The New (Ab)Normal 2022 Issue

the new ab normal

editor-in-chief associate editors

James Ellis Shloka Vishweshwar Emily Zhou

creative director writers

Jane Poon Lauren Lee Gordon Ho Sarah Kalarickal

associate formatter

Eva Roukema

Supervising teacher

LeAnn Stanhope

our new normal How has the pandemic shaped society?

the ultimate student guide Excerpts from an exclusive source on how to achieve stellar grades

pop culture and fashion How has pop culture and fashion been influenced by the drastic changes?

poetry

A collection of wonderful pieces by our student writers

politics & activism

Activism in our new reality good or bad?

art

Photography, digital artwork, and drawings from high school students

2022 our new reality in

Over the past few years, our way of life has changed dramatically, constructing a new normal for individuals all across the globe. How did these changes affect us, and were they positive... or negative?

OUR NEW

How Covid-19 Impacted U.S & Global Education :/ - JAMES ELLIS Along with the tumult of adolescence, there is school. And while education is a privilege and can often involve excellent experiences for many, there is an apparent harmful side to the school system. A large bulk of students says this stems from clique-formation, troubles fitting in, and bullying. From an academic perspective, the toxicity stems from an unreasonable, demanding pressure paired with the notion that you are defined by the letters on your report card.

If you don’t get into that Ivy League school, your life becomes meaningless. Although social interaction and high academic achievement remain staples in the school system, there is a way to establish these concepts in a positive manner that concurrently supports students. However, the absence of support for students, along with a lack of federal funding, has done the opposite: many education systems' flawed aspects have been enhanced recently, warranting a serious conversation. In this article, we will discuss the cause and effect of events in recent years on students, the inherent fault of the schooling system and government, the implications of this drastic change, and if we want to return to the old normal.

So, how did the current circumstances surrounding the school system get this bad?

Do you remember Covid-19? Well, of course, you do. The virus was just emerging in early 2020, but by April 2020, it is estimated that one hundred and eighty-eight nations had suspended all in-person schooling. Over 90% (1.7 billion children) of students around the world were no longer receiving education at schools, and a large portion of those removed from in-person schooling didn’t have any substitute, such as online learning, and their schooling ultimately ceased. Those who learned from home faced additional adversities in the way they learned. Students with special educational needs suffered the most due to the sudden lack of resources they regularly possessed. In order to get a grasp of how this has affected students, we must unpack the widespread, institutionallevel change in the school system. Let’s take a look at some of this causation detailed in Andreas Schleicher’s essay, The Impact of Covid-19 on Education below: Lack of proper financial funding for education Restraints on student mobility The loss of instructional time delivered in a school setting New measures (or no measures) to support student learning Teacher’s preparedness in adapting to digital learning (or lack thereof) How schools would operate in-person (new class-size, safety precautions)

Decreased social interactions on account of social distancing 167 of 195 (86%) students also communicated that because they weren’t coming to school every day, they didn’t interact with their peers as much.

Increased concerns regarding academic performance Academic performance also worried 159 of the total 195 students (82%).

Additionally, there has also been declining academic performance following lockdowns.

As documented by Brookings, MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) testing has shown a significant decline in students’ mathematical ability. Reading remained relatively the same, with no notable decline or improvement in reading skills.

The graphs below show the extent the pandemic and the schooling system’s inability to adapt had on students’ performance in mathematics.

What is happening as a result?

A multitude of negative things are occurring. Think about it. Along with all these extensive changes and the already existing pressures of school, the pandemic has highlighted the difficulties students face in the worst way possible. The substantial changes in students’ stress and social interactions are as follows: There has been increased general stress on students—according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, in a survey of 195 student participants, 138 (71%) indicated increased anxiety and/or stress due to Covid-19. A large majority of the students likely felt stress because of the mishandling of the pandemic by schools, as well as other enhanced adversities of the school system as a result of the virus.

More difficulties concentrating - The NLM reported that 173 of 195 students (89%) found more difficulty concentrating.

Disruptions to sleeping patterns - Of the 195 students, 168 (86%) indicated disruptions to sleep patterns. .

And is the school system to blame?

While this blame could be shared with others, including the federal government, some fault has to be placed on the school system. The pandemic has really underscored the inflexibility and absence of willingness that the school system has to change. And those who are being affected the most are students. With this being said, the government could have also done better in its approach. If the U.S. government had put more tax money toward education and provided teachers and administrators with the materials to support students during this time, perhaps the results wouldn’t have been as disastrous.

According to an NBC News article by John W. Schoen, health care, national defense, social security, monetary support for veterans and retirees, transportation, and scientific research all use up a larger percentage of Americans’ federal tax money than does education. Especially in public schools, when staff members are not being paid adequately or given proper resources, the incentive to support students and the results students produce decrease dramatically. The pandemic simply hit the education system, which already needed considerable reform, to its knees.

So...

What does all of this mean?

Undoubtedly, Covid-19 has had an irrefutable impact on students. McKinsey & Company released a thorough dataset exploring how deep and far these consequences will reach. Understandably, these statistics place a lot of emphasis on race and how African American and Hispanic children, as well as students living in poverty, will be particularly influenced by recent events. For one, the statistics illustrate how these mass shutdowns of schools will further stretch the gaps between young students of color and white students.

Furthermore, the numbers show how absenteeism has increased in the past year for students. This could mean a significant spike in the rate of students who drop out of school altogether. Above all, McKinsey & Company stresses the mental health of students.

Finally, do we want this to become our new normal? If not, how can we deal with this issue?

No is the short answer. Education is so important, and when children have the opportunity to learn, it is critical that they are able to get the most out of their experience. Unfortunately, the US and other school systems aren’t doing enough.

This was on display last year because of the pandemic. It isn’t able to adapt, and the government plays a vital role in this incompetence. So, because education is so important, we need to address issues in the school system. This can start with some smaller changes related to the way students transition back to the classroom.

The school system should first safely reopen schools, reengage students in effective and positive learning environments, and support students in completing unfinished curriculum. The school system should also make efforts to help those with special needs. Special needs range from mental health problems to disabilities. In the past, schools have further marginalized people in the groups mentioned, and it’s time this changed.

Opportunity gaps must close. The vulnerable need to be supported. And, overall, we need change that will transform the school system. Instead of five days a week in a traditional brick-andmortar school, we need to employ the technology and the possibilities at hand so that during the next global crisis, education isn’t a problem.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world

n e e T How ionships and t a l e R acy Changed Intim Covid-19 r e v O -

KALAR H A R A S WAR & H S E VISHW A K O L SH

ICKAL

To say that the novel coronavirus has influenced our social interactions would be an understatement. Through a surge of digitalization, adoption of masks in public and lengthy quarantines, devoid of contact, we emerge with harsh social repercussions, making teenage relationships even harder than as is. The quest for a partner has changed drastically from the strategies we used a few years ago. Results from a teen survey revealed to us how the pandemic has transformed social interaction among teenagers both online, and in real life.

Online Interactions The charm of your online and social media presence now hold deep significance in your overall charisma, especially since over 40% of respondents reported that most interactions with their crushes occurred online.

The procedure of calculating how long you should wait before texting your crush back is grueling, but an act we feel inclined to do nonetheless. It is a mental reserve in our mind to not seem too needy or obsessed, hoping to create a compensated attraction on the other side. According to our survey, 83% of teenagers admit to this act, but 80% further admitted that their efforts for this act have increased since the pandemic began.

Furthermore, they admitted that being left on open or delivered holds a larger sting than it did a few years ago.

The only explanation for these patterns is that with increased digitalization came increased pressure on how you present yourself online. Due to social distancing, all forms of in-person contact were stunted, which placed online interactions at the utmost priority. This meant not only were people checking their phones for a text more often, but were also more disposed to ghosting others, or leaving them on delivered for hours.

The mind games and delusions we display in person influxed our online conversations, a part of our methods in making our online presences stand out from everyone else. A simple text conversation now felt like a fight for the upper hand.

All modes of online interactions were popular among the survey respondents.

Some preferred Facetimes or Google Hangouts, others favoured Discord calls to feed their gaming obsessions. But while the modes of communication stayed stable, respondents admitted some of their friendships did not. In truth, without having common classes or chances to bump into each other at school, everyone was required to put in a little extra effort to stay in touch with people whom you did not talk with much outside of your common class. As a result of this, friendships faded.

I feel like it showed who was really there for me and who wasn’t.

I lost quite a few friends but gained other ones and made stronger bonds.

I definitely grew closer with some people but drifted with many as well.

Luckily, according to most answers, stronger relationships and bonds were also formed in compensation. (Food for thought, maybe quarantine was a good indicator for who was truly your friend?)

However, it was not only our online interactions that took a hit post-pandemic, but our real-life interactions had changed too. For now, you can walk down the street with only a quarter of your face in sight. he adoption of masks has been stoic within Hong Kong citizens for over a year, but the surprise one feels when seeing someone unmasked for the first time remains the same.

Respondents reported they felt often appalled when someone took their mask off for the first time, some revealing their inner thoughts to be “Yikes” or “That’s a lot of pimples”. In fact, 93% of respondents admitted they had initially found someone to be cute until they took their mask off. Mask-fishing was the coined term for this type of effect, or more specifically for these types of people.

In demonstration, mask fishing played a large role in interactions and intimacy. As much as we deny it, outer appearances often do play a role in first impressions when we are looking for someone, but masks fully obscure half of a person’s facial features. As a result, we are not experiencing a person’s full appearance and this can lead to disappointment when we do.

However, as many respondents confirmed, your bond with someone is instantly strengthened as soon as they take their mask off in front of you. Even subliminally, this simple act can make two people closer.

“I somehow felt closer to them, because now I could see their whole face.”

“It made me feel like they trusted me more.”

When everyone around us is obscured, seeing someone’s full face is a rare gift, so treat it like one!

Despite the positive outlooks, it is undeniable that interactions and intimacy are considerably harder for us postpandemic, and weak awareness of the situation has only made things worse.

Because even if you survive the talking stages, ruthless mind games, and judgement when unmasked, when it comes down to it, how do you know how to be a good boyfriend or girlfriend? Over 85% of respondents reported they didn’t. Some noted they followed by example from their parents or took advice from their equally clueless friends, but neither of these are ideal sources for intimate relationships.

Many respondents agreed that schools should involve more awareness on this type of topic as any kind of advice would help. Teachers should initiate an open, non-awkward setting for students to express any fears or concerns they may have, as well as educate them about what each gender may want in a relationship, reinforce the acceptance of same-sex relationships and help teenagers navigate the hectic, soul-crushing, but truly rewarding post-pandemic world of dating.

How Teen Entrepreneurs Rose In The Face of Covid-19 - SHLOKA VISHWESHWAR

From social media marketing to launching virtual shopping lines, Covid-19 has contributed a fresh wave of inspiration and ideas, creating a large spike in young entrepreneurship. While virtual workdays and imposed crowd restrictions proved to be major setbacks to adults, forwardthinking teens did not take this as a step backwards, but rather an opportunity to swing with the big leagues while the professionals were disadvantaged.

But how did teenagers manage to stay in the game while most professional businesses struggled?

The secret to how teenagers thrived in a time of economic downfall is not as complex as you’d think.

1. Increased Virtuality Post-pandemic life has transitioned into an increasingly virtual world with social distancing laws still intact. While this has had its downsides, technology has proven as a valuable tool for young entrepreneurs to launch their startups. Although technology played a significant part in our lives beforehand, it is now second nature for us to open our device the second we have spare time. Without going outside to distract ourselves, everybody’s attention was fully diverted to what was going on in our screens. On that account, it took businesses a while to realise the only solution to salvage their revenue was to boost their presence online and shift to fully digitalised services. Most decided to stay inactive or take a break for a few months during the mandatory lockdown as nobody knew how long the situation would last.

But quick-thinking teenagers found ways to capitalise upon the fact that everyone was confined to their home. 16-year-old Laurence Moss runs a social media marketing business with a revenue that almost doubled his total in the previous year during the lockdown. “I just loved the flexibility of remote work”, he comments. “I had pages about motorbikes, niche travel, cars, cats and dogs. I gathered viral content and pushed it onto the pages. It was purely for the fun of it”.

In a naturally tech-savvy generation, most students could launch startups based on their already existing Instagram presence or Facebook account. This paved the way for teen social media marketers, YouTubers, streams, etc… Technology was their turf, and the accelerated adoption of digital devices only played to their strengths.

2. Staying Relevant One of the most crucial aspects to consider in a company is relevance. If your company is no longer relevant to customers, it's time to make a change. While toilet paper makers may have seen immense success during "toilet paper phobia" earlier last year, things have begun to return to normal as consumers realized that toilet paper wasn’t such a big deal. As a result, toilet paper manufacturers should not expect the same sales boom as they did a few months ago. While businesses struggled to rethink their strategies and preserve their relevance after Covid-19, teenagers had the advantage of being a new startup. This gave them the chance to tailor their company specifically to the Covid-19 situation, benefiting them in the best way possible.

Liza Danielson, an eighteen year old high school student in Greenwich used her tyedye skills to create colourful collections of masks. Masks, Covid-19 statistic websites, and wellness newsletters are all ways teenagers cultivate businesses based on what is relevant now.

3. Time & Motivation Running a business not only takes innovation and creativity, but lots and lots of time. Hours and hours of effort need to be put into crafting your startup, which teenagers found abundance of once lockdown commenced.

14 year old Jane Poon (current HKIS student) runs a customisation business of embedding patterns or logos onto clothes or accessories such as shoes, etc… “Running a business like that takes work,” says Jane, “I feel like the reason why my business managed to stay afloat is because I have less things to do in a day than an adult does.”

An abundance of time made business significantly easier for Jane.

With the added factor of all possible job opportunities squashed, money proved to be a big motivator for these teens as well. Many of the weekend jobs in retail or hospitality that would be traditionally considered have taken sharp blows as coronavirus measures restrict opening hours and customer numbers.

Meanwhile, babysitting shifts also came less frequent as parents were not leaving their house or their children. Part-time jobs were also waning as students prioritised schoolwork over employment.

Enter the lockdown, a perfect way for young entrepreneurs to resource the extra time they had been given to launch their startups for cash without even moving from their room.

covid

- JETT PEDERSON

memories

sunflowers - JAMES ELLIS dashing through a field of luscious green, past a creek, past a pond, past some leaves, suddenly I’m calm coming to a patch of yellow, the noise dwindles for the sunflowers have something I long, boldly beaming from their petals their vibrance and their joyous song have vanished in my sorrowful life I wish that it would come back now as I could take but just a little and share it with whomever share it so and so and then those little sunflowers would grow and grow

L P A S

Dunkin’, New York

By Jason Chen The bracing chill On a cold winter’s day Neon lights shine bright orange Hundreds of footprints engraved in the snow Basked in the warm light Warm buttered scents waft through the frigid air Folks from all around the world gather A melting pot of race, religion, ethnicity Children, business workers, grandparents Thousands of colors fill different eyes Scarves worn covering faces red and smiling Bustling, shuffling, hustling All waiting for food, the great equalizer Dunkin’, the nesting doll of New York

Hong Kong

By Magnus Wong Towers of steel rise up from the land, Ever more imposing, ever more grand.

The people dwarfed, like small grains of sand, The distinct mix of cultures, hard to understand.

In the north, the mountains beckon, To so many, this is their heaven.

But every day, this dream, it is threatened, For the selfish and needless sake of progression.

The old rulers, lovers of tea, Gave this place its rich history.

Traditions and civility, riches and glory, A glorious harbor of wealth and prosperity.

Arcade

By Collin Cheng Flashing lights fill the atmosphere Shining their light like a sudden lightning strike As sounds of exhilaration envelop the cramped space children run from game to game As some leave this area With a saddened look on their face Some scream with excitement As Loud like a lion's roar As they are astounded by what they just won And as machines spit out tickets Their vibrant colors rich and clear friends play one another With such a joyous looks on their faces And although one loses more than they gain However the memories created is a worthwhile price to pay

Butterfly in Mumbai

By Thia Sheth In my small cocoon, I cannot see.

I can only hear the waves of the Arabian sea against the shore, Islamic prayers echoing throughout the city.

In the confinement of my chrysalis, I find comfort.

It is only a matter of days before I break through this woven silk.

Emerge as a new-born creature, Open my compound eyes, See the city in many directions and colors.

Red, yellow, blue, and green.

I will see praying people, flower garlands hanging from their necks.

The Arabian Sea, The Honking Cars.

Every noise that I heard will come to life when I open my eyes.

It is now the day of my unraveling.

The city’s sun hits me like a lightning bolt.

Pushing my legs and spreading my wings, My cocoon finally breaks.

I am now in Mumbai as a butterfly.

Wet Market

By Damian Lee Putrid chunks of red flesh spill onto the uneven floor.

Arrays of stalls full of varicolored produce fill the wet warehouse.

“Can I buy it for 20? 25?” the customers always say, In the end, they don’t follow the right amount needed to pay.

Like the cold night sky merging with the warm sunset, Dim, flickering lights fill the cool space.

A cluster of stores supply the basic ingredients needed, Like an all-you-can eat buffet, All the ingredients are within arms reach.

This is the wet market.

Unaware children, follow their parents Blissfully ignorant of the death around them.

The evening they saw death, they ate the braised eel, Unable to unsee how the eel was once a living thing.

This is the wet market.

Coming Home

By Aria Tahilramani The sliding doors of the airport separate The loud shouts of the crowd assault my ears The sultry air stings my nose The same air that the herd of people packed together like a box of mithai All breath in and out

My House

By Nathan Wang Morning The Sun's growing dazzle awakens the slumbering home Adults wake first, then they wake up their kids They rush out for each of their affairs Like a school of fish meeting a predator, they separate Noon The helper begins her line of work Renewing the place with Windows pellucid and mirrors gleam A revitalized home awaits the remaining inhabitants Evening The school of fish groups up once again The bunch eat together Slow paced actions accompany the sun’s dwindling dazzle People go to sleep, children first, then their parents Night The house loses its previous glow Darkness puts all activities to a halt And it shall remain so Until Morning

Settled in the backseat of the black and yellow taxi We drive along the coastal highway The restless ocean waves crash against the shore of the island in a consistent rhythm Cars alike cruise steadily, all heading towards the same destination The city A thousand yellow and black rickshaws A hundred dirty red open trucks crammed with standing workers A herd of taxi drivers all yelling, “Chal bhai!”

The chaos is the only constant here The usual unpredictability A sharp turn takes us to a narrow mud path I wave to my favorite sweet shop seller Women in bright pink and orange saris roast pine nuts on the side of the streets Our apartment in sight, a faint kitchen light is flickering I am home in Mumbai

The Field of Dreams

By Daniel Zhang As we trudge on through the weeds, And onto the field, the field of dreams.

Invaded by monkeys and egrets, A field of life.

Creeping over the skyline, The sun rises, beckoning.

As we trudge on through the weeds, And onto the field, the field of dreams.

With stones, rocks and pebbles, Splattered across the infield dirt.

Vegetation knee high, uncut, Mushrooms and Grass alike.

But the condition is no matter, For the love of the game overrules.

As we trudge on through the weeds, And onto the field, the field of dreams.

Mrs. MULLIGAN on how to be a

STELLAR

STUDENT

in Honors Biology - EMILY ZHOU & JANE POON

A

ccording to Mrs. Mulligan, an Honors Biology teacher, there are many myths revolving around the course, but the biggest myth is that the class is going to be challenging. She thinks that this is the biggest myth because students do know information, and with the tips below, students can feel more confident in their studying. Another myth would be that it is hard to approach a teacher––Mrs. Mulligan encourages her students to come up to her and ask questions. So, we interviewed her on how to do well in the course and asked her about some helpful studying strategies. These tips not only apply to Honors Biology but could be applied to other subjects as well.

1) The first tip is to talk to your teacher. Talking to teachers can help you figure things out about the class. It is also important for students that they like the course, because if they like what they’re doing and feel open and safe in the room, they will be more receptive to learning, and that will impact everything else in the future.

2) Mrs. Mulligan also highlights the importance of being familiar with the learning targets. If you know these well, you will know what you’re responsible for learning. Making a copy of the learning target document and taking notes on it is a good strategy.

3) Cutting new concepts down into smaller parts is another useful strategy because it makes information easier to understand. If you find reading onerous or confusing, you could read the summaries at the end of the chapters or learn by reading sections at a time. For some, watching a video is more helpful. You can also explain concepts and information to friends, which is something used during class. Teachers are a great source of information.

4) Another way to study effectively would be organising notes by colour coding and mind maps. Mrs. Mulligan thinks that the majority of her students over the years have always initially disliked making mind maps, but later they began to use them more often because of how helpful it was. Personally, I like mind maps because they help me get a clear picture of the information on each topic.

5) Memory retrieval is an important part of learning biology. Mrs. Mulligan has probably shown the "forgetting curve" diagram with all of you. She suggests that students revisit information or a topic at least ten times so that the information can be fully imprinted into their memory. About five of those times you review

concepts with your teachers in class, and the other five should be during your own studying time. She says, "The more times you hit a concept, the more you're practising the neuropathway, so the information is more established in your brain.

5) Memory retrieval is an important part of learning biology. Mrs. Mulligan has probably shown the forgetting curve diagram with all of you. She suggests that students revisit information or a topic at least ten times so that the information can be fully imprinted into their memory. About five of those times that you review concepts with your teachers in class is with your teachers, and the other five should be during your own studying time. She says, “The more times you hit a concept, the more you’re practising the neuropathway, so the information is more established in your brain.”

6) Make sure to think about the logic of a concept or information. After taking a few tests in Honors Biology, I’ve learned an important thing: To think about the logic of a situation; how a biologist would think while taking a test. Another way to improve your logical thinking is to adjust a variable in a concept and wonder what would happen next. For example, if you’re reviewing how a food web or food chain works, you could wonder, “What would happen if I removed the wolves?” Those are also great conversations to have with other friends and classmates.

7) Come in with the right state of mind on test day. Make sure that you’re not feeling anxious, or too full of food. “If you just ate a big meal, all your blood is going to rush to your stomach and not to your brain,” says Mrs. Mulligan, “so you don’t want to eat something too heavy before you take a test.” Be comfortable in the room, and if you feel uncomfortable in your seat, you need to let your teacher know. Skim through the test so that you can see what exactly is being asked and you can calculate how much time you use on each question.

Mrs. Mulligan says that you should only answer what’s asked for. Adding extra information not related to the question is a mistake that Mrs. Mulligan sees students make on tests. Another strategy could be to do the first couple of pages, and then do the harder questions at the back, then go back to where you were.

We hope these strategies help with studying for Honors Biology! Thank you to Mrs. Mulligan for this great interview, and thank you to Mrs. Bennett for editing.

POLIT

ICS &

THE MULTIRACIAL Future - JAMES ELLIS

In the past few years, the United States population has become more diverse than ever. This includes a rapidly increasing group of Americans who identify as mixedrace. Nicholas Jones, who leads the Census Bureau’s race and ethnic research, stated, “33.8 million residents [are] identifying themselves as two or more races.”

According to Visual Capitalist, the number of multiracial Americans will more than double by the year 2060. From a multiracial perspective, this article will investigate what the multiracial future looks like and whether this is a gain for humanity or a complication.

“Differences in physical traits between human populations accumulated slowly over tens of thousands of years,” an article from Aeon reports. The essay goes on to explain that as people dispersed around the globe and adapted to local conditions, natural selection and cultural innovations led to growingly distinct appearances.

Migration, among other things, has led to “mixing,” where these traits have blended together. So, mingling is nothing new.

However, the rate at which this is currently happening has never been seen before.

Due to globalization, mass migration, and a spike in the number of interracial relationships, there has been a surge of multiracial people. This change, however, is not inconsequential.

If you search “multiracial” online, you will likely find overwhelmingly positive essays and stories about multiracial Americans.

Many articles point out that multiracial people and multiculturalism can increase tolerance. “The multiracial population’s increasing size and visibility [have] the potential to positively shift racial attitudes,” claims a research team led by Duke University psychologist Sarah Gaither. Gaither explains that white people are more comfortable talking about race with mixed people than other minorities.

Additionally, many writers have pointed out that, in the past few decades, multiracial people have been critical in integrating society and broadening the white audience’s horizons. Mariah Carey, one of the highest-selling singers of all time, helped to fuse R&B and pop, predominantly black and white music genres, and introduce them to brand-new groups of people. Henry Golding has done the same, starring in films centering on Asian stories that have been successful and groundbreaking in Hollywood. Former President Barack Obama and current Vice President Kamala Harris have also helped unify the United States and bridge the gap to better understanding between both sides of their identity.

With this being said, a plethora of irrational, hasty arguments have been made in regards to the positivity of a multiracial future. A mixed America or world isn’t the utopia it’s made out to be. For one, the commonly-held and promoted idea that multiracial people will single-handedly eradicate racism is very impractical. As many people around the world are coming to understand, there is a long history of racism in the United States, which has constructed a complex system rooted in racism. The idea that this is something that something like racism

skin complexions already feel the need to lighten their skin to look like the biracial or racially ambiguous members of their community. Along with this, the loss of identity is something that may occur with the growth of multiracial people and multiculturalism. If the world becomes one race, the preservation of local traditions and what makes everyone unique may become extinct.

In conclusion, as a multiracial person, I know that multiracialism and multiculturalism are crucial

TIME MAGAZINE’S 1993 COVER: “THE NEW FACE OF AMERICA” AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S DIGITALLY-PRODUCED IMAGE ARE IMAGINATIONS OF WHAT FUTURE AMERICANS MAY LOOK LIKE

can be easily dismantled with “mixing” is actually quite dangerous. Simply put, multiracial people won’t end racism, but they may instead complicate it. When mixed-race people become the majority, the further marginalization of monoracial minorities will simultaneously take place. One prime example of this is colorism, which Merriam-Webster defines as “discrimination within a racial or ethnic group favoring people with lighter skin over those with darker skin.” Within Black and Asian communities, those with darker

to a modern, progressive society. It is a privilege to study at Hong Kong International School, which contains a diverse, inclusive student body. However, as a multiracial person, I must recognize that structural, comprehensive change must take place to eliminate racism. The idea that the growing multiracial people are going to end racism isn’t adequate and rather feels like an impulsive dream or even worse, an excuse.

Thus, in order to effectively bring about this change, let’s not misplace the onus of combating the issue at hand.

M S I V I T K C A L S h c t u r C s ' Z n Ge

- LAUREN LEE

Today’s youth is often considered the most socially aware generation to date. Too often, “spreading awareness” is where people start and end their participation in activism. In this tumultuous time of social distancing and increased reliance on technology, how can we continue to create real change for the issues we care about?

According to the New York Times, the wave of modern uprisings and protests that followed the police killing of George Floyd likely incited the largest social movement in American history, with estimates suggesting up to 26 million Americans took to the streets in summer 2020 to voice support for Black lives and opposition to police brutality. Many, including celebrities like Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift, participated in #blackouttuesday, a movement in which users posted a black square on their social media feeds with the intention of standing in solidarity with the Black community. These online activism movements gained massive traction and spread like wildfire; however, critics express their disdain for how activism seems to be manifested in today’s society: manufactured, fruitless, and insincere.

“The #BlackOutTuesday black tile campaign on Instagram highlighted how powerful peer influence can be on social media in terms of not wanting to be seen as complacent and silent on a significant and very public social issue,” Breanan Turner told upstart.

Performative activism, for lack of a better definition, is a pejorative term used to describe acts of activism that are performed on a surface level, and for the benefit of the user. These actions are centered on the user maintaining their social standing and turning the spotlight back on themselves, as opposed to adding to the discussion about the root cause. In the status quo, the new ‘normal’ for most is to be socially aware; and coupled with our increasing reliance on technology, we have created a culture of hyper-focus on external perception, a culture that allows performative activism to flourish. It is the norm to conflate likes and views and follows with –and so, many, sometimes unconsciously, try to become beneficiaries of the social currency that comes from engaging in performative activism.

"Performative activism is really about getting the so-called glory of activism without having to pay any price," Ziwe Fumudoh said. Performative activism allows

Social media is an effective tool to educate oneself and spread awareness about a given issue, but it allows for furthering blurs the lines between mainstream ‘slacktivism’ (a slang term referring to performative activism) and genuine allyship. It is true that the contradistinction between virtue signaling and genuine allyship is not black and white. Even so, there are still viable avenues for individuals to navigate today’s convoluted and polarized political landscape. Instead of falling into traps of mindlessly retweeting soundbites, indulging in trendy but meaningless social media hashtags, and worshipping any celebrity that reposts an infographic, focus on enacting real, tangible, and measurable action. Be intentional about what petitions you promote and ensure you are making resources accessible.

Donate whatever you can, whenever you can, to organizations and charities that are trusted and reliable. Hold people in positions of power accountable for their silence and inaction. Do your best to dive deeper into the nuances of the issue, and do your best to advocate for the issues that matter most.

Performative activism is not inherently bad; performative activism and progress are not mutually exclusive. Even in our current socio-political climate, where many vie for the social currency that comes from engaging in performative activism, we must continue fighting for the

causes we believe in, authentically creating real, tangible change. Above all, we must truly fight for the issues that matter most.

WEN

the

Friend or Foe?

LEFT: (Probably Foe) - GORDON HO

When does a political movement go too far? An ideal twisted into something made for oppression rather than liberation? While many would point to more historical examples like the Nazis or Revolutionary France, a new form of oppression is taking root in an unexpected place; academia. In the last decade, a paradigm shift in culture has occurred in campuses across the west, shifting towards what many are beginning to call illiberal leftism. Five characteristics can define this fledgling movement that recently entered the mainstream; exceptionally active social justice activism, intolerance of dissenting ideas, ostracization of opponents, intolerance of inequity and any hierarchies, and aversion to outside input or debate.

Although some may assume this analysis is biased; illiberal leftism, the new left, appears to be centred around an ideology of puritanism, similar in nature to the kind found in 17th century America, in which any perceived moral digressions are often punished severely, regardless of the intention of the offender. However, that seems to be the only similarity between the two, with both seemingly pulling in polar opposite directions. Unfortunately, both conservative and liberal puritanism produce the same result, a culture of fear and oppression where sociopolitical diversity is oppressed not by the state or church, but by the group. Alternatively, it could be called tyranny by the masses. Countless examples of this play out across many academic institutions, especially in the United States. One example illustrating this claim is the recent cancellation of a lecture by Dorian Abbott, a geophysics professor at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), over an article coauthored by him in Newsweek stating that college admissions should be based on merit and not diversity (the article was criticizing MIT’s DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policy).

Further evidence of this “cancel culture” can be found throughout stories of the dismissal of professors and teachers over innocuous statements, actions, or the exercising of their rights, constitutional or otherwise.

In light of this rejection of liberal values by the left (though the right does it to an equal or greater extent), it is imperative that the claims and core tenets of neopuritanism, or as it will be called in this article, illiberal leftism, are objectively analyzed and deconstructed if necessary. Moreover, with the rise of social justice activism, it has become essential to question whether it resolves any problems, whether in the short-term or long term. This question is highlighted with the recent BLM (Black Lives Matter) protests, in which many on the left demanded that local and state governments defund the police in favour of alternative community policing and crime prevention programs. However, these policies and programs have been shown to have only a mild effect on crime, or have a debatable impact on violent crime rates, as concluded in The Oxford Handbook of Police and Policing.

Additionally, many demands of the illiberal left include policies related to the perceived privilege of whites and economic elites. For example, instead of demanding that more public resources be allocated to the public education system to boost outcomes, these individuals believe that racial hierarchy and post-colonial oppression can explain the inequality between different races. Furthermore, a near-total abandonment of the initial goals of the civil rights movement, which called for equality, not equity, has created a sense among some that social justice is merely envy and revenge in disguise.

Moreover, Martin Luther King Jr. believed that individuals should be judged by their character, not their race. This is the opposite of social justice, which maintains that individuals should be judged as parts of a group and by their race. Likewise, a narrative exists within illiberal liberal circles that free speech should be restricted, which would be hypocritical of them as free speech is what allowed their activism in the first place. Countering this argument, they would say that restrictions are necessary because of hate speech, when a significant portion of “hate speech” incidents are merely opinions that disagree with theirs’. As a result, illiberal leftists can shield themselves from criticism by claiming that all opposing voices are perpetrators of hate. This is how one pillar of a free and open democracy will fall, through the pursuit of a more just world.

Another major part of society rejected by the illiberal left is the very existence and concept of hierarchies. This view is inherently flawed, as it is impossible to dispose entirely of hierarchies in an advanced society.

Hierarchies are necessary when communities exceed 150 people; equal governance systems begin to break down due to 150 being the upper limit of the number of people that any individual can personally know. This fact is proven in this BBC article explaining the findings of Robin Dunbar, a British anthropologist. As a result, hierarchies are necessary in order to support larger groups and communities. By attempting to remove all inequalities and hierarchies, illiberal leftists are inadvertently causing the gradual destruction of modern society. In order to counterbalance this effect, some aspects of their group have opted for highly complicated, inefficient, and overbearing bureaucracies. An excellent example of these forms of organization is California, where an inefficient,

bloated bureaucracy has caused property and rental prices to skyrocket, mainly due to overregulation, constrained supply, and restrictive zoning regulations. Additionally, high taxes and overregulation have resulted in many entrepreneurs and businesses leaving the state. This is not what any self-respecting individual should be aspiring towards.

Furthermore, California has the highest rate of homelessness in the United States, almost certainly stemming from high housing prices.

Moreover, the mismanagement of PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric) overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission has resulted in devastating wildfires such as the Camp Fire that have killed dozens of people and caused billions of dollars in property damage. If regulations had been simplified, these incidents might not have happened. In conclusion, liberal bureaucracies like California cannot be allowed to spread. If they do, stagnation, poverty, and corruption will follow.

NOT

your Model

Minority

When I was halfway through 6th grade summer camp in the U.S., my science teacher pulled me out into the hallway. He wanted to talk about my latest test. “You can do better than this,” he said. “I’m so surprised by grades like this from someone like you.” Someone like you? I’d never done particularly well in his class, so the implication of his words churned in my stomach. In that moment, I felt acutely the weight of the dark braid trailing down my back and the glasses slipping down my nose. I knew my performance was being evaluated not against my own earlier work but against the image of the perfect, straight-A, Asian student who lived in my teacher’s mind: the myth of the “model minority.”

- LAUREN LEE

The model minority myth characterizes Asian Americans as a polite, obedient group who have all achieved a higher level of success than the general population through a combination of innate industriousness and always keeping their heads down and never complaining. It makes the supposition that Asian communities are able to achieve the American Dream in a linear, logical fashion — all while keeping our heads down and being quiet, whilst ostracizing and degrading those who do not fit in the confines of this suffocating box.

So how did the model minority myth become so ingrained into our society?

During the 1960s, the Black Power movements in America, which aimed at increasing racial empowerment, began to spring up across the nation.

In order to combat these protests, those in power began to use Asians as pawns, as a way to undercut the movement by essentially saying, “Hey, Asians have faced racism. But because of their obedience and their hard work, they were able to overcome hardships and achieve the “American Dream.” If they can do it, why can’t you?” This perpetuation of white supremacy was an attempt to suppress the Black power movement and also added to the tension between Asian Americans and the Black community. The model minority myth invalidates the racism and inequality faced by the Black community and other minority groups by stereotyping Asians as the “good minority.” In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson enacted the Immigration and Nationality Act which lifted the geographical restrictions for immigrants that were in place and introduced conditional immigration. For Asians, this meant that the majority of those who were immigrating were doctors, engineers, and scientists. Due to the high number of these highly educated immigrants, it was assumed by the public and the media, that, despite the majority of these immigrants working long hours for very little doing menial labor, all Asian Americans were ‘successful’ and had these high-skilled professions. By positioning Asian Americans as beneficiaries of the bounty of the American Dream, the myth of the model minority ignores the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and Japanese internment in the 1940s. It suggests that the western world has always been a welcoming place for people of Asian descent, in spite of the mass lynchings of Asian Americans in the 19th century and the murder of Vincent Chin in 1982.

The myth of the model minority paints Asians as a monolith. Data about Asian American achievement typically lumps this diverse population together into a singular group.

Taken as a whole, it shows that Asian Americans tend to hold higher degrees and earn larger incomes than the general population. These successes are often attributed to differences in family attitudes toward education. From these metrics and attributions, the stereotype that Asians are winning in their pursuit of the American Dream emerges. But when we break these numbers down, the myth begins to crack.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, members of 12 out of 19 Asian origin groups have poverty rates as high as or higher than the U.S. average; at a share of 25%, Mongolians have the highest poverty rates among Asians in the U.S. The struggles of a hard-working South Korean intern at a tech firm fighting against workplace discrimination and a Mongolian refugee trying to make ends meet are not one and the same. And treating these diverse, wholly unique individuals with wholly unique struggles as the same erases and invalidates all they have faced and all they will fight for.

This promotion gap isn’t due to a lack of ambition or work ethic, experts say, but rather a combination of cultural stigma and bias, if not outright discriminatory, attitudes of those already in top management, which remains overwhelmingly white.

The stereotypes and normalization of the model minority myth remains pervasive and affects every Asian person that enters the workforce.

In recent years, the representation gaps between Asian Americans in higher education and Asian leaders in corporate America have gained increasing scrutiny. Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in the country and make up around 7% of the U.S. population.

Nearly 60% of them go to college, compared with 41% of the general population. After school, Asian Americans comprise 13% of working professionals.

Generally, Asian Americans are perceived as smart, hardworking, easy-to-manage employees. You may be thinking: saying that all Asians are quiet and hardworking is a good stereotype! However, the nature of oppression is that the oppressor gives opportunities as they see fit. In their eyes, we are not suited to be leaders, and being a quiet little desk worker is the extent of our capabilities. If we are so hardworking, so diligent, why do we only make up 2% of Fortune 500 company leaders? An analysis of workforce data found that Asian American white-collar professionals were the least likely racial group to be promoted into management roles.

The claim that all Asians experience success dismisses the possibility of anti-Asian sentiments and violence. I don’t want to be another headline. An elderly Thai immigrant dies after being shoved to the ground. A Filipino-American is slashed in the face with a box cutter. A Chinese woman is slapped and then set on fire. 6 Asian women dead, no, murdered in a series of racially motivated mass shootings. One group, Stop AAPI Hate, received nearly 3,800 accounts of incidents in America between March 19, 2020, and Feb. 28 2021.

There are currently over 500,000 posts under the Hashtag #StopAsianHate. Posting on social media can be an important tool to show solidarity and speak up. However, we cannot stop caring about an issue when it’s no longer “trending”. In today’s society, the worldview of many individuals is informed by the media they consume. The stereotype of the model minority is so normalized and so ingrained in our minds that the only way to tackle it is to educate and make people aware and then take steps to actively dismantle the stereotypes. Education and awareness can come in the form of including Asian history in school curricula, inviting Asian speakers and figures to share their stories, and making Asian-lead and Asian-made films and novels more accessible.

We should encourage prominent Asian leaders in various sectors of society to speak up and speak out about their struggles, and help give a platform to other deserving Asian individuals. Movies like The Farewell and Minari bring authentic, meaningful Asian stories to the big screen. Asian role models show young Asian children that they can dream big and have aspirations that do not fit into the confines of the model minority myth, opening doors of opportunity on both the individual and societal scale. It shouldn’t take acts of violence for this change to occur, but now, it is more important than ever.

This overarching myth and movies like Crazy Rich Asians perpetuate the erasure of the Asian community. I recall a moment when I was studying in the US and a non-Asian student commented, “Wow, your English is really good, and you aren’t as quiet as I thought you’d be.” I believe he meant it as a compliment – but after reflection, I was deeply offended. Should it be a surprise if I am as eloquent and persuasive as Sheryl Sandberg or Bill Clinton? How are these biases going to affect that person’s view of Asians going forward – will his expectations be tempered, and will he make conscious and unconscious decisions based on these biases that affect my opportunities and those around me? The Asian community inhabits a purgatorial status: neither white enough nor black enough, unmentioned in most conversations about racial identity. In the popular imagination, Asian Americans are all high-achieving professionals. But in reality, this is the most economically divided group in America, a tenuous alliance of people with roots from South Asia to East Asia to the Pacific Islands, from tech millionaires to service industry laborers.

Let us all do our part to demolish the model minority myth.

27

POP CULTURE 70

& FASHION

Y O B r e v lo

D E I F I T R CE

VS

A D N DO

- SHLOKA VISHWESHWAR

Released just five days apart and still in competition five months later, the two rap giants of the industry have faced a torrent of critique and comparison for their respective albums, “Donda” and “Certified Lover Boy”. Although sales show CLB as a winner, statistics are not what determine the result of their legacies. Instead of declaring one album great and one album trash, we can instead break up comparisons into categories to see where one album trumps the other and have a better understanding of how these two projects stack up with one another. (remember these are just opinions please don’t cancel me)

Which album had higher highs?

Which album has a better rap line?

The highlights of each album are of no contention, Donda’s being Jail, Hurricane, Off The Grid, Pure Souls, and Jesus Lord while CLB’s being Way 2 Sexy, Fair Trade, Champagne Poetry and Knife Talk.

Judging by comparison, Donda holds clear superiority. While Drake’s highlights tended to be more catchy, the uncut vulnerability and truthfulness of Kanye’s lyrics shone through in a grandiose of passion we haven’t seen since the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy era.

This is contentious, but most of the songs on Donda’s tracklist were barely verging on the genre of rap itself.

Kanye favoured a slightly more sing-songy approach.

Drake has always been a fantastic lyricist and has a great tongue for quick, intricate rhymes. Songs like “7AM On The Bridle Path” or “No Friends In The Industry” showcase his skills to perfection. Although this doesn’t necessarily make CLB a better album, a good rap line is kind of essential for a rap album. This one is a no brainer.

Which album was more creative?

This category is handed once again to Donda by a landslide. Drake’s music is formulaic; he follows a pioneered and perfected formula to sail his songs to the charts. His formula has done wonders for him, but unfortunately prevents him from taking creative risks too often. He plays a safe game and sticks to what the people know. Kanye has had a number of albums released over the past decade, but with each era he reinvents himself. While it is not always to the public’s liking, he still takes creative risks and finds new ways to enhance his music with every comeback. Donda was, by far, a much more creative album.

Which album had lower lows?

Despite being two incredibly articulate projects, fans from both sides declared that these albums were definitely not Kanye and Drake’s best works. What ultimately led to both of their downfalls was the lengthiness. The highlights were great, but both included a large and messy rollout of filler songs which weighed down the whole tracklist. Due to them both having the same weakness, this one is a tie.

Which album has more replayability?

While both albums drag on incessantly, what determines replayability is usually how often it is played in a club or a hype setting. With this in mind, CLB has the slight edge. Donda is a beautifully soulful album, but CLB’s undeniable bops will carry it’s status and popularity in a club or a party. As I mentioned above, Drake sticks to a formula. While this formula prevents him from creative risks, it is always what guarantees his spot in the charts. He knows how to hook the listener’s ear in new ways every comeback.

CLB will be a classic tracklist at parties for years to come.

Both albums have their strong and weak points at odds with one another, but it is undeniable that both albums are fantastic pieces of art made by the greatest rappers of the industry.

A Show for our Generation - JAMES ELLIS

The television shows that defined the young people of Generation X were Friends, Seinfeld, and ER. For Millenials, it was The Simpsons, The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl, and Breaking Bad. Although my generation, Generation Z’s quintessential shows, won’t be determined for a while to come, there has been one show that could make the list. I am talking about the HBO teen drama, Euphoria. While there are others like Never Have I Ever, Sex Education, and Stranger Things, there has not been one encompassing quite the acting skill and tactful approach this show has.

The show follows a group of high school teenagers whose struggles with drugs, sex, and relationships help forge their personal identities.

Each episode of the first season revolves around one of these high school students, whether it’s Jules Vaugh, the transgender companion and love interest of Rue, or Nate Jacobs, an aggressive athlete who masks his sexuality with anger. So, you may be thinking, with a seemingly cliché synopsis, what does this show offer that other ones do not? It offers shock in the form of a mature subject matter but contentment in how Sam Levinson, the show’s creator, deals with said matter.

I Put Up A Good Fight But I Lost.

For The First Time, But Not The Last.

- Rue , Euphoria

The acting is also unparalleled, which can be seen in Zendaya’s historic Emmy win. Along with this, it provides viewers true relatability (which shows like Riverdale fail to do) and addresses pertinent problems realistically and fittingly.

And, of course, the music, vibes, and aesthetics are exceptional!

Having said that, Euphoria is definitely outlandish. It deals with topics relevant to people my age but often in a wildly exaggerated, debauched manner. It has been reprimanded for marketing explicit, adult content as a coming-ofage show. And there are consequences. When this image of how teenagers act is pushed on actual teenagers, this objectionable behavior can manifest itself in them. Speaking from personal viewing experience, I also found Euphoria, at times, excessively triggering. More times than not, it spirals into a depressing, outdone “look at what kids today are up to!” But maybe this is all a part of creating a successful show (outrageous themes and such).

Whether we like it or not, Euphoria is here to stay. Season two is currently streaming and premiered on January 9th, 2022. Whether or not Euphoria will hold up as the embodiment of Generation Z, though, only time will tell.

- LAUREN LEE

Whether the name Shein rings a bell due to #SHEINHaul TikTok or because of the uproar that ensued when the company put a swastika necklace up for sale, you’ve probably heard of the controversial fast fashion brand Shein. The Chinese retailer is quickly becoming one of Gen Z’s favorite fashion brands, for its low prices and savvy social media use.

Marketing itself as “an international fastfashion e-commerce platform” that “prides itself on offering on-trend styles… that won’t break the bank.”, Shein has set itself apart from other fast fashion retailers.

While fast fashion places like Zara and H&M introduce new pieces by tracking trends and going through a week-long process to come out with new designs, Shein is able to use real-time data to significantly expedite this process. This allows them to continually introduce contemporary items while removing things that do not sell easily, resulting in Shein’s annual revenue being close to 10 billion USD in 2020. Yet, despite all of the cheap and trendy pieces they carry, Shein is a place you shouldn’t be shopping at.

There’s a running accusation on TikTok that Shein depends on child labor. These comments usually appear on videos of Shein hauls or styling videos, in which users try to shame well-off creators for buying from a purportedly unethical company. Though there is no distinct evidence that Shein employs children or produces an unsafe labor environment, the company has not publicly disclosed workers’ wages or hours. In August, Reuters reproted that Shein still has not revealed information about its working conditions and supply network to the English government, which the retailer is required to do under UK law.

Additionally, Shein had beforehand erroneously claimed on its site that its factories were certified by international labor standard bodies, as per Reuters.

Even if Shein provides timely payment for their workers, what are the ethics of producing and selling thousands of garments a day at a breakneck pace, even if workers are reportedly paid on time?

Shein’s business model drives — and depends on — overconsumption. Some of the most viewed Shein-related content feature young women buying hundreds of dollars’ worth of clothes to try on for every season or fashion TikTok trend. Shein captializes on Gen Z’s fascination with its “newness”, whilst exploiting workers in their mission to achieve further economic growth.

Though the trendy cropped tanks and alluring knitwear for an amazing price seems enticing at first glance; a brand that preys on the mindset of the next generation, a brand that exploits their workers and does not make their working policies transparent, a brand that has numerous racist allegations– a brand like SHEIN, is a brand you should not shop at.

BOOKS

August 15: After U.S. President Joe Biden’s hasty withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban quickly capture Kabul, and the Afghanistan government subsequently surrenders.

August 3: The wildfires in Greece begin after the country records temperatures as high as 47.1°C. Three people die, over twenty are injured, and dozens of homes are burned.

August 8: The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics end. Defying the precarious pandemic circumstances, Japan holds a very memorable event, which includes incredible performances by Suni Lee, the first Hmong American who wins gold after Simone Biles pulled out, as well as Caeleb Dressel, who wins a total of five gold medals. This Olympics also sees the introduction of sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing.

September 26: Germany votes for a new chancellor after Angela Merkel ends her tenure in the position. The Social Democrats overcome the CDU/CSU Christian-democratic coalition, emerging victorious.

October 5: A record number of over one hundred and fifty Chinese warplanes enter Taiwan’s air defense zone. It comes at a time when cross-strait relations become tenser than ever, with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen warning that the fall of democracy in Taiwan could warrant tragic results in the region.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken diverts from the United States’ strategic ambiguity.

September 7: El Salvador becomes the first country to recognize Bitcoin as an official currency.

August 17: Microsoft removes Internet Explorer; its apps and services will no longer work with the web browser.

September 19: The Russian legislative election is held, with Vladimir Putin’s United Russia political party winning a majority of seats in the State Duma.

October 11: The Tigray War continues as the Ethiopian government launches a ground offensive aimed at removing TPLF forces from Amhara and Afar.

Abiy Ahmed, the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and the country’s first democratically-elected president, struggles to contain and repress the conflict.

October 18: Colin Powell, the first African-American secretary of state, passes away at eightyfour. His legacy remains controversial, most notably in regards to the Invasion of Iraq.

October 22: Japan’s general election occurs, with newly-elected Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Liberal Democratic Party retaining a majority government.

October 30-31: G20 Summit, the intergovernmen tal forum, in Italy is held.

November 5: During the first night of rapper Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival, a crowd trampling and crush kills ten people. The rapper’s negligent response tarnishes his image.

November 1: Statistics report that more than five million people have died from Covid-19.

November 12: While former President Donald Trump withdrew from the Paris agreement, Biden joins it again, and the U.S. participates in COP26. COP26, held in Glasglow, is advertised as the last chance for us to save our planet.

Many young activists take to the streets to advocate for more ambitious and immediate green agenda implementation.

December 23: South African bishop, theologian, anti-apartheid activist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu dies at age 90.

November 13: Almost four thousand migrants and refugees, many of whom are from Afghanistan and the Middle East, are stranded at the border between Belarus and Poland. This comes after being denied entry to Belarus.

November 24: Ahmaud Arbery’s killers are all found guilty on counts of felony murder. The trial was in response to Arbery’s murder after jogging in the wrong neighborhood.

November 19: Kyle Rittenhouse is found innocent in his trial verdict. The trial assessed his activities in the Kenosha unrest shooting in which 17-year-old Rittenhouse fatally shot two and wounded another.

December 6: The U.S. announces its diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics on account of China’s human rights abuses. Canada, the U.K., and Australia soon follow suit.

January 16: Djokovic is deported from Australia following a widelycovered legal case concerning his vaccination status.

February 18: Eileen Gu wins her third medal and second gold medal of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The poster girl of the sports event, Gu helps China break numerous records. Kamila Valieva, the fifteen-year-old Russian figure skating prodigy fails to get a medal after her narrow admittance due to a doping scandal.

January 2: Unrest in Kazakhstan begins as oil prices peak. The unrest would be resolved later with the deployment of Russian troops in the country.

February 24: Eight years after annexing the Crimean Peninsula, Russia begins a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prompting outrage from the international community. The US, among other countries, impose harsh sanctions targeting Russia's economy and elites associated with the government. This comes as NATO continues its efforts to expand eastward.

ART

LELA OGAWA EL-ASMAR, CLASS OF '25

AMARIS KIM, CLASS OF '22

LELA OGAWA EL-ASMAR, CLASS OF '25

LELA OGAWA EL-ASMAR, CLASS OF '25

AVA PAREKH, CLASS OF '25

ZARA RASHID, CLASS OF '25

VALENTINA JARKAS, CLASS OF '24

VALENTINA JARKAS, CLASS OF '24

MARCUS WU, CLASS OF '23

AMARIS KIM, CLASS OF '22

JASLYNE TAM, CLASS OF '24

ALAN HU, CLASS OF '24

ELANNA MAK, CLASS OF '22

HAYDEN KIM, CLASS OF '22

KYLE CHAN, CLASS OF '22

CALEB FERRIN, CLASS OF '23

AUDREY LIANG, CLASS OF '23

AUDREY LIANG, CLASS OF '23

KATE SIN LAI, CLASS OF '22

KAITLYN WANG, CLASS OF '22

KYLE CHAN, CLASS OF '22

KAITLYN WANG, CLASS OF '22