MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH MAY 2018 | VOLUME 33 | ISSUE 5
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THE TIME, PLACE AND MANNER OF YOUR RIGHTS
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DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS?
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MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL | 21801 44TH AVE. W MOUNTLAKE TERRACE WA 98043
HAWKEYE WWW.THEHAWKEYE.ORG
Seattle targets safe injection sites 12
2 | MAY 2018
Hawkeye
We’ve written a book about you.* *Okay, and about 1300 of your closest friends.
The TEMPO.
Your student yearbook arrives in June. IMPORTANT UPDATE We’re producing a limited edition Spring Book . Details to come!
And, no. That’s not the cover for this year’s book. We’re a bit more creative than that, but we want to keep it a surprise.
Hawkeye
MAY 2018 | 3
10 7
14 May
7 Transgender student policies 10 Facebook data mining 11 Impact of Trump’s new tariffs 14 Meet the school social worker
EMMA HOLBROOK | HAWKEYE
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Letter from the Editor
IT’S UP TO US TO ENSURE A HEALTHY PLANET
C
limate change is often mistaken to be synonymous with global warming. In reality, global warming is a small portion of what is encompassed by climate change. While there are political disputes on the legitimacy of climate change, scientists have been delving into more research on the causes, effects and potential solutions. Climate change includes the warming of the planet, but also the levels of carbon dioxide, sea level, ocean Vivian Nowka-Keane acidification and more. All of these CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF conditions in a large part dictate things from what we wear to what resources are abundant, including those that provide us with power and electricity. The first step in improving the state of our atmospheric conditions is to legitimize the public issue, but government action should be taken to curb the effects of climate change for the interest of all people. Seeing the average temperature of the planet go up a degree over the course of decades does not seem to be threatening,
which often causes the concept of climate change as a whole to go overlooked. But, in addition to temperature changes, carbon emissions and rises of carbon dioxide levels continue to cause extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods and other storms. Studies and organizations like the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions have named the cause of extreme weather as changes in atmospheric conditions. It’s somewhat distressing having a president who has described the atmospheric changes as “a myth,” and who discounted the importance of rising temperatures in this year’s national infrastructure plan. However, an increasing number of cities have been empowered through local politics to enhance energy efficiency in city assets, according to the Climate Reality Project. Climate change is an issue that impacts Earth’s water and atmosphere. It’s time that the United States jumps on board to take responsibility, and soon follow through with action. I encourage all MTHS students and staff to take it upon themselves to learn more about how climate change may affect them and those in their community, as well as what steps they can take to aid the cause. H
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Co-Editors-in-Chief Sierra Clark and Vivian Nowka-Keane Editorial Board Ben Eyman, Harper Thomas, Nolan DeGarlais, Sam Johnson, Sierra Clark and Vivian Nowka-Keane Editorial News Editor Nolan DeGarlais Sports Editor Kennedy Cooper and Sarah Davis Op-Ed Editor Marianne Nacanaynay Lifestyle Editor Annika Prom Business General Manager Ben Eyman Distribution Manager Open Visual Graphics Editor Tessa King Photo Editor Harper Thomas and Jacob Allard Design Editor Open
Contents
2018
HAWKEYE LEADERSHIP ‘17-’18
@MTHSHawkeye
Online Data/Online Manager Sam Johnson Audio/Video Manager Open .................................................... 2017-2018 Hawkeye Staff Amy Harris, Andy Nguyen, Annabeth Woodard, Bani Bedi, Ben Hawkins, Ben Rigney, Ben Savell, Bruno Porras, Charlotte King, Christen Spadavecchia, Ciara Laney, Corey Takeya, Emma Holbrook, Erin Martino, Flynn Thomas, Gavin Norley, Hank Belanger, Ian Dortsch, Jackson Freund, Jake Paulsene, Jonathan Kwong, Katrina Fredericks, Leo Diaz, Lexi Dellinger, Lindee Cutler, Maddie Wolff-Gee, Maria Hernandez, Matthew Hipolito, Meghan Park, Memphis Ramerman, Nina Pavlovic, Nhan Tran, Nhung Lam, Praditha Halstad, Praise Jingjit, Rackeb Kelemu, Robert Krieger, Samantha Svikel, Semira Beraki, Sophi Burbank, Teresa Bonilla, Tommy Tran, Trinity Alber, Vito Sparapano, Yannie Tran and Zoe O’Brien Name in bold indicates the staff member of the....................................................... month as selected by the Editorial Board. Advisers Vince DeMiero and Mike McLaughlin Journalist-in-Residence Samantha Pak FANs Coordinators Sandra Merten & Cathy Fiorillo Printing Pacific Publishing Member MTHS ASB, JEA/WJEA, NSPA, Student Press Law Center, Tao of Journalism
...................................................... Mission
Mission Statement The Hawkeye’s mission is to provide the MTHS community with quality, thought-provoking student produced publications. In policy and in practice since 1960, the Hawkeye is a designated open forum publication.
Policies
The Hawkeye has established several open public forums for the exchange of information, opinions and artistic expression dedicated to those in the MTHS community. Since 1960, we have faithfully served our audience and community as an open, public forum where student editors make all decisions. Editorials The editorial section of the Hawkeye serves as a forum for wellwritten, thoughtful, longer forms of expression. Signed editorials represent the opinions of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Hawkeye Editorial Board. Views printed herein are meant to be opinionated and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Hawkeye staff, student body, faculty, administration or school board. The Hawkeye will print submitted guest editorials as space allows and requests that all contributors include their name, signature and position relative to the editorial. The Hawkeye will edit all submissions for accuracy, spelling and grammar. We reserve the right to refuse to print any submission. Letters to the Editor Readers are encouraged to voice their opinions in the Opinion section, a public forum for the expression of varying viewpoints on relevant topics. The Hawkeye will print as many letters as space allows. Letters must include the author’s name, signature and class or position relative to the letter. Typed or legible, hand written letters are acceptable, but should not exceed 200 words. The Hawkeye will edit all letters for accuracy, spelling and grammar. We reserve the right to refuse to print any letter. Editorial Cartoons Submissions represent the view of the artist. Editorial cartoons accompanying editorials and editorial columns represent the view of the author. Cartoons are selected based on appropriateness and clarity of message. Advertising The Hawkeye will not accept any advertising that the Editorial Board deems to be: factually inaccurate; designed to mislead, deceive or defraud; containing malicious, vindictive or unsubstantiated attacks; offering goods and/or services illegal for teens to possess, buy or use; libelous; obscene; creating imminent danger or disruption to school. The Hawkeye reserves the right to refuse any advertising, solicited or unsolicited. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of the Hawkeye staff, student body, faculty, administration or school board. Revised 9/2013
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COVER ILLUSTRATION BY HAWKEYE STAFF © 2018 HAWKEYE | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
OP-ED
4 | MAY 2018
MEET YOUR NEW ASB PR OFFICER W
hat’s up, Hawks! My name is Andy Nguyen and I am your new Big 6 Public Relations Officer. Let me tell you a little about myself. I am currently a MTHS Junior. I love talking to people and I’ve always wanted to make a change. I love watching movies like The Matrix and Back to The Future. You can often find me listening to my favorite artists including The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar and BROCKHAMPTON. Andy Nguyen ASB PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER There has been a lot of stuff going on with ASB. For example, there’s a completely new Executive ASB (Big 6). Returning members are Andy Shaw as the President and Kennedy Cooper as the Vice President. The new members are Bruno Porras as the Secretary, Semira Beraki as the Treasurer, McKenna Mortensen as the Historian and me, the Public Relations Officer. We are very excited to bring the students of Terrace into a fun and special year for 2018-2019. We are looking to get more student input for events like spirit week, and to recognize our students with their achievements and talents. We also want to have a positive environment for our students; to make them feel welcomed. Our very first assembly was April 20th, 2018. We wanted to recognize all the accomplishments our clubs and sports have done in the year, and bring something into this school year that can lead on to the next school year and even more to come. #WeAreTerrace is a message that we want the students to see that, through thick and thin, with our different opinions and where we stand, that in the end, we are together. This hashtag is used on our social media accounts and can be used by the students when they post on social media (spirit week photos, sport photos, posts involving MTHS, etc.). Currently, Big 6 is discussing plans for the next school year, such as fundraisers and events. High school is only a couple years of your life and we don’t want to see those years to go to waste. We want you to enjoy your time here at Terrace, whether it’s through joining a club, participating in a sport or even just helping our community in any way. With that, I want to say that ASB is run by students for the students! We are always wanting to hear to what you have to say. I want to hear your voice in all of this, if you ever have any questions, relating to ASB, the school, or anything else you just wanna talk about. You can email me or find me at school (I’m the tall Vietnamese guy with glasses and curly hair, probably wearing a denim jacket.) I love talking to all of you, so don’t be afraid to come up to me and say hi! Well, that’s all I have for you guys, have a fantastic day and talk to you later, Hawks! H NOTE: The Hawkeye provides the ASB space each issue in the Op/Ed section as part of our mission as a designated open public forum.
Hawkeye
SILENCING THE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL ILLNESS M
ay being Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s time to have a greater conversation not just on how to take care of your mental health or education on various mental illnesses, but on the stigma itself. Despite having an entire month dedicated to talking about mental health, stigma pervades worldwide. With as many as one in five public high school students showing signs of a mental health disorder, social stigma often leaves them to struggle in silence out of shame and fear. Almost Marianne Nacanaynay OP-ED EDITOR 80 percent of them will never receive treatment that is deserved and necessary due to a failure to educate about mental health, a failed government-instituted support system and stigma. In 2016, the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey asked 10,835 tenth graders to anonymously provide data regarding depressive feelings, anxiety and suicide. 34 percent of students reported depressive feelings and 21 percent considered a suicide attempt. That’s over 3,500 and 2,250 students, respectively. Out of those numbers, only around 700 and 450 students will get treatment. To put that into perspective: About 91 Terrace students reported depressive feelings out of the 277 surveyed. Only 18 of them would be expected to receive treatment. An ideal world would provide a working support system for those students and all students who have reported other struggles with mental illness. But there isn’t a sufficient number of staff dedicated to supporting students. At Terrace, 11 people are considered part of the counseling department, and four of them are counselors expected to keep track of over 1,300 students. Even then, it’s not guaranteed students will go to the support systems in place. Laura Greenstein, the Communications Manager for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), published an article on how to fight mental health stigma, noting that most people with mental
illness have “been blamed for their condition. They’ve been called names. Their symptoms have been referred to as ‘a phase’ or something they can control ‘if they only tried.’” When people are blamed for something they can’t choose to have nor control, they tend to keep their issues secret. With mental illness, students are often afraid of the repercussions that might come their way should they try to get help; they might get told they’re faking their illness, or that they can get over it. For Sargun Handa, a junior at Kamiak High School as well as a TEDx and WE Day Seattle speaker, her experience with mental illness had lasted for four years until she was diagnosed. “[I finally had] something to prove to my mom and my sister that something was wrong,” she said. “If someone doesn’t diagnose you, it’s not valid.” The process to get a diagnosis can be difficult for people. Misdiagnoses aren’t uncommon, and they can even change over time for people if an issue worsens or improves. The American Psychiatric Association’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders”, better known as the DSM-5, is meant to provide guidelines for diagnosis, but still isn’t as effective as it needs to be to accurately diagnose people. Unfortunately, a diagnosis doesn’t stop stigma. Handa, who plays on her school’s varsity golf team, had to leave the team for a month and was still asked by her peers for reasoning behind her break. “I could not go eleven hours at school and sports and all that because I was already mentally exhausted,” she said. Recently, NAMI launched CureStigma, a campaign taking stigma as a “social virus” and encouraging compassion and understanding to cure it. The first step toward compassion and understanding is by starting a conversation about mental illness itself. Talking about mental illness can be difficult, but it takes real people to clear the fact from fiction. “The only way to conquer something is to start talking about it,” Handa said. “We need to normalize [mental illness].” H
BRUNO PORRAS | HAWKEYE
OP-ED
Hawkeye
WHY WE’RE SILENT T
he Day of Silence. The day where thousands of members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies come together in solace to represent the lost voices of our very own community. As Day of Silence starts, the pink triangles are passed out, pinned to our shirts and silencing our tongues. These pink triangles take us back to Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration Autumn Sanders camps of WWII. Homosexual males GSA MEMBER would have these badges placed upon them, to show why they were being held in the camps. The pink triangle would be joined by a yellow one if they were Jewish, creating that star we all know: the star of David. By the 1970s, the pink triangle was being used in gay rights protests across the country, and in 1975, Rocky Horror Picture Show, the “transvestite” (now a dated term, more accurately called a drag queen) character wears the pink triangle on their outfit, claiming the triangle for the LGBTQ+ community in the media. This pink triangle represents the struggle and growth the LGBTQ+ community has had, and will forever symbolize our strength and perseverance. In 1996, students at the University of Virginia organized the first Day of Silence in response to a class assignment on non-violent protests with over 150 students participating. In 1997, organizers took their effort national and nearly 100 colleges and universities participated. In 2001, GLSEN became the official organizational sponsor for the event. After receiving the pink triangle, the Day of Silence begins. Some become silent immediately, and some wait until school starts. As the day moves forward, participants experience questions or concerns, but are mostly met with kind nods and smiles. They school day continues as normal, but with the tacit understanding that this is a day of community, representation, and action. With this Day of Silence, contributors are representing the erasure and silencing that the LGBTQ+ youth have experienced in schools, demanding an action
MAY 2018 | 5
from their administration. Nearly 4 out of 5 LGBTQ+ students don’t see positive representation of their community in their curriculum, nearly 90% experience verbal harassment because of their sexuality or gender identity. Not only that, but almost a third skip school because of being uncomfortable or fear of bullying. These aren’t just statistics - this is reality within our school. Young gay boys are afraid of coming out because of the homophobia that streaks the walls red with hate. The LGBTQ+ youth of this school, this city, this state, this country, deserve representation within their school and that’s what Day of Silence is about. The Day of Silence means a lot to the people of MTHS. It is not only LGBTQ+ members who participated, but allies as well. This day was an excellent way to feel the support around the LGBTQ+ community in Mountlake Terrace High School, as there were many teachers and students of all identities participating and showing verbal support. Not only does this day represent the LGBTQ+ community in a very real light, it shows how silence impacts everyone’s individual lives. There is great influence between teacher and student, as the student is here to tacitly remind them that the fight for injustice is not over, and that LGBTQ+ students still are being harassed, and still fear using their voice. This is a great influence from student to student - showing that standing up for what you believe in is a strong characteristic and something to be proud of. The impact this Day of Silence has made over the years has been insurmountable, as it has shown schools across the world that the LGBTQ+ community will not disappear into the shadows, that they will rise and stand up for proper treatment and representation in every curriculum. See you next year on April 19th, 2019. H
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Now it’s your turn
So, what’s on your mind?
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD: Got an idea? How about a strong opinion? See something you like? Can’t stand something else? Then write a letter to the editor of the Hawkeye! Drop off your hand-written or printed out letter to us in room 130, email us at editor@thehawkeye.org or tweet it to @MTHSHawkeye
OP/ED
6 | MAY 2018
Hawkeye
The importance of representation in media By Ben Savell HAWKEYE STAFF
This past year has been a time of dramatic social change. With movements like #MeToo and HeForShe starting after the exposure of movie producer Harvey Weinstein as a sexual predator, increased awareness has been placed on the rights of female, colored, and Ben Savell LGBTQ commuHAWKEYE STAFF nities. But what could accelerate this push to end prejudice? In the modern world, the media has a lot of power over public perception and how groups are seen. Portrayals in movies and TV establish stereotypes and continue to reinforce them. Not only that, but younger generations see television characters as idols, personally connecting with their stories. If
groups don’t get significant representation, they may see themselves as unnecessary to society and not valued for their work. People base their role in society off of characters they observe. Fewer characters present will result in a lack of identity for certain types of people. It is the responsibility of Hollywood and the film industry to represent all groups in society but not force diversity into movies. Erin Grambush, a humanities teacher at MTHS, has firsthand experience of stereotypes in media affecting her life. “If you asked me [in my youth], I would have said stereotypes and media representations didn’t affect my early life, but looking back now, I can see the many ways they did,” Grambush said. “Movies’ constant portrayal of girls and boys dating the ‘bad boy’ and helping him become a better man… leading a lot of young ladies to think they have the power to change someone if they can just be a ‘good woman,’ while not being able to change them reflects back on them[selves] as
NHUNG LAM | HAWKEYE
not being good enough, even though it is well known that people rarely change as a result of someone else and no young girl should put up with a guy who doesn’t treat her right. It is not her responsibility to help him or show him a better way of living because she deserves a guy who knows how to treat her right already and does it.” Grambush believes lack of representation in films causes stereotypes and inaccurate portrayals of groups. “Representation in the media is incredibly important. I want my students to see themselves reflected in media, in books, in movies, and from a variety of different perspectives,” she said. “If we only see one image or idea of a certain group of people in the media, we will attempt to extend those ideas to everyone we know who is like that because that is the only image we have.” Currently, she believes that the industry doesn’t reflect the diversity of America. “If we truthfully look at the media, the most
common images and family structures and ideas we see tend to be white. I think we are starting to change that, but that is the most common [group portrayed in Hollywood],” Grambush stated. “It’s important for everybody to be reflected in the media so everyone can feel like they are a part of and welcome in the society in which we live.” Popular media should aim to defy and diversify their productions while still hiring the most talented workers. Diversity in movies will inspire represented groups to pursue their goals, knowing firsthand that a member of their group can succeed in the real world. These role models also teach people how to act in society and how to behave. However, diversity shouldn’t be forced into films. Like renowned movies such as Blade and Moonlight show, good actors placed in the right roles can create monumental change while characters like Rose in The Last Jedi and the main ensemble in the 2016 remake of Ghostbusters generate controversy because of the publicity surrounding their gender. If diversity is forced into films and the target character underperforms, it will only supply more proof to those who believe that these groups don’t deserve to be on the big screen. However important representation is, Hollywood hasn’t gotten the memo. A study by the University of Southern California discovered that in 2015, 73.7 percent of film actors in Hollywood were white. Only 12.2 percent were black and 5.3 percent Latino. According to USC Annenberg, these statistics have not varied much in 2017. For reference, the United States Census Bureau found that in 2016, whites contributed to 76.9 percent of America’s population and blacks made up 13.3 percent. Assuming that these statistics are similar to the US population in 2015, blacks are heavily underrepresented while whites encapsulate an increased percentage of Hollywood than their demographic would suggest. LGBTQ and disabled speaking roles only accounted for 1.1 percent and 2.7 percent of Hollywood, respectively. These statistics are pitiful in a generation increasing focused on including others. Without proper representation in Hollywood, individuals from underrepresented groups will believe that they are unnecessary to society. But this push for diversity should happen with precision and the utmost care to making the best films possible. It is not the movie with fanfare and trumpets that changes hearts, it’s the silent release that features talented minorities in which prejudices are reflected on. H
Hawkeye
NEWS
MAY 2018 | 7
TRANSGENDER RIGHTS IN JEOPARDY, AGAIN QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED AT THE D.O.E.
equal opportunity to transgender students to participate in ate bathroom access is a violation of Title IX,” Byard said. physical education and athletic activities. “However much it may hurt Secretary DeVos’ feelings to In most cases, District policy provides that students will be hear it, her actions and those of her Department are hurting allowed to use locker rooms matching their gender identity. transgender students in concrete and far-reaching ways.” In some cases, alternative changing spaces may be provided, Nearly a year before this decision, on Feb. 23, 2017, such as a bathroom or other private area, or the transgender Secretary DeVos repealed parts of Title IX added from 2010 student may be provided with an alternative changing sched- to 2016 under the Obama Administration’s Department of ule. The policy emphasizes that “any Education. These additions to Title IX alternative to locker room conditions will explained that Title IX also protected “The District believes in be provided in a manner that allows the transgender students from gender-based fostering an educational student to keep his or her transgender or discrimination based on a student’s preenvironment that is safe gender nonconforming status private.” ferred gender identity. and free of discrimination for all students, regardless Under no conditions, even when These sections repealed by DeVos’ of sex, sexual orientation, alternative changing situations must be Department of Education had specified gender identity or gender provided for transgender or gender nonthat all government-supported educaexpression.” conforming students involved in athletic tional programs are to treat transgender School Board Policy activities, will students be forced to use students based on their preferred gender THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT facilities conflicting with their gender identity. By Nolan DeGarlais identity, per district policy. The American Civil Liberties Union NEWS EDITOR In addition to protecting the rights of transgender and (ACLU), in a statement authored by Wisconsin Rep. Mark The U.S. Department of Education, under Secretary of gender nonconforming students to use bathrooms matchPocan, strongly condemned DeVos’ repeal of transgender Education Betsy DeVos, announced earlier this year that the ing their gender identities, the ESD has several additional student protections. department will no longer hear or take action on complaints policies in place to ensure the safety and security of these “Secretary DeVos rescinded the Obama-era guidance in relating to the bathroom and facility use of transgender stustudents. 2017, robbing transgender students of rights which should be dents in public schools. District employees are legally prohibited from disclosing afforded to every public school student,” Pocan said. The decision makes it clear transgender students in information on the status of transgender and gender nonconThe ACLU and Pocan further condemned the February American public schools will no longer be able to request forming students unless the school district is legally required decision by DeVos’ Department of Education to no longer that the Department of Education investigate claims relating to or if the student in question has authorized the disclosure investigate discrimination complaints filed by transgender to public schools violating a student’s rights based on gender of their information. students on the basis of sex and gender identity. identity, although individual school districts are allowed to GLSEN, an educational organization with the stated “In 2018, we should not need a refresher on basic discrimiretain transgender student policies. goal of creating safe and inclusive public schools for nation,” Pocan said. “Rescinding someone’s rights, which With the Department of Education’s decision, students in LGBTQ youth, issued strong condemnation of the federal have been upheld in court, on the basis of their gender idenschool districts without transgender student protection poli- Department of Education’s decision to revoke federal protec- tity is wrong. Refusing to listen to complaints from a certain cies can be prevented from using bathrooms, locker rooms tion of transgender youth in public schools, claiming it viopopulation of students is wrong.” and other facilities matching their gender identity without lated the purpose of the department’s Office for Civil Rights. From 2010 to 2017, when the Obama-era protections of federal intervention on behalf of the students. “Congress created the Office for Civil Rights at the transgender students were included in the official interpretaHowever, transgender students within the Edmonds Department of Education in order to ensure that marginaltion of Title IX used by the Department of Education, sevSchool District (ESD) should not be negatively affected by ized and vulnerable students had a champion,” said GLSEN eral court decisions upheld the rights of transgender students the Department of Education’s decision Executive Director Eliza Byard. “Under to use the facilities matching their preferred gender identity. due to the ESD School Board’s policies Secretary DeVos, the office has abdiThe Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in 2016 upheld “Congress created the on transgender students adopted on cated that solemn responsibility for the right of transgender student Ashton Whitaker from Office for Civil Rights at the Dec. 9, 2014. ESD policy clearly states transgender youth.” Kenosha, Wisconsin to use the bathroom matching his genDepartment of Education that discrimination against transgender The Department of Education’s Office der identity, with the court affirming that forcing students in order to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable students will not be tolerated and that for Civil Rights, one of the largest fedto use facilities not matching their gender identity is illegal students had a champion.” transgender and gender nonconformeral civil rights agencies, was created to discrimination on the basis of sex. ing students will be provided with equal ensure the compliance of public eduHowever, no decision has been made by the Supreme Court Eliza Byard GLSEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR opportunity for learning and achievecational institutions with several fedregarding the use of public school facilities by transgender ment. eral civil rights laws. These civil rights students. “The District believes in fostering an educational environlaws include the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Educational Following the February 2017 decision by DeVos’ ment that is safe and free of discrimination for all students, Amendments Act of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Department of Education, the Supreme Court refused in regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or genAct of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Age March 2017 to hear a bathroom use complaint filed by 17 der expression,” the policy reads. Discrimination Act of 1975. year old transgender student Gavin Grimm from Virginia Related to the use of bathrooms, ESD policy specifies that GLSEN and other LGBTQ civil rights organizations after he was denied the right to use the boys’ bathroom by students will be permitted to use bathrooms best matching charge that the Department of Education’s recent decision his local school board. their gender identity. No student can be forced to use a bath- on transgender students violates Title IX of the Education With no precedent established by the Supreme Court room conflicting with their preferred gender identity, accord- Amendments Act of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination and the repeal of transgender student protections by the ing to the policy. on the basis of gender in any educational program or activity Department of Education, students in school districts withHowever, ESD policy says the use of locker rooms by trans- receiving governmental support. out transgender student protection policies are unable to gender and gender nonconforming students will be assessed “The Office for Civil Right’s cruel new policy flies in the legally defend their ability to use facilities matching their on a case-by-case basis. ESD policy has the goal of maximizface of the highest court rulings on this issue, which found gender identities. H ing transgender student social integration and providing an unequivocally that denying transgender students appropri-
8 | MAY 2018
By Sierra Clark CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
“Know your rights,” say The Clash in their protest song of the same name, which highlights differences they observed between the rights — the right not to be killed, the right to food money, and the right to free speech — that people seem to have and the rights that are actually enforced. Students, like The Clash, have the right to protest injustices they see, as long as, according to assistant superintendent Greg Schwab, they protest at an appropriate time, in an appropriate place, and in an appropriate manner. In regards to students expressing their views; time, place and manner is what keeps them acting in civil disobedience rather than disrupting the school day for others. “Students have the right to execute their First Amendment [rights] and that includes doing protests and walkouts. The thing that they can’t do is disrupt the operation of school,” Schwab said. In the past few years at MTHS, students have been viewed expressing their First Amendment rights, causing
NEWS
Hawkeye
EMMA HOLBROOK | HAWKEYE
more staff and students to notice the changes. Whether it’s sitting during the pledge or national anthem, walking out or wearing their political opinions on their sleeve, students have been speaking out for what they believe in. The real question is how far that can go. “It’s that disrupting school line. If you’re doing something that disrupts the normal operation of school, then you’ve probably crossed that line.” Schwab said.
Protesting: The “Not My President” walkout on Nov. 14, 2016, the walkout in solidarity with Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on March 14, 2018, the “National School Walkout” on April 20, 2018; these national walkouts took place at MTHS, all organized by students. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), students are allowed to organize protests, but schools have the right to discipline students who fail
to follow the time, place and manner rule. So, students should be able to organize movements outside of class or during lunch. As long as the protest doesn’t disrupt school, such as blocking the halls, the school or interrupting class time, there isn’t much the administration can do. Back in March, the Superintendent of the Needville Independent School District sent a letter to families informing them that students faced a three-day suspension if they joined the March 14 national walkout. Schwab held the question, “would you normally suspend a student for skipping a class?” In reality, the ACLU said that schools cannot punish students more harshly for a walkout absence than they would any other absence. Altogether, this means that for a first-time unexcused absence, a school cannot suspend a student. The ACLU states that when a student gets an unexcused absence, “the law requires districts to try other interventions (like attention or a conference with your family),” before suspension. “What schools can do is they can hold students accountable according to whatever their policies or procedures are
Hawkeye with regards to attendance,” Schwab said. “I think where our district has landed is that we’re going to mark students absent if they choose to participate and then it will be a parents’ decision on whether or not they want to excuse that absence.” Along with that, Schwab said that after a walkout, the student who participated would have to go through “whatever the normal punishments are for an unexcused absence.”
The Pledge and National Anthem:
Whether a student is one of the few who sit during the National Anthem, or one of the hundreds who sit during the Pledge of Allegiance during school, the rights are fairly simple. “What the law says is that students must maintain a respectful silence, that’s all it really says. It doesn’t say that you can’t take a knee,” Schwab said. “What you can’t do is prevent or interrupt others choice to recite the pledge.” The law of respectful silence also falls under the National Anthem. So, students are legally allowed to sit or take a knee as long as it doesn’t disrupt another student who is reciting it. The ACLU said that “students cannot be forced to make a pledge of loyalty to the government.” With this, staff members are not allowed to require students to say the pledge or stand during the National Anthem. “That [law] has been interpreted many ways. But, again, choosing not to stand is mostly what we see happening. You just can’t disrupt the pledge.” Schwab said. Many MTHS students do not stand for the pledge as observed in different class settings. This group includes freshman Katie Barry, who said that she doesn’t stand because “everyone should be equal but no one is being treated equally,” in regards to the line “with liberty and justice for all.” Although staff are not allowed to require students participate, Barry said that she has experienced different substitute teachers taking matters into their own hands. “At my middle school [and] my elementary school we didn’t actually have the Pledge of Allegiance, so this is like a new thing going into high school. None of my teachers currently this year have told me to stand for the pledge, they’ve just told me to be quiet,” Barry said. “But, some [substitute teachers] have told me that I should stand for the Pledge of Allegiance because I need to respect America.” Barry said that her friends have been affected by substitute teachers as well. “There have been teachers at my friends schools, like at Lynnwood high school, that have had [substitute teachers] that have written them up if they hadn’t stood for the pledge.”
NEWS tors asked her to remove the armband and, when she said no, she was suspended with four other students. The suspended students were not able to return to school until they removed their armbands. These students, represented by the ACLU, started a four year battle landing in the Supreme Court as Tinker v. Des Moines. This case is what officially gave students the right to free speech in schools. On February 24, 1969, the Court ruled 7-2 in favor of the students. “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate,” Justice Abe Fortas said. The Court ruled that public schools still had to adhere to the First Amendment and administrators could not censor student speech unless it disrupted school. This means that the armbands that Tinker wore are protected by students’ First Amendment rights and that students are still legally allowed to express their political views in public schools. Protected speech includes wearing buttons, armbands, shirts or other clothing and accessories with messages or writing in the school paper. Schwab said that handing out printed petitions or flyers in school, so long as it is not advocating for illegal activity, is also protected as students are not forced to accept the paper.
MAY 2018 | 9 Despite students’ First Amendment rights being protected, there are ways for schools to prevent or punish students. According to the ACLU, schools can place “reasonable restrictions” using time, place and manner to restrict speech. For example, if what is being said will cause “substantial” disruption or is advocating illegal activity, student speech is not protected and can be disciplined. Along with that, student speech is not protected if it’s considered libelous, meaning that, according to the ACLU, “it is untrue, harms someone’s reputation, and you know or should have known it is untrue when you say it.” Many topics can come up in conversation between friends and peers in school, but some can be deemed “too controversial.” From the day’s lunch to war, or budget cuts to Planned Parenthood, students can get into heavy conversations in the halls. Even though these topics can potentially make people uncomfortable, public school administration is not allowed to censor student speech based on the topic, regardless of how controversial it is. Unless the speech will “cause a substantial disruption,” the ACLU said that “criticism of your school, teachers, or school officials, or discussion about serious problems either at school or elsewhere is generally protected.” H
Political expression and limits: In December of 1965, 13-year-old Mary Beth Tinker and a group of her friends went to school wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam war. School administra-
After the 2016 presidential election, more than 100 students participated in a nationwide walk-out to protest the new president elect. Students struggle to have much of a voice in politics being under the age of 18 and unable to vote. JACOB ALLARD | HAWKEYE
10 | MAY 2018
NEWS
Hawkeye
FACEBOOK IS IN BUSINESS Story and graphics by Ben Savell HAWKEYE STAFF
Social media is not just a form of communication anymore, it is part of peoples identity. For some, every aspect of their lives is implanted on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Their algorithms determine who and what is viewed. What if somebody with malicious intent gained ahold of this information? On Mar. 25, Facebook officially announced that it had been collecting data from users. “This feature does not collect the content of your calls or text messages. Your information is securely stored and we do not sell this information to third parties,” Facebook said. Although Facebook claims that its members have known about this for a while, many claimed to have no knowledge. Some users found that Facebook had recorded their calls and texts at the exact times they occured without their permission. Companies based on the Internet usually gather user data to improve consumer experience. This allows them to identify the user’s interests and target them with relevant advertisements. According to TechnologyReview.com, Google’s main income is through Google AdWords, a program that determines what ads consumers should see based on their search history. Every time a consumer clicks on an ad, the ad company pays Google anything from a couple of cents to $50 per click. However, while Google is fully transparent about this source of advertiser income, other companies are less than transparent about their relationships with advertisers. Due to Google and Facebook’s control over phones, they have more access than most people realize. Dylan Curran of The Guardian found that “the data [Facebook and Google] collect includes tracking where you are, what applications you have installed, when you use them, what you use them for, access to your webcam and microphone at any time, your contacts, your emails, your calendar, your call history, the messages you send and receive, the files you download, the games you play, your photos and videos, your music, your search history, your browsing history, even what radio stations you listen to.” Essentially, if it is on your phone, Google and Facebook have access to it. Using information gathered, companies can put together your personal habits and predict your future actions. In a TED Talk on internet profiling, Associate Professor Zeynep Tufekci stated, “think of all the data that Facebook has on you: every status update you ever typed, every Messenger conversation, every place you logged in from, all your photographs that you uploaded there… by churning through all that data, these machine-learning algorithms — that’s why they’re called learning algorithms — they learn to understand the characteristics of people who purchased [anything] before. When they learn this from existing data, they also learn how to apply this to new people.” Through Internet activity, social media companies like Facebook form personalities of their users. They learn to know people as well as those people know themselves. This can be very dangerous information if put to malicious use, as a far-reaching site like Facebook could target vulnerable people with harmful messages that could strongly impact their later decisions. People’s fears regarding their privacy were realized after Cambridge Analytica’s relationship with Facebook was revealed. Cambridge Analytica is a company dealing with political elections, using social media for data mining and analysis to profile voter demographics for a particular candidate. They aim to influence vulnerable viewers into backing whatever candidate Cambridge is employed by. In a statement at the 2017 Online Marketing Rockstars Festival, Cambridge Analytica CEO Alexander Nix stated, “...we were able to use data to identify that there was very large quantities of persuadable voters that could be influenced to vote for the Trump campaign.” By using data gathered through Facebook, Cambridge Analytica profiled Facebook users and targeted certain users with ads to influence the 2016 election. Their actions swayed more voters in Trump’s favor, causing him to gain more positive publicity and win the presidential election.
CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA MELTED UNDER PRESSURE Cambridge Analytica originally obtained the information from a third party quiz app who told Facebook that it was for educational purposes. The data gathered by the app, which included information on 87 million Facebook users, was sold to Cambridge. In the words of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, “When we learned in 2015 that Cambridge Analytica had bought data from an app developer on Facebook that people had shared it with, we did take action. We took down the app, and we demanded that both the app developer and Cambridge Analytica delete and stop using any data that they had. They told us that they did this. In retrospect, it was clearly a mistake to believe them.” Cambridge Analytica, while informing Facebook that the data was deleted, held onto it. “Professor Kogan [the creator of the quiz] is said to have taken data from over 70 million Americans. It has also been reported that he sold this data to Cambridge Analytica for $800,000. Cambridge Analytica then took this data and created a psychological warfare tool to influence United States elections.” Cambridge Analytica was first hired by Ted Cruz, then later employed by the Trump campaign. This scandal aroused universal outrage on Facebook’s actions and lackluster response to Cambridge Analytica’s actions. On April 10th of this year, Mark Zuckerberg appeared before the Senate for questioning of Facebook’s response. “Across the board, we have a responsibility to not just build tools, but to make sure that they’re used for good. It will take some time to work through all the changes we need to make across the company, but I’m committed to getting this right. This includes the basic responsibility of protecting people’s information, which we failed to do with Cambridge Analytica,” Zuckerberg stated. After the hearing, Facebook’s net revenue and profit skyrocketed. It is still unknown by Facebook or the Senate if Cambridge Analytica still possesses the data of almost 60 million Facebook users. H
Hawkeye
NEWS
MAY 2018 | 11
NEW TRUMP TARIFFS By Jackson Freund
“Everybody is getting pretty nervous about it; HAWKEYE STAFF I’m also very nervous about it,” said Keith Hu, From soda cans to foundations for buildings, alumithe international program director of the num and steel are key components in many products Washington State Fruit Commission, in America. These products play an important part in “This is my twelfth season, promoting American life, but President Donald Trump recently cherries into China. We’ll see where imposed a 25 percent tax on steel imports and a 10 it goes with this tariff.” percent tax on aluminum. The fines were placed specifiThe results of these tariffs have cally to target Chinese imports with the Trump adminled to strong opinions from various istration claiming China’s previous imports threatened political groups and industrial lobnational security, putting $3 billion worth of taxes on bies. Metal production companies China’s imports of steel and aluminum. in the U.S. are pro-tariffs due to the Tariffs are a form of tax imposed on imports or exports potential increase in the worth of that are enforced by a country’s government that increase their metal and potential increase in the price of something imported or exported. They are sales. often identified with protectionism, the economic policy Many interest groups oppose the of maintaining higher prices for international goods tariffs as well. Major companies that in order to drive business to national manufacturers. produce items requiring large amounts However, since tariffs increase the price of imported of metal, such as cars, are opposed goods, consumers must spend more money to buy foreign to the tariffs since the price of metal products. In this case, the tariffs might increase. have been levied to reduce indusAdditionally, If Trump were to tax Canadian trial dependency on cheaper many farmers imports, then some difficulties could arise due to the fact that foreign steel. in the U.S. have Canada is the leading exporter These tariffs target all countheir crop at risk of steel and aluminum to the tries except for Canada, Mexico, of not being sold to U.S., having exported $7.2 the European Union, Australia, other countries who billion of aluminum and $4.3 Argentina, Brazil and South might put tariffs on billion of steel in 2017. Korea, having been temporarily U.S. products. Many exempted from receiving a tariff are against these tolls on steel and aluminum imports mostly due to the until June 1. Trump stated that the order would show increase in prices or decrease in sales inter“great flexibility and cooperation toward those that are nationally. Car companies would need to use real friends.” This means that close allies with the United more expensive American metal to create their States will most likely be exempted from tariffs. products. Even with these exceptions to the tax, they are tempoTrump does not intend on stopping at steel and rary and could lead to future problems with allied counaluminum, as he has already threatened to put tries. If Trump were to tax Canadian imports, then some around $100 billion of additional tariffs difficulties could arise due to the fact that Canada is the on Chinese products. This has lead leading exporter of steel and aluminum to the U.S., havto China responding with their ing exported $7.2 billion of aluminum and $4.3 billion of own threat of putting taxes steel in 2017. If tariffs were placed on Canada, the prices on roughly $100 billion in of many common tools and appliances would rise. The return. Trump has stated price of cars would also rise, which have a primarily steel that he is willing to start foundation currently, but recently there has been a surge a trade war between of cars using aluminum primarily since it is a lighter the U.S. and metal. China. H In response, China placed tariffs of their own on 128 products from the U.S., including a 15 percent excise on apples, cherries and wine from Washington. This worries many farmers as China is the top export market for Washingtonian cherries and apples, buying $140 million worth of cherries, $50 million worth of apples and $1.2 million worth of wine in 2017. The imposition of the new BRUNO PORRAS | HAWKEYE tariffs has caused unease in the Washington State Fruit Commission.
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YE WKE | HA R E IEG
12 | MAY 2018
NEWS
Hawkeye
SAFE INJECTION IN SEATTLE
Sanctioned “shoot up” sites draw controversy Story and graphics by Matthew Hipolito HAWKEYE STAFF
The opioid epidemic in Washington “The King County Medical Examiner’s (KCME) Office reported that deaths caused by drugs increased to their highest levels in 2016 in both Seattle and King County, Washington,” reads a June 2017 report on opioid abuse released by the Seattle Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. “The majority (63 percent) of the 360 deaths were caused by opioids. The opioids responsible for the overdose deaths were opium derivatives such as morphine and heroin, but also included oxycodone, hydrocodone and methadone. In addition, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, fentanyl-related compounds and U-47700 were also found.” The report points to a conclusion that city, local, and state leaders know all too well: the opioid epidemic in Seattle and Washington continues to grow out of control. A September 2017 report by KOMO found that Snohomish County had run out of kits with which to clean up discarded needles in just two days. The county had a supply of 50 such kits containing personal protective equipment, sharps containers and hand sanitizer to distribute so citizens could clean up any discarded needles they found, but found that more people needed them than anticipated. According to KOMO’s figThe facade of Insite, a supervised injection site in Vancouver and the first in North America. San Francisco, Philadelphia, and ures, opioid overdose ranks in King County as the number Seattle have approved the opening of supervised injection facilities, and San Francisco’s expects to open in July. PUBLIC DOMAIN one cause of preventable death. The problem is one we’ve faced before, with Nixon’s War on Drugs and the crack epidemic in the 80s. This time, it’s of supervised injection sites, and a bill that would allow the back with a vengeance. The AP reports that even though establishment of a supervised injection site in Colorado was fewer than 5,000 overdose deaths were recorded in “1988, shot down in the legislature in February. San Francisco is One of the more obscure entries among the arsenal of poised to be the first to open a supervised injection site, around the height of the crack epidemic, more than 64,000 weapons with which to combat drug abuse is the idea of the with doors slated to be opening in July, and Seattle has Americans died from drug overdoses” in 2016, citing the supervised injection site. The name is fairly self-explanatory allocated $1.3 million dollars in their 2018 budget for the CDC. In the Seattle area, a graph by the DEA shows deaths - it is a safe and clean place in which addicts can, according establishment and operation of a supervised injection site from heroin increasing rapidly from less than 30 in 2009 to the New York Times, “shoot up under the supervision of — which would be called a CHEL, for Community Health to over 140 in 2013. Although opioid overdoses take place medical staff ready to revive them if they overdose.” They Engagement Location — in its 2018 budget. The City are based on harm reduction: the principle that if illicit drug all up and down the Seattle isthmus, most take place in the Council is currently discussing the placeuse is inevitable, the city’s downtown. “My beloved daughter “...The focus of harm ment of such a site in Seattle. Originally, government should Legislative solutions have already been Marah, aged 19, died in reduction is the worstKing County planned to establish two make it as safe as posemplaced. A 2017 bill passed that edited my home from a heroin case scenario for a drug supervised injection sites, with one in sible to partake in it. much of the existing legislation regarding overdose. I agonized so user — total inability Seattle and one outside of the city; howMany exist in Europe in opiates allowed healthcare providers greatmuch over the what-ifs. to quit and eventual ever, pending the opening of the Seattle countries like Germany er oversight as to the prescription of opiWhat if there had been death.” location, plans to open a second supervised and the Netherlands, ates and expanded state authority to legisa safe injection site? Jamie Graham injection site have been put on hold. and the first North late opiate prescription. A bill introduced Where is the urgency?” FORMER VANCOUVER POLICE CHIEF American site opened early in the 2018 session and currently Penny LeGate in Vancouver, B.C. last in the House Committee on Healthcare FORMER TV JOURNALIST year. Vancouver has since opened a second Proponents of supervised injection sites mainly focus on and Wellness would limit the amount of location, and supervised injection sites the reduction in infectious disease and overdose deaths that opioids that could be prescribed at one in Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa have since supervised injection sites are thought to bring. The New time, from a three-day supply for those under 21 to a sevenopened. York Times said in a February editorial that although “it day supply for those over 21 at practitioner’s discretion. The In the United States, however, none exist. But in the face may seem counterintuitive [to] give drug users space and supNews Tribune of Tacoma reports that Governor Jay Inslee of rising overdose numbers, they have gained new tracport to inject themselves with potentially deadly substances, requested in January a bill to spend $2.3 million dollars a tion among large cities with drug problems. Seattle, San even while encouraging them to stop,” supervised injection year to expand a state program that deals with addiction, Francisco, and Philadelphia have all approved the opening sites remain an “important, rigorously-tested harm reduction housing, employment, and social services.
Supervised injection in America?
Saving lives?
Hawkeye
NEWS
method.” They cite “dozens of studies” that point to the was removed by a judge for infringing on the authority of conclusion by that supervised injection sites reduce overthe King County Board of Health. dose deaths and increase the number of people in treatment. “Despite millions of injections that have occurred at more than 90 facilities internationally over the past three decades,” they say, “not a single overdose death has been Supervised injection is also meeting resistance at the recorded.” federal level. In response to a proposed site in Vermont, Mark Lysyshyn, Medical Health Officer for Vancouver the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont Coastal Health claims that the presence of a supervised called supervised injection sites “counterproductive and injection site “definitely prevents overdose” and encourdangerous,” and claimed that they “normalize heroin use, ages addicts to enter into treatment. He also claims that thereby increasing demand for opiates and, by extension, supervised injection sites benefit “‘community order’”, sayrisk of overdose and overdose deaths” and “violate several ing that “there has been less crime in the area, less needles, federal criminal laws, including those prohibiting use of less injection. We had a real epidemic of HIV among the narcotics and maintaining a premises for the purpose of drug-using community in the area and those rates have narcotic use.” A DEA spokesperson, Kathleen Pfaff told really plummeted.” BuzzFeed news that “so-called safe injection sites violate Relatives of many addicts support the measure. “My federal law” and that “any facilitation of illicit drug use is beloved daughter Marah, aged 19, died in my home from a considered in violation of the Controlled Substances Act heroin overdose,” said local TV personaland, therefore, subject to legal action.” “I am just girding for ity Penny LeGate, former co-host of King The Trump Administration’s hard-onthe legal battle, and 5’s Evening Magazine and former morning drugs approach that Trump promises to that could be a lot of anchor for Kiro 7. “I agonized so much be “really, really tough, really mean with fun - a face-off with over the what-ifs. What if there had been the drug pushers” could signal a legal Jeff Sessions.” a safe consumption site? Where is the challenge to the prospect of supervised Dan Satterberg urgency?” injection sites. Specifically, the law KING COUNTY PROSECUTOR that both the Vermont District Attorney’s office and Pfaff cited is a 1986 statute designed to deter people from profiteering off of crack dens. Known as the “crack house statHowever, the benefits are not always readily apparent. ute,” 21 USC § 856, it makes it illegal to “knowingly “When [Vancouver’s supervised injection site] was first open, lease, rent, use, or maintain any place, whether established, we allocated significant resources to the area permanently or temporarily, for the purpose of and it’s typically been an area where there’s a tremendous manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled amount of injection drug use, said Tom Stamatkis, presisubstance.” dent of the Vancouver Police Union. “Why are we creating supervised injection sites but essentially saying to the But, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg says, addicts, ‘You have to find your own way to buy the drugs’ it’s a challenge that the county is willing to take. — so they’re committing crimes?” “I am just girding for the legal battle,” Satterberg Jamie Graham, Chief of the Vancouver Police when the told BuzzFeed, “and that could be a lot of fun — a site opened, claims that “the focus of harm reduction is face-off with Jeff Sessions.” According to Satterberg, the worst-case scenario for a drug user — total inability to supervised injection sites and crack dens are polar quit and eventual death.” The best solution, Graham says, opposites. Due to the difference in purpose and the is “support, treatment, abstinence, and counseling.” positive impact they make on communities, he says, Perhaps the most common argument against superthe crack house statute does not apply. “This adminvised injection sites is that they enable addicts. “I’m not istration doesn’t have much regard for science, but a fan,” said former Washington Attorney General Rob there have been extensive studies on the 90 safe conMcKenna on KIRO radio, “because I think sumption sites already working in Europe, and there’s no getting around the fact that Canada, and all over the world,” he told KIRO safe injection sites, sort of, normalize Radio. “And it’s proven to be an effective heroin addiction. They socialize it as place; for that connection to something that we don’t really like, be made between a medibut it’s something we will, in a sense, cal professional and a drug sanction.” user who may want help. The Supervised injection sites continue evidence is there, they are to gain traction in many of America’s choosing not to look at it. And cities. In addition to the three cities they are using it for political that have already approved their estabpurposes.” lishment, city officials in Ithaca and As of right now, no tangible legal challenge at the New York, among others, are considering starting their federal level has manifested itself. At the own programs. state level, Governor Inslee told KIRO that At the same time, however, many cities continue to shy the decision to establish or ban supervised away from the supervised injection concept. Supervised injection sites will be left to the communities. Due to the injection has been banned in Bellevue, Renton, Federal complicated nature of the issue, it is unlikely that a lasting Way, Auburn, and unincorporated Snohomish County, decision will be made on supervised injection in America, and a measure to ban them in King County was slated to but until then, the concept of supervised injection continappear on the February 2018 special election ballot until it ues to slowly move forward in Seattle. H
MAY 2018 | 13
Federal resistance
Enabling addicts?
WHAT IS
SUPERVISED INJECTION? SUPERVISED INJECTION IS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF HARM REDUCTION, WHICH HOLDS THAT IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PARTAKE IN ILLEGAL DRUGS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE SURE THOSE PEOPLE ARE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.
SUPPORTERS SAY THAT SUPERVISED INJECTION HELPS ADDICTS ENTER TREATMENT AND PREVENTS OVERDOSE, SAVING LIVES. OPPONENTS SAY THAT IT ONLY ENABLES ADDICTS.
#1
OPIOID OVERDOSE IS THE
LEADING CAUSE OF
PREVENTABLE
227 2003 DEATH IN KING COUNTY
KING COUNTY
OPIOID
OVERDOSE DEATHS 2016
INSITE, FIRST SUPERVISED INJECTION FACILITY IN NORTH AMERICA OPENS THREE U.S. CITIES HAVE APPROVED THE OPENING OF SAFE INJECTION FACILITIES
SAN FRANCISCO, PHILADELPHIA, CALIF. PA.
“IT
SEATTLE, WASH.
SHALL BE UNLAWFUL TO KNOWINGLY OPEN, LEASE, RENT, USE, OR MAINTAIN ANY PLACE, WHETHER PERMANENTLY OR TEMPORARILY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTING, OR USING ANY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.” 21 USC § 856, THE SPECIFIC LAW THAT GOVERNS SAFE INJECTION SITES
14 | MAY 2018
A HELPING HAND
NEWS
Hawkeye
After having experiences helping other grams through street outreach across the county. young people while in high school, While working for Cocoon House, Williams also worked Williams knew she wanted to make a on her master’s degree in social work through a program career out of helping people achieve their where she worked as a social worker for the state while havgoals as she entered college at Eastern ing her tuition paid. However, she found that she did not Washington University. enjoy the heaviness of working as a social worker for the “When I graduated high school, I thought entire state and wished to return her focus to specifically By Nolan DeGarlais NEWS EDITOR I would go to college and I’d study psychology because that helping young people. was all I knew at the time about helping people — that if you After the very first MTHS student support advocate and While working at Cocoon House, she worked with a want to help people, then you study psychology,” Williams social worker, Ashley Dawson, left her position at MTHS number of student support advocates, and decided that she said. in November to take a job working in a similar role for wanted to focus her work to help students within a school Although initially intending to major in psychology, the Lynnwood Police Department, there was a void to fill setting. Being done with school and having experiences helpWilliams quickly discovered after taking a psychology class within the Terrace student support staff. Latisha Williams ing young people on the street, Williams finally felt ready to during her first quarter that psychology was not the field in has stepped in to become the new MTHS student support settle down into a more permanent and stable social work which she wanted to make a career. advocate and social worker, enthusiastically taking her first position. “I was miserable because it wasn’t teaching me how to tanjob conducting student social work within a school district Although this is Williams’ first job in a school district gibly walk alongside and support people,” Williams said. setting. position, she has done prior social work with the Edmonds Deciding to explore further options after completing her Before coming to MTHS, Williams had a history of helpSchool District (ESD). Before coming to MTHS, WIlliams psychology course, Williams enrolled in a ing her peers and seeking to make a worked with the Edmonds Career Access Program (EdCAP) sociology course. positive difference in people’s lives. as a social work case manager. “It’s not like I’m working Although she was happier studying sociolWilliams first acknowledged her At EdCAP, Williams worked with ESD students at the with just 25 to 30 students, ogy because it allowed her to examine the passion for helping the community college level who had either seriously struggled with or it could be 100 or 200, relationships between people, the field still during high school, where she was dropped out of school. The goal of EdCAP is to work with whoever needs help and did not teach her how to figure out what passionate about helping her classstudents aged 16 to 21 who were not able to graduate high support.” was troubling a person and then help that mates succeed. She recalled a specific school and help them achieve a high school diploma in a colLatisha Williams MTHS SOCIAL WORKER person through their problem. moment during her senior year of lege environment while introducing them to potential future Finally, Williams discovered her passion high school when she was given her degrees and certifications. EdCAP is tuition free with active for social work by taking a social work class, support of social workers working with the ESD. first real opportunity to help a strugwhich allowed her to learn how to help people through their gling group of young people. One of the things Williams loves about her new job is the problems with actions such as counseling and helping them “My senior year of high school, my teacher was at a point large amount of interactions she gets to have with any stunavigate different support services and systems. where she was really struggling with a certain group of students needing her support, not being confined to working Additionally, the social work program gave Williams the dents, and I had already taken her class before, so she said with a handful of young people as she was at previous jobs. opportunity to tangibly apply her learning to helping people that if I focused on supporting these students I would pass “I get to interact with anyone,” Williams said. “It’s not like her class no worries,” Williams said. “That was my first expe- in the real world through programs such as internships. The I’m working with just 25 to 30 students, it could be 100 or ability to apply her learning led Williams to have no doubt rience being intentional working alongside young people in 200, whoever needs help and support.” she wanted to make a career out of helping people through order to help them achieve a goal they had.” Students are sent to work with Williams through a variety social work. of methods, including referrals from teachers, administra“I was an intern at a homeless shelter for ten tion, counselors and students concerned about fellow stumonths, which really solidified what I wanted dents, although anyone can come to see her for help. to do in terms of walking alongside people and “First and foremost, I always like to build relationships,” helping them get to their goal,” Williams said. WIlliams said. “That could mean just calling people in and Ultimately, Williams graduated with a talking about their experience at MTHS, explaining to them bachelor’s degree in social work from Eastern my role and letting them decide if there is a way I can supWashington University port them.” in 2012, after which she Williams does not want to force stu“I want to get to know you and who returned to Western dents to accept her help and advice, you are, and from that, if a need Washington and took a job and instead wants to allow individual comes up, let’s work together.” conducting social work for students to decide when they personally Latisha Williams young people. need the support she offers. MTHS SOCIAL WORKER “I’m originally from this “I’m never going to be the kind of perside of the state, so I came son that says you have to meet with me,” home and worked for an organization called Williams said. “I want to get to know you and who you are, Cocoon House, where I was an advocate,” and from that, if a need comes up, let’s work together.” Williams said. “I worked on the streets at all Williams emphasizes her role as a problem solver as the different times of the day and night helping biggest component of her job as the MTHS social worker. young people aged 13 to 21 figure out what they Ultimately, Williams wants to find solutions to student wanted to do next.” problems through open conversation with the troubled stuThrough her work with homeless and at-risk dents and find a solution on which all parties can agree. young people as an advocate for Cocoon House, “I get to sit next to someone and figure out how we can Williams was often involved in school systems work together to find whatever solution they might need,” throughout the western portion of Washington Williams said. “I say no question is off limits and I also say state. that I might not know the answers to everything, but as we She focused on guiding homeless, at-risk and build a relationship together we get to figure out what the disconnected youth across Snohomish County answer’s gonna be. I’m never going to be the one to push you Latisha Williams became the school social worker after a long road of assisting by helping them access services such as long into something or say this is best or this isn’t best, I’m here to other students in high school. CIARA LANEY | HAWKEYE term housing and homelessness prevention pro- really listen and help us develop together.” H
Meet Latisha Williams, MTHS’s Student Support Advocate and Social Worker
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#HeForShe Story and graphic by Nhung Lam HAWKEYE STAFF
With the issue of gender equality being widely discussed, the HeForShe campaign’s rooted goal is to show that gender equality is not just for women’s rights, it’s for human rights. Founded by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, HeForShe is a solidarity campaign fighting for worldwide gender equality. The HeForShe mission is to have “every voice... heard in classrooms and corner offices around the world.” The campaign believes “Everyone has a say. Everyone has a role. Every unique contribution is essential to achieving gender equality. And when these powerful voices are heard, they will change the world. The time for that change is now.” UN Women is led by United Nations Under Secretary General Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who is described as a “global champion for women and girls” by the UN Women for her dedication to gender equality and empowering of women with the HeForShe community. Emma Watson, British actress, model and activist was appointed on July 8, 2014 by the UN Women as the global goodwill ambassador. In her speech at the United Nations, she used her large following to ask the world to take action to build this new solidarity movement for gender equality. Watson also stated being sexualized at the age of 14 and other issues, including watching her female friends drop out of sports in their teenage years because they were afraid of appearing too “muscly,” pushed her to decide she was a feminist. Watson brought attention to both sides of the spectrum, saying she would like men to “take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue too.” The HeForShe campaign aims to #BreakTheSilence with a simple question: “Are you #HeForShe?” HeForShe invites
people worldwide to come together to take action in the effort to create a gender-equal world. Issa Moffet, a sophomore at MTHS, spoke out on her thoughts on the HeForShe Campaign and gender equality as a human rights issue, saying equality is key. “Instead of making sure everything is even, we should focus more on getting people what they need in order to get to the same level. Women need more opportunities to become equal and men don’t need as many,” Moffet said. Elizabeth Nyamayaro, Head of HeForShe Initiative and senior advisor to the under secretary general of UN Women, leads the vision and daily work of the push. In a TEDWomen talk, she extended an invitation to men and boys around the world “to stand in solidarity with each other and with women to create a shared vision for gender equality. This is an invitation for those women and men, and those who don’t yet know that they believe.” HeForShe expresses that the issue of gender equality is present everywhere, including in education, health, identity, work, violence and politics. HeForShe wants every child to have the right to an education, everyone to have an equal chance at health care and for no one to be held back by negative stereotypes about who they love or their selfexpression. The campaign pushes for gender equal opportunity and fair pay in the workplace, no violence against women and girls, and equality in the underrepresented women at ballot boxes and making sure everyone’s voice is heard. According to HeForShe, there are more than 1.3 billion combined gender equality actions that have taken place since the campaign has been in action since July 20th, 2014. The official HeForShe website claims that there are currently 1.3 billion conversations, 1.7 million commitments and 1.1 thousand events all relating to gender
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ESTABLISHING A FOOTHOLD IN MODERN AMERICA equality actions. With the amount of attenCorporations including Electronic Arts, tion surrounding this movement, being the Vodafone and Tupperware Brands signed future of society, students have the voices the Women’s Empowerment Principles that will impact this movement today and and implemented Principle NO. 7, which the near future. “The world is at a turning measures and publicly reports on progress point. People everywhere understand and to achieve gender equality and launched the support the idea of gender equality. They HeForShe API, which mobilizes employknow it’s not just a women’s issue, it’s a ees worldwide. The HeForShe API is an human rights issue. app that geographiAnd when these cally tracks in real “Everyone has a say. Everyone has powerful voices are time, the number of a role. Every unique contribution is heard, they will essential to achieving gender equality. men who’ve signed change the world. up for HeForShe. And when these powerful voices are The time for that heard, they will change the world. The Universities must change is now,” implement mandatory time for that change is now.” the HeForShe gender sensitization HeForShe mission statement campaign’s mission -which is modifying states. the behavior, raising awareness of gender One of the campaign’s movements, equality concerns on campus and addressing IMPACT 10x10x10 (IMPACT) is focused gender-based violence with other universion engaging important decision-makers in ties. corporations, governments, and universities As many as 30 government officials, includworldwide to drive change from the top of ing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, social hierarchies. corporate officials such as Vodafone CEO Figures who have agreed to represent Vittorio Colao, and university officials such the IMPACT campaign make the issue of as Stony Brook University president Samuel gender equality an institutional priority Stanley have taken action in implementing by implementing the HeForShe IMPACT gender equality in their countries and orgaframework -which is a general guide to the nizations. pilot initiative- and developing three comOne of the HeForShe campaign movemitments to achieve and further gender ments, Thematic Initiative, includes global equality for all. The framework gives backleaders committed to reaching parity and a ground information on the initiative, guidegender equal world for all. Women engages lines, criteria and suggested actions for each with the local leaders in private and public type of IMPACT champion. Champions sectors. The initiative focuses on global go above and beyond implementing the leaders trying to reach equality and a genHeForShe IMPACT framework by develop- der equal world for all using their unique ing three bold, game-changing commitments resources, networks and specialized skills to advance and achieve gender equality for to drive for the change for gender equality. all, making sure it is an institutional priority There are eight Thematic champions who are as important decision makers in the world dedicated to gender equality and women’s committed to IMPACT 10X10X10 moveempowerment. ment. With the great attention brought by the National leaders around the globe helped HeForShe campaign, “we’re standing togethimplement gender equality and launch er and taking action to create a gender equal the HeForShe campaign nationwide. world,” states the HeForShe Campaign. H
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