2008 Woodie Awards
The Radical Jasper Takes on Good Bush, Bad Bush, and a Bad Wrap from MC
Brian O'Connor
Issue date: 11/17/04 Section: News
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The Radical Jasper "zine" became a common sight on cafeteria tables and chided some administrators this past semester. Threatened with the termination of their publication and possible expulsion, the Radical Jasper Collective confronted claims of indecency through disobedience, garnering the support of sympathetic staff members and students hoping to secure an environment of free speech on campus, if not one that is also politically charged.
After noticing ambivalence toward politics at Manhattan, Junior David Segal and a few friends created the first and only zine on campus. With pockets and minds consumed with change, the group began to write, design, and publish a magazine centered on issues that plague both the campus community, and the country. The Radical Jasper is a collection of Xeroxed articles, pictures, and cartoons and turned into a booklet, a small publication that has caused a big controversy.
"Every month it is dedicated to a particular issue. We had one on political dissent, and then we had one on the election. We have one coming up on the end of this month on the issue of gender. It represents the radical political view of topics that aren't usually discussed," said Segal.
Disappointed by Manhattan's lack of political discussion, Segal saw this year's election and the Republican National Convention as events capable of making students interested in the political agenda of their country. After he and a friend were arrested at the Republican Convention last August, Segal felt especially driven to engage fellow Jaspers in political discussion.
The zine became a ubiquitous part of the dining experience in Locke's Loft, as copies appeared on nearly every table in the cafeteria. As readership flourished, the administration began receiving complaints over profanity and other objectionable parts of the zine. In the latest issue, President George W. Bush is juxtaposed with female genitalia, with the caption "Good Bush, Bad Bush," causing some to complain to the Dean of Students, Joe Pirello. After receiving complaints over the vocabulary and images in the Radical Jasper, Segal met with Pirello to discuss the publication.
After noticing ambivalence toward politics at Manhattan, Junior David Segal and a few friends created the first and only zine on campus. With pockets and minds consumed with change, the group began to write, design, and publish a magazine centered on issues that plague both the campus community, and the country. The Radical Jasper is a collection of Xeroxed articles, pictures, and cartoons and turned into a booklet, a small publication that has caused a big controversy.
"Every month it is dedicated to a particular issue. We had one on political dissent, and then we had one on the election. We have one coming up on the end of this month on the issue of gender. It represents the radical political view of topics that aren't usually discussed," said Segal.
Disappointed by Manhattan's lack of political discussion, Segal saw this year's election and the Republican National Convention as events capable of making students interested in the political agenda of their country. After he and a friend were arrested at the Republican Convention last August, Segal felt especially driven to engage fellow Jaspers in political discussion.
The zine became a ubiquitous part of the dining experience in Locke's Loft, as copies appeared on nearly every table in the cafeteria. As readership flourished, the administration began receiving complaints over profanity and other objectionable parts of the zine. In the latest issue, President George W. Bush is juxtaposed with female genitalia, with the caption "Good Bush, Bad Bush," causing some to complain to the Dean of Students, Joe Pirello. After receiving complaints over the vocabulary and images in the Radical Jasper, Segal met with Pirello to discuss the publication.