LETTER FROM THE EDITOR HELENA GABRIELLE ONG

Editors of CJIR Brynn Parkinson, PO '20; Daphne Yang, PO '20; Justin Hsu, PO '20; Selina Ho, SC '21; Tiffany Charvet, CMC '22

Letter from the Editor

Over the course of my college years, I’ve worked in six different student publications in a variety of roles. I’ve been a copy editor, staff writer, contributing writer, designer, production editor, and, at CJIR, editor-in-chief. But my time working in these different roles continuously force me to rethink structure within organizations, especially in student publications. Even two years into the role, I am still wary of the title Editor-in-Chief. Too often, we imagine leadership as a vertical structure of power. We depict the path to leadership as climbing a singular ladder, up and away from the masses. I'm particularly fascinated by the common metaphor that compares a leader to an orchestra conductor, but I'm uncomfortable with the characterization of the conducter as the person who makes all the important decisions, waving their arms with command and authority. Perhaps there is some truth that this type of structure functions well in other environments but, in my experience, not in publications such as these.

Publications such as magazines, newspapers, or academic journals like CJIR are products that recognize their own complexity of voices. Bylines, attributions, and mastheads speak to the mixture of voices that go into the production of the finished piece. Our names are not only attached to the product’s underpinnings; they’re bared to the surface. In this manner, these publications present a unique opportunity for democratic discussion and practice.

In CJIR, we emphasize building solutions to ongoing problems around the world, encouraging our writers and readers to grapple with the problems facing democracy. The articles in this issue highlight the possibility for change. Amelia Hutchley’s article on the economic policies of Greece and Cyprus provides a recommendation to Italy's current financial crisis. Joseph Waldow reckons with a stagnant federal government by turning to cities and local communities in order to bridge an international divide. Hannah Kirley addresses the harm of US militarization around the world and proposes steps to reduce that damage. Anahita Farishta provides a recommendation for how we might continue environmental change in the face of a fallen Paris Agreement. Jacinta Chen pries open the history of ballet in China’s communist party and sets a groundwork for addressing the use of art as political tools. Becky Zhang analyzes discourse around democracy protests in Hong Kong as a method to understand the next steps.

These writers tear open the issues in the world and pose new ideas for ways forward. Admittedly, none of our writers propose simple solutions. They are not convenient or efficient to enact. But democracy is not meant to be efficient. It is difficult and complex; there are no simple structures

or ladders to creating a democracy.

In a similar way, leadership in a publication such as CJIR is an experiment in democracy. In the editorial committee, we often disagree on the submissions that we review; there are setbacks and frustrations. And yet, we come out of it the better. Our conversations teach each of us to be better communicators, listeners, and leaders. We learn from each other’s expertise, we push each other to defend our political views, and we learn to find value in these complex, not-always-pretty answers.

When we return to the metaphor of the orchestra conductor for leadership, we remember that it takes time, practice, and rehearsal in order for an orchestra to perform on the same page. Like a democracy, it doesn’t happen overnight. More importantly, it doesn’t happen without the musicians. Technically, an orchestra can stumble through the music without a conductor, but a conductor without the musicians is silent. My role as editor-in-chief is nothing without those who I work with, managing editor Kari Siegenthaler, the editorial team of CJIR, and the writers who send in their submissions. So, to them, thank you for the privilege of allowing me to be part of this experiment in democracy and music.

Sincerely,

Helena Gabrielle Ong, Pomona College '20