída", de Robert Scott. Esta obra de humor negro se centra en Victor y su amante Madelyn, que intentan matar a la rica esposa de Victor para hacerse con su fortuna. Por desgracia, ella parece ser imposible de matar. 

Sarah Pitz, estudiante de último curso de formación actoral, dirigirá la obra de su compañera Sara Wright, "Woman Slay". La obra, una versión cómica del tropo de la "protagonista femenina fuerte", presentará a una heroína despistada y a un narrador cada vez más frustrado.  

Los unipersonales del jueves tendrán una segunda ronda de representaciones el sábado 16 de abril a las 19.30 horas, y los espectáculos del viernes tendrán la suya el mismo día a las 14.00 horas en el Rice Auditorium, sala 113. Las entradas son gratuitas. 

 

Vibrantes identidades negras en el arte

Una exposición sobre las identidades negras a través de diversos materiales

Camille Lenning | Editor de entretenimiento

Póngase en contacto con el autor en howlentertainment@wou.edu 

Los colores de la primavera han bañado lentamente el campus y, en respuesta, la Galería de Arte Cannon ha estrenado una vibrante exposición, "gracias, materiales negros". Las obras expuestas, comisariadas por el galardonado artista de Portland Intisar Abioto, presentan a seis artistas de Oregón que expresan la experiencia negra a través de sus medios. 

Abioto se inspiró para esta exposición en su investigación sobre la cultura artística negra en Oregón. Esta investigación le permitió interactuar con artistas negros mayores y apreciar su resistencia, ingenio y los materiales que utilizaban en sus obras. 

Aunque la mayor parte de su trabajo se ha centrado en estos artistas mayores y su impacto, "Gracias, materiales negros" presenta a conmovedores creadores modernos con conexiones con la propia Abioto. 

"Con esta exposición decidí centrarme en artistas que admiraba y que, aunque no hicieran lo mismo, me parecían afines en su enfoque", explica Abioto sobre su decisión de incluir a artistas contemporáneos. "Creo que hacen cosas muy interesantes. Además, era la exposición que más me apetecía ver". 

La selección de Abioto para esta exposición incluye retratos acrílicos, cerámicas, grabados y performances de los artistas Jeremy Okai Davis, Nikesha Breeze, Ni Abioto, Rob Lewis, Ebin Lee y sidony o'neal. 

"Creo que son pensadores vibrantes", dijo Abioto. "Espero que (los espectadores) puedan acercarse con curiosidad y sean capaces de percibir algo de verdadera relevancia para ellos". 

La exposición "Gracias, materiales negros" estará abierta en la Galería Cannon hasta el 6 de mayo. Visítala entre las 8.00 y las 17.00 horas para conocer de primera mano estas obras.