Anthro Volume 4 Issue 2

6,ooo miles away pg. 10

anthromagazine.org 1

ANTHRO

April 2022 Volume 4 Issue 2

Mission Statement The ultimate goal of Anthro Magazine, Paly’s social activism publication, is to create a platform and forum for students to express their opinions and voices. Social activism is bringing issues into the spotlight to spread awareness and create change in society. On this platform, we will promote unity, diversity, and respect. As a publication, we aim to be inclusive but do not tolerate hate speech of the targeting of individuals. We hope to highlight issues that we see in our community, create a safe place to discuss these issues, and to make sure student voices are heard.

From the Editors Dear Readers, Between the end of the indoor mask mandate, the surge of the omicron variant, and the emergence of booster vaccines, the events that occurred during this Anthro cycle were ripe with opportunity for activist voices to emerge.

In our stories “Going Against Greek” by Olga Muys and Neil Rathi and “Rehiring for Reform?” by Ash Mehta and Evelyn Zhang, Anthro highlights some issues in our local community. Our cover story, “6,000 Miles Away,” detailing activists in the Bay Area and beyond protesting the war in Ukraine, amplifies Anthro’s focus on student activism and the interconnectedness of social issues.

In addition, we spotlight student opinions on subjects as diverse as the Palo Alto Unified School District’s response to the omicron variant (“The stress of returning to omicron” by Lauren Wong) and the Espionage Act (“A perilous prosecution” by William Rumelhart).

On a different note, we commentate on popular media in the stories “Arcane” by Ash Mehta and “‘Don’t Look Up’: A prophecy?”

by Evelyn Zhang.

Finally, we feature Palo Alto High School activists with stories on school clubs like Postcards for Change, the Paly Princess Project and the Socioeconomic Inequality Club.

We appreciate our staff writers, artists, photographers, and our adviser, Paul Kandell. We hope you enjoy Volume 4 Issue 2 of Anthro Magazine!

2 April 2022

— Karrie Huang and Arati Periyannan

Staff Editors-in-Chief Karrie Huang Arati Periyannan Digital Managing Editor Ash Mehta Business Manager Tyler Wang Features Editor Maya Mukherjee Opinion Editor Lauren Wong Staff Writers Erin Kim Sandhya Krishnan Olga Muys Neil Rathi William Rumelhart Evelyn Zhang Artists & Photographers Annelise Balentine Madelyn Castro Xiaohan Li Neil Rathi Alison Xiong Adviser Paul Kandell —————————— Connect @anthro.magazine @anthro_magazine issuu.com/anthro.magazine anthromagazine.paly@gmail.com

anthromagazine.org

IN THIS ISSUE 4

Incubator spotlight

5

Should the booster be required?

6

Title IX: 50 years

8

Raging for rights

10

6,000 miles away

14

Clothes for change

15

Pride and less prejudice

16

Voices without a vote

17

Petitioning for plant-based plates

18

Club campaigners

20

Going against Greek

22

The power of picture books

23

Fighting for diversity one book at a time

24

Postcards against suppression

25

Hustle harder, harder!

26

‘Arcane’

28

‘Don’t Look Up’: A prophecy?

29

Plant-based protein review

30

Rehiring for Reform?

31

It’s not about us

32

A perilous prosecution

33

The stress of returning to omicron

34

Activism around the world

Letters to the Editors The staff welcomes letters to the editors. We reserve the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity. Send all letters to anthromagazine.paly@ gmail.com or to 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301.

Printing & Distribution Anthro is printed by Folger Graphics in Hayward, California. The Palo Alto Parent Teacher Association mails Anthro to every student’s home. All Anthro work is available at anthromagazine.org.

On the Cover

Protester holds up sign at Town and Country in in support of Ukraine.

Cover: Arati Periyannan

Publication Policy Anthro, a social activism magazine published by students in Palo Alto High School Incubator class, is a designated limited open forum for student expression and discussion of issue of concern to its readership. Anthro is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost.

anthromagazine.org 3

Design by OLGA MUYS

P

INCUBATOR SPOTLIGHT

alo Alto High School’s Incubator journalism class currently includes four publications: Anthro Magazine, KPLY, [proof], and Ink. Anthro Magazine compiled short descriptions of the content these publications have worked on this semester, to give a taste of what our class has been doing. We encourage you to check these publications out.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY KPLY Paly Radio

KPLY

LISTEN ON SOUNDCLOUD KPLY Paly Radio

Community: Neurodiversity

Podcast by Ash Mehta Art by Xiaohan Li

Over the past few years, the concept of neurodiversity has become much more accepted. Still, our society is structured around able-bodied, neurotypical people, and being neurodivergent is heavily stigmatized and not well understood by most of the population.

In this podcast, Ash Mehta discusses their own experiences being neurodivergent and does a deep dive into the neurodivergent experience at Paly.

“Everyone, regardless of the brain type that they have, should be accepted... [and] have their differences acknowledged...you can’t have a world where everyone is alike.”

— ILA PERINKULAM, junior

Welcome to the working world Podcast by Madelyn Castro and Arati Periyannan Art by Xiaohan Li Over the past 40 years, the percentage of students that work has decreased significantly. However, as the pandemic begins to wind down, many students are deciding whether or not they want to join the workforce. In this podcast, Madelyn Castro and Arati Periyannan discuss how to get hired as a student and what balancing school and work life at Paly entails.

4 April 2022

“Working is one job, but school, itself, is like a second job. The combination can be overwhelming sometimes.”

— ARATI PERIYANNAN, junior

One fish, two fish, red fish...Blackfish?

Podcast by Maya Mukherjee Art by Xiaohan Li

The phenomenon of “Blackfishing,” or the practice of making oneself appear Black to gain fame or praise, has gained attention in the media recently. It has faced heavy criticism due to its cultural insensitivity on social media platforms such as Twitter. In this podcast, Maya Mukherjee discusses the harmful ramifications and the possible reasons behind this phenomenon.

“[Blackfishing] makes it seem as if the tables have turned but then next week you’ll hear about a white officer shooting a Black man.”

— MAIA JOHNSSON, Black Student Union president

The power of picture books Podcast by Olga Muys Art by Xiaohan Li

Picture books addressing themes of social activism are becoming increasingly praised by the highest awards in children’s literature, and increasingly targeted by book challenges in public school libraries across the country. Olga Muys sits down with Jennifer Ford, the librarian at Walter Hays Elementary School, to discuss her thoughts on the importance of progressive children’s literature, and her experiences with reading them to students.

INK. Editors-in-Chief: William Rumelhart and Xiaohan Li Cover: Xiaohan Li Ink is a literary magazine dedicated to student expression. Our central mission is to create a platform for diverse student voices.

We believe reading others’ writing and sharing writing with others is vital to the writerly experience.

“There are so many more books now that are being written by authors — authors of color — to put those issues out there, and it’s really good to see.”

— JENNIFER FORD, librarian

[proof] Editors-in-Chief: Neil Rathi and Alison Xiong Cover: Sana Muneyb Paly’s fine arts and photography magazine, focused on showcasing student artists and the Bay Area’s artistic community. [proof] is published three times per year, featuring photo essays, student profiles, and a gallery section.

anthromagazine.org 5

Text by ARATI PERIYANNAN and MAYA MUKHERJEE

Should the booster be required?

Paly opinions on county’s booster vaccine requirement for schools

S

anta Clara County changed its definition of vaccination to include booster shots in addition to the first two shots of a COVID-19 vaccine. The mandate goes into effect in July and will be required for students to attend public schools. We approached Palo Alto High School students and staff to gauge their opinions on the revised mandate. Here’s what they had to say: “I think everyone should be vaccinated and boosted to prevent the spread of COVID. Anecdotally, I do not have any students who are choosing to not get vaccinated and boosted. I know I have students who are not allowed to, so I think it would be positive because they would have to be vaccinated to come to school. That would encourage their parents and guardians to make the right choice for the health of the student.”

— LIZZIE DEKRAAI, English teacher

Photo: Arati Periyannan

“People should be vaccinated and boosted so that kids aren’t getting sick, and it’s safer for the teachers who don’t really have a choice. I can understand why people are like ‘Oh, my freedom’ but like, come on, just be safe, you know?”

— MADS ERNST, junior Photo: Arati Periyannan

“The county requiring a booster shot is just a natural progression. We’ve kind of departed from the two vaccination requirements, and I think definitely by now three vaccinations should be the standard and I feel like its just kind of common sense and it increases my feeling of safety in the community.”

— JONAS PAO, junior Photo: Maya Mukherjee

Photo courtesy of Gal Shoval

“I think some people might be upset about it, but it’s a smart precaution that should be taken.

We’ve seen how many COVID cases we had in the last month alone, so we should be doing everything we can to prevent it from happening again. I don’t think it should affect Paly in any way. As long as people follow the precautions, we should all be able to go on with our lives like we did before.”

— GAL SHOVAL, freshman

“I support the mandate because I think it’s important that people get vaccinated. This way, we can keep as many people safe as possible. Especially in the school setting where students are in classrooms together every day, it’s even more important that we stop the spread of COVID. Hopefully after people get their third shot, less people will get COVID, and we can keep more people healthy.” ­— POLINA VAN HULSEN, freshman Photo: Maya Mukherjee

6 April 2022

I

IX 50 Years

Text and art by ASH MEHTA

Local AAUW members share their thoughts on equity progress

W

hen Title IX was first being proposed, Marie Wolbach was a counselor at a college campus. Time after time, her fellow counselors would discourage aspiring female medical students before they even applied.

Since Congress passed Title IX 50 years ago, Wolbach has seen more and more women be empowered enough to achieve their medical school aspirations.

“There’s the subtle ways that women were discouraged from meeting their dreams,” Wolbach told Anthro Magazine in an interview. “And Title IX gave them a real way to say, ‘not so fast, maybe I do have the capabilities.’”

Wolbach is the founder of the American Association of University Women’s STEM camp for girls. She’s working with the AAUW to spread awareness of the law and the rights it provides in light of its 50th anniversary.

“There are things that they [young women] may just say, ‘well, that’s the way it is,’ and not really look at the fact that they have some legal reasons to complain about something that happens,” Wolbach said. “I hope that they will see that being their own advocates, or being advocates for other women, has really had an impact in our society in the last 50 years.”

Peg Carlson-Bowen, a board member of AAUW’s San Jose branch, also is an

advocate for Title IX. She said that she’s for everybody.” seen a lot of growth in women’s rights and Carlson-Bowen said she’d advise women’s quality of life over the past 50 younger advocates to try and understand years as a result of Title IX causing more school administrators’ sides of the story, young women to be educated. and to use reverse mentoring (when young“Title IX hasn’t changed so much as er people give advice to their seniors). the world has changed because of Title “We don’t live in your world, so we IX,” she said. “I think women’s issues are need to be shown — those of us who are being addressed much more assertively a little older and maybe in a position of because women lawyers are taking on the authority, like a Title IX coordinator — cases. Women’s health is better because they need to be shown the reality of what women doctors are listening to them, al- you have to live with, but then you have though we’ve got a long way to go there, to acknowledge the reality of what they’re especially in communities of color.” dealing with,” she said.

Despite this progress, Carlson-Bowen Carlson-Bowen said she hopes that said that she believes schools have progress young people will feel empowered to stand to make, especialup for themselves ly in standardizing “Being their own advo- and stand up for how Title IX cotheir rights. ordinators handle cates, or being advocates “I really think cases. for other women, has real- that the women of “There needs today are standto be more guid- ly had an impact in our so- ing up and saying, ance at the federal it. We’ve ciety in the last 50 years.” ‘That’s level on how Title had it,’” CarlIX should be adson-Bowen said.

— MARIE WOLBACH, AAUW STEM ministered, because “And the men program consultant who are victims of I think that the Title IX coordinators harassment and that we have talked to in the school sys- assault, and anybody of any gender identem don’t get enough training,” she said. tification, they’re standing up and they’re “They all develop different procedures saying, ‘That’s it. No more. We’re standing and different forms and different processes up for ourselves and we’ve got the laws to and policies, and that just makes it harder help us do it’.”

anthromagazine.org 7

Text and photos by KARRIE HUANG and MAYA MUKHERJEE

Raging for rights Community activists demonstrate against the potential loss of reproductive rights

through public protest. On Feb. 14, the Grannies held a protest on the corner of University Avenue and Emerson Street in Palo Alto with around 20 attendees.

The Grannies organized the demonstration in response to the threat Roe v. Wade is facing. The Supreme Court will decide on the constitutionality of an abortion restriction in Mississippi in the bortion on demand and coming months. If the verdict allows the Mississippi law to stand, Roe v. Wade will without apology!”

Bundled in jackets and scarves, be severely weakened and could be overthe Raging Grannies chant and turned entirely.

“Most people don’t know that “Roe” hold signs as passing cars honk, some in is severely under attack and it’s likely to support and some in anger.

Dressed as the deceased Supreme be reversed before summer,” said Vara Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ruth Ramakrishnan, one of the demonstration’s organizers.

Robertson waves “[We] try and raise her gavel and leads chants in opposi- “[We] try and raise aware- awareness because know that the tion to the potenness because we know that we vast majority of tial overturning of Roe v. Wade, the the vast majority of Amer- Americans are prochoice.”

Supreme Court deAccording to cision that upholds icans are pro-choice.”

National Public Rareproductive rights.

— VARA RAMAKRISHNAN, organizer dio, 77% of AmerRobertson — icans are against who was fighting Roe v. Wade being for reproductive rights nearly 50 years ago as a teen in Ha- overturned, but most still want restrictions waii — leads the local branch of the Rag- on abortion.

Many community members joined ing Grannies, an organization of women who promote promote progressive causes the demonstration. Attendee Eve Moran

A

8 April 2022

attended with her young daughter and a sign questioning the true meaning of “pro-life.”

“My children go to school and have to practice pretending to be shot at because we won’t solve any gun problems or violence problems,” Moran said. “So, I’d like to have a genuinely safe pro-life nation where it’s safe to grow up, and people actually get the healthcare they need without being forced to have children they don’t want.”

On March 8, the Raging Grannies continued their advocacy with a march for International Women’s Day. “The truth is that when you have the power that the court has — a six-to-three majority — the only way to stop them is mass unrest, peaceful protests,” Ramakrishnan said. “That is the only way rights have been won.”

Art: Madelyn Castro

anthromagazine.org 9

Text and photos by ASH MEHTA and ERIN KIM

6,000 MILES AWAY Making a difference, in Ukraine, from abroad

S

ix thousand miles away, the largest war in Europe since World War II is occurring.

Six thousand miles away, 3.6 million Ukrainians have had to flee their home country. Six thousand miles away, thousands of civilians have been killed.

How could anyone ever dream of making a difference from the Bay Area? Evidently, people have found a way.

Ukrainian student at Stanford takes action Catarina Buchatskiy hasn’t been able to sleep for more than a few hours at a time for the past week.

Every time she does get a bit of rest, she wakes up panicking that she missed something important.

“I haven’t been able to go to classes, and overall, I’m just exhausted physically because I can’t fall asleep,” she said. “It’s very scary to think that, you know, at any moment I could check my phone and refresh and someone could say they’ve taken over and there’s not really much I can do.”

On Feb. 24, the day Russia invaded Ukraine, a crowd of students gathered on the Stanford campus to condemn Russia. Buchatskiy, a Stanford student who grew up in Ukraine, was one of the lead organizers.

She has also advocated strongly against Russia’s actions in other ways, helping organize a San Francisco “Stand With Ukraine” rally, among other efforts.

Despite this, she said she feels powerless so far from the war.

Ukraine agrees to abandon much of its nuclear weaponry in exchange for Russia promising to not threaten its independence.

1991 Ukraine declares itself an independent country from the Soviet Union and inherits a large nuclear arsenal.

10 April 2022

2004 1994

The Orange Revolution and election of Viktor Yushchenko in Ukraine upsets Russia. Ukraine strengthens its ties with NATO.

“I don’t feel as though I can contribute besides just watching the news,” Buchatskiy said. “I attend rallies and I mobilize and I do fundraising efforts here. But at the same time, it feels very far away from home.”

Buchatskiy said she is planning on moving from organizing rallies from abroad to directly supporting Ukrainians. She is hoping to travel to Poland and provide aid to Ukrainians at war.

“I’m hoping to set up supply lines between Poland and Ukraine so we can get humanitarian, medical and military equipment across the border and continue to supply our troops so that they have everything they need to continue defending our country and standing strong,” she said. “I’m very excited to get on the ground, be able to contribute to something even more directly than I have been now.”

Buchatskiy has family and friends in Ukraine with whom she’s remained in contact. Though she said some of them have been able to flee to Poland, others remain in the country.

People should care about this war regardless of whether or not they have ties to it, she said.

Russia accuses Ukraine of diverting gas intended for the European Union for personal gain. Ukraine at first denies this, but then admits to it.

2005

“It feels baffling to me that people even show support for Ukraine and to speak out Protests are an important way to comfeel the need to have a discussion about why against war. municate with the government, said attendpeople should care and whether people Attendee Kayla Whitney, who spent a ee Kathy Orrico. should care,” Buyear in 2008 teaching “I just feel it’s important for us to show chatskiy said.

“I attend rallies and I mo- English in Ukraine our support for Ukraine, and to let our polShe’s been frusand living with a host iticians know,” Orrico said. “I believe that a trated with some of bilize and I do fundraising family, applauds that huge show of force, not necessarily saying the language some efforts here. But at the family’s courage in an attack, but all the European countries, people are using to staying in their coun- the U.S., I think if we really showed a condescribe the war, same time, it feels very far try to fight. certed force, that Putin would back down, and the minimizing “I’m close to the because he’d have no choice.” away from home.” effect it can have, family that I lived with, Though the protest may be relatively she said. and I’m still in contact small, Orrico said that it’s still important — CATARINA BUCHATSKIY, Ukrainian with them, and they and makes her feel like she’s helping.

“This is not the Stanford student had a five-year-old son Ukraine crisis,” she “You feel like you want to do something said. “This is a war. at the time, so he’s now to help,” she said. “As benign as this might ‘A crisis’ makes it seem like it’s some kind of fighting the war,” Whitney said. “They’re be, I think it’s important.” internal conflict.” staying and fighting in Ukraine. They’re She said she appreciates the support of very brave.”

Russian student weighs in both Stanford’s Ukrainian community and Whitney said she felt happy to see the Polina watches as her country invades America at large. amount of support Ukraine has within the Ukraine, unable to freely speak against it.

“It’s been amazing to organize and feel Palo Alto community.

Twenty-two year old Polina, who chose that you’re not alone, and feel that you’re “In the short amount of time that we’ve to keep her surname anonymous for safenot shouting into a void,” she said. “Stu- been standing here, so many people honk- ty, is currently a college student in Russia. dents at Stanford that have no connection ing, and it’s amazing to see how many peo- She said she believes that her government to Ukraine have been showing up at the ple are really for is making the wrong events, helping me fundraise, donating, and peace and not war,” choice in invading “I just feel it’s important Ukraine. so, I think in a time of personal crisis, where Whitney said. you can feel so helpless, having something Another attend“The government for us to show our support wrongly that shows that you’re not alone and that ee, Simon Chiu, prioritizes people are actually listening means a lot.” draws a parallel be- for Ukraine, and to let our becoming a unified tween Hong Kong, country as soon as Raging Grannies protest against war where he’s from, politicians know.” possible rather than Around noon on March 6, a deafening and Ukraine. He finding unity,” she — KATHY ORRICO, protest attendee said. “This is war torrent of car honks and a crowd of blue and said he feels disyellow clothes, flags and signs flooded Town couraged at the against the Ukrainian and Country Village. For an hour, protesters power countries like Russia and China have. peoples, and it’s horrific.” stood at the corner of Embarcadero and El “I feel it’s pretty hopeless because it’s alPolina said that she believes this war is Camino as passing cars flooded the streets ways the worst, the most brutal, the baddest history repeating itself. She draws parallels with beeping to show their support. guy is going to have the short-term victory,” to the war with Georgia and the situation This protest was organized by the Rag- he said. “You just have no power to fight with Moldova. ing Grannies Action League — a group them, basically. I hope Ukraine, with the “I guess Putin just thought he could get of women fighting for social justice — to international support, will stand for long.” away with it again,” she said. “Moldova is

57.8% of Ukrainians want the government to hold a national referendum on whether or not to join NATO.

2006 Russia cuts off gas supply to Ukraine, agrees to give it back a few days later.

Russia warns against a free trade agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.

2010 2008

Pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych is elected, Ukraine allows Russian troops to remain in Crimea and to train in the Kerch peninsula.

2013 anthromagazine.org 11

in much the same position as Ukraine, a former member of the Soviet Union with a Russian backed separatist state that could easily end up recognized by Russia. It is just history going in circles. Hopefully it doesn’t end up this way.”

Polina believes that Russia used pre-existing civil unrest in Ukraine as a justification for the war.

“There are some separatist factions that have been rebelling in Ukraine for a while from what I know, and Putin has recognized them as official states. The fighting hasn’t stopped, so I think he used that as an excuse to invade” she said.

According to Polina, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was driven by capitalism and her country’s prominence in supplying oil around the world, as Russia is by far the largest oil supplier in Europe. “​​The TLDR is quite literally capitalism and oil/natural gas reserves predicted in Ukraine, which could possibly beat out or threaten Russia as a petrostate in Europe,” she said.

Though many Russians have protested against their country’s war against Ukraine, this activism can put citizens in danger.

Despite Russia technically having constitutional freedom of speech, laws have been passed prohibiting discussion of the country’s actions against Ukraine as a “war” or an “invasion.” Laws against things like “petty hooliganism” or “participation in an unsanctioned rally” can also be weaponized against advocates, according to USA Today.

Polina encourages people in places with more freedom of speech and right to protest to use their voices for change.

“It’s important to take a stand for things in places where you can speak freely – say what needs to be heard,” she said. “Senseless death leads nowhere. I hope that the many families and citizens have found somewhere safe to relocate.”

Russia sends troops into Ukrainian territory to take control of the Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine declares Crimea a territory temporarily occupied by Russia. Russia declares it a sovereign state.

2014 Ukrainians overthrow Yanukovych.

Interim government signs trade agreement with European Union.

12 April 2022

Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany sign the Minsk Accords, or cease-fire agreements.

2015 2014

Ukraine suspends its military agreement with Russia.

2014 - 2015

2019 Current Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is elected.

Russian military equipment reportedly moves towards the Rostov Oblast, Voronezh Oblast, and Crimea.

2021

Russia invades many parts of Ukraine, including Kyiv, the country’s capital.

2021 President Joe Biden discusses Ukraine-Russia relations with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Biden threatens to impose sanctions in the event of Russian military action.

2022 anthromagazine.org 13

Text by ARATI PERIYANNAN and MAYA MUKHERJEE

Clothes for change

Art by XIAOHAN LI

Princess Project Club holds drive for sexual assault survivors

C

o-founders of the Paly Princess Project Club Ashley Meyer and Kaila Chun originally envisioned a club that would collect and provide prom dresses to those in need. However, they encountered

cording to Meyer.

“This project aligned with our values such as empowering women, so we thought it was perfect,” Meyer said.

Executive director Lisa a problem when COVID-19 hit. With prom Blanchard founded the Gratebeing cancelled, the ful Garment Project dress drive was no “One single thread is not as her capstone projlonger relevant.

Rather than so strong, but as we come ect to get her undergraduate degree giving up, the club took their goal in a together, all these groups from Notre Dame de Namur Univerdifferent direction — and people and students sity. The project towards the Grateful Garment Project, and everybody, we be- collects clothes and puts them into kits an organization that come much stronger colto provide to sexual works to restore digassault survivors afnity to sexual assault lectively.”­ ter they go through survivors. a forensic examinaAmong other — LISA BLANCHARD, founder of the tion. new projects, such Garment Project In this examas putting up postination, the individers promoting body ual’s clothes are ofpositivity and holding a drive for hygiene ten taken and bagged for evidence.

Often, products, the club has focused on collecting these survivors are sent home in paper-thin items for the Grateful Garmen Project.

The club, working to expand its reach, gowns, similar to napkins, according to donated over 70 items to the Grateful Gar- Blanchard. This is where the Grateful Garment Project during the fall semester, ac- ment Project steps in.

“ I t [the goal of the Grateful Garment Project] is to restore dignity to those who had it stolen through some form of sexual violence and to help change the world,” Blanchard told Anthro Magazine.

Now, the project has grown into six programs that are accessible to 96% of the California population and involve assistance programs such as counseling programs and law enforcement, according to Blanchard.

According to Blanchard, community efforts such as the Paly Princess Project’s drive are necessary to keep the Grateful Garment Project running.

“It’s just like a rope,” Blanchard said.

“One single thread is not so strong, but as we come together, all these groups and people and students and everybody, we become much stronger collectively.”

Prom makeup & accessory drive (February 22 -­ April 22)

The Paly Princess Project Club is working with the Boys & Girls Club to collect new makeup, jewelry in good condition, nail polish, and makeup remover. These items will be distributed by the Boys & Girls Club to high schoolers who need them for prom.

Donation drop off locations are in the tower building and in the library hallway.

14 April 2022

Pride and less prejudice

Text and photo by ASH MEHTA

American Literature course to be revived in English program with an activist twist

A

merican Literature, a semester-long course focusing on the relationship between literature and the American identity, is being revived after not being offered at Palo Alto High School for three years. This time, it has a modern flourish.

The course used to be required curriculum for all students until the 2018-19 school year, before being made optional and eventually discontinued as a result of the popularity of AP English Language and Composition for juniors, according to an article by the Paly Voice.

Now, the English Department is working on bringing back the course with an emphasis on diversity. If enough students sign up, the 2022-23 school year will see the re-introduction of the class.

“Our ideas for bringing it back is to provide a class where we can look at literature that comes from a wide range of American voices,” said Kari Snell, an English teacher who worked on developing the course.

“That’s kind of one of the key components that we’re focusing on when we’re trying to develop the curriculum.”

Snell said that she envisions the course focusing especially on literature from a diverse range of races and ages, among other things. She said she hopes students will find either characters that they relate to or experiences they want to learn more about.

“Students will then have an opportunity to maybe dive in deeper to either a storyline that they either relate to or want to learn more about,” Snell said.

The old American Literature course looking forward to hearing about what her was less focused on diversity, according to students are passionate about and taking the Snell. It tried to incorporate diverse stories course in the direction of the students’ inand representation, terests. but also focused on want to leave “Our ideas for bringing it some“Iroom other things, like for incorSAT vocabulary. back is to provide a class porating things that Snell said she students might be inwanted to revive where we can look at lit- terested in, too,” she American Literature erature that comes from said.

Caption: English teacher for a while, but the English department a wide range of American Kari Snell sits at her desk.

Snell is helping develop waited until the new voices.”­ the American Literature course would feel discurriculum for the uptanced from its previ— KARI SNELL, english teacher coming 2022-23 school year. “Now that it’s not ous version. framed as the required ju“I think we just nior class, we no longer have to teach it the same way maybe needed time before we brought it we used to,” Snell said. “Our ideas for bringing it back back so that it didn’t necessarily feel like the is to provide a class where we can look at literature course we used to have,” Snell said. that comes from a wide range of American voices.”

According to Snell, American Literature will consist mostly of short-form literature, rather than novels, as the course is only a semester long.

“I think it could suit pretty much any student,” Snell said. “I think maybe a student who’s interested in having an opportunity to just read a lot of short stories versus focusing each unit around novels might find this course appealing … students who are interested in having an opportunity to think about comparing different peoples’ experiences.”

Snell said she’s

anthromagazine.org 15

Voices without a vote Text by MAYA MUKHERJEE and WILLIAM RUMELHART

Students serve on Representative Anna Eshoo’s Student Advisory Board

H

ealthcare inequality.

Maternal mortality.

Prison reform.

These are just some of the enduring, multifaceted issues the next generation of leaders is confronting on Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s Student Advisory Board. Several Palo Alto High School students serve on Eshoo’s board. Eshoo represents the 18th Congressional district, encompassing Palo Alto and much of the South Bay. The board was founded in 1993 and is intended “to give young people a voice in our government,” according to Eshoo’s website.

It consists of 180 high school students who research specific policy areas and present recommendations to Eshoo.

The board meets twice a month via Zoom and is split into committees that research specific topics. Although this session of the board is currently in the research stage, Eshoo has taken recommendations from students and presented them to the House of Representatives in the past, junior Ethan Boneh said.

Boneh, chair of the board’s public health committee, said his committee is currently focusing on maternal health.

“We started out addressing gender discrepancies in the healthcare system because our focus is overall public health,” Boneh said. “But then gradually narrowed that into maternal health because it’s an issue that we can probably have an impact in and it’s also a very serious issue in this country.”

Chairing the public health committee has been one of the most meaningful parts of Boneh’s time Art: Xiaohan Li on the board.

16 April 2022

Caption: The student advisory board meets with Congresswoman Eshoo, Dec. 15, 2021. Photo: Ethan Boneh “I lead a team of 90 people, and so I had reform, also said serving on the board has to learn to network with people,” Boneh said. been an informative way to learn more about “But it’s also very rewarding because I get to how politics works. talk to each of the “You get to individual subcomlearn how her admittees and stratministration works, egize with them what kinds of about how they’re things she proposes, going to mesh with what gets passed,” the overall goal of Zajac said. the board.”

U.S. GovernOverall, ment teacher CaitBoneh said lin Drewes said she seeing his finds students who w o r k are involved in polihave tics gain experience an imengaging with dif­— ETHAN BONEH, junior ferent views. pact is the “I think it most rewarding aspect of serving [working in politics] makes students listen beton the board. ter and hear different perspectives and under“The fact that we can have peo- stand that those perspectives are valid, even if ple presenting unique and you don’t agree with them,” Drewes said. diverse perspectives for the Boneh said the board offers the opportucongresswoman to actually nity to participate in politics and engage in this pitch to Congress to po- type of discussion. tentially create a change is “You learn a lot, you know, you get to something very inspiring to have a real impact,” Boneh said. “And you get me,” Boneh said. to work with amazing people who are just as Junior Kieran Zajac, interested as you are in making real change who is researching prison and that’s something you can’t replace.”

“The fact that we can have people presenting unique and diverse perspectives for the congresswoman to actually pitch to Congress to potentially create a change is something very inspiring to me.”

Text and Photo by ASH MEHTA

Petitioning for plant-based plates Students push for vegan meals options

S

everal Palo Alto High School students are leading a campaign to get more plant-based lunches on the menu through a petition which now has over 331 signatures.

Although over 25% of the Paly survey respondents are vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian, according to an opt-in, anonymous Anthro survey of 117 students conducted from Jan. 18 to Jan. 20, there often aren’t any fully plant-based options on the school’s lunch menu. Through their petition, juniors Margot Blanco and Morgan Greenlaw, along with several other students, are trying to change that.

“The nutrition team is a little apprehensive about taking on this project just because they would have to change some meal options,” Blanco said. “So our petition is a way of showing that students are in support of this change and that students care about the environment and the food they're receiving.”

Greenlaw and Blanco are hoping that after the petition gains more traction, they can speak to administrators, gather data, and broaden their campaign.

“Next steps are going to be to get more detailed information on the current menu and budget and how other schools have done this and just gathering a lot of information,” Greenlaw said.

Blanco and Greenlaw are working with the nonprofit organization Friends of the Earth to speak with administrators and work out the logistics of changing school lunch menus. Friends of the Earth is a nonprofit organization that helps students with environmental activism.

Though Blanco and Greenlaw said that though many students they talked to supported more plant-based food options, some are still skeptical. To these students, Greenlaw would clarify that the free lunch program is not being taken away, and that there would still be meat options available if they implemented their plan.

“We're not going to make all the food options vegan at the cafeteria,” she said.

“That's not what's going to happen. We just want more variety and we want a fully

plant-based option each day.” ers are low income people of color, many More vegan options may be difficult to who are undocumented, and who depend implement due to the higher cost of plant- on these jobs to provide for their family. based foods, according to Alva Spence, Palo They’re susceptible to dangerous work conAlto Unified School District student nutri- ditions, but are threatened with deportation tion director. if they report any injury.”

“The Food Service Department operGreenlaw said she hopes that even if ates on a budget and the Paly students change to add any plant- “I was always so skeptical don’t go fully based items will have to vegan or even be discussed as … plant- of these campaigns, be- vegetarian, they based items are not built lieving that my voice, my start implementinto our current budget,” ing more plantopinions, wouldn’t really based options Spence said.

Spence said that she into their diets. impact a community.” would also want more She said this student input before was her reason — MARGOT BLANCO, junior for using “plantconsidering changing the menus. based” in her “All students that currently participate language, rather than “vegan.” in the meal program should be surveyed for “You don't have to be 100% vegan your their input before any changes of this type entire life to make a difference,” Greenlaw should be considered,” she said. “I appre- said. “Every single choice we make does ciate and respect that there is a petition for have an impact.” these items to be added; however, we should Blanco said that, before, she didn’t bemake sure that we are hearing the voices of lieve her voice could make a tangible differ(all) students that participate.” ence. She said that her advocacy for plantDespite these anticipated difficulties, based eating has changed that.

Blanco and her team are still pushing for “Up until we started the campaign a change. Blanco said her devotion to the couple of weeks ago and I started researchcause comes from the multifaceted benefits ing more into what I could do, I was always plant-based eating can provide. so skeptical of these campaigns, believing “These problems are so inextricably that my voice, my opinions, wouldn’t really linked to so many social problems that we impact a community of so many people,” have like racial justice issues, environmen- Blanco said. tal problems, health problems,” she said. “A Caption: Students in line for free lunch at significant number of slaughterhouse work- the cafeteria. Photo: Neil Rathi

anthromagazine.org 17

Club campaigners

Several clubs work towards activist causes on campus and beyond

T

he Jewish Student Union is the Palo Alto High School branch of the NCSY, which is an international organization that works to “connect, inspire and empower Jewish teens,” according President Arielle Blumenfeld hands out costumes to club members for the Jewish holiday to its website. The Purim. Photo: Annelise Balentine club was revived this year by junior Arielle Blumenfeld after the former presidents stepped down.

“When I found out that the presidents didn’t want to run the club anymore, it, at least for me, was a bit heartbreaking,” Blumenfeld said. “Especially because I really love being Jewish, and I feel like Judaism is a very important part of who I am, and I’m sure that I wasn’t alone in that.”

The club’s goal, according to Blumenfeld, is to maintain a Jewish community at Paly and fight the growing antisemitism in the world.

“A really big part of it is making sure that we’re standing up against antisemitism by realizing that we have that community,” Blumenfeld said.

The club provides bagels and activities every week, and is working on planning bigger projects for the semester.

“It’s just that being Jewish anywhere is a very scary thing sometimes and to make sure that we have that support,” Blumenfeld said. “A stable community — it’s the most important thing.”

18 April 2022

B

ring Change to Mind works to spread awareness about mental health, according to vice president Rachel Ellisen.

“The mission, basically the mission statement I Paly Bring Change to Mind club attends the na- would say, is just intional Bring Change to Mind summitt at Oracle creasing conversaPark. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Ellisen) tion around mental health, mental illnesses, and just ending the stigma surrounding mental health, and just opening conversation, letting everyone know that they’re not alone,” Ellisen said.

Paly’s Bring Change to Mind club was started by current president Eva Salvetierra’s sister seven years ago, and was the first high school branch of the larger Bring Change to Mind organization, which was started by actress Glenn Close.

In the past, the club has held events surrounding mental health such as having stands with various activities and hosting Close as a guest speaker. Most recently, the club hosted Bring Change to Mind week, in which they held a different event every day.

“For the rest of this year, we want to involve as many students as possible, students not in the club,” Ellisen said.

“We want to involve [them] this week because we’ll have like an event every day and we just want to get the word out about the club, we want more members to join to increase conversation.”

Text by MAYA MUKHERJEE

T

T

B

G

he Socioeconomic Inequality Club was started by juniors Leena Hussein and Elena Brierley-Green last year with the goal of spreading awareness The Socioeconomic Inequality Club poses of inequalities in the with donations from their 2020 drive. (Photo Bay Area and holding courtesy of Leena Hussein) events such as donation drives.

“That was always a goal that we wanted to pursue in high school and life in general, especially for me having like parents who grew up pretty poor and stuff — I just wanted to help others,” Hussein said.

Last year, the club hosted a guest speaker from the Ecumenical Hunger Program, which is an organization that tries to alleviate poverty in East Palo Alto, and held two donation drives.

It also participated in a program to write letters to children living in poverty.

“Holding those events is not only beneficial to the community, it’s also really good team bonding and getting to know people in the club and stuff,” Hussein said. “That’s also really fun.”

In the future, the club plans to continue holding donation drives and spreading awareness of socioeconomic inequalities.

lack Student Union co-president Maia Johnsson said the BSU acts as a place where she can connect with other Black students and feel comfortable being herself.

“BSU is just here to create this nice space for Black students at Congressional candidate Ajwang Rading Paly to bond and cre- speaks at an event hosted by the Black ate a community of Student Union. Photo: Leena Hussein people where they feel like they always have someone to talk to and that they know it’s just an open space that they can really be themselves in,” Johnsson said.

Last year, the club attended conferences and protests and even held a protest of its own in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.

Johnsson said that the club has had higher turnout this year than in years past, and the club is hoping to continue to grow as well as continuing to hold community bonding events and create a welcoming space for Black students.

he Asian American Student Union has always served as a safe space for Asian-American Paly students to The Asian American Student Union gathers outgather, but the side their classroom for a photo. (Photo courtesy mission of the of Emily Yun) club has recently expanded to include activism, according to AASU vice president Micaiah Acosta.

“I think Paly will see that we’re not just the club who brings the students together,” Acosta said. “We also have a mission of bringing awareness to social justice problems and bringing justice for people who have been through Asian hate.”

For instance, last year, the AASU held a Zoom meeting with the Paly administration to educate administrators about microaggressions towards the Asian-American community.

According to Acosta, the club is looking to continue to advocate for the Asian-American community and raise awareness during this semester and beyond.

“We’re really working more toward the social justice aspect, and doing projects that’ll help raise money for nonprofits and just bring more awareness to how someone can be an ally,” Acosta said.

irls Who Code was started last school year by juniors Tess Bowen and Annum Hashmi to engage girls in coding, a subject traditionally domiGirls Who Code club works on their personal nated by men. websites at a club meeting. Photo: Lauren “Our mission is to Wong) build a safe and supportive environment to teach girls about the fundamentals of coding,” Hashmi said.

The club was started after both presidents participated in the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program in 2020, and were inspired to start a similar club at Paly, according to Hashmi.

In the past, they have worked on projects such as building a chatbot and creating animations, and they are currently working on coding websites.

“This semester, we aim to finish building personal websites as well as a website for our club to showcase member’s projects and invite guest speakers,” Hashmi said.

anthromagazine.org 19

GΘING ΛGΛINST GRΣΣK Text by OLGA MUYS and NEIL RATHI

Safety concerns at Stanford fraternities and the fight to abolish Greek life on campus

M

ayfield Avenue at first appears to be simply another winding road in the sprawling campus of Stanford University. Tree-lined and tranquil, apart from the sounds of students playing spikeball on the grass.

However, this part of Stanford — unofficially dubbed Frat Row — is the target of a campus-wide movement to decentralize, dehouse, and eventually abolish Greek life at the school.

On Jan. 21, parents of a Stanford student filed a lawsuit against Stanford and the Theta Delta Chi fraternity following the death of the student at a fraternity party in January 2020 due to a fentanyl overdose. The lawsuit alleges that Stanford administration continuously ignored TDX’s violations of university policies,

20 20 April 2022

leading to the student’s death.

The lawsuit has come up alongside calls from Stanford students to end Greek life on campus altogether, claiming that fraternities perpetuate sexual assault and harrassment, homophobia, racism, and substance abuse.

“Frats and Greek life tend to concentrate a lot of certain people on campus,” said Alex, a Stanford undergraduate and advocate for the abolition of Greek life at Stanford. “They tend to be a lot whiter, a lot more privileged, and not accepting of queer people.” Alex has requested to not use their real name due to death threats received while organizing for the movement at the national level.

Fraternities are dominant parts of social life at Stanford.

Photo by NEIL RATHI “They [fraternities] are kind of the only social scene on campus,” said Angelina Duran, a Stanford freshman. “They’re the source of most socializing and parties.”

This monopoly over social events can cause a variety of issues, Alex said.

“When you give people in power more power, it can result in a lot of bad things,” Alex said. “So frats at Stanford are tied with increased incidents of sexual assault; lots of incidents of racism, classism … tend to happen around frats.”

This is where efforts to decentralize Greek life from the core of Stanford’s social scene come in. It’s not so much that Stanford doesn’t have other sources for socializing and community; it’s simply that Greek life dominates over these other options within the undergraduate consciousness, according to Shawn Lee, one of the original founders of Abolish Stanford Greek and a recent graduate of the university.

“I think that Greek life is very visible,” Lee said. “The reality is we have armfuls of voluntary student organizations open to all Stanford students of all gender identities, which every day do interesting and important things in the community. … The one thing is that, as an undergraduate, that might be difficult to see at first. And the reason why that’s difficult to see is that there’s this kind of bright flame of Greek life in the middle, sucking out all the oxygen.”

In June 2020, Stanford released data from a campus survey conducted through the Association of American Universities, which revealed several concerning trends regarding the consumption of intoxicating substances and sexual violence.

BOYCOTT RUSH. Stanford students created a banner protesting fraternities at the school. “The data shows that the longer you’re at Stanford, the more in favor of abolishing and dehousing you are,” said Shawn Lee, a founder of the Abolish Stanford Greek organization. Photo: Kyla Schwarzbach.

Sixty percent of students who were a part of Greek life reported engaging in binge drinking one or more times within the two weeks prior to the survey. This statistic is increasingly alarming in conjunction with cases of sexual violence. Sixty percent of perpetrators, and 74% of victims reported consuming alcohol prior to the incident.

Additionally, 14.5% of undergraduate women in sororities at Stanford reported having experienced unwanted sexual contact, compared to 7.4% of women who were not a part of Greek life.

“I think part of the culture with frats and with parties is that there’s often a mixing of alcohol and sexual activity,” Alex said.

These statistics show a clear connection both between sexual violence and the consumption of alchohol, and between the consumption of alcohol and being a part of Greek life.

Abolishment wasn’t always seen as the answer to these issues, but was a conclusion reached by several Greek life leaders a few years ago.

“Around 2015 and 2016, a lot of Greek leaders [at Stanford] came together to really systematically focus on what could be done to improve the equity of the system,” Lee said. “They really put in a good faith effort … About four years after that first effort rolled out, they kind of came to the conclusion that the system was fundamentally irreformable due to the constraints that national organizations put on the system. As long as they continued to be Greek organizations, they couldn’t really get to a vision of equity and inclusion that would be consistent with Stanford or human values.

And so, they really took the lead as Greek leaders themselves to say, ‘Okay, this system is no longer tenable, we really do need to consider that it’s not that the system has bad people in, it is that the system makes good people do bad things. And at that point, the

system is more worth leaving than keeping.” is people are uncomfortable fundamentally Abolish Stanford Greek (ASG), found- with those stories. … You might interpret ed in 2020, builds off of this conclusion this as pushback, but I think of it more as reached by those former Greek leaders, and just the beginning of the conversation,” Lee focuses on raising awareness for the negative said. effects of Greek life on campus, amplifying Catie Fee, a sophomore at Stanford the stories of students who have suffered as and a member of ASG says that the orgaa result of Greek life, and advocating for the nization’s efforts are increasingly importdecentralization and eventual dissolution of ant during the pandemic and the return to Greek life on campus. in-person learning. Now, rather than just the “We [ASG] provide a space for like freshman class participating in the upcompeople who are victims of sexual assault, ing spring rush season, when students compeople who are victims of bullying, people pete to join fraternities, sophomores will be who have been pressured to consume sub- participating as well. stances,” Lee said. “We provide a space for “This year, both the sophomores and them to tell stories, [a space] which didn’t freshman classes will rush or have rushed… previously exist, and In a normal year sometimes that can the sophomore class be uncomfortable for “We provide a space for would have already people but we really gone through that feel it’s our obligation them to tell stories, [a process and would to share that and so space] which didn’t previ- have already been the community as a able to see all of whole is really asked ously exist.” the issues,” Fee said. to confront what is “The hope is that — SHAWN LEE, Abolish Stanford they won’t have to go actually happening.”

Greek member through those horriThe organization primarily advoble experiences that cates for the dehousing, decentralization, so many have gone through in order to unand abolition of Greek life through their derstand why our campus would be better platforms on social media and through op- without Greek life. The hope is that we can eds in the Stanford Daily, in addition to pur- kind of show them through the stories and suing action through the university’s student through all the efforts that we’re making.” government.

Lee says that abolishing Greek life goes The movement’s growth hasn’t been beyond morals — instead, it’s a matter of without pushback. As mentioned earlier, public health and safety.

Alex took a step back from the organization “We [ASG] have always said that the after receiving death threats. reason why this is the right thing to do is that “Speaking up against existing orga- Greek organizations are sites of dispropornizations is always a challenging and risky tionate sexual violence and disproportionthing, and I had to take some time off for ate mental health issues,” Lee said. “All of myself,” Alex said. these are health and safety harms. And for However, Lee takes an optimistic view us, there’s no compromising on health and of this conflict. safety and individuals’ right to [have] con“Part of a lot of where pushback comes trol over their bodies and a safe and healthy from, to the extent that there is pushback, existence at Stanford.”

anthromagazine.org 21

The power of picture books

Text by OLGA MUYS

School librarian on the benefits of reading progressive picture books

T

he reading circle. It’s a time-honored tradition that has been practiced for generations in elementary schools across the country. Every day, thousands of young students gather to sit criss-cross apple-sauce in the quiet of their school library to hear a story read aloud.

Today, the reading circle has become a kind of battleground. As the children’s books read during this time become increasingly progressive, focusing on lessons and stories about diversity and inclusion, pushback to these books from conservative members of the American public have increased apace.

With children’s books discussing the ideas of modern social activism being increasingly awarded and increasingly challenged by the public, I sat down with Jennifer Ford, the librarian at Walter Hays Elementary School, to discuss her thoughts on the importance of such themes being addressed within children’s literature.

“I have always read books to students, even as a fifth grade teacher, and I’ve always used them as a way to portray lessons,” Ford said. “I think I’ve always had the lens of trying

22 April 2022

Art by XIAOHAN LI

Scan to listen to the audio story

to read books to students that have something meaningful to teach them, particularly around issues of race, culture, tolerance, tricts in Texas each received more than 75 those types of things.”

Though she’s always read books to her requests from the community to ban books students, Ford says she has begun to focus from their libraries within the first four more on themes such as voting rights, ac- months of this school year. For reference, tivism, and racial inequality in recent years. just one challenge was filed in those districts “Even [in] my own work for myself, within that time period last year.

Ford says the opposite is actually occur[I’ve been] learning about race and what that means in society and being not a per- ring in Palo Alto.

“I have actually never ever had a parson of color and what privileges I have and ent say anything negative about the books what responsibilities I have as well.”

Ford says that picture books are a par- that I read to students; if anything they’re ticularly powerful tool for communicating very positive and very responsive,” Ford themes of social activism because of their said. “The kind of book bannings and challenges that are hapaccessibility for young pening in the rest of readers. books provide the US are not hap“I feel like pic- “Picture ture books provide us an avenue into talking pening here, thank goodness.” us an avenue into Ford also says talking about poten- about potentially difficult tially difficult situa- situations, and they make that young students in Palo Alto, despite tions, and they make being a generally them really relatable them really relatable.” diverse and well-edand understandable for students,” Ford —JENNIFER FORD, librarian ucated city, can still benefit greatly from said. “They can say, having stories deal‘Oh, I see this character, this is what’s happening, I can connect ing with activist themes read to them.

“What students discuss at home with with that,’ rather than an adult just spewing things at them that they may not under- parents or learn from parents varies widely.

So it’s really important that at school, it’s an stand.”

One of the highest awards in children’s equal playing field for everyone, and we talk literature, the Caldecott awards, seems to be about these issues with everyone,” Ford said.

To Ford, continuing to have these in agreement with Ford on this front. This year, the major winners of of the award books read is more important, and in many overwhelmingly dealt with themes of social ways, easier, than ever before.

“It’s a conversation that needs to conactivism.

The winner of the Caldecott Medal, tinue to happen,” Ford said. “You can never “We Are the Water Protectors” by Carole read too much...There are so many more Lindstrom and Michaela Goade, tells the books now that are being written by authors story of a group of Native Americans as of color to put those issues out there, and it’s they strive to protect their land and their really good to see. It’s important to just keep water from the advancement of a pipeline, talking about these issues because the more we talk about it, the more understanding we depicted in the book as a snake.

However, simultaneously, according will be of our differences and hopefully be to NBC News, 100 of the 1,250 school dis- less divisive and more cohesive.”

Fighting for diversity one book at a time

Art by ALISON XIONG

Viking alumna Joanna Ho advocates for representation in youth media

I

was looking for books where my son could see himself and I just had this epiphany — you [I] should write a book,” said Joanna Ho, author of the picture book “Eyes that Speak to the Stars,” describing her entrance to the world of writing.

Ho, Palo Alto High School alumna and vice principal at East Palo Alto Academy, has just released her third picture book incorporating Asian-American representation and is gearing up to publish her first young adult novel later this year.

Ho’s newest book, “Eyes that Speak to the Stars,” is a companion to her 2021 book “Eyes that Kiss at the Corners.” Both books focus on an Asian-American child embarking on a journey to love their eye shape, which differs from the ones they typically see around them. This plot was inspired from her own life, according to Ho. “I didn't think I could be beautiful because I didn't have big eyes and they weren't blue,” Ho said. “I used to look in the mirror and I would pull my eyelids up, trying to imagine myself with bigger eyes.”

She also said her passion for an-

Text by KARRIE HUANG and MAYA MUKHERJEE

ti-racism and equity work stemmed from an her in picture books would have improved intensive camp she attended while at Paly. her confidence when she was younger.

“We went to this weekend away where “Growing up, I struggled a lot with my it basically was intense, intense racial justice identity and appearance because I would al[learning]. Just like workshops. And that ways want to look like the characters in my was really my first eye opening experience,” books, who more often than not were Caushe said. casian,” Cummings said. “I struggled a lot Paly senior Sophia Cummings, who is with insecurity of my race and I had a lot half Korean and half white, said she did not of jealousy of kids who fit into the typical see many people who looked like her in the appearance shown in the media.” media as a child. She believes representaAccording to Ho, a large part of her tion can improve self-esteem. inspiration to write picture books came from “The content a lack of diverse books that people are in her youth, and she exposed to unfor- “I didn’t think I could be hopes she can change tunately defines a someone else. beautiful because I didn’t that for lot of standards in “I didn't realize it terms of appear- have big eyes and they wasn't just me who felt ance and ways of that way,” Ho said. “I living, so when kids weren’t blue.” didn't even think that I don’t see themcould see myself in the — JOANNA HO, author story — I didn't know selves in any books or other media, that was possible.” it can make them feel abnormal and inseShe hopes her books will not only encure,” Cummings said. gage children, but help parents start a conHo, whose parents immigrated from versation with their children surrounding Taiwan and China, began writing picture race and identity. books to help children like her son see peoHo is also preparing to release her first ple who looked like themselves in the media. young adult novel this summer, “The Si“It [my writing] lence that Binds Us,” which is about a Chireally is born out of nese high school student in an area similar a desire to tell stories to the Bay Area whose family confronts raand join and be part cially motivated criticism from her commuof a canon of stories nity after her brother dies by suicide. and storytelling for Ho strives always to include represenpeople who have his- tation in her writing to inspire Asian-Amertorically been mar- ican youth. ginalized or invisible “I feel like it's to help young people of or silenced in our so- all ages or adults recognize the power that ciety,” Ho said. they have within them to one be critical of C u m m i n g s the society that we live in,” Ho said. “And said seeing people then ultimately to know that they have the who looked like power to create change.”

anthromagazine.org 23

Text by ASH MEHTA

Photo by VICTORIA SENDERZON

Postcards against suppression

Members aim to increase voter registration with postcards

P

retty, aesthetically pleasing postcards seem like an unlikely tool to fight voter suppression, but members of the Postcards For Change club have been making it work for several years now.

The club focuses on mailing potential voters postcards to encourage them to register. It also sometimes takes on smaller side projects, according to junior Bella Daly, the club’s co-president.

“I’d say we’re really dedicated to getting students involved in politics, and just getting more involvement at the local and higher up levels,” Daly said. “I think it’s a great way to be active in your community, and just spread awareness and make changes where we can, especially with the political climate that we’re currently in.”

Voter suppression is defined as creating unnecessary barriers to voting. It disproportionately affects people of color, students, and the elderly and disabled, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

“It’s not just a couple of really bad people who are stopping other people from voting,” co-president and junior Ella Rosenblum said. “It’s, like, governments, and people running polling stations, and these are official situations…That was something that, when I first heard about it, I was like, this is kind of insane. Like why are we not focusing more on this?”

Postcards For Change predominantly writes postcards through Reclaim Our Vote, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that writes to potentially suppressed voters and encourages them to register to vote.

“Our goals are to inform as many people as possible of the best ways for them to

24 April 2022

be able to vote, because it is unnecessarily difficult in many states, and target certain groups of people,” Rosenblum said. “For everything, people should be registered [to vote] and oftentimes people are removed from the registration list without their knowledge of it.”

Postcards For Change also attempts to promote change at the government level by writing postcards to legislators, according to Rosenblum. Last year, they partnered with the Flow Club, a club promoting access to menstrual products.

“We wrote to representatives who tried to extend a law that we had in California that was to not have a luxury tax on menstrual products,” Rosenblum said.

Daly said it was nice to see her post-

cards make a tangible change in voter registration in a region she wrote to.

“When you could see voter turnout in a specific area you wrote to increase, then you have a little feeling of, like, wow, I actually made a difference,” Daly said.

Rosenblum said that young people shouldn’t wait until they’re adults to advocate for their beliefs, which will build a habit of voting and being engaged later on.

“Even without voter suppression, there's kind of low voter turnout with young people, and it's really important to start getting really engaged in this stuff at an early age,” Rosenblum said. “It builds a habit for you, always being engaged in what's going on in your country from a young age, and we need young people to vote.”

Caption: Postcards informing citizens of how to vote are lined up on a desk. Palo Alto High School students sent these postcards through the nonprofit organization Reclaim Our Vote in an effort to reduce voter suppression. “We wrote to people in voter suppression states not telling them which party to vote for, but just giving them voting information so that the election was more fair,” co-president Bella Daly said.

Photo and Art by ALISON XIONG

Text by EVELYN ZHANG

Hustle harder, harder!

You got three hours of sleep? Congrats!

downsides of working that so hours, or acknowledgment of any ways he already had a leg up. Comments like his lead students to believe that anyone can succeed as long as they work long hours. Students eat up the ttention, try-hards.

Yes, you, juggling three extra- delusions and soon, the lines between school curriculars, nine classes, and a and life blur until there’s no line left.

The effects of hustle culture are much sport in an effort to impress colleges. Don’t worry, we’re in the same boat graver than just lost time to binge “Schitt’s — these long hours and sleepless nights will Creek.” Hustle culture stunts productivity and causes long-term health issues. be worth the sacrifice, right?

Why is a culture that is motivating you At first glance, this mindset might just seem like a determined mindset. But behind to be productive actually making you do this facade, there’s something darker: hustle less? Let’s put Elon Musk’s advice about an 80-hour workweek into context: According culture. to a Stanford-led Hustle culture is study by economics a lifestyle that teach- “But when we compare professor John Penes people that overcavel, productivity working is the only our genuine, flawed self per hour declines way to earn respect. to a two-dimensional sharply when a perIt creates a social son works more than pressure to prioritize persona, we start chasing 50 hours a week. Adwork over everyditionally, those who thing else. It idolizes unattainable perfection.” work up to 70 hours workaholism while stigmatizing breaks, and therefore results in a week are only getting the same amount of work done as those who put in 55. unhealthy work habits.

A 15-hour difference in time spent, but In a community where there is a huge emphasis on academic excellence, we Palo zero difference in work done.

These counterproductive long hours Alto High School students are very familiar can be spotted at Paly. Students attend with this social condition.

Social media perpetuates hustle culture schools for seven hours a day and spend by making misleading information so acces- around two to three hours on homework each night; that already equates to about 50 sible.

When our life isn’t as polished as some hours of work, not to mention the extracursnippet we see on social media we start riculars we participate in.

Hustle culture also has implications comparing ourselves negatively and want to measure up. A social-comparison theo- for our mental and physical health. A study ry popularized by social psychologist Leon published in the American Journal of InFestinger confirms this: He found that we dustrial Medicine revealed that working 61 humans have an intrinsic desire to assess to 70 hours a week increased the risk of our progress by comparing ourselves to coronary heart disease by 42%. Another 2017 research study others. But when we compare our genuine, flawed self to a two-dimensional persona, we start chasing unattainable perfection.

People may share the long hours they put in but do they talk about the constant anxiety they endured? The countless nights they didn’t sleep?

For example, Elon Musk once said, “Work like hell... you just have to put in 80 to 100 hour weeks every week.” However, his social media shows nothing of the

A

published in Occupational Medicine reported that longer working hours elevate the risk of poor mental health, such as depressive symptoms, worsened emotional well-being, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Ninety-minute periods in school aren’t practical or productive. According to a study conducted by the Draugiem Group, the human brain naturally works in bursts of high activity that last about an hour, and then it switches to low activity for a while.

The most consistently productive research participants were the ones who were 100% focused on the task at hand during that burst of high activity and took a break when they reached that low point.

If the district creates a schedule that takes advantage of natural human productivity by having hour-long classes, it would provide a better workplace for students.

This is a more effective solution than mandating teachers to give their students breaks because it [holds the teachers accountable].

Students can also use this strategy at home through the 50-10 Pomodoro timer method. By working for 50 minutes, then taking a 10-minute break after, students are able to maximize their productivity.

Nothing is wrong with working hard, especially those who do so out of necessity, but it becomes toxic when we base our identities and life’s purpose around our source of income because of the rhetoric we’re constantly fed. We shouldn’t be shamed when we don’t live up to the overworking myths that still pervade our society merely because they justify the success of the few elite.

anthromagazine.org 25

Arcane

Text by ASH MEHTA

A feat of activism, animation, and allegory

T

he new League of Legends-inspired TVshow “Arcane” has revolutionized the animation world over the past few months.

With nine Annie Award nominations, the show has pushed the boundaries of what animation can accomplish in a way that I haven’t seen since Sony’s 2018 “Into the Spider-Verse.”

“Arcane” serves as a

26 April 2022

Art by POLINA VAN HULSEN and from WARNER BROS

backstory for the “League of Legends” officer — named Cait (Katie Leung) emfranchise. But the show is so much more ploys Vi to help expose corruption in Zaun. than the game, starting off with some of the The animation of “Arcane” is incredbest queer representation I’ve ever seen in ible. It’s no wonder the show took six years animation and a great portrayal of socioto create — I don’t economic inequality think I’ve ever seen through the starkly “They didn’t just ‘happen a TV show with contrasting cities of this spectacto be queer,’ or ‘happen to visuals Piltover and Zaun ular, and that is not The first two be in a relationship,’ as the hyperbole. episodes are backThe moody story, exploring Vi’s relationship is critical to color palette and (Hailee Steinfeld) both of their stories, but at steampunk aesthetchildhood, and her ic create a futurrelationship with the same time, they each istic atmosphere. her little sister, PowWith a score feahave well-developed histo- turing artists der (Mia Sinclair like Jenness). ries and personalities.”

Imagine Dragons The show then and PVRIS, the skips forward about soundtrack perfectly accompanies it. two decades and Though the plot itself is fairly generic examines the rising ten- and trope-reliant (dead father figure, longsion between Zaun and lost siblings…), the characters more than Piltover. An en- make up for it. They’re compelling microforcer — police cosms of their world, and viewers are sure to fall in love with them instantly. I did.

As you can probably tell, I adore this show. And it does a pretty good job in terms of activism as well.

Vi and Cait, though not technically together (yet), are heavily implied to be setting up for a relationship in Season 2.

Their sexuality is clear without ever being outright stated. It strikes the perfect balance between queerbaiting — implying but not actually showing LGBTQ+ couples — and being too on-the-nose.

Vi and Cait are what any central couple in an action show is supposed to be: they have a relationship that fits the universe of the

show and advances each of the characters’ ments that I won’t get into here, like fanstories. Their queerness and their relation- tastic, strong female characters and immiship don’t just feel dropped into the show grant representation. for the sake of representation.

My one major qualm with the show is Both of the characters stand well on its producer, Riot Games, the subject of a their own, another aspect that’s missing plethora of misogyny allegations. from a lot of Riot is best queer animated known for producing “I find myself having to the “League of Legshows (and from medias’ portray- take the stellar sapphic ends” franchise, the al of women in video game series that relationships in representation, the strong inspired “Arcane.” general).

They female characters, and ev- Riot has a long histodidn’t just “hapry of gender inequity pen to be queer,” erything else with a grain allegations, and many or “happen to be have referred to the of salt.” in a relationship,” company as having a as the relationship “frat bro” culture. is critical to both of their stories, but at the In 2018, 28 former and current Riot same time, they each have well-developed employees shared their personal experienchistories and personalities. es with the alleged culture of sexism and For all the “She-Ra” fans out there, misogyny at Riot in a report called “Inside Cait and Vi are essentially a better-paced the Culture of Sexism at Riot Games.”

Catra and Adora.

Sparked by this report, 2019 saw 200 Of course, there’s the definite possi- Riot employees walk out in protest of the bility of the show completely butchering its “frat bro culture” and systemic misogyny. representation in Season 2. For that, we’ll In late 2021, Riot Games paid $100 simply have to wait and see. million to settle a gender disIn addition to queer representation, crimination lawsuit. And they “Arcane” dives into issues such as police have taken steps towards brutality, socioeconomic inequality, and progress, such as funding drug addiction. a Diversity and Inclusion But, the way “Arcane” does it is just team. Maybe this show okay to me. There are times I felt uncom- is reflective of a larger fortable or guilty about my own privilege change in Riot’s atmo— an indicator that the allegory is doing sphere. But it’s hard to its job. The inequality of access to scientif- be that optimistic; ic advancements is brilliantly shown, and I re a l i s t i c a l l y, think the cycle of poverty in Zaun is por- w o r k p l a c e trayed well, too.

The oppression does often feel hidden under an overlay of steampunk and action.

There are times where the poverty of Zaun is romanticized, or depicted as simply an unchangeable fact of life. This could allow a viewer with a cynical point of view about real-world inequity to retain it.

The show also has some other great (and not so great) activist ele-

culture doesn’t change that quickly.

It ties back to the age-old art-versus-artist debate. I have a hard time fully enjoying a show’s representation when many of its creators are likely contributing to an oppressive workplace atmosphere.

I find myself having to take the stellar sapphic representation, the strong female characters, and everything else with a grain of salt. On its own, the show is incredible.

But with the knowledge of Riot’s history, it feels somewhat insincere.

That said, I still immensely enjoyed “Arcane” and would strongly recommend everyone to watch it, particularly animation-lovers. It’s a masterpiece, and despite Riot’s history, the representation is still incredible.

I hope that this show indicates a positive change in Riot’s workplace environment, and that its incredible representation remains in Season 2.

anthromagazine.org 27

Text by EVELYN ZHANG

Art by ALISON XIONG

Don’t Look Up: A prophecy?

What if we fail to manage the climate crisis? Netflix show offers a glimpse

I

n a time when little more than Marvel movies mobilize large audiences, it’s surprising that this time, it’s a political satire.

“Don’t Look Up” is a biting commentary about politicians’ mismanagement of the climate crisis, and, according to Variety, has been breaking records, receiving the most viewing hours for a movie in a single week in Netflix’s history.

This film — which captured four Oscar nominations in Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score on Feb. 8 — tells the journey of two insignificant scientists, astrophysics professor Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Ph.D. candidate Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), who are trying to warn the world of an approaching comet that will exterminate all life on Earth. The comet is used as a proxy for the looming climate crisis and is meant to bring light to the hypocrisy of today’s society and its politicians — how they stress the importance of the crisis yet always seem to prioritize something above it.

DiCaprio proves his veteran status in the acting industry with his convincing portrayal of an anxiety-ridden, socially awkward scientist. Through his darting eyes and constant stuttering, he demonstrates his obliviousness to the deceit of the political world. Lawrence’s character’s frustration about being ignored — conveyed through furrowed eyebrows and a heightened urgency in her voice — bleeds through the screen and makes me, as a viewer, just as frustrated as her. Moreover, Lawrence adeptly delivers the stereotypical “Gen Z” attitude, with sarcastic quips and excessive sassiness.

However, what sets this film apart from

28 April 2022

CELEBRATION OR DESOLATION? Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) discuss the dire implications of an incoming comet. A few moments prior, Dibiasky was celebrating her discovery. “Isn’t that an extinction-level event?” Mindy asks.

the rest is the jarring juxtaposition between ical events); and Craig Federighi, an Apple the fictitious world of Dibiasky and Mindy executive. The intentional resemblance to and our reality. Some scenarios hit a little real-world figures makes the message clear: too close to home such as conspiracies say- If the world continues to behave as it is right ing the government fabricated the entire now, with its apathetic attitude towards clicrisis to have more control over the people. mate change, then there might as well be a The installation of an unqualified Supreme “WELCOME DOOM” billboard inviting a Court Justice candidate being more import- mass-extinction event. ant than a looming crisis. Billionaires priorStill, the movie may not be received itizing profit over the protection of the en- well because, for some, the political satire is vironment. This all seems oddly familiar… too exaggerated.

This parallelism is the key message of I take no offense to the film’s message. the film. McKay set out to make a mock- At first, it’s amusing to note the resemery of the Ameriblances between the can attitude towards movie and our real the climate crisis. “Some scenarios hit a lit- world. However, as The idiotic charac- tle too close to home.” the timelines stop ters seem ridiculous matching up and the — the president of movie storyline veers the United States, the hosts of “The Daily off course, the similarities I initially noticed Rip,” and Peter the billionaire. become disconcerting, and I begin to feel However, at second glance, these char- like a seer while watching the tragic ending acters carry an uncanny resemblance to cur- of the world of Dibiasky and Mindy, knowrent figures in American society: ex-presi- ing that our society will share the same fate dent Donald Trump; the hosts of “Morning if we continue to stay on the same parallel Joe” (a talk show that discusses current polit- storyline.

Text by SANDHYA KRISHNAN

Photos and Art by XIAOHAN LI and SANDHYA KRISHNAN

Plant-based protein review

As the popularity of plant-based diets grows, more fast food joints have switched to including meatless options on their menus

A

t the peak of the pandemic, many Americans found themselves consuming more plant based foods. In just the past two years plant based food sales have increased by 43%, and in 2020, 57% of American households purchased plant based foods.

Here, I reviewed meatless options from three nearby food places.

Chipotle’s Plant-based Chorizo

8.5/10 At first glance, this plant-based chorizo al chorizo with meat. The color, size, and shape all look very close to the original. But after one bite I could instantly taste a flurry of flavors — from smoked paprika to garlic, and even tomato. By the end, I was even left with a bit of an earthy aftertaste. I noticed the flavor that was similar to sofritas, Chipotle's other plant-based protein. Both use pea-plant protein as a base, which is sourced from yellow peas typically grown in North America and Europe.

Texture-wise, the chorizo surprised me. I had expected something similar to the moist sofritas because both are made from the same protein type, however this chorizo is quite dry and chewy, but most plant-based meats are like that. Although I’m not a fan of this texture, I think that the flavor was a good pair with the rest of the ingredients that I ate alongside it in the burrito bowl. If you are someone who likes Chipotle's sofritas but wish they had more flavor, this plantbased chorizo will be a perfect match.

Local Kitchen's Proposition Chicken Fake Chicken Salad 6/10 Just like many others, when I found out about the new micro food hall, Local Kitchens on California Avenue, I knew it would become a very convenient place to dine. Local Kitchen advertises itself as having “The Bay's best restaurants under one roof". One of these restaurants is Proposition Chicken, from which I decided to try the "Fake Chicken" Salad.

To my disappointment, the "Fake Chicken" was nothing but breaded tofu.

The outside breading was greasy and added no flavor, and, after only a few minutes, it was getting soggy.

The texture was exactly how I would have expected tofu to taste like, spongy and nothing like chicken. However, I think that the salad really improves the dish and helps combat the oiliness from the "fake chicken".

Overall, there was nothing special about this dish, but nothing necessarily bad. It lacked flavor and the breading was not favorable, but it was generally palatable since it was paired with a balanced meal.

KFC’s Beyond Fried Chicken 8/10 If you have ever had a fake meat chicken nugget, you would know that for the most part they are disappointing. So, when I found out about KFC’s Beyond Fried Chicken, I was prepared to keep my expectations low.

But I was pleasantly surprised. It tasted just like a regular chicken nugget, having the same nostalgic deep-fried and crispy breading.

Under the breading, the texture of the nuggets were rubbery and hard to chew — a jaw workout. When I cut one in half, it looked way too smooth to be any type of meat, almost like a cheesecake.

As someone who values taste over texture I think that these were a win and I would definitely recommend them. However, if you are really looking for that classic chicken texture these may not be for you.

No matter what your diet is, I encourage you to try at least one type of plantbased protein, whether it be one of the dishes listed above or not. There are plenty of options and more to come.

anthromagazine.org 29

Text by ASH MEHTA and EVELYN ZHANG

Art by ALISON XIONG

OPINION:

Rehiring for reform?

City should hire a chief of police who will improve transparency

In 2019, Palo Alto resident Julio Arevalo was arrested outside of Happy Donuts. DeStefano slammed Arevalo to the ground and shattered his eye socket, according to Palo Alto Online.

And according to NBC, when the news outlet requested bodycam footage of this incident, the PAPD declined even urrently in the process of though these records are required to be hiring a new chief of police and made public by law, according to NBC Bay adding new police officers, the Area.

Palo Alto Police Department is in The only statement released by the a unique place where it has the capacity to PAPD concerning this pattern of opacity in transform its policies and create change. violent arrest cases was this: “The Palo Alto In this transitional stage, the PAPD should Police Department appreciates the importacknowledge their institutional opacity and ant work of the District Attorney’s Office take steps to remedy their history of not tak- and supports the District Attorney’s recent ing accountability. decision involving a former Palo Alto police The PAPD has shown a shameful lack officer,” said the PAPD in a public stateof transparency in the past. According to ment. “The commuPalo Alto Online, in nity has my commit2018, surveillance “For an institution that’s ment that our police footage showed forofficers will continue mer police officer supposed to exist for pub- to serve the commuThomas DeStefanity through profesno pinning resident lic safety, the PAPD’s ac- sionalism, respect Gustavo Alvarez to tions have shown more and integrity and a car after screamwork each day to ening directives at concern for its own repu- sure their trust.”

Alvarez to exit the tation than for Palo Alto Some may say house while pointing that the issue is coma gun. DeStefano citizens’ good.” pletely solved now also watched as his that DeStefano is no colleague, Sergeant longer on the force.

Wayne Benitez, Though DeStefano was the only perpetraslammed Alvarez’s head on the windshield. tor of police brutality in these cases, the In a subsequent report, the police omit- police transparency issue involves far more ted the unnecessary violence. Instead, Beni- than just him. tez wrote that the only force used was during In early 2021, the PAPD stopped althe removal of Alvarez from his home. lowing the press to talk with police officers Even as an isolated incident, this would or the chief of police, instead sending out highlight major shortcomings in the PAPD’s written responses from the chief of police to accountability. Unfortunately, there’s more.

C

30 April 2022

journalists’ questions, with a twenty-four waiting period between each follow-up question, according to Palo Alto Online.

Clearly, it’s just been getting worse.

So many people need to have enabled or upheld this lack of accountability in order for this grievous of a lack of transparency to be maintained. It’s a department-wide issue that desperately needs to be fixed.

For an institution that’s supposed to exist for public safety, the PAPD’s actions have shown more concern for its own reputation than for Palo Alto citizens’ good.

But there is hope for the future.

On Jan. 20, the chief of police announced his plan to retire, and will end his duties mid-June. Now, the city is in the process of replacing him. It’s looking hopeful.

The Palo Alto city council is considering auditing the PAPD’s hiring practices, and the Human Relations Committee is hosting “listening sessions” to garner community feedback on what they’d like to see in a new chief. Evidently, they are willing to make change.

It is the PAPD’s duty to the community to be transparent and accountable. In hiring a new chief of police and adding new police officers, they should emphasize systemic reform and take community feedback to heart.

Text by ASH MEHTA

Art by XIAOHAN LI

OPINION:

It’s not about us

Internet reaction to Ukrainian war reveals U.S. self-centrism

ers,” and “facilitators.”

How do you effect change? It depends which viewpoint you subscribe to. “‘Slacktivism’ combines the words ‘slacker’ and ‘activism’ to create an epithet that suggests that online political actions fghanistan. that require relatively little time or comMyanmar. mitment often act to supplant, rather than And now, Ukraine. supplement, physical, ‘real world’ activism, The past few years have had no have little political impact and only really shortage of national and global disasters, serve the egotistical needs of those particiand it makes perfect sense that we feel some- pating in them,” writes Allsop. what lost in how to help out with a war goPeople who believe slacktivism doming on across the world. inates social media subscribe to the viewA lot of people point that all social have turned to so- “The slacktivist would media activism is cial media as a way inherently performato advocate against always use social media tive.

Russia’s invasion in activism in a self-serving, No matter how Ukraine. However, well-intentioned, the this comes with a ineffective way.” slacktivist would almajor downside: the ways use social mecycle of performative dia activism in a self-serving, ineffective way. activism. Performative activists tend to priSomeone who thinks all online activoritize their advocacy makes them look over ism is slacktivism would then say that the the actual change they effect. best way to help out Ukraine is to orgaA combination of these “activists” nize large-scale demonstrations, to and social media’s fleeting attention span petition the government directly, leads to the short life-cycle of performative to fly out and provide humaniactivism. Conversation sparks. People are tarian aid. shamed for not talking about it 24/7. And Digital presence, to them, the conversation dies in two days. makes no impact, especially in This cycle often seems like an inevita- the scope of something like a ble outcome of online “activism.” No mat- war. ter how many likes or shares an issue can On the opposite end, the generate, in the end no long-lasting change paradigm shifter would state is made. that the role of society in polSo, then, how do you make a difference itics is structurally changing in the Russo-Ukrainian war? How do you due to social media, shifting the effectively be a social media activist? Is that power balance between even a possibility? government Authors, advocates, and academics and its citirange widely in their opinion of how effec- zens. tive social media can be as a tool for change.

Social Bradley Allsop writes in “Social Psychology media activReview,” an academic journal publishing ism enables articles about the social sciences, about the us to create different perspectives on social media activ- far greater ism. He divides these viewpoints into three change in categories: “slacktivism,” “paradigm shift- the Rus-

A

so-Ukrainian war than non-digital activism.

In their vision, we can create radical and revolutionary change through social media. We would need to think big, to put together a massive movement, to voice our opinions.

What I believe is most realistic is the facilitator viewpoint, the perspective that our voices online can make a difference by enhancing the in-person efforts of people across the globe.

Not everyone is able to donate to help Ukrainians, not everyone is able to take in refugees, not everyone is able to organize protests, not everyone is able to be an activist in the traditional sense. In those cases, social media activism can be beneficial, emphasizing and adding the offline activism of others.

This sort of activism would need to be motivated by a genuine will to help others, rather than a desire to be seen as a good person.

If you want to make change because you care, take great effort to avoid the pitfall of becoming a performative activist, and put in consistent effort.

The reality is that your singular post will not make a monumental dif ference.

That’s the helplessness of war. There’s not an incredible amount that we can do about it.

A facilitator would encourage you to try anyway.

anthromagazine.org 31

Text by WILLIAM RUMELHART

Art by ALISON XIONG

OPINION:

A perilous prosecution Charging Assange with espionage endangers American journalism

N

otorious publisher and activist Julian Assange may soon find himself on American soil.

As director of WikiLeaks — an international organization that receives and publishes leaks of sensitive government information — he has been charged with espionage by the U.S. Department of Justice for the publication of classified U.S. government documents on the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars by WikiLeaks in 2010. His extradition from the United Kingdom to stand trial in the United States is expected later this year.

Assange’s prosecution is a scandalous breach of a century-long tradition of not charging individuals or organizations for receiving and publishing leaked government information under the Espionage Act. It is appalling — and revealing — that this policy has been violated in the past few years, during which time global press freedom has eroded precipitously.

Although not a reputable journalist himself, Assange’s activities in this case are similar to those of professional journalists: publishing sensitive information from sources and whistleblowers.

Therefore, when Assange has his day in court, he will not be the only one on trial. His espionage prosecution alone threatens to have a chilling effect on investigative journalism and the publication of leaks, particularly involving the U.S. government.

A conviction threatens an even more troubling precedent.

Any defense of Assange requires a series of concessions about him and his activities. He is a thoroughly unsavory individual with an insatiable appetite for attention. He has been accused of rape and operating

32 April 2022

WikiLeaks as a cult of personality. Assange World War I, the Espionage Act criminalizes clearly sides with certain governments and “the dissemination of information with the targets others he views as exercising illegit- intent to harm or impede U.S. armed forces imate power. According to the New York and aid enemies of the United States” and Times, WikiLeaks has historically been published Demused to prosecute ocratic National “Assange’s prosecution is spies during wartime.

Committee emails a scandalous breach of a In addition to hacked by the Rusestablishing a dissian government as century-long tradition of turbing long-term part of Russia’s coor- not charging individuals.” precedent, charging dinated campaign to Assange with espiointerfere in the 2016 nage has immediate U.S. presidential election. While Assange’s legal implications. Before publishing the exact motives are unclear, his loyalties are leaks in 2010, WikiLeaks gave the informahighly suspect. tion to the New York Times (which printed But he is being charged specifically in them). If Assange is found to have commitconnection with the publication of classified ted espionage in receiving and publishing U.S. government documents on the Iraq the documents, the editors of the New York and Afghanistan Wars. Former U.S. soldier Times would likely also be in legal jeopardy.

Chelsea Manning admitted to giving the At its heart, this case is not all about documents to WikiLeaks, and there Julian Assange — as much as he is no direct evidence that Aswould wish it to be. Rathsange solicited them. er, his prosecution for Manning and other espionage imperWikiLeaks sources have ils the ability of been convicted of esjournalists to pionage for disclosing pursue unfetthe secret informatered reporting, tion, but never before particularly on has an individual or sensitive U.S. organization been government ischarged with espiosues. nage for publishing That government leaks. should unsettle Passed in 1917 us all. during

Text and art by LAUREN WONG

OPINION:

The stress of returning to omicron How Paly should have handled returning to school in January

M

asks up!

Considering that omicron cases were exploding and winter break was just around the corner, I knew that returning on Jan. 5 would have negative consequences.

It did.

By bringing together people who had traveled all over the world for two weeks, the Palo Alto Unified School District blindly put student and staff health at risk.

There was a dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases around Christmas, according to a graph from the Santa Clara Public Health Department proving that the increased accounts of socialization during the holidays ensured a rise in omicron cases.

Despite the value of in-person learning, PAUSD should have gone remote for at least an additional week after winter break in an effort to avoid an outbreak and be more organized.

Instead, classes resumed as normal and it seemed like the school disregarded the rise of COVID-19, which rose to just over five thousand cases in Santa Clara County which worried me.

Within PAUSD, students received their at-home testing kits a little while after the reopening, but it would have been more

useful if they had been handed out days be- the school’s efforts to provide all stufore school restarted, because that would’ve dents with better masks from president allowed time for the school to mandate Biden’s supply of 400 million N95 masks all students to be tested either by those at- became useless as Paly students didn’t home testing kits or at a local testing facil- receive them until an entire month latity. The school would have had more con- er when the spike had largely subsided. trol over the situation by keeping track of These N95 masks, considered exactly which students are to quarantine. the most effective particle filtering I understand that Superintendent masks, could have been an asset to conDon Austin and Santa Clara County’s trolling the spread of the virus upon Public Health Department were attempt- the first few days of in-person learning. ing to keep PAUSD However, stuschools open to supdents were left to “Despite the value of port student mental find better qualihealth and academ- in-person learning, PAUSD ty masks on their ic well-being with own. But N95s were in-person learning. should have gone remote not only harder to And I also for at least an additional find, they were also understand that more expensive. resuming online week after winter break in My hope for school after the an effort to avoid an out- the future is that break would not PAUSD won’t be have been the easiest break and be more orga- afraid to take action decision given the early on next time nized.” many people against an issue like this the idea from the arises. Being more past protests against distanced learning. organized and thoughtful will have a But in the interest of public health, positive impact on the future and will PAUSD and Santa Clara County should help communities overcome not just have shown more interest in it. Also, COVID-19, but other future obstacles.

anthromagazine.org 33

Text by KARRIE HUANG and ARATI PERIYANNAN

Activism around the world Democracy, feminism, war: five snapshots of social movements MEXICO: Femicide — gender-based killing of women — was the subject of protest of thousands in Mexico City. Protests like this were mirrored throughout Central and South America as women called for the femicides (over 1,000 in Mexico in 2019) to stop. In recent years, feminism has picked up speed in Mexico as protests multiply and support has grown. Mexico’s Supreme Court made a ruling that meant abortion was decriminalized last year.

Still, there is much more to change, activists say.

NEW ZEALAND: The Black Ferns are the world champions in women’s rugby. But this New Zealand team has few teams to compete against (and fewer opportunities to test their skill) — some of their coaches are even unpaid. In part due to lower investment in women’s games, there is criticism regarding the game quality — where rules might not be followed perfectly or unprofessionalism under pressure. They are fighting for the same recognition as men’s rugby and equal opportunity.

34 April 2022

TUNISIA: Thousands in the capital of Tunisia protested what some have called a coup. After suspending Tunisian parliament and firing the prime minister, president Kais Saied installed members of his own choosing on the nation’s judicial body. Activists say they are fighting autocracy and calling for an independent judiciary.

RUSSIA: White-bluewhite flags fly in anti-war protests in Russia. These are Russian flags, but with the red removed to symbolize ending bloodshed and violence. More than 15,000 have been arrested in conjunction with anti-war protests in Russia, amid new censorship laws forbidding referring to the Ukraine invasion as a war. In addition, protests have occurred worldwide, with notable ones occurring in Belarus, Germany, and Estonia.

SUDAN: Crowds in Sudan blockaded roads in a protest against a military coup. Issues with exploding inflation and economic hardship propelled many to call for change.

Some protesters have been met with tear gas and live rounds — 90 have died — as the military attempts to quell the unrest. Young activists say they are trying to end a circle of authoritarian regimes and coups.

Who: Rising 8th and 9th grade When: August 1-5 from 9am - 3pm Where: Palo Alto High School’s Media Arts Center Cost: $550

**Early Bird Discount: $450 until April 1

CAMP MAC

Palo Alto High School’s Journalism Summer Camp

Camp MAC introduces rising 8th and 9th graders to journalism through interactive workshops taught by members of Paly’s nationally recognized publications. Students will learn about news writing, sports reporting, opinions, reviews and profiles while compiling their work in their own publication!

Scan the QR code or visit our website bit.ly/campmac

For more information, email palyjournalismcamp@gmail.com

anthromagazine.org 35

Palo Alto Unified School District Palo Alto High School 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94301

Non-profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Palo Alto, CA Permit #44

anthromagazine.org

From the artist, Polina Van Hulsen: CLOUD GAZING: My artwork depicts a child cloud gazing, a peaceful and mindful act that aims to find beauty in nature. However, the clouds are made of smoke released by the burning of fossil fuels in the factories in the distance. This disguised enemy plagues the sky as the child is left oblivious to the dangers in the air. The effects of climate change, although not always prominent, are ev-

36 April 2022

erywhere, preying on the unsuspecting and unknowing. The vast volumes of greenhouse gasses emitted by factories can be one of the primary causes of climate change, harming ecosystems and our planet. FLAMES & FIRES: I wanted to show California after the wild fires and the effect air and exhaust pollution has on our environment, especially after such local experience.