THE COVENANT SHOOTING THE COVENANT SHOOTING
By Oriana Deng
On March 27th, a 28-year-old woman entered The Covenant School, a presbyterian church located in Nashville, Tennessee and opened fire, leaving three children and three adults injured. The tragic incident shook the community of Tennessee and shocked people all over the United States.
According to surveillance footage, Audrey Hale fired shots indiscriminately, targeting random individuals without any specific motive. Hale had legally purchased seven firearms from local stores, but only used three of them during the attack: a military-style semi automatic rifle, a handgun, and a small 9-millimeter carbine. While Nashville police speculate that Hale may have been driven by resentment, as she had once attended The Covenant School, this has yet to be confirmed, and the investigation is still ongoing.
School shootings can have a lasting impact on the mental health of children attending the targeted school or neighboring schools. According to Dr. Andrea Zorbus, this impact can manifest in many different ways, such as the student being unable to focus in school or getting easily distracted. Children may feel unsafe and emotional due to the loss of a close classmate or the fear of becoming a victim themselves.
Sadly, the Nashville Covenant School shoot-
ing is only one of many school shootings that have occurred in recent years, including tragedies at Sandy Hook Elementary, Robb Elementary School, Stoneman Douglas High School, and countless others.The issue of school shootings is a growing concern, with the number of students experiencing such incidents increasing every year. In 2018 alone, approximately 187,000 students were affected by school shootings, and this number doubled to 338,000 students within five years. This trend is alarming, and it will only continue to worsen unless action is taken. Children and teachers alike should be able to come to school without fearing for their safety, but unfortunately, this is not the reality for many.
A few ways we can prevent gun violence in schools — and in the United States in general — include teaching all students effective ways to defend themselves against armed shooters or reinforcing stricter weapon-ownership policies. Many weapons are sold to people who do not have clean records. Creating a more trusting and supportive learning environment for students can also help prevent acts of violence and reduce the likelihood of students experiencing trauma.
The recent Covenant shooting in Nashville, Tennessee highlights the growing issue of gun violence in the United States. It is evident that many students no longer feel safe in classrooms, but by working together and implementing measures such as increasing the legal age to own a firearm, we can help create a safe learning environment.
taxonomical and evolutionary relationships, which helps scientists deduce the species they are examining if they are unsure which species the animal specimen or animal part belongs to. Radiocarbon dating is also used to identify when the animal was alive, so as to distinguish “antique from contemporary wildlife products.”
Beyond its direct implications in crime, why is wildlife forensics a valuable tool for anyone dealing with animals? Wildlife forensics involves methods of properly handling samples, updating records accurately, and presenting these findings in a systematic, orderly, professional way. These practices can be extremely beneficial to veterinarians looking to provide optimal care for animals. When an animal or pet is suspected to be the victim of abuse or neglect, they are often brought to veterinary practices to understand the situation better. Here, veterinarians are required to uphold the same standards of evidence collection and documentation, especially because they may be brought into court to provide expert testimony.
Wildlife forensic scientists also study wildlife remains to determine which animals might conflict with the local populations the most, especially in rural areas. They thus play a crucial role in helping humans coexist safely and peacefully with the animal populations around them.
Wildlife forensics has spurred several projects to protect endangered species, including recording individuals of threatened animal populations into national DNA registers. This has helped “authenticate captive breeding claims” and provide better protection for these species. Additionally, while the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Forensic Laboratory only started operations in the 80s, wildlife forensics has gained much traction in recent years; the UN as well as several international organizations such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have outlined regulations on animal activity and guidelines for specific procedures in the field of animal forensics.
Wildlife forensics is only one part of the equation in the conservation of animal species. Effective wildlife conservation would require a collective effort with the support of national policymakers, local stakeholders, and implementation agencies in addition to scientists, investigators, and other experts. Until then, forensics will continue to play its part in defending our ecosystem.
ROE V. WADE: A LOOK BACK
ROE V. WADE: A LOOK BACK
By Olivia Ma
On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, taking away the pillar that held all womens’ right to abortion in the nation. In just one night, thirteen states activated or planned to activate their trigger laws, which were designed to immediately limit abortion in the case of Roe v. Wade being overturned. As the United States approaches the decision’s one year anniversary, we take a step back to look at one of the ways Americans continued to pursue abortion and other limited healthcare, despite its dwindling availability: Elevated Access.
Elevated Access is an Illinois-based organization of pilots “who have begun ferrying people across state lines to get abortions and gender-affirming medical care, even if it means flouting local restrictions” (NPR).
These private flights not only break a physical barrier by transporting passengers to areas where abortion and gender-affirming care are available, but it also addresses financial barriers by offering transportation free of charge and long security checks. Furthermore, Elevated Access allows its passengers to travel anonymously with nothing but their first name and given weight (plane safety), protecting them from possible state prosecution.
Although Elevated Access currently consists of over 200 vetted pilots and has 1000 more expressing interest, the organization’s existence highlights the limitations and disparities in healthcare access across the United States. In areas where abortion and gender-affirming care are restricted or unavailable, individuals may resort to unsafe and illegal methods to perform operations, jeopardizing their well-being and lives.
It’s also important to note that groups like Elevated Access are not a permanent solution to the systemic issues that restrict healthcare access in the first place. The legal and policy barriers that restrict access to abortion and gender-affirming care persist and are actively being reinforced in many parts of the world.
While selfless workers have thankfully made abortion and gender-affirming care available for those in need, “it’s a window into the increasingly unconventional tactics of the underground groups that are working to keep abortion accessible to people across the country” (NPR).
VOL. 2, NO. 8 APRIL 28, 2023
TIPS FOR AP SEASON TIPS FOR AP SEASON
By Esha Bansiya
The abundance of fresh pollen and the fragrance of blooming flowers are a sign for the beginning of a new season: Spring. Unfortunately, the late-night cramming and ten AP Classroom assignments signify the dreaded AP season just around the corner.
If this is your first year taking APs or you are just overwhelmed, The Yellow Pages offers a few tips from our somewhat experienced sophomores and juniors. We have gathered six pieces of valuable advice: making a realistic schedule, breaking down topics into manageable chunks, utilizing resources, scheduling focused study time, maintaining self-care, and most importantly, having confidence in yourself.
In this month leading up to APs, many juniors and sophomores have made a study schedule. As Katherine (11) says, “time management is most important;” she has made herself a monthly plan to keep herself on task. Similarly, Armaan (10) sets daily targets to achieve, which helps him stay focused in a realistic way and allows him to reassess his progress.
When devising a plan, it is important to break up the material into manageable bits. Aditya (11) offers great advice on this task: “I try to dedicate 30 minutes of studying each day for a specific subject; it’s not realistic to study an entire unit in a day since it takes weeks for teachers to cover. This way, I can learn and understand the material at my own pace without feeling rushed or stressed.” The combination of crafting a realistic schedule and breaking down each subject into manageable parts makes studying less overwhelming.
You do not need to spend all day studying to get the best results. Aidan (11) works in short, focused bursts where he turns off all social media and other possible sources of distraction. To remain engaged and motivated, Kevin (11) listens to lofi and K-pop music while studying. Putting in your best effort for short amounts of time can lead to efficient studying that does not cause too much stress or burnout.
Although it may feel difficult to find supplementary resources, there are many resources
available at school and online to help support you. Shashwath (10) frequently attends office hours offered by teachers and uses online practice tests and instructional videos when reviewing. It is important to take advantage of the resources and support by teachers who are invested in our success. A few great resources include Heimler’s History, Khan Academy, and AP Daily.
It is also beneficial to have a support system, like Samhita (10), who talks to her friends and family when she is stressed out. In fact, Heimler’s History suggests talking to your family about the content you are studying to help retain information.
AP season can be overwhelming but it is important to not burn yourself out. One key tip most people emphasized was taking breaks. In Katherine’s (11) study plan, she keeps a few days to rest or catch up on any studying she fell behind on. Practicing self-care such as the basic habits of getting good sleep, eating well, and taking exercise breaks is also equally as important. It feels easy to neglect our health just for this month, but Alicia (11) notes that “by resting, our studying can be more efficient.” Self-care activities can also include going outside for a walk, hanging out with friends and family, meditating, or even watching a movie at the end of the day as a reward.
Finally, the most important key to success is confidence. Any studying you do will add up, and follow these pieces of advice should make you confident in your abilities. Heeya (11) trusts that she has been doing as much as she can and that it will be enough. When it comes down to test day, the most important thing to remember is that you put in what you could and that tests do not define your worth. Yifei (11) notes that “school isn’t all-or-nothing, and even if you don’t do amazing on all your tests, it’s going to be alright.” Going to a competitive school can make this AP season feel very stressful, especially if you see your peers stressing out, but it is important to remember that we all learn differently. Your time spent studying may be more or less than someone else’s, but all that matters is that it works for you.
We wish you all the best during this stressful time! Remember to drink enough water, eat well, sleep a good eight hours, and most importantly, believe in yourself!
BLOOD DRIVE
BLOOD DRIVE
By Amanda Wu and Joleen Pan
“Be cool. Give blood.”
Every year from April 1st-23rd, donors at blood drives across the US are rewarded with the American Red Cross and Snoopy collaboration T-shirt. The white T-shirt — with a Red Cross logo next to the character Snoopy and the message “Be cool. Give blood.” — has generated an increase in blood donations, especially from younger people. This collaboration not only rewards blood donors with a unique T-shirt but also encourages them to continue donating at future blood drives.
Do you want to be cool and give blood? Well, it’s your lucky day, because the BIF American Red Cross Club will be hosting our first-ever blood drive at the Upper Campus in May!
A blood drive is an event that gives community members the opportunity to donate blood and support the efforts of the American Red Cross (ARC), an organization that provides emergency assistance, aid, and education across America. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of blood or platelets; yet, each year, only about 3% of the age-eligible people donate blood. Blood donations are necessary for patients of all ages undergoing surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, or traumatic illnesses. Each year, approximately 6.8 million people in the U.S. donate blood, and the Red Cross provides 40% of the nation’s blood supply. By donating blood, you can make a significant impact on the lives of patients in need of blood transfusions and help alleviate the ongoing blood shortage.
The BIF Blood Drive will be held on May 26th from 9 am - 3 pm in the MPR and will be open to anyone over the age of 16 who meets further eligibility criteria for blood donation. If you are 16 years old, parental consent will be required. All donors must meet the height and weight requirements and follow general guidelines such as being in good health and
maintaining a healthy iron level. These requirements and guidelines can be found on the American Red Cross website.
Aashirya (11), the BIF ARC President, shares her excitement about the blood drive, saying, “I’m truly excited about our blood drive! This is our highlight event of the year for the American Red Cross Club, and our chance to come together as a BIFU community and make a real impact on the blood shortage. Even if you can’t donate, encourage your parents and teachers to come to donate.” Remember, a single donor can save up to three lives by donating one pint of blood. Before going to a blood donation appointment, it is advised todrink plenty of water to prevent fatigue after the process. Furthermore, adequate iron intake is also crucial to ensure the right hemoglobin level for donation. After donating blood, make sure to rest and lie down if you feel dizzy. Consuming foods rich in Vitamin C or iron is beneficial for recovery. Finally, your blood type also determines the recipient, as each blood type is compatible with a certain combination of others. But of course, this isn’t a biology lesson!.
As the BIF blood drive approaches, stay updated on additional information via ParentSquare. Participating in the blood drive is an excellent opportunity to positively impact the community and make a difference in the world.
OPINION: THE CHAOS OF CONSERVATIVE RHETORIC
OPINION: THE CHAOS OF CONSERVATIVE RHETORIC
By Amber Wong
The White House is going insane. It is slowly but surely descending into the fiery pits of demagogue chaos with Democrats and Republicans at each other’s throats. Look no further than Joe Biden’s 400 billion loan forgiveness plan, which prioritizes helping those in lower income and middle class families – which Brookings finds is well-targeted at students without the means to pay for college upfront or through loans. The plan isn’t perfect, but it represents an important incremental step in solving the student loan crisis that has been ballooning for the past decade. However, the problem is that conservatives are focusing on the “400 billion” price tag rather than the “important incremental change” part.
Focusing on deficits isn’t new for Republicans. The right likes to portray themselves as a party of fiscal responsibility and deficit hawks ensuring that you don’t need to pick up the slack of a starving child or an eroding planet. That’s why it’s not surprising that conservative Supreme Court justices and politicians bemoan the plan as expensive and unfair — it’s their shtick. The hypocrisy of their complaints, however, is evident. Under Trump, deficits reached a peacetime record, with taxpayer funds spent on tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and more than $750 billion go -
MULTI(UNI?) CULTURAL DAY MULTI(UNI?) CULTURAL DAY
By Heeya Das
As students pile into school at a fresh 8:25 AM on April 7, 2023, colors upon colors are seen throughout the classrooms. The red hues, honoring Chinese culture, mix with bright lehengas and simple kurtas. But it seems, that is where the diversity halts. Throughout the day, BASIS students get a taste of inclusion as they enjoy snacks from various cultures during lunch, immersing themselves in a world tour of flavors and sounds. But the experience is short-lived as they return to reality and see an overwhelming majority of Asian students.
Fremont, CA, ranks the third city with the highest percentage of Asian-Americans — falling behind Daly City, CA and Honolulu City, Hawaii. With an astonishing 116,679 Asians, or 54.5% of the city’s population, we lack diversity and leave little room for other cultures to shine. While being raised in a familiar environment with the perks of the countless opportunities found most in Silicon Valley may count as a bonus, the question arises if the big (racist) world will hit us with more force as we leave for college.
Juniors this year have become worried while touring colleges. Advait Alluri mentions his experience while visiting UC Davis, a school still considered relatively diverse, yet completely new to him, claiming, “I have never seen so many white people in one place!”
When visiting colleges on the other coast, it seems scarce to find anyone at all from a community similar to ours. Shreya Sadhwani spoke recently about the effect of going to summer camp with people she wasn’t so comfortable with. Shreya says growing up in such a community has “definitely put [her] in [her] comfort zone” by connecting herself to the people around her through a similar culture
ing to the Pentagon, a mostly pointless department, to upgrade already well-functioning military equipment. And even if the loan forgiveness plan did cause the deficit to skyrocket, conservatives are too willing to ignore the long term economic benefits of investing in education, which will ensure that the bill could pay for itself. Neglecting a ballooning student loan crisis would cause more government intervention and investment later down the line.
It’s not that Republicans aren’t aware of their blatant hypocrisy. The truth is simple: the right does not care about deficits because deficits don’t affect them. Conservatism is about maintaining hierarchy; even if a conservative doesn’t like exploitative structures of power, they will still believe that they’re fundamental. So when the right goes to left wing media grifters and multimillionaires (god forbid) to talk about the rate in which inflation or deficits will skyrocket because of a bill, what they’re really talking about is fear over taxpayer money going forward to actually help the working class and challenge hierarchies. It makes sense that major oil and gas companies fund the right’s campaigns–Republicans ensure their hold over the proletariat. It also makes sense that despite deficits also being a revenue problem, Republicans have consistently blocked efforts to increase corporate tax revenue through tax increases on the ultra-rich. Their outrage is really just another excuse to write a check to corporations and force the working class to pick up the burden.
and language, but that it has also “narrowed [her] worldview,” exemplifying the discomfort of a new and unknown environment. Alicia Peng draws on a feeling of disconnect from other persons of color (POC), stating, “Sometimes I feel like even though I am a POC, I’ve never truly experienced the racism that so many other POC have to go through.”
Others comment on some benefits that this experience has given them. Aditya Pandey says, “Attending such a school can sometimes lead to … appreciat[ing] the diversity of the world.” Alicia Peng talks about her feeling of privilege, “I’m glad I was given the opportunity to be in an school with an Asian majority because I never had to directly experience the isolation of being the only Asian kid in school.” Aditi Putrevu claims she feels she has learned more about her culture through this environment. She details, “Going to an predominantly Asian school made me realize there’s so much more I can learn about others and motivated me to enhance my knowledge on other ethnicities and cultures that I haven’t really been surrounded with!”
It seems the opinions are mixed, varying between grateful and scared, but the opinions won’t be viable until we head off into the real world. We’ll see in the next year how it all plays out with our current juniors!
2 APRIL 28, 2023
RAMBUNCTIOUS REVIEWS RAMBUNCTIOUS REVIEWS
DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE’S A TUNNEL UNDER OCEAN BLVD
DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE’S A TUNNEL UNDER OCEAN BLVD
By Aarna K., Vera L., Alicia P.
Lana del Rey, born Elizabeth Grant, is one of the most influential artists of our generation. Known for her melancholic ballads about love, confidence, and helplessness, Lana del Rey has curated an aesthetic that involves sad girl postwar Americana — blue jeans, cherry pie, Pepsi, old Hollywood, and the American flag, with her album covers “Born to Die” and “Honeymoon” sporting the colors of red, white, and blue. Del Rey’s career took off in the early 2010s with the release of her debut album “Born to Die”, which featured sensational hits, including but not limited to “Summertime Sadness” and “Video Games.” “‘Born to Die’ is the perfect embodiment of vintage Americana,” says Emily (9th). Del Rey capitalized on the “sad girl aesthetic”, which is characterized by the display of feminine suffering, with Rolling Stones calling her a “vamp of constant sorrow.” Due to the rising counterculture in the early 2010s on platforms like Tumblr, the younger generations resonated with her mysterious, pretty sad girl persona.
On March 24, 2023, she released Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd , marking her ninth studio album. The album features collaborations with Bleachers, Father John Misty, SYML, Jon Batiste, and others. Del Rey describes the Americana-pop album as “totally effortless,” as she wanted the music to have a “spiritual element.” Lana Del Rey puts feelings and thoughts into every song; each piece is provocative and evokes strong, bittersweet emotions., making the listener think about her stories in the lyrics through quiet ruminations and loud interruptions. As one of Del Rey’s most loyal listeners, Romil B. (10th) reflects, “This album is a celebration of everything lana is: bold, reflective, and real.” In tandem with Del Rey’s recent interview with Rolling Stone in March, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd directly reflects her mind in her own psychic space. In this album especially, she visits incredibly raw topics in both her own and everyones’ lives: family, healing, legacy, vulnerability, and womanhood. The album has no rhythm nor structure, but it is shuffled in a way that listeners are able to reimagine and interpret each work. Follow us down a path to explore our favorite pieces.
KITSUNGI
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form that involves the repair of broken pottery with liquid gold in order to make it even more beautiful. In the album’s 8th track “Kintsugi ‘’, she uses the metaphor of Kintsugi in order to demonstrate her healing process after the death of her family members. Del Rey sings “And I just can’t stop cryin’ ‘cause all of the ways / When you see someone dyin’ / You see all your days flash in front of you / And you think about who would be with you.” After the tragedy, Del Rey learns how to heal all of her broken pieces, and creates something even more beautiful, her very own kintsugi. Olivia M. (10th) comments, “‘ ‘Kintsugi’ ‘s background whistles give me a nostalgic feeling of light summer winds at night while staring out into the city lights.”
Margaret is the thirteenth track of Lana Del Rey’s ninth album featuring the rock band, Bleachers. The deep, hushed vocals of the song were revealed to center on the leader of Bleachers, Jack Antonoff’s, romance and fiancée, Margaret Qualley. Del Rey’s production choice reflects an intimacy between close friends. Del Rey charmingly repeats the lyrics, “When you know, you know,” as though she is genuinely happy to find out about her friend finding his partner. Accompanied after the first chorus is Antonoff’s verse, sung with a sweetly earnest tone. I was especially drawn to his line, “the soul that you bring to the table.” It reminded me of the question “What do you bring to the table?”. Typically, the saying refers to economic benefits, or distinctive qualities that one shows in order to gain valdiation. The co-writers emphasize how all that matters is you and your soul— all your goods and bads. In all, Margaret took me back to the feeling of an ambient, wholesome setting with my true friends. It’s a lovely song that brings flashes of the good life.
One of the most well-received songs in the entire album, Sweet addresses Lana Del Rey’s view of herself and her identity. The song is written as if she is speaking to her inamorato, stating that she deserves more than a transitory relationship. Alluding to her peculiarity, she discusses her identity and her longing for a deeper, permanent romance with her partner and delves into feelings of loneliness that can arise even when in a romantic relationship. Sweet possesses soft and melancholic undertones, adding to the song’s overall execution, and seemingly bears a resemblance to her 2015 song Honeymoon, as some say.
CANDY NECKLACE
Candy Necklace may on the surface seem like a simple love song with a slow, haunting melody; however, once the listener delves deeper into the lyrics and the tone of the song, they soon discover that it is so much more. The song, at first, refers to a love that resembles a deep and almost foolish infatuation, which is described as sweet like a candy necklace. However, it soon has a sudden shift in tone when the line “I do feel like it’s you, the one who’s bringing me down,” comes into focus, and the idea of her (Lana Del Rey) blind love with her partner being the reason for her decline in happiness is introduced. Similar to a candy necklace which can be addictive yet ultimately injurious to one’s health, the relationship explored in Candy Necklace is revealed to be a toxic and poisonous one.
APRIL CROSSWORD APRIL CROSSWORD
ACROSS DOWN
3. 75% of the global _____ supply was produced by the South American countries of Chile and Argentina
4. an international movement advocating for climate action — “_____ for Future”
5. CITES stands for “_____ on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora”
7. “_____ Access” — Illinois-based organization of pilots helping citizens gain access to abortions and gender-affirming medical care
8. Lana Del Ray’s song “Sweet” seemingly bears a resemblance to her 2015 song, _____
1. “_____’s History” is a great resource for studying AP Gov, APUSH, and AP World History
2. What company owns TikTok?
5. The first song from a Korean soloist to ever debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100: “Like _____”
6. “Be cool, give _____.”
PARK JIMIN FACES HIS SOLO DEBUT: FACE
PARK JIMIN FACES HIS SOLO DEBUT: FACE
By Thanisha Thambidurai
Park Jimin, a member of the South Korean boy band BTS, released his solo debut album FACE on March 24, 2023. The studio album featured the tracks “Set Me Free Pt. 2,” “Letter,” “Face-off,” “Alone,” “Interlude: Dive,” and most famously, “Like Crazy.” The latter debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first for any Korean soloist. Additionally, “Like Crazy” already has three different remixes — an English version, the “Deep House” remix, and the “UK Garage” remix — in addition to an instrumental version. The album is heavily inspired by feelings of self-doubt and isolation Jimin experienced, specifically during the pandemic.
The digital version of the album kicks off with the song “Face-off.” The song has been considered a breakup song by many, due to somber lyrics such as “gave you all my money, gave you all my heart” and “I don’t care about you, nor about that hellish day.” ARMYs, the BTS fans, were angry at the thought of someone hurting their beloved idol. The next track was the short clip “Interlude: Dive,” featuring Jimin’s greeting to fans from BTS’s Yet to Come Concert in Busan.
Following this was the album’s most popular song, “Like Crazy.” The song is based on the 2011 American drama film of the same name and highlights how an individual wants to dwell in their dreams rather than go back to reality. The song intensifies feelings of loneliness and dread in the listener, demonstrating the impact of this track’s compelling and well-written lyrics. The music video (with over 40 million views on Youtube), starts with Jimin in a nightclub but quickly cuts to him in his apartment. An arm, covered in dirt, pulls him. The singer is seen partying in a nightclub, drinking heavily as well. The scene switches to him in a bathroom, where the video shifts and becomes multicolored. The song concludes with Jimin waking up again in his apartment, despite his pleas to not be saved or woken up. At the beginning and end of the song are words whispered by voice actress Shelby Young and Joe Brogie, rather than the original actors from the film.
“Alone” is the next song to appear in the album. With lines like “I’m pretending to be okay every time, I’m so pathetic” coupled
with “I walk in my dark room alone,” the song is perhaps the one that emphasizes Jimin’s emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic the most. After this track came “Set Me Free Pt. 2.” This tune was released a week before the album fully came out. Jimin confirmed that this song served as the second part of his BTS bandmate SUGA’s song “Interlude: Set Me Free.” Though the tracks weren’t originally intended to be linked, Jimin’s song elegantly builds off of SUGA’s. The song focuses on Jimin embracing his identity and moving forward, showing the audience that his identity isn’t restricted to his time with BTS. The intense choreography and quick beats allow Jimin to show off his beautiful dance skills; he truly is the lead dancer of BTS.
The final song in the album was the English version of “Like Crazy.” Usually, the English version is a direct translation of the Korean song, but this wasn’t the case with Jimin’s album. Though this version has different lyrics than the original, both effectively communicated similar sentiments. Despite the Korean version being the chart-topping single of the album, its fall on the Billboard Hot 100 was the largest fall recorded in Billboard history. The song dropped to No. 45 by week two, a record previously held by “Willow” by Taylor Swift.
A part of the album that intrigued many people was the release of the song “Letter.” Interestingly, the track is only available on the hard copy of the album, which comes with the CD. The song is not officially uploaded on any streaming services, such as Spotify or Pandora, and neither BigHit Entertainment nor Jimin has officially uploaded it. However, people have posted the song on their own accounts on sites such as Youtube or SoundCloud. Furthermore, “Letter” features vocals from another member of BTS, Jeon Jungkook. Not long before, Jungkook offered to play a melody on his guitar for fans during a Weverse session. It was later noted that he played a short melody from the song “Letter,” teasing his cameo in the album.
The album allowed Jimin to showcase his dance skills and smooth vocals, which have continued to enchant ARMYs since his debut. Powerful lyrics and deep messages hidden within psychedelic music videos are a window to the feelings experienced by Jimin during lonely times; in a way, he is someone fans can relate to. A stunning solo debut, FACE truly shows the world how Park Jimin breaks free of the boundaries and is a star, whether he makes music with BTS or on his own.
“Alone again.”
“What’s the point?”
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE (2023)
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE (2023)
By Katherine He
As Nintendo’s first movie adaptation in almost ten years, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” kept audiences’ anticipations high. This movie is based off of the internationally-known franchise, the Mario series. From the very start of the movie, the story origins are cleverly referenced through the recognizable theme songs playing in the back and visual consistency with the Mario games.
Most people who watched this movie were likely expecting either a wholesome adventure with a few Mario references or a total flop. With its short run-time, catchy songs, and colorful animations, this Mario movie was deemed a fantastic film perfect both for older, long-time Mario fans as well as younger children. This movie does well in giving each well-known character from the Mario franchise their time to shine through captivating aesthetics and recognizable dialogue.
One common criticism tossed against this movie is the discrepancy between its plot and pretty animations. One critic says, “What’s so special about this movie other than its Easter eggs, that can only be pointed out by Mario fans? This movie can’t appeal itself any differently from other animated movies to children.” However, this movie made several attempts to smoothly integrate elements of the game into
the main adventure. The film featured a cast of famous actors and actresses to appeal to audiences unfamiliar with the franchise. The cast included Jack Black, Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and many more famous names. This movie also serves as a satisfying redemption for its poorly-rated predecessor, “Super Mario Bros.” Viewers of “Super Mario Bros.” will be pleasantly surprised by “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” because the story still remains heavily intertwined with the Mario games and the characters retain their original forms. This movie is still being played in theaters, and holds a high rating in the hearts of fans and critics alike. As said before, this film is heavily geared towards children, which makes it a great choice for a family movie. In the future, many veteran fans and new fans hope that Nintendo can continue making solid movie adaptations not only to garner more popularity for the Mario franchise but to also give gamers a chance to see how their favorite characters interact in the world of the movie screen.
MARGARET
SWEET
3 VOL. 2, NO. 8
“I think we could last forever.”
“I’m afraid that everything will disappear.”
“Just trust me.”
TIKTOK — THE LAST DANCE?
TIKTOK — THE LAST DANCE?
By Ryan L., Krish M., Ariana Y.
TikTok — the app that took the world by an unprecedented storm when it started becoming insanely popular in 2018, the app that revolutionized the way humans consume content on a short-form scale, giving rise to functions on other popular social media apps like YouTube and Instagram, the app that creates its own viral trends — TikTok dances” and “TikTok songs” that have catapulted multiple artists into fame. However, this popular app is facing the imminent danger of extinction in the United States due to major privacy issues. TikTok has already been banned in one of its largest markets, India, and has been banned on government devices in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Will TikTok survive another privacy/security allegation, or will US citizens be forced to part with the revolutionary social media giant?
Before its massive popularity, TikTok had an interesting history under ByteDance. There were two iconic apps that paved the way for TikTok: Musical.ly and Douyin. Musical.ly was an early hit of short-form content, headquartered in Shanghai. As Musical.ly began growing in popularity, ByteDance acquired Musical.ly on November 10, 2017 for an estimated $800 million dollars. After noticing how popular Musical.ly was becoming, ByteDance launched a similar version in China, known as Douyin. Around 2018, Musical.ly was, unfortunately, beginning to fade away from popularity, so ByteDance announced they would be shifting the user base and technology of Musical.ly into a newer app they owned: TikTok. Soon, TikTok became a huge success, turning into the social media giant it is today.
THE DARK SIDE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES
By Christopher Chen
If you’re driving in the Bay Area, take a look around, and you are guaranteed to spot either a Tesla, Nissan Leaf, Rivian, or Chevy Bolt. In less than two decades, electric vehicles (EVs) have transformed from a mere gimmick to a disruptive competitor in the automobile market. No carbon emissions, high mileage, cheap refueling, lower maintenance costs — what’s not to like? Yet, hidden behind the seeming perfection of EVs is an often untold story of detrimental environmental pollution and child labor practices.
Batteries, perhaps the most important component of EVs, are produced using various minerals including lithium and cobalt. Despite the aggregation of EV production in developed nations, the raw metals for battery manufacturing are often supplied by industrializing countries. According to the National Minerals Information Center, more than 75% of the global lithium supply was produced by the South American countries of Chile and Argentina. In these nations, mining and collecting lithium is a labor and water intensive process — each ton of lithium produced requires around 2.2 million liters of water. In these already arid countries, lithium production is squeezing away the last drops of water from lakes and rivers. This lack of water has inevitable, negative effects on local biodiversity, agriculture, and quality of life.
Child labor practices are yet another dire issue in the production of electrical vehicles. The Democratic Republic of Con -
go supplies over 70% of the world’s cobalt, largely produced by artisanal and smallscale mines (U.S. Department of Labor). Often, these mining operations employ entire families, including children as young as six years old. The working conditions in many of these cobalt mines are incredibly dangerous — collapsing mineshafts, toxic cobalt dust, and contaminated water. Miners are paid next to nothing while risking their lives to extract the metal. Adults are forced to make a decision between sending their kids to school or bringing them into the mines to make enough money to feed themselves. Even more tragically, children are often trafficked and exploited in cobalt mines for profit by local “militia groups.”
With the EV sector’s current rate of growth, the U.S. market itself is projected to require three times the world’s current lithium output in 2050. To meet such demands, there is no doubt that human rights will continue to be egregiously violated while natural environments gradually crumble. However, there are ways to avoid such a disturbing future. From more efficient, longer-lasting batteries to improved mineral mining techniques, advancements in technology can help mitigate the dangers faced by local communities. Furthermore, creating more bike lanes, making cities more walkable, and promoting the use of public transportation are all potent solutions to reducing environmental damage and human rights violations.
Though EVs have undeniable potential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, we must take a moment to carefully consider the costs before we blindly embrace this new, promising technology.
THE DARK SIDE OF ONLINE SHOPPING
THE DARK SIDE OF ONLINE SHOPPING
By Sarah Wu
Online shopping sites, especially large companies like Shein, have taken the world by storm. Shein’s low-cost, mass-produced goods, which offer fashionable attire for an affordable price, have recently become popular. Yet given the growing concerns over unfair labor practices, should we really be buying from these businesses?
The term “fast fashion” was first coined in the 1990s, with the emergence of brands like Zara and H&M. It was founded on the idea of mass producing clothing to lower the cost and increase accessibility of fashion. Then came the era of online-only retailers, which further sped up production. Shein has expanded the world’s idea of online fast fashion and has taken the concept to the next level. With a corporate culture resembling that of many other Chinese businesses, this online fast fashion retailer offers a large variety of trendy, affordable clothing and cosmetics that are especially appealing to younger consumers. During the pandemic, the company gained overwhelming popularity, launching thousands of new products each day, and surpassing Amazon as the top downloaded shopping app. It focuses on shipping globally because many western countries have not yet adopted its economic
STAFF: STAFF:
Editors-in-Chief: Christopher Chen, Julee Jiang and Olivia Ma
Editors: Vera Lin, Alicia Peng, Anjali Prabhu, and Alan Xiao
Staff Writers: Aarna Kamath, Ada Costiniano, Alan Xiao, Alicia Peng, Amanda Wu, Amber Wong , Anjali Prabhu, Ariana Yi, Esha Bansiya, Heeya Das, Jay Thanki, Joleen Pan, Kaitlyn Liu, Katherine He, Kevin Weng, Krish Mangrolia, Oriana Deng, Ryan Li, Ryan Liu, Sachit Parekh, Sarah Wu, Sheil Mody, Shirley Fan, Thanisha Thambidurai, Vera Lin, Vincent Yang
Graphic Designers: Christopher Chen, Ada Costiniano
model. Additionally, they collect enormous amounts of data to feed into their data analytics system, providing them with an edge over competitors.
Despite its success, Shein has faced growing criticism from the public for multiple reasons. Reports of poor working conditions and low wages for the company’s workers have raised questions. Their lack of transparency has led to many being unwilling to purchase from the brand. Shein has also been under scrutiny for its environmental impact, being criticized for promoting excessive waste and pollution. Lastly, they have been accused of stealing designs from numerous lesser-known artists, with many designers publicly accusing Shein of doing so. Shein’s ability to use analytics on current trends without consideration for its ethics has led to growing amounts of knock off products being pushed into the market. This poses a problem as it allows large companies to capitalize on the designs of local designers with repercussions. Shein has also allegedly paid certain designers a settlement over accusations of copyright infringement.
With the rise of Shein, numerous businesses have emerged that are attempting to adopt a similar business strategy.These companies have amassed a sizable following, but it is critical to consider some of the issues that fast fashion may pose and make informed decisions as a consumer.
Thank you for reading the eighth issue of the second volume of The Yellow Pages! We hope you enjoyed reading the issue as much as we enjoyed the process of creating it!
4 APRIL 28, 2023
