
Trump Fan Among Us
Interview w/Mr. Migliaro
By Dante Fraser
Dante: How do you feel about America?
Mr. Migliaro: It’s the greatest place on earth.
Dante: Do you like the direction in which America is going in?
Mr. Migliaro: No.
Dante: Who did you vote for 2012? And why?
Mr. Migliaro: I voted for Barack Obama in 2012 because I felt as though his message was about change and hope; he was a different candidate.
Dante: Who are you planning on voting for in 2016?
Mr. Migliaro: I’m planning on voting for Donald Trump because I feel as though he has a very different approach to gaining the American people’s confidence. He can also get the economy back in shape being he is a businessman and if everyone is working then the economy will get better because the more money people make the more they spend and then that generates more money for the economy.
Dante: What stands out about Donald Trump to you?
Mr. Migliaro: He doesn’t take any nonsense from people; he is also a natural leader and his policies are simple and easy to understand.
Dante: What’s wrong with the economy in your opinion?
Mr. Migliaro: Immigration is out of control…I understand immigration because I’m a grandson of Italian immigrants. Also, with all the free stuff and entitlements the economy is going bankrupt, we are putting way too much out but not getting a lot back in.
Dante: What do you think are some of the downfalls of Donald Trump as a candidate?
Mr. Migliaro: He doesn’t really have any downfalls to me; he gets attacked constantly which makes him have to defend himself instead of speaking on his policies and, unfortunately, being he is such a great media figure, the establishment turns his entire presidential race into a show/production.
Interview w/Mr. Migliaro
By Dante Fraser
Dante: How do you feel about America?
Mr. Migliaro: It’s the greatest place on earth.
Dante: Do you like the direction in which America is going in?
Mr. Migliaro: No.
Dante: Who did you vote for 2012? And why?
Mr. Migliaro: I voted for Barack Obama in 2012 because I felt as though his message was about change and hope; he was a different candidate.
Dante: Who are you planning on voting for in 2016?
Mr. Migliaro: I’m planning on voting for Donald Trump because I feel as though he has a very different approach to gaining the American people’s confidence. He can also get the economy back in shape being he is a businessman and if everyone is working then the economy will get better because the more money people make the more they spend and then that generates more money for the economy.
Dante: What stands out about Donald Trump to you?
Mr. Migliaro: He doesn’t take any nonsense from people; he is also a natural leader and his policies are simple and easy to understand.
Dante: What’s wrong with the economy in your opinion?
Mr. Migliaro: Immigration is out of control…I understand immigration because I’m a grandson of Italian immigrants. Also, with all the free stuff and entitlements the economy is going bankrupt, we are putting way too much out but not getting a lot back in.
Dante: What do you think are some of the downfalls of Donald Trump as a candidate?
Mr. Migliaro: He doesn’t really have any downfalls to me; he gets attacked constantly which makes him have to defend himself instead of speaking on his policies and, unfortunately, being he is such a great media figure, the establishment turns his entire presidential race into a show/production.
Stereotypes in the Media
By Radiant Holly (6/14/14)
The media plays a huge role in the modern world today, because it helps broadcast information and entertainment to help us make judgments about society. Nowadays, the media mostly uses stereotypes for entertainment and the public doesn’t really address these stereotypes, because we are so immune to them that we think it’s okay to be talked about badly if it's done in a joking way.
These stereotypes on TV give children the wrong impression about the world around them. Is it really okay to laugh at the offensive stereotypes on Family Guy? And when a commercial advertising a children’s toy has a Caucasian child playing with a Caucasian doll and an African-American child playing with an African American doll, what is the message? The commercial perpetuates the race stereotype.
By Radiant Holly (6/14/14)
The media plays a huge role in the modern world today, because it helps broadcast information and entertainment to help us make judgments about society. Nowadays, the media mostly uses stereotypes for entertainment and the public doesn’t really address these stereotypes, because we are so immune to them that we think it’s okay to be talked about badly if it's done in a joking way.
These stereotypes on TV give children the wrong impression about the world around them. Is it really okay to laugh at the offensive stereotypes on Family Guy? And when a commercial advertising a children’s toy has a Caucasian child playing with a Caucasian doll and an African-American child playing with an African American doll, what is the message? The commercial perpetuates the race stereotype.
A Modest Proposal: A Non-Feminist Industry?
By Radiant Holly (6/12/14)
In a society that is very is very pro separation of gender, fashion industries have a knack for reinforcing the separation. American Apparel (AA) is known for its vintage-style clothing and it's revealing women's clothing. They have a reputation for having sweatshop-free work environments, and carry basics like t-shirts, stylish crop tops, sweatshirts, etc.
Recently, the company has taken a complete turn from their mundane basics to NSFW (if you’re not familiar with NSFW, it means Not Safe for Work). The T-shirts that AA has been advertising are the Period Power Wash Tee and the Wet Tee Power Washed Tee. The t-shirts are extremely graphic. Artist Petra Collins created the tee with the menstruating vagina (“The Ardorous") as an “all-female online art platform” which would be sold at various AA stores around the world for $32 dollars.
The message behind this tee is very feminist and I agree with showing the sides of women that people tend to look down upon. But, I disagree with selling this type of clothing in stores where they also sell young children's clothes. It’s inappropriate and if these tees are on display, that would be rude. Maybe I’m just being judgmental, but AA always seems to surprise me.
By Radiant Holly (6/12/14)
In a society that is very is very pro separation of gender, fashion industries have a knack for reinforcing the separation. American Apparel (AA) is known for its vintage-style clothing and it's revealing women's clothing. They have a reputation for having sweatshop-free work environments, and carry basics like t-shirts, stylish crop tops, sweatshirts, etc.
Recently, the company has taken a complete turn from their mundane basics to NSFW (if you’re not familiar with NSFW, it means Not Safe for Work). The T-shirts that AA has been advertising are the Period Power Wash Tee and the Wet Tee Power Washed Tee. The t-shirts are extremely graphic. Artist Petra Collins created the tee with the menstruating vagina (“The Ardorous") as an “all-female online art platform” which would be sold at various AA stores around the world for $32 dollars.
The message behind this tee is very feminist and I agree with showing the sides of women that people tend to look down upon. But, I disagree with selling this type of clothing in stores where they also sell young children's clothes. It’s inappropriate and if these tees are on display, that would be rude. Maybe I’m just being judgmental, but AA always seems to surprise me.
Farewell Seniors and Congratulations on Graduating
By Alicia Avitable (6/12/14)
This is a farewell for the graduating class of 2014. We should all be proud of the diligence and effort we put into making high school a memorable four years. It takes faith, passion, dedication, courage, happiness, and self-worth to become a better version of ourselves. We strive for excellence, not as a set of skills, but as an attitude we choose to use as we carry on to the next chapter in our young, beautiful lives.
Co-op is full of born artists, just waiting to get a real shot in the world. Four years of high school was just a warm up for the real thing, but it has taught us so much about believing in our intelligence, in ourselves, and in each other. We came together and grew as a family. As we depart from high school, I hope everybody has a safe and fulfilling destination.
Although we are graduating on June 23rd, it doesn’t mean we can’t reunite over the summer. We owe it to ourselves to have one last, amazing, fun summer before we go our separate ways to a new start with unfamiliar faces in unfamiliar places.
Every guy and gal looked absolutely stunning at prom. I hope everybody had a fabulous time, as it was one of the last events we were all able to share--eating, dancing, socializing…not to mention the announcement of our Prom Queen, Elly Nuy and our Prom King, Ernest Stuart.; congratulations to the both of you! Our senior trip to Brownstone is THE last time we will all be together and I am super excited to go cliff jumping, zip-lining, canoeing, and much more! Let’s hope it turns out to be a beautiful day in terms of weather.
In conclusion, we made families within our arts but even greater than that, within our entire graduating class. It has been a pleasure to cry and laugh and smile with my friends. It has truly been a journey that I am happy to have been part of. Let’s raise our glasses to the future!
By Alicia Avitable (6/12/14)
This is a farewell for the graduating class of 2014. We should all be proud of the diligence and effort we put into making high school a memorable four years. It takes faith, passion, dedication, courage, happiness, and self-worth to become a better version of ourselves. We strive for excellence, not as a set of skills, but as an attitude we choose to use as we carry on to the next chapter in our young, beautiful lives.
Co-op is full of born artists, just waiting to get a real shot in the world. Four years of high school was just a warm up for the real thing, but it has taught us so much about believing in our intelligence, in ourselves, and in each other. We came together and grew as a family. As we depart from high school, I hope everybody has a safe and fulfilling destination.
Although we are graduating on June 23rd, it doesn’t mean we can’t reunite over the summer. We owe it to ourselves to have one last, amazing, fun summer before we go our separate ways to a new start with unfamiliar faces in unfamiliar places.
Every guy and gal looked absolutely stunning at prom. I hope everybody had a fabulous time, as it was one of the last events we were all able to share--eating, dancing, socializing…not to mention the announcement of our Prom Queen, Elly Nuy and our Prom King, Ernest Stuart.; congratulations to the both of you! Our senior trip to Brownstone is THE last time we will all be together and I am super excited to go cliff jumping, zip-lining, canoeing, and much more! Let’s hope it turns out to be a beautiful day in terms of weather.
In conclusion, we made families within our arts but even greater than that, within our entire graduating class. It has been a pleasure to cry and laugh and smile with my friends. It has truly been a journey that I am happy to have been part of. Let’s raise our glasses to the future!
A Few Words From the Introverts Among Us
Dear (Extroverted) People, (6/9/14)
I would like to ask you very nicely not to ask "Why are you so quiet?" or to say "You never talk". Most importantly, I would like to ask you not to then proceed to attempt to force me into participation. I already know that I am quiet, and it only makes it worse when you point it out. I simply am not like you; that doesn't mean there is something wrong with me. You should also know that since I'm quiet, I tend to notice a lot of things, including things about you. I will remember your name long after you have skipped over and forgotten mine. You will overlook me; you already have. You will forget that I am in your class and very often, you have stated so. Well. That doesn't make me feel very good, but it won't change the fact that I am quiet. By telling me I don't talk enough and that I should open up and participate more, you will only be pushing me even further into my shell of silence. I would like to ask you to consider that there is absolutely nothing wrong with someone who behaves and perceives things differently than you. It is exhausting trying to be something I am not in a place, like school, that demands I be extroverted to succeed. It is hard enough participating in class for a grade, let alone having to be something I'm not to be well-liked. Don't ask someone quiet to talk more; it won't work anymore than asking you to talk less. You can think of our silence more as a way of conserving energy and not wasting time talking to people who act like they don't care anyway. Sincerely, An Introvert |
By Anonymous (6/9/14)
Being in a room full of people who generally don't vocalize their thoughts as often as others seemed to draw out the introvert in me. I mean, I was already aware that I can shut myself off or on at will but generally if you're placed in that environment you start to become more self-aware and focused than usual: the perks of being in a quiet room for once. I suppose this sounds like more of a reflection rather than advice but, the only thing I can bequeath to others is that being an introvert doesn't necessarily mean that you are less of an individual, because the way I see it it is a a way of life -- or rather a state of meditation. For those of you who actively shift between being an introvert and extrovert, I'd say that it's simply an alternative way of expressing yourself. By Anonymous They say Co-op is very diverse and accepting of everyone. But I've been shoved into walls while quite a few words were spat at me, just because I'm white and my best friend is black. And I've seen people get made fun of for being gay in this school. THIS school, an arts school that celebrates diversity and preaches the acceptance of everyone could not possibly be ridden with racism and prejudices, right? To those of you who bully, how is it that he color of someone's flesh or the gender of someone's love interest affects your life in such a way that you physically cannot prevent yourself from acting out with violence and venomous words? How artistic of you people, to narrow your views so much that looking through a straw would be impressive to you. |
By Anonymous (6/9/14)
Introverts are people who are typically shy and like to spend their time alone rather than with a crowd or a group of people. I'm an introvert. I like to be alone. I like to read and I like to take time to think. I feel as though introverts are a lot sadder than extroverts, because we have more time to ourselves to think; we're stuck inside our own heads so much of the time that it's kind of become all that we know and it's become routine. I'm basically always thinking about everything and anything that there is to be thought about. I over-think all the time. I invent problems out of minuscule things that probably aren't really there. I see danger in things that aren't dangerous, and I'm oblivious to actual danger. I find it hard to communicate my feelings in ways that aren't offensive. I keep to myself until I've had enough of bottling it all up. I hardly ever swear out loud, but in my head, that's the majority of the words floating around. I try to control every situation I'm in, and I know that I can't but I still try. And that kind of makes me sink further into the quicksand. I try to change people into what I want them to be. For a lot of people, I can't accept them for who they are. I complain about everything. I don't like talking out loud. I don't like when people are so loud that it actually hurts my ears. I love peace and quiet, but sometimes I just need noise. sometimes I just need concerts and festivals and screaming, and sometimes I just need a friend. Whenever I tell people things, I always feel like they'll never completely understand exactly what I'm trying to say, so I just give up for a few minutes, then get aggravated that no one is listening to me and I try explaining some more. Like I said, I don't like talking, but I still want to be heard. I'll say "Hey, I have a question." But I really don't have anything to say. I just wanted some kind of acknowledgment that I'm actually there. I love going to concerts and plays and listening to people read at performances, but those kinds of events send chills all throughout my body. They make me nervous and I feel like someone out there notices how nervous I am, even when I'm not the one on stage. I don't like when people talk too loud and I don't like when people interrupt me or other people. I find it extremely obnoxious. I don't like it when there is nothing to do because I know there is something to do; I just can't figure it out and that's what frustrates me. I get very attached to things: people, objects, animals, clothes. I care about everything. If there is something in my life that could possibly be cared about, I care about it. When I care about something, even if it's only for a minute, I'll never stop caring. And even if I say that I don't care, I really do. "Whatever" is a word that I use instead of saying, "All of you are wrong. You're stupid, you're ignorant, and you're wrong for thinking the way you think." I'm very honest and bold with the things I say, but I try to only say them when I'm asked. I'm bad at holding conversations and I'm bad at starting them, too. I never really noticed how different I am from other people until now. But maybe I'm really not all that different. Maybe someone else hates the smell of rain, and the smell of coffee, and the smell of perfume and cologne, and the smell of library books, and the smell of complete and utter bull as I do. Maybe someone's just like me in the sense that they honestly don't want to be heard because that means people will know them. |
About Introverts (By An Extrovert)
I have never been one to be quiet; I always try to speak up to communicate and get to know the people in my surroundings. [I recently] learned a lot about the “quiet” bunch in the school. I never understood why someone would want to be more independent and to themselves, but I came to realize it can actually better somebody. Some people find who they are through others; they learn by the way they act and speak to their surrounding people and they learn by the actions of others regarding what to do or what not to do. But introverts find who they are within themselves, which actually seems more deep and powerful. They find themselves as their own person in the world, and then invite others in. They create work ethics and behaviors; they become their own human. They learn their flaws and scars, as well as their beauty and strength; they know who they are inside and out. It amazes me because I never looked at myself in that sort of way. I was always an extrovert, and had to learn who I am through the way I reacted to others. Some moments I was too open, some too closed. Some words should have been said, and some shouldn’t have. I made my mistakes through friendships and relationship to really solve the puzzle of “who I am”. [Listening more to introverts] made me view a different side of life. I believe the hidden children are the ones who have trust within themselves more than depending on others. And that truly is a strong quality to have. |
Dear Person(s),
I bring forth a letter from my introvert world, i’d like to say that being an introvert is not half bad, you get to avoid drama, headaches, and dwell in your own realm, within your own universe which exist in your own mind. But we are misunderstood, and the stereotypes are incorrect, we like to socialize and converse with others outside the 4th wall, we wish to share our thoughts and have others pick from our brain, but only what we want to give. We are intelligent, creative, and philosophical people that just wish to keep to themselves, because outside our comfort zone is an apocalyptic warzone of strands and strands of noises that disturb us verbally,mentally, and physically. Now i’m not going to go on and on or create a manifesto, nor do i want to sound arrogant and cocky.
I just want to say that we introverts will open our doors when we are ready to, sometimes we leave them open a crack, its just that extroverts never seem to notice when we are inviting them in. My attitude does not justify how i feel, if i’m being mean, or rude, its because i don’t know how to interact and be a piece of the puzzle to fit in. We hide behind shells because we seek guidance into the extrovert world, but without changing ourselves in the process, we wish to stay the way we are.
A wise man had once said:
“ Find the richest soil, farthest from the river,
distant it from the desolate wastelands that engulf this land.
plant a seed and watch it grow,
do not water it, but do not starve it.
Watch as decades past,
that seed will grow into a strong tree,
that tree will fend for itself,
it will learn the ways of a tree,
but exclusively, its leaves
will shade it from the dangers of the outside world.
Do not fuss, let the tree sprout its branches
because one day that tree will open up,
and it provide fruitful, and bountiful harvest.”
(That or i have gone completely insane and off topic and thought of that myself. )
I bring forth a letter from my introvert world, i’d like to say that being an introvert is not half bad, you get to avoid drama, headaches, and dwell in your own realm, within your own universe which exist in your own mind. But we are misunderstood, and the stereotypes are incorrect, we like to socialize and converse with others outside the 4th wall, we wish to share our thoughts and have others pick from our brain, but only what we want to give. We are intelligent, creative, and philosophical people that just wish to keep to themselves, because outside our comfort zone is an apocalyptic warzone of strands and strands of noises that disturb us verbally,mentally, and physically. Now i’m not going to go on and on or create a manifesto, nor do i want to sound arrogant and cocky.
I just want to say that we introverts will open our doors when we are ready to, sometimes we leave them open a crack, its just that extroverts never seem to notice when we are inviting them in. My attitude does not justify how i feel, if i’m being mean, or rude, its because i don’t know how to interact and be a piece of the puzzle to fit in. We hide behind shells because we seek guidance into the extrovert world, but without changing ourselves in the process, we wish to stay the way we are.
A wise man had once said:
“ Find the richest soil, farthest from the river,
distant it from the desolate wastelands that engulf this land.
plant a seed and watch it grow,
do not water it, but do not starve it.
Watch as decades past,
that seed will grow into a strong tree,
that tree will fend for itself,
it will learn the ways of a tree,
but exclusively, its leaves
will shade it from the dangers of the outside world.
Do not fuss, let the tree sprout its branches
because one day that tree will open up,
and it provide fruitful, and bountiful harvest.”
(That or i have gone completely insane and off topic and thought of that myself. )
Cry For Help
Jade Epps (4/29/14) It’s sad when kids are afraid to attend school or even enjoy a nice day outside because of all of the violence that’s been happening. Some teens have even sought help by going to the detention center, just to get off the streets and find protection. Violence is not only taking a toll on teenagers, but on younger kids as well; they think it's okay because the older kids who are supposed to be their mentors are deciding to take the wrong road. Young boys are getting put in their caskets way before their time; sometimes you find yourself asking "what will it take for things to change?" It takes a village to raise a child, so when you see kids acting out of character, reach out to them; it’s a cry for help and shouldn’t be taken as a joke. |
Achievement Gap
By Jade Epps (5/16/14) Why is it that our youth seem to excel in things that aren’t really valued by society and struggle in the aspects that they need to be successful? Lately, sports such as basketball and football have been many high schools' main focus instead of trying to get test scores up and college acceptances brought in. Hillhouse and Cross High Schools, which are both athletic high schools, have the worst test scores and you may ask why. Is it because teachers tried to be students' friends instead of their mentors? There should be no reason why all students shouldn't be bringing home the good grades that only some do. Everybody has a part to play in their own lives and in the lives of those around them, whether they want to or not. |
Changes
By Jade Epps (5/9/14) What causes people to change? Sometimes we find ourselves trying to make others happy by doing something we aren’t very comfortable with. When you get older and more mature, you’ll find out that friends aren’t everything and that at the end of the day you can’t really count on anybody but yourself. Later in life you’ll realize that certain people were a complete waste of time and you will adjust your actions accordingly. |
School Violence Vs. Street ViolenceBy Erica Durant (5/13/14)
Have you heard about the violence happening in the United States nowadays? There are two types of violence: school and street violence. These two types of violence have the same actions, but different consequences. For example, if I was to hit or fight a student I would get a warning or get suspended; but if I fought someone in the streets, the police would come and I would get arrested. Violence is violence, but it’s handled differently in different environments. The way these two types of violence work is that a person is insecure or angry, and they think the best thing to do to make themselves feel better is to harm someone else, so they can look tough. CBS news found that 96% of students said they felt safe in school. However, 22% of those students said that they knew students who regularly carried weapons to school. This does not mean that students did not fear a school violence incident like Columbine, because 53% said that a school shooting could happen in their own school. As we know, Jonathan Law High School in Milford recently had a girl murdered by one of her classmates because she allegedly refused to go to prom with him. School violence is beginning to become like street violence, because kids are getting killed in and out of school everywhere around the world. At the end of the day, we should all be working together to prevent all violence from happening. |
What Grit Means To UsBy Alicia Avitabile (4/18/14)
Perseverance and passion for our long-term goals is what leads us to success. It should not matter how other people see your achievements, but about how you see them. It is also not only about the outcome, because if you actually put in the effort, you can never say you didn't try. It is better to dedicate yourself and fail than to never give yourself the chance and then always wonder "what if". The amazing idea of "grit" is that an individual has the type of motivation to keep going even if he or she fails. As long as you push yourself, you will always succeed, even if it's in a way that is different from others. My mom tells me that I have a motivational drive to get my homework done when it is due and the drive to make sure I get everything done on my agenda. This is because I have a fear of not succeeding in my future. I am terrified to go to college because I get major anxiety when I take tests, but I understand that I am not the only one and that there are tutors to help me get past that. What I love about my drive is that I don't let small things get in the way of me succeeding. There are a lot of times when my teachers criticize my work; they focus on what isn't good and don't focus on what I do well, but that only motivates me more. Past experiences have also motivated me to do better and be better. That is what the idea of "Grit" is all about. It is about overcoming fears and interruptions in life and overcoming obstacles to the best our abilities. It's about striving for more than what our parents had. In return for our hard work and dedication, we get paid good money and live an easier life. What I hope to get from my persevering attitude is mainly to feel rich about myself on the inside. I love the feeling of acing tests or presenting a project and speaking clearly in a lecture hall with 300 people. I am receiving the greatest gift God could offer: a great education. A great education is the key to success and happiness. Teenagers don't realize it yet, but in the end, we will be proud of ourselves for continuing to be motivated, and for being artists, scholars, and intellectuals. |
Hottentot Venus: Story of Saartjie BaartmanBy Tamera Sternberger (3/22/14)
If you don’t know who Hottentot Venus is, I’m not surprised. I myself knew nothing of her until earlier this month when a post on my Facebook feed presented me with a video to watch on a quiet Sunday morning. It was entitled “A woman every black girl should know,” and by the end of its 4 minutes and 21 seconds I could unequivocally agree. Her name was Saartjie (Sara) Baartman; a Khoikhoi woman born in the Gamtoos Valley of South Africa in 1789. Women of her sub-culture were known to have enlarged labias, plus-sized frames, and wide backsides. These characteristics differed from European women, making Khoikhoi women a spectacle to white settlers. It was in October of 1810, that Sara, a slave at the time, signed a document stating she would voluntarily agree to come to England with her master to be a star. She was told she would make a fortune, much more than any black woman of that time could even dream of. However, dreams for the young slave girl very quickly turned into nightmares. The intent of her master, Hendrik Cezar, and an English ship surgeon named William Dunlop, who presented her with the contract, was much more sinister. The men took advantage of the vulnerability and illiteracy of a slave. She was taken to England as promised, and indeed did fill her role as an entertainer by being made into an exploited, abused freak show. Half naked and in a cage, she was put on display for Europeans who bought tickets to view her, along with several other mistreated and captured humans. Sara, obviously, never obtained any of the money she made. The white men who had brought her to London pocketed all profits that her humiliation brought in. Baartman’s exploitation continued for the next 4 years until she was brought to the city of lights, Paris, France. Cezar then sold her to a man named Reaux, an animal trainer who showcased domesticated creatures to large audiences all over the city. Sara Baartman was trained by the French man alongside baby rhinos; she was once again caged and collared like a dog, only covered by a loincloth and lines of color made to mock African tribal body paint. When commanded, she would sit, stand, and obey every order her trained called out, all for the enjoyment of the crowd who considered her an actual animal based on her foreign, dark skin. It was in Reaux’s possession she was dubbed the title, “Hottentot Venus.” In attendance at one of her shows was George Cuvier, a naturalist. With the permission of Reaux, Sara was studied by teams of French anatomists, zoologists, and physiologists, like a science specimen. In March of 1815, she was declared "the missing link" and was used to confirm prejudiced views of Africans as a perverted, inferior, and savage race. Her death in 1816 was never confirmed, but it was speculated as an undetermined inflammatory ailment. Even in death Sara was not given any dignity. The Musee de l'Homme in Paris claimed her body and made it into a death cast using her skin and bones. Her vagina and brain were preserved and placed in jars. All these articles were on display in the museum until 1974 and put into storage. It was in 1994; that President Nelson Mandela formally requested that France return the remains, and, after tense legal procedures over the span of 9 years, France finally gave Southern Africa back its daughter in 2002. She was finally laid to rest in her homeland on August 9th. Today the tortured soul of Sara Baartman is remembered as an icon for black women everywhere. She is not remembered for the life of humiliation she endured, but as a symbol of body acceptance. Sara Baartman is a testimony that every form is not the same, that no one deserved to be objectified for their shape, and that a person’s body belongs to them and them alone. |
Jackie Robinson: Home Run for Black HistoryBy Ervin M. Simmons (3/22/14)
During my sophomore and junior years I volunteered at Celentano Museum Academy in New Haven, CT. I collaborated with New York Times reporter Laura Pappano, Yale University undergraduate students, and other students from my high school to help the K-8 students construct a bi-annually released school newspaper. The newspaper was entitled The Celentano Sentinel. A total of four issues were released from its outset, to its termination. The last issue that was released was published in June of 2013 and featured a Q&A with the children’s book author and daughter of Jackie Robinson, Sharon Robinson. As a Student Journalism Mentor, I worked with another volunteer to edit the questions the students produced for Sharon Robinson. The Q&A was only a half page in length, but I learned so much about the great man that Jackie Robinson was from the heartfelt responses his daughter gave the student reporters. Many of the questions the students asked pertained to baseball, as this was around the time the movie “42” was being released. However, the other Journalism mentors and I made sure that some of the questions that were asked exceeded the realm of professional sports. One question that the students submitted to Sharon Robinson, was “What do you remember your father telling you about the Civil Rights Movement?” Ms. Robinson responded by discussing how her father informed her that it was important for his entire family to be involved in the Civil Rights Movement. She told about their first march as a family in Washington, DC, for the March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jackie Robinson was profoundly courageous for marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and participating in the Civil Rights Movement. By peacefully advocating for his rights, Jackie Robinson, his family, and other participants of the movement made it possible for integration to fully occur throughout the United States, and opened doors and paved pathways to opportunities for African-Americans like myself that weren’t previously available. Had it not been for people like Robinson, I would not be able to attend the high school I currently go to, nor would I be able to attend any college I wanted or pursue and accomplish all of my dreams--all due to racial barriers. Additionally, as Robinson participated in the Civil Rights Movement, he jeopardized his life for the advancement, well-being and equality of his fellow African-Americans, just as Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did. Participating in the Civil Rights Movement and marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also shows a strong sense of determination, because by committing himself and his family to the movement, he was determined to better society and attain equality for all people, regardless of the amount of melanin in their epidermis. Sharon Robinson also discussed how Jackie Robinson was a devoted family man who worked tirelessly to keep his children’s lives private and family-oriented. She recalled how the Robinson family’s favorite pastimes were playing board games and eating dinner together. Ms. Robinson also spoke about how her father would spend one-on-one time with each of his children and how she spent time with him by participating in activities like shopping, ice skating, gardening, and by taking trips with him to New York City. Being a father is an immense responsibility and task that many men neglect to answer to. Instead of letting his career consume him, Jackie Robinson had the courage to work with his wife to raise his children and foster a loving household. He was also determined to raise his children to be the best they could be. He clearly succeeded. One just needs to look at the accomplishments of Sharon Robinson, who managed to define her own identity separate from that of her famous father’s and start a long, fruitful, and joy-filled career as a children’s book author. After studying the life of Jackie Robinson, young people can learn that he was much more than the first African-American to play for Major League Baseball. He was also an intelligent, brave civil rights activist and a loving father who was present for and played a large part in his children’s lives. Young people can also take away the fact that it is important to advocate for your rights, pursue your dreams and care for the members of your family, just as Jackie Robinson did throughout his lifetime. |
Women Today
By Liz Colon (3/19/14)
I feel like whenever someone hears the word “woman” they automatically think of the characteristics of fragile, mother, feminine, and shopping. I feel like whenever someone hears the word “man” they automatically think of the characteristics of masculine, power, protective, and work but has anyone ever stopped to think about why the opposite sexes are stereotyped like this?
Women are known for always being concerned about their looks; so of course a majority of them would fit into the stereotype, but what about the women who don’t? Why aren’t they doing something to show people that they don’t just splurge on unnecessary new clothes and new ways to make themselves look ten years younger?
I believe that society sees women as decorations; apparently all we know how to do is play “dress up”. But did we put this belief on ourselves? We pay so much money to do our nails, hair, makeup, skin, and maybe even go to the extent of completely changing our looks with plastic surgery. Have any of us thought about how spending all that money on our looks can affect us financially? We could be saving thousands of dollars that could be put to better use, yet we choose to "continually fix" our natural beauty rather than save for college or a home. Maybe we do deserve the stereotype, maybe not, but all I know is that the women who do know their priorities should stand up to these stereotypes and make a change. We would have much more respect and money if we took pride in our natural looks.
Did society pick our jobs for each opposite sex? Or did women put themselves into a situation like this on their own? How many women do you see having a so-called “manly” jobs like carpentry or mechanic? Usually women take the role of being a nurse, teacher, or maybe even a housekeeper. How common is it for a woman to want to get their hands dirty for a living?
Maybe we should show people that we aren’t a decoration, and stop worrying about how we look for once. It feels good to know that you are beautiful, but sometimes women just take it too far and need to understand that our natural beauty is what’s really beautiful, not the cosmetics that we cake onto our faces.
I feel like whenever someone hears the word “woman” they automatically think of the characteristics of fragile, mother, feminine, and shopping. I feel like whenever someone hears the word “man” they automatically think of the characteristics of masculine, power, protective, and work but has anyone ever stopped to think about why the opposite sexes are stereotyped like this?
Women are known for always being concerned about their looks; so of course a majority of them would fit into the stereotype, but what about the women who don’t? Why aren’t they doing something to show people that they don’t just splurge on unnecessary new clothes and new ways to make themselves look ten years younger?
I believe that society sees women as decorations; apparently all we know how to do is play “dress up”. But did we put this belief on ourselves? We pay so much money to do our nails, hair, makeup, skin, and maybe even go to the extent of completely changing our looks with plastic surgery. Have any of us thought about how spending all that money on our looks can affect us financially? We could be saving thousands of dollars that could be put to better use, yet we choose to "continually fix" our natural beauty rather than save for college or a home. Maybe we do deserve the stereotype, maybe not, but all I know is that the women who do know their priorities should stand up to these stereotypes and make a change. We would have much more respect and money if we took pride in our natural looks.
Did society pick our jobs for each opposite sex? Or did women put themselves into a situation like this on their own? How many women do you see having a so-called “manly” jobs like carpentry or mechanic? Usually women take the role of being a nurse, teacher, or maybe even a housekeeper. How common is it for a woman to want to get their hands dirty for a living?
Maybe we should show people that we aren’t a decoration, and stop worrying about how we look for once. It feels good to know that you are beautiful, but sometimes women just take it too far and need to understand that our natural beauty is what’s really beautiful, not the cosmetics that we cake onto our faces.
Crime in New HavenBy Floyd Robinson (3/19/14)
New Haven: the town known as the “Elm City” is a beautiful city by day, but deadly and dangerous at night. New Haven is the second largest city in Connecticut (Bridgeport comes first) and the sixth largest in all of New England. It's the home of the world famous Ivy League college, Yale University, as well as the city with one of the highest crime rates in all of the United States. How did our town go from a must-visit city to a place where you can’t even walk the streets safely anymore? That’s a question that people still have yet to figure out. Don’t get me wrong; I was born and raised in New Haven and I currently live in the city, but the violence has gotten out of control in the past several years. According to the website http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime, the homicide rate went from being a low number of 12 in 2009 to the city’s all time high of 34 victims in 2011. During the 2011 homicide spree it felt as if someone was being murdered each and every day. I remember one day I was sitting on my porch and I saw my life flash before my eyes when I was the witness to an attempted murder. Less than six months later, another incident occurred on my street. I was sitting around in my room when I heard multiple shots ring out. The victim, who would later be identified as Dallas Boomer, crashed his vehicle into the stop sign further up the street near my best-friend’s house and across the street from my middle school. Walking outside that morning felt so surreal. With police officers, WTNH trucks, and police tape all over the block and car, my street looked like something you’d see in a movie. I knew that my street had some issues at the time, but I was never expecting something so serious to ever happen. The violence in New Haven over the years has affected everyone in some way. Over the past five and a half years, families have lost friends, cousins, sons, daughters, nephews, fathers, mothers and grandparents. I’d never thought I’d say this, but at times this city makes me sick, sick to the point where I want to leave. I want to be someone from New Haven that “made it”. I’d like to stay in New Haven, but with the crime rate the way it is, I don’t think I want to stay anymore. The Bottom LineSocial Commentary Column by Jade Epps
Black History Month: Say "Hello Fear"By Jade Epps (2/26/14)
In the late 1960’s there was a tragic situation taking place that we all are familiar--slavery. Many African American leaders rose to the cause to put an end to slavery and try to create a chain reaction of world peace that would live on to this day. What exactly is extraordinary to you? I’ll give you a couple of minutes to reflect upon the question, but while we're waiting I’ll give you my example. What’s extraordinary to me are people like Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Thurgood Marshall, simply because they took on a huge challenge that most people couldn't. Not only that, but they had power, integrity and faith—things that we should all have. Being able to take a stand and do something that nobody wants to do or is scared to do is a very big accomplishment and I totally appreciate them. Black History Month shouldn’t be celebrated just once a year. We should not take for granted the blessings that we have every day, but acknowledge the fact that we are able to read and write and act freely. The Bottom LineBy Jade Epps
You might think that just because it’s a new year our society won’t face the same problems, such as health care, violence, and economic issues. Well, that’s where you'd be wrong. If you really look at these issues, you would come to find out that nothing’s going to change simply because we don't focus enough of our energy and time into getting to our goals in these areas. Every day there’s a story being told or a issue being bought up. The first thing most people do is complain. The bottom line is that the world needs change and it's not going to come overnight. Martin Luther King even said it himself: "peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal." This simply means: don’t stop what you're doing. Just do what you’re doing better until you reach that goal that you're striving for. Never give up, because in the end you will have an awesome story, which will likely make others want to pick up the slack. The Problem with Male-Dominated SocietiesBy Jade Epps
In many countries, a man's opinion can rule over any situation that involves a woman. Women in many countries, such as India, don’t really have much, and in some cases any, say. A video on www.cnn.com, "Where have India’s females gone?", estimates that up to 12 million girls in India have been aborted in the last 30 years due to cultural preferences. The lack of rights that women get, sometimes even before birth, is very sad. Not only does this hurt the women, but it also terrifies families and breaks them apart. It seems like everything that Mr. King and Mr. Mandela, as well as other world peace leaders, worked for is starting to slowly fade away. I ask myself: what this world is coming to? Fathers CryBy Jade Epps (12/5/13)
Have you ever stopped and wondered how fathers feel when they lose their sons to gun violence? What a mother goes through as she prepares to say her goodbyes to her son has to be the worst feeling, but what about the fathers in this picture? I can’t even create a picture in my head of the pain and betrayal that they must go through, along with the questions that all parents ask: "Why? He was a good kid, why did they have to take him?" Men: love your kids. Don’t be so quick to want to throw in the towel and give up, because doing that will cause them to drift away and search for love in all the wrong places, such as the streets. Be in their lives, as you notice young boys look up to their fathers a lot. You are their role models. Lead by example and if you never had an example of someone being a "father", then seek help. It’s okay to ask questions. There's a family right now at this exact moment going through the same thing that you’re going through. I know that this will make your sons so happy. Do it for them. Live for them. Ice the BeefBy Jade Epps (11/6/13)
Saturday October 26, 2013 marked the fourth club-related homicide of the year. It seems you can no longer go out with your friends/family to celebrate your 18th birthday or celebrate your new promotion at work because of the violence. I remember when people were fought with their fists and not weapons. A 26-year-old woman by the name of Erica Robinson just had her funeral. It’s sickening that people can’t even go out on Friday night without fear of being robbed or killed. I don’t understand how people can kill innocent bystanders & feel no remorse. To add fuel to the fire, Duran Mayberry, 21, also known as "Font"’ is now the 17th homicide of the year. How many times do I have to ask: "When will it stop?" How many young people does this community have to bury before the violence stops? I don’t really believe in the "no snitch thing" because what if your brother, your nephew, your cousin was murdered? Wouldn’t you want justice for him? We need to give voice to the people that didn’t get the chance to have a voice themselves. I question the loyalty of the killers. How can they murder somebody they grew up with? Money and drugs are never that serious to the point where you have to pick up a gun and take somebody's life. Getting terrible news that somebody has died from a gunshot wound really hurts me to the point that I want to sit down with the person who thought it was okay to take matters into his own hands and murder somebody. Is it the lack of fathers that cause these young men to search for love in all the wrong places or the fact that they think it’s cool because everybody else is doing it? If you look around you would notice that it can feel like there are are more of the and less of us. How many pins, T-shirts, sweaters, and hats do we have to wear before we get it together? How many funerals filled with mourning family members do we have to get go to before we decide that change needs to take place and take place fast? I’m so tired of having to bury my friends and family members because of violence. |
The True Definition of FreedomBy Julia DiStasio (3/10/13)
Sometimes I think people misinterpret the word “freedom.” Like many people, I have my own definition: Freedom is simply living life the way you want to live it. We think of Americans as free, but what do we really have that’s free? Don’t get me wrong, compared to most countries we do have more control over our lives, but what we want should be completely in our own control. I understand laws are created for the welfare of people around you, but what’s the point of living life if you can’t take the risks you want? We are practically owned by people with more power. For example, we can’t do some things, like drive, until we’re a certain age. But why not let teenagers make their own decisions about what they should and shouldn’t be allowed to do? In an article entitled “Is America Really a Free Country?” John Stossel of Foxnews.com writes that "a little risk is fun. And the laws don’t stop the activity." Soon, we’re probably going to end up having a curfew and where will our freedom be then? Sometimes I think the only sane people are criminals; they live life the way they want to and no one can tell them otherwise. Americans don’t even have the freedom to know what’s really going on in their own government. When Edward Snowden leaked classified information, it showed many people how much we really don’t know. I’m done with everyone in the United States wondering if the government is keeping secrets from us. That’s like asking if a magic trick is real or not. Keeping secrets is inevitable. Government officials don’t want people freaking out about what’s going on around them; the country would break out in chaos. The way to start giving Americans the freedom we truly deserve is to trust people more—with information and in terms of the decisions they will make. We have to live in a world where people control us. We don’t really have a choice about that. But, even still, we could have more information and more choices available to us. Let's "Flex" Some Muscle During FlexSome ideas by Alicia Avitabile (12/11/13)
How many students feel like nothing gets accomplished during flex periods? Seniors are purposely separated from the other grade levels in order to complete the college process. It is extremely important for seniors to meet deadlines, but along the way if very little is getting done, what is the point? Flex time can be put to better use in more ways than one. I really appreciate that Peer Leaders take time out of their day to plan a lesson to discuss during flex time but regular students abuse it. During flex periods, I notice countless side conversations happening and computers being used to shop online or play video games. Then there are times where I'll find teachers talking AT students instead of TO them and becoming impatient. All of this can create a frustrating environment. I think a wiser use of flex time would be to allow students to work on homework. In addition, give time for them to meet with teachers for extra help in a particular subject since many of us are unable to stay after school for a variety of reasons. For college purposes, flex could be a great time to schedule appointments with guidance counselors for extra support. Another strategy is to come up with a general topic to discuss each flex period that is a concern or problem to the school. Students could form teams to brainstorm and implement grass-roots solutions. The Face of Bullying TodayBy Adaijah Smith (12/6/13)
When people think of bullying, they usually think “Give me your lunch money” or they think of a kid getting slammed against his locker. But these days, you can be bullied and not even realize it’s happening. Bullying is often classified as unwanted negative attention from a person. But the term is used so loosely now. It’s as if putting people down is a second language. New definitions of bullying include anything a person does to someone that makes them feel unsafe--physically, mentally, or emotionally. Bullying can be done through social media--like facebook or twitter--and can be verbal, physical or through isolation. Also, acts of bullying often come from a loved one rather than a stranger. Bullying can even come from a friend or family member. Everybody is bullied, whether you realize it or not. It can happen when you're walking down the street, waiting for the bus, shopping, or just getting your mail. You're always being judged, sometimes harshly I might add. But who says that person judging you is better than you? And, are you doing the same to them? In God We Trust?By Xavier Sottile (12/5/13)
On January 1st, 1802, the third President of the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson, wrote a letter to the Baptists of Danbury, Connecticut regarding their persecution by the Congregationalists of Danbury. He wrote, “I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.” Two hundred and eleven years later, you would like to think that Jefferson’s assertion about the American government stands true. In the United States of America, a country founded, to some extent, by religious refugees, the separation of Church and State is one our nation’s most appealing qualities. Few westernized and developed countries, including the United Kingdom, have such a foundation in religious freedom. Because of that freedom, religion has flourished in America, making it the most religious superpower in modern times. And yet, all you have to do to is take out a quarter to remind yourself that this wall is sometimes breached, because in 1956, the motto of the United States was created - “In God we trust”, and quickly added to all paper and coin money. Similarly, in 1954, the phrase, “...under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge had been written in 1892, and was officially adopted by Congress in 1942 without “...under God”. These additions are very clearly unconstitutional. These additions are an example of the government respecting an establishment of religion, a violation of the establishment clause of the first amendment, the very first part of the Bill of Rights: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” Some might argue that the “God” referenced is nondenominational, and refers to all religions. However, as established in the 1963 Supreme Court case Abington School District v. Schempp and later reaffirmed by the 2005 case McCreary County v. ACLU of Kentucky, not only can the federal and state governments not endorse one religion over another, or one sect over another, but it can also equally not endorse religion over irreligion. That is precisely the purpose of a secular state--to be impartial entirely. This is contrast to an atheistic state, which actively endorses irreligion, and in some cases, even tries to stop the free expression of religion (also a violation of the first amendment). The aforementioned terms would be (slightly) more acceptable if they were “tradition”, and preserved for historical significance, but they’re not. They were added in the 1950s, a consequence of the Red Scare, in response to the atheistic states of the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China. Other clear breaches of the separation of church and state can be seen with such reasoning. Despite its historical roots, one can make the argument that opening sessions of Congress with prayer (which has occurred since the first incarnation of Congress) is also illegal. By creating a session of prayer, the government is respecting religion over irreligion --again, a clear violation of the precedent set by Abington School District v. Schempp. A true secular state, as outlined by the wonderful and classic words of President Jefferson, would not put “In God we trust” on its currency, or make it the national motto. It would not include the phrase “Under God” in the nationally adopted pledge of allegiance or open its sessions of a meeting of Congress with prayer. All of these actions constitute clear violations of legal precedent and of the first amendment, guaranteeing no government respect of religious establishments. So, as the late reporter Christopher Hitchens once said, “Mr. Jefferson, build up that wall.” Dress Code: Size Shouldn't MatterBy Brianne Ballard (10/29/13)
Dress code, it’s a good thing. Girls shouldn’t be allowed to show too much skin at school. Girls, you will impress that person you like with blue jeans and a sweater more than you will with a crop top and shorts. Everywhere I go, I hear people judging girls who are overweight who wear the same clothes as girls who are not. Girls who are bigger are very aware of this dynamic, even though others may not be. The issue occurs everywhere, including at Co-op. I feel the school applies the dress code policy unfairly. Has anyone noticed that a girl who is skinny—with a flat stomach and small legs--will come to school wearing a dress, skirt, or shorts that is higher than her finger length, and at the end of the day she'll be wearing the same outfit? I have. After being told I was violating the dress code last week, I’ve come to believe that the school does not focus on length, but on size. As I passed through the metal detector, I was stopped because my knees were showing, but throughout the day I saw other girls with the same or even shorter dress lengths than me. Bigger girls are not allowed to show their shoulders, but skinny girls are allowed to show more leg than the dress code advises. If a bigger girl and a skinnier girl walk in with the same shirt on, both having no sleeves or an off-the-shoulder look, the bigger girl is more likely to be stopped. “I’m heavy-chested,” says sophomore Autumn Darby. “When I wear shirts that are ‘too low cut’ there’s a problem, but girls who are much skinnier than me can go around showing their bellies." I want to bring out this issue, because I and many other girls have had enough. Bigger girls feel bad about themselves when they perceive that thinner girls get advantages they don't. Size shouldn’t matter! |