Anthro Volume 6 Issue 1 by Anthro Magazine

San Francisco's overhyped downfall pg. 11

ANTHRO

September 2023 Volume 6 Issue 1

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, Anthro is excited to be publishing for its sixth year at Palo Alto High School. We continue to maintain our activism lens by highlighting pressing issues in our community and around the world. This September, we give a broader perspective on the privileges of having stable living conditions and accessing resources necessary to thrive and give back. We present stories about sending aid to Maui residents after the wildfires, the changes soon too come as Castilleja School mounts its expansion, the overhyped San Francisco “Doom Loop,” and a new affordable housing plan in the works for Palo Alto teachers. We also introduce an all-new section called “Ratatoskr,” a reference to the Viking-related squirrel that runs up and down the “world tree” in Norse mythology. Our political cartoonist Spencer Wu-Chin makes his debut in this section with six satire comics. To showcase new developments and California’s legislative activity, this issue includes an article about an anti-book ban bill and how PAUSD is the paradigm for promoting diversity in literature. “To be or not to be … muzzled?” written by Anika Nair and Evelyn Zhang presents multiple views on a California bill aiming to reduce K-9 use in police involvement. We also feature incentives for helping out furry companions in need and host opinions about the Supreme Court justices and the importance of their unbiased role to society. Enjoy Anthro Volume 6.1! — Evelyn Zhang and Lucianna Peralta, editors-in-chief

Staff Editors-in-Chief Evelyn Zhang Lucianna Peralta Managing Editor Saanvi Garg Perspectives Editor Kat Farrell Design Managing Editor Amani Fossati-Moiane Business Manager Lara Dumanli Staff Writers Vivian Lin Faizan Kashmiri Anika Nair Anna Feng Sophia Yang Nathan Jiang Ketan Altekar-Okazaki Salem Coyle Vivian Tang Photo/Art Director Vivian Tang Artists Salem Coyle Sarina Grewal Sasha Kapadia Spencer Wu-Chin Adviser Paul Kandell —————————— Connect @anthro_magazine issuu.com/anthro.magazine anthromagazine.paly@gmail.com

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IN THIS ISSUE 4

Four questions for Richard Rodriguez-

Coming in November

News

Verbatim: Students react to new tardy policy

Stepping up

‘Castilleja reimagined’

San Francisco’s overhyped downfall

Handing out hope

Campus reacts to Maui fires

Prep for the needle

To be or not to be ... muzzled?

Raising the roof

Verbatim: Opinions on youth activism

Paws up for pets in need

Opinion: Acne leaves healthy scars

Opinion: When does a gift turn into a bribe?

Activism around the world

Cartoons: Ratatoskr

On the cover: 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. Past issues are available at anthromagazine.org. 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. Please visit anthromagazine.org to view our AI policy and ethics policy.

Design by Sasha Kapadia

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Text by LUCIANNA PERALTA Photo by by SAANVI SAANVI GARG GARG Photo

Above: New english department instructional leader for Palo Alto High School, Richard Rodriguez waits patiently for students to answer his request in the classroom

Four questions for Richard Rodriguez

ichard Rodriguez is a new instructional leader for the English department at Palo Alto High School. Anthro asked him five questions about his new role at the school and how he intends to maintain positivity in English classrooms and beyond.

What do you do to motivate students in the classroom environment? “Listening to the needs of students, trying to meet them where they can be most successful in a class. Fostering a love for literature and reading and writing and communicating through that. … Being rigorous, but not to the point of stifling fun creativity. Really just allowing students to find their own way in English. And just finding a love for literature. … Just bring in a diverse canon of literature to the class. One that you know reflects all students, all the people, not just a limited view or aspect of one certain group but you know, diversity and equity for all.”

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What does a department head do? “It’s a position of supervising, organizing and supporting the department, bringing information into the department, kind of being a liaison between administration and my colleagues.” Is there something you want to do differently as the English Department head? “I think for the past few years that I’ve been here we want to continue that work, supporting students, supporting teachers, streamlining, our rigor and our pedagogy and working towards students success and equity, making things equitable and addressing diversity.”

“I’m just happy to be doing this and doing my part in the department and the school.” — RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, instructional leader

What is your opinion on AP Lang grading? “Evidence-based grading on grading standards, they’re all excellent ways of meeting students. You know where they’re at in various ways and encouraging success and growth that’s outside of the traditional.”

Coming in November

alo Alto High School’s Incubator journalism class is currently home to seven publications: Anthro Magazine, [proof], Ink, Via Verde, Veritas, KPLY, and Paly Voice. Anthro Magazine has compiled some of the content these publications have previously produced to give a taste of what our class has been doing. We encourage you to check out each of these publications!

[proof]

Ink

Via Verde

Tone

The Paly Voice

Veritas anthromagazine.org 5

Junior Savanah Earley reads Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo from the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month shelf in Palo Alto High School.

Battling book bans

he California Assembly Bill 1078, which Gavin Newsom has until Oct. 14 to sign into law, was approved by the state legislature on Sept. 7. The bill is intended to stop school boards from banning instructional materials based on their reflection of diversity, specifically gender and race. This is in place partly in response to the laws that have been passed in other states, including book bans. Palo Alto Unified School District Superintendent Don Austin, clarifies that the legislature seems to only be targeting instructional materials and not supplemental ones for now. But, since the legislation can be amended, he said he would not be surprised if the bill evolved to have more reach. “Classroom libraries and school libraries are supplemental materials — it’s not really the same as a textbook, so I don’t think it is trying to capture that space,” Austin said. “The legislation gets amended sometimes though so I don’t think it would surprise me if this morphed into something about the books in classroom libraries at some point. But right now, that’s [textbooks] what they’re

6 September 2023

talking about.” Sima Thomas, the Palo Alto High School teacher librarian, adds that PAUSD has a school board that encourages school librarians to purchase books that reflect diverse experiences. “We don’t have a school board that bans books,” Thomas said. “In fact, we have support from the district level to buy and to add diverse books that reflect all student experiences. I also strongly support students in their freedom to choose what they want to read and I feel that our book selection gives them a good part of that freedom.” Those opposing the bill in California have argued that it prevents schools from banning potentially offensive material. Others have said that the bill is crucial for integrating the idea of a more equitable society into students’ education. Although this bill extends itself to all public schools in California, Austin explains that PAUSD is not as affected by the bill, as the district serves as a “model” for the legislature. “I think we are a model of what the legislature is aiming schools to be in California,” Austin said. “They are targeting

schools that are not in support of those things [diversity], but we’ve been pretty good about that, so nothing is in conflict with our community.” Thomas said she feels lucky that she is able to pick books for the school library without restrictions. “I haven’t really dealt with book bans,” Thomas said. “But, I’m just very lucky, and this is a great community you know? All the people: parents, students, teachers all value reading ideas, and it’s really great.” Austin explains that PAUSD gives students access to a vast amount of resources at any time. As students of all grades in the district are able to find and use these materials, it is easy to forget that PAUSD is not the norm. “As far as the state of California goes, one extreme has access to everything that’s out there and the other extreme has access to almost none of it,” Austin said.” We are closer to the side where everything is accessible.When you grow up here, it’s easy to forget that we’re more of the exception than the norm.”

Text and Photo by VIVIAN TANG

Rocklin’s controversial new LGBTQ+ policy

Text by NATHAN JIANG

he Rocklin Unified School District, located just 150 miles north of Palo Alto High School, has sparked controversy after approving a policy mandating parental notification if their student requests to be identified by a different gender on Sept. 7

Local Activism Roundup Text by VIVIAN LIN Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom holds vigil The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom branch (on the Peninsula since 1922) held a vigil on Sept. 15 to stand for an end to the Ukraine War and nuclear weapons. The vigil has worked to raise awareness of the military’s use of chemicals in military planes, which release toxic runoff into the local water supply as their goal is to reduce their carbon footprint. They plan on hosting events to limit military fossil fuel spending every Friday.

after a board meeting the day prior. The policy, which the board members voted in favor of 4-1, requires teachers and school staff to notify parents/ guardians within three days if their child requests to be identified by a gender different from their biological sex, use bathrooms that don’t align with their gender, or go by a name that differs from their legal name. According to Whitney High School student Isabella Tomasini, there has been a lot of public backlash throughout school district. “We’ve had a number of student protestors at our school walking around with signs,” Tomasini said. “The public comment from our GSAs [Genders & Sexualities Alliances] and other allied groups has been very public … It’s been so incredibly apparent that people are upset and I think it’s completely justified.” Tomasini said there is still a long road ahead for the policy, and it most likely won’t ever go into effect.

“If any changes happen regarding the policies that teachers are held accountable for, they have to negotiate with our union], which could take a couple of years,” Tomasini said. “It probably won’t get far enough to even be implemented.” According to an anonymous recent Paly graduate who is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, the policy is intruding outside of the school’s jurisdiction. “I have never heard of a policy that a school adopts with the purpose of fostering some kind of intervention within the home, the graduate said. “Most of the time, that’s something between the parent and the kid unless it interferes with the kid’s learning, which in this case should not impact whether or not they can learn.” The junior said the policy most likely won’t have any effects at Paly. “California is pretty liberal, even outside of the Bay Area,” the junior said. “For Paly students, there absolutely won’t be any effects, and it [a similar policy] won’t happen here.”

South Carolina AP Lang teacher’s lesson on race polarizes nation An AP Language and Composition teacher in South Carolina assigned a book to her all-white class about what it was like to be Black in America, according to an article published by the Washington Post. After several parent complaints claiming that her teaching made their students feel bad to be Caucasian, which violated the South Carolina condition prohibiting teachers from making students feel uncomfort or distressed about their race, the school administrators ordered the teacher to stop teaching the material. Palo Alto High School AP Lang teacher Melissa Laptalo supports teaching material that may make students feel uncomfortable about their race. “I think part of why you read is to experience things that are different from yourself,” Laptalo said. “I think it’s really important to expand your worldview beyond just your own experience, race, or culture. It feels dangerous to think of having a system of education where you only read stories that reflect your own identity.”

Palo Alto Entrepreneur leads protest across Bay Area On September 18, Palo Alto entrepreneur Offir Gutelzon led a protest with 2,000 people in the Bay Area, mostly Israeli-Americans, against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership of Israel, which is becoming a dictatorship. According to Palo Alto Online, Netanyahu met with Elon Musk in the Bay Area to denounce allowing hate speech on his platform X (formerly Twitter). The protest was to promote democracy in Israel. Gutelzon is planning to carry on the protest in New York when Netanyahu meets with President Biden.

Art by SALEM COYLE

Carbon emission disclosure bill to be signed by Governor Newsom Last month, at Climate Week in New York, California governor Gavin Newsom said he would sign a law requiring California companies that make $1 billion annually to publicly report their greenhouse emissions according to the New York Times. Governor Newsom hopes for California to lead the way for national climate policy.

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Text and photos by SOPHIA YANG and ANNA FENG

Verbatim: Students react to new tardy policy A new tardy policy implemented this year would encourage teachers to reach out to families when students have more than three tardies in a class. Students who accumulate tardies across multiple class periods will be assigned to a Study Hall intervention session with an administrator. Anthro Magazine asked Palo Alto High School students about their thoughts on the new policy. “Being on time is just a good habit to develop, and having an email sent home to my parents did help with my attendance a lot, I haven’t been tardy since I got the email.”

“The tardy policy just gives me more pressure to have to be on time. The school should be a little more laid back in terms of tardiness. If you’re only two minutes late, they shouldn’t be so strict about it.”

— DIYA LANSBERG, senior

— KANE DO, freshman

“The tardy policy has affected me quite a bit because especially in the mornings, I’m typically a little bit late. Even though I might be there before any actual material has been started, I still receive a tardy. Until actual material starts, tardies should not be applicable.”

“I’m not usually tardy, so the policy hasn’t really affected me yet. Having a stricter tardy policy is good, because it’ll make sure people get to class on time, but not too strict because sometimes you’re going to be tardy no matter what.” — FREYA LYON, junior

— MALCOLM GINWALA, sophomore

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Text by LARA SU DUMANLI

Art by SALEM COYLE

Stepping up

New activist clubs on campus make their debut Sustainable Fashion Club

aly Sustainable Fashion Club led by sophomores Chloe Huang and Christina Gu is a new club on campus as both co-presidents decided that there was a need on campus for eco-friendly fashion to be discussed. “I just remember thinking, we have an eco club and a fashion club, so why don’t we have a sustainable fashion club”, Huang said “I thought that was needed [here],” Hunag explains how she advocates for climate change through the impact of fast fashion. “I’ve always been passionate about environmental conservation and the benefits of upcycling or thrifting, so this

club aligns perfectly with [that],” Huang said. Paly Sustainable Fashion club envisions a community where people who are passionate about climate activism can spread awareness and educate others on how they can implement small changes in the way they shop by shopping eco-friendly. “I really want to build a strong community here where club members are supportive of each other and we can uplift each other,” Huang said. Huang mentions how they want to teach students the consequences of fast fashion on the world. “There is a change that mostly everybody can do, so just educating people on their part will be huge,” Huang said. Meeting biweekly on Mondays in

Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA)

he Gender-Sexuality Alliance, founded by Nico Landolfi, is a community-based club at Palo Alto High School, hoping to spread inclusivity and educational information. Established this year, Landolfi wants this club to be a safe space for students but ultimately wants the club members to decide its purpose. “It’s kind of going to be largely dependent on its members— I really value their input,” Landolfi. Since Landolfi is Paly’s PAUSD representative on the district-wide LGBTQIA+ council, when he realized that Paly couldn’t be a part of the district’s GSA meetup because it didn’t exist, he decided to change that. “It felt weird that we didn’t have one so I sort of stepped up,” Landolfi said. With current legislations in many states limiting LGBTQIA+ rights, Landolfi thinks that this club will be useful for a lot of people. He mentions that with the use of social media, there are a lot of harmful ideologies being spread and continuing to impact queer people. “It’s nice to just have a space where you know you are loved

room 220 during lunch, the club is already brainstorming ideas on how to spread their cause in different events throughout the year. “We are already thinking about upcycling, repairing workshops, clothing swaps and more,” Huang said. “We would also love to teach different sustainable designer brands so the goal seems more attainable,” Ready for this upcoming school year, Paly Sustainable Fashion Club is excited to develop a supportive eco-friendly fashion community. “It’s a low stress place where people can make friends,” Huang said. “Anyone can join and we just want them to be willing to, you know, have some fun,”

and accepted for who you are,” Landolfi said “Where you can just be yourself without having to fear judgment or criticism or any sort of bigotry,” GSA focuses on communicating a message of comfortability, and allowing people to feel safe in their own skin, particularly at school. They will host informational sessions and events throughout the year during their meetings in room 406 every Friday to address their agenda. “People have a right to their own opinion, but people don’t have the right to make others uncomfortable for who they are either,” Landolfi said. The former GSA club called Gay-Straight Alliance changed to Gender-Sexuality Alliance to expand the club’s reach to various demographics. Landolfi talks about how there is such a vast spectrum regarding gender and sexuality and he hopes that this club can be inclusive to everybody. “[GSA] is where people from any gender and any sexuality come together and form an alliance,” Landolfi said. Landolfi is looking forward to how GSA evolves as a club and the difference its presence will make on campus. “I’m really excited for GSA and what we can change in the community,” Landolfi said.

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Text by LARA SU DUMANLI

Art by VIVIAN TANG

‘Castilleja reimagined’

neighbors would like to see the plan City’s bylaws, the school is well within Expansion plan “But scrutinized further, so Council has not their bounds to grow. blessed the TDM plan yet.” “Basically it’s the right of the properprogressing rapidly Despite this reassurance, Palo Alto ty owner to do what they want with the

ecognized as the second-best all girls high school in the United States, Palo Alto’s Castilleja School expansion plan would upgrade its facilities and allow the school’s population to increase. After almost a decade-long delay, the much adapted plan has finally been approved. While the building project will take some time to reach Paly’s backyard, it’s coming on the horizon as the 3 year process is about to ensue. As Castilleja is beginning this massive renovation process, newly resigned Head of Castilleja Nanci Kauffman confirms the school has devised a plan that requires an implementation of shuttles, bike programs, and other systems in an effort to satisfy the need for increased traffic congestion. “Recently we submitted our Transportation Demand Management Plan, a plan [that] fulfills our obligations as outlined in our Conditional Use Permit,” Kauffman said. As outlined in the Palo Alto City Council Strategy TDM report, if all goes according to plan, it would take around 3 years to be finalized. After this phase, Castilleja will move on to the building process and will take multiple years to be completed. “I believe High School 9th graders are hopeful to have their senior year in the new facilities,” Kauffman said. This process gives the school time to apply to all necessary permits, such as the Conditional Use Permit which provides flexibility in zoning ordinances. “It [the plan] was thoroughly reviewed by city staff and we clarified every question,” Kauffman said

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High School Sophomore Marcello At- property, as long as they don’t violate the tardi seems unmoved by these efforts to city’s rules,” Star-Lack said. address neighbors’ concerns and believes Star-Lack said Castilleja’s plans to that it’ll be difficult to satisfy every de- temporarily move all the sixth graders to mand. the Oshman Family Jewish Community “I just think that it would be definite- Center in south Palo Alto. ly really hard to have “It’s always a a plan that accounts disruptive time, for “It’s always a disrup- the kids especially, for every traffic problem they are going to tive time, for the kids during construction face,” Attardi said. so I think the school is Attardi, who lives especially, during con- trying their best givjust across from Cas- struction so I think the en the difficult situatilleja, feels like the tion,” Star-Lack said. plan is unnecessary school is trying their Council Member given the school’s cur- best given the difficult Lythcott-Haims says rent campus. that this challenge “I feel like it [the situation.” comes after a history plan] would be too with the school that much and there are — SYLVIA STAR-LACK, transporta- has not always been other ways to physition planning manager fully positive. cally have more kids “The larger conto expand then their text for you to be current plan,” Attardi said. aware of is that, in the recent past, CasAttardi’s main concern is the impact tilleja enrolled more students than the on Paly, especially when commuting to City had agreed to,” Lythcott-Haims said. school during rush hour. “It had been happening for years, and “I always see a long line of cars on when the City learned of it, it led to an Embarcadero and I already know it [the understandable lack of trust.” expansion] will impact Paly kids trying to Lythcott-Haims said that the false reget to school,” Attardi said “I don’t know ports of student population are why the how [Castilleja] will manage that during city and the surrounding residents have rush hour.” needed to exert more control than usual. Despite worries, Slyvia Star-Lack, Even with this revelation, Lythcott-Haims transportation planning manager for the said the positive impact Castilleja has left City of Palo Alto, says that if they follow on the Palo Alto community. “Castilleja School is obviously something the city is proud of,” Lythcott-Haims said. In spite of this, the Castillja expansion will continue to move forward in the next couple of years after the TDM is approved by the city council. “I believe that middle school students who

Text by ANIKA NAIR and LARA SU DUMANLI

Art by SASHA KAPADIA

San Francisco’s overhyped D The “doom loop” haunting San Francisco

ou’ve read the headlines, you’ve seen the tweets, now get close and personal to the doom and squalor of downtown San Francisco,” is written on the Doom Loop Tour tickets. Symbolized by empty office buildings being vacated after the pandemic, “doom loop” is a term news anchors use to describe the economic struggles that San Francisco faces today as a direct impact of COVID-19. As the workforce shifts back to in-person, many are hesitant to come back, leading to office buildings being vacant. Aaron Belling, a real estate agent and native San Franciscan, has personally observed the change the city has gone through in recent years, with his experience in real estate he’s built a strong perspective about the impacts of COVID-19 on the city. “Nobody was going to work [during the pandemic] and everyone was working from home, like downtown SOMA [the South of Market neighborhood], the financial district, etc,” Bellings said. “It was a ghost town—there were no people and there was no activity.” Moreover, the cost of living in SF is much higher, according to CNBC the city was considered the 3rd mos t expensive c i t y

nationally. With the nature of less Francisco job security and commute to work regularly and has commented the prospect of living in the city de- on her perspective of the struggles creased. the city is going through. Tomi Lahren, who hosts an “I feel like there is an injustice evening show on Fox News, talked happening and that the federal govabout a new tourism attraction in SF ernment is responsible for putting called the Doom Loop Tour run by more money into San Francisco,” an anonymous local. Fan said. “Tourists can get a first-hand Fan acknowledges that despite look at sidewalk feces, homeless en- SF’s 14.6 billion dollar budget for the campments, open air drug markets 2023-25 fiscal year, its efforts are left and more, all while dodging nee- inadequate. dles.” Lahren says. “It’s not enough, they need to Lahren then continues to make put it in the right places. Even though a political take on the issue. they have this massive budget, it’s not “You’ve seen it on the news, doing anything,” Fan said. you’ve heard the According to stories of liberal “Tourists can get the U.S. Census, city rot, but if you the population wanted to see it up a first-hand look of San Francisco close and person- at sidewalk feces, decreased 7.5 peral without moving cent from 2020 to to one of these homeless encamp2022. Calling this hellholes, now you phenomenon the ments, open air can,” Lahren said. “doom loop” has Despite news drug markets and a negative connoanchors pushing tation that doesn’t this narrative, lo- more, all while fare well with the cals don’t agree dodging needles.” reality of residents and are fighting simply leaving beto dismantle these cause of the no —TOMI LAHREN, Fox News commute. narratives. anchor “Is there a Accepting the problem in San impacts COVID-19 Francisco? Yes, has had on a city’s absolutely” Bellings said. “...But economy without making a dramatic no one’s ever gonna talk about the spectacle of it is an important step in positives…All people want to talk moving forward, Bellings said about are the different crises, the “I would encourage anyone that different craziness… So, are they hasn’t been to San Francisco recentfair? Absolutely not.” ly to come and visit.” Bellings said.“I However, not all Bay Area think they’re gonna find out that it’s residents share the same opin- not nearly as bad as everybody makes ion. Samantha Fan drives to San it out to be.”

O W N F A L L

Text by EVELYN ZHANG and SAANVI GARG

Photo by MAXWELL ZHANG

Handing out hope to CNN, the large emergency alarm wanted to do something and reached Local Bay Area or- ing system implemented all over Hawaii was out to The Hope Hangar to seek those set off for the first few minutes of the ways we could partner together. We were ganization sending not fire being caused, wasting what could’ve uniquely positioned to come together to been moments for critsupport it.” aid to victims of the ical prevention. Despite the Vive A large Bay Area “It’s just a sister Church branch in HaMaui fires effort has set out to island, and that’s waii being on a differ-

inety-seven lives lost, 385 missing, and thousands left grieving. These numbers don’t even begin to cover the damage felt by the West Maui community as a result of the August 2023 wildfires. The fires started in West Maui, mainly affecting Lahaina, a community center. The damage from the fire has been extensive, with The Independent reporting that much of the blame was placed on Hawaiian officials and their numerous mistakes in the buildup to the fires. Accord-

support victims of the ent island, Mark Pham, Maui fires: a food pan- how we would see it: the Honolulu campus try known as The Hope They’re family.” pastor, said his group Hangar. The fundraiswas motivated to help er has already raised — MARK PHAM, Hono- the victims of the fire. $10,000. “The churches or lulu campus pastor According to Mithe organizations, they chelle Stewart, execrallied alongside with utive director of The Hope Hangar, the one another, do whatever it takes in order food pantry based on Mountain View had to get the necessary aid and need to the a special reason to support those in Ha- Island of Maui,” Pham said. “It’s just a siswaii. ter island, and that’s how we would see it: “Our team in Honolulu has definitely They’re family.” had people in their community that were At first, The Hope Hangar was asking directly impacted,” Stewart said. “They for donations of basic necessities.

SPREADING HOPE: Volunteers help to hand out supplies at a food distribution hosted by The Hope Hangar, a food pantry, Mountain View to help those in need.

When we first launched, our thinking was ‘we’re going to physically resource them with diapers and wipes and all the things that they would need,’” Stewart said. “So what we did initially was we raised funds here in the mainland, and then sent those funds over to our team in Hawaii in Honolulu and they went to their local Costco stocked up on everything that they could get that they got a list from a local church in Maui.” This fundraiser got support from other organizations to ensure the resources reached Maui. “Aloha Air Cargo was primarily one of our biggest partners, because they stood up and rose up just like everyone else did everything for free,” Pham said. However, these fires have also raised a prominent and controversial question about something inherent to Hawaii: tourism. More specifically, whether non-locals are getting more attention and aid than locals. “The reason why a lot of people are speaking about there being outsiders that are getting more aid than the locals is because they’re trying to relocate the people that are not from there,” Pham said. “So that mediates the impact and the need to support people in that area and just focus on the people that actually live there with their roots and their families

Campus reacts to Maui fires

T ties.

he recent Maui fires have caused a storm, not just in the local West Maui communities, but also in Palo Alto communi-

grounded there.” When asked about whether tourists should cancel their vacation trips or continue them as planned, Pham says that there is a fine line to walk. “We do understand that the state of Hawaii is built primarily on tourism,” Pham said. “The only expectation that the locals have is yes, continue tourism in order to sustain the infrastructure and the requirements of the economy, but be cognitive of the morale within the city and respect that and honor that.”

To help support the affected victims, The Hope Hangar is still accepting donations at this link. These relief efforts have been greatly felt by the local community in Maui. “You have lots of people within one home that had like three or four generations living dead, the grandparents, the parents are simply in they just lost everything,” Stewart said. “So we’ve come around and we’re getting notes directly back from the families not thanking us for our support.”

Mary Sano, a history teacher at Palo Alto High School who lived in Hawaii for 10 years, explained one way students in Hawaii have taken a hit. “Many of the public schools in Lahaina are just completely gone,” Sano said. “Busing them across the island to the next possible place they [students] could be, it’s not an easy fix — [Hawaii is] an island society.” Much of the aid received by affected families has been through fundraisers and local and community efforts. “My cousin is in West Maui and they are getting help from their homeowners association,” Sano said. “It sounds like the community’s pulling together as far as just keeping watch over whether properties are still in danger or what people need. And that’s typical Hawaii, you know, that a lot of just the community is rising up to help each other out.” Freshman Leilani Chen, who knows of people affected, believes that there should be priority given to some in terms

of aid allocation. “I think the most important thing is that every person that doesn’t have a place to live, a place to eat, a place to use the bathroom, a place to cook their food — those are the people that need placements first,” Chen said. As the damage from the fires continues to be felt and have a steady grasp on the future of the Hawaiian island, Chen urges those who can help to make a contribution. “I think the most important thing is that if you were in their place, think about how much you would appreciate this type of help, and it’s just the littlest things.” Chen said. “It’s $5. It’s a package of diapers, it’s two cans of beans. Those are the little things that are going to determine whether or not somebody is able to get by for now.”

Text by EVELYN ZHANG and SAANVI GARG

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Prep for the needle Bathroom piercings raise concern Photo illustration by LUCIANNA PERALTA

Text by LUCIANNA PERALTA and FAIZAN KASHMIRI

alking into a Palo Alto High pressed concern over sanitization and the School bathroom during overall process of the operation. your prep or when taking “I trusted them [a piercer] because I a five minute break from know that they had done a lot of piercings class, you see the tiles displaying mild before but I was still really worried about humor on the walls, soap dispensers it being done in a school bathroom,” releasing the dregs of soap, and Lana said. the dusty worn flooring. With an Under the California state Safe abundance of graffiti displayed in Body Art Act, Article 2, minors are the stalls, you would never come to prohibited from getting piercings the conclusion that this is the site of without parental consent. Howevstudent-led piercings. er, these restrictions can be easily But this year that’s exactly circumvented, with an abundance what is happening, according to of self-piercing kits available for interviews conducted by Anlow prices online. thro staff. general estimate Jane, a Paly piercer, who could be that dozens of peoalso had her name withheld to ple have been pierced. protect her identity, explained According to Cleveland why she would only do ear Clinic, one in three people with piercings. ear piercings get complications “Nose piercings are particularly spanning from blood infections, susceptible” Jane said. People will get tearing and allergic reactions. These them infected.”,” said Jane. have negative effects on your body but The difference between a prousually only take several weeks to heal. fessional piercer and an amateur They range from skin infections, to, in is the importance of sterile tools the worst cases, long-term nerve damage. and materials used during the (American Academy of Dermatology) procedure. Senior Lana, whose name is being The piercer described the withheld to protect her identity, describes tools she used to do piercings, from how she began the piercing process. forceps to individually packaged sterile “I was basically instruments. messaging the person I “Bathrooms are not a have“Obviously who's giving you the gloves, Q-tips, piercing and we decid- great place to do it. Be- lidocaine gel, just ed to meet at a time in stuff for cleanliness the bathroom on the cause you don’t have the reasons,” Jane said. side of the library.” Piercings aren’t right materials and it’s Profe ssionally generally harmful done piercings require also to close to a lot of but the unsanitary a few months of main- germs.” location of these actenance, to which the — KENSIE PAO, sophomore tivities has become American Academy of an issue, as shared Dermatology admits that piercings, “can by piercers. still cause complications if not handled “I think the biggest concern is where safely.” it's happening,” Jane said. “Most people The consequences of novice pierc- [piercees] do it in a bathroom — which is ings are usually disregarded by students obviously gross — but I think with proper as a result of their affordability. precautions, you can do it in a way that's Lana shared her experience of re- gonna minimize most of the risks.” ceiving a piercing in the Paly bathJane shared her process of maintainroom piercing and its cost. ing their tools cleanliness in a two-step “Twenty bucks,” she said. process before and after piercing an indi“So that was part of my in- vidual lobe. centive because it's “I kind of break it [the cleaning proso much cheap- cess] up,” Jane said. “I do a little bit after er.” the piercing itself — that usually takes five Lana ex- minutes, and then I'll do some [more] at

Art by SALEM COYLE home the morning before, because I'll have more space to really get into it.” Again, Jane explains how she prioritizes the health and wellbeing of their clients above being able to comply with demand. “I only do ones that I know that I can do,” Jane said. Paly Assistant Pricnipal Eric Olah said he didn’t know about these activities happening on campus. Rosemarie Dowell, the PAUSD Health Services Coordinator explains why professional piercers would be the safer option as compared to student piercers. “If you are able to go do it professionally and you really want that piercing, please go do it professionally with the proper approvals and cleanliness just to save any possible risk of infection or other complications,” Dowell said. A study by the College of Family Physicians of Canada found that 3% of all recipients of piercings have severe complications such as toxic shock syndrome, viral hepatitis, and endocarditis. Sophomore Kensie Pao expresses concern over the idea of bathroom piercings due to infections and their consequences. “Piercing is something that should always be done in a good place,” Pao said. “Even if you're in a parlor, that's not [necessarily] sanitary. It's also not good because infections that you pick up through piercings could definitely cause a lot of infection.”

Text by ANIKA NAIR and EVELYN ZHANG

Photo by AMANI FOSSATI-MOIANE

To be or not to be ...

MUZZLED?

As a response to stories like lice to decide whether they should use A California bill Alejo’s, the California legislature is a police dog in a particular situation. looking to pass bill CAA AB-742 which However, there are no seeks to limit the prohibits a police canine from being well-defined used to bite unless there is an imminent use of K-9 dogs in threat to police or civilian safety. The bill has since been filed as inactive and not be discussed until 2024, reportlaw enforcement will ed by LegiScan.

man was sleeping in a shed one summer night when suddenly, a K-9 police dog attacked him, biting his leg for more than 40 seconds, despite his constant protest of innocence. According to CBS News, this scene played out on a night in June 2020 in a shed in Mountain View. Joel Alejo was approached by the Palo Alto Police during a search for a kidnapper on the loose. After handcuffing Alejo, officers ultimately determined that he was not the man they were searching for.

16 September 2023

Unfortunately, stories like Alejo’s are not hard to come across. According to the California Department of Justice’s 2021 compilation of police use of force data, injuries inflicted by police K-9s constituted almost 12 percent of incidents leading to severe harm or fatalities. Locally, San Jose Police dogs have bitten 167 people in the last five years, the highest number of dog bites recorded by a police department in California in 2020. C u r r e n t l y, California laws allow po-

Screenshots from body-worn camera footage released on March 16, 2021, shows Joel Alejo, a resident of Mountain View, get bitten by a Palo Alto police dog on June 25, 2020 around 2:31 a.m. Courtesy city of Palo Alto. The officers can be heard yelling commands such as “let go” to the dog and “stop resisting” to Alejo. Left: Palo Alto police dog biting on Alejo’s leg while a Palo Alto police officer attempt to grab Alejo’s leg. Right: Alejo in a fetus position as a Palo Alto police dog continues to bite the suspect.

statewide criteria outlining when a police officer should employ a police dog. According to Fox News, individual police departments can set their own policies regarding canine use and guidelines for training that were released nearly a decade ago are not mandatory. Senior Austin Mei believes that K-9 police dogs are unnecessary because of their obedience to their police trainers and [indiscretion]. “When you’re detaining a suspect, you’re not charging them with anything,” Mei said.“But when you release a dog, the dog will indiscriminately attack anyone who has been detained but not charged.” According to a Science Direct research article, trained dog bites can be more like shark attacks. Mei supports the bill and believes K-9 dogs should not be used for biting or suspect detainment. “The punishment falls under the Eighth Amendment, which is no cruel or unusual punishment,” Mei said. “Police dogs are trained

to be a lot more dangerous than regular the police and the communities they dogs — they have enough bite force to serve,” Jackson said. bite through metal, so if you bite a perThe bill emphasizes the disproporson, you break a bone or tear a muscle.” tionate rates at which police dogs attack The bill only restricts activities people of color. The CA/HI NAACP, a that require biting. co-sponsor, attributes Search and rescue, exthese differences to plosive detection, and “Police dogs are the historical use of narcotic detection will police dogs to control trained to be a lot still be a legal way of enslaved people. utilizing K-9 dogs in more dangerous than Data from crime. National Electronic According to regular dogs — they Injury Surveillance Palo Alto Chief Bind- have enough bite force System show that beer’s article reporting tween 2005-2013, hoson recent police activ- to bit through metal” pitals received 32,951 — AUSTIN MEI, senior dog bites due to K-9 ities, bites are rarely necessary because a dogs injuries. Ninesuspect will often surty-five percent of the render when notified of the presence of victims were male while 42 percent of a canine police dog. The blog also rethem were Black. ports that any case of canine apprehenDespite legislative efforts to sion is audited by independent oversight limit the use of K-9 dogs, police departagencies. ments are still training new canines to According to the bill’s website, Aswork with officers. semblymembers Corey Jackson (D-60) “Canines are an important tool that and Ash Kalra (D-25), authors of the help us with our mission to keep the combill, argue that the racial disparities in munity safe,” Chief Binder said. “Their the deployment of K-9 dogs were vital to superior senses of smell and hearing help the decision. us to locate individuals and contraband, “This bill marks a turning point and to apprehend criminal offenders in in the fight to end this cruel and inhucertain limited circumstances.” mane practice and build trust between

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Text and Photos by VIVIAN LIN

Art by SALEM COYLE

alo Alto High School math teach- house based on what I make, so I actually Affordable housing er Young-Ju Lee currently lives in don’t know what it [housing] would be like her parents’ house in Palo Alto, long term,” Lee said. “When I talk to othplan for Palo Alto where commuting to school only er people [PAUSD teachers], it takes them takes four minutes. But moving forward, an hour and a half just going to another of long-term housing lingers. part of the Bay Area. It’s horrible, just the teachers gains trac- the question “I would probably only be able to af- traffic, or the workarounds that I’ve heard tion ford a shack or a closet in somebody else’s people [teachers] have leaving home at

Jennifer Ellington, a teacher at Ellen Fletcher Middle School, speaks at the Sept. 11 city council meeting. “I cannot tell you how many times staff [has] wanted to attend an event and it’s just not possible with a long commute, including the city council meeting,” Ellington said. “There is already a national teacher shortage. Having affordable housing in the community will attract and retain teachers for our schools.”

18 September 2023

like 5 or 6 a.m. coming here [Palo Alto].” Lee is one of many teachers across Palo Alto who is concerned about the affordability of housing. But help for some of them — maybe 44 of them, to be exact — just might be on the way thanks to a new affordable housing initiative for district teachers and classified workers that was proposed this week to the Palo Alto City Council. Housing developer and Palo Alto resident Jason Matlof, who proposed the plan at the city council’s Sept. 11 meeting, says he aims to develop a five-story apartment building with 44 units of 100 percent affordable studios and one-bedrooms for moderate to low income teach- A 3D render of Jason Matlof’s affordable housing plan for teahcers, proposed to be located on El Camino Real. The five-story apartment will have 44 units of studios and one-bedrooms for PAUSD low to moderate income ers. Located at 3265 El Camino Real, its teachers and classified workers. proximity to California Avenue and seven PAUSD schools where teachers can walk, ies within a 30-mile radius of Palo Alto. Jesse Ladomirak, vice president of bike, or take the VTA 22 bus route to work Speaking at the Sept. 11 Palo Alto City the Palo Alto Board of Education seconds make it a convenient location. Council meeting, Reardon said he and this. According to Matlof, only one out other teachers would “Living closer to our schools will help of four people who have greatly benefit- educators support PAUSD students in a work in Palo Alto “I know I’m not the only ed from the Matlof’s variety of ways,” Ladomirak said. “More lives in the city, and housing project as a significantly, it will improve their quality teachers just start- teacher in this commufirst-year teacher. of life by reducing their commutes and ing out in the district “I know I’m not giving them more time with their faminity who at age 23 had often have to look the only teacher lies. This generous project is an outstandelsewhere for hous- to somehow figure out in this community ing opportunity to make a small dent in ing. With 87 percent who at age 23 had the thousands of housing units Palo Alto their first year of teachof PAUSD teachers to somehow figure must add. It is housing for some of the commuting from ing while also enduring out their first year of hardest workers in our city.” out of town, Matlof teaching while also Palo Alto’s strict building code may said the plan would an hour-plus drive each enduring an hour present some challenges to Matlof’s projcut down time spent way.” plus drive each way, ect. The apartment building already exon the road and help — HUNTER REARDON, English [had to] see most of ceeds the height limit and only includes recruit and retain teacher their first year salary half the amount of parking spaces remore teachers. go toward rent or quired. “We’ll get teachan enduring net deFunding can also be tricky — the projers and PAUSD staff crease in living conditions after moving ect’s funds will come entirely from private out of their cars and off our highways and out of college dorms and into their ca- investors, but Matlof is hopeful that the roads and house them nearby to schools reer, or all three,” Reardon said. “That’s project will generate enough money to where they work, which will reduce traf- not even to mention teachers who con- make it profitable. fic, greenhouse gas emission, and com- tinue in this manner for so many years “We might not make as much monpetitive benefits,” Matlof said. that they eventually choose to take their ey as developers are doing in other cities At the meeting, 20 speakers, includ- talents and their families elsewhere.” where they’re not restricted by one huning nine teachers and representatives of Jennifer Ellington, a teacher at Ellen dred percent affordability,” Matlof said. the Palo Alto Educators Association and Fletcher Middle School, said cutting com- “And that’s the compromise, and I hope the California School Employees Associ- mute time would give teachers the oppor- that this sets a precedent for both the ation spoke in support of the initiative. tunity to attend school events like sports government and for other developers, Their sentiments were echoed by 11 Palo games and concerts. because the government is going to have Alto residents, including a Gunn High “I cannot tell you how many times to give us entitlements that are a stretch.” School student who also spoke at the staff [has] wanted to attend an event and Although the project will not solve meeting. it’s just not possible with a long commute, all the housing problems for teachers For Paly English teacher Hunter including the city council meeting,” El- in Palo Alto, it will be a much welcomed Reardon, finding sustainable housing is lington said. “There is already a nation- small step towards affordability, or as Meb a struggle he knows all too well. Reardon al teacher shortage. Having affordable Steiner, president of the CSEA Palo Alto spent the first seven years of his career housing in the community will attract and Chapter 301 put it, “a beacon, a model, moving four times between three cit- retain teachers for our schools.” [and] a possibility.”

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Text by LUCIANNA PERALTA

Art by VIVIAN TANG AND SARINA GREWAL

Verbatim: Opinions on youth activism Student activists share their experiences with older advocates

alo Alto High School students take advocating for a better world seriously, but as a younger generation sometimes their efforts are dismissed by adult activists due to inexperience. We asked some members of the community to share their thoughts and experiences on the matter.

“Parents or an older generation can make it very easy for a child or a teenager who’s an activist to just completely shut down. I feel like this goes beyond just [activism], it also plays into how will you feel [when] you can share with your family, so I feel overall, the older generation harms more than just your voice.”

— KAITLYN GONZALEZ ARCEO, junior “Sometimes I feel like people are so attached to being very, very liberal or very conservative on one side or the other. And it can get in the way of the cause that all of these people are fighting for, because activism is about good change for humanity as a whole. Not good change for Democrats or good change for Republicans or good change for independents … It’s good change for everybody.”

— BRENDAN GIANG, sophomore “I think that once people’s minds are set, it’s a little bit difficult to change them. So it’s important to hear the opinions of [youth] that are kind of still deciding what they stand for. And with a lot of youth, there’s a lot of stuff that comes in the news that we see and we hear, but a lot of it is influenced by the older generations and what is being put in front of us. So I think it’s important to hear the opinions of what younger people have to say…And they’re the ones being affected.”

— LEILANI CHEN, freshman “I feel like youth activists tend to care less about the political ramifications for climate action and more about bigger existential problems. I think we see it as like, this is our adult life that we’re fighting for, and then older people tend to be like, yeah, it’s an issue, but I don’t know if they see as much of a threat with it.”

— LUCY KRISTOFFERSON, junior “As a new Social Justice Pathway teacher, I have to imagine that these connections and these considerations … and these sort of deep set understandings around social justice issues will carry through to students as they pursue whatever career they pursue. One of the things we’d like to emphasize is whatever position of power you have, the point is to use that power to elevate others and to elevate these issues and to make headway on these issues wherever you can.”

— KEITH TOCCI, AP Language and Social Justice Teacher, Cohort 9

Text by KAT FARRELL

Paws up for pets in need

t’s been a tough year for Pets in Need after numerous leadership changes and a recent incident dubbed ‘Puppygate,’ where seven puppies tragically passed away whilst in the care of Pets in Need. However, no negligence was found. Due to these events, Pets in Need is in desperate need of adoptions. Anthro recently visited Palo Alto’s Pets in Need(one of two locations, the other being in Redwood City). We found that the staff are all incredibly knowledgeable on each animal and their temperament and have a genuine passion for taking care of them. One staff member informed us that rabbits are in the greatest need of caring homes, and are actually easier to care for than a dog. As we continued through the shelter, we entered their cat room, where cats roam freely and perch atop cat trees. Two particular feline residents, Fluff and Pinky, caught our attention with their matching coats, identical down to the gray spot atop their heads. Even as Pinky’s tiny claws dug into me with post-nap crankiness, I couldn’t help but look down and say ‘aww.’ These tiny kittens are likely to get adopted quickly, but some have a harder time. Specifically, larger dogs who need a home able to fit to their size. Pets in Need struggles with the amount of animals they take in and rely on good samaritans to foster and adopt so they can continue to make room for the mounting number of strays and surrenders. If these furry friends pull at your heartstrings, make sure to stop by their Redwood City and Palo Alto locations.

Photo by AMANIanthromagazine.org FOSSATI-MOIANE 1

Acne

leaves

healthy scars

22 September 2023

Marks that don’t define

Text and Art by SALEM COYLE

here is something so universal about looking in the mirror and wondering to yourself, “Am I pretty?” I’ve been there too many times to count, for too many reasons. Dysphoria, teen awkwardness, longing for features I wish I had been born with — any number of things can cause one to muse over one’s face in the mirror a little too long. But a lot of the time, the catalyst is immediate. It’s red, it’s bumpy, and statistically, most of you have gotten it before. Acne is a trademark of puberty for many, and a particularly horrible one, too. According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, over half of teens who get acne consider it to be the most difficult part of puberty. And even if these statistics are from over a decade ago, the sentiment still remains in many of us with acne today. In a society where your appearance is a direct factor in the way you are treated, blemishes are not just physical marks, but something to be judged for. The question changes from if you are beautiful enough, to if you are enough, period. The scars of puberty are too often seen as flaws, not signs of growth. The once-narrow box of what is considered beautiful has widened in recent years. People of all different backgrounds, beliefs, bodies — held up as beautiful for all facets of themselves, not just the normative ones. However, the negative stigma around acne still persists. Unclean, awkward, infectious … all inferred only from spots on the face. Even if the victim of those assumptions knows they are untrue, they can still take a toll on one’s confidence and self-perception. When you run your finger across your cheek, wanting a plain but getting mountains, it stings knowing what that rocky terrain means. No matter how normal acne is, especially for teens, the preconceived notions surrounding it can make those with it feel inadequate. And that they aren’t good enough for the perfect skin held up by the society they live in. I am no paragon of self-love, and I don’t think I ever will be. I still struggle with doubts about my appearance. I still pore over my pores anxiously, and look at my reflection wondering if I fit into what society deems beautiful. But physical flaws should never define one’s worth as a person, and stressing over whether you meet an ever-changing standard of perfection has never done any good for anybody. Scars are growth, even if other people don’t know it. Beauty isn’t a box to fit into or a bar to reach towards. You’re already there. You are beauty, unchanged.

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Text by EVELYN ZHANG and KETAN ALTEKAR-OKAZAKI

Opinion: When does a Many are quick to assume that the

still has a profound psychological impact

of gifts is unethical and must on the recipients, even if they aren’t a The prospect of a acceptance be illegal. The first part, yes. The second? bribe. These gifts create a conflict of inmuch. terest. Supreme Court Jus- Not soThere is no code of ethics for the Even if the gifts have not affected Supreme Court, a group of nine people their rulings, the perception of justices tice being ‘bought’ who make some of the most important lying on their annual financial disclosure in our country and have lifetime form will steadily erode the credibility hurts democracy decisions appointments in the Court. The clos- of the court in the eyes of the American

est thing to regulation of the Supreme public. hen we were little, we Court, is the Ethics in Government Act. We have long prided ourselves as a viewed the nine seats of the This federal law dictates that officials country with checks and balances, a counSupreme Court as sacred — must disclose their financial dealings. try that prizes equal representation and so powerful and just, that We as Palo Alto High School students democracy, a country in which all men, their word was law. But as each of us grew are held to the same standards of ethical no matter their position of power, are inolder, we started to realize the negative behavior through the student handbook deed created equal. side of the superfluous power their pens that we agreed to follow (although it’s fair The alleged bribing of Supreme seemed to hold. to say that we really Court justices, those that preside over the These justices were didn’t have much of highest court in our nation, doesn’t help humans, so rooted Gift-giving still has a a choice) at the be- refute that perception. in emotion and so profound psychological ginning of the year. Now, there is a debate of whether easily influenced by Throughout the 121 these gifts fall under the realm of “gifts impact on the recipigreed. pages, this booklet of travel,” which are required to be disIn the past year, ents, even if they aren’t a details the scholar- closed, or “personal hospitality,” which ProPublica, a nonly expectations for does not have to be reported. According profit news source, bribe. These gifts create both parents and to the Brennan Center for Justice, personhas done multiple students to uphold. al hospitality must come out of the india conflict of interest. research pieces on If students with vidual’s own pocket , be for non-business the gifts that both comparatively no purposes, and cannot include transporJustice Clarence Thomas and Justice power to Supreme Court justices must tation. Regardless of whether justices are Samuel Alito have accepted from billion- follow strict protocol, why shouldn’t they? legally binded to report these “perks,” aires. Justice Thomas failed to report the The Paly academic honesty section the acceptance of lavish and expensive luxury trips he took with Harlan Crow, a alone spans multigifts by those who Texas billionaire who has long supported ple pages, going in preside over cases conservative organizations, in his annual depth about what is “I know this is a controhave profound effinancial disclosure form. This form is for and is not allowed fects nationwide. transparency and accountability of pub- for students, aim- versial view, but I’m willWhen cases of lic servants. According to a recent Pro- ing to maintain the ing to say it: No provision these donors come Public investigation, Thomas received a integrity of the Palo before the court in combined total of 38 trips, including 26 Alto Unified School in the Constitution gives the future, what is private jet flights, VIP access to sports District. How come [Congress] the authority stopping the justices events, and luxury accommodations. rules like these from acting unethAs for Justice Alito, in 2008, he failed don’t translate into to regulate the Supreme ically due to their to disclose his acceptance of an Alaska the highest court of relationship with Court — period.” fishing trip provided by billionaire Paul the land? donors? — JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO Singer. To make matters worse, Singer It’s imperative What’s even was directly involved in a case in which that we look at this more surprising Alito failed to recuse himself from. This corruption problem from a macro-an- surrounding the scarce number of laws poses a conflict of interests and threat- gle. These justices recently ruled on, and regulating corruption in the federal govens to undermine the integrity of the Su- overturned, both affirmative action and ernment is that rank-and-file federal civil preme Court. the federal right to abortion. Gift-giving servants are confined by stricter laws than

24 September 2023

Art by SPENCER WU-CHIN

gift turn into a bribe? justices who exert enormous influence. According to the Department of Justice, federal employees can only receive gifts worth $20 or less per occasion and a maximum of $50 per calendar year from one donor. But Supreme Court justices accepting gifts and luxury gifts from billionares is reasonable? To tackle this issue, Congress will have to legislate regulations and enforce ethical rules on the justices if justices cannot control themselves.

However, some justices believe that this is not permissible by the Constitution. Justice Alito has said outright to The Hill: “I know this is a controversial view, but I’m willing to say it: No provision in the Constitution gives [Congress] the authority to regulate the Supreme Court — period.” In a time of polarization and argument, the lack of ethics exhibited by the highest Court is arrogant and repulsive. This “gift-giving” creates the perception

that the justices on the Supreme Court can be bought, further undermining the already fraying integrity and legitimacy of government. It also sets a bad example for how others might behave in the future. What are we being trained for in school, after all, if adults in important jobs don’t have to follow any guidelines? Our justices need to take responsibility, whether on their own will or through legislative enforcement.

“In my unbiased opinion, political donations are very ethical” anthromagazine.org 25

Text by SAANVI GARG

Art by SALEM COYLE

Activism around the world Tax raises, climate issues, and Netflix shows have riled up protesters around the world

report released on Sept. 4 detailed how the Dutch government used $40.5 billion of public funds to fund fossil fuel subsidies. The Independent, a British newspaper, discussed the large-scale climate protests led by global environmental movement, Extinction Rebellion in response to the report. Reuters stated that more than 10,000 climate protesters blocked off major roadways. More than 3,000 protesters have been arrested with an Extinction Rebellion representative telling the Independent, “It’s the most [arrests] we’ve ever had.”

MeToo movement was sparked in Taiwan on April 28 after Netflix released its hit Taiwanese political drama ‘WaveMakers’. The show covered a myriad of difficult topics often not discussed in the region, one being sexual harassment by those in power. According to Foreign Policy, in July 2023, more than 150 women motivated by the show took to social media to discuss their experiences of assault with one of Taiwan’s most foremost political parties, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP.) FocusTaiwan stated that the movement resulted in Hsu Chia-tien, Deputy Secretary-General, stepping down as she had initially received numerous reports of assault and consequently

he people of Kenya have been retaliating against new laws implemented by President William Ruto who was elected in 2022 based on his platform of prioritizing the poor and increasing the quality of life, as reported by Editor for the Guardian Betsy Reed. The law, which was passed July 26, is described by France Air as “expected to generate more than $2.1 billion” as it will “hike taxes on basic goods and services including food and mobile money transfers.” The implications have been large scale protests led by opposition leader Raila Odinga, which have resulted in more than 300 arrests and six deaths as stated by Reed.

n Sept. 6, the Mexican Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state laws prohibiting abortion are unconstitutional. The Guardian reported that the ruling was a result of “the GIRE, a reproductive rights organization based in Mexico City, which brought the test case against the Mexican state as part of a years-long campaign for reform.” Reuters stated that 12 of 31 of Mexico’s states have decriminalized abortion since the ruling. However, the influence of the ruling will not be fully felt until changes are implemented. The current state laws protect abortion patients and providers, however the federal government has not implemented abortion services into the federal public health system, limiting access to the general public.

he Hong Kong Free Press wrote that members of the LGBTQ+ community received a “partial victory” from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, the final appellate court of Hong Kong, on Sept. 5. France Air stated that LGBTQ+ rights activist Jimmy Sham began pursuing the legalization of same sex marriage five years ago, only to have it denied at the highest level. He then sought a “policy alternative.” As a result, the government passed an “alternative framework” allowing members of the community civil unions or partnerships. This means that same sex couples of Hong Kong can participate in a legal arrangement that provides legal protections at the state level. However, they will only be recognized by individual states instead of federal law.

26 September 2023

Cartoons: Ratatoskr

David Coleman, College Board CEO.

Elon Musk decides to name his fourth secret child.

Palo Alto Police prepare to battle with innocent sleeping man.

Revolutionary new findings presented to Mexican Congress.

GOP Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy unveils new proposal.

Government proceedings grind to a halt yet again.

anthromagazine.org 27

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

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

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presents merchandise for reproductive rights Purchase these hats and more activism merchandise by scanning the QR code.