Anthro Volume 7 Issue 3 2025

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: AMERICA IN THE AFTERMATH

ANTHRO

April 2025 Volume 7 Issue 3

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, We are excited to bring you the first edition of Anthro this semester! In the protected bubble of Silicon Valley, it may be hard to feel the impacts of the changes that the Trump administration has made in the past three months. But these effects, no matter how small, are felt by many people in our community and permeate the rest of the country. This edition presents multiple stories highlighting these impacts and the community’s reaction.

In “An uncertain future,” reporters Hadrien de Martel and Jeshurun Wang spotlight the fear that immigrants face in light of the numerous ICE deportations happening around the Bay Area and country. Writers Motoko Iwata and Xander Yap tell the story of a Bay Area student chess player’s experience being revoked from a chess tournament in Florida due to anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

In “Healthcare crisis,” Gus Soedarmono and Hadrien de Martel delve into the problematic healthcare system in light of the recent shooting of United Healthcare CEO. Our features section closes off with stories of how activism is playing out on a local level, with staff writer Amily Zhang’s photo essay of two Bay Area protests and Jeshurun Wang’s profile on social justice related clubs at Paly.

As always, Anthro’s opinion section features a diverse array of student voices. Lara Dumanli and Mihika Sridhar provide perspective on how society can combat the increased normalization of rape culture in “Breaking the silence.”

Motoko Iwata provides perspective on her Japanese-American identity and the importance of having cultural spaces. In “The blame game,” writers Marcus Ling and Salem Coyle dive into the dangers of a new executive order, cutting funding which impacts the LGBTQ+ community. Finally, our editorial “A dying dove in the cage” defends our First Amendment rights in light of the recent arrests of several immigrant protesters by ICE agents. We hope you enjoy reading our work!

-Lara Dumanli and Vivian Lin, editors-in-chief

Staff Editors-in-Chief Lara Su Dumanli Vivian Lin Managing Editor Faizan Kashmiri Features Editor Marcus Ling News Editor Amily Zhang Opinion Editor Hadrien de Martel Design Editor Amani Fossati-Moiane Business Manager Amily Zhang Staff writers Motoko Iwata Ava Knapp Augustus Soedarmono Doreen Hou Cailey Lilly Quita Alexander Lawson Mihika Sridhar Xander Yap Karin Blumenfeld Jeshurun Wang Salem Coyle Vivian Tang Artists Doreen Hou Chiara Martin Anushe Irani Polina van Hulsen Adviser Paul Kandell anthromagazine.org

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April 2025

IN THIS ISSUE

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.

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Editorial

5

Can you hear the people sing?

9

Converting Cubberly

10

Uncertain future

12

Social Justice, not just a pathway

15

Embracing the Paly spirit

16

Healthcare Crisis

18

Across the board

20

Trash to Treasure

22

The Blame Game

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Breaking the silence

26

Cultural spaces

28

Fight for Freedom

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Incubator spotlight

On the cover:

On the cover, News Editor and Business Manager Amily Zhang compiles photos of Bay Area protesters to showcase the reaction of people in light of President Donald Trump coming into office. _____ Cover by Amily Zhang.

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A dying dove in the cage

Free speech increasingly endangered by government repression

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ur First Amendment rights are coming under attack.

On the evening of March 8, Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil was detained by plainclothes officers who said they worked for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to an article by Associated Press News.

A day later, Khalil was discovered to have been brought to a detention facility over 1,300 miles away in Louisiana, having not been charged with a crime as stated by New York Civil Liberties Union.

According to the New York Times, Khalil has been denied a chance to speak with his lawyer, and has been cut off from the outside world. Khalil, a legal resident of the United States, is now being threatened with deportation.

This doesn’t end at Khalil. When President Donald Trump was elected in November, he promised to crack down on pro-Palestinian students and the “radical left,” whom he argued had infiltrated college campuses, passing Executive Order 14188 (“Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism”) and giving himself the authority to pursue this assault. Wielding ICE as a weapon, Trump has gone on a national offensive targeting Palestinian solidarity organizers and immigrant students who

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April 2025

speak up on the Palestinian cause.

Democracy fundamentally depends Cornell University student Momo- on the protection of civil liberties. The dou Taa, a Gambian-British citizen who is First Amendment grants us the right to in the United States on a visa, is also be- speak up and to speak out. It gives us ing threatened with deportation for polit- freedom of speech, expression, assembly, ical activity, as reported by the New York religion, and press.

Times. ICE recently visited residences to Our position is uncompromising: arrest and deport Yunseo Chung, a legal That any attempt to unjustly crack down permanent resident and student at Co- on one of America’s most fundamental lumbia University, principles, that of being who has participatable to speak freely withed in pro-Palestin- People should not be out fear of state represian demonstrations. charged, face depor- sion, must be met with The deploypushback. ment of ICE to crack tation or live in fear People should not down on the immibe charged, face deporfor exercising their tation or live in fear for grants who dare to speak their mind in right to free speech. exercising their right to protests is a clear free speech. Thus, in a violation of their world where a nationrights. If the government can do this, al Trump administration increases its then what next? The civil liberties of all threats towards free speech, it is not our Americans hangs in the balance. time to be silent – it’s our time to speak The targeting of student activists by up and act.

ICE likely represents the first chapter in It is also critical that state governa repressive era of American politics. The ments, local governments, publications Trump administration’s attempt to cen- and schools protect their communities. sor activist speech doesn’t stop there – it The Supreme Court ruled in 1969 that is real and rampant, spreading to all of us. students do not “shed their constitutional For example, Trump has threatened rights to freedom of speech or expression to withhold funding to institutions that at the schoolhouse gate.” Additionally, he argues uses Diversity, Equity, and In- California Education Code 48907 proclusion (DEI) statements. According to tects the freedom of the student press. the Foundation for Individual These protections should be defended Rights and Expression, a na- and expanded. tional civil rights organizaWe also encourage students to know tion, the Supreme Court and exercise these rights when the preshas ruled in the past that sure to comply with authority is high. the government cannot Compliance to the administration’s new weaponize defunding as a directives, unconditionally, will lead way to force programs to bend to further reprisals against unpopular to a specific ideological belief, and speech down the line. Whether it means that it violates the First Amendment. getting involved in existing civil rights orThe press, too, has come under as- ganizations or simply refusing to self-censault. The dispute over the Associated sor, all students have a duty to fight for Press’s refusal to use Trump’s touted their rights.

“Gulf of America” led to their expulsion Our country may be divided on a from the White House Newsroom. Not range of sociopolitical issues. But the only that, but Trump himself has de- right to free speech – a cornerstone of clared a new policy of personally picking what allows us to write this in the first reporters who can cover Trump from the place – that is something we must unite Whitehouse, according to the new admin- together to protect. istration policy.

Art by CHIARA MARTIN

The election of President Donald Trump and the involvement of Tesla CEO Elon Musk in the government has sparked widespread concerns over civil rights. In response, numerous protests have taken place in the past two months. Anthro has covered two major protests: the People’s March in Mountain View in January and the ongoing Tesla Takedown protests. anthromagazine.org

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‘Together We Will’ hosted a protest advocating for people’s rights in Mountain View at Gateway Park days before President Trump’s inauguration. The organization has been active for over eight years with a network of 3000 activists. According to the organizer of the event, Ida Rose, they collaborated with the People’s March association and convinced people to participate for two reasons.

“It’s two things,” Rose said. “It’s showing solidarity and being in community at a time where a lot of people are hurting or frightened or unsure what’s going to happen next. It’s to show each other that we aren’t far from each other. But it’s also to let people know that we are here, especially for the most vulnerable people in our communities. We are here by force and in numbers to protect ourselves and each other.”

Crossing into Action: (above) Protesters marched around and across the street encouraging cars to honk their horns in support. Protestor Natalie Crowder held a sign stating ‘Healthcare not Wealthcare’. According to Crowder, she wrote the sign partially based on personal experience. “It’s about everything that’s happening with the insurance companies not supporting people and pulling their coverage when they actually need help,” Crowder said. “People with cancer, they’re not being covered and not getting the treatment that they need. My mom died from cancer years ago when I was 16, and so healthcare is very important to me as somebody who’s mom had a chronic illness. If people are paying for healthcare they need to get the services that they’re paying for.

It’s not fair to the people who are actually in need of these things.”

Postcards with Purpose: (left) Protestors write postcards at tables in Gateway Park. According to one of the event organizers Andre Iceo, the postcards are getting sent to people in more rural areas. “People are not as interested in state elections as they are in national elections,” Iceo said. “So these ones are specifically for Wisconsin state elections and go out to remind people of the elections. It’s just sending them to convince people to vote.”

Little Hands, Big Message: (right) Protestor Hayden Haley, barely a toddler, held his mom’s hand while waving a heart sign around to the passing cars. His mom, Emily Wolfe, explains that coming to the protest was an important lesson about social justice. “I just want to show my kids that, at a young age, they should stand up for what they believe in,” Wolfe said, “I told him that we’re coming because we’re gathering together to stand up to a bully.”

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On March 8, the Palo Alto Tesla dealer parking lot was filled as protesters voiced their concerns about the actions of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. The protest was a part of a nationwide movement called “Tesla Takedown” in which protesters aimed to reduce Tesla’s sales and raise awareness about many of Musk’s actions, including his salute at Trump’s inauguration parade, budget cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and many more.

Curbside Callout: (above) Protesters line the roadway median outside the Tesla dealership in Palo Alto on Saturday, March 30, as part of the national “Tesla Takedown” movement. Organized by Indivisible Palo Alto Plus, the demonstration targeted Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s ties to Donald Trump and broader concerns about democracy and corporate power.

Meky vs. Musk: (left) Protestor Kalid Meky stands in the middle of the road during a red light, waving his sign reading “Don’t buy Tesla” to Teslas. “You can’t wait till they abuse you so long,” Meky said. “You gotta do something now. The issue I care most about is our democracy, our constitution.”

Text and Photo by AMILY ZHANG and AVA KNAPP and KARIN BLUMENFELD

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April 2025

Converting Cubberly

IMMINENT CHANGES The once-operational classrooms have been turned into spaces for artists and are going to be remodeled.

Cubberley community center has been approved for a remodel

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or nearly 23 years, the building we now houses artists’ studios, sports for kids, all love known as Cubberley was and many different programs. However, one of the three Palo Alto Unified the degradation of buildings and facilities is School prominent.

District high many years, the “I think all of us involved city For schools. However, has been trying to in 1979 the school this time around want to purchase the land from closed due to the the school district to help district’s need for be the group that helps remodel it, and the city money. bring it over the finish and the school district The former have finally come to an school is now line successfully, but this agreement about selling leased by the has been very fraught the 15 acres of land for district and has $65 million. transformed into a historically.”

City Councilwoman thriving communi— JULIE LYTHCOTT-HAIMS, Julie Lythcott-Haims said ty center. Whether Councilwoman every previous attempt it’s kids learning a would get further along new language or but would inevitably sport or artists renting out classrooms for come across a road bump that simply made studios, Cubberely attracted many different. it infeasible to keep going with the project.

Cubbereley opened in 1956 and has changed “There have been all of these attempts much since it started welcoming students. It to get to this part, but each process has

failed,” Lythcott-Haims said. “I think all of us involved this time around want to be the group that helps bring it over the finish line successfully, but this has been very fraught historically.”

The proposal for the bonds to fund the project will be up for vote in 2026, according to Lythcott-Haims. Until then, it is a waiting game for construction to start.

Concordia is the company that is involved in designing the new Cubberley center. Bobbie Hill, a partner at Concordia hopes that this can be a place for programs, for the people in the community, to prosper.

“We know this is something that will live long into the future, so we want to make sure that it accommodates programs that exist now and prepare for what kind of programs could exist in the future,” Hill said. “We want to create a space that’s very

Text and Photo by CAILEY LILLY QUITA and MIHIKA SRIDHAR

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Uncertain FuTURE L Text by HADRIEN DE MARTEL and JESHURUN WANG

Immigrants discuss fears amid new policies

iving in a house with five people is hard. Living with 17 people is practically impossible.

This was the harsh reality of a Mexican immigrant worker at the Mountain View Day Worker Center when they first moved to California.

The house only had one bathroom, and it was the only living space they could afford.

Now, with the election of President Donald Trump, in addition to the continuous struggle for financial sta-

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bility, some immigrants are also worried Trump has already begun to follow about mass deportations, as well as future up on his promises by giving more powimmigration policy changes. er to Immigration and Customs EnforceAnthro interment, declaring a viewed two immiemergen“It feels kind of like a national grant workers at cy at the Mexican the Day Worker nightmare to see the kind border, and signCenter in Mouning an executive tain View, which of community that we have order attempting primarily connects become and to see the pri- to end birthright immigrants with citizenship. employers, about orities that people have.”

When asked their personal exabout the depor— SOPHIA, worker at the periences and what tations, Sophia Mountain View Day Center to expect in the fulabeled them as a ture. “civil and human Sophia, an immigrant employee at rights violation.” the Day Worker Center who asked that New policies along with deportations her real name not be used, expressed con- targeting illegal immigration have crecern over the priorities of the American ated an environment of fear and worry people. for many immigrants like James, another “It feels kind of like a nightmare to worker at the Mountain View Day Worker see the kind of community that we have Center. become and to see James, who the priorities that wishes that his real people have,” So- “I do have to be a little name not be used, phia said. about the more careful than other spoke Her concerns effects of Trump’s come amid a se- people. If I do something policies. ries of promises “It has been Trump has made that is bad, I get in more very impactful to deport mil- trouble than someone that emotionally, and lions of illegal I’m in a constant is already living here.” immigrants. state of fear, not D u r i n g — DAVID, confident enough Trump’s speech Paly student to go shopping beto Congress on cause I am scared March 4, he once that something can again touched on this idea. happen to me,” James said.

“We will eliminate these threats to Increases in deportation and arrests protect our homeland and complete the have only worsened these fears. Accordlargest deportation operation in Ameri- ing to federal data, in the month of Februcan history,” Trump said. ary alone, there have been nearly 23,000

Art arrests and 18,000 deportations. tity, immigrated from Mexico three years Stories about violent ICE encounters ago and has been subjected to jokes about have also increased, such as the story of his country of origin.

Ulises Pena Lopez, “People joke an illegal immiaround with me grant in Sunnyvale. “I feel very vulnerable with about being like a He was arrested on border hopper,” all the attacks,” Feb. 21 after a vioDavid said.

— JAMES,worker at the lent struggle with His family, Mountain View Day Center fearing future polICE officers.

“The brutalicies Trump may ity of the arrest implement, decidcaused him to collapse and struggle to ed to return to Mexico after Trump was breathe, resulting in him being rushed elected to renew their visas and apply for to the hospital,” Ulises’ family said in a a green card. statement on Instagram.

“We applied for the green card, and Incidents like this worry many imwe renewed our visa so that if anything migrants. that Donald Trump does, any “I feel very vulneraimmigration policies that ble with all the attacks could happen, we […] all the threats would be ready for and all the things them,” David said. that are happening David has around,” James also had to be extra said. “It’s hard careful lately due to for me to imagthe looming threat of ine that something deportation. good will happen in the “I do have to be a next four years.” little more careful than Many student imother people,” David migrants have also been said. “If I do something that subject to smaller attacks is bad, I get in more in the form of jokes. David, trouble than a Palo Alto High School stusomedent who asked that his real name not be used to protect his iden-

by DOREEN

one that is already living here.”

When asked how best to protect immigrants, Sophia and James both emphasized speaking up and gathering to fight against unjust policies or laws.

“We can speak to the powerful very loudly, and our voices are going to be heard,” Sophia said. “We have to follow more of the moral law and not those that humans make.”

“I think that we should all come together so that we can be stronger together,” James said.

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Social A Accessibility and Inclusion Society of justice, Palo Alto (AISPA) T not just a pathway

nthro is interested in looking into new clubs at Palo Alto High School that educate and advocate for social issues. Although Social Justice Pathway is available at school, clubs offer even more opportunities to get involved.

How student-led clubs educate students on social issues

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he Accessibility and Inclusion Society of Palo Alto club aims to bring more accessibility and inclusion to Paly by improving our environment for people with disabilities, petitioning for accessibility around campus. The club meets every Monday during lunch in Room 807.

Seniors Kira Loginova and Catherine Funtu serve as the club president and vice-president, respectively. AISPA has advocated for accessibility for students with disabilities around campus. One of these campaigns was for campus elevator permits to be updated.

“We had a campaign for the elevators to have their permits replaced because they were three years out of date,” Loginova said.

By renewing the elevators’ contracts, AISPA increased inclusion within our school environment by making movement around campus easier and more accessible for those with disabilities.

Loginova’s motivation to start the club was due to her disability, which she

did not disclose to Anthro. This inspired her to start AISPA as a way to advocate for better accessibility around campus for people like her.

“I found that a lot of things were no longer as accessible to me, and Paly didn’t seem as inviting anymore, so I wanted to make that change,” Loginova said. “I wanted to do something for the community that would help others like me as well.”

Currently, the club is trying to advocate for improvements to the cell phone policy in the Wellness Center, where students are not allowed to have their phones with them.

“Now we are working on getting some improvements made to the Wellness Center, specifically to the phone rule,” Loginova said.

PETITION MEETING. Outside of classroom 807, the Accessibility and Inclusion Society of Palo Alto club meets during lunch for its weekly meeting on Tuesday. The club discussed plans to petition a repeal of the no-phone policy in wellness at the next PAUSD board meeting.

Criminal Justice Club

Text and photos by JESHURUN WANG

T

he Criminal Justice Club, led by sophomores Akansha Chatterjee and Jessie Kwan, meets every Thursday during lunch in Room 810. They look at legal cases in the history of the United States, ranging from the Watergate scandal to the Central Park Five case.

“I think a lot of information about the legal system is very secretive, and it’s not common knowledge,” Chatterjee said.

The club strives to educate its club members to be more educated on the legal climate in the United States, looking at important cases throughout history and studying them to gain a deeper and better understanding.

“I think the main thing about my club is to educate, and there are a lot of key trials that we have heard about, but I know that a lot of people don’t actually dive deep and try to discover facts,” Chatterjee said.

What makes the Criminal Justice Club truly stand out from the rest is that it takes time to comb through each issue in meetings and educate others on topics so that club members will be better equipped to understand legal issues.

“We actually take the time to dive deep into each aspect, like forensics, the legal process, or the hearings of these cases,” Kwan said. “And I think that sort of detail is something that you can’t find in other clubs.”

The club chooses the legal cases it covers by specifcally choosing cases in American history that contribute to major changes in the U.S. legal system, as well as cases that use revolutionary technology that contributes to how far the legal system

MURDER ANALYSIS. Sophomores Jessie Kwan (left) and Akansha Chatterjee (right) present an unsolved murder case to the club. They discussed how mysterious the murder that took place was, as well as analyzing the evidence found at the scene of the crime.

has come in the conviction of crime.

Since this club is relatively new, activities and programs are still in their beginning stages.

“We have some activities planned that we are trying to do in the future, which are either mock trials or asking people from the legal sector to come in and talk to us, but we are still in the planning process of that,” Kwan said.

Social Justice Club

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he Social Justice Club, led by senior Oliver Chancellor, focuses on addressing social justice issues and meets every other Wednesday in Room 404 during lunch.

Chancellor markets the Social Justice Club as an alternative to the Social Justice Pathway that some Paly students might not have a chance to be a part of.

“I want to give [people] an opportunity to [learn about so-

cial justice] in a little bit more of a fun setting and give them opportunities to speak about topics that they might not have the opportunity to do otherwise,” Chancellor said.

Some specific social issues that are discussed within the club are racism, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigration, as well as current issues such as the recent approval of the Ethnic Studies class by the Palo Alto Unified School Board.

Chancellor tries his best to engage the club with fun activities that bring club members together while providing an open-minded environment where everyone can share their thoughts.

“We try to bring up topics that are relevant right now, or we like to bring up recurring topics in our classes,” Chancellor said. “We are doing an activity called ‘The Line’ where we give a hot take … and we allow [the club members] to have their own opinion on it.”

The club encourages members to not only defend their own opinions but also put themselves in other people’s shoes and learn new ideas from others.

“I think it’s important to not only consider your side and their opinion but also the opinions and views of the opposing side,” Chancellor said.

MYSTERY PUZZLE. Club members of the Criminal Justice club sitting down during lunch, in attendance at the club. They are listening to the club president’s presentation on the JonBenet case murder case, as well as asking the president questions.

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Embracing the Paly Spirit Community Creator Award honors legacy of Ernesto Cruz

A

ctivism comes in many forms.

Sometimes, it’s as small as someone stepping forward to honor somebody and make a difference in their community. This is the case of English and Home Economics teacher Theresa McDermott, who proposed the idea of honoring late Palo Alto High School Campus Supervisor Ernesto Cruz’s values and spirit through the Paly Community Creator Award Scholarship.

For 18 years, Campus Supervisor Ernesto Cruz was a positive presence at Palo Alto High School up until his untimely death in 2022. McDermott said she remembers Cruz as someone made Paly a better place for everyone through his warm presence and attitude.

“To me, Ernesto Cruz embodied all that is wonderful and honorable about Paly,” McDermott said. “He honored the promise that is inherent in all of our students. Whenever I saw him, he had a smile, a warm greeting, and an earnestness to be of service and make the campus a better place for everyone.”

Paly College Advisor Sandra Cernobor who helped officiate the scholarship

said Cruz’s inclusive and generous per“That first year, I had reached out to sonality enhanced the sense of commu- our school psychologist because there’s nity at Paly because of the relationships a board policy against memorialization,” he built with kids Cernobori said. “We and staff members. mentioned it to Mr. His small but daily “I hope that our commu- Kline [Principal acts of kindness inBrent Kline], and it nity continues to grow as met the board polispired the creation of the Paly Commu- a kind, inclusive, joyful cy — the idea to have nity Creator Award. an award that emTeachers can nom- place where we are happy bodies his [Cruz’s] inate students who to come together to ques- spirit. It took anembody his spirit other whole year, tion, learn and grow.” for the scholarship. and then we figured “He knew a ton exactly what we ­— THERESA MCDERMOTT, English out of kids of all walks and Home Economics teacher would call it and the of life, and also criteria. Now there staff,” Cernobori are a series of scholsaid. “ And it’s not only the kindness and arships and awards. Some have money, the generosity, but this idea that he’s al- some don’t.” ways saying hello and including people.

McDermott said that she hopes the So, we called it the Community Creator scholarship will encourage students to [Award], and it recognizes a positive stu- continue fostering an inclusive environdent with a positive attitude who regular- ment where everyone can come together ly demonstrates the community creating and grow. spirit, and encourages it to continue.”

“I always found myself inspired by The scholarship took two years to be his joy, gratitude, kindness, and ability officiated, and was first awarded last year. to always see the best in others,” Mcdermott said. “I hope that our community continues to grow as a kind, inclusive, joyful place where we are happy to come together to question, learn and grow.”

Cernobori said that recognizing students with Cruz’ attributes, encourages other students to be positive members in their community.

“The part that’s kind of cool is that I think people in the audience [during the award ceremony], whether it’s staff or family members, may not know Ernesto … But the fact that we’re recognizing people for these [Cruz’s] attributes also inspires people to have them, right?”

——————————————— Late Palo Alto High School Campus Supervisor Ernesto Cruz sits in his golf cart.

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Healthcare Text by HADRIEN DE MARTEL and AUGUSTUS SOEDARMONO

United Healthcare CEO’s death sheds light on ongoing problems

W

hen UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was found dead in early December, shell casings with the words — “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” — were found near the crime scene according to the Associated Press.

Five days later, on Dec. 9, 2024, a suspect was apprehended. His name: Luigi Mangione.

Mangione’s alleged actions come during a period of tension between the healthcare system and the

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people. According to a Gallup poll con- has received praise in numerous forms. ducted a few months Others, ago, only 19 percent like Palo Alto of Americans are sat- “There’s so many people High School isfied with healthcare junior Graham that have their lives com- Vaughan, say costs.

For some, Mangi- pletely ruined due to what that Mangione’s alleged actions one’s alleged were symbolic of the these health insurance actions are not hardships within the comapnies are doing,” the right way healthcare system, and — GRAHAM VAUGHAN, Paly junior to bring attenhe received abundant tion to issues support.

From in healthcare, look-alike contests in the mid- despite it being arguably justified. dle of New York City to fan“I feel like there’s so many people fiction on “Archive of Our that have had their lives completely ruOwn” or billboards saying, ined due to what these health insurance “Free Luigi Mangione/He’s companies are doing,” Vaughan said. a Hero” 3,000 “So [the killing of Brian Thompson] is miles away somewhat justified, but I don’t personally in Califor- agree that assassinating someone is the nia’s Inland right way to draw attention to something Empire, he like this, but it’s definitely one of the most effective ways.”

Rachel Borovina, a pediatrician at the San Mateo County Public Health Department, points out another consequence of rising tensions with the healthcare system after COVID-19, and Mangione’s alleged actions.

Her opinion does not necessarily reflect that of San Mateo County.

“A notable point is there has been a steady increase of threats of violence to all members of the healthcare team staff over the past several years, including in the Bay Area,” Borovina said. “The

Crisis

Art by DOREEN HOU and CHIARA MARTIN

very well. front office staff, which have the initial This represents part of a “Stanford [hospicontact with the public, and the emergen- greater problem with healthcare tal] is doing so well becy room staff are in particularly higher costs for middle-class families. Acrisk areas.” cording to Borovi- cause we have a lot of patients that have At the healthna, it’s due to the money and good insurance,” Singh said. care system, where “The strain this family had fractured health- “What doesn’t pay well is Medi-Cal because they [families and workers] don’t Borovina works, care system. metal detectors about the fact that they “The lack of have a good job [that] covers their health or security with basically couldn’t afford a national coordi- insurance. They can get Obamacare, but wands were put nation of health- Obamacare does not pay hospitals very into place during the risk of vaccinating their care services and much, so most of those hospitals are bareCOVID-19, and child because they weren’t funding has led ly making it.”

As a result, hospitals are struggling since then they to a fractured syshave remained sure they could afford the tem which spends to stay afloat with a Kauffman Hall report due to increasing on average more in 2023 finding that one in five California bill that they would get was discontent with than double in hospitals are at risk of closing.

Still, Singh believes that the current the healthcare sys- heartbreaking,” healthcare expenhealthcare situation isn’t all negative. tem and hospitals. ditures per person — RACHEL BOROVINA, San Mateo With the addition of the Affordable Care Although the compared to simCounty Public Health Department Act and Obamacare, major progress has morality of Manilar international pediatrician gione’s alleged countries while been made to insure all Americans.

“The uninsured rate has been cut in actions can be arproviding worse half,” Singh said. “It went from 20 pergued, there is no doubt that it brought health outcomes,” Borovina said. the American healthcare system and its Baldeep Singh, a clinical professor at cent to 10 percent. It’s a huge improvemany flaws to the forefront of people’s Stanford, medical director of the Samar- ment, probably the biggest improvement minds. itan House, and medical co-director of in healthcare expansion in a generation.”

For stuAccording to the Peter G. Peterson the Pacific Free dents inFoundation, in 2022, Americans spent an Clinic, also says As a result, hospitals are strugterested in estimated $12,742 per person on health- that the high helping, Lacare, the highest healthcare costs per costs are due to gling to stay afloat with a Kauff- vanya Gupta capita across similar countries. Borovina the privatizasaw the consequences of these prices first- tion of health- man Hall report in 2023 finding the president of Clinichand in a recent encounter she had with a care. that one in five California hospi- Connects, a family who couldn’t afford vaccines.

“The reaU C - B e rkel y “The strain this family had about the son that it’s tals are at risk of closing. student club fact that they basically couldn’t afford the so expensive that distribrisk of vaccinating their child because in the United they weren’t sure they could afford the States is because we have private health utes health supplies to the homeless, bill that they would get was heartbreak- insurance, so that’s Blue Cross and Unit- believes that actively searching for voluning,” Borovina said. edHealthcare and Health Net, and they teering opportunities is the best way stuBorovina says that this family should take 15 to 20 percent off the top, so they dents can help.

“Social advocacy, volunteering, is the never have been put into this situation in add a huge layer of administrative private best way to help,” Gupta said. the first place. costs,” Singh said.

“They were English-speaking, docThis system has also inadvertently umented, you name it,” Borovina said. affects hospitals themselves. Many low-in“There’s no reason why this middle-class come communities are unable to afford family should be struggling like this to private healthcare and therefore rely on decide on whether or not they’re going to federal aid programs like Medi-Cal or vaccinate their infants.”

Obamacare, which don’t fund hospitals

anthromagazine.org 17

Text by XANDER YAP and MOTOKO IWATA

Across the board: a national How national antiLGBTQ+ bills are impacting trans youth in the Bay Area

up, let me double check and make sure that I’m allowed to go here’.”

Sam hopes that people will recognize how this trickling change can affect all people.

“More than the chess community — there’s this one quote that I like to live my life by: Injustice anywhere is a threat hess has been a cornerstone of to justice everywhere,” Sam said. “We’re Sam’s life. supposed to be a land where people can Sam, who’s actual name be who they are, and preventing people Anthro is witholding to protect from being who they are is just what this their identity, competed at the National bill is doing.”

High School Chess Championship last Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is surging year. across the country. The executive orders “It was great,” Sam said. “We [the issued by the Trump administration inteam] felt good going in and we ended up clude those to exclusively define women doing pretty well in and men by biologiit. We were confi- “I would say that my hope cal sexes, ban public dent and we really educational institufor trans young people tions from recogenjoyed the trip.”

But when the transgender everywhere though, is to nizing 2025 Championpeople, and banning ship was moved to find places where they transgender people Florida, Sam hit a from entering the chess puzzle they can be fully themselves military. just couldn’t solve.

Yuan Wang, an where they can express Florida House executive producer Bill sb254 grants themselves and find care for Lavender Phoecourts the “tema trans-queer and love and security re- nix, porary emergency organization for jurisdiction over a flected back to them.”

Asian and Pacific Ischild present in this –YUAN WANG, executive producer lander people, says state if the child for Lavender Phoenix that such oppreshas been subjected sion is not new. to or is threatened with being subjected “Even before this [presidential] to sex-reassignment prescriptions or pro- administration, we saw over 1,000 Ancedures”. Sam realized that this bill could ti-LGBTQ+ laws being proposed across pose a risk to their safety. the 50 states, and many of those were Sam spoke with lawyers to confirm specifically anti-trans bills that the grim reality. were seeking to limit access “I consulted with a parent’s lawyer to healthcare,” Wang and emailed a few legal experts on trans- said. “This is, from gender youth,” Sam said. “All of them said research and lived exit’s a risk that I shouldn’t take. I am still perience, lifesaving, extremely angry about this, it’s very frus- gender affirming care.” trating.”

According to a report from Originally, Sam was not too con- the Trans Legislation Tracker, 42 ancerned about the bill. ti-trans bills have passed so far in 2025.

“In 2023, when it first passed, I was Currently, there are 821 bills under conoutraged but did not think much,” Sam sideration across the United States that said. “So when I heard about the chess would impact the transgender community. tournament being in Orlando, I said ‘Hold Sam feels the impact of increasing re-

C

18 April 2025

strictions on their identity.

“Currently, I’m avoiding most southern red states, as I am truly afraid,” Sam said. “I just don’t wanna risk it. It’s narrowing down where I look for colleges and it’s narrowing down where I feel safe and where I can travel to.”

In response to movements to suppress trans identity, organizations are providing increased support.

Lavender Phoenix is one of these organizations.

“Our healing justice members are leading ... a free peer counseling program service for transgender API people,” Wang says, “We’ve also been leading community safety and defense workshops for

attack on trans rights

Art by VIVIAN TANG

the last few years to help trans folks build the skills to keep each other safe.”

Wang hopes that everyone together can build a space for trans people.

“I would say that my hope for trans young people everywhere though, is to find places where they can be fully themselves,” Wang said, “Where they can express themselves and find care and love and security reflected back to them.”

anthromagazine.org 19

TRASH to A Treasure

Palo Alto Cubberely Community Center artist shares her repurposing journey Text and photos by: CAILEY LILLY QUITA & MIHIKA SRIDHAR

20 April 2025

book showcases a photo of a black-white- and brown-feathered decomposing bird with its stomach cut open on the left side of the page. On the ride side, from metal screws to plastic bottle caps, an alarming amount of trash sprawled out inside of the bird.

This photo sparked Tara de la Garza’s interest in protecting the environment through her way, of art. Not your basic trash collages but elegant handbags made from plastic bags and captivating light fixtures filled with discarded waste.

This isn’t what de la Garza originally planned to do with her art. She started as a collagist in New York before moving to California. Then seven years ago, she saw the photo that sparked her new work. A photo of a bird with trash coming out of its stomach in “Archipelago” by Liittschwager and Middleton from National Geographic.

“What was in his stomach was all these

little bits of plastic, and that set something off in me,” de la Garza said. “I was really sad to see that we’re having such a huge impact on such a remote part of the world, so I started to collect my own plastic and make it into the artworks.”

De la Garza is in her seventh year in the Cubberley Artist Studio Program at the Cubberley Community Center in Palo Alto.

She works out of one of the former school’s classrooms. Her work has been featured in the Watson Library at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

De la Garza founded a non-profit called Inventurous, which focuses on collecting all types of plastics and repurposing them into something new. The non-profit was inspired after Senate Bill 54 was passed. It aims to limit plastic waste by removing plastic bags from supermarkets, and it will be enforced starting in 2026. De la Garza wanted to help her community by doing something with all the plastic waste that can’t be recycled.

“Film plastics aren’t recycled at facili- hold bag drops for the handbags they make. ties because the machines that sort the recy- The money collected is then returned to the clables gets caught non-profit, which can and break them,” use it to fund more edde la Garza said. “I “I was really sad to see ucational campaigns also collect takeout that we’re having such a and fundraisers. containers because People in artisthe robot can’t read huge impact on such a tic fields have just as the symbols on the of an impact remote part of the world, much bottom, and pill vion our community als because a lot of so I started to collect my as people who work people don’t recycle in technology. Their own plastic and make it works bring happiness those either.”

I n v e n t u r o u s into the artworks. to many people and has a handbag line, –TARA DE LA GARZA, Artist are crucial to the fucalled Rubbish, ture. made of repurposed “There's a lot of plastic newspaper bags. De la Garza turns really creative people in this community,” de them into a leather-like material using a la Garza said. “And although Silicon Valley heat press. For the bag handles she uses plas- is very tech-focused, I think there needs to tic she collects and turns them into chains, be a balance of that, and our future is all or she collects her straps from old bags. about being creative.”

De la Garza and her volunteer staff

COVERED IN COLOR (LEFT): De La Garza in her studio at Cubberley standing on front of old light tubes that are covered with trash wrappers that all match a specific color scheme.

THE BOOK (TOP LEFT): The photos that sparked de la Garza’s inspiration for recycling trash into useful everyday items. It showcases tiny bits of colorful trash and found inside a petite bird – a horrifying insight into the world we live in.

FROM BAGS TO BAGS (TOP RIGHT): Handcrafted handbags made with straps made by de la Garza and old newspaper bags. They have their own line called, “Rubish,” and is a wonderful way to recycle trash into something anyone can use.

anthromagazine.org 21

T H e B L A M E G A M E

22 April 2025

Text by MARCUS LING and SALEM COYLE

Art by SALEM COYLE

that rhetoric against trans people is be- community being used as part of the enThe LGBTQ+ fact ing weaponized to cut benefits for all. abling rhetoric among Trump supporters.

According to the Association of CliIt’s easy for Bay Area students to watch community is nicians for the Underserved, the funding from our ivory towers. However, California freeze paused research projects at the Na- has not always been the bastion of progresInstitutes of Health; defunded many sive values we hope it is. always the tional community health centers; disrupted public In Los Angeles, a protest against Pride health programs addressing mental health Day turned violent. In Glendale, pro- and scapegoat, never and substance use disorder; and threatened anti-LGBTQ protestors broke out in a fight workforce at a school board meetthe GOAT essential programs like the Naing discussing Pride Social progress can

O

tional Health Service Month. And most worn Jan. 27, U.S President Don- Corps.

Essentially, ryingly, senior officials ald Trump ordered a freeze this funding freeze benefit the entirety of in California Governor on $3 trillion worth of federal scapegoating “trans- America without the Gavin Newsom’s adfunding and grants, particular- genderism” threatens ministration advised ly focusing on NGOs, foreign aid, and sus- everyone’s healthcare. need to put down mar- Democratic lawmakers tainability development.

Similarly, fram- ginalized communities. against proposing transA memo from the White House Office ing LGBTQ as an gender rights legislation, of Management and Budget reads that “the ideology rather than according to Politico. use of Federal resources to advance Marxist a trait has been used as a talking point to Even in a state as blue as California, equity, transgenderism, and green new deal target the education system. Trump has said the rights of LGBTQ individuals remain a social engineering policies is a waste of tax- multiple times that “your kid goes to school contentious issue. As such, it is time for Bay payer dollars that does not improve the day- and comes home a few days later with an Area students to stand up for the LGBTQ to-day lives of those we serve.” operation.” This claim is demonstrably community.

This executive order epitomizes the false: what this alleged “crusader against Every time an LGBTQ person is cast as shift in LGBTQ politics that the new pres- fake news” described has never happened the source of societal dysfunction, trace the idency brings. These increasingly targeted before, and many public schools are already rhetorical thread back to its actual origins. campaigns against LGBTQ individuals cre- in budget crises, unable to adequately pay Protest to raise awareness. Reveal how inate a frightening ripple effect — not only their staff, meaning they cannot feasibly stitutional failures are the true architects of is it an already-vulnerable minority group open up full-scale medical clinics. social strain — not the communities being punched down even further, but these budUsing this misinformation campaign, systematically blamed. get cuts simultaneously serve to harm the Trump is trying to disTo help accomplish this, we must amgreater America. band the Department plify queer voices by creating platforms Trump has ig- It is time for Bay Area of Education, claim- where they can articulate their own narnored the fact that ing that it has been ratives, where the complexity of lived exfederal funding has students to stand up for overtaken by “radicals, perience shatters the crude caricatures of actually improved the LGBTQ community. zealots, and Marxists.” political rhetoric. Scapegoating thrives the day-to-day lives On Jan. 29, 2025, on polarization, on reducing complex huof members of the Trump issued an exec- man experiences to simplistic oppositional LGBTQ community. Previously, the Biden utive order that includes a plan to defund frames. administration, through the CARES Act, K-12 schools that engage in “anti-American It’s time to realize that social progress provided financial relief to LGBTQ work- ideology,” which includes education based can benefit the entirety of America without ers, who were overrepresented in industries on “gender ideology.” And on Mar. 20, the need to put down marginalized commumost heavily impacted by the COVID-19 Trump signed an executive order to “begin nities. pandemic, such as warehousing, enter- eliminating the federal Department of Edtainment, and arts. Also, compared to the ucation.” general population, LGBTQ citizens have Public education is a cornerstone of also been surveyed to have lower incomes, democracy, ensuring that all children, rehigher rates of poverty and unemployment, gardless of background, receive the knowlincreased food insecurity, and greater risk of edge and skills necessary to participate in homelessness. civic life. And for someone who has previIt is clear that in his pursuit of so-called ously claimed to love the poorly educated, “government efficiency,” Trump has aban- Trump seems to have no qualms about atdoned the rights of a portion of the most tacking the education system. Decades of vulnerable members of society. It is not bipartisan efforts working towards improv“Marxist” to help out those in need. More ing education effectiveness and equity are to worrying about this funding freeze is the be erased, with animus toward the LGBTQ

anthromagazine.org 23

Text by LARA DUMANLI and MIHIKA SRIDHAR Art by POLINA VAN HULSEN and LARA DUMANLI

Breaking The Silence Confronting Hollywood’s dangerous rape culture 24 April 2025

W

ith the glamour, glitz, and fame, edent that these actions are fine. In the when women began baselessly accusing Hollywood seems to be every- movie Grease, Danny climbs on top of San- him of lies in desperate pursuit of hurting body’s dream. It has the endless dy and kisses her against her will. Grease, his campaign or money and fame,” Trump red carpets, conventionally attractive peo- however, is still one of the highest-grossing campaign national press secretary Karople & the opportunities of a lifetime, but musicals ever released. line Leavitt said. for an industry so deeply rooted in repuHundreds of We cannot let tations, what happens when those repu- miles away from women continue to tations are exposed for something more Hollywood, Ken- When people automatically suffer in silence. We sinister? nedy Do, president assume that the woman is cannot let someWell, actually, as it turns out, nothing. of RISE, Palo Alto one’s fame override According to a USA Today survey that High School’s club lying, we project that onto their responsibility. asked 843 women working in the entertain- is fighting this stigHollywood needs every sexual violence case ment industry, only one in four reported ma on a local front. to take the first step sexual harassment and assault. Only 28% Do explains how in America. in holding celebriof those who reported the instances said RISE focuses on ties accountable for that their workplace environment actually creating a respontheir actions. got better. sive school environment around sexual Nobody is saying all these women are Celebrities possess an overwhelming assault and consent education, explains right, but when the majority do face these amount of power, money, and influence, how the club aims to advocate for Title IX acts of violence, why, as a society, still supso oftentimes they can get away with not awareness and combat any sexual violence port the man first? accepting responthat occurs on camHollywood is a place that people often sibility for their pus. associate with America and is beloved by Most accusations of rape actions. However, “In the Hol- many. When Hollywood glamorizes men this behavior, as aslywood industry, who are accused and convicted of sexual are true, as, according to tonishing as it may with movies and assault, that spreads through our society as seem, has become FBI only 8% of accusations TV shows, they of- a whole. When the first response from othnormalized. In a ten romanticize er celebrities is to support the one accused, are false.

2023 study, 71% of coercion and over- that ingrains the mindset into the people. workers in the enlook sexual mis- When people automatically assume that tertainment indusconduct,” Do said. the woman is lying, we project that onto evtry believed it is unlikely that a person in “They typically just think the women are ery sexual violence case in America. power will be held accountable for their just doing this for attention.”

Hollywood needs to stop “believing” actions.

Many women are scared to even report in all men at the expense of all In 2017, when the surge of the #ME- instances of abuse because the first thought women. Hollywood needs to TOO movement spread across social me- of the public is often to take the extreme set a standard for the redia, sprouting heavily from the accusations side of blaming or doubting the women. sponse to sexual violence, of Harvey Weinstein, a prominent LA pro- Over 63% of women did not report sexual like advocating for conducer. A New York Times article detailing misconduct they experienced in the entersent programs in schools. the decades of sexual abuse exposed Wein- tainment industry. According to the FBI, Hollywood needs to lead stein to them, not to Hollywood, though— most accusations of rape are true though, so that everyone else they already knew, but to the rest of the with only 8% of accusations being false. can follow. world, it ignited a global conversation on According to Quartz, of the 216 false rape accountability. cases in the In a world where this culture has been 2000s only so established that its very reputation is two led joked about at award shows. During Ricky to actual Gervais’s speech at Golden Globes, his charges in the roast featured a direct call out to everybody U.S. who continued to work for Weinstein, even Regardle ss after the allegations. of the facts, the idea “Our next presenter starred in Net- that women accuse men of flix’s Birdbox, a movie where people sur- rape for attention has been invived by acting like they don’t see a thing. grained into society’s beliefs. An Sort of like working for Harvey Weinstein. example is current president You did it, I didn’t do it, you did it,” Gervais Donald J. Trump. He has been said. accused by 27 different womWhat is shown in Hollywood often re- en of sexual misconduct. “It flects back to what students think is okay. was only when he emerged Sexual misconduct in movies is so common on the political scene as an yet it is often brushed off, setting a prec- America First Republican

anthromagazine.org 25

Text by MOTOKO IWATA

Art by SALEM COYLE

Protect cultural spaces In times of division, cultural connections must be preserved

H

ot dogs and gyudon. American birthright citizenship, expand use of immi- wards now scares me. My Japanese school school on the weekdays, Japa- gration detention, and speed up deporta- provided me with a community of students nese school on the weekends. tions. who similarly grappled with the dual idenFourth of July parades and Crackdown on tity of being Japanese Cherry Blossom festivals. For the past sev- immigration and and American, allowing enteen years, I’ve grappled with two halves diversity is an issue “In this way, our cultur- me a space to remember of myself – an American upbringing and a especially sensitive al spaces can transform the second half of myJapanese past. to us, as our comself. And as I graduate, I I’m not unique in this experience. munity here in Palo to become a place of find myself asking “Will The “American Dream” which lured my Alto is especially diever find another space comfort for those who Ilike family and millions of others to the United verse. Silicon Valley the one I’m now States creates a belief that the United States and the broader Bay identify with a culture, leaving?” is filled with golden opportunities. And that Area provide opporAs immigrants and but also a way to con- members it is, unequivocally, a safe haven for all im- tunities at the top of the Palo migrants and ideas. of respective fields, nect cultures together.” Alto community, it is esYet the Statue of Liberty is coming un- especially in science pecially important that der attack. and technology. As a we find and protect culIn 2022, the FBI reported 11,643 hate result, approximately 36% of our communi- tural spaces where people can feel comfortcrimes in the Unitty is foreign-born, with able with their identity during these difficult ed States, the highest immi- times.

“Being a member of generational number ever recorded. grant families also callThe Bay Area has a wide variety of culA poll by Stop AAPI one of these immigrant ing Palo Alto “home.” tural centers. The Palo Alto Jewish ComHate found that 49% of Being a member munity Center hosts community events Asian Americans and families, I have found of one of these immi- showcasing religious films or Jewish celePacific Islanders were comfort in a cultural grant families, I have brations. The Palo Alto Buddhist Temple victims of a hate act in found comfort in a cul- offers group activities such as taiko and kenthe U.S. in 2024. A Pew solace.” tural solace. do, also teaching Japanese culture. And the Research center report I’ve attended Jap- San Francisco Arts Commission advertises found that more than 54% of Latinos have anese school on Saturdays since I was five. art centers celebrating African American, experienced some form of discrimination. And 12 years later, I’m graduating. But a American Indian, Asian and Pacific Islander Executive orders are being issued to end milestone that I’ve always been working to- art pieces. These various organizations exist

26 April 2025

across the Bay Area to promote and protect the identities of different global cultures.

It’s also important that we celebrate different cultures in our community. This can be done by hosting multicultural days, holding events celebrating a specific culture that are open to all members of the community.

In this way, our cultural spaces can transform to become a place of comfort for those who identify with a culture, but also a way to connect cultures together.

In an interview with The Paly Voice last month, Shounak Dharap, vice president of the Palo Alto Unified School District board said that cultural events are necessary to help people come together in times of division.

“A lot of times when we’re in the middle of issues that people have different ideas about, it can feel like we’re more divided than we actually are,” Dharap said. “It’s really important for us to be able to bring people together in these kinds of events, so we can all realize that fundamentally, in Palo Alto, we all share the same core values.”

One way to support these communities is by joining them. With these resources and community spaces available, it’s important for immigrants to join these groups, to use that opportunity to connect with others and feel supported – both in cultural identity, and identifying as an immigrant.

Finding these spaces doesn’t mean that you have to connect with someone from your own culture. It can be as fundamental as connecting with someone who has also gone through the immigrant experience.

There are universal immigrant emotions.

Maybe your heart aches for a taste of your homeland’s cuisine. Maybe you long to hear the voice of your grandparents or cousins. These shared experiences can resonate across cultural identities to expand a community of connection.

In a world where we see our country and communities fracture into different groups and identities. In these times of hate and division, it is critical that we preserve our own cultural hearths. Now, it is of the utmost importance to value, to protect and to uphold the values of the multicultural community we are.

Tonight, come over for dinner. We’ll have hamburgers – and mochi for dessert.

anthromagazine.org 27

Text by VIVIAN LIN and XANDER YAP

FIGHT FOR FREEDOM OR for the past 400 years. This policy, moval of major news outlets like The New The uncertain name which may seem petty on the surface, re- York Times and Politico from their Pentaa darker picture— the erosion of our gon Offices and replacing them with the future of journal- veals First Amendment rights.

New York Post and Breitbart News NetMike Hiestand, a senior legal work, conservative leaning news outlets. ism in America counsel of the Student Press Law Center, These reporters’ access to White

“C

ongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The First Amendment prominently displayed on the front wall of Palo Alto High School’s Media Arts Center serves as a reminder of the right that we as student journalists are privileged to exercise daily. But now this right is under immense attack.

In late February, the Trump Administration announced that it would restrict the Associated Press’ access to White House events over its refusal of changing “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America.” The AP sued Trump in response to this. The Gulf of Mexico has held its

28 April 2025

explains the severity of this decision.

House events are being revoked just for “What they’re being punished for, not favorably reporting on Trump. They is for making an are being reeditorial decifor simply “There’s typically been a voked sion,” Hiestand doing their jobs, said. “It [Trump’s healthy sort of amount of which is to tell the action] used to be In a 2024 tension on the side between truth. that something Pew Research like this would journalists. … but yet [we Center Study, 73 never have been percent of Amerallowed, would have] never had a situation icans said that never have been where the head of state has press freedom tolerated.

The is “extremely or fact that we’re dismissed the work that jour- very important to actually seeing the well-being of nalists do.” it now is part of society,” with no a bigger play­— MIKE HIESTAND, Senior Senior legal counsel major differences book to just make between political of the Student Press Law Center parties. This goes things chaotic and overwhelm beyond politics, people.” as this is about basic rights our constituThis is just one of many attacks on tion ensures us. Press freedom is essenjournalists’ right to exercise free speech. tial to our democracy and taking it away Since President would mean silencing the truth.

Trump has Hiestand elaborates on this sentitaken office, ment. he has tak“We’ve never had a situation where en control the president has referred to the press of the as the enemy of the people,” Hiestand p re s s said. “I think that there’s typically been a pool, healthy sort of amount of tension on the from side between journalists. … but yet [we t h e have] never had a situation where the r e - head of state has dismissed the work that journalists do.”

Anthro magazine, along with every other Paly publication and most professional publications, uses the AP style guide. If the AP gives in to Trump over the Gulf of America it sets a disturbing precedent about the degree at which the government can influence journalism.

If Trump can control the AP, he has the power to control journalism in America in its entirety.

Being at Palo Alto High School, we’re in one of the most protected places for

Art by SALEM COYLE

LET THE VOICES FADE student journalists. We have an entire- and we lose the essence of ly student-led journalism program that our democracy. has been running for over 120 years and In the privileged a state Education code that protects stu- bubble of Palo Alto dent journalists’ right to exercise free it is hard to see the speech. However, these shields can easily immediate impacts come down if forced by the president of of the administrathe country. What impacts the AP, one of tion’s actions on stuthe most widely used news sources in the dent journalism. But world, might eventually impact Paly pub- Trump’s policies will lications. have cascading effects on Limiting the First Amend- With the power to control rest of our ment rights for cons titutional journalists is a the words of one news pub- rights — with the major step on the lication, what’s stopping him power to control slippery slope of the words of one censoring free from silencing student voices news publication, speech in the what’s stopping or any dissenters at all?

US. It can have him from silencconsequence s ing student voicoutside of the bubble of journalism too. es or any dissenters at all?

The press plays an important role in our We need to support journalism in all democracy of holding the government re- of its forms from student journalism to sponsible for its actions. Without a strong local journalism and beyond. One way to independent press, we walk down the slip- support journalism is to encourage your pery slope of removing their independence school to fund journalism programs, as

journalism programs often get cut due to underfunding. Additionally, you can support and donate to organizations that stand up for student press freedom like the Student Press Law Center which protects student journalists from censorship.

The fight to defend the First Amendment starts with us.

Donate to the Student Press Law Center here

The Student Press Law Center supports and defends student journalists’ free press rights and provides legal support and resources to student publications. On March 28, the SPLC released a statement condemning the arrest of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk which observers fear may have occurred in response to her expressing support to Palestinians over the war in Gaza. To continue fighting for student press rights, we encourage you to donate to the SPLC. anthromagazine.org 29

SPOTLIGHT Chomp’s April issue contains everything there is to know about the world of food in the Bay Area. Some notable coverage includes reviews of hidden cafes, the stories of people with a passion for food, and news on the latest restaurants.

Editor-in-Chief: Shreyas Shashi and Augustus Soedarmono

In our April issue of Ink, writers explore what nature means to them, whether it be through the great outdoors or their own inner spirit. Various works of writing reveal the unique meaning of nature to different people.

Editor-in-Chief: Sarina Grewal and Salem Coyle

Submit your story ideas to chompmagazine2@gmail.com

Submit your writing to : literarymagazineink@gmail. com

Via Verde is Paly’s travel magazine, showcasing photos and telling tales from the travels of students. In our latest issue, stories ranging from ski resorts in California to the cities of Singapore will be featured.

Our April issue of Veritas follows its typical science and technology theme. Some featured stories include students in STEM and their journey to college, labs in the 1700s, and the science of wildfires.

Editor-in-Chief: Anika Nair

Editor-in-Chiefs: Vivian Tang and Divij Motwani

Submit your travel photos and stories to: viaverdemagazine@gmail.com KPLY is Paly’s online podcasting publication, providing weekly campus updates via Quad Talks and features on campus culture.

KPLY covers everything from cultural analysis to current events and student opinions.

Executive Producer: Mack Reller Listen on Soundcloud, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts: KPLY Paly Radio

30 April 2025

P

alo Alto High School’s Incubator journalism class is currently home to seven publications: Anthro Magazine, Chomp, Ink, Via Verde, Vertias, KPLY, and the Paly Voice.

Anthro Magazine has compiled some of the content these publications have recently produced to give a taste of what our class has been doing. We encourage you to check out each of these publications!

Submit your story ideas to: veritas.paly@gmail.com The Paly Voice is our 24/7 online news publication, providing quick and concise coverage throughout the school year.

From school athletics to community controversies, The Paly Voice reports on a wide range of local subjects.

Editor-in-Chiefs: Celina Lee, Kristine Lin, and Nathan Jiang Visit at: palyvoice.com

Come advertise at the Incubator!

Magazines include: Anthro, Via Verde, Veritas, Ink, Proof, Chomp

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

anthromagazine.org

32 April 2025