Acceptance Issue
Graphic from Pixabay.com
In this Issue: New KHS Acceptance Clubs...................................page 2 Stop with the Stereotypes..........................................page 3 Best Diverse TV Shows, Movies and Novels....pages 7-9 Feedback Club Supplement.............................pages 13-16
Kinnelon High School 121 Kinnelon Road Kinnelon, NJ 07405
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School News
Colt Chronicle.Acceptance Issue
ACCEPTANCE ACCELERATES AT KHS The variety of acceptance clubs at Kinnelon High School drastically increases in recent years By Raquel Ospina, Staff Reporter
Kinnelon High School students have successfully organized multiple clubs that celebrate acceptance. There are two in particular that have increased in popularity within the past year: GSA and Mind and Wellness.
and absolutely no hate or judgement. King specifies that the alliance is an “inclusive space and club members do not want that trust ruined.” Open-mindedness is key in this space.
One transgender male member, who wishes to remain anonymous, GAY STRAIGHT said hisfavorite part of the club was ALLIANCE CLUB finding new friends, and “other peoThe LGBTQ community has be- ple who were similar to me, going come increasingly influential in to- through similar situations, and getday’s society, allowing more people ting together to discuss them.” He to express and share their true iden- found acceptance in this space, just tities, beliefs, and ideas. It was Kin- as King did. The club and its memnelon High School’s time to come bers are willing to help anyone in the together as one with this community KHS community find this same acceptance, regardless of what they are through their new club, GSA. going through. The Gay-Straight Alliance is better described as a safe/trusted space for King says how she believes students all individuals, rather than a club, should be a part of GSA because according to sophomore and club “whether students like it or not, there president Megan King. She says a is an LGBT community within Kinclub does not fit the organization; nelon and the alliance is not going rather it is more of a “safe space anywhere. The alliance encourages Photo by Raquel Ospina where we don’t have to worry about anyone who wants to know more to Another one of the many signs giving students information about the club. Be sure to sign up being ashamed of who we are. It’s come, even if it’s just five minutes.” for the Google Classroom with the code xpx22u. always just been a space for us to go For more information, email Stuand hang out and if we start talking dent Assistance Counselor Danielle MIND AND WELLNESS CLUB activities. Macmanus explains how “in about LGBT topics then we don’t Wysocki or Megan King or check High school students tend to always be the past, the meetings have consisted of have to feel pressured to hide.” out the club’s flyers around school. stressed more over school work, friend talking about methods for self betterA safe place, however, comes with drama, or other personal problems. ment and partaking in challenges such trust. The alliance does not require However, the Mind and Wellness club as taking a break from social media. any qualifications; however, all who assists all students as much as possible This year, we hope to do more activities attend must come with an open mind in relieving this pressure, thus improv- to promote wellness, such as painting ing members’ overall mental health. or hiking.” Founder of the club, junior Emma Mac- Two-year member junior Karolina manus, explains the goal of the club is Link describes the club as providing a to focus on the importance of the mind welcoming, healthy environment. With and overall wellness. In her perspec- everything going on, especially during tive,“a person’s mind and wellness are junior year, it is best to have a serene two things that require the most care but place to just relax and focus on mental are often the most [overlooked]. I’m health. Link explains that last year her hoping that through this club, people experience “was very calming and rewill [focus more] on making sure that laxing. I can’t wait for what the club they themselves are cared for.” Similar holds this year!” to GSA, Mind and Wellness is a welThere are multiple signs placed around coming space for anyone who needs the school, if interested, or contact alleviation. Emma Macmanus or club adviser and There are also no requirements to en- history teacher Peter Zablocki via email ter whatsoever. Macmanus and the rest with any additional questions. of the club welcome everyone to join. CULTURAL CLUB She believes “every person experiences some type of problem, big or small. Although not official, there is talk of Through this club, I’m hoping people a new acceptance club: Cultural Club. recognize that these are the things that A club like this would appreciate all makes us human and that no problem is types of cultural backgrounds, values, and mainly celebrate diversity. Be sure ever too small.” to keep up with the school news, anThere are going to be new changes imnouncements, and more for additional plemented this year, as well. Last year, Photo by Raquel Ospina the club took on social media break updates. One of the multiple signs around the school, giving students information on GSA and how to join. challenges, but this year, the club plans on doing more out-of-classroom
Features
COLT CHRONICLE • ACCEPTANCE ISSUE
STOP WITH THE STEREOTYPES
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There are many common misconceptions and judgments made by people based on race and religion, so Colt Chronicle caught up with some KHS students to ask what stereotypes they have faced and how they feel about them. By Abeeha Zaidi, Staff Reporter
ALICJA MARUT
MAYA VAITOVAS
ZENOBIA ASHAN
LAUREN LEE
BRIDGET WANG
What is your ethnicity/ background?
Polish
East Asian/Chinese
American born, brought up Muslim, and mainly Indian and Pakistani
Korean
Chinese
What question are you asked the most because of your ethnicity/race?
If I know how to make perogies and if I can bring them to school.
Do you speak Chinese?
I’m asked what country I’m from, what language I speak, and why I don’t wear a headscarf.
If I am from North or South Korea.
Do you eat dog?
What is the most common stereotype that people of the same race as you have to face?
They think that we can speak Russian, German, and other similar languages.
That all Asians look alike and we’re all smart.
There are stereotypes around terrorism and following the religion Islam, but I feel that has simmered down a bit.
That we all like KPOP and that we’re all smart.
I think the most common would be that we’re bad drivers.
Do you wish people were more accepting? What can they do or what do they do wrong? What do you have to say to them?
I don’t think I have an issue as of now, and people seem to be accepting me so far, so I don’t think they need to do anything.
Not every Asian is the same person from the same country and I wish there was more respect towards our native culture.
People should be more accepting- and not even of just Islam-but also a lot more, including people, religions, beliefs, opinions, and so on. We are all humans- that make our own decisions, and I think everyone should just be accepting and more open to that.
I wish colleges didn’t have a capacity on how many Asians could get into a specific college.
People are definitely more accepting now, but when I was younger that was not the case. Once I learned how to stand up for myself, the racist jokes stopped; therefore I have to say rather than making stereotypical jokes, ask people about their culture and learn from them.
Do you have a celeb/ influencer that, in your opinion, you feel challenges these issues for your ethnicity?
Honestly, no one that I can think of right now.
I don’t know anyone.
I really don't have a celeb influencer - but I would definitely say I look up to a lot of the women in my family, including my mom and aunt. Headstrong women, who are excellent in their fields, and know how to get stuff done.
Just in general Korea/ Asian celebrities becoming popular in American culture helps us get out there for things other than intellect.
In American media, there are not many Asian-American celebrities that would have a huge impact on my life, but I wish when I was growing up, there was a figure who I could look up to.
Inforgraphics by Abeeha Zaidi
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Features
ACCEPTANCE IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY By Zainab Kabir, Staff Reporter
COLT CHRONICLE • ACCEPTANCE ISSUE
Trials and Triumphs: The Megan King Story Despite hardships, King, an openly bisexual sophomore at KHS, advocates for acceptence of all. By Daniel Yu, Contributing Reporter
Picture courtesy of Pixabay
One major demographic that still struggles with acceptance is the LGBTQ community. For a long time, society has not been accepting of members for who they are. Here at Kinnelon High School, there is a LGBTQ community made up of both ‘out’ students who are open about their sexuality and gender and students who do not choose to make this aspect of their lives public.
“Even if you’re coming out to the people who are closest to you and know will understand you, it still takes a lot of courage and mental preparation to do so since you’re never really sure as to how they’ll
react.”
According to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), transgender is “an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth.” Acceptance is something that did not come easily for one transgender male student, who wishes to remain anonymous. It took him a long time to accept himself because he was in fear of “being rejected by his peers,” and this took a toll on how he viewed himself. When he came out to his peers, it was even harder for him. He said, “Even if you’re coming out to the people who are closest to you and know will understand you, it still takes a lot of courage and mental preparation to do so since you’re never really sure as to how they’ll react.” When it comes to people that do not accept him, he says that he wants to “educate them and show them that I am more than just what my body says I am.” He is just one out of many transgender people. Self-acceptance and the acceptance of others come at different speeds and levels of ease for everyone. There will always those who do not accept you for who you are, but for everyone struggling with acceptance, it is important to remember that for every one person who does not accept who, there are a dozen more who will.
The Lesbian Pride Flag
King, a proud member of Kinnelon High School’s LGBTQ community.
Picture courtesy of Wikipedia
Picture courtesy of Megan King
Everybody wants to be accepted; it’s only natural, considering we are social creatures. When we are united, we shine like stars blazing through the darkness in constellar clouds. But just as we have always fostered unity, so have we fostered strife. As long as we remain human, we will never truly eliminate discord from ourselves. Those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community are warriors, fighting against humanity’s inhumanity. For sophomore Megan King, her battle for her identity began from within herself. “[At first, I] didn’t want to accept it… I knew that being gay or bi were a thing, but I never really thought I could be anything but the cisgender person I thought I was.” But with the help of her councelors back at PRM, as well as her close friends, she surpassed her internal discord to embrace herself for who she is. “[I was discovering], through a lot of thinking and self-reflection, who I am. When I started talking to my friends and Mrs. Strunz [the middle-school counselor] about it, [they] were really supportive… I am so lucky to have a group of friends who are so supportive and open, [and that’s when I realized] that I was going to be ‘out,’ and always [would be].” However, Megan faced opposition to coming out in the community, and especially in school. “[Kinnelon] is a town where being anything other than straight is a struggle. There are a lot of people who accept me, [but I also lost] a lot of people who I was sort of friends with. There used to be people who I would say hi to, or talk to during class, and all of a sudden they wouldn’t talk to me. Whenever I complimented someone, they’d say things like ‘I have a boyfriend,’ or ‘I’m straight— don’t talk to me,’ and they’d automatically assume that I’d be hitting on them because I’m gay.” But there are deeper roots to this issue as
well— roots that ensnare a more unsettling part of the human psyche. “[Some guys] fetishize it… It’s horrible to be degraded and ostracised like that,” said King. How much of this can be owed to natural teenage follies? But how much of it suggests something else, an unspoken poison within the breast of humanity? I do not speak only of wanton debauchery, but of selfishness, ignorance, and perhaps the most insidious issue of all: indifference. We can only eradicate them through unity, through acceptance and understanding, mankind’s cordials. “I want these people to know that who I am doesn’t affect who they are. I want them to know that who I choose to love hasn’t hurt them in any form, so they should [accept it and
“Acceptance allows people to be what they want to be without judgement, without fear of being hurt.”
move on].” To King, acceptance is freedom. From an individual’s perspective, changing how we think can be a daunting task, let alone changing others. It’s an uphill battle, and even seems hopeless at times; the human preference for the status quo, especially a long-established one, is hard to fight. And so, we close off our humanity in fear that it’ll hurt us, and grow dull to the tedium of pain a locked heart brings. But if we do something as simple as talking with and understanding each other, then what seems impossible alone can be extremely possible together. If we do not stand together, then we must all stand alone: alone, we are but pinpricks of light in an infinite abyss, despairing amidst devouring shadows.
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Opinion
TEACHERS CAN’T THINK FOR STUDENTS, BUT THEY CAN START THE CONVERSATION NO SPLASHY PARTIES FOR INDIAN MINISTERS
“HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF URANIUM?”
BRINGING PHILIPPINES BACK TO YOU
DITTO QUESTION FLOOR D-CET EXAMINES
ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 21
INFOGRAPHIC, PAGE 17
SPORTS, PAGE 21
WORLD, PAGE 17
The Colt Chronicle investigated the influence teachers have on expanding the perspectives and tolerance of KHS students. For many student, school can feel like an obligation with minimal freedoms, as they are mandated to attend for 16 years. There are social and academic standards. It isn’t often that students feel wholly accepted by their classmates. High school can be a very judgemental atmosphere, where students are judged on their appearance, what they like, who they like, and their beliefs. It’s hard to talk about controversial events or opinions in high school because of the desire to “fit in.” This keeps discussions about politics and other debatable issues out of hallway conversations. If students don’t talk about issues that will challenge their perspectives, how can they grow and become more accepting of new ideas with different points of view? The answer is simple. In fact, students need only walk a few feet, leave the hallways and go into their classrooms. The teachers of KHS are the best way to create an accepting and introspective atmosphere. The question that remains is whether teachers are able to have these types of conversations with their students while under the restrictions placed upon them. Teachers are obligated to keep their personal beliefs out of their work and to not impress those upon their students.
terial lends itself to having students challenge their own thoughts and beliefs and form a better understanding of who they are.” Penola introduces an interesting way for teachers to encourage an atmosphere of acceptance and contemplation. Teachers can en-
ing which is where he sees their ideological development. Students branch out and address uncomfortable issues because Penola has influenced them in class and allowed his students to continue exploring them. But what happens when a student is intolerant? White explained an incident that occurred early in her teaching career at KHS. “It was my second year teaching, and the immigration issue with Trump wasn’t relevant. However, a student of mine did make comments to a friend that were inappropriate after I showed a film on immigration. I spoke to him after class and said he’s entitled to his opinions, but they can’t be something that creates an unsafe atmosphere.” White, like Penola, took a factual, provoking approach to developing her student’s acceptance of others. She worked to open up her intolerant student’s mind, but refrained from impressing her own personal beliefs on him. “In anything that we teach, our main goal is to keep the kids culturally aware and to promote the values that should make our society a better one. Tolerance being one of them, acceptance, love, and understanding.” White explained her dedication to educating her students on the facts and encouraging them to consider different perspectives after learning these facts.
An informed perspective is the best one. It is important to consider all sides of the arThe Colt Chronicle caught up with gument and accept those who don’t agree English teacher John Penola and Photo Courtesy of thetruthside with you. Several teachers at KHS take Spanish teacher Jamely White to Illustration showing the importance of accepting the perspectives of others even if they conflict initiative to instill this mindset into their gain insight on how KHS staff in- with your own. students as best they can. The best way to fluence the attitudes of their stuimprove our tolerance is to challenge own perspecdents in accordance with these regulations. rich the standard material with conversations focused on the lesson, but complemented by broader ideas. tive, and lucky for the students at KHS, our teachers “I like to think I set a good example of what a are willing to do so in a supportive, understanding, good person can be. I also believe the class ma- Penola said he often helps his students in their writ- and educated manner. So take advantage--go to class!
“In anything that we teach, our main goal is to keep the kids culturally
aware and to promote the values that should make our society a better one.”
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Carrasco (left), a victim of the Chilean protests, discusses how the protests have affected her life. The Chile Fifth Region was just one of many areas where the protests took place (above). The damage was caused by looters stealing from shops (right). Photos courtesy of
Carla Carrasco.
PROTESTS IN CHILE Recent uproars in Chile are causing commotion in the media as initially peaceful protests turn violent By Hiba Shaikh, Staff Reporter Sun sinking into brown burnt skin. Resonating rings of steel clashing against each other rest in the air, a ghost that simmers just above the fire of madness. Flames exhaling onto mounds of garbage scattered in towns from an apocalyptic scene. Smoke doesn’t clear in the chaos ridden Province of Quilpue, Chile. This is only one of the many regions in which looting, vandalizing, and hoping for a better tomorrow reside. Chile, traditionally noticed as one of Latin America’s most prosperous and unified nations, is now in a state of chaos and turmoil. It started on Oct. 18 with a public transportation fare increase of four pesos, which is equivalent to 21 cents USD, for a subway ride in the capital of Santiago. In a matter of days protests began, with citizens clanging pots in the streets, clenching onto colorful signs, calling attention to the unfair payment toward lower class citizens. The overpriced transportation and unbearable healthcare that the government are providing has become an undying issue in Chile. While their protests began in a peaceful attest towards things they wanted to change, they soon turned violent. The violent protests are taking place all over the angered country. Schools are being shut down, and markets are being looted. Crime rates are increasing while criminals take advantage of this easy opportunity to steal from shops, and many Chileans are lining up all day for stock pile food. Living in the Fifth Region in Chile, Carla Carrasco shares her personal experience at the epicenter of the chaos. “I can’t even sleep in my own room. I have to sleep on the floor in a room that does not have windows, so that if there are bullets being fired I will not be shot.” While on the call with Carrasco, clanging pots and protests could be heard. “It’s been nights and days that they do this, but our country won’t give up. We are stronger now.”
the streets are bringing Chileans back to the seventies when dictatorship and government ruled the prosperous nation. “Military is everywhere, there is a curfew, and the Chileans are fed up,” says Torres. “It reminds us of 1973, when dictatorship was in Chile. But we are stronger this time, we know our rights, and we will fight.”
shares her views and worries on the matters.
“It makes me pretty sad to see the nation that I grew up in turn to this. My family always said that Chile is different from the rest of Latin American nations because we aren’t really known for violence and all that. I understand their motives, and I completely agree and support their protestHealthcare is also an ongoing and tremendous ing, but I don’t like the way they are doing it.” issue that angers many people. Carrasco explains Bohmwald shares pride in the nation in which her frustrations of the healthcare dilemmas in a she grew up in, but Chile is now being recognized cry: “If someone has a crisis or a chronic dis- as a place of violence and dangerous activity. ease, there are no doctors that can see them. If someone has to see a specialist it can sometimes Bohmwald continues to explain the situation take up to a year to be seen. If you don’t have she believes Chile is in: “Chile isn’t a dangerous enough money, there is no option for you.” Chil- place. The riots don’t change that; they just show ean rebels raid clinics and pharmacies and throw that people are fed up with the unjust treatment smoke grenades at emptied shops in display of they’ve been receiving from the government.” their anger towards the corrupt healthcare sys- Bohmwald explains that the media isn’t justifying tem their government has provided to them. the riots by explaining the situation that Chileans are in but instead are depicting the riots as violent. Public transportation fees also sparked the sudden uprising and revolt when a group “A lot of news stories were covering what hapof Chileans refused to pay the overpriced pened as a result of the rise in public transportabus fare and proceeded to hold the bus tion fares, even though it’s a lot more than that. doors open, allowing people to run inside. I feel like the coverage made Chileans look a bit more violent and irrational. However, that “Everything is much too expensive, especially for doesn’t mean that their methods are justified.” the little we get paid,” Carrasco explains. “Most Chileans spend 20 percent of their paychecks The media is shining a spotlight on strictly viojust to get to work, and now that they’ve raised lent attacks from the Chileans, which is somethe price, we cannot live like this any longer.” thing that not all readers take into consideration. The Chilean protests are a result of the citizens of As for the current living situation in Chile Chile coming together in a unified front and standwith the protests taking place, Carras- ing for what needs to change to better their lives. co shares how it’s become quite difficult to live her life in the way she did before. “We know how to stand for ourselves this time, and we will be heard,” Carrasco states. “I cannot even go to my bank and take out Despite all the turmoil that the prosperous namoney because the ATM machines are all emp- tion has undergone, they are determined and ty. I used to be able to go shopping for food set to create a better and sustainable future. or anything I needed, but I cannot anymore.”
With these horrid and unbearable conditions in Chile, the Colt Chronicle took a closer look at what it’s like to watch these events happen in the eyes of those who once lived in this chaos strickCarrasco’s translator, Hector Torres, who grew en nation. KHS senior Ashley Bohmwald, who up in Chile, shares that the military rampaging moved to America from Chile in eighth grade,
Colt Chronicle·Acceptance Issue
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The Best Diverse TV Shows, Movies, and Novels Here are some of the most dynamic and diverse TV shows, movies, and novels in recent years. By Mikayla Smith
Jane the Virgin poster via Express
For years, movies, TV shows, and novels have featured a very specific type of protagonist, antagonist, and setting. This precedence directly isolates a certain percentage of people who are exposed to this media. Media is drowned in a predominantly heterosexual, white culture. As of 2017, 70.8 percent of speaking characters in movies were white. In 2016, 91 out of the 100 top films did not include LGBTQ females (76 of which featured no LGBTQ characters at all), 47 films had no black women, 66 had no Asian women, and 72 no Hispanic women. In addition, only 2.7 percent of all speaking characters had a disability. As of 2019, although equal representation still does not yet exist in media, strides have been made to provide more inclusion. Here are five movies, TV shows, and novels featuring a diverse cast of characters, settings, and themes.
Movies No. 1: Love, Simon (2018) Love, Simon’s 2018 debut struck the hearts of hundreds across the country. Starring Jurassic World’s Nick Robinson, 13 Reasons Why star Katherine Langford and Golden
Love, Simon movie poster 2018 via Fox Movies
They Both Die at the End via Amazon
Globe winner Jennifer Garner, Love, Simon tackles the hidden and atypical struggles of a young, gay boy in today’s systemic cycle of complex and political equal rights movements, social media, and small town America. With a strong score of 72 on Metascore, this heartfelt, well-written, and well-acted portrayal of young people's struggles with coming out makes it not only one of the most diverse films today, but one of the best. For further inclination into this story, the film was based upon Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (2015). No. 2: Black Panther (2018) Starring Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan, Marvel classic Black Panther exhibits something almost rare in the infamous and untouchable Marvel cinematic universe, home to iconic characters such as Iron Man and Captain America: a racially diverse cast. Statistically, straight white men predominantly lead the box-office shattering and record breaking film series. No. 3: The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) Netflix original The Fundamentals of Caring is one of the few films starring award-winning actors while featuring a protagonist with a disability. AntMan’s Paul Rudd, Billboard’s 2017 Woman of the Year Selena Gomez
and Just Jim’s Craig Roberts come together in this undeniably charming, whirlwind-like 2016 film. Protagonist Trevor suffers from muscular dystrophy and needs a full-time caretaker (Ben, a creatively confused writer). In an attempt to show that people with disabilities deserve to live a full life as they choose, Ben takes Trevor on a road trip across the country. No. 4: The Hate You Give (2018) Revered as one of the most diverse and important societal movies and novels of the new generation, The Hate U Give is completely and unapologetically honest in a way that more movies should be. Starring Amandla Stenburg, Algee Smith and KJ Apa, The Hate U Give is about the racial struggles between people of color and police officers in the United States. This wildly popular movie adaptation of the best-selling novel by Angie Thomas is one of the best shows of diversity on the market today.
Colt Chronicle·Acceptance Issue
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No. 2: Madam Secretary (2014–) Téa Leoni in Madam Secretary gives something severely lacking in many television shows made both in 2014, its air date, and 2019: a strong, independent female lead. In this political, opinionated gem of a show, Elizabeth McCord (Leoni) is the Secretary of State of the United States. With diverse cabinet members and a family she is easily able to keep seperate from her imperative role in the The Hate U Give movie poster via IMBD US government, Secretary McCord proves No. 5: If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) that a woman can have it all–including a If Beale Street Could Talk stars Kiki Layne cabinet of all races, sexualities, and genders. and Stephan James and was made by the No. 3: Jane The Virgin Academy Award-winning filmmaker of (2014–2019) Moonlight. This is one of few love stories Jane The Virgin is something rare: a porfeaturing both people of color as the protagtrayal of different sexualties, ethnicities, onists and political undertones to back it. religions, and even prominent political isWhen Fonny is arrested for a crime he did sues. In recent years, the issue of illegal imnot commit, young Tish faces the challengmigration has been a key and noticeble eles of raising a baby on her own–all while ement in the political field. Not only does visiting the love of her life behind bars. Jane The Virgin touch upon this, but also the protagonists deal with this issue conTV Shows sistently throughout its five seasons. Jane The Virgin deals with the ins and outs of No. 1: Queer Eye (2018–) motherhood, racial discrimination and polKaramo Brown, Bobby Burke, Antoni Po- tical injustice, all while making a comedic, rowski, Tan France, and Jonathon Van relateable storyline for the whole family. Ness star in the 2018 reboot of classic reality TV show Queer Eye. Not only is this No. 4: This Is Us (2016–) heart-warming family show diverse in the NBC’s This Is Us is an exceptionally differobvious showcasing of LGBT stars, but ent television portrayal of what the words also in cultures, societal classes, and eth- “normal” and “family” mean. Not only does nicities. In fact, Karamo Brown’s sole job it feature racially diverse adoptive families, is to teach people featured about their eth- many strong female leads, mental health nicity, culture, and religion, and to make struggles and disease, but it also features sure they are in touch with that. In 2019, the weight struggles that many people in the Netflix released Queer Eye: We’re in Ja- world face today. The quietly diversity and pan! a spin off clearly based on the desire different nature that This Is Us gives audifor a more diverse and wide-ranging appeal. ences is why it should be on everyone’s list. Queer Eye will forever be one of Netflix’s most diverse and accepting original series.
No. 5: Atypical (2017–) Keir Gilchrist stars in the Netflix original series Atypical, which exhibits one of the most rare types of diverse characters in movies as of 2016: a protagonist with a disability. In this light-hearted, comedic hit show, characters are not only lovable and relatable, but real–viewers can also see themselves in all of the characters, not just Sam, the main character. Atypical is one of Netflix’s best and most worthwhile watch.
Novels No. 1: One of Us Is Lying (2017) The cover says it all: a geek, a jock, a criminal, and a princess–all of which are stock characters at their finest. But Karen M. McManus rediscovers and redefines what stock characters are. While the diverse nature of these characters do not present in the first half of the novel, by the second half it’s clear McManus’s true purpose: to show readers that even stock characters can look, feel, and act like they do. In this New York Times bestseller, McManus does what few authors ever even dare to try to: tell the reader from the beginning every thought they have will eventually be proven wrong– people aren’t always who we think.
If Beale Street Could Talk Poster via IMDB Madam Secretary poster via New On Netflix
This Is Us via E! News
Colt Chronicle·Acceptance Issue
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No. 2: They Both Die at the End (2017) The New York Times bestselling author Adam Silvera does not disappoint in They Both Die at the End. Featuring two Spanish, homosexual protagonists with a thirst for a good last day on earth, this incredible novel does things to the reader that leave even the harshest critic breathless, shocked, and at a loss of words. They Both Die at the End is a moment of truth and light in a sea of vast amounts of basic, emotionless words put on the shelves of children who don’t fit a very specific statistic. No. 3: Suicide Notes (2008) While Michael Thomas Ford’s Suicide Notes is not what many traditionally think of when they think of diversity in print, it is the exact kind of diversity needed in today’s world. Suicide Notes explores the sensitive but necsessary topic of mental health. In today’s society, getting meidcal help for a serious mental problem is frowned upon by some. Ford ignores that standard completely, but does so in a way that is relatable, simple, and beautiful. Suicide Notes is a must-read. No. 4: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2012) Incredibly written and executed, award-winning author Benjamin Alire Sáenz stuns with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. This novel is one of ethnic diversity as well as one of few young adult novels that features two homosexual teenagers in love. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a great representation of different cultures as well as the struggles many young people face today.
Cartoon by Madison Gear
The Colt Chronicle 2019-2020 Editorial Board Camille Balo - Editor in Chief, STEM Nina Santy - Managing Editor Emily Mazurkiewicz- Opinion Gabrielle Avagyan- Arts and Entertainment Julia Hackney- Managing Editor and Local/World News Juliana Marston- School News Ethan Burt- Sports and Features Abeeha Zaidi & Kristen Mattis- Layout Mrs. Van Der Sluys- Adviser
One of Us Is Lying via Amazon
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COLT CHRONICLE • ACCEPTANCE ISSUE
TRACKLIST 1. Nikes 2. Ivy 3. Pink + White 4. Be Yourself 5. Solo 6. Skyline To 7. Self Control 8. Good Guy 9. Nights 10. Solo (Reprise) Photo courtesy of Boys Don’t Cry
The album cover of Blonde featuring Ocean with hair dyed green and a blank tiled background.
THE TRIALS OF FRANK OCEAN How Ocean has not only adapted to today’s music industry, but has also helped to make it more accepting of its artists
By McKayla Coppla, Staff Reporter Ocean’s sophomore album, “Blonde,” delves into past relationships and cruises through ambivalent, heartbreaking memories during the one-hour duration of its production. Each song dissects emotion after emotion within each lyric, all being delivered throughout his storytelling process. “Blonde is queer in the word’s truest sense: nonconforming, elusive, boundless. It celebrates the intangible, the strange. It doesn’t play by the rules,” Ocean states during an interview with GQ. The interlude, “Good Guy,” brings forth the memory of a blind date Ocean once went on that was set up by a mutual friend. “Here’s to the gay bar you took me to / Here’s when I realized you talk so much more than I do,” sings Ocean. Ocean only mentions being gay directly once throughout the album, showing a diversion in theme from his previous album, “Channel Orange,” while still expressing his true colors. “In terms of his decade, he’s become an icon for other gay artists because he’s one of the biggest doing it. He’s one of the most talented artists,” senior Timmy Hausler, an avid Frank Ocean fan, states. “People already liked him before they knew it, and after, some of his friends like Tyler the Creator and Syd Bennett have come out as gay and I think he really has helped pioneer that.” After the release of Ocean’s first album on Jan. 1, 2012, many rumors began to circulate speculating the sexuality of Ocean. Over six months later, he released a letter depicting his first romance with another man at the age of 19. “[Four] summers ago, I
met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together.” From that point on, Ocean’s influence on several artists increased tremendously, as he was not just a successful musician in his field, but one of the LGBTQ+ community doing so with astronomical achievements. “I don’t mind that he’s more private. I think it’s better as an artist to be more private because when your whole life is on display, it makes the music more special,” sophomore Brooke Searfoss states. Being highly exclusive, Ocean releases very few interviews and lets his music speak for itself. He makes every word, both sung and spoken, count. A prime example of this is the PrEP+ event organized by Ocean on Oct. 19; the initial event was dedicated to members of the LGBTQ+ community mingling on the dance floor in an entirely safe environment. PrEP is also the name of an HIV prevention strategy that HIV negative individuals take to prevent becoming infected, which was most definitely not a coincidence in the name selection by Ocean. Establishing such events are his way of interacting with his fans and the public along with voicing his beliefs in society. Ocean has become a crucial member in the music industry who has instilled in many artists the confidence to identify as their true selves. With his two singles, “In My Room” and “DHL,”recently released, Ocean has set very high standards to live up to in his nearing music. As Ocean stated in an interview with W Magazine, “With the fear, through fear, and despite fear, whatever, this is what’s going on. This is what it is. And I love that.”
11. Pretty Sweet 12. Facebook Story 13. Close to You 14. White Ferrari 15. Seigfried 16. Godspeed 17. Futura Free
STEM
Colt Chronicle·Acceptance Issue
11 WOMENGINEERING
Photo courtesy of engineersjournal.ie
Women can build the future by breaking the stereotype of engineering being an all-male field. Photo courtesy of alltogether.swe.org
The Society of Women Engineers focuses on inspiring women to be fearless in their pursuit of an engineering education and career.
Only 13%
of engineers are female.
WOMEN IN ENGINEERING
Only
of computer scientists are female.
By Camille Baló, Editor in Chief/STEM Editor
Only
of mathematicians are female.
More Needs to be Done
As of 2018, only 13 percent of engineers are in gender composition or gender stereotypes women. in the engineering field. Furthermore, accordHowever, compared to decades prior, 13 per- ing to the National Bureau of Economic Recent is a vast improvement. In 1960, a mere search, women are “just as resilient as men one percent of engineers were female, and by in sticking with demanding fields,” meaning 2000, the percentage increased to 11 percent, that women aren’t leaving engineering beaccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. cause of its difficulty. Rather, an extensive, deeply-rooted cultural problem is at play. Engineering requires a wide range of creative and diverse minds to effectively come up with solu- One in four women will leave the engineering tions to problems. With the lack of female repre- field compared to one in 10 male engineers, acsentation in the engineering field, it makes it easy cording to a study conducted by the Society of to forget about what women can bring to the table: Women Engineers; moreover, the one in four new minds, new creativity, and new perspectives. women are also part of the 38 percent of women who make it into the engineering workforce but For example, when vehicular safety features end up leaving. What’s more, approximately one such as airbags were first introduced to the gen- in five women cited organizational climate or culeral public, women and children were frequently ture as the driving factor, while 11 percent cited harmed or even killed when they deployed, too working conditions, lack of advancement, or low forceful for the smaller skeletal structure. Even- salary, according to a research paper conducttually, the insight women gave to the engineers ed by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. developing the airbags ensured the complete safety of everyone during an automobile accident. Increasing the female presence in the male-dominated field of engineering is an essential step However, women are leaving an engineering ed- to breaking down pervasive gender stereoucation and the engineering field in swarms. Ac- types while allowing for a diversified field, cording to the American Association of Univer- resulting in new perspectives and approachsity Women, 32 percent of women switch out of es to problems. Working together, women and college STEM majors, and out of the 20 percent men alongside each other in equal numbers, is female engineering major graduates, only 11 per- a critical step to continue moving, not only the cent making it to the workforce as an engineer. engineering field but also the world, forward. As a Georgetown study proved, women are not deterred when faced with a discrepancy
26% 15%
Women earn for every
$1
classes to female students
Support women in the engineering field
a man earns.
Photo courtesy of fifteendesign.co.uk
The stereotype of the STEM and engineering fields being a “man’s field” is being challenged by the influx of women entering said job sectors.
52%
How to close the gap?
Promote engineering
90 cents
Only 30%
of female STEM workers leave the workplace as a consequence of “macho workplace” culture issues. of women who earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering are still working in the field after 20 years later. Infographic by Camille Baló with information by Scientista Foundation and SWE.
12
Sports
Former KHS wrestler, Mendoza, shows off her skills against an opponent.
THE GIRL GRAPPLER
Colt Chronicle.Acceptance Issue
Photo from Emily Mendoza
Emily Mendoza is one of many females across the nation who have participated in male-dominated wrestling teams By Brian Lane, Staff Reporter Wrestling: A mention of the sport often evokes the image of two sweaty guys in one-pieces throwing each other against the mat and the sound of deep, loud voices echoing through a gym. However, there is an entirely different aspect of the sport of wrestling: the participation of females. Diversity with regard to athletes’ sex and gender is rare in high school sports, which may be why some people do not
even know that there are female wrestlers. However, female wrestlers make the wrestling community more vibrant and competitive. Former Kinnelon High School wrestler Emily Mendoza was the only girl on the wrestling roster. Even though she is the opposite gender and sex of most of her competition, she still kept the same mindset of determination and confidence as everyone else on the team.
“In wrestling, confidence is key, so I always go into a match with a winning mindset,” said Mendoza. Female wrestlers often have to compete with members of the opposite gender and sex, which some might assume is an insurmountable disadvantage. Mendoza, however, is living proof that this is not the case, and she consistently proves that females can work just as hard as males and compete with them in matches. “My mindset going into a match against a male is no different from going against a female wrestler. I am used to wrestling males. Even though they are naturally stronger, I don’t let that hold me back. It just pushes me to work harder in the weight room and on the mat,” said Mendoza.
Statistics from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Gender distribution of high school wrestlers in 2018.
According to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, there were slightly more than 16,500 female high school wrestlers in 2018 compared to more than 245,000 males. Although girls are extremely outnumbered in the sport, Mendoza stills says she is inspired and driven to succeed. “My drive for wrestling really just comes from my love of the sport. It is fun, challenging, and forces me to push myself. It also helps that I
have great coaches and teammates.”
• In 2004, women’s wrestling became an Olympic sport. • Every year for the past 27 years, the number of female high school wrestlers has grown by more than 10 percent. • By 2018, there were over 16,000 female high school wrestlers. Facts from the NWCA and
Our Rebellion
FEED
Colt Chronicle.Acceptance Issue
A sirens call Who salvaged the ebbing love in cracked eyes. Then placed it in your palms, Who only sees a color apart from two To pace this muse of hands clapping together, “our lives matter� Like shards of glass turned to scratched ropes, Hands laced in cuffs In this afterglow. -Hiba Shaikh
In The Binding
Colt Chronicle.Acceptance Issue
BACK
There are labels in which binds us: wrinkled fingers, and ones with a new diamond perched upon its bony embodiment. Just take a quiet look, and see: The scales that color the bucket overflowed with withered dandelions nestling close hoping to keep your wish. Oldened joints creak like rusted nails, they sit so weighted pulled downstuck where you put the half empty cup. And strong, they hold down yet science claims that gravity,is weak. And now watch as your blood pours the same from the one which has white flesh, across a cut, with an innocence, now strengthened, rather than the surface that cannot be cut, A bucket of rusted nails. There such a label for an animal who has been slashed, When it comes back with its new cells. Proud no matter the color it grew back. As all colors It is proud of the wound it carries, An honor after its fights. A treasure to bring from the war. And a battle scar between your heart and lungs is one of the chest. A proud one. How their browned skin makes them two of one, a single rope. That nothing may cut. -Hiba Shaikh
Pretty In Pain
Colt Chronicle.Acceptance Issue
Slinked curls fall close to collar bones that jut out of scented skin soft with Pink Sugarplum, Bath and Body Works Holiday Collection.
Petite-waisted models drowned in industries of white skin, black lace, stained lips-strictly red. Months of leather belts tied one, two, three, too tight on her waist.
She reads the label aloud, words slow and heavied crawling off her tongue.
Size 5, stretched for all to see. Slender fingers that once scratched stories onto paper now pinch onto flesh, wishing she could rid herself, of childhood days.
Painted girls from mother’s Vogue magazines scamper about her head inside fluorescent-lit bathrooms
Teeming with, Twinkies -Hiba Shaikh
Winter Wonderland
Lifting The Dusty Fog
Colt Chronicle.Acceptance Issue
What is a cloud? Not a sky-stain, not a wet blemish, But a being of spritely water. What is the sky? Not a cloud-muffle, not a dusty curtain, But a being of dancing blue. When the dust-fog runs thick and heavy, their thoughts become distorted, and they disdain each other —the cloud, a wet blemish. —the sky, a dusty curtain. And sometimes, when the fog is not so thick, and the dust, not so heavy, the two sit quietly, careful not to touch, as far away as two people on opposite ends of a lonely bench. And sometimes -Nicole Sensebach