Courtney Sackey

More by Courtney Sackey

Countdown to the Election, Part 1: An Interview with the Haverford College Republicans

10/11/2012

HerCampus talks to Haverford College Republicans!
With Election Day approaching fast, it’s crucial to understand the issues that America currently faces, and to weigh the pros and cons of each side (Democrats and Republicans)in order to make a decision about the best candidate . I spoke to a Republican, David Block, about his club’s role on campus and the vision that he has for the USA in the next four years.

How did the Republican club get started?
The club was originally active between 2003 to 2006 under the leadership of Doug Genna, Greg Reed, and Adam Stover. After nearly 6 years of being inactive, I, along with Matt Seskin, Henry Millson, and John Schipper, felt that given the importance of this year’s election, it was crucial to make our voices heard on campus. Zach Werrell, the Vice President, has also been critical in organizing the club. We all felt it necessary to create a safe and friendly environment on campus to discuss conservative principles and voice our opinions amongst like minded individuals. After 3 years of having little outlet for discussion, we all felt compelled to ensure that [that] type of environment did not exist for the younger conservatives on campus.
As the majority of Haverford students are liberal, what kind of reception has the club received on campus?
We have received nothing but positive and enthusiastic feedback from the student body, the faculty, and even the Young Democrats. Nora and Lee have been fun “opposition leaders” to get to know, and I think both sides are extremely excited about our upcoming debate. One of our main goals as a club was to voice an ideology that is decidedly in the minority ( and often forgotten) on campus, and we feel that the campus is excited to have that alternative voice.

Students Fight to End the Discrimination of Undocumented Americans

3/28/2012

Edward Menefee is the co-founder of Vamos Together (an organization that fights against discrimination in the South based on citizenship and HIV status). In addition, he is the proud boyfriend and supporter of Bryn Mawr Student Jessica Hyejin Lee, who bravely announced her undocumented status, alongside UPenn student Tania Chairez, in front of the Philadelphia Immigration and Enforcement Field office.  This act of "civil disobedience" was done to protest the violent injustice that undocumented Americans have to endure in private and alone in fear of being deported.  It was also done in support of Miguel Garcia, who is undocumented and has been held in a jail cell for months although his fiancé Jessica Love is expecting their second child.  Finally it was done to show other undocumented Americans that they do not have to be afraid, nor should they remain quiet and be forced to rely on documented Americans to fight for their human rights.  This year Jessica and Edward have worked with Haverford to extend its need blind policy towards undocumented students and are launching the Students for Undocumented Dreams and Decision Equity Now Movement.
 

Who are the co founders of VamosTogether? What inspired you guys to start it?

The Attic Stairs

3/1/2012

Band Members. Dan Wriggins '14, Charlie Birkel '14, Evangeline Krajewski '14, Martin Richard '14, Aliza Resnick '13
Be sure to check out their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theatticstairs

 

How'd you come up with your name?  

 

Dan: We were trying to think of a band name and I was reading a book of Ezra Pound poems and I found something that had attic in it and I was like, “This says attic,” and Charlie was like, “We should become The Attic Stairs!”  So it's the lamest story ever.  

 

What inspires you to write your songs?

 

Dan: They all start in different ways.  They can start with lyrics, or they can start with music or ideas or something.  This one (Fire on the Lawn) I wrote while I was in the Bahamas, which doesn't make much sense because it's a sad song.  My brother Adam was in this school there. I wrote it on a ukulele, so it's just a ukulele song.  This song is trying to sound paranoid, but hopeful because “he won't let it get him down.”  

 

Speak About It, "Because Getting Consent is Sexy"

2/23/2012


       What started three years ago as an orientation program addressing sexual assault awareness and prevention at Bowdoin college, is now a show that has been performed on many campuses across New England. Speak About It is a combination of skits and monologues performed by five trained sexual assault peer mediators.  The show is a compilation of true stories portraying every possible personal experience you can think of and some you'd never. 
        I was intrigued by the story of a bisexual guy “choosing” to be straight.  Despite his occasional attraction to other men, he wanted to continue being an all-American red blooded male and not be judged by his sexual attraction.  It wasn't about covering up, but about choosing his own identity rather than letting others force him into a box.  I was more than a little bothered by the portion of the show that focused on rape.  It wasn't because of the statistics (at least one out every four women will be the victim of sexual assault during her college career), but it was about the interpretation of what rape is, which I felt was way too loose.  Is it rape if you drink all night and then wake up naked in your bed next to a guy that you hardly know with no memory of what preceded the night before?  Or is it just a mistake? How can it be rape if you did not physically or verbally express your desire not to have sex to the person with whom you are in a sexual relationship?