Catcher Zine: Issue 2

C AT C H E R Issue 2

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Transition

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Spring 2021

tran·si·tion (n) the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another (v) to undergo or cause to undergo a process or period of transition Oxford Languages

letter·from·the·editor

‘Transition’ is the word often used to communicate changes in our lives: those that are exciting, distressing, unpleasant or somewhere in between. In our high school careers, arguably the most notable transition — an in-person to a virtual education — is one of many consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. It started when whispers traveled of a mystery ailment creeping on our local shores; soon enough jugs of hand sanitizer impeded our hallway paths, hygiene concerns soared and the world seemingly shut down overnight. As restaurants closed their doors, toilet paper flew off the shelves and Zoom communication confirmed Marty McFly’s future forecasts, a shared feeling of panic united communities who were all navigating the same strange reality together. Now, quarantine is the status quo.

Transitions occur all over the world and at all times — the pandemic has only exacerbated these changes. In this period of isolation, a great deal of change has occurred: transition of political powers, ways of learning, social and racial justice movements, to name a few.

While the vaccine roll-out expands to more age groups and areas, we gear up for a crowd-pleasing return to pre-pandemic normalcy. Though they are by no means rapid changes, there is promising progress made every day. Some students can escape the confines of their bedrooms for an in-person educational experience; restaurants are extending their seating arrangements, and, luckily, toilet paper supply is no longer a worry of the average shopper. But until more opportunities get the green light health-wise, take a moment to flip through this issue of Catcher Zine and appreciate Burlingame’s artistic talents.

Enjoy,

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Executive Editor: Alexia Goldstein Associate Editor: Farah Caban Advisor: Melissa Murphy Staff: Minaal Arain Ainsley Gutierrez Executive Editor: Alexia Goldstein Kylie Holzman Associate Editor: Farah Caban Caitlin Kall Design Editor: Audrey Limb Audrey Limb Finn Lorian Advisor: Melissa Murphy Charlotte Murdoff Morgan Rice Staff: Ruby Rosenquist

Minaal Arain Ainsley Gutierrez Kylie Holzman Caitlin Kall Finn Lorian Charlotte Murdoff Morgan Rice Ruby Rosenquist

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Transitions

By Kelly Erdenebaatar

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Control

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By Tess Dakin

Chaos

By Tess Dakin

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REALITY

A ZOOM IN: THE

OF ONLINE SCHOOL

BY MILA MULREADY

EYES

MY

Stare blankly at a screen for too many hours of the day, longing to see something else. Longing to see mother nature, to watch the sunrise at a beach, see real faces. Not just pixelated faces on a screen. I search their blank faces and wonder what they are thinking. But all I see is emptiness.

EARS

M Y

Listen to a teacher’s directions, loud and hard words, words traveling miles and miles to get to my ears through the crackling audio of the zoom. Longing to hear friends laugh, children shouting on the playground. But the friends have their mics muted, and a lock and chain surround the entrance to the playground. Silence is all I hear.

MOUTH

Hardly opens because I have no words to speak, no friends to talk to, so many thoughts in my head that I don’t translate into words. I don’t speak up in class the way I used to. Maybe I don’t care, maybe I lost my interest and enthusiasm. Maybe it doesn’t matter what I do, because this is all just a bad dream I will wake up from soon...... Right?

MY

M

as my necks loom over. The weight of Y Slouching the world keeps pressing down. I have bad pos-

BACK HANDS

ture, hunching over to type on my computer. I imagine the old people who walk down the street, backs hunched over. I hope that is not me.

MY

Type busily, clicking the keyboard keys as I write an endless stream of assignments. Click clack click clack. My hands long to paint, sculpt clay, play an instrument, throw a ball, grip a racket.

But all they do is type.

THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE. 6

I HATE COVID B Y A N T O N I O A LVA R A D O O R T I G O Z A

I feel bored during COVID-19 There is nothing to do I can’t hang out with friends I have to join a Zoom meeting every week I try to do things to entertain me I have to wear a mask everywhere I go I don’t trust anyone I have been in lockdown for a year I want to go to school I want to see my friends A lot of people don’t wear their mask, which is bad I can’t go to Six Flags I can’t go to my friends’ house I hate COVID-19

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M B D T F

Some listeners may not realize it, but the best albums are the ones that tell a story. They do so through their beats, rhythms, instruments, sequencing, lyrics, samples and features. These storytelling albums of all genres have become known as concept albums. Although they can seem like ordinary albums, a closer listen reveals a more complex storyline. My favorite concept albums include The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs and Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon. But my favorite concept album and the focus of this piece: Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The whole existence of West’s album is controversial, to say the least.

Released in 2010, the album tells a story the highs and lows of fame, love, powEAUTIFUL erofand race. It is ultimately West’s self-reflection on the ambush of hatred he received worldwide — from everyone except his fans.

After West’s incident at the 2009 Video Music Awards , where he told Taylor Swift that she did not deserve Best Music Video, West was seen by many as a villain. The press went wild, and President Obama said, “[West] is a j*******” on television. Ultimately, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy did win Best Rap Album but was not nominated for Album of t h e Year at the 2012 Grammy Awards, upsetting millions of fans. Single “All of the Lights,” featuring Billy Kraven, Kid Cudi, Fergie, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Elton John, Tony Williams, Rihanna and more, won Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Song Collaboration. It is one of my favorite albums of all time and includes some of my favorite songs. Although West may be a dramatic narcissist, he sure knows how to make some good music.

Depending on who you ask, Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy may be the greatest hip-hop album of all time.

Y

ARK

WISTED

ANTASY

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BY FARAH CABAN

The album features 13 tracks, including one interlude. The album begins with “Dark Fantasy,” a take on the concept of fame. Rapper Nicki Minaj opens the song with a variation of Roald Dahl’s Cinderella, which says that the world of Hollywood and fame seems perfect but isn’t. Behind the curtain, “it’s awful, blasted boring / Twisted fiction / Sick addiction.” West then raps, “I fantasized ‘bout [fame] back in Chicago,” which introduces the album’s central theme: idealizing fame and finding out it is not what it was cut out to be. The next track, “Gorgeous,” speaks to overcoming racism and enduring all of what society throws at you with courage and resilience. The third track, “Power,” as the name suggests, is about West’s conflicting inner relationship with power, how he handles criticism and how, “Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it.”

Although West struggles with hate, he sometimes enjoys the attention. Previously mentioned, “All of the Lights” features numerous famous artists who provide a storyline about

the motif of lights with fame: “Cop lights, flashlights, spotlights / Strobe lights, street lights.” The song starts positively, “Fast cars, shooting stars/ Until it’s Vegas everywhere we are,” and ends with, “Unemployment line, credit card declined / Did I not mention I was about to lose my mind?”

“All of the Lights” depicts the highs and lows of fame and paparazzi again, but in a narrative style.

The sixth track, “Monster,” features Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver and Nicki Minaj. West’s infamous ego shows through in this track as he says that even though everyone thinks he is a monster, “My presence is a present.” The seventh track is “So Appalled,” which details how the album was produced. West hosted the producers and featured artists in Hawaii, where they made most of the music at four in the morning. “Devil in a New Dress,” the first track on the album that details his relationship with a woman, moves away from the themes of fame and glory. “Runaway” compares his fans that he let down to a girl that he wronged with his narcissism. The

song starts with a piano melody that practically any rap fan will know, followed by, “And I always find, yeah I always find somethin’ wrong / You been puttin’ up wit’ my s*** just way too long.”

He warns the girl to run away before he hurts her.

After singing about his faults and wrongdoings in “Runaway,” the next song, “Hell of a Life,” is an honest recount of West’s journey with self-acceptance.

“Blame Game” features John Legend and lyrics that attempt to figure out who to blame for West’s chaotic life. The second to last song, “Lost in the World,” features Bon Iver and is West’s acceptance of his flaws and resolution of the polarity of the album. Last but not least, “Who Will Survive in America” abridged 1960s poet Gil-Scott Heron’s “Comment #1” that comments on the history of racism in this country and provides more perspective as to whether or not fame is worth all the drama. West will always be seen as a narcissist and “j******,” but his music is good enough to where people should overlook his reputation and enjoy it.

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Photo by Polina Poliakova, collage by Farah Caban

the mental slum by caitlin kall p At first my energy was high two weeks off and I could take my time little did I know, that the weeks bled to months and I’d soon be in a mental stump Only finished one page a day, then I’d call it a night then this little routine backed up my life I was behind, but everyone around me seemed to be on time Thought too much, learned so much from this screen with so many ties to the outside, my brain was fried if I looked again then I might cry Used the phone to medicate didn’t know I was in this crummy state could turn my face to a black screen as quick as a click then I could sit sit and stare stare and sigh but I’d still ask, why?

Then comes the weekend where I could change my mind feel good, but I’d waste my time

Watched 10 Things I Hate About You and saw 10 things I hate about me Is this who they really knew?

My voice, my body, my mind, my thoughts, that’s when I knew I had to stop Take a break, take a breath disconnect to reconnect, only with myself Because at the end of the day I lost sight of the soul beneath my shell • Have you ever listened to the beauty of silence? Because it truly speaks they say time stands still but I fear it never will I learned that time never stops clocks keep ticking, teachers keep teaching it’s going to happen whether you like it or not I learned that it’s okay not to feel okay When you have bad days, you’re allowed to hide away And most importantly: yesterday is history Tomorrow is a mystery Today is a gift, that is why it is called the present So don’t be afraid to have some fun Go out and enjoy the sun And say goodbye to the mental stump

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Urbanization

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By Cate Cattano

The Broken Circus

By Elena Hung

a sliver of sanity above an empty pit. there is no end that i can see my mask is cold, despite the warmth around me others just like me are slightly out of reach we perform for the crowd puppets on a stage a factory line of tightropes, fear, and anxiety everyone stares down at their feet. isolated in the dark there’s nowhere to escape. dearly Beloved, where did you go? isolated in the dark the storage room is cold.

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Iron Man 2.0

By Estrella Arellano

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To Start Anew

A fresh perspective A blank slate A new chapter, to anticipate The Earth shakes as a virus breaks the foundation of our once safe and healthy nation We approach the new year quite fatigued by the pace at which we were forced to lead A protest to heal wounded cries A face mask shielding our personalities A democracy crushed by fatal lies, when we hear our harsh realities But (such a piercing word)...

Brings Us Hope For 2020, all in the past, should fuel us to make an impact that lasts To learn how to love and forgive To build trusting bonds and cherish a life well-lived No need to distance when happiness is in our hearts, because pure joy comes from bandaging broken parts Embrace mistakes rather than replace For 2021 is a time of peace and grace

By Ruby Rosenquist

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Ainsley

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By Kylie Holzman

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After Rain

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By Shepard Baytan

A Secret

A secret It is hidden behind the folds of her dress, It is hidden in the kindness of his laugh, It is known by those who wish to know it.

A truth It is shouted with pride and completed by love.

It is enveloped into the fabric of the universe.

It is accepted as beautiful and honest.

A life Where you slowly become so free it’s almost suffocating.

Where we slowly become so united it almost divides.

Where I slowly become so alone it almost makes me happy.

By Shareen Ahmad

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Women’s Rights Timeline

WOMEN HAVE BEEN on this planet as long as men, yet as time moved on,

they were forgotten, and this planet became a man’s world. Nonetheless, women did not exactly brush this off. On March 31, 1776, for instance, Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her husband, one of America’s founding fathers, John Adams, urging him to “remember the ladies.” Women proceeded to point out the inequalities they faced at the Seneca Falls Convention, which sparked a path to feminism in the United States.

However, many men continued to disregard women’s demands for equality, such as when Congress went on to pass the 14th Amendment in 1866, giving all citizens the right to vote — excluding female citizens. As Adams hoped, many women continued their fight for equality inside and outside of the U.S., leading to the first celebration of International Women’s Day in many European countries on March 19, 1911. Although many women before and during our time have made history, here are some key moments of female empowerment that occurred in the last century and are often overlooked.

1920

In 1920, the 19th Amendment was finally ratified, giving women in the United States the right to vote after waiting for 42 years. The following year, Anna May Wong dropped out of high school to become a fulltime actress. She went on to become the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood.

Sources: oprahdaily.com — 36 Inspiring Women Who Changed the World history.com — Women’s History Milestones: A Timeline

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The Equal Rights Amendment, written by suffragist Alice Paul, was first presented to Congress. During the same year, Margaret Sanger opened the second birth control clinic in Brooklyn, New York, granting women bodily autonomy after her first clinic was considered illegal in 1916.

Source: postandcourier.com — The women’s rights movement: A timeline of significant events

1923

1960

The Food and Drug Administration approved the birth control pill.

Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals in the 1960 Summer Olympics, becoming the first woman to do so in track and field, despite being told she would never walk again due to polio and scarlet fever. Rudolph used her platform to fight against racism and sexism.

Source: oprahdaily.com — 36 Inspiring Women Who Changed the World

Congress passed the Equal Pay Act, guaranteeing equal pay regardless of sex, religion, race or national origin.

The Lovings, an interracial couple, wrote to Attorney General Robert Kennedy seeking help to legalize their marriage, which began the Lovings v. Virginia trial.

Valentina Tereshkova, a Russian astronaut, became the first woman in space.

Sources: biography.com — Mildred Loving postandcourier.com — The women’s rights movement: A timeline of significant events

1963

Graphics by Estrella Arellano

1964

Former President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, which bans employment discrimination based on religion, race, national origin and sex.

Constance Baker Motley became the first African American woman to serve as a senator in New York. A year later, Amelia Boynton Robinson was attacked by law enforcement during the “Bloody Sunday” march from Selma to M o n t g o m e r y, Alabama during the civil rights movement.

Source: oprahdaily.com — 36 Inspiring Women Who Changed the World

By: Minaal Arain The Supreme Court decided that the right to privacy includes an unmarried person’s right to use contraceptives.

Title IX of the Education Amendments was signed into law, essentially o u t l a w i n g discrimination on the basis of sex.

A year later, the Supreme Court determined it is constitutional for women to have an abortion.

Tennis star Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in what is known as “The Battle of the Sexes.”

Source: history.com — Women’s History Milestones: A Timeline

1972

1978

Congress passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act forbidding employment discrimination against pregnant women.

Audre Lorde released her book The Black Unicorn, which explores topics like being a woman of color, lesbian, mother and feminist. A year later, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, often described as an international bill of rights for women.

The Supreme Court declared that women not being in the draft is constitutional and overturned a Louisiana state law that dictated the husband as the head of the household with control over property that is also owned by his wife. In September 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor was sworn in to become the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Sources: postandcourier.com — The women’s rights movement: A timeline of significant events history.com — Women’s History Milestones: A Timeline

1981

Sources: postandcourier.com — The women’s rights movement: A timeline of significant events biography.com — Audre Lorde cfr.org — Landmarks in the Global Movement for Women’s Rights: A Timeline

WE CAN’T BE A DEMOCRACY IF HALF OF THE POPULATION DOESN’T HAVE AN EQUAL VOICE. THE PATH TO A HEALTHY SOCIETY IS WHEN YOUR GENDER OR IDENTITY DOESN’T LIMIT YOUR ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY. WOMEN OF ALL BACKGROUNDS HAVE VOICES THAT MATTER AND NEED TO BE HEARD, AS EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM EQUALITY. - annie miller

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1984

Representative Geraldine Ferraro from New York became the first female vicepresident nominee by a major party, nominated by Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale. In 1985, Wilma Mankiller, an Oklahoma native, became the first woman to be principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, one of the largest Indigenous tribes in America.

Janet Reno was sworn in as the first female attorney general in the U.S. That same year, The Family and Medical Leave Act went into place, allowing female workers to take maternity leave for 12 weeks after giving birth.

A year later, former President Bill Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act, providing funds to prevent, respond to and learn about gender-based crimes such as domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, stalking, etc.

Sources: history.com — Women’s History Milestones: A Timeline postandcourier.com — The women’s rights movement: A timeline of significant events

1993

Sources: oprahdaily.com — 36 Inspiring Women Who Changed the World history.com — Women’s History Milestones: A Timeline

WE HAVE TO SPEAK FOR OURSELVES. WE CANNOT DEPEND ON OTHERS TO SPEAK FOR US. - elizabeth eckford

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2009

Former President Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, allowing victims of pay discrimination to file a complaint against their employer within 180 days of their last paycheck.

In February, government officials denied LGBTQIA+ activist Edie Windsor the benefits of a surviving spouse after her wife, Thea Spyer, passed.

Windsor sued the federal government and won in the 2013 Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor. In May, Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina Supreme Court justice and the third female justice.

Sources: refinery29.com — 9 Women Who Changed The World For LGBTQ+ People postandcourier.com — The women’s rights movement: A timeline of significant events

Ibtihaj Muhammad became the first Muslim woman to represent the U.S. in the Summer Olympics at which she won a medal in fencing. Tammy Duckworth was elected as a senator and made history by becoming the first Congress member to be born in Thailand, give birth while in office and have a disability. A year later, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban against female drivers, which took effect in 2018. The Women’s March in Washington D.C. occurred, becoming one of the largest international demonstrations with women all around the world demanding wage equality, liberty, the end of violence against women, etc.

Sources: oprahdaily.com — 36 Inspiring Women Who Changed the World cfr.org — Landmarks in the Global Movement for Women’s Rights: A Timeline rd.com — 15 Moments That Changed Women’s History Forever

2016

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Iceland became the first country to make unequal pay between males and females of the same job illegal. In the United States, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman elected to Congress, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib became the first Muslim women elected to Congress and Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland the first Indigenous women elected to Congress. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement also came to light. This year, Kamala Harris became the first female vice president, first Black vice president and first South Asian vice president. In March, the tragic death of Sarah Everard, who was kidnapped and murdered by a Metropolitan police officer, occurred and sparked thousands of protests in the UK and around the world, following many of the ongoing protests in places like Mexico, Turkey and Africa on violence against women.

Sources: rd.com — 15 Moments That Changed Women’s History Forever, today.com — Sarah Everard’s death sparks global movement with women sharing safety tips

AS THE CENTURY wraps up, many other women continue to fight for justice.

Although we have made great progress, unfortunately, it is not enough for the women in our world to feel as though they do not have to fight all the time. Women before, during and after the ones mentioned here have constantly fought for us, yet the struggle is far from over. Simply put, women have always known their value and worth, but countless men shaping this world did not acknowledge they could only do so with their mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters and wives by their side. As a consequence, many men still disregard the talent and perspective women bring to the table. That said, despite the time it is taking, our efforts so far are leading us to increased gender equality. While we continue to fight sexism and misogyny, we must remember that we could not be where we are today without women. The start of the end of sexism begins with recognizing there is work to be done by opening our minds, making a sincere, conscious effort to bring about change and celebrating the changes we have accomplished. Think about how much more successful we could be as a society in a more equitable world.

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Changement

s the lights dimmed, I rushed to my position in the wings. The delicate whispers of the audience members mingled with the crescendo of instruments in the orchestra pit. I could feel my heart thumping inside of my chest, anticipating the moment when I would find my spot center stage. A jolt of electricity ran through my body as I leaped and bounded through the air. Right as the curtain closed to thunderous applause, Mayor Breed of San Francisco informed us that she would be closing the Opera House, thus cutting our production short. What was once a euphoric opening night abruptly became my last performance — the joy from the spectators cheering transformed into tears. The lockdown order, issued in early March, changed the dynamic of my daily life. The show, which we had spent months rehearsing, was canceled to protect the cast and general public from contracting the deadly coronavirus. We were all forced to find a new rhythm within isolation.

At the time, I never fully understood the effect that the pandemic would have on art. Although I faintly remember the exhilaration of the house opening and the stage crew buzzing, I will never forget the supportive community and thrilling moments I shared backstage right before the world flipped upside down.

So many people have had to overcome a loss or traumatic circumstance in their lives. When we had to distance ourselves from loved ones and close companions, it triggered many emotions. I felt disconnected from my peers at dance class when the run of our performance stopped. We shared a special bond because we had a certain level of dedication to our art form. Ultimately, not being able to rehearse in the studio was devastating. I started to question my passion and drive for dance since it was difficult for me to find the motivation to

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By Ruby Rosenquist transition to at-home learning. A part of ballet is the expectation that one constantly has to improve and prepare for the next role. One can get so wrapped up in this idea of perfection that they forget the triumph that comes from pursuing their craft. I struggled to find myself and an outlet to express my thoughts.

Even though I had a hard time believing that everything would return to normal, I embraced the idea that change comes with uncertainty. In other words, being flexible and accepting of unpredictability is the first step towards finding balance when transitioning. That is easier said than done when new obstacles are around every bend. I decided to set up a dance studio in my basement with a Marley floor, ballet barre, and mirror. I turned what was previously a playroom into my own unique space where I could hone my technique. I also found performances of ballets online to inspire me to strive for my goals. I took advantage of the resources I had available to become a stronger dancer.

Nevertheless, being separated from my friends, who would have normally encouraged me to be more confident in my ability, was challenging.

The vaccine provided a new sense of hope. As inoculations increased, giving many elders relief, I became more optimistic about what the new year would bring. My mindset has shifted dramatically from my initial days in isolation.

Although I miss driving to San Francisco to attend dance classes and refine my artistic skills, I will continue to be thankful for the abundance of time I have had to reflect on who I am as an individual.

I must work as hard as possible to ensure that once everything begins to open back up, I will come springing from the shadows. I need to remind myself of the vibrance and joy I experienced when I danced alongside my friends on the Opera House stage. I know that once we can safely remove our masks, I will be holding my peers’ hands as we bask in the glow of live performance.

Art by Finn Lorian

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