The Scripps Voice

By Nikki Broderick ‘14
Staff Writer

Once again, U.S. media and television have done what they do best: further convinced themselves and the United States that news only matters when it relates to us. Major news outlets jumped on covering the shocking magnitude 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that rocked Japan on Friday, March 11—the night of Thursday, March 10 in the United States—and caused thousands of deaths, injuries, and many more displaced citizens whose homes were destroyed.

The media simply could not resist the opportunity to look at these natural disasters through a U.S. centric lens. Half my search results for “tsunami 3/11/11” into Google news garnered not news detailing the devastation in Japan, but articles reassuring me that the tsunami wouldn’t reach the Pacific coast of the United States.

Within days, major news corporations sent correspondents into the desolation that was Japan hit by such a cruel natural disaster. News anchors asked their field reporters what was happening on the ground and greatly sympathized with the Japanese people and their undeserved plight. But U.S. anchors just couldn’t get through a segment without noting how the United States would have fared in such a situation.

Following the coverage of the resulting circumstances of Hawaii’s tsunami, comforting Americans that those in Hawaii would not face the tragic consequences that had been feared, the media focused on the nuclear power panic in Japan. How did they focus on it, though? By investigating all nuclear power plants in earthquake danger regions in the United States—such as those along the Andreas Fault in Southern and Central California. Yes, the media gave attention to the nuclear power

plants in Japan and even brought in experts in the field for panel discussions. But these discussions always ended in addressing possible ramifications for nuclear power plants in the United States.

Around the globe, other news organizations also covered the disasters in Japan. In particular,

I watched BBC America’s coverage—and not once was the United Kingdom’s safety or wellbeing mentioned. True, the United Kingdom isn’t in a danger area for earthquakes and the ripple of the tsunami in Japan had no chance of affecting Britain. However, plenty of other factors—such as connections to the Japanese economy, nuclear power and a historically amicable British-Japanese relation (with the exception of World War II)—could have shaped coverage such that Japan was sidelined in its own tragedy. And yet, these factors did not come to the forefront in reporting.

Why is it that just the United States perpetuates the notion that only news with a U.S. agenda will be relevant to its audience? I too am guilty of such self-centered thinking. My parents live only a mile from the beach in Los Angeles, and when I heard about the earthquake on the news and its potential to hit the California coast I immediately switched my news search to what could happen if it came close to us.

Perhaps it’s human nature to only empathize with a tragedy by placing yourself in that situation, to imagine yourself suffering from similar dire devastation. But should the media perpetuate this selfishness? The purpose of news journalism is to report facts accurately and without bias, not have a selfish agenda. It is part of the cultural preconceptions of U.S. citizens that we are the world’s largest player. And this assumption skews, and subsequently undermines, our coverage of events that don’t take place in the United States… ultimately forcing partiality upon the newscasters and their audience.

By Anna Pickrell ’14
Sports & Activities Editor

To show support for the victims of Japan’s recent natural disasters, 30 Claremont students from across the 5C’s got together to create a flash mob flag in the design of the Japanese flag. The event was photographed and the image will be printed onto postcards signed by 5C community members and sent to schools, hospitals, shelters and orphanages in Japan.

The event, organized by Ching Tung (CMC ’12), was under-attended when compared to the predicted turnout. The event, broadcast solely through a Facebook event on what may be considered a last minute schedule, suffered in attendance in large part due to the minimal amount of advertising made accessible in advance, coupled with the unreliable nature of responses garnered through that medium.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANNA PICKRELL

The majority of the Facebook event’s 204 confirmed attendees did not, apparently, feel bound by their virtual promises to attend the awareness-raising flash mob.

This lack of commitment speaks more to the nature of a Facebook confirmation than to students’ actual commitment to the cause. Nevertheless, organizers were disappointed to have tens rather than hundreds of participants. More participants would have made a much more vibrant flag. Had more students participated in this token act of solidarity with Japan, Claremont students may have been able to boast membership in a community which banded together to demonstrate solidarity for a worthy humanitarian cause given much lip service but little action.

Though the event’s poor attendance was disappointing, the lack of bodies at the flash mob human flag of Japan was compensated for by the energy of those dedicated enough to show. Clad in red and white shirts and spirited with an excitement to come together for Japan, participants were able to churn out a promising photograph for the project. The human flag of Japan will serve, in postcard form, as a token of community support throughout the rest of the semester. But individual members of that flag will also benefit from the knowledge that they made the initial steps in a project to make an impact, however minor, in the face of the immense tragedy faced by the victims in Japan.

Stay posted! We’ll be updating voice with more information on the flash mob flag’s postcard project as it develops.

Though its poor attendance was disappointing, the lack of bodies at the flash mob human flag of Japan was compensated for by the energy of those dedicated enough to show. Clad in red and white shirts and spirited with an excitement to come together for Japan, participants were able to churn out a promising photograph for the project. The human flag of Japan will serve, in postcard form, as a token of community support throughout the rest of the semester. But individual members of that flag will also benefit from the knowledge that they made the initial steps in a project to make an impact, however minor, in the face of the immense tragedy faced by the victims in Japan.

Stay posted! We’ll be updating voice with more information on the flash mob flag’s postcard project as it develops.

By Lauren Prince ’14
News Editor

The Claremont Colleges Benefit Concert on April 3 in Garrison Theater raised money for students and families in Sendai, Japan. The money donated from the roughly 150 students, faculty and community members in attendance will go to the Victim’s Compensation Funds to be used for long-term rebuilding rather than immediate relief.

The Departments of Music and Dance of all five colleges organized a two-and-a-half- hour concert showcasing the talents of students, faculty and staff. The group collaborative effort provided the  opportunity for the colleges to act as a international community – to come together in the support of those in Sendai, Japan, and to “offer the best of what we do” said Hao Huang, Professor of Music at Scripps and one of the organizers of the event. Scripps’s students represented the majority of music and dance performances.

The Claremont Psyko Taiko group opened the concert and “played with such power, setting the mood and tempo for the whole concert,” said Psyko Taiko member SU Anne Lee (‘14). The performance marked the first time this group has played for such a large audience.

A duet was performed by Hao Huang and his wife—on piano and violin, respectively—which Psyko Taiko member Ishani Deo (’14) lauded for its emotional resonance. Said Deo, “[in addition to] the technical scale on display, it seemed they both put a lot of thought in how there were going to perform. They played something that had a lot of feeling to it. Rather than showcasing just their technical abilities, they chose something about their feelings about what is going on.”

Of the concert as a whole, Lee said, “Everyone sang with such passion and strength. The music just came through.” The power of the occasion resonated not just with its performers; its emotions translated into the audience as well. The benefit concert showcased not only support for Japan, but also the talent, dedication and hard work of people who walk around the 5C’s on a daily basis.

By Alexandra Talleur ’12
Staff Writer

On April 3, compassion for the victims of the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami reverberated around the Claremont Colleges. Beginning in the afternoon, choral groups and student musicians performed to honor those who lost their lives and those who are struggling to recover from the devastating natural disaster. These performances culminated in the Benefit Concert for Japan, held Sunday from 8 – 11:15 p.m. in Garrison Theater.

The multi-media event began with speeches by the Japanese Language Coordinator and faculty from the music department at Scripps. The heartfelt speeches were met with applause and were followed by beautiful song and dance renditions by students and faculty from all five campuses. All evoked feelings of loss, compassion and hope for the mental and physical recovery of the affected Japanese people.

Roughly $3,000 was raised in donations at the event, an impressive sum considering the fact that no admission was charged. Student volunteers walked through the crowd collecting donations, and baskets were passed throughout the audience.

In addition to these opportunities for audience members to donate in the theater, baked goods and Japanese treats were sold in the lobby. Proceeds from these sales are also being donated. The money is going to the Miyagi Prefecture, a jurisdiction which was at the epicenter of the earthquake in Japan.

Molly Serizawa (’13) has been an active participant in the Claremont community’s effort to aid victims of the disaster. With friends and family living in Japan, she felt a personal connection with those affected and an obligation to help. Serizawa volunteered at the event on Sunday.  “It was really overwhelming how many people donated,” she said. “Not just students, but people in the community [as well].”

The audience at Garrison on Sunday night reflected not just the campus-wide hope of student activists, but a community-wide humanitarian effort. Graduate students, students from outside of Claremont and residents of Claremont all attended and donated to show their support. They were rewarded by spectacular performances

Student musicians provided accompaniment for a performance of a hope-stirring song, led by Sai Upadhyayula

(PZ ‘11), in which the audience was asked to participate. The song’s title, “Ue Wo Muite Arukou,” translates roughly to “looking up at the sky and walking forward.”

Professor of Japanese Kyoko Kurita joined Scripps faculty in planning the event. The entire Japanese department at Pomona has been an invaluable resource in the relief effort. In addition to Sunday’s events, a Paper Crane folding event was held on April 3 and 6. Students made close to 500 paper cranes in a gesture of care and support. All of the paper cranes will be sent to Japan.

More opportunities to show support for victims of the tragedy are sure to arise. This Saturday is the International Festival at the I-Center at CMC. Though this event is held every year, this year there will be a focus on Japan and its victims, and donations will be collected.

To give support for relief efforts, whether monetarily or symbolically, add “Claremont Colleges for Japan” on Facebook.