BERKELEY HIGH
PUBLISHED BY AND FOR THE STUDENTS OF BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL
www.berkeleyhighjacket.com • friday, OCT 6, 2023
no. 3
since 1912
Latinx Heritage Month
RECIPE SUBMISSIONS ON PAGE 9
ALEX MORGAN
ENTERTAINMENT
Latinx influence on California culture BY HANNAH GROTHREIDY staff writer
When looking at America’s Latinx community, it is difficult not to talk about California. According to the Public Policty Institute of California, one in every four Latinx Americans live in the “Golden State.” Latinx Californians are the largest racial/ethnic group in the state, with 99 percent of Latinx immigrants coming from Latin America, and 77 percent from Mexico alone. Latinx influence in California goes beyond statistics and demographics. It covers a wide range of cultural impacts as well. Among these are art, language, and food: pillars of culture. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the state. The cuisine of Cal-Mex (California-Mexican) is one
of the most common and recognizable aspects. The architecture and landscape of the state is closely linked to its Latinx influence and history. California’s Latinx history began with Spanish colonization in the eighteenth century. Spanish settlers established missions and presidios throughout California, which laid the foundation for Latinx influence in the region. This time period also introduced Catholicism and Spanish architecture, which continue to shape California’s culture today. The state later became a part of the Republic of Mexico in 1822. 24 years later, in 1846, the United States invaded California, and after the MexicanAmerican war which lasted two years, the state became a part of the United States through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, in 1848. This PAGE 13
Listen to the The Buzz: Cultural connections through art featuring Anita and Lol-Be The Jacket’s podcast dives into art and how it shapes self-identity for Latinx artists.
Alastair Kudsk, a BHS senior, uses he/they pronouns and is half Mexican.
KAI HANSCHEN
FEATURES
Gender non-conforming Latinx students BY VIOLET MILLER-BRADY staff writer
“A lot of the newer generation is becoming more accepting about (being) queer and Hispanic, but people who are older and have been around for longer haven’t really been exposed to it since they’re used to their more traditional ways,” said Bex Campillo Quitano, a junior in Arts
and Humanities Academy (AHA). For gender queer Latinx students at Berkeley High School, identity can be a complicated topic due to the lack of acceptance of their gender and sexuality that is felt from traditional values prevalent in Latinx culture. Spanish itself is a gendered language, and as a gender queer or non-binary person, it can be difficult to find ways of introducing
and talking about oneself in a way that people feel fully describes their identity. Latinx is an Americanized term that has become fairly common in recent years, but it can’t be used in Spanish. “Latine” is a term that some people have adopted, although it isn’t familiar to all Spanish speakers. “There isn’t really a pronoun in Spanish where it’s in the middle. … I don’t mind (elle), but I just
personally don’t use it,” said Campillo Quitano, who uses he/him pronouns and identifies as a trans man but chooses to present as somewhere “in the middle.” Using “ellos,” which translates to “they” in English, can also be used to address non-binary, trans, or gender queer-identifying people. Native Spanish speakers sometimes use this term to talk about people that they don’t PAGE 10
BHS sports sees increasing attendance
BHS Jazz must continue to diversify, honoring jazz’s roots
BHS has seen shockingly high game attendance this year. What caused it, and how does it impact athletes? PAGE 15
Jazz music has its roots in many cultures, yet BHS Jazz doesn’t reflect this diversity. Read what the issue is on PAGE 7