Garfield Messenger: Volume 101, Issue 5

THE

MESSENGER

JANUARY VOLUME 101 ISSUE 5

CONTENTS

TABLE OF

ISSUE 5, VOL 101

STAFF

Asmaa Bah Amirah Melvin Ali Merz S. Avalon Leonard Chelsea Li Delilah Corbett Eli Silver Finian Guinney Fiona Real Griffin Crabs Havana Hakala Imbie Jones Jeremy Cogswell Jessica Onochie Jada Johnson Kennedy Greenfelder Leo Carlin Lea Shaw Lillian Small Mia Andreeva Michelle Tong Marisa Valenzano

NFO

SPORTS

A&E

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FUSION FUELS THE FUTURE Finian Guinney

5

AFROBEATS ERA Asmaa Bah

9

GLIDE INTO NEW YEAR Lillian Small

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TIKTOKERS ON TRIAL Havana Hakala, Imbie Jones

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CHICKEN FIGHT Jeremy Cogswell

9

SWISH Eli Silver

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KING OF SOCCER, QUEEN OF PUNK Ali Merz, Delilah Corbett, Jada Johnson, Fiona Real

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RUNNING ROUTES REFRESH Mia Andreeva

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ATHLETES UNDER ATTACK S. Avalon Leonard

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YEAR OF THE DAWG Griffin Crabs, Michelle Tong RESOLVING RESOLUTIONS Chelsea Li

8

AVATAR: WAY OF APPROPIATION Kennedy Greenfelder

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FAREWELL GREY’S Lakelle Bridges · Editor-in-Chief ANATOMY Maile Quenzer · Graphics & Layout Lea Shaw Mairead Averill · News, Feature, Opinion

EDITORS

Tess Wahl · News, Feature, Opinion Ellen Taylor · Arts & Entertainment Taylor Gale · Arts & Entertainment Mika Ichikawa · Sports Eden Huschle · Social Media Sydney Steinwinder · Business

Your contributions help make the production and publication of The Messenger possible. If you would like to support The Messenger, please contact us at garfieldmessenger@gmail.com, or scan the QR code to subscribe.

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NEWS

FUSION FUELS THE FUTURE

A nuclear energy breakthrough could be a key step in the United States’ path to net zero.

By Finian Guinney

O

n December 5, scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California reached a new milestone, achieving the first fusion ignition to have a net positive output of energy.

192 lasers were fired into a small cylinder containing hydrogen atoms, fusing them together to form helium.

Nuclear fusion is a form of energy that, up until now, has mostly been theoretical as a viable energy source. It involves combining two nuclei to form a singular nucleus; a process that releases energy due to the change in mass. The main issue concerning nuclear scientists is that this reaction has never produced more energy than it has taken to start it. At around 1 a.m. on December 5 at the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, they were able to overcome this barrier for a split-second, generating three

megajoules of energy while only inputting 2.05 megajoules. They did this by activating a total of 192 high-energy lasers on a tiny hydrogen capsule, creating a temperature and pressure similar to that of a star.

This recent development is so significant due to its implications for clean energy in the future. Nuclear fusion doesn’t release any carbon into the atmosphere.

And unlike nuclear fission, the more well-known form of nuclear power, fusion doesn’t create toxic waste.

In a press conference on December 13 following the breakthrough, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm underscored the importance of nuclear energy advancement, stating that, “Simply put, this is one of the most impressive sci-

entific feats of the 21st century.”

While this is a huge success in nuclear fusion, scientists still have a long way to go until it can be used as a mainstream form of energy. Garfield’s Environmental Science and Physics teacher Ms. Miller predicted that “it’ll probably be another at least 50 to 100 years before we might be able to harness energy from a fusion reactor.” One reason for this is the fact that it required a lot of energy to just turn on the lasers. “Although they were able to produce more energy than was put in by the lasers…There was 99 percent more energy needed to even run those lasers,” Miller said. In addition, while improvements in nuclear fusion lead to more opportunities for clean

energy, it also creates the potential for fusion to be used in warfare. “It could make technology available that could be used to create fusion bombs,” Miller added.

Despite the long road ahead in nuclear fusion, this recent development represents the culmination of decades of work from scientists. “Researchers at Livermore and around the world have been working on this moment for more than 60 years,” Secretary Granholm said. “This milestone moves us one significant step closer to the possibility of zero carbon, abundant, fusion energy powering our society.”

Graphic sourced from The Noun Project

TIKTOKERS ON TRIAL

Tragic murder in Idaho leads to online “whodunit”.

By Imbie Jones and Havana Hakala her bedroom.

TikTok, surprisingly, became an essential keypoint to the case; Kernodle’s phone records suggested that she was alive at 4:12 a.m. and on the app just minutes before the homicide took place. This helped investigators determine the time the crimes occurred. TikTok users were drawn to this connection–and for true crime lovers, the open murder case. Misinformation quickly spread on the platform, including baseless accusations and invasive amateur detective work.

The problem of engaging with true crime occurs when people start throwing accusations at innocent and traumatized people.

An extreme case of this was the suing of TikTok personality and tarot card reader Ashley Guillard. Guillard accused Rebecca Scofield–an associate, professor, and chair of the history department at the University of Idaho–of the quadruple homicide. Guillard posted 17 videos that attempted to tie Scofield to the killings, continuously call-

ing her out, coming up with new reasoning and stating that she wasn’t stopping. Scofield was never a suspect in the case, as she was in Portland at the time of the murders.

She fears that the statements made may cause someone to harm her or her family, and filed a lawsuit against Guillard for defamation. This case is a drastic example of how easy it is to make claims on apps like TikTok because what becomes viral is rarely researched.

Fortunately for the four students laid to rest, police were able to take DNA samples from a knife sheath by a victim’s bloodied bed and trace it back to Washington State University forensic psychology student Brian Kohberger (28). Trash from Kohberger’s parents’ home had a 99.98 percent match between the father and the fingerprint.

Kohberger reportedly held negative views against marginalized communities, women included, and allegedly stalked the female victims before their deaths. Investigators arrested Kohberger at his family home in

Pennsylvania on December 30, 2022.

With true crime being spread online, peoples’ traumatic deaths turn into game shows. In an era where entertainment trumps truth, social media can turn violence and murders into likes and fame.

Art Credit By Havana Hakala

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ust before noon on November 13, 2022, police were called to the residence of six college students on the grounds of an “unconscious person.” Thirty minutes later, backup was called after the discovery of three more unconscious bodies.

Maddie Mogen (21), Ethan Chapin (20), Kaylee Goncalves (21), and Xana Kernodle (20) were all students attending the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho and living together with two other friends. All four had been killed within thirteen minutes of each other in their home–between 4 and 4:25 am. Another roommate, Dylan Mortensen (21), heard loud thuds and crying, noises which would be picked up on cameras outside the house. When she opened her door to investigate, she instead saw a man clad in all black and a mask breeze past her and out the back door.

Mortensen returned to her room and hid until morning. In the light of the next day, the unsettling reality became clear: her four closest friends were murdered just outside

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NEWS YEAR OF THE DAWG

Actually, it’s the Year of the Rabbit, but come celebrate Lunar New Year with Garfield! By Michelle Tong and Griffin Crabs

T

e t in Vietnamese. Chūnjié in Mandarin. Seollal in Korean. Medyanotse in Tagalog. These are all different names for Lunar New Year (LNY). Although it originated in China some 3,500 years ago, LNY is celebrated widely in other Asian countries, particularly in the East and Southeast. Unlike New Year’s Day on the Gregorian calendar, which always occurs on January 1, LNY does not occur on a fixed date; It varies depending on the Lunar calendar. 2023, the Year of the Rabbit, will start on January 22.

In the US, LNY is not a nationally recognized holiday, making it hard for some Asian Americans to celebrate it. For the individuals whose memories of LNY depend solely on their parents’ and relatives’ recreation of the holiday, they may not know what the “original” LNY traditions are.

LNY customs vary from country to country, although there are general traditions that everyone knows. During LNY, there are dragon dances, firecrackers, and red envelopes. Families gather, attend temple

(if they’re religious), and feast. Food varies by country, but there is significance behind the dishes. They correspond to longevity, wealth, or good fortune.

A common LNY superstition is sweeping your house before the holiday, to sweep out the bad luck of the old year and make way for the good luck of the new year.

Some people, including Vietnamese Student Association President (VSA) Kenny Phan, dismiss LNY superstitions, while others, such as Chinese Student Association (CSA) Co-President Rebecca Dion, have a couple that are near and dear to her heart. “You’re never supposed to cut noodles in Chinese culture because it’s supposed to be the longevity of your life and if you cut them it’s like cutting off your lifeline. So usually you eat really long noodles,” Dion said.

In preparation for LNY, the Asian-American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific

Islander (AANHPI) clubs will be giving Garfield a makeover with traditional LNY decorations. VSA officer Gia Nguyen described some of the things they’re planning on using. “We’re thinking about decorating[..] with [peach blossom] branches, trees, and red lanterns. And because it’s the Year of the Rabbit right now, little rabbit themed decorations,” Nguyen said.

CSA Co-President Forrest Wu also explains the significance of the color red for LNY. “Red is good. It scares off all the bad spirits,” Wu said.

Garfield’s AANHPI clubs will be hosting a school-wide LNY celebration on January 25. “[The event is] intended to be a schoolwide event largely because of the large populations of students at Garfield who celebrate Tet, who celebrate Lunar New Year, and its various forms,” Phan said. “There’ll be

a bit of a potluck style. Bring your own food and we’ll just come together and have some snacks. [There’ll be a] bunch of dried fruits, that’s the traditional candy all over East Asia.”

In previous years, Garfield’s AANHPI clubs have held large parties where students participate in fun activities, such as lantern making, potlucks featuring cultural foods, and fire noodle tastings. These events aim to expose Garfield to AANHPI culture, which is their goal with the LNY celebration. “[We want to be] continuing the celebration with second generation [Asian] Americans,” Wu said.

For more information on Garfield’s AANHPI clubs and cultural events, visit the clubs’ Instagrams listed here: VSA: @ garfieldvsaclub; Korean Student Association (KSA): @ksa.hq.ghs; Japanese Student Association (JSA): @garfield.jsa; CSA: @ ghs_csa; South Asian Student Association (SASU): @garfieldsasu; Filipino Student Association (FSA): @ghs_fsa.

Art by Leo Carlin

RESOLVING RESOLUTIONS

Breaking the cycle of failed New Year’s ambitions.

By Chelsea Li he term “New Year resolutions” was only coined in 1813, but the origins of the tradition trace back to the ancient Babylonians, who made vows to plant successful crops and pay off their debts. In the 1900’s, resolutions tended to lean towards spirituality and religion. Since then, they’ve evolved to center around more tangible lifestyle changes.

Today, only 9% of New Year’s resolutions are followed through to the end of the year.

Despite this discouraging success rate, a steady 40% of Americans set resolutions every December for the upcoming year.

Why do people continue to set these annual goals that rarely come to fruition?

When the calendar year turns, it presents a blank slate. This provides a boost of motivation and confidence that isn’t normally felt during any other time of the year. It’s seen as a resetting point, bringing a sense

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of hope and giving people the push to harness this potential.

The unintentional consequence that comes from the high spirits of New Year’s though, is unrealistically ambitious expectations. The problem isn’t the goals themselves, but rather the mindset that comes with tackling them. When setting a resolution, it’s easy to think too far ahead. Exercising more and picking up a new skill are two of the most common goals, and like most other resolutions, they carry very broad intentions. They also appear very daunting, making them easy to give up on.

There are ways to combat this mental challenge. First things first: keep your goal in mind, but don’t neglect the process that’s needed to get there. Instead of fixating on the outcome, consider directing your attention to the small incentives that will get you there. Change doesn’t arrive overnight;

consistency is key.

Second, take the time to reflect on why you are setting a resolution in the first place. Making the necessary changes in life can be intimidating, but it can come easier if you remind yourself of the purpose behind what you’re doing. By adding a bit of meaningfulness to your actions, they can feel less like burdening chores. Not only that, but this thinking process can also help you recognize whether you’re making a resolution because you genuinely want to, or because of outside pressure.

With the arrival of a new calendar year, take a step back and think thoroughly through the whys and hows of your reso-

lutions. The excitement and optimism that comes with a fresh start can set the path for improvement, but it can also cloud the judgment of what’s truly needed. Most importantly, remember that any day is as good as New Year’s to embark on a new goal.

Graphic by Sydney Steinwinder

A&E

CHICKEN FIGHT Ranking Popular Chicken Sandwiches.

By Jeremy Cogswell

T

he chicken sandwich has cemented itself as an American fast-food staple.

After the sellout success of the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich in 2019, over 20 fast food brands began offering a chicken sandwich. Chick-Fil-A claims to have invented the chicken sandwich in 1946, but this claim is rejected by many today as a marketing ploy. However, most chicken sandwich fans are in it for the taste rather than the history; so The Mess reviewed popular chicken sandwiches around Seattle and ranked them purely by taste.

5. McDonald’s Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich: $4.99 This budget staple stacks up surprisingly well against the competition. The bun is toasted to perfection, topped with pickles and lathered in a spicy pepper sauce. The patty itself has a solid combination of tenderness and crunchiness, but is not exceptional in either category.

4. Shake Shack’s Chick’n Shack: $8.39 This upscale fast-food chain offers a tasty chicken sandwich, made with a crispy and juicy fried chicken breast, topped with lettuce, pickles, and buttermilk herb mayo.

The chicken was slightly soggy, but this was made up for by high quality ingredients. Overall, it was a strong sandwich but didn’t top Shake Shack’s incredible burger lineup.

This classic sandwich features a tender and juicy chicken breast, topped with dill pickle chips, and served on a toasted buttered bun. The sandwich itself was comparable to Popeye’s, but what took it over the top was the amount of quality sauces offered at Chick-Fil-A, that turn every bite into a canvas of flavor. Sauces to try include the Chick-fil-A and honey barbeque sauces.

3. Popeyes’ Spicy Chicken Sandwich: $4.99 This spicy sandwich features a crispy and flavorful fried chicken breast, topped with pickles and a spicy mayo sauce. This was the sandwich that started the chicken sandwich craze, and it is still one of the best and cheapest sandwiches on the market.

2. Chick-Fil-A’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich: $5.69

Milk Drunk Original Chicken Sandwich: $13.00 This sandwich was nothing short of spectacular. While it may not be fair to compare a gourmet chicken sandwich to fast-food ones, this sandwich was too good to ignore.

The chicken had a great level of crunchiness to it and was supported by a perfect blend of ingredients including a mustard slaw and sliced avocado. Milk Drunk’s sandwich was a step above fast-food quality, although this is to be expected when spending $13 on a sandwich.

While these are some of Seattle’s most popular chicken sandwiches, there are many other options to choose from. Ultimately, the best sandwich will come down to personal preference. Whether you prefer a classic option or something more spicy and flavorful, there’s a chicken sandwich out there for everyone.

Art by Jeremy Cogswell

AFROBEATS ERA The musical revolution of Afrobeats and its impact in modern media.

By Asmaa Bah

T

he new Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, features the songs “Alone” by Burna Boy and “Coming Back for You”

by Fireboy DML. While most people have seen the movie, when asked, only a handful of people know that the soundtrack features Afrobeats. Although Afrobeats has only recently been introduced to the west, it is rapidly becoming more recognized.

Many have heard it while scrolling through “tiktok,” or maybe heard a collaboration with American and Afrobeats Artists such as “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyonce, SAINt JHN and Wizkid or “Call me Every Day”

by Chris Brown ft. Wizkid. For those who don’t know, Afrobeats is a fusion of west African music, primarily Nigerian and Ghanaian music with Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz and more. Afrobeats is different from Afrobeat, a genre blend of Nigerian music with Fuji, Highlife Jazz and Funk music, although it inspired the Afrobeats that people listen to today. When the Afrobeat era began, the word Afro was introduced to recognize the whole African Diaspora.

By blending different genres of music with West African music, it not only brought awareness to west African culture, but it also was a way to connect black people around the world with this new sound.

As west African artists became more exposed to the outside world, they found ways to connect classic west African drum beats to further develop the genre into Afrobeat.

This idea of using outside influence to revolutionise the west African music industry was the predecessor for modern Afrobeats music. Afrobeats has made a statement in music evolution by preserving West African culture while adhering to modern influences of Western music. Some older songs that have guided modern Afrobeats music are “Pana” by Tekeno and “Mad Over You” by Runtown.

So what exactly makes this new sound in Afrobeats so popular around the world?

The fusion blend of different genres combined creates a recognizable yet distinguished sound that has a little bit of everything.The beating of drums is one of the most important attributes of Afrobeats.

Guiding the music from beginning to end, making listeners feel like they are dancing wherever they are. The use of traditional instruments like drums gives off an upbeat rhythm that keeps listeners hyped.In addition to this, as Afrobeats music progresses, so do the native dances that these different cultures have to offer. Afrobeats have been used by famous rappers such as Offset in “Only you” by STANY and other American Artists such as Ed Sheeran featured in Burna Boy’s song “For My Hand.” The newfound prevalence of Afrobeats is introducing

a positive and authentic representation of Africa opposite of what is typically portrayed in media. This is important because it’s also become a way to bring second generation west Africans closer to their heritage in a society where being African is often viewed negatively, and many Africans constantly having to navigate their identity.

Much progress has been made in this genre of music throughout the years and with a bright future, it’s only just begun.

Art by Fiona Real

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These icons may be gone, bu

E

dson Arantes Nascimento has been named one of the greatest athletes of all time, and many call him the greatest soccer player of all time. During the peak of his career, he garnered international recognition and popularity.

Ever yone in the world knew his name- not Edson Arantes Nasciment o , but Pelé, the king of s o ccer.

The man who forever changed the game, his country, and the world.

The legend recently passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 82 from complications with colon cancer. His legacy lives on in the billions of lives he touched, whether through those who he spoke with, the aid he provided to children in need, or the people who watched him play.

Pelé was born in Minas Gerais, Brazil in 1940. His father, João Ramos do Nascimento, nicknamed Dondinho, played center forward for a number of Brazilian clubs, but struggled to make a living off of it and eventually got injured, forcing him to stop. Pelé grew up in poverty, working at a local tea shop to help support his family. There wasn’t money to purchase a soccer ball, so to play he stuffed socks with newspapers and rolled them into a ball. Although his mother encouraged him not to play soccer after what happened to Dondinho, he pursued the sport with a passion, with his father as his first mentor and coach. By the time he was 15, he had earned his place on the club team Santos FC, in São Paulo.

From there, it didn’t take long for him to be noticed by the Brazilian National Team. He entered his first World Cup at only 17-years-old and, after scoring twice in the final against Sweden and winning the game, was immediately catapulted into international fame. He is, to this day,

PELÉ

the youngest player to have ever scored in a World Cup, the youngest player to win a World Cup, and the only player in the history of the game (both men and women) to win three World Cup titles. His popularity spread like wildfire, and quickly, the name Pelé became one everyone and their mother knew, regardless of whether or not they knew the game of soccer.

It was Pelé’s skill, creativity, and fame that took Santos from unknown to one of the most prominent and successful teams in Brazil, a s well as one with worldwide recognition.

He played with the team for 18 years in well over 1,000 games. Much of the later time was spent traveling all over the world, drawing crowds of 50,000 or more in many of the cities they visited. Although much of the touring was an incredible experience, as the end of his 1974 contract approached, it became clear that the club was trying to squeeze as much money out of Pelé as they could. In his autobiography he writes, “In 1973 we began another year of traveling… We played in the countries of the Persian Gulf. We played in Egypt and Sudan, in Africa and Europe, we performed in Germany, France, Belgium and England … my farewell on English soil was a sad one. The ‘footballing machine’ was losing its shine.”

Despite this, he was only retired a few years. In 1975 he was convinced to join the New York Cosmos, and in his three seasons with the team, he single-handedly transformed soccer in the United States, making it popular in a way it had never been before. He inspired an entire generation of future soccer players, which, in turn, inspired the generations after that.

In his final game with the team, he played a friendly match against Santos at the Giants Stadium. He played one half with his

former club team and one half with the Cosmos. The score of the game was irrelevant. It was the magic of it, the encapsulation of everything Pelé meant to the world. The stadium was full.

People flew in from all over the country to witness his final spectacle on the field.

His impact on the world also went beyond his sport. He worked closely with UNICEF as an ambassador for a number of years to advocate for children’s rights, and donated to many other charities. In 2018 he founded The Pelé Foundation, dedicated to benefiting other organizations around the world in their causes to empower children facing poverty.

Over the course of his professional career, he scored 1,283 goals, became the first player to transcend the game of soccer, becoming known worldwide, and reinvented what it meant to play the game.

As his former teammate Gerson put it, “He was the best, the king of soccer.

Edson Arantes Nascimento has died, but Pelé is eternal.”

ut their legacies will live on.

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n December 29th, 2022, British born fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood passed away.

The selftaught and driven designer specialized in creating unique and provocative collections that

drove social and political change.

Born April

By Jada Johnson, Ali Merz, and DeLilah Corbett

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

8th 1941 in Tintwistle, England, Westwood originally pursued teaching as a career, specifically elementary school students. She went on to get married in 1962 to Derek Westwood, whom she later divorced in 1965 yet kept possession of his last name. Following her divorce, Westwood met the future manager of the punk band the Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren, who was a catalyst of her introduction into the fashion industry. After the birth of their son, the couple entered the fashion industry together. They started their career off by opening a shop together called Let it Rock, where they sold second hand 1950’s vintage clothing. Westwood would make and sell custom clothing that incorporated rips, vulgar slogans and graphics. The collaborative shop between Westwood and McLaren took off,yet their romantic relationship ended whilst remaining business partners in 1981. Westwood built her own personal career through working at boutiques, producing men and women clothing collections along with accessories.

As a fashion revolutionizer, Westwood is credited with being the “Mother of Punk”, having created, marketed, and popularized it in London throughout the 1970’s. Punk identifiably is stylized as ripped T’s plastered with provocative and anarchic words and explosions of color often described as “violently bright”.

With its development in the 1970’s, punk was epitomized by the look and attitude of The Sex Pistols, which Westwood went on to become a stylist for.

Beyond the innovation of

the punk British subculture and adoration from local success, Westwood aspired to redefine fashion worldwide. With her debut catwalk collection “Pirates” in 1981, she introduced romanticism into the fashion field, taking classical century silhouettes and structures and reviving them. The modern day trend of corsets come from Westwood’s imaginative designs, thus igniting wearing underwear as outerwear. Later in a 1985 spring/summer collection, Westwood continued and exemplified historical emergence within fashion with the creation of the “mini-crini” that battled the 80’s conservative norms of the time and provoked garments to sensually show off a person’s curves. Adoration and fashion continued to grow for Westwood during the 90’s and early 2000’s.

In 2006, Vivienne Westwood went on to be officially recognized by Queen Elizabeth II and appointed Dame of the British Empire due to her contribution to British fashion, having been one of the most influential fashion designs in the world.

A 2015 autumn/winter “Unisex”, continued her strides of reinvention with arguably one of the first runway collections to feature

and showcase androgynous looks to the mainstream media, which has paved today’s era of fashion progression and inclusivity.

Upon reaching success on the runway, Westwood mainstreamed her vision to utilizing collections and catwalks as a platform for activist campaigns. In 2014, she told The Guardian in an interview, “Climate change, not fashion, is now my priority.”

Passionate about human rights and environmental sustainability, she supported, ambassadored, and campaigned for various charities to make active social change. One of her more impressive strides had been joining the International Trade Center and collaborating with the Nairobi women of Kenya to ethically create bags by making use of recycled materials from landfills. The bag collections would then go on to fund ending deforestation locally and provide income for thousands of women within African communities. On a bigger spectrum, her collaboration with the International Trade Center along with the Ethical Fashion Initiative encouraged the growth of sustainable business and stability among marginalized communities.

The much-loved Vivienne Westwood, through fashion, innovation, and protests, has earned immense respect and global recognition. With efforts of wanting to save the world and let the next generation get a life, she had taken massive strides towards a more liberated and sustainable future. Through the many lives she’s changed and heart’s she’s touched, Westwood is sure to be missed. However, her legacy of changing the fashion world and stressing the importance of an environmentally friendly future is sure to live on and continue to inspire generations to come.

Art by Fiona Real

A&E

AVATAR: WAY OF APPROPRIATION

Why director James Cameron is in hot water.

By Kennedy Greenfelder

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ans have long awaited the second installment of the Avatar franchise, Avatar: Way of The Water, after the first was released 13 years ago and was the highest grossing film in history; But its release on December 16, left many native tribes to urge fans to boycott the movies and its seemingly racist message.

Director James Cameron says he had nothing but the best intentions in making the Avatar movies, but many have trouble accepting this after an interview in 2010 saying, “This was a driving force for me in the writing of Avatar–I couldn’t help but think that if they [the Lakota Sioux] had had a time-window and they could see the future… and they could see their kids committing suicide at the highest suicide rates in the nation… because they were hopeless and they were a dead-end society – which is what is happening now – they would have fought a lot harder,” This hit a little too close to home for many Native Americans, as he seemingly blamed the Lakota Sioux for their mass genocide..

The film centers on ex–marine Jake Sully, who is now permanently implanted in his 9 foot tall, blue “avatar” and his Na’vi family.

The Na’vi are at war with humans who want to colonize their planet and Sully is leading them. When he realizes his presence is a danger to the people he’s leading, he and his family leave their Forest tribe to seek refuge with the Ocean tribe, a Na’vi group who show them the ways of the water.

Cameron has said the Avatar series is a blatant metaphor for indigenous genocide and colonization of native lands. “Europe equals Earth. The native Americans are the Na’vi,” said Cameron. While raising awareness about past wrongdoings is seen as good, what people are having trouble with is the simplicity of the message and the sweeping stereotypes being portrayed in the movie, made by white people.

The Fore s t Na’v i h a v e practices similar to many d i f f e r e n t Nat ive American and Af- rican societies, while the Ocean Na’vi are Polynesian in their

ways. But many feel the makers of the movie are using their way of living as “cultural glitter,” without giving them any real credit.

Sully is adopted by the Na’vi people, despite his human origin, in the first movie.

He learns the customs and even rides the tribe’s flying creature, the Ikran, in record time. This has been seen as the filmmakers portraying Sully, a human, as superior to his Na’vi counterparts. This is perpetuated when we see him leading the tribe and the army fighting the humans in Way of The Water. This plays to the common white savior trope portrayed heavily in the media.

Native American activists have spoken out about this movie, “Join Natives & other Indigenous groups around the world in boycotting this horrible & racist film. Our cultures were appropriated in a harmful manner to satisfy some white

FAREWELL GREY’S ANATOMY

“BECAUSE THEY WERE HOPELESS AND A DEAD END SOCIETY” man’s savior complex. No more Blueface!” said Yuè Begay, a Navajo artist, on twitter. She is mainly outraged that the movie portrayed these native stories using white actors. “We should’ve been the ones whose faces and voices appeared on the screen.

We are the experts in portraying our hurt, suffering, and more importantly, our resilience,” she said.

Director Cameron plans to make five Avatar movies in total, but many wonder if these films will be as successful in light of all this controversy.

Art by Kennedy Greenfelder

Ellen Pompeo quits Grey’s Anatomy after 17 years - mild spoiler alert!

By Lea Shaw

A

fter 17 years, 19 seasons, and over 400 episodes, Ellen Pompeo, the star of the show, quit, bringing Grey’s Anatomy to an end in February 2023. As one of three remaining original major cast members, Pompeo has given the better portion of her life to this show, and is now searching for something different.

The show focuses on Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, and follows doctor Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, throughout her career as a surgeon, interacting with her ever changing rotation of friends and family. A recurring issue of the show is the countless controversies behind the scenes.

From homophobia to wage gap issues, major cast members are constantly kicked off the show. Real fans know that if a character dies, it means the actor got booted.

A promo dropped for Pompeo’s farewell episode, Meredith Leaves Seattle, after

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the star explained she was scaling back her involvement with the show. In an instagram post Pompeo revealed why she is leaving this multi-million dollar job – she needed a change. In an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, she explained that at the age of 53 she just needed to “shake it up” as her brain was becoming “scrambled eggs”.

She said that while the consistently secure employment has given her life stability, as well as endless time to be with her family, this job has not always been easy. She spent much of her early seasons fighting for equal pay, with her co-star Patrick Dempsy being the largest hurdle, as the producers believed if she left, he could simply replace her character. Eventually she won the battle and became one of the highest paid actors in television, earning around $20 million each year.

Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, declared that while the show might con-

tinue, she will not be the writer, as it wouldn’t be the same without Pompeo. She also sent a message directly to the fans following her decision to step d o w n from her position, “none of it… would be possible without the best fans in the world!” s h e said.

She thanked them for their support and for the extraordinary 20 year journey.

For her first project away from the operating room, Pompeo will be executive producer and starring in a new Hulu series.

The unnamed 8 episode special will follow a midwestern couple who adopts an 8-yearold girl with dwarfism - or so they thought.

As the couple raises her along with their 3

biological children tensions rise, and they must decide how far they’ll go to defend themselves; in the tabloids, the courtroom, and in their own marriage.

This whirlwind of medical mysteries, relationship drama, romance, friendships, and heartbreak has been an escape for the audience for nearly two decades.

With incredible acting, beautiful cinematography, and thrilling plot twists, the show captivates watchers from start to finish. While Ellen Pompeo’s future may be less clear, coming to the bittersweet end is what she wanted, and surely she will continue to impress.

Graphics by Lea Shaw

GLIDE INTO THE NEW YEAR

SPORTS

A beginner’s guide to cross-country skiing.

By Lillian Small o you want to experience the snow without shelling thousands of dollars and sitting on frigid ski lifts for hours?

Often overlooked for its glamorous adrenaline-driven cousin—downhill skiing— cross-country, also known as nordic skiing, is an excellent sport that allows you to fully experience the solitude and majesty of winter. Think of cross-country skiing as hiking on skis; Each trail has different terrain of flat, up, and down hill. Nordic skiing is an overarching category of skiing on mostly flat terrain, further split by classic and skate skiing. Skate skiing uses a distinct style that resembles a skating motion.

It is generally more physically demanding and requires well-maintained tracks.

Classic cross-country skiing is considered

more versatile and approachable to beginners. Additionally, cross-country skiing is great for cross training as low-impact cardio during the winter.

There are several great locations near Seattle that offer a range of trail difficulties from beginners to advanced. Cabin Creek Sno Park is an hour East of Seattle off of I-90 that is regularly groomed and maintained. Another location is Summit at Snoqualmie pass, which is also a popular downhill skiing area. Snoqualmie has an extensive trail system on the mountain, including the Mt. Catherine loop (just under 10 miles) for those seeking a longer trail.

Beginners who want to avoid a ski lift and the descent down the pass can enjoy the flat Hyak trail, including views of Keech-

elus Lake. For skiers willing to drive longer than an hour, Winthrop, WA has the largest cross-country ski trail system in North America, with over 120 miles of interconnected trails.

Unfortunately, most winter sports have a sizable economic barrier, from the gear to passes, and this cost makes activities like downhill skiing and snowboarding inaccessible. Cross-country skiing is a great option for those who want to explore the outdoors during wintertime without breaking the bank in the process. A seasonal Sno Park pass is $50, giving access to all Sno Park trails for the year, and lift tickets for Nordic skiers at Snoqualmie range from $28-35. Nordic boots, skis, and poles can be rented from many downhill ski lo-

By Eli Silver he NBA season is not even halfway done and already we’ve seen an incredible number of high scoring, drama-filled games and MVP-caliber performances.

This year, an absurd 15 games have had 50 or more point individual showings, capped

by Donvan Mitchell’s dazzling 71 point effort in early January. On top of that, over 40 players are averaging at least 20 points per game, and the league is on pace to break its single season scoring record. It is clear that no other sport in America produces the same amount of excitement and consistency at as high a rate as basketball.

Making their mark on the league this year are three rookies from the Seattle area: Paolo Banchero, Tari Eason, and Marjon Beauchamp. Here’s a brief look at the players Marjon Beauchamp Beauchamp was selected 24th in last year’s draft after spending the previous season in the developmental G League. His path to the NBA has been everything but easy, bouncing between highschools and junior colleges before an uncertain draft.

Beauchamp grew up in Yakima before attending Nathan Hale for his first year of highschool. The team, led by future NBA player Michael Porter Jr. and coached by Brandon Roy won the state championship and finished the year ranked first in the nation. Along with Roy, Beauchamp headed to Garfield for his sophomore season where he again collected the state title along with Tari Eason. Suffering from

health ailments caused by mold in his Central District home, Beauchamp moved to Rainier Beach for his junior year, before finishing his highschool career at Dream City Christian School in Arizona.

Despite receiving numerous division 1 offers, Beauchamp instead chose to participate in the Chameleon BX program, designed to help prepare him for the NBA draft. Unfortunately, the program was shuttered during the winter of 2020 and Beauchamp was forced to move home to Yakima with no NBA recognition. Without other options and suffering from intense depression, he enrolled at Yakima Valley Junior College and went on to have a standout season, averaging 30.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists a game.

Again, Beauchamp was pursued by division 1 programs, but chose to play for the G League Unite Team, believing it would remove outside academic pressure. After a successful season Beachamp became the final of 20 players invited to the NBA green room for the draft and was subsequently selected 24th by the Milwaukee Bucks. In an emotional interview Beauchamp said, “Everything I had to go through, all the adversity, nobody believed in me, this is special.” As a backup, Beauchamp is now averaging 6 points and 2.5 assists per game on a solid 40% shooting from the field.

Paolo Banchero Banchero, 20, was selected first overall in the 2022 NBA draft, after leading Duke in his freshman season to the NCAA March Madness Final Four. Banchero grew up in south Seattle, and attended O’Dea High School. By his junior year, he was ranked as the 3rd highest prospect in the country, averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists a game, and leading the Fighting Irish to th+e state title game against Garfield.

Banchero comes from a long line of athletes, with both his parents competing in collegiate sports for the University of Washington. His mother, Rhonda, set the all-time scoring record for the UW women’s basketball program, and went on to play in the WNBA. On his right arm, Banchero has tattooed the Seattle skyline, Mt. Rainier, and the streets 41st and S Andover, the location of his childhood home.

In an Interview during the draft he proclaimed, “I want to take Seattle wherever I go.”

During his first NBA season Banchero has met, if not surpassed the lofty expectations attached to being the number one pick. Through January, Banchero has put up unbelievable stats for a rookie, averaging he’s averaging 23.2 points and 8 rebounds per game —- unbelievable stats for a rookie. If Banchero continues to excel through the rest of the season, he could potentially receive all-star recognition.

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SWISH Seattle’s NBA Success.

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cations and are less pricey than downhill gear.

The cross-country ski season is dictated by the amount of snow on the mountain, which depending on the year begins in early winter and ends in early spring. While the weather and snowfall impact the ease of skiing, the frequency of trail grooming can make or break the day.

Fresh, powdery snow can be sticky, while frozen, icy snow can be slippery. With Seattle’s close vicinity to the mountains, skiers can find snow up until March without traveling far. If one of your new year’s resolutions was to get outside or try something new, accomplish both of these by trying out cross-country skiing!

Graphics by Lillian Small

Banchero will look to continue his success through the second half of the season, and could potentially receive all-star recognition.

Tari Eason Eason was selected with the 17th overall pick of the draft by the Houston Rockets.

He began his high school career at Garfield under coach Brandon Roy in 2017, however received little playing time in his first two seasons. After an unsuccessful 2018 championship run with future NBA players Jaylen Nowell (Timberwolves) and MarJon Beauchamp (Bucks), Eason transferred to Federal Way, averaging 18 points and 11 assists per game alongside future NBA player and 5 star prospect Jaden McDaniels. He transferred back to Garfield for his senior season, where he led the team to a state title, defeating Paolo Banchero and O’Dea in dominant fashion.

In college Eason initially played for the Cincinnati Wildcats, averaging only 7.3 points per game, before transferring to LSU his sophomore year. Off the bench he averaged 16.9 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Tigers, earning him SEC 6th Man of the Year Awards.

In the NBA summer league Eason averaged 17.2 points with 44.7% shooting from the field, and is now putting up 8 points per game in his first season.

Graphic by Mika Ichikawa

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SRUNNING P OROUTES R T SREFRESH

Sponsored by Garfield Cross Country.

By Mia Andreeva

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unning. Some describe it as exhilarating, fulfilling, even fun! To most however, it is complete and utter misery. If you are like most, prepare to change your mind with these running routes, tested and approved by your very own Garfield cross country kids. Don’t knock it till you try it.

Arboretum Loop: Equipped with 16 benches for your mid-run breaks, the vibrant flora of the arboretum will bring out your inner peace. Want to get a short workout in? The arboretum is the perfect place to complete your 1k, 2k, and mile repeats. O joy!

Seward Park Perimeter: Home to eagle nests and beautiful lake views, Seward park is a delightful spot for a 2.4-mile run! Just stick to the shoreline if you want a flat and easy course. When discussing the course, avid park enthusiast Jeremy Cogswell added, “ [compared to the arboretum] You won’t get muddy”.

Skyline: I don’t even know… hit up your local cross-country kid for directions.

Madison Street and Back: Get a taste of JV GXC culture with this iconic out-and-back.

Starting at Garfield, and totaling up to two miles, this route will take you on an Indiana Jones adventure as you duck under the overhanging trees and soar over potholes.

Molly Moons Craze: You know what they say, there is no better post-run snack than ice cream! Just a mile away from the bulldog pound resides Molly Moons, home to overly-salted caramel and cinnamon-esque cookie dough ice cream. The perfect run to enjoy with a friend.

Lake Washington Boulevard: Looking to run along sweaty road bikers in skin suits? Look no further than Lake Washington Boulevard. Starting at Madrona to Genesee Park, this route will take you alongside beautiful views of the lake; early birds get to see a magnificent sunrise. Feeling speedy? Race against the bikers.

Graphics by Leo Carlin

ATHLETES UNDER ATTACK Opinion: The toxic culture surrounding sports and injury.

By S. Avalon Leonard

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he discussion around athletes and injury is one that occurs time and time again. And I want to know: why are athletes continuing to push themselves to the point of severe injury? Some may say that it is the fault of the athlete who is not mindful enough of their own limits. This is not necessarily untrue, but it extends beyond pure competitiveness.

There is a problem in the world of sports.

But there is no simple origin point. I would argue that it isn’t coaches wanting the absolute best from their athletes, or players going above and beyond for that starting spot.

Like most widespread issues, the root of the problem is institutional. It may seem as though the NFL said all the right things in response to Damar Hamlin’s collapse. But it has been reported that there was initially a strong push to continue the game, and the Bills’ refusal to play was what stopped it. Skip Bayless, a well known sports commentator, was met with backlash for his comments following the incident. “No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest

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of this game–but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome ... which suddenly seems so irrelevant.” Bayless wrote on twitter. It is important to note that Bayless’s comments were swiftly condemned.

He has not since retracted the statement.

Damar Hamlin’s recent cardiac arrest has emphasized the fact that critical injury can happen at any moment, especially in football. And it is an athletics-wide culture that urges athletes to push themselves to the point of mental and physical exhaustion.

A famous quote by Vince Lombardi reads,

“WINNERS NEVER QUIT AND QUITTERS NEVER WIN.” There is no doubt in my mind that this quote had zero intentions of causing harm.

I believe that it exemplifies the greater issue that athletes wanting to better themselves face. Enough never seems to be enough, and athletes cannot escape demanding ex-

pectations from their respective leagues, monetary incentives, and pressure from media.

During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles faced an injury of a different kind.

Where Hamlin experienced physical injury, Biles experienced mental health risks that also threatened her physical safety.

Shortly after Biles’ withdrawal, a Twitter user wrote, “With someone that battles anxiety and depression happy with what you did because it brings more light to mental health, however im saddened Bc we needed you. You made this decision out of nowhere it seems.” Along with this, Charlie Kirk, a famous conservative activist, went as far as to call her a “selfish sociopath” and a “shame to the country.” What these, notably extreme, reactions represent is a culture-wide sentiment of entitlement that high-level athletes owe exciting performances to viewers at the expense of their own well being.

So what am I getting at? For starters, as consumers of sports entertainment and members of the athletic world, we need

to take a step back. Skip Bayless was condemned for saying out loud the exact sentiment that many others silently share. We need to stop fostering a space in the world of sports where the idea of putting athletics before the athletes can be promoted further, lest someone is injured or killed.

Art by S. Avalon Leonard

NEW YEAR, SAME BACKPAGE

TAKE THIS QUIZ AND FIND OUT THE NEW YEARS RESOLUTION FOR YOU! 1. YOUR SATURDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE IS OPEN, YOU ARE ...

A. Going to a concert at Climate Pledge B. Crying because they haven’t snaped you back C. Reading the Sparks Notes of the book you havent read for an in-class essay

D. Watching a romcom...with your cat

2. YOUR GO-TO SCHOOL OUTFIT IS...

A. North Face Puffer and Off-White Jordan 4’s B. Clothes from your dirty laundry bin...it’s easier C. Don’t need one because you’re not at school D. What you wear everyday, sweats and slippers

3. YOU HAVE A FREE PERIOD YOU ARE ...

A. Booking the Airbnb’s for your summer Europe trip B. Hotboxing the bathroom C. Taking a nap duh D. Facetiming your mom in the library

4. FOR LUNCH YOU ARE EATING...

A. Leftover filet mignon from Daniel’s Broiler B. Monster energy and advil C. Chic-Fil-A, you won’t make it back in time so going home it is D. Annie’s mac n cheese

5. YOU DIDN’T STUDY FOR THE FINAL YOU ARE ...

A. Paying someone to give you their notes B. Adderall...

C. I’ll just skip it D. Wdym, I did

6. YOU PLAY THE SPORT ...

A. Golf B. I got kicked off the soccer team...

C. Video games D. The hardest sport out there, chess

QUIZ RESULTS A’s: Save your money B’s: Get your life together C’s: Become an acedemic weapon D’s: Get out of the house

Mostly Mostly Mostly Mostly

2023: YEAR OF THE RABBIT AND CAT

2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.