C Magazine Vol. 10 Edition 5

PG. 20 UNTANGLED Embracing the natural beauty of textured hair •1

C MAGAZINE May 2022 • Volume 10 Edition 5 Dear readers, We are thrilled to present the final issue of C Mag for the 2021-2022 school year, as well as our first issue as Editorsin-Chief. You can enjoy this issue with your friends as you reminisce over this past year at Paly before heading off for summer, whether this is your final goodbye or just a ‘see ya later!’

Our cover features junior Kylie De La Cruz as she proudly displays her natural hair. “Untangled” on page 20, written

by Olivia Hau, Julie Huang and Kylie Tzeng, details Paly students’ journeys towards embracing their own hair. From straightening their hair starting at a young age to feeling insecure in their own hair, they share their experiences of pushing past society’s stereotypes.

As a tribute to our seniors, “Play It Back” on page 10, by Rachel Ellisen, Brooke Glasson and Jack Haney, continues our tradition of spotlighting C Mag seniors in our final issue of the year by sharing their favorite songs from their time at Paly. Check out C Mag’s Spotify to listen to this collection of songs, as well as our website to read the additional advice and future plans that our seniors have in store.

“Desired Dissociation” on page 28, written by Reya Hadaya, Emma Joing and Marilyn Yin, explores how dissociative feminism negatively affects women and causes them to passively react to encounters with misogyny and sexism rather than attempting to change it. For a more in depth perspective on the issue, check out ‘C Pod,’ our Spotify Podcast, to listen

to the full interviews with Dana Toussieh and Samantha Yamashita.

In this issue, we have featured a collection of perspectives from the eldest daughters in immigrant families. Our perspective writers Eunice Cho, Evie Coulson, Reya Hadaya, Eunchae Hong and Evelyn Zhang each have a unique cultural background and familial experience surrounding the immigrant eldest daughter identity. Eunice Cho and Eunchae Hong curated these perspectives to create our first perspective package “언니, ‫اريبكلا يتخا‬, 姐姐, Deirfiúr Óg, Older Sister,” on page 12.

To wrap up our coverage of Paly students’ art this year, “State of the Art” on page 36, by Kaila Chun, Eunchae Hong and Anna Markesky, displays unique and brilliant pieces from three different AP Art portfolios. Submitted to the College Board for grading, Reese Ford, Renee Vetter and Jake Waldo each chose an overall theme, creating their own meaning.

We hope you enjoy this year’s final installment of C Mag led by our newest leadership team, and we are eager to see what our staff can accomplish for C Mag in the Fall.

Happy reading!

Evie Coulson, McKenna Rausch, Milena Rodriguez and Jasmine Tabrizi Editors-in-Chief

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Find these stories and more at cmagazine.org

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I Love You California

In The Details

By Isaac Hillesland

By Kaila Chun and Evie Coulson

By Julie Huang

thanks TO OUR

SPONSORS Alice Hadaya Amy Yang Brandi Walters Brian Steele Chris Hsiang Chris Markesky Christine Hmelar Chungwha Park Cynthia Costell Dave Wolter David and Elizabeth Lee Debbie & Pat Ellisen Dede Turnbull Don and Liz Darby Elaine Cao Erik Rausch Eugenie Van Wynen Gloria Tapson Hannah Cho Harry and Harriet Oda Hsun Kao Hsun Liu Isabelle Hau Janet Ellisen Jeff Willwerth Jenifer and Steve Turnbull Jeongyoung Kim Jieun Shin Jill Randall Jim Yang Joanie Haney Jovita and Yiu-Shih Lee Joyce Rausch Jungsoon Kim Julie Baskind Karen Townsend

Karen Wolter Kate and Todd Glasson Kristina Klausen Lan Liang Laura Huang Laura Prentiss Lee Rosenblum Limin Qian Liz Brooks Liza Baskind Marty and Joan Ragno Mary Lynn Fitton Maura McGinnity Max Rosenblum Michele Gay Nancy Warner Nicole Bigas Lee Oda Famliy Robert & Diane Threlkeld Rui Li Stan Turnbull Sung Hyun Hwang Sunmi Seol Suyan Ling and Xiaobiao Huang The Coulson Family The Novack Family The Rodriguez Family The Rosso Tabrizi Family The Tzeng Family Toby Stanley William Hadaya Yanqun Yan Yon Sung Yonggang Peng Younju Han Ziwa Ahmed

staff Editors-in-Chief Evie Coulson, McKenna Rausch,

Creative Director Kellyn Scheel

Milena Rodriguez, Jasmine Tabrizi Managing Editors

Creative Advisers

Kaila Chun, Isaac Hillesland, Julie Huang, Caitlyn Oda

Audrey Guo, Sami Lee

Online Editor-in-Chief

Multimedia Manager

Kylie Tzeng

Ella Rosenblum

Online Managing Editor Wendy Li

Photo Director

Social Media Managers

Business Manager

Anna Markesky, Casey Walters

Eunchae Hong

Olivia Hau

Staff Writers Sophia Baginskis, Eunice Cho, Aidan Do, Rachel Ellisen, Brooke Glasson, Reya Hadaya, Jack Haney, Natalie Hmelar, Emma Joing, Jeremy Peng, Mathew Signorello-Katz, Willow Steele, Brooke Threlkeld, Emma Turnbull, Marilyn Yin Cover

Adviser

Kellyn Scheel

Brian Wilson

Illustrators Max Barthelemy, Reese Ford, Audrey Guo, Carrie Lohse, Kellyn Scheel, Renee Vetter, Jake Waldo, April Wu

Table of Contents Julia Ragno

Advertising The staff publishes advertisements with signed contracts, providing they are not deemed by the staff inappropriate for the magazine’s audience. For more information about advertising with C Magazine, please contact business manager Eunchae Hong at businesscmagazine@gmail. com.

Printing & Distribution C Magazine is printed 5 times a year in October, January, February, April and June by aPrintis in Pleasanton, CA. C Magazine is distributed on campus and mailed to sponsors by Palo Alto High School. All C Magazine stories are available on cmagazine.org.

Letters to the Editors The C Magazine staff welcomes letters to the editors but reserve the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, potential libel, invasion of privacy and obscenity.

Send all letters to eicscmagazine@gmail.com or to 50 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94301.

Publication Policy C Magazine, an arts and culture magazine published by the students in Palo Alto High School’s Magazine Journalism class, is a designated open forum for student expression and discussion of issues of concern to its readership. C Magazine is distributed to its readers and the student body at no cost.

Table of contents 4 • cmagazine.org

culture What Flower Are You? Play it Back

언니, ‫اريبكلا يتخا‬, 姐姐, Deirfiúr Óg, Older Sister

6 10 12

Little Joys

17

Untangled

20

Summertime Sips

26

Desired Dissociation

28

arts A Loaded Camera

32

Featured Artist: Max Barthelemy

34

State of the Art

36

Music Unforgettable Artists

39

Performance Protocol

42

•5

Which

whIatt’syou make IT

FLOWER

MEANING OF LIFE? figuStill thatring

y

They don’t...

Mo ne

PEOPLE COME TO Advice YOU FOR? A tGiomoed

START

flight

IDEAL SUPERPOWER? invisibilit y

’s t e l , a Nagho tourant resta

DREAM PICNIC SPOT?

6 • cmagazine.org

On a r on a olwa boat, ke foggy Atop mouna tain

be To happy

Intr

ove

INTROVERT OR EXTROVERT?

rt

rov ert

Take this quiz to discover which flower matches your personality!

out

Ext

Are You?

Losing others

BIGGEST FEAR? Death

Heights

spiders

Night owl EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?

Text and design by AUDREY GUO, OLIVIA HAU and SAMI LEE • Art by AUDREY GUO

Orchid Gift

s

h ouc T YOUR LOVE of LANGUAGE? aWffoirrmdsation (SEE OUR LAST ISSUE)

Black Tulip

forsythia

Coffee

ds

Early bird

Milk shake

Her teabal

LAvendEr

Daisy

flip antihe for ngs !

It depen

Boba

me

YOUR GO-TO DRINK?

CULTURE • 7

8 • cmagazine.org

BLACK TULIP The black tulip represents power, elegance and a tad of mystery. You are someone who instantly commands every room you walk into and who inspires everyone you meet. Many admire your striking appearance and how you maintain your composure in the toughest times, but deep down, you also have a softer side that you only reveal to those closest to you.

LAVENDER The scent of a lavender is known for its relaxing powers–powers which you embody perfectly. Your sincerity, thoughtfulness and calm energy makes it easy for people to love you. People can count on you to de-escalate a conflict in times of crisis, and you are always there to lend a listening ear, helping hand or word of advice.

ORCHID In cultures across the world, orchids are gifted to loved ones as a symbol of refined beauty. On the outside, you are sophisticated and put together.

On the inside, you have great taste (maybe vintage?) and are full of genuine care for your friends and family. While it may take some time to get to know you, the relationships you forge are meaningful and long-lasting.

DAISY Being around a daisy is always a blast! You have a young spirit and a happygo-lucky attitude. You never shy away from an adventure (hiking, anyone?) and are always making others laugh. People can underestimate your intellect, but those that truly know you understand that there is more that lies beneath your bubbly exterior.

FORSYTHIA The luminous gold of a forsythia conveys undying optimism and affection.

You are a glass-half-full people person who uplifts others with a kind word or witty line. You’ve got major creative energy and serious talent that people cannot help but admire. It takes time for people to earn your love, but once they have it, your love is unconditional.

CULTURE • 9

Play it Back A collection of C Magazine seniors’ top songs throughout each year of high school 2022

2018

Jack Haney

9. The Great Salt Lake

Sophia Baginskis

Natalie Hmelar

...

9. Tungs ...

10. Where Eagles Dare

...

10. Hell N Back

11. All For You

...

11. IV. Sweatpants

12. Too Late

...

12. Lady ...

Band of Horses The Misfits

Stick Figure

Slightly Stoopid

11. Levitating ...

Drake Dua Lipa (ft. DaBaby)

9. Never Fall In Love

...

12. Light For Love

...

...

11. Laugh Now, Cry Later

...

...

12. Mr. Right Now

...

Greta Van Fleet

Text and design by RACHEL ELLISEN, BROOKE GLASSON and JACK HANEY 10 • cmagazine.org

10. Baby Pluto Lil Uzi Vert

Phoebe Bridgers

...

9. Thotiana ...

Blueface

10. 1950 ...

11. Moon Song

...

Rachel Ellisen

...

King Princess

Her and Chris Brown

12. The Sweet Escape Gwen Stefani

Jack Antonoff and MO

...

John Mayer

Taylor Swift

...

Emma Joing

Bazzi

12. All Too Well (10 minute ver.)

10. Headlines ...

Little River Band

Eunice Cho

11. Come Through

...

Bakar

9. Mine ...

10. Free Falling

Trippie Redd

The Freights

Childish Gambino

9. Topanga ...

Drake, Lil Durk

Drake, Metro Boomin, 21 Savage

Freshman year

Sophomore year

Junior year

Brooke Glasson

Julia Ragno

9. Mo Bamba

...

Sheck Wes

10. Gypsy ...

Fleetwood Mac

Senior year

11. Fire And The Flood

9. Saturday Sun

...

12. Eyes of the World

10. Writer In The Dark 11. Savior Complex

9. We Are Young

...

9. Shine On Top

...

10. Apocalypse ...

10. Canyon Moon

...

11. Lake Shore Drive

...

12. Someone New

Phoebe Bridgers

12. Across The Universe

Fun ft Janelle Monae

...

9. No problem

...

10. Video Games

11. Ballin’ ...

11. The Gold

9. 24K Magic Bruno Mars

10. Wake Up In The Sky Bruno Mars, Gucci Mane, Kodak Black Roddy Ricch

12. Do For Love Tupac

...

...

...

...

12. What Once Was

...

Jeremy Peng

...

9. Not Too Late

...

Lemaitre

...

10. Picture This

...

Kero Kero Bonito

Lana Del Rey

...

11. Unfold ...

...

12. Immaterial

Porter Robinson

Phoebe Bridgers and Manchester orchestra Mitski

11. gold rush

Her’s

Chance The Rapper

12. Stay Soft

...

Taylor Swift

Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah

Marilyn Yin

Aidan Do

...

Surfaces Harry Styles

Cigarettes after sex

Hozier

Fiona Apple

...

Emma Turnbull

...

Lorde

...

Wings Grateful Dead

Mathew Signorello-Katz

Vance Joy

...

Velvet Underground

11. She’s My Baby

Tyler Childers

Reya Hadaya

Tyler, The Creator

10. Who Loves The Sun

...

Vance Joy

12. Feathered Indians

9. Glitter ...

...

SOPHIE

CULTURE • 11

언니,

, 姐姐,

Deirfiúr óg, Older sister

The various experiences of eldest immigrant daughters and how they have shaped their identities

REYA HADAYA

I

am the eldest daughter of a Hawai’i-born European other and to move towards a deeper compromise. As I and Japanese mother and a Lebanese-Syrian immi- have come to understand that my parents’ expectations grant father. Within my parents’ cultures, emphasis of me were based on our family’s best interest, much of is placed on the community my guilt and resentment rather than the individual. evolved into forgiveness “As I navigated the bounds My upbringing was filled with of myself for not fulfillsentiments of collectivism between my cultural identity and ing their standards and which have nurtured a sense forgiveness of them for personal values, I developed my of servitude within me. My raising me in the way parents pass down many of own beliefs about my autonomy.” they knew best. I now these lessons at the dinner taunderstand that my upble, a place where we engage bringing as the eldest in dialectic discussion about the state of our lives and daughter has taught me the invaluable lesson of self-distheir connections to our past. cipline, and I feel that my energy was not expelled but However, my internalization of my parents’ values, manifested through a growing clarity of my sense of self. along with women’s gender norms, have also led me to feel obligated to put forth my family’s needs before my own. Like many eldest daughters of immigrants, the expectation to bear the weight of significant familial responsibilities from a young age chipped away at my well-being.

Up until very recently, my role in my household consisted of carrying parental weight that my parents could not, mediating complex familial conflicts, and being the primary source of emotional support for my younger sisters. This deprioritization of my own needs put me in a position in which I had to desensitize my hardships and mature too quickly, creating an emotional distance between me and my parents.

I grew up without having to flee war or navigate poverty, a privilege that was not afforded to my parents as children. Although I understood that the severity of one’s hardships is relative to their life experiences, I felt immense pressure to face my circumstances without complaint or objection to prove my parents’ plights as worthwhile. However, as I navigated the bounds between my cultural identity and personal values, I developed my own beliefs about my autonomy, and my sense of self grew independently from the person my parents wanted me to be.

In all my family’s disagreement and disconnect, I seem to return to the dinner table to revive our continual effort to understand each

12 • cmagazine.org

Text by EUNICE CHO, EVIE COULSON, REYA HADAYA, EUNCHAE HONG and EVELYN ZHANG Design by EUNICE CHO and EUNCHAE HONG • Photos by OLIVIA HAU and KELLYN SCHEEL

G

rowing up as the eldest immigrant daughter, I never had any of the burdens that one in my position usually carries. My parents made the effort to give me and my brother similar responsibilities so that all of the pressure was not on me.

As my parents were born and raised in South Korea, it is safe to say that they had a drastically different upbringing than I did. They grew up in an environment where they were expected to do things a certain way, and if they did not, they would be looked down upon.

While my parents have made a significant effort to relieve my childhood of pressures that they had to experience, I often found myself trying to live up to these expectations because I wanted my parents to be proud of me, like their parents were.

I would try to be the “picture perfect” immigrant daughter because I “I often found myself trying wanted my parents to have physical evidence to live up to these expectations of why they moved to because I wanted my parents the States and that their struggles were worth it. to be proud of me, like their I believe that I had parents were.” more pressure than my younger brother because I was the firstborn, and in traditional Asian households, firstborns have the responsibility of upholding the family’s legacy.

My father, the first-born of his family, left behind a successful legacy back home, which made my grandparents proud to call him their son: I felt like I needed to fulfill this duty as well.

I often noticed the ways that my brother and I were treated differently by our parents. I quickly learned how to do things on my own and strived to be an independent person. Therefore, my parents often left me to do things on my own as I “liked doing things a certain way” and because “I would always figure it out”. Conversely, my brother often went to my parents if he needed help with a version of myself that does not fit into the standard of the peranything, leading him to develop more dependent characteristics missive and compliant immigrant. Through my own experiences, that are seen in younger children of immigrant families.

I have learned to be confident, outspoken and all of the characMy parents raised me to be organized, compliant and strong. teristics that would not be commonly associated with immigrants.

As an immigrant, these are qualities that help us be the best verOverall, the pressure of being the eldest immigrant daughter sion of ourselves and be accepted in our society. I believe that I has taught me many things, and I would not take back these exhave possessed these qualities and that it has shaped me into the periences as they have shaped me into the best version of myself person that I am today. today.

However, I have also learned how to branch out and become

EUNCHAE HONG

CULTURE • 13

W

ednesday. When Wednesday came around every week, I could feel the excitement bubbling up inside of me.

Wednesdays were days when I went home with my mom after school, days when I could have playdates with my

friends, days when I could take a break from the endless math and Korean worksheets pushed upon me by my dad.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays were reserved for DKC - Duveneck’s Kids Club. There, I would watch my friends and classmates enjoy the many games available to them as I struggled through page after page of addition, subtraction, multiplication, as well as the dreaded long division.

Fridays for me were the absolute worst. It wasn’t that I disliked my dad – he was funny, cheerful, encouraging – everything a father needs to be. But Fridays, and going home with my dad, meant seemingly endless lectures on math and science concepts that I dreaded.

Who would I have become without my dad’s worksheets? Maybe I would have turned out a bit more like my younger sister, who skated through elementary school without the same pressures I had.

Maybe I would have turned out a bit more like my friends, who are able to prioritize having fun over their studies.

Actions such as these from my parents instilled a sense of responsibility in me.

Even though I was never given the responsibility of taking care of my sister or put in charge of any chores in the house, there was always a constant burden to represent sensible characteristics. Small but mighty, this responsibility held me back from having too much fun whenever I went out and making the “wrong decisions.” They pulled me forward into spending countless hours studying for exams and writing essays, not because I wanted to, but because I felt that I had to.

I will never forget the last words my grandfather said to me, which were essentially, “Study hard and become an admirable person.” My experiences as the eldest immigrant daughter may not be very different from all other youth living in the pressure cooker that is the Bay Area. Still, the expectations from my family shaped my identity into what it is today, someone who embodies the admirable characteristics of a person driven towards success.

EUNICE CHO 14 • cmagazine.org

EVIE COULSON

M

y immediate family immigrated to the United States ing the freedom to make this process purely my own is a point of from Ireland in 2007, when I was a little over two years pride, and I have always been grateful to be free of the notorious old. My parents moved around frequently during their expectations of Palo Altan parents. Sure, there have been difficult lives, so moving to the Bay Area was not their first time living in the parts. There are many past decisions that I would kill to be able to United States. My family adjusted to American culture quite easily, go back on. But in the end, I got it all done. No one else was going but as I got older, the differences in my family structure became to do it for me, so I made it happen myself. much more apparent.

I was raised in the mindset that if I want something to be done, The expectations that middle and high school students face in I have to do it myself, and my brother, for perhaps a multitude of this area are vastly different to what is expected in Ireland. The reasons, attacks tasks in a different way. Looming deadlines promajority of my family never attendvide his motivation, and his inability ed any sort of higher education, and research for himself has quickly “It hasn’t always been fair or easy, to those that did made their selection led to my family requesting my help mainly based on proximity to home. but being the eldest daughter of an with all things relating to school. I In Ireland, your application to a mind creating schedules and immigrant family has given me an don’t four-year university is a singular test, helping with homework, but the difknown as the Leaving Cert. The betindependence and work ethic that ference in how much help and advice ter you score, the wider your selection my brother is receiving from me and I am appreciative of.” of universities and majors. Grades, our family is not lost on me. I know harder classes, extracurriculars and I organized my own life because no whatever other achievements we one in my family knew how to help cram onto our American college applications mean nothing. me, and that makes me feel pride more than resentment. It hasn’t Throughout my time in school, my job has been understanding always been fair or easy, but being the eldest daughter of an immithe tangled mess that is American college admissions. I learned grant family has given me an independence and work ethic that I what a SAT was, when I needed to take it, where to study and am appreciative of. what a “good” score was. I figured out what an AP test was and why I needed to take these classes.

It took me reading the three-inch thick books that detailed every college in existence, writing endless lists of criteria and schools to finally understand.

I have spent a good portion of my teenage years listening to peers complain about college counselors and weekly practice SATs and NASA internships and who knows what else their parents forced into their lives. I have never felt that I was missing out on anything; on the contrary, hav-

CULTURE • 15

EVELYN ZHANG

M

y parents immigrated to the United States from China, get a job and earn a good living to be able to provide for my parmy mom from Beijing and my dad from Changshu. ents in the future. As the firstborn, I feel the burden, or rather the Both of them arrived in the United States to fulfill the responsibility, of supporting my parents when they’re older more “American dream.” They carried the burdens of their past and than my younger brother does, because of the Confucian values I their aspirations for their future in the hopes of providing their grew up with. This particular value is built upon the expectation children with more opportunities than they had. that the eldest child has the duty of taking care of their aging Although I feel like my identity is composed of bits and pieces parents as a sign of respect, love and duty. of other people’s identities and what Chinese culture also places a I’ve learned from others, I think my large emphasis on the success and “Although I feel like my identity dad has contributed to shaping my importance of their first child, is composed of bits and pieces of identity the most. As someone who which is another component of my grew up extremely poor but was other people’s identities and what parents’ upbringings that’s found its able to attend Tsinghua Univerplace in my upbringing. Although I’ve learned from others, I think my I’m only three years older than my sity, the top university in China, he greatly emphasizes diligence, dad has contributed to shaping my brother, I sometimes have to assume patience and confidence. Studying the “adult” role to fulfill this responidentity the most.” hard obviously contributed to his sibility towards my parents. Though success, but he also talks about how this has made me more indepenessential confidence is to take risks and how equally important dent, it has also put more pressure on me to make my parents patience is for those risks to pay off. He teaches me to be polite proud. It also makes me feel like I have less people to confide in. I but assertive; to never give in but still be empathetic. The values sometimes feel suffocated; since I’m expected to act like an adult, that he’s instilled in me have significantly impacted my identity, I feel like I can’t discuss some matters with my parents. However, work ethic and personality. my brother can always confide in me, and I’m glad he has someHowever, because my parents were still able to immigrate here one to look up to and to guide him through life. despite the countless struggles they both went through, such as my Growing up as the eldest immigrant daughter gifted me with mom’s family being persecuted during the Cultural Revolution, traits that I truly treasure about myself and had a profound I feel like I have a duty to repay my parents, to make sure their impact on my identity. Despite the burdens it has also come with, sacrifice to immigrate to America was worth it. This mindset has I’m proud of the person that I’ve become. pushed me to become a diligent and studious person so that I can

16 • cmagazine.org

Text and design by AIDAN DO, JEREMY PENG and BROOKE THRELKELD • Photos by JEREMY PENG

littleJOYS

Anne Threlkeld & Zoe Hayward

The building blocks that make up the

identities of people in the Paly community

Sana Muneyb

Hailey Beck & Zoe Norall

Super Fan Dan

Sage Loomis

Olga Muys

CULTURE • 17

E

Little Destressors

Esther Chung & Alisha Chang

ach day, Paly students pass by hundreds of their peers as they go to and from their classes, but rarely do they stop to consider who the people around them actually are.

Every person is unique, and Paly students are no exception— from the wide variety of hobbies they have to their most impactful experiences in life, each person has a different story that has shaped who they are today, and who they will become.

To explore the diverse backgrounds and ideas from a variety of paly figures we have chosen to interview randomly selected individuals on Paly campus to share their story.

Danny Peters

Chung often turns to the advice of her older sister when overwhelmed in order to remind herself of the importance of looking at the bigger picture. Doing so helps her recognize things like the fact that having one assignment not going her way will not have a significant impact on the future.

“I feel like [for] students, a lot of their lives revolve around grades and college but look at the bigger picture,” Chung said.

“My sister said that you don’t need to stress about every single assignment, which can help balance your well-being and mental health, social life, as well as school.”

Sophomore Alisha Chang follows a similar approach to managing stress. Instead of dwelling on the bad, Chang is motivated For junior Itzel Torres, her passions include basketball, to keep a positive mindset. which she aspires to continue pursuing in college.

“What calms me down when things are get“I play [basketball] almost every day,” Torting bad is focusing on what’s going well,” res said. “It motivates me to keep going in life Chang said. and keep working hard.”

“I think my younger self Focusing on the positives in life can help Although they seem simple, routine acremind someone of what is going right, tions people implement into their daily would think I’m a lot rather than focusing on what could go rituals often help Paly students start and more silly than I used wrong.

Chang has used her strategy to finish their days strong. help manage her anxiety and view herFor senior Olga Muys, greeting her to be. Honestly I used self in a positive way. cat every morning is a small action that to be way too serious as The different experiences students sets her day in motion. have play a significant role in shaping “Just seeing him in the morning is a a child, so I don’t think who they have become today. moment that makes me happy and helps it’s a bad thing.” me get ready for the day,” Muys said.

Sophomore Zoe Hayward also finds joy in spending time with loved ones, and eating Many students, like senior Danny Peters, dinner with her family is something that she credits have lived in other places before moving to Palo Alto. with bringing a satisfying end to each day.

“I moved here from Half Moon Bay when I was five,” “It’s really nice talking to [my family], spending time with them Peters said. “It was a cool experience [to live in Half Moon Bay], and going over what happened in my day,” Hayward said. but was a change from the beach vibe to more of a city vibe when In a community so overrun by academic pressure, simple every- I moved to Palo Alto.” day actions help Paly students manage the stress they face.

The environments that people live in can have a large impact Paly sophomore Esther Chung has accumulated a variety of on the events in their lives. When Hayward was starting sixth ways that she finds helpful to manage her stress. grade, she moved to Palo Alto from Alameda, which served as a “What I like to do to destress is to go on small walks around my major turning point in her life. neighborhood, listen to music and try to not let all [of] the things I “Moving to Palo Alto when I was younger was the most imhave going on, like school, get to me,” Chung said. pactful moment in my life,” Hayward said. “I met a lot of new

Daily Joys

Olga Muys, senior

18 • cmagazine.org

Many Pasts

people and friends, and that’s shaped who I am.” job is, is the ultimate goal.

The friends and encounters students have with people often “I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up,” Chung have a large influence on students’ lives, from the support and valu- said. “Just finding something that I actually enjoy and pursuing it, able lessons they learn. For Torres, her mom has served as a signif- that is my main goal.” icant role model in her life and impacted who she is as a person.

Senior Jasmine Kapadia shares this sentiment and holds great “I really appreciate how patient she is with me and my dad value in doing something that will make herself proud. and all my siblings,” Torres said. “She’s taught me a lot of lessons “[My goal is] just making my childhood self proud,” Kapadia throughout my life.” said. “I want to accomplish the things that she wanted to do and The birth of Torres’ younger sister was a life-changing event become someone who would make all my past selves happy.” that has heavily impacted her.

Although Kapadia has not done all the things her younger self “It taught me a lot,” Torres said. “I was able to learn at a young thought she would, Kapadia still believes her younger self would age the way people grow and develop.” be proud.

Transformative events like these allow people to de“My younger self was very ambitious, but she’d be velop their character by pushing them out of their proud that I’m at least taking steps to where I want comfort zones. to be,” Kapadia said.

“I still don’t know For senior Saam Mohsenian, moments Balancing life can be hard, especially for where he faced his fears have been eshigh school students. However, pushing what I want to do pecially important. While in Hawai’i, through the challenges they face has alwhen I grow up. Just Mohsenian overcame his fear of cliff lowed many students to believe that their jumping. past selves would be proud of who they finding something that “I just took it with an open mind and are today.

I actually enjoy and jumped,” Mohsenian said.

“I think my younger self would be The decision to face fears, small or proud just because I got into college,” persuing that is my large, allows a person to gain confidence Beck said. main goal.” in trying new things, which helps people Growing up has also caused some studiscover more about themselves. dents to be different than they once thought Paly’s Super Fan Dan never expected to they would be. attend all of Paly’s sporting events.

“I think my younger self would think I’m a “I think my younger self [would] be surprised lot more silly than I used to be,” Muys said. “Hon[by] who I am and what I’m doing today,” Dan said. estly, I used to be way too serious as a child, so I don’t “When I was younger I wasn’t an athlete.” think it’s a bad thing.”

Despite not being what Super Fan Dan expected, supporting Chung also believes that her past self would be proud, and the athletes is one of Dan’s main joys in life. shares Muys’ experience of growing into a new person.

“It’s nice to be able to support the athletes,” Dan said. “I love “Back then, I always wondered who I would be, who I would be the athletes. It brings out the best in me.” friends with,” Chung said.

Every student has small things that shape who they are, the events and people in their lives impacting their sense of motivation and their aspirations. While outside influences can play important Despite the future being unknown, Paly students have a variety roles in the growth of one’s identity, what is most important is to of different goals that they are trying to achieve. For students like stay true to one’s self. senior Hailey Beck, finding a job that can ensure financial stability “Be yourself,” Hayward said. “That’s the best thing you could is their dream. However, for students like Chung, finding what that do.”

Esther Chung, sophomore

New Beginnings

CULTURE • 19 Itzel Torres

Adrian Faust

Jasmine Kapadia

Untangled Embracing natural beauty despite the stigma surrounding textured hair

H

air is a natural component of the human body. Everyone has it, yet society deems some types of hair more beautiful than others, leaving others feeling self-conscious about their own hair. Glossy, pin-straight hair is favored over fluffy, textured curls. People whose hair does not fit this beauty standard are often unable to count on society’s acceptance for their hair type and must then find their own way to appreciate and love this part of themselves.

From TikTok hair tutorials to shampoo advertisements, the media has consistently perpetuated a Euro-centric beauty standard when it comes to hair.

“There are still a lot of people that think straight, blonde, shiny hair is what is beautiful, and not [any] other hair that you have,” senior Danica Wolf said.

According to Wolf, movies have also pushed the narrative of white beauty standards. With blond hair and blue eyes, the main character always has the classic features that society deems as beautiful.

“If you didn’t fit this one [beauty] standard, you were judged for it,” Wolf said.

Senior Jaelyn Mitchell believes that while beauty standards are becoming more diverse and inclusive of various hair types, there are still fractures within the curly hair community. “[The beauty standard] is not just straight hair, we’re also starting to accept loose curls,” Mitchell said. “But we have to accept all curls and coils.”

Beauty standards that revolve around perfectly straight, white hair also leave no room for appreciation of other types of hair textures, leaving people of color with these hair types underrepresented and po-

“

tentially feeling unseen.

“Generally, I feel like white people are pretty much the beauty standard, and there isn’t that much emphasis on people’s natural hair and the beauty of different textures,” junior Carter Blair said.

Having a different hair type can lead to hair discrimination, a concept known as texturism. As president of Paly’s Black Student Union (BSU), Blair notes that oftentimes, Black hair textures can bring unwanted attention.

Fakatou said.

Even seemingly innocent ignorance can leave those with textured hair outside the ‘norm’ of having straight glossy hair, leaving some feeling ashamed.

“I would just shave [my hair] off because I would feel embarrassed by it,” Fakatou said. “When I would get braids, I felt embarrassed that people didn’t know what it was, and they would ask me questions about it.”

For senior Caeleigh Rich, her hair journey began in her middle school years, when she began to observe that the curly hair she and her friends had were different from what was seen as "the norm."

“Middle school was when I saw a lot of my friends who had curly hair straighten it every single morning,” Rich said.

The negative associations that society assigns to hair different from the straight white standard leaves those without such hair feeling ashamed and out of place.

But any action taken to combat negative feelings can amount to rejecting their natural hair.

“I think subconsciously when you hear [negative] stuff about your hair, or about any part of you, it’s not going to make you feel good,” Rich said.

It might be easy for those with hair that fits professionalism to dismiss those who feel pressured to alter their natural, textured hair as being needlessly insecure or self-intolerant.

This may be because the negative impacts of the existing straight white hair standard are much more visible to people with textured hair, who have to change their hair in order to be seen as desirable, conventionally attractive or just "normal."

A lot of kids, especially in Palo Alto, used to make fun of my haircuts and the way that my hair stands up.”

20 • cmagazine.org

- Jordan Fakatou, 12 “I’ve had days when my hair becomes more goofy, and I don’t blend in,” Blair said. “Wearing my natural hair makes me stand out, and some days, I don’t want to stand out.”

Texturism comes in various shapes and sizes, and is often directly associated with racism. People often limit a person’s hair to their ethnic and racial identity, to the detriment of the person in question.

“I know that when I was younger, my hair color and [hair] texture contrasted with my paler skin, which made a lot of people question my ethnicity and race,” Blair said.

The reaction that a person receives for their hair from their community and those around them can impact their own opinion of their hair, especially in children who have not yet developed a concrete identity.

“Growing up, a lot of kids, especially in Palo Alto, used to make fun of my haircuts and the way that my hair [stood] up because of my type of hair,” senior Jordan

Caeleigh Rich, 12 CULTURE • 21

Kylie De La Cruz, 11

“People are afraid to wear their natural hair because of professionalism standards, not looking similar to some of your peers or not having your hair looking exactly how it looks on TV commercials,” Mitchell said.

As a Black child, Mitchell would look at white influencers on YouTube for hair inspiration. However, she found herself puzzled when the hairstyles she saw on her screen did not look the same on her hair.

“I thought that there was something wrong with my hair,” Mitchell said.

“But in reality, we just had completely different hair textures, and there was nothing wrong with my hair.”

Throughout the years, Mitchell has come to learn that weighing yourself against others is unproductive, whether it has to do with hair or not.

“Not comparing myself to people that have completely different hair textures to me started my hair journey to make me feel more comfortable with my hair,” Mitchell said.

However, feeling comfortable with your own hair, although a beautiful sentiment, is easier said than done. “[Accepting my hair] has definitely been a rocky journey,” Mitchell said. “But now, washing and detoxing my hair is part of my daily self-care routine.”

Due to the thick nature of Black hair, there is more versatility when it comes to styling.

“My hair can be all different types of

“

things,” Mitchell said. “I have cornrows, but my hair can be straight. My hair can be curly, or I could have dreadlocks, or a wig or a weave.”

The thickness and fragility of textured hair requires more time and effort to take care of compared to straight hair.

needs.

“Instead of trying to hide my hair, I realized I actually really like it,” Rich said. “I want to make it better and take better care of it.”

Hearing constant negative comments about her hair, Rich found it difficult to love herself, but as time passed, Rich has learned to push past other people’s opinions. However, hair acceptance is not always a linear journey.

“I’ve definitely had days where I just hate the way my hair looks and I’m just like ‘there’s nothing I can do to fix it,’” Rich said.

People with curly hair often have to overcome the stigma they may feel toward their hair. Once they embrace their hair, they can blossom.

“I definitely appreciate my hair a lot more [now] than when I was younger, it is a part of me,” Rich said. “I feel like it’s one of the first things people notice about me.”

Accepting your hair can encourage a willingness to experiment and explore its possibilities.

“I definitely recommend taking the time to get to know your hair because nobody’s hair is the same, and things are going to work for your hair that don’t work for everyone else’s,” Rich said.

While Fakatou was initially taken aback by the hair discrimination that he has experienced, he now aims to bring more acceptance and love towards natural hair.

“Just own your hair,” Fakatou said.

“There’s nothing you can do to change

Over time, I’ve learned to love and understand that standing out makes me special and makes me who I am.”

- Carter Blair, 11 “It usually takes me about an hour and 30 minutes to wash my hair, and detangling it and then styling it is like another hour and 30 minutes,” Mitchell said. “Together, it usually takes three hours.”

The countless steps in Mitchell’s wash routine, while often tedious, have allowed her to develop a closer relationship with her hair and herself.

“Taking care of your hair is taking care of yourself,” Mitchell said.

While society has made some progress towards accepting all types of hair, microaggressions, while seemingly harmless, are still made and resonate with the person receiving them.

“People have asked ‘can I touch it’ or ‘your hair is so pretty, what are you mixed with,’” Mitchell said.

Accepting your natural hair is connected to making peace with yourself and your

Text and design by OLIVIA HAU, JULIE HUANG and KYLIE TZENG • Photos by KELLYN SCHEEL and KYLIE TZENG 22 • cmagazine.org

oJ Jordan rdan aF Fakatou, katou, 12 12

CULTURE• 23

“

All hair is beautiful. [Whether it is] kinky, curly, straight, wavy, don’t be afraid to wear your natural hair.”

Jaelyn Mitchell, 12 24 • cmagazine.org

your hair, and no matter what, there will always be people saying something.”

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he founded his own hair-cutting business, where he focuses on empowering other curly-haired people.

“I have curly hair so I want to help [people with curly hair too] more,” Fakatou said. “I go out of my way to take care of their hair because I know what it’s like.”

People with curly hair types are presented with a choice: either keep their hair in a natural state and face potential judgment from society, or change themselves in order to escape criticism.

“I like my hair and I don’t want to have to change it because of other people’s opinions about it,” Wolf said.

Wolf strongly believes in staying true to yourself. Not giving in to peer pressure and keeping her hair in its natural form is her way of accomplishing that.

“You shouldn’t feel pressure to change your hair just because other people are,” Wolf said. “Especially because everyone’s hair is different, and if you know that’s not something you want to do, then just don’t do it.”

Naturally textured hair can be highly noticeable among a crowd, but unapologetically accepting these qualities makes a powerful statement.

“You standing out might make someone else want to stand out as well,” Mitchell said.

Different hair types can bring forth different experiences, but it is important to recognize the beauty in every person’s hair.

“All hair is beautiful,” Mitchell said. “[Whether it is] kinky, curly, straight, wavy, don’t be afraid to wear your natural hair.”

The empowerment of natural hair began during the Black Power movement in the 1960s and 1970s, when the afro rose in popularity. Black people began to reclaim this traditionally discriminated against hairstyle.

“I feel like in recent years it’s more acceptable to wear your hair in a natural state, but there are still lots of people who consider it unprofessional,” Blair said. “And by doing so, it’s almost like a movement.”

In today’s world, different instances of

texturism have arisen. The Kardashian family has exploited Black culture countless times, including wearing box-braids without acknowledging the cultural significance of this hairstyle.

“It’s really important that people understand that their hair is part of their identity, even if it’s something that they feel embarrassed of,” Blair said.

Rewriting the hair narrative is a key component in empowering people with textured hair.

“I’ve come to learn and love the texture of my hair, and how to style it and make sure that it’s healthy,” Blair said.

The journey to being comfortable with one’s hair can take time, but that time is worth taking.

“Over time, I’ve learned to love and understand that standing out makes me special and makes me who I am,” Blair said.

Unconditional self-acceptance is something that everyone can strive for. Accepting the hair you were born with is a step closer to reaching that goal.

“It’s important to love every part of yourself,” Blair said. “That can mean taking time to learn how to do your hair, which brings you closer to a better version of yourself who is more in tune with your identity.”

Wearing hair in its natural state can be simply a matter of personal preferences, but it simultaneously carries a deeper meaning.

In a society that devalues "conventionally unattractive" hair types, being unconditionally comfortable with your hair is not just a healthy sign of self-worth but also a quiet protest against the current beauty standard.

“You’re saying that you accept yourself and this is who you are,” Blair said. “You shouldn’t have to change yourself to fit into a standard of what’s deemed as professional.”

Still, it is important to recognize the personal aspect, fulfillment, and sense of identity that hair acceptance can grant us all. “[Your hair] is honestly not something that’s going to change,” Blair said. “By accepting your hair, you accept all of yourself.”

CULTURE • 25

Summertime SiPS Dive into summer with a couple of C Mag’s cold drinks Summer is a time to kick back, relax and soak up the sun. The only thing missing is a refreshing, ice-cold drink. The flavors of these C Mag-created drinks are sure to spark your taste buds and make your summer more enjoyable. Try these recipes at your next pool party, barbecue or summer picnic—they are sure to be crowd pleasers! We hope you enjoy our spins on these classic summer staples!

THE CLASSIC PIÑA COLADA Even better than buying the pre-made drink at your local grocery store, this homemade tropical frozen treat will be sure to delight your summer cravings. This virgin Piña Colada offers the iconic combination of sweet pineapple and luscious coconut. The addition of vanilla ice cream adds an extra sweet, creamy frothiness that compliments the pineapple-coconut flavors perfectly.

Serving Size: 2 cups INGREDIENTS 4 tablespoons of coconut cream 1 cup pineapple juice 2 cups frozen pineapple 2 cups ice 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream 2 slices of pineapple for garnish STEPS 1. Prepare all ingredients and pour them into a blender 2. Blend all ingredients until smooth (add more ice and frozen pineapple for a thicker consistency) 3. Pour into glasses, and add a pineapple slice for garnish

26 • cmagazine.org

Text and design by ISAAC HILLESLAND and JULIA RAGNO • Photos by JULIA RAGNO

STRAWBERRY MINT REFRESHER Not just your ordinary lemonade, this strawberry mint refresher is perfect for a hot summer day. This sweet and tangy lemonade has all the citrusy-brightness offered by a traditional lemonade with a special fruity sweetness added by the strawberry, as well as a gorgeous cardinal red color. The addition of mint leaves elevates this beverage and adds a pop of color into the mix.

Serving Size: 2 cups INGREDIENTS 1 cup of sugar 2 cups of water 1 cup of lemon juice (approx. 8 lemons) 1/2 cup of strawberries 4 mint leaves 1 cup of ice STEPS 1. Boil water on the stove 2. Add sugar and stir until dissolved in water 3. Turn the stove off 4. Juice lemons and add into pot of water 5. Mix and taste, add more lemon juice or sugar to your liking 6. Purée strawberries and scoop into each cup 7. Pour the lemonade into cups and garnish with mint leaves

check out the qr code for a secret recipe!

CULTURE • 27

Desired Dissociation The implications of a controversial and increasingly popular form of feminism

28 • cmagazine.org

Text and design by REYA HADAYA, EMMA JOING and MARILYN YIN • Art by APRIL WU

S

he is unfulfilled in her relationships, she reels over the acci- women and empower men. dental death of her best friend and she is constantly seekWomen’s internalization of this concept is a manifestation ing male validation. These factors drive Fleabag, the main of the male gaze, a phenomenon in which women are pervacharacter in the television series of the same name, to visit her sively percieved as objects of desire for the heterosexual male distant father and confess to him her shortcomings as a woman observer. In her novel “The Robber’s Bride,” Margaret Atwood and feminist. In this pivotal moment, Fleabag iconically encap- describes the male gaze as “a woman with a man inside watchsulates the dissociated female experience. ing a woman.”

“I have a horrible feelMany women can, figing,” Fleabag said. “[That] uratively speaking, step “With [a stance of passivity] comes a I am a greedy, perverted, outside of their body and selfish, apathetic, cynical, new lack of action, complacency and view themselves from the depraved, morally bankrupt third-person perspective of woman who can’t even call acceptance that conforms to the misogynist a prospective viewer, alignherself a feminist.” ing themselves with the male Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s stereotypes [women] are being subjected to gaze’s desires. fictional character Fleabag As some women come to from the very start.” maneuvers her life using this awareness, many adopt self-destructive tendencies as a passive approach to their a coping mechanism. Fleadaily encounters with misogbag maintains her boldness yny and sexism rather than despite the fact that she is indignant and grieving, attempting to attempting to change this narrative. Writer Emmeline Clein recover from her trauma while rejecting everyone who tries to coined this phenomenon “dissociation feminism” in her article aid her healing process.

“The Smartest Women I Know are All Dissociating.”

Like Fleabag, people socialized as girls implicitly learn that This mindset recognizes the society judges them foremost on their desirability and likeabil- plight of women’s libity. Both of these qualities are based on women’s fulfillment of eration but beauty standards and lifestyles that are designed to degrade choos-

Dana Toussieh, senior

CULTURE • 29

“I have a horrible feeling I am a greedy, perverted, selfish, apathetic, cynical, depraved, morally bankrupt woman who can’t even call herself a feminist.”

Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) in “Fleabag”

30 • cmagazine.org

es to abide by a lifestyle that makes a woman’s existence in society more manageable or, in other words, more numb.

Senior Samantha Yamashita sees dissociated feminists as a collection of women who understand the systemic barriers of misogyny and sexism but feel that attempting to break down those barriers is futile.

“Some people have taken a more cynical angle on [dissociaton feminism] and take that to mean we can’t make any more progress, we’ve reached the limit and that we shouldn’t pretend or put up this facade of true equality,” Yamashita said.

While Yamashita agrees that a dissociated feminist can be destructive, she empathizes with the place of helplessness from which their mindset is derived.

“I started to identify more with the roots or the common sentiment of [dissociation feminism], but I’ve also understood the viewpoint that being cynical and giving up could be disruptive and unproductive in the long run,” Yamashita said.

Yamashita finds a connection, not necessarily a contradiction, between dissociation feminism and Girlboss feminism, a term popularized by entrepreneur Sophia Amoruso that encourages women to climb the ladder of capitalism and patriarchy for individual success.

“When you first think about feminism, a lot of the more positive ‘We can do this,’ ‘Girl Power’ [and] ‘Girlboss’ attitude first comes to mind,” Yamashita said. “Dissociation feminism is not a counter argument [to that] but pushes back on it because it acknowledges more of the structural barriers that exist for women in today’s day and age.”

A core belief of Girlboss feminism is that gender equality can be achieved if women attain high-power positions within already-existing, inequitable social structures. The term “Girlboss” is widely used amongst people to commemorate a woman who has claimed power or success, throwing other women under the bus to claw her way onto Forbes’ 30 under 30 list, Cady Heron style.

“It’s almost as if that’s the only content you’re feeding the mainstream,” Yamashita said. “That could make people complacent or make people think that we’ve finished the job, but that’s not really the case.”

Another form of feminism that is often connoted with dissociation feminism is white feminism, an approach to achieve gender equality that emphasizes obtainment of power without analysis of its redistribution. This concept is defined by Koa Beck in Marie Solis’ article “Koa Beck on dismantling the persistence of white feminism” and lacks the intersectional approach necessary for women’s liberation.

“My first thought was that white feminists would be able to [dissociate] without suffering as much harm,” Yamashita said.

“But my second thought was that I also associate white feminism very much with the Girlboss movement. Non-white feminists would be more aware of the reality of the situation, so that would make them more so dissociated feminists.”

Senior Dana Toussieh believes a distinction exists between Dissociation feminism and its adjacent behaviors are most awareness of the patriarchy’s effects and the consequent actions displayed on social media apps such as Instagram, TikTok and taken from women who have different levels of privilege. In Twitter. Toussieh has noticed that social media allows dissocimany situations, women may adopt a compliant approach that ated feminists to find community and common understanding is necessary for the preservation of their credibility, energy and that does not always create a positive effect. safety. However, when women take a stance of passivity and “There’s this entire web platform of people who bond over indulge in self-destructive tendencies in situations where they how they cope with these issues in self-destructive ways,” Toushave access to a support system, social capital and a higher level sieh said. of privilege, they reinforce the oppressive systems that subjugate When social media creates an echo chamber of women feelmarginalized people and other women. ing hopeless and detached from the mainstream feminist move“One form of complacency is forced, and the other one is ment, many women latch onto this sentiment. complacency by choice,” Toussieh said. “For one side, you are “Some people on the internet are particularly susceptible to literally unsafe in a situation if you stand up for yourself or the influence of other people,” Toussieh said. “[They] might speak out. For the other side, you no longer face the frustration start to think that those circumstances are not just desirable but and the responsibility to try to make a change for yourself or for almost necessary to their womanhood, that the essence of being other women because you’ve adopted this idea of inevitability a woman is to sit through these circumstances and face them and nihilism.” with a bottle of wine.”

Women who fit into the adapting prototype of a socially acDissociation feminism is portrayed and referenced in the ceptable woman can rid themselves of their responsibility to television series “Fleabag.” Many dissociated feminists have challenge or reevaluate the refered to their state of hopepower dynamics from which lessness and cynicism as their they benefit and from which “I started to identify more with the roots “Fleabag era,” relating to less privileged women do not self destructive beor the common sentiment of [dissociation Fleabag’s benefit. havior.

“They’re at a disadvan- feminism], but I’ve also understood the “Dissociation feminism tage in the sense that they shows women’s more negaare subject to feminist issues viewpoint that being cynical and giving tive view on things and exas a woman, but they’re at an pression that things aren’t advantage within the female up could be disruptive and unproductive perfect,” Yamashita said. population,” Toussieh said.

“So I see the connection to in the long run.”

“So they’re doing themself Fleabag because dissociation and other women a disservice feminism does the same thing in a way that tangibly imbut with the feminist movepacts [other women’s] lives.” ment in general.”

Many women can entirely and willingly conform to the However, Yamashita generally disagrees with the sentiment structures that subjugate marginalized people and other wom- that the series “Fleabag” glorifies dissociation feminism, and as en because their stance of passivity will not fundamentally alter an avid fan of the show, she finds that it presents an alternatively their life circumstances or social standing. Instead, they can si- powerful feminist message. multaneously numb themselves to and smirk at the ubiquitous “I think what makes ‘Fleabag’ so empowering and feministic existence of the patriarchy and other oppressive systems. in and of itself is that it shows all these traditionally non-femi“[A woman’s] mindset and the way that they act according- nine qualities that aren’t typically portrayed,” Yamashita said. ly are impacted by their dissociation feminism,” Toussieh said.

The show’s portrayal of the titular character as a well-round“It’s going to shift their attitude and consequently their actions, ed person who experiences a complex range of emotions can but the grounds that they stand on are not going to be moved by be empowering to those watching, but when combined with the their complacency or acceptance.” influence of social media platforms like TikTok, the messages This reaction to institutionalized oppression, in which wom- present in the show can be skewed and misconstrued to romanen detach their consciousness from their responsibility of ac- ticize learned helplessness. tion, is an essential part of the white woman experience.

“I think that it is really validating to see those complex fe“With [a stance of passivity] comes a new lack of action, male emotions that you don’t normally see on TV in [‘Fleabag’] complacency and acceptance that conforms to the misogynist and in such a real light,” Yamashita said. “I wouldn’t say it’s stereotypes [women] are being subjected to from the very start,” necessarily damaging to the viewer, but I feel like there defiToussieh said. nitely should be a limit to how cynical or how negative we get.”

Samantha Yamashita, senior

CULTURE • 31

A

MOMENT

CAPTURED Gordon Parks uses his camera as a weapon against injustice in the Cantor Arts Exhibit, “A Loaded Camera: Gordon Parks”

Photos courtesy of GORDON PARKS FOUNDATION

32 • cmagazine.org

Text and Design by CAITLYN ODA and CASEY WALTERS

A

Loaded Camera: Gordon Parks” features the work of African-American photojournalist Gordon Parks and showcases his groundbreaking impact on American history. As a self-taught photographer, Parks highlighted Black people’s everyday lives and broke the socioeconomic barriers surrounding himself.

As a tribute to his work, Elizabeth Mitchell, the co-director at the Cantor Arts Center in Palo Alto, curated a threepart collection of his photographs, with the last part on view until July 3. Mitchell began the process of curating the exhibition to showcase Parks’s storytelling ability.

Photo courtesy of CASEY WALTERS “Parks was so incredibly talented at focusing on just a few people and using those human figures in their setting… his portrayal of “A Harlem Family 1967.” to tell a story, just in one photograph,” Parks lived in a poverty-stricken family’s Mitchell tenement and took portraits said. of their daily life.

“He showed Parks “To get those stories, you focused build trust, and you walk in economic, very real his work else’s shoes,” Mitchcircumstances around someone during the ell said. “You don’t just read 1950s and about it and experience it at him that showed 60s and a distance, you have to really document- how institutionalized be there.” ed the When “A Harlem Family racism was and is in stories of 1967” was published, the America.” the people audience response was immehe encounmonetary -Elizabeth Mitchell diate—including tered. He support. photoEven today, Park’s authengraphed oppressed people throughout the tic and important work continues to have Civil Rights era and during times of social a positive, emotional effect on people. unrest.

Jade Minskoff, a Paly junior and AP Art “He took a lot of, at the time, really History student, visited challenging images and showed Black the exhibit with her class Americans living as they absolutely live,” on a field trip.

Mitchell said.

“There’s a lot of conIn the 1950s and 60s, it was unusual to sistency,” Minskoff said. photograph people in disadvantaged sit“There’s realness in it. uations, especially when taken by a Black There’s emotion. It’s raw. photographer. Parks represented a shift in It’s how life is, and he American society as a Black photographer really goes out of his way documenting Black experiences in a world to portray that.” primarily dominated by white photogAfter attending the raphers. Ultimately, Parks felt it was his exhibit, Minskoff found mission to show the truth of America. a deeper appreciation for “He showed economic, very real photography as a whole. circumstances around him that showed Parks’s photos helped her realize the sighow institutionalized racism was and is in nificance of capturing an entire narrative America,” Mitchell said. into a single shot.

One particular image that captures “Realizing that there’s an ability to the “realness” of Parks’s photographs is show so much emotion and so much con-

text from just one photo made me appreciate photos even more,” Minskoff said.

The exhibit helped Minskoff acknowledge the importance of imperfections in art to show a genuine story.

“In our society, we’ve been conditioned to think that a photo is supposed to be perfect,” Minskoff said. “I want to see the realness and the beauty and actually how life is.”

Parks’s photos illuminate a discussion of racism and inequality in America, a topic that is still relevant today.

“It’s good to remember that there were people photographing this [racism] and the circumstances around this decades ago,” Mitchell said. “We’ve been having these conversations and finding these things out for a very long time.”

Parks’s work continues to influence modern-day views of prejudice and racism, and change perceptions around the art of photography.

The impact Parks leaves behind creates an eye-opening view of our country and society for all who experience his art.

“It’s often said that Gordon Parks showed America Black America,” Mitchell said. “But I think it’s more accurate to say he showed America to America.”

“I want to see the realness and the beauty and actually how life is.”

-Jade Minskoff

ART • 33

M Max ax Barthelemy Text and design by NATALIE HMELAR and MATHEW SIGNORELLO-KATZ • Art by MAX BARTHELEMY

Featured

ArtIst:

One paly Senior's Journey as a comIc artIst

A

piece of paper and a set of pencils are all Paly senior Max Barthelemy needs for his artistic endeavors.

Drawing has always been a passion of his and something he has had an interest in his whole life. Barthelemy’s artistic inspiration was ignited at a very young age after his uncle gifted him some comics.

“I got some comics from my uncle, like Spider Man and Batman, and I just wanted to recreate those characters in that style,” Barthelemy said.

Comic art was one of the first drawing styles that intrigued Barthelemy. Ever since he began reading comic books he has been practicing and perfecting his personal artistic style.

34 • cmagazine.org

“I draw every day after school, every day during school, on assignments and in notebooks all day long,” Barthelemy said.

Although currently Barthelemy primarily draws in a minimal graphic style, when he was much younger narrative illustration used to be an art form he enjoyed mimicking in his free time.

“I find a lot of inspiration [for narrative illustration] through poster artists, concept art, as well as a lot of Star Wars books and video games,” Barthelemy said.

A piece Barthelemy is especially proud of is a West-

ern-themed comic series that follows his personal favorite comic style.

“Generally, I tend to follow a minimal graphic style because that’s what I’ve found works best for me personally,” Barthelemy said.

For this piece in particular, Barthelemy plans to publish it so he can share the final product with a greater audience.

“I’m going to print out some physical copies of the comic, and I’m also going to find a site to publish it: maybe something like Webtoon,” Barthelemy said.

T h i s publishing plan has been a major step up

from where Barthemely started as an artist, as he initially would only keep his art within his immediate circle, including his friends and family. With the comic book series, he will display his art to many others far beyond his immediate friends and family.

Barthelemy broadcasts some of his work on an art-themed Instagram account. As for the integration of technology into the artistic world, something unique about the future of drawing is the ability to draw digitally and create new forms of art that were never possible prior.

“When I work digitally, I use Procreate

on the iPad which allows me to, essentially, simulate a lot of different materials,” Barthelemy said.

On the other hand, when Barthelemy decides to sketch on paper, he prefers to work with a more simple set of materials.

“I’ll also use fine tip pens and alcohol markers for drawings on paper,” Barthelemy said.

Barthelemy continues to push himself everyday to get better at his craft. This year, for instance, he decided to take an anatomy and physiology class to strengthen some of his weaknesses.

“I’m taking human anatomy and practicing drawing anatomy in perspective [to improve my art],” Barthalemy said. “So, being able to [practice drawing] from all angles and from different heights is a challenge and something I’m trying to get better at.”

As of recently, Barthelemy’s favorite comic books to read when he is not drawing himself are “Hot Guy” by Matt Fraction and “Nightwing” by Tom Taylor.

“I love how the art styles are simple, yet compelling,” Barthelemy said. “There’s just as much detail as there needs to be to tell the story, and it has simple and stunning graphics.”

As for Barthelemy’s future aspirations, he aspires to continue accomplishing his goals as an artist and working towards establishing himself more in the field. He has a lifelong dream that one day he hopes to accomplish when he is more established as an artist.

“One of my goals has always been to have my name in an art book, at the bottom of the page, [saying] ‘This page drawn by Max Barthelemy,’” Barthelemy said.

I love how the art styles are simple, yet compelling.

ART • 35

The process behind creating AP Art Portfolios and the meaning behind them

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Text and design by KAILA CHUN, EUNCHAE HONG and ANNA MARKESKY • Art by REESE FORD, KELLYN SCHEEL, RENEE VETTER and JAKE WALDO

H

ow does one assign a grade to a work of art? AP exams always have “right” and “wrong” answers, however, the idea of scoring a work of art contradicts what makes art unique. So how should art be evaluated?

Each year, AP Art students have the chance to submit a portfolio to the College Board, comprised of 13 pieces, which the students select and develop throughout the year. These works depict a variety of themes as diverse as the artists themselves.

Jake Waldo

Paly senior Jake Waldo chose to focus his AP art portfolio on the expectations that students face in Palo Alto.

“We’re in Palo Alto, and my experience [here] is a lot of over-expectations, so I decided to do the effects of it, the positives and negatives,” Waldo said.

While Waldo’s interest in art was sparked by the downtime he had when he was younger, he did not start to explore art in an academic setting until high school. “It was just something that I did as my pastime, especially when I was in competitions for gymnastics: I just had a sketchbook, so I just drew, [and] then it became something else that I did,” Waldo said. “Just recently, I took my first art class [during my] sophomore year at Paly.”

Within his portfolio, Waldo has a few pieces that he considers his favorites, one of them being “Unraveling Future,” a piece that touches on the expectations that others have placed on him.

“This [piece] shows holding over-expectations for someone,” Waldo said. “So, what’s essentially happening is, these flowers represent a better future in many cultures, and they’re basically pulling this hand in hopes of getting a better future but they’re not realizing that it’s actually doing more harm than good.”

Another one of Waldo’s works titled “Blissful Bouquet” (pictured at left) also touches on the theme of being clouded by the positive aspects of a situation and failing to acknowledge the negative aspects.

“For this one I made the flowers the focal point because of how everyone focuses on the positive [aspects] of other people’s

Reese Ford

Paly senior Reese Ford is taking her second year of AP Art and has been working on creating her portfolio all year.

“I like that unlike other classes you take in the [art] lane, you really get to choose your own adventure,” Ford said. “You get to pick a theme and then you develop 13 art pieces for the whole year, so you can really have a lot of freedom with what you do.”

Ford’s chosen theme of religion spreads a message that is per-

lives, and [how] they expect the best out of other people, but don’t focus on everything else, which is represented through the redness on the arms,” Waldo said.

The goal of Waldo’s pieces is to urge people to take a second look and reflect on how our society is structured.

“I also want [people] to understand the deeper meaning behind how students in Palo Alto, like myself, experience a lot of stress and negative effects because of all the high expectations that are placed on us,” Waldo said.

sonal and important to her. “[My theme] is providing a view on what progressive Christianity can look like since I’ve been born and raised [as] a Christian and Presbyterian, but I’m also a part of the LGBTQ community,” Ford said. “I wanted to show my experience with the religion that is so often seen as bigoted [because] there’s also this side that I discovered of other queer Christians coming (continued on next page)

ART • 37

together and embracing a progressive theology. My art is about that community.”

Ford is aware of the many stereotypes surrounding religion so she set herself the goal of portraying Christinanity in a way that is not often seen.

“I feel like whenever we talk about Christianity there’s always that risk of sounding preachy, and I don’t want to do [that],” Ford said. “My goal is to show this contrast and to show this alternate thing that exists that a lot of people don’t know about.”

Aside from the meaning behind Ford’s theme, another way she incorporated religion into her portfolio was through naming her pieces. Ford wanted to make sure that the titles of the pieces were a part of her theme.

“For this series, all the pieces are named after books in the Bible,” Ford said. “I picked [each] title and looked within the book to see what [could] be applied to the modern world and how we can be more inclusive.”

The process of choosing a theme can be difficult, as artists may struggle to decide what kind of angle they want. Ford wanted an angle portraying a topic close to her heart.

“I wanted to do something a little more serious because I feel like by making art about something really impactful to me, it [will] be more authentic and better show my voice,” Ford said.

Renee Vetter

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Paly senior Renee Vetter has a unique style that draws on cartoons as inspiration, builds on illustration programs and expresses their penchant for playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Despite warnings from Vetter’s teacher that the College Board might not reward their style with a high score, they chose to stick with it.

“My style is very different,” Vetter said. “I’m going for a more cartoony pop art feel, and my teacher did sit down with me and say ‘The College Board might not really like your style, and even though you are good at art, it might not give you a good score,’ [to which I said,] ‘That’s okay, I still want to do it.’”

Vetter aims for their portfolio to demonstrate what it can be like to exist outside of mainstream society and how

to embrace being different.

“Throughout the whole portfolio, I use the analogy of fantastical creatures like orcs and elves to represent marginalization [...] I want people to enjoy it, take it in and be like ‘wow, that’s cool,’” Vetter said.

Vetter’s signature piece features three characters waiting in line at the cash register of fast food chain IN-N-OUT. “I don’t know where the idea came from,” Vetter said. “I think the colors and the way the facial expressions appear make me happy.”

The demands on AP Art Studio students are high, with 15 projects required over the course of the class and deadlines roughly every two weeks.

“I’ll be just finished with a piece and have to make a new one,” Vetter said. “I will quickly scribble some ideas in my sketchbook.”

Vetter turns to friends and everyday experiences for inspiration.

“There is one [piece] that I did about a group of characters getting ice cream,” Vetter said. “I like getting ice cream with my friends.”

UNFORGETTABLE Text and design by SOPHIA BAGINSKIS and EMMA TURNBULL • Art by KELLYN SCHEEL

ARTISTS

Music is constantly evolving with each generation, but what makes some songs stick around?

39 MUSIC •• 39

O

ne of sophomore Clare Antonow’s favorite tunes catches her ear as she cranks up the volume in her car. There is nothing like your favorite blast-from-the-past song to uplift your day, and for Antonow, this song is “American Pie” by Don McLean.

“I was six when my dad showed me this song,” Antonow said. “I loved it so much that I memorized every lyric of the eight-minute song and performed it in front of my 1st-grade class, and I still know all the words to this day.”

Songs with sentiment remain present in many people’s lives, being passed down through family members or memorable life experiences. Producing a timeless song or becoming a timeless artist—a musician whose music remains popular long beyond the peak of their career—is a difficult task for any artist to achieve. With the rapidly changing nature of pop culture and the constant cycle of trends, the musicians who are successful in keeping their music relevant deserve all the more praise.

Many musicians of the past remain

popular today because of their ability to appeal to large audiences. Some music fans, like freshman Grady McCarter, find that the quantity and variety of listeners heavily contributes to an artist’s timelessness. “[The Beatles] persisted because they made music for a large audience,” McCarter said. “They connected to the most amount of people and they did it consistently for a long time.”

The Beatles undeniably remain one of the most popular artists to this day, with an expansive range of song types that appeals to various audiences. Many believe that for an artist to succeed in being “timeless” their music needs to have variety; just as The Beatles have succeeded with this in the past, many current artists are likely to accomplish similar success and timelessness in the future.

The most notable current artist that stands out to students as a future timeless star is Taylor Swift, who is often recognized for spanning across multiple genres of music. “[Taylor Swift] started off with country and then some pop and ended up with an indie-folk type vibe,” senior Ronak Monga said. “She was [also] incredibly popular…for a lot of people growing up.”

Childish Gambino is another artist recognized for the diversity of their music by many music fans, like senior Wallie Butler. “Childish Gambino is a really good example of [versatility],” Butler said.

“Something that is remembered in really good artists is the versatility that they have in their music—people that can use their mediums well and develop great

lyricism [and] flow.”

Artists lacking variety can often also succeed in becoming a “timeless” artist by standing out as the best in their genre. “[Drake] will be the most timeless because whenever I think of rap, I think of Drake,” senior Thea Enache said. “He always finds a way to stay in the media and everything he has released has [been a] hit.”

Some one-hitwonders seem to remain

timelessly popular, regardless of their band’s success.

For senior Ella Jauregui, these songs all share a wow factor. “A song is timeless when there is at least one spot that makes you exclaim out loud, ‘damn, this is amazing,’” Jauregui said.

No matter the genre, many believe that feel-good music often contributes to an artist’s timelessness because of its ability to resonate with many generations. “[The Beatles, Bee Gees and Billy Joel’s] style of music is something that’s al-

“[Timeless musicians] are able to use their mediums really effectively and evoke a lot of emotion in music.”

Wallie Butler, senior

40 • cmagazine.org

“A song is timeless when there is at least one spot that makes you exclaim out loud, ‘damn, this is amazing.’”

Ella Jauregui, senior

ways going to sound good,” Antonow said.

“They all have their individual styles, but [their music is] consistently good and people consistently enjoy it … obviously [the music] associates with certain decades, but it can be enjoyed at any period of time.”

Like Antonow, Butler notices that music that resonates with listeners is often the music that remains popular. “[Timeless musicians] are able to use their mediums really effectively and evoke a lot of emotion in music,” Butler said. “Music that makes you feel something will last a long time because it’s more than just chords and all that.”

Emotion-evoking music is defined differently for each person; for Jauregui, music resonates with her when it’s reassuring, comforting and gives her a sense of belonging. “What will persist in the future is music that people can relate to and that makes them feel either motivated, powerful, relaxed or happy,” Jauregui said.

“Everyone wants to feel like they are in the right place, so songs that do that will definitely persist in the future.”

As far as relatable musicians go, many artists have succeeded by appealing to the teen generation by singing about common teenage experiences and emotions.

“I immediately thought of Paramore [as a timeless artist] because they definitely have a seat at the pop-punk table,” Butler said. “Their lyricism and the stuff they sing about, like teen angst, will always be relatable.”

Beyond relatable music, musicians that create a brand for themselves often gain a large fan base because of the media coverage of their relationships, outfits and social life. Artists who gain recognition in the media, whether through awards or

dramatic headlines, are usually more likely to remain relevant.

“For an artist to become popular, the music has to be good, but they also have to have [an image] that’s popular as well because of celebrity culture,” Monga said.

“They have to be interesting enough for the public to like them, but I don’t think that [their] music necessarily has to be extremely innovative.”

However, producing outstanding, innovative music can result in a trickle-down effect impacting generations of future music.

“I see a lot of reflection of [timeless artists’] style in music nowadays,” Butler said. “For example, Tame Impala has a really modern take on the psychedelic rock thing.”

Changing the sound of a decade is a difficult task, but several artists have succeeded in the past and many continue to do so. Music listeners praise Silk Sonic, Frank Ocean and Lil NAS X as progressive artists in today’s music scene.

“Silk Sonic is [a generation-defining group] because they made that music genre [soul] more accessible to everyday listeners of the radio,” Antonow said.

“Frank Ocean [was also a generational defining artist] because he started to [popularize] more ‘chill’ music—less upbeat music, but not necessarily sad music.”

Moving forward, music listeners predict that the use of electronic sounds and heavier music production will have a greater presence than traditional vocals and instruments.

“People are going to become a lot more creative,” Monga said. “Instead of just

your classic drums and guitar, I see [the use of] more sounds and interesting things. People are appreciating [unique sounds] more in music, so that will become more popular.”

Additionally, many believe that popular, timeless music will expand beyond traditional pop and into other genres. Artists like Silk Sonic are gaining greater recognition for their music in genres such as rap, soul and R&B. “[Silk Sonic is] one of the first soul types of beat that has gained a widespread appreciation,” Antonow said.

“Music genres are gaining more appreciation in general, so I’d say popular music is becoming more broad in its categories.”

MUSIC • 41

PROTOCOL Text and design by WENDY LI and WILLOW STEELE • Art by CARRIE LOHSE

PERFORMANCE

T

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, concert goers and concert performers should follow proper etiquette

he crowd cheers as Pitbull steps onto “[The Pitbull concert was] really fun the stage. Junior Katie McCluskey and everyone [was in] high energy,” Mcis among the Clusky said. crowd of excited Like the Pitbull “I think [the hype] audience members concert where the who are waiting for atmosphere is usually could be dangerous the show to start. loud and exciting as if there’s too many Around her, the atthe audience pumps mosphere becomes people and there aren’t each other up, other hectic as people beconcerts demonstrate precautions in place gin to embrace the the same traits. Sehype of the concert. nior Nicholas Shinif people are being A chair is thrown, hitghal found his time at reckless. But I think ting someone in the the BTS “Permission head. Someone falls hype is used [to create to Dance” concert a and others begin liftmemorable experian] exciting concert.” ence. ing each other onto chairs—fortunately “BTS concerts are Katie McCluskey, no one is seriously really well managed,” junior hurt.

Shinghal said. “I felt Despite the chaotsafe the entire time. ic atmosphere at the concert, McCluskey People were super respectful, [and] the enjoys how excited the audience is and the general crowd atmosphere was really electalented performer. tric. Everyone [came] from all over to see

42 • cmagazine.org

these people perform.”

People often pass around a variety of wild stories after concerts. From Lorde shushing her crowd, to audience members throwing clothing at Olivia Rodrigo, every concert creates a distinct atmosphere.

However, as the atmosphere intensifies, and people get hyped, excitement is crucial to having a good time at the concert.

“I think [the hype] could be dangerous if there’s too many people and there aren’t precautions in place if people are being reckless,” McCluskey said. “But I think hype is used [to create an] exciting concert.”

Shinghal agrees that concerts need to have some excitement, and that the stories about the dangers of any crowded event are not unique to concerts.

“I don’t feel like the hype is detrimental from my experience,” Shinghal said. “I feel like there’s always outlier situations where things are out of

hand, but I think that happens with any event where you have lots of people coming together.”

However, people can get hurt and accidents do happen at concerts. Though performers may be focused on performing, people argue that they should never place their performance above the safety of the audience.

“The show must not go on if someone is fainting [or] if there is a fire,” junior Keira Plotkin, a member of the Paly choir said.

To ensure mutual respect between performers and their audience, artists tend to make sure they are providing the safest and best experience possible.

“I think as a performer, you have an obligation to make sure that your event is being run safely, because people are coming from all over to appreciate your music,” Shinghal said. “Ultimately, you’re trying to give them the best experience possible.”

But this care should not become performative if nothing truly dangerous is happening in the crowd.

“I think the problem now is that a lot of artists are going to start [stopping the show] performatively just so [accidents] don’t happen to them,” McClusky said. “[They might] stop the show out of nowhere.”

Although different concerts require different etiquette, general concert protocol should be encouraged and carried out.

As performers for Paly’s choir, Plotkin and junior Kyle Xu understand that while they have a job to perform to the best of their abilities, the audience has responsibil-

“Have that understanding that everyone there is trying to appreciate the same [artist] that you enjoy.”

Nicholas Shinghal, senior

ities as well.

“Clap for everybody, it is hard to go up there and [sing],” Xu said. “If you like something, express it, do not make [the atmosphere] awkward.”

Even at commercial venues, the need for common etiquette remains.

“The best thing that a person can do

[at a concert] is be conscious of the people around them,” Shinghal said. “It is really easy sometimes to be super focused on the stage and forget there are other people also trying to appreciate the artists and appreciate the music.”

Common sense must also be applied to concerts in order to ensure that everyone is safe.

“I think people need to be more respectful of each other,” McCluskey said. “If you see someone on the ground, don’t just step over them, help them up. Some people aren’t in their perfect state of mind, but you [can] still be kind to everyone and be respectful of people and their boundaries.”

Though concerts can become dangerous if the audience is disrespectful and the performer is negligent, concerts are usually safe and enjoyable. With the right amount of precautions and awareness, people see concerts as exhilarating and unforgettable experiences.

“Everyone [comes] from a variety of places to experience a once in a lifetime event,” Shinghal said. “So have that understanding that everyone there is trying to appreciate the same [artist] that you enjoy. At the end of the day, you have a lot in common with these people because you’re all trying to appreciate the same thing.”

MUSIC • 43

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