The Bella Bulletin June 2020
Happy Birthday to EMT, DAUGHTER, FRIEND, AUNT, GIRLFRIEND, BREONNA TAYLOR
ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER
Highlights of the Month Co-editor-in-chief, Zoe Donovan, recognizes some of unfortunately, many black trans victims who have been killed. Please continue to support the movement and remember that all black lives matter.
@bellaabzuginstitute
Table of Contents
Happy Birthday To…….…………………….….…….3 Highlights of the Month.....……..….…………..…4 Support Queer Media…........………………..…….. .6 Feminist Five!: Pride Month Edition……..…..8 Support The Movement………….………......…....11 Looking For Enrichment Opportunities....…12 BALI Staff………………………………………..……14 BELLA BULLETIN STAFF ………………………….......15
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Highlights of The Month
Two Trump Associates Convicted of Financial Crimes in One Day Breonna Taylor
Diane Rwigara and Mother, Adeline Rwigara Imprisoned After Diane George Floyd Announces her Election Bid for President of Rwanda
This year marks the second annual Black Joy This month, the Scottish Parliament took a huge Parade in Oakland, California. The parade is step to being the first country in the world to celebrated at the end of February to make period products free for all those who Late at night on March 13th, three Louisville, On May 25, George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black commemorate Black History month and fills the need them. The Period Products (Free officers killed Breonna In recent Kentucky weeks, police American news outletshave Taylor have been man was suffocated to death by aBlack white 21 Black trans women killed so far in 2020. streets with Black owned businesses, vendors, Provision) (Scotland) Bill was introduced by after forcibly entering her the house under a been saturated with articles about conviction Minneapolis police officer named Derek games, and music. Elisha Greenwell, founder of Parliament member Monica Lennon, who first are the crimes astronomically “trans no-knock women warrant .” The officers were of hate of Paul Manafort and Michael police Cohen , victims Trump’s Chauvin. Floyd was at arrested after a convenience the Black Joy parade, started this tradition proposed it in 2017. The bill has now moved In employee August called of 911 2017, Diane Rwigara was conducting chairman a narcotics and store to report a suspicion former campaign and investigation, former lawyer, because rates she saw aand need for Black are folks inconsistently her onto the second stage in parliament in which high they denied justice, housing, becoming aused voice for the underrepresented, although they suspected the drugs were being that Floyd had a counterfeit 20 dollar-bill respectively, for financial crimes. Michael community to gather not only in moments of members may propose amendments to it. people ofof ofRwanda; Chauvin daring to hold sold from alongtime houseand far away from Taylor’s healthcare, employment. Here are some the recent toyoung purchase a pack cigarettes. Cohen, Trump’s lawyer protest, but in moments ofpersonal celebration as well. Although there is a long way to go until this bill PresidentFloyd Paul Kagame’s into government believed that one of their handcuffed and pinned his knee pleaded residence, guilty of tothey violence eight federal accounts, Furthermore, the parade symbolizes a becomes law, its introduction toto parliament cases against Black trans women and how fight accountable fora cop corruption, censorship, and was finance using Taylor’s house that to receive Floyd’s neck next to car for 8 minutes and including suspects campaign were reclamation of space inviolations an area that has been alone has helped dismantle taboos about packages. Under thein “no-knock” warrant, the Shortly after her tocampaign was 46poverty. seconds. warning: Floyd pleaded for Chauvin stop, for justice their names. Content made in an attempt to gentrification quiet Stephanie Clifford fighting against since the 1970’s. discussing menstrual health. death and police officers were not required to knock or announced, however, she kept was his disqualified from saying “I can’t breathe.” Chauvin knee (Stormy Daniels) and Karen McDougal about violence. identify themselves as police officers before raceneck for after allegedly lying about the onthe Floyd’s he fell unconscious and for number of their extramarital affairs with Donald Trump entering the household. After the police officers shethe collected toarrived. run for a signatures full minute after paramedics The president. with “hush money.” But not only did Cohen used a battering ram to barge into Taylor’s three other and officers the then arrest, Rwigara her present motherfor were arrested on come clean about his own criminal acts, he also house, Kenneth Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend, Thomas Lane, Kueng, and Tou accounts J.ofAlexander fraud, incitement, and implicated Trump in the process by stating that fired his gun out of self-defense. The police Thao, made no attempt stopping the abuse. quickly “discrimination andat sectarian practices” the payments made to Clifford and McDougal officers then proceeded to release fire into the The four officers fired of the the day former after the following the were creation candidate’s were Trump’s orders. may also Taylor further bedroom where Cohen they shot Breonna at incident, and and surveillance footage along with campaign response to her disqualification: implicate least Trump in the future with his supposed 8 times. Walker, having mildly injured one bystander footage surfaced shortly after the the “People Salvation Movement.” According Carl Court/Getty knowledge “the a conspiracy to was corrupt American of policeImages officers, charged with the murder, causing g lobal outrage . Chauvin now to her family and her supporters, who have also The stakes the world been risingto as democracy by the around Russians, andhave the failure Recentcharges studiesfor have reported thatmurder the United attempted murder of a police officer, but this faces second-degree and connected faced severe consequences for being the coronavirus (COVID-19) grows into a bigger report thatcharge knowledge to the FBI” according to States Census Bureau w ill incorrectly count was dropped a month after the incident. manslaughter bail was recently to Rwigara, and her his disqualification and arrest were threat. Known cases have been reported from his lawyer Lanny Davis. While as Black Americans in the 2020 census, missing Taylor, who would have turned 27Trump on June 5th, increased from $1 million to $1.25 million. The politically motivated. Rwigara’s arrest comes as dozens of countries, but pleading the most severe ostracizedwas Michael Cohen for guilty, between 1.1 millionnext and court 1.7 million residents. a Black, female, emergency room ex-police officer’s appearance is no surprise to many, however, because she is outbreaks have been located in China, Iran, the president has who loyally defended his former Beginning with the 3/5ths compromise, this technician dreamed of becoming a nurse scheduled for June 29th. The other three Italy, and South Korea. With 977 confirmed one isofpart many opposers ofBlack President Kagame to news a long history of folksand not campaignand chairman Manafort, who has starting aPaul family. Her family members, officers haveofbeen charged with aiding cases, South Korea has the most infected be “eliminated” in U.S. some respect. Kagame’s being represented in the census. Thehave lack devastated the loss, filed rongful death been charged withfrom eight counts ofa wbank fraud, abetting second-degree murder. There patients outside of China and Italy has been the partynow hasis, dominated Rwanda since ofpolitical representation in part, against the In addition, tax fraud,lawsuit and failure to police reportofficers. a foreign bank been several public memorials for caused Floyd by in source of most infected patients throughout 2000, and he is credited with helping the country various obstacles accessing that FBI’s Louisville an account. The His conviction is a office result started of Robert Minneapolis, North to Carolina, and residents Houston, and Europe. According to officials, it is inevitable recover affect from people its mass in 1994 and primarily of agenocide color. funeral Special of Taylor’s death on May 21st. on June 9th, Floyd’s family had private Mueller’sinvestigation investigation into connections that coronavirus will spread in the United States stabilizing the economy. Rwanda’s government, attention is being this issue The Trump three officers, however, are Russian still on during which theybrought buriedtoFloyd nextbecause to his between the campaign and the as well causing tensions about resources and under rule, also leads theof rest of the4 the Census determines a significant amount administrative leave and and have not been charged mother in Kagame’s Houston. government. Both Cohen Manafort have yet government worldfunding. in political representation for women, federal of any crimes.action to rise. to be sentenced.
Highlights of the Month
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Persepolis is an autobiographical graphic novel written by Marjane
Satrapi. The book was originally published in French and has sold Maya Angelou was born on 4th,Times 1924bestseller, in St.Ijeoma Louis, This but In thisApril New York OluoMissouri. offers a hard-hitting millions aofgripping copies and has been translated several languages. “Okparanta delivers novel gayinto woman’s coming of ageThe in user-friendly examination ofabout race ainyoung America. month (her birthday month) honor her lifeandand work.in Iran during the story follows Satrapi’s childhood upbringing Nigeria during the we’ll Nigerian civil war.”The Guardian
Hunger is a memoir written by Roxane Gay. It was published on June 13th, 2017 Islamic Revolution. The title references the ancient capital of the Maya Angelou was anreporting African American poet, singer, memoirist and civil rights activist. Widespread on aspects of white supremacy--from police Persian empire. The book was on theUdala American Library Association’s and it is 320 pages long. unger iand s a personal account of Roxane Gay’s life, largely “In Chinelo Okparanta’s new novel Under the Trees,to apoetry chance meeting She has authored plays,Hmovies television shows in addition books and severalbrutality autobiographies. Her first autobiography, Know Why the Caged put Bird aSings” to the incarceration of “I Black Americans--has media list of Top Tenmass Most Challenged Books in 2014. consumed by her weight. She addresses her experience of living in a body without
between Ijeoma, a Christian Igbo, and Amina, a Muslim Hausa, begins a friendship details her upbringing in the south up to being a teenager. This book brought her Satrapi was inspired the graphic novel asdifficult her medium to tell the spotlight on racism in to ourusesociety. Still, itand is aexperiences. subject to criticalwas acclaim international praise for her writing that turns quickly to passion. “This the and beginning,” Okparanta writes. “Our bodies being touched by talk the control of her size, and lacking the discipline that society encourages women to have story indo order to use her talents with images words. about. you tell your roommate herwas jokes arelike racist? Why didperfect your sister-in-law takeand umbrage when fire thatHow was each other’s flesh … Tingly and good and everything in the world.” Her full name Marguerite Annie Johnson. Her older brother nicknamed her Mya. over their bodies. She goes through encounters with her body from a childhood When her parents separated, she was sent to live in Stamps, Arkansas. She lived with
you asked to touch her hair--and how do you make it right? How do you explain white privilege to your white, shaken by sexual assault, her 20s, which she calls her “lost years”, and becoming an her paternal grandmother, who owned a general store and did well economically though it was the Great Depression. Angelou briefly lived with her mother. She was privileged friend? established writer. We follow her as the trauma she was subjected to at 12 years old, follows her relationship sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend. After this experience she became mute for nearly five years. She moved
Under Udalawith Trees a timely moment history. In January then president, again tothe Oakland hercame mother and her brother. Heinattended labor school and theNigeria’s first cable carfamily conductor Satrapi introduces herself as at a 10 year old in Iran inNigeria’s 1980. aShe belonged to became an 2014, upper middle class with with her body until adulthood. She ate to cope with her sorrow and to protect herself from being hurt. She in San Francisco. Goodluck Jonathanmusic, signed a bill and commonly as the “jail the against gays” act, whichand criminalizes access to Western politics art. She known participated in protests the Shah witnessedsame-sex his exile.
believed that if she shrouded herself with weight, perhaps she would be so intolerable that she would ultimately
relationships. Violators face to 14 years of prison the region, risk death byand stoning. She had many inresulted herupyoung She wasand a fryin cook, anorthern sexespecially worker, a nightclub dancer performer, Despite this, professions the impact inadulthood. religious extremism in society covering women’s bodiesUdala anda cast member of the opera Porgy and Bess, a nd a coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. She also be free of male dominion over her body. Hunger is the story of being overweight when “the bigger you are, the Trees serves as to a 2, sobering reminder thatrefuge despite legality gay marriage in herself much of western In So In You Talk About Race,taking Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects from hair. worked asPersepolis aWant journalist in she Ghana. describes in the Vienna, and of having to fend for in ranging athe new place.
smaller your world becomes.”Her story is deeply personal, making a political statement about expectations of hemisphere in2 Europe and the US, not too far away communities endure government-sanctioned Persepolis 1 and and are artistic representations of living LGBT in in a nature turbulent with political intersectionality and affirmative action to "model minorities" an attempt to make thequestionable seemingly impossible Angelou’s work is held in high esteem because of the groundbreaking of hersociety memoir writing. This shifted the way womanhood and gender, sexuality, trauma and hope. We learn how her body has “informed” her feminism and terror and brutality.” Anjali Enjeti, T he Guardian African American women publicly discussed their personal lives. It also helped increase black feminist writings in the possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American 1970s. taught her about the greater machines of society demonizing fat bodies and that work so hard to produce life. unrealistic standards that we hunger for.
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“When we identify where our privilege intersects with somebody else's oppression, we'll find our opportunities to make real change.” ― Ijeoma Oluo "Simply put: Ijeoma Oluo is a necessary voice and intellectual for these
times, and any time, truth be told. Her ability to write so smartly and honestly with strokes of humor about race in America is heaven sent and demonstrates just how desperately we all need to be talking about race, and perhaps, more importantly, this insightful book shows those in power or privilege how they need to listen."—Phoebe Robinson, New York Times bestselling author of You Can't Touch My Hair and Everything's Trash, But It's Okay "What Ijeoma Oluo has done, and continues to do, is nothing short of revolutionary -- she has created a conversational guide and laid out a movement-building blueprint for people of all races who are invested in self-assessment, open to being challenged, and committed to collective progress. One of the most important voices of our time, Oluo encourages us to be the conversation starters in our own lives and to keep talking -someone who needs to hear us is listening."—Feminista Jones, author of Reclaiming Our Space "I don't think I've ever seen a writer have such an instant, visceral, electric impact on readers. Ijeoma Oluo's intellectual clarity and moral sure-footedness make her the kind of unstoppable force that obliterates the very concept of immovable objects."—Lindy West, New York Times-bestselling author of Shrill "With this book, Ijeoma Oluo gives us -- both white people and people of color -- that language to engage in clear, constructive, and confident dialogue with each other about how to deal with racial prejudices and biases." —National Book Review "Read it, then recommend it to everyone you know."—Harper's Bazaar, "One of 10 Books to Read in 2018"
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Support The Movement
Places to sign, donate, text, call, protest, etc. Petitions For Education Reform Justice For Breonna Taylor 30 BLM Petitions You Should Sign Right Now List of Black-Owned Restauarants in NYC to Support 125 Black-Owned Businesses to Support Right Now EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS! 11
Looking for Enrichment Opportunities? Looking for Enrichment Opportunities? American Museum of Natural History various teen programs run through the American Museum of
Black Natural Girls Code Historyoffers programming and events in coding for African American girls. Black Girls Code offers programming and events in coding for African American girls. Black Girls Code offers and eventsand in coding for African American girls. Brotherhood/Sister Sol programming offers afterschool summer programming in relationshipBrotherhood/Sister Sol offers afterschool and summer programming in relationshipbuilding, self/global awareness, social justice, leadership development, and more. Some of building,Brotherhood/Sister self/global awareness, social justice, leadership and self/global more. Some of Sol offers afterschool and summer programingdevelopment, in relationship-building, their programs are gender-specific. their programs gender-specific. awareness,are social justice, leadership development, and more. Some of their programs are gender-specific. ChickTech offers programming and mentorship in STEM for high school girls. ChickTech offers programming and mentorship in STEM for high school girls. ChickTech offers programming and mentorship in STEM for high school girls.
CuriousJane Janeoffers offersclasses classesand andsummer summer programming programming in Curious in science, science,theatre, theatre,arts artsand andcrafts, crafts, and more for girls. and more for girls. Columbia University pre-college programs for high school students run through Columbia University. DigitalGirl, Girl,Inc. Inc. works high schools to provide provideinprogramming and offers Curious Janeworks offers classes andschools summer programming science, theatre, in arts and crafts, and moretech for Digital atathigh to programming inSTEM STEM and offers tech workshops forthe thecommunity. community. girls. for workshops Digital Girl, Inc. win orks at high schools to STEM andrace, offers tech for GirlBeBeHeard Heard works inhigh high schools toprovide girls about class Girl works schools to teachprogramming aboutingender, gender, race,and andworkshops classthrough through the community. theatre, and offersworkshops workshopsand and performances. performances. theatre, and offers Generation Citizen encourages civic engagement in youthand through an action civics class. Girl offers mentorship, advocacy, and lifeskills skills training forgirls. girls. GirlVow Vow offerseducation, education, mentorship, life training for Girl Be HeardEquity works in high schools to teach girls about gender, race,advocacy, and class through theatre, and Girls community leadership, andsocial social Girlsfor forGender Gender Equityoffers offersprogramming programming in in community advocacy, leadership, and offers workshops and performances. justice justicefor forgirls. girls. Girl Vow offers education, mentorship, advocacy, and life skills training for girls.
Girls economicliteracy, literacy,leadership leadershipand and GirlsInc. Inc.offers offersprogramming programmingin instatistical statistical analysis, analysis, economic community action, STEM, media literacy, sexual healtheducation, education, substanceabuse abuse community STEM,offers media literacy,inathletics, athletics, Girls foraction, Gender Equity programming community sexual advocacy,health leadership, and socialsubstance justice for prevention, 6-18. prevention,self-defense, self-defense,and andmore more for for girls girls ages ages 6-18. girls.
Girls Leadership offers Parentin&statistical Daughter workshops, parent education, and summer day Girls Inc. offersoffers programming analysis, economic literacy, and community action,day Girls Leadership Parent & Daughter workshops, parentleadership education, and summer camps for girls entering grades sexual 4 and 5. education, substance abuse prevention, self-defense, and media literacy, athletics, campsSTEM, for girls entering grades 4 andhealth 5. more for girls ages 6-18.
Girls on the Run offers a physical activity based youth development program for girls in Girls on the Run offers a physical activity based youth development program for girls in grades 3-8. Girls Leadership offers Parent & Daughter workshops, parent education, and summer day camps for girls grades 3-8. entering grades 4 and 5.
Girls Who Code offers afterschool and summer programming in coding for middle and high Girls Who Code offers afterschool and summer programming in coding for middle and high school girls. Girls on the Run offers a physical activity based youth development program for girls in grades 3-8. school girls. Girls Write NowCode offers programs in writing,in digital media, andhigh college preparation Girls Who offersmentoring afterschool and summer programming coding for middle and school girls. Girls Write Now offers mentoring programs in writing, digital media, and college preparation for girls. for girls. Girls Write Now offers mentoring programs in writing, digital media, and college preparation for girls.
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Clickon onprograms program names Click namesFor ForMore MoreInfo! Info! GOALS for Girls offers year‑round programming, a summer intensive, weekend forums, and internships
GOALS for Girls offers year-round programming, a summer intensive, weekend forums, and in STEM for middle and high school girls. internships in STEM for middle and high school girls. LOVE Mentoring works at high schools to deliver small‑group mentoring for young Latinas.
LOVE Mentoring works at high schools to deliver small-group mentoring for young Latinas. Life is Precious offers individual and groups counseling, arts therapy, academic support, and nutritional
Life is Precious offers individual and group counseling, arts therapy, academic support, and and fitness activities to prevent suicide among young Latinas. nutritional and fitness activities to prevent suicide among young Latinas. Lower Eastside Girls Club provides programming in STEM, business, art, leadership, and advocacy, as
Lower Eastside Girls Club provides programming in STEM, business, art, leadership, and well as mentoring for girls in grades 6‑12. advocacy, as well as mentoring for girls in grades 6-12. Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) MedPrep Program a preparatory program for students between
NYC GREAT! offers programming and mentoring in college and career readiness for high junior high and college who wish to pursue careers in the medical field. The NERA MedPrep program has school girls. partnerships with five medical institutions including the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
NYU GSTEM is a six-week summer program for high school girls during the summer between their junior and senior years who have high aptitude in STEM subjects. NYC GREAT! offers programming and mentoring in college and career readiness for high school girls.
Powerplay NYC works in elementary, middle, and high schools to offer afterschool NYU GSTEM is a six‑week summer program for high school girls during the summer between their junior programming in physical activity and healthy living. and senior years who have high aptitude in STEM subjects.
Sadie Nash Leadership Project provides afterschool and summer programming in leadership Powerplay NYC works in elementary, middle, and high schools to offer after‑school programming in and social justice for girls ages 14-22. physical activity and healthy living.
Soul Sisters Leadership Collective works in schools to offer workshops to explore issues Soul Sisters Leadership Collective works in schools to offer workshops to explore issues faced by young faced bywomen of color. young women of color.
Vibe Theatre Experience offers theatre and a free summer enrichment program for college students media programming for girls ages 13-19. Summer Health Professions Education Program pursuing health professions.
Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls offers afterschool and summer music programing for girls. The Whitney Museum of Art arts programs and events for teens at the Whitney Museum of American
YWCA provides programming in leadership and advocacy, STEAM, career and college Art. exploration, and more for girls. Vibe Theatre Experience offers theatre and media programming for girls ages 13‑19. Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls offers after‑school and summer music programming for girls. Young Women's Christian Association an organization that informs women on societal issues that affect them and encourages them to vote
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BALI Staff BALI Staff
BALI Staff
Liz Abzug
Oriela Baliaj
Gabriela Valette
Founder & Executive Director
Senior Program Associate
Program Coordinator
Liz Abzug
Oriela Baliaj
Gabriela Valette
Founder & Executive Director
Senior Program Associate
Program Coordinator
BALI Board of Directors Munira Choudhury
Neonne Ameer Program Intern Program Assistant Liz J. Abzug, Founder/Executive Director
Board ofof Directors BALIBALIBoard Directors Erica Forman, Board-Chair Meg Holzer, Secretary Liz J. Abzug, Founder/Executive Director Cynthia McKnight, Treasurer Erica Forman, Board-Chair Erica Forman, Chair Meg Holzer, Secretary
Eija Ayravainen Gloria Steinem Eija Ayravainen JoanneGloria Steinem Davila Joanne DavilaPopa Maya Catherine Maya Catherine Popa Maya C.Kai Gilchrist Popa
Cynthia McKnight, Treasurer Erica Forman, Chair Claire Reed
Harold Holzer Betsy Scheinbart-Norton Jonathan Greenberg Harold Holzer Jonathan Greenberg Judy Lerner Judy Lerner Liz Cooper Melissa Noonan-Mazzei
Betsy Scheinbart-Norton Jerry Goldfeder Jerry Goldfeder A.J. Lederman A.J. Lederman KylieKylie Reiffert Reiffert Liz Cooper 14 Kai Gilchrist 16
The Bella Bulletin Staff Gisselle Rodriguez Benitez The Bella Bulletin Wilma Abam-DePass Co-Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief The BellaStaff Bulletin Staff School:Northeastern Croton Harmon High School School: University Grade: 12th Major: EconomicsAbam-DePass Wilma BALI Class BALI Class of of:2017 2016 Email: wilma@depass.com Email: gisselle@abzuginstitute.org
Gisselle Rodriguez Benitez Wilma Abam-DePass
School: Mount Holyoke College Co-Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief BALI Class Zoe of 2017Donovan Email: wilma@depass.com Co-Editor-in-Chief School: Croton Harmon High School School: University School:Northeastern Mount Holyoke College
Wilma Abam-Depass
Section Editor Grade: BALI 12th Class 2017 Major: Economics School: Bard of High School Early College Queens School: Croton High BALI ofof:2017 Email:Class Wilma@depass.com BALI Class 2016 School Grade: 12th Grade:wilma@depass.com 11th Email: BALI Class of 2017 Email: gisselle@abzuginstitute.org BALI Class of: 2017 Email: zoezoedonovan@gmail.com School: Brown University BALI Class of 2017 Email: zoezoedonovan@gmail.com Co-Editor-in-Chief
Zoe Abam-Depass Donovan Wilma Sofia Baluyut Zoe Donovan
Section Editor Content SectionCreator Editor School: Bard High School Early College Queens School: Brown University School: Bard High School Early College Queens School: HighCollege School School:Croton Bard Early Grade: Grade: 12th BALI 12th Class Grade: 11th of 2017 Grade: 11th BALI ofofof:2017 BALI Class 2018 Email:Class Zoezoedonovan@gmail.com BALI Class 2017 BALI Class of: 2017 Email: zoezoedonovan@gmail.com
Mayannah Beauvoir Sofia Baluyut Adriana Rodriguez Zoe Donovan Content Creator Content SectionCreator Editor Section Editor
School: Temple University
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